The pilgrimage of the life of man, English by John Lydgate, A. D. 1426, from the French of Guillaume de Deguileville, A. D. 1330, 1335. The text ed. by F. J. Furnivall ... With introduction, notes, glossary and indexes by Katharine B. Locock ...

DE GUILLEVILLE'S PILGRIMAGE OF THE LIFE OF MAN (englisht by Lydgate in 1426, from the 2nd recension of De Guille|ville's Pèlerinage de vie humaine, A. D. 1355, pr. about 1500).

Prolog of the Translator, John Lydgate. [Cott. Vitel folio 2a]

q Vi peregrinatis, hunc per librum docearis [docearis. Stowe MS. 952. The Cott. MS. is burnt and torn at the top all thro; 1st page faint. The Stowe MS. was once in the possession of old John Stowe, the famous tailor and book-collector. Notes in his writing are on lvs. 1, 3, 4, 13, besides the long bit he copied from 303 bk. to the end, 379 bk.] Que bona uel dubia s[it fugienda [[St.]] ] via. [y] e worldly folk, avysë yow betymes Wych in thys lyff [ne] ben [but as pylgrimes [[St.]] ], Lyk straungerys [fferë fro youre Cuntre [[St.]] ] [[St.]] Vnfraunchysed and [voyde off lyberte]; [[St.]] Line 4 ffor schortly herë yovre poscessyon ys yove to yow / but for a schort sesoun, Nor the tresovrë [[tresoure St., tresour C.]] wych that ye possede ys but thyng lent / ho so kan takë hede, Line 8 ffor clerkys seyn / how [that] al [[alle St., al C.]] erthly thyng [St. ¶ Omnia terena per vic[es] sunt aliena. // Nescio sunt cuius nunc // cras huius & h . . . ] Stowndëmel, and by vnwar chaungyng, Whan folk lest wenë / & noon hede ne take, Her mayster oldë [[olde St., old C.]] sodeynly for-sake. Line 12 Thyng myn to-day / a-nother hath to-morwe; That kam wyth Ioye / departeth ay wyth sorwe; And thyng ywonne wyth Ioyë [[Ioye St., Ioy C.]] and gladnesse, Ay dysseuereth wyth [[wyth with C.]] wo and hevynesse. No tresour here, wyth O man wyl abyde; Who strengest halt / ther rathest hyt wyl slyde; ffortune ys lady / with hyr / double face, Of every thyng / that sodeynly doth pace; Line 20 Sche pryncesse ys / of al worldly glorye, And off al Ioyë that ys transytórye; Sche ys off chere [[chere St., che C.]] so varyaunt & dovble, Hyr kalm ys euere meynt with wo & trovble, Line 24 And hyr sugre [ys] vnder-spreynt wyth galle: Thys hyr vsage vn-to estatys alle,

To schewe fayrest whan [[fayrest whanne St., fayres wham C.]] sche ys most to drede; Of hyh ne lowh sche taketh noon other hede, Line 28 ffor wych [let] no man vp-on hyr assure, ffor sche ys lyke [[lyke St., lyk C.]] to the chavnteplure; Wo after Ioye & after song wepyng, Thys hyr cvstom in every maner thyng. Line 32 In on estate she neuere doth contyune. [folio 2b] [[St.; C. burnt]] Thys stormy quen, wych callyd ys Fortune [[St. & C.]] Hyr gyfftys allë in conclusion, [[collusion, St.]] [[C. & St.]] Be not but gyffytys off confusion. [[C. & St.]] Line 36 ffor worthynesse in Armes nor vyctórye [[C. & St.]] Arn in effect but thingës transytórye [[St. & C.]] Nor hih conquest, nor domynacion, [[St. & C.]] Peplys to puttë in subieccyon. Line 40 It al [[It C, Alle St.]] schal passe as doth a somer flovr; In thys world herë, [[St. here, her C.]] holdyng no soiovr No thyng abyt, shortly for to wryte, [[St. & C.]] Good lyff exepte, and only ovr meryte. [[C. & St.]] Line 44

Trusteth [[Trusterth C.]] ther-for, ye folk of euery age, That yowre lyff her ys but a pylgrymage; ffor lyk pylgrymes ye passë to & ffro, Whos Ioye ys euere meynt A-mong with wo. Line 48 Al [[A C, Alle St.]] worldly blyssë, medlyd ys with stryff; ffor ay the cöurs, of thys mortal lyff, Euerych hovr doth to hys boundys drawe; To al pylgrymës kynd hath set a lawe, Line 52 Eche day to Renne a party on ther way; Oldë [[Olde St., Old C.]] ner yong, ther may no man sey nay, Lyk a Ryuer sterne, and of gret myght, Ne restyth nat [[nat St., om. C.]] nouther [by] day nor nyght, Line 56 To holde hys cours as ledeth hym the streem, Ryght so, pylgrymes to-ward Ierusaleem Haste [[Haste on St.]] on her way in thys world, & echone To-ward that cyte, or to Babylone. [[C. torn]] Line 60 Lyk ther merytes, & lyk to ther degres, They be Receyved at on of thys cytees, Ytakyn innë, [[inne St., in C.]] so as they dysserve; And deth, ay redy with hys dart to kerue, Line 64 Lyth in a-wayt, dredful off manacys, To send palmerys to on off thys placys.

A-geyne whas [[whos St.]] strokë, helpeth no medycyne, [folio 3a] Salue, tryacle / but grace only dyvyne, Line 68 ffolk to conveye to ther desyred place: And many brygaunt the weye doth manace, No man ys sur hym syluen to diffend; Wherfore I rede, lat euery whyht a-mend Line 72 Hys lyff be tyme, whil he hath liberte.

And that folk may the Ryhtë weyë se Best assuryd to-wardë [[warde St., ward C.]] ther passage, Lat hem be-holde[n] in the pylgrymage, Line 76 Which [[Which St., Whch C.]] callyd ys pylgrymage de movnde, In the wych fful notably ys fovnde, Lernyd, and tavht, who can well construe, What folk schal take, & what they schal eschue. Line 80 In thys book, yf [that] they redë yerne, Pylgrymës schal the verray trouthë [[trouthe St., trouth C.]] lerne,— yiff they sette ther trewë dyllygence To vnderstondë clerly the sentence,— Line 84 What hyt menyth, & the moralyte; Ther they may, as in a merovr, se holsom thynges, & thynges full notable; What ys prevyd, & what thyng ys dampnable, Line 88 What ys holsom, the sovlë for to save, Whan the body ys leyd in hys grave. And to knowë [[knowe St., know C.]] wych be cyteseyns, Trewë burgeys, & ekë [[eke St., ek C.]] fraunkeleyns, Line 92 Wych in good lyff and vertu do excelle, In Ierusaleem perpetually to duelle, Whan the Iugge & Lord, that lyveth evere, In hys doom assovnder shal dysseuere Line 96 Hys chosë shep, wasshe in the lambys blood, Wych for mankyndë starff vpon the rood; And putte the kydës to dampnacion, [folio 3b] [[St. & C.]] wych ha noon part of Crystys passyon, Line 100 Endlesly there to lyve in peyne, Where Lucyffer lyth bovnden in his cheyne. ffro the wych, God euery man defende, And grauntë [[graunte St., graunt C,]] gracë, our lyff here to mende, To-ffor the ffyn of ovrë pylgrymage. ffor, save hys grace, we ha noon avauntage,

No thyng is [[to St.]] cleyme as be tytle of ryht, But of mercy, wych ay lyth in hys myght, Line 108 Vn-to synnerys, that deye repentaunt, To yive pardon off hys benynge graunt, [The] Wych ys to hem, vn-to ther refut, Proteccyon and truë sauff-conduit, Line 112 Hem to savë, that thay be nat lorn.

And thys book, the wych I spake off to-fforn, I mene, the book Pylgrymage de Movnde, Morall of vertu, of materys ful profovnde, Line 116 Maad & compylyd in the Frenchë tonge, ffull notáble to be rad & songe. To every pylgryme, vertuous of lyff, The mater is / so contemplatyff; Line 120 In all the book, ys not lost a word.

Thys consydred full wysly of my lord Of Salysbury, the noble manly knyht, Wych in Fravncë, for the kyngys Ryht, Line 124 In the werre hath meny day contunyd; Whom God & gracë han ful wel ffortunyd In thenpryses wych he hath vndertake; Lyff and godes, for the kyngys sake, Line 128 Knyhtly Inpartyd thys prince vertuous; Ay in the ende beyng victoryous, Swych grace & Eur, God to hym hath sent, Wych gaff me ffyrst in comavndement Line 132 Thys seydë book in Englysshe for to make, [folio 4a] As I koude, [al] only for hys sake. Be-cause he woldë that men schold[e] se, In ovre tonge, the grete moralyte Line 136 Wych in thys book ys seyde & comprehendyd, That yt ne myhte (me semyth) be Amendyd; The auctour, wych that dyde hyt ffyrst compyle, So vertuously spent ther-on hys whyle. Line 140 And of entent to do my lord plesaunce, In hys worschepë, for a remembravnce, As I am bovnde for to be hys man, I wyl translate hyt sothly as I kan, Line 144 After the lettre, in ordre effectuelly. Thogh I not folwe the wordës by & by,

I schal not faillë teuchyng [[touchynge St.]] the substaunce, Thogh on [[in St.]] makyng I ha no suffysaunce; Line 148 ffor my wrytyng, in conclusion, ys al yseyd vnder correcion.

And of the tyme playnly, & of the date Whan I be-gan thys book to translate, Line 152 yt was a thovsand (by computacion) Affter crystys incarnacion, ffour hundryd ouer, nouther fer ne nere, The surples ouer, syxe & twenty yere, Line 156 My lord that tymë beyng at Parys, Wych gaff me charge, by hys dyscrete avys, As I seyde erst, to settë myn entent Vp-on thys book to be [ful] dyllygent, Line 160 And to be-gynne vp-on thys labour, Allë folkys be-sechyng of ffavour, That on thys book after-ward schal rede; And that hym lyst nat to taken hede Line 164 To the makyng, but to the sentence; ffor I am bareyn of all eloquence. Ther-for I pray, what so that be seyde, [Off [[St., C. burnt]] gentyll]esse not to be evel apayde, [folio 4b] And my rudnessë helpyn to excuse, ffor in metre I ha ne with me no muse: Noon of the nyne that on Parnase duelle, Nor she that ys [the] lady of the welle, Line 172 Calliopë, [[C. inserts 'that ys']] be sydë cytheron, Gaff to my pennë, plente nor fuson Of hyr licovr, whan thys work was [be]gonne. Nor I drank no-wer of the sugryd tonne Line 176 Off Iubiter, couchyd in hys celer, So strange I fonde to me hys boteler, Off poetys [i]callyd Ganymede.

But to my labour now I woll me spede, Line 180 Prayng ech reder me to reconforte, Benignëly my rudenesse to supporte. ffor wherso be my thonk, I lese or wynne, Wyth yowrë gracë thus I wyll be-gynne. Line 184

Here endyth the prologe off the translatour.

Her be-gynneth the prologue of the auctour.

fful ofte hyt happeth [[falleth St.]] in certeyn Off dremys,—the wych that men ha seyn I nyhtys,—after, whan they wake, fful lytel hede ther-of thay take, Line 188 Tyl effte agayn yt comyth to mynde, That they the veray trouthë fynde, Of euery thyng they sawe to-forn. ffor, of remembrauncë the thorn Line 192 Pryketh here myndës with hys poynt, That they hyt se fro poynt to poynt, And fynde hyt verrayly yn dede, Thogh a-fore they took noon hede. Line 196 Be yt of Ioye, be yt of sorow, fful ofte a-pon the nexte [[nexte St., next C.]] morow yt ys go clene out off her thouht, [folio 5a] Ther-of they ha so lytel rouht, Line 200 Tyl after they a-vyse hem wel; And then thay fyndyth [[ffynde St.]] yt euerydel, Dremys that they had a nyhte, By maner of a dyrked [[dyrk C, Derkede St.]] syhte. Line 204 But yiff they makë longe delay, To putte hem forth fro day to day, Than, [[That St., Than C.]] th[o]rogh foryetelnesse, Thay kan there-of no thyng expresse, Line 208 ffor all ys out of myndë go.

And on A tyme hyt happyd so, ffro Crystys berth a thousand yer, Thre hondryd, by a-cowntys cler, Line 212 And over [[read thries]] Ten, as I toke kepe, Vp-on a nyht I lay & sclepe, Drempte, (yf ye lyst to lere, [[here St.]] ) A wonder dreme, in tyme yffere. Line 216 The wych, a-noon as I a-wook Vp on the morow, a penne I took, And wrote yt, yff ye lyst to wyte, [[? wete]] That I schold hyt nat foryete; Line 220 But freschly yn my mynde yt kepe, Halff wakyng and halff a-slepe,

That I myht after, by leyser, Correcte hyt when the day were cler, Line 224 By good avys, whan I took kepe, Bet a-dawed out of my sclepe.

And thys consyderyd euery dele, Me sempte I haddë do ryht wel, Line 228 Yiff ther hadde, as tho to me, ffallë noon contraryouste; ffor al the wrytyng that I wrote Was me be-raffte, and how I not, Line 232 Dyscured [[Stowe]] thurgh the world a brode, [folio 5b] As God woot wel, and thus yt stood. Where-of I hadde as tho no shame, ffor al I hald yt but a game; Line 236 ffor to that tyme fredam I hadde To putte away, and eke to adde, What that me lyst, lyk as I wende. ffor ther was mychë thyng to mende, Line 240 To ordeyne, & to correcte, And bet in order to directe; ffor many a thyng, yt ys no nay, Mot be prouyned, & kut a-way, Line 244 And yshape of newe entaylle, In ordre dresse hyt, & yraylle, As doth euery manere whyht, That wol make a thyng a-ryht. Line 248 ffor he that bar my dreme a-way, ffull lytel thouhte (yt ys no nay) On my profyt in any wyse; ffor shortly, as I kan devyse, Line 252 I myghte beter a mendyt yt, Lyk as God hadde yeve me wyt, Sool by my sylff, than I may now; But all ys gone, I wot not how. Line 256 And eke yt ys so long a-go, That thys dreem was take me fro, I haue almost foryete yt al. But not for-thy, yet I schal Line 260 Adde, & putte a-way also, Where-as I se yt be to do;

I schal not leve in myne entent To putte alway a-mendement, [[amendement St.]] Line 264 As yt comyth to my knowynge, Day be day yt rémembrynge. And when that yt a-mendyd ys, And se that nothyng be a mys, [folio 6a] Line 268 By a lace I shal yt were, And a-bowte my nekke yt bere, Send yt forth to euery [[yche St.]] contre, Wher-as to-fforn that yt hath be, Line 272 A-geyn my wyl & my plesaunce.

And thus [[this St.]] for a Remembraunce, Go fforth thow dreme! I sendë [[sende St., send C.]] the By all the placys wher thow hast be; Line 276 I send the to thy provynours, By all the pathys & the tovrs, ffor thow knowest the weyë wel, And the passage euerydel. Line 280 On my be halff[e] thow not ffaylle To dresse yt ewyn by entaylle, Wher thow wer fferst, wych doth me greve, And took of me no maner leve. Line 284 ffor wych I calle yt (thys the ffyn,) No verray weyë off pylgrym. By cavsë, wherso, by the lak, On ffootë, nor on horsëbak, [[horse St., hors C.]] Line 288 Thow sholdest ha mad no Iourne, But thow haddest hadde leve off me. But ffor as myche as I in dede Thynkë the with me to lede, Line 292 Whan I go, as thow schalt se, To Ierusaleem, the cyte; To wych weye, with-ovte [[oute St., ovt C.]] more I am excyted wonder sore: Line 296 Thys myn entent, thider to drawe, And a-mong pylgrymes, thys a lawe, That, as brother vn-to brother, Euerych sholde a-byden other. Line 300 Thys sholde ben a trewe vsage Off folkys [[Stowe MS.]] in ther pylgrymage. [folio 6b]

Doo tellë [[St., C. burnt]] myn aventure cler, How passyd syx and twenty yer, Line 304 Tellë [[Telle St., Tel C.]] vn-to on and all, How that yt ys [to] me ffall, In the Abbey off Chalys, [Chaalit: Roxb. ed., p. 1; 'Chaalic,' Add. 22,937; 'Calique,' Harl. 4399.] Whylom ffoundyd off Seyn Lewyys. Line 308

Here begynneth the pylgrym.

The seydë yer (ho lyst take kep) [prose cap ii] I was avysed in my slep, Excyted eke, and that a-noon, To Ierusalem for to goon. Line 312 Gretly meved in my corage ffor to do my pylgrymage, And ther-to steryd inwardly. And to tell the causë why, Line 316 Was, ffor me thouht I hadde a syht With-Inne a merour large & bryht, Off that hevenly ffayr cyte, Wych representede vn-to me Line 320 Ther of holy the manere, With Inne the glas ful bryht & cler. [[Rest of page blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] And werrayly, as [[as St., as ye se C.]] thouhtë me [folio 7a] yt excellyde off bewte Line 324 Al other in comparyson; ffor God hym selff was the masown, wych mad yt ffayr, at ys devys. ffor werkman was ther noon so wys, Line 328 yt to conceyve in hys entent; [Apocal. 21^o.] ffor al the weyës & paament Wer ypavyd all off gold. And in the sawter yt ys told, Line 332 How the ffyrst ffundacyon, [Fundamenta eius in Montibus sanctis.] On hyllys off devocyon; The masounry wrought ful clene, Off quykë stonys bryht & schene, [De lapidibus viuis.] Line 336 Wyth a closour rovnd a-bowte

Off enmyes, [[Enemyes St.]] ther was no dowte. ffor Awngelles the wach y-kepte, [Angelorum custodia.] The wych, day nor nyht ne slepte, Line 340 Kepyng so strongly the entre, That no wyht kam in that cyte, But pylgrymes, day nor nyht, That thyder wentyn evene ryht. Line 344

And ther were meny mansyovns, [In domo patris mei &c.] Placys, and habytacyovns; And ther was also al gladnesse, Ioye with-ovten hewynesse. Line 348 And pleynly, who that haddë grace ffor to entren in that place, ffond, onto hys plesavnce, Off Ioye al maner suffysavnce, Line 352 That eny hertë [[herte St., hert C.]] kan devyse. And yet the [[the St., they C.]] entre on swych wyse [prose cap iii] Was strongly kepte ffor komyng In; ffor the Awngel cherubin, Line 356 Off the gate was cheff porter, Havyng a swerd, fflawmyng as cler [folio 7b] [[St. & C.]] As any ffyr, evene at the gate; And who that wold, erly or late, Line 360 Passen the wal, he was yslawe. Ther ne was noon other lawe, Ne [[No . . no St.]] bet helpe, ne [[No . . no St.]] bet refut; The vengaunc ay was execut. Line 364

In the passage thyder-ward, The weyë was so streiht & hard, ffor tyravntys, with ther felonye And with ther mortel tormentrye, Line 368 Devyseden on [[in St.]] ther entent fful many wonderful torment, Lyggyng awayt fro day to day, To slen pylgrymes in ther way, [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 372 [All this, nearly to 1. 533, is omitted in the prose Camb. (Roxb.), or rather, is comprised in a few lines. In this second recension, De Guilleville has here very largely alterd and ex|panded his first.] Makyng ful grete occysion

Off pylgrymes of grete Renovn, Off men & wommen both yfere, Whos martyrdom (as ye schal here,) Line 376 Was ful grevous to endure. ffor somme of hem (I yow ensure,) Wern out of here Skynnes flawe; And sommë, by ful mortal lawe, Line 380 Wer hew (as bokys kan Remembre,) Asonder, partyd euery membre, Crucefyed, of blood al Red; And many other lost hys hed. Line 384 Of somme, the bowelys wer out Rent, And somme on hotë colys brent, ffretyng salt cast in among, [folio 8a] ffor to make ther peynys strong Line 388 Myd the ffyry flawmys reed. Somme boylyd in oylle and led, And sorë bet, that yt was wonder; Somme, sawyd evene assonder; Line 392 Somme, with wyldë hors ydrawe, In dyffence of crystys lawe, Thorgh-out the ffeld, her & yonder, Tyl ther Ioyntës wente a-sonder: Line 396 Nerff and bon assonder Rent, And ther Entraylles aforn hem brent. The ffelouns wern on hem so felle, That yt ys pyte for to telle; Line 400 And ther ys no man now a [[on St.]] lyve That kan the peynys halff descryve; Nor a sermon ther-off make, What [[That St.]] they suffrede ffor the sake Line 404 Off Cryst Ihesu vn-to the deth, ffor love, [[love St., lave C.]] tyl they yald vp the breth, Myd ther mortal peynys smerte. ffor ther ys noon so hard on hert, Line 408 So despytous, nor so ffelon, That he [ne] wolde ha compassyon, Ben agrysed off pytee; And specyally ffor to se Line 412 That they suffrede for no synne,

But only off entent to wynne The love off Cryst; & ffor hys sake, All they han vp-on hem take, Line 416 Seyng how, ffull long aforn, Cryst to suffre was yborn, And fforbar nat to be ded. And sythen he that was her hed Line 420 Suffrede peynys, deth, & woo, [folio 8b] The membrys wolde endure also, [[in alle St.]] And ffolwe ther hed on al [Omnes ellecti caput suum.] thyng, As Seyn Gregoir in hys wretyng [Gregorius.] Line 424 Recordeth pleynly (who taketh hed) Off allë chose, [[alle Choys St., al chose C.]] Cryst ys hed; ffor wych, the membrys, as was due, Affter ther hed lyst to sue, Line 428 Wych by example wente a-fore, To whom thentre was not fforbore. ffor swych as deydë ffor hys love, By wyketys entrede in above, Line 432 Vp the gatë, hih aloffte, Thogh ther [[ther was MS.]] passage was not soffte; The porter lyst hem nat to lette. And ther pencellys vp they sette [Camb. cap. iii.: "j seyh the penselles hanginge steyned red with blood."] Line 436 On cornerys, wher them thouhtë good, Al steyned with ther ovnë blood.

And whan that I parceyved yt, I conceyvede yn my wyt, Line 440 That who scholdë ther-with-Inne Entre by fforce, he most yt wynne By manhood only, and by vertu. ffor, by record off Seyn Mathew, Line 444 The hevene (as by hys sentence,) [Regnum celorum vim patitur.] Wonnen ys by vyolence. Crysostom Recordeth ek also,— [Magna violencia est, nasci in terra, & celum capere, [rapere St.] & ha|bere per virtutem quod non potest haberi per naturam. Crysosto[mus].] Who lyst taken hed ther-to,— That gret vyolence & myght yt ys, who that loke a-ryht, A man be born in erth her downe,

And Ravisshe, lyk a champyon, Line 452 The noble hihe hevenly place, By vertu only & by grace. ffor vertu doth to a man assure Thyng denyed by nature. [folio 9a] Line 456

¹Thys to seyne, who lyst lere, That vertu makyth a man conquere The hih hevene in many wyse, To wych kynde may not suffyse Line 460 To cleymë ther pocession, But she be guyded by Reson, Wych to vertu ys maystresse, To lede hyr also, and to dresse Line 464 In hyr pylgrymage Ryght Above the sterrys cler & bryht.¹ [1_1 Verba translatoris.]

ffor other weye koude I not se, To entre by in that cyte; Line 468 ffor cherubyn, erly and late, Ay awaytynge at the gate, Was redy euer, and ther stood, Whos swerd was bloudyd with the blood Line 472 Off Crystys holy passyon Whan he made our Redempcion, Mankynde to restore a-gayn. The wych wey, whan I hadde seyn, Line 476 I was a-stonyd in my syht. But I was coumfortyd a-noon Ryht, Whan I sawh the swerd mad blont Off cherubin, the wych was wont Line 480 To brenne as any flawmbe [[flawmbe St., flawnlbe C.]] bryht. But now, the sharpnesse & the [[the St., om. C.]] lyht Was queynte, to do no more vengaunce, By vertu off crystys gret suffravnce, Line 484 Wych schal no more for man be whet. [[4 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

[prose cap:line v:10] And ther I sawh a smal wyket [folio 9b] Ioynynge evene vp-on the gate; And ther stood on, erly & late, Line 488 Lenynge, as I kovde espye, Wych power [[power St., powder C.]] hadde, & maystrye

ffor to opne & to shette, To Receyven and to lette, Line 492 Pylgrymes that kam on ther weye; And in hys hond he held a keye,— [Tibi dabo claues regni celorum. Mathei.] Seyn Peter, me thouht by hys cher,— That had off God pleyn power [prose page 3] Line 496 To lete in ffolk wych he knew hable. But ffyrst they most (thys no ffable,) Dyspoyllen hem, & nakyd be; ffor noman entrede that cyte Line 500 That clothyd was, nor myhte passe, Wher he mor, or wer he lasse, Or gret compact [[compact St., compart C.]] in any membre. And than A-noon I gan Remembre Line 504 How Cryst sayde, in a certeyn place, That yt was as hard to passe In-to the hevene A reche man,— Lych as he rehersë kan Line 508 By record off hys gospel,— As yt was to a kamel [prose cap v] To passe throgh a nedlys Eye; Wych ys a thyng (ho kan espye,) Line 512 As yt were an Inpossible, And verrayly Incredyble.

Affter [[And affter St.]] -ward (yt ys no ffayll) Me thouhte I sawh a gret mervayle: Line 516 Vp-on Tours, dyuers estatys Off doctours and off [[off St., om. C.]] prelatys, Showyng, as by contenavnce, By speche, and by dallyavnce, [folio 10a] Line 520 Techyng pylgrymës to knowe, That wer yn the valë lowe, How, with travayllë & peyne, And how also they sholde atteyne Line 524 To make hem wyngës ffor to fle [prose cap:line iv:11] Hih a-loffte to that cyte, By wynges of exaumple good, Yiff they ther lernyng vnderstood, Line 528 Wych they tauhte hem in ther lyff [[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

By doctryne contemplatyff, Outward schewyng, as by cher, Ther love was to hem ful enter, Line 532 ffovndyd vp-on charyte.

Amongys wych I dedë [[dydde St.]] se Grete noumbre of thys Iacobins, Off chanovns, & of Awstynys, [prose page 2] Line 536 ffolkys ful diuers of maner, Both temporal & seculer, Off clerkys & relygyous, And other ordrys vertuous. Line 540 Mendyvauntys ful nedy, That day & nyht wer ryth [[were right St.]] besy To gedre ffetherys, bryht & shene, And make hem wynges ffor to fflen. [Facient sibi pennas & volabunt in celum.] And gan A-noon, with al ther myght, To soren vp, & take her fflyht Hih in-to that ffayr cyte. And hiher vp they dydë ffle, Line 548 Bove cherubin, that Avngel cler; [folio 10b] ffor they wer out of hys davnger, By the techyng, and the doctrine, And by exaumples ek dyvyne, Line 552 Wych ther maystres hadde hem tauht, Wher-by they han the hevene kauht, And ffounde ther-in gret avauntage To fforthre hem in ther pylgrymage, Line 556 And how hem sylff they sholdë guyde.

And vp-on the tother [[that other St.]] syde, Vnder the wal of the cyte, I sawh, off gret auctorite, Line 560 ffolkys, wych dyde entende To helpe her ffrendys to ascende, [prose page 3] By ful gret subtylyte, To make hem entre the cyte; Line 564 And ther-to dyde her bysy cure, By scalys throgh the strong closure; And as me thouhte, A-mong echon, That Seyn Benet in soth was on. [prose cap iv] [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 568

Line 568 Wych, as I rehersë [[Reherse St., rehers C.]] shal, ffor to scale that hihe wal, That was so myhty & so strong, With hym brouht a ladder long, Line 572 In the wych men myhtë se xij. greës [[Twelve greces St.]] off humylyte, By wych, thor[o]gh deuocyon, ffolk off hys relygyon Line 576 Ascendyd vp, gre by gre, [folio 11a] With-ovtë lette to that cyte, And the ryht[ë] weye han take. Monkys greyë, whyte, & blake, Line 580 Ascendyng vp with-outë ffeer. And Seyn Fravnceys I sawh ek ther, [prose cap v] fful dyllygent, and ek bysy, And (as me thouht) ful ffrendly Line 584 To ffolk of hys profession. [prose page 3]

And ek in myn avysyon I sawh ther cordys rovnd & long, Al yffret with knottys strong, Line 588 Hard to ffele, and nothyng soffte. And ffro the valey hih a-loffte Vp-on the wal they dede hem caste, And by the cordys held ham ffast, Line 592 Grypyng hem with gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] peyne, Off entent they myghte atteyne To gete vp to that hihe wal, ffor to kepe hem ffrom a ffal, Line 596 Alway by the corde hem held.

And many A-nother I be-held, Off dyuers ffolkys that vp ran, Off whom the namys I not kan, Line 600 Nor how they dyde hem sylff assure, Over the wallys to Recure On echë party Round abovte; ffor I in soth, that stood with-oute, [[in doute St.]] Line 604 Myghte not be-holden al the paas, But on the party that I was, Wych was to me gret dysplesavnce. But I dar seyen, [[seye St., seyn C.]] in substaunce, Line 608

Line 608 That ther was noon off no degre Wych entre myhtë the cyte, But lefft with-outë, lowë doun, [folio 11b] ffor al, hys sherpë [[scrippe St.]] & bordoun. [The Roxb. has scrip, the Fr. escharpe, and the picture shows a scrip worn scarf-wise. See also p. 18, l. 655, 664. Escharpe: f. a Scarfe; a Baudrick. L'escharpe d'un pelerin. The scrip, wallet, or pouch wherein he carries his meat.—Cotgrave. Bourdon: m. a Pilgrims staffe.] Line 612

But thentent off hys vyage, And ffyn ek off hys pylgrymage, Wer set [[sette St.]] of hertë fynally [Omnia agunt propter finem.] Ther tabyde perpetuelly Line 616 With ffeyth, hope, & charyte, To lyve with rest on [[in St.]] that cyte; ffor other thyng, in hert & thouht, To her desyre they woldë nouht. Line 620 ffor, as the phylisofre seyth, (To whom men mosten yeven [[yevyn St., eyven C.]] feyth) That al ffolk, [[alle folke St.]] wherso they wende, What they do, ys for som ende. Line 624

And for that skylë, more & more, I was steryd wonder sore ffor to takë my Iournee, Lyk a pylgryme, to that cyte. Line 628 Off more Ioyë I nat kepte; And, me thouht ek, as I slepte, And in my dreem dyde ek mete, That ellys I myghte ha no quyete. Line 632 And thus ful pensyff in my guyse, [prose cap vi] A-noon I gan me to a-vyse, And thouht in myn avysion, [Camb. cap. vi. p. 4, where the pilgrim "failede scrippe and burdoun."] I ffaillede a sherpe [[Skrippe St.]] & bordon, Line 636 Wych al pylgrymes ouhte to have, In ther wey, hem sylff to save. And so the pylgrymes hadde echon In ther vyage, but I allone. Line 640 They wer echon by-ffore purveyd, Bet in ther wey to be conveyed

And I roos vp, and that a-noon, [folio 12a] And ffro myn hous gan out gon Line 644

Line 644 Vp-on my wey, off wych I tolde; Al be that I was long yholde, Or I myhte makë my passage To gynnen vp-on my pylgrymage. Line 648 Nyne monethes I was kept cloos, ['nyne monethes in his mothars wombe.'—John Stowe.] Tyl at the last I vp Aroos, Off entent forth to procede. But than at erst I gan take hede Line 652 That, to myn entencioun, I myghte ffynden a bordoun And a sherpe, [[Scrippe St.]] wych of vsage ffolk han that gon on pylgrymage, Line 656 Nedful to me & necessarye. ffor wych cause I dyde tarye Or I myghte gynne my Iournee, To holde my wey to that cyte; Line 660 ffor wych I went complaynyng, [prose cap vii] Out off my sylff [[sylff St., fylff C.]] tryst & wepyng, Cerchyng toforn & ek behynde, Sherpe [[Scrippe St.]] & bordoun for to fynde. Line 664

And whil I dyde my besynesse, A lady of ful gret ffayrnesse And gret noblesse, (soth to say,) I dyde mete vp-on the way. Line 668 ffor God wold, (I yow be-hete,) [Voluntas dei fuit ut cito mihi occurreret quod volebum. Genesis 27. [v. 20]] Sone that I sholde hyr mete, Off gracë for myn ownë prowh, Wher-off I haddë Ioye ynowh, Line 672 And in hertë [[herte St., hert C.]] gret gladnesse. ffor she, as by lyklynesse, Was douhter of som Emperour, Somme myghty kyng, or gouernour; [folio 12b] Line 676 Or off that lord that guyeth al, Wych ys of power most royal.

And thys lady gracyous, Most debonayre, & vertuous, Line 680 Was yclad, by gret delyt, In a surcote al off whyt, With a Tyssu gyrt off grene. And Endlong, ful bryht & shene, Line 684

Line 684 She hadde a charbouncle ston, That Round abowte hyr body shon; Was noon so reche, [[Ryche St.]] as I was war. And on hyr brest A nouche she bar, Line 688 I trowe that nowher was no bet. And in the Awmaylle ther was sette Passyngly a rechë [[Riche St.]] sterre, Wych that cast hys bemys ferre Line 692 Round abovten al the place, Ther was swych haboundaunce off grace. Out of whos bosoom, mylde ynowh, Ther kam a dowë whyt as snowh, Line 696 With hys wyngës splayng oute, Plauynge rovnd hyr hond aboute.

Thys lady, of whom I ha told, Hadde on hyr hed a crowne of gold, Line 700 Wrouht of sterrys shene & bryht, That cast aboute a ful cler lyht. He was ful myghty, (who taketh hede,) That sette yt fyrst vp on hyr hed; Line 704 And made yt ffyrst [[C. ffyrst ffyrst]] by gret Avys Off gret Richesse and gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] prys. [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

Thys lady, that I spak of here, [folio 13a] Was curteys & of noble chere, Line 708 And wonderly of gret vertu. And fyrst she gan me to salue In goodly wyse, axynge of me,

What maner thyng yt myghtë [[myghte St.]] be, Line 712 Or causë why, I sholde hyr lere, That I made so hevy chere; Or why that I was ay wepyng, ffor lak of eny maner thyng.' Line 716 Wher-of, when I gan takë hede, I ffyll yn-to a maner drede, ffor vnkonnynge and lewdënesse, [[lewdenesse St.]] That sche, of so gret noblesse, Line 720 Dysdeynede not in hyr degre To speke to on so pore as me; But yiff yt were, so as I gesse,

Al only of hyr gentyllesse; Line 724 ffor gladly, wher ys most bevte, [Nota St.] Ther ys grettest hvmylyte, And that ys verrayly the sygne, Swych ar most goodly & benygne. Line 728 An appyl tre, with frut most lade, To folk that stonden in the shade, Mor lowly doth hys braunchys loute Than A nother tre with-oute; [i. sine fructu St.] Line 732 ffor [[ffor St.]] wher haboundeth most goodnesse, [folio 13b] Ther ys ay most of mekënesse. [[mekenesse St.]] Noon so gret tokene of beute, As ys parfyt humylyte. Line 736 Who wanteth hyr in hys banere, Hath not vertu hool & entere.

And affter thys I gan abrayde, And to hyrë [[hire St., hyr C.]] thus I sayde, Line 740 "How to gon, I castë [[kaste St., cast C.]] me, To Ierusaleem the cyte, ffayllyng (to myn entencion) Both a sherpe [[Scrippe St.]] & a bordon, Line 744 ffor wych I went, yt ys no doute, ffor to seke ham Round aboute, Yiff I myhte any fynde or se."

Grace dieu:

'Now vndyrstondë,' [[vnderstonde St.]] than quod she, Line 748 'Yff thow lyst hawe [[have St.]] of hem tydyng, Thow mostest, ouer [[ouer St., auer C.]] alle thyng To thyn entent, as thow shalt se, ffor thy profyt, kom, folwe me. Line 752 And yt is gretly to thy prowh That thow hast me fovndë now, By whos helpë [[helpe St., help C.]] thow schalt spede, To ffynden al that the shal nede.' Line 756

The pylgrym:

Than quod I, "my lady dere, [prose cap viii] I pray yow that ye wyl me lere Your name & your condycioun, Your contre, & yovr Regyoun; Line 760 ffor yt ful plesaunt wer to me,

To wytë pleynly what ye be." And she answerde ful mekly, [[Grace Dieu]] 'Tak hed to me now feythfully: Line 764 I am the [[the St., om. C.]] douhter off themperovr, [folio 14a] Wych ys the lord and governour Off euery lond and regyoun; And he hath sent me hyder doun, Line 768 Here in-to this lowh contre, Off entent, as thow shalt se, To gete hym frendys, & conquere Round a-bouten / euery wher: Line 772 Nat that he hath to hem no nede, But only (who kan taken hede,) That he haveth gret plesaunce, To haue of folkys ácqueyntavnce, Line 776 ffor ther profyt, more than for hys; And thus yt stant & thus yt ys.

'Thow sest my noble ryche array, And how that I am fresshe & gay, Line 780 fful ryally and wel beseyn, Nothyng in wast, nouther in veyn; Thys charboncle, nor thys sterrys clere, ffressher wer neuer seyn yfere; Line 784 Nor, I trowë, noon so fayre, Whos bewte may nat apayre. ¶ ffor to pylgrymes, day & nyht, I enlumyne, & yive lyht Line 788 To al [[alle St.]] pylgrymës in ther way, As wel in dyrknesse as be day, So they lyst rewardë me, And lyst that I her guydë be. Line 792 And yiff they erryn in her weye, Ageyn I kan hem wel conveye; [[I wylle hem guye / and do sokour, While they to me have theyr Retour. St., om. C.]] I wyl hem helpen & Redresse; ffor I am she, in sothfastnesse, Line 796 Whom thow owest seke of ryht, In straungë lond with al thy myght. [folio 14b]

'I yive lyht to folk echon That out of hyr weyë gon, Line 800 And releue hem, on & alle;

Leffte vp folkys that be falle, ffrom al mysheff & from al blame, And Grace dieu, that ys my name, Line 804 fful nedful in ech contre.

'And by thys dowe wych thow dost se, Wych I bere with wyngës fayre, Humble, benygne, & debonayre, Line 808 I am tookenyd, who lyst seke, With hyr goodly Eyen meke. And so thow shalt me call in dede, Whan thow hast on-to me nede,— Line 812 And that shal be ful offtë sythe, That I may my power kythe,— Telpe [[To help]] the in thy pylgrymage. ffor fynaly in thy vyage, Line 816 As thow gost to that cyte, Thow shalt hawe offte aduersyte, Gret mescheff and encombraunce, Empechementys & dysturbaunce, Line 820 Wych thow mayst nat in no degre Passe nor endure with-outë me, Nor that cyte never atteyne, (Thogh thow euer do thy peyne,) Line 824 With-oute that I thy guydë be.

'Al-be that in-to that cyte Thow hast seyn entren meny on, Nakyd, in-to that cyte gon Line 828 Somme by ther sotel engyn, And somme also by cherubin. But what so euere they koude don, [folio 15a] Ther was neuer receyved noon Line 832 (ffor outht [[ought St.]] they koude hem sylff avaunce,) But only thorgh myn ácqueyntaunce. Lo, her ys al: avysë the Yiff thow lyst acqueynted be Line 836 With me: tel on thy fantasye, And the trowthë [[Trouthe St., trowth C.]] nat denye.'

The pylgryme:

"Ma dame, for Goddys sake, I praye, [prose cap ix] Nat to leue me on the weye Line 840

Line 840 With-oute yowr helpe & your favour; ffor in thys weyë, your socour Ys to me most necessarie To forthre, that I nat ne tarye; Line 844 Thankyng to your hyh goodnesse, That ye kam of gentellesse, ffyrst vn-to me for my forthryng, Ther nedede me noon other thyng." [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 848

Tho hyr lyst no lenger byde, [prose cap x] But took me in the samë tyde, And made me with hyr for to gon To an hous of hers a-noon, Line 852 Wher I sholdë fynde, in dede, Al thyng that I hadde of nede.

She was hyr sylff (yn sothnesse) Off thylk hous cheff founderesse, Line 856 ffor on hyr word yt was fyrst groundyd, And by hyr wysdom bylt and fovndyd; [folio 15b] The yerys of the masownry Thryttene hundred & thrytty. Line 860 And ffor the fayrnesse & bewte I hadde gret wyl that hous to se; I-baysshed, [[Abasshed St.]] for yt was so fayr; ffor yt heng hih vp in the hayr: [[eyre St.]] Line 864 Twen hevene & Erthe stood the place, As yt hadde (only by grace) ffrom the hevene descendyd doun. So stood that hevenly mancyoun, Line 868 With steplys & with toures hihe, ffresshely arrayed to the Eye, As, a placë most royal, Above al other pryncypal; Line 872 Wych stood vp on a ffayr River, The water ther-of holsom & cler; But ther nas passage in that place, Nor shepe [[shippe St.]] wherby men myghte passe. Line 876

The pylgrym:

ffor wych to Gracë Dieu I sayde, And, to hyr thus I abrayde,

"Madame, me semeth in my thouht That we ben in perel brouht, Line 880 ffor I kan sen no passage To passe by, nor avauntage."

Grace dieu:

'Off me, dred the never a del, ffor thow shalt passë fayre & wel.' Line 884

The pylgrym:

"I kan not swymmen, yt stondeth so, Wherfor I not what I may do. And yiff I entre, I am in doute But [[How St.]] euer I shold komen oute; Line 888 ffor wych, tentrë [[to enter]] I stonde in drede, [folio 16a] I have of helpe so gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] nede."

Grace dieu argueth:

'What menyth thys? what may thys be, [prose cap xi] Line 891 That thow art now, as semeth me, [[De sacramento Baptismi.—Later hand in St.]] So sore a-drad of thys Ryver, Wych ys but lytë, smothe & cler? Why artow ferful of thys streem? And art toward Ierusaleem, Line 896 And mustest of necessyte Passen ferst the gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] see, Or thow kome ther. lo, her ys al, And dredyst now thys Ryuer smal! Line 900 And most kouthe ys thys passage To chyldre that be yonge of age, And offter han thys ryver wonne Than folk that ben on [[beth in St.]] age ronne. Line 904 And the passage ys most kouthe To chyldren in ther tender youth, ffor yt, in soth, ys fyrst passage Off euerych good pylgrymage; Line 908 ffor other weyë ys ther noon To Ierusaleem by to goon, But yiff yt be by cherubin. And yet somme ha ther entryd In, Line 912 That wer nat wasshe in thys Ryuer, Nor bathyd in the stremys cler. Wych to the ys not contrárye,

'But thys to the ys necessárie, Line 916 Consydred (shortly to expresse) The gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] fylth and vnclennesse, The ordure and the dong also, Off thylkë hous thow komë fro, Line 920 Wher .ix. monethes thow hast be. ffor wych yt nedeth vn-to the [folio 16b] To wasshe the her, yiff thow take hede, Thys my consayl & my Red: Line 924 To passe thys [[thys St., om. C]] Ryuer of clennesse Yt ys to thee [[the St., om. C.]] most sykernesse. And al [[eke St.]] I schal the telle A thyng: Ther passede onys her a kyng, Line 928 ffyrst assuryng the passage Vn-to euery maner age; He made the pas hym sylff alone, And yet in hem was fylthë [[ffylthe St., fylth C.]] non. Line 932 To wasshen hym yt was no nede, But that hym lyst, of lowlyhede, Schewe example by hys grace How other folkys sholdë passe Line 936 Over by the samë went.

Wherfore tel me thyn entent, Yiff thow thys Ryuer lyst atteyne; And I shal A-noon ordeyne Line 940 A sergaunt of myn in specyal; Wych offycer the helpë shal ffor to passe the water cler, And wardeyn ys of the Ryuer. Line 944 He shal the wasshe, he shal the bathe, And make the passe the morë [[more St., mor C.]] rathe. And, to put the out of doute, He shal crosse the round aboute, Line 948 Make the sur, as thow shalt se, ffrom al tempestys of the se, Tescape the wawe of euery streem, And make the wynne Ierusaleem Line 952 By conquest; & fynally— That thow shalt drede noon emny Wher so thow wende, Est or West—

'Sette A cross vp-on thy brest, Line 956 Be-hynde also, and on thyn hed, [folio 17a] Ageyn al mescheff and al dred. And off entent, as thow shalt se, He shal also enoyntë the Line 960 Lych as sholde a Champyon, That thow ha no [[have noon St.]] occasyon In thy passagë, nor no nede No maner emny for to drede, Line 964 Sette hem echon at no prys. Now her-vp-on say thyn avys.'

The pylgrym:

"I am wel payd that yt be do. [From here to l. 1346—the long talk on Baptism and Original Sin in this 2nd recension—is absent from the first recension in the Camb. MS. and its original French.] Yiff resoun accorde wel ther-to. Line 968 But fyrst I wolde som causë se, What nedeth yt to wasshë me, Or bathë, [[bathe St., bath C.]] when yt ys no nede; ffor I am clenë wasshe [[washen St.]] in dede Line 972 ffrom al felth [[alle ffylthe St.]] and vnclennesse. And ouer more, so as I gesse, I am of yerys no thyng old; The water also of kyndë [[kynde St., kynd C.]] cold, Line 976 Wych to entre, as semeth me, I sholde in grete [[grete St., gret C.]] perel be; And clenner than I am thys tyde, I sholde not be vp-on no syde." Line 980

Grace dieu speketh:

'Herkene,' quod she; 'to voyde al doute, Though thow be clene ynowh with-oute, Thow art with-innë no thyng so; ffor cause I shal the tellë, lo! Line 984 Thow art soyled in especyal Off the synne orygynal, Off fader & moder ek also, Thorgh vnclennesse of bothë two, Line 988 Spottyd of nature, as ther hayr; [[heyre St.]] Wher-of thow mayst nat be made fayr, [folio 17b] But thow be wasshe, as I the telle,

In thys Ryuer or thys welle. Line 992 And yet thow most have helpe of me Yiff thow sholdyst clenë be; ffor I mot fyrst my syluen dresse The bathë [[bathe St., bath C.]] halwen, & yblesse, Line 996 And than yt shal ynowh suffise To make the clene in allë [[alle St., al C.]] wyse: ffor the wasshyng mad out-ward Ys but tookene (who taketh Reward) Line 1000 Off al clennessë forth with-Inne; At wych fyrst thow most be-gynne.'

The pylgrym:

"Madamë, so hyt nat dysplese, I can as yet no thyng in ese, Line 1004 And I shal tellë yow wher-fore My dovte [is] [[I doute St.]] now mor than before, And gretter [[more gretter St.]] in conclusyoun, But ye make exposicioun, Line 1008 And bet declare yt to my mynde, Or ellys my profyt ys be-hynde."

Grace dieu: [[De Iusticia & peccato Originali. Later hand.—St.]]

'ffyrst, whan God the world be-gan, And after hadde makyd man, Line 1012 And womman for to be hys fere, Thy forme fadrys, as thow shalt lere, God, of hys gret curteysye, To hem dydë suyche gentrye Line 1016 As to the I shal devyse. He gaff to hem so gret ffraunchyse, Talyved [[To have lived]] euere, thys no lesyng, In elthe with-outë languysshyng, Line 1020 Lusty & fressh in o degre, Neuer tave [[to have]] had necessyte Off deyyng; and gaff hem in sothnesse, [folio 18a] Lyberte, & Ryhtwyse [[wyse St., wys C.]] nesse, Line 1024 ffredam of wyl [[and wylle St.]] & equyte; And that they sholdë ryghtful be, And ther-vp-on, ay done her cure To ben Egal by mesure; Line 1028 The body to the soule obeye

'In euery maner skylful weye, And bern [[beryn St.]] to hym subieccion; So that alway, on-to [[vn-to St.]] resoun, Line 1032 fforeyn [[Foreyn St., For eny C.]] strengthys her doun lowe, Vpward sholde her sowerayn knowe, And lest [[leest St]] worthy of dygnyte, Vn-to most worthy of degre Line 1036 Obeyë sholde by Reuerence: Thys was of ryght fyrst the sentence; Shewe of lewdnesse ay a sygne, Line 1039 The [[The St., To C.]] lasse of prys to the most dygne.

'Off divynë purvyaunce Thys was fyrst the ordynaunce, That man shold euer ha be in blysse, And al that whyle, of no thyng mysse; Line 1044 Euer ha be fre, & never thral. By ryhtwysnesse orygynal, God gaff oure fadrys ous [[vs St.]] be-forn, Yiff they ne hadde her fredom lorn, Line 1048 ffor catel and for ther herytage Ta last in euery maner age, Ben herytavnce, fro gre to gre, Off ryht to ther posteryte: Line 1052 Thys to seyne, who kan take hed To al that folwed of ther sed ffor euermore: & soth yt ys, Yiff they hadde not do a-mys. Line 1056

'But whan they gan to God trespace, They lost ther fredam and ther grace, [folio 18b] Lyff also, and [[and eke St.]] liberte, And hooly ther auctoryte, Line 1060 Off wych thow hast herd me seye, ffor wych offencë they most deye: Tho, al [[alle St.]] thyngys in sentence Drowh fro man obedyence. Line 1064 Who dysobeyth hys sovereyn, Off ryht mot [[mot St., not C.]] folwen in certeyn That he shal dysobeyed be Off lower thynges of degre, Line 1068 Wych wer soget to hys servyse

'Or he trespacede in any wyse. ffor vn-to God, sothly to seye, Whan Adam fyrst gan dysobeye, Line 1072 Yt was Ryhtful, by kyndly lawe, That to [[? fro]] hym shold be with-drawe All maner [[manere off St.]] obéyssavnce Off thynges vnder hys gouernaunce, Line 1076 Wych he hadde in subieccyon, Only for hys rebellyon.

'And, yiff thow be Resounable, An exaumple ful notable Line 1080 I shal vn-to the declare Openly, & no thyng spare, Yiff thow lysten, taken hed ther-to: [Exemplum.]

'I suppose yt falleth so: Line 1084 The kyng hath in hys court a knyht Whom he loueth with al hys myht, And, for cause that he tryst hym wel, He yeveth to [[to, om. St.]] hym a ffayr castel,— Line 1088 Wallyd strong with hihë tours ffrom al assaut of wynd & shours,— And to hys heyrës, to pocessede; [[heyres to possede St., heyrs . . C .]] And ther-vp-on maketh hem a dede, [folio 19a] Line 1092 Euere [[Evere affter St.]] by successyon Ther-of to have pocessyon ffor eueremorë, to o [[at o St.]] word, Whyl he ys trewë to hys lord, Line 1096 Voyde [[And voyde St.]] of al rebellyon. Thys was the condycion: But he offendeth, so may falle, Than he & hys chyldren alle, Line 1100 The castel lese with-outë grace Thorgh ther fadrys gret trespace: The chyldren han the gylt abouht,— Al-be that they offendyde nouht— Line 1104 Thorgh ther fadrys gylt, allas; And thus peraunter stant the cas: And lyk in cas semblable at al, Ryhtwysnesse orygynal— Line 1108 'Orygynal' ys for to seyn

'Pleynly, yf I shal not feyne, A gynnyng wych fro God kam, And was fyrst yoven to Adam Line 1112 And vn-to [[And to St.]] Eue hys wyff also, Wych they lostë, bothë [[loste bothe St., lost both C.]] two Only for ther Rebellyon, Whos ryht was by condycon, Line 1116 Wherthrogh that ther posteryte ffully ha lost ther lyberte. (Posteryte, playnly in dede, [[St. leaves out ll. 1119-1122.]] Ys folwyng doun of a kynrede Line 1120 Lynealy, fro gre to gre.) And thus, touchyng ther lyberte, ffor dysobeyng they ha lorn Off her fadrys hem to-forn; Line 1124 Only throgh ther dysobeisaunce They ha lost ther enherytaunce, Wych they may not inheryte; [folio 19b] Wher-of ther fadrys ben to wyyte. Line 1128

'ffor nadde be ther transgressyon,— ³Transgressyoun ys for to say A goyyng fro the ryht[ë] way, Or shortly, in sentement, Brekyng off a comaundement³ [3_3 These four lines are written at the right-hand side in C. & St.; but with no mark to signify where they ought to be placed.] — Line 1136 Ther chyldren shold, by reson, Ha cleymyd yt of verray ryht. Wher-for, yiff thow lefft vp thy syth, [[sight St.]] Line 1132 And lyst conceyven everydel, Thow mayst parceyvë fayr & wel Thow art spottyd in party Off that thy ffadrys wer gylty; Line 1140 So that thy fylth ys causyd al Only of synne orygynal, Wych that clerkys in sentence Calle wantyng, or carence Line 1144 Off orygynal ryhtwysnesse, Wych thow oughtest (I dar expresse,) Ellys haue hadde of equyte

'By tytle of posteryte.' Line 1148

The pylgrym:

"Ma damë, (lyk as ye shal fynde,) I am a-stonyd in my mynde Off your wordys ful gretly, Wych ne sue nat kyndely. Line 1152 ffor fyrst, as ye han told to me That I mostë wasshë [[moste wasshed St., most . . C.]] be, To casten out myn vnclennesse,— The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] fylth, as ye expresse Line 1156 And namen yt in especyal 'Spot or synne orygynal,' Wych ys only, by your sentence, No-thyng but wantyng or absence Line 1160 Off ryhtwysnesse—thus sey ye; And in good feyth, as semeth me, Wasshyng no thyng may a-vaylle To do a-way thyng that doth faylle; Line 1164 Yt wer bet cordyng to reson [folio 20a] To make restytucyon."

Grace dieu answerde:

'Certys, yt ys soth that ye seye. But to o thyng take hede, I praye: Line 1168 Who that haveth not the bewte Wych he shold han of duete, Voyde of fylth then ys he nouht; The wych, yif yt be truly souht, Line 1172 May be of felth a be-gynnyng, Gret cause also, & gret norysshyng. As by exaumple thus I pose: 'Yiff a man ffayllede a noose Line 1176 Wych he outh [[oughte St.]] haue of Resoun, Yt wer, to myn oppynyoun, A gret defaute (I the ensure,) Off bewte; & a gret ordure Line 1180 Ther must sue, yt ys no nay: And yiff the noose wer kut a-way, The bewte of a manhys [[mannys St.]] face Yt wolde gretly yt dyfface. [[alle dyfface St.]] Line 1184 Semblably, in especyal,

'Yiff Ryhtwysnesse orygynal Thow wante, wych thow sholdest haue, I myghte pryve, [[preve St.]] so God me save Line 1188 And conclude with-outë wene, Off som fylthe thow wer vnclene. I dar yt seyn, and wel expresse, Namly whan thow in vnclennesse Line 1192 Off flesshly lust wer fyrst be-gete, Wych shold not be for-gete; ffor fleshly lust (in sentence) ycallyd ys concupyscence. Line 1196 As thus consydre myn entent; Whan soule and flessh to-gadre [[gydre St.]] assent To don any gret offence, [folio 20b] Than yt ys concupyscence, Line 1200 And nouther party by dyffence Lyst not makë résistence, As they shold of equyte, Wher-thorgh ther fayrnesse & bewte Line 1204 Dyffacyd ys of bothë [[boothe St., both C.]] tweyne. And euene lyk (in wordys playne) Thoffencë long or thow wer borne, Off thy fadrys her-to-forn, Line 1208 Hath lost (yiff thow koudest se) Thi gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] fredam & bewte; And ther trespace, (yiff thow lyst lere,) Ther lynage beyth [[beyeth St.]] yt al to dere.' Line 1212

The pylgrym: [[Pylygrym Asketh St.]]

"With al myn hertë [[herte St., hert C.]] now I pray O thyng that ye wyl me seye: yff thys wasshyng, with-outë more, May Restablysshe or restore Line 1216 The ryhtwysnesse wych, day & nyht, I ouhte haue hadde of verray ryht; And yiff thys wasshyng (in sentence) May A-nulle concupyscence?" Line 1220

Grace dieu:

'Teuchyng [[Touchyng St.]] that we have on honde, Thow must pleynly vnderstonde A thyng wych I the tellë shal.

'Ryghtvysnesse orygynal, Line 1224 Thow shalt yt neuer haue A-geyn; But truste, & be ryght wel certeyn, That after thow be wasshë clene, The fylthe ther-of, (thus I mene) Line 1228 Thy wasshyng shal yt sette A-syde, But concupyscence shal abyde. [folio 21a]

'Take the wordys as I the telle; But yiff thow wylt, I shal ay dwelle Line 1232 With the, to helpe the ay at nede, That thow mayst in verray dede Maken myghty résystence Ageynys thy concupyssence, Line 1236 Wych shal the derë neveradel Yiff so be thow bere the wel. And, but I seyë thy wasshyng, I myhte the helpyn yn no thyng; Line 1240 ffor the wasshyng (I the ensure) Doth away al the ordure Off al that kepen duëly Ther maryage, and feythfully; Line 1244 ffor wych, to the ys profytable Thys wasshyng, & gretly vayllable. Thy ffader, thy moder ek also, Wer wasshyn ther-in, bothë two, Line 1248 Whan they wer born; & so shalt thow, Syth yt ys syttyng for thy prow: That thow hem sue, yt ys Resoun.'

The pylgrym:

"I haue," quod he, "suspecyoun Line 1252 Off ther wasshyng now sodenly. Yiff they wer wasshë duëly Off ther synne orygynal, Me semeth yt sholde folwe in al, Line 1256 Syth I am gete of [[gate in St.]] ther kynrede, I sholde go quyt (who taketh hede,) Off orygynal in euery thyng, Thorgh vertu ferst of ther wasshyng." Line 1260

Grace dieu:

'Than,' quod she to me a-gayn, [folio 21b]

'Tak hed, whan men sowen greyn, The huske, the chaff (yt ys no nay,) Mot fyrst be clenë putt a-way, Line 1264 Er yt be throwe vp-on the lond, And sowe a-brood with manhys hond, Naked and pur, yff thow take hede. And after-ward, whan yt doth seede, Line 1268 Vpon the tyme of hys Rypyng And the seson of gadryng, Men fynde a-geyn the samë corn, Huskyd as yt was be-forn, Line 1272 And ther-to clothyd newe a-geyn.

'By wych exaumple, in certeyn, Thogh thy fadyrs were, by grace, Off ther orygynal trespace Line 1276 purgyd clene, & frely quyt, The caffë [[Chaffe St., Caff C.]] and the strowh abyt, Reneweth ay & euer shal, Off the synne orygynal, Line 1280 Vpon the greyn, wych of hem spryngeth, The huske alway with hem they bryngeth. Alle folkys, as thow shalt lere, That kyndely be sowen here Line 1284 In thys world, fro day to day, The husk with hem abyt alway, And seueryth nat in no manere Tyl they be wasshe in the Ryuere: Line 1288 Wherfor (by short conclusyoun,) They nede echon purgacyoun.'

The pylgrym:

Thanne me sempte yt was but veyn, Mor for me to speke a-geyn, Line 1292 Or makë replycacyoun Ageynys her oppynyoun. [folio 22a] Off hevynesse I weptë sore; ffor tho I koudë do no more, Line 1296 I was so whapyd & amaat, Tyl at the last an aduocaat [A godfather (after whom Guillaume de De Guilleville was called).]

Kam to me tho in my nede, With-outë gerdoun other mede. Line 1300 And, for I hadde of spechë lak, Wonderly goodly for me he [[she St.]] spak; Profrede for to help of grace To makë me the Ryuer passe, Line 1304 And that I myght ouer gon, And that I wer ek wasshe a-noon, In al that euer he coude or myghte; And Guyllyam ffor-Sothly [[sothely St.]] he hyhte: Line 1308 Hys surname I nat ne knew. And thus he spak to Gracë Dieu: "Myn almesse, with your grace, I wyl fulfyllen in thys place; Line 1312 And yiff ye wyl, I callë shal Off your hous the offycyal (ffor yt ys now ryht good sesoun Affter your oppynyoun Line 1316 That he make, by your byddyng, Of thys pylgrym the wasshyng, Wher-of ye han so mych sayd." Quod she, 'I am ryht wel apayd.' Line 1320

And ther-with-al, benygne of look, The aduocaat a-noon me took Of charyte, by gret plesaunce, Affter the custom & vsaunce, Line 1324 And madë callë [[calle St., calle of C.]] fyrst of al To helpyn hym the offycyal; Bad hym also, among hem alle, After hys namë me to calle, [See note to l. 1298.] [folio 22b] Line 1328 That he shold ek don hys dever To helpe me passë the Ryver, That I wer wasshen A-noon ryht. And he so dyde with al hys myght; Line 1332 And many thynges, as he abrayde, Over me, me thouhte he sayde; Wordys that hadde gret vertu, As he was tauht of Gracë Dieu; Line 1336 Wher-thorgh, me thouht, & that a-noon,

That I sawh ther, fro me goon, A foul that was of colour blak; And in hys lydene [[leene St.]] thus he spak, Line 1340 Siyyng, [[Cryynge St.]] men herd hym euery cost,— 'I-wys,' quod he, 'I haue al lost; And fro me now ys taken al By thys ylke offycyal.' Line 1344

The pylgrym: [This line in C. and St. comes after l. 1345.]

He hath my clothys fro me Rauht, And thre tyme he hath me kauht, [prose cap xii] And in the ryuer plongyd me, Crossyd, (as men myhte se,) [[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 1348 Enoynted in the stremës colde, Lyk as Gracë Dieu me tolde: I fonde she lyede neuer a del.

And whan that I was fayre & wel, Line 1352 The Ryuer passyd than A-noon, And thavocaat ek was gon, Wych only of gent[e]rye Hadde don to me gret curteysye [folio 23a] Line 1356 That shal never out of mynde.

Than Gracë Dieu, most good & kynde, Ladde me forth on [[in St.]] my repayre To a place ryht inly fayr; Line 1360 And neuer she madë me to-fore So goodë [[goode St., good C.]] cher syth I was bore, Nor wás so benygne of hyr port, Vn-to me to don confort. Line 1364 'Now syth,' quod she, 'that yt [[as yt St.]] ys sene, Thow art wasshe, & made al clene, And art passyd the ryuer With-outë pereyl or daunger, Line 1368 Thyn Enmy fled Out of thy brest, Wher he aforn hadde made hys nest, I shal the shewe of gret delyt fful many thyng for thy profyt, Line 1372 Yff thow ha lust to lerne of me Thynges [[Thynges St., Thyges C.]] that I shal techë the,

'And vnderstond hem by & by.'

And tho befyl ther sodeynly Line 1376 A wonder thyng (thus stood the cas,) Wher-of I astonyd was;— And yet for-thy I shal not spare, Ryht as yt fyl, for to declare, Line 1380 Whan I se tyme & best sesoun Touchyng my sherpe [[Scrippe St.]] and my bordoun: Whan I ha leyser, trusteth wel, I shal yow tellyn euerydel. Line 1384 But, or I dyde further passe,— I sawe Amyddys of that place [prose cap xiii] A sygne of Tav wych ther stood, Line 1387 And yt was al be-spreynt with blood. [T[T St.], om. C.] [[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] And ek, as I koude vnderstond, [folio 23b] I sawe be sydes [[besyde St.]] a mayster stond, Off ryght gret auctoryte, And semptë that he sholdë be Line 1392 Lyk a vyker douteles [[douteles St., doutles C.]] Off Aaron & of Moyses. And pleynly tho (as I be-held,) In hys hond a staff he [[he St., om. C.]] held, Line 1396 Crooked be-forn (I took good hed;) And hornyd also was hys hed. Hys garnement, by gret delyt, Was of lynë [[lynyn St.]] cloth al whyt, Line 1400 Off the wych, ful wel I wote, [Vir vnus in medio eorum. Ezechielis. ix^o.] That the prophete whylom wrot, Ezechyel, who lyst to look, The nynthe chapytle off hys book: Line 1404

Ordre off confyrmacioun

Wych, with the sygne of gret vertu Markyde manye with Tav Myd of her forhed, on by on, And sayde to hem euerychon, Line 1408 'I crosse yow, and conferme also With thys / that ye take hed ther-to, That ye may be, fro day to day, Good pylgrymës in your way; Line 1412

Line 1412 ffor thys to yow, tokne & sygne That God shal be to yow benygne, That ye shal not venquysshed be Off your Enmyes in no degre.' [folio 24a] Line 1416

And with thys sygne of gret vertu I was markyd off Grace Dieu Myd my forhed, brede & lengthe, Wher-by I [[I St., om. C.]] kauhte ful gret strengthe, Line 1420 And Receyvede ther by Ryht, [[off Right St.]] Vertu, force, & gostly myght, To forthre me in verray dede Off al that euer I haddë nede. Line 1424 Not nede as I hadde be-fore Thorgh the Ryuer or I was bore; Yt was not so gret necessyte But covenable congreuyte. [[Congruyte St., Congeuyte C.]] Line 1428

Ordre off the laste vnccioun.

Affter al thys, I hadde a syht [prose cap xiv] Off the mayster, wych of Ryht Made the holsom oynement, And after took yt of [[off goode St.]] entent Line 1432 To the sayde offycyal, And gaff to hym thys charg with-al: [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] 'Have her,' quod he, 'ful goodly [Vnguentarius faciet pigmenta suauitatis, & vncciones suavittatis Ecclesiastici (xxxviii. 7).] Thre oynementys most worthy; The wych now to the I take Only for pylgrymës sake, Swych as in ther oppynyouns Wyl be myghty champyouns Line 1440 ffor to holde strong bataylle Whan ther Enmyes hem assaylle. [folio 24b]

'Thow shold do thy bysy peyne Line 1443 Tenoynte hem with the fyrstë [[fyrste St., fyrst C.]] tweyne, And kep the thrydde with-outë more ffor folkys [[ffolkys St., ffolk C.]] that byth woundyd sore, And swyche as lyggë languysshyng On ther beddys, almost deyng, Line 1448 And of ther lyff ha no dysport: Thow shalt a-noon don hem counfort;

'Enoynte hym in especyal As ther leche spryrytual, Line 1452 Wher thow sest that yt be nede; And ffeythfully, (yf thow take hede,) Pylgrymes that travayll in ther way, Wych passen her fro day to day, Line 1456 And often in ther passage erre, And assayllyd byth with werre; Yt fayllyth not, sory or blythe, But they be wondyd offtë sythe, Line 1460 And grevyd with many áventure, ffro deth that they may not recure; And at ther ende, thys no faylle, Whan that deth doth hem assaylle, Line 1464 They gretly nede thys oynement; And for thys skyle, in myn entent I haue take yt in-to thy ward, Al syke folkys to Reward, Line 1468 Tenoyntë hem whan they haue nede: And other oynementys in-dede I ha reservyd [[Reserved St., reseyvyd C.]] to my kepyng, Tenoyntë with a newë kyng Line 1472 By the vykerys of Moyses, The wych yt makë dout[e]les, At duë tymë certeynly [folio 25a] By ther power as wel as I. Line 1476 ffor sykë folkys euerychon, And for lechys, as thow art on, Wych sholdest alway be bysy, Wel awaytynge & redy, Line 1480 At the tablys wher we sytte Whan we etyn, & not flytte; [T [T St.]] ffor the tav T, taken hed, Wych thow makest in the [[thy St.]] forhed. Line 1484

'But I wyth-holdë to ward me Off custom & of duëte, The fynal execucyoun, The vse & mynystracyoun Line 1488 Off confermyng in the ende: Take hed now that thow not offende.'

And whil they held ther parlementys [prose cap xv] And spak ek of ther oynementys, [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 1492 Ther kam to hem of gret manere A maydë mek, & humble of chere, Wych that of entencyoun Descendede from hyr tour a-doun. Line 1496

Than Grace Dieu spak vn-to me, 'lo, sestow nat yonder,' quod she, 'Resoun, by hyr sylff allone, Wych cast hyr for to speke A-noon Line 1500 To thys folk that thow sest here?' And she, demur and sad of chere, Sayde to hem hyre [[St., C. burnt]] fantasye [folio 25b] With-outen eny [[St., C. burnt]] flatrye Line 1504

Resoun spak thus: [Camb. MS. reads: She bigan to speke to hem, and seyde with-oute flateringe, 'Lordinges, that thus diuisen and speken of youre oynementes, and holden heere youre parlement of enoynt|inge of oother folk, vnderstondeth now two little woordes that j wole soone haue vnclosed yow. Oynement is,' &c., p. 9.]

'Syrs,' [[Syre St.]] quod she, in goodly wyse, 'That stonden here, [[St., C. burnt]] & thus devyse Off Enoyntynge [[St., C. burnt]] & oynementys, And ther-of hold your parlementys, Line 1508 I pray [[St., C. burnt]] yow that ye nat dysdeyne To herkne [[St., C. burnt]] off me wordys tweyne, Wych to tellyn I purpose, And a-noon to [[St., C. burnt]] yow vnclose: Line 1512 Oynemente ys a sootë [[soet St.]] thyng, And ryht vertuous in werkyng, To woundys cloos, & ope also, Yiff yt be sofftly leyd therto Line 1516 Both wyth hand and instrument; ffor lechys sholden off entent Soffte handle the soor to seke, [[and seeke St.]] Yt fyt [[sytte St.]] hem wel to be meke; Line 1520 To whom a-cordeth no Rudnesse; They sholde avoydë boystousnesse. Woundyd folk desyren offte Off lechys to ben handlyd soffte; Line 1524

Line 1524 'Rudnesse hem doth mor damage Then [[Thanne St.]] the oynement avauntage; Harmeth offtë tymës more To swyche as that be [[as bethe St.]] woundyd sore: Line 1528 I calle hem rude, that be felouns, ffers & cruel as be lyouns; That wyl, [[while St.]] thorgh ther cruelte, On every thyng a-vengyd be; Line 1532 Sparë ne for-bere ryht nouht, They be so vengable in ther thouht. Swych be no goode surgyens, Lechys, nor physycyens, Line 1536 Sykë ffolkys to restore; [folio 26a] ffor the woundys they hurte more Thorgh Rudnesse in ther entent; ffor they mynystre ther oynement Line 1540 To boystously, & no thing soffte; Wher-thorgh they hurte & slen ful offte, Wych affter may nat be amendyd. And for thys skyle I am descendyd, Line 1544 Kome to yow in sothfastnesse, That ye in yow ha no Rudnesse, Cruelte, nor felonye, Wych ar douhtrys to envye. Line 1548

'Beth pytous vn-to folkys woundyd, Tyl ye han her sorys soundyd, Debonayre & mercyáble, Sofftë, goodly, & tretáble. Line 1552 Thanne, in soth, yt may nat fayll That your oynementys shal avayll To sykë folke on euery syde, That for ther hele on yow abyde. Line 1556 Remembreth yow vp-on thys poynt, How ye wer whylom ek enoynt To bekome mor debonayre; Nat to be cruel nor contrayre, Line 1560 But teschewe al ffelonye, And tavoyde malencolye; And no vengaunce for to take, But forgyue for Goddys sake; Line 1564

Line 1564 'Al old Rancour for to lete: ffor, by record off the prophete [Mea est vlcio, & ego retribuam. Deutero|nomie (xxxii. 35).] In hys Sawys that ben olde, God hath to hym sylff with-holde Line 1568 Vengaunce to hys Iugement; And ther-fore, who that of entent [Camb. MS. reads: And therfor who so wole bineme it him, to yuel ende he may come, p. 10.] Wyl wrastle ageyn yt, this the cheff [folio 26b] [[St. & C.]] He shall not faylle to han mescheff.' [[St. & C.]] Line 1572

Whanne Resoun hadde hyr talë told, [[St. & C.]] The Vyker, that semptë wonder olde, [[Stowe MS.]] Off whom I tolde yow nat in vayn [[St. & C.]]

Moyses [This is a red line, some one answering the preceding speaker. The Camb. MS. goes on: Whan resoun hadde thus spoken, the vicarie of whiche j seide bifore, answerde hire and seide, "Sey me, j praye you, if ye can, whi j haue thus myn hed horned and the yerde sharp at the eende? Is it not for to do punish|inge and correccoun of yuel dedes? j trowe j shulde putte and hurtle the yuel folk with myne hornes, and prikke hem," &c., p. 10.] [[Stowe MS.]]

Axed of Resoun thus agayn: [[St. & C.]] Line 1576 'I pray yow that ye nat ne spare, [[St. & C.]] The truthë clerly to declare, The moralyte to obserue, Wherof sholde myn hornys serve? Line 1580 Thys staff ek, with the sharpë poynt, Telleth me fro poynt to poynt, Be they nat maad, by good resoun, For punysshynge and Correccioun; [[St. & C.]] Line 1584 Myn hornys, for to takë wrak [[St. & C.]] On shrewës, & to putte abak? And off my staff ek, with the prykke, Chastysen folkys that be wykke, Line 1588 Rather than lyk as ye me tolde Her a-forn, how that I sholde Enoynte hem with the oynement? Wher-vp-on seyth your entent.' Line 1592

Resoun Answereth:

'My fayrë frend,' quod tho Resoun, 'Tak hed in thy dyscrecioun;

'Vnderstond me euery del: I wotë [[wote St., wot C.]] what thow menest wel, Line 1596 And knowë platly thy menyng. Mesure ys good in euery thyng: Thogh thyn hornys & pyk also Be yovë [[St., C. burnt]] to the, bothë two, Line 1600 ffor [[St., C. burnt]] Punysshyng & for chastysyng Off folkys Rebel in werchyng; [folio 27a] Yet fyrst thow sholdest hem dyrecte, And with fayrnesse hem correcte,— Line 1604 Swych as thow sey, day by day, [[fro day to day St.]] Erryn fro the hih [[hih om. St.]] Ryhte way;— And yiff thow founde hem obstynat, That [[? Than]] longeth yt to thyn estat Line 1608 To punysshen hym by thyn offyce, And vp-on hem don ek iustyce Egally for ther offence: The lawe yiweth [[yeveth St.]] the lycence. Line 1612

'But ferst thow sholdest trete hem fayre, Be goodly ek, and debonayre, And don alway ful gret labour To shewe swetnesse afor Rygour. Line 1616 And thogh the prykke of Rygour be ffor chastysyng y-yove to the, Be alway war, touchyng ryht: Whan thow chastysest any whyht, Line 1620 Do yt neuer by suych duresse But yt be meynt ay with suetnesse; Medle with-al the vnccyoun Off pyte and compassyoun. Line 1624

'In thyn entent to be mor clene, Thogh thyn hornys be sharp & kene To punysshe folk by ryhtwysnesse, Thow sholdest ay the poynt so dresse Line 1628 In thy Rygour of equyte, Euere in hert to han pyte On hem that thow hast iustesyed. Let mercy with ryht be so alyed, Line 1632 And thynk how many day to-forn, Or thow haddest any horn,

'Thow wer Eenoynt: thynk ther vp-on [Camb. MS. reads: Bithinke thee that thou were enoynted er thow were horned, and er thow haddest any prikke, and er thow haddest any yerde or staf, And that ouhte michel softe thee whan thow wolt correcte any wyght. thou shuldest not also foryete of whom thow doost the vicarishipe, p. 11.] Lat yt not fro thy myndë gon [folio 27b] [[St. & C.]] Line 1636 Which thing, whan thow dost aduerte, [[St. & C.]] Yt shall nesshe ful wel thyn herte [[St. & C.]] Whan yt is harde or out of Ioynt, [[Stowe]] To ponysshe or smytë with the poynt, [[St. & C.]] Line 1640 Or with thyn hornes to hurtle sore: [[St. & C.]] Ha this in myndë euer more, [[St. & C.]] To medle mercy with equyte. [[St. & C.]]

'Remembre also ful wel, and se [[St. & C.]] Line 1644 That he, of whom thow art vyker, And chose to be hys offycer, [Erat Moyses vir mitissi|mus. Numerorum 12^o(3).] Was humble, meke, & debonayre, Charytable, & nat contrayre: Line 1648 Of whom thow shalt exaumple take, To-forn [[To forn St.]] or thow thy domys make. Hornyd [[Hornyd St., MS. torn C.]] he was by apparence, Nat vsyng hem by vyolence: Line 1652 Thys was that holy Moyses That ladde al Israel in pees Myddys thorgh the largë see; And with hys yerdë, thys was he Line 1656 That passedë the floodys raage, And made hem haue good passage.

'Vnderstondeth thys lessoun, Ye that han in subieccioun Line 1660 Peplys vnder your prelacye, To lerne how ye shal hem guye. Thogh ye be hornyd to syth [[sight St.]] outward, Shewe as they wer styff & hard, Line 1664 Lat hem nat growen in your herte To make your shep / to sorë smerte. Thogh ye shewe / out-ward dredful, Beth in your hertys mercyful, [Camb. MS. reads: And be merciable with-inne, what-euere thow be with oute; Fallas thou miht make heer-inne with-oute misdoinge, p. 11, omitting all between lines 1671 and 1699.] Line 1668

Line 1668 'Dyssymule, and mak in swych caas Off Elenchorum a fallaas. [folio 28a] [[St. & C.]] (Elenchus ys a syllogysme, [[St. & C.]] [Verba Translatoris.] Or by fallaas, a Sophisme, [[C. & St.]] Line 1672 Thyng that hath on Apparence [[C. & St.]] With-outen eny Existence; [[C. & St.]] Or an argument in shewynge [[C. & St.]] Wych in effect hath no beynge [[C. & St.]] Line 1676 Affter the thyng that yt doth shewe.) [[C. & St.]] ¶ And ther-fore, in wordës fewe, To the purpos vallyáble, An exaumple ful notáble Line 1680 To folk that be not rekkeles, Putteth Arystotyles: In Elenchis thow mayst rede He byddeth for to take in dede Line 1684 A Boelys [[Boolys St.]] galle, & ther-with-al On bord, on cloth, or on a wal Portreye or peynte, as I ha told, And yt wyl resemble gold Line 1688 By apparence vn-to the syht, Yiff yt be vernysshed cler & bryht. ¶ And sothly, who that lokë wel, Off gold ther ys neuer a del, Line 1692 But apparencë, to deceyue ffolkys that kan not vel [[wel St.]] parceyve The feyntë colour in hys kynde. ¶ By wych exaumple han in mynde, Line 1696 Thogh thow be hornyd on thyn hed, To shewe outward a tookne of drede Vn-to folk that be contrayre, Yet ay be inward debonayre. Line 1700

'Tak exaumple off thy staff Wych Grace Dieu vn-to the gaff: Thogh the poynt be sharp & kene, Yt ys vpward, pleyn, smothe & clene; Line 1704 The myddys ryht as any lyne, Abouë, crokyd to enclyne; Sygnefyyng vn-to the [Camb. MS. reads: Dowte not that that [yerde] ne tokeneth that ther shulde be in the, humblesse, whan thou chastisest by equitee, p. 11.]

'¹Whan thou punysshest by Equyte [folio 28b] Line 1708 That ther-with-alle thow ha mekenesse Al-way to drawë by sofftenesse [¶ Ysidorus / Bonus rector est qui in humilitate seruat disciplinam.] Thy shepe that gon out of the way, Rather by ffayrenesse than affray. Line 1712 Whan they retornen home ageyn, Lat ay thy Charyte be seyn,¹ [[1_1 Stowe MS.]] That yt surmounte thy rygour. [[St. & C.]] Remembre alle-way at ther Retour [[St. & C.]] Line 1716 Above al maner other thyng, [[St. & C.]] Vp-on ther elthe & ámendyng; Schew hem euer of loue a sygne, And in thy drauht be ay benygne, Line 1720 Voyde of rancour & felonye; Than dostow trewly occupye The staff wych thou hast on honde.

'ffor thow shalt well vnderstonde Line 1724 Yt tokeneth (who that kan concerne,) That thow shalt ther-with governe The peplys (I dar wel specefye,) Commyttyd to thy prelacye; Line 1728 Mak hem passe (thys thy charge,) The Ryuer of thys world ful large. Thy [[Thy St., My C.]] staff, to ther a-vauntage Shal conduite [[conduyte St.]] ther passage; Line 1732 ffychche the pyk profound & depe In-to the wawes, hem to kepe.

'And with al thys, thow most take hede Off plank or breggë, yiff they nede: Line 1736 Yiff they ffayll, thow shalt on make, As thow art boundë for her sake; And for that cause, folkys alle, Pontifex they doth the calle, Line 1740 Makyng a breggë, thys to seyne, The passage that they may atteyne. Vnderstond wel thys lessoun Lyke [[Stowe MS.]] myn informacyoun; Line 1744 ¶ Yet ouermore I shal the teche, [folio 29a]

'Yiff thow take hed to my speche, Touchyng thyn hornys bothë two, Thy staff ek, with the pyk also. Line 1748 ¶ Whylom her ther dydë dwelle Thornyd best wych lyeth in helle, Makynge here hys mansion [[St. & C.]] And longe held her [[here St.]] pocessyon, [[St. & C.]] Line 1752 Lordshepe ek & gouernaunce, Wych was gret dysplesaunce To Grace Dieu, that he so sholde Abyden her, as I the tolde. Line 1756 And Tavoyden fro thys place Thys hornyd best, and tenchase, She callede the, lyk as I fynde,— I trow thow haue yt wel in mynde,— Line 1760 Gaff the hornys in sentence With hym to stonden at diffence. The staff also, wych I off telle, Sche took to the, hym to expelle; Line 1764 Armede the of entencioun (Lyk tamyghty champyoun,) [[to a m.]] With thys hornys that I of spak, On thys beste to takë wrak, Line 1768 To make hym fro thys hous to fle, By power that she gaff to the: The vntrewe false enherytour, That was her lord & gouernour, Line 1772 And long tyme pocessyowner, Tyl thow dydest thy dever, [Camb. MS. reads: Thow hurtledest him with thine hornes . . . And thow beete him with thi yerde whan thou madest him goon out of the place. The tweyne faire labelles hanginge at thine tweyne hornes thou conqueredest at the clensinge, and sweepinge, and poorginge of the place, and that was whan thou dediedest, and halwedest, and blissedest the place, p. 12.] As Grace Dieu the tauhte a-ryht, To putte hym out by verray myght, Line 1776 Thorgh hurtlyng of thyn hornys tweyne; And dyst also thy bysy peyne, With thy staff to make hym flee, Maugre hys myght & hys powste. Line 1780

Line 1780 ¹Thogh he were sory to departe, [folio 29b] Thow dyst that Feloun so coarte, That here he durst[e] nat abyde.

'And eke vpon that other syde, Line 1784 The two Labellys, large and longe,¹ [[1_1 [Stowe folio 36a] ]] Hangynge by thyn hornys stronge, [[St. & C.]] Ar Fygure of the conqueste [[St. & C.]] That thow madest on thys beste, [[St. & C.]] Line 1788 And of the Clensynge of thys place, [[C. & St.]] Wasshe & swept only by grace, [[C. & St.]] I mene fyrst at [[Stowe]] the halwyng, yt makyng hooly by blessyng, Line 1792 Lyk a myghty champyoun In the dedycacyoun; Wych for to don, as yt ys skyl, Off Gracë Dieu thys ys the wyl: Line 1796 That thow be armyd offtë sythe, As a vyctor, thy myght to kythe, That thylkë best most contrayre Be neuer hardy to repayre, Line 1800 Nor yt tassaylle by no wrong, Whan he seth thyn armour strong; Wych ar sygnes in substaunce Ay to be put in remembraunce, Line 1804 How thow hast venquysshed & fordon [[bore doun St.]] Thylke vntrewë fals felon, Bete & oppressyd fynally; And that thow mayst ben ay redy, Line 1808 ffressh & newe ay to bataylle Ageyns all that wyl assaylle, At allë [[alle St., al C.]] tyme & ech sesoun, Off Grace Dieu the mansyoun, Line 1812 Or yt dyspoylle in any wyse, Robbe or reue yt in ther guyse, By [[Stowe]] sleythe, falshed, or any whyle, Grace Dieu ffor to exile [Camb. MS. reads: And dispoile it of hire goodes bi dymes, and taxes bi violences and by extorciouns. But ther of as j wot wel of sooth, thou doost not well thi deuoir, For thi self grauntest hem, and shewest the weyes to haue hem, the which thing grace dieu halt no game, p. 12.] Line 1816

Line 1816 'By [[Stowe]] dyuers extorsyons Of dymes or Subvencions, [folio 30a] [[C. & St.]] or taylladges [i]ffoundë newe, [[C. & St.]] By Exaccïons full vntrewe: [[C. & St.]] Line 1820 Yiff thow yt suffre, ffer or ner, [[St. & C.]] Thow dost not trewly thy deuer, [prose page xii] [[St. & C.]] Whan thow fyndest or dost espye [[St. & C.]] Sotyl weyës ffor flatrye [[St. & C.]] Line 1824 To spoylle of Gracë Dieu the hous By any tytles ravynous, Thow dost to hyre no plesaunce, But gret A-noye & dystourbaunce. Line 1828 I say, as yt lyth in my thouht, Platly the trouthe, & spare yt nouht: ¶ Thyn hornys hih vp on thyn hed, Nor thy staff, (yt ys no dred, Line 1832 I dar pleynly specefye,) Ar but tooknes of mokerye, Lych hornys of a lytell snayl, Wych [[Whiche St.]] seruë for noon avayl, Line 1836 But for a lytel strawh wyl shrynke: Her-vp-on thow sholdest thynke.

'Swych hornys hadde nat Seyn Thomas, [prose cap xvi] That kepte the entre & the paas Line 1840 ful myghtyly ageyn the kyng, And wolde suffre for no thyng Hym to entren in-to thys hous; But, as a champyoun vertuous, Line 1844 Kepte the fredam & fraunchyse, And suffrede in no maner wyse The house of Grace Dieu at al ffor to serue, nor to be thral: Line 1848 Rather he ches to dey & sterue Than suffre that yt sholdë serue, Thys holy bysshop Seyn Thomas. ¶ Seynt Ambrose [Camb. MS. reads: Of seint Ambrose also j sey thee that defended his hous ayens emperoures and emperises, so that he was lord ther-of alone. 'Youre paleys,' quod he, 'ye haue youre toures, youre castelles, and your citees, with the reuenewes of the empire. Wel ouhte this to suffice yow,' p. 12.] in the [[this St.]] samë caas Line 1852

Line 1852 ¹Deffendyd myghtyly also [folio 30b] Hys hous, lyk as he sholdë do, Ageyn the sturdy Emperour, By dyllygence and grete labour; Line 1856 Tolde hym that he shuldë kepe Oonly hys Temperall Lordshepe,¹ [[1_1 [Stowe folio 37a] ]] Hys paleys & hys mansyouns, [[St. & C.]] Hys cytes, castelles & hys touns; [[St. & C.]] Line 1860 The Revennues ther-off ytake, [[St. & C.]] And ther-with-al, murye hym make; [[St. & C.]] Wych ouhte ynowh to hym suffyse, And entermet hym in no wyse Line 1864 Touchyng Cristys herytage; And sayde, for al hys fellë rage, That he woldë rather deye Than suffre in any maner weye Line 1868 Durynge hys tyme, short or long, He [[Stowe]] sholde ther-to done any wrong. Thys [[Stowe]] folk, to myn oppynyoun, Vsede [[Stowe]] ther hornys by Resoun, Line 1872 As [[Stowe]] I to the ha told ryht now. And, by exaumple, so sholdyst thow Bar thyn hornys for dyffence, And suffre that no vyolence Line 1876 Were ydon vn-to thy spouse Wych ys so ffayr & vertuouse, Weddyd to the by iuste weddyng: I take [[Stowe]] record of the ryng, Line 1880 On [[Stowe]] thy fynger that thow dost vse; Therfor thow mayst the nat excuse Off the yerde nor the wond Wych thow beryst in thyn hond, Line 1884 To seyn manly to Pharao, (As of ryht thow sholdest do,) To suffre thy folkys to go fre, As they ouht of lyberte; Line 1888 Nat to greue hem, nor oppresse, [folio 31a] Nor constreyne hem by duresse. ¶ Than sholdestow (yt ys no les,) Be trewely callyd Moyses, Line 1892

Line 1892 Ryht agreable by vertu Vn-to that lady, Grace Dieu, And of servyse acceptable To that lady worshepable.' Line 1896 ¶ In thys whyle that dame Resoun [prose cap xvii] Hadde comunycacyoun Wyth Moyses, ryht ther with-al The forseyde offycyal Line 1900 Ys with hys oynementys gon, And putte hem in warde a-noon: That they wer sauff, I dar wel seye, Closyd vnder look & keye. Line 1904

Ordre off maryage:

And tho, myn Eye as I vp caste, I sawe komen [[saughe komyng St.]] wonder faste A pylgrym al sodeynly, Holdyng hys weye fynally, Line 1908 (As me thouht in hys entent), Drawynge in-to the oryent; And euene in the opposyt I sawe ek kome by gret delyt [[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 1912 A womman, wych that was also A pylgrym ek; & bothë [[bothe St., both C.]] two, Her wey took in especyal To-wardys the offycyal [Camb. MS. goes on: And eche of hem took him his hand, and he took hem and ioyned hem to-gidere, and sithe seide hem, as me thouhte, 'ye tweyne shule be bothe oon, and iche of yow bere trowthe to oother,' p. 13.] ; Line 1916 Sayde vn-to hym, they bothe a-noon, [[St. & C.]] How they wolde to-gyder gon [[St. & C.]] On pylgrymage in ther degre [[St. & C.]] To Ierusaleem, the Cytee, [Stowe folio 38b] Line 1920 'So ye teche vs, and dysserne [[St. & C.]] How that we shall vs gouerne, [[St. & C.]] To be sur, in oure passage, [[St. & C.]] To ffulfylle our pylgrymage.' [[St. & C.]] Line 1924

Thanne anoon Thoffycyal, Whan he knew ther menyng al, Tolde hem, yiff they woldë gon,

They most of hertë be al on, Line 1928 Tweyne in on, & on in tweyne, Both in Ioye & ek in peyne; And so to-gydre ay perseuere, Tyl that deth make hem dysseuere. Line 1932 Seyde [[Stowe]] ek to hem, 'look that ye In [[Stowe]] trouthë, & in stablete [[Stabyltee St.]] Yee [[Stowe]] loue to-gydre as ye sholde, Whether ye be yong or olde; Line 1936 And that your trouthe on outher syde Perpetuelly in on a-byde, To your last, that yt endure: ¶ And that ye shal to me Assure Line 1940 Both be feyth & ek by oth; And beth wel war, for leff or loth, That ye, for no varyaunce, Ne brekë nat your ássuraunce; Line 1944 ffor yiff ye don, ²ye be forsworn; And ek I warnë yow to-forn, Yiff that ye don² [[2_2 om. [Stowe folio 39a] ]] in dede or thouht, fful lytel shal a-vaylle, or nouht, Line 1948 Than vn-to yow your vyage, Your labour, nor your pylgrymage. Yt wer wel bet, to myn entent, That ech of yow allonë went, Line 1952 Sool by hym sylff, and nat trespace, Than be founde on [[in St.]] any place [folio 32a] Vntrewë to hys companye; ffor, gret forfet & folye Line 1956 Yt ys, a man for to be founde Vntrewe to hym that he ys bounde. ¶ But yiff your wyl of both yffeere Be parfyt, hool, & ek entere Line 1960 To gon to-gydre, (lat now se,) On pylgrymage to that cyte, Whyder to gon I caste also, Ye most suerne her, [[sweren here St.]] bothë two, Line 1964 On euery part, for old or newe, That ech to other shal be trewe, So tenduren, al your lyff,

'With-outen werre or any stryff; Line 1968 Off on hert & entencyon, Neuere to make dyuysyon, Nor departyng causeles, With-oute assent of Moysees.' Line 1972

Affter al thys, A-noon ryht I sawh hem bothë trouthë plyht, Hand in hand yboundë faste; Euere, whyl ther lyff may laste, Line 1976 So to continuen & endure, Ther feyth by oth they dyde assure, ffor euermor: lo her ys al.

And thanne A-noon the offycyal Line 1980 Ys retournyd in certeyn Hoom to Moyses ageyn, Wych stood of entencioun To here the talkyng of Resoun. Line 1984 Ther-to he sette al hys entent; But at the last ther parlement Yendyd ys, for so gret pres [Camb. MS. reads: But as thei weren . . . speken, a gret cumpany of folk maden cesse here parlement anoon. Bifore Moises thei comen, and maden him requeste that sum seruice in his hous he wolde yiue hem and graunte hem, p. 13.] Kam a-doun to [[vn-to St.]] Moyses, Line 1988 Requeryng hym in humble wyse [folio 32b] [[St. & C.]] To graunten hem somme seruyse [[St. & C.]] In hys hous, off gentyllesse. [[St. & C.]] And he full goodly gan hym dresse, [Stowe folio 39b] As I conceyved with my look, [Stowe folio 39b] [[4 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] [[Sacramentum Ordinis St]] Line 1993 And a peyre of sherys took, [prose cap xviii] Merkede [[Markede St.]] hem (I took good heed,) On foure parteys of ther hed; Line 1996 And affter that, vp-on the crowne, To-forn hym as they knelë doun, Seyng to hem stondyng a-part, 'That God shal be the hoolë part Line 2000 Pleynly of ther enherytaunce, As [[Stowe]] ther Rychesse & suffysaunce: Ther-of they may be wel certeyn.'

Resoun ageyn: [prose cap xix]

And thanne Reson effte ageyn, Line 2004 (Lych as I shal yow devyse,) Gan to spekyn in thys wyse: 'Syrs, taketh hed,' a-noon quod she, 'Som whyle, as semeth vn-to me, Line 2008 Yt ys wysdom, ryht, & no wrong, To feynë foly euere a-mong, Thogh ye now, also God me saue, Ben yclypyd & yshaue Line 2012 Vp-on your hedys euerychon, Wych thyng ys dempte of many on fful gret vnwyt & gret ffolye Off malys & malencolye; Line 2016 They demë so malycyously, [folio 33a] But trewly so do nat I. [[C. & St.]] ffor as in myn oppynyon [[C. & St.]] I deme yt [[ [Stowe folio 40a] ]] gret dyscreccion, Line 2020 And ful gret wyt that ye ha do, And for that skyle taketh hede ther-to. ¶ To be yourës, of entent, Hooly to yow I me present Line 2024 As your paramoire entere; And who-so-euere (as ye shal lere,) Gruchche, or haue envye ther-to, Al-way forth I wyl be so. Line 2028 ffor trusteth wel, that I am she By whom that ye yknowë be ffrom other bestys—lo her ys al— And seueryd in especyal. Line 2032 ¶ And pleynly, ek, I kan yow telle, Al the whyl that I dwelle With yow, A-mongys hyh & lowe, ffor verray men ye shal be knowe, Line 2036 Thorgh wysdom & thorgh prouydence, And haue A verray dyfference ffrom other bestys to dyscerne How ye shal your sylff gouerne. Line 2040 Al the whyle that ye me holde With yow tabyde, as I tolde,

'Ye shal be men, & ellys nauht [[nought St.]] And yiff the trouthë [[trouthe St.]] be wel souht, Line 2044 Whan that I am fro yow gon, Ye may avaunte (& that a-noon,) That ye be (thys, no fable) Bestys & vnresownable, Line 2048 Dyspurveyed of al Resoun, [Camb. MS. reads: ye be but as doumbe bestes, and as coltes that ben clothed. With-oute me ye shul neuere haue wurshipe, be ye neuere so grete lordes, p. 14.] And voyde of al dyscreccioun; [folio 33b] [[St. & C.]] For yiff ye wantë shortly me, [[St. & C.]] Yee may neuere in no degre [[St. & C.]] Line 2052 (Though yee euere do youre peyne,) [[St. & C.]] Worshipe, off youre sylff atteyne [Stowe folio 41a] Nor clymbë to no gret honour [[St. & C.]] But yiff ye han of me socour; [[St. & C.]] Line 2056 Thogh ye be lordys of estat, Proud of your port, & eke ellat, Lytel to yow, al may avaylle With-outë me, yt ys no faylle, Line 2060 ffor to make your Iugementys, Syllogysmes, or Argumentys, Or of Wysdam any thyng; With-outë me, thys no lesyng, Line 2064 Ye shal ha no conclusyon, But fynally confusyon. ¶ ffor wych I castë me to telle How ye shal ha, yiff ye lyst dwelle, Line 2068 The loue of me on euery syde: Ye most ay be, & so abyde, That ye in yow ha sobyrnesse, And voydë fro yow dronkenesse Line 2072 And hyr suster glotonye, Wraththë, Ire & ffelonye; ffor wher-so-euere that they be, They makë me a-way to fle; Line 2076 ffor wher they make her mansyoun, I leve that habytacyoun. Venus thenys doth me chase,

'And voydeth me out of that place, Line 2080 As yt ys sayd & told ful wel— Who lyst loken euerydel,— With-outen any maner glose, In the Romaunce of the Roose. Line 2084 ¶ Wherfor I pray yow euerychon, ffor to kepe yow, on by on, [folio 34a] ffro thys vyces that I ha told, And from al other, yong and old; Line 2088 ffor my loue that ye hem fflee, [[C. & St.]] Yiff ye lysten han frenshepe of me. [[C. & St.]] ¶ ffor, but ye yow fro vyces kepe, Ye shal lesë the frenshepe Line 2092 Platly of me, as I yow tolde. And ffynally, I nat ne holde Hym for my frend, (knowe thys ryht wel,) That yiveth hys body euerydel Line 2096 Vn-to vyces, euere in oon. ¶ And two wordys, or that ye gon, [prose cap xx] Shortly to yow, & nat ne spare, Openly I wyl declare Line 2100 Tookne of your crowne, cloos with-Inne, And at the cercle fyrst begynne. I mene the closure fer with-oute That ys cerclyd round a-boute Line 2104 As A castel or strong doungoun, Or lyk a gardyn, wych envyroun Ys closyd with a myghty wal; The wych (who consydreth al,) Line 2108 With-Inne ys ope, to sygnefye, That ye to God sholde hool aplye Your hertys, to hym so enterly That noon affeccion worldly, Line 2112 Nor erthly thyng, ha noon entre. ffor, lerneth thys shortly of me: Your Cercle round aboute the hed Sholde kepe (yt ys no dred,) Line 2116 Off your hertys the closure, To voyde away al worldly cure Out of your affeccyon,

And shewen (in conclusyon [Camb. MS. goes on: For from it [the world] ye muste departe, if with your god ye wole part. Ye mowun not haue bothe tweyne to-gideres; that mown ye wel wite, p. 14.] ) Line 2120 That ye have the world for-sake, [folio 34b] [[St. & C.]] And of herte youre-sylff ytake [[St. & C.]] Hooly to God, off wyl entere; [[St. & C.]] For ye ne may not bothe yffere [[ [Stowe folio 42a] ]] Serve God, and the worlde also, [[ [Stowe folio 42a] ]] Line 2125 And be trewe in bothë two: [[St. & C.]] The toon, a-syde most be layd. [[St. & C.]]

'And thynk also what ye ha sayd. [[St. & C.]] Line 2128 God ys for our avauntage, [¶ Dominus pars hereditatis mee / (St.) (Psal. xv. 5.)] Our party, & our herytage, Whom we ha chose with al our myght ffor to seruë day & nyht. Line 2132 By wych word, so God me saue, Me thynketh ye sholde no Ioye haue Of thys worldys veyn plesaunce, Wych ys so ful off varyaunce, Line 2136 So ful of chang & dovbylnesse; ffor now, to oon he yyveth Rychesse, Robbeth a-nother, as ye may se, And cast hym in-to pouerte; Line 2140 And somme he yiveth neueradel: Wherfore loke ye kepë wel The part off your elleccyoun, Off herte & hool entencioun, Line 2144 That ye ha chose, yiff ye be wyse, Wych ouhte ynowgh to yow suffyse; ffor, as in comparyson, Yt passeth al pocessyon. Line 2148 ¶ Lat your tonsurys, round at al Close your hertys as a wal; And that yt go so round aboute ffor to sette [[shette St.]] the world with-oute, Line 2152 And yt dysseuere in al [[alle St.]] thyng, And your party so departyng, That [[Stowe]] ye be shorn so as ye sholde As [[Stowe]] chosë shepe of Crystys folde, Line 2156

Line 2156 Lyk to bestys resounnable. [folio 35a] Thanne of ryght (yt ys no fable) Your shepperde, that taketh of [[on St.]] yow kepe, Schal receyuen off hys shep Line 2160 The flees somwhyle for hys travaylle; But he shal nat so yow assaylle, To flen yow fro yowr skyn al bare; In swychë [[swyche St.]] cas he mostë spare; Line 2164 ffor he therto hath no lycence, To yow to don swych vyolence. He shal yow shern duely in dede, Nat out of mesour, but for nede, Line 2168 Take hys part hym to sustene; And for that skylë, thus I mene, That he shal no vengeaunce make: Therfore he hath the sherys take, Line 2172 And nat the knyff, to Robbe & slen, And folk out of her skyn to fflen; But cherysshe hem rather by fauour Than oppresse hem by Rygour: Line 2176 Thus sholde euery shepperde do, Resoun algatë techeth so.' ¶ And whan thys lady, dame Resoun, [prose cap xxi] Hadde y-endyd hyr sermoun, Line 2180 Ther kam folk in sondry wyses, That a-bood to han servyses,

Ordre off Colyt:

Made ther requeste to Moyses; And he, Amongys al the pres Line 2184 Assygnede sondry offycerys. And somme off hem he made hussherys, And somme also he ordeynys To haue offyce off chaumberleyns; Line 2188 And sergauntys he made also, To whos offyce yt longeth to, The Enmy to putte away, [Camb. MS. has, 'for to areste and putte out the enemyes that ben in the bodyes. To oothere he dide gret wurshipe; For to alle he yaf to be rederes of his paleys and to preche goddes lawe,' p. 15.] Out of bodyes nyht & day, [folio 35b] [[St. & C.]] Line 2192

Line 2192 Wher that euere by bataylle [[St. & C.]] He ys hardy ffor to assaylle. [[ [Stowe folio 43b] ]]

Moses eke, who lyst take hede, [[St. & C.]] Ordeyned Lystres for to rede, [[St. & C.]] Line 2196 Myd the palys for to stonde, [[St. & C.]] To makë folke to vnderstonde [[St. & C.]] The lawë, by ful gret avys, As longeth vn-to her offys. Line 2200 And sommë, as I kan beholde, He made kandelys for to holde, And torchys for to yivë lyht; By ther offyce, as yt was ryht, Line 2204 Thay held hem, as I toforn ha sayd, To-for the table, whan yt was layd; ¶ For sone he sholde to dyner gon. And vnto other he took a-noon Line 2208 Hys syluer cuppe gylt richëly, And bad hem maken yt redy To seruen hym the samë tyme. And some also, on ther lyfft syde, Line 2212 Vp-on ther shulderys, he made weere A Tookne off Cryst, & yt to bere, That they sholde in especyal Awayte vp-on thoffycyal, Line 2216 As trewe seruauntys off entent, And be mynystres dyllygent, ffeythful, humble, & covenable ffor to serue hym at the table. [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 2220

And than they gan, by good avys, [folio 36a] [prose cap xxii] Euerych to don hys owne offys, And dyden ek ther bysy cure To leyn the [[the St., om. C.]] boordys, & to cure Line 2224 With napry ful couenable. And somme sette vp-on the table (Lyk ther offyce) wyn & bred; And somme also (I took good hed,) Line 2228 Lyst the wyn wer to strong, Putte in water ther a-mong: ¶ ffor yt was somwhat passyd pryme,

Vp-on the hour off dyner tyme. Line 2232

But Moyses, to-for dyner, Caste hym fyrst, with ful sad cher, To delyuer hym [[hem St.]] that abood.

And somme that aforn hym stood, Line 2236 He made hem offycerys newe, ffor to serwen and be trewe With-Inne hys hous, in specyal To wayte vp-on the offycyal, Line 2240 And to helpe hym in hys nede; ffor who that wysly taketh hede, May se wel that thoffycyal May nat allone gouernen al, Line 2244 But he haue helpe, swych as hym ouhte.

Now shal I tellë how he wrouhte: Thys Moyses, among hem all, ffyrst he gan ful lowdë calle [prose cap xxiii] Line 2248 Grace dieu, al be that she Was fastë by, wych, in hyr se Sat vp in hyr trone on hyh; Sche was nat ffer, but wonder nyh, Line 2252 And took good heed of euery thyng. (And al thys whyle beholdyng, I sat at hyr ffeet doun lowe.) [Camb. MS. adds: When she herde hire cleped, she ros hire up with-oute abidinge, and wente hire to moyses, and with hire she ledde me. And thanne whan moyses sigh hire nyh him, he bi-gan to wexe more hardy, and fulliche dide that that j wole telle yow shortlyche, p. 16.] And whan she sawe & gan knowe Line 2256 That she was callyd among echon, [folio 36b] [[St. & C.]] She taryeth nat, but kam anoon [[St. & C.]] To Moyses ful evene & ryght; [[St. & C.]] Line 2259 And vn-to hym, with alle hir myght, [Stowe folio 44b] She shewed hir-selff most frendely, [[St. & C.]] Wher-off he gan waxen hardy [[St. & C.]] Whan she was kome, and thowhte he was [[St. & C.]] Myghty & mor strong in thys caas Line 2264 To fulfyllen hys entent, Wych I, by good avysement, Shal vn-to yow shortly here

Rehersen, yiff ye lyste to here. Line 2268

And Moyses, A-noon ryght than, Thus to werkyn he be-gan: [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Ther handys fyrst, as ye shal lere, [prose cap xxiv] Enoyntede, and closede hem yfere, Line 2272 'And took to hem ful cler & bryht A swerd, the wych, vn-to my syht, Was thylkë same that Cherubyn Whylom held at Thentryng In Line 2276 At Paradys, who lyst to look; And keyës ek to hem he took, To kepe hem wel in ther entent.

And al thys whyle was ther present Line 2280 Grace Dieu, I took good heede, To helpyn hem the bet to spede. Whom Moyses took hem also, And sayde, (I took good hed ther-to,) Line 2284 'Syrs,' quod he, 'most off vertu, Seth her to-for yow, Grace Dieu I gyve hyr yow for morë [[more St., mor C.]] grace, [folio 37a] That she may, in euery place, Line 2288 At allë tymës with yow be, Yiff yt be-falle sothly that ye Receyue hyre, as ye ouhtë do, With Ioyë & glad herte also, Line 2292 And kepe hyr with yow day be day, That she neuere parte a-way.' ¶ And whan I herde al thys yfere, I wex abaysshed in my chere; Line 2296 Seyde vn-to my sylff ryht tho, "Allas, now, what shal I do? Grace Dieu, I ha lost al; ffor I se how Thoffycyal Line 2300 Hath yowen hyre fro me away On thys syluë samë day, Vn-to thys hornyd folk in sothe, [Cambr. and Fr. Prose reverse this: "thilke hornede hath given him to these newe officialles." p. 16.]

And with hem, fro me she goth. [There is nothing in Camb. corresponding to the lines be|tween Nos. 2302 and 2344. p. 110, MS.] Line 2304 Wherfor now I kan nat se Who shal delyueren vnto me Sherpe [[Scryppe St.]] or bordoun to my vyage, To helpe me in my pylgrymage, Line 2308 Wych she me hyhte thys other day."

But thanne A-noon I took my way To-wardys hyre lyne Ryght, And Thoughtë pleynly that I myghte Line 2312 Seyn to hyre my fantasye, And my matere specefye; ffor sythe the tyme, ffer nor ner, That I was wasshe in the Ryver Line 2316 By hyre Aduocat, fayre & wel, I spak not with hyre neuere a del. And in the tyme off my wasshyng, The aduocat, by hyr byddyng, Line 2320 Spak for me in goodly wyse, As ye to-forn han herd devyse. Wher-fore I thouhte I wolde assaye [folio 37b] [[St. & C.]] To speke to hire, & not delaye: [[St. & C.]] Line 2324 "Ma dame," quod I, "and yt yow plese, [[St. & C.]] I am falle in gret dysesse, [[St. & C.]] And dyscomforted in myn herte, [[St. & C.]] Whan I consydre and aduerte, [[St. & C.]] Line 2328 That Moyses gaff yow a-way; [[St. & C.]] Which Gyfft ys no thyng to my pay; [[St. & C.]] For yiff I wante yow, in certeyn [[St. & C.]] My pylgrymage ys but in veyn." Line 2332

Grace Dieu answereth:

Quod Grace Dieu, 'yiff thow take hede, Thow hast verrayly in dede fforyete al that I ha the told. Wostow nat wel, to yong & old, Line 2336 That [[Stowe]] I wyl profyte what I may [Non subtrahet personam cuiusquam Deus quoni|am pusillum et magnum ipse fecit, et equaliter est illi cura de omnibus. Sa|pientie. v[i]^o [5].] To [[Stowe]] all that go the ryhtë way; So that euery pylgrym shal At allë [[alle St., al C.]] tymes (lo her ys al) Line 2340

Line 2340 Me fynde redy, euere in on, In ther weye with hem to gon, To conveye hem, whan they ha nede.

'What! wenystow me to possede Line 2344 Thy sylff allonë, quyt & clene? Thow art a fool, yiff thow yt wene! [prose cap xxv] The comoun profyt, fer & ner, Ys mor than profyt synguler Line 2348 To be preferryd, as I the telle. Sestow nat how a comoun welle Mor avaylleth (who looke wel,) Than doth A-nother seuerel? Line 2352 ffor, at a commoun welle, of ryht May fettë water euery whyht, Her thrust to staunchen & apese, And drawe yt at her ownë ese. Line 2356 Wher-as, a wellë cloos aboute, Wych for-barreth folk with-oute, [folio 38a] [[St. & C.]] That no man neyë dar no ner, [[St. & C.]] Lyst they fellyn in daunger. Line 2360

'And to purpos to expresse, I am welle of al goodnesse; Nat holdë cloos vn-to no wyht, But vn-to alle (of verray ryht) Line 2364 I am comwne and plentevous, And to profyte desyrous To goode pylgrymes euerychon, To forthre hem wherso they gon. Line 2368

'And thogh I be comoun to alle That vn-to myn helpë calle, Thow mayst knowe & trustë wel Thow hast nat lost me neueradel; Line 2372 ffor ay with the I wyl abyde, And neuere partë fro thy syde: As longe as thow hast thè cast To ben a pylgrym stedëfast, Line 2376 So long thow shalt nat off me faylle To helpe in what I may avaylle.' ¶ Affter al thys, I confort took, That Grace Dieu me nat for-sook, Line 2380

Line 2380 But me coumfortede off hyr grace.

And tho ryht in the syluë place I sawh Anoon, Dame Resoun Ascende to makë A Sarmoun Line 2384 In ta pulpet that ther stood. ¶ 'Syrs,' quod she, 'yt wer ryht good [prose cap xxvi] ffor your profyt, (yt ys no drede,) Off my sarmoun to taken hede. Line 2388 Ther was a swerd, yt ys no nay, Delyuered yow thys samë day, fforgyd sythë [[sythe St., syth C.]] go ful longe, To kepë thentre wonder stronge, Line 2392 And the passage of Paradys. [Camb.: that no sinnere entrede into the cuntre of which he is lord. Now vnderstondeth what swerd it is, how it is perilouse to fooles, p. 17.] At which tyme was noon so wys [folio 38b] [[St. & C.]] That entre myghte, ner comen In, [[St. & C.]] But yiff it were by Cherubyn, [[ [Stowe folio 47a] ]] Line 2396 Which at the gate was cheff porter, [[St. & C.]] Holdynge that swerd ful bryht & cler, [[St. & C.]] Folkys for to kepen oute. [[St. & C.]]

'And this swerd, yt ys no doute, [[St. & C.]] Line 2400 Was to ffoolys ful peryllous, [[St. & C.]] Swych as wern malycyous; [[St. & C.]] ffor they ther-by wer made afferd, And ypunysshed by that swerd. Line 2404 Lyk ther gyltys & trespace Thys swerd alway dyde hem manace. The wych swerd (who that kan se,) Ordeyned ys for thyngys thre: [[St. & C.]] Line 2408 To punysshe folk as they dysserue, [[St. & C.]] Poynt & egge, to hurte & kerue, And with the platte, among to spare, That ryht fro mercy be nat bare. Line 2412

'The poynt yiveth fyrst entendement [Discrecio omni virtuti ordinem ponit, modum tribuit, decorem & perpetuitatem confert. Bernardus super Can|tica.] That neuere no fynal Iugement, Nor hasty execucyoun, Be yove with-oute dyscrecioun, Line 2416 In causys nouther hih nor lowe

Namly wher they be nat knowe: ffor he ys a fool, & ffoul hardy, That, off wenyng & surquedy, Line 2420 Hasty ys, hym sylff tavaunce, Off Ire for to do vengaunce, Or demen by suspecyon With-oute examynacyon. Line 2424

'Swyche, I dar wel specefye, Do nat trewly occupye The swerd of ryghtful Iugëment. Thorgh ygnoraunce they be so blent, [folio 39a] Line 2428 And, as a blynde man, so they werke, Stumblynge alway in the derke. Good from evel they kan not chese, Nor whot [[woot St.]] nat wher to saue or lese: Line 2432 Redy to hyndren & to deere, Swychë sholde no swerdys beere, That kan not knowen evel fro good, [Stowe folio 48a] Nor whan ys tyme of letyng blood; Line 2436 Nor, kan nat dyscerne A-ryght— ffor ygnorance & lak off syht— At-wexen helthe & malladye; Nor, a-twen the meselrye Line 2440 Grettest, smallest, and the mene; He kan no dyfference atwene Newë syknesse nor the olde.

'But euery trewë Iugë sholde Line 2444 Weyen Iustly [[Stowe.]] in ballannce, Consydren euery cyrcumstaunce [Mout doit ains le iuge entendre 1102 Les circonstances du meffait, Que nul jugement en soit fait. p. 35.] Off trespacys by avysëment, Or he yive any Iugëment. Line 2448

'ffor thys word Glayve, [Camb.: Swerd, as j fynde writen, is clepid departinge of throte, p. 17.] (in sentence,) [Verba translatoris.] By record off Ianuence (Thys was nat ful yere agon) In hys book Catholicon Line 2452 Seyth, Glayve in French, (& wryteth thus,)

Ys in Latyn Guladius, [[Gladius St., Guladius C.]] [¶ Gladius a gula dicitur, & generaliter dicitur Ensis in prelio; sed ensis tan|tum ferrum est / Gladius vero, totus sed proprie dicitur guladius, quia gulam dividit / & scias quod Mucro, ensis, gla|dius, spata sunt nomina synonima. Gula, a galla, greco dicitur / hec gula, -le, id est, = anterior pars colli; pos|terior dicitur Cervix.—C. & St.] Sayd of gula, (as he put,) ffor that yt a-sonder kut The throte off a man a two: [Glaive, si com truis en escript, 1105 Guele devisant, si est dit. p. 35.] Thys Ianuence recordeth so; ffor throte yn Ynglyssh, (thys the ffyn,) Ys callyd Gula in Latyn, Line 2460 Wher-off Glayvë took hys name. Grameryens [[Stowe]] sëyn the same, [folio 39b] For yt a-sondyr [[Stowe]] doth deuyde The partyes layde on euery syde, [Camb.: For right that he hath herd allegge, he shulde do his jugement, and non oother wise, p. 18. Quar tout ainsi comme allignier 1110 Il a ouï, son iugement Doit il faire, non autrement. p. 35.] Line 2464 Wher, save Right, ys [[Stowe]] no refuge.

'But first, every Right [[Stowe]] ful Iuge Sholde, by [[Stowe]] good avysëment, Or he gesse [[Stowe]] eny Iugëment, Line 2468 Discerne [[Stowe]] to-forn (with al hys myght), Seke and [[Stowe]] enqueryn out the ryght Off outher [[Stowe]] part in hys presence, Nat [[Stowe]] ben to hasty off sentence, Line 2472 Nor [[Stowe]] off hys doomys in no wyse.

¶ Also [[Stowe]] to yow I shal devyse, Wheroff the tweynë eggys serue, [prose cap xxvii] Off thys swerd, that kutte & kerue: Line 2476 ffor on allonë in no wyse [[Stowe]] By hym sylff may nat suffyse; [Pour quoi. I. seul pas ne soufist 1115 Et quel enseignement i gist. Se vostre glaive avez pointu Par discretion, et agu. p. 36.] [[Stowe]] ffor yiff yowr swerde forgyd off steel [[Stowe]] Be to-forn ypoynted wel, [[Stowe]] Line 2480 And sharpyd by dyscrecioun, [[Stowe]] Ye moste (off ryght & good resoun) Ther-with-al haue ryghtwysnesse, Vyces to reforme and dresse, Line 2484 On your sogectys (euere among,)

Hem to correcte whan they do wrong. ffor vp-on trespacys & mysdede Ye ha lycence (yt ys no drede,) Line 2488 ffor to do correccyoun And couenable punycioun, Egal, as folk ha dysservyd, Except casys that be reservyd [Stowe folio 49a] Line 2492 And with-holdë (soth to seyne,) To [[Stowe]] hym that hath the hornys tweyne: They be except vn-to hys hand.

'And thus departyd ys your land Line 2496 In double party, (thys no doute:) [folio 40a] The Ton, the body ys with-oute, fflesshly, & redy vn-to synne; But the thother man with-inne [[Stowe]] Line 2500 Ys the soule & the spyryt, [[Stowe]] Wych in goodnesse hath most delyt. Thys the land, loke wel therto, That ye shal departe at [[a Stowe]] two, Line 2504 Atwyxë bothë, thogh that neuere, Whyl they lyuë, may dysseuere.

'And to thys tweynë, ansuerynge Ys thys swerd double-kervynge; Line 2508 Wher-with ye shal your wyt applye, Sowle & body to Iustefye, Whan ye sen yt be to do; As thus tak hed, I menë so: Line 2512 The Body, ffro hys synnes grete, [Stowe folio 49a] Duely punysshe [Camb.: To the bodi for his sinnes ye mown yiue trauaile, &c., p. 18.] in cold & hete, Yive hym peyne, and ek penaunce, Consydred euery cyrcumstaunce: Line 2516 Travaylle, whan he ys to rage, Sende hym out on pylgrymage; Charge hym with fastyng & wakyng; So that alway answerynge Line 2520 The penaunce be to the trespace, [Stowe folio 49b] Off equyte that yt not passe: ¶ Thus ye shal do, yiff ye be wyse.

'But in a-nother maner wyse Line 2524 Punysshen the spyryt ye shal also; As [[And St.]] thus: taketh good hed ther-to: In dyuers caas ye mot consydre, And peysen euery thyng to-gydre: Line 2528 Yiff he be proud or obstynat, Dysobeyynge or ellaat, [Camb.: and wol not amende for ammestinge ye mown turne to the kervinge, p. 18.] Hys trespace [[Stowe]] to amende, [folio 40b] And ne [[ne St.]] lyst nat to entende Line 2532 To be redressed [[Stowe]] by meeknesse, And, [[nor St.]] thorgh pryde or Frowardnesse, [[Stowe]] Wyl takë no correccïon. Than may yow [[ye Stowe]] (in conclusyon) Line 2536 Tornen (to maken hym afferd,) The tother party off the swerd, Wych ys sharp, & whet ful kene, To wonde, & hurte, & parte atwene, Line 2540 And ful mortally to byte: Spareth nat ther-with to smyte, Lyk as ye may, by your power.

'Wherfor doth iustly your dever Line 2544 [Sans Riens y aler espargnant. Naures, se pouez, mortalment, Par force . . .] To smyte & hurte, for punysshyng, [Camb.: Hurte hym ye mown dedliche bi the strok of curs|inge. And ther is no wounde so cruelle. For with-oute remedye it is dedlych, etc.; p. 18.] By the sharpe strook of [[Stowe]] cursyng; ffor wounde nor hurte ys noon so [[Stowe]] fel Nor noon so mortal nor cruel [[Stowe]] Line 2548 Nor mor peryllous to be [[Stowe]] drad; ffor Remedy may noone [[Stowe]] be had, [Stowe folio 50a] Nouther salue, That soor to sownde But by hym that gaff the wounde, Line 2552 Or by A-nother (in certeyn) That ys a-bove, mor souereyn, Wych hath an hand, power, & myght, Hym to recure, (of verray ryght,) Line 2556 Serche the soor with-Inne & oute. Wherfore he [[he St., ye C.]] sholde gretly doute,

That so ys hurt, as I ha told, Wherso be he yong or old. Line 2560

Exaumple off the pereyl off cursyng. [This story is absent from Camb. From l. 2559-2680 (p. 125 MS.) only occupies three lines of Camb. Nor is it in the French of Addit. MS. 22,937, the first version.]

¶ And to purpos in especyal: Yt fyl that oon offycyal In-to a gardyn onys wente, To gadre cheryes off entente, Line 2564 The fayrest that he koudë se, [folio 41a] And clamb ful hih vp on A tre. But shortly, in hys comyng doun, Yt ffyl thus, (in conclusyon,) Line 2568 That a braunche hys surplys hente, And the cloth a-sonder Rente, Wher-of in hert he wex ful wroth; And, or he any ferther goth, Line 2572 Thus he seyde vn-to the tre, "Now," quod he, "cursyd mote thow be!" And wente hym forth, fer nor ner, [Stowe folio 50b] Tyl vn-to the nextë yer, Line 2576 To gadre cheryssh [[Cheryes St.]] he kam a-geyn, And found the tre drye & bareyn. Off wych thyng he wex al sad, And in hys hertë no thyng glad, Line 2580 Whan he remembrede how that he Hadde a-forn cursyd that Tre. Wher-of he repenteth sore, And, with-outen any more Line 2584 He seyde, (or he ferther wente,) "I the assoylle, in myn entente. God wot, I mentë no thyng so, So gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] vengaunce to ha do: Line 2588 I ha mysdon; for-gyue yt me, ffor the dyffaute was nat in the. My-sylff, I may the Rentyng whyte, [[Rendyng wyte St.]] I knowe yt wel, & the aquyte." Line 2592 And after the absolucyon Yt bar cheryes gret Foyson, [[Foyson St., seyson C.]]

Laden with frut fynaly, ffor tweyne, yt bar almost twenty; Line 2596 And heet [[And eet St.]] hys fullë with glad cher, Affter, euere, fro yer to yer; And neuere forgate, in hys lyvyng, [folio 41b] The sentencë off hys cursyng; Line 2600 ffor swych thyng, [Stowe folio 50b] so as semeth me, Shulde nat lightly [[Stowe]] forgetyn be.

'ffor they be foolys, in certeyn, That Reklesly of cursyng seyn, Line 2604 How that a man that cursyd be, [Stowe folio 51a] That afferme of skorn, that he Hath hetyn [[etyn whyte St., hetyn whyt C.]] hys sawle of whytë [[etyn whyte St., hetyn whyt C.]] bred. Off curs they take so lytel heed, Line 2608 Havyng no Reward, Thorgh ther synne, How the soule that ys with Inne Ys off gostly frut, certeyn, Wonder drye, and ek bareyn, Line 2612 By the swerd of curs confoundyd, And so mortally ywoundyd, That yt may profyt neuer a dele To berë [[bere St., ber C.]] frut (who lokë wel,) Line 2616 Of vertu, (I yow ensure,) ffor that yt lakketh moysture Off grace, wherby, (who kan espye,) Al vertuës fructefye. Line 2620

'ffor wych, folk sholdë taken hede, The swerd of cursynge for to drede. I menë as thus specyally, Whan ther ys causë iustly why, Line 2624 And he that doth yt, hath power To execute yt fer & ner, By ordynarye auctoryte. But yet to-forn (yt semeth me) Line 2628 He sholde consydren (in hys syth [[syght St.]] Whan that he smyte, he smyte of ryht, And that hys causë be notable Or he procede to be vengable. Line 2632 ffor, I telle yow sykerly, No man ne smyteth duelly, [folio 42a]

With the sharpë for to kerue, [Stowe folio 51b] But he to-forn ful wel obserue Line 2636 That he ferst with the platte assay, In goodly wysë, what he may, Al that ys mys, [[a mys St.]] for to redresse: ffor by the platte, I ther [[dar St.]] expresse Line 2640 Off thys swerd, and specefye, Prudent a-wys [[avys St.]] in prelacye, With good & trewe avysëment.

'And fyrst, that he, in good entent, Line 2644 By trewë Ammonycyon And fructuous predicacyon, Or he smyte by violence, To letë passë the sentence, Line 2648 The evele to smyten [[smyten St., smyte C.]] in sparynge, And spare hem also in smytynge. Thys was of Ihesu the doctryne, In whom lyth al the [[oure St.]] medycyne Line 2652 Off deth, whan men be woundyd so.

'⁶ And taketh alway heed her-to, To vse the plattë, nyh & ferre, Whan ye se your sogettys erre, Line 2656 Alder-fyrst; I menë thus, With doctrynë vertuous Techë, preche, & so begynne ffor to make hem leve ther synne. Line 2660 ¶ Yiff ye may folkys so [[to St.]] recure That be woundyd, I yow ensure, [Doctrina bona dabit gratiam. prouerbiorum. 13^o (v. 15)] Ther grevous woundys to allegge, Bet ys the plattë than the egge. Line 2664 ffor echë leche that wel kan werche, [Stowe folio 52a] Namly lechys of the cherche, That han manhys [[mannys St.]] sowle in cure With plat they sholdë fyrst recure, Line 2668 Rather than with the sharpë wounde,⁶ [6_6 The following 16 lines English are 6 French ones of the first cast:

De ce plat vser vous deuezQuant vos subies errer veez:Sermouner et bien prescher,Fait maintes fois peche laissier:S'ainsi les pouez garantir,Mieulx vault que du tranchant ferir.

] [folio 42b]

By ther charge, as they ar bounde.

'Now haue ye herde [[Stowe]] & ye lyst se How ye shal vsen allë [[Stowe]] thre, Line 2672 The plat, the sharpe, & eke the poynt, I haue yow told, fro poynt to poynt; And rehersyd ek also In divers caas how ye shal do; [prose cap xxviii] Line 2676 Somtyme Iugë by vengaunce, Somme punysshë by penaunce, Entrete sommë with ffayrnesse, Somme chastysë with sharpnesse, Line 2680 And for that skyle, the swerd, ywys, Ys y-callyd Versatylis; [[Versatile et variable, Add. Gladius versatilis / Genesis (iii.24), C. & St.]] Wych ys to seyn, (oute of doute,) A thyng that men mowe [[may St.]] torne abowte, Now the platte, (who kan take hede,) Line 2685 And [[Stowe]] the sharpe, whan yt ys nede.

'And for thys skyles, off resoun Yt ys yput in your bandoun, Line 2688 Ay to be redy, (as yt ys skyle,) ffor to tourne yt at your wyl. Ther-to ye han power & myght, As the caas wyl suffre off ryht, Line 2692 Off verray trouthe & equyte.

'And for that skylë, sothly ye, That in yow ther be no blame, [Stowe folio 52b] Therfor ye trewly ber the name Line 2696 ⁵Cherubin, fful of scyence And off dyvynë sapyence, ffor mysterye that ys ther-In.⁵ [5_5

Cherubim, plain de science,Et de diuine sapience.

Add.]

'ffor yiff ye wer nat Cherubin, Line 2700 Thys to seyne, in your werkyng Yiff ye ne haue nat ful konnyng, Ye myghte do ful gret outrage, [folio 43a] Ryght gret harme, & gret damage; Line 2704 In stede off the platte & pleyn, Tournen the sharpë egge in veyn Correcte a causë grene & newe, Deme, or ye the trouthë knewe, Line 2708 Off hast, with-outë good a-vys,

Wych ys contrayre to your offys. ffor in the hand (yif yt be souht,) Off a fool that kan ryght nowht, Line 2712 A swerd ne sholdë nat be take, Ryghtful doomys for to make; And in the hand off men yrous, To take a swerd ys peryllous. Line 2716 ffor thys swerd (yiff ye takë hede,) Was bryht brennyng as the glede On euery part & euery syde, With flawme perpetuelly tabyde, Line 2720 To yow ytake, (take hed ther-to,) Off Grace Dieu nat longe ago. And cause why, of the brennyng, Yiff ye lyst to have knowelichyng, Line 2724 Was, that ye sholde, lyk your degre Ben ay in love & charyte; ffor loue brennyng in your desyr [Stowe folio 53a] Ys shewyd by the bryghtë fyr; Line 2728 And so to speke, in wordys fewe, Ye sholde alway your syluen shewe ¶ Wyth cherysshyng ffyr of plesaunce; [Ignem veni mittere in terram; & quid volo nisi vt accendatur. (Luc. xii. 49.)] ffor, yt wer a great meschaunce Yff [[MSS. Off.]] Ire, in stede of charyte, Line 2733 Brent your hertys, (as semeth me.) Swych ragë ffyr (shortly to telle,) Was kyndlyd ffyrst, and kam from helle, Line 2736 And to your swerd, I dar Recorde, Noon swych fyr may nat accorde.

'Now haue I told (ye sen yt wel,) [folio 43b] Touchyng thys swerd euerydel; Line 2740 Why ye yt bere, & skylë why. [prose cap xxix] [[St. & C.]] ffor ye be porterys [Fr. Portier estes, se ni est aduis, Du Roiaulme de paradis. From Camb.: Porteres ye ben, as me thinketh, of the kyngdom of heuene.] verrayly [[St. & C.]] Off the rewme of Paradys, [[St. & C.]] Lych cherubin, prudent & wys. [[St. & C.]] Line 2744 And the keyes ye han also [[St. & C.]] To shette the gatys, & vndo; [[St. & C.]]

With-outë yow ther entreth noon, Nor may in at the gaatys gon, Line 2748 With-Inne to haue hys mansyoun.

'Seyn Peter (of entencyoun) Hath mad yow (yiff ye vnderstonde,) Hys vnderlegatys, ther to stonde, Line 2752 To kepe the passage & entre; And at the gatë for to se Trussellys, ffardellys, in that place. Or any marchaunt in may passe, Line 2756 He mvste [Stowe folio 53b] vntrusse hem & vnbynde, That no thyng be lefft be-hynde. How sore aforn that they yt close, ye muste hem make yt to vnclose Line 2760 By trewë reuelacyon And enter [[Entere (entire) St.]] confessyon.

'Wherfor tak kep, & beth ryht wys, And seth to-forn, by good a-vys, Line 2764 The swerd, the keyës ek also, How ye ha take hem bothë two; And lat noon passë, (loketh wel,) But he vnclosë hys fardel. Line 2768 And also that ye wel provyde To cerche hem wel on euery syde, Thys synful folk, with pakkys large. Beth besy ay, hem to dyscharge; Line 2772 And weyeth wysly in balaunce, Consydryng euery circumstaunce, By good delyberacyon [folio 44a] Demynge, in your dyscrecyon, Line 2776 Your verray name, & what ye hihte. And consydreth in your syhte, To dyscerne, in euery place, Affter the gylt & the trespace, Line 2780 To chargë synnerys, & constreyne, Mekly for to suffre peyne, And enioyne hem ther penaunce.

'And whan ye sen ther répentaunce Line 2784 Ye may to swych, erly & late, Opne duëly the gate

Off Paradys, of verray ryht, By iustë tytle, thorgh your myght. Line 2788

'Lo, her the sygnyfycacion, [Stowe folio 54a] And trewë demonstracion Off swerd & keyës, bothe yfere, Shortly, (yiff ye [[yow St.]] lyst to lere,) Line 2792 I ouerpasse & late yt gon, By-causë folkys many on Han her-to-forn (who lokë wel,) Declaryd the mater euerydel, Line 2796 And what they tokne in ther wrytyng: Consydreth thys in euery thyng; Looke that ye yow nat excuse Your offyce trewly for to vse, Line 2800 So as ye ouhtë dyscretly.'

[The Pilgrim.]

[Camb. MS. has: But to what ende j shulde come, ther-of j hadde nowht yit thouht. It is thing bifallith ofte, p. 20. ] And whan that Resoun fynally Hadde told hyr tale, I herde al wel, [prose cap xxx] And consydred euerydel, Line 2804 Talent I hadde, & gret desyr ³To haue that swerdë, [[swerde St., swerd C.]] bryht as ffyr, And the keyës eke y-ffere, Off entent (as ye shal here,) Line 2808 That I myghte ben an huissher, [Hostiarius] Or at the gate a porter, [folio 44b] The passage to kepe of ryht Ther-on tawaytë [[Stowe]] day & nyht: Line 2812 This fantasye [[Stowe]] fyl in my thouht; But, God wot, I wystë nouht, [[Stowe]] Nor knewe ful lytel (at the leste), What was the ffyn of my requeste, Line 2816 Nor took but lytel heed ther-to.³ [3_3

Dauoir ce glaive flamboiant,Auecques les clefz, pour estre huissierDu dit passaige, et portier;Mais ad quel fin de ce venroie,Encore pas pensé n'y auoie.

(5 French lines of the 1st cast puft out into 12 English, as usual.)]

And offtë tyme yt falleth so, That A man hath wyl ta thyng [Stowe folio 54b]

Wych neuere ys brouht to noon endyng, Line 2820 As men may offtë sythës se. ffor yiff the sonys of zebedee Hadde madd [[made St.]] ther askyng ryhtfully They hadde ben herd ful hastyly: Line 2824 Off ther askyng, (as ye may lere,) And off al that they gan requere, Yt was ytornyd other wyse Than they, aforën, [[aforn C., afforne St.]] gan devyse: Line 2828 In the gospel ye may yt se

And evene lyk yt ffyl of me, Whan I to Moyses gan gon, [prose cap xxxi] Besechyng hym that he, A-noon Line 2832 Woldë graunte, [[graunten St.]] lyk myn askyng, The swerd and keyes to my kepyng, Off hem frely to haue vsage, ffor to kepen the passage. Line 2836

But whan that he had herd me wel, He fulfyllede neuereadel Lych the purpos of myn askyng, Nor thentent off my thynkyng: Line 2840 The swerd [[swed C., swerde St.]] he took me in myn hond, But (as ye shal vnderstond,) Commyttyd so to my depoos That yt was alway styllë cloos Line 2844 In the skawberk, as I ha sayd, Wheroff I was nat wel apayyd. [[apeyde St.]] [folio 45a] The keyës also, stronge & wel Bounde & closyd vnder seel; Line 2848 And al was don off hih prudence, [Stowe folio 55a] That I sholde hauë [[haue St., ha C.]] no lycence To vsen hem at lyberte, But yiff I hadde auctoryte Line 2852 ffrom hem that hadden al the charge. ffor yiff I vsede hem at large Mor than my power was or ys, As I was tauht, I dyde amys. Line 2856 Wher-off I was, ay mor & more [prose cap xxxii] Abaysshed, & astonyd sore, And specyally (to speke in pleyn,)

That I to-forn haddë nat seyn Line 2860 Som other folk yboundë so, In cas semblable as I was tho; Thynkyng (in myn entencyoun) That I woldë to [[wolde vnto St.]] Resoun Line 2864 Holden my way, off hyre tenquere, And the causë iustly lere Off al thys thyng, for mor certeyn; And thus she Answerde me ageyn: Line 2868

Resoun Answerd:

'My ffayrë ffrend,' a-noon quod she, [prose cap xxxiii] 'Lych as I consydre & se, Thy wyt ys blont & dul som del, That thow mayst nat se ryht wel; Line 2872 And thogh thow haue at skolë be, Thow hast nat ther (as semeth me,) Lernyd gret wyt, nor bore a-way; And specyaly (I dar wel say,) [Stowe folio 55b] Line 2876 Thow hast nat lernyd, for al thy wyt, predicamentum [[Fr. Le predicament]] ad aliquid. ffor thys predicament, sothly, Hath hys beholdyng (fynaly) [folio 45b] Line 2880 Vnto som other maner thyng Than to hym sylff, as in werkyng Makyng (in conclusïon, [Il fait son edifiement Sur aultruy tous moult sagement. [Addit folio 9:2] ] ) [[St. & C.]] Hys ground & hys fundacyon [[St. & C.]] Line 2884 Vp-on A-nother grounde, in soth: [[St. & C.]] Thys predicament alway so doth. [[St. & C.]] ffor what he hath (tak heed, my brother,) [[St. & C.]] Nat off hym-sylff, but off a-nother Line 2888 He taketh yt, to be mor strong, And to no whiht ne doth no wrong.

'And bere a-way thys in thy thouht, That yt were ytold for nouht, Line 2892 But he hys power (to speke in pleyn,) Tooke off A-nother (in certeyn); ffor off hym sylff yt may not be. Exaumple I wyl now lernë the Line 2896

Line 2896 That with thyn eynë mor clerly Thow mayst be-holde yt openly.

'Whan God Almyghty (yiff yt be souht,) Al thys world hadde maad off nouht, Line 2900 (As clerkys wel rehersë kan,) To-forn or he had makyd man, (Tak hed & lokë prudently,) He was ycallyd but God only, Line 2904 Yiff Genesis ne lyë nouht. [dixit deus. Genesis i^o capitulo (3, 6, &c.).] But A-noon as man was wrouht, [Stowe folio 56a] (Tak hed & markë wel thys word,) Than was he callyd God & Lord, [Plantauerat Dominus Deus (Paradisum). Genesis 2^o (8).] In tookne, (who that kan obserue,) He made [[hadde St.]] a seruaunt hym to serue, Tho was he Lord, havynge lordshepe. And yet (who that taketh kepe,) Line 2912 Hys lordshepe was nat mor at al As ben thys lordys temporal, Gretter off domynacyon Whan they han in subieccyon [folio 46a] Line 2916 Peplys at her lust to-beye [[tobeye St.]] : ffolk ar wont than [[ffolke . . . thanne St.]] to seye, That ther seruauntys & meyne Yiveth them power & powstee; Line 2920 So that (in conclusïon,) Ther myght & domynacyon, Off ther sogettys fyrst doth sprynge, And ys engendryd in werkyng. Line 2924 ffor yiff ther sogettys wer put away, Ther lordshepe (I dar wel say,) Sholde faylle, & ther power; And sogettys, wych they haven [[havethe St.]] her Line 2928 To serven hem, and to obeye, Sholde ek fayll, I dar wel seye; ffor lordshepe pleynly [[pleynly om. St.]] ther wer noon, Yiff ther seruauntys wer agon. Line 2932 The name off servaunt ek also, Yiff that lordshepe wer ago, Muste ek faylle, as thow mayst se; [Stowe folio 56b] ffor nouther party may nat be Line 2936

Line 2936 With-outen other (yt ys no drede).

'By wych exaumple (who taketh hede,) Lordshepe ys sayd especyally Off seruauntys; & ek trwly Line 2940 Seruauntys also namyd be Off lordshepe, in ther degre. And thus ys sayd, (haue thys ther-wyth,) Predicamentum ad aliquid. Line 2944 ffor eche off other hath gynnyng, And ys on other dependyng. Whan the Ton ys, than ys the tother; ffor yt ne may nat be noon other; Line 2948 Whan the Ton faylleth, ek also They muste ffayllë bothë two. ¶ Vnderstond wel thys lesson, How thou [[How thou St.]] art in subieccyon; [Camb. MS. continues: subiecte to oothere and thou hast no subiect. Thi souereyn, what euere he be, p. 21.] [folio 46a] [prose cap xxxiv] Line 2952 Consydre how thow art ysett [[St. & C.]] Vnder a-nother, and soget [[St. & C.]] To hym, and mvstest hym obeye [[St. & C.]] Wych hath also (I dar well saye) [[St. & C.]] Line 2956 Vpon the(e) Iurediccyon, Power & domynacyon, As thy souereyn, what-euere he be.

'But o thyng deceyveth the: Line 2960 Thow hast no sogetys as hath he; ffor wych thyng (consydre & se,) Thow fayllest & art put a-bak. And in swych caas, thow hast gret lak [Stowe folio 57a] Line 2964 To haue the swerd, bryht and cler, Commyttyd vn-to thy power, Out of the skawberk, yt to vse. Yt wer but veyn for the to muse Line 2968 Ther-vp-on, or gruchche ageyn.

'The keyës also in certeyn, Thow mayst nat han hem, nor possede But vnder seel, (yt ys no dred.) Line 2972 The swerd also, (yt ys no dovte,) Yiff that yt wer drawen oute,

Thow sholdest ther-with do ryht nouht. ffor yiff the trouthë be wel souht, Line 2976 Thow hast yt nouht in thy demeyne No thyng for to part at-weyne, [[in tweyne St.]] Nouther to keruë nor to smyte. And shortly, (yiff I shal endyte,) Line 2980 Bet wer to the, Touchyng swych werk, To kepe yt cloos in the skauberk Than folyly thy-sylff to bolde, Out off the skauberk yt to holde; Line 2984 ffor ffolkys woldë deme off ryht, Ther-off whan they hadde a syht, Yt wer no wysdom, but foly, And a maner Surquedy, [folio 47a] Line 2988 Whan they be-heldë euerydel, The keyes nat closyd vnder seel, [[seell St., el C.]] Syth thow (with-outen any glose,) [prose cap xxxv] Mayst nouther shettë nor vnclose, Line 2992 Yt longeth nat to thyn offys. [Stowe folio 57b]

'ffor wych, lernë to be wys, And se how they wer taken cloos, And vnder seel in thy depoos, Line 2996 Knet & boundë faste & strong, That thow with hem ne do no wrong. Thy power ferther doth nat strecche, Wher-off thow sholdest no thyng rechche, Line 3000 Yiff thow wer wys, as semeth me.

'And Tak also good heed, & se, Off al that I to-forn ha sayd: Thow sholdest be ryht wel a-payd Line 3004 Off thy power, & nat ne stryve, Thogh thow neuere in al thy lyve Haddest no lordshepe mor at al. And for to speke in specyal, Line 3008 Yt ouhte ynowh to the suffyse, As I shal to the devyse, Thy-sylff for to gouerne a-ryht, [Nota. St.] Dyschargyd off euery other whyht. Line 3012 Than artow prudent, doutëles; And for thys skylë, Moyses,—

'Wych in hys tyme was wys & old,— Took hem to the, as I ha told, Line 3016 To fyn only (to speke in pleyn) That he, as lord & souereyn, May, whan hym lyst, as thow shalt lere, Whan that tyme doth yt [[yt doth St.]] requere, Line 3020 The keyës closyd vnder sel, [Stowe folio 58a] He may to the vnbyndë wel; The swerd also, by tytle of lawe, Makë that thow shalt yt drawe [folio 47b] Line 3024 Out off the skauberk, fer nor [[ne St.]] ner, Lych as thow hast off hym power, [[St. & C.]] Sogett alway to hys sentence [[St. & C.]] And as the caas graunteth lycence. [[St. & C.]] Line 3028 Hys power he may commytte [[St. & C.]] To the, ffro wych thow mayst nat flytte. [[St. & C.]] ffor as I shal to the devyse, Yiff thow dydyst other wyse Line 3032 Thow sholdest offende ful gretly, Pereyl off deth except only, Wych ys a cause evydent That thow mayst wel (& nat be shent,) Line 3036 The swerd ydrawe, (tak hed her-to,) And the keyes vnbynde also. ffor nede & gret necessyte Lycence [[Stowe]] grauntyd vnto the Line 3040 Plentevously, & ek vsage, [[Stowe]] Consydryd with the surplusage, Pre-supposyd ther be no whyht To whom the offyce sholde of ryht Line 3044 Appertene off duete. I menë thus,—tak hede [[hed C., hede St.]] & se; Marke yt wel in thyn entent,— That he be [[be thar C., be St.]] nat ther present Line 3048 Wych halt the swerd (now vnderstond,) [prose cap xxxvi] Bare & nakyd in hys hond, And the keyes vnbounde also, Off ryht, as he ouhtë do, Line 3052 Thys he that haueth pleyn power, (Who kan looke with eyen cler,)

And haueth Iurediccyon Above, & domynacion, Line 3056 And ys the ryght ful relatyff, To whom, with-outë noyse or stryff, Thow art soget, & vnder put To hym allone: & trewly, but Line 3060 Thow hym obeye, thow art Coupable; [folio 48a] [[Stowe]] ffor yiff thow, in cas semblable, Haddest sogettys vnder the, Thow myhtest wel (lyk thy degre,) Line 3064 Don as he doth [[hath St.]] in allë thyng, And fulfyllë in werkyng. Thanne folwede yt a-noon forth-wyth, Thy power wer Ad aliquid; Line 3068 But thow hast noon, (as semeth me,) Wheroff thow ouhtest glad to be, And in thyn hertë ful Ioyous.'

The pylgrym argueth:

[From 1. 3072 to 1. 3230 is absent from Camb. MS.] 'Ma dame,' quod I, 'most vertuous, Line 3072 (Yiff ye lyst to herë me,) I have seyn, & alday se, Som folkys (in conclusyon) [Stowe folio 59a] That hadden in subieccïon Line 3076 Sogetys noon, nor gouernance, And yet they dyde hem sylff avaunce, And wer ther-off no thyng afferd, Nakyd for to bere the swerd. Line 3080 To whom also yt ys wel founde That the keyës wer nat bounde, But redy euere (beth wel certeyn,) Tvnshetten & to shette ageyn Line 3084 Lokkys echon (yt ys wel wyst,) And entrede whan that euere hem lyst. At allë tyme they be redy, Shette and vnshette hardyly. Line 3088 The cause to me vn-knowen ys; [¶ De mendicantibus loquitur. St. om. C.] And yet I dar affermë thys, They ha no mor power than I; ffor wych they han, al sodeynly, Line 3092

Line 3092 Astonyd myn oppynyoun. ffor yiff ther be Relacyoun Yfoundë there, I dar wel say That yt ys ystole a-way.' Line 3096

¹Resoun Answereth. [folio 48b] Resoun answerde ageyn to me: 'Take heed / and vnderstond,' quod she, 'The Formere off the high hevene, And maker / off the Sterres Sevene¹ [[1_1 [Stowe folio 59a] ]] Line 3100 Hath so ordeyned / allë thynges, [[C. & St.]] That they shal, in her meuynges, [[C. & St.]] Holden ther cours / swyfft or soffte, [[C. & St.]] Lyk as the bodyes hih a-loffte, [[C. & St.]] Line 3104 Lyst ordeynë, (who kan knowe,) [[C. & St.]] So that erthly thyngës lowe [[C. & St.]] Receyvë dysposicyons [[dysposiciouns St., dys . . sicyons C.]] Off hem, & ek impressiouns, Line 3108 To be gouernyd (in sentence) Affter the hevenly influence, Dyversly, ech in hys kynde, Who [[Stowe]] the causys kan out fynde Line 3112 Off [[Stowe]] ther dyuers mocyouns Thorgh naturel Inclynaciouns. [[Stowe]] ¶ Yet for al thys, yt lettyth nouht, But that the Lord, wych al hath wrouht, Line 3116 Hath lordshepë sovereyne, What hym lyketh to ordeyne, As the Lord most pryncypal With-outen any mene at al: Line 3120 In heuene, Erthe, or in the se, So as hym lyst, yt mustë be. Off hevenly bodyes cyrculer, He stant no thyng in ther daunger; Line 3124 But he may do, thys myghty kyng, What-euere hym lyst, in hys werkyng, hih a-loffte, & her don [[dovn St.]] lowe, Thogh the hevene no-thyng knowe Line 3128 The Influence of hys power, [Stowe folio 60a] Wych ys so myghty & entér, That no whyht may yt comprehende

'How fer hys power doth extende, Line 3132 Was neuere yet noon so gret clerk. [folio 49a]

'And thogh the heuene, touchyng his wark [[his wark St., om. C.]] Hadde any maner knowelychyng To comprehendyn hys werkyng, Line 3136 Yt sholdë nat so hardy be To gruchche ageyn hys deyete. But I [[I St., to C.]] speke in wordys pleyn, Humblely with Davyd seyn Line 3140 Touchyng hys myght wych doth excelle, 'Lat the heuene hys glorie telle, Hys laude, hys honour, & preysyng, And yive worshepe to hys werkyng. [Celi enarrant gloriam Dei. St., om. C.] And also (in hys best entent) Line 3145 Lat also the fyrmament Hys handwerk devoutly preyse, And day-by-day hys honour Reyse Line 3148 In laude & prys ful many fold.'

