The vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman, together with Vita de Dowel, Dobet, et Dobest, secundum Wit et Resoun, by William Langland (about 1362-1393 A. D.)

PASSUS XVII. (DO-WEL VII.)

[

TITLE. Hic incipit passus septi|mus de dowel M; Incipit passus sep|timus PE; Incipit septimus F; Passus sextus de dowel T.

OBS. S omits Passus xvii. to xxi.

] Incipit passus septimus.

Alas! þat [richesse] shal reue · and robbe mannes soule [A page 243] [[richesse EMF] ricchesse T; riche P. and] or M.] [Fro] þe loue of oure lorde · at hus laste ende! [[Fro ETF] For PM. hus] þe T.] Thei þat haue hure hyre by-fore · aren eueremore poure, [

Thei] Hewen T. haue—aren] nout han bi-forn · and arn M.

OBS. Here M has lost two leaves, including ll. 4—159.

] And shulle nat deye out of dette · to dyne er they deseruen hit. [shulle nat] selde T. to dyne] þat dyneþ T. er] or EF. they de|seruen] he deserue T.] Line 4 When here deuer is don · and his daies iourne, [here] his TF. deuer] dyner ET; diner F (wrongly).] Þen may men wite what he is worþ · and what he haþ deserued; [may men] men may T. wite EFT] white P. deserued] deseruede P.] And nouht to fonge by-fore · for drede of disalouwynge. [And] But T. by-fore] to-fore T. drede] feere F; but see B-text.] So ich say by ȝow riche · hit semeþ nat ȝe shulle [ȝe] þat ȝe FT.] Line 8 Haue two heuenes · for ȝoure her-beynge. Muche myrthe is in may · a-monge wilde bestes, [A page 244] [wilde] þe wilde T.] And so forth whil somer lasteþ · heore solace dureþ; [forth ET] furth F; miswritten fort P. whil F] while ET; mis|written wil P. heore] & here E.]

And muche myrthe a-monge riche men is · þat han meoble ynow and heele. [And] F om, meoble] meble ET; meeblus F. ynow] F om.] Line 12 [Ac] beggers a-boute myd-somere · bredlees þei soupe, [[Ac F] But T; And PE.] And ȝut is wynter for hem wors · for wet-shood þei gangen, [wet-shood] wetshod T; wat|schood F; wete shul E; whet-shood P. þei] þan þei F. gangen] gon ET.] A-furst and a-fyngred · and foule rebuked [A-furst] so PT; Afirst F; Aþurst E. rebuked] rebukede P.] Of þese worlde-riche men · þat reuthe hit is to huyre. [þese F] þes P; þis E. worlde|riche] written wordle-riche P; worldelich ETF. Cf. B-text; and observe the alliteration of riche with reuthe. hit] FT om. huyre] hure E; here T; heere F.] Now, lord, send hem somer som-tyme · to solace and to ioye, [A page 245] [to (2)] T om.] Line 17 That al here lyf leden · in lowenesse and in pouerte! [leden] ledden T.] For alle myghtest þow haue maked · men of grete welþe, [myghtest] myȝtest ETF; mis|written myghtes P. haue] ha F. maked E] makede P; mad T; maad F. grete] muche T.] And liche witty and wys · and lyue with-oute neode; [liche] ylich T. and EFT] an P. with-oute] whit-oute P.] Ac for þe beste, [as] ich hope · aren somme poure and some riche. [Ac] T om. [as ETF] P om. some] TF om.] Line 21 Ryght so haue reuthe of ous alle · þat on þe rode deydest, [haue] ha F. of ous] on vs F; on þi renkis T. þat—deydest] T om. rode E] roode F; roude P.] And amende ous of thy mercy · and make ous alle meeke, [of] of al PE; but FT omit al, which is not wanted. alle meeke] meke ichone T.] Louh and leel and louynge · and of herte poure; [Louh] Louȝh F; Louȝ T; Lowe E.] Line 24 And send ous contricion · to clanse with oure soules, [A page 240] [with] whit P.] And confession, to culle · alle kynne synnes, [culle] kille T.] And satisfaccion, the whiche fulfulleþ · þe fadres will of heuene. [the whiche] þat ET. fulfull|eth] fulfilleth F. fadres] fadur F; fadir T.]

And these been dowel and dobet · and dobest of alle; Cordis contricio · comeþ of sorwe in herte, [Cordis contricio] For contricio cordis F. comeþ] it cometh F. in] of FT.] Line 29 And oris confessio · þat comeþ of shrifte of mouthe, [And] And also F.] And operis satisfactio · þat for synnes payeth, [One line in T—Satisfaccion for soulis paieþ & alle synnes quyteþ.] [operis satisfactio] satisfactio soþly F. synnes] synne F.] And for alle synnes · soueraynliche quiteþ. [One line in T—Satisfaccion for soulis paieþ & alle synnes quyteþ.]

Cordis contricio, oris confessio, operis satisfactio;

[Cordis—satisfactio] F om.] Line 32 These thre with-outen doute · tholen alle pouerte, [These] Thees P; Tho T. with|outen] whit-outen P.] And lereþ lewed and lered · heh and louh to knowe, [lereþ] leered F. lered] eke lewed (sic) F. heh—louh] heye & lowe E; heiȝ & louȝ T; hy & low F.] Ho þat doþ wel oþer bet · oþer best a-bouen alle; Line 35 And holichurche and charite · here-of a Chartere maden. [a] T om.] Bote þese þre þat ich spak of · on domes day [vs] defenden, [Bote] And but TF. þese] þes P. on] at TF; vs a (sic) E. [vs TF] P om.; observe that E has vs a for on.] Elles is in ydel · al oure lyuynge here, [A page 246] [in] al an T. ydel] ydel I-wys F. oure] of oure E. lyuynge ET] leuynge PF.] Oure preyers and oure penaunce · and pilgrymages to rome. [penaunce] penaunces TF. and] & oure T. pilgrymages] pilgrimage F.] Bote oure spences and spending · sprynge of a trewe wille, [spences] spens F. and] & oure T. spending] spendynges E. a] E om. trewe] trywe P. wille] welle TF.] Line 40 Elles is al oure labour lost; · lo, how men wryten [how men] what eer me F.] In fenestres at þe freres · yf fals be þe foundement! [þe] fals F.] For-thi cristene men scholde been in comun riche · no couetise to hym-selue. [men] TF om. cristene—been] schuld cristene be F. no] non T; ne E. no couetise] nat couetous F; ne coueytise E; ne coueit G. to] for T. hym] hem EFG.] Line 43 For seuene synnes þat þer been · þat assailen ous euere, [þer] here G. þat (2)] þe whiche F.] The fende folweth hem alle · and fondeþ hem to helpe, [hem] fast hem F.]

