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.)

Visio eiusdem Willelmi de Do-bet.

PASSUS XVIII. (DO-BET I.)

[TITLE. So PFG; M prefixes Hic; E omits passus; T omits.] Incipit passus primus de dobet.

"Ther is no suche," ich seide · "þat som tyme ne borweth, [TITLE. So PFG; M prefixes Hic; E omits passus; T omits.] Oþer beggeþ oþer byddeþ · beo he ryche oþer poure, [ryche—poure] neuere so riche M.] And ȝut oþer-while wroþ · with-oute eny synne." [with] whith P.] "Ho so is wroþ and wolde be awreke · holi wryt," quaþ he, "proueþ. [so] T om. quaþ—proueþ] preuiþ quod he T.] Line 4 He passeþ chief charite · if holichurche beo trewe;

Caritas omnia suffert.

[He] Þat he F. chief] F om. if] ȝif FT; and M; miswritten hif P. trewe EMFTG] trywe P; so also in ll. 15, 33.] Holy writ witnesseþ · þer were suche eremites, [A page 269] [witnesseþ] whitnesseþ P; with|nesseþ M. þer were] þat G.] Solitarie by hem-self · and in here selles lyueden [and] MT om. selles] celles E.] Line 7 Wiþ-oute borwynge oþer beggynge · bote of god one; [Wiþ] Whiþ P.] Excepte þat egidie · an hynde oþer-while [egidie] Egide T; seint egidie F.] To hus selle selde cam · and suffrede to be melked. [A page 270] [selle] celle E. selde EMTG] seilde P; seelde F. to] T om.] Elles fouweles fedden hem · in frythes þer þei woneden, [hem] him M; hym TG. frythes] friþ M.] Boþe antonye and erseny · and oþer mo fele. [erseny] arseny T; arceny M. mo fele] ful manye T.] Line 12 Paul primus heremita · hadde parroked hym-selue, [parroked] i-parroket M; par|lokkid (sic) T.]

That no man myghte se hym · for muche mos and leues; [muche] TG om. leues] for leues TG.] Foweles hym fedde · yf frere austyn be trewe; [Foweles] And foulus F. frere] M om. austyn] austyns F; austynes T (wrongly).] For he ordeynede þat ordre · other elles þei gabben. [þat] her F. gabben EMTG] gabbyn P; fowle gabben F.] Line 16 Paul after his prechynge · panyeres he made, [his] is P.] And wan with hus hondes · al þat hym neodyde. [with] whith P; and in l. 31. neodyde] nedede MFG; neded E; nedite T.] Peter fysshed for hus fode · and hus fere Andreu; [G omits. hus (2)] for his E. fere] felow F.] Som thei solde, and som thei sode · and so þei leueden boþe. [G omits. solde] sode T. sode] sente M; sende F; solde T; toke E. leueden] lyueden EM.] Line 20 Marie magdalene · by mores leuede and dewes; [by—dewes] be mores · lyuede ȝeres and daies M; heo leuede · bi moorus and bi dewes F; by meris mylk lyuede & Ewis (!) T.] Loue and leel by-leuye · heeld lyf and soule to-gedere. [Loue] Her loue F. leel] her leel F. heeld] held TG; halt M.] Maria egyptiaca · eet in þyrty wynter [eet] so PMTG; ete E; eet but F.] Bote þre lytel loues · and loue was her souel. [souel] so PEMG; sowel F; soul T.] Line 24 Ich can nat rekene hem ryght now · ne reherce here names, [ne] nor F; & G.] That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue · meny longe ȝeres, With-oute borwyng oþer beggyng · oþer þe bok lyeþ, [With] Whit P; and in ll. 73, 79.] And woneden in wildernesse · a-mong wilde bestes; [wildernesse] wildernessis T.] Line 28 Ac dorst no best byten hem · by daye ne by nyghte, [A page 271] [ne] nor F; noþer M.] Bote myldeliche, whan þei metten · maden louh chere, [G omits. louh] low M; lowe EMF. chere EMT] cheere F; chire P.] And feyre by-fore þo men · fauhnede with þe tayles. [G omits. by-fore] bi-forn M. þo] þe MT. men] folk F. fauhnede] fauȝned E; faunede M; faunide T; faynede F. þe] heore M.] Ac bestes brouhte hem no mete · bot onliche þe fouweles, [Ac] & F. fouweles] foules EMG; foulis T; foulus F.] Line 32

Line 32 In tokenynge þat trewe man · alle tymes sholde [man] men M. tymes] time G.] Fynde honeste men [and] holy men · and oþer ryghtful peuple. [[and MFTG] in PE. men (2)] T om.] For wolde neuere feithful god · þat freres and monkes token [god EMTFG] goud P. token] taken E.] Lyflode of luþer wynnynges · in al here lif-tyme. Line 36 As wytnesseþ holy writ · what thobie seyde [writ EFTG] writt P; writh M. what] what þat F; as M.] To his wif, whan he was blynde · [he] herde a lamb blete; [To—wif] at end of l. 37 in T. his] is P. blynde] blynd as a betil T. [he MFTG] PE om.] 'A! wyf! be war,' quaþ he · 'what ȝe haue here-ynne; [A] T om. A wyf] Woman F. ȝe haue] haue we T. here-ynne] þer|Inne E.] Lord leyue,' quaþ þe lede · 'no stole þyng be here!'

Videte ne furtum sit: & alibi, melius est mori quam male uiuere.

[leyue] so PE; leue MTG; leeue F. þe] þat EMFG. no] þat no T. here] here-Inne EMTG. no—here] þat it be nat of stelthe F. & alibi] M om.] Line 40 This is no more to mene · bote men of holychurche Sholde receyue ryght nauȝt · bot þat ryght wolde, [nauȝt MFT] nauth P.] And refuse reuerences · and raueneres offrynges. [offrynges] offryng MF; con|ge (!) G.] Line 43 Thenne wolde lordes and ladies · be loth for to agulte, [for] TG om.] And to take of here tenauns · more þan treuthe wolde; [And] Or F. to] forte M. tenauns] tenauntes MEFG.] And marchauns merciable wolde be · and men of lawe boþe. Wolde religiouse refuse · raueneres almesse, [religiouse] religioun M. almesse] almesses M; almus F; offringes T.] Then grace sholde growe ȝut · and grene-leued wexe, [ȝut] F om. leued] levus F; loue (!) T; leues G.] Line 48 And charite, þat child is now · sholde chaufen of [him-] self, [child] so PET; cold MF; scheld G. chaufen] chawfe F; chafen E; chaunce T. [him MF] hem PETG.] And confortye alle cristene · wold holy[kirke] amende. [confortye] confort E; comforte MFG; counforten T. [kirke T] churche PEFG; chirche M.]

