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 IX.

[TITLE. So PEG; Incipit nonus S; Hic incipit passus nonus de uisione M; Passus Octauus, vt prius I.] Incipit passus Nonus.

THo seyde perken plouhman · "by seynt peter of rome, [A page 74] [B page 93] [Tho—perken] Quod perkyn þe I. perken] peres M.] Ich haue an half acre to eren · by þe hye weye. [to—weye] an eryng · & mote sowe hit after E. Cf. l. 3.] Hadde ich ered þat half acre · and sowen hit after, [sowen S] i-sowen M; y-sowe IG. and—after] by þe hey wey E; cf. l. 2.] Ich wolde wende with ȝow · and þe wey teche." [with] wit P.] Line 4 "That were a long lettynge" · quaþ a lady in a skleire, [skleire] chare I.] "What sholde we wommen · worche þe whiles?" [þe] þer M.] "Ich praye ȝow, for ȝoure profit" · quaþ peers to þe ladyes, "Þat somme sewe þe sak · for shedynge of þe whete; [whete] wete P.] Line 8 And ȝe worþly wommen · with ȝoure longe fyngres, [worþly] worthely I; worþi MS. with] wit P.] Þat ȝe on selke and sendel · sewen, whenne tyme ys, [selke] silke EI. sewen] to sewen PE; to sewe I; but MSG omit to. whenne] wenne P. tyme ys] hit is tyme M.] Chesybles for chapelayns · churches to honoure. [Chesybles] For chesyblus S. honoure IMESG] honure P.] Wyues and widowes · wolle and flax spynneþ; Line 12 Conscience consaileþ ȝow · cloþ for to make For profit of þe poure · and plesaunce of ȝow-selue. [poure] poeple I.]

For ich shal lene hem lyflode · bote yf þe lond faile, [A page 75] [B page 94] [hem] ȝow M. yf] I om.] Line 15 As longe as ich lyue · for oure lordes loue in heuene. [lyue IMSEG] leue P; but see l. 57. oure] I om. in] of IMSG.] And alle manere men · þat by þis molde buþ susteyned, [þis] þe I. molde] land M. buþ] beþ S; ben E; is MI.] Helpeþ hem to worche wyghtly · þat wynneþ ȝoure fode." [hem] him MIG. to] IS om. wyghtly] whyghtly P; wyȝtly S; withly M; wittiliche I.] "By cryst," quaþ a knyȝt þo · "he kenneþ ous þe beste; Ac on þe teeme trewely · tauht was ich neuere; [on—teeme] one tyme I. trewe|ly] trywely P.] Line 20 Ich wolde ich couthe," quaþ þe knyȝt · "by cryst and hus moder; Ich wolde a-saye som tyme · for solas, as hit were." "Sykerliche, syre knyȝt" · seide peers þenne, [knyȝt] knyiȝt P; cf. l. 21.] Line 23 "Ich shal swynke and swete · and sowe for us boþe, [us] hus P.] And laboure for þe while þou lyuest · al þy lyf-tyme, [for þe] S om. þe—lyuest] þo þou louest I. lyuest EMS] liuist G; leuest P; cf. l. 57. þy] my ISG.] In couenaunt þat þou kepe · holy [kirke] and my-selue [[kirke I] churche PEMS. my EIG] me PMS.] [Fro] wastours and wyckede men · þat þis worlde struen. [[Fro IMSG] For PE. and] and fro I. þis IMSE] þys G; þus P. struen] struyen E; stryen SG; stroyen I; distryen M.] And go honte hardiliche · to hares and to foxes, [hardiliche] hardileche P. foxes] uoxes M.] Line 28 To bores and to bockes · þat brekeþ a-doune menne hegges; [A page 76] [bockes] buckus S; bukkes lG. a-doune] doun MSE. menne] men E; myn MG; my S.] And faite þy faucones · to culle wylde foules; [B page 95] [And faite] And affaite I; Afaite MSG. þy] þe S. culle] kille þe I.] For þei comen to my croft · my corn to defoule." Corteysliche þe knyȝt þen · comsede þese wordes; [knyȝt] knyitȝ (sic) P; kinge I. þen] þo M. comsede] conseyuede M. þese MS] þise I; þes P; þis E.] Line 32 "By my power, peers · ich plyghte þe my treuthe, To defende þe in faith · fyghte þauh ich sholde."

"And ȝut on poynt," quaþ peers · "ich praye ȝow ouer|more; [ȝut] M om. on] o ES; a I. ouer SG] ouere P; of I; euer E; M om.] Line 35 Loke ȝe tene no tenaunt · bote yf treuth wolle assente. [tene IMSEG] tuene P. yf] IS om. wolle] M om.] Whenne ȝe amercyn eny man · let mercy be taxour, [Whenne] Wenne P; And whan I. amercyn] so PS; amercen M; amercieþ E; mercien I.] And meknesse þy maister · maugre mede chekes. [mede] medes M.] Þauh poure men profre ȝou · presentes and ȝiftes, [Þauh] And þogh I. presentes] presantes P. ȝiftes IMESG] ȝeftes P.] Line 39 Nym hit nat, an aunter · thow mowe hit nat deserue; [Nym] Nymeþ M. thow mowe] ȝe mai M; þou myȝt EG.] For þow shalt ȝulde, so may be · and somdel a-bygge. [shalt] may S. ȝulde] ȝelde MSEG; ȝelden it I. and] or I. a|bygge] abuggen it I.] Mys-beede nouht þy bondemen · þe bet may [þou] spede; [þy] þe M. bondemen ISE] boundemen P; bondeman MG. bet] bettere M. may] myght S. [þou EMSG] þe PI. may þou] þow myȝt M.] Þauh he be here þyn vnderling · in heuene, paraunter, [here] þer-in E.] He worth raþer receyued · and reuerentloker sette;

Amice, ascende superius.