'But causë why that I ha told Thys thyng to the thus, [[thus C., om. St.]] by-&-by, I shal reherse the cause her why. Line 3152 The hihë hornyd, most holy, Callyd in erthë comounly Off God the chosë cheff vyker, And hys placë kepeth [[kepte St.]] her, Line 3156 And doth yt pleynly occupye,— The wych, no man wyl denye;— Yet thogh thys vyker, aboue echon [Stowe folio 60b] Haue power off yore agon, Line 3160 Aboven euerych other whyht, And wolde the cours (of verray ryht) Off hys myghty excellence Wher [[were St.]] doun shad by influence Line 3164 To other lowere of degre Commytted from hys souereyn se, Whom he ordeyneth her & yonder By commyssyon to be vnder Line 3168 ⁶Hys high power by Ordynaunce [folio 49b] For to haven Governaunce (Who that kan the trouthë seke)

'To bere the swerd, and keyës eke, Line 3172 So that by her dyscrecion And prudent⁶ [[6_6 [Stowe folio 60b] ]] mediacyon All thynge vnder ther myghte [[C. & St.]] Wer gouernyd wel by Ryht, [[C. & St.]] Line 3176 Wych to hem dooth [[to hem dooth St., om. C.]] apertene Vnder entent pur & clene, Affter the bond off ther offys.

'But nat for-thy, yet for al thys, Line 3180 Ther ys no causë but that he Wych that hath the souereynte, The cheff vyker above echon, Off verray ryght, & other noon, Line 3184 Ys curat (in conclusïoun, With-oute al mediacïoun,) Ouer crystys [[Crystene St.]] folkys alle. Yt may noon other-wysë falle, Line 3188 Off verray ryght, I the ensure. [Stowe folio 61a] Al-be that he, vnder hys cure Haue set by hy [[his St.]] commyssyon, Somme folkys of relygyon, Line 3192 Hys offys to excersyce Vnder hym in sondry wyse; Hem establysshed, with power large, ffor to helpe hym ber hys charge; Line 3196 In hys name, or [[and St.]] elles nouht ffor what they do, or what ys wrouht, ffro hym the power ys descendyd, The wrong by hym mot be amendyd, Line 3200 Yiff ther be any in ther werkyng.

'And therfore, touchyng thys thyng, (To seyn shortly, & nat tarye,) They be nat but ordynarye, Line 3204 Commyttyd, ther offys for to do, Thogh thow sest hem bothë two Ber swerd And keyës in ther hond [folio 50a] Naked & vnclosyd; yet vnderstond, Line 3208 They ha nat stole hem, fer nor ner, ffor they haddë pleyn power Off the vyker pryncypal,

'Wych aboue gouerneth al, Line 3212 That gaff to hem ther power with Predicamentum ad aliquid. They tooke yt (who consydereth al) Off hys gyffte in especyal; Line 3216 And whan hym lyst, (yt ys no nay) He may ageyn take yt away, [Stowe folio 61b] Whan that he seth tyme & place. ffor thyng that grauntyd ys off grace Line 3220 May be Restreyned [[St., restey . . C.]] efft ageyn In many caas, be wel certeyn. And thogh thow haue no swyche power, Thow sholdest, with al thyn herte enter, Line 3224 To Ihesu Cryst, in thyn entent, Thanke of that he hath the sent; fferther nat medle than thyn offys; ffor I holde, he ys nat wys, Line 3228 That in medlyng ys mor large Than the boundys of hys charge.'

Off the Sacrament off the Awhter:

And whan thys lady, Dame Reson, [prose cap xxxvii] Touchyng myn oppynyon, Line 3232 Hadde declaryd vnto me, Ryht forth-with I dydë se, (As I be-held tho douteles,) That the hornyd Moyses Line 3236 Shope hym Ryght as any lyne To make redy & go dyne, And hys mete ek redy make. And tho, good heed I gan take Line 3240 How hys mete (pleynly to deme,) [folio 50b] [[C. & St.]] Was other than yt dydë seme; [[C. & St.]] And off ó thyng, as I took heed, [Stowe folio 62a] [[C. & St.]] Ther was no thyng but wyn & bred, [[C. & St.]] Line 3244 The wych wer nat to hys entent; [[C. & St.]] ffor tho he haddë gret talent To etyn fflesshe, in hys delyt, And blood ek in hys appetyt, Line 3248 ffor to dyfface the oldë [[olde St., old C.]] lawe, And the Ryytys ther-off with-drawe;

Wych lawe (as I vnderstood,) Bad men they sholde ete no blood. [Cave ne sanguinem comedas. St., om. C.] But Moyses—in hys entent, Line 3253 Contrayre to that comandement, To helpyn hym Among hem alle,— [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Grace Dieu be-gan to calle; Line 3256 And she kam forth A-noon ryht.

And ther I sawh a wonder syht, Mor merveyllous than euere aforn I hadde seyn syth I was born. Line 3260 ffor ther I sawh, (as I took heed,) In-to Rawh fflesshë, tornyd bred; Grace Dieu ordeynede yt so. And wyn (I took good heed ther-to,) Line 3264 Was tornyd ek in-to Red blood. The wych (so as I vnderstood,) Sempte of a lambe, as thouhtë me. And, as A man curteys & fre, Line 3268 Hys offycerys he gan calle, [folio 62b] [[Moyses St., om. C.]] And bad they sholdë komen alle [folio 51a] [[St. & C.]] Vn-to dyner; & ek hem tolde The maner hooly how they sholde Line 3272 Han myght & power enterly ffor to maken al redy The dyner al so wel as he, At duë tyme, in ther degre. Line 3276

And as they weryn at dyner, To hem he gaff pleynly power To maken (in conclusïon) That merveyllous mutacion, Line 3280 Bred in-to flesshe, wyn in-to blood. And off that foode (I vnder-stood) He Gaff to etyn to hem alle (Wych to-forn he dydë calle,) Line 3284 Thys newë metë most vnkouth, Mynystrng yt in-to ther mouth. With hem, hym-sylff he heet also, And of the blood he drank ther-to. Line 3288 I sawh yt with myn Eyen cler.

But swych a merveyllous dyner Ne was neuere a-forn yseyn, Nor neuere (that I herdë seyn,) Line 3292 Ne was no swych mutacyon, Nor off so wonderful Renoun.

But whan I hadde be-holden al, [prose cap xxxviii] I tornede me A-noon with-al Line 3296 To-ward that lady dame Resoun, Makynge to hyr thys questyoun:

The pylgrym: [[St. (leaf 63) adds 'Asked']]

'Ma dame,' quod I, 'I yow preye That ye to me lyst to seye: Line 3300 What semeth yow, telle on pleynly.'

Resoun koude nat answere.

'Certys,' quod she, 'that wyl not I, [[St. & C.]] ffor ther-of I kan no thyng; [folio 51b] [[St. & C.]] Yt passeth myn vnderstandyng, [[St. & C.]] Line 3304 My wyt also, & ek my mynde. [[St. & C.]] To sen, myn Eyen ben to blynde; [[St. & C.]] I se no mor ther-off then thow; [[St. & C.]] And I am so astonyd now, Line 3308 Mor than euere I was a-fore, [[St. & C.]] Syth tymë that I was bore. ffor yiff that she (I dar wel say) Hadde ymakyd off an Ay [[de ouo C. & [Stowe folio 63a] ]] Line 3312 A bryd with ffethres for the flyht, Or that she haddë, thorgh hyr myght, Off a lytel barly greyn Makyd an Er large & pleyn, Line 3316 Thys ylkede [[For 'thys ylke'?]] Ornede Moyses, I wolde han be stylle & in pes, And ther-off han take noon heed. But [s]he [[he C. & St.]] hath mad Rauwh fflessh of bred, Wherof I am falle in rage. [Stowe folio 63b] Line 3321 And also of that beuerage, That [s]he [[he C. & St.]] hath tornyd wyn to blood, My sylff beholdyng, ther I stood, Line 3324 Ageyn the custom of nature. And trew[ë]ly, I the ensure, That I shal no lenger dwelle,

But to Nature the trouthë [[trouthe St., trouth C.]] telle, And sendyn hyre to be A-wreke Line 3329 To Grace Dieu, with hyr to speke, With cher boystous, wordys nat ffayre, Vnto whom she ys contrayre. Line 3332 ffor she hath, (yiff I shal not lye,) [[Grace Dieu St.]] Off pryde only, & surquedye, Lyft the custom & vsage, And off nature the passage Line 3336 Transcendyd pleynly, & the boundys; And in dede, ek yt founde ys [folio 52a] That she hath, of force & myght, [[St. & C.]] Broke hyr franchyse & hyr ryht.' Line 3340

The Pylgrym:

And whan Resoun hadde told me thys, Sche A-noon retournyd ys In-to hyr tour vp hih ageyn.

And thanne A-noon, vp-on the pleyn [prose cap xxxix] Line 3344 I sawh a lady off gret age, The wych gan holden hyr passage Towardys Gracë Dieu in soth, And off hyr port I-rous & wroth, Line 3348 And hyr handys ek of pryde [Stowe folio 61a] Sturdyly she sette a syde. Hyr Eyen ek (I took good hede,) Brennyng bryht as any glede; Line 3352 Wonder large off hyr feature, [[Stature St.]] [(Feature = make, build)] Trowynge that she was Nature: And so she was, thys lady old, ffor Resoun hadde vn-to me told Line 3356 Hyr maner and condycioun. And, to myn inspeccïoun, Sche was redy for to stryve, ffor Anger dyde hyr hertë Ryve Line 3360 Atweyne, in purpos for to chyde; Hyr handys set vnder hyr syde.

And vn-to Gracë Dieu A-noon Thys oldë [[olde St., old C.]] lady ys forth gon; Line 3364 And Rudly fyrst she gan abrayde, And vn-to Gracë Dieu she sayde:

[[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] [prose cap xl] ¹ 'Dame,' quod she / Right of Entent / [Camb. MS. reads: 'Lady,' quod she, 'to yow j come to chide, for to defende myn owen. Wennes cometh it yow for to remeue myne ordinaunces?' Camb., p. 24.] 'As yee stonden / her present, [folio 52b] Line 3368 Wher-so that yee / be leeff¹ [[1_1 [Stowe folio 64a] ]] or loth, With youre gouérnaunce I am wroth, That ye be bold, in any wyse ffor to medle of my fraunchyse. Line 3372 And I am kome, as ye may se, To dyffende my lyberte. Vn-to yow yt ys nat due [Stowe folio 64b] My ordynauncys to remeue. Line 3376 Record I take off allë wyse, Yt outhe ynowgh to yow suffyse The party that ye han ytake, And no maystryës for to make Line 3380 In the boundys that I kepe.

'ffor, thogh ye han [[haue St.]] the lordshepe Off the heuene & euery spere, And off the sterrys bryht & clere, Line 3384 And off the planetys hih a-loffte, Somme swyfft & sommë soffte Holdyng ther cours & ther mevyng, And as ye lyst in allë thyng Line 3388 They stonden all in your demeyne, Ther cours, as ye lyst, ordeyne. Ouer hem ye han the souereynte; And yiff I woldë medle me Line 3392 Towchyng ther cours, or how they goth, With me ye woldë be ful wroth, And my presumpcïon despyse. And I, ryht in the syluë wyse, Line 3396 Yiff ye medlede wrongfully Touchyng the boundys of my party, Ther to cleyme off me lordshepe, My fredam I woldë kepe. Line 3400 Rather than suffren any wrong, I woldë deye, thogh ye be strong;

'Trusteth thys ryght wel at al. [folio 53a] [[C. & St.]]

'And declare to yow I shal, [[C. & St.]] Line 3404 Now that ye & I be met, [Stowe folio 65a] [[C. & St.]] The trewë boundys that be set [[C. & St.]] Atwyxe vs tweyne, syth go ful long, That noon to other do no wrong; Line 3408 Wych to yow I shal devyse, And declarë the fraunchyse Off outher part, yiff ye lyst lere, That noon ne medle, fer nor nere, Line 3412 To have lordshepe off othrys ryht, Nouther by forcë nor by myght.

'And yiff ye lyst to lerne yt sone, The cercle off the coldë moone, Line 3416 Atwyxen yow & me for evere The boundys trewly doth dysseuere, And yiveth to euerych hys party; [3^o metho' St., om. C.] Yiff ye lyst look Ryghtfully [[Ryghfully C.]] Line 3420 As I shal declare now: [Luna diuidit inter comptabilia & inco|ruptabilia, quia omnia que sunt super lunarem globum incoruptibilia sunt, que vero sub ipsa, coruptibilia [C.; St. has wrongly 'Incoruptibilia.'] sunt.] The hiher part longeth to yow, Wher ys your lordshepe & your myght, And ye may ther (off verray ryght) Maken thyngës fresshe of hewe, Line 3425 And whan ye lyst, transforme hem newe; Your power ys so vertuous; ffor thogh ye madë dame Venus Line 3428 A best with hornys sharpe & hard, I wolde ther-to ha no Reward. And thogh that ye, (yt ys no fayl,) Off Mercuryë made a snayl [testudo &c.] Line 3432 I woldë me nat putte in pres To gruchche, but kepe me stylle in pes; [Stowe folio 65b] ffor ther I cleyme no maner ryht. Line 3435

'But her by-nethe, ys al my myght; [[myght St., mygh C.]] Off ellementys I am maystresse, [Natura naturata, motu [mota St.] movens.] Lady also & pryncesse Off wyndys and inpressyouns, [folio 53b] [[St. & C.]] And makë transmutacyouns, [[St. & C.]] Line 3440 Many wonder varyance. [[St. & C.]]

'ffor I ha the gouernaunce [[St. & C.]] Off fyr, of heyr, (as ye may se,) [in primo celo & mundo] [[St. & C.]] Off erthe, and off the largë se, Line 3444 Off ther accord & ther debate; I leue no thyng in on estat, But makë eche thyng, by declyn, ffor to drawë to hys ffyn. Line 3448 I make alday thyngës newe The olde, refresshyng off her hewe. The erthe I clothë, yer by yer, [prose cap xli] And refresshe hym off hys cher Line 3452 Wyth [[Stowe]] many colour of delyte, Blewh [[Stowe]] & grenë, Red & whyt, At prymë temps, with many a flour. And al the soyl, thorgh my fauour Line 3456 Ys clad of newe; medwe & pleyn And hillës hih, ek spyce & greyn I makë to enspyre soote, And do the bawme, out of the Rote Line 3460 In-to the crop a-ryse & sprynge.

'And in-to trëes ek I brynge Ther lusty blosmys whyte & rede; [Stowe folio 66a] And in ther braunchys ek I sprede Line 3464 A-brood myn fresshë vestymentys, And with myn vnkouth paramentys I clothë ham wyth buddys glade, Wych, with wynter, dede I made, Line 3468 Thorgh constreynt of hys coldys kene, Tornyng to russet al the grene With fretyng of hys bytter cold.

'But al that wynter maketh old, Line 3472 And with hyr stormys doth desteyne, I make yt fresshe & yong ageyn; The bromys with ther golden floure, [folio 54a] [[C. & St.]] Line 3475 That wynter madë (with hys shour) [[St. & C.]] Nakyd and bare, dedly of hewe, [[St. & C.]] With levys I kan cloth hem [[hem St., hym C.]] newe; And off the feld the lyllyes ffayre, And off herbys many a payre, Line 3480 That wynter slowh with hys constreynt,

'And made hem of ther colour ffeynt, ffor no cost, me lyst not spare, But ther Rychesse I do repare,— Line 3484 Whan hete off cold hath the [[the om. St.]] victorye,— That Salomon in al hys glorye [Nec Salomon in omnia gloria sua. Mathei 6^o (vi. 29).] Was nat clad (I dar wel sey) Halff so freschly as ben they; Line 3488 Nor hys robës wer nat lyche Off colour to the busshes Ryche, Wych be clad in my lyffree, ffro yer to yer, as ye may se. [The passage contained in ll. 3451-3492 extends over not quite six lines in Camb. It runs thus: The eerthe is of my robes, and in prime temps alwey j clothe it. To the trees j yeue clothinge and apparamens ayens somer. And sithe j make dis|poile hem ayen ayens winter, for to kerue hem oother robes and kootes seemynge alle newe, ther is neither brembel ne broom ne oother tre that j ne clothe ayen. Was neuere Salomon clothed with suich a robe as is a bush, p. 24.] [Stowe folio 66b] Line 3492

'And who that taketh hed ther-to, Al thyng that men se me do, I do by leyser, by and by: I am nat Rakel nor hasty; Line 3496 I hate, in myn oppynyouns, [Subitas mutaciones odit natura] Al sodeyn mutacyouns; My werkys be the bettre wrouht, Be causë that I hastë nouht: Line 3500 I take recórd of dame Reson.

'And also ek in no seson I slepë nouther day nor nyht; ffor, of custom & of ryht, Line 3504 I hate al [[alle St.]] maner ydelnesse, Ouer al wher I am maystresse. I am nat slowh, thorgh-out the yer, [2^o celi & mundi] To do my werk & my dever Line 3508 Affter my power & konnyng; And I make, with my werkyng, Man & womman to speke a-ryht Euery language, thorgh my myght; [folio 54b] [[C. & St.]] Line 3512 ffovlys to flen, I teche also, [[C. & St.]] And euery bestë for to go; [[C. & St.]] ffysshes to swymmen in the see, [[C. & St.]]

'And I make ek (as ye may se,) [[C. & St.]] Line 3516 Serpentys on the grovnd to krepe; [[C. & St.]] And allë greynës ek I kepe, Make hem groven [[growen St.]] in ther guyse, And al ther sesouns I devyse. Line 3520 And yiff I shal the trouthe expresse, I am lady & [[and ek [Stowe folio 67a] ]] maystresse Off al the Erthë, who lyst knowe.

'But ye wolden holden lowe Line 3524 My power, (yt ys no doute,) Yiff ye myghte yt brynge a-boute, fful wrongfully, ageyn al ryht, And [[Stowe]] apallen ek my myght Line 3528 At your fre choys; thys the ffyn; Tourne vnkyndëly my wyn In-to blcod, folk for to drynke; Line 3531 The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] doth me sore a-thynke, And fret myn hertë [[herte St., hert C.]] so with rage That ye do me swych outrage, So nyh vn-to myn herte yt sytte: And yt passeth ek my wyt, Line 3536 Your governaunce in thys matere.

'Touchyng [[Touchyng St., Touchyd C.]] bred, ye shal wel lere, (To speken in especyal,) I am not so wroth with-al, Line 3540 Nor gruchche (in myn oppynyoun) Off thylkë mutacïoun, Be cause that I (who taketh hed,) Medlede neuere to makë bred, Line 3544 Croste nor kromë, al my lyve. But I dar afferme her blyve, Thogh I neuere madë looff, The mater that yt ys made off [folio 55a] Line 3548 Kometh fro my [[me St. (cf. line 3555)]] corn & greyne; And I delyuered hem, certeyn, Vn-to Crafft, wych I assure Ys soget vn-to Nature. [Stowe folio 67b] Line 3552 Thogh she yt made by hyr engyn, The mater ffyrst was pleynly myn, And kam fro me, yt ys no drede.

'But that ye han thus turnyd bred Line 3556 In-to Rawh fflesshe at your dyner, In preiudyce off my power, To forbarre me of my ryht,— Wher hadde ye power outher myght [prose cap xlii] Line 3560 To werkë so ageyn my lore? I may suffren yt no more. I ha forboor yow many day, [[a day St.]] And suffryd ek (yt ys no nay,) Line 3564 Wrongys that ye ha do [[done St.]] to me. I not by whos auctoryte, That ye, by your gouernauncys, My custommys & myn ordynauncys— Line 3568 Ageyn Resoun and al [[alle St.]] skyl— Ye han ytournyd at your wyl. I haue hem wel in Rémembraunce, With euery maner cyrcumstaunce. Line 3572

'ffyrst, contrayre to myn entent, The busshe affyre, & nat brent, [Exodi 3^o capitulo] How ye yt made ful longe ago. And I remembre wel also Line 3576 Off Aaron & of Moyses, How that ye, ageyn my pes, Ther yerdys, bothë [[bothen St.]] old & drye, Ye maden, thorgh your maystrye, Line 3580 The Toon a serpent (ys yt nat so?) [Stowe folio 68a] In presence of Kyng Pharaoo; The tother, ye made wexe al grene [folio 55b] With frut & levys, (thus I mene,) [[C. & St.]] Line 3584 Budde and blosme, with many flour, [[C. & St.]] To myn vnworshepe & dyshonour, [[C. & St.]] Ageyns nature, at the leste. [[C. & St.]] And ye tournede, at the feste Line 3588 Off on callyd Architeclyn, Water also in-to good wyn. And also many A-nother thyng, Thorgh your wonderful werkyng Line 3592 Ye han ywrouht ageynys kynde.

'And o thyng cometh now to mynde, Wherwyth ye dyde myn hertë tene,

'That ye made a maydë clene Line 3596 To bere a chyld, by your art, And of man hadde neuere part. To me ye dide to gret A [[to grete St.]] wrong; [prose cap xliii] And I ha suffryd al to long Line 3600 That ye, a-mong thys werkys alle, [Seneca. Tenenda est via quam natura prescripsit; nec ab illa declinandum / & contra illum qui nititur non alia via est quam contra aquam nauigare.] Lyst me nat to consayl calle. Wher-of, whan I dide aduerte, I hadde gret sorwen yn myn herte; Line 3604 Thogh I made no noyse at al, I gruchchede in especyal A-geyn your werkys wonder stronge: A man may suffren al to longe, Line 3608 As I ha don, or that he speke; [[speke St.]] And abyde or he be wreke; [Stowe folio 68b] Slepe to long, or he a-wake; Suffren, or he vengaunce take; Line 3612 And I ha ben to longe in pes, And in maner Rekkëles To suffre wrong, & took noon hede Off al that ye ha done in dede. Line 3616

'And now ye ben ykome ageyn, Off entent to make in veyn Newë thyngës men may se, [folio 56a] [[C. & St.]] Only to excytë me [[C. & St.]] Line 3620 Ageyns yow, both nyh & ferre, To be wroth, & gynne a werre, And to be with yow at debat. And, ne wer the gret estat Line 3624 That ye be off, trusteth me wel, I wolde sparë neueradel Yow to werreye & oppresse, That ye ha swych hardynesse Line 3628 ffor to chaungen myn vságes, And lyst nat, thorgh your gret outráges, Off equyte, to myn avayl, ffor to calle me to counsayl, Line 3632 Wher-off I am riht wele apayd.' ¶ And whan Naturë hadde al sayd, [prose cap xliv] Gracë dieu ful sobyrly,

(That herde hyr talë by and by,) Line 3636 Nat hastyly, but by mesure, Thus Answerdë to Nature:

Grace Dieu answerde: [Stowe folio 69a]

'Ye ben,' quod she, 'to cruel, To hasty also, and to fel Line 3640 Ageyns me, in your language. ffor ye speke by gret outrage Proudly to me, & ha no feere, [.i. timorem] Lych sothly as thog [[though St.]] ye were Line 3644 In party dronken of your wynes Wych that groweth on [[in St.]] your vynes. Ye resemble by your mood And by your port, as ye wer wood. Line 3648 And for ouht that I kan se, Ye be sottyd (thus [[as St.]] semeth me) Off newe, & I wot nat how.

'Remembreth what ye spake ryht now, Line 3652 And how ye sayde to me pleynly, 'That ye wer nat to hasty [folio 56b] In your werkys, fer nor ner; [[C. & St.]] But that ye wrouht al be leyser, [[C. & St.]] Line 3656 And in your werkys dyde tarye.' [[C. & St.]] And I se now the contrarye [[C. & St.]] In your persone folyly. [[C. & St.]] ffor ye to me, ful nycëly, Line 3660 Al that euere ye dide expresse, Was ysayd off hastynesse, With-outen any gret avys, Lyk as thogh ye wer nat wys; Line 3664 Your wordys nat in ordre set, [Stowe folio 69b] Rancour, your Resoun hath so let. And, trewly, naddë be That I concevede, & dyde se Line 3668 Your sodeyn Ire & your Rancour, And also for myn owne honour, I hadde yow voyded A-noon ryht, And booden yow gon out of syht. Line 3672 But folkys wych that ben Irous, Hasty & malyncólyous, [[C. & St.]]

'Other folk, that wysë bene, Mot forbern hem in her tene, Line 3676 Be-cause they kan hem nat [[nat hem St.]] gouerne; And ek for they kan nat dyscerne A thyng clerly in ther entent. ffor ther trouble, entendement Line 3680 Ys with Ire yblynded so, [Poeta. [St., C. om.) Ira impedit animum, ne possit cernere verum.] That they wot nat what they do. To sen a trouthe, they nat entende, ffor they kan nat comprehende, Line 3684 Thorgh ther obstynat blyndnesse, No thyng but off wylfulnesse: It [[It St., I C.]] stondeth thus, I dar assure. [prose cap xlv]

'But tel me now, damë Nature, Line 3688 Touchyng that ye, her in thys place, Rebukë me off my trespace, And vndernemen and repreve, [[C. & St.]] And outragously your-sylven greue [folio 57a] [[C. & St.]] Line 3692 Off offencys I scholde ha do; And affermen ek also, Your fraunchysë to avaylle [Stowe folio 70a] Off boundys & off botaylle: Line 3696 I menë thus, of boundys set, By mesour tryed out & met A-twyxe the ryht of yow & me, And seyn, 'A-geyn your lyberte Line 3700 That I dydë gret offence To entre, & hadde no lycence, In-to your gardyn al to sone, Vnder the cercle off the moone, Line 3704 Wych to yow allone ys fre.' I pray yow, answere ageyn to me, (Say the trouthe, so God the [[yow St.]] saue!) Off whom holde ye that ye haue, Line 3708 Your lordshépe & euery del? Ye Resemble (who lokë wel,) Vn-to the wyldë swyn savage, Wych that renneth in hys rage Line 3712 In the woodys large & grene, And ne kan no ferther sene

'But to the frut that he hath founde, And the Acornys on the grounde, Line 3716 ffor to fille [[Fylle St., felle C.]] hys hongry mawe. ffor he, in hys swynys lawe, Off hys rudnesse bestyal, Ne kan no ferther se at al Line 3720 Toward the hevene, nor the tre Wher he receyveth hys plente, That bar the frut for hys repast, Al that ys from hys myndë past; [Stowe folio 70b] Line 3724 ffor to the acorn al only, And to hys ffoodë fynally Ys [[Yt St., Ys C.]] set hys herte & al hys thouht; ffor he in soth ne recchet nouht [folio 57b] [[St. & C.]] Line 3728 Off alle the surplus neueradel. [[St. & C.]]

'And trew[ë]ly ye may ryht wel [[St. & C.]] Vn-to thys swyn resembled be, [[St. & C.]] Wych kan not be-holde or se, [[St. & C.]] Line 3732 Nor of malys, nor dysdeyn, [[St. & C.]] Lyst nat knowen in certeyn Off whom ye han al your power With-Inne your boundys, fer or ner. Line 3736 With-outë me ye ha no thyng; [[St. & C.]] Nor al your crafft nor your werkyng, With-outë me may nat avaylle. Yovr werkys alle I sowbpowaylle, Line 3740 And hem supporte, yif ye ha mynde.

'Vndoth your Eyën [[Eyen St., Eyn C.]] dyrk & blynde, The Eyen of yovr entendëment; And, by good avysëment, Line 3744 The lyddys off your Eye vncloseth! Knoweth wel (and nat supposeth) I am lady, hool & entere; And ye be but my chamberere: Line 3748 Thys shal ye fynde al openly Yiff ye looke avysëly. Leve your wordys hih aloffte, And lerneth for to spekë soffte, Line 3752 And Renounceth al your rage; [Stowe folio 71a] ffor ye sholde me don homage

'(Off Iustyce and equyte), ffor thát ye holde, ye holde of me. Line 3756 ffor long agon, a gret partye, I gaff to yow (of curteysye) To occupye your sylff alway, Off entent that, nyht nor day, Line 3760 That ye sholde nat ydel be, And that ye sholde, a-geyn to me Yelde accountys off euery thyng Touchyng the fyn of your werkyng, Line 3764 As a chamberere (in sothnesse) [folio 58a] [[St. & C.]] Sholde vnto hire mayst[e]resse. [[St. & C.]] And therfore, yiff ye wer wys, [[St. & C.]] Ye sholdë nat in your avys [[St. & C.]] Line 3768 Speke of boundys in no degre [[St. & C.]] Set be-twyxë yow & me. The boundys cónstreyne your party; But, for al that, I go frely Line 3772 Wher that me lyst, at lyberte: They boundë yow, & no thyng me; Close yow out, that ye nat passe; But I go fre in euery place; Line 3776 In heuene, in erthe, & in the se I boundë yow, & ye not me. Wer yt offendë yow or greue, I take of yow no maner leue, Line 3780 To go & medle wher I shal: [Stowe folio 71b] Ye ha no thyng to do with al.

'I do ryht nouht in my werkyng But as yt ys ryht wel syttyng Line 3784 Off equyte & ryhtwysnesse. ffor she that ys a mayst[e]resse Muste haue a seruaunt hyr to-beye: [[to obeye]] I trowe ye kan yt not with-seye. Line 3788 And ye ouht to know ek wel [prose cap xlvi] That ye ha power neueradel With-outë me, on no party. I wyl shewë good skyle why, Line 3792 Vp-on the wordys that ye ha sayd, So ye wyl nat ben euele apayd.

Ye seyde, 'the mevyng of the hevene And the planetys allë seuene Line 3796 Longen to me pleynly in al; And how ther cours celestyal, I haue yt hol in gouernaunce; And how that I, at my plesaunce Line 3800 Tourne the hevene Round abowte.

'Thanne I axe of yow thys doute: [folio 58b] [[C. & St.]] Yiff I now made a newë pley, [prose page 27] [[C. & St.]] ffor to take the sonne away [[C. & St.]] Line 3804 Doun fro the heuene a-noon ryht, [[C. & St.]] That no man of hym hadde a syht [[C. & St.]] Thys hundryd yer, in no manere, [[C. & St.]] Nor that hys bryhtë bemys clere Line 3808 Ne wer nat seyn: answere here-to, What maner thyngës myghte ye do? Or wheroff sholde ye ha socour, [Stowe folio 72a] [[C. & St.]] To brynge forth outher herbe or flour? [[C. & St.]] Line 3812 Or fostre your sedys, blosme, or greyn? Or with newë grene a-gayn Clothen the busshes in ther maner [[C. & St.]] As ye ar wont fro yer to yer, [[C. & St.]] Line 3816 By yerly reuolucïouns?

'And touchyng generacïouns, What power ha ye ouht to do, Yiff the sonnë wer ago? Line 3820 Al sholde faylle, yt ys no nay. And sythë go ful many a day, The paynym Arystotyles, Wrot & expressede douteles, Line 3824 That was so noble & prudent, Preveth ful wel by argument, By trouth also, & good Reson, That al [[alle St.]] generacyon [Exemplum] Line 3828 Ys susteyned by the sonne. [In 2^o de generacione] Whan the skyës dyrke & donne Ben devoyded a-way clene, With hys bemys bryht & shene, Line 3832 That on erthe wer no bryhtnesse, I take your clerk vn-to wytnesse,

'Arystotyle, in thys debaat, ffor to ben myn aduocaat Line 3836 A-geyns yow in thys matere. ffor your power al yfere [folio 59a] Wer lost & gon (shortly to fyne,) [[C. & St.]] Yiff no sonne ne dydë shyne. [[C. & St.]] Line 3840 ffor your power wer al shent, [Stowe folio 72b] Yiff the Roundë [[Rounde St., Round C.]] fyrmament, The planétys, & ech [[eche St.]] spere, And the bryhtë [[bright St., bryght C.]] sterrys clere, Line 3844 Yiff I hem maade to cesse echon, Than wer your power clene agon, A-batyd, & set a-syde. Wher-vp-on, lat be your pryde, Line 3848 And gruchchet nat ageyn[e]s me, Syth I ha [[have St.]] the sovereynte, Lordshepe, & domynacïoun.

'And yt wer abusyoun— Line 3852 Lych as wryteth Ysaye, [Nunquid gloriabitur securis/Ysaye x^o capitulo] And in hys book doth specefye, A gret despyt (both fer & ner)— Yiff a-geyn the carpenter Line 3856 The Ex wer bold, by surquedye, ffor to holden chauntpartye. Yt wer a thyng ageyn[e]s kynde, In Holy Wryt as ye shal fynde, Line 3860 And a thyng off gret dysdeyne, And yiff the pot sholde also seyn To the potter that hym wrouhte, And hys forme a-boutë brouhte, Line 3864 Yiff he pleynede off [[on St.]] hys makyng, Touchyng hys fason and werkyng, Yt wer a thyng nat covenable.

'And evene lyk in cas semblable Line 3868 Ye argue ageyn[e]s me, Wych in effect nat ellys be (ffor al your sotel argument) But myn handwerk & instrument, Line 3872 Wych I ha mad to helpen me, [Stowe folio 73a] Nat off no necessyte, [folio 59b]

'That I off yow (yiff ye take hede,) [[C. & St.]] Sholde haue any maner nede [[C. & St.]] Line 3876 Among my gretë werkys alle, [[C. & St.]] But only whan me lyst yow calle.

'And many a thyng I haue ek wrouht, To wych I ne callede yow nouht. Line 3880 Yt nedede nat the caas so stood: And I shal chaungë wyn to blood With-oute your counsayl or your red, [Consilium meum stabit, & omnis voluntas mea fièt. Ysaye. 46^o [10].] And in-to Rawh flessh, ek whyt bred, And brown also, whan that me lyst, Line 3885 Thogh off yow yt be nat wyst.

'The cause ys, [[as St.]] in conclusïoun, Off thys ylke mutacïoun, Line 3888 At myn ownë lust yt dresse; And ellys ne wer I no maystresse, But yiff I haddë lyberte To don al thyng that lyketh me Line 3892 With-outë labour at myn ese, Wych sholdë yow nat dysplese, Thogh I do thyng (tak hed her-to,) Wych your-sylff ne may nat do; Line 3896 Therof ye sholden ha dysport, And in your hertë gret coumfort, As of the bussh, wych to the syht Sempte as yt hadde brent ful bryht, Line 3900 And brent nat, as I ha sayd; Wher-of ye sholde be wel apayd, And thank me of entencïoun [Stowe folio 73b] Only for the savacïoun, Line 3904 Rather than chyde, or [[and St.]] lowdë crye Off rancour & maléncolye, Off hast to be so Rekkëles.

'And off the yerd of Moyses Line 3908 And off Aaron, wher-on ye pleyne; And off that Maydë souereyne, [[C. & St.]] [folio 60a] Mayde & moder in clennesse, [[C. & St.]] Off chastyte the cheff pryncesse, Line 3912 Wych bar a chylde in verray dede, And kept alway hyr maydenhede;

'And off the water tornyd to wyn At the fest off Archityclyn: Line 3916 Al thys I wrouhtë, thorgh my myht, With-oute preiudyce of your ryht; Wher-off ye sholde ha gret gladnesse, And nat gruchche for hevynesse Line 3920 Touchyng al thys, in no manere. ffor alway a good chaumberere Sholdë be ryht glad in herte Whan she seye, or dyde aduerte Line 3924 The fayrë werkys (in sothnesse) Off hyr lady or maystresse, Pryncypally (who lokë wel,) Whan that she leseth neueradel Line 3928 Off hyr ffraunchyse in no degre. ffor euere mot preferryd be The comoun good in general. Goodys that ben éspecyal, Line 3932 The comoun good, in soth I calle [Stowe folio 74a] That doth profyte to folkys alle, Especyally in al vertu.'

And whan thys lady, Gracë dieu, Line 3936 Had al sayd, I yow ensure, A-noon thys lady, dame Nature, [Cap. 1. Caps. xlvii, xlviii, and xlix of C. are omitted.] Whan she had herd hyr tale a long, Knowyng that she hádde do wrong, Line 3940 And hyr compleynte (to specefye,) Was ygroundyd on folye, fful humblely in hyr degre She ffyl a-noon vp-on hyr kne. Line 3944 [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] [folio 60b]

Nature cryede mercy.

The fyrstë [[Fyrste St., fyrst C.]] word that she gan seye, Nature, off mercy gan hyr preye, And with humble cher & fface She confessede hyr trespace; Line 3948 And to hyr sayde most mekëly, [[mekely St., mekly C.]] 'Ma dame,' quod she, 'ful folyly I have govérnyd me to yow,

'And ful vngoodly spokë now, Line 3952 Wher-off I repentë sore. And certys, I ne shal no more Offendë yow in no manere, Nouther in spechë nor in chere; Line 3956 So that, of mercy & [[and off St.; [folio 74b] ]] pyte, Ye wyl as now forgyve yt me, That I ha don al outterly; And that ye wyl, so gracyously, Line 3960 Off alle that euere me asterte, No thyng reservyn [[reservyn St., rehersyn C.]] in your herte, Only off your benygnë grace, But clene forgetë my trespace.' Line 3964

Grace Dieu answereth:

'Certys,' quod Gracë dieu ryht tho, 'I wyl gladly that yt be so; But taketh hed of that I seye, In peyne of lesyng of your eye, Line 3968 That ye neuere, in al your lyff, Be nat hardy for to stryve A-geyn my workys in no wyse; Nor that ye no thyng despyse Line 3972 What-euere I do, for al your wyt; [folio 61a] [[C. & St.]] ffor I ne wyl nat suffren yt, [[C. & St.]] But werke alway (as yt ys skyl) With-outë yow, affter my wyl.' Line 3976 ¶ And whan thys parlement was do, [prose cap li] As ye han herd, atwen hem two, And Moyses ek dyned hadde With hys seruantys good & badde, Line 3980 He made A-noon (thys, the cheff,) ffor to departë the releff: Hys Awmener yt hadde in charge, [Stowe folio 75a] And bad to yive yt forth ful large Line 3984 To pylgrymes, wych day be day Travayllede forth vp-on her way; Off the wych, as thouhtë me Ther was gret noumbre & plente. Line 3988

But, or that he gaff any thyng Off the releff in partyng

Vn-to any maner whyht, Out off a chaumbre, a-noon ryht, Line 3992 I sawh two ladyes kome yfere, Wych, of port & of manere And off wommanly plesaunce, Hadden ful gret suffysaunce; Line 3996 And curteysly amyd the pres, Atwen the peple and Moyses, They putten hem, thys ylkë two. [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] ¶ And she that wente a-forn ryht tho, Line 4000 (As yt sempte vn-to my wyt), Held in hyr hand a lytel wryt Vnclosyd vn-to my reward, [folio 61b] As ye shall heryn affterward, [[C. & St.]] Line 4004 Yiff ye lyst a whylë dwelle. [[C. & St.]]

But off the tother I shal fyrst telle, [[C. & St.]] ¹Wych in hyr hond, (as I be-helde [[C. & St.]] The samë tyme) an hamer helde.¹ [1_1 The same tyme / an hamer held / In hyre hande / as I beheld.— [Stowe folio 75a] ] Line 4008 And in hyr other hand with-al, She held a yerde, sclender & smal, [Stowe folio 75b] To skouren chyldern, & chastyse. And also,—as I shal devyse, Line 4012 Vn-to my syht a thyng vnkouth,— She held a bysme in hyr mouth Atwyxe hyr teth, (yt ys no fayl,) Wher-off I haddë gret mervayl. Line 4016 Yet she yt helde so cvrteysly That no man woldë [[wolde St., wold C.]] deme ther-by That she was neuere the lassë wys. But yiff a-nother (to my devys,) Line 4020 Hadde holde yt so as dydë she, Men wolde ha sayd, she haddë be Out of hyr wyt, or ellys falle In-to rage. And fyrst of alle Line 4024 Thys lady wysly dyde abrayde To pylgrymes, & thus she sayde: (The bysme lette hyr neueradel

But that she myght spekë wel:) Line 4028 'Syrs,' quod she, 'I wot ryht wel [prose cap lii] That ye consydren euerydel My gouernaunce & myn aray. But I wot wel, (yt ys no nay,) Line 4032 Ye nat aduerten in substaunce Touchynge al my gouernaunce. I trowe ye kan nat al espye What thyng yt doth sygnefye. Line 4036 But, kometh ner to me echon, And I shal declare A-noon To yow the maner by & by, [folio 62a] And yt exponë feythfully, Line 4040 Off the trouthe my sylff taquyte. [Stowe folio 76a]

'I am the ffayre, louyd but lyte; Off my port, demur And sad, Debonayre, & gretly drad [[sadde . . . dradde St.]] Line 4044 Off felë folkys that me se. And trew[e]ly I am ek she Now-a-dayës lytel preysyd, And yet ful worthy to be reysed Line 4048 Off prys, to folkys that be dygne; Rygerous & ful benygne To allë that be vertuous; Happy also, and ryht Ewrous, Line 4052 The gracyouse, of smal [[smal St., syn al C.]] plesaunce, I am callyd Dame Penaunce. The cheff wardeyn (who lyst se,) Off thylkë ylë most secre; Line 4056 The wych (who espyë kan,) [Verba Translatorys] Ys yhyd with-Inne a man. I make yt clene (I yow ensure,) Off allë fylthe & al ordure, Line 4060 Or ther-yn entre any whyht. Therfore I bere, off verray ryht, Thys bysme; Thys hamer, ek ther-to, And thys lytel yerde also, Line 4064 On al felthës [[Fylthes St.]] to be wreke. With thys hamer I brose & breke, Lyk to my condycyoun

'With anguissh and contricïoun, Line 4068 Hertys that be obstynat With synnës olde, ek indurat, [Stowe folio 76b] And fulfyllyd with vnclennesse, I do alway my bysynesse Line 4072 To make hem souple, nesshe, and tendre, And off her gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] bollyng, sclender; Also for to wake and wepe, Sorwe & pleyne with syhës depe, [folio 62b] Line 4076 ffor ther synnës waymentynge. ¶ And as a Chyldë with betynge [Exemplum.] [[C. & St.]] By exaumple (as ye se offte,) [[C. & St.]] Maketh his hardë [[he harde St., . . his hard C.]] With offtë smytyng off hys ffyst, [[C. & St.]] Line 4081 Tyl yt be tendre as hym lyst, And that the lycour ysseth oute, Ryght so fare [[fare St., far C.]] I, yt ys no doute: Line 4084 I smytë hertys vp & doun, And make hem, by contrycïoun, Wyth saltë terys (thys the cas,) To sorwe, crye, & seyn, allas Line 4088 That they euere dyde Amys! Ye shal yt fynde, & thus yt ys, Off ther trespácys they repente, And seyn, in al ther beste entente, Line 4092 'A, Lord God! now, off thy grace, How shal I han off my trespace Allegëment, with-outë the, But thow graunte, off thy pyte, Line 4096 That I may, al outterly, Off my Gyltës ha mercy, So that I do no mor Amys? Now, goodë Lord, thow grauntë thys!' [Stowe folio 77a] Line 4100 Thus I maken hem cryen offte.

'And with thys hamer I madë soffte Seyn Petrys herte, & yt to-brak, That yt wente al vn-to wrak, Line 4104 Wych ffyrst was hard as any ston. But I made yt nesshe A-noon Whan he hys mayster fyrst forsook.

'But whan that I the hamer took, Line 4108 I smet hym so with répentaunce, And made hym nesshë with penaunce, That the Iews, off hys wepyng Yssede out in cómpleynyng Line 4112 Of verray sorwe & bytternesse, [folio 63a] He felt ther-off so gret dystresse In hys greuous hertly peyne.

'And also Mary Mawgdeleyne, Line 4116 With thys hamer I smot [[smote St.]] so That hyr herte I rooff a-two, Wych was ful hard with synnës old. But with strokys manyfold Line 4120 I made hyr tendre, (yt ys no doute,) That the terys yssede oute, Out off hyr brest, so gret plente, That men myghte the lycour se Line 4124 By hyr chekys renne a-down Off verray sorwe, so gret foysown, That, in hyr bytter sorwës kene, She was wasshe with-al so clene, Line 4128 And so inly purefyëd, That ther was no felthe espyed [Stowe folio 77b] Off synne with-Inne hyr tendre herte. ffor, whan the bytter terys smerte Line 4132 Off hyr wepyng wer Ronnë down Thorgh sorwe & gret contrycïoun, I took vn-to hem so gret kepe, That I hem gadrede on an hepe, [[hepe St., hep C.]] Line 4136 That ordure lefftë noon be-hynde. And I to-gydre dyde ham bynde— Al that euere they wrouhte a-wrong,— And make ther-off a lyë strong, Line 4140 That ther-with-al (I yow ensure,) [[Stowe leaves out these two necessary lines, [folio 77b] ]] I wasshe a-way al ordure. [[Stowe leaves out these two necessary lines, [folio 77b] ]] ffor who so lyst consydre & se, So gret a synnë may non be, Line 4144 But that the lye off répentyng Doth yt a-way in wasshyng, And maketh yt clene euerydel,

'Yiff yt ther-in be wasshë wel. Line 4148 And for thys skyle, in my wasshyng, I am vn-to the myghty kyng [folio 63b] Callyd sothly the 'lavendere,' And also ek hys 'chaumberere,' [[C. & St.]] Line 4152 In thys offyces bothë two, [[C. & St.]]

'Now vnderstondeth ek also, [prose cap liii] That thys hamer I ber with me ffor thys skyle, as ye shal se, Line 4156 Yt fareth, by a synful man, (Who so vnderstondë kan,) As by A Pot (in sothfastnesse) That ys ful of vnclennesse, Line 4160 Verray stynkyng & horryble, And to smellë ful odyble, Wych may nat wel devoyded be, [Stowe folio 78a] ffor-as-myche (as ye wel se) Line 4164 The fylthe ys hardyd so with-Inne, That yt wyl not lyhtly twynne,— Off old gadryng ful indurat, And in maner obstynat,— Line 4168 To be made clene in any wyse. But than anoon I kan devyse Myn hamer myghtly tavale, [[to avale, let fall]] And breke the pot in pecys smale; Line 4172 And on the felthë to be wreke; On smalë sherdys I it breke.

'And fyrst off allë I begynne To drawe the felthë hyd with-Inne Line 4176 Out, to make yt shede a-brood, Wych with-Inne so long a-bood, And al the ordure ek with-al. And yiff I broke yt nat so smal Line 4180 On pecys vp-on euery syde, The fylthe with-Innë wolde abyde, And mor & mor ay wexyn hard.

'Now vnderstond, & hath reward [prose cap liv] Line 4184 To thys doctryne & thys lesson Touchyng verray contrycioun, Ye that desyre of herte & thouht [folio 64a]

'To lerne yt, & for-gete yt nouht. Line 4188 Thynketh, ye folkys that be wyse, That yt doth nat ynowh suffyse A man, in Groos (as ye shal lere,) To gadre hys synnës all yffere; Line 4192 But, lyk the pot, he most hem breke, [Stowe folio 78b] And no thyng in the asshes reke. I mene as thus: conceyveth al, Thogh that a pot be brokë smal Line 4196 On sherdys & on pecys ek, Yet al yt ys nat worth a lek, But euery sherd be cerchyd [[serchyd St.]] wel Touchynge hys ordure euerydel, Line 4200 And yscrapyd clene a-way, Ye mot hem breke in gret affray, That felthë noon ther-in abyde; ffor wych ye mostë wel provyde Line 4204 With sobbynge & with syhës depe And saltë terys that ye wepe, And other peynys sharpe & smerte; Thynkynge thus with-Inne your herte; Line 4208 'Thow dyst offende on swych a day, Where yt Sonday or Monday; Than dystow thylkë gretë synne; And swych an hour thow dyst begynne, Line 4212 Havyng off God no dred nor fere. Thys was gret; that was grettere. And thus thow dyst, thylkë tyme, Wher yt at Eve, wher yt at pryme, Line 4216 And to don evel, were [[were St., wher C.]] offtë blythe, And that thow dyst so offtë sythe. And rekne by & by yffere The cyrcumstauncys & the manere; Line 4220 Torne & cast ek, vp so doun, Wher that thy Temptacïoun Was gret or smal; acounte al thys, [Stowe folio 79a] [folio 64b] And thynkë [[thynke St., thynk C.]] whan thow dyst amys, Yiff a-forn thy great offence [[C. & St.]] Line 4225 Thow madest any résystence, [[C. & St.]] And wher thow wrastlyst any thyng [[C. & St.]]

'To with-stonden in werkyng [[C. & St.]] Line 4228 Thy temptacioun, gret or smal; Or wher thow (in especyal) In thy wrastlyng dist purchace Thy temptacioun to enchace; Line 4232 Or wher that thow, for shame or drede, Lettyst for to do the [[that St.]] dede; Or wher thow settest drede asyde, And on the dedë dist abyde Line 4236 Tyl thow haddest do thy lust, And after that lefftyst the rust To kankren in thy conscïence, In aggreggyng of thyn offence: Line 4240 Al thys mote be of duë ryht Consydred wel off euery whyht.

'And thys the maner (who loke wel,) To breke in [[on St.]] pecys euerydel Line 4244 The vessell off thy gret offence With-Inne thy [[thyn St.]] ownë conscience: Smyt yt with the hamer sore, Tyl yt on pecys mor & more Line 4248 Be mad by pleyn contricïon, By swych consyderacïon That ther abydë fylthë noon.

'And thus I werke alway in on, [[oon St.]] Line 4252 With thys hamer that I holde, [Stowe folio 79b] Al vnclennesse to vnfolde; I [[And St.]] breke al doun, & sparë nouht Off no thyng that ys done or thouht, Line 4256 Tyl that trewe purgacïoun Be makyd by contricïoun.

'But yet a lytel word, I praye [folio 65a] That I mot vn-to yow seye, [prose cap lv] Line 4260 Off thys oldë pot texpresse, Wych ay ys ful of vnclennesse, Off whos ordure, gadyrd off old, With-Inne yt sylff, as I ha told, Line 4264 Engendryd ys a werm (in soth,) Wych ful gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] damage doth By long processe, yiff yt abyde.

'ffor thys worm, hym-sylff doth hyde Line 4268 With-Inne thys pot ful couertly, That no man may wel espy Off hys engendryng, fer nor ner; Nor of hys norysshyng the maner. Line 4272 Thys, the werm of conscïence, Wych hath hys teht [[Tethe St.]] by vyolence Hardere (who that lookë wel,) Than outher Iron outher stel; Line 4276 Wonder cruel, ay fretynge, And ryht perillous in percynge, So fer forth (yt ys no drede,) But he be slayn in verray dede, Line 4280 Thys mortal werm wyl neuere fyne, Vp-on hys mayster for to myne, And gnawe vp-on hym day & nyht, [Stowe folio 80a] Tyl he ha slay hym thorgh hys myght, Line 4284 Thorgh hys dredful vyolence.

'But for to makë résistence, Ageyn thys werm, hym to with-stand, I ber thys [[an St.]] hamer in myn hand, Line 4288 And smyte a-pon hym ay so sore, And spare hym nat, but mor & more I ley vpon hym, to be wroke. And thys ys whan the pot ys broke Line 4292 On pecys smalë, vp & doun, By verray trewe contricïoun. ffor yiff yt wer nat broke aright, [folio 65b] [[C. & St.]] Myn hamer sholdë ha no myght: [[C. & St.]] Line 4296 Thys the Fyn, shortly to seye, [[C. & St.]] To slen hym nor [[Stowe]] to make hym deye. Wherfor ye mostë [[ye muste St., . . most C.]] suffre wel That I breke hym euerydel Line 4300 On pecys smale, the werm to presse, Tavoyde away al vnclennesse. And on thys werm, (yiff ye lyst se,) Thus I shal avengyd be; Line 4304 Make hym lowly to obeye, [[to beye C., tobeye St.]] That he of verray forcë deye To-for yow in your ownë syht.

'And thus, yiff ye take hede a-ryht, Line 4308 Thys the sygnyfycacïoun And verray exposicïoun Off thys hamer that ye her se; The wych ys namyd, ek off me, Line 4312 (Trewly, in conclusyoun,) [Stowe folio 80b] Nat ellys but contrycïoun.

'Swynge vp-on, yiff ye lyst lere, [prose cap lvi] Off the bysme ye shall here, Line 4316 Wych, myd my teth, [[Tethe St.]] day by day, With-Inne my mouth I bere alway, As I to-forn ha told yow here; And how I am the Chaumberere Line 4320 Off hym that ys most myghty kyng. And thys bysme ys wel syttyng To hyre that ys a chaumberere. But yt may happë, the manere Line 4324 Ys vn-to yow a thyng vnkouth, That I yt holde thus in my mouth. But yiff I madë mencyoun Off the Exposycïoun, Line 4328 Ye knowë wel, (yt ys no doute,) That who that [[so St.]] euere shal casten eute Any felthe or vnclennesse, Out off a placë, he most dresse [folio 66a] Line 4332 The bysme wysly to and fro, That he nat be-sydë go; But that he hauë ay in mynde, That felthë noon be leffte be-hynde, Line 4336 Lyst, in the purgacïoun, Men myghten han suspecyoun That any maner vnclennesse,— Thorgh slouthë or foryetylnesse,— Line 4340 Wer lefft be-syden, her or ther, In any Angle or Corner, ffor the bysme was nat redy [Stowe folio 81a] To swepë clenë by & by. Line 4344 ffor, by swych occasïoun, Ther myghte, of felthë gret foisoun Be couert, as yt happeth offte,

On hepys reysyd hih a-loffte Line 4348 In som Angle, Est or West, The wych thyng wer nat honest.

'And to purpos off thys matere, In holy wryt, (as ye shal here,) Line 4352 I have y-rad ful yore Agon Off dyvers gatys mo than on, And sondry namys, (who taketh hede) They haddë sothly as I rede, Line 4356 Gaate [[Gaate St., Graate C.]] off the welle, men dyde on calle; [Porta fontis] And a-nother, A-mong alle, As the byble kan yow telle, Namyd was the gate of helle. [Porta inferni] Line 4360 And A-nother I kan nevene, Callyd was the Gate off hevene; [Porta celi] And a-nother gate ther was, That was callyd the gate off bras, Line 4364 And also ek, to lastë long, Ther was a gate of Iren strong. [Porta ferrea] But A-mong hem euerychon Neëmye speketh of on, Line 4368 And callyd ys in scripture The gate off felthe & ordure, [folio 66b] [[C. & St.]] [Porta Sterquilinij] To voyden ['For ther-bi men curen and putten out alle filthes.'—Camb. p. 35.] (In conclusïoun) [[C. & St.]] Alle the fylthës of the Toun; [[C. & St.]] Line 4372 Out by that gatë, day be day, [Stowe folio 81b] [[C. & St.]] Alle the donge to lede away, [[C. & St.]] That no maner corupcyoun [[C. & St.]] Nengendre nat with-Inne the Toun. Line 4376 And bet yt ys, as thynketh me, That thylkë place defoulyd be, Than al the cyte wer encoumbryd Wyth ffylthës, wych may nat be noumbryd Line 4380 Wych euery day encresse off newe, And mor & mor ay do renewe.

'But wher that I am chaumberere, And abyde, (as ye shal lere,) Line 4384 ffor to do my besynesse,

And Gracë Dieu ys ek maystresse, That ther be .vj. [[syxë]] Gatys large, Wych to kepe, ys a gret charge, Line 4388 As I shal to yow descryue.

'And off thys syxë, ther be fyve By wych al maner vnclennesse, ffylthe, ordure, and wrechchydnesse Line 4392 Entreth in, erly & late. Off wych fyve, the fyrstë [[ffirst St.]] gate Ys callyd the gate off smellyng, The tother the gate off heryng, Line 4396 The tother of Touch, the fourthe of tast, The ffyffthe (wych I rekne last,) Callyd ys the gate off syht. And by thys fyvë, day & nyht, Line 4400 Entreth in-to that mansïoun Al felthe & al corrupcyoun And al ordure (yt ys no doute), [Stowe folio 82a] The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] may nat comen oute Line 4404 Ageyn by hym [[hem St.]] in no manere, And therfore, As a chaumberere, The syxtë gate I stonde & kepe, [prose cap lvii] And with my bysme fastë swepe, [folio 67a] Line 4408 Do my peyne & besynesse Tavoyde away al vnclennesse.

'ffor thys syxtë gate, in soth, Gret helthe & gret profyt doth; Line 4412 ffor yt maketh purgacioun Off al maner corrupcioun; And al fylthës round aboute, By that gate men putten oute. Line 4416 Who that wyl with-Innë be Clene off al dishoneste, To purge hym clene, as he best kan. Thys gate ys callyd 'the mouth off man,' Line 4420 Most profytable off euerychon, for allë fylthës ther-out gon, Evene as they wer done in dede; No thyng concelyd for no drede, Line 4424 But seyd vn-to hys cónfessour,

With dyllygence & gret labour, With terys and lamentacïoun.

'And I [[I, om. St.]] ha most affecïoun, Line 4428 At thys gatë to abyde; To make yt fayr on euery syde, I purge, I swepe, I make yt clene, [prose cap lviii] ffor fylthë noon I may sustene Line 4432 Ther tabyde, in no manere. [Stowe folio 82b] And whyl that I am chaumberere To Gracë Dieu, my maystresse, I wyl kepen in clennesse Line 4436 Hir dwellyng & hyr mansïoun ffrom al manere corrupcïoun. And my bysme, that al thys doth, Ys myn ownë Tonge, in soth, Line 4440 Wher-with I swepe & make al wel. That felthe abydë neueradel, Hih nor lowh, in no maner, I cerche eche Angle & ech corner; Line 4444 Euery hoolë, gret & smal, [folio 67b] I remewe, in éspecial, [[C. & St.]] Clene with-outen & with-Inne, [[St. & C.]] The fylthe of euery maner synne; [[St. & C.]] Line 4448 Caste hem out, & sparë nouht. [[St. & C.]] And ther ys no corner vnsouht, But that I go to euery place; Now her, now ther, aboute I trace, Line 4452 By verray pleyn confessïoun, With-oute fraude or decepcïoun, Ther may no thyng me skapë fro, ffor Gracë Dieu wyl yt be so. Line 4456 ffor she ne wyl no-wher abyde, But yt be clene on euery syde; Whos chaumbre & whos mansïoun, Dwellyng, & habytacïoun Line 4460 Ys trewly, (with-oute offence,) Verray clenë conscïence; And ther she wyl abyden ay, Whan all fythës be put a-way, [Stowe folio 83a] Line 4464 And that yt be clene & entere.

'Now, haue I told yow the maner Off my bysmë verrayly, [prose cap lix] And declaryd also, how I [[that I St.]] Line 4468 Make ther-with confessyoun By certeyn exposicïoun As ye han herd her by & by.

'But I shal tellë now shortly Line 4472 Vn-to yow a lytel tale, Why I bere thys yerdys smale: ¶ I am off scolys a maystresse, Chyldren, in ther wantownesse, Line 4476 Affter ther gyltys to chastyse, That wyl not lernë to be wyse; I menë thus, whan they trespáce Boldëly, a-for my face, Line 4480 Off age thogh they be xx^ty yer, Outher an hundryd, fer or ner, [folio 68a] Men may ful wel hem 'childre' calle, ffolk that ben in synnë falle: Line 4484 And hooly wryt,—Red Y-saye, In hys wrytynge,—doth specefye [(lxv. 20)] A chyld an hundryd wynter old,— (In hys wrytyng yt ys told,) Line 4488 Swych a chyld a-cursyd ys;— And therfore, whan they don Amys, In a-wayt y lygge alway To wyten whether, ye or nay, Line 4492 Myn hamer hem touchyd any thyng, Or whether they, in ther purgyng, Vn-to my bysme submyttyd be, [Stowe folio 83b] Off lownesse and humylyte, Line 4496 That they be swept clenly at al, And that the hamer brekë smal ffyrst by trewe contricyoun And verray iuste confessïoun. Line 4500 Thanne A-noon myn yerde I take; And amendys for to make By répentaunce, in diuers wyse, With my yerde I ham chastyse, Line 4504 Putte hem to penaunce of entent

'To brynge hem to amendëment, And to haue in rémembraunee Ther oldë synnys in substaunce; Line 4508 And whan they thynke on ther trespas fful offtë sythe to seyn 'allas, That they so sonë dyde assente!' And than they seyn, 'I me repente, Line 4512 O, Lord God, of my mysdede, Off al fals lust & flesshlyhede. But thow that art my Creatour, I am A-knowë myn errour, Line 4516 And axe off thè forgyff(ë)nesse, Makyng be-hest in sothënesse [[sothenesse St., sothnesse C.]] Neuer her-after for to be [folio 68b] [[C. & St.]] Hardy for toffendë the.' [[C. & St.]] Line 4520 Thus I make hem, with gret peyne, [[C. & St.]] Oon hour to wepyn & compleyne; [[C. & St.]] Another hour, by largesse, [[C. & St.]] ffor to geven gret almesse [[C. & St.]] Line 4524 To porë folk that bé nedy.

'Another [[And another St.]] tymë also I [Stowe folio 84a] Make hem go on pylgrymage, Barfoot, by many streiht passage; Line 4528 I make hem fastë, [[faste St., fast C.]] preye, & wake, And to were (for Crystys sake,) On ther bodyës ful offte Sharpë heyrës, no thyng soffte. Line 4532 And thus my smertë [[smerte St., smert C.]] yerde I vse, Allë synnës to refuse, And do with-al correccïoun, Only off entencïoun, Line 4536 That the remors of noon offence Abydë in ther conscïence, Nor retournë ther ageyn. ffor I wyl be wel certeyn Line 4540 That oldë synnës [[synne St.]] punysshed be Off Ryghtwysnesse & equyte; ffor, with-oute punycyoun, Passeth no transgressïoun; Line 4544 ffor, who to synnë doth assente,

'Moste afftér-ward hym repente; And havë duë répentaunce And vnderfongyn hys penaunce Line 4548 ffor hys synnës newe & old. And ther-fore, thys yerde I holde, Wych namyd ys (of iuste resoun,) Trewë satysfaccyoun. Line 4552

'And sothly, (yiff I shal nat feyne,) Satysfaccyoun ys to seyne, Asseth that ys mad for synne, And that a man haue with-Inne [folio 69a] Line 4556 As myche sorwe & répentaunce, [Stowe folio 84b] As he haddë fyrst plesaunce, Lyk to hys flesshly appetyt, Or in hys synnë fals delyt. Line 4560 Off equyte & good resoun.

'Now haue I made yow A sarmoun [prose cap lx] Off my name & myn offys, And told the cause (yiff ye be wys,) Line 4564 Off my komyng A-mong thys pres, A-twyxë yow & Moyses, And sette me ek (yt ys no fable,) Evene Aforn hys ownë table, Line 4568 In myn entent, & thys the cheff, Be cause ye Axen the releff Off hys dyner, on & alle And ther-affter fastë calle, Line 4572 With wonderful gret bysynesse.

'But vn-to yow I shal expresse The causë off my stondyng here Yiff yt lykë yow to lere. Line 4576 I am my-sylff the porteresse, (Maad off verray Ryghtwysnesse,) Off the releff that ye sen her, And the trewë chaunceler, Line 4580 That noon of hih nor lowh degre, Kome no ner with-outë me, ffor thanne ye dydë gret offence. ffor thys releff, in éxistence Line 4584 Sholde be yovë for no thyng

'To swyche as ben in ther lyvyng, ffoolys nor trwauntys in no wyse; ffor, as I shal to yow devyse, [Stowe folio 85a] Line 4588 Thys releff ys the trewë ffoode, Ordeyned for hem that be goode; Inwardly in ther hertys brent, And in the loue off God fervent, [folio 69b] Line 4592 To hooly pylgrymes, day be day [[C. & St.]] That gon the verray ryhtë way, [[C. & St.]] And off verray travayllynge [[C. & St.]] Ben also syk & languysshynge, [[C. & St.]] Line 4596 And [[Stowe]] hunger han to be recuryd. To [[Stowe]] swych thys releff ys assuryd, That kan yt [[Stowe]] hetyn deuoutly, To resseyue [[Stowe]] only ther-by Line 4600 Parfyt Elthe in ther entent, And gostly ek allegëment, And [[To St.]] contynue ther pylgrymage, Day be day, in ther vyage, Line 4604 As pylgrymës sholdë konne, The weyë [[weye St., wey C.]] wych they ha be gonne, Off trewë menyng, no-thyng feyned: To swych thys releff was ordeyned Line 4608 Off Cryst Ihesu at the souper Whan hys Apostlys sat ful ner. He brak & partyd yt to ech on, Wher as they setyn on by on, Line 4612 The Grete Thursday at hys maundë, Off hys largesse & gret bountee, Whan he sat with hem at the cene, Gostly to swych as he knewe clene. Line 4616 To swych, he gaff hem alderlast Hys owne boody for cheff repast, As the cheff cherysshynge foode [Stowe folio 85b] To allë folkys that be goode. Line 4620

'And peplys off hih & lowh degre Thorgh-out the world sustenyd be, And therby han ther sustenaunce, In al vertu hem-sylff tavaunce. Line 4624 The wyche I kepë ful streihtly

'In myn entent, that fynally Yt be nat touchyd of no whyht, But he to-forn (as yt ys right, [[Stowe]] ) [folio 70a] Line 4628 Be with my yerdë [[yerde St., yerd C.]] fyrst chastysed, And also (as I ha devysed,) With myn hamer broke a-two, And with my bysmë swept also; Line 4632 That he be purgyd al aboute, Bothe with-Innen & with-oute: Lat euery man be war & wys To werkyn affter my devys, Line 4636 Whether that he be yong or old.'

And whan thys lady hadde al told, [prose cap lxi] And yt [[yt St., om. C.]] declaryd (al yfere) Off hyr offycë the manere, Line 4640 ¶ The tother lady that stood hyr by, Gan pressë forth, & was redy (Lych as ye shal vnderstond,) With the scrypture in hyr hond, Line 4644 Off the wych to-forn I tolde; And hyr lettre she gan vnfolde, And in opyn audyence Thus she seydë in sentence. Line 4648 'Syrs,' quod she, 'yiff ye lyst lere, [Stowe folio 86a] Ye han herd al the manere How thys lady, Dame Penaunce, Hath declaryd in substaunce Line 4652 To yow hyr offyce by & by. And, by your leuë, now wyl I,— In hope I may your thank dysserue,— Declarë wher-off that I serue, Line 4656 Off myn offyce & my degre.

'I wyl ye wyte, that I am she That neuere haddë yet delyt To haue no persone in despyt, Line 4660 Hih nor lowh, in no degre; ffor al my Ioye, wherso I be, As fer forth as I ha myght, Ys to forthren euery wyht. Line 4664 And neuere yet, for no greuaunce,

'On no man I took vengaunce. [folio 70b] [[Stowe]] Myn Enemyes also I fforbere; [[Stowe]] And myn Entent ys nat to dere [[St. & C.]] Line 4668 To no persone nor to no man, [[St. & C.]] As fer forth as euere I kan. [[St. & C.]] I am modre off al vertue; [[St. & C.]] And I am she (as yt ys due,) [[St. & C.]] Line 4672 That clothë folk wych nakyd be; [[St. & C.]] And of mercy & of [Camb. MS. reads: I am . . . Thilke that loueth alle folk with hol herte, with-oute yuel wil; thilke that seecheth no vengeaunce, ne neither showveth ne smyteth; thilke that hath set hire entente to forbere hire enemyes, pp. 36, 37.] [[of St., om. C.]] pyte I made Seyn Martyn, yore agon, (Al-be that he hadde but on,) Line 4676 Hys mantél to kutte A tweyne, And dyde al hys bysy peyne To clothe the poore, wych nakyd stood Myd off the gate, devoyde of good. Line 4680 I am noryce of al nedy, [Stowe folio 86b] And I herberwe comounly Al pylgrymës in ther nede; And I am she (yt ys no drede,) Line 4684 That ffele as mychë harm in me Off other folkys aduersyte, As they hem-sylff that yt endure. And al [[alle St.]] my goodys (I ensure,) Line 4688 Be comoun vnto euery whyht, Whan they ha nede, as yt ys ryht.

'Seyn Poul sayd ek, in hys wrytyng, Off vertu he hadde no thyng, Line 4692 With-outë that he haddë me; [(1 Cor. xiii. 1—3)] And that he myghte in no degre With-outë me do no good dede. And trew(ë)ly (who taketh hede,) Line 4696 No good [[goode St.]] dede nor good [[goode St.]] entent Ys worth, but yiff I be present, Among estatys hih nor lowe.

'And yiff ye lyst my namë knowe, Line 4700 I am callyd dame Charyte, That hauë al folk in cherte. [[Cherte St., cerce C.]]

'And other, that folk haue in despyt, [folio 71a] Hem to cherysshe, ys my delyt; Line 4704 I ffeedë folk that hongry be, And parte with hem off my plente; And vysete hem that lyggen seke, And dwelle with folkys that be meke; Line 4708 And for no cost I do not spare, To be glad off the welfare Off euery other maner whyht, As off myn owne of verray ryht. Line 4712

'I am she that paciently Kan suffren, & benygnëly [Stowe folio 87a] Allë sorwës wel apese. And I am she that kan done ese, Line 4716 Al hevynesses to recure. And I am she that set no cure Off grucchyng nor detraccïoun; ffor thys ys my condicïoun, Line 4720 Harm to spekë neueradel, But, off ech man to sey wel, Wych I holde a gret vertu. ¶ And yiff he haue off Cryst Ihesu [prose cap lxii] Line 4724 Any maner Rémembraunce, I made hym for to ha plesaunce Off mercy, as I rehersë kan, ffor louë to be-kome A man, Line 4728 And taken your humanyte, And suffren, by humylyte, Deth for your sake, & passïoun; Made hym fro hevene kome A-doun, Line 4732 And suffren ek (as yt ys founde,) To a pyler to be bovnde, And tendure (that Lord most fre,) With sharpë thornys crownyd be, Line 4736 And sprede hys Armys on the rood, And for your sakë shede hys blood; And to a croos to be ek nayled, [folio 71b] And doun therby hys blood yraylled [[C. & St.]] Line 4740 To-forn, be-hynde, & euery cost, [[C. & St.]] And to his Fader yelde hys goste, [[C. & St.]]

In to his hand hys spyryt take. [[St. & C.]]

'Al thys I made hym, for your sake, [[St. & C.]] Line 4744 Tenduren off entencïoun, To makë your redempcïoun [Stowe folio 87b] That wer for synnë lost echon. And to helle I made hym gon, Line 4748 To fette hem out that ley ther bounde, The devell [[Devellys St.]] power to confounde, Wych hadde grevyd man so sore.

'And I shal telle yow euermore, Line 4752 How thys kyng most souereyne, To-forn hys passïoun & peyne, And hys tormentys wonder stronge, Or he the deth sholde vnderfonge, Line 4756 He fforgate nat off entent ffor [[Stowe]] to make hys testament. The formë ther-off to endyte, He calledë me yt to wryte: Line 4760 ffor to make the formë bettre, My sylff wrot yt, euery lettre And namyd yt (yt ys no les,) 'The trewë testament off pes.' [Testamentum pacis.] Line 4764 Wych to-for yow alle I brynge, That ye may ha knowelychynge What maner thyng ther-on doth sue, And what to yow ther-off ys due, Line 4768 I wyl yow reden the sentence, Yiff ye wyl yiven audyence. Lo thys yt ys, herkneth echon, As I shal her rehers A-noon. Line 4772

The testament off Cryst Ihesu.

I, Ihesu, sone of Marye, [Stowe folio 88a] [prose cap lxiii] Wych namyd am (with-outë lye) Trouthe, Sothfast lyff, & weye, [folio 72a] Now to-forn or that I deye, Line 4776 The deth off whom ys ful certeyne, And how I shal endurë peyne; But to-forn, of good entent I wyl mak my testament. Line 4780

'And fyrst off allë, wylfully

I be-quethë enterly My soule vn-to my Fader dere, That syt above the sterrys clere, Line 4784 Yt to kepen & conveye, And to governe yt in the weye Whan yt shal descendë doun In-to the dyrkë [[dyrke St., dyrk C.]] mansyoun Line 4788 Off the foulë pyt of helle, Wher as fendys euere dwelle, My frendys ther to fette a-way, Wych ha be ther se many day, Line 4792 To delyvere hem out off wo.

'And my body, I quethe also To the sepulkre, for dayës thre, Wych Ioseph hath mad for me. Line 4796 Wych Body I leve also To trewe pylgrymës that her go, As thyng that most may hem avaylle Hem to releue [[Rereleve St.]] in ther travaylle; Line 4800 As cheff Repast, hem to sustene In ther vyage ageyn al tene. Myn herte I quethe (ek of entent,) [Stowe folio 88b] To all that my comaundëment Line 4804 Kepe, to ther power feythfully, And my statútys enterly.

'My Moder, I leue to Seyn Iohan, To be a-vaytyng euere in on Line 4808 Vp-on hyre, in al the smerte That she shal felyn at hyr herte, Whan she me seth in gret mescheff, Lad to my deth-ward as a theff; [folio 72b] [[C. & St.]] Line 4812 Wych shal thorgh hyr hertë blyve, [[C. & St.]] Sharper than any swerd y-Ryve, [[C. & St.]] And maken hyre in Terys drowne, [[C. & St.]] And offtë sythës for to swowne [[C. & St.]] Line 4816 Off verray moderly pyte: [[C. & St.]] But than shal Iohan hyr socour be In hyr lamentacïouns, ffor trouble off my passïouns, Line 4820 To coumforte hyre in al hyr wo.

'And to Seyn Iohan I leve also, That he may han perséueraunce To sen me in my gret suffraunce; Line 4824 ffor, he ys my frend certeyn, And so am I to hym ageyn ffrendly, off verray kyndënesse, Wych ys not meynt with doubylnesse. Line 4828

'My blood, I quethe ek for Raunsoun To al that haue [[that haue St., thaue C.]] compassïoun Off my deth, & ek of me, And off the grete aduersyte Line 4832 That I endurë for her sake. To allë swych my blood I take, That kepe hem clenë out off synne, [Stowe folio 89a] Therby that they may hevene wynne Line 4836 Ageyn al persecucyoun Off the ffendys temptacïoun; Ageyn hys myght hem to provyde, The largë wonde vp-on my syde Line 4840 Al hope, [[Oope St., open]] I geue hem to refut.

'To with-stonde hys fellë sut, As champyouns with hym to stryve, My wondys I geue hem alle fyve; Line 4844 The grete karectys, brood & Reede, To plete for hem whan they ha nede, I make ther vocat of my blood; And thogh ther causë be nat good, Line 4848 With synne Apeyred, & trespace, [folio 73a] Ther-by that they may getë [[gete my St.]] grace, Only of mercy & [[and off St.]] pyte Reconcyled ageyn to me, Line 4852 A-noon, as they ha répentaunce, And Amende hem by penaunce, And preye to me in ther dystresse, ffor to graunte hem forgyffnesse. Line 4856

'And to save hem fro meschaunce, I [[And St.]] makë ek an ordynavnce Lawës to be rad & songe, Compyled off myn ownë tonge, Line 4860 Wych I be-quethe to yong & olde,

'To plete for hem, & pleës [[plees St., ples C.]] holde To-for myn ownë Ffader dere, In al ther nedys fer & nere, Line 4864 Ther to ben her aduocat. And (tavoyden al debat.) I shal for hem be swych a mene, Off synne to putte away the tene, [Stowe folio 89b] Line 4868 The tenys off eternal wo.

'And my pes, I gyue also To al the world in hábondaunce, Wherby they may hem sylff avaunce Line 4872 And ffraunchysen at the beste, Therby euere to lyve in reste, In perfyt Ioyë ay tabounde, Yiff the ffautë be nat founde Line 4876 In them sylff, for lak off grace Yt to refuse for ther trespace: ffor, in pes ay to perséuere, So ffayr a gyfftë gaff I neuere, Line 4880 My sylff except, vn-to no man, Syth tymë that the world be-gan. ffor who consydreth, & loke wel, Pes ys the parfyt Iowel Line 4884 That al Rychessë doth transcende. Verray pes doth ek amende [folio 73b] [[C. & St.]] Al vertues that men kan nevene; [[C. & St.]] And pees was fyrst wrought in heuene, [[C. & St.]] Line 4888 Off thylkë souereyn Carpenter [[C. & St.]] That syt aboue the sterrys cler, [[C. & St.]] That forgyd fyrst, (who lyst look,) [[C. & St.]] With-outen any noyse or strook: Line 4892 Strook nor noyse maken no pes, But they yt brekë doutëles.

'Wherfore, As semeth vn-to me, [prose cap lxiv] Yt ys good that the exaumple be Line 4896 Off pes yput in Rémembraunce, Wych ys the ground off al plesaunce. And off thys pes, by good Reson, That ther be shewyd a patrovn, Line 4900 To knowe the verray exaumpleyre, [Stowe folio 90a]

And tavoyden hys contrayre. Verryly in portrature Ye shal sen her the ffygure. Line 4904 The portrature off pes to make,

'ffyrst ye shal a squyre take, A Squyre off a carpenter; And ye shal vsë thys maner: Line 4908 ffyrst, to done your bysynesse, The Ton ende vp-ward to dresse Hih a-lofftë, ryht as lyne; And ferthermor to détermyne, Line 4912 The tother endë lower doun, So that (in conclusïoun) The Angle corner in your syht, Wych Ioyneth the Endys lynë ryht; Line 4916 In wych corner (yiff ye lyst wyte,) Ther ys in soth An 'A' ywryte. Than lynealy, yiff ye descende Doun vn-to the lower ende, Line 4920 Ye shal fyndë wryte A, 'P,' [folio 74a] [[St. & C.]] And alderhyest ye shal se [[St. & C.]] In that ende An 'X' yset; [[St. & C.]] And whan thys lettrys ben yknet, [[St. & C.]] Line 4924 Ioyned in on, who kan espye, Parfyt pes they sygnyfye. [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination, no doubt. The figure here is from the Stowe MS., leaf 90.]] And overmor, thys lettrys thre [Stowe folio 90b] [prose cap lxv] Ar tooknys, that in vnyte Line 4928 He sholde ha verray loue & pes, With thre thyngës doutëles. He that hath pocessïoun Off thys Iowel, most off Renoun, Line 4932 And he to whom Cryst hath yt take, Sholdë kepë for hys sake Pes wih euery maner whyht.

'And fyrst above, as yt ys ryht, Line 4936 Wher as the .X. condygnëly Ys set a-loffte, as most worthy; By wych (yiff yt be espyed,) I am trewly sygnyfyed, Line 4940 In tookne that noon be rekkëles, ffyrst to hauë parfyt pes With God & me, wych byth al on, And may neuere assonder gon; Line 4944 And also (as I shal devyse,) That he (in no maner wyse) Ne do no thyng in no degre Wych that sholde dysplesë me: Line 4948 And yiff yt happe, off neclygence, A-geyn me that he do offence, [Alle dedes don ayens my wille ben restreined and amended. Camb., p. 39.] In allë haste that he hym peyne [folio 74b] [[Stowe]] To with-drawe hym / and Restreyne [[Stowe]] Line 4952 ffrom alle evellys, for my sake [[C. & St.]] And that he amendys make, [[C. & St.]] Hys trespasse to ben a-knowe. [[C. & St.]]

'And in the corner that stent lowe, [prose cap lxvi] [[C. & St.]] Line 4956 Wher as ye sen An 'A' stonde, Ther-by pleynly ys vnderstonde The sowle off man, with whom ech whyht Sholde ha pes, of verray ryht. [Stowe folio 91a] Line 4960 So that in a manhys [[mannys St.]] thouht Synderesis ne gruchchë nouht,— [Lines 4963-68 are written on the margin opposite 1. 4957.] (Synderesys, to speke in pleyn, Ys as mychë for to seyn, Line 4964 By notable descripcïoun, The hiher party of Resoun; Wherby A man shal best discerne Hys conscïencë to governe,)— Line 4968 Thorgh no trespace nor offence, By no Remors off conscïence; Lat euery man tak hed her-to, And with your neyhëbour also Line 4972

Line 4972 'Ye most ha pes & vnyte, Sych ys ytokenyd by the .p. And ys yset fyrst off echon.

'And that ye sholdë be al on, Line 4976 Thexaumple techeth yow ful wel, (Yiff ye consydren euerydel,) How ye bothen, in O lyne Stonde, & may yt not declyne. Line 4980 Lyneally, yt ys noon other, As brother verrayly to brother, Nature wyl that yt so be, Hih and lowh, off o degre, Line 4984 Bothë tweyne ymade lyche; The porë man & ek the ryche, At the gynnyng, as ye shal lere, Al forgyd wern of O matere, Line 4988 Touchyng ther ffyrste orygynal, And bothë tweynë be mortal; The Ton, the tother, in certeyne They be but wermës bothë tweyne, Line 4992 And they ne kan hem sylffe nat kepe, [folio 75a] [[C. & St.]] But that they shall to erthë krepe; [[C. & St.]] When that deth doth hem assaylle. [[C. & St.]]

'ffor what ys worth, or may avaylle, [[C. & St.]] Line 4996 A feloun herte or hardynesse, [[C. & St.]] Daunger, despyt or sturdynesse, [[C. & St.]] Nat may socoure vp-on no syde, [Stowe folio 91b] Line 4999 Ther deynous port, ther gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] pryde, Yt may hem done noon avauntage, ffor al shal passe By o passage, And by on hole off gret streihtnesse; Powerte & ek rychesse, Line 5004 Al goth O way, bothe gret & smal; Excepcïoun ys noon at al, To helpyn in thys streihtë nede.

'Wherfor euery man take hede, Line 5008 Thorgh pryde to be nat rekkëles, Thys rychë Iowel callyd pes, To kepe yt wel, & lese yt nouht.

'And euery man, in herte & thouht Line 5012

Line 5012 'Do hys dyllygent labóur, To ha pes with hys neihëbour, As roote off al perfeccioun, Vp to parforme the patroun Line 5016 Off vnyte & sothfast pes, Tendure & lasten endëles; So as yt ouht, off iust resoun, As tookne off the tabellyoun, Line 5020 With wych, in pes and vnyte, Al testamentys sholdë be Sygned & markyd comounly, And ek confermyd openly. Line 5024

'And tovchyng her thys wryt present, Callyd of Cryst the testament, With tookne off tabellioun, I markë off entencyoun Line 5028 To last in pes & vnyte.' [folio 75b] [[C. & St.]]

[Camb. MS. reads: Whan charitee hadde al rad this testa|ment, and rested, thanne she bigan ayen hire parlement, and suiche woordes she seyde afterward, 'Lordinges, &c., p. 39.] And whan thys lady Charyte [prose cap lxvii] [[C. & St.]] Hadde Radd and yoven off Entent [[C. & St.]] The pes off Cristes Testament [[C. & St.]] Line 5032 To allë folkys that were there, [Stowe folio 92a] Chargynge hem, [[Stowe]] off herte entere, Affter the fformë [[Stowe]] euerydel, Al ther lyve [[Stowe]] to kepe yt wel,— Line 5036 Anoon a-geyn, as ye shal se, Thys [[This St.]] fayrë lady Charyte Hyr talë ganne al openly, Sayynge thus benygnëly. Line 5040

Charyte speketh hyr ageyn.

'Syrs,' quod she, 'ye haue herd al By thys lettre (in specyal) Wych I ha rad [[redde St.]] in your presence Openly in audyence, Line 5044 How Cryst Ihesu, off hys goodnesse, And off hys gretë kyndënesse, Out off thys world whan he sholde gon, Gaff hys pes, to yow echon, Line 5048

Line 5048 'With many gyfftys off gret prys, Wych ye shal kepe, yiff ye be wys, As I ha told in ech estat; ffor pes devoydeth al debat, Line 5052 Wher yt abydeth parfytly.

'But I shal telle the causë why That I me puttë fyrst in pres [[prees St., pes C.]] Atwyxë yow & Moyses, Line 5056 And the table wher as he stood. ffor me-thouht yt was nat good [Stowe folio 92b] [prose cap lxviii] That noon off yow, in no degre, Sholde a-proche with-outë me Line 5060 To claymë part (thys, the cheff) At hys table, off the releff But I my-sylff wer ther present.

'And ek the saydë testament, [folio 76a] Line 5064 That I ha told off in substaunce, And yiff ye haue in remembraunce [[C. & St.]] Dame Penaunnce yow toldë so, [[C. & St.]] Yiff ye took good hed ther-to, Line 5068 With-outen hyrë, thys the ende [[thende C., St.]] Ye be nat hable for to wende To the table off Moyses. And but ye haue ek parfyt pes Line 5072 With yow echon, & also me Wych am ynamyd Charyte, Ye be vnworthy & vnhable To ha the releff off hys table. Line 5076 ffor yt were a presumpcïoun, And a gret transgressïoun, To neyhen ner, or to be bold, Or to clayme (as I ha told) Line 5080 Off that releff most specyal, Wher-off ech part ys on & al,— Ther ys ther-in no dyfference;— And therfor, lat be noon offence Line 5084 In yow, vp-on no maner syde, But that aforn ye yow provyde, As I the charge haue on yow leyde.'

And whan Charyte hadde al sayde, [Stowe folio 93a] [prose cap lxix]

And mad a ful conclusioun Off hyr speche & hyr sarmoun, Pylgrymes hem puttë fast in pres To-ward the table off Moyses; Line 5092 Conveyed ech in ther degre With parfyt pes and Charyte, And with verray répentaunce, Confessïoun, & ek penaunce. Line 5096 Pylgrymës alle off good entente, To Moyses they hem presente, As they myghte hem redy make, And, the releff off hym take Line 5100 fful devoutly off assent. [folio 76b]

And Gracë Dieu was ay present [[C. & St.]] Whan they, with gret deuocyoun, [[C. & St.]] Took yt in ther entencyoun, [[C. & St.]] Line 5104 And with a clenë conscience. [[C. & St.]] But I sawh ther in presence, Somme pressen to the table That wer vnworthy & vnhable; Line 5108 Wych held hem-sylff fer out asyde, And fro Charyte gan hem hyde, And fledde also fro dame Penaunce; And yet hem-sylff they gan A-vaunce, Line 5112 Off boldënesse al shamëles, [[shameles St., shamles C.]] ffor to receyve off Moyses The releff, wher as he stood. The wychë thouhtë [[whiche thoughte St., [folio 93a] ; wych thouht C.]] nat but good; Line 5116 ffor he, off clene affeccïoun, Gaff yt with-oute excepcïoun (Off the plente that he hadde,) [Stowe folio 93b] To pylgrymës good & badde, Line 5120 ffor he noon hede ne dydë take. But they retournede foul and blake, I menë, swych that of boldnesse Tokë yt nat in clennesse, Line 5124 As they ouht ha done off ryht; Swych wer foul & blake of syht Lychë [[Lyche St., Lych C.]] to a colyers sak.

ffor in hem-sylff was all the lak Line 5128

Line 5128 That they semede so odyble, Stynkynge also, & horryble, Hungry, thorgh ther gret offence, & nedy in ther conscïence; Line 5132 And, for lak off good entent, Wer also ful indygent, And voyde ek off al gostly foode.

'But sothly, thylkë that wer goode, Line 5136 And goostly tooke ther ffedyng, [folio 77a] They wer fulfylled in all thyng Off that releff most in substaunce, And ther-in hadde al suffysaunce, Line 5140 Replevysshyd in herte & thouht, Off other thyng them nedede nouht. The goode pylgrymës thouhtë so, That they wer Redy for to go Line 5144 (Thorgh suffysaunce off that repast) ffro the table whan they wer past, And, to-forn allë, as they koude, ffor verray Ioye they seydë loude, Line 5148 That they wolde noon other thyng, [Stowe folio 94a] Hem to sustene in ther lyvyng, And to deffende hem fro damage As they wente on pylgrymage Line 5152 As pylgrymës good and sadde.

But mervayl of O thyng I hadde [prose cap lxx] With-Inne my sylff, & gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] doute That swych A meyne & a route Line 5156 As was ther, to putte a [[in St.]] preff, Was fulfyllyd off the releff, The wych was (as thouhtë me,) So verray smal in quantyte. Line 5160 Wher-off I gan wondre sore, And merveyllë mor & more, And thoghtë, thogh ther haddë be Ten so myche in quantyte Line 5164 Off releff lefft at the tahle, Me semptë that I hadde [[hadde St., om. C.]] be hable At O dyner, my-sylff ryht wel, To have hete yt euerydel, Line 5168

Line 5168 And yet nat had (to my plesaunce) Halff A repast of suffysaunce. And yet, the pylgrymes euerychon Sayde & affermede, On by on, Line 5172 That they fonde swych fulsomnesse, [folio 77b] And so plentuous largesse [[C. & St.]] As they yt tooke by good leyser [[St. & C.]] At that merveyllous dyner, [[St. & C.]] Line 5176 That to euerych (in ther guyse) [[St. & C.]] A lytel dyde ynowh suffyse. And euerych (in especial) Line 5179 Was ther fulfyllyd with ryht smal [Stowe folio 94b] Ther-with, myghty mad, & [[and made St.]] stronge.

Wher-vp-on I gan ful longe, [prose cap lxxi] And thouhte (A-mong hem euerychon) Myn vnderstondyng was agon Line 5184 ffor lak off wyt in gret dystresse, And forcloudyd with dyrknesse. Reson was hyd, so semptë me, That I kowde hyr nowher se; Line 5188 In al that place, I sawh nat tho, No whyht I myhtë speke vn-to, Save Gracë Dieu, wych ther abood, And to-for the Table stood Line 5192 Off Moyses; & off entente, Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente. [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

The pylgrym askede.

'Ma dame,' quod I, 'I ha gret nede That ye wolde, off goodlyhede, Line 5196 And off your gret excellence, Shewen to me som evydence How yt myghtë shewyd be, That so lytel quantyte Line 5200 Off thys releff (in any wyse) Myghte of resoun ynowh suffyse [folio 78a] To so manye as ben here? ffor, ma dame, (& ye lyst lere,) Line 5204 Swych ten in quantyte [Stowe folio 95a] Wolde nat suffysen vn-to me

At O dyner, to my delyt, To fulfylle myn appetyt.' Line 5208

Grace Dieu answerde,

'I leue ryht wel,' quod Gracë Dieu, [prose cap lxxii] 'Touchyng thys merveillous vertu, Thow hast gret nedë for to lere; But herkene now, & ley to here, Line 5212 I shal the techë verrayly The pryvyteës, by & by, Bothe by evydence & preff.

'Thys ylkë vertuous releff, Line 5216 Som whyle (who yt vnderstood) ys ynamyd flesshe & blood, And som tymë (tak good heed,) Yt ys ycallyd wyn & bred, Line 5220 Goostely mete & goostely foode; To pylgrymës that be goode, fflessh & blood yt ys no doute; Bred & wyn shewyd with-oute, Line 5224 Al be yt so (yt ys no dred,) That yt to-forn was wyn and bred, As thow knowest wel certeyn; [[in certeyn St.]] But Moyses (no thyng in veyn) Line 5228 Vp-on hys table (as yt stood) Hath tournyd yt to fflessh & blood. Thys ys trewe, & verray soth; [Stowe folio 95b] Wher-off nature was ryht wroth; Line 5232 Anger made hyr hertë ryve, And ther-vp-on gan with me stryve: She knewe no ferther (thys, the ffyn) But that yt was ay bred & wyn. Line 5236

'Thow shalt wel knowë how that she Sawh nat the gretë pryvyte, [folio 78b] [[C. & St.]] ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyoun, [[C. & St.]] Off thys ylke mutacyoun, [[C. & St.]] Line 5240 But [[Stowe]] I the chargë ther I stonde, That flessh & blood thow vnderstonde, And so beleue yt verrayly, And lat nat meue the outwardly, Line 5244 Thogh that yt shewë outward so

'In touch & syhtë bothë two, Also in tast & in smellynge Lych bred & wyn Resemb[e]lynge, Line 5248 Outward, as by ápparence; Trustë shortly in sentence, Thy fowrë wyttys (lerne of me) ffynally deceyved be; Line 5252 Off verray foly they be blent, That they ha noon Entendëment, The trouthë trewly to conceyve; Swych dyrknesse hem doth deceyve, Line 5256 That the offyce of hem echon Ys from hem [[hem St., hym C.]] fourë clenë agon, ffor lak, pleynly, of knowelychyng.

'But the fyffthe wyt off heryng— Line 5260 Wych mor clerly in sentence Haueth full intelligence— He techyth the wyttys euerychon [Stowe folio 96a] Evydently what they shal don,— Line 5264 The tast, the touch, & ek the syht, Smellyng also (off verray ryht,) Whan they ha lost ther knowelychyng, The ffyffthe, that callyd ys Heryng, Line 5268 Aparceved hath so wel, That he knoweth euerydel In thys matere what shal be don. And thys was fyguryd longe a-gon,— Line 5272 Red the Byble, yiff ye kan,— In Ysaak, that oldë man, [folio 79a] Whan Esau (to hys entente,) In-to the feld on huntyng wente, Line 5276 And hys labour spente in veyn. ffor longe or that he kam [[kome St.]] ageyn, Iacob verrayly in dede, Claddë [[Cladde St., Clad C.]] in Esáwys wede, Line 5280 With her [[heer St. (hair)]] vp-on hys hondys layd (As hys moder hadde hym sayd,) To Ysaak heldë [[helde St., held C.]] hys passage, And to hym brouhtë the potage Line 5284 In ryht gret hast, (as he was tauht,)

And sayde, he hadde hys pray ykauht In venery, amyd the feld.

'But, Ysaak no thyng be-held, Line 5288 ffor he was dyrkyd off hys syht, And gretly feblyd off hys myght, ffor Touch & smellyng wer agon; And Ysaak wende euére in on, Line 5292 That Esau haddë be present. But Rebecca, off entent, Sentë Iacob in hys name; [Stowe folio 96b] ffor in hyr herte she hadde a game, Line 5296 Esau, to settë abak.

'But thys oldë [[olde St., old C.]] man Ysaak— The patryark of gret vertu,— Took Iacob for Esau, [[Took / Iacob / for / Esau]] Line 5300 In touch, in tast, & in smellyng, In syghte also; but hys heryng Was hym be-lefft, hool & entere. And thus he sayde, as ye shal here: Line 5304 'The voys of Iacob semeth me; Off Esau, the handys be; I here Iacob speken wel; But the handys that I fel, Line 5308 The handys ben off Esau.'

'Consydreth now how the vertu [folio 79b] Off Touch, & tast, smellyng, & syht [prose cap lxxiii] [[St. & C.]] Haddë pleynly lost hys myght; [[St. & C.]] Line 5312 The force off heryng stylle a-bood; [[St. & C.]] With Isaak, ryht so yt stood. [[St. & C.]] ¶ By wych exaumple, tak good heed ffor profyt off thyn ownë speed, Line 5316 Off thys fygure that I ha told; Lefft vp thyn eyen & be-hold: Avaunce the nat, nor mak no bost, ffor thy .iiij. [[ffoure St.]] wyttys thow hast lost. Line 5320 Ther myght, ther force, ar fro the weyved; Yiff thow truste hem, thow art deceyved; ffor Tast nor touch in no degre, Nor nó thyng that thow kanst se, Line 5324 Nor thy smellyng (tak good hed,)

Ne shewe to the but wyn & bred; [Stowe folio 97a] By ther engyn, hih nor lowe, Thow ne shalt noon other knowe. Line 5328

'Thy ffourë wyttys set a-syde, And lat heryng be thy guyde; ffor, thys .iiij. [[ffoure St.]] in sothfastnesse Kan nor may ber no wytnesse. Line 5332 Wher-for thow mustest, for the beste, Abyde on heryng, and ther reste; ffully truste to hys sentence; Yiff feyth to hym, & ful credence; Line 5336 ffor heryng shal, with-outë slouthe, Teche to the, the pleynë trouthe, Ryght as yt ys, ne doute yt nouht.

'And conceyue wel in thy thouht, Line 5340 Thys releff (yiff thow kanst take hede,) Ys pleynly nother wyn nor bred, But the flessh (yiff feyth to me,) That heng vp-on the roodë tre, Line 5344 And, by force & verray strengthe, On the croos was drawe alengthe, [folio 80a] fful streyhtly nayled on the rood; And thys ys ek the verray blood, Line 5348 On goode ffryday that he shadde, Whan Iewës to the deth hym ladde, Wher-off he was steyned reed. Line 5351 ¶ Thow mayst also call yt [[calle yt St., callyd C.]] bred, Thys same releff, (with-outë stryff,) The verray sothfast bred off lyff. Wych susteneth (I the ensure,) Al the world with hys pasture, Line 5356 And yiveth to hem in substaunce [Stowe folio 97b] Verrayly ther sustenaunce. ¶ And ek also (thys myn vsage, Ther-off to han thys language, Line 5360 Looke thow take good heed ther-to,) I calle yt bred, & name yt so; [Hic est panis qui de celo descendit.] Wych, for manhys [[mannes St.]] savacïoun, ffro the heuene kam a-doun, Line 5364 To ffedë man her verrayly.

'Yt ys the bred, ek, trewly Wher-with Aungelys fedde ybe In that hevenly souereyn se. Line 5368 Thys bred, pylgrymës euerychon, On pylgrymagë, (wher they gon,) Or wher-so-euere that they were, In ther sherpe [[Scryppe St.]] they shold yt bere. Line 5372

'And thogh that thow (as semptë the,) Sey yt but lyte of quantyte, I chargë the, her a-noon ryht, Trust in no wysë to thy syht, Line 5376 Nor to thyn Eyen, wych ar blynde; But haue alway wel thy mynde To thyn heryng; & ther only Tak thy doctryne fynally; Line 5380 ffor, by heryng thow shalt lere A thyng that I shal the tellyn here: [folio 80b] [[St. & C.]]

'My frend, take good hed, & se. [[St. & C.]] Thow herdest latë Charyte [[St. & C.]] [prose cap lxxiv] Line 5384 Maken to the a good sarmoun, [[St. & C.]] [prose page 43] But (as in conclusïoun,) Thys lady (yiff thow took good hed,) Spak but lytel off thys bred Line 5388 In hyr sarmoun (thus stood the caas); [Stowe folio 98a] And pleynly, thys the causë was; ffor she hyr-sylff the menys souhte, That she the greyn from hevene brouhte, Line 5392 And made yt in the erthë lowe Her be-nethë to be sowe; But that erthe, (be wel certeyn,) Wher as sowë was thys greyn, Line 5396 Was nat labouryd (trust me wel,) Mor yheryd neueradel; Vnderstonde yt, yiff thow konne. ffor, by hetë off the sonne, Line 5400 That shyneth fro the heuene A-loffte With hys attempre bemys soffte, And the hevenly dewh most clene, With hys syluer dropys shene, Line 5404 (The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] doth no thyng in veyn,)

'Made to growen vp thys greyn, Tyl yt was rype & ful off corn.

'Than Charyte yt hath vp shorn, Line 5408 And in a placë wonder straunge She made yt leyn vp in hyr graunge, Tyl the thressherys (with gret hete) Hadde thys greyn ythrysshe & bete; Line 5412 And after fannyd yt so clene That ther was no chaff ysene, And the strawh yleyd a-syde; ffor ther ne myghtë nat a-byde Line 5416 Husk nor chaff, but puryd greyn, Nor, no thyng that was in veyn, Al mad [[Alle made St.]] nakyd off entent, [folio 81a] [Stowe folio 98b] Out off hys olde [[olde St., old C.]] vestëment. Line 5420

'And whan yt was so ffer ywrouht, Thys greyn was to the mellë brouht, And groundë ther with ful gret peyne Line 5423 A-twyxe the hardë [[harde St., hard C.]] stonys tweyne. And yiff I shal the sothë [[sothe St., soth C.]] telle, The sëyl-yerdys off the melle, Wych tournedë abouten offte, Wer clad in cloth that was not soffte. Line 5428

'Tys [[This St.]] melle ek (yiff thow canst espye,) Wyth falsë wyndës off envye, (Wher as yt stood vp-on the grounde,) Tournede euere aboutë Round; Line 5432 And the Grynstonys (that I off spak) Mad ful hardë for the wrak, Wer stonys off derysïouns; Off skorn, & fals illusïouns, Line 5436 The wych two (who kan aduerte) Perceden ful nyh the herte.

'And whan no thyng was lefft at al, But that yt was ygroundë smal, Line 5440 Charyte gan neyhen ner, And wolde be-come a pasteler, Lych a baker, (yt ys no drede,) Off that flour to make her bred. Line 5444 And hyr Ovene was of old

'Verray hote, (& no-thyng cold,) Wher-as she caste hyr for to bake.

'And whan she gan hyr past to make, Line 5448 Al tournede nat vn-to hyr pay, Wher-off she haddë no desmay, Off thylkë past wych that she wrouhte. [Stowe folio 99a] & A-noon she hyr be-thouhte Line 5452 (Among, in al [[Amonge / alle St.]] her besynesse,) Off on that was a gret maystresse, So sotyle off dyscrecyoun Was nouther founde in borgh nor toun; [folio 81b] Line 5456 ffor what men thouhte, or wolde haue don, She koude yt brynge about a-noon: [[St. & C.]] Lernyd [[Stowe]] she hadde, in hyr contre, At scolys [[Stowe]] ther she haddë be. Line 5460 Thogh al hyr konnyng wer nat wyst, She koude haue mad, yiff that hyr lyst, Al the world so large & Round, And al the compas off the ground, Line 5464 ffor tashet [[to have shut]] & closyd al With-Inne a sotyl boyst, but smal; And off An Ey with-Inne the shelle, She koude also (I dar wel telle,) Line 5468 Ha put an Oxë strong & large; ffor yt was, no maner charge To hyr gret magnyfycence; And hyr name was Sapience. Line 5472

'And, for hyr gret sotyllyte, Thys lady, callyd Charyte, Prayede hyr, off goodlyhed, ffor to helpë [[helpen St.]] make thys bred Line 5476 Off the fflour wych that she brouhte; And also lowly hyr be-souhte To tempre the past so sotylly, That yt myghtë fynally, Line 5480 Off Resemblaunce be but smal; [Stowe folio 99b] And that yt myghte suffyse at al (By vertu, verrayly in dede) Al thys worlde to fostre & fede, Line 5484 That ech, off lowh & hih degre,

'May, off lytel, ha plente.

'And for thys causë ryht a-noon [prose cap lxxv] Dame Charyte ys forth gon Line 5488 Vn-to thys lady Sapience; And with humble Reuerence, As she sat in hyr Royal Se, Lowly, thys lady Charyte Line 5492 Prayede hyr good heed to take, [folio 82a] To helpë that thys bred wer bake. And she goodly, and that a-noon, fforth with Sapience ys gon; Line 5496 And, as she koudë best deuyse, Temprede yt in swych a [[swiche St.]] wyse, Made yt gret with-oute mesure, To yive al folkys ther pasture, Line 5500 Suffycyént to feden al, Thogh to thy syht yt was but smal Outward, as in résemblaunce, Yet, by souereyn suffysaunce, Line 5504 Closyd in a lytel space, Ther was so gret plente of grace To al the world, in hábondaunce, Ther-in to fyndë suffysaunce. Line 5508

'Tak heed, & be nat neclygent Off a-nother experyment That ther was wrouht; tak ek good hede, In the makyng off thys bred, [Stowe folio 100a] Line 5512 Yt was ywrouht so sotylly That in euery smal party, Severyd and ybroke asounder, And departyd her & yonder, Line 5516 Grettest & smal, Rekne echon Wer lych off vertu, & al [[alle in St.]] on; Off O power & O manere As whan yt was hool and entere. Line 5520 The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] thyng (I the ensure,) Yplesede [[Plesede St.]] nat to dame Nature; ffor she was wroth therfor with me, And ther-on wolde ha vengyd be. Line 5524 She knew ther-off no thyng at al,

'ffor yt was hydde in especyal ffrom hyr knowyng euerydel. And also ek, ye wytë wel, Line 5528 Offtë sythë Ryot & age Puttë folkys in dotáge, [folio 82b] [[C. & St.]] That they may not trouthë se. [[C. & St.]] And for she doutede hyr off me [[C. & St.]] Line 5532 To be blamyd in certeyn, [[C. & St.]] Yiff so were she kome a-geyn, Or put a-bak fro hyr entent, Ther-fore she hath hyr clerk now sent, Line 5536 Arystotyles the wyse, In dyffence off hyr fraunchyse, To thys lady Sapyence.

'And whan he kam to hyr presence, Line 5540 As hym thouhtë fyrst was due, Goodly he gan hyr to salue; Affter, demeur & sad off chere, [Stowe folio 100b] To hyre he sayde in thys manere: [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 5544

Arystotyles dyde hys massage in thys manere: [prose cap lxxvi]

'Ma dame,' quod he, 'in-to thys place, Vnder súpport off your grace, Nature hath me hyder sent, To declare yow (off entent) Line 5548 Your dyffautës, by & by; And to shewe the causë why Off my komyng, ys [[In St.]] thys, that ye Han to-brook (as semeth me) Line 5552 Off nature the ordynaunce, And don [[done St., don C.]] to hyrë gret grevaunce, Wych pleseth me neueradel, Al be yt so, I love yow wel. Line 5556

'Ye knowe (off your dyscrecyoun, Off trouthe ek, yt ys no Resoun, Who so cleerly looke & wel,) [folio 83a] That an hous or a vessél Line 5560 Sholde be lasse, & her ygynne, [Camb. MS. reads: It is no resoun that the vessel or the hous be lasse than that that is ther-inne, p. 44.] [[C. & St.]]

'Than that thyng wych ys with-Inne. And yiff I made to your entent, By ápparence off Argument, Line 5564 As thus, that I woldë preve, [Stowe folio 101a] (ffor to makë folk be-leve,) That a paleys huge & large, Or A menstre off gret [[gre St.]] charge, Line 5568 That yt wer but A Turneys smal. Clerkys wolde (in especyal) Seyn yt wer but mekerye, [[Mokerye St.]] Or A maner sophystrye, Line 5572 Shewyd, as yt wer for game; And ye your sylff ha do the same. [prose cap lxxvii] (Yiff ye lyst to be avysed,) In thys bred wych ys desguysed; Line 5576 ffor the foode & the pasture, That ys withinne (as ye assure,) Gyveth ful repast spyrytual To al the world in general, Line 5580 So ffer the vertu doth extende; And yet, that thyng to comprehende, Al the erthë, in no wyse, Nor the hevene, mowh nat suffyse, Line 5584 That thyng ye (in especyal) Han closyd in a cloystre smal, Who kan mesure yt, or compasse, And shet yt in a lytel space? Line 5588 And swych .xiiij.^e (on see or land) I myghte wel holden in myn hand! I trowe your sylff kan nat sey nay; And for no fauour I ne may Line 5592 Suffre no lenger (in certeyn,) But that I mustë yow with-seyn, And declare, wher as ye ffaylle, [folio 83b] [Stowe folio 101b] [[C. & St.]] ( [Camb. MS. reads: This may j nouht wel suffre, ne resoun may not weel preeve it, ne it is not riht gret wunder thouh Nature merveile hire, p. 45.] And yt ys no grete merveylle, [[C. & St.]] Line 5596 Who-so lyst goode heed to take) [[C. & St.]] Thogh naturë dyde awake, [[C. & St.]]

'And ther-vpon gaff yow an hete, [[C. & St.]] Yow to with-stonde & conterplete, [[C. & St.]] Line 5600 Touchyng hyr ryht in specyal.

'And thys greueth me most at [[off St.]] al, That my Maxime ápryved, [[apprevyd St.]] Ye in dede han yt reprevyd; Line 5604 And (to speke in wordys pleyn,) Neuere in my lyff herde I seyn— In-no scolys, her nor there,— But that "on al" (what euere yt were,) Line 5608 Mot [[Motte St., Not C.]] be gretter than hys party. [Omne totum maius est sua parte.] But ye [[y St.]] han makyd wrongfully, (I wot nat by what [[what St., no C.]] maner scole,) The part Egal to the hoole, Line 5612 With-outen any difference! Wych I holde a gret offence Ageyn nature, in verray soth. And no wonder thogh she be wroth, Line 5616 And laboure for Amendëment. And for thys skyle she hath me sent To your presence, only to here What ye wyl seyn in thys matere.' Line 5620

Sapyence answerde. [prose cap lxxviii]

A-noon thys lady Sapience. [Stowe folio 102a] (Whan she hadde herdë [[herd C., herde St.]] in sentence The wordys of Arystotyles) She stynte a whyle, & was in pes. Line 5624 But at the lastë she abreyde, And vn-to hym ryht thus she seyde: 'My frend,' quod she, 'I do wel se Off trowthë that thow lovest me, Line 5628 And dost me calle, off herte entere, "Thyn ounë souereyn lady dere;" [Camb. MS. reads: Thou louest me, and ther-inne thou hast no thing lost; For therbi is al good bifalle thee. Wel thou shuldest avise thee, if thow woldest, and bithinke thee that tweyne scooles j heeld, &c., p. 45.] In wych thow hast ylost no thyng [folio 84a] [[C. & St.]] But yfounde ful grete Fortheryng. [[C. & St.]] Line 5632 Wherfor thow shuldest, lyke the wyse, [[C. & St.]]

'Prudeently thy-sylff avyse, [[C. & St.]] Thynke aforn, & ek beholde, [[C. & St.]] How that whylom I dyddë holde [[C. & St.]] Line 5636 Two scolys off ful gret Renoun; [[C. & St.]] And bothen (in conclusïoun,) Wer vnder my gouernaunce. And the, in konnyng to avaunce, Line 5640 I tauhtë many thyngës newe— Record thy sylff yiff thow be trewe.— And (to speke in wordys fewe,) Grete merveillës didë shewe. Line 5644 And in on off thys scolys tweyne, My scoler mostë [[moste St., most C.]] souereyn, ffyrst of echon (I the ensure,) Was hyr-sylff, damë Nature. Line 5648

'And as thy-sylff ful wel yt knewe, I tauhte hyr many thyngës newe; ffyrst, by Crafft off hyr werkynge [Stowe folio 102b] To make the fresshë flourys sprynge, Line 5652 Buddys, greyns, & flourettys, The flour delys, the violettys, The rosys also, fresshe off hewe, And many other craftys newe, Line 5656 As men may se (who taketh hede,) Wych to reherse, yt ys no nede, I tauhte hyr al, & thyngës mo.

'And in my other scole also, Line 5660 Wych, thy sylff lyst to sue, I tauhtë folkys to argue Pro & [[and St.]] contra, yong & olde, And wych wey they sholden holde Line 5664 To preven out the sothfastnesse Off every thyng, fro the falsnesse; Betwyxen good & evel dyscerne. [Camb. MS. reads: And to make canoun and lawe, For therfore was thilke scoole ordeyned; And ther was my wise douhter science, p. 46.] And I maade ek (who kan concerne) [folio 84b] [[C. & St.]] Line 5668 Lawes off Cyvile and Canon; [[C. & St.]] And ther, (in myn Entencion) [[C. & St.]]

'Myn eldest douhter, moste Entere, [[C. & St.]] Ther I settë, folk [[ffolkys St.]] to lere, [[C. & St.]] Line 5672 Wych that callyd ys "Syence," [Nota quod Sci|encia est Filia Sapiencie.] [[C. & St.]] Sotylle, and off gret excellence; [St., om. C.] [[C. & St.]] And ther she helde hyr parlementys, [[C. & St.]] And formede many argumentys, [[C. & St.]] Line 5676 As she that was deuoyde off slouthe. [[C. & St.]] ffor loue off whom (thys the trouthe,) [[C. & St.]] Thow kam to skole; & for hyr sake Nyht & day thow dydest wake, Line 5680 Tyl, for thyn owne Avauntage Ye wer coniunat [[coniunctt St.]] by maryage, [Stowe folio 103a] Wherby I madë the so wys, That thow be-kam myn aprentys. Line 5684 And thanne, off gret affeccyoun, I madë reuelacïoun To the, Amongys my werkynges Off naturys secrë thynges; Line 5688 To knowe the clerë fro the derke; Nat that thy syluen sholdest werke No thyng that longeth to hyr art, But that thow sholdest (for thy part) Line 5692 The causes knowen by & by, And ther-on demene [[demen St.]] fynally The trouthë pleynly, & no more.

'And for that skylë gon ful yore, Line 5696 In guerdon of thy gret labour, I callede the my "paramour." And syth thow hast, vnder my cure, [prose cap lxxix] Dwellyd so longë with Nature, Line 5700 And seyn so many fayrë thynges, And so many vnkouth werkynges With-Inne my scole, of gret fauour, [Camb. MS. reads: And whan thow and nature thus hauen ben vnder my cure, that han lerned in my scooles bothe faire dedes and faire woordes, thouh ye seyen me nowerre, yit ye shulden forbere me, p. 46.] Thogh thow seye in me Errour, [folio 85a] [[C. & St.]] Line 5704 Thow sholdest, off thy Curtesy, [[C. & St.]] ffor-bere me more pacyently, [[C. & St.]] Yiff thow lovedest, and wer kynde. [[C. & St.]]

'And thow sholdest haue in mynde, [[C. & St.]] Line 5708 And remembren (off good Resoun,) [[C. & St.]] How onys a myghty champyoun, [[C. & St.]] That koude the crafft off fyhtyng wel, Tauhte hys konnyng euerydel Line 5712 To a poore man hym besyde, [Stowe folio 103b] And lyst ther-off no thyng [[no thyng / theroff St.]] to hyde; And for hys mede he took no thyng, Off curteysye, for hys konnyng. Line 5716

'But affterward, the case stood so That they sholdë bothë two,— At Requeste off dukys tweyne, A certeryn quarll to dareyne,— Line 5720 Mete in a feld: & so they mette; And as they gan vp-on to sette, Euerych other to assaylle, He that was wysest in bataylle, Line 5724 Off wysdam & dyscrecyoun,— I mene the maister Champyoun, That was avysee, & mor wys— Sayde A-noon to hys prentys, Line 5728 "Yt ys no ryht, wher-for I pleyne, On, to fyhtë ageyns tweyne. Ye be tweyne, I am but On." And Thaprentys thanne Anoon, Line 5732 As he bakward cast hys look, The tother Rauhte hym swych a strook That he fyl ded, & al was done: And thanne the mayster sayde Anoon, Line 5736 "My prentys hath nat lernyd al, ffor I kepte [[kepe St.]] in especyal [Camb. MS. reads: It is euele bifalle thee to day, whan thou come ayens me. So j sey thee, So god save thec weenest thou that j haue tauht thee now al my wit and al myn art, p. 46.] A poynt, tyl that I haddë nede." [folio 85b] [[Stowe]]

'And thus, yiff thow kanst taken hede,' [[Stowe]] Line 5740 (Quod this Lady Sapience) [[Stowe]] 'I taughte neuere al my Science [[& St.]] To the, as I rehersë shal. [[& St.]] What, wenystow to knowen al? [[& St.]] Line 5744

Line 5744 'For vn-to the, nat ne syt [[C. & St.]] ffor to knowen al my wyt; [Stowe folio 104a] [[C. & St.]] Thow dyst yt neuere yet dysserue. [[C. & St.]] Som-what to me I wyll reserue, [[C. & St.]] Line 5748 To be mor strong in bataylle, [[C. & St.]] Lyst thow woldest me assaylle [[C. & St.]] With thy sotyl sophystrye, [[C. & St.]] To don to me a vyllonye Line 5752 With argumentys off fallaas, Sout out in som [[Sought out / In somme St.]] maner caas, By fraude or by decepcyoun ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyoun. Line 5756

'But tel me now A-noon, I preye, And the Trouthë nat geyn-seye, Yiff I gaff a purs to the, Ryght fayr & ryche vp-on to se, Line 5760 And wentyst forth with-al A-noon; And sodeynly, whan thow wer gon, Par caas thow founde ther-in as blyue Off gold thre pecys, outher fyve Line 5764 Outher .vj., whan thow hast souht, Tel on, as yt lyth in thy thouht, Wer yt deceyt or sophystrye, Or myghtestow off gent(e)rye Line 5768 Seyn I hadde deceyved the? Answere ageyn; tel on! lat se!'

Arystotylles [Aristotle, in the Fr. Prose, rightly, and in Camb. MS.—Aldenham.] Answerde: [[St., The pylgrym C.]]

'Certys,' quod he, 'me lyst nat lye, Yt were no maner sophystrye, Line 5772 But A tookne off gentyllesse; [Stowe folio 104b] And also (pleynly to expresse,) [folio 86a] A sygne (as I kan devyse,) Off honour, love, & gret fraunchyse.' [[C. & St.]] Line 5776

Sapyence speketh:

'Certys,' quod she to hym ryht tho, [prose cap lxxxi] 'Thys bred I haue ymadd ryht so, So sotyl ek, yt ys no doute, But I ha not shewyd with-oute Line 5780

Line 5780 'The grete Tresour wych verrayly Ys shet with-Innë secrëly, Porë folkys for to fede, Ay, whan they ther-off ha nede; Line 5784 And specyally to hem that be ffrendys vn-to charyte, Wych in ther passage, nyht & day Holden ay the ryhtë [[Righte St., ryht C.]] way. Line 5788 Allë swych (yt ys no dred) Shal be sustenyd with thys bred, And haue ther ful repast with-Inne, Swych as be nat infect with synne. Line 5792 And Over-mor, (yiff thow take hed,) Yiff the valu off thys bred Were yshewyd al with-oute, Men sholdë nat (yt ys no doute,) Line 5796 Haue no maner hardynesse ffor taproche, in sothfastnesse; [Stowe folio 105a] But rather, for verray feere, Go, seke her bred ellys where, Line 5800 To ther sustentacïoun.

'But her ys no decepcyoun, But curteisye & gret bounte, Honour & lyberalyte; Line 5804 ffor, to speke in wordys fewe, But yiff I dyde with-outë shewe A gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] thyng by ápparence, The wychë, [[whiche St., wych C.]] as in existence, Line 5808 Were nat with-Inne, (who lyst se,) [folio 86b] [[C. & St.]] But verray smal off quantyte, [[C. & St.]] Thou myyghtest than[ë] me repreve, [[C. & St.]] And by argumentys preve [[C. & St.]] Line 5812 Ageyn me (in conclusyoun) [[C. & St.]] A maner off decepcyoun, [[C. & St.]] And blamë me in many wyse. [[C. & St.]]

'And yet to the I shal devyse [prose cap lxxxii] [[C. & St.]] Line 5816 Another Answere, wych to the [[C. & St.]] Shal suffyse, yiff thow lyst se. [[C. & St.]] I Holde yt no deceyt at al, [[C. & St.]] Thogh to the Eye it shewë smal, [[C. & St.]] Line 5820

Line 5820 'And with-Inne be gret & large. [[C. & St.]] Wher-vp-on, her I the charge [[C. & St.]] That thow be-leue yt stedefastly, And put no doute, but fermëly Line 5824 Truste ay so, off herte & thouht; And lokë thow denye yt nought, But her-on feythfully abyde. ffor yiff that I (on any syde) [Stowe folio 105b] Line 5828 Hadde yt mad in other wyse, Than thow a-forn hast herd devyse, I haddë, thorgh my neclygence, Ther-in don ful gret offence. Line 5832

'But tel me now A-noon, I preye, [prose cap lxxxiii] And sparë nat, platly to seye As thow semest in thys matere, Wych hast repreuyd me so here, Line 5836 Off myche [[myche St., wych C.]] thyng, nat yore agon, Trowest thow answere A-noon, That nat a-cordeth with resoun. A vessel, hows, or mansïoun Line 5840 May be lasse (& her I gynne) Than the thyng that ys with-Inne.

'But ffyrst I axe, to voyde al stryff, Sawh thow euere, in al thy lyff, Line 5844 Off manhys [[mannys St.]] herte the quantyte? [folio 87a] Answere A-geyn; tel on, lat se!'

Arystotyles Answereth:

'Certys,' quod he, & that ful blyth, 'I haue yt seyn ful offtë syth.' Line 5848

Sapyence axeth:

'Thanne,' quod she, with-outë slouthe, 'Declare to me the verray trowthe; Syth thow halst thy sylff so wys, [Stowe folio 106a] How gret ys yt, to thyn avys.' Line 5852

Arystotyles answereth:

'Sothly,' quod he, 'I dar expresse, As touchyng the gretnesse, Yt ys but smal vn-to the sihte; ffor ther-with-al, vnnethë myghte, Line 5856 An hungry kyte (& do no wast,)

'Ther-off han a ful repast, To staunche hys hunger (for gret nede,) At the ffulle hym-sylff to ffede.' Line 5860

Sapyence axeth:

Quod Sapyence to hym ageyn, 'Than axe I the (no thyng in veyn,) Yiff thow knowe auht, answere to me, The inward gret capacyte Line 5864 Off an herte, wych ys so smal; And yiff yt myghte (to reknen al,) Be fully fed in any wyse; Or what thyng myghte to yt suffyse Line 5868 To appese hys gret delyt, Or staunche hys gredy appetyt.'

Arystotyles answerd: [Stowe folio 106b]

'Certys,' quod Aristotiles, 'I dar affermë doutëles, Line 5872 Ther ys no thyng that I kan se, That may Gyvë ful sawlë (Who that wysely kan aduerte,) ffor to staunche a gredy herte, [Camb. MS. reads: Serteyn, quod he, fulfille it, and saule it, and staunche it, mihte not al the world, thouh al at his wille he hadde it, p. 48.] Line 5876 Nat alle the world, yt to fulfyl, [Stowe folio 106b] Thogh yt were hooly at hys wyl.' [[Stowe]]

Sapience argueth: [[Stowe]]

Thanne her-vp-on / quod Sapience, [[Stowe]] 'Yt behoueth in sentence, [[St. & C.]] Line 5880 That the fulfyllyng in substaunce [[St. & C.]] To the fulle haue suffysaunce; [[St. & C.]] Or ellys yt mot nedys be [[St. & C.]] That the wlgar auctoryte, [[St. & C.]] Line 5884 Wych for thy party thow hast leyd, [[St. & C.]] Prevyd by argument & seyd, [[St. & C.]] In al the world, thow toldest me, [[St. & C.]] Ther may no placë voydë be; [Non est dare vacuum] Line 5888 And yiff that woyde wer any thyng, Yt sholde folwe, off thy seyyng, That yt muste fulfylled be;

'Or ellys off necessyte Line 5892 Yt muste algatys voyde a-byde: Thy sentence me lyst nat hyde.' [[to hyde St.]]

Arystotyles Answerde: [Stowe folio 107a]

'Touchyng,' quod he, 'that I ha sayd, So ye be nat evele apayd, Line 5896 I wyl afferme the same yit, I wendë trewly to my wyt. ffor to speke in wordys pleyn, That O gret Good most souereyn Line 5900 Sholde (but yiff my wyt be dul,) Make a thyng ffor to be ful.'

Sapyence speketh:

'ffor-soth,' quod she, 'thow seyst ryht wel, And ther-in erryst neueradel. Line 5904 But yt behoueth (yf thow kanst se,) That yt mot nedyes gretter be Than al the world ys off gretnesse; And than mot folwen in sothnesse, Line 5908 (Vnderstond, & herkne me,) That yiff that thyng sholde closyd be [[C. & St.]] With-Inne the world, (yt ys no drede,) [[C. & St.]] On som party yt muste excede, [[C. & St.]] Line 5912 (I dar ryht wel the trouth expresse,) [[C. & St.]] Or overgon yt for gretnesse.'

Arystotyles: [[St. adds 'Answerd']]

'Certys,' quod he, 'I may nat wel [Stowe folio 107b] In thys with-sey yow neueradel.' Line 5916

Sapyence argueth:

'Than her-vp-on,' a-noon quod she, 'In any wyse how myght yt be, That thys world, so gret in al, With[in] an herte that ys so smal Line 5920 Myghte be put, or closyd be? ffor thannë, off necessyte Mot nedys folwen, & off Resoun, The hous or thabitacïoun Line 5924 Mot be lasse (a preff to wynne,) Than the thyng yput with-Inne. Wher vp[on], conclude I may

'That al thy wordys (yt ys no nay,) Line 5928 Be repreuáble founde in dede, And verray fals, yiff thow take hede.

'Also to the I shal devyse [prose cap lxxxiv] A preff in a-nother wyse, Line 5932 By open demonstracyouns. Hastow nat ben in thilkë touns, Rome, [Grece, in Camb. prose.] and Athenys ek also, And soiournèd in bothë two, Line 5936 fful many a yer in bothë leyn, The maner & the gretnesse seyn, And be-holde ther gouernaunce? Now yiff thow haue in Rémembraunce Line 5940 By cler report off outher toun, [Stowe folio 108a] Tel me thyn Oppynyoun, What space of land they do contene, [folio 88b] And yiff thy wyth may eke sustene, [[Stowe]] Line 5944 I chargë the that thow me telle [[Stowe]] What noumbre off clerkys ther-in duelle, [[Stowe]] Off ther estate and ther degres, [[C. & St.]] And the gretnesse of ther cytes.' [[C. & St.]] Line 5948

Arystotyles answerede: [[C. & St.]]

'Certys,' quod he, 'to sey the sothe, [[C. & St.]] They be gret and largë bothe, [[C. & St.]] Round off compas, & ryht wyde, [[C. & St.]] And many scolerys ther a-byde, [[C. & St.]] Line 5952 And many a-nother craffty man, As I ful wel Remembre kan.'

Sapience Axeth:

Quod Sapience, 'than pray I the, O thyng that thow tellë me; Line 5956 Touchyng ther makyng and byldynges. Yiff thow hast al thys gretë [[gret C., grete St.]] thynges Reportyd wel, on euery syde, Wher hastow put hem to abyde?' Line 5960

Aristotiles answerde: [Stowe folio 108b]

Quod he, 'with support off your grace, I kan telle noon other place,

'(ffor to speke in wordys pleyne,) Wher I ha put tho townys tweyne, Line 5964 So renomyd & flourynge in glorye, Saue only in my memórye!'

Sapyence:

'Now sothly,' quod Sapience, Thow hast shewyd thy sentence Line 5968 To me ful pleynly & ryht wel; And declaryd yt euerydel In wordys wyse, & nat rude. And her-vp-on thow shalt conclude, Line 5972 (Yiff prudently thow lyst take heed,) Yiff thy memórye be in thyn hed, Thow seyst yt ys in lassë space [folio 89a] (Who so lyst a-ryht compasse,) Line 5976 Than ys thyn hed, on outher syde, [[C. & St.]] Wher thy Memórye doth a-byde.

'Also ek, in wordys fewe, A-nother exaumple I wyl shewe, [prose cap lxxxv] Line 5980 Wych I to the rehersë shal Off thyn Eyë by the bal: Yiff thow ther-to kanst loke a-ryht, Yt ys but smal vn-to the [[thy St.]] syht, Line 5984 And conteneth lytle space; And yet the gretnesse off thy face A-bydeth there, (yiff thow list lere) [Stowe folio 109a] Swych as yt ys, hool & entere Line 5988 In Roundnesse off that lytle bour.

'Tak hed also off A merour, Or ellys off a lytel glas. To purpos in the samë cas, Line 5992 Wher thow mayst ek thy facë se Off what gretnesse that yt be!

'And yiff thow wylt in bettre wyse, Vn-to the, that I devyse Line 5996 To assoyl thyn Argument ffynally to myn entent, That seyst I sholde ha falshed the, And repryved thy Maximë, Line 6000 Whan I seyde, yiff thow take heed,

'That euery party off thys bred Off vertu, in especyal, I make as gret as I do al, Line 6004 Thogh yt be broke on many a part.

'And tak Exaumple (for al thyn art) Off A merour, fyrst hool at al: Thogh yt be brooke on pecys smal, Line 6008 In echë part and quantyte Thow mayst as wel thy facë se [folio 89b] [[C. & St.]] As toforne, (yiff thou lyst lere) [[C. & St.]] Whan yt was fyrst hool and entere [[C. & St.]] Line 6012

Aristotiles Axeth: [Stowe folio 109a] [[om. C.]]

'Now, [Stowe folio 109b] myne ownë lady dere, [prose cap lxxxvi] I pray yow, [[yow pray St.]] (towchyng thys matere,) Wych be so sotyl in konnyng, Telleth me, touchyng thys thyng, Line 6016 Vnderstonde ye "localiter," Or ellys "virtualiter?" Lat thys thyngës ben yset, To-gydre bounden & yknet; Line 6020 In boundys closyd so strongly That I ther-on may feythfully Gyve answere, as yt ys skylle, Or close my mouth, & so be stylle.' Line 6024

Sapience Answereth: [[St., om. C.]]

'I vnderstondë nat,' quod she, [prose cap lxxxvii] "'Localiter," as thow shalt se; Thys to seynë, with thy grace. He occupieth ther no place. Line 6028 Somme vnderstondë certeynly That he ys ther vertuously; [.i. virtualiter St., om. C.] Somme seyn "ymaginatiue," And somme "representatiue," Line 6032 On ther oppynyouns, as they dwelle. And this exaumplys I the telle, To yive the ful avysëment How thow mayst, in thyn entent, Line 6036 Conceyve, that halst thy sylff so wys, And to yive the, good avys, How a cloystre off smal mesure

'May comprehendë gret pasture; Line 6040 And, as gretë thyngës set [Stowe folio 110a] In smalë bondys may be knet.

'And evene so, yiff thow take hed, Vnder lyknesse off thys breed. [folio 90a] [[St. & C.]] Line 6044 The grettest good most sovereyn [[St. & C.]] Ys ther closyd in certeyn; [[St. & C.]] Nat only "ymaginatiue," Nouther "Representatiue," Line 6048 (Vnderstond now wel my lore,) Nor "Virtualiter" with-outë more; But ther yt ys [[ys yt St.]] put sothfastly, (Yiff thow lyst lerne ffeythfully,) Line 6052 Bothen "Corporaliter" And also ek "Realiter;" Bothe "Presencialiter" And also ek "Veraciter;" Line 6056 With-oute al symulacioun, Deceyt, or any Ficcioun— And off thys puttyng, the causë why [prose cap lxxxviii] I haue declaryd in party. Line 6060

'ffyrst, yiff thow consydrest al, ffor an hertë that ys smal, I ha the bred mad smal also, (Yiff thow take good hed her-to.) Line 6064 And for hys gret capacyte, The good that hath most sovereynte, I haue ther-in put (certeyn) The good that ys most souereyn: Line 6068 Gret vnto gret, smal vn-to smal, Wych ys Answeryng in al, [Stowe folio 110b] And corespondent by mesure. ffor affter that (I the ensure,) Line 6072 That an herte be gret or smal, Ryht so, in especyal, Answeryng, by mesure, Ryght so ys madë [[made St., mad C.]] the pasture; Line 6076 A smal hertë (tak good hede,) ffyndeth also smal the bred.

'Consydre & se the maner howh:

'Yiff he desyre to haue ynowh, [Camb. MS. reads: If it wole ynowh, it shal fynde with-inne that that may saule it, and fille it and suffice it, p. 49.] [folio 90b] [[C. & St.]] Line 6080 He shal ther ffyndë (Trustë me) [[C. & St.]] Suffysauncë to hys sawlë, [[C. & St.]] Hym to fulfyllen at hys Ese, [[C. & St.]] And hys desyrys to appese. [[C. & St.]] Line 6084 And, as I rehersë shal, Her ys noon offence at al, Nouther vn-to yong nor old.

'And for thys cause that I ha told, Line 6088 The hous ys lasse, with-outë wene, Than thylkë thyng yt doth contene; And lasse (for short conclusïoun,) Ys the habytacyoun Line 6092 Than the good (I dar wel telle) Wych with-Inne the hows doth dwelle.

'And I suppose (tak also hed,) That vn-to the, by lyklyhed Line 6096 I haddë don, in my werkynge, Som thyng wych wer nat syttynge, Off wych thow wer nat plesyd wel. And ek (to Reknen euerydel,) Line 6100 That I ha told the in substaunce, Thogh yt wer nat to thy plesaunce, [Stowe folio 111a] I ouhte off Reson, nor off skyl, Answeryng no-thyng but at my wyl, Line 6104 Off ryht nouht, (as semeth me,) Nor take no maner hed to [[heed off St.]] the Off no-thyng that thow hast me souht.

'And, par cas, yiff I hadde wrouht Line 6108 Some vnkouth thyng that wer notáble By Aventure, or profytáble Mor than any other whyht, Wych wer merveillous to syht, Line 6112 I ouhtë nat, as thynketh me, Off no wyht apechyd be; Consydred how (in sothfastnesse) That I am namyd a "maystresse," [folio 91a] [[C. & St.]] Line 6116 Wych ouhte suffysen vn-to the: [[C. & St.]]

'Thow gest as now no mor of me: [[C. & St.]] Tak thys now in especyal. [[C. & St.]]

'As for Answere to the, fynal, [[C. & St.]] Line 6120 Lo, her ys al, in wordys pleyn:— [[C. & St.]] Go now, & retourne home ageyn To Nature (in conclusïoun), To [[And St.]] mak to hyre relacïoun, As she that ys (shortly to fyne,) A symple scoler clepd off myne; And also (yiff thow lyst to lere,) But off Grace my chaumberere. Line 6128

'And syker, I wyll that yt be wyst, I wyl do what-euere me lyst, Wherso yt plesë outher greve, And take off hyre no maner leve; Line 6132 And don what euere lyketh me, [Stowe folio 111b] Only for loue off Charyte; What euere hyre lyst, that shal be do: My wyl ys that yt shal be so. Line 6136 ffor what-so that hyr lyst devyse, In al my bestë ffeythfull wyse I shal consente (& tarye nouht,) To al that euere she wyl ha wrouht, Line 6140 In specyal & in general.'

And whan that he hadde herknyd al, [prose cap lxxxix] Thys Aristotile gan abraide, And humblely to hyre he seyde: Line 6144

Aristotle meked hym selffe. [[in Jn. Stowe's hand, at side: in St.]]

'Sothly,' quod he, 'I se ryht wel Yt may avaylle neueradel (ffor ouht that I kan espye,) Line 6147 With yow to holden chaumpartye, [[Champartye St.]] Or Argue al the longë day: Yt ys best that I go my way. Do what yow lyst, ffer or ner, [Camb. MS. reads: Dooth what euere ye wole; good leeue ye haue, p. 50.] [folio 91b] [[C. & St.]] Your myght ys grete, and your power; [[C. & St.]] Line 6152 What-so ye lyst, ye may well don.' [[C. & St.]]

'And thus thys mayster ys a-gon, [[C. & St.]] And dydë ek [[alle St.]] hys bysy cure, [[C. & St.]] ffor to tellen to Nature [[C. & St.]] Line 6156 Off hys exployts and off hys sped. [[C. & St.]] And a-noon, as she took heed, She gan to gruchen in hyr thouht; Line 6159 But whan she sawh yt wayllede [[vayllede St.]] nouht, [Stowe folio 112a] Mor to maken résistence, She suffrede al in pacïence.'

Whan Gracë Dieu off hyr bounte, [prose cap xc] Thys talë hadde ytold to me, Line 6164 To-forn as ye han herd devysed, With gret desyr I was supprysed In my thouht & my coráge, And hungrede for myn ávauntage, Line 6168 In hope tave had the bettre sped ffor to haue Etyn off that bred.

The Pylgrym prayede. [[St., om. C.]] "Ma dame," quod he, & gan hym meke, "Humblely I yow be-seke, Line 6172 Me to graunte, to myn encres, Off the Releff off Moyses, My voyded hertë to fulfylle, Wych so longe (a-geyn my wylle, Line 6176 As ye wel knowe,) hath voydë be, And neuere ne hadde hys ful sawlee. [[sawle St.]] ffor, to thys tyme neuere yit I nat conceyvede in my wyt Line 6180 Wher-with yt myghte fulfylled be; ffor wych, I pray yow, graunteth me."

Grace Dieu Answerde [[St., om. C.]]

'Certys,' quod she, 'thy requeste, [Stowe folio 112b] [prose cap xci] I holde yt ys nat dyshoneste; Line 6184 ffor thys bred ys necessarye [folio 92a] [[C. & St.]] To allë folk wych lyst nat tarye [[C. & St.]] In ther vyage, thus semeth me. [[C. & St.]] ffor, or thow come to that cyte [[C. & St.]] Line 6188 Whyder thow castest for to gon, [[C. & St.]] By many weyës mo than on, Thow shalt be troublyd (yt ys no dred)

'Yiff thow haue nat off thys bred, Line 6192 Al thy sorwes for tapese, Thow art lyk to haue dysesse, And in thy weyë [[weye St., wey C.]] gret offence; ffor wych thow shalt ha lycence Line 6196 To take thys bred, & ek conge.

'But fyrst, off ryht & equyte, Toward thys bred or that thow drawe, (As yt ys wryten in my lawe;) Line 6200 Thow must ha fyrst, pocessïoun Off a sherpe [[Scrippe St.]] & a bordoun, As thow to-forn Requeryst me In lowly wyse to graunte hem the. Line 6204

'And I answerdë the ageyn, And the be-hihte ek (in certeyn,) That in myn hows ther was plente Off bothë tweyne: thus told I the. Line 6208 And tolde the, on the tother syde, That I sholde for the provyde, To shewë the, in my depoos, Thynges that wer with-Innë cloos, Line 6212 Wych I ha shewyd but to fewe; But vn-to the I shal hem shewe. [Stowe folio 113a] And somme off hem secrely [prose cap xcii] I ha the shewyd in party, Line 6216 And am ay redy (as I tolde) Thy couenauntës for to holde With-outen al collusïoun.

'And towchyng shyrpe [[Skryppe St.]] & bordoun, Line 6220 Thow shalt hem haue (as I be-hihte) [folio 92b] [[Stowe]] Deluyered in thyn ownë sighte. [Stowe folio 113a] And after that, (yt ys no drede,) [[Stowe]] Thow shalt nowe put ther-in thy bred [[C. & St.]] Line 6224 With-Inne thy shryppe, [[Skryppe St.]] as yt ys ryht; [[C. & St.]] And affter that, thow shalt ha myght, fforth vp-on thy way, by grace, As A pylgrym for to passe. Line 6228

The pylgryme answerid: [In Stowe's hand.] [[The Pylgrym Answerde. St.]]

"Ma dame," quod he, with gret meknesse, [prose cap xciii]

"I thanke vn-to your worthynesse; ffor my desyr & my wysshynges Resten fully in thys thynges. Line 6232 I wolde, with-outë wordys mo, Have hem fayn, & ben ago."

Thanne thys lady, off hyr grace, [prose cap xciv] Laddë me in-to a place Line 6236 In wyche (who kan reportë wel) Was ful many a ffayr Iowel, Vp-on wyche myn Eye I leyde; [Stowe folio 113b] And Euene thus to me she seyde: Line 6240

Grace dieu spake: [[In Stowe's hand. The Stowe MS. has it.]]

'Lefft vp thyn Eye, be-hold & se, [From 1. 6241 to 1. 6581 is a dialogue between Grace Dieu and the Pilgrim touching the five senses, and as to the transfer of his eyes to his ears, all which is omitted in the Camb. MS. and in the first French prose.—Aldenham.] And tak good heed now vn-to me!

'ffyrst, thys skryppe & thys bordoun Haven thys condycyoun, Line 6244 That thow in soth may them [[mayst hem St.]] nat se, But yiff so falle, thyn eyen be Set ther as thyn Erys stonde. And therfor thow shalt vnderstonde, Line 6248 Yiff thow hem seye A-noon now ryht With thyn Eyen cler & bryht, Wher as they be, now trustë wel They sholde the plesë neueradel. Line 6252 Wherfor I shal (yiff that I may) Bothe thyn Eyen take away, And hem out off her placë fette; [folio 93a] [[C. & St.]] And in thyn Erys I shal hem sette, [[C. & St.]] Line 6256 That thow mayst, at lyberte, [[C. & St.]] Skryppe & bordoun bettre se.' [[C. & St.]]

the pylgryme marvelethe: [In Stowe's hand.] [[The Pylgrym merveylleth. St.]]

"Madame," quod I, "what lyst ye seyn? Me thynketh that ye speke in veyn: Line 6260 Ye speke off thyng that me wer loth, [Stowe folio 114a] And make myn hertë wonder wroth, And yive to me occasïoun To leuë skryppe & ek bordoun, Line 6264

Line 6264 "And to for-sakë bothë tweyne. And syker (yiff I shal nat feyne,) I hadde leuere to do so, Than to endure so gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] wo, Line 6268 ffor taperë monstruous, Or shewe me-sylff so odius; Or that ye sholde (I yow ensure,) So me transforme or dysfygure." Line 6272

grace dieu spake: [[In Stowe's hand. It is in the Stowe MS.]]

'Vnderstond,' quod she, 'a lyte In thys mater, my sylff taquyte, Off wych I shal the tellë more.

'Yt ys not yet ygon ful yore Line 6276 (Yiff thow remembre, & lyst tak hed,) Whan thow doutest the off thys bred, And haddest merveil (ek parde,) By what Resoun yt myghtë be, Line 6280 Whan thyn hertë stood in doute That so mychë folk aboute Hadde in thys bred ful suffysaunce, And ful repast to ther plesaunce, Line 6284 That al thy wyttys, in no wyse Koudë techë the the guyse [Stowe folio 114b] Of thys vnkouthë [[vnkouthe St., vnkouth C.]] pryvyte; And, ne hadde thy Erys be, [folio 93b] [[Stowe]] Line 6288 (Yiff thow Remembre thè ryht wel,) [[Stowe]] Thow haddest knowen neueradel. [[Stowe]]

'For yiff yt be a-ryht conceyved, [[C. & St.]] Alle thy wyttys wer deceyved, [[C. & St.]] Line 6292 And lyede pleynly vn-to the, What they felte or dydë se, Saue the trouth (& thus yt stood) With thyn Eryng stylle a-bood. Line 6296

'Wherfore I muste (of verray ryht,) Translate thyn Eyen & thy syht, Thyder wher thyn Erys stonde. And (as thow shalt wel vnderstonde,) Line 6300 Thyn Erys muste haue Eyën clere Taparceyvë, in thys matere, [[C. & St.]] And to conceyven euery thyng.

'ffor, trustë me wel, that Eryng [.i. Auditus St., om. C.] Line 6304 Wel dysposyd, voyde of slowthe, Kan the tellë best the trouthe, In thyngës wych that ben dotous, Wonderful & merveyllous. Line 6308

'ffor wych thyng, I wyll nat lette, Ther thyn Eyen for to sette, With hem to sharpë mor thy wyt; ffor thow seyst nat clerly yit, Line 6312 As thow ouhtest in thyn mynde. Thow trustest vp-on fourë blynde. On whom trowynge, (trustë me,) Line 6315 Thow art ful blynde, & mayst nat se. [Stowe folio 115a]

'But yt be-houeth, that clerly Thow mustest sen, & openly, Or thow haue pocessïoun Outher of skryppe or off bordoun. Line 6320 ffor thow shalt hem nat possede, Nor bern hem out (yt ys no drede,) Out off myn hous, in no manere, (Sherpe [[Skrippe St.]] or bordoun bothe yfere) Line 6324 Tyl thow knowe (with-outë slowthe) [folio 94a] [[C. & St.]] Verrayly the pleynë trouthe [[C. & St.]] Off al that hath be told to the Touchynge thys bred; now truste to me, Line 6328 And wene nat,—in [[in St., nat C.]] no maner wyse, As I shal to the devyse,— That I no-thyng off volunte Seye thys wordys to temptë the Line 6332 A-skawnce: I woldë A-geyns ryht With-drawe that I ha the be-hyht: To the, my promys I wyl kepe; ffor neuere, vakyng [[wakyng St.]] nor a-slepe, Line 6336 (As I ryht wel rehersë kan,) I deceyved neuere man Off thyng that longede vn-to me.

'And ther-fore doutë no-thyng the, Line 6340 That I wyl to no strangë fourme, The diffacen, nor dysfourme; ffor platly (in conclusïoun)

'Yt lyth in thyn elleccïoun, Line 6344 And in thy fre choys yt shal be, [Stowe folio 115b] ffor to chesyn, as for me To settyn thyn eyen her or there.

'And for my party, thow shalt lere Line 6348 Yiff thow in me haue swychë [[swyche St., swych C.]] tryst, ffor to Remeue hem wher me lyst, As for onys to assaye, Yiff I ther-wyth nat the dysmaye, Line 6352 But do yt for thyn ávauntage, The ther nat pleyne on no damage.'

The pilgrim axithe: [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym Asketh. St.]]

"Wher-off serueth (touchyng thys thyng) Clernesse off myn vnderstondyng, Line 6356 Wych clerkys calle (in sentement) Intellect or entendëment, Wych hath Eyen (I dar seyn so,) As manye (or an hundryd mo) Line 6360 As hadde Argus / of yore agoon, [folio 94b] [[Stowe]] Yit in hys Erys / hadde he noon, [[Stowe]] In bookys olde / ye may well se. [[Stowe]]

"I hope yt stant nat so with me, [[C. & St.]] Line 6364 That good avys shal me so faylle, Nor no Rudnessë so masaylle. Me thynketh pleynly (as I tolde) But that myn vnderstondyng sholde Line 6368 Techyn me the trouth al pleyn, And ther-to hauë no dysdeyne, Me tenfourme of al thys thyng, [Stowe folio 116a] With-outen any remowyng [[Remewyng St.]] Line 6372 Off the Eyën in myn hed Into [[Into St., In C.]] myn Eryn (who kan tak hed); Wych wer in soth An vnkouth syht, [[St. & C.]] And gret merveyl to euery whyht." Line 6376

Grace Dieu Answerde [[St., om. C.]]

Quod grace dieu, 'tak hed, & se, Thyn vnderstondyng (trustë me) Wolde in soth ha no dysdeyne To techë the the trouthë pleyn. Line 6380 But thow mayst trustë me ryht wel:

'He vnderstondeth neueradel Off thys matere that we off talke, He goth be-syde, & maketh a balke,— Line 6384 To sen clerly thexcellence, The valu and the [[the om. St.]] magnyfycence Off that we holde our parlement, He ys so feble & indygent Line 6388 ffor lak off knowyng (in sothnesse), He ys [so] fallen in dyrkënesse, [[dyrkenesse St., dyrknesse C.]] That he knoweth her-of ryht nouht, Truste me well, (yiff yt be souht,) Line 6392 The verray trouthe, (so god me saue).

'And ther thow seyst, he sholde ek haue An hundryd eyën, & yet mo, [Stowe folio 116b] Thow shalt wel wyte yt ys nat so, Line 6396 Nor that yt ys a thyng credyble, [folio 95a] [[St. & C.]] Nor off hys lookys wych be possyble, [[St. & C.]] Wych he hath by successyouns; [[St. & C.]] I sey nat off thentencyouns [[St. & C.]] Line 6400 Wych thow hast in many wyse; [[St. & C.]] ffor than (shortly to devyse) [[St. & C.]] In swych caas thow seydest wel, And elles platly thow shalt fel Line 6404 Thow wentyst foule out off the weye.

'ffor he hath only but on Eye, That Symply seth & vnderstondeth, And thyngës wych he vnderstondeth Line 6408 Lyk to hys syht, as they doth [[do St.]] deme, He byt, & kan no ferther deme. Swych thyng as longeth to hym off ryht, ffor to be demyd by the syht, Line 6412 He receyveth to hys presence; And thannë thyn Intelligence, Also ffer as he doth se, He Gyveth hys doom in that degre: Line 6416 On thyng nat seyn, he kan nat muse; But al swych thyng he doth refuse, And sent yt forth (pleynly to seyn), Outward, ther as yt kam a-geyn. Line 6420 ffor lak, he kan no ferther se,

'Thorgh hys ffoltysshe vanyte.'