Iob þe parfit patriark · þis prouerbe wrot and tauhte, To makye a man louye mesure · þat monkes beeþ and Freres;

Nunquam, dicit Iob, rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam, aut mugiet bos cum ante plenum presepe steterit? Brutorum animalium natura te condempnat, quia cum pabulum sufficiat commune, ex adipe prodiit iniquitas. [A page 272]

[To] & T. makye] make MFTG. a man] men MFG. louye] so PE; loue MFTG. ante] ante eum PET; but MF om. eum. sufficiat commune] commune sufficiat MFG. iniquitas] iniquitas tua T.] Line 52 Yf lewede men knewe this latyn · a litel þei wolde auisen hem [knewe—latyn] þis latyn knew F. þei] E om.] Er thei amorteisede eny more · for monkes oþer for chanons. [Er] Or EMFG. amorteisede] enmorteiside M; morteysede G. for (2)] FG om.] Alas! lordes and ladies · lewede counsail haue [ȝe] [E omits last halves of ll. 55 and 56. [ȝe MFTG] we P; cf. B-text.] Þat founded beþ to fulle · to feffe suche and fede [To feffe swiche and fede · þat founden ben at þe folle M; To feffe suche & feede · þat founded be to þe fulle FT; To feffen suche & fynde · þat founde biþ atte fulle G.] Line 56 With þat ȝoure barnes and ȝoure blod · by goode lawe may cleyme! [With] Be T. by] wiþ G. may] myȝt G.] For god bad hus blessede · as þe book techeþ,

Honora patrem & matrem, [ut longeuus sis, &c.]

[hus] þe MF. blessede MFG] blesside P; blessid childir T; blesse (wrongly) E. book] book us F. techeþ] telleþ MF. [ut—&c.] in F only.] To helpe þy fader formest · by-fore freres and monkes, [Here I begins again. and] or T.] And er prestes oþer pardoneres · oþer eny peuple elles. [And] Or ITG. er] or ME; ar FI; T om. er prestes] oþer peple G.] Help þi kynne, crist bit · for þer by-gynneþ charite, [for] & F. þer] her M.] Line 61 And afterwarde awaite · hoo haþ moost neede, [T omits. awaite] awhaite P.] And þer help yf þou hast · and þat halde ich Charite. [T omits. and—Charite] & þan hadde ich charite E; for charite I it halde F; & þat halt charite G.] Loo! laurence for hus largenesse! · as holy lore telleþ, [lore] writh M.]

Þat hus mede and hus man-hede · for euere-more shal laste;

Iusticia eius manet in eternum.

Line 65 He gaf godes men [godes] goodes · and nat to grete lordes, [[godes MG] goddes I; godis T; his F; PE om. to] I om.] And fedde þat a-fyngred were · and in defaute lyueden [a-fyngred] so PEFG; a-fyngrit T; of-hongret M; anhungred I.] Ich dar nat carpe of clerkes now · þat cristes tresoure kepen, [dar IMFTG] der P; derre E. In the margin of M—contra clericos.] Line 68 That poure peuple by pure ryght · here part thei myghten aske; [thei] IFTG om.] Of þat [þat] holychurche · of þe olde lawe cleymeþ, [Of] And of F. [þat MFITG] PE om. of þe] by G.] Priestes on aparail · and on purnele spenen. [on (1)] in heore M. spenen] spenden M; spendeth F; now spene I; now spenden T; now speneþ G.] Men may lykne letterid men · to a lussheborgh, oþer werse, [A page 274] [Men] Me I. may] may now IT. lykne] likne FTG; likene MI; liken E. a] TG om. lussheborgh] luhssheborgh P; luscheborgh E; losscheburgh I; lusscheburne MFT; luscheboru G. werse] a wurse F.] Line 72 And to a badde peny · with a good preynte. [And] & eke F. preynte] preente I; prente MFT.] For of muche moneye · þe metal is ryght nauht, [For] IT om. moneye] mone þat is mad T. ryght] IT om. nauht] feble F.] Ȝut is þe prente pure trewe · an parfitliche graue. [Ȝut] & ȝit IT. is] follows prente in T. an] and MI; & EFTG. graue] i-graue MFITG.] And so it fareþ by false cristine · here follouht is trewe, [follouht] follouȝt E; fullynge MI; folewyng T; preente F. trewe] triwe P (but see l. 75); ful trewe F. is trewe] y trowe I.] Cristendome of holy[kirke] · þe kynges marke of heuene; [[kirke I] churche PEFG; chirche MT. þe kynges] ys cristes G.] Line 77 Ac þe metal, þat is mannes saule · of meny of þese techeres [mannes] many (!) T. meny of] I om. þese] F om.] Is alayed with lecherie · and oþer lustes of synne, [Is] Hit is F. synne] synnes I.]

