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 VII.

[TITLE. So in PSEFG; Hic incipit passus septimus de uisione M; Passus sextus de visione, &c., I.] Incipit passus septimus.

With þat ran repentaunce · and reherced hus teme, [A page 54] [B page 60] [With] Right wiþ I.] And made wille to wepe · water with hus eyen. [eyen] eyes I; eye F.] Purnele proute-herte · platte hure to þe erthe, [Purnele] And parnel F. proute] proud IS; prowd F. platte] flatte S.] Longe was er hue loked vp · and 'lord, mercy,' criede, [Longe] And longe I. was] F om. er] her P; or EMFS; ar I. hue] so S; heo F; ȝhe I; ȝo E; sche M. criede] sche criede M.] And by-highte to hym · þat ous alle made, [hym] him an hy F.] Line 5 Hue sholde vnsowen hure smok · and sette þer an heire, [Hue] þat heo F; ȝo E; Sche IM. vnsowen I] vnsowe F; unsewe M; onsewe S; vnsuwe E; vnsywe P. smok] serk IMF; scherte S. þer] þeron I; on hure M. an] on S.] To afaiten hure flesch · þat fers was to synne. "Shal neuere [heigh] herte me hente · bote holde me lowe, [neuere] no F. [heigh I] hy FS; hi M; hyȝ G; my E; myn P; cf. B-text.] Line 8 And suffre to be myssaide · and so dude ich neuere. Bote now wolle ich meke me · and mercy by-seche [Bote] & F. wolle ich] i wole M. meke] muke P.] Of alle þat ich haue · yhated in myn herte." [alle] alle hem F; alle þingus S. yhated] hated IFMS.] "Repente þe," quath repentaunce · "as reson þe tauhte, [þe (2)] me E.] And shryf þe sharpliche · and shak of alle pruyde."— [þe] þe now F. of alle] away þy F; awey G. pruyde] pride IMF.]

CONFESSIO SUPERBIE. [Confessio superbie] so in PEG; Superbia F.]

"Ich, pruyde, pacientliche · penaunce ich aske; [Ich] In F. pruyde] pride IMFE. pacientliche] pacientliche quod heo F. ich] I om.] For ich formest and ferst · to fader and to moder [to] to my I (twice). to (2)] F om.] Haue ybe vnboxome · ich biseche god of mercy; [S has Haue vnbuxum y-be, omitting all words between.] , [ybe] be IF; ben M. of] EG om.] Line 16 And vnboxome ybe · nouht a-baissed to a-gulte [S has Haue vnbuxum y-be, omitting all words between.] , [And] Ful F. ybe] i-be M; haue I be F. a-baissed] abasscht I; abassched M; a-baschid S; a-gaste E. nouht a-baissed] abesched me nat F. a-gulte] agilte I; gilte F.] God and alle good men · so gret was myn herte; [God] To god F. alle] I om.] In-obedient to holy churche · and to hem þat þer seruen; [to (2)] F om.] Demed for hure yuel vices · and excited oþere [Demed for her doyngus · & daunselde many oþure F.] Line 20 Þorw my word and my wit · hure yuel workes to shewe; [F repeats this line after l. 24. and] and al PE; but IMFS omit al. yuel] vuel P; but see l. 20. yuel workes] wikkidnes F.] And scorned hem and oþere · yf [ich] a skyle founde, [oþere] sum oþur F. [ich E] i MIFS; y G; P om.] Lauhynge al a-loude · for lewede men sholde [Lauhynge] With lawhing F. al] E om. men] F om.] Wene þat ich were witty · and wyser þan a-noþere; [Wene] FM put this at end of l. 23. witty] withtiere M; wittyere S. a-noþere] oþer E.] Line 24 Scorner and vnskilful · to hem þat skil shewede, [Scorner] As scornere F.] In alle manere maners · my name to be yknowe; [yknowe] knowe IFESG.] Semyng a souereyn on · wher-so me by-fulle [Semyng] Semeng P; To semen F. on] F om. wher] wer P. by|fulle] befille F; bi-felle M.] To telle eny tale · ich trowede me wiser [To] For to F. me] me þe EM; I was F.] Line 28 To carpen oþer to counsaile · þan eny lered oþer lewede. [lered] clerk IF. oþer lewede] of skoole F.] Prout of aparail · in porte amonge þe puple [B page 225] [Prout] Proud MSI; Prute E; & prowde F. in] & F.] Oþer-wise þan ich haue · with-ynne oþer with-oute, [haue] hadde F.]

Me [wilnynge] þat men wende · ich were, [as] in aueyr, [Me wilnynge] such must be the true reading, though miswritten Me wynnynge I; Me wilneþ M; Me wilned PESG; I willede F. It is merely a variation of Hym wilnynge in B-text, xiii. 280 (footnote); cf. l. 41. [as IMFESG] P om. aueyr] auoir F (correctly); corrupted to an eyre E; noon oþur SG; maner I; i am nauȝt M.] Riche, and resonable · and ryghtful of lyuynge, [Riche] Boþe riche S; Boþe riȝtful F. ryghtful—lyuynge] ryche with alle F.] Line 33 Bostynge and Braggynge · wyth meny bolde oþes, [wyth] wyt P.] Auauntyng vp-on my veine glorie · for eny vnder|nymynge; [Auauntyng] Vauntyng I. vp|on my] vp my I; in F. vnder-nym|ynge] vnder-nemynge P.] And ȝut so synguler by my-self · as to sight of þe puple, [synguler I] syngeler P; syngler FS. to] to þe S. þe] I om.] Was non suche as my-self · ne non so [pope]holy, [[pope F] pop IMSG; poppe E; pomp P. See B-text, xiii. 284.] Line 37 Som tyme [in on] secte · som tyme [in] anoþer; [[in on M] in o ISG; on an E; on oo F; on a P. secte] sith M. som] & sum FM. [in IFMSG] on PE.] In alle kynne couetyse · contreuede how ich myghte Be holde for holy · an hondred sithe, by þat encheison; [holde] holden I; yholde EM. for] hy & F. an—sithe] & honoured I. an—encheison] in hope to haue ȝiftus F.] Wilnede þat men wende · my werkes were þe beste, [B page 226] [Wilnede] Wilnynge I; And wilnede M.] Line 41 And konnyngest of my craft · clerkes oþer oþere, [And] And þe I. of] as of F. clerkes—oþere] of þe comune peple.] And strengest vp-on stede · and styuest vnder gurdell, [stede] stede-bac F; my stede P; but IMFSE omit my. Cf. B-text, xiii. 294. styuest] steffest I; steuest F; stiffest M.] And louelokest to loken on · and lykyngest a bedde; [And louelokest] Loueliest M. on] vp-on IMF. lykyngest] lykyng|gest P.] And lykynge of such a lif · þat no lawe preyseþ, [lykynge of] laiking in F. þat] as F.] Line 45 Prout of my faire fetours · and for ich songe shulle. [Prout] Proude IEM; Prowd F. fetours] fetures IEM; feþerus SF. ich] I om. shulle] schulle E; schille FS; shill M; schrille I.] And what ich gaf for godes loue · to god-sybbes ich tolde, [god-sybbes] gossibbes IMS; gossipes F.] Thei to wene þat ich were · wel holy and wel almesful, [Thei] Þey IFMSEG; Ther or Thei P. wel—almesful] wellyng ful of almus F. wel (2)] MESG om.]

