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.)

Hic incipit visio Willelmi de Petro Plouhman.

[PASSUS I.] [

OBS. P = MS. Phillips (the text); E = MS. Laud 656; I = MS. Il|chester; M = MS. Cotton (Brit. Museum); F = MS. Camb. Ff. 5. 25; G = MS. Camb. Dd. 3. 13; S = MS. Corpus (Camb.); B = Bodley 814, &c. See Preface.

A dagger (†) in a sidenote marks passages peculiar to the C-text.

]

IN a somere seyson · whan softe was þe sonne, [A page 1] [B page 1] Y shop [me] in-to shrobbis · as y [a] shepherde were, [[me MFS] PE om. shrobbis] schrubbes FS. [a MFSE] P om. as—were] a schepard as I were F.] In Abit as an Ermite · vnholy of werkes, [Abit] an abijt M. as] of M. of] of his F.] Ich wente forth in þe worlde · wonders to hure, [Ich wente] Wente i M; Ich wende E. worlde] miswritten worle P.] Line 4 And sawe meny cellis · and selcouthe þynges. [And] I M. cellis] celles E; selles MF; sellys S.] Ac on a may morwenyng · on Maluerne hulles [on] in MF.] Me byfel for to slepe · for weyrynesse of wandryng; [for] M om. wandryng] walk|yng M. F has—Me be-fel a ferly · a fayr-eye me þouȝt (cf. B-text).] And in a launde as ich lay · lenede ich and slepte, [And] M om. lenede ich] i lenede a-doun M.] Line 8 And Merueylously me mette · as ich may ȝow telle; [And] M om. Merueylously] meruayles F. me mette] i mette M; mette of F. may] schal M.] Al þe welþe of þis worlde · & þe woo boþe, [Al] Of al MF. F transposes welþe and woo. worlde] so in E; world MF; wordle PS. See note to l. 13.] Wynkyng as it were · wyterly ich saw hyt, Of tryuþe & of tricherye · of tresoun and of gyle, [tricherye—tresoun] tresoun · trichery F. of tresoun] treson SM. of gyle] gile MFS.] Line 12

Line 12 Al ich saw slepynge · as ich shal ȝow telle. [This line follows l. 10 in M. telle] schewe M.] Esteward ich byhulde · after þe sonne, [byhulde] lokede M. after] an hy to F.] And sawe a toure, as ich trowede · truthe was þer-ynne; [And] I M. trowede] trowe F.] Westwarde ich waitede · in a whyle after, [waitede] awayted E; bihuld M. whyle] written wyle P.] Line 16 And sawe a deep dale · deþ, as ich lyuede, [deþ] with deþ F. lyuede] leue MFS.] Wonede in þo wones · and wyckede spiritus. [Wonede] þat woned F. þo] þat MF; þe S. and] with F. spiri|tus] gostus F.] A fair feld, ful of folke · fonde ich þer bytwyne, [A page 2] [B page 2] [ful] so in l. 23; here (and in l. 22) written fol.] Alle manere of men · þe mene & þe ryche, [Alle] Of al MF.] Line 20 Worchynge and wandrynge · as þe worlde askeþ. Somme putte hem to plow · and pleiden ful seylde, [putte] so in E; putten M; put F; written pute P; cf. l. 25. ful] but F.] In settyng and in sowyng · swonken ful harde, [sowyng] so in ESM; sowing F; written sawyng P. in] F om.] Line 23 And wonne þat þuse wasters · with glotenye destroyeþ. [with] written wit P. de|stroyeþ] destroyeth F; destruyeþ; distryeþ P; destreiȝen M; destreyen S.] Somme putte hem to pruyde · & parailede hem þer-after, [&] F om. parailede] appa|railed F; a-pareileþ M.] In contenaunce & in cloþynge · in Meny kynne gyse; [contenaunce] so in M; cun|tynaunce F; contenuance P. & in] & F; of MS. kynne] kin F; kynnes M.] In praiers & in penaunces · putten hem Manye, [praiers—penaunces] penaunce and preieres M. in penaunces] pe|naunce F.] Al for þe loue of oure lorde · [lyueden] ful harde, [Al] & F; M om. [lyueden ES] liueden M; leuede F; lyuend P.] Line 28 In hope to haue a gode ende · & heuene-ryche Blysse; [a] MFS om. gode] so in F; goode E; god M; goud P.] As ancres & Eremites · þat holden hem in hure cellys, [As] And F. ancres] ankryes M; hankers E. hure] here EF; M om.] Coueytynge noȝt in contrees · to carien a-boute [Coueytynge] Coueytyng E; þei coueiten M; & coueiteth F; Coueyten S. carien] karien E; cayren F; caren S.] For no lykerouse lyflode · hure lykame to plese. Line 32 And somme chosen cheffare · þey [cheuede] þe betere, [þey] and M. [cheuede] cheffede P; but observe cheued S; cheueued (sic) E; cheuyd F: preueden M.]

As hit semeþ to oure syght · þat soche men þryueþ. [to] in M. þryueþ] schulde M.] And somme murthes to make · as mynstrals conneþ, [as—conneþ] mynstralles be|comyth F.] Þat wollen neyþer swynke ne swete · bote swery grete oþes, [þat] M om. wollen] nollen E. neyþer] nouȝt M; nauȝt F. ne] no F. swery] swerie E; swere MFS.] Line 36 And fynde vp foule fantesyes · and foles hem maken, [And] þei M. foule] M om.] And hauen witte at wylle · to worche yf þey wolde. Þat Paul prechiþ of hem · prouen hit ich myghte, [A page 3] [þat] And þat M. prouen] preuen MFSE.] Qui turpiloquium loquitur · ys lucyfers knaue. [B page 3] [turp. loq.] transposed in MF.] Line 40 Bydders and Beggers · faste a-boute ȝoden, [ȝoden] ȝede MF; ȝeden SE.] Tyl hure bagge and hure bely · were bretful ycrammyd, [bagge] bagges M. were] was MS. bretful MFE] bredful P; bre|ful S. ycrammyd] i-fulled M.] Faytynge for hure fode · and fouhten atten Ale. [atten Ale] atte nale FSE; at þe ale M.] In glotenye, [god wot] · goth þey to bedde, [[god wot MF] tho gomes PS; tho wrecches E. goth] gon MFS; go E. goth—bedde] þei gon to here beddes F.] Line 44 And aryseþ with ribaudrie · tho Roberdes knaues; [aryseþ] rysen F; rysuþ S. with] with FSE; vp wiþ M; wit P. ribaudrie] ribaudiȝe M; ribawdie F. tho] þes M; as F.] Slep & synful sleuthe · seweþ suche euere. [seweþ suche] foleweþ hem M.] Pylgrimis & palmers · plyȝhten hem to-gederes, [plyȝhten] putten F.] To seche seint Iame · and seyntys of rome, [To] For to F. seche] written siche P; sechen E; seke MF. of] at M.] Line 48 Wenten forth in hure way · with meny vn-wyse tale[s], [Wenten] þey wente F; þei gon M. with] wit P. vn-wyse] wise M. tales MF] talus S; tale PE.] And hauen leue to lye · al hure lyf-tyme. [hauen leue] goten a licence F. lyf-tyme] lif aftur M.] Eremytes on an hep · with hokede staues, Wenten to walsyngham · and hure wenches after; Line 52 Grete lobies and longe · [þat] loth were to swynke, [Grete] Large M; Lothly F. [þat M] & PFSE.] Cloþede hem in copis · to be knowe fro oþere, [Cloþede] þei cloþid F. knowe] i-knowe MF; yknowe E.]

And made hem-selue Eremytes · hure eise to haue. [1—55. missing in I; 1—153. miss|ing in G.] [selue] silue P; silf E; self MF.] Ich fond þer frerus · alle þe foure ordres, [OBS. Here begins the Ilchester MS. (I). Ich—þer] þer fond i M. frerus] þe freres FE; of freres IS. ulle] of alle M.] Line 56 Prechynge þe peple · for profit of þe wombe, And glosynge þe godspel · as hem good lykede; [And glosynge] þay glosen I; And glosen M; & glosede F. god|spel] so in E; gospel IMFS. good lykede] self lyken M; good liken I.] For couetise of copes · contrariede som doctors. [A page 4] [som] here F. contrariede, &c.] construed as þay wolde I.] Meny of þis maistres · of mendinant freres, [of—freres] may cloþe hem ful warme I; ben meinteinours of freres M.] Line 60 Hure monye & marchaundise · marchen to-gederes; [B page 4] [Hure] For heore M; þan I. marchen] meten ofte I; marchaundeþ M.] Ac sutth charite hath be chapman · and chef to shryue lordes, [Ac sutth] & suþ E; Seth F; Sith I. hath be] was I.] Many ferlies han fallen · in a fewe ȝeres; [ferlies] merueiles M; wondres E.] Bote holy churche & charite · choppe a-doun swich shryuers, [Bot charite and holy chirch · halde hem bet togideres I. choppe a-doun] chaste F.] Line 64 Þe moste myschif [on] molde · Mounteþ vp faste. [[on IFS] of PME. molde] þis world M. Mounteþ] is mountyng IF.] Ther preched a pardoner · as he a prest were, [Ther preched] þo prechede þere F.] And brouȝte forþ a bulle · with bisshopis seles, [And] I om. brouȝte M] brouȝt F; broght IS; broȝte E; broute P. bulle] brod bulle I.] And seide þat hym-selue · myȝte asoilie hem alle [And] He MFSE. þat] surely I. hym-selue] he M. myȝte] myȝthe P.] Line 68 Of falsnesse of fastinges · of vowes to-broke. [fastinges] fastyng IF; faitynge M. of] and of I. vowes] foues S. to-broke] I-broke F; broken I.] Lewede men lyuede hym wel · and likeden hus wordes, [Lewede—hym] þe lewed folc it leued I. wel] S om. wordes] speche IM.] Comen & kneleden · to kyssen his bulles; [Comen—kneleden] þei comen vp knelende I; Comen knelyng M; & comen vp knelyng F. to kyssen] and kissed IF; and cusseden M.]

He blessede hem with hus [breuet] · and blerede hure eye[n], [blessede] bunched I. [breuet IM] blastes F; bulles (prob. repeated by accident) PE; bulle S. eyen F] eyȝen M; yen S; eye PE.] Line 72 And raghte with hus rageman · rynges and Broches. [And] He M. hus] þat M. rynges—Broches] brochus & rynges FS. and] an P.] Thus ȝe ȝeueþ ȝoure golde · glotones to helpe, [ȝe—ȝoure] now gif ȝe ȝour I; ȝe ȝeuen ȝoure M; gaf good men here F.] And leneþ it to loreles · þat lecherie haunten. [leneþ] lenes I; leued F. loreles] losels I. haunten] hauntes I; hauntede F.] Were þe bisshop blessid · oþer worth boþe hus eren, [Were] But were F. oþer] or IFS; and M. eren] so in SM; eres IF; eyen E.] Line 76 Hus sele sholde noȝt be sent · in deceit of þe puple. [sholde] ne schulde M; were I. be—of] set so to ceyue I; be sende in the siȝt of E.] Ac it ys noȝt by þe bysshop · þat þe boye precheþ, [Ac] F om.] Þe parsheprest and þe pardoner · parten þe seluer, [A page 5] [þe] Bute þe M. parsheprest] prest F. pardoner] he M. parten] departen M.] Þat poore puple in parshes · sholde haue, yf þei ne were. [78—80. I omits.] [poore—parshes] þe pore peple in þe paressches S; þe pore peple in parshes E; þe pore in the parsche M; þe peple F. yf] hit ȝif M.] Persones & parsheprestes · pleynede to þe bisshop, [& parsheprestes] þer presed fast and I; & prestus F. pleynede] playneþ M.] Line 81 Þat hure parshen[s] ben poore · sitthe þe pestelence tyme, [parshens] parschones M; pares|schenes S; parischenes E; parisshes I; parische F; parshen P. ben] beþ E; were IM; was F. þe] IMF om.] To haue licence & leue · in londone to dwelle, [To—leue] My lorde, graunte vs license I. in] at IM.] And synge þer for symonye · [for] seluer ys swete. [And] To IM; For to E. þer for] by F. [for IMF] þe wyle P; þe whyles E; whyle S.] Line 84 Bisshopes and bachilers · boþe maisters and doctors, [boþe] M om. doctors] oþere F.] Þat han cure vnder cryst · and crownynge in tokne, [B page 5] [crownynge] ben crouned M. and—tokne] cristendome to kepe F. in tokne] to kenne S.] Ben chargid with holy churche · charyte to tulie, [Ben] Beþ E; & F. with] wit P; in F.] Þat is, leel loue and lif · a-mong lered and lewed; Line 88

Line 88 Thei lyen in londone · in lentene, and elles. [lyen FS] lien E; leyen P; liggen M. in (1)] at F.] Somme seruen þe kynge · and hus seluer tellen, [Somme] And summe F.] In þe chekkere and þe chauncelrie · chalengynge hus dettes, [In þe] At þe M; In F. and] and in M. þe (2)] FS om. chaleng|ynge] chalengeþ M.] Of wardes & of wardemotes · wayues and strayues. [&] M om. of] FS om. strayues] so in MFE; strayuus S.] Line 92 Somme aren as seneschals · and seruen oþere lordes, And ben in stede of stywardes · and sitten & demen. [85—94. I omits.] [And ben] Summe arn M. and (1)] M om.] Concience cam & acusede hem · and þe comune hit herde, [&] F om. cam &] I om. &—hem] to þe kyng M. acusede] cursed E. hit herde] herde hit PE; but MFS have hit herde.] And seide, "ydolatrie ȝe soffren · in sondrye places menye, Line 96 And boxes ben [broght] forþ · [I-]bounden with yre, [And—ben] ȝoure boxes be F. [broght I] y-set PME; sette F; set S. Ibounden] ybounden E; i-bounde MF; bounden PSI. yre] so in FE; iren M; ire S; Irne I.] To vnder-take þe tol · of vntrewe sacrifice. [tol] so in IMFS; tolle E; tool P.] In menynge of miracles · muche wex [þer hangeþ]; [[þer hangeþ MFI] hongeþ þere PSE.] Al þe world wot wel · hit myȝte nat be trywe: [world MFEI] wordle P.] Line 100 Ac for it profitiþ ȝow to porswarde · ȝe prelates soffren [Ac—ȝow] But hit profijte ȝow M; Ac for it profiteþ FS; For profyt in I. soffren] it suffre F; of holi chirche (badly) M.] Þat lewede men in mysbylyue · leuen & deien. [Þat] Þat þe E. leuen] boþe leuen F.] Ich lyue wel, by oure lorde · for loue of ȝoure couetyse, [wel] M om. ȝoure] owre S; F om.] Þat al þe world be þe wors; · as holy wryt telleþ [world] so in MF; worlde ISE; miswritten wolde P. wryt IS] writ F; wryȝt P; wriȝt M; write E.] Line 104 What cheste, & meschaunce · to [þe] children of israel, [to] come to M. [þe IMFS] PE om.] Ful on hem þat free were · þorwe two false preestes. [

Ful] Fil F; Fel E. þorwe] for FS.

OBS. The want of alliteration shews that the true form of ll. 107—123 is lost; but we may conjecture what it was from the portion of it preserved in Lord Ilchester's MS., which is as follows:—

For þe synne of Offyn · and Fynees his broþer,

þat beten were in bataile · and losten archa domini;

And for þair sire soeffrede · þe sennes þat þey wroght,

And chastised not his children · of her euel chekkes,

[Two lines lost?]

He stombled doun fro his stool · in stede þer he sat,

And brak his nekke-bon in tuo · for so þe book telleþ.

[One line lost?]

For þay were prestes vnpure · peres of holy chirche,

Wrong on þe wrecches · wroken was þe harder.

For-þy ȝou prelates I preche · and peres of holy chirche,

Þat soeffre men do sacrifice · and sory mawmets [honoure]

And ȝe her gyours vnder god · schulde don hem go[od worchen,]

Beþ war I warne ȝow witterly · for god wol wr[aþþen hym,]

And sende sorwe on ȝour-self · sad|lier to falle

Þan fel on Offyn or Fynees · or on her fader awther.

]

For þe synne of ophni · and of finéés hus brother, [þe—ophni] ophinies sunne M; ofnyes synne FS. of (2)] MFS om. finees] phynyes E.] Þei were disconfit in bataille · and losten Archa dei; [disconfit] discunfited M; dis|cumfytud S; discumfort F.] And, for hure syre sauh hem syngen · and soffrede hem don ille, [And] M om. for] fore P. syre] fader (wrongly) M. sauh] si M; sawe F; say S. syngen] synge F; synne M; synny E; synewe S (syngen = sin is not uncommon in O.E.). don] to do S.] Line 109 And noȝt chasted hem þer-of · and wolde noȝt rebukie hem, [wolde] nolde M. rebukie hem] hem rebuke M.] A-non, as it was ytold hym · þat þe children of israel Weren disconfit in bataille · and Archa dei ylore, [disconfit] discumfited S; dis|cunfited M; discumfit F.] Line 112 And hus sones slayen · anon he ful for sorwe [slayen] weren i-slayn M; boþe sleyn F; yslayn E. anon—sorwe] for sorwe he fil to grounde F.] Fro hus chaire þare he sat · and brak hus necke a-tweyne. [chaire] se F (but chaire, pro|nounced shair, answers the allitera|tion). brak] barst F. a-tweyne] on twynne M; a-twey E.] And al was for veniaunce · þat he but noȝt hus chil|dren; [þat] M om. but] so in M; bet F; beet S; bete E. but noȝt] ne bete E.] Line 115 And for þey were preestes · and men of holychurche,

God was wel þe wroþer · and tok þe raþere veniaunce. [wel] M om. It greued god more greuously · veniaunce gret to take F.] For-þi ich seȝe, ȝe preestes · and men of holychurche, [For-þi FS] For-whi M; For þat E; For þei P. seȝe] seiȝe M; seye FS; sey E. ȝe] ȝow M. men] prelatus F (which improves the allite|ration).] Þat soffren men do sacrifice · and worshepen Mau|mettes, [worshepen Maumettes] sewe mawmetrye F; mawmetes honoure M.] Line 119 And ȝe sholde be here fadres · and techen hem betere, [And] M om. F varies; see note below.] God shal take veniaunce · [on] Alle swiche preestes [[on SM] in PE. preestes] fadres M.] Wel harder and grettere · on suche shrewede faderes, [faderes] prestes M.] Þan euere he dude on ophni · and finéés, or [on] here fader, [euere] M om. and] or M. [on MS] in PE.] Line 123 For ȝoure shrewede suffraunce · and ȝoure owene synne. [shrewede] wickede M.] Ȝoure masse & ȝoure matynes · and meny of ȝoure houres [B page 5] [

121—125. F omits. The whole passage (117—126) is shorter and better in F, as follows:—

For-þi I seye, ȝe prestus · & prelatus of holy churche,

Þat suffre men do sacrifise · & sewe mawmetrye,

& ȝe schul fader hem fro þe fende · to folwe goddus wille,

For ȝe do nat ȝoure deuer · drede is at þe laste, &c.

] [masse] masses M.] Line 125 Aren don vndeuotlich · drede ys at þe laste Leste crist in hus constorie · of ȝow a-corse menye. [Leste] F om. a-corse] a-curce M; acorsy E. of—a-corse] curse of ȝow I.] Ich parceuede of þe power · þat peter hadde to kepe, [Ich—of] þo parceyued I of F. of] þer M.] To bynden and vnbynden · as þe boke telleþ, [To] For to F. and] and to IMSE.] How he [hit lefte] with loue · as oure lorde wolde, [[hit lefte M] it lefte F; lofte PE; hit lost S; lefte it I. with] wit P.] Line 130 Amonges foure vertues · most vertuose of vertues, [vertues (2)] oþere F.] That cardinales ben callid · and closynde ȝates, [ben] beþ F; hem M. clos|ynde] closyng IFE; closede þe M; closynge þe S.] Ther crist is in kyngdome · to closye with heuene. [in] in his M. closye] so in E; close SMF. heuene] þe heuene F.]

Ac of þe cardinales at court · þat [cauȝt] han such a name, [þe] M om. at] at þe M; of FE. þat—han S] þat chaut han P; han cauȝt hem M; þat cauȝt haue FI; þat kaȝt hem E. a] F om.] Line 134 And power presumen in hem-self · a pope to make, [And] An P. to] for to IFE.] To haue þe power þat peter hadde · repugnen ich nelle; [þe] M om. repugnen] in|pugnen FS; repuyne hem M.] For in loue and in letterure · lith þe grete eleccion; [

and in] and M; as F. þe grete] þe lawe of þat F.

After l. 137 I inserts—And he þat tolde me þis tale · to clergie was named.

] Countrepleide it noȝt," quath Conscience · "for holy churches sake." [quath] written quaht P; quod IMF. churches] chirche M; churche E.] Þanne cam þer a kyng · knyȝt-hod hym ladde, The muche myȝte of þe men · made hym to regne; [muche MF] meche P; moche S; myche E. þe] þo E. men] man F.] Line 140 And þanne cam kynde witte · & clerkus he made, [And þanne] þanne F; þer M. kynde] miswritten a kynde P; but see next line.] And conscience & kynde wit · and knyȝt-hod to-gederes [B page 6] [And] MF om. S omits last half of l. 141, and first half of l. 142.] Caste þat þe comune · sholde hure comunes fynde. Kyndewit & þe comune · contreuede alle craftes, [Kyndewit] þe kynde wit F.] Line 144 And for most [profit] to þe puple · a plouh þei gonne make, [And for] And as for þe S. [profit F] profijt M; profite E; pro|fytable PS. to—puple] of þe comune M. for—puple] so for proffit and prow I.] With leel labour to lyue · whyl [lif] and londe lasteth. [With] Wiþ MF; Wit P. whyl] wyl P. [lif MFS] lyue PE.] Than kynde wit to þe kyng · and to þe comune seide, "Crist kep þe, [sire] kyng · and þy kynryche, [kep] saue M. [sire MI] PFSE om. þy] þe F.] Line 148 And [leue] þe lede so þy londe · þat leaute þe louye, [[leue ISMFE] lyue P (lyue = leue = permit). so þy] to þe S. londe] reme F.] And for þy ryȝtful ruelyng · be rewardid in heuene." [þy] M om.] Conscience to cleregie · and to þe kyng saide, [I omits. Conscience] þo con|science F. cleregie] þe clergiȝe M.] Line 151 "Sum rex, sum princeps · [neutrum] fortasse deinceps; [[neutrum IMFSE] miswritten venturum P.]

O qui iura regis · christi specialia regis, Hoc vt agas melius · iustus, & esto pius! [Here MS. G begins.] Nudum ius a te · vestiri vult pietate, Qualia vis metere · talia grana sere; Line 156 Si seritur pietas · de pietate metas." [91—157. Most of these lines occur in I, folios 5 and 6; cf. note to l. 159.] Conscience and þe kyng · in-to þe court wenten, [A page 5] [B page 9] [Conscience] þe conscience F. and þe] to S. in-to] & to S. þe] EFG om.] Where houede an hondred · in houes of silke, [Here MS. I begins again, but is a mere jumble down to end of the Passus; it contains lines 84—95 of A-text, followed by 91—157 of C-text; and ends with lines 96—109 of A-text.] [Where] so in SMFGE; Wer P.] Seriauntes hij semede · þat seruen atte barre, [hij] hit MG. þat] to F. atte] so in GE; ate S; at þe MF; atte þe (wrongly) P.] Line 160 To plede for penyes · and poundes þe lawe, And nat for [loue of oure lord] · vnlose hure lyppe[s] ones. [B page 10] [And] M om. [loue of oure lord SMFGI] oure lordes loue PE. vnlose] open M. lyppes] so in MFGI; lyppe PSE.] Þow myȝt bet mete þe myst · on maluerne hulles, [myȝt] might I; myȝtest FGS; mitest M. bet] betere MFIG. þe] IF om.] Þan gete a mom of hure mouth · til moneye be hem shewid. [mom] word S. be] were G. hem] ISMFG om. shewid] i-schewed MG.] Line 164 Thanne ran þer a route · of ratones, as it were, [B page 7] [it were] i wene M.] And smale mys with hem · mo þan a þousand, [with] a-mong M. smale—hem] with hem smale mys F.] Come to on counsail · for hure comune profit; [Come] þat come F. on] o S; a MFG.] For a cat of a court · cam whan hym lykyde, [whan] so in SMFE; wen G; wanne P.] Line 168 And ouer-leep hem lyȝtlyche · and lauhte hem at wille, [lyȝtlyche] lyȝtlyiche P. at] at his M; alle atte G.] And pleide with hem periloslich · & putte hem þer hym lykyde:— [hem] some SFG.] "And if we grucche of hys game · he wol greue ous sarrer, [And] M om. of] M om. sarrer] so in S; sarre M; sorre G; þe sorere E; alle F.]

To hus clees clawen ows · and in hys cloches holde, [To] In-to M; And with S; & to F. clees] cleon S; cleos M; clawes FE. clawen] clawy G; clochen F. cloches] clawes G; campus F.] Line 172 Þat ous loþeth þe lyf · er he lete ows passe. [loþeth] shal loþe G. þe] oure M. er] or FES; ar G. (ous or ows = us.)] Myȝte we with eny wyt · hus wil with-sette, [Myȝte] But myȝt F. with] wiþ MFG; with ES; miswritten wit P. wyt SMFG] witt E; spelt wyȝt P. with-sette] to with-sette PEFS; but MG omit to. Cf. B-text.] We myȝte be lordes aloft · and lyue as vs luste." [myȝte be] were M. and] to M. luste MF] leste G; lusten (wrongly) PES.] Line 175 Tho saide a raton of renoun · most resonable of tonge, [resonable] resnable G; ren|able F.] "Ich haue yseie grete syres · in Cytees and in tounes Bere byȝes of bryȝt gold · al aboute hure neckes, [bryȝt] grete S. al] G om.] And colers of crafty werke · boþe knyȝtes and squiers. Were þer a belle on hure byȝe · by iesus, [as] me þynkeþ, [on] yn G. [as SMFG] PE om.] Line 180 Men myȝte wite wher þei wenten · and hure wey roume. [Men] Me M. wite] i-wite M; wete F. wher M] where FGE; wer PS.] Ryȝt so," quaþ þe raton · "reison me shewith, [þe raton] þat rat M. shewith] þinkeþ M.] A belle to byggen of bras · oþer of bryȝt seluer, [B page 8] [A—byggen] To bygge a belle G. oþer] or SMF.] And knytte it on a coler · for oure comune profit, [knytte] honge M.] Line 184 And honge aboute þe cattys hals · þanne hure we mowe [honge] binde hit M; honge hit S. hals] nekke (with hals above it) S. hure] here M; heere F; hyre G; huyre S. þanne hure] heere þanne F.] Wher he ryt oþer rest · oþer romyþ to pleye. [Wher] Where SGE; Wheþer MF; Wer P. ryt] ritt E; rijt M; ryȝt G; rist F. oþer (1)] or S. oþer (2)] or SMF.] And yf hym luste for to layke · þanne loke we mowe, [for] M om. layke] walke E. loke] here M.] And appere in hus presence · [whyle] hym pleye lykeþ, [appere—presence] in his pre|sence appere F. [whyle SE] whil F; þe while MG; wil P.] And yf he wratthe, we mowe be war · and hus way roume." [he] hym G. wratthe] wreþ|þuþ G; wrethe M; wraþ hym E. roume] rowmye E. hus—roume] of hys wey renne G.] Line 189

Line 189 Al þe route of ratons · to þys reison a-sentede, [þe] þis MG. ratons] þe ratons PS; but MFGE omit þe.] Ac þo þe belle was ybouȝt · and [on] þe byȝe honged, [þo] M om. ybouȝt] spelt ybouȝth P. [on SMFG] in E; P om. honged] hongede P.] Ther was no raton of al þe route · for al þe reame of fraunce, [was] ne was M. of] in SMF. al þe (1)] þat M.] Line 192 [Þat durste] haue bounde þe belle · a-boute þe cattes necke, [[þat durste M] þat durst F; þat dorste S; þat derste GE; þa þerste P. bounde] honget M.] Ne haue it hongid a-boute hus hals · al engelond to wynne; [Ne—hongid] No hongut hit M; Ne hangid hit F. engelond] engelonnd P.] And leten hure labour ylost · and al hure longe trauail. [And] þei M; And þanne S; þo þey G. leten] letun hy S; letten al M. al] M om. trauail] studiȝe MG; tyme F.] A mous þat muche good couthe · as me þo þouȝte, [good] G om. couthe] coude MF. þouȝte MFG] spelt þouthe P; þoȝt E.] Line 196 Strok forþ sturneliche · and stod by-for hem alle, [forþ] forþ þo M.] And to þe route of ratones · rehercede þuse wordes, [þe] þis M.] "Thauh we hadde ycullid þe catte · ȝut sholde þer come anoþer, [ycullid] culde F; culd SG. þe] a F.] To cracchen ous & al oure kynde · þouh we crepe vnder benches. [cracchen] so in M; chracchen P; cracche SFG; cracchy E. crepe] crope E.] Line 200 For-þi ich consaile, for comune profit · lete þe cat worthe, [For-þi F] For-þy SG; For|whi M; For þei P. worthe] y-worþe GM.] And neuere be we so bold · þe belle hym to shewe. [neuere—we] be we neuer F.] For ich hurde my syre sayn · seuen ȝer passed, [passed] a-passed MG; I-passid F] 'Ther þe cat nys bote a kyton · þe court is ful elynge;' [B page 9] [nys] is SMFG. ful] wel M.] Line 204 Witnesse of holy wryt · who so can rede—

Ue terre ubi puer est rex: Salamon.

[Witnesse] Withnesseþ M: Witnessith F. of] hit M; hit wel F; þerwith G; at S. rede] hit rede M; wel rede F.] Ich sigge it for me," quaþ þe mous · "ich seo so muchel after, [sigge] seye SG; sei MF. it] M om. seo] se MFGE.] Shal neuere þe cat ne þe kyton · by my consail, be greued, [þe—þe] no cat ne M. þe (2)] E om. þe—kyton] noþer þe cat þe kitoun noþer F. greued] greuede P.] Ne carpen of hure colers · þat costide me neuere; [costide] costed E; costned S; costnede F; costunde M; costnyþ G.] Line 208 And þauh it costned me catel · by-knowe ich ne wolde, [costned] coste F.] Bote soffren and sigge nouht · and so is þe beste, Tyl myschief amende [hem] · þat meny men chasteþ. [Tyl] Tyl þat G. myschief] god M. amende SMFG] amenden PE. [hem SMFGE] hym P.] [For] meny mannys malt · we mys wolde distrye, [[For SMFG] And PE. man|nys] mannes E; a mannus F; menes M. mys MFG] myse E; muys S; myes P.] Line 212 And ȝe, route of ratons · of rest men a-wake, [ȝe route] þe rowtus F. awake] wake S.] Ne were þe cat of þe court · And ȝonge Kytones to|warde; [Ne were] Nere F.] For hadde ȝe ratones ȝoure reed · ȝe couthe nat ruelie ȝow-selue." [ratones] rattus al F. ruelie] ruly E; rule SG; rewele M; rewle F.] What this metals by-meneþ · ȝe men þat buth murye, [What SMFE] Wat PG. metals] metels M; metelus SF; metaus E. by-meneþ] menyþ G. buth] buþ S; beþ E; byþ G; ben M; be F; miswritten but P.] Line 216 Diuine ȝe, for ich ne dar · by dere god almyȝty! [Diuine] Deme E.] Ȝut mette me more · of mene and of ryche, [ȝut] And ȝut M; & ȝit F. mette SMFGE] mete P. me] i MF.] As barouns & burgeis · and bonde-men of þroupes, [A page 6] [B page 10] [As] Of M. &· burgeis] of burgeises M. þroupes] þropus SF; þropes ME; thorpys G.] Al ich sauh slepyng · as ȝe shullen hure after; [ich sauh] saw I F. hure] i-here M; here F. ȝe—hure] I schal telle S.] Line 220 Boþe bakers and brywers · bouchers and oþere, [Boþe] M om.]

Webbesters and walkers · and wynners with handen, [Webbesters] As websterus F. and] an P. handen] so in E; honn|dus S; hondes M; handes F; handys G.] As taylours and tanners · and tyliers of erthe, [As] M om. tanners] tauer|nerus S. of] þe (sic) SF.] As dikers and deluers · þat don here dedes ille, [As] M om. dikers—deluers] deluers and dykers G. þat] þei M.] Line 224 And dryueþ forþ hure daies · with 'deux saue dame emme!' [hure daies] þe longe day M; þe deerne day F. saue] vous saue G.] Kokes and here knaues · crieden 'hote pyes, hote! [crieden] crien M.] Good goos and grys · go we dyne, gowe!' [goos—grys] griis and gees M. go we] with gowe F. dyne] to dyner S.] Tauerners 'a tast for nouht' · tolden þe same, [tolden] þei tolde F. þe] þat M; me þe G.] Line 228 'Whit wyn of oseye · and of gascoyne, [Whit] With M; With white F. of (2)] eke of M.] Of þe ruele and of þe rochel wyn · þe roste to defye.' [Of] & of F. ruele] ruel E; rule SG; rewle M; ryne F. of] SMF om. þe rochel] rochel SMF. wyn] MG om. þe (3)] E om.] Al þis ich sauh slepynge · and seuene sythes more.

Explicit passus primus. [So in other MSS.; Explicit Passus primus de visione Petri le plouhman G.]

PASSUS II.

[TITLE. So in IFES; Hic incipit secundus passus de uisione Willelmi de petro plouhman M.] Incipit passus secundus.

WHat þe montayne by-meneþ · and þe merke dale, [A page 7] [B page 11] [by-meneþ] meenes I.] And þe feld ful of folke · ich shal ȝow fayre shewe. [þe] al þe I.] A loueliche lady of lere · in lynnen y-cloþid, Cam doun fro þat castel · and calde me by name, [Cam] Com hir I. doun] a-doun M. fro] of G. þat castel] a castel M; þe clif FS; þat hul I. calde] clepede M. by name] my name E; faire MIFS.] Line 4 And seide, "wille, slepest þow · syxt þow þis puple, [wille] sone IB. syxt] sixst FS; seest M; seist E. syxt þow] seestow I. þow] þou nat F.] How busy þai ben · a-boute þe mase? [How] & how F. þai] þat þei MIF. a-boute] al a-bouȝte M; and al aboute I; ryȝt a-boute G.] The most partie of þe puple · þat passeþ on þis erthe, [partie] part F. þe] þis MG. þis] I om.] Haue thei worship in þis worlde · þei willen no betere; [F transposes these lines.] [Haue] so in IFEG; Hadden SM; Haued P. in] on G. worlde] erþe G. þei—betere] wolde þey no betre I; þei wesche no more F. wil|len] wilneþ MB.] Line 8 Of oþer heuene þan here · þei holden no tale." [F transposes these lines.] [here] here is IF. þei holden] holden þei MIF.] Ich was aferd of hure face · thauh hue faire were, [hue] sche MIFS; heo G; ȝo E.] And saide, "mercy, ma dame · what may þys be to mene?" [what] wat P.] Line 11

Line 11 "The tour vp-on toft," quaþ hue · "treuthe ys þer-ynne, [vp-on] vpon þe ISG; on þe MF. hue] sche IFS; heo G; ȝo E.] And wolde þat ȝe wrouhte · as hus word techeþ. [ll.11-13.

And seide, merci, ma|dame · For mariȝe loue of heuene,Þe tour on þe toft · what mai it bi-mene?Þat tour, quod þat ladi · treuþe is þer-inne M.

] [And] He M. as—techeþ] as his wille were M; after hys wordes G.] For he is fader of faith · and formour of alle; [faith] fey G.] To be faith-ful to hym · he ȝaue ȝow fyue wittes [faithful] feyful G. to] wyth G.] For to worshepen hym þer-with · while ȝe lyuen here. [For] M om. while] so M; whyle S; þe whiles I; whil þat F; wile P. lyuen] be F.] Line 16 Wherfore he het þe elementes · to helpe ȝow alle tymes, [A page 8] [Wherfore] Werfore P; þerfore E. þe elementes] so MB; þelementz I; þe element FS; þe elemens PE; þat element G. to] schold G; M om. alle] at al E.] And brynge forth ȝoure bylyue · boþe lynnen and wollen, [bylyue] byleue FEG. lynnen—wollen] wollen & lynnen SF.] And in mesure, þouh hit muche were · to make ȝow at ese. [G omits. And] MF om. hit] I om.] Line 19 He comaundid of his cortesye · in comune þre þynges, [He] I om.] Aren non nudful bote þo þre · nempnen hem ich þenke, [B page 12] [Aren] Ben M; Were G. nud|ful—þre] so nedful as þo M. þre] F om. nempnen] and nemene M; & nemne I; & nempne F; nemme S; nemny G.] And rekene hem by rewe · reherce hem wher þe lykeþ. [wher] wer P.] The ferst of þo ys fode · and vesture þe secounde, [The] Ther P. of þo] of hem M; I om. and] an P.] And drynke þat do þe good · ac drynk nat oute of tyme. [do þe] doth þe I; it dooþ F. ac] and IG; but MF. drynk] do hit M.] Line 24 Lo! loth in hus lyue · þorw lecherouse drynke [Lo] Loke how M; I om. loth] loot S. drynke] drenke P.] Wikkydlich wroghte · and wratthede god al-myghty. [wroghte] he wrouȝte M. Wik|kydlich wroghte] Wrouȝt wikkede|liche F.] In hus dronkenesse a day · hus douhtres he dighte, [dronkenesse] so MI; drunken|esse F; dronknesse PSG; derknesse (!) E. a] on a FB. douhtres] doutren M; douȝtryn G.] And lay by hem boþe · as þe bok telleþ. Line 28 In hus glotenie [he] by-gat · [gerles] þat weren churles, [[he MFS] PIEG om. by-gat] gat MF. [gerles I] gurles MG; gur|lus FS; PE om. weren] miswritten wereren P. churles] þrallus F.]

And al he wited þe wyne · hus wikked dede.

Inebriamus eum uino et dormiamus cum eo, ut seruare possimus de patre nostro semen . Genesis.

[wited] witte hit M; wyted hit S; witte I; wyste (over erasure) G. hus] þat F; þys G. et dormiamus] dormiamusque I. seruare] reseruare FS.] Thorgh wyn and þorw wommen · þer was loth encom|bred; [wommen] womman MI. loth] lot SE. encombred] y-comeryd G.] For-þy dred dilitable drynke · boþe day and nyȝtes. [For-þy] For-whi M; F om. day] so IFEG; daies M; dayuus S.] Line 32 Mesure is medecyne · þauh þou muche wylne. [is] is a P; but MIFSEGB omit a. wylne] ȝerne I.] Al is noȝt good to þe gost · þat þe gut Askeþ, [gut] so MFSEB; gout P; got G; gost (by mistake) I.] Ne liflode to þe licame · þat leof is to þe saule; [to (2)] I om.] Leue noȝt þy licame · for a lyere hym techeth, [Leue FE] Lyef P; Leef IS; Loue M.] Line 36 Þat is þe wrecchede worlde · þat wolde þe bygyle; [A page 9] [Þat] Which I. is] G om. þe (1)] þis MSEG. þat] MISG om.] For þe fend and þy flesch · folwen to-gederes, And þat [seeþ] þe saule · and [seith] hit the in herte, [þat] F om. [seeþ EB] seþ S; seyþ PG; sleþ M; sickith F (þat seeþ = Moderation looks after). [seith F] seiþ EB; seyþ SG; saith I; sette M; setth P. M has—And þat sleþ þi soule · and þow sette hem in þin herte.] And wisseþ þe to be ware · and what wolde þe de|ceyuye." [B page 13] [and] IG om. M has—I wisse þe þat þou be i-war · leste þei þe dis|seiue.] Line 40 "A ma dame, mercy," quaþ ich · "me lykeþ wel ȝoure wordes, Ac þe moneye of þis molde · þat men so faste kepeþ, [of] on M. kepeþ] biholden M.] Telle ȝe me now to wham · þat tresour by-longeþ?" [Telle] Telleþ MI; Tellith F. ȝe] MIF om. by-longeþ] apendeþ M; befallith F.] "Go to þe gospel," quaþ hue · "and see what god sayde, [hue] sche MIS; scheo F; heo G; ȝo E.] Line 44 Whanne þe puple aposed hym · of a peny in þe temple, [Whanne] Wanne P. of] with F.]

And god askede of hem · whas was þe coygne. [god] he M. of] at IF. whas] so G; whos IS; whose M; hoos F; what E.] 'Cesares,' þei seiden · 'sothliche we knowen.' [we knowen] to say F.] 'Reddite cesari,' seide god · 'þat to cesar by-falleþ, [seide] quod MF. to] IFSG om. by-falleþ] bi-longeþ M; be|houeth F.] Line 48 Et que sunt dei, deo · oþer ellys ȝe don ille.' [ellys] I om.] For ryhtfulliche reson · sholde ruele ȝow alle, [ryhtfulliche] rithful M. ruele] ruly E.] And kynde wit be wardeyn · ȝoure welþe to kepe, [welþe] soules M.] And tutour of ȝowre tresoure · and take [hit] ȝow atte nede; [tutour] detour S. and] to M. [hit MIG] hym S; PE om. ȝow atte] out atte S; at ȝoure M.] Line 52 For hosboundrie and he · holdeþ to-gederes." [holdeþ] holden boþe M; hald|ith hem F.] Ich fraynede hure faire þo · for hym þat hure made, [hure (2)] me M.] "The dupe dale and durke · vn-semely to see to, [The—durke] þat derke dale and deop M. durke] þe derke IG. vnsemely] so vnsemely I. to—to] of siȝt M. vnsemely—to] so dredful to syȝt F.] What may hit by-mene · madame, ich by-seche?" [by-mene] be to mene F. ich] I ȝow FG; i þe M.] Line 56 "That is þe castel of care · who-so comeþ þer-ynne [A page 10] May banne þat he bore was · in body and in soule; [bore was] was boren M. and] or F.] Ther-ynne wonyeþ a wyȝt · þat wrong is his name, [þat] MFSG om. his name] i-hote M.] Fader of falshede · fond hit furst of alle; [Fader] He is fader F. fond] he fond M; & founded F.] Line 60 Adam and Eue · he eggede to don ille, [Eue] eue with enuye F. eg|gede] egede P. to] G om. don] IF om.] Consailde cayme · to cullen hus broþer; [B page 14] [Consailde] He conseilede M; And counceilede I; & counseil (sic) cursede F. cullen] killen IF.] Iudas he by-Iapede · þorgh Iewene seluer, [he] G om. by-Iapede] iapede M. þorgh] wiþ MF. Iewene] þe iewes M.] And afterward he heng hym · hye on an ellerne. [And] An P. afterward] aftur F. he heng] anhanged I; heo hong|ede G. hym] him-self MS. on] vp|on IF. ellerne] eller I; elrene S; helderne F; elnerene G; hiller-tree B.] Line 64

Line 64 He ys lettare of loue · and lyeth alle tymes; [ys] ys a PE; but MIFGSB omit a. lyeth] liȝere M; lieþ in E.] Þat tryst in erthely tresour · he by-traieþ sonnest, [erthely tresour] tresour of erþe MIG. sonnest] soneste E; sonest I.] To en-combrye men with couetyse · that is hus kynde." [encombrye] combre I; comere G; encombre FSM. is] his P.] Thanne hadde ich wonder in my wit · what womman hue were, [Thanne] þo MFG. hue] sche MIFS; ȝo E; yt G.] Line 68 Þat suche wyse wordes · of holy wryt shewede; [Þat] And F. wryt] wryȝt P.] And [halsede] hure on þe heie name · er hue þennys wente, [[halsede MIFB] halsnede SE; hanslede P; halnesde G. on] in MIF; vpon G. heie] holi M. er] or MIFSE; ar G. hue] sche MIS; heo FG; ȝo E. þennys] þennes MIE; þenne F; þanne G.] What hue were witterly · þat wissede me so and tauhte. [hue] sche MISF; heo G; ȝo E. witterly IFEG] wyturly S; whit|erly P. and tauhte] faire F. M has—To telle me what sche were · þat me so faire tauȝte.] "Holychurche ich am," quaþ hue · "þow oghtest me [to] knawe; [hue] see l. 71. [to MIFSEGB] P om.] Line 72 Ich vnder-feng þe formest · and fre man þe made. [vnder-feng] vnder-fong MFG. formest] furst M.] Þow broghtest me borwes · my byddyng to fulfille, [byddyng] wil M.] To leue on me and louye me · al þy lyf tyme." [To] I om. leue] so MIFSEG; lyue P. on] MF om. louye] loue MIF. lyf SG] lif MFE; lyfe I; lyue P.] Thanne knelede ich on my knees · [and] criede hure [of] grace, [knelede ich] i knelede MIG. [and MIFSEG] P om. hure] to here S. [of MIFSG] PE om. hure of] of heor M.] Line 76 And preiede hure pytously · to preie for me to amende, [hure] to here FS. pytously] pytosly P; mekly G. to—for] M om.] Al-so to kenne me kyndelich · on crist to by-leue, [Also to] And also I. Also—kenne] And kenneþ M. to by-leue] for to leue E. by-leue] by-lyue P.] "And teche me to no tresour · bote telle me þys ilke, [A page 11] [And] I om. teche] techeþ M. telle me] telleþ me M; how I may F.] How ich may sauy my saule · þat seynt art yholde." [sauy] so EG; saue MIFS. art] ert PE.] Line 80

Line 80 "Whanne alle tresours ben tried," quaþ hue · "treuþe is þe beste; [Whanne] so F; Whan MIE; When SG; Qwenne P. quaþ hue] ISFG om.] Ich do hit on Deus caritas · to deme þe soþe. [on] vpon I.] Hit is as derworthe a druwery · as dere god him-selue. [a] S om. druwery] druri M; drury FE; druerie IG. him] hem P.] For he, is trewe of hus tonge · and of hus two handes, [he] so also SEG; whoso M; ho so F; who I. trewe] trywe P; but see ll. 95, 96.] Line 84 And doþ þe werkes þerwith · and wilneþ no man ille, [B page 15] [þe] his M. wilneþ] willeþ F.] He is a god by þe gospel · and graunty may hele, [a] M om. graunty] so in G; graunte MIFSE.] And like oure lorde also · by seynt lukys wordes. [I puts also before like. like] lijk to MI.] Clerkus þat knowen þys · shoulde kennen hit a-boute, [þys] hit wel M; it is þus I. shoulde] I om.] For cristene and vncristene · cleymen it echone. [vncristene] vncrestine P.] Line 89 Kynges and knyȝtes · shoulde kepen hit by reson, Ryden and rappe a-doune · In reames a-boute, [reames] reemes M; reumes I; rewmus F; reumus S; remes G.] And take trespassours · and tyen hem faste, [And] so in I; And to PESG; & titly F; Forte M. trespassours] transgressores IG.] Line 92 Til trewþe hadde ytermenyd · here trespas to þe ende; And holde with hym and with hure · þat han trewe accion, [trewe] þe trewe MF; spelt triwe P; but see l. 95. accion] cause F.] And for no [lordene] loue · leue þe trewe partye. [And] S om. [lordene I] lor|dyne G; lordes ME; lordayne P; mordyne (sic) S (lordene is gen. pl.). And—lordene] Ne for no disordeyned F.] Trewely to take · and treweliche to fyȝte, [Trewely] For trewly F. take] take trauaile F. fyȝte] fyȝete P; but see l. 100.] Line 96 Ys þe profession and þe [pure] ordre · þat apendeþ to knyȝtes; [Ys] Þis is S. [pure MFESGB] poure PI. þe (1)—ordre] þe pure professioun F.] Who-so passeþ that poynt · ys apostata of knyȝt-hod. [Who-so E] Wo-so P; Ho-so S; And who-so IG; And whose M; & ho-so F. apostata] aposteta PG. of knyȝt-hod] in his ordre M; in þe ordre F.]

For þei shoulde nat faste · ne for-bere sherte; [nat] noþer IG. sherte] serke I.] Bote feithfullich defende · and fyȝte for truthe, [fyȝte—truthe] feithfulli fiȝte M. IB have only the imperfect line—But fighte and fende trouþe.] Line 100 And neuere leue for loue · In hope to lacche seluer. [A page 12] [In] ne M. seluer] ȝiftes F.] Dauid by hus daies · dobbede knyȝtes, [Dauid] For dauyd F. by] in IF. daies] lijfdaies M; day S. dob|bede] dubbede MF.] And dude hem swerye [on] here swerde · to serue truthe euere. [And dude] Dede I. [on MIFSGB] in PE. here] his MG.] Whanne god by-gan heuene · in þat grete blysse, [Whanne] Wanne P. Whanne god] And god whan he I.] Line 104 He made knyȝtes in hus court · creatures ten, [He] I om. ten] so MIB; tenne F; tene PESG.] Cherubin and seraphin · suche seuene [and] another; [[and MIFSEB] P om. an|other] on oþur FS; oþere M; oþer E.] Lucifer louelokest þo · ac lytel while it [durede.] [ac] and M. while] wile P. [durede MIFSB] laste PE.] Line 107 He was an archangel of heuene · on of godes knyȝtes; [on] and on MF; & E.] He and oþer with hym · þat hulde nouȝt with treuthe, [He] But he F. þat] IMFSG om. hulde] helde FESG; helden MI.] Lopen out in loþliche forme · for hus false wille; [Lopen] þei lepten M; & lopen F. hus] heore M; here F.] He hadde lust to be lyke · hus lord god almyghty. [B page 16]

Ponam pedem meum in aquilone, & ero similis altissimo.

[lust] a lust F. be] haue be F. He—lust] þat lust hadde I. hus] oure M. god] þat was I.] Lord! why wolde he þo · þulke wrechede lucifer, [E omits. wrechede] wikked ISG; false M. he—lucifer] lucifer · þat lurdeyn of helle F.] Line 112 Lepen a-lofte · in þe north syde [a-lofte SB] a-luft I; on a-lofte PE; so a-lofte F; out on lofte M. in] in-to M.] [Þan] sitten in þe sonne side · þer þe day roweþ? [[þan IB] To PEMFS. (This is clearly right; wolde þan = chose rather than. To meet the difficulty, M has—To sitte in þe norþ half; F has—To sitte aȝe þe sunne; of. ll. 117, 118.) roweþ] reweþ E.] Ne were it for norþerne men · a-non ich wolde telle; [telle] ȝow telle MI; schewe F.] Ac ich wolle lacke no lyf" · quaþ þat lady sothly; [sothly] sotthly P; þanne F.] Line 116

Line 116 "Hit is sykerer by southe · þer þe sonne regneth [sonne] day S.] þan in þe north by meny notes · no man [leue] oþer. [þan] For M. by] ben M. [leue IFSEBG] loueþ M; miswritten loyne P.] For þider as þe fend flegh · hus fote for to sette, [as] þat SE. flegh] fly FSG; fli M; fley E.] Ther he failede and ful · and hus felawes alle; [and] þo he F. ful] spelt fuel P; but M has ful, and I has fulle, miswritten for ful; fil F; fel SG; felle E.] Line 120 And helle is þer he ys · and he þer ybounde. [ys] S om. þer (2)] þer-inne MF.] Euene contrarie sitteþ criste · clerkus knowen þe sothe;

Dixit dominus domino meo, sede a dextris meis.

[Euene] & euene F; Euen þe I. knowen] witeþ I; kenne F.] Ac of þis matere no more · meuen ich nelle; [no] F om. meuen] so in E; meue PG; the other readings are corrupt, viz. nemene M; nemnen I; nempne F; neuene S. nelle] ne þenke M.] [Hewes] in þe halyday · after hete wayten, [[Hewes I] Hewen B; Hebbus FS; Hynen M; He was (sic) PE; Hyne hewys (sic) G. hete] miswrit|ten heten P; meten E.] Line 124 Þey care noȝt þauh it be cold · knaues, when þei worchen. [Þey] Ac þey I. when] wen P.] In wonderwyse holy wryt · tellith how þei fullen; [In] I om. fullen] fillen IF.] Somme in erþe, somme in aier · somme in helle dupe, [in] in-to M (thrice). erþe] þerþe I. aier] þeir I; þe eir M; þe eyre S. somme (3)] & summe F.] Ac lucifer lowest · lith of hem alle; Line 128 For prude þat hym pokede · hus peyne hath no ende. [prude] pride MIF. þat] þere I. peyne] penaunce F.] Alle þat worchen þat wikkede ys · wenden þei shulle [Alle] And alle I. þat wik|kede ys] wikkidnesse F.] After hure deþ-day · and dwelle þer wrong ys; [þer—ys] wiþ þat schrewe M.] And alle þat han wel y-wroght · wenden þey shulle [alle] þo M.] Line 132 Estwarde to heuene · euere to abyde, [A page 13] [Estwarde] Euene estward F. to] til IEG. euere] þere euer FS.] Ther treuthe is, þe trone · þat trinite ynne sitteþ. [þe] in (sic) M. trone] tour IB. trinite] þe trinite MFS; treuþe IG. ynne sitteþ] sitteþ ynne F.] Lere it þus lewede men · for lettrede hit knoweþ, [Lere] Lerne E. it] M om. it þus] þis S.] [Than] treuthe & trewe loue · ys no tresour bettere." [[Than] þan S; That PMFIE (perhaps That is right, but it is ob|scure). ys] þere is F.] Line 136

Line 136 "Ich haue no kynde knowyng," quaþ ich · "ȝe mote kenne me bettere, [B page 17] [mote] moste M. ȝe mote] ȝit mote ȝe I. kenne me] me teche M.] By what wey hit wexith · and [wheder] out of my men|yng." [what] wat P. [wheder I] whider B; whodur S; wider M; wonder PE. my menyng] menynges IB. wheder—menyng] whedurward he draweþ F.] Line 138 "Thow dotede daffe," quaþ hue · "dulle aren þy wittes, [dotede] dotest M; dosen (sic) I. hue] sche MIS; scheo F; ȝo E. dulle] dolle P. aren] arn M; are IS; be F; byþ G. þy] ȝowre S.] Ich leue þow lernedist to lyte · latyn in þy ȝowthe; [leue] so IFSEGB; lyue P; trowe M. lernedist] lernest M. to] ful M. lyte] litel MIF. þy] þe S. ȝowthe G] ȝouþe MISB; spelt ȝoweþe P; ȝougheþ E; F has liue.] Heu michi, quod sterilem · duxi uitam iuuenilem! Hit is a kynde knowyng · þat kenneþ in þyn herte [kenneþ] knoweþ M; cumseth F. in] M om.] For to louye þy lord · leuest of alle, [leuest] luuest P.] And deye raþere þan to do · eny dedlich synne;

Melius est mori quam male uiuere.

[deye] to deye S. to] MIS om.] Line 144 And þis ich trowe be treuthe · who so can teche þe betere, [And] As E; M om. ich trowe] trowe i F. so] M om.] Loke þow soffrie hym to say · and so þow myght lerne. [þow (1)] to E. þow myght] myght þou IG; mith þou M; maistow F.] For treuthe telleþ þat loue · ys tryacle for synne, [for] to abate I.] And most souereyne salue · for saule and for body. [for (1)] boþe for F. saule—body] bodi and for soule M. for (2)] F om.] Line 148 Loue is þe plonte of pees · and most preciouse of ver|tues; [plonte] so ESG; plante MIF. and] MIFS om.] For heuene holde hit ne myȝte · so heuy hit semede, [For] M om. hit] it first I.] Til hit hadde on erthe · ȝoten hym-selue. [on] of I. ȝoten] I-ȝotun I; ȝeten EG. hym-selue] hit-selue IS.] Was neuere lef vp-on lynde · lyghter þer-after, [lef] placed after lynde in PE only. vp-on] on MF. lyghter] lygheter P; þat was litere M.] Line 152

Line 152 As whanne hit hadde of þe [folde] · flesch and blod ytake; [As] And M; Ac S. whanne] wanne P. [folde IB] fold M; flod PS; flode E; flood F; see B-text.] Tho was it portatyf and pershaunt · as þe poynt of a nelde, [B page 18] [Tho—it] Hit was M. per|shaunt] persaunt FG; persaund M; persende I. þe] FGS om. nelde] so M; nedle EFS; nedele IG.] May non Armure hit lette · noþer hye walles; [May] þer ne mai M. hit lette] him wiþ-sitte M. noþer] ne none IF.] Line 155 For-þy is loue ledere · of oure lordes folke in heuene, [For-þy] For-whi M; For he E. is loue] loue is FMS. in] of MISG.] And [a] mene, as þe meyere is · by-twyne þe kyng & þe comune, [[a MIFSGB] PE om. þe—is] as a meir MF. & þe] & F.] Ryȝt so is loue a ledere · and þe lawe shapeþ; [a] I om. and] whan F. shapeþ] shappeþ PE.] Vp man for hus mysdedes · þe mercement he taxeþ. [Vp] Vp-on MS; Of F. mys|dedes] mysdede F. taxeþ] axeth F.] And for to knowe it kyndeliche · hit comseþ by myghte, [it] hym SG. comseþ] comeþ MI. by myghte] in þe herte M.] Line 160 In þe herte, þer is þe hefd · and þe hye welle. [In] And in I. þer] M om. hefd] heued IG; hede F; hed M; hefe S; hefte E.] Of kynde knowyng in herte · þer comseþ a myghte, [A page 14] [Of] For of I. knowyng] wit M. comseþ] of comeþ M; comeþ I.] That falleþ to þe Fader · þat formede ous alle. [þat] And þat I. to] so IFSGB; in-to PEM; see B-text. ous] us MF; vs IE.] On ous he lokyde with loue · and let hus sone deye, [M omits. On—and] Loked on vs with loue I. amendy] amende IFS.] Line 164 Meekliche for oure mysdedes · to amendy ous alle. [M omits. On—and] Loked on vs with loue I. amendy] amende IFS.] And ȝut wolde he hem no wo · þat wroght hym al þat tene, [I omits. ȝut] S om. wolde] ne wolde M. he] S om. tene] teune P.] Bote myldeliche with mouthe · mercy he by-souhte, [myldeliche] mekeli MIG. he] hem he F; he þe (sic) E.] To haue pyte on þat puple · þat paynede hym to deþe. [on þat] of þe I. paynede] pyned SG.] Her myȝt þow see ensample · In hym-self one, [Her] Þer E. myȝt] may F. ensample] ensamples I.] Line 169

Line 169 That he was myghtful & meke · and mercy gan graunte, [meke] meuk P.] To hem þat henge hym hye · and hus herte þerlede. [hem] hym P. henge] hangede M; hengen IB. hym] I om. þerlede] so ES; þerlden M; þrillede F; þorlede PI.] For-þy ich rede ȝow ryche · haue reuthe of þe poure; [For-þy] For-whi M. haue] haueþ M; ha F. reuthe] merci MSG. of] on MFS; vpon I. þe] E om.] Þauh ȝe be myghty to mote · beeþ meke in ȝoure workes; [mote] mete E. meke] meuk P.] Þe same mesure þat ȝe meteþ · amys oþer ellys, [Þe] For þe I.] Line 174 Ȝe shulleþ be weyen þer-with · whanne ȝe wenden hennes;

Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, remecietur uobis.

[weyen] i-weied M. whanne] wanne P. remecietur] remicietur PS.] Thauh ȝe be trewe of ȝoure tonge · and trewelich wynne, [trewe] trywe P. tonge] tonges IS. trewelich] triwelich P.] And be as chast as a chyld · þat noþer chit ne fyghteþ, [noþer chit] chit neyþer I. chit] chid M. ne] no F. fyghteþ] striueþ M.] Bote yf [ȝe] loue leelliche · and lene þe poure, [B page 19] [[ȝe MIFSEGB] P om. lene] lene to PE; but MIFSGB omit to.] Of such good as god sent · goodliche parte, [sent] sent ȝow I. goodliche] & goodliche it F; and trewliche M. parte] to parte S.] Ȝe haue no more meryt · in masse ne in houres, [A page 15] [in] of M (twice). masse] massus F.] Line 180 Than malkyn of hure maidenhod · wham no man desireþ. [wham] so SE; wam P; whom F; þat M. wham—man] whan no man hir I.] For Iamys þe gentel · [Iuggeþ] in hus bokes, [[Iuggeþ] so ISEB; miswritten suggeþ P; iugged F; Iugede M.] Þat feith with-oute fet · ys febelere þan nouht, [fet] feet MF; þe feet I; fete E.] And ded as a dore-nayle · bote yf þe dede folwe;

Fides sine operibus mortua est.

[ded] as ded I. a] I om. yf] FSG om.] Line 184 Chastite with-oute charite · worth cheynid in helle; [Chastite] For chastite F. cheynid] i-chained M; schrined F.] Hit is as lewede as a lampe · þat no lyght ys ynne. [as (1)] M om. lewede] lewed þing I. ys] nys E.] Meny chapelayns aren chast · ac charite hem faileþ; [aren] ben M. ac] but M. hem faileþ] is a-weiȝe M.]

Aren none hardur ne hongryour · þan men of holy churche, [Aren] Þer arn M.] Line 188 Auerouse & euel-willed · whanne thei ben auaunsed, [euel] written veuele P. will|ed] i-willed M; ywilled E. whanne] wanne P. thei ben] hy buþ S; þei beþ FE.] And vnkynde to hure kyn · and to alle crystine; [And] I om.] Thei chewen here charite · and chiden after more; [Thei] I om.] And encombred with couetyse · þei conne nat out crepe, [And] þei ben M; And ben I; FS om. with] þorȝ S. þei] and M. out crepe] crepe out I.] So harde hath aueryce · hasped hem to-gederes. [hasped] hapsed I. to-gederes] to-gedderes P.] Line 193 And þat ys no treuthe of þe trinite · bote trecherie and synne, [And þat] þat M; Hit F.] And luþer ensample, leue me · to þe lewede puple. [And] And a I. leue me] leueth he F; leueþ me E; leyf me P. to] as for I.] For thees aren wordes · wryten in þe euangelye, [aren] ben M; beþ F. wryten] i-wriȝten M; y-writen I; Iwrite S.] Line 196 Date et dabitur uobis · [for I dele ȝow alle.] [A page 16] [[for—alle] from MIFSGB; PE om.] And þat is þe lok of loue · þat vnloseþ grace, [lok] book (wrongly) I. þat (2)] and I. vnloseþ] vnlowketh F.] Þat conforteth alle cristine · encombred with synne. [conforteth] confortetth P. cristine] carfulle I. encombred] ac|combred I; acombred F.] So loue ys lech of lyue · and lysse of alle peyne, [So] So þat F. peyne] peine MIE; payne SGB; peynes F; pyne P.] Line 200 And þe graffe of grace · and grayþest [wey] to heuene. [and] an P; I om. grayþest] so IF; grayþust S; grayþost P; gra|cioust M; growith E. [wey S] wei MF; way IB; PE om.] For-þy ich may say, as ich seide · by syght of þe tixt, [B page 20] [[For-þy] For-whi M. may] M om. seide] seide ere I. þe tixt] þis tixt E; þese textus F; þis tixes (sic) M; þis texcestes (sic) I.] Whenne alle tresours ben tryed · treuth ys þe best; [Whenne] Wenne P. ben] beth F. tryed] I-tried F.] Loue it," quaþ [þat] lady · "lette may ich no lengere [[þat MIFEGB] þe P. may ich] i ne mai M.] To lere þe what loue ys" · and leue at [me] hue lauhte. [lere] lerne M; E om. þe] S om. what] wat P. [me MIFSEGB] P om. hue] sche MIFS; ȝo E.]

Explicit passus secundus.

PASSUS III.

[RUBRIC. So in PES. Hic incipit tertius passus de uisione M; Passus secundus de uisione, vbi prius I; In|cipit tercius F.] Incipit passus tercius.

And þanne ich knelede on my knees · and cryede to hure of grace, [A page 17] [B page 21] [And] M om. to—of] of hure M. of] F om.] And seide, "mercy, madame · for marye loue of heuene, Þat bar þat blessede barn · þat boughte vs on þe rode, [þat (1)] þe FS. blessede] blisful MI. þe] E om.] Kenne me by som craft · to knowe þe false." [Kenne] As kenneth F. me] S om. knowe] kenne M.] Line 4 "Loke vpon þy lyft half," quath hue · "lo whar he standiþ, [vpon] on MF. half] hand M. hue] sche MFS; ȝo E. quath hue] I om. lo] and lo I; & se F. whar] war P.] Boþe fals and fauel · and fykel-tonge lyere, [Boþe] I om. and fykel-tonge] fikeltonge and M.] And menye of hure maners · boþe men and wommen." [boþe] of I.] Ich lokid on my lyft half · as þe lady me tauhte, [E omits. Ich lokid] þo loked I F. on] vpon IS. half] hand M.] Line 8 And sauh a womman as yt were · wonderlich riche cloþed. [sauh] I om. womman] wom|mon P. riche] IF om. cloþed] i-cloþed MIFG.] [Hue] was purfild with peloure · non purere in erthe, [[Hue S] miswritten He P; but see l. 5; Sche ISM; Heo FG; ȝo E. with] wit P; in I. in] on MES.] And coroned [with] a corone · þe kynge hath no betere; [coroned] coronede P. [with F] wiþ G; in PEMIS; but cf. B-text. no] non I.]

On alle hure fyue fyngres · rycheliche yrynged, [On] M om. rycheliche] ful richeli MI.] Line 12 And þer-on rede rubies · and oþer riche stones. Hure robe was ryccher · þan ich rede couthe, [A page 18] [robe] robyng I. was] was ribaned F. couthe] coude MF.] For to telle of hure atyre · no tyme haue ich nouth. [nouth] now E.] Hure a-raye with hure rychesse · rauesshede myn herte, [Hure] Þe M. with] wit P. with hure] of þat M; for F.] Line 16 "Whas wyf hue were · and what was hure name, [B page 22] [Whas] so SG; Whos IE; Whose M; Hoos F; miswritten Was P. hue] þat sche M; sche IS; scheo F; ȝo E. were] was F.] Leue lady," quaþ ich þo · "layn nat yf ȝe knowen." [Leue] so MES; Leeue I; Leef F; Luue P. lady] dame S. layn nat] lay nat F; lie not E; telleþ me M.] "Þat ys mede þe mayde," quaþ hue · "þat hath noyed me ofte, [hue] sche MFS; ȝo E. quaþ hue] I om. þat] MIFS om. hath] had S. noyed] i-noied M; nuyed S. ofte] ful ofte MIFS.] And lowen vp-on my lemman · þat leaute ys hoten, [lowen] I-lowe I. vp-on] on MIF. lemman] lemmen P. hoten] i-hote MF; I-hotun S.] Line 20 And lackyd hym to lordes · þat lawes han to kepe, [lackyd] lackeþ M; lakkeþ I.] In kynges court & in comune court · contrarieþ my techynge. [&] IS om. in] MF om. court (2)] F om. techynge] lore F.] In þe popes paleys · hue is pryuy as my-selue, [hue] sche MS; he I; heo F; ȝo E. pryuy] as preuei M.] Ac soþnesse wold noȝt so · for hue is a bastarde; [soþnesse] sothfastnesse F. is] was F.] Line 24 On fauel was hure fader · þat hath a fykel tonge, [On] Oon I; Of (sic) E; Sire F. hath] had F.] And selde soth seith · bote [if] he souche gyle; [selde MIEG] seilde P; seelde F; ful selde S. [if IFEB] MPS om. souche] so IBE; suche S; seche FG. bote—souche] bute hit sowne to M.] And mede ys manered after hym · as men of kynde karpen,

[Qualis] pater, talis filius.

[ys] E om. kynde] miswritten kynden P. [Qualis FESB] Talis PIM. filius] filia IE.] For shal neuere brere bere · beries as a vyne, [beries] bery I.] Line 28

Line 28 Ne on croked kene þorne · kynde fygys wexe;

Bona arbor bonum fructum facit.

[Ne] apparently miswritten No P. on] on a MIFS. kene] kynde (sic) S. fygys] figge I. facit] affert M.] Line 29 Ich ouhte be herre þan hue · ich kam of [a] betere, [be] to be M; ben I. herre] so E; miswritten herrer P; heyhere I; heiere F; hyur S; bet M. hue] sche MS; he I; heo F; ȝo E. ich] for i M. [a IFSB] þe M; kynde PE; ef. B-text.] The fader þat me forth brouhte · filius dei he hoteþ, [me] on (sic) I.] Þat neuere lyede ne lauhwede · in Al hus lyf-tyme. [lyede] ne lei M. lauhwede] lawhede IF; lawede E; lauȝede S; lauhed M. Al] M om.] Line 32 Ich am hus dere douheter · duchesse of heuene; [Ich am] And I am I. dere MIFEB] dure P. duchesse] & duch|esse F.] What man þat me louyeþ · and my wille folweþ, [What] Þat what I. þat] MI om. louyeþ] louyȝe M. folweþ] folewe M. my—folweþ] wole my wil holde F.] Shal haue grace to good ynow · and a good ende; [Shal] He schal F. to] of M. grace—good] good riȝt F.] Line 35 And what man þat loueþ mede · my lyf ich dar wedde, [what] wat P. þat] M om. loueþ mede] mede louiȝe M; mede loueþ IG. ich dar] dar i MFG.] He shal lese for hure loue · a lappe of trewe charite. [lese] luse P. a lappe] and lippe (sic) I. a—charite] þe liȝt of conscience F. trewe] trywe P.] That most helpeþ men to heuene · mede most letteþ, [most—men] helpeþ men most M; helpeþ man most I. men] man IF. most (2)] ofte M.] Ich do hit vpon dauid · þe doumbe wol noȝt lye;

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo, et cetera.

[doumbe] dombe IEG.] Dauid vn-doþ hit hym-self · as þe doumbe sheweþ,

Et super innocentem munera non accepit.

[hit] M om. doumbe] so MSFB; dombe IEG; dumbe P.] Line 40 To-morwe worth mede wedded · to a mansed wrecche, [B page 23] [wedded] maried ISFG; i|maried M.] To on fals faithles · of þe feendes kynne. [To] Til F. feendes] deueles MG.] Fauel þorgh his flateryng speche · hath mede foule enchantid, [his] so IFSEG; is P; M om. speche] F om. foule] ful F.] And al is lyers ledyng · þat lady is þus ywedded. [And] F om. is] þurw F; þorȝ S. þat] þis IS; þat þat E; þe F. is þus] schal þus be M; ys F.] Line 44

Line 44 Soffre now and þow shalt see · suche as ben apaiede, [now] I om. suche] for suche F.] Þat mede ys þus ymaryed · to-morwe þow shalt aspie. Know hym wel, yf þow kanst · and kep þe fro hem alle [wel] MI om.] Þat louyeþ hure lordsheps · lasse oþer more. [Þat] For her þat M. lordsheps] lordschepe MF; lordeschipe I; wor|schip E. oþer] so IES; miswritten oþer þe P. lasse oþer] oþer lasse or M; boþe lasse and F.] Line 48 Lacke hem noȝt, bote lete hem worthe · tyl leaute be Iustice, [Lacke] Loue F. bote] & F. be Iustice] by maystre S.] And haue power for to punyshe hem · þen put forþ þy reson. [haue] haued M. for] MIFSG om. put] put þou F.] For ich by-kenne þe crist," quaþ hue · "and hus clene moder, [A page 19] [For] M om. hue] sche MIS; scheo F; ȝo E; heo G.] Encombre neuere þy conscience · for couetyse of mede." [Encombre] And acombre þou I.] Thus left me þat lady · lyggynge a slepe. [a slepe] as a slepe I; in my slepe F.] Line 53 And ich sauh how mede was maried · metyng as it were; [And] M om. And—was] þo saw I mede F. it were] I were F.] And al þe riche retynaunce · þat roteþ hem on fals lyuynge [And] MIG om. hem] M om. on] of I; in FE. þat—on] rotede in F.] Were bede to þat brudale · on boþe half þe contreie, [bede] i-bede M; beden I; boden E. þat] þe IFG. brudale] bridale MIEG; bruydale S; bredale F. on] a I.] Of many maner men · þat were of medes kunne; [men] of men MIFS. kunne] kynne MIESG; kyn F. were—kunne] of medes kynne were I.] Line 57 Of knyȝtes, of clerkes · of oþer comune puple, [of (2)] & S. of (3)] and MS; & of F. oþer] þe F.] As sysours and somners · shereyues and here clerkes, [As] M om. here] oþer M.] Budels and bailifs · and brokours of chaffare, [Budels] Budeles M; Budelus S; Bedeles I; Bedellus F; Bedels E. and (1)] S om. chaffare] chaffares MIF.] Line 60 [Forgoers] and vytailers · and vokettus of [þe] Arches, [B page 24] [[Forgoers IE] Vorgheours P; Voregoerus S; & foragers F. For|goers and] Alle maner of M. voket|tus] voketts I; vocates E; a-uoketes M; felawes F. [þe FESGI] PM om.]

Ich kan noȝt rekenye þe route · þat ran a-boute mede. Ac symonye and ciuile · and sisours of contreis [Ac] And I.] Line 63 Were most pryuye with mede · of eny men, [me þouȝte]. [with] wit P. eny] meny S. [me þouȝte MFSBG] me þoghte IE; of þe route P.] Ac fauel was þe ferste · þat fette hure [out] of chambre, [Ac] & sire F. fette] brouȝte M. [out MIFBG] oute S; PE om.] And as a brocour broghte hure forth · to be ioynid with fals. [And as] As M; And I. broghte] he brouȝte M. with] wit P; to þe I.] Whanne symonye and cyuyle · sauh here boþeres wil, [Whanne] Wanne P. sauh] sien M. here boþeres] heore hoþe M; þer boþe I; here beiþer F; here boþe SG; here boþers E.] Thay assented þer-to · at seluers praiere. [þer-to] it were so IB (which improves the alliteration).] Line 68 Thenne leep liere forþ, and seide · "lo! here a chartre, [A page 20] [Thenne] þo M. leep] lepte M; luppe I; lepe F; lept S; leepe E.] That gyle hath gyue to falsnesse · and graunted to mede," [gyue] i-ȝeue M. to (1)] M om. to (2)] also MIG.] And preyþ cyuyle it to see · and symonye it to rede. [M transposes symonye and cyuyle. it—see] to se it I. it—rede] to rede it IFS.] Þanne symonye and cyuyle · stoden forth boþe, [stoden] so MFG; stode E; standen I; stod P; stop (!) S.] Line 72 And vnfeelde [þe] feffement · þat fals hadde maked; [And] F om. vnfeelde] so E; vnfelde SG; vnfeeld P; vnfoldeþ IB; Vnfoldede FM. [þe MIFSEGB] þat P. maked] makede P.] Þanne sayde symonye · þat cyuyl it herde, [Þanne] Þo M. þat] and M.] "Alle þat louen & byleuen · vp lykyng of mede, [louen] liuen M. byleuen] so EMFSG; bylyuen P; bilieueþ I. vp] so MEFG; vppe I; vpon S.] Leueþ hit leelly · thys worth hure laste mede, [mede] ende M. thys—mede] wo is here last drynke F.] Line 76 Þat folwen falsnesse · fauel, and lyere, And me, and swiche men · þat after mede wayten.

Sciant presentes et futuri: et cetera.

[And] I om. me] Meede I. swiche] so MS; suche IE; miswrit|ten shiche P. And—men] As beth þese mysterus men F. þat] as M. Carta] so PEG; Incipit carta F (see margin); I adds—The feoffament of Meede. futuri] futuri, quod ego M.]

[Witen] alle and witnesen · þat wonen here on erthe, [[Witen I] Wyten B; Witten E; Wetyn P; Weten S; Wetith F; Wite ȝe M. alle] MI om.] Þat mede ys y-maried · more for hure richesse [hure] hure mechel P; hire mychel E; but MIFSG omit mechel; cf. B-text.] Line 80 Þan for holynesse oþer hendenesse · oþer for hye kynde. [for (1)] F om. F transposes holynesse and hendenesse. kynde] kynne M.] Falsnesse is fayne of hure · for he wot hure riche, [is] his P. wot] fynt F.] And fauel hath with fals speche · feffed hem by þis lettere [And] M om. hath with] þat haþ a I. feffed] feffeþ I. fals—let|tere] falsnesse · feffed hem to-gedere F.] To be prynces of prude · and pouerte to dispice, [prynces] princesse M; prince F; pruyse (sic) I. and] M om.] Line 84 To bakbyten and to bosten · and bere fals witnesse, [bakbyten] so S; bacbite MIF; bagbyten PE. bosten] boste wel F. and] and to M. witnesse] whitnesse P; withnesse M.] To scornie and to scolde · sclaundres to make, [scornie—scolde] scolde & to scorne S. sclaundres] & sclaundres FS; and sclaundre I.] Boþ vnbuxom and bold · to breke þe ten hestes. [Boþ] MIG om. vnbuxom] buxom F.] The erldom of enuye · and yre he hym graunteþ, [and yre] euer F. he hym] hem he S. graunteþ] graunte (sic) I.] Line 88 With þe castel of cheste · and chatering-out-of-reson; [cheste—reson] care · & of vn|kynde speche F.] The countee of couetise · he consenteþ to boþe, [countee] cuntesse FS. The countee] They counteþ I. he] and I; F om. to] to hem IF; S om.] With vserye and Auerice · and oþer false sleithes [B page 25] Line 91 In bargeyns and in brocages · with þe borghe of þufþe, [and] S om. in] IF om. bro|cages] burgages FG. þe] E om. borghe] bourh M; borwe I; box F; borȝ ES. þufþe] so EG; þefþe M; þefte IFSB.] And al þe lordshep of lecherye · in lengþe and in Brede, [F omits. And] With I. al] in E.] As in workes and in wordes · [and] waitynges of eyes, [and (1)] F om. in (2)] M om. [and M] and in I; in FESG; P om. waitynges] waytynges EG; waityng MIFS; waitenges P.] In wedes and [in] wisshynges · and with ydel þouhtes, [and] MFS om. [in MFSEGB] PI om. wisshynges] wisshenges P; wissching M. with] in M.] Þer þat wil wolde · and werkmanshup faileþ. Line 96

Line 96 Glotenye he geueþ hem · and grete oþes to-gederes, [he geueþ] i ȝeue M; a gyueþ I. hem MIFEB] hym P.] Al day to drynke · at dyuerse tauernes, [drynke] drynk depe F. at] in MF.] Ther to Iangle and to Iape · and Iuge her emcristine, [Ther] And þer I. Iangle] Iangly P. to (2)] M om.] And fastingdayes to frete · by-for noon, and drynke [And] M om. byfor] a-fore F. and] an P.] Line 100 With spicerie, spek ydelnesse · In veen speche, and spene, [spek] and speke M. and] to F. spene] spende MI.] And suwye forþ swych felaushep · tyl þei ben fallen in slewþe, [suwye] suwe MF; sewe S; sue I; suweþ E. swych] wiþ M.] And a-wake with wanhope · and no wil to amende, For he leyueþ be ylost · when he hus lyf leteþ: [leyueþ] loueþ M. be] to be MI. when] wen P.] Line 104 This lif to folwie falsnesse · and folk þat on hym leueþ, [lif] F om. to] is to MF. leueþ] so IFSE; leued M; lyueþ P.] After hure deþ [a] dwelling · day with-outen ende [[a MFSEG] þay I; P om. dwelling] duellen I.] In luciferes lordshup · as þys lettere sheweþ, [luciferes lordshup] lordschipe with lucifer I. þys] þe MF.] With al þe portinaunce of purgatorye · And þe payne of helle." [al] F om. þe portinaunce] þaportenances I. And] in M; & al F. payne] pyne F.] Line 108 In witnesse of þis þyng · wrong was þe ferste, [A page 21] [B page 26] And Peres þe pardoner · of paulynes queste, Bette þe budele · of banneburies sokne, [Bette] Bot I. budele] bedil I; bedel E; bedele F. banneburies] banburi MF; Bannebury I. sokne] soke M.] Reynald þe reue · and Redyngkynges menye, [and] and þe PE; but IFS om. þe; M has of. M transposes ll. 111 and 112.] Line 112 Munde þe mylnere · and meny mo oþere. [Munde] Mondy F; Mundy SG. mylnere] mullere M; myllere I; mill|ward F. mo oþere] anoþer I.] In þe date of þe deuel · þis dede ys a-seled, [ys] was M.] By syght of syre symonye · and cyuyles leue. Thanne [tened] hym theologye · whenne he þys tale herde, [Thanne] Þo M. [tened IFS] tenede MG; tene E; tuemede (for tuenede) P. whenne] wenne P. tale] tales I.] Line 116

Line 116 And seyde to syre symonye · "now sorwe mote þow haue, [syre] MIFS om. symonye] ciuile MF. now] M om. mote þow] so IE; þow mote P; þow M. mote—haue] on þi bokus F.] Line 117 Such a weddyng to worche · þat wrathe myghte treuþe. [þat] to F. wrathe] tene M. myghte] mai M; with þe F. treuþe] treuhþe P.] And er þis weddyng be wroughte · wo to al ȝoure con|sail! [And] M om. al] M om. al—consail] ȝow alle F.] For mede is moillere · amendes was here dame; [is] is a MF. moillere] moilere IFS; moiller M. was] I om.] Line 120 Þouh fals were hure fader · and fykel-tonge hure syre, [Þouh] Al-þogh I. syre] bel|sire MIG.] Amendes was hure [moder] · by trewe [mennes] lokyng. [[moder MIBG] dame PEFS. [mennes MI] men PEFS.] With-oute hure moder amendes · mede may noght be wedded, [With-oute] And wiþoute IB.] For treuth plyghte hure treuthe · to wedde on of hure douhteres, [hure] ȝoure E. douhteres] doutren M.] Line 124 And god grauntede it were so · so þat no gyle were, [F omits. grauntede] graunte IS. it] þat it S. þat] MI om.] And þow hast ygeue hure as gyle taughte · god ȝyue þe sorwe! [ygeue—taughte] gon here after gyle F. god] now god I.] For cyuyl and þy selue · selde fulfilleth [selde] ful selden ȝe F.] Þat god wolde were ydo · with-oute som deceite. [som] M om. deceite] de|ceytes F.] Line 128 Ich theologie þe tixt knowe · and trewe dome wyt|nesseþ, [See note in B-text, p. 392. tixt] trewþe F. and] ȝif I. trewe dome] trewþe M; textus it F.] Þat laurens þe leuite · lyggynge on þe gredire, [lyggynge] þat lay I. þe (2)] M om. gredire] fyre F.] Loked vp to oure lorde · and a-loud seide, [a-loud] al þis he M. seide] cride F.] 'God, of þy grace · heuene gates opene, [opene] þow opene M.] Line 132

Line 132 For ich, man, of þy mercy · mede haue deserued!' Line 133 And sythþe man may an hey · mede of god deserue, [man] a man M.] Hit semeþ ful sothly · ryght so on erthe, [ful] riȝt F; I om. on] here on M.] That mede may be wedded · to no man bote to treuthe; [to (2)] IG om.] And þow hast feffyd hure with fals · fy on suche lawe! [fy] now fy F. suche] þi F; swich a M.] For þorw lesynges ȝe [lacchen] · largeliche mede. [þorw] bi MI. [lacchen MIFS] lauhte P; laȝt E.] Line 138 Þat ȝe nemeþ & notaries · to nauht by-gynneþ brynge [&] and þe I. by-gynneþ] hit wole ȝow M; gynneþ I; gynneth to F; ȝe gunnuþ S.] Holy churche, and charite · ȝe cheweþ and deuoureþ. Ȝe shulle a-bygge boþe · bote ȝe a-mende þe sonnere. [A page 22] [a-bygge] abeggen it I.] For wel ȝe wyten, wernardes · as holy wryt telleþ, Þat fals ys faithles · þe fend ys hus syre, [fals] foule fals F.] And as a bastard ybore · byȝute was he neuere. [B page 27] [as] is M. ybore] born M. byȝute] byȝete IS; bigete M; be-ȝe|ten F.] Line 144 And mede ys moillere · a maiden of goode, [ys] is a M; was a F. a] and I.] Hue myghte cusse þe kyng · as for hus kynswomman. [Hue] Sche MS; Scheo F; ȝo E; And I. myghte] may F. as] M om. hus] F om.] For-þy worcheþ by wisdome · and by witte al-so, [For-þy] For-whi M; For hy EG. al-so] boþe M.] And ledeþ hure to londoun · wher lawe may declare, [londoun] londen P. wher] wer P; þere IG.] Line 148 Yf matrimoine may be · of mede and of falshede. [Yf] Wheþer M; Where IG. may be] be may F. falshede] fals F.] And þow Iustice[s] en-ioynen hem · þorgh Iurers oþes, [þow] þogh I; þauȝ S; trewe M. Iustices] so IFSE; Iustice PM. en-ioynen] an-ioynen I; ioyne F. oþes] lawe F.] Ȝut be war of þe weddyng · for wytty is treuthe, [Ȝut] But ȝut M. þe] MF om. weddyng] wedyng P. treuthe] sir trewþe F.] And conscience is of hus consail · and knoweth ȝow alle; [And] M om. is] F om.] Line 152 And yf he fynde ȝow in defaute · [and] with þe false holde, [And] M om. in] in eny S. [and MI] PEFS om. þe] M om. holde] to holde FS.]

Hit shal sitte ȝoure soules · ful soure at þe laste." [soules] soule I. soure] sore I.] Her-to a-sentyd cyuyle · ac symonie ne wolde, [a-sentyd] assenteþ I. ac] bute M; & FS.] Tyl he hadde seluer for þe seel · [and] sygnes of notaries. [seluer] F om. [and MIFSE] a P. sygnes — notaries] notaries signes M. of] & S.] Tho fette fauel forþ · floreynes y-nowe, [A page 23] [Tho] To I.] Line 157 And bad gyle "go gyue · gold al a-boute, [go] goo & F; to MI.] Nameliche, to notaries · þat non of hem faille; [Nameliche] And nameliche IE. to] to þe F; þe I. faille] ne fayle S; no faile F.] And feffe falsnesse · with floreynes ynowe, [falsnesse] falswittnesse MG; fals witnesses I. with] wit P.] Line 160 For he may mede amaistren · with hus myry speche." [amaistren] maistriȝe M.] Tho þis gold was gyuen · gret was þe þonkynge [Tho] Ac þo F. was—þonk|ynge] were þe þankes M; game þei hadde F.] That fals and fauel hadde · for here faire ȝyftes, [I transposes fals and fauel. That—hadde] & þonked fals & fauel F. faire] grete S.] And comen ful courteislich · to conforte þe false. [to—þe] and comfortede M.] Line 164 Thei seide to hym softeliche · "cesse shulle we neuere; [Thei] & FI. to hym] I om. softeliche] soþli MS; soþely I. shulle] schulde M.] Til mede be þy wedded wyf · we wolle nouht stynte. [we wolle] wile we M; wille we I; wole we F. nouht] neuere S.] For we han mede a-maistrid · þorw oure myrye tonge, [han] I om. mede] here F. tonge] speche M.] Þat hue graunteþ to go · with a good wille [B page 28] Line 168 To londoun, and loke · yf lawe wol Iuge; [londoun] londen P. and] and to I. yf] wheþer þe F. wol] wil it F.] To be maried for monye · mede hath a-sented." [mede] for mede F.] Than was fauel fayne · and falsnesse blyþe, [Than] Þo M; But þanne F.] And leten sompne alle segges · In eche syde a-boute, [alle] alle her I; alle þe F segges] sisours M.] And bed hem alle ben boun · beggeres and oþere, [bed] so PG; bad MIF; bydde S; bede E (but bed hem = bed' hem = bede hem).] Line 173 To wenden with hem to westemynstre · hus weddyng to honoure. [hem] him ISG. hus] þis M; the F.]

Ac hakeneyes hadde þei none · bote hakeneyes to hyre; [hakeneyes (1)] horsyng M; horsus þo F.] Thenne gan gyle borwe hors · at meny grete maistres, [Thenne] þo M. gan gyle] gile bigon M. borwe] to borwen IM. at] of M; & F. grete maistres] a gret maystre S; grete sires F.] And shope þat a shereyue · sholde bere mede [A page 24] Line 177 Softliche in saumbury · fram syse to syse. [in saumbury] in his Sambury S; in chaumbre M; in chambre IE; I-sadeled F.] Fals and fauel · sholde fecche forth sisours, [Fals] Fals schulden M; And fals I. sholde] IM om. fecche—si|sours] forþ sisoures fette F.] And ride on hem & on reues · ryght faste by mede. [And] To M. on—reues] riȝt in þe rewe F. ryght] MF om.] Symonye and cyuyle · seiden and sworen [and] an P. seiden] þo seiden F.] Line 181 That prestes and prouisours · sholde prelates seruen, [prelates seruen] be prelates E.] "And ich my-self cyuyle · and symonye my felawe [ich] F om. felawe] fere F.] Wollen ryden vp-on rectours · and riche men deuoutours, [Wollen] Schulle M. deuout|ours] so IM; deuotours S; deuout|rours E; of þropus F.] Line 184 And notories [on] persons · þat permuten ofte, [And] M om. [on IE] upon F; and PMS.] And on poure prouysors · & on a-peles [in] þe arches. [on (2)] vpon I. a-peles] apele E; pelours M. [in EI] of MS; on P. &—in] þat peleth to F.] Somenours and southdenes · þat supersedeas takeþ, [Somenours] & sumnours F. southdenes] soþdenes E; sodenes IFS; denes M. þat] I om.] On hem þat louyeþ lecherie · lepeþ vp and rydeþ, Line 188 On executores and suche men · comeþ softliche after. [On] Þe E. executores] se|cutours I; secatours F. comeþ soft liche] & comyth soft F.] And let cople þe comissarie · oure cart shal he drawe, [A page 25] [B page 29] [let cople] late cope IFS; cart|sadeleþ M. þe] oure M. oure] þe F. drawe] dryue S.] And fecche forth oure vitailes · of fornicatores. [forth] I om. of] of alle M; and I. fornicatores] so I; forni|cators P; fornicatours MFSE (but it is the Latin form; see B-text).] Makeþ of lyer a lang cart · to lede alle þese oþere, [Makeþ] And make M; And makeþ I. of] a F; of a I. lang] long IS. þese F] þise I; þis ME; þes PS.] Line 192 As fobbes and faitours · þat on hure fet rennen." [As] M om. fobbes] so IES; fobberus F; Freres M. þat—fet] let hem on fote M.]