[sette] sitte MISG. Amice, &c.] M om.] Line 44 At churche in þe charnel · cheorles aren vuel to knowe, [in þe] or in M. cheorles] cherles IMS; chorles E. aren] beþ S. vuel] yuel E; euyl S; euel IM.] Oþer a knyght fro a knaue · oþer a queyne fro a queene. [knyght] kyng M. fro (1)] or I. oþer] MS om. queyne] queene EG; quene IMS. queene] quene EG.] Hit by-comeþ to a knyght · to be curteys and hende, [to (1)] for M. a] þe ISG.] Trewe of hys tonge · tales loth to huyre, [B page 96] [hys] þy IG. huyre] hure E; here M; heere I.] Line 48 Bote þei be of bounte · of batailes and of treuthe. [and] or I.] Hald nat of harlotes · huyre nat here tales, [of] wiþ none I. huyre] hure E; her M; ne heere I.] Nameliche atte mete · suche men eschewe; [Nameliche] Ac nameliche I. atte] at þe IM; at S. eschewe IMSG] eschywe P; eschiwe E.] Hit ben þe deueles disours · to drawe men to synne. [Hit—þe] For it ben I.] Line 52

Line 52 Contreplede nat conscience · ne holy [kirke] ryghtes." [Contreplede] Ne counterplede I. [kirke I] churche PES; chyrche M; chirchis G.] "Ich assente, by seynt Gyle" · seyde þe knyght þenne, "For to worche by þy witt · and my wyf boþe." "Ich shal aparaile me," quaþ perkyn · "in pylgrymes wyse, [A page 77] [Ich shal] And I schal I. aparaile] paraile I. in] in a M.] Line 56 And wende with alle þo · þat wolle lyue in treuthe." [with] wit P. wolle] wolden I.] He caste on hym hus cloþes · of alle kynne craftes, [He] And I. hym] M om.] Hus cokeres and hus cuffes · as kynde witt hym tauhte, And heng hus hoper on hus hals · in stede of a scrippe; [heng] hyng M. in] in þe M.] A boussel of bred-corn · brouht was þer-ynne. [boussel] buschel ESG; busschel M.] Line 61 "For ich wolle sowe hit my-self · and sitthe wol y|wende [ywende] so PE; I wende IMS.] To pylgrimages, as [palmers] don · pardon to wynne. [pylgrimages] pilgrimage M. [palmers EIS] palmeres MG; pil|grymes P (by mistake).] My plouh-fot shal be my pyk-staf · and picche a two þe rotes, [plouh-fot] plowbat S. picche—two] putte a-wai M.] Line 64 And help my culter to kerue · and clanse þe forwes. [forwes] forewes MS.] And alle þat helpen me to erye · oþer elles to weden, [weden] wende (wrongly) E.] Shal haue leue, by oure lorde · to go and glene after, [leue by] loue of M; leue of G. to—and] forte M. glene] clene S. after] after me I.] And make hym murye þer-myd · maugre ho by-grucche. [myd] wiþ MS. maugre ho] malgre who I; whose euere M. by|grucche] by-grucche hit S; bygroch it I.] And alle kynne crafty men · þat conne lyue in treuthe, [B page 97] Ich shal fynde hem fode · þat feythfullech lybben; Saf Iack [þe] Iogelour · and Ionette of þe styues, [[þe IMG] PES om. Iogelour] gogeler M. of þe] of MG; at S. styues] stywes I.] And danyel þe dees-pleyere · and denote þe baude, [þe (1)] E om. denote IMSG] denete P; denyce E.] Line 72 And al-so frere faytour · and folke of [þat] ordre, [al-so] also þe M; I om. [þat IMSEG] þe P.]

Þat lollers and loseles · for leel men halden, [Þat] Þat ben M. lollers] loreles M. for] þat M; I om.] And Robyn þe rybaudour · for hus rusty wordes. For treuthe tolde me ones · and bade [me] telle [hit] forthere, [[me EIMSG] P om. [hit MS] it I; PEG om.] Line 76 Deleantur de libro uiuencium · Ich sholde nat dele with hem, [Misarranged in all the copies, which put Deleantur—uiuen|cium in one line, Ich—hoteþ in a second, and of hem—scribantur in a third; but see B-text.] [After uiuencium E inserts & cum iustis non scribantur (unneces|sarily). Ich] I ne M. hem] him E.] For holy churche hoteþ · of hem to aske no tythe, [A page 78] [Misarranged in all the copies, which put Deleantur—uiuen|cium in one line, Ich—hoteþ in a second, and of hem—scribantur in a third; but see B-text.]

Quia cum iustis non scribantur.