And non so bold beggere · to bydden and craue; [bold] bold a I. bydden] beg|gun S. craue] to craue IMF.] Line 49 Tales to telle · in tauernes and in stretes, [to] þerfor to F. in (2)] M om. stretes] strete F.] Thyng þat neuere was þouht · and ȝut ich swor ich sauh hit, [Thyng] Of þing F. þouht] þouhte P; y-thoght I; i-wrouȝt M. ich (1)] he (wrongly) I. sauh] say IS.] And lyed on my lykame · and on my lyf boþe. [lyed] M om.] Line 52 Of werkes þat ich wel dude · wittnesse ich take, [werkes] dedus S. wittnesse] witnesses I. ich take] toke I; took i S; to take MF.] And sygge to suche · þat sytten me by-syde, [sygge] sigge IF; syggen PM; þan I seyde S. suche] suche folk F. þat] as M.] 'Lo, yf ȝe leyue me nouht · oþer þat ȝe wene ich lye, [leyue] leue IFSE; leueþ M. me nouht] nouȝt me M. oþer—lye] or þat I lie wenen I.] Aske of hym oþer of hure · and þei conne ȝow telle [Aske] Askeþ IFS. of] at IMFS (twice). þei—ȝow] þanne cunne ȝe M.] Line 56 What ich soffrede and seih · and som tyme hadde, [soffrede] haue suffred F. seih] si M; sayd S; seith I; y-seye F. and] E om. tyme] tymes I.] And what ich knew and couthe · [and] what kyn ich kam of;'— [And] M om. knew—couthe] couþe and knewe I; knew & I cowde F. [and MF] and of IS; of PE. what] wat P. kam] com I.] Al ich wolde þat men wuste · when hit to pruyde sounede, [B page 227] [Al ich] Of al he I. sounede S] souned E; sownede F; sonede P; souneth I; longeþ M.] As to [be] preised a-mong þe puple · þauh ich poure semede:

Si hominibus placerem, christi seruus non essem. Nemo potest duobus dominis seruire."

[M omits. & þus haue I lade my lif · lord I cry þe mercy F. [be ISEG] P om. ich—semede] he pore seme I. christi seruus] seruus dei F.] Line 60 "Now god of hus goodnesse · geue þe grace to Amende," [of] for I.] Quath repentaunce ryght with þat; · And þenne roos enuye. [roos] ros ES; aros IM.]

CONFESSIO INUIDIE. [A page 55] [B page 61]

Enuye with heuy herte · asked after shrifte, [heuy] hi M.] And criede 'mea culpa' · corsynge alle hus enemys. Line 64 Hus cloþes were of corsement · and of kene wordes; [corsement] curse-men I.] He wroth hus fust vp-on wratthe · hadde he wysshes at wille, [wroth] so also in IFMS; wrong E. hadde he] he hadde M; hadde I. wysshes] wysch F.] Sholde no lyf lyuye · þat on hus londe passede. [lyuye] lyue IE. hus] þis M.] Chidynge and Ianglyng · þat was hus chef lyflode, [and] or I. Ianglyng FM] Ianglenge P; Iangelyng S; yanglyng E; chalangyng I. þat was] is M.] Line 68 And blame men by-hynde hure bak · and bidde hem meschaunce. [B page 227] [bidde] bad F.] Al þat he wiste by wylle · to watkyn he told hit, [Al] And M. watkyn IFSE] watekyn P; wadekyn M; so in l. 71.] And þat he wiste by watkyn · tolde hit wille after; [þat] al þat IE. tolde] he tolde MFE. hit] hit to PE; but IMFS omit to.] And made foos of frendes · þorw fals and fykel tonge: [foos—frendes] of freendes foos I. fals—fykel] fikel & fals I. and] of E.] "Oþer þorw myghte of mouthe · oþer þorw meny sleyghthes [M omits. Oþer] & F. mouthe] moneye F. meny] mannes I. oþer—meny] & many mo F.] Line 73 Venged me fele tyme[s] · oþer brend my-self with-ynne [fele] vele I; many FG. tymes IMSG] tyme PEF. brend] so E; brent I; vrede F; vride S; wreþed M; but the right word is fret; cf. B. xiii. 330. my-self] me FMS.] Lyke a shappesters sheres · and shrewede myn em|cristyne, [B page 228] [shappesters] shapesters F; shepsteres MI; schyppesteres ES. sheres] shere MI. emcristyne] euen|cristene IF.] Aȝens þe consail of crist · as clerkes fynden in bokes:

Cuius maledictione os plenum est & amari|tudine [& dolo]: sub lingua eius labor & dolor.

Filij hominum, dentes eorum arma & sagitte, & lingua eorum gladius acutus.

[[& dolo FSM] PEI om.]

Whenne ich ne may haue þe maistrie · suche malan|colie ich take, [Whenne] And whan I; Wenne P. ne may] mai nouȝt M. ne—maistrie] may nat þe maistrie haue I.] Line 77 Þat ich cacche þe crampe · þe cardiacle som tyme, [þe (2)] and þe M; & F.] Oþer an ague in suche an angre · and som tyme a feuere, [in suche] with F. an (2)] I om. som—feuere] a feuour aftur F.] Þat takeþ me al a twelfmonthe · til þat ich dispice [twelfmonthe] twelfmonnthe P.] Line 80 Leche-craft of oure lorde · and leyue on a wicche, [of] or F. leyue] leue IFS; bileue ME. a] E om.] And sigge þat no clerk can · ne crist, as ich leyue, [can] ne can I. leyue] leue IMFSE.] To þe souter of south-werk · such is hus grace. [To] Bute M.] For god, ne godes wordes · ne grace ne halp neuere, [ne (1)] and M. wordes] worde I. ne halp] halp me M; halp F; ȝit halpe me I.] Line 84 Bote þorw a charme hadde ich a chaunce · and my chief hele. [a (2)] MIF om.] Ich myghte nat ete meny ȝer · as a man auhte, [B page 63] For enuye and vuel wil · ys vuel to defye. [vuel] yuel IES; euel M; euyl F.] May no suger ne swete þyng · A-swage my swellynges, [A page 57] [ne] ne no I. swellynges] swell|ing IF.] Ne dereworthe drynke · dryuen hit fro myn herte, [Ne] Ne no I; Ne non M.] Line 89 Neyþer shame ne shrift · bote ho so shraped my mawe?" [Neyþer] Ne neiþer I. shraped] schrape F; schaued S.] "Ȝus, redilyche," quath repentaunce · "and þow be ryght sory, [Ȝus] ȝis F; Thus (sic) I. and] ȝif F.] For þy synne soueraynliche · by-sechyng god of mercy." [synne] synnes IMFS. by|sechyng] and biseke IM. of] E om. mercy] grace F.] "Ich am euere sory," sayde enuye · "ich am bote selde oþer; [A page 58] [Ich—euere] Euer am I F. sayde] quod F. am (2)] nam I.] Line 93 Þat makeþ me so megre · for ich ne may me Auenge. [Þat] And þat I. me (2)] F om. Auenge] venge I.]

Ȝut am ich brocor of bakbytynge · and blame mennes ware [ȝut] And ȝut M. am ich] i am a M. bakbytynge SIMF] bagge|bytynge PE. blame] to blame I.] Line 95 A-mong marchauns many tymes · nameliche in londoun; [tymes] tyme FM. nameliche] and nameliche IMF.] Whanne he solde and ich noght · þenne was ich a-redy [Whanne] Wanne P. he] hy E. a-redy] redy IFS.] To lye and to loury · and to lacke myn neghebores, [loury and] loure on him F. to lacke] lacke M. myn neghebores] my neiebore M; neȝburhade F.] Here werkes, here wordes · wher-so ich sete. [Here] & here F. werkes] werke I. here] and heore M; with my F. wher] wer P. so] þat I. sete] so also MFE; sette S; sitte I.] Now hit a-thynkeþ me in þouht · þat euere ich so wrouhte; [in] in my I.] Line 100 Lord, er ich lyf lete · for loue of þy-selue, [lyf] þe lijf M. lete] leue I.] Graunte me, goode lorde · grace of amendement." [B page 64] [of amendement] to amende F.]

