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 IV.

[TITLE. So in EFS; Hic incipit quartus passus de uisione M; Passus Tercius de visione, vt prius I.] Incipit passus quartus.

NOw is mede þe mayde · and no mo of hem alle [þe] þat M. and] MFS om.] Þorw bedeles and bailifs · brouht by-fore þe kynge. [A page 28] [B page 32] [Þorw] Wiþ MF. by-fore] to F.] The kyng kallid a clerk · ich can nouht hys name, [kallid] clepede M. hys] ys P.] To take mede [þe] mayde · and make here at ese; [[þe IFSEG] þat PM.] Line 4 "Ich shal asaye hure my-self · and sothliche apose, [hure] at hir I. sothliche] soft|liche M.] What man of þys worlde · þat hure is leuest haue? [What] Wat P. þat—leuest] she is leuest to M; here is leuust to S; þat sche were leuest to F. is—haue] leuest hadde I.] And yf hue wirche wisliche · by wys [mennes] counsail, [hue] sche MIS; heo F; ȝo E. by] and by I. [mennes F] menes M; men PEIS. counsail] rede F.] Ich wolle for-gyue hure alle hure gultes · so me god helpe!" [alle—gultes] þat gilt F. hure] IS om.] Line 8 Cortesliche þe clerk þenne · as þe kynge hyghte, [þenne] þo MF.] Toke mede by þe myddel · and myldeliche here broughte [myddel] mydel P. broughte] ladde F.] In-to boure with blysse · and by hure gan sitte. [boure] þe boure F. blysse] muche blisse F. gan] gan he F.] Ther was myrthe [and] mynstralcy · mede to plesen; [Ther] Ac þer I. [and MIFSE] of P. mede] þat maide for F.] Line 12 That wenden to westmynstre · worshupde hure meny. [wenden to] wonen in M; wente to F. worshupde] wurschepede F; honouren M; worschipe I; worschup S; worschopieþ E.]

Gentelich with ioye · Iustices somme [Iustices] þe iustises MI. F has—And iustices with ioye · gentel|liche somme.] Buskede hem to þe boure · ther þis berde dwellyd, [þe] þat M; S om. boure] borw M. þis] þat M; þe F. berde] burde ME; buyrde I; beorde F; brede S. dwellyd] dwelleþ E; was ynne F.] Confortynge hure as þei couthe · by þe clerkus leue, [A page 29] [B page 33] [Confortynge] And comfortede MI. hure] hem F. þe] E om.] Line 16 And seyde, "morne nat, mede · [ne] make þow no sorwe; [[ne MIF] PES om.] For we wolle wisse þe kyng · and þy wey shape [wey] weies E. shape] shappe P.] For to wende at þy wil · wher þe luf lykeþ, [wende] wedde I. luf] leef MF; lef S; leue I.] For alle consciences cast · [and] craft, as ich trowe!" [consciences] concience S. cast] craft FS. [and IFSE] or MG; a P. craft] cast FS.] Line 20 Mildeliche mede þo · merciede hem alle [merciede] þankede M; ouer|ȝede I.] Of hure grete goudnesse · and gaf hem echone [and] a M.] Coupes of clene gold · and coppes of seluer, [Coupes] Cloþus F. and] MI om.] Rynges with rubies · and oþer riche ȝiftes, Line 24 The leste [man] of here meyne · a moton of golde. [leste] menest F. [man I] PE MFS om.; but see B-text. meyne] men M.] Whenne thei had lauht here leue · at þys lady mede, [Whenne] Wenne P; And whan F. here] MF om.] Thenne comen clerkus · to comfortye hure samen, [Thenne] Þo M. comen] com comly F. samen] same M; þe same I; sone F; in same S; same man (sic) E.] And beden here be blythe · "for we ben þyn owne, [owne FMS] oghne I; owen E; owe PG.] Line 28 For to worche þy wil · þe while we mowe dure." [þe] MFS om. while] wile P. we mowe] þou might I. dure] en|dure MS.] And mede hendiliche · by-hyht hem þe same, [And] Ande P; þo F. mede hendiliche] hendeliche mede F; mede mildeliche M. þe] þat M.] To louen hem leellich · and lordes hem make, [and] as E. hem (2)] to IF.] "And porchace ȝow prouendres · while ȝoure pans lasteþ, [And] To F. ȝow] F om. pro|uendres] so MIFSE; prouenders P. while] wile P. ȝoure] here F. pans] penes M; pens I.] Line 32

Line 32 And bigge ȝow benefices · pluralite to haue, [ȝow] hem F. pluralite] plu|ralitez I; here bonchef F (which im|proves the alliteration, but is ill sup|ported).] And in constorie atte court · do calle ȝoure names. [in] in þe I. atte] at MIF; of þe E. do] to I. calle] knowe F.] Shal no lewednesse lette · þe clerk þat ich louye, Þat he ne worth ferst auanced · for ich am [biknowe], [[biknowe MIG] I-knowe FS; knowen PE. F has—We wole auaun|cen him wel · for we beþ I-knowe.] Line 36 Ther connynge clerkus · shulleþ clocke by-hynde." [A page 30] Thenne com þer a confessour · coped as a Frere, [Thenne] þo M. coped] i-coped MFS; ycoped EI.] To mede þat mayde · myldelich he sayde, [To] & to F. þat] þe IFSE. sayde] loutede M.] "Thauh lered men and lewede · had layen by þe boþe, [lered] lewed IFS. lewede] lerned men I; lered FS. had] haue I. boþe] echon M.] And falshede yfounden þe · al þis fourty wynter, [falshede] falsnesse F; folke sede (by mistake) E. yfounden] i|folewed M; folwed F; hy founde E.] Line 41 Ich shal a-soily þe my-selue · for a seem [of] whete, [B page 34] [[of MEFS] PI om. whete] wete P.] And ȝut be þy bedman · and brynge a-doun conscience [And—bedman] þi bede-man to be F. and—conscience] conciense to felle M.] A-mong kynges and knyȝtes · and clerkus, if þe lyke." [knyȝtes] knyȝthes P. if] and I. lyke] likeþ EM.] Thenne mede for hure mysdedes · to þis [man] knelyd, [Thenne] Þo M. þis] þat M. [man MIFSG] frere PE. knelyd] loutede M.] Shrof hure of here synnes · shameles, y leyue, [Shrof] And schrof MFE; Sche schrof S. synnes] synne I. leyue] leue ES; leeue I; wene M; trowe F.] Told hym a tale · and took hym a noble [Told] Sche tolde MS; Heo tolde F. tale] mery tale F.] For to be hure bedman · and bere wel hure erende, [bere] to bere I. erende EI] arende F; erunde S; ernde M; ernede P.] Line 48 Among knyȝtes and clerkus · conscience to turne. And he [as]soiled hure sone · and setthen he seide, [And] MF om. assoiled IFE] asoilede MS; soiled P. Cf.l.42. sone] sone þerof S; þo ful sone F. setthen—seide] seide þat F.] "We haue a wyndow a worchyng · wol stonden ous ful hye; [We haue] placed at end of l. 50 in PEMFS; but here in I; cf. B|text. a] in M; on I. worchyng] worcheng P.]

Wolde ȝe glase þe gable · and graue þer ȝoure name, [þe] þat EI. þer] þer-inne M.] Line 52 In masse and in matyns · for mede we shulleþ synge [we shulleþ] wolde we M; moste we F; we wolleþ E.] Solenliche and sothlich · as for a sustre of oure ordre." [Solenliche] Solempneliche IS F; Sollempliche M. sothlich] softe|liche MI. for] IF om. a] F om.] Louelich þat lady · lauhynge seyde, [lady] lady þo · with F.] Line 55 "Ich shal be ȝoure frende, frere · and faille ȝow neuere, [F omits.] The while ȝe louyeþ þuse lordes · þat lecherye haunten, [The while] The wile P; Whiles M; þer whiles I. þuse] þese FS; M om. þuse lordes] þis lorde I. haunten] haunteþ IF.] And lackieþ noȝt þuse ladies · þat louyeþ þe same. [þuse] þese F; þise IS; M om. louyeþ] loueth wel F.] Hit is bote frelete of flesch · ȝe fynden wel in bokis, [is] nys nouȝt M; nys E. in] by I. wel in] hit be M.] And a cours of kynde · wher-of we comen alle. [wher-of] wer-of P.] Line 60 Ho may a-scapie þe sclaundere · þe scaþe may sone be mendyd, [Ho] Who IE; Whose M; Ho so S. may a-scapie] a-schapud M. may—be] is sone MF; myght sone be I. mendyd] amended EMSF.] Hit ys synne as of seuene · non soner relesed. [as of] of M; of alle þe F. non soner] sennest M. relesed] rele|sede P.] Haue mercy," quath mede · "on men þat hit haunten, [Haue] Ha muche F. on] in S. men] hem M.] And [ich] shal keuery ȝoure [kirke] · and ȝoure cloistre maken, [[ich E] i MIFSG; P om. keuery] couere IF. [kirke IMFS] churche PE; observe the alliteration.] Line 64 Boþe wyndowes and wowes · ich wolle a-menden & glase, And do peynten and portreyn · who paide for þe mak|ynge, [do] I om. who] wo P; ho FS, who paide] and paie M. for—mak|ynge] þerfore F.] Þat euery seg shal see, and seye · ich am sustre of ȝoure ordre." [B page 35] [euery—seye] eche sisour shal i|seo M; eche a segh schal I-see F. and seye] MFI om. sustre] a suster IM. ȝoure ordre] ȝoures M; þat ordre F.] Ac god to alle good folke · suche grauynge defendeþ, [A page 31] [Ac] But F. folke] men M.] To wryten in wyndowes · of eny wel-dedes, [in] on I. wel] goode M.] Line 69

Line 69 Leste prude be peyntid þere · and pompe of þe worlde. [Leste] An aunter I. peyntid] prended (sic) E; i-peinted M. be—þere] peynte him þerwith F.] For god knoweþ þy conscience · and þy kynde wille, Thi cost and here couetyse · and who þe catel ouhte. [ll. 71,72. IE omit last half of l. 71, and first half of l. 72. here] hure M.] For þy leue lordes loue · leueþ suche wrytinges; [For þy] For-þi I; For-whi M; For þat F; For þe S. loue] IM om. leueþ] leue F. wrytinges] writyng M; writtus F.] Line 73 God in þe gospel · such grauynge noȝt a-loweþ,

Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextera.

