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.)
Langland, William, 1330?-1400?
Page 71, C-text
PASSUS V.
*. [TITLE. So FSEG; Hic incipit quintus passus de uisione M; Passus quartus de visione vt prius I.]Incipit passus quintus.
"CEsseþ," saide þe kyng · "ich soffre ȝow no lenger; [A page 43] [B page 48] *. [Cesseþ] Seceth now F; Setthe (sic) I. saide] seiþ S.]
Ȝe shulleþ sauhtne for soþe · and serue me boþe.*. [shulleþ] schulle M; schal IF. sauhtne] saughten I; sauȝte M; sauȝtle S; sauȝtne F.]
Kus hure," quaþ þe kyng · "conscience, ich hote."*. [Kus] Kisse I; Kys MF.]
"Nay, by crist," quaþ conscience · "conge me rather!*. [conge] congeie I; congeþ M; cunge S. rather] are I.]
Bote reson rede me þer-to · raþer wol ich deye."*. [rede] radde F. þer-to] þertille I. wol] wolde IF; wilde M.]
5
"And ich comaunde," quaþ þe kynge · to conscience þenne,*. [ich] M om.]
"Rape þe to ryde · and reson þat þow fecche;*. [Rape IMFSE] Rappe P. and—þow] and reson þow M; resoun to F.]
Comaunde hym þat he come · my consail to hure,*. [Comaunde] & comaunde F. hure] here MIF.]
8
For he shal rulye my reame · and rede me þe beste,*. [rulye] reule IS; rewle F; rewele M; rule E.]
Of mede and of oþer mo · and what man shal hure wedde,*. [oþer mo] mo oþer I. what man] ho F. wedde] haue S.]
And a-counte with þe, conscience · so me crist helpe,*. [a-counte] counte E.]
How þow ledest my puple · lered and lewede."*. [puple—lewede] lond · & þe leeue peple F.]
12
"Ich am fayn of þat forwarde · in fayþ," þo quaþ con|science,*. [Ich—fayn] Fayn am IF. in fayþ] M om. þo] F om.]Page 72, C-text
And rod forth to reson · and rouned in hus ere,*. [And] He MF.]
And seide hym as þe kyng saide · and sitthe tok hus leue. [A page 44] *. [sitthe] synnes he I; suþ E.]
"Ich shal a-raye me to ryde," quaþ reson · "rest þow a whyle:"—*. [shal] F om. to—reson] quod resoun to ride F. rest] now rest F; resteþ E. þow] þe IF; MSE om. a] I om. whyle] wyle P.]
16
And called caton hus knaue · corteys of speche,*. [And] He M. corteys] was curteys F.]
And al-so tomme trewe-tonge- · telle-me-no-tales|*. [no MIFS] none P; non E.]
Ne-lesynges-to-lauhen-of- · for-ich-louede-hit-neuere—*. [Ne] Nor F; No M. lesynges IME] lesyngus FS; lesenges P. louede] ne louede M.]
"And sette my sadel vppon soffre- · til-ich-see-my-tyme, [B page 49]
Let warroke hym wel · with a-vyse-[þe]-by-fore,*. [Let] And let I; & F. war|roke EIMSG] warrok F; worrok P. hym wel] þat with wel F; wil I. with] F om. [þe IFSG] PEM om.]
21
For it is þe wone of wil · to wynse and to kyke;*. [is] his P. kyke] so EIS; kike MF.]
Let peitrel hym and pole hym · with peyntede wittes."*. [Let—hym] For-þy let peytrele wil I. pole] pul I. with] wit P. wittes] woordus F.]
Thenne conscience on hus capel · comsed to prykie,*. [Thenne] Now F. conscience—capel] on his capul concience M. comsed] becomseth F; biginneþ M. prykie] prike I.]
24
And reson with hym ryȝt · rounyng to-geders*. [ryȝt] ritte I (cf. B-text); riit M; but EFS have riȝt or ryght.]