Thanne fals and fauel · ryden forth to-gederes, [ryden] thei riden F.] And mede in þe myddes · and alle þuse men after. [And] M om. and] with F. alle] MS om. þuse] þese MIFS.] Ich haue no tome to telle · þe tail þat hem folweþ, [tome] time MES; tonge F. folweþ] folwede MIS.] Line 196 Of many manere men · for medes sake sent after; [manere] F om. men] of men MS. for—sent] þat mede sent M; for mede · þat suyd fast F.] Ac gile was forgoere · to gyen al þe puple, [to gyen] to bigile M; & giede F. þe] þis I.] For to wisse hem þe weye · and with mede a-byde. [hem] men E. and—mede] wiþ mede þat wolde M.] Sothnesse seih hem alle · and seide bote a lytel, [seih] si M; seyȝ S; seþ E; seith I; seeth F. alle] wel MF. a] MFSE om.] Line 200 And priked forth on pacience · and passede hem alle, [And] He M; But F. priked] prikith F. and] an P.] And cam to þe kynges court; · to conscience he tolde, [And] He M. to (2)] and MIF. he] MIF om.] And conscience to þe kyng · carped it after. [And] Þo F.] "Now by cryst," quath þe kyng · "and ich cacche myghte [and] if F.] Line 204 Fals oþer fauel · oþer here felawe lyere, [oþer—lyere] or felawes of þat route F.] Ich wolde be wreke on þo wrecches · and on here werkus alle, [wreke] a-wreke M. on (1)] in S. þo] þat M; þe ES. on (2)] F om. alle] ille F; boþe M.] And do hem hongy by þe hals · and alle þat hem maynteneþ. [do—hongy] hange hem hy F. þat] M om. hem] þey S.] Line 207 Shal neuere man on þis molde · maynpryse þe leste, [man] no man M.] [But] ryght as þe lawe lokeþ · let falle on hem alle!" [[But MIF] And PES. ryght] ȝit I; M om.] He comaundyd a constable · þat cam at þe furste, [He] And I; þo F. a] he a F. at þe] atte EI; ate S.] "Go atache þo tyrauns · for eny tresour, ich hote, [Go] To IF. þo] þe EMF. tyrauns] tyrauntes MFS; tyrauntz I.] Let feterye fast falsnesse · for eny kynnes ȝiftes, [A page 26] [feterye] fetere MFS; fecche I. fast falsnesse] fals faste M; fals|nesse faste I. kynnes] kynne S.] Line 212

Line 212 And gurd of gyles hefd · and lete hym go no wyddere, [B page 30] [gurd] gurdeþ MI. hefd] hed EMS; heede F. and] MIFS om. wyddere] widere E; whider F.] And brynge mede to me · maugre hem alle. [brynge] bringeþ MIFS. maugre] malgre I.] And if ȝe lacche lyere · let hym nat a-skapie Line 215 Er he be put on [þe] pullery · for eny preier, ich hote!" [Er] Or FSE. put] i-put M. [þe MI] PEFS om. preier] preior P. ich hote] M om.] Drede stod at þe dore · and al þat dene herde, [stod] stond þow M. al þat] al þis S; al þe F; þat þe M; I om. dene I] deon M; done F; dune S; duene P; duende E (duene = dene = din).] What þe kynges wil was · and wyghtlyche he wente, [þe—was] was þe kinges wille I. and] I om. wyghtlyche] whyght|lyche P; wittileche I.] And bad falsnesse to flee · and hus feren alle. [bad] I om. falsnesse] fals M. to] forte M; F om. feren] feeres I; ferus FS.] Falsnesse for fere [þo] · flegh to þe freres, [Falsnesse] And falsnesse F. [þo IF] PEMS om. flegh] fli M; flyȝ S; he fley F; fleȝe E.] Line 220 And gyle dud hym to gon · agast for to deye; [dud] doth I.] Ac marchauns metten with hym · and made hym abyde, [hym (2)] hem F. made—abyde] him abide made M. abyde] to abyde S.] And shutten hym in here shoppes · to shewen here ware, [shutten] bischetten I. in] F om. shoppes] schoppe I.] And parailed hym lyke here prentys · þe puple to seruen. [parailed] aparailede M. hym] F om. lyke here] as a M; lik a F.] Line 224 Lyghtliche lyere · lep a-way þennes, [Lyghtliche] Tho liȝtliche F. a-way] a-way þo fro PE; but MIFSG omit þo fro; cf. B-text.] Lorkynge þorw lanes · to-logged of menye. [þorw] in M.] He was nawher welcome · for hus meny tales, [was] E om. nawher] nawer P. welcome] wolcome P.] Ouer-al houted out · and yhote trusse, [Ouer] But ouer F. houted] I-hunted F; i-honted M; hountyd S; cf. B-text. out] I om. trusse] so IESG; to trusse MF; trosse P.] Line 228 Til pardoners hadden pitte · and pullede hym to house. [Til] M om. pitte] pite of him M; pitee on him I. pullede] so EG; pulled I; pulde M; pellyd S; putten F; pollede P. to] in-to I.]

Thei woshe hym and wypede hym · and wonde hym in cloutes, [A page 27] [woshe] woschen E; weschen IS; wessche M; wuschen F. wypede] wrongen F. cloutes] cloþus F.] And sente hym [on] sonnedayes · with seeles to churches, [[on MIFSG] in PE. churches] chirche MI.] And ȝaf pardon [for] pans · pound-meel a-boute. [ȝaf] ȝaf hym P; ȝaf hem E; but MIFSG omit hym. [for MIFSEG] of P. pans] penes M; pens IF.] Line 232 Thanne lourede leches · and letters þei senten, [B page 31] [Thanne] Þo M.] Þat lyer shold wony with hem · waters to loke. Spicers to [hym] speke · to aspie here ware, [Spicers] And spicers PE; but MIFS omit And. [hym EMIFSG] hem P.] Line 235 For he can on here crafte · and knoweþ meny gommes. Ac mynstrales and messagers · mette with lyere one[s], [Ac] M om. ones] so MIG; onus FS; one PE.] And with-helde hym half a ȝere · and elleue dayes. [with-helde] of-helden I. half] oþer half F. a] MIFS om. elleue] endleuen I.] Ac Freres þorw fayre speche · fetten hym þennes; [þorw] with here E. fetten] fecchen I.] Line 239 For knowynge of comers · þei copyde hym as a Frere; [For] And for I. comers] cuntrees (sic) I.] Ac he hath leue to lepen out · as ofte as hym lykeþ, [Ac] M om. ofte as] F om.] And ys welcome whanne he comeþ · and woneþ with hem ofte. [And] He M. welcome] wol|come PF. whanne] wanne P. comeþ] wole F.] Symonye and cyuyle · senten to rome, [senten] þo · þei caired F.] And putte hem þorw a-peles · in þe popes grace. [þorw] in E.] Line 244 Ac conscience to þe kyng · a-cusede hem boþe, [Ac] And IS.] And seide, "syre kyng, by cryst · bote clerkus amende, Thi kyngdom þorw here couetyse · wol out of kynde wende, [here] F om. wende] weynde P; but see iv. 19.] Line 247 And holy churche þorw hem · worth harmed for euere." Alle fledden for fere · and flowen in-to hernes; [fledden] felden E; fledde þo F. in-to] in-to þe F.]

Saue mede [þe] mayde · no mo dorste a-byde. [[þe IFSEG] þat PM.] Ac treweliche to telle · hue tremblede for fere, [treweliche] tryweliche P; truli M. hue] sche MS; scheo F; he I; ȝo E. tremblede] tremelede E; trem|led F; tremelde M.] Line 251 And boþe wrang and wepte · whanne hue was a-tached. [I transposes wrang and wepte. And—wrang] Wrong hure honden M. wepte] wepe E. whanne] wanne P. hue] see l. 251. a-tached] a|tachede P.]

Hic explicit passus .iij ^us.. [So in E; and in GSF, omitting Hic.]

PASSUS IV.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextera.

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

As] F om.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera.

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

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

140—142. I has—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quia antelate rei est recordatiuum,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nominatiuo, pater & filius & spiritus sanctus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe."

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

Honorem acquirit qui dat munera."

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

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

Animam aufert accipientium: [B page 47]

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

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

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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.]

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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 32 "Here comeþ," quaþ conscience · "þat couetyse seruen;

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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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. Line 48

Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 64 How wronge was a wickede man · and moche wo wrouhte. [B page 51] [How] þat F.]

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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 84

Line 84 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.]

As longe as ich lyue · for hus luther werkes." [As] Also F. ich] y may S.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 124

Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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.] That lawe shal be a laborer · and lede a felde donge, [be] be but I.]

And loue shal lede þy land · as þe leef lykeþ." [leef MFSE] leeue I; luf P.] Line 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 Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.]

A shereyues clerk cryede · "a! capiatis mede, [cryede] þo cride F. a] aa F. capiatis] capias I; capiatis nunc M.] Line 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.] Line 171 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.] Line 174 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.] Line 178 "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.]

With-oute mercement oþer manslauht · amenden alle reames." [mercement—manslauht] man|slauȝt or mercement F.] Line 182 "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.] Line 185 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.] Line 189 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.] Line 195 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.]

PASSUS VI.

[TITLE. So ESFG; Hic incipit passus sextus de uisione M; Passus quintus de visione, vbi prius I.] Incipit passus sextus.

Thus ich a-waked, god wot · whanne ich wonede on cornehulle, [a-waked] haue waked F. god wot MFE] wot god PSI. whanne] wanne P. on] in I.] Kytte and ich in a cote · cloþed as a lollere, [cloþed] y-cloþed EI.] And lytel [y-lete] by · leyue me for soþe, [And] And a P; but IMSE omit a; & ful F. [y-lete IMSG] late F; miswritten ich let P; ich lete E. leyue] leue ME; leueth IFG; by|leuuþ S.] Among lollares of london · and lewede heremytes; [lollares] lollers EI; lollardus F; loreles M. london S] londen or london P; londen EM; londoun IF. heremytes] hermites I; ermiȝtes M.] Line 4 For ich made of þo men · as reson me tauhte. [made] rouȝte F.] For as ich cam by conscience · with reson ich mette [For as] & þo F. with] wit P; M om. ich] me M.] In an hote heruest · whenne ich hadde myn hele, [whenne] wenne P.] And lymes to labore with · and louede wel fare, [fare] to fare MFS.] Line 8 And no dede to do · bote drynke and to slepe. [to do] for to doo F. drynke] to drynke S. and to] and S; wel and F.] In hele and in vnite · on me aposede; [vnite] inwitte I; hete F.] Romynge in remembraunce · thus reson me aratede. [Romynge] & romyng F; Rom|blynge (= rambling) M.] "Canstow seruen," he seide · "oþer syngen in a churche, [Canstow] Canst þow MFS; Can þou I. a] E om.] Line 12 Oþer coke for my cokers · oþer to þe cart picche, [coke] coken M; loke (wrongly) I. my] S om. cokers] cokares I; cokerus FS.]

Mowe oþer mowen · oþer make bond to sheues, [mowen] mouwen M; muwe F; mywen I (mow = to put in a mow, to stack). bond] bend F. to] for M.] Repe oþer be a repereyue · and a-ryse erliche, [repereyue] repereue IF; rip|reue M; rippreue E; rype-reue SG. erliche] vp erli M.] Oþer haue an horne and be haywarde · and liggen oute a nyghtes, [haue] with F. and] F om. be] be an ME; be a S. oute] þer|oute I. a] on M.] Line 16 And kepe my corn in my croft · fro pykers and þeeues? [And] To F. fro] for MF. pykers] prikieres M. and] or M.] Oþer shappe shon oþer cloþes · oþer shep oþer kyn kepe, [shon—cloþes] cloþus oþur schoon F. cloþes] cloþe MI.] Heggen oþer harwen · oþer swyn oþer gees dryue, [Heggen IMF] Eggen PES. harwen] harewen MS. swyn] swyne kepe E. gees] hogges M.] Oþer eny [oþer] kyns craft · þat to þe comune nedeþ, [eny] E om. [oþer MIFSG] PE om. kyns] kynnes MES; kyn F. þe] E om. nedeþ IME] nudeþ P.] Hem þat bedreden be · by-lyue to fynde?" [bedreden] be-dradde F; in drede M. by-lyue] by-leue E; lijf|lode M. I has—þey I be betered þe by · þat by-leue þe fynden.] Line 21 "Certes," ich seyde · "and so me god helpe, [Certes] Certes nai M; Certus sir F.] Ich am to waik to worche · with sykel oþer with sythe, [waik] woke E; wow M.] And to long, leyf me · lowe for to stoupe, [leyf] lef þow M. for] I om.] Line 24 To worchen as a workeman · eny whyle to dure." [a] S om. whyle] wyle P.] "Thenne hauest þow londes to lyue by" · quath reson, "oþer lynage riche [hauest] hast IMFSE. londes] land M. quath reson] quod he F (inserted after þow).] That fynden þe þy fode? · for an ydel man þow semest, [fynden] fyndeþ MIFS. þe] þe þus F. an] F om. ydel] hydel P.] A spendour þat spende mot · oþer a spille-tyme, [spende] spene I.] Line 28 Oþer beggest þy bylyue · a-boute at menne hacches, [bylyue] bylyf E. at] ate P. menne] men ES; mennes IMF.] Oþer faitest vp-on frydays · oþer feste-dayes in churches, [M omits.] The whiche is lollarene lyf · þat lytel ys preysed, [whiche] wiche P. lollarene] lollerne I; lollerus F; a lollerus S; loreles M; miswritten sollarene E. þat—ys] and litel M. preysed] I|preysed IMFS.]

Þer ryghtfulnesse rewardeþ · ryght as men deserueþ,

Reddit unicuique iuxta opera sua.

[ryghtfulnesse] as riȝt F. Red|dit] Reddet MF.] Line 32 Oþer þow art broke, so may be · in body oþer in membre, [art IMFS] ert PE. broke] croket M.] Oþer ymaymed þorw som mys-hap · wher-by þow myȝt be excused?" [wher-by] wer-by P; where|þurgh F.] "Whanne ich ȝong was," quath ich · "meny ȝer hennes, [Whanne] Wanne P. quath ich] I om.] My fader and my frendes · founden me to scole, Line 36 Tyl ich wiste wyterliche · what holy wryt menede, [what] wat P. menede] bi|menede M.] And what is best for þe body · as þe bok telleþ, [what] wat P. is] was FS.] And sykerest for þe soule · by so ich wolle continue. [And] & also F. by so] so þat MF.] And ȝut fond ich neuere in faith · sytthen my frendes deyden, [ȝut] IF om. ich] I om.] Line 40 Lyf þat me lyked · bote in þes longe clothes. [lyked] liked wel F.] Yf ich by laboure sholde lyue · and lyflode deseruen, [Yf] ȝif MFSE; Hyf P; And ȝif I.] That labour þat ich lerned best · þer-with lyue ich sholde;

In eadem uocatione [in] qua uocati estis, [manete.]

[best] furst M. þer-with] þer|whit P. sholde] wolde E. [in M] PEIFS om. [manete M] PEIFS om.] And ich lyue in londone · and on londone bothe, [And] And so I. londone MSE] londoun IF; londene P. on londone SE] on londen P; by londoun F; out of londone M; vp-londe I.] Line 44 The lomes þat ich laboure with · and lyflode deserue Ys pater-noster and my prymer · placebo and dirige, [Ys] so in all. my] F om. dirige] my dirige F.] And my sauter som tyme · and my seuene psalmes. [seuene psalmes] psalmes seuene M.] Line 47 Thus ich synge for hure soules · of suche as me helpen, [Thus] þis I. synge] sigge I. hure] þe FS. soules] soule S.] And þo þat fynden me my fode · vouchen saf, ich trowe, [me] E om. vouchen M] fouchen IS; vochen PE; fouche F.]

To be welcome whanne ich come · oþer-whyle in a monthe, [welcome] wolcome P. whanne] wanne P. whyle] wyle P. oþer|whyle] oonus F.] Now with hym and now with hure · and þus-gate ich begge [and] I om. and—gate] on þis wise I.] With-oute bagge oþer botel · bote my wombe one. [wombe] bodi M.] Line 52 And al-so more-ouer · me þynkeþ, syre reson, [And] F om. more-ouer] more|ouer now F. þynkeþ] meeneth wel F.] Men sholde constreyne no clerke · to knauene werkes; [Men] Me I. knauene] no knaues I.] For by lawe of leuitici · þat oure lord ordeynede, [lawe] þe lawe IM. ordeynede] made F.] Clerkes þat aren crouned · of kynde vnderstondyng [þat aren] I om. aren] arn M; ben E; be F. crouned] i-crowned MI.] Line 56 Sholde noþer swynke ne swete · ne swere at enquestes, [noþer] nouȝt M.] Ne fyghte in no vauntwarde · ne hus fo greue;

Non reddas malum pro malo.

[vauntwarde] vandwarde M; faumwarde I; famwarde S; fawarde F. hus fo] here foos F. reddas] reddes F.] For it ben aires of heuene · alle þat ben crouned, [it ben] it beeth FS; þei ben M. aires] eires ME; heires IF. alle] and alle PE; but IMFS omit and. ben] beþ F. crouned] croun|ede P; I-crouned IFMS.] Line 59 And in queer [and in kirkes] · cristes owene mynestres,

Dominus pars hereditatis mee; & alibi: Cle|mentia non constringit.

[queer] quere FIE; quer MS. [and in kirkes I] and in chirches MS; in churches PE; in kirkus F. owene] I om. mynestres] mene|strales M.] Hit by-comeþ for clerkus · crist for to seruen, And knaues vncrouned · to cart and to worche. For shold no clerk be crouned · bote yf he ycome were [yf] IFM om. ycome] come IFS.] Of franklens and free men · and of folke ywedded. [and] or F (twice). ywedded] yweddede P.] Line 64 Bondmen and bastardes · and beggers children, [Bondmen] But bonde-men F.] Thuse by-longeþ to labour · and lordes [kyn to] seruen [Thuse] þese IMF. by-longeþ] longeþ M. [kyn to MF] to (kyn omitted) I; children sholde PES (which clogs the line); kyn scholde G.]

Bothe god and good men · as here degree askeþ; [Bothe] I om. degree] gre M; degreus S.] Some to synge masses · oþer sitten and wryte, [oþer] & summe to F.] Line 68 Rede and receyue · þat reson ouhte spende; [ouhte spende] auȝte dispende M; oweth to spene I; rewarde hadde F.] [Ac] sith bondemenne barnes · han be mad Bisshopes, [[Ac IMSG] And PEF. bonde|menne] bondmens IF. han—Bis|shopes] ha be mytred made F.] And barnes bastardes · han ben archidekenes, [bastardes] bastard born F.] And sopers and here sones · for seluer han be knyghtes, [sopers] sory soperus F; schip|herdes I. han be] be made F.] And lordene sones here laborers · and leid here rentes to wedde, [lordene] lordes IMFS. here laborers] han be heore men M. here] F om. rentes] landes M.] Line 73 For þe ryght of þis reame · ryden a-ȝens oure enemys, [þis IMS] þes P; þe EF.] In confort of þe comune · and þe kynges worshep, [and] & of F. worshep] honour F.] And monkes and moniales · þat mendinauns sholden fynde, [mendinauns] mendinaunt S.] Line 76 Han mad here kyn knyghtes · and knyghtfees pur|chase[d], [Han mad] I-made I. knyght|fees] feus S. purchased EMFSG] y-purchased I; purchase P.] Popes and patrones · poure gentil blod refuseþ, [gentil] gentel men E. re|fuseþ] refused IF.] And taken symondes sone · seyntewarie to kepe. [seyntewarie] sanctuarye F.] Lyf-holynesse and loue · han ben longe hennes, [and] to F.] Line 80 And wole, til hit be wered out · or oþerwise ychaunged. [or] and M.] For-þy rebuke me ryght nouht · reson, ich ȝow praye; [For-þy] For-whi M. ȝow] þe IM.] For in my conscience ich knowe · what crist wolde þat ich wrouhte. [þat] IMF om.] Preyers of [a] parfyt man · and penaunce discret [Preyers] For preiers F. [a IMFEG] PS om.] Line 84 Ys þe leueste labour · þat oure lord pleseþ. [Ys] see l. 45. labour] þyng M. pleseþ] askeþ M.]

Non de solo," ich seide · "for soþe uiuit homo, [de solo] in solo pane M. for soþe] M om. for—homo] viuit home forsothe F.] Nec in pane & pabulo · þe pater-noster witnesseþ; [&] et in I; nec in MS. þe] as F.] Fiat uoluntas tua · fynt ous alle þynges." [Fiat] For fiat F. tua EM] Dei IFS; miswritten tuas P. fynt] þat fynt I; it findeth F. ous] so S; vs IFME.] Line 88 Quath conscience, "by crist · ich can nat see this lyeþ; [by] þo by F. ich—lyeþ] I know þat þu gabbes F.] Ac it semeth nouht parfytnesse · in cytees for to begge, [nouht] no I. parfytnesse] sad parfitnesse IFS. for] IS om.] Bote he be obediencer · to pryour oþer to mynstre." [Bote] And M. obediencer] vnbedienter (sic) E; obedient F. oþer to] or to oþer M. mynstre] mynystre SM.] "That ys soth," ich seide · "and so ich by-knowe, [ich (2)] I am MF.] Line 92 That ich haue tynt tyme · and tyme mysspended; [tynt] loste E. mysspended] mysspende E; mysdespendyd F.] And ȝut, ich hope, as he · þat ofte haueþ chaffared, [And] Ac MIF. ȝut] riȝt F. he] dooth he F.] Þat ay hath lost and lost · and [atte laste] hym happed [Þat] And IME. hath] I om. and lost] S om. [atte laste EIFS] at þe laste MG; at þe latiste P.] He bouhte suche a bargayn · he was þe bet euere, [He bouhte] Aboute I; þat he bieth F. was] is F. bet] better IM; bet for F.] Line 96 And sette hus lost at a lef · at þe laste ende, [hus] al his I. lost] los I. at—lef] aloof E. at þe] atte IFS.] Suche a wynnynge hym warth · þorw wordes of hus grace;

Simile est regnum celorum thesauro abscondito in agro, & cetera: Mulier que inuenit dragmam [vnam], et cetera;

[hym] þer F. warth] so PI; worþ MSE; wurth F. wordes IFSE] wyrdes P; werkes M. hus] IMFS om. [vnam M] PEIFS om.] So hope ich to haue · of hym þat is al-myghty [hope ich] ich hope E. is] his P.] A gobet of hus grace · and bygynne a tyme, [gobet] good gobet F.] Line 100 Þat alle tymes of my tyme · to profit shal turne." [alle] alle þe F.] "Ich rede þe," quath reson þo · "rape þe to by-gynne Þe lyf þat ys lowable · and leel to þe soule"— [lyf] leef I. lowable] louable I; loueable F. þe] þy EIF.]

"Ȝe, and continue;" quath conscience · and to þe [kirke] ich wente. [[kirke IF] churche PEMS. wente] wende E.] Line 104 And to þe [kirke] gan ich go · god to honourie, [And to] Vnto M. [kirke IF] churche PEMS. gan ich] I gan I. honourie] so E; honoure MFI; hon|our S.] By-for þe crois on my knees · knocked ich my brest, [knocked ich] knockynge M. brest] herte F.] Sykinge for my synnes · seggynge my pater-noster, [Sykinge] Siȝhinge F; Syȝ|ȝynge S; Schryuyng I. synnes] sen|nes P; cf. l. 116. seggynge] syngyng EM; & seide F.] Wepyng and wailinge · tyl ich was a slepe. Line 108 Thenne mette me moche more · þan ich by-fore tolde [A page 52] [B page 57] [Thenne] And þanne I. mette IMFSE] mete P; and in l. 110. me] i MFS.] Of þe mater þat ich mette fyrst · on maluerne hulles. [þe] F om. ich] me I.] Ich sauh þe feld ful of folk · fram ende to oþer, [þe] a M. to] til IM. oþer] þe oþer P; but IMFSE omit þe.] And reson reuested · ryȝt as a pope, [reuested] i-reuested MI; re|uesthed ryally F.] Line 112 And conscience his crocer · by-fore þe kynge stande. [conscience his] so all. crocer] croser IM; croycer F; croyser SE. stande] stoden M.] Reson reuerentliche · by-for al þe reame [Reson] Þanne resoun F. by|for] tofore I.] Prechede, and prouede · þat þuse pestilences [Prechede and preued þat þis pestilence · was for pure synne I. þuse] þese MF; þes E.] Was for pure synne · to punyshe þe puple; [A page 53] [Was] so EIS; Weren M; It was F.] Line 116 And þe south-west wynd · on saterday at eue [on] on a IM; or S.] Was pertelich for prude · and for no poynt elles. [B page 58] [prude] pride MF.] Piries and plomtrees · were poffed to þe erthe [Piries] Puries E; Puryus S; Pere-trees I. poffed] puffed FS; possed IE; i-puffed M.] Line 119 In ensample to syggen ous · we sholde do þe betere; [syggen] schewe M. to—ous] þat I. we sholde] forte M.] Beches and brode okes · weren blowe to þe grounde, [weren blowe] blewe I. blowe] blow F; i-blowe M.] And turned vpward here tayl · in tokenynge of drede That dedlich synne er domys day · shal for-do ous alle. [er] ar I; or MSE. ous] hem I.]

Of þis mater ich myghte · momely [ful] longe, [momely] momele MF; ma|mele I; mene S. [ful IMFSEG] wel P; cf. B-text.] Line 124 Ac ich shal seye as ich seih · slepynge, as it were, [seih] si M; sy F.] How reson radde al þe reame · ryght for to lyuen. [ryght for] riȝtly F; I om. lyuen] heuene I.] He bad wastours go worche · and wynne here sustin|aunce [go] to MI. wynne] gete M.] Þorw som trewe trauail · and no tyme spille. Line 128 He preide purnele · here porfil to leue, [He] Also he F. here] of hure M.] And kepe hit in here cofre · for catell at hure nede. [at hure] oþer F. nede IMEF] nude P.] He tauhte Thomme stowe · to take two staues, [stowe E] stone P; stouue S; stowue IF; of stowe M. He—stowe] Tomme stowue he taghte I. two] þe S.] And fecche felice home · fram wyuen pyne. [fecche] fette IF. fram] fro þe M. wyuen] wyfen E; wyuene IMF.] Line 132 He warnede watte · hus wif was to blame, [hus—was] waite · his wif F. to] S om.] For hure hefd was worth half mark · and hus hod nat a grote. [hefd] hede IF; hed MES. mark] a mark S. hod] F om. nat] nouȝt worþ M.] He bad bette go kutte · a bowh oþer tweye, [bette] will E. go] to IFS. tweye] tweine M.] And bete beton þer-myd · bote hue wolde worche. [þer-myd] þer-wiþ IF. bote] but ȝif IM. hue] written he P; heo F; ȝo E; sche IM; cf. Pass. v. 92.] Line 136 He charged chapmen · to chasten here children, And lete no wynnynge for-wene hem · þe while þei ben ȝonge; [And] IF om. for-wene] for|wanyen I. þe while] þe wile P; þer|whil I; while þat MF.] For ho so spareþ þe spring · spilleþ hus children; [B page 59] [ho so] who I. spring] sprigge FI; ȝerde E. spilleþ] he spilleþ MS. hus] here I. children] heirus F.] And so wrot þe wise · to wissen us alle,

Qui parcit uirge, odit filium.

[wise] wise man M. wissen IMFSE] wisen P. us] hus P. filium] filium suum F.] Line 140 And sitthe he preide prelates · and prestes to-geders, [A page 54]

That hij precheþ to þe puple · prouen hit hem-selue; [hij] ȝe I. hem] ȝow I.] "Lyue ȝe as ȝe lereþ ous · we shulleþ leyue ȝow þe bettere." [Lyue] Lyueth IM; & lyue F. ȝe (1)] MF om. ȝe (2)] þei F. shulleþ] schulle M; schol S; schal IF. leyue] leue ISE; loue M; leeue F.] And sitthe [he] radde religion · here ruele to holde, [[he IMFSEG] P om. reli|gion] religious MF.] Line 144 "Leste þe kyng and hus consail · ȝoure comunes a-peyre, [kyng and] kyngus F. ȝoure] her F. a-peyre IMFSG] apeyere PE.] And be stywardes of ȝoure stedes · til ȝe be [stewed] betere. [stywardes] steward FS. of] ouer E. ȝe] he F. [stewed F] stuede PE; stuyd S; stowed I; stywed G; turned M.] Gregorie þe grete clerk · gart write in bokes [A page 132] [B page 158] [SEE B. x. 292. gart] lete E. in] I om.] The ruele of alle religious · ryghtful and obedient. [alle] F om. religious] re|ligion MF; religiouns I. and obedi|ent] to beholde F.] Line 148 Right as fisshes in flod · whenne hem faileþ water, [Right] þat riȝt F. in] in a M; on þe I. whenne] wenne P; and in l. 150. hem] þay I.] Deyen for drouthe · whenne þei drye liggen, [drouthe] dreuthe or drouthe P; druþe E; drowþe M; droghþe I; drouȝte F. drye] miswritten dryen P.] Ryght so religion · roteþ and sterueth, [religion] religious M.] Þat out of couent and cloistre · coueyteþ to dwelle. [and] and of I; or M.] Line 152 For yf heuene be on þys erthe · oþer eny eyse for saule, [for saule] to þe soule I; of soule M.] Hit is in cloistre oþer in scole · by meny skyles ich fynde. [cloistre] a cloistre P; but IMFSE omit a; so also in l. 155. meny] sundry F; E om.] For in cloistre comeþ no man · to chide ne to fighte; [chide—fighte] fiȝte ne to chide M.] In scole ys loue and lownesse · and [lykyng] to lerne. [[lykyng EIMF] lokynge PS.] Ac meny day, men telleþ · boþe monkes and chanouns [meny—men] as many man F.] Han ride out of a-ray · here ruele vuel [y]holde, [ride] riden F; i-ride M; ridde E. vuel] euel IMF. yholde EG] i-holde MIFS; holde P.] Line 158 [Lederes of louedaies · and landes purchassed,] [From M; also in IFSG; PE om. louedaies] lawedayus FSG; ladies I.]

And priked a-boute on palfrais · fro places to maners, [priked] i-priked M. fro] to S. to IM] & to ES; in-to P. fro—maners] to places aboute F.] An hepe of houndes at hus ers · as he a lord were; And [but] hus knaue knele · þat shal hus coppe holde, [[but MFS] but if I; bit PE. hus] þe M.] He lokeþ al louryng · and 'lordein' hym calleþ. [louryng] loureng P. lordein IME] lurdein FS; lorden P.] Lytel hadde lordes a-do · to ȝeue londe fro here aires [aires] heires IF; eires MES.] To [religious], þat han no reuthe · þauh hit reyne [on] here auters. [B page 159] [[religious IMFSE] religion P. reyne] ryne P. [on IMFSG] in PE.] Line 165 In places þer þei persons beþ · by hem-self at ese, [places] place F; many places I. þei] þe I. by] ben M.] Of þe poure han þei no pyte · þat is here pure charite. [Of] On E. þat] and þat I. is] his P. pure] miswritten poure P. þat—charite] þogh þei pyne & sterue F.] Ȝe leten ȝow alle as lordes · ȝoure londe lyth to brode. [Ȝe] Ac ȝe I. lyth] it lyth F. to] so IM.] Ac ȝut shal come a kyng · and confesse ȝow alle, [Ac ȝut] Ac þer I; But ȝit F; And ȝut M; Ȝit ȝit (sic) E. kyng] cristene king F. confesse] chastise F.] Line 169 And bete ȝow, as þe byble telleþ · for brekyng of ȝoure reule, [telleþ] seyth F. reule] reules I.] And amende ȝow monkes · moniales, and chanons, [monkes] mery monkus F. moniales] boþe monials I. chanons] alle F.] And putte ȝow to ȝoure penaunce · ad pristinum statum ire. [penaunce] pitaunce F. sta|tum] gradum M.] Line 172 And barons and here barnes · blame ȝow and reproue;

Hii in curribus & hi in equis: ipsi obligati sunt, & ceciderunt.

[barnes] baronasse (sic) E.] Freres in here freitour · shulle fynde þat tyme [freitour] fretour P.] Bred with-oute beggynge · to lyue by euere after, And constantyn shal be here cook · and couerer of here churche. [constantyn] costantyn P. shal] S om. couerer] keuerour FS; ceuerour M. churche] kyrke M; chirches IG; kychene S.] Line 176

Line 176 For þe abbot of engelonde . and þe abbesse hys nece [þe abbesse] abbace F; abbas M. hys] ys P.] Shullen haue a knok on here crounes · and in-curable þe wounde;

Contriuit dominus baculum impiorum, uirgam dominancium, plaga in-sanabili. [B page 160]

[knok] knotte F. on] vpon I. here crounes] þe croune M. wounde IFSE] wonde P. and—wounde] in|curable schulle þei wende M.] Ac er þat kyng come · as cronycles me tolde, [I omits. er] er þan M; ar S; or FE. þat] þis S.] Clerkus and holychurche · shal be cloþed newe. [churche] kirke would better suit the metre.] Line 180 And sitthe he consailed þe kyng · hus comune to louye; [A page 54] [B page 59] [to] S om.] For þe comune ys þe kynges tresour · conscience wot wel, [For] F om. þe] F om. con|science] as conscience F.] And al-so," quath reson · "ich rede ȝow riche, [riche] þat be riche F.] And comuners to a-corden · in alle kynne treuthe. [And—a-corden] Acordeth with þe comune F.] Line 184 Let no kynne consail · ne couetyse ȝow departe, [kynne] kynges M; careful F. couetyse] conscience M. departe] parte I; to parte M.] Þat on wit and on wil · alle ȝoure wardes kepe. [on] o IFS (twice).] Lo! in heuene an hy · was an holy comune, [heuene—hy] in þe heye heuene F; heuen and in erþe I.] Til lucifer þe lyere · leyued þat hym-selue [leyued] leued IMFSE.] Line 188 Were wittyour and worthiour · þan he þat was hus maister. Hold ȝow in vnite · and [he] þat oþer wolde [Hold] Holdeþ M. Hold—in] Holliche holduth F. [he IMSEG] ȝe P. he þat] ho so F. oþer] hoþer P. wolde] wille F.] Ys cause of alle combraunce · to confounde a reame." [alle] careful F. combraunce] comberances I.] And sitthen he preide þe pope · haue pyte of holy|churche, [sitthen] þanne F. pope] peple · to M. of] on IMFS.] Line 192 And no grace to graunte · til good loue were [to] ne I.] Among alle kynne kynges · ouer cristene puple: [kynne] cristene M. ouer] ouere P; of S.]

"Comaunde þat alle confessours · þat eny kynge shryueþ, [kynge] kynges M.] Enioynye hem pees for here penaunce · and perpetuel forȝeuenesse [Enioynye] Enioyne IMFS. here] F om.] Line 196 Of alle manere acciouns · and eche man loue oþer. [Of] For I. eche] eche a F.] And ȝe þat secheþ seint Iame · and seyntes of rome, [B page 60] [of] at M.] Secheþ seint treuthe · in sauacion of ȝoure saules: [Secheþ] Seicheþ P. treuthe] truþe at hom M. ȝoure] here E.] Qui cum patre & filio · þat faire hem by-falle [patre] deo patre S. hem] him mote M.] Þat suweþ my sarmon" · and þus ended reson. [suweþ] sheweþ S. and] I om. ended] endeþ IMFSE. ended reson] resoun eendeth F.] Line 201

Hic explicit passus sextus. [So PG; IM omit. Hic] FSE om.]

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.]

PASSUS VIII.

[

TITLE. So also in F; Hic incipit passus octauus de uisione M; Passus septimus de visione I.

OBS. From this point onward, only occasional readings are given from F.

] Incipit passus octauus.

CONFESSIO ACCIDIE. [B page 78]

Tho cam sleuthe al by-slobered · with two slymed eyen. [with] wit P. two FES] tuo I; to PM. slymed] slymy M.] "Ich most sitte to be shryuen," quath he · "or elles shal ich nappe. [shryuen E] shryue PSI; i|schriuen M; cf. l. 28. quath he] I om. shal ich] i schal M; schold i I.] Ich may nouht stonde ne stoupe · ne with-oute stoule knele. [nouht] nat wel I. stonde] stonnde P. with] whit P. stoule] stoole I; stool S; stole EF; stol M.] Were ich brouhte in my bed · bote my taylende hit made, [bote] but if I. taylende] so I; tailende M; talende ES; tayl-eende F.] Line 4 Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse · tyl ich were rype to dyne." [ryngynge] þinge I; oþer þyng E. ryse] to rise I.] Benedicite he by-gan with a bolke · and hus brest knokede, [with] wit P. a] M om.] Rascled and remed · and routte at þe laste. [Rascled] Raxled I; He raxlede M; Rasled E. routte] rutte M; route IE; routede SF. þe] S om.] "What a-wake, renk," quaþ repentaunce · "rape the to shryfte!" [What] Wat P. renk] þenke E; þenk M. rape] and rape I; rake E.] Line 8

Line 8 "Sholde ich deye," quath he, "by þis daye · ich drede me sore, [Sholde ich] If i schulde I. quath he] I ne may E; I om. me] me so P; me ful M; but IESF omit so or ful.] Line 9 Ich can nouht parfytliche my pater-noster · as þe prest hit seggeþ. [B page 79] [seggeþ] seyþ E; syngeþ IMSF.] Ich can rymes of robyn hode · and of Randolf, erl of chestre, [and] MSF om. erl] þe erl SF.] Ac of oure lord ne of oure lady · þe lest þat euere was maked. [ne] or SF. þe] nat þe S (which improves the grammar).] Line 12 Ich haue a-vowed vowes fourty · and for-ȝut hem a morwe; [a-vowed vowes] a-fowed fouwes E. a] on M.] Ich parfourned neuere penaunce · þat þe preest me hihte, [parfourned] parformed ES. penaunce] penaunces I.] Ne ryȝt sory for my synnes · ich sey neuere þe tyme. [synnes] synne E.] And ich bidde eny bedis · bote hit be in wratthe, [bote] but if I.] Line 16 That ich telle with my tunge · ys ten myle fro my herte. Ich am ocupied eche day · haly day and oþer, [14—18. M omits.] [eche] ich a I; eche a F.] With ydel tales atte nale · and oþer-whyle in churches; [atte nale] at þe nale EF; at þe ale M. whyle] wyle P. in] at EM. churches] chirche M.] Godes pyne and hus passion · is pure selde in my thouhte. [pyne] peyne IM. is] his P. selde IMSE] seilde P. thouhte] herte MF.] Line 20 Ich visited neuere feble man · ne feterid man in prisone; [visited MFI] viseted P; visided E. feble] seek M. man in prisone] fraik with gyues F.] Ich hadde leuere huyre of harlotrye · oþer of a lesyng to lauhen of, [huyre] hure E; here ISF; to here M. of (1)] an I. harlotrye] harletrye P; see l. 76. of (2)] IMS om.] Oþer lacke men, and lykne hem · in vnlykynge manere, [Oþer] And M; Or to I. men] E om. and] or to I. lykne] likene IM; liken E.]

Þan al þat euere marc made · matheu, Iohan, other lucas. [Iohan—lucas] Luc or Ion M.] Line 24 Vigilies and fastyngdayes · ich can for-ȝete hem Alle. [for-ȝete MSF] for-ȝeten I; for|ȝyte E; for-ȝute P.] Ich ligge a bedde in lente · my lemman in myn armes, [Ich] And IMSEF. my] and my IS. lemman MIEF] lemmanus S; miswritten lemen P.] Tyl matyns and messe be don · þen haue ich a memorie atte Freres. [and] or I. don] al don S. ich] I om. atte] at M.] Ich am nouht shryuen som tyme · bote syknesse hit make, [B page 80] [I omits, and transposes ll. 26 and 27. shryuen] yschryuen at E. make] made ES.] Line 28 Nouht twyes in ten ȝer · ȝut tel ich nauht þe haluen|dele. [ȝut] and þan I. þe] M om.] Ich haue be prest and person · passyng þerty wintere, [passyng þerty] almost twenti M.] Ȝut can ich noþer solfye ne synge · ne a seyntes lyf rede. [noþer] nout M. solfye] solfy E; solfe IMS.] Ac ich can fynde in a felde · and in a forlang an hare, [forlang] so PIE; forlong MS.] And holden a knyȝtes court · and a-counte with þe reyue; [a] E om. þe] a E. reyue] reoue M; reue IESF.] Line 33 Ac ich can nouht constrye [catoun] · ne clergialliche reden. [constrye] construe IS. [catoun MI] canon PES; F om. reden] hit rede M.] Yf ich bygge and borwe ouht · bote hit be y-tayled, [and] or M. ouht] it I. bote] but ȝif S; but if I. y-tayled] en|taylid SF.] Ich for-ȝete [hit] as ȝerne · and yf eny man hit askeþ, [for-ȝete IF] fur-ȝete M; for|ȝyte ES; for-ȝute P. [hit MIFSG] PE om. askeþ] aske ISF.] Sixe sithe oþer seuene · ich for-sake hit with oþes; Line 37 Thus haue ich tened trewe men · ten hondred tymes. [Thus] And þus I. tened MI ES] tuned P. haue—tened] I tene F.] And som tyme my seruauns · here salarye is by|hynde; [som—seruauns] my seruauntz som tyme I. salarye SEIF] salerye P; salariȝe M. is] his P.]

Reuthe ys to huyre þe rekenyng · whenne we shulleþ rede a-countes, [ys] hit is E. huyre] here IM. þe] I om. whenne] wenne P.] Line 40 Þat with so wicked wil · my werkmen ich paye. [Þat—so] So wiþ I. werkmen] miswritten workman P.] If eny man doþ me a byn-fet · oþer helpeþ me at nede, [bynfet] bienfet I; benfeet M; benefet S; benfet E. nede IMFSE] nude P.] Ich am vnkynde aȝeyns courtesye · ich can nat vnder|stonde hit. [B page 81] [aȝeyns] aȝein his I. ich] and I. vnderstonde] vnderstonnde P.] Line 43 For ich haue and haue had · somdel haukes maneres, [had] yhade E; i-had M. maneres] ferus F.] Ich am nat lured with loue · bote ouht lygge vnder þombe. [ouht lygge] þer ligge oght I. þombe] þe þombe IS.] Þe kyndenesse þat myn emcristene · kydde me fern ȝere, [emcristene] euencristen I. fern ȝere] fer to ȝere M.] Line 46 Syxty sithe ich sleuthe · haue for-ȝute hit sitthe. [haue] E om.] In speche and in sparyng of speche · yspilt [many] tymes; [[many FS] many a MG; myn P; my E. tymes] time MG.] Boþe flesh and eke Fish · and vitaile ich kepte so longe, [flesh] in flesch E. Fish] in fische E. vitaile] vitayles IMS. ich] ISF om.] Til eche lyf hit loþede · to lokye þer-on, oþer smylle hit, [eche] eche a P; but IMFSE omit a. hit] S om. smylle] so PE; smelle IMS; smel F. oþer—hit] or at his nese smelle M.] Line 50 Boþe bred and ale · botere, melke, and chese [and] an P. melke] & melke E.] For-sleuthe[d] in my seruice · [and] sette hous a fuyre, [For-sleuthed IF] For-slewþed M; For-slewþyd G; For-sleuthe PE S; see B-text. [and MIFSG] PE om. hous] þe hous S; an hous I; houses M.] And ȝede a-bowte in my ȝouthe · and ȝaf me to no þedom, [þedom MIFSE] þedam P.] Line 53 And sitthe a beggere haue y-be · for my foule sleuthe; Heu michi, quod sterilem · duxi uitam iuuenilem!"

"Repente þe," quaþ repentaunce · [and] ryȝt with þat he swouned, [A page 64] [Repente þe] Repentedest þe noght I. [and MIF] PSE om. swouned] swounede SI; swowenede E; souned P. he swouned] i-sowe|nede M.] Line 56 Til vigilate þe veille · vette water at hus eyen, [vette] fette IMSE; but F also has vette. at] for M. hus] þe E.] And flatte on hus face · and fast on hym criede, [flatte] flatte it I.] And seide, "war fro wanhope · þat wol þe by-traye. [war fro] ware þe for I; be war of M. wol] wolde I.] 'Ich am sory for my synnes' · seye to þy-selue, Line 60 And bet þy-selue on þe brest · and bidde god of grace; [on] vpon I; in M. þe] þi M. god] him I. of] of his S.] For þer [is no gilte so gret] · þat hus goodnesse ne ys more." [B page 82] [þer] I om. [is—gret I] is gult noon so gret SG; is gilt noon so gret F; nys no synne so gret M; nys non so gret synne PE. ne ys] nys E; is IMSF.] Þanne sat sleuthe vp · and seynede hym ofte, [vp] him vp I. seynede] sygned E; seyned (with the gloss i. signauit) I; signed F.] Line 63 And made a-vowe by-for god · for hus foule sleuthe, [a-vowe] a-fowe E. by-for] to|fore IF. god] miswritten good P.] "Shal no soneday þis seuene ȝer be · bote sycknesse hit make, [þis—be] be þis seue ȝer I. bote] but if I.] Þat ich ne shal do me or daye · to þe dere churche, [or] ar IS.] And huyre matyns and masse · as ich a monke were. [huyre] here IMF.] Shal no Ale after mete · holde me þennes, Line 68 Til ich haue hurd euesong · ich by-hote to þe rode!" [hurd euesong] euesong y-herde I. to—rode] þe to rede I.] Ac whiche be þe braunches · þat bryngeþ [men] to sleuthe? [B page 232] [[men ISMFG] me PE.] Ys, whanne a man mourneþ nat · for hus mysdedes; [whanne] wanne P.] Þe penaunce þat þe prest enioyneþ · parfourneþ vuele, [penaunce] penaunces I. en|ioyneþ] putteth F; Inneþ (!) E. parfourneþ] parformeþ hit M; per|formed I. vuele] euel I; euele M. parfourneþ vuele] performy he nelle E.] Doþ non almys-dedes · and drat nat of synne, [non] now (!) E. almys-dedes] almes-dede IM. and drat] ne dret M; drat him I; trete (!) E. of] to E.] Line 73

Line 73 Lyueþ aȝens þe by-leyue · and no lawe kepeþ, [Lyueþ] And (sic) M. by|leyue] bileue EMS; bileeue I.] And haþ no lykynge to lerne · ne of oure lord hure, [haþ] hadde S. oure] houre P. hure] here M; to here IF.] Bote harlotrie oþer horedom · oþer elles of som wynnyng. [Bote] Bot to I. oþer (1)] and MI. oþer (2)] & I.] Line 76 Whan men carpen of cryst · oþer of clennesse of soule, [Whan] Wan P. of (2)] MF om.] He wext wroþ, and wol nat huyre · bote wordes of murthe. [wext] wexiþ SF; wexeþ M; wex F. huyre] here MI.] Penaunce and poure men · [and] þe passion of seyntes, [[and I] PMSEF omit; but see B-text, xiii. 419.] He hateþ to huyre þer-of · and alle þat þer-of carpen. [huyre] here MIF.] Thuse beþ þe braunches, be war · þat bryngeþ man to wanhope. [þe] E om. war] i-war M; y|war I. man] a man I; men MES.] Line 81 Ȝe lordes and ladyes · and legates of holy churche, Þat feden fool sages · flaterers and lyers, And han lykynge to lyþen hem · in hope to do ȝow lawghe:

Ve uobis qui ridetis, [quia lugebitis,] et cetera:

[lyþen] liken I; leuen E. lawghe I] lauȝe E; lauwhe M; spelt lawe P. [quia lugebitis E] PISM om.] Line 84 And ȝeueþ suche mede and mete · and poure men refusen, In ȝoure deþ-deynge · ich drede me sore [sore] ful sore MF.] Lest þo manere men · to moche sorwe ȝow brynge; [B page 233]

As god wole; Consencientes & agentes pari pena punientur.

[As—wole] in P only.] Line 87 Patriarkes and prophetes · prechours of godes wordes Sauen þorgh here sermons · mannes soule fro helle; [mannes soule] many soules M.] Line 89 Ryȝt so flaterers and foles · aren þe fendes procura|tores, [aren] ben ME; beþ S. fendes] deueles M. procuratoures] hynus F.]

Entysen men þorgh here tales · to synne and to harlotrie. [Entysen] To entise I; Entys|yng S; & tisen E. tales] false tales I. to (2)] EI om. harlotrie] har|letrie P; but see l. 76.] Clerkus þat knowen þis · sholde kenne lordes, [kenne] kenne hit MS.] Line 92 What dauid seide of suche men · as þe sauter telleþ,

Non habitabit in medio domus mee qui facit superbiam, qui loquitur iniqua.

[seide] saith IF. qui (2)] neque qui M.] Sholde non harlot haue Audience · in halle ne in chaumbre, Line 94 Þer þat wise men were; · (witnesse of godes wordes), [wise men IMSEF] written wys|men P. witnesse E] whitnesse P; withnesse M. of] on MSF. witnesse of] witnesseþ I (as in B-text).] Noþer a mys-proud man · among lordes [be] a-lowed. [Noþer a] Ne a M; Ne no I. mys-proud IMSF] mys-prout P; mys|proute E. [be MIF] PESG om. a|lowed SM] a-louwed P; loued IF; & lewed (!) E.] Clerkus and knyȝtes · welcomeþ kynges mynstrales, [welcomeþ IMSEF] wolcomeþ (?) P.] [And] for loue of here lordes · lithen hem at festes; [[And IMSFG] PE om. here lordes] heore lord M; oure lord (!) IS. festes] heore festes M; feste S.] Muche more, me þenkeþ · riche men auhte Haue beggers by-fore hem · whiche beþ godes myn|strales, [whiche] þe which I; þat M. beþ] ben MS.] Line 100 As he seith hym-self · seynt Iohan bereth witnesse,

Qui uos spernit, me eciam spernit.

[Iohan] Ion EMSF. witnesse] whittnesse P. me eciam] eciam me E. eciam] IMSF om.] Ther-for ich rede ȝow riche · reueles when ȝe maken [Ther-for] For-þy I.] For to solace ȝoure soules · suche mynstrales to haue; Þe poure for a fol sage · syttynge at þy table, [fol IM] foole E; foul P; fal SF. þy] þe M.] Line 104 With a lered man, to lere þe · what oure lord suffrede, [With] Whith P. lere] lerne M.] For to sauy þy saule · fram satan þyn enemye, [sauy] saue ESIF; haue M.]

And. fiþele the, with-oute flateryng · of goode fryday þe [geste], [B page 234] [fiþele EF] fyþele S; fitayle P; vitaile M. with-oute] wiþ a I. flateryng] failyng M. [geste F] feste PEM; beste S; cf. storye in B-text.] And a blynde man for a bordiour · oþer a bedreden womman, Line 108 To crye a largesse by-fore oure lorde · ȝoure goode loos to shewe. [oure lorde] ȝoure dere M.] Thuse þre manere mynstrales · maken a man to lauhe; [Thuse] þese SM; þise I; þis E. mynstrales] men M.] In hus deþ-deynge · thei don hym gret comfort, [In] And in IMSF.] Þat by hus lyue [litheþ] hem · and loueþ hem to huyre. [[litheþ] loueþ PEMS; leued I; leeueth F (all wrong; for cf. l. 119, and see B-text). loueþ] likeþ M. huyre] here MIF.] Thuse solaceþ þe soule · til hym-self be-falle [Thuse] þese SI; þei M; þis E. befalle] bi-falle M; be y-falle I.] Line 113 In a wel good hope, for he wroghte so · a-mong worthy seyntes; [wel IMSE] wele P. good] IMSF om.] Ther flaterers and foles · with here foule wordes [with] whith P; and M.] Leden tho þat lithen hem · to luciferes feste, [lithen] leuen E; liken S; lightede I. feste] halle M.] Line 116 With turpiloquio, a lay of sorwe · and lucifers fiþele, [turpiloquio] I om. fiþele MISF] fitele P; viþele E.] To perpetuel peyne · oþer purgatorye as wykke; [wykke] wicked MS.] For he litheþ and loueþ · þat godes lawe despiceþ;

Qui histrionibus dat, demonibus sacrificat.

[litheþ] liþe E; lithed I. loueþ] loued I. Qui—sacrificat] Dare his|trionibus MS; Dare histrionibus est dare demonibus F; cf. B. xv. 336.] Tho was repentaunce redy · and radde hem alle to knele, [B page 83] [redy] aredy I; al redy S. hem] hym E.] "Ich shal by-seche for alle synfulle · oure sauyour of grace, Line 121 To a-menden ous of oure mysdedes · do mercy to ous alle. [do] and do M. to] on M.] God, of þy goodnesse · þow gonne þe worlde make, [of] þat of I. þow gonne] gunne MF; þow gannust S. þe] þy I.] And of nouht madest ouht · and man lyke þi-selue, [of—madest] madest of noght I. þi] þe P; but see l. 60.]

Sitthe soffredest hym do synne · a syknesse to ous alle, [Sitthe] And seþþe I; Siþþe þou S. do] to IM.] And for oure best, as ich by-leyue · what-euere þe book telle;

O felix culpa, o necessarium peccatum ade!

[oure] þe IMS. by-leyue] bileue M; be-leue S. euere] so I.] For þorw [þat] synne þy sone · sent was tyl erthe, [[þat IMSFG] PE om. tyl] to IM.] Line 127 And by-cam man of [a] mayde · mankynde to a-mende, [[a IMF] PSE om.] And madest þi-selue with þy sone · oure soule and body lyche;

Ego [in] patre, & pater in me est; & qui uidet me, patrem meum uidet.

[madest] medlet (!) E. þi|selue] written þe-selue P. body] oure body I. oure—lyche] boþe bodi and soule i-liche M. [in IMSEFG] P om. uidet] uidit (twice) S; (second time) I. patrem—uidet] videt & patrem meum EMF.] And sitthe in oure secte · as hit semed, þow deydest, [B page 84] [oure] ȝoure I. secte ISF] siȝte M; siȝt E; miswritten secke P; but see l. 137. þow] IMSF om.] On a fryday, in forme of man · feledest oure sorwe;

Captiuam duxit captiuitatem.

[in] in þe M. feledest] & fel|dust S.] The sonne for sorwe þer-of · lees lyght for a tyme, Line 132 A-bowte midday whanne [most] lyght ys · and meel|tyme of seyntes; [whanne] wanne P. [most IMSFEG] P om. meel-tyme] a mul|titude (!) M.] Feddest þo with thi fresshe blod · oure for-fadres in helle,

Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris, lucem mag|nam uidit.

[þo] E om. fresshe] flessch and IE; flesschly S. for-fadres] forme-faderes MS. Populus] Populus gencium S. IMSF place uidit before lucem.] The lyght þat lemed out of þe · lucifer hit blente, [lemed] leepe I.] And broughte þyne blessede fro þennes · in-to þe blysse of heuene. [fro] S om.] Line 136 The þridde day þer-after · thow ȝedest in oure secte; [þer-after] after M. secte] siȝt M.] A synful marye þe seyh · er seynt marie þy moder, [seyh] si M. er] or EMS; ar I. moder] dame I.]

And al to solace synful · þow soffredest hit so were;

Non ueni uocare iustos, sed peccatores ad peni|tenciam.

[to] so to I; forte M. solace] comforte þe S. ad penitenciam] IS om.] And al þat marc hath ymad · matheu, Iohan, and lucas, [Iohan] Ion ESM. and] or S.] Of þyne douhtieste dedes · was don [in] oure secte;

Uerbum caro factum est.

[douhtieste] douȝti MG; douȝtyokest (for douȝtylokest) I. was] þat was S. [in IMSFG] on PE; see l. 137. secte] siȝte M. Uerbum, &c.] M om.] Line 141 And by so moche hit semeþ · þe sykerloker we mowe [B page 85] Bydde and by-seche þe · yf hit be þy wil, Þat art ferst oure fader · and of flessh oure broþer, [art IMSF] ert PE. ferst] formest E.] Line 144 And sitthen oure saueour · and seidest with þy tonge, [seidest] seidest it I.] That what tyme we synful men · wolden be sory For dedes þat we han don ille · dampned sholde we be neuere, [sholde] schulle S.] Line 147 Yff we knewelechid and cryde · crist þer-of mercy;

Quandocumque ingemuerit peccator, omnes ini|quitates eius non recordabor amplius.

[knewelechid] knowelechen M. cryde] crien M. þer-of] þer-of þi M; þer-fore I. recordabor amplius] recordabuntur MS; recordaberis F.] And for þat mochel mercy · and marie loue þy moder, [þat] I om. mochel] mochel or mechel P; mochul S; mychel EG; muchel I; mykel M.] Haue reuthe of alle þuse rybaudes · þat repenten hem sore, [of] on IM. þat repenten] and repenteden I. hem] M om.] Þat euere þei gulte aȝens þe, god · in gost oþer in dede." [gulte] agulte MS. þe] S om.] Thenne hente hope an horn · of deus, tu conuersus uiuificabis nos, Line 152 And blew hit with beati quorum · remisse sunt iniquita|tes, & cetera, [& cetera] et quorum tecta sunt peccata IG; et quorum tecta M.] Þat alle seyntes with synful men · songen with dauid,

Homines & iumenta saluabis, domine, quem|admodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam, deus!

[with] wit P; for ISF. men] man E; I om. songen IES] sungen F; songe MG; syngen P. domine] I om.] A þousend of men þo · þrongen to-gederes, Cryyng vpward to crist · and to hus clene moder, [Cryyng] Cried I. vpward] out-ward E.] Line 156 To haue grace to go to treuthe · god leyue þat þei mote! [leyue] leue IMSEG; graunte F.] Ac þer was weye non so wys · þat þe way þider couthe, [A page 67] [was] ne was I. weye] wye G; wit E; wiȝt F. þider] M om.] Bote blostrede forth as bestes · ouer baches and hulles, [baches] balkes M; bankus S.] Til late was and longe · þat þei a lede mette, Line 160 A-paraild as a paynym · in pylgrymes wise. [in] & in S.] He bar a bordon ybounde · with a brod lyste, In a weythwynde wyse · ywryþe al aboute; [weythwynde] weþ-wynde ES; weþe-wynde MI. ywryþe] i-wriþen MF; wryþe S.] A bolle and a bagge · he bar by hus syde, Line 164 And an hondred hanypeles · on hus hatte seten, [And] I om. hondred] hon|dret of M; hundred of I. hanypeles] so also F; hanyples S; hanpers E; annpolles (sic) I; halfpenes (!) M.] Signes of syse · and shilles of galys, [syse] sysis S; sisile F. shilles] schelles IMS.] And meny crouche on hus cloke · and keyes of rome, [B page 86] [And] M om. meny] many a MSF. and] I om.] And þe fernycle by-fore · for men sholde knowe, [fernycle] vernycle EIS; ver|nacle M. knowe] yknowe EI.] Line 168 [And se] by hus sygnes · wham he souht hadde. [A page 68] [[And se IFS] & seo G; And sen M; As PE; see l. 174. hus] þe I. wham] what MF. hadde] S om.] Thys folke frayned hym furst · fro whennes he come? [frayned—furst] furst fraine|den him M. whennes] wennes P; whanne þat M.] "Fro sinay," he sayde · "and fro þe sepulcre. [sepulcre] sepulcre of oure lord I.] In bethleem, in babilonie · ich haue ybe bothe, [bethleem] bedlem SI. in] and I. ybe bothe] be in boþe IMF; be in bode (sic) S.] Line 172 In ermanie, in alisaundre · and in damascle. [ermanie] armonye I. dam|ascle] so also in ES; damaske FG; damasch alse M. and—damascle] I haue be in boþe (repeated from last line) I.] Ȝe may see by my sygnes · þat sitten on my cappe, [my] þe I; S om. on] in S.]

Ich haue ysouht goode seyntes · for my soules helthe, [soules helthe] soule hele S.] And walked ful wide · in wete and in drye." Line 176 "Knowst þow [ouȝt] a cor-seynt," quaþ ich · "þat men clepeþ treuthe? [Knowst] Knowest IMF; Knowist S. [ouȝt GS] auȝt F; oght I; out M; PE om. cor-seynt MISE FG] core-seynt P. ich] þey I. men] man E. clepeþ] calleþ IM.] Couthest þow wissen ous þe way · whoder out treuthe wonyeþ?" [Couthest þow] Coudestow I; Kanstou M; Knowist þow S. wissen] teche M. þe way] to-day I. whoder E] woder P; whoþur S; wheder I. whoder out] þider þat M; whedur F. wonyeþ] woneþ I; woned E.] "Nay, so god me helpe" · seyde þe gome þenne, [so] sone so M. god me] me god ISF.] Ich seyh neuere palmere · with pyk ne with scrippe [with (1)] whith P. scrippe EIMSFG] shrippe P; see ix. 60.] Asken after hym, er now · in þys ilke place." [er] or EFG; but I. ilke] I om. Hic—Plouhman] in PE only.] Line 181

HIC PRIMO COMPARET PETRUS PLOUHMAN.

"Peter!" quaþ a plouhman · and putte forth hus hefd, [a] S om. hefd] heued IF; heed M; hed E; hese (sic) S.] "Ich knowe hym as kyndeliche · as clerkus don hure bokes. [Ich] Iich P.] Conscience and kyndewit · kende me to hus place, Line 184 And maked me sykeren hym sitthen · to seruen hym for euere, [maked] made EMF; maden SI. hym] I om. seruen ISF] serue MEG; miswritten seren P.] Boþe to sowe and to setten · þe whyle ich swynke myghte, [whyle] wyle P. Here follows—& to (Forte M) sowen his seed · & sewen his bestus FGIM; which (though in B. v. 550) is scarcely wanted.] With-ynne and with-oute · to wayten hus profyt. [A page 69] [B page 87] Ich haue yben his folwer · al þes fourty wynter, Line 188 And serued treuthe sothlyche · somdel to paye; [serued] y serue I. somdel] & somdel E.] In alle kynne craftes · þat he couthe deuyse [he couthe] i coude MF.] Profitable to þe plouh · he putte me to lerne; [Profitable IMSEF] Prophit|able P. to] as for IG.] Line 191

Line 191 And þauh ich seye hit my-self · ich seruede hym to paye. [seruede] serue I.] Ich haue myn hyre of hym wel · and oþer whyle more; [whyle] wyle P; whiles I.] He ys [þe] most prest paiere · þat eny poure man knoweth. [[þe IMSG] PE om. most prest] presteste I; moste beste M.] He with-halt non hewe · hus hyre ouere euen; [hewe I] hywe P; hyne EMS FG.] He ys louh as a lombe · and leel of hus tonge, [louh] as lowe I.] Line 196 And ho so wilneþ to wyte · wher þat treuthe wonyeþ, [wher] wer P. wonyeþ] woneþ FIM.] Ich wol wissen ȝow wel · ryght to hus place." "Ȝe, leue peers," quaþ þo pylgrymes · and profrede peers mede. [Ȝe leue] I leue S. þo] þise I; þe ES. þo pylgrymes] þat pilgrim M.] "Nay, by þe peril of my soule" · peers gan swere, [peril IG] perel EMF; pereil P. swere] to swere IG; to sweriȝe M.] Line 200 "Ich nolde fonge a ferthing · for seynt Thomas shryne! [nolde] ne wolde M; ne wil I.] Were it told to treuthe · þat ich toke mede, [to] ISF om.] He wolde louye me þe lasse · a longe tyme after. [Alta—plouhman] so also E; Nota viam ad veritatem F; Decem mandata G; IMS om.]

ALTA UIA AD FIDELITATEM EST OBSERUATIO .X. PRE|CEPTORUM, UT DICIT PETRUS PLOUHMAN.

Ac who so wol wende · þer as treuthe dwelleþ, [wol] wulde S; wolde E. wende] wene S. as] þat M. as—dwelleþ] trouþe is I. I adds—þis the way þiderward, and omits l. 205.] Line 204 This ys þe heye weye þyderwarde · wyteþ wel þe soþe. [heye] IM om. wyteþ] wite þe (sic) E. þe (2)] for M.] Ȝe most gon þorwe meknesse · alle men and wommen, [most] mote I.] Tyl ȝe come to conscience · knowen of god selue, [to] in-to IS. knowen—selue] I-knowe of god him-silue S.] That ȝe loue hym as lord · leelliche a-bouen alle; [A page 70] [as] as a S; as ȝoure F; I om.] Line 208 That ys to seye sothliche · ȝe sholde raþer deye Than eny dedliche synne do · for drede oþer for preyere. And þenne ȝoure neghebores next · in none wyse a|peyre, [And] M om. neghebores] neghebour is I; neihebore M.]

Oþer-wyse þan ȝe wolde · thei wroughte ȝou alle tymes. [B page 88] [Oþer] And oþer PE; but IMFS omit And. wroughte] dude M.] And so goþ forth by þe [brok] · a brygge as hit were, [þe] a MF. [brok M] brook SF; bok P; book IG; boke, altered to broke E; cf. B-text.] Tyl ȝe fynde a forde · 'ȝoure-fadres-honoureþ;' [Tyl] For to I. fadres] fader I. honoureþ IMFE] honouruþ S; honourieþ P.] Line 214 Wadeþ wel in [þat] water · and wascheþ ȝow wel þere, [wel in] in at I. [þat IMFSE] þe P. wascheþ] wasche PE; wassh M; but wasshuþ S; wasscheþ IF.] And ȝe shulle lepe þe lyghtloker · al ȝoure lyf-tyme;

Honora patrem & matrem, & eris longeuus super terram.

[shulle] shuld S. Honora, &c.] M om. & eris, &c.] IS om.] Þanne shalt þow [see] 'swery-nat- · bot-yt-be-for-nede| [Þanne] And þanne I. [see I] go by F; PEMS om. Cf. B-text. yt] ȝif hit ES. nede EMFS] nude P.] Nameliche-an-ydel- · þe-name-of-god-al-myghty.' [

Nameliche] And nameliche I. Here M inserts—

þanne schalt þow come bi an hi hul · be war þer of þe weiȝe,

Þat me calleþ 'halt þyn holidai · fro alle liþer dedes.'

But this is interpolated; for see l. 226.

] Line 218 Þanne shalt þow come by a croft · ac com [þou] nat þer|ynne, [Þanne] Ȝut M. ac] bute M. [þou EIF] þow M; PS om.] Þe croft hatte 'coueyte-nat- · mennes-catel-ne-here-wyues| [hatte] hatteþ M.] Ne-non-of-here-seruans- · þat-nuyen-hem-myghte.' [seruans] seruauns M; ser|uauntes ESF; seruauntz I. nuyen hem] hem noyȝe M.] Line 221 Loke þou bere nat þere aweye · bote [ȝif] yt be þyn owne. [[ȝif MS] if IG; PEF om. owne MSF] owe PE.] Two stockes þer stonden · ac stynt þow nouht þere; [stynt ESF] stynte MI; stinte G; stunt P.] Thei hatte 'stel-net' and 'slee-nat' · stryk forth by hem bothe, [hatte] hatten M; hat SF. and] ne M. hem] I om.] Line 224 And leue hem in þy lift hand · and loke nouht þer|after, [in] on MFG. þy] þe I. loke] loke þou E. nouht] I om.] And hold wel þyn halyday · heye tyl euen. [M omits. See footnote to l. 218.]

Thenne shalt þou blenche at a bergh · 'ber-no-fals|wytnesse,' [bergh] berwe I; borw M; borȝ S; borgh G; burgh F. ber] ber þow M. wytnesse] wyttnesse P.] Line 227 He ys friþed yn with floreynes · and oþer fees menye, [A page 71] [He] þis E; IMSF om. friþed MIG] fryþud S; freþed P; yfreþed E. with] wit P.] Loke þow plocke þer no plaunte · for peryl of þy soule. [þer—plaunte] no plante þere I.] Þanne shalt þow [see] 'seye-soþe- · so-hit-be-to-done- [B page 89] [[see I] go by F; PEMS om. Cf. B-text; and see l. 217.] In-no-manere-elles-nat- · for-no-mannes-preyere.' So shalt þow come to a court · as cleer so þe sonne, [So] And so I. court] cot I. as] so MG. so] as MIS.] Line 232 The mot ys of mercy · in myddes þe manere, [in—manere] in þe middes is þe maner M; þe maner is (sic) þe myddes I; þe maner in þe middes G.] Al þe wallynge ys of wit · for wil ne sholde hit wynne. [Al] And al I. ys] hys P. wit] witt P.] The kernels beþ of crystendome · þat kynde to saue, [kernels] corneles E; carneles MIS; carnellus F.] And boteraced with 'by-leyue-so- · oþer-þow-[best]|nat-saued.' [And] I om. boteraced] boter|asyd S; I-betrased (for I-botrased) I. by-leyue] bi-leue MIE; by-lef S. [best IM] beest G; worsthest (sic) P; worst ES. Cf. B-text.] Line 236 Alle þe houses beþ heled · halles and chambres, [Alle] And alle I. houses] hous I. heled] y-heled I; i-heled M.] With no lede, bote with loue · and with leel-speche. The barres aren of buxumnesse · as breþeren of on wombe. [aren] ben M; beþ E. of] S om. breþeren IEF] breþeryn S; bre|þerne M; breþres P.] The brigge hatte 'bid-wel- · the-bet-myght-þow-spede;' [brigge EIMF] brygge S; bregge P. hatte] hatteþ M. bet] betere S. þow] þe I.] Eche pyler ys of penaunce · and preyers to seyntes, [Eche] Vche a I; On M. pen|aunce] penances I.] The hokes aren almys-dede[s] · þat þe ȝates hongen on. [aren] beþ E; arn MF. dedes IMEF] dede PS.] Grace hatte þe gate-warde · a good man for soþe, [hatte] hatteþ M; hat SF.] Line 243 Hus man hatte amende-ȝow · meny man hym knoweþ. [hatte] hatteþ M; hat SF. ȝow] how (!) S.] Tel hym þys ilke tokne · 'treuthe wot þe sothe,

Ich am sory for my synnes · and so shal ich euere, Line 246 And parfourne þe penaunce · þat þe preest me highte.' [parfourne] parforme EMS; parformed IFG.] Rydeþ to a-mende-ȝow · [mekeþ] ȝow to hus mayster grace, [A page 72] [Rydeþ] Redeþ M. [mekeþ M] meek PS; meke G; & meke EF; to meke I. mayster] maistres I.] To openen and vndo · þe hye ȝate of heuene, [and] & to S. ȝate] ȝates PEMS; but IF haxe gate; see l. 251.] Line 249 That adam and eue · aȝens ous alle shutte:

Per euam ianua celi cunctis clausa est, et per mariam uirginem iterum patefacta est.

[ianva celi] IMSF om.] A ful [leel] lady · [vn-leek] hure of grace; [[leel EMSFG] lele I; bel P. [vn-leek IS] vnlek G; vn-lyke P; vnlike E; vnlocket M; vnlowked F; (vn-leek = unlocked; of which vn|like is a corruption). hure] hire E; hit MSG; it F; is I; (hure = her, i.e. the gate).] Line 251 Hue haþ a keye and a clyket · thauh þe kynge slepe, [B page 90] [Hue] Sche M; ȝo E; And he I. a (1)] þe EISFG; M om. a (2)] þe IG; MSF om. clyket] clykett P.] And may lede yn wham hue loueþ · as here luf lykeþ. [wham] þat I. hue] sche M; he I; ȝo E. here luf] hure leef M; hire leef I; ȝo hire-silf E.] And yf grace graunte þe · to go yn in þys wise, [yn] MIFG om.] Þow shalt se treuthe sytte · in þy selue herte, [se—sytte] treuþe sette E. þy selue] þyn owne M.] And solace þy soule · and saue þe fro pyne. [pyne] peyne MI.] Line 256 Al-so charge charyte · a churche to make [Al-so] And I.] In þyn hole herte · to herberghwen alle treuthe, [herberghwen] herberwe I; her|berowe S; herborwen E; herborewe M. treuthe] trewe I.] And fynde alle manere folke · fode to hure saules, [fode EMS] foode I; foude P.] Yf loue and leaute · and owre lawe be trewe:

Quodcumque petieritis in nomine meo, dabitur enim uobis.

[owre] ȝoure M. trewe] trywe P. dabitur enim] a patre, dabit S.] Line 260 Be war þenne of wratthe · þat wickede shrewe, [Be] Ac be I.] For he haþ enuye to hym · þat in þyn herte sytteþ, And pokeþ forth pruyde · to preysy thi-selue. [pokeþ forth] poked out E. forth] for S. preysy] preyse EIMFS.] Line 263

Line 263 The boldnesse of þy bynfet · makeþ þe blynde þenne, [þy] þe S. bynfet] benfet M; benefet ES; benfetes I. Here MS. F has lost eight leares.] So worst þow dryuen out as deuh · and þe dore closed, [worst MS] worth PEIG; cf. l. 236, foot-note. deuh] so PS; dew M; dewe I; deþ (!) E.] Y-keyed and yclyketed · to close þe with-oute, [yclyketed] miswritten ycly|keded P. with] wit P; þer M.] Hapliche an hondred wynter · ar þow eft entrie. [an] & E. ar] er IMS; or E. entrie] so PE; entre IMSG.] Line 267 Þus myght þou lese hus loue · to lete wel by þi-selue, [myght] myth M; myghtust S. lese] leue S. to] and M. þi EM] þy I; þe PS; cf. l. 263.] And geten [hit] a-geyn þorw grace · ac þorgh no [gifte] elles. [[hit MSG] it I; PE om. þorw—þorgh] wiþ grace · and wiþ M. [gifte EI] gift M; gefte S; gyse P.] Ther ben seuene sustres · that seruen treuthe euere, [Ther] Ac þer I. sustres] sustren M.] And aren porters at posternes · þat to þe place longen; [aren] so PSI; arn M; ben E. at] ouer þe I; and (!) M. to—long|en] to þat place bilongen I; longen to þe place M.] Þat on hatte abstinence · and humilite anoþer, [hatte] hatteþ M. humilite] humblete I.] Line 272 Charite and chastite · ben hus chef maydenes, [maydenes IMS] maydones PE.] Pacience and pees · muche puple helpen, [A page 73] [B page 91] [helpen] þey helpe I.] Largenesse þat lady · lat yn ful menye; [lat] so PIMS; lateþ E.] Non of hem alle · helpe may yn betere, Line 276 For hue paieþ for prisons · in places and in peynes. [hue] sche M; ȝo E; he I. prisons] prisoneres I.] And ho is sybbe to þuse seuene · [so me god helpe! [ho] who EI; ho so S; whose M. P omits latter half of l. 278, l. 279, and former half of l. 280, which are supplied from S; found also in IMEG.] He is wondirlich welcome · & fayre vndirfonge. [He] IMEG om.] Ho is not sib to þese seuene] · sothly to telle, [Ho] Who IG; Who so E; Whose M. þese M] þis SIE.] Line 280 Hit is ful hard, by myn heued · eny of ȝou alle [heued] hed MES.] To geten ingang at eny gate · bote grace be þe more." [geten] gete eny S. ingang ESG] ingange I; in-gate M; engang P.] "By cryst," quath a kitte-pors · "ich haue no kyn þere."

"Ne ich," quath an apewarde · "by ouht þat ich knowe!" [by] for S. ouht] nout M.] "Wyte god," quaþ a wafrestre · "wist ich þe soþe, [Wyte] By E. wafrestre] wa|frustere S; waferer M. þe soþe] for soþe SG; þis forsoþe I.] Line 285 Ich wolde no forþer a fot · for no freres prechinge." [Ich—no] I wilde nout M; Wolde I neuer I. a] no I.] "Ȝus," quaþ peers plouhman · and pokede hem alle to goode; [Ȝus] ȝis I. peers] peres þe I. pokede EMSG] pukede P; plokede I; cf. l. 263.] "Mercy is [a] mayde þere · hath myght ouer hem alle; [[a EMIG] PS om.] And hue is sybbe to alle synful · and hure sone boþe. [hue—sybbe] sibbe is ȝo E.] And þorwe þe help of hem two · hope þow non oþer, [two E] tuo I; to PMS.] Thow myght gete grace ther · so þow go by tyme." [tyme] tymes I.] Line 291 "Ȝe, villam emi," quaþ on · "and now most ich þudere, [þudere] so PE; þidere M; þider I; þeþer S.] To loke how me lykeþ hit" · and tok hus leue at peers. [me—hit] hit likeþ me M. at] of E.] Anoþer a-non ryght · nede seyde he hadde [nede EMSG] ne (sic) I; nude P. seyde] he seide MIS.] To folwen fif ȝokes · "for-thy me by-houeþ [folwen] falwe with I. for|thy] for-whi M.] Line 295 To gon with a good wil · and [greiþliche] hem dryue; [with] wit P. [greiþliche M] graithliche I; grettliche PESG.] For-þy ich praye ȝow, peers · paraunter, yf ȝe meteþ [For-þy] For-whi M.] Treuthe, telleþ to hym · þat ich be excused." [to hym] him þis I.] Thenne was þer on heihte actif · an hosebounde he semed; [Thenne] Þo M. heihte] hiȝte MI; hiȝt E; hyet S; heet G. an] & E.] "Ich haue ywedded a wyf," quaþ he · "wel wantowen of maners; [quaþ he] I om. wel] ful I. wantowen] wantoun I; wanton S.] Line 300 Were ich seuenyght fro hure syghte · [synnen] hue wolde, [Were] Where P. seuenyght] seue nyght IE; seuene nyȝt MS. syghte] sith M; miswritten syghit P; I om. [synnen M] syngun S; sinege G; siggen E; seggen P; chiden I. hue] he PS; sche MI; ȝo E; but see l. 304.]

And loure on me and lyghtliche chide · and seye ich loue anoþere. [And] M om. chide] saie I. seye] saide I. loue] loued EG.] Line 302 For-þy, peers plouhman · ich praye þe telle hit treuthe, [For-þy] For-whi M. peers] peres þe I. þe—hit] ȝow telleþ M.] Ich may nat come for a kytte · so hue cleueþ on me;

Vxorem duxi, et ideo non possum uenire."

[for] fro E. a] EI om. hue] ȝo E; sche MIS. cleueþ MISE] clyueþ P; cliueþ G. cleueþ—me] on me cleueþ M.] Quaþ contemplacion, "by crist · thauh ich care suffre, Famyn and defaute · folwen ich wolle peers; [folwen—wolle] i wole folewe M.] Line 306 Ac þe wey ys so wyckede · bote ho [so] hadde a gyde [A page 74] [B page 93] [so] ful S; wel G. [so EISG] se M; P om.] Þat myght folwen ous ech fot · for drede of mys-torn|ynge." [ech] ich a I.] Line 308

Hic explicit passus octauus. [So PG; so also in ES, omitting Hic.]

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.]

PASSUS X.

[TITLE. So PEG; Hic incipit pas|sus decimus de uisione M; Passus Nonus, vt prius I.] Incipit passus decimus.

TReuthe herde telle here-of · and to peers sente [A page 92] [B page 111] [here-of] þer-of M.] To take hus teeme · and tulye þe erthe; [tulye] tilie E; tylien IG; teliȝe M.] And purchased hym a pardon · á pena et á culpa, For hym and for hus heyres · for euere to be asoiled; [for (3)] G om.] Line 4 And bad [hym] halde hym at home · and erye hus leyes, [[hym IG] PEM om. at home] a-tom G.] And alle þat hulpe hym to erye · to setten oþer to sawe, [alle] þo M. hulpe] holpe I; holpen M; helpiþ G. hym] E om. sawe] sowe IMEG.] Oþer eny manere myster · þat myght peers a-vayle, [myster MEG] meester P.] Pardon with peers plouhman · perpetual he graunteþ. [perpetual] perpetuelly GI. he] I om.] Line 8 Kynges and knyghtes · þat holy [kirke] defenden, [[kirke I] churche PEG; chirche M.] And ryghtfulliche in reames · ruelen þe comune, [ryghtfulliche] ryghtfulleche P.] Han pardon þorw purgatorie · to passy ful lyghtliche, [to passy] passen M.] With patriarkes and prophetes · in paradyse to sitte. Bisshopes yblessed · if þei ben as þei sholde, Line 13 Leel and ful of loue · and no lord dreden, [G omits. no lord] none lordes M.] Merciable to meek · and mylde to þe goode, [meek] þe meke G; meke men E.]

And bytynge on badde men · bote yf þei wolde amende, [bytynge] biter G. on] to G; in I. wolde] wole GI; wollen M.] And dredeþ nat for no deþ · to distruye, by here powere, [And] I om. nat] MG om. here] þi M.] Lecherie a-mong lordes · and hure luþer customes, [customes MI] custymes PE; custumes G.] Line 18 And sitthen lyue as þei lereþ men · oure lord treuthe hem graunteþ To be peeres to a-posteles · alle puple to ruele, [A page 93] [B page 112] [to] of þe G; M om. a-posteles] þapostles I. alle] al þe MG.] Line 20 And deme with hem at domes day · boþe quike and ded. Marchans in þe margine · hadden menye ȝeres, Ac á pena & á culpa · treuthe nolde hem graunte; [Ac a] Ac no I. treuthe nolde] no treuþe wolde I.] For thei holden nat here halydaies · as holychurche techeþ, [daies] day IG. techeþ] hem hoteþ I.] Line 24 And for þei swere by here saule · and 'so god me mote helpe!' [so] I om. god—mote] mot god hem G; god mote hem I. god—helpe] helpe hem god al-myȝti M.] Aȝens clene conscience · for couetyse of wynnynge. Ac vnder his secre seel · treuthe sente [hem] a lettere, [secre] secrete IE. [hem MIEG] hym P.] And bad [hem] bygge baldly · what [hem] best lykede, [[hem MEIG] hym P (twice).] Line 28 And sitthen sellen hit a-ȝeyn · and saue þe wynnynges, [sellen] to sellen M. saue] haue E.] Amenden meson-dieux þer-with · and myseyse men fynde, [G omits. Amenden—dieux] And to amende þi mysdedes M.] And wikkede weyes · with here good amende, [here] ȝore G.] And brygges to-broke · by þe heye weyes [E omits. to-broke] to-brokene I. weyes] weiȝe M. weyes] weyes amende P (by mistake); but IMG omit amende; see next line.] Line 32 Amende in som manere wise · and maydenes helpen; [maydenes IMG] maydones PE.] Poure puple bedredene · and prisones in stockes, [bedredene] bedrede M.] Fynde hem for Godes loue · and fauntekynes to scole; [A page 94] Releue religion · and renten hem bettere; Line 36

Line 36 'And ich shal sende ȝow my-selue · seynt Michel myn Angel, [Angel] archangel I.] That no deuel shal ȝow dere · ne despeir in ȝoure deyinge, [despeir in] despeire ȝow in M; dispise G. deyinge] deyenge P; doyng G.] And sende ȝoure soules · þer ich my-self dwelle, [B page 113] [sende] sitthe sende I. dwelle] sitte M.] And þere a-byde body and soule · in blisse for euere.' [þere M] þer EI; miswritten þe (for þere) P; G om. body] in bodi EM. þere—blisse] abide þer in my blisse · body and soule I.] Line 40 Tho were merchauns murye · somme wepte for ioye, [somme wepte] meny wepen I.] And preyde for peers plouhman · þat purchasede hem þis bulle. [peers] peres þe I. hem þis] þe G.] Alle þe puple hadde pardon ynow · þat parfytliche lyueden; Men of lawe hadde lest · that loth were to plede, [lest] leest G; left (!) E.] Line 44 Bote þei pre manibus were payed · for pledyng atte barre. [atte] at þe MEG.] Ac he þat speneþ hus speche · and spekeþ for þe poure [A page 95] [speneþ] spendeþ M.] That innocent and nedy is · and no man harme wolde, [nedy IMEG] nudy P.] And conforteþ suche in eny cas · and coueyteþ nat here ȝiftes, [G omits. And] Þat MI. ȝiftes IME] ȝeftes P.] Line 48 And for þe loue of oure lorde · lawe for hem declareþ, [G omits. hem] hym E.] Shal haue grace of God ynow · and a gret ioye after. [God] good M. God ynow] good ende G; a good ende I. a] MIG om.] Beþ ywar, ȝe wise men · and witty of þe lawe; [wise men IMEG] wismen P. þe] G om.] For whenne ȝe draweþ to þe deþ · and indulgence wolde haue, [B page 114] [For] M om. whenne] wenne P. indulgence] indulgences MI.] Line 52 Hus pardon is ful petit · at hus partynge hennes, [hus] þe M.] That mede of mene men · for here motynge takeþ. [mene] þe mene E; meny G.]

For hit is symonye, to sulle · þat send is of grace; [send] sent I. send—of] is i-sent bi M.] That is, witt and water · wynd, and fuyr þe furthe, [That] And þat I. wynd] and wynde I.] Line 56 These foure sholden be fre · to alle folk þat hit [nedeþ.] [[nedeþ IME] nediþ G; needede P.] Alle lybbynge laborours · þat lyuen with here handes [lybbynge] libbynde G; truwe M. laborours] laberours P.] Leelyche and lawefulliche · oure lord treuthe hem graunteþ [lawefulliche] lawefulleche P. hem] G om.] Pardon perpetuel · ryght as peers plouhman. [peers] peres þe I; to peres G.] Line 60 Beggers and bydders · beþ nat in [þat] bulle [[þat IMEG] þe P. bulle] bille I.] Bote þe suggestion be soth · þat shapeþ hem to begge. [suggestion] sugestion P. shapeþ] shappeþ P. hem] him I.] For he þat beggeth oþer byddeþ · bote yf [he] haue nede, [A page 96] [he] hy G. [he MI] hi G; þei P; þey E.] He ys fals and faitour · and defraundeþ þe [nedy,] [[nedy IMEG] neede P.] Line 64 And also gyleþ hym þat gyueþ · and takeþ ageyns hus wyl. [And] MG om. gyleþ] bi-gileþ M.] For he þat gyueþ for Godes loue · wolde nat gyue, hus þankus, [þankus] þonkes E; þankes IMG.] Bote þer he wyste hit were · wel gret neede to gyuen, [B page 115] [hit] I om. wel] G om. to gyuen] to geue hit M; I om.] And most meritorie to men · þat he ȝeueþ for. [most] mest PE; but see l. 71. for EG] fore PI; hit fore M.] Line 68 Caton a-cordeþ þer-with · cui des uideto; Wot no man, as ich wene · who is worthy to haue. The most needy aren oure neighebores · and we nyme good hede, [aren] arn M; ar G; beþ E.] As prisones in puttes · and poure folke in Cotes, [folke] men G.] Line 72 Charged with children · and chef lordes rente, That þei [wiþ] spynnynge may spare · spenen hit in hous-hyre, [[wiþ MIG] PE om. spenen E] spene IG; spende M; miswritten spynen P; but see l. 46. in] on IG.]

Boþe in mylk and in mele · to make with papelotes, [in] wiþ G (twice). papelotes] her papelotes I.] To a-glotye with here gurles · þat greden after fode. [To] Forte M. a-glotye] glotye I.] Line 76 Al-so hem-selue · suffren muche hunger, [Al-so] & al-so GM. Al-so hem-selue] And hem-seluen also I.] And wo in winter-tyme · with wakynge a nyghtes [in] on G. tyme] tymes I. with] and I; on G. wakynge] walkynge G. a] in I; on MGI.] To ryse to þe ruel · to rocke þe cradel, [ryse] arisen M. ruel] so PM; rewel I; rule EG. to] and to M. cradel] childes cradel I.] Boþe to karde and to kembe · to clouten and to wasche, [kembe] combe wolle I.] To rubbe and to rely · russhes to pilie, [rubbe] ribbe IMG. and] G om. rely] so PE; rele IGI; reole M. russhes] & rissches G; and resshes I. pilie] piliȝe M; pyl I.] Line 81 Þat reuthe is to rede · oþere in ryme shewe The wo [of] þese women · þat wonyeþ in Cotes; [[of IG] þat PEM; but see next line. þese] þeese P; and in ll. 96, 164, 183. women] women han E; woman haþ M. wonyeþ—Cotes] in Cote wonen I.] And of meny oþer men · þat muche wo suffren, [men] mo I.] Line 84 Boþe a-fyngrede and a-furst · to turne þe fayre out|warde, [a-fyngrede] a-fyngred E; a|fingred G; of-hungret M; an-hungred I. a-furst] so PG; aþurst EI; of-þerst M; in harde thurst I. fayre] fairest MI.] And beth abasshed for to begge · and wolle nat be aknowe [and] þey I. aknowe EMG] aknowen I; byknowen I; yknowe P.] What hem needeþ at here neihebores · at non and at euen. [at (1)] att P; of M.] This ich wot witerly · as þe worlde techeþ, Line 88 What oþer by-houeþ · þat hath meny children, And hath no catel bote hus crafte · to cloþy hem and to fede, [fede] foode G.] And fele to fonge þer-to · and fewe pans takeþ. [pans] pens IM.] Ther is payn and peny-ale · as for a pytaunce y-take, [ale] ale also E. as] M om.]