That god coueiteþ nat [þe] coygne · þat crist hym-self prentede; [[þe EMIFTG] þat P. coygne] so PE; coyne MFIG; coyn T. pren|tede MIFT] preentede PE; preyn|ted G.] Line 80 And for synne of [þe] soule · for-sakeþ hus owne coygne. [And] But F. synne] þe synne IT. [þe EMIFTG] P om. coygne] marke F.] Thus are þe lithere lykned · to lussheborue sterlinges, [þe] þese M; ȝe I. lykned] lyknede P; likned EFG; i-likened MI; ylikned T. lussheborue] luhssheborue P; luscheborue E; losscheborwes I; lusscheburne MF; lusshebournis T; luschebornes G. sterlinges] star|lyngus FG; starlyng T.] That faire by-fore folke · prechen and techen, [faire] so fair F. by-fore] bi|forn þe M.] And worchen nat as þei fynden wryten · and wissen þe peuple. [And] F om. þei] ȝe I. wry|ten] i-writen M; y-write IT. and] ne MF. wissen] wisse nat F.] Line 84 For what þorw werre and wrake · and wycked hyfdes, [For—þorw] What so þourgh G. hyfdes] heuedes MTG; hedes EIF.] May no preiour pees make · in no place, hit semeþ; [pees make] make pees F.] Lewede men hauen no by-leyue · so letterid men erren. [F omits. Lewede] Þat lewede M. so] and I.] Neiþer þe see ne þe sande · ne þe seed ȝeldeþ [þe (1)] ITF om. þe (2)] IMFT om. þe (3)] no I. In margin of M —defectus populi.] Line 88 As þei woned were; · in wham is defaute? [As] As þat F. woned] I-woned F; I-wont T. is] is þe M.] Nat in god, þat he nys good · and þe grounde boþe; [nys] ne is F. good IMFT] goud P.] And þe see and þe seed · the sonne and þe mone [the] and þe I.] Don her deuer day and nyȝt · and yf we duden also, [deuer] dyuer M; deuyer I. nyȝt EMFIT] nyȝth P. duden] dyden F; dede IT. also] eke F. and—also] dede we so also IT.] Line 92 Ther sholde be plente and pees · perpetuel for euere. [88—93. G omits.] [sholde] ich holde E. and] of M. for] IT om.] [Wederwise] shupmen now · and oþer witty peuple [[Wederwise I] Wonderwyse PEMFTG; but see B-text. shupmen] schipmen IFG; chappmen M; shup|pen (sic) E. witty] wise F.] Han no by-leyue to þe lyft · ne to þe lood-sterre; [lyft] liȝt F. lood-sterre] lood|sterres PEIT; but MFG have lode|sterre, which is of course right.] Astronomyens al day · in here art faillen, [day] day now F.] Line 96

Line 96 That whilom warned men by-fore · what shoulde by-falle after. [whilom IFTG] whilen PE; wel lome M. by-falle] fallen F.] Shupmen and shephurdes · by the seuen sterres [Shupmen] Schipmen MFTG; Schepmen EI.] Wisten while and tolden · whenne hit shoulde reynen. [while] wel I; wel ofte M; sum tyme F. hit] þat hit M.] Tyliers þat tyleden þe erthe · tolden here maystres [tyleden] tiliede I; tilied F; tilide T. þat tyleden] of M. tolden] sum tyme toold F. here] to heore M.] Line 100 By þe seed þat þei sewe · what þei shoulde notye, [notye] notiȝe M; note FG. shoulde notye] sulle myghte I; selle miȝte T.] And what lyue by and lene · þe londe was so trewe. [was] whas P; ys (wrongly) G.] Now failleþ þis folke · boþe sowers and shupmen, [Now] But now F. þis] our F. sowers] felders F; folwers I. shupmen] schipmen MFITEG.] Noþer þei knoweþ ne conneþ · o cours by a-noþer. [A page 275] [knoweþ] ne knoweþ I. con|neþ] kunneþ E; cunne M; þei can F. o] on M. a-noþer] an oþer EMG.] Line 104 Astronomyens al-so · aren at here wittes end; [aren] ben ME (badly). al-so aren] arn also · alle F. here wittes] miswritten ere whittes P.] Of þat was calculed of þe clymat · the contrarye þey fyndeth. [calculed] i-calkuled M. was calculed] þei calcle F.] Grammere, þat grounde is of alle · by-gyleþ now children; [þat—is] þat is ground M; þe grounde I. now] nowþe MF; nouthe I; now þe T.] For þer is nouthe non · who so nymeþ hede, [þer is] is þer M; is I. nouthe] now E; now of hem F; IT om. nouthe non] no withg now M. hede EMIT] heede F; miswritten hete P.] Line 108 That can [versifie] fayre · oþer formeliche endite, [That] T om. [versifie IFT] uersefiȝe M; versfy E; uersie P. versifie fayre] faire versifie F. oþer] ne M. formeliche] foormally F; formaly T. OBS. T wrongly makes ll. 108, 109 into one line; and I makes ll. 108—110 into two lines.] Ne þat can construen kyndeliche · þat poetes maden. [107—110. G omits.] [þat can] I om. þat (2)] þat þe M. maden] haue maked F.] Gowe now to eny degre · and, bote gyle be halde a mayster, [Gowe] so PEI; Go we MFTG. and] F om. bote] I om. halde] i-holde M; holde ITG; hadde E; F om. a] M om.]

And a flaterer for hus vsshere · [a] ferliche me þynkeþ! [a—for] false flaterer F. for] G om. a] I om. vsshere T] vsschere E; vschere IF; vsscher M; husshere PG. [a FT] and PEI; MG om. ferliche] ferlich E; ferly IFTG; won|der M.] Doctours of decree · and of dyuyn maystres, [of (1)] now of F. decree] so PE; decre MFI; degre T; decreete G. dyuyn] deuyn MG; diuinite IT.] Line 113 That shoulde þe seuene ars conne · and a-soile ad quodlibet, [ars] arts F; M om. ad] a ITFG.] Bote þei faille in fylosophye · —and filosophers lyueden, [faille] failede M. in] in þe T. and] E om. and—lyueden] a ferly me thinketh F (from l. 112).] [And wolde wel examene hem— · wonder me þynkeþ!] [From M; not in PEIFTG, which leave the sentence incomplete; cf. B. xv. 376.] Lord leyue þat þese preestes · leelly seyn here masses, [leyue] so PE; leue MFTG; lete I. masses] masse MIT.] That þei ouerhuppe nat for hast! · as ich hope thei do nat, [A page 276] [That þei] And nat to F. ouer|huppe] so PG; ouerhippe EFIT; ouerlippe M.] Line 118 [Þogh] hit suffise for oure sauacion · sothfast by-leyue; [[Þogh I] Þoȝ E; Þowh F; Þhaw M; Þauȝ G; Þeiȝ T; That P; cf. B. xv. 380. suffise EFT] suffice IG; soffice M; suffuse P. for] to T. oure] F om.] As clerkus in corpus-christi feste · syngen and reden, That sola fides sufficit · to saue with lewede peuple. [with] whith P; and in ll. 129, 130, 131, 134.] Line 121 Ac yf preestes do her deuer wel · we shullen do þe bettere. [deuer] dyuer M. yf—her] doctours dooth ȝour F. we] & we F; miswritten whe P.] For saresyns mowe be saued so · yf þei so by-leyuede, [G omits. by-leyuede] bileue MFT.] In þe lengthynge of here lyf · to leyue on holychurche." [G omits. lengthynge] letyng I; lettyng T; (this may seem better; but cf. Lyf in l. 126.) leyue] leue EMIT; leeue F.] "What is holychurche, frend?" quoþ ich · "charite," he seyde, [frend] dere frende IT; F om.] Line 125 "Lyf, and loue, and leaute · in o by-leyue [and] lawe, [Lyf] Leue (wrongly) T. o] on M; oo F. [and M] & oo F; a PEIG; of T.] [A loue-knotte] of leaute · and of leel by-leyue, [[A—knotte MFITG] And loue a knotte PE.]