[noȝt a-loweþ] defendith F; cf. l. 68. sinistra] dextera I. faciat] facit F. dextera] sinistra I; dextera tua M; dextra manus F.] Let nat þy lyft half · oure lord techeþ, [half] so E; hande IMFS. techeþ] telleth F.] Ywite what þow delest · with þy ryht syde. [Ywite] Wite M; Wete F.] Line 76 Ȝut mede myldeliche · þe meyre [hue] bysouhte— [Ȝut] But ȝit F. myldeliche—meyre] þe mayr · myldeliche I. myldeliche] þat maide M. [hue] mis|written hure P (but see l. 115); sche M; heo F; he I; ȝo E; and note that other MSS. have she, scho, heo, &c. S has—ȝut men scholde leue mede · & do þat resoun askuþ.] Bothe shereues and seriauns · and suche as kepeþ lawes [seriauns] sergeantz I. kepeþ lawes] kepeþ þe lawes I; lawes kepen M.] To punyshen on pillories · and on pynyng-stoles, [on (1)] vpon I. on(2)] in MS; vpon I.] As bakers and brewers · bouchers and Cokes— [

As] F om.

N.B. The whole of lines 77—118 is a single long sentence, including two parentheses, viz. ll. 78—80, and ll. 81—114; the sentence begins again with l. 115, a repetition of l. 77. By|souhte in l. 77 governs to take in l. 116; whilst To punyshen in l. 79 de|pends on kepeþ in l. 78.

] Line 80 (For þese men doþ most harme · to þe mene puple, [þese MFIS] þees P. men] F om. mene] commune FS.] Richen þorw regratrye · and rentes hem byggen [A page 32] [byggen] beggeþ I.] With þat þe poure puple · sholde putten in hure womben; [With] Whit P. womben] wombe MIFS; women (!) E.] For toke þey on triweliche · they tymbrid nat so heye, [on] al F; so S; M om. tym|brid] stieden M.] Noþer bouhten hem burgages · be ȝe ful certayn: [77—85. This is the passage printed in Parallel Extracts from 29 MSS. (E. E. T. S. 1866); which see.] [Noþer—hem] Noþer bigge F; And bouȝten hem no M; Ne boghten none I; Noþer boȝten ES. ful cer|tayn] wel sure M.] Line 85

Line 85 Thei haue no [pite] of þe puple · þat parcel-mele mote biggen; [[pite MIFEG] pyte S; puteye P. of] on MS. puple] pore peple M. mote biggen] biggeth F; biggen M.] Þauh þei take hem vntydy þyng · þei hold hit no treson, [Þauh] And þogh I. hem] F om. þei—treson] no tresoun þey ne halde it I; no tresoun þei hit holden M; no tresun þey holden hit S; no trespace þei holdeþ F.] And þauh þei fulle nat ful · þat for lawe [is seled], [lawe] þe lawe M. [is seled MIFE] is selyd S; miswritten y seelde P.] Line 88 He gripeþ þer-for as grete · as for þe grete treuthe. [He gripeþ] þei gripen M. He—þerfor] þerfore gripeth he F. þer|for—grete] as grete þerfore S. as (2)] E om. grete (2)] graith I.] Meny sondry sorwes · in cyte[es] fallen ofte, [cytees] citees IFE; cyteus S; cites MG; cyte P. ofte] ful ofte I.] Boþe þorw fuyr and flod · and al for false puple, [flod] þurgh flood IF. and (2)] I om. for] þurgh I; þorw M; þorȝ S.] That by-gylen good men · and greueþ hem wrongliche, [That] þey S. good] so goode E. wrongliche] wrongfulli M; with wrong F.] The whiche cryen on hure knees · þat crist hem auenge, [whiche] wiche P; whiche þat I.] Here on þys erthe · oþer elles on helle, [F omits. on (2)] in IS.] Line 94 That so by-gyleþ hem of here good; · and god on hem sendeþ [and—sendeþ] þat god hem wolde senden I. and] MF om.] Feueres oþer fouler yueles · oþer fur on here houses, [Feueres] Feuer I. yueles] so E; hyueles P; eueles M; euelys S; euelus F; euel I. fur] fyr IF; feor M; fuyre S.] Moreyne oþer oþere meschaunce · and menye tyme hit falleþ, [meschaunce] meschances IM; myschaunses S. tyme] tymes I.] Line 97 That innocence ys yherde · In heuene a-monge seyntes, [seyntes] þe seintes I.] That louten for hem to oure lorde · and to oure lady boþe, To graunten gylours on erthe · grace to amende, [To] I om.] Line 100 And haue here penaunce on pure erthe · and noȝt þe pyne of helle. [And] To F; And to M. pure] M om. þe] to I; in þe P; but MFS EG omit in.]

And þenne falleþ þer fur · on false menne houses, [And] M om. þer] þe E. fur] fyre F; feor M; fuyr S. menne] so also S; men FE; mennes I; menes M.] And good men[ne] for here gultes · gloweþ on fuyr after. [menne] men PE; mennes I; menes M; mennus SF; but see last line. on] a F.] Line 103 Al þys haue we seyen · that som tyme þorw a brewere [Al] And F. haue we] we han M.] Meny burgagys [ben] ybrent · and bodyes þer-ynne; [[ben] suggested by han be M; beth F; PEIS om.] And þorw a candel, clomyng · in a corsed place, [clomyng] clemyng EG; cleu|ynge I; glemyng F; cleuyng or clen|yng SM.] Fel a-doun, and for-brende · forþ al þe rewe. [a-doun] doun I. for-brende] forbrent IF; forbrente S; fur-brente M.] For-þy mayres þat maken free men · me þynkeþ þat þei ouhten [For-þy] For-whi M. mayres] E om. men] F om. þynkeþ] mis|written þynken P. þat (2)] M om.] Line 108 For to spure and aspye · for eny speche of seluer [spure] spere IF; speriȝe M. and] and to I.] What manere mester · oþer merchaundise he vsede, [oþer] of FS. vsede] vseth F.] Er he were vnder-fonge free · and felawe in ȝoure rolles. [Er] Or EFS. ȝoure] oure MS.] Hit ys noȝt semly forsoþ · in cyte ne in borwton, [cyte] citees F. borwton] borwtoun M. burgh-toun I; borȝ|town S; burwus F.] Line 112 Þat vsurers oþer regratours · for eny kynne ȝyftes, [vsurers] vsurie I. oþer] & FM. eny kynne] eny skyns (sic) I (for enys kynnes). ȝyftes] miswritten ȝeftes P; but see ll. 117, 126, 162.] Be fraunchised for a free man · and haue [a] fals name)— [haue] bere S. [a MIFSG] PE om.] Ac mede þe mayde · þe meyre hue by-souhte [B page 36] [meyre] meyere P; but see l. 77.] Of alle suche sellers · suluer to take, Line 116 Oþer presentes with-oute pans · and oþer pryueye ȝyftes, [pans] pens I; penes M. and] or S.] And haue reuthe of þe regratours · þat han ryche hondes;

In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera eorum repleta est muneribus.

[And] I om. of þe] on þis I; on MFS. dextera, &c.] IG om.]

"Loue hem for my loue" · quath this lady mede, [this] þat M.] "And soffre hem som tyme · to sulle a-ȝens þe lawe." [S omits. he] hue P.] Salamon the sage · a sarmon he made [S omits. he] hue P.] Line 121 In amendement of meyres · and oþere stywardes, And witnessyth what worth of hem · þat wollen take mede:

Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera.

