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-best.

PASSUS XXII (DO-BEST I).

[

TITLE. So PM; so EF, omitting Hic; Incipit de dobest GT; Incipit dobest I; Incipit passus septimus de dowel S (wrongly; owing to omission of Passus xvii to xxi).

OBS. Here S begins again.

] Hic Incipit passus primus de dobest.

Thus ich awakede and wrot · what ich hadde dremed, [A page 344] [Thus—awakede] I awaked þus F. what] þat F. dremed] i-dremed MIT.] And dyhte me derly · and dude me to churche, [churche] kirke MIG.] To huyre holliche þe masse · and be housled after. [huyre] here MIFT. holliche] holly IMFGT; holy S. be] to be IT. housled] yhousled E; i-hoseled M.] In myddes of þe masse · þo men ȝeden to offrynge, [myddes] myddul F. þo] M om.] Line 4 Ich fel eft-sones a slepe · and sodeynliche me mette, [Ich] And i M. fel GT] ful M; felle EIS; fel þo F; miswritten feel P. a] on I. me] IS om.] That peers the plouhman · was peynted al blody, [peynted] i-peynted M. blody] rede blody (sic) S.] And cam yn with a croys · by-fore þe comune peuple, [yn] M om. þe comune] al þe M.] And ryght like in alle lymes · to oure lord ihesu; Line 8 And þenne calde ich conscience · to kenne me þe soþe. [calde] so PEIMT; cald G; called F. kenne] telle M; knowe G.] "Is this ihesus þe Iouster?" quaþ ich · "þat Iuwes duden to deþe, Oþer is hit peers plouhman? · ho peynted hym so. rede?" [is hit] hit is MIT. peers] peres þe IF.] Quaþ conscience, and kneolede þo · "þese aren cristes armes, [þese] this P. aren] ben EM.] Line 12 Hus colours and hus cote-armure · and he þat comeþ so blody, [and (2)] ac I; but T. so] M om.]

Hit is crist with his crois · conquerour of crystine." [Hit] IT om. his] is P.] "Whi calle ȝe him crist · siþthen Iuwes cald hym ihesus? [A page 345] [Whi] & whi F. calle] calde G. siþthen] siþthen þat PE; but IM FGT omit þat. cald] calde G; calden T; called EIF; calleden M.] Patriarkes and prophetes · propheciede by-fore, Line 16 Þat alle kynne creatures · sholden kneolen and bowen, A-non as men nempned · þe name of God ihesu. [God] G om.] Ergo is no name · to þe name of ihesu, [Ergo] Ergo sire þer F. of] of þe (sic) I; T om.] [Ne] non so neodful to nempne · by nyghte ne by daye. [[Ne IFGT] And PEM; see B|text. G is corrupt.] For alle deorke deoueles · dreden hit to huyre, [dreden] aren drade I. hit—huyre] for to heren it IT.] Line 21 And synful ben solacede · and saued by þat name. And ȝe callen hym crist · for what cause, telleþ me? [for] ac for F. me] F om.] Is Crist more of myght · and more worþiere name [more (1)] any more F. wor|þiere] wurthi F; worþy G.] Line 24 Than iesu oþer iesus · þat al oure ioy come of?" [Than] Þan is G. al] M om. come] came E; cam IMFG.] "Thow knowest wel," quaþ conscience · "and þow conne reson, [and] if F. conne] knewe M.] Þat knyght, kyng, conquerour · may be o persone. [knyght] a knyȝt G. conquer|our] & conquerour F.] To be cald a knyght is fair · for men shal to hym kneole; [cald] called F; i-cald M. is] miswritten as P. shal—kneole] shuln knele to him T.] Line 28 To be cald a kyng is fairour · for he may knyghtes make; [To] F om.] And to be cald conquerour · that comeþ of special grace, [And] Ac IF; G om. cald] i|cald a M; called a F; cald a G. cald conquerour] conquerour y-called I; conquerour cald T. that] it F; hit G.] Of hardynesse of heorte · and of hendeness [boþe], [Of] And of IT; Boþe of F. [boþe T] PEMFG om.; but the line seems incomplete without it.] Line 31 To make lordes of laddes · of londe þat he wynneþ, And fre men foule þralles · þat folwen nat hus lawes.

The Iuwes þat weren gentel-men · ihesu þei dispiseden, Boþe hus lore and hus lawe · now aren þei lowe cheorles. [þei] we (!) I.] As wide as þe worlde is · wonyeþ þer none Line 36 Bote vnder tribut and taillage · as tikes and cheorles. [taillage] tailage EIM; taliage F; talages G.] And þo þat by-comen cristine · by consail of þe baptist, [by] þoru M; þoruȝ T.] Aren frankelayns and freo · þorgh fullyng þat thei toke, [A page 346] [Aren] And arn M; Ben E. freo] fre men IT.] And gentel-men with ihesu · for ihesus was yfulled, And vp-on caluarie [on] croys · [y-crouned] kyng of Iuwes. [And] E om. [on MIF] with PET; in G. [y-crouned IF] crouned EMT; coronede P; crowned G.] Hit by-comeþ for a kyng · to kepen and defende, [and] & to IT.] Line 42 And conquerour of hus conqueste · hus laies and hus large. [conqueste] conquestes I. laies] so PMIT; lawes G; lawus F; lores E. large] leege F; largete G.] So dude ihesus þe Iuwes · he Iustifiede and tauhte hem [So] And so IT. þe] to þe MF. he] M om. Iustifiede] Iustefiede P; iusticed G. and—hem] hem and tauȝte MG.] The lawe of þe lykyng lyf · þat laste shal euere; [of] & G. þe lykyng] IT om.; see B-text. laste shal] schal lasten F.] Line 45 And fendede hem fro foule vueles · feueres and fluxes, [fendede] defended M; fen|den T; fendeþ G. and] & eek F. feueres—fluxes] fluxus and feueres M.] And fro feondes þat were in hem · and false by-leyue. [And] F om. were—hem] in hem was IT.] Þo was he ihesus of Iuwes cald · gentel prophete, [gentel] & gentel F.] Line 48 And kyng of here kyngdom · and corone bar of þornes. [here] eueri G.] And þo conquered he on croys · as conquerour noble; [on] on þe M. as] as a MG.] Myght no deþ hym for-do · ne adoun brynge, Þat he ne aros and regnede · and rauesshede helle; [aros] roos F.] Line 52 And þo was he conquerour called · of quyke and of dede. For he ȝaf adam and eue · and oþer mo blisse, [blisse] her blisse F.] Þat longe hadde leye by-fore · as luciferes cheorles; [leye] i-leie M; lif (!) T.]

And tok lucifer þe loþliche · þat lorde was of helle, [53—56. G omits.] [loþliche] ladde F.] Line 56 And bond hym as he is bounde · with bondes of yren. [as] and M. bounde] I-bounde F.] Ho was hardier þan he? · hus heorte blode he shadde, [Ho] Who EMG. shadde] so PEMG; schedde FT; schewed I.] To maken alle folk freo · þat folwen hus lawe. [folk] foolk P; folkes E.] And sutthe he ȝaf largeliche · all hus leel lege [ȝaf EFG] miswritten ȝaue P (but see l. 54); gaf M; ȝeueþ I; ȝiueþ T. lege] leege F; lyge M; lige GT.] Line 60 Places in paradis · at here partyng hennes, [at] after M.] He may beo wel cald conquerour · and þat is crist to mene. [beo wel] wel be M. wel cald] called wel F; cald wel G.] Ac þe cause whi he comeþ þus · with croys and hus passion, [whi] þat IT. croys] his cros IT. hus] wiþ M; F om.] Ys, to wissen ous þer-with · þat when we beo tempted, [tempted] i-tempted MIFG.] Ther-with to fighten and fenden ous · fro fallyng in-to synne, [A page 347] [fighten and] E om. fenden] to defende M.] Line 65 And seo by hus sorwe · þat ho so loueþ ioye, [þat] MI om.] To penaunce and to pouerte · he mot putte hym-selue, [mot] moste M; miȝte T.] And muche wo in þis worlde · wilnen and suffren. [wilnen] willen M.] Line 68 Ac to carpe more of crist · and how he cam to þat name, [Ac] And for F. and] F om.] Faithly for to speke · hus furste name was ihesus. [Faithly] Faiþfulli MF.] Tho he was bore in bethleem · as þe book telleþ, And cam to take mankynde · kynges and aungeles Line 72 Reuerencede hym ryght faire · with richesse of eorthe. [Reuerencede] Reuerencide P; And reuerenced I. ryght] ful F. richesse] richesses MIF. of] on T. eorthe] herte G.] Aungeles of heuene comen · kneolede and songen,

Gloria in excelsis deo.