And with richesse tho ribaudes · rathest men by-gylen; [And] But T. with] whit P. tho] þo EFT; of G; miswritten to P.] For þer þat rychesse regneþ · reuerences foleweth, [A page 247] [þat] as F; T om. reuerences] reuerence T. foleweth] hem folwen F.] Line 47 And þat is plesaunt to pruyde · in poure and in riche. The ryche [is] yreuerenced · by reson of his richesse, [The] And þe T; For þe F. [is EFTG] P om. yreuerenced E] yreuerencede P; reuerenced FT. his EFT] is P; G om.] There þe poure is yput by-hynde · and can parauntre more [yput] putte E; put FTG. can parauntre] per-auntur can FT.] Line 50 Of wit and of wysedome · þat fer wey is bettere [wit FG] wyt T; witt E; whiȝt (badly) P. fer EFT] feer P; for G.] Than richesse oþer reaulte · and raþer yhurde in heuene. [oþer] & G. and] an P. yhurde] iherde E; I-herd F; herd T; y-hurd G.] For þe ryche haþ muche to rekene · and ryȝt softe walkiþ [ryȝt G] riȝt EFT; ryȝth P.] Line 53 The heye wey to-heuene-warde; · he halt hit nat ful euene; There þe poure presseþ by-fore · with a pak at hus rygge,

Opera enim illorum seq[u]untur illos.

[presseþ] preceth F. with] whit P. enim] TG om. illorum] eorum TG. sequuntur] secuntur FEG; sequntur PT.] Batauntlyche, as beggers don · and boldeliche he craueþ, [G omits.] Line 56 For hus pouerte and pacience · perpetuel ioye. [and] & his T.] Also pruyde in richesse regneþ · raþer þan in pouerte; [Also] And TG. pruyde] prude E; pride F.] Oþer in þe maister oþer in þe man · som mancion he shewith. [in (2)] G om. mancion] men|cion T. shewith] schewed E.] Line 59 Ac in pouerte þer pacience is · pruyde hath no myȝte, [Ac] But T. þer] þat G. myȝte EF] miȝt T; myȝghte P; miȝht G.] Ne non of the seuene synnes · sitte [ne may] þer longe, [[ne may EF] may T; no man (!) P. ne—þer] þer mai G.] Ne haue power in pouerte · yf pacience hit folewe. [hit] him F.]

For þe poure is ay prest · to plese þe riche, [þe (1)] a E. prest EFTG] preest P. to] for to G.] Line 63 And buxume at his biddyng · for hus breed and drynke; [his EFTG] is P. and] & his FT.] And buxumnesse and bost · aren euere-more at wratthe, [A page 248] [wratthe] werre T.] And ayther hateþ oþer · and mowen nat dwelle to|gederes. [mowen] mow E; may T; moweth F. dwelle] come G.] Yf wratthe wraxle with þe poure · he hath þe worsse ende; [wraxle] wracsle G; wrastle EF; wrastliþ T. with] whit P.] For yf þei boþe [pleyne] · þe poure is bote fyble, [[pleyne FT] pleyn E; pleyen PG; but see B-text. is] his P. fyble] feble EFTG.] Line 68 And yf he chide oþer chatere · hym chyuyþ þe worsse. [chyuyþ] cheueþ EFT. þe] wel þe F.] For loueliche he lokyþ · and louh is hus speche, [louh is] loweþ E.] That mete oþer moneye · of straunge men mote begge. [69—71. G omits.] And yf glotenye greue pouerte · he gadereþ þe lasse, [greue] greueþ E; greuiþ T.] Line 72 For hus rentes wol nat reche · ryche metes to bigge; [rentes] purs F.] Þauh hus glotenye be of good ale · he goþ to a cold beddyng, [Þauh hus] And þeiȝ his T. Þauh—be] His gloteny þogh it be F. beddyng] bedde F.] And hus heued vn-heled · vneisyliche ywrye; [G omits. heued] hed E. vn|heled] vnheled þer-with F. vneisy|liche] vneesiliche F. ywrye] I-writhe F; wrye E.] For when he streyneþ hym to strecche · þe straw is hus whitel; [streyneth—to] wol him G. whitel] sshetis T; schetyn G.] Line 76 So for hus glotonye and grete synne · he haþ a greuous penaunce, [So] & so F. hus] F om. and] & his FT. and—synne] G om.] That is weylawey whan he awakeþ · and wepeþ for colde; [That is] With F. weylawey] wel lowe (!) T. awakeþ] wakiþ TG. colde] his colde F.] So is he neuere more ful murye · so meschief hym folweþ. [G omits. So] & so F. ful] F om. hym] aftur F.]

Þaugh couetyce wolde with þe poure wraxle · þei mai nat come to-gederis, [Þaugh] And þeiȝ T; Þan E. with] whit P. þe] FG om. wraxle] wraskle E; wrastle FT; wrangle G.] Line 80 By þe necke nameliche · her neiþer may henten oþer. [By] And by F; And be T. her neiþer] nere noþer E. neiþer] noon FG; non T.] For men knoweþ þat couetise · is of ful kene wil, [ful] a FTG. kene wil] clene wyes (!) E.] And haþ hondes and armes · of a long lengthe, And pouerte is a pety þyng · apereþ nat to hus nauele; [a] but a F; but T; bote a G. pety] petit F; pite (!) T.] A loueliche laik was hit neuere · by-twyne a long and a short. [laik] loke E. a short] schorte F; a sshort one T.] Line 85 Thauh auarice wolde angrye pouerte · he hath bote lytel myȝte; [A page 249] [Thauh] And þeiȝ T. auarice EF] auerice PG; so in l. 88. angrye] so PE; angre FTG. myȝte F] myȝt ET; myȝthe P; myȝtte G.] For pouerte haþ bote pokes · to putten yn hus goodes, [pouerte] he (sic) E.] Ther auarice haþ almaries · and yre-bounden cofres. [almaries] almarye E. and] & EFTG; an P. yre] yrene T; yren F.] Line 88 And wheþer be betere to breke · lasse boost hit makeþ, [FG omit. yre] yren T.] To breke a beggers bagge · þan an yre-bounden cofre? [FG omit. yre] yren T.] Lecherye loueth none poure · for he hath bote lytel seluer, [Lecherye] And leccherie T. none] no FTG. bote—seluer] litel to spende G.] Ne doþ men dyne dylicatliche · neyþer drynk wyne ofte. [men dyne] hem drinke G. drynk wyne] wyn to drynken F.] A straw for þe stywes! · hy stod nat ful longe [One line in T—A straw for þe stewis it stood · hadde þei no haunt but of pore. stywes] stufes E; styues FG; stewis T. hy] þei F; hit G. haunt] help G. of] of þe FG.] Line 93 And þay hadde non oþer haunt · bote of poure peple! [One line in T—A straw for þe stewis it stood · hadde þei no haunt but of pore. stywes] stufes E; styues FG; stewis T. hy] þei F; hit G. haunt] help G. of] of þe FG.] Thauh slewþe suwe pouerte · and serue nat god to paye, [Thauh] And þeiȝ T. suwe] seude T.] Meschief is ay a mene · and makeþ hym to þenke, [ay] T om. a] F om. and] þat T.] Line 96 That [god is] hus grettest help · and no gome elles, [[god is EFTG] good P (omit|ting is). hus] T om.]