Alle kynne cristene · cleuynge on o wyl, [cleuynge E] cleuyng FTG; cleueynge I; a better spelling than clyuynge P; cleymyng (wrongly) M. on] in I.] Line 128 With-oute gyle and gabbynge · gyue and selle and lene. [and (1)] or M. and (2)] G om. and (3)] T om. lene] lene & loue T (which omits Loue in l. 130).] Loue lawe with-oute leaute · lowable was it neuere; [lowable] allowable TI; alow|able FG.] God lereþ no lyf to loue · with-oute leel cause: Iewes, gentiles, and sarrasines · Iugen hem-selue [gentiles and] and gentil I; & ientil T.] Line 132 That leeliche þei by-leyuen · and ȝut here lawe [dyuerseþ]; [[dyuerseþ EMIFTG] dyuersen P.] And on god þat al by-gan · with goode herte þei honoureþ, [on] o ITG; oo F; of E.] [And eiþer loueþ, and bileuiþ · in on lord al-myȝti.] [From M; also in IFGT; PE om. eiþer] ayþer IG; aither oþur F. bileueþ] leeueth F.] Ac oure lorde loueþ no loue · bote lawe be þe cause; [loueþ] alloweþ I.] For lechours louen aȝen þe lawe · and at þe laste beeþ dampned: Line 137 And theeues [louen, and] leaute haten · and at þe laste beeþ hanged: [[louen and T] louyen and I; PEMFG om. (But cf. ll. 137, 139.) theeues--at] lurdeynus þat lewte hate · at F. hanged] i-hanget M.] And leelle men louen as lawe techeþ · and loue þer-of aryseþ, [And—as] Ac leel loueth & F. men] G om. louen] lyue I.] The which is hefd of charite · and hele of mannes soule.

Dilige deum propter deum; id propter ueritatem est. Et inimicum tuum propter mandatum; id propter legem est. Et amicum propter amorem; id est, propter caritatem.

[hefd] hed EMFG; þe hede I; þe heuid T. For id, MITG have i., and omit est (thrice); F has id est the first time only, and i. afterwards.] Loue God, for he is good · and grounde of alle treuthe; Loue þyn enemy entyerly · godes heste to ful-fille; [entyerly] enterli M; enterly EG.] Line 142

Line 142 Loue þy frend þat folweþ þy wil · þat is [þy] faire soule. [[þy EIG] þi MFT; þe P.] For whanne alle frendes faillen · and fleen a-wey in deiynge, [alle] þi F. deiynge] so PE; deyyng G; deiyng M; dyyng F; deynge I; doyng (!) T.] Line 144 Then suweþ þe þy soule · to sorwe oþer to ioye, [þe] so G. þy] IT om.] And ay hopeþ eft to be · with here bodye atte laste [eft to] for to FTG; forte M. with] whit P; and in l. 166. here] F om. atte] at þe MTG.] In murthe oþer in mornynge · and neuere eft to departe. [eft] F om.] And þat is charite, my leue childe · to be cher ouer thi soule; [my] IT om. leue] F om. child] sone M. cher] cheer F. ouer] of G. be—ouer] loue wel M.] Line 148 Contrarie hure nauht, as in conscience · yf þou wolt come to heuene." [as] F om. to] in T.] "[Wher] sarrasyns," ich seyde · "seo nat what is charite?" [[Wher] Where IG; Whare F; Were P (for Wher, contr. form of Wheþer); Wheþer ET; For (wrongly) M. ich seyde] seiden (wrongly) M. nat] now M. seo] i-se I.] "Hit may be þat sarrasyns hauen · a suche manere charite, [F omits. be] be so ITG. a suche] swich a M; such a ITG.] Line 151 Louye, as by lawe of kynde · oure lord god al-myghty. [Louye] Louen T; To loue F. by] be þe M.] Hit is a kynde þyng, a creature · hus creatour to honoure; [a kynde] kende F; kyndely IT. a] for a M; euery T; IG om. to] G om.] For þer is no man þat mynde hath · þat ne meokeþ hym and by-secheþ [For] F om. is] nys FT. mynde] kynde M. ne] M om.] Line 154 To þat lord þat hym lyf lente · and lyflode him sendeþ. [lyf] F om. and] I om. him] M om. sendeþ EMFG] sende I; sente T; seyndeþ P.] Ac meny manere men þer beoþ · as sarrasyns and Iewes, Louyeþ nat þat lorde a-ryght · as by þe legende sanctorum, [Louyeþ—þat] Leuiþ nat on oure T.] Line 157