Which a maister mede was · a-mong poure and riche.*. [Which] Wich P; Swich M.]
Then waryn wysman · and wyly-man his felawe*. [Then] On I. wyly] wyle P; wily IFSE; wili M. felawe] broþur F.]
Fayn were to folwen hem · and fast ryden after,*. [fast ryden] riden faste M. ryden] wenten F.]
28
To take red at reson · þat recorde sholde*. [at] of IMSE.]
By-fore þe kyng and conscience · yf þei couthen pleyne*. [þei couthen] þe comune I.]
On wily-man and wittiman · and waryn wrynge-lawe.*. [wily-man IMFSE] williman P.]
Ac conscience knew hem wel · and carped to reson:*. [to] þo to F.]
32
"Here comeþ," quaþ conscience · "þat couetyse seruen;
Page 73, C-text
Ryd forth, syre reson · and recche nat of here tales,*. [syre] quoþ sire I; quod M; riȝt F. See l. 40. nat] þow nouȝt M.]
For þer wratthe and wranglyng ys · ther þei wolle a-byde;*. [In I, ys follows þer; in F, it follows wraþ. þei wolle] wol þey I.]
35
Ac þer loue and leaute ys · hit lykeþ nat here hertes:
Contricio & infelicitas in uiis eorum, & uiam pacis non cognouerunt; non est timor dei ante oculos eorum.
*. [In I, ys follows þer; in F, it follows loue. Cf. l. 35.]Thei geueþ noȝt of good faith · god wot þe soþe;
Thei wolde don for a dyner · oþer for a dosene capones*. [Thei] For þey I. wolde] wole F. for (2)] fore P; IF om.]
More þan for oure lordes loue · oþer oure lady hus moder." [B page 50] *. [oþer] or for M. hus] goddes I. lady—moder] ladies owþer F.]
39
Thanne reson rod forth · and tok reward of no man,
And dude as conscience kenned · til he þe kyng mette.*. [And] But IF. kenned] him kennede IM; him kynde S; him kende F; kende E.]
Corteslich þe kyng þen · cam and grette reson,*. [þen] þo MF. grette] cussede F.]
And by-twene hym[self] and his sone · sette þo syre reson,*. [And] MF om. by-twene EM FS] bituen I; by-twine P. [self IM] PEFS om. his] is P. sette] he sette IM; settith F. þo] M om. þo—reson] him þanne F.]
43
And speken þo wise wordes · a long while to-gederes. [A page 45] *. [þo] IMFS om. while] wile P.]
Thenne cam pees in-to parlement · and putte vp a bylle,*. [Thenne] And þanne I; þo M. Thenne—pees] Til pees cam F. bylle] bulle M.]
How þat wrong wilffullich · hadde hus wif for-leyen,*. [þat] I om. hadde—wif] his wif had F.]
And how he rauyschede rose · þe riche wydewe, by nyghte,*. [rauyschede] rauysede P; rauys|ched E; raueschede S; i-raueissed M. by nyghte] be myȝte M; douȝtur F.]
And margarete of here maidenhod · as he mette hure late.
Page 74, C-text
48
"Boþe my [gees] and my grys · and my gras he takeþ,*. [[gees IMEG] goos PF; gos S.]
Ich dar nouht for his felaweshepe · in faith," pees seide,*. [his] is P. in—pees] by my faith he F.]
"Bere sikerlich eny seluer · to seint gyles doune;*. [sikerlich—seluer] siluer si|kurly F.]
He waiteþ ful wel · whanne ich [seluer] take,*. [He] And he I. waiteþ] a|waiteþ MF. whanne] wanne P. [seluer MG] siluer IE; siluur S; sul|fere P. Cf. l. 51. whanne—seluer] what seluer i M; wynnyng whan i F.]
52
What wey ich wende · wel ȝerne he aspieþ,*. [What] & what F. wende] wynde S. wel] ful I. wel ȝerne] ful wel S.]
To robbe me and to ryfle me · yf ich ryde softe.*. [me (1)] F om. and] or I. me (2)] ME om.]