Colde flessh and cold fyssh · for veneson ybake; [M omits. Colde] And colde I. cold] I om. for] as I. ybake] were y-bake I.] Line 93 Frydayes and fastyng-dayes · [a] ferthyng-worth of muscles [[a IMEG] P om.] Were a feste for suche folke · oþer so fele Cockes. [for] wiþ I. folke] a folke P; but IMEG omit a. so fele] as fele of M. Cockes] so PEM; cokkys G; cokeles I.] These were almes, to helpe · þat han suche charges, [were] are I. helpe—charges] ese · and also many oþer I.] Line 96 And to comfortie suche cotyers · and crokede men and blynde, [to] M om. cotyers] coterels IG. and—and] þe croked and þe I.] Ac beggers with bagges · þe whiche brewhouses ben here churches, [with] wiþ here G. þe whiche] þe wiche P; swiche M.] Bote þei be blynde oþer broke · oþer elles be syke, [broke] to-broke IEG.] Line 99 Þauh he falle for defaute · þat faiteþ for hus lyf-lode, [faiteþ—lyf-lode] for here foode fayten I.] Reccheþ neuere, ȝe ryche · þauh suche lorelles steruen. [Reccheþ] Recche ȝe IG.] For alle þat han here hele · and here eyen syghte, And lymes to laborye with · and lolleres lyf vsen, [lolleres] lorelles M.] Line 103 Lyuen a-ȝens godes lawe · and lore of holy churche. And ȝut arn þer oþer beggers · in hele, as hit semeþ, [And] Ac I. arn] ben E.] Ac hem wanteþ here witt · men and women boþe, [Ac] But M. here] I om.] Þe whiche aren lunatik lollers · and leperes a-boute, [whiche] wiche P. aren] ben E. lollers] loreles M.] And mad as þe mone sitt · more oþer lasse. [mad] madden IM; E om. sitt] sitteþ G; sittes I.] Line 108 Thei caren for no cold · ne counteþ of no hete, [Thei caren] Careth þey I. for] of G. counteþ] a-counten M. counteþ—hete] knowe but perils fewe I.] And arn meuynge after þe mone · moneyles þei walke, [arn] ben E. meuynge IE] meuyng M; meouing G; meuenge P.] With a good wil, witlees · meny wyde contreys, [a] I om. wyde contreys] a wilde cuntreiȝe M.] Ryght as Peter dude and Paul · saue þat þei preche nat, [saue—nat] if þat þey preche couþe I. þat] G om.]

Ne myracles maken; · ac meny tymes hem happeþ [Ne] Ne none I. tymes] time M; G om.] Line 113 To prophecien of þe puple · pleyinge, as hit were, [þe] þat G. pleyinge] pleigne I; pleynge E.] And to oure sight, as hit semeþ · suthþe God hath þe myghte [hath] ȝaf M. þe] I om.] To ȝeuen eche a [wyght] wit · welthe, and his hele, [eche] ows (wrongly) G. [wyght G] whit P; whiȝt E; wythg M; body myght (sic) I.] Line 116 And suffreþ suche so gon · hit semeþ, to myn Inwitt, [And] He I. so gon] go so IG. to] in M.] Hit arn as hus aposteles, suche puple · oþer as his priuye disciples. [arn] ben E. as (1)] M om.] For he sente hem forth seluerles · in a somer garne|ment, With-oute bred and bagge · as þe bok telleþ,

Quando misi uos sine pane et pera;

[bred—bagge] bagge and brede I · bagge oþer bred I. and] or M.] Line 120 Barfot and bredles · beggeþ þei of no man. [beggeþ] ȝit begge I.] And þauh he mete with þe meyre · [amyddes] þe strete, [he] þay I; þey I. mete] mette G. meyre] meyere P; cf. iv. 77. [amyddes I] in-myddesse E; in-mydest P; in-midde G; in þe middes M. þe] of þe IM; but PEG omit of, and it is not required; cf. Poem on Richard, l. 3.] He reuerenceþ hym ryght nouht · no raþer þan anoþer;

Neminem salutauer[it]is per uiam.

[He] And I. no] GM om. raþer] more M. salutaueritis EMG] salutaueris PI.] Suche manere of men · matheu ous techeþ, [of] I om.] Line 124 We sholde haue hem to house · and help hem when thei come;

Et egenos uagosque induc in domum tuam.

[haue hem] hem haue G. haue—to] hem do I; hale to oure I. hem (2)] I I om. que] MG om.] For hit aren murye-mouthede men · mynstrales of heuene, [hit] þei M. aren] ben EM.] And godes boyes, bordiours · as þe bok telleþ,

Si quis uidetur sapiens, fiet stultus ut sit sapiens.

[boyes] owne M. bordiours] bordours I. fiet] fiat M.] Line 127

Line 127 And alle manere mynstrales · men wot wel þe soþe, [And] I om. men] me I. wot] witeþ; wyte G.] To vnder-fonge hem faire · by-falle[þ] for þe ryche, [by-falleþ G] bifalleþ E; it falleþ I; falleþ M; falles I; by-falle P.] For þe lordes loue and ladies · þat þei with lengen. [and] or þe I; or M. lengen] longen IMG; leuen or lenen E.] Men suffren al þat suche seyn · and in solas taken, And ȝut more to suche men · doth er þei passe, [doth] me doþ I.] Line 132 Gyuen hem gyftes and gold · for grete lordes sake. [Gyuen] Me gifþ I; Men ȝiueþ G. and] of G.] Ryght so, ȝe riche · raþer ȝe sholde, for sothe, [raþer] ȝit raþer I. for sothe] IG om.] Welcomen and worsshepen · and with ȝoure goode helpen [Welcomen] Wolcomen P. goode] gold M.] Godes mynstrales and hus messagers · and hus murye bordiours; [hus (1)] M om. bordiours EI] here written burdiers P; but see l. 127.] Line 136 The whiche arn lunatik lollares · and leperes a-boute, [whiche] wiche PM. arn] ben EM. lunatik] lunatikes I. lollares] loreles MI.] For vnder godes secre seel · here synnes ben ykeuered. [secre] secrete EI. ykeuered EG] couered MI; ykeuerede P.] For þei bereþ no bagges · ne none botels vnder clokes, [none] MIG om. botels] botel M. clokes] cloþes E.] The whiche is lollaren lyf · and lewede eremytes, [whiche] wiche PM. lollaren] so PG; lollers I; lollerne E; loreles M.] Line 140 That loken ful louheliche · to lacchen mennes almesse, [That] I om. ful] wel G; I om. louheliche] lowliche MIG; lowȝlich E. mennes almesse] meny men almisses G.] In hope to sitten at euen · by þe hote coles, Vnlouke hus legges abrod · oþer lygge at hus ese, Reste hym, and roste hym · and his ryg turne, [and—turne] by þe rede gledes I.] Line 144 Drynke drue and deepe · and drawe hym þanne to bedde; [drue] drow E; dryue I; driue (altered to ofte riue) G; ȝurne M. drawe—þanne] þanne drawe him M; þenne drawe G.] And when hym lykeþ and lust · hus leue ys to aryse; [and] or M. aryse] rise I.]

When he ys rysen, romeþ out · and ryght wel aspieþ [When] And whan I. romeþ out] rome forþ I. aspieþ] aspien I.] Whar he may raþest haue a repast · oþer a rounde of bacon, [Whar] War P. raþest] raþerest M. a repast] harpast (sic) E. rounde] ronde IMG; pounde E.] Line 148 Suluer oþer sode mete · and som tyme boþe, [sode] swete I.] A loof oþer half a loof · oþer a lompe of chese; [A] IG om. (twice). half] alf P. oþer (2)] or elles I. of] of a G.] And carieþ it hom to hus Cote · and cast hym to lyue In ydelnesse and in ese · and by oþers trauayle. [in] on I; MEG om.] Line 152 And what frek of þys folde · fiskeþ þus a-boute, [what] wat P. of] on I. þys] þy G. fiskeþ] so PE; fiscuþ G; fis|schith I; fleccheþ M. þus] so I; I om.] With a bagge at hus bak · a begeneldes wyse, [a (2)] on MI. begeneldes] begenildys G; begenelles M; be|genelde I; beggers EI.] And can som manere craft · in cas he wolde hit vse, [som manere] eny IG.] Þorgh whiche craft he couthe · come to bred and to ale, [whiche] wiche PM. craft] E om. to (2)] I om.] And ouer-more to an hater · to helye with hus bones, [an hater] haue hater E; haue hatren M.] And lyueþ lyk a lollere · godes lawe hym dampneþ. [lollere] lorel M.] Line 158 "Lolleres lyuyng in sleuthe · and ouer-londe strykers [Lolleres] Loreles M; For-þy lollers I. lyuyng] þat lyueþ I. ouer|londe] ouerlond MG; ouere-londe P.] Beeþ nat in þys bulle," quaþ peers · "til þei ben amendid, [bulle] bille I.] Noþer beggers þat beggen · bote yf þei haue neede. [Noþer] Ne no I.] Line 161 The bok blameþ alle beggerye · and banneþ in this manere, [B page 116]

Iunior fui, etenim senui, non uidi iustum dere|lictum, nec semen eius querens panem; et alibi: Infirmata est uirtus mea in paupertate.

[blameþ] banneþ I. banneþ] blameþ MEG (wrongly repeated); blameþ it I. this] his I. non—panem] IMG om. et—paupertate] E om. in paupertate] paupertate IM.] Hit needeþ nauht nouthe · a-non for to preche, [nouthe] now M; moche G; E om.] Line 163

Line 163 And lere þese lewede men · what þys latyn meneþ, [lere] lerne M.] For hit blameþ alle beggerie · be ȝe ful certeyn. For þei lyue in no loue · [ne] no lawe þei holden; [A page 96] [loue] lawe I (wrongly re|peated). [ne IMEG] P om. no] non M; E om. þei (2)] I om.] Thei wedde non womon · that þei with delen, [Thei] Ne IG. womon] wym|men IEG; wemmen M.] Bringeþ forth bastardes · beggers of kynde. [Bringeþ] Þei bringen M.] Line 168 Oþer þe bak oþer som bon · þei breken of here children, And gooþ afaytyng with here fauntes · for euere-more After. [gooþ] gon IEM. afaytyng] faityng MG; and fayten I. for] G om.] Þer arn mo misshapen · a-mong suche beggers, [arn] ben E. misshapen] mis-chape I; myschappen E; mys|happed M; mishappes G; spelt mes|shapene in P.] Than of meny oþer men · þat on þis molde walken. [on—walken] walkyþ on þys molde G.] Line 172 Tho þat lyuen þus hure lyf · leyue ȝe non oþere, [G omits. Tho] And þo I. ȝe] ȝe me PE; but MIG omit me; cf. B. v. 302.] Thei han no part of pardon · of preyers, ne of penaunces. [Thei han] Ȝe haue I; Ne haueþ G. pardon] prayeres G. of (2)] ne of I. preyers] pardone G. penaunces] penaunce MIG.] Ac olde men and hore · þat helples beeþ and nedy, [þat] E om. helples] heelples P. beeþ] beþ E; ben MIG.] And wommen with childe · þat worche ne mowen, Line 176 Blynde men and bedreden · and broken in here membres, [men] I om. bedreden] bede|rede M; bedereden I.] And alle poure pacientes · a-payed of godes sonde, [pacientes] pacient MIG. a|payed] i-peyned M. of] wiþ G.] As mesels and mendinauntes · men yfalle in myschef, [men] and men MG.] As prisons and pilgrimes · paraunter men yrobbed, [prisons—pilgrimes] pilgrimes & prisones E. paraunter] and per|aunter IG.] Line 180 Oþer by-lowe þorwe luthere [men] · and lost here catel after, [þorwe] þroȝ E; by G. luthere] lither G; false M. [men IMEG] P om.] Oþer thorgh fure oþer þorwe flood · falle to pouerte, [Here F begins again. fure—þorwe] G om. falle] y-falle I; biþ falle G. to] into IM. pouerte IMFEG] pourte P.]

That taken þese meschiefes meekliche · and Myldliche at herte; [B page 117] [þese] þeese P; and in ll. 192, 201, 203, 209.] For loue of here lowe hertes · oure lord hath hem graunted [I omits. loue of] G om.] Line 184 Here penaunce and here purgatorie · vp-on þys pure erthe, [A page 97] [vp-on þys] here on M. pure IMEFG] miswritten poure P.] And pardon with peers plouhman · a pena & a culpa. [peers] þe IFG.] [And alle holy hermites · haue schal þe same;] [In I only; but it seems clearly required; see next line.] Ac eremites þat en-habiten · by þe heye weyes, [PM insert hem after en|habiten, which IFEG omit; it is not wanted. weyes] weye IG.] And in borwes a-mong brewesters · and beggen in churches;— Line 189 Al þat holy eremytes · hateden and despisede, [hateden] hateþ G.] As rychesses and reuerences · And ryche mennes Almesse, [rychesses] richesse I. reuer|ences] reuerence IG. mennes] men IEG.] These lolleres, lacchedraweres · lewede eremytes, [lolleres] lorelles M; losels I.] Line 192 Coueyten þe contrarie · as cotiers þei lybben. [as] for as I; & as G. cotiers] coterels II. þei] MG om.] For hit beþ bote boyes · [bollers] atten ale, [hit] þei M. beþ] ben IM. [bollers IIM] lolleres PEFG; but ob|serve the alliteration. atten ale] at þe ale IM; at þe nale EG; ate ale F.] [Neyþer of lynage, ne of lettrure]; · ne lyf-holy as eremites, [[Neyþer] in I only; but ab|solutely necessary to the sense. [of lynage EMIGF] here spelt of lynguage P; but see l. 197. [ne IMF] neþer G; PE om. [of lettrure] here spelt of letture P; but see l. 198. P has thus the corrupt reading—Of lyn|guage of letture.] That wonede [whilom] in wodes · with beres and lyones. [wonede] wonieþ G. [whilom IMF] wyle P; while E; G om.; cf. l. 204. and] & wiþ IG.] Line 196 Some had lyf-lode of here lynage · and of no lyf elles; [here] his I.] And some lyuede by here lettrure · and labour of here hondes;

Some hadde foreynes to frendes · þat hem fode sente; [Some] And some I. foreynes] so PEI; forynus F; florynes MG. M has—Summe florynes hadden · of frendes þat sente hem fode.] And bryddes brouhten to some bred · wherby þei lyueden. [to] I om. wherby þei] þat þay by IG.] Line 200 Alle þese holy eremytes · were of hye kynne, [Alle] And IF. þese] þey I; þo M. hye] his (wrongly) I. kynne] kynde M.] For-soke londe and lordshep · and lykynges of þe body. [lykynges] likyng MF; alle likeynge I. þe] IMEGF om.] Ac these eremytes þat edefyen thus · by þe hye weyes, [weyes] weye IGI.] [Whilom] were workmen · webbes and taillours, [[Whilom IMGF] Wylen P; Whilen E; see l. 196. webbes] & webbes E; as webbus F.] Line 204 And carters knaues · and clerkus with-oute grace, Helden [ful] hungry hous · and hadde muche defaute, [Helden EMG] Heelden P; Holden IF. [ful IMFG] PE om. muche] gret G.] Long labour and lyte wynnynge · and atte laste aspiden, [lyte] lite EG; litel IM; late F. atte] at þe IG. aspiden] þey aspide I.] That faitours in frere cloþynge · hadde fatte chekus. [faitours] fayted (badly) I. frere cloþynge] freres cloþes M.] For-thi lefte þei here laboure · þese lewede knaues, [For-thi] For-whi M. lefte þei] þei leften M; þei left F.] And cloþed hem in copes · clerkus as hit were, [cloþed] clokid F. clerkus] cherlys G. hit] þey GF.] Line 210 Oþer on of som ordre · oþere elles a prophete; [M omits.] A-ȝens þe lawe he lyueþ · yf latyn be trewe;

Non licet uobis legem uoluntati, sed uoluntatem coniungere legi.

[he lyueþ] þei lyuen M; of leuey [i.e. Levi] I. trewe IEF] truwe MG; trywe P. uobis] uobis or nobis P; but vobis EG.] Now kyndeliche, by crist · beþ suche callyd 'lolleres,' [Now] II om. lolleres] loreles M.] As by englisch of oure eldres · of olde menne techynge. [by] by þe I.] He þat lolleþ is lame · oþer his leg out of ioynte, [is] his P. out] is oute II. of] of þe P; but IEFG omit þe.] Oþer meymed in som membre · for to meschief hit souneþ. [souneþ] semiþ G.] Line 216

Line 216 And ryght so sothlyche · suche manere eremytes [And] I om. manere] maner of M.] Lollen aȝen þe byleyue · and lawe of holy churche. [lawe] þe lawe I.] For holy churche hoteþ · alle manere puple [manere] maner of M.] Vnder obedience to bee · and buxum to þe lawe. Line 220 Furst, religious, of religion · here ruele to holde, [religious of] religiouns and (wrongly) I. here] a I.] And vnder obedience to be · by dayes and by nyghtes; [nyghtes] nyȝhte G; nyth M.] Lewede men to laborie; · [and] lordes to honte [[and MGF] PIE om.] In frythes and in forestes · for fox and oþer bestes [frythes] frith M. in] oþer G. forestes] forest M. fox] vox M; foxes G.] That in wilde wodes ben · and in wast places, [and] or I.] Line 225 As wolues þat wyryeþ men · wommen and children; [wyryeþ I] wyrhyeþ P; wirieþ G; werien M; werrieþ E; wery F.] And vp-on sonedays to cesse · godes seruyce to huyre, [vp-on] a F. huyre] here IMF.] Boþe matyns and messe · and, after mete, in churches To huyre here euesong · euery man ouhte. Line 229 Thus it by-longeþ for lorde · for lered, and lewede, [by-longeþ] bi-longed G. for (1)] for a MG. lewede] for lewed I.] Eche halyday to huyre · hollyche þe seruice, [to] forte M. hollyche þe] þe holi MI.] Vigiles and fastyngdayes · forthere-more to knowe, And fulfille þo fastynges · bote infirmite hit made, [þo] þe EM. fastynges] fast|yng M. infirmite] siknes F.] Line 233 Pouerte [oþer] oþere penaunces · as pilgrymages and trauayles. [[oþer E] or FG; and IM; P om. penaunces] penaunce FG. as] G om.] Vnder þis obedience · arn we echone; [arn] er G; ben E.] Who-so brekyþ þis, be wel war · bot yf he repente, [Who-so] And who-so I. þis] þese M. wel] he wel M; I om.] Amende hym and mercy aske · and meekliche hym shryue, [Amende] miswritten Amenden P.] Line 237 Ich drede me, and he deye · hit worth for dedlich synne [and] if F. for] ful I.]

A-counted by-fore crist · bote conscience excuse hym. Loke now where þese lolleres · and lewede eremytes, [where] were P. lolleres] loreles M.] Yf thei breke þys obedience · þat ben so [fer] fro churche? [[fer IIFG] PEM om.] Wher see we hem on sonedays · þe seruyse to huyre, As, matyns by þe morwe? · tyl masse by-gynne, [by-gynne] beo bi-gunne G; be bygonne I.] Oþer sonedays at euesonge · seo we wel fewe! [Oþer] On M. wel EFG] wol P; ful IM; right I.] Line 244 Oþere labory for [here] liflode · as þe lawe wolde? [[here IMFEGI] oure P.] Ac at mydday meel-tyme · ich mete with hem ofte, [at] a-boute IG. meel] at meele I; at mete I.] Comynge in a cope · as he a clerke were; [Comynge MEFG] Come I; miswritten Conynge P. a (1)] his IG. he] G om.] A bacheler oþer a beaupere · best hym by-semeth; [by-semeth] bisemed IG.] And for þe cloþ þat keuereþ hym · cald is he a frere, [is] his P. he MEFIGI] mis|written here P. is he] he is I.] Wassheþ and wypeþ · and with þe furste sitteþ. [Wassheþ] Whassheþ P. sit|teþ] set him F.] Line 250 Ac while he wrought in þys worlde · and wan hus mete with treuthe, [with] in II.] He sat atte sydbenche · and secounde table; [atte] at þe MEFGI. syd|benche] sidbord MII. and] atte EI; at þe FG; þe (sic) M; and at þe I.] Line 252 Cam no wyn in hus wombe · þorw þe weke longe, [þorw] in al M.] Noþer blankett in hus bed · ne white bred by-fore hym. [Noþer] Ne no IIG; Ne M. in] on IMG.] The cause of al þys caitifte · comeþ of meny bis|shopes, [al] FIG om. caitifte] caiteef|nes F. comeþ] com G. bisshopes] bisshepes P.] That suffren suche sottes · and oþere synnes regne; [sottes] sectes EG.] Certes, ho so þurste hit segge · Symon quasi dormit; [so] G om. þurste] derst EG; durste M; dorste I; durst FI. hit segge] sigge it I; say I.] Vigilare were fairour · for þow hast gret charge. [Vigilare IIMFEG] Vigilate P. gret] a gret IMG.] Line 258

Line 258 For meny waker wolues · ben broke in-to foldes; [waker] wickede M. ben—in-to] arn wroken vnto I. foldes] þy foldes EI; þi folde M; þe fold G.] Thyne berkeres ben al blynde · þat bryngeþ forth þy lambren, [Thyne] Þy IG; Þi MF. ben] aren I. lambren] lambre I; lambus F.] Line 260 Dispergentur oues · thi dogge dar nat berke; [thi] þe II. berke IMFEGI] beerke P.] The tarre is vntydy · þat to þyne sheep by-longeþ, [The] Þi M. þyne] þi MF; þy E; þe IGI. sheep by-longeþ] tripe longeth F.] Hure salue ys of supersedeas · in someneres boxes; [of] IIG om.] Thyne sheep are ner al shabbyd · þe wolf shiteþ woolle: [are ner] ben ny M; be ny F; ben almoste E. shabbyd] schabbed MII; scabbed EFG. shiteþ] schent M; bischit IF; shyt G. woolle] þi wolle MF; þe folde I.] Sub molli pastore · lupus lanam cacat, et grex [lupus—eo] IMF om. In-custoditus—eo] IG om.] In-custoditus · dilaceratur eo. [lupus—eo] IMF om. In-custoditus—eo] IG om.] Hoow! hurde! wher is þyn hounde · and þyn hardy herte, [Hoow] How MFG; Howe I; O E.] For to wyrie þe wolf · þat þy woolle fouleþ? [wyrie] go wery I. þy] þe II. fouleþ] defouleþ M.] Line 268 Ich leyue, for þy lacchesse · þow leest meny wederes, [leyue] leue MIEGI; leeue F. lacchesse] slaknesse E. leest] so PE; lest F; lesest IM; lesist G; losest I. wederes] weþeres IMEFI; weþerys G.] And ful meny fayre flus · falsliche wasshe! [ful meny] many a I. flus] so PE; flees IFG; fleis M; wolle-flees I. falsliche] is falsliche I; ys ful falslyche GI. wasshe] ywasche EG; i-wassche M; waschen I.] When þy lord lokeþ to haue · a-louaunce for hus bestes, [When] Þan F. for] of IMFG. hus] þi M; þees F.] And of þe monye þow haddist þer-myd · hus meoble to saue, [myd] wiþ GI. meoble] moebles I. saue] haue I.] Line 272 And þe woolle worth weye · woo ys þe þenne! [And] And whan M. weye] ywey E; y-weie FG; i-weied M. ys] wurþe F. þenne] þat time M. ys—þenne] þe bitydeþ I.] Redde rationem uillicacionis tue · oþer [in] arerage falle! [tue] IFG om. [in IMFEGI] P om. falle] þow fallest M.]

Thyn hyre, hurde, as ich hope · hath nouht to quyty þy dette, [Thyn] miswritten Then P; cf. l. 267. quyty] quyte IMFEG.] Ther as mede ne mercy · may nat a myte auayle, [ne] & F. may] ne mai G.] Line 276 Bote 'haue þis for þat · þo þat þow toke [Bote] For I.] Mercy for mede · and my lawe breke, [breke] brekes G; I-broke F.] Loke now for þi lacchesse · whether lawe wol þe graunte [lacchesse] slaknesse E. whether] what I; wher FG.] Purgatorie for þy paye · oþer perpetuel helle?' Line 280 For shal no pardoune praye for ȝow þer · noþer princes letteres." [praye] paye G. ȝow] ȝowe P. noþer] ne none G; ne no FI.] [75—281. This passage occurs a second time in MS. I, Foll. 2—4. Peculiar readings from this copy are marked I (italic). But see also the Critical Note.] "Peers," quaþ a prest þo · "þy pardoune most ich rede, [A page 97] [B page 117] Ich can construen ech worde · and kenne hit þe in englishe." [Ich can] For I can I. ech] ech a F; icha I. in] on M.] And peers at hus preyere · þe pardon vnfolded, [preyere] preyers I. vnfolded] þo vnfolded F; vnfoldeþ I.] Line 284 And ich by-hynde hem boþe · by-heeld al þe bulle. [M omits. ich] G om. bulle] bille I.] In two lynes hit lay · and no lettere more, [lynes] lynes as I; lofes (!) E. no] in no F; nat a IG. Indulgencia, &c.] in PM; see margin.] And was ywryte ryght þus · in witnesse of treuthe.

Qui bona egerunt ibunt in uitam eternam: Qui uero mala, in ignem eternum.

"Peter!" quaþ þe prest þo · "ich can no pardon fynde, Bote 'do wel and haue wel · and god shal haue þy saule, Line 289 Do vuel and haue vuel · and hope þow non oþer [Do] And do I. vuel] yuel IEG; euele MF. and (2)] G om.] Bote he þat vuel lyueþ · vuel shal ende!' " The preest þus and perkyn · of þe pardon Iangled. [A page 99] [B page 119] Throgh here wordes ich awook · and waitede aboute, [Throgh—ich] And I þorgh here wordes I. waitede] a-waitede M.] And seih þe sonne in þe south · sitte þat tyme. [sitte] sittyng M.] Line 294

Line 294 Meteles and moneyles · on maluerne hulles, Musynge on þis meteles · a myle-wey ich ȝeode. [on] in M. þis] miswritten þees P; but see l. 297. ȝeode] ȝode I; ȝede MEFG.] Line 296 And meny tymes this meteles · made me to studie [And] IG om. tymes] time IMF. made] haþ maked I.] Of þat ich seih slepynge · yf hit so be myghte, And of peers plouhman · [ful] pensyf in herte, [peers] peres þe I. [ful IFG] PEM om.; cf. B-text.] And which a pardon peers hadde · the puple to gladen, [which] wich P. a] I om.] And how þe preest inpugned hit · thorwe two propre wordes. [thorwe] with F.] Line 301 Ac men setten nat by songewarie · men seen hit ofte faile, [Ac] And G. men (2)] for men I; miswritten mei P. hit] M om.] Caton counteþ hit at nouht · and canonistres at lasse. [counteþ] a-counteþ M.] Ac for þe bok bible · bereþ good wyttnesse, [bok] goode G. good] I om.] Line 304 How daniel dyuinede · and vndude þe dremeles [A page 100] [vndude] so PM; vndede FG; vndide I; vnded E. dremeles] dremes IF. I adds of kynges, omit|ting kyng in l. 306.] Of kyng nabugodonosor · þat no peer hadde, [hadde] ne hadde M.] And sitthe after to hus sones · seide hem what þei thouhte:— [And] G om. to] I om. seidc] and saide I; told F.] And Ioseph mette meruelousliche · how þe mone and þe sonne [mette IMFEG] mete P.] Line 308 And elleuene sterres · hailsede hym alle; [elleuene] þe enleuene I; also elleue F. hailsede] heilede M; hei|seden (sic) F; hail seide to G.] Thenne Iacob Iuged · Iosephes sweuene: [B page 120] [Thenne] And þenne G.] "Beau fitz," quaþ þe fader · "we shulleþ for defaute, [Beau] Bew M. fitz] filtz M; fiz G. we—defaute] for defaute we schal I.] Ich my-self and my sones · seche [þe] for neede;" [[þe IFMEG] P om.] Line 312 Hit by-fel as þe fader seide · in [pharaoes] tyme, [þe] his F. [pharaoes MFE] pharoes G; Pharao I; pharao hus P.] Þat Ioseph was Iustice · egipte to saue; [to] for to EF.]

Hus eleuene broþeres · hym for neede souhte, [broþeres] breþeres E; breþeren IF; breþerne M; breþren G.] And hus fader Iacob · and al-so hus dame:— [Iacob] Isaac (!) I.] Line 316 Al þis makeþ me · on meteles to studie, [meteles] metinge G.] And how þe preest preuede · no pardon to do-wel; [preuede IG] prouede MEF; preeued P. to] but M.] And demede þat dowel · Indulgences passede, [demede þat] þe mede of (!) E. Indulgences] indulgence MF. pas|sede] passeþ I.] Byennals and tryennals · and bisshopes letteres. Line 320 For ho so doþ wel here · at þe daye of dome [A page 101] [doþ wel MEFG] dowel I; wel doþ P.] Worth faire vnderfonge · by-for god þat tyme. So dowel passeþ pardon · and pilgrimages to rome; [pilgrimages] pilgrimage IM. to] of G.] Ȝut hath þe pope power · pardon to graunte [hath—pope] haþ þe popus F; han þe popes E (observe this read|ing). pardon] þe pardone G.] Line 324 To puple, with-oute penaunce · to passen in-to Ioye, [puple] þe peple EF. to] G om. in-to] to F.] As lettred men ous lereþ · and lawe of holy churche:

Quodcunque ligaueris super terram erit ligatum & in celis; Et quodcunque solueris super terram erit solutum & in celis.

[leroþ] lered I. lawe] men MG. Et—celis] MIFG om.] And so ich by-leyue leelly · lordes forbode elles, [by-leyue] by-leue P (here; but by-leyue elsewhere); leue EIG; leeue F. lordes] goddes F. lordes forbode] lord forbede EI; lord me for-beode M.] Þat pardon and penaunce · and preieres don saue [penaunce] penaunces I.] Line 328 Saule[s] þat han synged · seuene sithe[s] dedliche. [Saules E] Soules MIFG; Saule P. synged] singed G; synned IEF; i-synned M. sithes IFG] sithe PE; times M.] Ac to trysten vpon triennels · treweliche me thynkeþ [vpon] apon P; vp þis I. treweliche] triweliche P.] Ys nat so syker for þe saule · certys, as ys dowel. [Ys] Nys M; It is I. for] to I. ys] I (sic) I; M om.] For-thi ich rede ȝow renkes · þat riche ben on þys erthe, [For-thi] For-whi M. renkes] ruleres G.] Vp trist of ȝoure tresour · tryennels to haue, Line 333 Be ȝe neuere þe boldere · to breke þe ten hestes;

And nameliche, ȝe maistres · meyres and Iuges, [B page 121] That han þe welthe of þis worlde · and wise men ben holde, [holde] i-holde M; holden G.] Line 336 To purchace ȝow pardon · and þe popes bulles. [ȝow] ȝoure I.] At þe dredful day of dome · when dede men shullen ryse, [day of] I om. men] I om. ryse] a-risen MIG.] And comen alle by-fore crist · a-countes to ȝelde, Howe we ladde oure lyf here · and hus lawes kepte, And how we dude day by day · þe dome wol reherce. [A page 102] A poke-ful of pardon þere · ne prouincials letteres, Line 342 Þauh [we] be founde in fraternite · of alle fyue ordres, [[we IG] he PMEF (observe ous in l. 344). in] in þe IM. fyue] þe fyue MF.] And haue indulgences doblefolde · bote dowel ous helpe, Line 344 Ich sette by pardon nat a peese · noþer a pye hele! [by—nat] noght by pardoun I. noþer] ne nat I; ne M. hele IMEG] heele F; hyle P.] For-thi ich counsaile alle cristine · to crye god mercy, [For-thi] For-whi M. crye god] god to criȝe M; crye god of F.] And marye hus moder · be oure mene to hym, [marye] to mariȝe M. moder] deere modur F. be] to be F. oure—hym] to him oure mene G.] Þat god ȝeue ous grace here · er we go hennes, [go hennes] hennes wende I.] Line 348 Suche workes to worche · whil we ben here, [I omits. whil] while þat F.] That after oure deþ-day · dowel reherce At þe day of dome · we dude as he tauhte.—Amen. [At] Þat at G. day] dredful day F. tauhte] us tauȝte M. Amen] M om.]

Hic explicit uisio willelmi de petro plouhman. [Hic] EMIF om. wil|lelmi] Willelmi W. (sic) I; G om. plouhman] le Plowman I. See Pre|face. The title Incipit uisio eiusdem, &c. immediately follows; see Pass. xi.]

Visio einsdem Willelmi de Do-wel.

PASSUS XI. (DO-WEL I.)

[TITLE. So PEG; M prefixes Hic. Willelmi] FI om.] Incipit uisio eiusdem Willelmi de dowel.

THus robed in russett · ich romede a-boute, [A page 103] [B page 125] Al a somer seson · for to seke dowel, [And] frainede ful ofte · of folke þat ich mette, [[And IMGF] PE om. frainede] a-frainede M. folke] men G.] Yf eny wiht wist · wher dowel was at ynne, [wiht] with P; but see l. 6. wher] wer P.] Line 4 And what man he myghte be · of meny man ich askede. [man (2)] men E.] Was neuere wiht in þis worlde · þat wisse me couthe, [þis] þe I. wisse me] me wisse IG.] Wher þat he longede · lasse ne more; [þat he] þis I. longede] lengede F; logget E; wonede G. ne] no I.] Til hit by-ful on a frydaye · two freres ich mette, Line 8 Maisteres of [þe] menours · men of grete witte. [[þe IEF] PMS om. menours] menour (sic) I; mynours E; menow|rus & F.] Ich hailsede hem hendilyche · as ich hadde ylerned, [hailsede] hailede M; askede G. ylerned E] ylernede P; i-lered M; lered IGF.] And prayede pur charite · ar þei passede forþere, [prayede] prayed hem I. pur] par E; for M. ar] er I; or MFEG.] Yf þei knew eny contreie · oþer costes a-boute, [contreie] contreis EG.] Line 12 Wher þat dowel dwelleþ— · "dere frendes, telleþ me; [dwelleþ] dwellede I. telleþ me] me telleþ E; ȝe me telle F.] For ȝe aren men of þys molde · þat most wide walken, [B page 126] And knowen contreies and courtes · and menye kynne places, Boþe princes paleis · and poure menne Cotes, [menne] men IE; menes M.] Line 16 And dowel and do-vuele · wher þei dwellen boþe."

"Sothliche," seide þe frere · "he soiourneþ with ous freres, [freres] boþe G.] And ay hath, as ich hope · and [euer] wol her-after." [A page 104] [[euer FGI] ȝut M; PE om.] "Contra," quaþ ich as a clerke · and comsede to dis|pute, Line 20 And seide sothliche · "septies in die cadit iustus, Fallynge fro ioye · iesus wot þe sothe! 'Seuene sythes,' seith þe bok · 'syngeþ day by day [sythes EMF] sythe PI; see l. 31. syngeþ] synegeþ G; synneþ ME; man synneth F. by day] and nyth M.] The alþer-ryghtfulleste renk · þat regneþ vpon erthe.' [alþer] alder M; I om. vpon] on I; on þe G.] And ho so syngeþ," ich seide · "certys, doþ nat wel; [syngeþ] synneþ IMEF; synegiþ G. doþ] he doþ I.] For ho so syngeþ · sikerliche doþ vuele, [syngeþ] synneþ IME; synegeþ PG; but see ll. 23, 25.] Line 26 And dowel and do-vuele · may nat dwelle to-gederes. [dwelle] stonde G.] Ergo, he ys nat al-way · at hom among ȝow Freres; [ys] nys G. at—among] a-tom wiþ M.] He is som while elles-wher · to wisse þe puple." [is] his P. som while] vm|while G; vm-whilus F; vmbiwhile M; oþer-while I.] Line 29 "Ich shal sei þe, my sone," · seide þe frere þenne, [sone] self M.] "How seuene sithes þe sadde man · syngeþ on þe day. [syngeþ] synneþ IMFE; singeþ G. on] in G.] By a forbusene," quaþ þe frere · "ich shal þe faire shewe. [forbusene] forbisne I; forbisme (sic) G; for-bisen M; forbisen F. quaþ] seide M. þe (2)] ȝow G.] Line 32 Let brynge a man in a bot · in-myddes a brode water; [in myddes] amyddes I; amyd F; in G.] The wynde and þe water · and waggynge of þe bote [waggynge] þe waggyng MFG. bote] vessel F.] Makeþ þe man meny tyme · to stomble, yf he stande; [tyme] tymes I; a tyme F. stomble] tombly G.] Stonde he neuere so styfliche · þorgh sterynge of þe bote [Stonde] For stonde I. styfliche] stillich E. sterynge] strengþe EM. bote] barge F.] Line 36 He bendeþ and boweþ · þe body is vnstable, [is] is so I; his P.]

Ac ȝut he is saf and sounde; · so fareth hit by þe ryght|ful. [B page 127] [saf] sad M. so] and so I. hit] G om.] Þauh he falle, he falleþ nat · bote as ho fulle in a bote, [falle] faile MF. as] I om. ho] who so I; hoso F; he MG.] Þat ay is saf and sounde · þat sitteþ with-ynne þe borde. [saf] sad M. þat] and I. sitteþ] sitte I; sit M.] So hit fareþ," quaþ þe frere · "by ryghtful mannes fallynge; [by] by þe I.] Line 41 Þawe he þorgh fondinge falle · he falleþ nat out of charite; [40—42. G omits.] [þorgh] þorghe P. fondinge] fondynges I.] So dedliche synne doþ he nat · for dowel hym helpeþ. [he] I om.] The water ys likned to þe worlde · þat wanyeþ and wexeþ; [A page 105] [likned IF] liknyd G; likened EM; liknede P. wanyeþ—wexeþ] wexeþ and wanyeþ M.] Line 44 The godes of [þis] grounde aren lyke · to þe grete wawes, [of] on M. [þis IMFEG] þe P. aren] ben E. to] I om. þe] MEFG om.] [Þat] as wyndes and wederes · walwen a-boute; [[Þat I] For F; PEGM om.; cf. B-text. walwen] wawen E; wa|weþ M; wawen þei F.] The bot ys lykned to oure body · þat brotel ys of kynde, [lykned] lycknede P; see l. 44. brotel] brokel EG; britel M.] That þorgh þe fende and oure flesch · and þis frele worlde [and (1)] of I (wrongly).] Line 48 Syngeþ seuene sithes · þe saddest man on erthe, [Syngeþ] Senegeþ P; Synegeþ G; Synneþ IMFE; cf. l. 25. sithes IMFE] sithe P; cf. ll. 23, 31.] And lyfholiest of lyf · þat lyueth vnder þe sonne. [F omits. lyfholiest] þe holiest I. þe] MG om.] Ac free wil and free wit · folweþ a man euere [M transposes wil and wit.] To repenten and ryse · and rowen out of synne, [ryse] to arise I; to a-risen M; arise FG. of] of his G.] Line 52 To contricion, to confession · til he come to hus ende. [To] Þorgh I. he] he beo G.] Raþer haue we no reste · til we restitue [Raþer] For raþere IF. we (1)] G om. til] til þat F.]

Our lyf to oure lord god · for oure lykames gultes." "Ich haue no kynde knowyng," quaþ ich · "to con|ceyue al þy speche, [B page 128] [knowyng] knowleching I. quaþ ich] I om. al] of G. þy] þis IFEG.] Line 56 Ac yf ich may lyue and loke · ich shal go lerne bettere." [lyue] go leue G.] "Ich by-kenne þe Crist," quaþ he · "þat on þe croice deide." And ich seide, "þe same · saue ȝow fro meschaunce, [ȝow] þe M.] And gyue me grace on þis grounde · with good ende to deye." Line 60 Ich wente forþ wyde where · walkynge myn one, [myn one] me one M; allone E; al myn oone F.] In a wylde wyldernesse · by a wode syde. [wylde] G om. by] and by I. wode] woodes I; wodus F.] Blisse of [þe] briddes · a-byde me made, [[þe IMFG] PE om. a-byde me] me abide G.] And vnder lynde in a launde · lenede ich a stounde, [A page 106] [lynde] a lynde M (only). in] vpon I.] To lithen here laies · and here loueliche notes. [lithen] lustene M.] Line 65 Murthe of here murye mouthes · made me to slepe; [murye] I om. me] me þere I.] And merueilousliche me mette · a-myddes al þat blisse. [me] i M.] A muche man, me þouhte · lyke to my-selue, [muche] mekel M. me] as y G. lyke] ylike IG. my] me M.] Line 68 Cam and callede me · by my [kynde] name. [[kynde I] ryhte PEFMG; but cf. B-text.] "What art þow?" quaþ ich · "þat my name knowest?" [art MF] ert PE. art þow] artow I; ertow G. my] þou my I.] "That wost þou, wille," quaþ he · "and no wight betere." [wost] I om. wille] wel E. wight] man M.] "Wot ich," quaþ ich, "ho art þow?" · "thouhte," seide he þenne; [art IMF] ert PEG.] Line 72 "Ich haue þe suwed þis seue ȝer · seih þou me no rather?" [þe] E om. þe suwed] sewed þe I; y-sewed þe G. þis] G om. seue] so also EG; seuen I; seuene MF. seih] sawe I; saw FG; siȝe M; sey E.]

"Art þow þouhte?" quaþ ich þo · "þow couþest me wisse [Art IMF] Ert PEG. quaþ] seide M. couþest] coudest IMF. þow couþest] coudest þou F.] Where þat dowel dwelleþ · and do me to knowe?" [B page 129] [Where] Were P. me] me him F.] Line 75 "Dowel and dobet," quaþ he · "and dobest þe þridde [quaþ he] G om.] Beþ þre fayre vertues · and beeþ nauht ferr to fynde. [Beþ] Aren I; Ben M. beeþ] ben IM; be F.] Who-so is trewe of hys tonge · and of hus two handes, [so] I om. is] his P. trewe] trywe P. hys] ys P. two EF] tuo I; to PMG.] And þorw leel labour lyueþ · and loueþ his emcristine, [I omits. þorw] þorwe P. lyueþ] G om. emcristine] euene|cristene M.] And þer-to trewe of hus tail · and halt wel his handes, [I omits. trewe] trywe P. wel his] his to M.] Nouht dronkelewe ne deynous · dowel hym folweþ. [A page 107] [Nouht] And is noght I. deyn|ous] dedeynous I.] Line 81 Dobet doþ al this · ac ȝut he doþ more; [ac] and MF. more] wel moore F.] He is lowe as a lombe · and loueliche of speche, [loueliche] lowelich I.] And helpeth herteliche alle men · of þat he may aspare. [aspare] spare IM.] The bagges and þe by-gurdeles · he hath to-broke hem alle, [by-gurdeles] bri-gerdeles I; bregurdles G. to-broke] i-broke M.] Line 85 That þe eorl auerous · heeld, and hus eires; [heeld] helde IE; held MG.] And of mammonaes moneye · mad hym meny frendes, [mad] haþ mad M; y-maked I; y-mad GF.] And is ronne in-to religion · and rendreþ hus byble, [is] M om. ronne] yronne EM. in-to] to EFG. religion] religious E. rendreþ] haþ rendred I; rendred F; redeþ M. and rendreþ] to rendre G. hus] þe I.] And precheþ to þe puple · seynt poules wordes;

Libenter suffertis insipientes, cum sitis ipsi sa|pientes;

[cum, &c.] IMG om.] Line 89 'Ȝe worldliche wyse · vnwyse þat ȝe suffre, [vnwyse þat] þe vnwise M.] Lene hem and loue hem' · this latyn ys to mene. [to mene] trewe I.] Dobest bere sholde · þe bisshopes croce, [B page 130] Line 92 And halye with [þe] hoked ende · ille men to goode, [halye] holde E. [þe IMFG] PE om. hoked] croked M. ille] alle M. to] & F.]

And with þe pyk putte adoune · preuaricatores legis, [pyk] puynt (over erasure) G. putte] pulte I.] Lordes þat lyuen as hem lust · and no lawe a-counten; [Here S begins again; and collation with G is less full.] For here mok and here meeble · suche men þynken [For] so IMFSG; And fore P; & for E; but And is superfluous. mok] muk FS. and] and for PE; but IMFSG omit for. meeble] moebles I.] Line 96 That no Bisshop sholde · here byddinge with-sitte. [Schulde no bischop be · here biddynges to wiþ-sitte I.] Ac dobest sholde nat dreden [hem] · bote do as god hihte,

Nolite timere eos qui possunt occidere corpus.

[[hem IMFSG] hym PE. nat—hem] drede hem noght IG.] Thus dowel and dobet · diuinede, and dobest, [diuinede] demed I. and] a IMFS; at G.] Line 99 And crounede on to be kyng · to culle with-oute synne [kyng] a kyng IESG. to] & F.] That wolde nat don as dobest · diuinede and tauhte. [don] M om. diuinede] de|med I.] Thus dowel and dobet · and dobest þe þridde Crounede on to be kyng · and kepen ous alle, [kyng] a kyng IESG.] And reulen alle reaumes · by here þre wittes; [A page 108] [reulen] to reule I. by] after G.] Line 104 Bote oþer-wise ne elles nat · bote as þei þree assented." [E omits from bote as þei down to nat in l. 107.] Ich þonked þouht þo · þat he me so tauhte: [þonked þouht] thoght þonkede I; þankid muche þouȝt F.] "Ȝut sauereþ me nat þi sawe," quaþ ich · "so me crist spede, [Ȝut] Ac ȝut I. me nat] nat me I. sawe] sawes I. quaþ ich] I om. spede] helpe MF.] A more kynde knowyng · coueite ich to huyre [kynde] kyndere I.] Line 108 Of dowel and of dobet · and dobest of alle." [of (2)] IMFSG om. dobest] ho dobest P; who do best E; who doþ best I; but MFS have dobest only, which is the simplest reading.] "Bote wit wolle þe wisse," quaþ þouht · "wher þo þre dwellen; [Bote] But if I. wolle þe] þe wolde M; cunne þe F. wher] wer P. þo] þey S.] Elles know ich non þat can · in none kynriche." [kynriche] kynge-riche M.] Thouht and ich thus þre daies · to-gederes we ȝeoden, [Thouht] Thouth P; but see last line. we] M om. togederes—ȝeoden] wenton to-gidere F.]

Disputynge vp dowel · daye after oþere; [vp] vpon IMFG; for S.] Line 113 And er we were ywar · with wit gan we mete. [B page 131] [er] ar IFG; or E. were ywar] were ware S; y-war were I; waar were G. with] S om.] He was long and lene · lyke to non oþer, [lyke] y-like IG; & lik F.] Was no pruyde in hus aparail · ne pouerte noþer; [in] on I. aparail] paraile IFG. ne] ne no M.] Line 116 Sad of hus semblant · with a softe speche. [with] and wiþ IG.] Ich [dorste] meue no matere · to maken hym to Iangle, [[dorste IS] durst FE; derste G; ne durste M; þurste P; see B-text. meue] moeue E; meeue F. to (1)] ne M.] Bote as ich bad thouht þo · be mene by-twene, [A page 109] [thouht] thouth P; see l. 110. be] to be I.] Line 119 And putte forth som purpos · to prouen hus wittes, [prouen IEF] preuen MSG; proouen P. wittes] wit S.] What dowel was fro dobet · and dobest fro hem boþe. [dowel was] was do-wel I.] Thenne thouht in þat tyme · seide þese wordes, [thouht] thouth P; see l. 110. þat] þan P; but it seems a mere error, as all other MSS. have þat. seide MFG] seyde S; saide I; seede P; sede E. þese MF] þise I; þis E; þeese P.] "Wher dowel and dobet · and dobest ben in londe [Wher IMG] War P; Whare SEF. ben IMEF] been P; be S.] Her is on wolde wite · yf wit couthe teche, [wolde] wille I. wite] I-wite I; i-witen M; ywite E. yf wit] ho so F. teche] him teche MF; telle G.] Line 124 And what lyues thei lyuen · and what lawe þei vsen; [lyues] lijf þat M. lawe] lawes SFG.] What þei drede and douten · dere syre, telleþ." [A page 110] [B page 132] [What] And what I. and] an P. douten IMEFSG] douhten P. telleþ] telleþ me M.] "Syre dowel dwelleþ," quaþ wit · "nat a daye hennes, In a castle þat Kynde made · of foure kyne þynges; Line 128 Of erthe, of aier yt is made · medled to-gederes, [of] and IS; and of M. med|led] and medeled M; y-medeled IG.] With wynd and water · wittyliche en-ioyned. [en-ioyned] en-ioynede P.] Kynde hath closed þer-ynne · craftilyche with alle [closed] i-closed MF.] A lemman þat he loueþ wel · lyke to hym-selue; [wel] I om.] Line 132 Anima hue hatte · to hure hath enuye [hue] sche IMSFG; ȝo E. hatte] hatteþ M.]

A prout prikyere of fraunce · princeps huius mundi; [prout] proud MISF.] And wolde wynne hure away · with wiles, yf he myghte. [wiles] whiles P. yf] and I.] Line 135 And kynde knoweth þis wel · and kepeth hure þe betere, [þis] hit M. hure] hit M.] And dooþ hure with syre dowel · duk of þes marches. [dooþ] doþ E; hath do IFS; i-do M. syre] M om. duk] duchasse M.] Dobet ys here damesele · syre doweles douhter, To serue þat lady leelly · boþe late and rathe. Dobest ys a-boue boþe · a bisshopes peer, [A page 111] [I omits.] Line 140 And by hus lerynge is ladde · þat ilke lady anima. [And] As I. lerynge] lern|yng IMG. þat ilke] þis ilke I; þulke M. þat—lady] eche day þat E.] The constable of þat castel · þat kepeþ hem alle [B page 133] [The] Ac þe I.] Is a wys knyght with alle · syre Inwit he hatte; [Is] He is M. hatte] hoteþ M; highte I.] And haþ fyue faire sones · by hus furste wyf, Line 144 Syre seewel, syre seiwel · syre huyrewel þe hende, [huyrewel] herkenewel M.] Syre worchewel with þyn hand · a wight man of strengthe, And syre godfaith gowel · grete lordes alle. These fyue ben ysett · for to sauye anima, Line 148 Til kynde come oþer sende · and kepe hure hym-self." [sende] seynde P.] "What lyues þyng is kynde?" quaþ ich · "can[st] þow me telle?" [lyues] so also EM; lyuus S; leuys G; kynnus F; kyn I. canst FMS] canest E; can P. canst þow] canstow I.] "Kynde is [a creator]," quaþ wit · "of alle kyne þynges, [[a creator MS] creator F; creatour G; creature PEI (wrongly); cf. B-text. alle] I om.] Fader and formour · of al þat forth groweþ, [al] M om.] Line 152 The whiche is god grettest · þat gynnynge hadde neuere, [whiche] wiche P. þat—hadde] begynnyng had he I; by-gunnyng had G. hadde] E om.] Lord of lyf and of lyght · of lysse and of payne. [lyght] liþ E.]

Angeles and alle þyng · aren at hus wil; [and] of (!) E. aren] ben (wrongly) E.] Man is hym most lyk · of membres and of face, [hym most] most him I. and of] & F; in (sic) S.] Line 156 And semblable in soule to god · bote yf synne hit make. [A page 112] [in] most in M.] And as þow suxt þe sonne · som tyme for cloudes [suxt] sixt F; seist ES; seest IM; sexst G.] May nat shyne ne shewe · on shawes on erthe, [ne] & S. shawes] shaftes M.] Right so letteþ lecherie · and oþer luther synnes, [Right] I om. letteþ] lette I. luther] liþere MFSG.] Line 160 Þat god suweþ nat synful men · and suffreþ hem mys|fare, [suweþ] scheweþ I. nat] nat such I. and] but S.] As somme hongen hem-self · and oþer while a-drencheþ; [a-drencheþ] drencheþ MG.] God wol nat of hem wite · bote leteþ hem yworthe, [leteþ] lat I; let M; leet G. yworthe] worþe S.] As þe sauter seiþ · by such synful shrewes,

Et dimisi eos secundum desideria [cordis] eorum.

[such] I om. desideria IMFG] desiderium PES. [cordis EF] PIM SG om.] Line 164 Loke! suche luther men · lome ben ryche [Loke] I om. luther] luther|lyuynge I. lome] i-lome M.] [Of golde and of oþer good · ac godes grace hem faileþ;] [From I; also in MFSG; PE omit.] For thei loueþ and by-leyueþ · al here lyf-tyme [For] Ac for M.] More in catel þan in kynde · þat alle kyne þynges wroghte, [in] on IMFSG (twice). More—catel] On catel more I. kyne] kynde I; S om. þynges] þing IG.] Line 168 The whiche is boþe loue and lyf · and lasteþ with|outen ende. [whiche] wiche P. boþe] I om. and lasteþ] þat laste I; last|ynge G.] Inwitt and alle wittes · closed ben þer-ynne; [B page 134] [wittes] whittes P.] By loue and by leaute · þer-by lyueþ anima; And lyf lyueþ by Inwitt · and lerynge of kynde. [lerynge] lernynge MG.] Line 172

Line 172 Inwitt is in þe hefd · as Anima [in] þe herte, [in] I om. hefd] heued IG; heed F; hed ME; hede S. as] and IMFS. [in IMFESG] P om. þe] IG om.] And muche wo worth hym · þat Inwitt mys-speyneþ. [muche] mykel M. worth] werches M. mys-speyneþ] myspeneþ ESG; mys-spendeþ MF.] For þat is godes owen good · hus grace and hus tresoure, That meny lede leeseþ · thorw lykerouse drynke, [lede] a leede IF. lykerouse] sikenesse of E. drynke] drynks M.] Line 176 As lot dude and noe; · and herodes þe daffe [lot] loth IMF. and (2)] an P.] Ȝaf hus douhter for [a] daunsyng · in a dissh þe hefde [Ȝaf] He ȝaf I. [a IMFSE] P om. daunsyng] daunce F. þe] his S. hefde] heed MF; hed E; hede S.] Of þe blessyde baptiste · by-fore alle hus gustes. [þe] þat IG. gustes] so also E; gestes I; gistes MFS.] Every man þat hath ynwitt · and hus hele boþe, Line 180 Hath tresour ynow in treuthe · to fynde with hym selue. [in] of IS. with] IS om.] Ac fauntekynes and fooles · þe whiche fauten Inwitt, [A page 113] [B page 135] [whiche] wiche P; whiche þat I. fauten] lakkyþ G.] Frendes [schulden] fynden hem · and fro folye kepe, [[schulden M] schold S; schal I; schul F; schulle G; suche PE.] And holychurche helpe to · so sholde no man begge, [helpe] helpeþ E; S om.] Ne spille speche ne tyme · ne myspende neiþer [B page 137] Line 185 Meeble ne vnmeeble · mete noþer drynke. And þanne dude we alle wel · and ȝut wel bet to louye [And] Ac I. we] S om. ȝut—bet] wel bete ȝut I. to] is to E. S omits last half of l. 187 and first half of l. 188.] Oure enemyes entyreliche · and help hem at here neede. And ȝut were best to bee aboute · and brynge hit to hepe, [ȝut] ryȝt S. were] hit were M.] Line 189 That alle londes loueden · and in on lawe by-leouede. [G omits. loueden IMFE] loueþ S; miswritten lyueden P. and] an P. on] o S; oo F.] Bisshopes sholde be here-aboute · and brynge þis to hepe, [G omits. þis] hit MS; it F.] For to leese þere-fore here londe · and here lyf after.

The catel þat crist hadde · þre cloþes hit were, Line 193 Ther-of was [he] ryfled · and robbed er he deyede; [S omits. Ther-of] þer-fro E. [he IMFEG] P om. ryfled] ryflede P. ryfled—deyede] robbed and rufled · or he on roode deyed I.] After þat he les hus lyf · for lawe sholde loue wexe. [After þat] Afterward M. he les] he lefte M; lees he E. After—lyf] And I sy þe al his lif (sic) I. loue] longe & (sic) S.] Prelates and preestes · and princes of holy churche Sholde doute no deþ · noþer dere ȝeres, [doute] nat dowte I. noþer] ne none MSF; ne no IG.] Line 197 To wenden as wyde · as þe worlde were, To tulien the erthe with tonge · and teche men to louye; [tulien] tylye ISFG; teliȝe M. erthe] eerthe P.] For ho so loueþ, leyue hit wel · god wol nat lete hym sterue [leyue] lef MS; leue EG; I om. hit] him I.] Line 200 In myschef for lacke of mete · ne for myssynge of cloþes;

Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono.

[lacke] defaute I; no lac F.] Ho so lyueþ in lawe · and in loue doþ wel [A page 117] As these weddid men · þat þis worlde susteynen? [As] And (!) S. these] theese P; wise M.] For of here kynde thei come · confessours and [martyres,] [thei] þer E. confessours] þe confessours M; boþe confessours I. [martyres MIFSG] maistres (wrongly) PE.] Line 204 Patriarkes and prophetes · popes and maidenes. [maidenes MI] maidones PEFG.] For god seith hit hym-self · 'shal neuere good appel [hit] IS om.] Þorw no sotel science · on sour stock growe;' [

on] on a M; in a S.

After l. 207, S adds—Noþur an a bytur brom · wex broune beryus.

] And hit ys no more to mene · bote men þat buth by|getyn [B page 138] [hit] MSEFG om. buth] beþ ESF; ben MI.] Line 208 Out of matrimonie nat moillere · mowe nat haue þe grace [moillere] muleriȝe M.]

That leelle legitime · by lawe may cleyme. [leelle] þe leel F. legitime] legitimi F; legityme men M. by] by þe I.] And þat my sawe be soth · þe sauter bereþ witnesse,

Concepit in dolore, & peperit iniquitatem.

[be] is I. bereþ] bere S.] Caym þe cursed creature · conceyued was in synne, After þat adam and eue · hadden ysynged; [ysynged] y-synned IMFE; I-synewyd S.] Line 213 With-oute repentaunce · of here rechelesnesse, [rechelesnesse] rechilessnesse P.] A rybaud þei engendrede · and a gome vnryghtful. [and] M om. I omits last half of the line.] As an hewe þat ereþ nat · auntreþ hym to sowe [hewe IG] hywe P; hyne IMFES. auntreþ] & auntruþ S; & awntereth F.] Line 216 On a leye-lond · a-ȝens hus lordes wille, [a] an old S; a lewed F.] So was caym conceyued · and so been cursed wrecches, That lycame han a-ȝen þe lawe · þat oure lord ordeynede. Alle þat come of caym · caytyues were euere, [A page 118] Line 220 And for þe synne of caymes sed · seyde god to noe,

Penitet me fecisse hominem;

And bad shape hym a schip · of shides and of bordes, [shape] shappe P; go schapen I; hym schap SG. hym] I om. schip IMFSG] shup PE. of (2)] I om.] 'Thy-selue and þy sones þree · and sitthen ȝoure wyues, Buske ȝow to þat bot · [and] a-bydeþ þer-ynne [Buske] Buskeþ SMF. [and IMF] PESG om.] Line 224 Tyl fourty dayes be fulfilled · and [þe] flod haue wasshe [[þe M] PEIFSG om. wasshe] i-wassche MFG; ywrasche (sic) I.] Clene away þe cursede blod · that of cayme ys spronge. [ys] I om.] Bestes þat now beeþ · banne shulleþ þe tyme [A page 119] [B page 139] [banne shulleþ] schal banne IG.] That euere þat cursed cayme · cam on this erthe; Line 228 Alle shullen deye for hus dedes · by dales and hulles, And þe foules þat flen · forth with othere bestes, [flen] flyeth I; fleeþ F; fleon S.] Except onliche · of eche kynde a peyre, [eche] ech a I.] That in þy shynglede schip · with the shal be saued.' [þy] M om. schip MFS] schippe I; shup P. with—saued] schal be with þe y-saued I.]

Here abouȝte þe barn · hus belsires gultes, [abouȝte G] aboughte I; abouȝt EF; bouȝte S; boute M; mis|written aboute P. hus] þe IMFG.] Line 233 And alle for here for-fadres · ferden þe worse. [for-fadres] form-fadres MFS.] The godspel ys her-ageyn · as gomes may reden,

Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris, [nec pater iniquitatem filij.]

[portabit IMFSEG] importa|bit P. [nec—filij] in M only.] Holy writ wittnesseþ · þat for no wickede dede [þat] S om.] Line 236 That the sire hym-self doþ · by hus owene wil, [I has—þat þe sire by him-selfe doþ · þe sone schal be þe worse. for] fore P. [þe EMFSG] P om. synne] gilt F; gult S.] The sone for [þe] syres synne · sholde nat be þe werse. [I has—þat þe sire by him-selfe doþ · þe sone schal be þe worse. for] fore P. [þe EMFSG] P om. synne] gilt F; gult S.] West-mynster lawe, ich wot wel · worcheþ þe contrarie; [West-mynster] Ac West|menster I.] For þauh þe fader be a frankelayne · and for a felon be hanged, [a (1)] S om. a (2)] MSF om. hanged] anhanged I; i-hanged M.] Line 240 The heritage þat þe air sholde haue · ys at þe kynges wille. [air] heir I; eire E; eir M; sone S; eyr G; heirus F.] Ac þe godspel ys a glose þere · hudynge þe greythe treuthe; [godspel—a] gospeles M. hud|ynge] and hideþ I. greythe] grete MEG; graye (!) S.] For god seide ensample · of suche manere isshue, [seide] sey S. isshue] yschue E; issue IF; issu M; vssu S.] That kynde folweþ kynde · and contrarieþ neuere;

Nunquam colligunt de spinis vuas: & alibi, Bona arbor bonum fructum facit.

[colligunt] colligit quis M; colliget F; colligit EG; colliges IS.] Ac whi þe worlde was a-drent · holy writ telleþ, [a-drent] dreynt E.] Line 245 Was for mariages of man-kynde · þat men maden þat tyme. [Was] Hit was M. of man|kynde] makyng I.] After þat caym þe cursede · hadde culled abel, Seth, Adames sone · sitthen was engendred. [sitthen] seth (repeated) I; seþþe M. engendred] engendrede P; endangered (!) M.] Line 248 And god sente to seth · so sone he was of age, [B page 138]

That—for no kyne catel · ne no kyne byheste [That] superfluous, but in all MSS. ne] ne for M.] Suffren hus seed seeden · with caymes seed hus broþer. [Suffren—seeden] Suffre nout þi seed scheden M. hus (2)] þi M.] And for þat seth suffrede hit · god seide, 'me for|þynkeþ [for—seth] seth for he I.] Line 252 That ich man made · oþere matrimonye suffrede; [man] man on moolde F.] For good sholde wedden good · þauh þei no good hadde, [B page 140] [no] miswritten ne P.] For ich am uia & ueritas · and may auaunce hem alle.' [and] i M. hem] I om.] Ac fewe folke [now] folweþ this · for thei ȝeueþ here children [Ac] For M. [now EMIFS] P om. now folweþ] folwen now I.] Line 256 For couetise of catel · and connynge chapmen; [catel] hory catel F. and] to F. chapmen IMFES] chapman P.] Of kyn ne of kynredene · a-counteþ men bote lytel. [a-counteþ] counteþ IG.] Þauh hue be loueliche to loken on · and lofsom a bedde, [hue] sche M; ȝhe I; ȝo E; heo FG; miswritten he P; but see l. 261. loueliche—a] louesum to loke on · and also in M.] A mayde wel ymanered · of good men [y]spronge, [wel] and wel I. ymanered] ymanerede P; ynorisched E. of] and of I. yspronge EIMFSG] spronge P.] Line 260 Bote hue haue eny oþer good · haue hure wol no ryche. [eny] I om. hure wol] wol hire I; wole hure MF; nel hure G.] Ac let hure be vnloueliche · vnlofsom a bedde, [hure] hem I. a] in M.] A bastarde, a bounde on · a begeneldes douhter, [bounde] bonde MF. on] so also MS; oon F; E om. a] oþer a E (twice). begeneldes] begenyldes ES; begeneles M; begenildus F.] That no curtesye can · bote let hure be knowe [can] ne can I. knowe] i-knowen M.] Line 264 For ryche oþer wel yrented · þauh hue reuely for elde, [wel yrented] rented wel I. reuely] ryuel E; ryuele MFSG; be reueled I.] Ther nys squier ne knyght · in contreye a-boute, That he nel bowe to þat bonde · to bede hure an hose|bonde, [nel] ne wile IM. þat] þe S. to (2)] and M. hosebonde] house|bond IS; husbonde FG.] And wedden hure for hure welthe · and wisshen on þe morwe Line 268

Line 268 That hus wyf were wex · oþer a watel-ful of nobles. [watel] so PE; walet IMF; watel (alt. to walet) G; cofre S.] In gelesie ioye-less · and Ianglynge a bedde [ioye-less] iewelles (wrongly) M. a] in M.] [Þei lyue here lif vnlouely til deth hem departe.] [In F only.] Meny peire sitthe the pestilence-tyme · han plight treuthe to louye, [A page 120] [Meny] Many a I. the] þis IG; MF om. pestilence-tyme] pesti|lences IG.] Line 272 Ac þei lyen [lelly] · here noþer loueþ oþere. [[lelly SMG] lely I; leelly F; sothliche PE. here] neuer E; MS om. noþer] neyþer S; non IG. here noþer] for noon of hem F. loueþ] likeþ IG.] The frut þat þei bryngen forth aren meny foule wordes; [frut] fruyt IMFGS. forth] E om. aren] ben ES.] Thei han no children bote cheste · and choppes hem by-twyne. [Thei han] Han þey I.] Thauh þei don hem to donemowe · bote þe deuel hem helpe Line 276 To folwen for þe flicche · feccheþ þei hit neuere; Bote þei bothe be for-swore · that bacon thei tyne. [thei] þei ne M (wrongly).] For-thi ich counseile alle crystine · coueite neuere be wedded [For-thi] For-whi M. crystine] goode G. coueite] coueiteþ M; couey|tede (sic) I. be] to be M.] For couetise of catel · in no kynne wyse; [G omits. For] For no I. no kynne] non skynnes (sic) E.] Line 280 Bote maydenes and maydenes · marieþ ȝow to-gederes; [maydenes (2)] maydones PE. marieþ MFS] marye I; miswritten marien PG.] And wydewers and wydewes · weddeþ ayþer oþere, [wydewers—wydewes] widewes and widewers I. ayþer] ȝoure ayþer I.] And loke þat loue be more þe cause · þan lond oþer nobles. [B page 141] [loke] lokeþ MS. nobles] noobles P.] And euerech manere seculer man · þat may nat con|tynue, [manere] G om. contynue] conteyne MS.] Line 284 Wisliche go wedde · and war þe fro þat synne [go] to M. wedde] wedde a wif E. war—fro] worche for M. þat] G om.]

That lecherye is, a lykynge þyng · and lym-ȝerde of helle. [That] For SG. and] & a G.] And whil þow art ȝong and ȝep · and þy wepne kene, [art] ert PEG.] Awreke þe þerwith on wyuynge · for godes werk ich holde hit: [Awreke] Wrek S. holde hit] hit holde MF.] Line 288 Dum sis uir fortis · ne des tua robora scortis, Scribitur in portis · meretrix est ianua mortis. Ȝe þat han wyues, beþ war · worcheþ nat out of tyme, [Ȝe] And ȝe I. beþ IMESG] be F; ben P. war] i-war M. worcheþ] and worcheþ I.] As adam dude and eue · as ich whil er tolde. [er] ere ȝow I.] Line 292 For sholde no bed-borde be · bote yf þei boþe were [borde] bourde IMF.] Clene of lyf and loue in saule · and in leel wedlok. [loue in] in loue of I.] For þat derne dede · do no man sholde [sholde] ne schoolde F.] Line 295 Bote wedded men with here wyues · as holy writ telleþ; [A page 121]

Bonum est ut unusquisque uxorem suam habeat, propter fornicacionem.

That oþere-gates been gete · for gadelynges aren holde, [gates] gate M. for] G om. aren holde] ben yholde E.] And fals folke and foundlynges · faitours and lyers, Vngraciouse to gete good · oþere good loue of puple, [good (2)] gete I; M om. puple] þe peple MFS.] A-waytynge and wastynge · al þat thei cacche mowe; [A-waytynge—wastynge] A|wayten and wasten IG. cacche] gete F.] A-ȝens dowel thei don vuele · and þe deuel seruen, [B page 142] [thei] G om.] Line 301 And after here deþ-daye · dwellen shulle in helle, Bote God gyue [hem] grace · her goynge to amende. [[hem IMFG] hym S; PE om. her] here · such F. to] here to I.] And þus ys dowel, my frend · to do as lawe techeþ, [do IMFSEG] miswritten day P. as] as þe F.] To louye and to lowe þe · and no lyf to greue. [lowe] loue I (wrongly).] Line 305 Ac to louye and to lene · leyf me, þat is dobet; [Ac] S om. lene] loue or lone I. leyf] lef M; leef SG; leue IE; leeue F.] Ac to ȝeue and to ȝeme · boþe ȝonge and olde, [Ac] And S. to (2)] S om. olde] holde P.]

Helen and helpen · is dobest of all. [Helen] To helen hem F. do|best] best E.] Line 308 For þe more a man may do · by so þat he do hit, [For] Fore P. by] M om.] The more is he worth and worthi · of wyse and goode ypreised." [is he] he is IE; ys G. worth—worthi] worthy and worth I; wroþ & worþ (sic) S. goode] of god I.] Line 310

Hic explicit passus primus de dowel. [ IM omit. Hic] FSE om. G has—Explicit Passus Primus de visione Willelmi de dowel.]

PASSUS XII. (DO-WEL II.)

[

OBS. The readings marked K are from MS. Digby 171.

TITLE. Incipit passus secundus PE; Incipit secundus F; M adds—de do|wel; S adds—de eodem; I has—Passus primus de visione Dowel, &c.

] Incipit passus secundus [de dowel].

THenne hadde wit a wif · was hote dame studie, [A page 122] [B page 143] [hote] i-hote M. was hote] men callid here F.] That ful lene lokede · and lif-holy semede; Hue was wonderliche wroth · þat wit so me tauhte. [Hue] Sche IM; Heo FK. wonderliche] wonder M. so me] me so I.] Al starynge dame studie · sterneliche seide, [starynge IES] staryng MF; star|yenge P. sterneliche IESM] sturne|liche PF. seide] sche seide M.] Line 4 "Wel art þow wys," quaþ hue to Wit · "suche wis|dome [to] shewe [to Wit] SF om. wisdome] wis|domes KFS. [to IMFSEGK] P om.] To eny fol other flaterere · oþer to frentik puple;" [other] or to I.] And seide, "nolite mittere, ȝe men · margerie-perles [mittere] mittere in viam I. ȝe men] ȝemmen & E (wrongly).] A-monge hogges þat hauen · hawes at wille; [hogges] swyn M. hawes] hawen S. at] at heore M. at wille] I|nowe F.] Line 8 Thei don bote dreuele þeron · draf were hem leuere [dreuele I] dreuel K; dreuelen E; dryuele F; drauele M; dreuely S; dreuelyn P.] Þan al þe preciouse perreye · þat eny prince weldeþ. Ich segge hit by suche," quaþ studie · "þat shewen by here werkus, [hit] M om. studie] witte I (wrongly). werkus] werk I.] [Þei] loueþ lond and lordshup · and lykyng of body more [[Þei M] That PEIFSK; cf. B|text. loueþ] louen but M. body more] heore bodi M.] Line 12

Line 12 Than holynesse oþer hendenesse · oþer al þat seintes techeþ. [B page 144] Wysdom and Wit now · is nat worth a carse [A page 123] [carse] crasse M; kerse F.] Bote hit be carded with couetyse · as cloþers kemben wolle. [kemben] M om. wolle] here wolle I.] Line 15 He þat can contreeue and caste · to deceyue þe puple, [Ho] He M. þat] so S. and] a F. puple] rightful I. S omits from to deceyue to thus in l. 18.] And lette with a loueday · treuthe, and by-gyle hym, [hym] IK om. F has—& lette trewþe with louedaies · & begile þe leel trewe.] That can coueite and caste thus · aren cleped in-to counsail. [coueite MEKG] coueyty P; not in IS; F has coniecte, which, how|ever, lacks support. and] an P. aren] ben EMS. cleped] i-called M; called F.] Qui sapiunt nugas · & crimina lege uocantur, Qui recte sapiunt · lex iubet ire foras. [recte sapiunt] sapiunt recte S.] Line 20 He is reuerenced and robed · þat can robbe þe peuple Þorw fallas and false questes · and þorw fykel speche. [fallas] fallasse M; fallace F. questes] enquestes M. fykel] false S (wrongly).] Iob þe gentil and wys · in hus gestes wytnesseþ [and wys] I om. hus] a M. gestes] geste EMSK; geest F.] What shal worthe of suche · whenne þei lyf leten;

Ducunt in bonis dies suos, & in fine descendunt ad infernum.

[whenne] wenne P. lyf] þe lijf M. fine] puncto S. descendunt] descendent F. ad] in EMF. in|fernum] inferna S.] Line 24 The sauter seith þe same · of alle suche ryche;

Ibunt in progenies patrum suorum, & usque in eternum non uidebunt lumen: Et alibi: Ecce ipsi peccatores, & cet.

[progenies EIF] progenie PM SK. uidebunt] uidebit M.] 'Lo!' holy lettrure seith · 'whiche lordes been these shrewes! [holy—seith] saiþ holy letterure I. whiche] wiche P; swiche M. these MSFK] thees P; þise I; þis E.] Line 26 Tho þat [god] most good gyueþ · most greue ryght and treuthe:'

Que perfecisti, destruxerunt; [iustus autem quid fecit?]

[[god IMFSKG] PE om. gyueþ] ȝifþ I; doþ M. most greue] greueth most I. [iustus—fecit S] iustus, &c. M; iustus autem, &c. F; iustitiam P (wrongly); I om.] And harlotes for [hure] harlotrie · aren holpen er nedy poure; [And] I om. [hure S] here IKG; heore M; her F; PE om. aren] K om. er] or FSE. nedy IMFSEK] nudy P.] Line 28 And þat is no ryght ne reson · for raþer men sholde Help hem þat hath nouht · þan þo þat han no neede. [hem] him IMFEK. þo] hem S; him M.] Ac he þat haþ holy writ · aye in hus mouthe, [aye] as it were F.] Line 31 And can telle of treuthe · and of þe twelue apostels, Oþer of þe passion of crist · oþer of purgatorie peynes, [B page 145] [peynes] þe peynes I.] Lytel is he a-lowed þere-fore · among lordes [at] festes. [alowed] loued K; loued or leet I. þerefore] herfore I. [at IMFG] ate S; of PE; K om.] Nowe is þe manere atte mete · when mynstralles ben stylle, [A page 124] [atte E] ate F; at þe IM; at SK; atte þe P.] Line 35 The lewede a-ȝens þe lered · þe holy lore to dispute, And tellen of þe trinite · how two slowe þe þridde, [two] tweyne M.] And brynge forth ballede resones · and taken bernarde to witnesse, [ballede resones] a balled resoun K. and] IK om. witnesse] witt|nesse P.] And putteþ forþ presompcions · to preouen þe sothe. Thus thei dreuelen atte deyes · þe deyte to knowe, [B page 146] [atte] at þe MF; as þe (wrongly) I; at S. deyes] dee M. deyte] diete F; dette (!) IS.] Line 40 And gnawen god with gorge · when here guttes fullen. [when] while þei M; whan þei F. here guttes] þe wombe F.] Ac þe carful mai crie · and quaken atte ȝate, Boþe a-fyngred and a-furst · and for defaute spille, [a-fyngred] so PFK; a-fyngryd S; a-fyngered E; of-hongret M; an|hungred I. a-furst] so PSK; a-first F; aþurste E; a-þruste I; a-þrest M.] Ys non so hende to haue hym yn · bote hote hym go þer god is! [yn] I om. hote] bidde M. hote hym] S om.] Line 44 Thenne semeþ hit to my syght · to suche as so biddeþ, [to (2)] bi M. as] þat IS.] God is nat in þat hom · ne hus help neither!

Lytel loueþ he þat lorde · that lente hym [al] þat blisse, [al IMFSEKG] P om.] That so parteþ with þe poure · a parcel, whenne hym nedeþ. [whenne] wenne P. hym] hem I. nedeþ IMFSE] nudeþ P; neodeþ K.] Line 48 Ne were mercy in mene men · more þan in ryght ryche, [ryght] M om.] Meny time mendynans · myghte gon a-fyngred; [time] tymes I. mendynans] mendynantz I; mendynauntus F; mendenauntus S. a-fyngred] of|hongred M; anhungred I; see l. 43.] And so seith þe sauter · ich sauh hit in memento,

Ecce audiuimus eam (.i. caritatem) in effrata; inuenimus eam in campis silue.

[sauh] seyh I; sai MS; saw F. i. caritatem] FS om.] Clerkus and knyghtes · carpen of god ofte, [god ofte] good hostes I (wrongly).] Line 52 And haueþ hym muche in hure mouthe · ac mene men in herte. [A page 125] [hym] IK om. ac] and M. men in] in here I.] Freres and faitours · han founde vp suche questiones [vp] F om. questiones] de|maundus F.] To plese with proute men · sitthe þe pestilences, [proute] prut E; proude MISK; þe prowde F. þe] þis I; MFS om. pestilences] pestelences P; pestilence time M; cf. l. 60.] [And preching at seint poules · in pure enuye of clerkes,] [From I; also in KGS; inserted in F after l. 57; PEM omit. And preching] So þei preche F. in FSG] miswritten and IK.] That folk is nouht ferm in þe feith · ne free of here goodes, [nouht] S om. ferm] in-ferme (!) E. þe] K om.] Line 57 Ne sory for here synnes; · so is pruyde en-hansed [B page 147] [for] of SK. pruyde] pryuyde P; but see l. 64. is pruyde] pride is I.] In religion and al þe reame · among ryche and poure, [and] in M. al] in al IK.] That preyeres han no power · these pestilences to lette. [these] thees P; M om. pesti|lences] pestelences P. lette] bete K.] For god is def now a dayes · and deyneþ nouht ous to huyre, [nouht] SK om. huyre] hure IKE; here MF.] Line 61 And good men for oure gultes · he al to-grynt to deþe; [gultes] giit F. he] M om. deþe IMFSEK] dyþe P.]

And ȝut þese wrecches of þys worlde · is non y-war by oþer, [þese MFK] þees P; þis ISE. y-war IK] i-war M; awar F; war ES; miswritten whar P; cf. B-text.] Ne for drede of eny deþ · with-draweþ hem fro pruyde, [hem] him I.] Ne parteþ with þe poure · as pure charyte wolde, Line 65 Bote in gayenesse and in glotenye · for-glotten here goodes, [in (2)] IMFSK om. for-glot|ten] for-glutten FS; for-glwten E.] And brekeþ nat here bred to þe poure · as þe book hoteþ;

[Frange esurienti panem tuum; et egenos vagos|que induc in domum tuam.]

[nat here] no F. hoteþ] telleþ E. [Frange—tuam] from E; not in P. et—tuam] IMSKG om. in—tuam] F om.] Ac þe more he hath, and wynneþ · þe world at hus wylle, [hath—wynneþ] wynneþ and haþ I. and] or S.] Line 68 And lordeþ in leedes · the lasse good he deleþ. [lordeþ] lord is M.] Tobie tauhte nat so · takeþ hede, ȝe ryche, How he tolde in a tyme · and tauhte hus sone dele:

Si tibi sit copia, abundanter tribue: si autem exiguum, illud impertiri libenter stude.

[dele] to dele S. stude] S om.] And þis is no more to mene · bote 'ho so muche good weldeþ, [þis] MFSK om. no—mene] to mene no more IFSK. bote—so] who I.] Line 72 Be large þer-of while hit last · to leedes þat been needy. [last MFSK] laste P; lasteþ I. leedes] hem E; men K.] Yf þow haue lytel, leue sone · loke by þy lyue [leue] apparently miswritten loue P.] Get þe loue þer-with · þauh þou fare þe werse.' [þe] M om. þer-with] þer-wiþ here M. fare—werse] þe werse fare IMFSK.] Line 75 Ac lust no lord ne lewed man · of suche lore nou to hure, [ne] now ne I. lewed] lettred I; leered FK. man] men I. nou] I om. to] M om. hure] huyre S; here IMF.] Bote lythen how þey myghte lerne · lest good to spene. [lythen] leten M. lest good] best here goode E. spene] spende M.] And so lyuen lordes now · and leten hit a dowel; [so lyuen] þat loueþ loueþ (sic) I.]

For is no wit worth now · bote hit of wynnynge soune, [is] nys M. wit] wynnyng M (wrongly). bote] but if I. soune] come I; conne K.] [And capped wiþ clergie · to conspire wronge.] [In I only.] Line 80 For-thi," quaþ hue to wit, "be war · holy writ to shewe [For-thi] For-whi EM; Þere|fore I. quaþ—wit] witte, quoþ sche I.] Amonges hem þat hauen · hawes atte wille, [hawes] hawen S. atte] at heore MF; at EK.] [

Here I has—

To foles and flaterers · þat frentike aren of wittes,

And saide, nolite mittere · margery|perles,

þey done but dreuely þer-on · draffe were here leuere,

Among hegges (sic) þat han · hawes at wille,

þan alle þe preciouse perrye · in paradise groweth.

These lines are repeated from ll. 6—10 above, lines 8 and 9 being trans|posed.

] The whiche is a lykynge and a lust · and loue of þe worlde." [

Here I has—

To foles and flaterers · þat frentike aren of wittes,

And saide, nolite mittere · margery|perles,

þey done but dreuely þer-on · draffe were here leuere,

Among hegges (sic) þat han · hawes at wille,

þan alle þe preciouse perrye · in paradise groweth.

These lines are repeated from ll. 6—10 above, lines 8 and 9 being trans|posed.

] [whiche] wiche P. and a] in M; and SFK. lust MFSK] loust P.] And whanne wit was y-war · what studie menede, [A page 126] [B page 150] [And] An P. whanne] wanne P; whan þat M. was] is E. y-war IK] i-war M; a-war F; war ES; whar P; cf. l. 63.] Line 84 Ich myghte gete no greyn · of wittes grete wittes, [wittes (2)] connynge I.] Bote al lauhwynge he loutede · and loked vp-on studie, [lauhwynge] laweynge I; lauh|ynge M; lawhyng F; lauȝynge S; lawynge E. loutede] lotede PE; but see l. 88.] Semynge þat ich sholde · by-sechen hure of grace. When ich was war of hus wille · to þat womman ich loutede, [A page 127] [When] And whan IS. hus] hire IF. þat womman] his wif S. ich loutede] gan I lowten I; gan y knele S.] Line 88 And seide, "mercy, ma dame · ȝoure man shal ich worthe As longe as ich lyue · bothe late and rathe, [S omits.] And for to worche ȝoure wil · the while my lyf dureþ, [And] FS om. the] SMF om. dureþ] duyreþ P; endureth F.] With þat ȝe kenne me kyndeliche · to knowe what is dowel." Line 92 "For thi meeknesse," quaþ hue · "and for thi mylde speche, [for] M om.] Ich shal þe kenne to clergie · my cosyn, þat knoweth [þe kenne] kenne þe IEK.]

Alle kyne konnynges · and comsynges of dowel, [comsynges] comsyng M.] Of dobet and dobest · for doctor he is yknowe, [and] and of MEFS; of I.] Line 96 And of scripture þe skylful · and scryuaynes were trewe. [of] ouer IK. skylful] scilfulest M; skyful P. trewe] trywe P.] For hue is sybbe to þe seuen ars · and also my soster, [þe] al þe S; M om.] And cleregies wedded wif · as wys as hym-selue [cleregies] clergises F.] Of lore and of letterure · of lawe and of reson. Line 100 So with þat þat cleregie can · and counsail of scripture [þat þat] þat þe F; þat IK.] Thow shalt conne and knowe · kyndeliche dowel." [kyndeliche] kendeliche P.] Thenne was ich al so fayn · as foul of fair morwenynge, [al so] as IK. morwenynge] morwe I; morwen K; morewe S.] Gladder þan gleo-man · þat gold haþ to gyfte, [gleo-man] a gleman MS; þe gleman F.] Line 104 And asked of hure þe heye way · wher þat cleregie dwelte— [of] at EFSK. dwelte] dwelleþ M; duelled I.] "And tel me som tokne," quaþ ich · "for tyme is þat ich wende." [B page 151] "Aske þe heye wey," quaþ hue · "hennes to suffre| [quaþ hue] I om.] Bothe-wele-and-moche-wo · yf þow wolt lerne. [moche] michel M; muchel F; I om. yf] ȝif þat MF. wolt] wol I; wil F.] Line 108 And ryd forth by richesse · and rest nouht þer-ynne; [And] Ac M. and] ac FSK; but M; I om.] Yf þow coueite to be riche · to cleregie comst þow neuere. [S omits. Yf] For if IK. coueite MFEK] coueitest I; coueity P.] Bothe wommen and wyn · wratthe, yre, and slewthe, [Bothe] But I; With E. wom|men] miswritten wommon P.] Yf þow [hem] vse oþer haunte · haue god my treuthe! [M omits. [hem FS] hit PEIKG. oþer] or elles F.] To clergie shult þow neuere come · ne knowe what ys dowel. [shult þow] schal y K.] Line 113 Ac yf þou happe," quaþ hue · "þat þow hitte on clergie, [A page 128] [hitte] hutte M.] And hast vnderstondyng · what he wolde mene,

Sey to hym þy-self · ouer-see my bokes, [to] I om. þy-self] þi-self þanne F. ouer] oueer P. my] manye IK.] Line 116 And seye ich grette wel hus wif · ich wrot hure a byble, [grette] grete FSK. ich] for i I.] And sette hure to sapience · and to þe sauter glosed. [þe] E om. glosed] glosede P; y-glosed IM.] Logyk ich lerede hure · and al þe lawe after, [lerede] lernede MI.] Alle þe musons in musyk · ich made hure to knowe. [Alle] And alle I. to] for to I.] Plato þe poete · ich putte hym ferst to booke, Line 121 Aristotle and oþere · to arguen ich tauhte. Grammere for gurles · ich gart furst wryte, [wryte] to write MFS.] And bet hem with a baleyse · bote yf þei wolde lerne. Of alle kyne craftes · ich contreeuede here tooles, Line 125 Of carpentrie, of kerueres · and contreeuede þe compas, [B page 152] [of kerueres] & keruerus S; and of coruyng M. and] i M.] And cast out by squire · boþe lyne and leuell. [out] mette I. by] by þe F.] Thus þorw my lore beþ men ylered · þauh ich loke dymme. [ylered] i-lerned MF. beþ—ylered] men lerede K. dymme] holewe M.] Ac theologie haþ teened me · ten score tymes, [teened] i-tened M.] Line 129 The more ich muse þer-on · the mystiloker hit semeþ, [The] For þe F. muse] musede M. mystiloker] maisterliker M; mystlokur F.] And þe deppere ich deuyne · the derker me þynkeþ hit. [þe] K om. ich] in M. derker] deerker P. þynkeþ hit] it þenketh F.] Hit is no science sothliche · bote a sothfast by-leyue; [science] conscience E. soth|fast] stedefast M. by-leyue] by-lyue P; but see next line.] Ac for hit lereþ men to louye · ich by-leyue þer-on þe bettere. [lereþ] lerede I; lerneþ M. men] me M. by-leyue] leue M; leeue F.] Line 133 For loue is a lykynge thyng · and loth for to greue; [A page 129] Lerne for to louye · yf þe lyke dowel, [þe] þow M. dowel] to dowel PE; but IMFSK omit to; cf. l. 142.] For of dobet and of dobest · here doctor is dere loue." [of (2)] IFMK om.] Tho wente ich my way · with-oute more lettynge, [A page 130] [B page 154] [wente] wende E.] Line 137 And to clergie ich kam · as clerkes me seide,

And ich grette hym goodliche · and greiþliche hym told, [And] I om. ich] M om. greiþliche] greiliche P.] How þat wit and hus wif · wissed me to hym, [wissed] had wissed F. to hym] him tille M.] Line 140 To [kenne] and to knowe · kyndeliche dowel. [[kenne IMFS] kowe (sic) P; kow KE; cf. l. 102.] "By cryst," quaþ clergie · "yf þow coueyte dowel, [E omits. cryst] crist þo FSK. clergie] clergiȝe þo M.] Kep þe ten commaundemens · and kep þe fro synne; [fro] out of M. kep—synne] care no forþere I.] And by-leyf leelly · how godes sone a-lyghte Line 144 On þe mayde marie · for mankynnes sake, [mankynnes] mankynde I.] And by-cam man of þat mayde · with-oute mannes kynde. [man] S om. mannes kynde] mankynde IK; makynde (sic) S.] And al þat holy churche · here-of can þe lere, [lere] lerne MF.] By-leyf lelly þere-on · and look þow do þer-after. [By-leyf—þere-on] Leeue it leely I. lelly—on] þer-on lelly K.] Line 148 Her-of austin þe olde · made bokes and bokes; [B page 155] [Austyn þe olde · here-of made bokes I.] Ho was hus autor · and him of god tauhte? [Ho] But ho F; Sche M (wrongly). and] þat FS.] Patriarkes and prophetes · aposteles and angeles And þe holy trinite · to austyn appeirede, [holy] trewe IFSK; truwe M. appeirede] y-perede S; þat apperede F] Line 152 And he ous seide as he seih · and so ich by-leyue, [he] y S. seih] say I; si M; sy F; seyȝ S; seiȝe E (and in l. 154).] That he seih þe syre and þe sone · and seynte spirit to|gederes, [That] M om. þe] F om. (twice). syre] fader I. spirit] espirit IKS.] And alle þre bote on God · and her-of made he bokes, [made he] he made I. bokes] þe bokes E.] Ȝe, busiliche bokes; · ho [beþ] hus wytnesses?

Ego in patre & pater in me [est;] et qui me vidit, patrem meum uidit qui in celis est.

[Ȝe] Ac ȝe F. Ȝe—bokes] I om. ho] ȝe M. [beþ IFKG] ben M; buþ S; miswritten but (for buth) P; bot E; cf. l. 150. [est IM] PEFSK om. me uidit] uidit me M; videt me FS. patrem—uidit] uidet & patrem meum S; videt & patrem F; uidit & patrem M. qui in—est] qui, &c. E; FS om.] Line 156

Line 156 Alle þe clerkes vnder crist · ne couthe this asoile; [couthe] coude M; cowde F.] Bote thus by-longeþ to by-leyue · alle þat lykeþ dowel. [thus] þis MF; þus it I. lykeþ] liken to M; loueþ S.] For hadde neuere frek fyn wit · þe faith to dispute, [hadde] ne hadde M.] Ne man myghte haue no merit þer-of · myghte hit be preoued;

Fides non habet meritum ubi humana racio [pre|bet experimentum.]