[to aske] þat askeþ M. hoteþ—tuthe] is hote of hem no tiþe aske I.] Thei ben ascaped good aunter · now god hem amende!" Dame worche-when-tyme-is · peers wyf hyhte; [when] wen P. is] his P. hyhte] hatte S.] Line 80 Hus douhter hihte do-ryght-so- · oþer-þy-damme-shal|þe-bete; [hihte] heithe P (but see l. 82); hiȝte MI; hiȝt E; hatte S. damme] so PM; dame IESG.] Hus sone hihte suffre- · þy-souereynes-haue-here-wil-, [hihte] hatte S.] Deme-hem-nouht-for-yf-þow-do- · thow-shalt-dere-abigge. [for] I om. do] dost I. dere abigge] it dere abegge I; hit dere a-bigge G.] "Consaile nat þe comune · þe kyng to displese, [nat] nat so I.] Line 84 Ne hem þat han lawes to loke · lacke hem nat, ich hote, [loke] kepe S. lacke] lawe (!) S. hote] hote þe I.] Let god worthe with al · as holy writ techeþ;

Super cathedram moysi sedent, et cetera;

[worthe] I-worþe I; worche S. techeþ] techeþ þe I; telleþ M. se|dent] sedebant E; S om.] Maistres, as þe meyres ben · and grete men senatours, [ben] I om. men] M om.] What þei comaunde as by þe kyng · contrepleide hit neuere, Line 88 Al þat þey hoten, ich hote · heyliche, thow suffre hem; [þey IES] þei M; miswritten þe P; cf. l. 88. hote] hote þe E.] By here warnyng and worchyng · worch þow þer-after;

Omnia que dicunt, facite & seruate;

[By] And after I. and] and heore M.] Ac after here doynge do þow nat · my dere sone," quaþ peers. [do] ne do I.] "For now ich am old and hor · and haue of myn owene, [old—hor] hore & old S.] To penaunces and to pilgrimages · ich wol passe with oþere; [with] wiþ þis I.] Line 93 For-thi ich wolle, er ich wende · do wryten my by|quyste. [For-thi] For-whi M. er] or MS. do] to M. Testamentum, &c.] in PE only.]

TESTAMENTUM PETRI PLOUHMAN.

In dei nomine, amen · Ich make hit my-self. He shal haue my soule · þat alle soules made, Line 96 And defende hit fro þe feende · and so is my by-leyue, [fro] as fro I. by-leyue] bileue EM; bileeue I; beleue S.] [Til ich come to hus acountes · as my crede telleþ, [From IG; PEMS om.; cf. B. vi. 91, 92.] [ich] i I; y G (so also in l. 99); cf. l. 95. hus] his IG; cf. l. 103. as G] ac I (wrongly). my I] þe G.] To haue remissioun and relees · on þat rental ich leue.] [B page 98] [From IG; PEMS om.; cf. B. vi. 91, 92.] [and G] a I. relees G] reles I.] The [kirke] shal haue my caroyne · and kepe my bones, [[kirke IM] churche PESG.] For of my corn and catel · he crauede my tythe. [and] and of my I; and my M. my tythe] me tiþe I; me teþe S.] Line 101 Ich payed hit prestliche · for peril of my soule, He is holdinge, ich hope · to haue me in hus masse, [A page 79] [is] his P. holdinge] so PI; holdyng EMS; holden G.] And menge me in hus memorie · among alle cristine. [menge] mynge I.] My wyf shal haue of þat ich wan · with treuthe, and no more, Line 105 And dele hit among my douhtres · and my dere children. [hit] M om. dere] leue M. children] childres I.] For þauh ich deyde þys day · my dettes ben quyted; [deyde] deied E; deye ISG; deiȝe M. þys] to IG. dettes ben] dette is IG. quyted] y-quyted IS; a-quited G; quite M.] Ich bar hom þat ich borwede · er ich to bedde ȝeode. [ich (1)] E om. er] or EMS. ȝeode] ȝede EIMSG.]

With þe resydue and remenaunt · by þe rode of lukes, [With] And with I. and] and þe IMG. lukes] grace M.] Ich wolle worshupe þer-with · treuthe al my lyf, [wolle] wuld S. lyf] lyf-tyme S.] Line 110 And be a pilgrym atte plouh · for profyt of poure and ryche." [pilgrym EIMSG] pulgrym P. atte] at þe IMG; at S. of] to IG. profyt—and] pore and for M.] Now perkyn with þe pilgrimes · to þe plouh is faren; [Now is perkyn and þise pil|grimes · to þe plogh faren I.] To eryen hus half aker · holpen hym menye. [hus] þis I. holpen] helpen IMS.] Line 113 Dykers and deluers · diggeden vp þe balkes; [diggeden] dikked I; dikud S. vp] M om.] Ther-with was perkyn apayed · and paied wel here hyre. [wel] wel hem I.] Oþer werkmen þer were · þat wrouhten ful ȝurne; [ful] wel M.] Line 116 Eche man in hus manere · made hym-self to done; [B page 99] And somme to plese perkyn · pykede aweye þe wedes. [pykede—þe] a-felde pikede I. wedes] rotus S.] Atte hye pryme peers · let þe plouh stonde, [Atte] At EMS; At þe G.] And ouer-seyh hem hym-self · ho so best wrouhte, Line 120 He sholde be hyred þer-after · when heruest-tyme come. [A page 80] [when] wen P.] Þenne seten some · and songen atten ale, [atten ale] atte nale G; atte ale I; at þe ale M; at þe nale E; ate ale S.] And holpen to erie þis half acre · with 'hoy! troly! lolly!' [to] ISG om. hoy] hay EG; hei M.] Quath peers [þe] plouhman · al in pure tene, [[þe IMSG] PE om.; cf. l. 154. al in] in a M. tene EMSG] teene I; teune P.] Line 124 "Bote ȝe [a]ryse þe raþere · and rape ȝow to worche, [aryse SIM] ryse PEG.] Shal no greyn þat here groweþ · gladen ȝow at neede; [here] þer M.] And þauh ȝe deye for deul · þe deuel haue [þat] recche!" [deul] doile E; del G; dol M; defaute S. haue] hange M. [þat EIMSG] þe P.] Tho were faitours aferede · and feynede hem blynde, And leyden here legges a-lyry · as suche lorelles conneþ, [a-lyry] a-liri M; a-lery I.] And maden here mone to peers · how þei mowe nat worche: [mowe] may IS; myȝten MG.] Line 130

