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 I.] [

OBS. P = MS. Phillips (the text); E = MS. Laud 656; I = MS. Il|chester; M = MS. Cotton (Brit. Museum); F = MS. Camb. Ff. 5. 25; G = MS. Camb. Dd. 3. 13; S = MS. Corpus (Camb.); B = Bodley 814, &c. See Preface.

A dagger (†) in a sidenote marks passages peculiar to the C-text.

]

IN a somere seyson · whan softe was þe sonne, [A page 1] [B page 1] Y shop [me] in-to shrobbis · as y [a] shepherde were, [[me MFS] PE om. shrobbis] schrubbes FS. [a MFSE] P om. as—were] a schepard as I were F.] In Abit as an Ermite · vnholy of werkes, [Abit] an abijt M. as] of M. of] of his F.] Ich wente forth in þe worlde · wonders to hure, [Ich wente] Wente i M; Ich wende E. worlde] miswritten worle P.] Line 4 And sawe meny cellis · and selcouthe þynges. [And] I M. cellis] celles E; selles MF; sellys S.] Ac on a may morwenyng · on Maluerne hulles [on] in MF.] Me byfel for to slepe · for weyrynesse of wandryng; [for] M om. wandryng] walk|yng M. F has—Me be-fel a ferly · a fayr-eye me þouȝt (cf. B-text).] And in a launde as ich lay · lenede ich and slepte, [And] M om. lenede ich] i lenede a-doun M.] Line 8 And Merueylously me mette · as ich may ȝow telle; [And] M om. Merueylously] meruayles F. me mette] i mette M; mette of F. may] schal M.] Al þe welþe of þis worlde · & þe woo boþe, [Al] Of al MF. F transposes welþe and woo. worlde] so in E; world MF; wordle PS. See note to l. 13.] Wynkyng as it were · wyterly ich saw hyt, Of tryuþe & of tricherye · of tresoun and of gyle, [tricherye—tresoun] tresoun · trichery F. of tresoun] treson SM. of gyle] gile MFS.] Line 12

Line 12 Al ich saw slepynge · as ich shal ȝow telle. [This line follows l. 10 in M. telle] schewe M.] Esteward ich byhulde · after þe sonne, [byhulde] lokede M. after] an hy to F.] And sawe a toure, as ich trowede · truthe was þer-ynne; [And] I M. trowede] trowe F.] Westwarde ich waitede · in a whyle after, [waitede] awayted E; bihuld M. whyle] written wyle P.] Line 16 And sawe a deep dale · deþ, as ich lyuede, [deþ] with deþ F. lyuede] leue MFS.] Wonede in þo wones · and wyckede spiritus. [Wonede] þat woned F. þo] þat MF; þe S. and] with F. spiri|tus] gostus F.] A fair feld, ful of folke · fonde ich þer bytwyne, [A page 2] [B page 2] [ful] so in l. 23; here (and in l. 22) written fol.] Alle manere of men · þe mene & þe ryche, [Alle] Of al MF.] Line 20 Worchynge and wandrynge · as þe worlde askeþ. Somme putte hem to plow · and pleiden ful seylde, [putte] so in E; putten M; put F; written pute P; cf. l. 25. ful] but F.] In settyng and in sowyng · swonken ful harde, [sowyng] so in ESM; sowing F; written sawyng P. in] F om.] Line 23 And wonne þat þuse wasters · with glotenye destroyeþ. [with] written wit P. de|stroyeþ] destroyeth F; destruyeþ; distryeþ P; destreiȝen M; destreyen S.] Somme putte hem to pruyde · & parailede hem þer-after, [&] F om. parailede] appa|railed F; a-pareileþ M.] In contenaunce & in cloþynge · in Meny kynne gyse; [contenaunce] so in M; cun|tynaunce F; contenuance P. & in] & F; of MS. kynne] kin F; kynnes M.] In praiers & in penaunces · putten hem Manye, [praiers—penaunces] penaunce and preieres M. in penaunces] pe|naunce F.] Al for þe loue of oure lorde · [lyueden] ful harde, [Al] & F; M om. [lyueden ES] liueden M; leuede F; lyuend P.] Line 28 In hope to haue a gode ende · & heuene-ryche Blysse; [a] MFS om. gode] so in F; goode E; god M; goud P.] As ancres & Eremites · þat holden hem in hure cellys, [As] And F. ancres] ankryes M; hankers E. hure] here EF; M om.] Coueytynge noȝt in contrees · to carien a-boute [Coueytynge] Coueytyng E; þei coueiten M; & coueiteth F; Coueyten S. carien] karien E; cayren F; caren S.] For no lykerouse lyflode · hure lykame to plese. Line 32 And somme chosen cheffare · þey [cheuede] þe betere, [þey] and M. [cheuede] cheffede P; but observe cheued S; cheueued (sic) E; cheuyd F: preueden M.]