Ȝut he is bold for to borwe · and baddelich he payeþ;*. [Ȝut] F om. he is] is he I. baddelich] apparently baldelich P; but we find baddeliche IM; badliche FSE.]
He borwede of me bayarde · and browte hym [hom] neuere,*. [He] For he I. [hom IFS] PE om. hym hom] me him M.]
Ne no ferþyng þer-fore · for nouht ich couthe plede.*. [ferþyng MEIF] ferþeng P; ferþyn S. nouht] ouȝ þat (sic) S.]
57
He menteyneþ hus men · to morthre myn hewes,*. [He] & F. hus] my (!) S. myn] men E. hewes IG] hywes PE; hynus F; hynnus S; hinene M.]
And for-stalleþ myn faires · and fyghteþ in my chep|ynges,*. [And] F om.]
And breke[þ] vp my bernes dore · and bereþ away my whete,*. [And] He F. brckeþ IMF] brekuþ S; brekyþ G; breke PE. bernes dore] berne-dores I; bern|doorus F. whete] wete P.]
60
And takeþ me bote a taile · for ten quarters oþer twelue.*. [takeþ] tak I. oþer twelue] ootus F; otes I; of otes M.]
Ȝut he manasceþ me and myne · and lyth by my mayde,*. [Ȝut] And ȝit IMF. ke] I om.]
Ich am nouht hardy for hym · [vnneþe] to loke."*. [[vnneþe IMFSG] vneþ E; owneþe P.]
The kyng knew þat he seide soþ · for conscience hym tolde,*. [þat] IMF om.]
64
Tho was wrong a-fered · wysdome he by-souhte;*. [was wrong] wrong was F. a|fered] aferd MFSE; aferde I. wys|dome] and wisdom IF. by-souhte] soghte I.]
On men of lawe wrong lokede · and largelich hem pro|frede,*. [On—lokede] & lowtede to men of lawe F. hem] F om.]
And for to haue of here help · handy-dandy payede.*. [of] IM om. handy-dandy] handeli he M.]
68
"Had ich loue of þe lorde · litel wolde ich recche [A page 46] *. [ich] I quod he F. þe lorde] lordes M. wolde] wul S.]
Of pees and of hus power · thauh he pleynede euere!"*. [and] or F. of] IM om. hus power] powere E; pouerte F. he] þei MFS. pleynede] pleyne I.]
Thoruh wrong and hus werkes · þer was mede yknowe,*. [þer] þo F.]
For wysdome and wit þo · wenten to-gederes,*. [wit þo] wrynglawe F. wenten] wenten þo F.]
72
And toke mede myd hem · Mercy to wynne.*. [myd] with SI. myd hem] þat maide M.]
Ȝut pees putte forth hus hefd · and hus panne blody,*. [Ȝut—putte] þo put peos F. hefd] heued I; hed ME; heed F.]
"With-oute gult, god wot · gat ich þys scaþe;*. [gult] gilte I; gilt FS, gat ich] was ȝeue me I. þys] þis ilke F.]
Conscience knoweþ hit wel · and alle þe trewe comune."*. [knoweþ] knew F. trewe comune] comune trewe I; trewe folkus F.]
Ac wyles and wit · weren a-boute faste*. [wit] wrong wit F.]
77
To ouercome þe kynge · þorw catel, yf þei myghte. [A page 47] *. [To] Forte M. kynge] curteys kyng F. þorw] þorȝ SEI; þurw F; wiþ M; miswritten þow P; cf. l. 138.]
Þe kyng swor þo by crist · and by his corone bothe,*. [þo] I om.]
That wrong for hus workus · sholde wo þolie,*. [þolie] þole F; dolye (!) S.]
80
And comaundede a constable · to caste wrong in yrenes,*. [And comaundede] He com|aundeþ M. wrong] him MF. yrenes] iren E; stokkus F.]