[Aungeles] & aungelus F. of] out of IT. comen] I om. kneolede] kneled E; knelide I; knelyng MFG; knelande T. songen] syngyng F.] Kynges comen after · kneolede and offride [after] afturward F. kneolede and] & kneling F; knelynge & G.]

Muche gold and murre · with-oute mercy askynge, [Muche] Muchel M. Muche—murre] Myrre & moche golde IT.] Line 76 Oþer eny kynne catel · bote knewelechede hym souereyn [G omits. knewelechede] knewe|leched E; knewelichede P; knowe|lecheden MIT; knowlached F.] Boþe of sand, sonne, and see · and sitthen þei wente [sand] land M. sitthen] sennes I; afterward G.] In-to here kyngene kutthe · by counsail of aungeles, [Here I has lost eight leaves, down to xxiii. 81. kutthe] kuþ E; kith FT; couþ M. aungeles] an aungel G.] And þer was þat word fulfild · the which thou of speke;

Omnia celestia, terrestria, flectantur in hoc nomine ihesu.

[þat] þe T. which] wich P. the which] þat G. terrestria] et terrestria MF.] Line 80 For alle þe aungeles of heuene · at hus burthe kneolede, And al [þe] wit of þe worlde · was in þo þre kynges; [[þe EMFGT] þat P. was] F om. þo] þis E.] Reson and [ryghtwisnesse] · and reuthe þei offrede; [[ryghtwisnesse EMF] ryghtful|nesse PGT; but see l. 88. offrede] suffreden M.] Where-fore and whi · wise men þat tyme, [Wherefore] Werefore P; Wher|fore sire F; Where G.] Line 84 Maistres and lettred men · magi hem calde. [hem] men hem G.] That on kynge cam with reson · keuered vnder sense; [A page 348] [keuered] ycouerid P. sense] cense F; sence M.] The secounde kyng sitthen · sothliche he offrede [he] T om.] Ryghtwisnesse, vnder red gold · resones felawe. Line 88 Gold is likned to leaute · þat laste shal euere, [likned FG] licknede P; likened E; i-likened M; yliknid T.] And reson to ryche gold · to right and to treuthe. The þridde kynge cam þo · and kneolede to iesu, [þo] T om.] Line 91 And presentide hym with pite · aperynge by mirre; [And] F om. with] M om. aperynge by] peeryng with F.] For mirre is mercy to mene · and mylde speche of tonge. [to] for to F.] Eorthliche honeste þynges · was offred þus at ones [Eorthliche] Erþliche EMT; Erthelyche G; Eerthlich F (not as in B-text). was] so PEMT; were F. Probably was should have been kept in B-text. at ones] to iesus M.] Þorgh þre kynde kynges · kneolyng to ihesu. [þre] þe F. kynde] kyne T. to ihesu] at ones M; cf. l. 94.] Line 95

Line 95 Ac for alle þese preciose presentes · oure lord [prince] ihesus [Ac] But T; F om. þese] þes P. [prince TFG] PEM om. lord prince] prince lord F.] Line 96 Was noþer kyng ne conquerour · til he comsede wexe [noþer] neuere M. wexe] to wexe F; to waxe T.] In þe manere of [a] man · and þat by muche sleithe, [[a EMFTG] P om. by] wiþ M. sleithe] slyþe EG; sleiȝte FT.] As hit by-comeþ for a conquerour · to conne menye sleithes, [a] F om. sleithes] sleiȝtus F; sleiȝte T; sliþes G.] And menye wiles and wyt · þat wol be a ledere; [wiles] whiles P.] Line 100 And so dude ihesus in hus dayes · ho so dorste tellen hit. [And] FG om. tellen hit] hit telle MG.] Som tyme he suffrede · and som tyme he hidde hym, [G omits. Som] For sum F.] And som tyme he fauhte faste · and fleih oþer-while; [fleih] fli M. while] wile P.] And som tyme [he] gaf good · and grauntede hele, [And] G om. [he MFGT] PE om. hele] hele boþe T.] Line 104 Boþe lyf and lyme · as hym luste, he wrouhte; [Boþe] T om. hym] him-self M. luste] list T.] As [kynde] is of a conquerour · so comsede ihesus, [[kynde MFGT] PE om. of a] to G. comsede] comside þanne T.] Til he hadde alle hem · þat he for bledde. [alle hem] hem alle F.] In hus Iuuente þis Ihesus · at [þe] Iuwene feste [þis EMFTG] þes P. at] T om. [þe MF] PEGT om.] Line 108 Turned water in-to wyn · as holy writ telleþ, [A page 349] [Turned] at end of l. 108 in T.] And þer by-gan god of hus grace · gretliche to dowel. [And] F om. grace] good|nesse M. gretliche] graithely F; TG om. dowel] dwelle (!) T.] For wyn is lykned to lawe · and lyf-holynesse; [lykned] i-likened M.] And lawe lackede þo · for men louede nat here enemy[s]; [enemys T] enemyus F; enmys M; enemy PEG; but see l. 114.] And crist counsaileþ thus · and comaundeþ boþe [counsaileþ] consailede G. comaundeþ] commaundede G.] Line 113 To lerede and to lewede · for to loue oure enemys. [G omits. To] Both to F. for] FT om.] So at þat feste furst · as ich by-fore tolde, [So] So þat F. at þat] atte G. þat] þe MF.]

By-gan God of hus grace · and of hus goodness [to] do-wel; [of hus (2)] MFTG om.; cf. B|text. [to MTG] PEF om.] And þo was he cleped and cald · nat onliche crist, bote ihesu, [And] G om. cleped MEFT] clipede P; clipyd G.] Line 117 A fauntekyn ful of wytt · filius Marie. [A] And T; A fair F. filius] & filius F.] For by-fore hus moder Marie · made he þat wonder, [he] was F.] That sheo furst and formest · sholde ferme by-leyue, [sheo] sche MFT; ȝo E; heo G. ferme] be ferm (!) F.] That he thorgh grace was gete · and of no gome elles. [was gete] gete was F. of] þurw F.] He wrouhte þat by no wyt · bote by worde one, [by (2)] þoru M; þurw F; þoruȝ T; þurgh G.] Line 122 After þe kynde þat he cam of · þer comsede he dowel. [dowel] to dowel M.] And whenne he was woxen more · in hus modres absence, [whenne] wenne P. woxen] I-woxe F; waxe T; wexe G. was woxen] wexede M. modres] modur F; moder G; modir T.] Line 124 He made lame to leepe · and ȝaf light to blynd, [lame] þe lame F. to (2)] to þe PE; but MFTG omit þe.] And fedde with two fisshes · and with fyue loues [two EGT] to PMF.] [Sore] a-fyngred fele folke · mo þan fyf þousand. [[Sore MFTG] So PE. a|fyngred] of-hungred M. fele] T om.] Thus he comfortede careful · and cauhte a grettere name, [careful] þe careful F. gret|tere] gret M.] The whiche was dobet · wher þat he wente. [The whiche] Whuche name G. whiche] wiche P. dobet] a do|bet F.] Line 129 For deue þorgh hus doynges · and dombe speke and herde, [deue] so PFGT; deeue M; defe E. speke] so PEMT; spook F; spek G.] And alle he heled and halp · þat hym of grace askyde. [he] T om. halp] he halp F.] Tho he was callyd in þe contreo · of þe comune peuple [Tho] And þo T. he was] was he M. þe (1)] MFGT om. contreo] contre F; cuntre M; contreye EG; cuntray T.] For þe dedes þat he dude · fili david, iesus! [A page 350] Line 133 For dauid was þe douhtiest · of dedus in hus tyme;