Line 130 "Ac we prayeþ for ȝow, peers · and for ȝoure plouh boþe, [Ac] And I. for (2)] fore P. ȝoure] þi M.] Þat god for hus grace · ȝoure grayn multiplie, [for] of M. multiplie ESI] multeplie P; multepliȝe M.] Line 132 And ȝelde ȝow of ȝoure almesse · þat ȝe ȝeuen us here. [ȝelde EISMG] ȝulde P. ȝeuen us] miswritten ȝeuene hus P.] We may nayþer swynke ne swete · suche syknesse ous ayleþ; [nayþer] neyþer I; noþer EMS.] We haue none lymes to laborie with · lord god we þonkeþ." [We haue] Ne I.] Line 135 "Ȝoure praiers," quath peers · "and ȝe parfit were, [praiers] preiere M. ȝe] hy E.] Myght help, as ich hope; · ac hye treuthe wolde [hope] trowe S.] Þat no faiterye were founde · in folk þat gon a-begged. [faiterye] faytrie IE; faitour MS. gon] goþ IG. a-begged] so PG; abegged E; a-beggyd S; abeggeþ I; and beggen M.] Ȝe ben wastours, ich wot wel · þat wasten and deuouren [B page 100] [þat] and I.] Þat leel land-tylynge men · leelliche byswynken. [tylynge] tylyyng S; telyngge M. leelliche] leellich E; lelli MS; lely I; leelleche P.] Line 140 Ac treuthe shal teche ȝow · hus teeme for to dryue, [A page 81] [for] I om.] Oþer ȝe shulle ete barliche brede · and of þe brok drynke, Bote ȝe be blynde oþer brokelegged · oþer bolted with yren. [ȝe] if he I. with] wit P.] Suche poure," quaþ peers · "shullen partye with my goodes, [partye] parte EIMG. with] wit P.] Line 144 Boþe of my corn and of my cloþ · to kepe hem fro defaute; Ancres and heremites · þat eten bote at nones, [Ancres] And ankeres I.] And freres þat flateren nat · and poure folke syke, [folke] men and M.] What! ich and myne · wolleþ fynde hem þat hem needeþ." [wolleþ] wul S. þat] what IG. hem þat] al þat M.] Line 148 Thenne gan wastour to wratth · and wolde haue fouhten, [B page 101] [wastour] wastours M. wratth] wreþþe hem M; wraþþe him I.]

And to peers plouhman · proferede to fighte, [I omits.] And bad hym 'go pisse with hus plouh · peyuesshe shrewe!' [peyuesshe] peuysche EMSG.] Line 151 A brytonere com braggynge · a-bosted peers al-so; [com] cam IMSG; came E. a|bosted] & bosted EG; and abostede MS; he bostede I.] "Wolle þow, ne wolle þow · we wolleþ habbe oure wil, [A page 82] [Wolle] Wilt M; Wult S. ne wolle] ne wolt S; nylt M; nelle EI. þow] þou, quoþ he I. wil] willus S.] Boþe þy flour and þy flessh · fecchen when ous lykeþ, [Boþe] And I. when] wen P.] And make ous myrye þer-myd · maugre ho by|gruccheþ!" [ho] whose M. bygruccheþ] by-grucche SG; gruccheþ M.] Line 155 Peers þe plouhman þo · pleynede to þe knyght, [þo] M om. to] him to I.] To kepe hym and hus catel · as couenaunt was by|twyne hem: [bytwyne hem] bi-fore M.] "Awreke me of þese wastours · þat maken þys worlde dere; [of] on M. þese S] þis ME; þise I; þes P. worlde EI] world MS; wordle G; worde P.] Thei counte nat of cursyng · ne holy [kirke] dreden; [counte] a-counten M. cursyng] cursynges I. [kirke I] churche PES; chirche M.] Ther worth no plente," quaþ peers · "and þe plouh ligge." [Ther] For þer I. plente] miswritten pleynte P.] Line 160 Curtesliche þe knyght þen · as hus kynde wolde, Warned wastour · and wissede hym betere, [wastour] wastours M. hym] hem M.] "Oþer ich shal bete þe by þe lawe · and brynge þe in stockes." [þe] ȝow M (twice). in] in-to M.] "Ich was nat woned [to] wirche," quaþ wastour · "and ich wolle nat now bygynne," [B page 102] [woned EIMG] wonyd S; wont (altered to wond) P. [to IMSG] PE om. quaþ] quod a M. and] MSG om. ich—now] now wil I not I.] Line 164 And let lyght of þe lawe · and lasse of þe knyght, [And—lyght] He tolde litel M.] And sette peers at a pese · pleyne hym wher he wolde. [a pese] an ase I. pleyne] to pleyne I. hym] MG om. wher] wer P.]