Line 157 And lyuen oute of leel by-leyue · for thei leyue in a mene. [And] But F. in] on IG.] Line 158 A man þat hihte makamede · for messye thei hym heolde, [A page 276] [hihte] he heȝte E. makamede] makemed E; makamete MF; maka|meþ I; macumeþ T (here and else|where). heolde] helde EG; hoolde F; holdeth IT; holden M.] And after hus lerynge thei lyuen · and by lawe of kynde. [lerynge] lernyng G. and] as M. by] bi þe MF.] And when kynde hath hus cours · and no contrarye fyndeth, Line 161 Þenne is lawe lost · and lewete vnknowen. [E omits. lawe] þat lawe F. lost] i-lost MF; y-left ITG. vn|knowen] vnknowyn P; vnknowe MIFTG.] Beaute saunz bounte · blessed was hit neuere, [saunz] sauiþ (!) T; and in l. 164.] Ne kynde saunz cortesie · In no contreye preysed. [Ne] No T; And M. preysed] i-preised MG; is y-preisid IT.] Line 164 Men fyndeþ þat makamede · was a man ycrystned, [Men] Me I. fyndeþ] fynde wel I; fynt wel T.] And a cardinal of court · a gret clerk with-alle, And porsuede to haue be pope · pryns of holychurche; [And] He M. be] so PEMFI; beo G; ben T.] And for he was lyke a lussheborgh · ich leyue oure lord hym lette. [And] Ac I. was] whas P. lyke] lik to M. lussheborgh] louhs|sheborgh P; luscheborȝ E; lossche|burgh I; lusscheburne MFT; lusshe|borue G.] Line 168 For-thi souhte he in-to surrye · and sotile[d] hou he myghte [For-thi] For-whi M. souhte] souȝte EMFIT; southte P. he] I om. souhte he] he souȝte M. in-to] in E. surrye] surye IG; sorie M. sotiled I] sotilide T; sotelede G; sotelde M; miswritten sotile PE; souled F.] Beo mayster ouer alle þo men · and on þis manere wroughte. [ouer] of M. and] F om. Before wroughte MIFTG insert he.] He endauntede a douue · day and nyght here fedde; [douue] dowue or downe MG; doun IT; coluer (over an erasure) E. day] and day IFG.] In aiþer of hus eris · pryueliche he hadde [In] Þan in F.] Line 172 Corn, þat þe coluer eet · when he cam in places. [þat þe] I om. þat] G om. þe] T om. coluer] culuur F. eet] so PMFIG; ete E; et T. in] in-to F. places] place G.]

And in what place he prechede · and þe peuple tauhte, [he] þat he F.] Then sholde þe coluere come · to the clerkes ere, Menynge as after mete · thus makamede here en|chauntede. [mete] hus mete PE; her meete F; hure mete G; but MIT omit hus or her; cf. B-text. thus] so F.] Line 176 And whan þe coluer kam þus · þenne [knelede] þe peuple, [[knelede MIT] kneled F; knelde G; knewele P; knewlen E.] For makemede to men swor · 'hit was a messager of heueue, [A page 277] [For] F om. men] hem M. to—swor] swoor to men F. hit] he G. of] fro E.] And sothly god self · in suche a coluere lyknesse [god] þat god I. self] him|self MF. suche] G om.] Tolde hym and tauhte hym · hou to teche þe peuple.' [to] he schulde M.] Thus makamede in mysbyleyue · man and womman brouhte, [man—womman] men and wemmen M.] Line 181 And in hus lore thei leyuen ȝut · as wel lered as lewede. [in] so PEMFG; on IT, as in B-text. leyuen] leuen IEG; leue T; lyuen M; lyue F.] And sutthe oure sauyour suffrede · suche a fals crystine Deceyue so sarrasyns · sothly me thynkeþ, [so] so þe IFT; þe G.] Line 184 Holy men, as ich hope · thorw help of þe holy gost, [ich hope] þe pope (!) E. þe—gost] god almyȝti F.] Sholde conuerten hem to crist · and cristendom [to] take. [

and] F om. [to IMFT] PEG om.

OBS. After l. 186, M inserts l. 288; see nete below, to l. 187.

] Alas! þat men so longe · on makamede by-leyuen, [A page 281] [

on] in I. by-leyuen] beleuid T.

OBS. Here the subject-matter is misarranged in M; l. 188 appears 30 lines further on.

] So meny [prelates] to preche · as þe [pope] makeþ, [[prelates IFTG] priestes PE; prestes M; cf. B. xv. 485. preche] prechie P. [pope EMIFTG] peuple (!) P.] Line 188 Of Nazareth, of Nynyve · of Neptalym, of damaske, [of (4)] and of M.] That thei ne wendeþ þe wey · as holy writ biddeth, [wendeþ] wente IT. þe wey] in world T; I om. as] þat G. bid|deth EFM] biddith P; byddeþ G; bitte I; bit T.]

Ite in universum mundum · sutthe ȝe wilneþ þe name [T makes sutthe—Ihesus into one line; I begins a new line with Sitthe (for Sutthe), and wrongly divides ll. 191—193.] To be prelates, and preche · þe passion of Ihesus, [T makes sutthe—Ihesus into one line; I begins a new line with Sitthe (for Sutthe), and wrongly divides ll. 191—193.] [To be] of T. Ihesus] crist M.] Line 192 And as hym-self seyde · so lyue and deye;

Bonus pastor animam suam ponit pro ouibus suis.

[so] so to I; to MG. deye] to deien M; to deye G; T puts ponit before animam. ponit] dat M.] Hit is reuthe to rede · hou ryght holy men lyueden, [ryght] F om.] How thei defouleden here fleessh · for-soken here owen wil, [for-soken] & forsoke FTG.] Fer fro kuth and fro kyn · vuel-cloþed ȝeoden, [Fer MITG] Fere E; Feer P. Fer fro] & fro here F. kuth] couthe I; kyþ M; kith FT. fro (2)] F om. vuel] euel IF; euele M; yuel E. cloþed] i-cloþed MI. ȝeoden] þei ȝede T; hy ȝede G.] Line 196 Baddeliche beddyd · no book bote here conscience, [Baddeliche] Ful baddeliche F. beddyd] ybedded EIT; i-bedded M. no] & (!) G.] Noþer richesse bote þe rode · to reioysen hem inne;

Absit [nobis] gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri iesu christi.

[G omits. Noþer] Ne no IT; No M. richesse] riche I; richchesses F. reioysen I] reioyesen P; reioyse E; reiosche F; reioisshen T; reioie M. [nobis IG] vobis T; nos PEM; michi F; cf. B-text. Absit nobis] Michi autem absit F.] And þo was pees and plente · a-mong poure and riche; [þo] E om.] And now is reuthe to rede · hou þe rede noble [now] G om. to] for to F.] Line 200 Ys yreuerenced by-fore þe rode · and receyuyd for þe worthier [receyuyd] reuerensid (re|peated) T. for—worthier] as for beture F. worthier] worschepour M.] To a-mende and to make · as with men of holichurche, [G omits. with] whit P; T om.] Than cryst, oþer croys þat ouercam · deþ and dedly synne!— [A page 282] [Than] In I. oþer] on M; þat (!) E. cryst oþer] cristes IT.] Line 203 And now is werre and wo · and ho so 'whi' askeþ, [And] M om.] For couetyse after a croys · þe croune stant in golde. [For] For þe F. a] þe F; G om. stant] so PEFG; stande I; stand M; standiþ T.]