CONFESSIO IRE.

Thenne a-waked wratthe · with to white eyen, [with] whit P. to] tweie I; two ful F. eyen] eyhes I.] With a nyuylynge nose · nyppyng hus lyppes. [With] Whit P; And with IMF. nyuylynge] nyuilinges I; snyuelyng SG.] Line 104 "Ich am wratthe," quaþ þat wye · "wol gladliche smyte [quaþ] M om. wye] weie I; weiȝe M; wiȝt MF; wif (!) E. wol] wolde M. gladliche] wilfulliche F.] Boþe with ston and with staf · and stele vp-on myn enemy; [with] whit P (twice). and stele] stole S. vp-on] on M. enemy] foman F.] For to slee hym slehliche · slehthes ich by-þenke. [For] & for F; I om.] Thauh ich sytte þys seuen ȝer · ich sholde nat wel telle [sytte] sette S; sete IF. sytte—ȝer] seuene ȝere sete F. wel] sothli F; M om.] The harme þat ich haue idon · with hand and with tonge. [idon] do IS. with (1)] wit P. with (2)] whit P.] Line 109 Vnpacient in alle penaunces · and pleyned, as hit were, [Vnpacient] Inpacient IS; Nat pacient F. alle] F om. pen|aunces] penaunce FS. and] but F.]

On god, whenne [me] greued ouht · and grucche[d] of hus sonde, [[me IMFEG] men PS. greued] greueþ S. grucched IES] grucchud M; grucchide G; grucche PF.] As, som tyme in somer · and al-so in heruest, [As] And F. and—heruest] in cesoun of heruest-tyme F.] Line 112 Bote ich hadde wedir at my wil · ich wited god þe cause, [wited] witte IM.] [In] alle manere angres · þat ich hadde oþer felede. [[In IMFSG] And PE. hadde] abode F. felede] felte I; felde E; hadde F.] A-monges alle manere men · my dwelling ys som tyme, With lered and with lewede · þat leef ben to hure [With] Whit P. with] wit P; IMFS om. lered—lewede] lewed and lered I; lewed & lered boþe F. leef FS] lef E; leue I; luf P. leef ben] han wille M. hure] here IMF.] Line 116 Harm of eny man · by-hynde oþer by-fore. [of eny] & hate of many F. by-hynde] bi-hynde him M.] Freres [folowen] my vore · fele tyme and ofte, [[folowen E] folewen M; fol|wen I; folweþ SG; þei folwe F; flowen P. vore] fore IS; foor F. my vore] me forþ M; me by-fore G.] And prouen vnparfit · prelates of holy churche; [prouen] profren E. vnparfit] pure imparfit F.] And prelates pleynen of hem · for þei here parshenes shryuen [of] on IMS. parshenes] paresschenus S; parechenes E; paris|chenes M; parisch F.] Line 120 With-oute lycence and leue · and herby lyueþ wratthe. [With] Whit P. and] oþur F; or M.] Thus þei speke and dispute · þat eche dispiseþ oþer. [eche] ichon I. þat eche] & F. dispiseþ] spiseth IE.] Thus beggers and barouns · at debat aren ofte, [beggers—barouns] beggers & bischopus F; barouns and beggeres M. at—aren] ben at debate F; at þe bate buþ M; þe bate areren E.] Til ich, wratth, waxe an hyh · and walke with hem bothe; [ich] F om. walke] wagge S.] Line 124 Oþer til boþe be beggers · and by spiritualte lybben, [B page 65] [Oþer] F om. boþe] þai boþe I; boþe of hem F. be] þe E. and—spiritualte] and by spirituel I; or spiritualiter F.] Or alle riche þus ride · rest shal ich nauht, wratthe, [þus] and I. shal] ne schal M. And or I ride on alle riche · I reste me neuere F.] Þat ich ne mot folwy þis folk · my fortune ys non oþer. [mot] moste M. þis] þat F.]

Ich haue an Aunte to a nunne · and to an abbodesse; [a] IMS om. nunne] monchen E. to (2)] IF om. abbodesse] abbesse IFS; abbasse M.] Hem were leuere swouny oþer swelte · þan suffry eny peyne. [Hem] Hir I; Here M. leuere] certus leeuer F. swouny] sounye P; swony E; swowne F; swowe I; swoun S; to swoune M. oþer swelte] F om. þan—peyne] ne suffre eny penaunce M.] Line 129 Ich haue be cook in here kychene · And þe Couent serued [haue be] was E.] Meny monthes with hem · and with monkes boþe. Ich was þe prioresse potager · and oþer poure ladies, [prioresse] prioresses MS.] And made here ioutes of iangles; · 'dame Iohane was a bastarde, [here] hem IF. of] wiþ M. iangles] iangelynge IM. dame] þat dame F. Iohane] ione IFM; Ion S.] Line 133 And dame Clarice a knyghtes douhter · a cokewold was hure syre, Dame purnele a prestes file · prioresse worth hue neuere; [Dame] And dame IMF. file] fille M; sibbe S; pile (!) E. hue S] he PF; sche IM; ȝo E.] For hue hadde a childe in the chapon-cote · hue worth chalenged at eleccion.' [a] IMFS om. chapon] capoun EF; capen M. hue—eleccion] chalangeable heo semeth F.] Line 136 Thus þei sitte, þo sustres · som tyme, and disputen, [Thus—sustres] Before þe eleccioun þe sustrus sitte F. þei—þo] sitte þey I; sitten to M. sustres] susteren MS. and] & þus F.] Til 'þow lixt' and 'þow lixt' · be lady ouer hem alle; [lixt EIMFS] luxt P. lady] ledere F. hem alle] boþe M.] And þenne a-wake ich, wratthe · and wold be auenged. [And] M om.] Þanne ich crie and cracche · with my kene nailes, [Þanne] And þanne IMF. kene] longe M.] Line 140 Boþe byte and bete · and brynge forth suche þewes, [Boþe byte] Byte I; Bite boþe S. bete] eke bete F; smyte M.] Þat alle ladies me loþen · þat louen eny worschep. [loþen] loþud S. worschep] hele F.] Among wyues and wodewes · ich am ywoned sitte [wyues] þe wyues F. ich am] am i M. ywoned] wont to IFS; wonet to M.] Yparroked in puwes; · þe person hit knoweth [þe—hit] as our parsoun F.] Line 144

Line 144 How lytel ic louye · letice at þe style; [ic louye] it is þat I loue F. at þe] atte FI.] For hue hadde haly bred er ich · myn herte by-gan to chaunge. [by-gan] gan IS.] After-ward after mete · hue and ich chidde, [After-ward—mete] After mete aftirward I. hue—ich] Annot & heo F.] And ich, wratth, was war · and wroth on hem boþ, [war] i-war MF. wroth] worþ M; warþ I; wax F.] Line 148 Til aiþer [cleped oþere 'hore'] · and of with þe cloþes, [[cleped—hore IMFSG] cleped eiþer oþer (sic) E; cliped oþere P. of—cloþes] cast of here hoodus F; on wiþ þe clawes I.] Til boþe here heuedes were bar · and blody here chekes. [here] M om. here (2)] boþe F.] A-mong monkes myght ich be · ac meny tyme ich spare, [B page 66] [myght—be] I mighte be I. ich be] S om. ac] and M. myght—spare] I am · many a tyme & ofte F.] For þer beþ meny felle frekus · myne afferes to aspye; [For] M om. þer beþ] þer arn IMS; þei ar F. meny felle] felle fers F. myne—to] her ferus i F. aspye] spie M.] Þat ys, þe priour and þe suppriour · and oure pater abbas. [þe] I om. (twice). oure] oþer M. F has—& put hem to þe priour · or ellus to pater abbas.] Line 153 And yf ich telle eny tales · thei taken hem to-geders, [yf] ES om. hem] E om.] And don me faste fridaies · to bred and to water. Ȝut am ich chalenged in chapitele-hous · as ich a childe were, [chapitele] oure chapitre I; þe chapitele M; chapitre E.] Line 156 And baleysed [on] þe bar ers · and no breche by|twyne. [baleysed] bylasched E; bete G. [on IMFSG] in PE.] Ich haue no lust, leyue me · to lenge a-mong monkes; [leyue] leue IME; lef S. lenge] longe I; lyue M; dwelle E.]