And he is seruaunt al-way, he seith · and of hus secte boþe. [is] his G. secte] sute T; swete (!) G.] And wheþer he be oþer be nat · he beriþ þe sygne of pouerte, Line 99 And in þat secte oure sauyour · sauede al mankynde. For-thi alle poure þat pacient is · of pure ryght may cleyme [of] by F. pure FG] pur T; poure PE (by confusion).] After here endyng heere · heuene-riche blysse. [After] Affter P. heuene|riche] & hy heueneriche F.] Much hardyloker may he aske · þat her may haue hus will [Much] & muche F. hardy|loker] hardere T; hardiour G. may (2)] miȝte T. may haue] hath muche F.] In londe and in lordshepes · and lykynge of body, [londe] lonnde P. lordshepes] lordsshipe T. and (2)] in T.] Line 104 And for goddes loue leueþ al · and lyueþ as a beggere. [goddes EFT] godes G; mis|written goodes P.] As a mayde for a mannes loue · here moder for-sakeþ, [A page 250] [a] T om. for-sakeþ] for-sok T.] Hure fader and hure frendes · and gooþ forth with hure paramour; [and (1)] and alle T. gooþ] fareth F. with] whith P. para|mour] paramours TG.] Muche is suche a mayde to loue · [of a man þat suche on takeþ] [suche a] þat F. [of—takeþ EFG] of man þat suchon takiþ T; P has—here moder for-sakeþ (repeated from l. 106); cf. B-text.] Line 108 More þan þat maide is · þat is ymaried by brocage, [maide is] maydene F. is ymaried] maried is F.] As by asent of sondry bodyes · and seluer to bote, [bodyes] segges F; personis TG. and] & eeke F.] More for couetice of catel · þan kynde loue of þe mariage. [couetice] kinde loue G. þe] FT om.] So hit farith by ech a persone · þat possession forsakeþ, And putteþ hym to be pacient · and to pouerte hym weddeþ, [putteþ] put F; putte T. to (2)] TG om. hym (2)] hem E; TG om.] Line 113

Line 113 Þe whyche is sibbe to cryst self · and semblable boþe." [whyche] wyche P. self] him-selue FT.] Quath Actyf þo al angryliche · and argueynge as hit were, "What is pouerte pacient?" quaþ he · "ich praye þat þou telle hit." [quaþ he] F om. praye] pray þe FT.] Line 116 "Paupertas," quaþ pacience · "est odibile bonum,

Remocio curarum, Possessio sine calumpnia, donum dei, sanitatis mater;

Absque solicitudine semita, sapiencie tempera|trix, negocium sine dampno;

Incerta fortuna, absque solicitudine felicitas."

[solicitudine] solitudine T (twice); solittudine G (twice).] "Ich can nat construen al this" · quath activa uita. [al] wel al F.] "Parfay," quath pacience · "propreliche to telle [quath] þo quod F. propre|liche] & propurli F; parfitliche G. telle] telle it T.] Line 119 In english, hit is ful harde · ac somdel ich shal telle þe. [In] Al þis in T. hit] T om. ac] but T; & F. somdel] E om. telle þe] schewe F. Distinctio, &c.] so in PEF; TG om.]

DISTINCTIO PAUPERTATIS.

Pouerte is þe firste poynte · þat prude most hateþ; [A page 251] 'Thanne is pouerte good,' quaþ good skyle · 'þauh hit greue a lytel, [quaþ] be T. quaþ—skyle] & goostliche F.] Al þat may putten of pruyde · in place þer he regneþ.'

Remocio curarum:—

For selde sitt pouerte · þe sothe to declare; [For] TG om. selde EG] seelde F; seilde P; Shulde (wrongly) T. sitt] sitte E; sitteth F; sette (wrongly) T; sit G.] Line 124 As a Iustice to Iuge men · men enioyneþ þer-to no poure, [G omits. As a] Or as T. men (2)] me T. enioyneþ þerto] ioyn|eth so F.] Ne to be a mayre ouere men · ne Mynistre vnder kynges. [a] T om.] Selde is þe poure [yput] · to punysshe eny peuple, [Selde ETG] Seilde P; Ful seelde F. þe] any T. [yput TG] I-put F; pitt P; potte E; but see l. 50.]

Ergo pouerte and poure men · parfournen þe comaunde|ment,

Nolite iudicare quemquam.

Possessio sine calumpnia:—

Line 128 Selde is þe poure ryght riche · bote of hus [riȝtful] heritage, [Selde ETG] Seelde F; Seilde P. ryght] F om. [riȝtful FT] ryght PE; G om.; cf. B-text.] He wynneþ nat with wyghtes fals · ne with vnseled mesures, [G omits. He wynneþ] Wyn|neþ he T. with] whit P (twice). wyghtes] whyghtes P; wiȝtes EF; wyttes (wrongly) T. vnseled EF] vnselide P.] Ne borweþ of his neyghebore · bote þat he may wel paye, [borweþ] borowe E. his] is P.] And lyghtly men leneþ to fewe men · and men [wene] hym poure. [lyghtly] miswritten lyghly P. lyghtly—to] selde me leneþ G; me leniþ liȝtly T. And—men (2)] Nat liȝtly me leeneth to a man F. to] bot to E. and] ȝif F. men (3)] me TG. [wene EFTG] P om. hym] hem EG; he be F.] Line 132 The feorthe is a fortune · þat florisshiþ þe soule [is] it is FG.] With sobrete [from] alle synnes · and al-so ȝut more; [G omits. With] Whit P. [from FT] aȝen E; whith P; cf. B-text.] Hit defendeth þe flessh · fro folyes ful menye: [defendeth FET] defendiþ G; defendit P. ful] riȝt FG.] And a collateral confort · crystes owen sonde;

Donum dei. [A page 252]

[And] TG om. confort] com|fort is F.] Line 136 Ȝut hit is moder of myȝt · and of mannes helthe, [Ȝut] & ȝit F. hit] T om. myȝt EFG] miȝt; myȝth P. helthe] hele T; help G.] And Frende in alle fondynges · and of foule vueles leche;

Sanitatis mater.

[in] of (wrongly) T. and] F om. vueles] yueles E; eueles FTG.] The syxte, hit is a paþ of pees · ȝe, þorw þe pas of [altoun] [pas] paies T. [altoun EF] aueltone T; aultone G; haultone P.] Line 139 Pouerte myghte passe · with-oute peril of robbynge. [Pouerte myghte] For þere myȝt pouert (see l. 141) F. with] whit P.]

For þer as pouerte passeþ · pees folweþ commenliche, [commenliche] comunly T. pees—commenliche] folweth pees oft tyme F.] And euere þe lasse þat eny lyf ledeþ · the lyghter hus herte is þere, [þat eny] a F. lyf] G om. eny—ledeþ] on lede T.] As he þat wot neuere with wham · in [nyghtes] to mete;

Paupertas est sine solicitudine semita: Seneca.