As hit semeþ to oure syght · þat soche men þryueþ. [to] in M. þryueþ] schulde M.] And somme murthes to make · as mynstrals conneþ, [as—conneþ] mynstralles be|comyth F.] Þat wollen neyþer swynke ne swete · bote swery grete oþes, [þat] M om. wollen] nollen E. neyþer] nouȝt M; nauȝt F. ne] no F. swery] swerie E; swere MFS.] Line 36 And fynde vp foule fantesyes · and foles hem maken, [And] þei M. foule] M om.] And hauen witte at wylle · to worche yf þey wolde. Þat Paul prechiþ of hem · prouen hit ich myghte, [A page 3] [þat] And þat M. prouen] preuen MFSE.] Qui turpiloquium loquitur · ys lucyfers knaue. [B page 3] [turp. loq.] transposed in MF.] Line 40 Bydders and Beggers · faste a-boute ȝoden, [ȝoden] ȝede MF; ȝeden SE.] Tyl hure bagge and hure bely · were bretful ycrammyd, [bagge] bagges M. were] was MS. bretful MFE] bredful P; bre|ful S. ycrammyd] i-fulled M.] Faytynge for hure fode · and fouhten atten Ale. [atten Ale] atte nale FSE; at þe ale M.] In glotenye, [god wot] · goth þey to bedde, [[god wot MF] tho gomes PS; tho wrecches E. goth] gon MFS; go E. goth—bedde] þei gon to here beddes F.] Line 44 And aryseþ with ribaudrie · tho Roberdes knaues; [aryseþ] rysen F; rysuþ S. with] with FSE; vp wiþ M; wit P. ribaudrie] ribaudiȝe M; ribawdie F. tho] þes M; as F.] Slep & synful sleuthe · seweþ suche euere. [seweþ suche] foleweþ hem M.] Pylgrimis & palmers · plyȝhten hem to-gederes, [plyȝhten] putten F.] To seche seint Iame · and seyntys of rome, [To] For to F. seche] written siche P; sechen E; seke MF. of] at M.] Line 48 Wenten forth in hure way · with meny vn-wyse tale[s], [Wenten] þey wente F; þei gon M. with] wit P. vn-wyse] wise M. tales MF] talus S; tale PE.] And hauen leue to lye · al hure lyf-tyme. [hauen leue] goten a licence F. lyf-tyme] lif aftur M.] Eremytes on an hep · with hokede staues, Wenten to walsyngham · and hure wenches after; Line 52 Grete lobies and longe · [þat] loth were to swynke, [Grete] Large M; Lothly F. [þat M] & PFSE.] Cloþede hem in copis · to be knowe fro oþere, [Cloþede] þei cloþid F. knowe] i-knowe MF; yknowe E.]