The buyrdes [þo] songen · saul interfecit mille, & dauid decem milia; [[þo EMG] þanne T; so P; cf. B-text. F has—Þe burdes seide he bar him wel · whan he beet ten þousand; Percussit saul mille, & dauid decem milia.] Line 135 For-þi þe contreye þer ihesu cam · cald hym fili dauid, [cald] þei calde M. fili] iesu fili M.] Nempnede hym of nazareth · and no man so worthi [Nempnede] And nempnide T; Hy nempnide G. no man] nampned him (!) F.] To beo caiser oþer kyng · of þe kyngdom of Iuda, [beo] ha be F. oþer] and M. of] in T. þe] F om.] Ne ouer Iuwes Iustice · as ihesus [was], hem þouhte. [ouer] ouere P. [was MFGT] PE om.; cf. B-text.] Her-of had cayfas enuye · and oþere Iuwes, [oþere] othe as oþere (!) T.] Line 140 And for to do hym to deþe · day and nyght þei casten, [deþe EMG] deth F; diþe P; dede T. þei] hy G; M om.] And culled hym on croys-wyse · at caluarye, on a fryday, [culled] culden MF; culde G; kilden T. on (1)] a F; in G. a] T om.] And sutthen buriede hus body · and beden þat men sholde Line 143 Kepen hit fro nyght-commeres · with kyghtes y-armed, For no freonde sholde hit fecche · for prophetes hem tolde [For] Þat M. freonde] body G. For—freonde] Freend for noon F. hit] him MF; hem (!) T.] That þat blessed body · of buriels sholde aryse, [buriels E] burieles MG; biri|ellus F; burielis T; miswritten buri|elesse P. of—sholde] schulde · of bi|riellus F. aryse] rise T.] And gon in-to galile · and gladen hus apostoles, [and gladen] to gladye G.] Line 147 And hus moder Marie; · thus me by-fore deuynede. [thus] so F. me] so PE; men MFTG.] The knyghtes that kepten hit · by-knewen hem-selue, [The] Þan þe F.] Þat aungeles [&] archaungeles · ar þe day spronge, [[& EFGT] and M; P om. ar] or EM; er T.] Comen kneolynge · to þat corps, and songen, [þat corps] þe crois F. corps] corpus E; bodi M. T has—Com knelyng on knes · and to þat corps sungen, songen] swettely songen G.] 'Christus rex resurgens' · and hit aros after, [F puts christus resurgens at end of l. 150, and omits this line. rex] MG om.] Line 152

Line 152 Verrei man by-fore hem alle · and forþ with hem ȝeode. [Verrei] Verey E; Verai M; Verray T; Hit roos (sic) F.] The Iuwes preyede hem of pees · and preyede þo knyghtes [The—preyede] Þo preide þe iewus F. þo] þe MT; to þe F.] Telle þe comune, þat þer cam · a companye of hus aposteles, [A page 351] [Telle] To telle M.] Line 155 And by-wicched hem as thei woke · and a-way stelyn hit. [by-wicched E] bi-wicchede M GT; biwichched F; miswritten by|wocched P. stelyn] stelen EMGT; þei stole F. hit] him M; G om.] Ac marie magdalene · mette [him] by þe weye, [Ac] But T; And F. [him M FGT] hem PE.] Goynge to-ward galile · in god-hede and man-hede, [Goynge] Goande T. toward] in-to F. and] & in G.] And lyues and lokynge · and heo aloud cryede, [lyues] lyuyng M. And lyues] Al alyue F. lokynge] lokande T. heo] sche M; scheo F; ȝo E; he G; T om. heo aloud] lowde þo scheo F.] Line 159 In eche companye þer heo cam · 'christus resurgens.' [eche] eche a MFG. heo] sche M; scheo F; ȝo E; he GT.] Thus cam hit out þat crist ouer-cam · rekeouered, and lyuede;

Sic oportet Christum pati, & intrare gloriam suam,

[rekeouered] and recouerede M; & recoueride T. lyuede FEMT] releuede G; leyuede P. Sic oportet] Oportebat F. pati] pati & resurgere M. &—suam] F om. gloriam suam] MTG om.] For þat [þat] wommen witeþ · may nat wel be consail! [[þat EMG] PFT om. may] hit may FT.] Peter parceyuede al þis · and porsuede after, [Peter] Þo petur F. al] MG om. and] he F. porsuede] pursued fast F.] Line 163 Boþe Iames and Iohan · Ihesu to seke, [and] & eke F. to] for to F.] Taddee and ten mo · with thomas of ynde; [Taddee EM] Tadde TF; Tadee PG. and] wiþ G. with] and G.] And [as] alle þese wise wyes · weren to-gederes [And] MG om. [as FMGT] PE om. wyes FGT] badly spelt weyes P; men M.] In an hous al by-shutt · and here dore barred, [here] þe T. barred] i-barred MF.] Line 167 Crist cam yn, and al was closed · boþe dore and ȝates, [yn and] ȝut G. was] T om. closed] cloos F. dore] deres M.]

To peter and to hus aposteles · and seyde, 'pax uobis!' [to hus] his E; oþer G.] And took thomas by þe hand · and tauhte hym [to grope] [[to grope EMFGT] þo grepe P.] Line 170 And fele with hus fyngres · hus fleshliche heorte. [fleshliche] freliche T.] Thomas touchede hit · and with hus tunge seyde,

'Dominus meus & deus meus,

[Thomas] Thomas þo F. hit] hym E. Dominus, &c.] follows l. 176 in M.] Thow art my lord, ich by-leyue · god, lord ihesu, [art MFT] ert PEG. god lord] & my god F; lord god & G.] Line 173 That deydest and deþ þoledest · and deme shalt ous alle, [That] T om. deydest] Diȝed|est T. shalt] schal MFT.] And now art lyuynge and lokynge · and laste shalt euere.' [art MF] ert PEG; art þou T. shalt] schal MFG.] Crist carpede þenne · and corteisliche seide, [A page 352] [þenne] þo F.] 'Thomas, for thou trowest this · and trewely by-leyuest hit, [T omits. trowest] troudest M. trewely] stedefastli M. hit] F om.] Line 177 Yblessed mote þou beo · and beo shalt for euere; [Yblessed] Þer-for blessed F.] And blessed moten þei beo · in body and in soule, Þat neuere shullen seo in syht · as þou seost nouthe, [shullen seo] ne schullen se E; syen þis F. seo] se me T. as] þat MG. seost] sixt it F.] And leelly by-leyuen al this · ich loue hem and blesse hem;

Beati qui non uiderunt, & crediderunt.'

[by-leyuen] lyuen T. hem (2)] F om.] Line 181 And when þis dede was don · dobest he þouhte, [don] i-don M; I-do F; do G. dobest] to dobest M.] And ȝaf peers power · and pardon he grauntede [and] a M.] To alle manere of men · mercy and forȝyuenesse, [and] an P. In margin of M—de restitucione.] Line 184 And ȝaf hym myghte to asoylye men · of alle manere synnes, [And ȝaf] T om. asoylye] asoyly E; asoile MG; assoile T; soile F. to—men] men to assoile TG. synnes] of synnes T.]