[G omits. neuere] nere T. with] whit P. in] on T. [nyghtes] nyȝtes E; niȝtes tyme T; miȝti tyme (sic) F; myghtes P. Paupertas est] F om. sine] absque EFG. solicitu|dine] solitudine T. Seneca] F om.] The seueþe, hit is a welle of wysedome · and fewe wordes sheweþ, [The seueþe] The seuenethe F; It semiþ T. hit] F om. welle EFTG] weelle P.] Line 144 For lordes aloweþ hym lytel · oþer leyth ere to hus reisone; [leyth] leiþ E; leyen F; lig|geþ T.] He tempreþ hus tonge to-treuthe-ward · þat no tresour coueyteþ;

Sapiencie temperatrix.

[hus] þe T. ward] G om. Sa|piencie, &c.] ETG om.] The eyhteþe, hit is a leel labour · and loþ to take more [eyhteþe] eiȝte T; oþer G. hit] EG om.] Than he may sothliche deserue · in somer oþer in wynter; Line 148 And þauh he chaffare, he chargeþ no los · mowe he charite wynne;

Negocium sine dampno.

[los] lost E.] Þe nyethe, hit is swete to soules · [is] no suger swettere; [Þe] Ne (!) T. nyeþe] nyþe EF; neiþe T. Þe—hit] Anoþer G. swete] so swete F. soules] soule F. [is T] þer is F; PEG om.] For pacience is hus paneter · and payn to pouerte fyndeth, [hus] TG om. paneter] panter EFT; paniter G. payn—pouerte] pouert payn he T; pouerte payn G.] And sobrete ȝeueþ here swete drynke · and solaceþ here in alle angres. [here (1)] heere P; here EF; hire T. drynke] drynkus F. here (2)] heere P; hire T; hem E; F om. alle angres] angre G.] Line 152

Line 152 Thus leryde me a lerede man · for oure lordes loue, seint austyn, [A page 253] That pure pouerte and pacience · was a louh lyuynge in erthe, [lyuynge] G om. in] on FT.] A blessid lyf with-oute busynesse · bote oneliche for þe soule;

Absque solicitudine felicitas.

[with] whit P. Absque solici|tudine] Solitudine T.] Line 155 Now god þat al þynge gyueþ · graunte hus saule reste, [þynge] T om. G places god after saule.] That wrot þis to wisse men · what pouerte was to mene!" [þis] þus EG.] Thenne hadde actyf a ledere · þat heyhte liberum arbitrium, [A page 254] [ledere EFTG] apparently lodere T. heyhte] hiȝte EFT; het G. liberum arbitrium] arbitrium liberum E.] That knewe conscience ful wel · and clergie boþe; [That] He TFG.] "He þat haþ londe and lordshep," quaþ he · "at the laste ende [Here M begins again. He] Þe M. londe] lonnde P. londe and] G om. lordshep] lordschepe boþe M.] Line 160 Shal be pourest of power · at hus partyng hennes." [hennes] elles G.] Thenne ich wondrede what he was · this Liberum Arbitrium, [ich] T om. wondrede] hadde wondir T. this] miswritten thees P; þat T.] And prayede pacience · þat ich a-pose hym moste. [prayede] preide to F. ich] M om. T is corrupt here.] And [he] suffrede me and seide · "assay hus oþer name." [[he MFTG] PE om. me] F om.] "Leue liberum arbitrium," quaþ ich · "of what londe ar ye? Line 165 Ȝif þow be cristes creature · for cristes loue, tel me." [A page 255] [Ȝif] And ȝif T. tel me] telle hit me E; me telleþ M.] "Ich am cristes creature," quaþ he · "and cristine in menye place, [place] so PTFG; a place E; places M.] And in cristes court yknowe · and of hus kynne a partye; [yknowe] ich know (wrongly) E; Iknowe wel T.]

Is noþer peter þe porter · ne paul with his fauchon, [Is] Nis M. þe] ne (!) E. with] whit P. his] þe T.] That wolde defende me heuene dore · dynge ich neuere so late. [wolde] wole MG; wile T. dore] dere M.] Line 170 At myd-nyȝt, at mydday · my uoise is so yknowe, [G omits. nyȝt EF] niȝt T; nyth M; nyȝth P. at] ne at M. uoise] vois EFT; voys M.] Þat eche creature þat loueþ criste · welcomeþ me faire." [G omits. welcomeþ] wol|comeþ P.] "Wher-of serue ȝe?" ich seide · "syre liberum arbi|trium?" Line 173 "Of som tyme to fyghte," quaþ he · "falsnesse to de|struye, [Of] MF om. he] y G; he þo F.] And som tyme to suffre · boþe sorwe and teene, [suffre] suffre also F. sorwe—teene] tene & sorewe T.] Layke oþer leue · at my lykynge chese, [G omits. leue] bi-leue M. F has—Where I wol laike or leue · at my likyng I chese.] Line 176 To do wel oþer wikke · a wil with a reyson, [wikke T] wicke EM; wike P; wik F; wikkede G. a wil] he wile (wrongly) T.] And may nat be with-oute a body · to bere me wher hym lykeþ." [wher—lykeþ] aboute F. hym] me G.] "Thenne is þat body bettere þan þow," quaþ ich · "nay," quaþ he, "no betere; [bettere (1)] bet MF.] Bote as a wode were a fure · þenne worchen [þei] boþe, [a (1)] F om. a fure] on fuyre M; in fire T. [þei M] PEFTG omit; but it makes the sense clear.] And ayþer is oþeres heete · and also of a wil; [heete] help M. a] on M; o EFG; T om.] Line 181 And so is man þat haþ hus mynde · myd liberum arbitrium. [myd] myþ T; with F; wiþ G.] And þe whyle ich quyke þe cors · cald am ich anima; [F omits. þe whyle] while MG; whiles T; þe wyle P. quyke] am quyk in T. cors TG] corps M; cours P. cald—ich] I am cald T.] And whenne ich wilne oþer wolde · animus ich hyhte, [whenne] wenne P. oþer] and MTG. hyhte] hiȝte MF; hatte T. animus—hyhte] cald am y Animus G.]

And for þat ich can and knowe · cald ich am 'mannys þouht;' [M omits. And] F om. knowe] eke knowe F. cald—am] I cald am in (sic) T. mannys] F om.] Line 185 And whan ich make mone to god · memoria ich hatte; [whan] whanne þat T. mone] so PEMTG; moone F. hatte] so PEMFTG (not as in l. 184).] And when ich deme domes · and do as treuthe techeþ, [G omits this and l. 190. techeþ] telliþ T.] Then is racio my ryhte name · 'reson' in englissh; [in] on T.] And whenne ich fele þat folke telleþ · my furste name is sensus, [whenne] wenne P. þat] what F. my—is] þan am i F.] Line 189 And þat is witte and wisedome · the welle of alle craftes; And when ich chalange oþer nat chalange · chepe oþer refuse, [nat chalange] chalenge nout MFG. chepe] so PEMFG; chese M.] Þanne am ich conscientia cald · godes clerk and hus notarie; [am ich] i am M. con|scientia] concience MT.] Line 192 And when ich wol do oþer nat do · goode dedes oþer ille, [wol] wel M; E om. nat] wol noȝt E. dedes] dede T.] Then am ich liberum arbitrium · as lettrede men tellen; [lettrede] lered MG. tellen] me tellith FT.] And when ich loue leelly · oure lord and alle oþere, [A page 256] [And] E om.] Then is 'leel loue' my name · in latyn þat is amor; [þat] hit M. in—is] & in latyn T.] And when ich flee fro þe body · and feye leue þe caroygne, [body] flesch F. feye] fei M; vey E. feye leue] fayle G. þe (2)] my M.] Line 197 Then am ich a spirit specheles · and spiritus þenne ich hote. [a] FG om. hote] hoote F (not as in ll. 184, 186).] Austyn and ysidorus · ayþer of hem bothe [ayþer] eiþer oþer T.] Nempnede me þis to name · þow now myght cheese [me] G om. þis] þus F. name] names G. þow now] now þow MG; & now þou F.]