And made hem-selue Eremytes · hure eise to haue. [1—55. missing in I; 1—153. miss|ing in G.] [selue] silue P; silf E; self MF.] Ich fond þer frerus · alle þe foure ordres, [OBS. Here begins the Ilchester MS. (I). Ich—þer] þer fond i M. frerus] þe freres FE; of freres IS. ulle] of alle M.] Line 56 Prechynge þe peple · for profit of þe wombe, And glosynge þe godspel · as hem good lykede; [And glosynge] þay glosen I; And glosen M; & glosede F. god|spel] so in E; gospel IMFS. good lykede] self lyken M; good liken I.] For couetise of copes · contrariede som doctors. [A page 4] [som] here F. contrariede, &c.] construed as þay wolde I.] Meny of þis maistres · of mendinant freres, [of—freres] may cloþe hem ful warme I; ben meinteinours of freres M.] Line 60 Hure monye & marchaundise · marchen to-gederes; [B page 4] [Hure] For heore M; þan I. marchen] meten ofte I; marchaundeþ M.] Ac sutth charite hath be chapman · and chef to shryue lordes, [Ac sutth] & suþ E; Seth F; Sith I. hath be] was I.] Many ferlies han fallen · in a fewe ȝeres; [ferlies] merueiles M; wondres E.] Bote holy churche & charite · choppe a-doun swich shryuers, [Bot charite and holy chirch · halde hem bet togideres I. choppe a-doun] chaste F.] Line 64 Þe moste myschif [on] molde · Mounteþ vp faste. [[on IFS] of PME. molde] þis world M. Mounteþ] is mountyng IF.] Ther preched a pardoner · as he a prest were, [Ther preched] þo prechede þere F.] And brouȝte forþ a bulle · with bisshopis seles, [And] I om. brouȝte M] brouȝt F; broght IS; broȝte E; broute P. bulle] brod bulle I.] And seide þat hym-selue · myȝte asoilie hem alle [And] He MFSE. þat] surely I. hym-selue] he M. myȝte] myȝthe P.] Line 68 Of falsnesse of fastinges · of vowes to-broke. [fastinges] fastyng IF; faitynge M. of] and of I. vowes] foues S. to-broke] I-broke F; broken I.] Lewede men lyuede hym wel · and likeden hus wordes, [Lewede—hym] þe lewed folc it leued I. wel] S om. wordes] speche IM.] Comen & kneleden · to kyssen his bulles; [Comen—kneleden] þei comen vp knelende I; Comen knelyng M; & comen vp knelyng F. to kyssen] and kissed IF; and cusseden M.]

He blessede hem with hus [breuet] · and blerede hure eye[n], [blessede] bunched I. [breuet IM] blastes F; bulles (prob. repeated by accident) PE; bulle S. eyen F] eyȝen M; yen S; eye PE.] Line 72 And raghte with hus rageman · rynges and Broches. [And] He M. hus] þat M. rynges—Broches] brochus & rynges FS. and] an P.] Thus ȝe ȝeueþ ȝoure golde · glotones to helpe, [ȝe—ȝoure] now gif ȝe ȝour I; ȝe ȝeuen ȝoure M; gaf good men here F.] And leneþ it to loreles · þat lecherie haunten. [leneþ] lenes I; leued F. loreles] losels I. haunten] hauntes I; hauntede F.] Were þe bisshop blessid · oþer worth boþe hus eren, [Were] But were F. oþer] or IFS; and M. eren] so in SM; eres IF; eyen E.] Line 76 Hus sele sholde noȝt be sent · in deceit of þe puple. [sholde] ne schulde M; were I. be—of] set so to ceyue I; be sende in the siȝt of E.] Ac it ys noȝt by þe bysshop · þat þe boye precheþ, [Ac] F om.] Þe parsheprest and þe pardoner · parten þe seluer, [A page 5] [þe] Bute þe M. parsheprest] prest F. pardoner] he M. parten] departen M.] Þat poore puple in parshes · sholde haue, yf þei ne were. [78—80. I omits.] [poore—parshes] þe pore peple in þe paressches S; þe pore peple in parshes E; þe pore in the parsche M; þe peple F. yf] hit ȝif M.] Persones & parsheprestes · pleynede to þe bisshop, [& parsheprestes] þer presed fast and I; & prestus F. pleynede] playneþ M.] Line 81 Þat hure parshen[s] ben poore · sitthe þe pestelence tyme, [parshens] parschones M; pares|schenes S; parischenes E; parisshes I; parische F; parshen P. ben] beþ E; were IM; was F. þe] IMF om.] To haue licence & leue · in londone to dwelle, [To—leue] My lorde, graunte vs license I. in] at IM.] And synge þer for symonye · [for] seluer ys swete. [And] To IM; For to E. þer for] by F. [for IMF] þe wyle P; þe whyles E; whyle S.] Line 84 Bisshopes and bachilers · boþe maisters and doctors, [boþe] M om. doctors] oþere F.] Þat han cure vnder cryst · and crownynge in tokne, [B page 5] [crownynge] ben crouned M. and—tokne] cristendome to kepe F. in tokne] to kenne S.] Ben chargid with holy churche · charyte to tulie, [Ben] Beþ E; & F. with] wit P; in F.] Þat is, leel loue and lif · a-mong lered and lewed; Line 88

