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 XXI. (DO-BET IV.)

[TITLE. So in PMG; Incipit pas|sus quartus E; Incipit quartus F; IT om.] Hic Incipit passus quartus de dobet.

WO-werie and wetschod · wente ich forth after, [A page 322] [Wo-werie] Ful weri E; Wolle|werie G; but Wolleward IFT (as in B-text); Wellenward M. wetschod EMT] wetschode P; wete-schood F; watschoed I; wadsshod G.] As a recheles renke · þat reccheþ nat of sorwe, [a] G om. recheles EFTG] reccheles IM; miswritten richeles P.] And ȝeode forþ lyke a lorell · al my lyf tyme, [lyke] y-like IT.] Til ich wax wery of þis worlde · and wilnede efte [to] slepe, [wax] so PMF; waxe I; wexe E; wex T; was G. þis] þe IG. wilnede] leste G. [to IMFTG] PE om.] Line 4 And lenede me til lenten · and longe tyme ich slepte. [til] to IFT. lenten] lentoun IF; lente M.] Of gurles and of gloria laus · gretliche me dremede, [me] i M.] And how osanna by org[o]ne · olde [folk] songe. [orgone F] orgene IT; orgne PE; organ M; origene (!) G. [folk FTG] folke I; men PEM; cf. B-text.] On was semblable to þe samaritan · and somdel to peers plouhman, [was] ITG om. plouhman] þe plouȝman T.] Line 8 Barfot on an asse bak · bootles cam prykye, [cam] gan F. prykye] prike TG.] With-oute spores oþer spere · and sprakliche he lokede, [spores] spore MF. and] ac M; IFTG om. sprakliche] so PT; spracliche MFG; sparklich EI.] As is þe kynde of a knyght · þat comeþ to be doubed, [A page 323] [a] E om. comeþ] cam G. doubed] so PE; dobbed MI; dubbed FG.] To geten hus gilte spores · and galoches y-co[u]ped, [To] For to F. hus] him F; hise M; here IT. gilte] gult M; gilden E; gild G. y-couped IMFT] y-coped PG; ykeped E.] Line 12

Line 12 Then was faith in a fenestre · and cryde, "a! filij dauid!" [Then] And þanne IT. a (2)] o T.] As doþ an heraud of armes · when auntres comeþ to Iustes. [auntres] so PEIMG; auntrus F; but we should probably read auntrous, as in T; cf. B-text.] Olde Iewes of ierusalem · for ioye þei songen,

Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini.

[G omits. ioye] ioie þo F. in, &c.] E om.] Þenne ich fraynede [at] faith · 'what al þat fare by|mente, [fraynede] fraynnede P. [at IMFT] of G; PE om. what] þat F. bymente] bi-menede M.] Line 16 And ho sholde iusten in ierusalem?' · "iesus," he seide, "And fecche þat þe feond cleymeþ · peers frut þe plouhman." [fecche] fecche awei M. feond] deuel G. cleymeþ] cleymed F.] "Ys peers in þis place?" quaþ ich · and he preynkte vpon me, [preynkte] prenkte E; preynte MFGT; princte I. vpon] on I.] "Liberum dei arbitrium," quaþ he · "for loue haþ vndertake [quaþ he] ITG om. haþ] he haþ M. vndertake] y-take G.] Line 20 That þis iesus of hus gentrise · shal Iouste in peers Armes, [þis ME] þys G; þes P; is IT; F om. of] for FG. gentrise MG] gentrice IE; gentrye FT; genterise P.] In hus helme and [in] hus haberion · humana natura; [In] G om. [in IMET] PFG om. natura] creatura M.] Þat crist be nat knowe · for consummatus deus, [Þat] miswritten Þa P. knowe] i-knowe MIFTG. for] as M; T om.] In peeres plates þe plouhman · this prykiere shal ryde; [plates] so PEIMG; platus F; platis T. this] thes P. prykiere] prikere IT.] For no dint shal hym dere · as in deitate patris." [For] Þat M. dint] dryth M; donte or doute I. as] F om.] Line 25 "Ho shal Iouste with iesus," quaþ ich · "Iewes, oþer scrybes?" [oþer] or þe M; wheþer G.] "Nay," quaþ Faith, "bote þe feond · and fals dom to deye.

Deþ seith he wol for-do · and a-doun brynge [for-do] forþ M.] Line 28 Al þat lyueþ oþer lokeþ · a londe and a watere. [a] on M; o T (twice). and] or M.] Lyf seith þat he lyeþ · and haþ leyde hus lyf to wedde, [A page 324] [þat] M om. lyeþ] lickth F. leyde—lyf] lif leide F.] Þat for al þat deþ can do · with-Inne þre dayes, [deþ] he M. In margin of M —de passione christi.] To walke and fecche fro þe feonde · peers frut þe plouhman, [To walke] at end of l. 31 in IT. fecche] to feche E.] Line 32 And legge [hyt] þer hym lykeþ · and lucifer bynde, [[hyt] hit MG; it IFT; hym PE. þer] þere as F.] And [forbete and bringe adoun] · bale [and] deþ for euere;

O mors, ero mors tua!"

[[forbete] so MI (as in B|text); forbite PEFTG. [and—a|doun MFG] adoun and brynge PET; a-downe & begge (sic) I. [and MF] PEITG om. ero—tua EF] tua ero mors P; mors tua ero M; but I has —O mors, mors tua ero, morsus; see Vulgate.] Thenne cam pilatus with muche peuple · sedens pro tribunali, [cam] M om. peuple] pride F.] To seo hou douhtiliche deþ sholde do · and deme here beyer ryght. [hou—do] þe douȝtinesse of deeth F. deme] deyme P. beyer] beiere E; beyre I; boþe MF; boþis T; beye G.] Line 36 The Iuwes and þe iustices · aȝens iesus þey were, [iustices] Iustice T.] And alle þe court cryede · 'crucifige' lowde. [cryede] þo cride F. lowde] lowede P; longe E.] Thenne put hym [forth] a pelour · by-for pilat, and seyde, [[forth IMFTG] PE om. pe|lour] so PEMIFG; pilour T. pilat] pilatus IG.] "Thys iesus of oure Iuwen temple · Iapede and des|pisede, Line 40 To for-don hit on a day · and in þre dayes after [To for-don] For to done I. on] in T. a] o G. in] in þe E.] Edefien hit efte newe— · her he stant þat seyde hit— [Edefien hit] Edified F. stam — hit] stond hit seide M.] And ȝut make [hit] as muche · in alle manere poyntes, [ȝut] I ȝit F; M om. [hit MEG] it IFT; P om.]

Bothe as longe and as large · aloft and a-grounde, [aloft] on lofte M. a-grounde] on grounde M.] Line 44 And as wyde as hit euere was · this we witnessen alle." [And] MG om. we witnessen] we whitnessen P; withnesseþ we M.] "Crucifige," quaþ a kachepol · "he can of wicche|crafte." [of] on M; G om.] "Tolle, tolle," quaþ anoþer · and toke of kene þornes, And by-gan of a grene þorne · a garlaunde to make, [a] EIFG om. of—þorne] þer|of M.] Line 48 And sette hit sore [on] hus hefd · and suthe seyde in enuye, [A page 325] [[on EMIFTG] in P. hefd] hed GEM; heed IF; heuid T. suthe] F om. in] with F.] "Aue, rabbi," quaþ þat ribaud · [and] reodes shotte at hus eyen:— [rabbi M] rabi PITG; raby F. [and MEIFTG] a P. reodes] reed F; rede T. at] vp to IT; in F; on G.] And nailede hym with þre nayles · naked on þe rode, [naked] naken M; faste G. on] vppon ITG; to F. þe] a IMT.] And with a pole poyson · putten to hus lippes, [with—pole] a pole wiþ M. to] vp to T; þey to G.] Line 52 And [beden] hym drynke, hus deþ to lette · and hus dayes lengthen; [[beden IMT] bed G; bad F; bid PE; cf. putten in l. 52. hus (1)] F om.] And seide, "yf he sothfast beo · he wol hym-self helpen; [seide] seiden MF; saiden I. sothfast] sotthfast P; sotil I; sotile T. he—hym-self] him-selfe now he wol IT.] And now, yf þow be criste · godes sone of heuene, [now] craftily T; I om. yf] ȝif þat F. godes—heuene] and criste goddes sone IFT; crist goddes sone MG (a remarkable variation, as help|ing out the alliteration).] Come a-doune of þis rode · and þenne wol we leyue [þis] þe MFT. wol] schal IT. leyue] leue EIMTG; leeue F.] Line 56 That lyf þe louyeþ · and wol nat lete þe deye." [lyf] lord & lif F.] "Consummatum est," quaþ Crist · and comsede for to sounye [sounye] swowny E; swowne IF; swoune M; swone TG.] Pitousliche and paal · as prison þat deyeþ; [paal] so PEG; pale IMT; al pale F. as] & (!) E. prison] pri|soun dooth F; a prison MGT. þat] G om.]