"Now, by crist," quaþ peers · "y shal apeyre ȝow alle!" [peers] peres þe ploweman I.] And hopede after hunger · þat herde [him] at þe ferste. [hopede] houped IESG; howpede M. þat] and I. [him IMSG] PE om. at þe] atte I; ate S.] "Ich praye þe," quath peers þo · "pur charite, sire honger, [pur] por S; for M; cf. l. 267.] Line 169 Awreke me of þese wastours · for þe knyght wol nat." [me] I om. of] on M. þese] þeese P.] Honger hente in haste · wastour by þe mawe. [hente—haste] in haste þo · hente I. wastour] a waster M.] And wrang hym by þe wombe · þat al waterede hus eyen. [A page 83] [wrang] wrong IMSG. by] so by I.] Line 172 He buffated þe brutener · a-boute þe chekes, [buffated] so PIM; buffeted E; bofeted S. brutener] bretoner IS; bretener M; britonere E.] Þat he loked lyk a lanterne · al hus lyf after. He bet hem so boþe · he barst neih hure guttes, [hem] S om. so boþe] boþ so E. neih] ner I.] Line 175 Ne hadde peers with a peese-lof · prayede hym by-leue. [with] wit P.] "Honger, haue mercy of hem," quath peers · "and let me ȝeue hem benes; [of] on IMSG. hem] him IS (twice).] And þat was bake for bayarde · may be here bote." [bayarde] bayerde P; but see l. 192. may] it may I; mayre (!) S.] Tho were faitours a-fered · and flowen to peersses bernes, [to] in-to I. peersses] peres IMG; pers E; perus S; so also in l. 182.] And flapten on with flailes · fro morwe til euene, [flapten] flatten E. with] whit P.] Line 180 Þat honger was nat hardy · on hem for to loke, [B page 103] [on—for] ones on hem M.] For a potful of potage · þat peersses wyf made. An hep of eremites · henten hem spades, [An] And an S. henten] bouten M.] Spitten and spradde donge · in despit of hunger. Line 184 Thei coruen here copes · and courtepies hem made, [coruen] curuen IM. copes EIMS] coppes (wrongly) P.] And wenten as workmen · to weden and mowen; [weden—mowen] weden & to mowen E; wedyng and to mowyng IMS.]

Al for drede of here deþ · suche dyntes ȝaf [hunger.] [Al] And I. [hunger IEMGS] P om.] Blynde and brokeleggede · he botnede a þousande, Line 188 And lame men he lechede · with longen of bestes. [lame] alle lame M. lechede] lechnede M. with] wit P. longen] loungen E; longes IMSG.] Preestes and oþer peple · to peers þei drowen, [to] toward I.] And freres [of] alle fyue ordres · al for fere of hunger. [And] M om. [of alle ESG] alle þe IM; and alle P. fyue] foure M. al] and al M.] For þat þat was bake for bayarde · was bote for menye hungry, [þat þat] þat IMG.] Line 192 Drosenes and dregges · drynke for menye beggeres. [Drosenes] Drowsen M; Drousin G. drynke MISG] was drynke E; drenke P.] Þer was [no] lad þat lyuede · þat ne lowede hym to peers, [A page 84] [[was no ISG] ne was no M; nas E; was P; see l. 201. lad] lede I. ne] he ne M.] To be hus hole hewe · þauh he hadde no more [hole] hool S; holde IEG; hold M. hewe I] hywe P; hyne EMSG.] Line 195 Bute lyf-lode for hus labour · and hus loue at nones. [loue] mete M; lof G; PEIS seem to have loue, not lone; cf. l. 287.] Tho was peers ful proude · and putte hem alle to werke, [G omits. peers] perkyn M. ful] I om. to werke] a-werke IS.] In daubyng and in deluyng · in donge a-feld berynge, [and in] and M. a-feld] afelde EI; on feld M.] In þresshynge, in þecchynge · in thwytynge of pynnes, [of] S om.] And alle kynne trewe craft · þat man couthe deuyse. [And] In IM. couthe] can S.] Was no beggere so bolde · bote yf he blynde were, Line 201 Þat dorst with-sitte þat peeres seyde · for fere of syre hunger. [with-sitte] wit-sitte P.] And peers was proud þer-of · and putte hem alle to swynke, [swynke IEMSG] swynge P.] And ȝaf hem mete and monye · as þey myght deseruen. Tho hadde peers pite · of alle poure puple, [of] vp-on I; on M. alle] alle þe M.] Line 205 And bad hunger [in] haste · hyhe out of contre [[in IEMSG] on P. hyhe] hye E; hiȝe M; hie him IS; hien G.]