For hij eteþ more fisch þan flesh · and feble ale drynken. [hij eteþ] I ete I. drynken] drenken P; but see l. 166.] Ac oþer-while whanne wyn comeþ · and whenne ich drynke late, [while whanne] wile wanne P. whenne] wenne P. drynke] drenke P. late] late an eue I.] Line 160 Ich haue a flux of a foul mouth · wel fyf dayes after. [of] or MS.] Al þat ich wiste wickede · by eny of oure couent, [Al] And alle I. wickede] wikke I.] Ich cowede hit vp in oure cloistre · þat al þe Couent wot hit." [cowede] couȝhede S; schewede M; couþe I. hit] M om. þe] oure MS.] [

154—163. For these, F has—

With-oute loue or leaute · & lye on hem with talus,

& make hem euer ete flesch · for ech of hem ete oþur.

Þe wikkednesse þat I wiste · by any of þe route,

I cowhed it up in our cloistre · þat al þe couent wist it.

& ȝit I spak no speche · it swal so my breste,

Þat I chewed it as a cowe · þat code chewith ofte.

Þan was I chalanged in chapitre · as I childe were,

& balised on þe bare ers · & no brech bitwene.

] "Now repente þe," quaþ repentaunce · "and reherce neuere [þe] I om.] Line 164 What counsail þat þow knowest · by contenaunce ne by speche. [What] þat M; I om. þat] S om. ne by] no F.] And drynk nat ouer delicatliche · ne to depe neiþer, [F omits. depe] dupe P. neiþer] noþer ES.] Þat þy wil ne þy wit · to wratthe myghte turne. [FE omit.] Esto sobrius," he seide · and a-soiled hym after, [B page 67] [he] y I. hym] hem S.] Line 168 And bad hym bidde to god · be hus help to amende. [be] of M. be—amende] þat he were amended F.]

CONFESSIO LUXURIE.

Thenne seide lecherie 'alas!' · and to oure lady cryede, [A page 55] [B page 60] "Lady, to þy leue sone · lowte for me nouthe, [to] for M.] That he haue pyte on me putour · of hus pure grace and mercy, [putour] putrour I; F om. of] for MF. grace and] IMFS om.] Line 172 With þat ich shal," quath þat shrewe · "saterdayes, for þy loue, [B page 61] [With] Whit P. saterdayes] saturday F. þy loue] þy moder loue I; euere F.] Drynke bote with þe douke · and dyne bote ones. [bote (1)] M om.] Ich, gulty in gost · to god ich me shryue [Ich] For i F.]

As in lykynge of lecherie · my licames gultes, Line 176 In wordes, in wedes · in waitynge of eyen. [wordes] worde and I. in (3)] on I.] To eche maide þat ich mette · ich made hure a sygne [B page 228] [To eche] To eche a F; For ich a I. hure] to hure P; but IMF SE omit to.] Semynge to synne-warde · and somme gan ich taste [gan ich] I gan I.] A-boute þe mouthe, and by-nythe · by-gan ich to grope, [þe] F om. by-gan] gan S.] Til oure boþers wil was on; · to werke we ȝeden [oure boþers] boþe oure IM. boþers] beiþur F; beyres E; boþe IMS. to] & to S; and to þe I.] Line 181 As wel fastyngdaies [as] frydaies · and heye-feste euenes, [B page 229] [As wel] F om. [as IE] and PFSG. as frydaies] M om. heye] eye P; heie I; hi M; hye F. euenes] eues MFE.] As luf in lente as oute of lente · alle tymes liche— [As] And M. luf] lef E; lief I; leef FS; wel M. tymes] tyme IM. liche] yliche IMS.] Suche werkus with ous · were neuere out of seson— Til we myghte no more; · þanne hadde we murye tales Of puterie and of paramours · and proueden þorw speches, [and (1)] F om. proueden þorw] perelous F. speches] speche IM.] Line 186 Handlynge and halsynge · and al-so þorw cussynge [Handlynge] And handelyng I. also—cussynge] hory kissyngus F.] Excitynge oure aiþer oþer · til oure olde synne; [oure (1)] ous S; IM om. oure (2)] I om. olde IFSE] elde M; holde P.] Sotilede songes · and sende out olde baudes [sende] sente IMF.] For to wynne to my wil · wommen with gyle; [For] I om.] Line 190 By sorcerye som tyme · and som tyme by maistrye. [som—maistrye] alle suche sleiȝtus F.] Ich lay by þe louelokeste · and loued hem neuere after. [hem] hir I.] Whenne ich was old and hor · and hadde lore þat kynde, [lore] y-lore I; i-lorn M; lost F.] Line 193 Ich had lykynge to lauhe · of [lecherous] tales. [lauhe] lauȝe E; lauȝȝe S; liȝe M; lithe I. [lecherous MF] lecherye PIES; lecheryes G.] Now, lord, for þy leaute · of lechours haue mercy!" [for] of S. of] on IMF.]

CONFESSIO AUARICIE. [A page 58] [B page 67]

Thenne cam couetyse · ich can nat hym discryue, [Thenne] And þanne F.] Line 196 So hongerliche and so holwe · heruy hym-self lokede. [hongerliche] hongri MF. and] an P; I om. so] IMFS om. heruy hym-self] sir heruy him I; syr heruy he F. heruy—lokede] heruy was his name M.] He was bytelbrowed and baberlupped · with two blery eyen, [He was] F om. bytelbrowed] Bittur-browed F. with] whit P. two] tueye I. blery] blered IMFS.] And as a leþerene pors · lollid hus chekus, [a] S om.] [Wel] sydder þan hys chyn · ychiueled for elde: [[Wel IMFSEG] Al P. hys] ys P. ychiueled] he chyuelede F; i-reueled M.] Line 200 As bondemenne bacon · hus berd was yshaue, [As] As a M; And as a I. bondemenne] bedemones M.] With hus hod on his heued · and hus hatte boþe; [With] Whit P.] In a toren tabarde · of twelue wynter age; [But ȝif a lous couþe lepe · I leue hit, as y trowe, [From S; also in IMFG; PE omit.] [couþe] I om. hit] IM om. as] I om.] Line 204 He scholde not wandre on þat welch · so was hit þrede-bare.] [From S; also in IMFG; PE omit.] [not] I om. wandre] walke M. on] vp I. welch] walk I; welþe F; cloþ G.] "Ich haue be coueitous," quaþ þis caityf · "Ich by|know hit here. [þis caityf] þat caitijf M; þe caytif E; heo F.] For som tyme ich serued · symme at þe style, [at þe] atte F; at S.] Line 207 And was his prentys yplyght · hus profyt to waite. [his] is P. yplyght] truþe|plith M. waite] awayte S.] Furst ich lerned to lye · a lesyng oþer tweye; [lesyng] lees I. a—tweye] and leuyng al truþe M.] Wickedliche to weye · was my furst lesson. [to] for to F. weye] wynne M. furst] S om.] To wy and to winchestre · ich wente to þe faire [B page 68] [wy] þe weo M. ich wente] went i F. wente] wende E.] With many [maner] marchandises · as my [maister] heghte; [[maner MIFSEG] P om. marchandises] marchandise IF. [maister MIFSEG] maistres P.] Line 212