The lord of lyf and of light · þo leyde hus eyen to|gederes. Line 60 The day for drede þer-of with-drow · and deork by-cam þe sonne; [by-cam] bygan EG.] The wal of þe temple to-cleef · euene a two peces; [to-cleef] so PE; to-clef MITG; cleef F. euene] G om. a two] in to MI. peces EMFTG] pices P. a—peces] al to-gedres I.] The hard roche al to-rof · and ryght derk nyght [hit] semede; [M omits. derk] F om. [hit G] it IFT; PE om.] The erthe quook and quashte · as hit quyke were, [quook] to-quake I; to-quaȝte T. quashte] quashete P (apparently by mistake); quasshte G; quaste E; quasschede F; quakede M; quoke I; quok T. quyke were] were quike G.] Line 64 And dede men for þat deon · comen oute of deope graues, [deon] deone MF; dene ET; deþe I; done G.] And tolden why þat tempest · so longe tyme durede. [why] wy P. þat] þe I. tyme] while M (wrongly); G om.] "For a byter bataile" · þe dede bodye seyde, [For] Al for F. þe] þat F. bodye] bodies T.] "Lyf and deþ in þis deorknesse · her on for-doþ þat oþer, [her—for-doþ] ere on fordo E (wrongly). her] þat F. þat] here I.] Line 68 Ac shal no [wiȝt] wite witerliche · ho shal haue þe mastrye, [Ac] F om. [wiȝt IF] wyȝt G; withg M; whit P; whiȝt E; wy T. wite witerliche] withturli wite M.] Er soneday, a-boute sonne-rysynge" · and sank with þat til erthe. [Er] Or M; Ar a I; Er a T. a-boute] at F; a-boute þe MIT. and] he G. sank] schrank F. til] to I; to þe T.] Somme seiden he was godes sone · þat so faire deyede; [A page 326]

Vere filius dei erat iste:

[godes] M om.] Some seiden, "he can of sorcerye · good is þat we a-saye [Some] And some IT. of] MF om.] Line 72 Wher he be ded oþer nat ded · doun er he be take." [Wher] Wheþer MF. doun] a-doun G. er] or MF.] Two þeoues þer wer · þat þoleden deþ þat tyme [þer] þan þere F. þer—þat] þo ITG.]

Vpon crois by-side crist · so was þe comune lawe. [crois] þe crois MG.] Quikliche cam a cacchepol · and craked a-two here legges, [Quikliche—cacchepol] A cac|chepol of þo þeues cam I; A cacche|pol cam T. a-two] on to M.] Line 76 And here armes after · of euerich of þo þeoues. [And] & eke F. þo] þe MG.] Ac þer was no boye so bolde · godes body to touche, [þer] I om. no boye] non M; beorne þer F (omitting no).] For he was knyght and kynges sone · kynde for-ȝaf þat tyme Þat no boye hadde hardinesse · hym to touche in deyinge. [boye] bodi MG. no—hadde] hadde no boy IT. hym—touche] to touche him F. in] at his M. deyinge] deyyinge P.] Line 80 Ac þer cam forth a blynde knyght · with [a] kene spere y-grounde, [[a IMT] PEFG om.] Hihte longeus, as þe lettere telleþ · and longe hadde lore hus sight. [longeus] longis MG. telleþ] seith F. and] G om. lore] so PG; lorn MT; lost F.] By-fore pilat and oþer peuple · in þe place he houede. [þe] þys G; F om. he] þere he F.] Ac maugre hus meny teþ · he was mad þat tyme [Ac] IMFTG om. maugre] maugrey P; Mawgreith F; Malgre I. mad] i-mad MF.] Line 84 To Iouste with iesus · this blynde Iuwe longeus; [To] For to FT; I om. this] þe FG. Iuwe] kniȝt T; knyth M. longeus] longis MG; at wille F.] For alle hij were vnhardy · þat houede þer oþer stode, [hij were] þei weren M; þey were FG; were þey IT. þer] T om. stode] stoude P.] To touche hym oþer to tryne hym · oþer to take hym doun and graue hym, [to (2)] M om. tryne] so PEF; trinen I; trine G; turne M; trien T. to (3)] MF om. and] or I. and—hym] in graue F; T om.] Line 87 Bote þis blynde bachelere · þat bar hym þorw þe herte; [þis] þe M. þat] he M. þorw] to F.] The blood sprang doun by þe sper · and vnsperrede þe knyghtes eyen. [sprang] þo sprang F; ran M. þe knyghtes] his F.] Tho fel þe knyght vpon knees · and cryed iesu mercy, [A page 327] [fel MFTG] feol P; felle E; fil I. knees] his knes MFT.]

"A-ȝens my wil hit was," quaþ he · "þat ich ȝow wonde made!" [A-ȝens] Aȝen IT; Ageyn M; Aȝe F. was] is T. wonde] wounde EIMFTG.] He syghede and seide · "sore hit me for-þynkeþ, [He] Þan he F; And IT. syghede] siked E. seide] to crist seide F.] Line 92 Of þe dede þat ich haue don · ich do me in ȝoure grace. [þe] o G. don] i-do MT; do IFG. in] hit in-to G.] My londe and my lycame · at ȝoure lykynge takeþ hit, [My] Boþe my IT. lykynge] wille M.] And haue mercy on me, ryghtful Ihesu!" [and] ryght with þat he wepte. [ryghtful] myȝtful F. [and IFT] PEMG om. ryght—þat] with þat mone F.] Line 95 Thenne gan faith foully · þe false Iewes to despisen, [þe] G om. to] placed before þe in I; F om.] And calde hem 'caytifs a-corsed' · for þis was a vil vilanye:— [And] ITG om. calde] callede M. caytifs a-corsed] cursede caitifes MF. for] M om. vil] fil (sic) EG; MF om. for—vilanye] for her vilenye F; for euere I (which begins l. 98 with For þis was a vile vilany, and divides the lines wrongly).] "Veniaunce is to ȝou falle · þat makede þe blynde [is—falle] ȝow bifalle I. falle] bi-falle M. makede] made ITG.] Beten hym þat was ded · hit was a boyes dede!" [hym] a body F. hym—ded] þe dede I; þe dede þat ȝe dede (sic) T. hit] þis I.] [Þus faith bi-gon to fare · wiþ þe false Iewes]— [From M; PEIFGT omit.] Line 100 "Corsede caityfs! · knyghthod was hit neuere [G omits. Corsede] Kene a|cursede F.] To bete a body ybounde · with eny briȝt wepne, [G omits. To] For to F. briȝt EFT] brighte I; briȝth P; brith M. wepne] wepenes I.] Þe gree ȝut haþ he geten · for alle hus grete wondes. [geten] gete MG; I-gete F. wondes] so PG; woundes EMIFT.] For ȝoure champion chiualer · chief knyght of ȝow alle [champion] miswritten cam|pion P; but observe the alliteration.] Ȝelt hym recreaunt rennynge · ryght at iesus wil. [recreaunt] creaunt I. ren|nynge] remyng MF.] Line 105 For beo þis deorknesse ydo · deþ worþ venkised, [venkised] so PM; y-venkised G; venkysched E; yvenquyst T; y|wenkused I. deþ—venkised] of deth he is avenged F.]

And ȝe, lordlinges, han lost · for lyf shal haue þe maystrie, [ȝe] ȝow M (wrongly). lord|linges] lordeynes T; lordyngus F; lordes M. shal] wile M.] And ȝoure fraunchise þat freo was · fallen is to þral|dom, [fraunchise] miswritten fraun|chises P. fallen] y-fallen IT. to] in-to I; in T. þraldom] charldom F.] Line 108 And alle ȝoure children cheorles · cheuen shulle þei neuere, [þei] miswritten þe P; I om.] Ne haue lordshup in lond · noþer lond tylie, [noþer] ne no ITG; ne þe F. tylie] tulye I; telie M.] And as barayne beo · and by vsure libbe, [as] as þe F. and] as M.] The whiche is lif þat oure lorde · in alle lawes defendeþ. [A page 328] [whiche] wiche P. The—lif] Which is usure F. lawes] lawe F.] Line 112 Now beoþ ȝoure goode dayes don · as daniel of ȝow telleþ, [beoþ] buþ M; ben I; be FT. goode] godes G. don] i-do M; ydon T; do F. of] ofte I.] When crist with crois ouercam · ȝoure kyngdom shal to-cleue;

Cum uenerit sanctus sanctorum, cessabit unctio uestra."