In couenaunt þat þei come · and kneweliched to paye [kneweliched] knowleched MT; knewleche G.] To peers pardon [þe] plouhman · Redde quod debes. [[þe T] PEMFG omit; but see B-text; cf. l. 360.] Thus haueþ peers power · beo hus pardon payed, [haueþ] so PG; haþ EMFT. peers] he M. beo] to F. payed] i-paied M.] Line 188 To bynde and vnbynde · bothe here and elleswher, [To] For to F. and] and to M. elleswher] elleswer P; elles MG; ellus F; ellis T.] And assoille of alle synnes · saue of dette one. [of (1)] men of T.] A-non after an hyh · vp in-to heuene [after] he sti M. an hyh] þan an hy F; on heiȝ T. M adds—As|cendit ad celos.] Line 191 He wente, and woneþ þere · and wol come atte laste, [þere] þere now F. atte] at þe MFT.] And rewardy [him] right wel · þat Reddit quod debet, [And] To M. rewardy] re|ward E; rewarde MFGT. [him FT] hym G; hem PEM. þat Reddit] & 'redde (sic) T.] Payeþ now parfitliche · as pure treuthe wolde. [Payeþ] & paith F. now] T om. parfitliche] trewly G.] Line 194 And what persone payeþ hit nat · punysshen he þenkeþ, [what] wat P. hit] G om. he] hem he E; him he T.] And demen [hem] at domesday · boþe quyke and dede; [[hem EFG] hym PT; M om. boþe—dede] quyk & ded boþe T.] The gode to þe god-hede · and to grete ioye, [þe] FGT om. god-hede] god ȝede G.] Line 197 And wyckede to wonye · in wo with-outen ende." [And] Þe M; G om. enae] eny ende G.] Thus conscience of crist · and of þe croys carpede, [A page 353] [þe] his M; T om. In mar|gin of M—de immissione spiritus sancti.] And consailede me to kneole þer-to · And þenne cam, me þouhte, [consailede] counseiledest F. cam—þouhte] gan y þenke G.] Line 200 On spiritus paraclitus · to peers and to hus felawes, [to (2)] FG om.] In liknesse of a lyght[n]ynge · a-lyghte on hem alle, [liknesse] licknesse P. a] FT om. lyghtnynge] liȝtenynge F; liȝt|nyng T; lith þyng M; lyghtynge PG; liȝtyng E; but see B-text. a-lyghte] aliȝte M; he aliȝt F; & liȝt ET.] And made hem [conne] and knowe · alle kynne lan|guages. [hem] hym T. [conne EMG] kunne F; come PT. and] & eek F. languages] langage M.] Line 203

Line 203 Ich wondrede what þat was · and waggede conscience, [Ich wondrede] Wondur had i F. þat] he F; it T. waggede] wag|gide on T.] And was a-fered for þe lyght · for in fuyres lyknesse [And] I F. a-fered] a-ferede P; aferde E; aferd MFTG. for (1)] of E. þe] þat G.] Spiritus paraclitus · ouer-spradde hem alle. Line 206 Quaþ conscience tho, and kneolede · "this is cristes messager, [tho] T om. is] F om.] And comeþ fro þe grete god · grace is hus name. [þe] T om.] Kneole now," quaþ conscience · "and yf þow conne synge, [conne] canst T.] Welcome hym and worshupe hym · with 'veni, creator spiritus.' " [hym (1)] M om.] Line 210 And ich sang þat song þo · and so dude meny hondred, And cryden with conscience · "help ous, god of grace!" Tho by-gan grace · to go with peers the plouhman, [Tho] And þanne T.] Line 213 And consailede hym and conscience · the comune to someny— [hym] E om. (!) someny] so PEG; somene MF; sompne T.] "For ich wolle dele to day · and diuyde grace [wolle] wolde M.] To alle kynne creatures · þat can hus fif wittes; [can hus] so PEGT; haue his F; han heore M; perhaps kan should have been retained in B-text.] Tresour to lyue by · to here lyues ende, [Tresour] Tresoures G. here] oure G.] Line 217 And wepne to fight with · þat wol neuere faille. [fight] warde F (an ingenious suggestion). wol] schal G. In margin of M—De antechristo.] For antecrist and hise · shal al þe worlde greue, [antecrist] auntecrist PG (here, and in l. 225). hise] alle hise T. shal—worlde] al þe world shal T. worlde] wordle P.] And encombry þe, conscience · bote yf crist þe helpe. [encombry] encombre MEFG; acumbre T. yf] T om. þe (2)] G om.] And fele false prophetes · flaterers and glosers [fele] follows prophetes in T.] Line 221 Shullen come, and be curatours · ouer kynges and Erles. [curatours] creatures (!) F.] Thanne shal pruyde be pope · and pryns of holychurche, [Thanne] And þanne T. pope] poore (!) F. holychurche] holinesse F.] Couetise and vnkyndenesse · cardinales hym to lede. [hym] hem M.]

For-þi," quaþ grace, "ar ich go · ich wole gyue ȝou tresour, [A page 354] [For-þi] For-whi M. wole] schal M. tresour] tresoures G.] Line 225 And wepne to fyghte with · whanne antecrist ȝou assaileþ." [to] for to F. assaileþ] assaile F.] And gaf ech man a grace · to gye with hym-self, [And] He M. man a] gom T. to gye] T om. (!) with] wel F.] Þat ydelnesse ne encombre hem nat · ne enuye, ne pruyde;

Diuisiones graciarum sunt.

[ne (1)] FGT om. encombre] hen-combrie E. hem] him T; F om. ne (2)] neþer G.] Line 228 To somme men he ȝaf wit · [wiþ] wordes to shewe, [To] T om. men] ET om. [wiþ MEFT] PG om.] To wynne with truthe · þat þe worlde askeþ, [To] For to F. þat] as T.] As preostes and prechours · and prentises of lawe, [preostes—prechours] prech|ours & prestis T. prentises] princes (!) M; prentis T. of] of þe T.] Thei to lyue leelly · by labour of tounge, [to—leelly] lelly to lyue T. by] wiþ G. of] of heore M.] Line 232 And by wit to wyssen oþere · as grace wolde hem teche. [by wit] beo wys G. wolde hem] hem wolde EMT; wol hem G.] And somme he kende craftes · and connynge of syghte, [kende] kende hem PE (but MFT omit hem); ȝaf kynde G. craftes] craft T. and] with F. syghte] siȝtus FG.] With syllynge and byggynge · here by-lyue to wynne. [syllynge] sellyng MT. bygg|ynge] buggyng M; byeng T. by|lyue] bileue E; by-lif T; lijflode MG.] And somme he lerede to laboure · a londe and a watere, [a] on MT (twice).] And lyue by þat labour · a leel lyf and [a] trewe. [And] To G. [a EMFGT] P om.] Line 237 And somme he tauhte [to] tulye · to theche and to coke, [[to MFGT] PE om. theche] þeche E; þecche MT; miswritten teche PF; take G. coke] so PEMT; kooke F; loke G.] As here wit wold · when the tyme come. And somme to dyuyne and dyuyde · numbres to kenne, [And—and] Somme diuine & somme F. dyuyde] to deuyde T; M om. to kenne] to telle M; T om.] And [craftely] to compassen · and colours to make. [And] To keruen & T. [craf|tely F] also M; PEGT omit; but see B-text. And—to] Some G.] Line 241

Line 241 And somme to seo and to seye · what sholde by-falle [and] & somme F. sholde] schal M. by-falle] betide T.] Bothe of wele and of wo · and be war by-fore, [of (2)] E om. war] i-war MTG.] Line 243 As astronomyens þorw astronomye · and philosophers wise. [astronomyens] astronomerus F; astrymyanes T.] And somme to ryde and rekeuere · þat vnryghtfulliche was wonne; [rekeuere] to recouere T; to rikene F. þat—was] what was vn|riȝtful F. wonne] i-wonne M.] He wissede men wynnen hit aȝeyn · þorgh wyghtnesse of handes, [He—aȝeyn] And wisse aȝe & wynne aȝe (!) F. wynnen hit] to wynne G. þorgh] wiþ G. wyght|nesse] witnesse F.] Line 246 And fecchen hit fro false men · with foleuyles lawes. [A page 355] [foleuyles] so PE; foleviles G; foluyles MF; felouns T. lawes] lawe M.] And somme he lerede to lyue · in longynge to be hennes, [And] G om. lerede] mis|written lererede P (but see l. 249); lernede M; lernide T.] In pouerte and in pacience · to preye for alle crystyne. And alle he lerede to beo leell · and eche a craft loue oþere, [lerede] lernide T. eche a] eueri M; eche EG.] Line 250 Nother bost ne debat · beo among hem alle. [Nother] No T; ne no G. ne] ne no T. debat] baat G.] "Thauh somme be clannere þan some · ȝe seon wel," quaþ grace, [clannere E] apparently clan|nore P; clennere FT; clenner MG. ȝe seon] he seyþ G.] "That alle craft and connynge · cam of my ȝyfte. [cam] it cam F; be G.] Line 253 Loke þat non lacken oþer · bote louye as breþeren, [lacken oþer] oþur lacke F. as] alle as F; M om. breþeren ET] breþur F; broþrene P; breþerne M; breþren G.] And he þat most maistries can · beo myldest of berynge. And coroneþ conscience kyng · and makeþ craft ȝowre stywarde, [ȝowre] M om.] And after craftes consail · cloþeþ ȝow and fedeþ. Line 257 For ich make peers plouhman · my procuratour and my reue, [plouhman] þe plouȝman T.]