Home in-to his owen erthe · and halde hym þer euere— [erthe] erd S; ȝerde I. þer euere] þerinne I.] "For ich am wel awreke · of wastours þorw þy myghte. [For] I om. awreke] awroke I. of] on M.] Ac ich praye þe," quaþ peers · "hunger, er þow wende, Of beggers and of bydders · what best be to done? [and of] and IM. best be] be best S; is best M.] Line 210 For ich wot wel, be þou went · worche þei wolle ful ylle; [B page 104] [þou] hungur I.] Meschief hit makeþ · thei ben so meke nouthe, Line 212 And for defaute þis folke · folwen my hestes. Hit is no þyng for loue · thei labour þus faste, [no—loue] noght for loue, leue it I. thei] þat þey S.] Bote for fere of famyn · in faith," seide peers; "Ys no final loue with þis folke · for al here faire speche; [Ys] Þer is IM. final] so PG; fynel E; feyþful S; filial I; lel M. with] wit P.] Line 216 And hit [ben] my blody broþren · for god bouhte vs alle. [hit] þei M. [ben EM] beþ S; aren PG; are I; see l. 52.] Treuthe tauhte me ones · to louye hem echone, And helpen hem of alle þyng · ay as hem nedeþ. [helpen] to helpe I. ay] euere M.] Now wolde ich wite, or þow wentest · what were þe beste, [wolde ich] y wulde S. wite] white P. wentest] wendist I. what] wat P.] Line 220 How ich myghte a-maistren hem · to louye and laboure [and] and to IM.] For here lyflode; · lere me, syre hunger." [lyflode] owne liflode S. lere] lern M. me] me now I.] "Now herkne," quaþ hunger · "and hold hit for a wysdome; [A page 85] Bolde beggeres and bygge · þat mowe here bred by|swynke, [Bolde] And bolde P; but IMSEG omit And. and bygge] þat begge I.] Line 224 With houndes bred and hors-bred · hele hem when þei hungren, And a-bane hem with benes · for bollynge of here wombe. [And] ISG om. bollynge] bolnyng M. wombe] wombes M.]

And yf þe gromes grucche · bid hem go swynke, [þe] þo S. go] go and IM.] And he shal soupe þe swettere · when he hath deserued. [þe] IMG om. when] wen P. hath] it haþ I; haþ hit MG.] And yf þow fynde eny folke · wham false men han apaired, [And] Ac MIG. wham] wam P; þat I. men] folc M. han] haþ M; haue SG.] Line 229 Comforte hem with þy catel · for so comaundeþ treuthe; Loue hem and lene hem · so lawe of kynde wolde;

Alter alterius onera portate.

[so] and so I.] And alle manere men · þat þow myght aspye [men] of men IMG.] Line 232 In meschief oþer in mal-ese · and þow mowe hem helpe, Loke by þy lyf · let hem nouht for-fare. [Loke] Loke þow M.] Yf þow hast wonne ouht wickeliche · wisliche dispende hit;

Facite uobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis." [hast] haue M. ouht] auȝt S; I om. wickeliche] wickedlich EIG; wickedly S; wrongfulli M. dispende hit] þow hit spende M.] [B page 105]

"Ich wolde nat greuye god," quaþ peers · "for al þe good on erthe; [wolde—greuye] wul not greue S. on] in IG.] Line 236 Myghte ich synneles do as þou seist?" seide peers plouhman. [A page 86] [synneles do] do synneles S. peers] pieres þe I.] "Ȝe, ich by-hote þe," quaþ hunger · "oþer elles þe byble lyeþ; Go to oure by-gynnynge · þo god þe worlde made, As wise men han ywryte · and as wittnesseþ genesis, [ywryte] ywritte E; writen M; wrytun S; y-writen I. as] I om.] That seith, with swynke and with swot · and swetynge face [seith] seiþ þat M. face] faces M.] Line 241 By-tulye and by-trauaile · treuly oure lyf-lode;

In labore & sudore uultus tui uesceris pane tuo.

[By-tulye] By-tilye S; Bi|telede M; By tillyng E; By-tuyl G. by-trauaile] bi-traueilede M. oure] his M. & sudore] I om.] And salamon þe sage · with þe same acordeþ,

The slowe caytyf for colde · wolde no corn tulye; [wolde] he wolde I. tulye] tily E; teliȝe M; tilye I; tylie G.] Line 244 In somere for hus slewthe · he shal haue defaute, And gon abrybeþ and beggen · and no man bete hus hunger.

Piger propter frigus noluit arare; mendicabit in hyeme & non dabitur ei.

[abrybeþ] abribeth I; abribed E; a-bribid G; a-boute M. beggen] abeggeth I; a-begged G. Piger] I om. hyeme] estate (!) E.] [243—246. S omits.] Matheu makeþ mencion · of a man þat lente Hus seluer to þre manere men · and menynge þat þei sholde [þre] þe þre I. and] so PEIG; in M; S om. þat] I om.] Line 248 Chaffare and cheeue þer-with · in chele and in hete; [chele] chelde E.] And he þat best laborede · best was alowed, [laborede] laboureþ E. alowed] alowede P.] And leders for here laborynge · ouere al þe lordes goodes. [ouere] of M.] Ac he þat was a wrecche · and wolde nat trauayle, The lord, for hus lacchesse · and hus luþer sleuthe, [and] and for M.] By-nom hym al þat he hadde · and ȝaf hit to hus felawe [B page 106] [to] M om.] That leely hadde labored; · and þenne þe lord seide, 'He þat hath shal haue · and helpe þer hym lykeþ; And he þat nauht haueþ · he shal nauht haue, [haueþ] so PESG; haþ IM.] Line 257 And no man ȝut helpe hym; · and þat he weneþ haue, [A page 87] [G omits. haue] to haue S.] Ich wolle hit hym by-reue · for hus rechelesnesse.' [

257—259. I has—

And he þat noght haþ schal noght haue · & no man ȝit helpith hym,

And þat he weneþ wel to haue · I wil it him byreue.

So M, which reads nout schal haue · and no man him helpe, and omits wel.