Line 88 Thei lyen in londone · in lentene, and elles. [lyen FS] lien E; leyen P; liggen M. in (1)] at F.] Somme seruen þe kynge · and hus seluer tellen, [Somme] And summe F.] In þe chekkere and þe chauncelrie · chalengynge hus dettes, [In þe] At þe M; In F. and] and in M. þe (2)] FS om. chaleng|ynge] chalengeþ M.] Of wardes & of wardemotes · wayues and strayues. [&] M om. of] FS om. strayues] so in MFE; strayuus S.] Line 92 Somme aren as seneschals · and seruen oþere lordes, And ben in stede of stywardes · and sitten & demen. [85—94. I omits.] [And ben] Summe arn M. and (1)] M om.] Concience cam & acusede hem · and þe comune hit herde, [&] F om. cam &] I om. &—hem] to þe kyng M. acusede] cursed E. hit herde] herde hit PE; but MFS have hit herde.] And seide, "ydolatrie ȝe soffren · in sondrye places menye, Line 96 And boxes ben [broght] forþ · [I-]bounden with yre, [And—ben] ȝoure boxes be F. [broght I] y-set PME; sette F; set S. Ibounden] ybounden E; i-bounde MF; bounden PSI. yre] so in FE; iren M; ire S; Irne I.] To vnder-take þe tol · of vntrewe sacrifice. [tol] so in IMFS; tolle E; tool P.] In menynge of miracles · muche wex [þer hangeþ]; [[þer hangeþ MFI] hongeþ þere PSE.] Al þe world wot wel · hit myȝte nat be trywe: [world MFEI] wordle P.] Line 100 Ac for it profitiþ ȝow to porswarde · ȝe prelates soffren [Ac—ȝow] But hit profijte ȝow M; Ac for it profiteþ FS; For profyt in I. soffren] it suffre F; of holi chirche (badly) M.] Þat lewede men in mysbylyue · leuen & deien. [Þat] Þat þe E. leuen] boþe leuen F.] Ich lyue wel, by oure lorde · for loue of ȝoure couetyse, [wel] M om. ȝoure] owre S; F om.] Þat al þe world be þe wors; · as holy wryt telleþ [world] so in MF; worlde ISE; miswritten wolde P. wryt IS] writ F; wryȝt P; wriȝt M; write E.] Line 104 What cheste, & meschaunce · to [þe] children of israel, [to] come to M. [þe IMFS] PE om.] Ful on hem þat free were · þorwe two false preestes. [

Ful] Fil F; Fel E. þorwe] for FS.

OBS. The want of alliteration shews that the true form of ll. 107—123 is lost; but we may conjecture what it was from the portion of it preserved in Lord Ilchester's MS., which is as follows:—

For þe synne of Offyn · and Fynees his broþer,

þat beten were in bataile · and losten archa domini;

And for þair sire soeffrede · þe sennes þat þey wroght,

And chastised not his children · of her euel chekkes,

[Two lines lost?]

He stombled doun fro his stool · in stede þer he sat,

And brak his nekke-bon in tuo · for so þe book telleþ.

[One line lost?]

For þay were prestes vnpure · peres of holy chirche,

Wrong on þe wrecches · wroken was þe harder.

For-þy ȝou prelates I preche · and peres of holy chirche,

Þat soeffre men do sacrifice · and sory mawmets [honoure]

And ȝe her gyours vnder god · schulde don hem go[od worchen,]

Beþ war I warne ȝow witterly · for god wol wr[aþþen hym,]

And sende sorwe on ȝour-self · sad|lier to falle

Þan fel on Offyn or Fynees · or on her fader awther.

]

For þe synne of ophni · and of finéés hus brother, [þe—ophni] ophinies sunne M; ofnyes synne FS. of (2)] MFS om. finees] phynyes E.] Þei were disconfit in bataille · and losten Archa dei; [disconfit] discunfited M; dis|cumfytud S; discumfort F.] And, for hure syre sauh hem syngen · and soffrede hem don ille, [And] M om. for] fore P. syre] fader (wrongly) M. sauh] si M; sawe F; say S. syngen] synge F; synne M; synny E; synewe S (syngen = sin is not uncommon in O.E.). don] to do S.] Line 109 And noȝt chasted hem þer-of · and wolde noȝt rebukie hem, [wolde] nolde M. rebukie hem] hem rebuke M.] A-non, as it was ytold hym · þat þe children of israel Weren disconfit in bataille · and Archa dei ylore, [disconfit] discumfited S; dis|cunfited M; discumfit F.] Line 112 And hus sones slayen · anon he ful for sorwe [slayen] weren i-slayn M; boþe sleyn F; yslayn E. anon—sorwe] for sorwe he fil to grounde F.] Fro hus chaire þare he sat · and brak hus necke a-tweyne. [chaire] se F (but chaire, pro|nounced shair, answers the allitera|tion). brak] barst F. a-tweyne] on twynne M; a-twey E.] And al was for veniaunce · þat he but noȝt hus chil|dren; [þat] M om. but] so in M; bet F; beet S; bete E. but noȝt] ne bete E.] Line 115 And for þey were preestes · and men of holychurche,