[what] wat P.] A-mong þese lettrede lordes · þis latyn ys to mene, [þese IFMS] þes P.] Line 124 Þat fur shal falle and for-brenne · al to blewe askes [Þat] I om. fur] Feer I; fire F; feor M; fuyre S. for-brenne] to|brenne S; eke brenne F. blewe] blo IFM; broun S. askes] asches I.] The houses and þe homes · of hem þat taken ȝyftes. [ȝyftes] mede M.] The kynge fram consail cam · and callyd after mede, [A page 33] [fram] þo fro S. fram—cam] cam fro þe consail M. cam and] I om.] And sente for to see hure · ac ich say nat hym þat ladde hure. [for] I om. ac] but M. ac—hym] I myght not se I. ladde hure] heore ladde M. ac—hure] for here sory name F.] Line 128 Corteisliche þe kyng tho · as hus kynde wolde, [Corteisliche] For cortaysliche I; Ful curteisli M. tho] I om.] Lackede here a litel wyht · for þat hue louede gyle, [Lackede] Lokede on M. litel EIFM] lytul S; lytil G; lyte P. þat] M om.] And wilnede to be wedded · with-oute hys leue, [to] forte M. hys] ys P.] Tyl treuth hadde tolde hure · a tokne fram hym|selue; [Tyl] And til I. fram] of E.] And seyde, "womman, vnwittylich · wrouȝt hast þow ofte; [womman] wommen (by mis|take) P. womman vnwittylich] vn|treweliche woman I; vnwithli wom|man M; woman wikkidly F.] Line 133 Ich haue for-gyue þe meny gultes · and my grace graunted [gultes] a gult SM; a gilt IF. Ich—gultes] And many a gilt I haue þe forgyue I. graunted] ygraunted E.] Boþe to þe and to þyne · in hope þow sholdest a-mende; [Boþe] IM om. sholdest] woldest MF.]

And ay þe lenger ich lete þe go · þe lasse treuthe ys with þe; [ich] þat i S.] Line 136 For worsse wrouhtest þow neuere · þan þo þow fals toke. [þo] M om. fals] to fals I.] Ȝut ich for-gyue þe þis gult · godes for-bode eny more [ȝut] ȝif M. ich—þis] forgif I þe þi F. þis] þy S. godes for-bode] god forbede I. eny] a (sic) F.] Þow [tene me and] treuthe; · and þow mowe be y-take, [þow] þat þou F. [tene—and IFMSG] miswritten tene & E; tuene on P.] In þe castel of corf · ich shal do þe close Line 140 Ther as an ancre · oþer in a wel wors wone, [as] to be as F. oþer—wel] or ellus in F; or in wel M. wone] wones M.] And marre þe with myschef · by seint marye my lady, [

140—142. I has—

In þe castel of Corff · I schal do close þe as an anker,

Or yn a wal worse won · by seint mary my lady.

] Þat alle wommen wantowen · shulleþ be war by þe one, [alle] F om. wommen wan|towen] wantowne wymmen I; wanton wemmen M. shulleþ] schulle MS; schul I; F om. war] i-war M.] Line 143 And biterliche banne þe · and alle þat bereþ þy name, And teche þe louye treuthe · and take consail of reson. [þe] þe to IM. of] at FS.] Ich haue a knyȝt, hatte conscience · cam late froo by|ȝonde, [hatte] hat F; me calleþ M; I om. cam late] þat late cam F.] Yf he wilneþ þe to wyue · wolt þow hym haue?" "Ȝe, lord," quath þe lady · "lord it me for-bede [B page 37] [þe] þat ME. lord (2)] god M.] Line 148 Bote ich be holly at þyn heste; · let honge me ellys!" [holly] so IMFS; a better spelling than holiche P; holich E. let honge] hangeþ F.] Thenne was conscience cald · to come and apeere [A page 34] [Thenne] þo M. cald] I-called I; i-cald M. to] I om. and] & to S.] By-for þe kyng and hys consail · as clerkus and oþere. [kyng—hys] kingus F. hys] ys P. as] of F; M om.] Conscience knelynge · to þe kyng loutede, [Conscience knelynge] Knelinge conscience I. knelynge—loutede] cam to þe kyng · & knelyng lowtede F. M has—Knelyng to þe kyng · concience a-louȝtede; so also G.] Line 152 To wite what hus wil were · and what he do sholde. "Wolt thow wedde þis maide · yf ich wol assente, [maide] meede I; wiȝt, quod he F. ich] heo F. wol] so IS; bet|ter than wolle PE; wile M; wole F.]

For hue ys fayne of þy felaushep · and for to be þy make?" [For] M om. þy (1)] F om. and] FSM om.] Line 155 Quath conscience to þe kynge · "Crist it me for-bede! [it] M om. for-bede] for-bude P; but see l. 148.] Er ich wedde suche a wif · wo me by-tyde! [Er] Ar IF; Or EM.] For hue ys freel of hure faith · and fikel of hure speche, [speche] tonge M.] And makeþ men mys-do · meny score tymes. In trist of hure tresour · hue teneþ ful menye; [trist] trust F. hue] mis|written he P; see next line. teneþ IFME] tenuþ S; tueneþ P. ful] wel M.] Line 160 Wyues and wodewes · wantownesse hue techeþ, [Wyues] And wyues F. hue] F om.] And lereþ hem to lecherie · þat louyeþ here ȝyftes. [lereþ] lerneþ M. to] M om.] Ȝoure fader hue felde · fals and hue to-gederes; [felde] afelde I.] Hue haþ a-poisoned popes · hue apeireþ holy churche; [a-poisoned] so IFES; better than a-poisened P. haþ a-poisoned] enpoiseneþ M. hue] & FM. apeireþ] peyred F.] Ys nauht a betere baude · by hym þat me made! [Ys] þer nys M.] Line 165 By-twyne heuene and helle · alle erthe þauh me souhte. [alle] and I. me] so also FG; men ISME.] For hue ys tykel of hure tail · talewys of tonge, [For] E om. tykel] fikul S. talewys SI] tale-wis F; tale-wise E; talewijs M; talwys P. of] of hire E.] As comune as þe cart-wey · to knaues and to alle, [As] And M.] Line 168 To monkes and to alle men; · the meseles in heggys [A page 35] [and] S om. and—men] to masours F. the] to M. the—heggys] sche moseles in hegge (sic) I. in] in þe S.] Lyggeþ by hure whenne hem lust · lered and lewed. [Lyggeþ] þer ligge F. whenne] wenne P. hem] here F. lust] likuþ S.] Sysours and somners · suche men hure preyseþ, Shereues of shires · were shent yf hue ne were. [Shereues] miswritten Shereue P. ne were] nere IFEG.] Line 172 For hue doþ men lese here londe · and here lyf boþe; [lese] to lese F.] Hue leteþ passe prisoners · and paieþ for hem ofte, [B page 38] [leteþ] lette M. and] I om.] And geueþ þe gailer gold · and grotes to-gederes, [þe] to F. gailer] gaiolers I; gaylerus F.]

To vnfetery þe false · and fle where hem lykeþ; [vnfetery] so E; better than vn|feterye P; IFMS have vnfetere. and] to F. where] were P. hem] him IFM.] Line 176 And takeþ trewe by þe top · and tieþ hem faste, [takeþ] so ME; takþ I; takuþ S; miswritten take P. trewe] þe trewe E; treuþe I. tieþ—faste] techeþ him falste I.] And hongeþ [him] for haterede · þat harmede neuere. [And] Sche M. [him IMG] PES om. harmede] harmede hure M; but PISE omit hure.] To be corsed in constorye · hue counteþ nauht a rusche; [constorye SG] þe constory I; constoriȝe M; constory E; badly written constarye P. hue] I om. counteþ] acompteþ I; a-counteþ M.] Hue copeþ þe comissarie · and coteþ hus clerkus, [Hue] For he I. comissarie] so IMES; comessarie P.] Line 180 Hue is assoilid þus sone · as hure [self] lykeþ. [177—181. F omits.] [Hue] And M. assoilid] asoilid P; assoylled in dede E. þus] as M. as] ase P. [self SMG] silf E; selue I; lef P; see B-text.] Hue may ney as moche do · in a mounthe one [ney] myd hym E; F om. one] ones IM.] As ȝoure secret seel · in sexscore dayes. [secret] secree M; secre S. sex] seuene MF.] Hue ys priuy with þe pope · prouisours it knoweþ, [it] hure M.] Line 184 For symonye and hure-self · seeleþ hure bulles. [seeleþ] selleth I; a-selen M.] Hue blesseþ þese byshopys · þauh þei be negh lewede, [blesseþ] benefiseth F. þese IMFS] thees P. þei] þat þei M. negh] ny I; nyȝ S; riȝt F; noȝt E; M om.] Hue prouendreþ persons · and prestes hue menteyneþ To holde lemmanes and lotebyes · al here lif-dayes, [lemmanes] so M; lemmanus FS; lemmans EI; miswritten lem|menes P. dayes] tyme F.] Line 188 And bryngeþ forþ barnes · a-ȝens for-boden lawes; [A page 36] [bryngeþ] bringen M; brynge S. a-ȝens] with F. lawes] lawe I.] Sunt infelices · quia matres sunt meretrices. Ther hue ys wel wyth eny kynge · wo ys þe reome, [eny] þe F. þe] þat I. reome] reume S; rewme F; Reaume I.] For hue ys fauerable to fals · that defouleþ treuthe. [that] þe which I; and M.] Line 192 By iesus, with hure iewels · þe Iustices hue shendeþ; [þe] ȝoure F; S om. Iustices] Iustice I.] Hue lyth a-ȝen þe lawe · and letteþ hym þe gate, [lyth] liȝt ofte F.] Þat faith may nat haue hus forþ · hure floreines goth so thycke; [may] ne may PE; but IFSMG omit ne; see B-text. hus] hire E. forþ] cours F. thycke] wide E.] Line 195