[with] þorgh IT; E om. to|cleue] be cleue E. Cum] Dum T. uenerit] veniat IG. cessabit] cessat IT; cesset G.] What for fere of þis ferly · and of the false Iewes, [the] þese F.] Line 115 Ich drow in þat deorknesse · to descendit ad inferna, [drow] drow me F; wiþdrogh I; wiþ-drouȝ T; wiþ-drow G. in] in-to M.] And þer ich seyh sothliche · secundum scripturas, [ich seyh] saw i F.] Out of þe west, as it were · a wenche, as me þouhte, [it were] me þouȝte T. wenche] weynche P. me þouhte] it were T.] Cam walkynge in þe way · to helleward he lokede. [in] by G. he] so PFG (for hue); heo T; sche IM; ȝo E.] Mercy hihte þat mayde · a mylde þyng with-alle, [Mercy] Dam mercy F.] Line 120 And a ful benygne burde · and buxum of speche. [benygne] miswritten benyngne P; beynde T. burde] bierde I; berde M; boerde F. of] of her F.] Heore sustre, as hit semede · cam softly walkynge [walkynge] after M.]

Euene out of þe est · and westwarde he þouhte, [est] west (!) T. he] he (for hue) PFG; sche IMT; ȝo E.] A comely creature and clene · treuthe [he] hihte. [clene] a clene IF. and—hihte] treuthe was here name T. [he] sheo P; sche IM; scheo F; ȝo E; heo G; but cf. ll. 123, 125.] Line 124 For þe vertue þat here folwede · afered was he neuere. [here folwede] folweth here F. he] so PFT (for hue); sche IM; ȝo E; heo G.] Whan þeos maydenes metten · mercy and treuthe, Ayþer axed of oþer · of þis grete wonder, [of (1)] IT om. (as in B|text).] Of þe deone and deorknesse · and how þe day [rowed], [deone] doene F; dene EIT; done G. [rowed] rowide T; rouede IG; roued PE; reued M; romede F; but cf. B-text.] Line 128 And whiche a light and a leom · lay by-fore helle. [whiche] wiche P; swich M. a (2)] wich a P; but EIMFTG omit wich; cf. B-text; ME om.] "Ich haue ferly of þis fare · in faith," seide treuthe, "And am wendyng to wyte · what þis wonder meneþ." [to] for to F. meneþ] bi|meneþ M.] "Haue no meruayle þer-of," quath mercy · "murthe hit by-tokneþ. Line 132 A mayde þat hatte Marie · and moder with-oute felynge [hatte] hiȝte F; hoteþ I; hattiþ T. felynge] veling G; wailyng M; vilenye T.] Of eny kynde of creature · conceyuede þorw speche [A page 329] [of] I om. þorw] wiþ-oute (!) G.] And grace of þe holygost · waxe gret with childe, [And] And þoruȝ T; Þoru M. waxe] so PI; wax EMF; wex T; was G.] With-oute [wommanes] wem · in-to þis worlde brouhte hym; [[wommanes FT] womanes M; woman E; womman IG; wommen P. worlde] wordle PG.] Line 136 And þat my tale is trewe · ich take god to witnesse. [is] be M. trewe] trywe P.] Sutthen þis barn was ybore · beoþ þritty wynter passed, [ybore] born MT; bore G.] Deyed and deþ þolede · þis day a-boute mydday;

That is þe cause of þis eclipse · þat ouer-closeþ now þe sonne, [That] And þat I. þis] þe MG. eclipse] enclips M; clips IFTG. þat] F om. ouer-closeþ] ouercloþeth I; ouercloside T; ouercomeþ MG. now] MG om.] Line 140 In menynge þat man shal · fro meorknesse beo drawe, The while þis light and þis leom · shal Lucifer a|blende. [leom] lowe IT; loue G. ablende] ableynde P; ablynde E.] For patriarkes and prophetes · han prechede her-of ofte, That þyng þat tynt was þorw treo · treo shal hit wynne, [þyng] IG om. þat] IT om. was] T om. þorw] þorgh a I; wiþ M. shal] wil F.] And þat þat deþ doun brouhte · deþ shal releue." [þat (2)] IT om. deþ (2)] lif G.] Line 145 "That þat þou tellest," quaþ treuþe · "is bote a tale of walterot! [þat (2)] IMTG om. walterot] so PET; waltrot F; a waltrot M; walter G; walteret I.] For adam and eue · and abraham with oþere, Patriarkes and prophetes · þat in peyne liggen, Line 148 Leyf hit neuere þat ȝon lyght · hem a-lofte brynge, [Leyf] Lef M; Leue EIT; Leeue F; Leoue G. neuere] were (!) T. ȝon] ȝeon P; ȝone I; ȝonde M; ȝynen (!) G; ȝeond E; þat F. ȝon lyght] þou list (!) T. a-lofte] o-loft T; on lofte M.] Ne haue hem out of helle; · hold þy tonge, mercy, [haue] heue M. hem] hem ȝit F.] Hit is trufle þat þou tellest; · ich, treuthe, wot þe sothe, [is] is a F; is but a M; is but IT. trufle] tryfle EFTG; triful M; trewful I. treuthe] trewely T.] That þyng þat ones was in helle · out comeþ hit neuere. [was] is IFTG; comeþ M.] For iob þe parfit patriarke · repreoueþ þy sawes,

Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio."

[For] ITG om. þy] þe I. repreoueþ—sawes] he proueþ þis sawe M.] Line 153 Thenne mercy ful myldeliche · mouþed þese wordes, [þese] þes P.] "Þorgh experience," quaþ heo · "ich hope þei shulle be sauede. [A page 330] [heo] so PG; ȝo E; he I; sche M; ho T. quaþ heo] ȝit F.] For venym for-doþ venym · þer vecche ich euydence, [vecche] so PE; fecche IMTG; fet F.] That adam & eue · haue shullen bote. [&] & eke F. shullen] scholden I. bote] boþe (wrongly) M.] Line 157

Line 157 Of alle fretynge venymes · þe vilest is þe scorpion; [Of] For of IT. fretynge venymes] ffretande venym T. vilest] foulest M; filist E. is] M om.] May no medecyne amende · þe place þer he styngeþ, [styngeþ] stynkeþ (!) E.] Til he be ded, ydo þer-to · and þenne hit destroieþ [be] IT om. ydo] and i-do M; & do F. and] M om. hit] he IT. destroieþ MIF] distroyeþ T; distrieþ P; destruyeþ E.] The ferst venemoste · thorgh vertu of hym-selue. [venemoste] venymoste T; venymeste I; venymest M; venymous|heede F; venymost þing E.] Line 161 And so shal this deþ for-do · ich [dar] my lyf legge, [for-do] do M. [dar EFIT] þar P; schal M.] Al þat deþ and þe deuel · dude formest to eue. [157—163. G omits.] Ryght as þe gylour þorw gyle · by-gylede man formest, [Ryght] And right IT. as] so as M.] So shal grace þat al by-gan · make a good ende, [al by-gan] bigan al IT (which runs better); but see l. 222.] Line 165 And by-gyle þe gylour · and þat is a good sleithe;

Ars ut artem falleret."

[And] & so F. and] M om. a] I om.] "Now suffre we," seide treuthe · "ich seo, as me thynkeþ, Out of þe nype of þe north · nat ful fer hennes, [nype] so PEMFT. nat] þat is (!) E. fer MIFTG] ferre E; feer P.] Line 168 Ryghtwisnesse come rennynge; · reste we þe whyle; [Ryghtwisnesse] Rightwisnesse IEFT; Rythwisnesse PM; cf. l. 177. come] comeþ M. þe] a M; þere T. whyle] wyle P; whiles I.] For he wot more þan we · he was er we boþe." [he] so PIFTG; ȝo E; sche M (twice); but note that he here = hue = she; cf. l. 178. er] er þan P (but EIMFTG omit þan); or EIF.] "That is soth," seide mercy · "and ich seo her by southe, [and] G om. ich] T om.] Wher comeþ pees pleyinge · in pacience [y]cloþed. [ycloþed EMITG] cloþed PF.] Line 172 Loue heore haþ coueyted longe · leyue ich non oþer [heore—coueyted] haþ y-co|ueyted hire I; hadde coueitid hire T. leyue] & now leue F.] Bote loue haue sent heore som lettere · what þis light bymeneþ [haue—heore] hure haþ i-sent M. what] þat M. bymeneþ] brenneþ M.] That ouere-houeþ helle þus; · he shal ous telle." [he] so PIFTG; ȝo E; sche M; observe that he = hue, as above. ous] vs soone F. shal ous] vs schal I.]