God was wel þe wroþer · and tok þe raþere veniaunce. [wel] M om. It greued god more greuously · veniaunce gret to take F.] For-þi ich seȝe, ȝe preestes · and men of holychurche, [For-þi FS] For-whi M; For þat E; For þei P. seȝe] seiȝe M; seye FS; sey E. ȝe] ȝow M. men] prelatus F (which improves the allite|ration).] Þat soffren men do sacrifice · and worshepen Mau|mettes, [worshepen Maumettes] sewe mawmetrye F; mawmetes honoure M.] Line 119 And ȝe sholde be here fadres · and techen hem betere, [And] M om. F varies; see note below.] God shal take veniaunce · [on] Alle swiche preestes [[on SM] in PE. preestes] fadres M.] Wel harder and grettere · on suche shrewede faderes, [faderes] prestes M.] Þan euere he dude on ophni · and finéés, or [on] here fader, [euere] M om. and] or M. [on MS] in PE.] Line 123 For ȝoure shrewede suffraunce · and ȝoure owene synne. [shrewede] wickede M.] Ȝoure masse & ȝoure matynes · and meny of ȝoure houres [B page 5] [

121—125. F omits. The whole passage (117—126) is shorter and better in F, as follows:—

For-þi I seye, ȝe prestus · & prelatus of holy churche,

Þat suffre men do sacrifise · & sewe mawmetrye,

& ȝe schul fader hem fro þe fende · to folwe goddus wille,

For ȝe do nat ȝoure deuer · drede is at þe laste, &c.

] [masse] masses M.] Line 125 Aren don vndeuotlich · drede ys at þe laste Leste crist in hus constorie · of ȝow a-corse menye. [Leste] F om. a-corse] a-curce M; acorsy E. of—a-corse] curse of ȝow I.] Ich parceuede of þe power · þat peter hadde to kepe, [Ich—of] þo parceyued I of F. of] þer M.] To bynden and vnbynden · as þe boke telleþ, [To] For to F. and] and to IMSE.] How he [hit lefte] with loue · as oure lorde wolde, [[hit lefte M] it lefte F; lofte PE; hit lost S; lefte it I. with] wit P.] Line 130 Amonges foure vertues · most vertuose of vertues, [vertues (2)] oþere F.] That cardinales ben callid · and closynde ȝates, [ben] beþ F; hem M. clos|ynde] closyng IFE; closede þe M; closynge þe S.] Ther crist is in kyngdome · to closye with heuene. [in] in his M. closye] so in E; close SMF. heuene] þe heuene F.]

Ac of þe cardinales at court · þat [cauȝt] han such a name, [þe] M om. at] at þe M; of FE. þat—han S] þat chaut han P; han cauȝt hem M; þat cauȝt haue FI; þat kaȝt hem E. a] F om.] Line 134 And power presumen in hem-self · a pope to make, [And] An P. to] for to IFE.] To haue þe power þat peter hadde · repugnen ich nelle; [þe] M om. repugnen] in|pugnen FS; repuyne hem M.] For in loue and in letterure · lith þe grete eleccion; [

and in] and M; as F. þe grete] þe lawe of þat F.

After l. 137 I inserts—And he þat tolde me þis tale · to clergie was named.