Line 195 And ledeþ þe lawe as hure lust · And louedayes makeþ, [And] Sche M; Hue S. ledeþ] lett I. þe] F om. as] at I.] Þoruh which loueday ys lost · þat leaute myȝte wynne, [which] wich P. loueday] louedaies E.] The mase for [a] mene man · þauh he mote euere. [B page 39] [[a IMFES] þe P.] Line 198 The lawe ys so lordlich · and loth to maken ende, [The] I om. loth] is loth I. maken] make eny I; make an SM.] With-oute presentes oþer pans · hue pleseth ful fewe. [With] Wit P. pans] pens I; penes M. ful] wel F.] Trewe burgeis and bonde · to nauht hue bringeþ ofte, [Trewe] Boþe S. burgeis] so M; burgeys F; burges I; burgeysus S; borgeises E; looks like burgers in P; but see B-text. bonde] bolde F. to—bringeþ] ȝhe bringeþ to noght I.] And al þe comune in care · and [in] couetyse; [al] cast F; S om. [in IMFSE] P om.] Religion hue al to-reueþ · and out of ruele to lybbe. [and] M om. (Perhaps and should be omitted, but the other MSS. retain it.) to lybbe] dryueth F.] Ther nys cite vnder sonne · ne so riche reome [nys] ne is I. ne] ne non IM; ne noon S; apparently written no P; but FE have ne.] Line 204 Ther hue ys loued and lete by · þat last shal eny while, [loued] allowed I; alowed FS; lady (!) E.] With-oute werre oþer wo · oþer wicked lawes, [oþer (1)] or oþer M. lawes] lawe I.] And customes [of] couetyse · [þe] comune to distruye. [customes] custemes P. [of IMFSE] and P. [þe IMFSE] þat P.] Vnsyttynge suffraunce · hure suster, and hure-selue [suffraunce] sustienance I.] Haue maked al-most · bote marie þe helpe, [maked almost] almost I-made I.] Line 209 Þat no lond loueþ the · and ȝut leest þyn owene. [no lond] no londe ne londe ne (so, by mistake) I; no lond ne F. the] F om.] For mede hath knyt clerkes · and couetyse to-geders, [knyt] knyt so F. and] wiþ M. couetyse] couetyce P; see l. 202. I has—For clerkes and couetise · meede haþ knet to-gidres.] Þat al þe wit of þis worlde · ys woxen in-to gyle [wit] so MF; witt E; wyt S; witte I; whit P. þis] þe IFM. ys woxen] wox is F.] Line 212 Thus þis lady ledeþ [þy] londe · now lord ȝeue hure sorwe! [þis—ledeþ] lereth þis lady I. [þy EG] þi IFMS; þys P. now] oure M. lord] crist E.] For pore men der nat pleyne · ne here pleinte shewe, [der] dar IF; dur S; dor E; derre M. pleyne] plede S. here] no I.]

Suche a maister ys mede · a-mong men of goode." Thanne mornede mede · menyng hure to þe kynge, [menyng] monyng F; and mened I.] Line 216 To haue space to speke · spede yf hue myghte. [to] for to F.] The kyng graunted hure grace · with a good wyll; [with] wit P.] "Excuse [þe] yf þow canst · ich can no more seggen; [[þe IFMG] PES om.] For conscience acuseþ the · to congie þe for euere." [to congie] to cunge FS; and cungeþ M.] Line 220 "Nay, lord," quaþ þat lady · "leyueþ hym þe werse, [A page 37] [Nay] Leue F. leyueþ] leueþ FME; leeueþ I; leuuþ S.] When ȝe wyten witerliche · in wham þe wrong lyggeþ. [When] Wen P. wham] wam P.] Ther [þat] myschief ys gret · mede may helpen. [[þat IMSEG] as F; þe P. Ther—gret] For þer as gret meschef is F. helpen] muche helpe F.] And þat knoweþ conscience · ich cam noȝt to chiden, [knoweþ] knowest þou IF. to] for to F.] Ne to depraue [þi] persone · with a prout herte. [[þi FME] þy GS; þe PI. prout] proute E; proud MIFS.] Line 225 Wel þow wost wyterly · bote yf þow wolle gabbe, [Wel] For wel F. wyterly] weye I. wolle] woldest M.] Thow hast hanged on myn hals · elleuen tymes, [hals] half IM. elleuen] en|leuen I; enleue S.] And al-so grypen of my gold · and gaf it where þe lykede. [of] I om. and] an P. gaf] ȝaf E; gyue IMS; ȝoue F. it] M om. where] were P. lykede] likeþ IM.] Line 228 Why þow wratthest [þe] now · wonder me þynkeþ, [[þe IMFSE] P om.] Ȝut ich may, as ich myghte · menske þe with ȝyftes, [ȝut] & ȝit F. ich may] mai i M. menske] a-uaunce M.] And menteyny þy manhod · more þan þow knowest. Ac þow hast famede me foule · by-fore þe kynge here; [Ac] & F. kynge here] kyngus ere F.] For culde ich neuere no kyng · ne consailed so to done; [B page 40] [For culde] Forgulte E. culde] killede M. no] M om.] Ac ich saued my-self · and sexty þousand lyues, [saued] haue saued I; haue i|saued M. and] IMFS om. lyues] tymus S.] Line 234 Boþe her and elles wher · in alle kynne londes. [Boþe] M om. wher] wer P. alle kynne] alle kynnes M; many kyngus F.]

Ac þow þy-self sothliche · ho [so] it segge dorste, [[so MFSEG] IP om.] Line 236 Hast arwed meny hardy men · that hadden wil to fyghte, [arwed] so I; arewyd S; i|arewed M; arwad E; I-had F. meny] F om. hardy] an hardi M.] To brennen and to bruten · to bete a-doun strengthes. [and—bruten] and to bresten M; & to breke F; in Britaigne I. to (3)] and IMF.] In þe contreis þer þe kyng cam · conscience hym lette, [þe] IF om. contreis] contre F. conscience] þou conscience F. lette] lettest F.] Þat he ne felde nat hus foes · þo fortune it wolde, [ne] F om. felde] so IE; fulde S; feld PF. þo] þogh I; þe E.] Line 240 And as hus werdes were ordeined · by wil of oure lorde. [239—241. M omits.] [werdes] wirdus F; wordes I. ordeined] I-þouȝt F. by] at þe I. oure] houre P. oure lorde] god almyȝty F.] Caytiflyche þow, conscience · consailedist þe kyng leten [þe kyng] him F. leten] to leten I; to letun S; to lete F.] In hus enemys honde · hys heritage of fraunce. [honde] hend E; handes I. hys] ys P.] Vnconnyng ys þat conscience · a kyngdome to sulle, [þat] it F. þat conscience] þi consail M. sulle] fulle E.] Þat ys conqueryd þorw comune helpe; · a kyngdome oþer duche [Þat] For þat I. ys conqueryd] conquered is F. þorw] bi MF. a kyngdome] F om. duche] duchie I; a duche EMS; a ducherye F.] Line 245 May nat be sold soþly · so meny here part asken [May] It may IF. here] I om.] Of folk þat fauht þer-fore · and folwed þe kynges wil. [folk] fewe folk F. fauht] folowede S. þe] FS om.] Þe lest lad þat longeþ to hym · be þe lond wonnen, [Þe] But þe F. longeþ] lieth F. to] wiþ I.] Lokeþ after lordshep · oþer oþere large mede, [oþer] or FSM. oþere] I om.] Line 249 Wher-by he may as a man · for euere-more lyue after. [Wher] Wer P. for] M om. more] FM om. after] þer-after F.] And þat ys þe kynde of a kyng · þat conquereþ of hys enemyes, [of (2)] on MIFS. hys] ys P.] To helpe heyeliche al hus host · oþere elles to graunte [heyeliche] hoygeliche F; hugeli M. to] for to F.] Al þat hus men mowen wynne · to do þer-myd here beste. [to] I om. do] E om. myd] wiþ MIFS.] Line 253