The pilgrym axithe: [[In Stowe's hand, 'The Pylgrym Asketh.' St.]] "Ma dame," quod I, "ful gladly [Stowe folio 117a] I wolde wyten certeynly, Line 6424 Clerly to be put out off doute, What ys he that wych sendeth oute, And what ys he (ek in certeyn) That Reporteth hem A-geyn Line 6428 Tydynges erly & ek late; And yiff ther be ek any gate A-twen the brynger / and hym that sent; [folio 95b] [[C. & St.]] I woldë fayn / in myn Entent [Stowe folio 117a] Line 6432 Off yow / haue Informacyoun, [[Stowe]] And clerly dyffynycyoun." [[Stowe]]

Grace Dieu Answerthe [[Stowe, C. blank.]]

'Certys,' quod sche, 'by thyn askyng [[St. & C.]] Thow shalt neuere knowe no thyng Line 6436 As I be-leuë, in substaunce.

'Thow herdyst whylom, how dame penaunce Made a declaracïoun Off vj. gatys, in hyr sarmoun. Line 6440 And fyve off hem, she saydë blyue, That they wer the wyttys fyue; By wych gatys she dyde assure, That al fylthës & al ordure Line 6444 Entrede in, [[Inne St.]] in sondry wyse, (As thow herdyst hyre devyse,) Whan they wer open, & nat cloos. The wych gatys, to my purpos [Stowe folio 117b] Line 6448 I wyl now take in specyal With-outë preiudice at al.

'ffor thys gatys, I calle "porterys," "Bryngerys-in [[Inne St.]] & massagerys" Line 6452 Off echë [[eche St., ech C.]] thyng, & sayd with-oute, But yiff yt falle with-outë doute, Certeyn Secretys, wych that be Hyd & ydon in pryvyte. Line 6456 Thys gatys I calle the "passages, Wherby in [[Inne St.]] passen the massages."

'Thys to seyne (vnderstond me wel;

'Conceyve my speche euerydel:) Line 6460 Eye ys the gate, lookyng porter; Nose, the dore & massager Who kan parceyve ys smellyng; And semblably in euery thyng, Line 6464 Euene lyk yt doth be-falle Off thyn other wyttys alle, Thanne whan that lokyng is porter Off the Eye, & massager. [folio 96a] [[C. & St.]] Line 6468

'And I wyl here by & by [[C. & St.]] Speke off the Eyë specyally, [[C. & St.]] And lete the tother passe & gon.

'Now herkne, & thow shalt here A-noon Line 6472 As I sayde rathe vn-to the, [[C. & St.]] Lokyng, with wych men do se, Vn-to the Eye ys porter (As thow well wost) & massager; Line 6476 And whan that he seth thyngës newe, ffresshe & lusty of ther hewe, [Stowe folio 118a] ffayr or foul, wher-so yt be, He bydeth nat in no degre, Line 6480 Nouther slepeth nor resteth nouht, But, as swyfft as any thouht,— Thorgh hys bysy dyllygence, A-noon, (as he hath licence Line 6484 Off the wyttys callyd comwne,— Thanne hys offyce to contune,) He maketh a demonstracioun, Report & ful relacyoun, Line 6488 ffyrst off all, to fantasye.

'Thanne ffantasye doth hyr hye [.i. Fastinat St.] To Go forth to Entendëment, To yive a trewë Iugement Line 6492 Off report that he hath brouht, Iustly to deme, & errë nouht, Be yt off thyngës newe or old.

'Now telle I the, as I ha told Line 6496 Amongys al thy doomys stronge; Yiff the thyng vn-to hym longe, Thanne he (in conclusïoun)

'Wyl yt demyn off Resoun. Line 6500 And ther-vp-on ek détermyne, And in hast hys doomys fyne, Whan he hath cerchyd yt & sought.

'& yiff to hym yt longeth novht, Line 6504 By hem that brouhte yt (in certeyn), [folio 96b] [[C. & St.]] In haste he sent yt forth ageyn; [[Stowe]] The Messagerys (Erly and late) [Stowe folio 118b] Conveye yt by the samë gate [[St. & C.]] Line 6508 By wych yt kam: lo, her ys al. [[St. & C.]]

'And mor to the I tellë shal; [[St. & C.]] (Reporte me wel at allë tymes;) The skryppe that longeth to pylgrymes, Line 6512 (I mene, off pylgrymes in specyal, Swyche as be goodë founde at al,) Whan they hem skryppen euerychon, They fyrst vn-to the gatë gon Line 6516 Off the Ere, & off Eryng; And ther, with-oute mor taryyng, Hem sylff redy for to make, ffyrst, the porter they awake Line 6520 Yiff that he slepe; and than A-noon, By thylkë gatë, in [[Inne, [Stowe folio 118b] ]] they gon.

'Off other gatys (I ensure) They do no fors, nor ha no cure; Line 6524 ffor heryng ther ys cheff porter; And he goth forth as massager, ffyrst to wyttys that be comwne; And, or that they ther-on comwne, Line 6528 They make a demonstracyoun Cler, [[Clere St.]] & ful relacïoun, To fantasye, wher as she [[he St.]] Syt.

'And no lenger she abyt, Line 6532 But to the gretë Iuge she goth (Wherso that he be glad or wroth); She sheweth platly hyr entent Vn-to thys Iuge, Entendëment. Line 6536 And whan that he hath musyd longe [Stowe folio 119a] Theron, in hys doomys stronge, And he, for lak off knowelychyng,

'ffeleth ther-in no maner thyng, [folio 97a] [[C. & St.]] Line 6540 Thanne off Folye, he chek maat, [[C. & St.]] Awhapyd and dysconsolat, [[C. & St.]] Sent yt ageyn (yt stondeth so) [[C. & St.]] By thylkë gate that yt kam fro; [[C. & St.]] Line 6544 ffor he (shortly, in sentement) [[St. & C.]] Koude gyue noon other Iugëment, [[St. & C.]] ffor al hys wyttys wer a-gon, Saue that Eryng (among echon) Line 6548 Kam a-noon to hys refuge, ffor to deme & be a Iuge, As yt longede off verray ryht.

'ffor smellyng, Tastyng, touch, & Syht, Line 6552 They wer deceyved, euerychon; And for to knowe the trouthe a-noon, And a trewë doom to make, A man mustë the Eyën take, Line 6556 And to the Erys hem translate, Wych off Eryng ys the gate; And ther, whan they be set aryht, They shal be cleryd so off syht Line 6560 To demë trouthe, and no-thyng erre, Bryht as any sonne or sterre.'

The pylgrym answereth:

"What euer," quod I, "that ye han sayd, [Stowe folio 119b] Ther-off I am ryht wel a-payd. Line 6564 I ha consydred euerydel That ye to-forn ha seyd ryht wel; ffor wych, ma dame, (as ye best se,) I wylë [[wyl St.]] that myn Eyen be Line 6568 With-Inne myn Erys set a-noon, Or ye any ferther gon. ffor I ha conceyved in my thouht, That to me, ful lyte or nouht Line 6572 My pylgrymagë sholde avaylle, Yiff so that I dydë ffaylle To haue a Skryppë / or Burdon." [Stowe folio 119b] [folio 97b] ¶ And tho / to myn Entencïon / [[Stowe]] Line 6576 (Lyche as to yow / I toldë Late /) [[Stowe]] Myn Eyen two she gan translate [[Stowe]]

In-to myn Eryn, ther they stood. [[Stowe]]

And for she sawh that yt was good, [[C. & St.]] Line 6580 An huchche she gan a-noon vn-shette; [[C. & St.]] And out a-noon ther-off she fette (Lyk to myn oppynyoun) Bothe a skryppe & a bordoun. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 6584 ¹Off wych thyngës, a-noon I Gan to merveille ful gretly, With myn Erys (as she me tolde) Whan that I gan hem be-holde:¹ [1_1 Not in Camb. prose.—Aldenham.] Line 6588 The skryppë mad & shapë clene, [Stowe folio 120a] By A gyrdel heng off grene, The wych was (as I vnderstood) Spreynt with dropys off red blood, Line 6592 Wheroff I was abaisshed sore.

And over that, I sawh yet more: Vpon the samë gyrdle stronge, Off syluer, smalë bellys honge, Line 6596 Twelue in noumbre, & no mo, Wel enamellyd; & also Ech off hem (I yow ensure) Haddë a dyuers Scrypture, Line 6600 The lettrys large & curyous; And in the ffyrste was wryten thus: [prose cap xcv] "God the ffader," fful wel ywrouht, That heuene and erthë made off nouht, Line 6604 And made ek man to hys lyknesse, [folio 98a] Off hys grace & hys goodnesse.

And ferthermor (yiff I shal telle) Was wryten in the nextë belle: Line 6608 "God the Sone, off wysdam most." In the thrydde, "God the Holygost." And they wer mad so wel, echon, Semynge to me they were al on; Line 6612 And with-Inne I dydë se A claper that seruede hem all thre.

In the fourthe was wryte & graue, How goddys sonë, man to saue, Line 6616

Line 6616 Cryst ihesu, descended doun ffrom that hevenly mansyoun In-to the Erthe, & be-kam man; [Stowe folio 120b] And (as I rehersë kan,) Line 6620 Off the holy gost conceyved, Porely in thys world receyved, Born off A maydë pur & ffre, Ay flouryng in vyrgynyte, Line 6624 Wych allë wemmen dyde excelle.

And wryten in the fyffthë belle, Graue in ordre, by & by, Was hys gretë tormentry, Line 6628 And ek how he was crucyfyed, And how that he for man hath dyed, And suffryd ful gret passïoun, To maken hys redempcyoun, Line 6632 With many woundys ful terryble, And rebukys ful penyble, Mankynde only for to save; Take fro the croos, put in hys graue, Line 6636 Affter al hys peyne & wo.

And in the .vj. was wryte also, [[Syxte St.]] (Wrouht, yt myghte nat be amendyd,) How he to hellë ys descendyd, Line 6640 Hys frendys ther to fette a-way, [folio 98b] Wych hadde be there so many a [[a om. St.]] day To bryngë hem to paradys.

And in the .vij. (by gret avys) [[Seventhe St.]] Line 6644 Was wryte hys resureccïoun; In the viij., [[heythe St.]] hys Ascencioun Vp to the hihë heuene ageyn, With hys fader (in certeyn) Line 6648 To sytten there on the ryht syde, [Stowe folio 121a] With hym perpetuelly tabyde, Ther to demen quyk & dede, Euery man affter hys dede. Line 6652

Also (yiff ye lyst to wyte,) In the nynthë ther was wryte (Graue off hym that dyde yt werche,) Crystys spousë, hooly cherche, Line 6656

Line 6656 With al hys dyuers paramentys, And all the .vij. [[Sevene St.]] sacramentys.

And in the Tenthë, men myhte se The Oonyng and the vnyte Line 6660 Off seyntys, the comunyoun, Ordeyned for manhys [[mannys St.]] refeccyoun, And off synnës Indulgence By baptesme & by penytence. Line 6664

And in the .xj. [[Elleventhe St.]] (be wel certeyn,) Was the Rysyng vp A-geyn Off all man-kynde, bothe hih & lowe, Whan gabryel hys horn shal blowe, Line 6668 To calle all ffolkys off entent To komë to the Iugëment. Body & sowle (as ye shal lere) Bothë knet Ageyn yfere, Line 6672 Shal ther come to audience, ffor to heryn the sentence; And thyder haven ther Repayr To-for the Iuge hih in the hayr, Line 6676 Goode & badde: thus stant the caas. [folio 99a]

And in the .xij., [[Twelthe St.]] grauen ther was Only, off goodë, the guerdoun, [Stowe folio 120b] And off wykked, punycyoun, [[the punycion]] Line 6680 Swych as dydë no penaunce, Nor ne hadde no répentaunce To make amendys, I yow ensure.

Loo, her, hooly the scrypture Line 6684 Off the syluer bellys clere, And off the namel [[Thenamel St.]] ek yfere.

Now shall I tellen the ffacioun [prose cap xcvi] And the maner off the bordoun, Line 6688 Wych was (yiff ye lyst to lere) Wrouht & mad in thys manere: Yt was ymad bothe strong & lyht, Long also, & evene vpryht; Line 6692 Off dryë wode (yiff yt be souht) Wyche neuere ne roteth nouht, Nor neuere perissheth, (in certeyn,) Nouther for ffyr, nor ffor no reyn. Line 6696

Line 6696 Yt was ywrouht & mad so wel; And a-boue, a Round poomel Off a merrour, that shon ful bryht, And gaff envyroun a gret lyht, Line 6700 In the wych, men myghtë se ffer ffrom hem al the contre Rounde aboute hem Envyroun. ffor ther ne was no regyoun Line 6704 So ffer from yt, by no dystaunce, (To Reknen euery cyrcumstaunce) But men myghte sen yt euerydel, And beholde yt ffayre & wel. Line 6708

And in that myrour dyde I se The maner hool off the cyte To the wych I was so bent [Stowe folio 122a] ffor to gon, in myn entent. Line 6712 ffor wych (in myn oppynyoun) [folio 99b] I preysede gretly the Bordoun, And louyd also wel the bet.

& lower doun ek ther was set Line 6716 A-nother poomel, wych off makyng Was lasse & Round, (to my seemyng,) Maad off a charboncle ston, The wych as any sonnë shoon, Line 6720 Thorgh al the contre shadde hys lyht (Yt was so Oryent and so bryht) An hugë compas round a-boute.

And whan she hadde ytaken oute Line 6724 Thys two Iowellys ffayr & ryche, I trowë nowher wer noon lyche, Grace dieu (fayre mot hyr falle!) In goodly wysë gan me calle. Line 6728

Grace dieu speketh:

Thys lady goodly spak to me, [prose cap xcvii] 'Kom ner, my sone; tak hed & se; Loo her (yiff I shal nat feyne) Thylkë Rychë Gyfftys tweyne Line 6732 Wych I be-hihte whylom to the; And thow shalt nat deceyved be.

'Loo her A skryppe & a Bordoun,

'The wych (off hool entencyoun) Line 6736 I gyve to the, now kep hem wel! [Stowe folio 122b] Considre the maner everydel, How they be ryht necessarye To forthre the, (thow shalt nat tarye,) Line 6740 To helpë the in thy vyage, And to spede thy pylgrymage. Thow shalt off hem have ay gret nede, Yiff thow lyst thy Iourne spede, Line 6744 Nedful to pylgrymës alle; And "feyth," thy Skryppë thow shalt calle; Wyth-outë wych, [[yt scratcht out]] may nat be Brouht aboutë no Iournee [folio 100a] Line 6748 Nor vyáge that may a-vaylle. ffor, thy bred & thy vytaylle, Ther-in thow shalt alway concerve, And allë tymes thow shalt observe Line 6752 Thys skryppë wel in thy bandoun, In euery cyte & euery Toun, In al thy mostë feythful wyse, And also for to auctoryse. Line 6756

'Touchyng thys Skryppë callyd "ffeyth," Herkne what thapostel seyth In a pystel that he endyteth, And to the Romayns pleynly wryteth: Line 6760 "The ryht-ful man, with-outë stryff, By thys skryppë lat hys lyff;" [§ 1. 17, as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'] [Iustus ex Fide uiuit] Thys to seyne, that ffeyth off ryht Yiveth lyff to euery maner whyht; Line 6764 As Abachuch that hooly man, In hys wrytyng rehersë kan, The secounde chapytle off hys book, [Behold, his soul (which) is lifted-up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.] [Stowe folio 123a] Who so lyst lyfft vp hys look. Line 6768

'And thys skryppe (with-outë wene,) Off hys colour mot be grene; Wych colour (who so look a-ryht) Doth gret comfort to the syht; Line 6772

Line 6772 'Sharpeth the Eye, (yt ys no dred,) And so doth ffeyth, (who taketh hed;) Yt maketh pylgrymes glad & lyht, With hem abydyng day & nyht; Line 6776 And in ther weye (I dar reporte,) Gretly doth hem Reconforte. ffor good [[goode St.]] pylgrymës euerychon, On pylgrymagë wher they gon, Line 6780 Only ffeyth doth hem sustene, By exaumple, as the grene, The gentyl colour glad & lyht, Yiveth clernesse to the syht. [folio 100b] Line 6784

[From l. 6785 to l. 6859 is omitted in Camb. prose.—Aldenham.] 'Whan the grenë al with-oute Ys spreynt with dropys Round aboute Off red blood (who kan entende), Than the syht yt doth amende Line 6788 fful gretly, I dar wel seyn; ffor ther ys dropë [[droop St.]] noon certeyn, But yt ys worth, & off mor prys To pylgrymës that be wys, Line 6792 Than outher perle or margaryte. And (as I dar ryht wel endyte,) Yt is mor Ryche & precyous, Mor off valu & vertuous, Line 6796 The bloody dropys, whan they be spreynt [Stowe folio 123b] Vp-on the grenë, & ymeynt, To make a man mor strong & lyht, And tafforcë with hys syht, Line 6800 Than any other Rychë ston ffor to rekne hem euerichon,

'The grene ys good in specyal Whan the rede ys meynt with-al Line 6804 Off blood; for pleynly the Rednesse Wych that was shad [[shadde St.]] in clennesse Off gloryous martyrs longe agon, That spente her blood, & lefftë noon, Line 6808 But suffrede al the vyolence, And the mortal ek [[eke / the mortal St.]] sentence Off Tyrauntys Tyranye,

'And sparede nat platly to dye, Line 6812 (Ther legende so wryt & seyth) ffor to dyffendë crystys ffeyth; ffor wych, vp-on thys skryppe off grene, The bloody dropys ther ysene, Line 6816 Shewyn (in conclusïoun) Ther martyrdam, ther passïoun, Off ther ownë volunte, Only to yiven vn-to the [folio 101a] Line 6820 Verrayly an exaumplayre (Wherso-euere thow repayre) To suffre deth for crystys sake, Rather than thow shust forsake Line 6824 Thy skryppe in any maner wyse, Off wych thow hast herd me devyse.

'ffor seyntys wych that suffrede so, [Stowe folio 124a] I wot ryht wel that they be go Line 6828 To paradys, & Entryd in; ffor the swerd off cherubin, Wych whilom at the gatë stood, Ys so blontyd with her blood, Line 6832 That yt ys (I dar wel seyn) In [[In to St.]] the skawberk vp ageyn.

'But now-a-dayës it stant so, Hooly seyntys ben all a-go, Line 6836 That wer so myghty & so strong, And draddë nat to suffre a [[a om. St.]] wrong ffor the ffeyth, yt to dyffende, Her lyff, her blood, ther-on to spende; Line 6840 Redy they wern, & that a-noon; But now, annethe [[vnnethe St.]] ther ys nat on That wyl hym putte in Iupartye, Crystys feyth to magnefye, Line 6844 Nor makë myghty résystence Ageyn Tyrauntys by dyffence.

'Yet somme boste & spekë grete Whan they be fumous, ful off heete, Line 6848 And han yheete & dronke at large, Her bely stuffyd as a barge: Than they, for our feythys sake,

'Wyl crystys croos vp-on hem take; Line 6852 And, as champyouns, thanne they seyth That they wyl fyhtë for our ffeyth. But whan yt kometh vn-to nede, Al that théy spak touchyng dede, [folio 101b] Line 6856 Yt ys for nouht, I dar wel seyn; And thus ther bost ys but in veyn; By ther wordys they wyl nat dwelle. [Stowe folio 124b]

'But by old tyme, I shal the telle, [prose cap xcix] [cap. 98 is omitted.] Line 6860 Whan I the skryppe gan fyrst devyse, Yt was al in a-nother wyse, With-outë bellys, symplely; [.i. simpliciter St., om. C.] Than suffysede, stedefastly Line 6864 To louë god, our créatour, And hym to serue with gret honour.

'But affter roos vp heresyes, Oppynyouns & fantasyes, Line 6868 The ffeythë [[ffeythe St., ffeyth C.]] falsly for to greue; And ther gan euery man to leue On god affter hys ownë lust, And settë pleynly Al ther trust Line 6872 Affter ther ownë ffantasye; Off wych (yiff I shal nat lye) Somme wer callyd "Arryens," And somme also "pellagyens," Line 6876 With ther oppynyouns newe; And other sectys ful vntrewe, The feyth off cryst for to werreye, And lyst nat to the cherche obeye, Line 6880 Thorgh ther false oppynyouns, Concludyng by collusïouns Off falshed shewyng many sygne, Ageyn thy skryppë to malygne, Line 6884 Ther-vp-on to be a-wreke; Off whom me lyst no mor to speke.

'But my speche I wyl restreyne; ffor wych cause, folk dyde hyr peyne, Line 6888 And prelatys off the cherche, Ageyn ther malys for to werche, Makyng in especyal [Stowe folio 125a]

'Senys & counsaylles general, [.i. Sinoda St.] Line 6892 Off prouydence & gret avys, [folio 102a] ffor to wythstondë ther malys, And ther errours to putte a-way, That contynuede many a day, Line 6896 To reformë the bewte Off the cherche by vnyte, I mene, by vnyte in substaunce Off our ffeyth and our creaunce, Line 6900 In ther hool Entencyoun; To makë Restytucyoun, By ther dyllygent labour, Off that was broke by ther Errour, Line 6904 That with-Innë nor with-oute Yt sholde no mor be put in doute.

'And for that skyle, & no thyng ellys, They souhten out the .xii. bellys Line 6908 That I off spak, & I the telle: They settë lettrys in ech belle, And articles off our creaunce, By thapostolys Ordynaunce; Line 6912 The wych wer mad (with-outë stryff) In hooly cherchë prymytyff.

'And in the Skryppe (tak hed to me) Off wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] now I tellë the Line 6916 (Off entent ful pur & clene), The bellys, mad off syluer shene, They hengen hem, as thow mayst se, Wych thow howest (off duëte) Line 6920 Offtë sythës here hem Rynge, [Stowe folio 125b] Off entente only to brynge Ther sown vn-to thy rémembraunce, And how thow shalt, in thy creaunce, Line 6924 Leve in god ay stedefastly.

'And for that skyle, contynuelly In thyn Erys the tawake, Thy bellys shal a chymbyng make, Line 6928 Day be day (in sothfastnesse) To techë thè the stedefastnesse [folio 102b] Off the feyth, thy-sylff to Saue.

'And the nedeth nat to haue Line 6932 Noon other horlege, [[Orloge St.]] day nor nyht, ffor to smyte thyn hourys ryht, Yiff thow ther strokys trewly tellys, .xij. hourys and .xij. bellys; Line 6936 And ek also graue in the lettre .xij. Artycles, to go the bettre, Wych shal echon yfoundë be Wyth-Inne thy skryppe, to techë the, Line 6940 And tenforme the wel ynowh.

'But thow hast be somwhat slowh, In thyn herte to taken hede, Ther scrypturë for to Rede; Line 6944 I menë thus, thy sylff to saue, The Scrypture in the bellys graue; Yet, by ther chymyng (in substaunce), Thow sholdest ay ha rémembraunce Line 6948 Vp-on thy skryppë callyd "ffeyth,"

'And thynk ek what Thapostel seyth: To the Romeyns he endyteth, Pleynly seyth, and thus he wryteth: [Stowe folio 126a] Line 6952 "That thys bellys, in ther chymynge, And by noyse off ther sownynge, Parfytly they brynge in feyth [Fides ex auditu. Romanos 10. [x. 17. So then faith (cometh) by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.] St.] To the Erys; and thus he seyth: Line 6956 "Wher thyn Eyen be set most clere, The verray trewë sown to here, Abydyngë, nat transytórye, To excyten thy Memórye, Line 6960 Thy pylgrymagë to Acheve, How thow shalt ffyrst, in god be-leue; Wych doth nat ynowh suffyse, Wyth-outë that I shal devyse. Line 6964

'ffor yt be-houeth ek herto, That thow mustest beleue also Stedefastly (yt ys no dred), [folio 103a] That thys wyn & ek thys bred Line 6968 Be chaungyd in-to flesshe & blood.

'And her-with-al yt ys ek good, Be-leue O god in Trynyte, Thre personys in vnyte. Line 6972 And, thy ffeyth mor strong to make, Thow shalt a good exaumple take Off thylkë syluer bellys thre, To wych, in Tookne off Vnyte, Line 6976 A claper serueth in chymyng, Wych declareth in sownyng, "Ther ys but o god, & no mo."

'And tak Alway good hed her-to, Line 6980 ffro thys, that thy ffeyth nat varye, Who-euere sowne the contrarye. [Stowe folio 126b] And truste wel how the partycles And the Remnaunt off Artycles Line 6984 Of all the tother, (who kan entende) Euerychon, her-on depende.

'Now take thy Skryppe, & go thy way, And thynk her-on ryht wel alway; Line 6988 And forget nat (yong nor old,) No thyng that I ha the told, Wryt in thyn herte as in a book.'

[The Pilgrim.]

And off hyr hand the Skryppe I took; [prose cap ciii] Line 6992 But she, only off hyr goodnesse, The skryppe aboutë me gan dresse,— Thys Gracë dieu, ful manerly,— And Tapoynte yt ffetysly, Line 6996 Ouer [[On St.]] my shuldere she yt caste, And be-gan to bookele yt faste, In travers wyse, yt tenbrasse, She gan the gerdel to compasse; Line 7000 Made the pendant, that was long, To be knet & fastnyd strong, That the Tongë thorgh gan perce.

And than to me she gan reherse [folio 103b] Line 7004 A scrypture off ysaye Remembryd in hys prophesye, The .ii. [[Elleventhe St.]] chapytle ye may se, Gracë dieu seyng to me: Line 7008

Line 7008

Grace dieu: [[Dieu Spak St.]]

'ffyrst, thow shalt haue ffor Sykernesse [Stowe folio 127a] A gyrdel off Ryghtwysnesse, To restreyne al lecherye. And, for to makë also dye Line 7012 Al fflesshly lustys euerychon, I shal the gyrde (& that a-noon,) Wyth thys skryppe, wych thow shalt bere The to dyffende (that no thyng deere) Line 7016 On pylgrymage, wherso thow go.'

And thanne she took a wryt also Out off hyr huchche, & rauht yt me. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] 'In thys wryt, thow mayst,' quod she, Line 7020 'Be-holdë the descrypcïoun, The maner hool, and the fasoun Off the skryppe that I the took; And offtë cast ther-on thy look Line 7024 ffro day to day, the bet to spede; And offtë sythe that thow yt rede, The copë pleynly, & scripture, The wych ys mad (I the ensure) Line 7028 In latyn only, off entent To yive to thè entendëment, And to clerkys that kan lettrure, And vnderstonde hem in Scrypture, Line 7032 That they may, both hih & lowe, The maner off thy Skryppë knowe, [folio 104a] To folwe the ffeyth off crystys secte; To hem thys latyn I dyrecte. Line 7036

A LATIN POEM ON THE ARTICLES OF THE CREED. (43 Stanzas of 12 lines each, ryming aab, aabbb, abba.)

[St. Credo Ego Catholicus. (Jn. Stowe adds, "a large nombar of verses vpon y^e crede, in lattyn, should folow here in this place.")] c Redo ego catholicus, [page 318b] Line 1 Simplex sim uel iherarchicus, Fide firma & simplici: Implicite, si laicus, Explicite, si clericus, Line 5 Simbolo volo subici, A firmamento deici, Nunquam volo nec effici, Vt planeta erraticus: Line 9 Malo mortem [Mori malo, Print.] quam infici, Erroribus heretici, Legi dei concentricus. Line 12

In deum, a quo conditus Line 13 Est mundus, credo [quo, Pr.] primitus Iam lucis orto sidere: Fidei est introitus, Vbi, ego neophicus, Line 17 Debeo pedem figere. Parum est deo credere, Vel deum ni preponere Ei velim [velis, Pr.] in corditus: Line 21 Nisi eum diligere, Velim verbo & opere, Et toto corde penitus. Line 24

Patrem primum magnifico Line 25 Eternum, et glorifico, A quo meum exordium, Eum-que sic specifico, Catholice & explico, Line 29 Qui genuerit filium, Eum-que esse alium, Non aliud per proprium, Personale diuidico: Line 33 Finem atque principium, Atque eorum nescium, [eorum fore nescio, Pr.] Ymaginor & iudico. Line 36

Omnipotentem pariter [folio 104b] Line 37 Omnia-que suauiter Disponentem hunc [Hunc disponentem, Pr.] clamito, Nil frustra, nil inaniter, Nil-que nisi vtiliter, Line 41 Operantem recogito; Si in fide hac hesito, Si vacillo uel dubito, Non sum discretus arbiter; Line 45 Egeo duci digito, Quia errans exorbito, Et relinquo bonum iter. Line 48

Creatorem hunc fateor, Line 49 A quo reus ego reor, Rerum creatas species; Quem adorare teneor, De quo dictum confiteor. Line 53 Illi soli tu seruies, Hoc non feci millesies, Mea [MS. Maa.] culpa & pluries. [pluries, Pr.] Me perditum intueor, Line 57 Nisi dicat "saluus fies! Tu es mea progenies; Tui fili misereor." Line 60

Celi & terre dominum, Line 61 Angelorum & hominum, Eum in fide video; Patrem-que esse luminum, Dantem tenebris [tenebre, Pr.] terminum, Line 65 Sic intuens spem habeo. Et si ei non valeo Servire sicut debeo, Line 68 Ob grandem molem criminum, Quo me vertam hunc timeo, Contremisco & paueo, Ne vindex sit peccaminum. [peccaminum, Pr.] Line 72

Et quia patrem credere [folio 105:4] Line 73 Non creditur sufficere, Ne non esset relacio Ad articulos vergere Me volo, et conuertere, Line 77 Qui dati sunt de filio, Cuius est generacio, Sic miranda-que racio, Eam nescit exprimere, Line 81 Veluti vespertilio Stupet [Super, Pr.] solari radio, Sic nescit ibi cernere. Line 84

In ihesum Christum, igitur, Line 85 Mea fides dirigitur. Ipse est patris filius; Genitus est, et gignitur, [ginitur, Pr.] Et gigni semper creditur, Line 89 Sicut a sole radius. Nil in patre superius, Nil in nato inferius; In quantum deus dicitur, Line 93 Eternum est suum prius, Eternum-que posterius; Nullis extremis clauditur. Line 96

Line 96

Filium eius vnicum Line 97 Per decretum catholicum, Hunc affirmo & assero; Sine quo, totum lubricum, Inane & erraticum, Line 101 Et carens casu prospero. Sibi seruum me offero, Nunc, et quamdiu fuero. [vixero, Pr.] Quamuis sit valde modicum, Ad eum-que me transfero, Quandocunque errauero Line 107 Tanquam ad polum articum.

Dominum nostrum dicere Line 109 Hunc nos filii dextere Qui dicimur catholici, Debemus et attollere, [folio 105a] Mente, uerbo, et opere, Line 113 Preconio multiplici, Potestas eius deici, [deijci, Pr.] Nunquam potest, nec effici Minor siue decrescere Line 117 Sibi-que debent subici [snbijci, Pr.] Terrigene & celici, Et infernus hunc tremere. Line 120

Qui conceptus est vtero, Line 121 Virginali, hoc assero, Illibatis visceribus, Cuius cum perscrutauero, Modum hebetatus ero, Line 125 Retensis [Retunsis, Pr.] cunctis sensibus, Hoc fecit ruptis vsibus Et consuetudinibus Nature, pro me misero; Line 129 Vnde, ex infelicibus Me reputo hominibus, Si hec oblitus fuero. Line 132

De spiritu sancto fuit, Line 133 Quem uirgo deum genuit, De deo patre genitum, Quem deus carnem induit, Et vterum non horruit; Line 137 Licet sibi insolitum Iter [Ita, Pr.] fuit incognitum, Et nature absconditum, Quia fecit vt voluit: Line 141 Plus scrutari est irritum; Fides valet ad meritum; Et plus vltra non arguit. Line 144

Natus est temporaliter, Line 145 Qui natus eternaliter De deo patre fuerat. Ipso nato celeriter Factus est [et, Pr.] pius arbiter Line 149 Pro mundo qui perierat, Homo enim offenderat, [ [folio 105:2] ] Deum qui hunc creauerat; Et sic erat lis iugiter, Line 153 Vnde esse non poterat Quia homo qui peccauerat Non puniretur grauiter. Line 156

Ex maria, ergo, pium Line 157 Pacis traxit commercium, Noua reparans federa, Et reddens Arbitragium Se [Sed, Pr.] ad patris arbitrium Line 161 Obtulit, propter scelera, Mundi beata viscera Huius matris, et vbera, Suum-que puerperium. Line 165 Felix ipsa puerpera, Seruiant ei sydera, Et totus grex fidelium. Line 168

Virgine ipsa firmiter Line 169 Seruante, et [Seruantque, Pr.] stabiliter Sancti pudoris lilium [filium, Pr.] Suum, Venus et Iupiter, Et totum celum pariter Line 173 Mirantur puerperium, Etas quoque viuencium, Et Iuuentus & senium, Line 176 De hoc stupent perhenniter. 'Miror,' dicit, 'ingenium, Et virginem et filium Hic studerem inaniter.' Line 180

Passus est ipse filius, Line 181 Licet peccati nescius, Penas & contumelias, Factus-que est propicius, Qui ferus fuerat prius. Line 185 Iam expertus miserias, Nunquam inuentus alias, Fuit pater-familias, Qui contulerit plenius Line 189 Suas misericordias [folio 105:3] Pro suis, & angustias Sustinuerit durius. Line 192

Line 192

Sub, qui supra est, ponitur, Line 193 Et subdito subicitur, [subijcitur, Pr.] Rex celorum altissimus Coram iudice ducitur, Et iudicio sistitur, Line 197 Qui Iudex est equissimus, Superior sit infimus, Et virorum nouissimus, A suis-que relinquitur, Line 201 De maximo fit minimus, Et licet sit sanctissimus, Reus mortis condicitur; Line 204

Poncio Pilato, Feram, Line 205 Ferente et mortiferam Contra ipsum sentenciam. In cruce manum dexteram Affigendam, et alteram Line 209 Extendit in angariam; Tunc secundum Ieremiam [Hieruniam. Pr.] Transeuntibus per viam, Potuit suam asperam Line 213 Monstrare contumeliam, Illatam per inuidiam, Cum nil egisset perperam. Line 216

Crucifixus ille fuit, Line 217 Et soluit quod non rapuit, Dans animam in precium. Sua pena non latuit, Sanguis fluens edocuit, Line 221 Et latus suum peruium, Anime-que diuorcium. Quantum graue supplicium Pro homine sustinuit! Line 225 Suum quoque obprobrium Factum oculis omnium, Euidenter hoc innuit. Line 228

Mortuus est, eum tradidit [ [folio 105:4] ] Line 229 Deo patri, et reddidit, Fuso sanguine, spiritum. Moriens, artem condidit, Qua sibi mortem subdidit, Line 233 Sibi tollens ius solitum, Hostis per hanc depositum Quod tenebat ad libitum. Confusus totum perdidit, Line 237 Infernus-que dans gemitum, Videns suorum exitum, Sibi dolorem addidit. Line 240

Et ideo dum moritur, Line 241 Et dum per hoc reuiuitur, Fletus miscetur gaudio, Pro morte fletus oritur, Cum innocens occiditur, Line 245 Pro alieno vicio. Fit autem exultacio, Cum mentali tripudio, Line 248 Dum per mortem mors vincitur Pio tamen arbitrio Videtur-que compassio Satis in plus intenditur. Line 252

Sepultus est per triduum, Line 253 Vsu sopito sensuum, Sicut mortui seculi, Suum erat irriguum, Exhaustum atque arcuum; Line 257 Exhausti omnes riuuli, Deleti erant tituli Visu wlgaris [vulgaris, Pr.] oculi. Vincisse fuisse suum, Line 261 Fuisse caput Anguli, Ductor uel rector populi, Aut deus exercituum. Line 264

Descendit eius anima, Line 265 Corporis sancta victima, Relicta in sudario, Ad acherontis infima [folio 106:1] Venit pro dragina decima, Line 269 Longo perdita senio, Non illa que de gaudio Lapsa est a principio Ad inferni nouissima. Line 273 Sed illa procul dubio, Que, in primo pomerio, Rapta est fraude pessima. Line 276

Ad inferna, cum lumine Line 277 Veniens, & in numine, Genus Adam visitauit, A baratri voragine, Desentos [? Descensos.] in caligine, Line 281 Suos omnes liberauit, Ille hostem tunc mactauit, Et mactatum spoliauit Sua consuetudine. Line 285 Ne furiat in quos pauit Sicut prius, et quos lauit, Fuso corporis sanguine. Line 288

Line 288

Tercia die redijt, Line 289 Et tempus non preterijt, Datum ante diuorcium. Regrediens, introijt Potenter vnde exijt Line 293 Corporis domicilium, Lapis magnus ad hostium [ostium . . . ostiarium, Pr,] Datus in hostiarium [ostium . . . ostiarium, Pr,] Hunc ingressum non [Egressum suum, Pr.] nescijt, Custodum-que astancium Sellercia [Sollentia, Pr.] et studium Percipere non nequijt. Line 300

Resurrexit a mortuis, Line 301 Resumptis viribus suis, Vltra morti non subditus, Clausis venis irriguis Et tersis plagis profluis, Line 305 Impassibilis penitus, Vita sibi est habitus, [folio 106:2] Priuacio interitus, Realteratis mutuis. Line 309 Thome testis est digitus, Vulneribus appositus, Ex iussu, clausis Ianuis. Line 312

Ascendit supra sydera, Line 313 Et supra celi supera, Rediens de incolatu, Transeundo per aera, Findens redemptis ethera Line 317 Potentyssimo volatu. Tunc Rachel, cum apparatu [On margin: Rachel interpretata, vidua domini, & signat cecum . . qui in morte [? MS.] slantes dicit ysaias [xxxiii. 7] 'Angeli pacis a[mare] flebunt.' In assensu eius [? MS.]] Leticie, & ornatu, Exiens sua camera, Line 321 Obuiam terso ploratu, Mutato-que eiulatv, Ei venit hymnifera. Line 324

Ad celos, sic quando fuit Line 325 Regressus, et rehabuit Honoris primi solium, Quando vnitam statuit, Carnem nostram et posuit, Line 329 Caput esse celestium; Tunc homo in exilium Datus, & in obprobrium, Luctum tergere debuit, Line 333 Et relevare cilium Demissum propter vicium, Regraciando potuit. Line 336

Sedet ad dexteram Dei Line 337 Patris, cocqualis ei, Hominem sic magnificans, Tempus sui Iubilei Cognoscens, et requiei. Line 341 Plus se penis non implicans, Modus suus est indicans Quod Iam iudex sit iudicans, Ne presumant nimis rei. Line 345 Quodque [Neque, Pr.] deuotus supplicans, [ [folio 106:3] ] Cicius-que ius vindicans. [vendicans, Pr.] Impetrat premia spei. Line 348

Omnipotentis filium Line 349 Potencie non nescium, Hunc anima mea credit; Et si quid est contrarium Potencie vel obuium, Line 353 Huic inesse non concedit, Imbecillis si accedit, Ad eum nunquam recedit, Non reportans auxilium. Line 357 Totum posse suo cedit. Deus pater, sibi dedit Regni celi dominium. Line 360

Inde venturus, In fine, Line 361 Cum ferula discipline Et vlcionis gladio, Eductis tecto vagine Pro iusticie diuine Line 365 Exercendo iudicio. Tunc disiuncte reunio Hominum et reiunctio [MS. ieiunctio. reiunctio, Pr.] Erit substancie bine Line 369 Omnium [Omnium, Pr.] que ostensio Actuum et operacio [apertio, Pr.] Absque tegmine cortine. Line 372

Iudicare cum veniet, Line 373 Nullus eum effugiet, Nec habebit diffugium. Nullus ibi excipiet, Neque deffendere sciet Line 377 Se per declinatorium; Nichil tunc dilatorium Omnium appellancium Valebit uel proficiet Line 381 Immo secundum proprium Opus uel exercitum [folio 106:4] Vnusquisque recipiet. Line 384

Line 384

Viuos & mortuos scio Line 385 Dissimuli stipendio [dispendio, Pr.] Illa die premiari, Quosdam eterno gaudio, Alios-que incendio Line 389 Infernali numerari; Viuos se poterunt fari, Et de vita gloriari, Quorum erit vocacio; Line 393 Mortui-que nominari Poterunt, et appellari, Quorum erit expulsio. Line 396

Credo, cum precedentibus, Line 397 Et cum predictis omnibus, Quosdam adhuc articulos, Quos in mundi campestribus Totis anime viribus Line 401 Colligo ut manipulos, Fidei namque flosculos, Hos sicut et preambulos, Cognosco ex coloribus, Line 405 Ad ipsos habens oculos, Vt discurram per singulos, Non exceptis aliquibus. Line 408

In spiritum sanctum credo, Line 409 Licet fex sim, et putredo, Et vilis esca vermium. Ipse patris est dulcedo, Est filij, & [atque, Pr.] mulcedo; Line 413 Et consolator cordium, Dicere potest omnium. Artifex sum per [et, Pr.] proprium, Patre nato-que procedo; Line 417 Digitus sum errancium, Tercia persona trium, Procedens, nunquam recedo.

Sanctam ecclesiam dei Line 421 Credo esse matrem mei, [folio 107:1] Cunctorum-que fidelium. Qui contrariantur ei, Facti sunt omnino rei; Line 425 Erit eis opprobrium. Pro hac, quondam martirium Passi sunt, et supplicium Boni athlete fidei; Line 429 Cruentatum vestigium, Et Roma, caput gencium, Testes fiunt huius rei. Line 432

Catholicam, hanc clamito, Line 433 Et refertam recogito Septem medicinalibus, Distinctis quasi digito, Ad succurrendum perdito Line 437 In distinctis langoribus, [languoribus, Pr.] Primum originalibus, Medelam confert omnibus, Alia que non hesito, Line 441 Dant diuersis respectibus Curam infirmitatibus, Seruato modo debito. Line 444

Sanctorum communionem Line 445 Et glorificacionem In celesti ecclesia, Credo per assercionem Et per affirmaciouem Line 449 Omnis honorans [Omnes adorans, Pr.] dulia, Aliquos yperdulia, Solum deum-que latria, Ponendo dictinccionem, Line 453 Satis sperans de venia, Si sua patrocinia Pro me prestent [prestent, Pr.] caucionem. Line 456

Remissionem fieri, Line 457 Peccatorum, ut reperi, Credo per penitenciam, Per naaman, hoc suggeri, [folio 107:2] In agro regum veteri, Line 461 Dico ad euidenciam, Nam sicut hic mundiciam In aquis, et carenciam Lepre, ut caro pueri, Line 465 Recepit: sic per gratiam, Penitens, reuertenciam Habet a porta inferi. Line 468

Peccatorum sic maculas, Line 469 Et spirituales pustulas, Assero purificari; Aliter has vt stipulas, Ad infernales foculas, [faculas, Pr.] Line 473 Omnes dico destinari, Perhenniter has versari, In Iehenna [iehenna Pr.] et cremari, Et spinarum sarcinulas, Line 477 Ex ipsis quoque parari, Hosti qui nunquam predari, Sicut sorbiciunculas. Line 480

Line 480

Carnis resurrectionem, Line 481 Atque reconuiccionem Iuncturarum et ossium Post vite reunionem, Ad reddendam racionem Line 485 Fateor ad iudicium, Ad consequendum premium, Per actum meritorium, Atque retribricionem Line 489 Habendum, vel supplicium Per commissum contrarium Atque condempnacionem. Line 492

Vitam eternam firmiter Line 493 Credo, et hanc finaliter Dico metam [metham, Pr.] incolatus, Felix qui vadit taliter, Qui non perdit suum [Qui suum non perdit, Pr.] iter, Line 497 Sanctus quoque, et beatus Ibi omnis collocatus, [folio 107:3] Vere est glorificatus, Et Iam viuit feliciter, Line 501 Cunctus ibi sit paratus, Glorie locus, et datus Sine fine perhenniter. Line 504

Amen, corde dicens ergo, Line 505 Volo ego aui mergo, Dissimilis non fiery; [fieri, Pr.] Nam si nimis me immergo, Vel profunde nimis pergo, Line 509 Vadens ad portas inferi. Si errans vmbra [vmbras, Pr.] vesperi Laberintho, ut pueri, Ad leuam me nimis vergo Line 513 Tuto volo itineri, Redire cursu celeri, Respicere-que a tergo. [86 French lines (to Lydgate's 152) follow on Foillet xxiiij before the 2nd Latin poem begins.] Line 516

[The Pilgrim.]

Wyth thys skryppe whan I was bounde, Line 7037 Glad I was, & ful Jocounde; And than I gan a-noon enquere, Prayede she wolde vn-to me lere. Line 7040 (Lyst that ther wer any lak) Off the gyrdel that she off spak, That I myghte vnderstonde aryht The thyng that she hadde me behyht. Line 7044

Grace dieu:

Quod Grace dieu, 'touchyng al thys, [prose cap civ] Off thy gyrdel & my promys, Thow sholdest (off good entencioun) ffyrst yaxyd [[have askt, y axede St.]] A Bordoun, Line 7048 The to sustenë nyht & day, And supporte the on thy way Wherso that thow go [[goo St.]] or walke. And affter, I caste me to talke Line 7052 With the, and pleynly ek expresse Off the gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse.

'But ffyrst tak hed off the Bordoun, [folio 108a] How yt ys good in ech sesoun, Line 7056 ffor he nat falleth [[ffaylleth St.]] comounly That leneth ther on stedefastly. ffor wych thow shalt (as yt ys ryht,) With al thy fforce & al thy myght, Line 7060 Ther-on reste, what so be-falle. And trewly thow shalt nat falle, What perillous passage that thow go, As longe as thow takest hed ther-to, [Stowe folio 128a] Line 7064 And, tavoyde [[to avoyde St.]] away dyspeyr, Wherso thow gost in foul or ffayr, Or what fortunë the be-falle. "Good hope" alway thow shalt yt calle: Line 7068 Thys the name off thy Bordoun, Off trust & trewe affeccïoun, Wych ys callyd Esperaunce, Affter the speche vsyd in fraunce, Line 7072 And the maner off that languáge. [[langage St.]]

'And looke alway, in thy passáge, That thow holde the wel ther-by, And ther-on restë feythfully Line 7076 In peryllous pathys wher thow wende. And by the pomellys at the Ende, Holde the strongly, I the rede, ffor they shal, in al thy nede Line 7080 Sustenë the, thow [[that thou]] fallë nouht,

'The hiher pomel (yiff yt be souht) [prose cap cv] Ys ihesu cryst: haue hym in mynde; And in scrypture (as thow shalt fynde.) Line 7084 He ys the morour [[Merour St.]] cler & bryht, With-outë spot, (bothe day & nyht,) In the wyche, a man, by grace, [Sapicncie vij^o. Speculum sine macula. St., om. C.] May beholde hys ownë fface, Line 7088 In wych merour (as I tolde) [folio 108b] Al the world ouhtë be-holde. In wych also men may fynde Allë thynges wrouht be kynde. Line 7092 Reste vp-on hym with herte and thouht, And go surly, & dred the nouht;

And to hys helpë alway calle, Line 7095 And trustë wel thow shalt nat falle. [Stowe folio 128b]

'The tother pomel lowere [[lower St.]] doun, [prose cap cvi] Wych (with-oute comparisoun, Yiff I shal the trouthë telle) Ys the Mayde that doth excelle Line 7100 Al other off bewte & bounte; ffor she, in hyr vyrgynyte, Bar a chyld in thys world here, Mayde & moder bothe yfere, Line 7104 The Charbouncle most cler off lyht, Chasynge away dyrknesse off nyht, And al thys world doth énlwmyne; The ffresshë bemys so clerly shyne. Line 7108 Al that go mys in ther passáge, Or erryn in ther pylgrymáge; Or ffolk that gon out off her way, (As wel be nyhtë as be day, Line 7112 I dar afferme yt in certeyn She maketh hem to resorte ageyn Vn-to the ryhtë weye a-noon: ffor to pylgrymës euerychon Line 7116 She ys the trewë Gyderesse; And ther socour in al dyrknesse; And yiff they slydre, or fallë doun, Thys Emperesse off most renoun, Line 7120 Only off mercy, doth hem releue, That no thyng ne may hem greue In ther passagë nyh nor ferre, For she ys the loodë sterre, Line 7124 With her bryhtë bemys clere, To al [[Tal C., Talle St.]] pylgrymes in thys lyff here, That han to hyre affectyoun. Line 7127

'And for that skyle, in thys bordoun, [folio 109a] [Stowe folio 129a] In thys pomel (yiff thow kanst knowe) She ys yset her doun alowe [[ysette . . alowe St., yset lowe C.]] By an Arche ymad off newe: No charbouncle so bryht off hewe, Line 7132 Nor noon other precyous ston, Rekne the .xij. [[twelvë]] euerychon.

'And in thys bordoun, lookë wel How she ys set for a pomel, Line 7136 Pylgrymes to saue, they [[that they]] be nat lorn, Wher-as ther was but On to-forn.

'But thys pomel most bryht & shene, Pylgrymës only to sustene, Line 7140 Ys set in ful goodely wyse; ffor ellys myghtë [[myghte yt St.]] nat suffyse The tother, but she wer ther also, Hem to supporte, wher-so they go. Line 7144 ffor she ys mene, (& that ful offte,) To the pomel hih a [[off St.]] -loffte: Thys to seyne, thys heuenely quene, To hyr sone ys euere a mene; Line 7148 Coumfort most princypal & cheff Tal [[To all. Tyl St.]] pylgrymes in ther myscheff, Hem to supporte, who taketh hede. Line 7151

'And therfore whan thou hauest [[haste St.]] nede, Trust on hyre, & neuere varye, ffor she ys most necessarye To holde [[To holde St., Tolde C.]] hem vp in ther passage, Wher they ben old or yong off age. Line 7156 Leue on hyre, what so befalle, & in thy way thow shalt nat falle, Yiff that thow in eche sesoun Haue in hyre affeccïoun, Line 7160 Thow mayst nat stomble nouther slydre [Stowe folio 129b] Whan thys pomellys ben to-gydre; She ys the pomel set mor lowe, By whose helpe, (as thow shalt knowe, [folio 109b] Line 7164 And as I shal the trewly teche,) To the hiher thow shalt wel reche; Bothë wrouht off Stonys clere: And yiff thow loue on bothe yfere, Line 7168 Thow mayst trust, thorgh ther myght, Thow shalt nat falle, but gon vp ryht.

'Wherfor, for thy sauacyoun, Hold the wel by thys Bordoun Line 7172 Wych ys mad ful stronge, to laste; And therfor, therby hold thé faste;

Trust on yt & nat ne feyne; ffor thys pomellys bothë tweyne Line 7176 Ben so noble and ffayr off syht, So glad, so coumfortable & bryht, And lyk thy [[the St.]] skryppe (I the ensure,) Thow shalt ffor ech haue a scrypture Line 7180 Yiff thow kanst hem vnderstond: Lo, haue hem here now in thyn hond; And consydre & loke hem wel: The ffyrst toucheth the pomel, Line 7184 Yset a-lofftë most cheffly; And the tother, wryt ther-by, (Shortly, for thow shalt nat tarye) Longeth to the Secoundarye. [[St.] Pater Creator Omnium [& cetera, whiche should folowe. [Stowe folio 109b] ]] Line 7188

I. A LATIN POEM ON GOD IN TRINITY. [[Not in St.]] (37 stanzas, of 12 lines each, ryming aab aabbb abba.)

p ater, creator omnium, [Another short hymn has the same title:

18. DE SANCTA TRINITATE.

Pater, creator omnium,donans cuncta per filium,accepta nostros genitusper dona sancti spiritusLine 4

O unitatis trinitaset trinitatis unitas!pro tuo sancto nomine,emunda nos a crimine!Line 8

Mundatos a criminibus,dona virtutum floribus,et in polorum sedibusfac jungi cum fidelibus.Line 12

Sit laus patri per sæcula,agnoque sine macula,atque sancto spiritui,quo mereamur perfrui. Amen!

Mone, Lateinische Hymnen des Mittelalters, i. 25 (1853).] Line 1 Origo et principium A quo causantur omnia, Ad te, tuarum ouium, Tuorum grex fidelium, Line 5 Alta mittit suspiria, In fletu et miseria, Captiuati per deuia, Non habemus remedium, Line 9 Nisi tua clemencia, Tua paterna gracia Nobis ferat auxilium. [folio 110a] Line 12

[A Gap for the first word of every stanza was left blank for the Rubricator to fill in; but he hasnt fild it. I therefore insert the words from the old printed book, ab. 1500.] Noster voluisti esse, Line 13 Ne nobis esset neccesse, Extra te quicquam querere Non poteras plus prodesse, Neque de maiori messe Line 17 Nobis vnquam tribuere; Solus debes sufficere, Quia solus reficere Potes mentes plebis fesse, Line 21 Aliud quam te temere; Auernus nam deficere Restat, si velis abesse. Line 24

Qvies Fuisti, et eris; Line 25 Pater, succurre miseris, Qui non manemus in idem, Idem ipse tu diceris, Qui nunquam permutaberis, Line 29 Manens semper in ibidem, [id idem.] Sicut hoc credimus quidem, Fac, pater, per istam fidem, Vt noxas nostri sceleris, Line 33 Dimittas nobis totidem, Quotiens promisit pridem, Redemptor nostri generis. Line 36

In celis sursum habitas, Line 37 Qui in terris nos visitas, Dominus exercituum, Si non feris aut excitas, Nos remissos non suscitas Line 41 Ad ullum opus strenuum, Ad volandum in arduum, Et altam messem fructuum, Alas habens irritas, Line 45 Laboramus in vacuum, Nec habemus irriguum, Nisi tua det bonitas. Line 48

Sanctificetur, dicimus, Line 49 Nomen tuum, quod colimus Et quod est ammirabile, [admirabile, Pr. [folio 110:2] ] Sine quo recognoscimus, Et audacter proferimus Line 53 Nil sanctum, nil valibile, [laudabile, Pr.] Sed cum non sit hoc facile Laudare, nec possibile Eo-que non sufficimus. Line 57 Tamen, prout optabile [pro vt est habile, Pr.] Cordibus est, & habile, [Cordibus et optabile, Pr.] Ad laudandum assurgimus. Line 60

Nomen tibi [tuum, Pr.] alpha & O, Line 61 Significans, in secreto, Finem atque principium, Tali decet alphabeto, Nos studere corde leto, Line 65 Leccio est credencium, Theologos hoc studium Nos facit et ad solium De mundi arundineto Line 69 Transfert, mutans in gaudium, Miserrimum naufragium Quod patimur in hoc ffreto. Line 72

Tuum pater est proprium, Line 73 Non annexum per alium, Misereri et parcere De te, suum tentorium Et suum diuersorium, Line 77 Debent filij facere Mortem non vis, sed viuere, Vis omnes qui conuertere Se volunt per suspirium. Line 81 Nunquam uis tuos perdere, Nec pullos milus tradere, Quorum tu es refugium. Line 84

Adueniat ergo deus, Line 85 Aliquando iubileus, Nobis datis exilio, Si quisquam nostrum est reus, Nec est ibi Machabeus, Line 89 Qui fortis sit in prelio, [ [folio 110:3] ] Non propter hoc intencio Tua sit ut nos gladio, Vastet, Golyath, Getheus, [Etheus, Pr.] Line 93 Semper enim in vinio [viuio, Pr.] Nobis nocet & [in, Pr.] inuio, Factus seon amorreus. Line 96

Regnum tuum, vt dicitur, Line 97 Rex eterne, vim patitur, Violenti [Et violenti, Pr.] hoc rapiunt, Virtutibus concutitur, Penitencia pellitur, Line 101 Preces illud effodiunt. Si ista non sufficiunt, Machinas multi faciunt; Quibus super ascenditur, Line 105 Nam quidam se subiciunt, [sufficiunt, Pr.] Votis quibus obediunt, Ars ista nunquam fallitur. Line 108

Fiat ergo per gratiam, Line 109 Quia talem violenciam Permíttís illuc intremus, Et murorum custodiam, Non des ad resistenciam Line 113 Quia nichil tunc possemus, Artem nec vires habemus, Vt per horam solam [Et . . . solum, Pr.] stemus, Nisi tu des constanciam, Line 117 Retrocedere solemus, Quando adire debemus Illud regnum et patríam. Line 120

Line 120

Voluntas tua saluare Line 121 Est homines, [hominis, Pr.] et iuuare In tribulacionibus; A mari usque ad mare, Vnire et congregare Line 125 Cunctos de nacionibus, Debiles cum pauperibus, Preparatis iam omnibus Ad cenam tuam vocare, [ [folio 110:4] ] Line 129 Pusillis cum maioribus, In oportunitatibus Auxilium ministrare. Line 132

Sicut, pater, hoc credimus, Line 133 Sicut de hoc confidimus, Sic nobis auxiliaris, Aliunde non querimus Auxilium, nec petimus, Line 137 Quia solus tu mederis, Si non aliquando feris Pro nostris culpis et teris. Non propter hoc diffidimus, Line 141 Scimus enim quia geris Curam nostri, et nos [nostri nosque, Pr.] queris Quando a te [A te quando, Pr.] recedimus. Line 144

In celo, supra spericam Line 145 Rotantis mundi fabricam, Immobilis dominaris, Sedem tenens teatricam, [thearicam, Pr.] Aciem tuam bellicam, Line 149 De excelso contemplaris; Nos eccitas, nos hortaris, Vt sit toga militaris, Prius tincta per rubricam, Line 153 Quam hostis familiaris Nobis tollat tuis caris Innocencie tunicam. Line 156

Et quia, sine viribus Line 157 Et armis spiritalibus, Accessimus ad duellum, Quia, nullis verberibus Domatum, uel calcaribus, Line 161 Sentimus carnis asellum. Ideo, sanctum scabellum, Quo stas, ad videndum bellum, Adoramus cum fletibus, [flacibus, C.] Et ipsummet domicellum Per ydoneum flagellum, Line 167 Subicias supplicibus. [folio 111a]

In terra, nos te colonum, Line 169 Et in celo te patronum [[? MS.]] Animarum cognoscimus, Et te [te, Pr., om. C.] deum ulcionum Esse, et punicionum Line 173 In inferno metuimus. Et ideo requirimus, Et devote assistimus Line 176 Ante tuum sanctum thronum; Vt nobis, qui peccauimus, Sis, vt de te presumimus, Memor miseracionum. Line 180

Panem nostrum In sudore Line 181 Vescendum, et in labore, Dedisti a principio, Vsque modo tali more Ipso mixto cum merore, [tali more, Pr.] Line 185 Nostra fuit refectio; Sed, ne esset fastidio, Prouidisti de alio, Longe satis meliore; Line 189 Hoc est, de tuo filio, In quem panis conuersio Fit, ipso institutore. Line 192

Quotidianum petimus Line 193 Hunc panem, et requirimus, Cotidie indigentes, Primum exactor proximus Secundum petit animus; Line 197 Sine ipso morientes, Primo uiuunt omnes gentes, Sed secundo penitentes Quia panis est azimus, Line 201 Ideo, accipientes Omni fermento carentes, Debent esse, [Esse debent, Pr.] vt credimus. Line 204

Da panem istum, domine, Line 205 Vtrumque qui pro homine, Vtroque fuit pensatus, [[111/2]] Sustentet moderamine, Vnus vnum, sed minime Line 209 Fiet alter saciatus, Si in nobis sit reatus, [[? MS.]] Per quem nobis sis iratus. Non propter hoc in turbine, Line 213 Vindicte sis recordatus; Sed memor sis, quod nos natus Tuus redemit sanguine. Line 216

Line 216

Nobis tuis pauperibus Line 217 In lacum descendentibus, Succurrere non renuit. Nam mactatus verberibus, Et perfossus [confossus, Pr.] vulneribus, Line 221 Pro nobis mori voluit, Et [Et ex, Pr.] proprijs se exuit, Et soluit quod non rapuit, Obses pro peccatoribus, Line 225 Mors sua nostram diluit, Set [Sed, Pr.] penitere debuit Pro tam caris operibus. Line 228

Hodie et cotidie, Line 229 Simili vena Venie, Egeremus hunc minui, Nisi sue tam nimie Riui misericordie Line 233 Nostro cederent vsui Per ipsos enim ablui, Credimus qui assidui Sumus culpis nequicie, Line 237 Supposito-que fletui, Debito que gemitui, Nos demus voluntarie. Line 240

Et quia digne lugere Line 241 Non possumus, neque flere, Si exigunt demerita, Nec habemus quo supplere Nisi solum miserere, Line 245 Quia non valent merita, Nostra quoque sunt irrita [[111/3]] Anima nostra perdita; Ideo clamamus vere, [[? MS.]] Line 249 Respice nos, et visita, Et erige & suscita, [[? MS.]] Non nos sinens plus iacere. Line 252

Dimitte nobis, & quita Line 253 Peccata, pater, oblita; Et dele de libro tuo Illa autem que sunt scita. Lamentari nos fac [fac nos, Pr.] ita Line 257 Ne scribantur perpetuo. Non sunt vnum, non sunt duo, Nec numeranda biduo; [triduo, Pr.] Sed sunt quasi infinita, Line 261 Non habita ex mutuo, Neque facta in triduo, Sed in tota nostra vita. [vita nostra, Pr.] Line 264

Debita ipsa nouimus, Line 265 Nam pro peccatis tradimus [dedimus, Pr.] Animas in obsidium. Penes nos non habuimus, Nec in domo inuenimus Line 269 Vllum carius vadium. Deus, nostrum refugium, Tu, nosti vsurarium, Cui nos obligauimus, Line 273 Nisi feras auxilium, Vel eum cogas nimium, Totum nostrum amisimus. Line 276

Nostra esse hec debita Line 277 Propter que sic est subdita Anima vsurario, Non negamus, ne irrita, Et tibi ingratuita Line 281 Esset illa negacio. Talis tamen confessio Nunquam dicit sufficio, Neque tibi sit placita Line 285 Nisi feruens deuocio Et amara contricio [folio 111:4] Dicat fleo deperdita. Line 288

Sicut ergo debitores Line 289 Et miseri peccatores, Egemus indulgencia; Sic quoque condonatores Rancoris, et quittatores, Line 293 Volumus vti venia; In tua namque curia, Rancor et iracundia Non sunt boni petitores. Line 297 Nam vindicte pro gracia Et pro misericordia Noscuntur reportatores. Line 300

Et Ideo indulgemus Line 301 Iniurias, vt vellemus Eas nobis indulgeri. Nil rancoris retinemus In cordibus, nec habemus Line 305 Quod non sit amoris veri. Si fuimus nimis feri, Et ad indulgendum seri, Et vltores si possemus, Line 309 Nostri velis misereri, Et cordibus sic mederi, Vt in charitate stemus. Line 312

Line 312

Nos scimus quod non aliter [taliter, Pr.] Nostre preces vtiliter Ascendunt ad te, domine. Credimus quoque firmiter Quod ascendunt velociter Line 317 Si sint sine rubigine, Si lacrimarum flumine, Corda cum penitudine Lauentur efficaciter, Line 321 Et munda mens a crimine, Vt vis valet in homine, Te requirat humiliter. Line 324

Dimittimus, si corditus Line 325 Cunctis dicamus penitus, Hoc totum ualet supplere, [ [folio 112a] ] Si spiritus paraclitus, Dextere tue digitus, [[? MS.]] Line 329 Ad hoc velit nos docere. Sine ipso, nunquam vere Iniurias indulgere Potest arrogans spiritus; Line 333 Nam nimis credens valere, Admodum cornute fere, Monstrat quod sit indomitus.

Debitoribus ideo, Line 337 Quandoque nimis ferreo Corde, dat indulgenciam, Dicens, satis indulgeo, Et satis supersedeo, Line 341 Vsque in horam aliam; Sed tu hanc [hanc tu, Pr.] fraudulentiam Deus nunquam ad veniam Conuertis vel das pro eo. Line 345 Immo, ad iracundiam, Te, per equipollenciam, Prouocatum, reddis reo. Line 348

Nostris igitur mentibus, Line 349 Induratis et rudibus, Tria sunt necessaria, De commissis reatibus, Atque iniquitatibus Line 353 Crebra reminiscencia; Frequenter pati tristia, Cum pena et angaria [angustia, Pr.] Et cum infirmitatibus, Line 357 Sancti spiritus gracia, De cella vnguentaria Fundens amorem cordibus. Line 360

Et ideo, te et illum Line 361 Qui rubricatum vexillum Gerit, et arma rubea, Qui mare facit tranquillum, Et nostrum portat sigillum [ [folio 112:2] ] Line 365 Exaratum a lancea, [[? MS.]] Qui veste rectus lutea Strauit in sua area Infernalem cocodrillum Line 369 Petimus, vt sic ferrea Corda franguntur per ea Que sunt pretacta paxillum, [pauxillum, Pr.]

Ne nos inducas eciam Line 373 In festinam sentenciam Quia cito periremus, Expecta nos per graciam, Et per tuam clemenciam Line 377 Et differ, [Differa, Pr.] vt emendemus; In mundo nihil habemus Nisi vt nosmet aptemus Ad intrandum in gloriam; Line 381 Sed caro, in qua manemus, Nos ducit vt deuiemus Per uiam nimis inuiam. Line 384

In temptacionem ruit, Line 385 Et labitur atque fluit, Licet longe sit temptator. Nunquam facit quod congruit, Sed bonum omne destruit Line 389 Quod construit habitator. Deus, omnium creator, Tu, pro nobis, sis pugnator, Sicut nostra spes [spes nostra, Pr.] arguit; Line 393 Et carnis sis sic domator, Vt eius sit triumphator Spiritus qui succubuit. Line 396

Sed vnum adhuc petere Line 397 Volumus, et requirere, Vt ille, hoste domato, Spiritus se [Se spiritus, Pr.] extollere Nequet vel erigere Line 401 Quasi a se [A se quasi, Pr.] subiugato. Nam habemus pro probato [ [folio 112:3] ] Quod, quisquid dixerit plato, Nil a se potest facere. [[? MS.]] Immo, abs te increato, Et a flamine et nato, Totum habet procedere. Line 408

Line 408

Libera nos, ergo, deus, Line 409 Tu ac tuus Nazareus, [[? MS.]] Cum proprio spiramine. Vnus [? MS. vnum.] estis, sed iudeus Non credit quod galileus Line 413 Conceptus sine semine Sit, seu natus de virgine, Siue passus pro homine: Et in hoc sit ipse reus. Line 417 Plus credit in velamine, Littereque in lumine [[?]] Factus ciuis tartareus. Line 420

A malo hoc et [atque, Pr.] alijs Line 421 Tuis deus subsidijs, Conserua nos, & deffende, Extrahe [Et extrahe, Pr.] nos de vicijs, Releuans [Nos releuans, Pr.] de miserijs; Line 425 Et benignum te ostende, Cuique [Cui, Pr.] nostrum dic 'ascende; Veni mecum pro habende Vite eterne gaudijs.' Line 429 Tales tue sunt prebende, Nullatenus concedende Nisi tuis famulijs. [optimis famulis, Pr.] Line 432

Amen, pater, [amen, Pr.] concludimus, Line 433 Quia finem de nouimus [[?]] De via reuertencium. Locum ad quem nos tendimus, Et in quo nos quiescimus Line 437 Post laboris stipendium, [dispendium, Pr.] Tu nobis sis solacium, Et corona et premium, Quia in te sperauimus, Line 441 Confirmans vaticinium [[112/4]] Dauid per priuilegium, In domum suam ibimus. [Pr. adds 'Amen.'] Line 444

II. A LATIN HYMN TO THE VIRGIN MARY. (14 stanzas of 12 lines each, ryming aab aabbb abba.)

Ave reclinatorium [[MS. torn]] Line 1 Et propiciatorium, Et captiui spes populi, Data in diuersorium Reis, et in refugium, Line 5 Et in locum latibuli, Que patris ade vetuli, Et damnatricis seculi Eue, ue damnatorium, Line 9 Pro quodam morsu pomuli Aspecti visu reguli, Commutasti in gaudium. Line 12

Maria, apto nomine, Line 13 Presagio, non omine, Diceris ab infancia; Que in noctis caligine, Pro viarum discrimine, Line 17 Polo mundi sis media, Vt gens, per mare deuia, Ad te, sua vestigia Dirigat viso lumine, Line 21 Et a circumferencia, Pro impetranda gracia, Circumderis in cardine. Line 24

Gratia tu efficeris Line 25 Directiuum itineris Norma [Forma, Pr.] vite rectissima. In orbibus stelligeris Noue legis et veteris, Line 29 Stellarum splendidissima, In prosperis humilima, In aduersis [asperis, Pr.] fortissima, Semper astans pro miseris, Line 33 Electarum dignissima, Tam corpore quam anima, In inferis & superis. [folio 113a]

Plena est tua ydria, Line 37 Hausta, celesti gracia, Puteo sancti spiritus. Si pulseris instancia Precum, res est notoria, Line 41 Quod effundes [effundens, Pr.] et strepitus Deprecantis, sollicitus Obtinebit ut penitus. Deorsum stillicidia Line 45 Mittas; nec sit prohibitus Camelorum exercitus Portans peccata grauia. Line 48

Line 48

Dominus, ad hoc prouida, Line 49 Te repleuit vt placida Refundendi sis feruida, Quia sicut in yride. [ydria, Pr.] Signum nubis est roride. Line 53 Sic tu, plena et grauida, Signum habes que rorida. Compassiue et fluida. Sis, tue genti languide Line 57 Quousque anima morbida, Et tua siti arida, Per te respiret valide. Line 60

Tecum a puericia, Line 61 Virgo dulcis, clemencia, Creuit, et miseracio; Sic creuit-que celestia Transcendens aula regia, Line 65 Dei sedes [sedet] in solio. Nulla vnquam plantacio Fuit, uel educacio Reis sic necessaria; Line 69 Nam licet sit collectio Eius semper dispendio Caret, et decrescencia. Line 72

Benedicta propterea Line 73 Omni loco et platea [folio 113:2] Dicaris ab hominibus, Quia per hoc est flaminea Cherubin dira rumphea Line 77 Amota suis passibus, Introitus exulibus Patet, et viatoribus. Via celi est lactea, Line 81 Que solebat volentibus Intrare regnum omnibus Esse sanguine rubea. Line 84

Tu es lapsi spes hominis, Line 85 Que non dees nec desinis Misereri in seculum. Tu, diuine imaginis, Et eterni es luminis Line 89 Beatum receptaculum; Tu, languidis vehiculum Et miseris latibulum, Sub cuius vmbra tegminis, Line 93 Pauper querit vmbraculum, Et reus diuerticulum Ab incursu formidinis. Line 96

In mulieribus tu es Line 97 Vnica, que restitues Hereditatem perditam, Que de peccato argues Mundum, sed nulli renues Line 101 Gratiam tuam solitam; Immo cunctis gratuitam Ipsam dabis, et placitam. Quia semper hac afflues, Line 105 Et licet quis per orbitam Tortam vadet, et vetidam, [vetitam, Pr.] Eum cito non obrues. Line 108

Et si dicatur verius Line 109 Pro reis, et salubrius Ipsos errantes dirigis, Ipsos lapsos [Lapsos ipsos, Pr.] inferius, Line 112 Et iacentes diutius [folio 113:3] Quam oporteret erigis, Et quandoque hos corrigis, Ne manus mundi remigis Aliquid agat durius, Line 117 Signum est quod hos diligis, Et non dormis nec negligis, Ne cedant in deterius. Line 120

Benedictus in seculum Line 121 Sit ille, per quem titulum Talem habes in seculo, Christus, qui tui clausulum Vteri sui [suum, Pr.] baiulum Line 125 Fecit firmato pessulo. Qui, moriens pro populo. Se dedit in patibulo Opprobij spectaculum; Line 129 Et, superato Zabulo, Fracto-que suo baculo, Se suis dat in pabulum. Line 132

Fructus est comestibilis, Line 133 Comedentibus vtilis, Dulcis anime gustui, Nature ammirabilis, [admirabilis, Pr.] Arti indoctrinabilis, Line 137 Stupendus intellectui, Inusitatus vsui, Vetito quondam fructui; In omnibus dissimilis Line 141 Solummodo auditui, Et non alteri sensui Fide comprehensibilis. Line 144

Line 144

Ventris tui in ortulo, Line 145 Ornato flore primulo, Iste fructus colligitur; Sed, ut vultus in speculo Representatur oculo, Line 149 Et speculum non leditur, Sic dum [is, Pr.] a te recipitur, [[113/4]] Dum manet; dum egreditur, Hoc sit illeso claustrulo: Line 153 Nulla via relinquitur, Nil suspectum admittitur; Fructum habes cum flosculo.

Amen dicit et asserit, [[Fo. xxviij]] Qui tuas laudes aperit, Et te recte magnificat, Qui devote se ingerit Ad laudandum vt sciuerit, Line 161 Et ad uitem [mentem, Pr.] te applicat. Qui aliter se implicat, Et tuas laudes abdicat, Hic viam bonam [bonam viam, Pr.] deserit; Line 165 Ille tibi preiudicat, Ille in fide claudicat; Saluus esse non poterit. Line 168

[The Pilgrim.]

[The 44 French lines following are given for Comparison with Lydgate's 82 English lines 7189-7270:—

A Pres, entre les mains me mist [Le pelerin] Line 7189 Le bourdon, dont grant ioye me fist,Car tresbien prest estre cuidoyeLine 7192-3 De me mestre tout a la voye;Mais non estoie; car lors me dist:

OR est le point, comme tay dit, [grace dieu] Line 7199 Que te tiengne mon conuenantDe ce que tay promis deuantEt aussi de ce mas requis,Pour la parolle que te dis,Cest, destre de iustice ceincts,Line 7204-5 Pour bien estraindre fort les reins.Line 7207 De bien aler nul na pouoir,Line 7209-10 Sil nest bien ceinct et bien estroit.Pour ce, te dis que te ceindroieLine 7212-14 Tout premierement que la voyeTu te misses; mais que ton greBien y fust, et ta volente.Line 7216 Or en dy ce que tu voulras.Line 7218 ¶ A refuser (dis ie) nest pas [Le pelerin] Line 7219-21 Tel chose, ie la vous requier.Line 7224 ¶ Or fault, dist elle, tout premier, [grace dieu] Line 7225 Que tu soies arme de tous poincts;Et quau dessoulz soit le proupoins;Line 7230-2 Et puis fermement seres ceinctSur les armes, et bien estrainct.Line 7234 ¶ Arme, dis ie; que dictes vous? [Le pelerin] Line 7237 Au cueur me donnez grant courroux.Line 7241 Armey cheminer ne pourroie;Armes porter ie ne sauroye;Armes ie ne pourroie trouuer;Ceincture souffist a porter.Line 7246-8 ¶ Adonc en sa courtine entra,Line 7249 Et pour y entrer mappela.Line 7252-3 ¶ Or regarde, dist elle hault, [grace dieu] Line 7254 A ceste perche ne te faultLine 7255 Pour chercher armes loing aler;Line 7256-7 Assez en voys pour bien tarmer;La sont heaulmes et gambesons,Line 7259-60 Gorgerettes et haubergeons,Targes, et quanque faillir peutLine 7263 A cil quil desfendre se veult.¶ Qui est, dis ie, qui massauldra, [Le pelerin] Line 7267-8 De qui desfendre me faulra?

] Affter, (shortly to expresse) [prose cap cvii] Line 7189 Gracë dieu, off hir goodnesse, Off the skryppe and the bordoun [Stowe folio 130a] Putte me in pocessïoun; Line 7192 And I thouhte a-noon ryht tho That I was redy for to go Vp-on my way, but trew(ë)ly I ne was no thyng redy, Line 7196 Lyk as I wende; ffor vn-to me Ther as I stood, ryht thus sayde she.

Grace dieu sayd [[In Jn. Stowe's hand. The Stowe MS. has it.]]

'The tyme ys good and couenáble (As I ha sayd), and acceptáble, Line 7200 That I my promys and my graunt, [folio 114a] Holde vn-to thé, & my couenaunt, As I be-hihte: tak hed her-to. And thow requeryst yt also, Line 7204 To be gyrt (for sykernesse) With a gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse,

'Thy reynys strongly for to streyne, fflesshly lustys to refreyne. [[Restreyne St.]] Line 7208

'No man hath power (trustë me) ffor to gon at liberte, But he be gyrt ryht myghtyly. Therfor, (off purpos feythfully), Line 7212 The tassure in wele and wo, I wyl the gyrde, or that thow go, So that thow (in thyn entente) Off fre wyl lyst to assente, Line 7216 To be thus gyrt; and ellys nouht, Now sey, as lyth ryht in thy thouht.'

The pilgrime: [[In Jn. Stowe's hand. The St. MS. has it, [folio 130b] ]]

"Ma dame," quod I in lowly wyse, "Al that euere ye deuyse, Line 7220 I wyl ther-off no thyng refuse, Nor ther-vp-on no lenger muse; But off thys thyng, with al my myght I yow requere off verray ryht." Line 7224

Grace dieu: [[In Jn. Stowe's hand.]]

'ffyrst, to make thy syluen strong, To be myghty a-geyn al wrong, Yt be-houeth, in thy diffence, ffor to makë resistence, Line 7228 That thow hauë strong armure. And ffyrst, (thy syluen to assure,) Next thy body shal be set A purpoynt or a doublet, Line 7232 On wych thow shalt fful myghtyly Be gyrt and streyned ryht strongly

'With a gyrdel off Ryhtwysnesse, [folio 114b] Ther-on thyn armure for to dresse.' Line 7236

The pylgrym.

"Certys," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se, Yt wer contrarye vn-to me To gon armyd in my vyáge; Yt woldë lette my pylgrymáge, [Stowe folio 131a] Line 7240 And don to me ful gret grevaunce; [Non habebebat vsum Armorum.] ffor I hadde neuere yet vsaunce Nor in custom, trustë me, Al my lyue, armyd to be: Line 7244 I knewe [[knowe St.]] ther-off nothyng the guyse. To me yt doth ynouh suffyse, To be gyrt (in sothfastnesse) With a gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse." Line 7248

But than thys lady off gret uertu, [prose cap cix] Wych ys callyd Grace Dieu, In-ta chaumbre ful secre Entrede; and than she callyd me. Line 7252

Grace Dieu: [[St., Kom ner quod she C.]]

"Kom ner," quod she, "and ha no drede; Look vp an [[on St.]] hih, & tak good heede. Vpon thys perche, the harneys se, Wher-with that thow wylt [[myghte St.]] armyd be, Line 7256 Pertynent to thy vyáge And nedful to thy pylgrimage." [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

Ther saw I helmys and haberiouns [prose cap cx] Plate and maylle, for champyouns Line 7260

Line 7260 [folio 115a] Gorgetys ageyn al vyolence, And Iakkys stuffyd, off diffence; Targetys and sheldys, large & longe, [[stronge St.]] And pavys also that wer stronge, [[longe St.]] Line 7264 ffor folk to makë résistence, [Stowe folio 131b] Tallë [[to all]] that wolde hem don offence.

The pylgrym

Than quod I, "as in bataylle, What enmy shal me assaylle Line 7268 Or a-geyn me make affray, To distourble me in my way?"

Grace dieu

'Wenystow thy sylff tassure, ffor to [[to St., om. C.]] gon with-oute armure Line 7272 To Ierusaleem, & nat fynde Brygauntys to-forn And ek be-hynde, Daungerys grete, & encoumbraunces, Empechementys & meshauncys? Line 7276 Thevys and mardrerys ay lyggynge Vp-on the weye, euere espyynge, Thow shalt ffynde, so gret plente, That thow off hem shalt wery be, Line 7280 Ther assautys to endure. Wherfore [[Therfore St.]] the nedeth strong armure, Myghtyly hem to with-stonde. And for thy profyt, y wyl ffounde, Line 7284 With harneys to arrayen the, [Induite uos armaturam Dei, vt possitis stare. Ad Ephesios vj capitulo.] That thow shalt nat afferyd be.'

The pylgrym

"Ma dame," quod I, "syth ye wyl so, Armyd algatys that I go, Line 7288 Shew me what armure I shal were, And what wepenys I shal bere; And how I shal me armen wel, And the maner euerydel." Line 7292

Line 7292

[prose cap cxi] Thanne, off merveyllous fasoun, She took to me a Gambisoun, [Gambeson, Gabison. A fashion of long and quilted horse|mans cassocke or coat, used in old time.—Cotgrave.] A maner harneys that I knewe nouht: [folio 115b] And behynde, ther-on was wrouht Line 7296 A ful strong styh [Cp. 'the Styth set at thy bak,' 209/7478, below.] off fynë stel, [[Styghe . . ffyne St., fyn C.]] ffor to receyuë strookys wel Off the hamer, whan euere yt smyte, That yt shal hurtë but a lyte. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 7300 Than quod Grace Dieu to me: 'Thys Gambesoun wych thow dost se, Ys so wrouht, (who taketh hede,) ffor ta-woyde [[to avoyde St.]] a man fro drede; Line 7304 That, from cartage in-to Inde, Men myghtë nat a bettre fynde; ffor (as thow shalt wel vnderstonde,) Thogh a man hadde foot nor hond, Line 7308 And were vn-to a stakë bounde, Hys foomen aboutë rounde, Yiff he hadde on thys garnëment, And clad ther-in (off good entent), Line 7312 He myghte nat ouerkomen be, But fynally, in surete, With gret worshepe & gret glorie, Off hys Enmyes han vyctorye. Line 7316

'And yet thys garnement, (I dar swere, [Stowe folio 132b] Who that euere doth yt were,) Hath most Ioye & plesaunce In thyng that ys to folk penaunce, Line 7320 ffor hys proffyt & avauntage,— Som folk holde yt gret damage;— ffor pacience (in conclusïoun) [folio 116a] Haueth [[Hath St.]] thys condicïoun, Line 7324 (ffor to descryve and spek in pleyn Off pacience the trewë greyn,) I menë, to hys ávauntage ffructefyeth with fforage: Line 7328

Line 7328 Tempest fulfylleth hys garnerys, And pestylencë hys celerys; Hys sofftest beddë, [[bedde St., bed C.]] (in sothnesse,) Ys ymakyd off hardnesse. Line 7332 In peyne and wo, ys hys delyt, And in suffraunce, ys hys respyt; Hys deyntes stonde in poverte, Hys solace in aduersyte; Line 7336 And fastyng (in conclusïoun) Ys [[Ys alle St.]] hys recreacïoun. He wexeth fat by [[with St.]] abstynence, And gruchcheth for no vyolence; Line 7340 Peyne and tribulacyoun Ben to hym consolacïoun; And the mor he feleth peyne The mor he ys (in certeyne) Line 7344 Hardyd in hertë by constaunce, With the Stel off iust suffraunce.

'And for that pacïence, with wo Ys ypryked and punysshed, so Line 7348 By verray trewe examynyng, [Stowe folio 133a] As a purpoynt with sawyng [[sowynge St.]] By long examynacïoun, Line 7351 Therfore thys armure Gambisoun, [.i. pacience St., om. C.] (Who consydreth fro poynt to poynt) Ys ycallyd a purpoynt With-outë prykyng (in substaunce,) And punysshyng, with gret suffraunce, Line 7356 In mescheff and [[and in St.]] aduersyte He taketh al hys dygnyte; And theroff (in conclusïoun) [folio 116b] He receyueth hys Renoun, Line 7360 Thys armure most merveyllous, In al diffence most gracïous.

'And therfor (shortly in sentence) The name ther-off ys pacïence, Line 7364 The wych, in euery aventure, Ys ymakyd for tendure, Peyne and tribulacïoun, Voyde off al rebellïoun: Line 7368

Line 7368 'Ryht as a styth [[Stythee St.]] forgyd off Stel ffeleth the strokys [[strokys St., stokys C.]] neueradel Off thys ffethris Smothe & soffte, Thogh men ther-on smyten offte, Line 7372 So pacyence (in hyr werkyng) Maketh neuere no gruchchyng Off no thyng she doth endure.

'And therfore, (I yow ensure,) [prose cap cxii] Line 7376 With thys Gambisoun, Cryst ihesus, That paciente lord, most vertuous, Was yclad (yiff ye lyst se) Whan he heng vp-on a tre, Line 7380 And with hys blood, mankynde hath bouht, Suffrede deth, and gruchchede nouht, [Stowe folio 133b] Nor spak no word in hys penaunce; But, thorgh hys myghty gret suffraunce, Line 7384 He was bete and hamryd wyth, As a plate vp-on a [[a St., om. C.]] styth, The forgyd Monye for Raunsoun To maken our redempcïoun: Line 7388 The [[Thes St.]] cruel Smythës, off Rancour Sparede nat for no labour Til they hadde hym forgyd wel, Tryed hym out as any stel: Line 7392 In wych metal ther was no lak; [Supra dorsum meum fabricauerunt peccatores] And ay they forgede on hys bak; And paciently he dede endure; [folio 117a] He armyd was in swych armure Line 7396 Wyth the Armys off pacïence.

'And therfore, in thy dyffence, That thow suffre no dyffame, Tak a purpoynt off the same, Line 7400 Wherso thow go, in [[on St.]] see or lond: Haue yt here redy to thyn hond; Next thy body, lat yt be set, In stedë off a strong [[stronge St.]] doublet; Line 7404 ffor next thy cors yiff thow yt were, All thyn Armure thow shalt bere Mor esely; & ha no wonder, Yiff pacïence be trewly vnder. Line 7408

Line 7408

The pylgrym.

A-noon affter (by hyr assent) [prose cap cxiii] I dyde vp-on thys garnement. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] The wych was hevy for to beere, [Stowe folio 134a] And ryht komerous ek to were; Line 7412 Grevous also, and streith [[streyte St.]] to lace, And ryht peynful to enbrace; And, for the peyne, I gan abreyde, And to gracë dieu I seyde: Line 7416 "Ma dame," quod I, "thys purpoynt Was nat shape fro poynt to poynt To my plesaunce, I yow ensure; ffor I may nat wel endure Line 7420 To bern yt pleynly at myn ese: The shap ther-off ne doth nat plese [Sidenote in MS.: Que est [enim] fortitudo mea vt sustinerem? aut quis finis meus, vt pacienter agam? (12) nec fortitudo mea lapidum, nec caro mea enea est. Iob (vi. 11).] To me, pleynly; nor the ffasoun Accordeth to myn oppynyoun." Line 7424

Grace dieu

Quod Gracë dieu, 'thys garnëment [folio 117b] Ys wel shape to myn entent, Thogh yt be nat to thy plesaunce; ffor thy body, in substaunce Line 7428 Ys so ffaat, so gret [[ffatte / grete St.]] and large, And ouerlade with gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] charge, That yt may nat be enbrachyd [[ben bracyd St.]] Aboutë the, nor wel ylacyd, Line 7432 And yet the faute, to myn entent, Ys nat in the garnëment, But only founde in thy gretnesse, And in thy boystous frowardnesse, Line 7436 That thow mayst vp-on thy bak Sustene yt, but thow fynde a lak; And al the faute ys founde in the, Off wylful contrariouste. [Stowe folio 134b] Line 7440

'But, thyn errour to reforme, Thow must thy-sylff mekly confourme.

'To thys garnëment, trustë me, [Non recto corde es, quia non vis dirigere voluntatem tuam ad voluntatem dei. August.] And nat the garnement vn-to the; And put away the gret outrage, Line 7445 The ffaatnesse and the surplusage That ys in the, and the gretnesse; And the confourmë by meknesse [[mekenesse St.]] Line 7448 To thys purpoynt, that yt may be Accordynde [[Accordyng St.]] & egal vn-to the, In euery party wel syttynge.

'And thogh that yt, as in semynge, Line 7452 Be nat, at the prymë fface, Euenly shapë the tenbrace Yet affter-ward, vn-to thyn ese Yt shal be syttynge, & wel plese; Line 7456 ffor thyng that greueth the to-day Shal be to-morwe [[tomorwe / be St.]] vn-to thy pay; Yt may so fall, off áuenture; Line 7459

'And therfore al-way [[all way St., . . way C.]] the assure [folio 118a] In thys garnement for diffence, [prose cap cxiv] Wych ys callyd pacyence, With whos power, (now vnderstonde,) All assautys thow shalt with-stonde. Line 7464

'ffor wrong despyt & al desdeyn That any man kan to the seyn, Outher off pryde or surquedye, Repreff or any vyllenye, Line 7468 Venge the nat / nor do no wrak, But looke a-noon thow tournë bak; Lawhe and be glad, & sey ryht nouht, [Stowe folio 135a] And be nat troublyd in thy thouht. Line 7472

'And off me thys wysdam lere, [Nota St., om. C.] Berkyng off houndys for to here, [Magnorum virorum est, necligere ledentem. C. Seneca. St., om. C.] Yt may to the, by good suffraunce, Nouther damage nor do greuaunce. Line 7476 Ageyn assautys off al swych wrak, Lat the Styth set [[sytt St.]] at thy bak, And thy purpoynt off pacience, Myghtyly stonde at dyffence: Line 7480 And with thys tweynë, trustë me, Al maner off aduersite

'Thow shalt venquisshe & ber doun; And, lyk a myghty champyoun, Line 7484 Thow shalt with laurer crownyd be, By suffraunce off aduersyte. As [[And St.]] by record ful longe a-gon Wer thys [[Were thes St.]] martrys euerychon, Line 7488 Wych that wer in euery poynt Strongly armyd in the purpoynt Off paciencë, to sustene The strok, when they wer leyd atwene Line 7492 The hamer and the Styth also, And a-twyxë bothë two, The grene laurer off victorie, [folio 118b] And the crowne ek off her glorye, Line 7496 Yforgyd wer, (who taketh hede) ffor guerdoun off ther eternal mede.

'And therfore I consayllë the, With thys purpoynt that thow be,— Line 7500 Wych ys callyd pacyence,— Armyd ffyrst for thy diffence. Thys my consayl; & thus I rede, [Stowe folio 135b] Be cause only thow shalt ha nede, Line 7504 As for thy cheff proteccïoun Ageyn al trybulacyoun Off false brygauntys that shal lye Vp-on the waye, the tespye.' Line 7508

The pylgrym.

"Certys," quod I, "yt stondeth so, [prose cap cxv] That I wot nat what I may do Touchynge your consayl, by no waye; But at the lest, I shal assaye Line 7512 Me taraye, in my dyffence, With your purpoynt off pacience."

Grace dieu. [prose cap cxvi]

Quod Gracë dieu, "thow must also, Or thow in armys haue a-do, Line 7516 Vp-on thy purpoynt 'pacyence' Haue a-boue, in thy diffence, The haberioun wych hangeth yonder, So inly ffayr, that yt ys wonder; Line 7520

Line 7520 'fforgyd off old (yt ys no faylle) ffor to entren in bataylle, Wyth Deth to ffyhte, & his meynee; Thys to seyne, (yiff thow kanst se,) Line 7524 Ageyn al peynys and tourmentys And hys dredful [[dredefulle St., dredful C.]] tournementys, Replevysshëd [[Replenysshed St.]] with mortal Rage. Deth ys a best [[beast St.]] most sauage; Line 7528 He chaungeth purpoos and devyses; [Stowe folio 136a] [folio 119a] And al thys [[thes St.]] vnkouth sondry guyses, Wyt off man and al Resoun: ffor he let [[For lett St.]] fallen hys bordoun, Line 7532 Hys Maas, & ek hys dredful spere, He hurteth nyh, & ek affere, And spareth noon off no degre How hih they syttyn in her Se, Line 7536 ffor rychesse nor for puïssaunce.

'But who wyl haven assuraunce Ageyn deth, as a champyoun, Lat hym haue on thys haberioun; Line 7540 And off deth, in al hys nede, He shal ha [[have St.]] no maner drede; Off hys assautys nor hys wrak, Nor for hym onys [[eny St.]] tourne abak, Line 7544 Whil he hath on thys garnëment The wych was forgyd (off entent) Off the [[the St., om. C.]] most myghty armvrer, Wych syt aboue the sterrys eler, Line 7548 That forgede Sonne & mone also, And made hem in her cours [[cours g C., there Cours St.]] to go. And no man may be armyd wel In platë, mayl, nor in stel. Line 7552 Nor sur [[sure St.]] for hys savacïoun, But he haue on thys haberioun, Wych callyd ys off verray ryht, [prose cap cxvii] 'ffortitudo' most off myght. Line 7556 ffor, 'fforce' ys callyd thys vertu, Wyth wych seruauntys off cryst ihesu Wer Armyd, the myghty champiouns That made hem hardy as lyouns Line 7560

Line 7560 'In batayll & in tournementys, And constaunt euere in ther ententys [Stowe folio 136b] Vn-to the deth, & no thyng dradde, Vp-on ther body whan they hadde Line 7564 Thys haberioun ycallyd 'force,' [folio 119b] Wher-wyth they dyde hem-sylff afforce, To putte hem forth, & nat with-drawe, In dyffence off crystys lawe, Line 7568 Thorgh ther prowesse & hyh renoun.

'And sothfastly thys haberioun, (Who that euere doth yt were,) Off daggere, dart, Swerd nor spere, Line 7572 Shoot of Arwe nor off quarel, (Thogh they be groundë [[grounde St., ground C.]] sharpe off stel,) They shal nat perce thorgh the maylle, ffor the Ryngës (thys no ffaylle) Line 7576 Wer Ryuettyd [[Revettyd St.]] so myghtyly Clenchyd and nayled so strongly; The yren werke [[werke St., weer C.]] was ek so good, Annelyd & tempryd with the blood Line 7580 That ran out off her wondys kene, Thys made hem manly to sustene Thassaut off brygauntys nyht & day, That lay for pylgrymes on the way, Line 7584 By vertu off thys haberioun. [Fortitudo .i. Force St.]

'And therfore (off entencyoun,) By my counsayl, sey nat nay To putte yt on, & yt tassay, [[hit assay St.]] Line 7588 Aboue thy purpoynt 'pacyence'; ffor, yiff fforcë (by my sentence) Vp-on the tother be wel set, Thow shalt ffyhtë wel the bet Line 7592 (I dar wel seyn) wherso [[wher St.]] thow go: Now lat se what thow seyst her-to." [Stowe folio 137a]

The pylgrym.

"Ma dame," (to speke in wordys ffewe,) [prose cap cxviii] "I pray yow that ye wyl me shewe, Line 7596 And to do youre [[youre St., my C.]] bysy cure That I may se al the armure [[tharmure St., C.]] Wych I shal were in thys vyáge,

And yiff I ffyndë avauntage [folio 120a] Line 7600 In tharneys ye praysë so, [[C. & St.]] I wyl accordë wel ther-to." [The Stowe MS. puts the heading 'Grace Dieu' above the next line.] [[C. & St.]]

Thanne she a-noon hath forth brouht [Grace dieu (in Jn. Stowe's hand).] The haberioun, fful wel ywrouht, Line 7604 Off wych to-forn I ha yow told; And, to make me strong & bold, Out off hyr tresour ek she ffette An Elm, A Gorger, A Targette, Line 7608 Glovys off plate, A swerd also, [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] And thanne she spak & seydë, loo,

Grace dieu.

'Off thys harneys, take good heede, Line 7611 And trustë wel thow mustest [[trust . . must St. (badly)].] nede Haue hem vp-on, (As by my lore,) Or thow shalt repentë sore; ffor they only to the suffyse, Yiff thow the gouerne lyk the wyse. Line 7616 And to my doctryne lyst attende, Lyk a man, the to dyffende Ageyn hem that wyl do thé wrong. [Stowe folio 137b]

'And yiff I hadde the ffoundë strong, Line 7620 I hadde the yovë bet armure; But I ha don my bysy cure Yt to conseruë, ffor the [[thy St.]] prowh Off folk that be mor strong than thow. Line 7624

'An helm tavoydë thé fro dred, Thow shalt ha ffyrst vp-on thyn hed, Thé to preserue, erly and late; And a gorger mad off plate; [folio 120b] Line 7628 And affter thys [i]forgyd ffayre, Glovys off plate, a myghty payre, Set vp-on thyn hondys tweyne. ffor ellys (yiff I shal nat ffeyne) Line 7632 Wyth-outen hem (as thynketh me,) Thow myghtest nat wel armyd be.

'And, to declaren in substaunce, Thyn helm ys callyd 'Attempraunce,' [prose cap cxix] Line 7636

Line 7636 'By wych aforn thow shalt wel se, Herkne and smel, at lyberte, Thynges to-forn or that they falle, And cast a-forn, meschevys alle, Line 7640 That no thyng vnwarly greue. ffor Attemprauncë (who lyst preue) Haueth thys condycïoun, Only off high [[highe St., om. C.]] dyscrecyoun Line 7644 Kepeth theye [[the eye]] cloos and secre That yt haue no lyberte To opne, (who-so lyst to lere,) But whan tyme yt doth requere, Line 7648 That fooly nor no vanyte Be nat to largë nor to fre,

'ffor yiff thys helm be mad a-ryht, [Stowe folio 138a] Yt shal nat haue to large a syht, Line 7652 Lyst som Arwe, sharpe y-grounde, Entre myghte, & gyue a wounde. And at the Erys ek also Thow mustest [[muste St.]] taken hed therto, Line 7656 That yt be nat to large off space, Lyst that by the samë place Entrede (by collusyoun) Som noyse off fals detraccïoun, Line 7660 Or som fooltyssh dalyaunce, Gruchchyng, or noyous perturbaunce.

'ffor thys helm, surer than Stel, [folio 121a] Stoppeth the Erys ay so wel [[C. & St.]] Line 7664 By prudent cyrcumspeccyoun That Dartys [[Darts St.]] off Detraccyoun (Grounde and fyled for to smerte) Haue noon entre to the herte, Line 7668 Wych be gretly for to drede Whan they, off fals neyhebourhede, Ben yforgyd off malys, And ysquaryd by fals devys. Line 7672 ffor ther ys noon mor dredful shour [[C. & St.]] Than off a shrewede neyhëbour; ffor, with ther dartys, swychë [[swyche St., swych C.]] konne Hurtë wers than bowe or gonne: Line 7676

Line 7676 'Ageyn whos mortal meshaunce, Thys helm callyd 'attempraunce' Ys nedful, in thy dyffence, for to makë résistence Line 7680 At Nase, at Ere, & at the Syht, That yt hem kepe & close a-ryht. ffor thys helm, for assuraunce, [Stowe folio 138b] Wych ys callyd 'attempraunce' Line 7684 As worthy & noble off fame, Seyn poul gaff ther-ton [[ther-to St.]] a name, And callyd yt (for gret delyht) Line 7687 'The helm off helthe & off profyt,' [Galeam salutis accipite ad. Ephesios vj^o Capitulo (v. 17).] And commaundede men take hed ffor to sette yt on ther hed As for ther cheff Savacïoun.

'And a Gorger, lower doun, [prose cap cxx] Line 7692 He bad (as for mor sykernesse) They sholde make off sobyrnesse; ffor sobyrnesse, with attempraunce, Haueth alway állyaunce; Line 7696 ffor bothe they ben off on allye, Ay to refreynë glotonye. And trusteth wel, (with-outë faylle,) [folio 121b] Thys Armure hath a double maylle; Line 7700 And ellys (pleynly I ensure,) Yt wer to feble to endure.

'And yiff thow lyst the cause espye, Ys thys, only, for glotonye Line 7704 Hath in hym sylff, off [[a St.]] frowardnesse, A dowble maner off woodnesse; Woodnesse off Tast & fals delyt, Havynge to mesour no respyt; Line 7708 And outrage ek off dalyaunce, ffor lakkyng off Attemperaunce.

'And fyrst, he doth hym sylff most wo, And sleth hys neyhëbours also, Line 7712 Whan the claper ys out Ronge, With the venym off hys Tonge, Whan he hym teryth & to-rent. [Stowe folio 139a] ffor ther ys addere, nor serpent Line 7716

Line 7716 'So dredful, nor malycyous, As ys A Tongë venymous; No tryacle may the venym saue. Line 7719 Ther-fore yt ys ful good to have [[to have St., tave C.]] — Ageyn hys mortal cursydnesse,— A Gorger off Sobyrnesse, The wych Armure ys profytable To allë [[To alle St., Talle C.]] folkys worshepable. Line 7724

'Lat no man with hys tongë byte, Nor with hys wordys falsly smyte, Malycyously to makë wrak Off hys neyhebour, at the [[his St.]] bak; Line 7728 ffor who so doth, he ys nat wys.

'And Seyn Wylliam off Chalys,— A man off gret abstynence, Wych neuere dyde offence, Line 7732 (As hys lyff platly doth teche,)— In hys Tonge nor in hys speche,— ffor ay he dyde hys bysy peyne, Wykkede tongys to refreyne. [folio 122a] Line 7736 And mys-spekerys, thorgh outrage, That with her Tongë fyl in rage, He brydlede hem, & dyde hem wreste, What-euere they herde, to sey the beste. Line 7740 Off whom ys good exaumple take, And off hys lyff a Merour make, That euere hadde in cóndycioun To herë no detraccïoun Line 7744 In hys presencë, nyh nor fere, Neuere to lestene bakbytere. And therfor, (as I shal devyse,) [Stowe folio 139b] Arme the in the samë wyse Line 7748 Tavoyden (shortly in sentence) Al bakbyterys fro thy presence, And al maner detraccïoun. Wher thow hast domynacïoun. Line 7752

'The nexte armurë, the to saue, [prose cap cxxi] Vp-on thyn hondys thow shalt haue: A peyre off glouys forgyd wel, Surere than yren outher stel, Line 7756

Line 7756 'Allë vyces to restreyne; Tharmure off thyn handys tweyne, A-geyn the lust off fals touchyng, Tast, or any dyshonest thyng Line 7760 To ffele or touchë, as by wrong.

'ffor to make the syluë strong, Thow shalt thy counsayl take off me, Vp-on thyn handys, armyd to be Line 7764 With a peyre off glouys sure. And the name off that armure, The thryddë part off attempraunce, Wych ys callyd in substaunce [folio 122b] Line 7768 (The taforce in thy dyffence) The noble uertu 'contynence.' Wych vertu, seyd in syngulerte, Ys egal to pluralyte. Line 7772 ffor thys vertu (yiff yt be souht) By hym-sylff allone ys nouht ffor honest wyl, conioynt with dede In clennessë, ys worthy mede, Line 7776 A-geyn al fflesshly ffreëlte To arme [[To arme St., Tarme C. Stowe puts this line [folio 140a] before the one above it in C.]] A man in chastyte.

'Nouther off hem (who kan se) May withouten other be, Line 7780 No mor than (yiff I shal nat ffeyne) With-oute noumbre off glouys tweyne, No man ys suryd for [[for St., for to C.]] diffence, ffor to makë résistence. Line 7784 But whan that wyl & tast also Ben accordyd, bothë two, Off honeste, nat to trespáce, Thogh they hadde fredám & space, Line 7788 And also opportunyte To don A-mys at lyberte, Than semeth yt (yiff thow take hede) He wer worthy ful gret mede; Line 7792 As was Seyn Bernard, that holy man, The wych (as I rehersë kan) Was wel armyd on owther hond, Whan he off a-venture ffond [[honde . . ffonde St.]] Line 7796

Line 7796 '(He ther-off no thyng wytynge,) A womman in hys bedde [[bedde St., byd C.]] lyggynge Nakyd, ful off lustyhede, ²And plesynge off hyr port in dede, Line 7800 Wych gaff hym gret occasioun, Wyth toknys off temptacïoun, [folio 123a] Thorgh hyr port off whommanhede.² [[2_2 St. leaves out these 4 lines.]] But he thér-off took noon hede; Line 7804 ffor she ne myghte hym nat excite, In hyr bewte to delyt; He took off hyrë no reward, ffor to tournë to hyr ward; Line 7808 ffor, surere than any stel, Hys handys wern yarmyd wel, That, whan he sholde haue A-do, ffro Touch & Tast he kepte hym so Line 7812 That she myghte hym nat dyllude. [Stowe folio 140b] Wher-vp-on, she gan conclude, And affermede off hym a-noon, That outher off yren or off ston Line 7816 He was ymad, & lyk no man: And thus he the palmë wan Off chastyte; and she A-noon, Shamyd & cónfus, ys a-goon; Line 7820 And he with victoire [[vyctorye St.]] a-bood stylle.

'And therfor (as by my wylle) Thow shalt thé Armen (& nat feyne) Line 7823 Wyth swych a payrë [[payre / off St.]] Glouys tweyne.

'ffor the also I shal prouyde Tave A swerd ek by thy syde; (A bettre was ther neuere founde, Off stel forgyd, whet nor Grounde,) Line 7828 Wychë [[Whiche St., Wych C.]] shal ynowh suffyse Thé to dyffendë many [[in eny St.]] wyse, Yiff any Enmy thé assaylle (Outher in skarmussh outher [[or in St.]] bataylle,) Line 7832 I the ensure, in al thy nede, Whyl thow hast yt, thow shalt nat drede Off noon Enmy, nor no dystresse, The name off wych ys 'Ryhtwysnesse.' Line 7836

Line 7836 'A bettre swerd was neuere wrouht, [folio 123b] Off princë nor off kyng ybouht; ffor the swerd off goode Oger, Off Rowland nor off Olyuer, Line 7840 Was nat (for to reknen al) Off valu, to thys swerd egal, So trusty nor so vertuous, To ffolk in vertu coragous. Line 7844 ffor thys swerd haueth so gret myht, [Stowe folio 141a] To ryche and povre for to do ryht, And thorgh hys vertuous werkyng Yiveth euery man hys ownë thyng: Line 7848 A swerd mad for an Emperour, And for euery gouernour, And al that hauen regencie A-boue other, or [[off St.]] maystrye, Line 7852 Therby to gouerne ther meyne And ther sogetys in equyte, That noon do to other wrong (Thogh he be myghty outher strong,) Line 7856 By fforcë nor by vyolence, Hys neyhbour to don offence.

'ffor thys swerd, in euery place, Allë wrongys doth mAnace, Line 7860 And techeth A manhys [[mannys St.]] body wel, Not to be stordy nor rebel; A-geyn the Spyryt, no thyng to seye, But to be soget, and obeye; Line 7864 And techeth A manhys [[mannys St.]] herte off ryht, To louë god with al hys myght, A-boue al other Erthly thyng, As hym that ys most myghty kyng; Line 7868 Eschewë ffraude, deceyt & guyle; And that, by couert off no whyle, He, in hys affeccïoun, Off wyl nor off entencioun Line 7872 Ne do no maner tyranye, [folio 124a] Oppressyoun nor robberye; And cheffly, that euery maner wyht Gouerne and rule hym sylff aryht, Line 7876

Line 7876 'Vyces putte in [[To putte vices / in alle [Stowe folio 141b] ]] subieccïoun, That vertu ha [[ha his St.]] domynacïoun The fflesshë felly to chastyse, Yiff yt rebelle in any wyse Line 7880 To be to sturdy or to bold, As seyn Benyth [[Benett St.]] dyde off old, Gyrt with the swerd off Ryghtwysnesse, Whan he dyde hys flessh oppresse Line 7884 As a myghty champyoun: With-stondyng hys temptacïoun. As regent and gouernour, He made the spyryt Emperour, Line 7888 Smot the flessh, by gret duresse, With the swerd off Ryhtwysnesse; Punysshede hym so cruelly, With-outë respyt or mercy, Line 7892 Almost euene to the deth, In poynt to yeldyn vp the breth; Tyl he, lyk a manly man, With thys swerd the laurer waan. Line 7896 Hys fflesshe rebél, he gan to daunte, And his myght vp-on him haunte, [[C. leaves out this line.]] Ther yt was inobedyent. To ben at hys comaundement, Line 7900 So lowly to hym, & so mek.

'The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] swerd thow shalt bern ek [prose cap cxxiii] On pylgrymage, wher thow shalt gon, Ageyn thyn Enmyes euerychon, Line 7904 Thy prevy enmyes (thus I mene,) Hard and greuous to sustene; ffor ther be noon so peryllous, So dredful nor so dangerous, Line 7908 As ben thylke Enmyes in secre, [folio 124b] [Stowe folio 142a] Wych off thy sylff ycausyd be, And grucche ageyn thé nyh [[nygh St., nyght C.]] & ferre, With the Spyryt to holde a werre. Line 7912

'But or that thow thys baret ffyne, And or that froward wyl enclyne, Thyn hertë makë to assente, Loke thow chaungë thyn entente, Line 7916

Line 7916 'Synsualyte to oppresse With thys swerd off Ryghtwysnesse: Daunte alway hys rebellïoun, And brynge hym to subieccïoun; Line 7920 Lat nat thy flesshe ha the maystrye, But mak hym lowly bowe & plye To the spyryt in euerythyng; And lat thy resoun, as lord and kyng, Line 7924 (By tytle off domynacïoun,) The flessh haue in subieccïoun. Than nedeth yt no mor to muse; Thys swerd off ryht thow dost wel vse, Line 7928 Thy sylff to gouernen & to saue.

'And thys swerd also shal haue [prose cap cxxv] (To kepe yt clene in hys degre) A skawberk off humylyte, Line 7932 Wher-innë, [[inne St., in C.]] (for most ávauntage) Thy swerd shal haue hys herbergage; Only to teche & sygnefye, That eche good werk (who kan espye,) Line 7936 May lytë [[lytel St.]] vaylle, but yiff yt be Closyd vnder humylyte. [¶ Ero. Humilitus sola est obseruatrix et cust(os)que virtutum. St., om. C.]

'Thys skauberk (in especyal) Ys makyd off A skyn mortal: [Stowe folio 142b] Line 7940 Thys to seyne, (who so kan se,) Al Erthly folkys that her [[here St.]] be (Off ech estate both yong & old,) Shal deyen, as I ha the told. [folio 125a] Line 7944 Ha thys ay in thy mynde & thouht, And lat thy skawberk ther-off be wrouht; And ther-vp-on conclude, and se To namen yt 'Humylyte.' Line 7948

'ffor ther ys noon so proud alyue, A-geyns deth that may wel stryue; And who that hath ay deth in mynde, Som whyle I trowë, he shal fynde Line 7952 To knowe hys ounë ffreelte, A skawberk off humylyte.

'And, to purpos, I tellë kan How that onys a pubplycan Line 7956

Line 7956 And a pharise also, Kam to the temple bothë two. The ton hym sylff gan iustefye, And off pryde to magnefye, Line 7960 That he was lyk non other whiht; And bostede in hys ounë syht, He was hooly in hih degre: Thus sayde the proudë pharysee; Line 7964 And off pryde he fyrst be-gan [[Stowe leaves out this line.]] To despyse the pubplykan; Sayde, 'he was to hym nat hable Off meryt, nor comparáble Line 7968

'Off whos pryde, afferme I dar, That he thys swerd to proudly bar, Havynge nat (who lyst to se) The skawberk off humylyte, Line 7972 He lyst nat Se, no thyng at al, That ha [[he St.]] was a man mortal; But off hih presumptuousnesse [Stowe folio 143a] He shewede out hys Ryghtwysnesse, [[And hym sylff / koude nat Redresse. St.] Line 7976 Gan to boste, & cryë lowde.

'And so don al thys folkys proude, [folio 125b] To gete hem fame by veyn glorye, And putte her namys in memórye. Line 7980 But thow ne shalt no thyng do so, But let [[bere St. (let = leave)]] thy Swerd (tak hed her-to) [[ther-to St.]] (The Swerd, I mene, of Ryghtwysnesse, ffor any maner holynesse,) Line 7984 Cloos with-Inne (wher so thow be,) The skawberk off humylyte.

'ffor what deme off dyscrecïoun A-vaylleth any perfeccioun— Line 7988 Abstynaunce, outher penaunce, Or any vertu, in substaunce— But yiff they ygroundyd be On [[off St.]] lownesse and humylyte, Line 7992 Ground and rote off eche good werk. And put thy Swerd in the skawberk Off meknesse & lavlyhede. [[Lowlyhede St.]]

'And affter that, tak good heede [prose cap cxxvi] Line 7996

Line 7996 '(As a man no thyng afferd) The to gyrdë with thys swerd, Thys noble swyrd off ryghtwysnesse In the skawberk off meknesse. Line 8000

'And thy gyrdel ek shal be— With wych thow shalt ygyrden the— The gyrdel off 'perseueraunce'; The Bokle callyd ek 'constaunce'; Line 8004 That whan the tong ys onys Inne, They shal neuere parte A-twynne, But perpetuelly endure [[to endure St.]] Line 8007 To kepe the cloos in thyn Armure, [Stowe folio 143b] That they departe nat assonder. And yiff they dyde, yt wer gret wonder; ffor perseueraunce (I dar seye) Ys the verray parfyt keye Line 8012 And lok also (I dar assure) [folio 126a] Off perfeccioun off armure.

'And therfore alway do thy peyne ffor to fastne wel thys [[thes St.]] tweyne, Line 8016 The gyrdel off perseueraunce With the Bookle off constaunce; And than thy Swerd, longe tabyde, Ys wel gyrt vn-to thy syde: Line 8020 Ha thys wel in mynde, I charge.

'Now wyl I spekyn off thy Targe, [[ [prose cap cxxviii] cap. cxxvii is not in the verse English.]] The wych in soth (who kan entende,) Schal thyn Armure wel [[alle St.]] A-mende, Line 8024 And kepe yt, (lyk as yt ys wrouht,) In vertu that yt A-peyrë nouht. The wych vp-on thy brest to-fore, Off custom euere shal be bore, Line 8028 As cheff thyng for thy dyffence: The name off wych shal be 'prudence'; A Targe most worthy off Renoun. ffor, whilom, Kyng Salamoun Line 8032 Bar ay thys targe in hys entent, ffor to do ryhtful Iugëment, Rychere to hym (Erly & late) Line 8035 Than off gold to .ij. [[Golde / twoo St.]] hondryd plate,

'And mor off valu (as yt ys told) Than al the sheldys mad off gold, Wych in hys temple (out off doute) He madë hangë round a-boute. Line 8040

'ffor, by thys targë off prudence, [Stowe folio 144a] He haddë so gret excellence Of worshepe, & so gret honour, As he that was off wysdom flour. Line 8044 Whil he was gouernyd by prudence, Endurede hys magnyfycence; And whan that prudence was a-go, Hys worshype wente a-way also. [folio 126b] Line 8048 Hys sheldys off gold, ek euerychon, A dyeu [[A Dieu St.]] whan prudence was a-gon. ffor prudence, the shyld I calle, Off fyue hundryd the best off alle, Line 8052 ffor to rekne hym, [[hem St.]] on by on; And, to kepe a man ffrom hys fon, Ys noon so myghty off vertu, Nor equyualent [[Equypolent St.]] off valu. Line 8056

'Wherfor, [[Alway St.]] whil thow art at large, Looke thow haue vp-on, thys targe, [[Stowe puts this line before the one above it.]] Wherso thow entre in batayll, Whan thyn Emnyes the assaylle, Line 8060 To force [[Tafforce St.]] thy quarel & a-mende, Ber vp, & wel thy-sylff [[C. inserts 'thy,' St. 'the.']] dyffende At alle assautys fer & ner, In maner off a bokëler. Line 8064 ffor [[against]] gonnys, dartys, & quarel, Shrowdë the ther-vnder wel; Be no coward, But wysly bolde.

'And now I haue the pleynly tolde Line 8068 Off thyn armure, (yiff thow tak hede,) Wher-off thow shalt haue ay most nede, With-outen many wordys mo: Now be avysed what thow wylt do.' Line 8072

The pylgrym.

[Lines 8073—8100 have no counterpart in the Cambr. prose, or in its original, the first version of the French prose.] "Certys," quod I, "ther ys no more; [Stowe folio 144b]

"But I am astonyd sore Off o thyng wych cometh to mynde, Wych that ye ha lefft be-hynde: Line 8076 Thys to seyne, off al armure Ye han me makyd [[made St.]] strong & sure, Saue my leggys & ffeet also: Ye haue no thyng yseyn [[seye St.]] ther-to, Line 8080 Nor ryht nouht for hem ordeyned; [folio 127a] The wych ouhtë be compleyned; ffor folk off hih dyscrecïons Speke fyrst off Savacïons, Line 8084 Off greevys, & kusshewys [[kysshewys St.]] ek also, Whan that men shal haue a [[to St.]] -doo; But ye (by short conclusïoun) Make ther-off no mencyoun. Line 8088

"But, for to tellë yow my thouht, ffor my party, I rechchë nouht; ffor, in spede off my vyage, Yt were to me noon ávauntage, Line 8092 Yiff I sholdë gon at large, ffor to bere so gret a charge."

Grace dieu axete [[axete, om. St.]]

'Sawh thow euere [[neuere St.]] (so god the blesse!) In forest or in wyldernesse Line 8096 (Tel on, yiff yt cometh to mynde) Huntyng for hert outher for ynde, [[Hynde St.]] Chasyng for Rayndeer or [[other St.]] for Roo, Huntyng for buk outher for do?' Line 8100

The pylgrym answereth

"Trewly," quod I, "to speke in pleyn, [Stowe folio 145a] Somtyme, huntyng haue I seyn."

Grace dieu

'Thanne,' quod she, 'I the comaunde, Answere vn-to thys demaunde: Line 8104 Bestys that ben in wyldernesse, Whan huntys don ther besynesse To chacen hem, and kachche her pray, What ys that thyng that best may Line 8108 Helpen bestys in ther defence, ffor teschewe the vyolence

'Off houndys in swych sodeyn iape, [folio 127b] [[Rape St.]] ffrely fro the deth to skape?' [[teskape St.]] Line 8112

The pylgrym

"Trew[e]ly, vn-to my Syht, To hem, best help [[help, om. St.]] ys the flyht."

Grace dieu

'Thanne, yiff they hadde vp-on Armure, On ther leggys, (hem sylff tassure) Line 8116 Outher off platë, maylle, or stel, ffro byt off houndys to kepe hem wel, Answere ageyn, shortly to me, Sholde they be swyfft, away to fle?' Line 8120

The pylgrym [Stowe folio 145b]

"Certys," quod I, "I wot ryht wel, Yt sholde hem furthre neueradel So to ben armyd, (as I gesse,) But rather hyndren ther Swyfftnesse." Line 8124

Grace dieu

'Now her-vp-on tak hed to me, Conceyue what I shal tellë the: In thy passage, ther [[wher St.]] thow shalt pace, Yt ys holde a perylous place; Line 8128 And I the putte in ful surnesse, Ther lyth A mortal hunteresse, In a-wayt to hyndre the, Wyth gret noumbre off hyr meyne, Line 8132 Gretly to drede, & daungerous; The name off whom ys dame Venus, [[Venus St., om. C.]] And hyr sone callyd Cupide, The blyndë lord, waytynge asyde Line 8136 With hys Arwes fyled kene, To thé ful dredful to sustene.

'And thys lady doth euere espye, With huntys in hyr companye, Line 8140 Most perillous to hurte & wounde, [folio 128a] Al pylgrymës to confounde. ffor ther ys huntë [[Hunt St.]] nor foster That chaceth ay the wyldë deer, Line 8144 Nor other bestys that byth Saváge, That may be lykned to the rage

'Off dame Venus: wherfor tak hede [Stowe folio 146a] How gretly she ys to drede. Line 8148

'And yiff thow kanst the trouthe espye, Venus ys sayd off venerye; [Venus dicitur a venandi, om. C. Stowe.] ffor she ys the hunteresse Wych euere doth hyr bysynesse Line 8152 To take pylgrimës by som treyne, And tenbracen in hyr cheyne, And with hyr ffyry brond also ffor to don hem peyne & wo, Line 8156 And ther passagë for tassaylle.

'And fynally, in thys bataylle Ther geyneth power noon, nor myht, Line 8159 Nor other rescus but the fflyht, [Fuga est suum Remedium St., om. C.] ffor flyht ys only best diffence; And [[And St., om. C.]] ffor to makë résistence A-geyn hyr dredful mortal werre, The ffyht [[fflyght St.]] with hyre ys best a-ferre. Line 8164

'ffor yiff A man be rekkëles ffor to putte hym sylff in pres, ffarwel dyffence off al Armure! Ther folwe shal dyscoumfyture Line 8168 On the party that doth a-byde; ffor Venus & hyr sone cupyde, In ther conquest han vyctorye, And in ther werrys, ffals veyn glorye, Line 8172 Whan folkys at dyffencë stonde To fyhtë with hem hand [[honde St.]] off honde;

'And for thys skyle, thow sholdest [[shust St.]] be lyht ffor to take thé to the flyht; [folio 128b] [[C. & St.]] Line 8176 Whan thow hast nede, (take [[have St.]] yt in mynde,) Legharneys ys lefft be-hynde, [[C. & St.]] That thow mayst, at lyberte, [Stowe folio 146b] Hyr dartys and hyr brondys fle. Line 8180

'Whan thow hyr seyst, [[seest St.]] mak no dyffence, Nor noon other résistence, But eschewë place & syht, And alway tak the to the flyht. Line 8184 Tourne thy bak, & she wyl go; [¶ Si vitare velis Venerem, loca tempora vita // Si cedis, cedit; si ffugis, illa ffugit. St., om. C.] And yiff thow flest, she fleth also.

'A-geyn whos malys and envye, fflyht ys the bestë [[best St.]] remedye Line 8188 Off al other (yiff yt be souht); Other harneys the nedeth nouht Vp-on thy leggys (trustë me,) ffor no maner necessyte, Line 8192 With Venus to holde chaumpartye.'

And whan I sawh, & [[I St.]] gan espye, And vnderstood hyr wonder wel [prose cap cxxix] Touchynge tharmurë euerydel Line 8196 Wych she haddë for me brouht, I [[And I St.]] gan assaye, and taryede nouht Me tarmë fro poynt to poynt; But me lykede nat my purpoynt: Line 8200 I fond ther-in [[ffounde ther St.]] so gret a lak, Yt heng so heuy on my bak, I woldë fayn haue lett yt be; But lyst [[lest St.]] that she were wroth with me, Line 8204 I suffrede; &, in cónclusioun, Ther-on dyde the haberioun Wych she me tok, ful [[toke / ful om. St.]] bryht & clere. And affter that, the double Gorger,— Line 8208 To hyr byddynge I took swych hede;— And thanne the helm vp-on myn hed, Mad ful strong, and forgyd wel; [folio 129a] Next, my glovys, ffynere than stel, Line 8212 And gyrte me with my swerd ryht tho. [Stowe folio 147a] And alderlast, I took also My targe, that callyd was 'prudence,' And hengyd yt on in my dyffence Line 8216 Round a-boute my nekke a-noon.

And platly, whan I hadde al don [prose cap cxxx] Lyk as she bade, with myn harneys, I felte ther-off so gret a peys, Line 8220 That I myghtë nat endure The greuous wheyhte off myn armure, That for dystressë I a brayde, And to gracë dieu I sayde: [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 8224

The pylgrym

"Ma dame," quod I, "ne greff [[greve St.]] yow nouht Thogh I dyscure to yow my thouht; And lat yt yow no thyng dysplese, Thogh I declare myn gret vnhese, [[vnese St.]] Line 8228 And disclose yow my mescheff; Thys armure doth me so gret greff, So gret annoy & dysplesaunce, That I ne may me nat [[nought St.]] a-vaunce Line 8232 Vp-on my way nor my Iourne, Swych hevynesse encoumbreth me.

"Myn helm hath rafft me my syyng And take a-way ek myn heryng; Line 8236 And most off al dyspleseth me, [folio 129b] I se nat that I woldë se. And also, (yiff ye lyst to lere,) Thyng that I wolde, I may nat here; Line 8240 And smelle also I may no thyng That sholdë be to my lykyng.

"Thys gorger (ek as ye may se,) [Stowe folio 147b] Gret encoumbraunce doth to me, Line 8244 And strangleth me almost vp ryht, That I may nat speke a-ryht, I fele so gret a passïoun: And (for short conclusïoun) Line 8248 Thys armure may me nat profyte, In wych I do me nat delyte.

"Thys glouys byndë me so sore, [prose cap cxxxi] That I may [[may om. St.]] weryn hem no more, Line 8252 With her pynchyng to be bounde, Myn handys ben so tendre and Rounde; And al the remnaunt (I ensure) That ye gaff me, off armure, Line 8256 Me streyneth so on euery syde, That I may nat ther-with a-byde.

"I ha to yow told al the caas; I am nat strengere [[stronger C.]] than dauyd was, Line 8260 Wych hadde so mychë suffysaunce; But, for cause off dysusaunce In hys youthe whan he was tendre, And off makyng smal & sklendre, Line 8264

Line 8264 "(In the byble ye may se,) Hym lyst nat Armyd for [[for om. St.]] to be Whan that he (thus stood the caas,) Sholdë fyhte with Golyas, Line 8268 Swych Armure he hath forsake; Off whom I wyle exaumple take, ffor my party, to go lyht, To ben ay redy to the flyht, [folio 130a] Line 8272 Whan that Venus (by bataylle,) On the weye me wyl [[wylle me St.]] assaylle, Al thys armure I wyl leue, Be-causë that they do [[wylle St.]] me greue, Line 8276 Off purpos (lyk as ye shal se) That I may the bettre fle, [Stowe folio 148a] Lyst I stode in Iupartye Whan Venus me dyde [[dydde me St.]] espye, Line 8280 Wych ys the peryllous hunteresse, Pylgrymes to putten in dystresse."

Grace dieu

'Yt nedeth her-on no mor to muse,— [prose cap cxxxii] By cause thow dost thy sylff excuse,— Line 8284 How armure doth to thé grevaunce; ffor he that hath [[hath St., om. C.]] no suffysaunce Wyth-Inne hym-sylff tendurë peyne, Off lytel thyng he wyl compleyne, Line 8288 And a lytel charge refuse.

'But shortly, yiff thow koudest vse Thys Armure, yt sholde semë lyht, And nat lette thé in thy flyht; Line 8292 ffor thys armure ys nat heuy To hertys stronge, that be myghty To endure, and bydë longe Vp-on heuy chargys stronge. Line 8296

'But thow hast excusyd the, That thow wylt nat Armyd be, But go lyht, bothe [[bothe om. St.]] fer & ner, And therfore thow shalt han A [[a om. St.] Somer [These lines are in Cambridge prose, p. 138.] / [Bahu / St., om. C.] To karyen-in [inne St.]] thyn harneys al, [These lines are in Cambridge prose, p. 138.] Line 8301 Wych in soth shal be but smal,

'To trusse yt in, whan thow hast nede, And with thé thow shalt yt lede,— Line 8304 Lyst sodeynly, in bataylle, Any man the wolde assaylle,— [folio 130b] Lyte and lyte to vsë the, [Stowe folio 148b] Euere a-mong, armyd to be. Line 8308

'And for thow hast made mencïoun, [prose cap cxxxvi] Off dauyd the noble champyoun,— That he wold noon Armys bere,— Line 8311 Wych slowh the Lyon & the Beere; [leonem et vrsum C., om. St.] But touchyng the samë fourme [[form fourme C., fourme St.]] Thow mayst the neuere to hym confourme, But yiff thy body thow [[thow St., now C.]] applye ffor to fyhte a-geyn Golye Line 8316 With thy staff & with thy slynge; And with the also that thow brynge In thy skryppë stonys fyue, With the geaunt for to stryue, Line 8320 As dauyd dyde, thorgh hys renoun, Whan he hym slowh & beet a-doun.'

The pylgrym [[Pylgryme St., pylgrm C.]]

"Ma dame, certys," tho quod I, [prose cap cxxxvii-viii] "That ye me graunt so gracyously Line 8324 To be armyd as dauyd was Whan he fauht with Golyas, I thankë yow with al myn myght, And yow be-sechë / a-noon ryht Line 8328 That I may be armyd so, Whan-euere that I shal haue a-do. Other Armure ne wyl I noon, On pylgrimage whan I shal gon; Line 8332 But that ye [[yow St.]] lyst to do your peyne A Somer, fyrst[ë] to ordeyne, [¶ Bahu / St., om. C.] And ther-wyth (as ye haue be-hyht) Stonys & slyngë a-noon ryht. Line 8336 But fyrst I shal dysArmë me Off thys Armure, as ye shal Se." [Stowe folio 149a]

And so I dyde; & castë [[kast St.]] doun [prose cap cxxxix] Purpoynt, helm and haberioun, [folio 131a] Line 8340 Glouys & swerd, I yow ensure,

And fynally, al myn armure; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Wheroff me thouhte I was wel esyd.

But Gracë dieu was nat wel plesyd Line 8344 (Shortly) off my gouernaunce, But took yt parcel in greuaunce, And fro me she gan declyne, [[And to me no thyng dydde seyne St. (after the next line).] And entrede in, [[inne St.]] in hyr courtyne. Line 8348

And disarmyd I a-bood, And fulle nakyd so [[stylle n. ther St.]] I stood, And [[And St., om. C.]] ffel in-to A maner [[in to manere of a St.]] Rage Off dysconfort, in my corage. Line 8352 The lak vpon me [[my St.]] sylff I leyde; And thus vn-to my sylff I seyde: "Allas!" quod I, "what shal I do, Now gracë dieu ys go me fro? Line 8356 I stonde in gret dysioynt, certeyn, But vn-to me she kome a-geyn, Wych armede me ful ryally, And apparayllede Richëly, Line 8360 Lyk taknyht [[to a knyhte St.]] that sholde assaylle Hys Enmyës in [[in the]] bataylle.

But I was nat worthy ther-to, That she sholdë ha [[have St.]] do So, Line 8364 Off neclygence and ffreelte Now I haue dyspoylled me, Destytut on euery syde. Line 8367

"And trewly now I most a-byde, [Stowe folio 149b] As a shepperde (who taketh kep,) [folio 131b] With dauyd for to kepë shep, With staff & slyngë, as dyde he, I trowe yt wyl noon other be. Line 8372 Gracë dieu so me be-hyhte Whan that I stood [[stoode St.]] in hyr syhte, Dysarmyd my body, euerydel, Wher-off she lykede [[lykyng St.]] no thyng wel; Line 8376 But pleynly, off my gouernaunce, Me sempte she haddë dysplesaunce."

And whil I stood in swych dysioynt, [prose cap cxl.-i] [Omitting the coming of the wench Memory with her eyes in the back of her neck, p. 73 Roxb.]

And was brouht vn-to the poynt Line 8380 Off heuynesse in my corage, Tryst & mornyng off visage, Gracë dïeu cam a-geyn And thus she gan vn-to me [[vnto C., to me St.]] seyn: Line 8384

Grace dieu

'Thow shalt no thyng do,' quod she, 'But at [[alle St.]] thyn ownë lyberte: Thyn armure thow hast cast a-way, [prose cap cxli] And stondyst now in gret affray, Line 8388 Venquisshed (in conclusïoun), With-outë strook yput adoun, And fallen in gret febylnesse; Wher-for behoueth besynesse, Line 8392 And also ful gret dyllygence.

'Thy gret [[grete St.]] harmys to Recompense, Thow must be wasshe & bathyd offte, And couchyd in a bed ful soffte, Line 8396 Ther-in thy syluen to dysporte, And han a leche, the to coumforte, [Stowe folio 150a] Thy synwes harde to mollefye With oynementys, to make hem plye. Line 3400 Tel on A-noon; let for no slouthe; Her-off, yiff I sey thé the [[the the St., the C.]] trouth.'

The pylgrym

"Ma dame," quod I, "yt ys no les; [[lees St.]] [folio 132a] [prose cap cxlii] Off my peynës to haue reles, Line 8404 I woldë fayn (trusteth me) Off my disesses [[dyssese St.]] holpen be. The maner (yiff ye koude espye) ffor to shape a remedye; Line 8408 ffor, be my trouthe, I yow ensure, That I may no lenger dure To suffre mor, (taketh [[more / take St.]] good hed,) But that I muste pleynly be ded: Line 8412 With-Inne my-sylff, many wyse, Off labour I fele so gret feyntyse."

Grace dieu

Quod Gracë dieu a-noon to me: 'I haue espyed wel, and Se: Line 8416

Line 8416 'But I dyde my bysynesse To taken hed to thy syknesse, The to helpyn & releue Off thyng that doth thyn hertë greue. Line 8420 I wot ryht wel (yt ys no nay) Thow sholdest gon a peryllous way.

'But fyrst tak hed, & be wel war, The stonys wych that dauyd bar, Line 8424 Wyth the wych he slewe [[slough St., [folio 150b] ]] Golye, And haddë off hym the mystrye, The samë stonys, I ha [[have St.]] longe Kept hem bounde wonder stronge Line 8428 With-Inne a purs (shortly to seye), Off entent, with hem to pleye With maydenys wych on me a-byde, Euere a-waytynge on my syde, Line 8432 At the martews, [Martel s. m. Nom d'un jeu: Et. v. pierres i met petites, Don puceles aux martewes geuent Quant beles et rondes les treuvent. (Rose. Richel. 1573, fo. 176 a.)—Godefroi,] the gentyl play Vsyd in frauncë many day: The wych stonys, the to saue, I purpóse that thow shalt haue, Line 8436 As dauyd hadde, in hys dyffence, [folio 132b] ffor to makë résistence A-geyn the geaunt Golyat, Vn-to hym to seyn 'chek maat,' Line 8440 Whan that euere in bataylle He cast hym proudly the tassaylle.'

And a-noon she dyde hyr peyne To takë with hyr handys tweyne Line 8444 Out off a pours, [[Purs St.]] stonys fyue; That neuere yet, in al my lyue, I ne sawh nat to my syht No maner ston so cler nor bryht. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 8448 And in al hast, thys lady fre, Wyth hyr hond she took [[gaffe St.]] hem me: Wych I receyuede ful lowly,

And in [[in om. St.]] my skryppë sykerly, Line 8452 I putte hem up, on by on. But she to-forn, off euerychon, Sche made [[made to me. [Stowe folio 151a] ]] a declaracïoun And ful [[a full St.]] cler exposicïoun; Line 8456 In whos speche ther was no lak; And euene thus to me she spak:

Grace Dieu [[St., om. C.]]

'Thow shalt,' quod she, 'yt ys no fayl, Offten entren in [[in to St.]] bataylle, Line 8460 With thy foomen for to stryue, And han [[haue St.]] a werrë al thy lyue With the Geaunt Golyas, Wych hath be-set ech maner pas Line 8464 Wher thow shalt passe in thy vyage, As thow gost on pylgrymage. [folio 133a] Whos Ioyë ys (who kan conceyue,) All pylgrymës to deceyue; Line 8468 Vp-on the wey lyth, hem tespye, As doth the hyrayne for the fflye.

'And as she hyr net kan spynne, Tyl that she the flyë wynne, Line 8472 And by hyr sleythë [[sleyghte St., sleyth C.]] kan hem take, Ryht so hys trappys he doth make, [.i. Golias St., om. C.] Alle pylgrymës to enbrace, Wher they walke in any place, Line 8476 ffalsly to take on hem vengaunce, With hys deceytys off plesaunce, And flesshly lustys off delyt fful plesaunt to the appetyt. Line 8480

'With worldly rychesses, [[Richesse St.]] & veyn glorye Off goodys that ben transitorye, Off hem he maketh a sotyl net; [[nette . . knette St.]] And whan he hath yt vp ful knet, [[nette . . knette St.]] Line 8484 Ther-with he doth hys besy peyne, [Stowe folio 151b] Pylgrymes to bryngen in A treyne. Hem cachchynge (or they kan espye) As the hereyne doth the fflye, Line 8488 By ápparence ful ágrëáble, Thys ffalsë geaunt déceyuáble,

'Lyk the [[de St.]] bacyn that ys brennynge, And sheweth ffayr as in shynynge; Line 8492 Yet nat for-thy, thogh yt be bryht, The Beere yt reueth off hys syht, And maketh hym blynd, he may nat se.

'Ryght so, worldly prosperyte, Line 8496 fflesshly lust & fals plesaunce, Causen folk, by déceyvaunce, ffor to be blynd, & lese her syht.

'Wher-for with-stond with al thy myht Line 8500 The power of thys proud Golye. [folio 133b] Al fflesshly lustys ek defye; And off the world ek, tak noon hede, Wych deceyueth a man at nede. Line 8504

'And yiff thow wylt don affter me, I shal a-noon her [[here St.]] techyn the, Lych a myghty champyoun To venquysshe al temptacïoun [Stowe here awkwardly inserts a parenthesis of two lines: Looke thow be redy / euere in oon, To fighte with hem as thy foon.— [folio 151b] ] Line 8508 Off the world, Golye, & the fflessh.

'Looke ffyrst that thow be fressh, Lyk to dauyd off corage, Manly off hertë, wys & sage Line 8412 A-geyn thyn Enmyes for to stryue; And euere have redy, [[have redy St., haardy C.]] stonys ffyue, To caste hem (off entencïoun) Line 8515 A-geyn[ë]s al [[Ageyns alle manere off St., [folio 152a] ]] Temptacïoun, Loke thow be redy, euere in on.

'The namë off thy [[the St.]] ffyrstë ston [y^e first stone.—Jn. Stowe.] Ys the mynde most off [[off moste St.]] vertu, [¶ Primus lapis, Memoria passionis Christi. St., om. C.] Off the deth off cryst ihesu; Line 8520 How that he sprad on the rood, ffor mankynde, hys ownë blood; The peple ther-with to beyn [[byen St.]] a-geyn, Wych that Golyas hadde slayn. Line 8524 Thys, the precyous ruby Ryche, In al thys world ther ys noon lyche; Wych receyuede hys rednesse

'Off crystys blood, & hys rychesse. Line 8528

'Dye thyn herte (as yt ys good,) In the syluë [[sylff St.]] samë blood; Ha ther-in feyth & stedefastnesse; Than artow strong (in sothnesse) Line 8532 Ageyn golye & al hys myght, ffor to venquysshe hym by ffiht: Thy mynde ha ther-on, euere in oon.

'And the nextë [[next St.]] Rychë Ston, Line 8536 In noumbre callyd the secounde, [folio 134a] [y^e second stone. Jn. Stowe. ¶ Secundus lapis / Est memoria gloriose virginis Marie. St., om. C.] Wych wyth al gracë doth habounde, Off vertu hath most suffysaunce, And ys callyd Remembraunce Line 8540 Off that mayde & moder fre, Y-chosen off the dëyte fful many hundryd yer to-forn, Or she was off hyr modern born. Line 8544 Thys, the precyouse margaryte Off hevenly dewh & dropys whyte, Sprang in a Cokyl bryht & shene, ffor tavoyden al our tene, Line 8548 Whos gracë, thorgh the world doth shyne: [Stowe folio 152b] Lat hyre thyn hertë enlwmyne, And a-dewhen [[adewen St.]] with hyr grace; And neuere dred the (in no place) Line 8552 But thow shalt han the maystrye Off the devel and off golye.

'The thrydde ston ys 'Memorye [the third stone. Jn. Stowe. ¶ Tercius lapis / Est Memoria sempiterne glorie. St., om. C.] Off the perdurable glorye,' And off the hihë blysse in heuene Line 8557 A-boue the planetys allë seuene: Thys, the blyssyd saphyr [[saphire St.]] trewe, Al-to-gidre off hevenly hewe, Line 8560 Wych recounforteth most the syht Wyth hys counfortable lyht: Kep hyt for thyn ownë stoor, ffor yt saueth euery soor; Line 8564 Yt sleth [[sleethe St.]] bochches & ffelouns, Destroyeth venym & poyssouns; And off colour yt ys ynde:

'Lat yt neuer out off thy mynde. Line 8568

'Azure thyn hertë ther-wyth-al; And loue yt yn especyal, As for thy cheff pocessïoun; And thanke (off hih affeccïoun) Line 8572 To god only, wych [[god / which oonly St.]] off grace [folio 134b] Hath ordeyned swych a place ffor his chosë chyldre [[Children St.]] dere, The wychë, [[whiche St., wych C.]] as champïouns here, Line 8576 ffyhten wyth golye day be day, And overkome hym in ther way; Pylgrymes that passen many Rewm [[Reem St.]] Toward hevenly Jerusaleem. Line 8580

'The ffourthë ston ys callyd 'Mynde': [the fourthe stone Jn. Stowe.] Be-war that yt be nat be-hynde. [Quartus lapis est timor & memoria pene Infernalis St., om. C.] Haue yt [[this St., [folio 153a] ]] in thy memoryal Mynde off the peynys infernal, Line 8584 Wych ys gretly for to drede, Wyth hys flawmy fyrys rede. Redy (ther ys noon other wente,) Line 8587 Thys synnérys to tormente [[Thes Synners / to Tornemente St.]] Eternally, for ther penaunce, That deyë [[dyen St.]] wyth-out répentaunce;

'But, off that lord grettest off myght, Whos mercy euer passeth ryht, Line 8592 Off synnerys desyreth nat the [[but St.]] deth; ffor he doth mercy or that he [[or he St.]] sleth; Loth, swych folkys to tormente, That off herte hem wyl repente. Line 8596 'But yet haue alway in thy thouht, (And look that thou for-gete yt nouht,) To haue thy mynde, euere a-mong, Up-on thys mortal peynys strong. Line 8600

'And the name of thys dredful stone Ys ycallyd Albeston, Wych, whan yt receyueth ffyr, To hete yt hath so gret desyr, Line 8604 That [[That St., Than C.]] whan wyth [[Whan the St.]] ffyr yt ys ymeynt, Affter, neuere [[Never affter St.]] yt wyl be queynt.

'Haue on thys ston ay mencyoun,

'And in eche temptacyoun, Line 8608 Latt love off God, and drede off peyne, [folio 135a] [Stowe folio 153a] Fro dedly Synnë the Restreyne. [[Stowe MS.]] And yiff thow hast her-Inne memórye, [[Stowe MS.]] Line 8611 Off Golye thow hast the vyctórye. [[Stowe MS.]]

'The ffyffthë ston (I the ensure) [the fyffthe stone. Jn. Stowe. ¶ Quintus lapis, sacra scriptura St., om. C.] That thow shalt han, ys 'scrypture' Hooly wryt, & thus I mene, The Emerawd that ys so grene, [Stowe folio 153b] Line 8616 A rychë ston, off gret counfort, That to the eye doth most dysport, And, thorgh hys myght & hys puissaunce, Voydeth a-way al grevaunce Line 8620 ffrom an eyë [[Eyee St.]] fer & ner, And maketh A manhys [[manys St.]] syhtë cler, Clenseth a-way al ordure, The gownde, & euery thyng vnpure. Line 8624

'Now haue I told the, by & by, Off thys stonys coryously, [[Ceryously St.]] Wych that ben in noumbre fyue: Put hem in thy skryppë blyue, Line 8628 Caste hem ay whan thow hast nede; And specyally (as I the rede) Caste hem euere in ech sesoun A-geyns al temptacyoun, Line 8632 Ech affter other, in thy dyffence; And mak alway strong résystence, Spendynge thys [[thes St.]] stonys, on by on; And I ensurë [[assure St.]] the a-noon, Line 8636 Thow shalt nat faylle (yiff thow be wys,) Off vyctorye to gete a prys.'

The pylgrym

Than quod I to hyre a-geyn, "Thys fyue stonys (in certeyn) Line 8640 Ben ryht good & gracïous, & at assay ryht vertuous; But I merueylle, syth ye be wys, Why that ye, in your a-vys, [folio 135b] [[St. & C.]] Line 8644 Lykne my Mouth un-to a slynge; [[St. & C.]] ffor I kan nat aboutë brynge, [[St. & C.]]

"Nor deuyse, how that I schal [Stowe folio 154a] [[St. & C.]] To castë stonys ther-wyth-al, Line 8648 To helpe [[Stowe. Telpe C.]] my sylff ageyn my ffon; ffor custoom hadde I neuere noon, God knowéth wel, nyh nor ferre, [[C. & St.]] Me to gouerne in swych a werre." Line 8652

Grace dieu.

Quod she, 'Kanstow nat espye? Who kan wysdom, he kan folye; And who that knoweth ek goodnesse, Line 8655 Parcel he knoweth off shrewdnesse; [[shrewdenesse St.]] ffor ryhtwysnesse, & also wrong, Entermedlen euere a-mong; And in an herte (yiff yt be souht) Ther tourneth many a dyuers thouht, Line 8660 Lyk a corde (yt ys no doute), Wyth-Inne yt [[Whiche St.]] tourneth ofte aboute; And off two cordys, they a-corde Offtë for to make a corde. Line 8664

'ffor Cordys be sayd (who kan aduerte,) Off offtë tournynges [[turmentynges St.]] in an herte; And wyth twynnyng, (in certeyne,) A [[Oo St.]] cord ys ymad off tweyne. Line 8668

'And thus thow shalt aboutë brynge, Off thy thouht to make a slynge, Ther-in to puttë stonys ffyue, Ageyn thyn enmyes for to stryue, Line 8672 To cast hem in thys mortal werre, Wer-so thow [[the St.]] lyketh, nyh or ferre.

'ffor, slynge ys noon, (thys no doute,) That may tourne so offte aboute Line 8676 As may thy thouht (be wel certeyn); ffor bothe on hylle, on vale & pleyn, [Stowe folio 154b] Yt tourneth her, yt tourneth yonder, Line 8679 So offtë [[So offte St., Soffte C.]] sythe, that yt ys wonder, ffer or ner, ryht at thy lust, [folio 136a] On whos abood, yt ys no trust. [[C. & St.]] But, yit [[yitte St.]] I redë, tak good kep (Lyk thys Erdys [[thes herdys St.]] that kepe shep) Line 8684 Thy slynge and stonys to kepë wel,

And that thow err, neueradel."

The pylgrym:

"Allas," quod I, "what may thys be, That, off my foly nycete, Line 8688 I am be-kome an Erdë [[herde St.]] man,— And noon other crafft ne kan,— A rud shepperde, thorgh my folye, And ha for-sakë chyualrye, Line 8692 Armys that longen to a knyht, Ther-off complaynynge day & nyht. And syker, so I may ryht wel, Whan I consydre euerydel Line 8696 Hou dauyd (who lyst taken kep) Was fyrst an Erde, [[herde St.] & keptë [kept St.]] shep; But, thorgh hys manly gouernaunce, Hym-sylff affter he dyde avaunce Line 8700 To be callyd a myghty kyng, Thorgh hys vertuous lyuyng, And wyth al thys, a famous knyht.

Wherfor, I pray yow anoon ryht, Line 8704 Lyk your hest, doth your deuer To ordeyne me a somer, Myn harneys ther-in for to karye; And her-vp-on that ye nat tarye, [Stowe folio 155a] Line 8708 But in al hast that ye me spede, That whan yt falleth [[ffayllethe St.]] I ha nede, Myn armure be nat fer me ffro, Whan that I ha nede ther-to." Line 8712

Grace dieu:

Quod grace dieu anoon to me, 'Thow hast abydynge ay wyth the A seruant and a chaumberere, [folio 136b] Wych in soth, (as thow shalt lere,) Line 8716 Lesyth hyr tyme, & doth ryht nouht, A Damyselle: [[Stowe]] lat hyr be souht, To trusse thyn harneys euerydel. ffor yiff hyr lyst, she kan ryht wel Line 8720 (I haue off hyre no maner doute,) Trusse, and bern yt ek a-boute, And folwe the owher [[wher St.]] so thou go;

'And by my counsayl, lat her so, Line 8724 Syth that she kan do hyr deuer, Bothe be thy seruant & somer.'