] Countrepleide it noȝt," quath Conscience · "for holy churches sake." [quath] written quaht P; quod IMF. churches] chirche M; churche E.] Þanne cam þer a kyng · knyȝt-hod hym ladde, The muche myȝte of þe men · made hym to regne; [muche MF] meche P; moche S; myche E. þe] þo E. men] man F.] Line 140 And þanne cam kynde witte · & clerkus he made, [And þanne] þanne F; þer M. kynde] miswritten a kynde P; but see next line.] And conscience & kynde wit · and knyȝt-hod to-gederes [B page 6] [And] MF om. S omits last half of l. 141, and first half of l. 142.] Caste þat þe comune · sholde hure comunes fynde. Kyndewit & þe comune · contreuede alle craftes, [Kyndewit] þe kynde wit F.] Line 144 And for most [profit] to þe puple · a plouh þei gonne make, [And for] And as for þe S. [profit F] profijt M; profite E; pro|fytable PS. to—puple] of þe comune M. for—puple] so for proffit and prow I.] With leel labour to lyue · whyl [lif] and londe lasteth. [With] Wiþ MF; Wit P. whyl] wyl P. [lif MFS] lyue PE.] Than kynde wit to þe kyng · and to þe comune seide, "Crist kep þe, [sire] kyng · and þy kynryche, [kep] saue M. [sire MI] PFSE om. þy] þe F.] Line 148 And [leue] þe lede so þy londe · þat leaute þe louye, [[leue ISMFE] lyue P (lyue = leue = permit). so þy] to þe S. londe] reme F.] And for þy ryȝtful ruelyng · be rewardid in heuene." [þy] M om.] Conscience to cleregie · and to þe kyng saide, [I omits. Conscience] þo con|science F. cleregie] þe clergiȝe M.] Line 151 "Sum rex, sum princeps · [neutrum] fortasse deinceps; [[neutrum IMFSE] miswritten venturum P.]

O qui iura regis · christi specialia regis, Hoc vt agas melius · iustus, & esto pius! [Here MS. G begins.] Nudum ius a te · vestiri vult pietate, Qualia vis metere · talia grana sere; Line 156 Si seritur pietas · de pietate metas." [91—157. Most of these lines occur in I, folios 5 and 6; cf. note to l. 159.] Conscience and þe kyng · in-to þe court wenten, [A page 5] [B page 9] [Conscience] þe conscience F. and þe] to S. in-to] & to S. þe] EFG om.] Where houede an hondred · in houes of silke, [Here MS. I begins again, but is a mere jumble down to end of the Passus; it contains lines 84—95 of A-text, followed by 91—157 of C-text; and ends with lines 96—109 of A-text.] [Where] so in SMFGE; Wer P.] Seriauntes hij semede · þat seruen atte barre, [hij] hit MG. þat] to F. atte] so in GE; ate S; at þe MF; atte þe (wrongly) P.] Line 160 To plede for penyes · and poundes þe lawe, And nat for [loue of oure lord] · vnlose hure lyppe[s] ones. [B page 10] [And] M om. [loue of oure lord SMFGI] oure lordes loue PE. vnlose] open M. lyppes] so in MFGI; lyppe PSE.] Þow myȝt bet mete þe myst · on maluerne hulles, [myȝt] might I; myȝtest FGS; mitest M. bet] betere MFIG. þe] IF om.] Þan gete a mom of hure mouth · til moneye be hem shewid. [mom] word S. be] were G. hem] ISMFG om. shewid] i-schewed MG.] Line 164 Thanne ran þer a route · of ratones, as it were, [B page 7] [it were] i wene M.] And smale mys with hem · mo þan a þousand, [with] a-mong M. smale—hem] with hem smale mys F.] Come to on counsail · for hure comune profit; [Come] þat come F. on] o S; a MFG.] For a cat of a court · cam whan hym lykyde, [whan] so in SMFE; wen G; wanne P.] Line 168 And ouer-leep hem lyȝtlyche · and lauhte hem at wille, [lyȝtlyche] lyȝtlyiche P. at] at his M; alle atte G.] And pleide with hem periloslich · & putte hem þer hym lykyde:— [hem] some SFG.] "And if we grucche of hys game · he wol greue ous sarrer, [And] M om. of] M om. sarrer] so in S; sarre M; sorre G; þe sorere E; alle F.]