Line 253 For-þy ich counsayle no kyng · eny counsayle aske [For-þy] For-whi M; For S. aske] to aske M.] At conscience, yf he coueyteþ · to conquery a reome. [yf he] þat I. coueyteþ] coueite MFESG. conquery] conquere IMES; wynnen F. reome] reume IS; reme F.] For sholde neuere conscience · be my constable, [I has one line—For schulde neuer conscience be my coun|stable · were I a king, quod mede.] Line 256 Were ich a kyng ycoroned · by marye," quaþ mede, [I has one line—For schulde neuer conscience be my coun|stable · were I a king, quod mede.] [ycoroned] I-corowned F; i|crowned M; ycrouned ES; ycoron|onede P. marye] al þis croys F.] "Ne be mareschal of my men · þer ich moste fyghte. [of] ouer IFES.] Ac hadde ich, mede, be hus mareschal · ouer hus men in fraunce, [A page 38] [ich] F om.] Ich dorst haue leid my lyue · and no lasse wedde, [leid] so MFS; leide IE; led P. my] þer-to my FM. lyue] hed M.] Line 260 He had be lord of þat londe · in lengthe and in brede, [He] ȝe M. had be] schold haue ben I.] And al-so kyng of þat cuth · hus kyn to haue holpen, [cuth] kith FS; coyn M. hus] ȝoure M. to—holpen] for to helpe I.] The leste brol of hus blod · a barones pere. [brol F] brolle I; broþil S; miswritten brel P; bral E; M om. hus] ȝoure M. pere] fere E.] Vnkyndely þow, conscience · consailedest hym þennes, [Vnkyndely] Vncunnyngliche I. þow] I om. þennes] þanne IF.] To lete so hus lordshup · for a lytel moneye. [moneye] mede F.] Line 265 Hyt by-comeþ for a kyng · þat shal kepe a reame, [for] to F.] To ȝeue men mede · þat meklyche hym serueþ, [meklyche] mecklyche P.] To alienes, to alle men · to honoury hem with ȝyftes; [to alle] and to alle IM. honoury] honoure IMS; honour FE. ȝyftes] ȝeftes P; but see ll. 162, 230.] Mede makeþ hym [be] by-loued · and for a man yholde. [Mede makeþ] Þanne makith mede F. [be IFES] PM om. yholde] so ES; Iholde FM; be holde I; mis|written yolde P.] Emperours and erles · and alle manere lordes [B page 41] Þoruh ȝiftes hauen ȝemen · to rennen and to ryde. [ȝemen] so EFS; ȝomen I; ȝimmen M; ȝemmen P. rennen] ȝerne I.] Þe pope and alle prelates · presentes vnder-fongen, Line 272 And ȝeuen mede to men · to menteynye here lawes. [to menteynye] to meynteyne F; to mayntene I; to meyntene E; to mentayne S; þat meynteyneþ M.]

Seriauntes for here seruice · mede þey asken, [A page 39] [Seriauntes] Seruantz I; Ser|uauntes M.] And taken mede of here maistres · as þei mow a-corde. Beggers and bedmen · crauen mede for here prayers. [Beggers] Boþe beggers I. bedmen] bedemen IFMS; bedred E.] Mynstrals for here mynstralcye · a mede þei asken. [Mynstrals] And mynstrallus F.] Line 277 Maistres þat techen clerkes · crauen hure for mede. [Maistres] Men F. techen] kenne I. (which improves the alliter|ation). hure—mede] huyre for heore mede M; here mede SF; þerfore mede I.] Prestes þat prechen · and þe puple techen [þe—techen] techeth þe lawe F.] Asken mede and masse-pans · and here mete boþe. [pans] pens F; penes M. here] his M.] Line 280 Alle kyne crafty men · crauen mede for here aprentys, [crafty] craftus S. aprentys] prentis E; prentes M; prentises I; hyre F.] Marchaundise and mede · mote nedes go to-gederes. [nedes] nede EFS. go] I om.] Is no lede þat leueþ · þat he ne loueþ mede, [Is] þer is F; þer nys M. he] so EIFMS; hue P (by mistake).] And glad for to grype hure · gret lord oþer poure." [hure] hire EI; here F; heore M. gret—poure] boþe grete & smale F; gret lord and oþer M.] Line 284 Tho quath þe kyng to conscience · "by Cryst, at my knowynge, [Tho] Now F; I om. Cryst] miswritten Cryest P. at—knowynge] as me þenkeþ I; as me semeth F.] Mede ys worthy, me þynkeþ · þe maistrye to haue." [me] as me F.] "Nay," quaþ conscience [to þe kyng] · "clerkes wyten þe soþe, [Nay] Certes F. [to—kyng FIMS] PE om. wyten] witeþ I; know F.] Þat mede ys euermore · a meyntenour of gyle, Line 288 As þe sauter sheweþ · by suche as ȝeuen mede, [sheweþ] saith I. as] þat ES.] Þat vnlawfulliche [lyuen] · hauen large honden, [þat] & E. [lyuen ISG] liuen M; leueth F; PE om. (cf. Lat. quotation, l. 118 above). large] large of E (wrongly). honden] hondus F; handes IMS.] To ȝeue mede to men · more oþer lasse. [To] Forte M. mede—men] men mede IS; men of mede F. to men] M om. more—lasse] þe more or þe lasse F.] Line 291 Ac þer ys mede [and] mercede · and boþe men demen [ys mede] meede is I. mede] a mede M. [and IF] and a M; a PES. men] of hem me F.]

A desert for som doynge · derne oþer elles. [doynge] dede F. derne] so IMS; deorne F; durne E; deerne or doerne P.] Line 293 Mede meny tymes · men ȝeuen by-for þe doynge; [meny—ȝeuen] ȝeue many men F. þe] here F.] And þat ys noþer reson ne ryht · ne no reame lawe [ys] nys M. no] in no IFS. reame] reomes M.] Þat eny man mede toke · bote he it myghte deserue, [mede toke] schal mede take F. myghte] may F.] And for to vndertake · to trauely for anoþer, [And—to] Or trewly F. trauely] trauaile IM; trauayle ES; trauayl F.] Line 297 And wot neuere witterly · wher he lyue so longe, [witterly] so EI; witturly F; withturli M; wyturly S; whiterly P. wher] so MI; wer PE; wheþer FS.] Ne haue hap to hus hele · mede to deseruen. [Ne] Or F.] Ich halde hym ouer-hardy · oþer elles nouht trewe, [ouer] so IMES; to F; badly spelt ouere P. nouht trewe] vntrewe F; out of truwþe E.] Þat pre manibus ys payed · oþer elles paye askeþ. [payed] ypaied E; I-payd F. elles] his IMFS.] Line 301 Harlotes and hores · and al-so fals leches, [Harlotes] As harlotus F.] Thei asken hure huyre · er þey hit haue deserued. [deserued] deseruede (badly) P.] And gylours gyuen by-fore · and goode men at þe ende, [And] For M. and] ac F. at—ende] at þende I; atte neende F.] When þe dede ys ydo · and þe day yendyd. [yendyd] so PE; I-endyd S; i-ende M; endede F; endeth I.] Line 305 And þat ys no mede · bote a mercede, [One line in FI; þat is no mede but mercede · & dette for doynge F; And þat is no mede but a mércede · a maner due dette I. And þat] Ac what M. no] M om. A] & a E. maner] maner of M. dewe] so M; diwe P; due S; þywe (sic) E. þe] þi M.] A maner dewe dette · for þe doynge; [One line in FI; þat is no mede but mercede · & dette for doynge F; And þat is no mede but a mércede · a maner due dette I. And þat] Ac what M. no] M om. A] & a E. maner] maner of M. dewe] so M; diwe P; due S; þywe (sic) E. þe] þi M.] And bote if yt be payed prestliche · the payer is to blame, [if] ȝif E; IMFS om. be—prestliche] be prestliche payd FS; prestly be payd I.] Line 308 As by þe bok, þat bit · no body to with-holde [As—þat] For as þe holy book F. to] schuld F; IMS om. with|holde] wit-holde P.] Þe hure of hus hewe · ouer eue til a morwe:

Non morabitur opus mercenarij [tui] apud te usque mane.

[hure] huyre M; hire F. hewe] so I; hywe P; hyne EFMS. ouer—a] til it be oþer F. mercenarij EMS] spelt mercennarij PF. [tui FS] PEMI om.] And þer is reson as a reue · rewarding treuthe, [as] M om. rewarding] to re|warde F. treuthe] þroȝ (!) E.] And boþe þe lord and þe laborer · ben leelliche yserued. [And] Þat IMFS.] The mede þat meny prest[es] takeþ · for masses þat þei syngen, [A page 40] [B page 42] [prestes ME] prestis I; prestus S; men F; prest P. masses—syngen] here massus syngyng F.] Line 313 Amen, amen, Matheu seyth · mercedem suam recipiunt. [B page 43] [Matheu] Matheus M. suam] F om. recipiunt] receperunt MFS.] In marchaundise ys no mede · ich may it wel avowe; [ys] þer is F; nys E.] Hit is a permutacion a-pertelich · o pene-worth for anoþer. [apertelich] F om. o] so PEI; a MF; on S. pene-worth] peny F.] Line 316 And þauh þe kyng of hys cortesye · kaiser, oþer pope, [hys] F om.] Ȝeue lond oþer lordshup · [or] oþer large ȝiftes, [[or IMFSG] PE om. ȝiftes] ȝeftes P; see l. 230.] To here leelle [and] lyge · loue ys þe cause. [leelle] I om. [and M] and to I; PEFS om. (but see next line). lyge S] lige M; lege PIE (but see next line); lyge-men F. ys] I om.] And yf þe leelle and þe lyge · be luther men after, [þe (1)] þo M. þe (2)] IME om. lyge] liege I; liche E.] Line 320 Boþe kyng and kayser · and þe coroned pope May desauowe þat þey dude · and douwe þer-with oþer, [desauowe] disalowe FS. douwe] dowe E; dewe F; do IMS. þer-with] þer-whit P. oþer] an oþer IFS; a noþer M.] And a-non by-nymen hym hit · and neuere [more] after [anon—hit] bynyme it hem anon I. hym hit] hem hit S; hit hem M; it hem F. [more IFMG] PES om. after] þer-aftur F.] Noþer þei ne here Ayres · hardy to cleyme, [þei ne] eny of I. hardy] be hardy hit F.] Line 324 That kyng oþer cayser hym gaf · catel oþer rente. [That] Of þat þe F. hym] hem IS; F om. catel oþer] of catel & of F.] For god gaf to salamon · grace vp-on erthe, [to] IM om. grace] gret grace F. erthe] þe erthe P; but EIMFS omit þe.] Rychesse and reson · whyle he ryht lyuede, [Rychesse] Boþe ricchesse F. whyle] þer-whil I. ryht] wel F.] Line 327