Ther he ne sholde in seuen ȝere · see fet ne hondes.*. [ne sholde] ne schal M; schulde not I. in] þis M. fet] his feet IF; fot M; fote E; foot S. ne IMSE] no or ne P. ne hondes] onus F.]
"God wot," quaþ a wis on · "þat were nat þe beste;*. [on] oon F; man E.]
Yf he may amendes do · let meynpryse hym haue, [B page 52] *. [may amendes] amendes may I. do] make F.]Page 76, C-text
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And be borw of hys bale · and byggen hym bote,*. [And] þat F. of] for IFSE. hys] ys P. and] to F. byggen] bringen I; bringe M.]
And a-mende þat ys mys-do · and euere-more þe betere."*. [þe] be þe M.]
Wit a-corded her-with · and witnessede þe same;*. [a-corded] acordeþ IM; acorde S. her-with] þerwith I. witnessede] withnesseþ M; witnesse S.]
"Betere ys þat bote · bale a-doun brynge,*. [Betere] þat better F.]
88
Than bale be [y]bete · and bote neuere þe betere."*. [ybete I] l-bete FS; i-beten M; bete PE.]
Thanne gan mede meken here · and mercy by-souhte,*. [meken SE] meke M; mekene F; to meken I; muken P. mercy] merci sche MI.]
And profrede pees a present · al of pure golde;*. [pure] pured M; oure pure E.]
"Haue þis, man, of me," quaþ hue · "to amende þy scaþe;*. [þis IMFSE] þus P. of me] S om. amende] mende F. þy] þe S.]
92
For ich wol wage for wrong · he wol do so no more."
Pytouslich pees þo · preyede þe kyng*. [preyede] bi-souȝte M.]
To haue mercy on þat man · þat meny tyme greuede hym—*. [tyme] tymes IS. greuede] haþ greued M; greuyþ S. greuede hym] hym greued I; greued E. þat—hym] had greued him so oft F.]
95
"For he hath waged me wel · as wisdome hym tauhte;*. [hath] I om. wel] F om.]
Mede hath mad myne amendes · ich may no more asken, [A page 48] *. [Mede] And meede I. myne] my I; me F. amendes] mendes I.]
So alle myne claymes ben quyt · by so þe kynge asente."*. [So] And M; But F. quyt] I|quyt F. by so] be so I; so þat MF.]
"Nay, by crist," quath þe kynge · "for consciences sake,*. [consciences] conscience E.]
Wrong goþ nat so away · ar ich wite more;*. [ar] or MFE; er S.]
100
Loupe he so lyghtlich · lauhen he wolde,*. [Loupe] Lope IM; Lupe S; Lepe E; For lepe F. After lyghtlich PE insert a-wey, repeated from l. 100. wolde] wolde aftur M.]
And eft be þe boldere · to bete myne hewes;*. [eft] ȝeft S. be—boldere] þe boldere be I. hewes I] hywes PE; hynus FS; hynen M.]
Bote reson haue reuthe of hym · he shal reste in stockes*. [of] on IMFS. shal reste] schal M; resteth ȝit F. in] in-to M; in my I; on SE.]Page 77, C-text
As longe as ich lyue · for hus luther werkes."*. [As] Also F. ich] y may S.]
104
Somme radde reson þo · to haue reuthe on þat shrewe,*. [haue reuthe] rewe F. on] vppon I.]
And for to consail þe kyng · on conscience þei loked;*. [þei] sche I.]
Þat mede myghte be menepernour · reson þei by-souhte. [B page 53] *. [menepernour] meynpernour MI. reson] Meede I.]
"Red me nat," quaþ reson · "no reuthe to haue,*. [Red] Bid M.]
108
Til lordes and ladies · louen alle treuthe,
And haten alle harlotrie · to huyren oþer to mouthen hit;*. [huyren] heren it IM; heere F; huren E; herun S. oþer] or IMF. hit] M om.]
And purneles porfil · be put in þe whucche,*. [And] And til I. porfil] pur|fil MFS; purfiel I. in þe] in-to M; in hir IFS. whucche] wucche P; whicche FS; whoche E; hucche IM.]