Boþe riche and religiouse · that rode þei honouren Þat in grotes is y-graue · and in gold nobles. [y-graue] graue I; grauen M. gold] goldene G. gold nobles] nobles of golde M.] For couetyse of þat croys · clerkes of holychurche [þat] þe IF.] Line 208 Schullen ouerturne as templers duden · þe tyme aprocheþ faste. [Schullen] Schulde I; Schal F. templers] þe templeris T; þe temple (!) I. duden] so PMEG; deden F; dede IT. aprocheþ] comiþ G.] Mynne ȝe nat, lettered men · hou þo men honourede [Mynne] Mynewe T; Mene M; Wyte G. nat] I om. lettered] ȝe lettred MF. þo] þat G.] More tresour [þan] treuthe? · ich dar nat telle þe sothe [[þan IMETG] þan þe F; P om. sothe EMIFTG] southe P.] How þo corsede crystine · catel and richesse wor|shepeden; [þo] þe EFG.] Line 212 Reyson and Riȝtful dome · þe religious damnede. [Reyson] Þat resoun F. and] as E. þe] so PEIT; þo MF. religious EMFT] religiouns I; miswritten re|lious (by a mere slip) P; see l. 206. dome—religious] þo freris of religion G.] Right so, ȝe clerkus, ȝoure couetise · er come ouht longe, [ȝe] EFG om. ȝoure] þoruȝ T. er] ar I; or EMG; ȝe ȝit or (sic) F.] Shal dampne dos ecclesie · and depose ȝow for ȝoure pruyde;

Deposuit potentes de sede.

[ȝow for] F om.] Yf knyȝt-hod and kynde wit · and þe comune and conscience [Yf] Hyf P; ȝif EMFIG. knyȝt] knyȝtht P. wit F] wyt TG; witte I; witt E; whit P; with M. and (2)] MF om.] Line 216 To-gederes louen leelliche · leyueþ hit wel, bisshopes, [To-gederes] at end of l. 217 in T. louen] louyen I; louye F; loueden MT. hit] F om. wel] wel ȝe F; I om.] [Þe] lordshup of londes · leese ȝe shulle for euere, [[Þe EMITG] To (wrongly) P; F om. londes] ȝour londes F. ȝe] þey G. shulle] schulde M.] And lyuen as leuitici dude · and as our lord ȝow techeþ,

Per primicias et decimas.

[our] ȝoure IE. ȝow] M om.] Whenne constantyn of hus cortesye · holy[kirke] dowede [[kirke IT] churche PEFG; chirche M.] Line 220

Line 220 With londes and leedes · lordshepes and rentes, [With] Whith P; and in ll. 234, 236, 245.] An angel men hurde · an hih at rome crye— [hurde] herde MITF; herd E. hih] hey I; heyȝ E; hy F; hi M; heiȝ T. at] aboute F. crye] þo criede M.] 'Dos ecclesie this day · haþ ydronke venym, [this] þis ilke F.] And tho þat han petres power · aren poysoned alle.' [G omits. tho] I om. petres MIE] petrus FT; petris P. aren] ben E; be F. poysoned] apoysoned EIT; I-poysoned F; enpoisened M.] A medecine moste þer-to · þat myghte amende þe prelates, [A] M om. moste] þer most F. þe] F om.] Line 225 That sholden preye for þe pees · and possession hem letteþ; Takeþ here londes, ȝe lordes · and leet hem lyue by dymes, [ȝe MEIFTG] miswritten ȝ (sic) P. leet] late F; lat I; letiþ T; letteþ M; lete G.] Line 227 Yf ȝe kynges coueyten · in cristene pees to lyuen. [ȝe — coueyten] þe kynge coueyte I. in] on G. cristene] cristes FITG.] For yf posession be poyson · and inparfyt hem make, [A page 283] [inparfyt] inparfyȝt P. in|parfyt hem] hem inparfit F.] The heuedes of holychurche · and tho þat be vnder hem, [heuedes] hedes EF. tho—hem] ho so is hem vndur F.] Hit were charite to deschargen hem · for holychurches sake, [churches] churche F; chirche I.] Line 231 And purge hem of þe olde poyson · ere more perel falle. [229—232. G omits.] [þe] heore M. olde MIT] old E; oolde P; F om.] For were preest-hod more parfyt · þat is, þe pope formest, [parfyt] parfyȝt P; and in l. 251. þat] þan G. In margin of M—De papa.] That wiþ moneye menteyneþ men · to werren vp-on cristine, A-ȝens þe lore of oure lorde · as seynt luk wytnesseþ,

Michi uindictam, [& ego retribuam, dicit do|minus, &c.]

[[&—&c.] in F only.] Line 235 Hus prayers with hus pacience · to pees sholde brynge [prayers] pees (sic) F. with] for G. pacience] penaunce M.]

Alle londes to loue · and þat in a lytel tyme; [Alle] And alle M. to] in-to MIFTG. a] MIFT om. tyme] while GT.] The pope with alle preestes · pax-uobis sholde make! [pax-uobis] E om. make] synge M.] And take hede hou makamede · þorwe a mylde doue, [hou] on I. þorwe] with FM. doue] dowue MIF; douue T; dome (!) E.] He hald al surrye as hym-self wolde · and sarasyns in quyete; [He hald] He halde E; Hadde MIFTG. hym-self] he F. quyete] equite I.] Line 240 Nouht þorw manslauht and [mannes] strengthe · maka|mede hadde þe mastrie, [and] ne M. [mannes I] manis T; PEMFG om. makamede hadde] hadde he M.] Bote þorw pacience and pryuy gyle · he was prynce ouer hem alle. [pryuy] G om. ouer] of F.] In suche manere, me þynkeþ · moste þe pope, [suche] such a IFG. me] as me F.] Prelates, and preestes · prayen and by-seche [Prelates] Prelatis P; With prelats F; Boþe prelatis T.] Line 244 Deuowtliche day and nyȝt · and wiþ-drawe hem fro synne, [and] T om. fro] fro here G.] And crye to crist þat he wolde · hus coluere sende, [þat] IT om. sende EMIFTG] seynde P.] The whiche is þe holy gost · þat out of heuene de|scendede, [whiche] wiche P. þe] þe hye I; þe heiȝe T. descendede] descende F; descendeþ I.] Line 247 To make a perpetuel pees · by-twyne þe prynce of heuene [by-twyne] bitwix F; bytwene EIMG. prynce] kyng M.] And alle manere [of] men · þat on þis molde lybbeþ. [[of MFT] PEIG om. þis] his T; þe M.] Yf preest-hod were parfit and preyede thus · the peuple sholde amende, [Yf—and] Parfit presthode þat F.] That now contrarien cristes lawes · and cristendom despisen. [now] T om. now contrarien] contrarien now IG; contrarie þus T. lawes] lawe M.] Line 251 For sutthe þat þes sarasyns · scribes, and þese Iewes [A page 281] [scribes] tribus (wrongly) T. þese] þes P; þe M.]