How þow coueitest to calle me · now knowest þow alle myne names.

Anima pro diuersis actionibus diuersa nomina sortitur; dum uiuificat corpus, anima est. dum uult, animus est; dum recolit, memoria est; dum iudicat, racio est; dum sentit, sensus est; dum amat, amor est; dum de|clinat a malo ad bonum, liberum arbitrium est; dum negat uel consentit, consciencia est; dum spirat, spiritus est."

[now] MG om. knowest þow] þow knowest MTG. sortitur] uo|catur M. a malo] de malo T.] Line 201 "Ȝe ben as a bischop," quaþ ich · al bordynge þat tyme, [ben] baw (!) M. bischop EF] bisshop TG; busshop M; badly spelt bihsshep P. bordynge] louryng T; bourdyng F.] "For bischopes blessed · thei bereþ meny names, [bischopes E] bisshopes GT; bischops F; busshopes M; badly spelt bihsshopes P. blessed] i-blessed MG; þat beth blessed F. þei] G om.] Presul and pontifex · and metropolitanus, [Presul] As presul F.] Line 204 And oþer names an hepe · episcopus and pastor." [an] a gret F.] "That is soth," he seide · "now ich seo þy wil [seide] seide þo · & F.] How þow woldest know and conne · þe cause of alle here names, [How] T om. cause] clause T. here] M om.] And of myne, yf þow myghtest · me þynkeþ by þy speche!" [G omits.] Line 208 "Ȝe, syre," ich seyde, "by so · þat no man were a-greued, [a-greued] a-greuede P.] Alle þe science vnder sonne · and alle sotile craftes [science] sciences MG. alle] alle þe T.] Ich wolde ich knewe and couthe · kyndeliche in myn herte." [A page 257] [wolde] wold þat F. and] or F. kyndeliche] soþlich G.] "Thanne art þow inparfyt," quaþ he · "and on of prydes knyghtes; [art MFT] ert PEG. inpar|fyt GT] inparfijt M; inparfyȝt P; vnparfit E; imparfit F.] Line 212

Line 212 For suche a luste and lykynge · lucifer fel fro heuene;

Ponam pedem meum in aquilone, & ero similis altissimo.

[luste E] lust MFT; louste P. and] & a T; of F. fel] miswritten feel P; ful M. & ero, &c.] MTG om.] Hit were a-geyn kynde," quaþ he · "and alle kynne resoun [resoun EFT] reson MG; rei|soune P.] That eny creature sholde conne al · excepte cryst one. [conne] kunne E; cunne FMG. one] al oone F.] Aȝene alle suche salamon spekeþ · and dispiseþ here wittes, And seith,

sicut qui mel comedit multum, non ei bonum est: Sic qui scrutator est magestatis, opprimatur a gloria.

[G omits. Aȝene] Aȝens ET; A-ȝe F. alle] T om. dispiseþ] spiceth F. And seith] For seiþ sala|mon þus G. sicut—est] G om. mel—non MFT] comedit multum mel & P; so also E, omitting mel. est] put before ei in MF; T om. oppri|matur] so in all; read opprimetur. a gloria] &c. M.] Line 216 To englissh-men this is to [mene] · þat mowen speke and huyre, [G omits. [mene MFT] mete PE. huyre] hure E; here MT; heere F.] The man þat muche hony eet · his mawe hit engleymeþ: [G omits. The] Þat T. The—þat] Þat ho so F. eet] so PM; eteþ E; ette F. hony eet] honieþ (!) T. his] is P. hit engleymeþ] is engleymed E.] The wyttiour that eny wight is · bote yf he worche þer-after, [wyttiour] whyttiour P; with|tiere M. wight] whight P; withg (sic) M; wit G; wy T. worche] do M.] The biterour he shal a-bygge · bote yf he [wel] worche; [biterour] bitturlokur F. [wel M] wol PETG; but this is too close to l. 219. bote—worche] whan he is brouȝt in graue F (a remarkable variation).] Beatus, seith seynt bernard · qui scripturas legit, [seith] quod M.] Line 221 Et uerba uertit in opera · emforth his power. [Et] Vt M. emforþ] euene|forþ M.] Couetise to conne · and to knowe science[s] Putte oute of paradys · adam and eue; [ll. 223-224.One line in T, omitting and to knowe. conne] cunne ME. [sciences EMTFG] science P; see l. 226.] Line 224

Sciencie appetitus hominem immortalitatis [gloria] spoliauit.

[Putte EM] Pute P; Put FTG. adam] boþe adam F. [gloria MFT] gloriam PEG. spoliauit] expoliauit E.] Line 224 And ryght so as hony · is vuel to defie, [so] TG om. vuel] yuel EG; euel MFT.] Line 225 Ryght so sothly sciences · swelleþ in a mannes saule, [Ryght—sothly] Soothli riȝt so F. sothly sciences] litel science T. sciences] science G. in] MFTG om.] And doþ hym to be deynous · and deme þat beth nat lerede; [G omits. And doþ] Don M. hym] hem T.] Non plus sapere · seide þe wyse, [A page 258] [Non] For non F.] Line 228 Quam oportet sapere · lest synne of pruyde wexe. [synne—pruyde] pruyde of synne E; pride & synne F. of pruyde] G om.] Freres fele sithes · to þe folke þat þei prechen [Freres] For fals frerus F. sithes] tymes T. þe] F om. folke] peple G. þat] þere T.] Meuen motifs meny tymes · Insolibles and fallaces, [motifs] motynges M. tymes] time MF. meny tymes] G om. In|solibles] insollible F; & solibles (!) E. fallaces] falaces E; fallas MF; infallaes (!) T.] That boþe lered and lewed · of here by-leyue douten; [lewed] eke lewed F. douten] doten T.] To teche þe ten commaundemens · were ten sithe bettere, [were] where P. were—sithe] ten siþe wer it F; ton (sic) siþe were T; ten siþe were G.] And how [þat] folke folyliche · here fif wittes myspenden, [[þat EMFTG] þe P; cf. B-text. myspenden] dispenden M; spenden F.] Line 234 As wel freres as oþer folk · foliliche spenden [foliliche ME] folliliche PG (but see last line); folliche T. foli|liche spenden] & feel of hem wurse F; but cf. B-text. spenden] lyuen M; worchen G.] In housyng and in helyynge · in hih cleregie shew|ynge, [and] M om. in helyynge] in heliyngge M; in hellynge E; in he|lyng F; helynge G; T om. in (2)] & E. hih] hi M; hy F; hey E; heiȝ T; hyȝ G. cleregie shewynge] herte of pride F.] More for pomp and prude · as þe peuple wot wel [and] & for E. and prude] of þat place F. peuple] peple MF; pepe (!) E.] That ich lye nat, loo · for lordes þei plesen, [F omits. lye] leiȝe T. þei] ȝe T. plesen EM] plese T; plesyn P.] Line 238 And reuerenceþ þe ryche · þe rather for here seluer, [F omits. lye] leiȝe T. þei] ȝe T. plesen EM] plese T; plesyn P.]