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," (to speke feythfully,) "I ha noon sywch wyth me," quod I. Line 8728

Grace dieu:

'Certys,' quod she, 'thou hast swych on; I shal hyr shewe to the a-noon, Yiff in thy sylff ther be no lak: Looke be-hynden at thy bak!' [Stowe folio 155b] Line 8732

The pylgrym:

And so I dydë,—lyk as she The samë tyme comaundyd me,— Be-held bakward, & saw [[saw om. St.]] sywch on; Wheroff astonyd I was a-noon, Line 8736 And fyl in-to a ful gret doute, Be-cause, whan I be-held aboute, I sawh that eyen hadde she noon, Ne [[No St.]] mor than hath a stok or ston; Line 8740 Wych was to me a thyng hydous; She semptë, a best monstruows, Outward, by hyr contenaunce.

But tho I hadde a rémembraunce Line 8744 How Gracë dieu hadde don to me Touchynge myn eyen, wyth wych I se, Wyth them to make me se the bet, In myn erys whan they wer set, Line 8748 By hyr ounë puruyaunce; Wher-off havyng a rémembraunce, I gan consydre & lokë wel [folio 137a] Hyr shap & maner euerydel. Line 8752 Tyl at the laste, I dydë fynde In hyr haterel, fer be-hynde, Tweyne Eyen fful cler & bryht; Wych was to me a wonder syht. Line 8756

And on thys thyng gretly musynge, To grace dieu my-sylff tournynge, Sodeynly I tho abrayde, And, astonyd, to hyre I sayde: Line 8760

Line 8760

The pylgrym: [[C. has this heading 4 lines higher.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, ("yiff ye lyst lere,) [Stowe folio 156a] I ha founde a chaumberere, Me suyng at my bak be-hynde, Off whom I hadde to-forn no mynde Line 8764 Nor no maner rémembraunce; And syker, I ha no gret plesaunce Off hyr offyce nor hyr seruise; Causë why, I shal devyse: Line 8768 Me semeth she ys vngracyous, Counterfeet & monstruous: And as me semeth in my syht, She ne kan nat, halff a-ryht, Line 8772 Wyth me trussen myn armure, Nouther kepe myn harneys sure."

Grace dieu:

'Certys,' quod Gracë dieu ryht tho, 'I wot my sylff yt ys nat so: Line 8776 She kan hem trussë most trewly, And beren [[beren St., bern C.]] also sykerly. Wherfor, in thyn oppynyoun, Tyl thow haue occasïoun Line 8780 Or som cause, dyspreyse hyr nouht; ffor whan the trouthe ys clerly souht, Thow shalt knowë wel that she Ys ful necéssarye to the, Line 8784 Yiff thow lyst maken [[maken St., makem C.]] prouydence [folio 137b] Off any konnyng or scyence, Yt to concevue wyth-outë lak,

'By cause hyr Eyen stonden bak, Line 8788 Yt ys a sygne (as thow shalt lere) That she is a tresourere Off konnyng & of sciencys, [Stowe folio 156b] And off all Experyencys Line 8792 That be commyttyd to hyr garde; Yiff thow konne a-ryht rewarde, Thyngis passyd, thow shalt fynde Sche kepeth hem closyd in hyr mynde, Line 8796 Sorë shet wyth lok & keye, That they go nat lyhtly awey.

'Al [[Alle St.]] thyngës off antyquyte, Storyes that auctorysèd [[auntorysed St.]] be, Line 8800 And thyngës digne off Rémembraunce, And al the oldë gouernaunce Wych a-for thys hath [[ha St.]] be do, She kan devysë, no whyht so, Line 8804 Fresshly renewyd in hyr thouht.

'And yet, to-forn, she seth ryht nouht, Nor a-parceyueth no maner thyng Off that shal folwe in hyr seyyng, Line 8808 Off wysdam, Armys, nor vyctorye. And hyr name ys "memorye"; And so thow shalt off Ryght hyr calle Her-affter-ward, what euer falle. Line 8812 And wherso that [[that om. St.]] thou wake or slepe, Tak hyr thyn armure for to kepe; And she wyl makë no daunger, But the to serue, & [[& om. St.]] don hyr deuer." Line 8816

The pylgrym to memoyre.

Than quod I to thys chaumberere: "Wych that [[that St., than C. (Wych that = You who)]] han your eyen clere, Only be-hynde (yiff yt be souht) & to-forn ne se ryht nouht,— Line 8820 ffor off thynges that passyd be, [folio 138a] Ys your chargë [[Charge only St. [Stowe folio 157a] ]] for to se; And I to-forn shal taken hede:— But I stonde in a maner drede, Line 8824 In what wyse ye shal sustene To remembre, (thus I mene,) Or so gret a charge to bere, Off thyngës out off myndë feere, [[myn ffeer St.]] Line 8828 Hem to reporte, wyth-outë blame; But, for ye han so good a name, And, to bere, [[beere St.]] ben ek couenable, Strong also & seruysable; Line 8832 To yow thys armure I commytte, Out off your garde that they nat flytte." [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

And she tooke [[tooke St., took C.]] [hem] ful lowly In-to hyr kepyng fynally, Line 8836

Line 8836 And in hyr tresour vp hem layde. And Gracë dieu than to me sayde:

Grace dieu:

Quod she a-noon, 'tak hed her-to! Now artow redy for to go Line 8840 As a pylgrym on thy Iournee To Ierusaleem the cyte; Redy in al (yt ys no drede), Save off o [[oon St.]] thyng thow hast nede, Line 8844 Only off bred, [[om. St.]] (wyth-outë more,) Ther-wyth thy skryppë to astore: Off wych bred [[om. St.]] I ha the told.

'But I the rede, be nat to bold Line 8848 To takë noon (in no degre,) Wyth-outen lycence or conge Off the ladyes (in substaunce) [folio 138b] [Stowe folio 157b] Wych ha that bred in gouernaunce. Line 8852 And alderfyrst: thow ek observe, [[St. & C.]] That thow konne yt wel dysserve, [[St. & C.]] And thy sylff, aforn to make [[St. & C.]] To be worthy yt to take Line 8856 Off the ladyes, benygne off cherys, Wych ther be set ffor awmenerys: With-oute hem, put the nat in pres.'

Thanne wente I to [[vn-to St.]] Moyses, Line 8860 Hym be-souhte, to my good sped, ffor to youe [[yeve St.]] me off that bred. And he me gaff yt ful goodly; And in my skryppë, a-noon I Line 8864 Putte that bred most off vertu. [[C. & St.]] Thanne to me spak Gracë dieu:

Grace dieu:

Quod Gracë dieu to me tho blythe, 'By my counsayl, offtë sythe Line 8868 Lok ther-to that thow tak hede Whan thow shalt etyn off thys bred, Thy syluen gostly to dysporte, And thyn herte to récounforte, Line 8872 Therby tarme thy sylff ryht wel, Bet than in Iren or in stel;

'Therby to han experyence ffor to makë résistence Line 8876 Ageyn al thy mortal ffon.

'But herkene vn-to me A-noon: Conceyuë (for conclusïoun) Yt ys a gret [[a ffulle St. [Stowe folio 158a] ]] confusïoun Line 8880 To the (yiff thow lyst to lere,) That she wych ys thy chaumberere Sholde, affter the, thyn armys bere; And thow thy-sylff darst hem nat were, Line 8884 Nor wyth thy fynger touche hem nouht, Swych dred & fer ys in thy thouht, [folio 139a] Thow braydest on a koward knyht, Resemblynge hem that dar nat ffyht: Line 8888 I holde hem nat goode werryours, Manly knyhtes, nor conquerours, That hange her sheldys vp on [[vp on C., on St.]] the wal, To make a mowstre in specyal, Line 8892 Outward by, as by apparence, ffor to shewe the excellence Off ther rychesse by fressh array; And ther bodyes, nyht nor day, Line 8896 Nor them sylff, dar nat a-vaunce To handle [[To handle St., Tandle C.]] nouther swerd nor launce; But outward shewyn ffressh peyntures Off dyuers bestys and ffygures, Line 8900 Lyk to manly champyouns, As they wolden slen lyouns In dyffence off ther contre. And yet, par cas, yt may so be, Line 8904 Ther bodyes strongëly [[strongely St., strongly C.]] tassure, They stuffe her somerys wyth armure, Wych ay hem folweth at the bak, That in shewyng ther be no lak; Line 8908 And for al that, (who taketh hede) And yt kome vn-to the nede, (I mene, as off a mortal werre,) [Stowe folio 158b] Line 8911 They woldë hem sylff holde [[holde St., om. C.]] afferre, To preue her manhood & hyr myght.

'But I holde hym a manly knyght,

'Wych off hys harneys (fer & ner) Ys hym syluen the somer, Line 8916 And bereth hys armure on hys bak, On hys Enmyes to takë wrak; And in hys harneys, day & nyht Ys foundë redy, lyk a knyht, [folio 139b] Line 8920 Off prouydence hym sylff to kepe, And ther-in, day and nyht doth slepe, Redy to sende hym wyth hys hond, Namly, whan he ys in a lond Line 8924 Wher the werre ys ay mortal,

'And truste wel in especyal, That the land & the contre Toward Ierusalem the cyte, Line 8928 Thow mayst nat passe yt, fer nor ner, Wyth-oute pereil & gret daunger. Yt ys ay ful off Ennemyes, Off brygauntys, & fals espyes, Line 8932 And off ffomen fful despytous.

'And in thys passage perillous, Me semeth (in no maner wyse,) That yt may to the suffyse, Line 8936 Thy stonys platly, nor thy staff slynge, (Wych wyth the that thow dost brynge), But yiff thow do thy deuer, To haue wyth the thy Somer, Line 8940 To ber thy armys on thy bak, Bet than in bowgys or cloth sak.

'Yt [[And yt St. [Stowe folio 159a] ]] wer a gret derysïoun To the, and gret confusïoun, Line 8944 Yiff thy chaumbrere sholde hem brynge, And thow, for lak off fforseyynge, Stoode thy syllff disconsolaat, Dysarmyd, nakyd, & chek-maat, Line 8948 Consydred [[Consydre St.]] that thy chaumberere Ys lasse off myght & off powere Than thow thy-sylff[ë] sholdest be, Yiff thow be gouernyd by equyte.' Line 8952

The pylgrym:

"Certeys ye seyn ryht wel at al.

"But I wolde in especyal Wyten how yt myghtë be, [folio 140a] Or whehr the fautë [[the defaute St.]] wer in me, Line 8956 The causë [[Stowe]] platly of thys cas, That I so sone dysarmyd was; And why I myghtë nat endure The hevynesse off myn armure." Line 8960

Grace dieu:

'Hastow,' quod she, 'no Rémembraunce, How I the toldë, [[tolde St., told C.]] in substaunce, Thow wer to fat, and to lykynge, To gret and large (as by semynge,) Line 8964 The to putte in áventure So hevy armure to endure?'

The pylgrym:

"I wel remembre," [[Remembre me St.]] so ye sayde, And thys defautys on me ye layde; Line 8968 And yet ye sayde to me no wrong; [Stowe folio 159b] But now I ffele my sylff mor strong To ben armyd, off [[in St.]] good entente, Yiff so be that ye assente." Line 8972

Grace dieu:

'Wostow what thow art?' quod she: 'Yiff thow be On, declare to [[to om. St.]] me; Yiff thow be double outher tweyne, Tel me A-noon & nat ne feyne. Line 8976 Lat ther be no varyaunce Wher thow hauë [[hast the St.]] gouernaunce Off any maner other wyht Than off thy sylff: tel on now ryht.' Line 8980

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se, Off thys thyng ye axë me, (Yiff ye lyst pleynly to [[to om. St.]] concerne,) I haue no mo for to gouerne Line 8984 But mysylff, nor to comaunde. I haue merveyl off your demaunde; [folio 140b] [[C. & St.]] What ye mene, off this questyoun [[C. & St.]] Wyth-oute a declaracyoun." [[C. & St.]] Line 8988

Grace dieu:

'Yiff vn-to me good audyence, And also do thy dyllygence Terkne [[To herken St.]] a-noon what I shal say; And thy sylff shalt nat seyn nay; Line 8992 But I shal preue the contrayre, That thou hast an aduersayre, [Stowe folio 160a] And On ek off thy mostë foon, Whom that thow off yore agon Line 8996 Hast yhad in gouernaunce, And dost ful bysy áttendaunce ffor to cherysshe day & nyght, Wyth al thy power, and thy myght; Line 9000 A dayës, for to fede hym offte, And a nyht, to leyn hym soffte; Wyth metys most delycyous, And, wyth deyntës outragous, [[outrageous St.]] Line 9004 Thow dost ful besy áttendaunce To ffostren hym to hys plesaunce.

'What-euere cost ther-on be spent, Thow takest noon heed in thyn entent, Line 9008 But al hys lustys to obeye.

'And yet I dar afferme & seye, He was ordeyned for to be Soget & seruaunt vn-to the, Line 9012 And tabyde in thy servyse.

'But now ys tournyd al that guyse, Pleynly, yiff thow lyst to se; ffor he hath now the souereynte, Line 9016 Lordshepe & domynacïoun, That ffyrst was in subieccïoun. And to concluden, at O word, Thow art soget, & he ys lord; [folio 141a] Line 9020 And yet he was delyvered the, [[C. & St.]] Thy seruaunt euere to ha be; But he ys now thy most enmy, And doth hys power outterly, Line 9024 Euere in on, the to werreye, And day & nyght to dysobeye, And for thy lustys ay to varye, Vn-to the to be contrárye, [Stowe folio 160b] Line 9028

Line 9028 'Nat-wyth-stondynge the dyllygence, The costys & the gret expense That thow dost hym for to plese, And hys Gredynesse tapese: Line 9032 Thow beyst [[byest St.]] hym many fressh Iowel, And sparest nat off thy catel To beyn [[byen St.]] hym knyuës & tablettys, Rychë gyrdelys & corsettys, Line 9036 Clothes off sylk & off skarlet, Embrawdyd, & wyth perlys [[pelles St.]] ffret: Al hys desyrs thow pursues, Somwhyle to lede hym to the stewes, Line 9040 To wasshe & bathe hym tendyrly, And to leyn hym sofftely On ffether beddys, mad ful wel, ffor to slepe hys vndermel; Line 9044 And afterward to kembe hys hed: Wyth wynës also, whyt & red, Wyth maluesyn & ypocras, Thow dost to hym ful gret solas, Line 9048 And art mor bysy hym to queme Than thy-sylff, I dar wel deme.

'As a norysshe on [[noryse / to St.]] hyr enfaunt, Thow art euere áttendaunt Line 9052 To ffostren hym, lyk hys delyt, And to serue hys appetyt; [folio 141b] And shortly, whan thow hast al do, Thow hast noon so mortal ffo; Line 9056 ffor the, to trayshe [[traysshen St.]] wyth al hys myht, He lyth a waytynge day & nyht; And hys ffamylyaryte Ys ful noyous vn-to the. Line 9060 ffor Enmy noon ys so perillous, So dredful, nor contágyous, In al the [[the St., om. C. [Stowe folio 161a] ]] erthë, fer nor ner, As an enmy ffamylyer, [Familiaris Inimicus St., om. C.] Line 9064 Nor so gretly to be drad [[dradde . . sadde St.]] Off ffolkys that be wyse & sad. [[dradde . . sadde St.]]

'And yiff thow lyst to lern off me, Tak good hed; for thys ys he [[St. & C.]] Line 9068

Line 9068 'Wych wolde nat suffre the to lere, Noon Armys nor noon harneys were, The to dyffende fro thyn enmyes, Brygauntys and other false espyes; [[C. & St.]] Line 9072 And shortly (yiff I shal nat tarye) He ys thy gretest aduersarye That thow hast, & most to drede: Be war therfor, & tak bet hede.' Line 9076

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se, I merveylle what he sholdë be, He that ye accuse and blame, And put on hym so gret dyffame, Line 9080 How that he sholdë, day & nyht, Be bysy (as ffer as he hath myght) To traisshe [[traysshe St.]] me, as a fals tractour, And to my worshype & honour Line 9084 Don any derogacioun By swych compassyd fals traisoun.

"I pray yow for to tellen me What maner whyht he [[that he St.]] sholdë be. Line 9088 Telleth me ek whar he was born, [folio 142a] And warneth me off hym to-forn; Telleth hys name & hys fygure, That I may my sylff assure Line 9092 Ageyn hys mortal Enmyte, [Stowe folio 161b] That I myghte avengyd be. And, by my trouthe, a-noon I shal Dysmembren hym on pecys smal, Line 9096 Quyk on the Erthe, what-euere he be, And ye hys namë tellen me. And yet thys vengaunce, in no wyse Myghtë nat ynowh suffyse, Line 9100 Thogh al quyk (to myn entente) I dysmembrede hym ther he wente."

Grace dieu:

'Certys,' quod she, 'thow seyst ryht wel: But, & thow wylt wyten euerydel, Line 9104 And conceyve ek in thy thouht, Ne wer thy-sylff, he wer ryht nouht,

'Nor, wyth-outë the, certeyn, He ne wer nat but in veyn; Line 9108 ffor ffolkys, nouther yong nor olde, Sholdë nat on hym be-holde, But haue hym in despyt, certeyn, In répreff, & in gret desdeyn, Line 9112 (Ne wer thy sylff, I the ensure,) ffor but a lyknesse off ordure, And a statue off slyym [[slyme St.]] vnclene, (Vnderstond wel what I mene,) Line 9116 Donge & putrefaccïoun, A Kareyn off corrupcyoun: Thow shalt yt fynde (in wordys fewe,) As openly I shal the shewe, Line 9120 Whan thow gynnest thy passage. And, for thyn owne ávauntage, I wyl go wyth the off entent, [folio 142b] Line 9123 And, holdyng our [[oure St. [Stowe folio 162a] ]] parlement, Thow & I, to-gydre yffere, What that he ys, I shal the lere.'

y^e pilgrime [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.]]

"Go we," quod I / "I am wel payd Off al that euere ye ha sayd; Line 9128 But specyaly I yow requere That ye & I may gon yfere, And departë [[depart St.]] nat our way; And that ye wyl me goodly say Line 9132 (Lyk to your oppynyoun) The maner & condicïoun Off myn enmy, & off me, Whil that we [[we St., ye C.]] to-gydre be, Line 9136 No whyht but ye & I yfere,— Exceptë that my chaumberere Wyth me haveth [[bereth St.]] myn armure;— And my syluen mor tassure, Line 9140 That in hyre ther [[ther ther C., ther St.]] be no lak, Me folweth alway at the bak."

Grace Dieu. [[St., om. C.]]

Quod gracë dieu, 'ffor to declare Thyn Enmy pleynly, & nat spare, Line 9144

Line 9144 'He ys foul & ek terryble [[to Orryble St.]] Lothsom also, & Odyble, Off condycyoun ful dyuers, Right contrayrë & peruers; [[parvers St.]] Line 9148 Was engendryd (I dar assure) And brouht forth, as [[as St., om. C.]] by nature, Off woormys that in erthë krepe, And lyggen in the soil ful depe. Line 9152 He ys a worme, & shal also [Stowe folio 162b] Be wormys mete; tak hed her-to! Off wormys (in especyal) He took hys orygynal; [folio 143a] Line 9156 And in-to wormys he shal tourne, And wyth wormys ek soiourne; In the erthë [[the Erthe St., therthe C.]] putrefye; And wormys shal hym ek defye, Line 9160 Torne hym to foul corrupcyoun: Swych ys hys condycïoun.

'And nat for-thy (tak hed & se,) Euery nyht he lyth wyth the Line 9164 A-bedde; and trustë ek trewly, [[Truely St.]] Ye partë [[departe St.]] neuere company. And vn-to the yt ys gret shame, And a maner off dyffame Line 9168 To the, & gret confusïoun; Affter hys replecyoun, He may nat purge hym on no syde But thow hym lede, & be hys guyde; Line 9172 In chaumbre, goyng to pryvee, Hys chaumberleyn thow mustest be: Wyth-outë the (yt stondeth so) That he sothly may no-thyng do: Line 9176 Thow art hys pyler & hys potent; And ellys he were Inpotent, Blynde, & lamë doutëles, [[doutles St.]] Deff, and also spechëles, Line 9180 And óff no reputacïoun, Ne wer thy supportacïoun.

'And yet to speke in general, He kan to the no thank at al: Line 9184

Line 9184 'Hys froward conuersacyoun Ys off swych condycioun.'

Y^e pilgrime. [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St., [folio 163a] ]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "al that ye seyn, I vnderstonde yt wel certeyn; Line 9188 But I merveyllë ful gretly That ye lyst nat to me pleynly [folio 143b] Makë ful relacyoun, And clerly demonstracïoun, Line 9192 Wyth toknys bothen hih & lowe, Attonys that I myghte hym knowe; ffor thanne, nouther nyht nor day Ther sholde be makyd no delay, Line 9196 Wyth-outë respyt or pyte But that I sholde a-vengyd be (Wyth-outë súpport or favóur) By cruel deth, on that traytour." Line 9200

Grace Dieu. [[St., om. C.]]

"Nat-wyth-stondynge hys offence, To slen hym thow hast no lycence; That may be suffryd in no wyse. But thow mayst hym wel chastyse Line 9204 And correctë by due [[dew St.]] peyne, And fro vycys hym restreyne. And, whan that he doth forfete, As a mayster thow shalt hym bete, Line 9208 And correcte hym by travaylle,— Nat as a tyraunt by battaylle, By cruel Rygour nor vengaunce,— But reforme hym by penaunce, Line 9212 At-wyxe the yok off loue & drede. ffor (yiff thow lyst to taken hede,) Penaunce ys hys cheff maystresse, [Stowe folio 163b] Hym to chastyse & to redresse: Line 9216 She shal, off al dyffaute & blame, Refreynen hym, & make hym tame, Off dyscrecioun wel a-vysed. And whan she hath hym wel ch stysed, Line 9220 She shal (as thow shalt vnderstond,) Make hym redy to thyn hond,

As A seruaunt, the to serue, Lyk a sergaunt, to obserue Line 9224 Lowly, what thow byst [[byddest St.]] hym do, [folio 144a] And nat sey nay, nor go ther-fro, But be at thy comaundëment. Line 9227

'Thys sholdest thow, off [[off St., om. C.]] good entent, (Lyk vn-to an holsom leche,) Rather desyre, than any wreche. ffor (yiff thow look wyth Eyen cler,) He stondeth nat vnder daunger Line 9232 Off dethe to the, no maner wyse; ffor thow art boundë to deuyse Hys goostly elthë [[helthe St.]] & wel-ffare; And ouer thys, nat for to spare, Line 9236 (Wherso that he wake or slepe) ffrom al pereyl [[perylle St.]] hym to kepe, Wherso that thow be dul or ffressh; ffor thys, thy Body & thy fflessh, Line 9240 He that I mene, the syluë [[selve St.]] same, Off hym I kan noon other name."

The Pylgryme. [[St., om. C.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "what may thys be? Whether dreme I, other [[or St.]] ellys ye? Line 9244 ffor (as fer as I kan espye,) I merveylle off your fantasye, Or by what weye ye woldë gon. [Stowe folio 164a] Ys nat my body & I al on? Line 9248 I trowë yis; & ellys wonder, Or how myhte we be assonder? Ys he a-nother than am I? I pray yow, tel me ffeythfully, Line 9252 (And me declareth the sothnesse [[sothfastnesse St.]] Wyth-outen any dowbylnesse,) What that ye menë verrayly; ffor her ys no whyht but ye & I, Line 9256 Except only my chaumberere, Wych that folweth us [[vs St.]] ryht here.

"A-noon to me doth sygnefye, [folio 144b] Wher yt be trouth or fayrye Line 9260 That we shold ben on or tweyne:

"Tel on a noon, & doth nat ffeyne."

Grace Dieu. [[St., om. C.]]

Quod Grace dieu: 'out off my mouth Wentë neuere north nor south, Line 9264 Est, nor west, nó lesyng, [[Est and no are emphatic, and each stands for a measure.]] Illusyoun, nor fals dremyng. But I axe a questyoun: Answere ther-to by good resoun: Line 9268 'Yiff thow were now in a place fful off merthe & off solace, Wyth mete & drynke, at good ese, And wyth al thys, the to plese, Line 9272 Haddyst thy comaundëmentys Off hallys, chaumbrys, & gaye Tentys, Sofftë beddys, dysport & play, And euery thyng vn-to thy pay, Line 9276 Havyng no lak vp-on no syde; [Stowe folio 164b] Yiff thow myghtest ther abyde At thy choys ffrely alway, Woldestow gladly parte a-way, Line 9280 Or ellys stylle [[Stylle Ellys St.]] abydë there? Tel on boldly, & ha no ffere.'

Y^e pilgrim [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "dysplese yow nouht; I sey ryht as lyth in my thouht: Line 9284 Myn hertys esë for to swe, I wolde abyde (& nat remewe,) ffor myn ese, euere in on, Rather than thenys [[thens St.]] for to gon; Line 9288 ffor yt ys profytable tabyde [[to abyde St.]] Wher that a man, on euery syde ffyndeth vn-to hys plesaunce Soiour, [[Sokour St.]] wyth-outë varyaunce.' Line 9292

Grace Dieu. [[St., om. C.]]

'Ys that verrayly,' quod she, [folio 145a] 'Soth that thow hast sayd to me? I vnderstonde, by thy language, Thow woldest leue thy pylgrymage, Line 9296 And platly settyn hyt a-syde, Only for reste, & ther a-byde.'

The Pylgryme. [[St., om, C.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "for my dysport, Wher I fond [[Fonde I St.]] esë & counfort, Line 9300 I wolde abyde a whylë there, [Stowe folio 165a] Tyl I sawh tyme & good leyser."

Grace dieu. [[In Stowe's hand. Grace Dieu St.]]

To me she sayde a-noon ryht than: 'O wrechche! o thow vnhappy man! Line 9304 Tak hed, & be mor éntentyff, How herë, in thys mortal lyff, Thogh that a man renne euermore, He may neuere hast hym to sore Line 9308 To kome to tymely to that place.

'I puttë caas, that he ha space fforth to procedë, day be day, At good leyser vp-on hys way. Line 9312 Her-vp-on I axë the, Yiff thow haddyst lyberte, Ioyë, merthe, & al soláce, Woldestow fro thylkë place, Line 9316 Yiff thow haddyst fre chois at wylle Remewen, or a-bydë stylle?'

Y^e pilgrime [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.]]

"Allas!" quod I, "what may I seyn? I kan nat wel answere a-geyn. Line 9320 But o thyng I wot ryht wel; The cyrcumstancys euerydel Consydryd vp-on euery syde, Par cas, rather I [[rather than I St.]] sholde abyde, [folio 145b] Line 9324 Than ben to hasty to procede, Tyl I sawh I mustë nede Goon forth off necessyte: [Stowe folio 65b] In caas than wolde I hastë me." Line 9328

Grace Dieu:

Quod Grace dieu thanne vn-to me: 'By thyn answere, I do wel se That thyn entencyoun ys trouble, And thy wyl ys also double; Line 9332 Thy inward thouht ek varyáble, Thy purpos dyuers & vnstable,

'Consydryd vp-on outher syde, How som whyle thow wylt abyde, Line 9336 And a-nother tyme also, Thow art in wyl [[wylle St.]] forth for to go; Now in travaylle, now in reste, And offte thow thynkest, for the beste, Line 9340 Stylle in a placë to soiourne; And sodeynly thy wyl [[wytte St.]] doth tourne, ffor to holdë thy passage; Thy purpos double off vysage, Line 9344 Constreynèd by a dyuers lawe, Now forth, & now yt doth wyth-drawe; Selde or neuere off O [[oo St.]] thouht; Line 9347 The toon wyle, & the [[wylle the St.]] tother nouht."

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," quod I, "lyk as ye seyn, fful trewe I ffele yt, in certeyn."

Grace dieu:

Than quod she; "lat nat the greue [Stowe folio 166a] Vp-on thy wordys; thogh I preue, Line 9352 And thogh I make an Argument, That thow art double in thyn entent, Alway nat on, [[oon St.]] in certeyne, But partyd oftë in-to tweyne. Line 9356 ffor yt ys knowe, off yore agon, That two wyllys be nat on, [folio 146a] Wych be seueryd in o thouht, And off entent acordë nouht. Line 9360 ffor, how myghtë they accorde, Whan they drawe nat by o [[they nat be/off oo St.]] corde? Thys knoweth euery maner whyht, That hath off Resoun any syht." Line 9364

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," quod I/"I yow be-seche, Clerly [[Clerely St.]] that ye wyl me teche What that I am; wych seyn that I Am nat the same that my body. Line 9368 What am I thanne? thys wolde I se, Yiff ye lyst enfourmen me: Ther wer no thyng to me so leff,

"As knowe her-off A trewë preff." Line 9372

Grace dieu:

Quod gracë dieu: 'yt semeth wel, Thow hast nat lernyd euerydel Thyngys nouther hih nor lowe, Line 9375 Syth thy sylff thow [[om. St.]] kanst nat knowe; The wych, a-boue al other thyng [Stowe folio 166b] Ys the bestë [[best St.]] knowelychyng That man may han in thys [[t hys St.]] lyff here.

'And, yiff thow lyst platly lere, Line 9380 To knowe thy sylff ys bet knowyng [Melior est si te ipsum cognoscas, quam si te ignorato [ignorate St.] causas side|rum, vires herbarum.] Than to be Emperour outher kyng, Or for to knowen al scyénces, Practykes, & experyences; Line 9384 Or to han al the rychesse Off thys world (in sothfastnesse), Or the tresour euerydel, But syth thow knowest nat ryht wel Line 9388 Thy sylff, as thow sholdest knowe, (Wyth cyrcumstauncys hih & lowe,) Me semeth (as in myn avys,) Taxe and lernë, [[To axe and lern St.]] thow art wys. [folio 146b] Line 9392 And I shal telle the feythfully In thys materë, trewëly, [[trewly C., St.]] What that I fele in myn entent Shortly, as in sentement: Line 9396

'The Body, fyrst, (be nat in doute,) Off wych [[the which St.]] I spak closyd wyth-owte, Whan yt ys fro thë segregat, Dysseueryd & separat, Line 9400 Thanne off the, (I dar wel seyn And afferme yt in certeyn Off god thow art the portrature, Thymage [[The ymage St.]] also, and ffygure; Line 9404 And [[And nat St.]] off nouht (yiff thow kanst se) He ffourmede & he madë the, (That lord [[Lorde St.]] ffyrst, in thy creaunce,) To hys ownë résemblaunce Line 9408 And ymage, wych off lyknesse Most dygne, & worthy off noblesse, [Stowe folio 167a]

'A prent [[Apparent St.]] (to speke off dygnyte) He myghte nat ha set on [[sette in St.]] the Line 9412 Mor worthy, nor mor notáble, Than to hym sylff [[selven St.]] résembláble. He gaff to the, off hys goodnesse, Cler syht off Resoun, & ffayrnesse, [[Fayrenesse St.]] Line 9416 And off nature to be mor lyht Than any ffoul that ffleth in flyht, And neuere to deyen, ek wyth-al, ffor he made the Immortal, Line 9420 Permanent, & euere [[eke St.]] stable. And tadwellyd [[to have dwellyd St.]] Immutáble, Yiff thow nat haddyst, off entent, fforfetyd hys comaundëment; Line 9424 Than haddystow, thorgh thy Renoun, Excellyd in comparysoun: Comparysoun myghte noon ha be To thy noblesse & dygnete, [folio 147a] Line 9428 Off hewene nor Erthë, in certeyn, Nor (to declare & speke in pleyn,) Bryd, nor other crëature, Except off angelys the nature. Line 9432

'God ys thy ffader, (tak hed her-to) And, thow art hys sone also, Most excellynge off kynrede That euere was (wyth-outë drede), Line 9436 Most noble, & off grettest style; ffor off Thomas de guillevyle Thow art nat sone on that party I dar afferme, & seyn trewly, Line 9440 Who-euere gruchche, or makë stryff [Stowe folio 167b] That he nat hadde, in al hys lyff, To seke, in al hys nacyoun, No sone off swych condycyoun, Line 9444 Douhter nouther (yt ys no fable,) Off kynredë [[kynrede St.]] so notáble. But, off Engendrure bodyly, Thow haddest off hym thy body, Line 9448 Wych kam off hym by nature: The wych body (I kan assure [[dar Ensure St.]] )

'Ys to the (tak hed her-to,) Thyn Enmy & thy grettest foo, Line 9452

'On that party (yiff thow lyst se,) Roos fyrst the gretë Enmyte; Nature hath yt so ordeyned; But yt thorgh vertu be restreyned. Line 9456 For the ffrut (what-euere yt be) Bereth the tarage off the tre That yt kam fro (I dar assure); ffor yt were ageyn nature, Line 9460 A Thorn to bern a Fyggë soote; The bud hath tarage [[Fr. terrage]] off the roote, Lyk as an appyl or a pere, Thogh yt be born, neuere so fere, [folio 147b] Line 9464 Yt savoureth (whan that al ys do,) Off the Tre that yt kam fro.

'And semblably haue in mynde, Manys body, as be kynde, Line 9468 As off hym sylff (be wel certeyn), May ber no ffrut but foul & veyn Ordure & [[and ffoull St.]] corrupcïoun, Slym & putrefaccïoun. Line 9472

'But yiff thy gynnyng be wel souht, [Stowe folio 168a] Off swych fylthë thow kome [[swyche ffylthe . . kam St.]] nouht: ffor fyrst, in thy creacïoun Thow haddyst no produccïoun Line 9476 (Yiff I shal declaren al) Off no man that was mortal. Thy makynge may nat be amendyd, ffor off god thou art descended; Line 9480 And pleynly (yiff thou vnderstondys,) God made neuere wyth hys hondys Her in erthe (what sholde I feyne [[ffeyne St.]] ) Off mankyndë mo than tweyne; Line 9484 Vn-to wyche (wyth-outë wheer) He commyttede hys power, And gaff to hem an exaumplayre, Other, lyk hem, to makë fayre, Line 9488 Lyk thexamples in [[the Ensamplis St.]] general, To hym reseruynge in specyal

'Off spyrytys (in conclusïoun) Thordynaunce & the ffasown, Line 9492 Off wych he woldë (as by skyl) Noon other medle, by hys wyl.

'And her-vp-on (yiff thow lyst se,) The samë lord, he madë the Line 9496 Off hys goodnesse, for thy prowh; And in the [[they St.]] body wher thow art now, He the putte (as I dar telle), Ther a whylë for to dwelle, Line 9500 And ther tabyde (thys, the cheff) [folio 148a] For tassayë the by preff; And by thy port [[part St.]] also dyscerne How thow [[thow om. St.]] sholdest the gouerne Line 9504 Prudently, both fer & ner; And yiff thow dydest thy dever To [[For to St.]] dyffendë thy party, [Stowe folio 168b] Yiff he [[he St., ye C.]] wolde holdë chaumpartye Line 9508 Ageyn[y]s the in any wyse. ffor, (as I shal to the devyse,) Atwyxë [[Atwix St.]] yow (yt ys no faylle) Ther ys werre & strong bataylle, Line 9512 And contynuelly ther shal be, But so falle, thow yeldë the, And putte the in subieccïoun Thorgh hys fals collusïoun, Line 9516 By hys deceyt & flaterye [[Flaterye St., flatry C.]] Evere to hauë the maystrye Over the (in cónclusïoun) Whyl he hath domynacïoun. Line 9520

'But yiff that thow (as yt ys ryht,) Dyscounfyte hym by verray myghte, And by forcë ber hym doun Lyk a myghty champyoun, Line 9524 Than shal-tow (bothë fer & ner,) Over hym han ful power, That he shal neuere, for no quarelle, Ageyn[y]s the, dor rebelle, Line 9528 To Interuptë thyn entente.

'And trewly, but thy sylff assente

'He shal neuere be so bold, The to wythstonde, as I ha told. Line 9532

'He ys Dalyda, thow art Sampsoun; Thow art strong (as by resoun), Sturdy on thy feet to stonde: Suffre hym nat, the to wyth-stonde, Line 9536 Nor over the to han [[haue the St.]] maystrye [folio 148b] ffor no glosyng nor flatrye. [[fflaterye St.]]

'And yiff thou takë hed [[hede St.]] ther-to, She ne [[nat St.]] kan nat ellys do; Line 9540 But wyth flatrye [[fflaterye St.]] & deceyt, Nyht & day lyn in a-wayt, And swych wach on the doth make, To make thyn enmyes the to take Line 9544 At mescheff, whan they may the fynde. And yiff thow wylt, sche [[he St., he C., later, with sc prefixt.]] shal the bynde. Sher thyn heer whyl thow dost slepe, But thow konne thy-syluen kepe. Line 9548 And overmor, I the ensure, Thy counsayl al she [[he St., C.]] wyl dyscure, And thy secretys euerichon, To phylystees that be thy ffoon. Line 9552 Other frenshepe, trustë [[trust vn-to St.]] me, She [[He C., St.]] hath pleynly noon to the.

'Now ches, & to my speche entende, How thow wylt thy syllf dyffende; Line 9556 Be nat to thy confusïoun Deceyued as whylom was Sampsoun.'

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," to gracë dieu quod I, "I merveyllë ful gretëly; [[gretely St., gretly C.]] Line 9560 ffor pleynly (as yt [[yt St., om. C.]] doth me seme) Outher I slepë or [[outher St.]] I dreme That ye, a-mong your wordys alle, Lyst a 'Spyryt' me to calle, Line 9564 Wych wyth my body do abyde, Wher-so that I go or ryde; And seyn, I am to [[so St.]] cler seyng; And me semeth I se no thyng. Line 9568 And ek I take good hed her-to,

"How ye afferme, & seyn also, That my body, wych seth so wel, [Stowe folio 169b] How that he seth neueradel, Line 9572 But ys as [[om. St.] blynd as ys a [as eny St.]] ston. [folio 149a] And your wordys euerychon Ben so vnkouth & [[and so St.]] merveyllous, And to my wyt so daungerous, Line 9576 That they faren, whan I hem here, As a flee were in myn Ere; I am astonyd so outterly. I pray you tel me mor clerly, Line 9580 That I may wytë (by som mene) Off al thys thyng, what that [[that om. St.]] ye mene."

Grace dieu:

'Tak hed,' quod she, 'yiff thow konne, And se somwhylë how the sonne, Line 9584 Wyth hys bemys bright & clere, Most ffressh in hys mydday spere, The samë tyme, vnder a cloude, Offtë sythe he doth hym schrowude, Line 9588 That men may nat be-holde & se The bryhtënesse [[bryhtnesse C.]] off hys bewte. Wher-vp-on, I the comaunde To answere to thys demaunde: Line 9592 Whan the sonne ys closyd so That hys clernesse ys ago, Tel on, & [[Telle on St.]] Answere, yiff thow may, Off what thyng causyd ys the day.' Line 9596

The pylgrym:

"To tellë shortly in a clause: Off day, ther ys noon other cause [Stowe folio 170a] But phebus, as I kan espye. Thogh hys bemys, vnder skye Line 9600 Ben hyd, yet yt ys no doute, Al the lyht that sheweth oute, Ys ycausyd euerydel Off the sonne (who lokë wel); Line 9604 Thorgh a skye hys lyht doth passe, To shewe yt forth in euery place. And shortly ellys (yt ys no nay) [folio 149b]

"Wyth-oute hys lyht, ther wer no day." Line 9608

Grace dieu:

Quod Gracë dieu: 'answere me; How maystow parceyue or se, Or in any wyse espye Hys bryhte bemys thorgh a skye?' Line 9612

The pylgrym:

"Ryht so," quod I, "as thorgh a verre, Men sen hys bemys shyne a-ferre, Or as men sen off ffyr the lyht, Thorgh a lanterne cler & bryht." Line 9616

Grace dieu:

Quod Gracë dieu a-noon to me: 'What thow hast sayd, tak hed,' quod she, 'And vnderstond ffyrst in thy syht, By the sonne that shyneth bryht, Line 9620 Thy soulë cler, in espécyal, Wyth-Inne thy body wych ys mortal. Off thys mater we haue an honde, [Stowe folio 170b] Ther-by thy soule I vnderstonde. Line 9624

'Thy body (yiff thow kanst espye) Vs dyrk, as ys a clowdy skye; And lyk also (who kan dyscerne) To a smoky, blak lanterne. Line 9628 And nat for-thy (I dar expresse) Men may sen, thorgh the bryhtnesse Off the soule (yt ys no doute), And the clernesse, fer wyth-oute. Line 9632 Clerkys recorde yt in ther skolys; And other wene, that be but ffolys, In ther foltyssh fals demyng, That al the cler enlwmynyng Line 9636 Wher-off that porë skyë (lo,) [[sky loo St.]] Wher-wyth the sowle ys shrowdyd so, Eclypsyd off hys fayr bryhtnesse. And ne were the gret dyrknesse Line 9640 Off thys skye (who loke a-ryht), [folio 150a] The sowle sholde han so cler a syht At o look, fro the oryent To sen in-to the occident. Line 9644

Line 9644

'ffor off the body (trustë me) The Eyen, no verray eyen be, But lyk to glas, (I dar wel seyn), Wher-thorgh the clerë soule ys seyn, Line 9648 And outward (wyth hys bemys bryht) Yiveth ther-to clernesse and lyht. ffor the sowle, (who taketh hede,) Off bodyly eyen hath no nede, Line 9652 No mor than, in semblable caas, The bryhtë sonne hath off the glas, Nouther byforn, nouther be-hynde. [Stowe folio 171a]

'And conceyue also in thy mynde, Line 9656 That Eyen wych ben espyrytual, Wyth-oute spectácle or ffenestral, Sen off hem syllf mor parfytly, fferther perce, & mor clerly, Line 9660 Than whan [[Whan that St.]] the bodyly dyrknesse, The gostly eyë doth oppresse. ffor gostly Eyen sen wel the bet, Whan yt ys so they be nat let Line 9664 Wyth bodyly Eyen that ben outward, And han to no-thyng ther reward, But to thynges off veynglorye, That be passynge & transytórye, Line 9668 Dyrked wyth a worldly skye.

'And whylom blyndë [[blynde St., blynd C.]] was Tobye Off bodyly eyen, as wyth-oute; But inwardly (yt ys no doute) Line 9672 He was nat blynded off hys syht, But hadde hys eyen cler & bryht; I mene, the Eyen off hys mynde; ffor by tho Eyen (as I ffynde) Line 9676 He tauhte hys sone, & clerly tolde [folio 150b] The weyë that he sholdë holde In hys passagë, & nouht erre. Hys Eyen wer cler as any sterre, Line 9680 Off hys mynde, wych made hym se; And ellys yt myghte neuere ha be, Off hys inward inspeccyoun, To yove him swych instruccyoun [[Informacion St., with Instruccion in margin.]] Line 9684

Line 9684 'How he sholdë hym gouerne, Wyth-oute the siht [[sighte St.]] wych ys eterne, [Stowe folio 171b] I menë, the siht [[sighte St.]] spyrytual, Wych ys gostly & eternal. Line 9688

'That syhte, [[sighte St.]] by agë wasteth nouht; And (yiff the trouthë be wel souht,) Thy bodyly eyen (trustë [[trust St.]] me,) Wyth hem thow mayst no thyng yse. Line 9692 The soule seth al by cler lookyng, And the body seth nothyng; Blynd wyth-Innen & wyth-oute. And ner the soule, (yt ys no doute,) Line 9696 Seyng cler he shold ha noon, Na mor than hath the [[a St.]] coldë ston.

'And as yt ys towchyng syht, Evene so (who looke a-ryht) Line 9700 Yt ys off al thy wyttys fyue; ffor who seyth nay, or geyn [[ageyn St.]] yt stryue, Euerych off hem, in sentement, Ys but a maner instrument, Line 9704 The wych, touchyng ther werkyng, Off thé they receyve euery thyng; ffor, wyth-outen helpe off the, They no thyng here, they no thyng se, Line 9708 Nor no thyng thay may reporte. And yiff thow dyst [[dydest St.]] hem nat supporte, And sustenyst wyth thy myghte, Line 9711 Eryng, [[Heryng St.]] Smellyng, Touch & Syht, Thy body wer nat euerydel [folio 151a] But a verray foul dongel, Impotent, and feble also, Outher to mevyn or to go.' Line 9716

The pylgrym:

"Thanne, wyth your supportacïoun, [Stowe folio 172a] I axe off you thys questyoun; And ffryst off all I thus begynne: 'How may the sowle that ys wyth-inne, Line 9720 Ber the body that ys wyth-oute?' To me assoylleth fyrst thys doute; ffor yt semeth mor Reson,

"(As to my oppynyoun,) Line 9724 The body outward (thus I mene) Sholde the soule inward sustene. Yiff ye grante to speke at large, Line 9727 Thyng that conteneth, berth [[bereth St.]] the charge, And bereth vp al, to myn entent: And thyng, wyth-Inne that ys content, That thyng ys born, as semeth me. And her-vp-on I woldë se, Line 9732 Syth that ye ben prudent & wys, A good answere, by your avys."

Grace dieu:

'Vp-on thy questioun to conclude An answere, as by symylytude: Line 9736 Conceyuë fyrst in thyn entent, Thy clothyng & thy vestyment. Contene thy boady [[Body St.]] euerydel Wyth-Innen: yiff thow loke wel, Line 9740 Thy body closyd ys wyth-Inne; And but yiff thow fro resoun twynne, Thow wylt nat geyn-seyn vn-to me, Thow beryst thy clothys, & they nat the, Line 9744 And fully ben in thy depoos; And yet thow art wyth-Inne hem cloos; [Stowe folio 172b] And, (yiff thow clerly kanst dyscerne,) At thy lust dost hem gouerne; [folio 151b] Line 9748 And (to seyn shortly in substaunce,) Thow hast off hem the gouernaunce.'

The pylgrym:

"And ys yt lyk, ma dame," quod I, "In al, off me & my body?" Line 9752

Grace dieu:

'To yive thé [[the the St.]] mor cler evydence, I putte a maner dyfference; Leff the chaff, & tak the corn: The sowle bereth, & ys born. Line 9756 ffor, ffyrst, the sowle pryncypally Susteneth & bereth the body; And parcel-lyk [[poelle lyke St.]] (to thyn entent) The body bereth by accident Line 9760

Line 9760 'The sowlë, but her-on reporte, The myghte, the vertu, ay resorte Off the body, in certeyn, Evere vn-to the sowle ageyn. Line 9764

'And evydence her-on to make: Thow mayst a cler exaumple take, Yiff thow euere dydest [[dyddest euere St.]] se Any shyp a-myd [[Shippe / in St.]] the see, Line 9768 (Shortly declaryng, at a [[oo St.]] word,) The maryner wyth-Inne the bord Ledeth the shyp, (tak hed her-to,) And ys hym sylff ylad also. [Stowe folio 173a] Line 9772 Tak here Exaumple, & be wel sad, But he yt ladde, he [[yt St.]] wer nat lad.

'Semblably, by exaumple cler, Thy sawlë ys cheff maryner, Line 9776 Ledere & govérneresse Off thy body, in sothnesse: She ledeth [[ledethe . . too & too St., ledeht . . two & two C.]] hym ay too & too, And ys hyr syllf ylad also. Line 9780 ffor, at hyr lust & hyr talent, She, by hyr ownë fre assent, Ledeth the body, as yt ys skyl. ffor the body, but by hyr wyl, [folio 152a] Line 9784 Hath no power, (yt ys no drede) No syde, the sowlë for to lede.

'And therfor, do thy besy peyne, Havynge the body in thy demeyne, Line 9788 To lede hym so, & he ek the, In thys dredful worldly see, fful off wyndys & Tempest, And wawës boyllynge Est & west, Line 9792 That, by assent, here [[here St., her C.]] in your live, At goode hauene ye may aryve, And at good port, whan cruel deth Schal make hym yelden vp the breth.' Line 9796

The pylgrym:

"Ma damë, sothly, I do lere, By your wordys that I here, To forthre me, & nat to tarye.

"Yt wer to me ryht necessarye, Line 9800 [[That St., om. C.]] That off your grace ye woldë blyue, [Stowe folio 173b] Out off my shyp makë maryue; [[to make me aryue St.]] I menë thus, ma dame, that ye Wolde in al haste dyspoyllë me Line 9804 Off my body, wych ys greuous, Hevy, gret, & ponderous, That I myghte off hym a-noon ryht Haue knowelychyng & ek a [[eke St.]] syht Line 9808 Mor cler, to make me vnderstonde The mater that we haue an [[in St.]] honde, To sen hym, how he ys compassyd, Line 9811 Wych hath so offte to me [[to me / so offte St., soffte to me C.]] trespassyd; And yet he wyl nat, for myn ese, Hys Rancour a-geyns me appese.

'But yet I pray yow feythfully, To don your deuer ffynally, Line 9816 That I may sen hym (& nat ellys), Wher he be swych as ye me tellys; ffor I nat vnderstond ywys, What ye ha sayd, nor what he ys." [folio 152b] Line 9820

Grace dieu:

'I may ryht wel be-leve,' quod she, 'Thys thyng so vnkouth & secre, That thow art dyrkyd in thy syht, Yt to consydre & sen [[seen St.]] a-ryht. Line 9824 And the cause why thow art let Ys, for thy body hath so shet Thy gostly Eyen (in substaunce) Wyth a clowde off ygnoraunce, Line 9828 And dyrked wyth a mysty skye, That thow mayst nat wel espye The secrenessë, [[secretenesse St.]] yong nor Old. [Stowe folio 174a] And as to-forn I ha the told, Other obstácle ys ther noon But thy body, blynd as a ston; [[as stoon St.]] He dyrketh so thyn Inward syht. But for thy sake, a-noon ryht Line 9836 I schal assayen & provyde, Thy body for to leyn asyde,

'ffro the [[the to St.] take yt, yiff [yiff that St.]] I kan, That thow mayst conceyvë than Line 9840 Off hym hooly the gouernaunce, And what he ys, as in substaunce. But thow mustest, in certeyn, Affter, sone, resorte ageyn Line 9844 To thyn oldë dwellyng place, Tyl that deth, a certeyn space, Schall the dyspoylle, and makë twynne [[a twynne St.]] ffro the body that thow art Inne.' Line 9848

The Pylgryme: [[St., om. C.]]

And Gracë dieu a-noon me took, (I not, wher that [[whether St.]] I slepte or wook,) & made (for short conclusïoun,) My body for to falle a-doun. Line 9852 And affter that, a-noon ryht Me semptë that I took my flyht, And was ravisshed in-to the hayr, [folio 153a] A place delytable & ffayr. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 9856 And me thouht ek, in my syht, [Stowe folio 174b] I was nat hevy, but verray lyht, And my beholdyng was so cler, That I sawh bothë fer & ner, Line 9860 Hih & lowe, & oueral. And I was ryht glad wyth-al; Al was wel, to my plesaunce, Save a maner dysplesaunce Line 9864 I hadde off O thyng, in certeyn, That I muste go dwelle ageyn Wyth-Inne my body, wych that lay Lyk an hevy lompe off clay; Line 9868 Wych to me was no forthryng, But perturbaunce, & gret lettyng, Thyder to resorte off newe.

Tho wyst I wel that al was trewe Line 9872 That gracë dieu hade seyd to me. And thanne I wentë for to se Wher the body slepte or nouht. And whan I haddë longë souht, Line 9876

Line 9876 Tastyd hys pows [[tried his pulse]] in certeyne, And gropyd euery nerff & veyne, And fond in hym no breth at al, But ded & cold as a ston wal. Line 9880 And whan I dyde al thys espye, Hys gouernaunce I gan defye.

Grace dieu:

Tho gracë dieu spak vn-to me, 'Lifft vy thyn Eyen, beholde & se, [folio 153b] Line 9884 Yiff thow konnë now clerly; [[kan . . Clerelye St.]] Knowe in erthe thy gret enmy, [Stowe folio 175a] He that wolde nat suffre the bere Noon Armys, nor noon harneys were, Line 9888 Causynge, thow myghtest nat endure, Vp-on thy bak to bere Armure, The to dyffende fro thyn Enmyes, ffro brygauntys & false espyes, Line 9892 Wych the [[to St.]] werreyen euermore. Off hym, I ha the told be fore, That yt ouhte ynowh suffise; Yet, as I shal to the devyse, Line 9896 Thow mayst nat chesyn, in certeyn, Wyth-Innen hym to entre Ageyn, Retrussen hym, & ek recharge (Bothe in streyth [[streighte St.]] & ek in large) Line 9900 Bern hym wyth the in thy vyage, Whyder thow gost on pylgrymage.'

The pylgrym:

"Ma damë, myn entencïoun Was now, & my deuocïoun, Line 9904 Off newë to haue Armyd me, Assayed yiff yt wolde ha be, That I myghte ha bor Armure, My sylff the bettre to assure; Line 9908 ffor, as now, to my semyng, They be nat hevy, no maner thyng, Nor lyk the cónceyt off my thouht; They weyë [[wey St.]] but a thyng off nouht." Line 9912

Grace dieu:

'Certys,' quod she, 'no mor they doth; [Stowe folio 175b]

'And therfore thow seyst ful soth. But thow shalt vnderstondë me Yiff thow dyst now armen the, Line 9916 And woldest now a-noon begynne In the poynt that thou art Inne, Thy meryte to reknen al, [folio 154a] Nor thy decert, ne wer but smal; Line 9920 ffor thyn Armure thow must vse, And feythfully yt nat refuse, Whan thow art entryd (thys the cheff,) Thy body that lyth now blynd & deff, Line 9924 Doom also, and insensyble, Wych mustë wyth the be penyble, Sustene also, & be suffráble. ffor he wyl also be partáble Line 9928 Off thy merytès & guerdouns, As he was off thy passïouns: Your decertys shal be al on. Wherfore, enhastë the a-noon, Line 9932 In-to hym for to retourne, Ther a whylë to soiourne Wyth hym, as thow hast don toforn. And, that your tymë be nat lorn, Line 9936 Than off assent & wyl entere, Wyl he [[ye St.]] be to-gydre yffere, Enarmë yow, & make yow strong ffor to wythstondyn euery wrong.' Line 9940

And whan she hadde al to me sayd, Wher [[Whether St.]] I was wel or evele a-payd, I sawh ther was noon other geyn; I was retrussyd, & a-geyn Line 9944 Wyth the body that I kam fro; And certeynly me thouhtë tho, [Stowe folio 176a] I was nakyd, and al bare Off al my Ioye & my wel-fare; Line 9948 ffor al was gon in O moment.

And tho I hadde ageyn Talent (Me sempte yt myghte nat be forbore) To louë, as I dide affore; Line 9952 & holy vn-to hys entente,

Me thouhte I gan a-noon assente, ffully tokeyen hys plesaunce. [folio 154b]

Thus aparceyvnge my woful chaunce, Line 9956 Clerly sawh wyth-Innë me, That I sholde deceyved be, Lyk as I was off yore agon. And tho I gan to wepe a-noon, Line 9960 Sihe & sorwe, & seyn "allas! What shal I don now in thys cas? Or to what party in certeyne Shal I drawen off thys tweyne?" Line 9964

Grace dieu:

Quod grace dieu, 'what may thys be? Why wepystow? what eyleth the, So thy syluen to dyscounforte? ffor trewly (as I kan reporte,) Line 9968 Wepyng & tendre terys grene, [Turpissimum est in homine pru|dente, remedium in roris // Seneca /—St., [folio 176a] ] Only to wommen appartene, Whan sodeynly they falle in rage, And nat to men off strong corage.' Line 9972

The pylgrym:

"Certys," quod I / "I may wel wepe; [Stowe folio 176b] ffor, (yiff ye lyst to taken kepe,) My Ioye, my myrthe & my plesaunce, Myn Elthe, & al [[helthe and, St.]] my suffysaunce, Line 9976 Sodeynly me han forsake. I may compleyne, & sorwe make, ffor, whylom, aboue the skye I was wont to fle [[flye St.]] ful hihe, Line 9980 And hadde also ful glad repayre Wyth bryddys fleyng in the hayr, [[Eyre St.]] In my most lusty fressh sesoun; But now I am avaylyd down, Line 9984 I fynde (by gret aduersyte) Al that ys contrayre vn-to me. I am venquisshed, I am bor doun, My vertu (in conclusïoun) Line 9988 Hath lost hys myht, hys excellence; ffor now, ther ys no résystence On my party (as yt ys founde);

"ffor, off the body, wher I am bounde, Line 9992 Ys hool my force, & al my myght, [folio 155a] (Wych ys ageyn al skyle & ryht,) And buryed quyk, (yt stondeth so,) I Am in erthe, wher-euere I go; Line 9996 (Thys verray Ernest, & no Iape,) Cheyned, ryht as ys An Ape, Vn-to a clog, [[the Clogge St.]] & must yt swe, And fro thenys may nat remewe; Line 10000 ffor my body, gret & large, Ys the Clog that me doth charge, Wych letteth, wyth hys gretë wheyhte, That I may nat flen an hyhte [[heyghte St.]] [Stowe folio 177a] Line 10004 ffor euere, wyth hys mortal lawe, Doun to therthe he doth me drawe.

"I trowë (shortly in sentence) The word ywrete in sapyence Line 10008 Was whilom seyd off me ywys, Who kan take hed; and yt ys thys: 'A body corrupt (yt ys no nay) [Corpus quod corrumpitur, Ag|gravat Animam. Sapiencie. 9^o Capitulo. St., om. C.]] Greveth the soulë [[body C., St.]] nyht & day, Kepeth hym in captyvyte; Line 10013 Yt may nat gon at lyberte, Nouther wakynge nor a-slepe;' ffor wych, certys, I may wel wepe, Line 10016 And seyn 'allas,' & sory be, Off my grete aduersyte."

Grace dieu:

'Than haue in mynde, for any slouthe, That vn-to the I toldë trouthe.' Line 10020

The pylgrym:

"Your wordys alle I do aduerte, & thankë you wyth al myn herte. Off hem I am ryht wel apayd; ffor al that euere ye han sayd Line 10024 Ys verray soth, & no lesyng,

"But I be-seche yow off O thyng, Yiff I durste you compelle, [folio 155b] O word that ye lyst me telle: Line 10028 What ys the cause (declareth why,) [Stowe folio 177b]

"That he ys mor strong than I; Or why am I not (telleth me), As strong or myghty as ys he?" Line 10032

Grace dieu: [[St., ce Dieu in Stowe's hand, in margin in C.]]

'Yiff the roote be wel out souht, Strengere than thow, thát ys he nouht. But her-vp-on now herkne me: Thow mayst nat, in no degre, Line 10036 Hym venquisshe (in conclusïoun), Oppressyn hym, & bere hym doun So myghtyly in hys contre, As thow sholdest, yiff that he Line 10040 Hadde hys conuersacioun Wher thow hast domynacïoun.

'In hys contre he doth now dwelle. Therfor shortly, I the telle, Line 10044 He hath the gretter ávauntage; And yt ys sayd off ffolkys Sage, And a prouerbe wryte off old, How that euery whyht ys bold Line 10048 Vy-on hys owne (erly & late), At the dongel at hys gate; Strong to makë résystence. & men sen by experyence, Line 10052 Ech man mor myghty off hys hond, Whan he ys in hys ownë lond: Thys doth hym trusten, & be bold.

'But for al thys that I ha told, Line 10056 Tak hed in no maner wyse, [Stowe folio 178a] Ne let nat, for no cowardyse, Hym tasaayllë ffer nor ner; ffor yiff thow konne, at the cheker, Line 10060 Thy drawhtys drawë, & wel pleye, Make hym lowly to obeye Vp-on hys dongel, in hys estat, [folio 156a] Ther, to hym to seyn 'chek maat;' Line 10064 Thys maat shal be, thorgh thy puissaunce, To holde hym vnder gouernaunce. And lyst that he do noon offence, Kepe hym lowe wyth abstynence, Line 10068

Line 10068 'Voyde hym fro replecyoun, And governe hym so, by Resoun, Off mete and drynk, only that he Ne do no superfluyte. Line 10072 Lat hym lytel Ete or drynke; Mak hym labour & ek swynke; Lytel slepe, & gret wakyng; Dyscyplynes [[Dyssyplyned St.]] & ek betyng, Line 10076 Yiff to hym in many wyse.

'And thus thow shalt hym best chastyse: Devout wepyng wyth orisouns, And hooly medytacyouns, Line 10080 Wyth Instrumentys off penaunce, Shal off thy causë do vengaunce, Best iustefyë [[Iustyse St.]] thy party; And they shal make the fynally Line 10084 (Wyth-outë contradiccïoun) To haue hym in subieccïoun; And, for thyn encres off glorye, Yiue the renoun & vyttórye Line 10088 Whyl thow so dost, nyght & day, [Stowe folio 178b] And he shal neuere dor [[dar St.]] seyn nay.

'And to fforther thyn entent, Lat vs tweynë, by assent, Line 10092 Gon vn-to an hyl off sond, Wych stant her al-most at the hond: [[at honde St.]] A soffte pas, lat vs go walke.'

Verba Peregrini [[St. in margin, om. C.]] :

And as we wentë & gon [[gonne St.]] talke, Line 10096 A sondy [[sodeyn St.]] hyl she gan me shewe; And thus she sayde, on wordys fewe:

[Grace Dieu]:

'Leffte vp thyn eye a-noon,' quod she, 'And ffyrst off al, be-holde & se [folio 156b] Line 10100 How that an Amptë, a best smal, [.i. Formica. St., om. C.] Wyth hertë, body, myght & al, To nouht elles doth entende, But on thys hyllë [[hylle St., hyl C.]] vp tascende, Line 10104 And, in hyr paas & clymbyng soffte, She ys bor doun, & let ful offte

'Wyth powdry sondys out off noumbre, Wych hyr passagë so encoumbre, Line 10108 And hyr desyre [[desires St.]] ek restreyne, That she may nat fully atteyne The hyest party off the hyl, ffor she ys let ageyn hyr wyl. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 10112 And thogh she peyne hyr nyht & day, Evere the soond lyth in hyr way, Overwhelmeth, & bereth hyr doun, Contrayre to hyr entencïoun, Line 10116 Yt ys so sotyl, drye & smal, And wonder brotyl ek wyth-al, That, by reuolucïoun, [Stowe folio 179a] Yt rebateth & bereth doun Line 10120 Thys lytel beste that I off telle.

'But for al that, she wyl nat dwelle In the valë cast doun lowe, Ther tabyden any throwe; Line 10124 But hyre afforceth a-noon ryht To remounte wyth al hyr myght, Hyr sylff afforcynge, newe & newe, Euere hyr labour to renewe, Line 10128 (Lyk a myghty champyoun) [folio 157a] Thogh she wer offte avalyd doun.'

But at the laste, thorgh hyr labour, I sawh hyr, lyk a conquerour, Line 10132 Wyth hyr travaylle renewyd offte Gete vp on the hyl a-loffte; And ne woldë neuere lete Tyl yt was conqueryd in quyete; Line 10136 And thanne off ryht, as for hyr [[the St.]] beste Vp-on the cop [[coppe St.]] she dydë reste.

Grace Dieu [[St., in Stowe's hand in C.]] :

Quod grace dieu tho vn-to me: 'Her, thow mayst beholde & se Line 10140 (Yiff thow lyst to loke a-ryht) The forcys (platly) & the myght Bothe off thy body & off the; And in [[in C., om. St.]] a pleyn Exaumple se Line 10144

Line 10144 'Off thamptë, wych ys doun [i]falle Among the brotyl sondys alle. Yiff he, at euery fallyng doun, Line 10147 Hadde lost hys myght & hys renoun [Stowe folio 179b] ffor to recure the hylle a-geyn, Thanne al hys labour were in weyn; But, for on [[A St. Nota St., om. C.]] dysconfyture He wyl nat cessyn to recure Line 10152 That he hath lost, (as by hys wyl,) Tyl he be hihe vp on the hyl.

'And yiff thow clerly vnderstond, Thy body ys the hyl off sond, Line 10156 The wychë, [[whiche St., wych C.]] thorgh hys brotylnesse, [[Brotylnesse St.]] And powdrys of vnstabylnesse, Ys redy (off entencïoun,) Evere to make the fallë doun, Line 10160 And to dyrken (off entent,) The eye off thyn entendëment To kepe the in the valë lowe. [folio 157b]

'And whan he may espye or knowe Line 10164 That thow, in any maner wyse, Woldest on the hyl aryse, Wyth sondry [[sondy St.]] reuolucïouns Off dyuers temptacïouns Line 10168 He travayleth (thys, no tale) Lowe to holde the, in the vale, Wyth hys sturdy vyolence, But thow makë résistence Line 10172 Be tymës & at primë face Whan he begynneth to manace.

'And to wythstonde hys fellë [[ffoul St.]] myghte, At the gynnyng thow must be lyhte, Line 10176 Mawgre hym, wyth herte & wyl, ffor to gete vp on the hyl; And thy Iourne nat to tarye, Ther ys no bettre exaumplarye Line 10180 Than thamptë (yiff thow tak hede) Vp-ward the hyl thy sylff to spede.' [Stowe folio 180a]

'Remembre, in thyn entencyoun The precept off kyng salomoun, Line 10184

Line 10184 'Wych, in hys book of sapyence, Comaundede (shortly in sentence) And bad [[baden St.]] men taken hed her-to, To the Amptë ffor to go, Line 10188 Tavoydë slouthë, cheff noryce And moder vn-to euery vyce.

'Salomoun vnderstood & ffond The pereyl off thys hyl off sond Line 10192 In hys tyme, & ek ther-to, The nature off the Ampte also; Ther-off, [[Wher-off St.]] whan he wrot in hys book, & good hed also he took Line 10196 To thampte in sothfastnesse, Whan he bad voyde al ydelnesse.

'Be war, therfore, off sleuthe, I rede And euere [[St. & C.]] among, tak good heede Line 10200 Off hys sleyhty falsë [[ffals St.]] whyles, [folio 158a] Off hys treynës & hys guyles. Voyde hym fro the by the roote; Kep hym lowehe [[lowhe / ay St.]] vnder foote; Line 10204 Hys powdry sondys, trede hem doun, The sondys off al Temptacyoun, (Whos noumbre no man may acounte.) Wych wyl nat suffre the to mounte Line 10208 Vp on the hyl, to reste a-loffte, They wyl [[wylle St.]] lettë the so offte, Or thow mayst ha ful vyctorye.

'And haue alway in memorye, Line 10212 Thys sondy hyl ys thy body, [Exposicion. St., om. C.] Wych letteth the (as most Enemy,) That thow mayst nat in vertu ryse. [Stowe folio 180b]

'But alderfyrst thow must despyse Line 10216 Slouthe, as I shal the lere; Than by ese thow shalt conquere, Wyth Thampte, (in certeyn space) To clymbe aboue the hyl by grace. Line 10220

'And haue alway wel in mynde, That thow shalt thyn enemy ffynde Slowh [[Slowthe St.]] & ful off slogardye, Longe a beddë for to lye, Line 10224

Line 10224 'Slombrynge euere, & neclygent, And contrayre to thyn entent, Ay awaytynge (lyk as espye) To bryngë the in Iupartye. Line 10228 Truste hym nat! ne, [[nor St.]] for no chaunce, Have in hym noon affyaunce ffor no ffavour nor flatrye; [[Flaterye St.]] ffor I dar pleynly certefye, Line 10232 Yiff thow obeye hym nyh [[nygh St.]] or ferre, Than he wyl be-gynne a werre A-geyn[y]s the, most peryllous, Most dredful & contagyous, Line 10236 (Be yt be nyhte, outher be day) To disturble on thy way, [folio 158b] Wyth al hys power he wyl ffonde. And thus thow mayst wel vnderstonde, Line 10240 To knowe & wytë fynally Who ys thy mortal ennemy.

'Now go thy way, for yt stant so, That I mot nedys fro the go; Line 10244 I may no lengre, on thy weye Ledyn the, nor mor conveye. I haue abyden longe ynowh: [Stowe folio 181a] I muste, ffro the, gon hennys nough; Line 10248 ffor a gret while (to thyn entent) I haue holde a parlement Wyth.the, & her-to ben thy guyde. ffarwel! for I may nat abyde.' Line 10252

The Pylgryme. [[Stowe, om. C.]]

"Ma dame," quod I a-noon right [[St. om. right]] tho, "Certys, yiff ye go me fro, I am but lost; recure [[Recover St.]] ys noon, Al so sone as ye ar gon." Line 10256

Grace Dieu. [[St., om. C.]]

Quod gracë Dieu, 'I wot that wel; But I wyl that thow knowe, & ffel, What I shal [[shalle I St.]] seyn the in substaunce. Som folk ha feyth, & gret ffyaunce [[and Affyaunce St.]] In dyuers ffrendys; & off gret trust, Line 10261 Sette their hope & hertys lust

'As they sholde hem neuer ffaylle, Wych offte ful lytel may avaylle. Line 10264 They wene ful offte, in ther degre, By hem for to supportyd be, Yiff they hadde, in any place, Outher offendyd or do trespace. Line 10268

'But towchyng thys, I wyl thow se, Her-in ne trustë [[Her-Inne / ne trust St.]] nat in me, Yiff thow offende, nor do nat wel, I wyl sustene the neueradel, [folio 159a] Line 10272 Nor supporte the nat ywys, [[St. transposes these lines.]] To ffyn thow sholdest don amys, [[St. transposes these lines.]] [Stowe folio 181b] Nor ber the vp agen[y]s ryht. For off thyn eye, nor off thy syht, Line 10276 I wyl no tyme be seyn off the, But whan yt lyketh vn-to me, And whan yt ys to my plesaunce, Vp-on thy goodë gouernaunce, Line 10280 Than, whan me lyst, I kome a-noon.

'ffor, I haue a certeyn ston Wherthorgh (trewe as any byble,) I kan me makyn invysible Line 10284 Whan that me lyst, a-noon ryht, And hyden me out off thy siht, And shrowden me, bothe Est & west, Whan thow wenyst to han me best, Line 10288 fful ffer ffro the, in áventure: And therfor, thus in [[I St.]] me assure, Whan thow dost [[dost C., om. St.]] wel, I am present; And yiff thow erre in thyn entent, Line 10292 ffarwel, a-noon I am ago. And now I mustë [[must St.]] parte also, (Wherso thow [[that thow St.]] be glad or lyht,) As for a while out off thy siht.' Line 10296

And ryght a-noon, as she hath sayd. God wot, I was ful evele apayd Off hyr departynge; in myn herte Yt madë me ful sorë smerte; Line 10300 Me lyst nat lawhë neueradel, ffor me lykede no thyng wel

Hyr departyng nor absence; They dyde to me so gret offence. Line 10304

& yet for-thy, yt ys no nay, fforth I wente vp-on my way [Stowe folio 182a] Wych that I afor be-gan.

And in my mynde a-noon yt ran, Line 10308 To calle memóyre [[Memorye St.]] vn-to me, [folio 159b] That she sholdë redy be Tawayte vn-to [[on St.]] me, & don hyr cure To brynge myn harneys & armure; Line 10312 And bad she sholde for-gete hem nouht: And affter me she hath hem brouht, So as I had lyst in my way, I fylle in any sodeyn ffray; Line 10316 And trew[e]ly (yt ys no drede) I hadde off hem inly gret nede; ffor I fond gret Encoumbrementys; By peryllous weyès & by wentys Line 10320 I hadde had [[had hadde St.]] gret aduersyte, And offte also in perel be, Hadde nat myn harneys & armure Don to me ful gret socour. Line 10324 Yet offtë, thorgh my slouthe, allas, I stood in many peryllous caas; But yiff I hadde wel armyd be, I haddë nat (in no degre) Line 10328 Suffryd so myche, yt ys no nay.

But tho beffyl vp-on my way, As I wente a paas forth pleyn, I mette a cherl, a gret vyleyn, Line 10332 Wych in the way a-gayn me wente, Wyth hys browhës [[Browys St.]] fersly bente: Hys look, hys cher, al for the wrak, And a gret staff on hys bak, Line 10336 Clobbyd, & boystous ffor to se, & was yhewe [[y-hewyd St.]] out off A tre Callyd in ffrench A cornowler. [[Cornowber St.]] [Stowe folio 182b]

And whan thys cherl gan neyhen ner, As yt sempte, by hys passáge, Line 10341 He wentë nat on [[went not / on his St.]] pylgymage,

Nor was no pylgrym in certeyn. But whan we mette, thus he gan seyn: [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 10344

The rude Cherl. [[Later in margin. 'The rewd churle' in Stowe's hand. 'The Rwde Cherl' St.]]

'What may thys be?' quod he a-noon; [folio 160a] 'Whyder shal thys pylgrym gon? To what cost ys hys vyage? Or whyther [[whedir St.]] goth he on pylgrymage? Line 10348 ffor he semeth (yt ys no nay) To ben a pylgrym, by hys array. But he get no bettre grace, Or he passe out of thys place; Line 10352 He shal ffyrst (in cónclusioun) Answere to [[vn-to St.]] my questioun.'

Wheroff I wex [[wexide St.]] abaysshed tho, Whan I herde hym spekyn so: Line 10356 I draddë, by hys fers vysage, That he, in hys sodeyn rage, By hys lookys & hys chere As he gan a-prochen nere, Line 10360 That he wolde assayllen me: [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

The Pylgrym. [[St., om. C.]] [Stowe folio 183a]

But, lowly, in [[thus in St.]] my degre I axedë [[askyde St.]] hym what he wold; [folio 160b] And platly vn-to hym I tolde, Line 10364 (As me sempte no thyng amys,) I axede no-thyng that was hys. I seyde, 'I wente on pylgrimage; Prayynge hym that my passage Line 10368 He sholde nat lette in no degre, Syth the weye was large & ffre.'

The Rwde Vyleyn. [[St., 'rude vyleyn' in margin, C.]]

Thys boystous, sturdy, ffers vyleyn, To me answerdë thus ageyn, Line 10372 (Off whom to-forn I ha yow told) 'How artow hardy; how artow bold, ffor to go for-by thys place, The lawe and statutys for to passe, [[pace St.]] Line 10376 Or to do swych dysplesaunce

'Ageyn [[Ageyns St.]] the kyngys ordynaunce; Or to vsurpe by vyolence A-geyn the precept & dyffence Line 10380 Off the kyng, wych yore agon Bad pylgrymes euerychon, Nat bern, [[brynge St.]] off no presumpcïoun, Line 10383 Nouther skryppë nor bordoun? [Nichil tuleritis in viam, neque virgam neque peram. Luce 9^o Capitulo, (3^o versu).] And thow, off foly gouernaunce, Dost ageyn hys ordynaunce; And thow hast (sothly [[shortly St.]] for to seyne,) [Stowe folio 183b] Offendyd hym in bothë tweyne. Line 10388 Wherevp-on, answere to me, How thow durstest hardy be ffor to don so gret offence Ageyn hys royal excellence!' Line 10392

And trewly, in thys sodeyn caas I gret[e]ly astonyd was, And, for fer, be-gan to quake, What Answere I sholdë make Line 10396 Vn-to hys vnkouthe opposaylle, Wych for my party myghte avaylle.

And whyl I stood astonyd so, [folio 161a] At my bak I sawh riht tho Line 10400 Kome, for my proteccïoun, A lady that callyd was Resoun, Wych cryede lowdë vn-to me, And bad 'I sholde in no degre, Line 10404 In no wyse, answere ageyn, ffor my part, to that vyleyn; ffor she was, by commaundëment Off Gracë dieu, vn-to me sent, Line 10408 ffor my party to speke & plete, And answere hym in al hys heete, To hym that stood thus in my way.'

And she ne madë no delay Line 10412 Thys lady Resoun, but abrayde, [[Obreyde St.]] And to the cherl right thus she sayde:

Resone. [[In Stowe's hand. 'Resoun' St.]]

'Sey, thow cherl,' a-noon quod she, 'What ys thy charge? declarë me! Line 10416

Line 10416 'Thow semyst froward & pervers, [Stowe folio 184a] Off thy port, straunge & dyvers. Thow semyst (as I kan devyse,) A repman, for thyn vnkouth guyse, Line 10420 Or A mowhere wyth thy [[the St.]] sythe; Or, to dyscryvë the now blythe, I trowe thow art som ffals espye; But the trouthë nat denye; Line 10424 Tel me thy namë; sparë nouht! And tel me wher thow hast ek souht The boystous staff vp-on thy bak, Wher-in I ffyndë ful gret lak; Line 10428 ffor yt ys nat accordynge, But ffroward, pleynly, in semynge, As fer as I rehersë kan, To euery wel gouérnyd man.' [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 10432 Thys cherl, lenyng vpon [[on St.]] hys staff, [folio 161b] To resoun, thys answere he gaff: [[yaffe St.]]

The Cherl. [[St., 'cherl' in margin, C.]]

Thys cherl, by maner off dysdeyne, Vn-to resoun thus gan seyne: Line 10436 'I trowe,' quod he, 'by lyklynesse [[lyknesse St.]] Thow art chosë som mayresse, Or wexe off newe so fortunat To be som lady off gret estat; Line 10440 But, for al thy presumcïoun I wolde se [[Fayn wolde I se St. [folio 184b] ]] thy commyssïoun, (ffor al thy port & strangë guise, [[St. transposes these lines.]] ) Line 10443 Thy ffredam also, & ffraunchyse; [[St. transposes these lines.]] Lyst affterward thow falle in blame. Shewe hem to me, & tel thy name; ffor, by noon other menë weye, I wyl no thyng vn-to the seye, Line 10448 Nor the answerë, trustë [[trust on St.]] me, To lete hym gon at lyberte.'

[Resoun]

Thannë, [[Than St.]] resoun, nat to hasty, But by leyser ful prudéntly Line 10452 Toward hym castynge hyr look,

'Out off a Coffyn a lettre took; To hym sayde, & spak but lowe, I wyl that thow my power knowe: Line 10456 Haue her ther-off inspeccyoun, And se her my commyssïoun. And whan thow hast yt rad & seyn, [folio 162a] Thow shalt wel knowen, in certeyn, Line 10460 Why I am kome, wyth-outë blame, My power also, & my name.'

The Vyleyn. [[St., 'vyleyn' in margin, C.]]

Quod he, wych koude no curteysye, 'I koudë neuere yet [[yitt no St.]] clergye. Line 10464 And yiff thy power shal be wyst, Red yt thy sylff, yiff that the lyst.'

And she yt raddë wyth good wylle: The cherl was coy & stood ful stylle. Line 10468 And whan that he hyr power seth, [Stowe folio 185a] Grucchynge, he gruntë wyth hys teth, Hys gretë malys for to kythe, And shook hys berd fful offtë sythe; Line 10472 Gan to groynë mor & more, And off despyt to gruchchë sore, Whan she hath maad, [[made St.]] ope & cler, Al theffect off hyr power, Line 10476 ffro poynt to poynt, vp-on a rowe.

And yiff ye lyst pleynly to knowe, Loo, her, by declaracïoun, Hyr power & commyssioun: Line 10480

The Comision of Reason. [[In Stowe's hand. 'The Comys|sioun off Reasoun' St.]]

'Gracë dieu, by whos gouernaunce, By whos myght & whos puissaunce, Kyngës in euery regïoun, Prynces & lordys off renoun, Line 10484 Ben gouernyd in ther estatys, (Bothe Temporal, & ek prelatys,) To Our cosyn, [[Commyssioun St.]] dame Resoun, Off fame worthy, & off renoun, Line 10488 Whom al our court doth magnefye As to the nexte off our allye,— Elthe, [[Helthe St.]] Ioye, & contynuance,

'Worshepe, & long perséueraunce, Line 10492 Wyth power, by our commyssïoun, For to don execucyoun, [folio 162b] Redres, & amendëment, [[St. transposes these lines.]] Off fawtys wych in our parlement [[St. transposes these lines.]] [Stowe folio 185b] Be compleynyd on, day by day, Line 10497 Off pylgrymes wych passen by the way, Voyde off guile & al deceyt,— How on [[oon St.]] lyth falsly in a-wayt, Line 10500 Hem to dysturble, robbe & reue, And in her passage hem to greue; A cherl ffroward & daungerous, Off cher & port malycyous, Line 10504 And ay pervers in hys entent, Whose name ys 'rud Entendëment' Wych lyth awaytyng, by gret mescheff, By hihë [[hye St.]] weyës, lyk a theff; Line 10508 Day & nyht, gret wach doth make, Cely pylgrymes for to take, To robbe hem (off entencyoun) Off ther skryppys, & bordoun, Line 10512 And stuff [[Stuffe St.]] that they han wyth hem lad.

'And thys cherl, to be mor drad, [[ladde . . dradde St.]] And supportyd on ech syde, Hath ytake a maas off pryde, Line 10516 A staff off ffals extorcïoun, Callyd by Rebellïoun (Trewly for to specefye) 'The staff off obstynacye,' Line 10520 Grauntyd off prydë, by assent, Vn-to rud Entendëment.

'And thus thys .iii. [[thre St.]] confederat, Causen a ful [[foule St.]] gret debaat Line 10524 And a perillous mortal stryff To pylgrymes in thys present lyff, Ther weyës, when they ha wyth-set. [[sette . . mette St.]]

'And trewly now, thys iii [[thes thre St.]] be met, [[sette . . mette St.]] I kan no bet [[better St.]] amendëment, [Stowe folio 186a] But that Rud Entendëment [folio 163a] Line 10530 Be somownyd to appere,

'By som maner offycere Line 10532 Off youres, ageyn a certeyn day, Wyth-oute prolongyng or dellay.'

And her-vp-on, by maundëment, We haue youe a comaundëment Line 10536 That thys cherl hym nat excuse, Nor your maundement nat refuse, But kome to stonde at Iugëment, A day assygned competent. Line 10540

'And to don execucïoun, Lych [[Lyke St. See l. 10664.]] to your commyssïoun, Vp-on thys cherl, for hys trespace. Letteth nat, nor doth no grace, Line 10544 But yow auengeth on that wrechche, Lyk as your power forth doth strechche. ffor in thys caas most necessarye, We makë yow our commyssarye, Line 10548 On our byhalue, wyth al your myght, To executen & to don ryht Wher ye sen that most ys nede.

'Lo her ys al, taketh good heede Line 10552 To vnderstonden your power. The daate countyd, a thowsand yer, Thre hundryd over, thrytty & on, [[oon . . agoon St.]] Wryte & asselyd nat yore agon, [[oon . . agoon St.]] Line 10556 And sent by ful commyssïoun, Vn-to thys lady dame Resoun.'

The wychë, whan she haddë rad, [[Radde . . Sadde, St.]] Line 10559 Off contenaunce demewr & saad [[Radde . . Sadde, St.]] She abrayde by good avysëment [Stowe folio 186b] And sayde to Rud Entendëment

Resoun: [[St., om. C.]]

'By euydence, notáble & cler, Thow hast,' quod she, 'herd my power: Line 10564 I ha declaryd yt vn-to the. [folio 163b] Now gyff answere ageyn to me!

Rude Intendement: [[In Stowe's hand. Entendement St.]]

'And what artow,' a-noon quod he, 'Touchyng thy power, lat me se!' Line 10568

Resoun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Hastow nat herd me Rad [[redde St.]] yt al, And told ek in especyal, Record by my commyssïoun, That I am callyd 'dame Resoun'? Line 10572 I trowe thy wyt ys fer the fro; Or I deme yt stondeth so Thow louest somwher paramours, Or besy art [[thow art St.]] to maken tours Line 10576 Or castellys, by gret devys, Therby to geten the A prys."

Rude Entendement: [[St., om. C.]]

'I hauë,' quod he, 'vp & doun Herknyd thy commyssïoun, Line 10580 And vnderstonde yt euerydel; And therby I se ful wel [Stowe folio 187a] That thy name ys ek 'Resoun.'

'But a replicacïoun Line 10584 I wyl make vp-on thy name, Wych ys hyndred by dyffame; ffor that name sykerly Ys dyffamyd ful gretly; Line 10588 Wherfore I myghte nat for-bere ffor to axe what thow were, To knowe thy power & thy myght: Me sempte her-in I haddë ryht.' Line 10592

Resoun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Seystow,' quod she, 'that my name Ys a namë off dyffame Or dysclaundryd? lat me se How or where that myghtë be.' Line 10596

Rude Entendement: [[St., om. C.]]

'Certys,' quod he, 'yiff thow lyst here, The placë wel I shal the lere; [folio 164a] I wyl nat spare, but platly telle: Thow art dyffamyd at the melle, [Raison est au moulin: Pro. (Belike because Grist is taken in, and delivered out, by measure.)—Cotgrave, 1611. Raison, (sailor's) ration. 'Ratio, mesure.'—D'Arnis.] Line 10600 And disclaundryd off ffals mesour, By robberye off mele & flour

'The peple present, them be-forn, Stelynge ther greyn & ek ther corn.' Line 10604

Reson: [[In Stowe's hand. Resoun St.]]

'Record off ffolkys that be sage, [Stowe folio 187b] 'Sclaundere ys no vasselage;' And phylosofres ek expresse, 'To sclaundere, ys no worthynesse, Line 10608 Nor dyffamës, forth to telle.'

'And as touchyng off the melle, Thow myghtest ther peráventure Seen & be-holden A mesure Line 10612 Wych (by folkys oppynyoun,) Bereth the name off 'Resoun.' And wyle [[while St.]] that folkys so yt calle, Line 10615 To shrowde hys falshede, & tapalle, [[to palle St.]] But [[But, om. St.]] for al that, (yt ys no drede, Who that wysly taketh hede,) Thogh yt bere name off Resoun, Yt ys but fals decepcïoun, Line 10620 Vnder a colour off ffals laude, ffor to hyden deceyt & fraude.

'A-Twyxe a name, & éxistence, Men mvt [[mowe St.]] sette a dyfference; Line 10624 ffor vnder name off sothfastnesse, Offte ys wrouht ful gret falsnesse; And vnder honest couerture, Offte ys hyd ful gret ordure. Line 10628 In many a place yt ys ek seyn, That pompë, pryde, and fals dysdeyn, Courtyned [[Contyned St.]] wyth humylyte, ⁷Assenden to grete⁷ [[7_7 St. (C burnt)]] dygnyte; [folio 164b] Line 10632 But feyned symplesse, out off doute, At the laste yt breketh oute.

'Ech vyce ek (in conclusïoun) Haueth thys condycyoun, Line 10636 To shewen out an exaumplayre [Stowe folio 188a] Off vertu, wych that ys contrayre To hym by fals ápparence, To yive a maner evydence Line 10640 To blynde the peplys, by shewyng

'Off that they ffayllen in beyng, That men sholden off hem deme Line 10643 They wer swych [[Outward were shuche St.]] lyk as they seme Outward, as by ther feyned cher.

'But vertu, that stondeth euere cler, Wyth couerture off no veyn laude, Ys nat dyffacyd by no ffraude; Line 10648 And thogh that vyces, by fals ffame, Off vertu som tyme haue A name, Cler [[Clere St.]] vertu (who so loke wel) Therby ys spottyd neueradel, Line 10652 But shyneth clerere & mor bryht, That falsnesse may nat cloude hys lyht; But in hys bryhtnesse doth endure.

'And thogh that I, off fals mesure Line 10656 (To shrowde yt by decepcyoun,) Am I-callyd ther Resoun At the Melle, by fals diffame, My sylff ther-off am nat to blame; Line 10660 But rather sholde, (in many wyse,) Off prudent folkys that be wyse, Receyve worshepe & hihe renoun, Lych my name, callyd Resoun. Line 10664

'ffor Resoun, platly, nyhe nor ferre, By no falsnessë may nat erre. The name off vertu helpeth nouht Line 10667 Vertu voyde out off the thouht; [Stowe folio 188b] And vertu wyl hym-sylff nat shrowde [folio 165a] Wyth dyrknesse off no mysty cloude, But shewe hym-sylff fforth openly: My name ys Resoun, & swych am I.' Line 10672

Rude Intendiment: [[In Stowe's hand. Entendement St.]]

'Syker,' quod rude Entendëment, 'Wenystow I be so blent That I knowe no maner thyng Off thy sotyl Argwyng? Line 10676

'I knowe kanvas, I knowe sylk, I knowe the flye dreynt in the mylk, I knowe A mesour, fful & halff, I knowe the kowh & ek the kalff, Line 10680

Line 10680 'Affter that men by name hem calle, And dyfference off bestys alle.

'I knowe the name off thys & that, I knowe an hound, I knowe a caat, Line 10684 And off bothe I knowë how, That nouther off hem ys calff nor kow: I knowe ther namys euerychon: Ther namys & they ben al on. [[alle oone St.]] Line 10688 And [[om. St.]] I dar seyn wyth-outë blame, Gladly euere, affter the name ffolweth the condicïoun.

'Wherfor I sey thow art Resoun: Line 10692 And how resoun ys ek thy name, A namë sclaundryd by dyffame; And as I told the her-to-forn, 'Syth that Resoun stal the corn, Line 10696 Than was the corn stolen by the:' [Stowe folio 189a] Yt may noon other wysë be, But euene lyk as I the telle, That al the water off the melle [[Mylle St.]] Line 10700 (Wych maketh yt tourne round aboute,) May nat suffyse (yt ys no doute) To wasshe away the gret dyffame, Nor the disclaundre off thy name. [folio 165b] Line 10704 Thow mayst, by fals collusioun, ffynde an excusacioun To putte yt fro the euerydel; But her-vp-on, trust me ryht wel, Line 10708 ffor sotylte, nor no queyntyse, I vnderstonde noon other wyse Touchyng thy name, nor neuer shal, Than I ha told: lo, her ys al!' Line 10712

Resoun: [[St., om. C.]]

'By thy wordys, yt doth sue, fful sotylly thow kanst argue; And thy premysses for to make, fful ffayre exaumples thow kanst take, Line 10716 By sotyl declaracïouns [Ratio loquitur yronice. St.] To preuë thy conclusïouns, Thyn entent to bryngen Inne.

'Yt were ful hard off the to wynne, Line 10720 Or to getyn ávauntage; Thow art so prudent & so sage, And dost in wysdam so excelle.

'But I pray the for to telle, Line 10724 What ys thy name, Est or west, By wych thow art knowë best: As I conceyue in my entent, [Stowe folio 189b] Artow nat rude Entendëment?' Line 10728

Rude Entendement: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod rudentendement [[Rude Entendement St.]] ryht tho, 'Thogh that men me callë so By my name, (what so they mene,) I am nat swych lyk as they wene; Line 10732 ffor yt may pleynly so befalle, That somme off hem that so me calle, Yiff they consydre by & by, They be mór Rud [[Rude St.]] than am I, Line 10736 And mor ek insuffycyent [folio 166a] Off konnyng, as by Iugëment.'

Resoun: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod resoun thanne, ful sad off cher, 'Touchyng that thow hast sayd [[seyde St.]] her, Line 10740 Yt doth ynowh to me suffyse; But, I merveille in what wyse, Why or wharfore, so by deceyt That thow lyggest in a-wayt Line 10744 Vp-on the weyes (yt ys no faylle) Pylgrymes only to assaylle, In cytes, borwes, & in touns, ffor to reue hem ther bordouns; Line 10748 Her skryppes ek to take away, As they walkë by the way.

'Tel on platly, & nat spare; But thy power ffyrst declare, Line 10752 How thow art bold, & hast no ryht [Stowe folio 190a] So toffendyn in the siht Off gracë dieu, (as I ha sayd,) Wych ys, sothly, evele apayd, Line 10756 And taketh gretly in greuaunce

'The maner off thy gouernaunce.'

Rude Entendement: [[St., om. C.]]

'Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle, The causë pleynly I shal telle. Line 10760 In the gospel, yt ys rad [[radde . . badde St.]] How the kyng hym syluen bad, [[radde . . badde St.]] 'No man to bern [[beren St.]] out off hys toun, Nouther skryppë nor bordoun.' Line 10764 And platly, for to kepe hys lawe, I wyl nat feynë nor wyth-drawe, But, off hool entencïoun, Be-reuë skryppe & ek [[& ek C., and St.]] bordoun Line 10768 ffro pylgrymès, wher they passe: They gete off me noon other grace.'

Resoun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Touchynge thyn oppynyoun [folio 166b] Off the skryppe & the bordoun, Line 10772 (Yiff yt be clerly comprehendyd,) Thogh they somtyme wer dyffendyd, That dyffence ys now wyth-drawe, And they be suffryd by the lawe, Line 10776 That pylgrymës (nyh & ferre) In pylgrymáges may hem bere, Hem to sustene in ther walkyng; Line 10779 ffor noon vnworshepe to a kyng, [Stowe folio 190b] Thogh somwhyle, syth hé hath myghte, Chaunge hys lawes off verray ryht.

'And cause off chaungyng (in certeyn) Off thys lawe I shal the seyn: Line 10784 Who that hath Achevyd wel Hys pylgrymagë, euerydel, Yt nedeth hym nat [[nat hym St.]] (who kan se) Longer a pylgrym for to be. Line 10788 Therfor (tak good hed to thys!) A man no lenger pylgrym ys, Than he hath skryppe & bordoun; ffor bothen (in conclusïoun) Line 10792 Ne seruë to noon ávauntage, Whan men ha don ther pylgrymage. ⁷'And Cryst Ihesu / ys Terme and Fyne /

'Wheder / that euery / goode Pylgryme / Line 10796 Tendyth / in his pylgrymage /⁷ [[7_7 St., om. C.]] And who that hath swych avauntage To kome to hym, he may sey wel That he hath endyd euerydel Line 10800 Hys pylgrymage, & ffaylleth nouht To kome to that that he hath souht. [[bought St.]] Thus thapostles, On by on, Komë to hym euerychon, Line 10804 Travayllyngë nyht & day: As parfyt pylgrymes in ther way, By choys & by elleccïoun And also by vocacïoun Line 10808 They kam to hym, (yt ys no nay) [folio 167a] And thanne to hem [[hem St., hym C.]] Bad hem, 'in cyte nor in town, Nouther ber skryppë nor bordoun.' Line 10812 And they, in euery maner thyng, [Stowe folio 191a] Lowly obeydë hys byddyng.

'But to-forn he sholdë deye, That precept he gan modefye Line 10816 To hys dysciples, (as I rede,) ffor he sawh they sholde ha nede, Affter hys deth, whan he wer gon; Therfor he bad hem euerychon, Line 10820 Vn-to her proteccïoun To haue a skryppe & a bordoun.

'Radeth luk the gospeler, [Qui habet sacculum, tollat, similiter [[silicet St.]] & peram / Luce, 2 capitulo.] Wher the text ys pleyn & cler: Line 10824 He byddeth (who kan loke wel) 'That who that haveth a sachel, [[Sagelle St.]] Lat hym (to hys dyffencioun,) Take a skryppe & a bordoun, Line 10828 And a staff vp-on to reste, ffor ye shal fynde yt for the beste; Swych thynges ben vn-to yow due, Affter me yiff ye shal sue, Line 10832 And folwen my gouernaunce; And ye shal hauen suffysaunce Off bredë, [[brede St., bred C.]] wherso that ye be,

'Tyl tymë that ye kome to me, Line 10836 In your nede yow to releue.'

'Wher-vp-on I may wel preue, That yt ys at allë tymes Permyssyble to pylgrymes Line 10840 To bern A skryppe & ek a staff; ffor ther mayster, lycence hem gaff; Record the byble, yiff yt be souht.

'Wherfor, medle the ryht nouht Line 10844 Tarest [[To ha Rest St., [folio 191b] ]] pylgrymes by vyolence, [folio 167b] ffor they han ther-to lycence, Mawgre thy malys & thy myghte; ffor ther congè shal off ryht Line 10848 Laste to hem in ther vyáge, Tyl they ha don her pylgrymage.'

Rude Entendement: [[St., om. C.]]

'The wordys that thow dost specefye, Ar but wordys off mokarye; Line 10852 ffor yiff so stood, thys myghty kyng Hadde dyffendyd any thyng That he hadde ordeyned or ysayd, Off the textys [[Tixtis St.]] that thow hast layd, Line 10856 They sholde ha be [[be C., om. St.]] (who lyst to look,) Yracyd clene out off the book, Lych vn-to hys ordynaunce, Wyth-outen any varyaunce.' Line 10860

Resoun [[St., om. C.]] :

'That ys nat so,' a-noon quod she, 'ffor, off ryht & equyte, Ech [[Eche St.]] thyng (shortly for to ryme,) Mustë duely [[Most duelly St.]] haue hys tyme:— Line 10864 I dar afferme that yt ys soth, What men seyn, or what men doth;— Consydred [[Consyderyng St.]] wel, by cler seyng, The Trewë cause off euery thyng, Line 10868 Thenchesoun & mutacïouns, The dedys & narracïouns Off allë thyng, (who lokë wel); [Stowe folio 192a] And cause also why the gospel Line 10872 Ys mor plesynge to the siht—

'To folk that vnderstonde a-ryht— Than to swych, wych in ther thouht Vnderstonde ther-off ryht nouht; Line 10876 Euene lyk (& thus I mene) As in A medwe ffressh & grene, Wher as folkys do repayre, [folio 168a] The mor that ther be flourys fayre, Line 10880 Lusty, soote, & fressh off hewe, Spredynge a-brood wyth bawmë newe, ffolkys, the mo [[more St.]] (I dar endyte) To loke ther-on hem-sylff delyte.' Line 10884

Rude Entendement [[St., om. C.]] :

Thys cherl, boystous [[boystous C., om. St.]] in hys entent, Callyd 'Rud Entendëment,' ffroward in hys oppynyoun, Abrayde a-non vn-to Resoun. Line 10888 Quod he felly, to ben a-wreke, 'Yt ar but fantasmes that ye speke; ffor, pleynly, as thynketh me, 'ffalsnesse,' ye namen now bewte. Line 10892 Off trouthe also (yt ys no drede,) Ye lyst take no maner hede. Do her-vp-on what euer ye kan, ffor I wyl holde that I be-gan.' Line 10896

Resoun [[St., om. C.]] :

'Certys,' quod Resoun, 'a-noon ryht tho, [Stowe folio 192b] Thow ne shalt no thyng do so; But (for short conclusïoun) Thow shalt ley thy staff a-doun; Line 10900 Thow hast lenyd ther-on to longe, Thorgh oppynyouns ffals & wronge; And folyly, affter thy lust, Ther-in to mychë [[inne to muche St.]] set thy trust, Line 10904 ffor by thys staffë [[staffe St., staff C.]] (lyst to me,) In the byble as thow mayst se, Nabaal & kyng Pharaoun Wer brouht vn-to confusïoun: Line 10908 They lynede [[lenede St.]] so longe vp-on that staff Wych that pryde vn-to hem gaff, The staff callyd 'obstynacye,'

'That, thorgh ther pompous surquedye, Line 10912 Ther ownë deth (for lak off grace,) They dydë wylfully purchace; [folio 168b] ffor they were pompous & Ellat, And in ther hertys indurat, Line 10916 Ek obstynat in ther entent, Only for Rud Entendëment; Was to her gretë dysavayl, The pryncypal off ther counsayl. Line 10920

'ffor thys cherl, ffroward & ffel, Made hem for to be rebel, And voyden (shortly in sentence) The vertu off obedience; Line 10924 Ek ouermor (as thow shalt se,) Yiff Rud Entendement naddë be, The Iewës (in conclusïoun) Hadde lefft [[leffte St.]] ther oppynyoun, Line 10928 And ther heresyes wyth-drawe, [Stowe folio 193a] And tournyd hem to crystys lawe; And, in ther conversïoun, Take the skryppe & the bordoun, Line 10932 And lyk pylgrymès hem gouérnyd, And ful clerly ek dyscernyd, Wych now he dyrked vnder skye, Only for ther obstynacye. Line 10936

'That staff, I rede the to ley doun, And leff thy Rude oppynyoun; And leue ther-on no mor at al, Lyst at the laste thow haue a ffal.' Line 10940

Rud Entendement:

Quod Rud entendement to [[vnto St.]] Resoun: 'Thy proverbys, nor thy sermoun, Nor al that euere thow dost me rede, I take ther-off no maner hede, Line 10944 ffor al thy peynted wordys swete, My staff in soth I wyl nat lete; But as me thynketh for the beste, Ther-vp-on I wyl me reste, Line 10948 Wher-euere I walkë by the weye, And in ryht nouht to the obeye,

'Holden myn owne, as yt ys ryht, Mawgre thy power & thy myght.' [folio 169a] Line 10952

Resoun:

Quod Resoun; 'thanne I se ful wel, And aparceyuë [[apperceyve yt St.]] euerydel, By thy wordys Rude & pleyn, [Stowe folio 193b] That yt were to me but veyn, Line 10956 Mor to talke off thys matere To the, wych that lyst nat here, [[lere St.]] Nor accorde to myn Entent; But, at the gretë Iugëment Line 10960 Wher tassyses [[Thassyses St.]] shal be holde, Al couert falsenesse to vnfolde, I somowne the, ther tappere, To Answere in thys matere! Line 10964 Looke thow be ther, thylkë day, Wyth-oute prolongyng or delay.'

Affter al thys, (as ye shal se,) Resoun kam ageyn to me, Line 10968 And bad me go forth on my way, And ha no dred, [[drede St.]] nyht nor day Off thys Rud Entendëment;

(Resoun.)

'ffor fynally, (in sentement,) Line 10972 Wyth-inne an hevy styth off stel, A ffethre sholde entre as wel As any doctryne (yt ys no dred) Sholde entre in-to hys hed. Line 10976

'ffor thys Rud entendëment Ys wyth Rudnesse so yblent, That dyamaunt, I trowe, ys noon, Nor noon other maner ston Line 10980 So indurat, to mollefye, As he; for ffals obstynacye Hath blendyd [[blyndede St.]] hym by hyr decyt, That wher he cachcheth a conceyt, Line 10984 Ther-vp-on he wyl ay holde, ffor all the skylës that I tolde; Nor resoun that I koudë seyn, [Stowe folio 194a] Al was but lost, and sayd in veyn; Line 10988

Line 10988 'In hys Rudnesse he kepte hym cloos, [folio 169b] And wyl nat chaungen hys purpos.

'Wherfor go forth, & ha no drede, Nor tak off hym no maner hede; Line 10992 But hold thy weyë [[way St.]] forth as blyue; ffor, wyth a cherl to stonde & stryue, Yt woldë nat but lyte avaylle: Lat hym wyth hys wyndes saylle, Line 10996 ffrowardly ageyn the strem, Whil thow gost to Ierusaleem. Be off hym no thyng afferd, Thogh he shake on thè hys berd; Line 11000 Lat hym gruchche, & mowhës make, And his Chyn vp-on thè shake, Wexe ek palë for envye And on hys staff 'obstynacye' Line 11004 Lat hym reste, & stondë stylle: Hold thow thy way / ay forth at wylle!'

The pylgrym.

"Ma dame," quod I, "yt stondeth so, I wot nat what ys best to do, Line 11008 But ye, off your benygnyte, Lyst for to conveyë me And ben my guyde vp-on the way, Me to gouernë nyht & day, Line 11012 Tyl I kome to that cyte Wych I castë for to se. ffor, wyth-outë yow, certeyn My labour ys nat but in veyn: [Stowe folio 194b] Line 11016 Yt ys so peryllous a passage, That I shal ffynde in my vyage Many anoyes, mo than on, I kan nat rekne hem euerychon; Line 11020 Pereilles that on [[in St.]] the weyë lye; But yiff I haddë companye Off yow, yt wolde ynowh suffyse Me to supporte in many wyse." Line 11024

Resoun:

Quod Resoun thanne a-noon to me, [folio 170a] 'fful wel I myghtë gon wyth the,

'And nat departe out off thy siht Al the whyle that thow gost ryht, Line 11028 And holdest forth the evene way; But offtë sithe (yt ys no nay) Ther shal a-twen vs (who espyes,) Arysë two fful vnkouth [[vnkouthe St.]] skyes, Line 11032 Wonder blak off ther colours, Off smoky mystës & vapours, That somwhylë, off dyrknesse And off the owgly ffoul thyknesse, Line 11036 Off sondry chaunges that shal be, Thow shalt lese the syht off me.

'And somtyme, ful glad off chere, Thow shalt se me ffressh & cler, Line 11040 Affter the weye that thow dost holde, Lyk to-forn, as I the tolde. ffor thow holdest the weyë ryht, Thow shalt se me cler & bryht. Line 11044

'And fynally, yiff thow go wrong, I wyl me hyden (euere among,) [Stowe folio 195a] Out off thy syht, & shrowden me That thow shalt me nowher se. Line 11048

'Wherfor, off me whan thow hast nede, Sek me no ferther (as I rede) Her nor ther, vp-on no syde, But wher thy syluen dost abyde. Line 11052 Yiff thow me seke ther duëly, Thow shalt me fynden ay redy.

'Now, on thy Iourne, forth the spede Syth to tarye thow hast no nede.' Line 11056

Y^e pilgrime. [[In Stowe's hand.]]

Off hyre answere I wex al sad, [[sadde . . .badde St.]] Yet forth I wente, as she me bad, [[sadde . . .badde St.]] Remewynge me [[me St., om. C.]] fro that place, Me recomaundynge to hyr grace; Line 11060 And praydë god ful Enterly Me to conveyë sykerly, [folio 170b] Wyth-outen any dysturbaunce, And me to sauen fro myschaunce, Line 11064 To be my guyde, & wysshen me

ffor to kome to the cyte Whyder to gon, tho I me caste.

And forth I wentë wonder faste, Line 11068 Wyth my bordoun in myn hond; And in the weye a-noon I fond A damysele off queynte array, Wych me mette vp-on the way. Line 11072 And lyke a dowue (as thoughtë me) [[St. Om. C., but has the next line twice.]] She was ffetheryd for to fle; And on her leggys bothë two, [Stowe folio 195b] Lyk a dowve she was also, Line 11076 And endownyd soffte & ffayr, Smothe as [[as a St.]] gossomer in the hayr.

And trewly (as I koude espye) Me sempte thys mayden off ffolye, Line 11080 Now her, now ther, ageyn a wal That she pleyede at the bal, Rennynge alway vp & doun.

And thanne I hadde affeccïoun Line 11084 To wyten pleynly & enquere Hyr name, and what she dydë there. [[Blank in MS. and in St. for an Illumination.]]

The pylgrym:

"Damysele," a-noon quod I, "I merveyllë ful gretly [[gretely St.]] Line 11088 Off your ffethres ffressh & shene, What they tokne or what they mene; And that ye ben endowned so Vp-on your leggys bothë two; [folio 171a] Line 11092 ffor, syth tyme that I was born, I sawhë neuere her-to-fforn Noon yffetheryd, sauffly [[sauff St.]] only ye: ffor, by lyknesse, ye may fle Line 11096 Whan that ye lyst, hih & lowe; And ffayn ther-fore, I woldë knowe, (Yiff ye lyst to specefye) What your ffetherys sygnefye; Line 11100 And your endownyng, vp & doun, [Stowe folio 196a] I wolde ther-off ha som resoun; And or ye any ferther go,

Your name I woldë wyte also." Line 11104

The ffetherede:

'Certys,' quod she, 'whan thow dost knowe The causë pleynly (hih & lowe) Wheroff I serue, sothly in dede Line 11107 Thow shalt off me han ful gret drede.' [[drede St., dede C.]]

The pylgrym:

"Ye ben trewly (as semeth me) So ffressh and vnkouth for to se, Se lusty ek off port & chere, That no man myghtë beyn [[byen St.]] to dere, Line 11112 Off yow to han possessïoun: And me semeth off resoun, (By lyklynesse, as I kan ffel,) A man myghte nat louë to wel Line 11116 Your persone, by lyklyhede. And as touchynge any drede That men sholde han off you, certeyn, Me semeth swych dred wer but in veyn." Line 11120

The ffetherede:

'Thow seyst fful soth, & ryght trewly: Who me vseth prudently, And nat outrageth in no wyse, But hym gouérneth lyk the wyse, Line 11124 Swych, fro pereyl may wel eskape. [Stowe folio 196b] And trust her-on, (yt ys no jape,) [folio 171b] My gouernaunce (who kan espye), Ther-in ys foundë no ffolye; Line 11128 And yet off custom, at the laste, In gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] pereyll, ffolk I caste, (As yt ys fful offtë seyn) And longe or they may ryse ageyn. Line 11132

'And my name ys ek fful kouthe, ffor I am ycallyd 'youthe'; I passë bothe thorgh thynne & thykke, And I kan wynse ageyn the prykke, Line 11136 As wyldë coltys in Arras, Or as bayard out off the tras, Tyl I a lassh haue off the whyppe; ffor now I renne, & now I skyppe, Line 11140

Line 11140 'And now I lepë Iouy pe [[merry foot.]] ; Now I sterte, & now I ffle. Selde abydyng in O thouht, Line 11143 Al daungerous [[Alle daungerys St.]] I sette at nouht, Wyth wyldënesse I go to scole; Now I sprynge, now I carole; I tryppe, I cryë, synge & daunce, And euere ful off varyaunce, Line 11148 And fful selde abyde in On. I wrastle, & I caste the ston; I brekë bothen hegge & wal, And clymbë treës [[trees St., tres C.]] oueral Line 11152 In gardyns wher the ffrut ys good. And who that euere be wroth or wood, I ne take no maner hede.

'Sestow nat wel, in verray dede, Line 11156 By my ffethrys cler & bryht, Vp-on my ffeet, how I am lyht, And as swyfft (sothly to tel) [Stowe folio 197a] As whylom was Asael. [2 Regum 2 Capitulo. St., om. C.] Line 11160 But the byble doth vs lere He bouhte hys swyfftnesse al to dere; And offtë sythës, out off noumbre, To gret swyfftnessë doth encoumbre, Line 11164 As oldë storyes tellë kaan; [folio 172a] ffor bet ys yt, on wysëman [[yt ys . . wyse St., wys C.]] Slowh off ffootë, wyth prudence, Than ffoure other (in sentence) Line 11168 Lyht off ffoote, wyth hyr ffolye, Wych hem syluen kan nat guye, Nor by wysdom kan nat werche,

'Wherffor somtyme holy cherche Line 11172 Whylom made an ordynaunce, That no man sholde ha gouernaunce In hys bowndys (yt ys no drede) But yiff he haddë ffeet off led, Line 11176 In gret sadnesse to endure.

'But off al thys I do no cure; I wyl be ffethryd, & go ffle, And among, go sportë me; Line 11180

Line 11180 'Pleye at the cloos, among, I shal, And somwhyle Rennyn at the bal Wyth a Staff mad lyk an hook; And I wyl han a kampyng crook; Line 11184 ffor I desyre, in my depos, ffor to han noon other croos.

'And among, I wyl nat spare To hunte for hert, ffor buk & hare; Line 11188 Somtyme ffysshe, & cachchë ffowlys, And somtyme pleyen at the bowlys; Among, shetyn [[sheten St.]] at bessellys, And affter pleyn [[pleyen St.]] at the merellys, [Stowe folio 197b] Now at the dees, in my yong age, [[pleyen St.]] Line 11193 Bothe at hassard & passage; Now at the ches, now at the tablys, Rede no storyes but on ffablys, Line 11196 On thyng that ys nat worth a lek; Pleye at the keylës & the quek; Somwhyle my wyttys I applye To herë song & menstralcye, Line 11200 And pleye on dyuers Instrumentys: And the ffyn of myn entent ys To folwe the lust off my coráge, [folio 172b] And to spendë my yonge age Line 11204 In merthe only, & in soláce, ffolwe my lustys in ech pláce; Ther-to hooly I me enclyne, Rather than to han doctryne Line 11208 Off ffader, moder, thogh they be wyse, Al ther techyng I despyse; And in no thyng ys set my cure, But my lustys to procure.' Line 11212

The pylgrym:

"Trewly," quod I a-noon ryht tho, "Woldë god yt stoodë so That ye wer mevyd, & that a-noon, To passe the way that I shal gon." Line 11216

Yowthe:

'Whyder-ward (tel on, lat se,) Wyltow holden thy Iourne?'

The pylgrym: [Stowe folio 198a]

"To Ierusalem, the ryhtë way I wyl holde, yiff that I may." Line 11220

Yowthe:

Quod yowthe, 'ther ys no mor to seye; A whylë I wyl the conveye.'

The pylgrym:

"Kan ye techë me a-noon The ryhtë way how I shal gon?" Line 11224

Yowthe:

'ffor soth,' quod yowthë, 'nat ryht wel, But we shal faylle neueradel; ffor we shal ffyndë wel certeyn Som whyht that shal the trouthë seyn, Line 11228 And the ryhtë weye vs lere.'

And whyl that we spak thus yffere, So as yowthe gan me conveye, Me thouthe I sawh a fforkyd weye Line 11232 Partyng at an heg on tweyne, Thykke and thornyssh in certeyne; And hadde nat the heg ybe, The samë way, as semptë me, [[St. and C.]] [folio 173a] By the which I sholde ha gon, [[St. and C.]] Hadde in sothnesse ben but on; But the heg wych stood atwen, Departyd yt (men myghtë sen), [Stowe folio 198b] Line 11240 And the passage ek devyde: The ton was set on the ryht syde; The tother path (I gan be-holde) On the lefft party gon holde. Line 11244 And on the lefft hand I sawh a-noon A damysele sytte on a ston; Hyr on [[oon St.]] hand on hyr brest was layd, And in the tother (as I abrayd) [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 11248 She held a glouë vantounly, [[Glove wantonly St., glove v . . C.]] And tournyd yt fful ffetysly Aboute hyr ffyngres vp & doun. And shortly in conclusïoun, Line 11252 By maner off hyr gouernaunce

I sawh, & by hyr contenaunce, A womman (as by lyklynesse) But off lytel bysynesse, Line 11256 By hyr labour, ouht to wynne: Hyr lyst nat cardë nouther spynne, Nor, to getyn hyr dyspence, Do no maner dyllygence. [[off dyllygence St.]]

On whos ryht hand I sawh on sytte Sobyrly, & lyst nat fflytte, But kept hym covert in the shade; And oldë nattys ageyn he made, Line 11264 Wych, ffor no labour woldë spare, But besy was hem to repare; [folio 173b] And off hym thus stood the caas.

fful gretly I astonyd was, Line 11268 Thynkynge hys labour was in [[in St., hole in C.]] veyn; He made, & hem vnmade ageyn; [Stowe folio 199a] Wher-in me sempte a ful gret lak: And ffyrst off al, to hym I spak: Line 11272

The pylgrym:

"My ffrend," quod I, "a-noon ryht here I pray the that thow wost me lere The bestë weye, & most certeyne, Off thys ilkë weyës tweyne Line 11276 Wych that lyen a-for my fface; ffor neuere yet I dydë pace By noon off hem, in al my lyff; Wherffor tel me (& mak no stryff) Line 11280 Wych ys the beste & most certeyn."

The Natte-makere:

The natte-makere answerde ageyn: 'Whyder castestow (in thy syht) ffor to holde thy weyë ryht?' Line 11284

The pylgrym:

"Syker," quod I, "now herkne me I woldë passe the gretë se, And oversaylle the saltë strem, To kome vn-to Ierusalem; Line 11288 Off wych cyte, told longe aforn, The bysshop was off maydë born."

The Natte-makere:

'Trewly, syr, wyth your grace, [Stowe folio 199b] I sytte no thyng in thys place Line 11292 ffor to techë men the weye; Nor, pylgrymës to conveye, Yt ys no parcel off my charge; But off thys tweynë weyës large, Line 11296 As ffolk reporte in many lond, That the weye on the lefft hond, Wher-as the damysele doth sytte, (And ne lyst nat for to fflytte,) Line 11300 Ys a passage ful peryllous, [folio 174a] And to pylgrymës éncombrous. And thys damyselë queynte, Off malys doth neuere feynte Line 11304 To callë pylgrymes nyht & day, To make hem go the samë way, Wher they do gret pereyl ffele, Be they armyd neuere so wel. Line 11308

'But, trewly, by myn avys, Swych pylgrymës as be wys, They that ben in vertu strong, Shal lete the way that ly[e]th wrong, Line 11312 And tracen in hyr pylgrymage On the ryht hand in ther vyage; The wych, fful many on hath take, And affterward hath yt for-sake, Line 11316 Brooke thorgh the hegg by vyolence, And ther-in don fful gret offence; Toward the lefft path tournyd bak, Tyl they ha fallyn on the wrak Line 11320 Off ffalsë guydës: by the lore Off me, her-off thow gest [[gest St.]] no more: Wherso that thow wynne or lese, Off thys two weyës thow mayst chese.' Line 11324

The pylgrym ./ [Stowe folio 200a]

"Syre, I pray the off o thyng: Touchyng thy labour in [[and St.]] werchyng, Tel me the causë (in certeyn) Why makestow, & vndost ageyn Line 11328

Line 11328 "Thy werk so offtë sythe a day? The semeth trewly (I may say), Ther-in (who consydreth al,) Thy wyt ys verray dul & smal, Line 11332 (As to myn oppynyoun) Ydel, thyn occupacioun: Yiveth to me an evydence To yivë to the no credence Line 11336 To no thyng that thow hast me sayd; And though that thow be euele apayd, [folio 174b] [[St. and C.]] I shal seyn trouthe, as semeth me: [[St. and C.]] Yt wer merveyl thow sholdest the [[thee St.]] Line 11340 So symple a crafft on the to take, To makë nattys, & vnmake; The wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] crafft (whan al ys souht) Ys so pore, yt wynneth nouht." Line 11344

The nat-makere:

'Touchyng my crafft, wych I vse, To the I may me thus excuse: Thogh yt be symple, & pore off name, Therfor thow sholdest me nat blame: Line 11348 Swych as I kan, swych I acheue: Thys, no cause me to repreue, Nor to rebuke off no ffolye.

'Yiff ye aduerten prudently, Line 11352 Euery man hath nat a fforge, [Stowe folio 200b] Crownys off gold, in for to forge; Nor ffolkys allë, [[alle St., alle C.]] yong nor old, Kan nat the crafft to chaungë gold; Line 11356 Nor alle may nat be Iowelerys: Ech crafft hath hys offycerys: Nor alle ffolk may nat noblys telle; Nor alle ffolk may nat Rubyes selle; Line 11360 ffor konnyng thanne wer off no prys, Yiff ech man were alychë wys.

'Lerne ek off me, thys sentence, Ther muste be a dyfference Line 11364 (Pleynly yiff thow lyst to knowe,) Off Estatys hih & lowe, And off crafftys ek also.

'And tak also good heed herto, Line 11368 Yiff all ffolk in a Regioun Hadden On [[oon St.]] occupacioun In the Rychest crafft of alle, Demë thanne what sholdë falle: Line 11372 Thanne al ylyche (yiff thow tok [[take St.]] hed) The ffoot as good as ys the hed; [folio 175a] A knaue also, by hys werkyng, Sholde ben Egal wyth the [[a St.]] kyng; Line 11376 The wych (who wysly kan espye,) Ne wer no maner polycye, But rather a confusïoun In euery maner Regïoun. Line 11380

'Wherfor, in Townys & cytes, Lat men lyuen lyk her degres: Wysë ffolk that kan dyscerne, Lat hem by wysdam so governe Line 11384 That no man ne haue no wrong; And swych as myghty ben, & strong, Wyth myghte lat hem the lond dyffende; [Stowe folio 201a] And clerkys to ther studye entende; Line 11388 And labourerys, lat hem werche; And spyrytual ffolk off the cherche, Lat ther occupacïoun Ben in contemplacïoun, Line 11392 In deuocioun & prayere; Voyde hem ffrom offyce seculer; Lat hem go lyuë lyk ther bond; Line 11395 And swyche [[swyche St., swych C.]] ffolk as tyle the lond, Lat hem do trewly ther labour, Bothe in drouht & ek in shour; ffor trewly (yiff I rekne shal) Carte & plowh, they ber vp al [[Nota St. later.]] Line 11400 The clergye & the cheualrye.

'And overmor, ffor my partye, Thogh my crafft (in cónclusioun) Be off no reputacïoun, Line 11404 Swych as I kan, swych I ha wrouht; And therfore rebuke me nouht; ffor crafftys vsyd in pouerte

'May nat alle refusyd be: Line 11408 Crafftys poore be necessarye; And ffor me, lyst the nat to tarye, Euery crafft (& thus I mene) [folio 175b] Mut gouerne other, & sustene, Line 11412 So yt be don wyth-outë slouthe, And duëly ywrouht in trouthe; And thus thow shalt my wordys take. Line 11415 And thogh that I make & vnmake, [Non ffacile capitur a di|abolo, qui bono vacat ex|ercicio / Ieronimus.] Blame me nat, ffor (in sothnesse) I do yt to voyden ydelnesse.

'And yiff I, lyk thyn oppynyoun, Koude other occupacïoun, Line 11420 I wolde yt done, be wel certeyn, [Stowe folio 201b] And nat vnmake thys natte ageyn, ffor wych thow dost repreuë me. And her, O thyng I axe off the: Line 11424 What ys the causë (ffer or ner) That a swerd burnysshed cler, Somwhyle rusteth, as thow mayst se, Leseth hys bryhtnesse & bewte?' Line 11428

The pylgrym:

"Touchyng thyn askyng, in certeyn, Me to answere, yt wer but weyn; Thow hast thy sylff (who kan ffel,) The cause ytold, pleynly & wel." Line 11432

The Natte-makere:

'So as a swerd (I dar expresse,) Yffadyd ys off hys bryhtnesse, And off hys clernesse ek also, Whan men take noon hed ther-to, Line 11436 But rusteth & ffareth al amys, Ryght so a man that ydel ys, & kan hym sylff nat occupye, (By resemblaunce thow mayst espye,) Line 11440 In-to hys [[In thy St.]] sowle (thus I be-gynne) The rust off vyces or off synne Doth a-way (wyth-outë gesse) Off allë [[alle St., al C.]] vertu the clernesse; Line 11444 But excercysë (in sentence)

'And contynual dyllygence, Born vp wyth vertuous labour, [folio 176a] Ys bet than any ffoorbysshour Line 11448 Ageyn the rust off ydelnesse, Off vertu to gyue perfyt clernesse.'

The pylgrym: [Stowe folio 202a]

"Now, gentyl ffrend," a-noon quod I, "Tel me thy namë trew[ë]ly, Line 11452 Wych art so wys off answerynge: Tel on, & mak no mor taryynge."

The Natte-makere:

'To telle the trouthë verrayly, Yt befalleth comounly Line 11456 (As clerkys wrytë, that be sad, [[sadde . . .cladde St.]] ) Whan a man ys ffebly clad, [[sadde . . .cladde St.]] And outward hath noon ápparence, Phylysophres (in ther sentence) Line 11460 And Ek poetys that wer wys, They seyn swych on ys off no prys Nor off no reputacïoun Affter the worldys oppynyoun. Line 11464 And thys comounly the language That thylkë ffolkys be most sage, And wysest holden (in certeyn), That be ffressh, & wel beseyn, Line 11468 And kan make hem syluen gay Wyth ryche fforewrys & array, And devyses most vnkouth, Line 11471 Swych ffolk, in euery manhys [[mannys St.]] mouth, Be wysest holde in thys world here.

'And ouermor, as ye shal lere, Thogh a man wer neuere so wys, And haddë lernyd at Parys, Line 11476 Thys thryrty yer at scolë be In that noble vnyuersyte, And haddë ful experyence Off euery wysdom & scyence, [Stowe folio 202b] Line 11480 & koude exponen euery doute, And wer but porely clad wyth-oute, Men woldë deme most comounly [folio 176b]

'That hys wysdom wer ffoly, [[St. & C.]] Line 11484 And that he wer a fool at al By oypynyoun general: So they reherse in ther sentence; ffor wysdom now, & sapyence, Line 11488 Practyk off phylosofye, [[St. & C.]] Off arsmetryk & gemetrye, Off Astronómye & musyk, And experyence off physyk, Line 11492 Ys ffled now fro vnyuersytes, And dwelleth in borwes & cytes Wyth folk that wel arrayed be At the eye, as men may se. Line 11496

'And ffarwel konnyng, now euery day, Wher ther ys no ffressh array! Wyth-oute array, konnyng, farwel! Wherfor I merveylle neueradel Line 11500 Thogh thow me settyst at no prys, Nor thogh thow holdest me nat wys, By cause my ray ys al to-rent. And yet, by good avysëment, Line 11504 Yiff thow lokë wel aboute, I am he (yt ys no doute,) Who so lyst to taken hed,) That yiue to allë [[alle St., alle C.]] folk ther bred, Or shortly (ellys for to seye) [Nota. Nota. St. (later).] They sholde ellys for hunger deye, Ne werë [[werë St., wer C.]] I & my werchyng; Ye, bothe adam & hys off-spryng. [Stowe folio 203a] Line 11512 Hadde I nat be, (yt ys no ffaylle,) What myghte the gret shyp avaylle Off Noe (in conclusïoun) Nor al hys generacïoun? Line 11516

'And, ffor to speke in general, I sustene & ber vp al, & yt ys I, ech hour & space, That makth the tymë shortly pace Line 11520 Wyth-oute anoy or pérturbaunce; [folio 177a] ffor I am he, by rémembraunce, Syth adam the Appyl heet, [[C. & St.]]

'Wych wyth labour & wyth swet [[C. & St.]] Line 11524 Haue youë ffoodë & pasture To euery levyng creäture, Bothe to best & ek to man, Syth [[Syth the St.]] tymë that the world be-gan Line 11528 Wher-off I am no thyng to blame. And my verray ryhtë name Ys (wyth-oute mor sarmon) "Labour & Occupacioun." [[Nota St. later]] Line 11532

'I rechchë nat, whan al ys do, Wych thow me calle off bothë two; And folkys alle that stonde in grace, By me vn-to the cyte pace Line 11536 The ryhtë way wyth-outë lak. And for that ffyrst to me thow spak, The ryhtë way, [[weye, 316/11,596]] thé to lere, Off thys two weyës that ben here, Line 11540 And I ha told the myn avys, Now ches the beste, syth thow art wys.'

The pylgrym:

And than a-noon, as ye shal here, [Stowe folio 203b] Whyl we spak togydre yffere, Line 11544 My body (for hys gret plesaunce) Gat hym wyth youthë ácqueyntaunce, & bothë, voyded off dyscord, Wher [[Were St.]] yfalle off on accord. Line 11548

"And Yowthe (off wych aforn I sayde) Vn-to me thus gan abrayde: 'Yt wer syttynge (as semeth me) And accordynge to thy degre, Line 11552 To gon and getyn áqueyntaunce, And, to haue som dalyaunce, The bet thy sylff ffor to provyde Wyth hyr that syt on the lefft syde, Line 11556 Thylkë damysele, I mene, [folio 177b] [[C. & St.]] Which ys so goodly on to sene, [[C. & St.]] And to hyr doctryne yiue som feyth. [[C. & St.]] And thow mayst sen how that she leyth Line 11560 Vnder hyr armole, hyr on hond; And (yiff thow kanst wel vnderstond)

'In the tother hond (parde) A Gloue she halt, as thow mayst se. Line 11564 Go to hyre, & do thy cure; And I trowe, off aventure, She wyl the teche, & pleynly seyn The weyë wych ys most certeyn, Line 11568 Bet than thys cherl that sytteth here, Swart and owgly off hys chere, Wych ys a verray tormentour To puttë ffolkys to labour, Line 11572 And may to the no thyng avaylle, But vexyn the wyth gret travaylle.'

And by hys consayl (off entente) Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente; Line 11576 And ffyrst, as me thouhte yt due, [Stowe folio 204a] I gan hyr goodly to salue. And she, devoyde off al dysdeyne, Mekly saluede me ageyn. Line 11580 And alderfyrst (shortly to seye) Humblely I gan hyr preye That she wolde, off coortesysye, Govorne me also, & guye, Line 11584 Techë me, & sey nat nay, In my vyáge the ryhtë way, By wych pylgrymës euerychon To Ierusalem wer wont to gon." Line 11588

The damysele:

'Certys,' quod she, off cher benygne, 'I ne knowe noon other sygne Nor other tookne, in thys passáge, Off ffolk that gon on pylgrymage; Line 11592 But I knowe (be wel certeyn) Yiff I shál the trouthë seyn, [folio 178a] On hors, on foote, in general, Thys the weyë most royal, Line 11596 Callyd the kyngës hihë [[highe St., hih C.]] weye. And her-wyth-al, I dar wel seye Yt ys most esy off passáge To ffolkys old & yong off age, Line 11600 Smothe & pleyn, (yt ys no nay,)

'And most yvsyd nyht & day; And by thys ylkë samë weye, Gladly ffolkys I conveye, Line 11604 Swych as louë paramours, To ward the voode, to gadre fflours, Soote rosys & vyolettys, Line 11607 Ther-off to make hem chapel [[Chapel- St., Chapl- C.]] ettys, And other fflourys to her plesaunce. [Stowe folio 204b]

'And in thys weye I teche hem daunce; And also, ffor ther lady sake, Endyte lettrys, & songys make Line 11612 Vp-on the gladë somerys dayes, Balladys, Roundelays, vyrelayes. I teche hem ek, (lyk ther ententys,) To pleye on sondry Instrumentys, Line 11616 On harpe, lut, [[luyt St.]] & on gyterne, And to revelle at tavérne, Wyth al [[alle St.]] merthe & mellodye, On rebube [[Rebube St.]] and on symphonye; Line 11620 To spendë al the day in ffablys, Pleye at the ches, pley at the tablys, At treygobet [[and at Treygobett St.]] & tregetrye, In karyyng & in Iogolory: Line 11624 And to al swych maner play, Thys the verray ryhtë way.'

The pylgrym:

"Trew[ë]ly, to my plesaunce, ffor your noble dalyaunce Line 11628 I wolde (off good entencïoun) Knowë your condycyoun; Youre Name also, yiff that ye [Stowe folio 204b] [folio 178b] Lyst goodly to telle hem me." [[St. & C.]] Line 11632

The damysele: [[St. & C.]]

'Yiff thow wylt abyde a throwe, [[St. & C.]] My name and al, [[alle St., om. wel.]] thow shalt wel knowe: I am a poopet, [[Poepet St.]] in sothnesse, Douhter to Dame Ydelnesse, Line 11636 Set her, [[here St.]] by hyr ordynaunce. [Stowe folio 205a] And al my joye & my plesaunce Ys, by hyr wyl that her [[here St.]] me sette,

'My glovys streythly on to sette: Line 11640 I take off no-thyng ellës hed, But, offte a day, kombe myn hed, Prye ech hour in a merour,— God wot, that ys most my labour,— Line 11644 Wake a nyhtys, slepe a day, [[C. & St.]] And specyally the haly day [[C. & St.]] I studye among (thys the caas) [[C. & St.]] In Elenches off ffallas, Line 11648 Out to ffyndë thyngës newe, To makë ffablys semë trewe; And, above al other thynges, On romauncys ffondyd on lesynges, Line 11652 Ther-in ys my studye most.

'And I am ek, in euery cost, Paramour to thy body, Yt to cherysshe in al ffolye. Line 11656 And wherso that thow slepe or wake, Labour, I makë the forsake; And by my wyl (ek in certeyne) Thow shalt dure [[endure St.]] no maner peyne, Line 11660 But lyon, [[lyen St.]] sewen, & make a-vaunt, And muryely pleyen the Galawnt.

'I make ffolk, vp-on ther hed, To were chaplettys off whyht & red, Line 11664 Pyke her nayllës, wernays take, And al travayllë to forsake, Studye ffor to ffynde off newe, [Stowe folio 205b] [folio 179a] Devyses mad off many an hewe, Line 11668 ffolk to make hem ffressh & gay, And hem dysguyse in ther array: Thys myn offys, yer by yere.

'Now ches a-noon, whyl thow art here, Line 11672 Wychë weyë [[Whiche way St.]] thow wylt take; And wherso that thow slepe or wake, Thow shalt lerne a thyng off me: Thys samë weye wych thow dost se, Line 11676 Ys large & pleyn, esy to pace; The tother, streiht, & hard to trace, And ffewë ffolkys go ther-by:

'Thys, mor plesaunt & redy. Line 11680 Now, syth thow hast dyscrecïoun Mak thy sylff Elleccyoun.'

The pylgrym:

"Trew[ë]ly," quod I a-noon, "Thys two weyës wer but on, [[oon St.]] Line 11684 Ne wer only (as ye may sen) Thys ylkë heegg that stant betwen. Wherfor I pray that ye nat lette, To tellë who the heggg her sette." Line 11688

Ydelnesse:

'Touchyng thys heg that stondeth here, Yt was maad (yiff thow lyst lere,) Off a gret turmenteresse Wych doth to ffolk fful gret dystresse; Line 11692 And she maketh pylgrymës alle, [Stowe folio 206a] Penytence, hyr sylff to calle. Who hath wyth hyre Aqueyntaunce, Muste endurë gret penaunce: Line 11696 Hatfful she ys off cher & fface To alle that by thys weyë pace,— I mene, the weye that I am Inne;— But who that lyst ffro me to twynne, Line 11700 And the tother weyë take, [folio 179b] [[St. & C.]] I dar pleynly vndertake, [[St. & C.]] On leg, on ffoot, on too & hele, [[St. & C.]] He shal fful sharpë thornys ffele, Line 11704 Gret prykyng, I the ensure, And sharp, wyth-outen al mesure, ffor they be sharpe, & no-thyng soffte.

'And thys lady kometh fful offte Line 11708 (I mene thys lady dame Penaunce Wyth whom I ha noon ácqueyntaunce); To thys heg she kometh al day, Maketh yerdys, & goth hyr way, Line 11712 Besmys also, [[also St., alle C.]] sotyl & queynte. And day nor nyht she doth nat ffeynte To make ay newe in hyr werkynge, Instrumentys ffor chástysynge Line 11716 Off synnë, by gret ordynaunce,

'Thys same lady, Dame Penaunce; [[C. & St.]] And in hyr occupacïoun [[C. & St.]] ffolk haue but smal affeccïoun. [[C. & St.]] Line 11720 I ha the tolde off hyre to-fforn, [[C. & St.]] Off instrumentys that she hath born, [[C. & St.]] Off Bysme, off hamer, off thyngës mo.' [[C. & St.]]

And thanne I thouhte I woldë go Line 11724 By the path & by the weye [Stowe folio 206b] By wych the man gan me conveye, That made the nattys in certeyn, Vnmade & made hem effte ageyn. Line 11728 And, lyk as tauhtë me my guyde, I drewh toward the ryhtë [[righte St., ryht C.]] syde And in that weyë lyst nat tarye; But youthe a-noon, to më contrárye, Line 11732 fful besy was me ffor ta let [[to litte St.]] ; Seyde the tother way was bet, Morë [[More St., Mor C.]] hawntyd, the passáge, Off ffolk that gon on pylgrymage. Line 11736

And fforth the samë weye I helde, Tyl that a-fforn me I be-held, [[behelde St.]] Reysed on hihte, a lytel wal, [folio 180a] Two posternys & a gatë smal [[smal St., final C.]] ; Line 11740 And mid the gaate a lady stood, That was bothë ffayr & good, (I pray god, ffayrë [[ffayre St.]] mot hyr ffalle! And vertu moral men hyr calle. Line 11744 And she A-noon, off hyr goodnesse, Off bounte and off gentyllesse, (As she that lyst to be my guyde,) Bad, I sholde on the tother syde Line 11748 Declynë nouther to nor ffro, But by the samë gatë go Wher as she stoodë, [[stoode St., stood C.]] lyuë ryht,

And I conceyvede in my syht, Line 11752 And fful clerly gan dyscerne On owther party a posterne, And sawh that they were éncoumbrous To passë by, & daungerous: Line 11756 Bothe I leffte (as was my ffaate),

And lynë ryht vn-to the gaate The weye I held, by hyr byddynge, [Stowe folio 207a] Wher as she stood hyr sylff lenyng. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 11760

The pylgrym:

And lyst she ffounde in me som lak, Vn-to hyre ryht thus I spak: "Ma dame," quod I / "I stonde in wher [[where St.]] Touchynge thys weyës that ben her; Line 11764 I not off hem wych I shal holde."

And she to me fful goodly tolde And specyally gan chargë me, The fforeyn [[Stowe]] posternys ffor to ffle; [folio 180b] Line 11768

[Vertu Moral]

'And do thy power and thy myght To holde the weyë that goth ryht, The weye (I menë) ryht as lyne, Wher I stonde, & nat declyne Line 11772 On nouther party, nyht nor day, Also ffer fforth as thow may.'

She sayd ek, as I vnderstood, That 'he ys an archer good Line 11776 Wych ffaylleth nat hym-sylff taquyte, Alway the markë ffor to smyte; And no man blamen hym ne may, Thogh he hytte yt nat alway: Line 11780 So he do trewly hys deuer, Wyth hys arme to smyte yt ner In al hys bestë ffeythfful wyse, Yt doth ynowh to hym suffyse Line 11784 That in hys drawyng he nat ffeyne. [Stowe folio 207b] [[C. & St.]] And therfor do thy besy peyne [[C. & St.]] Aforn, thy sylff so to provyde, [[C. & St.]] Teschewe the weyes that gon asyde; Line 11788 Hold the myd, in especyal.

'ffor I am callyd 'vertu moral, Polytyk, & general'; And myn offyce her-wyth-al Line 11792 I contene (as clerkys shewes) Al [[And al St.]] the pathys to goodë thewes,

The ryhtë way, & ther degres; 'And yet I haue extremytes Line 11796 (Who kan looke on ech a syde,) The wych I wolde fro me devyde, As fferfforth as I kan or may Severyn hem, and caste a-way, Line 11800 ffor causë they be vycyous In my syht, & ryht greuous.

'ffor thyse extremytees, in soth, ffarn ryht as a kanker doth, Line 11804 I mene the werm (who lyst se) [folio 181a] That ffreteth the hertë off a tre, And, wyth hys ffret & wyth hys rage, Doth to tymber gret damage. Line 11808 Yiff thylkë werm (yt ys no nay) Be nat the rather kut away And dysseveryd ffrom hys place, The tre so sore he wyl manace Line 11812 Vp to the croppë [[croppe St., crop C.]] fro the roote, That affterward ther ys no bote, As men may sen in many tres.

'And semblaly thextremytes Line 11816 The posternys that be fforeyne, Wych that ben in noumbre tweyne, I haue hem fro me put a-way Wyth-outë ffauor or [[or eny [Stowe folio 208a] ]] delay, Line 11820 Off entent that, in thys place, Pylgrymës noon shal by hem pace, That wyl ouer the gretë see Line 11823 To Ierusalem the cyte; [Dirige semitam pedibus tuis, ne declines ad de[x|tram] neque ad sinistram. proverbiorum [iv.] 26.|St., om. C.] ffor yiff they wente by that passage, Yt wer pereyl & gret damage.'

The pylgrym:

"Ma damë, wyth your reuerence, I woldë se som evydence, Line 11828 Yiff yt wer possyble, me to knowe By som exaumple (hih or lowe,) How thys vyces (som or alle,) Lyk to kanker, ye hem calle." Line 11832

Vertu moral:

'Semblably as dyuers tres, Kankres han in ther degres, Ryht so vertues (doutëles) Han dyuers extremytes, Line 11836 Kankres at outher ende, That ffrete on hem wherso they wende.

'Lo, her, Exaumple in especyal! fforce ys a vertu Cardynal, [folio 181b] Line 11840 The wych hath a kanker double, On outher party hym to trowble, To dystroye hym nyht & day Yiff they ne be nat kut a-way Line 11844 Wonder peryllous to deuyse; The ton ys callyd 'Cowardyse'; [Stowe folio 208b] The tother (yiff I shal expresse) Ycallyd ys 'Foolhardynesse,' Line 11848 Wych wyth fforce may nat abyde, They be so ffer set out asyde, ffer ffro fforce at two posternys. But fforce so wysly hym gouernys Line 11852 That he hath no thyng a-doo Wyth noon of thys wermys two; ffor in myd place (as I yow tolde) [In medio consistit virtus.] fforce, off custom doth hym holde. Line 11856

'A-nother exaumple ye may se Touchynge Lyberalyte, Wych hath also (who kan dyscerne) Set ffer ffrom hym at a posterne Line 11860 The ffalsë werm off coveytyse, Wych ys ycallyd Auaryse.

'The tother Kanker (who lyst se) Ys callyd Prodygalyte; Line 11864 And a-twen thys wermys tweyne, Myddë [[Mydde St., Myd C.]] place (ffor mor certeyne) Halt hym Lyberalyte. Go, red Ethikes, wher thow shalt se Line 11868 (Whan-so-euere that thow ha space) Vertu set ay in myd [[mydde St.]] place, Wher as they most clerly shyne, And many kankres wych on hem myne. Line 11872

Line 11872

'But goodë pylgrymes that ha grace, Alway by the myddys pace; Exaumple [[Bexaumple St., om. by]] off whom b[y] nyht & day Hold alway the menë way. Line 11876 Lat moral vertu be thy guyde; ffle posternys that stonde a side, By whos pereyl (who taketh hede) [folio 182a] [Stowe folio 209a] [[C. & St.]] Many a pylgrym hath be ded. Line 11880

'And whyl that youthë (herkne me,) ffressh and lusty abyt wyth the, Yiff the to vertu ech hour and space; ffor, whan youthe a-way doth pace Line 11884 Wyth-outë vertu (trustë me,) Yt ys ful hard (who that kan se,) Vertu to wynne, whan youthe ys gon. Who that in youthe lyst lernë noon, Line 11888 ffor custoom take in tendre age, (As seyn thys oldë ffolkys sage,) Wyth-outë [[out St., om. C.]] labour (thys no nay,) Ys ful hard to parte away.' Line 11892

The pylgrym.

"Ma dame," quod I, "so mot I the, I wendë sykerly ta be In the ryhtë weye ywys; But, certys, I ha gon amys, Line 11896 ffor I ha chose (and thus yt stood) Two euele weyës ffor on good: I not what yt may sygnefye, That I thus erre thorgh my ffolye." Line 11900

Vertu moral:

'Ha no merveyl in thy siht; flor ther ys weyë noon so ryht That yt ne fforketh out asyde By many pathys that yt devyde, Line 11904 Wych causë ffolkys euere among, [Stowe folio 209b] fful offtë sythës to go wrong.

'And many on that thow dost sen, Ys nat ther-for A Geometryen Line 11908 Wyth-In a compas (ha thys in mynde) Thogh he konne out the centre fynde;

'ffor verrayly (who kan devyse) Yt ys founde out but in O [[in on St.]] wyse; Line 11912 Yet ffolkys ffayllë dyuersly To ffynde yt out by geometry. An Archer eke, in thynne and thykke, [Stowe folio 209b] [folio 182b] Faylleth somtyme off the prykke. [[St. & C.]] Line 11916 ¶ Whërfore, to ffynde the ryhtë weye, [[St. & C.]] Yt ys good, to god to preye. [[St. & C.]] Yet in prayere, bothe day & night, [[St. & C.]] The weyë goth nat alway ryht, Line 11920 ffor, bothe in psalmys & in vers Ther ben pathys fful dyuers, And also ek in Orysouns, Out forkyd by entencïouns; Line 11924 As thus: who that kan aduerte: The mouth dyuerseth ffro the herte; But herte and mouth be bothen on: By dyuers pathys, in soth, they gon; Line 11928 And, (pleynly ffor to specefye,) Somme preyë, by ypocrysye, Off the peple to be seyn, And ther prayer ys but in veyn; Line 11932 Somme also preyë ffor Rychesse, To wynnë worshepe & noblesse, Tave [[C., St. To have]] encres & in worldly glorye, And, ffor thyngës transytorye, Line 11936 Worldly honour ffor to wynne, Prayer ek mad [[eke made. [Stowe folio 210a] ]] in dedly synne, ffor cruelte or ffor vengaunce, Or, to brynge men to meschaunce: Line 11940 Swych prayer hath no deuocyoun; Yt ys nat worth a smal botoun,

'Al thyse ar [[Alle thes arn St.]] pathys fforkyd wrong To make pylgrymës eueramong Line 11944 To gon Amys in ther passáge.

'And syth [[syth St., wych C.]] thow gost on pylgrymage, Evere enquerë, nyht and day, [State super vias, et interrogate de semitybus. [[semitis (rightly) St.]] Ieremie Capitulo 6. [16]] Tyl thow ha founde the ryhtë way; Line 11948 Lat, in thyn askyng, be no slouthe Tyl thow be brouht vn-to the trouthe.'

And so I gan to hyre doctryne Myn erys besyly enclyne, Line 11952 fful wel avysyng me ryht tho, By wych posterne I sholdë go. [folio 183a]

And whyl I gan be-thynkë me, To-for my fface I dydë se Line 11956 A body vp on a cross dystreyned, And, as me thouhtë, gretly peyned, [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] To-fforn, a syde, and at the bak.

And to the body a spyryt spak, Line 11960 The body crossyd lyk a roode, The spyryt in the weyë stood; The body ek (as thouhtë me,) Myd the hegh, hong on a tre, Line 11964 Hys wyttys crossyd, as ye shal here, Mouth, handys, Eye & Ere; [Stowe folio 210b] The nase also, for smellyng, Was crossyd ek, to my semyng. Line 11968 And [[And St., An C.]] on the spyryt my look I layde, And to hym ryht thus I sayde:

The pyl m:

"I pray the, ffrend, tel me A-noon, Or we any ferther gon, Line 11972 What causeth the to stonden here: I am abaysshyd off thy chere, But thow (lyk myn affeccïoun) Make a declaracïoun," Line 11976

Mortyfycacioun off the body:

'I am a pylgrym (soth to seye,) That wolde ha take the samë weye fful yore agon, ne haddë be Thys lord that hangeth vp on the tre: Line 11980 ffro the weye on the tother syde He brouhtë me, and was my guyde; [folio 183b] Me made (ther ys no mor to seye,) Vn-to hys lust ffully tobeye, Line 11984 And Tacomplysshe hys byddyng Wyth-oute gruchchyng in euery thyng.

'But trowly in thys passage

'I hadde ffoundë gret damage, Line 11988 Hadde nat the grace off god ybe; And therfor, ffor tavengë me, I ha the maner wel devysed, [[avysed St.]] Wherby that he ys her chastysed, Line 11992 Wyth ffauour and the gouernaunce Off a lady callyd Penaunce, [Stowe folio 211a] Wych, wyth hyr hamer (as thow mayst se,) Smot the nayles in-to the tre, Line 11996 Euene as I bad hyr do.

'And thanne A-noon he was ago: In-to thys heg he took the weye, And thus I made hym to obeye Line 12000 To my plesaunce in euery thyng, So that no mater off wynsyng Ys ffounde in hym in fflessh nor bon, (To seke hys membrys euerychon,) Line 12004 Gruchchyng, nor rebellïoun, Nor no contradiccïoun.'

The pylgrym:

Thanne in the syluë samë place He gan A-noon to tourne hys face, Line 12008 And sayde (as ye shal here and se) To the body vp on the Tre:

Mortyfycacioun off the body:

'Hastow wel herd what I ha sayd? Tel on! artow nat wel apayd Line 12012 Me tobeyë wylfully (As Resoun axeth skylfully) [[St., om. C.]] Whan so that me lyst comaunde? Answere anoon to my demaunde!' Line 12016

The body answereth:

'Certys,' quod the body tho, [folio 184a] 'Algatë now yt standeth so, I mustë, off [[off verrey, [Stowe folio 211b] ] necessyte Yow obeyë, mawgre me. Line 12020 But yiff I myghtë (thys no Iape,) ffrom your boundys wel eskape, In no thyng (shortly ffor to seye,) To yow I wolde no mor obeye.' Line 12024

Line 12024

The spyryt:

Than quod the spyryt, 'syth yt ys so, I shal the telle what I wyl do: To kepe me (bothë ffer & ner) ffrom al peryl & al daunger Line 12028 That thow woldest don to me: Thow shalt be stylle vp on thys Tre Tyl thow, by ffeythful obeysaunce, Be mek & humble to my plesaunce. Line 12032

'Yet shaltow nat ay her abyde; ffor I shal gon, & be thy guyde; And thow shalt (wyth-outë lak) Wyth a croos vp-on thy bak, Line 12036 Wyth spyryt off humylyte, ffolwe, & bern yt affter me, Off hool entent, in [[and St.]] al vertu, That thow mayst swën cryst ihesu, Line 12040 Wych in hys gospel byt & seyth, (To whom men musten yiven ffeyth,) 'He ys nat worthy (thus seyth he) Nor hable for to ffolwe me, Line 12044 The wych, vp on hys shuldere, Lyst, off dysdeyn, no croos to [[to om. St.]] bere.' He bar yt ffyrst hym sylff, certeyn, Wyth-outë gruchchyng or dysdeyn Line 12048 To shewe exaumple & sygne also, [Stowe folio 212a] That affter hym we sholdë go Crossyd off entencïoun, Remembrynge on hys passioun.' [folio 184b] Line 12052

The pylgrym to the spyryt:

To the spyryt tho quod I: "Tel and declarë ffeythfully, What nedede yt so many place To crossen hym in hed & fface? Line 12056 I pray the, techë me A-noon, Or we any fferther gon."