] Lo! what þe sauter seiþ · to swynkers with handes, [Lo] And lo I.] 'Yblessed be alle þo · þat [here] by-lyue [by]swynken [[here IG] heore M; hure S; he (by mistake) P; E om. by-lyue] bileue IS. [byswynken E] byswyn|kuþ S; bi-swynken M; by-swinkin G; byswynkeþ I; swynken P. here—byswynken] lyueþ byswynken (sic) E.] Þorw eny leel labour · as þorgh lymes and handes;' Line 262

Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis; [beatus es, et bene tibi erit:] & cetera.

[leel] M om. þorgh] wiþ M. [beatus—erit] in S only.] Line 262 These aren euydences," quath hunger · "for hem þat wolle nat swynken, [These] Theese P (and in l. 265). aren] ben EMS. wolle nat] nylleþ nout M.] That here lyflode be lene · and lytel worth here cloþes." [be lene] bileue E; bi-leuen M.] "By cryst," quaþ peers plouhman þo · "þese pro|uerbes wolle ich shewe [peers] peres þe I. þo] M om. þese—ich] þis prouerbe I wol I. wolle ich] M om.] Line 265 To beggers, and to boyes · þat loth ben to worche. [To] For M (twice).] Ac ȝut ich praye ȝow," quath peers · "pur charite, syre hunger, [Ac] And M. ȝow] þe M. pur] for M.] Ȝyf ȝe can oþer knowe · eny kynne þynge of fysyk? [Here S has lost 8 leaves, down to xi. 94. This portion is collated with G throughout.] [kynne] MG om. þynge] þinges I.] For some of my seruauns · and my-selue boþe, Line 269 Of alle a woke worchen nat · so oure wombe groneþ." "Ich wot wel," quath hunger · "what syknesse ȝow aileþ; Ȝe haue manged ouere muche · þat makeþ ȝow be syke. [be] to be M.] Ac eet nat, ich hote · or hunger þe take, [or] er IG; or ich E.] Line 273 And sende [þe] of hus sauce · to sauerie with thi lippes. [[þe IMG] PE om. hus] my E.] And kep som til soper tyme · and sitte nauht to longe [A page 88] [At noon, ne at no time; · and nameliche at soper] [B page 107] [From M; also in IG; PE omit.] Let nat syre sorfait · sitten at þy borde, [nat] no I.] Line 277 And loke þow drynke no day · er þou dyne som-what. [dyne] ete M.] Þenk þat diues for hus delicat lyf · to þe deuel wente, [Þenk] And þenke I. hus] M om.] And lazar, þe lene beggere · þat longed after cromes— And ȝut had he hem nat · for ich hunger culde hym— [hem] his (sic) I. ich] þulke E. culde] lette G.] And sitthe ich sauh hym sitte · as he a syre were, [sitthe] suþ E. a syre] a|fuyre (!!) E.] Line 282

Line 282 At alle manere ese · in abrahammes lappe. [At] In I. in] and in I.] And yf þow be of power · peers, ich þe rede, [be—power] þe pore (sic) I. þe] M om.] Line 284 Alle þat greden at þy gate · for godes loue, after fode, [greden at] grat in I.] Parte with hem of þy payn · of potage oþer of souel, [with] wit P. oþer] and M.] Lene hem som of þy loof · þauh þou þe lasse chewe. [loof] lof EM; loue I.] And þauh lyers and lacchedrawers · and lolleres knocke, [lolleres] loreles M.] Let hem abyde tyl þe bord be drawe · ac bere hem none cromes, Line 289 Til alle þyn nedy neihebores · haue none ymaked. [none] noon M; noen I.] And yf þow dyght þe þus · ich dar legge myn eres, [dyght] diote M; diete G.] Þat fysyk shal hus forrede hodes · for hus fode sulle, [hodes] hood M.] And hus cloke of calabre · for hus comunes legge, And be fayn, by my faith · his fysyk to lete, Line 294 And lerne [to] labore with londe · leste lyflode hym faile. [[to IM] PEG om. londe] hond G. hym] hem I.] Ther aren meny luþere leches · and leele leches fewe, [aren] ben EM. and] ac IMG.] Thei don men deye þorgh here drynkes · er destyne hit wolde." Line 297 "By seynt paul," quath peers þo · "thou poyntest neih þe treuthe, [þo] IMG om. treuthe] soþe IM.] And leelly seist, as ich leue · lord þe for-ȝelde! [þe] it þe I; hit þe G.] Wend now whenne þou wolt · and wel be þow euere, [whenne] wenne P; wher I. be þow] þou be I.] For þow hast wel ywroke me · and also wel ytauht me." [ywroke] awroke M; I-wreke I; awreke EG. ytauht me] me taut M.] "Ich by-hote þe," quaþ hunger · "þat hennes nel ich wende [nel] ne wil I.] Line 302 Er ich haue y-dyned by þys day · and y-dronke boþe!" [y-dyned] dyned EMG.] "Ich haue no peny," quath peers · "polettes for to bigge, [polettes] boteles M.]