Whenne pees, in pacience [y]cloþed · aproched ayþer oþer, [Whenne] Wenne P. ycloþed EMITG] cloþed PF. ayþer] here ayþer IT.] Line 176 Ryghtwisnesse reuerencede pees · in heore riche cloþinge, And prayede pees to tellen huere · to what place he wolde, [he] heo F; sche MI; she T; ȝo E; cf. l. 177. wolde] scholde I.] In heore gay garnemens · wham he gladie þouhte? [A page 331] [In] And I. he] heo FG; sche MI; she T; ȝo E. gladie] glade MFT.] "My wil is to wende," quaþ Pees · "and wel-come hem alle, [E omits. wende] weynde P. and wel-come] to gladye G.] Line 180 Þat meny day myghte ich nat seo · for meorknesse of synne. [ich] IMFTG om.] Adam and eue · and oþer mo in helle, [Adam] As adam F.] Moyses and meny mo · mercy shullen synge; And ich shal daunce þer-to · do al-so þow, suster! [al-so þow] þow also M; þou so IG.] Line 184 For iesus iousted wel · ioye by-gynneþ to dawen;

Ad uesperum demorabitur fletus, & ad matu|tinum leticia.

[For] For þat F. to] I om. &] T om. &—leticia] MF om.] Loue þat is my lemman · suche letteres me sente, [me] he me MI; heo me TG.] Þat mercy my suster, and ich · mankynde [shulde] saue; [[shulde M] scholde E; shul|len PF; schal ITG.] And þat god haþ for-gyue · and graunted to al man|kynde, [þat—haþ] god hath gilt now F. graunted—al] graunteth for F. al] MG om.] Line 188 Mercy, my suster, and me · to maynprise hem alle. [and] & to F.] And crist haþ conuerted · þe kynde of ryghtwisnesse [crist] þat crist I; our crist F. conuerted] conforted (!) E.] In-to pees and pyte · of hus pure grace. Lo, here þe patente!" quaþ pees · "in pace in idipsum, [þe] a F.]

And þat þis dede shal dure · [dormiam et requiescam]." [dure] endure F. [dormiam, &c.] from EIMFTG; P om.] "Rauest þou?" quaþ ryghtwisnesse · "oþer þou art ryght dronke! [Rauest þou] What rauestow F; Rauestow I. oþer] or elles M. art IMFT] ert PEG. ryght] MG om.] Line 194 Leyuest þou þat ȝon light · vnlouke myghte helle, [Leyuest] Leuest EITG; Wen|est M. þou] M om. Leyuest þou] Leuestow F. þat] þat þe PE; but IMFTG omit þe. ȝon] ȝende (sic) E; ȝondur F; ȝoure G.] And saue mannes soule? · suster, wene hit neuere! [And] & also F. wene] lef M.] At þe begynnynge of þe worlde · god gaf þe dom hym|selue, Line 197 Þat adam and eue · and hus issue alle [eue] eue also F. hus—alle] al his yssue EITG; al heore issue aftur M; al her yssue F.] Sholden deye doun-ryht · and dwelle in peyne euere, [Sholden] Schal I. peyne] pyne FG. euere] for euere M.] Yf þei touchede þe treo · and of þe frut eten. [Yf] Ȝif þat FT; If þat I. þe (1)] þat ITG; a F. þe frut] þat fruyt T. eten] ȝeten M. of—eten] tasted of þe froyt F.] Line 200 Adam afterwarde · a-ȝens hus defense, [Adam] & ȝit adam F.] Faste fret of þat frut · and for-soke, as hit were, [Faste] He G; IT om. þat] þe IG.] The leel loue of oure lorde · and hus lore boþe, [A page 332] [leel] ITG om. hus] of his G.] And folwede þat þe feonde tauhte · and hus fleshes wil, [hus] þe M. fleshes] miswrit|ten sheshes P.] Aȝens reson and ryghtwysnesse; · recorde þis with treuþe, [and] i I. recorde] i recorde M. þis] it I.] That here peyne is perpetuel · no preyere may hem helpe. Line 206 For-thi let hem chewe as thei chose · and chide we nat, susteres, [For-thi] For-whi M; For G; F om. chewe] cheue IM; schewe E.] For hit is a botles bale · þe byte þat þei eten." [hit] his M. a] ITG om. byte] bitte I. eten] ȝeten M.] "And ich shal preye," quaþ pees · "here peyne mote haue ende, [quaþ] seide F. ende] an ende P; but EIMFTG omit an.] Þat here wo in-to wele · wende mote atte laste. [Þat] And þat EIFT. wende mote] mote wende ITG; wende F. atte EG] at þe IMFT; atte þe P.] Line 210

Line 210 For hadde þei wist of no wo · wele hadde þei nat knowe; [knowe] i-knowe M; knowen I.] For wot no [wight] what wele is · þat neuere wo suffrede, [wot—wight] no wight wot IT. [wight IFT] wyȝt G; withg M; whit P. what] wat P. neuere wo] wo neuer E.] Line 212 Ne what is hot hunger · þat hadde neuere defaute. [Ne] And T. what] wat P. hadde neuere] neuere hadde MF.] Ho couþe kyndeliche · with colour discriue, [Ho] For ho F. with] wiþ T; wit (for with) P; with (altered to whit E; white IF; whyȝt G; whijt M. (But with seems the true reading, white being wrongly borrowed from the next line.)] Yf alle þe worlde were whit · oþer swan-whit alle þynges? [Yf] Hif P; but see l. 216. were] where P. oþer—whit] as swan in M.] Yf no nyght [ne] were · no man, as ich leyue, [Yf] For ȝif F. no nyght] ne myȝte (!) T. [ne ITG] PEMF om.; cf. B-text. as] ITG om.] Line 216 Sholde wite witerly · what day were to mene [I omits from what to wyterly in l. 219. wite] i-wite M. witerly] whiterly P; see l. 218. were] is T.] Ne hadde god suffred of som · oþer þan hym-selue, [god] M om. suffred] suffrede P; i-suffred MT.] He hadde nat wist wyterly · wheþer deþ wer soure oþer sweyte. [wist] i-wist M. wheþer] weþer PE; wher MIG. wer] is T.] For sholde neuere right riche man · þat lyueþ in reste and hele [right] F om. hele] in hele I.] Line 220 Ywyte what wo is · ne were þe deþ of kynde. [what] what þat F. þe] T om.] So god þat al by-gan · of hus good wil [al by-gan] bigan al IT.] By-cam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue, [mankynde] mankynne M.] And suffrede to be solde · to seo þe sorwe of deyynge, [to (1)] for to F. þe] G om.] Line 224 The whiche vnknytte[þ] alle care · and comsyng is of reste. [whiche] wiche P. vnknytteþ] vnknettiþ T; vnknyȝteth (sic) I; vnknette M; vnknyt EF; vnknytte P; vn-knitte G; perhaps vnknyt is best, but this is the contracted form of vnknytteþ, so that it is much the same; cf. B-text. and] G om. is of] of his T.]

For til moreyne mete with ous · ich may hit wel a|vowe, [mete] mette ETG. avowe] afowe E.] Ne wot no wight, as ich wene · what is ynowh to mene. [wight] wiȝt FT; whight P; whiȝt E; withg M; wrecche G.] For-thi god of hus goodnesse · þe furst man adam, [For-thi] For M. goodnesse] goudnesse P. furst man] forme fadur F.] Line 228 He sette hym in solace furst · and in souerayne murthe, [He] FT om.] And sutthe suffrede hym to synege · sorwe to fele, [suffrede] he suffride T. synege] so PF; sinege G; synne IMT; synny E. to (2)] for to F.] To wite þer-þorw what wele was · and kyndeliche to knowe. [A page 333] [wite] white P. þer-þorw] þer-with F. what] wat P. IT have—To wyte what wele was þer|þorgh · kyndeliche (kyndenesse T) to knowe. wele] sorwe (!) E.] And after auntrede god hym-self · and tok adams kynde, [auntrede god] god auntrede IT. tok MTG] toke EI; took F; touk P. adams] a mannus F.] Line 232 To wite what he hadde suffred · in [þre] sondry places, [wite] white P. hadde] haþ IT. [þre IFTG] þreo M; þe PE; see B|text. suffred] i-suffred M.] Boþe in heuene and in erthe; · and now to helle he þenkeþ, [he] I om.] To wite what alle wo is · þat wot of alle ioye;

Omnia probate; quod bonum est tenete.