Line 327 And as sone as god seih · he suwed nouht hus wille, [seih] sey EF; si M; seiȝ S.] He reuede hym of hys richesse · and of hus ryht mynde, [reuede] reft I. hys] S om.] And soffrede hym lyue in mysbyleue · ich leyue he be in helle; [lyue SEI] liue M; leue P. leyue] trowe M.] So þat god geueþ no þyng · þat synne ne ys þe glose. [þat] IMFS om. synne] si (sic) I. þat—þe] with-outen any F.] And so ryght sothliche · may kyng and pope [may] so may I; may þe F.] Line 332 Boþe gyue and grauntye · þer hus grace likeþ, [grauntye] graunte MIES; graunt eke F.] And eft haue hit a-ȝeyn · of hem þat don ille. [eft] so IMS; efte E; eft-sone F; miswritten eeft P. hem—don] men þat do riȝt F.] Thus ys mede [and] mercede · as two manere relacions, [[and IFG] a PEMS. manere] maner of M; F om.] Rect and indyrect · rennynge bothe [Rect] Wheche beþ recte F. Rect—indyrect] Ryght & vnryght S (and in l. 344).] Line 336 On a sad and a syker · semblable to hym-selue— [and] & on F. semblable] semeliche F; semblance I. hym|selue] hem-seluen I; hem-self F; hem-selue S.] [As] adiectif and substantyf · vnite asken, [[As MS] Ac PEIF (As makes the better sense). asken] þei asken F.] Acordaunce in kynde · in cas and in numbre, [Acordaunce] And accordance IFS; And a-corden M.] Line 339 And ayþer ys oþeres help—· of hem comeþ retribucion, [retribucion] rewardyng F.] Þat ys þe ȝifte þat god ȝyueþ · to alle leelle lyuynge, [Þat ys] And þat I. ȝifte] so E; gifte IMF; ȝefte P; gefte S. leelle lyuynge] gode lyues F.] Grace of good ende · and gret ioye after;

Retribuere dignare, domine deus, omnibus [nobis], et cetera."

[Grace of] Þe grace of god with F. after] þer-aftur F. [nobis MS] PEIF om. F omits all the Latin.] Quaþ þe kynge to conscience · "knowen ich wolde What is relacion rect · and indyrect after, [What] Wat P. relacion rect] recte relacioun F. after] þeraftur F.] Line 344 And þanne adiectyf and substantif · for englisch was it neuere." [And] I om. þanne] þe M; F om. substantif] þe sustantijf M; sustentif (here and in l. 338) F.]

"Relacion rect," quath conscience · "ys a recorde of treuthe,

Quia antelate rei est recordatiuum,

[a] F om. a recorde] acorde (sic) I. recordatiuum] so IFEG; apparently recordantium P.] Folwyng and fyndyng out · þe foundement of strenthe, [fyndyng] a fyndyng PE; but IMFSG omit a. þe] of þe I. founde|ment] fundament F. of] of a IM. F omits the last three words of l. 347, and all l. 348.] And styuelyche stonde forth · to strengthe of þe foundement, [stonde] to stonde M. of] ISM om.] Line 348 In kynde and in case · and in cours of noumbre; As [a] leel laborer · þat by-leuyþ with hus maistre [[a IMFSEG] P om. þat] MF S om. by-leuyþ] leeueth F. þat—with] bileeueþ þat I.] In hus paye and in hys pyte · and in hus pure treuthe, [and] E om. in (2)] MF om. hys pyte] pitaunce F. in (3)] M om.] To paye hym yf he performeþ · and haue pyte yf he faylleþ, [performeþ] performe I. haue] F om. faylleþ] falleþ M; faile F.] Line 352 And take hym for hus trauaile · al þat treuthe wolde. So of hol herte comeþ hope · and hardy relacion [So] F om. hol] holy I; M om. hardy relacion] holy relatiuus F.] Sekeþ and suweþ · hus [substantif] sauacion, [Sekeþ] Þat sekith F. [sub|stantif IS] substantif E (as in l. 345); sustentif P; sustantijf M. hus—sa|uacion] here souerayn by kynde F.] That ys [god], þe grounde of al · a graciouse antece|dent. [[god IMFSG] PE om. See next line.] And man ys relatif rect · yf he be ryht trewe; [And] A M. trewe ISE] triwe P; in trewþe F.] Line 357 He a-cordeþ with crist in kynde · uerbum caro factum est; [acordeþ] acorde (sic) I. kynde] ys kynde P; but EIMFSG omit ys. uerbum] is verbum F. est] F om.] In case, credere in ecclesia · In holy [kirke] to by|leyue; [credere—ecclesia] with cor|seyntus F. [kirke I] churche PEF MS. to] F om.] In numbre, rotie and aryse · and remyssion to haue, [rotie] rotiȝe M; to rote F. and (2)] with S; F om.]

Of oure sory synnes · asoiled and clansed, [Of] & of F. sory] seuene M. synnes] sennes P. asoiled] to be as|soiled I. clansed M] clansede P; clansid ES; I-clansed F; y-clensed I.] Line 361 And lyue, as oure crede ous kenneþ · with crist with|outen ende. [lyue] bileue M. crede] ap|parently credo in P; but crede in EIMFS. ous] vs EFIS; us M. ken|neþ] telleþ F.] Thus is relacion rect · ryht as adiectif and substantif [Thus] This I. as] I om. F has—And þus suweþ relacioun rect · re (sic) rewle of sustentyuus.] A-cordeþ in alle kyndes · with his antecedent. [A-cordeþ] Acordyng F. with his] whit is P.] Line 364 Indirect þyng ys · as ho so coueited [coueited] coueiteþ M; coueyte S. F has—Indirect is contrarius · inliche to coueyte; cf. l. 373.] Alle kynne kynde · to knowe and to folwe, [kynne IES] kyne P; kyn MF. kynde] kyndes F.] With-oute [case] to cacche [to] · and come to boþe numbres; [With-oute] And wiþoute I. [case MF] cause PEISG. [to MFG] two PES; I om.] In which beþ good and nat good · and graunte here noþers wil. [which] wich P; þe whiche S. beþ] buþ M; ben IS; be F. here] M om. noþers] noþeres M; neyþer I; neþer S. and—wil] grace to for|sake F.] Line 368 Þat is [noȝt] reisonable ne rect · to refusy my syres sor|name, [Þat] Hit F; And þat I. is] nys M. [noȝt E] nout M; nat FSG; not I; noþer P. ne] M om. rect] right IS. refusy] refuse EMIFS. syres] sire MIS. sorname] surname E; sirename M; name I. to—sor|name] surname to refuse F.] Sitth y, his sone and seruaunt · suwe for his ryghte. [y] I am I; F om. his(1)] is P. and] and his MI.] For who so wol haue to wyue · my worldliche daughter, [who EMI] wo P; ho FS. haue] haue me (!) M; S om. world|liche IES] wordliche F; miswritten worliche P; worschepeful M.] Ich wol feffe hym with hure fayre · and with hure foule taylende. [wol] wolde I; F om. hure] al hir I. fayre] fair face F. taylende] tailende IMEG; tail-eende F (wrong|ly).] Line 372 So indirect þyng ys · Inliche to coueyte [indirect þyng] relacioun in|direct F. þyng] IS om.] To a-corde in alle kyndes · and in alle kynne numbre, [kyndes] kynde IMFS. and] M om. in (2)] F om. kynne MFSE] kyne P; kyns I.]