Aȝens þe counsail of cryst · as holy cleregye witnesseþ; [A page 259] [Aȝens] Ageyn M; Aȝe F. cleregye] chirche M; writ F. wit|nesseþ E] whittnesseþ P; telleth F. Ne] Non M.]

Ne sitis acceptores personarum.

[237—240. G omits.] Line 240 Loo, what holy wryt wyttnesseþ · of wikked techeres; [what] wiþ (!) T. holy—wytt|nesseþ] witnesseth holy writ F. techeres] tecches M.] As holyness and honeste · out of holy churche [honeste EMFTG] miswritten honestete P.] Spryngeþ and spredeþ · and enspireþ þe peuple Þorgh parfit preest-hood · and prelates of holichurche, [parfit] T om.] Ryght so out of holychurche · al vuel spredeþ, [G omits. al] as (!) E. vuel] yuel E; euel MFT.] Line 245 Ther inparfit preest-hod is · prechours and techours. [G omits. Ther EMFT] Theer P; so also in ll. 248, 250. inparfit] in (!) T. techours] oþure F.] And seo hit by ensample · of trees in somer tyme, [And—by] Tak þou G. of] on MG. in] a G. of—tyme] in somer tyme on tres T.] Ther somme bowes bereþ leues · and somme bereþ none; Line 248 The bowes þat bereþ nat · and beeþ nat grene-leuede, [G omits. The] Þo F. nat] non E. leuede] i-leued MT.] Ther is a myschif in þe more · of suche manere stockes. [G omits.] Ryght so persones and preestes · and prechers of holy churche [persones and] in persones & in E.] Ys þe rote of [þe] ryght feithe · to reuwele þe peuple; [Ys] so PETG (probably by intention); Ben M; Beth F. [þe MTF] PEG om. ryght] ryghit P. reuwele] reule ET; rule MFG.] Ac þer þe rote is roten · reson wot þe sothe, Line 253 Shal neuere floure ne frut wexe · ne fair leef be grene. [A page 260] [be] ne F; be and M.] For wolde [ȝe] letteride leue · the lecherie of cloþinge, [[ȝe MT] þe (wrongly) PEG; F om. the—of] lecherie · and ȝoure gai M.] And be courteis and kynde · of holy[kirke] goodes, [E omits. [kirke T] churche PG; chirches M; churches F.] Parte [with the] poure · and ȝoure pruyde leue, [G omits. Parte] To parte F. [with the EMFT] miswritten whithe P.] Line 257 And þerto trewe of ȝoure tonge · and of ȝoure tail also, [þerto] G om. trewe] trywe P. ȝoure] here G (twice). tail] so in all MSS; but F turns tail also into tailasse.]

And haten harlotrie · [and] to vnderfonge þe tyþes [And] & also G. haten] hate al F. [and MFTG] PE om. to] G om. þe] no M; G om.] Of vserers and of hores · and of al vuel wynnynges, [and (1)] & eke F; TG om. and (2)] T om. of (3)] MEG om. al] F om. vuel] euele MF; euile T; vnclene E.] Loth were lewede men · bote þei ȝoure lore folweden, [were] were þe F. lore] wil G.] And a-menden hem of here mysdedes · more for ȝoure ensamples [G omits. amenden hem] amendit T. more] þe more F.] Line 262 Þan for to preche and preuen hit nat; · ypocrisie hit semeþ! Ypocrisie is a braunche of pruyde · and most among clerkes, Line 264 And [is] ylikned in latyn · to a lothliche dounghep, [[is MFT] PEG om. in] as in F. a] E om. lothliche] lodli M.] That were by-snywe al with snow · and snakes with|ynne, [G omits. bysnywe] so PE; bisnewe F; besnewid T; i-snewed M. snow] snouȝ T. snakes] smatte M.] [Or to a wal whit-lymed · & were blak with-inne.] [In T only; but see B-text.] Ryȝt so meny preestes · prechours and prelates, Line 268 Þat beþ enblaunched with bele paroles · and with bele cloþes; [beþ] ben MT. enblaunched] encumbred M. bele (2)] faire M.] And as lambes þei loken · and lyuen as wolues. [And] G om. as (2)] as do F.] Iohannes crisostomus · karpeþ þus of clerkes,

Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur, sic de [A page 261] templo omne malum procedit. Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit, tota floret ecclesia; si autem corruptum fuerit, omnium fides marcida est. Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis, totus popu|lus conuertitur ad peccandum. Sicut cum uideris arborem pallidam & marcidam, intel|ligis quod uicium habet in radice, Ita cum

uideris populum indisciplinatum & irreligio|sum, sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum.

[F prefixes Loo. þus] riȝt þus F. procedit] cedit G. M omits fuerit after corruptum. sacerdocium (2)] sacerdos T. peccatis] peccato T. sanum] integrum vel sanum G.] Alas! lewede men · muche leese ȝe þat fynden [men] men alas F.] Line 272 Vnkynde creatures · to beo kepers of ȝoure soules! [creatures] curatours T. kepers] leders E.] Ac þyng þat wikkedliche is wonne · and with false sleithes, [wikkedliche] wiþ wickednesse M.] Wolde neuere oþer-wise god · bote wicked men hit hadde, [PE insert þat after neuere, which MFTG omit. bote] bute þat G.] As imparfit preestes · and prechers after seluer, [A page 262] [after] for M.] Line 276 Secutours and sodenes · somners and here lemmannes; [sodenes] soudenes M; south|denis T. somners] somenours E; somnours MFG; sompnours T.] And þat with gyle was gete · vngraciousliche be dispended. [gete] geten M; bigete F. be dispended] he dispend it F; mys|pende T.] Line 278 Curatours of holychurche · and clerkus þat ben auarous, [Curatours] For curatours F. auarous] auerous PG.] Lightliche þat þei leue · loseles hit deuouren. [þat] G om. hit] to G. de|uouren EG] deuowren M; deuoureth F; deuoren P.] Leyueþ hit wel, lordes · boþe lered and lewede, [Leyueþ] Leueþ MT; Leeueth F; Lyueþ E.] Line 281 Þat þus goþ here godes · atte laste ende, [atte] at þe MTF.] [Þat] lyuen a-ȝens holy lore · and þe loue of charite." [281—283. G omits.] [[Þat MFT] And PE. a-ȝens] a-ȝe þe F.] "Charite," quaþ ich þo · "þat is a þing for sothe Line 284 That maistres comenden muche; · wher may hit be founde? [A page 263] [wher] but whare F. hit] he F.] Ich haue lyued in [london] · meny longe ȝeres, [haue] aue P. lyued] i-lyued M; lyuede P. [london M] londoun F; lundoun T; londen PEG.] And founde ich neuere in faith · as freres hit precheþ, [ich] i hit MF.] Charite, þat chargeþ nat · ne chit, þauh men greue hym, [þat] þei (sic) T. chargeþ] chaungeþ G. þauh] & G. men] me TG. greue hym] him greue F.]