[alle (1)] G om. wot] whot P.] Line 235 So shal hit fare by þis folke · here folie and here synne Shal lere hem what loue is · and lisse with-outen ende. For wot no wight what werre is · þer as pees regneþ, [wight] whight PE; withg M. as] þat M; weele of F; al G.] Ne what [is] witerliche wele · til wele-a-way hym teche." [[is IMFTG] PE om. witer|liche] whiterliche P. wele-a-way] weyleway I; weilawai MT; weylawey F.] Thenne was þer a wight · with two brode eyen, [Thenne] But þan F. wight] whight P; withg M. two] two ful F.] Line 240 Book hihte þat beau-pere · a bold man of speche. "By godes body," quaþ þis book · "ich wole bere wyttnesse, [þis EMFTG] þes P; þe I. wole] wolde M.]

Tho þis barn was ybore · þer blased a sterre, [Tho] Þo þat I. sterre] bold sterre F.] Line 243 Þat alle þe wise of þe worlde · in o wit a-corde[de], [wise] wies E; wiȝes T. þe] þis M. acordede FG] acorded EI; acordeden M; accordit T; acorde P.] Þat suche a barn was ybore · in bethleem þe cyte, [ybore] born M; yborne I.] Þat mannes soule sholde saue · and synne destruye. [destruye] so destroye F.] And alle þe elemens," quaþ þe book · "here-of bereth witnesse; [þe (1)] F om. þe (2)] þis F. witnesse] whitnesse P.] Þat he was god þat al wrouhte · þe wolkene furst shewede. [þat] and I. wolkene] wel|kene MFI; welkne T; wolkenes G. shewede] scheweden M.] Line 248 [Þo] þat weren in heuene · token stella comata, [[Þo EIMTG] To P; For þo F. heuene] heuene þo F.] And tenden hit as a torche · to reuerence hus burthe; [tenden] so PEIMFT; tendyn G. hus] þat G.] Þat light folwede þe lorde · in-to þe lowe erthe. [þe (1)] þat FG. þe (2)] þis M.] The water witnessede þat he was god · for [he] wente on hym drye; [witnessede G] whitnessed P; witnesseþ ITMF. [he IMFT] god PEG; cf. B-text. hym] her F.] Line 252 Peter þe apostel · parceyuede hus gate, [A page 334] [Peter] & seinte petur F. þe] M om. hus] wel his F. gate] grace M.] And as he wente vpon þe water · wel hym knewe, and seide, [vpon] on IMFTG. water] wawe F.] [Lord crist, comaunde me · to come to þe on watur];

'Domine, iube me uenire ad te [super aquas.']

[From F; PEIMTG omit. [super aquas] from EMF; PIT om.] Loo, how þe sonne gan louke · hure light in huere selue, [Loo] And lo I; And loke T. louke] loke E; to lowke F. in] and (!) M. huere] him M.] Line 256 When he sey hym suffry deþ · þat sonne and seo made! [he] so PEIFTG; heo (altered to he) M; observe he = hue = she. deþ] IT om.] Lo, þe erthe for heuynesse · þat he wolde deþ suffre, [deþ] IFTG om.]

[Quakede] as quike þyng · and al to-quashte þe roches! [[Quakede MEIFTG] Qua|quide P. as] as a IFGT. quashte] quashete P; but quasshte G; quasshide T; quasched F; miswritten quatte M; quasche E; cf. l. 64. þe] M om.] Lo, helle myghte nat holde · bote openede, þo god deþ þolede, [deþ] TG om. deþ þolede] deyde F.] Line 260 And let out symondes sones · to se hym honge on rode,

Non uisurum se mortem.

[Non, &c.] M om.] Now shal lucifer leyue hit · thauh hym loþ þynke; [Now] And now IT. leyue] leue IMT; leeue F; lyue (for leyue) PEG. leyue hit] hem leeue F.] For ihesus as a gyaunt · with a gyn comeþ ȝonde, [ȝonde MF] ȝont T; ȝeonde (for ȝonde) P; ȝende (an error for ȝonde) EI; ȝender (for ȝonder) G.] To breken and to bete a-doun · alle þat ben a-gayns hym, [alle] al PG; but see l. 265. þat] þo T.] Line 264 And to haue out alle · of hem þat hym likeþ. [to] forto F. alle—þat] of helle · alle þo T.] And ȝut ich, book, wol beo brent · bote he arise to lyue, [bote] but ȝif M. arise] rise M.] And conforten al hus kyn · and out of care brynge, [al hus] his careful F. and] & al T.] And al þe Iuwene ioye · vnioynen, and vnlouken, [vnioynen IE] vnioyenen P; vnioyned (wrongly) M; vnioyne FG.] And bote þei reuerencen hus resurexion · and þe rode honoure, [bote] bote yf PG; but EIMFT omit yf. hus] þe M; þis IT. resur|exion] risyng F. þe] þat G.] Line 269 And by-leyue on a newe lawe · beo ylost lyf and soule!" [I omits. we] we þo F; M om. [ich] i MFT; we G; and PE; cf. B-text. huyre—seo] se and here F.] "Suffre we," saide treuthe · "[ich] huyre and seo boþe A spirit speke to helle · and bit vnsperre þe ȝates;

Attollite portas, principes, vestras; & eleuamini, porte eternales, &c."

[speke] spekeþ IT. bit] bitte to I. vnsperre] oppene G. Attollite] Tollite M. principes, &c.] IMT om. vestras, &c.] F om. &— &c.] G om.] Line 272 A voys loude in þat light · to Lucifer seide, [loude] a-lowd F. seide] it seide F.]

"Princes of þis palys · prest vndo þe ȝates, [Princes] Princeps I. þis] þat G. palys] place IT. vndo] so PEITG; vndoþ M; vndooþ F. þe] þis IT; þese F.] For here comeþ with coroune · þe kynge of alle glorie." [here] here he I. coroune] a crowne F.] Thenne syhede satan · and seide to helle, [syhede] siȝte M; sede (!) E.] Line 276 "Suche a light a-ȝeyns our leue · lazar hit fette; [A page 335] [leue] bileue (wrongly) M.] Colde care and combraunce · is come to ous alle. [Colde] IT om. is] so in all.] Yf þis kyng [come] yn · mankynde wol he fecche, [þis] þes PG. [come ITG] comeþ M; miswritten comen PF.] And leden hit þer laȝar is · and lightliche me bynde. [hit þer] ȝet þat T.] Patriarkes and prophetes · han parled her-of longe, [parled] i-parlet M. longe] ofte G.] Line 281 Þat suche a lorde and a lyght · shal leden hem alle hennes. Ac rys vp ragamoffyn · and reche me alle þe barres [rys] aris MITG. ragamoffyn] ragamuffyn IFT. and] G om. reche] areche IMTG. alle] G om.] That belial [þy bel]-syre · beot with þy damme, [[þy EIMFTG] þe P. bel IMG] bele T; beel PF. beot] beet IFG; beut T; bete E. þy] his M.] Line 284 And ich shal lette þis lorde · and hus light stoppe; [þis] þat M.] Ar we þorw bryghtnesse be blent · barre we þe ȝates. [Ar] Or E; Er MT. þorw] with F. barre] go barre IT. we] T om.] Cheke we and cheyne we · and eche chyne stoppe, [Cheke] so in all. we (2)] E om. eche] eche a MIFG. chyne] chene M; chynne F.] Þat no light leope yn · at louer ne at loupe. [leope] lepe IMTG; lippe F. miswritten leopen P. ne at] ne ȝit at þe F.] Line 288 And þow, Astrot, hot out · and haue oute [oure] knaues, [And þow] ITG om. hot] hote IT; hoot F. [oure IFTG] þi M; PE om.] Coltyng and al hus kynne · oure catel to saue. [oure catel] þe care (!) IT.] Brynston boilaunt · brennyng out-casteþ hit [Brynston] so PE; Brym|stoon F; Brymston GT; bremston M. boilaunt] boyland ET; buylyng FG; Boilyng M (which has Boilyng bremston. brennyng] brennande T. hit] M om.] Al hot [on] here heuedes · þat entren ny þe walles. [[on MFTG] in PE. heuedes] hedes EMIFGT. ny] to M; ney E; nyȝ I; neiȝ T.] Line 292