With-oute cost and care · in alle kynne trauaile, [and] or M. in] and IM. alle] eche F. kynne MFSE] kynde P; kyn I.] [With-oute resoun to rewarde · nauȝt recching of þe peple]. [In F only.] Line 376 Ac relacion rect · is a ryhtful custome, [a—custome] ryȝte leuynge F.] As, a kyng to cleyme · þe comune at his wille [his] is P.] To folwe hym, to fynde hym · and fecche at hem hus consail, [to] and M; and to I. fecche] seche I. and—consail] at him coun|seil to fette F.] Line 379 That here loue þus to [him] · þorw al þe londe a-corde. [þus] is E. þus—him] to his lawe I. [him MFS] hem PE.] So comune cleymeþ of a kyng · thre kynne þynges, [comune] comunes M. of] at S. kynne] kyne M; kynnus S.] Lawe, loue, and leaute · and hym lord antecedent, [loue] & leue (for & loue) I.] Boþe here hefd and here kyng · haldyng with no partie, [here (1)] I om. hefd] hed EM; heued I; heed F. haldyng—partie] with no party to holde F.] Bote stande as a stake · þat stykeþ in a muyre [stande] standyng IS; stande stif F. a(2)] þe IF.] Line 384 By-twyne two londes · for a trewe marke. [Bytwyne] Euen bitwix F. londes] lordes I.] Ac þe moste partie of þe puple · pure indirect semeþ, [þe (2)] þis M; I om. pure] nowe pure I.] For þei wilnen and wolde · as best were for hem-selue, [wilnen—wolde] wesche & wyllen F.] Thauh þe kyng and þe comune · al þe cost hadde. Line 388 Al reson reproueþ · such imparfit puple, [Ac resoun redily reproueth · such reccheles peple F; Such inper|fyt poeple · repreueþ alle resoun I.] And halt hem vnstedefast · for hem lackeþ case. [As] relatifs indirect · reccheþ þei neuere [[As EIFS] Ac P; As þe M. relatifs] relatijf ME; relatyuus FIS.] Of þe cours of þe case · so þey cacche suluer, [þe (1)] S om. þe (2)] here FS; I om.] Line 392 Be þe pecunie y-payed · þauh parties chide. [pecunie] so IFS; pecuniȝe M; peccunie P; peccunye E. þauh] þauȝ þe S; þaw þe M.] He þat mede may lacche · makeþ litel tale, [makeþ] telleþ M.] Nyme he a numbre · of nobles oþer of shullenges; [oþer] or IMFS. shullenges] schullynges ES; schillynges IMF.]

How þat clyentes a-corde · mede a-counteþ lytel. [þat] þe M. mede acounteþ] acounteþ mede I.] Line 396 Ac adiectif and substantif · ys as ich er tolde, [ys] F om. er tolde] here telle I.] Þat ys, vnyte, acordaunce · in case, gendre, and numbre; [Þat] And þat M; Ther I. vnyte] clene F. gendre] & gendre I.] And ys [to] mene in oure mouth · more ne mynne, [ys] M om. [to EIFMSG] no P. mene in] nempne on I.] Bote þat alle manere men · wommen, and children, [children] childre I; childur F.] Sholde conformye to on kynde · on holy [kirke] to by-leyue, [conformye] conforme FES; conforme hem IM. on (1)] o IFS. [kirke I] churche PEFS; chirche M.] Line 401 And coueite þe case · when þei couthe vnderstonde, [coueite] to coueite F. when] wen P.] To [sike] fore hure synnes · and suffre harde penaunce, [[sike EIG] siken M; syke FS; asky P. suffre] do M. harde] scharp F; miswritten arde P. pen|aunce] penances I.] For þat ilke lordes loue · þat for oure loue deyde, [ilke] I om.] And coueited oure kynde · and be cald in oure name, Deus homo, [and] suþ (sic) E.] Line 405 And nymen hym into oure numbre · now and euere more;

Qui in caritate manet in deo manet, et deus in eo.

Thus is man and mankynde · in manere of a substantif, [F has—And þanne ys man-kyn I-made · a sustentyf of trewþe, Acordyng with his adiectif · of trinitas vnus deus.] [man] he man I. a] IS om.] As hic & hec homo · [askyng] an adiectif [F has—And þanne ys man-kyn I-made · a sustentyf of trewþe, Acordyng with his adiectif · of trinitas vnus deus.] [As] Ac I. [askyng IMSG] and a kyng P (which gives no sense); E has—& adiectif & a kyng.] Line 408 Of þre trewe termysons · trinitas unus deus; [F has—And þanne ys man-kyn I-made · a sustentyf of trewþe, Acordyng with his adiectif · of trinitas vnus deus.]

Nominatiuo, pater & filius & spiritus sanctus.

[þre] þ^e E. trewe EIM] trew S; trywe P. termysons] so ES; termisouns I; terminours M.] Ac ho so rat of regum · rede me may of mede, [Ac] And M. ho] who IME. Ac—so] Þat renk þat F. rat] so I; ret S; rate F; raat M; þat (wrongly) E. of] in M. me] so IES; he MFG.] Hou hue absolon · to hongynge brouhte; [hue] he I; sche M; ȝo E; þat hore F. hongynge] hontyng M; hongement F. brouhte] a-brouȝte F.]

And sitthe, for saul · sauede a kyng for mede [sitthe] sethe I; seþþen M; suþ E; suþþe S. for] S om. saul] sir saul F. kyng] knyȝt E.] Line 412 A-geyn godes comaundement · god toke suche ven|iaunce, [toke suche] took such a I; gaf on him F.] Þat saul for þat synne · and hus sone deyde, [deyde] deyede EI; dide F; deieden M.] And gaf þe kyngdome to hus knaue · þat kept sheep and lambren: [hus] a F. þat] and I. kept] kepe I. lambren] lambre I; lambus F.] [As] men [rat] in regum · after [Ruth], of kynges, [A page 41] [B page 43] [[As IMFG] And PE. [rat] miswritten þat PES (but see l. 410); redeþ MG; rette I; rede F. [Ruth I] reuþe MS; þe reugthe F; reweþ P; redeþ E (it means the Book of Ruth).] Line 416 Hou god sente to saul · by samuel þe prophete, Þat agag of amalek · and al hus lyge puple [of] & F. al] M om. lyge] liege I.] Sholde deye delfulliche · for dedes of here eldren. [delfulliche] deilfulliche E; ful delfulli M; ful dredfully F; derf|ly I. eldren] eldres IM; eldrus F.] 'Saul,' quath samuel · 'god hym-self hoteþ Line 420 To be boxome at my bidding · hus bone to fulfylle. [To] F om. bone] loue IF.] Haste þe with al þyn ost · to þe lond of amalek, [al] F om. to—of] in-to F.] And al þat lyueþ in þat londe · oure lord wol þat þow slee hit, [in] on I. slee hit] hem sleo M.] Line 423 [Man, woman, and wif · child, widowe, and bestes]; [From I; also in MFSG; PE omit. I has—and woman; but MF omit and. childe widowe] wedewe child FS; widewe child M.] Mebles and vnmebles · man and alle þynges, [Mebles] Before moebles I in|serts—þat duelleþ in amalek; which is not wanted.] Bren hit, ber nouht away · be hit neuere so riche, [Bren] Bern I. ber] I om.] For eny mede of moneye · al þat þow myght spille; [myght] may F. spille] I omits, but has Spille it at beginning of next line.] Spar hit nat · and þow shalt spede þe betere.' [nat] nauȝt I; nouȝt M. þe] soueraynly þe F.] Line 428 And for he coueited hyre catel · and þe kyng spared, [hyre] F om. þe] here F.]

For-bar hym and hus beste bestes · as þe byble wit|nesseþ, [byble] bille S. witnesseþ] so EI; whitnesseþ P; telleþ MF.] Oþerwise þan god wolde · by warnyng of þe prophete, [by—of] and warned him by I; warnyng F.] God seide to samuel · þat saul sholde deye, [God] So god I. seide] sente M.] Line 432 And al hus for þat synne · and shendfulliche ende. [and] IMFSG om. shendful|liche] schenfulliche M; schamfullich F. ende] aneende F.] Thus was kyng saul ouercome · for couetyse of mede, [kyng] F om. for] þorȝ S. for couetyse] þurw schentful schame F.] That god hatid hym for euere · and alle hus ayres after. [B page 44] [hatid hym] I om. hus] here I.] The culorum of þis cas · kepe ich nat to shewe, [A page 42] [The] Ac þe F. culorum] colour M; consequent F. to] S om.] Line 436 An aunter hit nuyede me · non ende wol ich make. [hit] ȝif hit M; leste hit S. nuyede] noiede M; anoied F; mighte noyen I. me] I om. non] an IMS. wol] wolde E.] For so ys þe worlde went · with [hem] þat han þe power, [ys] is now F. went] i-wend M; schent F. with] wit P. [hem IMFG] hym S; þulke E; P om. han—power] power haue F. þe] S om.] That he þat seith most sothest · sonnest ys y-blamed. [most sothest] men soþest IS; men here soþe F. seith—sothest] of|test seiþ soþ M. sonnest ys] is sen|nest M; sone is F.] Ich conscience knowe þis · for kynde witt me tauhte, [þis] it wel F.] Þat reson shal regne · and reames gouerne, [shal] ȝit schal F. and reames] rewmus to F.] Line 441 And ryht as agag hadde · happen shulleþ somme. [happen] hap · so F. shulleþ somme] so MFES; schal come I.] Samuel shal sle hym · and saul shal be blamed, [Samuel] For samuel F.] And dauid shal be diademyd · and daunten alle oure enemyes, [shal be] F om. diademyd] I-diademed FM. and] ande P; to F. daunten] a-daunte M. alle] F om.] And on cristene kyng · kepen ows echone. [on] o I; a F. ows] ous S; vs IF; us M.] Line 445 Shal no mede [be maister] · neuere more after, [[be maister MIFSG] PE om.] Ac loue and louhnesse · and leaute to-gederes [Ac] & F. louhnesse] leel lownes F.]