[myghte (1)] mouȝthe I. no] IF om. haue—þer-of] meryt haue þerof F. myghte (2)] mouȝt FK. preoued] preouede P; preued FK; y-preuyd S; i-preued M. humana racio] humanum M. [prebet, &c. EMFS] possidet dnium P; K om.] Line 160 Thus by-leyue and leaute · and loue is þe þridde, [by-leyue—lcaute] in bileue lele (sic) I.] That makeþ men to dowel · dobet, and dobest." [That] þei F. men] EF om. to] S om. dobet] and dobett I; do|bet boþe F.] [Þanne] scripture scorned me · and many skyles shewede, [B page 168] [[Þanne MF] Þenne ISKG; The PE; cf. B. xi. 1.] And contynaunce made to clergie · to congie me, hit semede, [to (1)] on I. congie] conge MS; congeie IK; cunge F. hit] as it F.] Line 164 And lakkede me in latyn · and lyght by me sette,

And seide, "multi multa sapiunt, & seipsos nesciunt."

[me] I om. in] a IF. lyght] lite E.] Tho wepte ich for wo · and wraþede of [here] wordes, [wraþede] wraþþe ISK. [here I] hus P; his MKS; þis E; þese F; cf. B. xi. 3.] And in a wynkynge ich worth · and wonderliche ich mette. [worth MS] wurthe F; wrathe K; warth PI. and] an P. ich (2)] me I; ESK om. mette EMIFSK] mete P.] For ich was raueshed ryght þer; · fortune me fette, [raueshed] raueshede P; raue|schyd S; rauyssched IK; i-raueisshed M. fortune] for fortune I; as for|tune F.] Line 168 In-to þe londe of longynge · and loue hue me brouhte, [In-to] And in-to I. þe] a M; S om. and loue] a-lone IM. hue] heo FK; sche I; he MS.] And in a myrour, hihte myddelerd · hue made me to loke, [hihte] þat highte I; hatte S. myddelerd] myddulerþe SF. hue] heo F; sche IM; scheo K; he S.]

And sutthe seide to me · "her myghte þou see wondres, [sutthe] sennes he I; syþþe he S. seide] seide þus F. myghte þou] þou myȝt FS.] And knowe þat þow coueitest · and come þer-to, par|aunter." [knewe] i-knowe M.] Line 172 Thenne hadde fortune folwynge hure · two faire maidenes, [B page 169] [hure] M om.] Concupiscentia-carnis · me calde þe eldere mayde, [Concupiscentia-carnis IMFS KG] Carnis concupiscentia PE; but see l. 178. me] so also E; men IMFSK. calde] so also EI; called FSK; calleden M. mayde] F om.] And couetyse-of-eyen · ycald was þat oþere. [ycald] y-called IMF; S om.] And pruyde-of-parfit-lyuynge · pursewede [me] faste, [[me IMFSK] in PE.] Line 176 And bad me for my contynence · counte clergies lore lyght. [lyght] at liȝte MF; litel K. counte—lyght] coueyte clerkes tech|ing I.] Concupiscentia-carnis · comfortyde me in þys wyse, [in—wyse] of þis manere I.] And seide, "þow art ȝong and ȝep · and hast ȝeris ynowe [art] ert PEK.] For to lyue longe · and ladyes to louye. Line 180 And in þis mirour þow myȝt see · murthes ful menye, [myȝt MESIK] may F; myst P.] That lede þe wol to lykynge · al þy lyf-tyme." [þe] S om. wol] wolde I.] The secounde mayde seide · "ich shal sewe þi wil; [mayde seide] saide þe same ISK; maide seide þe same F. sewe MF] sew S; suwe K; schewe I; suwye E; sywe P.] Til þow be a lord of londe · leten þe ich nelle, [a] E om. of] and haue I.] Line 184 That ich ne shal folwie þy felaushupe · yf fortune lyke." [þy] I om. lyke] it like F.] "He shal fynde me hus frende" · quaþ fortune her|after; [He IMFSEK] Hue (by mis|take) P. her] þer I.] "That man þat me lykeþ helpe · myghte nat mys|happe." [That] Þe M. helpe] to helpe MS. myghte] mai M.] Line 187 Thenne was þer on hiht elde · þat heuy was of chere; [hiht] þat hyȝte SK. heuy] miswritten euy P.]

"Man," quaþ elde, "mete ich with þe · by marie of heuene! [mete IMFSEK] mette P. mete ich] if I mete I. of heuene] modur mylde F.] Thou shalt fynde fortune · faile at þy moste neede, [faile] þe faile I.] And concupiscentia-carnis · clene the for-sake! Byterliche shalt þow banne þenne · boþe [dayes] and nyghtes [Byterliche] Withterli M. banne] curse K. [dayes IM] a daye PK; day E; by day SF. nyghtes] nyȝte F; be nyȝtus S.] Line 192 Couetyse-of-eyen · that euere þow hure knewe, [Couetyse] For coueytise S. knewe] sye F.] And pruyde-of-parfit-lyuynge · to muche peril þe brynge." "Ȝe, recche the neuere," quaþ rechelesness · stod forth in raggede cloþes, [recche IK] reche S; rechche F; rech M; reccheþ PE (wrongly).] "Folwe forþ þat fortune wol · thou hast ful fer to elde; [fer IMFK] feer P; ferre E. ful fer] fele ȝere S.] A man may stoupe tyme ynowe · when he shal tyne þe corone!" [B page 170] [tyme] tymes I. when] wen P. þe] his MF. corone] croune MI SF; croon E; crone K.] Line 197 Syre wanhope was sibbe to hym · as som men me tolde, For rechelesnesse in hus rybaudrie · ryht þus he seide, [rybaudrie] rybaudrye S; mis|written rybaurdrie P; ribaudie IFK; rebaudie E. þus] þus sum tyme F.] "Go ich to helle, go ich to heuene · ich shal nouht [go] myn one! [Go—heuene] Go y to heuene go y to helle SF. go ich] or I. [go IMFSKG] PE om. myn one] allone E; me-selue M.] Line 200 Were hit al soþ þat ȝe seyen · thou scripture and clergie, [hit] M om. thou] S om. and] and þou I.] Ich leyue neuere þat lorde ne ladie · þat lyueþ her on erthe [neuere þat] þat no M; þat K. ladie] ladies E. on] in I. erthe] eerthe P.] Sholde sitte in godes sete · ne see god in hus blysse;

Ita impossibile est diuiti intrare in regnum celorum, sicut camelus foramen acus.

[sitte] sette S. in] on MFSK. godes] good M. sete] sight I. blysse] face S. impossibile] so also F; possibile MISK. regnum] regno I. foramen acus] IMFK om. S has—Ita possibile est camelum transire per foramen acus sicud diuitem in regnum celorum; E has—Facilius est came|lum per foramen acus intrare quam diuitem ad regnum celorum. impossibile] turn back to p. 207.] For clergie seith þat he seih · in þe seynt euangelie, [seih] sey F; seyȝ S; seyhȝ K; si M; saith (sic) I. seynt] M om.] Þat ich man maked was · and my name y-entred [A page 134] [B page 162] [maked] made IK; I-maked F. y-entred EI] yentrede P; entred MFSK.] Line 205 In þe legende of lif · longe er ich were. [ich] he M.] Predestinat thei prechen · prechours þat þis shewen, [Predestinat] Prodestinat P. shewen] schewede S.] Or prechen inparfit · ypult out of grace, [ypult] pulte I; puylt K; i-put MFS. out] K om.] Line 208 Vnwryten for som wikkednesse · as holy writ sheweth,

Nemo ascendit in celum nisi qui de celo descendit.

[wikkednesse] vnkyndenesse M. Nemo—celo] M om.; but cf. footnote to l. 215. de—descendit IFS] de|scendit de celo PEMK; but cf. B|text.] Ich leyue hit wel, by oure lorde · and no lettrure bettere. [Ich leyue] And I leue IK. no] non M; on no IK.] For salomon þe sage · þat sapience made, [þe] S om.] God gaf hym grace of wit · and of good after, [after] auntur aftur S.] Line 212 Neuere to man so muche · that man can of telle, [man (1)] erthely man F. man can] men coude M.] To rewele alle reames · and ryche to make, [rewele] so PI; rewle FS; rule EMK.] And deme wel and wislyche · wommen bereþ witnesse;

Non michi nec tibi, sed diuidatur.

[deme] demed I. wommen] as women F. Non, &c.] Here M wrongly inserts the rubric above (l. 209)— Nemo, &c. Non] Nec E.] Aristotle and he · hij tauhten men boþe; [hij] hy ESK; þei MF; who I.] Line 216 Maisters þat techen men · of godes muchel mercy [techen men] men prechen I.] Witnessen þat here wordes · and here werkes boþe [Witnessen] Whitnessen P.] Weren wonder goode · and wise in here tyme, [wise] wisest I.] And holychurche, as ich huyre · haldeþ boþe in helle! [A page 135] [B page 163] [huyre] hure EK; here MIF.] Yf we sholden worchen after here workes · to wynnen ous heuene, [Yf] And if I. to] for to F.] Line 221

Line 221 That for hure werkes and witt · wonyeþ now in peyne, [werkes] work S. witt] heore wit M.] Then wroghte we vnwisliche · for al ȝoure wyse tech|ynge. [we] i I; y K. ȝoure] oure M.] Ac ich countresegge þe nat, cleregie · ne þy connynge, scripture; [countresegge] contresyngge E. nat] þat (!) E. þy] þe M.] Line 224 That ho so doþ by ȝoure doctrine · doþ wel, ich leyue. [doþ (2)] he doþ MF.] Ac me were leuere, by oure lorde · a lippe of godes grace [lippe] lappe M.] Than al þe kynde witt þat ȝe can boþe · and connynge of ȝoure bokes. [can] cunne M.] For of fele witty, in faith · litel ferly ich haue, Line 228 Thauh here gost be vngraciouse · god for to plese. For meny men of þis molde · setten more here herte [of] in I; on F. setten more] more sette I.] In worldliche good þan in god · for-þy grace hem failleþ. [worldliche] I om. for-þy] for-whi M; & for-þi F. grace hem] hem grace I.] At here moste meschef · mercy were þe beste; [moste EMFSK] meste P; more I.] Line 232 And mercy of mercy · needes mot aryse, [And] But S. mot] moste M.] As holy writ wittnesseþ · godes word in the godspelle;

Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, remecietur uobis.

[godes word] god M; holi writ F. the] I om. Eadem, &c.] in|serted in M after l. 228. fueritis] fueritis alijs S. uobis] & vobis F.] Ryght wel ywittede men · and wel lettred clerkes, [Ryght] I om. lettred] y|lettered IK; i-lettred MFS.] Selde arn þei seien · so lyue as þei lere; [Selde] Seilde P; Seldom I; see l. 301. arn] as M. seien] so PE; seyn IMK; seie F; seyȝ S. so] to IF.] Line 236 Witnesse on godes wordes · þat was neuere vntrewe:

Super cathedram moysi [sederunt,] &c. [A page 132]

[Witnesse on] Witnesseþ I. wordes] word MIS. vntrewe] vn|triwe P. moysi] S om. [sederunt] in F only.] [Ac] ich wene hit worth of menye · as was in Noes tyme, [[Ac IMFKGS] And PE.]

Tho þat he shop þe schip · of shides and of bordes, [þat] I om. schip IMFSE] shup P; schup K. of (2)] ISK om.] Was neuere wright þat þer-on wrouhte · ne workman y|saued, [wright] miswritten writ P; but see l. 243; wriȝt ES; writht M; wiȝt F; I om.] Line 240 Bote briddes and bestes · [and] þe blessed Noe, [[and IMFSKG] þat PE. M has in the margin—Contra prelatos.] And hus wif with hus sones · and hus sones wyues; [Of] wrightes þat hit wroghten · was non ysaued. [[Of IMFSKG] And PE. non] þer non M; non of hem I.] God leyue hit fare nat so by folke · that þe faith techen [leyue] leue IMSEK; leeue F. by] by þis I.] Of holychurche, þat sholde kepe · alle cristine saules; For archa noe, nymeþ hede · ys no more to mene [nymeþ MFSK] nemeþ P.] Line 246 Bote holychurche, herbergh · to alle þat ben blessede. [herbergh] is herborȝ E. alle] E om. blessede] i-blessed M.] The culorum of this c[l]ause · curatores ys to mene, [B page 164] [clause FSK] cause PE; cf. B-text. curatores] written in red in MK (as a Latin word); curatours E; curatoures IS; creatours (!) F.] That ben carpenters vnder criste · holy [kirke] to make [ben] E om. [kirke I] churche PEFSK; chirche M.] For lewede folke, godes foules · and hus free bestes;

Homines & iumenta saluabis, domine, &c.

[foules] folys I; folus S; foolus F (wrongly).] At domes day a dyluuye worth · of deþ and fuyr at ones; [At] A SK. dyluuye] delful time M. fuyr] of fuyr PE; but IMSKG omit of.] Line 251 Worcheþ, ȝe wryghtes of holichurche · as holy writ techeþ, [as] to make as S. techeþ] ȝow techeth F.] Lest ȝe be loste as þe laborers were · þat labored vnder Noe. [be loste] ben i-lost M. þe] MF om. labored—Noe] wiþ noe wrouten M.] A goode fryday, ich fynde · a felon was ysaued, [A page 135] [A] On M. ysaued] ysauede P.] That vnlawefulliche hadde ylyued · al hus lyf-tyme; And for he by-knew on þe crois · and to crist schrof hym, [And] M om. schrof EMIF SK] shroue P.] Line 256

Line 256 He was sonnere ysaued · þan seynt Iohan þe Baptist, And er Adam oþer ysaie · oþer eny of þe prophetes, That hadden leye with lucyfer · meny longe ȝeres. [leye] ley EF; lye S; i-leiȝe M.] A robber was y-raunsoned · raþer þan þei alle; Line 260 With-oute penaunce oþer passion · oþer eny oþer peyne [oute] outhe P. oþer (1)] and I.] He passede forth pacientliche · to perpetuel blisse. [He passede] Passeþ I. to] in-to F.] Al-so marie Magdelene · ho myghte do worsse [Al-so] Þan I. ho] ȝo E. myghte] myde (sic) M. do] do no E; ha do F.] As in lykynge of lecherye · no lyf denyede? [denyede MSIK] denoyede P; denyed it F.] Line 264 And dauid þe douhty · þat deuynede how vrye [And] Or I.] Mighte slilokeste be slayn · and sente hym to werre [slilokeste] sleylokest EISK; slylikest M. werre] worþe I.] Leelliche as by hus lok · with a lettere of gyle; [lok] book M; bokes I. Leel|liche—lok] Slylich al with slyþe S. lettere] lyare I.] Paul þe apostel, þat no pite hadde · cristene peuple to culle; [þat] IK om. pite] piete I. cristene] crustene P. culle] kille FS; culle to deþe I.] Line 268 Now beeþ þese seintes, as men seyen · and souereynes in heuene, [B page 165] [Now] And now I. þese M] þise I; þis SE; þei F; þees P. as] by þat I. and] as E. souereynes] seynours M.] Tho þat worst wroghten · while þei weren here. [Tho] And þo F; I om. while] wile P; þe while þat I; while þat MF. weren here] here were I.] By þat þat salamon seith · hit semeþ þat no wyght [þat þat] þat I.] Wot ho is worthi · for wele oþer for wicke, [wicke] wicked I. S omits from for to worthi in next line.] Line 272 Whether he is worthi to wele · oþer to wickede pyne:

Sunt iusti atque sapientes, & opera eorum in manu Dei sunt.

[is] be F. wickede] walle in F. pyne] so PI; peyne EMFSK. iusti—sapientes] & sapientes iusti M; see note to l. 277. atque] et IK.] Thus ich, rechelesnesse, haue rad · registres and bokes, [A leaf lost in I, down to xiii. 20. rad] y-rad SK; I-redde F.]

And fond ich neuere, in faith · for to telle treuthe, [And] Ac F. treuthe] of treuthe P; but MFSEK omit of.] Line 275 That clergie of cristes mouth · comended was euere. [A page 136] [B page 166] [comended] comsed M.] For crist seide to seintes · and to suche as he louede,

Dum steteritis ante reges et presides, [nolite cogi|tare quomodo aut quid loquamini,] & cetera:

[Dum, &c.] Here M has the rubric quoted above, l. 273. steteritis FSKG] steteris PE. [nolite cogitare EFS] PK om. [quomodo, &c.] in S only.] 'Thauh ȝe come by-fore kynges · and clerkes of þe lawe, Beeþ nat a-ferd of þat folke · for ich shal ȝeue ȝow tonge, [ȝow] S om.] Connynge and clergie · to conclude hem alle.' Line 280 Dauid makeþ mencion · he spak among kynges, [makeþ] made M. he] and M.] And myghte no kynge hym ouer-come · as in connynge speche. [speche] of speche F.] Sothly," seide rechelesnesse · "ich see by menye euydences, [menye] myn S; F om. euy|dences MSKG] euedences P.] Line 283 That noþer wit ne wyghtnesse · wan neuere þe maistrie [noþer] K om.] With-oute þe grete gyfte of god · with hus grace and fortune. [þe] FS om. grete] KG om. and] and his M.] For he þat most [seih] and seide · of þe sothfast trinite [[seih] si M; say S; miswritten seith PEFKG; but see l. 154.] Was Austyn þe olde · þat euere man wiste. He saide thus in hus sarmon · for ensample of grete clerkes,

Ecce ipsi idioti rapiunt celum, vbi nos sapientes in inferno mergimur.

[He] KG om. for] in M. en|sample] saumple F. idioti] ydioti E; ydiote MFS. rapiunt] rapiunt nobis S. sapientes] FS om.] Line 288 This is to mene no more · to men þat ben lewede, 'Aren none raþere raueshed · fro þe ryghte by-leyue [raþere raueshed] rauysched raþur FS. raueshed] i-rauessched M.] Cominliche þan clerkes · most knowynge and connynge; [Cominliche] Comenliche S; Comuneliche MF. and] of FS.] And none sonnere ysaued · ne saddere in þe by-leyue [And] Ne F. þe] F om.]

Than plouhmen and pastours · and poure comune peuple;' [poure comune] oþer pore M; oþur comen S.] Line 293 And lewede leele laborers · and land-tylynge peuple [F omits. And] MSK om. tyl|ynge] tylyinge SK.] Persen with a pater-noster · paradys oþer heuene, [B page 167] [Persen] þei peersen F; Passen M. oþer] after (sic) E; of KG.] Passinge purgatorie penaunceles · for here parfit by|leyue,

Breuis oratio penetrat celum.

Line 296 Selde falleþ þe seruant · so deepe in arerages [OBS. Here in some MSS (T, H₂, and Digby 145) the A-text and C-text are pieced together. See A|text, pref. pp. xviii, xx, xxiv. Read|ings from T are here given, to show how the Passus ends. arerages] ari|rages E; areragis S; rerages F; a|rerage M; arerage TK; arrirages P (but see xiii. 66).] As doþ þe reyue oþer þe conterroller · þat rekene mot and a-counte [reyue] reue MESTKG; reeue F. oþer] & T. þe (2)] a M; FK om. conterroller]. counteroller MS; coun|trollour TF; counterrollers E. a|counte] acompte T; counte FS.] Of al þat þei hauen had · of hym þat is here maister. [had TSKG] hadd P; i-had MF.] Ac þese lewede laborers · of lytel vnderstondynge [þese MFS] þees P; TK om. lytel] lewde S. vnderstondynge] vn|durfongynge F; vndirstonde (sic) T.] Line 300 Selde fallen so foule · and so deepe in synne As clerkes of holy churche · þat kepen sholde and saue [of] dooth of F.] Lewede men in good by-leyue · and lene hem at here. neede. [good] rith M. neede] wille T.] 'Homo proponit,' quaþ [a] poete þo · and plato he hihte, [B page 170] [Homo] Ȝe homo F. [a MTF ESKG] þe P. þo] T om.] Line 304 'Et deus disponit,' quaþ he · 'let god do hus wille.' [Et] Set M. he] he þo F. hus] al his M.] Al þat treuthe a-tacheþ · and testifieþ for goode, [a-tacheþ] techiþ T.] Thauh thei folwe þat fortune wole · no folie ich hit holde. [Thauh—folwe] Þan þe folke (!) E. wole] wolde F; T om.] And concupiscentia-carnis · shal þe nat greue [And] Ne T. shal—greue] ne shal not greue þe T.] Line 308

Line 308 Gretlich, ne by-gyly þe · bote yf þy-self wolle." [Gretlich ne] Graithly to F. by-gyly] bigyle FK; by-gile ne naþur (sic) S; begile T; greuen (repeated from last line) M. þe] FS om. yf þy-self] þou T. wolle] woldest M.] "Ȝe, farewel, fyppe!" quath fauntelet · and forth gan me drawe, [Ȝe] Tho T. fauntelet] a fauntlet S; a fauntekyn M.] Til concupiscentia-carnis · a-corded to alle my werkes. [to] til TKG; with S. werkes] wordes M.] Of dowel ne of dobet · no deynte me þouhte, [ne] and M. me] me ne T.] Line 312 Clergie and hus consail · ich countede ful lytel! [Clergie and] Of clergie & F; Ne clergie ne T. ich countede] a|countede M; I counte it T. lytel] lite M.]

Hic explicit passus secundus de dowel. [MT omit. Hic] EFSK om. de dowel] FK om.]

PASSUS XIII. (DO-WEL III.)

[TITLE. So in K; Incipit passus tercius PE; Hic incipit tercius passus de dowel M; Incipit tercius de eodem S; Passus secundus de dobet (wrong|ly) T.] Incipit passus tercius [de dowel.]

"Alas, eye!" quath elde · and holynesse boþe, [A page 170] [eye] eyȝe M.] "Þat wit shal turne to wrecchednesse · for welthe haþ al hus wil!" [wit] with P. welthe] wele SK.] Couetise-of-eyen · confortede me after, And seide, "rechelesnesse · recche þe neuere! [seide] seide to F (which seems not to be meant; cf. B-text). þe] þow M.] Line 4 By so þow riche were · haue þow no conscience [By] T om. þow] þat þou F. riche were] were riche M. were] T om. þow (2)] T om.] How þat þow come to good; · confesse þe to som frere, [þat] so F. þat—come] þou comist T.] He shal a-soile þe thus sone · how [so] þow euere wynne hit. [[so FTS] PEMK om. euere—hit] euer it wynne F; hit euere wonne M.] For while fortune is þy frend · freres wollen þe louye, And fastne þe in here fraternite · and for þe by-seche [A page 171] [fastne] faste T.] To here priour prouincial · hus pardon to haue, [To here] Bi-fore þe M.] Line 10 And praye for þe, pol by pol · yf þow be [pecunyous;]

Pena pecuniaria non sufficit, et cet."

[[pecunyous EMFSKG] pecu|nius P; pecuniosus T. Pena] Sed pena F.] By wissynge of þis wenche ich dude · hure wordes were so swete, Line 12 Til ich for-ȝat ȝouthe · and ȝorn in-to elde. [ȝorn TK] ȝorne P; ron M; ran S; ourne E; ȝarn fast F.]

Thenne was fortune my foo · for al here fayre by-heste, [Thenne] & þan FTK.] And pouerte pursuwede me · and putte me to be lowe, [me] me faste F.] And flittynge fond ich þe frere · þat me confessede, Line 16 And seide, 'he myghte me nat a-soile · bote ich suluer hadde [me—a-soile] not asoyle me S. bote] but if F.] To restitue resonabliche · for al vnryghtful wynnynge.' [vnryghtful] vnskilful S; sor|ful E.] "Owh! how!" quaþ ich þo · and myn hefd waggede, [Owh how] Ow hou E; Ow how F; How how S; Ow ow M; Owhȝ houȝ K; How T. ich] S om. þo] þo to hym T. hefd] hed EM; heuid TFK; hand S. waggede] y-waggyd S.] "By my faith, frere," quaþ ich · "ȝe fare lik þe wou|were [

M omits from ȝe fare to ich in l. 22.

OBS. Here I begins again, but is damaged and imperfect throughout this Passus.

] Line 20 That wilneþ þe wydewe · bote for to wedde here goodes. [wilneþ] wilneþ nat IS; wilneþ nouȝt T. wedde] welde T.] Ryght so, by þe rode," quaþ ich · "rouhte þe neuere [ich] y þo S. rouhte] roȝt E; rouȝte TF; roȝte S. rouhte þe] rout|est þow M.] Wher my body yburied were · by so ȝe hadde my goodes!" [yburied were] were y-buried K. by] M om. ȝe] þou T.] Thanne lowh leaute · for ich lourede on þe frere; [A page 172] [Thanne] And þanne IT; Þo M.] Line 24 "Whi lourest þow?" quaþ leaute · "leue syre," ich seide, [lourest] louridest T. leue EM STK] leeue IF; luue P. ich] he MT.] "For this frere flaterede me · while he fond me riche; [this IMFSETK] thees P. flater|ede] flatereþ S. while] þe while I; þer whiles T.] Now ich am poure and penyles · at litel prys he set me: [Now] And now IT. at] K om. set me] me setteþ M.] Ich wolde hit were no synne," ich seide · "to seye þat were treuthe. Line 28 The sauter seith hit is no synne · for suche men as ben trewe [A page 173] [K omits.] For to seggen as thei seen · and saue onliche prestes;

Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis; arguam te, & statuam contra faciem tuam.

[For] IT om. seggen] seiȝe M. and] alle M. Nolite, & c.] M om.] Thei wollen a-leggen al-so · and by þe godspel preouen hit, [A page 172]

Nolite iudicare quemquam."

"Wher-of serueþ lawe," quaþ leaute · "and no lyf vndertoke [Wher-of] And wher-of IT; Wer-of P.] Line 32 Falnesse ne faiterie? · for som-what þe apostel seide,

Non oderis fratrem tuum secrete in corde [tuo.]

[[tuo FST] PEMK om.] Thyng þat al þe worlde wot · where-fore sholdest þow spare [A page 173] [where-fore] where-to S; where K.] To rehercen hit by retoryk · to a-rate dedliche synne? [hit] it al I. a-rate] rate F; rehete T.] Ac be þow neuer þe furste · the defaute to blame; [þow neuer] neuer-more IT. the] F om. to] for to F.] Line 36 Thauh þow see, sey nat · som tyme, þat is treuthe. [see] hit seo M; I om. sey] me sey F. treuthe] trewe MFS; truwe K.] Thyng þat wolde be pryue · publisshe þow hit neuere, Noþer for loue labbe hit out · ne lacke hit for non enuye;

Parum lauda, uitupera parcius."

[Noþer for] Ne for no M. labbe—out] loue it nouȝt T. hit] S om. non] MFSTK om.] "He seith soth," quaþ scripture [þo] · and skypte an hy, and prechede, [He] A (sic) IT. [þo ITFSKG] PE om.] Line 40 Ac þe matere þat hue meeuede · yf lewede men hit knewe, [hue] sche IT; he PMFSEK (wrongly); cf. ll. 49, 72. meeuede] moeued E. yf] & T.] Þe lasse, as ich leyue · louye þei wolde The by-leyue of oure lorde · þat lettrede men techen. Of here teme and of here tales · ich took ful good hede; [of] FIK om. ful] wel T; F om.] Hue seide in here sarmon · selcouthe wordes: [F omits. Hue] Sche M; Heo K; He PITES (wrongly). here] heore M; his E.] Line 45

Line 45 "Multi to a mangerie · and to þe mete were sompned, [a] þe S. þe] MF om. sompned] ysompned E; i-sompned M.] And whan þe peuple was plener come · the porter vn|pynnede þe gate, [whan] wan P. was] were S. vnpynnede] opened EM; opeynnede S; & openide (sic) T; vnpynneþ I.] And plyghte in pauci pryueliche · and leet þe remenant go rome." [A page 174] [pauci] paucos S. pryueliche] S om. go] F om. rome] rombe T; pleye S.] Line 48 Al for teene of here tixt · tremblede myn herte, And in a weer gan ich wexe · and with my-selue to dispute [And] M om. to dispute] dis|pute KF; disputede M.] Wheþer ich were chose oþer nat chose; · on holy|churche ich þouhte, [Wheþer] Weþer P.] That vnderfong me atte fount · for on of godes chosene. [vnderfong] vndurfeng FSK. atte] at þe IMTF. chosene] childur F.] "For crist clepide ous alle · come yf we wolde, [clepide] curteisly kept F.] Line 53 Sarrasyns and scismatikes · and so he dude þe Iewes, [scismatikes] miswritten scis|maticyns P; cf. B-text.] And bad hem souken of hus brest · sauete for synne, [of] at IMTFSK. sauete for] to saue þe fro M. of—synne] for synne · saue (sauf T) at his breste IT.] And drynke bote for bale · brouke hit ho so myghte;

O uos omnes sitientes, uenite ad aquas!

[hit] MF om. O uos] F om.] Thenne may alle cristine [come] · and cleyme þer to entre [[come IMTFSKG] PE om. þer] for S.] Line 57 By þat blod þat he boughte ous with · and baptisme, as he tauhte,

Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, [saluus erit,] & cetera.

[as] þat S. [saluus erit MFE] hic saluus erit S; PKIT om.] For thauh a crystine man coueytede · hus crystendome to reneye, [coueytede] coueite MF. to] K om.] Ryghtfulliche to reneye · no reson hit wolde. Line 60 For may no cherl a chartre make · ne hus catel selle [cherl] cheerl P; clerke ES. a] no F; TK om.]

With-oute leue of þe lorde · no lawe wolde hit graunte. [oute] ouhte P. þe] þat E. wolde] wole K; wol I; wil F.] Ac he may renne in arerage · and rome fro home, [Ac] But T. arerage KMS] arrirage P (but see l. 66); areragis T; rerage F. rome] rombe T; renne S.] As a recheles caitif · oþer reneyed, as hit semeþ; [a] ET om. recheles] cherles (!) E.] Line 64 Ac reson shal rekene with hym · and rebuke him atte laste, [Ac] But T. him] F om. atte] at þe IMFT; at S.] And conscience a-counte with hym · and caste him [in] arerages, [A page 175] [[in MITFSKG] PE om. are|rages] rerages F.] And putte hym þenne in prison · in purgatorie to brenne, [þenne] aftir T.] Rewardynge him þer for hus rechelesnesse · ryght to þe day of dome, [Rewardynge] Rewarde EF; And rewarde K. ryght] M om. Re|wardynge—rechelesnesse] And for his recchelesnesse rewarde hym þere TI.] Line 68 Bote contricion and confession · crye, by hus lyue, [Bote] But ȝif T. crye by] he cacche in T. lyue] leue S.] Mercy for hus mysdedes · with mouthe and with herte.' "That is sothe," seide scripture · "may no synne lette [sothe] þe sothe PE; but MFSKT omit þe; cf. B-text.] Mercy, þat hue nel al amende · yf meeknesse here folwe; [nel] ne may KMFST. amende] mende E. yf] and IT.] Thei boþe, as our bookes telleþ · aren aboue godes werkes;

Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius."

[boþe] miswritten beþe P.] Line 73 "Ye, baw for bookes!" quaþ on · was broken out of helle— [Ye] Ȝa T. broken] i-broke M.] "Ich, troianus, a trewe knyght · ich take witness of [a] pope, [troianus] so PIK; troianes M T; traianus SE. trewe] trywe P. of] at S. [a MTFEKG] þe S; P om.] Line 75 How ich was ded, and dampned · to dwellen in helle [to] for to F; forte M.] For an vncristene creature; · seynt gregorie wot þe soþe,

That al þe cristendome vnder Crist · ne myghte cracche me þennes, [ne] M om. cracche MFSEKG] miswritten cacche PT; cf. B-text. cracche me E] me cracche MFSK; me cacche T; cacche me P. þennes] þenne M; fro þenne T.] Bote onliche loue and leaute · as in my lawes demynge! Gregore wiste þis wel · and wilnede to my soule [wiste] wist PK. wel] M om.] Line 80 Sauacion, for þe sothness · þat he seih in myn werkes; [þe sothness] my soþfastnesse S. þat] IT om. he] K om.] And for he wilnede wepynge · þat ich were saued, [saued] i-saued MFTK.] God of hus goodnesse · seih hus grete wil; With-oute moo bedes byddyng · hus bone was vnder|fonge, [A page 176] [With-oute] And wiþoute ITK.] Line 84 And ich ysaued, as ȝe may see · with-oute syngynge of masse. [ich ysaued] i saued M. with|oute] wiþ I. masse] masses EFK; mo messis T.] Loue, with[oute] leel by-leyue · and my lawe ryghtful [[oute IMFTKS] PE om. and] as I.] Sauede me Sarrasyn · soule and body boþe." "Lo, lordes! what leaute dude · and leel dom y-used! [y-used] so also E; y-vsed K; y-vsid ST; i-vsed MF.] Wel auhte ȝe lordes þat lawes kepen · þis lesson to haue in mynde, [auhte ȝe] owen T. lawes] lawe I. to] FS om.] Line 89 And on troianus treuthe to þenke · alle tymes of ȝoure lyue, [on] in S. troianus] so PIK; troianes M; traianus E. of] in METSK.] And louye for ȝoure lordes loue · and do leaute euere more. [for] fore P. ȝoure] oure IT. do] E om. And—loue] And for ȝoure lordus loue to louye S; For ȝour lordus loue to loue F.] For lawe with-oute leaute · leye þer a bene! [leye] ley me F.] Line 92 Oþer eny science vnder sonne · þe seuene ars and alle, [A page 177] [and] of (!) E.] Bote loue and leaute [hem] lede · y-lost is al þe tyme [FS omit. [hem METK] hym P; it answers to þei in B. xi. 167.] Of [hym] þat traueleþ þer-on · bote treuthe be hus lyuynge. [[hym SMFITK] hem PE; but observe hus following.]

Lo, loue and leaute · been oure lordes bookes, [Lo] So IT; Loo how F; So lo K.] Line 96 And cristes owen cleregie · he cam fro heuene to teche hit, And sitthe seynt Iohan · seide hit of hus techynge;

Qui non diligit, manet in morte:

[sitthe—Iohan] sent Iohan sethen I; seint Iohan siþen T. hit] hit is P; but EMFSKT omit is. of] in M.] And nameliche poure peuple · here preiours may ous helpen; Line 99 For god, as þe godspel seith · goth ay as in þe poure, [þe] E om. in] MFSTK om.; cf. B. xi. 180.] And, as þe euangelist wytnesseþ · whan we maken festes, [A page 178] [euangelist] euangelye SIK; Ewangelie T.] We sholde nat clypie knyghtes þer-to · ne no kyne ryche,

Cum facitis conuivium, nolite uocare amicos [diuites,] &c.;

[[diuites] in E only. S omits last half of l. 102, and first half of l. 103.] Line 102 'Ac calleþ þe carful þer-to · þe crokede and þe poure. For eche frend fedeþ oþer · and fondeþ how he may quite [eche] euery T. how—may] forte M; how beste to I; hym best to T.] Line 104 Meles and manshupes · eche a ryche man oþer; [manshupes] manschipes MST; manschepes EF. a] ES om. ryche] T om. oþer] to oþur S.] Ac, for þe poure may nat paye · ich wol paye my-self; [Ac] T om. my] I om.] Þat louyeþ and leneþ hem · largeliche shal ich quite.' [louyeþ] loueþ hem M. shal ich] þer T.] At caluarie, of cristes blood · cristendome gan sprynge, [blood cristendome] body · cristus blood F.] And blod-breþrene by-cam we þer · of on body wonne, [blod] blodi MFT. by-cam we] we by-come IT. on] o FSIK; a T. wonne] i-wonne MITK.] As quasi modo geniti · gentel men echone; Line 110 No begger ne boye among ous · bote yf synne hit make,

Qui facit peccatum, seruus est peccati.

[No] Ne E. After ous (vs) PE add is, which IMTFSK omit; cf. B-text. yf—hit] it synne IT.] In þe olde lawe, as [þe] lettre telleþ · menne sones me cald ous, [A page 179] [[þe ITS] PEMK om. þe let|tre] lettere M; lered men F. telleþ] techeþ I; seith MFS. menne] men E; mennus FS; manes M; mennes IK; menis T. me] so also IMFE; men SK; T om. cald] calleþ S.] Line 112 [Of] Adames ysshue and eue · ay til god-man deide, [[Of MFSKT] And PE. eue] of eeues F.] And after hus resureccion · redemptor was hus name, And we hus blody breþren · as wel beggers as lordes. [blody] blod M.] For-thy loue [we] as leue children · and lene hem þat nedeþ, [For-thy] For-whi M. [we MFKTSG] PE om. and] I om. hem] we him S; hym K. nedeþ] nudeþ P.] Line 116 And euery man help oþer · for hennės shuileþ we alle [for] fro I.] To haue as we han deserued · as holychurche wittnesseþ,

Et qui bona egerunt, ibunt in uitam eternam; [qui vero mala, in ignem eternum].

[deserued] serued F. [qui, &c.] in S only.] For-thi lerne we lawe of loue · as oure lord tauhte; [A page 180] [For-thi] For-whi M. lawe] þe lawe T.] The poure peuple faile [we] nat · whil eny peny ous lasteþ. [The] And T. [we MFTSKG] PE om. ous lasteþ] lastuþ vs S.] Line 120 For in here liknesse oure lorde · lome hath be knowe; [For] Fore P. lome] ful lome F; lombe S; whilom T.] Witnesse in þe paske woke · when he ȝeode to emaus, [woke] wouke FT; wike M. when] wen P. ȝeode] wente F. emaus] romaynes (!) T.] Cleophas ne knew hym nat · þat he crist were, [ne] K om.] For hus poure aparail · and pilgrimes cloþes, Line 124 Til þat he blessede here bred · and brak hit by-twyne hem. [þat] MF om. here] þe M. by-twyne hem] hem bituene IT.] So by hus werkes thei wiste · þat he was Iesus, [thei] hy S. Iesus] lord Iesus F.] Ac by hus cloþing þei knewe hym nat · so caitifliche he ȝede. [hus cloþing] knowing T.] Al was ensample sothliche · to ous synful here, [Al was] And al was in T.] Line 128

Line 128 We sholde be lowe and loueliche · and leel, eche man to oþer, [We] Þat we T.] And pacient as pilgrimes · for pilgrimes arn we alle. [arn] ben ME; be S.] In þe parail of a pilgrim · and in a poure liknesse [A page 181] [þe parail] a-paraile MS; þe aparail K. a pilgrim] pilgrimes M; pilgrime F. a (2)] MFTSK om. lik|nesse MIKT] licknesse P.] Line 131 Holy seyntes hym seih · ac neuere in secte of riche. [hym] iesu F. secte] sith M. T is corrupt.] And seynte marie hus moder · [as] matheu bereth wit|nesse, [[as MFTSK] PE om.] Was a pure poure mayde · and to a poure man ywedded. Martha on marie magdalene · an huge pleynte [hue] made, [magdalene] Maudeleyn MFS IT. huge] hugy S. [hue] he FS; heo KG; sche MT; PE om. (For the spelling hue, see l. 72.)] Line 135 [And to oure saueour selue · saide þese wordes:]

Domine, non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me solam ministrare?

[From IKSTGM (for And to T has Vnto); PE omit; F has—& to our sauyour him-self · hes leide þese woordus; cf. B. xi. 243. cure] cura IMTK.] And here aiþeres wil · hasteliche god a-soilede, [here] hure MS; herd (!) E. aiþeres] aiþere P; but see next line. I omits last half of l. 137, and first half of l. 138.] Line 137 And aiþeres werkes and wil · ryght wel he alowede; [werkes] werk S. he] STK om.] Ac God putte pouerte by-fore · and preouede hit for þe bettere;

Maria optimam partem elegit, que non aufereter ab ea.

[Ac] But T; And M. God—pouerte] pouerte god putte IT. preouede hit] prouiþ T.] And alle þe wise þat euere were · by ouht ich can aspie, [þe] S om.] Preisede pouerte for beste · yf pacience hit folwe, [for] as for F. folwe] folwede M; folewide T.] Line 141 And boþe bettere and blessedere · by meny folde þan richesse; Thauh hit be sour to suffre · þer comeþ a swete after. [A page 182] [Thauh] Al-þogh IT. hit] he I. sour] sor T. swete] swetere M; swetnesse F.]

As in a walnote, with-oute · ys a byter barke, [in] on ITFK; S om.] Line 144 And after þat biter barke · be þe shale aweye, [shale] scale IT.] Ys a curnel of comfort · kynde to restorie; [Ys] Þer is MF. restorie] so also M; restore ITFSEK.] So, after, pouerte and penaunce · pacientliche [y]take, [pouerte—penaunce] penaunce & pouerte IT. ytake EIKST] i-take MF; take P; cf. B-text.] Makeþ man haue mynde in god · and hus mercy craue, [haue] to haue IFS. in] of T. craue] to craue FKST.] The whiche is curnel of comfort · for alle cristene saules. [whiche] wiche P. is] is þe IKT.] Line 149 And wel sykerour he slepeþ · þe seg þat is poure, [he] F om. seg] man M.] And lasse drat by daye · oþer in derk to be robbed, [lasse drat] drede lasse E. drat—daye] a-drad in dai-lith M. by] in T; by þe F. in] F om. derk] deerk P. robbed] i-robbed M.] Than he þat ys ryht ryche · reson bereþ wittnesse; [ryht] M om. reson] resoun us F.] Pauper ego ludo · dum tu diues meditaris. Line 153 Holichurche wittnesseþ · 'ho so for-sakeþ Hus fader oþer hus frendes · [fremde] oþere sibbe, [oþer] and M. [fremde MT] frembe S; frende PEIFK; (where it is clear that frende arose from mis|reading fremde; fremde oþere sibbe = whether unrelated or related).] Other eny welthe in this worlde · hus wyf oþer hus children, Line 156 For þe loue of oure lorde · loweþ hym to be poure, [For] And for F. loweþ hym] logeth hem I; loueth F. be] þe M.] He shal haue an hundredfolde · of heuene-ryche blisse, And lif lastyng for euere · by-fore oure lorde in heuene;

Quicunque [reliquerit] patrem & matrem,' &c.

[[reliquerit MFES] relinquet P; relinquit IKT. &] uel M; aut F.] Crist a-cordeþ eft her-with · clerkes witen þe sothe, [eft] ofte ST. her] þer M. witen] whiten P.] What god hym-self saide · to a seg þat he louede; [hym-self saide] seide hym|self IKT. seg] man M.] Line 161 'Yf þe lykeþ,' quaþ god, 'to lyue · þe lif þat is parfit, [þe lykeþ] he likeþ E; þow like M; þou likest KT.] Al þat þow hast here · hasteliche go sulle hit; [go—hit] þou it selle F.]

Ȝeue poure peuple þe pans · ther-of porse þow none, [Ȝeue] Ȝif MK; And ȝif F; Ȝif þe TS. pans] pens M; penys T. porse] purse IFTS; purce M.] Ac ȝeue hem forth to poure folke · þat for my loue hit askeþ. [Ac ȝeue] But ȝif MT; Ac gif F; Ac ȝif KS. hem] hym S; it T. to] to þe T. askeþ] aske IT.] Line 165 For-sake al and suwe me · and so is thi beste;

Si uis perfectus esse, uade & uende omnia [que habes.']

[suwe] haue S. is] it is F. thi] so PK; þy I; þe MTFSE. que habes] in S only.] Thus consaileþ crist · in comun ous alle:— [Thus] Ȝet T.] 'Ho so coueyteþ to come · to my kynriche, [to (1)] to me E. to (2)] in T.] Line 168 He mot for-sake hym-self · hus suster and hus broþer, [mot] moste M. suster—broþer] broþer and his sisteor M (wrongly).] And al þat þe worlde wolde · and my wil folwen,

Nisi renunciaueritis [omnibus] que possidetis,' &c.

[Nisi, &c.] Nisi quis renun|ciauerit omnibus que possidet, &c. F. [omnibus EFS] omnia PMIKT.] Meny prouerbis ich myghte haue · of meny holy seyntes, [Meny] Mo KT.] To testifie for treuthe · þe tale þat ich shewe, [testifie] testefie PK; testefiȝe M. for] T om. shewe] tolde M.] Line 172 And poetes to preouen hit · porfirie and plato; [porfirie] porphirie MFIS.] Aristotile, ouidius · and elleuene hundred, Tullius, tholomeus · ich can nat telle here names, [tholomeus] ptholomeus S.] Preouen pacient pouerte · pryns of alle vertues. [pryns] pris M.] Line 176 And by [þe] greyn þat groweth · god ous alle techeþ [[þe MFTSK] PE om.] [Mischeifs on þis molde · mekeliche to suffre:]

Nisi granum frumenti cadens in terra mortuum fuerit, ipsum solum manet;

[From M; also in IKTFSG; PE om. Mischeifs] Mischeues M; but see l. 201. on] of FS. þis] T om. molde] world S. terra] terra & P; but EMITFSK omit &. ipsum, &c.] MFIKTS om.] Bote yf [þe] sed þat sowen is · in þe sloh sterue, [[þe MEKSFT] þat P. in] on S.] Line 179 Shal neuere spir springen vp · ne spik on strawe curne; [curne] kerne ITFS; kurne EK.] Sholde neuere whete wexe · bote whete fyrste deyde. [whete] miswritten wete P (twice).]

And oþer sedes al-so · in þe same wyse, [And] & so it is of F; S ori.] That ben leide on louh erthe · ylore as hit were; [leide] i-leid M. on] in MITK. erthe] eerthe P.] And þorw þe grete grace of god · of greyn ded in erthe [of (2)] and IT. in] on ITFKS.] Atte laste launceþ vp · wher-by [we] lyuen alle. [Atte EK] At þe MIFTS; Atte þe P (wrongly). wher] wer P. [we MIFSKTG] PE om.] Line 185 Ac seedes þat been sowen · and mowe suffre wyntres, [wyntres] wyntur F.] Aren tydyour and tower · to mannes by-hofthe, [Aren] Ben E. by-hofthe] bi|hofþe M; by-hofte I; by-houe S; behof T; byhof E; by-hefthe K; be|houethe F.] Than seedes þat sowen beeþ · and mowe nouht with forste[s], [forstes EKG] forstus SF; frostes MIT; forste P.] Line 188 With wyndes ne with wederes · as in wynter-tyme; [With] Ne T. with] IT om. tyme] tymes IT.] As, lynne-seed and lik-seed · and lente-seedes alle [As] Ac K. lik] lek MT; leek IF.] Aren nouht so worthy as whete · ne so wel mowen [mowen] dure mowe FS; cf. l. 188.] In þe feld with þe forst · and hit freese longe. [forst] so PSFK; frost MIT.] Line 192 Ryght so, for soþe · þat suffre may penaunces [for soþe] soþely IT. þat—may] he þat mai suffre M. penaunces] penaunce TF.] Worth alowed of oure lorde · at here laste ende; And for here penaunce be preysed · as for [a] pure [martir,] [penaunce] pacience TFKS. [a MTKFSG] PE om.; see next line. pure] puyre P. martir KTSG] mar|tyr MF; miswritten matir PE.] Oþer for a confessour ykud · that counteþ nat a ruysshe [ykud] i-kid MT. counteþ] a|counteþ M; countide T. ruysshe] rusche KF; rysshe ST. counteþ—ruysshe] kunneþ noȝt in harnysche E (corruptly).] Fere, ne famyne · ne false menne tonges; [Fere ne] For no E. menne] men ES; mennes IF; menes MT.] Line 197 Bote as an hosebonde hopeþ · after an hard wynter, [an (2)] E om.] Yf god gyueþ hym þe lif · to haue a good heruest, [gyueþ] gyue M. hym þe] hem E.] So preoueþ these prophetes · þat pacientliche suffreþ. [these MKFS] thees P; þis IE; þise T. pacientliche] pacience E.] Myscheifs and myshappes · and menye tribulacions [menye] E om.]

By-tokneþ ful treweliche · in tyme comynge after [ful] IKT om. treweliche] triweliche P.] Line 202 Murthe for hus mornynge · and þat muche plente. [hus] heore M.] For crist seide to hus seyntes · þat for hus sake þoleden [to hus] so to FS; to IK.] Pouerte [and] penaunce · [and] persecucion of body, [[and MIFTSG (twice)] KPE om. penaunce MIFTSG] penaunces PE.] [Schullen haue more worschipe to wages · . . . . . [This imperfect line is from I; there is an evident omission here in the other copies; we might insert—and worthier ben yholde] Þan] Angeles—in here angre · on this wise hem grette,

'Tristitia uestra uertetur in gaudium:

[[Þan I] Þanne T; PEKMS om. angre] owen degre I (but anger means distress; B. xv. 254, 266).] Ȝoure sorwe in-to solas · shal turne atte laste, [atte] at þe MFST.] Line 208 And out of wo in-to wele · ȝoure wyrdes shul chaunge.' [wyrdes] wirdes K; wordes IETS; worldes MF (but wyrd=fate).] Ac [who] so redeþ of [þe] riche · þe reuers he may fynde, [Ac] And MT. [who EKMITG] ho FS; P om. redeþ] rat I; ret K. [þe MIKTFSG] PE om. he] IKT om.] How god, as þe godspel telleþ · gyueþ hem foul tow|name, [telleþ] seiþ M. hem] hym KTSF; I om. foul tow-name] ful tow-name FE; foul to name MT; foel to name I; fool to name SG (foul tow|name=evil nickname; fool to name=fool as a name).] And þat hus gost shal go · and hus good by-leue, Line 212 And askeþ hym after · 'ho shal hit haue, [hym after] hym hertely T; I om.] The catel þat he kepeþ so · in coffres and in bernes? [bernes] apparently hernes P; but bernes in the rest.] And art so loth to leue · þat leue shalt needes:

O stulte, ista nocte anima tua egredietur; [que congregasti, cuius erunt?] Thesaurizat, & ignorat [cui, &c.].

[art] ert PEK. leue] lene or leue in the MSS. I has—And art so loth to leue · þat lete schal þou nedes; so T (with shalt for schal þou). shalt] schal þou I; þou schalt FS. egredietur EG] egrediatur PITKM; rapietur F; rapietur a te S. [que—erunt] in E only. [cui] in S only.] An vnredy reue · þi residue shal spene, [spene] spende T; haue M.] Line 216

Line 216 That menye mothþe was [maister] ynne · in a mynte|while; [mothþe] mowþe M; mouȝte F; mouþe ES; man T; miswritten nothe (for mothe) I. [maister MIKTFS] PE om. ynne] inne M; in T; of F; IS om. mynte] so also MIKFS; mynt T; minti (sic) E.] Vp-holderes on þe hul · shullen haue hit to selle.' [hul] hil T.] Lo, lo, lordes, lo · and ladies, takeþ hede, [Lo lo] Lo lo lo M; Lo louely T; Lo K.] Hit lasteþ nat longe · þat is lycour swete, Line 220 As pees-coddes and pere-Ionettes · plomes and chiries! [and (1)] KFST om. pere|Ionettes] pyonies F.] Þat lyghtliche launceþ vp · litel while dureþ, And þat þat raþest rypeþ · roteþ most saunest. [saunest] so PKS; sennest (for sonnest) M; sonnest IT; sonest E; sone F.] On fat londe and ful of donge · foulest wedes groweth; [ful of] foul T. wedes] wed M.] Right so for sothe · suche þat ben bysshopes, [for sothe] soþliche T. þat] as FS.] Line 225 Erles and archedekenes · and oþer ryche clerkes, That chaffaren as chapmen · and chiden bote þei wynne, [chapmen] schepmen S. bote] but ȝif S.] And hauen þe worlde at here wil · oþer-wyse to lyue. Right as weodes wexen · in wose and in donge, [wose] muk S.] Line 229 So of rychesse vpon richesse · [arisen] al vices. [of] on T; in F. rychesse] riche M. vpon] of F; vp KS. [arisen M] ariseþ G; arist PEIKT (which is singular, whilst wexen (last line) is plural); wexeth F; wexuþ S; waxiþ T.] Lo, lond ouere-layde · with marle and with donge [marle—donge] donge & with marl S.] Whete þat wexeth þer-on · worth lygge ar hit ripe; [wexeth þer-on] þeron wexiþ T. ar] er T; or MEFKS. ripe EMIKTS] repe P.] Right so, for soþe · for to sygge treuthe, [for soþe] soþly T.] Line 233 Ouer-plente pryde norssheþ · þer pouerte destrueþ hit. [norssheþ] norescheþ K; nor|ischeþ I; norisshiþ T; noriisseþ M; nurscheþ F. destrueþ hit] hit de|stroyeþ IT; hit distriȝeþ M.] For, how hit euere be ywonne · bote hit be wel dis|pended, [For] And T. hit euere] euere hit MF. dispended] i-spended MS.] Worldliche wele is wicked þynge · to hym þat hit kepeþ. [Worldliche EMF] Worldly KT; Worliche P; Wordly S. hym] hem IT. hit] hit so F.]

For yf he be fer þer-fro · ful ofte hath he drede [fer] feer P. hath he] he haþ I.] Line 237 That fals folke fecche away · felonliche hus godes; [fecche] wol fecche E; wolden fecche M.] And ȝut more hit makeþ men · meny tyme and ofte [tyme] a tyme F; tymes I.] To synegen, and to souchen · soteltees of gyle, [To] F om. synegen] senegen F; synwen E; synewe S; synnen M; cf. Pass. xi. 25, 26. souchen] sowche boþe F; sewe M; sotile S; sechen K. soteltees] sotiltees I; sotultees F; so|tiles (sic) M.] Line 240 For couetyze of þat catel · to culle hem þat hit kepeþ; [237—241. T omits.] [þat (1)] S om. hem] him MFSIK.] And so is meny [man] ymorþred · for hus money and goodes, [[man MSIKTEG] a man F; men P. hus] M om. and] and his MSIT; and for his K.] And tho þat duden þe dede · ydampned þer-fore after, [þe] þat I. þe dede] K om.] And he for hus harde holdynge · in helle, par aunter. [holdynge MITFSEKG] appar|ently heldynge P. helle] helle pyne T. par aunter] peraduenture E.] So couetise of catel · was combraunce to hem alle; [of] & K. combraunce] a comeraunce E.] Lo, how pans purchasede · faire places and drede, [pans] pens MI; penys T. purchasede] purchasseþ MIT. faire] grete S. drede] brode S.] Line 246 Þat rote is [of] robbers · þe richesse with-ynne! [[of MITFSKG] PE om. richesse] grete richesse S. After l. 247 M adds—For he þat gadereþ so his good · god no þyng preiseþ.]

Hic explicit passus iijus de dowel. [ITM omit. Hic] ES om. KF have—Explicit passus ter|cius.]

PASSUS XIV. (DO-WEL IV.)

[TITLE. So in KF; M prefixes Hic; Incipit passus quartus PE; to which S adds de eodem; Passus tercius de Dowel I; T om.] Incipit passus quartus [de dowel].

AC wel worth pouerte! · for he may walke vn|robbed [Ac] As (wrongly) I; But T. vnrobbed] vnrobbede P.] Among pilours in pees · yf pacience hym folwe. Oure prynce iesu pouerte chees · and hus aposteles alle, [chees] ches MIESKT.] And ay þe lenger þei lyueden · the lasse good þei hadde;

Tanquam nichil habentes, & omnia possidentes.

[þei (1)] þat þei F. Tanquam, &c.] M om. &—possidentes] IKT om.] Line 4 Ȝut men [rat þat] abraam and Iob · were wonder ryche, [Ȝut] & ȝit F. [rat þat MKT] ret þat I; reedith þat FG; miswritten þat of PE; see Pass. iv. 410, 416. men—þat] ret me þat I; rat me þat T; S om] And out of numbre þo men · menye meobles hadden. Abráám for al hus good · hadde muche teene, [Abraam] Ac abraham F. al—good] his (sic) I; his auȝte T. muche] mykel M; muchel F.] In gret pouerte [he] was yput; · a pryns, as hit were, [In] For in IT. [he MIKFST] PE om. yput] i-put M; put KTFS; putte I. pryns] prisoun M (wrongly).] Line 8 By-nom hym ys housewif · and heeld here hym-self, [By-nom—housewif] A king bi|nom him his wijf M. I omits the last half of lines 9 and 10; T omits last half of l. 9.] And abráám nat hardy · ones to letten hym, [hardy] so hardy F. hardy ones] onus hardy S; ones so hardy T. to—hym] him to lette F.] Ne for brightnesse of here beaute · here spouse to be by-knowe. [spouse—by-knowe] spousehod to beknowe T.]

And for he suffrede and seide nouht · our Lord sente tokne, [he] E om.] Line 12 That þe kynge cride · to abráám mercy, [cride] cride þo F. to] S om. mercy] of merci MF. I has—Þat þe kynde (sic) cried him mercy þat time; T has—Þat kynde comely kyng · criede hym mercy.] And deliuerede hym hus wif · with muche welthe after. [welthe] Ioye S.] And also Iob þe gentel · what ioye hadde he on erthe, [And] K om. And also] IT om.] How bittere he hit bouhte · as þe book telleþ! [How] And how IT. bouhte] aboghte IT; abouȝht K; bouȝt also F.] Line 16 And for he songe in hus sorwe · 'si bona [accepimus] a domino, [T has—And for he suffride so mekly · his sorewe ouerȝede. And] Ac M. in] K om. [accepimus MK FETG] accipiam (?) P; suscepimus S.] Dere-worthe dere God! · do we so mala,' [dere] and dere I.] Al hus sorwe to solas · þorgh þat songe turnede, [to—songe] þorw þat song · to solace hit M.] And Iob by-cam a iolif man · and al hus ioye newe. [a] as T. iolif] ioli MF; gen|til S. al] E om.] Line 20 Lo, how pacience in here pouerte · these patriarkes releuede, [in here] and IT. these] thees P.] And brouhte hem al aboue · þat in bale rotede. [rotede] so in all.] As greyn þat lyth in þe greot · and þorgh grace, atte laste, [As] As a F. þe] IEFS om. greot] grete E; gret M; grut KSF; grounde IT.] Spryngeþ vp and spredeþ · so spedde þe fader abráám, [vp] IT om. spedde] sprad F; dude M. þe—abraam] abraham þe goode F.] And al-so þe gentel Iob; · here ioie hath non ende. [al-so] IT om.] Line 25 Ac leueþ nouht, ȝe lewede men · þat ich lacke richesse, [ȝe] IKT om.] Thauh ich preise pouerte þus · and preoue hit by ensamples [ensamples] ensample ES.] Worthiour, as by holy writ · and wise philosopheres. [as] M om.] Bothe two [beþ] goode · be ȝe ful certayn, [[beþ ES] ben MIT; beon K; be F; miswritten but P. goode] ful goode FS. ful] wel T.] Line 29

Line 29 And lyues þat our lorde loueþ · and large weyes to heuene. [And] As E. weyes] wey T. to] ȝeueþ to M.] Ac þe poure pacient · purgatorye passeþ [þe] E om. purgatorye] þe purgatory I.] Raþere þan þe ryche · þauh thei renne at ones. [thei] ȝe F.] Line 32 For yf a marchaunt and a messager · metten to-gederes, [metten] so PIMK; mette F; meten ET; mete S.] And scholde wenden o way · where both mosten reste, [o way] on wai M; awey S. mosten reste MIKS] moste reste FG; muste resten T; written most . . rest P (the margin of the leaf being cut off).] And rekene byfore reson · a resonable acounte, [a MKFT] cut off in PI. acounte MIKF] acompte T; mis|written acountes P. a—acounte] acounte þat is resonable S.] What one haþ, what anoþer haþ · and what hy hadde boþe, [what] & what S. anoþer] oþer MTKF; þat oþur S. haþ] T om. hy] þei MIKTFS.] Line 36 The marchante mote nede be lette · lengere þen þe messagere; [34—37. E omits. In P, these lines are written in the margin, but by the same scribe; Whitaker omits them.] [be] by S. lette] I-lette I; let MKFST. þe messagere] þat oþur F.] For þe parcels of hus paper · and oþer pryuey dettes [þe] S om. paper] paupere E.] Wol lette hym, as ich leyue · the lengthe of a myle. [leyue] leue MKSET; leeue F.] The messager doþ na more · bote [with] hus mouth telleþ [The] Þere þe KT. doþ] he dooth F. [with EIMKFST] P om.] Line 40 Hus [erande], and hus [lettere] sheweþ · and is a-non delyuered. [[erande] erende IK; arnede (sic) T; lettere PE; letture S; lettre F; letteres M. [lettere] lettre KT; erande E; eraunde S; ernde PM; arende F.] And thauh þei wende by þe wey · tho two to-gederes, [wende] so PEKFT; wend S; wenten M; wente I. tho] þei MF; þe E.] Thauh þe messager make hus wey · a-mydde þe whete, [amydde] amyde P; amonge T. whete] fayre whete IT.] Wole no wys man wroth be · ne hus wed take; [wroth be] be wroth ITKFS.] Line 44

Line 44 Ys non haiwarde yhote · hus wed for to take;

Necessitas non habet legem.

[Ys] Ne T. yhote] hote I; is hoten T. to] K om. take] nyme M. Most MSS. agree in making lines 44 and 45 end nearly alike; but ITKFG insert Necessitas—legem between them; M omits this quotation alto|gether.] Ac yf þe marchaunt make hus way · ouere menne corne, [yf] & S. menne] so PIK; mennes F; menes M; menis T; men ES. corne] cornne P.] And þe haywarde happe · with hym for to mete, Line 47 Oþer hus hatt oþer hus [hode] · oþere elles hus gloues [[hode EK] hod MG; hood ITFS; hed (!) P. hus (3)] K om.] The marchaunt mot for-go · oþer moneye of hus porse, [mot] he moot F.] And ȝut be lett, as ich leyue · for þe lawe askeþ [ȝut] K om. lett] i-letted M. leyue] leue ITMKSE; leeue F.] Marchauns for here merchaundise · in meny place to tollen. [in] E om. place] places MEFS. to] KFS om. tollen TESG] tolle IMF; tullen P; tellen K.] Line 51 Ȝut þauh þei wenden on way · as to wynchestre fayre, [Ȝut] & ȝit IFT. þauh] þer I; E om. on] o IK; a FT; þe M.] The marchaunt with hus marchaundise · may nat go so swithe [may] he may F.] As þe messager may · ne with so mochel ese. [mochel] mychel ES; muchel FT; mykel M; moche I.] For þat on bereþ bote a boxe · a breuet þer-ynne, [þat on] þe one K.] Ther þe marchaunt ledeþ a male · with meny kynne þynges, [ledeþ] let IT; lat KF. meny kynne] many skenis T.] Line 56 And dredeþ to be ded þere-fore · and he in derke mete With robbours and reuers · þat riche men dispoilen; [reuers] with reuers P; but MKFSET omit with. þat] & F.] Ther þe messager is ay murye · hus mouthe ful of songes, [ay] euer S. hus] & his FT.] And leyueþ for hus letteres · þat no wight wol hym greue. [

So PEMIK. The alliteration is imperfect, unless we put lede for wight, as in T; F has—

& leeueth for his lettres · ay to be welcome,

& þat no wiȝt wole him greue · walkyng on weies.

S has the same, but with euer for ay, and omitting & before þat.

] Line 60

Line 60 Ac ȝut, myghte þe merchaunt · þorgh monye and oþer ȝiftes, [Ac] & EF. monye] his money IT. monye and] many S. oþer] F om. ȝiftes EIMFKS] ȝeftes P; ȝeftis T.] Haue hors and hardy men; · þauh he mette þeoues, Wolde non suche a-sailen hym · for hem þat hym folweþ, [hem þat] suche as KT. folweþ] folwede M.] As safliche passe as the messager · and as sone at hus hostil. [As] And as IT. safliche] saf S. passe] IK om. the] F om. at] in S. hostil] hostel MK; ostel EFT.] Line 64 Ȝe wyten wel, ȝe wyse men · what this is to mene, The marchaunt is no more to mene · bote men þat ben ryche [is—mene] meeneth na more F.] Aren a-countable to crist · and to þe kyng of heuene, [Aren] Þei beþ E; Aren alle IKT. and—þe] þat is M.] That holden mote þe heye weye · euene [þe] ten hestes, [þe] þan (sic) E. euene] euene to MS. [þe IMKFTG] PES om.; cf. rubric to Pass. viii. 204.] Boþe louye and lene · þe leelle and þe vnleelle, [lene] eke leene F. þe (1)] IT om. þe (2)] ITKS om.] Line 69 And haue reuthe, and releue · with hus grete richesse, [grete] IT om.] By hus power, alle manere men · in meschief yfalle; [By—power] I om. in] þat beth in F; in a S; þat in T. yfalle] falliþ T.] Fynde beggars bred · backes for þe colde, [Fynde] & fynde F. bred] here breed F. backes] & cloþus S; & bakkis T. þe] T om.] Line 72 Tythen here goodes treweliche · a tol, as hit semeþ, [Tythen] & tiþen FT; Teþen M. goodes] good IT. treweliche] try|weliche P. semeþ] were FS.] That oure lord lokeþ after · of eche a lyf þat wynneþ [a] MF om.] With-oute wyles oþer wrong · oþer wommen atte stuwes; [wrong] wronges IT. atte] at þe IMST. stuwes] stiwes K; stuyues E; styues MS; stewus F; stewis T.] And ȝut more, to make pees · and quyte menne dettes, [ȝut] K om. quyte] to quyten I. menne] so PK; mennus F; menes M; menis T; men ES.] Boþe spele and spare · to spene vpon þe needful, [Boþe] And IT. spare] eke spare F. spene] spenden M; spende ITF. needful] needy F.] Line 77

Line 77 As crist [him]self comaundeþ · to alle cristene peuple,

Alter alterius onera portate, [& sic adimplebitis legem christi].

[[him MITKFSE] P om. to] IT om. [&—christi] in F only.] The messagers aren þe mendinans · þat lyueþ by menne almesse, [messagers] messangers IT; messager K; massager M. aren] ben ES. menne] see l. 76.] Beþ nat ybounde as beþ þe riche · to bothe þe two lawes, [beþ F] by I; ben T; be MK; beeþ P; S om. þe (1)] ȝe M. þe (2)] KS om. two] I om. þe two] to þe MFT.] Line 80 To lene ne to lere · ne lentenes to faste, [lere] lerne ITK. lentenes] to lentenes E; in lentenys T; in lenten M; lentoun F; lente S. to] for to F.] And oþere pryuey penaunces · þe whiche þe preest wot wel [þe (1)] KF om.] That þe lawe ȝeueþ leue · suche lowe folke to be ex|cused; [to] KT om.] As, none tythes to tythen · ne cloþe þe nakede, [As] Ne M. to tythen] tethe|gen K. cloþe] to cloþe I; for to cloþe F. þe] none M; F om.] Line 84 Ne in enquestes to come · ne contumax, þauh he worche [enquestes] none enquestes I; none questes M; no queste T. to] for to F.] Haly day oþer holy eue · hus mete to deserue. For yf he loueþ and by-leyueþ · as the lawe techeþ,

Qui crediderit & baptizatus fuerit, [saluus erit,] & cetera,

[K omits. yf] T om. and] or F. [saluus erit MF] hic saluus erit S; PEITK om.] Telleþ þe lord a tale · as a trewe messager, [trewe] triwe P.] Line 88 And sheweþ by seel and sitthe by lettere · with what lord he dwelleþ, [Knowelecheþ] hym cristene · and of holy [kirke] by|leyue, [[Knowelecheþ KF] Knowe|lechiþ T; Knewlechuþ S; Knowleche M; Kneweleche PE. of] on MF. [kirke I] churche PEFS; chirche MKT. byleyue] by-leueþ SF.] Ther is no lawe, as ich leyue · wol lette hym þe gate, [Ther is] Þat S; Þer nys M.] Ther god is gatwarde hym-self · and eche a gome knoweth; Line 92

Line 92 The porter of pure reuthe · may parforme þe lawe, [reuthe] trewþe E; truþe K.] In þat he wilneþ and wolde · ech wight as him-self. [Here eight leaves are wanting in F, down to xvi. 178. ech] ech a IS; eche a K. wight] wy T. him] miswritten hem P.] For þe wil is as muche worth · of a wrecche beggere, [S places is after worth. a] I om.] As al þat þe ryche may reyme · and ryghtfulliche dele; [þat] S om. may] K om. reyme] reome M; rayne I; rayme T.] And as muche mede · for a myte þat he offreþ [as] also M. mede] me E. þat] þer IT. he offreþ] offred S; ich offre E.] Line 97 As þe riche man for al his moneye · and more, as by þe godspel; [A page 221]

Amen dico uobis, quia hec uidua paupercula [misit plus omnibus qui miserunt in gasophi|lacium;]

[his] is P. as] ITS om. Amen—quia] S om. [misit—omnibus E] plus omnibus misit S; PMIKT om. [qui—gasophilacium] in S only.] So þat poure pacient · is parfitest lif of alle, [þat] þat þe S; T om. par|fitest] parfiith M.] And alle parfite preestes · to pouerte sholde drawe; [A page 183] [And] S om. And alle] Eche a T. preestes] preste IT. sholde] shulle S.] For spera-in-deo spekeþ of prestes · þat han no spend|yng seluer, [spera] speraui M. seluer] siluer IET.] Line 101 That yf þay trauaile treweliche · and tristen in god almyghty, [in] til E; to M; on T. god almyghty] almyghty god I.] Hem sholde neuere lackye lyflode · noþer lynnen ne wollene. [lackye] lacky E; lakke IK ST; lacke M. lynnen] lynne P; but see ii. 18. wollene] wulle S.] The title þat ȝe takeþ ȝoure ordres by · telleþ ȝe beþ [auaunced,] [title IMTES] titel K; titile P. þat] IKT om. telleþ] til S; tille K. [auaunced MT] auaunsed IKEG; auaunsid S; amanced P; cf. B-text.] Line 104 And needeþ nat to nyme seluer · for masses þat ȝe syngen; For he þat tok ȝow title · sholde take ȝow wages, [title ME] titel K; titile P; a title IT; þat title S.]

Oþer þe bisshop þat blessed ȝow · and enbaumede ȝoure fyngeres. [blessed] blesseþ M; blesse (sic) E. and] or K. enbaumede] enbaumeþ M.] For made neuere kyng knyght · bote he hadde catel to spene, [knyght] no knyȝt IT; ne knyȝht K. spene] dispende M.] Line 108 As by-fel for a knyght · oþer fond hym for hus strengþe; [A page 184] [by-fel KS] bi-fulle M; befelle I; befel T; hit byfelle E; by-feel P. fond] so PIMS; fonde EK.] For hit is a carful knyght · and of a caitif kynges makynge, [hit is] ȝif (sic) M. is] S om. and] þat (sic) E; M om. caitif] carful MS.] That hath no londe ne lynage riche · ne good loos of hus hondes. [no] noyþer I; noþer T. loos] los MT.] Line 111 The same ich seye for soþe · by suche þat ben preestes, [þat ben] as beþ S.] Þat han noþer konnynge ne kyn · bote a corone one, [han] I om. kyn] kiþ T. co|rone] croune ITE; crone K; crowne M.] And a title, a tale of nouht · to hus liflode, as hit were. [title] titile P.] Vuele ben þei suffred · suche þat schenden masses [K omits. Vuele] Euele MT; Iuel E. þat] as S. schenden EMS] shenden T; shynden P. masses] þe masse T.] Throgh hure luþer lyuynge · and lewede vnder stondyng! Line 116 A charter is chalangable · by-fore a chief Iustice, Yf fals latyn be in [þat lettere] · þe lawe hit enpugneþ, [[þat lettere MIKSEG] þe let|tre T; þe letteres P. enpugneþ] in|pugneþ S; empugned I.] Oþer peynted par-entrelignarie · parcels ouer-skipped; [par-entrelignarie] or enter|lyned M.] The gome þat so gloseþ chartres · a goky he is yholden [so gloseþ] gloseþ so IT. goky] gouky E; gokow S. a—he] for a goky is T. he is] is he K.] So is he a goky, by god · þat in the godspel failleþ, [he] it IT; hit K. goky] gouky E; gokow S.] Line 121 In masse oþer in matynes · maketh eny defaute;

Qui offendit in uno, in omnibus est reus.

[In] Oþer in T. In—in] Or in a messe or in a I. S omits the rubric and l. 123.]

And ouer-skippers al-so · in þe sauter seith dauid,

Psallite Deo nostro psallite, quia rex terre deus; psallite sapienter.

[S omits. And] For IT. quia] qui est ME; quoniam I. quia—sa|pienter] S om. psallite sapienter M] psallite IT; E om. (represented in PK by the abbreviation s.s., where s = sallite, for psallite).] The bishop shal be blamed · by-fore god, as ich leyue, [blamed] i-blamed M. T omits l. 124, and runs ll. 125 and 126 into one.] Þat coroneþ suche clerkes · as for godes knyghtes, [coroneþ] crouneþ IE; croneþ K; crownen M. clerkes as] IT om.] Line 125 Þat conneþ nat sapienter · noþer synge ne rede. [A page 185] [sapienter] o sapiencia M; T om.] Ac neyþer is al blameles · þe bisshop ne þe chapeleyn; [neyþer] noþer E; neuer neyþer I; nere neiþer T. is] buþ M. al] IT om. þe (2)] his S.] For ignorantia non excusat · as ich haue herd in bookes."— [herd] i-herd ME.] Line 128 Thus rechelessnesse in a rage · a-resonede clergie, [a-resonede] a-ratede S.] And scornede scripture · þat meny skyles shewede, [scornede scripture] scripture scornede I; scripture scornide it T.] Til þat kynde cam · clergie to helpen, And in þe myrour of myddel-erde · made hym eft to loke, [myddel] mydel P. erde] erþe IST. eft] ofte T; S om. to] KT om.] To knowe by ech creature · kynde to louye. [ech] eche a I; iche a T.] Line 133 And ich bowede my body · by-holdynge al a-boute, [by-holdynge] by-holde K; bi|helde I; & beheld T. al] T om.] And seih þe sonne and þe see · and þe sand after, [seih] si M; say S; sithe I. sand] londe E.] Wher þat briddes and bestes · by here makes ȝeden, [Wher] And where IKT. ȝeden EMS] ȝeeden P; ȝeoden K; þey ȝede IT.] Wilde wormes in wodes · and wonderful foules Line 137 With fleckede fetheres · and of fele colours; [fetheres EIMKS] fetthers P.] Man and hus make · ich myghte see boþe, [see] i-seo M.] Pouerte and plente · bothe pees and werre, [A page 186] Line 140 Blisse and biter bale · bothe ich seih at ones; [biter] IT om. seih] si M; seye I.] And how þat men mede token · and mercy refuseden. [men] I om. mede] me (!) S.]

Reson ich seih sothliche · suwen alle bestes [Reson] And resoun I. seih] here written sauh P (but see ll. 135, 141); si M. sothliche] sotthliche P. I omits last half of l. 143, and first half of l. 144.] In etynge, [in] drynkyng · in gendrynge of kynde; [[in KES] and PTM. gen|drynge] engendryng MKS; engen|durer I; engendrure T.] Line 144 After cours of concepcion · non tok kepe of oþer [cours] þe cours M. kepe] hede M.] As when þei hadde ruteyed; · a-non þei resten after. [As] And T. ruteyed] roteyed I; roteide K; yrotied ET; i-roteied M. after] ayþer I.] Maules drowen hem to maules · on morwenynge by hem-self, [Maules] so PEKSG; Males MIT (twice). on] in M; a T; and (!) I. morwenynge] mornyng I; morewnynges M; morwnynges E; morows S. hem] hym S.] And femeles to femeles · herdeyed and drow. [herdeyed] herdyede S; her|deiede M; herdyyng E; herdede K; ferdide T; ferdedede (sic) I; herk|nede G. and] an P. drow] rowe E.] Line 148 Ther ne was kow ne kow-kynde · þat conceyued hadde, [K omits (but the lines are added in a much later hand). ne was] nas E.] That [wolde bere] after bole · ne bor after sowe. [K omits (but the lines are added in a much later hand). ne was] nas E.] [[wolde bere T] wuld bere S; wolte beere (in a much later hand) K; belwede M; beere P; beþer (!) E; not in I; cf. B-text. bole—sowe] bore · ne sow aftur bore (wrongly) S.] Ther was no [kynne] kynde · þat conceyued hadde, [was] ne was KT. [kynne MES] kyne K; kyn T; kynde P.] That ne lees þe lykynge of lust · of flesch, as hit were, [ne MEKST] apparently no P. lees] so PEK; les MST. þe] S om. lust MIKST] loust PE.] Saue man and hus make; · and þer-of me wondrede. For out of reson þei ryde · and rechelesliche taken on, [ryde] redde E. rechelesliche] richelich E. taken] token IMEST; toke K.] As in durne dedes · bothe drynkynge and elles. [durne] derne MKST. bothe] apparently bethe P; boþe in T; K om.] Briddes ich by-helde · in bosshes maden nestes, [by-helde] by-heelde P. bos|shes] bussches I; busches EKS; buskes M; buskis T. nestes] neestes P.] Line 156 Hadde neaere weye wit · to worche þe leste. [weye] we E; wie K; wiȝ T; withg M. neuere weye] we neuer E.] Ich hadde wonder at wham · and wher þat þe pye [at—wher] wher · and at wham P (but the rest have the arrangement given; cf. B-text). and—þat] whan and where I.]

Lernede legge styckes · þat leyen in here neste; [Lernede] Lernede to MST; apparently Lornede P. in] on IMK. here] heore M; his K. neste EIKSG] nest MT; neestes P (but see next line).] Ther is no wryght, as ich wene · sholde worche here nest to paye. [is] nys MT. wryght] wyȝt S; wiȝt ET; withg M.] Line 160 Yf eny mason þer-to · makede a molde [I has— . . . masoun made a molde þer-to · moche wonder me þenkeþ; as in B-text. T has the same, beginning ȝif any masoun.] [þer-to makede] þer-to maken E; make þer-to M.] With alle here wyse castes · wonder me þynkeþ! [I has— . . . masoun made a molde þer-to · moche wonder me þenkeþ; as in B-text. T has the same, beginning ȝif any masoun.] [here] so PK; hure S; his E; hise M; (here castes = her con|trivances).] And ȝut ich meruaillede more · menye of þo bryddes [ȝut] S om. ich meruaillede] ich merueile þe E; me meruaileth I; me merueilide T. þo] þe IMKT.] Hudden and heleden · durneliche here egges, [Hudden] Hidden KT. heleden] hileden I. durneliche—egges] derworþliche hure egges M; derneliche hure nestus & eggus S; here egges dernely IT.] Line 164 For no foul sholde hem fynde · bote hus fere and hym-self. [hem] it IT; K om. hus] hire T. hym] hire T.] And some treden, ich tok kepe · and on trees bredden, And brouhten forth here bryddes · al aboue þe grounde. [al] & alle S.] In mareis and in mores · in myres and in wateres [A page 187] [mareis] maries E; mariis M. and (1)] M om. mores] moores I; meores K. myres] medes E. in wateres] watres M.] Line 168 Dompynges dyueden; · "deere god," ich sayde, [Dompynges] Dumpynges M; Doppynges E; Dompus S. dyueden] dyuyden P; dyuede IT; diuyde K; dyuede in M.] "Wher hadden þese wilde suche witt · and at what scole?" [þese MKS] þees P; þis IE; þise T.] And whan þe pocok caukede · þer-of ich took kepe, [whan] how IT. ich took] tok y SIT; toke y K.] How vn-corteisliche þe cok · hus kynde forth strenede, [þe] þat I. hus] his IMKSET; miswritten hud P. strenede MIK] better than strenide T; strende P; streynde E; strewede (put for streuede, a mistake for strenede) S.] And ferliche hadde of hus fairnesse · and of hus foule ledene. [ferliche hadde] ferkoyed (!) I; ferliede T. ledene MKG] lidun S; leedene P; leodene E; lenede (mis|written for ledene) I; lenide T.] Line 173

Line 173 And siþþe ich loked on þe see · and so forþ on þe sterres, [þe (2)] I om.] Meny selcouth ich seih · aren nouht to seggen nouthe; [selcouth] selcouþes MKT. ich] ic P; but see l. 174. seih] si M; say S. aren] ben E; beþ S. nouht] none T. seggen] sayn E; seie M; sey T.] Ne what on floures in feldes · and [of] hure faire coloures, [what on] so PEIKST; what of M. feldes] felde MIT. [of ITMKEG] on S; P om.] Line 176 How out of greot and of gras · grewe-so meny huwes, [How] And how IT. greot] so PK; greet E; gret M; greut T; grut S; grith I. of (2)] M om. grewe] groweþ ME; growe IT.] Somme soure and somme swete · selcouþ me þouhte; [Somme] And some IKT. sel|couþ] selcouhþ P; see l. 175.] Of here kynde and of here colours · to carpen hit were to longe. [of] K om. colours] colour IT. to] IT om.] Ac þat þat [moste] meuede me · and my mod chaungede, [þat þat] þat at K; þe (sic) I; þis T. [moste I] most SKT; moost G; man (sic) E; PM om.] Was þat ich seih reson · suwen alle bestes [Was] Whanne T. seih] si M.] Line 181 Saue man and mankynde; · meny tymes me þouhte, [tymes] time ME.] Reson rewelede hem nat · noþer riche ne poure. [rewelede] reuled E; reulede S; rewlide T; rulede K; reule (sic) M; reued reuelede (sic) I.] Then ich aresonede reson · and right til hym ich seide, [aresonede] resoned I. til] to ST. ich] MT om.] "Ich haue wonder in my witt · so wis as þow art holde, [art TMS] ert EK; miswritten herte P. holde] i-holde M; holden T.] Wher-for and why · so wide as þow regnest, [so] as IKT.] Line 186 Þat þow ne ruelest raþer · renkes þan oþer beestes. [ne] I om. ruelest] rulest MK; reulest S; reweledest I; rewel|ist T.] For ich see noone so ofte sorfeten · soþliche so man|kynde; [For] IKTS om. sorfeten] sorfete K; surfaiten T; surfete MS; sorfeteþ G; apparently forfeten PEI (but alliteration decides it). so (2)] as S.] Line 188 In mete out of mesure · and meny tymes in drynke, [tymes] time M.] In wommen, in wedes · and in wordes boþe [wordes] werkes M.]

Thei ouerdon hit day and nyght · and so doþ noon oþere. [noon] nat I; not T. oþere] oþer bestis T.] Line 191 Bestes ruwelen hem al by reson · and renkes ful fewe. [Bestes] Þey IT. ruwelen] ruelen EKS; rulen M; rewele I; rewle T. and] ac I; but T.] And þer-fore meruaileþ me · for man, as in [makynge,] [[makynge KS] makyng ME; mankynde PG.] Is most yliche þe · in wit and in werkes, [Is EITKMS] His P. yliche] i-lik M; lyk T. þe] þo K; T om. in (1)] of IMKT; S om. wit] witt P; wordes E. in (2)] of IMKST. werkes] werkus boþe S.] Whi he ne loueþ þy lore · and lyueþ as þow techest?" [

193—195. I has—

And þerfore merueileth me · for man is most yliche þe

Of wille and of werkes · why he ne loueth þy lore;

T has the same, except lyk for yliche þe, and wyt for wille.

] [ne] S om. lyueþ—techest] leueþ þi techyng M.] And reson aresonede me · and seide, "recche þe neuere [A page 188] Whi ich suffre oþer nat suffre:"— · "certes," ich seide, [ich (2)] he MIKT; but ich seems quite right.] "Ech a seg for hym-self · salamon ous techeþ;

De re que te non molestat, noli certare."

[seg] man M. noli] nolite KT; noli te I.] Line 198 "Ho suffreþ more þan God?" quaþ he · "no gome, as ich leyue! [suffreþ] suffred S.] He myght a-mende in a mynt-while · al þat amys stondes; [a] K om. mynt] so PET; mynte IS; myn K; myte M.] Line 200 Ac he suffreþ, in ensaumple · þat we sholde alle suffren. [alle suffren] soffren alle I; suffre alle T.] Ys no vertue so feyr · of value ne of profit, [of (1)] ne of IT. of—profit] ne of profit neuer þe mo S. of (2)] I om.] As ys suffrance souereynliche · so hit be for godes loue. [As] So IKT.] And so witnesseþ þe wyse · and wysseþ þe frenshe, [witnesseþ] wittnesseþ P. þe (1)] wel T; IK om. wysseþ] wisse S.] Line 204 Bele uertue est suffraunce · mal dire est petite ueniaunce; [petite] petit MT; pety K.] Bien dire e bien suffrir · fait ly suffrable a bien uenir. [suffrir] suffrier I; soffreire K; suffrer PTMEG; but suffrir seems the best form. ly] luy IKT; le M. uenir IT] venier M; veneir K; uener PEG.]

For-þi," quaþ reson, "ich rede the · rewele þi tonge euere; [For-þi] For-whi M. the rewele] þow reule I.] And er þow lakke eny lyf · loke ho is to preise. [ho] who-so K.] Line 208 For is no creature vnder cryst · þat can hym-selue make; [is no] y not S. creature] curatour T (wrongly).] And yf cristene creatures · couthen make hem-selue, [And yf] For and M; And K. cristene creatures] creatures cristene IT.] Eche lede wolde be lacles · leyf þow non oþere! [Eche] Eche a MK; Ech a I; Iche a T. wolde] wolle S. lede—lacles] wolde lede lackes (sic) E.] Man was mad of suche matere · he may nat wel a-sterte [A page 189] [suche] suche a KT.] That som tymes hym tit · to folwen hus kynde; [tymes] time MT. tit] betyt I; ne betit T; tid E.] Line 213 Caton a-cordeþ her-with · nemo sine crimine uiuit." [her-with] þer-wiþ MK; kyndely þerwiþ T.] Tho cauhte ich colour a-non · and comsed to be ashamed, [ich] y a S.] And awaked þer-wiþ; · wo was me þenne, [wo] and wo I.] Line 216 That ich ne hadde ymet more · so murye as ich slepte, [ymet] met KT; mete S.] And sayde a-non to my-self · "slepynge, ich hadde grace [ich hadde] hadde y ST; had i I.] To wite what dowel ys · ac wakynge neuere!" And þenne was þer a wiȝt · what he was ich nuste:— [wiȝt EI] wiȝht K; withg M; wiȝ T; whiȝt P; so in l. 221. nuste] nyste IT; ne wiste M.] "What ys dowel?" quaþ þat wiȝt · "y-wys, syre," ich seyde, [What] Þat M. ich] he MK (wrongly).] Line 221 "To see muche and suffren al · certes, syre, ys dowel." [syre] þat S; IT om.] "Haddest þow suffred," he seide · "slepyng þo þow were, [suffred] suffrede P; i-suffred M. þo] þaw M.] Þow sholdest haue knowe þat cleregye can · and more conceyued þorwe reson. [knowe] i-knowe M. and—þorwe] þat conseyued more þan I; & conceyued more þourȝ KT.] Line 224

Line 224 For reson wolde haue reherced to þe · ryght as cleregie seide; [A page 190] [M omits. to] IKT omit.] Ac for þyn entermetyng · her art þow for-sake:

Philosophus fuisses, si tacuisses; et alibi: Locutum me aliquando penituit, tacuisse nunquam.

[

Ac] T om. her] þer E. art MKST] ert PE. art þow] artow I. S has — Si tacuisses, philosophus fuisses; Me aliquando locutum fuisse penituit, siluisse nunquam. me] est (wrongly; for esse) M.

OBS. One leaf lost in G, down to xv. 40.

] Adam, whiles he spak nat · hadde paradys at wylle; [whiles] þe whiles IT; while M. nat] nout M. at] att P.] Ac whanne he mamelede a-boute mete · and musede for to knowe [whanne] wanne P. mame|lede] momelede S. and] he T. for] T om.] Line 228 The wisdome and þe wit of God · he was putte out of blisse. [wit] witt P.] Ryght so ferde reson by þe · for þi rude speche, [ferde] fariþ T. rude] proude M.] And for þow woldest wyte why · of resones pryuete. [woldest wyte] wost ywite (sic) E. of—pryuete] resones preuede (sic) I; resoun is preuyte T.] For pruyde and presompcion · of þy parfit lyuynge [For] IT om. and] or IT.] Line 232 Reson refusede þe · and wolde nat reste with the, [wolde] wul S.] Ne cleregie of hus connynge · kepeþ þe nat shewe. [hus] E om. þe] I om. nat] not to T.] For shal neuere, er shame come · a shrewe wel be chasted; [wel] K om. chasted] ychasted EK. be chasted] chaste IT.] For let a dronken daffe · in a diche falle, [diche] dike I.] Line 236 Let hym lygge, lok nat [on] hym · til hym luste aryse; [Let MKST] Late I; Leet P. [on IMKST] in PE. luste] liste ET; luste to M; lust to IS. aryse] rise I.] And þauh reson rebuke hym þenne · reccheþ he neuere, [And] For IMKST. rebuke IMKST] rebuky P. he] ȝe S.] Of clergie ne of kynde witt · counteþ he nat a russhe; [Of] Ne of IT. ne] & E. counteþ] acounteþ MS. he] I om. russhe] rische EKS; ruyssche M; ressche I; risshe T.]

To blame hym oþer to bete hym þenne · ich halde hit bote synne. [A page 191] [oþer] K om. hym (2)] M om. halde] ne holde T. bote] but a MS.] Line 240 Ac when neede nymeþ hym vp · a-non he ys a-shamed, And þenne wot he wher-fore · and whi he is to blame." [Ac] And M; But T. a|shamed] a-shamede P.] "Ȝe seggeþ soþ, by my soule," quaþ ich · "ich haue seyen hit ofte, [seggeþ] seien M. soule] selfe I. seyen] Isey E; iseiȝe MT; y-seie K; sey S.] [Þer] smyt no þynge so smerte · ne smelleþ so foule [[Þer IMKST] Her PE; cf. B-text. ne] & T.] Line 244 As shame; þer he sheweþ hym · ech man shoneþ hus companye. Whi ȝe worden to me þus · was for ich aresonede reson." "Ȝe, certes," quaþ he, "þat is soþ"—· and shop hym to walke, And ich a-roos vp ryght with þat · and reuerencede hym fayre, [ich] S om. a-roos] a-ros MKS; arros (sic) I. vp ryght] ryght vp PT; but the rest transpose the words; cf. B-text.] Line 248 And yf hus wil were · he wolde hus name telle? [name] tale K. he—name] his name he wolde M.]