Line 292 Setteþ bowes of brake · [and] brasene gonnes, [[and EIMFTG] a P.] And sheteþ out shot ynowh · hus shultrom to blende. [G omits. sheteþ] schoteþ E; shetteþ M. hus] heore M. shultrom] scheltrom IT; scheltrum M; schiltrom E; scheltroun F.] Sette mahon at þe mangonel · and mulle-stones þroweþ, [G omits. mahon] mahoun MT; mahonde I; mahound F. M omits last half of l. 295, and first half of l. 296.] With crokes and with kalketrappes · a-cloye we hem echone!" [with] ITFG om. a-cloye] en|cloye M; & cloye IT; gloȝe, altered to glose (!) G. hem] G om.] Line 296 "Lust[en]eþ," quaþ lucifer · "for ich þis lord knowe, [Lusteneþ M] Lesteneþ I; Listeneth now F; Lusteth PE; Lustneþ G; Lestniþ T.] Boþe þis lord and þis lyght · is longe gon ich knew hym. [is] I om. gon] y-go I; a-go MF; go TG.] May no deþ þis lord dere · ne no deoueles queyntise, [queyntise] pouke F.] And wher he wole, is hus wey; · ac war hym of þe periles; [wher—is] we wile wissen (!) T. ac] but MT. periles] perile I.] Line 300 Yf he reue me of my ryght · he robbeþ me by mastrie. [reue] bi-reueþ M; reuiþ T; robbiþ G. ryght] lyf (!) G. by] wiþ M; of his IT.] For by ryght and reson · þe renkes þat beon here [reson] by resoun IT.] Body and soule beþ myne · boþe good and ille. [beþ] þei be F.] For he hym-self hit seide · þat syre is of helle, [he] IT om. hit] M om. hit seide] seide it IT. syre] seignour F. helle] heuene IFTG.] Line 304 That adam and eue · and al hus issue [hus] heore M; her F. issue] issue aftur M.] Sholden deye with deol · and here dwelle euere, [deol] so PEMF; deole G; doel IT. here] þer E. euere] for euere M.] Yf [þat] þei touchede a treo · oþer toke þer-of an appel. [Yf] & F. [þat IMET] PFG om. a] þat ET. oþer] & FG. an appel] any applis T.] Thus this lorde of light · suche a lawe made, [this] thees P. light] lawe & liȝt F; lif G.] Line 308 And sitthe he is so leel a lorde · ich leyue þat he wol nat [so—a] a lele I.] Reuen ous of oure ryght · sutthe reson hem dampned. [of] al F. sutthe] whan M. hem] hym T; he F. dampned] dampneþ M.]

And sutthe we han beo sesed · seuene þowsend wynter, [han] hadde E. sesed] i-sesed M; cessid T. han—sesed] haue had sesoun (!) F.] And neuere was þer-aȝeyn · and now wolde by-gynne, [was] was ȝit F.] He were vnwrast of hus worde · þat witnesse is of trewþe." [He were] Þen were he IT. trewþe] miswritten treweþe P.] Line 313 "That is soþ," seide satan · "bote ich me sore doute, For þow gete hem with gyle · and hus gardyn breke, [gete] gote F. breke] broke E.] A-geyn hus loue and hus leue · on hus londe ȝeodest, [on] in I.] Nat in forme of a feonde · bote in forme of an Addre, [A page 336] [an Addre] a naddere T.] And entisedest eue · to ete by heore on,

Ve soli!

[And] & eke F. entisedest] enticest M. eue] dame eue F.] Line 318 And by-hihtest heore and hym · after to knowe, [by-hihtest] hiȝtest F. hym] eke him F. after] afturward F.] As [two] godes, with god · boþe good and ille; [[two ET] to (for two) PMFIG. ille] euil T.] Line 320 Thus with treison and with trecherie · þow troiledest hem boþe, [with (2)] IMFTG om. troil|edest] bi-troiledest M.] And dudest hem breke [here] buxomnesse · þorw false by-heste; [[here EIMFTG] he (for here) P. false] þi false MF. by-heste] behestis T.] Thus haddest þou hem oute · and hyder atte laste. [Thus] And so IT. þou] IT om. atte] ate F; at þe MTG.] Hit is nat greythly getyn · ther gyle is þe rote." [Hit is] Is hit M. greythly getyn] gete greithly F. getyn] gete F; y-gete IMFG.] Line 324 "And god wol nat be by-gyled" · quaþ gobelyn, "ne by-Iaped; [And] Ne M; For T. by|Iaped] iaped M.] We haue no trewe title to hem · for þi treison hit makeþ." [We] For we ne M. trewe] triwe P. þi] T om. makeþ] made M; makede G.] "For-thi ich drede me," quaþ þe deouel · "lest treuthe wol hem Fecche. [For-thi] For-whi M. þe] a F. hem] hym E.]

And as þow by-gyledest godes ymage · in goynge of an addre, [by-gyledest] gilest FT. ymage] ymages I. of] as FT an addre] a naddere T.] Line 328 So haþ god by-gyled ous alle · in goynge of a wye." [of] as F.] "For god haþ go," quaþ gobelyn · "in a gome lyknesse [god] he M. go] so in all but G; y-go G. quaþ] be (!) T. a] I om. gome] so PEIFG; gomes MT.] This þritty wynter, as ich wene · and went a-bowte and prechede. [wene] leue M. and went] he haþ i-go M.] Ich haue asailid hym with synne · and som tyme ich askede [asailid] a-saied M.] Line 332 Wher he were god oþer godes sone · he gaf me short answere. [Wher] Wheþer MFT. he—answere] and schortli he me answered M.] Thus haþ he troiled · and trauailed In hus tyme [One line in IT—Þus haþ he troiled forþ like (as T) a tidy man · þis tuo & þritty wynter. troiled] toi|led M. two EFT] tuo I; to PMG. wyntere] ȝere E.] Forþ like a tydy man · this two and þritty wyntere, [One line in IT—Þus haþ he troiled forþ like (as T) a tidy man · þis tuo & þritty wynter. troiled] toi|led M. two EFT] tuo I; to PMG. wyntere] ȝere E.] And whenne ich seih þat [hit] was so · ich sotelide how ich myghte [whenne] wenne P. þat] EIFGT om. [hit MEG] it IFT; he P.] Line 336 Lette hem þat louede hym nat · lest þei wolde hym martrye. [martrye] martiry E; martre MFG; martir IT.] Ich wolde haue lengthed hus lyf · for ich leyuede, yf he deyede, [lengthed] i-lengþed M. yf] & F.] And hus soule huder come · he sholde shende ous alle. [And] Þat if I; Þat ȝif T. he] hit FITG. sholde] wolde F.] The body, whyle hit on bones ȝede · a-boute was hit euere [whyle] wyle P; þe whiles T; whiles IG. on] one P. ȝede] ȝeden P.] Line 340 To lere men to beo leel · eche man to louen oþer; [lere] lerne MF. men] T om. eche—to] and eche man M; & eche a man F; and iche man to IT.] The whiche lif and lawe · be hit longe y-used, [whiche] wiche P. y-used E] i-vsed M; yvsid T; y-vsed G; used F; auysed (wrongly) I; yusede P.]

Hit shal vndon ous deoueles · and doun brynge ous alle." [ous deoueles] deuelus dynt F. doun EIMFT] don (for doun) P; a|doun G.] "Now y seo wher hus soule · comeþ seilinge hider|wardes [A page 337] [Now] And now IT. wher—comeþ] his soule · come M.] Line 344 With glorie and with gret light · god hit is, ich wot wel. [With] Whit P.] Ich rede we fleo," quaþ þe feond · "faste alle hennes; [we] miswritten wey P.] For us were betere nat beo · þan abyde in hus syghte. [us] vs EIFTG; we M; hus P.] For thi lesynge[s], lucifer · we loste furst our ioye, [lesynges IMFT] lesynge PEG; see l. 350. lucifer] þow lucefer M.] Line 348 And out of heuene hider · thi prude made ous falle; [prude] pride EIMFT; pryte G; badly spelt pruede P.] For we [leyuede] on þy lesinges · þer losten we [oure] blysse. [For] Whan M. we] he (!) T. [leyuede] leuede G; leued EIFT; leueden M.; miswritten lyuede P; but see l. 338. on] F om. [oure FTG] þe M; PE om.; but see l. 348. I omits last half of l. 350, and first half of l. 351.] And now, for a later lesynge · þat þow lowe tyl eue, [a] F om. lowe] louwe E; low F.] We han lost oure lordshep · a londe and in helle;

Nunc princeps huius mundi [eicietur foras]."

[We] Whe P. lordshep] mis|written lorshep P. a] on M; o T; in F. in] eke yn G. [eicietur, &c.] from M; PEITFG om.] Line 352 Suþþe þat satan · myssayde þus foule [Suþþe] He seiȝ T (wrongly). myssayde, &c.] þus foule mysseide · & schenfully rebukede F. myssayde] misdede G.] Lucifer for hus lesynges · leyue ich non oþer, [leyue ich] i leue M; now leue i F.] Bote oure lord atte laste · lyeres here rebuke, [Bote] But þat F. atte] ate F; at þe MT. here] wol F.] And wyte hem al þe wrecchednesse · þat wrouht is on erthe. [wyte F] miswritten wyten P; witen M. þe] from (!) T. wrouht is] is i-wrout M; wroght is here ITG. on] in I.] Line 356 Beo yware, ȝe wise clerkes · and wytty men of lawe, [Beo] Buþ M; Beth FT; Biþ G. yware] war FT. wytty men] ȝe witty IT.] Þat ȝe [be-leiȝe] nat [þese lewed] men · for atte laste dauid [[be-leiȝe T] bileue (for bileie) I; by-gylie PE; bi-gile MG. Þat—be-leiȝe] Bigileth F. nat] non MG. [þese lewed F] þis lewed IT; lewed EMG; þeos P. atte] ate F; at þe MT.]