As paul in a pistele · of hym bereþ witnesse;

Non inflatur, non est ambiciosa, non querit que sua sunt.

[paul] seint poul F. a] his T. pistele] pistel EMFG; pistil T. non querit—sunt] MTG om.] Line 289 Ich [knew] neuere, by cryst · clerk noþer lewede, [[knew EMFG] kneuȝ T; knowe P. clerk] miswritten clek P.] That he ne askede after hus · and oþer-whyle coueytede [whyle] wyle P; whiles T.] Thyng þat needede hym nat · and nyme hit, yf he myghte! [needede hym] hym neded EF. and] to M.] Line 292 [For þoȝ men soȝt al sectes · of sustren & of breþeren,] [From E; also in MFGT; P omits. sectes] þe sektis T; folc M. of (2)] T om.] And [þow] fynde hym, bote figuratifliche · a ferly me þynkeþ;

Hic in enigmate, tunc facie ad faciem:—

[[þow M] þou F; PETG om. hym] hem M. bote] G om. figura|tifliche] furatif (!) T; fugynatijf (!) M. a ferly] wonder M. Hic] Quia hic per speculum F.] And so ich trowe trewely · by that men tellen of charite." [And so] Also M. so] E om. men] me G. of charite] þer-offe F.] "Charite is a childish thing · as holichurche witt|nesseþ, [A page 262]

Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli, [non intrabitis in regnum celorum:] [A page 263]

[childish] childlich M; childes FG. sicut] ut M. [non—celorum] from E; F has—non intrabitis, &c.; MTG om. [Distinctio, &c.] from M; PEFTG om.] Line 296

[DISTINCTIO CARITATIS.]

As proud of a peny · as of a pounde of golde, [of (2)] G om.] And al-so glad of a goune · of a grey russet [A page 264] [al-so] as TFG.] As of a cote of cammoka · oþer of clene scarlett. [cammoka] cammoca E; camaca M; camaka FT; cammaka G. clene] a clene T; reed F.] Line 299 He is glad with alle glade · as gurles þat lauhen alle, And sory when he seeþ men sory · as þow seest children [children] babes F.] Lauhen þer men lauhen · an loure þer men loureþ. [an] and MEFT. men loureþ] oþere louren T.] Line 302

Line 302 And when a man swereþ for soþ · for soþ he hit troweþ; [F omits.] He weneþ [þat] no wiȝt · wold lyghe and swere, [He] For he F. weneþ] leueþ M. He weneþ] Weniþ he T. [þat MFT] nat PE. wiȝt F] whiȝt P; withg M; wiȝ T. lyghe] lie MEF.] Line 304 Ne þat eny gome wolde gylen · oþer, ne greue, [F omits. gylen] bygilen E; bi-gyle M. ne] M om.] For drede of god þat is so good · and þus-[gates] ous techeþ,

Quodcunque uultis ut uobis faciant homines, facite eis.

[is] T om. so] E om. and] and þat MF. [gates] gatis T; PEMF omit, but the alliteration seems to re|quire it. ous] us MF; vs T. M ends the line—and þat us þus techeþ. eis] & eis F.] He hath no lykynge to lauhe · ne lyghe, men to scorne; [He] T om. to (1)] for to F. ne EMF] ne to T; apparently no P. lyghe] spelt lyhe P (but see l. 304); liȝen E; lyke T; likne F; likene M. to (2)] ne M. (Observe that the order of words differs from B-text.)] Alle siknesses and sorwes · for solas he [hem] takeþ, [[hem MF] hit PET.] And alle manere meschifs · as minstracie of heuene. [meschifs] myscheues M; of meschiefs T. as] for F. minstracie] mynstralcie E; mynstralsye F; men|stralsie M; minstracies T.] Of deþ ne of derþe · drad was he neuere, [drad] a-drad M.] Line 310 Ne mysliked, þauh he loore · oþer lenede to þat ilke [loore] so PF; lore MET. oþer] & T. lenede] lente M. to] T om.] Þat neuere payed peny aȝe · in place þere he borwede." [aȝe] so PEF; aȝen T; a-geyn M. place] places T.] [301—312. G omits.] "Who fyndeþ hym his fode?" quaþ ich · "oþer what frendes hath he, [fyndeþ] fynt T. hym] E om. Who—fode] Hou is charite y-founde G.] Line 313 Rentes oþer richesses · to releue hym at hus neode?" [richesses] richesse quod he F. hym] F om. hus] MT om.] "Of rentes ne of richesses," quaþ he · "reccheþ he neuere, [F omits. ne] G om. of] T om. quaþ he] TG om. reccheþ] ne recchiþ T.] [A frend he haþ þat fynt him · þat faileþ him neuere]. [From M; also in FTG; PE omit. fynt] fyndeth FG. faileþ] failide T. þat faileþ—neuere] & fail him he nelle F.] On aperis-tu-manum · alle þynge hym fyndeþ; [On] Oon F; On ys G; Domine T. manum] manum tuam M. alle] þat (sic) G.] Line 317

Line 317 Fiat-uoluntas-tua · festeþ hym eche day. [Fiat] And fiat G. eche] iche a T. eche day] euermore F.] And also he can clergie · credo-in-deum-patrem And portreieþ [wel] þe pater-noster · and peynteþ hit with auees. [And] He M. portreieþ] por|treye T. [wel MFTG] PE om. peynteþ] peynte T. hit] it wel F. auees] so PEFG; aues MT.] Line 320 And oþer-while hus wone is · to wende in pilgrymages, [in] on T.] Ther poure men and prysouns beþ · and payeþ for here lyflode, [payeþ] paye T. lyflode] fode TG; table F.] Clotheþ hem and comforteþ hem · and of crist precheþ hem, [hem (2)] F om. precheþ hem] to hem techeth F.] What sorwes he suffrede · in ensample of ous alle, [he] þat he F. ensample] saumple F. ous] us MF; vs TG.] That pouerte and pacience · parfitliche ytake [G omits. pacience] penaunce T. parfitliche ytake] pacientliche taken T; þat parfitly be take F.] Line 325 Ys muche merit to þat man · þat wel may suffren. [G omits. Ys] Worþ T. muche] gret M. to] for F. wel] it T. may] may hem M.] Whan he haþ thus visited fetered folke · and oþer folke poure, [A page 265] [Whan] And whanne T. thus] M om. visited EF] visitid TG; i-visited M; visetid P. fetered] vetered F. oþer folke] EG om.] Then he ȝerneþ in-to þouht · and ȝepliche he secheþ [he ȝerneþ] ȝerniþ he T. þouht] so all but T, which has ȝouþe, as in B-text.] Pruyde, with alle þe portinaunce · and packeþ hem to|gederes, [þe] here G. portinaunce] so PG; aportenaunce M; portenaunces E; purtenaunces F; appurtenaunces T. packeþ] pekk (sic) E.] Line 329 And laueþ hem in þe lauandrie · laboraui-in-gemitu-meo, [hem] hym E. þe] G om. lauandrie] launderie T.] And boukeþ hem at hus brest · and beteþ hit ofte, [And] T om. hem] M om. beteþ] beeteþ P. hit] hem G; it ful F.] And with warme water of hus eyen · wokeþ hit [til hit] white;