Mortyfycacioun off the body:

'Yiff thow kanst vnderstondë wel, To me was youen a castel Line 12060 Whan I kam ffyrst to thys contre,

'Off entent I sholdë be Euere ther-in, & nat gon oute, Te kepe me sur [[sure St.]] ffro euery doute Line 12064 Whyl that I a pylgrym were, That enmy noon me sholdë dere By noon assaut, vp-on no syde, Yiff I koude wysly provyde Line 12068 ffor my sylff on [[in St.]] euery part ffro shot off quarel, or cast off dart, Or ffro shetyng off croos bowes, Outher at wyketys or wyndowys Line 12072 Ylefft [[Yleffte St.]] Open reklesly, Off neclygence or ffooly, And be nat dyffencyd wel [Stowe folio 212b] Line 12075 Wyth barrys off yren nor off stel, [Ascendit mors per Fenestras. St., om. C.] Nor yclosyd by good devys, Overthwertyd wyth no latys; ffor wych, myn Enmyes many tyme, (Bothe at eve and ek at prime) Line 12080 Whan they open haue hem ffounde, They han me hurt wyth many a wonde, The wych fful sorë doth me greue.

'But, off entent me to releue, Line 12084 I haue ordeyned (by gret avys) Barrys off yren & latys, The ffenestrallys to Amende In cross wyse, me to dyffende. [folio 185a] Line 12088

'And ech pylgrym, in thys world here, Haddë nedë ffor to lere The fenestrallys off hys body, ffor to crosse hem myghtyly, Line 12092 And hem to kepe in surëte.

'And no dyffence so good maybe, As in croos [[a Croos St.]] wyse (yiff they be wys) To close [[St. closes C.]] ther wyndowes wyth latys, Line 12096 In remembraunce (ffor ther goode) Off hym that heng vp on A roode.

'And, to dyffende vs ffro daunger Lat vs maken a baner Line 12100 Off the croos, ffor our dyffence

'Ageyn the dredful vyolence And assaut off our enmyes.

'And at ech wyket, ffor Espyes Line 12104 At ffenestrallys & at cornerys, Lat be hangen out banerys Off the croos, and put hem oute, Our Enmyes to sette in doute; Line 12108 ffor yt ys a kouthë thyng, [Stowe folio 213a] Men drede the baner off a kyng; As yt ys ffyguryd wonder wel In the book off Ezechyel, Line 12112 The .ix. capytle (who taketh hede), [ix^o capitulo.] Wher openly ye may rede That, by the tookne off Tav, [Memorandum St., om. C.] The sygne was off so gret vertu, Line 12116 That they that hadde yt (yt ys no drede) Wel enprented in ther fforhed, By the vertu (yt ys no jape) ffro the deth they dyde Eskape: Line 12120 They wer dyffencyd by thylke sygne, That no whyht myghte ageyn [[geyn St.]] hem malygne.

'And, ffor to kepë thys castel, I forgetë neueradel [folio 185b] Line 12124 To be mor myghty by vertu, To marke my wyndowës wyth Tav, The wyndowes off my wyttys ffyue, Ageyn my ffoomen ffor to stryue, Line 12128 That my ffoomen spyrytual Entre nat by no ffenestrall.

'Now, as thow lyst me to comaunde, I haue answeryd to thy demaunde; Line 12132 And my name (in conclusïoun) Ys callyd Mortificacioun Off the fflessh, or chástysyng, Oppression, or ellys dawntyng. Line 12136

'Ches now, off thys namys alle, By wych thát thow wylt me calle; And god I praye, wyth al myn herte, To grauntë me I may aduerte, Line 12140 ffor wysdom or ffor ffolye,

Euere that I may yt mortefye.' [Stowe folio 213b]

Thanne he made no mor delay, But wentë fforth vp-on hys way; Line 12144 The body affter hym gan gon, And bar hys croos alway in on, And was with hym ay Crucyffyed. [[St., C. has a blank line.]]

And whan I hadde al thys espyed, [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 12148 In myn herte I was full wo, That I myghtë nat do so As off hem I do reporte; And gretly gan me dyscomforte; Line 12152

The pylgrym dysconfortyd.

And, ffor thys vnkouth woful caas, fful offtë sythe I seyde 'allas' Vn-to my sylff, in cómpleynynge, Wepte, and gan myn hondys wrynge; Line 12156 And, in my dedly mortal wo, Vn-to my sylff I seydë tho: "Al that thow wendyst ha be toward, [In via Dei non pro|gredi, regredi &c c' Bernardus. St., om. C.] Ys but a passage that goth bakward. [folio 186a] Thow gost nat as thow sholdest do." [[C. & St.]] Line 12161

And to my body I seyde also: "Allas! why naddestow ybe Crucefyed vp on a tre? Line 12164 Crossyd thy-syllf also be-tymes, To ha go fforth wyth pylgrymes On pylgrymage? allas the whyle! Thy gretë slouthe wyl me be-guyle, Line 12168 And don to me fful gret offence Thorgh thy gretë neclygence, Wych, yiff I hadde aforn espyed, Thow sholdest ha be crucefyed Line 12172 (Wyth-outë mercy or pyte) [[ [Stowe folio 214a] , putting the next line before this.]] Vn-to the deth vp-on A tre, And born a croos vp-on thy bak."

And whyl that I thus to hym spak, Line 12176 Constreyned wyth fful gret dystresse, Myd off al myn hevynesse, Sodeynly (as ye shal here)

I sawh Gracë dieu appere, [Apparuit gratia dei [Ad Titum 2^o Capitulo. (versu xi). St.]] The wych, in ful goodly wyse Line 12181 Bad me that I sholde aryse; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Saydë to me, off hyr grace, 'Her ys noon abydyng place Line 12184 ffor to soiourne (yt ys no drede); And also (yiff thow lyst take hede,) Thow hast clerly had a syht That thys pylgrym goth most right, Line 12188 And mostë dydd hym-sylff avaunce [folio 186b] [[C. & St.]] Thet on hys fflesshë tooke vengaunce, [[C. & St.]] I mene hym (yiff thow ha mynde) [[C. & St.]] The wych vp-on hys bak behynde [[C. & St.]] Line 12192 Bar hys croos, to do penaunce. [[C. & St.]] But thow, in al thy gouernaunce, Art verray slowh, [[Slowthe St.]] as I wel knowe, That syttest at the erthë lowe, Line 12196 And lyst no fferther fforth to gon.'

To whom I answerdë [[answere St.]] a-noon, Sayde, in al myn hevynesse, That yt was ffor ffebylnesse, Line 12200 "I was nat off my wyl at large, Nor strong to ber so gret a charge [Stowe folio 213b] As the pylgrym off whom we spak, Wych bar hys croos vp-on hys bak." Line 12204

Grace dieu:

'Lefft [[Lyfft St.]] vp thyn eye, & lookë wel! Sestow nat,' quod she, 'a whel Large and round, & off gret myght?'

And I a-noon lefft vp my syht, Line 12208 And sawh a whel (yt ys no doute) By vyolencë tourne aboute Contynuelly to-ffor my fface, Myd the weye I sholdë pace. Line 12212

The pylgrym:

And I answerde, touchyng thys whel, "Ma dame," quod I, "I se yt wel."

Grace dieu:

'Wel,' quod she, 'than tak good hed

'In fforthryng off thyn ownë spede. Line 12216 Thys whel ys (I the ensure) A lyknesse and A ffygure, And pleynly (yiff I shal nat tarye) Vn-to the an exaumplarye, Line 12220 The to gouerne in thy vyáge, Yiff thow wylt in thy pylgrymage Be wel exspleyted [[expleyted St.]] (in certeyn), [folio 187a] And ellys thy labour ys in veyn, Line 12224 Lesynge thy travayll euerydel. 'Tak hed,' quod she, 'how in thys whel Ther ys wyth-inne (yiff thow kanst se) [Stowe folio 215a] A-nother off lasse quantyte, Line 12228 Tornynge contrayre (by hys syyt) To-ward the party opposyyt; [Versus partem oppositam. St., om. C.] And off tymber, wrouht fful clene, Hath .iiij. spookys yt to sustene, Line 12232 Set vp-on an Extre large, Off the sweygh to bere the charge.'

And sothly (as I koude espye) Haddë nat ben A Boterflye Line 12236 Ther-on tournyng round aboute, I wolde ha dempte (wyth-outë doute) Tournyng ech wyth-Innen other, That yt haddë be noon other Line 12240 But the samë syluë whel Wych whylom Ezechyel Sawh in hys avysïoun, As hooly wryt maketh mencioun. Line 12244

The pylgrym:

And off thys whel (pleynly to lere), Off Grace dieu I gan enquere, That she wolde (in conclusïoun,) Make a declaracïoun. Line 12248

Grace dieu:

Quod gracë dieu to me Anoon, 'Yiff thow remembre, nat yore agon, How thow off god (I the ensure) Art thymage and creature.' Line 12252

The pylgrym:

"Certys," quod I, "in substaunce, [Stowe folio 215b] I ha thys wel in rémembraunce."

Grace dieu:

'Conceyue,' quod she, 'than, in thy syht, [folio 187b] Yt muste ffolue, off verray ryht, Line 12256 Syth thow haddest, in allë [[alle St., all C.]] thyng, Off hym orygynal begynnyng, And were off hym (yiff yt be souht) In euery party maad & wrouht, Line 12260 To hym, off verray ryht certeyn, Thow must resorte & tourne ageyn, As by mevyng natural, Ageyn to thyn orygynal. Line 12264

'Tak exaumple pleyn & cler: As by mevyng circuler In hys tournyng by compasse [[compace St.]] Ageyn resorteth to hys place Line 12268 That he kam ffro whan he be-gan, How ffer aboute that he ran; And Trewly, in no mocyoun Ys noon so gret perfeccïoun Line 12272 As off a spyryt hym to releue, Ageyn the body ffor to meue; The wych (who lokë verrayly) Ys to the spyryt most enmy; Line 12276 Wych euere ys bysy, day be day, To taryen hym vp-on hys [[his St., thys C.]] way, And (I dar wel afferme thys) Meketh hym offte to gon amys. Line 12280 And thogh thow go nat alway wel Yet dyscounforte the neueradel; Tak euere hed, yong and old, [Stowe folio 216a] Off thexaumple I ha the told; Line 12284 Vp-on wych, yiff thow wylt dwelle, Mor clerly I shal the telle.

'Thys sayde whel (who kan espye) That I off spak, doth sygnefye Line 12288 Lust off the body, in hys mevyng, Wych clerkys calle (in ther wrytyng And name yt) Sensualyte;

'The wych wyl nat brydled be, [folio 188a] Line 12292 But ffroward euere in hys entent, Mevyng toward the occydent, Evere in on, bothe day & nyht, Line 12295 Wyth swych a swegh [[sweyghte St.]] & swych a myght That, wher the spyryt gruchche or mourne, He maketh hym offtë to retourne Wyth hym ageyn by vyolence, Mawgre al hys résystence, Line 12300 Al-thogh the spyryt (in hys entent) Meueth toward the oryent, Wych thenys kam. & yiff he sholde Thyder ageyn, fful ffayn he wolde: Line 12304 Toward the Est, in allë [[alle St., al C.]] thyng, He travaylleth in hys mevyng Wych (be [[by St.]] my red) shal neuere tarye, But labour, & be contrarye Line 12308 To the mevyng off the body, And contynue vertuously Bexaumple (as I dyde specefye To the,) off the boterflye, Line 12312 Wych ay ffro the occident Tourneth toward the orient, In hys labour hym to quyte, Tyl he by vertu, lyte and lyte, [Stowe folio 216b] Line 12316 So longe ageyn the whel doth go, Tyl the marke that he kam ffro, Wyth gret labour he may atteyne.

'And evene lych (in certeyne) Line 12320 The planétys allë seuene Holde her cours in the [[in to St.]] heuene, Wych trewly, in ther mevynges, Han fful many gret lettynges Line 12324 By sondry retardacïouns, And be contrayre mocyouns, Or they may (yt ys no doute) Ther cyrcuyt go round aboute; [folio 188b] Line 12328 And yet ther wyl and ther entent Ys ay to-ward the oryent ffro when they kam, (yt ys no fable);

'And thyderward they be meveable, Line 12332 To thylkë poynt to kome ageyn, ffro wych they meuede ffyrst certeyn. Off ther cours, thys thentent; But the heuene and the ffyrmament Line 12336 Wych clerkys calle (yiff ye lyst se) In latyn Celum mobile, Contrayre ffro the Oryent, Draweth hem to the occident Line 12340 Wyth hys sweygh [[su eyghte St.]] (yt ys no nay,) And taryeth hem mor in A day Than they be mevyng cyrculer May recuryn in A [[alle a St.]] yer Line 12344 Toward the Est in ther mevyng.

'And yet they haue mor lettyng, (Who the verray trouthë wyste,) ffor, whan they travaylle to resyste Line 12348 To the heuene callyd 'mobyle,' In the Epicicles whan they be, [Stowe folio 217a] They make hem retrogradyent, And cause hem in the ffyrmament Line 12352 Ther tabydë stacionarye, Out off ther cours ordynarye, And sette hem in the excentrykes, Wher thay be callyd Erratykes. Line 12356 Retournyng nat (shortly to ryme,) But by processe off long tyme.

'And sythe, thys bodyes celestyal, In ther mevyng natural, Line 12360 Ben let thus in ther [[lette . . her St.]] mocyouns, And han swych retardacyouns To ben hyndred in ther labour, Or they may han ful recour Line 12364 To the place they kam ffyrst fro; [folio 180a] Merveylle nat thogh yt be so That thow be let in thy vyage, And Encoumbryd, in thy passage, Line 12368 Off Retardacïouns that falle, Syth 'Mycrocosme,' men the calle; And microcosme ys a word

Wych clerkys calle 'the lassë world.' Line 12372

And in thy way, haue in mynde; Epicicles thow shalt ffynde, 'Off Infortunyes fful dyuers, Off sodeyn caas, fful peruers; Line 12376 ffor thy lyff (yt ys no doute,) Ys lyk a cercle that goth aboute, Round and swyfft as any thouht, Wych in hys course ne cesset [[cessethe St.]] nouht Line 12380 Yiff he go ryht, and wel compace Tyl he kome to hys restyng place, Wych ys in god, yiff he wel [[wylle St.]] go Line 12383 Hys ownë place wych he kam ffro. [Stowe folio 217b] But yet, in al hys mocyoun, He hath noon Exempcïoun; ffor Epicicles (who hath reward) Make the offtë go bakward Line 12388 In thy cours, thè to tarye, And to make thè stacyonarye, Excentryked, day be day, To make thè gon out off the way Line 12392 Westward, vn-to the occident; Whan thow sholdest gon to [[gon to C., go St.]] thoryent, fful offtë sythe thow gost abak.

'And the planetys that I off spak, Line 12396 Also ek the Boterflye, Vn-to thè Exemplefye To don thy labour, and nat ffeyne, And myghtyly thy sylff to peyne [folio 189b] Line 12400 In thy mevyng, that thow nat be Ylet by sensualyte, Wych on thy way doth gret greuaunce, But yiff thow haue perséueraunce. Line 12404

'Yet in thy cours be alway strong: By processe off tymë long, Thow shalt retourne ageyn by grace Vn-to thyn ownë duë place, Line 12408 Reste in god, and ther abyde.

'Thogh that thow be set asyde, Thyder to atteynë soone,

'Tak exaumple by the moone, Line 12412 How he ys let ek in hys way, Somtyme the spacë off A day; But by hys labour (in certeyn) He recureth yt ageyn, Line 12416 Sothly with-Inne A moneth space To resortë to [[vn to St.]] hys place.

'And yiff thow lyst tak hed her-to, [Stowe folio 218a] The sonne recureth ek also, Line 12420 By his mevyng cyrculer, Loos off a day with-Inne A yer.

'Satourne, that syt so hyh and ffer, And the planete Iubyter, Line 12424 They takë pacyenly [[pacyently St.]] alway; Thogh they be let som tyme a day, They dysconforte hem neueradel, ffor they recure ageyn fful wel Line 12428 (By pacyénce and ábydyng) Al that they suffre in ther mevyng; Ther naturel cours (I yow [[you St., om. C.]] ensure) Pacyently they muste endure; Line 12432 Yt nolde avaylle hem to be wroth; ffor Satourn, aboute hys cours he goth In Thrytty yer, and lassë nouht; And Iubiter (yiff yt be souht), Line 12436 By hys mevyng cyrculer, [folio 190a] Hys cours parformeth in xij yer; They muste ha ther-to so gret [[therto grete St.]] space Or they resortë to ther place.' Line 12440

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame, with your grace and pes, To me yt semeth doutëles, My labour may me nat avaylle; I do but lesë my travaylle: Line 12444 Los off a day, lyk as ye seen, I may nat recure ageyn; I vnderstondë, ffer nor ner, Almost the space off thrytty yer. Line 12448 Allas! I am to ffer be-hynde: [Stowe folio 218b] What conforte thannë [[than St.]] sholde I ffynde,

"So gret [[grete St.]] labour to endure, My place ageyn ffor to recure. Line 12452 Thogh day be day (in certeyne) I dydë dyllygence and peyne ffor to resorte, yt wyl nat be; The cours off sensualyte, Line 12456 To my desyr ys so ffroward, To makë me to go bakward, That by reuolucïoun My tyme I lese, and my sesoun; Line 12460 ffor, the mor I me constreyne To do my labour and my peyne, The mor to me she ys contrayre, In my Iourne me to tarye; Line 12464 And trewly I kan nat espye What al thys doth sygnefye."

Grace dieu:

Quod gracë dieu fful sobyrly, 'I speke nat off a [[on St.]] day only, Line 12468 But in an hour (yiff thow kanst se) Yt may happë so to be, How that A man in A moment May slen hym sylff, off entent Line 12472 Or casuely, on se or lond, [folio 190b] [[C. & St.]] Lese a membre, ffoot or hond, [[C. & St.]] Wych he shal, peraventure, [[C. & St.]] In thrytty yer, nat recure Line 12476 Ageyn, so myghtë ben the cas, To refourme yt as yt was.

'And semblably to be-guynne, Yiff thow ha don a dedly synne. Line 12480 Wheroff the strook the soulë sleyth, [Stowe folio 219a] And offte ys cause off cruel deth; ffor swerd ys noon, nor sperë, founde, So peryllous to mayme and wonde Line 12484 As dedly synne, (to reknen al,) The wych ycallyd ys 'mortal', Be-cause hys hurtys ffynally Ben in effect verray dedly. Line 12488

'And yiff thow sle thy-syluen so

'With dedly synne, as sommë do, And myghtest nat in Thrytty yer Ben hool and sownd, but stonde in wher Line 12492 Touchyng thy sauacïoun, Yet, as to myn oppynyoun, Thow sholdest nat thy sylff dyspeyre, Thy mortal syknesse to apeyre, Line 12496 Nor thy syluen dysconforte, But inwardly thè Reconforte, And specialy in O thyng Thanke ihesu, that blyssyd kyng Line 12500 Lyst suffre dethë [[deth C., dethe St.]] ffor thy sake, Thy deedly wondys, hool to make; With-oute whos dethë, [[deth C., dethe St.]] I ensure, Thow myghtest nat to lyff recure, Line 12504 Nor, thy gretë loos (certeyn), With-oute hys dethë [[deth C., dethe St.]] wynne ageyn; ffor hys hooly passïoun Ys salue and fful sauacïoun Line 12508 To ffolk that haven in constaunce [[Inconstaunce St.]] [folio 191a] Off her synnës répentaunce; ffor penaunce ys so vertuous And acceptable to cryst ihesus, Line 12512 That who that doth yt hertyly, Off hys synnes hath remedy.'

The pylgrym:

To gracë dieu quod I ryht tho, [Stowe folio 219b] "Ma dame, in soth yt stondeth so, Line 12516 Your exaumples by rehersaylle May to me fful lyte avaylle, ffor they be nat (who lookë wel) Vn-to purpos neueradel. Line 12520

"ffor the planetys hih in heuene, In ther mevyng, allë seuene, How so they in her cours be let, Yet ther Termys ben yset, Line 12524 And ther boundys, (in certeyn,) What tyme they shal resorte ageyn, By terme and [[and by St.]] lymytacïoun, With-oute any transgressïoun; Line 12528

Line 12528 "Off ther tyme they may nat erre, As yt ys set, nyh nor fferre, But that they shal, at certeyn space, Retournë to her duë place, Line 12532 At ther tyme, whan-euere yt be.

"But yt stant nat so with me, No thyng at al, off my retour; And causë why, ffor myn Errour Line 12536 Hath no lymytacïouns; ffor I, thorgh my transgressïouns, So long [[longe St.]] tyme ther-in soiourne, That I shal neuere ageyn Retourne Line 12540 To entre the place that I kam ffro.

"Touchynge the boterflye also, Therby, to myn oppynyoun, I ha noon informacïoun Line 12544 As off hys mevyng on the whel; [folio 191b] ffor, at hys lust, (who lokë wel) He may go slowh, he may go lyht, [Stowe folio 220a] He hath .iiij. wyngës ffor the fflyht; Line 12548 And whan he seth yt may avaylle, He may chese, in hys travaylle, At hys lust, abyde and reste By good leyser, ffor the [[his St.]] beste: Line 12552 Al thys consydred prudently, I dar wel seyn, so may nat I."

Grace dieu:

'Myn exaumples, trewly,' quod she, 'May to purpos taken be, Line 12556 Yiff thow aduertë wel ther-to; ffor, set thys cas,—that yt be so That thys planetys, in her mevyng, May nat erre no maner thyng, Line 12560 Nouther ffaylle, but in certeyn To ther places retourne ageyn ffro whenys they kam, On and alle; Yet somme off hem, I sey, may ffalle Line 12564 As yt be-ffyl, the trouthë wyst, Whan seyn Iohan the ewangelyst Sawh, among the sterrys alle,

'How On ffrom heuene dydë ffalle— Line 12568 Lyk a brond off ffyr with levene— Doun to the Erthe ffro the heuene; The wychë sterre, I dar wel seyn, Retournede neuere yet ageyn Line 12572 Thyder ffro whens he dydë ffalle; And 'Absinthium' men hym calle, Be causë he doth sygnefye, Thorgh hys pryde and ffals envye, Line 12576 The bryhte aungel that ffel so ffer,— [Stowe folio 220b] I mene the Aungel Lucyfer— ffro the heuene in-to dyrknesse; And he hath ek mor bytternesse Line 12580 Than any woormood growyng here. [folio 192a] And, Trewly, yiff thow lyst lere, That he whylom (thus stood the caas,) Bryhter than any sterrë was: Line 12584 Truste me wel, and be certeyn That he shal neuere Retourne ageyn To the place that he kam ffro.

'But off thè, yt stant nat so; Line 12588 And ffyrst, by thys exaumple layd To conferme that I ha sayd: Thogh thow a-mong, in thyn entent, Line 12591 ffalle doun ffro the ffyrmament [A Firmamento Fidei St., om. C.] Off verray ffeyth, doun ffro so fer With the Angel lucyfer, And thy ffal and thy soiourn Were with-outë mor retourn, Line 12596 That thow sholdest ay and euere In thyn errour so perséuere, And woldest nat thy sylff avaunce, Thè tamende [[St., tamemende C.]] by répentaunce, Line 12600 Than, thorgh thyn erroure and ffolye, Thow stoode in gret [[grete St.]] Iupartye To kome ageyn to thyn degre.

'But yiff thow woldest amende the, [Nota St., om. C.] And off herte and hool entente Line 12605 Resorte ageyn, and thè repente Off al that euere thow hast mysdo,

'Thow sholdest neuere haue erryd so, Line 12608 But that thow sholdest (trustë me) fful wel ageyn receyved be; And with al thys, only by grace, [Stowe folio 221a] Restoryd to thy ffyrstë place: Line 12612 Ther-to thow sholdest ha no let, Thy terme, thy [[and St.]] boundys, ben so set, And markys ffor thy savacyoun Only by crystys passïoun: Line 12616 Truste me wel, and thus yt ys, [folio 192b] They wyl nat suffre the gon Amys, Whyl thow thè holdest by resoun Wyth-Inne thy lymytacïoun, Line 12620 Nat to Erryn, nyh [[nyht C., nyghe St.]] nor ffer; But so ne may nat lucyfer, ffor he muste abyde and dwelle With-oute Retournë, styll in helle; Line 12624 He may haue noon other graunt. And thys Exaumple ys suffysaunt Off the planetys told off me, In thy passáge tenformen the. Line 12628

'And fferther-morë, the to guye Touchynge also the boterflye, Off wych Exaumple, in thyn Avys, Thow settyst ther-off but lytel prys; Line 12632 But yiff thy wyt, off Resoun seth, The .iiij. wynges with wych he ffleth, And hys ffeet ek (tak hed ther-to) Make hym on the whel to go Line 12636 At leyser, hym sylff to spede. By wych exaumple (as I rede) Thow shalt hym folwe in sondry wyse; And ffyrst off allë, the avyse Line 12640 How thys whel hath (yt ys no doute,) .iiij. [[Foure St.]] spokys strechchyd oute, Vp-on wych, ffor thy beste, Thow mayst wel thyn syluen reste, [Stowe folio 221b] And by esë, soffte and soffte Line 12643 Clymben tyl thow kome aloffte.

'Thys spokys .iiij. [[Foure St.]] off most vertu

'Ben in the croos off cryst ihesu, Line 12648 The wychë [[wych C., whiche St.]] ben yset fful wel With-Inne in the myddel whel, Off wychë, with hys eyen bryhte, Ezechiel hadde a syhte: [folio 193a] Line 12652 Hys prophesyë doth vs lere, To hym a whel ther dyde appere, Wych hym thouhte (in sondry placys) By semyng haddë .iiij. [[Foure St.]] ffacys, Line 12656 ffor to shewyn in ffygure Auctorysed by scrypture (Yiff thow lyst to haue in mynde) .iiij. [[Foure St.]] helpys thow mayst fynde Line 12660 In crystys cros, (yiff thow take hede,) In thy Iournè thè to spede; Wych .iiij. shal thè [[Foure the shalle St.]] solace, Make thè to thy ffyrstë place Line 12664 ffor to retourne the weyë ryht.

'As longe as thow hast a syht To .iiij. [[Foure St.]] partyes off crystis cros, Ne drede the neuere off no los, Line 12668 Nor off hyndryng in thy vyage. And looke, in thy pylgrymage, Wher-so-euere thow repayre, Ther-off to take thyn exaumplayre, Line 12672 ffor thow mayst no bettre do.'

And whan she haddë sayd me so, Thys Gracë dieu, affter a-noon, ffarwel, fro me, she was a-gon Line 12676 Al sodeynly out off my syht. [Stowe folio 222a] But thanne, off cher fful glad and lyht,

Youthe

And with hyr ffresshë ffethrys ffayre, Youthë gan to me repayre, Line 12680 And to me sayde in hyr manere: 'Thow art a ffool! what dostow here? Tak good hed to my sentence! Thow art mad, to yive credence, Line 12684 To leue and herknen euerytale Or syngyng off the nyhtyngale;

[folio 193b] 'Ther-in ys no melody, Whos song ys euere 'Occy, occy,' Line 12688 Wych ys to seyne, whan she hath do, "Go sle thy sylff!" she meneth so. Leff al thys thyng, and go with me; ffor, thys weye wych thow dost se, Line 12692 Ys penyble and éncombrous, Dredful also, and envyous; Thy myght, thy power, ben ago; Thy body ys wery ek also; Line 12696 The weye wyl makë the to tarye, [Vicina est lapsibus adoles|cenia, & variorum cupidita|tum feruore salens . . . Ambrosius. St., om. C.] ffor yt ys ffroward and contrárye, And ffer also ffro thyn entente; And I ther-to wyl nat assente. Line 12700

'And in fforthryng ek off the I wyl nat go, but I wyl ffle; ffor thow and I shal han repayr, Nat on the ground, But in the hayr, Line 12704 Wher thow shalt fynde no maner lak; ffor I wyl trusse thè on my bak, [Stowe folio 222b] Ber thè fforth (yt shal nat ffaylle) That thow shalt felë no trawaylle Line 12708 In thy vyagë, but ful soffte I shal ber thè hih a-loffte, That thow mayst sen aboutë Round, The se, the heyr, and al the ground; Line 12712 And al that euere ffolkys do, Thow shalt be-holde and sen also.'

The pylgrym:

"Yst in thy power, answere me, Thus to ber me, and to ffle?" Line 12716

Youthe:

'Ther-to I hauë suffysaunce, So yt be to thy plesaunce; And that thow shalt knowe agon, Skyp on my bak, and lat vs gon, Line 12720 And in effect thow shalt wel se How that I shal helpyn the.' [folio 194a] [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

And I, with-outë mor abood,

Clamb on hyr bak wher-as she stood. Line 12724 To hyre yt was no grevaunce; ffor, as lyhtly (in substaunce) I was take vp in-to lyte, Line 12727 As a chykne off [[shulde off St.]] a kyte, [Stowe folio 223a] Al sodeynly, or I was war; And on hyr bak, fforth she me bar Vn-to the hegh, and was my guyde Stretth [[Streghte St.]] vn-to the tother syde. Line 12732 And to that weye she hath me born Wych that I hadde lefft to-forn, And held to me ful wel forward; [[ffrowarde St.]] But gret encombraunce affterward Line 12736 Ther-off ys ffallen vn-to me, And fful gret aduersyte, Wych I shal tellyn in substaunce, As they kome to rémembraunce. Line 12740

Whan I was passyd the hegh allas, ffynally thys was the caas: Yowthe me brouht (and thus yt stood,) In-to a weyë large and brood, Line 12744 And sayde she wolde, off al that day, No ferther ber me on my way. And so, wher yt were [[were St., om. C.]] sour or soote, She trew [[threwe C.]] me doun. I wente on foote Ay be that hegh, doun costeyynge. Line 12749

"And, with-outë long [[longe St.]] taryynge, In the weye that she me sette, [folio 194b] An Oldë [[olde St., Old C.]] wekke a-noon I mette, Line 12752 Hydous and owgly off hyr look; And off hyr shap, good hed I took; Hyr Eyen royllynge in hyr hed, Hyr fface colouryd was lyk [[lyk was to St.]] led, Line 12756 Hyr noosë heng doun to hyr chyn, Hyr mouth fful large, and ek ther-in With hyr teth (as I beheld,) A fful large sak she held; Line 12760 Ther-in a tonge she held also, And Rampawntly she gan to go [Stowe folio 223b] Vn-to me-ward, off cruelte,

Lych as she wolde ha stranglyd me; [[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 12764 Gan hyr handys to me strecche, And felly sayde 'Arrew, [[Arrow St.]] thow wrechche! Thow skapyst nat:' she swor, seyn [[seynt St.]] george, She wolde me stranglyn by the Gorge: Line 12768 Thus yt sempte, as by hyr cher; And I hadde-on no gorger In my dyffence, but drowh abak, And vn-to hyre ryht thus I spak: Line 12772

The pylgrym:

"What artow," a-noon quod I, "That komyst so dyspytously, Thow Oldë wekkë, [[vekke St.]] with meschaunce, ffroward off look and contynaunce; Line 12776 and al that euere I se on the, fful gretly dyspleseth me."

Glotonye:

'I am,' quod she, 'as thow shalt lere, [folio 195a] Off Epicuris chyldre dere, Line 12780 Verray moder and maystresse, And off that sorte gouérneresse: I gouerne hem, (thus stant the cas,) Who that euere her ffader was.' Line 12784

The pylgrym: [Stowe folio 224a]

"fful ffayn," quod I / "I woldë se What Epicuriens sholdë be."

Glotonye:

'They be (ffor short conclusioun) A sect off thys condicïoun, Line 12788 Wych holde, and lernë thys off me, That perfyt ffelycyte Ys, that a man lyk hys delyt, ffolwe alway hys appetyt; Line 12792 Ther Sak, ther wombe, (I vndertake,) Off hem ther goddys they do make; Ther Ioye and al ther bysynesse Ys only set in lykerousnesse; Line 12796 ffor, thys Sect alway most thynkes On dyuers metys and on drynkes:

'To thys Sect yt ys endwed, Line 12799 With rost [[Reste St.]] somwhyle, and with stewyd, To be seruyd, and metys bake, Now to ffrye, now steykës make, And many other soteltes. And dyuers ffoundyn out deyntes; Line 12804 ffor al thys sect, I the ensure, Be nat cóntent that nature [[Stowe]] Yservyd be with suffysaunce; But ther Ioye and ther plesaunce Line 12808 Stant in [[alle / In St.]] superfluyte; And hooly ther ffelycyte (Affter ther oppynyoun) [Stowe folio 224b] Ys in delectacyoun.' [folio 195b] Line 12812

The pylgrym:

"What ys thy name? tel on," quod I.

Glotonye:

And she Answerd redyly, 'To sey trouthe, and nat to lye, My name in soth ys 'Glotonye.' Line 12816 My sak, I ffelle vp to the brynke, And neuere I sparë ffor to drynke, fful offtë whan I ha no nede; And I allone (yt ys no drede) Line 12820 fful offtë sythe, off [[In St.]] lykerousnesse, ffylle my paunche, off gredynesse, With as mychë (trew(ë)ly) As .iij. men myghtë lyuë by, Line 12824 Swyche as hauen indygence; ffor, in Ryot and dyspence, In wast, in reuel and outráges, Spent in gelees [[Geeles St.]] and potáges, Line 12828 And dyuers drynkës ffor solas, Romney, clarre, [[Clarre and St.]] ypocras, In malvesyn, and in Osey, The longë nyht I daunce and pley, Line 12832 And cessë nat to drynke alway; Go to bedde whan yt ys day; And sommë clerkys a-mong alle, 'Castrimargia' [[Castrymagia St.]] me calle.' Line 12836

Line 12836

The Pylgrym:

"Declarë me, and nat ne ffeyne, What 'castrimargia' [[Castrimagia St.]] ys to seyne."

Glotonye: [Stowe folio 225a]

' "Castrimargia," [[Castrimagia St.]] ys ploungyn doun Off mussellys by submercioun; Line 12840 Wyth-outë chawyng, doun they launche, Devouryd hool in-to the pawnche; And ther they be so depe ydreynt, In the mawe to-gydre meynt, Line 12844 That my sak, by submercioun, Ys offtë tournyd vp so doun. [folio 196a] Whan yt ys fful and overleyn, Yt goth out by the gorge ageyn; Line 12848 Over bord, al goth to wrak; And thus I voyde among my sak; The Tempest draweth doun the sayl.

'I make tracys, as doth a snayl, Line 12852 With drawlyng [[drawyng St.]] on my mokadour, And efft ageyn do my labour (As an vngry [[hungry St.]] wolff, certeyn,) ffor to ffylle my pook [[pawnche St.]] ageyn. Line 12856

'I may resemble wel to Bel, Off whom that speketh Danyel, The ydole that devourede al: My bely round, and no thyng smal, Line 12860 And with my nosë long and round, I trace affter, as doth an hound, To ffynde the ffwet [[ffwt St.]] wher mete ys good; And, by the goolet off myn hood Line 12864 The bestë [[best St.]] goth; yiff that I may, Thys lyff I letë nyht and day.'

The pylgrym:

"Yet off a [[one St.]] thyng I pray the, [Stowe folio 225b] That thow woldest tellyn me: Line 12868 Yiff thow thè ffyllest (in thyn avys) Off metys that ben off lytel prys, As off benys or brownë [[brovne St., brown C.]] bred, (Kome ther any in thyn hed,) Line 12872 Thyn appetyt for to staunche,

"Swych hardë metys in thy pawnche?"

Glotonye:

Quod she, 'thow shalt ful wel espye, The custom ys off glotonye, Line 12876 As wel (yiff I shal expresse,) In gretë metys to don excesse, (Who the trouthë wel espyes,) As wel as in delýcacyes; [folio 196b] Line 12880 ffor men as wel may doun outráges With benë bred and swyd [[swete St.]] potáge, Excesse and superfluyte, Als wel as in curyouste: Line 12884 The mete nat causeth the excesse, But the ffretyng gredynesse, They [[Thy C., They St.]] maketh only the Glotoun, And nat the mete in no sesoun: Line 12888 Tast, that ys the pryncypal, And lust ther-off, that causeth al.' [Non cibus, sed appetitus, in vicio est. Gregorius.]

The pylgrm:

Than quod I/"I pray the, What thyng ys 'Tast'? declarë me." Line 12892

Glotonye: [Stowe folio 226a]

'Yiff I to the declarë shal, Therby inward passeth al; And ther-in ek myn appetyt Hath specially al hys delyt; Line 12896 Yt ys the mouth off my sachel, Whérby passeth euerydel; By that golet, large and strong, Off mesour nat .iij. [[three St.]] Enchë long; Line 12900 I wolde, ffor delectacïoun, That yt were (off hys ffacoun,) Long as ys a kranys nekke; Thanne I nolde off nothyng wrekke, Line 12904 But only (yiff I shal telle) With fattë mussellys yt to ffelle, With lard, and collopys wel yfryed; How hard they were to be defyed, Line 12908 I woldë ther wer ffounde no lak In the stuffyng off my sak,

'Wych that hath a double mouth, To receyuë north and sowth, Line 12912 Al deyntes that may be founde; ffattë mussellys large and Rounde, [folio 197a] I threste hem in fful lykerously.

'And yet myn Eyen be mor gredy, Line 12916 Mor desyrous to do gret wast Than ys my sak outher my tast: To ther desyre, in no wyse Nothyng may ynowh suffyse; Line 12920 Myn Eyen, thorgh none suffysaunce, Don to my stomak gret grevaunce, Mor peryllous than swyrd or knyff, ffor to shorte a manhys [[manys St.]] lyff; Line 12924 And ffynally, (who that kan se,) [Stowe folio 226b] Excesse and superfluyte Slen mo men, nyh and ffere, Than outher swerd, dagger or spere.' Line 12928

The pylgrym:

"Syth excesse and swych outráge Don to the so gret damáge, Off mussellys smale and grete, Why lystow with hem surfeete, Line 12932 Syth thow concludest (in sentence) In surfet ys gret pestylence?"

Glotonye:

'With-Inne my mouth (as thow shalt lere,) I bere A touch, (yiff thow wylt here,) Line 12936 A Touch off gret infeccïoun The wychë, [[wych C., whiche St.]] by corrupcïoun, Wher that euere he haue repeyr, He infecteth al the heyr, Line 12940 And sleth mo ffolk by vyolence Than any other pestylence.

'That touch, by touchyng redyly, Ys mad so sharpe and so gredy Line 12944 By touch off metys delycat, Thanne he to Resoun obstynat, Mut, with hys touch, touchyn som whyht, [Stowe folio 227a] Or ellys wolde he, a-noon ryht, [folio 197b] Line 12948

Line 12948 'Wexyn wod, [[altered from wob C., woode St.]] or by outrage Sodeynly ffalle in-to a rage, Thè to [[too St.]] touche, as yt ys due; The tother touch ay doth hym sue; Line 12952 And semblably, (who lyst to se,) Ryht thus ffareth tast by me, Wych lytel rechchet [[Rechchethe St.]] off my profyt, So that he haue hys owne delyt.' Line 12956

The pylgrym:

"Ma dame," quod I, "what euere ffalle, What shal I thys Touch ycalle?"

Glotonye:

'Thow shalt calle hym, ffer and ner, The ffleynge massager, Line 12960 Off wyngës swyft, wych wyl nat dwelle, Euery thyng out for to telle: [Multi ceciderunt in cespite gladij, set non sit sic qui interierunt per Linguam. Ecclesiastici 28^o. St., om. C.] Al that euere ys in the herte, Ther shal no thyng besyde asterte; Line 12964 And most, a-mong thys ffolkys alle, A shrewdë neihbour, men hym calle; Or a clyket fful mortal, Line 12967 Wych opneth and vncloseth al. [Stowe folio 227b]

'And hys condicioun ek ys thys, Gladly euere to seyn Amys; And most he doth hym sylff applye ffor to spekë vyllenye, Line 12972 And ther-vp-on tabydë longe. Whan he hath dronkë wynës stronge, And with deyntes ffeld hys sak, Thannë al thyng goth to wrak, Line 12976 What he touchet, I ensure, So ffer he goth out off mesure.'

The pylgrym:

"What ar they, off her tongys large, That with wyn hem overcharge?" Line 12980

Glotonye:

'Ther-in ys most hys appetyt, [folio 198a] And ther-in he hath most delyt. By hym I am out off mesure Brouht, that I may nat endure; Line 12984

Line 12984 'Offt by hym I ffalle in blame, In gret dyshonour and dyffame; ffor he me gaff (who lokë wel) Thys sak also, and thys phonel Line 12988 Wyth wych my wynës I vp tonne. And whan that I haue onys gonne [Stowe folio 228a] To tonnen vp, (as thow mayst se,) I take ther-off so gret plente, Line 12992 Swych háboundaunce and swych foysoun, That I lese wyt and resoun, Dyscrecïoun, wysdam and mynde, That I kan no weyë [[way St.]] ffynde Line 12996 To gon vn-to myn ownë hous, Mad and dronke, as ys A mous.

'Than spek I nat but Ribaudye, Outrage and gret vyllenye; Line 13000 I haue noon other Elloquence; ffor than I do no reuerence, Nouther to god, (in no manere,) Nor to hys ownë moder dere; Line 13004 ffor yiff I shal the trouthe expresse, Whan I am ffalle in dronkenesse, [[dronkenesse St., dronknesse C.]] My tongë than I gynne to [[to C., om. St.]] broche, That, yiff Resoun wolde aproche, Line 13008 I bydde hym shortly (thys no nay,) To take hys leue, and gon hys way. And also in my dronkenesse I sey the same to Ryhtwysnesse; Line 13012 ffor thogh prudence and equyte, Sapyence And veryte, Hadden with me tho to done, They sholde be put abak fful sone. Line 13016

'With sobyrnesse, nor áttempraunce, [folio 198b] I wyl haue noon ácqueyntaunce: They be no thyng off myn allye; I haue off hem but moquerye; [Stowe folio 228b] Line 13020 ffor, wher dronkenesse ys guyde, Ech vertu ys set asyde; And whan with wyn ful ys myn horn, I am ffers as an vnycorn; Line 13024

Line 13024 'ffor, than bothe, in wrong and ryht, I wyl stryue with euery whyht, Tak vp quarellys, and dyffame, Sette on euery whyht a blame, Line 13028 And, lyk a bole, (yt ys no dred,) Myn Eyen Rollyn in myn hed; Lyk a botore, [[The Bittern was supposed to have two stomachs.]] I haue also Two wombys whan I haue A-do.' Line 13032

The pylgrym:

"Expownë me, ánd nat ffeyne, Hastow verrayly wombys tweyne?"

Glotonye:

'Trewly,' quod glotonye to me, 'I haue tweyne, as thow mayst se, Line 13036 Wych ben ful nyh (who kan espye,) Off the kynrede and allye Off Venus; ffor lykerousnesse Off welfare, and gret excesse, Line 13040 Engendre and cause naturelly fflesshly lust and lechery.

'And the ffyrst off thys kynrede Ys callyd (who that taketh hede) [Stowe folio 229a] Line 13044 Off som ffolkys 'Dronkenesse,' And the tother 'Gredynesse' Off sondry metys and deyntes; And bothë two, in ther degres, Line 13048 Wyl ther placys occupye, Drynke and etë by envye. Evere ther glotons appetyt [folio 199a] Ys so ful off ffals delyt, Line 13052 So gredy and so vnstaunchable, Ther Etyk ys so importable; Now I ete, and now I drynke; Tyl I be ful vp to the brynke, Line 13056 I do alway my besy peyne. And trew(e)ly thys wombys tweyne, Wych al devoure, and neuere slake, Makë Venus to a-wake Line 13060 Out off hyr slep, (lyk as I sayde,) And causeth hyre fful offte abrayde.

'And for that I am glotonye, I dar trewly specefye Line 13064 How Venus (yt ys no ffayl) Euere me sueth at the tayl; We departë seld or neuere, ffor we be to-gydre euere; Line 13068 She wyl nat partë, yiff she may.

'And whom that I, be nyht or day, Areste, or makë to abyde, Wher-so that he go or ryde, Line 13072 I brynge hym off entencïoun To ben vnder subiectïoun [Stowe folio 229b] Off Venus; for she and I Confedryd ben so trew[e]ly, Line 13076 That ffolkys vnder my demeyne,— Swych as be lacyd in my cheyne, Or sesyd, (ther ys no mor to seye,)— Vn-to hyre they muste obeye.' Line 13080

The pylgrym:

"I praye, declare a-noon to me, What thyng thys Venus sholdë be."

Glotonye:

Quod glotonye, 'with-outë glose, Thow shalt off hyrë (I suppose) [folio 199b] Line 13084 Hyryn tydynges A-noon ryht, Off hyr power and off [[off C., om. St.]] hyr myght; And thannë, yiff thow wylt enquere, What she ys, she wyl the lere.' Line 13088

And, whyl I stood [[stoode St.]] musynge thus, I sawh a-noon wher that Venus Kam rydynge on a swyn saváge, And in hyr hand, a ffals vyságe Line 13092 I sawh hyr bern, fful brood and large, To-fforn hyr Eyen, lyk A targe. And thys Venus trew(e)ly Was Arrayëd queyntëly; Line 13096 ffor hyr clothys and hyr array [Stowe folio 230a] Defoulyd wern with donge and clay, ffor wych (in euery maner place) She gan shroude and hyde hyr fface Line 13100

Line 13100 Vnder hyr hood, so couertly That no man ne [[ne St., om. C.]] myghte espy [[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] The maner off hyr gouernaunce Outward by hyr contenaunce, Line 13104 ffor hyr ffacë was nat bare; And, to me-ward as she gan ffare, With a sharp dart wych she bar She smette me, or I was war, Line 13108 (Longë or I koude aduerte,) Thorgh the Eye vn-to the herte. Myn Elm was lefft behynde, allas! My ffacë bare (thys was the cas); [folio 200a] Line 13112 Ageyn Venus vyolence, I hadde as tho no bet dyffence.

The pylgrym:

"O, thow Olde! what hastow do, Vnwarly me to smytë so?" Line 13116

Olde venus:

'Reporte off me, and sey ryht thus, [Stowe folio 230b] That I am callyd Dame venus. My dwellyng and my mancïoun (To me Ordeynèd off Resoun) Line 13120 Ys in the Reynys most certeyn,— Ther wyl no clerk ageyns thys seyn;— I chace a-way al chastyte, And, werray [[werreye St.]] vyrgynyte: Line 13124 Vyrgynyte, whylom off ryht, To the Aungellys cler and bryht Was suster, and ther nexte allye; But now (yiff I shal nat lye Line 13128 Touchyng parfyt vyrgynyte,) Wher that euere she may me se, She halt hyr nose, and wol [[wolde St.]] be go, Vp-on hyre I stynkë so; Line 13132 To hyre I am so gret Enmy, That, but [[That but St. But that C.]] she haddë ffynally ffled ffor hyr savacyoun Whylom in-to Religïoun,— Line 13136 She hadde (with-outë mor refut,) [Grauem inimicum sortita est castitas, cui non solum resistendum, sed dimisso freno longius fugiendum. Experto, crede, Episcopus, loquor coram deo, non men|cior: Cedros libani duces [[duges C. 'qualibet' and a word now lost, follow 'libani.'] gregum, sub hac peste ceci|disse reperi, de quorum casu non magis suspicabar quod Ambrosij vel Ieronimi impudica turpitudine.— hic Augustinus. St., om. C.]

'Be slayn, and dede by my [[by C., thurghe my St.]] pursuit— Wher the castel ys so strong, That I may do to hyre no wronge, Nor the fforteressë wynne, [Nota St.] As longe as she halt hyr with-Inne; But yiff so be (yt ys no doute) That she go a-brood with-oute At large, and haue hyr lyberte,— Line 13145 As Dina wentë for to se [folio 200b] Wommen off that regïoun, (As holy wryt maketh mencioun) [Genesis 32 capitulo, St., om. C.] Iacobys douhter (thys the cas) Line 13149 And she a-noon dyffoulyd was, [Stowe folio 231a] And the slaundre gret arose, [Hoc Augustinus. [[St. Aug. C.]] ] Be-cause she kepte hyr sylff nat [[nat C., in St.]] cloos.

'Ek I ne haue noon ávauntage Line 13153 ffor to harme nor do damage— Nat the valu off An Oystre— Whyl chastyte kepeth hys cloystre, Line 13156 And goth nat out in no maner, Than ffarvel [[ffarwelle St.]] al my power.'

The pylgrym:

"Tel on a-noon, and nat ne ffeyne, What ys thoffencë off thys tweyne, Line 13160 Off maydenhed or chastyte? What wrong han [[haue St.]] they don to the, That thow hem hatest in thy thouht? Declare in hast, and tarye nouht." Line 13164

Venus:

'ffyrst, vnderstonde and herkne me, That neuere yet Vyrgynyte Woldë in no place abyde, But I wer out, and set asyde: Line 13168 To hyre I am abhomynáble, Contraryous and dyffamáble; I stynke on hyre, wher euere she be. [Stowe folio 231b]

'And ek hyr suster Chastyte, Line 13172 Wher euere that she me espy, She ffleth hyr way, and cryeth "ffy!" ffor wher yt thowhe, [[thaw]] or elles ffrese,

'Leuere she hadde hyr mantel lese, Line 13176 Than abyden in the place Wher that she may se my fface.

'She madë Ioseph, by gret [[grete St.]] stryff, [Genesis 39 capitulo.—Ioseph, relicto pallio, ffugit. St., om. C.] fflen ffro Putyffarys wyff, Lefft hys mantel, and also [folio 200a] Line 13181 A-noon ffrom hyre he was a-go; ffor chastyte (by oppynyoun,) Haueth thys condycïoun, Line 13184 That she sauff ne wyl nat vouche, In no wysë me to touche.

'And whan that I hyr maner se, That yt wyl noon other be, Line 13188 Than I am besy, be dyffame, ffor to putte on hyre a blame,— By som sclaundre ffalsly ffounde,— Hyr goodë namë to confounde, Line 13192 By swych ffolk (shortly to telle) That ar wont with me to dwelle, And tabyden in myn hous, Off condicioun vycyous, Line 13196 That ar glad ay to myssaye, And chastyte ffor to werraye, As yt sheweth (with-outë glose) In my Romaunce off the Rose; [Romance of the Rose St. (in Stowe's hand).] Line 13200 Make hyr name to ben appallyd, [Stowe folio 232a] And Faulssemblant to be callyd: In that book by my notárye, Line 13203 Wych to hyr name ys ffull [[St., om. C.]] contrárye. And causë why that I do thus Geyn chastyte fful vertuous, Ys ffynally (yiff thow lyst se), She wyl no queyntaunce han with me.' Line 13208

The pylgrym:

"Wherfor seystow in any wyse, And wrongfully lyst to devyse Mong thyn Errours, on and alle, Thys Romauncë thyn to calle? Line 13212 Thy part ther-off ys neueradel; ffor I knowe that man fful wel

"With euery maner cyrcumstaunce, Wych that madë that Romaunce." Line 13216

Venus:

'Thys Romaunce (in cónclusioun), I may calle yt off Resoun Myn ownë book, (whan al ys do,) And I my sylff made yt also; Line 13220 And yiff that thow consydre wel, Gynnynge, ende, and euerydel, [[Euerydel St., euerdel C.]] He speketh ther (yiff thow kanst se) Off nat ellys but off me, Line 13224 Except only (yt ys no doute) My clerk, my skryveyn, racede oute Off strangë ffeldys as I be-held, And sewh yt in A-nother ffeld, Line 13228 ffolkys wenynge (yt ys no dred) That he hadde sowhe [[sewe St.]] the samë sed Vp-on hys ownë lond certeyn.

'But to declare the trouthë pleyn, Line 13232 He dyde nat so, no thyng at al, In straungë feldys, for he yt stal, (Al be yt so by fful gret lak,) He put al in hys ownë sak Line 13236 Be-causë only (who kan ffele) He caste the trouthë to concele; Off surquedye, (yt ys no nay,) Wolde ha born yt with hym away, Line 13240 Al be, sothly, (who haue a syht) He hadde ther-to no maner ryht;

'But affterward he was ascryed By a normaund, and espyed, Line 13244 Wych loude cryede, and made A soun, Yt was no ryht nor no Resoun Off other ffolkys gadryng To make hys berthene by stelyng. Line 13248 But for al that, forth he wente, Nouht abaysshed in hys entente, But boldëly, or I was war, [folio 202a] fforth with hym hys stelthe he bar, Line 13252 Ympyd yt in / in my romaunce,

'Wych was to me gret dysplesaunce; ffor my wyl was, that he no thyng [Stowe folio 233a] Sholde ha set in hys wrytyng, Line 13256 No thyng (as to myn entent,) But yt wer to me pertynent, Or accordynge to my matere, Or at the leste (as ye shal here), Line 13260 That he hadde set in [[sette inne St.]] no mor But that was off hys ownë stor: He was askryed off hys ffolye Off On yborn in Normaundye; Line 13264 ffor wych, neuer affter (by couenaunt) He louede neuere no Normaund: The Romaunce kan yt wel declare, In wych he wrot (and lyst nat spare,) Line 13268 That Male-bouche (yt ys no lye) ffledde ffyrst out off Normaundye; Wher-off he made a strong lesyng, Lyede also in hys wrytyng, Line 13272 Off relygious, euele [[wele St.]] to speke, And vp-on hem to ben a-wreke, To my ffauour (as ye may se) Be-cause I púrsue chastyte.' Line 13276

The pylgrym:

"Than may I ryht wel certeyn Afferme, that thow and thy skryveyn Ben replevysshed (who kan se) Off malys and inyquyte; Line 13280 ffor who-so, thogh he wer my brother, [Stowe folio 233b] Wyl gladly seyn evel off A-nother I may off hym seyn (Est and south,) That he haueth no good mouth; Line 13284 ffor with hys tonge (who that touche,) He may be callyd 'Malë bouche.' [folio 202b] Wherfor trewly thy skryveyn Hihte [[Hathe St.]] 'Malë bouche,' I dar wel seyn, Line 13288 Whan he (voyde off al ffavour) Gan appellë hys neyhbour, Only for he dyde hym ascrye, To seyn the trouthe, and lyst nat lye. Line 13292

Line 13292

"And thow (who taketh hed ther-to) Hast a wykked mouth also, Wych, off thyn Inyquyte, Hast lyed vp-on Chastyte, Line 13296 To makë goodë ffolk hyr haate, And ageyn hyr to debate."

Venus:

'Thow seyst soth, (yt ys no drede,) But thow shalt wyte (in verray dede) Line 13300 My condicioun ys to lye; And pleynly, (yiff thow konne espye) Be ryht wel war alway off me; With lyyng I shal deceyuë the.' [prose cap iii.47] Line 13304

The pylgrym:

"Tel on to me the causë why; [Stowe folio 234a] Why hastow smet me vnwarly?"

Venus:

'What trowestow for to go ffre Whyl that I am so nyh by the? Line 13308 Nay, nay! that may nat be-falle. Thow knowest nat thassautys alle Off my werk, nor the manere, But by processe thow shalt lere; Line 13312 Wherso-euere that I assaylle, Off my pray I wyl nat ffaylle; And wher I hurtë with my darte, Yt ys ful hard ffor [[ffro me St.]] to departe Line 13316 With-outen harm ffro my daunger, Whom-euere I markë, ffer or ner, I dar yt swern (in verray sothe) By myn hed ykempt so smothe.' [folio 203a] Line 13320

The pylgrym:

"Syth thow art kempt so sotylly And arrayed so ffresshëly, [[ffresshely St., ffresshly C.]] As thow sayst in thyn language, Why hydestow thy vysage Line 13324 That I may nat clerly yt [[yt om. St.]] se? ffor som deceyt I trowe yt be."

Venus [[In Stowe's hand, Venus St.]] : [Stowe folio 234b]

'Wher-euere that I repayr,

'Trustë wel, I am nat ffayr; Line 13328 And yiff I haddë gret fayrnesse, I wolde nat hyde yt in dyrknesse. And thogh that I be kempt [[kept St.]] ryht wel, Yt ne sueth neueradel Line 13332 That I am ffayr, for in array, Thogh that I be queynte and gay, I am ryht foul for to beholde; My chekys Rympled and ryht Olde, Line 13336 And ful hydous, (yt ys no nay) And mor horryble than I dar say.

'And ther-for be ryht wel certeyn, I hyde me that I be nat seyn, Line 13340 And holde me euere in placys dyrke, Go by cornerys that be myrke; And I ne haue no maner syth [[syghte St.]] At mydday whan the sonne ys bryht Line 13344 In hys spere ful hih aloffte; And I me putte in pereil offte, Yiff thow knewë my passáges, Placys off my gret outráges Line 13348 Wych I vsë, trustë me, Ther-off thow woldest astonyd be:

'I Ryde vp-on A cursyd hors, [prose cap iv.48] I trowë nowher be no wors; Line 13352 ffor placys that be most peryllous, Most horryble and hydous, [folio 203b] Most dredful and most vnsure, [Stowe folio 235a] Ther I loggë, off nature: Line 13356 Thys my custom, day be day, As a sowhe, in donge and clay, Ther ys my lust most to dwelle; I am mor ffoul than I kan telle: Line 13360 Ryht foul I am in abstracto: [Concretum deo concuruit, Sub|iectum cum accidente // Ab|stractum est illud quod ab|strahitur a subiecto, vt albedo abstrahitur ab albo, quia con|cretum est respectu albedinis. St., om. C.] But yet mor ffoul in Concreto I am holde, a thowsand ffold; And, therfor, as I ha told, I ber thys wonderful peynture, Line 13365 Thys ffalse vysagë, thys ffigure, Off entent, in euery place,

'ffor to shrowde ther-with my fface, Line 13368 And my ffeturys ffor to hyde, That men espyen in no syde My scornyng nor my mokerye,— In ffrench ycallyd 'Farderye' Line 13372 And in ynglyssh, off old wrytyng, Ys ynamyd ek 'poppyng'— Wych, whan ffolkys ffall in age, Maketh Ryvelys in the vysage, Line 13376 And large ffrowncys [[ffrowncys St.]] I ensure.

'And, also, ageyn nature, I makë ffolkys ffor to deme By crafft outward, my sylff to seme Line 13380 ffayrere than euere that I was, To looke in merour or in glas.

'Also my condicïoun Ys to walkyn vp and doun, Line 13384 Now in towne, now in the ffeld; [Stowe folio 235b] In O place I abydë seld, But yt be by swych a fortune [[Fourme St.]] Wher my lust I may parfourme; Line 13388 I menë, placys off dyffame, Wych, to réherse, ys gret shame; Wher-off my clerk, off whom I tolde, [folio 204a] Hath yseyd lyk as he wolde, Line 13392 Spekynge ful outragously, And gaff Exaumple ffynally ffor to speke off dyshoneste, Off entent (as thow mayst se) Line 13396 Out off my slep me to awake, [[to wake C., tawake St.]] In a-wayt, I sholdë take Pylgrymes that walkë by the way, Hem tareste, and make affray, Line 13400 Off fforcë doun hem bowe hyr chyne, And tobeyë my doctryne.

'He wendë I hadde ben a-slepe; But the weyës I do kepe Line 13404 Nyht and day, (yt ys no les;) And I am nat rekkëles, But hem areste in euery place,

'Wher-so-euere that they pace; Line 13408 Ther skapeth noon, day nor nyht, But yiff yt be only by fflyht; I may nat ffayllë, ffer nor ner, Yiff myn offycerys done ther dever.' Line 13412

The pylgrym:

Thanne quod I / "I pray the [prose cap iii.49] [Stowe folio 236a] Lat me sen hem, what they be; But I leue, in myn entent, That they be nat her present." Line 13416

Venus:

'ffor sothe, I haue hem her with me, But I wil nat shewe hem the; Yet neuertheles, yiff thow wylt dwelle, The namys off hem I shal telle: Line 13420 The ffyrstë callyd ys 'raptus,' The tother 'stuprum,' And next, 'Incestus,' The ffourthë, 'Adulterium,' The ffyffthë, 'Fornicacioun,' Line 13424

'Raptus ffor [[in St.]] -soth (by déscryvyng,) Ys ycallyd 'Ravysshyng [folio 204b] Off wommen' (who so taketh hede), A Synne gretly for to drede. Line 13428

'And stuprum (with-outë wene,) Ys off maydenys that be clene.

"Incestus' ys a synne in dede, A man to taken hys kynrede. Line 13432

'The ffourthë ys 'avout[e]rye' With wyvës by ffoul lecherye.

'Another ther ys, wych for me Shal nat here rehersyd be, Line 13436 Nor told, in no maner wyse, Wych houeth [[hawethe St.]] ynowh to suffyse; And yt shal nat ffor me be wyst, [Stowe folio 236b] Vnderstond yt as ye [[the St.]] lyst. Line 13440

'Ech by hym sylff ys vycyous, And to vse, fful perillous; I wyl nat telle hem out at al. But to swych (in especyal) Line 13444 As dwellë with me, yong and old,

'And be with-holde in myn houshold; Yet I dar make descripcïoun; They be ffoul off condicïoun, Line 13448 Off shap, off ffourme, I the ensure, And ryht lothsom off ffygure.

'With hem I markë many On, Pylgrymes that by the weyë [[way St.]] gon; Line 13452 Thè [[They St.]] may skapen on no syde.

'And be ek war, yiff thow abyde, A-mong other, I shal thè smyte, In abydyng yiff thow delyte; Line 13456 Or thow must be in thy ffleyng, Swyfft as A tygre in rennyng, But, ffor ál that, I dar say, I shal nat fayllen off my pray, Line 13460 ffor al thy fflyht. whyl glotonye [folio 205a] Hath power thè ffor to guye, Al kommeth to my subieccïoun, Wher she hath domynacïoun.' Line 13464

The pylgrym:

"I may yive credence wel her-to, [Stowe folio 237a] ffor glotonye me toldë so, That thow or she, selde or neuere, Lyst a-sonder to dysseuere. Line 13468 But, as ffer as I kan lere, Ye ben to-gydre ay yffere: She causeth ffyrst, in substaunce, That I off thè haue ácqueyntaunce." Line 13472

Thanne glotonye fful redyly Answerdë, that was fastë by,

Glotonye:

'Yiff thow me callë, in sothnesse, Lyk as I am, A Bocheresse, Line 13476 Or in ffrench (who lokë wel) I am callyd a 'Makerel,' Whos offyce (to specefye,) Ys in ynglysshe 'bauderye;' Line 13480 And lernë, (ffor conclusïoun,) That ys verrayly my surnoun; ffor, (the soth yiff I shal telle,)

'Quyk flessh I vsë for to selle; Line 13484 And yet (who vnderstondeth me) I ha lernyd wel to sle Mo bestys (in conclusïoun) Than .iij. [[three St.]] Bocherys in som toun. Line 13488 But what fflessh euere that I selle, Mor money at the stalle I telle,— Double (yiff I shal sey [[I sey the St.]] soth,)— Than any other bocher doth; [Stowe folio 237b] Line 13492 ffor wych, my namë t[o] expresse [[texpresse C. St.]] Thow mayst me calle a 'bocheresse' Or a bawde, and no thyng lye, [folio 205b] That selleth fflessh by bauderye. Line 13496

'I am no ffyssh (who lokë wel) Thogh I be callyd A 'makerel,' Wych in ffrauncë ys a name Off gret [[grete St., gret C.]] sclaundre and diffame; Line 13500 And I shal lerne thè, parcel Off my crafft to knowe somdel: I haue abyde in soth to longe, Thogh my powerys be wonder stronge.' Line 13504

Venus: [[St., om. C.]] [[Blank in MS.]]

'Sothly,' quod Venus, 'thow seyst wel; But ne dred thè neueradel, ffor, by the wordys that thow hast told, Wé han ón hym fful good [[goode St.]] hold, Line 13508 Wych shal tournë to no Iape; ffor he may nat our handys skape, Nor, out off our daunger gon.'

The Pilgrim:

And by the throtë thanne anoon Line 13512 Glotonye held me so ffaste, To grounde almost that she me caste. And Venus gan to neyen ner, And, fful dredful off hyr cher, Line 13516 Gan ley to hand, me to confounde. And they han me so sore bounde, [Stowe folio 238a] Hand and ffoot, and leggys to, I myghte nat meuë, to nor [[ne St.]] ffro; Line 13520 That I dar afferme (and seyn,

Who hadde al the maner seyn,) I was lyk (he myghte ha told) Tacalff [[To a calf]] wych sholdë ha be sold Line 13524 In som market ffastë by, On stallys in the bochery.

In swych dysioynt they laddë me, Myn Eyen cloos, I myghte nat se; Line 13528 And for they wolde nat off me ffayl, They bond me to a swynës tayl, I mene, the swyn off dame Venus, fful dredfful and fful contagyous, [folio 206a] [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 13532 The wychë [[wych C., whiche St.]] (by fful mortal lawe) At hys tayl gan me to drawe, And to brynge me vp on the wrak, Thys ylkë two that I off spak, Line 13536 Venus, and ek Glotonye, To shewe on me ther tyrantrye, Gan bete on me, and bonchë sore.

And affter thys, they dydë more; Line 13540 They Robbede me off my treasour; And ffor that I ffond no socour A-geyn ther myght, (as I ha told,) [Stowe folio 238b] Bothe my syluer and my gold; Line 13544 And nakyd they wolde ha spoyled me, Naddë sothly O thyng be: [[y-be St.]] They sawh on komen ffastë by, Vnwar, with a gret company; Line 13548 And pleynly (as I koudë deme,) A pylgrym he dydë seme, And a gret lord (yt ys no nay) By lyklyhed off hys array. Line 13552

Venus: [[St., om. C.]] [[Blank in MS.]]

Quod Venus thannë, 'by my wylle, Lat hym lyn a whylë stylle, Tyl we may, ffrom al daunger, Spoyllen hym at bet leyser. Line 13556

'Her kometh on, me semeth now, Wych ys mor lykly ffor [[to St.]] our prow, Wham we tweynë wyl nat ffaylle

'ffor to spoyllen and assaylle; Line 13560 We wyl vs bothë putte in pres.'

[The Pilgrim:]

And whyl they leffte me thus in pes, [folio 206b] I koudë makë no declyn; So euere in On the cruel swyn Line 13564 Me drowh out off the hihë way Among the donge, among the clay, At hys tayl, me to confounde, To wych I was so sorë bounde. Line 13568

And whil I lay thus in dystresse, [Stowe folio 239a] A-noon I gan myn Eyen dresse To be-holde how thylkë tweyne Wer dyllygent, and dyde her peyne, Line 13572 The lord tassaylle, that I off spak; And made hym fyrst, fro horsë bak, Maugre hys myght, to lyhtë doun; ffor, mercy nor remyssyoun Line 13576 Ther was noon, on no party; They hym beete fful cruelly; And by the throtë they hym took, And pullyd hym so that he shook, Line 13580 Leyde hym lowë doun to grounde; And hys Eyen so they bounde, That he lostë [[loost St.]] look and syht, Hys force, hys power, and hys myght. Line 13584

And affter that, thogh he wer strong, They gan strechche hym forth along, On a barhyde off A Somer, Lyk a beste off A bocher, Line 13588 Voyde off pyte and off shame. And for he was a man off name (Semynge, by hys contenaunce,) Therfor they tookë mor vengaunce Line 13592 Vp-on hym, and bounde hym sore; And Venus swyn, with brustlys hoore, Drowh hym forth On the bar hyde Endëlong and ek a-syde, [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 13596 By brookys and by sloos fowle, [folio 207a] [Stowe folio 239b]

A-mong the clay they hym dyffoule; On hym they werë so cruel, The bar hyde halp [[halpe St.]] neuéradel; Line 13600 ffor thys oldë wekkys tweyne Gan hym cerche, and ek constreyne; In euery place they han hym souht; They took hys good, they leffte hym nouht, Line 13604 And to hym dydë gret disesse.

And to me yt was noon ese To beholdyn and to se [(St. transposes these lines.]] Ther tyranye, ther cruelte; [(St. transposes these lines.]] Line 13608 And trew(ë)ly [[trewly C., St.]] yt sat me sore, That the folk I spak off yore Halp nat hyr lord, but hym forsook, And, noon hed off hym [[hym om. St.] they took, Line 13612 But in hys mescheff lefft hym sool; And lyk as he hadde ben a ffool, They scorned hym, and haddë game, And gan lawhen at hys shame; [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 13616 They halp hym nouht, but leet hym be In hys grete aduersyte, Markede hym in hys mescheff, [Stowe folio 240a] Ther he lay bounden as a theff, Line 13620 Scornynge at hys bak behynde.

And swych folkys men may fynde In many place (yiff yt be souht); Whan a man ys to mescheff brouht, Line 13624 And falle in-to aduersyte, fful fewë frendys than hath he; At mescheff, they hym for-sake, [folio 207b] And but a Iape off hym they make, Line 13628 Al be yt so, that they beforn Wer supported and vp born By hys lordshepe, in ther degre. Whan he stood in prosperyte, Line 13632 Than they woldë make hem strong, To stonde with hym in ryht and wrong, With false behestys (as I ha told,) In al hys werkys make hym bold, Line 13636

Line 13636 That they wolde with hym abyde ffor lyff or deth, on euery syde; But fynally, whan al ys do, I ha wyst lordys deceyved so Line 13640 In dyvers contres, mo than on, Whan ther ffrenshepys wer agon. Lat no man trusten on ffortune, Wych selde, in on, lyst to contune. Line 13644

And thus thys man, brouht to the poynt, Stood allone in swych dysioynt, And in gret mescheff, as dyde I; [Stowe folio 240b] ffor, Venus and Glotony Line 13648 In swych mescheff hadde hym brouht, That off hys lyff he rouhtë nouht, ffor hys grete aduersyte.

But than I gan remembre me Line 13652 As I lay bounden in the place, I wolde assayen ffor to pace The hegh, that was so thykke and strong, Off wych I tolde, nat go fful long; Line 13656 And for mor ese and sofftënesse, I thouhte I wolde my syluen dresse To the path on the tother syde; ffor, wher as tho I dyde abyde, Line 13660 Me sempte the placë peryllous, Bothë dredful [[Lothe dredefulle St.]] and dotous.

I gan a-noon to neyhen ner To-ward the hegh, and her and ther Line 13664 I gan consydren in my mynde, [folio 208a] Yiff I myghte an hoolë ffynde To pacë by, that wer nat thykke fful off thornys me to prykke. Line 13668 Al thys I gan consydre and se, Swych routhe I haddë, and pyte, A-mong the sharpë busshys alle, That my body sholdë falle Line 13672 In any daunger or damáge, Yiff I passedë [[passede St., possede C.]] that passáge; Praydë god, for hys pyte, ffrom swych harm to saven me; Line 13676

Line 13676 ffor I stood in fful gret dred, [Stowe folio 241a] Lyk a bryd that kan no Red, Wych, in hyr gret mortal ffer, Loketh her, and loketh ther, Line 13680 And for dred begynneth quake, Whan she ys in the panter take, Or engluyd with bryd-lym, Al hyr ffethrys fful off slym, Line 13684 Or vnwarly, in heth or holt, Ys y-slayn with arwe or bolt, Whil she ys besy to escape, The ffoulere kan hyr so be-Iape. Line 13688

Ryght so fferd I, al out off Ioynt, Brouht vn-to the samë poynt; But 'who that wyl nat whan he may, He ys a fool, (yt ys no nay,) Line 13692 And he ne shal nat whan he wolde.'

ffor whyl I stood and gan be-holde Now her now ther, and for ffer shake, Vnwarly, by the ffeet ytake, Line 13696 I was bounden, and forth lad, That for fer I was nyh mad, And knew nat what was best to do; But, amyd off al my wo, Line 13700 I sawh a wekke, [[Vekke St.]] Old and hydous, Off look and cher ryht monstrous, [folio 208b] Pyled and seynt as any kaat, [[C. & St.]] And moosy [[mosy St.]] heryd as a raat. [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 13704 And thys wekke [[Vekke St.]] (as I was war) [Stowe folio 241b] Vnder hyr Arm, an Ax she bar, Lych a bocher that wyl slen Grete bestys, and affter ffleen, Line 13708 And sythen put hem to larder. Lyk swych a womman was hyr cher; ffor bestys at ther ffeet be-hynde, With a corde she dydë bynde, Line 13712 And cordys ek (as I was war) Gret plente, on hyr Arm she bar, And affter, with hyr ownë hond,

Strongly by the ffeet me bond; Line 13716 In the knotte ther was no lak; And thannë thus to hyr I spak:

Pilgrym [[In Stowe's hand. pylgrym St.]]

"O, thow Oldë Ryvelede whyht! ffoul and owgly off thy syht! Line 13720 Why artow, off thy cruelte, Kome vnwarly thus on me, ffals, and a traytour in werkyng, And spak no word in thy komyng? Line 13724 I wot, by tooknes off thy fface, Thow kam neuere out off no good place, Nor, thogh thow haddest the Reuers sworn, I wot that thow wer neuer born Line 13728 Off no good moder, out off drede. And as touchynge thy kynrede, Be thyn array (yt semeth wel) [Stowe folio 242a] I shold yt preysen neueradel. Line 13732 ffle fforth thy way, and cast the bondys [folio 209a] That thow beryst, out off thyn hondys.

[Sloth]:

Quod she, (as in conclusïoun) 'I am no Gerfawk nor fawcoun, Line 13736 Nouther sparhawk nor Emerlyoun, Nor lyk to thyn oppynyoun; Ches nor bellys, nyh nor ffere, To be bounde I wyl nat bere; Line 13740 ffor, al ffre, with-outë charge, My lust ys for to gon at large.

Slouthe. [[In Stowe's hand. slowthe St.]]

'Trust me wel, bothe hih and lowe, Line 13743 By ffeyth that I my ffader howe, [[ffader owe St., ffade howe C.]] Thow shalt nat (whan al ys do,) ffro my daunger escapë so; But thow shalt, for al thy pryde, Ben arestyd, and abyde, Line 13748 Be causë thow hast ben so bold To callë me 'stynkynge and old;' And causëles thus blamyd me, Wych haue in many a placë be, Line 13752

Line 13752 'In somer aud in wynter shours, In chaumbrys off thys Emperours, Off kynges, dukys, (who lyst sek,) And off gretë bysshopys ek, Line 13756 Off abbotys, pryours, and prelatys, [Stowe folio 242b] And many other grete estatys, Wych neuer was (to ther semynge) Callyd Oldë [[olde St., Old C.]] nor stynkynge, Line 13760 Wher-off I wyl avengë me; But yiff thow the strenger be, Aud mor off power, than am I. I shal the venquysshe cruelly.' Line 13764

The Pylgrym [[St., om. C.]] :

Than off hyre I gan enquere, That she wolde me pleynly lere, And declare, by short avys, Bothe hyr name and hyr offys. Line 13768

Slouthe [[St., om. C.]] : [folio 209b]

'The trouthë,' yiff I shal the telle, 'With a mayster I do dwelle. ffel and vnkouth off hys cher, And ys off hellë cheff Boocher; Line 13772 And with thys corde (yt ys no drede) Al pylgrymes to hym I lede, As thys Bocherys don a beste. Swych as I may in soth areste, Line 13776 I bynde hem by the feet echon; And I ha lad hym many on, And yet I hopë that I shal, [Stowe folio 243a] And thy sylff in especïal; Line 13780 Trustë wel, for haste nor rape, Thow shalt not fro my daunger skape.

'But ffyrst off all I shal me spede, To thylkë placë thé to lede; Line 13784 ffor I am she (my name ys spronge) That lye a bedde with ffolkys yonge, And make hem tournë to and ffro; I [[And St.]] close her Eyen bothë two, Line 13788 I make hem slepë, dreme and slombre, Yongë folkys out off noumbre;

'I make the Maryner fful ffast Lyn and slepe vnder the mast, Line 13792 Tyl hys vessel, by som cost, Be ydrownyd and ylost; I brekë al hys gouernaylle, By costys, wher as he doth saylle; Line 13796 And myd off many straungë se, The wrak ys maad only by me. ffor lak, in soth, off governaunce, I cause that al goth to meschaunce, Line 13800 Ther loodmanage, ther sttuff, ther wynes.

'I cause also that, in gardynys, (Who so lyst to looke aboute,) That bremblys, netlys, fful gret route, Line 13804 Wexe and encresse round a rowe, And many [[in many St.]] weedys that be nat sowe; [folio 210a] And for tamende hem, day be day, I putte yt euere in-to delay;· Line 13808 ffor I lernede, syth go fful long, [Stowe folio 243b] The maner off the Rauenys song, Wych by delay (thys the cas) Ys wont to syngë ay 'craas, craas;' Line 13812 That song I kepe wel in my thouht, Thys lessoun, I forgete yt nouht; My custom ys ek, what I may, Al thyng to puttyn in delay; Line 13816 And, myn vságe off Oldë [[olde St., old C.]] daate, What I shal done, to don yt late; Wherfor off ryght (to seyn the trouthe) My namë ys ycallyd 'slouthe'; Line 13820 ffor I am slowh and éncombrows, Haltynge also, and Gotows, Off my lymës crampysshynge, Maymed ek in my goynge, Line 13824 Coorbyd, [[Croobyd St.]] lyk ffolkys that ben Old, And afowndryd ay with cold; On ech whedyr, I puttë blame, And, ther-fóre, Slouthe ys my name, Line 13828 Off custom callyd 'Ydelnesse.'

'Thow mayst me calle ek 'hevynesse,'

'ffor what thyng euer that I se, Shortly yt dyspleseth me, Line 13832 And, ther-off no tale I telle, ffor, I am the samë Melle That tourneth ay and grynt ryht nouht, Save waste vp-on myn ownë thouht; Line 13836 With Envye my sylff I were, And ther-for, thys ax I bere; Off wych Ax the name ys ryff, [Stowe folio 244a] 'Werynesse off A manhys lyff,' Line 13840 As thus, for verray slogardy, A man for slouthë ys wery.

'Thys Ax (the byble wyl nat lye) [folio 210b] [[C. & St.]] Made the prophetë Helye, [[C. & St.]] Line 13844 Whan he ffledde out off Bersabee, [[C. & St.]] Twyës slumbre vnder a tre Callyd Iunypre, [[Iunypere St.]] wher he slep; But an Aungel (or he took kep) Line 13848 Pookede hym, and made hym ryse.

'Wyth thys Ax, in the samë wyse, Clerkys I do ther restë take At ther book, whan they sholde wake, Line 13852 The pelwe to lyn vnder ther hed, ffor slouthë hevyere than led, And ffor they be soget to me,— Line 13855 The trowthe theroff thow mayst se,— [[St., line blank in C.]] Be no ropys mad at Clervaws (ffor they wer makyd at Nervaws) The ton off hem (to seyë [[sey C., St.]] trouthe) By namë ys ycallyd 'Slouthe,' Line 13860 And the tother (in sentence) Ys ynamyd 'Neclygence,' Strong to bynden and enbrace, And ther hertys for to lace; Line 13864 Wyth wych, throtys, sore I bynde, That they ha nouther wyl nor mynde, But for neclygencë spare, To the prest for to declare Line 13868 Ther trespace by deuocyoun [Stowe folio 244b] Lowly in confessïoun.

'I ber ek other cordys ffyve; And ther namys to descryue: [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 13872

'The fyrst ys 'hope off longë [[longe St., long C.]] lyff,' [folio 211a] Wych in thys world ys now fful ryff, That causeth men, for lak off grace, To trustë that thé [[they St.]] shal ha space Line 13876 Longe ynowh, to telle ther errour, Ther synnë ek, to ther confessour.

'The secunde ys (who lyst take hed,) Off clerkys callyd 'ffoly dred,' Line 13880 Wych, off ffoly, maketh hem spare, The trouthë, outward to declare, Ther synnës clerly to dyscure.

'And they be lyk (I dar ensure) Line 13884 To bryddys ffleyng in the hayr, Wych dar nat haven ther repayr, To touchë nouther corn nor greyn, Be cause only that they ha seyn Line 13888 A Shewelys [[Image, Scarecrow]] enarmyd in the ffeld With bowe ay bent, with spere or sheld, To ffleyen hem fro ther pasture,— Wych ys but A ded ffygure, Line 13892 An apparence, and noon harm doth; The wych resembleth wel (in soth) To a prest, in hys estaat, A cónfessour or a curaat, [Stowe folio 245a] Line 13896 Swych as han Iurediccïoun ffor to here confessïoun; And trewly, what they here or se, They muste be mwët and secre, Line 13900 Ther tonge may tellyn out no thyng; ffor they be dowmb in ther spekyng, As an ymage wrouht off Tre or ston; Ouht to seyn, power ha they noon; Line 13904 They may here, but no thyng declare; ffor wych, folk sholdë no-thyng spare To tellyn out ther synnes and offence To ther curatys wyth humble reuerence, Line 13908 And gaste hem nouht by noon oppynyoun [folio 211b]

'To shewyn pleynly ther confessïoun; ffor goode prestys (who so taketh hed) In ther kepyng haven greyn and bred, Line 13912 Bred off lyff, sed ek off scyence, And goostly ffoode ek off elloquence, Hys sogetys fructuously [[ffructuously St., ffrustuously C.]] to ffeede With doctrine whan that they ha nede. Line 13916

'The thrydde Corde ys ycallyd 'Shame,' Causynge A man, he dar nat attame To tellyn out hys ffautys, nor expresse, Only for dred and ffor shamfastnesse. Line 13920

'The ffourthe corde callyd 'Papyllardie,' Wych ys a maner off ypocrysie; Wolde ben holden mor hooly than he ys, Dar nat telle (whan he hath don amys) Line 13924 Hys grete ffautys in confessioun [Stowe folio 245b] Lyst hys curat kauth [[kaughte St.]] oppynyoun Ageyns hym, ffor hys gret offence; Vnder colour off feyned Innocence, Line 13928 Kepeth cloos, and doth the trouthë spare, Tyl he ffalle in the dewellys snare, ffor shamfastnesse in confessioun.

'The ffyffte corde ys 'Desperacioun': Thys the Corde, pleynly, and the laas, Wyth wych whilom hangyd was Iudas Whan he hadde traysshed cryst ihesu; Wych corde ys ffer ffrom all vertu, Line 13936 Off vyces werst (shortly for to telle); ffor he that ys hangeman off helle, With the corde off desperacioun Hangeth all (in conclusioun) Line 13940 ffolk endurat [[Indurat St.]] in ther entente, That dysespeyre, and wyl nat repente, Neuer in thys world whyl they ben alyve.

'And with thys cordys, that be in noumbre ffyve, I shal don al my besy peyne, Line 13945 Yiff that I may, thy throte to restreyne, Hale the fforth, and no lenger dwelle [folio 212a] By the way wych ledeth vn-to helle.' Line 13948

[The Pilgrim]:

And affter thys, by hyr grete sleyhte, And hyr Ax that was so gret off wheyhte, Lyk a theff And A ffals ffeloun, She smot me so that I fyl a-doun; [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 13952 ffor I ne hadde power nouther myght, [Stowe folio 246a] On my ffeet for to stonde vp ryht.

And affter that, ful sore she me bond With the cordys that were in hyr hond: Line 13956 Over myn throte, ffyrst she gan hem caste, And knette hem affter wonder streight and ffaste; And ffro the hegh, by hyr mortal lawe, Cruelly she gan me for to drawe, Line 13960 Wher-off I felte gret anoy and greff, Lyk taffalle [(to have fallen) to falle St.]] in-to gret mescheff And gret dystresse, only nadde be A whyht dowhe, wych that I sawh fle Line 13964 To-ward hegh, wych my cordys brak, And Ellys hadde I sothly go to wrak; But she was sent vn-to me by grace, Me to socoure in the samë place. Line 13968

And whan I sawh that I was vnbounde, The cordys brak, that wer gret and rounde, Vp on my ffeet I gan me for to dresse; And as I myghte (for verray werynesse), Line 13972 To-ward the hegh I wende ha gon ful ryht; But ther I sawh, fful owgly off ther syht, Two that wern to me ful contrayre, And to my purpos gretly aduersayre, Line 13976 At the pendant off an hyl doun lowe; [folio 212b] [[C. & St.]] And on off hem (as I koude knowe) [[C. & St.]] In my beholdyng (lyk as I was war) [[C. & St.]] Vp-on hyr nekke, she the tother bar; [[C. & St.]] Line 13980 And she that was vp-on the bak yborn, [Stowe folio 246b] Was gretly bolle and yswolle aforn, And in hyr hand she bar a staff fful round, Wych whilom Grew on A werray [[warry St.]] ground. [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] And off hyr look (in myn inspeccyoun) Line 13985 She was lyk to a ffers lyoun,

And hornyd ek as an vnycorn; And in hyr hand also she bar an horn, Line 13988 And lyk a skryppe (ek afferme I dar) A peyre belwys aboute hyr nekke she bar; And she hadde On (as was hyr delyt) On hyr shuldres, A mantel large off whyt, Line 13992 A peyre off spores poynted (soth to say) Lyk the bek off a somer Iay, Shewyng out that she was maystresse Vn-to hyre that was hyr porteresse, Line 13996 I mene, tholde [[the olde St.]] that bar hyre on hyr bak, Whos clothyng was shapyn lyk a sak.

But she that rood, off whom I [[I St. to-forn I C.]] tolde, Maade the tother [[= th' other]] lede hyr wher she wolde; Line 14000 And she that bar, (ye shal vnderstonde,) Held a large merour in hyr hond, Hyr owgly ffeturys to beholde and se.

And than I gan a-noon to [[to om. St.]] remembre me, Line 14004 Seyde, "allas! what hap haue I, or grace! All they that I mete in thys place, Ben olde, echon, to-forn and ek be-hynde; [folio 213a] [[St. & C.]] I am gretly astonyd in my mynde; [Stowe folio 247a] Line 14008 They wyl me slen, thorgh som dysaventure, Or me Outrage, I shal yt nat recure;" ffor she that rood vp-on the olde a-forn, I herde a-ffer, how she blew hyr horn, Line 14012 And ffaste gan affter me to ryde, To me sayde, as I stood a syde,

The Olde Pride: [[St., om. C.]]

'Yeld the!' quod she in al hast to me, Or thow shalt deye; yt wyl noon other be." Line 14016

The Pylgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

"What artow," quod I to that olde; "Wenystow I so sone sholde Yelde me, and knowë nat thy name, With-outë mor? in soth I wer to blame; Line 14020 Thyn offyce ek, and also thy power, Or that I me yelde prysowner."

Pride: [[Pride St. In Stowe's hand C.]]

'Vnderstond wel ffyrst, and se,

'And wyte yt wel, that I am she Line 14024 Off all Olde sothly the Eldest: Whylom, in hevene I hadde a nest; And ther I was Eyred and yleyd, And engendryd ek (as yt ys seyd), [Stowe folio 247b] Thogh yt be hih, and hennys ffer. Line 14029

'My ffader was ynamyd Lucyfer; Off bryd ther was neuer (in-to thys day) In bussh nor braunche leyd swych an Ey; [i. Ouum St.] ffor affter tyme that I Eyred was, Line 14033 Wyth thys belwys (trewly thys the caas) I blewe ther so horryble a blast, That my ffader was a-noon doun cast Line 14036 ffrom that hih hevenly mansioun, In-to helle cast fful lowë doun: To-fforn he was a bryd ful cler and bryht, Line 14039 And passyngly ffayr vnto the [[to the St., burnt C.]] syght, [folio 213b] Noble, gentyl, and also ek mor cler Than Phebus ys in hys mydday sper; But now he ys blak, and mor horryble Than any deth, also mor terryble. Line 14044

'And shortly ek (in conclusioun) With my ffader I was also cast doun, In-to thys Erthë doun ful lowe; And ther I sawh and dydë knowe Line 14048 On ymad ful fressh off fface, ffor to restore a-geyn my place; The wych, whan I dyde espye, At hym I haddë gret envye, Line 14052 And castë that I wolde assay ffor to lette hym off hys way. And with-Inne a lytel throwe, I took my belwys, and gan blowe, Line 14056 And made on hym so fel a suit, I made hym Etyn off the frut Wych was dyffendyd hym (certeyn) [Stowe folio 248a] Off hys lord, cheff and souereyn; Line 14060 Wher-for he was (after my devys,) Affter chacyd out off paradys; Ther he loste hys avauntage.

'Thus wrouht I ffyrst in my yong age: Line 14064 And day be day I ne cessede nouht Tyl I hadde gret harmys wrouht; ffor yt am I, both nyh and ferre, That make A-mong gret lordys, werre; Line 14068 I cause al dissencïouns, Dyscord and indygnacïouns, And make hem, by ful gret envye, Everych other to dyffye; Line 14072 ffor I am leder and maystresse, Cheventayne and guyderesse, Bothe off werre and off bataylle. I make off platë and of maylle Line 14076 Many devyses, mo than on; [folio 214a] And to rekne hem euerychon, Yt woldë doun but lytel good.

'I causede ffyrst, shedyng off blood; Line 14080 I ffond vp fyrst, devyses newe, Rayës off many sondry hewe; Off short, off long, I ffond the guyse; Now streight, now large, I kan devyse, Line 14084 That men sholde, for syngulerte, Beholde and lokyn vp-on me. I wolde be holden ay sanz per, And by my syluen synguler; [Stowe folio 248b] Line 14088 I wolde also that, off degre, Ther wer noon other lyk to me; Yiff any dydë me resemble, Myn hertë wolde for Ire tremble, Line 14092 Ryve atwo almost for tene.

'What euere I sey, I wyl sustene, Be yt wrong or be yt ryht; And I wyl ek, off verray myght, Line 14096 Be cheff mayster aboue echon: Other doctryne kepe I noon.

'I hate also, in myn entent, Good consayl and avysëment, Line 14100 And overmor, thus ys yt, I preyse noon other manhys [[mannys St.]] wyt, But myn owne, what so be-falle,

'ffor that I holdë best off alle; Line 14104 And me semeth that I kan Mor than any other man; Ther-with I am ek best apayd, No thyng ys wel doun nor wel sayd, Line 14108 By noon off hih nor lowh degre, But yiff yt be only by me Gouernyd al, to my delyt; And ek I wolde ha gret despyt, Line 14112 ffor bothe in hopen and in cloos I wolde be preysed, and ha the loos; ffor I wolde no man wer preysed, [folio 214b] [[C. & St.]] Worshepyd, nor hys honour reysed, [[C. & St.]] Line 14116 But I allonë, mor ne lasse; [Stowe folio 249a] ffor I holde ech man an Asse Saue I, wych, a-boue ech on, Am worthy to haue the prys allone. Line 14120

'And sothly yet, whan men me preyse, Or with laude myn honour reyse, Outward I do yt al denye, And sey 'yt ys but mokerye Line 14124 That they so lyst my prys avaunce; I sey I ha no suffysaunce Lyk to her oppynyoun, To haue swych commendacïoun:' Line 14128 And al thys thyngës I expresse, To shewe a maner of meknesse Outward, as by ápparence, Thogh ther be noon in éxistence. Line 14132 I with-seye hem, and swere soore, Off entent that, mor and more They sholde myn honour magnefye To-for the peple by flaterye, [[flaterye, flatry C.]] Line 14136 Taferme off [[on St.]] me, bothe fer and ner, That my wyt ys synguler.

'And whan I herë ther flatrynges, Ther gretë bost, ther whystlynges, Line 14140 ffor verray Ioy I hoppe and daunce, I ha ther-in so gret plesaunce, That, lyk a bladder, in ech cost

'I wex swollë with ther bost, Line 14144 And thynke my place and my degre [Stowe folio 249b] Muste gretly enhaunsyd be, And thynke yt sytteth wel to me Tave a cheyre [[Chayer St.]] off dygnyte, Line 14148 Lyk as I were a gret pryncesse, A lady, or A gret duchesse, Worthy for to were A Crowne.

'And whan I se Round envyroune, Line 14152 ffolk me Obeye on euery part, [folio 215a] I resemble a ffers lyppart; Off port, off [[and St.]] cher, I-rous and ffel, And off my lookys ryht cruel Line 14156 I be-holde on hem so rowe, And gynne to lefften vp the [[gyn . . .my St.]] browe Off verray Indygnacïoun, Off contenaunce lyk a lyoun, Line 14160 As thogh I myghte the skyës bynd: Al ys but smoke, al ys but wynd, Lyk a bladdere that ys blowe, Wych, with-Inne a lytel throwe, Line 14164 Pryke yt with a poynt, a-noon, And ffarwel, al the wynd ys gon, That men ther-off may no thyng se.

'And lyk as foom amyd the se Line 14168 Ys reysed hihë with a wawe, And sodeynly ys efft with-drawe, Thát men sen ther-off ryht nowht, Ryght so the wawës off my thouht, Line 14172 By prydë reysed hih a-loffte, With vnwar wynd be chaungyd offte.

'Ech manhys ffawtys besydë me, [Stowe folio 250a] Saue myn owne, I kan wel se; Line 14176 But I parceyuë neueradel Off no thyng that they do wel.

'To allë scornerys, in sothnesse, I am lady and maystresse; Line 14180 And off the castel off landown, That off scornyng hath cheff renoun, By Oldë [[olde St., old C.]] tyme (as men may sen)

'I was som tyme crownyd quen. Line 14184 But the prophete ysaye, Whan he dydë me espye, He cursyde (off ful yore ago,) Bothe my crowne and me also. [Ve Corone Superbie! Ysaie 28^o Capitulo] Line 14188

'My name ys, 'that wyl feynte [folio 215b] Euere to be nyce and queynte'; And I am she (yt ys no dred) That ber an horn in my forhed, Line 14192 Wych ys ycallyd 'Cruelte,' To hurtë folk aboutë me: Off verray surquedy and pryde, I smyte and wynse on euery syde; Line 14196 Prest nor clerk, I wyl noon spare; And wyth my syluen thus I ffare, Mor cruel, in my ffellë rage, Than a Boole wylde and savage, Line 14200 Wych rent a-doun bothe roote and rynd.

'I ber thys belwes fful off wynd, I ber thys sporys, I ber thys staff, Wych that my ffader to me gaff; Line 14204 I bere thys horn (who lookë wel), I were also a whyt mantel, [Stowe folio 250b] To close ther vnder (vp and doun) Al my guyle and my tresoun. Line 14208

'ffro tymë long, out off memoyre, Thys belwes callyd ben 'veyngloyre,' Ther-with to quyke the ffyr ageyn, To makë ffoolys in certeyn, Line 14212 Thogh they be blak as cole or get, Off me whan they ha kauht an het, To semyn in ther ownë syht That they in vertu shynen bryht, Line 14216 Bryhter than Any other man That was syth the world be-gan, Or any that they alyvë knowe.

'Thys Belwes I made whilom Blowe Line 14220 In the fforge, with gret bostyng, Off Nabugodonosor the kyng, That bostede in hys regioun

'That the cyte [[Citee St.]] off Babiloun Line 14224 Wyth al [[alle St., om. C.]] hys gretë Ryalte, [folio 216a] Wyth al [[alle St., om. C.]] hys fforce and hys bewte, Was bylt and mad by hym only: Thys was hys bost; and ffynally Line 14228 With thys belwes I made a levene, The fflawme touchyde nyh the heuene, But affterward yt gan abate, Yt lasteth nat by no long date. Line 14232

'And as gret wynd (who lyst to se) Smyt al the ffrut doun off A tre, Brawnche and bowh, and levys fayre, [Stowe folio 251a] And ther bewte doth apayre, Line 14236 Ryght so the wynd off veyn glorye— Be yt off conquest or vyctórye, Or off what vertu that yt be— Yt bloweth yt doun (as men may se), Line 14240 Worshep, honour, Rénoun, ffame— Ther ys in bostyng so gret blame. ffor bryddes that flen in the hayr, And hyest makë ther repayr, Line 14244 Thys wynd kan maken hem avale, Talyhtë lowe doun in the vale.

'Hastow, a-for-tyme, nat herd sayd, How for an Exaumple ys layd, Line 14248 That a Reuene, [[Ravene St.]] Or north or souht, [[Southe . . Mouthe St.]] Bar a chese with-Inne hyr mouht [[Southe . . Mouthe St.]] As she fley ouer a ffeld; Line 14251 The wychë, [[whiche St., wych C.]] whan the ffox beheld, Thoghtë that he wolde yt haue; Sayde, 'Ravene, god yow saue, And kepë yow fro al meschaunce! Prayynge yow, for my plesaunce, Line 14256 That ye lyst, at my prayere, Wyth your notys fressh and clere Syngen som song off gentyllesse, And your goodly throte vp dresse, Line 14260 Wych ys so fful off melodye [folio 216b] And off hevenly Armonye; ffor trewly, as I kan dyscerne,

Ther ys harpë nor gyterne, [Stowe folio 251b] Line 14264 Symphonyë, nouther crowde, Whan ye lyst to syngë lowde, Ys to me so gracyous, So swete, nor melodius Line 14268 As ys your song with notys clere; And I am komen ffor to here, Off entent, in-to thys place, A lytel motet with your grace.' Line 14272

'And whan the Ravene hadde herknyd wel The ffoxys spechë euerydel,— As she that koudë nat espye Hys tresoun nor hys fflaterye, [[fflatrye C., St.]] — Line 14276 ffor to synge she dyde hyr peyne, And gan hyr throtë for to streyne, And ther-with maade an owgly soun, Ther whyles the chesë fyl a-doun, Line 14280 And the ffox, lyk hys entente, Took the chese, and forth he wente.

'And thys deceyt (yiff yt be souht,) Was only by my bylwes wrouht, Line 14284 With falsë [[fals C., St.]] wynd off trecherye, Thorgh the blast off fflaterye, [[fflatrye C., St.]] The wych, with hys sugryd galle, Euery vertu doth appalle Line 14288 And bet yt doun on every syde.

'Ther-for lat no man abyde The wyndes, that ben so peryllous, Off thys belwys contagyous; Line 14292 Lat ech man, (in especyal,) Consydren that he ys mortal, And thynkë [[thynke St., thynk C.]] that swych wynd in-dede [Stowe folio 252a] Bloweth But on asshes dede, Line 14296 That wyl with lytel blast a-ryse, And dysparpyle in many wyse; [folio 217a] And affter swych dyspersïoun Al goth in-to perdicïoun. Line 14300

'Thys belwes ek (yt ys no drede) Causeth (who-so taketh hede) Bombardys and cornemusys,

'Thys ffloutys [[ffleutys St.]] ek, with sotyl musys, Line 14304 And thys shallys [[shalvys St.]] loudë crye, And al swych other menstralcye, With ther blastys off bobbaunce, Don offtë tymë gret grevaunce; Line 14308 ffor, wyth ther wyndës off gret myght, They quenche, off vertu al the lyht; They blowe many a blast in veyn, They seuere the chaff fer fro [[chaffe / fro St.]] the greyn. Line 14312

'Thys wynd also, (as ye shal lere,) Whan yt taboureth [[tabourethe St.]] in myn Ere, And with hys blast hath ther repayr, Bereth me An hand that I am ffayr, Line 14316 Noble also, and ryht myghty, Curteys, wys, and ful worthy, With swychë wyndës cryyng lowd. A-noon I gynnë wexen proud; Line 14320 But whan ther wynd ys ouergon, ffrut ther-off ne kometh noon; Al ys but wynd (yt ys no doute,) [Stowe folio 252b] Turnynge as offtë sythe aboute Line 14324 As phanë doth, or wheder-cok.

'And my Tayl, lych a pocok, Offtë sythe on heihte I reyse, With swych wynd, whan men me preyse. Line 14328 And whan I ha swych prys ywonne, I swollë, [[swelle St.]] gret as any tonne, Lyk to brestyn for swollyng; [[swellynge St.]] Ne wer I hadde som áventyng Line 14332 To makë the wynd fro me twynne, Wych ys closyd me with-Inne, Me semeth ellys al wer lorn. [folio 217b]

'And, therfore I bere thys horn, Line 14336 Wych that callyd ys 'bostyng,' Or voydë pownche, [[pawnche St.]] by som lesyng. And trewly, with myn hydous blast, All the bestys I make a-gast, Line 14340 Off my contre, for verray drede, Make hem to lefft vp hyr hed.

'And offtë tyme I boste also

'Off thyng wher neuer I hadde a-do, Line 14344 My sylff avaunce, off thys and that, Off thynges wych I neuer kam at.

'I boste also off my lynage, That I am kome off hih parage, Line 14348 Born in An hous off gret renoun; That I ha gret pocessïoun, And that I kan ful many a thyng, And am aqueynted with the kyng. Line 14352

'I booste and blowë offte A day, [Stowe folio 253a] Whan that I ha take my pray, Or whan that I, (lyk myn awys,) Ha done a thyng off any prys, Line 14356 Achevyd, by my gret labour, Thyng resownynge to honour; Consayl ther-off I kan noon make; Vp with my tayl, my ffethrys shake, Line 14360 As, whan an henne hath layd an Ay, Kakleth affter, al the day; Whan I do wel any thyng, I cesse neuere off kakelyng, Line 14364 But telle yt forth in euery cost; I blowe myn horn, and makë bost; I sey 'Tru / tru,' and blowe my ffame, As hontys whan they fyndë game. Line 14368 Ryht so, whan that I do wel, Avauntyng I tell yt euerydel, And axe also off surquedy, 'Hath any man do so, but I, [folio 218a] Line 14372 Outher off hih or lowh degre?'

'And, but ech man herkne me, (Wher yt to hem be leff or loth,) With hem in soth I am ryht wroth, Line 14376 Be yt wrong, or be yt ryght. And I wyl here noon other whyht, But so be I be herd to-forn, Whan that euere I blowe myn horn. Line 14380

'And thus thow mayst wel knowen how I resemble the Cookkoow, Wych vp-on o [[Oo St. [folio 253b] ]] lay halt so long,

'And kan synge noon other song. Line 14384

'And avawntyng (who taketh hed) Ys sayd off wynd (yt ys no dred) Wych ys voyde off al prudence In shewyng out off hys sentence; Line 14388 And on ech thyng (in hys entent) He wyl make an Argument, Sustene hys part and make yt strong, [[stronge . . .wronge C.]] Line 14391 Wher that yt be ryht or wrong, [[stronge . . .wronge C.]] Sette a prys and sette A lak, And preue also that whyht ys blak; And who-euere ageyn hym stryue, He wyl ffyhtë with hym blyue, Line 14396 And, holdyng hys oppynyoun, Make a noyse and a gret soun ffor to supporten hys entent, Lyk as yt wer a thonder dent. Line 14400

'Somtyme he wyl, off surquedye, ffastyng, gretly magnefye, And prechyn ek (by gret bobbaunce) Off abstynence and off penaunce; Line 14404 And yiff hys pawnchë be nat fful, Wynd and wordys rud [[Rude St.]] and dul Yssen out fful gret plente, To make al folkys that hym se, Line 14408 Vp-on hym to stare and muse [folio 218b] And to here hys Cornemose [[Cornemvse St.]] : Swych hornys (who that vnderstoode) Ar wont to make noon huntys goode; Line 14412 Hys hornys he bloweth al the day, [Stowe folio 254a] And Iangleth euere lyk a Iay, A bryd that callyd ys 'Agaas,' [[Agasse, a Pie, Piannet, or Magatapie.—Cotgr.]] Wych wyl suffren in no caas Line 14416 No bryd aboute hyr nest to make, With noyse she doth hym so a-wake.

'Thus allë ffolk that here hys bost Wyl eschewe (in euery cost) Line 14420 Off swych a bostour that kan lye, The dalyaunce and the companye.

'And off my spores, to specefye

'What they tookne or signefye, Line 14424 Thow shalt wyte (and thow abyde) That offte I shapë for to ryde, And am ful loth, in cold or heet, ffor to gon vp-on my ffeet, Line 14428 Yiff that myn hors be fastë by, [[fast ly St.]] And al myn harneys be redy.

'On off my sporës (in sentence) Ys callyd 'Inobedyence;' Line 14432 The tother (in conclusïoun) Callyd ys 'Rebellïoun.'

'The ffyrstë [[ffyrst . . .suyt St.]] madë, (by my sut,) Adam to Etyn off the ffrut Line 14436 That was forboode to hym afforn; But thys spore, sharpere than thorn, Maade hym stedefastly beleue The counsayl and the reed of Eue, Line 14440 Aforn ytake out off hys syde; But to the frut she was hys guyde.

'The tother sporë, hadde also [Stowe folio 254b] Vp-on hys Ele, kyng Pharao,— Line 14444 Whylom a kyng off gret renoun, And hadde in hys subieccïoun [folio 219a] (As the byble kan wel tel) Al the peple off Israel, Line 14448 And in thraldam and seruage,— In hys woodnesse and hys rage Wolde nat graunte hem lyberte To gon out off hys contre Line 14452 (In hooly wryt, as yt ys ryff); And, for thys Pharao held stryff Ageyn mor myghty than he was, ffynally (thus stood the caas,) Line 14456 By the spore off Rebellyoun He was brouht to confusioun.

'Hard ys to sporne ageyn an hal, Or a crokke a-geyn a wal; Line 14460 Swych wynsyng, thorgh hys foly, Ageyn the lord most myghty, Made hym, that he was atteynt,

'And myddes off the see ydreynt. Line 14464

'He was a ffool, (yt ys no faylle,) The grete mayster for tassaylle, That ys lord most souerayne; But pryde that tymë held hys reyne, Line 14468 Off malys and off [[om. C., St.]] surquedye, ffor to trusten and affye In thys spore that I off spak, Tyl he fyl vp-on the wrak. Line 14472

'Now wyl I speken off the staff [Stowe folio 255a] Wych that prydë to me gaff, And I, to my proteccïoun, Bar yt in-stede off a bordoun, Line 14476 And ther-vp-on (for my beste) Off custoom I lene and reste; And who that wolde yt take a-way, With hym I woldë makë ffray [[a ffray St.]] ; Line 14480 I wyl leue yt for no techyng [[thyng St.]] ffor no counsayl nor no prechyng, [folio 219b] But, obstynat in myn entent, I voyde resoun and argument; Line 14484 ffor with thys staff (who kan entende) Myn offencys I dyffende.

'ffor thys staff, (in sentement,) Whylom Rud [[Rude St.]] entendement, Line 14488 The cherl, held by rebellioun, Whan he dysputede with Resoun, And callyd ys 'Obstynacye', On wyche (the byble wyl nat lye) Line 14492 Lenede whilom kyng Saul, Whan he (off Resoun rud and dul,) Was reprevyd off Samuel, A prophete in Ysrael, Line 14496 ffor the grete vnleful pray That he took vp-on a day In Amalech, most Rychë thynges, As, in the ffyrste book off kynges, Line 14500 Makyd ys cler mencyoun.

'And I, for my rebellïoun, Hatyd am in many wyse, [Stowe folio 255b]

'Off allë folkys that be wyse; Line 14504 And ek, thorgh myn Inquyte, I am cheff cause, and makë ffle Gracë dieu; to-for my fface She may byden in no place:— Line 14508 Wher-as I am, she duelleth nouht.

'And ek also (yiff yt be souht) I causë paynymes, euerychon, ffrom ther Errour they may nat gon, Line 14512 Ydolatryë to for-sake, And the ffeyth of cryst to take, ffrom ther errour hem with-drawe, And to kome to crystys lawe; Line 14516 They be blynded so by me, And Indurat, they may nat se To cónuerte as they sholdë do. [folio 220a]

'And the Iewës ek also Line 14520 I nyl stynte, nor cessë nouht, Tyl off entent I haue hem brouht To ther ffynal perdycïoun And to ther dampnacïoun: Line 14524 I debarre hem from al grace, That the hegh they may nat pace; The hegh, I menë, off penaunce, Ther-by to kome to répentaunce: Line 14528 I sterte aforn hem (in certeyn) And make hem for to tourne ageyn, ffor to wynse and dysobeye, And to tourne A-nother weye. Line 14532

'Ek to the, I wyl nat spare, [Stowe folio 256a] Off my Mantel to declare, Wych ys fayr by ápparence, And haueth ek gret excellence, Line 14536 Both off shap and off bewte Owtward (who that lyst to se), ffor couere (yt ys no doute) Al the fowle that ys wyth-oute, Line 14540 As Snowh (who that lokë wel) Maketh whyht a ffoul dongel; And lyk also as fressh peynture

'Maketh fayr a sepulture Line 14544 On euery party, syde and brynke, With-Innë thogh yt ffoulë stynke Off karyen and off rootë boonys; So thys mantel (for the noonys) Line 14548 Maketh me (in my repayr) Outward for to semyn ffayr, Parfyt, and off gret holynesse.

'But, yiff Outward my foulnesse Line 14552 Wer open shewed to the syht, I sholde be ffoul, and no thyng bryht: My mantel overspredeth al; [folio 220b] But who that (in especyal) Line 14556 Inwardly knewë herte and thouht, [[C. & St.]] Blowh, and he shal fyndë nouht; [Souffle; si, na rien. St., om. C.] Wherfor, by descripcïoun, I bere the sygnyficacïoun [[C. & St.]] Line 14560 In résemblancë, and am lych Taffoul [[To a fowl]] callyd an Ostrych, Off whom the nature euerydel [Stowe folio 256b] Ys vnderstonde by my mantel. Line 14564

'Thys [[Thys St., Thy C.]] ffoul hath fethres fressh to se, ffayrë wynges, and may nat ffle, Nor fro the erthe (in hys repayr) He may nat soore in-to the heyr; Line 14568 Yet men wolde demyn, off resoun, And wene in ther oppynyoun, By ápparencë, to ther syht, That he wer hable to the fflyht; Line 14572 But he ffleth nat, whan al ys do.

'And by myn habyt ek also Men myghtë deme ther-by in al That I were celestyal, Line 14576 Goostly and contemplatyff, Parfyt, and hooly off my lyff, Hable to fflen vp to heuene, ffer aboue the sterrys seuene; Line 14580 And how my conuersacïoun Wer nat in erthë lowë doun; But who the trouthë kan wel se,

'I nouther kan, nor may nat fle; Line 14584 I ber thys mantel but for ffraude, Off ffolk outward to haue A laude; And the name to specefye, Callyd ys 'ypocrysye,' Line 14588 Therby outward a prys to wynne.

'And the forour wych ys with-Inne, Off fox skynnës euerydel; Al be that, outward, my mantel [folio 221a] Line 14592 Ys ywoven (by gret delyt) [Stowe folio 257a] Off shepys wollë, soffte and whyt, I were yt on (soth to seye) By fawssemblaunt whan I preye; Line 14596 And who lyst knowë verrayly, Many men vse yt mo than I, Wrappe hem ther-in, in ther nede, In hope the bettre for to spede. Line 14600

'I covere slouthe vnder meknesse, And gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] ffelthe vnder fayrnesse; Sey (whan rathest I wyl greue) Sanctificetur in my be-leve; Line 14604

'And as the ffox (yt ys no dred) Maade hym oonys as he wer ded, And off fals fraude, (yt ys no nay,) Myddës off the way he lay, Line 14608 Ded only by résemblaunce Outward, by cher and contenaunce; Thus he feynede ful falsly, Seynge a cartë passë by Line 14612 fful off haryng (ther yt wente); And the cartere vp hym hente; In-to the carte a-non hym threwh, ffor he in soth noon other knewh. Line 14616 And whyl the carter forth hym ledde, On the haryng the fox hym fedde; He heet hys felle, and wente hys way.

'And euene lyk, fro day to day, Line 14620 Vnder thys mantel I me wrye, [Stowe folio 257b] Wych callyd ys 'ypocrysye,' By wych (erly, and ek ful laat,)

'I ha be brouht to hih estaat Line 14624 fful offtë sythe, (as men may se) And reysed vn-to [[vppe to St.]] hih degre.

'But yiff thys mantel wer asyde, Vnder wych I do me hyde, [folio 221b] [[St. & C.]] Line 14628 Off ffolk (that vnderstondë wel) [[St. & C.]] I shold be preysed neueradel; [[Stowe MS.]] For ffolkys wolden at me chace, [[St. & C.]] Hunte at me in euery place, [[St. & C.]] Line 14632 Sette on me ful many a lak.

'And she that bereth me on hyr bak, I shal the maner off hyr telle, Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle.' Line 14636

The Pylgrym asketh: [[St., om. C.]]

Thanne quod I, or she was war, Vn-to the oldë that hyr bar: "Certys, in myn oppynyoun, Off lytel reputacïoun, Line 14640 Nor off no prys, thow sholdest be, Be thyn offyce, (as semeth me,) To bern A best so cruel, Vp-on thy bak, Irous and fel." Line 14644

The Olde Answerde: [[St., om. C.]]

'I am she that ful wel kan [Stowe folio 258a] Scorne and mokkë many A man; And to myn offyce, yt ys due, ffolkys lowly to salue. Line 14648

'Lordys that ben off gret estaat, On hem I wayte, Erly and late; In wrong and ryght, I kan hem plese, And pleynly to ther hertys ese, Line 14652 fful gret plesaunce I kan do; My song to hem ys 'placebo,' And they ful wel vp-on me leve, I seyë [[seye St., sey C.]] nat that sholde hem greue; Line 14656 And thogh they kan me nat espye, Vn-to hem I kan wel lye.

'And my crafft I thus devyse: I sey to ffoolys, they be wyse, Line 14660 And to folk that ben hasty,

'I affermë [[afferme yt St.]] boldëly They be mesúrable and ffre, And off ther port fful áttempre. [folio 222a] Line 14664

'I sey also (off ffals entent,) To ffolkys that be neclygent, That they in vertu be besy; And to tyrauntys, ful boldëly Line 14668 I afferme, and sey hem thus, That they off hertë be pytous; I swere yt, for to make hem sure.

'And placys ful off old ordure, Line 14672 I kan strowhe with Rosshys grene, That ther ys no ffelthë sene. And I kan sette (or folk take hed) [Stowe folio 258b] A Coyffe vp-on a skallyd heed: Line 14676 Thys myn offyce, and noon other;

'And at the kyngës hous, my brother, I am welkomyd off euery man, So wel to hem I plesë kan, Line 14680 ffor in that court ys no gestour, I yow ensure, nor tregetour, That doth to hem so gret plesaunce As I do with my dallyaunce, Line 14684 They han in me so gret delyt.

'Yet for al that, myn appetyt Ys to deceyue hem, grene and rype; So swetly with my ffloute I pype, Line 14688 My song ys swettere, hem tagree, Than off meremaydenys in the se, Wych, with ther notys that they sowne, Causë folkys for to drowne Line 14692 With ther sootë mellodye.

'My ryhtë namë ys 'Flatrye,' [[= Flaterye]] Callyd 'cosyn to Tresoun,' And by dyssent off lynë doun Line 14696 Eldest douhter off Falsnesse, Cheff noryce off Wykkednesse; And all thys oldë ffolk (certeyn) Her-to-fforn that thow hast seyn, Line 14700 I excepte off hem neuere on, [folio 222b]

'I haue hem fostryd euerychon With my mylk, on and alle, In tast lyk sugre; but the galle Line 14704 Ys hyd, they may yt nat espye.

'And, with my mylk off fflaterye [[fflatrye C. St.]] I was noryce, and ek guyde, [Stowe folio 259a] In especyal vn-to Pryde, Line 14708 Vn-to whom, in sothfastnesse, I am verray porteresse. And, that in me ther be no lak, I bere hyre euere vp-on my bak, Line 14712 And ellys she, in sowre and soote, She sholde shortly gon on [[vnder St.]] fote.'

The Pylgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

Thanne quod I, "answere to me; Thylke merour wych I se, Line 14716 Wych thow beryst, ther-in to prye, Tel on, what yt doth sygnefye!"

Flatrye: [[St., om. C.]]

'Herdestow neuere her-to-forn Tellyn, how the vnycorn, Line 14720 Off hys nature, how that he fforgeteth al hys cruelte, And no maner harm ne doth, Whan that he be-halt (in soth) Line 14724 Hys ownë hed, and hath a syht Ther-off, with-Inne a merour bryht?'

The Pylgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

"I haue herd [[herd St., her C.]] sayd," quod I, "ryht wel [Stowe folio 259b] Ther-off the maner euerydel." Line 14728

Flatrye: [[St., om. C.]]

Than quod she, 'I wyl nat spare, Off Resoun, Prydë to compare To the vnycorn (off ryht), The wych, whan he hath a syht Line 14732 Off hym sylff in A merour, And beholdeth the rygour Off hys port, he bereth hym ffayre, [folio 223a] And gynneth wexyn debonayre. Line 14736 And thys merour (in substaunce)

'Ys ycallyd 'Accordaunce,' Resownyng ay (be wel certeyn) To al that prydë lyst to seyn, Line 14740 To holde wyth hym in ech degre, With-outen al contraryouste; ffor whyl that folk hys wordys preyse, And on heyhte hys honour reyse, Line 14744 Al that whyle (in sykernesse) Prydë leueth hys ffersnesse, And ellys, lyk an vnycorn, He wolde hurtle with his horn, Line 14748 That no thyng, on se nor londe, Sholde hys cruelte with-stonde.

'And for thys cause, to my socour, I ber [[bere St.]] with me thys merour, Line 14752 ffro hys sawës nat dyscorde; What-euere he seyth, I accorde And assente ay wel ther-to. [Stowe folio 260a]

'Who vnderstant, I am Echcho Line 14756 Among the rokkys wylde and rage, Wych answere to euery age: To yong and old, what so they seyn, I answere the same ageyn, Line 14760 In ryght and wrong, to ther menyng, And contrarye hem in no thyng.'

[The Pilgrim:]

And whyl that I held companye And dalyaunce with fflatrye, Line 14764 Heryng the maner and [[and St., ad C.]] the guyse Off hyr deceyt in many wyse, I sawh an old on, ful hydous, Off look and cher ryht outragous, Line 14768 Off whom ful sore I draddë me; And in hyr Eyen I dyde se Tweynë sperys [[sporys St.]] sharp and kene; And she glood vp-on the grene, [folio 223b] Line 14772 (Me sempte, by good avysëment) On allë foure, lyk a serpent, Megre and lene, off chere and look; And for verray Ire she shook, Line 14776

Line 14776 Dreye as a bast, voyde off blood, Hyr fflessh wastyd, (and thus yt stood,) Men myghtë sen bothe nerffe and bon, And hyr Ioyntës euerychon. Line 14780

Other tweyne (I was wel war,) I sawh, that on hyr bak she bar, Wonder dredful and horryble, And to beholdë ful terryble: [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 14784 On off hem (by gret outrage) [Stowe folio 260b] Veylled was in hyr vysage, That men ne sholde hyr facë se, Nor hyr port in no degre; Line 14788 Hyr lokkys wern ryht Rud and badde; In hyr ryht hand A knyff she hadde, And in hyr lyfft (as semptë me) A boyst with oynementys had she; Line 14792 But hyr knyff, stel [[fful St.]] sharp and kene, Was hyd, that no man myghte yt sen, Be-hynde hyr bak ful couertly.

The tother vekke, that rood on hih, Line 14796 Hadde in hyr hand a swerd also, And (as I took good hed ther-to) Endëlong yt was yset, fful off Eerys, and y-ffret Line 14800 Off swych folkys as wer wood. [folio 224a] The toon Ende, (thus yt stood,) She yt held with-Inne hyr mouth, Wych was a thyng ful vnkouth. Line 14804 And ther-with-al, she, [[she St., the C.]] euere in on, ffastë gnew vp-on a bon; And (bettre hede [[hede St., hed C.]] ek as I took,) She hadde also a long flessh-hook, Line 14808 Double-fforkyd at the ende, Sharp and krokyd for to rende.

The Pylgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

Thys thyngës whan I gan beholde, Off the wych aforn I tolde, Line 14812 I abrayd with al my peyne; [Stowe folio 261a] And off hyre that bar the tweyne

Vp-on hyr bak / I gan enquere, That she lyst me for to lere, Line 14816 And declaren vn-to me Wheroff they seruede allë thre, And off that owgly companye They wolde her namys specefye. Line 14820

Envye Answerde: [[ [Stowe folio 261a] om. C.]]

'I merveylle nat,' ywys, quod she, 'Thogh [that] thow abaysshed be; ffor the trouthe, yiff I shal seye, We woldë makë the to deye Line 14824 Or thow sholdest yt espye.

'ffor I am callyd 'Fals Envye,' Douhter to Pryde: whylom I was Conceyved whan that Sathanas Line 14828 By hys cursyd moder lay, Sythë go fful many a [[a C., om. St.]] day; And trustly, thogh I be nat ffayr, I am hys douhter and hys hayr, Line 14832 Who so lyst seke out the lyne.

'And shortly to determyne, Who so that consydre wel, [folio 224b] Ther ys strengthë nor castel, Line 14836 Nouther cyte, borgh nor toun, But that I, by fals tresoun, Haue hem tournyd vp so doun [Stowe folio 261b] By slauhtre and gret occisïoun. Line 14840 And haue her-off the lassë wonder, Whan I devydede hem assonder.

'I am that beste (who taketh kep) That devowrede whilom Ioseph, Line 14844 ffor whom Iacob, in gret peyne, Gan to sorwen and compleyne, Saydë, in hys mortal rage, Line 14847 How a bestë most savage [genesis 27 Capitulo Bestia deuorauit Iosep . . . St., om. C.] Hadde hys chyld falsly devowryd, Wher-off he myghte nat be socóuryd; He ffelte yt at hys hertë roote.

'And vn-to me ys nothyng soote Line 14852 (The trouthë yiff I shal expresse,)

'But other folkys bytternesse; And whan I se ffolk lene and bare, That ys my norysshyng and welffare; Line 14856 And thus with me the gamë goth: Gladdest I am, whan folk ar [[arn St.]] wroth; Thér meschéff (I yow ensure) Ys my fedyng and pasture; Line 14860 The mylk off other menhys greff, Off my fostryng ys most cheff; And yiff I hadde ther-off plente, I sholde be faat [[ffatt St.]] in my degre, Line 14864 And for I ha nat myn Entent Off plente, therfor, I am shent; I wexë megre, pale and lene, Dyscolouryd, off verray tene, Line 14868 As I sholde yelde vp the breth; And no thyng so sone me sleth [Stowe folio 262a] At allë tymes, as whan I se [folio 225a] Other folk in prosperyte; Line 14872 And ther habundaunce in good, That dryeth and sowketh vp my blood. (The trouthë, yIff I shal yow teche) Evene lyk an horsë leche. Line 14876

'And I dar seyn, (in myn avys,) Yiff that I were in paradys, I sholdë deye, and nat abyde, To beholde, on euery syde, Line 14880 The Ioye and the ffelycyte Off hem that ben in that contre; To me yt sholde be gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] wrong, ffor to duellyn hem among; Line 14884 Yt wolde myn herte assonder rende; And platly, to the worldys ende, I dar wel conferme and seye, I, envye, shal neuere deye, Line 14888 Nor in no cas yelde vp the breth; ffor he that ys ycallyd 'deth,' Thorgh-out the worldë, [[worlde St., world C.]] fynally, Shal be ded as sone as I. Line 14892

'I am that beste serpentyne,

'Wych, off entent, my sylff enclyne, With allë folkys to debaate; And allë ffolkys ek I haate; Line 14896 I loue no thyng (thys the cas) Hih nor lowe, hault nor baas, In hevene, erthe, nor in the se; I ha despyt off charyte, Line 14900 And ek also, in every cost, [Stowe folio 262b] I werreye the holy gost; And with thys sperys (in certeyne) Set with-Inne myn Eyen tweyne, Line 14904 I werreye euery maner whyht; I taake noon heed off wrong nor ryht, Reward off no man alyue. [folio 225b]

'And the namys to descryue, Line 14908 Off thys sperys that I tolde, [[C. & St.]] Wych that thow dost [[? wych, dost, each a foot, like 14,920?]] [in me] beholde: The Ton ys namyd (Trustë me) 'Wraththe off the prosperyte Line 14912 Off other ffolkys me besyde, Wher that euer I go or ryde;' The tother callyd ys off me, 'Ioye off ffolkys aduersyte:' Line 14916 Yt maketh me glad, and nothyng dul; And with the ffyrstë spere, kyng Saul, He afforcede hym-sylff ther-with, ffor taslayn [[to ha slayn St.]] kyng Davyd; Line 14920 Hanger [[Aunger St.]] fret on hym so sore, Whan he herde the prys was more Off Davyd than off hym-sylff, allas! Off envye (and thus yt was) Line 14924 He hadde so inly gret dysdeyn, So gret despyt (ek in certeyn) That he ne myghtë (I ensure) In hys herte the wo endure. Line 14928

'The tother spere off wych I spak Ther-with was taken fful gret wrak, ffor ther-with, (who that lyst aduerte,) Cryst was percyd to the herte [Stowe folio 263a] Line 14932 By the hand off Longius

'(As the gospel telleth vs) Affter hys grevous passioun.

'And yet (as in conclusioun) Line 14936 Whan he drank Eysel and galle, Scornyng off the Iewës alle, Ther mowyng and derysïoun Was to hym gretter passïoun Line 14940 In hys suffryng, or he was ded, Than was the sharpë sperys hed, Wych, A-mong hys peynes smerte, Rooff that lord vn-to the herte. [folio 226a] Line 14944

'And thys sperys bothë two, Yplauntyd ben (tak hed her-to) Myd off myn herte and off my thouhte, And fro me departë nouht; Line 14948 And fro myn eyen (yt ys no doute) Thys two sperys kam fyrst oute; And ther (yiff I shal nat feyne) They be set lyk hornës tweyne, Line 14952 And Round abouten envyroun They envenyme as poysoun.

'Myn eyen ben off kyndë lyk The Eyen off a basylyk, Line 14956 Wych, with a sodeyn look, men sleyth, And maketh hem yeldyn vp the breth; And who that dwelleth nyh by me, He deyeth A-noon as I hym se; Line 14960 Ther may no man hym-sylff for-bere, But my two douhtres that I bere.

'Yiff thow lyst a whylë dwelle, [Stowe folio 263b] At bet leyser they may the telle Line 14964 Than may I, (on euery syde) Be causë only that they ryde Vp-on my bak, at ese and reste; flor they ha leyser at the beste, Line 14968 (Who taketh hed) mor than haue I; Therfore oppose hem by and by, What I am, bothe fer and ner, And they wyl telle the my maner.' Line 14972

The Pylgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

And fyrst off allë, tho I spak To hyre that sat vp-on the bak Off Envye, formest off alle, Bytter off look as any galle, Line 14976 As she haddë ben in rage, Shrowdyd to-forn al hyr [[hys St.]] vysage, Requerynge hyre nat to spare, What she was, for to declare. [folio 226b] [[St. & C.]] Line 14980

Tresoun Answerde: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod she, for short conclusioun, [[St. & C.]] 'Yiff thow lyst knowe, I am Tresoun; And yiff that ffolkys knewen me, My fellashepe they woldë ffle, Line 14984 Eschewe yt, but he wer a ffool, Lete me abyde allone, al sool, Off me, so peryllous ys the suit.

'ffor thorgh me ys execut, Line 14988 Off my moder callyd Envye, [Stowe folio 264a] Al the malys (who kan espye), Hyr wyl, hyr lust, and hyr lykyng, And hyr venym in euery thyng. Line 14992 And, for hyr-sylff may nat fulfylle Al hyr malys at [[and St.]] hyr wylle, Ther-for, off gret Inyquyte, ffyrst to scole she settë me, Line 14996 Bad, I sholde myn hertë caste To practyse and lernë faste, ffynde a way, by sommë [[somme St., som C.]] vyce Tácomplýsshen hyr malyce, Line 15000 Hyr cursyd fals affeccïoun To putte in execucïoun.

'And I wyl tellyn (off entente) ffyrst wher I to scolë wente; Line 15004 Off wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] scolë (thys the caas), Myn ownë ffader mayster was; Wych tauhte my suster fyrst to frete, And the fflessh off men to ete, Line 15008 As yt werë, for the noonys, Gnawe and Ronnge hem to the boonys.

'Whan he me sawh the samë whyle,

"Kome ner,' quod he, 'for vn-to guyle Line 15012 I se (by cler inspeccïoun) Ys hool thy dysposicïoun; To lerne and practyse in malyce [folio 227a] And in every other vyce, Line 15016 Thow art off wyt and konnyng hable To be fals and déceyváble. Be fals inward, and outward sad, [[sadde—gladde St.]] [Stowe folio 264b] And ther-off I wyl be glad [[sadde—gladde St.]] Line 15020 Wherso-euere that we gon.'

'And with that word he took A-noon Vn-to me, by gret corage, Out off a Boyst, a fals vysage, Line 15024 Took yt me ful couertly. A knyff ek, wych fful prevyly I am wont to bere with me, Hyd, that ffolk ne may yt se. Line 15028

'Than my fader gan abrayde, And to me ryht thus he sayde, 'Douhter,' quod he, 'tak good hede: Yiff the fowlere ay in dede Line 15032 Shewede hys gynnës and hys snarys To thrustelys and to ffeldë-ffaarys, Hys lymtwyggës, hys panterys, And hys nettys by reverys, [[Ryverys St.]] Line 15036 Bryddes, ffor al hys gretë peyne, Ther-to woldë neuer atteyne, But hem eschewe with al her myght, Beete her wyngës, take her fflyht, Line 15040 Hys trappës all, a-noon for-sake; ffor wych, douhter, whan thow wylt make Any tresoun or compace, Shew outward an humble face; Line 15044 Thogh thyn herte be venymous, And off malys outragous, (Tak hed her-to, my douhter dere,) [Stowe folio 265b] Outward, alway shew good chere; [Stowe folio 264b] And, to hyde thy vyolence, Line 15049 Looke thow be, by ápparence, [Non sunt occultaciores insidie quam que late[nt] sub similitu|dinem bonita[tis]. Seneca.] Sootyl off port and off manere, [folio 227b]

'And plesaunt alway off thy chere. Line 15052

'Do as doth the scorpyoun, Wych by symulacïoun Outward (as by résemblaunce) Ys Amyable off contenaunce, Line 15056 And at the bak (or folk take hede,) With styngyng causeth folk to blede.

'And ther-for, off entencïoun, That thow sue hys condicïoun, Line 15060 I ha the yoven (off entent) A Boyst her, with an oynement. Vnder couert, to gynne a stryff, I ha the taken a sharp [[sharpe St.]] knyff, Line 15064 And also, for mor ávauntage, In-to thy hand a fals vysage; And with thys .iiij. [[ffoure St.]] (who reknë kan) Ther hath perysshed many A man; Line 15068 ffor in Regum, ye may se That Ioab (thorgh hys cruelte, As yt ys kouthe, ageyn al ryht) Slowh Amasa, A [[the St.]] worthy knyht. Line 15072

'Ek whilom in the samë caas Stood the traytour callyd Iudas, Whan he traysshed cryst ihesu (That blyssyd lord, off most vertu) Line 15076 To the Iewes fful yore agon. [Stowe folio 265b] And thow mayst Redyn, off tryphon The ffals tresoun, many weyes, In the book off Machabeyes. Line 15080

'And al thys tresouns [[alle his Tresoun St.]] wrouht off Old, Vn-to the I haue hem told, To thyn offyce, as yt ys due, Off entent that thow hem sue; Line 15084 And that thow mayst hem wel reporte, Thyn ownë moder to counforte, ffor to helpyn hyr ffulfylle The surplus off hyr ownë wylle, [folio 228a] Line 15088 And lat thy couert venym byte.

'Sparë nat also to [[for to St.]] smyte Wyth thys knyff, cloos and secre,

'Whan thow hast opportunyte; Line 15092 And loke that thow be dyllygent, Wyth thy plesaunt vnyment [[Oynement St.]] Tenoyntë-wyth thy vysage, That men sen nat thyn outrage; Line 15096 Be war that yt be nat apert; Kep al thy venym in covert, Ellys thow dost nat worth a lek.

'Shew the outward, ay humble and mek, Line 15100 Contrayre to that thow art with-Inne, Whan any tresoun thow wylt gynne; And looke thow takë hed ful offte, With thy wordys smothe and soffte, Line 15104 And with thy speche off fflaterye, [[fflaterye St., fflatrye C.]] To blerë many a lordys Eye; ffor, with enoyntyng off swych thynges, Lordys, prynces, and ek kynges, [Stowe folio 266a] Line 15108 Other many dyuers estatys, Bothë bysshopys and prelatys, Ha ben ther-with deceyved offte.

'But, for the oynement ys soffte, Line 15112 They han echon (in ther entent,) Savour in that oynëment; They desyre, for ther plesaunce, That ffolkys in ther dallyaunce Line 15116 Sey no thyng that hem dysplese, But al that may be to hem ese, Wher-so that yt be ryht or wrong.

'Ther-for, my douhter, euer among, Line 15120 Sparë nat Ay to be bold; But that thow (as I ha told) In thy speche and thy language, With a fflatryng ffals vysage, Line 15124 Enoynt hem with thys Oynëment. [folio 228b] And whan thow hast hem ther-with blent, With tresoun coveryd in thy thouht, Smyt with the knyff, and sparë nouht, Line 15128 With swych malys and cruelte, That they may neuer recuryd be.

'And whan my ffader, gon ful yore,

'Hadde in scole tauht me thys loore, Line 15132 Than was I lefft vp on A sak. Hih vp on my moder bak, As thow sest, ther-on to Ryde, And she ageyn to be my guyde. Line 15136

'And trewly, yiff I shal expresse, I am bekome A gret maystresse ffro poynt to poynt, as thow mayst se, Off that my ffader tauhtë me, Line 15140 Bothe off spechë and language, And to shewe a fals vysage Whan that me lyst in myn entent; And also with the oynëment Line 15144 Off wych I tolde nat longe ago, And with the knyff yhyd also Vnder my cloke: off fals tresoun I ha lernyd my lessoun, Line 15148 And reporte yt in my [[my St., om. C.]] mynde.

'I kan byte also be-hynde With my sharpë toth fful wel, And yet ne berkë neueradel. Line 15152 I kan Enoynten euery Ioynt, And affter, with my knyvës [[knyffis St.]] poynt, Whan me lyst to makë wrak, I kan wel smyten at the bak Line 15156 With my tresoun ffraudulent; ffor I resemble the serpent, Wych, vnder herbys fressh and soote, Ys wont to daren by the roote, Line 15160 Coueryd with many a lusty fflour. [folio 229a]

'But ther ne may be no socour Ageyn my styngyng, in no degre, Whan I haue opportunyte. Line 15164 And vnder colour, by deceyt, I lygge euermor in awayt, Simple and coy, off [[off my St.]] port ful lowe, That men my tresoun may nat knowe, Line 15168 Who-so-euere kometh or goth. [Stowe folio 267a]

'Men ne knowë alway cloth, [[goothe . . .Cloothe St.]] Thogh the colour fresshly shynes;

'Nor men ne deme nat [[nat St., om. C.]] alway wynes; [[Vynes St.]] Thogh they blosme or buddë fayre, Line 15173 Som wynd or ffrost may yt apayre, Or som [[somme St.]] tempest with hys rage, To-for the tyme off the ventage: Line 15176 By exaumple, ys offtë sene, Som whilwh ful off levys grene, Wych hath ful many werm with-Inne, That fro the hertë wyl nat twynne Line 15180 Tyl they conswme yt euerydel,— The trouthe her-off ys prevyd wel,— And I resemble (who kan se) Vn-to the syluë samë Tre. Line 15184 I am the brygge, the planc [[plank St.]] also, That vnwarly wyl breke atwo Whan men ther-on han most her tryst; My tresoun neuer toforn ys wyst. Line 15188

'To leue on me, yt ys gret ffolye, ffor I dar pleynly specefye,— Tak hed, [[hede St.]] for yt ys no Iape,— Yt ys ful hard a man tescape, Line 15192 Outher by wyt or by resoun, ffro my nettys off tresoun, As longe as I haue ávauntage ffor to bere thys ffals vysage Line 15196 With me [[St.; C. burnt.]] euer, off entencioun, [folio 229b] ffor I am callyd dame Tresoun, Wych, by [[by St.; C. burnt]] the crafft that I wel kan, [Stowe folio 267b] Have be-traysshed many a man, Line 15200 What with fflatrye and with ffables.

'I pley nouther at ches nor tables; And yiff yt happë (ffer or ner) That I pley at the cheker, Line 15204 Outher with hih or lowh estat, To hem ful offte I sey 'chek mat' Whan they wene (in ther degre) Best assuryd for to be; Line 15208 flor, by sleyhte off my drawyng, I ouerkome bothe Rook and kyng; ffro myn Engyn ther skapeth noon.

'Also, off fful yore agon, Line 15212 Thogh thow kanst yt nat espye, My moder, that callyd ys Envye, Hath had to the in thouht and dede Gret emnyte and gret hatrede; Line 15216 Wher-vp-on, she hath to me Yove in [[a St.]] charg to takë the, And comaundyd, by hyr leue, Off thy lyff the to be-reue, Line 15220 And to don myn hool entente, Ded, to hyre, the to [[to St., om. C.]] presente; And that thys thyng be do in rape.

'And therfor thow shalt nat eskape; Line 15224 Thow stondest in so hard a caas That the bysshop seyn Nycholas, ffro deth ne shal nat helpyn the, That whilom Reysede clerkys thre Line 15228 ffro deth to lyve (men wryten so); [Stowe folio 268a] But he hath no thyng now a-do, The to socoure in no degre, Ageyn my myght to helpyn the.' Line 15232

And with that word (yt ys no ffaylle) She be-gan me to assaylle fful mortally off look and cher, [folio 229a] And gan aproche and neyhen ner, Line 15236 Made a maner [[manere off St.]] contenaunce ffor to smyte by résemblaunce, Tyl the tother ffoul and old That stood be-sydë stout and bold, Line 15240 With-drouh hyr hand, and off fals guyle Bad hyre to abyde a whyle:

Detraccioun [[St., om. C.]] :

'Suster,' quod she, 'be nat hastyff! [[Suster . . to Pryde, l. 15,255, is by a later hand, in the margin of C.]] Lat hym a whylë haue hys lyff, And abyde a lytë throwe Tyl that he my namë knowe; And thannë ye, and I also, Shal assaylle hym bothë two Line 15248 So mortally, that he shal deye, And eskape no maner weye.

'ffor, but I (in myn entent) Wher [[Were St.]] at hys deth with yow present, Line 15252 Myn hertë wolde assonder Ryue. And ye shal sen (her, as blyue) [Stowe folio 268b] Our bothen Awntë callyd Pryde, Off vyces allë lord and guyde: Line 15256 But yiff he were with vs also, He sholdë deye for verray wo. And he hath power most, and myght; And the cause, off verray ryht Line 15260 To hym parteneth touchyng deth; Ther-for, or any man hym sleth, Lat yt be don bassent [[by assent]] off Pryde, And we shal stondë by hys syde.' Line 15264

Traysoun: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod traysoun, 'I assentë wel That we werkyn euerydel As ye ha sayd to-forn, and cast; But I wolde ha yt done in hast, Line 15268 That in vs ther wer no lak.'

Than she that sat vp-on the bak, [folio 230b] Ryght hydous off enspeccïoun, [[Inspeccioun St.]] I mene sothly, Detraccïoun Line 15272 Abraydë, off gret cruelte, And saydë thus in hast to me:

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'How artow,' quod she, 'so hardy To bern a staff so boldëly? Line 15276 I haatë stavys euerychon, Off pylgrymës, whan they gon [Stowe folio 269a] On pylgrymagë wher they wende, Whan they be crossyd At the ende. Line 15280 In hem I ffynde alway som lak, And berke at hem behynde her bak Thogh to-forn I be plesaunt, And resemble Faulz-semblaunt, Line 15284 Wych hateth the and other mo; So doth my moder ek also, Whos hertë doth for Anger ryve.

'And whyl that thow art her [[here St.]] alyve Line 15288

Line 15288 'We shal the Etyn, fflessh and bon; Other grace thow getyst noon Off vs, thogh thow makë stryff; ffor thow sawh neuere, in al thy lyff, Line 15292 Nor ne koudest yet espye, Houndys in the bocherye Mor gredy, rawh flessh to ete, Than I am now, the to ffrete; Line 15296 ffor my throte ys al blody, Lych a wolff that ys gredy, Shep in a folde for to strangle, And to devoure hem in som Angle. Line 15300

'Stynkynge kareyn, [[kareyns St.]] her and ther, Ys my foodë most enter; In hyllys and in valys lowe, Lyk a Raven or lyk a crowe, Line 15304 On swych mosselles most I thynke, [folio 231a] And ha best savour whan they stynke. Myn appetyt, yt ys so kene [Stowe folio 269b] I loue no flessh [[fflesshe St., flesshly C.]] whan yt ys clene; Yt mvt stynken north and south, Line 15309 Or yt kome with-Inne my mouth; And al the felthë that men seth, Ys fyrst gnawen in my teth, Line 15312 And ychawyd vp and doun: My mayster tauhte me thys lessoun, Whan that I to scolë wente, To recorde yt in myn entente.' Line 15316

The Pylgryme: [[St., om. C.]]

"I trowe thow koudest forge a-ryht Yiff thow foundë day or nyht Mater or cause to forgë by; But I supposë verrayly, Line 15320 No smyth ne may forgë wel An Ax off yren nor off stel; But yiff he hadde on off the tweyne Thogh he euere dyde hys peyne, Line 15324 He sholde nat fynde the maner how; No mor (I suppose) ne kanstow."

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Trewly yiff thow lyst lere, I kan ffynde ynowh matere: Line 15328 I am so prudent and so wys; Good, I kan tourne in-to malys; Trewë menyng and goodnesse, I chaunge in-to wykkednesse. Line 15332

'ffor me, I make ay som resoun By fals Interpretacïoun, What good werk I se men do. Wyn in-to water I chaunge also; Line 15336 I tourne ek by collusïoun Tryacle to venym and poysoun. Applys ffayre I kan enpayre, [folio 230b] Thogh they be bothe good and ffayre; Line 15340 Worshepe I tourne in-to dyffame; On folkys goode, I putte ay blame; Ther goodë name, in halle and boure, As Rawh fflessh I kan devoure.' Line 15344

The Pylgryme: [[St., om. C.]]

"Her-vp-on I pray the, Thy namë that thow tellë me."

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'To make a short descripcïoun, I am callyd 'Detraccïoun'; Line 15348 Thys the sentence off my lawe: With my teth I rende and gnawe. Off folkys fflessh, by gret avys, I makë mortrews and [[and eke St.]] colys Line 15352 Vn-to my moder callyd Envye. Whan she hath any malladye, I make hyr sowpe yt vp a-noon, Whan I ha grounde both flessh and bon. Line 15356

'She me made gouérneresse Off hyr kychene, and maysteresse: Ther kometh no mete in hyr syhte But yiff that I to-forn yt dyhte; Line 15360 And hyr thank for to dysserue, Off straungë mes I kan hyr serue, With ffarsyd Erys fful off poysoun Put on A spytë by traysoun. Line 15364

Line 15364 'Swettere than samoun outher karp, My tongë ys, that spytë sharp Wych hath the offyce and the charge ffor to make a woundë large; Line 15368 Yt kerueth sharpë, and mor narwe Than any quarel or hookyd arwe, Thogh the bowe be strongë bent ffro the place that yt ys sent: Line 15372 Wyth wych fful many a [[a C., om. St.]] man ys kut.

'And on thys spyte, the Erys be put, Off folk that yiven audyence, ffor to heryn the sentence [folio 231a] Line 15376 And thabomynable sown Off sklaundre and off detraccioun, ffor to lestene hem fer or ner. And thus I Am maad hasteler Line 15380 ffor to do my [[done my ful St.]] bysynesse, [Stowe folio 270a] To serue my moder in hyr syknesse.'

The Pylgryme: [[om. C.]] [Stowe folio 271a]

"Wherfor," quod I, "berstow that Crook, Dowble-forkyd as a flessh-hook?" Line 15384

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Tak hed,' quod [s]he, [[I C., St.]] 'and thow shalt se How that I werke in my degre: ffyrst off all (yiff thow lyst lere), Whan I percyd haue an Ere Line 15388 Thorgh-out, and fyndë no dyffence, Than I do my dyllygence, With my flesshhook to a-proche; And ther-with-al I do acroche, Line 15392 Rende away, with som fals blame, The Renoun and the goodë name Off folkë, [[ffolke St., ffolk C.]] thogh ther be no preff; ffor I am wers than ys a theff, Line 15396 Wych day and nyht doth hys labour, ffro men to stelyn ther tresour.

'But I stele off entencïoun Ther goodë fame and ther renoun, Line 15400 Wych (shortly for to specefye) Ys wors than any roberye.'

The Pylgryme: [[St., om. C.]]

"Than, record off thyn ownë mouth, Thow art a theff, both north and souht; Line 15404 ffor a good name (I dar expresse) Ys bet than gold or gret rychesse."

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Thow mayst wel seyn yt off Resoun; ffor, as the wysë Salomoun Line 15408 In hys proverbys bereth wytnesse, That gold, tresour, and gret Rychesse, [folio 232b] A good name doth wel al surmounte, Line 15411 Who that lyst [[kan St.]] a-ryht acounte. [Prouerbiorum 22^o Capitulo Melius est nomen bonum Diuicijs.]

'And her-vp-on I make A preff, That ther ys noon so perillous theff As he that steleth a-way the ffame, Line 15415 The rénoun, and the goodë [[goode St., good C.]] name Off a man in hys contre, Off malys and Inyquyte; ffor swych A theff (be wel certeyn) May yt nat restore ageyn; Line 15420 ⁵And with-oute Restitucïon Shall I neuere ha fful pardon; I shall be asshamyd sore, His goodë Namë to Restore, Line 15424 That I hadde onys sayde certeyn, For to Revoke my worde ageyn.⁵ [[5_5 St., om. C.]] Myn Awnte (I wot ryht wel also) [Stowe folio 272a] Woldë nat accorde ther-to.' Line 15428

The Pylgrym: [[om. C.]] [Stowe folio 272a]

"I woldë wyte what thow dost than, Whan thow hast Robbyd thus A man Off hys honour and goodë [[goode St., good C.]] ffame: What dostow thannë with hys name?" Line 15432

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'I wyl answere to thy demaunde: I [[And St.]] maake a maner off vyaunde Off that namë doutëles; And next, affter the fyrstë mes, Line 15436 Wyth swych A Coolys I hyr serue, Ellys she sholde for hunger sterue:

'Thys secounde cours (yt ys no dred,) Line 15439 Doth gret good vn-to hyr hed; [[drede. grete goode/.hede St.]] Whan she hath sowpyd that potage, Off verray custoom and vsage; ffor wych I am mad [[mad om. St.]] 'cusyner,' And for hyr mouth, 'cheff potager." Line 15444

The Pylgryme: [[St., om. C.]]