Hauen a lippe of oure by-leyue · þe lightloker, me þynkeþ, Thei sholde turne, [who so] trauayle wolde · and of þe trinite techen hem. [turne] IT om. [who so IT] þat PEMF. hem] F om. techen hem] hem teche M.] For alle paynymes preyen · and parfitliche by-leyuen [A page 283] [preyen] precheþ (!) I. and] þat F. parfitliche] parfite I.] In þe grete heye god · and hus grace asken, [heye] hy F; hie M; of (sic) I; T om. god] god of heuene T.] Line 256 And maken here mone to makamede · here message to shewe. [to shewe] for to sewe F.] Thus in a faith lyueþ þat folke · and in a false mene; [a] T om. (twice). faith] fay F. þat] þis F. in (2)] F om.] And þat is reuthe for þe [ryghtful] men · þat in þe reame wonyeþ, [M inserts ll. 259—287 after l. 187. þe (1)] þat T; F om. [ryght|ful IFT] rithful M; ryght PE; cf. B. xv. 536. þe (2)] þat IM; FT om. þe reame] rome F.] [And perel for þe prelates · þat þe pope makeþ;] [From M; also in IFT; PE om. perel] a peril T. þe (1)] IT om.] Line 260 [Þat] bereþ name of Neptalym · of Nynyue and of damaske. [[Þat IMFT] And PE. name] þe name T. and] I om. of (3)] F om.] For when þe holy kynge of heuene · sende hus sone to erthe, [holy] heye I; heiȝe T. sende] so PFG; sente IMT. to] til I. erthe] eerthe P.] [252—262. G omits.] Meny myracles he wrouhte · man for to turne, [he] þo he F; a I. man] men IF. man for] to cristene lawes man G.] In ensample þat men · sholde seo by sad reyson, Line 264 That men myghte nat be sauede · bote þorw mercy and grace, [bote] and but I.] And þorw penaunce and passioun · and parfyt by-leyue; [parfyt] parfyȝt P.] And by-cam a man of a mayde · and metropolitanus, [a (1)] M om. metropolitanus] metropolanus (sic) IMTG.] And baptisede, and busshoppede · with þe blode of hus herte [And] He M. and] an P. busshoppede] busshopede M; bus|shupede G; bischopede EF; bis|shopid T; bisshemed (sic) I.] Line 268

Line 268 Alle þat wilnede oþer wolde · with inwit by-leue hit. [oþer] and IMFTG. with] whit P; and in l. 268. inwit FG] Inwyt T; inwitt EI; inwith M; badly spelt inwhiȝt P. hit] TG om.] Meny seint sitthe · suffrede deþ al-so; [A page 284] [Meny] Many a FG. seint] seyntes M. suffrede] hath suffred þe F. al-so EIMFTG] al-soo P.] For to enforme þe faithe · ful wyde-where deyden, [enforme] enferme PG; but en|forme EM; enfourme T; conferme F; ... ferme I. ful] M om. deyden] þei dede F; þei deieden M.] Line 271 In Inde and in alisaundrie · in ermanye, in spayne, [and] I om. in ermanye] matrimonye (!) I. ermanye] er|monye MT; hermonye F. in (4)] and in MEG.] And fro mysbyleue · meny man turnede. [And fro] And so fram her F. man] men MI; a man F; men hy E; mo G.] In sauacion of mannys saule · seynt thomas of Caunterbury Line 274 Among vnkynde cristene · in holychurche was sleye, [sleye] so PG; slawe IFT; sleyn E; slayn M.] And alle holychurche · honoured for þat deyinge. [274—276. These lines are much rubbed in M and I. Caunterbury] Cauntelbury P; cauntilburye E; but caunterbury MTG; kaunturbury F.] [G omits. honoured] honour|ede P. for] þoruȝ T.] He is a forbusne to alle busshopes · and a bryȝt myrour, [forbusne] so PE; forbisne I; forbisen T; forbisme G; forbison MF. alle] F om. busshopes] so PEM; bisschopes IT; bischops F. bryȝt] bryȝthe P.] And souereyneliche to alle suche · þat of surrye bereþ name; [to alle] of IT. name] þe name IT. of—bereþ] beere of surry F.] Line 278 And nat in engelonde to huppe abowte · and halewen menne auters, [nat] þat (!) I. engelonde] engelounde P. huppe] so PEI; hoppe T; hop F; lepe M; lyppe G. and] an P. menne] mennes F; menes M; men EITG.] And crepe in a-monge [curatours] · and confessen a-ȝen þe lawe;

Nolite mittere falcem in messem alienam.