Line 212 Ne hadde þe grace of gyle · gon among my ware, [þe] F om.] Hit hadde ben vnsold þys seuen ȝer · so me god helpe! [hadde—vnsold] nad be sold F.] Ich drow me among drapers · my donet to lerne, [A page 59] [Ich drow me] Þan drogh I me I. among] to F. lerne] lere I.] To drawe þe lisure a-longe · þe lenger it semed. [lisure] lesure E; liste M.] Line 216 Among þe riche rayes · ich rendred a lesson, To brochen hem with a batte-nelde · and bond hem to|gederes; [hem (1)] S om. batte-nelde] batnedele I; paknelde M; packe|nedle SF. bond] bynde F; band I.] Ich putte hem in pressours · and pynned hem þer|ynne, [Ich] And S; IMF om. hem (1)] E om. pressours] a pres|sour I. pynned] pennede M; pynne F. þer-ynne] with-ynne F.] Tyl ten [ȝerdes] oþer twelue · tilled out þrettyne. [[ȝerdes IMFSE] ȝorde P. twelue] miswritten twlue P; tewlue S. tilled] so FMSE; tolde I. out] hem E.] Line 220 My wif was a webbe · and wollen cloþ made; Hue spak to þe spynnesters · to spynnen hit oute. [Hue] ȝo E; Sche M; Heo F; And I. spynnesters] spinnere M. hit oute] here oute M; hit softe F.] Þe pound þat hue paiede hem by · peysed a quarter [hue] I F; cf. l. 222.] More þan myn Auncel · whenne ich weied treuthe. [Auncel] auncer MIS. whenne] wenne P. weied] way F.] Line 224 Ich bouhte hure barliche · hue brew hit to selle, [hue] sche IMFS; ȝo E; so in ll. 226, 233. to selle] here selue F.] Peny-ale and podyng-ale · hue pourede to-geders, [F omits. pourede] putte M.] For laborers and lowe folke · that laye by hem-selue. [F omits. lowe folke] looþfolc M. hem-selue] hym-silue E.] The beste laye in my bour · and in my bed-chambre, [The beste] Ac þe best ale I.] And [who] so bommede þer-of · he bouht yt þer-after, [[who IMFSG] PE om.] A galon for a grote · and ȝut no grayþ mesure, [B page 69] [grayþ] gret M.] Whanne it cam in coppe-mel; · þis craft my wif vsede. [Whanne] Wanne P. in] on I.] Rose þe regratour · was hure ryght name; Line 232 Hue hath yholde hockerye · þis eleuene wynter." [hath] hadde I. hockerye] hukkerye F; huckustrye S. þis] al þis F; þes P. eleuene] endeleuen I; enleuene M; elleue E; enleue S.]

"Repentest þow neuere?" quaþ repentaunce · "ne restitucion madest?" [Repentest þow] Rependestow I. madest] made F.] "Ȝus, ones," quaþ he, "ich was yherborwed · with an hep of chapmen; [he IM] hue PS; ȝo E; heo F. with] among M.] Ich a-ros and rifled here males · whenne þei a reste were." [a-ros] ros IS; roos F. males] ware S. a] on M; at I; in E.] Line 236 "Þat was a reufol restitucion" · quaþ repentaunce, "for soþe; [a] F om. a reufol] an vn|riȝtful M.] Thow wolt hongy heye þer-fore · her oþer in helle! [hongy] honge MES; hange F; be honged I.] Vsedest þow euere vserie · in al þy lyf-tyme?" [Vsedest þow] Vsedestow I. þow euere] euer þou E; euere M.] "Nay, sothliche," he sayde · "saf in my ȝouþe. [B page 70] [he IME] hue PS; heo F.] Line 240 Ich lerned among lumbardes · a lesson, and of Iewes, [among] of F; among þe M.] To weie pans with a peis · and pared þe heuyeste, [pared] pare MF. heuyeste] heuye F.] And lente for loue of þe wed · þe whiche ich let betere, [lente] lene F.] And more worth þan þe moneye · oþer men þat ich lenede. [lenede] lenede or lonede P; lened ES; leenede F; lente M.] Line 244 Ich lenede folk þat lese wolde · a lippe in eche noble, [lenede] lenede or lonede P; lonede or louede F; lene I; lened E; lenede S; lente M. wolde] wole I. in eche] of ich a I.] And with lombardes letters · ich lenede gold at rome; [ich] IS om. lenede] lente FM; lene I. at] to I.] So what bern of me borwed · he bouhte þe tyme." [bern] so E; barn MSF; buyrn I. borwed] borwe M.] "Lenedest þow euere to eny lorde · for loue of men|teynaunce?" [Lenedest] Lentest MFS; Lenest E. þow] I om. to] I om. of] of his I. menteynaunce] mayn|tenance I.] Line 248 "Ich haue ylent to lordes and to ladies · þat louede me neure after. [ylent] lent IFS. to] IM om. (twice). and—ladies] F om. me] M om.]

Ich haue mad meny [a] knyght · boþe mercer and draper, [Ich—mad] And i haue mad MSF; And haue y-made I. [a EIMS] PF om.] Payede neuere for here prentishode · nauht a payre gloues; [Payede] þat payede S; þat made F. neuere] F om. here] his I; M om. nauht] nat ȝeue (!) F. payre] payere P; paire I; peire MFSE.] Þat chaffared with my chyuesaunce · cheuede selde after." [chaffared] chaffaren M. chyuesaunce] cheuyssances I. che|uede] þryuen M. selde] euel F.] Line 252 "Now redelich," quaþ repentaunce · "and by þe rode, ich leyue, [B page 71] [leyue] leue IMFSE.] Shal neuere executor wel by-sette · þe suluer þat þow hym leuest, [executor] secutour I; seke|tour SF. wel] F om. suluer] siluer IF; seluer ME. hym] MF om.] Ne þyn ayres, as ich hope · haue ioye of þat þow wan. [ayres] eyres EMS; heires IF; ayeres P. wan] wonne MI; weldest F.] For þe pope and alle hus penetauncers · power hem faylleþ, [For] F om. alle] MF om.] Line 256 To a-soyle þe of þy synnes · sine restitutione;' [B page 72]

Nunquam dimittitur peccatum, nisi restituatur ablatum."

[synnes] synne I.] "With false wordes and wittes · ich haue wonne my goodes, [wittes] weyhtes I; wyȝtus F. ich haue] haue i I.] And with gyle and glosynge · gadered þat ich haue, [gyle and] S om. gadered] i|gadered MI.] Meddled my marchaundise · and mad a good moustre; [B page 229] [moustre] maystre S.] The werst lay with-ynne · a gret wit ich let hit. [a] and M. let hit] hit lette M; heeld hit S.] Line 261 And yf my neyhȝebore hadde an hyne · oþer eny best ellys [And] F om. hadde] haue S. an] eny M.] More profitable þan myn · ich made meny wentes,