And registrer to receyuen · redde quod debes. Line 259 My prower and my plouhman · peers shal beo on erthe; [prower EG] miswritten power P; but prower E; prowour F; pro|uour T; puruyour M; see B-text. on] yn G.] And for to tulye treuthe · a teome shal he haue." [tulye] telie MT; tilie FG. treuthe] trewthe wel F. he] i M.] Grace gaf to peers a teome · of foure grete oxen; [to] MTG om. of] FTG om. grete] goode M. In margin of M—De caruca petri.] Line 262 That on was luc, a large beest · and a louh-chered, [That on] Þe toon F. on] M om. louh-chered] louh-chyrede P; louȝ-chered ET; low-cherede F; low|chered MG.] Marc, and matheu þe þirde · myghty beestes boþe; [A page 356] [Marc] And marchus T. þirde] þridde MFGT.] And Ioyned til hem on Iohan · most gentil of alle, [And] He G. Ioyned] enioy|nede M. til] to EFT. on] MF om.] The prys neet of peers plouh · passynge alle oþere. Line 266 And sutthe grace of hus goodnesse · gaf peers foure stottes, [And sutthe] Þe G. sutthe] E om. stottes] stonus (!) F; stokkes (!) G.] Al þat hus oxen ereden · thei to harwen after. [Al] And al F. þat] þis T. ereden] ere T. thei] for G. to harwen] to-harewide T.] On hihte austyn · and ambrosie anoþer, [ambrosie] so PE; ambrose MFGT. anoþer] þat oþur F.] Line 269 Gregori the grete clerk · and Ierom þe goode. [þe goode] þat oþer G] Theose foure, the faith to teche · folwede peers teom, And harowede in an hand-whyle · al holy scripture, [whyle] wyle PG.] With to eythes þat thei hadden · an olde and a newe;

Vetus testamentum et nouum.

[eythes] so PE; eiþes MF; aithes T; ayþes G. newe] nywe P. Vetus] Id est vetus TG. Vetus, &c.] F om. E has—Vetus testamentum was þat on · & nouum was þat oþer.] Line 273 And grace gaf to peers greynes · cardinales uertues, [to] MGT om. cardinales] cardynal E; þe cardinal F. uertues] uirtutes M.] And sewe hit in mannes soule · and sitthen he tolde here names. [And] He G. sewe] sew MG; seuȝ T; sowe F. hit] hem FT; yet probably hit is meant; and it should have been retained in B-text. soule] soules M. he] TG om.] Line 275

Line 275 Spiritus prudencie · þe furste sed hihte; Þat ho so eet þat seed · ymagenye he sholde, [Þat] And MG. eet MFG] et T; eete P; ete E. þat] of þat MF. ymagenye] ymagyne M; ymagine F G; ymagen T; ymagened E. In margin of E—Prudencia.] Line 277 Er he dude eny dede · deuyse wel þe ende; And lerede men a ladel bygge · with a long stele, [lerede] lereth F. a—bygge] to bigge a ladel G. stele] stale MF.] That cast for to kele a crokke · and saue þe fatte aboue. The secunde seed highte · spiritus temperancie; [In margin of E—Temper|ancia.] Line 281 He þat eet of þat seed · hadde suche a kynde, [eet MFG] et T; eete P; ete E. hadde] he hadde E.] Sholde neuere mete ne myschief · make hym [to] swelle; [Sholde] Schal M. [to MFT] PEG om.] Ne sholde no scornere · out of skyle hym brynge, [sholde] schal M. out—hym] him · out of skile F. hym] G om.] Line 284 Noþer wynnynge, ne welthe · of worldliche richesse, [A page 357] [Noþer] Ne neuur FGT. of] ne M. worldliche MFT] wordliche P; wordeles G. richesse] ricchesses T; goodus F.] Wast word, ne ydelnesse · ne wyckede speche meoue. [ne (1)] of MFGT; as in B|text. meoue] meue TG; mede F.] Sholde no curiouse cloþe · come on hus rygge, [Sholde] Þer scholde F. on] to T.] Noþer mete in hus mouthe · þat maister Iohan spicede. [Noþer] Ne no TG.] The þrydde seod þat peers sewe · was spiritus fortitudi|nis; [sewe] sew MFG; seuȝ T. In margin of E—Fortitudo.] Line 289 And ho so eet of þat seed · hardy was he euere [eet MFG] et T; ete PE. he] for F; MGT om.] To suffren al þat god sente · syknesses and angres; [syknesses] siknesse FG; boþe siknesse M. and] or T.] Myghte no lyere with lesynges · ne loos of worldly catell [lyere] liȝeris T. ne MFGT] apparently no PE; but see B-text. loos] los MG; lost EFT. worldly F] worldlich M; wordly PG; worldis T.] Make hym for eny mournyng · þat he ne was mury in soule, [ne was] nas T; was (!) G.] Line 293 And bold of a-bydyng · busemares to suffren, [of] so PE; and MFGT. busemares] busmers EG; bismares MT; bismerus F. to] and M.]

And plede with pacience · and parce michi, domine; [plede] pledite al T; pledede G.] And keouered hym vnder consail · of caton þe wise, [keouered] keuere F.] Esto forti animo · cum sis dampnatus inique. Line 297 The furthe seed þat peers sewe · was [spiritus iusticie]; [sewe] sew MFG; seuȝ T. [spiritus iusticie EMFGT] P has a blank space. In margin of E—Iusticia.] And he þat eet of þat seed · sholde be [euere] trewe [eet MFG] et T; eete P; ete E. [euere M] euene PEGT; but see B-text. be euere] euermore be F. trewe] trywe P.] With god, and nat a-gast · bote of gyle one. [god] our god F.] For gyle goþ so priuely · þat good faithe oþer-whyle [whyle] wyle P.] May nat be aspied · þorw spiritus iusticie. [aspied] aspiede P.] Line 302 Spiritus iusticie · spareþ nat to spille [spareþ] he spareth F.] Hem þat beoþ gulty · and for to corecte The kyng, and þe kyng falle · in eny þynge gulty. [and] if F. þe kyng] he G. þynge gulty] agilt T.] Line 305 For counteþ he no kynges wraþthe · when he in court sytteþ [counteþ] acounteþ M. no] non M; nouȝt T; nat þe G.] To deme as a domesman; · adrad was he neuere, [adrad] drad T.] Noþer of duk ne of deþ · þat he ne doþ þe lawe. [doþ] dede T. þe] G om.] Line 308 For present oþer for preyoure · oþere eny princes letteres, [present] presentes MG. oþer] MG om. eny] for G. letteres] lettre F.] He dude equyte to alle · euene-forth hus knowynge. [A page 358] [dude] dooth F. euene-forth] emforth FG.] Theese foure seedes peeres sewe · and sutthen he dude hem harwen [sewe] sew MG; seuȝ T. he] TG om.] With olde lawe and newe lawe · þat loue myghte wexe [olde] þe olde M. newe] with newe P; but EMFGT omit with. þat—myghte] for loue schulde M.] Amonge þese foure vertues · and vices destruyen. [and—destruyen] vises to dis|troiȝe M. destruyen] destroyede T.] Line 313 For comunliche in contreies · cammokes and weodes Fouleþ þe frut in þe felde · þer þei growen to-gederes; [þer] þat M.]