Hic explicit passus quartus de dowel. [IMT om. Hic] EKS om. de dowel] KS om.]

PASSUS XV. (DO-WEL V.)

[TITLE. Incipit passus quintus PE; M prefixes Hic; MSK add de do|wel; Passus quartus de Dowel IT.] Incipit passus quintus [de dowel.]

"Ich am ymaginatif," quaþ he · "ydel was ich neuere, [A page 192] Þauh [ich sitte] by my-self · suche is my grace; [[ich sitte] i sitte MT; ich sitt E; I sete I; y sete KS; ysete P.] Ich haue yfolwed þe in faiþ · more þan fourty wynter, [yfolwed EM] yfolwede P; folwed IK; folwyd S; folewid T.] And wissede þe ful ofte · what dowel was to mene, Line 4 And counsailede þe for cristes sake · no creature to by-gyle, [counsailede] i-conseiled M; counsalede P. for] ofte for S.] Noþer to lye noþer to lacke · ne lere þat is defendid, [noþer] ne EIKT. ne] to I.] Ne to spille speche · as to speke an ydel, [Ne to] Noþur S. speche] speches E; no speche IT. as] as for ITK. an] on MS.] And no tyme to [tyne] · ne trewe þyng to teenen; [And] Ne IT. to (1)] T om. [tyne EMIKTS] tene P. trewe] trywe P. to (2)] IT om. teenen] tenen E; teone K; tene MITS.] Line 8 Lowe þe to lyue forth · in þe lawe of holychurche; [to] and to M; and ITK; for to S. lyue] þe lynde (!) E.] Þenne dost þow wel, with-oute drede · ho can do bet, no forse! [Þenne] And þanne IT. bet] bett PI.] Clerkes þat connen al · ich hope þei conne do bettere; Ac hit suffiseþ to be saued · and to be suche as ich tauhte. [saued] i-saued M. and] S om. to (2)] MITK om.] Line 12

Line 12 Ac for to louye and lene · and lyue wel and by-leyue, [and (1)] and to MSK; and for to I. and (2)] an P. lyue] liþe M. and by-leyue] I beleue I.] Ys ycallid caritas · kynde loue in english; [ycallid] y-callyd S; ycalid P; ycald EMITK. in] an I; on MKT.] And þat is dobet, yf eny suche be · a blessed man, þat helpeþ [suche] man schulde T.] [Þat] pees be and pacience · and poure with-oute de|faute;

Beatius est dare quam petere.

[[Þat IMKST] And PE. with|oute] out of T. petere] recipere M; accipere S.] Line 16 Ac catel and kynde witt · encombreþ ful menye; [A page 195] [encombreþ] accombreþ I; acombreþ KS; accumbriþ T.] Woo is hym þat hem weldeþ · bote he [hem] wel dis|peyne;

Scientes & non facientes uariis flagellis uapula|bunt.

[[hem IMKST] miswritten hym PE. dispeyne] dispene E; despene K; dispende MT; despende I. flagellis] penis M. Scientes, &c.] Scienti & non facienti variis flagellis vapulabitur IT.] Ac comunliche connynge · and vnkynde rychesse, As, loreles to be lordes · and lewede men techeres, Line 20 And holy churche horen help · auerous and coueytous, [auerous] & auerous S.] Droweþ vp dowel · and distruyeþ dobest. [Droweþ] so PKS; Draweþ E; Drieþ M; Dryueþ T. distruyeþ] de|stroyeþ IT; distrieþ vp M. dobest] do-bet T.] Ac grace is a gras þer-fore · to don hem eft growe; [T omits. eft] ofte K; oft to S.] Ac grace groweþ nat · til [goode wil] gynne reyne, [[goode wil K] goode wille E; goud wille S; better than god wol PI; god wole M; god wile T. The true reading is decided by l. 26. gynne] gunne E; ȝiue T; þat hit M; S om.] Line 24 And wokie þorwe good werkes · wikkede hertes. [wokie] wakye E; waky KS; but see B. xv. 332. good] godus S. wikkede] þise wykkide T.] Ac er suche a wil wexe · god hym-self worcheþ, [wil MKST] better than will wol P; wille wol E. god—worcheþ] worcheþ good silue I; werchiþ good ȝour seluen T.] And sent forþ seint espirit · to don loue sprynge; [A page 196]

Spiritus ubi uult spirat, et cetera.

[sent EKST] send PM. seint] þe seynt MKT. espirit] espiryȝt S. loue] þe lef T.]

So grace, with-oute grace · of god and of good werkes, [with-oute] with S. of (2)] also I; MKS om. werkes] werk M.] May nat bee, bee þow siker · þauh we bidde euere. [bee (1)] buryone S. bee þow] so T.] Line 29 Cleregie comeþ bote of siht · and kynde witt of sterres, [comeþ] come not S. witt of] with-out E.] As to be bore oþer bygete · in suche constellacion, [oþer] & T. bygete] biȝite E; gete S. suche] such a IKST.] That wit wexeþ þer-of · and oþere [wyrdes] boþe;

Uultus huius seculi sunt subiecti uultibus celestibus.

[[wyrdes] wirdes K; wyrdus S; wordes PEIT (wyrdes = destinies).] Line 32 So grace is a gyfte of god · and kynde witt a chaunce, [29—33. M omits.] And cleregye and connyng · of kynde wittes techynge. [and] a IST. techynge] tech|inges I.] And ȝut is cleregie to comende · for cristes loue, more [for] fore PM.] Þan eny connynge of kynde witt · bote cleregie hit ruwele. [ruwele] reule EIS; rule M.] Line 36 For moyses wittnesseþ þat god wrot · in stoon with hus fynger, [in stoon] and crist IT; in a ston S.] Lawe of loue oure lorde wrot · longe er crist were. [loue] I om.] And crist cam and confermede · and holy [kirke] made, [[kirke I] churche PEIS; chirche MT.] And in sond a sygne wrot · and seide to þe Iewes, [A page 197] [a] I om.] Line 40 'That seeþ hym-self synneles · cesse nat, ich hote, [G begins again. cesse] sese IST.] To stryke with stoon oþer with staf · this strompet to deþe'; [33—42. K omits.]

Qui uestrum sine peccato est [mittat in eam lapidem,] & cetera.

[strompet] strompett P. [mit|tat—lapidem] in E only.] For-thi ich consaile alle cristene · cleregie to honoure; [For-thi] For-whi M; For T. consaile] consaily P; but see l. 63. alle cristene] eche creature KG; ich a creature IT.] For as a man may nat seo · þat mysseþ hus eyen, [A page 198] Line 44 No more can no clerkes · bote [if] hit be of bookes. [clerkes] clere IT. [if IKG] ȝif EMT; PS om. be] come IT (which suits the alliteration better).]

And thauh men maden bokes · god was here maister, [And thauh] Þaw M; Al-þouȝ SKTG. And—bokes] I om.] And seynte spirit þe saumplarie · and seide what men sholde wryte. [And] And þe MSI. spirit] espirit MG; esprit I. þe saumplarie] heore ensamplarie M. what] þat M. men] me E.] And ryght as syht serueþ a man · to see þe hye strete, [G omits. And] But M. syht] a siȝht K. strete] weiȝe M.] Ryght so lereþ lettrure · lewede men to reson. [G omits. lereþ] lerneþ M.] Line 49 And as a blynde man in batayle · bereþ wepne to fyghte, [And] For G; I om.] And haþ non hap wiþ hus axe · hus enemy to hitte; [haþ] S om. enemy] enmy M.] No more can a kynde-witted man · bote clerkes hym teche, [clerkes] werkes I (wrongly).] Come for alle hus kynde wyttes · þorwe cristendom to be saued; [for] þoruȝ S. wyttes] witte I; wyt T. saued] sauede P; see l. 76.] The whiche is cofre of cristes tresour · and clerkes kepen þe keyes, [The] T om. The whiche] For hit G. is] IK om. cofre] þe cofre I; þe coffre T.] Line 54 To vnlouke hit at here lykynge · þe lewede and lerede to helpe, [vnlouke] vnloke ES; vnlokken I; louken T.] To ȝeue mercy for mysdedes · yf men wolde hit aske [G omits ll. 56—63. for] for his M. wolde] wolle I; wol K; wul S; wile T.] Buxumliche and benygneliche · and bydden hit of grace. Archa dei in þe olde lawe · leuites hit kepten; Hadde neuere lewede man leue · to legge honde [on] þat cheste, [to] T om. legge] leyen M; leyn T. [on IMKT] in PES; cf. B-text.] Bote hit were preeste oþer preestes sone · patriarck oþer prophete. [A page 199] [preeste] prest MK; preestes PEIST.] Line 60 Saul, for he sacrifisede · sorwe hym by-tydde, And hus sones for hus synnes · sorwe þey hadden; [þey hadden] hem bitidde IK (repeated from l. 61); hem betauȝte T.] [And alle lewede þat leyde hond þeron · loren lyf after.] [From I (which has hane for hond); also in KT. This seems but a fragment of the three lines in B. xii. 120—123, which are correctly pre|served in MS. R only; see B-text.]

For-þy ich consaille alle creatures · no clerk to dispise, [For-þy] For-whi M. clerk] clerkes I.] Ne sette short by here science · what so þei don hem|selue. Line 65 Take we here wordes a worth · for here wittnesses ben trewe, [a] at IT. wittnesses] witnesse TKG. trewe] trywe P.] And medle we nat moche with hem · to meeuen eny wratthe, Leste cheste chaufe ous so · and choppe ech man oþere; [chaufe—so] chaste vs so ES; cause vs to chide I; achaufe us so MG; chauufen vs in wo T. and—man] þat eche man choppe M.] And do we as dauid techeþ · for doute of godes veniaunce;

Nolite tangere cristos meos, &c.

[Here M repeats ll. 30—32, 64, 68, and then 69 again.] Line 69 For cleregie is cristes vikery · to conforte and to curen; [vikery] vicarie EG; vicary I; uicori M; vicorie KS; viccorie T. to (2)] KG om.] Boþe lered and lewed were lost · yf cleregie ne were. [were (1)] we S. lost] i-lost M.] Kynde-wittede men han · a cleregie by hem-selue; Of cloudes and of custumes · þei contreuede meny þynges, [of] G om. contreuede] con|treuen M; contreueþ S.] Line 73 And markede hit in here manere · and mused þer-on to knowe. [markede] makede M; markeþ S. þer-on] on E.] And of þe selcouþe[s] þat þei seyen · here sones þer-of þei tauhte, [þe] M om. selcouþes MEKSTG] silkouthes I; selcouþe P. seyen] sien M. tauhte] to teche E.] Þei helden hit for an hey science · here soteltes to knowe. [Þei] For þey IT; And G. S omits last half of l. 75, and first half of l. 76.] Line 76 Ac þorw here science soþliche · was neuere soule ysaued, Ne brouht þorwe here bokes · to blisse ne to ioye. [A page 200] [þorwe] be T.] For al here kynde knowyng · cam bote of diuerse sightes [al] MS om. cam] ne cam PE; but IMKSTG omit ne.]

Of briddes and [of] bestes · of blisse and of sorwe. [and (1)] or I. [of IMKSTG] PE om.] Line 80 Patriarkes and prophetes · reprouede here science, And seide here wordes and here wysdomes · ne was bote al folye; [seide] E om. and] ne I; for T; G om. wysdomes] wisdom MG. ne was] nas K; was IST. bote al] al but M. al] a IKSTG.] As to þe cleregie of cryst · þei countede hit bote a trufle;

Sapientia huius mundi stultitia est apud deum.

[As] And MG. countede hit] a-counten M. a] T om. trufle] trefele M; trifle STG. est] KT om.] For þe hye holygost · shall heuene to-cleue, [shall heuene] heuen schal IKTG; þe heuene schal S.] Line 84 And loue shal leepe out after · in-to þis lowe erthe, [out after] aftur out S. after] T om. þis] þe S.] And clannesse shal cacchen hit · and clerkes shullen hit fynde;

Pastores loquebantur ad inuicem, et cet.

[and] as E.] Hit spekeþ of riche men ryght nouht · ne of riche lordes, [Hit] He S. of] þer of IT. riche] grete S; þe T.] Bote of clennesse and of clerkes · and kepers of bestes;

Ibant magi ab oriente, et cetera.

[and (1)] I om. of (2)] ST om. After oriente I adds—De natiuitate domini.] Line 88 Yf eny frere were founde þere · ich ȝeue [þe] fyue shyllinges! [founde] i-fonde M. [þe IMS KTG] PE om.] Noþer in cote noþer in caytyf hous · was crist y-bore, [Noþer] Ne IT. cote] no cote T. noþer in] ne in K; ne IT. cay|tyf] caytifes IT. was crist] crist was KTG.] Bote in a burgeises hous · þe beste of alle þe toune. [burgeises] burgeys S; borgeis M; burgeis T. of] in M. alle] IKTG om.] To pastours and to poetes · aperede þe angel, [to] K om. þe] an G.] Line 92 And bad hem go to bedlehem · godes burþe to honoure, [bedlehem] bethleem MEK; bedleem I; bedlem STG.] And [songen] a song of solas · Gloria in excelsis deo! [A page 201] [[songen M] songe IT; song S; syngen PEK; singe G.] Riche men routten þo · and in here reste were, [routten] routte K; rutten M; rotte I; routen E; routed S; routide T; rutte G. in] K om.]

Þo hit shon to þe shepehurdes · a shewere of blisse. Clerkes knewen the comete · and comen with here presentes, Line 97 And dude here homage honorably · to hym þat was al|myghty. [here] hem K; G om. honor|ably] S om. to] & to K. was] is M.] Whi ich haue ytold þe al þis · ich took ful good hede, [þe] ȝow T; M om. ful] wel M.] How þow contrariedest cleregie · with crabbede wordes, Þat is, how lewede men and luþere · lyghtloker were saued [Þat is] E om. luþere] leþere M; liþere T. lyghtloker] miswritten lyghlokere P. lyghtloker were] were lithliker M. saued] sauede P; i|saued MEG; y-sauede I.] Line 101 Þan connynge clerkes · of kynde vnderstondyng; And þow seidest soþ of somme · ac ich seye in what manere. [þow] S om. ac] & E; but T. seye] so PS; seie K; say E; se IT; si M; wot G.] Take two stronge men · and in temese cast hem, [two STG] tuo I; to PEMK. temese] temse EM; themese IG; tempse T.] Line 104 And boþe naked as a nelde · here noþer heuyour þan oþer; [nelde] nedele IE; nedle M. here noþer] here none IKT; and non M; non of hem S. heuyour] heue|gour K; heuegur S; heuegere T.] That on haþ connynge · and can swimmen and dyuen, That oþer is lewede of þat labour · and lernede neuere swymme; [of] as of I. neuere swymme] hit neuere M.] Which is, trowest þow, of þo two · in temese most in drede?" [þow] IEKS om. þo] þe S. two STK] tuo I; to PEM. most—drede] is in moste drede I; is most in dred T (which omit is after Which).] Line 108 "He þat can nat swymme," ich seyde · "hit semeþ to alle wittes." [A page 202] [semeþ] semede I.] "Ryght so," quaþ þat renke · "reson hit sheweþ, [so] S om. þat] þe S; G om.] That he þat knoweþ cleregie · can sonnere a-ryse [sonnere] sennere M; sannur S.]

Out of synne, and be saf · þow he synegy ofte, [synegy] synege KG; synwe S; synny E; synne IMT.] Line 112 If hym lykeþ and lust · þan eny lewede sothliche. [lewede] lewed man M.] For yf þe clerk be connynge · and knoweþ what is synne, And hou contricion with-oute confession · conforteþ þe soule, As we seen in þe sauter · in psalmes on oþer tweye, [As] And S.] How contricion is comended · for hit caccheþ a-wey synne,

Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates, [et quorum tecta sunt peccata,] &c.:

[caccheþ MIKSG] cacchiþ T; chacheþ P; casteþ E; see B-text. [et—peccata] from E.] Line 117 And þat comforteþ ech [a] clerk · and keuereþ fro wanhope, [[a IKST] PEMG om. keuereþ EISTG] koeuereþ P; keouereþ K; couereþ him M.] In whiche flood þe feend · fondeþ man hardest, [hardest] fastest M.] Þer þe lewede lyeth stille · and lokeþ after lente, [lyeth] liif M; liþ T.] Line 120 And haþ no contricion · ar he come to shryfte; [G omits ll. 121—123. ar] er ST; or E: til M. he] þei T (wrong|ly).] And þan can he lytel telle · of on oþer of oþer, [And] M om. IT omit last half of the line.] Bote as his loresman lereþ hym · he by-leyueþ and troweþ; [lereþ hym] hym lereþ I. he] I om. T omits last half of the line.] And þat is after person oþer pareshe-preest · and par|aunter boþe beþ lewede [person oþer] his persoun oþer his I. beþ] ben M; IT om.] Line 124 For to lere lewede men · as luc bereþ wittnesse;

Si cecus ducit cecum, ambo in foueam cadent: [A page 203]

[For] IKTG om. lere] lerne M. luc] booke I. Si] Dum IMKTG; Cum S. ducit cecum] ceco ducatum prestet E. ambo—cadent] IKSTG om. cadent] cadunt EM.] For muche woo was hym marked · þat wade shal with þe lewede. [For muche] Ful mochel I. woo] S om.]

Wel may þe barn blesse · þat hym to book sette; That lyuynge after lettrure · sauede hym lyf and soule! [That] Þe S. lyuynge] lyuyng haþ M. sauede] saueþ M.] Dominus pars hereditatis mee · ys a murye verset, [mee] IM om. verset] versett P; uers M; vers T.] Line 129 Hit haþ ytake fro tyborne · twenty stronge þeeues; [Hit] For it T.] Þer lewede þeeues ben lollid vp · loke how þei been sauede! [lollid] i-lolled M. sauede] i-saued M.] Þe þeef þat hadde grace of god · a goode fryday, as þow toldest, [a] on MT; & (!) E. as—toldest] to be i-saued M.] Line 132 Was, for he ȝelde hym creaunt to crist · and hus grace askede. [ȝelde EIKG] ȝeld S; ȝuld P; ȝald T; held M; see l. 153. hym EIMKSTG] miswritten hem P. and] as M.] And god is ay gracious · to alle þat gredeþ to hym, [ay] euer S; G om. alle—hym] hem þat to him gredeþ M.] He wol no wickede man be lost · bote yf he wol hym-self;

Nolo mortem peccatoris, sed ut magis conuertatur & uiuat.

[He] And IT. wol] wile þat M. yf] KSG om. sed—uiuat] IKSTG om.] And þauh þe þeef hadde heuene · he hadde non hye blisse [And] Ac MKSG; But T. non hye] not so hy S.] Line 136 As seynt Iohan and oþer seyntes · þat han a-serued bettere. [Iohan] Ion EM. a-serued EMK] a-seruede P; serued ITG; de|seruyd S.] Ryght as som man ȝyueþ me mete · and set me a-mydde þe floor, [man] KG om. set MST] sett P; sette IKG; setteþ E. a-mydde] inmyddes M.] Ich haue mete more þan ynowe · ac nat with so muche worshup [nat with] with noȝt E. so] IT om.] As þo þat sytten at þe syd-table · oþer with þe souereynes in halle, [at þe] ate S; at K. table] bord M. þe] M om. souereynes] souereyntees I; souerayn T. in halle] S om.] Line 140

Line 140 Bote, as a beggere, bordles · by my-self vpon þe grounde. [A page 204] [G omits. a] T om. vpon] on MITS.] So hit ferde by þe felon · þat a goode fryday was saued; [a] on MT. saued] sauede P; i-saued M.] He [sit] noþer with seynt Iohan · with symon ne with Iude, [He] Hit E; A I. [sit IMK STG] sitte E; sat P. seynt] K om. Iohan] Ion M. with symon] ne with Symond I; ne wiþ symon T. ne with] ne wiþ seynt M; ne IT.] Ne with maydenes ne with Martris · ne with mylde wydewes, [Ne] M om.] Line 144 Bote as a soleyn by hym-self · and serued vp-on þe grounde. [a] S om. hym-self] silf S. and] I om. serued] seruede P; i-serued MI; yseruid T. vp-on] on T.] For he þat ys ones a þeef · is euere more in daunger, And as þe lawe lykeþ · to lyue oþer to deye,

De peccato propiciato noli esse sine metu;

And for to seruen a seynt · and suche a þeef to-gederes, [for] so M. a (1)] swich a S.] Hit were no reson ne ryght · to rewarde boþe [y]liche. [yliche IKSEG] ylich T; i-like M; liche P.] Ryȝt as traianus, þe trewe knyght · tulde nat deep in helle, [Ryȝt] And right IT. tra|ianus] troianus SKTG; troianes IM; þe troianes (!) E. trewe] trywe P. tulde] so PEKSG; tillede M; telde IT.] Line 150 That oure lord ne hadde hym lyghtliche out · so leyueþ of þe þeef in heuene. [leyueþ] leueþ E; leue i MIKS. of þe] þat þe K; þat IT; of þat ES; of M. leyueþ—þeef] lyueþ þat þef T.] For he ys in the lowest heuene · yf oure byleyue beo trewe, [heuene] of heuene IT. trewe] trywe P.] And wel loseliche lolleþ þere · as by þe lawe of holy|churche;

Et [reddet] unicuique secundum opera sua.

[loseliche K] losliche P; lous|lich E; loslich S; lifliche I; loueliche MT. þe] M om. [reddet EIKMST] reddit PG. secundum] iuxta IMT.] Line 153 Ac whi þat [one] þeef vp-on þe croys · creaunt hym ȝelde [þat] þe S. [one I] o T; PEMSKG om. vp-on] on MT.] Raþer þan þat oþer · þauh þou woldest apose,

Alle þe clerkes vnder Crist · ne couþe þys asoile;

Quare placuit, quia uoluit, etc.

[couþe] shulde M. þys] it I.] Line 156 And so ich seye by þe · þat sekest after weyes, [A page 205] [þe] þi-self T. weyes] þe weyes I; þe wiȝes T.] How creatures [han] kynde witt · and clerkes comen to bokes, [[han IKG] hadde T; and PEMS. and] and how ITKG.] And how þe floures in þe fritth · comeþ to feyre hewes; [T omits. þe] þat M (twice). floures] foules KG.] Was neuere creature vnder cryst · þat knew wel þe bygynnynge [bygynnynge] gynnyng T.] Line 160 Bote kynde, þat contreeuede hit furst · of corteise wil. [hit] M om. furst] I om. of] of his IMT; or S. corteise ES] cortese K; curteis MI; korteis G; miswritten cortesie P; kynde T.] He tauhte þe tortle to trede · þe pokok to cauke, [pokok] pecok KTG.] And Adam and eue · and oþer bestes alle [oþer—alle] alle oþere bestes IT.] A cantel of kynde witt · here kynde to saue. Line 164 Of good and of wikke · kynde was þe ferste, He seih hit and suffrede hit · and seide hit bee sholde;

Quia ipse dixit, & facta sunt; ipse mandauit, & creata sunt.

[He] IKTG om. seih] si M. RUBRIC. Dixit et facta sunt IKSTG; M om.] Ac whi he wolde þat wikkede were · ich wene and ich leyue, [were] S om. and] as M. leuye] leue EIMTG; leoue K; be|leue S.] Was neuere man vpon molde · þat myghte hit aspye. Ac longe-lybbynge men · lyknede mennes lyuynge [A page 206] [lybbynge] lyuynge MST. mennes] menne K; men IS; manes M; menis T.] Line 169 To bryddes and to bestes · as here bokes telleþ, Þat the fayrest fowel · foulest engendreþ, [fowel] foule EIMKS; foul TG.] And feblest fowel of flicht is · þat [fleeþ] oþere swymmeþ. [feblest] þe febleste T. flicht] flight I; fliȝt T; fliȝht K; flith M; flyȝt G. [fleeþ IM] fleþ ET; fleuþ S; flucht P; fluȝht K; flyyt G.] Line 172 That is, þe pokok and þe popeiay · with here proude federes [pokok] pecok KTG; pookoc P. with] withe P.]

By-tokneþ ryght riche men · þat regnen here on erþe. [regnen—on] dwelleþ vpon S.] For porsewe a pocok · oþer a pohen to cacche, [For] To E.] And haue hem in haste · at þyn owene wil; [hem] hym S. in] in an I. owene] I om.] Line 176 For þei may nat fleo fer · ne ful hye noþer, [þei] he ne M. fer IMSTG] ferre E; feer K; fur P. ful] wel MG.] For here feþeres þat faire ben · to fle fer hem letteþ. [fer IMSTG] ferre E; feor K; feer P.] Hus leedene is vnloueliche · and lothliche hus caroigne; [leedene] leodene KE; ledene M; lethene I; Iudene S; leden T. vnloueliche] vncomelich S. loth|liche] lodli M. hus] is to S; ys his G.] Ac for hus peyntede [pennes] · þe pocok is honoured [A page 207] [[pennes IT] feþeres PEMSKG; but observe the alliteration; and cf. B. xii. 247. is honoured] miswritten his honourede P.] More þan for hus faire flesch · oþer for hus murye note. [murye] faire T. note] notus S.] Ryght so men reuerenceþ more þe ryche · for hus muche meeble [hus] here I; hure S. muche meeble] moebles I; meble T.] Line 182 Þan for þe kyn þat he cam of · oþer for hus kynde wittes. [þe] eny I; any T. kyn] kynde M. þat] IT om. for (2)] fore P.] Thus þe poete preiseþ · þe pocok for hus federes, [pocok] pecok ETG.] And þe riche for hus rentes · oþere rychesse in hus [schoppe]. [þe] S om. riche] riche man IT. for] fore P. rentes] rente MT. oþere] or for IST. [schoppe EMKSG] shoppe T; schoppes I; sheepe P.] Line 185 Þe larke, þat is a lasse fowel · is loueloker of lydene, [loueloker] loueliker M; loue|lokest I. lydene] ledene IEMSG; leodene K; ledon T.] And swettur of sauour · and swyfter of wynge. [wynge] wynges I.] To lowe-lyuynge men · þe larke is resembled, [resembled] y-semblid S.] Line 188 And to leelle and to lyf-holy · þat louen alle treuþe. [And] Al S. leelle] lowe M; leue T. to (2)] IMTG om.] Þus porfirie and plato · and poetes menye [porfirie] porphirie IS; pur|phirie M; porphorie T.] Lykneþ in here logyk · þe leeste fowel oute. [Lykneþ] Liknede M.] And wheþer hij be saf oþer nat saf · þe soþe wot nat clergie, [wheþer] weþer P; wher IKG. hij] hy E; þei M; he IKSTG. saf] sad M; saufe I; sauf T (twice). nat (2)] no S.] Line 192

Line 192 Ne of sortes, ne of salamon · no scripture can telle Wheþer þei be in helle oþer in heuene; · oþere aristotle þe wise. [

Wheþer] Weþer P. þei] hy S; þat þey I. helle—heuene] heuene or in helle SG.

After l. 194 S alone inserts these five lines—

Iob was a paynym · & plesede god a prys,

And aristele (sic) al-so · sewede þe same secte,

And lad ful holy lyf · aftur lawe of kynde,

Where-fore hit semeþ soþly · by sondry skylus to schewe

Þat he is saf as was Iob · I can not seye þe soþe.

] Ac god is so good, ich hope · sitthe he gaf hem wittes [sitthe] þat seþþe I; þat siþþe T. hem] him I.] To wissen ous weyes þer-with · þat wenen to be saued, [ous] vs IST; us M. weyes] wyes KT. þer-with] G om. saued] sauede P; i-saued MG.] And þe bettere for here bookes— · to bidden we been holde [holde] y-holde IG; i-holde M.] Line 197 Þat God for hus grace · gyue here saules reste; [Þat] To G. for] of M. gyue MS] ȝyue K; ȝeue I; ȝiue T; gyf P (which is bad grammar). M adds—nota argumentum pro infidelibus.] For lettred men were but lewede men ȝut · ne were þe lore of þo clerkes." [were (1)] ne were M; nere E. but] as IKTG. men (2)] T om. ȝut] ȝet T; ȝit I; E om. þe] STG om. þo] þe IE. þo clerkes] bokes KG; here bokis T. ne—clerkes] ȝif þat þei ne were M.] "Alle þese clerkes," quaþ ich þo · "þat on crist by|leyuen, [A page 208] [þese] þeese P; þe T. by|leyuen] leuen ITG; lyuen S; leouen K.] Line 200 Seggen in here sarmons · þat noþer sarrasyns ne Iewes [in] witoute (!) I.] With-oute baptisme, as by here bokes · beeþ nat ysaued." [beeþ] ne beþ T.] "Contra," quaþ ymaginatif þo · and comsed to loure,

And seide, "uix saluabitur iustus in die iudicii;

Ergo saluabitur," quaþ he · and seide no more latyn. [seide] spac M.] "Traianus was a trewe knyght · and took neuere crystendome, [Traianus] Troianus MEKSTG; Troianes I. trewe] triwe P; but see l. 211.] Line 205 And he is saf, seith þe bok · and his soule in heuene. [his] is P.]

Ther is follyng of font · and follyng [in] blod-shedynge, [Ther] And þer I; Ac þer KG; But þere T. follyng] fullyng M (twice). of] in S. [in IMKSETG] of P; see B-text.] And þorw fuyr is follyng · and al is ferm by-leyue;

Aduenit ignis diuinus, non comburens sed illuminans.

[fuyr] fire I; fure E; feor M. follyng] fullyng EMI; folewyng T. is] T om. ferm] heren (!) E.] Ac treuthe, þat trespassede neuere · ne transuersede aȝens þe lawe, [transuersede] trauerssede M; trauersed I. þe] his I.] Line 209 Bote lyuede as [his] lawe tauhte · and leyue[þ] þer be no bettere, [lyuede IT] leuede MG; leued E; leouede K; lyueþ S; miswritten leyuede P; (but lyuede = lived here; cf. B-text.) [his IMKSG] þe ET; P om. leyueþ] leueþ MIS; leuiþ T; leoueþ K; leuede G. miswritten leyue P; leue E.] And yf þer were, he wolde · and in suche a wil deyeþ— [G omits.] [he] a I. wolde] so in all but T; not as in B-text; T has—wolde leue.] Wolde neuere trewe god · bote trewe treuthe were a-lowed. [G omits.] [Wolde] Ne wolde ITK. a|lowed] a-lowede P.] Line 212 And where hit worth oþer nat worth · þe by-leyue is gret of treuthe, [oþer] were it T. nat worth] worþe nat I; worth noȝht K. by|leyue] bileue EMISG; beleue T.] And hope hongeþ ay þer-on · to haue þat treuthe deserueþ; [A page 209]

Quia super pauca fidelis fuisti, supra multa te constituam:

[hongeþ ay] ay honguþ S; chaungeþ ay K. deserueþ] desireþ M. fidelis fuisti] fuisti fidelis IMSTG. supra, &c.] I om.] And þat is loue and large huyre · yf the lord be trewe, [huyre] hure I. yf—trewe] of þe lord of truþe M.] And cortesie more þan couenant was · what so clerkes carpen; [cortesie] a cortesie KS; a curtasie M; a curteisie T.] Line 216 For al worth as god wole"— · and þer-with he vanshede. [vanshede] vansched E; vanys|sched I; vanesschede MS; vanisshide T; vanyschede K.]

Hic explicit passus quintus de dowel. [So PG; IM omit. Hic] EKS om. de dowel] KS om.]

PASSUS XVI. (DO-WEL VI.)

[TITLE. So in KG; S omits passus; M prefixes Hic; PE omit de dowel; IT have—Passus quintus de visione, vt supra.] Incipit passus sextus [de dowel].

ANd ich awakede þer-with · wittlees ner hande; [A page 210] As a frek þat feye were · forth gan ich walke [As] And as ITG. feye] feiȝe M; vey E. walke] fare S.] In manere of a mendinaunt · meny ȝeres after. [In] In þe M. ȝeres] ȝer ITG; ȝere K. after] þeraftir T.] And meny tyme of þis meteles · muche þouhte ich hadde; [And] In I. tyme] tymes IMT.] Line 4 Furst, how fortune me failede · at my moste neede, [moste] ferste T.] And how elde manacede me · so myghte happe, [so—happe] so longe myghte ich happe PE; but IMKSG omit longe and ich, which seem to have been acci|dentally caught from l. 7; T has—so miȝty hap he hadde.] Þat, yf ich lyuede longe · leue me by-hynde, [lyuede IMKSTG] lyued E; leuede (badly) P. leue, &c.] so in all but G; to leue G.] And vanshie alle myne vertues · and myne faire lockes. [G omits. vanshie] so PE; van|yssche IKS; vanisshe T; vanessche M. faire] fale E. lockes] lotus (per|haps for locus) I; lotes T.] And how þat freres folweden · folk þat was ryche, [þat] M om. folweden] folewide faste T.] Line 9 And peuple þat was poure · at lytel prys setten; [was] wern T. setten] þei setten T.] Ne corses of poure comune · in here [kirke]-ȝerd moste ligge, [Ne] Ne no IT; No M. corses] corps IK; coors S; cors TG; bodies M. of] of þe M. [kirke IT] churche PES; chirche MK. moste] mai M.]

Bote yf he quike by-quethe hem auht · oþer wolde helpe aquite here dettes. [yf] IMKSTG om. he quike] quikke he I; quyk he KTG. by|quethe] biquaþ IKG; bequaþ T. oþer wolde] to T. aquite] quyte ISKTG; to quite ME.] Line 12 And how þis couetise ouer-cam · alle kynne sectes, [how] miswritten ow P; see l. 9. þis] þus K; MTG om. sectes] frekes M.] As wel lerede as lewede · and lord as þe bonde. [lerede—lewede] lewed as lered E. and] M om.] And how þat lewede men ben ladde · bote oure lord hem helpe, [ben] S om. ladde] i-lad M; lad KSTG.] Thorow vnconnynge curatours · to incurable peynes. [G omits. curatours] creatours K; creatures IS. incurable] vn|curable EK.] Line 16 And how [þat] ymaginatif · in dremeles me tolde [A page 211] [[þat IKTG] PES om. dreme|les] derkenesse M.] Of kynde and of hus connynge · and what connynge he ȝaf to bestes, [Of] O S. of] o S. hus] ST om. connynge (2)] kynde M. to] IKSTG om. bestes] miswritten best|estes P.] How louynge he [is] to eche lyf · a londe and a watere; [How] And how IT. [is IMK STG] was PE; see next line; and cf. B-text. eche] eche a KS; vch a I; iche a T. lyf] man M. a] on M (twice). and] as E.] For alle he wisseþ and ȝeueþ wit · þat walkeþ oþer crepeþ. Line 20 And ich meruailede in herte · how ymagynatif saide, [meruailede] merueyle I. in] in myn M; muche in T.] Þat iustus by-fore iesu · in die iudicii [Written as one line in M.] [in] be sauf in T.] Non saluabitur · bote uix helpe; [Written as one line in M.] [bote] but ȝif I; quod he þo · but ȝif þat T.] And, whanne he hadde seide so · how sodeynlich he vanshede; [whanne] wanne P. seide] i-seid M; yseid T. vanshede] van|sched E; vanysschede IK; uanes|schede MS; vanisshide T.] Line 24 And so ich mused vpon þis matere · þat me luste to slepe. [vpon] on M. me] i M. to] KG om.] Thenne cam conscience · and cleregie after, [Thenne] And þanne IKTG. after] þeraftir T.]

And beden me ryse and rome · for with reson sholde ich dyne. [beden] so PEKT; bede M; bed G; bode I. ryse] arise KG; risen vp I. for] and I. sholde ich] we schulde T.] And ich a-ros and romed forth · with reson [we] mette. [And] E om. with] and wiþ IT. [we EIMKSTG] ich P.] We reuerencede reson · and romed forth softeliche, Line 29 And mette with a mayster · a man ylike a frere. [ylike] ylyche E; like IK; lik MTG; liche S.] Conscience knew hym wel · and welcomede hym fayre; [wel] IKG om. welcomede] wol|comede P; but see l. 37.] Þei wisshen and wypeden · and wenten to þe dyner. [wisshen T] wischen K; weschen IE; wesshen MSG; wosshen P (but see l. 38). wypeden] wypten M. þe] MT om.] Line 32 Pacience as a poure þyng cam · and preide mete for charite, [Pacience—cam] And þer com pacience as a pore þinge I; And þere come pacience & pore þinges T. for] pur ITG; par K.] Ylike to peers plouhman · as [he] a palmere were, [Ylike] Iliche E. plouhman] þe ploweman I. [he IMSTG] PEK om. as—were] a palmere as he were S.] Crauede and criede · for cristes loue of heuene, A meles mete for a poure man · oþer moneye, yf þei hadden. Line 36 Conscience knew hym wel · and welcomede hem alle; [Compare ll. 31, 32. The lines seem intentionally repeated; cf. B-text. hym] hem I.] Þei wisshen and wipeden · and wenten and setten. [A page 212] [Compare ll. 31, 32. The lines seem intentionally repeated; cf. B-text. hym] hem I.] [Þei] IG om. wisshen] so PTG; wisschen K; weschen IMES. wipeden] wipten M. and setten] to sitte G.] Þe maister was made to sitte furst · as for þe most worþy; [to] ISTG om. as] & E.] Reson stod and stihlede · as for stywarde of halle. [stihlede] stithlede M; stihȝlede K; stiȝtlide T; stiehelede S; stiȝlede G. stywarde] steward MKT. halle] alle K.] Line 40 Pacience and ich weren · yput to be mettes, [weren] was I; prestly was T. yput KG] i-put M; yputt P; putte I; put ST. mettes] menes E.] And seten by ous selue · at a syd-table. [ous] vs KS; us M; oure IT.] Cleregie calde after mete · and þenne cam scripture, [mete] me (!) I.] And seruede hem þus sone · of sondrie metes menie, [hem] hym S; G om.] Line 44

Line 44 Of austyn, [of] ambrosie · of alle þe foure euangelies,

Edentes et bibentes que apud illos sunt.

[Of] And T. [of EIKSG] and of M; and PT. ambrosie] Ambrosi K; Ambrose IMTG. of] and of M. þe] K om. euangelies] euangelistes ME. illos] eos TG.] Ac of þese metes þis maister · myghte nat wel chewe; [þese] þees P. þese metes] þis mete IKT. þis] þe MS; þat IT.] For-þy he eet mete of more cost · mortrewes and potages. [For-þy] For-whi M. eet] ete IK; eyt S. he eet] ete he I; et he T. mete] metes M.] Of þat þat men myswonne · þei maden hem wel at ese, [þat þat] þat IKTG. wel—ese] at ese wel S.] Ac here sauce was ouere-soure · and vnsauerliche grounde, [vnsauerliche] so PM; vn|sauerly KG; vnsauerilich E; vn|sauorely I; vnsauourly T; ouer|sauerly S. grounde] y-grounde IS; i-grounde M; ygrounden T.] Line 49 In a morter, post-mortem · of meny bitere peynes, [morter] mortel E. post|mortem] þat mortem hiȝt T.] Bote yf þei synge for þo soules · and wepe salte teeres;

Uos qui peccata hominum comeditis, nisi pro eis lacrimas effuderitis, ea que in delicijs come|ditis, in tormentis [euometis].

[þo] þe IMKSTG. [euometis ST] euometis M; euometis IK; miswrit|ten en emergitis P; emergitis E.] Thenne reson radde · ryght a-non after, [reson] was resoun I; as resoun T. ryght anon] a-non ryȝte SIT.] Line 52 Þat conscience comaunde sholde · to do come scripture, [come] K om.] And brynge bred for pacience · bytynde apartie, [bytynde] so PK; bitynde M; bitande T; bytynge IES. apartie] so PIMKT; aparty E; a party SG.] And to me þat was hus mette þo · and oþer mete boþe. [And] Þat E (wrongly). mette] so in all but T; mete T.] He sette a soure loof · and seide, "agite penitentiam," [sette] sette forþ M.] And sitthe [he] drow ous drynke · diu-perseuerans, [A page 213] [[he IMKSTG] PE om.; cf. B-text. ous] M om. diu] dia I; dya T.] Line 57 "As longe," quaþ he, "as þe lyf · and þe licame may dure." [þe (1)] þi M; þy E; IKG om. þe lyf] I may lyue T. þe (2)] þi M; þy E; IKSTG om.] "This is a semeliche seruice!" · seide pacience. [pacience] pacience þanne M.]

Thenne cam contrition · þat hadde coked for hem alle, [þat] M om. coked] i-coked M.] And brouhte forþ a pitaunce · was pro-hac-orabit|omnis-sanctus-in-tempore-oportuno. [orabit] orabit ad te M. in—oportuno] M om.] Line 61 Conscience confortede ous · boþe cleregie and scripture,

And seide, "cor contritum & humiliatum, deus, non despicies."

[Conscience] Thanne conscience IKTG. confortede] confortuþ S. boþe] & boþe S. seide MIKSTG] mis|written seiden PE. despicies] de|spiciet M.] Pacience was wel apaied · of þis propre seruyse, And mad murye with þis mete; · ac ich mournede euere, [mad] made him M; made hym E. murye] murþe K. þis] his M.] For a doctor at þe heye deys · drank wyn faste—.

Ue uobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum uinum—

[

at—deys] þat at þe heiȝe deis sat T. drank] þat dronk M.

OBS. Here K ends.

] Line 65 And ete meny sondry metes · mortrews and poddynges, [ete] eet MG; sette T.] Braun and blod of þe goos · bacon and colhoppes. [þe goos] gees IT. bacon and] baken in M. colhoppes] so PEM; coloppes I; colloppus S; colopis T.] Then seide ich to my-self · þat pacience hit hurde, [A page 214] [my] me M. þat pacience] so pacient I; so pacience T.] Line 68 "Ȝut is nat þre daies don · þat þis doctor prechede [Ȝut] Hit MG; It IT. is] nys M. don] gon M. þis IMESTG] mis|written þees P. þat—doctor] þis doctour þat he ISG; þis doctour þat he ne T.] At seint paules by-for þe peuple · what penaunce þei suffreden, [seint] IT om. by-for] to M. what] þat M.] Alle þat coueitede to come · to heuene hye ioye; [coueitede] coueiten MS; coueyte IT. heuene hye] heuene heie E; heuene-riche M; heuene kynne SG; eny kyn IT.] And how þat paul þe apostle · what penaunce he þolede [þat] M om.] For oure lordes loue · as holy lettrure telleþ;

In fame et frigore, &c.

[holy] ES om. lettrure] lettre M; wryt I; scripture E.] Line 73 Ac me wondreþ in my witt · whi þat thei ne preche, As paul the apostel prechede · to þe peuple ofte,

Periculum in falsis fratribus!

[in] est in ITG. falsis fratri|bus] fratribus filiis S.]

Holy writ bit men be war · and wisliche hem kepe, [bit] bid S. hem] T om.] Line 76 That no fals frere · þorw flatrynge hem by-gyle; Ac me is loþ, þow ich latyn knowe · to lacky eny secte, [is] þenkeþ IT. latyn] M om. knowe] knewe M. latyn knowe] know latyn E. to lacky] to lacken IG; to lacke M; to lakkyn T; S om. secte] man M.] For alle we ben brethren · þauh we be diuersliche cloþede. [brethren] breythrene P; bre|þeren IET; breþerne M. ben bre|thren] breþeren ben E. diuersliche] diuerse ITG; dyuerse M. be diuers|liche] dyuerslich be E. cloþede] ycloþed M.] [OBS. A leaf lost in S; from l. 80 to l. 156.] Ac ich wiste neuere freek · þat frere is ycalled [frere] a frere M. ycalled] ycallede P; called IM; cald T. In margin of M—contra fratres.] Line 80 Of þe fyue mendynauns · and made eny sarmon, [fyue] foure M. mendynauns] meyndenauns M; mendenauntis I. and] and he M; þat G. and—sar|mon] IT om.] That took þis for [his] teme · and told hit with-oute glose. [for] fore P. [his IM] here PETG. glose] a glose IT.] Thei prechen þat penaunce · is profitable for þe soule, [for] to ITKG.] And what meschief & what mal ese · crist for man þolede. [what (1)] þat M. what (2)] IMTG om.] Line 84 Ac this doctor and diuinour · and decretistre of canon, [Ac] & E. this] miswritten thes P. diuinour] diuinour quod i IT. decretistre IMG] decretestre P; discrefistere (sic) E; decristre (sic) T.] And al-so a gnedy gloton · with to grete chekes, [gnedy] gredy ITG. to] tuo I; two T.] Hath no pite on vs poure · he perfourneþ vuele; [vuele] euele IMT.] Þat he precheþ he proueþ nat" · to pacience ich tolde, [G omits. he] and I. nat] it nouȝt T. to pacience] compacience (!) I. ich] he M.] And wisshede witerliche · with a wil ful egre, [A page 215] [wisshede] whisshede P; wys|ched E; wijsschede M. a] IT om.] Line 89 Þat in the mawe of that maister · alle þo metes were, [the] þat I. that] þe TG. þo] þe MG.] Disches and dobeleres · with alle þe deyntes after! [Disches] Boþe disches ITG. dobeleres] dobelers EIM. with] wit P; & G. deyntes] denteþes M.] "Ich shal Iangly to þys Iordan · with hus Iuste wombe, [Iangly] iangle IMTG. þys] þat M. Iordan] yurdan I; iurdan T. with] wit P. Iuste] iusty T.]

And a-pose hym [what] penaunce is · and purgatorie on erthe, [hym] G om. [what IMETG] wich P.] Line 93 And whi he lyueþ nat as he lereþ!" · "let be," quaþ pacience, And seide, "þow shalt seo þus sone · whan he may na more, [seo] i-seo M; se IETG. þus] now T.] He shal haue a penaunce in hus paunche · and puffe at eche worde; [G omits. Thenne] And þan I. paunche] foule panche I. eche] ech a I; iche a T.] Line 96 Thenne shulleþ his gottes godelen · and [he] by|gynne to galpe. [shulleþ] schulle M; schul E; schal IG; shal T. his] is P. gottes] guttes MT. godelen] goþelen EI. his—godelen] gothelen his gottes I; guldelen (sic) his guttes T. [he EM] PIT om. by-gynne] gynne IT; gonne E.] Now he hath dronke so depe · he wol deuiny sone, [Now] For now T; & whenne G. dronke] ydronke E; i-dronke M. so] þus M; G om. he] a I; & T. deuiny] dyuyne IMEG; deuyne T.] And preouen it by here apocalips · and by þe passion of seint aueray, [preouen] proueþ E. it] M om. here] þe M. apocalips] pocalips I; pokalipsis T. by (2)] IT om. aueray] so PEG; auerey MI; aueroy T.] Line 99 Þat noþer bacon ne braun · blammanger ne mortreuus [blammanger] ne blammanger I; blanmanger M; blamyngere E. mortreuus] mortreus MT; mortrewes EG; mortrelx I.] Ys noþer fissh ne flessh · bote fode for penauntes; [Ys] Nys M. penauntes] pen|aunce EG.] And take witnesse of þe trinite · and take his felawe to wittnesse, [take(1)] takeþ E. of] at IET. þe] a I. his] is P. take—wittnesse] of his felawe boþe M.] What he fond in a forel · of a freres lyuynge; [he] a I. lyuynge] leuyng MT.] Line 103 And bote þe ferste leef be lesynge · leyf me neuere after! [A page 216] [bote] but ȝif T. lesynge] lesynges IT. leef] word G. leyf] lef M; leue IETG.] And þenne is tyme to talke · and to apose this doctour [talke] so PMTG; take IE (as in B-text).] Of dowel and of dobet · and yf dobet do eny penaunce." [of] MG om. do] be M. eny] my I.] Ich sat stille as pacience wolde · and thus sone þis doctour,

As rody as a rose · roddede hus chekes, [roddede] ruddede M; roded were E; ruddite T.] Line 108 Kowede and carpede · and conscience hym herde, [Kowede] Kowhede E; Cow|hede I; Coughide T; He cowhede M.] And tolde of a trinite · and to-warde me he lokede— [tolde] tolde him ITG. a] þe T. he] ET om.] "What is dowel, sire doctour?" quaþ ich · "is dobet eny penaunce?" [dobet EM] dobest PITG; but see l. 106.] "Dowel?" quaþ þis doctour · and he drank after, [drank] dronk anon M.] Line 112 "Do þy neyhebore non harme · ne [þy]-selue noþer, [þy] þyn IE. [þy IEG] þi MT; þe P.] Þanne dost þow wel and wisliche · ich dar hit wel a-vouwe." [G omits. Þanne] And þanne IT. dost þow] dostow I.] "Certes, sire," þanne seide ich · "hit semeþ nat here, [nat] nouþe I (wrongly).] In þat ȝe parteþ nat with ous poure · þat ȝe passeþ dowel, [ous] þe T.] Noþer louyeþ as ȝe lereþ · as oure lorde wolde,

Et uisitavit & fecit redemptionem plebis sue israel.

[Noþer] Ne IT. louyeþ] louy|eth nat I; lyueþ nouȝt T; luyeþ M; lyuyeþ G. plebis, &c.] IMTG om.] Line 117 And ȝe fare þus with ȝoure sike freres · ferly me þynkeþ, [And] And ȝit T. ferly] wonder MG.] Bote dowel endite ȝow · in die iudicii." [Bote dowel] Þat dowel wol I. endite IMT] endit E; endyty P (but it is not the infinitive here).] Thenne conscience ful curteisliche · a contenaunce he made, [A page 217] [G omits ll. 120—128. he] MT om.] Line 120 And preynte vpon pacience · to preye me be stille, [preynte] prengte M. vpon] vp I. pacience] pacient E. be] to be MT.] And seide hym-self, "syre doctour · by so hit be ȝoure wil, [by] be IT; M om. by so] ȝif E.] Line 122 What is dowel and dobet? · ȝe diuynours knoweþ." "Ich haue seide," seide þe seg · "y can seye no bettere, [Ich haue] Þat haue i T. seide (1)] i-seid M; y-seide I. seide (2)] quoþ I; E om. þe seg] þat segge IT; þe doctor M. seye] se T.]

Bote do as doctours telleþ · for dowel ich hit holde; [Bote] Forte M. telleþ] techeþ IT.] Þat traueileþ to teche oþere · for dobet ich it holde; [for—holde] I holde it for a dobette IT. it holde] holde hit M.] And he þat doþ as he techeþ · ich halde hit for a dobest;

Qui facit et docuerit, magnus uocabitur."

[for] E om. a dobest] so PE; þe beste IMT. magnus] hic magnus E.] "Now þow, cleregie," quaþ conscience · "carpe what is dowel." Line 128 "Haue [me] excused," quaþ cleregie · "by crist, bote in scole, [[me EIMTG] P om.] Shal no such motif be meued · for me, bote þere, [motif] motyng M. meued ITG] meuet M; meeuede P. bote] T om. þere] oþere (wrongly) I.] For peers loue þe plouhman · þat enpugnede ones [For] But for T. plouhman] palmare I; palmere T. þat] ȝent þat (sic) I; ȝet þat pers T. en|pugnede] enpyngned E; enpungnede M; inpugned ITG. (N.B. IT are corrupt here.)] Alle kyne konnynges · and alle kyne craftes, Line 132 Saue loue and leaute · and louhnesse of herte, [louhnesse] lownesse EIMTG.] And no tixt takeþ · to preoue þis for trewe [takeþ] ne takeþ IT; to take M.] Bote dilige deum & proximum · and Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo, &c.; [proximum] patrem I; proxi|mum tuum T. and] et I. in taber|nacule] in tabernaculo tuo M; I om.] And preoueþ by pure skyle · inparfit alle þynges,

Nemo bonus,

[inparfit] vnparfit EG.] Line 136 Bote leel loue and treuthe · þat loþ is to be yfounde." [yfounde] founde EITG; founden M.] Quaþ peers þe plouhman · "pacientes uincunt. [A page 218] [uincunt] omnia vincunt T.] By-for perpetual pees · ich shal preoue þat ich seide, [preoue] preue ITG; proue E; prouen M; badly spelt preeouye P; see l. 136.] And a-vowe by-for God · and for-sake hit neuere, [a-vowe] afowe E.] Line 140 That disce, doce, dilige · deum and thyn enemye; [Made into one line in IT (badly); for l. 142, I has—helpe emfothe (sic) þy myght; T has—helpe him for þi miȝt. emforth] euenforþ E; euene-forþ M. myȝt E] myȝte G; miȝt T; myght I; myth M; myȝth P.]

Hertely þou hym helpe · emforth þy myȝt, [See note on last page.] Cast [hote] coles on hus hefde · of alle kynde speche, [[hote EIMTG] out P. hefde] heued I; hed MT. kynde] kyne E; kyn I.] Fonde þorgh wit and with worde · hus loue for to wynne, [þorgh] wiþ þi M. with] wiþ þi M; IG om. for to] forte M; to I.] Line 144 And ȝif hym eft and eft · euere at hus neede; [G omits. And] I om. ȝif] ȝef M. eft—eft] oft & eft E.] Conforte hym with þy catel · and with þy kynde speche, [Conforte EG] Comforte IMT; Conforty P (but it is the imperative mood).] And leye on hym þus with loue · tyl he lauhe on þe; [leye] lauhe M. lauhe] lawhe I; lawȝen (sic) E; leiȝe (wrongly) T.] And bote [he] bowe for þis betynge · blynd mote [he] worthe!" [[he IMTG] ȝe PM. bowe] knowe þe I; lauȝe on þe T. betyng] lechyng T. mote] bot (!) E. [he IT] ich PE; y G; i M. See B-text.] Line 148 And whanne he hadde worded þus · wiste no man after, [whanne] wanne P. worded] y-worded IM; sede E. wiste IEMTG] miswritten weste P.] Where peers plouhman by-cam · so priueliche he wente. [plouhman] þe plouhman MIT.] And reson ran after · [and] ryght with him ȝeode; [after] þen after E. [and IMTG] PE om.] Saue conscience and cleregie · ich couþe no mo aspye. And pacience propreliche spak · tho peers was thus passed, [And] Saue IT. propreliche] preueili M. tho] whanne T. passed] y-passed IT.] Line 153 "That loueþ lelly," quaþ he · "bote lytel þyng coueyteþ. [A page 219] [G omits.] Ich wolde, and ich wil hadde · wynnen al Fraunce [hadde] adde P. wynnen] to wynnen I.] With-oute bruting of burnes · oþer eny blod-sheding; [bruting] brutynge E; brut|teynge I; britnyng T; brennyng MG. burnes] bernes MG; buyren I; burn T.] Ich take wittnesse," quaþ he · "at holy writ a partie;

Pacientes uincunt.

[OBS. Here S begins again. at] of I; on T.] For, by hym þat me made! · myȝte neuere pouerte, Miseise, ne myschief · ne man with hus tonge [Miseise] Misseiȝe M; Myseyse me (!) I. myschief] mischeue M.] Tene þe eny tyme · and þow take pacience, [pacience] penaunce M.] Line 160

Line 160 And bere hit in þy bosom · abowte wher þou wendest, [G omits. wher] wer P.] [In þe corner of a cart-whel · wiþ a crowe croune.] [From I; also in METS; PG omit. a] o T. croune] miswritten crouns E. In the margin of M—ex|perimentum.] Shal neuere burne be abaisshed · þat hath þis a-boute, [burne] buyren I; barn MG. hath þis] bereþ hit M. a-boute] abouten hym I; aboute hym STG.] Neiþer hete ne hail · ne helle pouke hym greue, [Neiþer] Ne neuere IT; Noþer M. hail] haþel T; chele G.] Line 164 Neiþer fuyr, noþer flod · ne be a-fered of enemye;

Caritas expellit omnem timorem;

[noþer] ne I. afered] a-ferd STG; afere E.] Ther nis wyght in þis worlde · þat wolde þe lette [Ther nis] Ne þer is I; Ne þere nis T. wyght] wiȝ T; wit G.] To haue alle londes at þy lykyng · & þe here lord make, And Maister of alle here meeble · and of here moneye after, [alle] SG om. meeble] moebles I. moneye] maynye I.] Line 168 The kynge and alle þe comune · and cleregie to þe aloute [comune] comunes E. aloute] loute EIST.] As for here lorde and ledere · and lyuen as þou techest." [ledere] here ledere IT; heore ledere M. lyuen] þow lyue M.] "This is a [dido,]" quaþ þis doctour · "a disours tale! [A page 220] [G omits. a] T om. [dido MT] dydo S; dico P; dede (sic) I; see B-text. a dido] abido (sic) E.] Al þe witt of þis worlde · ne wyghte mennes strengthe [þe] þis I. þis] al þis T; þe S. worlde] written wordle P. ne] and IT. wyghte] wyȝty E.] Can nat performen a pees · of þe pope and of hus enemys [and of] ne for E; and IMST; ne of G.] Line 173 Profitable for boþe parties"— · and put þe bord fram hym, [fram] fro EIMG; from T.] And tok conscience and cleregie · to counsel, as hit were. [conscience—cleregie] clergye & conscience ISTG.] Ac ich took kepe how conscience · [congede] sone þis doctour, [A page 221] [ich—conscience] conscience I toke kepe ISTG. [congede SG] conged T; conueide P; coueyted EIM (all evidently corruptions of congeide or congede).] Line 176

Line 176 And sitthe he seide to cleregie · so þat ich hit herde, "By cryst," quaþ conscience · "cleregie, ich wol nat lye, Me were leuere, by oure lorde · and ich lyuye sholde, [Here F begins again. lyuye] lyue EMFSTG; leue I.] Haue pacience parfitliche · þan half þy pack of bokes! [bokes EIMG] bokis T; bokus S; bookus F; boukes P.] Lettrure and longe studie · letteþ ful menye, [Lettrure] For lettrure F. studie] studyng E.] Line 181 That thei knoweþ nat," quaþ Conscience · "what is kynde pacience. [thei] hi S. knoweþ] ken F.] For-thi," quaþ conscience · "christ ich þe by-teche, [For-thi] For-whi M; And forþi F. þe] ȝou E.] With pacience wol ich passe · parfitnesse to fynde." [With] Whit P; For with F.] Thus þei wente forþ here way · with gret wil ich folewede. [A page 222] [Thus—forþ] And wenten forþ in I; And wenten forþ on T. wil] witt E; wil þan F.] Line 185 Thenne hadde pacience, as pilgrimes hauen · in here poke vitailes, [hauen] han IMFTG. here] so in PEIFSTG; his M.] Sobrete and symple-speche · and soþfast-by-leyue, [Sobrete] Sobernesse G; So|brius (sic) E.] To comforty hym and conscience · yf þei come in place [comforty] comforte IMFS; confort E; counforte T.] Ther vnkyndnesse and couetyse ys · hongry contreis boþe. [Ther] Where S. ys] ben E; I om. hongry contreis] & hongri contre S.] Line 189 And as þei wente by þe wey · of dowel gan þei carpe; [wente] wende E. gan] gunne M; gonne T. þei (2)] y G.] Thei mette with a mynstral · as me þo þouhte. [Thei] & F.] Pacience a-posed hym · and preide he sholde telle [a-posed] opposed I (wrongly). telle] him telle G.] Line 192 What craft þat he couþe · and cortesly he seide, "Ich am a Mynstral," quaþ þis man · "my name is activa uita, [þis] miswritten þees P. is] S om. activa uita] vita actiua F.] Peers prentys þe plouhman · alle peuple to comfortye." [þe] M om. alle] þe F. com|fortye] comforte IMFS; confort E; counforte T.]

"What manere mynstralcie · my dere frend," quaþ conscience, [manere] maner of F.] Line 196 "Hast þow vsed oþer haunted · al þy lyf-tyme?" [Hast þow] Hastow F; Hast M. vsed—haunted] i-vsed and i-haunted M.] "Mynstralcie can ich nat muche · bote make men murye, [can ich] i can M. men] men be F.] As a waffrer with waffres · and welcome godes gistes. [waffrer] wafrer IF; waw|frere E; wafer (sic) S. waffres] wafres I; wafers S; her wafres F. and] ay I. welcome] wolcome P. godes] G om. gistes EMFS] gustes P; gestes I; gestis T.] Of my labour þei lauhe · þe lasse and þe more. [lauhe] lauȝed E. lasse—more] more & þe lasse S.] Line 200 The poure and þe riche · y plese and payn fynde, [plese] plesed E.] And fewe robis ich fonge · oþer forrede gounes. [oþer] & S.] Wolde ich lye and do men lauhe · þenne lacchen ich sholde [lacchen] cacchen M.] Mantels oþer moneye · a-mong lordes Minstrales. [Mantels] Mantel E; Or mantel I; Oþer mantel T; Mantellus menyuer F. lordes] oþer T.] Line 204 Ich can nat tabre ne trompe · ne telle faire gestes, [nat] noþer M. faire] tidy F.] Farten, ne fiþelen · at festes, ne harpen, [G omits. Farten] Faiten I. fiþelen IST] fiþele MF; fiþelyn P. ne (2)] noþur F.] Iapen ne Iogelen · ne gentelliche pipe, [Iogelen T] Iogelyn P; Iogolen E; iogele IF; Iogole S; ianglen MG.] Noþer sailen ne sautrien · ne singe with þe giterne. [Noþer] Ne neyþer I; Ne noþer T. sautrien] sauteryen I; sauterien T; sautren M.] Line 208 Ich haue none gode gyftes · of these grete lordes [gode] goude P; goud S. gyftes] gestes EMG.] For no bred þat ich by-trauaile · to bryng by-fore lordes. [A page 223] [SG omit. by-trauaile] by|trauaily P; bi-trauaile M; bytraueyle E; bitrauailed F; trauaile I; be|trauaille ferst T. to bryng] ferst I. to—lordes] ne bringe hem bifore F.] Ne were hit þat þe parishe · prayeþ for me on sone|dayes, [G omits. Ne were] Nere I. parishe I] parissh T; paresche E; parshe P; parsche M; parisch-preest FS. on] on þe E; a F; M om. sone-dayes] sone-days P; sonday F.]

Ich am sory þat ich sew oþer sette · bote for my-self one. [G omits. sew MS] sewe P; sowe IT; se E. þat—sew] to sowe F. sette] sitte E (wrongly). one] alone S; I om.] Ac þe prest and oþer peuple · prayeþ for peers plouh|man, [oþer] þe oþer E. prayeþ] preche I. peers] peres þe I; piers þe T.] Line 213 And for me, actyf, hus man · þat ydelnesse hate. [for] eke for F. hate] hatuþ S.] For lordes and lorelles · luthere and goode, [For] IT om. lorelles] for lorelles E; lorels als F. luthere] þe liþur F; þe luþere I; & luþere T; lyþere M. goode EMTG] þe goode IF; goude PS.] Fro myhel-masse to myhel-masse · ich fynde mete and drynke. [myhel] so PM; mychel E; mykel F; mighel T; myȝhel SG; muchel I (twice). to—masse] F om.] Line 216 Ich fynde payn for þe pope · and praye hym ich wolde Þat pestilences to pees · and to parfit loue turne. [pestilences] pestilens S. to (2)] IT om. parfit] S om.] For founde ich þat hus blessing · and hus bulle myghte [founde ich] i fond M (wrongly).] Letten þis luþer eir · and lechen þe syke— [luþer] lyþere IFSG. eir] ȝer M; folc I (wrongly); T om. lechen EMG] lechin P; leche IFS; liþe T.] Line 220 As þe booke bereþ wittnesse · þat he bere myghte [þe] F om. booke] bookes PEG; bokes M; bookus F; but I has booke; T has book; S has boke; the phrase is a common one. bereþ] bere S.] In hus mouth mercy · and amende vs alle,

Super egros manus imponent, & bene se habe|bunt—

[imponent] ponebant IT. se] MISFGT om.] Thenne wolde ich bee busy · and buxum to helpe [Thenne] And þanne IT. bee busy] be-sych (!) S. to] for to F.] Eche kynne creature · þat on cryst by-leyueþ. [Eche] Ech a IFS. by-leyueþ] leueth IST.] Line 224 For sutthe he haþ the power · þat seynt peter hadde, [A page 224] [sutthe] seþþe MI; sith F; suþ E; siþþe TG. the] E om. seynt] IT om. hadde] hadde þanne I.] He haþ pureliche þe pot · with þe same salue;

Argentum & aurum non est michi; quod autem habeo, hoc tibi do, &c.

[pureliche—salue] þe potte with þe salue · boþe tuo togedre I; þe pot with þe salue T (which runs ll. 225, 226 into one). quod—do] S om.]

Ac yf myghte of miracle hym faile · hit is for men beeþ nat worthi [Ac] F om. yf] M om. myghte] I miȝte T. faile] faileþ M. hit] M om. for] for þat F. beeþ] beþ IT; ben M; buþ S; be F; þat beþ E. worthi] worþ T.] For to haue þe grace of god · and no gult in þe pope. [For] IT om. god] miswritten good P. gult] gold T. in] of IT.] For may no blessynge do vs bote · bote yf we wol amende, [yf] M om. we] S om.] Line 229 Ne mannes preier make pees · among cristine peuple, [preier F] preiere ME; preyer I; prayer S; preyour T; badly spelt preir P. cristine] þe cristine F.] Til prude be pureliche for-do · and þat þorw payn de|faute;

Ex habundantia panis et uini turpissimum peccatum aduenit. [A page 239]

[prude] so PE; pride MIFT. Ex] IT om.] Pure plente of payn · þe peuple of Sodomye, [Pure] For pure F; For þe I; T om.] Line 232 And reste and riche metes · rybaudes hem made." [And] Þurw F. hem] hym S; were F.] "Pees!" quaþ pacience · "ich praye þe, syre actyf! [Pees] Pees now F. þe] ȝow IFT.] For þauh neuere payn ne plouh · ne potage were, [neuere] noþer F. ne (2)] pese ne F.] Line 235 Prude wolde putte hym-self forþ · þauh no plouh erye. [A page 237] [Prude] so PE; Pruyde T; Pride MIF. self] E om. þauh] & þow F. no plouh] þe plow were to S (absurdly). plouh] plowman E.] Hit am ich þat fynde alle folke · and fram hunger saue, Thorgh þe heye helpe of hym · þat me hyder sente, [heye] IT om. sente] sende M.] And seide, 'lo, here lyf-lode ynowe' · yf oure by-leyue be trewe. Line 239 For lent was þer neuere lyf · bote lyflode were yshape, [S transposes these two lines.] [was—neuere] neuer was here I. was þer] waster F. bote] but ȝif M. yshape] hym shape S; shame (!) T.] Wher-of oþere wherfore · and wher-with to lyuen; [S transposes these two lines.] [oþere] and MFS. and] or M.] The worme þat woneþ vnder erthe · and in water fisshes, The crykett by kynde of fur · and corlew by the wynde, [The] A F. by (1)] by þe FS. of] E om. fur] þe fyre I; þe fuyr T; feor M. and] E om. corlew] þe curlu M; þe corlu S · þe curlew T.]

Bestes by gras & by greyn · and by grene rotes. [Bestes] Beste I. greyn] mis|written greyen P.] Line 244 In menynge þat alle men · myghte þe same [A page 238] Lyuen þorgh leell by-leyue · as oure lord wittnesseþ,

Quodcunque petieritis patrem in nomine meo, dabitur enim uobis; & alibi:

Non in solo pane uiuit homo, sed de omni uerbo, quod procedit de ore dei."

[lord] S om. enim] MFS om. dabitur—uobis] I om. sed—dei] IS om. de (1)] in EM; T om.] "Hast þow ay," quaþ actyf · "suche mete with þe?" [Hast þow] Hastow I; What hastow F. ay] follows actyf in IT. mete] maner mete F.] "Ȝe," quaþ Pacience, and hente · out of hus poke [Ȝe] Ȝe parde S; Ȝe hardiliche F. hente] follows poke in IT. of—poke] his boke (sic) E.] Line 248 A pece of þe pater-noster · and profrede to vs alle. [pece ITMFSE] pice P. to] it to IT; S om.] And ich lustnede, and lokede · what lyflode hit were; [lustnede] lestenede I; lest|nide T; lustede (!) S; lustened þo F.] Þanne was hit · fiat-uoluntas-tua · þat sholde fynde vs alle. [Þanne] And þanne IT.] "Haue, actyf," quaþ pacience · "and eet this when þe hungreþ, [þe hungreþ] þou hongrest E.] Line 252 Oþer whenne þow clomsest for colde · oþer clyngest for drouthe; [whenne] wenne P. drouthe] eny droghte I; any drouþe T; þe drouȝte F.] And shal neuere gyues þe greue · ne grete lordes wratthe, Pryson ne oþer payne · for—pacientes uincunt; [payne] penaunces M.] By so þow be sobre · of syght, and of tounge boþe, [By—be] Be þou E. so] so þat IT. boþe] I om.] Line 256 In ondyng, in handlyng · in alle þy fyue wittes, [S omits. ondyng] heryng M; etyng IT. þy] þe MT.] That þow care for no corn · for cloþ ne for drynke, [That þow] Dar þe nat I; Dar þe S; Þar þe no T. no] þe I. for (2)] ne for I. cloþ] mete S. for (3)] ne for IT.] Ne deþ drede, ne deuel · deye as god lykeþ, [deþ drede] drede deþ M. deþ—deuel] deuel drede ne deeth F. deuel] dowel (!) I. deye] & deye S; but dye F.]

Wheþer þorw hunger oþer þorw hete · at hus wil be hit! [þorw (1)] by F; fore T. þorw (2)] EIF om. at] as S.] Line 260 For yf þow lyuest after hus lore · þe shorter lyf þe betere; [yf] F om. lyuest] lyue M.] Si quis amat christum · mundum non diligit istum, [Sed quasi fetorem · spernes illius amorem.] [In E only.] Þorgh hus breþ bestes woxen · and a-brode ȝeden;

Dixit & facta sunt.

[Þorgh] For þow (sic) F. Dixit] Ipse dixit F. sunt] fuerunt IT. Dixit—sunt] M om.] Line 264 Ergo þorw hus [breþ] bestes lyuen · boþe men and fisshes, [Ergo] I om. [breþ SIT] PEM om.; but see last line. hus breþ] him F. men] man M.] As wytnesseþ holy wryte · when we seyn oure graces, [A page 239]

Aperis tu manum tuam, & imples omne animal benedictione.

Hit is founde þat fourty wynter · folke leueden and nouht tylede, [founde] S om. folke] þat folke P (but EIMFS omit þat); men MS. nouht tylede] tylied noght I; tilde nouȝt T.] And out of flent sprange [þe] flod · þat folke and bestes dronken. [And] But M. out] E om. flent] þe flent S; þe flynte IT. [þe IMFEST] P om.] Line 268 And in elyes time · heuene was yclosed, [And] Also F. elyes] helyus S; Elye is T.] That no reyne reynede · þus redeþ men in bookes, [reynede] ne ron T; ne roen (sic) I; reynede þanne F. þus—men] thus rat men IT; as clerkus rede F. in] on I.] That menye wynter men lyueden · and of no mete telden. [That] & F. wynter] wyntres E. of] I om. telden] so PES; tolden M; toolden F; ne tiled I; ne tilide T.] Seuene slepen, [as] seith þe book · more þan syxty wynter, [slepen IMF] slupen PE; sleptun S; slepte T. [as EIMFS] a P; T om. syxty] þre hundred E.] Line 272 Lyueden with-outen lyflode · and at þe laste a-wakeden. [Lyueden] Leueden P (but see next line); & lyuede F; And lyueden T. þe] S om.]

And yf men lyueden as mesure wolde · sholde neuere be defaute [yf] M om. defaute] þe faute I.] Among crysten creatures · yf crystes worde be trewe;

Dabo tibi secundum peticionem tuam."

[worde] wordes IST. trewe] trywe P. tuam] cordis tui E.] "What is parfit pacience?" · quaþ Actica uita. [A page 241] [What is] Wiþ his T.] Line 276 "Meeknesse and Mylde speche · and men of on wil, [on] oo F; o IST.] Þe whiche wil loue ledeþ · to oure lordes place; [whiche] wiche P. wil] þat S. ledeþ] lat IT; lede M.] And þat is charite, chaumpion · chief of alle vertues, [chief] & cheef F.] And þat is poure pacient · alle perilis to suffre." [þat] þus S. is] his F. poure] pure S (but poure = poor; see next line). pacient] pacience MS; see l. 287.] Line 280 "Where pouerte and pacience · plese more god al|myghty [Where] Wheþer MFT. and] or S.] Than do ryghtful richesse · and resonably to spende?" [do] dooth F; IT om. spende] dispende T.] "Ȝe, quis est ille?" quaþ pacience · "quyk laudabimus eum! [ille] hic F. pacience] con|cience M. laudabimus] laudemus I.] Thauh men rede of riche · ryght to þe worldes ende, [Thauh] For þogh F. riche] richesse IMT. worldes EIMFT] wordles P; worlus S.] [I wist neuere renke þat riche was · þat whan he rekne sholde,] [Supplied from B-text. With|out this line, the sense is quite in|complete; but I can find it in no C-text MS.] Line 285 And whan he drouh hym to þe deþ · þat he ne dradde hym sarrer [And whan] Whan F; Þan whan I; Þat whanne T. drouh] drow ES; drogh I; drou M; drew F. hym (1)] I om. dradde] drat M. sarrer] sarre M; sorere EI; sorrer F; sor|rere T.] Than eny poure pacient · and þat preoue ich by reyson. [þat] E om. preoue ich] i preue M.] Hit are bote fewe folke of these riche · þat ne falleþ in arerage, [Here one leaf is lost in G; down to xvii. 41. Hit are] Þer ar F; Þer ben E. of] in T. these] thees P; þe M; þis IT. ne] hy ne S; þei ne T. arerage IMS] arirage PE; rerage F; arrerage T.] Line 288

Line 288 Thar þe poure dar plede · and preoue by pure reysoune [A page 242] [Thar] Þere IT; Þer EMFS. dar IMFSET] der P. preoue] ap|parently prooue P; but see l. 287.] To haue a-lowaunce of hus lorde; · by lawe he cleymeþ ioye, [hus—he] þes þe lawe (sic) S. lawe—ioye] pure lawe he claymeth IT.] That neuere ioye hadde · of [rightful] Iuge he askeþ; [That] Ioye þat IT (cf. last line); He þat F. hadde] he hadde M. [rightful IFST] rithful M; ryght PE; see B-text. he] T om.] And seith, 'lo, briddes and bestes · þat no blisse knoweþ, [lo] to F. blisse] blisse ne I; ioie M.] Line 292 And wilde wormes in wodes · þorw wynter þow hem greuest, [wodes] þe woodus F. þorw] in M. wynter] wynteres IST.] And makest hem wel ney meek · and mylde for defaute; [wel] ful T. ney E] neye I; nyȝe S; ny F; neiȝ T; apparently ner in P (but possibly meant for nei); M om.] After þan þow sendest hem somere · þat is [here] souereyn ioye, [þan] þen E; þat F; þis S; M om. After þan] Þer-after IT. sendest] seyndest P; but see l. 299. [here IST] heore M; her F; hem P.] And blisse to alle [þat] been · boþe wilde and tame. [Here eight leaves are lost in I; down to xviii. 58. to] also to F. [þat MFSET] P om. wilde] to wilde T.] Then may beggers, [as] bestes · after blysse asken, [[as ME] as þo F; and PST. blysse] a blisse T.] Line 297 Þat al here lif hauen lyued · in langour and defaute.' [lif] lyf-tyme S. hauen] han METS; haue F. lyued] lyuede P; i-lyued M; I-ledde F.] Bote god sende hem [som] tyme · of som maner ioye, [Bote] & but F. [som] sum T; PEMFS om. tyme] a tyme F.] Oþer heer oþer elles-wher · elles were it reuthe; [were] where P.] Line 300 For to wroþer-hele was he wrouȝt · þat neuere was ioye yshape. [wrouȝt FT] wrouȝth P; wroȝt ES; wrout M. yshape] shapen M. ioye yshape] in ioye T.] Angeles þat in helle now been · hadden som tyme ioye, [in—now] now in helle MS.] And Dives in his deyntes [lyuede] · and in douce uye; [And] For T. his] M om. deyntes] so PET; deyntees F; denty|uous M; denteþus S. [lyuede TS] lyuynge PEMF.]

And now he buyeþ hit ful bitere · he is a beggere of helle. [ful] FTS om. bitere] bitturly F. is] his P. he—beggere] a begger he is F. of] in MT.] Line 304 Many man hath hus ioye here · for alle here wel dedes, [A page 243] [man hath] men han M. hus PS] his FET; heore M.] And lordes and ladyes ben callid · for leodes þat þay haue, [and] an P. callid] i-called F; cald EMT. leodes] ledes M. þay] S om.] And slepiþ, as hit semeþ · and somere euere hem foleweþ; [euere—foleweþ] hem folweth euere F.] Whan deþ a-wakeþ hem of here wele · þat were here so ryche, [Whan] Wan P; But whanne T. were] where P. here] ere E.] Line 308 Þan aren hit pure poure þynges · in purgatorie oþer in helle! [aren] arn M; ar F; beþ S; ben E; haren P. hit] it T; hy E; þei MFS.] Dauid in þe sauter · of suche makeþ mynde, [Dauid] & dauid F. suche] shuche P.] Line 310 And seith,

dormierunt [sompnum suum;] & nichil inuenerunt omnes uiri diuiciarum [in manibus suis;]Et alibi: Velut sompnum surgencium, & cet. [And seith] With F; S om. [sompnum suum] supplied from F. omnes—diuiciarum] MFST om. [in—suis] supplied from E. alibi] iterum M. Et alibi, &c.] E om.]

Hic explicit passus sextus de Dowel. [MT omit. Hic] EFS om. de dowel] S om.]

PASSUS XVII. (DO-WEL VII.)

[

TITLE. Hic incipit passus septi|mus de dowel M; Incipit passus sep|timus PE; Incipit septimus F; Passus sextus de dowel T.

OBS. S omits Passus xvii. to xxi.

] Incipit passus septimus.

Alas! þat [richesse] shal reue · and robbe mannes soule [A page 243] [[richesse EMF] ricchesse T; riche P. and] or M.] [Fro] þe loue of oure lorde · at hus laste ende! [[Fro ETF] For PM. hus] þe T.] Thei þat haue hure hyre by-fore · aren eueremore poure, [

Thei] Hewen T. haue—aren] nout han bi-forn · and arn M.

OBS. Here M has lost two leaves, including ll. 4—159.

] And shulle nat deye out of dette · to dyne er they deseruen hit. [shulle nat] selde T. to dyne] þat dyneþ T. er] or EF. they de|seruen] he deserue T.] Line 4 When here deuer is don · and his daies iourne, [here] his TF. deuer] dyner ET; diner F (wrongly).] Þen may men wite what he is worþ · and what he haþ deserued; [may men] men may T. wite EFT] white P. deserued] deseruede P.] And nouht to fonge by-fore · for drede of disalouwynge. [And] But T. by-fore] to-fore T. drede] feere F; but see B-text.] So ich say by ȝow riche · hit semeþ nat ȝe shulle [ȝe] þat ȝe FT.] Line 8 Haue two heuenes · for ȝoure her-beynge. Muche myrthe is in may · a-monge wilde bestes, [A page 244] [wilde] þe wilde T.] And so forth whil somer lasteþ · heore solace dureþ; [forth ET] furth F; miswritten fort P. whil F] while ET; mis|written wil P. heore] & here E.]

And muche myrthe a-monge riche men is · þat han meoble ynow and heele. [And] F om, meoble] meble ET; meeblus F. ynow] F om.] Line 12 [Ac] beggers a-boute myd-somere · bredlees þei soupe, [[Ac F] But T; And PE.] And ȝut is wynter for hem wors · for wet-shood þei gangen, [wet-shood] wetshod T; wat|schood F; wete shul E; whet-shood P. þei] þan þei F. gangen] gon ET.] A-furst and a-fyngred · and foule rebuked [A-furst] so PT; Afirst F; Aþurst E. rebuked] rebukede P.] Of þese worlde-riche men · þat reuthe hit is to huyre. [þese F] þes P; þis E. worlde|riche] written wordle-riche P; worldelich ETF. Cf. B-text; and observe the alliteration of riche with reuthe. hit] FT om. huyre] hure E; here T; heere F.] Now, lord, send hem somer som-tyme · to solace and to ioye, [A page 245] [to (2)] T om.] Line 17 That al here lyf leden · in lowenesse and in pouerte! [leden] ledden T.] For alle myghtest þow haue maked · men of grete welþe, [myghtest] myȝtest ETF; mis|written myghtes P. haue] ha F. maked E] makede P; mad T; maad F. grete] muche T.] And liche witty and wys · and lyue with-oute neode; [liche] ylich T. and EFT] an P. with-oute] whit-oute P.] Ac for þe beste, [as] ich hope · aren somme poure and some riche. [Ac] T om. [as ETF] P om. some] TF om.] Line 21 Ryght so haue reuthe of ous alle · þat on þe rode deydest, [haue] ha F. of ous] on vs F; on þi renkis T. þat—deydest] T om. rode E] roode F; roude P.] And amende ous of thy mercy · and make ous alle meeke, [of] of al PE; but FT omit al, which is not wanted. alle meeke] meke ichone T.] Louh and leel and louynge · and of herte poure; [Louh] Louȝh F; Louȝ T; Lowe E.] Line 24 And send ous contricion · to clanse with oure soules, [A page 240] [with] whit P.] And confession, to culle · alle kynne synnes, [culle] kille T.] And satisfaccion, the whiche fulfulleþ · þe fadres will of heuene. [the whiche] þat ET. fulfull|eth] fulfilleth F. fadres] fadur F; fadir T.]

And these been dowel and dobet · and dobest of alle; Cordis contricio · comeþ of sorwe in herte, [Cordis contricio] For contricio cordis F. comeþ] it cometh F. in] of FT.] Line 29 And oris confessio · þat comeþ of shrifte of mouthe, [And] And also F.] And operis satisfactio · þat for synnes payeth, [One line in T—Satisfaccion for soulis paieþ & alle synnes quyteþ.] [operis satisfactio] satisfactio soþly F. synnes] synne F.] And for alle synnes · soueraynliche quiteþ. [One line in T—Satisfaccion for soulis paieþ & alle synnes quyteþ.]

Cordis contricio, oris confessio, operis satisfactio;

[Cordis—satisfactio] F om.] Line 32 These thre with-outen doute · tholen alle pouerte, [These] Thees P; Tho T. with|outen] whit-outen P.] And lereþ lewed and lered · heh and louh to knowe, [lereþ] leered F. lered] eke lewed (sic) F. heh—louh] heye & lowe E; heiȝ & louȝ T; hy & low F.] Ho þat doþ wel oþer bet · oþer best a-bouen alle; Line 35 And holichurche and charite · here-of a Chartere maden. [a] T om.] Bote þese þre þat ich spak of · on domes day [vs] defenden, [Bote] And but TF. þese] þes P. on] at TF; vs a (sic) E. [vs TF] P om.; observe that E has vs a for on.] Elles is in ydel · al oure lyuynge here, [A page 246] [in] al an T. ydel] ydel I-wys F. oure] of oure E. lyuynge ET] leuynge PF.] Oure preyers and oure penaunce · and pilgrymages to rome. [penaunce] penaunces TF. and] & oure T. pilgrymages] pilgrimage F.] Bote oure spences and spending · sprynge of a trewe wille, [spences] spens F. and] & oure T. spending] spendynges E. a] E om. trewe] trywe P. wille] welle TF.] Line 40 Elles is al oure labour lost; · lo, how men wryten [how men] what eer me F.] In fenestres at þe freres · yf fals be þe foundement! [þe] fals F.] For-thi cristene men scholde been in comun riche · no couetise to hym-selue. [men] TF om. cristene—been] schuld cristene be F. no] non T; ne E. no couetise] nat couetous F; ne coueytise E; ne coueit G. to] for T. hym] hem EFG.] Line 43 For seuene synnes þat þer been · þat assailen ous euere, [þer] here G. þat (2)] þe whiche F.] The fende folweth hem alle · and fondeþ hem to helpe, [hem] fast hem F.]

And with richesse tho ribaudes · rathest men by-gylen; [And] But T. with] whit P. tho] þo EFT; of G; miswritten to P.] For þer þat rychesse regneþ · reuerences foleweth, [A page 247] [þat] as F; T om. reuerences] reuerence T. foleweth] hem folwen F.] Line 47 And þat is plesaunt to pruyde · in poure and in riche. The ryche [is] yreuerenced · by reson of his richesse, [The] And þe T; For þe F. [is EFTG] P om. yreuerenced E] yreuerencede P; reuerenced FT. his EFT] is P; G om.] There þe poure is yput by-hynde · and can parauntre more [yput] putte E; put FTG. can parauntre] per-auntur can FT.] Line 50 Of wit and of wysedome · þat fer wey is bettere [wit FG] wyt T; witt E; whiȝt (badly) P. fer EFT] feer P; for G.] Than richesse oþer reaulte · and raþer yhurde in heuene. [oþer] & G. and] an P. yhurde] iherde E; I-herd F; herd T; y-hurd G.] For þe ryche haþ muche to rekene · and ryȝt softe walkiþ [ryȝt G] riȝt EFT; ryȝth P.] Line 53 The heye wey to-heuene-warde; · he halt hit nat ful euene; There þe poure presseþ by-fore · with a pak at hus rygge,

Opera enim illorum seq[u]untur illos.

[presseþ] preceth F. with] whit P. enim] TG om. illorum] eorum TG. sequuntur] secuntur FEG; sequntur PT.] Batauntlyche, as beggers don · and boldeliche he craueþ, [G omits.] Line 56 For hus pouerte and pacience · perpetuel ioye. [and] & his T.] Also pruyde in richesse regneþ · raþer þan in pouerte; [Also] And TG. pruyde] prude E; pride F.] Oþer in þe maister oþer in þe man · som mancion he shewith. [in (2)] G om. mancion] men|cion T. shewith] schewed E.] Line 59 Ac in pouerte þer pacience is · pruyde hath no myȝte, [Ac] But T. þer] þat G. myȝte EF] miȝt T; myȝghte P; miȝht G.] Ne non of the seuene synnes · sitte [ne may] þer longe, [[ne may EF] may T; no man (!) P. ne—þer] þer mai G.] Ne haue power in pouerte · yf pacience hit folewe. [hit] him F.]

For þe poure is ay prest · to plese þe riche, [þe (1)] a E. prest EFTG] preest P. to] for to G.] Line 63 And buxume at his biddyng · for hus breed and drynke; [his EFTG] is P. and] & his FT.] And buxumnesse and bost · aren euere-more at wratthe, [A page 248] [wratthe] werre T.] And ayther hateþ oþer · and mowen nat dwelle to|gederes. [mowen] mow E; may T; moweth F. dwelle] come G.] Yf wratthe wraxle with þe poure · he hath þe worsse ende; [wraxle] wracsle G; wrastle EF; wrastliþ T. with] whit P.] For yf þei boþe [pleyne] · þe poure is bote fyble, [[pleyne FT] pleyn E; pleyen PG; but see B-text. is] his P. fyble] feble EFTG.] Line 68 And yf he chide oþer chatere · hym chyuyþ þe worsse. [chyuyþ] cheueþ EFT. þe] wel þe F.] For loueliche he lokyþ · and louh is hus speche, [louh is] loweþ E.] That mete oþer moneye · of straunge men mote begge. [69—71. G omits.] And yf glotenye greue pouerte · he gadereþ þe lasse, [greue] greueþ E; greuiþ T.] Line 72 For hus rentes wol nat reche · ryche metes to bigge; [rentes] purs F.] Þauh hus glotenye be of good ale · he goþ to a cold beddyng, [Þauh hus] And þeiȝ his T. Þauh—be] His gloteny þogh it be F. beddyng] bedde F.] And hus heued vn-heled · vneisyliche ywrye; [G omits. heued] hed E. vn|heled] vnheled þer-with F. vneisy|liche] vneesiliche F. ywrye] I-writhe F; wrye E.] For when he streyneþ hym to strecche · þe straw is hus whitel; [streyneth—to] wol him G. whitel] sshetis T; schetyn G.] Line 76 So for hus glotonye and grete synne · he haþ a greuous penaunce, [So] & so F. hus] F om. and] & his FT. and—synne] G om.] That is weylawey whan he awakeþ · and wepeþ for colde; [That is] With F. weylawey] wel lowe (!) T. awakeþ] wakiþ TG. colde] his colde F.] So is he neuere more ful murye · so meschief hym folweþ. [G omits. So] & so F. ful] F om. hym] aftur F.]