How ich myght haue hit · al my wit ich caste. [How] & how F. hit] hym S. ich] I om.] Line 264 And bote ich hadde hit by [oþer wey] · atte laste ich stal hit, [And] F om. hadde hit] it hadde IFS. [oþer wey IMFSG] oþes a-way PE; see B-text, xiii. 367.] Oþer pryuyliche hus pors shok · vnpiked hus lokes. [vnpiked] and vnpiked IMS.] And yf ich ȝede to þe plouh · ich pynchede on hus half acre, [B page 230] [And—þe] & atte F. on] vp|on F.] Þat a fot londe oþer a forwe · fecchen ich wolde, Line 268 Of my neyhȝeboris next · nymen of hus erthe. [nymen] and nymen MF.] And yf y repe, ouere-reche · oþer ȝaf hem red þat repen [And] Or F. repe] so ES; rope F; raape I; ripe M. oþer] and M. þat repen] so EMS; to repe I; þat wrouȝten F. (But we should rather read rope, ropen, as in B-text, xiii. 374.)] To sese to me with here sykel · þat ich sew neuere. [sew] ne sewe I.] In halydayes at holy churche · whenne ich hurde messe, [In] On MS. whenne] wenne P. messe] þe masse E.] Ich hadde neuere [wil] witerlich · to by-seche mercy [[wil IMFSE] wit G; P om. to] forte M. to—mercy] mercy to beseche F.] For my mysdedes · þat ich ne mornede ofter [ofter] after IES (wrongly).] Line 274 For lost of good, leyue me · þen for lycames gultes. [lost] losse I. leyue] more leeue I; leef MF; lef S. leyue me] by loue (!) E. lycames] my licam F.] Þauh ich dedliche synne dude · ich dradde hit nat so sore [Þauh] Whan M. dude] so ESM; dede IF.] Line 276 As whenne ich lenede and leyuede hit lost · oþer longe er hit were paied. [lenede] lente IMF. leyuede] leue S; M om. oþer—paied] or hit were longe vnpaied M.] And yf [ich] sente ouer see · my seruaunt to brugges, [B page 231] [[ich ESIFG] PM om. see] þe se M. to] in-to F. brugges] bruges S; brigges MFE.] Oþer in-to prus my prentys · my profit to a-waite, [in-to] in I. prus] pruys-lond I; spruce FE; spruys M; spris S. a-waite] auaile M.] Line 279 To marchaunde with monye · and maken here eschaunge, [To] So to I. with] with my IF. here] þere M. eschaunge] es|changez I.] Myghte neuere man comforty me · in þe meyn tyme, [man—me] me comforte I.]

Neiþer matyns ne masse · ne oþere manere syghtes, [ne] noþer E. oþere] no I.] And neuere penaunse performede · ne pater-noster seyde, [And] Ne IM. pater-noster] M om.] That my mynde ne was · more in my goodes [in] on MF. goodes] goodes, in a dowte I.] Line 284 Þan in godes grace · And hus grete myghte.

Ubi thesaurus tuus, ibi [&] cor tuum."

[in] on F. godes grace] þe grace of my god I. And] or in M; or of F; and in I. myghte] trewþe F. Ubi] Vbi est M. [& MFE] PSIG om. tuum] tuum est M.] "Now redeliche," quaþ repentaunce · "ich haue reuthe of þy lyuynge. [ich] I om. ich—reuthe] I rewe F. of] on I.] Were ich a frere, in good faith · for al þe gold on erthe [B page 71] Ich nolde cope me with þy catell · ne oure [kirke] amende, [nolde] ne wolde IM. [kirke IMF] churche PS; churches E.] Line 288 Ne take a meles mete of þyne · And myn herte hit wiste Þat þow were such as þow seist; · ich sholde raþere sterue:

Melius est mori quam male uiuere.

[Þat] And F; I om.] Ich rede no faithful frere · at þy feste sytte; [no] þat no E. faithful] faitthful P.] Line 291 Ȝut were me leuere, by oure lord · lyue by welle-carse[s] [Ȝut] Hit M. lyue] leue al I. carses EG] carsus S; carse P; kersus F; cresses I. lyue—carses] ete water-crasses M.] Þan haue my fode and my fyndynge · of false menne wynnynges: [my (2)] F om. fyndynge] fedyng M. menne] mannes I; menes M.] Seruus es alterius · cum fercula pinguia queris, [fercula] fercucula P.] Pane tuo potius · uescere, liber eris. Line 295 Thow art an vnkynde creature · ich can þe nat assoyle [art IMFS] ert PE. þe nat] nouȝt þe M.] Tyl þow haue ymad, by þy myght · to alle men resti|tucion; [B page 72] For alle þat hauen of þy good · (haue god my treuthe!) Beeþ holden at þe hye dome · to helpe the restitue. [Beeþ] Ben EM; Is IFS. holden] i-holde M; haldyng I; hold|yng F. restitue] to restitue S; re|stituere E.] Line 299

Line 299 The preest þat þy tythe takeþ · trowe ich non oþer, [The] Ȝe þe I. takeþ] took I. trowe] ne trowe M.] Shal parte with þe in purgatorie · and help paye þy dette, [paye] to paie MFS.] Line 301 Yf he wist þow were suche · when he reseyuyde þyn offrynge. [þow] þat þow M. when] wen P. he] M om. reseyuyde] receyueth F.] What lede leyueþ þat ich lye · loke in þe sauter glosed

On ecce enim ueritatem dilexisti.

[What] And what I. leyueþ] leueþ MFSE. On] Lo I aleie F; I om.] Ther he shal wite witerliche · what vsure is to mene, [Ther] And þer I. he shal] schal he I; ȝe mowe M.] And what penaunce þe prest shal haue · þat prout is of [þi tythes]. [what] I om. prout] prut E; proud MIFS. [þi tythes] þi tiþus F; þe tethes P; þe teþs E; his tiþes MS; cf. l. 300.] Line 305 For an hore of hure ers-wynnynge · may hardiloker tythe [For—wynnynge] & for pu|teynes of here yuel wynnyng E. wynnynge] F om.] Þan an erraunt vsurer · (haue god my treuthe!) [an erraunt] a comune E; an (sic) I.] And erest shal come to heuene · by cryst þat me made!" Then was þer a walishman · was wonderliche sory, [A page 65] [B page 82] [walishman] walsch man IF; walsman M.] Line 309 He highte 'ȝyuan ȝeld-aȝeyn · if ich so moche haue, [He] IMFS om. ȝyuan] ȝeuan IMFS. ich] I om.] Al þat ich wickeddelich wan · sytthen ich [wit] hadde; [wan] gat M. [wit G] witt E; wyt S; witte I; hit PMF. hadde] haue F.] And þauh my liflode lacke · leten ich nelle, [And] F om. leten] lyuen S. nelle] ne wile M; wille (!) F.] Line 312 Þat ech man shal haue hus · er ich hennes wende. [Þat] & F. shal] ne schal I.] For me ys leuere in this lif · as a lorel beggen, [this] my F.] Þan in lysse to lyue · and lese lyf and soule.' [lysse] liking F; blisse E.] Roberd þe ryfeler · on reddite lokede, [ryfeler] riflere þo F.] Line 316 And for þer was nat wher-with · he wepte ful sore; [þer] þat þer S. was] nas I. ful] wonder I; wel M.]

And ȝut þat synful shrewe · seide to heuene, [And ȝut] Ac M; Ac ȝit I. seide to] saide to the I; criede vp to M. to heuene] with soor herte F.] "Crist, þat on caluarye · on þe croys deidest, Tho Dismas my broþer · by-souhte þe of grace, [þe] ȝou I.] Line 320 And haddest mercy on þat man · for memento sake, [on] vpon I. memento] me|mento his I.] So rewe on me, Roberd · þat reddere ne haue, [on—Roberd] vpon Robert I.] Ne neuere wene to wynne · with craft þat ich knowe. [with] wit P. craft] werk F. knowe EIMFS] miswritten kowe P.] For þy muchel mercy · mytigacion ich by-seche, Line 324 Dampne me nouht at domys day · for þat ich dude so ille." [B page 83] [þat] M om.] What by-fel of þis felon · ich can nouht faire shewe; [of] on F.] Wel ich wot he wepte faste · water with hus eyen, [with] wit P. eyen] yes I; yen S.] And to crist knowlechede · hus coupe ȝut eft-sone, [to—knowlechede] knowleched to crist I. hus coupe] in care F. ȝut] M om.] Line 328 Þat penaunce hus pyk-staf · he wolde polische newe, [A page 66] [penaunce] repentance I. he] M om. polische] pulsche FS.] For he hadde leye by latro · lucifers aunte. [lucifers] was lucifers F.] "By þe rode," quaþ repentaunce · "þow romest toward heuene, Line 331 By so þat hit be in þyn herte · as ich hure þy tonge. [By] MF om. þat—be] þou haue it F; hit be S. hure] here IMFS. þy] in þi F.] Trist in his mochel mercy · and ȝut myght þow be saued. [and] an P. myght þow] þow myȝt MI; maistow F.] For al þe wrecchednesse of þis worlde · and wickede dedes [B page 72] [wrecchednesse] wrecchede F.] Fareþ as a fonk of fuyr · þat ful a-myde temese, [a] F om. fonk] flonke I. fuyr] þe fuyre F. ful] fil IF.] And deide for a drop of water; · so doþ alle synnes [And deide] Deieþ M. for] wiþ I. of] I om. so] and so M.] Of alle manere men · þat with good wille [men] of men I; men of moolde F. with] with a F; wiþ a M.] Line 337

Line 337 Confessen hem and crien mercy · shullen neuere come in helle.