Witnesseþ in hus wrytynge · what is lyeres mede;

Odisti omnes qui operantur iniquitatem, & perdes omnes qui loquntur mendacium.

[Witnesseþ] Whitnesseþ P; Witnesse I. wrytynge] writinges I. &] MF om. loquntur] so PTE; locuntur MFIG.] A lytel ich ouer-lep · for lesynges sake, [ich] þat (!) T. ouer-lep] ouerlepe IT; ouur-lepte F.] Line 360 Þat ich ne segge as ich seih · suynge my teme!— [as] nouȝt as T; nat as I. seih] seide F; si M. suynge] suwyng E; sewynge MFT; suenge G.] For eft þat light bad vnlouke · and lucifer answerede, [For] And M.] "What lord art þu?" quaþ lucifer; · a voys a-loud seyde, [art IMFT] ert PEG. a—a-loud] vare vaire leeue he F.] "The lord of myght and of [mayn] · þat made alle þynges. [[mayn MFTG] mayne IE; man (for main) P.] Line 364 Duke of þis dymme place · a-non vndo þe ȝates, [Duke] Dukes IT. dymme] dyuyne (!) I; derke G. vndo] vndoþ IT. þe] þis T.] That crist mowe comen In · þe kynges sone of heuene." [mowe] mote M.] And wiþ þat breþ helle brake · with alle beliales barres; [brake] to-brac F.] For eny wye oþer warde · wyde openede þe gates. [wye—warde] warde oþur wy F. openede] open ITG.] Line 368 Patriarkes and prophetes · populus in tenebris, [Patriarkes] Þo patriarkus F. populus] with populus F; and populus G.] Songen with seint Iohan · ecce agnus dei! Lucifer loke ne myghte · so lyght him a-blente; And þo þat oure lord louede · with þat lyght forth flowen. [And] Al E. louede] loueþ M. forth] placed before with in I; T om. flowen] so PEIG; folwen F; folewen M; folewide T.] Line 372 "Lo, me her," quaþ oure lorde · "lyf and soule bothe, For alle synful soules · to saue oure beyere ryght. [synful] cristene M. beyere] beiere E; beie M; bothes F; boþe IG; boþis T.] Myne þei were and of me · ich may þe beter hem cleyme. [A page 338] [þe] miswritten þei P. beter] bet EF.]

Al-þauh reson recorde · and ryght of my-selue, [recorde] recordede I.] Line 376 That yf þei eten þe appel · alle sholden deye, [sholden] shuln þei IT.] Ich by-hihte hem nat here · helle for euere. [by-hihte] byhete I; by-het G. helle] helle to haue F.] For þe dedliche synne þat þei duden · thi deceite hit made; [For] F om. þe] þat MG.] With gyle þow hem gete · ageyn alle reson. Line 380 For in my paleis paradis · in persone of an Addere [For] G om. an Addere] a neddere I; a naddere T.] Falsliche [þou] fettest þere · þat me by-fel to loke, [[þou FG] PEMIT om.; but see B-text. by-fel] by-feol P.] By-glosedest hem and [by]gyledest hem · and my gardyn breke, [By-glosedest] Glosedest F. bygyledest] by-gyledist G; bigiledest MIFT; gyledest PE.] A-ȝeyns my loue and my leyue; · þe olde lawe techeþ, [leyue] leue EIMFTG.] Line 384 þat gylours [be] by-gylid · and in here gyle falle. [[be EFTG] ben M; beþ P; I om.; cf. B-text.] And ho so hitteþ out a mannes eye · oþer elles hus for-teþ, [hitteþ] hit IFTG.] Oþere eny manere membre · maymeþ oþer hurteþ, The same [sore] shal he haue · þat enye so smyteþ;

Dentem pro dente, & oculum pro oculo.

[[sore EIF] sor MT; mis|written for P; so G. &] TG om smyteþ] herteþ M.] Line 388 So lyf shal [lyf] lete · þer lyf haþ lyf anyented, [[lyf EIFTG] lijf M; P om. þer] þat M. haþ] haue F. lyf (4)] M om. anyented] anynted E; en|ented M; avenked F; anentid G; amyendid (!) I.] So þat lyf quyte lyf · þe olde lawe hit askeþ. [quyte] schal quite M. hit] M om.] Ergo, soule shal soule quyte · and synne to synne wende, [wende] wynde ET.] And al þat man mys-dude · ich, man, to amenden hit; Line 392 And þat þat deþ for-dude · [my] deþ to releuen, [þat (2)] IT om. [my ITG] ich PE; i MF; cf. B-text. to] ys to G.]

Boþe aquyte and aquykye · þat was aqueynt þorw synne; [Boþe] And boþe IT. aquykye] quikie MF. aquyte — aquykye] quykye and quyte IT. was aqueynt] queynte was IT. þorw] with F.] And gyle be by-gyled · thorgh grace atte laste,

Ars ut artem falleret, &c.

[be] I om. atte EG] ate F; at þe MIT; miswritten atte þe P. Ars, &c.] M om.] So leyf hit nat, lucifer · þat ich a-ȝeyns þe lawe [leyf] leue EIMFTG. þat ich] IT om. ich] M om. lawe] lawe i fecche IT.] Line 396 Fecche here eny synful soule · souereynliche by maistrie; [Fecche] Fecche i M; in l. 396 in IT. by] wiþ M.] Bot þorgh ryght and reson · raunson here myne lige;

Non ueni soluere legem, sed adimplere.

[reson] þorgh resoun IT. lige] so PMTG; liege I; leege F; leche (!) E.] So þat þorgh gyle was geten · þorwe grace is now y-wonne. [A page 339] [þorgh] wiþ I. now] M om.] And as adam and alle · þorw a treo deyden, [And as] So þat M.] Line 400 Adam and alle þorgh a treo · shal turne to lyue. And now by-gynneþ thi gyle · a-gayn on þe turne, [thi] þe ET. on þe] on þe to IT; þe to M.] And my grace to growe · ay wydder and wydder. [to] for to F. ay] F om.] The biternesse þat þow hast browe · now brouk hit þy|self; [The] Þat M. hit] þou hit G.] Line 404 That art doctour of deþ · drynk þat þow madest! [art IMFT] ert PEG.] For ich þat am lord of lyf · loue is my drynke, [þat am] am þat MF.] And for þat drynke to-daye · deyede, as hit semede; [And] I om. deyede] I deyede IT. semede] semeþ E.] Ac ich wol drynke of no dich · ne of no deop cleregie, [dich] disshe IT; dik M; deþ (!) G. no (2)] I om.] Bote of comune coppes · alle cristene soules; Line 409 Ac þi drynke worth deþ · and deop helle þy bolle. Ich fauht so, me fursteþ ȝut · for mannes soule sake;

Sicio. [Ich fauht] In faiþ M. so] þat F. fursteþ] þresteþ M; þorstiþ G. sake] I om. Sicio] IM om.]

May no pyement ne pomade · ne presiouse drynkes [ne pomade] G om. ne (2)] ne oþur F. M has—Mai no precious piment · pomadre ne no drynkes.] Moyste me to þe fulle · ne my þurst slake, [þurst] þrest M; þrist F; furst T. ne—þurst] my þrest neiþer M. slake] slokke G.] Line 413 Til the vendage valle · in þe vale of Iosaphat, [vendage] ventage IMT. valle] falle EIMFTG. in] on G.] And drynke ryght rype most · Resurreccio mortuorum. Then shal ich come as a kyng · with coroune and with angeles, [Then] And þan IT. ich] E om. a] IT om.] Line 416 And haue out of helle · alle menne soules. Feondes and feondekenes · by-for me shullen stande, And be at my byddyng · at blysse oþer at peyne. [A page 340] [at] in F (last 2 times).] Line 419 Ac to beo merciable to man · þenne my kynde askeþ; [þenne] þat T.] For we beoþ breþeren of blod · ac nat in baptisme alle. [beoþ] F om. breþeren] broþerne P. of] of o IG. ac] but MT. in] in o G.] Ac alle þat beoþ myn half-breþeren · in blod and in baptisme [þat] þo T. half] halue M; hole IG; holy T; owne F; see l. 438. breþeren] broþerne P.] Line 422 Shal neuere eft in helle come · beo he ones oute;

Tibi soli peccaui, & malum contra te feci, &c.