Noþer goos noþer grys · bote two grene cheses, [Noþer] Ne noþer G. noþer] ne IM.] Line 305 A fewe croddes and creyme · and a cake of otes, [A] And a I.] And bred for my barnes · of benes and of peses. [A page 89] [B page 108] And ȝut ich sey, by my saule · ich haue no salt bacon; [sey] saide I.] Nouht a cokeney, by cryst · colhoppes to make, [Nouht a] Ne no IG. colhop|pes] so PEMS; coloppes IG.] Line 309 Ac ich haue porett-plontes · perselye and scalones, [porett-plontes] porettys plontys G. perselye] percile M.] Chiboles and chiruylles · and chiries sam-rede, [chiruylles M] cheryuylles E; chiruulles I; chirueylles P; chiriuelles G. sam-rede] sam-ripe M.] And a cow with a calf · and a cart mare, [with] & G.] Line 312 To drawe a feld my donge · þe whyle drouth lasteþ. [þe] G om. whyle] wyle P. drouth] þe droghte I; deþþe M.] By þis lyflode we mote lyue · tyl lammasse tyme; [By] And by IG.] And by þat, ich hope to haue · heruest in my crofte; [crofte] croftes I.] Thenne may I dyghte þy dyner · as me dere lykeþ." [þy] my I.] Alle þe poure puple þo · peescoddes fetten; [þe] G om. þo] I om.] Line 317 Benes and baken apples · thei brouhte in here lappes, [baken apples] bacon, appeles G. thei brouhte] M om. lappes] lappe IG.] And profrede peers this present · to plese þer-with hunger. [this] þat M. þer-with] wiþ MI; wiþ syre G.] Hunger eet al in haste · and askede after more; Line 320 Poure folke for fere þo · fedde hunger ȝerne [þo] þey I.] With creym and with croddes · with carses and oþer herbes. [carses] crasses M; cresses I.] By that yt neihed heruest · and newe corn com to chepyng, [neihed] neȝhed neyh I. chep|yng GEIMS] chipynge P.] Thenne was þis folke feyn · and fedde hunger deynte|uosliche, [A page 90] [Thenne] And þanne IG. was þis] I om. hunger] hem M. deyn|tcuosliche] denteuousliche ME; deyn|tifliche I; deyntfulliche G.] Line 324

Line 324 And gloton þo with good ale · gerte hunger to slepe. [gloton þo] þan glotoun IG. to] IM om.] Tho wolde wastour nat worche · bote wandrede aboute, [B page 109] [Tho] And þo I. wandrede] wandren I.] Noþer beggere eete bred · þat benes were ynne, [Noþer] Ne no IG. were ynne] Inne were I.] Line 327 Bote clerematyn and Coket · and of clene whete; [Bote] But of I. and] and þat M.] Thei wolde non halpeny ale · in none wyse drynke, [Thei wolde] Ne IG.] Bote of þe best and Brounest · þat brewesters sellen. [and] and þe M; & of þe I. brewesters] ale-wiuys G.] Laboreres þat han no londe · to lyuen on bote here handes Line 331 Deyned [noght] to dyne a day · nyght-olde wortes. [[noght I] PEMG om. Cf. B|text. nyght] of nyȝt G.] May no peny ale hem paye · ne a pece of bacon, [paye] serue E. a] no IG.] Bote hit be freesch fleesch oþer fysch · fried oþer ybake, [freesch] I om.] And þat chaud and pluschaud · for chillyng of here mawe. Bote he be heyliche yhyred · elles wol he chide, [Bote] And but I.] Line 336 That he was a werkman ywroght · waryen þe tyme; [That] And þat I. a] IMG om. waryen] warieþ I.] Corteis Catones consail · comseth he by-grucche, [Corteis] Aȝens I; G om. com|seth he] bi-comseþ he to M. by|grucche] to grucche IG.] Paupertatis onus · pacienter ferre memento. And þenne he corseþ þe kyng · and alle þe kynges Iustices, [And] M om.] Line 340 Suche lawes to lere · laborers to greue. [lere] lerne I.] Ac while hunger was here mayster · wolde non chide, [B page 110] [while] wile P; whiles I. wolde] þer wolde I; þer ne wolde M.] Ne stryue a-ȝens þe statute · he lokede so sturne. [þe] his IG. statute] stat G. he lokede] ne loke (wrongly) M.] Ac ich warne ȝow werkmen · wynne whyle ȝe mowe, [A page 91] [whyle] whiles I; wyle P.] For hunger hyderwardes · hyeþ hym faste; [hyeþ] hasteþ I. hyeþ—faste] fast hym hyeþ E.] Line 345 He shal awake þorw water · wasters to chaste.

Ar fewe ȝeres be fulfilled · famyne shal aryse, [Ar] Or E; Er M; And ar I.] And so seith saturnus · and sent ȝow to warne. [And] An P. saturnus] satur|nes M; saturne I. ȝow] vs I; ous G. warne] warnyng M.] Line 348 Þorwe flodes and foule wederes · frutes shullen faile, [and] and þorgh I.] Pruyde and pestilences · shal muche puple fecche. [Pruyde] Prude E; Pride IM. pestilences] pestelences P.] Thre shupes and a shaft · with an vm. folwyng, [shupes] schypes I; schippes M. shaft] schaeff I. an vm] a vin M. vm] so PE; I seems to have .viij. Crowley quotes this line thus—Three shyppes and a shefe, wyth an eight folowynge; see Pref. B. xxxiv.] Line 351 Shal brynge bane and bataile · on bothe half þe mone. [ll. 351-352. G omits.] And þanne shal deþ with-drawe · and derthe be Iustice, And dawe þe deluere · deye for defaute, Bote god of hus goodnesse · graunte ous a trewe. [Bote] Bot ȝif IG. hus] E om. trewe] truwe E; treuþe M.] Line 355

Hic explicit passus nonus. [So PG; so also E, omitting Hic.]