Omnis iniquitas quoad misericordiam dei est quasi sintilla in medio maris. [crien] crien him I. crien mercy] mercy crie F.] [B page 73]

Repente þe anon," quaþ repentaunce · ryȝt so to þe vsurer, [ryȝt—vsurer] & riȝt so go to schrifte F. so] IG om. to þe] þou S.] "And haue hus mercy in þy mynde · and marchaun|dise, leue hit; [PE place haue after mynde. leue hit] þou leue F.] Line 340 For þow hast no good, by good faith! · to bygge þe with a wastell. [hast] ne hast M. by] in F. bygge] gete I; this improves the alliteration, but appears rather to belong to the next line. þe] S om.] The good þat þow hauest ygete · by-gan al with fals|hede; [The] For þe I. ygete] gete I; geten M. falshede] falsnesse M; false S.] As longe as þow lyuest þer-with · þow ȝeldest nat, bote borwest. [As] And as I. bote] bote þow P; but IMFSE omit þow.] And yf þow wite neuere to wham · ne where [to] restitue, [[to IMFSG] þow sholde P; þou shalt E.] Line 344 Bere hit to þe bischop · and bid hym of hus grace, [þe] thy I; þi M. bid IMF] bide PS; bidde E.] To by-setten hit hym-selue · as best be for þy soule; [be] is M. þy] þe EM.] For he shal answere for þe · at þe hye dome, For þe and for meny mo · þat man shal ȝeue rekenynge, [þat—ȝeue] he schal make F. rekenynge] a rekenyng I.] What he lerede ȝow to lyue with · and to lette ȝow fro þufþe." [lerede] lefte F; lernede MS. and to] & F; to M. þufþe] þefte IFS; synne M.] Line 349

CONFESSIO GULE. [A page 60]

Now by-gynneþ gloton · for to go to shryfte, And kayres hym to-kirke-ward · hus coupe to shewe. [kayres] carieþ M; caries I; karyuþ S. kirke IMF] churche PES (which loses the alliteration). coupe] synnes M.]

Fastyng on a fryday · forth gan he wende Line 352 By betone hous þe brewestere · þat bad hym good morwe, [betone] betone or betene P; betoun E; betouns I; betonus FS; betenes M.] And whederwarde he wolde · þe brew-wif hym asked. [brew-wif] goode wif E.] "To holy churche," quaþ he · "for to hure masse, [To] Go to (wrongly) S. he] he þo F. for—hure] to here my I.] Line 355 And sitthen sitte and be yshriuen · and synwe na|more." [B page 74] [yshriuen] yschreuen P. synwe] so in PS; synge MF; synny E; synne I.] "Ich haue good Ale, godsyb · gloton, wolt þow assaye?" [godsyb—þow] quod heo þo · gode gossip F. þow] M om.] "What hauest þow," quaþ he · "eny hote spices?" [What] What herke F; I om.] "Ich haue piper and pionys · and a pound of garlik, [pionys] pyonye I; pyonis quod heo F. of] I om.] A ferthyng-worth of fynkelsede · for fastinge-daies." [ferthyng] fertheng P. fyn|kel] fenkel I; fenel MF; fynel S. daies] dayes y boght it I.] Thenne goþ gloton yn · and grete oþes after. [Thenne] & þan F. and] an P.] Line 361 Sesse þe sywestere · sat on þe benche, [Sesse] Cesse IMS; & sesse F. sywestere] sowester E; sewestare M; sewestre S; soustere F; Souters I.] Watte þe warynere · and hus wif dronke, [warynere] warner IMFSE.] Thomme þe tynkere · and tweye of hus knaues, [tweye—hus] and his twelue M; & his two F.] Line 364 Hicke [þe] hakeneyman · and houwe þe neldere, [A page 61] [[þe IMFSG] PE om.; see l. 378. houwe] howe I; huwe M; hue E; heruy FS. þe] hus S. neldere] nedelere MFIS; nedlere E.] Claryce of cockeslane · the clerk of þe churche, [cockeslane] coklane E; kuck|uslone M. the] and þe IM.] Syre peeres of prydie · and purnel of flaundres, [peeres—prydie] peraunt þe prowde F.] An haywarde and an heremyte · þe hangeman of tyborne, [and] IF om.] Line 368 Dauwe þe dykere · with a dosen harlotes [I omits. dosen] doseyn of M.] Of portours and of pykeporses · and pylede toþ-drawers, [M om. and (1)] F om. of] I om. pykeporses] pykeporeses P; pikporses E; pyke-purses IS; pike|purs F. and (2)] of F; and of I.]

A rybibour and a ratoner · a rakere and hus knaue, [E omits last half of l. 371, and first half of l. 372.] [and (1)] IMF om.] A ropere and a redyngkynge · and rose þe disshere, [E omits last half of l. 371, and first half of l. 372.] [ropere] ropere or repere P; but see l. 387. and (1)] MF om.] Line 372 Godefray þe garlek-mongere · and griffyn þe walish; [þe (1)] F om. griffyn] grif|fith IS. walish] walsche EFIM.] And of vp-holders an hep · erly by þe morwe [erly] herly P.] Geuen gloton with glad chere · good ale to hansele. [glad] good M. chere IMFSE] chire P. good IME] goud PS. good—hansele] galonus of ale F. han|sele] ansele P.] Clemment þe cobelere · cast of hus cloke, [Clemment] þo clement F.] Line 376 And to þe newe fayre · nempned hit to selle. [newe IMFES] nywe P. hit] forþ I.] Hicke þe hakeneyman · hitte hus hod after, And bad bette [þe] bouchere · to be on hus syde. [[þe IMFSE] P om. to] MF om.] Ther were chapmen y-chose · þe chaffare to preise; [Ther] Þo F. þe] þis I.] Line 380 Þat he þat hadde þe hod · sholde nat habbe þe cloke; [B page 75] [he þat] who so I.] Þe betere þyng, by arbytours · sholde bote þe werse. [Þe] & þat þe I. arbytours] arbitrours MIFS.] Two rysen rapliche · and rounede to-geders, [Two rysen] Þo rysen two F; Tweyne arisen M; To risen vp I. rapliche] rape I.] And preysed þe penyworthes · apart by hem-selue, [þe] þise I.] Line 384 And þer were oþes an hepe · for oþer sholde haue þe werse. [And] M om. for oþer] for on IS; for oon F; for þe oþer E; wheþer M.] Þei couthe nouht by here conscience · a-corde for treuthe, Tyl Robyn þe ropere · aryse þei bysouhte, And nempned hym a nompeyr · þat no debate were. [A page 62] [a] for a I. nompeyr] noun|pere F.] Hicke þe hakeneyman · hadde þe Cloke, [hakeneyman] hostiler I. hadde—Cloke] þe cloke scholde haue E.] Line 389 In couenaunt þat clemment · sholde þe coppe fylle, And haue þe hakeneymannes hod · and hold hym y-serued; [þe—hod] hickes hood þe hostiler I.]