Þaugh couetyce wolde with þe poure wraxle · þei mai nat come to-gederis, [Þaugh] And þeiȝ T; Þan E. with] whit P. þe] FG om. wraxle] wraskle E; wrastle FT; wrangle G.] Line 80 By þe necke nameliche · her neiþer may henten oþer. [By] And by F; And be T. her neiþer] nere noþer E. neiþer] noon FG; non T.] For men knoweþ þat couetise · is of ful kene wil, [ful] a FTG. kene wil] clene wyes (!) E.] And haþ hondes and armes · of a long lengthe, And pouerte is a pety þyng · apereþ nat to hus nauele; [a] but a F; but T; bote a G. pety] petit F; pite (!) T.] A loueliche laik was hit neuere · by-twyne a long and a short. [laik] loke E. a short] schorte F; a sshort one T.] Line 85 Thauh auarice wolde angrye pouerte · he hath bote lytel myȝte; [A page 249] [Thauh] And þeiȝ T. auarice EF] auerice PG; so in l. 88. angrye] so PE; angre FTG. myȝte F] myȝt ET; myȝthe P; myȝtte G.] For pouerte haþ bote pokes · to putten yn hus goodes, [pouerte] he (sic) E.] Ther auarice haþ almaries · and yre-bounden cofres. [almaries] almarye E. and] & EFTG; an P. yre] yrene T; yren F.] Line 88 And wheþer be betere to breke · lasse boost hit makeþ, [FG omit. yre] yren T.] To breke a beggers bagge · þan an yre-bounden cofre? [FG omit. yre] yren T.] Lecherye loueth none poure · for he hath bote lytel seluer, [Lecherye] And leccherie T. none] no FTG. bote—seluer] litel to spende G.] Ne doþ men dyne dylicatliche · neyþer drynk wyne ofte. [men dyne] hem drinke G. drynk wyne] wyn to drynken F.] A straw for þe stywes! · hy stod nat ful longe [One line in T—A straw for þe stewis it stood · hadde þei no haunt but of pore. stywes] stufes E; styues FG; stewis T. hy] þei F; hit G. haunt] help G. of] of þe FG.] Line 93 And þay hadde non oþer haunt · bote of poure peple! [One line in T—A straw for þe stewis it stood · hadde þei no haunt but of pore. stywes] stufes E; styues FG; stewis T. hy] þei F; hit G. haunt] help G. of] of þe FG.] Thauh slewþe suwe pouerte · and serue nat god to paye, [Thauh] And þeiȝ T. suwe] seude T.] Meschief is ay a mene · and makeþ hym to þenke, [ay] T om. a] F om. and] þat T.] Line 96 That [god is] hus grettest help · and no gome elles, [[god is EFTG] good P (omit|ting is). hus] T om.]

And he is seruaunt al-way, he seith · and of hus secte boþe. [is] his G. secte] sute T; swete (!) G.] And wheþer he be oþer be nat · he beriþ þe sygne of pouerte, Line 99 And in þat secte oure sauyour · sauede al mankynde. For-thi alle poure þat pacient is · of pure ryght may cleyme [of] by F. pure FG] pur T; poure PE (by confusion).] After here endyng heere · heuene-riche blysse. [After] Affter P. heuene|riche] & hy heueneriche F.] Much hardyloker may he aske · þat her may haue hus will [Much] & muche F. hardy|loker] hardere T; hardiour G. may (2)] miȝte T. may haue] hath muche F.] In londe and in lordshepes · and lykynge of body, [londe] lonnde P. lordshepes] lordsshipe T. and (2)] in T.] Line 104 And for goddes loue leueþ al · and lyueþ as a beggere. [goddes EFT] godes G; mis|written goodes P.] As a mayde for a mannes loue · here moder for-sakeþ, [A page 250] [a] T om. for-sakeþ] for-sok T.] Hure fader and hure frendes · and gooþ forth with hure paramour; [and (1)] and alle T. gooþ] fareth F. with] whith P. para|mour] paramours TG.] Muche is suche a mayde to loue · [of a man þat suche on takeþ] [suche a] þat F. [of—takeþ EFG] of man þat suchon takiþ T; P has—here moder for-sakeþ (repeated from l. 106); cf. B-text.] Line 108 More þan þat maide is · þat is ymaried by brocage, [maide is] maydene F. is ymaried] maried is F.] As by asent of sondry bodyes · and seluer to bote, [bodyes] segges F; personis TG. and] & eeke F.] More for couetice of catel · þan kynde loue of þe mariage. [couetice] kinde loue G. þe] FT om.] So hit farith by ech a persone · þat possession forsakeþ, And putteþ hym to be pacient · and to pouerte hym weddeþ, [putteþ] put F; putte T. to (2)] TG om. hym (2)] hem E; TG om.] Line 113

Line 113 Þe whyche is sibbe to cryst self · and semblable boþe." [whyche] wyche P. self] him-selue FT.] Quath Actyf þo al angryliche · and argueynge as hit were, "What is pouerte pacient?" quaþ he · "ich praye þat þou telle hit." [quaþ he] F om. praye] pray þe FT.] Line 116 "Paupertas," quaþ pacience · "est odibile bonum,

Remocio curarum, Possessio sine calumpnia, donum dei, sanitatis mater;

Absque solicitudine semita, sapiencie tempera|trix, negocium sine dampno;

Incerta fortuna, absque solicitudine felicitas."

[solicitudine] solitudine T (twice); solittudine G (twice).] "Ich can nat construen al this" · quath activa uita. [al] wel al F.] "Parfay," quath pacience · "propreliche to telle [quath] þo quod F. propre|liche] & propurli F; parfitliche G. telle] telle it T.] Line 119 In english, hit is ful harde · ac somdel ich shal telle þe. [In] Al þis in T. hit] T om. ac] but T; & F. somdel] E om. telle þe] schewe F. Distinctio, &c.] so in PEF; TG om.]

DISTINCTIO PAUPERTATIS.

Pouerte is þe firste poynte · þat prude most hateþ; [A page 251] 'Thanne is pouerte good,' quaþ good skyle · 'þauh hit greue a lytel, [quaþ] be T. quaþ—skyle] & goostliche F.] Al þat may putten of pruyde · in place þer he regneþ.'

Remocio curarum:—

For selde sitt pouerte · þe sothe to declare; [For] TG om. selde EG] seelde F; seilde P; Shulde (wrongly) T. sitt] sitte E; sitteth F; sette (wrongly) T; sit G.] Line 124 As a Iustice to Iuge men · men enioyneþ þer-to no poure, [G omits. As a] Or as T. men (2)] me T. enioyneþ þerto] ioyn|eth so F.] Ne to be a mayre ouere men · ne Mynistre vnder kynges. [a] T om.] Selde is þe poure [yput] · to punysshe eny peuple, [Selde ETG] Seilde P; Ful seelde F. þe] any T. [yput TG] I-put F; pitt P; potte E; but see l. 50.]

Ergo pouerte and poure men · parfournen þe comaunde|ment,

Nolite iudicare quemquam.

Possessio sine calumpnia:—

Line 128 Selde is þe poure ryght riche · bote of hus [riȝtful] heritage, [Selde ETG] Seelde F; Seilde P. ryght] F om. [riȝtful FT] ryght PE; G om.; cf. B-text.] He wynneþ nat with wyghtes fals · ne with vnseled mesures, [G omits. He wynneþ] Wyn|neþ he T. with] whit P (twice). wyghtes] whyghtes P; wiȝtes EF; wyttes (wrongly) T. vnseled EF] vnselide P.] Ne borweþ of his neyghebore · bote þat he may wel paye, [borweþ] borowe E. his] is P.] And lyghtly men leneþ to fewe men · and men [wene] hym poure. [lyghtly] miswritten lyghly P. lyghtly—to] selde me leneþ G; me leniþ liȝtly T. And—men (2)] Nat liȝtly me leeneth to a man F. to] bot to E. and] ȝif F. men (3)] me TG. [wene EFTG] P om. hym] hem EG; he be F.] Line 132 The feorthe is a fortune · þat florisshiþ þe soule [is] it is FG.] With sobrete [from] alle synnes · and al-so ȝut more; [G omits. With] Whit P. [from FT] aȝen E; whith P; cf. B-text.] Hit defendeth þe flessh · fro folyes ful menye: [defendeth FET] defendiþ G; defendit P. ful] riȝt FG.] And a collateral confort · crystes owen sonde;

Donum dei. [A page 252]

[And] TG om. confort] com|fort is F.] Line 136 Ȝut hit is moder of myȝt · and of mannes helthe, [Ȝut] & ȝit F. hit] T om. myȝt EFG] miȝt; myȝth P. helthe] hele T; help G.] And Frende in alle fondynges · and of foule vueles leche;

Sanitatis mater.

[in] of (wrongly) T. and] F om. vueles] yueles E; eueles FTG.] The syxte, hit is a paþ of pees · ȝe, þorw þe pas of [altoun] [pas] paies T. [altoun EF] aueltone T; aultone G; haultone P.] Line 139 Pouerte myghte passe · with-oute peril of robbynge. [Pouerte myghte] For þere myȝt pouert (see l. 141) F. with] whit P.]

For þer as pouerte passeþ · pees folweþ commenliche, [commenliche] comunly T. pees—commenliche] folweth pees oft tyme F.] And euere þe lasse þat eny lyf ledeþ · the lyghter hus herte is þere, [þat eny] a F. lyf] G om. eny—ledeþ] on lede T.] As he þat wot neuere with wham · in [nyghtes] to mete;

Paupertas est sine solicitudine semita: Seneca.

[G omits. neuere] nere T. with] whit P. in] on T. [nyghtes] nyȝtes E; niȝtes tyme T; miȝti tyme (sic) F; myghtes P. Paupertas est] F om. sine] absque EFG. solicitu|dine] solitudine T. Seneca] F om.] The seueþe, hit is a welle of wysedome · and fewe wordes sheweþ, [The seueþe] The seuenethe F; It semiþ T. hit] F om. welle EFTG] weelle P.] Line 144 For lordes aloweþ hym lytel · oþer leyth ere to hus reisone; [leyth] leiþ E; leyen F; lig|geþ T.] He tempreþ hus tonge to-treuthe-ward · þat no tresour coueyteþ;

Sapiencie temperatrix.

[hus] þe T. ward] G om. Sa|piencie, &c.] ETG om.] The eyhteþe, hit is a leel labour · and loþ to take more [eyhteþe] eiȝte T; oþer G. hit] EG om.] Than he may sothliche deserue · in somer oþer in wynter; Line 148 And þauh he chaffare, he chargeþ no los · mowe he charite wynne;

Negocium sine dampno.

[los] lost E.] Þe nyethe, hit is swete to soules · [is] no suger swettere; [Þe] Ne (!) T. nyeþe] nyþe EF; neiþe T. Þe—hit] Anoþer G. swete] so swete F. soules] soule F. [is T] þer is F; PEG om.] For pacience is hus paneter · and payn to pouerte fyndeth, [hus] TG om. paneter] panter EFT; paniter G. payn—pouerte] pouert payn he T; pouerte payn G.] And sobrete ȝeueþ here swete drynke · and solaceþ here in alle angres. [here (1)] heere P; here EF; hire T. drynke] drynkus F. here (2)] heere P; hire T; hem E; F om. alle angres] angre G.] Line 152

Line 152 Thus leryde me a lerede man · for oure lordes loue, seint austyn, [A page 253] That pure pouerte and pacience · was a louh lyuynge in erthe, [lyuynge] G om. in] on FT.] A blessid lyf with-oute busynesse · bote oneliche for þe soule;

Absque solicitudine felicitas.

[with] whit P. Absque solici|tudine] Solitudine T.] Line 155 Now god þat al þynge gyueþ · graunte hus saule reste, [þynge] T om. G places god after saule.] That wrot þis to wisse men · what pouerte was to mene!" [þis] þus EG.] Thenne hadde actyf a ledere · þat heyhte liberum arbitrium, [A page 254] [ledere EFTG] apparently lodere T. heyhte] hiȝte EFT; het G. liberum arbitrium] arbitrium liberum E.] That knewe conscience ful wel · and clergie boþe; [That] He TFG.] "He þat haþ londe and lordshep," quaþ he · "at the laste ende [Here M begins again. He] Þe M. londe] lonnde P. londe and] G om. lordshep] lordschepe boþe M.] Line 160 Shal be pourest of power · at hus partyng hennes." [hennes] elles G.] Thenne ich wondrede what he was · this Liberum Arbitrium, [ich] T om. wondrede] hadde wondir T. this] miswritten thees P; þat T.] And prayede pacience · þat ich a-pose hym moste. [prayede] preide to F. ich] M om. T is corrupt here.] And [he] suffrede me and seide · "assay hus oþer name." [[he MFTG] PE om. me] F om.] "Leue liberum arbitrium," quaþ ich · "of what londe ar ye? Line 165 Ȝif þow be cristes creature · for cristes loue, tel me." [A page 255] [Ȝif] And ȝif T. tel me] telle hit me E; me telleþ M.] "Ich am cristes creature," quaþ he · "and cristine in menye place, [place] so PTFG; a place E; places M.] And in cristes court yknowe · and of hus kynne a partye; [yknowe] ich know (wrongly) E; Iknowe wel T.]

Is noþer peter þe porter · ne paul with his fauchon, [Is] Nis M. þe] ne (!) E. with] whit P. his] þe T.] That wolde defende me heuene dore · dynge ich neuere so late. [wolde] wole MG; wile T. dore] dere M.] Line 170 At myd-nyȝt, at mydday · my uoise is so yknowe, [G omits. nyȝt EF] niȝt T; nyth M; nyȝth P. at] ne at M. uoise] vois EFT; voys M.] Þat eche creature þat loueþ criste · welcomeþ me faire." [G omits. welcomeþ] wol|comeþ P.] "Wher-of serue ȝe?" ich seide · "syre liberum arbi|trium?" Line 173 "Of som tyme to fyghte," quaþ he · "falsnesse to de|struye, [Of] MF om. he] y G; he þo F.] And som tyme to suffre · boþe sorwe and teene, [suffre] suffre also F. sorwe—teene] tene & sorewe T.] Layke oþer leue · at my lykynge chese, [G omits. leue] bi-leue M. F has—Where I wol laike or leue · at my likyng I chese.] Line 176 To do wel oþer wikke · a wil with a reyson, [wikke T] wicke EM; wike P; wik F; wikkede G. a wil] he wile (wrongly) T.] And may nat be with-oute a body · to bere me wher hym lykeþ." [wher—lykeþ] aboute F. hym] me G.] "Thenne is þat body bettere þan þow," quaþ ich · "nay," quaþ he, "no betere; [bettere (1)] bet MF.] Bote as a wode were a fure · þenne worchen [þei] boþe, [a (1)] F om. a fure] on fuyre M; in fire T. [þei M] PEFTG omit; but it makes the sense clear.] And ayþer is oþeres heete · and also of a wil; [heete] help M. a] on M; o EFG; T om.] Line 181 And so is man þat haþ hus mynde · myd liberum arbitrium. [myd] myþ T; with F; wiþ G.] And þe whyle ich quyke þe cors · cald am ich anima; [F omits. þe whyle] while MG; whiles T; þe wyle P. quyke] am quyk in T. cors TG] corps M; cours P. cald—ich] I am cald T.] And whenne ich wilne oþer wolde · animus ich hyhte, [whenne] wenne P. oþer] and MTG. hyhte] hiȝte MF; hatte T. animus—hyhte] cald am y Animus G.]

And for þat ich can and knowe · cald ich am 'mannys þouht;' [M omits. And] F om. knowe] eke knowe F. cald—am] I cald am in (sic) T. mannys] F om.] Line 185 And whan ich make mone to god · memoria ich hatte; [whan] whanne þat T. mone] so PEMTG; moone F. hatte] so PEMFTG (not as in l. 184).] And when ich deme domes · and do as treuthe techeþ, [G omits this and l. 190. techeþ] telliþ T.] Then is racio my ryhte name · 'reson' in englissh; [in] on T.] And whenne ich fele þat folke telleþ · my furste name is sensus, [whenne] wenne P. þat] what F. my—is] þan am i F.] Line 189 And þat is witte and wisedome · the welle of alle craftes; And when ich chalange oþer nat chalange · chepe oþer refuse, [nat chalange] chalenge nout MFG. chepe] so PEMFG; chese M.] Þanne am ich conscientia cald · godes clerk and hus notarie; [am ich] i am M. con|scientia] concience MT.] Line 192 And when ich wol do oþer nat do · goode dedes oþer ille, [wol] wel M; E om. nat] wol noȝt E. dedes] dede T.] Then am ich liberum arbitrium · as lettrede men tellen; [lettrede] lered MG. tellen] me tellith FT.] And when ich loue leelly · oure lord and alle oþere, [A page 256] [And] E om.] Then is 'leel loue' my name · in latyn þat is amor; [þat] hit M. in—is] & in latyn T.] And when ich flee fro þe body · and feye leue þe caroygne, [body] flesch F. feye] fei M; vey E. feye leue] fayle G. þe (2)] my M.] Line 197 Then am ich a spirit specheles · and spiritus þenne ich hote. [a] FG om. hote] hoote F (not as in ll. 184, 186).] Austyn and ysidorus · ayþer of hem bothe [ayþer] eiþer oþer T.] Nempnede me þis to name · þow now myght cheese [me] G om. þis] þus F. name] names G. þow now] now þow MG; & now þou F.]

How þow coueitest to calle me · now knowest þow alle myne names.

Anima pro diuersis actionibus diuersa nomina sortitur; dum uiuificat corpus, anima est. dum uult, animus est; dum recolit, memoria est; dum iudicat, racio est; dum sentit, sensus est; dum amat, amor est; dum de|clinat a malo ad bonum, liberum arbitrium est; dum negat uel consentit, consciencia est; dum spirat, spiritus est."

[now] MG om. knowest þow] þow knowest MTG. sortitur] uo|catur M. a malo] de malo T.] Line 201 "Ȝe ben as a bischop," quaþ ich · al bordynge þat tyme, [ben] baw (!) M. bischop EF] bisshop TG; busshop M; badly spelt bihsshep P. bordynge] louryng T; bourdyng F.] "For bischopes blessed · thei bereþ meny names, [bischopes E] bisshopes GT; bischops F; busshopes M; badly spelt bihsshopes P. blessed] i-blessed MG; þat beth blessed F. þei] G om.] Presul and pontifex · and metropolitanus, [Presul] As presul F.] Line 204 And oþer names an hepe · episcopus and pastor." [an] a gret F.] "That is soth," he seide · "now ich seo þy wil [seide] seide þo · & F.] How þow woldest know and conne · þe cause of alle here names, [How] T om. cause] clause T. here] M om.] And of myne, yf þow myghtest · me þynkeþ by þy speche!" [G omits.] Line 208 "Ȝe, syre," ich seyde, "by so · þat no man were a-greued, [a-greued] a-greuede P.] Alle þe science vnder sonne · and alle sotile craftes [science] sciences MG. alle] alle þe T.] Ich wolde ich knewe and couthe · kyndeliche in myn herte." [A page 257] [wolde] wold þat F. and] or F. kyndeliche] soþlich G.] "Thanne art þow inparfyt," quaþ he · "and on of prydes knyghtes; [art MFT] ert PEG. inpar|fyt GT] inparfijt M; inparfyȝt P; vnparfit E; imparfit F.] Line 212

Line 212 For suche a luste and lykynge · lucifer fel fro heuene;

Ponam pedem meum in aquilone, & ero similis altissimo.

[luste E] lust MFT; louste P. and] & a T; of F. fel] miswritten feel P; ful M. & ero, &c.] MTG om.] Hit were a-geyn kynde," quaþ he · "and alle kynne resoun [resoun EFT] reson MG; rei|soune P.] That eny creature sholde conne al · excepte cryst one. [conne] kunne E; cunne FMG. one] al oone F.] Aȝene alle suche salamon spekeþ · and dispiseþ here wittes, And seith,

sicut qui mel comedit multum, non ei bonum est: Sic qui scrutator est magestatis, opprimatur a gloria.

[G omits. Aȝene] Aȝens ET; A-ȝe F. alle] T om. dispiseþ] spiceth F. And seith] For seiþ sala|mon þus G. sicut—est] G om. mel—non MFT] comedit multum mel & P; so also E, omitting mel. est] put before ei in MF; T om. oppri|matur] so in all; read opprimetur. a gloria] &c. M.] Line 216 To englissh-men this is to [mene] · þat mowen speke and huyre, [G omits. [mene MFT] mete PE. huyre] hure E; here MT; heere F.] The man þat muche hony eet · his mawe hit engleymeþ: [G omits. The] Þat T. The—þat] Þat ho so F. eet] so PM; eteþ E; ette F. hony eet] honieþ (!) T. his] is P. hit engleymeþ] is engleymed E.] The wyttiour that eny wight is · bote yf he worche þer-after, [wyttiour] whyttiour P; with|tiere M. wight] whight P; withg (sic) M; wit G; wy T. worche] do M.] The biterour he shal a-bygge · bote yf he [wel] worche; [biterour] bitturlokur F. [wel M] wol PETG; but this is too close to l. 219. bote—worche] whan he is brouȝt in graue F (a remarkable variation).] Beatus, seith seynt bernard · qui scripturas legit, [seith] quod M.] Line 221 Et uerba uertit in opera · emforth his power. [Et] Vt M. emforþ] euene|forþ M.] Couetise to conne · and to knowe science[s] Putte oute of paradys · adam and eue; [ll. 223-224.One line in T, omitting and to knowe. conne] cunne ME. [sciences EMTFG] science P; see l. 226.] Line 224

Sciencie appetitus hominem immortalitatis [gloria] spoliauit.

[Putte EM] Pute P; Put FTG. adam] boþe adam F. [gloria MFT] gloriam PEG. spoliauit] expoliauit E.] Line 224 And ryght so as hony · is vuel to defie, [so] TG om. vuel] yuel EG; euel MFT.] Line 225 Ryght so sothly sciences · swelleþ in a mannes saule, [Ryght—sothly] Soothli riȝt so F. sothly sciences] litel science T. sciences] science G. in] MFTG om.] And doþ hym to be deynous · and deme þat beth nat lerede; [G omits. And doþ] Don M. hym] hem T.] Non plus sapere · seide þe wyse, [A page 258] [Non] For non F.] Line 228 Quam oportet sapere · lest synne of pruyde wexe. [synne—pruyde] pruyde of synne E; pride & synne F. of pruyde] G om.] Freres fele sithes · to þe folke þat þei prechen [Freres] For fals frerus F. sithes] tymes T. þe] F om. folke] peple G. þat] þere T.] Meuen motifs meny tymes · Insolibles and fallaces, [motifs] motynges M. tymes] time MF. meny tymes] G om. In|solibles] insollible F; & solibles (!) E. fallaces] falaces E; fallas MF; infallaes (!) T.] That boþe lered and lewed · of here by-leyue douten; [lewed] eke lewed F. douten] doten T.] To teche þe ten commaundemens · were ten sithe bettere, [were] where P. were—sithe] ten siþe wer it F; ton (sic) siþe were T; ten siþe were G.] And how [þat] folke folyliche · here fif wittes myspenden, [[þat EMFTG] þe P; cf. B-text. myspenden] dispenden M; spenden F.] Line 234 As wel freres as oþer folk · foliliche spenden [foliliche ME] folliliche PG (but see last line); folliche T. foli|liche spenden] & feel of hem wurse F; but cf. B-text. spenden] lyuen M; worchen G.] In housyng and in helyynge · in hih cleregie shew|ynge, [and] M om. in helyynge] in heliyngge M; in hellynge E; in he|lyng F; helynge G; T om. in (2)] & E. hih] hi M; hy F; hey E; heiȝ T; hyȝ G. cleregie shewynge] herte of pride F.] More for pomp and prude · as þe peuple wot wel [and] & for E. and prude] of þat place F. peuple] peple MF; pepe (!) E.] That ich lye nat, loo · for lordes þei plesen, [F omits. lye] leiȝe T. þei] ȝe T. plesen EM] plese T; plesyn P.] Line 238 And reuerenceþ þe ryche · þe rather for here seluer, [F omits. lye] leiȝe T. þei] ȝe T. plesen EM] plese T; plesyn P.]

Aȝens þe counsail of cryst · as holy cleregye witnesseþ; [A page 259] [Aȝens] Ageyn M; Aȝe F. cleregye] chirche M; writ F. wit|nesseþ E] whittnesseþ P; telleth F. Ne] Non M.]

Ne sitis acceptores personarum.

[237—240. G omits.] Line 240 Loo, what holy wryt wyttnesseþ · of wikked techeres; [what] wiþ (!) T. holy—wytt|nesseþ] witnesseth holy writ F. techeres] tecches M.] As holyness and honeste · out of holy churche [honeste EMFTG] miswritten honestete P.] Spryngeþ and spredeþ · and enspireþ þe peuple Þorgh parfit preest-hood · and prelates of holichurche, [parfit] T om.] Ryght so out of holychurche · al vuel spredeþ, [G omits. al] as (!) E. vuel] yuel E; euel MFT.] Line 245 Ther inparfit preest-hod is · prechours and techours. [G omits. Ther EMFT] Theer P; so also in ll. 248, 250. inparfit] in (!) T. techours] oþure F.] And seo hit by ensample · of trees in somer tyme, [And—by] Tak þou G. of] on MG. in] a G. of—tyme] in somer tyme on tres T.] Ther somme bowes bereþ leues · and somme bereþ none; Line 248 The bowes þat bereþ nat · and beeþ nat grene-leuede, [G omits. The] Þo F. nat] non E. leuede] i-leued MT.] Ther is a myschif in þe more · of suche manere stockes. [G omits.] Ryght so persones and preestes · and prechers of holy churche [persones and] in persones & in E.] Ys þe rote of [þe] ryght feithe · to reuwele þe peuple; [Ys] so PETG (probably by intention); Ben M; Beth F. [þe MTF] PEG om. ryght] ryghit P. reuwele] reule ET; rule MFG.] Ac þer þe rote is roten · reson wot þe sothe, Line 253 Shal neuere floure ne frut wexe · ne fair leef be grene. [A page 260] [be] ne F; be and M.] For wolde [ȝe] letteride leue · the lecherie of cloþinge, [[ȝe MT] þe (wrongly) PEG; F om. the—of] lecherie · and ȝoure gai M.] And be courteis and kynde · of holy[kirke] goodes, [E omits. [kirke T] churche PG; chirches M; churches F.] Parte [with the] poure · and ȝoure pruyde leue, [G omits. Parte] To parte F. [with the EMFT] miswritten whithe P.] Line 257 And þerto trewe of ȝoure tonge · and of ȝoure tail also, [þerto] G om. trewe] trywe P. ȝoure] here G (twice). tail] so in all MSS; but F turns tail also into tailasse.]

And haten harlotrie · [and] to vnderfonge þe tyþes [And] & also G. haten] hate al F. [and MFTG] PE om. to] G om. þe] no M; G om.] Of vserers and of hores · and of al vuel wynnynges, [and (1)] & eke F; TG om. and (2)] T om. of (3)] MEG om. al] F om. vuel] euele MF; euile T; vnclene E.] Loth were lewede men · bote þei ȝoure lore folweden, [were] were þe F. lore] wil G.] And a-menden hem of here mysdedes · more for ȝoure ensamples [G omits. amenden hem] amendit T. more] þe more F.] Line 262 Þan for to preche and preuen hit nat; · ypocrisie hit semeþ! Ypocrisie is a braunche of pruyde · and most among clerkes, Line 264 And [is] ylikned in latyn · to a lothliche dounghep, [[is MFT] PEG om. in] as in F. a] E om. lothliche] lodli M.] That were by-snywe al with snow · and snakes with|ynne, [G omits. bysnywe] so PE; bisnewe F; besnewid T; i-snewed M. snow] snouȝ T. snakes] smatte M.] [Or to a wal whit-lymed · & were blak with-inne.] [In T only; but see B-text.] Ryȝt so meny preestes · prechours and prelates, Line 268 Þat beþ enblaunched with bele paroles · and with bele cloþes; [beþ] ben MT. enblaunched] encumbred M. bele (2)] faire M.] And as lambes þei loken · and lyuen as wolues. [And] G om. as (2)] as do F.] Iohannes crisostomus · karpeþ þus of clerkes,

Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur, sic de [A page 261] templo omne malum procedit. Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit, tota floret ecclesia; si autem corruptum fuerit, omnium fides marcida est. Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis, totus popu|lus conuertitur ad peccandum. Sicut cum uideris arborem pallidam & marcidam, intel|ligis quod uicium habet in radice, Ita cum

uideris populum indisciplinatum & irreligio|sum, sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum.

[F prefixes Loo. þus] riȝt þus F. procedit] cedit G. M omits fuerit after corruptum. sacerdocium (2)] sacerdos T. peccatis] peccato T. sanum] integrum vel sanum G.] Alas! lewede men · muche leese ȝe þat fynden [men] men alas F.] Line 272 Vnkynde creatures · to beo kepers of ȝoure soules! [creatures] curatours T. kepers] leders E.] Ac þyng þat wikkedliche is wonne · and with false sleithes, [wikkedliche] wiþ wickednesse M.] Wolde neuere oþer-wise god · bote wicked men hit hadde, [PE insert þat after neuere, which MFTG omit. bote] bute þat G.] As imparfit preestes · and prechers after seluer, [A page 262] [after] for M.] Line 276 Secutours and sodenes · somners and here lemmannes; [sodenes] soudenes M; south|denis T. somners] somenours E; somnours MFG; sompnours T.] And þat with gyle was gete · vngraciousliche be dispended. [gete] geten M; bigete F. be dispended] he dispend it F; mys|pende T.] Line 278 Curatours of holychurche · and clerkus þat ben auarous, [Curatours] For curatours F. auarous] auerous PG.] Lightliche þat þei leue · loseles hit deuouren. [þat] G om. hit] to G. de|uouren EG] deuowren M; deuoureth F; deuoren P.] Leyueþ hit wel, lordes · boþe lered and lewede, [Leyueþ] Leueþ MT; Leeueth F; Lyueþ E.] Line 281 Þat þus goþ here godes · atte laste ende, [atte] at þe MTF.] [Þat] lyuen a-ȝens holy lore · and þe loue of charite." [281—283. G omits.] [[Þat MFT] And PE. a-ȝens] a-ȝe þe F.] "Charite," quaþ ich þo · "þat is a þing for sothe Line 284 That maistres comenden muche; · wher may hit be founde? [A page 263] [wher] but whare F. hit] he F.] Ich haue lyued in [london] · meny longe ȝeres, [haue] aue P. lyued] i-lyued M; lyuede P. [london M] londoun F; lundoun T; londen PEG.] And founde ich neuere in faith · as freres hit precheþ, [ich] i hit MF.] Charite, þat chargeþ nat · ne chit, þauh men greue hym, [þat] þei (sic) T. chargeþ] chaungeþ G. þauh] & G. men] me TG. greue hym] him greue F.]

As paul in a pistele · of hym bereþ witnesse;

Non inflatur, non est ambiciosa, non querit que sua sunt.

[paul] seint poul F. a] his T. pistele] pistel EMFG; pistil T. non querit—sunt] MTG om.] Line 289 Ich [knew] neuere, by cryst · clerk noþer lewede, [[knew EMFG] kneuȝ T; knowe P. clerk] miswritten clek P.] That he ne askede after hus · and oþer-whyle coueytede [whyle] wyle P; whiles T.] Thyng þat needede hym nat · and nyme hit, yf he myghte! [needede hym] hym neded EF. and] to M.] Line 292 [For þoȝ men soȝt al sectes · of sustren & of breþeren,] [From E; also in MFGT; P omits. sectes] þe sektis T; folc M. of (2)] T om.] And [þow] fynde hym, bote figuratifliche · a ferly me þynkeþ;

Hic in enigmate, tunc facie ad faciem:—

[[þow M] þou F; PETG om. hym] hem M. bote] G om. figura|tifliche] furatif (!) T; fugynatijf (!) M. a ferly] wonder M. Hic] Quia hic per speculum F.] And so ich trowe trewely · by that men tellen of charite." [And so] Also M. so] E om. men] me G. of charite] þer-offe F.] "Charite is a childish thing · as holichurche witt|nesseþ, [A page 262]

Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli, [non intrabitis in regnum celorum:] [A page 263]

[childish] childlich M; childes FG. sicut] ut M. [non—celorum] from E; F has—non intrabitis, &c.; MTG om. [Distinctio, &c.] from M; PEFTG om.] Line 296

[DISTINCTIO CARITATIS.]

As proud of a peny · as of a pounde of golde, [of (2)] G om.] And al-so glad of a goune · of a grey russet [A page 264] [al-so] as TFG.] As of a cote of cammoka · oþer of clene scarlett. [cammoka] cammoca E; camaca M; camaka FT; cammaka G. clene] a clene T; reed F.] Line 299 He is glad with alle glade · as gurles þat lauhen alle, And sory when he seeþ men sory · as þow seest children [children] babes F.] Lauhen þer men lauhen · an loure þer men loureþ. [an] and MEFT. men loureþ] oþere louren T.] Line 302

Line 302 And when a man swereþ for soþ · for soþ he hit troweþ; [F omits.] He weneþ [þat] no wiȝt · wold lyghe and swere, [He] For he F. weneþ] leueþ M. He weneþ] Weniþ he T. [þat MFT] nat PE. wiȝt F] whiȝt P; withg M; wiȝ T. lyghe] lie MEF.] Line 304 Ne þat eny gome wolde gylen · oþer, ne greue, [F omits. gylen] bygilen E; bi-gyle M. ne] M om.] For drede of god þat is so good · and þus-[gates] ous techeþ,

Quodcunque uultis ut uobis faciant homines, facite eis.

[is] T om. so] E om. and] and þat MF. [gates] gatis T; PEMF omit, but the alliteration seems to re|quire it. ous] us MF; vs T. M ends the line—and þat us þus techeþ. eis] & eis F.] He hath no lykynge to lauhe · ne lyghe, men to scorne; [He] T om. to (1)] for to F. ne EMF] ne to T; apparently no P. lyghe] spelt lyhe P (but see l. 304); liȝen E; lyke T; likne F; likene M. to (2)] ne M. (Observe that the order of words differs from B-text.)] Alle siknesses and sorwes · for solas he [hem] takeþ, [[hem MF] hit PET.] And alle manere meschifs · as minstracie of heuene. [meschifs] myscheues M; of meschiefs T. as] for F. minstracie] mynstralcie E; mynstralsye F; men|stralsie M; minstracies T.] Of deþ ne of derþe · drad was he neuere, [drad] a-drad M.] Line 310 Ne mysliked, þauh he loore · oþer lenede to þat ilke [loore] so PF; lore MET. oþer] & T. lenede] lente M. to] T om.] Þat neuere payed peny aȝe · in place þere he borwede." [aȝe] so PEF; aȝen T; a-geyn M. place] places T.] [301—312. G omits.] "Who fyndeþ hym his fode?" quaþ ich · "oþer what frendes hath he, [fyndeþ] fynt T. hym] E om. Who—fode] Hou is charite y-founde G.] Line 313 Rentes oþer richesses · to releue hym at hus neode?" [richesses] richesse quod he F. hym] F om. hus] MT om.] "Of rentes ne of richesses," quaþ he · "reccheþ he neuere, [F omits. ne] G om. of] T om. quaþ he] TG om. reccheþ] ne recchiþ T.] [A frend he haþ þat fynt him · þat faileþ him neuere]. [From M; also in FTG; PE omit. fynt] fyndeth FG. faileþ] failide T. þat faileþ—neuere] & fail him he nelle F.] On aperis-tu-manum · alle þynge hym fyndeþ; [On] Oon F; On ys G; Domine T. manum] manum tuam M. alle] þat (sic) G.] Line 317

Line 317 Fiat-uoluntas-tua · festeþ hym eche day. [Fiat] And fiat G. eche] iche a T. eche day] euermore F.] And also he can clergie · credo-in-deum-patrem And portreieþ [wel] þe pater-noster · and peynteþ hit with auees. [And] He M. portreieþ] por|treye T. [wel MFTG] PE om. peynteþ] peynte T. hit] it wel F. auees] so PEFG; aues MT.] Line 320 And oþer-while hus wone is · to wende in pilgrymages, [in] on T.] Ther poure men and prysouns beþ · and payeþ for here lyflode, [payeþ] paye T. lyflode] fode TG; table F.] Clotheþ hem and comforteþ hem · and of crist precheþ hem, [hem (2)] F om. precheþ hem] to hem techeth F.] What sorwes he suffrede · in ensample of ous alle, [he] þat he F. ensample] saumple F. ous] us MF; vs TG.] That pouerte and pacience · parfitliche ytake [G omits. pacience] penaunce T. parfitliche ytake] pacientliche taken T; þat parfitly be take F.] Line 325 Ys muche merit to þat man · þat wel may suffren. [G omits. Ys] Worþ T. muche] gret M. to] for F. wel] it T. may] may hem M.] Whan he haþ thus visited fetered folke · and oþer folke poure, [A page 265] [Whan] And whanne T. thus] M om. visited EF] visitid TG; i-visited M; visetid P. fetered] vetered F. oþer folke] EG om.] Then he ȝerneþ in-to þouht · and ȝepliche he secheþ [he ȝerneþ] ȝerniþ he T. þouht] so all but T, which has ȝouþe, as in B-text.] Pruyde, with alle þe portinaunce · and packeþ hem to|gederes, [þe] here G. portinaunce] so PG; aportenaunce M; portenaunces E; purtenaunces F; appurtenaunces T. packeþ] pekk (sic) E.] Line 329 And laueþ hem in þe lauandrie · laboraui-in-gemitu-meo, [hem] hym E. þe] G om. lauandrie] launderie T.] And boukeþ hem at hus brest · and beteþ hit ofte, [And] T om. hem] M om. beteþ] beeteþ P. hit] hem G; it ful F.] And with warme water of hus eyen · wokeþ hit [til hit] white;

Lauabis me, et super niuem dealbabor.

[warme] wharme P. eyen] eiȝes T. wokeþ] so PEM; weoketh F; werkiþ T; wetiþ G. hit—hit M] hem til hit G; it til he F; hit he PT; hit þe (sic) E.] Line 332

Line 332 Þanne syngeþ he whanne he so doþ · and som tyme wepynge,

Cor contritum & humiliatum, deus, non de|spicies."

[Þanne] And þanne T. he (1)] F om. whanne] wanne P. so doþ] doþ so TG.] "Were ich with hym, by crist," quaþ ich · "ich wolde neuere fro hym, [quaþ ich] G om.] Þauh ich my by-lyue sholde begge · a-boute at menne hacches. [bylyue] bileue G; bileeue F; lijflode M. menne] mennes F; menes M; men ET.] Line 335 Wher clerkus knowe hym nat," quaþ ich · "þat kepen holychurche?" [Wher] Wheþer EFT. hym] hit G. hym nat] nout him M.] "Peers the plouman," quaþ he · "most parfitliche hym knoweþ;

Et uidit deus cogitationes eorum.

[the] M om. hym] hit G.] By cloþynge ne by karpinge · knowe shalt thou hym neuere, [A page 266] Line 338 Ac þorw werkes þou myght wite · wher forþ he walkeþ;

Operibus credite.

[Operibus, &c.] MF om.] He is þe muriest of mouthe · at metes þer he sitteþ, [þe] MF om. at] atte G. metes] mete M.] And compenable in companye · as crist hym-self techeþ,

Nolite tristes fieri, sicut ypocrite. [A page 267]

[compenable] so PFG; com|panable EM; compaynable T.] Ich haue seyen hym my-self · som tyme in russett, [seyen] seyn E; seiȝe T; seye FG · i-seyn M.] Line 342 Bothe in greye and in greys · and in gylt harneys, [greys] gris EFT; grys G; grees M. and] & also G.] And al-so gladliche he gyueþ · to gomes þat hit needeþ. [gyueþ] it gaf T. gomes—needeþ] hem þat han nede G. hit needeþ] ben nedi M. needeþ] nedite T.] Eadmund and edward · ayþer were seyntes, [ayþer] boþe þei M; boþe F.] Line 345 And chief charite with hem · and chast al here lyue. [E omits from with hem to charite in next line. chief] G om. al] in alle G.]

Ich haue seyen charite al-so · syngen and rede, [seyen] i-seie M; seie F; seiȝe T; seyȝe G.] Ryden, and rennen · in raggede cloþes, Line 348 Ac biddyng as a beggere · by-heold ich hym neuere. [by-heold] bi-hult M.] Ac in riche robes · raþest he walketh, [raþest] raþerest M.] Y-called and ycrymyled · and hus croune shaue. [G omits. Y-called] Cald T. shaue] i-shaue ME.] And in [a] freres frocke · he was yfounde ones, [[a EMFTG] P om. freres] frere FG; fair (!) T.] Line 352 Ac it is fer and fele ȝeres · in fraunceys tyme; [is] was M; T om. fer FTG] feer P; ferre E. fer—ȝeres] fer & fele ȝere goo F; fele ȝer ago M. ȝeres] ȝer MTG; ȝere F. fraunceys] frauncesses M.] In that secte sitthe · to selde he haþ be founde. [secte] siȝte M. to] ful MF; wel G.] Riche men he comendeþ · and of here robes takeþ, [comendeþ] recomaundiþ T.] Of þo þat leelliche lyuen · and louen and by-leyuen;

Beatus est diues sine macula.

[by-leyuen] bileuen MEG; beleuen T; bileeuen F.] Line 356 In kynges court he comeþ · yf hus counsail be trewe; [hus] E om.] Ac yf couetise be of hus counsail · he wol nat come þer-ynne. [wol—come] comeþ nat G.] Among þe comunes in court · he comeþ but selde, [comunes] comyne G. selde EMTG] seilde P (but see l. 354); riȝt seelde F.] For brawelynge and bacbytynge · and beryng of false wittnesse. [A page 268] [brawelynge and] G om.] Line 360 In constorie by-fore þe comissarie · he comeþ nat ful ofte, [þe comissarie] commissaries G. ful] M om.] For here lawe is ouere-longe · bote yf þei lacche seluer. [here—longe] ouerlong is here lawe T. þei] he F.] With bisshopes he wolde beo · for beggers sake, [With] For G. bisshopes] bihsshopes P.] Ac auarice oþer-whiles · halt hym with-oute þe gate. [auarice] auerice P. whiles] while MFG. hym] hem G. þe gate] þe gates E; gates F.] Kynges and Cardineles · knowen hym som tyme, [G omits. knowen] so PM; knewen EF; kneuȝ T.] Line 365 Ac þorw couetise and his consail · congeied is he ofte. [G omits. congeied] conged MF; cunged T. is he] he is MF.]

And ho so coueyteþ to know hym · such [a] kynde hym folweþ, [E omits. [a MFT] P om. such—hym] G omits.] As ich tolde þe with tonge · a lytel tyme passed; [tyme] while G. passed] a-passed MG; ypassid T.] Line 368 For noþer he beggeþ, ne biddeþ · ne borweþ to ȝelde; [he beggeþ] he ne beggiþ T; þe beggere (sic) M. ne (1)] nor F.] He halt hit a nycete · and a foul shame [He] For he F. hit] þat F. a nycete] for a vice T (which is pro|bably right, as it suits the allitera|tion). and] & eke F.] To beggen oþer to borwe · bote of god one;

Panem nostrum cotidianum [da nobis hodie]." [To] For to F. to] for to F. bote] but it be F. Panem, &c.] M omits. [da—hodie] supplied from F.]

Line 371

Hic explicit passus septimus & ultimus de dowel. [So PG; M omits. Hic] EF om. septimus &] E om. T has—Passus septimus de dowel: & explicit.]

Visio eiusdem Willelmi de Do-bet.

PASSUS XVIII. (DO-BET I.)

[TITLE. So PFG; M prefixes Hic; E omits passus; T omits.] Incipit passus primus de dobet.

"Ther is no suche," ich seide · "þat som tyme ne borweth, [TITLE. So PFG; M prefixes Hic; E omits passus; T omits.] Oþer beggeþ oþer byddeþ · beo he ryche oþer poure, [ryche—poure] neuere so riche M.] And ȝut oþer-while wroþ · with-oute eny synne." [with] whith P.] "Ho so is wroþ and wolde be awreke · holi wryt," quaþ he, "proueþ. [so] T om. quaþ—proueþ] preuiþ quod he T.] Line 4 He passeþ chief charite · if holichurche beo trewe;

Caritas omnia suffert.

[He] Þat he F. chief] F om. if] ȝif FT; and M; miswritten hif P. trewe EMFTG] trywe P; so also in ll. 15, 33.] Holy writ witnesseþ · þer were suche eremites, [A page 269] [witnesseþ] whitnesseþ P; with|nesseþ M. þer were] þat G.] Solitarie by hem-self · and in here selles lyueden [and] MT om. selles] celles E.] Line 7 Wiþ-oute borwynge oþer beggynge · bote of god one; [Wiþ] Whiþ P.] Excepte þat egidie · an hynde oþer-while [egidie] Egide T; seint egidie F.] To hus selle selde cam · and suffrede to be melked. [A page 270] [selle] celle E. selde EMTG] seilde P; seelde F. to] T om.] Elles fouweles fedden hem · in frythes þer þei woneden, [hem] him M; hym TG. frythes] friþ M.] Boþe antonye and erseny · and oþer mo fele. [erseny] arseny T; arceny M. mo fele] ful manye T.] Line 12 Paul primus heremita · hadde parroked hym-selue, [parroked] i-parroket M; par|lokkid (sic) T.]

That no man myghte se hym · for muche mos and leues; [muche] TG om. leues] for leues TG.] Foweles hym fedde · yf frere austyn be trewe; [Foweles] And foulus F. frere] M om. austyn] austyns F; austynes T (wrongly).] For he ordeynede þat ordre · other elles þei gabben. [þat] her F. gabben EMTG] gabbyn P; fowle gabben F.] Line 16 Paul after his prechynge · panyeres he made, [his] is P.] And wan with hus hondes · al þat hym neodyde. [with] whith P; and in l. 31. neodyde] nedede MFG; neded E; nedite T.] Peter fysshed for hus fode · and hus fere Andreu; [G omits. hus (2)] for his E. fere] felow F.] Som thei solde, and som thei sode · and so þei leueden boþe. [G omits. solde] sode T. sode] sente M; sende F; solde T; toke E. leueden] lyueden EM.] Line 20 Marie magdalene · by mores leuede and dewes; [by—dewes] be mores · lyuede ȝeres and daies M; heo leuede · bi moorus and bi dewes F; by meris mylk lyuede & Ewis (!) T.] Loue and leel by-leuye · heeld lyf and soule to-gedere. [Loue] Her loue F. leel] her leel F. heeld] held TG; halt M.] Maria egyptiaca · eet in þyrty wynter [eet] so PMTG; ete E; eet but F.] Bote þre lytel loues · and loue was her souel. [souel] so PEMG; sowel F; soul T.] Line 24 Ich can nat rekene hem ryght now · ne reherce here names, [ne] nor F; & G.] That lyueden þus for oure lordes loue · meny longe ȝeres, With-oute borwyng oþer beggyng · oþer þe bok lyeþ, [With] Whit P; and in ll. 73, 79.] And woneden in wildernesse · a-mong wilde bestes; [wildernesse] wildernessis T.] Line 28 Ac dorst no best byten hem · by daye ne by nyghte, [A page 271] [ne] nor F; noþer M.] Bote myldeliche, whan þei metten · maden louh chere, [G omits. louh] low M; lowe EMF. chere EMT] cheere F; chire P.] And feyre by-fore þo men · fauhnede with þe tayles. [G omits. by-fore] bi-forn M. þo] þe MT. men] folk F. fauhnede] fauȝned E; faunede M; faunide T; faynede F. þe] heore M.] Ac bestes brouhte hem no mete · bot onliche þe fouweles, [Ac] & F. fouweles] foules EMG; foulis T; foulus F.] Line 32

Line 32 In tokenynge þat trewe man · alle tymes sholde [man] men M. tymes] time G.] Fynde honeste men [and] holy men · and oþer ryghtful peuple. [[and MFTG] in PE. men (2)] T om.] For wolde neuere feithful god · þat freres and monkes token [god EMTFG] goud P. token] taken E.] Lyflode of luþer wynnynges · in al here lif-tyme. Line 36 As wytnesseþ holy writ · what thobie seyde [writ EFTG] writt P; writh M. what] what þat F; as M.] To his wif, whan he was blynde · [he] herde a lamb blete; [To—wif] at end of l. 37 in T. his] is P. blynde] blynd as a betil T. [he MFTG] PE om.] 'A! wyf! be war,' quaþ he · 'what ȝe haue here-ynne; [A] T om. A wyf] Woman F. ȝe haue] haue we T. here-ynne] þer|Inne E.] Lord leyue,' quaþ þe lede · 'no stole þyng be here!'

Videte ne furtum sit: & alibi, melius est mori quam male uiuere.

[leyue] so PE; leue MTG; leeue F. þe] þat EMFG. no] þat no T. here] here-Inne EMTG. no—here] þat it be nat of stelthe F. & alibi] M om.] Line 40 This is no more to mene · bote men of holychurche Sholde receyue ryght nauȝt · bot þat ryght wolde, [nauȝt MFT] nauth P.] And refuse reuerences · and raueneres offrynges. [offrynges] offryng MF; con|ge (!) G.] Line 43 Thenne wolde lordes and ladies · be loth for to agulte, [for] TG om.] And to take of here tenauns · more þan treuthe wolde; [And] Or F. to] forte M. tenauns] tenauntes MEFG.] And marchauns merciable wolde be · and men of lawe boþe. Wolde religiouse refuse · raueneres almesse, [religiouse] religioun M. almesse] almesses M; almus F; offringes T.] Then grace sholde growe ȝut · and grene-leued wexe, [ȝut] F om. leued] levus F; loue (!) T; leues G.] Line 48 And charite, þat child is now · sholde chaufen of [him-] self, [child] so PET; cold MF; scheld G. chaufen] chawfe F; chafen E; chaunce T. [him MF] hem PETG.] And confortye alle cristene · wold holy[kirke] amende. [confortye] confort E; comforte MFG; counforten T. [kirke T] churche PEFG; chirche M.]

Iob þe parfit patriark · þis prouerbe wrot and tauhte, To makye a man louye mesure · þat monkes beeþ and Freres;

Nunquam, dicit Iob, rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam, aut mugiet bos cum ante plenum presepe steterit? Brutorum animalium natura te condempnat, quia cum pabulum sufficiat commune, ex adipe prodiit iniquitas. [A page 272]

[To] & T. makye] make MFTG. a man] men MFG. louye] so PE; loue MFTG. ante] ante eum PET; but MF om. eum. sufficiat commune] commune sufficiat MFG. iniquitas] iniquitas tua T.] Line 52 Yf lewede men knewe this latyn · a litel þei wolde auisen hem [knewe—latyn] þis latyn knew F. þei] E om.] Er thei amorteisede eny more · for monkes oþer for chanons. [Er] Or EMFG. amorteisede] enmorteiside M; morteysede G. for (2)] FG om.] Alas! lordes and ladies · lewede counsail haue [ȝe] [E omits last halves of ll. 55 and 56. [ȝe MFTG] we P; cf. B-text.] Þat founded beþ to fulle · to feffe suche and fede [To feffe swiche and fede · þat founden ben at þe folle M; To feffe suche & feede · þat founded be to þe fulle FT; To feffen suche & fynde · þat founde biþ atte fulle G.] Line 56 With þat ȝoure barnes and ȝoure blod · by goode lawe may cleyme! [With] Be T. by] wiþ G. may] myȝt G.] For god bad hus blessede · as þe book techeþ,

Honora patrem & matrem, [ut longeuus sis, &c.]

[hus] þe MF. blessede MFG] blesside P; blessid childir T; blesse (wrongly) E. book] book us F. techeþ] telleþ MF. [ut—&c.] in F only.] To helpe þy fader formest · by-fore freres and monkes, [Here I begins again. and] or T.] And er prestes oþer pardoneres · oþer eny peuple elles. [And] Or ITG. er] or ME; ar FI; T om. er prestes] oþer peple G.] Help þi kynne, crist bit · for þer by-gynneþ charite, [for] & F. þer] her M.] Line 61 And afterwarde awaite · hoo haþ moost neede, [T omits. awaite] awhaite P.] And þer help yf þou hast · and þat halde ich Charite. [T omits. and—Charite] & þan hadde ich charite E; for charite I it halde F; & þat halt charite G.] Loo! laurence for hus largenesse! · as holy lore telleþ, [lore] writh M.]

Þat hus mede and hus man-hede · for euere-more shal laste;

Iusticia eius manet in eternum.

Line 65 He gaf godes men [godes] goodes · and nat to grete lordes, [[godes MG] goddes I; godis T; his F; PE om. to] I om.] And fedde þat a-fyngred were · and in defaute lyueden [a-fyngred] so PEFG; a-fyngrit T; of-hongret M; anhungred I.] Ich dar nat carpe of clerkes now · þat cristes tresoure kepen, [dar IMFTG] der P; derre E. In the margin of M—contra clericos.] Line 68 That poure peuple by pure ryght · here part thei myghten aske; [thei] IFTG om.] Of þat [þat] holychurche · of þe olde lawe cleymeþ, [Of] And of F. [þat MFITG] PE om. of þe] by G.] Priestes on aparail · and on purnele spenen. [on (1)] in heore M. spenen] spenden M; spendeth F; now spene I; now spenden T; now speneþ G.] Men may lykne letterid men · to a lussheborgh, oþer werse, [A page 274] [Men] Me I. may] may now IT. lykne] likne FTG; likene MI; liken E. a] TG om. lussheborgh] luhssheborgh P; luscheborgh E; losscheburgh I; lusscheburne MFT; luscheboru G. werse] a wurse F.] Line 72 And to a badde peny · with a good preynte. [And] & eke F. preynte] preente I; prente MFT.] For of muche moneye · þe metal is ryght nauht, [For] IT om. moneye] mone þat is mad T. ryght] IT om. nauht] feble F.] Ȝut is þe prente pure trewe · an parfitliche graue. [Ȝut] & ȝit IT. is] follows prente in T. an] and MI; & EFTG. graue] i-graue MFITG.] And so it fareþ by false cristine · here follouht is trewe, [follouht] follouȝt E; fullynge MI; folewyng T; preente F. trewe] triwe P (but see l. 75); ful trewe F. is trewe] y trowe I.] Cristendome of holy[kirke] · þe kynges marke of heuene; [[kirke I] churche PEFG; chirche MT. þe kynges] ys cristes G.] Line 77 Ac þe metal, þat is mannes saule · of meny of þese techeres [mannes] many (!) T. meny of] I om. þese] F om.] Is alayed with lecherie · and oþer lustes of synne, [Is] Hit is F. synne] synnes I.]

That god coueiteþ nat [þe] coygne · þat crist hym-self prentede; [[þe EMIFTG] þat P. coygne] so PE; coyne MFIG; coyn T. pren|tede MIFT] preentede PE; preyn|ted G.] Line 80 And for synne of [þe] soule · for-sakeþ hus owne coygne. [And] But F. synne] þe synne IT. [þe EMIFTG] P om. coygne] marke F.] Thus are þe lithere lykned · to lussheborue sterlinges, [þe] þese M; ȝe I. lykned] lyknede P; likned EFG; i-likened MI; ylikned T. lussheborue] luhssheborue P; luscheborue E; losscheborwes I; lusscheburne MF; lusshebournis T; luschebornes G. sterlinges] star|lyngus FG; starlyng T.] That faire by-fore folke · prechen and techen, [faire] so fair F. by-fore] bi|forn þe M.] And worchen nat as þei fynden wryten · and wissen þe peuple. [And] F om. þei] ȝe I. wry|ten] i-writen M; y-write IT. and] ne MF. wissen] wisse nat F.] Line 84 For what þorw werre and wrake · and wycked hyfdes, [For—þorw] What so þourgh G. hyfdes] heuedes MTG; hedes EIF.] May no preiour pees make · in no place, hit semeþ; [pees make] make pees F.] Lewede men hauen no by-leyue · so letterid men erren. [F omits. Lewede] Þat lewede M. so] and I.] Neiþer þe see ne þe sande · ne þe seed ȝeldeþ [þe (1)] ITF om. þe (2)] IMFT om. þe (3)] no I. In margin of M —defectus populi.] Line 88 As þei woned were; · in wham is defaute? [As] As þat F. woned] I-woned F; I-wont T. is] is þe M.] Nat in god, þat he nys good · and þe grounde boþe; [nys] ne is F. good IMFT] goud P.] And þe see and þe seed · the sonne and þe mone [the] and þe I.] Don her deuer day and nyȝt · and yf we duden also, [deuer] dyuer M; deuyer I. nyȝt EMFIT] nyȝth P. duden] dyden F; dede IT. also] eke F. and—also] dede we so also IT.] Line 92 Ther sholde be plente and pees · perpetuel for euere. [88—93. G omits.] [sholde] ich holde E. and] of M. for] IT om.] [Wederwise] shupmen now · and oþer witty peuple [[Wederwise I] Wonderwyse PEMFTG; but see B-text. shupmen] schipmen IFG; chappmen M; shup|pen (sic) E. witty] wise F.] Han no by-leyue to þe lyft · ne to þe lood-sterre; [lyft] liȝt F. lood-sterre] lood|sterres PEIT; but MFG have lode|sterre, which is of course right.] Astronomyens al day · in here art faillen, [day] day now F.] Line 96

Line 96 That whilom warned men by-fore · what shoulde by-falle after. [whilom IFTG] whilen PE; wel lome M. by-falle] fallen F.] Shupmen and shephurdes · by the seuen sterres [Shupmen] Schipmen MFTG; Schepmen EI.] Wisten while and tolden · whenne hit shoulde reynen. [while] wel I; wel ofte M; sum tyme F. hit] þat hit M.] Tyliers þat tyleden þe erthe · tolden here maystres [tyleden] tiliede I; tilied F; tilide T. þat tyleden] of M. tolden] sum tyme toold F. here] to heore M.] Line 100 By þe seed þat þei sewe · what þei shoulde notye, [notye] notiȝe M; note FG. shoulde notye] sulle myghte I; selle miȝte T.] And what lyue by and lene · þe londe was so trewe. [was] whas P; ys (wrongly) G.] Now failleþ þis folke · boþe sowers and shupmen, [Now] But now F. þis] our F. sowers] felders F; folwers I. shupmen] schipmen MFITEG.] Noþer þei knoweþ ne conneþ · o cours by a-noþer. [A page 275] [knoweþ] ne knoweþ I. con|neþ] kunneþ E; cunne M; þei can F. o] on M. a-noþer] an oþer EMG.] Line 104 Astronomyens al-so · aren at here wittes end; [aren] ben ME (badly). al-so aren] arn also · alle F. here wittes] miswritten ere whittes P.] Of þat was calculed of þe clymat · the contrarye þey fyndeth. [calculed] i-calkuled M. was calculed] þei calcle F.] Grammere, þat grounde is of alle · by-gyleþ now children; [þat—is] þat is ground M; þe grounde I. now] nowþe MF; nouthe I; now þe T.] For þer is nouthe non · who so nymeþ hede, [þer is] is þer M; is I. nouthe] now E; now of hem F; IT om. nouthe non] no withg now M. hede EMIT] heede F; miswritten hete P.] Line 108 That can [versifie] fayre · oþer formeliche endite, [That] T om. [versifie IFT] uersefiȝe M; versfy E; uersie P. versifie fayre] faire versifie F. oþer] ne M. formeliche] foormally F; formaly T. OBS. T wrongly makes ll. 108, 109 into one line; and I makes ll. 108—110 into two lines.] Ne þat can construen kyndeliche · þat poetes maden. [107—110. G omits.] [þat can] I om. þat (2)] þat þe M. maden] haue maked F.] Gowe now to eny degre · and, bote gyle be halde a mayster, [Gowe] so PEI; Go we MFTG. and] F om. bote] I om. halde] i-holde M; holde ITG; hadde E; F om. a] M om.]

And a flaterer for hus vsshere · [a] ferliche me þynkeþ! [a—for] false flaterer F. for] G om. a] I om. vsshere T] vsschere E; vschere IF; vsscher M; husshere PG. [a FT] and PEI; MG om. ferliche] ferlich E; ferly IFTG; won|der M.] Doctours of decree · and of dyuyn maystres, [of (1)] now of F. decree] so PE; decre MFI; degre T; decreete G. dyuyn] deuyn MG; diuinite IT.] Line 113 That shoulde þe seuene ars conne · and a-soile ad quodlibet, [ars] arts F; M om. ad] a ITFG.] Bote þei faille in fylosophye · —and filosophers lyueden, [faille] failede M. in] in þe T. and] E om. and—lyueden] a ferly me thinketh F (from l. 112).] [And wolde wel examene hem— · wonder me þynkeþ!] [From M; not in PEIFTG, which leave the sentence incomplete; cf. B. xv. 376.] Lord leyue þat þese preestes · leelly seyn here masses, [leyue] so PE; leue MFTG; lete I. masses] masse MIT.] That þei ouerhuppe nat for hast! · as ich hope thei do nat, [A page 276] [That þei] And nat to F. ouer|huppe] so PG; ouerhippe EFIT; ouerlippe M.] Line 118 [Þogh] hit suffise for oure sauacion · sothfast by-leyue; [[Þogh I] Þoȝ E; Þowh F; Þhaw M; Þauȝ G; Þeiȝ T; That P; cf. B. xv. 380. suffise EFT] suffice IG; soffice M; suffuse P. for] to T. oure] F om.] As clerkus in corpus-christi feste · syngen and reden, That sola fides sufficit · to saue with lewede peuple. [with] whith P; and in ll. 129, 130, 131, 134.] Line 121 Ac yf preestes do her deuer wel · we shullen do þe bettere. [deuer] dyuer M. yf—her] doctours dooth ȝour F. we] & we F; miswritten whe P.] For saresyns mowe be saued so · yf þei so by-leyuede, [G omits. by-leyuede] bileue MFT.] In þe lengthynge of here lyf · to leyue on holychurche." [G omits. lengthynge] letyng I; lettyng T; (this may seem better; but cf. Lyf in l. 126.) leyue] leue EMIT; leeue F.] "What is holychurche, frend?" quoþ ich · "charite," he seyde, [frend] dere frende IT; F om.] Line 125 "Lyf, and loue, and leaute · in o by-leyue [and] lawe, [Lyf] Leue (wrongly) T. o] on M; oo F. [and M] & oo F; a PEIG; of T.] [A loue-knotte] of leaute · and of leel by-leyue, [[A—knotte MFITG] And loue a knotte PE.]

Alle kynne cristene · cleuynge on o wyl, [cleuynge E] cleuyng FTG; cleueynge I; a better spelling than clyuynge P; cleymyng (wrongly) M. on] in I.] Line 128 With-oute gyle and gabbynge · gyue and selle and lene. [and (1)] or M. and (2)] G om. and (3)] T om. lene] lene & loue T (which omits Loue in l. 130).] Loue lawe with-oute leaute · lowable was it neuere; [lowable] allowable TI; alow|able FG.] God lereþ no lyf to loue · with-oute leel cause: Iewes, gentiles, and sarrasines · Iugen hem-selue [gentiles and] and gentil I; & ientil T.] Line 132 That leeliche þei by-leyuen · and ȝut here lawe [dyuerseþ]; [[dyuerseþ EMIFTG] dyuersen P.] And on god þat al by-gan · with goode herte þei honoureþ, [on] o ITG; oo F; of E.] [And eiþer loueþ, and bileuiþ · in on lord al-myȝti.] [From M; also in IFGT; PE om. eiþer] ayþer IG; aither oþur F. bileueþ] leeueth F.] Ac oure lorde loueþ no loue · bote lawe be þe cause; [loueþ] alloweþ I.] For lechours louen aȝen þe lawe · and at þe laste beeþ dampned: Line 137 And theeues [louen, and] leaute haten · and at þe laste beeþ hanged: [[louen and T] louyen and I; PEMFG om. (But cf. ll. 137, 139.) theeues--at] lurdeynus þat lewte hate · at F. hanged] i-hanget M.] And leelle men louen as lawe techeþ · and loue þer-of aryseþ, [And—as] Ac leel loueth & F. men] G om. louen] lyue I.] The which is hefd of charite · and hele of mannes soule.

Dilige deum propter deum; id propter ueritatem est. Et inimicum tuum propter mandatum; id propter legem est. Et amicum propter amorem; id est, propter caritatem.

[hefd] hed EMFG; þe hede I; þe heuid T. For id, MITG have i., and omit est (thrice); F has id est the first time only, and i. afterwards.] Loue God, for he is good · and grounde of alle treuthe; Loue þyn enemy entyerly · godes heste to ful-fille; [entyerly] enterli M; enterly EG.] Line 142

Line 142 Loue þy frend þat folweþ þy wil · þat is [þy] faire soule. [[þy EIG] þi MFT; þe P.] For whanne alle frendes faillen · and fleen a-wey in deiynge, [alle] þi F. deiynge] so PE; deyyng G; deiyng M; dyyng F; deynge I; doyng (!) T.] Line 144 Then suweþ þe þy soule · to sorwe oþer to ioye, [þe] so G. þy] IT om.] And ay hopeþ eft to be · with here bodye atte laste [eft to] for to FTG; forte M. with] whit P; and in l. 166. here] F om. atte] at þe MTG.] In murthe oþer in mornynge · and neuere eft to departe. [eft] F om.] And þat is charite, my leue childe · to be cher ouer thi soule; [my] IT om. leue] F om. child] sone M. cher] cheer F. ouer] of G. be—ouer] loue wel M.] Line 148 Contrarie hure nauht, as in conscience · yf þou wolt come to heuene." [as] F om. to] in T.] "[Wher] sarrasyns," ich seyde · "seo nat what is charite?" [[Wher] Where IG; Whare F; Were P (for Wher, contr. form of Wheþer); Wheþer ET; For (wrongly) M. ich seyde] seiden (wrongly) M. nat] now M. seo] i-se I.] "Hit may be þat sarrasyns hauen · a suche manere charite, [F omits. be] be so ITG. a suche] swich a M; such a ITG.] Line 151 Louye, as by lawe of kynde · oure lord god al-myghty. [Louye] Louen T; To loue F. by] be þe M.] Hit is a kynde þyng, a creature · hus creatour to honoure; [a kynde] kende F; kyndely IT. a] for a M; euery T; IG om. to] G om.] For þer is no man þat mynde hath · þat ne meokeþ hym and by-secheþ [For] F om. is] nys FT. mynde] kynde M. ne] M om.] Line 154 To þat lord þat hym lyf lente · and lyflode him sendeþ. [lyf] F om. and] I om. him] M om. sendeþ EMFG] sende I; sente T; seyndeþ P.] Ac meny manere men þer beoþ · as sarrasyns and Iewes, Louyeþ nat þat lorde a-ryght · as by þe legende sanctorum, [Louyeþ—þat] Leuiþ nat on oure T.] Line 157

Line 157 And lyuen oute of leel by-leyue · for thei leyue in a mene. [And] But F. in] on IG.] Line 158 A man þat hihte makamede · for messye thei hym heolde, [A page 276] [hihte] he heȝte E. makamede] makemed E; makamete MF; maka|meþ I; macumeþ T (here and else|where). heolde] helde EG; hoolde F; holdeth IT; holden M.] And after hus lerynge thei lyuen · and by lawe of kynde. [lerynge] lernyng G. and] as M. by] bi þe MF.] And when kynde hath hus cours · and no contrarye fyndeth, Line 161 Þenne is lawe lost · and lewete vnknowen. [E omits. lawe] þat lawe F. lost] i-lost MF; y-left ITG. vn|knowen] vnknowyn P; vnknowe MIFTG.] Beaute saunz bounte · blessed was hit neuere, [saunz] sauiþ (!) T; and in l. 164.] Ne kynde saunz cortesie · In no contreye preysed. [Ne] No T; And M. preysed] i-preised MG; is y-preisid IT.] Line 164 Men fyndeþ þat makamede · was a man ycrystned, [Men] Me I. fyndeþ] fynde wel I; fynt wel T.] And a cardinal of court · a gret clerk with-alle, And porsuede to haue be pope · pryns of holychurche; [And] He M. be] so PEMFI; beo G; ben T.] And for he was lyke a lussheborgh · ich leyue oure lord hym lette. [And] Ac I. was] whas P. lyke] lik to M. lussheborgh] louhs|sheborgh P; luscheborȝ E; lossche|burgh I; lusscheburne MFT; lusshe|borue G.] Line 168 For-thi souhte he in-to surrye · and sotile[d] hou he myghte [For-thi] For-whi M. souhte] souȝte EMFIT; southte P. he] I om. souhte he] he souȝte M. in-to] in E. surrye] surye IG; sorie M. sotiled I] sotilide T; sotelede G; sotelde M; miswritten sotile PE; souled F.] Beo mayster ouer alle þo men · and on þis manere wroughte. [ouer] of M. and] F om. Before wroughte MIFTG insert he.] He endauntede a douue · day and nyght here fedde; [douue] dowue or downe MG; doun IT; coluer (over an erasure) E. day] and day IFG.] In aiþer of hus eris · pryueliche he hadde [In] Þan in F.] Line 172 Corn, þat þe coluer eet · when he cam in places. [þat þe] I om. þat] G om. þe] T om. coluer] culuur F. eet] so PMFIG; ete E; et T. in] in-to F. places] place G.]

And in what place he prechede · and þe peuple tauhte, [he] þat he F.] Then sholde þe coluere come · to the clerkes ere, Menynge as after mete · thus makamede here en|chauntede. [mete] hus mete PE; her meete F; hure mete G; but MIT omit hus or her; cf. B-text. thus] so F.] Line 176 And whan þe coluer kam þus · þenne [knelede] þe peuple, [[knelede MIT] kneled F; knelde G; knewele P; knewlen E.] For makemede to men swor · 'hit was a messager of heueue, [A page 277] [For] F om. men] hem M. to—swor] swoor to men F. hit] he G. of] fro E.] And sothly god self · in suche a coluere lyknesse [god] þat god I. self] him|self MF. suche] G om.] Tolde hym and tauhte hym · hou to teche þe peuple.' [to] he schulde M.] Thus makamede in mysbyleyue · man and womman brouhte, [man—womman] men and wemmen M.] Line 181 And in hus lore thei leyuen ȝut · as wel lered as lewede. [in] so PEMFG; on IT, as in B-text. leyuen] leuen IEG; leue T; lyuen M; lyue F.] And sutthe oure sauyour suffrede · suche a fals crystine Deceyue so sarrasyns · sothly me thynkeþ, [so] so þe IFT; þe G.] Line 184 Holy men, as ich hope · thorw help of þe holy gost, [ich hope] þe pope (!) E. þe—gost] god almyȝti F.] Sholde conuerten hem to crist · and cristendom [to] take. [

and] F om. [to IMFT] PEG om.

OBS. After l. 186, M inserts l. 288; see nete below, to l. 187.

] Alas! þat men so longe · on makamede by-leyuen, [A page 281] [

on] in I. by-leyuen] beleuid T.

OBS. Here the subject-matter is misarranged in M; l. 188 appears 30 lines further on.

] So meny [prelates] to preche · as þe [pope] makeþ, [[prelates IFTG] priestes PE; prestes M; cf. B. xv. 485. preche] prechie P. [pope EMIFTG] peuple (!) P.] Line 188 Of Nazareth, of Nynyve · of Neptalym, of damaske, [of (4)] and of M.] That thei ne wendeþ þe wey · as holy writ biddeth, [wendeþ] wente IT. þe wey] in world T; I om. as] þat G. bid|deth EFM] biddith P; byddeþ G; bitte I; bit T.]

Ite in universum mundum · sutthe ȝe wilneþ þe name [T makes sutthe—Ihesus into one line; I begins a new line with Sitthe (for Sutthe), and wrongly divides ll. 191—193.] To be prelates, and preche · þe passion of Ihesus, [T makes sutthe—Ihesus into one line; I begins a new line with Sitthe (for Sutthe), and wrongly divides ll. 191—193.] [To be] of T. Ihesus] crist M.] Line 192 And as hym-self seyde · so lyue and deye;

Bonus pastor animam suam ponit pro ouibus suis.

[so] so to I; to MG. deye] to deien M; to deye G; T puts ponit before animam. ponit] dat M.] Hit is reuthe to rede · hou ryght holy men lyueden, [ryght] F om.] How thei defouleden here fleessh · for-soken here owen wil, [for-soken] & forsoke FTG.] Fer fro kuth and fro kyn · vuel-cloþed ȝeoden, [Fer MITG] Fere E; Feer P. Fer fro] & fro here F. kuth] couthe I; kyþ M; kith FT. fro (2)] F om. vuel] euel IF; euele M; yuel E. cloþed] i-cloþed MI. ȝeoden] þei ȝede T; hy ȝede G.] Line 196 Baddeliche beddyd · no book bote here conscience, [Baddeliche] Ful baddeliche F. beddyd] ybedded EIT; i-bedded M. no] & (!) G.] Noþer richesse bote þe rode · to reioysen hem inne;

Absit [nobis] gloriari nisi in cruce domini nostri iesu christi.

[G omits. Noþer] Ne no IT; No M. richesse] riche I; richchesses F. reioysen I] reioyesen P; reioyse E; reiosche F; reioisshen T; reioie M. [nobis IG] vobis T; nos PEM; michi F; cf. B-text. Absit nobis] Michi autem absit F.] And þo was pees and plente · a-mong poure and riche; [þo] E om.] And now is reuthe to rede · hou þe rede noble [now] G om. to] for to F.] Line 200 Ys yreuerenced by-fore þe rode · and receyuyd for þe worthier [receyuyd] reuerensid (re|peated) T. for—worthier] as for beture F. worthier] worschepour M.] To a-mende and to make · as with men of holichurche, [G omits. with] whit P; T om.] Than cryst, oþer croys þat ouercam · deþ and dedly synne!— [A page 282] [Than] In I. oþer] on M; þat (!) E. cryst oþer] cristes IT.] Line 203 And now is werre and wo · and ho so 'whi' askeþ, [And] M om.] For couetyse after a croys · þe croune stant in golde. [For] For þe F. a] þe F; G om. stant] so PEFG; stande I; stand M; standiþ T.]

Boþe riche and religiouse · that rode þei honouren Þat in grotes is y-graue · and in gold nobles. [y-graue] graue I; grauen M. gold] goldene G. gold nobles] nobles of golde M.] For couetyse of þat croys · clerkes of holychurche [þat] þe IF.] Line 208 Schullen ouerturne as templers duden · þe tyme aprocheþ faste. [Schullen] Schulde I; Schal F. templers] þe templeris T; þe temple (!) I. duden] so PMEG; deden F; dede IT. aprocheþ] comiþ G.] Mynne ȝe nat, lettered men · hou þo men honourede [Mynne] Mynewe T; Mene M; Wyte G. nat] I om. lettered] ȝe lettred MF. þo] þat G.] More tresour [þan] treuthe? · ich dar nat telle þe sothe [[þan IMETG] þan þe F; P om. sothe EMIFTG] southe P.] How þo corsede crystine · catel and richesse wor|shepeden; [þo] þe EFG.] Line 212 Reyson and Riȝtful dome · þe religious damnede. [Reyson] Þat resoun F. and] as E. þe] so PEIT; þo MF. religious EMFT] religiouns I; miswritten re|lious (by a mere slip) P; see l. 206. dome—religious] þo freris of religion G.] Right so, ȝe clerkus, ȝoure couetise · er come ouht longe, [ȝe] EFG om. ȝoure] þoruȝ T. er] ar I; or EMG; ȝe ȝit or (sic) F.] Shal dampne dos ecclesie · and depose ȝow for ȝoure pruyde;

Deposuit potentes de sede.

[ȝow for] F om.] Yf knyȝt-hod and kynde wit · and þe comune and conscience [Yf] Hyf P; ȝif EMFIG. knyȝt] knyȝtht P. wit F] wyt TG; witte I; witt E; whit P; with M. and (2)] MF om.] Line 216 To-gederes louen leelliche · leyueþ hit wel, bisshopes, [To-gederes] at end of l. 217 in T. louen] louyen I; louye F; loueden MT. hit] F om. wel] wel ȝe F; I om.] [Þe] lordshup of londes · leese ȝe shulle for euere, [[Þe EMITG] To (wrongly) P; F om. londes] ȝour londes F. ȝe] þey G. shulle] schulde M.] And lyuen as leuitici dude · and as our lord ȝow techeþ,

Per primicias et decimas.

[our] ȝoure IE. ȝow] M om.] Whenne constantyn of hus cortesye · holy[kirke] dowede [[kirke IT] churche PEFG; chirche M.] Line 220

Line 220 With londes and leedes · lordshepes and rentes, [With] Whith P; and in ll. 234, 236, 245.] An angel men hurde · an hih at rome crye— [hurde] herde MITF; herd E. hih] hey I; heyȝ E; hy F; hi M; heiȝ T. at] aboute F. crye] þo criede M.] 'Dos ecclesie this day · haþ ydronke venym, [this] þis ilke F.] And tho þat han petres power · aren poysoned alle.' [G omits. tho] I om. petres MIE] petrus FT; petris P. aren] ben E; be F. poysoned] apoysoned EIT; I-poysoned F; enpoisened M.] A medecine moste þer-to · þat myghte amende þe prelates, [A] M om. moste] þer most F. þe] F om.] Line 225 That sholden preye for þe pees · and possession hem letteþ; Takeþ here londes, ȝe lordes · and leet hem lyue by dymes, [ȝe MEIFTG] miswritten ȝ (sic) P. leet] late F; lat I; letiþ T; letteþ M; lete G.] Line 227 Yf ȝe kynges coueyten · in cristene pees to lyuen. [ȝe — coueyten] þe kynge coueyte I. in] on G. cristene] cristes FITG.] For yf posession be poyson · and inparfyt hem make, [A page 283] [inparfyt] inparfyȝt P. in|parfyt hem] hem inparfit F.] The heuedes of holychurche · and tho þat be vnder hem, [heuedes] hedes EF. tho—hem] ho so is hem vndur F.] Hit were charite to deschargen hem · for holychurches sake, [churches] churche F; chirche I.] Line 231 And purge hem of þe olde poyson · ere more perel falle. [229—232. G omits.] [þe] heore M. olde MIT] old E; oolde P; F om.] For were preest-hod more parfyt · þat is, þe pope formest, [parfyt] parfyȝt P; and in l. 251. þat] þan G. In margin of M—De papa.] That wiþ moneye menteyneþ men · to werren vp-on cristine, A-ȝens þe lore of oure lorde · as seynt luk wytnesseþ,

Michi uindictam, [& ego retribuam, dicit do|minus, &c.]

[[&—&c.] in F only.] Line 235 Hus prayers with hus pacience · to pees sholde brynge [prayers] pees (sic) F. with] for G. pacience] penaunce M.]

Alle londes to loue · and þat in a lytel tyme; [Alle] And alle M. to] in-to MIFTG. a] MIFT om. tyme] while GT.] The pope with alle preestes · pax-uobis sholde make! [pax-uobis] E om. make] synge M.] And take hede hou makamede · þorwe a mylde doue, [hou] on I. þorwe] with FM. doue] dowue MIF; douue T; dome (!) E.] He hald al surrye as hym-self wolde · and sarasyns in quyete; [He hald] He halde E; Hadde MIFTG. hym-self] he F. quyete] equite I.] Line 240 Nouht þorw manslauht and [mannes] strengthe · maka|mede hadde þe mastrie, [and] ne M. [mannes I] manis T; PEMFG om. makamede hadde] hadde he M.] Bote þorw pacience and pryuy gyle · he was prynce ouer hem alle. [pryuy] G om. ouer] of F.] In suche manere, me þynkeþ · moste þe pope, [suche] such a IFG. me] as me F.] Prelates, and preestes · prayen and by-seche [Prelates] Prelatis P; With prelats F; Boþe prelatis T.] Line 244 Deuowtliche day and nyȝt · and wiþ-drawe hem fro synne, [and] T om. fro] fro here G.] And crye to crist þat he wolde · hus coluere sende, [þat] IT om. sende EMIFTG] seynde P.] The whiche is þe holy gost · þat out of heuene de|scendede, [whiche] wiche P. þe] þe hye I; þe heiȝe T. descendede] descende F; descendeþ I.] Line 247 To make a perpetuel pees · by-twyne þe prynce of heuene [by-twyne] bitwix F; bytwene EIMG. prynce] kyng M.] And alle manere [of] men · þat on þis molde lybbeþ. [[of MFT] PEIG om. þis] his T; þe M.] Yf preest-hod were parfit and preyede thus · the peuple sholde amende, [Yf—and] Parfit presthode þat F.] That now contrarien cristes lawes · and cristendom despisen. [now] T om. now contrarien] contrarien now IG; contrarie þus T. lawes] lawe M.] Line 251 For sutthe þat þes sarasyns · scribes, and þese Iewes [A page 281] [scribes] tribus (wrongly) T. þese] þes P; þe M.]

Hauen a lippe of oure by-leyue · þe lightloker, me þynkeþ, Thei sholde turne, [who so] trauayle wolde · and of þe trinite techen hem. [turne] IT om. [who so IT] þat PEMF. hem] F om. techen hem] hem teche M.] For alle paynymes preyen · and parfitliche by-leyuen [A page 283] [preyen] precheþ (!) I. and] þat F. parfitliche] parfite I.] In þe grete heye god · and hus grace asken, [heye] hy F; hie M; of (sic) I; T om. god] god of heuene T.] Line 256 And maken here mone to makamede · here message to shewe. [to shewe] for to sewe F.] Thus in a faith lyueþ þat folke · and in a false mene; [a] T om. (twice). faith] fay F. þat] þis F. in (2)] F om.] And þat is reuthe for þe [ryghtful] men · þat in þe reame wonyeþ, [M inserts ll. 259—287 after l. 187. þe (1)] þat T; F om. [ryght|ful IFT] rithful M; ryght PE; cf. B. xv. 536. þe (2)] þat IM; FT om. þe reame] rome F.] [And perel for þe prelates · þat þe pope makeþ;] [From M; also in IFT; PE om. perel] a peril T. þe (1)] IT om.] Line 260 [Þat] bereþ name of Neptalym · of Nynyue and of damaske. [[Þat IMFT] And PE. name] þe name T. and] I om. of (3)] F om.] For when þe holy kynge of heuene · sende hus sone to erthe, [holy] heye I; heiȝe T. sende] so PFG; sente IMT. to] til I. erthe] eerthe P.] [252—262. G omits.] Meny myracles he wrouhte · man for to turne, [he] þo he F; a I. man] men IF. man for] to cristene lawes man G.] In ensample þat men · sholde seo by sad reyson, Line 264 That men myghte nat be sauede · bote þorw mercy and grace, [bote] and but I.] And þorw penaunce and passioun · and parfyt by-leyue; [parfyt] parfyȝt P.] And by-cam a man of a mayde · and metropolitanus, [a (1)] M om. metropolitanus] metropolanus (sic) IMTG.] And baptisede, and busshoppede · with þe blode of hus herte [And] He M. and] an P. busshoppede] busshopede M; bus|shupede G; bischopede EF; bis|shopid T; bisshemed (sic) I.] Line 268

Line 268 Alle þat wilnede oþer wolde · with inwit by-leue hit. [oþer] and IMFTG. with] whit P; and in l. 268. inwit FG] Inwyt T; inwitt EI; inwith M; badly spelt inwhiȝt P. hit] TG om.] Meny seint sitthe · suffrede deþ al-so; [A page 284] [Meny] Many a FG. seint] seyntes M. suffrede] hath suffred þe F. al-so EIMFTG] al-soo P.] For to enforme þe faithe · ful wyde-where deyden, [enforme] enferme PG; but en|forme EM; enfourme T; conferme F; ... ferme I. ful] M om. deyden] þei dede F; þei deieden M.] Line 271 In Inde and in alisaundrie · in ermanye, in spayne, [and] I om. in ermanye] matrimonye (!) I. ermanye] er|monye MT; hermonye F. in (4)] and in MEG.] And fro mysbyleue · meny man turnede. [And fro] And so fram her F. man] men MI; a man F; men hy E; mo G.] In sauacion of mannys saule · seynt thomas of Caunterbury Line 274 Among vnkynde cristene · in holychurche was sleye, [sleye] so PG; slawe IFT; sleyn E; slayn M.] And alle holychurche · honoured for þat deyinge. [274—276. These lines are much rubbed in M and I. Caunterbury] Cauntelbury P; cauntilburye E; but caunterbury MTG; kaunturbury F.] [G omits. honoured] honour|ede P. for] þoruȝ T.] He is a forbusne to alle busshopes · and a bryȝt myrour, [forbusne] so PE; forbisne I; forbisen T; forbisme G; forbison MF. alle] F om. busshopes] so PEM; bisschopes IT; bischops F. bryȝt] bryȝthe P.] And souereyneliche to alle suche · þat of surrye bereþ name; [to alle] of IT. name] þe name IT. of—bereþ] beere of surry F.] Line 278 And nat in engelonde to huppe abowte · and halewen menne auters, [nat] þat (!) I. engelonde] engelounde P. huppe] so PEI; hoppe T; hop F; lepe M; lyppe G. and] an P. menne] mennes F; menes M; men EITG.] And crepe in a-monge [curatours] · and confessen a-ȝen þe lawe;

Nolite mittere falcem in messem alienam.

[in] G om. [curatours MIFT] curatures G; creatours (wrongly) PE; cf. B. xv. 558. confessen MT] confesson P; confesse F; confessye G; confession (wrongly) EI. þe] G om. messem alienam] so in MIFTG; alienam messem PE.] Meny man for crystes loue · was martred a-mong romaynes [man] a man F; men M. was] weren MT. martred] i-martyred M.] Line 281

Line 281 Er cristendome were knowe þer · oþer eny croys honoured. [Er] Or EMFI. were EIMFT] wher P; was G. knowe] i-knowe MI. eny] þe G. honoured] honourede P.] Eueriche busshope, by þe lawe · sholde buxumliche wende, [busshope] bischop EFIT. wende EMF] weynde P; walke ITG.] And pacientliche, þorgh hus prouynce · and to hus peple hym shewe, Line 284 Feden hem and [fillen] hem · and fere hem fro synne; [Feden] Fenden T. [fillen M] follen I; fullen T; fulle FG; folwen PE. hem (3)] hym E.] In baculi forma · sit presul hec tibi norma, [forma sit] sit forma (wrongly) T. norma] forma M.] Fer, trahe, punge gregem · seruando per omnia legem; [punge] pasce G.] And enchaunte hem to charite · on holychurche to be-leyue. [This line is placed in M after l. 186, as already noted.] Line 288 For as the kynde is of a knyȝt · oþer for a kynge to be take, [Here M inserts ll. 188—258, already collated. knyȝt] knyȝth P. oþer] and M; I om. for] of MTG. a (2)] þe T; F om. take] i-take M.] [And] among here enemys · in morteils bateles [[And MIT] Al FG; PE om. morteils] morteil E; mortele IFG; mortail T; mortel M. bateles] ba|tayle G.] To be culled and ouercome · þe comune to defende; [culled] i-kulled M. and] or MT.] So is þe kynde of [a curatour] · for cristes loue to preche, [[a curatour EMIF] curatours T; curatour G; creatour P; see l. 280. preche] teche E.] Line 292 And deye for hus dere children · to destroye dedly synne;

Bonus pastor;

[dere children] children dere E. destroye IMFT] distrye P; des|truye EG.] And nameliche þer as lewede lyuen · and no lawe knowen. [as] þat IT. knowen] ne knowe I; no knowen T.] Ac we crystine conneþ þe lawe · and hauen of oure tounge [A page 285] [conneþ I] kunneþ EF; cunneþ M; miswritten comeþ (by a mere slip) P; come T; conne G. þe] to T.] Line 295

Line 295 Busshopes and bookes · the byleyue to teche. [Busshopes] Bischopes EFT; Bisschop I.] Line 296 Iuwes lyuen in þe lawe · þat oure lord tauhte, Moyses to be maister þer-of · til messie come, [to be] þe T. þer-of] of hem M. til] til þat MFT.] And in þat lawe þei leyue · and leten hit for the beste. [And] F om. in] on IT; G om. þat] þe T. leyue] lyuen MFT; lyue E; leue I; leuen G.] And ȝut knewe þei crist · þat cristendome tauhte, [ȝut] F om. knewe] so EMT; knowen F; knoweþ G; knowe PI. þei] þat F. tauhte] made G.] Line 300 And for a parfyt prophete · þat muche peuple sauede, [And] As F. peuple] folc M.] And of selcouþe sores · sauede men ful ofte; [G omits. sauede] salued F. ful] wel M.] By þe myracles þat he made · messie he semede, [G omits. By] And bi M. myracles EIF] miraclis T; myracle M; meracles P.] Tho he lyfte vp lazar · þat leyde was in graue, [Tho] Lo F. lazar] þe lazer M. in] in a I.] Line 304 Quatriduanus cold · quik dude hym walke. [A page 286] [cold] & cold F. quik] & quike G. dude hym] he made M. walke] to walke F; wake I.] Iuwes seyden, þat hit seyn · with sorcerie he wrouhte, [seyn] say I; sy F; seien EM; seiȝe T; syen G. with] whit P. sorcerie G] apparently sorceris P; but we find sorcery FT; sorserie I; miswritten soserie M; scorcerie E; cf. B-text, and see l. 311.] And [stodieden] hou to struyen [him] · and struyeden hem-selue, [[stodieden IT] fondeden PEM; fondede FG; but observe the alliter|ation, and cf. B-text. hou] M om. struyen] so PE; destreie M; destroye I; stroye T; stroyn F. [him MF] hym T; hem PEIG (wrongly). struyeden] so PE; destroieden M; studieden (!) I; stroieden FT.] And here power thourh hus pacience · to pure nouht brouhte. [And] F om. hus] here I. brouhte] turnede M; he brouȝte F; miswritten brouhten P.] Line 308 And [ȝut] thei seien soþliche · and so doþ þe sarrasyns, [[ȝut MG] ȝit IF; ȝet T; PE om. seien] seiden M. doþ] dede M.] That Iesus was bote a Iogelour · a Iaper a-monge þe comune, [was] nas M. a-monge] of G] And a sophistre of sorcerie · and pseudo-propheta, [a] E om. and] and a I; a T. pseudo-propheta] propheta seudo M.] And hus lore was lesynge · and lacken hit alle, [And] And þat MIFG. lesynge] lesynges IT.] Line 312

Line 312 And hopen þat he be to comynge · þat shal hem releue; [Transposed in F.] [þat] F om. to] M om. com|ynge] so PEMF; come ITG (here comynge = comene, the gerund). hem releue] releue hem alle G.] Moyses oþer Makemede · here maistres deuineþ; [Transposed in F.] [oþer] & F. here] or T. deuineþ] þei diuineth F.] And haueþ suspecion to be saf · boþe sarrasyns and Iewes, [haueþ] han a MIT; haue a G; han EF.] Thorwe Moyses and makamede · and myghte of god þat mad al. [god] him F. al] hem F.] Line 316 Now sytthe þat these sarrasyns · and al-so þe Iewes [Now] And IT. sytthe] seiþ T. þat] MG om. these] theese P; þe G; E om. and] an P. þe] þise T; þis E.] Conne þe ferste clause of oure by-leyue · Credo in deum patrem, [þe ferste] a F.] Prelates and preestes · sholde preoue, yf thei myghte, [preoue] preue hit M.] Lere hem lytulum and lytulum · & in iesum christum, filium eius, [Lere hem] And leren M; & lere hem F. lytulum—lytulum] litelum & litelum EI; litlum & litlum T; litel and litel M; litel & bi litel F; miswritten lytulhum and lytulum P; lytulum (only) G. & MTEG] miswritten and PI; (but it means et); F om. eius] eius vnicum M.] Line 320 Til þei couþe speke and spelle · & in spiritum sanctum, [A page 287] [spelle] so MIT; spele PFG. & MIFET] et G; miswritten and P (but it means et).] Recorden hit and rendren hit · wyth

remissionem peccatorum, Carnis resurrectionem, & uitam eternam; amen."