[in] G om. [curatours MIFT] curatures G; creatours (wrongly) PE; cf. B. xv. 558. confessen MT] confesson P; confesse F; confessye G; confession (wrongly) EI. þe] G om. messem alienam] so in MIFTG; alienam messem PE.] Meny man for crystes loue · was martred a-mong romaynes [man] a man F; men M. was] weren MT. martred] i-martyred M.] Line 281

Line 281 Er cristendome were knowe þer · oþer eny croys honoured. [Er] Or EMFI. were EIMFT] wher P; was G. knowe] i-knowe MI. eny] þe G. honoured] honourede P.] Eueriche busshope, by þe lawe · sholde buxumliche wende, [busshope] bischop EFIT. wende EMF] weynde P; walke ITG.] And pacientliche, þorgh hus prouynce · and to hus peple hym shewe, Line 284 Feden hem and [fillen] hem · and fere hem fro synne; [Feden] Fenden T. [fillen M] follen I; fullen T; fulle FG; folwen PE. hem (3)] hym E.] In baculi forma · sit presul hec tibi norma, [forma sit] sit forma (wrongly) T. norma] forma M.] Fer, trahe, punge gregem · seruando per omnia legem; [punge] pasce G.] And enchaunte hem to charite · on holychurche to be-leyue. [This line is placed in M after l. 186, as already noted.] Line 288 For as the kynde is of a knyȝt · oþer for a kynge to be take, [Here M inserts ll. 188—258, already collated. knyȝt] knyȝth P. oþer] and M; I om. for] of MTG. a (2)] þe T; F om. take] i-take M.] [And] among here enemys · in morteils bateles [[And MIT] Al FG; PE om. morteils] morteil E; mortele IFG; mortail T; mortel M. bateles] ba|tayle G.] To be culled and ouercome · þe comune to defende; [culled] i-kulled M. and] or MT.] So is þe kynde of [a curatour] · for cristes loue to preche, [[a curatour EMIF] curatours T; curatour G; creatour P; see l. 280. preche] teche E.] Line 292 And deye for hus dere children · to destroye dedly synne;

Bonus pastor;

[dere children] children dere E. destroye IMFT] distrye P; des|truye EG.] And nameliche þer as lewede lyuen · and no lawe knowen. [as] þat IT. knowen] ne knowe I; no knowen T.] Ac we crystine conneþ þe lawe · and hauen of oure tounge [A page 285] [conneþ I] kunneþ EF; cunneþ M; miswritten comeþ (by a mere slip) P; come T; conne G. þe] to T.] Line 295

Line 295 Busshopes and bookes · the byleyue to teche. [Busshopes] Bischopes EFT; Bisschop I.] Line 296 Iuwes lyuen in þe lawe · þat oure lord tauhte, Moyses to be maister þer-of · til messie come, [to be] þe T. þer-of] of hem M. til] til þat MFT.] And in þat lawe þei leyue · and leten hit for the beste. [And] F om. in] on IT; G om. þat] þe T. leyue] lyuen MFT; lyue E; leue I; leuen G.] And ȝut knewe þei crist · þat cristendome tauhte, [ȝut] F om. knewe] so EMT; knowen F; knoweþ G; knowe PI. þei] þat F. tauhte] made G.] Line 300 And for a parfyt prophete · þat muche peuple sauede, [And] As F. peuple] folc M.] And of selcouþe sores · sauede men ful ofte; [G omits. sauede] salued F. ful] wel M.] By þe myracles þat he made · messie he semede, [G omits. By] And bi M. myracles EIF] miraclis T; myracle M; meracles P.] Tho he lyfte vp lazar · þat leyde was in graue, [Tho] Lo F. lazar] þe lazer M. in] in a I.] Line 304 Quatriduanus cold · quik dude hym walke. [A page 286] [cold] & cold F. quik] & quike G. dude hym] he made M. walke] to walke F; wake I.] Iuwes seyden, þat hit seyn · with sorcerie he wrouhte, [seyn] say I; sy F; seien EM; seiȝe T; syen G. with] whit P. sorcerie G] apparently sorceris P; but we find sorcery FT; sorserie I; miswritten soserie M; scorcerie E; cf. B-text, and see l. 311.] And [stodieden] hou to struyen [him] · and struyeden hem-selue, [[stodieden IT] fondeden PEM; fondede FG; but observe the alliter|ation, and cf. B-text. hou] M om. struyen] so PE; destreie M; destroye I; stroye T; stroyn F. [him MF] hym T; hem PEIG (wrongly). struyeden] so PE; destroieden M; studieden (!) I; stroieden FT.] And here power thourh hus pacience · to pure nouht brouhte. [And] F om. hus] here I. brouhte] turnede M; he brouȝte F; miswritten brouhten P.] Line 308 And [ȝut] thei seien soþliche · and so doþ þe sarrasyns, [[ȝut MG] ȝit IF; ȝet T; PE om. seien] seiden M. doþ] dede M.] That Iesus was bote a Iogelour · a Iaper a-monge þe comune, [was] nas M. a-monge] of G] And a sophistre of sorcerie · and pseudo-propheta, [a] E om. and] and a I; a T. pseudo-propheta] propheta seudo M.] And hus lore was lesynge · and lacken hit alle, [And] And þat MIFG. lesynge] lesynges IT.] Line 312

Line 312 And hopen þat he be to comynge · þat shal hem releue; [Transposed in F.] [þat] F om. to] M om. com|ynge] so PEMF; come ITG (here comynge = comene, the gerund). hem releue] releue hem alle G.] Moyses oþer Makemede · here maistres deuineþ; [Transposed in F.] [oþer] & F. here] or T. deuineþ] þei diuineth F.] And haueþ suspecion to be saf · boþe sarrasyns and Iewes, [haueþ] han a MIT; haue a G; han EF.] Thorwe Moyses and makamede · and myghte of god þat mad al. [god] him F. al] hem F.] Line 316 Now sytthe þat these sarrasyns · and al-so þe Iewes [Now] And IT. sytthe] seiþ T. þat] MG om. these] theese P; þe G; E om. and] an P. þe] þise T; þis E.] Conne þe ferste clause of oure by-leyue · Credo in deum patrem, [þe ferste] a F.] Prelates and preestes · sholde preoue, yf thei myghte, [preoue] preue hit M.] Lere hem lytulum and lytulum · & in iesum christum, filium eius, [Lere hem] And leren M; & lere hem F. lytulum—lytulum] litelum & litelum EI; litlum & litlum T; litel and litel M; litel & bi litel F; miswritten lytulhum and lytulum P; lytulum (only) G. & MTEG] miswritten and PI; (but it means et); F om. eius] eius vnicum M.] Line 320 Til þei couþe speke and spelle · & in spiritum sanctum, [A page 287] [spelle] so MIT; spele PFG. & MIFET] et G; miswritten and P (but it means et).] Recorden hit and rendren hit · wyth

remissionem peccatorum, Carnis resurrectionem, & uitam eternam; amen."

[hit] him G (twice). rendren] reden MI. Carnis resurrectionem] & carnis resurrectionem þer-to F.]

Hic explicit passus primus de dobet. [So PG; M om. Hic] EF om. Hic explicit] IT om.]