And so doþ vices vertues · "and for-thi," quaþ peers, [vertues] an vertues PT; but EMFG omit an; cf. B-text. and] TG om. for-thi] for-whi M; forþ|wiþ T.] "Harweþ alle þat conneþ kynde wit · by counsail of theose doctours, [alle] it alle T. þat conneþ] þe comune wiþ M. conneþ] can F. theose] þe G.] Line 317 And tulyeþ after here techynge · þe cardinale vertues." [tulyeþ] tilieth FG; teleþ M; telliþ T. cardinale] cardinales MG.] "Aȝeynst þat þi greynes," quaþ grace · "bygynneþ to growe, [þat] TG om. þi] þe M. to] for to FT. growe] ripen T; ripe G.] Ordeyne þe an hous, peers · to herberghen in thi cornes." [in] inne M; T om.] "By [god], grace," quaþ peers · "ȝe mote gyue me tymber, [By] Before T. [god MFGT] godes PE; see B-text.] Line 321 And ordeyne þat hous · er ȝe hennes wende." [8—322. S omits.] [ordeyne—hous] þat hows or|deyne F. er T] or EMFG; mis|written her P. ȝe] þou E. wende] wennde P. hennes wende] wende hennus F.] And grace gaf hym þe croys · with þe corone of þornes, [þe (1)] þat M.] Þat crist vp-on caluarie · for mankynde on peynede; [Here S begins again. vpon] on G. on EMSGT] one P; F om. peynede] so PMFS; peyned E; pay|nide T; pinede G.] And of hus baptisme and blod · þat he bledde on rode [and] in S. bledde] had F.] He made a maner morter · and mercy hit hihte. [made] hadde S; had F; mad hym G. morter] of morter T. and] G om.] Line 326 And þer-with grace by-gan · to make a good foundement, [And] G om. þer-with] with S. to make] T om. good] G om.] And watelide hit and wallyde hit · with hus peynes and hus passion, [watelide] batailed F. peynes] peyne ST; pyn F. hus—and] þe peynes of M. hus (2)] EFG om.] And of alle holy writt · he made a roof after, [And] & þo F; M om.] Line 329 And cald þat hous vnite · holychurche in englishe. [in] on MSTG; an F.] And whanne þis dede was don · grace deuysede [A page 359] [whanne] wanne P. don] i|don M; I-do F. grace] grace þo F.] A cart, hihte cristendome · to carien home peers sheues; [hihte] þat hiȝte MST. carien home] carte of T. home] hym (!) S.]

And gaf hym capeles to hus cart · contricion with con|fession, [And] He G. with] & FGT.] Line 333 And made preosthood haiwarde · the while hym-self wente [And] He T. while] wile P; whiles T.] As wide as þe worlde is · with peers to tulye treuthe, [þe] F om. tulye] tilie FGT; tily S; telie M.] And þe londe of by-leyue · þe lawe of holychurche. [Not in B-text; G omits. þe (2)] þanne T.] Now is peeres to þe plouh; · pruyde hit aspide, [hit] hit haþ M.] Line 337 And gadered hym a gret ost · greuen he þenkeþ [gadered] gadereþ MS. greuen] to greuen F; greuen him T.] Conscience, and alle cristene · and cardinale uertues, [and (2)] G om. cardinale] cardynales MG.] To blowen hem doun and breken hem · and bite a-two þe rotes; [To] T om. hem (1)] G om. bite] M om. a-two EFGT] a-to PS; on to M. rotes] mores T.] Line 340 And sente forþ sourquidours · hus seriauns of armes, [forþ] aboute F. sourquidours] surquidours EMT; cirquydorus S; his surquindorus F. seriauns] ser|iauntus FT; sergauntz M.] And hus aspie spille-loue · on speke-vuel-by-hynde. [hus] E om. aspie] spie T. on] and (!) M; T om. vuel] euele MT; euel F; yuel E.] These to-comen to conscience · and to cristyne peuple, [to-comen] two comen F (as in B-text; but the author has altered l. 341). to (2)] to þe F.] And tolden hem tydynges · "þat tyne þey sholde [hem] hym T. þey] he T.] Line 344 The seedes þat syre peers sewe · þe cardinale uertues; [341—345. G omits.] [The] Þo T. syre] T om. sewe] sew MFS; seuȝ T. þe] FS om. cardinale] cardinales M.] And peers bern worth to-broke · and þei þat ben in vnite [to-broke] broke T. þei] þo M.] Shullen come out, and conscience · and ȝowre two capeles, [ȝowre] hise T. two] to MF.] Line 347 Contricion and confession · and ȝoure cart bi-leyue Shal be colered so queyntely · and keouered vnder oure sophistrie, [colered] coloured FST; i|colered M; colourd G. so] MG om. keouered] keouerede P; keuered FS TG; couered M. oure] ȝoure S; TG om.]

That conscience shal nat · knowe by contricion, [knowe] i-knowe M.] Line 350 Noþer by confession · ho is cristyne oþer heþene, [Noþer] Ne FT.] Ne no manere marchaunt · þat with monye deleþ, [Ne] G om. manere] maner of T.] [Wheþer] he wynne with right · with wrang, oþer with vsure. [[Wheþer MEFSGT] Weder P. with (1)] wit P. with (2)] oþer with PE; but MFSGT omit oþer here.] Line 353 With suche colour and queyntise · comeþ pruyde [y]-armed, [A page 360] [colour] colours MFSGT. queyntise] queyntises FG. y-armed G] y-armyd ST; i-armed MF; armede PE; see l. 144.] With þe lord þat lyueþ after · þe lust of hus bodye, [after þe] in G. lust EMF SGT] loust P.] To wasten, in welfare · and in wickede kepynge, [in (1)] on T; and to (!) M. in (2)] on T.] Line 356 Al þe worlde in a while · þorugh oure wit," quaþ pruyde. Quaþ conscience to alle crystyne tho · "my consail is, we wende [my—is] y rede G. we] to M.] Hastiliche in-to vnite · and holde we ous þere; Line 359 Preye we þat a pees were · in peers bern þe plouhman. [Preye] And preye T. a] T om. þe] M om.] For wyterly ich wot wel · we beoþ nat of strengthe To go a-gayn pruyde · bote grace with ous were." And þenne cam kynde wit · conscience to teche; He criede, and comaundede · alle cristyne people [He] And TG. comaundede] comaunde S.] Line 364 To delue and dike a deop diche · al aboute vnite, [To—al] Delue & dyke depe T. dike] to dike G.] Þat holychurche stod in holynesse · as hit were a pile. [G omits. in] aboute F. pile] piler T.] Conscience comaundede þo · alle crystyne to delue, And make a muche mot · þat myghte be a strengthe, To helpe holychurche · and hem þat hit kepeþ. [To] For to F. hem] hym G.] Line 369 Thenne alle kynne crystyne · saue comune wommen, [kynne] E om.] Repentede and refusede synne · saue thei one; [After this line B-text has one, which the C-text MSS. omit. So also after l. 374.]