And who repentyde raþest · shold aryse after, [who] he þat E; who so I; whose M. raþest] him raþer I.] Line 392 And grete syre gloton · with a galon of ale. [with] whit P. of] MFSE om.] Þer was lauhyng & lakeryng · and 'let go þe coppe!' [lauhyng] lauȝynge S; lawyng M; haulyng (sic) E. lakeryng] la|kryng E; likeryng MS; lowring I. & lakeryng] alowd F.] Bargeynes and beuereges · by-gunne to aryse, [to aryse] þo to wake I.] And setyn so til euesong rang · and songe vmbwhyle, [And] þei M. setyn] so PE; seten M; settun S; sete F. rang] I om. vmbwhyle] vmbwyle P; vmbi|while MIE; vnbiwhile F; eche while S.] Til gloton hadde yglobbed · a galon and a gylle. [hadde] adde P.] Line 397 Hus guttes gonne godely · as two gredy sowes; [godely] so PS; to gosely I; godele M; to goþel E. Hus—godely] þat his guttus godeled F. two FS] tuo I; to (for two) PM; þe E. gredy] grete E; hongry S.] He pissede a potell · in a pater-noster while, And blew hus rounde rewet · atte rygbones ende, [And] He I. hus] þe E. rewet EG] rywett P; ryuet IM; ruet FS. atte] at þe E; at his MIFS; atte þe P.] Line 400 Þat alle þat herde þat horne · hulde here nose after, [þat G] þan P; þe IMFE; his S. nose] nosus F; neses M.] And wusched hit hadde be wexed · with a wips of breres. [hit] þat hit P; IMFSE omit þat. wexed] i-wexed M; ywaxed E; wasche I. wips] weps E; bosk M.] He myghte noþer stappe ne stonde · tyl he a staf hadde. [B page 76] [myghte] ne myȝt E. noþer] nat þo nowþur F. ne] so in IMSE; ne or no P; no F. stonde] stonnde P. a] his I.] Thanne gan he go · lyke a glemannes bycche, [Thanne] And þanne IF. he] hue P (wrongly).] Line 404 Som tyme asyde · [and] som tyme a-rere, [A page 63] [asyde] asyde a sail (!) F. [and IMFS] PE om. a-rere] so in the rest; a-ryre P.] As ho so laith lynes · for to lacche foules. [As] Has P. laith] leid S. lynes] lymes F. lacche] cacche M; take F.] And whenne he drow to þe dore · þanne dymmed hus eyen; [whenne] wenne P.] Line 407 He [thrumbled] at þe þreshefold · and þrew to þe erthe. [He] And I. [thrumbled I] thromlide G; trobled F; trobelode S; stomblede PE; stomlede M. But see A-text. þreshefold] þresc|wolde M; treshfold E. þrew SIF] þreu P; þrew him M; drow E.]

Tho Clement þe cobelere · cauhte hym by þe mydel, [Tho] And I.] For to lyfte hym on loft · he [leyde] hym on hus knees; [For] And for I. he] I om. [leyde I] leide MFG; ledde PES. hus] E om.] Ac gloton was a gret cherl · and gronyd [in] þe liftynge, [cherl] clerk (!) S. groned] agreued I. [in IMSG] on PE. þe] his E. in—liftynge] as he lifte F.] And couhed vp a caudel · in clementes lappe; [And] He M. couhed] couȝ|hed FS; cowed I. clementes] cle|ment S.] Line 412 Ys non so hongry hounde · in hertforde-shire, [Ys] Þat þer is F. hertforde] herfordes E; herforde M.] Þat þorst lape of [þat] leuynge · so vnloueliche hit smauhte. [Þat] IFS om. þorst] dorst E; Dorste S; durste IM; Durst F. lape] so PIMFS; lappe E. [þat IMFSEG] þe P. vnloueliche] vn|semelich S.] With al þe wo of þe worlde · hus wif and hus wenche [þe (2)] þis I. hus (1)] þe E.] Bere hym to hus bedde · and brouhte hym þer-ynne; [to] in-to M. þer-ynne] with|ynne F.] And after al þis excesse · he hadde an accidie, [þis] his M. excesse IMFSE] excessus P. accidie] accesse after I. he—accidie] an accidie he hadde F.] Line 417 He slep saterday and sonday · tyl sonne ȝede to reste. [sonne] þe sonne I.] Thenne awakyde he wel wan · and wolde haue ydronke; [awakyde he] he awakede M; gan he wake I. wel] ful F. wan] E om.] The ferst word þat he spak · was "ho halt þe bolle?" [þat he] þe freek F. halt] haþ M. ho halt] fil fil F.] Hus wif and hys inwit · edwited hym of hus synne; [B page 77] [hys] ys P. hus] F om.] He wax a-shamed, þat shrewe · and shrof hym al-so swithe [S omits. þat shrewe] þerwith F. and] an P; he I. al-so] as IM.] Line 422 To repentaunce ryȝt þus; · "haue reuthe on me," he seyde, [haue] ha F. on] of F.] "Þow lord þat on loft art · and alle lyues shope! [lyues] þyng M.] To þe, god, ich gloton · gulty me ȝelde [me] ich me PE; i me M; but ISF omit ich, which seems super|fluous.] Of my trespas with tunge · ich can nauht telle how ofte, [my trespas] þat I haue tres|past I. with] of my F; wiþ my S.] Line 426

Line 426 Sworen 'þy saule and [þy] sydes' · and 'so help me, God almyghty!' [Sworen] Swore by S. [þy EG] þi M; PS om. þy—sydes] goddes soule and his sides I; soule & sidus F. sydes] side E. and (2)] F om. so] also M. me] M om.] When þat no ned was · meny tyme falsliche. [When þat] Þer I; Wen þat P. ned MS] nede IFE; nud P. was] ne was I. tyme] sithes I. meny—falsliche] falsly many a tyme F.] Line 428 And ouer-sopede at my soper · and som tyme at nones [nones] onus SF.] More þan my kynde · myghte wel defye; [B page 231] [More] Muche more F. kynde] mawe F. wel] I om.] And as an hounde þat et gras · so gan ich to brake, [et M] ete (a worse spelling) PE; eteth IFS (et is contracted from eteth). to] M om.] And spilde þat ich [spele] myghte · ich can nouht speke for shame [B page 77] [spilde] spilte S. [spele IFS] spelide P; spelyd G; aspelid E. ich—myghte] i myȝte haue i-spared M. speke] telle M.] Line 432 The vylenye of my foule mouþe · and of my foule mawe. On fastingdais by-fore none · ich fedde me with ale, [On] And I. by-fore] afore S. ich] I om. with] whit P.] Out of reson, a-mong rybaudes · here rybaudrye to huyre. [rybaudrye] ribaudye IF. huyre] here MFI.] Her-of, good god · graunte me forȝeuenesse, [Her-of] Now here-of F. good] E om. graunte] gif F.] Line 436 Of al my luþer lyuyng · in al my lyf-tyme. [al (1)] S om. lyuyng] lif I.] For ich a-vowe to verrey god · for honger oþer for þurste, [A page 64] [B page 78] [a-vowe] vowe I; afowe E. for (1)] for eny I. oþer] ne M. for (2)] I om.] Shal neuere fish on fryday · defye in my wombe, [on] on þe I. wombe] mawe M.] Tyl abstinence myn aunte · haue ȝeue me leue, [ȝeue] i-ȝeue M.] Line 440 And ȝut haue ich hated hure · al my lyf-tyme." [haue ich] ych haue S.]

Hic explicit passus septimus. [ ISM omit. Hic] EF om.]