[hit] him G (twice). rendren] reden MI. Carnis resurrectionem] & carnis resurrectionem þer-to F.]

Hic explicit passus primus de dobet. [So PG; M om. Hic] EF om. Hic explicit] IT om.]

PASSUS XIX (DO-BET II).

[TITLE. So PMG; Incipit passus se|cundus EF; IT om.] Hic Incipit Passus Secundus de Dobet.

"LEue liberum arbitrium," quaþ ich · "ich leyue, as ich hope, [A page 288] [leyue] leue EMITG; leeue F.] Thou couþest telle and teche me · to charite, ich leyue?" [couþest] coudest MFI. telle] telle me I. ich leyue] i leue ME; as I leue ITG; as I leeue F.] Then louh liberum arbitrium · and ladde me forþ with tales, [louh] louȝe E; louȝ T; louȝh FG; low M; lowe I.] Til we comen in-to a contree · cor-hominis hit hyhte, [A page 289] Line 4 Herber of alle pryuytees · and of holynesse. [Herber] Erbere E; Herbarwe M. and] & al-so G.] Euene in þe myddes · an ympe, as hit were, [M omits. myddes] myddus is F.] Þat hihte ymago-dei · graciousliche hit growede. [hihte] F om. hit growede] it growith FG; I-graued I.] Thenne gan ich asken what hit hyhte · and he me sone tolde— Line 8 "Þe tree hihte trewe-loue," quaþ he · "the trinite hit sette; [hihte] hatteþ MT; hatte IG; hit F.] Þorgh louely lokynge hit lyueþ · and launceþ vp blossemes, [lokynge] likyng T.] The whiche blosmes burnes · benygne-speche callen; [whiche] wiche P. blosmes] blosme F. burnes] barnes M. call|en] it calleþ ITG; hit callen E; is calde F.] And þer-of comeþ a good frut · þe which men callen werkes [good] grete I. frut] fruyt MIFTG. which] wich P. men] me F.] Line 12

Line 12 Of holynesse, of hendynesse · of help-hym-þat neodeþ, [of hendynesse] of hendenesse IFETG; and hendenesse M. of help] to helpe M.] The whiche is callid caritas · cristes owen fode, [whiche] wiche P. callid caritas] caritas y-called IFT; caritas called G.] And solaceþ alle soules · sorghful in purgatorie." [And] & he F; Þat G.] "Now, certes," ich seide . and sykede for ioye, [seide] saide þo F. and] an P. sykede] sighede I.] Line 16 "Ich þonke [ȝow] a þowsend sythes · þat ȝe me hider kende; [[ȝow MIT] þe PEFG. þowsend] hondred M. sythes] siþe MIFT; side G. kende] tauȝte F; brouȝte G.] And suþþen þat ȝe fowche-saue · to seye me what hit hihte." [suþþen] sith F; for M. fowche|saue] fouchensaf E; fouchesaaf F; vouchen saf M; vouche-sauf IT; foweche-saue P; fuchede saf G. what] as IT. hihte] hoteþ IT.] And he þonked me þo · bote þenne took ich hede, Hit hadde shoriers to shoue hit vp · þre shides of o lengþe, [Hit hadde] I hadde T; He hadde G. shoriers] schorares I; schulieres G. to] I om. shoue] schyuyn I; shyue T; schule G. o] on M. lengþe] lengþye or lengþþe P.] Line 20 And of o kynne colour · and o kynde, as me þouhte, [o (1)] on M. o (2)] IT om.] All þre yliche longe · and yliche large. [and] & alle G.] Muche meruailede me · on what more thei growede; [thei] þat þei M.] And efte askede of hym · of what wode þei were? [efte askede] I asked efte F; askide eft T; asked ofte I; eft y askede G. of (1)] at G. of (2)] G om.] Line 24 "Thees þre shoryeres," quaþ he · "þat bereþ vp þis plonte, [plonte] so PEF; plaunte I; plante MT; plente G.] Thei by-tokneþ trewely · þe trinite of heuene; [Thei] IT om.] Thre persons in-departable · perpetuel were euere, [in-departable] vndepartable E. euere] for euere F.] Of o wyl, of o wit · and here-with ich kepe [of] and M; & of TG. o (1)] on M. wit] whit P. with] whith P; and in l. 34.] Line 28 The frut of þis faire tree · fro þre wykkede wyndes, [frut] fruyt MFITG. fro] for þre] þe G; M om.]

And fro fallyng of stok · hit faille nouht of hus myghte. [of (1)] of þe MFG; þe (sic) IT. hit—of] þat he nat faile F. of (2)] FG om.] The worlde is a wykkede wynde · to hem þat wolde treuthe; [worlde] wordle PG. wolde] wolle I; wulleth F.] Covetyse comeþ of þat wynde · and [caritas hit abiteþ,] [wynde] whynde P. [caritas—abiteþ ITG] hit abiteþ caritas E; hit abiteþ (omitting caritas) M; charite it abideth F; hit beteþ caritas P.] And for-freteþ þat frut · with manye fayre syghtes; [T omits. for-freteþ] forfrete I. þat] þe MG. frut] fruyt IMFG. with] whit P; þorgh I.] Line 33 And with þe ferste plaunke ich palle hym doune potencia-dei-patris. [And] M om. with] whith P. plaunke] planke IFTG; plante (wrongly) M. palle] fal F; platte M; pallede G. doune] a-doun M. potencia—patris] M om.] Þanne is flessh a fel wynde · in flouryng-tyme; [A page 290] [is flessh] is þe flessche IT; fleysch is M. fel MFTG] felle EI; feel P. in] in his F; & in IT.] Þorgh lecherie and lustes · so loude he gynneþ blowe, [Þorgh] Wiþ M. so] M om. blowe] to blowe E.] Þat hit norischeþ nyce syȝtes · and som tyme wordes, [Þat] M om. hit] G om. norischeþ IEG] norijsseþ M; nursch|eth F; norisshiþ T; (all preferable to norceþ P). wordes] nise wordes G.] And menye wykkede wormes · workes of synne, [I transposes wormes and workes.] Line 38 And al for-bit caritas · to þe bare stalke; [for-bit] so PEM; forbitte I; forhitte (sic) T; forbiteth F. caritas] charite F. to] riȝt to FIT; nouȝt to (!) G. stalke] stocke M.] Thanne sette ich þe secunde plaunke · sapiencia-dei|patris, [sette] si M. plaunke] planke MFIT. patris] I om.] The which is þe passion and penaunce · and þe parfyt|nesse of ihesus, [which] wich P. þe (1)] MF om. þe (2)] F om. of ihesus] T om.] Line 41 And þer-with ich warde hit oþer-whyle · til hit wexe rype. [And] MT om. warde] war|dede MF. hit (1)] FG om.] Thenne fondeþ þe feende · my frut to destruye, [Thenne] And þanne IFT. fondeþ EMIFTG] foundeþ or fonndeþ P. frut] fruyt MIFTG.] And leith a laddere þer-to · of lesynges be þe ronges; [leith FEM] laith I; leyþ G; leithe P; leiȝe T. lesynges] lesynge G.]

With alle þe wyles þat he can · waggeþ þe roote [With] And wiþ IT. waggeþ] he wageth F; he waggeþ G.] Line 45 Þorw bak-byters and braweleres · and þorwe bolde chyderes, [chyderes] chidynge F.] And shakeþ hit; ne were hit vnder-shored · certes hit sholde nat stande. [And shakeþ] Þei schaken F. vnder-shored] vnder-shorede P; schoried F. ne—shored] ȝif it nere vndirshorid T. certes] IFT om. nat] nat lenger F.] So þese lourdeines litheren þer-to · þat alle þe leues fallen, [G omits. þese] þees P. lourd|eines] lordeynes EIM; lurdeynus FT. litheren] lithereþ IT; lithur F.] Line 48 And feccheth a-way this frut som tyme · by-fore boþe myn eyen. [this] þe IT.] Thenne palle ich a-downe þe pouke · with þe þridde shoryere, [A page 291] [Thenne] And þanne IT. palle] polle E; platte M; falle T. a-downe] doun MTG. a-downe—pouke] him adoun F.] The whiche is spiritus-sanctus · and soþ-fast byleyue, [whiche] wiche P. is] I om. and] a M.] And þat is grace of þe holy gost; · and þus gat ich þe mastrye." [grace] þe grace M. and] M om. gat] so PM; gaat G; gate E; gete I; geet F; kepe T.] Line 52 Ich totide vp-on þat tree þo · and þenne tok ich hede, [totide] totrede M. vp-on] vp in I; on M. þat] þe EFTG.] Wheþer þe frut were faire · oþer foul to loken on. [þe] þat F. were] wher P. to] for to EIT. loken on] be-holde M.] And þe frut was wonder fair · non fairer beo myghte; [And] M om. wonder] I om. And—was] Þo was þe fruit F. beo myghte] be þer myȝte FG; myȝt be E.] Ac in þre degrees hit grew · gret ferly me þouhte, [G omits. Ac] As I. þre] þe þre I. grew] groweþ E. ferly] ferli þo F; wondere E.] Line 56 And askede þo 'yf hit were · al of on kynde?' [askede] I asked at him F; y askede G. þo yf] efte þo where I; eft þo wheþer T. al] F om. of] I om.] "Ȝe, certes," he seide · "and sothliche þow leyue hit. [he seide] sire quod he F. þow] IT om. leyue hit] hit leue MG.] Hit is al of o kynde · and þat shal ich prouen; [o] on M.]

Ac somme ar swettere þan some · and sonnere wollen rotye. [ar] beþ E. sonnere] sannere P (but see l. 64); sonere E; some (wrongly) I. rotye] rote FTG.] Line 60 Men may seo on an appul-treo · meny tyme and ofte, [Men] Man E; Me IF. on] in I. meny] many a F.] Of o kynne apples · aren nat yliche grete, [Of] Þat of F. kynne] kynde EIGT; kynde of F. aren] beþ E; ben M. nat] nat alle F; & (sic) T.] Ne of sewynge smale · ne of [o] swetnesse swete. [G omits. of (1)] IT om. sew|ynge EIMT] sywynge P; o suyng F. [o EIF] PMT om.] Tho þat sitten in þe sonne-syde · sonner aren rype, [in] on F. þe sonne] summe F. sonner] sone þei F; son or som E. aren] ben E.] Line 64 Swettour and saueriour · and also more grettoure [saueriour] of more sauour M. grettoure] grettere MEI; grete F.] Than [þo] þat selde hauen þe sonne · and sitten in þe north-half; [[þo MIFTG] PE om. selde IM] selden ETG; seelde F; seilde P.] And so hit fareþ sothly · sone, by oure kynde. [sothly] sotthly P. sone IFT] soone P (but sone = son); summe M; by some G. by] be MT; of G.] Adam was as tree · and we aren as hus apples, [Adam] Our alder adam F. as (1)] a EMIFG; þe T. aren] weren E; ben EM. as (2)] MF om.] Line 68 Somme of ows sothfast · and some variable, [ows] vs IT; vs beþ E; vs buþ M; vs be F. F transposes ll. 69 and 70.] Somme litel and some large · like apples of kynde. [and] MIT om. kynde] o kynde FT.] As weddede men and wedewes · and ryȝt worthy maidenes, [As] Among F. wedewes] wedewes or wodewes P (but see l. 76); wydewes MIT; widues E; wyuus F. ryȝt] ryȝth P; rith M.] Þe whiche þe seynt esprit [seweþ] · the sonne of al heuene, [whiche] wiche P. þe] EM om. esprit] spirit IT. [seweþ MI] sueth F; seueth T; PE om.] Line 72 Conforteþ [hem] in here continence · þat lyuen in con|templacion, [Conforteþ] And comforteþ I. [hem MEITF] him P.] As monkes and monyeles · men of holichurche; [men] and men MF.]

These hauen hete of þe holi gost · as crop of treo þe sonne. [hete] þe hete T; þe ȝifte I. crop] haþ þe crop I; han (sic) þe crop T. of treo] hath of F. treo] þe tre IT; þe tree E.] [70—75. G omits.] Wedewes and wedeweres · þat here owen wil for-saken, [here] F om.] And chast leden here lyf · ys lyf of contemplacion, [leden] leten M. ys] as M; in F. ys lyf] E om.] And more lykyng to oure lorde · þan lyue as kynde askeþ, [to] of F. lyue] life I; lif T; lijf M. as] of T.] Line 78 And folwe þat þe flessh wole · and frut forþ brynge, [And] Or F. folwe] foleweþ M. þe] þat M; G om. wole] wolde IT. brynge] to brynge M.] That lettered men in here langage · actiua-uita callen." [uita] lif MG. IT have—þat actiua lif lettrede men · in here lan|gage it calleþ.] "Ȝe, syre," ich seide, "and sitthen · þer aren bote two lyues [and] þo M. aren] beþ E. two FG] to PM; twey E; tweye T; tweyne I.] Þat oure lorde a-loweþ · as lered men ous techeþ, [lered] lewed (!) IT; our lawe F. ous] vs ITG; us MF.] That is actiua-uita · and uita contemplatiua, [That is] Þo beth F; IT om. and] et I. uita contemplatiua] con|templatiua vita IT.] Whi groweþ this frut in þre degrees?" · "for a good skyle," he seide; [this] þi F; þe T. for] IT om. a] MF om.] Line 84 "Her by-neoþe ich may nyme · yf ich neode [hadde,] [[hadde MIFTG] habbe PE; cf. B-text.] Matrimonye, a moiste frut · þat multiplieþ þe peple. [multiplieþ IFTG] multeplieþ PM.] Thenne a-boue is a betere frut · ac boþe two ben goode, [Thenne] And þenne IT. a] MIFGT om. two ET] tuo I; to PMFG.] Wedewehode, more worþier · þan wedlok, as in heuene. [worþier] worþiere is T; wurthi F.] Þanne is virginite, more vertuous · and fairest as in heuene, [is] M om. T places is after virginite. more] moost GT. as] is T. heuene] blisse G.] Line 89 For þat is euene with angeles · and angeles peer. [A page 292] [angeles (2)] archaungelus F.] Hit was þe furste frut · þat þe fader of heuene blessede, [Hit] For þat F. þat] F om. þe (2)] G om.]

And bad hit be [of] a bat of erþe · a man and a mayde; [hit] F om. [of EMIFG] in T; P om. a] in a T (twice).] In menynge þat þe faireste þyng · þe furste þyng sholde honoure, [faireste] furste M. furste] fairest M. G om. from faireste to þe in l. 94.] Line 93 And þe clennest creature · creatour ferste knowe. [creatour] his creator MFG. creatour ferste] first creatour IT. knowe] i-knowe M.] In kynges court and knyghtes · þe clennest men and fairest [court] hous M. knyghtes] in knyȝtes IF. men] T om.] Line 95 Shullen serue for þe lord selue · so fareþ god almyghty. [serue] suffre (!) T. for] bifore F; M om. selue] hym-silf EFT. so] and so I. god] our kyng F.] Maidenes and marteres · ministred hym her in erthe, [Maidenes] For maidenus F. hym] I om. in] on MFT.] And in heuene buth most pryue · and next hym by reson, [F omits. buth] beþ E; ben M. in—pryue] in heye heuene is preue ofte I; he (sic) heiȝ in heuene is preuyest T.] For þe fairest frut · by-fore hym as of eorthe, [FG omit. For] And for IT. of] on M.] Line 99 And swete wiþ-oute swellinge · soure worth hit neuere." [G omits. swete] swetnesse F. wiþ] whiþ P.] "This is a propre plonte," quaþ ich · "and pryueliche hit bloweþ, [plonte EFG] plente (for plonte) P; plante MIT. pryueliche] propurliche M. bloweþ EIMT] bleweþ (for bloweþ) PG; groweth F.] And bryngeþ forþ faire frut · folke of all nacion, [Here a leaf fails in I; from l. 102 to l. 162. faire] T om. nacion] naciounus F.] Bothe parfit and inparfit; · pure fayn ich wolde Line 103 A-saye what sauour hit hadde" · ich seide þat tyme; [ich seide] & seide T; so seide i F; he seide G.] "Leue liberum arbitrium · leet som lyf hit shake." [arbitrium] arbitrium quod i F. leet] let MT; late ET.] A-non he het elde · an hih for to clymbe, [het] hete E; heet G; heete F; hiȝte MT.] Line 106 And shaken hit sharply · þe ripen sholden falle. [þe] þat þe M. ripen] so PE; ripe MFTG.] Elde clam towarde þe crop · þan comsede hit to crie; [Elde] And elde T; Whan eelde F. clam] clomb T; cam MF. towarde—crop] to þe cropward T. hit] i T.]

He waggede wedewehode · and hit wepte after; Line 109 He meuede matrimonye · hit made a foule noyse. [He] Hit F. meuede] meeuede PF; moeued E. a] E om.] For euere as elde hadde eny doun · þe deuel was wel redy, [wel] ful T. wel redy] aredy G.] And gederide hem alle to-gederis · boþe grete and smale, Adam and abraham · and Ysaye þe prophete, [Ysaye] ysaac EM; amos F. prophete] patriarke E.] Line 113 Sampson and samuel · and seynt Iohan þe baptist, [samuel] salomon F. Iohan] Ion EMF.] And bar hem forþ baldely · no body þo hym lette, [baldely] so PMT; boldelich E; boldly F; boldely G. þo] to E; T om. hym] hem T.] And made of holy men hus horde · in limbo inferni, [G omits. hus] an M. horde] lord (!) F. limbo] limbo doun PM; limbo domus E; limbo domo F; but T omits the doubtful word after limbo; cf. B-text.] Ther is derknesse and drede · and þe deuel maister. [G omits. derknesse EMFT] deornesse (an error for deorknesse) P.] Þenne meuede hym mod · in maiestate dei, [meuede MFG] meouede P; moeued E. mod] so PM; mood FTG; mode E.] Line 118 Þat libera uoluntas dei · lauhte þe myddel shoriere, [dei] M om. lauhte] lauȝte MT; lafte F. myddel] mydel P.] And hitte after þe fende · happe hou hit myghte. [hitte] hit it F. hit] he M.] Line 120 Filius, by þe faders wil · flegh with spiritus sanctus, [Filius] Filius dei F. by] wiþ T. flegh] miswritten fleght P; but observe fleȝe E; fleiȝ T; fliȝ F; fly M; fley G.] To ransake [þat] rageman · and reue hym hus apples, [To] To go T. [þat EMFTG] þe P; cf. B-text. reue] bi-reue M. hus] of his T.] Þat fyrst man deceyuede · thorgh frut and false by-heste. [thorgh] with F. T has—Þat þoruȝ fals behest & fruyt · ferst man disceyuede.] And þenne spake spiritus sanctus · in gabrielis mouthe [in] M om. mouthe] ore M (the Latin word).] To [a] mayde þat hihte marie · [a] meek þyng with alle, [[a EMFTG] that P. hihte marie] marie hiȝte F. [a MFTG] PE om. meek] mylde M.] Þat on Iesus, a Iustice sone · moste Iouken in hire chaumbre, [A page 293] [a] T om. Iustice] iustices MEG. Iouken] Iauken E; ioyken M.] Til plenitudo temporis · tyme [y]come were, [ycome ETG] i-come MF; come P.] Line 127

Line 127 That elde felde efte þat frut · oþer fulle to be rype, [felde] so PMGT; feld F; fulde E. þat] þe EFGT. oþer] or it F. fulle] so PE; felle M; fel FGT. rype MFGT] rypy PE.] Þat Iesus sholde Iuste þer-fore · [in] Iugement of armes, [Iuste] E om. [in M] and PE; & by FG; & be in T.] Who sholde fecche þis frut · þe feend oþer Iesus self. [þis] þe F.] The maide myldeliche þo · þe messager hue answerede, [þo] GT om. hue] ȝo E; heo FG; MT om. answerede] grauntede FGT.] And saide hendyliche to him · "loo, me, hus handmayde, [me] me here F.] For to worchen hus wil · with-oute eny synne;

Ecce ancilla domini, [fiat michi secundum ver|bum tuum,]" &c.

[G omits. [fiat—tuum] in F only.] Line 133 And in þe wombe of þat wenche · he was fourty wokes, [wokes] wikus F.] And man by-cam of þat mayde · to saue mankynde, [man by-cam] be-com a man T. to—mankynde] mankynde to saue T.] Byg and abydynge · and bold in hus barn-hede, [G omits. abydynge] biddinge T.] Line 136 To hauen fouhten with þe feende · ar ful tyme come. [To] He þouȝte G. fouhten] i-foute M; i-fouȝte FT.] Ac liberum arbitrium · leche-crafte hym tauhte, Til plenitudo temporis · hih tyme a-prochede, [hih] an hi M. hih—aproch|ede] aproched pure fast F.] Line 139 That suche a surgeyn setthen · yseye was þer neuere, [surgeyn] sorgien EM. setthen] seþen M; siþen GT; suþ E; sith F. þer] E om.] Ne non so faithfol fysician; · for, alle þat [hym] by|souhte, [[hym EMFGT] P om. hym bysouhte] besouȝte hym T.] He lechede hem of here langoure · lazars and blynde bothe; [A page 294]

Ceci uident, claudi ambulant, leprosi mundantur:

[G omits. lechede] lechende M. T puts bothe before laȝars. Ceci uident] MFGT om. ambulant] am|bulabant T. mundantur] mundaban|tur T.] And comune wymmen conuertede · and clansede hem of synne. [conuertede] comfortede M.] And he lyft vp Lazar · þat lay in hus tombe, [he] MT om. Lazar] þe lazer M. Cf. Pass. xviii. 304.] Line 144

Line 144 Quatriduanus cold · quyke dude hym rome. [G omits. cold] he was cold F; cold-ded T. quyke—hym] quik he dede M; he quyc dede him to F. Cf. Pass. xviii. 305.] Ac er he made þat miracle · mestus cepit esse, [Ac er] & for F.] And wepte water with hus eyen · the whi witen fewe. [And] He M. witen MEG] wyten T; miswritten whiten P.] Ac þoo þat seyen þat selcouþ · seyden þat tyme, Line 148 Þat he was god oþer godes sone · for þat grete wonder. And somme Iewes seiden · with sorcerie he wrouhte, [with] whith P; þat F.] And þorwe þe myghte of Mahon · and þorw mysbyleyue;

Demonium habes.

[Mahon] mahound MFG. habes] habens M; habens T.] "Thanne sathan is ȝoure sauyour," quaþ Iesus · "and haþ saued ȝow ofte; [sathan is] is sathan FT. sauyour MFT] saueour G; saveyour P. saued] sauede P; i-saued MFTG.] Line 152 Ac ich sauede ȝow sondry tymes · [and] also ich fedde ȝow [[and MFTG] PE om. ich—ȝow] ȝou fedde F.] With fisshes and with fyf loues · fyfe þousend at ones, [fisshes] fyue fyssches MFTG; twey fisches E. fyf] foure F; to M; G om.] And þer-of lefte baskettes · ful of broke mete, [A page 295] [G omits. One line in T—And I lefte basketis ful of broke mete · bere awey who so wolde.] Broke bred, to beren hit · a-weye hoo so wolde. [G omits. One line in T—And I lefte basketis ful of broke mete · bere awey who so wolde.] Line 156 Vnkynde and vnknowing!" quaþ Crist · and with rop smot hem, [vnknowing] vnconnyng T.] And ouer-turnede in þe temple · here tables and here stalles, And drof hem out alle · þat þer bowten and solde,

[Eiecit ementes & vendentes de templo, &c.]

[bowten] bouȝten E; bouȝte TG; bouȝt F. and] or T. [Eiecit, &c.] in F only.] And seide, "þis is an hous · of orisouns and of holynesse, [orisouns, &c.] holinesse & of prayeres G. of (2)] FT om.] And whenne þat my wil is · ich [wol] hit ouer-throwe, [[wol EG] wolde PT; wole M; wil F.] And er þre dayes after · edefye hit newe;"

[Intra triduum reedificabo illud.]

[[Intra—illud] in F.] Line 162

Line 162 The Iewes tolden þe Iustice · how þat Iesus seyde; [M omits. I begins again.] Ac þe ouerturnyng of þe temple · by-tokned þe resurec|cion. [ouer] F om. bytokned] bi|tokeneþ MIG. þe (3)] his T.] Line 164 Enuye and vuel will · ȝorn in þe Iewes, [G omits. vuel] euel MI; euyl FT. ȝorn] so PEM; orne T; aren I; ernede F. in þe] in-to F.] And porsuede [hym] pryueliche · and for pans hym bouhte,

Ne forte tumultus fieret in populo,

[G omits. [hym T] him MFI; hem PE. pans] pens MI. hym] F om.] Of Iudas þe Iewe · Iesus owene disciple. [þe] þilke M; þat F.] This by-fil on a fryday · a litel by-fore paske, [by-fil] bi-ful M; befel TI; bi|fel G; fel F. fryday] friday nyȝt F. litel] lite F. paske] þe paske I.] Line 168 Þat Iudas and Iewes · Iesus thei mette. [Iudas] þis iudas F.] "Aue, rabbi," quaþ þat ribaud · and right til hym he ȝede, [A page 296] [þat ribaud] þo Ribaudes I; ribawde F; ribaudes G. til] to MFT. he ȝede] þey ȝeden ITG; he wente F.] And custe Iesus, to be knowe þer-by · and kauht of þe Iewes. [custe] kiste IT; kuste M; kissed F. Iesus] him F. knowe] i-knowe M. kauht] kauhte P; cauȝte E; cauȝt MFT; caght I. and—þe] þan cauȝt was he of F.] Thanne Iesus to Iudas · and to þe Iewes seyde, Line 172 "Falsnesse ich fynde · in þy faire speche, [faire speche] speche fayre I.] And kene care in þy cossyn[g]s · and combraunce to [þi]selue. [kene] F om. þy] M om. cossyngs] cossyns PE; kussyng MIG; kissing FT. to] of F. [þi EFT] þy IG; þe P. þi-selue] þe soule M.] Thow shalt be myrour to menye · men to deceyue; [men] man T. to] for to F.] Line 175 Wo to hem þat þy wiles vsen · to þe worldes ende!

Ve homini illi per quem scandalum uenit.

[hem] þo IT. þy] þyn P; but þy EIG; þi MFT. worldes] wordles PG. Ve] Ve autem F.] Sitthe ich by treson am take · and to ȝoure [wille,] Iewes, [take] I-take F. [wille GT] wil F; wiles I; PE om. Cf. B-text. Iewes] ȝe iewes F. ȝoure—Iewes] ȝow iewes i-sold M.] Suffreþ myne apostles in pees · and in pees gangen;"

[Sinite hos abire, &c.]

[pees (1)] so PMFG; payes I; pais T; pes E. pees (2)] so PITG; pes E. and—gangen] among ȝow to gange M; a-wey to goone F. [Sinite, &c.] in F only.] Thus Iewes to þe Iustices · iesus thei ladden. [Thus] Þis I; Þese F; Þes G.] Line 179 With muche noyse þat nyght · ner frentik ich awakede, [A page 297] [With] Whith P.] In Inwit and in alle wittes · after liberum arbitrium [In] T om. in] MFG om. wittes] whittes P.] Ich waitede wyterly, ac ne wiste · whider he wente, [G omits. waitede] awayted EM; wakide T. wyterly] sikerly I. ac] ac ich E; ac i MF. whider MFIT] weder P; whodere E. ac—wente] ac whider a wende y ne wiste I; but whider he wente I ne wiste T. he] heo P; a I.] And þanne mette ich wiþ a man · on mydlentens soneday, [wiþ] whiþ P. on] a IFT. mydlentens] myd-lentene F; myd|lenten TG; mydlente M.] As hor as an haweþorn · and abraam he hihte. Line 184 "Of whennes art þow?" quaþ ich · and hendeliche hym grette. [whennes] wennes P. art MI FT] ert PEG.] "Ich am with faiþ," quaþ þat freek · "hit falleþ nat me to lye, [nat me] nat for F; nout M; me nat G.] An heraude of armes · er eny lawe were." [An EMIFTG] miswritten And P. armes] his armes M.] "What is hus conysaunce," quaþ ich · "in hus cote|armure?" Line 188 "Þre persones in o pensel," quath he · "departable from oþer; [pensel] penson M. depart|able] indepartable eche F; but see l. 216.] O speche and o spirit · spryngeþ out of alle, [O] And T; G om. o] ITG om.] Of o wit, of on wil · were neuere a-twynne; [of] & of T; and MG. were] and weren M; þei were FT; were þey G.] And sondry to seo vpon · solus deus he hoteþ." Line 192 "Siþthen thei ben surlepes," quaþ ich · "thei han sondry names." [surlepes] surlepus F; surlepis T; suyrelepus I; sondrilipes M; mis|written surlepees PE; seperable (over erasure) G. thei (2)] I om.] "That is soþ," saide he · "þe syre hatte pater; [A page 298] [he] he þenne IT. hatte] hatteþ MT; highte I; hiȝt F. pater] pater-noster IT.] And þe secunde is a sone · of þe syre, filius;

The þridde is þat halt al · a þyng by hym-selue, [is] is a þyng M. þyng] thing halt (wrongly) F. hym] his G.] Line 196 Holigost is hus name · and he is in alle." [hus] þe F. and] an P.] "This is merk þyng for me," quaþ ich · "and for meny oþer, [merk MTG] merke EI; meerk P. is—þyng] þing is me (sic) F. oþer] anoþer IFTG.] How o lord myghte lyue a þre · ich leyue hit nat," ich seyde. [o] a ET. a þre] on þreo M. ich (2)] he M.] "Muse not to muche þer-on," quaþ faith · "tyl þow more knowe, [to—þeron] þer-on to muche T. tyl] or G. more knowe] knowe more M.] Line 200 Ac looke þow leyue hit leelly · al þy lyf-tyme, [looke þow] IT om.] That þre by-longeþ to on lorde · that lygaunce cleymeþ, [That] T om. on] a MIT; o FG. lygaunce] so PEM; ligeance I; a-ligeaunce F; leggeaunce T.] Mighte, and [a] mene · to seo hus owen Mighte, [[a MFTG] P om. and—mene] he mene I; ich moeue E.] Of hym-self and of hus seruaunt · and [what] suffreþ hem boþe. [of] EMIFT om. hus] T om. [what MIFTG] PE om.] Line 204 God þat gynnynge hadde neuere · bote þo hym gode þouhte, [gynnynge] by-gynnyng IG. gynnynge—neuere] no bigynnyng hadde E.] Sente forth hus sone · as for seruaunt þat tyme, [sone] deere sone F. for] for his M.] To okupien hym here · til issue were spronge, The whiche aren children of charite · and holichurche þe moder. [G omits. whiche] wiche P. þe] I om.] Line 208 Patriarkes and prophetes · and apostles were þe children; [apostles] þe aposteles M. þe] M om. F omits last half of l. 209 and first half of l. 210.] And crist and cristendome · and cristene holichurche [and (2)] & alle IT.] By-tokeneþ þe trinite · and trewe by-leyue. [trewe] trywe P; holy G.] O god almyghty · þat man made and wrouhte, Line 212 Semblable to hym-self · er eny synne were, A þre he is þer he is · and hereof bereþ wittnesse [G omits. A] And M.]

Þe werkes þat hym-self wrouhte · and þis worlde boþe;

Celi enarrant gloriam dei, & opera manuum eius annunciat firmamentum.

[G omits. þis] þe MT. worlde] wordle P. &—firmamentum] IFT om. eius—firmamentum] M om.] That he is þre persones departable · ich proue hit by man-kynde, [In margin of M—probacio.] Line 216 And o god almyghty · yf alle men beo of adam. Eue was of adam · and out of hym ydrawe, [was—adam] of Adam was I; & Adam was (!) T. and] T om.] And abel of hem boþe · and alle þre o kynde; [Ac] these þre þat ich carpe of · adam, and eue, [[Ac M] And IFTG; mis|written As PE. these] theese P. þat] as E.] Line 220 And abel, here issue · aren bote on in man-hede. [here EITG] heer P; her F; heore M. issue] essue P; but see l. 207.] Matrimonie with-oute moillere · is nat muche to preyse, [A page 299] [G omits. moillere] so PM; moylere EI; moilere F; muliere T.] The bible bereþ witnesse · a book of þe olde lawe, [G omits. The] As þe IT.] Þat a-corsed alle couples · þat no kynde forth brouhte;

Maledictus sit homo qui non reliquit semen in israel.

[G omits. a-corsed] accurseth I. sit] MFT om. reliquit] reliquid M; reliquerit F.] Line 224 And a man with-oute a make · myghte nat wel of kynde [And] FG om. a (1)] IT om. a (2)] M om. And a] With-out (sic) E. wel IMFTG] miswritten welle PE.] Multeplie, ne more-ouer · with-oute a make louye, [ne] no FT; and M.] Ne with-oute a sowere be suche seede · þis we seen alle. [be suche] bisowed F. seen] se wel F; wyten T.] Now go we to god-hede; · in god, fader of heuene, [go we TG] gowe I; gawe MF; goo wee P. god-hede] þe godhood M; þe god-heede F.] Was þe sone in hym-selue · in a simile, as eue [simile] saumple M.] Line 229 Was, whanne god wolde · out of þe wye y-drawe. [whanne] wanne P; whan þat F. wye EG] wiȝ T; wy F; badly spelt weye PI; vie M; see l. 280. y-drawe] drawe EMT; here drawe F.] And as abel of adam · and of hus wif eue [And] T om. as] G om.]

Sprang forth and spak · a spire of hem tweyne, [spire EFT] spir P; spyr G; spyer I; spirijt M. tweyne MIT] tweye EFG; tweyene P.] Line 232 So out of þe syre and of þe sone · the seynt espirit of bothe [out] MF om. of (2)] T om. seynt] G om. espirit] spirit EIFGT; spirijt M. bothe] hem boþe ITG.] Ys, and ay [was] · and worth with-outen ende. [[was T] weren PEMFG; were I (which looks as if weren is the author's own error). I omits last half of the line.] And as þre persones palpable · is pureliche bote o man-kynde, [palpable] palpablis T. pure|liche] priueliche I. bote] F om.] Line 235 The whiche is man and hus make · and moillere-is issue, [whiche] wiche P. moillere] moiller M; moilere FTG; mulier I. -is] so PT; here EIFG; heore M; (the possessive case of moillere is in|tended.)] So is god godes sone · in þre persones þe trinite. [god] god and M. in] & E; G om.] In matrimonie aren þre · and of o man cam alle þre, [aren] ben E; arn alle M.] And to godhede goþ þre · and of o god is alle þre; [of] MIFTG om. o] T om.] Loo, treys encountre treys," quaþ he · "in godhede and in manhede." [treys] treis EMIFTG. en|countre] acountre MTG. in (2)] F om.] Line 240 "Hauest þow seyen þis?" ich seide · "alle þre, and o god?" [Hauest þow] Hast þow EMT; Hastou IF. seyen] i-seyn M; y|seye IFG; soþe (!) T. and] but M.] "In a somer ich seyh hym," quaþ he · "as ich sat in my porche, [seyh him] si him M; him seye I; hym seiȝ T. as] T om.] Where god cam goynge a-þre · ryght by my gate;

Tres uidit et unum adorauit.

[A page 300] [Where] Were P. goynge] gangande I; gangyng TG. a-þre] in þreo M. ryght] F om. et] F om.] Ich ros vp and reuerencede god · and ryght fayre hym grette, [ros] a-ros M. vp] I om. ryght fayre] fayre y G.] Line 244 Wesh here feet, and wypede hem · and after þei eten, [Here M has lost a leaf; down to xx. 30. Wesh] Wesch I; Wissche F; Wissh G; Wysschen T. after] afterward IG.] And what ich þouhte and my wyf · he ous wel tolde. [my wyf] what my wyf þouȝte T.]

He by-hihte ous issue and heir · in oure olde age, [heir] erthe (!) F. age] gate (!) F.] Ful trewe tokne by-twyne ous is · what tyme þat ich mette hym; [Ful] But T. tokne] tokenys IT. by-twyne] bi-twix F. what] wat P; of what G. what tyme] whan tyme comþ IT. mette EFG] mete PT.] Line 248 How he fondede me ferst · my faire sone ysaac, [me] T om.] To make sacrifice of hym · he het me, hym to honoure. [het] heet F; hete EI; leet G. hym (2)] E om.] Ich with-sat nat hus heste · ich hope and by-leyue [by-leyue] ich bileue E; I leeue F.] Line 251 Wher ich walke in þis worlde · he wol hit me a-lowe. [worlde] wordle P. he wol] a wille I. hit me] me hit F.] Ich circumsysede my sone · and al-so, for hus sake, [and] IFTG om.] My-self and my meyne · and alle þat maule were [alle] T om. maule] so PEG; male IT; malus F.] Bledden blod for þat lordes loue · ich hope to blesse þe tyme. [þat] our E. þe] þat IT.] Line 255 Myn affiaunce and my feith · is ferm [in] hus by-leyue; [[in IFT] PE om.] For hym-self seide ich sholde haue · and myn issue boþe [and] I and IT.] Lond and lordshup ynow · and lyf with-outen ende. [lordshup] lordscipes E.] To me and to myn issue · more he by-hihte, [to] T om. he] he me IFT.] Mercy for oure mysdedes · as meny tymes [as] also FT.] Line 260 As we wilnede and wolde · with mouth and herte asken. [255—261. G omits.] [wilnede] willed F; wilne T. and (2)] & with T. asken] also I.] And sitthen he sende me to sayn · and seide þat ich sholde [sende] so PEF; sente IG; sette T.] Worshupen hym with wyn · and with bred boþe At ones on an auter · in worshup of þe trinite, [At] Ac F; But T.] Line 264 And make sacrifice so · som-what hit by-tokneþ; [G omits. by-tokneþ] be|tokened F.] Ich leyue þat þilke lorde thenke · a newe lawe to make;

Fiet unum ouile et unus pastor.

[þilke] þulke EG; ilke IFT. thenke] þenkeþ IF; þenkyþ G; þinkeþ T.]

Thus haue ich beo hus heraude · her and in helle, [beo] be EFG; ben IT.] And comforted menye carful þere · þat after hus comyng loken. [menye] many a IFT. loken] loked IF.] Line 268 For-thi ich seke him," he seide · "for seynt Iohan þe baptist [A page 301] [he] i F; y G. Iohan] Ion EF. þe] F om.] Seide þat he seih hym her · þat sholde [saue] ous alle;

Ecce agnus dei [qui tollit peccata mundi]."

[seih] sey EG; sy F. hym] IT om. sholde] schal F. [saue IFTG] ioye PE; cf. B-text. [qui, &c.] from F.] Thenne hadde ich wonder of hus wordes · and of hus wide cloþes, [hus (2)] I om. hus wordes] þys G.] For in hus bosom he bar a þyng · and þat he blessede ofte. [a] IFTG om.] Line 272 And ich loked in hus lappe · a lazar lay þer-ynne, With patriarkes and prophetes · pleiynge to-gederes. [pleiynge] pleiȝeden T.] "What waytest þow," quaþ faith · "and what woldest thou haue?" [waytest] awaitest FTG. faith] miswritten faiht P. woldest] wolt I; wost (!) T.] "Ich wolde wyte," quaþ ich þo · "what is in þy lappe?" [wyte] ywite EIFG.] "Loo!" quaþ he, and leet me seo · "lord, mercy!" ich seide, [leet] lete E; let TG. lord] a lord F.] Line 277 "This is a present of muche prys · what pryns shal hit haue?" "Hit is a preciouse present," quaþ he · "ac þe pouke hit haþ attached, [attached] attachede P; y|tachid T.] And me þer-wiþ," quaþ þe wye · "may no wed ous quite, [þe] þat FT. wye] wy F; wiȝ T; wey I. quite] aquyte FG.] Ne no bern beo oure borghe · ne brynge ous out of daunger, [G omits. bern] so PEI; barn F; burn T. borghe] borgh I; borw E; borwe F; boruȝ T. out] E om.] Line 281 Fro þe poukes poundfalde · no maynprise may ous fecche, [G omits. poundfalde] pyn|fold F.]

Til he come that ich carpe of · crist is hus name, [A page 302] [of] F om.] Þat shal delyuery ous som day · out of þe deueles powere, [delyuery] delyuere EIFTG.] Line 284 And betere wed for ous wagen · þan alle we beon worthi, [alle we beon] we ben alle ITG.] And þat is, lif for lyf · oþer ligge þus euere, [euere] for euer EFG.] [Lollynge] in my lappe þus · til such a lord ous fecche." [[Lollynge IT] Longynge PEFG; cf. B-text.] "Alas!" ich seide, "þat synne · so longe shal lette [ich—synne] þat synne ich seide E. seide] seide þo F. lette] I-lette F.] The myght of godes mercy · þat myghte ous alle amende!" [myghte] schal G.] Line 289 And wepte for hus wordes; · with þat ich seyh an oþer [for] wiþ G. ich seyh] ich sey E; I saw F; sagh i I; sauȝ i T.] Rappliche renne · þe righte wey we wente; [Rappliche] Rappelich E; Rapeliche IT; Ful rapeliche F. Rapp|liche—righte] Þat rapliche wente þe hyȝe G. we] þat we FG.] And ich fraynede hym furst · fro whennes he come, [ich] T om. whennes] wennes P; whenne þat F.] What he hihte, and whider he wolde · and wyghtliche he ous tolde. [

whider] IT whedur F; whodere (for wheder?) E; woder (for wheder?) P; what G. and (2)] G om. wyght|liche] wittilich E. tolde] tauȝte G.

COLOPHON. So PG. Hic] EF om. Hic explicit] IT om.

] Line 293

Hic explicit passus secundus de dobet.

PASSUS XX (DO-BET III).

Hic incipit passus tercius de dobet. [

RUBRIC. So in P; Incipit tercius F; IT om.

OBS. M begins at l. 31.

]

"Ich am spes, [a spye]," quaþ he · "and spire after a knyght, [A page 303] [[a spye IG] a spie FT; PE omit; cf. B-text. spire T] spirr P; speore F; spere I; spure EG. knyght] kyng E.] Þat tooke me a maundement · vp-on þe mounte of synay, To ruele alle reames þer-with · in right and [in] reison. [[in EIFT] PG om.] Loo, here þe lettere," quaþ he · "in latyn and in ebrew, [in (1)] a I; o T. in (2)] an I; on T.] That ich seye is soþe · seo ho so lykeþ." [That] Þat þat ITF; For þat G. seye] seih I; seiȝ T; say F. is] was F. seo] se it F; a-say G.] Line 5 "Ys hit a-seled?" ich seyde · "may men seo þe letteres?" [a-seled] a-selede P; assealed I; asselide T; I-selid F. seo] y-se I. þe] þy EG.] "Nay," he seyde, "ich seke hym · þat haþ þe seel to kepe, [he seyde] sede he E; I seide (wrongly) F. þe] þat F.] The whiche is criste and cristendome · and a croys þer|on to honge. [whiche] wiche P. criste and] croys of G. a] IFT om. a croys] G om. to honge] y-honged I.] Line 8 Were hit þer-with a-seeled · ich wote wel þe soþe, [a-seeled] I-selid F.] That lucifers lordshup · ligge sholde ful lowe." [ligge—lowe] schold ligge lowe F; lowe schulde ligge ITG.] "Leet se thi letteres," quaþ ich · "we myghte þe lawe knowe." [Leet] Let T; Lat IFG. þe] þi F.] He plyghte forþ a patente · a pece of an harde roche, [forþ] out F. an harde] a F.]

Wher-on was write two wordes · in þis wise glosede; [A page 304]

Dilige deum & proximum [tuum].

[write] writen IF; ywrit E. two ET] to PFG; tweye I. write— wordes] two wordes ywrit E. in] and on IT. glosede] I-glosed F; a-glosed G. [tuum] supplied from T; PEIG om. F has—Diliges domi|num deum tuum super omnia & proximum tuum sicut te ipsum.] Line 13 This was þe tyxt treweliche · ich toke ful good gome; [treweliche] triweliche P. gome] so PEF; geme I; ȝeme T; kepe G.] The glose gloryousliche was wryte · wyth a gylt penne;

In his duobus mandatis pendet tota lex [& prophete].

[gloryousliche was] was glori|ousely IT. wryte] writen I. gylt] gulte I; gilden E. mandatis] IT om. pendet] pependit IT. tota] uniuersa E. [& prophete EF] PITG om.] "Ys her al þy lordes lettere?" quaþ ich · "ȝe, [leue me," he] sayde, [þy] þis I. lettere] lettres IT. [leue—he EIT] leef me he F; leyf he me (by mistake) P; leof he me G.] Line 16 "And ho so worcheþ after þis write · ich wol vnder-take, [þis write] his wit F.] Shal neuere deouel hym dere · ne deþ in soule greue. [Shal] Schal þer F. deouel] deuel EFIG; deuil T. in] in his T.] For þauh ich seye hit my-self · ich haue saued with þis charme [T omits from ich haue to faith in l. 21. saued] sauede P.] Of men and of wymmen · meny score þousend." [meny] many a F.] Line 20 "He seiþ soþ," seide faith · "ich haue founde hit trewe. [seiþ] seide F. founde] y|founde IF; vounde G.] Loo, her in my lappe," quaþ faith · "þat leyuede vp-on þe lettere, [leyuede] leued EI; leeued F; leuide T. þe] þat EITG; þis F.] Boþe Iosue and Iudith · and Iudas makabeus, And sixe þousand mo," quaþ faith · "ich can nat [seye] here names." [G omits. [seye F] seiȝe T; seyn I; telle PE; but obs. alliteration.] Line 24 "Ȝoure wordes aren wonderful," quaþ ich · "wher eny of ȝow be trewe [aren] arn ful T. ich] i þo I. wher] wheþer T. trewe] trywe P.] And leel to be-leyuen on · for body oþer for soule? [G omits. And] And al P; but EIFT omit al. body] so PEIF; lif T (as in B-text). oþer] & T.] Abraam seith þat he seih · holiche þe trinite, [seih] sauȝ T; seiȝe E; sy FG.]

Þre persones parcel-mele · departable from oþer, Line 28 And alle þre bote o god; · thus abraam bereþ wittnesse, And ysauede þat by-leyueþ so · and sory for here synnes, [G omits. ysauede] haþ y-saued I; haþ sauid T; seeth I-saued F. by-leyueþ] byleued I; beleuid T; lyue F. for here] be of F.] He can no certayn summe telle · and somme aren in hus lappe. [A page 305] [G omits. Here M begins again. He] i M.] What neodeþ [hit] þanne · a newe lawe to brynge, [What] But what F. neodeþ] neded I; nedite T. [hit G] it IFT; PE om.] Line 32 Sutthe þe furste suffisede · so by-leyue and be ysaued? [suffisede] suffiseth F. so PETG] to IF; so to M. be] M om. ysaued E] ysauede P; i-saued M; saued IFG; sauid T.] And now comeþ her this spes · and haþ aspied þe lawe, [her] þer M; IT om. and] þat I.] Þat of þe trinite ne telleþ · ne takeþ mo persones [þe] no ITG. ne] TG om. mo] no T.] To god-hede, bote o god · and o god almyghty, [o (2)] E om.] Line 36 The whiche alle men aren holde · ouere alle þyng to honoure; [whiche] wiche P. holde] i|holde M.] And sitthe to loue and to leue · for þat lordes sake [G omits. to loue—leue] loue and bileue M. leue] perhaps lene.] Alle manere of men · as muche as ous self. [G omits. muche MFT] meche P; myche E; mochel I. ous] us MF; oure IT. self] selue MFI; seluen T.] And for to louye and to leyue · in o lord almyghty. [to (2)] IMG om. leyue] leue ET; bileue MIFG. lord] god FG.] Hit is lyght for lewede · and for lerede boþe; [lyght] like F. lewede] lewed men M. for (2)] fore P.] Line 41 Ac for to by-leyue in o lorde · þat lyueþ in þre persones, [Ac] & F. o] a MFG.] And lereþ þat we louye sholde · as wel lyeres as leele— [þat] nat (!) F.] Go þy gat," quaþ ich [to] spes · "so me god helpe, [[to EMIFTG] þo P; cf. B-text. spes] pes (!) T.] Line 44 Tho þat leorneþ thi lawe · wolle litel while hit vsen!" [Tho] Þei F. leorneþ] lereth F. thi] þe E. wolle] wel FT; wiln I. while] wile P. vsen] useth F.] And as we wente in the way · thus [wordyng of] þis matere, [we—the] I went in my F. [wordyng of IMFTG] wondrynge in P; wondrynge of E; cf. B-text.]

Then seih we a samaritan · cam syttynge on a mule, [cam] come IM; com T.] Rydynge ful raply · þe ryght way þat we wente, [Rydynge] Ridande T. ryght] same G. þat] MIT om. we] he M. wente] ȝeden IT.] Line 48 Comynge fram a contreie · þat men callide Ierico, [A page 306] [Comynge] Comande T. callide] callen T; calden M; callyþ G.] To Iusten in ierusalem · he iacede awey ful faste. [in] at T. iacede] so PM; iaced EIF; iaside TG. ful] M om.] Boþe abraam and spes · [and] he metten to-gederes [[and MIFTG] as E; adde (sic) P. to-gederes] at ones ITG.] Line 51 In a wilde wildernesse · wher theoues hadden bounde [hadden bounde] hadde i-bounde MIFT.] A man, as me tho thouhte · to muche care þei brouhte. [tho] MG om. muche] mis|written muce P. þei] þo F.] For he ne myghte steppe ne stande · ne stere fot ne hondes, [G omits. ne (1)] IF om. stere] stire MF; T om. hondes] hand T.] Ne helpe hym-selue sothliche · for semiuiuus he semede, [G omits. semiuiuus] semiuyf IF; semyvif T; semeuijf M.] And naked as a neelde · and non help aboute hym. [G omits. And] And as IFT. neelde] nelde ET; nedle F; nedel I; nedele M. non—hym] no lijf him abouȝte M. aboute hym] abouȝten I.] Line 56 Faith on hym hadde furst a sight · ac he fleih a-syde, [on—sight] first of him sight (sic) I; ferst had on him siȝt T; furst on him had siȝt F; of him furst hadde a syth M. fleih] fleiȝ ET; fly FG; fli M. a-syde] on side M.] And wolde nat neyhle hym · by nyne londes lengthe. [wolde] nolde FT. neyhle] so PG; neȝle E; neyȝhele I; neiȝhen F; neihe M; neiȝe T. nyne] many M.] Hope cam hippyng after · þat hadde so ybosted [hippyng] hoppynge E; hup|pyng G; lippyng M. þat] & F. so] M om.] Hou he with moyses maundement · hade meny men holpen; [men] man T. hade—holpen] many men hadde i-holpe M.] Line 60 And whanne he hadde siht of þis sike · asyde he gan drawe, [And] Ac I; F om. whanne] wanne P. of] on EF. þis] þe F. gan] gan him MT.] And dredfulliche with-drow hym · an dorste go no nerre. [And] M om. hym] him þo IT. an] and MEIFTG. nerre] ner hym T.] Ac as sone so þe samaritan · hadde sighte of þat syke, [as] so ITG. so] as EMF; IG om. þe] þat M. þat syke] þis care|ful IFTG.]

He alyghte a-non of lyarde · and ladde hym in hus hondes, [He] I om. alyghte] liȝt F; liȝte T. anon] M om. hym—hondes] hit on his hand M.] Line 64 And to þis wye he wente · hus wondes to [be]holde. [wye E] wy F; wiȝ T; badly spelt weye P; wey I; wythg M. be|holde MT] by-holde I; biholde E; behoolde F; holde (wrongly) P.] He perceyuede by his pous · he was in peril to deye, [He] And ITFG. perceyuede] aperseyuede M. pous] puffis (!) T. he] þat he G. he—peril] in perel he was F.] And bote he hadde recouer þe raþer · þat rise sholde he neuere. [G omits. bote] but if I; but ȝif T. recouer] rekeuere E; rekeuour F; recuuerer M; recouerer I. þe] FT om. þat rise] a-rise M.] Line 67 He vnbokelede hus boteles · and boþe he a-tamede; [He] And IT. a-tamede] gan atame T.] With wyn and with oile · hus wondes he can lithe; [wondes] wounde T. can] gan EIMFTG. lithe] light I.] Enbaumede hym and bond hus heuede · and on bayarde hym sette, [heuede] hede E; hed MT; heed F.] Line 70 And ledde hym forth to lauacrum · lex-dei, a graunge, [A page 307] [dei] dei omnipotentis M.] Is sixe myle oþer seuene · by-syde þe newe markett, And lefte hym þere a lechinge · to lyuen if he myghte. [a] at M. if I] ȝif MFT; hif P.] And took two pans to þe hosteler · to take kepe to hym, [pans] pens MI; panys T.] "And þat goþ mor for hus medicine · ich make þe good aȝenwarde, [goþ mor] more goþ I. þat—hus] what is more for F. þe] hit M.] For [ich] may nat lette," quaþ [þat] lede · and lyarde he bystrydeþ, [70—76. G omits.] [For] F om. [ich E] i MIFT; P om. [þat EIMFT] þe P. bystry|deþ] gan stride F.] Line 76 And rapede hym to ryde · þe righte wey to Ierusalem. [rapede] rapeþ I; rape (sic) E. rapede—ryde] to ride him rapede M.] Bothe faith and hus felawe spes · folweden faste after; [faith] þe faiþ I. folweden] hyeden G. folweden—after] þei folwede faste F.] Ac ich suwede þe samaritan · and seide hou þei bothe Weren afered, and flowen · fro þe man y-wonded. [A page 308] [y-wonded] y-wondede P; y|wounde I.] Line 80

Line 80 "Haue hem excused," quaþ þe samaritan · "here help wolde nat vaille, [excused] ascusid T. quaþ] seide F. wolde] may IFTG; mai M. vaille] auaile IMFTG.] Ne medecine vnder molde · þe man to hele brynge, [Ne] Ne no IT. þe man] hym G.] Noþer Faith ne fyn hope · so festered aren hus wondes; [aren] ben EM.] With-oute þe blod of [a] barn · he beoþ nouht ysaued, [[a EIMFTG] þat P. he beoþ] þei ben M; he worþ G. ysaued] ysauede P.] The whiche barn mot neodes · be bore of a mayde, [whiche] wiche P. bore] so PG; born EMIFT.] Line 85 And with þe blod of þat barn · embaumed and baptized. [embaumed] embaumede P. baptized] baptizede P; y-baptized I.] And þauh he steppe and stande · right strong worth he neuere [steppe—stande] stande & steppe ITG.] Til he haue eten al þat barn · and hus blod dronken, [eten EIFT] heten P; i-ȝeten M; ȝete G. al] G om.] And ȝut be plastred with pacience · when fondynges hym prykieþ— [be] I om. plastred] plastrede P; y-plastred I. fondynges] fond|yng MF. hym] hem T.] Line 89 For wente neuere [man] þis way · þat he ne was here rifled, [[man MIT] better than men PEF (though men is also used in the singular, when indefinite). ne was] nas FT. rifled] riflede P; i-rifled M; y-ruyfled I; I-robbed F.] Saue my-selue sothliche · and suche as ich louede— [89—91. G omits.] And ȝut be-leyue leelly · vpon þat litel baby, [be-leyue] bileue M; to be|leyue P; to bileue E; to leeue F; but þey leue ITG (the reading of M is the only one that makes sense). þat] þe I; a M. baby] barn E.] Line 92 Þat his likame [schal] lechen · atte laste ous alle." [his] is P. [schal EMIFG] shal T; P om. atte] at þe MEFT; & at þe G.] "A! syre," ich seide · "shul nat we by-leyue, [A page 310] [we EMIFTG] miswritten weye P.] As faith and hus felawe spes · enformede me boþe, In þre persones, a parceles · departable from oþer, [a parceles] aparseld M; apertly F; a parcel G.] Line 96 And all þre bote o god? · þus abraham me tauhte. And hope afterwarde · of god more me tolde, [hope] sir hope F. of] of o I. me] he me G.]

And lerede me for hus loue · to louye al man-kynde, And hym abouen alle · and hem as my-selue; [G omits. and] I om.] Line 100 Noþer lacky ne alose · ne leyue þat þer were [lacky] so PE; lacke MF; lakke IG; lak T. alose] so PMFG; allose I; loose E; los T.] Eny wickeder in þis worlde · þan y were myself, [Eny] A E. wickeder] worse MF. þis] þe I; T om. worlde] written wordle P.] And most imparfit of alle persones · and pacientliche suffre Line 103 Alle manere of men · and þauh ich myghte me venge, [of] I om. myghte me] me miȝte T. me] IG om. venge] a-venge M.] I sholde tholie and þonken hem · þat me vuel wolde." [sholde] schal M. tholie] þole T. vuel] euel MF; yuel IEG; euil T.] "He seide soth," quaþ þe samaritan · "and so ich rede þe also. [He seide] A seyde I.] And as abraam þe olde · of o god þe taughte, [taughte] tauhgte P.] Loke þow louye and by-leyue · al þy lyf-tyme. Line 108 And if kynde witt carpe her-aȝen · and oþer kynne þouhtes, [And] F om. her] þer ME. and oþer] or eny MIFTG.] Oþer heretikes with argumens · þyn hond þou hem shewe! [þou] þat þou IT. hem] hym E.] For god þat al by-gan · in gynnynge of þe worlde, [gynnynge] bigynnyng IF; þe bi-gynnyng M.] Ferde furst as a fust · and ȝut is, as ich leyue,

Mundum pugillo continens,

Line 112 As with a fust with o fynger · yfolde to-gederes, [with (1)] MG om. with (2)] withoute (sic) I. o] a IMTG; F om.] Til hym liked and luste · to vnlose þe fynger, [liked] likeþ I. liked—luste] lust & likede F. vnlose] vnclose M; vnlouke F. þe] þat MFTG.] And profrede hit forth as with þe paume · to what place it sholde. [hit (1)] M om.] The paume is þe piþ of þe honde · and profreþ forþ þe fyngres, [þe piþ] pith F; þe put M; piþe G. forþ] I om. fyngres] fynger MT.] Line 116

Line 116 To mynystre and to make · þat myght of hond knoweþ, [mynystre MI] mynestre P; mynystre þer-with F.] And bytokneþ trewely · telle ho so likeþ, [A page 311] [bytokneþ] bytockneþ P; but see l. 121. telle] telle hit M.] The holy gost of heuene; · he is as þe paume. [he] for he F.] Line 119 The fyngres þat freo beo · to folden and to clycchen [folden E] folde MIFTG; mis|written felden P. clycchen] clucche EIT; clenche M; clouche F.] By-tokneþ sothliche þe sone · þat sente was tyl erthe, [sothliche] sotthliche P; treu|lich E. tyl] on M; to T.] Touchede and tastede · at techynge of þe paume, [tastede] techide T. techynge] tastyng T.] Seynte marie, a mayde · and mankynde lauhte;

Natus ex maria uirgine.

[G omits. Natus] Natus est I.] The fader is þenne as þe fust · with fynger and with paume, [G omits. is þenne] þanne is M.] Line 124 To huden and to holde · as holy writ telleþ;

Omnia traham ad me ipsum.

[huden] so PE; huyde IG; hiden MF; hide T. writ] badly spelt wriȝth P. telleþ] techeþ M.] Al þat þe fynger gropeþ · graythly he grypeþ, [One line in I—And þat þe fynger gropeþ he gripeþ · but if it greue þe paume; so also T.] Bote yf þat þat he gropeþ · greue þe paume. [One line in I—And þat þe fynger gropeþ he gripeþ · but if it greue þe paume; so also T.] [gropeþ] gripeþ MG; gripe F.] Thus are thei alle bote on · as hit an hande were, [an] on a E.] Line 128 A fust with a fynger · and a foll paume. [fust] fist T. foll] ful EMI FTG.] And as þe fust is ful hand · yfolde to-gederes, [A page 312] [þe fust] þere M. ful] a ful MIFTG; but PE omit a; cf. B-text. yfolde] yfoolde P; ydrawe G.] So is þe fader a ful god · þe furste of hem alle. [M omits.] And as my fust is furst · er ich my fyngers shewe, [M omits.] [And] ITG om.] Line 132 So is he fader an former · þe furste of alle þynges;

Tu fabricator omnium;

[So is] And IT. fader] þe fadere EF. an] and MEIFT. former] formoure EIF; fourmetour T. Tu, &c.] M om.] And alle þe myghte with hym is · was, and worth euere. [þe] G om. was] and was MT; E om. and] as E.]

Þe fyngres is ful hand · for, failled thei here þombe, [fyngres] fust M (wrongly). ful] a ful EMFG. for] ac F. thei] M om.] Portrey ne peynte · parfitliche, ich leyue, [Portrey] Noþur portreie F; Ne myȝte portreie G. leyue] wene G.] Line 136 Sholde no wryȝt worche · were he aweye. [wryȝt E] wriȝt F; write (sic) I; withg M; wiȝt T; spelt wryȝth P; whyȝt G. worche] noþur wurche wel F. he] þey IT; hit M.] Ryȝt so, faillede þe sone · þe syre be ne myghte, [Ryȝt] Ryȝght P.] Ne holde, ne helpe · ne hente þat he louede;

Dextre dei tu digitus.

[M transposes helpe and hente.] The paume is pureliche þe honde · and haþ power by hym-self, [pureliche] propurliche M.] Line 140 Oþer-wise þan þe wrythen fust · oþer werkmanshup of fyngres. [þe wrythen] þei write (!) T.] For þe paume haþ power · to putten oute þe Ioyntes, [to] for to I. oute] forþ M.] And to vnfolde þe fust · for hym hit bylongeþ, [for] to F.] And receyuen þat þe fyngres rechen · and refuse, yf hym likeþ, [And] And to G. hym] hem I.] Line 144 Al þat þe fyngres and þe fust · felen and touchen, Beo he greued with here gripe · þe holy gost let falle. [Beo he] But he be IT. greued] miswritten greueued P. let] lat IF.] Thus is þe holigost god · noþer grettoure ne lasse [Thus] And þus IT. lasse] lessere IT; smaller MF.] Line 147 Thenne is þe syre oþer þe sone · and of þe same myghte, [is] I om. oþer] and M. and] bute G. of] F om.] And alle þre nys bote o god · as my hand and my fyngres, [nys] is MIT; F om.] Vnfolde oþer yfolde · a fust-wyse oþer elles, [Vnfolde] Vnfolden MIT. y|folde] folden MIT.] Al is hit bote on hand · hou so y turne hit. [hit] MG om.] Line 151 Ac ho so is hurt in þe hand · euene in þe myddes, [A page 313] [G omits. so] I om.] He may receyue ryght nouht · reson hit sheweþ; For þe fyngeres þat folde sholden · and þe fust make, For peyne of þe paume · power [hem] failleþ [[hem MIFG] hym PET.] Line 155

Line 155 To clucche oþer to clawe · to cluppe oþer to holde. [To] For to F. clucche] clicche MTG; clyche F. cluppe] clippe MFITG.] Were þe myddel of myn hand · with-oute mal ese, [Were] Ac were F.] In menye kynne manere · ich myghte my-self helpe, [menye] many a F. my] me M.] Boþe meue and amende · þauh alle my fyngres oken. By this simile," he seide · "ich seo an euidence, [By] & so by F. simile] similitude T. he] y G. he seide] F om.] Line 160 That ho so synegeþ in þe seynt espirit · asoilled worth he neuere, [That] F om. synegeþ] syn|neþ EMT; senneþ I; synnede F. þe] F om. seynt] I om. espirit] spirit IEG; espijt (sic) M. asoilled] asoillede P; amended G.] Noþer her ne elles-wher · as ich herde telle;

Qui peccat in spiritum sanctum [neque remit|tetur ei,] &c.

[ne] nor F. spiritum sanc|tum] spiritu sancto I. [neque—&c] from F; M has—ne r. &c.; PEIT om.] He prikeþ god as in þe paume · þat peccat in spiritum sanctum. [He] For he IT. as] M om. þe] his IT.] Line 163 For þe fader is as þe fust · þe sone is as þe fyngres, [þe (1)] god þe IG. as] M omits (twice). fyngres] fynger MEIFG.] The holy gost of heuene · he is as þe paume. [The] & þe F. he] MG om.] So ho so synegeþ aȝens þe seynte espirit · hit semeþ þat he greueþ [So] F om. so] þat G. syne|geþ] synege F; synneþ MEITG. seynte] FG om. espirit] spirit EIFG. hit] hem I.] Line 166 God, þer he gripeth · and wolde hus grace quenche. [A page 314] [þer] þer-wiþ I. quenche EM IFTG] queynche P.] For to a torche oþer to a taper · the trinite is likened, [likened MI] likenede P; lyk|ned GT; I-likned F; ylickened E.] As wexe and a weke · [were twyned] to-gederes, [As] & as F. a] FTG om. [were twyned I] were tweyned M; were twynnyd T; if þei were wounde F; and warme fur PEG (by confusion with l. 171); see B-text.] And fuyr flaumed · forth of hem boþe; [FT omit. fuyr flaumed] flaumed fuyr PEG; but fuyr flam|mede M; þanne flammyng fure I; see B-text.] Line 170 And as wex and weke · [and warm fuyr] to-gederes [FT omit. [and warm fuyr MG] and warme fure I; were twynede P; were twyned E (by con|fusion with l. 169); see B-text.]

Fostren forþ a flaume · and a fayre lye, [fayre] fyre I. lye] lie E; liȝe M; leye IF; leiȝe T.] Line 172 That serueþ þese swynkeres · to seo by a nyghtes, [þese] þes P. seo] werke I. a] on M.] So doþ þe syre and þe sone · and seynt espirit to|gederes, [þe (1)] F om. seynt] þe seynt M. espirit] spirit IETG.] Fostren forth a-mong folke · fyn loue and by-leyue, Þat alle kynne crystene · clanseþ of synne. Line 176 And as þou suxt some tyme · sodenliche, of a torche [suxt] sixte E; sixt FG; seest IM; sest T.] Þe blase beo blowen out · ȝut brenneþ þe weke, [Þe] Ȝif þe F. blowen] y|blowen IT.] With-outen lye and lyght · [lith] fuyr in þe macche, [lye] lie M; leye I; lowe T. and] oþer T. lyght] lith (=lyght) M. [lith IF] liþ MTG; miswritten lyght P; liȝt E (by repetition).] So is þe holy gost god · and grace with-oute mercy To alle vnkynde creatures · þat coueyten to distruye [coueyten] conuerten (!) E.] Leel lycame, and lif · þat oure lorde shupte. [lycame] liham M. shupte] schapte MF.] Line 182 And as glowynge gledes · gladeþ nat þese workemen [gledes EIMFT] miswritten glades P; but see l. 188. gladeþ] gladieþ I. nat] now M; I om. þese] þes P.] Þat worchen and waken · in wynteres nyghtes, [worchen—waken] waken and worchen M. waken] walken T; a|waken F. nyghtes] tyme F.] As doþ a kyx oþer a candele · þat cauht haþ fuyr, and blaseþ, [kyx] kex MF. cauht] lauȝt F.] Line 185 No more doþ the syre ne þe sone · ne seynte espirit to|gederes [the] I om. espirit] spirit EITG.] Graunten eny grace · ne for-gyuenesse of synnes, [synnes] synne MTG.] Til þe holy gost by-gynne · to glowen and blase. [Til] Til þat I. bygynne] bi|gynneþ M; gynne I. and] & to FTG.] Line 188 So þat þe holy gost · gloweþ bote as a glede, [bote] M om.] Til þat loue and by-leyue · leelliche to hym blowe. [by-leyue] þe leue T.] Thenne flammeþ he as fuyr · on fader and on filius, [Thenne] And þanne IT. flammeþ] flaumeþ E; flaumiþ G; flameth F. fader] þe fader M; Pater G.]

And melteþ myghte in-to mercy · as we may seo a wynter, [A page 315] [we EIMFTG] miswritten wey P. a] in M.] Line 192 Isykles in euesynges · thorgh hete of þe sonne [Isykles] Isecheles MF. in] on I.] Melteþ in a mynt-while · to myst and to water; [mynt] so PEFG; mynte IT; myte M.] So grace of þe holy gost · melteþ al to mercy, [melteþ—trinite] þe grete myȝt of þe trinite Melteþ al to mercy IT (as in B-text). to none] noon FG.] The grete myghte of þe trinite · to mercyable, and to none oþere. [melteþ—trinite] þe grete myȝt of þe trinite Melteþ al to mercy IT (as in B-text). to none] noon FG.] Line 196 And as wex wiþ-oute more · vpon a warm glede Wol brennen and blasen · beo thei to-gyderes, [thei] þei to M.] And solasen hem þat mowe nat seon · syttyng in deork|nesse, [hem] IT om. seon] seo MG; sen E; see F; se IT. deorknesse] derknesse MTG; derkenesse IF; derkesse (!) E.] So wol þe fader for-ȝyuen · folke of mylde hertes, Line 200 That rufulliche repenten · and restitucion maken, In as muche as þei mowen · amenden and payen, And yf hit sufficith nat for a-seth · þat in suche wille deyen, [sufficith] suffice FT; sofice M. a-seth] aseth E; asseþ T; a-seeth F; a-sech (error for a-seth) I. for a|seth] i-now M. þat] & F. wille E] badly spelt wile P; wil MFG; a wille I; a wil T. deyen G] deien EM; deyn P; dyen F; deyeth I; deiȝeþ T.] [Mercy, for his mekenesse · wil make good þe remen|ant.] [From I; also in EMFTG; P omits.] Line 204 And [as] þe wicke and þe warme fuyr · wol make a fayr flamme [[as EMFITG] P om. þe (2)] a G; EMFIT om.] For to murthen men with · þat in merke sytten; [men] E om. merke ME] merk FTG; a myrke I; meerk P.] So wol crist, of hus curtesye · and men crye hym mercy, [and men] if men wil F.] Boþe for-ȝeuen and for-ȝuten · and ȝut bydde for ous [for-ȝuten] forȝutte E; forȝete IMFG; forȝeten T. bydde] bit E.] To þe fader of heuene · for-ȝyuenesse to haue. [þe] our F. of] in E. for|ȝyuenesse] and forȝeuenesse I.] Line 209

Line 209 Ac hewe fuyr of a flynt · four hundred wynter; [Ac hewe] Hak out M. of] at IT.] Bote þou haue tache to take hit with · tunder and broches, [Bote] But ȝif M. tache] tach EF; tasche I; tasshe T; houȝt (for ouȝt) G; M om. tunder] tonder MI; tendere EG. and] or T; & sum F.] Al þy labour is lost · and al þy long trauayl; [al] MF om.] Line 212 For may no fuyr flamme make · faille hit hus kynde. [flamme] no flamme PE; but MIFTG omit no; cf. B-text. faille] lacke M.] So is [þe] holigost god · and grace with-oute mercy [[þe EMIFTG] P om. god] M om.] To alle vnkynde creatures · as crist hym-self wittnesseþ;

Amen dico uobis, nescio vos.

[wittnesseþ] miswritten witt|nesse P.] Beo vnkynde to þyn emcrystene · and al þat þow canst bidde, [A page 316] [emcrystene] euencristene IT.] Line 216 Dele and do penaunce · day and nyght euere, And porchase al þe pardoun · of paumpelon and of rome, [paumpelon] pampiloun IF; pampilioun T; pampilion G; þe paumpelen M. and] M om.] And Indulgences ynowe · and be ingrat to þy kynde, [And] & eke F. and] F om. ingrat] ingratis (sic) IT; nygard MG.] The holygost huyreþ [þe] nat · ne helpeth þe, be thow certayn. [huyreþ] hureþ EG; hereþ IM FT. [þe IMFTG] PE om. þe] M om. be thow] be þe M; in G.] Line 220 Forvnkyndenesse quencheþ hym · þat he [can] nat shyne, [quencheþ EMIFTG] queyncheþ P. [can EIFT] ne can M; P om.] Ne brenne, ne blase cleer · for blowynge of vnkynde|nesse. Seynt paul þe apostel · proueþ wher ich lye;

Si linguis hominum loquar, &c.

[Seynt] IT om. wher] wheþer T; where þat G; wer P.] For-þi beoþ war, ȝe wyse men · þat with þe worlde deleþ, [For-þi] For-whi M; Þerfore F. with þe] wit with (sic) F. worlde] wordle PG.] That ryche beon and reson knowen · reuleþ wel ȝoure soule. [soule] soules MI.] Line 225 Beoþ nat vnkynde, ich consaile ȝou · to ȝoure emcristene. [emcristene] euenecristene MIGT.]

For menye of [ȝow] ryche men · by my saule, ich lye nat, [[ȝow IMFTG] PE om. ryche] riche EMFITG; ryke P; but see l. 225.] Ȝe brenneþ, ac ȝe blaseþ nat · and þat is a blynde bekne;

Non omnis qui dicit [michi] domine, domine, intrabit in regnum celorum. [ȝe] E om. bekne] so. PMFT; bekene EG. [michi] in F. domine (2)] I om. regnum] regno T.]

Line 228 Mynne ȝe nat, riche men · to which a meschaunce [Mynne] Mene MT; Wite G. riche] ȝe riche M. to] F om. which] swich M; wich P. a] E om.] Þat dives deyed, and dampned [was] · for hus vnkynde|nesse [dampned was TG] dampned PEI; dampned is M; was I-dampned F; cf. l. 239.] Of hus mete and of hus moneye · to men þat hit neodede? [of] IT om. hus (2)] G om.] Ȝut wan he hit nat with wrang · ne with queynte sleythes, [hit] I om. sleythes] sleyȝtes IF.] Line 232 Bote ryȝtfulliche, as men [rat] · al hus rychesse cam hym, [ryȝtfulliche] ryȝthfulliche P. [rat EMIT] þat P; rede F; sayþ G.] And on hym-self, seith the book · sotelede hou he myghte [on] so PEIT; how M; FG om. (The word on is not wanted, but the mistake seems to be the author's.) seith] as seith I. sotelede G] soutel|ede P; souteled E; but soteled F; sotiled I; sotilide T; sotilde M.] Most lordliche lyuen · and leet hus lycame werie [leet] ȝet T; ȝit IF; ȝut M (wrongly); G om. hus] on his T. werie] were FT.] Cloþes of most cost · as clerkes bereth wittnesse;

Epulabatur splendide, & induebatur bisso & purpura. [& purpura] ITG om. The quotation in F is—Induebatur pur|pura & bisso & epulabatur cotidie splendide.]

Line 236 And for he was a nigard · to þe neodful poure, [nigard] nygarde and a nyth|ing IT. þe neodful] reuþful E.] For godes treitour he is tolde · for al hus trewe catel, [tolde] called I. al] M om.] And dampned is and dwelleþ · with þe deuel in helle. [is] IT om. and] a I. in] of G.]

Suthþe he with-oute wiles wan · and wel myghte a|temye [Suthþe] And sitthe I; And siþen T. wiles] miswritten whiles P; see l. 244. atemye] atemye or ateniye P; but a-temye MEF; a|tymye I; atemie G; ateme T.] Line 240 Lordliche for to lyuen · and likyngliche be cloþed, [likyngliche] likendeliche I.] And is in helle for al þat · how wole riche nouthe Excuse hem þat beþ vnkynde · and ȝut here catel wonne [catel] I om. wonne] i-wonne MIG.] With wiles and with luther wittes · and ȝut wollen nat atemye [With wiles] at end of l. 243 in T. atemye] atemye or ateniye P; but atemye EMF; atymye I; ateme TG; as in l. 240.] Line 244 To gon semliche ne sitte · sith holy writ techeþ, [ne] ne to F; and M. sith] sittþ P. writ techeþ] scripture tellith F; writ telliþ G.] That þat wikkedliche is wonne · to wasten hit, and to make frendes?

Facite uobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis.

[I omits. That] T om. That—is] Of þat is wickidliche F. hit] G om. to (2)] GT om. to make] maketh F. uobis] vos I.] Eche a riche man, ich rede · reward her-of take, [a] ME om. man] IFTG om. take] to take F.] Line 247 And ȝeueþ ȝoure good to þat god · þat grace of ariseþ. [And] F om. good EMIFTG] goud P.] For ȝe þat ben vnhende to hyse · hope ȝe none oþer, [A page 317] [ȝe] þo T; I om. vnhende] vnkynde MF. hyse] hise IMFG; his ET.] Bote to dwelle þer dives is · dayes with-outen ende. [to] þey I; ȝif þei T; ȝe M. þer] þer þat M. is] F om. dayes] dai MTG.] Thus is vnkyndenesse [kid] · and aquencheþ, as hit were, [Thus is] & þat for F. [kid T] PEMFI omit; but it is clearly required. and] þat F. aquencheþ E] aqueyncheþ P; quencheþ MIFG; quenchid T.] The grace of þe holygost · godes owene kynde; Line 252 For þat þat kynde doþ · vnkynde for-doþ. [For] Comunliche F. þat (2)] IT om. for-doþ] for-dooth it aftur F.] Acorsede þeoues, vnkynde cristene men · for couetise and enuye [Acorsede] As cursede MFG; As þis cursede I; As þise curside T. vnkynde] vnkende P; but see last line. cristene] F om.]

Sleeþ a man for hus meobles · with mouth oþer with handes; [Sleeþ EF] Sleþ ITG; Slen M; Sleehþ P. meobles EF] mebles MIG; meblis T; noebles P (a mere clerical error). mouth] money I.] For þat þe holy gost haþ to kepe · suche harlotes destruyen, [suche] so FG; swiche M; þo I; þe T; and suche PE; but and is not wanted.] Line 256 The whiche is lyf and loue · the lye of mannes body. [lyf—loue] loue & life I. lye] so PEF; lie MG; ley I; leiȝe T.] For euery maner good man · may be lykned to a torche, [maner good] good maner I. may be] is F. lykned] likned EFG; liknid T; likened MI; lycknede P; cf. l. 168.] Oþer elles [to] a taper · to reuerence with þe trinite; [[to EMFTG] PI om. to—trinite] þe trinite to honoure F.] And ho so morþereþ a good man · me þynkeþ, [by] myn In-witt, [morþereþ EMI] murþreþ T; formoþureth (sic) F; morþreþ G; miswritten morþrerþ P. good IMFTG] goode E; goud P. [by EIFG] be MT; in P; see B-text.] Line 260 He for-doþ þe light þat oure lorde · lokeþ to haue worsshep of. [He] A I. for-doþ] so doþ (wrongly) T; bi-nymeþ M. to—worsshep] be wurscheped F.] And ȝut in mo maneres · men offendeþ þe holy gost; [in] on M.] Ac þis is þe worste wise · þat eny wight myghte [worste] wurse F. wight IFT] wyȝt G; withg M; whight P; whiȝt E.] Synegen a-ȝens þe seynt espirit · assenten to destruye [Synegen] Senegen G; Synege F; Synny E; Synnen IT; Synne M. espirit] spirit EITG. assenten] to sente F.] For couetyse of eny kynne þyng · þat cryst dere boughte. [boughte] a-bouȝte MF.] Line 265 How myghte he aske mercy · oþer eny mercy hym defende, [eny] F om.] That wikkidliche and wilfulliche · wolde mercy anyente? [anyente] so PEITG; anentesch M; aquenche F.] Innocence is next god · and nyght and day hit cryeþ, [hit] he T; M om.] 'Veniaunce! veniaunce! · for-ȝeue be hit neuere, Line 269

Line 269 That shende ous and shadde oure blod · for-shupte ous, as hit semede; [A page 318]

Vindica sanguinem iustorum!'

[shende] so PEMFG; schent IT. shadde] so PEG; schedde MIFT. forshupte] forschapt F; fforsshepte T; forchopte M. semede] semeþ MF. sanguinem, &c.] domine sanguinem sanctorum tuorum F.] Thus 'veniaunce! veniaunce!' · verray charite askeþ, And suthen charite, þat holychurche is · chargeþ this so sore, [charite] þat charite P; but EMIFTG omit þat. holychurche] holy F. chargeþ] charieþ (!) T.] Line 272 Leyue ich neuere þat oure lorde · atte laste ende [Leyue] Leue EMITG; Leeue F. atte] at þe EMIFTG.] Wol louye þat lyf þat loue · and leel charite destruyen." [and leel] leel & F. leel] I om.] "Ich pose ich hadde syneged so," quaþ ich · "and shold nouthe deye, [pose] suppose F; pose þat G. syneged] sineged G; syngede F; synned ET; i-synned MI. nouthe] noght (!) I.] And now am ich sory þat ich so · þe seynt espirit agulte, [ich (1)] FG om. am ich] i am M. so] so dude PE; but IMFTG omit dude. espirit] spirit EITG. agulte] so MG; agilte I; agilt T; agilted F; to agulte PE; but IMFTG omit to; cf. B-text.] Confesse me and crye hus grace · god þat al made, [al] al þing F.] Line 277 And myldeliche hus mercy aske · myghte ich nat be saued?" [aske] aske er T.] "Ȝus," seide þe samaritan · "so þou myghtest repente, [Ȝus] Ȝis IF.] That ryghtwisnesse þorgh repentaunce · to reuthe myghte turne. [þorgh] þoru þi M. to EMI FTG] miswritten two P.] Line 280 Ac hit is bote selde seyn · ther sothnesse bereþ witt|nesse [selde EMITG] seild P; seelde F. sothnesse] southnesse P.] Eny creature be coupable · by-for a kynges Iustice, [Eny] Euery I.] Be yraunsoned for repentaunce · þer al reson hym dampneþ. [yraunsoned ET] yraunsomed IF; raumsomed M; yraunsende (for yraunsonde) P. for] for his IT.] Ther þat partye porsueþ · þe apeel is so huge, [Ther—porsueþ] Or þere þe partie sueth F. apeel] apele E; ap|pel T; apel M; apul I; peel F. is] his P. huge] hoige F; houge T.] Line 284

Line 284 May no kynge mercy graunt · til boþe men a-corden, [May] Þat may IT.] Þat ayþer partye haue [equite] · as holy writt wit|nesseþ; [A page 319]

Nunquam dimittitur peccatum, &c.

[ayþer] euery T. [equite EITG] acquitee F; a quyte P; a quit M; see B-text. witnesseþ] miswritten witnesse P; as in l. 215. dimittitur] dimittatur M.] Line 286 Thus hit fareþ by suche folke · þat folwen here owene wil, [In margin of M—De disper|acione.] Þat vuel lyuen and leten nat · til hem for-sake synne. [leten] leeue F; lette T. til] to I. for-sake] for-sakeþ M.] Drede of desperacion · þenne dryueþ a-wey grace, [Drede] Som drede I; & drede F. awey] ITG om.] Line 289 Þat mercy in here mynde · may nat þenne falle; [may] ne may F.] For good hope þat hem helpe sholde · to [wanhope] turneþ, [hem] him M. hem helpe] helpe þenne IT; þenne helpe G. [wanhope EIMFTG] whamhope P (by mistake). turneþ] þere torneþ IT; it turneth F.] And nat of þe [nounpower] of god · þat he nys ful of myghte [[nounpower F] noumpower M noun-poer I; newe power (!) T; vnpower PE; cf. B-text. nys] ne is MFI. ful—myghte] al-myȝty F.] Line 292 To amenden al þat amys is · and hus mercy grettour [amenden] mende F. amys] mys MF.] Than alle oure wikkede werkus · as holy writ telleþ,

Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius.

[oure] oþere I. wikkede werkus] werkus wicked F. telleþ] us telleth F.] Ac er hus rightwisnesse to reuthe turne · restitucion hit makeþ; [er] ar IFG. hus] þis IM. rightwisnesse] riȝt F. er—rightwis|nesse] þer is riȝtfulnesse E.] As sorwe of herte is satisfaccion · for suche as may nat paye. [As] For M. is] of I; and M. for] to F. as] þat ITG.] Line 296 Ac þre þynges þer beoþ · þat doþ a man to sterte [beoþ] biþ G; ben EMIT; be F. to] MT om. In margin of M—De tribus inimicis (against l. 294).] Out of his owene hous · as holy writ sheweþ. [G omits. his] is P. hous EMIT] hows F; apparently mis|written houe P; but see l. 301.]

That on is a wikkede wif · þat wol nat be chasted; [on] IT om. chasted EMG] chastede P; chastied T; I-chasted F; chastised I.] Hure fere fleeth fro huere · for fere of huere tounge. [fleeth] fli M. fro] I om. fro huere] hire fro T; þan her fro F.] And yf hus hous be vnheled · and reyne [on] hus bedde, [vnheled] vnhelede P. reyne EFTG] regne M; ryne PI; but see l. 315. [on EMIFTG] in P. bedde] hed M.] He sekeþ and sekeþ · [til] he slepe drye. [He] Þan he F. [til IFTG] er P; or E. til he] forte M.] Line 302 Ac when smoke and smorþre · smyt in hus eyen, [Ac] And MF. smorþre] smor|þur F; smore M; smolder IT; (and in l. 305). smyt in] smerteþ E. eyen] eiȝe T; eye G.] Hit doþ hym wors þan hus wyf · oþer wete to slepe. [wete] whete P. to] for to FT.] For þorw smoke and smorþre · smerteþ hus syghte, [For] T om. hus] so his F.] Tyl he be bler-eyed oþer blynde · and þe borre in hus þrote, [be] I om. bler-eyed M] blereyde P; blereiȝed T; blered IF; blered, altered to blereid E. oþer] and M. and] or M. borre] burre IFT.] Line 306 Koweþ and corseþ · þat crist ȝyue hym sorwe [A page 320] [Koweþ] Kowheþ EG; Coueth I; Couheþ M; Couȝiþ T; Þan he cowheth F. þat] ȝa (sic) I. crist] god G. hym] hem M.] That sholde brynge yn bettere wode · oþer blowe til hit brente. [brynge] bryngge P. blowe] blowen it ITG.] Line 308 These þre þat ich telle of · thus beoþ to vnderstonde; [to] IG om. vnderstonde] vn|derstonnde P.] The wif is oure wikkede fleshe · [þat] wol nat be chasted, [The] Oure M. [þat EMG] & F; PIT om. chasted G] chastede P; ychasted EF; schasted M; chastised I; chastid T; see l. 299.] For kynde clyueþ on hym euere · to contrarie þe soule. [clyueþ] cleueþ IMFT. on] of G.] And thauh he falle, he fynt skyles · þat frelete hit made. [fynt] fynd M. skyles] scile F. þat] G om.] And þat is lyghtliche for-ȝyue · and for-ȝute boþe [G omits. for-ȝyue—for-ȝute] forȝete · & forgyue F.] Line 313 To man, þat mercy askeþ · and amende þenkeþ. [man] þat man F.] Ac þe reyn þat reyneþ · þer we reste sholde, [Ac] IT om. reyneþ EIFT] ryneþ P; regneþ M; raineþ G.] Beoþ syknesses and oþer sorwes · þat we suffren [ofte], [Beoþ] Is F. syknesses] sike|nes EF. sorwes] sorwe F. [ofte MFT] ouht P; out E; oghte I; ouȝt G; cf. B-text.]

As seynt paul þe apostel · in hus pistles techeþ,

Virtus in infirmitate perficitur.

[As] & F; I om. seynt] IT om. in] þus in F. pistles] pistel IMF. Virtus] Nam uirtus P; but EIMFT omit Nam. in] M om.] Line 317 And þauh men maken · muche deol in here angre, [And] Ac M. men] þat men IFTG. deol] so PE; doel FT; dool M; deel I; del G.] And beo inpacient in here penaunces · pure reson knoweþ, [penaunces] penance MIF.] That þei han cause to contrarien · by kynde of here syknesse; [That] F om.] Line 320 And lightliche oure lorde · at here lyues ende [lightliche] holich (!) E.] Haþ mercy of suche men · þat vuel may suffrye. [of] on IFTG.] Ac þe smoke and þe smorþre · þat smyt in oure eyen, [smorþre] smorthour F; smorre M; smolder IT. smyt] so ETG; smyth M; smytte I; smyȝt P; smyt|eth F; see l. 303.] Þat is couetise and vnkyndenesse · which quencheþ godes mercy. [Þat] F om. and] F om. which] wich P; swich M; þat F.] Line 324 For vnkyndnesse is contrarie · of alle kynne reson; [A page 321] [is] is þe IT; in F. of] to FG. kynne] kynde I; kynes T; maner G.] For þer ne is syk ne sory · ne non so muche wrecche, [F omits. ne is] nys IM.] Þat he ne may louye, and hym lyke · and lene of hus herte [he] M om. louye] loue FMT. lene] lene or leue in the MSS.] Good wil, good worde · boþe wusshen and wylnen [Good EMIFTG] Goude P. good] goud P; and good MG. boþe] MG om. wusshen] whusshen P.] Alle manere of men · mercy and for-ȝeuenesse, [of] IF om. E omits from mercy to hem in l. 330.] Line 329 And louye hem yliche hym-sylf · þat hus lyf a-mende. [hus lyf] is liue & IT.] Ich may no lenger lette," quaþ he · and lyarde he prykede, And wente away as þe wynde · and þer-with ich awakede. [þe] ITG om. and] and rith M. awakede] awoke I; waknide T.] Line 332

Hic explicit passus tercius de dobet. [So PG; M omits. Hic] EF om. Hic explicit] IT om.]

PASSUS XXI. (DO-BET IV.)

[TITLE. So in PMG; Incipit pas|sus quartus E; Incipit quartus F; IT om.] Hic Incipit passus quartus de dobet.