And [a sisour] and a somenour · þat weren for-swore ofte, [[a sisour MFSGT] assisour P; acisoure E.] Line 372 Witynge and wilfulliche · with þe false þei helden, [Witynge S] Whitynge P; Wityng ETG; Wetyng F; Waiting M. After Witynge EMFG insert wel. helden EMST] helde G; heelde F; apparently holden P; but see B-text.] And for seluere were for-swore · sothly þei wisten hit. [wisten hit] hit wisten M.] Ther ne was cristyne creature · þat kynde wit hadde, Þat he ne halp a quantyte · holynesse [to] wexe; [A page 361] [halp] helpud S. [to MFSGT] PE om.] Line 376 Some by bedes byddyng · and somme by pilgrimages, [somme] T om.] Oþer oþere pryueie penaunces · and somme þorw pans|delynge. [Oþer] miswritten Oþe P; Or FSGT; And M. penaunces] pen|aunse ST. þorw] be T; by S. pans] pens M.] And þenne water wellede · for wyckede werkes, [wellede] walled vp M. water—for] walkide watir fro (!) T.] Line 379 Egreliche ȝernynge · out of mennys eyen. [ȝernynge] ernyng TG; ren|nyng EMFS. mennys] renkus F; mannes G.] Clannesse of the comune · and clerkes clene lyuynge [comune] comunes E.] Made unite holychurche · in holynesse stonde. [unite] vnyte in S. holynesse] clennesse S. stonde] to stonde M; to stande G.] Line 382 "Ich care nat," quaþ conscience · "thauh pruyde come nouthe, [nat] nat now PEG; but MF ST rightly omit now.] The lord of lust shal beo lett · al þis lente, ich hope. [lust] loust P. lett] let MTG; bete FS.] Comeþ now," quaþ conscience · "ȝe cristyne, and dyneþ, [now] T om.] Þat han labored leelly · al þis lente tyme. [labored] i-laboured M.] Line 386 Her is bred yblessid · and godes body þer-vnder. [bred yblessid] blessed al (!) E. and] E om. vnder] inne M.] Grace gaf þorw godes worde · to peers plouhman power [T has — Grace þoruȝ good word · ȝaf piers þe plouȝman power.] And myghte to maken hit · and men for to eten hit, [And] T om. to (1)] for to FSG. and men] men it F. eten] etyn P.] In help of here hele · ones in a monthe, [help] hope MG. a] F om. monthe EMFS] mounthe PG; moneþ T.] Line 390

Line 390 Oþer as ofte as thei hadde neode · thei that hadden payed [ofte as] of F. · thei—payed] and þat þei hadden paie M.] Line 391 To peers pardon [þe] plouhman · Redde quod debes." [[þe FSTG] PEM om.; cf. B-text.] "How?" quaþ alle þe comune · "consailest thou ous to ȝelde [How] What F. consailest thou] þou counseilist T; conseilest M. ous] vs MFSGT; E om. to] T om. ȝelde] lyuye (over erasure) G.] Al þat we owen eny wyght · er we go to housele?" [er] er þat SG.] "That is my consail," quath conscience · "and cardinale vertues, [cardinale] cardinales MG.] Line 395 [Þat iche man forȝiue oþer · & þat wile þe pater-noster];

Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut & nos [di|mittimus], &c.: [A page 362]

[From T; also in MFSG; PE omit. Þat] Or MFS; Or, altered to Of ȝow G. &] for M. þe] þi F. Et] T om. sicut—&c.] MGT om. [dimit|timus] in F only.] And so to beo asoilled · and sytthen beo housled." [And] T om. to beo] ben M. asoilled] asoillede P. beo (2)] to beo G; to be ES; T om. to—housled] I-howseled aftur F. housled] i-hoseled M; yhuselid T.] Line 397 "Ȝe, bawe!" quaþ a brewere · "ich wol nat beo rueled, [Ȝe] Ȝa T. rueled E] reulede P; rewled FS; rewelid T; i-ruled M; ruled G.] By iesu! for al ȝoure iangelynge · after spiritus iusticie, [al] G om. after] by F.] Ne after conscience, by crist · for ich couþe selle [for] while T. couþe] coude MF; can T.] Boþe dregges and draf · and drawe at one hole Line 401 Thicke ale and þynne ale · and þat is my kynde, [ale (2)] TG om. my] E om.] And nat to hacke after holynesse; · hold þy tonge, conscience! [to] SG om.] Of spiritus iusticie · þow spekest muche an ydel!" [muche] mychel M; but F.] "Caitif," quaþ conscience · "corsede wreche! [quaþ] þo quod F. corsede] þow cursede M; & cursede F.] Line 405 Unblessed art þow, brewere · bote yf god þe helpe; [art MFST] ert PEG. art þow] ertou G. þe] FT om.] Bote þow lyue by þe lore · of spiritus iusticie, [Bote] & but F. þe] SGT om. of] or T.]

The chef seede þat peers sewe · saued worst þow neuere. [sewe] sew MFG; seuȝ T. saued] i-saued M. worst] best M. worst þow] wurstow F.] Bote conscience þe comune fede · and cardinale vertues, [þe—fede] be comun fode T; be comene sed G. cardinale] cardi|nales MG.] Leyf hit wel, we beon lost · boþe lyf and soule." [Leyf] Leef E; Lef MSG; Leue T; Leeue F. wel] G om. lost] I-lost F. lyf] body St. boþe—and] þe lif bothe and þe F.] Line 410 "Then is meny man ylost" · quaþ a lewede vicory; "Ich am a curatoure of holy[kirke] · and cam neuere in my tyme [a] F om. [kirke T] churche PEFSG; chirche M. neuere] non M.] Man to me, þat couthe telle · of cardinale uertues, [cardinale] cardinales MG.] Line 413 Oþer þat acountede conscience · a cockes feþer oþer an hennes! [Oþer þat] Or ellus F. þat] þan E. a] at a FS; to a T. oþer—hennes] FT om.] Ich knew neuere cardinal · þat he ne cam fro þe pope, [knew] ne knew G; ne kneuȝ T. he ne] M om. cam] comeþ G.] And we clerkes, when thei comeþ · for here comunes payeþ, [And] Þat M. we] T om.] Line 416 For here pelure and palfrayes mete · and pylours þat hem folwen. [and (1)] and heore MT. pal|frayes] palfrey T.] The comune clamat cotidie · eche man to oþere, [A page 363] [eche] ech a F. to] til T.] 'The countrey is þe corsedour · þer cardinales comeþ ynne; [þer cardinales] þat a cardinal T; þat cardinales G.] And ther thei liggen and lengen most · lecherie þer regneþ:'— [liggen EM] liggyn P; lyggeþ S; ligge T; reygne G. lengen] lon|gen M; logge F; ligge G; regne T. þer] M om.] Line 420 For-þi," quaþ þis vicory · "by verrai god, ich wolde [For-þi] For-whi M. þis] þeis P. wolde] vowe G.] Þat no cardinal come · a-mong þe comune peuple, Bote in here holinesse · [holden] hem stille [holinesse] holinesse at hom F. [holden EFG] holde MS; heolden P; held T. hem] hym al S.] At Auenoun, a-mong Iuwes · cum sancto sanctus eris, &c., [Auenoun] auynoun M; auy|non S; auioun G.] Line 424

Line 424 Oþer in rome, as here ruwele wolde · þe relikes to kepe; [ruwele] rewle T; reule ES; rule MFG. þe] here T. kepe] knowe G.] And thow, conscience, in kynges court · and sholdest neuere [come] þennes, [in] in þe S. [come TG] go PEMFS; but observe the alliteration.] Line 426 And grace þat thou so gredest of · were gyour of alle clerkes, [þat] so (!) F. so] G om. gredest] greddest T; spekest M. were] T om.] And peers with hus newe plouh · and his olde boþe [and] and with F. boþe] T om.] Emperour of alle þe worlde · þat alle men were crystyne! [Emperour] Were emperour M. þe] þis M. were crystyne] cristene were M.] Line 429 Imparfit is þe pope · þat al þe peuple sholde helpe, [G omits. Imparfit] For im|parfit F. þe (1)] þat FST. þe (2)] FT om. peuple] peplus F.] And soudeþ hem þat sleeþ · suche as he sholde saue; [G omits. And] Þat FS. soudeþ] soudeþ or sondeþ PFS; sow|deth M; sendiþ T; sende E. as] þat M.] Ac wel worthe peers plouhman · þat porsueþ god in doynge, [Ac] For-þy G. plouhman] þe plouȝman T. porsueþ] pursuede M. doynge] dede F.] Qui pluit super iustos · & iniustos at ones, [&] & super E.] Line 433 And sent þe sonne to saue · a corsed mannes tulthe, [þe] M om. corsed] pore F. tulthe] tilþe MFGT; telþe S.] As bryght as to þe beste man · oþer to þe beste womman. [to (1)] EFST om. man] man|nus F. to (2)] FS om. womman] womannus F.] Ryght so peers plouhman · peyneþ hym to tulye [plouhman] þe plouȝman T. tulye] tilie MFSGT.] As wel for a wastour · oþer for a wenche atte stuwes, [oþer] as G. for (2)] FS om. atte] at M; of þe FSG.] As for hym-self and his seruauns · saue he is furst yserued; [and] or for S; or F; oþer G. seruauns] seruaunt FG.] Line 438 So blessed beo peers plouhman · þat peyneþ hym to tulie, [437—439. T omits.] [blessed] i-blessed M. peyneþ] pyneþ E. to] G om. tulie] tilie MFS.] And trauaileþ and tuleþ · for a tretour al-so sore [A page 364] [tuleþ] tulieþ G; tilieth F; tyluþ S; tiliþ T; toileþ M. al-so] as FG.]