Lauabis me, et super niuem dealbabor.

[warme] wharme P. eyen] eiȝes T. wokeþ] so PEM; weoketh F; werkiþ T; wetiþ G. hit—hit M] hem til hit G; it til he F; hit he PT; hit þe (sic) E.] Line 332

Line 332 Þanne syngeþ he whanne he so doþ · and som tyme wepynge,

Cor contritum & humiliatum, deus, non de|spicies."

[Þanne] And þanne T. he (1)] F om. whanne] wanne P. so doþ] doþ so TG.] "Were ich with hym, by crist," quaþ ich · "ich wolde neuere fro hym, [quaþ ich] G om.] Þauh ich my by-lyue sholde begge · a-boute at menne hacches. [bylyue] bileue G; bileeue F; lijflode M. menne] mennes F; menes M; men ET.] Line 335 Wher clerkus knowe hym nat," quaþ ich · "þat kepen holychurche?" [Wher] Wheþer EFT. hym] hit G. hym nat] nout him M.] "Peers the plouman," quaþ he · "most parfitliche hym knoweþ;

Et uidit deus cogitationes eorum.

[the] M om. hym] hit G.] By cloþynge ne by karpinge · knowe shalt thou hym neuere, [A page 266] Line 338 Ac þorw werkes þou myght wite · wher forþ he walkeþ;

Operibus credite.

[Operibus, &c.] MF om.] He is þe muriest of mouthe · at metes þer he sitteþ, [þe] MF om. at] atte G. metes] mete M.] And compenable in companye · as crist hym-self techeþ,

Nolite tristes fieri, sicut ypocrite. [A page 267]

[compenable] so PFG; com|panable EM; compaynable T.] Ich haue seyen hym my-self · som tyme in russett, [seyen] seyn E; seiȝe T; seye FG · i-seyn M.] Line 342 Bothe in greye and in greys · and in gylt harneys, [greys] gris EFT; grys G; grees M. and] & also G.] And al-so gladliche he gyueþ · to gomes þat hit needeþ. [gyueþ] it gaf T. gomes—needeþ] hem þat han nede G. hit needeþ] ben nedi M. needeþ] nedite T.] Eadmund and edward · ayþer were seyntes, [ayþer] boþe þei M; boþe F.] Line 345 And chief charite with hem · and chast al here lyue. [E omits from with hem to charite in next line. chief] G om. al] in alle G.]

Ich haue seyen charite al-so · syngen and rede, [seyen] i-seie M; seie F; seiȝe T; seyȝe G.] Ryden, and rennen · in raggede cloþes, Line 348 Ac biddyng as a beggere · by-heold ich hym neuere. [by-heold] bi-hult M.] Ac in riche robes · raþest he walketh, [raþest] raþerest M.] Y-called and ycrymyled · and hus croune shaue. [G omits. Y-called] Cald T. shaue] i-shaue ME.] And in [a] freres frocke · he was yfounde ones, [[a EMFTG] P om. freres] frere FG; fair (!) T.] Line 352 Ac it is fer and fele ȝeres · in fraunceys tyme; [is] was M; T om. fer FTG] feer P; ferre E. fer—ȝeres] fer & fele ȝere goo F; fele ȝer ago M. ȝeres] ȝer MTG; ȝere F. fraunceys] frauncesses M.] In that secte sitthe · to selde he haþ be founde. [secte] siȝte M. to] ful MF; wel G.] Riche men he comendeþ · and of here robes takeþ, [comendeþ] recomaundiþ T.] Of þo þat leelliche lyuen · and louen and by-leyuen;

Beatus est diues sine macula.

[by-leyuen] bileuen MEG; beleuen T; bileeuen F.] Line 356 In kynges court he comeþ · yf hus counsail be trewe; [hus] E om.] Ac yf couetise be of hus counsail · he wol nat come þer-ynne. [wol—come] comeþ nat G.] Among þe comunes in court · he comeþ but selde, [comunes] comyne G. selde EMTG] seilde P (but see l. 354); riȝt seelde F.] For brawelynge and bacbytynge · and beryng of false wittnesse. [A page 268] [brawelynge and] G om.] Line 360 In constorie by-fore þe comissarie · he comeþ nat ful ofte, [þe comissarie] commissaries G. ful] M om.] For here lawe is ouere-longe · bote yf þei lacche seluer. [here—longe] ouerlong is here lawe T. þei] he F.] With bisshopes he wolde beo · for beggers sake, [With] For G. bisshopes] bihsshopes P.] Ac auarice oþer-whiles · halt hym with-oute þe gate. [auarice] auerice P. whiles] while MFG. hym] hem G. þe gate] þe gates E; gates F.] Kynges and Cardineles · knowen hym som tyme, [G omits. knowen] so PM; knewen EF; kneuȝ T.] Line 365 Ac þorw couetise and his consail · congeied is he ofte. [G omits. congeied] conged MF; cunged T. is he] he is MF.]

And ho so coueyteþ to know hym · such [a] kynde hym folweþ, [E omits. [a MFT] P om. such—hym] G omits.] As ich tolde þe with tonge · a lytel tyme passed; [tyme] while G. passed] a-passed MG; ypassid T.] Line 368 For noþer he beggeþ, ne biddeþ · ne borweþ to ȝelde; [he beggeþ] he ne beggiþ T; þe beggere (sic) M. ne (1)] nor F.] He halt hit a nycete · and a foul shame [He] For he F. hit] þat F. a nycete] for a vice T (which is pro|bably right, as it suits the allitera|tion). and] & eke F.] To beggen oþer to borwe · bote of god one;

Panem nostrum cotidianum [da nobis hodie]." [To] For to F. to] for to F. bote] but it be F. Panem, &c.] M omits. [da—hodie] supplied from F.]

Line 371

Hic explicit passus septimus & ultimus de dowel. [So PG; M omits. Hic] EF om. septimus &] E om. T has—Passus septimus de dowel: & explicit.]