Shullen be maistres on molde · trewe men to helpe; [Shullen] þo scholle I.] And ho so takeþ aȝen treuthe · oþer transuerseþ aȝens reson, [oþer] or IFM. transuerseþ] so ES; trauerseth IMF. aȝens] F om.] Line 449 Leaute shal do hym lawe · and no lif elles. Shal no seriaunte for þat seruyse · were a selk houe, [þat] such F; his M; I om. a] S om. selk] selken IS.] Ne pelour in hus paueylon · for pledyng at þe barre. [Ne] so FMES; Ne no I; Ne (or No?) P. in] on S. hus pauey|lon] partye F; his pauiloun IM. pledyng] pletyng F. at þe] atte I; ate S.] Muchel yuel is þorw mede · meny tyme suffred, [Muchel] For muche F. yuel] I om. meny] ofte S. tyme] tymes I.] And letteþ þe lawe · þorw here large ȝyftes. [And letteþ] Heo letteth lith|urly F.] Line 454 Ac kynde loue shal come ȝut · and conscience to-gederes, [Ac] But F; As I. loue] lome (!) I.] And make of lawe a laborer · suche loue shal aryse, [lawe] F om. a] and I; E om.] And such pees among þe puple · and a parfyt treuthe, [and] with F.] Þat Iewes shal wene in here witt · and wexe so glade, [shal] schulleþ E. so] ful F.] That here kyng be ycome · fro þe court of heuene, Line 459 Moyses oþer messias · þat men be so trewe. [Moyses] þe which moyses (sic) I. messias] messie IMF. þat] S om. men—trewe] be so trewemen F.] For alle þat bereþ baselardes · bryght swerde, oþer launce, [B page 45] [bereþ] berth I; beren M; bere F. baselardes] baselard I.] Axe, oþer acchett · oþer eny kynne wepne, [kynne] kynnes M.] Line 462 Shal be demed to þe deþ · bote yf he do hit smythie [yf] F om.] In-to sykel oþer into sithe · to shar oþer to culter;

Conflabunt gladios suos in uomeres, & lanceas suas in falces;

[into] to S; MF om. to (1)] or M. oþer to] oþer MF; or in-to E. suas] I om.] Ech man to pleye with a plouh · a pycoyse oþer a spade, [pycoyse] pikois M; pikcoyse E; plow (by mistake) F.] Spynnen, and spek of god · and spille no tyme: [and (1)] or IFS.] Line 466 Prestes and persons · placebo and dirige, [placebo] with placebo F.]

Here sauter and here seuene psalmis · for alle synful preyen. [alle synful] synful to F.] Haukyng oþer hontyng · yf eny of hem hit vsie, [oþer] or IF; and M. vsie] vse IMFES.] Shal lese þer-fore hus lyue-lode · and hus lif parauenture. Shal noþer kyng ne knyȝt · constable ne meyre [meyre] oþur F.] Line 471 Ouer-cark þe comune · ne to þe court sompne, [Ouer-cark] Ouer-care I. sompne] hem somene M.] Ne putte men in panell · ne do men plighte here treuthe; [panell] pauyloun F. men (2)] hem MF.] Bote after þe dede þat ys ydo · the dome shal recorde, [after] as F. þat] MF om.] Mercy oþer no mercy · as most trewe a-corden. [trewe] trewþe S. trewe acorden] truþe asenteþ M.] Line 475 Kynges court and comune court · constorie and chapitre, [M has—Kynges court and comune court · al schal be but on court, Constorie and chapitle · and on barn Iustice. chapitre] chapitle M; chapetle F. berne] buyren I; baren F; barn M.] Al shal be bote on court · and on berne be Iustice; [M has—Kynges court and comune court · al schal be but on court, Constorie and chapitle · and on barn Iustice. chapitre] chapitle M; chapetle F. berne] buyren I; baren F; barn M.] That worth trewe-tunge a [tydy] man · þat tenede me neuere. [That] And þat MI. worth] schal be F. a] & E; F om. [tydy ISG] tyde F; teþyng M; trewe PE. tenede EG] tened IFM; teunede P; tenuþ S. me] me ȝit F.] Batailles shulle neuere eft be · ne man bere eg-tool, [ne—tool] no egge-tool man bere F.] And yf eny man [smyþie] hit · be smyte þer-with to deþe;

Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium, nec excercebuntur ultra ad prelium.

[And] F om. yf] but ȝif S; I om. [smyþie] smithie R (B-text); smythi F; smeþi M; smythe I; smyþen (badly) PESG; see l. 463. be smyte] be smete MF; þe smyþe (sic) E. leuabit] leuabunt M. nec] non I.] Line 480 Ac er þis fortune by-falle · fynde me shal þe worste, [er] or EF. by-falle] falle I. me] men M. þe worste] furst F.] By syx sonnes and a ship · and half a shef of arwes. [and (1)] in I. ship MS] schippe I; schip EF; shup P. half] halwe I. arwes] harwes E.] And þe myddell of a mone · shal makye þe Iewes turne, [And] But M. myddell] I om.]

And sarasyns for þat syght · shullen synge credo in spiritum sanctum. [B page 46] [sarasyns E] saresyns P; sari|syns I; sarsynes M; saracenus F. syght] S om. for—synge] syng for þat siȝt F. credo, &c.] M om.] Line 484 For makamed and mede · shullen myshappen þat tyme,

For melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe."

[makamed] makameth I; ma|kemete MS; makameet F. mede] mede boþe F. shullen] and (sic) I. For] Quia I.] As wroth as þe wynd · [wex] mede þer-after— [as] y-wis as F. þe] eny S; I om. [wex G] so in B-text; badly spelt waxe PEIS; wax MF. þer|after] aftur F.] "Lo what salamon seith," quath hue · "in sapience þe byble, [salamon seith] seiþ salamon M. hue] sche IM; she S; scheo F; ȝo E. in sapience] sapiens in F; insipience in I; in sapience in S.] Line 487 'Þat ȝeueþ ȝyftes, take ȝeme · þe victorie he wynneþ, [ȝeueþ ȝyftes] ȝeue ȝiftus F; ȝiftes ȝyueþ I. take] takeþ IMFS. he] ȝe F.] And moche worshep þer-with' · as holy writt telleþ:

Honorem acquirit qui dat munera."

[worshep] worschepe M; wur|schepe F; worschipe I; worschip ES. þer-with] þer with al F. acquirit] adquirit F; adquiret IS; quiret M.] "Ich leue þe, lady," quaþ conscience · "[for þat latyn is trewe:] [E omits. leue IMFS] leyue P. þe] wel F. [for—trewe IMFSG] as holy wriȝt telleth P; cf. l. 489.] Thow art lyke a lady · þat a lesson radde, [art IMFS] ert PE. radde] redde F.] Was, omnia probate · [þat] plesed hure herte; [Was] That was PE; but IMFS omit That. [þat IMFSG] wiche P; whuch E.] Line 492 That [leef] was no lengere · and at þe leues ende. [[leef IFSG] PME om.; the right word is lyne; see B-text. was] ne was M. and] but M. þe] a M. and—leues] for hue was at S.] Ac hadde hue loked on þe lift half · and þe leef turned, [Ac] But M. loked] i-loked M. on] to E. on—half] in þe luft half I; on þat oþer half M; a lef|hald (sic) F. turned] i-turned MF.] Hue sholde haue yfounde folwynge · fele wordes after, [yfounde] founde IFSE.] Quod bonum est tenete · a tyxte of treuthes makyng. [tyxte] text IF. treuthes] trewe I.] So he þat secheþ sapience · fynde he shal þat folweþ [he—secheþ] who-so techeþ I.] Tristilich a teneful tixt · to hem þat takeþ mede, [Tristilich a] Trustilich a F; A ful I. teneful ISE] tenful M; teonful F; tuenful P. tixt] text IF. to] of M · for S.] Line 498

Line 498 The whiche hatte, (as ich haue rad · and oþer þat conne rede,)

Animam aufert accipientium: [B page 47]

[whiche] wiche P. hatte] þat hatte I; hiȝt F. The—hatte] þei schulle happe M. rad] i-rad M; herd F. and—conne] of hem þat cowde F.] 'Worshup [he] wynneþ · þat wol ȝeue mede, [Worshup] Muche wurschepe F. [he IMFSEG] hue P. he wyn|neþ] may he wynne F.] Ac he þat receyueþ oþer recetteþ hure · ys recettor of gyle.' " [he þat] ho so F. oþer] or IMF. receyueþ] receyueþ hire I. recetteþ] resetteþ M; recheþ I. hure] hire IE; heore F; hit M. recettor] recettoure EI; recetur M; rectur S.] Line 501

Hic explicit passus quartus. [So PG; MI omit. Hic] FSE om.]