To hus clees clawen ows · and in hys cloches holde, [To] In-to M; And with S; & to F. clees] cleon S; cleos M; clawes FE. clawen] clawy G; clochen F. cloches] clawes G; campus F.] Line 172 Þat ous loþeth þe lyf · er he lete ows passe. [loþeth] shal loþe G. þe] oure M. er] or FES; ar G. (ous or ows = us.)] Myȝte we with eny wyt · hus wil with-sette, [Myȝte] But myȝt F. with] wiþ MFG; with ES; miswritten wit P. wyt SMFG] witt E; spelt wyȝt P. with-sette] to with-sette PEFS; but MG omit to. Cf. B-text.] We myȝte be lordes aloft · and lyue as vs luste." [myȝte be] were M. and] to M. luste MF] leste G; lusten (wrongly) PES.] Line 175 Tho saide a raton of renoun · most resonable of tonge, [resonable] resnable G; ren|able F.] "Ich haue yseie grete syres · in Cytees and in tounes Bere byȝes of bryȝt gold · al aboute hure neckes, [bryȝt] grete S. al] G om.] And colers of crafty werke · boþe knyȝtes and squiers. Were þer a belle on hure byȝe · by iesus, [as] me þynkeþ, [on] yn G. [as SMFG] PE om.] Line 180 Men myȝte wite wher þei wenten · and hure wey roume. [Men] Me M. wite] i-wite M; wete F. wher M] where FGE; wer PS.] Ryȝt so," quaþ þe raton · "reison me shewith, [þe raton] þat rat M. shewith] þinkeþ M.] A belle to byggen of bras · oþer of bryȝt seluer, [B page 8] [A—byggen] To bygge a belle G. oþer] or SMF.] And knytte it on a coler · for oure comune profit, [knytte] honge M.] Line 184 And honge aboute þe cattys hals · þanne hure we mowe [honge] binde hit M; honge hit S. hals] nekke (with hals above it) S. hure] here M; heere F; hyre G; huyre S. þanne hure] heere þanne F.] Wher he ryt oþer rest · oþer romyþ to pleye. [Wher] Where SGE; Wheþer MF; Wer P. ryt] ritt E; rijt M; ryȝt G; rist F. oþer (1)] or S. oþer (2)] or SMF.] And yf hym luste for to layke · þanne loke we mowe, [for] M om. layke] walke E. loke] here M.] And appere in hus presence · [whyle] hym pleye lykeþ, [appere—presence] in his pre|sence appere F. [whyle SE] whil F; þe while MG; wil P.] And yf he wratthe, we mowe be war · and hus way roume." [he] hym G. wratthe] wreþ|þuþ G; wrethe M; wraþ hym E. roume] rowmye E. hus—roume] of hys wey renne G.] Line 189

Line 189 Al þe route of ratons · to þys reison a-sentede, [þe] þis MG. ratons] þe ratons PS; but MFGE omit þe.] Ac þo þe belle was ybouȝt · and [on] þe byȝe honged, [þo] M om. ybouȝt] spelt ybouȝth P. [on SMFG] in E; P om. honged] hongede P.] Ther was no raton of al þe route · for al þe reame of fraunce, [was] ne was M. of] in SMF. al þe (1)] þat M.] Line 192 [Þat durste] haue bounde þe belle · a-boute þe cattes necke, [[þat durste M] þat durst F; þat dorste S; þat derste GE; þa þerste P. bounde] honget M.] Ne haue it hongid a-boute hus hals · al engelond to wynne; [Ne—hongid] No hongut hit M; Ne hangid hit F. engelond] engelonnd P.] And leten hure labour ylost · and al hure longe trauail. [And] þei M; And þanne S; þo þey G. leten] letun hy S; letten al M. al] M om. trauail] studiȝe MG; tyme F.] A mous þat muche good couthe · as me þo þouȝte, [good] G om. couthe] coude MF. þouȝte MFG] spelt þouthe P; þoȝt E.] Line 196 Strok forþ sturneliche · and stod by-for hem alle, [forþ] forþ þo M.] And to þe route of ratones · rehercede þuse wordes, [þe] þis M.] "Thauh we hadde ycullid þe catte · ȝut sholde þer come anoþer, [ycullid] culde F; culd SG. þe] a F.] To cracchen ous & al oure kynde · þouh we crepe vnder benches. [cracchen] so in M; chracchen P; cracche SFG; cracchy E. crepe] crope E.] Line 200 For-þi ich consaile, for comune profit · lete þe cat worthe, [For-þi F] For-þy SG; For|whi M; For þei P. worthe] y-worþe GM.] And neuere be we so bold · þe belle hym to shewe. [neuere—we] be we neuer F.] For ich hurde my syre sayn · seuen ȝer passed, [passed] a-passed MG; I-passid F] 'Ther þe cat nys bote a kyton · þe court is ful elynge;' [B page 9] [nys] is SMFG. ful] wel M.] Line 204 Witnesse of holy wryt · who so can rede—

Ue terre ubi puer est rex: Salamon.