And children cherissing · be chasted with ȝerdes,*. [children] childres M. cheris|sing] chēssing P; chirsyng E; chers|ynge S; cherissching I; cheressch|ynge M; cherschinge F; cf. B-text. chasted] chastyng S.]
112
And harlotes holynesse · be an hey ferye;
Til klerken couetise · be cloth for þe poure,*. [Til] And til S.]
Here pelure and here palfrayes · poure menne lyflode,*. [Here] And here SI. here(2)] I om. poure] be pore S. menne] men SE; mennes IMF. lyflode] foode F.]
And religious out-ryders · reclused in here cloistres,*. [reclused] be reclusid S; be reclus I; be closed M.]
And be as benit hem bad · domenik and fraunceis; [A page 49] *. [benit] benet MIFE.]
Tyl þat lerede men lyue · as þei lere and techen,
And til þe kynges consayl · be al comune profit;*. [til] E om.]
Tyl bisshopes [ben] bakers · brewers and taylours,*. [Tyl] And til I. bisshopes] apparently bisschepes P. [ben IM] be F; beo G; and PES. brewers] & brewrus (sic) S.]
120
For alle manere men · þat þei fyndeþ nedfol;*. [men] of men IMF. þei fyndeþ] me fynt I. nedfol] nedy F.]
Tyl seynt Iame be souht · þer poure syke lyggen,*. [Tyl] And til I.]
In prisons and in poore cotes · for pilgrymages to rome,*. [in] M om. cotes] cottes E. for] pe (sic) I. pilgrymages] pil|grimage FI; pilgrimes M.]
So þat non go to galys · bote it be for euere;*. [it be] he go IS; ȝif he go F; ȝif hit be M.]Page 78, C-text
124
And alle rome-renners · for robbers in fraunce*. [robbers] ruyflers I.]
Bere no suluer ouer see · þat kynges sygne sheweþ,*. [Bere] To bere I. see] þe se M. kynges sygne] signe of king I; kynges coyne M.]
Neiþer graue ne vngraue · of gold ne of suluer,*. [Neiþer] M om. ne (1)] nor F. ne (2)] nor F; or I.]
Vp forfeture of þe fee · ho so fynt hym ouerwarde,*. [Vp] Vp-on M. þe] þat IF. ho so] who I. fynt] fyndeþ I. hym] hem I. ouerwarde] gilty F.]
128
Bote it be marchaunt oþer hus man · oþer messager with lettres,*. [it] he I. messager] messa|gerus F.]
Prouisour oþer prest · oþer penaunt for hus synnes.*. [Prouisour] Oþur prouisour F. penaunt] penytaunt F.]
And ȝut," quaþ reson, "by þe rode · ich shal no reuthe haue, [B page 54] *. [Ȝut] I om.]
Whyl mede hath þe maistrye · þer motyng is atte barre.*. [Whyl] Wyl P; Whiles I. is] his P. atte] at þe MSE; at I.]
Ac ich may seye ensamples · as ic see oþere;*. [seye] seiȝe M; sein I.]
133
Ich seye it for my-selue," quath reson · "and hit so were,*. [it] it nat I. Ich—selue] For soþe I seie F.]
Þat ich were kyng with corone · to kepe eny reame,*. [Þat] And IS. eny] my I.]
Shold neuere wronge in þis worlde · þat ich wite myghte,
136
Be vnpunysshed in my power · for peril of my soule,*. [in] by F; be M. my] I om.]
Ne gete my grace þorw eny gyft · ne glosyng speche,*. [gete my] graunte M.]
Ne þorw mede do mercy · by marye of heuene! [A page 50] *. [þorw] for F. do] haue I. marye] mary loue F.]
For man, nullum malum · mette with impunitum,*. [man] no man E; scholde F. man—malum] nullum malum man I. mette] meete F.]
140
And bad þat nullum bonum · bee irremuneratum.*. [bad þat] bad I; also F. bee] with F.]