"ffor auht that I espyë kan Sythe tymë that the world began, I sawh neuer, nor fond or now, [Stowe folio 272b] A wersë best than art thow." Line 15448

Detraccioun: [[St., om. C.]]

'Al ys trewe that thow dost telle, ffor I am wers than any helle; [folio 233a] ffor trewly hellë hath no myght To don harm to Any whyht Line 15452 But to the ffolk that he hath bounde.

'But I kan hurte, and make a wounde, Nat only to folk present, But vn-to hem that ben absent. Line 15456 Helle ek (as I tellë kan,) May damáge noon hooly man; ffor thogh in hellë wer seyn Iohn, Off peynë sholde he ffelyn noon, Line 15460 ffor hys parfyt hoolynesse Sholdë lyhte al ther dyrknesse, And quenche also (yt ys no drede) The brennynge ek off euery glede. Line 15464

'But I kan hurtë (trustë me,) An hundryd myle by-yowndë se. ffro my wondyng, (thys no iape) By absence no man may eskape. Line 15468 Afftere, I hurte in absence Mor Grevously than in presence, Goodë folk as wel as badde, That to-forn good rénoun hadde. Line 15472

'Trust ek wel (yiff thow lyst knowe) Yiff seyn Iohn were in erthë lowe,— That hadde for hys perfectyoun And holynesse, so gret Renoun,— Line 15476

Line 15476 'ffor all hys vertues good and fayre, Yet I koude hys name apayre By ffals report, and that ful blyue; ffor ther ys noon so good alyve, Line 15480 Nor neuere was, in-to thys day, But that I koudë fynde a way, Hys namë and hys vertues alle, ffor tapeyre hem or apalle, Line 15484 By som fals wynd reysed aloffte; And so I hauë don ful offte; [folio 233b] Swych ys my condicïoun Wych callyd am 'Detraccïoun." Line 15488

The Pylgrym: [[ [Stowe folio 273a] , om. C.]]

And whan I longë lestnyd hadde, Gretly in my herte I dradde; And, to with-stonde hys cruelte, I castë for to armen me, Line 15492 Lyst that thys thre wolde a-noon, By assent vp-on me gon, Affter that Detraccïoun Hadde maade an ende off hyr sarmoun, Line 15496 With-outen any mor abood; ffor they round aboutë stood, Echon redy me tassaylle [Stowe folio 273b] Mortally, as by [[in St.]] bataylle. Line 15500

ffyrst I lookede me be-hynde, And gan enqueryn off my mynde, To taken me my swerd in haste, Or I eny ferther paste; Line 15504 Gaff also to hyre in charge, ffor to taken me my targe; ffor shortly, leyser hadde I noon, Other Armure to done vp-on. Line 15508

And, lyk to my comaundement, She took hem me off good entent, In hope they sholdë me avaylle. And I be-gan hem to asaaylle, Line 15512 Sette vp-on, to my power. And they, malycyous off cher, Seynge I woldë me dyffende

Gan Att onys on me descende Line 15516 Lykly tahaue had the bet off me, Haddë nat the whyhte dowe be, Wych, me to coumforte in my dred, Alyhte adoun vp-on myn hed, [[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] [folio 234a] Line 15520 And goodly gan me to coumforte, Makyng myn Emnyes to resorte ffor verray ffer, and stonde asyde, That they durstë nat abyde Line 15524 But off maalys cryede out, [Stowe folio 274a] And, on me gan make a shout, Swoor (I haue yt wel in mynde,) Yiff they myghten euere fynde Line 15528 Me at large, by any way, Whan Grace Dieu wer [[wer St., when C.]] gon away They woldë (thorgh her cruelte) Vp-on me avengyd be. Line 15532

And how yt ffyl, I wyl nat spare, Vn-to yow for to declare. Off me trewly, thus stood the caas: Whan that I delyuered was Line 15536 Off my dedly mortal foon, Yt fyl so, and that a-noon, The whytë dowe had take hyr flyght. And was agon out off my syht Line 15540 Vn-to hyr lady Grace dieu, Wych that hath so gret vertu.

Thanne off me, thus yt be-fyl. As I wente toward an hyl, Line 15544 With on I mette, hydous and wykke, And al hys body Armyd thykke With hallys that wer sharp and kene: And as I koudë deme and sene, Line 15548 Lyk a skyn off an yrchown He was arrayëd vp and doun, Ygyrt with a brood fawchon; [folio 234b] [[C. & St.]] In euery hand a callyoun, [[? caillou, a flint stone]] Line 15552 Out off wyche (yt ys no doute) The redë fyr gan sparklyn oute; [Stowe folio 274b]

And yt sempte by hys vysage That he was ffallyn in A rage; Line 15556 And in hys mouth A sawe off stel He bar, that was endentyd wel [[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] With teth ffyled for to byte; And lyk as thogh he woldë smyte, Line 15560 He caste hys look vn-to me-ward. And whan I took ther-to Reward, Aud off hys port gan haue a syhte, I Axede hym what that he hihte. Line 15564

Wrathe: [[In Stowe's hand, C, Wraththe St.]]

'Tak thys,' quod he, 'in wordys fewe: I am komë for to shewe To the (off hol entencïoun) ffully myn occupacïoun, Line 15568 As thow shalt wyte with-Inne A throwe. And yiff thow lyst my namë knowe, I am the oldë, most owgly, Skynned rowh and yrchownly; Line 15572 Myn heer vntressyd and vndyht, And in Ordre nat kempt A-ryht, Douhter to that Rowhe yrchoun Wych euere (in hyr entencïoun) Line 15576 Ys to vertu grettest Enmy; [Stowe folio 275a] With whos prykkës mortally She hath hyr sylff Enarmyd me, To shewe outward my cruelte. [folio 235a] [[C. & St.]] Line 15580 And who-euere to me aproche, A-noon I marke hym with my broche, Perce hym thorgh, by gret vengaunce: ffor thys my Ioye and most plesaunce, Line 15584 Voyde off mercy and al pyte, Euere for tavengyd be On all that do me any wrong; ffor off power I am mor strong, Line 15588 That god only, off hys suffraunce, Hath in myn hand yput vengaunce And fully execucïoun, By lettre and by commyssïoun: Line 15592

Line 15592 'ffor wych I am (in myn Entent) Deyngnows and inpacyent, Mor sharp (behynden and beforn,) Than brembel, or any maner thorn. Line 15596 And who that [[so St.]] lyst to close hys vynes, Or Round abouten hys gardynes With my sharpnesse cloos aboute, He sholde ha no maner doute Line 15600 Off entryng in, nor off no ffon; ffor hegh so sharp ys makyd noon So strongë wrouht, nor so myghty, That ys drad so myche as I, Line 15604 Nor so despytous by to pace. [Stowe folio 275b]

'My namë callyd in ech place Ys thys, 'Noli me tangere'; ffor I haue 'carmen et ve'; Line 15608 Thys to seyne, (yiff yt be souht) Be war that thow touche me nouht. With me I haue (Eve and morwe) Lamentacioun, dool and sorwe; Line 15612 ffor I, devoyde off al Resoun, Wyl cachche A-noon occasïoun (Thogh that ther no causë be) A-noon for to avengë me [folio 235b] [[C. & St.]] Line 15616 I putte al folk in swych affray. [[C. & St.]]

'And as a Bakkë at mydday ffleth, and yet may se no syht Thogh that the sonnë shynë bryht, Line 15620 Ryght so, off malys and off pryde, Wherso-euere that I abyde, I blyndë ffolkys off al Resoun, And, for lak off déscrecioun, [[dyscrecioun St.]] Line 15624 I cause hem that they may nat se But bestyally in ther degre. I trouble hem (in especyal) That they be verray bestyal; Line 15628 I make hem lookë pale and megre, Yive hem vergows and vynégre To encresse her trouble and [[and C., om. St.]] wo, And yive hem other sawtys mo; Line 15632

Line 15632 'Mor to folkys colleryk Than to folkys fflewmatyk.

'I make also (as I wel kan) [Stowe folio 276a] In the ffyrmament off a man Line 15636 Whom that phylosoffres Alle 'The lasse world' a man they calle In ther bookys (so they wryte); And in that world I kan excyte Line 15640 The wyndës off dyssencïoun And thondrys off rebellïoun.

'I dyrke (with-oute Awysëment) Ther wyt and ther entendement, Line 15644 And clypse also ther Resoun (ffor lakkyng off dyscrecïoun), And cause hem to ben despytous, Vengable and malencolious, Line 15648 I am so verray serpentyne.

'Whan Ire doth myn hertë myne, I am so venymows (in soth), I bolle as any crepawd doth; Line 15652 I makë blast, I blowe and yelpe; I am the bychchë gret with whelpe, [folio 236a] That whelpeth kenetys off meschaunce, Euere redy to do vengaunce. Line 15656 In loue, I kan ha no swetnesse, ffor, I hauë mor sharpnesse Than outher brambel, bussh or brere.

'And I am ek (as thow shalt lere) Line 15660 Whan I am steryd in my blood, Mor sowr and bytter than wormood; Ne wer vengaunce, I wer but lorn, ffor, I am the sharpë thorn Line 15664 Off wych (by descripcïoun) [Stowe folio 276b] Iudicum maketh mencïoun, [Egrediatur Rampnus. Iudicum 9^o. capitulo. C., om. St.] Off wych the ffyr sprang out A-noon, And brente the cedrys euerychon. Line 15668 ffor who ne toucheth, in myn Ire, With Anger I renne anoon affyre, Whan any wynd at me doth blowe, Men may yt by the smokë knowe. Line 15672

Line 15672

'I hurtle thys hardë stoonys tweyne, Smytë fyr with al my peyne; Make the sparklys out to gon; And yiff I hadde ynowh bronstoon, Line 15676 I sholde (off malys, in my werkyng,) Sette affyre al maner thyng With-outë mercy or respyt.

'On off thys stonys ys 'Despyt' Line 15680 Ycallyd / the tother hyhte 'Stryff': With wychë tweynë, al my lyff I haue, in hih and lowe estaat, Mad folkys offten at debaat; Line 15684 And off thys two, by mortal lawe, Whylom forgyd was thys [[my St.]] sawe, The wych, (As thow mayst beholde) With-In my sharpë teth I holde; Line 15688 And in the forgyng, ek ther-with The hamer Stryff, despyt the Styth. [[Stythe St., Styhhe C.]]

'And the yren (by sentence) [folio 236b] Callyd was 'Inpacyence' Line 15692 Wych was dolven out off helle, Wher that blakë ffendys dwelle. And (yiff thow lyst sen al the caas,) [Stowe folio 277a] Thus the sawe endentyd was, Line 15696 And al teth set by and by Wrouht by me ful crafftyly.

'ffyrst (as I shal her expresse,) A lady callyd 'Ryghtwysnesse,' Line 15700 Smyth and also forgeresse [a line blank in C.; no gap in St.] Off al vertues, rekne echon, Hyr sylff hem forgeth, on by on; Line 15704 And she hath (in conclusïoun,) A ffyle callyd 'Correccïoun' With wych (thogh yt be nat soote) She ffyleth synnës to the roote, Line 15708 That no Rust (I the ensure) May ther kankren nor endure, She skoureth yt a-way so clene, That noon ordure may be sene. Line 15712

Line 15712

'And yet she hath assayed offte, With hyr ffylë (no thyng soffte) Vp-on my cursyd yren hard, Rebel, rusty, and froward, Line 15716 ffor to do the rust a-way. And as she fylede day be day Vp-on myn yren, rowh and old, Ther-off she made (as I ha told) Line 15720 Thys sharpë [[sharpe St., sharp C.]] sawe (in verray dede) Wych that callyd ys 'Hatrede.' And wyth thys sawe (tak hed her-to) Ys I-sawhe and kut a two, Line 15724 Parfyt loue and vnyte, Concord and ffraternyte; [Stowe folio 277b] Off charyte and állyaunce Maad also dysseueraunce; [folio 237a] Line 15728 Yt cut a two ech vertu.

'In Iacob and Esav [Oderat ergo Esan Iacob Dixit-que venient dies vt occidam Iaeob. Genesis. 27^o. capitulo] Thow mayst sen a pleyn fygure Yiff thow rede the scrypture: Line 15732 Thys sawhe made hem gon assonder, The Ton her, the tother yonder; And longë [[longe St., long C.]] tyme assonder were.

'And thys sawhe also I bere [prose cap cxlix] Line 15736 (As thow sest) her in my mouth Wher-euere I go, both Est and south, Off entent (be wel certeyn) Whan-euere I pray, or sholdë seyn Line 15740 My pater noster nyht or day, Thanne I sawhe my-sylff a-way ffrom the hooly trynyte: I preve yt thus, (as thow mayst se,) Line 15744 I pray god (off entencïoun) Off my synnës to han pardoun, Evene lyk to my socour So [[As St.]] I forgyve my neihhëbour. Line 15748 In my prayere ek I sette, That he forgyuë me my dette As I forgyvë folk thoffence That to me dyde vyolence; Line 15752

Line 15752 'And to conclude, (yiff yt be souht,) I forgyve her-off [[ther off St.]] ryht nouht; Than muste yt folwe (off equyte) My prayere ys ageyn[e]s me: Line 15756 To-ward my-sylff (by mortal lawe) [Stowe folio 278a] Wrongly I tourne thys ylkë sawe In the wych ys no profyt, [prose cap cl] Worshepe, honour, but fals delyt, Line 15760 But gret damage and harm ful offte.

'And he that sholdë stonde aloffte, Holdynge thys sawhë (thys the caas,) He ys be-nethe, and stont most baas; [folio 237b] Line 15764 In signe wheroff, (who lyst knowe,) Sathanas, he ys most lowe, Wych fyrst off allë bar thys sawe.

'My fawchoun ek, whan I yt drawe, Line 15768 Wych that hangeth by my syde Ther-with offte I kan provyde To maken (off Entencïoun) Knyhtys off my condicioun; Line 15772 Swych I mene, in ther degre, As thys mordererys be. Ther-wyth I gyrde hem euerychon, Off wychë Bárrabas was On, Line 15776 As he that was an homycyde.

'And looke ek on the tother syde, Tyrauntys wer gyrt with thys [[the St.]] fawchoun Whan they (with ful gret passïoun) Line 15780 Slowhe thapostellys ek also, And holy martyrs bothë two Swych tyrauntys, in ther rage, Lyk to bestys most saváge Line 15784 Tournyd were fro ther Resoun, Wors than Beere, boor or lyoun, Wych that dwelle in wyldernesse. [Stowe folio 278b]

'And ryhtful kyngës, in sothnesse, Line 15788 Sholde hunte hem out, and at hem chace, Wher they dwelle in Any place, Both beforn and ek behynde, Rather than outher hert or hynde. Line 15792

Line 15792

'Ther-for, with-outë wordys mo, Be Avysed what thow wylt do; Yiff thow wylt stonden at dyffence, Ageyn me maken résystence Line 15796 With thy swerd, and with thy targe, Wych that ys so brood and large: Off hem I haue no maner doute, Be causë thow art nat with-oute, Line 15800 The to dyffende, fro poynt to poynt, [folio 238a] Clad a-bove with a purpoynt; And I shal ek (yt ys no drede) Hauë helpe, yiff yt be nede, Line 15804 Ageyns the to do vengaunce The to bryngen to outraunce.'

The pilgrym: [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym St.]]

"Be war, touche me nat," quod I; "ffor yiff thow do, (fynally,) Line 15808 I am cast, in my [[my St., thy C.]] dyffence, ffor to makë résystence As longë as me lasteth breth; fful myghtyly vn-to the deth, Line 15812 I shal nat spare, (yt ys no faylle)."

And ffyrst he gan me thus assaylle; Hys callyouns to-gydre he smoot [Stowe folio 279a] Tyl they gan to wexen hoot, Line 15816 And ther-with he gan loudë crye. And than at erst I gan espye; ffro the hyl descendyng doun, Kam with hym 'Trybulacioun,' [prose cap iv.15] Line 15820 Off stature gret and large With-outë sheld or any targe. To me-ward she gan hyr dresse. In hyr hand, (by gret duresse,) Line 15824 A gret hamer I beheld; And in the tother hand she held A peyre off pynsouns ek ther-wyth; And A Barmfel off A smyth, Line 15828 At hyr brest she hadde vp-bounde.

Tribulacion: [[In Stowe's hand. Trybulacion St.]]

Quod she to me, 'thow art wel founde.

'Thow knowest (I trowe, in thyn entent) That Ire hath me to [[vnto St.]] the sent: Line 15832 Thys sawe shal me ber record; ffor he and I ben off accord; Mawgre thy myght, thow mvst ley doun Her, affor me, thy Bordoun. Line 15836

'Thow hast nat On, in thy dyffence, [folio 238b] [[St. & C.]] No Gambysoun [[St., C. burnt]] off pacyence, For off thy targe [[St., C. burnt]] and off [[Targe/nor St.]] thy swerd I am in no wyse afferd; Line 15840 They may no thyng avayllë the, ffor to ffyhte ageynës [[ageyns C., St.]] me.'

the pilgrym: [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym St.]]

"Touchyng thy name, me lyst nat lere; But off the I wolde enquere, Line 15844 Wher-off thyn Instreumentys thre Servyn, that thow beryst with the."

tribulacion: [[In Stowe's hand. Trybulacion St.]]

'Myn instrumentys (in wordys ffewe) Declare openly, and shewe Line 15848 (Shortly in conclusïoun) What ys myn occupacïoun. Me wanteth nothyng but a styth, But I sholdë, lyk a smyth, Line 15852 fforge A-noon (with-outë stryff) Vn-to the A crowne off lyff. But, for cause (yiff thow ha mynde) That thy Styth ys lefft behynde Line 15856 Off neclygence, ther thow gost, Thow stanst in pereyl to be lost. And for thy styth ys now away, I shal the smyten, yiff I may; Line 15860 Than thow shalt, with-Inne A trowe, [[throwe St.]] My konnyng and my crafft wel knowe.

'I am gold-smyth (in sothnesse) Off hevene, and the forgeresse Line 15864 Wych in erthe (by gret avys) fforge the crownys off paradys; ffor with myn hamer, mor and more [Stowe folio 280a] I batre the metal wonder sore, Line 15868

Line 15868 'ffor to prevë wel the metal That yt be foundë good at al, By assay, bothe ffer and ner. And in A ffurneys bryht and cler, [folio 239a] Line 15872 To preve yt good, (as I the tolde) With my Toongys I yt holde fful offtë sythe, and spare yt nouht. And whan I ha the trouthe out souht, Line 15876 And ffyndë that ther be no let, Yiff yt be good, I make yt bet. Yiff yt be wykkë, (trustë me,) I make yt wors (as ffolk [[men St.]] may se). Line 15880

'Myn hamer, by descrypcïoun, Ys callyd 'persecucioun,' Wych doth to ffolk ful gret offence: Whan the doublet off pacyence Line 15884 Ys devoyded from her bak, Than go, farewel, al goth to wrak; Ther manhood and ther renoun Al tourneth to confusïoun. Line 15888

'Iob, whilom by pacyence, Hadde yt On in hys dyffence, And other seyntys, fer and ner Rehersyd in our kalender. Line 15892

'My toongës (as I shal expresse) Ben ycallyd ek 'Dystresse,' Wych that werkyn to an herte fful gret anguissh and gret smerte; Line 15896 And in a pressour off gret peyne [Stowe folio 280b] They kan ful offte A man dystreyne Bothe with-outen and with-Inne, As gold ffoyl ybetyn thynne. Line 15900 Swych pressyng (who kan espye) Causeth, from a manhys Eye, The saltë terys dystyllë doun, Makynge A demonstracïoun, Line 15904 And an evydent massage Off sorwe in herte and gretë [[grete St., gret C.]] rage

'Thys Barmfel also that I were, And a-ffor my brest yt bere, [folio 239b] [[C. & St.]] Line 15908

Line 15908 'Callyd ys by ryhtful name [[C. & St.]] 'Confusioun' or ellys 'Shame'; [[C. & St.]] As thus (for to specefye) Whan I do swych tormentrye Line 15912 With my bytter peynys strong— Be yt ryht or ellys wrong— To don execucïoun Outher be cyvyle or kanoun; Line 15916 The shame ther-off, and the [[grete St.]] outrage, Shewyd ys in the vysage; And most he hath occasïoun, That most hath persecucïoun. Line 15920

'And I shal preue A-noon by the, Yiff thow konne ashamyd be. I shal assayë for to smyte Vp-on thy bak, my sylff taquyte Line 15924 ffor to fulffyllë the talent [Stowe folio 281a] That Ire hath in hys entent Enclosyd by ful mortal lawe. ffor whyle that Ire bereth the sawe, Line 15928 Thow shalt, by persecucïoun, Outher breste, or make a soun Outward, as by som gruchchyng, Or by som noyse in cómpleynyng: Line 15932 A voydë vessel, pype, or tonne, Whan the lycour ys out Ronne, Who smyt thér-on / vp / or doun, Yt maketh outward a gret soun, Line 15936 Mor than to-forn, whan yt was ful; And therfóre, who that ys dul And voyde off vertu (douteles) By pacyence kan ha no pes, Line 15940 Whan he, by trybulacïoun, Suffreth [[Suffrethe my St.]] persecucïoun, Wrong, or any maner wo: Adonay me toldë so, Line 15944 Whan she me madë fyrst a smyth, [folio 240a] ffor to forge vp-on hyr Styth.'

the pilgrym: [[In Stowe's hand, C. The Pylgrym St.]]

"Yiff thow be makyd by offys

"(As thow seyst) smyth off paradys, Line 15948 Mak me no dylacïoun, [Stowe folio 281b] But shewe me thy commyssioun, Thy power also, and thy myght, That I may sen hem A-non ryht. Line 15952 ffor, but I se hem, trustë me, I wyl in no thyng leuë the Off al that euere thow hast me told."

And she, out off A box ful old, Line 15956 Took out A Commyssïoun, And sayde, lyk hyre entencïoun:

Tribulacion: [[In Stowe's hand, C. Trybulacion St.]]

'Se thys,' quod she, 'and rede yt wel, And looke yt ouer Euerydel, Line 15960 And ther-vp-on the wel avyse. Yiff that it may nat suffyse, I shal the shewe A-nother to, Wych I haue with me also: Line 15964 Red hem bothe, and thow shalt se My power and Auctoryte.' [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

the pilgrym: [[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym St.]]

And whan they wern vn-to me take, A-noon I gan me redy make, Line 15968 Redde hem bothë two yffere; And fynally, yiff ye lyst here, And to me yiven Audyence, [folio 240b] [[St. & C.]] This was the fyrste, as in sentence. [[St. & C.]] Line 15972

The comisyon & power gyven to tribulation: [[In Stowe's hand. The Comyssioun and Power yove / vn-to Trybulacion. [Stowe folio 282a] ]

'Adonay, the myghty kyng Wych ys lord off euery thyng, Emperour off Ryghtwysnesse, Whos power (in sykernesse) Line 15976 Neuere eclypsyth off hys lyht, But shyneth euere ylychë bryht, As he that lord ys off nature, And euer in On shal so endure, Line 15980 As off power and off Renoun, Elthe to trybulacioun!

'We haue vnderstondë late, Tydynges nat ful old off date, Line 15984 How the Stepmoder off vertu, And ful enmy to cryst ihesu, Wych callyd ys 'Prosperyte,' Ageyn al ryht, thorgh hyr powste, Line 15988 Hath Our sawdyours [[Sowdyours St.]] assaylled, Set on hem, and nat yfaylled, By maner off collusïoun Drawe her hoodys lowë doun [Stowe folio 282b] Line 15992 Ouer ther face, by swych degre That they be blynd, and may nat se, (Wych ys ful hard for to recure,) And be-rafft hem ther Armure; Line 15996 Only off fals presumpcïoun, With-outë restytucïoun, Take away ther Garnysouns, The castelys also and the Touns Line 16000 Wych that longede off equyte Vn-to Gracë dieu and me. [[to me St.]]

'But now off newe, (yt ys no nay,) ffrom vs she hath hem take away, Line 16004 With-oute forberyng or favour Dyspoylled vs off Our tresour, And, in our tours strong and Old, [folio 241a] Vesellys off syluer and off gold, Line 16008 Take hem a-way by Tyranye, Bextorsïoun and [[and by St.]] roberye; I menë most, in éspecial, Ther goodys that were Espyrytual; Line 16012 Swych goostly goodys euerychon Ben yrobbyd And agon; And thorgh hyr Ravyne and robbyng, She hath lefft ful nyh no thyng. Line 16016 ffor wych, we lyst no lenger tarye, But vn-to the, Our secretarye And Our sergaunt in thys caas, (Wych off custom berst our maas) Line 16020 We (wyth al our hool entent,) [Stowe folio 283a] Sende vn-to the A Maundement,

'And commytten our power, ffor to cerchë ffer and ner, Line 16024 Hows by hows, wher-euere he be, To sekyn out Prosperyte.

'And that thow, in al wyse Be bysy, hym for to chastyse, Line 16028 That he no mor, by no quarelle, Be hardy, ageyn vs to rebelle; Holde hym euere so lowë doun, Chargyng, by thys commyssïoun, Line 16032 That allë tho that thow mayst fynde (I menë, hem that be mad [[made St.]] blynde Bassaut off thys Prosperyte) Tourne her hoodys, and make hem se; Line 16036 Chástyse hem, (in thyn entent,) And byd hem take avysëment, ffyrst, her Eyen to vnclose, And so her hertys to dyspose, Line 16040 ffor to looken vp ful offte To the hevene hih aloffte; And hem syluen mor tassure, [folio 241b] [[St. & C.]] Take ageyn ther olde Armure [[St. & C.]] Line 16044 Vn-to hem, bothe plate and maylle, [[St. & C.]] (Lyst ther enmyes hem assaylle,) [[St. & C.]] Wych they ha broke, and lost in veyn; Lat hem reforge hem newe ageyn. Line 16048

'Grauntë to swych euerychon, [Stowe folio 283b] Crownys with many A rychë ston, I mene, to hem that, off assent, Obeye vn-to thy maundëment. [[St. & C.]] Line 16052

'And for thys skyle, (in sykernesse,) We have maad the Forgeresse And Goldsmyth off our hevenly tour, ffor to don ay thy labour, Line 16056 To al that suffre as Champyons, ffor to forge hem rychë crownys, Wher-so they suffre, on se or lond,

'And sese also in-to thyn hond, Line 16060 Solace and play in ech cyte, And al swych worldly vanyte,

'And Ioyës that ben transytórye, Revel, and al worldly glorye. Line 16064 And wher thow mayst hem sen or knowe, Burye hem in the Erthë lowe; Oppresse hem with thy sharpë shours, ffor they deceyve our sawdyours. [[Sowdyours St.]] Line 16068

'And we thé grauntë ful power Duely to don thy dever; To sen our vessellys euerychon, Wher that they be voyde or noon, Line 16072 fful off good or wykkednesse, To knowë do thy besynesse. Touche hem with Trybulacioun; And yiff they Gruchche, or makë soun, Line 16076 Yt ys a tookne vn-to the Off good, that they yvoyded be. And yiff thow se by thy touchyng [Stowe folio 284a] That they resowne no maner thyng, [As the catchwords at the foot of this leaf are "Yt ys an open," the next sheet, at least, of the Cotton MS. is missing. I therefore copy and print it from the Stowe MS. 952, leaves 284-301, with its metrical pause-bars.—F.] Line 16080 Hyt ys an opne / Evydence Off gruchchyng / ther ys nōōn Offence; For we Charge the / day by day, Cerche hem wel / And make assay. Line 16084

'And who off hyh / or lowh degre That lowly / wyl obey[en] the, For hys suffraunce / and lowlyhede He shal be Crownyd / For hys mede Line 16088 In oure Court / Celestyall. Loo! off thy power / thys ys All, Charge to done / Execucion, And Fyn off oure Commyssion, Line 16092 ¶ Yove and wryte / (who lokë wel,) Vnder oure ownë / pryve sel Vp-on the day / (by goode avys) Whan Adam / Out off Paradys Line 16096 Exyled was / (as thow mayst se) With alle hys hool Posteryte,

'For ther was nōōn / Excepcion.

¶ 'And the tother Commyssion Line 16100 That I off spak / I shall the shewe; And yt ys thys / In wordys Fewe: ¶ Thamyral / off the gretë See, Fulle off Wawes / (as men may se,) Line 16104 Which that callyd / ys Sathan— Grettest Enmy / vn-to Man, Foo to Adam / and hys Lynage, For topresse hem / with hys Raage, Line 16108 Kyng of alle / Inyquyte, [Stowe folio 284b] And Tormentour / off Equyte, By wronge / and Persecucion, Elthë / to Trybulacioun, Line 16112 Swych as we / may to hym sende For tapeyre / and nat Tamende,— We haue syttyng / In oure Dongoun, Knowyng / by clere Relacioun Line 16116 That the Sergeauntys / Fynally Off the myghty kyng / Adonay Ageyn oure power / haue ytake, And ther-vp-on / hem Redy make Line 16120 With vs / For to haue a-do, And wynne the place / that we kam Fro, And hem purpose / in that Cyte Ther For to / Receyved be; Line 16124 And, lyke / as myghty Champyouns, Made hem Skryppes / and Bordouns, Seyn that they / in ther vyage, Wyl thedyr gōōn / On pylgrymage, Line 16128 Euerych off hem / In ther degre.

'Wher-vp-on / we chargë the, Sende to thé / oure Maundement, Thé yevnge / In Commaundement, Line 16132 That thow shalt kepë / the Passage, To lette hem / in ther Pylgrymage; Espye hem out in euery place, Smyte hem / or that thow Manace; Line 16136 Oppresse hem / with thy vyolence Abowë Iobys Pacyence, [Stowe folio 285a]

Which tooke away / hys Temperalte, He nat gruchchynge / In no degre. Line 16140 ¶ Travaylle / In thyn Entencion To Reve hem Skryppë / and Bordon; Atte the herte / do hem sorwe and wo; And with thy Toongès / pynche hem so Line 16144 On euery halff / that thow nat Fayle To Rende out Bovel / and Entraylle; As the Bowelles / off Iudas, Streyne hem / In the samë caas, Line 16148 That they / be grete Adversyte May hange hem selff / vp on a Tree, ¶ And on thys caas / both ferr and ner, To the we grauntë / Full power, Line 16152 As by oure / Commyssioun Wretyn / In oure derke Dongoun, The samë tyme / whan Cryst Ihesu Vp on the Cros / by hys vertu Line 16156 Graunted the Theeff / For a grete prys, To Entren / In-to Paradys!'

The Pylgrym:

"And whan I hadde / hem bothë seyn, I tooke hem / vn-to hym ageyn, Line 16160 Axede hym / anōōn Right tho Yiff he wolde / vse hem bothë twoo Lykë Frely / In Werkynge, [Stowe folio 285b] Syth thei Fyn / off ther menynge Line 16164 Concludë nat / In oo Sentence; For, as grete ys / the dyfference Atwene hem tweynë / by Obstácle, As bytwene venym / and Tryacle." Line 16168

Trybulacion:

'When I ha take / on thè the wrak, And strongely Forgyd / on thy Bak, Than shaltow / by Elleccïoun Haue Choys / to which Commyssioun Line 16172 Thow wylt thè take / and ther abyde. For ȝiff that thow / on yche a syde Seyst ryght nought / In thy dyffence, But suffrest alle / In Pacyence Line 16176

Line 16176 'With-oute Murmure / or any Soun, But off hoole / Entencïoun When thow Felyst / dool or Smerte, Thankest god / with alle thyn herte, Line 16180 Than maystow wytte / and Fully knowe That my power / hyh and lowe Is taken / In Conclusïoun Off the Fyrst / Commyssioun. Line 16184

¶ 'But yiff yt falle / be wel certeyn, That thow stryve / or gruchche ageyn In thy sylff / by vyolence Arryuest / For Impacyence, Line 16188 And besy art / yt to with-stonde, Thankest nat god / ek off hys sonde, [Stowe folio 286b] But Fyndest / somme Fals Occasyoun To lese thy Skryppe / and thy Bordoun, Line 16192 Castest hem / wylfully a-way, As whylom dydd / (yt ys no nay) By grete mescheef / Theophilus. And semblably / yiff thow do thus, Line 16196 Than ys my Commyssioun Yove / to thy dampnacioun By the power / off Sathan, Which / For to deceyvë Man, Line 16200 Travaylleth ay / to make hym lese.

¶ 'Wher-Fore thow mayst / off bothë chese, And haste ek / Fre Elleccïoun, Which / off Eche Commyssïoun Line 16204 I shall vse / ageyn[e]s the. ¶ For I ha no Lyberte, But evene lyke / as I thè Fynde, Thè to Cónstreyne / or vnbynde, Line 16208 Affter thy / Condicïoun To vsen / Eche Commyssïoun. ¶ My power ys / In allë Rewmys, Lyke vn-to / the Sonnë Bemys, Line 16212 Shynynge most hoote / the Sommerys day, On Foulë Erthe / and tendre Clay, Hys grete heete / maketh hem anōōn To wexe as harde / as eny Stoon. Line 16216

Line 16216 ¶ 'But wex and Talwh / yt doth Relente. And evene thus / In myn Entente, [Stowe folio 286b] Lyke Folkys / Dysposicïoun Is myn / Operacïon; Line 16220 And thus vsynge / myn Sergawntry, I kan werkë / dyuersly; Wher-ffore I rede / be war off me, For I anōōn / shal smytë the.' Line 16224

The Pylgrym:

And Iustly Covenaunt / he held: He smoot me so / that Spere and Sheld Fro me Fyllen / doun to grounde, Hys Strokys wern / so Fel and Rounde Line 16228 And trewly / For my grete dystresse, Ire kaughte / a grete gladnesse, And wolde / to my confusïoun, Ha wounded me / with hys Fawchoun; Line 16232

But Trybulacion / stoode be syde, And badde he shulde / a whyle abyde, Medle off hym / as yitt no more; 'ffor I shall ffyrst / my sylff, so sore, Line 16236 Done on hym / so grete vengaunce, So grete anoy / and dystourbance, With my Toongës / streyne hym so, And batre hym / On the bak ther-to Line 16240 With myn hamer / large and longe, That hath an heed / yfforged stronge, To chastyse hym / in swych manere Ther-by that he / shall wel lere, Line 16244 As be my / Comyssyoun That I am / Trybulacïoun.' [Stowe folio 287b]

And ffelly thus / to Ire he spak, And euere batrynge / on my bak, Line 16248 With his Toongës / gan me streyne That me semptë / ffor the peyne, I was pressyd / In a pressour, Voyde off helpe / and alle sokour, Line 16252 Compleynyng / ffor my grete penaunce, Tyl yt ffel / In my Rémembrance, ¶ And hadde vnto / a worde Rewarde

That I radde onys / off seynt Bernard, How, in alle greff / and alle meschaunce, Line 16257 In euery mescheff / and penaunce, Helpe and Refuyt / ffor to ffynde, That a Man / shulde haue his mynde, Line 16260 Off herte also / ffully Repayre To hyr / that ffayrest ys off ffayre, Which, thurgh / hyr humylyte, Was Moder / and a Maydë ffree, Line 16264 Whos helpë neuere was behynde To hem that lyst / haue hyr in mynde: She kan helpe hem / In her Nede Best off alle / her Iournë spede. Line 16268 ¶ ffor which, / with alle myn herte Entere, To her I makë / my prayer, And sey to hyr / with humble Chere, The wordys which that ffolwen here, Line 16272 Which Seynt Bernard / fful longe ago In latyn / wrote hem eke also:— Line 16274

¶ 'Tu es Refugium meum A Tribulacione.' [[Ps. xxxi. 7.]]

[Stowe folio 287b] My worshipfull Maystre Seynt Bernard taught me, that, in alle pereylles and alle anguysshes, and in euery Tribulacion or wordely wrechchednesse, that I shulde fflen ffor Refuyt vnto the [Lines 16,276-8 are a quotation from the passage below, l. 16,280-16,310.—H. Parkinson.] // And that I shuld devoutly Line 16278 and mekely besekyn and prayen vnto the / The same seint Bernard seyynge thes wordes vnto me / 'Si In| surgant venti temptacionum / vt patet super missus est. Yiff the bytter ffelle wyndes off temptacion assaylle the, yiff thow falle, by any ffroward aventure, vp-on the Line 16283 Contagyous Rokkys of Tribulacion / Beholde the bright glade sterre off the see, and make thyn Invocacion and thy prayer vnto that blysfull Mayde, oure Lady saynt Marye' // And yiff yt Falle that thow be trowblyd in thy Conscience with multytude off many horryble Line 16288 synnes, Confus and ashamyd with the horryble ffylthe ther-off, and ther-vp-on thow drede the off the fferfull

sentence off the domys Man // And her-vp-ōn be| gynest to ffallyn in-to the dyrke pytte off Drerynesse, vp-on the wofull swolwh off Dysespeyr and Desper| acioun / 'Cogita Mariam / Leffte vp thyn herte, and Line 16294 thenke vp-on Marye' // In alle pereylles, in alle Anguysshes, In alle dotows thynges, Thynke and calle vnto Marye // ffor alle the whyle thow ffolwest vp-on that blysfull Lady, thow mayst nat goon out off Line 16298 thy weye; whyls thow prayest to hyre, thow mayst nat ffalle in despeyr // whiles at thow thenkyst hertly vp| on hyre, thow mayst nat Erre // And whiles that she, with hyr Mercyable hande holdeth the vp, thow mayst nat falle // And Whiles that she, with the Line 16303 benygne gracious shelde [Stowe folio 288a] Off hyr proteccion, dyffendeth the / yt nedeth the nat to drede thyn Enmyes // And whiles that she ys thy gracious guyde in thy peryllous pylgrymmage off this mortal lyff, thow mayst nat wexe wery // ffor, thurgh hyr Mercyable Conveyynge, thow Line 16308 shalt arryven vp at the Agreable havene off euere-last| ynge lyff [[End of St. Bernard]] // Therffore, whan that any Tribulacion put vp-on me or assaylleth me, To thé only, and to no mo, I haue my Recours ffor helpe // Whan any adversyte Line 16312 or wrechchydnesse swe vp-on me, In thé all-only I ffynde refuyt and Refuge // Bot / O, allas! grete mater have I to Compleyne; ffor, but yiff Tribulacion con| streyne, or somme sodeyne aduersyte excyte me and Line 16316 pooke vp-on me, I kan neuere, off my ffroward dysposi| cioun, haue hertly Recours vnto the // And trewly, ffor thys Cause, I may Iustly and full Covenably take vp-on me the name off a drye stobyll, or off a welkyd leef, Line 16320 that ys ffalle doun ffrom a tree // ffor, semblably so as a drye stobyl or a ffadyd leef ffalle to the Erth, and neuere ys reysed vp ageyn to the braunche he kam ffro // Right so I, the most wrechchyd Wyght off alle Line 16324 synners, and most dyffadyd and wylked with synne, nat-with-stondyng my grete vnhappy Infortunye which that I lye defoulyd Inne / yitt kan I neuere, tyl I be mevyd with somme anguyssh or aduersyte // O blysfull Line 16328 lady, I ffle vnto thé; dyvert my passage vn-to the Soc| ourable tent off thy grace // But, O, allas! as god

dyffend, yiff thow puttest me a-way, and Refusest my komynge, whedir shulde I fferther fflen to ffynde sokour or eny helpe? And yiff the gretnesse off my synnes causeden, thurgh my demerytes, that thow Line 16334 woldest ffor my defautes pursue me // [Stowe folio 288b] Allas! what shulde I done // Certys, in the grete bytternesse off my sowle, I were lyk to be dyspeyred off hope // and than myght I well seyn vnto the, "Contra ffolium, quod vento Rapitur, ostendis potenciam tuam, & stipulam Line 16339 sitiam [= siccam] prosequeris" // Allas, blyssed and mercyfull lady! sholdest shewyn thy myght and thy power ageyn a ffadyd and a welkyd leff, that ys lefft vp and Ravysshed with a sodeyn wynde, and sholdest, Line 16343 goode Lady, pursuen a Drye stobyl, ffeble and vn| myghty, to withstonde thy power // O, thow only hope of my Sowle! thow shalt neuere do so, namly vnto me, which haue avowed to ben thy servaunt, and ffleth Line 16347 vnto the for socour and helpe // Nor thow, lady, shalt nat voyde hym ffro the / whom that Trybulacion so sore pursueth, to do vengaunce vpon, and he ffleth to thé ffor helpe, and hath nōōn other socour nor Dyuertycle Line 16351 to Declyne vnto, but only to the // But, benygne Lady, off thy grace thow shalt mercyably Receyve hym, and thow shalt swetly and ffauorobly, as a Moder off Mercy, ffostren hym // ffor thow, Lady, were notably Line 16355 ffyguryd afforn by the Arke of Noe / In-to which was Receyved the Cely Dowe, whan he Resorted ageyn, in-as-much as he koude ffynde no londe to Rest vp-on his ffeet // ffor the Dredffull wawes off the sterne ffloode hadde so ouerfflowed the Erth. Thus, in the Line 16360 same wyse, O thow blysfull lady, thow shalt do to me, which haue no place to fflee to but all-only vnto the; ffor, off thy Custommable goodnesse and off thy be| nygne grace, thow shalt Receyve me, [Stowe folio 289a] And benygnely off thy Mercy, as a Destytuyt and a Desolate pore Creature, thow shalt ffostre me in the soote lappe off Line 16366 thy mercyable Mantel // ffor trewly, lady, the Rage Floode off worldly Tribulacion kometh so sore vpon, that I ha no Recours to Resorte vnto, but only vnto the / Nor I haue no verray Restynge place, but only in

the / And therfore I may fful wel conclude, and say // 'Tu es Refugium / meum a Tribulacione / Thow art only my Refuyt in euery Tribulacion.' But ys nat also thy Line 16373 blyssyd sonne, my sovereyn Lorde, Cryst Ihesu, my Rescus and my Refuyt in euery Tribulacion? Seyth nat Dauid in the sawter book // 'Dominus Firmamen| tum meum, & Refugium meum, & Liberator meus / The lorde ys Firmamentum, my protection, my Refuge and my delyuerer in euery Tribulacion / Vere ipse est Line 16379 Refugium meum, Deus meus / Saluator meus, & spe| rabo in eum / Sothly he ys my Refuge, my lorde god / my Savyour, And al-only I shall truste and hope in hym' // But, O blyssed lady, ffleyng to the ys nat ellys but a Recours vnto hym; And who that shall haue Recours to hym / mvste ffirste off necessyte passyn Line 16385 by the; and by thy blyssed medyacoun so atteyne to kome to hym // ffor, as the fforsayde holy Doctour Seynt Bernard recordeth, [[Ed. Paris, 1839, vol. I. Pars altera, Sermo de Aquaeductu, n. 7, p. 2170: a parallel in n. 8, p. 2154. —H. P.]] 'Nichil nos Deus habere voluit quod per tuas manus non transiret' // This to seyn, 'the blyssed lorde / hath so dysposyd the Orden| Line 16390 aunce off his gracyous gyfftes, that we may ha poces| sioun off no goodnesse but yiff yt passe by the honndes off that blyssed [Stowe folio 289b] Mayden' // And therfore, O thow mercyable lady, that I may haue helpe off hym in euery Tribulacion, ffyrst yt behoveth me that I resorte Line 16395 vnto the; And therfore I may wel seyn, as I ffirst seyde // 'Tu es Refugium meum A Tribulacione' // And I may wel seyn thys ffirst worde / 'Tu / Thow'; ffor, sauff only Thow, ther ys nōōn other in whom ys hope off vertu and off lyff / And I may say / 'Thow' / ffor Thow art allone, With-out eny other Egal vn-to the, Line 16401 ffor-as-much as thow art syngulerly blyssyd byfforne alle other // And I may say 'Es,' that thow art devoyde, by a synguler prerogatyff, ffrom alle vnclennesse off synne; and so in perfytnesse off vertu Thow shalt perseveren and abyden / in-to the worldis ende // And thow mayst Line 16406 be callyd Covenably / 'Refugium,' That is to seyn, 'sovereyne Reffuyt and Refuge'; ffor benygnely Thow Receyvest, Swetly ffostryst, and mercyably closest vnder thy Mantel off Mercy, alle tho that ffleen to the

ffor socour and helpe // And though thow be ordeyned ffor a Common Reffuge vnto alle synners / yitt enclyne the in especyal to be myn /. 'Myn': why so? Myn, Trewly / 'Quia tibi Soli peccaui, & malum Coram te Line 16414 ffeci / ffor only vnto the I ha synnyd and tresspassed, And to-ffore thyn Eyen Done fful Outragous Offencys' // Lady, artow my pocessioun, sythen yt stant so, that fful ofte sythe, thurgh ffals ffauour off prosperyte and transytorye off this wrechched worlde, I ha fforgetyn Line 16419 the // Artow or shaltow be myn verrey herytage, sythen I, woful wrechch, neuere ne Dydd no Dygne servyse vnto the / Or [Stowe folio 290a] Artow yoven to me syngulerly in pro| pyrte? God dyffende But I cleyme in-to my poces| sioun and in-to my propyr herytage // ffor-as-much as I Line 16424 have euere knowen thé Custommably to haue mercy vp-on wrechches; and I am fful wel expert, and ha fful experyence off thy benygne goodnesse, which, in all mescheff and in all my nedys, I haue euere ffounde redy vn-to me // wher-off, blyssede lady, with alle my Line 16429 herte I thanke the // And ffor as much as thow hast, nat only at oone tyme, but at alle tymes, be Reffuyt and synguler Reffuge vnto me / 'Ideo te semper ven| dico esse meum: Therffore euere in especyal I chalenge the to be myn.' 'Vnde hoc michi? wheroff, or by what Tytle, komyth this vn-to me, Or off what Doctour, Line 16435 Or of what Mayster, have I lernyd to Chalenge so hih a Tresour?' 'Certe, a Tribulacione / Certys, off Tribula| cion' / ffor, trewly I dar wel seyn in this caas, that Tribulacion was my Maystresse and my Techere; and Line 16439 off hyr I lerned this lessoun, that with-outen aboode or any taryyng to haue my Resort ffor Socour vn-to the, off Entent that thow shuldest syngulerly be my sup| porte and Reffuge // But how may yt be in any wyse Line 16443 that this shulde longen or apertenen vnto Trybula| cion // Or what konnyng hat Trybulacion, or may in eny wyse techen a Man the weye off Elthe? Syth hyr Condicion ys rather to brynge a man in-to Drerynesse; Line 16447 and to Casten hym in-to the ffroward pathys off dyses| peyr and desperacion. Trewly, by clere Consyderacion off dyuers Respectys, [Stowe folio 290b] she techeth both the Ton and

the tother // But she taught me that I shulde fflen vnto the; and she mevede me also that I shulde dyses| peyre // But, ffor I sawh Elthe in the ton, and grete distourbaunce an[d] trouble in the tother, Therffore, in Eschwyng off dyspeyr, I chees, off hool herte, to fflen Line 16455 to the ffor sokour and helpe // ffor, ffleyng to the, ys savacion; & to dyspeyr / ys deth with-oute Remyssioun. Thanne, ffrom hennys fforward, yiff my Maystresse Trybulacion caste hyre to ben but a Stepmoder off myn Elthe and my savacion, and, sternely Rebukynge and Line 16460 vndernemynge me / Mynystre vnto me any mater off dysespeyr, To dresse me in-to the dyrke wey of drery| nesse, I shall answere vn-to hyre in my dyffense, and seyn as I ffirst sayd, 'Tu es Refugium meum a Tribu| lacione' // And yiff that Tribulacion replye ageyns me, Line 16465 and be bolde or hardy to axe me why I dyspeyre nat, or wher myn hope Shulde ben, Or who yt ys that may be myn helpe in this caas, or my socour in eny wyse, I shal boldly answere ageyn, and seyn // O blyssed Line 16469 lady, 'That yt ys only Thow.' And yff he contynue in hys malys, and labour off ffrowardnesse, to subuerten myn hope, and sey 'vnto what ende abydestow / Thow art kome to late, Tempus miserendi preterijt / Tyme off mercy ys ypassyd / Quia maior est Iniquitas tua quam Line 16474 vt veniam conseruaris // ffor thy wykkednesse ys more than thow mayst ha mercy off,' I shall boldely yive answere by O syllable, and seyn 'Quia Es / ffor thow / art,' that ys to seyne, thow abydest ffyx and stable / Line 16478 [Stowe folio 291a] Euer in Oon, with-outen Ende, Redy to do Mercy to alle that Requeren the // Thane, yiff he, Confus off myn Answere, in Thretyng wyse Replye ageyn me, and say thes wordes that her Sue / 'Al be yt so that the blyssed Mayde be thy Synguler hope and thy ffull Trust, & Line 16483 euere Endelessly ys redy to do mercy / yitt truste me wel, ffor my part, wher-so-euere that thow be, Or to what party that thow ffle, I shall pursue the'; Than, nat-with-standyng the trouble off his Inportable malys, I shall answere with a gladde herte ageyn, and seyn, Line 16488 that 'thow, blyssed Mayde / Es Refugium meum / Art my socour and Reffuyt in euery Trybulacion:' wher|

vpon, in Conclusioun, I drede hys manacys nor hys Thretys neueradel / And sothly, blyssed lady, I may wel seyn that thou art 'Reffugium,' Which ys to seyne, a fflyght off hem that be gylty / ffor-as-much as, nat only I, but alle tho that be gylty, fflen vnto the Line 16495 ffor helpe / Thanne, yiff that Desperacion Convyct and confus with, & Trybulacoun axe me by what Mene I may knowe Thylke souereyn Reffuge and Reffuyt off alle that be gylty, or off whom I was taught, or who Line 16499 was my ledere or my guyde to kome to thylke souereyn Reffuge / I wylle answere and [seyn] 'A Tribulacione' / ffor Trybulacion (as I have sayd to-fforne) was my Maystresse and my guyde, and ys Cheff leder and governeresse Off my passage / And whan I was slowh Line 16504 in my passage, with hyr vexacion she Constreyned me to fflen to the ffrom hyr fface / Semblably as a yonge Chylde, whan he hath espyed the wolff, naturelly ffleth vn-to hys Moder, Or as a Cely Dowe, whan she hath espyed the Sparawk, ffleth hom to hyr Colverhows, Evene [Stowe folio 291b] So, blyssed lady, ffrom the dredfull fface of Trybulacion / to thé that art Conforteresse off alle Sowles that be seke, I take my fflyght / And therfore I Line 16512 may euere Recorde my Lessoun, and say, as I ffirst sayde, 'Tu es Refugium meum a Tribulacione' / In the which wordes I do tweyne thynges / ffirst, I cleyme off Right that thow art verrayly she in whom I truste to Line 16516 ffynde Comfort in alle adversyte, whan I sey / 'Tu es Refugium meum' /. Secondely, I am aknowe Expresly ffro whom that I ffle, whan I say / 'A Tribulacione' / Thanne, so as I verrayly afferme that thow art only She in whom I truste ffully to ffynde Comforte Inne /. Goode, blyssede Lady, off thy mercyable grace, dysdeyne Line 16522 nat to ben 'Refugium meum In Tribulacione' / And nat myn only hope, but my fowrfolde hope; ffor in ffoure manere wyse I truste to ffynde in thé Comfort and Consolacion // ffor who ys the verray hope off hertes that ben oppressed, I parceyve Clerly at the Eye, and sey 'Tu' / ffor whan the wrechchyd werlde shall Line 16528 drawe to an ende, and alle shall ffayle, than thow shalt nat ffayle // ffor thanne shall synfull sowles fflen to be

shadowyd vnder thy gracyous mantel off mercy: why? ffor thow art / Refugium a Tribulacione. /

Here begynneth the ffirste Consolacion And hope off hertes that ben oppressyd With Eny Trybulacion. / Line 16535

[Stowe folio 292a] The ffyrste Consolacion that I ffynde, O blyssede Lady, ys only in the / ffor who ys the verray hope off hertes that ben oppressed, but only Thow? / ffor, so as A Pylgrym or a passagour that kometh ffro fforeyne Line 16539 Cuntres reioyseth whan he Resorteth to his restynge place, wher he hopeth in pees and quyete to abyden / Moche more I, that am oppressyd with Afflyccion off my troubled soule, and al besett with drerynesse, whan Line 16543 I leffte vp myn hede out of the dyrke angles off wrechchydnesse, I howe to Reioysshen and to be gladde whan I Consydre, se, and verrayly beholde that thow art the Restynge place off my verray hope, and the ffynal terme off my desolacion // For I perceyue wel that thow art the Mete and the Marke off alle labour, Line 16549 In whom the sovereyn hope off alle synfull restyth Inne // But wheroff and in what wyse may I knowe thys? / Haue nat my synnes made an Obstacle / and reysed vp a wal betwyxe the and me? / ffor soth, yis / Line 16553 how may I thanne, sythen ther is so grete an Obstacle sett atwen, knowen or verrayly wyten The secrete pryvetes off thy benygne grace? / Sothly, I wote right wel that I may nat / But al be yt so that ther be a Closour and a wal which lette me that I may nat sen Line 16558 nor Clerly beholden the lyght off thy mercyable grace // yitt neuertheles I, as a wrechche, fferfully stonde be| hynde the wallys, and with a ffull dredfull Eye looke Inne by the wyndowes // Which ben the wyndowes that I looke Inne by? // Trewly, the wyndowes and the Line 16563 Comfortable ffenestrallys, as yt semyth vnto me, ben hooly Scriptures // The which ffull notably make mencion off the grete swetnesse [Stowe folio 292b] Off thy mercyable pyte // ffor by thylke agreable ffenestrallys beholdynge, I se and Clerly Consydre the soote sugryd wordys Line 16568 which, by a specyal Inspyracion off the holy Gost, Thy

syluen saydest with thyn hooly halwyd mouth // 'In me Omnis gratia vite & veritatis; In me omnis spes vite & virtutis. Transite ad me, Omnes qui Concupiscitis me, & a generacionibus meis Inplemini. Spiritus enim meus, dulcis, & hereditas mea super mel & ffauum; memoria mea in generacione seculorum. qui edunt me, Line 16575 adhuc Esurient; & qui bibunt me, adhuc sicient' // This to seyne, 'In me is alle grace off lyff and off Trouthe; In me ys alle hope off lyff and off vertu / Kometh and maketh youre passage vn-to me, ye alle that hertly desyre me, and ye shal ha plente, and be Line 16580 ffulfylled off my generacions // ffor my spyryt ys soote / and myn herytage excedyth in swetnesse, sugre and hony. The mynde and the memorye off me shall Line 16583 lasten with-outen Ende. And who that ffedeth hym on my swetnesse, shall hungren ageyn / And they that savourly drynken off my bountevous goodnesse, shall effte ayeyn sore thruste ther-affter' // ffor Certys, blyssed Line 16587 lady, alle ys swetnesse, alle ys Comfortable, that kometh ffro the; And, by thylke opne wyndowe off thy mer| cyable grace, I Consydre And beholde in my Contem| platyff medytacion the grete habondaunce off mercy and off pyte that ys in the // ffor, O thow blyssed Line 16592 lady, yiff hooly Scrypture Recorde and bare wytnesse that thow art mercyable, pytous and benygne, and thow thy sylff bare [Stowe folio 293a] Recorde her-vp-on, And theroff ffolwed noon Effecte, preff, nor Experience / Shulde men ben bolde or hardy ffor to seyn that the Scryp| Line 16597 tures wer ffals / nay, nay, god dyffende // ffor thow, blyssed Lady, in effect verrayly hast mercy vp-on alle that off hool herte calle vn-to the, and Castyst fful benygnelly the stremys off thy mercyable Eyen vp-cn alle tho [that] hope in the, and Crye to the ffor helpe, an[d] comfortably Receyuest hem vn-to grace; ffor, as Line 16603 Ioachym the Bysshop, Recordede // 'Tu es gloria Ieru| salem; Tu leticia Israel; Tu honorificencia populi // Thow art the gladnesse and the glorye off Ierusalem; Thow art the myrthe and the Reioyssynge off alle Line 16607 Israel; and thow art the worshipe and the magnyfycence off alle peplys' / ffor, more than eny scrypture makyth

mencion, Thow shedyst and powryst doun the Oylle off thy Mercy vp-on synnerys / And off ffull yore agone, that hath be thyn vsage and thy Custoom / Recorde I take off Theophilus, [See Migne, vol. 182, p. 1143/1.] which, whan he was ffallyn in-to Line 16613 the horryble ffoule pytt off Desperacion, and denyed thy blyssed Sonne Ihesu Crist, doynge homage to the, Thow, blyssed Mayde, Thow benygne Lady, Thow gloryous quene off pytee and off mercy, fforsoke hym nat whan he Resorted Ageyn vn-to the, but mercyably delyuer| edest hym ffrom the bondys off the ffende, brekyng Line 16619 and Annullyng the Recorde, wretyn with his owne hande, Restorynge hym to grace and to mercy ageyn. By swych wyndowes and by swych ffenestrall / I, stondynge behynde vnder the wall off my synnes, and Line 16623 looke and beholde how benygne and how Mercyfull at thow Art // [Stowe folio 293b] ffor who yitt euere callyd vn-to the / Or what man euere putte his trust or his fulle hope hertly in the, and was defraudyd off hys vertuous desyr? // Whan I Remembre and Consydre all thes thynges, Line 16628 And so Clerly at the Eye how thow helpyst al hem that ben oppressyd, and Reconcylest ageyn to grace alle hem that ben dysespeyred / And generally art socour and helpe to alle synnerys, Ther-ffor I, wofull Line 16632 Wrechche lefft, vp and dresse the Inward Eye off myn herte vn-to the / ffor hooly and Enterly in the I putte myn hope stable and ffyx, perpetuelly to per| seueryn and abyden, Concludyng thus withe the Pro| phete / 'Tu es spes mea & porcio mea in terra Line 16637 viuencium // Thow, blyssed lady, art myn only hope, my part and my porcion in the londe of euery-lastynge lyff' // ffor, lady, whan I am ffalle in any Trybulacion, walke and goo Rounde aboute the Erthe, and seke Line 16641 affter the helpe off men, an[d] kan nowher nōōn ffynden but Only in the // Than may I wel ben aknowen, and Confesse me, and [MS. 'and and'] seyn / 'Tu es porcio mea: Thow allone, Lady, art my part and my porcion,' ffor thow Line 16645 Dystynctly, alle other excludyd, art, were, and shalt ben the Outer and the ffulle hope off my soule. And ther-ffor I may Covenably applye and seyn vnto thé

the werdys off Ieremye the prophete, 'Spes mea tu in die Affliccionis / Thow art myn Only hope in the dayes off myn afflyccion' // Et hec potest Consolacio mea, que est mentis spes oppresse, percipio ad occu| lum [The catchword is 'Tu,' so a sheet of ten leaves or less is possibly missing, tho' I suppose the First Consolation cannot have run much further than it does here.] . . . Line 16653

[Stowe folio 294a] Here begynneth the Seconnde Consolacion Off Hertes that ben Oppressyd with Trybulacion.

The seconnde Consolacion, O blyssed lady, which that I ffynde in thé ys this, that whan I Consydre and Line 16658 se, and in Experience ffynde, That whan alle the lustys off this transytorye worlde passe away and nat abyde, Thow abydest euere in Oon, stable and ffyx with-oute Mutabylyte, 'Quia es. / ffor thow art stedfast and stable, shalt perseuere with-outen ende' // And lyk as Line 16663 thes Marynerys in the absence off the sonne, whan the dyrke nyght kometh vp-on, ha no comfort off lyght / but only off the loode sterre, which off his nature abydeth ffyx in hys spere, and neuere draweth ffor to Line 16667 declyn by medyacion, off which they guye and gouerne ther passage // Evene so I, a wofull wrechche, in the myd see off this Troublyd worlde fforpossyd and ffor| dryven with many sturdy wawes off adversyte and off Trybulacion, whan the lytyl pore vessel off myn herte Line 16672 ys ouercaste and ffordryven with many ffroward wyndes off affliction // Thanne have I no Comfort nor helpe but only to lefften vp the Eye off myn herte vn-to the, which art verrayly callyd the Sterre off the See [Stella maris: see Migne, vol. 182, p. 1142/2.] / Only to dyrecten and to brynge wrechches, oute off alle Tempestys off Trybulacion, to the havene and to the Line 16678 blysfull porte off euere-lastyng lyff // And her-vpon I aparceyve [Stowe folio 294b] Therby That thow art the sothefaste loode| Sterre off the see / ffor / Stella, a stando dicitur / A Sterre ys seyde off stondyng; And therffore, off Sted| fastnesse off stondyng thow mayst wel be callyd a Sterre // ffor, whan alle other Erthely Creatures be Line 16684

Line 16684 veryable thurgh Changynge, thow Abydest stable and stedfaste with-out Mutabylyte / euere in Oon // And that shewed fful wel in the passioun off thy blyssed Sonne // ffor whan alle his discyples ffledde a-way, Thow, as a ffyx Sterre, stoode euere stable In the ffyrmament off the ffeyth to-ffore the Croos. Thy Line 16690 Stabylnesse was shewed fful wel also in the Concepcion off thy blyssed sonne, That, nat with-stondyng the promys and the beheste off the Aungel, thow stoode euere Stable, and nat Chaungest thyn holy purpos off thy vyrgynyte // Thy grete stabylnesse ys also ffonden wel ffro day to day in the grete Reffuyt and Reffuge Line 16696 that thow dost to alle synful men, havyng mercy vp-on hem euere in ther mescheff whan they ha nede; and in this stant moste in euery Trybulacion the synguler Consolation and Comfort that I have in my Sowle / Line 16700 ffor trewly, blyssed lady, yiff thow were vnstable and varyant as other Creatures ben, I koude vp-on no syde ffynden Comfort in myn hert // why so? // ffor than were ther noone other that myght delyuere me out off the trowble ffloodys off the see off thys Mortal lyff / ffor I stoode pleynly vp-on the wrak, myd off the Line 16706 ffelle Rage ffloodys off this dredfull See, lyk to ha be perysshed, nadde ben that thy Mercyable hande hadde ben porrect to me-ward // And therfore, [Stowe folio 295a] O thow blyssed lady, I make my prayer and myn Inuoccacion vn-to the, to bene a Mene of Mercy to brynge me to the holsomme hauene off euery-lastyng lyff, Seyyng to thé thes wordes that her swen / Cum beato Petro / 'Si Line 16713 tu es, Iube me venire ad te super aquas' / 'Si tu es' / that ys fforto seyn, 'ffor thow art, and neuere shalt Cessyn ffor to ben, commande me // O thow blyssed Mayde, which art the port and the havene off Elthe Line 16717 vnto wrechches, me stondyng vp-on the watrys, that ys to seyn, mydd off Trybulacions in this worlde, to ouerekomen hem, and So to kome vn-to the' // ffor, Certys, lady, yiff so be that thow exclude my prayer ffro thyn Erys, off alle wrechches I am the moste Line 16722 wrechchyd; and yiff my synnes fforbarre me, that I be nat herde demyng, also that ffor my grete offencys, I

am nat worthy to preyse the // 'Quia non est Speciosa Laus in Ore Peccatoris / In as mych as ther ys no worthy prey[s]yng in the mouthe off a Synfull man' / Line 16727 how shall I euere be bolde or hardy to telle fforth the Magnyffycence off thy laude // Certys, lady, yiff I see that I be nat benygnely herde off the, I wyl arrettyn the cause to my synnes, and to the grete Line 16731 defautys that I ha done; ffor thow, lady, ffayllest neuere, nor thow wantest nat to do socour and helpe to alle that deuoutly besechyn and prayen vn-to the. Et hoc est quod promisisti Ecclesiastico xxiiij^o: "Sum, & vsque ad Futurum seculum non desinaui" / That is to Line 16736 seyne / "I am, and in-to the worlde that is to komene, I shall nat Cesse ffor to be" / And ther-ffore, blyssed lady, be-cause thow hast ben, and euere art, and shalt ben, Comfort and Consolacion to alle wrechches and Synfull men, In hope that thy Mercy and thy Consola| cion in my grete Nede [Stowe folio 295b] Shall nat ffayllen vn-to me / Thys ys my Secounde Consolacioun, which that I Line 16743 cachche in the. /

The Thrydde Consolacion Off A Troublyd Sowle

The Thrydde Comfort and Consolacion, O blyssed Line 16747 lady, that I have, ys this, That I se that ffolkys, oppressyd with werynesse off ther owne thoughtys, ffynden a Shadwyng place and an holsomme Refuge whan they fflen to the ffor socour and helpe // wherfore, lady, yiff I seye and beholde thatt the ffoxys off the Line 16752 Erthe hadden holys to putte Inne ther heedes, And bryddes off the heyre, nestys to breden Inne, and a Sparwe koude ffynden out an hevese off an hous to bredyn Inne / And a Tortyl a place to make hym Inne a Neste to ffostren hys bryddes ther-Inne // And that I say also this hygh hylles, ordeyned ffor hertys to Line 16758 pasturen Inne, And in kavyd stones ffounde an hoole, an yrchoun to haue his Reffuge ther-Inne; And amonge al thys, I seye the Childeren off men Dysconsolat and Destytuyt off ther loggyng // As whilom thy blyssed sonne hadde no place wher to putte Inne his Line 16763

Line 16763 heede // Trewly, lady, and I seye mankynde thus dyswarre off ther herberwe, that they hadde no place, in ther grete necessyte off Reffuge, to Dyverte to / yt Line 16766 were but lytyll [Stowe folio 296a] Wondre though I were dyspurveyed off hope In my sowle, wher I shulde eny Consolacion or Comfort ffynde // But, ffor-as-mych as thow allone, And al Only, art yoven ffor a Synguler Reffuge vn-to Wrechchys, and Art made ther protectour and dyffence, And, Affter the grete oppressioun off her, art made ther Line 16772 Restynge place, to abyden Inne in Equyte / wherby I ffynde a Path and a weye, to whom, in al mescheff and necessyte, I shall fflen and dyuerte vn-to // ffor thow art, as I sayde Rathe, Thylke Arche off Noe, vn-to the which, and in the which, in tyme off grete Deluge, alle the worlde ffley vnto, and were savyd ther-Inne, alle Line 16778 they that by grace myght Entren, as wel thes Rude beestes, as Men that were Resounable / Right so, blyssed lady, thow art de verray Arke Off Mankyndes savacion, vnto the which, Rightful and vnrightful fflen to ffor helpe // And thow art ffygured also by thylke Tree which that Danyel spak off, vnder which alle the beestes off the Erthe hadde here dwellynge place, Line 16785 and vp-on whos branchys Restyde alle the bryddes off the heyr. And vender this Tree was the pasture and the ffoode off alle levynge Creatures / Trewly, O blyssed lady, me semyth verrayly Thow art the sylue same Tree, vnto which alle Resonable Creaturys fflen vnto ffor to ffynde socour and helpe. And sothly, Lady, Line 16791 with supportacion off thy mercy, me semyth that amonge so manye I shulde nat ben Excludyd // ffor all| be-yt-so that I be nat hable nor worthy to be Reknyd amonge the Clene bryddes off hevene, which sytten vpon the hyh braunchys of Contemplacion / yett, goode Line 16796 blyssed lady / [Stowe folio 296b] Dysdeyne nat, thouh I be Rude And Bestyall thurgh Synne, that I may Sytten lowe vp-on the Erthe, by mekenesse and humylyte to amende me vnder the agreable Bowes and braunchys off thy Cus| tommable grace, ther to be shadwyd and shrowdyd Line 16801 with thy mercy // And sythyn that euery Creature ffynt ffoode and spyrytual Reffeccion in the // Lady,

yiff yt be nat lefful to me, ffor my grete synnes, ffor to Tasten and to Etyn off thyn hooly plentevous ffruyt, yett suffre, blyssed lady, that at the leste that I may Line 16806 Saltem ibi ffenum vt bos Comedam. / Haue my pasture ther with Rude Oxys, and walkyn as a man deiect with Nabugodonoser / Ther, amonge thys wylde beestys, to han my habitacion, to take ther party off the Remys| saylles leffte off hem that be gostly and Spyrytual Repast, to my Sowle helpe // ffor trewly, lady, and thow lyst pacyently to suffre me thus, why shulde Line 16813 nat my Sowle be Comfortyd? why shulde I thanne be dysespeyred off thy grace // why shulde my wofull Eyen be dyrked with longe abydynge in the salte Terys off bytternesse // ffor Certys, thouh the mul| tytude off my Synnes passe in noumbre the Sotyl smale Sandys and gravell off the See, And though Line 16819 I were nat worthy, ffor my wykkydnessys, to lyfften vp myn Eyen towarde the bryghte hevene, yett, nat| with-standyng alle this // 'Te tamen, a ffacie ffuroris Domini, Refugium habeo // I have the, my Synguler Refuge, ffor the fface of the woodnesse off my Lorde God' // & yiff that oure fferme ffader [Stowe folio 297a] Adam, affter hys grete Offence, hadde had swych a shadewyng place Line 16826 to have tournyd vn-to, ffor to haue hydde hys nakyd| nesse, I suppose the lorde hadde nat seyde vn-to hym / 'Adam, vbi Es? Adam, wher Artow?' // But the goode lorde, seyng so mych peple perysshe ffor the Synne off Line 16830 the seyde Adam, ordeygned thè to ben a Synguler Mene ffor mannys saluacion, off Entent, that who-so| euere ffledde vn-to the ffor helpe and ffor Reffuge, shulde nat perysshen, But Restyn vnder the Shadwe off thy proteccion, to be Conservyd ffro dampnacion Line 16835 vnder the large off thy Charyte // Seyynge vnto thè, thylke wordys that be wretyn In ysaye / the prophete, xvj^o Capitulo: "Absconde fugientes, & vagos ne prodas; habitabunt apud te profugi mei, & cetera / Esto Lati| bulum eorum a Facie vastatoris" // This to seyne, "O Line 16840 thow blyssed Lady, hyde hem that fflen vnto thè ffor helpe, and they that be vagabonde, dys[c]oure hem nat, ffor synfull ffolkys that be ffugytyff shalle ffleen vn-to

thè ffor socour and helpe; and be thow her dyffence Line 16844 and her proteccion to-ffore the fface off the Enmy" // And whan I ha this in my Remembraunce, yt ys the Thrydde Consolacion, which that I ffynde Only in thè, In euery Trybulacion.

Here begynneth the ffourthe Consolacion.

Certys, Lady, and yt were so that thow dyst Comfort Line 16851 to alle other Synnerys save only to me, I hadde [Stowe folio 297b] Grete matere to Compleyne, and to make grete Sorwe And Lamentacion // But, ffor-as-mych as I haue a Synguler Trust and a Specyal hope in thè, to-fforne alle other, Therffore I wyl Reioyssh in myn herte, and Cleyme off Line 16856 Ryght the, in Especyal, to be my Reffuge / And thys I Cleyme off herytage by lyneal Dyscent off Successioun, be Tytle off myn Awncetrys, other Synnerys that ha be to-fforne. and Sythen thow dydest mercy vn-to hem / I, that am a Synner, Cleyme off Right that thow Line 16861 Shalt done Mercy vn-to me // ffor Certys, by olde tyme, lady, Synnerys that werne to-fforne, weryn Occa| sioun That thow were Chosyn to ben the Moder off god, and quene of hevene, and lady also off al the world. And certys, lady, with Supportacion off your Line 16866 grace / hadde nat Synnerys ben, thow haddest neuere be Reysed to so high a degre off worshippe; And ther| ffore The holy Doctour Seynt Awstyn Seyth vn-to the In a Meditacion // 'O Maria, multum Audeo, multum gaudeo / Multum-que gaudium, multam-que michi ffacis Line 16871 audaciam.' 'O blyssed Marye, I am gretly hardy and bolde, and gretly I Reioysshe, and thow yevest me grete hardynesse ffor to speken' // ffor I speke, and as I speke, right so yt ys / ffor we to the, and thow to vs / A nyh Confederacye hath Ioyned vs to-gedre / That thow ffor vs haste thylke beynge that thow art. And trewly in the same wyse, by thè Only, we haue the Line 16878 beyng that we arn // ffor yiff that [Stowe folio 298a] Oure Trespace and oure Transgressioun hadde nat be to-fforne / Ther hadde nat ffolwed ther-vpon oure Redempcion // And yiff yt hadde nat be necessarye, vs to haue be bought,

yt hadde nat be necessarye thè to haue Chylded oure savyour and Redemptour, 'Vt quid enim nescium pec| cata pro peccatoribus pareres, si deesset qui peccasset / Vt quid ffieris, mater Saluatoris, si nulla esset Indi| Line 16886 gencia salutis' / 'O blyssed lady, why or wher-ffore shuldestow haue Chylded and brought fforth hym ffor Remedye Off Synnerys, which neuere knewe what synne was, yiff ther neuere hadde be nōōn that hadd synned to-fforne // Or to what ffyn sholdestow han ben Moder off the Savyour, yiff ther hadde be nōōn Line 16892 Indygence off savacion?' And thes wordys off Seynt Awstyn, lady, I may Right well seyn vn-to the // ffor sythen Synnerys were Cause and Occasyoun off thyn honour and off thy Magnyffycence, by cause only off ther grete synnes, yt semyth vn-to me, sythen that I am a Successour off hem, Contynuynge ffro day to day Line 16898 in Synne, That I, amonge alle other Synnerys, may Rightffully Cleymen to fflen to the ffor helpe and ffor Reffuyt // And that thow, in Recompensacion off the grete benefetys which thow hast Receyved ffor Synnerys, wylt nat to me, that am a Synner, denye the Entre / Sythyn thow, lady, off verray Right art bounden to be Line 16904 Reffuge vnto Synnerys / 'Sed, quomodo obligata // But how, lady, artow bounden?' Artow nat more bounden off Equyte to Righfull men than to Synnerys // ffor| soth thow art bounde to bothe; [Stowe folio 298b] ffor to Rightfull Men thow art bounden by Love, And to Synfull Men thow art bounde by thyn Offyce // ffor a leche hath in hous| Line 16910 holde with hym, hem that he loveth / and he hath besyde also, woundyd and seke men, whom that he Recureth and maketh hool / ffor wher-to shulde Oon bere the name off a leche, but yiff he wolde helyn men off ther maladyes // Or wherto shuldestow be callyd Line 16915 the Moder off Mercy / Or wher-to shuldestow ha be Chosen to be the Moder Off god, yiff thow all-only shuldest loven goode Men and Rightffull, And with alle this shuldest nat done nor shewyn no mercy vnto Line 16919 Synnerys / Trewly thow art holden to loven and to Cherysshen hem that be Rightfull, And to haue mercy on hem that be Synffull // And that shewyth fful well

by thylke Memoryal wrytyng off thy Secretys, which Line 16923 thyn owne Secretarye, Seynt Bernard wroot, Seyyng in thes wordes // 'Sapientibus & Insipientibus, iustis & peccatoribus, Debitricem te ffecisti: Omnibus Omnia ffacta Est // To wyse men and to ffoolys, To Rightfull men And to Synnerys / thow hast made thy syluen Line 16928 doctour / ffor thow art made alle vn-to alle,' by the plentevous habondaunce off thy Charyte. And thow hast opned the Bosom off thy Mercy so largely, that alle may taken off the plentevousnesse ther-off // He that ys in Captyvyte, Redempcion; the Syke Man, Line 16933 Elthe; And he that ys hevy, Consolacion; And the Synnerre, fforyiffnesse and Remyssyoun; [Stowe folio 299a] And the Rightfull Man, grace and perfeccion / 'Vt non sit qui se abscondat a. Calore eius' // So that noon off no degre may shrowden hym, but that the Sonne of thy Charyte shal shyne vp-on hym; And syth thow art be-kome dettour to Rightfull men and to Synful men also // Line 16940 Alle Synfull men may Iustly alleggyn this vers vnto the, and seyn:

ffestina miseris / Misereri virgo beata; Nam te si Recolis, miseri ffecere beatam; Ergo, beata, miseros quorum te Causa beauit.

[Mary, be our Refuge in Tribulation! [4 verses of 8 lines each, abab, bcbc.]] Line 16946

O blyssed maydë / fflour off alle goodnesse, On alle Synfull / ha Mercy and pyte; Thynke how Synnerys / in verray sothefastnesse were Causë ffirst / (who so [that] lyst se,) Line 16950 That ffolkys shuldë / blyssyd / callyn the, Only ordeyned / ffor ther Savacïon; Now, goode lady / off thy benygnyte Be oure Refuge / In Trybulacïon / Line 16954

¶ Quene off hevene / off helle ek Emperesse, Loodë Sterre / ycalled off the See To Marynerys / that Erryn in dyrknesse, Thow art ther Comforte / in Alle aduersyte. Line 16958

Line 16958 Thy lyght, ffro Tempest maketh hem go ffre, And vp taryve / thurgh thy proteccïon, At the havene / off alle ffelycyte, And ffor tescape / Eche Trybulacion. Line 16962

¶ O holy Sterrë // ffyx in stabylnesse, [Stowe folio 299b] With-oute Eclypsyng / Or Mutabylyte, Ylychë Clerë / shynyng in bryghtnesse, In whom the Sonne / sent ffro the deyete, Line 16966 lyste ffor to takë / Oure humanyte, Off Mankynde / to make Redempcïon, That thow shuldest / O mayde, O Moder ffre, Be Oure Reffuge / In Trybulacïon! Line 16970

Lenvoye.

¶ Pryncesse, excellyng off myght and worthynesse Alle Crëaturys / as in dygnyte / Myn hertys body / my worldly Cheff goddesse, Pray thy Sonne / ta [[to have]] mercy vp-on me. / Syth in alle méscheff / to thy grace I ffle Line 16975 Reffute to ffynde / And Consolacïon. And syth my trust / ys Only Sette in the, Be my Reffuge / in Trybulacïon. / Line 16978

Explicit.

[Stowe folio 300a] And sothly, lady, I am Right wel a-knowe that I was constreyned off verray nede And necessyte, to fflen to the ffor Socour and helpe, and Chacyd off Trybula| cion to kome to the ffor Comfort and Consolacion / Line 16982 ¶ And trewly, yiff I seyde the Contrarye, I shulde ffoule ffayllen off the Soth. ¶ Now, trewly, I am mych holden vn-to Trybulacion, And owe Right wel to Callyn hyre a Maystresse off myn, that taught me, and was so goode a guyde to aryven vp at so holsom a Port, Line 16987 and at so notable an havene, to ffynde Reffuyt and Refuge, ¶ O blyssed lady, in the / ffor tyl I hadde gone to Scole with Trybulacion, I savoured fful lytil in the soote mylk of grace which dystylleth doun ffro thy mercyable brestys to Synnerys, to ffostren hem in ther grete nede, specyally whan they ffalle in Trybulacion. Line 16993 And trewly I may say, ffor my party, that Trybulacion

was a necessarye Maystresse vn-to me, lych vnto a pro| celle which dryveth all sodeynly a Shyppe vn-to goode Line 16996 aryvaylle. ¶ And necessarye ys also thylke sharpe prykke, that bryngeth hym that Erreth in his passage, ageyn to the Right wey. ¶ And wel-full and blyssed be tho betynges and Skowrynges, that Compellyn a Chylde to declyne ffrom his trespacys and his Errours. And ther-ffore, blyssed lady, rather than I shulde be Line 17002 Rekkeles to Resorte vnto the, lat me Rather, vnder thy proteccion, ffele somme party Off Trybulacion. ¶ And, benygne lady, I beleue [Stowe folio 300b] Verrayly, that, by the ordyn| aunce off thy blyssed Sonne, Was suffryd and ordeyned as a yerde in a Maystres hande to Restreyne neclygent Children ffrom her Wauntonesse and ther trwandyse, Line 17008 and to compellyn hem mekely to obeye the doctryne and dyscyplyne off ther Mayster. ¶ And thus, lady, I that am Slowh, Neclygent, and ffroward in alle vertu| ous werkys, My Maystresse Trybulacion, with hyre yerde off Dyscyplyne and of Castygacion, She hath taught me to komme to the in my grete nede, ffor to ffynde in thy grete Mercy, Refuge and Consolacion. Line 17015 ¶ So that thow mayst covenably seyn to me the wordys wretyn in the Sawter book / "In Tribulacione inuocasti me / In Trybulacion euere thow callyst vn-to me." ¶ And Sothely, lady, I conffesse me, and am wel aknowe, that yt ys So; Besechyng fful mekely vn-to the, with alle myn hoole herte, only off mercy and off Line 17021 pytye, that thow lyst to seyn vnto me, and gracyously to Acomplysshe and ffulfyllen in me, thy pore servaunt, the Resydue in effect, that ffolweth in the same vers / "liberaui te & exaudiui te in Abscondito tempestatis / I ha delyuered the, and I have herde the in the dyrke Line 17026 trouble off the Tempest that Assaylled the." ¶ Now, goode blyssed lady, do now so to thy pore seruaunt, and Releve hym, off thy mercy, in the Tempest off this grete nede, and graunte hym off Synnes Remyssioun, to be vn-to hym Refuyt and Reffuge in euery Trybu| Line 17031 lacion / Prestante Vnigenito [Stowe folio 301a] Tuo, qui est benedictus in secula seculorum. Amen. [Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]

¶ And whyle I made my prayere, The Owgly Smyth / as ye shall here / Line 17036 y-callyd / Trybulacïoun, Whan She herde / myn Orysoun, And Saugh / by nōōn Occasyoun I wolde nat leue / my Bordoun Line 17040 Nor my Skryppe / ffor no manace; And sawh how / In the samë place I haddë Chose / to myn Entent / Reffuge / that was Suffycyent, Line 17044 In alle Trouble and dysese, Myn hertly Sorwys / to apese, And stynte / alle myn Aduersyte, Anōōn she seydë / thus to me: Line 17048

Trybulacion. /

¶ 'I am,' quod she / 'lyk off manere To thylkë wynde / (as thow shalt here,) That with his blast / maketh fful offte The levys Ryse / and fflen aloffte Line 17052 Toward the Skyes / hyh in the heyr. / Thus haue I / causyd thy Repeyr / Thurgh my Trowble / pryked tho, Vn-to Reffuge / ffor to ffle. / Line 17056

'Caste thy look / toward the hevene / [Stowe folio 301b] ffer abowe / the Sterrys Sevene / In thy Contemplacïon / That wer but / as a leff her doun, Line 17060 ffor-welkyd / and caste a-way, Wych by the ground ful lowë lay, [[Cotton MS. begins again.]] [folio 242a] But, thorgh my commyssïoun, I ha tournd the vp-se [[so St.]] -doun, Line 17064 And many a-nother ek also, With my trouble and with my wo; And with my toongës I hem chace, Ageyn the lord whan they trespace, Line 17068 That I cause hem for to ffle To god, on hem to han pyte.

'And somme I have ek causyd offte To fflen vn-to the sterre aloffte, Line 17072 To whom thow fleddyst with gret labour,

'ffor to have off hyre, socour, Confort and consolacïoun, Ageyn al tribulacïoun; Line 17076 Wher-in thow erryst neueradel, But wrouhtest prudently and wel.

'Kep the wel in hyr presence, ffor, by verray experyence, Line 17080 As sone as thow art from hyr go, I shal nat longë be the fro, By vertu off my commyssïoun, ffor to don execucïoun, Line 17084 As I ha don to many on; With my toongës made hem gon, That wer out off the weyë ferre, [Stowe folio 302a] Resorte ageyn vn-to that sterre, Line 17088 Ther to haue proteccïoun In euery trybulacïoun.

'And thus I kan, in many wyse, With my yerdë wel chastyse Line 17092 Swych folkys as be dyssolut, And chace at hem in my pursut, Namly, folk predestynaat, And swych as be preordynaat Line 17096 To kome vn-to savacïoun, That kan in trybulacioun Suffren, and have pacyence.

'And yiff that thow, for thyn offence, [folio 242b] [[C. & St.]] Line 17100 Hast her-to-forn haad nede off me, [[C. & St.]] And, in partye, I ha to thè [[C. & St.]] Parcel declaryd off myn offys, [[C. & St.]] As thow mayst fele (yiff thow be wys) Line 17104 With-outen any gret owtrage Don to the, or gret damage, With-outen many wordys mo, A dieu! farwel! for I wyl go. Line 17108 And be war, in thy passage, That thow do wel thy pylgrymage, And in thy way be iust and stable, Lych a pylgrym good and hable.' Line 17112

The Pylgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

And as I stood allone, al sool, [Stowe folio 302b] Gan compleyne, and makë dool, Havyng no thyng vp-on to reste, Saue (as me semptë for the beste) Line 17116 I lenede me on my bordoun; ffor thogh that Trybulacïoun Wer departyd in certeyn, She sayde she woldë kome ageyn. Line 17120

But I (wherso I wooke or slepte,) With my refuge, ay I me kepte, [[slepe . . kepe St.]] To have, by hyre, proteccïoun Ageyn ech trybulacïoun, Line 17124 But for that I, by gret owtrage, Was off my port, wylde and savage, Dyuers off my condycïoun,

And al day turnynge vp and doun, Line 17128 fful off chaung and doubylnesse, Havyng in me no stabylnesse.

And whyl I wentë thus musynge, With-Inne my sylff ymagynynge, Line 17132 I ffyl a-noon, in my passage, In-to a woodë ful savage; Me thouhte the weyë peryllous, And by to passë, Encombrous; [folio 243a] [[C. & St.]] Line 17136 I knew nat what was best to done, [[C. & St.]] ffor, in a woode, a man may soone [[C. & St.]] Lese his weye, and gon amys, [[C. & St.]] Or he be war; and thus yt ys, [[C. & St.]] Line 17140 As pylgrymes knowë wel echon, That on pylgrymagë gon: Passage they fynde, narwh and streyth; [Stowe folio 303a] Brygauntys lyn [[lyen St.]] ek in a-wayt, Line 17144 And wylde bestys many on, Tassayllë pylgrymes, wher they gon: ffolk expert, the trouthë knowe.

And in a valey that stood lowe, Line 17148 I sawh on stonden in my way, Old and owgly, off array Dysguysed wonder queyntëly, Off port and chere ryht vngoodly, Line 17152

Line 17152 Semyng to me (yt ys no faylle) That she woldë me assaylle; Yt semptë so, as by hyr cher; And al my lyff, fer or [[nor St.]] ner, Line 17156 Radde I neuer, in book nor geste, Off so merveyllous a beste; Nat in the Book off Danyel, Nouther in Ezechyel, Line 17160 Nor in Thapocalyps off Iohan, Swych a bestë fond I noon.

I was abaysshed a-noon ryht, Whan fyrst off hyre I hadde a syht; Line 17164 In hyre I fond so many a lak: ffyrst, she hadde a brookë bak, Corbyd and haltyng, bothë two; Off rowh frese, she hadde also Line 17168 A garnëment shape lyk a sak, Wych she werede vp-on [[weryde on St.]] hyr bak: Gret noumbre ther-on I tolde, Off cloutys and off pachchys olde. [folio 243b] Line 17172

Aboute hyr necke, I sawh ek wel, [Stowe folio 303b] That ther heng a gret sachel; [[C. & St.]] She shop hyr no-thyng for the flyht; ffor, that poket (to my syht,) Line 17176 She felde yt ful (in éspecyal) Off Coper, yren, and off metal.

And as yt sempte to me also, Hyr ownë tonge halp wel ther-to, Line 17180 Wych heng out at hyr mouth ful [[ful om. St.]] long.

And aboute hyr neckë strong, Thys lady, with hyr corbyd bak, Was y-moselyd with that sak, Line 17184 Sowyd sore, that nyht nor day Yt myghte nat wel falle A-way.

In noumbre she hadde (I gan beholde [[as I . . holde St.]] ) Syxë handys, for I hem tolde; Line 17188 And tweyne (to myn Inspeccïoun) Wer the pawmys off A gryffoun.

And I beheld the samë whyle, In On hand she held [[hadde St.]] a ffyle, Line 17192

Line 17192 fforgyd off ful myghty stel; And (as fer as I koude fel,) The ffylë was ymad and ment To ffylë brydles, off entent. Line 17196

Touchynge hyr other gouernaunce, [Here the 15th century hand in the Stowe MS. 952 stops, and old John Stowe's handwriting begins, and goes on to the end.] She held also a gret ballaunce, Only off purpos (yiff she konne,) To peyse the sodyak [[zodiak St.]] and the sonne, Line 17200 And caste hem in the wynd in veyn, And neuere to callyn hem ageyn:

A largë dyssh, ek I beheld, In hyr hand how that she held. Line 17204

And in hyr ffyffthe hand a kroket; And on hyr hed a gret mawmet.

Hyr syxthë hand she gan to launche Lowë doun vn-to hyr haunche, Line 17208 Wych causë was (vn-to my syht) [Stowe folio 304a] [folio 244a] She haltede, and wentë nat vp-ryht, Lyk as a crepyl, with potente; Evene me thouhtë so she wente. [[9 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 17212 And, by maner off bataylle, Thys vekkë gan me to assaylle, [prose cap iii] Off malys and inyquyte, [[Cap. ii. is omitted.]] And felly saydë thus to me: Line 17216

The old Avarice: [[St., om. C.]]

'I swer to the, by my mawmet Wych vp-on myn hed ys set, In whom ys holy my plesaunce, My trust pleynly, and my creaunce, Line 17220 I have abyde vp-on thys way Tawayte on thè ful many a day.

'Ley doun thy skryppe and thy bordoun, And do homage to my Mahown! Line 17224 ffor yt ys he (thow shalt wel knowe) By whom that I, off hih and lowe Allowyd am, and off gret prys.

Yholdë prudent, and ryht wys. Line 17228 ffor no man hath, with-outë me, Worshepe nor no dygnyte; In hih estat ys no whyht Set, But thorgh favour off my mawmet, Line 17232 To whom thow mvst submyttë the, Or thow shalt deye; so mot I the!'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"ffyrst, thow mvst declarë me [folio 244b] [[St. & C.]] Thy power and thyn Auctoryte, [prose cap iv] [[St. & C.]] Line 17236 Thow oldë, ryvelyd off vysage, [[St. & C.]] Thy kynrede, and thy lynáge, [[St. & C.]] Thy contre and thy nacïoun, And also off what regïoun Line 17240 That thow art born, (I wyl ffyrst knowe,) With bak and chynë courbyd lowe; The maner ek off thy mawmet, Shapë lyk a marmoset: Line 17244 Tel me hys condicïoun; ffor me thynketh yt no resoun Off equyte, nor by no ryht, Syth he ys dowmb, and blynd off syht, Line 17248 I that am born off good lynage, Sholde vn-to hym do now homage."

Avarice: [[St., om. C.]]

'Syth thow wylt fyrst yse, [prose cap v] And what my namë sholdë be, Line 17252 I wyl, as now, no thyng spare; But the trouthe to thè declare, That thow shalt (with-oute offence) Yive to me the mor credence. Line 17256

'Yiff thow lyst the trouthë se, Kom on a-noon, and folwe me, And thow shalt (yiff thow kanst espye) Herë me ful lowdë crye; Line 17260 ffor I shall [[shall St., shan C.]] sen, duryng my lyff, [Stowe folio 304b] The vale off sorwen [[sorow St.]] and off stryff, The woful Interieccïoun Most ful off lamentacïoun.' Line 17264

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

And trewëly [[trewly C., truly St.]] (I took good kep,) She wente vp to a fosse kaue dep; And ther she bad me lokë doun; [prose cap vi] Wher I hadde inspeccïoun Line 17268 Off an abbey, wych euerydel (As I beheld the maner wel) [folio 245a] Was foundyd besyden a cheker, [[C. & St.]] Squar as ys a Tabler. [[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 17272 And I beheld [[lokyd St.]] also with-al, Ther wer esches, bothe gret and smal, fful wel ywrouht in allë thynges.

Ther sawh I rookys and ek kynges, Line 17276 And knyhtys (ek in verray soth) Drawen, as a ffers y-doth In travers wysë, by bataylle, Euerych other gan assaylle Line 17280 Wyth sharpë swerdys, thus thauhtë me, A dysguysë thyng to se; ffor at the ches, in al my lyff, Sawh I neuere swych a stryff, Line 17284 Nor so fers A contenaunce; ffor everyche gan hym sylff avaunce, Whan ther bataylle was ado, To make hem redy for to go Line 17288 To that abbay ther besyde, And, be surquedye and pryde, Ther to forreye, what they may, Robbe and spoylle, and ber a-way, Line 17292 And revë hem off ther rychesse, And brouhten hem in swych dystresse, That no thyng leffte to ther refut, But made al bare and destytut. Line 17296

Whan I hadde al thys yseyn, [folio 245b] How al was makyd wast and pleyn, [[C. & St.]] Quod I, "what thyng meneth thys, [prose cap vii] [[C. & St.]] That thys cherche destroyed ys? [[C. & St.]] Line 17300 Thys ys (to myn oppynyoun) The woful Interieccïoun, Wher-off pleynly (me semeth so)

Euerych wyse man sholde ha wo, Line 17304 And compleyne (I the ensure) Thys vnhappy áventure."

Avarice: [[St., om. C.]]

'Wher thow be wel or evele apayd, [prose cap viii] Lo her ys al that I ha sayd. Line 17308 Thys mescheff (yiff thow kanst yt se) Ys ydon and wrouht by me, And acomplysshed vp in dede, Al-thogh that yt be no nede; [Stowe folio 305a] Line 17312 Wher-off, in hys prophesye, The nobyle prophete Ieremye (As he that lyst no thyng to feyne) Weptë sore, and gan compleyne: Line 17316 'Allas!' quod he, 'how the pryncesse, Off folkys allë cheff maystresse, Ys trybutarye, and bor doun, And brouhte in-to subieccïoun!' Line 17320

'The prophete wyste aforn ryht wel, That I sholde causen euerydel Thys gretë desolacïon And thys habomynacïon. Line 17324 I and myne (yiff yt be souht) Have thys gretë mescheff wrouht.

'Thys the custom (in substaunce), Holy the maner and vsaunce, Line 17328 Off al that to my scolë go, By my doctrynë to do so, And so to werke, by my techyng; ffor ther ys nouther rook nor kyng, [folio 246a] Line 17332 But ech off hem (for ther part) [prose cap ix] Sorë studyen in that art, Euerych off hem to fynde a waye, How they may to me obeye. Line 17336 Thow mayst me leve in sykernesse; Ther ownë werkys ber wytnesse.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"I may nat levyn (fer nor ner) [prose cap x] Thow sholdest han so gret power, Line 17340 Wych that art so poryly

"Arrayed, and so dysguesyly; Halt and lame, (as semeth me) Brokë-bakkyd, and foul to se. Line 17344 And with al thys (I the ensure), A verray monstre in nature, (Who lyst looke, he shal yt fynde,) And engendryd a-geyn kynde. Line 17348 How sholdystow, with al thys thynges, Ouer erlys, dukys, [[dukes earls St.]] kynges, Have power or domynacïon To brynge hem in subieccïon, Line 17352 Sythen they, by gret noblesse, Haven off kyndë swych fayrnesse, And brouht forth by engendrure, Kyndëly, as by nature?" Line 17356

Avarice: [[St., om. C.]]

'Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle, [prose cap xi] A good exaumple I shal the telle, Reporte me wel in euery thyng:

'Ther was onys a myghty kyng, Line 17360 Wych that hadde, to hys plesaunce, A lady in hys governaunce, Whom that he louede paramour, And took to hyre al hys tresour, [Stowe folio 305b] Line 17364 Good [[goods St.]] and Iowelles euerydel, Be-cause that he louede hyr so wel. [folio 246b] And shortly, thus with hym stood, She gouérnede al hys good, Line 17368 Whos name was Lyberalyte: She was benygnë, large and fre, Wych, in euery regïoun, Hadde gret fame and gret Renoun. Line 17372 And she dyde euere hyr labour, So to dyspendyn hys tresour, That hys worshepe on euery syde Gan encrece and spredë wyde; Line 17376 Gat hym honour and gret ffame, And with al thys, a ryht good name.

'The story doth also specefye, She made hys goodys multeplye, Line 17380

Line 17380 'And causede also, how that he Was wel belovyd in hys contre; ffor love excellyth in worthynesse Euery tresour and rychesse. Line 17384

'But whan that I thys dyde [[dyd this St.]] espye, [prose cap xii] I hadde ther-off ful gret envye, And caste to fynde occasïoun ffor to tourne al vp-so-doun. Line 17388 I gan taproche the court ful ner, A-queyntede me with the porter And with thoffycerys euerychon; And in-to chaumbre I kam a-noon, Line 17392 Wher as the kyng a beddë lay. Whyl he slepte, I stal away (Throgh my sleyhte in prevyte,) Hys paramour Lyberalyte; Line 17396 And or the kyng yt koude espye, Benchauntëment And sorcerye I gan at hyrë so enchace, [[tenchase St.]] That she was voyded fro that place; Line 17400 And, by fals collusïoun, [folio 247a] I shet hyre in a strong prysoun, Wher I ha cast, (shortly to telle,) Whyl that I lyve, she shal ther dwelle; Line 17404 And in hyr stedë (off entente,) To bedde vn-to the kyng I wente, Whyl that he sleptë vnwarly. [[slept vnwarely St.]]

'And whan he wook al sodeynly, Line 17408 In stede off Lyberalyte, In hys Armys he took me; At wych tyme, by sorcerye, I blentë so the kyngës Eye, Line 17412 That I be-kam hys paramour, And hadde in guarde al hys tresour. Wherso that he wook or slep, Off hys worshepe I took no kep; [Stowe folio 306a] Line 17416 Hys honour, gold, hys goodë fame, Al I tournede yt to shame; ffor he ne myghte (who-so me knewe) ffynde noon offycere mor vntrewe. Line 17420

Line 17420

'I am the samë (thys the cas,) Off whom that whylom wrot Esdras, Apemenen, wych, hyr sylff al sool, Made the kyng so gret a fool: Line 17424 Whan she was hevy, he was sad; Whan she lowh, than he was glad; She took hys crowne, and leyd yt doun, And he, by lowh subieccïoun, Line 17428 Al hyr lustys dyde obeye, ffor he durste hyr nat with-seye: Thus yt stood, and thus yt was, As thow shalt fynden in Esdras. Line 17432

'By wych exaumple, thow mayst se That yt fareth thus by me; ffor I kan, by my werkynges, [folio 247b] Deceyuë prynces and ek kynges; Line 17436 And al the meyne off the cheker, I kan make off herte enter, To robben abbeys euerychon, And to dyspoylle hem, on by on, Line 17440 With-outen any compassïoun.

'And touchyng ek my nacïoun, [prose cap xiii] And my name (yiff I shal telle,) I was engendryd fyrst in helle; Line 17444 And ther the pryncë Sathanas (Yiff thow wylt wyte,) my fader was; And in that Valey Infernal I was begete: lo her ys al. Line 17448

'And my name ek to devyse, I am callyd Covetyse (Off verray ryht, and nat off wrong,) And Avaryce, somwhyle Among; Line 17452 But Coveytysë, men calle me Off verray ryht and equyte, Whan I am mevyd in [[om. C., St.]] my blood To coueyte other mennys good. Line 17456 And Avarycë men me calle, Whan that I fro folkys alle Kepe al that euere I getë kan, And wyl departë with no man, Line 17460

Line 17460 'Wher they be wel or evele apayed.

'And that I am thus evele arrayed, I do yt only off entent That my gold ne be nat spent, Line 17464 On clothys wastyd, nor my good. And levere me were, bothe gowne and hood Wer with wermys day be day Conswmyd, and yffret a-way, [Stowe folio 306b] Line 17468 Than porë folk (so god me spede,) Sholdë were hem in ther nede; ffor I caste me nat at al, [folio 248a] Neuere for to be lyberal Line 17472 Whyl I may walken on the ground; ffor I resemble vn-to that hound Wych lyggeth in a stak off hay, Groynynge al the longë day, Line 17476 Wyl suffre no beste ther-to to gon, And yet hym sylff wyl etë noon.

'Myn handys off merveyllous fasoun, [prose cap xiv] Lyk the pawmys off a gryffoun, Line 17480 Be mad (wher-so I slepe or wake,) Nat to yive, but for to take. To axe me good, wer gret foly; ffor thys my purpos, (fynaly, Line 17484 And as me semeth for the beste) To shette my gold vp in my cheste: Thys al myn hool entencïon, Offys and occupacïon. Line 17488 Al good, wher yt be grene or rype, I kan wel glenyn, I kan wel grype, Bothe to-forn and at the bak: What I may gete, goth in-to sak, Line 17492 Off entent (be wel certeyn) Neuere to taken yt out ageyn.

'My wyl ys euere vnstaunchable, And my desyr in-sacyable; Line 17496 My thouht nor myn affeccïoun Ha neuere ful replecïoun. I am the swolwh (who lyst to se) Wych that in the saltë see, Line 17500

Line 17500 'Al that euere goth forth by, He devoureth yt Outterly, And neuere ne sent no thyng ageyn. Tawayte ther affter wer but veyn, Line 17504 ffor shortly, he devoureth al, Coper, yren, and metal; Al that peyseth or yiveth soun, [folio 248b] To the botmë yt goth [[botome it goythe St.]] Line 17508 To gretter wrak than on a rok.

'And as an Ape vn-to a blok Or to a clog, tyed with a cheyne, Ryht so I do my bysy peyne; Line 17512 I teye my sylff (by gret dystresse) And byndë me to my rychesse; I bynde yt nat; yt byndeth me, That I am bonde, and nothyng fre, Line 17516 ffor to have theroff plesaunce. ffor lak only off suffysaunce, I am so teyd (I may nat skape,) With a clog, ryht as an Ape, [Stowe folio 307a] Line 17520 Wych in soth so letteth me, That I ha no lyberte To gon at largë hih nor lowe.

'And yiff thow lyst also to knowe [prose cap xv] Line 17524 What my vj [[syxë 473/17666]] handys be, I shal declare a-noon to the, And make a demonstracïon: I Gryppe and streyne lyk a Gryffoun, Line 17528 And faste I holdë ther-with-al Coper, yren, and ech metal; Streyhtly kepe yt in myn hond, Bothe in water and on lond. Line 17532 And thow aforn dyst neuere se So cursyd handys as they be; Enarmyd abouten Envyroun With the pawmys off a Gryffoun. Line 17536

'The fyrstë hand (for to dyffyne) By ryht ycallyd ys 'Ravyne,' That sheweth Gentyl outward alway, Tyl that he [[it St.]] may cachche hys pray; Line 17540

Line 17540 'Dyspoylleth [[dispoylyn St.]] pylgrymes est and west, Bothe in woode and in fforest, With-outen any excepcïon: [folio 249a] Thys ys my condycïon, Line 17544 To robbe and reue with al my myght.

'I cleymë al thyng myn off ryht; Myn hand ys lyk vnto [[lyk to C., lyke to St.]] a kyte: I takë chykenys that be lyte; Line 17548 Wher I ham fyndë, fer or ner, I ber hem hoom to my dyner. Gret robbery, on folk I make; Hors and cartë, bothe I take, Line 17552 With porvyaunce and wyth vytaylle. And off malys I wyl nat faylle: Yiff a pore man haue a kowh, Oxe or mare that draweth hys plowh, Line 17556 I make hem selle hem by duresse, ffor to staunche my gredynesse, Wher any swych I kan espye. And as an yreyne sowketh the flye, [prose cap xvi] Line 17560 And hyr entroyllës [[entralls St.]] draweth oute, Evene lyk I renne aboute, And cesse nat, whan I ha be-gonne, Tyl that I my pray ha wonne. Line 17564

'The tother hand, to do gret wrak, Ys set behynden at the bak, [prose cap xvii] That no man ne sholde espye The maner off my roberye. Line 17568 So secretly I kan yt vse, Outward my falsnesse to exeuse. Thys hand ful hih vp-on A tre Maketh many on enhangyd be; [Stowe folio 307b] Line 17572 And with hys ffeet (wych ys nat fayr,) ffor to waggen in the hayr [[ayre St.]] fful hih a-loffte, yt ys no dred.

'Thys hand, fro many manhys hed, Line 17576 Causeth the Erys be kut away; And thys hand, fro day to day, Ys the hand off gret dyffame, [folio 249b] Callyd Cuttëpurs by name, Line 17580

Line 17580 'Wych hath a knyff ful ¹sharp of egge,¹ [[1_1 Stowe]] And yet he dar no glovys begge; [[Stowe]] ffor, to vse hys robbery Off the glovere openly, Line 17584 He kepeth hym cloos, al out off syht, And vseth for to walke a [[on St.]] nyht In narwe lanys, vp and doun. Whan that the monë ys go doun, Line 17588 Than he maketh hys ordynaunce (By gret mescheff and gret meschaunce) ffor to vse ther brybery, And for to havnte ther robbery: Line 17592 On no thyng ellys they sette her thouht, ffor off hyr owne they ha ryht nouht.

'Thys hand, by force, ageyn al ryht, Breketh vp howsys toward nyht, Line 17596 Bothe in bowrys and in hallys, And maketh hoolys thorgh the wallys.

'Thys hand kan dygge and makë mynys; Thys hand kan Royne also florynes; Line 17600 Thys hand ful selde hath any reste; Thys hand kan brake Cofer and cheste; Thys hand, (in cold and ek in hete,) Kan falsly selys counterfete, Line 17604 And the prent ther-off y-graue; And thys hand wyl also haue (By som Engyn, or sleyhtë weye) Vn-to euery look [[locke St.]] a keye. Line 17608

'Thys hand kan forge (I vndertake) ffals monye, and the prent make. Thys hand in frenshe [[frenche St.]] (I dar expresse) Ys callyd 'Poitevyneresse,' Line 17612 ffor yt forgeth (thys the ffyn) A monye callyd Poytevyn, [folio 250a] [Poitevine, monnaie de Poitou. 'Une poitevine, c'est le quart d'un parisi (1273 Carl de Ponthieu, Richel., l. 10112, 1^o, 159 r^o.).' —Godefroi. Sol Parisien . . as much as the Tornois & a quarter. Sol Tournois, The tenth part of one shilling.—Cotgrave, 1611.] Wych ys in valu (by a-countyng) fful skarsly worth halff a fferthyng. Line 17616

'Thys hand ek falsly beyth and sylleth;

'And in reknynge, thys hand mystelleth. Thys hand also (yt ys no drede) Kan spoyllë folk whan they be dede. Line 17620 Thys hand kan al the nyht wachche, And ful streythly glene and kachche, [Stowe folio 308a] And rendyn vp (yt ys no nay,) Al that euere lyth in hys way. Line 17624

'Thys hand, thogh men haddë sworn, Kan robbe and bern away the corn Out off bernys and garnerys; Line 17627 Thys hand kan ferette in konnyngherys [[conyngers St.]] Be nyhtë tymë, whan men slepe; Thys hand, by holys kan in crepe, And bern a-way what he may fynde, And lyst to leue nothyng behynde; Line 17632 Thys hand maketh ydel offycerys And many falsë labourerys. Thys hand (ageyns al resoun) Doth many gret extorsïoun Line 17636 In euery lond and [[in struck out, a over C, and St.]] ech contre, Worthy enhangyd for to be, Yiff the falsnesse wer yknowe That he doth, bothe hyh and lowe; Line 17640 ffor thys hand wyl neuere spare Porë folk, to make hem bare And nakyd (off entencïon) ffrom al ther pocessïoun. Line 17644

'My thryddë hand, mad by gret wyle [[ [prose cap xix] ; cap. xviii omit|ted.]] With the wych I ber the ffyle, I shal, as kometh to remembraunce, Declarë to the (in substaunce) Line 17648 What thyng yt doth specefye. [folio 250b] [[St. & C.]] And the trouthe doth sygnefye, [[St. & C.]] Thys hand ys wrouht ageyn nature, [[St. & C.]] Wych euere doth hys besy cure [[St. & C.]] Line 17652 Alway (off entent vntrewe) To forgë money newe and newe, Other folkys gold dystresse, And hys ownë to encresse, Line 17656 By som fals collusïoun.

'And euere in hys entencïoun He ffynt out weyës sotylly ffor tencresse hym-sylff ther-by; Line 17660 By maner off enchauntement He ffyndeth out (in hys entent) To tournë, by hys sotylte, Line 17663 A Tourneys to A parysee [[worth a fourth more: see note, p. 471.]] ; By hys engyn, wyl vndertake, Off fyvë, syxë for to make.

'Thys hand kan also (in certeyn) In gernerys shette vp hys greyn, Line 17668 Abydynge (with an hevy chere) Tyl ther kome A derë yere, At avauntage yt to selle, And the pans [[pens St.]] ful streyhtly telle, Line 17672 Vsynge ther-in ful many a whyle.

'And thys hand that halt the ffyle, [Stowe folio 308b] Wasteth bothë gret and smal, Consumeth and devoureth al, Line 17676 Off porë folkys, the substaunce: I pray god yive hym evele chaunce; ffor nothyng may thys fyle endure.

'Thys hand ycallyd ys 'Vsure,' Line 17680 Vsyd in ful many place, Wych ys to god a gret trespace, Bothe at marketys and at ffayres. And also provostys and ek mayres Line 17684 In tounës, [[touns C., St.]] borwys and cytes— [folio 251a] ffolk off hyh and lowh degres— [[St. & C.]] Echon they may nat hem excuse [[excuse St., C. burnt.]] But that somme off hem yt vse.' Line 17688

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Declarë to me (in substaunce,) [prose cap xx] Wher-off serueth thy balaunche. I trowe thow wylt ther-in ryht sone Peysë ther-in bothe sonne and mone, Line 17692 The sterrys ek, or thow ha do, And the zodyak / also."

Avarice: [[St., om. C.]]

'Lerne, and vnderstond me wel,

'And I shal telle the euerydel: Line 17696 Gracë dieu, ful yore agon, Among the planetys euerychon, (As clerkys wel rehersë konne,) In the zodyak sette a sonne, Line 17700 ffor to shede hys bemys bryht, And to mynystre hys cler lyht Indyfferently (I the ensure) Vn-to euery crëature, Line 17704 And to be comoun, ther-with-al, To al the world in general; To make the Erthe with frut habounde, That ther wer no dyffautë founde. Line 17708

'Whér-off (yiff I shal nat lye) I hadde in herte ful gret envye; ffor, yt wente nat as I wolde; ffor, my wyl were, that yt sholde Line 17712 Vn-to my lust appropryd be, By exaumple as thow shalt se.

'ffyrst, ageyn[e]s al resoun, I wolde, by vsurpacïoun, Line 17716 ffro poynt to poynt in ech degre, The zodyak sholde obeyë me, [folio 251b] [[me St., C. burnt]] Sonne and mone (ageyns alle skyll), [[St. & C.]] Wynd and wether were at my wyll; [[C. & St.]] Line 17720 Al put in my governaunce, [[C. & St.]] Yt to weye in my ballaunce.

'Al thys thyng (as thow shalt se [[se St., C. burnt]] ) I vsurpe yt vp-on me: Line 17724 The yer, I weye yt in ballaunce, [Stowe folio 309a] And selle [yt] ek at my plesaunce; I selle the wyke, I selle the day, (To wych no man dar seyë [[sey C., say St.]] nay) Line 17728 Somtyme by twelue and by thryttene, By twenty ek, and by nyntene; And in a yer (who kan yt telle) The pound for xx^ty pans [[pens St.]] I selle; Line 17732 The moneth also, by reknyng, I selle for ix. or .x. shyllyng; [[C. & St.]] The wyke also for vj. or fyve,

'At a-counte that we nat stryve Line 17736 Affter the somme, whan al ys do, That my loonë kometh to; And lyk as euery man doth take, Ther-on my reknyng I do make.' Line 17740

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

Than, quod I anon, "lat se [prose cap xxi] Touchyng that I shal axen the; I wolde ther-on have thy devys: Her ys a woode off lytel prys, Line 17744 Wych a woodeman selleth me; And in the salë, thus seyth he, 'ffor .xxx.^ty shyllyng I wyl yt selle, So that a-noon (as I shal telle) Line 17748 That thow to me, (lych myn entent,) Makë to me thys payëment With-outen any mor delay. But yiff I graunte a lenger day, Line 17752 As thus, tabyde a yerys space, Thanne I wyl (withoutë grace [[without grace St., C. burnt]] ) [folio 252a] Have fourty shyllyng (by iuste reknyng) [[C. & St.]] By-cause off myn ábydyng:' [[C. & St.]] Line 17756 Vp-on thys caas I woldë se [[C. & St.]] Whér lyk (as yt semeth the) The sellere off the wych I telle, Outher peysseth or doth selle Line 17760 The tyme, outher the zodyak, Off the wyche to-forn we spak."

Avarice: [[St., om. C.]]

'Touchyng thys thyng, now herkne me, And I shal answerren vn-to the: Line 17764 Thys cas (yiff thow lyst to lere,) Ys vnderstonde in twey manere: Par cas som man, (as thow shalt se,) Off nede and off necessyte, Line 17768 Hys woode, that were by good reknyng Worth off valu syxty shyllyng, ffor verray nede and indygence, Off bothe to makë recompense, Line 17772 ffor fourty shyllyng doth yt selle;

The causë pleynly for to telle, He muste haue redy payëment. [Stowe folio 309b] Thys marchaunt (to my Iugëment, Line 17776 Who-so off resoun lookë wel) The tymë selleth neueradel;

'But that marchaunt (with-outë wher,) That abydeth al a yer, Line 17780 Off hym the cas stant other wyse, As I shal to the devyse: By Oldë [[Old C., St.]] tymë (lyst my tale,) Chapmen that made off woodë [[of wood mad St.]] sale, They made her sale (who taketh hede) Line 17785 By A mesour off lengthe and brede; And to the byggere they wolde seyn: 'Yiff thow wylt my woddë beyn, Line 17788 At O word, (so god me saue!) At swych a prys thow shalt yt haue, [folio 252b] So that my payement be leyd doun With-outen mor dylacïon. Line 17792 And yiff thow byde a yerys day Off my payment by dillay, [[delay St.]] I shal the telle by short avys, I wyl yt sette at hiher prys; Line 17796 ffor yiff that I A yer abyde, My wodë shal on euery syde Wexe and encresse (I the ensure), And multeplyen off nature.' Line 17800

'And yiff the marchaunt, in bargeynyng, Telle hym thus in hys sellyng, To-forn, or that the wode be bouht, The tyme in soth he selleth nouht, Line 17804 Nouther weyeth yt in ballaunce; But yiff the wode (par cas or chaunce) Wer yhewe, or feld a-doun Tó-for ther convencïon, Line 17808 Wych affterward (wo kan espye) May nat encresse nor multeplye; Yiff he sette the sale vp sore, As thus to sellyn yt for more, Line 17812 By cause off bydyng off A yer,—

'Than I suppose (with-outë wer,) He peyseth (as I rehersë shal,) Hys long abydyng tyme and al. Line 17816

'But whan the wode may multeplye, Wexe and encressen at the Eye, Than thencres and wexyng al Ys mesuryd in espécyal, Line 17820 And yweyed in ballaunce, Who loketh euery cyrcumstaunce.

'Now shal I make descrypcïon, And a cler declaracïon Line 17824 (Yiff thow kanst wel vnderstond): Thys dyssh that I holde in myn hond, [Stowe folio 310a] [prose cap xxii] (In ffrenche callyd 'Coquynerye' [folio 253a] And in ynglyssh 'Trwandrye,') Line 17828 Thys hand I vse in bryberye, In beggyng and in lasyngrye. At euery dore I axe and craue, My sustenauncë for to haue, Line 17832 And offtë sythe (yt ys no dred) I put vp many a lompe off bred In-to my sak, (so mot I the,) And kepe yt tyl yt mowlyd be, Line 17836 That yt may nothyng avaylle.

'And euery man I kan asaylle With myn Importáble cry, I sparë noon that goth forby; Line 17840 And thus I axë my purchace. And I wyl payen in no place, What vytaylle euere that I spende; And to nothyng I do [[that I St.]] entende, Line 17844 But for to axen and to crye; And al labour I do defye; I wyl nat travaylle in no wyse; I kan my sylff so wel desguyse Line 17848 With my mantel al-to-rent, That the peple ys verray blent With my fals illusïoun And feyned symulacïoun. Line 17852

'I crye and coniure al the day

'On pylgrymes that passe by the way, As I wer fallyn in A rage; And wer that folk ha most passage, Line 17856 Ther I kan sytte in gret dystresse, And crye on hem for ther almesse With a pytous feyned face. And, in hem to fyndë grace, Line 17860 I feyne ful many a mallady, As I wer in A dropësy, Or sodeynly podagre falle; And alway, affter good I calle; [folio 253b] [[C. & St.]] Line 17864 I feyne me blynd, I feyne me lame; [[St. & C.]] And for to lye, I ha no shame; [[St. & C.]] I crye with bak ycorbyd doun, [[St. & C.]] And makë many a pytous soun. [[St. & C.]] Line 17868 And thogh I fele no maner peyne, I kan ful wel a causë feyne, That I am falle in indygence, ffor to beggyn my dyspence. Line 17872

'And yiff that folk ne yiff me nouht, Than with a gruchchynge hevy [[hevy om. St.]] thouht I curse hem in-to hellë pet. Myn herte on malys ys so set, [[pit . . syt St.]] Line 17876 On all I wolde avengyd be, That wyl no pyte han off me. [Stowe folio 310b]

'Thys ys the hand off faussemblaunce; [prose cap xxiii] And with thys hand, I kan avaunce Line 17880 Alle thys trwauntys euerychon Wych that on my dauncë gon, That, by her offyce and her name, ffor to axë, haue no shame: Line 17884 Brybours that gon vp and doun, Devoyde off occupacïoun, And lyst hem sylff nothyng avaunce, To travaylle for ther sustenaunce, Line 17888 As thow mayst sen ful many On That aboute the world so gon.

'Somme axë bred, somme axë chese; And for that they wer loth to lese, Line 17892 Somme axe clothys and cootys olde;

'And some off hem arn ek ful bolde, Off dyvers housys to axe a rente, Wych on the byldyng neuere spente, Line 17896 As menstrallys and Tregetours, [[Trigetours St.]] And other feyned sowdyours, That with patentys aboutë gon; And among hem euerychon, Line 17900 I holde thys falsë pardownerys. [[Many leaves, Chapters 24-32 of the prose, are here out of C.]] [Stowe folio 310b] I will nat spekyn of no ffrerys, whiche, in every regïon, ar bound by theyr professyon Line 17904 vnto wilfull poverte. wherfore they haven lyberte to beggen, as them selff affyrm, and on this text they them confyrm: Line 17908 Christ axyd, when he was her[e] man, water of the Samaritan— I mene, the woman at the well— in erthë, when he dyd her[e] dwell; Line 17912 wherfore, befull [it] is to frerys, sythe they be no processionerys, to get theyr lyvelode wher they may.

'To ther beggyng I say nat nay, Line 17916 so that they fayn[ë] not in dede to axë nat, but for veray nede, thayr trewë sustentacïon, without all symulatïon, Line 17920 that wilfully men to them profrys; nat to shit vp gold in coffers, nor to setten ther labowr to gathar and hepe gret tresure. Line 17924

'as to myn opynyon, I hold it no perfectïon, thowghe that my dyshe & my sachell can techen them the craft [ful] well; Line 17928 for bothë two (in sothfastnes) be gret[ë] tookens of falsnes; [Stowe folio 311a] and who that evar dothe them vse, I ne can them nat excuse, Line 17932 bothe of hyghe and low degre,

'but they be servants vnto me.

'And also, yf thow lyst to loke, touchynge myn hand eke with the crooke, Line 17936 I will the tell, or I ha do, in what wyse I cam therto: thou shalt know[ë] certaynly, that Symon Magus and Gyosy, Line 17940 bothë twayn, in theyr entent, made ther-of to me present. but the crooke, by óblacion, was gyven tó me of Symon. Line 17944

'and yf I shall the truthe atame, the fyrst[ë] letter of his name is an .s. (who takythe hede,) of shape y-krokyd in the hed; Line 17948 and of his name (be well certeyn) it is chefe capytall & cheftayn. thow wost full well thy selfe, ywys, that every .s. y-crokyd is, Line 17952 lyche a crose highe in the top, lyche the staffe of a byshope, or of an abot, wher it be, thow mayst example ther-of se. Line 17956

'and of an abbey, in sothnesse, I am callyd an abbesse. whiche abbey, by gret vyllenye, ys [y]callyd symonye. Line 17960 and as myn hand her with this hook, of the .s. his nam[ë] tooke, ryght so, in conclusïon, symonye cam of symon. Line 17964

'and fyrst thow shalt well vnderstond, that by falsnes of this hond, most horryble and odyous, was brought fyrst in-to christis hous Line 17968 the falsë vyce of symonye. and by his feyned trecherye, by his sleyhte, and by his gyn, at the dore he cam not in; Line 17972 but at some travas, lych a theffe,

'wher he dothe full gret myschefe; for wher so evar he dothe aproche, with this staffe he can a-croche Line 17976 the herts of folks by covetyse, and ordeynythe in full cursyd wyse sheppards to kepë christis shepe, whiche of theyr offyse toke no kepe. Line 17980

'an herd man is [y]sayd, in dede, only, for he shuld[ë] fede his shepe with spyrituall doctryn; [Stowe folio 311b] but they draw by an othar lyn: Line 17984 they may be callyd, for ther werkynge, pastours only of fedynge. they fede them selff with háboundaunce, and let ther shepe go to myschaunce; Line 17988 I trow it is full well ysene, them selfe be fatt, ther shepe be lene. I trow, the most[ë] part of all, men shuld them rather wolv[ë]s call Line 17992 than trwë herd[ë]s; yong and old, they come to robb[ë] christis fold; they shuld ther shepe from wolv[ë]s were; the wool, the mylke, a-way they bere. Line 17996 I can not se wher-of they serue, that lat ther shepe at meschefe starue, and put them selffe in gret defame.

'and they would ekë makë lame Line 18000 gracë dieu of cursydnesse, lyke as I shall a-non exprese, ffrom the trone of hir mageste, by gyfte of temporalite: Line 18004 his fals office I can well tell; he can now byen, he can now sell, by bound[ë]s of collusyon; and all comythe in by syr symon. Line 18008

'yet at the last it shall be found that gracë dïeu is nat bound, nor, hathe not lost hir fraunchise by none suche fals[ë] marchandyse, Line 18012 as comythe in by symony,

'nor couetyse of Gyësy.

'this hand also with his crochet, in swyche a maner is yset Line 18016 to sell and byen this gret vertwe whiche is callyd gracë dieu; but, kyndly to specify, the byggyng is callyd symony, Line 18020 and the sellyng in certeyn, (for to speke in wordës pleyn,) they that it sell, for gret or lyt, bene y-callyd Gyësite; Line 18024 but symony, (who can entend,) dothe bothe nam[ë]s comprehend; and all that woldë thus enchace gracë dieu out of hir place, Line 18028 to sellen hir for gold & good, they be mad, or el[le]s wood; and resemblen (in swiche cas, I dare affirm,) vnto Iudas, Line 18032 that ihesu christ for mony sold [Stowe folio 312a] full fallsly, and the panns he told.

'and suche folke (as thynkythe me) wers than iudas, yet thay be; Line 18036 for the pennis that iudas toke, aftarward he it forsoke, and restoryd it agayn; but this folke, be well certeyn, Line 18040 will for no predicatïon nevar make restitucïon, and cawsë why, (who lokythe well,) is only this, for the sachell Line 18044 whiche hangythe fro my nekë doune, of nature and condicïoun:

'what-evar into my sake ther gothe, (who that evar be lesse or lothe,) Line 18048 it will nevar ysswe out ageyn; the entre is bothe large and pleyne, and the mouthe to gon in by is evar open at the entry. Line 18052 but to comyn out, that wyll nat be

'by no maner of sotelte; the way is narow & streyght certeyn, for to comyn out ageyn, Line 18056 lyke a wyle in a ryver, to cache the fysche bothe fer and nere; the entre large / the comynge out is so strayt, it stant in dout. Line 18060

'A-nothar hand I have also, with whiche I werkë mychë wo by a maner of roberye: and it is callyd 'trecherye,' Line 18064 withe the whiche, (who can conceyve,) full many folk[ës] I deceve. vndar colour of ryghtwysnes, I do to folke full gret falsnes, Line 18068 that be symple and inocent. withe my frawd they be so blent in marchandysë that I vse, I can my selffe nat well excuse. Line 18072

'in deceyt stant my labowr, by fals weyght and fals mesure: by largë mesure I can byen, and streight mesure I sell ageyn; Line 18076 in byggyng I wyll ha trwe wayt, but in my salle I do gret slayt, bothe in peys and in balance.

'with sobar cher and countenance Line 18080 my chaffér I can well sell, and to symple folke I tell that it is bettar than it is, and wittyngly I do a-mys Line 18084 touchynge the pris, how that it gothe, [Stowe folio 312b] and falsly swere many an othe, sober all-way, and sad of chere.

'and whan that I am a drapere, Line 18088 I hange out courteyns in the lyght, for to blyndë folkës syght, that men may not sen at y^e full nothar the colowr nor the wull; Line 18092 set it at hyghë pris therto,

and swere I myght ha sold it so the last[ë] day, to a chapman: thus I begyll many a man Line 18096 ¶ withe this hand of whiche I tell, bothë when I by and sell.

'this hand myght nat well be worse: some tyme ther-with I can sell horse, Line 18100 and lyke a falce coursar, I can with othis deceyue many a man.

'som tyme by borows and by towns I walke about[en] with pardons, Line 18104 with reliks, and dedë bones, closyd vndar glase and stons: I shew them vndar sell and bull, and thus the pore people I pull, Line 18108 of ther sylvar I make them quite, in falsnes I ha so gret delyght.

'to abbeys eke I can wel gon, stell ymagis of tre and stone, Line 18112 thowghe they ben old, & paynt them newe, and make them semë freshe of hewe, with colours bothë whit and redd; and at theyr brestis and at ther hedd Line 18116 I set berryls and crystall; vndar, I make an hole full smale; I put in oylë, wyne, and blood, and melke also, to get[ten] good; Line 18120 make the lycour round about, at small holes to rennyn out, as it were done by myracle, that ther nis balme nor triacle Line 18124 in this world, so ryche of prys, of foltyshe people that ben nat wys.

'I set eke out swyche ymagis, in stret[i]s and at hermytagis, Line 18128 and in subbarbys at many a towne, with bullis fret full of pardon; byshops seles be nat behynd: and thus I makë folk[ë]s blynd, Line 18132 by my sleyght and by my guyle.

'and yet I vse a-nothar whyle: I go to faytours of entent, and make them eke of myn assent, [Stowe folio 313a] Line 18136 and, by fals colusyon, and cursyd dissymulatïon, I menë suche as ha no shame, to fayne them selffe bothe blynd and lame, Line 18140 crokyd, halt, and dome with all, on euery leg a gret mormall, full of plastars old and new, to make the people on them rew. Line 18144

'and, for more decepcïon, I make them to be leyd a-doun, ¶ to-forn the ymagys down to ly, and for helthë lowd[ë] cry, Line 18148 ther to have amendëment. and they and I of one assent, I lyft them vp my selfe anon, and make them on ther fet to gon Line 18152 with-outen eny more obstácle, as all wér wrowght by myrácle.

'the people, takynge none hede therto, supposythe pleynly that it wer so; Line 18156 with offerynge and with pilgrimágis come full oft to suche ymágis, for to done ther óbservaunce: and thus I can my selffe avaunce Line 18160 as othár loséngars can, with good that is full falsly won, whiche that the people obeyethe full sore. but of this thynge, as now no more Line 18164 I wyll nat makë réhersall.

'& for this hand may myche avayle to profet me bothe day and nyght, I take none hede of wronge or ryght, Line 18168 thowghe it to folks do gret domage, whill I ther-in fynd ádvauntage. it hathe of falshed many a braunche, and why? I [[MS. It]] put it to my haunche, Line 18172 and to my tonge reyse it agayne:

'the cawse I woll vnto thè sayne: myn haunchë is callyd lesynge, and my tongë forswerynge; Line 18176 and, to this twayn, trechery is famylyar, and of aly, and to them bothe, of kyndly lawe, of custome she will evar drawe. Line 18180 wher they ben old or yong of age, they be echon of o lynage, and, by hyrë, fyrst, certeyne, myne haunchë cawhtë this spaven. Line 18184

'she made my tongë fyrst taplye to fynd out lesynge, and to ly; and of lyenge I made to-forne, was forswerynge fyrst yborn; [Stowe folio 313b] for wher that evar forsweryng be, lesynge is nyhe, as men may se; and wher-so-evar that they go, barret is nat fer them fro; Line 18192 all thre bene of on accord, with truthe evar-more at dyscord.'

pilgrim:

"Tell on, I pray, let me se in what wysë may this be; Line 18196 thow callyst thy tonge 'forswerynge,' and thyn haunche also 'lyenge,' whiche is so halt and corbyd doun; tell me here-on some reson." Line 18200

Avarice:

quod avaricë, 'lay to ere, and anon thow shalt well here, how that I this othar day mett with truthe vp-on the way; Line 18204 withe her was also equite, and bothë tweyn, I dyd se. of them, as I tokë hede, how they begged bothe ther bred; Line 18208 they were so poorë bothë two, for theyr frynd[ë]s wer all go. and yf I shall the truthë showe,

'this day they ha but frynd[ë]s fewe, Line 18212 ne non ne shal, yf that I may.

'and when I met them on the way, I gan to turne the bake full sone; with them I had no thynge to done; Line 18216 for me sempte, to my plesaunce, they myght me no thynge avaunce, nor no profit done to me. therfore from them I gan to fle Line 18220 over the feld[ë]s as they lay, and I ne cept none hyghë way, but forthe, lyke myn opinïon. as I rann, I fell doune; [[as, I, each a foot]] Line 18224 and with that fall ther was no gayne, but that I cawht a great spavayne vpon my lege, whiche madë me for to halt, as thow mayst se; Line 18228 and sothly yet, (who lokë well,) to halt, I hate it nevar a dell. for when with haltynge I am dull, it makythe my sake to be more full; Line 18232 haltynge dothe me more avaunce; therby I makë chevysaunce, for in haltynge is no synne; who dothe vpryght, may nothynge wynn; Line 18236 haltynge me wynnythe many a grote, it maketh me hatter than my cote, [Stowe folio 314a] that I must my tunge in sothe cast out as a doggë dothe. Line 18240

'and than full offe it falleth so, that to the kyng[ë]s court I goo, and am ther, of no man afferyd. and whan I have the lawës leryd, Line 18244 and am come to hyghe estat, than I become an advocat, and makë folk[ë]s to me drawe, swyche as hav to don with lawe. Line 18248

'but first I swere, with-out[en] doute, my tunge I shall nat puten oute, for ryght ne wronge, ne for no thynge,

'but wher I se ryght gret wynnynge. Line 18252

'on that party evar I hold, lyche a balaunce of whiche y told, whose tungë draweth to that cost, wher the weyht gothe dounë most: Line 18256 to that party he wyll nat fyne the balauncë to enclyne. and so fare I when I begyne, to holden ther I may most wyne. Line 18260

'whan folke me pray with all ther myght for to help them in theyr ryght, wher the cawse be grene or rype, a-non as I the money grype, Line 18264 than I dare swaryn, by bone & blood, that theyr cawse is trwe and good, thoughe I know the contrary. and than anon I wyll not tary, Line 18268 for gold and sylvar evar amonge, to makë ryght, thowghe it be wronge; for I can make, vnto hir syght, ryght of wronge, and wrong of ryght; Line 18272 tourne the matere vp se doune, and preue it out by good reson, that in the case there is no lake: and all I do, to fyll my sake Line 18276 withe gold and othar men[në]s good, how evar aforne the casë stode.

'thus haue I told the by resonne, and mad a demonstracïon, Line 18280 why that my tonge (by dyscryvynge) is [y]callyd 'forswerynge.' and withe lesyngs, (who lyst know,) vp and downe it is y-sowe; Line 18284 to falshed I do most avauntage, and to truthë gretyst damage. and in this plyht, as I the told, ever my purpos I shall hold, Line 18288 that yf the lawe ne chaungë nought, I will be fals of word and thought, in every place, wher evar I be, [Stowe folio 314b]

'that no man shall levë me: Line 18292 now I ha told the of my sake.

'touchinge the bonche vpon my bake, I wyll to the now specifye what thynge it dothe signefye. Line 18296 this is the boch gret and hydous, with whiche this folke relygïous bene ybonchyd, full many on;| som, I say, nat everychon, Line 18300 suche as by transgressyon kepe not theyr professyon, as they be bound by theyr degre.

'and by example, (as thow mayst se,) Line 18304 so as a boche or a fellon ar cawsyd of corruptïon of wyckyd humours & corrupt blood, of colore adust, fervent and wood, Line 18308 and othar suparfluyte; ryght so, ryches and gret plente ar cawsë that a rychë man, as the gospell rehers[ë] can, [The readable part of MS. Cotton Tiberius, A. vii, begins here.] Line 18312 May in-to heven have none entre, [Stowe folio 314b] [Tib folio 39a] [[St. & Tib.]] But euen lyke as ye may se, [[St. & Tib.]] A camell may hym-silffe applye [[St. & Tib.]] To passen thorugh a nedelyes eye, [[St. & Tib.]] [Tib folio 39a] Line 18316 Whiche is a thyng not credible, [[St. & Tib.]] But a maner impossible, [[St. & Tib.]] Thys beste is so encomerous, [[Stowe]] [prose cap xxxiii] Off bak corbyd and tortuous, [[Stowe]] Line 18320 And so to passë, no thyng able. [[Stowe]]

'And euene lyk in caas sembláble, ffolkis off relygyoun, Bounde by ther professyoun Line 18324 ffor to lyue in pouerte Off ther ownë volunte, And to pouert hem [[hym C., them St.]] silffe proffesse, Ȝeue they be bocchyd with [[by St.]] richesse, Line 18328 To gadre vp good [[good St., and Tib.]] in ther bandoun, Tresoure, and greet pocescyoun; [[St. & Tib.]]

'ffor hard it is ffor hem to trace, [[St. & Tib.]] Or by so smal an hoole to passe [[St. & Tib.]] Line 18332 Vp to that heuenly mansyoun, [[St. & Tib.]] To cleyme there habytacyoun. [[St. & Tib.]]

THis lytle hoolë (who kan se,) [[St. & Tib.]] Bytokeneth willefful pouerte, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 18336 Receyued with-outen eny stryffe; [[St. & Tib.]] ffor, pore we kam in-to this lyffe, [[St. & Tib.]] And nakyd, (who taketh heede ther-to,) [[St. & Tib.]] Out off this lyffe we schal eke go. [Stowe folio 315a] [[St. & Tib.]] Line 18340

'Wherffore late ffolkis good heede take, [[St. & Tib.]] (Swyche as han this world fforsake,) [[St. & Tib.]] Hem to preserue by holynesse [[St. & Tib.]] ffrom the bocche off ffalse richesse, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 18344 Whiche is a thyng (who kan discerne) [[St. & Tib.]] That wyl closë the posterne [[St. & Tib.]] Of Paradys [[St. (Tib. blurd)]] and the entre, [[St. & Tib.]] And stope the hole [[St. (Tib. blurd)]] off pouerte, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 18348 Whiche is, to parffyte ffolke, the gate [Tib folio 39b] [[St. & Tib.]] To lete hem in, erly and late, Alle that ben ffounden vertuous In ffolkis eke relygyous. Line 18352

Properte.

'THis bocche is callyd 'Properte,' [prose cap xxxiv] Whiche is afferd off Pouerte; ffor pouerte (as clerkys teche) Line 18355 Is bothë medicyne [[medcyne Tib., medisyn St.]] and leche To launche the bocche off Properte, And voyde alle superfluyte, And the bollynge in echë [[on eche a St.]] syde.

'But Properte dar not Abyde [[Tib. & St.]] Line 18360 To suffre Pouerte hym to kerue, [[Tib. & St.]] Leste off the wounde he schulyë sterue [[Tib. & St.]] Leuere he hathe, in peyne tendure, [[Tib. & St.]] Than pouerte schulde his bocche recure; Line 18364 ffor he is dredefful, and eke arwh, [[Tib. & St.]] To passe an hole that is so narwh [[Tib. & St.]] As hym [[it St.]] semyth in his devys, [[Tib. & St.]] Outher to heven or paradys: [[Tib. & St.]] Line 18368 His herte is no thyng ther-on set. [[Tib. & St.]]

'Now wole I speke off my mawmet.

The Mawmet:

'ANd off myn ydol that is so oold, [prose cap xxxv] Made off siluer and off gold, Line 18372 In the whiche (I the ensure) Is the ymage and the ffygure And the prynte (as thou mayste see) Off the lord off the contre. Line 18376 This is the god whiche, by depos, [[depose St.]] Loueth to be schutte in hucches clos. ¶ Somwhyle, that men may hym not knowe, [Tib folio 40a] He wole hym hyde in erthë lowe. Line 18380

'This god kan makë ffolkys blynde, That to his óbseruaunce hem bynde; And causith hem, ageyn resoun, To caste her lokës lowë down Line 18384 In-to the erthe, ageyne nature, Hem-silffe so mykel they assure In eerthely tresoure, whiche at [[in St.]] o day Schal vnwarely passe away; Line 18388 ffor lawe [[low St.]] in erthe, on euery syde, [Stowe folio 315b] Lyche a mollë they abyde; In erthe is hoolly ther labour; In erthe ys also ther tresour; Line 18392 Erthe is ther Ioye and ther plesaunce; No thyng but erthe may hem avaunce; Gold and seluer makyth hem nygh wood; Gold is ther god, gold is ther good; Line 18396 I worschipe gold and my tresour As ffor my god and savyour; Saue gold, noon other god I haue. [[Illumination.]]

'I Thenke not how I schal be grave Line 18400 In eerthë lowe, ther to be ffreete, Corupcyoun and wormës mete, Hydous, stynkynge, and horryble, [Tib folio 40b] And to loke vp-on, odyble: Line 18404 What may my gold thanne me [[me than St.]] avayle, Whanne wormes han [[have St.]] with me batayle? But here, while I haue lyberte,

'This thyng to-fforne I kan no [[nat St.]] se, Line 18408 ffor in no thyng I [[I St., that I Tib.]] kan affye, But gold and good to multeplye. Gold is my god and my Mawmet; Line 18411 ¶ And al on gold myne herte [[all [my] hert to gold St.]] is sette; ffor golde, I dyde fful greet offence, In colys to rostë seynt Laurence. For he, off pite (thus it stood) [[St. & Tib.]] Ȝaue the tresoure and the good Line 18416 Off holy churchë ffor almesse, To pore ffolkis he [[to folke that he St.]] ffonde in distresse. [[Illumination.]]

'BUt I, [[I St., om. Tib.]] in myne oppynyoun, am [[am St., I am Tib.]] not off that condicioun: To getë good is my laboure, Line 18421 And to awmentë my tresoure, And (as it is to ffolke fful kouthe,) More in agë thanne in ȝouthe, Line 18424 Som tyme with lesynges and with ffablys, Som tyme at [[at St., at the Tib.]] chesse, som tyme at tablys, At merels and the botevaunt, [Tib folio 41a] At hasard and at [[at St., om. Tib.]] [the] devaunt, Line 18428 And at these pleyës euerychon, My mawmet I worschipe euere in oon. ¶ ffor, wher-so [[so St., om. Tib.]] it be vyce or synne, I do no thyng but ffor to wynne; Line 18432 To good is al-way my repayre.

'And, ffor my Mawmet is so ffayre, And ffulffylled off [[withe St.]] alle plesaunce, Do [[Do St., To do Tib.]] ther-to som óbseruaunce, Line 18436 And knele anoon vpon thy kne, [Stowe folio 316a] Lowely to [[vnto St.]] his dëyte. ffor, but [[for but . . do St., But ffor . . a Tib.]] thow do with-out[ë] more, Thow schalt abyggen it fful sore; Line 18440 And I schal ellys verrey [[warreye St.]] the; Thow geteste no lenger trewys off me.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd whilë sche gan me [[me Tib., me to St.]] assayle fful cruelly, as by batayle, Line 18444 Alle sodeynely I dydë sen,

How that ȝouthë wente atwen, Bytwyxen Avarise and me, Cryed trewys, and bad let be. Line 18448

¶ Than ȝouthe spak: [[youthe St.]]

'DO to hym no vyolence, ffor I am komen in his diffence, Ageynse [[agaynst St.]] the to make hym stronge. Thow schalt to hym do now no wronge, Line 18452 (Thow [[thowghe St.]] thow be cruel off entent,) While that I am here present.'

¶ Auaryce:

'ȜEue [[yf St.]] thow ne were not ffastë by, [Tib folio 41b] Thow myghtteste trustë ffynaly, Line 18456 That I ffor no thyng woldë lette, But that I schulde vp-on hym sette. [[Illustration.]] ¶ Thy komynge is not to my pay; Thow haste me lettyd off my pray; Line 18460 ffor the whiche, I am fful wo; But now to hym I may nat do, ffor to ffulffillë my talent, While thow art with hym present. Line 18464 But go thi way, and late hym be, And anoon thow schalt wel se, I schal hem cacchen [[cachen St., cacche Tib.]] in a trappe, And aresten by the lappe, Line 18468 That he schal not skape away ffro my daungere, ȝeue [[yf St.]] I may.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd whanne that I was at my large, And thought I woldë me [[me St., not Tib.]] discharge, Line 18472 ffrom allë daunger to go ffre, ffrom Auaryce at lyberte, [Tib folio 42a] Thorough helpe and ffavour (in this cas) Off ȝouthë that my guydë was, Line 18476 I wolde, as tho, no lenger byde, But in-tawodë [[into a wood St.]] there bysyde I entryd, whiche stood ffastë [[but fast St.]] by. And as I wente, alle sodeynely Line 18480 I herde oon wonder lowdë crye,

And afftir me gan ffaste hym hye, As he hádde ben in a rage. And so straunge was his langage, Line 18484 That I ne vnderstood hym nought; ffor I conceyued in my thought, [Stowe folio 316b] How he that affter me gan gon: ffrenche [[ffrenchs Tib., Frenche St.]] nor Latyn he spak noon. And in his hand (I was wel war,) Line 18489 A nakyd swerde how that he bar, fful scharpë growndë ffor to byte, And redy as he woldë smyte, Line 18492 And bade, I schulde me ffastë dresse, Kome to speke with his Maystresse.

Amydde [[and myd St.]] the way, vpon a lond, With-in a cercle I hym ffond, [[Illustration.]] Line 18496

WIth-in whiche (so god me save,) [Tib folio 42b] I sawgh fful many a ffygure grave, fful meruelous, as in workynge; And he bare armys off A kynge, Line 18500 A Boxë, lyche a Messangere. And trewely, as I neyghed nere, By sygnës that I dydë se, I wendë so that he hadde be, Line 18504 Hopynge the bette, at lyberte, ffrom al daunger to skapë ffre: ¶ To whom I spake fful boldëly, Line 18507 And seyde, "I merveyl [[mervayll St., merveyled Tib.]] ryght greetly That thow byddeste me ffaste dresse ffor to kome to thi maystresse; And by no tokene that I kan se, I wote not what sche schuldë be; Line 18512 ffor whiche, I preye the not to spare, Off hir the maner to declare." ¶ And he to me in wordës ffewe, With his ffynger gan me schewe Line 18516 fful ffastë by, a mansyoun, Ryght vp, lyche a pávyloun; And on the pomel (who lyste knowe) Wonder hygh ther sate a krowe, Line 18520

Line 18520 His whynges splayynge to and ffro; And with the noyse he madë tho, The messangere gan newe abreyde, And vn-to me ryght thus he seyde: Line 18524

¶ The Messangere:

'Byhoolde ȝone habytacyoun And the hyghë [[hyghe St., hygh Tib.]] pávylloun: In that place (I dar expresse) There abydith my maystresse, Line 18528 Whiche cessith, nowther nyght nor day, To teche hir scolers what sche may, [Tib folio 43a] fful many wonderfful lessouns, And many dyuerse cónclusyouns. [[Illustration.]] Line 18532

'ANd, therffore, I callyd the, That thow scholdeste the maner se [Stowe folio 317a] Off hir scole, and knowe it offte. And ffor this skele, the crowe aloffte Line 18536 Is sette, (ȝeue [[yf St.]] thow kanste espye,) Afftir hir scolerys ffor to crye; That fforby passe, bothe este and west; Line 18539 Thereffore sche hath made there [[ther made St.]] hir nest.'

¶ The pylgryme:

"CErtis me semyth it were ffolye To komë there, or go fforby, But ȝeue I knewë (in sentence) What doctryne or what science, Line 18544 To hir scolers sche dothe teche. Thereffore, opunly in thy speche, Declarë what it schuldë be, Or ellys I wole not go with the." Line 18548

¶ The Messangere:

⁴'A yerë,' quod he, 'and no mo, ther I had to scolë go;⁴ [[4_4 St., om. Tib.]]

COuetysë, off entente, [Tib folio 43b] To that scolë sche me sente; Line 18552 And sothely, as it semyth me, So I trowe sche dydë the.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"CErteynely that is not so; Though sche and I (bothë two) Line 18556

Line 18556 "Hadde I-ffere longe dalyaunce, Sche made no [[no St., me no Tib.]] maner off rémembraunce Off this scole, in no degre, Off whiche thow spekist off [[off, om. St.]] to me." Line 18560

¶ The messangere:

'THan I dar seyn (as thow schalt ffynde) That it was, out off hyre mynde; ffor at this scole ther comyth no wyght ffor to leernë, day nor nyght, Line 18564 But ȝeue that he, ffirste, (off entent,) Be ffro covetyse I-sent.

'Ȝit off this scole, (ȝeue thow wylte dwelle,) The maner, I schal the telle: Line 18568 ¶ ffirste, whanne I was heder sent, I wolde, by som experiment, Or by som schorte conclusyoun, Haue preued [[provyd St.]] out my lessoun; Line 18572 ffor speculatyff and the practyk Off this scolë be not lyk; ffor speculátyff (in sentence) With-outen good experience, Line 18576 Avaylith lytle or ellis nought, How longe euere that it be sought. ¶ Now take heede, and thow schalt se I wolde hauë [[haue a St.]] dygnyte, Line 18580 Or som other greet tresour, [Tib folio 44a] And ther-on settë my labour; And woldë knowe, to [[to to Tib., to St.]] this estat [Stowe folio 317b] Wher I schal be ffortunat. Line 18584 ¶ ffirste, with my swerd, vp-on the ground I make a cercle large and round, With karectis and with [[with om. Tib., St.]] ffygures, And knowë not the áventures, Line 18588 Nor the dirkenesse hydde with-Inne, Off the karectis, whanne I gynne To emprynte: al [[tyll St.]] they be sene, I wotë neuere what they mene; [[Illustration.]] Line 18592

SAue I conyecte yt may so be, That spiritis scholde obeye to [[obey St.]] me,

'By my [[myne St.]] invocacyouns To answere to my questyouns, Line 18596 Swyche sperytis as I kalle; And ȝit I knowe noon off hem alle, Saue off entente, as thow mayste se, That they schuldë grauntë me Line 18600 Som maner gyffte, or som gerdoun, Concernynge myn oppynyoun, By vertu off the cercle round, And Carectis graven in the ground, Line 18604 By schewynge or by ápparence, [Tib folio 44b] Affter that I ȝeue credence.'

¶ The pylgryme:

"Alle that thow doste specyffye, Is but ffalsehed and ffantesye Line 18608 And cursyd ymagynacyoun, Brouth [[brought St.]] in ffirste by Illusïoun.