[eft] follows helle in IT. beo he] ben þei M. &—feci] F om. contra] coram MIGT.] Hit is nat vsed on erthe · to honge eny felones [nat] M om. vsed] i-vsed M. to—felones] any feloun to hange F.] Ofter þan ones · þauh þei weren treitours. [þan] þan it were F. weren treitours] tretours were F.] Line 425 And yf þe kyng of þe kyngdom · come in þe tyme [þe (2)] F om.] Ther a þeof þoly sholde · deþ oþer Iuwise, [þoly] þole MT. oþer] oþer oþere T. Iuwise EM] better than Iuwes P; iewise IG; Iewesse (!) F; Iewis T.] Lawe wolde he ȝeue hym lyf · and he lokede on hym. [he (1)] E om. ȝeue] ȝaf T; ȝof F. and] if F.] And ich, þat am kynge ouer kynges · shal come suche [a] tyme, [kynge] a kynge P; but EIMFTG omit a. ouer] of MF. [a IMFTG] PE om.] Line 429

Line 429 Ther þat dom to þe deoþ · [dampneþ] alle wyckede; [[dampneþ EIMFTG] dampned P.] And yf lawe wol ich loke on hem · hit lyth in my grace, [And] F om. lawe wol] G om. ich] T om. hem] him T.] Line 431 Wheþer þei deye oþer deye nat · dude þei neuere so ille. [deye] deyde G (twice). dude] do M. þei] hy E. dude þei] ha þei do F.] Be hit eny þyng [dere abouȝt] · þe boldness of here synne, [[dere abouȝt MFE] dure y|bouht P; aboght I; abouȝt TG.] Line 433 Ich may do mercy of my ryghtwisnesse · and alle myne wordes trewe. [of] on M. trewe] trywe P; turne M.] For holy writ wole þat ich be awreke · of hem þat wrouhte ille;

As, nullum malum impunitum, & nullum bonum irremuneratum.

[For] F om. be] F om. awreke] wreke IFTG; wroken M. of] on MF. wrouhte] don M. ille] euele T. As] FT om. & nullum] nec ullum F.] And so of alle wyckede · ich wolle here take veniaunce, [of] I om.] And ȝut my kynde, in my kene yre · shal contrarie my wil—

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me—

[And] Ac I; But T. con|trarie] constreyne FITG; costreyne M. neque, &c.] IMFTG om.] Line 437 To beo merciable to menye · of my half-breþeren. [A page 341] [my] menye I. breþeren] bro|þerne P.] For blod may seo blood · boþe a-þurst and a-cale, [boþe] M om. a-þurst] a-þrest M; afurst IT.] Ac blod may nat seo blod · blede, bote hym rewe.

Audiui archana verba, que non licet homini loqui.

[blede] I om.] Line 440 Ac my ryghtwisnesse and my right · shal regnen in helle, [ryghtwisnesse] riȝtwisnesses F. my (2)] IMFTG om.] And mercy and mankynde · by-for me in heuene.

For ich were an vnkynde kynge · bote ich my kyn holpe, [kyn] kynde M. holpe EIMF T] miswritten helpe (for holpe) P; wolde helpe G.] Line 443 And nameliche at suche a neode · þat neodes help askeþ,

Non intres in iudicium cum servo tuo, domine.

[at] in F. neodes] nede M. domine] IMTG om.] Thus by lawe," quaþ oure lord · "lede ich wol fro hennes [by] i F. fro] M om.] Line 445 Alle þat ich louye · and leyuede in my comynge. [Alle] Þo ledis T. þat ich] þo þat i MF. in] on F.] Ac for þe lesynge þat þow, lucifer · lowe til eue, [Ac] & F. lucifer lowe] lowe lucefer MIFTG. til] to FT.] Þow shalt abygge bitere," quaþ god · and bond hym with cheynes. [abygge] abye IFTG; a-bugge M. bitere] bitterly T. hym] I om. cheynes] a chayne G.] Line 448 Astrot and alle oþere · hudden hem in heornes, [Astrot EIMTG] Astrott P; Astarot F. alle] þese F. hudden] so PE; hidden IMFT. heornes] so PF; hernes EMT; hirnes I; hernys G.] Thei dorst nat loken on oure lorde · þe leste of hem alle, [on] in E.] Bote [leten] hym leden forth which hym luste · and leue whiche hym lykede. [[leten IE] leet F; let TG; leot P; lette M. which] wich P; as F. hym luste] I om. whiche] wiche PM; such as F. lykede] likeþ M.] Mony hundrede of aungelis · harpeden þo and songen,

Culpat caro, purgat caro, regnat deus dei caro.

[Mony] Many an F. regnat—caro] F om. deus—caro] TG om.] Thenne pipede pees · of poetes a note, [Thenne] Þo M. of] & (!) F. of—a] of a poete a G; a poetes I.] Line 453 "Clarior est solito · post maxima nebula phebus; [post—phebus] IMFT om.] Post inimicitias · clarior est et amor. [A page 342] [clarior—et] F om.] After sharpest shoures," quaþ pees · "most sheene is þe sonne; [sharpest] scharpe E. sharpest shoures] schourus scharpest F. most sheene] warmest M.] Line 456 Ys no weder warmer · þan after watery cloudes, [Ys] Þer is F.]

Noþer loue leuere · ne leuere freondes, [Noþer] Neiþer M; Ne no FTG.] Line 458 Þan after werre and wrake · whanne loue and pees beon maistres. [loue—pees] pees and loue M.] Was neuere werre in þis worlde · ne wykkeder enuye, [wykkeder] wickede M.] Þat loue, and hym luste · to lauhynge [ne] brouhte, [lauhynge] lauȝing it T; lawȝyng hym E. [ne EFT] PMI om.; but see B-text. G is corrupt.] [And pees þorgh pacience · alle pereles stoppede]." [From I; also in TG; PEMF omit. pereles G] perelis T; mis|written sperewes (for perelles) I.] Line 462 "Treuwes," quaþ treuthe · "þou tellest soþ, by iesus! [Treuwes] so PE; Trewes IM; Trewis TG; Trewus now F. tellest] tellest vs IT; seist F.] Cluppe we in couenaunt · and ech of ous cusse oþer!" [Cluppe] so PEMI; Clippe F TG. cusse] kus M; kisse IFT.] "And leet no peuple," quaþ pees · "parceyue þat we chide! [leet] lete E; late F; let MT; lat IG. chide] so PEMFTG; chidede I.] Line 465 For impossible is no þyng · to hym þat is al-myghty." "Þow seist soþ," quaþ ryghtwisnesse · and reuerentliche heo custe [heo] ȝo E; sche M; hire T (wrongly); þey G. custe] kiste T; kissede FI.] Pees, and pees heore · per secula seculorum.

Misericordia & ueritas obuiauerunt sibi; Iusticia & pax osculate sunt.

[and—heore] treuþe & treuþe hure G. heore] kist heere F. per] per omnia ETG.] Line 468 Treuthe trompede þo, and song · "Te deum laudamus." [trompede] titly trumped F. and] a M.] And þen lutede loue · In a lowd note,

"Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum est, habi|tare fratres in unum!"

[þen] louely F. lowd] long M. note] tune T. est, &c.] MIFTG om.] Tyl þe day dawede · these damseles daunsede, [Tyl] & til F. daunsede] carolede IT.] That men rang to þe resurreccioun · and with þat ich awakede, [þe] F om. and] and right IT. awakede] waked ITG.] Line 472

Line 472 And kallyd kytte my wyf · and kalote my doughter, "A-rys, and go reuerence · godes resurreccioun, [A-rys] Ariseth F. go] goþ M; gawe F; go we G. reuerence] reuerenceþ M. godes] our goddus F.] Line 474 And creop on kneos to þe croys · and cusse hit for a Iuwel, [A page 343] [on—croys] to þe cros on knes IT. cusse] kus M; kisse IFT; kisse we G.] And ryghtfullokest a relyk · non riccher on erthe. [And] An P; Þe M. ryght|fullokest—riccher] rithfulest relic · no richere non is M. on] yn G.] For godes blesside body · hit bar for oure bote, And hit a-fereþ þe feonde · for such is þe myghte, [hit] he M. a-fereþ] aferede G. þe (2)] his M.] May no grysliche gost · glyde þer hit shadeweþ!" [May] Þer may F. grysliche] graselese G. glyde] a-bide M. sha|deweþ] schadeþ M.] Line 479

Hic explicit passus quartus et ultimus de dobet. [So in P; M om. Hic] EF om. I has—Explicit: Et incipit Dobest; T has—Explicit de do-bet: Et incipit de dobest; G the same, prefixing Hic.]