Lete þy confessour, syre kyng · construe þis in english,*. [in english] to þe F.]
And ȝif ȝe worchen hit in werke · ich wedde boþe myn handes,*. [worchen] miswritten worten (for worcen = worchen) P.]
And loue shal lede þy land · as þe leef lykeþ."*. [leef MFSE] leeue I; luf P.]
145
Clerkus þat were confessours · couplede hem to-gederes,*. [I has only—Clerkes couplede hem togidres. couplede] companiede M.]
To construe this clause · kyndeliche what hit menede.*. [this] þat comly F. clause] cause I; case M. what] wat P. menede] meneth IS.]
Mede in [þe] mote-halle þo · on men of lawe gan wynke,*. [Mede] & mede F. [þe MFI SE] þat P. þo] M om. gan wynke] wynkede M.]
In sygne þat þei sholde · with som sotel speche
149
Reherce þo a-non ryght · þat myghte reson stoppe.*. [þo] sumwhat F; þer I. þat] what M. stoppe IMFSE] stope P.]
And alle ryghtful recordeden · þat reson treuthe seyde, [B page 55] *. [And] Ac I. recordeden] re|corden M.]
And kynde wit and conscience · cortesliche þankede;
Reson for hus ryght speche · riche and poure hym louede,*. [Reson] & resoun F. ryght] rightful IMF. riche—poure] pore & riche S.]
153
And seiden, "we seth wel · syre reson, by þy wordes,*. [seth] seon M; see S; seeyne I; se F. reson] M om. þy] þe S.]
That meknesse worth mayster · ouer mede atte laste."*. [worth mayster] schal maister be F. atte] at þe MFE; at S.]
Loue let lyght of mede · and leaute ȝut lasse,*. [Loue let] Tho lete loue F. lyght] litel M. lyght—mede] of meede lighte I. ȝut] wel M; muche F.]
156
And cryed vp-on conscience · þe kynge hit myghte yhure,*. [vp-on] to I. hit myghte] myght it I. yhure] hure E; huyre S; here MIF.]
"Who so wylneþ hure to wyue · for welthe of hure goodes,*. [wyue] wynne F; wynne quod he I.]
Bote he be knowe for cokewold · kut of my nose!"*. [knowe] i-mad M. for] for a IS; M om. kut] cutteþ M; kytt E.]
Mede mornede þo · and made heuy cheere,*. [þo] muche þo F. made] made an I.]
160
For þe comune called hure · queynte comune hore.*. [called FSE] cald P; calde I; calden M.]
A sysour and a somner þo · softeliche forth ȝeden
With mede þe mayde · out of þe mot-halle.*. [þe] þat M. mayde] mayde þo I; maide mournyng F.]Page 80, C-text
A shereyues clerk cryede · "a! capiatis mede,*. [cryede] þo cride F. a] aa F. capiatis] capias I; capiatis nunc M.]
164
Et saluo custodias · sed non cum carceratis."*. [Et—custodias] In salua cus|todia F; Et salua custodia S. cum] S om. carceratis] incarceratis F.]
The kynge to his consail tho · tok conscience and reson, [A page 51] *. [his] þe M; I om.]
And [modiliche] vp-on mede · meny tyme lokede,*. [[modiliche MFSEG] moodi|liche I; myldeliche (wrongly) P. meny] many a F.]
And lourede vp-on men of lawe · and lightliche seide,*. [vp-on] up M.]
"Thorȝ ȝoure lawe, ich leyue · ich lese menye escheytes;*. [Thorȝ] þorȝ SE; Thorgh I; þorw M; þurw F; Thorȝe P. lawe] lawes S. ich] as i MIFS. escheytes] chetes I; cheetus F; cheytus S.]
Mede and men of ȝoure craft · muche treuthe letteþ.*. [Mede] For mede F. letteþ] lette F.]