"This scole is nought, in sotheffastenesse, Whos doctryne is but cursydnesse. Line 18612 The scolers there-off, I holde hem wood; Swyche spiritis may don to the no good; And ȝeue thow koudeste the trouthe entende, Harme they may, but not amende: Line 18616 They wole wyrke in [[to St.]] thi damáge, But no thyng to thyne ávauntage, Who that kan lokë wel aboute.

"Also thi siluen [[my selffe St.]] stante in doute Line 18620 Where-off thi cercle scholdë serue; And thyngës that thow doste obserue, Alle is but ffoly and mysbyleve, [[fals beleve St.]] Towchynge the spiritis, thow mayste wel leve; Line 18624 ffor the they wyl no thynge do wel, ffor they the louen neuere a del."

¶ The Messangere:

'IDar afferme (with-outë [[with-out C., St.]] slouthe) In party that thow haste seyde trouthe, Line 18628 Excepte oonly (it is no nay) In many thynges they helpë may, A man [[man St., C. blurd]] greetly to magnyffye, Encresse also, and multeplye, [Stowe folio 318a] Line 18632

Line 18632 Whanne they be cónstreyned to do so, And haue no power to go ther-ffro, Comaunded [[commaundyd St., comaunde Tib.]] to swyche óbseruaunce By hym [[them St.]] that hathe the gouernaunce [Tib folio 45a] Line 18636 I mene the kyng, to whom, eche weye, Mawgre ther myght, they muste obeye.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"IConceyue, and se wel here, Thow art the kyngës messangere, Line 18640 By the armes that thow dost were, And by the sygnes I se the bere; But makë [[make a St.]] demonstracyoun To me off thi comyssyoun, Line 18644 By what power or by what peyne Thát thow mayste [[mayst St., muste Tib.]] hem so constreyne."

¶ The Messangere:

'COmmyssyoun I haue neuere on; And trewely I dar axë non; Line 18648 And though I dyde (as thow schalt se) He woldë grauntë noon to me.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"THanne wote I wel, (ȝeue it be sought,) ffor the, that they wole do ryght nought." Line 18652

¶ The Messangere:

'HEre vp-on, what so ȝe seye, Wotë [[I wott . . .that they will St.]] wel they wole [[I wott . . .that they will St.]] obeye Pleynely vnto my byddynge; ffor they wene that, off the kynge Line 18656 I haddë fful auctorite, Commyssyoun and fful pouste, To maken them, lyche [[lyke St.]] myn entent, [Tib folio 45b] To óbeye [[or t'obeyë]] my comaundëment Line 18660 By vertu off myn orysoun, [[orisons . . .commyssions St.]] Karectys and coniurysoun [[orisons . . .commyssions St.]] ; ffor drede off whiche, (be wel certeyn,) I knowe they dar me not with-seyn.' Line 18664

¶ The Pilgryme:

"WHer thow be wel or yuel apayd, Take good heed what thow haste sayd: Thow haste ben ffalse in thi workyng,

"And wrongely don vn-to thi kyng; Line 18668 Wher-ffore thow shalt I-ponysshed [[punishid St.]] be ffor thi greet Inequyte, [[iniquite St.]] To make spiritys the to obeye, [[tobbaye St.]] And swychë charges on hem leye Line 18672 By disseyte and ffalse tresoun, And, haste [[hast St.]] no commyssïoun ffor the to schewe on see nor lond, And haste [[hast St.]] I-made eke, with thyn hand, Line 18676 Karectis and cercle round, And compassid it vp-on the ground; And art so blynd, thow kanste not seen, [Stowe folio 318b] On no party, what they mene. Line 18680

"And swyche karectis (I dar wel telle) Be markis off the deuel off helle, ffirste ordeyned (who kan conceyue) Innocentis to disceyue. Line 18684 And thow mayste also (trustë me) There-with thow schalt dysseyued be; ffor this selis, thow schalt ffynde, Constreynë the, and sorë bynde Line 18688 By a maner állyaunce To do the deuel swyche óbseruaunce Made to thi conffusïoun, As bonde or oblygacyoun; Line 18692 By whiche he wole (off verrey myght) Cleymë the his man off ryght; By swyche a tytle, make hym stronge.

"And to spiritis thow doste greet wronge, Line 18696 Hem to constreyne in thi workynge To brynge thé other mennës thynge, (Be it by day, be it by nyght,) Vn-to whiche thow haste no ryght; Line 18700 Where-in thow art greetly [[gretly St., greet Tib.]] to blame, To bydde hem in the kyngës name Or constreyne hem, ageyne resoun, By karecte or by [[by, om. St.]] comyssyoun, Line 18704 To robbe or steele, to thi ffavour, Off other ffolkës [[ffolkis St., ffolke Tib.]] ther tresour, By verrey fforce, ageynë [[agaynst St.]] ryght.

"And ȝeue thow loke aboutë [[about Tib., St.]] ryght, To the kyng, vsynge this vice, Line 18709 Thow doste fful greet preivdice [[preiudice St.]] Ageyne his lawefful ordynaunce, Where it is boden [[bodyn St.]] (in substaunce) Line 18712 And dyffendid, (who kan espye,) Alle maner theffte and robrye, [[robery St.]] In peyne off deth: take heede her-to, And with-drawe thyne hand ther-ffro Line 18716 With al thi myght and al thy peyne. Thow standeste [[stanst St.]] in daunger atwene tweyne; Outher off God or off Sathan Thow art off the leegë man; Line 18720 And therffore, ffor to lyue in reste, Leeue the worste, and cheese the beste; ffor (schortly I schal devyse,) Thow schalt be quytte lyke thi servyse, Line 18724 In hellë with dampnacyoun, Or heuene, to thi savacïoun." [[C. & St.]]

¶ The Messangere: [Tib folio 46b]

'OF thy wordës I [[words when I St.]] take hede, They puttë me [[me St., me not Tib.]] in fful greet drede: Line 18728 But, o thyng comfforteth me, Whanne that I considere and se There is so greet a companye, [Stowe folio 319a] Me to susteyne in my ffolye, Line 18732 Off ffolkis that to-fforne haue be Off wonder greet autoryte, As whylom was kyng Salamoun, And Virgyle, off greet renoun, Line 18736 Cypryan and Albalart, And many an-other in this art, [[Tib. & C.]] Maystres by experyence, And hadde also ther-to lycence Line 18740 (With-outen [[outen St., out Tib.]] eny noyse or stryffe,) ffor to vse it al her lyffe.

'And this ilkë craffte also (Who that takyth heed ther-to,) Line 18744 Is not in rewarde so perillous, Dredefful, nor superstycïous,

'As som crafftis that haue be do With sacriffyce, and eke also Line 18748 With óbseruáunces, vpon mownteynes, In desérte, [[decrert St.]] and eke in pleynes, And in placis fful [[full of St.]] savage, Solytarye, and fful off rage, Line 18752 That, alle the maner ffor to noumbre, It wolde a man greetly encombre, As thow schalt se and knowe anon Ȝeue thow lyste with me to gon; Line 18756 And ffynally, thi pas to dresse [[Tib. & St.]] To hir that is the cheff maystresse [[Tib. & St.]] Off alle this thyng that I haue tolde, That, ȝeue thow be hardy and bolde [[Tib. & St.]] [Tib folio 47a] Line 18760 ffor to proche [[taproche St.]] to hir presence, Thow schalt haue fful experyence.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"THat euere I schuldë this thyng se, [[shuld . . yse St.]] God, off his grace, dyffendë me; Line 18764 And he be my proteccyoun Fro [[fro St.,? Tib.]] thylkë habytacyoun! ffor, by opene evidence, And by recorde off thi sentence, Line 18768 Thilkë place, with-outë [[with out Tib., St.]] wene, To good [[god St.]] it doth no-thyng partene; ffor, by the crowe that sytte aloffte, Makyth noyse and cryeth offte, Line 18772 It schewith wel how thylkë place Is devoyde, and ffer ffro grace, And longeth (as I rehersë kan) To the Deuel and to Sathan; Line 18776 ffor, save the Deuel, noon other wyght Hathe power there, off verray ryght. Therffore I wole me holden heere, And to that placë kome noon nere; Line 18780 And trewëly, (to my devys,) Thi-silff also (ȝeue thow be wys,) Thow schalt wysely with-drawë the, [Stowe folio 319b] And abydë [[abyden St.]] here with me Line 18784 ffor thyne ownë ávauntage,

"Leste it turne to thi damage; ffor, who gothe to that mancyoun, Gothe streytte to his destruccyoun, Line 18788 As ther haue do fful many oon, Whiche here-to-fforne haue theder gon, Resemblynge (as I kan devyse) Line 18791 To hym that was the Duke of [[of St., om. Tib.]] Fryse, Whiche, whanne he shuld ha be baptisyd, [Tib folio 47b] [[Tib. & St.]] (In storye as it ys devysed, And as bokës kan wel telle,) His o ffoot was putte in the welle, Line 18796 To haue receyved cristis lawe, But he in haste gan it with-drawe; [[Illustration.]]

FOr hym thought he herde a cry, That affermed certeynely, Line 18800 ffor synne and ffor Inyquyte, How mo ffolke schuldë dampned be At the day off Iugëment, Gon to helle, there to be brent, Line 18804 Ȝe mo (as in comparisoun) Thanne ffolk ffor ther savacyoun Scholde that day receyued be, To dwelle in heuene, that ffayre cyte. Line 18808 ¶ But this duke, hym-silff to encombre, [[tencomber St.]] Seyde [[Seyd St.]] with the gretteste nowmbre, And woldë go, [[he would go St.]] thorough his ffolye, And with hem holdë [[kepe St.]] companye, Line 18812 There-with affermynge, in his thought, That, off baptysme, he sette [[sett St.]] nought. ffor whiche, me semeth it were ffolye, The to halden companye Line 18816 With swyche ffolke in thyn entent, [Tib folio 48a] [[Tib. & St.]] Off whiche affter thow schalt repente.

"ffor I suppose that Salamoun (Off whom thow madest mencyoun) Line 18820 Wher in-ffectte, or hadde his parte, In his dayës, off swyche arte, As som ffolk seyne, (who kan entende,) That hym-silffe he dyde amende Line 18824

Line 18824 "Off that and many another thyng, To-ffore the hour off his deiyng, And resceyued was to grace, And hath in heuene a dwellynge place. Line 18828 ¶ And semblabely, the tother man, The gretë clerke callyd Cypryan, To-fforne his deth, lyste to fforsake This craffte, and ffor Crystis sake, Line 18832 Suffred (as made is mencyoun) [Stowe folio 320b] Martirdam and passyoun, And is in heuene stelleffyed, And with seyntis gloreffyed. Line 18836 ¶ Take heede to hem, by reed off me, And not to hem that dampned be. Thenke on hem that ben in blysse; Line 18839 And where as [[what that St.]] thow haste don amysse, With-drawe thy ffoot, and do penaunce, And haue in hertë répentaunce."

¶ The Messangere:

'CErtys,' quod he ('ȝeue thow lyste se,) That thow seyste, ne may not be. Line 18844 Though thyne argumente be stronge, At that scole I haue ben longe, And fful wel lernëd my lessoun; And by sodeyne departysoun, Line 18848 (Who takyth heede, it is no nay,) So sone I may not part away, [Tib folio 48b] [[Tib. & St.]] As [[And St.]] I kan not (in myne entente) ffynde in myne hertë to repente, Line 18852 Nor to departe vp-on no syde; I am with-hoolde; I muste abyde, With other scolers mo than oon, Whiche that there to scolë goon, Line 18856 As ffolke may sen ther, gret ffoysoun.

'And eke my skrippe and my bordoun Ben I-leffte in that hostage, And lyne in maner off morgage; [[Tib. & St.]] Line 18860 And I ne may not hem [[them nat St.]] recure; And also (as [[eke St.]] I the ensure) I gyue no forcë, [[fors St.]] in certeyn,

'Though I neuere hem haue ageyn.' Line 18864

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd whanne that I these wordës herde, In maner [[St., Tib. blurd]] trewëly I fferde As though I hadde astonyed be; And, as it semed vn-to me, Line 18868 I stood in a perélous [[perillous St.]] cas. And therffore I abasched was, And sawe no bette reffute to me, But ffro that placë ffor to ffle; Line 18872 ffor he (schortely, in sentence) To whome I neuere dyde offence, Me to bryngen in-to [[in St.]] distresse, Gan to callen his maystresse Line 18876 To kome vpon [[vpon St., on Tib.]] me in greet rape, That I schulde hir not escape.

And sche, off ffalse entencyoun, Kam out off hir pávilloun [[pavylyon St.]] Line 18880 Affter me, that I wente abak, Hydous off look, oolde and blak, Off whom I greetly [[gretly I St.]] was afferd. [Tib folio 49a] Line 18883

In the [[In the, om. St.]] mydde off a book, sche heelde a swerd; Other scawberk hadde sche noon; And, as I byhelde anoon, Sche hadde (in sothe, as thoughtë [[thought Tib., St.]] me) [Stowe folio 320b] Largë whyngës ffor to ffle. Line 18888 ¶ And, by a maner ffelonye, Sche gan loudë ffor to crye; And, me manasynge off pryde, Bad me that I schulde abyde; Line 18892 And ellis, mawgrey al my myght, I schulde not skape out off hir [[his St.]] syght Til I haddë in partye Somwhat seyne off hir maystrye. Line 18896

And towarde me hir look sche caste, And gan to come vp-on fful ffaste; But as sche kam, it semptë me, That sche sate hygh vp-on a tre, Line 18900 And pleynely gan to speceffye, Hir namë was 'Nygrómauncye,'

[[Illustration.]]

WHiche, by my craffte [[be craft St.]] (in substaunce) Kan ffolke encresse, and wel avaunce, Line 18904 That ben in my subieccyoun And lyste to leernë my lessoun. ²This ilkë book that thou [[that thou om. Tib.]] wolte se, [Tib folio 49b] Is I-callyd Mors Anime, Line 18908 Whiche is in englysche (ffor to seyn,) 'Dethe off the sowlë,' in certeyn.

And this nakyd swerd whiche I hoolde, (As thow mayste thi silffe byholde,) Line 18912 There-with (ffor schorte conclusyoun,) Whanne thow haste herdë my lessoun,² [2_2 om. St. The good old tailor's eye caught the second 'lesson,' l. 18914, in his MS. instead of the first, l. 18906.] There-with thow schalt yslaynë [[yslayn St., slayne Tib.]] be.

And thus sche gan manassë me, Line 18916 Where-off I stood in fful greet drede; But off grace, (as I toke hede) A whitë dowuë I dyde se ffleen sodeynely towardës me; Line 18920 But with me, where as I stood, Sche ne made no lenger [[longe St.]] abood. And I ne made no greet delay, But wentë fforthe vp-on my way; Line 18924 And I mette (or I was war) An oolde oon, whiche that [[a St.]] ffagot bar Vpon hir bak, and eke therto, In hir hand sche heelde also Line 18928 A peyrë cysours scharpe I-grownde. And, to me-ward as sche was bounde, Sche bad (ffor schorte conclusyoun) ffor to leye my skryppe adoun; Line 18932 And gan vp-on me ffor to ffrowne, Lowdë cryed, hir lyste not rowne:

¶ Heresye:

'FOr but thow leyë here adoun, I schal, to thi conffusyoun, Line 18936 Schape thi skryppe off newe array, ffor it is not to my pay;

'I schal it kutte in other wyse, Lyche as my-syluen lyste devyse.' [[Illustration.]] [Tib folio 50a] Line 18940

¶ The Pylgryme:

"THow ooldë vekke, as semeth me, That thow mayste not clerely se; Wherffore me lyste, by thi byddynge, ffor to do no maner thyng, Line 18944 But ȝeue to-fforne I knowe and se [Stowe folio 321a] Thy powere and thyn autorite; Thy worke also, and thyne office, I wole ffirste knowe in myn avyce." [[Illustration.]] Line 18948

Heresie: [[St., om. Tib.]]

'FOr pleynëly, off lasse and more, Evene afftir my ffadris lore, I wole (off bothë [[bothe of St.]] ffalse and trewe,) The skrippës kutte and schapë newe, Line 18952 Off pylgrymës greet and smale, Kutte hem alle on pecys smale; [Tib folio 50b] ffor it was I, my-silffe allon, That schope the skryppës ȝore agon; Line 18956 ffirste, off this Pellagyens, And also off these Arryens, And off other sectys newe, ffoundë ffalsë, and [[and full St.]] vntrewe, Line 18960 As ooldë bokës speciffye; ffor I am callyd 'Heresye,' The whiche do alwey [[all ways St., awey Tib.]] my labour To bryngë ffolke in greet errour, Line 18964 That ffolwe [[folow St., ffolke Tib.]] my condissiouns; Only by ffalse oppynyouns, Make her hertis to declyne ffro the trouthe off Iuste doctryne, Line 18968 And cause hem ffor to don ther cure, And amys to [[Amys St.]] expowne hooly scripture.

'And, trewëly, naddë bene The greetë [[greet Tib., gret St.]] counceyle at Nycene, Line 18972 Ordeyned by greet Constantyn, And nadde ben also Augustyn

'And many other greet doctours ffor to anullë [[tanull St.]] myn errours, Line 18976 The skryppes off holy churche echon, I hadde ffor-don (fful ȝore agoon,) Off pylgrymes that passe by the way, Sythen goon fful many a day. Line 18980

'And ȝit I schal, what so byffalle, Assaylë thé amonge hem alle, And myn ooldë purpos holde, Line 18983 In ffyre, though that [[that om. St.]] I brennë schulde, I wole my wyttës alle applye, Hardyd with obstýnacye, Contynue til the ffyre be hoot; Therffore I berë this ffagot. Line 18988

'And ffirste, thow schalt me not escape, But newe I wole thy skryppës schape, [Tib folio 51a] Or ellis I dar vndirtake Thát thow schalt it here fforsake, Line 18992 And leve it with me vtterly [[entterly St.]] : My ffader is here ffastë by, [Stowe folio 321b] Whiche hathe power (as thow mayste se) And [[ye St.]] bothë vp-on londe and see, Line 18996 Thow schalt not skape hym (in certeyne,) But with daunger and greet peyne.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

Myne eyen tho [[then St.]] I gan vnffolde, And anoon I gan byholde Line 19000 In the weyë me byfforne, An huntë stoodë [[stood Tib., stode St.]] with his horne, Off chere and lookë [[look Tib., loke St.]] ryght pervers. And the passage, in travers, Line 19004 With cordes he gan it ouere-leyne, ffrette with nettys alle the pleyne.

And he brought in his companye The ffalsë vekkë Heresye. Line 19008 And, that men schulde hym wel knowe, His horne he gan fful lowdë blowe; As it were to catche his pray, Ryght so he blewë on [[blew vp on St.]] the way, [[Illustration.]] Line 19012

Line 19012 Bad [[bad St., And Tib.]] his doughter Heresye, The passage so to [[so to St., to Tib.]] kepe and guye, That I scholde not, in no syde, [Tib folio 51b] ffrom ther damage my sylffe provyde. Line 19016 And trewëly (as I haue sayd) The nettys were so narewe layd, On [[on St., In Tib.]] lond, on water, and in the hayr, That I myght haue no repayr Line 19020 To passë ffreely that passáge. It was so fful off mortal rage, Off daunger and adversite, That, but yiff [[yiff that Tib., yf St.]] I amydde the see Durstë swymme, ther was no way Line 19025 ffor me to passë, nyght nor day.

And there he dyde also malygne To leyne out nettys, and assigne, Line 19028 There to stoppen my passáge; So that I ffonde noon ávauntage, ffrom his dawngere to declyne; ffor many an hook and many a lyne Line 19032 Were caste in-to [[in St.]] that peryllous se, Off entente to letten me; [[Illustration.]]

THat, mawgre alle my fforce and myght, But ȝeue I kowdë swymme aryght Line 19036 Amonge the wawys ffeerse and ffelle, [Tib folio 52a] I muste vndir his dawnger dwelle.

But ffirste, while he his trappys leyde, [[C. & Tib.]] Vnto [[St., Tib. blurd]] the huntë thus I sayde: Line 19040

The Pylgryme:

"Hvntë," quod I, "telle me now, What maner officere arthow, [[art tou St.]] Whiche [thus] lyggeste on the way, Vnlaweffully [[vnlawfully St., vnlawefull Tib.]] to cacchë pray, Thus to makë thyne arestis, Line 19045 Namely on the kyngës beestis? [Stowe folio 322a] I trowe thow haueste no lycence ffor to don so greet offence; Line 19048 I dar afferme (eerly and late), Swyche hunters, the kyng doth hate;

"And it semyth, by thi manere, Off his, thow art noon officere." Line 19052

¶ The hunte [[huntar St.]] :

QVod he, 'what makystetow swyche stryff? Thow art wonder Inquysytyff, Besy also, by argument, To hoolde with me a parlement, Line 19056 By langáge, and longe pletyng; ffor, though I longe not to the kyng, (And thow conceyue aryght I-wys,) Som tyme I was oon off his; Line 19060 And though I hauë no congé [[liberte St.]] Off hym, to hunte in this contré, He suffryth me here, in this place, At his beestis ffor to chace, Line 19064 And assaute on hem to make. And whanne that I by fforce hem take, Be it by day, be it by nyght, [Tib folio 52b] I cleyme hem to ben myn off ryght.' Line 19068

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd while I herde alle his resouns And ffrowarde oppynyouns, Myne herte abaschyd, gan to colde, Namely whanne I gan byholde Line 19072 Pylgrymes, by greet aduersite, fful many oon swymme [[swymmen St.]] in the see; And they were clothyd euerychon. And som off hem, I sawe anoon, Line 19076 Ther ffeet reversed vp so doun; And som (in myn inspeccyoun) Swommë fforth fful euene and [[a St.]] ryght; And som hadde whyngës ffor the fflyght, Line 19080 That afforcyd [[offeryd St.]] hem silff fful offte For to fflowe [[for taflowe St.]] fful hygh alloffte. And though ther [[the St.]] purpos was so sette, The see hath hem fful offtë lette; [[Illustration.]] Line 19084

SOmme, by the ffeet were boundë stronge With knottys, off [[of the St.]] herbis longe; And somme, with wawës wood and rage,

Were ysmytt [[St., Tib. blurd]] in ther vysage, Line 19088 That they losten look and syght, [Tib folio 53a] And ffeble were [[wex St.]] off fforce and myght: And, by dyuerse ápparaylle, The ragë so gan hem assayle, Line 19092 In many another dyuerse wyse, Mo than I may as now devyse.

The Hunte: [[huntar St.]]

'IDo fful wel,' quod he, [[quod he full well St.]] 'espye Where-on thow castyste so thyne eye. Line 19096 ffor alle thy wylës and thi Iape, Thow schalt not so ffro me eskape; [Stowe folio 322b] I schal the cacchë by som crook; I haue leyde ffor the, las and hook, Line 19100 As thow mayste thy-syluen se: Thow schalt not skapen by this see.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"TElle me anoon, and lyë nought, As it lythe, ryght in thy thought, Line 19104 These pylgrymes allë that I se, Who hathe thus putte hem in thys [[thy St.]] see?"

¶ The hunte:

'IS not this,' quod he anoon, 'An hyghë [[hyghe St., hygh Tib.]] way ffor ffolke to goon Therby, alle day in ther vyage, Line 19109 Swyche as goon on pilgrymage? I hadde not ellis (as I haue seyde) Myne hookys and my nettys leyde, Line 19112 To cacchen allë in this place ffolke that fforby here do pace; ffor this greetë [[greet Tib., gret St.]] largë see [Tib folio 53b] Whichë that thow here doste se,' Line 19116 It is the world, ay fful off trowble, fful off many wawys dowble, And fful off woo and greet torment, In whiche fful many a man is schent, Line 19120 With bellewys blowe on euery syde, Which that myne ownë douhter, Pryde, Is wontë, with hir ffor to bere, Good pylgrymës ffor to dere. Line 19124

Line 19124

'And many a pylgryme thow mayste se Swymme in this perélous see: Sómme off hem, (whiche is not ffeyre,) Ther ffeet han vpwarde in the ayre [[hayr St.]] ; Line 19128 And allë swyche (ȝeue thow lyste se) Ben thylkë ffolke that charged be With the sak off couetyse, And ouere-lade in many wyse, Line 19132 That they, to swymmë be not able, Ther burthen is so Importáble; Whiche, by ffalse affeccyoun, Ploungith her heedës low a-down Line 19136 Vnder the wawys off this world here, That they may not (in no manere) Swymmë, ffor the hevynesse That they bere, off greet rychesse. Line 19140

OTher ther ben that swymmen ryght, And haue eke wyngës ffor the fflyght; And tho ben ffolkis whiche, in this lyffe, In hertë ben contemplatyffe, Line 19144 In wordely thyng haue no plesaunce, Save in ther barë sustenaunce: In this world, ther Ioye is nought; ffor alle ther herte and alle ther thought, Line 19148 And ffynal truste off ther workynge, Is sette vp-on the heuenly kynge.

'But ffor alle that, (I the assure, [[ensure St.]] ) [Stowe folio 323a] [Tib folio 54a] In this see they muste endure Line 19152 Bodily, by greet penaunce, In hevene hem sylffë [[them selven St.]] to avaunce. And, ffor the love [[love St., lawe Tib.]] off crist ihesu, They make hem whyngës off vertu, Line 19156 To ffleen (by clene affeccyoun) To the heuenly mansyoun; Whiche greetly displesith me, Theder whanne I se hem ffle. Line 19160

Swychë ffolke resemblen alle Vn-to a bryd that clerkes calle Ortigometra in ther bokys; And this bryd caste his lokys Line 19164

Line 19164 'To-fforne hym prudently, to se Whanne he schal swymmë in the see: This ffoul hath whyngës ffor the fflyght, Be he [[to be St.]] anoon off kyndely ryght. Line 19168 Whanne he is wery off travayle, And that his ffederes do [[done St.]] hym ffayle, Anoon (off his condiscyoun) In-to the water he fallith doun, Line 19172 And thanne [[that St.]] to swymmë wole not ffayle: Off his o whynge, he makith a ssayle, Amonge the sturdy wawys alle To kepe hym silffe, that he not ffalle, Line 19176 Til he resume ageyne his myght, Off acustom, [[custom St.]] to take his fflyght. Thus stoundëmel ȝe may hym se, Som tymë swymme, som tymë fflee, Line 19180 In bokys as it is I-ffounde.

'But they that hauë [[haue ther St.]] ffeet I-bounde With herbës and with wedës greene, That they may not aryght sustene, Line 19184 Nowther to swymmë nor to fflee, They be so bounden in the see Off wordely [[worldly St.]] delectacyoun [Tib folio 54b] In ther inwarde affeccyoun; Line 19188 ffor alle ther hool ffelicyte Is sette in veyne [[veyne St., verrey Tib.]] prosperite Off the world, and in rychesse, fful off chaunge and dowblenesse, Line 19192 With whiche they be so [[so St., om. Tib.]] sorë bounde, That her soulis yt wole conffounde; ffor they haue power none, [[none St., Tib. blurd]] nor myght, Nowther to swymme nor ffleen [[flyen St.]] aryght; So sore the world doth hem constreyne, Line 19197 That it were to hem greet peyne, Her hertis ffro the world to vnbynde. [[tuunbynd St.]]

'And som also be makyd [[made St.]] blynde, Line 19200 Ther eyen cloos, they may not se, ffor to considere the vanyte Off this worldis ffalse veyneglorye, Euere vnsure and transitorye, Line 19204

Line 19204 'And fful off mvtabylyte, [[mutabylyte St., mvtabyte Tib.]] Whiche schewith to hem fful greet bewete [Stowe folio 323a] By a [[a St., om. Tib.]] maner off ápparence, But it is ffalse in éxistence; Line 19208 That is fful ffoule, dothe schewë ffayre, Lyche a ffloure that dothe vnapayre [[Tib. & St. apayre St.]] Whanne it is plukkyd and leyde lowe, Or with som sodeyne wynde I-blowe. Line 19212 Whiche bewete (as wryte Salamoun) [¶ Prouerbiorum, 31^o. Proverbs. 31. St.] Is but a ffalse decepcyoun; And ffolkis that beth there-with blente, Or they be war, beth offtë schente, Line 19216 ffor lak ther eyen be not clere. ¶ 'Eke som ther swymmes [[swyme St.]] (as ȝe may leere) With hand and armys strecchyd out; Swyche as parte her good aboute Line 19220 To porë ffolkis that haue neede; And swyche vnbynde [[vnbynd St., vnkynde Tib.]] her ffeet, in deede, ffrom wordely [[worldly St.]] delectacyoun, [Tib folio 55a] And off devoute entencyoun, Line 19224 By councel off her cónffessour, Vnbynde her ffeet, by [[with St.]] greet labour, ffor to goon in there vyáges, Barffote, to sekë pilgrymáges; Line 19228 Off ther synnës to haue pardoun, fforȝeuenesse and remyssyoun, Whanne ther menynge trewëly Is voyde ffrom al ypocrysy. Line 19232

ANd thus as now (withoutë [[without Tib., St.]] slouthe) To the I hauë tolde the trouthe. 'And trewely [[sothly St.]] ȝit, ouere alle thyng, I hatë trowthe in my workyng; Line 19236 And off malys, bothe day and nyght, Werrey [[werray St., Verrey Tib.]] trouthe with al my myght.

'By namë, callyd I am Sathan; The whiche, as ffer as euere I kan, Line 19240 I worke, in myne entencyoun, ffor to cacche, in my bandoun, Alle pylgrymes (as thow mayst se,) That swymmen in the wawy see Line 19244

Line 19244 'Off this world, fful off disseyte.

'And euere I lye in greet awayte, And no moment I ne ffyne ffor to leyne out hook and lyne. Line 19248

'My lyne (by demonstracyoun) I-callyd is Temptacyoun; And whanne that ffolke (in ther entente) Off herte and wylle ther-to concente, Line 19252 Thanne on myn hook (by ffalse awayte,) They ben I-cacchyd with the bayte; And thannë, by fful mortal lawe, Tó my bandoun, I hem drawe. Line 19256

'I leye out nettës nyght and day, In water and lond, to cacche my pray.

'With nettys, I haue eke my repayre [Tib folio 55b] [Stowe folio 224a] ffor bryddes that ffleen eke in the hayre, Line 19260 ffor to make hem ffalle adown ffrom ther contemplacyown. And, thus ffolkys to bygyle, I am a ffoulere eke som whyle; Line 19264 ffor alle that hygh or lowë goon, I makë nettis ffor euerychoon, (In myne entente, it is no drede), To cacche hem, outher [[or St.]] by ffoot or hede, Line 19268 As an vreyne wewyth [[wevithe St.]] a calle, To makë fflyes there-in to [[to om. St.]] ffalle.

'But I ne may not do no wronge To ffolke that ben in vertu stronge. Line 19272 I venquysche (nouther nygh nor fferre) No man that halte ageyne me werre; And ffeble is my vyolence, Whanne ther is manly résystence. Line 19276

ANd ȝit I haue a thowsande treynes, And as many laas and cheynes, With [[om. St.]] whiche I compasse, day by day, To lettë pylgrymes on ther way; Line 19280 ffor I, by ffalse illusyoun And by dyssumylacyoun, [[dyssimilasyon St.]] Kan me [[me St., mys Tib.]] transfformë (anoon ryght,) To lykenesse off an aungel bryght; Line 19284

Line 19284 'Take off hym the résemblaunce, The vesage and the contenaunce, So to disseyuen, in couert; And to an heremyte in desert; Line 19288 I [[And I Tib., I St.]] dyde oonës so appere, fful off ffetheres bryght and clere, And toke [[toke St., do Tib.]] on me the message Off an aungel, by my vysage, Line 19292 And bad vn-to that hooly man To kepe hym warly ffrom Sathan, ffor he was schapen, by batayle, [Tib folio 56a] The nexte morewe, hym to assayle; Line 19296 And tolde hym also, (ffynally, ffor to disceyve hym sotylly,) He woldë takë, (in sothenesse,) Off hys ffader the lyknesse, Line 19300 Bothe vesage and contenaunce, The maner and the résemblaunce. [[Illustration.]]

'ANd bad the heremyte anoon ryght To fforce hym, at the ffirstë syght, Line 19304 To smyte hym ffirste, with knyffe or swerde, And no thyng to ben afferde With al his myghtty vyolence, Whanne he cam ffirste to his presence. Line 19308 ¶ And so, vpon the nextë morewe, ffor to encresse his dool and sorewe, I made his ffader hym vesyte; Line 19311 And anoon, this seyde heremyte, [Stowe folio 324b] This Innocent, thys cely man, Wenynge hit haddë be Sathan, Vp sterte anoon, and toke a knyff, And raffte his ffader off his lyff, Line 19316 That he to groundë ffel downe deed.

'And thus I kan (who takyth heed) A thousande weyës, ffolke [[ffolke to St.]] dysceyue, [Tib folio 56b] Or they my treynës [[trappis St.]] kan conceyue. Line 19320 And therffore, [[therfore St., herffore Tib.]] be wel war off me, ffor I caste eke [[eke to St.]] dysseyuë the; Ȝeue I at largë may the ffynde,

'In my laas [[lace St.]] I schal the bynde; ¶ ffor, as seynt Petre lyste endyte, [[tendit St.]] [¶ Prima Petri. 7^o. Tanquam leo rugiens . . ] And in his pystelys ffor to wryte, I go and serchë, day and nyght, With alle my fforce, with al my myght, Line 19328 Lyche a ravenous lyoun, ffor to devoure, vp and doun, Allë ffolkys, ȝonge and oolde, That lambre [[lambes St.]] be off cristis ffoolde. Line 19332 I haue off hem, fful ȝore agoon, Off hem devoured many oon; Strangelyd mo than I kan telle; And that [[it St.]] were to longe to dwelle, Line 19336 ffor to rekene hem alle in nowmbre, Thousandis mo than I kan nowmbre; And trewely, in two hundred ȝer, I koude not tellë the maner Line 19340 Off alle my treynës by and by.

'And I warne the outerly, Thow schalt not lyghttely (ȝeue I may,) ffro my daunger skape away.' Line 19344

¶ The Pylgryme:

"WHer thow be wel or yuel apayd In the wordes that thow haste sayd, I haue ffounden a greet dyffence, To make ageyne thé, résistence, Line 19348 And conceyued [[conseyvyd St., conceyue Tib.]] it in my thought. Blowe thyne horne, and sparë nought, ffor thow schalt ffayle (ȝeue that I may) To make off me [[the St.]] schortely thi pray." [Tib folio 57a] Line 19352

And to be more stronge in vertu, With the crosse off crist ihesu, And off his gracë moste benygne, I gan me crossen, and eke sygne, Line 19356 ffor to assurë [[tassure St.]] my passage Ageyne his laas so fful off rage.

And by my crossynge, I anoon Gan to passe hem euerichoon; Line 19360 They hadde no power ffor to laste; ffor, by the vertu, they to-braste;

And I anoon gan ffastë fflee, [Stowe folio 325a] And wolde haue taken anoon the see; Line 19364 But, longe or I entter myght, Whan [[St., Tib. blurd]] Sathan off me hadde a syght, He gan to crye (so stood the cas) 'Out and harow! allas, allas!' Line 19368

¶ Sathan the hunte weymentith [[huntar St.]] And tormentyth with hym silffe. [[sathan ye huntar St.]] [[Illustration.]]

'Vnhappy, [[St., I vnhappy Tib.]] and fful off meschaunce I was, whanne I dyde me avaunce In any wysë ffor to teche Vertu, or [[of St.]] trowthë ffor to preche; Line 19372 ffor, it longeth not to me To techë trouthe in no degre; But, off ffortune it happë so, [Tib folio 57b] That I be cónstreynëd ther-to, Line 19376 By vertu off som orysoun Or by som conyurisoun, [[coniurasion St.]] That greetë [[greet Tib., grete St.]] clerkës me compelle, The verrey trowthë ffor to telle, Line 19380 Mawgrey my wylle, off many a thyng, By vertu off the greetë [[gret St., greet Tib.]] kyng. ffor ellys (who that kan espye) My purpos is, euere ffor to lye, Line 19384 And [[I St.]] haue disseyued fful many a man, Ryght as dydë Iulyan.

'Though I were by hym constreyned, And by his charmës greetly peyned, Line 19388 Ȝit at the laste, whanne I abrayde, I lyëd, alle that euere I sayde. And now I oughte a-cursyd be, Whanne that I gan medle me Line 19392 To seyne a trouthe agaynës [[agayns Tib., St.]] kynde, Sethen men, in me may [[ne may in me St.]] noon ffynde; There-off I répente me fful sore, With trowthë, medle I wole no more.' Line 19396

¶ The Pylgryme answerth to Satan: [[pilgrim St.]]

"OSathan, thi displesaunce Was to me fful greet plesaunce,

"Releuynge me off my distresse." I took there-off greet hardynesse, Line 19400 Made as tho [[thow St.]] no lenger lette, I spared nowther hook nor nette, But, trustynge (in conclusyoun) Vp-on my skrippe and my burdoun, Line 19404 And there-vp-on I bylened [[lened St.]] me Whanne I entryd in-to the see; And, in swymmynge to be more stable, [Tib folio 58a] Me thought my skryppë proffitable Line 19408 To kepe me sure in herte and thought, In my way, that I errëd nought. [[Illustration.]]

TRewely, [[yet truly St.]] in this dredefful see, Line 19411 Is [[om. St.]] greet myscheeff and aduersyte: Many a perel (I ȝou ensure,) And many a straungë áventure I ffeltë tho in my passage, Line 19415 Off wawys and off [[of St., om. Tib.]] rokkis rage, [Stowe folio 325b] And many a tempeste (in certeyn) Off thondrynge, lyghtnynge, and off reyn, And other perels that be-ffelle, That, ȝeue I schulde hem allë telle, Line 19420 Or the myschévës alle endyte, They were to longë for [[for St., om. Tib.]] to wryte.

But while that I, in my passáge, Byheelde the see, sterne and saváge, Line 19424 Me thought I sawe bysydë me, That there stood a greenë tre; And I was glad alle [[of St.]] thilkë while, Wenynge there hadde ben an yle, Line 19428 In hopë that I schuldë londe, Hastely, vp at som stronde, Whiche was to me fful greet plesaunce. [Tib folio 58b]

And as I gan my silffe avaunce, Line 19432 And thederward gan ffastë hye, Anoon my sylffe I dyde aspye (Whanne that I gan lokë wel) That I was caste vp-on a whel, Line 19436 Off whiche to-fforne I sawgh no thynge;

ffor the ffloodes, in ther fflowynge, Hadde with his wawës euerydel Ouere-fflowyd so that whel, Line 19440 That I toke no heede there-at, Tyl sodeynely there-on I sat. And wyldëly the wawys smette Vp-on this whel, ay as they mette; Line 19444

ANd euere round, (as thoughtë me,) This whel wente aboute the tre, Where-off, I astonyed was, Whanne I sawe this sodeyne caas. Line 19448 Vp on whichë tre anoon, I sawgh nestys fful many oon; And bryddës (that I koudë knowe,) Sommë hyh, and sommë [[som Tib., some St.]] lowe, Line 19452 Ther nestis made (I toke good hede) Grete and smale (it is no drede). ¶ And I demëd, [[it semyd St.]] in certeyne, [Tib folio 59a] That this tre haddë hoolys tweyne; Line 19456 And on the hygher hoole aloffte, [[St. & Tib.]] I sawe an hand putte out fful offte. [[St. & Tib.]] And this hand (as to my look) [[St. & Tib.]] To the nestis put up an hook, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 19460 And (as to myne inspeccyoun) Was besy to pulle the nestis doun.

And as I stode a lytel throwe [[St. & Tib.]] At the hoole that stood moste lowe, Line 19464 I sawgh heedës lokynge oute Towarde the braunches rounde aboute, In purpos (ȝeue it myght haue be) To clymbe vp hyghë on that [[hygh . . that Tib., highe . . thilke St.]] tre: [Stowe folio 236a] They wolde haue take it ffayne in honde. Line 19469

And there I sawe a lady stonde Amonge the wyldë wawys trowble, Vp-on a whel dyuerse and dowble. Line 19472 Departyd was her garnemente, Halffe hool, and haluendel was rente; The to party, as snow was white To loke vp-on, off greet delyte; Line 19476 The tother party (ás thought me)

Was ffoule and owgely on to se.

And hir vysage eke also Was departyd euene a two; Line 19480 The to party was amyable, And to byholdë délytable, Bothe off porte and off manere, Glad and lawynge off hir chere; Line 19484 ¶ The tother syde, hydous and old, Whiche was ryuelyd many ffold; And on hir schuldres rownd and square, A crokyd staffe in sothe sche bare. Line 19488

And whanne I gan al this aduerte, Dyscomffórtyd in myn herte [[Illustration.]]

THanne was I, greetly agaste [[I was, and gretly gan gaste St.]] ; [Tib folio 59b] And my burdoun I heelde ryghte ffaste, Line 19492 And dyde also greetly my peyne To grype it with myne handës tweyne; And seyde, (off sodeyne moscyoun,) "Bordoun," quod I, "bordoun, bordoun! Line 19496 But thow me helpë [[helpe now St.]] in this caas, I may [[may well St.]] wepe and seyne 'allas,' My peynës ben so scharpe and kene. And but thow helpë to sustene Line 19500 Myne nownpowere and inpotence, [[impotence St.]] That I may stonden at dyffence Vp-on my ffeet, and that anoon, ffare-wel! my Ioye is alle agoon!" Line 19504 ¶ But tho, thorough helpe off my bordoun, I roos vp as a champyoun.

But whanne this lady dyde espye That I was vp, sche gan to hye Line 19508 ffor to haue putte [[taput St.]] me doun ageyn; And I trowe ryght wel certeyn, That, but I haddë spoken ffayre, And off my porte be debonayre, Line 19512 I hadde ben to [[to St., fful Tib.]] ffeble off myght, Vp-on my ffeet to stonde [[tastand St.]] vp ryght.

BVt I abrayde, and bade in deede [Tib folio 60a] that sche scholdë taken heede Line 19516

Line 19516 To thilkë party that was ffayre Off hir, and putte me ffro dispayre, And schewë, lyke hir contenaunce, Som counfforte or som plesaunce; Line 19520 And that sche wolde expownë me What lady that sche schuldë be, Hir name, hir power, euerydel, [Stowe folio 326b] Bothe off hir and off hir whel, Line 19524 And off the tre, and off the croppe, And off the nestis in the coppe, [[cop St.]] And do to [[done to St., do Tib.]] me som ávauntage, To ffurthre me in my vyage. [Stowe leaves a blank of 10 lines in his copy, and puts a side|note "fortune should be porturatyd."] Line 19528

¶ ffortune:

'IN me (schortely to expresse) There is no maner stablenesse; ffor, (be hereoff ryght wel certeyn,) Alle that I worke, is vncerteyn; Line 19532 Lyke my dowble contenaunce, I am so fful off variaunce. Therffore, to axe how I me guye, It is no wysdam, but ffolye; Line 19536 I worke no thyng in certeynte, But fful off greet duplycyte. I am what-euere I do provyde; ffor I lawe [[lawghe St.]] on the ryghtë [[ryght Tib., St.]] syde, And schewe a cher off greet delyte Line 19541 On the party that I am white. [[delyt . . . whit St.]] Thanne men me callë 'glad ffortune'; But, no while I do contune; Line 19544 ffor, longe or ffolke may aparceyue, I kan hem sodeynely disseyue, [The text is now again taken up from MS. Cott. Vit. c. xiii. leaf 253.] And make her Ioyë go to wrak [Stowe folio 327a] [[Cott. Vitell. C. 13.]] Wyth ffroward mowhës at the bak. [Tib folio 60b]

'Than y, lykned [[lykenyd St.]] to the moone, Line 19549 ffolk wyl chaunge my namë sone; And fro my whel whan they are falle,

"Infortunë' they me calle. Line 19552 To ffolk vnworthy, and nat dygne, I am somwhylë most benygne, Lyggynge awayt in euery cost, Line 19555 Off ffolk whom that [[that Tib., om. C., St.]] I cherysshe most. And who that on me set hys lust, I kan deceyve hym off hys trust. Tak hed pleynly, and thow shalt se A pleyn exaumple off thys tre, Line 19560 How thys tre (at O word) May be resemblyd to the world.

¶ 'ffyrst, in thys world be grete estatys, Line 19563 Off kyngës, prynces, and off [[off om. Tib., of St.]] prelátys, Wych in thys erthë [[world St.]] chaungen offte. And the nestys hyh aloffte Ben degrëes [[degrees Tib., degres C., St.]] off lordshepe, That so offte on heihtë lepe, Line 19568 Bothe off hyh and lowh degre.

'And they that al by-nethë be, Loke vp-ward, and al day gaze, As yt wer vp-on A maze: Line 19572 Tho be they, that so offte Desyre for to clymbe aloffte To hih estat and hih degre, ffrom ther estaat off pouerte. Line 19576

'Somme [[(? None), Some Tib., St.]] off hem may longe abyde, ffor I sette hem offte asyde; Wych thyng to hym ys no thyng soote, Whan they be longe pút vnder ffoote Line 19580 Thorgh my double varyaunce. And sommë kan han [[haue St., som kan haue Tib.]] suffysaunce, And ben ryht glad in ther entent [folio 254b] Off the lytel that god hath sent; [Tib folio 61a] Line 19584 They ha [[haueth Tib.]] no care for [[of St., for Tib.]] ther dyspence. And somme haue euere Indygence, And kan with no thyng be content, With coveytyse they be so blent, Line 19588 Wych, for ther ounë wrechchydnesse, [Stowe folio 327b] Lyve euere in pouert and dystresse.

'Touchyng my whel (yt ys no doute,)

'Wych tourneth euere round aboute, Line 19592 Ther may no man aloffte Abyde But yiff so be I be hys guyde. Yt turneth euere to and ffro; The pley ther-off ys meynt with wo; Line 19596 The wychë whel (who that [[C., St., whiche whel who Tib.]] kan se,) Ys a pereyl off the se, On, the grettest off echon, [[one . . . one St.]] ffor to rekne hem on by on; Line 19600 And, thys phylisoffres alle, 'Karybdis' lyst yt for to calle, Yt devoureth so many A man, Ye, mo than I rehersë kan.' Line 19604

¶ The Pylgrym [[Tib., pilgryme St., om. C.]] :

"Touchyng thy staff, tel on, lat se What maner tookne yt may be, That yt corbyd lych and [[an Tib.]] Crook, And mad in maner off [[lyke St.]] an hook." Line 10608

¶ Dame Fortune [[Tib., om. C.]] :

'With thys Crook, by gret vengaunce, ffolk, that to soon [[to fforne Tib., St.]] I dyde avaunce, Thorgh my transmutacïoun, Al sodeynly I rende hem doun, Line 19612 That sat in chayerys hih aloffte; To whom ther fal ys [[falls St.]] no thyng soffte. [Tib folio 61b] Reyse vp ageyn al sodeynly Other that be nothyng worthy, Line 19616 And cause ek sommë (Est and west) ffor to bylde fful hih ther nest [folio 255a] And ther habytcïoun; Somtyme, off wyl, nat off resoun, Line 19620 I take noon hed off no degre, But only off my volunte.'

¶ The Pylgryme [[Tib., om. C.]] :

"fful ffayn I wolde ek vnderstonde The menyng also off the hond, Line 19624 At the hoolë hyh aloffte, That reyseth vp his crook so offte, The nestys for to rende a-doun: Tel me thexposicïoun." Line 19628

Line 19628

¶ Dame Fortune [[Tib., om. C.]] :

'The nestys hih vp-on the tre, That ben hyest off degre, Ben they off ryht and good resoun That entre by successïoun, [Stowe folio 328a] Line 19632 As kynges, by iust enherytaunce, Whom that trouthë lyst avaunce [[trouthe habundaunce Tib.]] Only by lyneal dyscent, Hys lyges echon [[leegis echone Tib.]] off assent; Line 19636 Or, [[Or Tib., Off C., of St.]] for lak off successïoun, Swyche as by elleccïoun Ben reysed vp to hih degre, As many princes and lordys be. Line 19640

'Thogh I to hem have envye, To reve hem off ther Regalye, Yet, thogh I ther-to haue no myght ffor to robbe hem off ther ryht, [Tib folio 62a] Line 19644 Yet (who lyst looke with Eyen cler) They be ful offte in my daunger; ffor they may nat assuryd be Ageyn my mutabylyte, Line 19648 Nor ageyn my mortal stryff; ffor offtë sythe they lese her lyff By compassyng off ffals Tresoun, By mordre also, and poysoun. Line 19652 And trewly, al thys frowardnesse [folio 255b] Ys tookned [[tokenyd St.]] by the crookydnesse Off my staff and off my crok, Wrong [[wronge St.]] at the ende, as ys an hook. Line 19656

'And whan I loke with Eyen cler, Lawhe on ffolk, [[folk, om. Tib., folke St.]] and make hem cher, Thanne lygge I rathest in a-wayt, ffor to don hem som deceyt. Line 19660

'Lo, her ys al; go forth [[fforthe Tib., forthe St., foth C.]] thy way; And trustë wel, yiff that I may, What weye euere that thow go, Or thy pylgrymage be do,— Line 19664 Tourne yt to sour, outher to swete,— Onys I shal yet [[ther St.]] with the mete.'

¶ Fortune is walkyd. [[Tib., om. C., St.]]

And ffortune wente her way A-noon.

And also sone as she was gon, Line 19668 I stood in dred and in gret doute Vp-on hyr whel turnynge aboute, Tyl that, [[That I, Tib.]] by reuolucïoun, I [[I om. Tib.]] was cast fful lowe A-doun, Line 19672 By power off that [[the Tib.]] double quene; ffor, I myghte me nat sustene, In iupartye and in gret dred, Wysshynge that I hadde be ded. [Stowe folio 238b] Line 19676

And in trouble and gret peyne, [Tib folio 62b] Thanne I gan my sylff [[lyffe St.]] compleyne, Dysconsolaat off al vertu, Only for lak off Gracë Dieu, Line 19680 That was whylom to me ffrendly, Whom I ha lost thorgh my foly, [[Stowe]] Wher-off I felte ful [[ful, om. Tib.]] gret offence, That I forsook so penytence, Line 19684 Only (allas!) for lak off grace, By hyr sharpë heggh [[sharp highe St.]] to passe, Wher I myhte have had socours, And medycyne to myn Errours, Line 19688 By hyr spyrytual doctryne ffro the wyche I dyde enclyne. Allas, my woful aventure, [folio 256a] That I lefftë myn Armure Line 19692 Behyndë me, allas, in veyn!

But yiff I myhte hem gete ageyn, [[ageyn Tib., hole in MS. C., get them agayne St.]] I sholdë [[would St.]] lyue bettre in pes, Line 19695 And nó mor ben so rekëles; [[rekeles Tib., rekles C., recles St.]] But, allas my woful ffaate! I make my cómpleynt al to late; ffor I stonde in Iupartye Only off deth, thorgh my ffolye. Line 19700 Allas! what may I now best werche? O sacramentys off the cherche, I hope by gracë wel certeyn, I receyvede yow nat in veyn; Line 19704 But now, allas, that I am falle, I ha lost yow, [[yow yow C., ȝou Tib., yow St.]] on and [[and om. Tib.]] alle,

And ha no sustentacïoun In my skryppe nor my bordoun, Line 19708 Wher-on that I may lenë me, Toward Ierusalem the cyte.

And thogh al day I studye and muse, How shal I my sylff excuse, Line 19712 Or what answere [Some leaves are out of Tib. A. vii, after these catchwords, 'Or what answere.'] shal I make, Off al that I ha vndertake, And behihte in my corage, To fulfyllë my vyage, Line 19716 What [[(? Whan,) what St.]] fyrst I hadde inspeccïoun Off that noble Royal toun, Wyth-Inne A merour, shene and bryht, Wych gaff to me so cler a lyht, Line 19720 That ther-wyth-al I was a-noon [Stowe folio 329a] Ravysshëd, thyder for to gon; But I may syngë 'weyllaway'; I am arestyd on the way, Line 19724 And dystourblyd her, wepynge.

And whyl I lay thus cómpleynynge, And knewh non helpë nor respyt, A-noon ther kam A dowë whyht Line 19728 Towardys me, by goddys wylle, [folio 256b] And brouhtë me a lytel bylle, And vndyde yt in my syht; Line 19731 And affter that she took hyr flyht, [[St. & C.]] And, fro me gan passe away.

And I, with-outë mor delay, Gan the byllë to vnfolde; And ther-in I gan beholde, Line 19736 How Gracë dieu, to myn avayl, In that bylle gaff me counsayl, 'That I sholde, ful humblëly Knelynge on my knes, [[on knes St.]] deuoutly Line 19740 Saluë, with fful good avys, The blyssede quen off paradys, Wych bar, for Our savacïon, [[savation St.]] Line 19743

Line 19743 The ffrut off Our redempcïon [[redemtion St.]] And the ffourme off thys prayere Ys ywrete, as ye shal here, In Ordre pleynly (who kan se) By maner off An .A. b. c.; Line 19748 And ye may knowe yt sone, and rede, And seyn yt whan that ye ha nede.

the translator [[St., om. C.]] :

And touchynge the translacioun Off thys noble Orysoun, Line 19752 Whylom (yiff I shal nat feyne) The noble poete off Breteyne, My mayster Chaucer, in hys tyme, Affter the Frenche he dyde yt ryme, Line 19756 Word by word, as in substaunce, Ryght as yt ys ymad in Fraunce, fful devoutly, in sentence, In worshepe, and in reuerence Line 19760 Off that noble hevenly quene, Bothe moder and a maydë clene.

And sythe, he dyde yt vndertake, ffor to translate yt ffor hyr sake, Line 19764 I pray thys [Quene] that ys the beste, [folio 257a] [[C. & St.]] ffor to brynge hys soule at reste, [[C. & St.]] That he may, thorgh hir prayere, [Stowe folio 329b] [[C. & St.]] Aboue the sterrys bryht and clere, [[C. & St.]] Line 19768 Off hyr mercy and hyr grace Apere afforn hyr sonys fface, [[C. & St.]] Wyth seyntys euere, for A memórye, Eternally to regne [[regrne C., rengne St.]] in glorye. Line 19772

And ffor memoyre off that poete, Wyth al hys rethorykës swete, That was the ffyrste in any age That amendede our langage; Line 19776 Therfore, as I am bounde off dette, In thys book I wyl hym sette, And ympen thys Oryson Affter hys translacïon, Line 19780 My purpós to détermyne, That yt shal énlwmyne

Thys lytyl book, Rud off makyng, Wyth som clause off hys wrytyng. [Compare Scogan's quoting Chaucer's Balade of Gentilnesse, though without its Envoy, in his Poem to his pupils, Henry IV.'s sons. Thynne's Chaucer, 1532, leaf 380, back, col. 1; Urry's, p. 547, col. 1.] Line 19784

And as he made thys Orysoun Off ful devout entencïoun, And by maner off a prayere, Ryht so I wyl yt settyn here, Line 19788 That men may knowe and pleynly se Off Our lady the .A. b. c. [The remainder of this leaf, 257 of the MS., is left blank, the scribe never having copied-in Chaucer's poem. It is printed above from the first of the Society's Parallel-Texts. John Stowe also left blank three leaves of his copy, putting A, B, C, etc., where the successive stanzas should start.]

Incipit carmen secundum ordinem Litterarum alphabeti. [MS. Ff. v. 30, Camb. Univ. Libr.,]

[folio 112b] Al mihty and al merciable queene, [¶ Cap^m lvii^m] To whom þat al þis world fleeth for socour, To haue relees of sinne, of sorwe and teene, Gloriowse virgine, of allë flourës flour, Line 19794 To þee j flee, confounded in errour; Help and releeue, þou mihti debonayre! Haue mercy on my perilous langour! Venquisshed me hath my cruelle aduersaire Line 19798

Bountee so fix hath in þin herte his tente, Þat wel j wot thou wolt my socour bee. Þou canst not warne him, þat with good entente Axeth þin helpe; þin herte is ay so free; Line 19802 Þou art largesse of pleyn felicitee, Hauene of refute, of quiete and of reste. Loo how þat theevës sevene chasen mee! Help, lady briht, er þat my ship to-breste! Line 19806

Line 19806

Comfort is noon, but in yow ladi deere; ffor, loo, my sinne and my confusïoun (Which ouhten not in þi presence appeere,) Han take on me a greevous accīoun. Line 19810 Of verrey riht and desperacïoun; And as bi riht, þei mihten wel susteene Þat j were wurþi my dampnacïoun, Nere merci of you, blisful heuene queene! Line 19814

DOwte is þer noon, þou queen of misericorde, þat þou nart cause of grace and merci heere; God vouched saf, thoruh þee, with us to accorde; ffor, certes, crystes blisful mooder deere, Line 19818 Were now þe bowë bent in swich maneere [folio 113a] As it was first, of justice and of jre, Þe rihtful god, nolde of no mercy heere; But thoruh þee han we grace, as we desire. Line 19822

Euere hath myn hope of refuit been in þee; ffor heer biforn, ful ofte, in many a wyse Hast þou to misericorde resceyued me; But merci, ladi, at þe grete assyse, Line 19826 Whan we shule come bifore þe hye iustyse! So litel fruit shal þanne in me be founde, Þat, but þou er þat day ¹me wel [[wel Sion MS.]] chastyse¹, [[1_1 over an erasure.]] Of verrey riht my werk me wole confounde. Line 19830

Fleeinge, j flee for socour to þi tente, Me for to hide from tempeste ful of dreede, Biseeching yow, þat ye you not absente þouh j be wikke, O, help yit at þis neede! Line 19834 Al haue j ben a beste in wil and deede, Yit, ladi, þou me cloþë with þi grace! Þin enemy and myn, (ladi, tak heede!) Vn-to my deth, in poynt is me to chace. Line 19838

Gloriows mayde and mooder, which þat neuere Were bitter, neiþer in eerþë nor in see,

But ful of swetnesse, & of merci euere, Help, þat my fader be not wroth with me! Line 19842 Spek þou! for j ne dar not him ysee. So haue j doon in eerþe, (allas þer-while!) Þat certes, but if þou my socour bee, To stink eterne, he wole my gost exile. Line 19846

He vouched saaf, tel him, as was his wille, [folio 113b] Bicomen a man, to haue oure álliaunce; And with his precious blood he wrot þe bille Vp-on þe crois, as general ácquitaunce Line 19850 To euery Penitent in ful criaunce; And þerfore, ladi briht, þou for us praye! Þanne shalt þou boþë stinte al his greuaunce, And make oure foo to failen of his praye. Line 19854

I wot it wel, þou wolt ben oure socour, þou art so ful of bowntee in certeyn; ffor, whan a soulë falleth in errour, þi pitee goth & haleth him ayein; Line 19858 þanne makest þou his pees with his souereyn, And bringest him out of þe crooked strete. Who so þee loueth, he shal not loue in veyn; Þat shal he fynde, as he þe lyf shal lete. Line 19862

Kalendeerës enlumynëd ben þei þat in þis world ben lighted with þi name; And who-so goth to yow þe rihtë wey, Him thar not drede in soulë to be lame. Line 19866 Now, queen of comfort, sithe þou art þat same To whom j seechë for my medicyne. Lat not my foo no more my wounde entame [[MS. vntame]] ; Myn hele, in-to þin hand, al j resyne. Line 19870

Ladi, þi sorwe kan j not portreye Vnder þe cros, ne his greevous penaunce; But, for youre boþës peynës, j yow preye, Lat not oure alder foo make his bobaunce, Line 19874 Þat he hath, in hise lystës of mischaunce, [folio 114a]

Conuict þat ye boþe hauë bouht so deere. As j seide erst, þou ground of oure substaunce, Continue on us þi pitous eyen cleere! Line 19878

Moises, þat sauh þe bush with flawmës rede Brenninge, of which þer neuer a stikkë brende, was signe of þin vnwemmed maidenhede. Þou art þe bush on which þer gan descende Line 19882 Þe Holigost, þe which þat Moyses wende Had ben a-fyir: and þis was in figure. Now, ladi, from þe fyir þou us deufende, which þat in helle eternalli shal dure! Line 19886

Noble princesse, þat neuere haddest peere! Certes, if any comfort in us bee, Þat cometh of þee, þou cristës mooder deere. We han noon ooþer melodye or glee, Line 19890 Vs to reioyse in oure aduersitee; Ne aduocat noon, þat wole, & dar so preye ffor us, and þat for litel hire as yee, Þat helpen for an Aue-Marie or tweye. Line 19894

O verrey light of eyen þat ben blynde! O verrey lust of labour and distresse! O tresoreere of bountee to mankynde! Þee whom god ches to mooder for humblesse! Line 19898 ffrom his ancille he madë þe maistresse Of heuene & eerþe, oure bille up for to beede. Þis world awaiteth euere on þi goodnesse, ffor þou ne failest neuere wight at neede. Line 19902

Purpos I haue, sum time for to enquere, [folio 114b] Wherfore and whi þe Holi Gost þee souhte: Whan Gabriellës vois cam to [[MS. vn to]] þin ere, He, not to werre us, swich a wunder wrouhte, Line 19906 But for to saue us þat he sithen bouhte. Þanne needeth us no wepene us for to saue, But oonly þer we diden not, as us ouhte, Doo penitence, and merci axe and haue. Line 19910

Line 19910

Queen of comfort, yit whan j me bithinke þat j agilt haue boþë him and þee, And þat my soule is wurthi for to sinke, Allas, j, caityf, whider may I flee? Line 19914 Who shal vn-to þi sone my menë bee? Who but þi-self, þat art of pitee welle. Þou hast more reuthe on oure aduersitee, Þan in þis world miht any tungë telle. Line 19918

Redressë me, mooder, and me chastise! ffor certeynly, my faderes chástisinge, Þat dar j nouht abiden in no wise; Line 19921 So hidous is hys [[MS. it is: later hys in margin]] rihful rekenynge Mooder, of whom oure merci gan to springe Beth ye my juge, & eek my soulës leche; ffor euere in you is pitee háboundinge To eche, þat wole of pitee you biseeche. Line 19926

Soth is, þat God ne granteth no pitee With-outë þee; for God, of his goodnesse, fforyiveth noon, but it like vn-to þee. He hath þee maked, vicair & maistresse Line 19930 Of al þe world, and eek gouérnowresse [folio 115a] Of heuene; and he represseth his iustise After þi wil; and þerfore, in witnesse, He hath þee corowned in so rial wise. Line 19934

Temple deuout, þer god hath his woninge, ffro which þese misbileeued depriued [[pryued, John's and Laud MSS.]] been! To you, my soulë penitent j bringe. Resceyuë me! I can no ferþere fleen. Line 19938 With thornës venymous, O heuene queen, ffor which þe eerþe acursed was ful yore, I am so [[om. MS.]] wounded, as ye may wel seen, þat j am lost almost; it smert so sore. Line 19942

Virgine, þat art so noble of apparaile, And ledest us in-to þe hyë tour

Of Paradys! þou mé wisse, and counsaile How j may haue þi grace & þi socour, Line 19946 All haue j ben in filthe and in errour. Ladi, vn-to þat court þou me aiourne, Þat cleped is þi bench, O freshë [[MS. fresh]] flour, Þer-as þat merci euere shal soiourne. Line 19950

Xpc [[=Christus]] þi sone, þat in þis world alighte, Vp-on þe cros to suffre his passioun, And eek [[MS. eek suffred]] þat Longius his hertë pighte, And made his hertë blood to renne adoun: Line 19954 And al was þis for my saluacïoun; And j to him am fals, and eek vnkynde; And yit he wole not my dampnacïoun: Þis thanke j yow, socour of al mankynde. Line 19958

Ysaac was figure of his deth, certeyn, [folio 115b] Þat so fer-forth his fader wolde obeye, þat him ne rouhtë no-thing to be slayn; Riht soo þi sone lust, as a lamb, to deye. Line 19962 Now, ladi ful of merci, j yow preye, Sithe he his merci mesurëd so large, Be ye not skant! for alle we singe & seye Þat ye ben from vengeauncë ay oure targe. Line 19966

Zachárïe yow clepeth þe opene welle To wasshë sinful soule out of his gilt; Þerfore þis lessoun ouht j wel to telle, Þat, nere þi tender herte, we weren spilt. Line 19970 Now, ladi bryȝtë, [[MS. om., bryȝt Gy.]] sithe þou canst and wilt, Ben to þe seed of Adam merciáble, And [[And John's MS. om.]] bring us to þat palaïs þat is bilt To penitentes þat ben to merci able! Amen! Line 19974

¶ Explicit carmen.

Whan I, wyth good deuocïoun, [Stowe folio 330a] [folio 258a] Haddë [[whan with g. d. I had St.]] sayd thys Orysoun, Off the ffloodys the gretë Rage Ganne somwhat to a-swage, Line 19978

Line 19978 And the wyndes, for myn ese, Gan in party to apese.

The whel I lefftë, off ffortune, Wych selde in Onë [[one St., On C.]] doth contune; Line 19982 I swam forth, in ful gret ffer; I knew no wayë, her ne ther; Tyl at the laste, off grace, I fond A verray lytel hyl off sond, Line 19986 And thyderward I gan me dresse, To restë me for werynesse.

And there, in soth, A-noon I ffond A lady wrytynge in the sond, Line 19990 Lokynge toward the ffyrmament Thorgh a lytel instrument.

A-nother lady I sawh ek ther, That lenede hyre on A red sper: Line 19994 I myhtë nat beholde her wel, ffor I sawh but the halvendel Off hyr body, nor hyr fasown; And (as to myn inspeccïoun,) [Stowe folio 330b] Line 19998 In hyr hand she held a spere, Lokynge vp on the sterrys clere.

And doun I sat, and gan beholde Thys .ij. ladyes off wych I tolde; Line 20002 ffor I was wery off travaylle. And yiff yt myhtë me avaylle, I dyde also my besy peyne To sen the maner off hem tweyne. Line 20006

And to hyrë (A-noon ryht,) That was but halff On [[one St.]] in my syht, I sayde a-non as ye shal here, Somwhat abaysshed off my chere: Line 20010

[The Pilgrim:]

"Tel on," quod I, "lat me se; Be ther swych monstres in thys [[ye St.]] Se [folio 258b] Abydynge, lyk as ye do seme? ffor I kan noon other deme, Line 20014 But, monstres that ye sholdë be, By sygnës outward that I se. Yiff thow mayst spekë, nat ne spare,

"The trouthe to me for to declare." Line 20018

Astrology: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod she, 'I may spekë wel, And I ha lost ek neueradel Off my spechë nor language. And thogh I shewe to thy vysage, Line 20022 My-sylff, but halff on, in thy syht, Wych halff (who so loke a-ryht) Ys ryht noble and honurable, And also ryht Auctórysable.' Line 20026

Pilgrime: [[St., om. C.]]

"Touchyng thys halff, tel on clerly, What maner thyng ye mene ther-by. The tother part, what sholde yt be, Wych as now I may nat se?" Line 20030

Astrology: [[St.,? striogye (in margin) C.]]

'Certys, (thogh thow yt nat espye,) She ys callyd Astronomye, Wych ys wont to wake a-nyht, To loke vp on the sterrys bryht. Line 20034 Off whom, whylom thus stood the cas: In Egypt ffyrst she norysshed was, Of thylkë noble prudent kyng Wych excellede in konnyng, Line 20038 And was callyd (as thow mayst se) The noble wysë Tholomee, (So thys clerkys Olde hym calle,) That ffond the cours off sterrys alle, [Stowe folio 331a] Line 20042 Mevynge in ther bryhtë sperys, Bothe be dayës and by yerys; How that they mevë, long or sone, And the cours off sonne and mone; [folio 259a] Line 20046 ffond out the eclypses (by resoun) [[C. & St.]] In the tayl off the dragoun, [[C. & St.]] Or in the hed (with-outë lake); [[C. & St.]] The cours ek off the zodyake. [[C. & St.]] Line 20050

'And many mo conclusïouns [[C. & St.]] Off hevenly transmutacïouns He ffond al out, by gret labour; Wher-ffore, worshep and gret honour, Line 20054

Line 20054 'Thys worthy kyng gat in hys tyme, Wych wer to long for me to ryme. The causes and theffectys alle, Wych off her mevyng sholdë falle Line 20058 By ther mevyng, (with-outë [[with out C., St.]] lak:) Thys ys the halff that I off spak; And, al thys ys my partye, Wych I calle Astronomye. Line 20062

'I sey also (yiff thow take hed,) That ther be (yt ys no dred) Many constellacïouns And many varyacïouns; Line 20066 And lyk affter ther dyfferences, They yive in erthë influénces, Many dysposicïouns And dyvers operacïouns. Line 20070

'And yiff I durstë speke in pleyn, And the trouthe apertly seyn, I wolde affermen vn-to the, To calle al thys 'Necessyte,' Line 20074 Or name yt 'Dysposicïoun,' Or 'Naturel Domynyoun.' And therfor, toucyhng al thys Art, Namyd for the tother part, Line 20078 I am callyd 'Astrologye;' The tother part, 'Astronomye.'

'And be-cause I tellë more Than Astronómye dyde off yore, Line 20082 Off ffolk to me-ward envyous, Calle me 'superstycyous,' [folio 259b] Be-cause off the dyfference, That I glosë the scyence, [[C. & St.]] Line 20086 And expoune it (fer & nere) [[C. & St.]] Ryht as me lyst, on my manere; [[C. & St.]] And after myne opinioun, [[C. & St.]] Expounë the conclusyons, [Stowe folio 331b] Line 20090 And preve them out, fro day to day, [[C. & St.]] Who that euere ther-to seyth nay. [[C. & St.]]

'ffor, I pray the, lat now se, [[C. & St.]] How myhte yt falle, or elles be, [[C. & St.]] Line 20094

Line 20094 'ffor to deme yt off resoun By cler [[clere St.]] demonstracïoun, Her in thys world, (by good avys,) On ys a fool, A-nother wys; Line 20098 Thys man glad, that man Irous; He lovynge, he envyous; On, ffrownyng, lokyng nat ffayre; A-nother, off cher ys debonayre; Line 20102 A-nother, off port ys gracyous; A-nother, contrayre and déspytous; [[contrary & dispitious St.]] On, stedefast, A-nother vnstable; A-nother, in louë varyable. Line 20106 On wyl do ryht, A-nother wrong; Thys man ys ffeble, that man ys strong, Thys man pensyff, that man ys sad, He thys ys wroth, he that ys glad; Line 20110 Thys man hasty in werkynge, Another ys soffte and Abydynge; Thys man ys hevy, that man ys lyht; Thys goth be day, that man be nyht; Line 20114 On vseth trouthe, he trecherye, And to stele by Roberye. O man ys trewe, A-nother ffals, And somme Arn hangyd by the hals; Line 20118 And (who lyst loken her-wyth-al,) O man ys gret, A-nother smal; Som man loueth wysdam and scyence; [folio 260a] Som man, ryot and dyspence; Line 20122 Som man ys large, som man ys hard; Som man ys ek a gret nygard; [[C. & St.]] He [[his St.]] thys A coward, he that ys bold; And som man halt a good houshold; Line 20126 And somme, off hertly indygence, Ar fful streyhte off ther dyspence; And som man, durynge al hys lyff, Kan nat lyvë but in stryff. Line 20130

'Wher-off komen al thys dyfferencys, But off hevenly influencys, By gouernaunce (who loketh al) Off the bodyes celestyal? Line 20134

Line 20134

'And I dar also specefye, [Stowe folio 332a] As the planetys dyversefye Abouë, (who so koudë knowe,) So the bodyes her doun lowe Line 20138 (Affter myn oppynyoun) ffolwe ther constellacïoun. ffor, thys philisoffres alle, The 'secounde causys' dyde hem calle: Line 20142 Affter ther name (in wordys ffewe) Ther effectys they must shewe, Or elles I wolde boldly seyn, They tooke ther namë but in veyn. Line 20146

'The creatour, at begynnyng, Whan he hem made in hys werkyng, He gaff hem power, (clerkës ffynde) Euerych to werkyn in hys kynde, Line 20150 And for to mevë to som ffyn.

'And as the doctour seynt Awstyn Recordeth shortly in sentence, The lord, off hys magnyfycence, Line 20154 Suffreth hem, (who-euere muse) Affter ther kynde her cours to vse.

'And damë Fortune ek also, And hyr Karybdis [[carbdes St.]] bothë two, [folio 260b] Line 20158 With al hyr domynacïoun, [[C. & St.]] Stant vnder subieccïoun [[C. & St.]] Off the hevene, off verray ryht, [[C. & St.]] Al² hyr power and hyr myght Line 20162 Ys² [[2_2 om. St.]] youe to hyre at certeyn tymes, Bothe at Eve and ek at prymes, To executen hyr [[ther St.]] power Vnder the sterrys bryht and cler: Line 20166 Bothe hyr dedys infortunat, And ek hyr werkys ffortunat, Bothe to lawhen and to wepe.

'And, men muste her [[ther St.]] houres kepe, Line 20170 To rekne al the dayës sevene Affter the mevyng off the hevene; Wych be goode, And wych contrayre, Wych amende, and wych a-payre, Line 20174

Line 20174 'Affter the sterrys hem assure In good, or in Evele Aventure; Wych hourys ben happy And Ewrous, And wych also malicïous. Line 20178

'And shortly, (who consydreth al) Affter the bodyes celestyal, Lych as they her cours done holde, And the Stocyenës [[Stocyens C., St.]] wolde [Stowe folio 332b] Line 20182 Holden with me, (yiff they wer here,) In ther bookys as they lere.

'And Mathesis wolde conferme Al that euere I afferme, Line 20186 Make a confyrmacïoun Vp-on myn oppynyoun, By ther Argumentës cler. And the poete ek, Homer, Line 20190 Whylom merour off elloquence, Contentyth ek to thys sentence: He seyth in hys wrytyng thus: At rysyng vp off Phebus, Line 20194 That whan hys bemys y-reysed be, He yiveth ech man volunte [folio 261a] And wyl (ther kan no man sey nay,) How he shal gouerne hym that day. Line 20198

'And affter Phebus ordynaunce, Somme ha sorwe, and som plesaunce; Thys poete (in conclusïoun) Leueth [[levethe St.]] on thys oppynyoun: Line 20202 And what-so other folkys do, I leue ther-on my sylff also; And my levyng that thow sest here, Yfoundyd ys on a red sper; Line 20206 And yiff thow kanst yt wel espye, My leuyng doth so sygnefye.

'Now tel on, and thyn hertë bolde, Wychë [[whiche St., wych C.]] party thow wylt holde, And make a demonstracïoun Line 20211 Affter thyn oppynyoun; And as thow hast her-in creaunce, Outher ffeyth or affyaunce.' Line 20214

Line 20214

The Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

Whan I herde hyr wordys alle, Off look and cher I gan to palle, And wex abaysshed mor and more, And be-gan to syhë sore; Line 20218 Thoghte in myn herte, off gretë [[gret C., St.]] ffer, I was nat passyd al daunger [[Line wanting in both MSS., tho' neither has a gap.]] As yet, in thys streyth passage; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 20222 Thouhte also, (so god me rede!) That I haddë ful gret nede, Touchynge thys oppynyoun, To axë counsayl off Resoun. Line 21226

I answerde to that party: "Thow spekyst," quod I, "ful largely. God grauntë me (to myn entent) [Stowe folio 333a] In thys mater A-vysëment, Line 20230 My wordys so, for texpresse, That ffynally I may represse Thyn errours and thyn ffolye, [folio 261b] Groundyd on Astrologye, Line 20234 Wych ne be nat vertuous, ffor they be superstycïous.

"Yt semeth as thow haddest ben Hih in the hevene, for to sen Line 20238 Al aboutë, nyh and fferre, And axyd ther, off euery sterre, Ther coursys and ther mocïouns And ther reuolucïouns, Line 20242 And dyscuryd ther secres To the, and al ther pryvytes, Wych ar good, wych ar malygne, Whan they shal entren any sygne, Line 20246 Or entren any mancïoun, Ther to haue domynyoun.

"I trowe, thow wylt thé makyn bold, How that Venus hath the told Line 20250 The tyme assygnëd, whan that she Shal, next, conyoyned be

"And declaryd to the / the day Whan that she shal parte away Line 20254 ffro mars, that ys hyr ownë knyht: In hevene thow haddyst her-off a syht. Wher wer thow euere so pryve, Or with the sterrys so secre, Line 20258 To knowe the power and the myght That god hath yove to hem off ryht?

"I dar affermen her a-noon, Sterrys and planetys, euerychon, Line 20262 Be soget to hys power royal And to hys ryht Imperyal. What-so-euere thow kanst allegge, They ha noon other pryvylegge, Line 20266 ffraunchysë nor commyssïoun, But vnder hys domynacïoun; And vn-to that (I dar wel seye) Alle the planetys muste obeye, Line 20270 And fro that ordre neuere varye, [folio 262a] Who-euere affermë the contrárye."

[Astrology.]

Quod she a-noon ageyn to me, 'Neuer in my lyff ne dyde I se Line 20274 No pryvylege (touchyng thys thyng) [Stowe folio 333b] Yove [[gyven St.]] to the sterrys in ther mevyng; Nor, in the heuene so hih and fferre, I spak [[spake St.]] neuere with no sterre; Line 20278 Nor I nat knowë ther secres, [[secretes St.]] Ther mevyng, nor ther pryvytes, Nor how ther cours aboff [[or aloff C., aloft St.]] ys lad, But as I haue in bookys rad, Line 20282 And ther conceyved by wrytyng, Bothe off her cours and ther mevyng.

'And also long experyence Hath yove to me ther-off scyence; Line 20286 Ek oldë clerkës her-to-fforn— That wer ful longe or thow wer born— Yt dyde ynowh to hem suffyse, To knowe the maner and the guyse Line 20290 Off grete effectys off the hevene,

'And off the [[the St., om. C.]] planetys allë sevene. Ther-in, ful myche they sette her lust, And ther-in was fynally [[fynally was St.]] her trust, Line 20294 As they by wrytyng specefye.

'And I ful [[will St.]] gretly ek affye In the hevenly mocïouns And in ther reuolucïouns, Line 20298 Conceyvynge that, by ther mevyng, That, alone [[tha alone St.]] the myhty kyng, Ys no party (fer nor ner) The mor excludyd fro hys power, Line 20302 Nor exempt in no degre ffrom hys imperyal powste; But semblably (and thys ys soth) As a kyng off custom doth, Line 20306 Off hys myght and hih renoun [folio 262b] Graunteth a commyssïoun ffor a space, or al ther lyves, To hys provóstys [[provosts St.]] or bayllyves; Line 20310 Yet for al that, in no manere He restreyneth nat hys powere.'

[The Pilgrim:]

"Thyn answere, I conceyve yt wel, Wych may suffysë neueradel, Line 20314 No mor than may a redë [[reade St., red C.]] sper Suffyse off myght, nor off power (Who-so the trouthe espyë konne) To endure to bern [[bere St.]] A tonne. [Stowe folio 334a] ffor yiff the kyng (shortly to devyse) Line 20319 Hadde yove [[have gyve St.]] hys power in swych wyse To hys provóstys, [[provost C.]] and ek also To hys baylyvës, [[baylys C., baylyvs St.]] bothë two, And hadde hem mad ther-off certeyn, Line 20323 And myghte yt nat repelle ageyn, Thanne he were (to our purpos) Dysbarryd, and from hys power clos. Line 20326

"And evene lyk (to our entent) Off planetys and the fyrmament, And off sterrys the mocïoun, Yiff they hadde commyssïoun Line 20330

Line 20330 "Vp-on al thyng, [[thynge St.]] hih and lowe, Her in erthë that men knowe, Bothe to shette and ek vnclose, And as hym lyst, ffor to dyspose Line 20334 At ther ownë volunte, That yt myhte noon other be, But as the hevene (in substaunce) Lyst to tourne the ordynaunce; Line 20338 Than muste ther power (who kan se) Be fallen off necessyte, As the sterrys wolde ordeyne: The kyng ne myght yt nat restreyne; Line 20342 ffor he, off verray volunte, Hath wyth-drawen hys powste. [folio 263a] [[C. & St.]] Thus thow woldest hym exclude, [[C. & St.]] And by thy wordys ek conclude, [[C. & St.]] Line 20346 That allë thyngës that her be, Sholde fallë off necessyte, Wherby (who that kan dyscerne) The lord that al hath to gouerne, Line 20350 Sholde, by hys commyssïoun, Restreyne hys domynacïoun, Wych ys A maner impossible, And as to me, no thyng credyble, Line 20354 What-euere her-on thow lyst to seyn.

"But I wyl answere the ageyn, Touchyng the hevenly mocïouns, Ther power and ther commyssïouns, Line 20358 Ther influencys and ther mevyng: Al thys, they haue yt off the [[theyr C.]] kyng And off the lord (who kan concerne) That hevene and erthë doth gouerne. Line 20362 And trewly, in A-nother wyse Than thy sylff dost her [[here St.]] devyse.

"Touchyng ther power, (tak good heede, In Genesis thow mayst yt rede;) [Stowe folio 334b] Line 20366 He ordeynede sterrys for to shyne, To yivë lyht, and enlwmyne, And to the world, by ther bryhtnesse, To yivë coumfort and clernesse; Line 20370

Line 20370 "And to dyscerne, (who loke a-ryht) To knowe the dayës wel fro nyht, He sette hem ther (by certeyn lynes) As for markys and for sygnes: Line 20374 Lat the byble wel be souht, And other thyng thow fyndest nouht.

"Off the power that he hem sette, Line 20377 Ther-off he wyle no thyng hem [[hem om. St.]] lette; But shortly, al ther gouernaunce Abydeth vnder hys puissaunce; He byndythe, [[St., vndoth C.]] and vnbynt also; [folio 263b] What euere hym lyst, that mot be do; Line 20382 And O word that her ys sayd, (And ful notáble to be layd, To be put in rémembraunce, My conclusioun to Avaunce,) Line 20386 That the sterrys ffer above, Wér only ffor sygnës yove, That thyngës (who so lyst to se) Wyth hem sholdë markyd be. Line 20390

"And who that euere ageyn malygnes, They be but markys, nor but sygnes Off thylkë lord celestyal, That syt above, and rewleth al, Line 20394 Sterrys and constellacïouns.

"And as in cytes and in townys, Maystres off dyvers crafftys Hang out, on polys [[bolys St.]] and on rafftys, Line 20398 Dyuers sygnys hih and lowe, Wher-by that men ther crafft may knowe;— As somme off hem hang out lyouns, Somme Eglys and gryffouns, Line 20402 Peynted on bordys and on stagys, Dyuers Armys and ymáges (In cytes mo than .ix. or ten,) Wherby men knowe thys [[thes St.]] craffty men; Line 20406 But wher-so-euere they hangyd be, Hih aloffte, that men may se, He wer A ffool, and nothyng sage, That woldë deme in hys corage, Line 20410

Line 20410 "That thys markys, on pool or rafft, Kan no thyng medlen off the crafft, Nor helpe ther-to, (yt ys no ffayl,) Nor to the craffty men avayl. [Stowe folio 335a] Line 20414

"And at tavernys (with-outë wene) [Tib. A vii. starts again with leaf 63.] Thys tooknys nor thys bowys [[C. Tib. leves St.]] grene, Thogh they shewë ffressh and ffayre, The wyn they mende nat, nor apeyre, [folio 264a] Line 20418 Nor medle no thyng (thys the ffyn) Off the sale nor [[more Tib.]] off the wyn, Nór hath nothyng to govérne, Off the celer nor taverne: Line 20422 By hem ys no thyng do nor let; They bé ther, but for markys set.

"And semblably, to Our entent, The sterrys and the ffyrmament, Line 20426 Planetys and constellacïouns, Cerclys, sygnes, nor mansïouns, Ar (to speke in wordys ffewe) No-thyng but markys, for to shewe Line 20430 Off the workman, and off [[off om. Tib.]] the lord That made al thyng with A word.

"In erthe, ther ys no taverner, That couchyd hath in hys celer Line 20434 So many wynës red nor whyht, Nor other drynkës off delyt, As thys lord hath Beveráges Off Grace, [[gracys St.]] y-mad ffor sondry ages. Line 20438 And off al thys, (who lyst to se,) The sterrys, no-thyng but toknys be, That al our goodys, her doun lowe, Kome fro that lord (who lyst to knowe); Line 20442 And alle the gyfftys ek off grace Descendë from that hevenly place.

"He partyth hys gyfftys dyversly, And, off hys grace and hys mercy, Line 20446 All folkys ha suffysaunce, Plente ynowh, and hábondaunce; ffor, off hys grace (as yt ys skyl,)

"He parteth, as yt ys hys wyl. Line 20450

"Therfor lat gracë be thy guyde, [Tib folio 63b] And al thy resouns set asyde; And wenë nat, in thyn entent, The sterrys nor the ffyrmament [folio 264b] Line 20454 Ha no vertu (with-outë glose) Good or evel, for [[for om. Tib.]] to dyspose, But as the lord celestyal Ordeyneth, that govérneth al. Line 20458 Wher-for, beholde and loke a-ryht, And deme off resoun in thy syht, And be with me nat evele apayd.

"Yiff yt wer soth that thow hast sayd, Line 20462 Yt wer as [[all St.]] good (thys, the cheff) To ben a robbere and a theff, (By the resouns that thow gan, [[began St.]] ) As for to ben A trewë man, Line 20466 ffolwynge, off necessyte, That yt myhte noon other be; [Stowe folio 335b] The sterrys, the hevene, bothë two, Han ordeyned yt mot be so Line 20470 By ther hevenly influence, Wyth-outen any résystence. Why sholde A theff than punysshed be, That fro robbry may nat ffle; Line 20474 Or A trewe man, by resoun, Vertuous off condycïoun, Mawgre hys wyl and [[with St., and Tib.]] al hys myht, Escheweth wrong, and doth al ryht. Line 20478 Touchyng hys meryte nor gerdoun, He noon dysserveth, off resoun, ffor the sterrys euerydel Ben only cause that he doth wel. Line 20482 Wher-vp-on (who-so taketh hede) Bothë sholde haue ylychë mede, Good or harm, wher-so thé werche.

"And also off al hooly [[hooly om. Tib.]] cherche, Line 20486 Yiff thy resouns wer certeyn, The sacramentys wer in veyn In thys cas (yiff yt be souht);

"ffor they sholde a-vayllë nouht, Line 20490 Nor to mankynde do [[C., Tib., be St.]] no good. [folio 265a]

"And Cryst Ihesu, that shadde hys blood, Only mankynde for to save, What effectë [[Tib., effect C., St.]] sholdë haue Line 20494 Hys peyne or gretë passïoun, To brynge vs to savacïoun, Yiff no man myghte don evel [[C., Tib., do well St.]] nor good, But evene so as the hevene stood? Line 20498 Ther wer noon helpë nor socour; The wych [[whiche Tib.]] wer a gret errour, A man to leve in any [[C., Tib., such a St.]] wyse So as thow dost her devyse; Line 20502 ffro [[Tib., ffor C., St.]] wych, I pray god me preserue!

"Thow seyst also, men sholde obserue Houres and constellacïouns ffor sondry operacïouns; Line 20506 The ascendent, consydre and se, Off a manhys natyvyte, To ffynde the dysposicïoun Off A manhys condycïoun, Line 20510 To good or evel, [[badd St.]] be kyndely lawe Off nature, he sholdë drawe; The wychë (who [[C., Tib., who-so St.]] the trouthe espyes) [Stowe folio 336a] Ar [[C., Tib., as St.]] but fables, and ful off lyes; Line 20514 ffor men ha seyn [[sene St., seyne Tib.]] her-to-fforn, Two chyldren in O moment born, The ton ryht good and fortunat, And the tother infortunat; Line 20518 And men ha seyn [[C., Tib., such a St.]] ek at O tyme, (Bothe at Evyn and at pryme,) Twey men that a crafft wel konne: At On hour they ha be-gonne; [Tib folio 64b] Line 20522 The ton Off hem ful wel hath wrouht, And the tother hath [[The tother he hath Tib.]] do ryht nouht. And tweyne, on hour (who kan espye) Han bothe had O malladye: Line 20526 The ton was mad hol by nature, The tother myghtë nat endure, [folio 265b] [[C. & St.]] But hath deyed, in certeyn: [[C. & St.]]

"Wherfor thy resouns be but veyn. Line 20530

"Or telle me also a resoun Touchynge thyn oppynyoun: An hundryd thousand men assaylle Euerych other in bataylle; Line 20534 Wher-off kometh ther [[C., Tib., that St.]] destyne, That they ben alle at o Iourne, And yet par cas (yt ys no nay) They wer nat alle born on [[in St.]] o day, Line 20538 Nor they nat entre, nyh nor ferre, All at tonys [[ones St.]] in-to that werre; And yet, by Martys [[martis St., marrys C.]] mortal lawe, Euerychon they ben yslawe: Line 20542 Tel the cause what may thys be, And spek no mor off destyne.

"Yet som folk ben ordynat, And also predestynat, Line 20546 Prescryt [[prescryt St., Prescyt C., Prescys Tib.]] to-forn to Ioye and blysse, Off the wych som other mysse, Swych as (in conclusïoun) Gon vn-to [[C., St., in to Tib.]] dampnacïoun. Line 20550

"And, trewly [[trewely Tib.]] (yt ys no dred) The cause ys nat (who taketh hed,) The dyvynë prescyence; But the gretë dyfference Line 20554 Ys causyd off good and off badde, Affter the lyff that they her ladde. And in this [[Tib., the St., thy C.]] world (bothe ffer and ner, [[leaves out of Tib. till 555/20812 below.]] ) As they rowede in the Ryuer, Line 20558 Somme to Ioye, somme to peyne, ffro synne as they hem-sylff restreyne; The goodë to savacïoun, The evele vn-to dampnacïoun, Line 20562 Constreyned no-thyng by destyne, [Stowe folio 336b] But by ffre wyl and lyberte.

"Thogh god knewe al thys thyng [[thyng om. St.]] to-forn, Many [[Many a St.]] day or they wer born, [folio 266a] Line 20566 Hys knowyng nor hys prescyence, Vn-to man doth noon offence. ffredam ys yove [[gyven St.]] to hem to chese,

"Whether hym lyst to wynne or lese; Line 20570 ffor, knowyng (who that lookë wel) Off god, ne causeth neueradel Wher them lyst, off bothë tweyne, To gon to Ioye, outher to peyne. Line 20574

"And, ther-for, do by my lore, And off destyne spek no more; ffor the planetys euerychon, And the sygnës, on by On, Line 20578 And euery sterre, in hys degre, Mevyn by the volunte Off the lord that syt aloffte.

"And also (as yt falleth offte) Line 20582 ffolkys that in thys world her be, (At the Eye as thow mayst se,) Somme be lame, and feble off myght; And sommë strong, and gon vp-ryht, Line 20586 And many welde hem sylff ryht wel; But, off the sterrys neueradel, Nor off the hevenly influence, Strengthë, myght, nor impotence, Line 20590 Be nat causyd (on no syde) But as the lord lyst to provyde.

"No man blynd, nor no man lame Born—the gospel seyth the same;— Line 20594 ffor whan cryst, in swych A cas, Off the Iewys axyd was, (As in Iohan ye may fynde,) Why the blynde man was bor [[borne St.]] blynde, Line 20598 He told hem pleynly at A word, 'To preve the workys off the [[oure St.]] lord, And hys dedys by myrácle, With-outen any mor obstácle;' [folio 266b] Line 20602 And other causë was ther noon, As seyth the gospel off seyn Iohn.

"And nothyng thorgh the mocïoun Off sterrys dysposicïoun, Line 20606 Was thys blyndnesse to hym sent.

"And davyd seyth 'the fyrmament Was ordeyned, at O word,

To telle the werkys off the lord. [Celi enarrant.] Line 20610 The sterrys, he [[be St.]] makyd for to shyne, [Stowe folio 337a] Vp-on the Erthë tenlwmyne; Hih in hevene to abyde, A-sonder only to devyde Line 20614 The day and ek the dyrkë nyht.

"And in hys Centyloge a-ryht, The gretë clerk, kyng [[grete kynge St.]] Tholome, Affermeth ther (who lyst to se); Line 20618 He seyth (As I rehersë kan) That in erthe A wysë [[wyse St., wys C.]] man [Sapiens dominabitur astris.] Haueth domynacïoun Above ech constellacïoun." Line 20622

And affter he hadde herd me seyn, Thus he answerde me ageyn:

Astrologye: [[St., om. C.]]

'Affter thy wordys rehersyd here, The heuene, with hys sterrys clere, Line 20626 Sholdë hauen, in substaunce, But lytel power or puissaunce, And sholde also, by thy devys, Ben also off lassë prys Line 20630 Than ys the erthë, her doun lowe, With greynys and with sedys sowe; ffor the Erthe, wher-on we gon, Bryngeth fforth ffruitës many On,— Line 20634 Euerych grouynge in hys kynde,— And flourys fayre, as thow mayst fynde; And yet, for al hys gret ffayrnesse, The hevene haueth mor noblesse [folio 267a] [[St. & C.]] Line 20638 Than hathe therthe in hys degre, [[St. & C.]] By many effects, as man may se; [[St. & C.]] And it also more necessary. [[St. & C.]] And shortly, (for me lyst nat tarye,) [[St. & C.]] Line 20642 In hevenly myght and puissaunce, The erthe hath al hys governaunce.'

[The Pilgrim]:

"In som thyng thow seyst ful soth, Touchyng that the hevene doth. Line 20646 In erthe, ther sholdë non greyns sprynge,

"Nor ffruitys non yt sholde forth brynge, Ne wer the hevene (wyth hys myght) Gaff ther-to, coumfort and lyht; Line 20650 ffor the hevene, thorgh hys bryhtnesse, Thorgh hys hete, and hys clernesse, Causeth in erthë many a payre fflourys and ffruit to spryngë fayre, Line 20654 And yiveth ther-to (as thow mayst se) fful grete gyfftys off bewte, Lych as the lord off most renoun Hath yove hem by commyssïoun. Line 20658

"But hys power, nor hys powste, Ne strechchet nat (who lyst to se, Neuere sythe the world by-gan,) [Stowe folio 337b] Touchynge the gouernaunce off man. Line 20662

ffor man hath choys and volunte, ffredam also, and lyberte. Hevene ne sterrys, bothë two, Ther-with haue no-thyng to do, Line 20666 Nor neuer aforn, power hadde, To cause hym [[them St.]] to don good or badde.

"But whan I mette ffyrst with the, Off O thyng thow spak to me, Line 20670 Touchyng thy tother halff partye Wych callyd ys 'Astronomye.' Tel me a-noon, and have y-do, [folio 267b] [[St. & C.]] Ys she ffer now fro the go? [[St. & C.]] Line 20674 Wher ys hyr habytacïoun, [[St. & C.]] Hyr dwellyng, or hyr mancïoun?" [[St. & C.]]

Astrologie: [[St., om. C.]]

'Wher that she be, her or yonder, [[St. & C.]] We ne be nat ffer asonder, Line 20678 ffor vnder hyre proteccïouns I makë dyvynacïouns; And by hyr power grauntyd me, I have scolerys two or thre, Line 20682 Wych that on me euere abyde, And departe nat fro my syde.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Tel on a-noon, I pray the,

"Declare her namys here to me, Line 20686 And thy-sylff no-thyng excuse, Wher thow dost swych crafftës vse; ffor syth thow seyst so nyh they be, With al myn herte I wolde hem se." Line 20690

Astrologie: [[St., om. C.]]

'ffor to ffulfyllë thy desyr: The ffyrstë place ys in the ffyre; And my scoler, ffyrst off echon, Wher-so-euere that we gon, Line 20694 (I kan hyr in no wyse excuse,) In that place she doth yt vse. And she (as I shal specefye) Callyd ys 'Pyromancye': Line 20698 ffro thennys she may nat wel dysseuere; And in the ffyr she dwelleth euere; And therby (in conclusïoun) She maketh hyr dyvynacïoun, Line 20702 Be yt ffoul or be yt ffayr.

'My secounde scoler in the hayr [[is the ayre St.]] Pleynly, affter my doctryne, At allë tymës doth devyne; Line 20706 And therfor (yiff thow konne espye,) Hyr name ys callyd 'Aermancye.' [folio 268a]

'The thrydde ys off fful gret renoun, And hath hyr habytacïoun [Stowe folio 338a] Line 20710 In the se (who kan dyscerne); Whom Neptunus doth gouerne; By whom (the story telleth thus) The myghty man Neptanabus, Line 20714 ffader to Alysaundre the kyng, Wrouht fful many A dyuers thyng; And in the water and in the se Was al hys crafft, as thow mayst se. Line 20718 Ther-fore (me lyst nat for to lye,) Yt ys callyd Ydromancye, By water (in conclusïoun), Augurye or dyvynacïoun. Line 20722

'The ffourthë, (yt nedeth nat telle,) ffor, awhyle yiff thow wylt dwelle,

'Thow shalt A-noon, her in presence Sen ther, off experyence, Line 20726 ffor yt ys wrouht by manhys hond, Somwhyle in erthë and in sond: Ther-fore (shortly to specefye) Yt ys callyd Geomancye.' Line 20730

[The Pilgrim]:

Than quod I, "tel on to me, What be the poyntys that I se: Declare to me, and nat ne ffaylle, What may they helpyn or A-vaylle." Line 20734

Geomanc[y]e [[St., om. C.]] :

'Be-twyxen ernest and ek game, 'Geomancye,' her ys my name. Astrologye ys my maystresse, That dyde my name to thé expresse; Line 20738 To whos doctryne and whos sentence I yivë ffeyth and fful credence; And by thys poyntys, I kan knowe Whan ys tyme to Ere and sowe; Line 20742 And wher, thys nextë yer certeyn, [folio 268b] [[C. & St.]] Ther shal be plente off frut and greyn. [[C. & St.]] And I kan tellë, nyh and fferre, [[C. & St.]] Bothe off pes and ek off werre; [[C. & St.]] Line 20746 And in effect, I wyl nat ffaylle [[C. & St.]] To telle the ffyn off a bataylle. And, that I lese nat my labour, I take the tyme and ek the hour Line 20750 Whan that I my werk begynne, Who shal lesyn, or who shal wynne, Or who shal ffaylle [[who shallan St.]] off hys plesaunce; ffor thys poyntȝ ha résemblaunce Line 20754 To the sygnës in the hevene, And to the planetys allë .vij. [[seven St.]]

'And, I taake also good heed To the tayl and to the hed, Line 20758 Hih a loffte, off the dragoun, Whan I ffourme my questyoun, Wher-on, by hevenly influence, [Stowe folio 238b] I yivë trewe and iust sentence Line 20762

Line 20762 'On every thyng, and ech demaunde, Lyk as my ffygures me comaunde.'

Pilgrym: [[St., om. C.]]

"Tel fforth to me euerydel, Wher-off serveth that tuel." Line 20766

Geomancy: [[St., om. C.]]

'I looke thorgh (off hool entent) Vp-ward to the ffyrmament, To han, vn-to my questïoun, A maner dysposicïoun, Line 20770 Or that I my ffygur sue, How the hevene doth influe.

Pilgryme: [[St., om. C.]]

"Now I telle the Outterly, That thow art ryht vnhappy, Line 20774 And dygne (to myn oppynyoun) Off shame and off confusïoun, That, so myche off thy ffolye Trustest in astrologye, Line 20778 Wenyng, at thy [[the St.]] comaundëment, [folio 269a] ffor to make the ffyrmament As thow lyst, ryht at thyn hond, ffor to descende vp-on the sond, Line 20782 By influence avale a-doun By causë off thy questïoun; Wenynge ta fond [[to a found St.]] Out a weye That the hevene thé sholde obeye. Line 20786

"In thyn hed ys no resoun, Clernesse nor dyscrecïoun; Thy crafft and thow be [[be, om. St.]] peryllous To symple ffolkys vertuous, Line 20790 To brynge hem in mysgouernaunce. I praye god, saue me fro meschaunce, And ffro thy gret Inyquyte! Go hens, that I no mor thé se! Line 20794 I drede me gretly in my thouht, That I am in pereyl brouht; Namly in thys dredful se, I trowë sothly that I be Line 20798 ffalle on a pereyl doutëles,

Wych that callyd ys 'Cyrces.' "

[[Astrolog[y]e and Geomanoy St., om. C.]] Thys tweynë loudë gan to crye, And gan vn-to me specefye Line 20802 That I was falle vp-on Cyrces, [[cyrces St., cyces C.]] And that I sholdë (doutëles, By no treyne nor by no Iape) ffrom ther [[theyr St.]] daunger nat escape. Line 20806 And I, for dred, gan hastë me Streyht ageyn vn-to the se, And leffte hem bothe on An ylond, Makynge ther poyntys in the sond. [Stowe folio 339a] Line 20810

And thanne I gan to bydde and preye, That god wolde helpe me [[me Tib., om. C., St.]] on my weye, [[Tib. A 7 begins here again, [folio 65a] ]] ffrom allë [[alle Tib., al C., St.]] stormys in my passage, And also fro the gret outrage Line 20814 Off wyndës wych that, hih and lowe, [folio 269b] [[C. & St.]] Sternëly at me gan blowe. [[C. & St.]]

And in the samë syluë whyle, I sawh apere a lytel yle, Line 20818 Wher-off I haddë gret gladnesse; And thyderward I gan me dresse; Rauhte so ffer vp with myn hond, That, off grace, I kam to lond. Line 20822 And ther I sawh, off cher fful bold, A vekkë, hydous and ryht old, And wonder Ougly off hyr chere; Hyr handys she beet also yffere; Line 20826 And hyr lawhyng to determyne, Lych an hors she gan to wyne. [[whyne Tib.]] And I, my look vp-on hyr leyde, And evene thus to hyre I seyde: Line 20830

The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"O thow most ffoul in béholdyng, Tel on the cause off thy lawhyng!"

Ydolatrie: [[C. in margin; Idolatrye Tib., St.]]

'Kom On, and entre in with me, And the causë thow shalt se.' Line 20834

[The Pilgrim]: [[Blank for Illumination in C.]]

And I entrede by hyr byddyng; And ther I ffond On [[oon Tib., on St.]] syttyng

In A chayer, an ymage, Ryht ffoul off look and off vysage: Line 20838 He sat crownyd lyk a kyng, In hys hond a swerd holdyng; Vp-on hys shuldrys brood and large Me thouhtë that he had a targe, [folio 270a] [Tib folio 65b] [[Tib., C., & St.]] Line 20842 Wyth blakë fflyës al depeynt: [[Tib., C., & St.]] Yreynës [[And vreynes Tib.]] wern A-mong hem meynt; [[Tib., C., & St.]] [[An Illumination follows this line in Tib.]] And (wych that ys ful foul to nevene) [[Tib., C., & St.]] Line 20845 Ther was a maner off smoky levene [[heuene Tib.]] [[Tib., C., & St.]] Wych the ydole dyde embrace. [[Tib., C., & St.]] And round abouten in the place, [[Tib., C., & St.]] Yt was fful (I yow ensure) Off bryddës dunge and foul ordure. Line 20850

To-for thys mawmet (in certeyn) I sawh knelyn a vyleyn, With powdrys and [[and om. Tib.]] with fumys blake, Sacryfysë for to make Line 20854 To thys ydole, with hys sheld. And he that [[that om. Tib.]] knelede (as I be-held) Was [[And was Tib.]] (to myn Oppynyoun) A Carpenter or a masoun. Line 20858

Idolatrye: [[Tib., St., in margin C.]]

Thanne thys dame Ydolatrye, [Stowe folio 339b] ffoul and horryble off look and Eye, 'Behold,' quod she, 'and lookë wel, [Tib folio 66a] And se the maner euerydel Line 20862 How I ha [[haue Tib.]] Ioye and gret gladnesse To sen thys cherl, by gret humblesse, Toward thys mawmet hym-sylff tavaunce, [[to vaunce Tib.]] Don worshepe, and óbseruaunce; Line 20866 And I abydë, for to se That thow shalt knele vp-on thy kne, To-fforn hym, by devocïoun. fforsake thy skryppe and thy bordoun; Line 20870 And, to hys myghty excellence, Don worshepe and reuerence.'

The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

Lyst for thys thyng I ffyl [[Leste . . ffelle Tib.]] in blame,

"Tel on ffyrst, what ys thy name." Line 20874

Dame Idolatrye: [folio 270b] [[Tib., Ydolatre St., Ydolatrye in margin C.]]

'Ydolatrye [[And Idolatrye Tib.]] I am,' quod she, 'And off ffolkes that be ffre, [[free Tib., St., ff C. burnt]] Thys my custom and vságe [[C., Tib., St.]] ffor to brynge hem in seruage. [[C., Tib., St.]] Line 20878 And I kan, by collusïoun, Tourne al estatys vp-so-doun, And settë (thogh ffolk hadde yt sworn,) That ys bakward, to go beforn. Line 20882 To dyfface, ys my labour, The kyngës worshepe and honour, [¶ Deuteronomi. 6^o (13) Dominum deum tuum timebis, & illi soli se[r|vies]. Tib., om. C., St.] And al that to my sylff applye. ffor I am callyd 'Ydolatrye,' Line 20886 The wychë (who wel lokë kan) ffrend and douhter to Sathan; ffor Sathan (shortly for to telle) In mawmetys I make hym dwelle. Line 20890

'By thys cherl vp-on hys kne, [Tib folio 66b] Her thow mayst exaumple se, How he, wyth al hys dyllygence, Doth hym honour and reuerence, Line 20894 Wenynge, by hys ápparaylle, The mawmet myhte to hym avaylle. ffor Sathan,—that ys cloos with-Inne, To Infecte hys soule wyth synne, Line 20898 And hys wyttys to entrouble,— Yiveth an answere wych ys double, Wych hath (to marren hys entent,) A maner off double entendëment, Line 20902 And leueth hym euere in none-certeyn, [[none certeyne St., non certeyne Tib.]] Or kepeth hym Muët [[muyt St., Muet Tib.]] off dysdeyn; And hys [[his Tib., hyr C., her St.]] réqueste doth refuse, To make the fool more for [[for C., St., om. Tib.]] to muse, Lose hys tyme, off wylfulnesse. Line 20907

'And yet, in al hys wrechchydnesse, [Stowe folio 340a] Efft [[Offte Tib., eft St.]] he doth hys dyllygence, With [[With om. Tib.]] smoke and ffyr hym to encense, Prayeth hys Mawmet nat to faylle, Line 20911 To yive Answere, and hym [[C., Tib., hem St.]] consaylle,

'And helpe hym, that he myghtë spede, [folio 271a] To forthre hym in hys gret nede, Line 20914 Syth he in hym doth so affye.

'Se how thys fool, off hys ffolye, Seth how hys Mawmet, ffoul off chere, Herys [[eres Tib., St.]] hath, [[he hath Tib.]] and may nat here; Line 20918 And syttynge also in hys se, Eyen hath, and may nat se; But ys as dowmb as stok or ston; And hath ffet, and may nat gon, Line 20922 Nor from hys chayer, a foot remewe, Thogh al the world hym woldë sue.

'Hys swerd, hys targë, in bataylle May to hym ryht nouht avaylle; Line 20926 ffor he ys ded, as ston or [[C., Tib., in St.]] tre. [Tib folio 67a] And [[And oonly Tib.]] trewly (so as thynketh me,) Who doth to swych on, [[oon Tib., one St.]] reverence, Requerynge [[Requyrynge Tib., requeryth St.]] hys benyvolence, He ys (for short conclusïoun) Line 20931 A fool, in myn oppynyoun.

'And for to touchyn hym mor ner, The samë syluë [[selffe same St., same silffe Tib.]] carpenter Dyde a-forn hys bysy peyne Line 20935 To forge hym, wyth hys handys tweyne, And make hym ffyrst off swych entaylle, And wot he may nothyng avaylle Line 20938 To helpe hym, whan that [[that om. St., whanne Tib.]] al ys do. They ben A-coursyd, bothë two: [¶ Sapientie 14^o. (8)] And thys the cause (wyth-outë more) [¶ Idolum maledictum [est] et qui fecit illud. Tib.]] ffyrst why that I lowh so sore.' Line 20942

The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

Yet nat-wyth-stondyng, off entente, To the cherl [[Churle Tib.]] A-noon I wente, Bad hym a-ryse, and that a-noon, And that he sholdë thenys gon, Line 20946 And leue hys fals oppynyoun, Go take [[Tib., St., (C. burnt)]] hys skryppe and hys bordoun, [folio 271b] And, off hertë ful mekly, [[Tib., St., (C. burnt)]] Gon and crye the kyng, mercy Line 20950 Off the gylt and the trespáce

That he hadde don in that place, And that hys hertë was so set To worshepë A Marmoset, Line 20954 Wych to helpë, (fer nor ner,) Hath no puissaunce nor power. [Stowe folio 340b]

Wher-off (with-outë mor respyt,) The Cherl in herte hadde gret despyt, Line 20958 And felly gan a-geyn abrayde, And vn-to me ryht thus he sayde: [Tib folio 67b]

The Vyleyne: [[St., veleyne Tib., . . yleyn C., in margin.]]

'How darstow [[darste thow Tib.]] me her repreue, Or thyn hertë so to greue, Line 20962 To sen me don swych óbseruaunce With al myn hoolë affyaunce, To thys ydólës set on stages, Syth pylgrymes, in ther [[ther om. Tib.]] passáges Line 20966 Honowre and worshepe, euerychon, Ymages off tymber and off ston; And crystene peple, ful nyh alle, On ther knes to-forn hem falle; Line 20970 And, whan al to-gydre ys souht, They may helpë yow ryht nowht, Nor done to yow noon ávauntage, No mor than her, may myn ymage.' Line 20974

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"That thow woldest her conclude, Thy resouns ar [[C., St. they are, Tib., St. The 6-syllable line is good.]] but rude. ffor, sothly, we nothyng laboure The ymáges to honoure, Line 20978 Stook nor ston, nor that men peyntes; But we honoure the holy seyntes Off whom they beryn the lyknesse, In our myndë, to enpresse, Line 20982 By clerë [[clere St., cler C., cleer Tib.]] demonstracïouns, [folio 272a] Ther martyrdam, ther passïouns, Ther holy lyff, ther [[and ther Tib.]] myracles Wych ben to vs but [[but St., but as C.]] spectacles, And as merours, that represente Ther trewe menyng and ther [[ther om. St.]] entente, Ther gretë labour and vyctórye;

"That we sholdë ha memórye, [Tib folio 68a] Line 20990 By hem, a kalender to make, What they suffrede for crystes sake, Patryarchës and prophétys, Wych in hevene haue now her setys; Line 20994 The [[And the Tib.]] passïoun off cryst hym-sylue, [[An Illumination follows in Tib.]] And off hys apostelys twelue, And off martyrs that wer vyctours; The pacyënce off cónfessours, Line 20998 And off maydenes, in ther degre, That deydë [[C., deyed Tib., dyed St.]] in vyrgynyte, As clerkys in ther lyvës [[boks St.]] ffynde. [Stowe folio 341a]

"Ymáges présente to Our mynde, Line 21002 And to vs, clerly expresse, Off her lyvyng the holynesse; And for thys skyle, (with-outë let) Ymages in cherches ben vp set; Line 21006 And vn-to folkys many On, fful gret profyt also they done, Namly, to swych (I yow ensure) That ne kan, no lettrure; Line 21010 ffor, on ymáges whan they lookys, Ther they rede, as in ther bookys, [[loke . . boke St., lokys . . bokys Tib.]] What they ouhte off ryht to sue, [Tib folio 68b] And also what they shal [[schulde Tib., shuld St.]] eschewe, Ther they may yt clerly lere. Line 21015

"But off thy mawmet, I wolde here, Wych may thé no thyng socoure, Why thow sholdest hym honoure. [folio 272b] Line 21018 ffor (who that any resoun kan,) With-Inne, enclosyd ys Sathan, And ther hym-sylff hath mad a se, The prynce off al inyquyte, Line 21022 The wychë [[whiche Tib., St., wych C.]] (shortly for tendyte,) fful mortally he shal the quyte, Whan he seth tyme, and best leyser. And therfor, now, whyl thow art her, Line 21026 Off thy Mawmet for to telle, Sey on; for I ne may nat dwelle."

The Vyleyn: [[St., veleyne Tib., om. C.]]

'Thow gest [[geste Tib., getst St.]] no mor, as now, for me; But off O thyng I warnë the; Line 21030 Yiff thow in thys place abyde, Myn ax shal thorgh thy nekkë glyde, But yiff [[ȝeue Tib.]] thow do to myn Imáge, Lowly worshepe and homáge. Line 21034 Ches yiff [[ȝeue Tib.]] the lyst, and lat me se, ffor thow gest [[getest St., geste Tib.]] no mor off me.'

The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

Than I stood in fful gret doute. And as I tournede me aboute, Line 21038 Myd off thys Ile that I off tolde, And euery party gan beholde, Myd off thys se, lookyng ech way How I myhte eskape a-way; Line 21042 And to-for myn Eye [[eyne St.]] I fond [Tib folio 69a] A Maryssh, or elles a merssh [[mershe St.]] lond, That peryllous was, and ful profounde, And off ffylthës ryht habounde. Line 21046

And thyder-ward as [[was C.]] I gan hye A vekkë Old me dyde espye, Komyng with an owgly cher; [Stowe folio 341b] Vp-on hyr hed, a gret paner; Line 21050 In hyr ryht hand (as I was war,) An hand kut off, me sempte she bar. And, or any hede I took, [[I took Tib. (C. burnt), she toke St.]] [folio 273a] She kauhte me ¹⁰with a crokyd hooke.¹⁰ [[10_10 Tib. (C. burnt), hoke St.]] [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib. The old Witch has, in her left hand, a long stick, hookt under the Pilgrim's left armpit; and her right hand grasps a big cut-off hand by its wrist.]] And as she gan me fastë holde, I axede hyre what that she wolde, Line 21056 And make [[make C., Tib., St.]] a declaracïoun Off name and off condycïoun.

¶ Sorcerye: [[Tib., St., om. C.]]

Quod she: 'vnderstond me thus; Line 21059 My namë ys 'Bythálassus,' [[bythalassus Tib., Bythassus C., St.]] Wych ys to seynë, (who lyst [[lyste Tib., lyst C., St.]] se)

'A ffamous pereyl off the se, In wych (wyth-outen any grace) [Tib folio 69b] Allë [[Alle Tib., Al C., All St.]] ffolk that forby pace, Line 21064 And allë tho that thorgh me gon, I make hem perysshen, [[peryshe St.]] euerychon.

'And also ek touchyng my name, I am callyd (by gret dyffame, Line 21068 As som [[som C., Tib., some St.]] ffolkys specefye,) 'Sortylege [[Cortylage Tib.]] or Sorcerye.' Many folkys thus me calle; And yet they hatë me nat [[not at St., nat C., not Tib.]] alle; I am be-lovyd, bothe ffer and ner. Line 21073

'And I ber ek in thys paner (Who that with-Innë lyst to seke) Many knyves and hoodys ek, Line 21076 Dyvers wrytës and ymáges, Oynementys and herbáges, Gadryd in constellacïouns; ffor I obseruë my sesouns, Line 21080 and make off hem elleccyoun [folio 273b] [[Tib.]] afftir myne oppynyoun. [[Tib.]] And 'Maleffycë', folkes [[Malyfite folks St.]] alle, [[Tib.]] Off ryght, they shuldë me so calle. [[Tib.]] Line 21084 I have ful many evel vságes [[Tib. & C.]] Off drynkës and off beveráges, [[Tib. & C.]] Wherby I makë (her and yonder,) ffrendys for to parte assonder; Line 21088 ffor, with fals coniurysouns [[C. & Tib., coniurations St.]] And with myn incantacïouns, And many dyuers enchauntëment, Sondry folk ben offtë shent. Line 21092 And, with dyuers crafftys ek, I kan makë men ful sek; And somme also ful cursydly ffor to deyë sodeynly. Line 21096

'And, in lordys ek preséncys, [Stowe folio 242a] I kan make ek [[eke make Tib.]] apparéncys Whan that me lyst, ful many On, [Tib folio 70a] Yiff I sholde telle hem euerychon.' Line 21100

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Pilgrim Tib., St., om. C.]]

"Tel on, (with-outë mor taryng,) Wher lernystow al thy konnyng. [[konynge St., kunnynge Tib.]] "

¶ Sorcerye: [[Tib., St., erye, in margin C.]]

'Sothly, (as I rehersë kan,) I lernede my konnyng off Sathan, [[An Illumination follows in Tib., of the Devil and four women, one with a long-headed rod, and an|other with a child in her arms.]] Line 21104 Wych halt hys scole nat hennys ffer, And hath ydon ful [[ydone St.]] many A yer. And to that scolë kome and gon, Line 21107 Off scolerys ful many [[scolars . . many a St., scolers . . many Tib., scolerys . . manyng C.]] on; And he, aboue al maner thyng, Ys ful glad off ther komyng. And off that Art, in many wyse, Ther, I ha [[haue Tib.]] lernyd the guyse. Line 21112 And offtë [[offte C., Tib., eft St.]] sythe (yiff thow lyst se,) Ther, wyth othor scolerys be.'

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Tel on (and make no mor lettynge [[lettynge Tib. St. (C. burnt.)]] ) [folio 274a] [Tib folio 70b] What gaff thow hym for thy kunnynge [[kunnynge Tib., conynge St.]] ?"

¶ Sorcerye: [[Tib., St., om. C.]]

'The trouthë, yiff I tellë shal, Line 21117 My soule I gaff hym, hool and al, And forsook (by chaffaryng) The werkys off the myghty kyng. Line 21120 And who that euere wyl do so, And to that scole approche vn-to, He may (yiff that I shal nat lye,) ffyndë ther swych [[fynd . . suche St., ffynde . . swyche Tib.]] mercerye.'

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Thow hast (as I shal devyse,) Line 21125 Mad a shrewdë [[schrewyd Tib.]] marchaundyse, To yeue [[yue C., ȝeue Tib.]] A thyng off gret noblesse, Excellyng ek in worthynesse, Line 21128 And also off so [[so C., St., om. Tib.]] gret vertu, ffor a thyng off no valu, And (off trouthe and off resoun) Most wyl [[vyle Tib., vyll St.]] off reputacïoun; Line 21132 ffor the wych, (I dar wel telle,)

"In gretë [[gret C., St., gvet Tib.]] pereyl thow dost dwelle, (Off verray soth, And off no Iape,) Neuere lykly to eskape." Line 21136

¶ Sorcerye: [[Tib., St., in margin C.]]

'Al thy seyyng, euerydel, I wot my-sylff that, wonder wel; ffor I stonde in swych meschaunce That I ha [[haue St.]] no répentaunce; Line 21140 I am so ffer ybrouht with-Inne, [Tib folio 71a] And engluyd so with synne, [Stowe folio 342b] So clevynge vp-on myn errour, That I truste on no socour; Line 21144 ffor thogh I sholdë go to helle, I wyl nat go ffro that I telle.'

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., om. C., St.]] [folio 274b]

"Declare to me, and haue Ido, [[Tib.]] Where-off seruith that hand also [[Tib.]] Line 21148 whiche thow [[thow St., that Tib.]] holdyst now so ffaste: [[Tib.]] Thys thyng, expowne to me in hast."

¶ Sorcerye: [[Tib., St., erye in margin C.]]

Quod she to me ageyn [[ageyn, om. Tib.]] a-noon; 'Máthesis, fful yore agon, [[C. & Tib.]] Line 21152 Gaff yt to me (by gret outráge,) And also ek [[C., Tib., eke also St.]] an hool vyságe, Wych that I haue in my depoos, Her, with-Inne my paner cloos. Line 21156 Yt ys ycallyd 'Physonomye,' [[Tib. transposes these lines.]] And thys hand 'Cyromancye,' [[Tib. transposes these lines.]] To telle the dysposicïouns Off ffolk, and ther condycïouns.' Line 21160

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Tel on! expowne that thyng to me, In what wysë that myhte be, Or that thow and I dysseuere; ffor, at that scole I was neuere." Line 21164

¶ Sorcerye: [[Tib., St., om. C.]]

'Herdystow neuere (off áventure) [Tib folio 71b] That a man, in scrypture, Off thys [[That off these Tib.]] phylosofres alle, How 'Mycrocosme' [[Tib., St., mycocrosme C.]] they hym calle,

'(Shortly to tellen, at O word) Nat ellys but 'the lassë world'?' Line 21170

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"I haue herd yt [[And I haue herd Tib.]] in scolys offte, Ther yrad, [[ther I rad St., where I radde Tib.]] bothe loude and soffte."

¶ Sorcerye: [[St., . . erie in margin C.]]

'Thyn Answere mvt be verrefyed; Line 21173 Thys lassë world ys stellefyed Lych hevene, and as the ffyrmament, Ther-off to make A Iugëment,— Line 21176 Vnderstonde by bothë two, The vysage and the hand also,— Vp-on wych, by trewë syht, Men may yive a doom A-ryht, [folio 275a] Line 21180 Tellë the condycïouns By dyvers lyneacïouns Wych ther be set (I the ensure,) Ryht as sterrys off nature. Line 21184

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"To thy wordys I may accorde In party, and nat dyscorde, That a man whom we nevene [Stowe folio 343a] Ys ysterryd as the hevene; Line 21188 But her-vp-on, in substaunce, Thow puttest nat in rémembraunce, Namynge thylkë lyneaciouns, By namys off constellaciouns; [Tib folio 72a] Line 21192 ffor trewëly [[trewely Tib., trewly C., truly St.]] (who kan remembre) The body off man, and euery membre, Ben off erthë, in certeyn, And to erthe shal tourne ageyn. Line 21196

"And, affter philisofres talys, Ther ben hyllës, ther ben walës, [[talis . . valys Tib., tallis . . vallis St.]] Medwes, ryvers, bothë two, Wyldë bestys ek also, Line 21200 And gretë ffeldys men may sen, And pathes that hem departeth [[departe Tib.]] a-twen, And places also off desert, Sommë open, somme couert: Line 21204 Thys be the lyneacïouns

"Y-namyd constellacïouns, In the handys and the vysage, Wherby, clerkys that be sage, Line 21208 Affter thyn oppynyoun, Makë dyvynacïoun, And declare to the and me (Who that kan beholde and se) Line 21212 A manhys [[mannes Tib., mans St.]] dysposicïoun.

"But al thys, in conclusïoun; To devynë, by swych [[swyche Tib., suche St.]] thynges, Ar but fables and lesynges. [folio 275b] [[C. & Tib.]] Line 21216 ffor, (yiff thow wylt trewly nevene,) [[C. & Tib.]] In A man, ther ys noon hevene, (ffor to name yt trewëly. [[trewly C., truly St.]] ) But hys sowlë al only. Line 21220 What so euere ther-off thow telles, That ys hys hevene, and nothyng ellys: Thus clerkys seyn, that trouthë konne. And, off thys, the bryhtë sonne Line 21224 Namyd ys (in sentement) Intellect or entendëment.' [[C., Tib., Incelent or encendement St.]] The monë [[mone Tib., name C.]] (in conclusïoun) Ys ycallyd hys resoun, [Tib folio 72b] Line 21228 Hys vertues, and goodë thewes.

"And good exaumple that he shewes, Tho ben the sterrys bryht and clere, Wych that in thys heuene apere. Line 21232 And hooly clerkys, in bookys kan, 'The lassë world' thus calle A man. And who that hath most holynesse In vertu, haveth most bryhtnesse: Line 21236 Wych sterrys make a man at al To be callyd 'celestyal,' [Stowe folio 343b] And concluden (off Resoun,) Hevenly dysposicïoun. Line 21240 Thys the trowthe, with-outë glose.

"And lyk thy wordys, I suppose, Affter the caas off thy seyyng. [[seiynge Tib., sayenge St.]] That swyche toknys outward shewyng, Line 21244 ffygures or [[and Tib.]] lyneacïouus,

"Shewede the condycïouns, And outward made ther-on A skyl Off governaunce towchyng hys wyl, Line 21248 Off folkys inclinacïouns,— Yt ar [[That are Tib.]] but fals fundacïouns, (Ther-vp-on, who lyst to se,) To conclude necessyte, Line 21252 That yt muste be so off ryht. [folio 276a]

"ffor tooknys, in A manhys [[mannes Tib., mans St.]] syht, And sygnës (bothe at eve and prime,) Deceyve and faylle ful offtë tyme, Line 21256 To folk that looke with eyen cler. Ryght as, off A tauerner, The grenë bussh that hangeth out, Ys a sygne (yt ys no doute,) Line 21260 Outward, folkys for to telle, That with-Inne ys wyn to sell. And for al that, (I the ensure) Yt may falle [[fayle St.]] off áventure, [Tib folio 73a] Line 21264 ffor alle the bowes, rekne echon, That, with-Inne, wyn ys ther noon.

"And Evene (to purpos off thys cas,) Yt ffyl thus off Ypocras, Line 21268 The phylysofre ful famous, Ryht prudent and vertuous, Off whom the ffygur and ymáge And tooknys alle off hys vyságe, Line 21272 Wer ybrouht to Phylemoun, A phylisofre off gret renoun, ffor to descryue hem by and by, And to concluden naturelly Line 21276 Al the inclynacïouns And also the condicïouns Off Ypocras, that was so wys.

"And Philemoun (by short avys) Line 21280 Concludede (as in sentement) That he was incontynent, And off hys lyvyng vycyous, And naturely ek lecherous. Line 21284 ffor (whan he took good heed ther-to,)

"The tooknys outward told hym so, By Open demonstracïoun. [Stowe folio 344a]

"But ypocras, (off good resoun) Line 21288 By vertu only, dyde hys peyne, [folio 276b] Alle the sygnës to restreyne, ffor-dyde hys inclynacïoun Wyth a brydel off resoun; Line 21292 And wyth hys fflessh held swych a stryff, That he was vertuous off lyff.

"The tooknys (who so lyst to se) Causede noon necessyte; Line 21296 ffor, thogh they gaff an ápparence, They wer fals [[were ffalse Tib.]] in éxistence, And maden a ful strong lesyng [Tib folio 73b] To Phylemoun in hys demyng. Line 21300

"Wher-for, lernë thys off me; Lat thy ffantasyës [[ffantesye Tib.]] be, ffor to bryngë [[brynge Tib., bryng C., St.]] folk in [[in a St.]] rage, Both off thyn hand and thy vyságe, Line 21304 And also ek off thy paner Wychë [[whiche Tib., St., wych C.]] that thow shewest her. ffor they be superstycious, Cursyd, and ryht contagyous; Line 21308 And therfor, by the rede off me, A-noon let cast hem in the Se."

And in thys poynt, good hed I took, And brak [[brake Tib., St.]] loos oute off hys hook; And, wyth-outë mor delay, Line 21313 Wentë forth vp-on my way, Tyl at the laste I gan Aproche ffastë by vn-to A roche. Line 21316 And I a-noon (off goode entente) Ther-vp-on, a-noon I wente. And to thys rochë large [[longe Tib.]] and squar, The se kam doun, or I was war, Line 21320 And besette me round aboute; Wher-off I stood in ful gret doute, And hadde in hertë fful gret wo, Whan I was besegyd so Line 21324 Wyth the floodys sterne and huge,

And knew, [[knewe Tib., knew C., St.]] as tho, no refuge, Confort nor consolacïoun. [folio 277a]

And sodeynly I sawh kome doun Line 21328 A wonder Old enchaunteresse, And to me-ward she gan hyr dresse. And I sawh wel ek ther I stood, On the wawës how she rood, Line 21332 Off look and cherë [[chere St., cher C.]] fful pervers; And howndys manye and dyvers [Tib folio 74a] She hadde, behynde and ek beforn; [Stowe folio 344b] And myghtyly she blewh an horn, Line 21336 Made hyr houndys a gret route, ffor tassaylle me round aboute. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Hornblower on the waves, and the Pilgrim on his little bit of ground, and eight hounds round him.]] And as I stood vp-on the wrak, Evene thus to me she spak: Line 21340

¶ Scilla, (or) Conspiraccioun: [[Tib. (om. St., in margin C.)]]

Quod she, 'thow must descende a-doun, ffor ther geyneth no raunsoun But that thow shalt devourëd be Off thys houndys, that thow dost se.' Line 21344

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Certys," quod I, "yt is no nay, I stonde in a perillous way; But, I praye the, in thys rage, Let me nat off my passage, Line 21348 Nor bryng me nat in no dyffame Tyl that thow ha told thy name, [Tib folio 74b] And shewyd, by relacïoun, Thy maner, and thy condycïoun." Line 21352

Scilla, Conspiracyoun: [[Tib., St., om. C.]]

'My name (for short conclusïoun) [folio 277b] Ys callyd 'Conspiracïoun,' Or ellys (what so euere falle,) 'Scilla' ek thow mayst me calle; Line 21356 And am ek (yiff thow lyst [[lyste to Tib., lyst C., St.]] se) On off the pereilles off the se.

'I chace at hem that ther-in Rowe, And make the fellë floodys flowe, Line 21360 ffolkys for to putte in doute, Do myn houndys, ful gret route, Berkyn, and gret noysë make; And gretë bestys for to take Line 21364 With-outë noysë or [[or greet Tib.]] berkyng: Wonder grevous ys ther bytyng. I couple hem with myn owne hondys, And gretë hothës [[othes Tib.]] ben the bondys Line 21368 Wyth wych I make ther állyaunce, Bothe by feyth and ássuraunce.

'Wyth the noysë that they make, Pylgrymes offte they don a-wake; Line 21372 And thogh they berke nat On A man, fful mortally they byten kan; And thogh they byten by greet [[greet Tib., gre C., St.]] sleyhte, Ther berkyng ys no thyng on heyhte; Line 21376 Ther fraude ys do so couertlye, That no man may yt espye; ffor, vnder colour, (in sothnesse,) Line 21379 They wyl ha [[wole haue Tib.]] thank for her falsnesse.

'And, to purpos off thys thyng, [[ [Tib folio 75a] with a big Illu|mination of two kings going to war.]] Yt ffyl onys, that a kyng, A-geyn a-nother kyng nat ferre, Off purpos held A mortal werre; Line 21384 And with the meyne that they with-held, Bothe they kam in-to the ffeld. [Stowe folio 345a]

'The ffyrstë kyng that I off telle, With [[of St., with Tib., C.]] knyhtys that aboute hym dwelle, On whom he trustede as hys lyff, [folio 278a] Line 21389 Gan fyrst asayllen in thys stryff; But for al that, I, with my wyle, Thus I dyde the kyng begyle: Line 21392 I made hys knyhtys, the [[they C.]] day to-forn, Vn-to hym for to be sworn, Ther-vp-on her lyff to spende, That they sholde hym wel dyffende, Line 21396 And knyhtly gouerne the bataylle.

'But at the poynt, they dyde hym faylle;

'They entren in with manly chere; And whan they gan assemble yfere, Line 21400 Off purpos, thys [[these Tib., thes St.]] knyhtys euerychon, Wer y-yolden, On by On, By sleyhte and by collusïoun, To make hym payë ther raunsoun. Line 21404 Wherfor, the samë kyng, allas, [Tib folio 75b] Was deceyved in thys caas; With shame and gret confusïoun Drowh bak vn-to hys pavyllïoun, Line 21408 Supposynge, in hys drede, That thys knyhtys off manhede Hadde be take in that dystresse, Off manhood and off hih prowesse. Line 21412 And therfor, touchyng ther raunsoun, The kyng made ther redempcïoun. And whan that they kam to hys syht, He thankede hem with al hys myght, Line 21416 Demynge, off manhood, for hys sake, That they hadde, echon be take, And lovede hem morë than beforn, Be-cause they han hem so wel born: Line 21420 But al was fals decepcïoun, Contrayre to hys oppynyoun.

'And swychë [[swyche Tib., swych C. suche St.]] houndys doutëles, God wot, I ha mo than a les; Line 21424 Off hem, plente and gret foysoun, [folio 278b] ffor to cachche me venysoun, Off ffattë bestys, hih off gres, With howndys that be nat Rekkëles, Line 21428 To chachche, [[cache St.]] and bryngë what they may, Hoom to my larder, day be day. Swych houndys, myn horn wel knowe, And they wyl komë whan I blowe, Line 21432 And fawne also whan they me seth. And thow most fele ther sharpë teth; And [[And Tib., for St.]] trustë wele, they shal nat faylle, In al hast, the tassaylle.' [[to assaylle Tib., to assayll St.]] [Stowe folio 345b]

And wyth the blowyng off hyr horn, (Bothe behyndë and beforn,)

As cruelly as the houndys kan, Vp-on me echon they ran, [Tib folio 76a] Line 21440 And gan assaylle me mortally: They berke, ¹they bytë,¹ [[1_1 om. St., they bete Tib.]] ryht felly, And to me dydë ful gret wrong, The gretë lemerys wer so strong. Line 21444

And haddë nat the floodys be, That drowh ageyn in-to the See, And ek Scilla (of whom I tolde,) With hyr Eyen ffoul and Olde, Line 21448 Caste hyr look on me A-non, And saydë that she mustë gon Bakward, and hyr-sylff with-drawe Wyth the flood and wyth the wawe; Line 21452

[Scylla or Conspiration.]

'But ffyrst,' quod she, 'ha thys in mynde, A-nother tyme, yiff I the ffynde, Trustë fully, I shal be Bet avengyd vp-on the.' Line 21456

[The Pilgrim.]

And whan hyr houndys and she wer gon, I leffte behynden al allon, [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Pilgrim lying on his little oval green Island in the sea, his bare knees, chest, and right arm showing thro' rents in his torn white robe.]] [folio 279a] Al to-torn and rent with wondys Thorgh bytyng off hyr cruel houndys, Line 21460 Wyth gret sorwe and passïoun, In torment and affliccïoun; And me remembryng in certeyn, [Tib folio 76b] That yiff the floodys kome ageyn, Line 21464 She sholde, tencressë with my wo. Kome ageyn hyr-sylff also; Therfore, to fflen out off hyr syhte, In the bestë wyse I myghte. Line 21468 I dyde my labour and my cure, In hope my syluen to assure, Yiff I myhte, by hap or grace, To drawë to som other place. Line 21472

Line 21472

And whyl I lay thus in A trance, In gret Anoy and pérturbaunce, I herde a voys mellodyus, Wonder soote and gracyous, Line 21476 Wych was to me ful gret plesaunce; ffor I forgat al my grevaunce, My dool and al my passïoun, Wyth mellodye off thylkë soun. Line 21480

But as I stood thus in a wher, And drowhë [[I drowe Tib., And drowh C.]] me toward the ryver, A Tour I sawh, wylde and savage, And squar abouten, off passage, [[An Illumination of the Tower follows in Tib., with flames coming out of six holes below the battlements. The Pilgrim is shown on his Island.]] Line 21484 Wych haddë Roundë [[Round C., St., rownd Tib.]] ffenestrallys, Percyd thorgh, vp-on the wallys; At wyche hoolys, (out off doute,) [Tib folio 97a] Smoke and flawmë passede oute; [folio 279b] Line 21488 And yet thys tour (who lokë wel,) Tournede abouten as a whel [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Vp-on the fflodys Envyroun, Wyth the wawës vp and doun. Line 21492 Somwhyle (as I koudë knowe) The hiest party was most lowe; And also (ek I sawh ful offte) The lowest party set aloffte; Line 21496 And thus, by transmutacïoun, Yt turnede alway vp so doun.

And in thys whyle, euer Among, I herdë a melodyous song, Line 21500 Off On (as I koude vnderstond,) That ber a phetele [[phethele Tib., phetell St.]] in hys hond; And thys menstral (soth to seyne) Was departyd evene a tweyne: Line 21504 ffrom the myddel vp, A man, Donward (as I rehersë kan) A bryd wynged merveyllously, Wyth pawnys streynynge mortally. Line 21508

[[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of a Bird-man flying to the Pilgrim, a curvd fiddle in his left hand, its curvd bow in his right.]] Line 21508 And thys bestë [[beeste Tib., best C.]] ful savage, [folio 280a] Lyk a man off hys vysage, Spak to me fful curteysly; [Tib folio 77b] And thus he saydë muryely; [[merely Tib.]] Line 21512

¶ Gladnesse off the World: [[Tib., in margin C.]]

'Tel on to me (and sey nat nay,) What maner solace, or what play Lovest thow best: tel on, lat se, And I shal pleyn to-forë [[pleyen to fore Tib., pleyn to for C., p. to fore St.]] the; ffor I kan (lych to thyn entent) Line 21517 Pleye on euery instrument; And, [[And om. Tib.]] for to makë lordys cher, Bothe at ches and the cheker, Line 21520 The drawhtes ther-off, ful wel I kan, Ye / bet than any other man. And whan that ylkë play ys do, ffor shepperdys I kan also, Line 21524 At the merellys, best off alle, Whan so that they lyst me calle, Pype and taboure in the strete, Wyth lusty folkys whan I [[they Tib.]] mete. Line 21528

'At weddynges, to do plesaunce, I kan karole wel, and [[and wel Tib.]] daunce; In euery play I do excelle. And yt wer to long to telle Line 21532 The dysportys and the playes That I vse on somer dayes: My Ioye ys al in merthe and game; Line 21535 And 'Worrldly [[wordely Tib.]] Play,' that ys my name.

'Men may me calle (off equyte) A Mermayden off the se, [Stowe folio 346b] That synge off custom, ay gladdest, To-forn a storm and [[or St., and Tib.]] a tempest, Line 21540 To make ek folk [[folke eke Tib.]] (thys my labour,) To forgetë ther creatour; And folk in my subieccïoun, I brynge hem to destruccïoun.' [folio 280b] [Tib folio 78a] Line 21544

Line 21544

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Thogh thow be-gynnë in gladnesse, Thow endest euere in wrechchydnesse; Ellys I wolde, for my plesaunce, Wyth the haven áqueyntaunce. Line 21548 I pray the, put me out off doute Off thys tour turnynge aboute; What maner thyng that yt may be, ffyrst off alle, that wolde I se." Line 21552

¶ Wordely Gladnesse: [[Tib., worldly gladnes St., om. C.]]

'ffyrst, [[Fyrste Tib., Fyrst C., St.]] (yiff thow lyst to se,) The grete Amýral off the see, Wych that callyd ys Sathan, Thys tour sothly he began; Line 21556 ffor he fyrst (off entencïoun) Made ther hys habytacïoun. And other shyp ne hath he noon, Among the floodys for to gon, Line 21560 In the wyche, by gret deceyt, He lyth euere in a-wayt, Wyth pylgrymes to holdë stryff, And to make hem lese her lyff. Line 21564 He seth, bothe by hyl and vale, Thorough [[Thorough Tib., Thorgh C., thrwghe St.]] thylkë hoolys smale, By what weyë that they gon; (Amongys wychë, thow art on,) Line 21568 And, to deceyve hem in her weye, Her he maketh me sytte, and pleye With sootë song and armonye, Alle pylgrymës to espye. Line 21572 Yt behoueth the taproche, Or that thow go ner to that roche.' [Tib folio 78b]

The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Expownë fyrst-lyk [[ffirste Tib., fyrst lyke St.]] my desyr; Wherfor serueth the smoky ffyr Line 21576 That ysseth [[yssyth Tib., yssuythe St.]] at the hoolys oute, In thylkë tour [[towre Tib.]] round aboute: Wych thyng, fyrst to me declare; [folio 281a] And thanne to pleye, I shal nat spare." Line 21580

¶ Worldly Gladnesse: [[worldly C. in margin, Wordely Gladnesse Tib., worldly gladnes St.]]

'Sathan, devoyded off al grace, Haveth ther hys dwellyng place. In thylkë dyrkë ffyr, (nat bryht,) [Stowe folio 347a] Line 21583 Ther he lyht, [[lythe Tib., lyethe St.]] bothe daye and nyht; And A-mong the smokys blake, Ther he gan hys bed to make. And wyth that ffyr despytous, He maketh folkys amerous; [[A double Illumination in Tib.: on the left a man kissing and embracing a woman; on the right two men playing at dice.]] Line 21588 And with the flawme he kan enbrace, ffolkys hertys to han solace In worldly Ioyë (at A word) Mor than in ther sovereyn lord. Line 21592

'The folkys wych, in ther desyr, That nyht and day brenne in thys ffyr, Ar thylkë ffolkys (fynally) Wych that brenne so fervently, Line 21596 Worldly goodys, whan they be-gynne, To encressyn and to wynne, Gret tresour to multeplye; In the wych they mor affye Line 21600 Inwardly, in ther entent, Than in the lord, that al hath sent. fflowynge and ebbynge in thys se, Som tyme with gret prosperyte, Line 21604 Somwhyle, whan the tourn [[towr St., tourne Tib.]] doth varye, The world they fynde to hem contrárye; Al goth to wrak; they may nat chese; And thogh so fallë that they lese, Line 21608 And fynde ffortune in nowncerteyn, [[no certayne St., nown certeyne Tib.]] Yet they wylle hem awntre [[aventer St., aventure hem Tib.]] ageyn To sayllen in [[on Tib.]] thys perillous see, So ful off mutabylyte; Line 21612 ffor the hootë smoky ffyr Neuere quencheth, in her desyr. And by his [[his Tib., St., C. burnt]] sleyhtys, thus Sathan, [folio 281b] He hath deceyvyd many A man. [[St. & C.]] Line 21616 Let now se, and make no Iape, [[St. & C.]]

'Wher thow hys treynës kanst [[C., Tib., canst his trayns St.]] eskape.'

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Wyth-Outë long processe to make, Hys tour and hym, her I forsake; Line 21620 And, (shortëly [[schortely Tib., shortly C., St.]] to specefye,) Swychë pleyës I defye, Wych bryng a man in sorwe and shame. But yiff that any other game [Tib folio 79b] Line 21624 Thow kanst, I wyl abyde and se The maner, how yt lyketh me."

And thys menstral than a-noon Maade hys ffythele [[ffedle Tib.]] for to gon, Line 21628 And song wyth-al fful lustyly. And wyth hys syngyng, sodeynly To me he gan to [[to om. Tib.]] tourne hys tayl; Line 21631 And wyth hys pawnys, [[C., St., pawmes Tib.]] sharp as A nayl, [Stowe folio 347b] By the Arm he gan me streyne: Mawgre my myght and al my peyne, Horrybely [[Horybely Tib., Horrybly C., horyble St.]] he castë me Amyddës off the gretë se, [[An Illumination follows in Tib., of the Pilgrim thrown off his Island into the sea; the Bird|Merman playing his own fiddle, and Youth (with wings) embracing him.] Line 21636 Among the wawës, ffer be southe.

And naddë ben [[ne had be St.]] that tymë, Youthe, (Off wych I thouhtë no thyng tho, ffor she was ffled, off yore ago,) Line 21640 I suppose that I hadde be Perysshed Amyddys off the se. But Youthë than, in hyr Retour, Was to myn helpë gret socour; Line 21644 ffor Youthë, in the samë place, The Merëmayden gan enbrace, That redy was, off cruelte, [Tib folio 80a] Thylke tymë to ha stranglyd me, Line 21648 And don to me gret vyolence.

But, for Ioye off the presence Off thys Youthe that I off spak, [folio 282a] I eskapede from hyr wrak, Line 21652

Line 21652 And hadde myn Arm ageyn at large; And (with-outë [[without Tib., St.]] shyp or barge,) I gan swymme, with-Inne a whyle, Ageyn vn-to that samë yle Line 21656 ffro the wych that I kam ffro.

Whan the merëmayde was go— I mene, thys worldys fals solace, That gan so sore at me to chace;— Line 21660 But lyst [[leste Tib., lest St.]] she sholde ha taken me, I swam ful faste amyd the se; ffor dred off hyre, I was in were. But Youthe and she, to-gydre yfere, Line 21664 fful gret Ioye they gan to make; And thus hath Yowthë me forsake; ffor than I loste hyr in certeyn, That she to me kam neuer ageyn. Line 21668 And doun I sat, ffor werynesse, And gan compleyne in gret dystresse: [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Pilgrim sitting on his Island.]] "Allas," quod I, (myd off my wo,) [Tib folio 80b] "Allas, allas! what shal I do? Line 21672 How shal I, wrechche, eskape a-way Out off thys ylë? weyllavay! ffor, by .v. [[C., St., ffor ffyue Tib.]] Enchaunteresses, I am brouht in gret dystressys, Line 21676 And in gret pereyl, doutëles: ffor Scilla ffyrst, and ek Cyrces, Han causyd me to gon A-mys; Syrénes, [[Tib., C. burnt, Sirines St.]] and Karibdis, [folio 282b] Line 21680 And Bythalassus, [[Tib., St., C. burnt]] werst of alle, Ben attonys on me falle; [Stowe folio 348a] [[St. & C.]] And, mortally me to be-guyle, [[St. & C.]] They han me brouht in-to thys Ile, [[St. & C.]] Line 21684 Long in sorwe to soiourne, And kan non other wey retourne, To ffyndë socour in thys cas. I may wel sorwe and seyn allas! Line 21688 Out off my wey, in nouncerteyn, [[nouncerteyn Tib.]] And kan no mene to kome Ageyn.

"Was neuere pylgrym in swych poynt, Line 21691 Trewly, nor in swych disioynt. [[C., Tib., suche ioynt St.]]

"Now, goodë god, off thy grete grace, Be my socour in thys place! ffor thow, for my savacïoun, Art the pomel off my bordoun. Line 21696 To the, as for my [[the Tib., my St.]] cheff coumfort, In thys nede I ha resort, To brynge me, throgh thy gretë myght, In-to the weye I may go ryht, Line 21700 And ben supportyd (fer and ner) Wyth that charbouncle bryht and cler, Wych that, wyth hys bemys bryht, Yiveth vn-to my bordoun lyht. Line 21704

"Now parte [[parten St.]] with me, off thy clernesse, And bryng me Out off my dystresse, Out off thys dedly mortal rage! [Tib folio 81a] ffor, syth tyme off my tendre age, Line 21708 My trust, ánd myn áffyaunce, My Ioye, and al my suffisaunce, Al hooly hath ben in the, Ageyns al aduersyte, Line 21712 In euery peyne and ech labour, To fynden confort and socour. And now I [[I St., that C., Tib.]] stonde in so gret drede, Helpe me in thys gretë [[gret C., St., greet Tib.]] nede!" [folio 283a]

And whyl I gan me thus compleyne, Line 21717 Evene A-myd off al my peyne, I sawh, A-myddys off the se, A shypë [[shype St., shyp C.]] saylle towardys me; Line 21720 And evene above, vp on the mast (Wherfor I was the lasse A-gast,) I sawh a croos [[crosse Tib., crose St.]] stonde, (and nat flytte,) And ther-vp-on, A dowë sytte, Line 21724 Whyt as any mylk or snowh, Wheroff I haddë Ioye ynowh. [[An Illumination follows in Tib., of a Ship with its fore and hind castles, and a Dove on a Cross at the top of the mast. The Pilgrim is on his isle.]] And in thys shyp (a-geyn al shours,)

Ther wer castellys, and ek tours, Line 21728 Wonder dyvers mansïouns, [Tib folio 81b] And sondry habytacïouns, (By resemblaunce and semyng,) Lych the loggyng off A Kyng: Line 21732 And as I took good hed ther-at, [Stowe folio 348b] Al my sorwes I for-gaat; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Namly, syttyng on A roche, [Arystoteles (later)] Whan I sawh the shyp aproche Line 21736 Toward the Ile war [[where Tib., wher St.]] I abood, Wych dydë to me ful gret good; Namly, whan yt kam so faste, And began ther, Anker caste. Line 21740

Out off wych ther ys descendyd, On, that myhte nat ben amendyd, I mene, the lady off most vertu, Wych was callyd Gracë Dieu. [folio 283b] [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of Grace Dieu, come out of the Ship (from which the Dove has gone) on to the Island, and the Pilgrim kneeling to her. A second Illumination of like kind is on the top of leaf 82.]] Line 21744 And ffyrst, whan that I dyde hyr se, I ffyl a-doun vp-on my kne, Prayede [[I prayed Tib.]] hyr helpen in thys nede, To me that stood in so gret drede, Line 21748 Out off thys Ile, only by grace, To helpyn that I myhtë pace.