As for a trewe tydy man · alle tymes [y]lyke. [trewe] triwe P. tydy] tiling G. ylyke] y-liche STG; i-liche MF; lyke P; cf. B-text.] Line 441 And worsheped be [he] þat wrouhte al · boþe good and wykke, [And] T om. [he MFSGT] PE om. al] G om. wykke] wicked F.] And [suffreþ] hem þat synful beon · til tyme þat thei repenten. [[suffreþ EMFGS] suffren P; suffre T. hem] T om. tyme] F om. þat] G om. thei repenten] he re|pente T.] And god amende þe pope · þat pileþ holichurche, [þe] S om.] Line 444 And cleymeþ by-fore þe kyng · to beo kepere ouere cristyne, [ouere] of SF.] And counteþ noȝt þauh cristene men · be culled and robbed, [counteþ] a-counteþ M. þauh] þat G. men] TG om. culled] killed F; kild T; quelled M. robbed] I|robbed FG.] And fyndeþ folke to fighte · and cristene blod to spille, [fyndeþ] fynt T. to (1)] for to F. and] F om. to (2)] T om.] Aȝeyn þe lawe boþe old and newe · as luk bereþ witt|nesse,

Non occides: [Et alibi], Michi uindictam, [& ego retribuam].

[Aȝeyn] & aȝen E. boþe] F om. newe] nywe P. þe—newe] þe olde lawe & þe newe T. luk] it F; T om. bereþ] bere S. [Et alibi FS] PEMTG om. [&—retribuam ST] PEMFG om.] Line 448 Sikerliche hit semeþ, by so · hym-self hadde hus wil, [Sikerliche] T om. hym-self] he M.] Þat [he reccheþ] right nouht · of al þe oþer remenaunt. [[he MSG] hym PEF. reccheþ MSFG] rekeþ PE. al þe] þat G. Þat—reccheþ] And rekniþ T. al] T om. þe] þat S. oþer] T om.] And crist of hus cortesye · þe cardinales saue, [crist] god M. saue] saued (wrongly) E.] Line 451 And turne here wit to wisedom · and welþe for þe soule! [here] hit (sic) E. to] into S. and] as E. welþe] wele T.] For þe comune," quaþ þis curatour · "counten ful litel [E transposes the last halves of the lines, putting last half of l. 454 in l. 453, and the contrary.] [þe] þus S; this F. þis] þes P. þis curatour] peris doctour T. counten] a-counteþ ME; counteth F.] The consail of conscience · oþer cardinale uertues, [E transposes the last halves of the lines, putting last half of l. 454 in l. 453, and the contrary.] [oþer] of F; & T. cardinale] cardinales MG.] Line 454

Line 454 Bote hit soune as by syght · som what to wynnynge; [Bote] But ȝif T; Bute if G. hit] þey G. to] in F.] Of gile ne of gabbynge · gyueþ þei neuere tale. [neuere] no T.] Line 456 For spiritus prudencie · among þe peuple, is gyle, And tho faire vertues · as vices thei [hem] semeþ; [A page 365] [tho] alle þo T. thei] to F; G om. [hem EMF] hym P; ST om. as—semeþ] vices þei hem holdem (sic) M.] Eche man soteleþ [a] sleiþe · synne [for] to huyde, [[a EMFSGT] P om. synne] synnys G. [for MF] PESGT om.; cf. B-text. huyde] hude E; hide MFT.] Line 459 And coloreþ hit for a connynge · and a clene lyuynge." [G omits. a (1)] F om.] Then louh þer a lorde · and "by this light!" seide, [louh] so PM; lowh F; lowȝ E; louȝ ST; lowȝh G. seide] he seide M.] "Ich halde hit right and reson · to take of my reeue [hit] E om. to—reeue] of my reue to take T.] Al þat myn auditour · oþer elles my stiwarde [elles] miswritten alles P. T om. stiwarde] stiþ steward T.] Line 463 Conseileþ me by here a-counte · and my clerkes wryt|ynge. [me] M om. a-counte] a|countus F.] With spiritus intellectus · thei toke þe reeue-rolles, [reeue] so PFS; reue G; reues E; reoues M; reuis T.] And with spiritus fortitudinis · fecche hit, wol he, nul he." [fecche] fecchiþ T; we fet F. wol] wile T; wuld S. nul he] nyl he M; nelle he EF; nel heo G; nulle he S; or nille T.] Line 466 Then cam þer a kynge · and by hus corone seide, [Then] And þen S; And þanne FT. Then—þer] And þer cam G. corone] croune he M.] "Ich am a kyng with corone · þe comune to reule, [a] EMFG omit; see B-text. to] for to F.] And holychurch and clergie · fro corsede men to de|fenden. [And] Al F. fro corsede] for wicked F. to] FG om.] Line 469 And yf me lackeþ to lyue by · þe lawe wol þat ich take [lackeþ] lacke MF; lakke STG. take] take it T.] Ther ich may haue hit hastelokest · for ich am hefd of lawe, [haue—hastelokest] hastlokest it haue T. hastelokest] hastilikest M. hefd] hed EMSGT; heed F.] And ȝe ben bote membrys · and ich a-boue alle. [And] For G.] Line 472

Line 472 Sitthen ich am ȝoure alre hefd · ich am ȝoure alre hele, [G omits. Sitthen] And siþen T. alre (1)] alþer MT; alder F. hefd] hed EMST; heed F. alre (2)] alder MF; alþer T.] And holychurches chef help · and chefteyn of þe comune. [churches] chirche T. chef|teyn] cheuenteyn M; chastisoure E.] Line 474 And what ich take of ȝow two · ich take hit at techynge [at] of MT.] Of spiritus iusticie · for ich Iugge ȝou alle; [Iugge MFST] Iuge PG.] So ich may baldely beo housled · for ich borwe neuere, [housled G] houslede P; hous|lid ES; i-hoseled M; hoseled F; hu|selid T.] Ne craue of my comune · bote as my kynde askeþ." "In condicion," quaþ conscience · "þat þou conne de|fende, [A page 366] Line 479 And reule þy reame in reson · right wel, and [in] treuthe; [and] G om. [in MFSTG] P om.] Þan, þat þow haue þyn askyng · as þe lawe askeþ; [479—481. E omits.]

Omnia sunt tua ad defendendum, sed non ad deprehendendum!"

[þat] schalt G; S om. T has—Trewþe wile þat þou haue þat þe lawe askiþ. sunt tua] tua sunt M. tua] mea F. deprehendendum] de|predandum M.] Line 481 The vicory hadde fer hom · and faire tok hus leue, [vicory EG] vicori M; vikery FS; vickery P; but see l. 411. fer MSGT] ferre EF; feer P.] And ich a-wakede þer-with · and wrot as me mette. [wrot] wrouȝt F. me] i M. mette EMSGT] þouȝte F; miswritten mete P.]

Hic explicit passus primus de dobest. [So PG; MT omit. Hic] FS om. E has—Explicit passus primus.]