[Witnesse] Withnesseþ M: Witnessith F. of] hit M; hit wel F; þerwith G; at S. rede] hit rede M; wel rede F.] Ich sigge it for me," quaþ þe mous · "ich seo so muchel after, [sigge] seye SG; sei MF. it] M om. seo] se MFGE.] Shal neuere þe cat ne þe kyton · by my consail, be greued, [þe—þe] no cat ne M. þe (2)] E om. þe—kyton] noþer þe cat þe kitoun noþer F. greued] greuede P.] Ne carpen of hure colers · þat costide me neuere; [costide] costed E; costned S; costnede F; costunde M; costnyþ G.] Line 208 And þauh it costned me catel · by-knowe ich ne wolde, [costned] coste F.] Bote soffren and sigge nouht · and so is þe beste, Tyl myschief amende [hem] · þat meny men chasteþ. [Tyl] Tyl þat G. myschief] god M. amende SMFG] amenden PE. [hem SMFGE] hym P.] [For] meny mannys malt · we mys wolde distrye, [[For SMFG] And PE. man|nys] mannes E; a mannus F; menes M. mys MFG] myse E; muys S; myes P.] Line 212 And ȝe, route of ratons · of rest men a-wake, [ȝe route] þe rowtus F. awake] wake S.] Ne were þe cat of þe court · And ȝonge Kytones to|warde; [Ne were] Nere F.] For hadde ȝe ratones ȝoure reed · ȝe couthe nat ruelie ȝow-selue." [ratones] rattus al F. ruelie] ruly E; rule SG; rewele M; rewle F.] What this metals by-meneþ · ȝe men þat buth murye, [What SMFE] Wat PG. metals] metels M; metelus SF; metaus E. by-meneþ] menyþ G. buth] buþ S; beþ E; byþ G; ben M; be F; miswritten but P.] Line 216 Diuine ȝe, for ich ne dar · by dere god almyȝty! [Diuine] Deme E.] Ȝut mette me more · of mene and of ryche, [ȝut] And ȝut M; & ȝit F. mette SMFGE] mete P. me] i MF.] As barouns & burgeis · and bonde-men of þroupes, [A page 6] [B page 10] [As] Of M. &· burgeis] of burgeises M. þroupes] þropus SF; þropes ME; thorpys G.] Al ich sauh slepyng · as ȝe shullen hure after; [ich sauh] saw I F. hure] i-here M; here F. ȝe—hure] I schal telle S.] Line 220 Boþe bakers and brywers · bouchers and oþere, [Boþe] M om.]

Webbesters and walkers · and wynners with handen, [Webbesters] As websterus F. and] an P. handen] so in E; honn|dus S; hondes M; handes F; handys G.] As taylours and tanners · and tyliers of erthe, [As] M om. tanners] tauer|nerus S. of] þe (sic) SF.] As dikers and deluers · þat don here dedes ille, [As] M om. dikers—deluers] deluers and dykers G. þat] þei M.] Line 224 And dryueþ forþ hure daies · with 'deux saue dame emme!' [hure daies] þe longe day M; þe deerne day F. saue] vous saue G.] Kokes and here knaues · crieden 'hote pyes, hote! [crieden] crien M.] Good goos and grys · go we dyne, gowe!' [goos—grys] griis and gees M. go we] with gowe F. dyne] to dyner S.] Tauerners 'a tast for nouht' · tolden þe same, [tolden] þei tolde F. þe] þat M; me þe G.] Line 228 'Whit wyn of oseye · and of gascoyne, [Whit] With M; With white F. of (2)] eke of M.] Of þe ruele and of þe rochel wyn · þe roste to defye.' [Of] & of F. ruele] ruel E; rule SG; rewle M; ryne F. of] SMF om. þe rochel] rochel SMF. wyn] MG om. þe (3)] E om.] Al þis ich sauh slepynge · and seuene sythes more.

Explicit passus primus. [So in other MSS.; Explicit Passus primus de visione Petri le plouhman G.]