[Grace Dieu]:

'What ys al thys?' A-noon quod she; [Tib folio 82a] 'Whens komestow? wher hastow be? Line 21752 fful longe (as thow shalt vnderstond) I ha thè souht, On se and lond, God woot, in ful good entent; And yt wer mor convenyent Line 21756 That thow sholdest, affter me Ha souht, wher that I haddë be. But tel me, or thow go asyde, Castestow, [[C., Tib., cast towe St.]] her for tabyde, Line 21760

Line 21760 'Or to restyn any whyle Wyth-Inne thys dredful peryllous yle?'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]] [folio 284a]

"Certys, I stoonde in gretë [[gret C., St., greet Tib.]] where Off that I am aryved here; Line 21764 I whot [[woot Tib., wot St.]] nat be what áventure. And trewëly [[trewely Tib., trewly C., truly St.]] I yow ensure, Tabyden her ys no plesaunce, But a-nooy, and gret grevaunce; Line 21768 And fayn I wolde (wyth al my myght) Kome to the weyë that goth ryht; And, Out off thys Ilë go, [Tib folio 82b] So fful off sorwen [[sorow St.]] and off wo." Line 21772

¶ Grace Dieu: [[Tib., St., in margin C.]]

'Thanne I castë, for thy sake, In-to my shyp, thé for to take, Only off mercy and pyte. Entre in, and I shal lede the Line 21776 (Wyth-outen any mor delay,) In-to A mor surer way: That lynë ryht shal ledë the To the place and the cyte Line 21780 Wych thow hast (with herte and thouht,) Long tyme, as a pylgrym, souht. [Stowe folio 349a]

'In myd weye thow must abyde, And nat tourne on nouther syde. Line 21784 And, redyly thy-sylff tavaunce, Thow shalt fyndë dame Penaunce, Whom thow lefftest folyly; And therfor wentystow [[wenteste thow Tib., wenst tow St.]] wrongly: Line 21788 Wyth hyre thow woldest nat soiourne; But thow shalt ageyn retourne Toward the heggh [[hegg Tib., heyghe St.]] off hyr plauntyng, And seyen [[seye Tib., seyn C.]] to hyre thy felyng.' Line 21792

¶ The Pylgrym: [[Pilgrim Tib., St., om. C.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "that ys my wyl; ffor (off resoun and off skyl) Ech pylgrym sholdë (what he may,) Desyre to gon the shortest way; [folio 284b] Line 21796 Yt wer goodly to do so.

"And, for the confort that ye ha do To me, off mercy mor than ryht, I thankë yow wyth al my myght." Line 21800

And than thys lady, off hyr grace, [Tib folio 83a] Brouhtë me vn-to a place Wych, syth tyme that I was born, I haddë neuere seyn to-forn; Line 21804 And thyder [[theder Tib., thethar St.]] she made me to gon To a roche off hardë [[hard C., St., Tib.]] ston And, At an eyë, ther ran oute Dropys off water al aboute: Line 21808 The dropys wer (to my semyng) Lych saltë terys off wepyng; And in-ta [[ta St., to a Tib.]] cisterne ther besyde, The dropys gonnë for to glyde. Line 21812

¶ Grace Dieu: [[Tib., St., om. C.]]

'ffyrst,' quod Gracë Dieu to me, 'In thys vessel that thow dost se, Wyth water off the hardë ston Thow must be bathyd, and that A-noon; Line 21816 Wych shal helpe, and be refuge To hele thy wondys large and huge; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of tears dropping, from an Eye in a hill, into an oblong marble bath, Grace Dieu, with hands spread, speaking to the Pilgrim.]] ffor in my shyp thow entryst nouht, Tyl thy woundys be clenë souht.' Line 21820

¶ The Pylgrym: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"I pray yow to [[Madame I preye you Tib.]] declarë me, [folio 285a] [Tib folio 83b] Thys Eye, with dropys, that I se; That ȝe woldë specefye What thyng that yt doth sygnefye." Line 21824

¶ Grace Dieu answerith: [[Tib., Grace dieu St., C. in margin]]

'Thys roche (yiff thow wylt wyt A-non) Wych ys hard as any ston, Ar the hertys, in ech estaat, Off folkys wych ben Indurat Line 21828 To knowe ther errour and ther synne, In wych that they be fallyn Inne;

'Tyl I som whylë lyst to se [Stowe folio 349b] (Only off mercy and pyte,) Line 21832 To tourne her herte, hard as a ston, And make the [[there Tib., the St.]] water out to gon, At ther eye to rennë doun [[adoun Tib.]] By sorwe and by contricïoun. Line 21836

'The [[The om. Tib.]] saltë terys han ther her cours: Ryht as a wellë hath hys sours Vpward, with water quyk and cler, And renneth in-ta [[in ta St., in to a Tib.]] gret ryver, Line 21840 Ryht so, by dystyllacïoun The crystal terys descendë doun, Whan folk [[Whanne folke Tib.]] for ther synnës wepe.

'And swychë [[swyche Tib., swych C.]] dropys I do kepe, And the water euerydel, Line 21845 To make A bath, in a vessel, ffor wondyd folk that felë peyne In conscience, and sorë pleyne, Line 21848 Tyl they for elthe [[heelthe Tib.]] and surëte, Wyth thys bath ywasshen be; ffor yt recureth euery wonde, [Tib folio 84a] Callyd 'bapteme the secounde,' Line 21852 That doth a-way al [[alle Tib.]] grevaunce. Wyth wych water, dame Penaunce Maketh a lye (I the ensure,) To wasshen a-way al ordure; [folio 285b] Line 21856 In wychë bathë [[whiche bathe St., wych bath C., Tib.]] (in certeyne) The hooly womman Mawdeleyne Ywasshen was, tak hed her-to. Thapostel Peter ek also, Line 21860 And many mo than I may telle, Wer ywasshen in thys welle; And so shaltow, by red off me, Yiff thow lyst to purgyd be.' Line 21864

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Ma dame, (yiff that ye lyst to se,) Thys vessel (as semeth vn-to me,) Ys nat halff fful; and Trewëly [[trewely Tib., Trewly C., truly St.]] Therfore I dredë fynally Line 21868 That I may nat bathyd be,

"But yiff ther werë mor plente."

¶ Grace Dieu Answerith: [[Tib., grace dieu St., om. C.]]

Quod she to me (as in substaunce), 'Thow hast off water suffysaunce.' Line 21872

She saydë soth, as I wel ffond, And puttë forth A-noon hyr hond Toward hyr shyp off gret delyt. Line 21875 And thanne a-noon, a [[a Tib., St., om. C.]] dowë whyt Retournyd ys at hyr callyng, And kam to hyre A-noon fleyng. [[anon to her flyenge St.]] In hyr beek she brouht A wond, Wych Gracë Dieu took in hyr hond; Line 21880 And thanne the dowë (in certeyn) [Tib folio 84b] ffley vn-to the shyp a-geyn. [Stowe folio 350a]

Thys yerdë semptë (doutëles) Lyk [[C., St., om. Tib.]] to the yerde off Moyses, Line 21884 Wyth wych (the byble seyth apert,) The ston he smettë, [[smot Tib.]] in desert; And with the water that out ran, Off Israel, bothe beste and man, Line 21888 Drank ynowh in hábondaunce, Ther was so hugë suffysaunce. [folio 286a]

And trewly, as to myn entent, By sygnës that wer evydent, Line 21892 Wyth the samë yerde a-noon, Gracë Dieu smette [[smot Tib.]] on the ston. And thanne the rochë, Rowh and hard, (I hadde ther-to ful good reward) Line 21896 At an eye (yt ys no doute) The water gan to ronnen oute In-to the vessel that I off spak, That off plente ther was no lak. Line 21900

[Grace Dieu]:

Quod Grace Dieu A-noon to me, 'Now thow hast ynowh plente Off water, (I dar vndertake,) Suffysauntly a bath to make; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Pilgrim in a square white bath, filling with the drops from an Eye in a green rock, by which] Line 21904

[Grace Dieu stands, with a long wand in her right hand.]] Line 21904 'And mor holsom yt ys to the, [Tib folio 85a] Be-cause the water (as thow mayst se,) Ys lewk: therfor yt ys mor hable, And to bathys mor coumfortable.' Line 21908

[The Pilgrim]:

And Gracë dieu me bad A-noon, In-to the bath I sholdë gon. And in I wente A-noon, by grace, And ther a-bood but lytel space; Line 21912 ffor (to rehersyn euerydel) The bath lykéde me nat ryht wel: I gan feynte on euery syde, Wher-fore I myhtë nat abyde [folio 286b] Line 21916 In that bath to stondë [[C., Tib., bathe to stond St.]] stable; ffor, I was nat résembláble [¶ [Lavabo per singulas noctes] Lectum meum: lacrimis meis stratum [meum] rigabo [Psal. vi. 7] Tib., om. C., St.] To kyng Davyd in my bathyng, Wych, wyth the terys off hys wepyng, Line 21920 Wyssh hys bed-strawh [[wysche . . bedstraw Tib.]] euerydel, Hys bed also, (who lokë wel),

And [[out Tib., St.]] off the bath whan I was go, Gracë Dieu A-non kam to: Line 21924

¶ Now Grace Dieu spekyth: [[Tib., grace dieu St., om. C.]]

Quod she, 'wenystow to be Al hool off thyn infyrmyte, And off thyn wondys euerychon, That so sonë art out gon, Line 21928 Out off thys ylkë holsom welle, And lyst nat ther [[not ther in Tib.]] no lenger dwelle?

'What woldestow ha sayd to me, Yiff I haddë wrappyd the, Line 21932 Nakyd, cast the vp and doun [Stowe folio 350b] In thornys for thy savacïoun, Ther ta suffryd [[to a suffred Tib., to sofer St.]] sharp prykyng; Or, A-mong netlys fful bytyng, Line 21936 Bak and brest, and euery syde; Whan thow myghtest nat abyde [Tib folio 85b] In sofftë water, by suffraunce, Thy-sylff in Elthë [[helthe Tib.]] to avaunce? Line 21940

Line 21940 'Tel vn-to me the maner how, What wysë thow shalt entre now In-to my shyp, wher dame Penaunce Haueth al the gouernaunce, Line 21944 Bothe to bynden and vnbynde? I trowe thow wylt abyde behynde, And make her-off a long delay, And I shal seylle forth on my way.' Line 21948

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

"Madame," thanne a-noon quod I, "Haueth [[Hath Tib., havythe St.]] on [Many leaves are here missing in the MS. Cott. Vit., c. xiii.; but the missing portion is supplied from MS. Cott. Tib., A vii.] me pyte and mercy! [Tib folio 85b] With-in ȝoure schippe, so doth [[do St.]] provyde, By-hyndë that I not abyde. Line 21952 To trowthë, ȝeue [[yf St.]] ȝe lyste entende, With-in ȝoure schippe I schal amende, And redresse also (I-wys,) Alle that I haue don amys. Line 21956 ¶ Considerith also in ȝoure syght, That in batayle, a manly knyght, (By exaumple, as it is ffounde) Whanne he hathe kaught eny [[hath ons cawht a St.]] wounde, Line 21960 Not-withstondynge his langour, It encresith his vygoor, Makith hym, off cher and off vysage, The more hardy [[hardy St., hard Tib.]] off corage, Line 21964 Grete emprysë vndertake, ffor drede off deth, hem not fforsake."

¶ Grace dieu answerith: [[grace dieu St.]]

Qvod grace dieu anoon ryght, 'Byholde and se a noble knyght, [Tib folio 86a] Line 21968 Makynge thyne owne chaumberer, [[chaumber Tib., chamberer St.]] To bere thyne armure as [[lyke St.]] a sqvyer, Whiche mayste not thy silff assure ffor to berne hem, nor endure. Line 21972

'I woldë seen, to-ffore wytnesse, Som knyghttely deede off hygh prowesse Accomplyschid, thorough thi myght, To bere recorde thow art a knyght, Line 21976

Line 21976 'By armës prevëd in som coste. Thow art no thyng but wynde and boste, Byhotynge myche, whan al is wrought, And in deedë doste ryght nought.' Line 21980

¶ The Pylgryme:

"MAdame," quod I, "yt is no ffayle, I schal amendë with travayle; And, I hope, vexacyoun [Stowe folio 351a] Schal ȝeue to me fful hygh renoun, Line 21984 To conquere som excellence By vse and longe experyence.

"I haue pleynely, in the see, Nauffragus fful long I-be, Line 21988 And suffred (bothe este and weste,) Many [[many a St.]] perel and greet tempeste, And ȝit I stonde in a deluge. But ȝeue I haue off ȝou reffuge, Line 21992 With-in ȝoure schippe me ffor to marke, As Noe was with-in his arke, I may not (schortëly to telle,) Escape out off this [[thes St.]] ffloodës ffelle." Line 21996

¶ Grace dieu answerith: [[grace dieu St.]]

'BE wel provyded in thi thought, That thow behotë me ryght nought, [Tib folio 86b] Ȝeue thow wolte [[wylt St.]] my thanke disserue, But that thow wolte [[wylt St.]] trewely obserue; Line 22000 ffor bette it is, not vndertake, And avowys noon to make, Than to make hem by assent, And breke hem affter, off entent: Line 22004 Swhiche avowës, loue I nought, But they be made off herte and thought. Wherffore, with-out eny slouthe, Kepe thyne heeste to me, off trouthe.' Line 22008

¶ The Pylgryme:

"Wyth ȝoure supportacyoun, It is myne entencyoun, My promysse, bothë [[bothe om. St.]] day and nyght, To kepe yt, as I haue byhyght." Line 22012

¶ Grace dieu answerith: [[grace dieu St.]]

THanne Grace dieu, with good chere, Ladde me doun to the revere; And there we han a schippe I-ffonde. With greetë bondis it was bounde; Line 22016 But the bondës sat not cloos; The mostë parte off hem were loos; The smalë osyers, here and ȝonder, Line 22019 To-brakë [[brake St., brak Tib.]] thanne, and [[and than St.]] wente asonder, The hopës ábout the vessel, Bycause they were not boundë wel; Ȝit the hoopes (it is no nay) Were stronge I-nowgh at good assay; Line 22024 Deffaute in hem was ffoundë noon; But, ffor the osyers nygh echon Were brokë ffyrste (as it is ffounde), Wherffore the hoopys were vnbounde. [Tib folio 87a] Line 22028

¶ The Pylgryme:

"MAdame," quod I, "with-outë [[with out Tib., St.]] blame, Off ȝoure schippe, telle me the name, And who that scholde it wel gouerne; ffor sothely, as I kan discerne, Line 22032 The gouérnour, is not wys, (As me thynket [[thynkythe St.]] in myn avys,) That lyste suffren (off ffolye) Line 22035 The boondës breke so reklesselye [Stowe folio 351b] In myddës off the perelous see, In whiche there is no surëte."

¶ Grace dieu answerith:

'THis schippe (as by discripcyoun) I-callyd ys Relygyoun; Line 22040 Whiche is bounde with circumstauncis, And ffret with dyuerse óbseruauncis. And while that it is boundë wel, It may perysche neueradel; Line 22044 But ȝongë ffolkës neclygent, That entre this schippe off entent, And, thorough ther mys-gouernauncis, Kepë not the óbseruauncis Line 22048 That were made by ffolkis olde, ffor to breke hem ben fful bolde:

'ffirstë, thosyérys smale, Telle off hem but lytel tale, Line 22052 Caste hem byhynden at her bak, Where-thorwgh the schippe goth al to wrak: Breke the smalë circumstauncis, And ffare-wel the greete óbseruauncis! Line 22056 ffor, ȝeue the smale comaundëmentis Be not kepte in ther ententis, [Tib folio 87b] The greetë (in conclusyoun) Gon vn-to destruccyoun. Line 22060 The smalë (bothe in colde and heete,) Be wardeynës off the greete; And ȝeue the smalë sothely ffayle, Aryght this schippe ne may not sayle. Line 22064 Breke the smalë here and ȝonder, And the greete muste goon assonder. Thus the schippe off religyoun Gothe offte to distruccyoun. Line 22068 So, woldë god, ther lyvynge Were lykë now ther gynnynge, The schippë scholde the better preve, Ageyne al tempeste hym [[them St.]] -silffe releve: Line 22072 It were almesse, by the roode.

'Ȝit I hoopë som are gode, Swyche as to holynesse entende; And who doth not, god hym amende! Line 22076 God ȝeue hem gracë so to dresse The maste [[The mast St., He must Tib.]] vpward, by holynesse, And that they may, to her avayle, By gracë, so to crossë sayle, Line 22080 That in the wynde be no debat To make ther passage ffortunat; That redely they may, and blyue, At the hauene vp taryve, Line 22084 Where Ioye and blysse (who kan disserne) Is endelesly, and lyffe enterne. ¶ Now cheese ffreely, affter my lawe, To whichë castel thow wolt drawe; [Stowe folio 352a] Line 22088 And in my schippe, they ben echon Bylte fful ffayre, off lyme and stoon.

'And sythen thow haueste lyberte ffor to entren or go ffre, Line 22092 Cheese amonge these towres alle, At whiche gatë thow wolte calle. [Tib folio 88a] ¶ Ther [[her St.]] ben the Cystews ffastë by; And not fful ffer is eke Clwny. Line 22096 Byholde ȝonder a Chartrehous, ²An ordur that is full vertuous.² [[2_2 St., om. Tib.]] Thow mayste eke senë ffrere Prechours, And other that callyd ben Menours; Line 22100 Ordres off many other [[a nothar St.]] guyse, Mo thanne as now I kan [[I can as now St.]] devyse: Cheese at thyne ownë volunte, In whiche off allë thow wolte [[wilt St.]] be. [[Illustration.]] Line 22104

'Alle they stonde in [[on St.]] stable grownd, To kepë, bothë saaff and sownd, Body and soule, (it is no drede) Who kepith his rule in verrey deede. Line 22108 And these placis agrëáble, Allë they ben dyffensáble Ageyne the ffende and alle his myght, That man assayleth day and nyght Line 22112 In this mortal trowbely see, ffulffilled with greet aduersyte. And, therffore, ȝeue thow do wel, Entre anoon in som castel, Line 22116 There thow mayste (at a word) Kepe the within schippës bord. [Tib folio 88b] This wordely see (it [[it St., om. Tib.]] is no ffayle) Eche day off newe the schal assayle; Line 22120 Wherffore I councel the to ffle, Whyle thow haste myght and lyberte.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"MAdame," quod I, "whan al ys sought, I haue chose (off herte and thought,) Line 22124 Off Cystews, (in echë syde) In that castel to abyde, In-to that ffortresse I wole gon."

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. Tib.]]

'Entre my schyppe,' quod sche, 'anoon.' Line 22128

Line 22128

And affter that, sche lyste not dwelle, But gan hir hanker vp to pulle, And in the see, fforthe bygan to sayle Towarde the castel, ȝeue it wolde avayle, Line 22132 Me to spede on [[vp on St.]] my Iorne.

And at the laste, I ffonde a large entre; But, off entente, stylle awhile I stood Sool by my silffe, and at the gate abood. Line 22136

¶ The pylgryme:

"POrter," quod I, in haste, "I preye the, At this castel graunte me entre, ffor Grace dieu hathe me hyder brought, [Stowe folio 352b] Off the entre that I ffayle not." Line 22140

¶ The Porter answerith:

QVod the porter anoon to me, 'Ȝeue I knewë, and dyde se That the kyng wolde it avowe, Thyne entre I scholde alowe; Line 22144 But the wyllë [[will is St.]] off the kyng [Tib folio 89a] There-off I knowe no maner thyng.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"TElle me thanne, lyke myne entent, Is the kyng hym-silffe present?"

¶ The porter answerith:

'TRustë wel, as thow schalt leere, Line 22149 I wolde not ellis sytten heere: It is a sygne (eerly and late,) Whanne thow seeste me at the gate, Line 22152 To telle (by good avysëment,) The kyng hym-silffe ys here present.'

¶ The Pylgryme: [[Illustration.]]

"TElle me thy name, off gentillesse, Line 22155 With-outen [[outen St., out Tib.]] eny straungënesse."

¶ The Porter answerith:

'ANd I schal [[I shall the St.]] telle the with-out schame: [Tib folio 89b] Drede off god, that is my name; Whiche is ground (with-out offence) Off wysdam and Sapyence. Line 22160 I voydë synne, and vyces chace, That noon [[noon St., men Tib.]] may entren in this place;

'Nowther oolde nor ȝonge off age Schal have heere [[ther St.]] noon herbergage; Line 22164 ffor this staffe (ȝeue thow take heede) With the greet parlom [[plomer St.]] of leed, Is I-callyd (in substaunce) 'Off god almyghtty, the vengaunce;' Line 22168 And there-with-al, in cruel wyse, Allë synners I chastyse.

'And with this ylkë sturdy Maas, I putte hem out a fful greet paas; Line 22172 ffor noon swyche (ȝeue thow lystë [[none . . lyst St.]] lere,) Ben hardy to entre here.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"Syre, [[Syre, om. St.]] I praye the, oonly off [[that of St.]] grace, I may entren in this place; Line 22176 ffor myne entente and my menynge Is to do servyse to the kyng."

¶ The Porter answerith:

'ȜEue I knewe that it [[it St., om. Tib.]] were so, With-outen many wordës mo Line 22180 Thow scholdeste hauë graunte off me, To entren at good lyberte.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"IN other wysë neuere a del Wole I not entren in [[in om. St.]] this castel, [Tib folio 90a] But ffor to do the kyng servyse." Line 22185

And thannë, in fful goodly wyse, I was leten in off the porter: [Stowe folio 353a] Hym lyste to makë no daunger. Line 22188 ¶ Aboute I wentë, byholdynge Vp-on many a rychë thynge; I sawe A cloystre and A dortour, A chapytlehous [[chapytle hous St.]] and A ffreytour; And there-with-al, a ffayre Hostrye, Line 22193 And a largë ffermerye; And, off God, thanke to dysserve, ffayrë meynë I sawgh there serve. Line 22196 And, I supposë ffor my beste, There to herborewe and to reste, On ther cam, and preyed me,

And hir name was Charite. [[Illustration.]] Line 22200

TO pylgrymes, in goodly wyse, Sche dyde moste trewely the servyse. With chere benygne, and glad vysage, Sche brought hem to ther herbergage; Line 22204 And euere sche was moste ententyff, With-outen [[outen St., out Tib.]] noyse or eny stryff: To seruë porë ffolkys alle, [Tib folio 90b] That ffor helpë to hir calle, Line 22208 Sche was besy euere more. And in this book, not goon fful ȝore, I spakë off hir, dowtëles, ffor sche heelde the wrytte off pees, Line 22212 Whanne Moyses, the byschop cheeff, Gan departë the releeff To pilgrymës (in substaunce) To ȝeuen hem ther sustynaunce. Line 22216

ANd [[and om. St.]] thorough the cloystre, thanne anoon, By the waye as I gan goon, Off áventure in my repayre, I mette a lady Inly ffayre, Line 22220 Bothe off schappe and off stature; And sche bare (I ȝou ensure) In hir hand, a smal coffyn Whiche was made off parchemyn. Line 22224 A whitë dowve (it is no dowte) Alle-way sewyd hir abowte. [[Illumination.]]

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd as I lokyd heere and ther, I stood in a maner wher, Line 22228 What tokénës it [[tooknys that it St.]] myght be, [Tib folio 91a] The thyngës that I dydë se; Prayed hir in goodly wyse, That sche wolde anoon devyse Line 22232 There-off by exposicyoun, A cleer sygnyffycacyoun.

¶ Lessoun declarith: [[declarith, om. St.]]

'TRewely,' quod sche, there as sche stood, 'I ne thenke no thyng but good, Line 22236

Line 22236 'ffor I am Sowcelerere [[sawcelerere St.]] Off this place, and Pytauncere. I menystre the lyfflode To the sowle, and eke the ffoode: [Stowe folio 353b] The herte I ffeede (the pawnchë nought,) Line 22241 With fful many an hooly thought. My ffoode is soote and cherischynge, And ryght hoolsom in tastynge; Line 22244 Whiche ffoode is delyuered me By on whom that [[that om. St.]] thow schalt se; ffor sche is bothe A Mercer [Mercier: m. A good Pedler or meane Haberdasher of small wares; a tradesman that retailes all manner of small ware, and hath no better then a shed or booth for a shop. 1611. Cotgrave (1650).] Off this place, and cheeff Cloystrer.' [[loyster C.]] Line 22248

¶ The Pylgryme:

Lyke the desyre whiche that I hadde, To that lady sche me ladde; Whiche (schortely to speceffye) Plente hadde off Mercerye, Line 22252 And moste delytable off syght, Sche haddë Merours ffeyre and bryght. But this lady merveyllous Was off schappe suspécyous; Line 22256 ffor I took good heede ther-to: Sche departyd was on [[in St.]] two; That made hir body to devyde, [Tib folio 91b] Wonder cleer on the ryght syde; Line 22260 But (as I aspyen koude,) Hir lyffte was schadewed with a clowde. [[Illumination.]]

ANd whanne that I byheelde the guyse Off alle hir queyntë marchaundyse, Line 22264 "Madame," quod I, "in certeyn, Wonder ffayne I woldë beyn, Somwhat off ȝoure thyngës heere, Ȝeue so were ȝe woldë lere Line 22268 To me (by schorte conclusïoun,) Ȝoure name and ȝoure condicyoun."

¶ Agyographe:

'I Am,' quod sche, 'cheeff noryce To allë ffolkes that ffleën vyce. Line 22272 No cloyster is worthe (who looke aboute) On no syde whan I am out. I makë cloystris fferme and stable, Worschipe-full [[full St., om. Tib.]] and honowrable; And my name (ȝeue thow lyste se,) Line 22277 Is callyd Agyographe, [Tib folio 92a] Whiche is to seyne (I the ensure,) Off holy wrytynge the scripture. [¶ Sancta scrip[tura]] Line 22280 And at ffeyrës and at ffeestis, I reste in skynnës off dede bestis.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"DEclarë me, and doth not ffeyne, Why be ȝe partyd thus on tweyne: Line 22284 The to parte, ²wonder ffayre off cheere, Lusty, amyable, and cleere;² [[2_2 here: leaf 353-4]] The tother party, [[St. repeats]] wonder myrk, Schrouded with a cloudë dyrk." Line 22288

¶ Agyographe:

'I Was not,' quod sche, 'sothe to say, Lyche thé, borne vp-on a day, But by processe and leyser, And by space off many a ȝer. Line 22292

'By ooldë tymë (stylle and loude,) I was schadewed with a cloude, And fful derkely kepte in cloos, Tyl tymë that the sonne aroos— Line 22296 I mene, the tyme that was to-fforn That Cryst ihesu lyste to be born,— Thilkë tyme, my party ryght, Off a cleer skye kaught his lyght; Line 22300 The whichë skye, proffetys seyde, Was that blessed holy mayde, Off Iesse bothë braunche and fflour, That bare Ihesu, oure savïour. Line 22304

'That tymë, with his streemës clere, ffirste my bryghttenesse dyde appere; And alle derkenesse to termyne, Only by grace whiche is devyne. [Tib folio 92b] Line 22308

Line 22308

'But the party off my vysage Whiche is clowded with vmbrage, Off cleernesse scholde haue no reporte, But ȝeue he haddë his resorte Line 22312 To that party, by vertu, Off the cleernesse off crist ihesu; Where-off, [[wherfore St.]] lakkynge dyscrescyoun, Thow madeste a lymytacyoun, Line 22316 Affermynge (by a maner slouthe,) My dyrkë [[derke St., dyrk Tib.]] parte wher voyde off trouthe: I mene as thus, (in sentement,) That the ooldë testament Line 22320 Were derke and cloudy off his syght, Ȝeue that it ne took his lyght (Claryffyed by entendëment) Off the newë testament, Line 22324 Whos schynynge (in conclusyoun) Is cause off oure savacyoun.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"EXpownë this with-outë [[out Tib., St.]] glose, And ȝe schal haue the ffyrstë rose Line 22328 That I may ffynde (yt is no nay) In the moneth of ffreschë may."

¶ Agyographe:

QVod sche, 'ȝeue I schal the telle, Mercerye I haue to selle, Line 22332 In boystës, sootë oynementis, There-with to don allegementis To ffolkes whiche that [[that St., om. C.]] be not glade, But discorded [[discomfited St.]] and mallade, Line 22336 And hurte with perturbacyoun, [Stowe folio 354b] [[perturbacions St., perturbacyoun Tib.]] Off many trybulacyouns: [Tib folio 93a] I haue knyues, phyllettys, callys, At ffeestes to hangen vp on wallys; Line 22340 Kombës (mo than nyne or ten,) Bothe ffor horse and eke ffor men; Merours also, large and brode, And, ffor the syght, wonder gode; Line 22344 Off hem I haue fful greet plente ffor ffolke that hauen volunte [[Illumination.]]

'to [[to St., om. Tib.]] Byholde hem-silffe ther-ynne, Wher they be clecne, or ffoule of synne. 'But, som ffolke hem-silffe byholde Line 22349 ffor to hyde her ffylthës oolde, Whiche ther bewete dothe apayre. And sommë merrours schewen ffayre, Line 22352 By apparence off bewte, Though that ther be no bewte: Alle these thynges (who takith kep) I haue hem towched on an hep. Line 22356 Ȝeue here be aught that may ȝou pleese, Take it at thyne ownë eese.'

[The Pilgrim:]

¶ In these thynges ffresche off delyte, I sawgh there-in fful greet proffyte, Line 22360 And also in her ácqueyntaunce, Preyed hir to haue suffraunce, [Tib folio 93b] To graunte me leyser, and good ese, Line 22363 To seen what thyng me myghtë [[myhte me St., me myght Tib.]] pleese. And, by good inspeccyoun, Haddë turned al [[all tournyd St.]] vp so doun, Ȝeue eny thyng I koude espye Amonge alle hir mercerye. Line 22368

Vp and down I dydë se What thyng lyked beste to me; But, amonge hir thyngës alle, Vp-on a merour I was ffalle, Line 22372 Whiche schewyd me, in his glas, More ffayre in sothenesse than I was, By ápparencë sodeynely The merour lyed verily: [[sodeynely Tib., verily St.]] Line 22376 I knewe it wel in éxystence And by oolde experyence. Whan the trouthë was conceyved, I wystë wel I was deceyved; Line 22380 To hir sayde, (in myne avys,) That to hir it was no prys To schewen out swyche mercerye, Off merours to make men to prye. Line 22384

¶ Agyographe:

'ISchewe no thyng, in sothe,' quod sche, 'But as it is in veryte. I wole hoolden my byheste, As ffolkës maken me requeste; Line 22388 ffor, as ffer fforthe as I kan, I wole deceyue no maner man; The deceytës, ffeytheffully [Stowe folio 355a] I wole schewe hem opunly. Line 22392 Merours ther ben in many wyse, As Craffty ffolkës kan devyse, Whiche schewen dyuerse vysages [Tib folio 94a] And many wonderfful ymages, Line 22396 Whiche to declare, I wole not dwelle: Reede perspectyff, and that wole telle, And schewen out the varyaunce Off dyuerse ffacys, by démonstraunce.' Line 22400

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd off a merour that I ffonde, Whiche that I heelde in myn hande, [[hond St.]] I preyed hir, with-outë [[out Tib., St.]] schame, To tellë me there-off the name. Line 22404

¶ Agyographe: [[agiographye St.]]

'HYt were good to hye and lowe, That allë ffolkës scholdë knowe, And there-off hadde a trewë syght, Iustely what this merour hyght, Line 22408 That ffolkës (ffor greet lak off lyght) Were not deceyued in her syght.

THis merour (by descripcyoun) Is called Adulacyoun: Line 22412 This is (withouten eny blame) Veryly his ryghtë [[ryght Tib., St.]] name; ffor, take good heede, that fflateryng Is engendred off lesyng: Line 22416 Somme callen hir Placebo, ffor sche kan maken an Eccho, Answere euere ageyn the same, Because that he wole haue no blame. Line 22420 Though it be ageyne resoun, There is no contradiccyoun,

'ffor, bothe off newe, and ȝore agon, ffolkës sothely (mo than on) Line 22424 Han in Adulacyoun [Tib folio 94b] ffounde fful greet decepcyoun: Lordes (wherffore I seye 'allas!') Han be dysseyued in this caas, Line 22428 And, by advlacyoun Brought to ther destruccyoun.

¶ fflaterye: [[om. St. Hagiography still speaks.]]

'FOr this custom hath fflaterye, To seyne [[leyn St.]] thus by loséngerye— Line 22432 Whanne hym lykyth to bygyle, ffalsely by his sotyl while,— To hem that be moste vycyous, How that they are vertuous; Line 22436 And though they ben to vyces thral, They seyne eke they be lyberal, Though they be streyte and ravynous, And greetë nygardes in her hous. Line 22440 They callë ffame and hygh renoun, Raveyne and ffalse extorcyoun. Though they be ffooles, and off no prys, They afferme that they are wys. Line 22444 ¶ Who that trustith in swyche langage, He is a ffool, and no thyng sage, [Stowe folio 355b] And ffolyly spente his labour, That lokyth in any swyche merour; Line 22448 And namëly, whanne al is do, That he knowith it is not so. 'Eche wyght knowe hym-syluen kan, Bette thanne eny other man. Line 22452 Leff, off [[Ieve of St.]] fflaterye the sentence, And ȝeue to trouthë fful credence; Thow knoweste bet thi-silffe, (off ryght,) Thanne doth eny other wyght. Line 22456 ¶ 'Late [[let St.]] lordës (whanne they kan espye,) Sette asyde alle fflaterye! [Tib folio 95a] But now, allas, it stondyth so, They be disseyuëd by Eccho; Line 22460 And ther sogetes, [[sogets St.]] in many cost,

'Ben by fflateryë lost, And put in greet oppressyoun And in greet tribulacyoun; Line 22464 I mene, by swychë as be stronge, To porë men ffor to do wronge, And suppose, thorough ther greet myght, That they may doon it off ryght; Line 22468 fflaterers bere hem so on hande, Whiche, day and nyght, aboute hem stonde, And fful ffalsely hem counsayle To dispoylë the porayle; Line 22472 Seyn, [[seyne St.]] the good is herys off ryght; Whiche causith, in the peplys syght, fful greet envye and greet haterede, Whanne they be pressed with greet drede; Line 22476 And causith, by swyche óppressynges, Greetë rwmours and rysynges, And, som while, rebellyoun In many dyuerse regyoun; [[Illumination.]] Line 22480 ffor lak oonly off polosye [[polecie St.]] [Tib folio 95b] Off ffolke aboue, that scholde hem guye; Causith, som while, schedynge off blood. Wherffore this meroure, ȝeue it be good, Line 22484 Take it to thi pocessyoun, To haue there-in Inspeccyoun.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"MAdame," quod I, "ȝow not displeese, This myroure schal do me noon eese: Line 22488 For, [[for St., om. Tib.]] wher-so that I leese or wynne, I wole neuere looke there-Inne."

But ryght anoon, myne happe it was To loken in another glasse, Line 22492 In the whiche (withouten wene) I sawe my-sylff, ffoule and vncleene, And to byholdë, ryght hydous, Abhomynabel and vecyous. Line 22496 Thilkë [[Thilke St., That Tib.]] merour and that glas Schewyd to me what I was. [Stowe folio 356a] [[Illumination.]]

WHerffore, off rancour and dysdeyn, The same merour I caste ageyn, Line 22500

Line 22500 With-out abood, [[abod St.]] in hir panere, [Tib folio 96a] ffrowarde off look, and eke off chere, And gan my bak awey to turne; And therffore soore I gan to morne. Line 22504

¶ Agyographe:

'NOw I se wel, by thy [[thy St., om. Tib.]] contenaunce, And also by thy gouernaunce, Thow haste no luste to loke and se In this merour (yt semyth me) Line 22508 Callyd 'the [[the om. St.]] Merour off Concyence,' Whiche schewith (by trewe experyence, With-out Eccho or fflaterye, Or eny other losengerye,) Line 22512 Vn-to a man, what ymage He bereth aboute, or what [[what om. St.]] visage, The portrature, ryght as it is, And in what thyng he dothe amys, Line 22516 And how he schal the bette entende, Alle his ffylthës to amende.'

¶ Lessown [the Subcellarer]:

THanne quod the southe-Celerer: [[sowcelerer St.]] 'Towchynge hir, the Mercer, Line 22520 It is to hir, displesaunce, That thow wolte not han áqueyntaunce With hir, whiche sothëly myght be fful greet proffyte vn-to the, Line 22524 In what thow scholdeste haue ado.

'And ȝeue I wyste thow woldeste so, I wolde maken the to ben able. Eche day to sytten at hir table; Line 22528 With hir to be cómensal, Off Cheerte [[cherite St.]] in especyal. And [[for St.]] (ȝeue I schal the trouthë telle) [Tib folio 96b] [[St. & Tib.]] In howsholde with hir I dwelle, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22532 And am to hir, off custom, ner.

'And the name off this Mercer I-callyd is 'hooly scripture,' Whiche ffor to leren, I do my cure, Line 22536 In a vessyl off Parchemyn:— Off ffee, I calle the offyce myn:—

'In swyche a vessel, euery coost, Line 22539 I bere it that they [[it St.:? 2 Testaments, p.596.]] be not lost. Therto I do my dylygence, To kepe it ffrom alle vyolence; ffor it may not (as thow doste [[mayst St.]] se,) In noon other vessel be, Line 22544 To kepe it in savacyoun; And my name is eke 'Lessown,' And 'Studye,' amonge these clerkës alle, Whiche off bothe, thow lyste me calle. Line 22548

'And ffirstë, ȝeue thow haue plesaunce, With me to hauen áqueyntaunce, Thow schalt aqueyntyd ben anoon With these ladyes euerychon, Line 22552 Verreyly at thyne ownë lyst: In my byheste haue ffully tryst, ffor gracë off the hooly goost Schal ffolewe the in euery coost, Line 22556 Ryght as this whytë dowuë doth, [Stowe folio 356b] Ay sueth me, and that is soth, Whiche schal the teche and tellen al The secreës celestyal. Line 22560 ffor, sche is off hevene (ffer and ner) The verrey trewë messager. Erly at morewe, and at eve Estudyantys [[estudiauncys St.]] sche kan releve, Line 22564 To ȝeue hem her reffeccyoun By myne ad-mynystracyoun.' [[admyn . . St., and min . . Tib.]]

Other two ladyes I sawe also; [Tib folio 97a] To the chapitre that wentë tho; Line 22568 The ton off hem, bar in hir hondis, Cordës and eke strongë bondis; [[Illumination.]]

THe thother (in the samë while) In hir mouthe sche bare a ffyle Line 22572 Endentyd; the teth there-off were large; And on hir breste, a fful brood targe.

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd or they ffurther myghtë [[myght Tib., St.]] goon, I requyred hem anoon, Line 22576 Te telle më (by good avys,)

Bothe ther names and ther offis.

¶ Obedyence:

THe lady that the boondys bar, To me seyde (as I was war), Line 22580 'I am,' quod sche, '(schortely to expresse), Of this hous the [[the om. St.]] cheeff pryoresse, Nexte Gracë Dieu (in substaunce,) [Tib folio 97b] I haue here [[here St., off hir Tib.]] the gouernaunce, Line 22584 (Bothe byfforne and eke byhynde.) And with these boondës eke I bynde, (Wher-so that they be soure or swete,) Off ffolkës bothë hand and ffete, Line 22588 That they, in no wysë, doore [.i. audent St., om. Tib.] Passen by noon opene doore: [.i. per hostium St., om. Tib.] I holde hem in, lyke prisoners, And off look and eke off cherys; Line 22592 And my namë (in sentence) Callyd is Obedyence.

'My boondes and my lygamentys Ben dyuerse comaundëmentys, Line 22596 To holden in subieccyoun ffolkës off relygyoun. ¶ And off my ffylë to termyne, It is I-called Dyscyplyne: Line 22600 And that I (bothe northe and south) Am wonte to bere it in my mouth, Betokeneth reprehensyoun Off ffolke, ffor her transgressyoun, Line 22604 There-with I scoure in euery syde, That ther may no ruste abyde, [[Illumination.]] Nowther ffylthe, ffor noon offence. [Tib folio 98a]

'My targë callyd ys 'Prudence:' Line 22608 Euery thyng (I the ensure) tó gouérne it by mesure.' [[Tib. & St.]] ¶ And, as I haddë good reward, [[Tib. & St.]] I sawgh oon in-to the ffreyterward Line 22612 Goon a mesurable paas, [Stowe folio 357a] Wonder sobre off look and ffaas, And no thyng dissolut off cher: Armyd sche was with a gorger. Line 22616

Line 22616

The Pylgryme:

Off whom I gan anoon enquere, That sche woldë goodly leere To me (by schorte conclusyoun) Hir name and hir condissyoun; Line 22620 And off the tablys cured echon, And there-ate syttynge many on; [[a one St.]] And also, as I dyde obserue, Noon other ffolke at metë serve, Line 22624 But ffolkes deedë euere more, Where-off I wás abaschyd sore.

¶ Abstynence:

'I Am,' quod sche, 'the Freytourer Off this hous, and Botëler, Line 22628 And mynystre the sustenaunce To ffolkës, lyke to ther plesaunce. I kepe hem hool, I kepe hem cleene, By a mesurable meene, Line 22632 That, surffét be not to blame.

'Abstynence,' that is my name; And my gorger that thow doste se, Is I-callyd 'Sobrete,' [[sobriete St.]] Line 22636 To kepe the gorge in [[by St.]] sobrenesse, [Tib folio 98b] ffrom sorffét, and al excesse.

'ANd these ffolkës that ben deede, Whiche that serue, (ȝeue thow take heede,) Be thilkë ffolkës euerychon, Line 22641 Whichë that, off ȝore agoon, To-fforne her deth, off holynesse And off verrey parffytenesse, Line 22644 Madë the ffoundacyoun Off ffolkys off relygyoun; Endowyd [[enduyd St.]] hem with greet substaunce, Ther-by to haue ther sustynaunce. Line 22648 ¶ And ffor that skele (as I devyse) They donë [[done St., don Tib.]] eche day her servyse, And ben to hem eke servysable Whanne they sytten at the table. Line 22652

'And ageyneward, sothe to seye, The tother ffor hem wake and praye,

'Bothe by day and eke by nyght, As they are bounden, off dewe ryght, Line 22656 To ther sowlis to don socowre, And afftirward to the dortoure.'

[The Pilgrim]:

I Wotë not wel what it mente, Line 22659 I sawgh how tweynë [[twyne St., two Tib.]] ladyes wente: The on [[tone St.]] off hem, (as I was war,) In hir hand, a staff sche bar; The tother, save a gambesoun, Was nakyd (in myne inspeccyoun). Line 22664

And sche that bare the staff, anon ffro bed to bed sche is agon Thorowgh-out the dortour (by and by), And made the beddës fful clenly; Line 22668 And with clothis cleene and white Sche spradde hem ouer, by delyte, That no thyng ne lay a [[a St., om. Tib.]] wronge. [Tib folio 99a] Line 22671

Sche that was nakyd, gan a songe, [[Illumination.]]

WHiche (to putte in rémembraunce) [Stowe folio 357b] Was pleynely this, as in substaunce:

¶ The ffyrste verse off the song:

'I Schal synge, with al my myght, And so I howe, [[owe, ought: have St.]] off verrey ryght. Line 22676 I am nakyd, as ȝe may se; By no thyng men may holden me; Thowgh they me púrsue, day and nyght, To hold[ë] me they have no myght. [The 2nd and 3rd verses have only 5 lines each; the first ought to have the same; but as Stowe's 6th line stops the line|numbering getting uneven, I put it in.] [[St., om. Tib.]] Line 22680

¶ The secunde verse:

'A Smalë posterne I may pace, And, thorough thykke and thynnë trace; ffor, thow that ffolkës dyde her peyne, They may off me no thyng restreyne, Line 22684 Affter, euere thow [[thoghe St.]] they chace.

¶ The thryde verse:

'I Am 'Wylleffull Pouerte;' And, off myne ownë volunte, [Tib folio 99b]

'I despysë alle rychesse; Line 22688 Slepe in Ioye and sekyrnesse, Nor thevës may not robbë me.' [[Illumination.]]

The Pylgryme:

TO hir, that so nakyd was, I gan to hasten a greet paas; Line 22692 Bysoughtte hir that sche noldë spare, Hir name, to me ffor to declare.

¶ Pouerte:

'My name, ȝeue I schal tellë the, I am 'wyllefful Poverte;' Line 22696 ffor, [[om. St.]] to swyche pouerte I haue me take, And the world I haue fforsake, Rychesse and alle pocessyoun, Save oonly this Gambysoun, Line 22700 Whiche is callyd 'Pacyence.' And therffore, with-out offence, fforsake I haue the Temperal ffor goodes that ben celestyall: [Tib folio 100a] [[Tib. & St.]] Line 22704 There is my rychesse and gerdoun, My tresowre and my pocessyoun.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"I Preyë the that thow not tarye: Why is it callyd 'voluntarye'?" Line 22708

¶ Pouerte:

'TRystë this (it is no ffayle,) Ther may no thyng a man avayle; (What maner thyng that euere it be,) But it be doon off volunte. Line 22712 Kome fforthe, and se an exanplayre [[exemplayre St.]] Off poverte not voluntarye.'

And, with-outë [[out Tib., St.]] more lettynge, Sche Schewyd me oon, ffelle off lokynge: Line 22716 Groynynge sche sat, ffrownynge and sad; And off hir cheere sche was not glad. 'Here thow [[thow St., om. Tib.]] mayste seen pouerte Whiche is no thyng off volunte. [[Illumination.]] Line 22720 Thow mayste off hir ⁵anon enquere,⁵ [[5_5 St., Tib. torn.]] [Tib folio 100b] And the trouthe sche schal the leere.

¶ The Pylgryme:

"THow oolde," quod I, "so ffoule off cheere, What cause haste thow to abyden [[hastow tabiden St.]] heere [Stowe folio 358a] Amonge this ffayrë companye Line 22725 Off ladyes? I trowe thow art a spye. Thow owghttyest not, with so ffoule a fface, To [[To om. St.]] abyden in so ffeyre a place." Line 22728

¶ Pouerte Impacyent: [[impacyent Tib., om. St.]]

QVod sche, 'the trowthë ffor to kythe, Thow haste seyne fful offtë sythe With lordës, ladyes, (it is no doute,) [[St. & Tib.]] In her [[thayr St.]] chawmbres rounde abowte [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22732 For to maken dyuerse Iapes, [[St. & Tib.]] Foxes rennen, and eke apes, [[St. & Tib.]] Dysporte and pleye on euery syde: And semblably, here I [[I here St.]] abyde; Line 22736 Where-off thow scholdest me not [[not me St.]] repreve; ffor vn-to hem, no thyng I greve; It dothe hem non dysávauntage, ffor to my silffe is the damáge. Line 22740

ANd [[and, om. St.]] ȝeue men me callen 'Pouerte,' And I [[I om. St.]] take it not at gree Thorough myne nowne [[owne St.]] Impacyence, Line 22743 My grucchynge doth no wight [[no wight St., myn owne Tib. (from line above).]] offence, (Who so takyth heede ther-to) But to my silffe, and to no mo. Off ffolkës off dyscressyoun, I am had in derysyoun; Line 22748 They holde off me but a Iape, As a lord dothe off his ape.' [Tib folio 101a]

The Pylgryme:

"Hyt semyth, as [[as om. St.]] by thy résemblaunce And by thy owgely [[own St.]] contenaunce, By lyfftynge vp off thy mosel, Line 22753 That thow pleyest the apë wel; And that thow art the comune ape, Afforë ffolke to pleye and Iape." Line 22756

¶ Pouerte Impacyent: [I need hardly say in an E. E. Text that the vulgar error of holding that 'like' is not a conjunction, is due to ignorance. Like, from 'like as,' is a conjunction; Like, from 'like to or unto,' is a preposition. See S. Walker, Crit. on Shakesp., ii. 115-123.]

'THat is thorough myne Impacyence, And ffor lak off pacyence, That makyth me in hertë swelle, And, with greetë wyndës belle, Line 22760 That dothe my lyppës hyghë [[hygh Tib., high St.]] reyse, Whiche, no man ne schuldë preyse; ffor it makyth a démonstraunce Off an apys contenaunce. Line 22764

'I love no maner besynesse, But oonly slouthe and ydelnesse.

'Ryghtffully, thorough my dyssert, [[decert St.]] I may ben callyd wel 'Povert.' Line 22768 Off good, I haue no maner thyng, But as the [[a St.]] bycchë, ay groynyng, Wel worsë sothely than I seme; Off euery thyng, the worst I deme.' Line 22772

¶ The Pylgryme:

A Noon I laffte hir companye, And gan me ffastë ffor to hye To hir that, with hir lokës glade, In [[In St., But in Tib.]] the dortoure beddës made; Line 22776 And curteysely I gan hir preye, [Tib folio 101b] [[St. & Tib.]] To me sche wolde hir namë seye. [Stowe folio 358b]

¶ Dame [[Dame om. St.]] chastyte:

'I Am callyd by my name, The ffeyre, with-outë [[out Tib., St.]] spotte or blame, That may, in no place endure Line 22781 Where that ffylthe is, or ordure. And of [[of St., om. Tib.]] ffolkës that me se, I am [[They calle Tib.]] callyd Chastyte; Line 22784 Off thys castel, chasteleyne, Whiche, day and nyght, I [[I om. St.]] do my peyne ffor to kepen this castel ffrom schotte off Gonne and of [[of St., om. Tib.]] quarel. And therffore I am armed wel, Line 22789 Bette thanne in yren and [[Bet than yren outher St.]] steel; Nyght and day is my laboure, [[St. & Tib.]] For to dyffendë [[for to defenden St.]] euery toure, Bothe [[St., Tib. blurd]] erly and also late, Line 22793 And on myne handys, I haue off plate, [[Illumination.]]

'A Peyrë [[peyre of St.]] glouës, ffor dyffence, I-callyd 'Dowble Contynence,' Line 22796 Myghty venus to rechace, And to putte hir ffro that place, [Tib folio 102a] [[Tib. & St.]] That sche may hauë noon entre ffor to assayilë [[fortassaille St.]] chastyte, Line 22800 Whiche schal, as a [[a St., om. Tib.]] conquerour,) Kepe and deffendë the dortour,

'To alle my ffreendes, I wole socoure, That with hertë me honowre, Line 22804 Hem to kepe ffrom vnclennesse, While I to hem am cheeff maystresse.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

A fftir this, anoon I wente In-to the mynstre (off good entente), Line 22808 And, asyde castynge my syght, I sawe a lady ffayre and bryght, Sad off contenaunce and off [[off om. St.]] cheere; And sche bare, lyke a messangere, Line 22812 A boyste; and anon ryght, [[6-syllable line]] Toward the heuene sche took hir fflyght; ffor (as I kowde byholde and se,) Sche was whynged, ffor to ffle. Line 22816

ANd trewely (as I koude espye,) Sche ffleyë [[flygh St.]] ffer aboue the skye. And, as me thoughtë, longe and large, [Tib folio 102b] [[St. & Tib.]] Affor hir brest, sche bare a targe; [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22820 And (schortely as I kan reherse) [[St. & Tib.]] The sylvë heuene sche dydë perse. [[St. & Tib.]] And I thought (in sotheffastenesse) [[St. & Tib.]] Hir laboure and hir besynesse [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22824 Was ffor to maken (in certeyne) Deedë men to ryse [[lyve St.]] ageyne.

And I gan ffor to neyghë [[neygh Tib., nyghe St.]] nere, Preyëd hir (off herte entere) Line 22828 To ȝeue me infformacyoun Off name and of [[and of St., and Tib.]] condyscyoun.

¶ Prayere:

'My namë, ȝeue thow lyste to here, [Stowe folio 359a] I am, off ffolke, callyd 'Prayere'; Line 22832

Line 22832 'And lerne off me that (off resoun,) [[St. & Tib.]] Eche man is worthi the guerdoun [[St. & Tib.]] (Yf [[Tib. would be 'ȝeue.']] that trouthë be obserued,) [[St. & Tib.]] Lyke as he hath trewely deserued. [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22836 And echë wyght, ffor his good dede, Is worthi to resseyue his mede, Lyke his meryte, off equyte.

'These deedë ffolk whiche thow doste se, [[Illumination. Pilgrim, Angel, and two dead Men.]] Line 22840 Ben they whiche, euery day suynge, [Tib folio 103a] [[Tib. & St.]] Ȝeuen lyuelode and fost[e]rynge [[Tib. & St.]] To lyvynge ffolkes that here-in dwelle: In what wyse, I schal the telle. Line 22844

Whanne they alyue were heere present, They gaff off herte, in [[and St.]] good entent, Thorough ther parffyte holynesse, In-to this hous fful greet almesse; Line 22848 And, to ther sustentacyoun, They madë the ffoundacyoun Off this ylkë samë [[same ilke St.]] hous; And ȝaff vnto relygyous Line 22852 Meete and drynke (off good entent) And lyuelodë competent; Off purpos (sothë ffor [[for om. St.]] to seye) Thát they scholdë ffor hem preye. Line 22856 And so they don, bothe day and nyght, Off consuétude and off ryght.

'Wherffore, callyd I am 'Prayere,' Whiche that am the messagere Line 22860 That fflee [[fly St.]] to heuene with whyngës lyght, ffer aboue the sterres bryght, To-ffore the lord, to presente Prayere made in good entente, Line 22864 Lyche as these ffolkës haue in charge.

'And the name eke off my Targe, Is Fervente Contynuacyoun Off preyere by devocyoun. Line 22868

FOr there nys [[nys St., is Tib.]] halpeny nor fferthyng, But it requerith his guerdownyng More trewely (ȝeue it be tolde)

'Thanne the somme a thowsande ffolde, Line 22872 In the lyffe that is eterne, Off hym that eche thyng kan concerne, Eternally lyvyng in glory. [Stowe folio 359a] [Tib folio 103b]

'Prayer abreggeth purgatóry, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22876 And alleggeth (in certeyne,) [[St. & Tib.]] Of sowlës the greetë [[greet Tib., gret St.]] peyne, [[St. & Tib.]] And gyveth to hem remyssyoun. [[St. & Tib.]] Wher-ffore I am callyd 'Orysoun,' [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22880 That do off ffolkës the message To [[to St., And to Tib.]] god, by fful swyffte passage. The requestës I kan speede, Line 22883 Off ffolke that preye in love and dreede, [Stowe folio 359b] And make the procuracyoun Off Práyere and off Orysoun.

ANd with the kyng (take heede also, Who hath any thyng ado Line 22888 To expleyten his laboure) I am cheveste procuratoure; [[St. & Tib.]] And euere my supplycacyoun, [[St. & Tib.]] Whanne [[Whan St., Euere Tib.]] it is grownded on resoun, [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22892 It is never, I dar devyse, [[St. & Tib.]] Not refusyd, in no wyse. [[St. & Tib.]]

WHerffore, by the reed off me, Line 22895 Ȝeue thow wolte [[wilt St.]] gon to that Cyte, I schal the schewe the ryghtë [[ryght Tib., St.]] way, And the passage (it is no nay) Gladdely eke, ȝeue it may pleese.

'And also, ffor to doon thè eese, Line 22900 I schal the lene a mansyoun, To make thyne habytacyoun: It sytte wel, bothe [[bothe om. St.]] to hygh and lowe, Thy comynge ther afforne be [[to St.]] knowe; Line 22904 ffor who that schal haue there entre, Knowe, to-ffornë, it muste be; Nor nó man may haue there hostáge, But I to-fforne do his message. Line 22908

'And off the theeff, in his hangynge, [[Tib. & St.]] [Tib folio 104a] Whanne he henge by the myghty kynge [[Tib. & St.]] Crist ihesu, vp-on the roode,

'That deyed ffor oure alder goode; Line 22912 Off whom the theeff fful humbely Axed off that lord mercy; The samë tyme, ffor his socoure, I [[I St., And Tib.]] wente afforne enbassatoure, Line 22916 And trewëly dyde his message, And madë [[To make St.]] redy his passage, That he myght resseyued be In Paradys, that ffayre contre. Line 22920

ANd semblabely, as by my reed, By this exaumple take good heed, That thow bé not putte in blame, Thy-silffë, ffor to do thé schame. Line 22924 Thow haste as greet neede, at a preeff, [[? meeff Tib.]] I [[in St.]] sothe, as haddë the seyde theeff. And, to ffurther thy vyage, I wole my silffe don thi message.' Line 22928

¶ The Pylgryme:

ANd thanne anoon, with humble cheere I thankyd tho vnto Preyere, And seyde, "my causë to amende, That to-fforne I wolde hir sende, Line 22932 ffor my reffute and my socoure, ffor to ben my procuratoure."

Anoon affter, in certeyne, Whanne I hadde the placë seyne, [Stowe folio 360a] Line 22936 And, by cleer inspeccyoun, Made my vysitacyoun,

ANd in my way as I gan go, Within the placë to and ffro, [Tib folio 104b] [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22940 Of aventurë me by-fforn, [[St. & Tib.]] I sawgh one that blewe an horn, [[St. & Tib.]] And made a noysë wonder lowde. [[St. & Tib.]] And (as I espyen koude) [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22944 In organys and in sawtrye [[St. & Tib.]] She made a wonder melodye. [[St. & Tib.]] [[Illumination: the Pilgrim, with a Woman at an Organ, blowing a cow's horn; beyond, a table with a Harp on it. One large and five small windows in the room.]]

WHom I by-sought, off hardynesse, To me, that sche wolde expresse, Line 22948 (Off hir grace, in goodly wyse,) Her office, and her servyse.

¶ Latrya: [[…, the state of a hired workman.]]

'Off this placë, ffolkes alle, 'Latrya' [[Lat-er-ïa]] they me calle. Line 22952 Myne offyce is moste in wakynge, To kepe the gate aboute the kynge. I wacchë thereon, day and nyght, Do my fforse, [[servys St.]] and eke my myght, Line 22956 ffor to lyne [[ly St.]] aye in awayt, That there be ffounden no dysceyt. Nowther behynde nor beforn; [Tib folio 105a] [[Tib. & St.]] ffor thanne anoon I blowe myn horn. [[Tib. & St.]] Line 22960

'Who lythe to longe, I make hym ryse; Slogardes allë, I [[all I do St.]] chastise, And to slouthe I do greet sorewe; ffor, bothe at eeue and eke at morew, Line 22964 I kepe the howrës off rysynge, To do worschipe vnto [[vnto St., to Tib.]] the kynge. Allë ffolkës vp I calle, That no slomber on hem ffalle. Line 22968

'Myne horne is Invocacyoun Off Deus in adiutorium: I blowe myn horn toward mydnyght, To reyse vp ffolkës anoon ryght; Line 22972 I suffre hem not, off sleep to deye. Myne orgones, I tempre ffor to pleye, And vp-on hem I make a sown With-outen Intermyssyown. [sine intermissione orare. St. om. Tib.]

'And trewely, alle my melodye Line 22977 Is in songe off Persalmodye. [[and psalmody St.]] And, devoutely, in myne ententis, I callë so myne Instrumentis; Line 22980 ffor thylkë kyng that is most stronge, Moste hym delytyth in swyche songe; To hym it [[it om. St.]] is moste pertynente, Whanne it is songe off good entente, Line 22984 In clennesse and in purete.'

And while that Latrya spak to me, I sawgh the lady, whiche in [[lady within St.]] hir handys Whiche I off spak, that bar the bondys, [[bands St.]] [Stowe folio 360b] Sad and demure off hir vysage. Line 22989 To me sche takyth hir passage:

¶ Obedyence:

'TElle me,' quod sche, 'on euery part Line 22991 Verely what that thou art, [Tib folio 105b] [[Stowe MS., Tib. burnt]] And the truthë specifye, [[Stowe MS., Tib. burnt]] Yf thou come ought as espye [[St. & Tib.]] Into this placë, to or [[and St.]] ffro, [[St. & Tib.]] Or thou eny ffurther go.' [[St. & Tib.]] Line 22996

¶ The Pylgryme:

"MAdame," quod I, "haue on me ruthe. I am no spyë, in good trouthe; My purpos is, and that anoon, [[St. & Tib.]] To Ierusalem ffor to goon. [[St. & Tib.]] Line 23000 And, the weyës as I sought, [[St. & Tib.]] Hedre grace dieu me brought [[St. & Tib.]] Only my wayë ffor tabrygge, [[St. & Tib.]] And to eschewe eche other brygge." [[St. & Tib.]] Line 23004

¶ Obedyence: [[latria St.]]

'Tolde she the not (ȝeue thow haue mynde,) [[St. & Tib.]] Here-in that thow scholdest ffynde [[St. & Tib.]] Beddës harde, and no thyng soffte, As it is I-prevëd offte Line 23008 Off ffolke off euery maner age: And heere is a fful hard passage.'

¶ The Pylgryme:

"HOw harde euere that it be, Trewely I schal it take at gre; Line 23012 To gracë dieu, what that I kan, Serue hir as hir trewë man." [[St. & Tib.]]

¶ Obedyence: [[latria St.]]

'Take heder thy ffeet and thyne hondes;' [There is only one more after leaf in MS. Cott. Tib. A. vii, and the portion of the poem contained on that leaf,—which is nearly illegible,—is not missing in Vit. c. xiii.—W. WOOD (copier).] [[St. & Tib.]] I shall them bothë knett in bands. [Stowe folio 360b] Line 23016 thow shalt ha ges [lyke] a faucon,

'only of entencïoun, without eny contrariouste, that [thou] shalt ylured be.' Line 23020

Pilgrim:

she band me foot and hand also, that to mevë to ne fro I hadd no maner lyberte; nor my tongë was not fre Line 23024 for to speke, but by lycence; nor in the seller, nor in the spence, ete nor drynkë on no syde, but lycens were my gyde. [[6-syllable line]] Line 23028 And, for tacounte the terme entier, the space of xxxix [[nine and thirty]] yere I was bound of volunte, to obedience (as ye may se), Line 23032 as the statuts, fayn and well, bound the folk of that castell.

and truly, in hert nor in thought, [Stowe folio 361a] my bondës [[bonds St.]] greuyd me ryght nought; Line 23036 but (as it comythe to rémembraunce) ther befell a wondar chaunce: the portar happede on a day to ben fer out of the way; Line 23040 the kynge was absent eke also; and, in absence of bothë two, (and the gatë was vnshet,) ther cam in, withoutë [[without St.]] let, Line 23044 a thefe, that no man coude espye, that was callyd Falls Envye: hir two doughtars, the ton, 'Treson' called / the tother, 'Detractïon': Line 23048 with them (by gret cruelte) Scilla, a monstre of the se, and her hounds hir folowynge with grete noyse and gret barkynge. Line 23052

and this meyne, in the castell madë noyse and gret revell: In a lenton (who lyst se) they made the ladyes for to fle Line 23056

Line 23056 out of thilkë holy boundes. and Scilla folowed with hir hounds, gan at them sore enchace; and Envy, thrughe all the place, Line 23060 with hir doughters (out of doute,) gan to seke me round about. they were conspiryd allë [[all St.]] thre playnly to devoure me, Line 23064 only by conspiracïon of envie and detraccïon.

their felowship I forsoke; and anon an horse I toke, Line 23068 for to flyen, with all my myght, to escape out of hir syght. and truly, for no maner rape, theyr treynës [[treyns St.]] I myght not eskape. Line 23072

quod Scilla then, (of gret despyt,) 'he wenythe for to have respit, and by his horse to bene socowryd, that he shall nat ben devowryd Line 23076 of vs by persecutïon.' 'ye, for áll that,' quod Treason, 'as it is [vn]to vs dwe, aftar hym we shall pursue. Line 23080 what maner of horsse myght he have, [Stowe folio 361b] that from owr daunger shuld hym save?'

Scilla:

quod Scilla, 'I shall well telle, yf ye lyst a whilë dwelle: Line 23084 this horse is cawlyd 'Good Renowne,' whiche hathe (in conclusyon) fowr fette hym to susteyne; and ellës [[ells St.]] (without eny wene) Line 23088 he shuld (to his confusïon,) at myscheffe halten even a-downe, with thre, tweynë, or with one, vpryght he shuld nevar gon, Line 23092 but stomble aye, and gon a-myse.

'the firstë [[first St.]] fote of his horse is, that he have no condicïon

'sownynge to dyffamacïon, Line 23096 this is to seyne, touchynge shame, that he be voyde of dyffame.

'The second, (to his ádvantáge,) that he be borne out of serváge: Line 23100 this to meane, that he, in all, out of thraldome be lyberall.

'The third, (withouten all outráge,) to be borne in trwe mariáge. Line 23104

'the fourthe is, a foot full good, of nature that he be nat wood, nor that he, by no frolage, be nat fallen into rage. Line 23108

'thesë fowre feet (in sothnesse), of truthë all-way bere witnesse; but we (by conspiratïoun) shall maken hym alryght a-doune; Line 23112 and, shortly, (to owr avayle), here-on we shall haue a consayle.'

and, lyke to theyr opynyon, fyrst ther spake Detractïon: Line 23116 quod she, 'I can a noble songe that aye resownythe vnto wronge, That Dan of Inuidia [[Fiat Dan coluber in via, cerastes in semita, mordens ungulas equi, ut cadat ascensor ejus retro.—Genesis xliv. 17.]] ffiat coluber in via.

'this songe I wot ryght welle,' quod she, Line 23121 'was I-songen first for me. to vse it, I am nat rekles, I am the horned Cerastes, [[…, cerastes, a horned serpent.]] whiche evar (as ferforthe as I may,) Line 23125 trace ever the wrongë way. and covertly, in my werkynge, I vsë for to byte and stynge; Line 23128 with tethe & tonge I do most wrake, evar behynden at the bake.

'the horsë of hym, in diffame, [. . . . . . no blank in MS.] Line 23132 so priveily I shall disceyve, [Stowe folio 362a] that he shall nat apparceyve. I shall be falshed so prevyd,

'to make hym halten in some syde; Line 23136 whiche so sorë shall hym greve, that he shall not mowe releve.'

'Sothly,' quod tho Treason, 'that good was hir oppinion.' Line 23140

and when she hadd hir talë do, echon they accordyd well therto; the houndës [[hounds St.]] stoden at abaye and gan barke, by gret affray. Line 23144 and at[të] last, Detraccïon made myn hors to falle a-doun, and to halten in swyche wyse that I myghtë [[myght St.]] nat a-ryse: Line 23148 withe a tonge of a serpent myne horse and I were bothë shent; And doun at erthe, in gret affray, amonge the houndës ther I lay. Line 23152

and aftar (by great felonye) I was assaylyd by Envye; and with thre sperës sharpë ground, she gave to me many a wound. Line 23156 and of Scilla, the cruell hounds, gaue me many mortall wounds; I was to-torne with ther chas. and than cam Treason with hir mas, Line 23160 hevy as a clobbe of leed, and ther-of set me on y^e hede; lege and arme she brake in twayne, that yet I fell the gretë [[gret St.]] payne Line 23164 of that ylkë mortall stryffe, and shall felle it all my lyffe.

and whill I lay thus in a traunce of grete anoye and grete grevaunce, Line 23168 those oldë [[old St.]] vekkës dispitious, [[No gap in MS.]] they me left in full gret drede, wenynge that I had be dede. Line 23172 and comfort, truly was ther none, for all my fryndës [[frynds St.]] werë gon: in prison, lay Charite;

Mercy was hound, & eke Pitie, Line 23176 whiche lykyd me nothyng well. and Scilla cawsyd everydell; for my sorow and my grevaunce was to her full gret pleasaunce; Line 23180 and it grevyd hir full sore that I haddë [[MS. had]] harme no more; [Stowe folio 362b] and she (of indignatïon,) made a quarell to Treason, Line 23184 that she dyd no more vengaunce, to encrese my wofull chaunce.

wherfore I (in myn entent) I axyd a ryghtfull iugëment, Line 23188 cast my gage tofore the kynge, to have amende of all this thynge; and, for this great transgressïon, I made a-pele vppon Treson; Line 23192 and complaynynge thus my wo, I lay, and turnyd to and fro, maymyd in so mortall wyse that I myghtë [[myght St.]] nat aryse Line 23196 on my fete, for gret destrese; and vpreard my-selfe to drese.

I madë me a leg of tre to rysen (yf it wold ha be); Line 23200 and that leg (in my discese) dede me after full gret ese; for, to my gret confusïon, lost I haddë [[had St.]] my bordon; Line 23204 I mist not wherë, in serteyn, tyll Gracë Dieu it brought ageyn, whiche that found it on a day at the turnynge of a waye. Line 23208

and in thes wofull áuentures, as I anoynted my bresures, complaynynge early on a morow, as I lay, and madë sorowe, Line 23212 when phebus, with his bemës bryght, gilt the hyllës [[hylls St.]] with his lyght, to chase the mystës that were derke,

to me there come a full old clerke, Line 23216 whom, sythë tyme that I was bore, I had nevar sene tofore; and his booke on me he layd, and euen thus to me he sayd: [Stowe folio 363a] Line 23220

Ouidius:

quod he, 'of true affectïon, I ha gret compassyon on thy sorowe and on thy doole, that thow liggest here all soole Line 23224 in grete myscheffe (as semethe me) wher-of I haue full gret pyte.'

Pilgrim:

"for to put me in certeyne, I pray the that thou woldest seyn Line 23228 thy name openly to me, that I myghtë [[myght St.]] thanken the."

Ouidius:

'of my name it stondethe thus; I am callyd Ovydius, Line 23232 whiche loue thee, more than thou canst wene:— here-aftar it shall be sene. and yf thow haddyst, her-to-forne, in my tyme, in sothe be borne, Line 23236 to thy consolatïon I shold haue towght thee a lessonne, whiche shuld ha be to thy plesaunce, and shuld ha made thee in substaunce Line 23240 ffull sufficiaunt, in many a thynge, bothe in doctryne and in connynge. but I am comë to denounce a sertayn curse, & to pronounce, Line 23244 on allë [[all St.]] thilkë the sentence, whiche vnto the ha don offence. whiche sentence (in wordës [[words St.]] fewe) to the in latyn I shall shewe, Line 23248 Terra sibi fruges & cetera /'

Pilgrim:

whan his vers weren all ysayd, vnto hym thus I abrayd:

"that ye (of true affectïon,) have on me compassyon, Line 23252 on my doolle and on my smert. I thankë yow with all myn hert; [Stowe folio 363b] but I ha no devosyon In cursynge nor in malison; Line 23256 I shall delay[e]n all cursynge, tyll tymë that the myghty kynge, by iugëment, eche thyng shall deme, as vnto hym it shall but seme, Line 23260 of ryghtwisenessë, to provide."

and in this wise, the clerke Ovide went his way, and leftë [[left St.]] me lyggynge in great adversitie; Line 23264 and to expresse (in complaynynge) my gretë [[great St.]] sorow by writynge, I will myn ownë namë shewe, sette out by lettars on a rowe Line 23268 at the gynnynge of this ditie in eche ballad as ye may se, of Frenche and Lattyn, bothe I-fere, ryght anon as ye shall here. Line 23272 hauythe me excusyd of my rudenesse, thowghe I to you my name expresse:

[ACROSTIC OF GUILLAUME DE DEGUILVEVILLE'S NAME: GUILLERMUS DE DEGUILEVILLA.]

Grato messium tempore, Quant nature sez beaux [beaux, Petit print, om. St.] fruiz dore, [Stowe ends here. The rest is copied from Petit's French edition of Le romant des trois Pelerinaiges. Le premier pelerinaige est de l'homme durant qu'est en vie. . . ab. 1500. Foeillet .lxxxiiij. col. 2, sign. l.iiij.] Et prompta sunt in liquore Ses vins qu'encore pas n'affore, Line 4 Quo folium in arbore Se commence a deuenir sore, Et boreas in equore Si n'est pas trop nuysant encore. Line 8

VIdi scriptum in margine Ou cestuy escript s'enracine, Mirandam pulcritudine, Grace dieu, du ciel royne digne, Line 12 Me vocantem ex nomine: 'Vien auant, et si t'achemine Mecum, quia regimine Tu as mestier, et de doctrine.' Line 16

ILla me duxit prospere En l'ung des chasteaulx de son pere, Exhortando summopere, Que l'un de leans ie fusse frere, Line 20 Virginique puerpere, Estoille de mer pure et clere, Me servum vellem tradere, En la faisant ma bonne mere. Line 24

Line 24

LEgis audite nouelle, Plaisante me fut la nouuelle, Nam, mel mundi mixtum felle, Si me nuysoit à la forcelle. Line 28 Tunc pellem dedi pro pelle, Pour seruir à ceste pucelle, Puro sperans frui melle, Pour quoy la vie se renouuelle. Line 32

LOngo cursu pacifice Remains ou chastel sans malice, Vtilitati publice Entendant, selon mon office. Line 36 Sparsim apparent rubrice [Petit folio lxxxiiijb] A tout chascun, s'il n'est trop nyce, Nam factum est theatrice, Sans quelconque notable vice. Line 40

EA propter prodiente D'une cauerne pestilente, Inuidia furiente, Et du bien de l'autruy dolente, Line 44 Improuise ac repente, Scilla la lisse pullulente, Proditione presente, Sans nul delay me mist en vente. Line 48

RAbida sic orta peste, De corner fist tres grant moleste Cum canibus atque reste; Moy, comme vne sauuaige beste, Line 52 Alba circumtecta veste, De chasser se monstra moult preste; Alta echo bosci teste, Trop me fut ceste chace agreste. Line 56

ME persequens indefesse, La tres cruelle veneresse, Ac violenter me subesse Fist a ses chiens hors de lesse, Line 60 Sicque clamare necesse Bien me fut, pour yssir de presse, Sed, si potuit prodesse, N'est pas bien ceste chose expresse. Line 64

VAluisset facta pace, Se trahison vne autre trace Non intrasset sine face, Afin qu'on n'apperceust la face; Line 68 Nam, duce nicticorace, Par le coup d'une grosse masse, Ostenso vultu fallace, Si m'abatit en my la place. Line 72

SIc persequitur peruerse Tous temps / et assault et reuerse Viros, sinderesis terse, Faulse trahison la peruerse; Line 76 Et timendum, si sic per se, Au dedans du chastel conuerse, Me per hanc oues disperse Soient par maniere bien diuerse. Line 80

DEtraction cum murmure, Pour luy ayder, tres grande cure Subministrant, et gutture, Par le dur glaiue qui trop dure; Line 84 Asseruntque de iure, Que faire doyuent grant iniure Hominibus vite pure, [ [Petit folio 84b:2] ] Que le susdit chastel enmure. Line 88

EXpertus hoc minis dure, Soustiens leur griefue forfaicture, Maxime cum nullo rure; Bestes y ait de tel facture, Line 92 Turpissime sunt figure, Et sans ouuraige de nature; Vnde earum iacture Plus griefues me sont sans mesure. Line 96

DE quarum turpitudine, Et du tout mauuaise conuine, Exaratur in margine, De ceste voye ou ie chemine, Line 100 Non quod alie pagine D'auctorite saincte et diuine, Maiores certitudine Line 103 N'en contiennent mieulx la doctrine.

EArum tormentum graue, Plus assez que cy ne l'agraue Sustinui / non pro caue Trahison qui les maulx encaue, Line 108 Sepe mihi dicens aue, Combien qu'elle me fust moult haue, Me prostrauit ictu claue, En faisant de moy son espaue. Line 112

GRauiter sic, et nocue, El m'abatit de sa massue, Constat ouibus pascue, Que bien i'ay ma peine perdue, Line 116 Et castrum superuacue, Pour auoir la teste tondue, Intraui nam precipue; Mon esperance y est rompue. Line 120

Line 120

VT seruirem virge iesse, Me mist grace de dieu en lesse; Quod fruerer magna messe, M'acertena par grant promesse; Line 124 Sed video nunc expresse, Dont grande doleur mon cueur presse, Quod egredi est necesse, Et ailleurs celebrer ma messe. Line 128

ID, si seruato ordine, Et bonne paix a marie digne, De qua, cum moderamine, A elle plaindre ie me fine. Line 132 Potuissem pro nemine Qui en cestuy monde chemine, Stetissem tanto turbine, Demourant hors de discipline. Line 136

LEgatus celi curie [Petit folio lxxxv] Pleust a saincte vierge marie, Quatinus nunc summarie, Et de plain sans point farderie, Line 140 Cognosceret ex serie, Se ie dy voir ou menterie, Et quis currentis furie A punicion demerie. Line 144

EX hoc iustificatiue, A bon aduis tournant l'estriue, Deus auctoritatiue Osteroit tout ce qui estriue; Line 148 Impediret causatiue Sa nef, qu'à bon port elle n'arriue, Simul, et miseratiue Me feroit il grace hastiue. Line 152

VTinam nutu gratie, Gardienne qu'est de ma vie, Impetum tante furie, En memoire ie n'eusse mie; Line 156 Sed defectus iusticie, Qui ou poulce fut endormie Im cellula memorie, Trestous les iours Harou i'en crie. Line 160

ILlud nesciens nescire, A dur colier mon ame tire, Presertim cum inuenire Je ne puisse, ou trouueray mire, Line 164 Qui iam velit subuenire A ma playe las qui s'empire Ex descensu magne ire, Dont souuent ie ne suis pas sire. Line 168

LVcis creator optime, Estre vueillez fort animé Succurrendi promptissime A tel grief dont suis opprimé! Line 172 Et sum certus firmissime, Se luy est mon fait intimé, Michi succurret proxime, Et sera mon vieil roil limé. Line 176

LEgi quodam volumine, Quant fait est bien examiné Justicie libramine, Qui a tort, est tantost miné; Line 180 Et iustus not redit sine Honneur, quant le plait est finé, Et iudici sine fine Est vray salut predestiné. Line 184

ARbores solis et lune, Se m'eussent dit quant ie fuz né, Cui casui vel fortune [Petit folio lxxxv:2] Je seroye ioinct et aduné, Line 188 Non dedissem causam prime Pour ainsi estre destiné, Nam semper me trahens fune, Grande trahison m'a esgruné. [The French goes on:—

OR ai ie dit que vne aduentureAu chastel ie trouuay moult dure,Pour le portier qui ne fut pasA la porte gardant le pas,Que cestes vieilles n'y entrassent,Et que leurs chiens n'y amenassent;Mais pour ce ne doy ie pas taireCe que par apres i'en vy faire.

This French edition was 'corrected' by a Monk of DeGuilleville's monastery, and was printed in or about 1500 by "Maistre Barthole et Jehan petit" (title, last line), and "A paris, Au soleil d'or / en la maison Maistre bertholde" (Fo. j. back, col. 1), as the "Correcteur," P. Virgin, says.
Prof. Paul Meyer refers me to three other Acrostics by DeGuileville on his own name: 1. in Le Pèlerinage de l'Ame, Roxburghe Club, 1895, p. 57-64, in alternate French and Latin lines, beginning

Grace Dieu, du ciel royne,Semper regnans sine fine,Cognoissant pous et orine,Et magistra medicine . . .

and making the writer's name "Guillermus de Guillevilla" as above; 2. in the same volume, an Acrostic in French only, in three separate sections—the third in but a few MSS.—p. 348-53, 376-8 (see note, p. 356 there), having the guile with one l only: "Guillermus de Guilevila"; this begins, p. 348:—

Gracieuse est l'assembléeQui n'est onques dessemblée,Et en rien n'est descordable,Qui en .iii. est distincter . . .

3. In the Pèlerinage Jhesucrist, Roxburghe Club, 1897, p. 119-130, in French only. This begins:—

Glorieus Dieu, dont te vint ilQu'envoias ci aval ton fil,Et que pelerin le fëisBien savoies, qu'en tel courtil,N'avoit pour li May ne Avril,Et son soulas point n'i vëis.

This Acrostic makes the name "Guillermus de Deguilevilla"; but the editor of the Roxburghe volume, the late Prof. Stürzinger, notes on p. 125 that ten MSS. leave out one couple of the De stanzas, thus reducing the name to "Guillermus de Guilevilla."
I may add here that the prose treatise on the Virgin as the sinner's Refuge from Tribulation, and the Consolation of Afflicted Hearts, p. 437, etc., above, is substituted by Lydgate for about a page of DeGuileville's French verse, Foeillet. lvij., cols. 2-4, which I shall print in the Forewords to this Part II.] Line 192

now I ha told myn ádventure of all that evar I dyd endure, Line 23276 of Scilla and her houndës fell, and eke (as ye ha hard me tell) of Envy and of Treason, and of falce Detractïon. Line 23280 how they ha wrought to my hyndrynge In the absens of the kynge and of his portar, in sertayne.

But when they were come home agayne, Line 23284 and enteryd in-to the castell, it lyked me ryght wonder well. a-non I went to his presens, and tolde hym of the gret offens Line 23288 whiche that Scilla with hir hounds had don to me within his bounds, by the conspiracïon of Envy and [of] Treason: Line 23292 my wrong I dyd specifye.

the kynge a-non let make a crye, that were-so-evar they myght be found in towne or in citie, [Stowe folio 364a] Line 23296

Line 23296 that folkë shuld them sparë nought, to his presens till they were brought. for he cast hym, anone ryght, on them to done iustice and ryght, Line 23300 that they go no more at large; and gave his porter eke in charge forto shette the gatës sore, that they entre there no more, Line 23304 nor that they have ther no chere.

and then I saughe a messagere wher the kynge of custome dwells, In the castell ryngë bells, Line 23308 for to maken ássemblé, where the kynge set in his se, of the ladyes that ther dwell, (of whome to-forne ye have herd tell,) Line 23312 that suffred gret oppressyon of Envy and Detraccïon, of Scillas houndës, [[hounds St.]] by berkynge, in th[e] absens of the kynge, Line 23316 of their drede and mortall rage, wher-of they suffred gret damage.

'Madams,' quod this messegere, 'the kynge, most myghty of power, Line 23320 whiche hathe, in great charitie, (in effecte, as ye shall se,) and purposethe in his entent, he hathe be longe from yow absent, Line 23324 (as ye know yowr-selffe full well,) but of new, to this castell, he is come for his pleasaunce; and he hathe made an ordynaunce Line 23328 and statutës full covenáble, to yow echon ryght profytable, commaundynge yow, echon, in dede, that, hens-forthe, ye ha no drede Line 23332 of your enemys, nor hevynesse, [Stowe folio 364b] but that yow do yowr besynesse (as it is the kyngës [[kyngs St.]] will) yowr office truly to fulffyll, Line 23336

Line 23336 'as ye dyd, when ye began, and bettar, yf ye bettar can; for the kynge (as ye shall se) will on your foon avengid be: Line 23340 to yow I ha no more to say.'

than the messengar went his way, and thes ladys, by good advyse, full truly dyd theyr offyse, Line 23344 evereche, lyke to ther degre, voyde of all contrariouste; and (shortly for to devyse) wher that truthë and iustice Line 23348 be truly kept in any place, I dare sayne ther abydythe grace; And where the gatë is kept well, of palays, maner, or castell, Line 23352 that vycis may ha none entrie, that place stant in suërte, and eche thynge tournethe for the best; for, ther is peace, and ther is rest, Line 23356 and evar gladly, to theyr forthynge, ther abyte the ryghtffull kynge; and ther is suraunce & eke trust.

and afftar this, I had a lust, Line 23360 cawght in my-selfe a great corage, for to holden my passage, and greatly gan my selffe delyght, dyvers castells to vysyte, Line 23364 for to consythar the maner of euery maner offycer, How euerych dede in his degre. [[MS. Cott. Vitell. C. xiii, [folio 287a] , begins again.]]

and it is good, a man to se Line 23368 many thyngës, and to here, for therby a man may lere [[C. & St.]] [Stowe folio 365a] ful moche thynge outward by syght, [[C. & St.]] and take example to done right. [[C. & St.]] Line 23372

And whan I hadde ther-to lycence [[lycens St.]] I wente and dede my diligence [[dylygens St.]] to visiten, and to se ful [[ful om. St.]] many wonderful countre. Line 23376

Line 23376 and ther [[ther St., om. C.]] I fond ful gret foysoun Of many dyuers Religyoun; and I saugh, of many oon, The gretë bondës euerychon Line 23380 broke, that shuld hem wel conserve, yef they wold hem wel observe, Kepe hem from al aduersite, as here-to-forn ye dedë se, Line 23384 Whan the smale wikres [[wyrks St. (See p. 588, above.)]] brak, The hopës wenten al to wrak, And many shippes for lak, allas, Was yperysshed [[peryshyd St.]] in the same cas, Line 23388 and brought vnto confusïoun, (toforn as is maad [[made is St.]] mensïoun) for lak in their gouernaunces, Nat kepyng their obseruaunces. Line 23392

And her-vpon I ferther wente to senë [[sene St., sen C.]] more (in myn entente). And withyne a litel space I cam into a noble place; Line 23396 and at the gate I saugh somers; and on hem sittë, [[sat St.]] fressh of chers, Aungels, of gret vertu; [[6-syllable line]] and hafter hem, kam Gracë Dieu, Line 23400 fresshly Ridyng in a char.

and the gate (I was wel war) Of the castel stood vnshet. [folio 287b] and truëly, whan I had met Line 23404 the Somers, I gan enquere [[C. & St.]] of oon, that he wold[ë] lere [[C. & St.]] goodly, and informë me, [[C. & St.]] [Stowe folio 365a] whos the somers sholdë [[shold St.]] be, [[C. & St.]] Line 23408 Which hadde, vpon hir weye, [[C. & St.]] Aungels hem to conveye, [[6-syllable line]] [[C. & St.]] Only for to make hem strong.

The aungel:

'To Grace Dieu,' quod he, 'they long.' Line 23412

The pilgrym:

Quod I to oon that rood behynde, "telle me wher I shal hir fynde."

The Aungel: [Stowe folio 365b]

Quod thaungel, 'as it is due, her, in hast, she shal vs sue.' [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 23416

And in my way so I me bar, that I fonde hir in hir char; and a-mong hir folkës alle, benignëly [[benyngly St., benigly C.]] she gan me calle, Line 23420 and bad I shold ek ha no fere to tellë what I dedë there.

The pilgrym:

And I answeryd [[answeryd St., answerd C.]] anon ryght, how I wente to haue a syght Line 23424 of sondry castelles (it is no doute,) that in the countre stood aboute, and of folkës gouernaunce, that ther abood for her plesaunce. Line 23428

Grace dieu: [folio 288a]

Graciously, y-wys, quod she, 'Now thou hast yfounden me toforn or that I was ago. but (withoutë [[without C., St.]] wordës mo), Line 23432 come and folwe on after me, and many thyngës thou shalt se.'

and she ladde me, vp and doun, by many diuerse mansïoun, Line 23436 In cloystres, as wentë tho Round about, to and fro: [[6-syllable line]] ther I saugh vertues and ek vices, and many dyuerse edifices. Line 23440 I saugh ther places ruynous, and to dwelle in / perillous.

she shewed me, on our walkyng, an oldë lady ther haltyng, Line 23444 and (as by her contenaunce,) She haddë ther gret gouernaunce: she bar a Rewle of a masoun, and pleyed by derysïoun, Line 23448 and (as I coudë tho espie) by a maner mokerye.

In hir hand (as I was war) a gretë [[gret C., grete St.]] spoon also she bar; Line 23452 and as she reysed it a-lofte, to hir mouth she putte it ofte. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] And also (as to my reward,) hir hed was turned ek bakward, Line 23456 that toforn (as I ha mynde,) Was turned and ysette behynde.

[Grace Dieu]:

Quod Grace dieu a-noon to me, [folio 288b] 'at the eyë thou mayst se; Line 23460 this hous (yef thou canst espye,) whilom was by masounrye bilt, and founded spiritually [Stowe folio 366a] by sent Benet, feithfully Line 23464 by lyne and level of masoun, thorugh gostly foundacïoun, for which, whilom parmanable, it was tabidë the mor stable. Line 23468

'conceyve also, (by my doctryne,) thyng that is maad by rule and lyne, In it self hath more beaute tendure, and mor stabilite. Line 23472 but whan the masoun was agoon, the rulë wente, and that a-noon, and the lynë stood nat faire Whan the rulë gan apaire; Line 23476 and thus the rule, and ek the lyne, bothe attonës gan declyne. and feithfully, in this castel, the rulë was nat kept ryght wel; Line 23480 for, sith the halt held this place, [[See 1. 23,444]] al good rulë gan difface. of vertu ek she is so bare, the edifices to repare; Line 23484 for the old fundacïoun, She hath nat but derisïoun; She reccheth nat what-euere falle; thaugh the stoonës fallen alle, Line 23488

Line 23488 'of vertu, bilden in the place; for, save to play and to solace, I dar sey she, in hir werkyng, Intendeth to noon other thyng.' [[St. & C.]] Line 23492

The Pylgrym:

"Ma dame," quod I, "to my semyng, [folio 289a] this placë first, in his bildyng, (Who consydereth euerydel) the masounry was nat maad wel, Line 23496 Was not duely maad, nor stable, Sith it is not parmanable."

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. C.]]

'Touchyng the bildyng, tak good heed: the masounry, (it is no dreed,) Line 23500 I dar ful wel thy-self assure, it was maad for to endure, and to haue last [[lust C., last St.]] for many yer, Save oonly the morter Line 23504 Was not iustly (as I ha sayd) stably among the stoonës layd, ffounded vpon true entent more stedfastly than is cyment. Line 23508

'It was first maad of orisouns, of fastyng and affliccïouns, to holde the cloystre round about by stablenesse, and not gon out Line 23512 into the world, vagabound, [Stowe folio 366b] the edifices to confound; but in their cloystres stille abyde in mekënesse, and not in pryde, Line 23516 Haue their frequentacïouns in prayër and in orisouns; erly on morwen to aryse, in vertu to haue excercyse; Line 23520 and at festës more and lasse, oftë tymës syngë masse.

'this was whilom, (I you ensure,) of their morter, the temprure, Line 23524 founded vppon charyte, on concord and fraternyte,

'In love and in perfeccïoun, Voyde of al devisïoun, [folio 289b] Line 23528 In parfit pes and vnyte of high and lowe in their degre, for love only of crist ihesu.

'And yef the morter, in his vertu, Line 23532 had abide in stabilnesse, Withouten eny doublenesse, Lich the first fundacïoun, The werkë [[werk C., worke St.]] nad not falle a-doun, Line 23536 but stable stonde in his degre.

'and now, echon ha liberte, at þeir lust, to slepe and wake; and noon other hed [[heode St.]] ne take Line 23540 forto kepe their óbseruaunce: and thus, for lak of gouernaunce, Pes from hem, and vnyte, Exilëd is, and charyte. Line 23544

'thát whilom gaff drynke and foode, and vnto pore their lyvëloode, oonly of mercy and pyte, and, held hospitalyte; Line 23548 and, of euery manere age, gaf to pore folk herbegage, such as thei seyen, in distresse, in myschif, and in Seknesse.' Line 23552

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Ma dame (and ye list take hede,) Who hath nought, (it is no drede,) may not parten his Almesse to folk that Leven in distresse." Line 23556

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. C.]]

'Thow seyst soth, (as thynketh me,) but wher thou leggest pouerte, whilom thei had suffisaunce, plente ynowh, and hábundaunce, Line 23560 whan thei worsheped in special [Stowe folio 367a] The myghty kyng that gaf hem al [folio 290a] suffisaunce in euery lond; [[land . . .hand St.]] but now he hath withdrawe his hond [[land . . .hand St.]] Line 23564

Line 23564 'for their offences; this the fyn: ther goodës drawen to declyn; for thei be Rekles of livyng forto serue that noble kyng; Line 23568 and, for slouth and necligence, they doon in o thyng gret offence. ffor wher the lord (in his degre) Duely shuld honnourëd [[honoryd shuld St.]] be, Line 23572 the place is not, with diligence, Clenly kept with reuerence; for beforn, and ek behynde, Yraynes and webbës men may fynde; Line 23576 and also ek, (yef thou take hede,) Swalwes and othre bryddës brede; and also ek (through al their boundes) dong of doggës and ek of houndes, Line 23580 nettles and wedës round aboute, in cymyterys ful gret route, lich a disert or places [[place St.]] wilde, wher no man hath lust to bilde, Line 23584 Replevisshëd of al ordure, as it were withouten cure; and many oother dishonestës, bestial in ther degres, Line 23588 mor than I can here devyse.

'ánd crist ihesus dede iustyse on hem that in the temple solde: becausë oonly thei were bolde Line 23592 to done dishonnour to his hous, he was in party Regerous, As the gospel kan you telle; he bett hem out with a flagelle, Line 23596 That noon of hem durst abyde.

'Wherfore this halte that here is guyde, [folio 290b] list nat, of hir frowardnesse, suchë [[suche St., such C.]] thyngës to redresse, Line 23600 nor do seruyse in hir werkyng for tentende vpon the kyng: her look, hir cher, (as ye may se,) is vpon worldly vanyte, Line 23604

Line 23604 'and al hir hertes besynesse, rather than on holynesse; for which the kyng (iustly and wel, that considereth euerydel) [Stowe folio 367b] Line 23608 hem to quytë wil not cesse, maketh their goodës to discresse; and, for their pompe and their pryde, Set her Richesse out a-syde, Line 23612 ámenusyng their substance, their tresour and their hábundance, Which made hem first their [[theyr St., the C.]] lord forsake.

'therfore he can it fro hem take Line 23616 Whan-euere he list, who lokë wel; ffor the Prophete Ezechel [[ezechiell St.]] Writeth, (who so taketh hede) Idelnesse, plente of bred, Line 23620 caused (in conclusïoun) of Sodom the distruccïoun.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"I pray yov, telle on a-noon ryght, She that halteth in my syght, Line 23624 What is hir name, and hir offys, of whom ye sette [[is set St.]] so litel prys?"

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. C.]]

'To make a playn discripcïoun, She is called 'Abusïoun,' Line 23628 because, the good that god hath sent, by hir thei ben wrongly dispent, [[spent St.]] And ageyn his wul [[will St.]] abused; Wherof she may nat ben excused. [folio 291a] Line 23632

'She halt a rule of a masoun, only by fals collusïoun; for, to the rule that she is bounde, (Whan the trouth is sough[t] [[known St.]] and founde, Therto she haveth no reward,) Line 23637 Hir hed ytourned is bakward; Vnto the world she cast hir look, Wich, vnder colour, she forsook. Line 23640

'hir spon also doth signefye the foulë vice of Glotonye,

'for, ageyn ryght and al Resoun, by force and vsurpacïoun, Line 23644 she hath forsake the vnyte of fraternal antiquyte, by perfeccïoun to contune to haue hir goodës in comune. Line 23648

'but this fals Abusïoun, only by vsurpacioun In Religioun (who list se), fonde out the vice of propurte, Line 23652 Which is thyng most vicïous, rennyng among religïous, [Stowe folio 368a] Which causeth ofte discord and stryf, contrary to Thapostles lyf. Line 23656

'In propurte (ye may ther rede) thei ne dide nothyng possede; her good was comoun, in certeyn. Wherfore the Spon that thou hast seyn Line 23660 ys callede 'Syngularyte,' thyng to possede in propurte; to gedre the fattë (thus I mene,) vnto hir self, and leve the lene: Line 23664 As the Prophete Ezechiel, to the sheperdes of Israel Spak and wrot, ful yore a-go: 'Sorwe be to you, and wo, [folio 291b] Line 23668 that ne take to nothyng hede, but your silven [[selvs St.]] forto fede; not lik sheperdes of cristus hous; but verray wolvës Ravinous, Line 23672 liggyng awayt, bothe nyght and day, forto devoure what thei may: they takë bothë mylk and wolle; and the fatte, away thei pulle Line 23676 with the spoon of cruelte ycalled Syngularyte, thei Robbë pantener and purs, and gete hem oftë Cristes cours. [[curs St.]] Line 23680

'ffor which cause, I, Abusïoun, ám come of entencïoun

'Such abusïouns to se, and their superfluyte Line 23684 to kutte away, which that thei vse, and their goodes to ámenuse.

'The Aungels han hem take away, Which thou mettest this same day, Line 23688 With gretë somers in sothnesse, ledyng away the gret Richesse, to parte it (of entencïoun) to folk that in deuocïoun Line 23692 lede her livës in comune, and in deuocioun do contune; such as in god gretly delyte, fro good to bet alway profyte. Line 23696

'figure herof, ye may se, how that by olde Antiquyte, the bible ful wel can you tel, how the childre of Israel Line 23700 took of Egypt the Tresour In recompense of her labour. [Stowe folio 368b] As for guerdoun, by dwëte Whan they passed the redë Se, [folio 292a] Line 23704 they tooke in thyng by Robberye, as clerkës list to specifye; they barë [[bare St., bar C.]] with hem gret substaunce, only by Goddës ordynaunce, Line 23708 Egipciens (it is no drede) Were not worthy it to possede.

'and som folk deme off Resoun, that folk that haue possessïoun, Line 23712 and ben cursed of livyng, It is leful (by their demyng) forto spoylle hem duëly, and yeve it hem that ben worthy.' Line 23716

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

Touchyng that oppynyoun, thus I answerd of Resoun: "god ne doth nat thus alway, who that conceyveth, day by day; Line 23720 for ther ys many an vsurer

"in dyuers londës fer and ner, that wynnë gold ful cursedly, and it possede ful [[ful, om. St.]] vnworthily, Line 23724 how falsly that they come therto; and god suffreth that it be so; and yet, to pore they yeve no thyng, though they be ryghtful of livyng." Line 23728

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. C.]]

'As to thy conclusïoun, ther is noon solucïoun: god gaf neuere (fer nor ner,) licence to noon vsurer, Line 23732 that he shuld (I the ensure) ben admytted to fals vsure. god suffreth hem to han tresour, gold, Richesse, and gret honour: Line 23736 of al the tresour that they weld, To hym they shal acountës yeld. [folio 292b] [[C. & St.]] first, they it wan [[yt wan St.]] by violence, of god hauyng no licence; Line 23740 wherfor, to their Dampnacïoun, he suffreth their pocessïoun, as he haddë [[had C., St.]] no reward; but he wil punysshe hem afterward, Line 23744 (though they for a while habound,) the vice of Vsure to confound.

'but goodës of religïous, that was yeve in-to [[wnto St.]] her hous Line 23748 In ther first foundacïoun, their tresour and possessïoun, it was yove hem of almesse for their gretë perfitnesse, Line 23752 of entent that, day and nyght, [Stowe folio 369a] that they shold, with al their myght, Worshepe god with grete honours, and truely pray for their foundours. Line 23756

'and iustly, this condicïoun is worth an obligacïoun. that [[then St.]] whan it falleth their fooly, that thei not vsë duëly Line 23760

Line 23760 'their offices as thei sholde do, to kepe ther obseruaunces also (lich to their professïoun) in prayer and deuocïoun, Line 23764 god wil, of his ryghtful lawe, to chastice hem, his hond with-drawe, suffre her goodës to vnthryve, but if thei amende hem blive; Line 23768 yive it to hem that wil hym serue, and his comandëmentes obserue.

'herof ye may sen a figure fful wel rehersed in scripture: Line 23772 In Egipt whilom, how it fel, Whan the childre of Israel [folio 293a] Wher [[were St.]] ther in subieccïoun al that ilkë regioun; Line 23776 thorugh their travaill and labour, was maad ryche of gret tresour; but afterward (as ye may se) Vij yeres of Sterylite Line 23780 folwed on, (as ye may red,) wherof Ioseph took good hed long a-forn, of high prudence; and þaugh his noble providence, Line 23784 Ageyn the hunger, Echë syde, [[eche syde St., ech a syde C.]] ful prudently gan to provide, and shop ther-fore a remedye, (as Genesis doth specifye;) Line 23788 for, thorugh the myght of goddës hond, he sustened al the lond from hunger and aduersite, The vij yer of Sterilite. Line 23792

'but of al this gretë dede, thei of Egipt took non hede, to thanken (in especial) the myghti lord that gaf hem al; Line 23796 nor wolde suffre, in no wyse, Israel do sacrifyse; but held in subieccïoun, out of the lond of promyssioun. Line 23800

Line 23800 'wherfore, merveille neuere a del, thaugh god suffred Israel, oonly of his ryghtwesnesse, to robben hem of their Richesse, Line 23804 and spoylen hem of their Tresour. [Stowe folio 369b] god gaf it hem for their labour, And as for a mede in guerdoun, Departyng from that Regioun. Line 23808

'They hadde disserued it of yore, by gret labour that sat hem sore, [folio 293b] thorugh cónstreynt of Kyng Pharao, which wolde not suffren hem to go, Line 23812 Nor to departe in rest and pes, for no massage of Moyses; [[message off mosese St.]] but put hem euere in delay,

'and thus the lord can take a-way Line 23816 Richesse of folkës vicïous, [[C. & St.]] and yive it hem that be vertuous; [[C. & St.]] As he hath done here in this place: thou mayst beholde it with thy face.' Line 23820

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Certes," quod I with hevy cher, "In other places mo than her (to tellë shortly, and not tarye) I ha beholde the contrary, Line 23824 wher folk, by gret deuocïoun, han kept their religïoun ful streytly, in gret honeste, that han falle in pouerte, Line 23828 bothe of liflood and vesture, that thei myghtë [[myght C., St.]] nat endure, Mischef hath hem brought so lowe. and fayn I wold the causë knowe, Line 23832 why god wil suffre their grevaunce, forto lakke their suffisaunce."

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod Grace Dieu a-noon to me, 'I wil herof answere the, Line 23836 and make therof no gret delay; but her cometh oon nov in our way,

'and I wil first, of good resoun, knowen his entencïoun; Line 23840 or go thy self, by my biddyng, And axe the cause of his comyng.'

And sodeynly, good hede I took; [folio 294a] and cast on syde on hym my look, Line 23844 which, lich a dwerf, (this the caas,) of his fetures shapen was. a pyk of Iren, sharp and longe, he held, that was of makyng strong. Line 23848

Pilgrim: [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]]

And to me-ward his look he layde. [[St., om. C.]] but first, to hym ryght thus I sayde. "Telle on, thou dwerf, (ha no shame,) To vs, thyn office and thy name." Line 23852

Sterelite: [[St., om. C.]]

'I called am (yef thou list se) Of folkës alle, 'Sterility,' [Stowe folio 370a] which ha this hous maad ful bareyn, bothe of frut and ek of greyn. Line 23856 Ther good, their lond, (yef it be sought,) I ha distruyed and brought to nought: This my craft and myn offys; and therfor (by gret avys) Line 23860 to castë folk in pouerte, I am called 'Sterilite;' foul and ougly of look and cher: In Egypt I dwellëd vij yer. Line 23864 wher I abyde, (be wel certeyn,) I make the land to be bareyn.'

Grace Dieu: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod Gracë Dieu, 'a litel space, Go thy way out of this place; Line 23868 and what-so-euere herafter falle, whan me list, I shal the calle.'

And whan that tourned was his bak, [folio 291b] Gracë dieu thus to me spak: Line 23872 'touchyng the goodës, day be day, which that I ha take away fro this placë here present,

'I dide [it] oonly of entent Line 23876 that other folk shold it possede, which (bothe in wark and ek in dede,) lede her lyf in perfitnesse, In vertu, and more holynesse Line 23880 than thei which that her now be.

'and touchyng that thou askest me, Thou shalt haue answere therof noon. but first, I chargë the to goon Line 23884 to hir that is the Selerere of this place that stondeth here; aske hir (that thou mayst conceyve) touchyng the good she doth receyve, Line 23888 to telle the playnly al the guyse, how it is spent, and in what wyse. and, hir to knowe among hem alle, 'Purveyauncë' folk hir calle. Line 23892 and whan she hath declared al, thou shalt haue (in specïal) of the demaunde (by good resoun) a truë Declaracïoun, Line 23896 as it accordeth and is dwe.

'and forth my Somers I wil swe; for, in this place, on no syde, I caste me no lenger to abyde; Line 23900 nor neuere (to speke in wordës playn) hider [[hethar St.]] to retourne agayn, til the tyme that I may se that vertu and honeste [Stowe folio 370b] Line 23904 Resortë by deuocïoun Into thys Religïoun.'

And with that word, (as I was war,) [folio 295a] I saugh hir gon in-to hir char. Line 23908 and in this while (of good entent, lich to hir comandëment) I wentë with a sobre chere, forth vnto the celere[re]. Line 23912 and, my iourne to avaunce, I knewe [[knew St., knowe C.]] hir by hir contenaunce; for (the trouthë [[trouth C.]] to expresse)

She was of gret sobrenesse, Line 23916 of gret reuerence and honeste, and of gret maturyte; saad of look, and ek of cher, Egle-eyëd, bryght and cler. Line 23920

[The Pilgrim]:

"Ma dame," quod I, "of good entent, Gracë Dieu hath to you sent, that ye sholde (in wordës fewe) Line 23923 the playnë trouthë [[playn trouth C., playn truthe St.]] to me shewe, wher ye puttë the rychesse that ye receyve, in sothfastnesse."

Celerar: [[St., after l. 23928, om. C.]]

And she that spak no word in vyyn, to me answerd thus agayn; Line 23928 'al that I haue in my depos, from hir ther shal nothyng be clos. Kome forth in hast, and folwe me, and thou shalt the trouthë [[trouth C., truthe St.]] se.' Line 23932

and I cam after (for the best), and she gan vnlokke a chest, the whichë, [[whiche St., which C.]] whan I dedë se, I gan gretly abasshë me, Line 23936 for the huchche (it is no doute) was ful of holës round aboute; and at ech hole (as thoughtë [[thought C., thowght St.]] me) an hand put out, I didë se, Line 23940 (who [[wher C., who St.]] -so euere slepe or wake) [folio 295b] Redy to receyve and [[and St., and to C.]] take.

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]] [[Blank for Illumination.]]

I prayëd her, to specifye what thyng it dedë signefye. Line 23944

Celerar: [[St., om. C.]]

'To telle, and voiden al deceyt, this the place of the receyt of goodës, which that, day and nyght, kome to this place of verray ryght, Line 23948 (forto speke in general,) but this handes consumen al, Spende and waste on euery syde, [Stowe folio 371a]

'that ther may no thyng abyde, Line 23952 for to departë by almesse to folk that liven in distresse.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "as semeth me, ye sholde, of ryght and equyte, Line 23956 The handës kerve, and kutte away, and stoppe the holës nyght and day."

Provide[n]s Celerar: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod Providence anoon to me, 'Thes, ben the handës thre, [[6-syllable line]] Line 23960 which that thevës (by assent) ar wont to vsen (of entent), I menë, pyratys of the Se, which bryngë folk in pouerte. Line 23964

'The first hand of allë thre, ys called (lernë this of me,) 'the hand of Dymës,' by gadryng, To gadre vp dymës for the kyng. [folio 296a] Line 23968

'the tother hand, ful sorë pulles gold for trentals and for bulles, and dyuers subuencïouns and grevous contribucïouns, Line 23972 graunted (in especïal) at Chipytres [[chapters St.]] general. the handës do no thyng, nor werche, but waste the good of holy cherche.' Line 23976

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"What hand is that (telle on, let Se,) Which hath an Eye (as thynketh me,) Sett in the myddës of the hand? for I saugh neuere (on Se nor land) Line 23980 Such another her-toforn, Sith the tyme that I was born."

Providens: [[St., om. C.]]

'Be nat astonyed, neuere a del! this hand is (who so lokë wel,) Line 23984 of our noble Visitour, Which doth his peyne and his labour to looke for lucre and fals guerdoun,

'alway, for retribucïoun, Line 23988 they caste her eyë for wynnyng, and, ryght nought for ámendyng; take (in their entencïouns,) pans for [[and St.]] procuracïouns. Line 23992 ther entent, in no wyse, [[6-syllable line]] ys sett on ryght nor on iustice.

'ek other handës, mo than thre, han cast vs in gret pouerte.' Line 23996

[The Pilgrim:]

With that word, makyng no delay, I took my leve and wente away. [[my way St.]] [Stowe folio 371b] I hadde no leve, (shortly to telle,) but shop me hom to my castel. Line 24000 And on my wayë, [[way C., St.]] me be-fel, [[No gap in either MS.]] I mette an olde oon in that tyde, [folio 296b] that to me kam on the left syde, Line 24004 Of whos look I was affrayed: hir handës partid, and displayed vpward to a castel wal, resemblyng (as me thought in al) Line 24008 That hir entent was to ascende vpon the wal, or to descende.

a blak Ravoun [[ravyn St.]] (it is no doute,) took his flyght ful round aboute, Line 24012 Wher-so-euere that she went. and I knewh nothyng what it ment; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] But I caste, withynne a throwe, playnly that I woldë [[wold C., would St.]] knowe, Line 24016 of al thys thyng som evidence; and wente a-noon to hir presence. and first of al, I gan enquere, to telle me what she didë there; Line 24020 of name and of condicïoun Make a declaracïoun.

Apostacye: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod she, 'yef thou konne espye, I am called 'Apostacye,' Line 24024

Line 24024 'which whilom, of entencïoun, madë my professïoun, In al my bestë [[best C., St.]] feythful wyse, for to ha do [[done St.]] truely seruyse Line 24028 duryng my lif, vnto the kyng that is most myghty of werkyng.

'I sette myn hand vnto the plough; [[plughe St.]] Line 24031 But I haue hym falsed ynough, [[ynughe St., nough C.]] [folio 297a] tourned the bak (as thou mayst se) vnto wordly [[worldly St.]] vanyte, left myn homage, trouth and al, and am kome doun ouere the wal Line 24036 for vayn glorie (out of doute); In many countre roune [[round St.]] aboute, of entent, for to purchaas prosperite and vayn solas. Line 24040

'and yet ful ofte (in many caas,) myn entent and purpos was, fro worldly glorie, fals and vayn, to haue tourned hom [[? MS., hem C., them St.]] agayn, Line 24044 and amended my livyng In the seruyse of the kyng; but truely (it is no nay) [Stowe folio 372a] the Ravoun [[raven St.]] was euere in my way.' Line 24048

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Truely, and thou dedest wel, thou sholdest lette neuere a del for to delayë so thy paas. thaugh that he crye on thé, 'cras, cras,' Line 24052 thou sholdest [[shulst St.]] remembre thé among, and take noon hede vnto his song."

Apostasie: [[St., om. C.]]

'The trouthë [[trouth C., truthe St.]] forto specifye, I folwe, in [[in, om. St.]] myn Apostasye, Line 24056 In my passage vp and doun, the Ravenës condicïoun, that whilom was of Noe sent out of the arkë, of entent Line 24060 to beholden how it stood, of the deluge and the flood

'boyllyng with many sturdy wawe; Wher the water gan withdrawe. Line 24064

'but the Raven fond a kareyn; therfore he cam not agayn. [folio 297b] and I stonde in the samë caas, abyde, and synge alway 'cras, cras,' [[C. & St.]] Line 24068 makyng many fals delayes, [[C. & St.]] and prolongë forth my dayes, [[C. & St.]] forto Resorten hom ageyn, and spendë [[spend C.]] thus my tyme in veyn.' Line 24072

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Thy werkës (yef I shal not tarye) ben vnhappy and contrárye; and thyn handës, bothë two, ben yperced þorugh also. Line 24076 greyn nor frut, vpon no syde, In no wysë wyl abyde; for shortly (who so list to sek) al goth thorugh, and wasteth ek. [[seke . . eke St.]] Line 24080 Who-so-euere the trouthe atame, thy tonge is dampned, and ek lame, that it may seyn noon orisoun, nor make no supplicacïoun, Line 24084 Which sholdë ben acceptable vnto that kyng most honourable. he is not plesed, (on noo syde,) Whil in this staat thou dost abyde, Line 24088 and hast no purpos to Retourne, [[for to tourn St.]] but in the world dost ay soiourne."

Apostacie: [[St., om. C.]]

'Truëly, to thy sentence I may yevë ful credence; Line 24092 for Seynt Poule hym-silfë [[selfe St., silf C.]] saith, (to whom, men must yevë fayth, and ful belevë to his word,) [Stowe folio 372b] 'who is not withynne shippes [[syppes St.]] bord, Line 24096 stant in perail of Perysshyng, and on the poynt of his drownyng,' fel fer from his savacïoun, ffor lakkyng of discrecïoun. [folio 298a] Line 24100

Line 24100 'and I wot wel, for my partye, I issed [[yswyd St.]] out thorugh my folye; Wherfore I stonde in nonecerteyn, yef I retourned hom ageyn, Line 24104 wher I sholdë gracë haue, therby my soulë for [[for St., om. C.]] to save.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"ne doute the nat to tourne ageyn, but be therof ryght wel certeyn, Line 24108 That of grace thou shalt not faille, So that thou makë a [[a om. St.]] stoupaille of the hoolës that open [[St., apon C.]] be in thyn handes (as thou maist se), Line 24112 this to mene, in sentement, that playn and hool be thyn entent, grounded on perfeccïoun; and that, by gret deuocïoun, Line 24116 that thou make thyn hertë stable, and of entent not variable. look her-to on euery syde, for I may no lenger abyde, Line 24120 for, I castë me a-noon, hom to my castel forto goon, and by the nextë wayë [[St., next way C.]] wende, and ther, vnto my livës ende, Line 24124 abiden in the samë place, lik as god wil yeve me grace."

and whan I was kome hom ageyn, of al that euere I had seyn, Line 24128 I madë playn Relacïoun to folk of that Religïoun; and afterward (I you ensure,) ther fel a wonder áventure, Line 24132 the whichë, [[which C., whiche St.]] whan I dede aduerte, yt liked nothyng to myn herte: I saw tweyne oldë (by assent,) [folio 298b] [[St. & C.]] Kome to me of oon entent, Line 24136 Wonder dyuers of her cheres; and bothë two wer massageres: [[messengers St., massager C.]] the toon of hem (I was wel war)

Vpon hir bak, a bed she bar; Line 24140 The tother (if I shal not feyne) bar also, patentës tweyne; the toon also, in hir commyng, [[comming St., counning C.]] [Stowe folio 273a] gird with a baudrek, for wrastelyng: Line 24144 In their comyng I fonde gret lak, and evene thus to me they spak:

Age & Sicknes: [[St., om. C.]]

'deth,' quod they, 'hath to thé sent bothe vs tweynë, of entent, Line 24148 pleynly to the to declare, that hym self ne wil not spare forto come to the anoon; and bad, aforn we sholdë [[shold C., shuld St.]] goon, Line 24152 and done our fullë besynesse, with al our myghte, the to opprese, [[to oppresse St., tappresse C.]] and not departe fro the at al, til thou be cast, and haue a fal, Line 24156 that he may, at his commyng, fyndë the, by our workyng, So awhapëd and amat, that he may seyn to thé, 'chek mat." Line 24160

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]] [[Blank for Illumination.]]

Quod I, "declareth vnto me, ffirst of allë, what ye be. I knowë not your gouernaunce; [folio 299a] With deth I ha non áqueyntaunce; Line 24164 and yef that he be your maystresse, I pray you, first, that ye expresse your office, and your seruyse, and your namës doth devyse." Line 24168

Age & Sicknes: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod they, 'it wer not but in veyn, With vs to stryve, or wynse ageyn; for, ther is noon [[none St.]] so hardy, so wys, so Richë, so myghty, Line 24172 that may, by forcë nor [[or St.]] allye, holden with vs Champartye.

'for deth hath had, ful yore agoon, lordshipe of folkës euerychoon; Line 24176

Line 24176 'for, who considereth allë thynges, Drad more of lordës and of kynges than of folkës (who list se) which that duellen in pouerte. Line 24180 for porë folk that lakkë [[lak C., lake St.]] bred, desire ful oftë [[desyr ofte for St.]] to ben ded.

'and, yef thou aryght behold, vnto deth thou art yhold, Line 24184 that he, toforn [[to toforn C.]] hath to the sent; for ofte, without avisëment he cometh to folkës vnwarly, and hem assailleth sodeynly, Line 24188 though the contrary had sworn. but, he hath vs sent to-forn, as massagers [[messengers St.]] to warnë the; [Stowe folio 273b] from his power thou mayst [[may St.]] not fle; Line 24192 and ech of vs (withoutë blame) Shal declarë the his name.'

[Sekenesse:]

The firstë [[first C., St.]] to me dede expresse: quod she, 'my name is Sekënesse. Line 24196 helthe and I, but litel space [folio 299b] [[St. & C.]] May abiden in O place. we wrastlen ofte (as men may se); som whilë she venquyssheth me, Line 24200 and, som tymë, [[some tym St.]] in certeyn, I over-throwë hir ageyn, make hir forto bowe hir chyne. and, ne werë [[ware St., wer C.]] that medicyne Line 24204 ys causë that she doth releve, my sayllyng shold hir often greve. but, maugre hir potacïouns ánd dyuerse confeccïouns, Line 24208 and other sondry lettuaryes Makëd at the potycaryes,— bothe emplastres drye and moystes, and oynementës put in boystes,— Line 24212 yet deth and I (who lyst espye) Haue, at the lastë, [[last C., St.]] the maystrye.

'first I souke vp (for the nones)

'the mary closëd in the bones, Line 24216 and (wher that it be bad or good,) waste [[wast St., baste C.]] the flessh, and drynke the blood; And thus my silf, I cónsume al the vertu that called is [[ys cally St.]] 'vital'; Line 24220 and at the last (who list knowe,) ley hym in a bed ful lowe, That deth may (withouten stryf) a-noon bereve hym of his lyf.' Line 24224

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Sothly, thou art no massagere, [[messenger St.]] to whom men sholdë [[shold C., shuld St.]] makë chere."

Secnes: [[St., om. C.]]

'ffor sothë, yis, [[this St.]] (who taketh hede,) folk ar holde to me in dede; Line 24228 for, sikë folkës to avaunce, I make hem to ha répentaunce Whan she was put out of mynde, [folio 300a] and therby, a menë fynde, Line 24232 that folkës, by contricïoun, may come to their savacïoun; for proudest folkes, (as I gesse,) I chastysë with Seknesse. [[sycknesse St.]] Line 24236

'and first, I hauë gret delit, [Stowe folio 374a] from hem to take their appetit; their .v. wittës and Resoun, [[fivë]] I be-reve hem, vp and doun, Line 24240 make (as thou shalt vnderstonde,) folk so feble, thei may not stonde.

'and we be comë to thè blyve, with thè to wrastlen and to stryve.' Line 24244

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Or ye to me don eny shame, let me first knowen the name of the tother massager, [[messenger St.]] That loketh with so fel a cher." Line 24248

Sicknes: [[St., om. C.]]

'I grauntë wel she shal the telle, yef thou wilt a whilë [[whil C., whill St.]] duelle.'

Age: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod she, 'of folkës that ben sage, I am of custom callëd 'Age,' Line 24252 Contrarïous (as it is kouth) to hir that is ycalled Youth, which whilom had (thou myghtest [[mayst St.]] se) fresshë fetheres forto fle. Line 24256 but Age hath plukked hem away, that vnnethë [[vnneth C., vnnethe St.]] gon I may; my fet be now (who taketh hede) hevy as they were of lede; Line 24260 I may not gon, but with labour, and yet of Deth I am corour, knowe [[knowne St.]] in Countres fer and ner.

'And [[St.]] who that is a massager, [folio 300b] [[messenger St.]] Wher he holdeth his passáge, Line 24265 mut do truely his masságe, [[message St.]] and the trouthë [[trouth C., truthe St.]] telle of ryght.

'I am vnweldy, ánd not lyght; Line 24268 and (to speke in wordës fewe,) myn empty skyn doth wel shewe what that I am; and ouer more, thou mayst se, by my lokkës hore, Line 24272 and by ryvéls of [[in St.]] my viságe, How that I am called 'Age,' of whom, folkës that [[folk that C., folke that St.]] discerne, may ful many thyngës lerne. Line 24276

'though that wasted be my blood, I ha seyn bothe evel and good; Preved (if I shal not feyne) ende and gynnyng of bothe tweyne. Line 24280 age, in konnyng doth excelle; who muchë seth, can muchë telle: no man in konnyng (this, the chef,) Line 24283 withoutë [[without C., withe out St.]] syght may ha no pref.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"To herë now, myn entent is, [Stowe folio 374b] what betokne thi patentës; and after that, make no delay, but take thy leve, and go thy way." Line 24288

Age: [[St., om. C.]]

'wher-so it like the, or displese, I wil abiden at myn eese, And fro this placë not retourne, but euere in on with thè [[the om. C., the St.]] soiourne. I may not parte lyghtly a-way, Line 24293 as Youthë dede this other day. She thè [[the om. St.]] forsook (in verray dede) whan thou haddest to hir most nede; Line 24296 she went hir way, and took hir flyght, and fled a-noon out of thy syght; [folio 301a] caste hir neuere to come ageyn: to looken after, wer but veyn. Line 24300 but I, be leyser mut abyde, tóward dethe [[towardeth C., toward deathe St.]] to be thy guyde; for, til deth come, I vndertake that I shal the not forsake. Line 24304

'I haue doon my besy peyne. to bryngë thé patentës [[patents C., St.]] tweyne, oonly of fauour, for [[to St.]] thy best; ther-vp-on that thou mayst reste, Line 24308 and of noon entencïoun to takë fro the thy bordoun: to the, bothë may availle.

'and, for mor suer sowpewaille, [[supewayle St.]] Line 24312 to the bordoun spiritual, a staf is nedful, temporal: Euerych of hem with-outë [[out C., St.]] wene, the tother must of ryght sustene; Line 24316 for whan the tó part doun doth falle, help of the tother he must calle, yef hym list hym-self assure. but thou ne shalt not [[not, om. C., St.]] wel endure Line 24320 the felle assautës of vs tweyne; for, we ne shal no lenger feyne, but (for short conclusïoun) ber thè to the Erthe a-doun.' Line 24324

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

And bothë tweynë, with a brayd, vpon a bed they ha me layd, for they wolde not of me faille,

ther tabyde, til deth assaille. Line 24328 And [[St.]] in distresse and gret affray, [folio 301b] vpon the bed whil I thus lay, I myghtë [[myght St., C.]] tho no ferther gon, [Stowe folio 375a] to me a lady cam a-noon, Line 24332 with ful many noble signe, of cher and lok, ful benigne, (I dar ryght wel record,) Whos namë was 'Myserycord; Line 24336 oon of hir brestës opon was, to yeve me mylk in such a caas. And also (as I was war,) me semptë that a corde she bar, Line 24340 to bynden hay (so thoughtë [[thought C., St.]] me). and, of mercy and pyte, to me that lay, like a wrecche, She gan hir corde abrood to strecche; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Line 24344 And ful goodly, with that sygne, to me she sayd with cher benygne:

Mysericord: [[St., om. C.]]

'Rys a-noon, and suë me, for by thy cher, I do wel se Line 24348 that thou art feblyd [[feble St.]] of thy myght, and thou list not her a-ryght; Wherfore I wil the fostre and guye, and lede the to the fermerye.' Line 24352

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod I, "that were ful glad to me. But, for I wot not what ye be, I pray you with ful humble cher, your namë, that ye wil me lere." Line 24356

Misericord: [[St., om. C.]]

'My namë, yef it be conceyved, [folio 302a] I ought wel to ben receyued, for, whan Iuges, for offence han yovëd [[have gyven C.]] hir sentence, Line 24360 I do my peyne and my labour, of Iustice and of Rigour forto do remissïoun,

'and make a mittigacïoun Line 24364 (as folkës may ful wel discerne).

'for whan the kyng that is eterne, [[eterne St., sterne C.]] had yoven [[yove C., gyven St.]] in sentëment a ful dredful Iugëment Line 24368 of Adam and [[and St., on C.]] the lynage, forto deye for their outrage, I cam to hym ful humblely, and prayed hym ful benygnëly, Line 24372 the myghty kyng celestial, not forto distruyen al; but that he wold, in his grevaunce, modefyen his vengeaunce, Line 24376 and to with-drawe his Iugëment.

'and his bowë that was bent, I made hym drawë of the corde, and, for sygnës [[sygns C., sygne St.]] of concorde, Line 24380 Sette it in the heven alofte; and (as men may se ful ofte) In tookne of pes, and not of wrak, from vs he tourned hath his bak, [Stowe folio 375b] that, of his mercyáble lawe, Line 24385 he may not the bowë drawe, whan of mercy (as it is knowe) toward hym-self he drough the bowe. Line 24388

'whan he, for our Inyquyte, dyed vpon the rodë tre, he bought our gilt so sore. [[6-syllable line]] and vnderstond, ouer more, [folio 302b] [[St. & C.]] Line 24392 vp nor doun (who lokë wel) he may not drawe it neuer a del. for, of the bowë the discord, vnderstondë by the cord: Line 24396 I made hem so forto acorde, that called am 'Misericorde.' for (yef thou dost [[canst St.]] wel vnderstond) the stryng therof is in myn hond: Line 24400 thou mayst behold it wel, and se; for, of mercy and of pyte, I drawe out wrecches from her charge,

'and makë hem go loos at large. Line 24404

'therfore folkës alle acorde to callë me 'Miséricorde'; of which (by declaracïoun) to make an exposicïoun, Line 24408 Misericordë, truëly ys, on wrecches to han mercy.

'thus my namë [[this nam St.]] thou shalt knowe; I drawe hem vp, whan they ben lowe. Line 24412 the cordeler that waf [[wave St.]] the corde of pes, vnyte, and concorde, only on wrecches to han pyte, hyr name was called 'Charyte.' Line 24416

'and yef the corde wer broke a-sondre, ther is nó man, (her nor yondre,) though he euere dide his peyne, that myghtë [[myght C., St.]] to the heven atteyne; Line 24420 for, by this corde (as I the told) allë Synners must hem hold, and playnly clymben vp therby, oonly of pyte and mercy.' Line 24424

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"lady, put me out of doute, why ha ye now drawen oute Oon of your brestës fayr and whyte [folio 303a] (which to behold, I me delyte,) Line 24428 like as ye woldë be my bote, wasshe me with your mylk most sote?"

Misericord: [[St., om. C.]]

'Truely,' quod she '(yef ye take hede,) of my mylk thou hast mor nede Line 24432 (yef the trouthe be iustly told) than outher of siluer, outher [[or St.]] of gold, or of any precious ston, forto rekne hem euerychon. Line 24436 for this mylk which thou dost se, [Stowe folio 376a] ys called Mercy and Pyte, allë Synners to sustene; and to releve hem in their tene, Line 24440 it [[it St., a C.]] bryngeth hem in rest and [[& St., om. C.]] pees.

'And, like as Aristotiles writte, that mylk is nothyng elles (as allë Philesophres telles) Line 24444 but blood, by transmutacïoun thorugh hete and lent [[lyte St.]] decoccïoun, tourned away from his rednesse to perfectioun of whytenesse; Line 24448 and (to speke in wordës playn) this nomorë forto sayn, that a man that ys irous, froward and malencolious, Line 24452 hath but red blood: and that rednesse may neuere tournë to whitenesse (as clerkës sayn,) but yef so be it be decoct by charyte, Line 24456 that his malicious appetit be itourned into whit, thorugh perfectïoun of hete of charyte, that ys most swete, Line 24460 Than the smoke of fals envye, the fume eke of maléncolye, [folio 303b] [[St. & C.]] fleth away, in rednesse, [[6-syllable line] [[St. & C.]] chaunged clene into whitenesse. Line 24464

'and who that drynketh of this mylk— mor sote and softe than any [[tha any C., than St.]] silk— foryeveth (in a litel space) ech offencë and trespace Line 24468 that men ha gilt hym in his live; [[C. & St.]] hym list no more ageyn to stryve.

'of such mylk, most of vertu, gret plente haddë crist ihesu; Line 24472 Shewed his brestis of pyte whan he was hanged on a tre. he suffred tho (it is no doute,) the likour for to Renne aboute, Line 24476 and for to shede it out yffere than he was stonken [[stongen St.]] with a spere, the syde of his humanyte, on alle synful to ha pyte, Line 24480 for to wasshe away our vyce.

'was neuere moder nor noryce that gaf such mylkë [[mylke St., mylk C.]] her-to-fore to hir child, whan it was bore. Line 24484 his brestes, that be most fair and whyte, most holy, and fresshest of delyte, arn euere open to folkës alle. his voycë, [[voyce St., voys C.]] synners doth ek calle, Line 24488 and bit hem in their hertë thenke, of his sootë mylk to drynke: [folio 376b] 'for blod of ire is noon in me, but mylk of mercy and pyte,' Line 24492 which wassheth away al vengeaunce: who hath this mylk, hath suffisaunce.

'The Redë blood (as folk [[men St.]] may se) y-chaunged is, by charyte, Line 24496 Into whyte mylk, hoolsom and good, shaad for mankynd [[mankyng C., mankynd St.]] vpon the rood; [folio 304a] with the which, I fostred and fede allë folkës that ha nede, [[fedd . . nedde St.]] Line 24500 such as list, by on acorde, for to be [[be St., om. C.]] drawë with my corde, to alle I am so mercyable, to my fader, Résemblable, Line 24504 and to my moder Charyte.

'for whan that I may any se In myschief, hunger, outher thurst, hem to fede, it is my lust. Line 24508 naked and nedy, that ben lothe, I haue in custom hem to clothe; And, gretly I me delyte, folk in prisoun to visyte; Line 24512 and ledë, with a glad visage, pore folk to their herbegage; And thei that deye in [[en C., in St.]] pouerte, to burye hem, I délite me: Line 24516 to suchë [[such C., suche St.]] labour I entende; al thyng amys, I do amende; folkës sike and vnweldy, of pyte only and mercy, Line 24520 I serve hem in humylite.

'And now I am ycome to the, In al my bestë [[best C., St.]] feythful wyse, forto profre my seruyse.' Line 24524

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"Ma dame," quod I, "as it is due, my lust is gretly you to sue; but, for my gretë febilnesse, which me restreyneth by distresse, Line 24528 And, þees massagers [[messengers St.]] also Causen that I may not go. And if ye wold, of your goodnesse, Doon your gretë besynesse Line 24532 Thes massagers [[thes messengers St.]] to putte away, [folio 304b] I wolde (withoutë [[without C., St.]] mor delay) folwe, in al my best entent, to gon at your comandëment." Line 24536

Misericord: [[St., om. C.]]

'Truely (nouther nygh nor ferre) I may not voydë nor differre the massagers [[messengers St.]] from thy presence; but I shal do my diligence, Line 24540 with my cordë, thè tenbrace, and to lede thè to the place [Stowe folio 377a] which called is the Fermerye. the massagers [[St., om. C.]] her fastë by, Line 24544 I ha no myght hem to coharte, to maken hem fro thè departe. til that deth hym-silf assaille, tabiden on the, they wil not faylle.' Line 24548

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

Than anoon Myserycorde gan tenbrace me in hir corde. and the oldë, bothë tweyne, Were present, and dide her peyne Line 24552 to brynge me to my bed anoon, and list not from me fer [[for St.]] to goon. and therwith-al, ánoon ryght I gan to feblen of my myght Line 24556 mor and mor, erly and late, til the porter at the gate

broughtë me two massagers, [[brought C. & St., messengers St.]] benygne and goodly of her chers. Line 24560

[The Porter:] [[6 lines blank for an Illumination.]]

Quod the porter anoon to me: [folio 305a] 'I ha thè brought (yef thou lyst se) two massagers [[brought C. & St., messengers St.]] (it is no nay) which shal the teche the ryghtë [[ryght C., St.]] way Line 24564 to Ierusalem the cite; for (bi tooknes that I se,) I conceyve (on euery syde) thou mayst her, no while abyde. Line 24568 wherfore, to makë thy passage, Send hem toforne, on thy massage, [[message St.]] that thou mayst, by thy sendyng, be bet receyved at thi comyng, Line 24572 withouten eny spot of blame. and makë to hem, in thi name, a maner of commyssïoun, and ek a procuracïoun, Line 24576 that they may, thorugh their werkyng, be receyuëd of the kyng thorugh fauour of their langage, to taken vp their herbergage Line 24580 In that cyte clestial, wher the kyng is éternal.

'thes ladyes namës to expresse, they ben Prayer and Almesse; Line 24584 And they ben redy, bothë tweyne, In this caas to done her peyne.'

[The Pilgrim:]

"Truely," quod I to the porter, "I wolde, with al myn hert entier, Line 24588 don almës of entencïoun; but I ha noo pocessïoun, nor nothyng in propurte, but al thyng in communyte. Line 24592 al propurte, I ha forsake, And to pouerte me take, Of myn [[St., C. burnt]] ordre, in sothfastnesse. [folio 305b]

"Wherfore, touchyng such almesse, [Stowe folio 377b]

"I ha sothly no powere Line 24597 to make of hir a massagere, to takë herbergage for me In that hevenly, chef cyte. Line 24600 almës, and al such oother thynges, mot ben of lordës and of kynges Sent to-forn to that cyte, Yef they wil wel receyved be, Line 24604 ther to make her purveaunce, terberwe [[to harbour, lodge]] hem to their plesaunce.

"for (who-so list the trouthë lere) alle estates in this world here— Line 24608 kyngës, prynces, bothë two, Dukës, lordës ek also,— Reekne hem allë, by and by, and thei be pilgrymës as I: Line 24612 let hem toforn pourveyë wel forto take vp their hostel, Sende her massagers [[theyr mesengars St.]] to se their herbergage in that cyte, Line 24616 that, for lak of providence, through slouth, or through necligence, they be dispurveyed, at her comyng, as Barlam telleth of a kyng, Line 24620 which, of custom synguler, Reyned neuere but a [[one St.]] yer In a lond; and this the ende, than of forcë he must wende Line 24624 Into an Ilond (in certeyn) that was of vitaille ful bareyn; and thus this kyng cam to meschaunce, for laak oonly of pourveyaunce, Line 24628 that he toforn, for his availle, lyst to sendë no vitaille. Ther was noon other menë wey; [folio 306a] [[C. & St.]] for hunger, he must nedë deye. Line 24632

"after whom, thus stood the cas, that a-nother kyng ther was, which shuldë [[shuld C., St.]] for a yer succede; but he was wys, and took good hede, Line 24636

Line 24636 "whil he stood in háboundaunce, forto make his purveyaunce, to sendë, in the samë while, vitaille into that bareyn Ile. Line 24640 he was prudent, aforn to se, to provide that Scarsete sholde sodeynly hym not assaille: wherfore, hé sent his vitaille Line 24644 Into that yle that bareyn was.

"wherfore, let ech man in such caas, sen aforn, in his resoun, [Stowe folio 378a] while he stant in pocessïoun Line 24648 of his Rewme, by good avys to sende aforn to paradys, to taken vp, in that cyte, herbergage lik his degre; Line 24652 as whilom dedë [[dyd St.]] seynt Lowys, the holy kyng that was so wys: Whil he hadde domynacïoun thorugh-out al his Regïoun, Line 24656 he ne was not necligent, but sent aforn, of good entent, his massagers [[messengers St.]] and his corrours, his vitaillers, [[vitilars St.]] his pourveyours, Line 24660 only for his ávauntage, to taken vp his herbergage In that ilkë noble Rewm, [[reme St.]] called hevenly Ieurusalem; Line 24664 wher he was, for a memórye, Receyved forto regne in glorye, that holy [[St., C. burnt]] kyng contemplatif, [folio 306b] for the vertues of his lif, Line 24668 his prayours and his orysouns, his fastynges and deuocïouns, his mercy meynt with ryghtwesnesse, his compassiouns, his almesse, Line 24672 of cherches his foundacïouns, and other dyuers mansïouns y-mad for folkës pore and blynde, Which, neuére, shal [[shall nevar St.]] out of mynde: Line 24676

Line 24676 "alle thes vertues (in substaunce) made aforn hym pourveyaunce; took vp a paleys most Royal In that cyte celestial, Line 24680 for kyng Lowys, that holy man, as his lif rehercë can, wel bet than I can expresse.

"and for my part, touchyng almesse, Line 24684 I may not make hir (fer nor ner) forto be my massager: [[sessenger (!) St.]] She nys not pertynent to me, which ha no thyng in propurte, Line 24688 but by licence (in certeyn) oonly of my souuereyn.

"wherfore (of entencïoun) I shal make a commyssïoun Line 24692 to oon that is prudent and sage, to taken vp myn herbergage: the name of whom is Prayer, to go toforn as massager." [[messenger St.]] Line 24696

Prayer: [[St., om. C.]]

Quod Prayer, 'for thy best, I wil fulfillë thy requeste as forforth [[farforthe St.]] as I ha myght, and as toforn [[reason St.]] I ha behyght.' [Stowe folio 378b] Line 24700

[The Pilgrim]:

And with that word, anoon Siknesese bad hir hastë fast, and dresse, [folio 307a] withouten eny mor delay, forto spede hir on hir way; Line 24704 and without eny longer space, for tavoyden anoon the place.

[Siknesse]:

Quod she, 'it is now no sesoun to maken a comyssïoun, Line 24708 at this tymë, to prayere; for, playnly (who list to lere,) bothe at complyn and at pryme, it hath be mad afore this tyme; Line 24712 or ellës, herbergage to wynne,

'It were to late now to begynne.'

Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]

"God me [[me St., om. C.]] grauntë grace and mynde, good herbergagë forto fynde; Line 24716 for now I haue ynowh to do, of veray cónstreynt and of wo, to remembre on [[oon C., on St.]] my siknesse."

and with that word, ther gan in dresse Line 24720 oon vpon my bed anoon, the cruelist of al my foon; of whom in soth, whan I took hede, I lostë speche, of veray drede: Line 24724 I myghtë [[myght C., St.]] make no questïoun to axen hir condicïoun, she was so dredful of hir chere: a sithe she bar, and ek a bere; Line 24728 sette hir foot vpon my brest, for to maken on me arest. [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] but than [[St., C. burnt.]] a lady of gret vertu, [folio 307b] that was called Gracë dieu, Line 24732 bad hir a wylë letë be, whil that [[that St., tha C.]] she spak a word to me.

Deathe: [[St., om. C.]] [[See the French on p. 665.]]

'Sey on, and tarye neuer a del; for I may not abiden wel. Line 24736 I haate soothly al taryyng; and I ne love non ábidyng. the cause is this, (who taketh hede) I ha mo thyngës forto spede, Line 24740 In other places mo than oon; wherfore telle on, for I mot goon.'

[Grace Dieu]: [[Pilgrim St., om. C.]]

Gracë dieu, hir look she layde Vp-on me, and thus she sayde: Line 24744 'thou stanst vpon a streyt passáge, now as in thy pilgremáge. Deth is present, as thou maist se, fro the which, no man may fle. Line 24748 she is of contynaunce odyble, [Stowe folio 379a]

'and of thyngës most terryble; she is the ende of euery thyng; and now she cast, at hir commyng, Line 24752 thy lif [[selfe St., ta vie DeG.]] playnly, as thou shalt knowe, with hir sithë vp to mowe: And afterward, this the fyn, to puttë thè in hir coffyn; Line 24756 and after, of entencïoun, to yeve thè in pocessïoun to wormës (as thou shalt ek knowe,) that liggen in the erthë lowe; Line 24760 the which (as I wel tellë can) Is commón to euery man.

'ther may no man, of no degre, hygh nor lowh, his power fle. Line 24764 ffor, lych as herbës and as floures, [folio 308a] that spryngen with sootë [[soot C., St.]] shoures bothe in Aprill and in May, and afterward (it is no nay,) Line 24768 with a sythe (who list to knowe,) they ben on erthë leyd ful lowe, and far-wel then al their fresshnesse! farwel her colour and grenesse! Line 24772 It not appereth, her nor there, the hootë Sonne maketh hem Sere; [[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.]] Ther colours and their fressh aray, al ys tourned into hay. Line 24776

'and, thou, that so longë be Grene and lusty forto se, Deth (his power for to kythe,) wil abatyn with his sythe Line 24780 thy grenesse, and ek also parten thè on [[in St.]] peces two, The soule, the body, her and yonder, and maken hem to parte assondre. Line 24784 for, playnly, as thou shalt lere, they may, as now, not gon yfere; the soulë mustë [[must C., St.]] go tofore, and the body shal be bore, Line 24788

Line 24788 'In erthe to haue his mansïoun, and tournë to corrupcïoun; and afterward, be wel certeyn, Ioyned with the soule ageyn, Line 24792 and ben to-gidre eternally.

'Now loke that thou be ful redy; for yf [[St., C. burnt]] ther be no lak in the, [folio 308b] thou shalt go streyht to the [[that St.]] cyte Line 24796 Of the kyngdom and the Rewm that called ys Ierusalem, to which thy pilgremage was sette.

'thou art come to the wyket Line 24800 (Which is gynnyng of thy labour,) thow [[thow St., C. burnt]] beheld in a myrrour, whan thow were ful tendre of age, [[St. & C.]] at gynnyng of thy pilgrymage; [[St. & C.]] Line 24804 and therfor [[St., C. burnt]] now thou art sette at the boundes of the wyket, I consaille the, first to crye Vnto my Fadre for mercye, Line 24808 behotyng the lady dame Penaunce, yef thou ha not in suffisaunce Don to her, whil thou wer here, Iustly and truely thy devere; Line 24812 thou art in wil, at thy partyng, thorugh grace and mercy of the kyng, that Regneth eternally in glorye, It to fulfille in purgatorye; [[St. & C.]] Line 24816 ther tabiden in that place, [[St. & C.]] tyll the lord wil do thè grace, [[St. & C.]] of his mercy, at the laste.'

And, for the tymë cam on faste, Line 24820 and my spechë gan to faille, I thoughte it [[it St., a C.]] fooly for tasaille Gracë dieu with questïouns, with demandës or [[and St.]] resouns. Line 24824 And (as I coude ek wel discerne) Deth abood at the posterne, and gan to letë goon his sythe, his cruel myght on me to kythe, Line 24828

Line 24828 And gan so streytly me coharte, That the soulë mot departe. And, such a feer anoon me took, [folio 309a] Out of my slep that I a-wook. [The last sayings of Death, Grace Dieu, and the Pilgrim are, in De Guileville's French (Petit's edition, Foeillets xcj. 4—xcij. 2):—

LA MORT.

OR dictes tost donc / ce dist elle, [[Corresponds to English line] 24735] Car moult ie he longue vielle: [[Corresponds to English line] 24737] Prestement me vueil deliurer,Car autre part me fault aler. [[Corresponds to English line] 24741]

LE PELERIN.

¶ Adonc vint grace dieu a moy, [[Corresponds to English line] 24743] Et me dist doulcement, Or voy. [[Corresponds to English line] 24744]

GRACE DIEU.

¶ Je voy bien, qu'à l'estroit passaigeTu es de ton pèlerinaige. [[Corresponds to English line] 24746] Voicy la Mort, qui de pres t'est, [[Corresponds to English line] 24747] Qui, des choses terribles est [[Corresponds to English line] 24750] La fin / et le terminement. [[Corresponds to English line] 24751] [Petit folio xcij] Ta vie, tantost faulcher entent, [[Corresponds to English line] 24753] Et la mectre du tout à fin;Et puis ton corps en vng cofin [[Corresponds to English line] 24756] Elle mectra, pour le bailler [[Corresponds to English line] 24758] Aux vers puans, pour le manger. [[Corresponds to English line] 24759] Ceste chose est toute commune [[Corresponds to English line] 24761] A tout chascun et a chascune: [[Corresponds to English line] 24762] Homme, en ce monde, est exposéA la mort, comme l'herbe au pré [[Corresponds to English line] 24765] Est a la faulx / aussi est feyn, [[Corresponds to English line] 24769] Qui huy est verd / et sec demain;Or as esté verd vng long temps, [[Corresponds to English line] 24772] Et si as receu pluyes et vens; [[Corresponds to English line] 24766] Mais fault maintenant te faulchier, [[Corresponds to English line] 24780] Et en deux pieces despiecer. [[Corresponds to English line] 24782] L'huys est estroit / l'ame / et la cher [[Corresponds to English line] 24783] Ne pourroient ensemble passer. [[Corresponds to English line] 24786] L'ame premiere passera, [[Corresponds to English line] 24787] Et puis apres la chair yra. [[Corresponds to English line] 24788] Mais si tost ne sera ce mie;Auant sera la chair pourrie, [[Corresponds to English line] 24790] Et autre fois regenerée [[Corresponds to English line] 24792] En la grant commune assemblée.Doncques regarde se apoinctey [[Corresponds to English line] 24794] Deuement tu es, et appareilley.S'à toy ne tient, tantost verras [[Corresponds to English line] 24795] La grant cité ou tendu as. [[Corresponds to English line] 24796] Tu es au guichet et à l'huys [[Corresponds to English line] 24800] Que ou mirouer piecà tu vis. [[Corresponds to English line] 24802] Se tu es despoillé et nuz,Dedans tantost seras receuz.Celle entrée tu auoies moult chier,Lors quant tu la vis au premier;Et toutesfois, tant ie te dy, [[Corresponds to English line] 24807] Qu'à mon père tu cryes mercy, [[Corresponds to English line] 24808] En prometant à penitence, [[Corresponds to English line] 24809] Que, se n'en as à souffisance [[Corresponds to English line] 24810] Fait / volentiers tu la feras [[Corresponds to English line] 24813] En purgatoire, ou tu iras. [[Corresponds to English line] 24816]

LE PELERIN.

OR vous dy ie / que lors se i'eussePeu bien parler / que ie luy eusse [[Corresponds to English line] 24821] Fait des demandes dont i'auoye [[Corresponds to English line] 24824] Grant doubte / et que pas ne sauoie, [Petit folio xcij:2] Folie est d'actendre au besoing, [[Corresponds to English line] 24822] Car souuent on cuide que loingSoit la mort; qu'elle est aux postis, [[Corresponds to English line] 24826] Bien ie le sceu / ie fuz soubzpris.La mort laissa sa faulx courir, [[Corresponds to English line] 24827] Et me fist du corps departir. [[Corresponds to English line] 24830] Ce me sembla en ce moment,Si que, de l'espouentementEsueillé et desdormy fu, [[Corresponds to English line] 24832] Et me trouuay si esperdu, [[not englisht]] Qu'auiser ie ne me pouoieSe ia mort ou en vie i'estoie,Jusqu'à tant que i'ouy sonnerL'orologe de nuyt, pour leuer:Et aussi lors chantoient les cocqs;Pour quoy, leuer me cuiday lors;Mais ne peu / car fuz retenuDe la grant pensée ou ie fuPour le myen aduentureux songe,Ou quel, se quelque vne mensongeEstoit meslée ou contenue,Ou qui fust de peu de value.Nul esmerueiller ne s'en doit,Car iamais froment on ne voitCroistre / qu'entour paille n'y aye,Jusques que dehors on l'en traye;Par quoy, s'en mon songe y a grain,Et auecques paille ou estrainy ait / ce qu'est bon / soit gardé;Ce que n'est bon, soit hors venné.Que ne dy pas tant seulementPour ce premier liure present,Dont cy endroit ie feray fin,Pour me reposer en chemin,Mais aussi pour ce que s'ensuit,Ou tout le grain en paille gist,Que recommande aux bons venneurs,Qui sceuent hors venner erreurs.

] Line 24832

¶ La fin du premier pèlerinaige De l'homme durant qu'est En vie. Deo gratias.