Ac reson shal ·[rekene] with ȝow · yf ich regne. eny whyle,*. [[rekene] rekne I; rikene M; regne PEFS; cf. B-text. regne] lyue M. whyle] wyle P.]
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And deme ȝow by þys day · as ȝe haue deseruyd.
Mede shal nat meynprise ȝow · by marye of heuene, [B page 56] *. [marye] Mary loue F.]
Ich wolle haue leaute for my lawe; · let be al ȝoure ianglyng;*. [let] and late I. al] I om. ianglyng M] ianglend (badly) P; iangle EIFS.]
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By leel men and lyf-holy · my lawe shal be demyd."*. [By—men] And by leele I. be IMFSE] by (by mistake) P.]
Quath conscience to þe kynge · "with-oute [þe] comune help,*. [Quath] Tho carped F. with|oute] whith-oute P. [þe EIS] PMF om.]
Hit is ful hard, by myn hefd · þer-to hit to brynge,*. [hefd] heued I; hed MSE; heed F. þer-to] herto I. hit—brynge] hit for to bringe F; to bringen it I.]
And alle ȝoure lege ledes · to lede þus euene."*. [þus] now þus F.]
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"By hym þat rauhte on rode" · quaþ reson to þe kynge,*. [rauhte] reste MS; rest him F; deied E. on] on þe F; vp þe I.]
"Bote ich rewely þus alle reames · reueþ me my syght;*. [Bote] But ȝif S. ich rewely] ich ruly E; I rewle F; I rule S; i lede M; ȝe reule I. alle reames] þi reme F. reueþ] elles reueþ M; by|reueth F.]
And brynge alle men to bowe · with-oute byter wounde,*. [And brynge] And but I bringe F. wounde IMFSE] wonde P.]Page 81, C-text
With-oute mercement oþer manslauht · amenden alle reames."*. [mercement—manslauht] man|slauȝt or mercement F.]
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"Ich wolde hit were," quaþ þe kyng · "wel al a-boute.
For-þy, reson, redelyche · þow shalt nat ryden hennes,*. [For-þy] For-whi M. ryden] wende M.]
Bote be my chyf chaunceler · in chekyr and in parle|ment,*. [chekyr] chesquier I. in (2)] F om.]
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And conscience in alle my courtes · be as kynges Iustice."*. [as] a I; þe F. kynges] chef M.]
"Ich a-sente," seyde reson · "by so þy-self y-huyre,*. [by so] so þat MF. þy] ȝou F; ȝowe I. y-huyre] yhure E; yhyre S; i-here MI; wole here F.]
Audi alteram partem · a-mong aldermen and comuners;*. [Audi] Audias M; Audiatis I. alteram] aliam M. comuners] comunes M; oþure F.]
And þat vnsittynge suffraunce · ne seele ȝoure pryueie letteres,*. [seele] asele S.]
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Ne sende supersedeas · bote ich asente," quath reson;*. [sende IMSE] seynde P; sende out F. sende supersedeas] no super|sidias sende I. bote—reson] but stile (or scile) assente with þe F.]
"And ich dar legge my lyf · þat loue wol lene [þe] suluer,*. [legge] ley þanne F. lyf] hed M. [þe IMFSEG] þat P.]
To wage thyne, and help wynne · þat þow wilnest after,*. [and] I om. wynne] to wynne M. þat] al þat M. wilnest] willest F.]
More þan al þy marchauns · oþer þy mytrede bisshopes,*. [oþer þy] and F.]
Oþer lumbardes of lukes · þat lyuen by lone as Iewes."*. [Oþer] Of I. of] or FS. lukes] lukus S; lucus oþur F. as] & F.]
The kyng comaunded conscience tho · to congie alle hus officers,*. [congie] congeie I; conge M; cunge FS. alle] F om. hus] M om.]
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And receyuen þo þat reson louede; · and ryȝt with þat ich a-wakede.*. [louede] loueþ E; wolde F. with] wit P. a-wakede] wakede MIF.]
Hic explicit passus quintus.*. [ MI omit. Hic] FSEG om.]