WO-werie and wetschod · wente ich forth after, [A page 322] [Wo-werie] Ful weri E; Wolle|werie G; but Wolleward IFT (as in B-text); Wellenward M. wetschod EMT] wetschode P; wete-schood F; watschoed I; wadsshod G.] As a recheles renke · þat reccheþ nat of sorwe, [a] G om. recheles EFTG] reccheles IM; miswritten richeles P.] And ȝeode forþ lyke a lorell · al my lyf tyme, [lyke] y-like IT.] Til ich wax wery of þis worlde · and wilnede efte [to] slepe, [wax] so PMF; waxe I; wexe E; wex T; was G. þis] þe IG. wilnede] leste G. [to IMFTG] PE om.] Line 4 And lenede me til lenten · and longe tyme ich slepte. [til] to IFT. lenten] lentoun IF; lente M.] Of gurles and of gloria laus · gretliche me dremede, [me] i M.] And how osanna by org[o]ne · olde [folk] songe. [orgone F] orgene IT; orgne PE; organ M; origene (!) G. [folk FTG] folke I; men PEM; cf. B-text.] On was semblable to þe samaritan · and somdel to peers plouhman, [was] ITG om. plouhman] þe plouȝman T.] Line 8 Barfot on an asse bak · bootles cam prykye, [cam] gan F. prykye] prike TG.] With-oute spores oþer spere · and sprakliche he lokede, [spores] spore MF. and] ac M; IFTG om. sprakliche] so PT; spracliche MFG; sparklich EI.] As is þe kynde of a knyght · þat comeþ to be doubed, [A page 323] [a] E om. comeþ] cam G. doubed] so PE; dobbed MI; dubbed FG.] To geten hus gilte spores · and galoches y-co[u]ped, [To] For to F. hus] him F; hise M; here IT. gilte] gult M; gilden E; gild G. y-couped IMFT] y-coped PG; ykeped E.] Line 12

Line 12 Then was faith in a fenestre · and cryde, "a! filij dauid!" [Then] And þanne IT. a (2)] o T.] As doþ an heraud of armes · when auntres comeþ to Iustes. [auntres] so PEIMG; auntrus F; but we should probably read auntrous, as in T; cf. B-text.] Olde Iewes of ierusalem · for ioye þei songen,

Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini.

[G omits. ioye] ioie þo F. in, &c.] E om.] Þenne ich fraynede [at] faith · 'what al þat fare by|mente, [fraynede] fraynnede P. [at IMFT] of G; PE om. what] þat F. bymente] bi-menede M.] Line 16 And ho sholde iusten in ierusalem?' · "iesus," he seide, "And fecche þat þe feond cleymeþ · peers frut þe plouhman." [fecche] fecche awei M. feond] deuel G. cleymeþ] cleymed F.] "Ys peers in þis place?" quaþ ich · and he preynkte vpon me, [preynkte] prenkte E; preynte MFGT; princte I. vpon] on I.] "Liberum dei arbitrium," quaþ he · "for loue haþ vndertake [quaþ he] ITG om. haþ] he haþ M. vndertake] y-take G.] Line 20 That þis iesus of hus gentrise · shal Iouste in peers Armes, [þis ME] þys G; þes P; is IT; F om. of] for FG. gentrise MG] gentrice IE; gentrye FT; genterise P.] In hus helme and [in] hus haberion · humana natura; [In] G om. [in IMET] PFG om. natura] creatura M.] Þat crist be nat knowe · for consummatus deus, [Þat] miswritten Þa P. knowe] i-knowe MIFTG. for] as M; T om.] In peeres plates þe plouhman · this prykiere shal ryde; [plates] so PEIMG; platus F; platis T. this] thes P. prykiere] prikere IT.] For no dint shal hym dere · as in deitate patris." [For] Þat M. dint] dryth M; donte or doute I. as] F om.] Line 25 "Ho shal Iouste with iesus," quaþ ich · "Iewes, oþer scrybes?" [oþer] or þe M; wheþer G.] "Nay," quaþ Faith, "bote þe feond · and fals dom to deye.

Deþ seith he wol for-do · and a-doun brynge [for-do] forþ M.] Line 28 Al þat lyueþ oþer lokeþ · a londe and a watere. [a] on M; o T (twice). and] or M.] Lyf seith þat he lyeþ · and haþ leyde hus lyf to wedde, [A page 324] [þat] M om. lyeþ] lickth F. leyde—lyf] lif leide F.] Þat for al þat deþ can do · with-Inne þre dayes, [deþ] he M. In margin of M —de passione christi.] To walke and fecche fro þe feonde · peers frut þe plouhman, [To walke] at end of l. 31 in IT. fecche] to feche E.] Line 32 And legge [hyt] þer hym lykeþ · and lucifer bynde, [[hyt] hit MG; it IFT; hym PE. þer] þere as F.] And [forbete and bringe adoun] · bale [and] deþ for euere;

O mors, ero mors tua!"

[[forbete] so MI (as in B|text); forbite PEFTG. [and—a|doun MFG] adoun and brynge PET; a-downe & begge (sic) I. [and MF] PEITG om. ero—tua EF] tua ero mors P; mors tua ero M; but I has —O mors, mors tua ero, morsus; see Vulgate.] Thenne cam pilatus with muche peuple · sedens pro tribunali, [cam] M om. peuple] pride F.] To seo hou douhtiliche deþ sholde do · and deme here beyer ryght. [hou—do] þe douȝtinesse of deeth F. deme] deyme P. beyer] beiere E; beyre I; boþe MF; boþis T; beye G.] Line 36 The Iuwes and þe iustices · aȝens iesus þey were, [iustices] Iustice T.] And alle þe court cryede · 'crucifige' lowde. [cryede] þo cride F. lowde] lowede P; longe E.] Thenne put hym [forth] a pelour · by-for pilat, and seyde, [[forth IMFTG] PE om. pe|lour] so PEMIFG; pilour T. pilat] pilatus IG.] "Thys iesus of oure Iuwen temple · Iapede and des|pisede, Line 40 To for-don hit on a day · and in þre dayes after [To for-don] For to done I. on] in T. a] o G. in] in þe E.] Edefien hit efte newe— · her he stant þat seyde hit— [Edefien hit] Edified F. stam — hit] stond hit seide M.] And ȝut make [hit] as muche · in alle manere poyntes, [ȝut] I ȝit F; M om. [hit MEG] it IFT; P om.]

Bothe as longe and as large · aloft and a-grounde, [aloft] on lofte M. a-grounde] on grounde M.] Line 44 And as wyde as hit euere was · this we witnessen alle." [And] MG om. we witnessen] we whitnessen P; withnesseþ we M.] "Crucifige," quaþ a kachepol · "he can of wicche|crafte." [of] on M; G om.] "Tolle, tolle," quaþ anoþer · and toke of kene þornes, And by-gan of a grene þorne · a garlaunde to make, [a] EIFG om. of—þorne] þer|of M.] Line 48 And sette hit sore [on] hus hefd · and suthe seyde in enuye, [A page 325] [[on EMIFTG] in P. hefd] hed GEM; heed IF; heuid T. suthe] F om. in] with F.] "Aue, rabbi," quaþ þat ribaud · [and] reodes shotte at hus eyen:— [rabbi M] rabi PITG; raby F. [and MEIFTG] a P. reodes] reed F; rede T. at] vp to IT; in F; on G.] And nailede hym with þre nayles · naked on þe rode, [naked] naken M; faste G. on] vppon ITG; to F. þe] a IMT.] And with a pole poyson · putten to hus lippes, [with—pole] a pole wiþ M. to] vp to T; þey to G.] Line 52 And [beden] hym drynke, hus deþ to lette · and hus dayes lengthen; [[beden IMT] bed G; bad F; bid PE; cf. putten in l. 52. hus (1)] F om.] And seide, "yf he sothfast beo · he wol hym-self helpen; [seide] seiden MF; saiden I. sothfast] sotthfast P; sotil I; sotile T. he—hym-self] him-selfe now he wol IT.] And now, yf þow be criste · godes sone of heuene, [now] craftily T; I om. yf] ȝif þat F. godes—heuene] and criste goddes sone IFT; crist goddes sone MG (a remarkable variation, as help|ing out the alliteration).] Come a-doune of þis rode · and þenne wol we leyue [þis] þe MFT. wol] schal IT. leyue] leue EIMTG; leeue F.] Line 56 That lyf þe louyeþ · and wol nat lete þe deye." [lyf] lord & lif F.] "Consummatum est," quaþ Crist · and comsede for to sounye [sounye] swowny E; swowne IF; swoune M; swone TG.] Pitousliche and paal · as prison þat deyeþ; [paal] so PEG; pale IMT; al pale F. as] & (!) E. prison] pri|soun dooth F; a prison MGT. þat] G om.]

The lord of lyf and of light · þo leyde hus eyen to|gederes. Line 60 The day for drede þer-of with-drow · and deork by-cam þe sonne; [by-cam] bygan EG.] The wal of þe temple to-cleef · euene a two peces; [to-cleef] so PE; to-clef MITG; cleef F. euene] G om. a two] in to MI. peces EMFTG] pices P. a—peces] al to-gedres I.] The hard roche al to-rof · and ryght derk nyght [hit] semede; [M omits. derk] F om. [hit G] it IFT; PE om.] The erthe quook and quashte · as hit quyke were, [quook] to-quake I; to-quaȝte T. quashte] quashete P (apparently by mistake); quasshte G; quaste E; quasschede F; quakede M; quoke I; quok T. quyke were] were quike G.] Line 64 And dede men for þat deon · comen oute of deope graues, [deon] deone MF; dene ET; deþe I; done G.] And tolden why þat tempest · so longe tyme durede. [why] wy P. þat] þe I. tyme] while M (wrongly); G om.] "For a byter bataile" · þe dede bodye seyde, [For] Al for F. þe] þat F. bodye] bodies T.] "Lyf and deþ in þis deorknesse · her on for-doþ þat oþer, [her—for-doþ] ere on fordo E (wrongly). her] þat F. þat] here I.] Line 68 Ac shal no [wiȝt] wite witerliche · ho shal haue þe mastrye, [Ac] F om. [wiȝt IF] wyȝt G; withg M; whit P; whiȝt E; wy T. wite witerliche] withturli wite M.] Er soneday, a-boute sonne-rysynge" · and sank with þat til erthe. [Er] Or M; Ar a I; Er a T. a-boute] at F; a-boute þe MIT. and] he G. sank] schrank F. til] to I; to þe T.] Somme seiden he was godes sone · þat so faire deyede; [A page 326]

Vere filius dei erat iste:

[godes] M om.] Some seiden, "he can of sorcerye · good is þat we a-saye [Some] And some IT. of] MF om.] Line 72 Wher he be ded oþer nat ded · doun er he be take." [Wher] Wheþer MF. doun] a-doun G. er] or MF.] Two þeoues þer wer · þat þoleden deþ þat tyme [þer] þan þere F. þer—þat] þo ITG.]

Vpon crois by-side crist · so was þe comune lawe. [crois] þe crois MG.] Quikliche cam a cacchepol · and craked a-two here legges, [Quikliche—cacchepol] A cac|chepol of þo þeues cam I; A cacche|pol cam T. a-two] on to M.] Line 76 And here armes after · of euerich of þo þeoues. [And] & eke F. þo] þe MG.] Ac þer was no boye so bolde · godes body to touche, [þer] I om. no boye] non M; beorne þer F (omitting no).] For he was knyght and kynges sone · kynde for-ȝaf þat tyme Þat no boye hadde hardinesse · hym to touche in deyinge. [boye] bodi MG. no—hadde] hadde no boy IT. hym—touche] to touche him F. in] at his M. deyinge] deyyinge P.] Line 80 Ac þer cam forth a blynde knyght · with [a] kene spere y-grounde, [[a IMT] PEFG om.] Hihte longeus, as þe lettere telleþ · and longe hadde lore hus sight. [longeus] longis MG. telleþ] seith F. and] G om. lore] so PG; lorn MT; lost F.] By-fore pilat and oþer peuple · in þe place he houede. [þe] þys G; F om. he] þere he F.] Ac maugre hus meny teþ · he was mad þat tyme [Ac] IMFTG om. maugre] maugrey P; Mawgreith F; Malgre I. mad] i-mad MF.] Line 84 To Iouste with iesus · this blynde Iuwe longeus; [To] For to FT; I om. this] þe FG. Iuwe] kniȝt T; knyth M. longeus] longis MG; at wille F.] For alle hij were vnhardy · þat houede þer oþer stode, [hij were] þei weren M; þey were FG; were þey IT. þer] T om. stode] stoude P.] To touche hym oþer to tryne hym · oþer to take hym doun and graue hym, [to (2)] M om. tryne] so PEF; trinen I; trine G; turne M; trien T. to (3)] MF om. and] or I. and—hym] in graue F; T om.] Line 87 Bote þis blynde bachelere · þat bar hym þorw þe herte; [þis] þe M. þat] he M. þorw] to F.] The blood sprang doun by þe sper · and vnsperrede þe knyghtes eyen. [sprang] þo sprang F; ran M. þe knyghtes] his F.] Tho fel þe knyght vpon knees · and cryed iesu mercy, [A page 327] [fel MFTG] feol P; felle E; fil I. knees] his knes MFT.]

"A-ȝens my wil hit was," quaþ he · "þat ich ȝow wonde made!" [A-ȝens] Aȝen IT; Ageyn M; Aȝe F. was] is T. wonde] wounde EIMFTG.] He syghede and seide · "sore hit me for-þynkeþ, [He] Þan he F; And IT. syghede] siked E. seide] to crist seide F.] Line 92 Of þe dede þat ich haue don · ich do me in ȝoure grace. [þe] o G. don] i-do MT; do IFG. in] hit in-to G.] My londe and my lycame · at ȝoure lykynge takeþ hit, [My] Boþe my IT. lykynge] wille M.] And haue mercy on me, ryghtful Ihesu!" [and] ryght with þat he wepte. [ryghtful] myȝtful F. [and IFT] PEMG om. ryght—þat] with þat mone F.] Line 95 Thenne gan faith foully · þe false Iewes to despisen, [þe] G om. to] placed before þe in I; F om.] And calde hem 'caytifs a-corsed' · for þis was a vil vilanye:— [And] ITG om. calde] callede M. caytifs a-corsed] cursede caitifes MF. for] M om. vil] fil (sic) EG; MF om. for—vilanye] for her vilenye F; for euere I (which begins l. 98 with For þis was a vile vilany, and divides the lines wrongly).] "Veniaunce is to ȝou falle · þat makede þe blynde [is—falle] ȝow bifalle I. falle] bi-falle M. makede] made ITG.] Beten hym þat was ded · hit was a boyes dede!" [hym] a body F. hym—ded] þe dede I; þe dede þat ȝe dede (sic) T. hit] þis I.] [Þus faith bi-gon to fare · wiþ þe false Iewes]— [From M; PEIFGT omit.] Line 100 "Corsede caityfs! · knyghthod was hit neuere [G omits. Corsede] Kene a|cursede F.] To bete a body ybounde · with eny briȝt wepne, [G omits. To] For to F. briȝt EFT] brighte I; briȝth P; brith M. wepne] wepenes I.] Þe gree ȝut haþ he geten · for alle hus grete wondes. [geten] gete MG; I-gete F. wondes] so PG; woundes EMIFT.] For ȝoure champion chiualer · chief knyght of ȝow alle [champion] miswritten cam|pion P; but observe the alliteration.] Ȝelt hym recreaunt rennynge · ryght at iesus wil. [recreaunt] creaunt I. ren|nynge] remyng MF.] Line 105 For beo þis deorknesse ydo · deþ worþ venkised, [venkised] so PM; y-venkised G; venkysched E; yvenquyst T; y|wenkused I. deþ—venkised] of deth he is avenged F.]

And ȝe, lordlinges, han lost · for lyf shal haue þe maystrie, [ȝe] ȝow M (wrongly). lord|linges] lordeynes T; lordyngus F; lordes M. shal] wile M.] And ȝoure fraunchise þat freo was · fallen is to þral|dom, [fraunchise] miswritten fraun|chises P. fallen] y-fallen IT. to] in-to I; in T. þraldom] charldom F.] Line 108 And alle ȝoure children cheorles · cheuen shulle þei neuere, [þei] miswritten þe P; I om.] Ne haue lordshup in lond · noþer lond tylie, [noþer] ne no ITG; ne þe F. tylie] tulye I; telie M.] And as barayne beo · and by vsure libbe, [as] as þe F. and] as M.] The whiche is lif þat oure lorde · in alle lawes defendeþ. [A page 328] [whiche] wiche P. The—lif] Which is usure F. lawes] lawe F.] Line 112 Now beoþ ȝoure goode dayes don · as daniel of ȝow telleþ, [beoþ] buþ M; ben I; be FT. goode] godes G. don] i-do M; ydon T; do F. of] ofte I.] When crist with crois ouercam · ȝoure kyngdom shal to-cleue;

Cum uenerit sanctus sanctorum, cessabit unctio uestra."

[with] þorgh IT; E om. to|cleue] be cleue E. Cum] Dum T. uenerit] veniat IG. cessabit] cessat IT; cesset G.] What for fere of þis ferly · and of the false Iewes, [the] þese F.] Line 115 Ich drow in þat deorknesse · to descendit ad inferna, [drow] drow me F; wiþdrogh I; wiþ-drouȝ T; wiþ-drow G. in] in-to M.] And þer ich seyh sothliche · secundum scripturas, [ich seyh] saw i F.] Out of þe west, as it were · a wenche, as me þouhte, [it were] me þouȝte T. wenche] weynche P. me þouhte] it were T.] Cam walkynge in þe way · to helleward he lokede. [in] by G. he] so PFG (for hue); heo T; sche IM; ȝo E.] Mercy hihte þat mayde · a mylde þyng with-alle, [Mercy] Dam mercy F.] Line 120 And a ful benygne burde · and buxum of speche. [benygne] miswritten benyngne P; beynde T. burde] bierde I; berde M; boerde F. of] of her F.] Heore sustre, as hit semede · cam softly walkynge [walkynge] after M.]

Euene out of þe est · and westwarde he þouhte, [est] west (!) T. he] he (for hue) PFG; sche IMT; ȝo E.] A comely creature and clene · treuthe [he] hihte. [clene] a clene IF. and—hihte] treuthe was here name T. [he] sheo P; sche IM; scheo F; ȝo E; heo G; but cf. ll. 123, 125.] Line 124 For þe vertue þat here folwede · afered was he neuere. [here folwede] folweth here F. he] so PFT (for hue); sche IM; ȝo E; heo G.] Whan þeos maydenes metten · mercy and treuthe, Ayþer axed of oþer · of þis grete wonder, [of (1)] IT om. (as in B|text).] Of þe deone and deorknesse · and how þe day [rowed], [deone] doene F; dene EIT; done G. [rowed] rowide T; rouede IG; roued PE; reued M; romede F; but cf. B-text.] Line 128 And whiche a light and a leom · lay by-fore helle. [whiche] wiche P; swich M. a (2)] wich a P; but EIMFTG omit wich; cf. B-text; ME om.] "Ich haue ferly of þis fare · in faith," seide treuthe, "And am wendyng to wyte · what þis wonder meneþ." [to] for to F. meneþ] bi|meneþ M.] "Haue no meruayle þer-of," quath mercy · "murthe hit by-tokneþ. Line 132 A mayde þat hatte Marie · and moder with-oute felynge [hatte] hiȝte F; hoteþ I; hattiþ T. felynge] veling G; wailyng M; vilenye T.] Of eny kynde of creature · conceyuede þorw speche [A page 329] [of] I om. þorw] wiþ-oute (!) G.] And grace of þe holygost · waxe gret with childe, [And] And þoruȝ T; Þoru M. waxe] so PI; wax EMF; wex T; was G.] With-oute [wommanes] wem · in-to þis worlde brouhte hym; [[wommanes FT] womanes M; woman E; womman IG; wommen P. worlde] wordle PG.] Line 136 And þat my tale is trewe · ich take god to witnesse. [is] be M. trewe] trywe P.] Sutthen þis barn was ybore · beoþ þritty wynter passed, [ybore] born MT; bore G.] Deyed and deþ þolede · þis day a-boute mydday;

That is þe cause of þis eclipse · þat ouer-closeþ now þe sonne, [That] And þat I. þis] þe MG. eclipse] enclips M; clips IFTG. þat] F om. ouer-closeþ] ouercloþeth I; ouercloside T; ouercomeþ MG. now] MG om.] Line 140 In menynge þat man shal · fro meorknesse beo drawe, The while þis light and þis leom · shal Lucifer a|blende. [leom] lowe IT; loue G. ablende] ableynde P; ablynde E.] For patriarkes and prophetes · han prechede her-of ofte, That þyng þat tynt was þorw treo · treo shal hit wynne, [þyng] IG om. þat] IT om. was] T om. þorw] þorgh a I; wiþ M. shal] wil F.] And þat þat deþ doun brouhte · deþ shal releue." [þat (2)] IT om. deþ (2)] lif G.] Line 145 "That þat þou tellest," quaþ treuþe · "is bote a tale of walterot! [þat (2)] IMTG om. walterot] so PET; waltrot F; a waltrot M; walter G; walteret I.] For adam and eue · and abraham with oþere, Patriarkes and prophetes · þat in peyne liggen, Line 148 Leyf hit neuere þat ȝon lyght · hem a-lofte brynge, [Leyf] Lef M; Leue EIT; Leeue F; Leoue G. neuere] were (!) T. ȝon] ȝeon P; ȝone I; ȝonde M; ȝynen (!) G; ȝeond E; þat F. ȝon lyght] þou list (!) T. a-lofte] o-loft T; on lofte M.] Ne haue hem out of helle; · hold þy tonge, mercy, [haue] heue M. hem] hem ȝit F.] Hit is trufle þat þou tellest; · ich, treuthe, wot þe sothe, [is] is a F; is but a M; is but IT. trufle] tryfle EFTG; triful M; trewful I. treuthe] trewely T.] That þyng þat ones was in helle · out comeþ hit neuere. [was] is IFTG; comeþ M.] For iob þe parfit patriarke · repreoueþ þy sawes,

Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio."

[For] ITG om. þy] þe I. repreoueþ—sawes] he proueþ þis sawe M.] Line 153 Thenne mercy ful myldeliche · mouþed þese wordes, [þese] þes P.] "Þorgh experience," quaþ heo · "ich hope þei shulle be sauede. [A page 330] [heo] so PG; ȝo E; he I; sche M; ho T. quaþ heo] ȝit F.] For venym for-doþ venym · þer vecche ich euydence, [vecche] so PE; fecche IMTG; fet F.] That adam & eue · haue shullen bote. [&] & eke F. shullen] scholden I. bote] boþe (wrongly) M.] Line 157

Line 157 Of alle fretynge venymes · þe vilest is þe scorpion; [Of] For of IT. fretynge venymes] ffretande venym T. vilest] foulest M; filist E. is] M om.] May no medecyne amende · þe place þer he styngeþ, [styngeþ] stynkeþ (!) E.] Til he be ded, ydo þer-to · and þenne hit destroieþ [be] IT om. ydo] and i-do M; & do F. and] M om. hit] he IT. destroieþ MIF] distroyeþ T; distrieþ P; destruyeþ E.] The ferst venemoste · thorgh vertu of hym-selue. [venemoste] venymoste T; venymeste I; venymest M; venymous|heede F; venymost þing E.] Line 161 And so shal this deþ for-do · ich [dar] my lyf legge, [for-do] do M. [dar EFIT] þar P; schal M.] Al þat deþ and þe deuel · dude formest to eue. [157—163. G omits.] Ryght as þe gylour þorw gyle · by-gylede man formest, [Ryght] And right IT. as] so as M.] So shal grace þat al by-gan · make a good ende, [al by-gan] bigan al IT (which runs better); but see l. 222.] Line 165 And by-gyle þe gylour · and þat is a good sleithe;

Ars ut artem falleret."

[And] & so F. and] M om. a] I om.] "Now suffre we," seide treuthe · "ich seo, as me thynkeþ, Out of þe nype of þe north · nat ful fer hennes, [nype] so PEMFT. nat] þat is (!) E. fer MIFTG] ferre E; feer P.] Line 168 Ryghtwisnesse come rennynge; · reste we þe whyle; [Ryghtwisnesse] Rightwisnesse IEFT; Rythwisnesse PM; cf. l. 177. come] comeþ M. þe] a M; þere T. whyle] wyle P; whiles I.] For he wot more þan we · he was er we boþe." [he] so PIFTG; ȝo E; sche M (twice); but note that he here = hue = she; cf. l. 178. er] er þan P (but EIMFTG omit þan); or EIF.] "That is soth," seide mercy · "and ich seo her by southe, [and] G om. ich] T om.] Wher comeþ pees pleyinge · in pacience [y]cloþed. [ycloþed EMITG] cloþed PF.] Line 172 Loue heore haþ coueyted longe · leyue ich non oþer [heore—coueyted] haþ y-co|ueyted hire I; hadde coueitid hire T. leyue] & now leue F.] Bote loue haue sent heore som lettere · what þis light bymeneþ [haue—heore] hure haþ i-sent M. what] þat M. bymeneþ] brenneþ M.] That ouere-houeþ helle þus; · he shal ous telle." [he] so PIFTG; ȝo E; sche M; observe that he = hue, as above. ous] vs soone F. shal ous] vs schal I.]

Whenne pees, in pacience [y]cloþed · aproched ayþer oþer, [Whenne] Wenne P. ycloþed EMITG] cloþed PF. ayþer] here ayþer IT.] Line 176 Ryghtwisnesse reuerencede pees · in heore riche cloþinge, And prayede pees to tellen huere · to what place he wolde, [he] heo F; sche MI; she T; ȝo E; cf. l. 177. wolde] scholde I.] In heore gay garnemens · wham he gladie þouhte? [A page 331] [In] And I. he] heo FG; sche MI; she T; ȝo E. gladie] glade MFT.] "My wil is to wende," quaþ Pees · "and wel-come hem alle, [E omits. wende] weynde P. and wel-come] to gladye G.] Line 180 Þat meny day myghte ich nat seo · for meorknesse of synne. [ich] IMFTG om.] Adam and eue · and oþer mo in helle, [Adam] As adam F.] Moyses and meny mo · mercy shullen synge; And ich shal daunce þer-to · do al-so þow, suster! [al-so þow] þow also M; þou so IG.] Line 184 For iesus iousted wel · ioye by-gynneþ to dawen;

Ad uesperum demorabitur fletus, & ad matu|tinum leticia.

[For] For þat F. to] I om. &] T om. &—leticia] MF om.] Loue þat is my lemman · suche letteres me sente, [me] he me MI; heo me TG.] Þat mercy my suster, and ich · mankynde [shulde] saue; [[shulde M] scholde E; shul|len PF; schal ITG.] And þat god haþ for-gyue · and graunted to al man|kynde, [þat—haþ] god hath gilt now F. graunted—al] graunteth for F. al] MG om.] Line 188 Mercy, my suster, and me · to maynprise hem alle. [and] & to F.] And crist haþ conuerted · þe kynde of ryghtwisnesse [crist] þat crist I; our crist F. conuerted] conforted (!) E.] In-to pees and pyte · of hus pure grace. Lo, here þe patente!" quaþ pees · "in pace in idipsum, [þe] a F.]

And þat þis dede shal dure · [dormiam et requiescam]." [dure] endure F. [dormiam, &c.] from EIMFTG; P om.] "Rauest þou?" quaþ ryghtwisnesse · "oþer þou art ryght dronke! [Rauest þou] What rauestow F; Rauestow I. oþer] or elles M. art IMFT] ert PEG. ryght] MG om.] Line 194 Leyuest þou þat ȝon light · vnlouke myghte helle, [Leyuest] Leuest EITG; Wen|est M. þou] M om. Leyuest þou] Leuestow F. þat] þat þe PE; but IMFTG omit þe. ȝon] ȝende (sic) E; ȝondur F; ȝoure G.] And saue mannes soule? · suster, wene hit neuere! [And] & also F. wene] lef M.] At þe begynnynge of þe worlde · god gaf þe dom hym|selue, Line 197 Þat adam and eue · and hus issue alle [eue] eue also F. hus—alle] al his yssue EITG; al heore issue aftur M; al her yssue F.] Sholden deye doun-ryht · and dwelle in peyne euere, [Sholden] Schal I. peyne] pyne FG. euere] for euere M.] Yf þei touchede þe treo · and of þe frut eten. [Yf] Ȝif þat FT; If þat I. þe (1)] þat ITG; a F. þe frut] þat fruyt T. eten] ȝeten M. of—eten] tasted of þe froyt F.] Line 200 Adam afterwarde · a-ȝens hus defense, [Adam] & ȝit adam F.] Faste fret of þat frut · and for-soke, as hit were, [Faste] He G; IT om. þat] þe IG.] The leel loue of oure lorde · and hus lore boþe, [A page 332] [leel] ITG om. hus] of his G.] And folwede þat þe feonde tauhte · and hus fleshes wil, [hus] þe M. fleshes] miswrit|ten sheshes P.] Aȝens reson and ryghtwysnesse; · recorde þis with treuþe, [and] i I. recorde] i recorde M. þis] it I.] That here peyne is perpetuel · no preyere may hem helpe. Line 206 For-thi let hem chewe as thei chose · and chide we nat, susteres, [For-thi] For-whi M; For G; F om. chewe] cheue IM; schewe E.] For hit is a botles bale · þe byte þat þei eten." [hit] his M. a] ITG om. byte] bitte I. eten] ȝeten M.] "And ich shal preye," quaþ pees · "here peyne mote haue ende, [quaþ] seide F. ende] an ende P; but EIMFTG omit an.] Þat here wo in-to wele · wende mote atte laste. [Þat] And þat EIFT. wende mote] mote wende ITG; wende F. atte EG] at þe IMFT; atte þe P.] Line 210

Line 210 For hadde þei wist of no wo · wele hadde þei nat knowe; [knowe] i-knowe M; knowen I.] For wot no [wight] what wele is · þat neuere wo suffrede, [wot—wight] no wight wot IT. [wight IFT] wyȝt G; withg M; whit P. what] wat P. neuere wo] wo neuer E.] Line 212 Ne what is hot hunger · þat hadde neuere defaute. [Ne] And T. what] wat P. hadde neuere] neuere hadde MF.] Ho couþe kyndeliche · with colour discriue, [Ho] For ho F. with] wiþ T; wit (for with) P; with (altered to whit E; white IF; whyȝt G; whijt M. (But with seems the true reading, white being wrongly borrowed from the next line.)] Yf alle þe worlde were whit · oþer swan-whit alle þynges? [Yf] Hif P; but see l. 216. were] where P. oþer—whit] as swan in M.] Yf no nyght [ne] were · no man, as ich leyue, [Yf] For ȝif F. no nyght] ne myȝte (!) T. [ne ITG] PEMF om.; cf. B-text. as] ITG om.] Line 216 Sholde wite witerly · what day were to mene [I omits from what to wyterly in l. 219. wite] i-wite M. witerly] whiterly P; see l. 218. were] is T.] Ne hadde god suffred of som · oþer þan hym-selue, [god] M om. suffred] suffrede P; i-suffred MT.] He hadde nat wist wyterly · wheþer deþ wer soure oþer sweyte. [wist] i-wist M. wheþer] weþer PE; wher MIG. wer] is T.] For sholde neuere right riche man · þat lyueþ in reste and hele [right] F om. hele] in hele I.] Line 220 Ywyte what wo is · ne were þe deþ of kynde. [what] what þat F. þe] T om.] So god þat al by-gan · of hus good wil [al by-gan] bigan al IT.] By-cam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue, [mankynde] mankynne M.] And suffrede to be solde · to seo þe sorwe of deyynge, [to (1)] for to F. þe] G om.] Line 224 The whiche vnknytte[þ] alle care · and comsyng is of reste. [whiche] wiche P. vnknytteþ] vnknettiþ T; vnknyȝteth (sic) I; vnknette M; vnknyt EF; vnknytte P; vn-knitte G; perhaps vnknyt is best, but this is the contracted form of vnknytteþ, so that it is much the same; cf. B-text. and] G om. is of] of his T.]

For til moreyne mete with ous · ich may hit wel a|vowe, [mete] mette ETG. avowe] afowe E.] Ne wot no wight, as ich wene · what is ynowh to mene. [wight] wiȝt FT; whight P; whiȝt E; withg M; wrecche G.] For-thi god of hus goodnesse · þe furst man adam, [For-thi] For M. goodnesse] goudnesse P. furst man] forme fadur F.] Line 228 He sette hym in solace furst · and in souerayne murthe, [He] FT om.] And sutthe suffrede hym to synege · sorwe to fele, [suffrede] he suffride T. synege] so PF; sinege G; synne IMT; synny E. to (2)] for to F.] To wite þer-þorw what wele was · and kyndeliche to knowe. [A page 333] [wite] white P. þer-þorw] þer-with F. what] wat P. IT have—To wyte what wele was þer|þorgh · kyndeliche (kyndenesse T) to knowe. wele] sorwe (!) E.] And after auntrede god hym-self · and tok adams kynde, [auntrede god] god auntrede IT. tok MTG] toke EI; took F; touk P. adams] a mannus F.] Line 232 To wite what he hadde suffred · in [þre] sondry places, [wite] white P. hadde] haþ IT. [þre IFTG] þreo M; þe PE; see B|text. suffred] i-suffred M.] Boþe in heuene and in erthe; · and now to helle he þenkeþ, [he] I om.] To wite what alle wo is · þat wot of alle ioye;

Omnia probate; quod bonum est tenete.

[alle (1)] G om. wot] whot P.] Line 235 So shal hit fare by þis folke · here folie and here synne Shal lere hem what loue is · and lisse with-outen ende. For wot no wight what werre is · þer as pees regneþ, [wight] whight PE; withg M. as] þat M; weele of F; al G.] Ne what [is] witerliche wele · til wele-a-way hym teche." [[is IMFTG] PE om. witer|liche] whiterliche P. wele-a-way] weyleway I; weilawai MT; weylawey F.] Thenne was þer a wight · with two brode eyen, [Thenne] But þan F. wight] whight P; withg M. two] two ful F.] Line 240 Book hihte þat beau-pere · a bold man of speche. "By godes body," quaþ þis book · "ich wole bere wyttnesse, [þis EMFTG] þes P; þe I. wole] wolde M.]

Tho þis barn was ybore · þer blased a sterre, [Tho] Þo þat I. sterre] bold sterre F.] Line 243 Þat alle þe wise of þe worlde · in o wit a-corde[de], [wise] wies E; wiȝes T. þe] þis M. acordede FG] acorded EI; acordeden M; accordit T; acorde P.] Þat suche a barn was ybore · in bethleem þe cyte, [ybore] born M; yborne I.] Þat mannes soule sholde saue · and synne destruye. [destruye] so destroye F.] And alle þe elemens," quaþ þe book · "here-of bereth witnesse; [þe (1)] F om. þe (2)] þis F. witnesse] whitnesse P.] Þat he was god þat al wrouhte · þe wolkene furst shewede. [þat] and I. wolkene] wel|kene MFI; welkne T; wolkenes G. shewede] scheweden M.] Line 248 [Þo] þat weren in heuene · token stella comata, [[Þo EIMTG] To P; For þo F. heuene] heuene þo F.] And tenden hit as a torche · to reuerence hus burthe; [tenden] so PEIMFT; tendyn G. hus] þat G.] Þat light folwede þe lorde · in-to þe lowe erthe. [þe (1)] þat FG. þe (2)] þis M.] The water witnessede þat he was god · for [he] wente on hym drye; [witnessede G] whitnessed P; witnesseþ ITMF. [he IMFT] god PEG; cf. B-text. hym] her F.] Line 252 Peter þe apostel · parceyuede hus gate, [A page 334] [Peter] & seinte petur F. þe] M om. hus] wel his F. gate] grace M.] And as he wente vpon þe water · wel hym knewe, and seide, [vpon] on IMFTG. water] wawe F.] [Lord crist, comaunde me · to come to þe on watur];

'Domine, iube me uenire ad te [super aquas.']

[From F; PEIMTG omit. [super aquas] from EMF; PIT om.] Loo, how þe sonne gan louke · hure light in huere selue, [Loo] And lo I; And loke T. louke] loke E; to lowke F. in] and (!) M. huere] him M.] Line 256 When he sey hym suffry deþ · þat sonne and seo made! [he] so PEIFTG; heo (altered to he) M; observe he = hue = she. deþ] IT om.] Lo, þe erthe for heuynesse · þat he wolde deþ suffre, [deþ] IFTG om.]

[Quakede] as quike þyng · and al to-quashte þe roches! [[Quakede MEIFTG] Qua|quide P. as] as a IFGT. quashte] quashete P; but quasshte G; quasshide T; quasched F; miswritten quatte M; quasche E; cf. l. 64. þe] M om.] Lo, helle myghte nat holde · bote openede, þo god deþ þolede, [deþ] TG om. deþ þolede] deyde F.] Line 260 And let out symondes sones · to se hym honge on rode,

Non uisurum se mortem.

[Non, &c.] M om.] Now shal lucifer leyue hit · thauh hym loþ þynke; [Now] And now IT. leyue] leue IMT; leeue F; lyue (for leyue) PEG. leyue hit] hem leeue F.] For ihesus as a gyaunt · with a gyn comeþ ȝonde, [ȝonde MF] ȝont T; ȝeonde (for ȝonde) P; ȝende (an error for ȝonde) EI; ȝender (for ȝonder) G.] To breken and to bete a-doun · alle þat ben a-gayns hym, [alle] al PG; but see l. 265. þat] þo T.] Line 264 And to haue out alle · of hem þat hym likeþ. [to] forto F. alle—þat] of helle · alle þo T.] And ȝut ich, book, wol beo brent · bote he arise to lyue, [bote] but ȝif M. arise] rise M.] And conforten al hus kyn · and out of care brynge, [al hus] his careful F. and] & al T.] And al þe Iuwene ioye · vnioynen, and vnlouken, [vnioynen IE] vnioyenen P; vnioyned (wrongly) M; vnioyne FG.] And bote þei reuerencen hus resurexion · and þe rode honoure, [bote] bote yf PG; but EIMFT omit yf. hus] þe M; þis IT. resur|exion] risyng F. þe] þat G.] Line 269 And by-leyue on a newe lawe · beo ylost lyf and soule!" [I omits. we] we þo F; M om. [ich] i MFT; we G; and PE; cf. B-text. huyre—seo] se and here F.] "Suffre we," saide treuthe · "[ich] huyre and seo boþe A spirit speke to helle · and bit vnsperre þe ȝates;

Attollite portas, principes, vestras; & eleuamini, porte eternales, &c."

[speke] spekeþ IT. bit] bitte to I. vnsperre] oppene G. Attollite] Tollite M. principes, &c.] IMT om. vestras, &c.] F om. &— &c.] G om.] Line 272 A voys loude in þat light · to Lucifer seide, [loude] a-lowd F. seide] it seide F.]

"Princes of þis palys · prest vndo þe ȝates, [Princes] Princeps I. þis] þat G. palys] place IT. vndo] so PEITG; vndoþ M; vndooþ F. þe] þis IT; þese F.] For here comeþ with coroune · þe kynge of alle glorie." [here] here he I. coroune] a crowne F.] Thenne syhede satan · and seide to helle, [syhede] siȝte M; sede (!) E.] Line 276 "Suche a light a-ȝeyns our leue · lazar hit fette; [A page 335] [leue] bileue (wrongly) M.] Colde care and combraunce · is come to ous alle. [Colde] IT om. is] so in all.] Yf þis kyng [come] yn · mankynde wol he fecche, [þis] þes PG. [come ITG] comeþ M; miswritten comen PF.] And leden hit þer laȝar is · and lightliche me bynde. [hit þer] ȝet þat T.] Patriarkes and prophetes · han parled her-of longe, [parled] i-parlet M. longe] ofte G.] Line 281 Þat suche a lorde and a lyght · shal leden hem alle hennes. Ac rys vp ragamoffyn · and reche me alle þe barres [rys] aris MITG. ragamoffyn] ragamuffyn IFT. and] G om. reche] areche IMTG. alle] G om.] That belial [þy bel]-syre · beot with þy damme, [[þy EIMFTG] þe P. bel IMG] bele T; beel PF. beot] beet IFG; beut T; bete E. þy] his M.] Line 284 And ich shal lette þis lorde · and hus light stoppe; [þis] þat M.] Ar we þorw bryghtnesse be blent · barre we þe ȝates. [Ar] Or E; Er MT. þorw] with F. barre] go barre IT. we] T om.] Cheke we and cheyne we · and eche chyne stoppe, [Cheke] so in all. we (2)] E om. eche] eche a MIFG. chyne] chene M; chynne F.] Þat no light leope yn · at louer ne at loupe. [leope] lepe IMTG; lippe F. miswritten leopen P. ne at] ne ȝit at þe F.] Line 288 And þow, Astrot, hot out · and haue oute [oure] knaues, [And þow] ITG om. hot] hote IT; hoot F. [oure IFTG] þi M; PE om.] Coltyng and al hus kynne · oure catel to saue. [oure catel] þe care (!) IT.] Brynston boilaunt · brennyng out-casteþ hit [Brynston] so PE; Brym|stoon F; Brymston GT; bremston M. boilaunt] boyland ET; buylyng FG; Boilyng M (which has Boilyng bremston. brennyng] brennande T. hit] M om.] Al hot [on] here heuedes · þat entren ny þe walles. [[on MFTG] in PE. heuedes] hedes EMIFGT. ny] to M; ney E; nyȝ I; neiȝ T.] Line 292

Line 292 Setteþ bowes of brake · [and] brasene gonnes, [[and EIMFTG] a P.] And sheteþ out shot ynowh · hus shultrom to blende. [G omits. sheteþ] schoteþ E; shetteþ M. hus] heore M. shultrom] scheltrom IT; scheltrum M; schiltrom E; scheltroun F.] Sette mahon at þe mangonel · and mulle-stones þroweþ, [G omits. mahon] mahoun MT; mahonde I; mahound F. M omits last half of l. 295, and first half of l. 296.] With crokes and with kalketrappes · a-cloye we hem echone!" [with] ITFG om. a-cloye] en|cloye M; & cloye IT; gloȝe, altered to glose (!) G. hem] G om.] Line 296 "Lust[en]eþ," quaþ lucifer · "for ich þis lord knowe, [Lusteneþ M] Lesteneþ I; Listeneth now F; Lusteth PE; Lustneþ G; Lestniþ T.] Boþe þis lord and þis lyght · is longe gon ich knew hym. [is] I om. gon] y-go I; a-go MF; go TG.] May no deþ þis lord dere · ne no deoueles queyntise, [queyntise] pouke F.] And wher he wole, is hus wey; · ac war hym of þe periles; [wher—is] we wile wissen (!) T. ac] but MT. periles] perile I.] Line 300 Yf he reue me of my ryght · he robbeþ me by mastrie. [reue] bi-reueþ M; reuiþ T; robbiþ G. ryght] lyf (!) G. by] wiþ M; of his IT.] For by ryght and reson · þe renkes þat beon here [reson] by resoun IT.] Body and soule beþ myne · boþe good and ille. [beþ] þei be F.] For he hym-self hit seide · þat syre is of helle, [he] IT om. hit] M om. hit seide] seide it IT. syre] seignour F. helle] heuene IFTG.] Line 304 That adam and eue · and al hus issue [hus] heore M; her F. issue] issue aftur M.] Sholden deye with deol · and here dwelle euere, [deol] so PEMF; deole G; doel IT. here] þer E. euere] for euere M.] Yf [þat] þei touchede a treo · oþer toke þer-of an appel. [Yf] & F. [þat IMET] PFG om. a] þat ET. oþer] & FG. an appel] any applis T.] Thus this lorde of light · suche a lawe made, [this] thees P. light] lawe & liȝt F; lif G.] Line 308 And sitthe he is so leel a lorde · ich leyue þat he wol nat [so—a] a lele I.] Reuen ous of oure ryght · sutthe reson hem dampned. [of] al F. sutthe] whan M. hem] hym T; he F. dampned] dampneþ M.]

And sutthe we han beo sesed · seuene þowsend wynter, [han] hadde E. sesed] i-sesed M; cessid T. han—sesed] haue had sesoun (!) F.] And neuere was þer-aȝeyn · and now wolde by-gynne, [was] was ȝit F.] He were vnwrast of hus worde · þat witnesse is of trewþe." [He were] Þen were he IT. trewþe] miswritten treweþe P.] Line 313 "That is soþ," seide satan · "bote ich me sore doute, For þow gete hem with gyle · and hus gardyn breke, [gete] gote F. breke] broke E.] A-geyn hus loue and hus leue · on hus londe ȝeodest, [on] in I.] Nat in forme of a feonde · bote in forme of an Addre, [A page 336] [an Addre] a naddere T.] And entisedest eue · to ete by heore on,

Ve soli!

[And] & eke F. entisedest] enticest M. eue] dame eue F.] Line 318 And by-hihtest heore and hym · after to knowe, [by-hihtest] hiȝtest F. hym] eke him F. after] afturward F.] As [two] godes, with god · boþe good and ille; [[two ET] to (for two) PMFIG. ille] euil T.] Line 320 Thus with treison and with trecherie · þow troiledest hem boþe, [with (2)] IMFTG om. troil|edest] bi-troiledest M.] And dudest hem breke [here] buxomnesse · þorw false by-heste; [[here EIMFTG] he (for here) P. false] þi false MF. by-heste] behestis T.] Thus haddest þou hem oute · and hyder atte laste. [Thus] And so IT. þou] IT om. atte] ate F; at þe MTG.] Hit is nat greythly getyn · ther gyle is þe rote." [Hit is] Is hit M. greythly getyn] gete greithly F. getyn] gete F; y-gete IMFG.] Line 324 "And god wol nat be by-gyled" · quaþ gobelyn, "ne by-Iaped; [And] Ne M; For T. by|Iaped] iaped M.] We haue no trewe title to hem · for þi treison hit makeþ." [We] For we ne M. trewe] triwe P. þi] T om. makeþ] made M; makede G.] "For-thi ich drede me," quaþ þe deouel · "lest treuthe wol hem Fecche. [For-thi] For-whi M. þe] a F. hem] hym E.]

And as þow by-gyledest godes ymage · in goynge of an addre, [by-gyledest] gilest FT. ymage] ymages I. of] as FT an addre] a naddere T.] Line 328 So haþ god by-gyled ous alle · in goynge of a wye." [of] as F.] "For god haþ go," quaþ gobelyn · "in a gome lyknesse [god] he M. go] so in all but G; y-go G. quaþ] be (!) T. a] I om. gome] so PEIFG; gomes MT.] This þritty wynter, as ich wene · and went a-bowte and prechede. [wene] leue M. and went] he haþ i-go M.] Ich haue asailid hym with synne · and som tyme ich askede [asailid] a-saied M.] Line 332 Wher he were god oþer godes sone · he gaf me short answere. [Wher] Wheþer MFT. he—answere] and schortli he me answered M.] Thus haþ he troiled · and trauailed In hus tyme [One line in IT—Þus haþ he troiled forþ like (as T) a tidy man · þis tuo & þritty wynter. troiled] toi|led M. two EFT] tuo I; to PMG. wyntere] ȝere E.] Forþ like a tydy man · this two and þritty wyntere, [One line in IT—Þus haþ he troiled forþ like (as T) a tidy man · þis tuo & þritty wynter. troiled] toi|led M. two EFT] tuo I; to PMG. wyntere] ȝere E.] And whenne ich seih þat [hit] was so · ich sotelide how ich myghte [whenne] wenne P. þat] EIFGT om. [hit MEG] it IFT; he P.] Line 336 Lette hem þat louede hym nat · lest þei wolde hym martrye. [martrye] martiry E; martre MFG; martir IT.] Ich wolde haue lengthed hus lyf · for ich leyuede, yf he deyede, [lengthed] i-lengþed M. yf] & F.] And hus soule huder come · he sholde shende ous alle. [And] Þat if I; Þat ȝif T. he] hit FITG. sholde] wolde F.] The body, whyle hit on bones ȝede · a-boute was hit euere [whyle] wyle P; þe whiles T; whiles IG. on] one P. ȝede] ȝeden P.] Line 340 To lere men to beo leel · eche man to louen oþer; [lere] lerne MF. men] T om. eche—to] and eche man M; & eche a man F; and iche man to IT.] The whiche lif and lawe · be hit longe y-used, [whiche] wiche P. y-used E] i-vsed M; yvsid T; y-vsed G; used F; auysed (wrongly) I; yusede P.]

Hit shal vndon ous deoueles · and doun brynge ous alle." [ous deoueles] deuelus dynt F. doun EIMFT] don (for doun) P; a|doun G.] "Now y seo wher hus soule · comeþ seilinge hider|wardes [A page 337] [Now] And now IT. wher—comeþ] his soule · come M.] Line 344 With glorie and with gret light · god hit is, ich wot wel. [With] Whit P.] Ich rede we fleo," quaþ þe feond · "faste alle hennes; [we] miswritten wey P.] For us were betere nat beo · þan abyde in hus syghte. [us] vs EIFTG; we M; hus P.] For thi lesynge[s], lucifer · we loste furst our ioye, [lesynges IMFT] lesynge PEG; see l. 350. lucifer] þow lucefer M.] Line 348 And out of heuene hider · thi prude made ous falle; [prude] pride EIMFT; pryte G; badly spelt pruede P.] For we [leyuede] on þy lesinges · þer losten we [oure] blysse. [For] Whan M. we] he (!) T. [leyuede] leuede G; leued EIFT; leueden M.; miswritten lyuede P; but see l. 338. on] F om. [oure FTG] þe M; PE om.; but see l. 348. I omits last half of l. 350, and first half of l. 351.] And now, for a later lesynge · þat þow lowe tyl eue, [a] F om. lowe] louwe E; low F.] We han lost oure lordshep · a londe and in helle;

Nunc princeps huius mundi [eicietur foras]."

[We] Whe P. lordshep] mis|written lorshep P. a] on M; o T; in F. in] eke yn G. [eicietur, &c.] from M; PEITFG om.] Line 352 Suþþe þat satan · myssayde þus foule [Suþþe] He seiȝ T (wrongly). myssayde, &c.] þus foule mysseide · & schenfully rebukede F. myssayde] misdede G.] Lucifer for hus lesynges · leyue ich non oþer, [leyue ich] i leue M; now leue i F.] Bote oure lord atte laste · lyeres here rebuke, [Bote] But þat F. atte] ate F; at þe MT. here] wol F.] And wyte hem al þe wrecchednesse · þat wrouht is on erthe. [wyte F] miswritten wyten P; witen M. þe] from (!) T. wrouht is] is i-wrout M; wroght is here ITG. on] in I.] Line 356 Beo yware, ȝe wise clerkes · and wytty men of lawe, [Beo] Buþ M; Beth FT; Biþ G. yware] war FT. wytty men] ȝe witty IT.] Þat ȝe [be-leiȝe] nat [þese lewed] men · for atte laste dauid [[be-leiȝe T] bileue (for bileie) I; by-gylie PE; bi-gile MG. Þat—be-leiȝe] Bigileth F. nat] non MG. [þese lewed F] þis lewed IT; lewed EMG; þeos P. atte] ate F; at þe MT.]

Witnesseþ in hus wrytynge · what is lyeres mede;

Odisti omnes qui operantur iniquitatem, & perdes omnes qui loquntur mendacium.

[Witnesseþ] Whitnesseþ P; Witnesse I. wrytynge] writinges I. &] MF om. loquntur] so PTE; locuntur MFIG.] A lytel ich ouer-lep · for lesynges sake, [ich] þat (!) T. ouer-lep] ouerlepe IT; ouur-lepte F.] Line 360 Þat ich ne segge as ich seih · suynge my teme!— [as] nouȝt as T; nat as I. seih] seide F; si M. suynge] suwyng E; sewynge MFT; suenge G.] For eft þat light bad vnlouke · and lucifer answerede, [For] And M.] "What lord art þu?" quaþ lucifer; · a voys a-loud seyde, [art IMFT] ert PEG. a—a-loud] vare vaire leeue he F.] "The lord of myght and of [mayn] · þat made alle þynges. [[mayn MFTG] mayne IE; man (for main) P.] Line 364 Duke of þis dymme place · a-non vndo þe ȝates, [Duke] Dukes IT. dymme] dyuyne (!) I; derke G. vndo] vndoþ IT. þe] þis T.] That crist mowe comen In · þe kynges sone of heuene." [mowe] mote M.] And wiþ þat breþ helle brake · with alle beliales barres; [brake] to-brac F.] For eny wye oþer warde · wyde openede þe gates. [wye—warde] warde oþur wy F. openede] open ITG.] Line 368 Patriarkes and prophetes · populus in tenebris, [Patriarkes] Þo patriarkus F. populus] with populus F; and populus G.] Songen with seint Iohan · ecce agnus dei! Lucifer loke ne myghte · so lyght him a-blente; And þo þat oure lord louede · with þat lyght forth flowen. [And] Al E. louede] loueþ M. forth] placed before with in I; T om. flowen] so PEIG; folwen F; folewen M; folewide T.] Line 372 "Lo, me her," quaþ oure lorde · "lyf and soule bothe, For alle synful soules · to saue oure beyere ryght. [synful] cristene M. beyere] beiere E; beie M; bothes F; boþe IG; boþis T.] Myne þei were and of me · ich may þe beter hem cleyme. [A page 338] [þe] miswritten þei P. beter] bet EF.]

Al-þauh reson recorde · and ryght of my-selue, [recorde] recordede I.] Line 376 That yf þei eten þe appel · alle sholden deye, [sholden] shuln þei IT.] Ich by-hihte hem nat here · helle for euere. [by-hihte] byhete I; by-het G. helle] helle to haue F.] For þe dedliche synne þat þei duden · thi deceite hit made; [For] F om. þe] þat MG.] With gyle þow hem gete · ageyn alle reson. Line 380 For in my paleis paradis · in persone of an Addere [For] G om. an Addere] a neddere I; a naddere T.] Falsliche [þou] fettest þere · þat me by-fel to loke, [[þou FG] PEMIT om.; but see B-text. by-fel] by-feol P.] By-glosedest hem and [by]gyledest hem · and my gardyn breke, [By-glosedest] Glosedest F. bygyledest] by-gyledist G; bigiledest MIFT; gyledest PE.] A-ȝeyns my loue and my leyue; · þe olde lawe techeþ, [leyue] leue EIMFTG.] Line 384 þat gylours [be] by-gylid · and in here gyle falle. [[be EFTG] ben M; beþ P; I om.; cf. B-text.] And ho so hitteþ out a mannes eye · oþer elles hus for-teþ, [hitteþ] hit IFTG.] Oþere eny manere membre · maymeþ oþer hurteþ, The same [sore] shal he haue · þat enye so smyteþ;

Dentem pro dente, & oculum pro oculo.

[[sore EIF] sor MT; mis|written for P; so G. &] TG om smyteþ] herteþ M.] Line 388 So lyf shal [lyf] lete · þer lyf haþ lyf anyented, [[lyf EIFTG] lijf M; P om. þer] þat M. haþ] haue F. lyf (4)] M om. anyented] anynted E; en|ented M; avenked F; anentid G; amyendid (!) I.] So þat lyf quyte lyf · þe olde lawe hit askeþ. [quyte] schal quite M. hit] M om.] Ergo, soule shal soule quyte · and synne to synne wende, [wende] wynde ET.] And al þat man mys-dude · ich, man, to amenden hit; Line 392 And þat þat deþ for-dude · [my] deþ to releuen, [þat (2)] IT om. [my ITG] ich PE; i MF; cf. B-text. to] ys to G.]

Boþe aquyte and aquykye · þat was aqueynt þorw synne; [Boþe] And boþe IT. aquykye] quikie MF. aquyte — aquykye] quykye and quyte IT. was aqueynt] queynte was IT. þorw] with F.] And gyle be by-gyled · thorgh grace atte laste,

Ars ut artem falleret, &c.

[be] I om. atte EG] ate F; at þe MIT; miswritten atte þe P. Ars, &c.] M om.] So leyf hit nat, lucifer · þat ich a-ȝeyns þe lawe [leyf] leue EIMFTG. þat ich] IT om. ich] M om. lawe] lawe i fecche IT.] Line 396 Fecche here eny synful soule · souereynliche by maistrie; [Fecche] Fecche i M; in l. 396 in IT. by] wiþ M.] Bot þorgh ryght and reson · raunson here myne lige;

Non ueni soluere legem, sed adimplere.

[reson] þorgh resoun IT. lige] so PMTG; liege I; leege F; leche (!) E.] So þat þorgh gyle was geten · þorwe grace is now y-wonne. [A page 339] [þorgh] wiþ I. now] M om.] And as adam and alle · þorw a treo deyden, [And as] So þat M.] Line 400 Adam and alle þorgh a treo · shal turne to lyue. And now by-gynneþ thi gyle · a-gayn on þe turne, [thi] þe ET. on þe] on þe to IT; þe to M.] And my grace to growe · ay wydder and wydder. [to] for to F. ay] F om.] The biternesse þat þow hast browe · now brouk hit þy|self; [The] Þat M. hit] þou hit G.] Line 404 That art doctour of deþ · drynk þat þow madest! [art IMFT] ert PEG.] For ich þat am lord of lyf · loue is my drynke, [þat am] am þat MF.] And for þat drynke to-daye · deyede, as hit semede; [And] I om. deyede] I deyede IT. semede] semeþ E.] Ac ich wol drynke of no dich · ne of no deop cleregie, [dich] disshe IT; dik M; deþ (!) G. no (2)] I om.] Bote of comune coppes · alle cristene soules; Line 409 Ac þi drynke worth deþ · and deop helle þy bolle. Ich fauht so, me fursteþ ȝut · for mannes soule sake;

Sicio. [Ich fauht] In faiþ M. so] þat F. fursteþ] þresteþ M; þorstiþ G. sake] I om. Sicio] IM om.]

May no pyement ne pomade · ne presiouse drynkes [ne pomade] G om. ne (2)] ne oþur F. M has—Mai no precious piment · pomadre ne no drynkes.] Moyste me to þe fulle · ne my þurst slake, [þurst] þrest M; þrist F; furst T. ne—þurst] my þrest neiþer M. slake] slokke G.] Line 413 Til the vendage valle · in þe vale of Iosaphat, [vendage] ventage IMT. valle] falle EIMFTG. in] on G.] And drynke ryght rype most · Resurreccio mortuorum. Then shal ich come as a kyng · with coroune and with angeles, [Then] And þan IT. ich] E om. a] IT om.] Line 416 And haue out of helle · alle menne soules. Feondes and feondekenes · by-for me shullen stande, And be at my byddyng · at blysse oþer at peyne. [A page 340] [at] in F (last 2 times).] Line 419 Ac to beo merciable to man · þenne my kynde askeþ; [þenne] þat T.] For we beoþ breþeren of blod · ac nat in baptisme alle. [beoþ] F om. breþeren] broþerne P. of] of o IG. ac] but MT. in] in o G.] Ac alle þat beoþ myn half-breþeren · in blod and in baptisme [þat] þo T. half] halue M; hole IG; holy T; owne F; see l. 438. breþeren] broþerne P.] Line 422 Shal neuere eft in helle come · beo he ones oute;

Tibi soli peccaui, & malum contra te feci, &c.

[eft] follows helle in IT. beo he] ben þei M. &—feci] F om. contra] coram MIGT.] Hit is nat vsed on erthe · to honge eny felones [nat] M om. vsed] i-vsed M. to—felones] any feloun to hange F.] Ofter þan ones · þauh þei weren treitours. [þan] þan it were F. weren treitours] tretours were F.] Line 425 And yf þe kyng of þe kyngdom · come in þe tyme [þe (2)] F om.] Ther a þeof þoly sholde · deþ oþer Iuwise, [þoly] þole MT. oþer] oþer oþere T. Iuwise EM] better than Iuwes P; iewise IG; Iewesse (!) F; Iewis T.] Lawe wolde he ȝeue hym lyf · and he lokede on hym. [he (1)] E om. ȝeue] ȝaf T; ȝof F. and] if F.] And ich, þat am kynge ouer kynges · shal come suche [a] tyme, [kynge] a kynge P; but EIMFTG omit a. ouer] of MF. [a IMFTG] PE om.] Line 429

Line 429 Ther þat dom to þe deoþ · [dampneþ] alle wyckede; [[dampneþ EIMFTG] dampned P.] And yf lawe wol ich loke on hem · hit lyth in my grace, [And] F om. lawe wol] G om. ich] T om. hem] him T.] Line 431 Wheþer þei deye oþer deye nat · dude þei neuere so ille. [deye] deyde G (twice). dude] do M. þei] hy E. dude þei] ha þei do F.] Be hit eny þyng [dere abouȝt] · þe boldness of here synne, [[dere abouȝt MFE] dure y|bouht P; aboght I; abouȝt TG.] Line 433 Ich may do mercy of my ryghtwisnesse · and alle myne wordes trewe. [of] on M. trewe] trywe P; turne M.] For holy writ wole þat ich be awreke · of hem þat wrouhte ille;

As, nullum malum impunitum, & nullum bonum irremuneratum.

[For] F om. be] F om. awreke] wreke IFTG; wroken M. of] on MF. wrouhte] don M. ille] euele T. As] FT om. & nullum] nec ullum F.] And so of alle wyckede · ich wolle here take veniaunce, [of] I om.] And ȝut my kynde, in my kene yre · shal contrarie my wil—

Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me, neque in ira tua corripias me—

[And] Ac I; But T. con|trarie] constreyne FITG; costreyne M. neque, &c.] IMFTG om.] Line 437 To beo merciable to menye · of my half-breþeren. [A page 341] [my] menye I. breþeren] bro|þerne P.] For blod may seo blood · boþe a-þurst and a-cale, [boþe] M om. a-þurst] a-þrest M; afurst IT.] Ac blod may nat seo blod · blede, bote hym rewe.

Audiui archana verba, que non licet homini loqui.

[blede] I om.] Line 440 Ac my ryghtwisnesse and my right · shal regnen in helle, [ryghtwisnesse] riȝtwisnesses F. my (2)] IMFTG om.] And mercy and mankynde · by-for me in heuene.

For ich were an vnkynde kynge · bote ich my kyn holpe, [kyn] kynde M. holpe EIMF T] miswritten helpe (for holpe) P; wolde helpe G.] Line 443 And nameliche at suche a neode · þat neodes help askeþ,

Non intres in iudicium cum servo tuo, domine.

[at] in F. neodes] nede M. domine] IMTG om.] Thus by lawe," quaþ oure lord · "lede ich wol fro hennes [by] i F. fro] M om.] Line 445 Alle þat ich louye · and leyuede in my comynge. [Alle] Þo ledis T. þat ich] þo þat i MF. in] on F.] Ac for þe lesynge þat þow, lucifer · lowe til eue, [Ac] & F. lucifer lowe] lowe lucefer MIFTG. til] to FT.] Þow shalt abygge bitere," quaþ god · and bond hym with cheynes. [abygge] abye IFTG; a-bugge M. bitere] bitterly T. hym] I om. cheynes] a chayne G.] Line 448 Astrot and alle oþere · hudden hem in heornes, [Astrot EIMTG] Astrott P; Astarot F. alle] þese F. hudden] so PE; hidden IMFT. heornes] so PF; hernes EMT; hirnes I; hernys G.] Thei dorst nat loken on oure lorde · þe leste of hem alle, [on] in E.] Bote [leten] hym leden forth which hym luste · and leue whiche hym lykede. [[leten IE] leet F; let TG; leot P; lette M. which] wich P; as F. hym luste] I om. whiche] wiche PM; such as F. lykede] likeþ M.] Mony hundrede of aungelis · harpeden þo and songen,

Culpat caro, purgat caro, regnat deus dei caro.

[Mony] Many an F. regnat—caro] F om. deus—caro] TG om.] Thenne pipede pees · of poetes a note, [Thenne] Þo M. of] & (!) F. of—a] of a poete a G; a poetes I.] Line 453 "Clarior est solito · post maxima nebula phebus; [post—phebus] IMFT om.] Post inimicitias · clarior est et amor. [A page 342] [clarior—et] F om.] After sharpest shoures," quaþ pees · "most sheene is þe sonne; [sharpest] scharpe E. sharpest shoures] schourus scharpest F. most sheene] warmest M.] Line 456 Ys no weder warmer · þan after watery cloudes, [Ys] Þer is F.]

Noþer loue leuere · ne leuere freondes, [Noþer] Neiþer M; Ne no FTG.] Line 458 Þan after werre and wrake · whanne loue and pees beon maistres. [loue—pees] pees and loue M.] Was neuere werre in þis worlde · ne wykkeder enuye, [wykkeder] wickede M.] Þat loue, and hym luste · to lauhynge [ne] brouhte, [lauhynge] lauȝing it T; lawȝyng hym E. [ne EFT] PMI om.; but see B-text. G is corrupt.] [And pees þorgh pacience · alle pereles stoppede]." [From I; also in TG; PEMF omit. pereles G] perelis T; mis|written sperewes (for perelles) I.] Line 462 "Treuwes," quaþ treuthe · "þou tellest soþ, by iesus! [Treuwes] so PE; Trewes IM; Trewis TG; Trewus now F. tellest] tellest vs IT; seist F.] Cluppe we in couenaunt · and ech of ous cusse oþer!" [Cluppe] so PEMI; Clippe F TG. cusse] kus M; kisse IFT.] "And leet no peuple," quaþ pees · "parceyue þat we chide! [leet] lete E; late F; let MT; lat IG. chide] so PEMFTG; chidede I.] Line 465 For impossible is no þyng · to hym þat is al-myghty." "Þow seist soþ," quaþ ryghtwisnesse · and reuerentliche heo custe [heo] ȝo E; sche M; hire T (wrongly); þey G. custe] kiste T; kissede FI.] Pees, and pees heore · per secula seculorum.

Misericordia & ueritas obuiauerunt sibi; Iusticia & pax osculate sunt.

[and—heore] treuþe & treuþe hure G. heore] kist heere F. per] per omnia ETG.] Line 468 Treuthe trompede þo, and song · "Te deum laudamus." [trompede] titly trumped F. and] a M.] And þen lutede loue · In a lowd note,

"Ecce quam bonum & quam iocundum est, habi|tare fratres in unum!"

[þen] louely F. lowd] long M. note] tune T. est, &c.] MIFTG om.] Tyl þe day dawede · these damseles daunsede, [Tyl] & til F. daunsede] carolede IT.] That men rang to þe resurreccioun · and with þat ich awakede, [þe] F om. and] and right IT. awakede] waked ITG.] Line 472

Line 472 And kallyd kytte my wyf · and kalote my doughter, "A-rys, and go reuerence · godes resurreccioun, [A-rys] Ariseth F. go] goþ M; gawe F; go we G. reuerence] reuerenceþ M. godes] our goddus F.] Line 474 And creop on kneos to þe croys · and cusse hit for a Iuwel, [A page 343] [on—croys] to þe cros on knes IT. cusse] kus M; kisse IFT; kisse we G.] And ryghtfullokest a relyk · non riccher on erthe. [And] An P; Þe M. ryght|fullokest—riccher] rithfulest relic · no richere non is M. on] yn G.] For godes blesside body · hit bar for oure bote, And hit a-fereþ þe feonde · for such is þe myghte, [hit] he M. a-fereþ] aferede G. þe (2)] his M.] May no grysliche gost · glyde þer hit shadeweþ!" [May] Þer may F. grysliche] graselese G. glyde] a-bide M. sha|deweþ] schadeþ M.] Line 479

Hic explicit passus quartus et ultimus de dobet. [So in P; M om. Hic] EF om. I has—Explicit: Et incipit Dobest; T has—Explicit de do-bet: Et incipit de dobest; G the same, prefixing Hic.]

Visio eiusdem Willelmi de Do-best.

PASSUS XXII (DO-BEST I).

[

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

OBS. Here S begins again.

] Hic Incipit passus primus de dobest.

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

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

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

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

Gloria in excelsis deo.

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

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

Omnia celestia, terrestria, flectantur in hoc nomine ihesu.

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

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

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

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

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

Sic oportet Christum pati, & intrare gloriam suam,

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

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

'Dominus meus & deus meus,

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

Beati qui non uiderunt, & crediderunt.'

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

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

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

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

Diuisiones graciarum sunt.

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

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

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

Vetus testamentum et nouum.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PASSUS XXIII. (DO-BEST II.)

[TITLE. So PGM. Hic] E om. F has—Incipit secundus. OBS. I only preserves fragments of ll. 82—92; the rest is wanting or illegible.] Hic Incipit passus secundus de dobest.

And as ich wente by þe waye · when ich was þus awaked, [A page 367] [wente] wende E. by] in M. awaked] awakede P; waked G.] Heuy-chered ich ȝeode · and elynge in heorte; [chered EMFG] chired P; cherid TS.] For ich ne wiste wher to ete · ne in what place. [in] at T.] And [hit] neyhede ny þe noon · and with neode ich mette, [And] M om. [hit SM] it FT; PEG om. neyhede] neiȝhed F; neyȝ|hede G; neiȝed ET; nyȝede S. ny] ney E. þe] to MF; G om. neode] so PMG; neede F; nede EST; here and below.] That afrontede me foule · and faitour me calde. Line 5 "Couþest þou nat excuse þe," he seide · "as dude þe kyng and oþere, [Couþest] Canst M. excuse—seide] so EMS; he seide excuse þe P; seide he þe excuse F. he seide] GT om. dude—kyng] þe kyng dude M. dude] G om.] That þou toke to lyue by · to sustinaunce and cloþes, [sustinaunce] sustinaunces F. sustinaunce—cloþes] cloþis & to sus|tinaunce T. and] & to S.] As by techinge and tellynge · of spiritus temperancie, [As] Was T; And GF.] And þat þow nome no more · þan neode þe tauhte? [And] Al G. nome] nyme T. no] E om.] Line 9 Neode haþ no lawe · ne neuere shal falle in dette [Neode] And nede T; For nede F. haþ] ne haþ T; naþ G. ne] & S.] For þre þynges þat he takeþ · hus lyf for to saue; [þat] T om.] That is, mete, whanne men hym werneþ · for he no monye weldeþ, [werneþ EMFSGT] wyrneþ P. for] & T. no—weldeþ] naȝt no moneye G. weldeþ] welde M.] Line 12

Line 12 And wot þat non wol be hus borgh · noþer haþ wed to legge; [And] Ne T. þat] T om. þat non] no wiȝt F; þat no man G. wol] nelle E; to T. noþer] ne F; ne no GT; & S. haþ wed] wed haþ GT; haþ no wed S; wed M.] Line 13 And he cacche in þat cas · and come þer-to by sleithe, [A page 368] [he cacche] cacche hym cloþ G.] Soþeliche he syneweþ nat · þat so wynneþ hus fode. [syneweþ] sineweþ G; synweþ S; synegeth F; synneþ MET. Soþe|liche—nat] He synneþ nouȝt soþly T.] And þauh he come so to [a] cloþ · and can no betere cheuesaunce, [to] til M. [a EMFTS] P om.] Line 16 Neode nymeþ hym a-non · vnder hus mayn-pryse. [T has only—Nede anon riȝt · nymeþ him vndir.] And [ȝif] hym lust for to lape · þe lawe of kynde wolde, [[ȝif F] ȝeueþ PE; ȝyueþ MS; ȝaf T (all wrong); cf. B-text. lust EMFS] loust P; list T. þe] as þe M.] Line 18 Þat he dronk of eche a diche · er he deide for þerste. [16—19. G omits.] [dronk of] drynke at T. a] ST om. er] or EM; ar F; er þanne T. deide] deiȝe M; diȝe T. þerste] þrest M; þrist FT.] So Neode at grete neode · may nyme as for hus owene, [So] So þat F. for] G om.] With-oute consail of conscience · or cardinale uertues, [cardinale] cardinales MEG.] So þat he suwe and saue · spiritus temperancie. [M omits. suwe] so PF; sue S; sewe GT. and] or G.] Line 22 For is no vertue by-fore · to spiritus temperancie, [is] nys M; T om. by-fore] so PE; to-fore M; by ȝer G; by fer F; be ver T; cf. B-text. to, &c.] so fair as temperaunce F.] Noþer spiritus iusticie · ne spiritus fortitudinis. For spiritus fortitudinis · forfeteþ ful ofte, [forfeteþ] fforestiþ (!) T.] He shal do more þan mesure · meny tyme and ofte, [tyme—ofte] a tyme forsothe F.] Line 26 And bete men ouere bittere · and som body to lyte, [G omits. bete EFST] beten M; miswritten bote P. body] bodies M. lyte] litel MT.] And greue men grettour · þan good faith wolde. [G omits. greue] greueþ M. grettour] oftere T. wolde] hit wolde E.] And spiritus iusticie · shal Iugen, wol he, nul he, [Iugen] iugge MFT; iuge G. wol] wil F; wile T; wulle S. nul] nelle E; nille T; nulle S; nyl M; nel FG. he (2)] T om.] After þe kynges counsaile · and þe comune lyke. [and] if F; & as T. lyke] likeþ T.] Line 30

Line 30 And spiritus prudencie · in menye poynt shal fayle [poynt] poyntus FS.] Of þat he weneþ wolde falle · yf his wit ne were. [he] we (!) S. wolde] wol F. yf his] ȝif þat his F; ȝif þat T.] Line 32 Wenynge is no wisedome · ne wys ymaginacion, Homo proponit, deus disponit · god gouerneþ alle goode vertues. [

deus] & deus FST. alle] hem alle T.

N.B. By a singular error, the MSS. (PEMFSGT) place the words Good vertues (M has Of goode uertues) at the beginning of l. 35; but see B|text.

] Next hym is neode · for a-non he meokeþ, [hym] hem F. neode] nouþe G. Next—neode] & nede is next hym T. meokeþ] mekeþ EMFSG; makiþ T.] And is as louh as a lomb · for lackynge of þat hym neodeþ; [of] T om. þat hym GMFT] hym þat PES (wrongly).] Line 36 For neode makeþ neody · for neode louh-herted. [G omits; not in B-text. neody] nede T. for—herted] for neodes low herte M; for nede is lowe herted E; fele nedis louȝ herte T.] Filosofres for-soken welthe · for þei wolde be neody, [A page 369] And wonede wel elyngliche · and wolden nat be riche. And god al hus grete ioye · gostliche he lefte, [Here G fails. al] at M.] Line 40 And cam and took man-kynde · and by-cam ful neody. [by-cam] bigan F. ful] T om.] He was so neody, seith þe bok · in meny sondry places, [He—seith] So he was nedy as seiþ T.] Þat he seide in hus sorwe · on þe selue rode, 'Boþe fox and fowel · may fleo to hole and crepe, [fox] vox M. fowel] foul MFST. and] & also to S.] Line 44 And þe fisshe haþ fynnes · to flete with to reste, [fynnes] vynnes M; fyn T.] Þer neode haþ ynome me so · þat ich mot neode abyde, [Þer] Þat T; M om. so þat] T om. abyde S] abide MFT; byde PE; see B-text.] And suffre sorwes soure · þat shal to ieye turne.' [sorwes] sorewe T. soure] sory somme F; ful soure T. ioye] blisse M.] For-þi beo nat a-basshed · to bydde and to beo neody, [For-þi] For þey E; For-whi M; For þei ne T. beo] beþ E. abasshed] abasshyd S; abasched EF; abashed M; abassht T; abaihsshed P. to (2)] þow M; ST om.] Sithe he þat wrouhte al þe worlde · was wilfulliche neody; [S omits. þe] þis F. wilfulliche] wilful in F.] Line 49

Line 49 Neuere non so neody · ne non so poure deyede." [Neuere] Ne neuere T. non (2)] M om. ne—poure] ne pouerere T.] Line 50 When neode hadde vnder-nome me thus · a-non ich fel a sleope, [hadde—thus] me hadde þus vndernome M. fel FT] felle E; feol P; fil S; ful M.] And mette ful merueilousliche · þat, in a mannes forme, [ful] wel M. a] F om.] Antecrist cam þenne · and al þe crop of treuthe [þenne] renne M. al] kitte al E (where kitte is wrongly added above the line; see l. 56).] Line 53 Turned tyte vp-so-doun · and ouer-tilte þe rote, [E omits. tyte] hit MS; tit (altered to it) T; him F; but tyte seems best. tilte MFT] tilt P; tulte S.] And made fals to springe and sprede · and [spede] menne neodes. [to] T om. [spede MFST] spedde PE; see B-text. menne] menes M; men E; manis T. neodes] nede T.] In eche contreie þer he cam · he cutte away treuthe, [eche] eche a F. þer] where T. cutte] kitte E; cauȝte T.] And gert gyle growe þer · as he a god were. [gert] garte M; gart FT. growe] to growe M.] Line 57 Freres folweden þat feonde · for [he ȝaf] hem copes, [A page 370] [feonde] frend (!) T. [he EMFST] miswritten ȝe P. ȝaf EST] gaf MF; ȝaue P.] And religiouse reuerencede hym · and rongen here belles; [belles] belle T.] Al þe couent þo cam · to welcome [þat] tyraunt, [Al] And al T. couent EMFST] couant P. þo cam] cam þo FS; com T. welcome EMFST] wolcome P. [þat MFST] þe PE.] Line 60 And alle hise as wel as hym · saue onliche fooles; The whiche fooles weren · gladdere to deye [whiche] wiche P. to deye] for to dye F; to diȝe þanne to lyue T.] Þan lyue lengoure, suþe leaute · was so rebuked. [Þan lyue] at end of l. 62 in T; see note above. lengoure] lenger FT; eny lengere M.] And a fals feond antierist · ouer alle folke regnede, [feond] feon P; fende E; fend MT; frend F. alle] al þe E.] Line 64 That were mylde men and holye · þat no meschief dradden, [That] Whiche F; And þat T. þat] and MF.] Defieden al falsnesse · and folk þat hit vsede; Line 66

Line 66 And what kyng comfortede hem · knowynge here gyle, [what] wat P. comfortede hem] þat hym comfortide T. here] T om.] Thei corsede and here consail · were hit clerk oþer lewede. [corsede] cursede hem M.] Line 68 Anticrist thus sone hadde · hundredes at hus baner, [thus—hadde] hadde þus sone T. hundredes] an hundrit T.] And pruyde bar þat baner · boldeliche aboute, [þat] þe MS. bar—baner] þat baner bar F; it bar T. aboute EFST] miswritten abouhte P; abouȝte M.] With a lorde þat lyueþ · after lykynge of hus body, [lyueþ] lyued F. lykynge] þe lykyng S. hus] T om.] And cam a-ȝeyns conscience · þat keper was an gyour [And] Þat FST. cam] com S; T om. an] and MF; & EST.] Line 72 Ouer kynde cristyne · and cardinale uertues. [Ouer] Of alle M. cardinale] cardinales ME.] "Ich consail," quaþ conscience þo · "comeþ with me, ȝe fooles, [þo] FT om.] In-to unite holichurche · and halde we ous þere. [unite] vnyte of ET.] And crye we to kynde · þat he come and defende, [defende] defende vs T; see next line.] Line 76 Ous fooles fro þe feondes lymes · for peers loue þe plouhman. [Ous] so PS; Vs MF; T om. (see l. 76). þe (1)] þese F. þe (2)] M om.] And crye we on al þe comune · þat þei come to unite, [on] to M.] Ther to abyde and bykere · aȝeyns beliales children." [Ther] And þere T; Here M. to] ST om. abyde and] bide & to F. bykere] be euere M.] Kynde huyrde þo conscience · and cam out of þe planetes, [huyrde — conscience] con|sience þo herde T.] Line 80 And sente forþ his [foreyours] · feuers and fluxes, [A page 371] [sente] send S. [foreyours EF] foreyorus S; foreynours M; fereours (for foreours) P; ferours T. fluxes] flixus F.] Couhes and cardiacles · [crampes] and toþ-aches, [Here I begins, and is legible to l. 92. Couhes] Cowȝes E; Kouwes M. [crampes MIF] crumpis T; crompus S; claumpes PE. aches] ache M.] Reumes and Radegoundes · and roynouse scabbes, [roynouse] roynyssche M; ruy|nouse S; runyous T.] Line 83

Line 83 Bules and bocches · and brennyng Aguwes; [Bules] so PE; Byles IM; Belis T; Boilus FS. Aguwes] so PE; agues MFS; anguisshe T.] Line 84 Frenesyes and foule vueles · these foragers of kynde [vueles] eueles IMF; yueles E. these] T om. foragers] for-goerus S; forgoers F.] Hadden pryked and preyed · polles of people; [pryked] prykede P; i-priked MF; y-preched (!) I. preyed] preyede P; y-preyed I; i-peyned M; I-paied F. of] of þe MFS; þe (sic) T.] Largeliche a legion · lees þe lyf sone. [Largeliche] Þat largelich F. lees] so PI; leef (for lees) F; les ST; loste M. þe] þy E.] Ther was—"harow and help! · her comeþ kynde, Line 88 With deþ þat is dredful · to vn-do ous alle!" The lord þat lyuede after lust · þo aloud criede [lyuede] lyueþ S. lust EMIFST] loust P. aloud] he loude T.] After comfort, a knyght · to come and bere hus baner. [to] I om. hus] oure T.] "Alarme! Alarme!" quaþ þat lorde · "eche lyf kepe hus owene." [Alarme] Asarmus FS (twice). þat] þe T. lyf] man F.] Line 92 Thenne mette þese men · er mynstrales myghte pipe, [þese] þes P.] And er heraudes of armes · hadden discriued lordes. [er] or EF; here S. discriued] discriuede P; discreued E; descriued F; descreued M; discried T.] Elde þe hore · was in þe vaunt-warde, [Elde] Þe was eelde (sic) F. was] he was T; F om. vaunt] auaunt MFS; vaun T.] And bar [þe] baner by-fore deþ · by right he hit claymede. [[þe MFST] a PE.] Kynde cam after hym · with menye kynne sores, [kynne] kynnes M.] Line 97 As pockes and pestilences · and muche people shente; [pestilences—muche] pestilence þat many T.] So kynde þorgh corupcions · culde ful menye. [þorgh] with F. culde] kullede M; killede F; kilde ST.] Deþ cam [dryuyng] after · and al to douste [paschte] [[dryuyng EMFS] dremend (for dreuend?) P; dryuande T. douste] so PES; doust F; duste M; dust T. [paschte FS] passhte T; paihste P; pacchede M; pouste (!) E.] Kynges and knyghtes · caysers and popes; Line 101 Lered ne lewide · he lefte no man stande; [ne] and MET. lewide] lewede he sparede S. he] T om.]

That he hitte euene · sterede neuere after. [F omits. hitte] hutte M. euene] ones E. sterede neuere] neuere steride T.] Line 103 Many a [louely] lady · and here lemmanes knyghtes [A page 372] [[louely EMFST] lofly P.] Sounede and swelte · for sorwe of deþes dyntes. [Sounede] Swouneden MF; Sowunede (sic) S; Swonide T. sorwe—deþes] soreweful T. deþes EMFS] dyþes P.] Conscience of hus cortesie · þo kynde he by-souhte [þo] þe F. he] F om.] To cessen and to suffren · and seo wher þei wolde [cessen] sesen MFS. to] F om.] Leue pruyde pryueliche · and beo parfit cristene. Line 108 And kynde cessede tho · to seon þe peuple amende. [cessede] sesede FS. seon] seo M; se EFST.] Fortune gan flaterie þenne · thaym fewe þat were a-lyue, [flaterie] flatere MFS; faltre (!) T. þenne] þo F. thaym] þulke E; hem MFS; þo T.] And by-hyght [hem] long lyf · and lecherie he sente [by-hyght] be-het S. [hem MFST] hym PE.] Amonges alle manere men · wedded and vnwedded, [vnwedded] vnweddede P.] And gaderede a gret ost · al ageyn conscience. [al] T om.] Line 113 This lecherie leyde on · with lauhynge chere, [This EST] Thees P; Þus MF. leyde MFST] miswritten leyden PE. chere MFST] chire P; clere (for chere) E.] And with pryuey speche · and peyntede wordes, [And] T om.] And armede hym [in] ydelnesse · and in hy beryng. [[in EMFST] with P; but see l. 123, and cf. B-text.] He bar a bowe in hus honde · and manye brode arwes, Were fetherede with faire by-heste · and many a fals treuthe. [Were] Where P. fetherede] i-fyþered M; yfeþered E. a] T om.] Line 118 With vntidy tales · he teonede ful ofte [With] Whit P.] Conscience and hus companye · of holy churche þe techers. [of—techers] of al holichirche M; & al holy churche F; folk of holy churche S. þe] T om.] Thenne cam couetise · and caste how he myghte Ouercome conscience · and cardinale uertues, [cardinale] cardinales ME.] Line 122 And armed hym in auarice · and hungriliche lyuede. [lyuede] he lyuede F.]

Hus wepne was al wiles · to wynne and to huyden; [huyden] huyde S; huden E; hide FT.] With glosynges and with gabbyngs · he [gylede] þe peuple. [With] Whith P. glosynges] glosyng T. with] MFST om. gab|byngs] miswritten gabbyinges P. he] T om. [gylede S] gilide T; giled EF; bi-gilede M; gyleþ P.] Symonye hym sewede · to assaile conscience, [sewede MFT] suwed E; suede S; sywede P. assaile] asoyle (!) E.] Line 126 And pressede on þe pope · and prelates thei maden, [thei] FT om.] To holde with Antecrist · here temporalite to saue; [with] with þe F. Antecrist] Auntecrist P.] And cam to kynges consail · as a kene baroun, [A page 373] [kynges] þe kynges T; knythtes M; knyȝtus FS (a remarkable varia|tion).] And knockede conscience · In court by-fore hem alle, [In] in þe T.] And gerte goode faith to flee · and fals to a-byde, Line 131 And baldeliche bar adoun · with meny a bryght noble [adoun] doun E.] Muche of þe wit and wisdom · of westmynster halle. [þe] S om. and] & þe ST.] He iogged til a iustice · and iousted in hus ere, [iogged] iagged F; Iuggede S. til] to FT. iousted] Iustede MT; Iuggede (repeated) S.] And ouertulte al hus treuthe · with 'tak-this-on-amendement.' [ouertulte] ouertilte FT. with] erased in T. on] in S.] And to þe arches in haste · he hyede a-non after, [to] in-to T. in haste] anon F. hyede] ȝede T. anon] him F.] Line 136 And turnede cyuyle in-to symonye · and suth he tok þe official; [suth] seþþe M; sith F; siþþe ST.] And for a menyuer mantel · he made leel matrimonye [And] MFS om. he] & F; T om.] Departe er deþ come · and a deuors shupte. [Departe] Departed (!) E. a] er M. deuors] deuorus S; deuos MT. shupte] schapte MF; shiften (!) T.] "Alas!" quaþ conscience, and cride · "wolde crist, of hus grace, [and] þo & T.] Line 140 That couetise were cristyne · þat is so kene to fyghte, [is] T om. to fyghte] fiȝteþ T. fyghte] siȝte MF.]

And bold and [abydynge · þe] while hus bagge lasteþ." [And] MFS om. and] erased in T. [abydynge FS] a-bidyngge M; bidynge ET; byddynge P. [þe MEF] þy P; ST om. hus] þe T.] And þanne lowh loude lyf · and let dagge hus cloþes, [lowh F] louh M; louȝe E; louȝ ST; miswritten lohw P. loude] T om.] And armyd hym in haste · in harlotes wordes, [MF omit.] Line 144 And held holynesse a Iape · and hendynesse a wastour, [hendynesse] hendenesse EMF; hyndenesse ST.] And let leaute a cherl · and lyere a freo man; [cherl MFT] cherle E; chierl P; clerke (!) S.] Conscience and consail · he countede [hit a] folye. [consail] his consail MF. he countede] þei acountede M. [hit a S] it a F; hit ME; it T; P om.] Thus relyede lyf · for a litel fortune, [Thus] & þus F. relyede] relied EF; releuede M; reliuede (over an erasure) T.] Line 148 And prykeþ forth with pruyde · preyseþ he no vertue, [A page 374] [preyseþ] preysed S; & preisiþ T. no] noȝt E.] Ne careþ nouht hou kynde slouh · and shal come atte laste, [Ne] And T. slouh] so PM; slow EFS. slouh and] T om. atte] at þe MFT; at S.] And culle alle erthly creatures · saue concience one. [culle] kil F; kille T. alle] MS om. erthly EFS] erþliche M; erþely T; erthyly P. creatures] creature T.] Lyf tho leep asyde · and lauhte hym a lemman, [tho] T om. tho leep] leep þo F.] Line 152 "Hele and ich," quaþ he · "and hihnesse of herte [quaþ] saide MFS. he] sche M (wrongly).] Shal do þe nat drede · neiþer deþ ne elde, [nat] noþer T. drede] to drede MFS. neiþer] ne doþ noþer (sic) T. deþ ne] non M.] And [to for-ȝete] ȝouthe · and ȝyue nauht of synne." [[to MFST] PE om. [for|ȝete EMFST] for-ȝute P.] This likede lyf · and fortune hus lemman, [lyf] lif wel F. fortune—lemman] his lemman fortune T.] Line 156 And geten in here glorie · a gadelyng atte laste, [atte] at þe MT; ate F; at S.] On þat muche wo wrouhte · sleuthe was hus name. Sleuthe wax wonder ȝerne · and sone was of age, [Sleuthe] Þo sleuthe T. wax] wex T.] And wedded on wanhope · a wenche of þe stewes; [stewes MFT] stywes P; stiwes E; styues S.] Line 160

Line 160 Here syre was a sysour · þat neuere swor treuthe, On [tomme] two-tounged · ateynt at eche enqueste. [[tomme MFS] thomme T; Robert P. two-tounged] to-tonged MS; þe tongede F; two tunge T. On—tounged] O mouþe & two tungen E. at] in T. enqueste] so PM; a queste EFT; queste S.] This sleuthe was sleyh of werre · and a slynge made, [This EFS] miswritten Thes P; Þus M. a—made] made him a slynge MFS.] And þrew drede of dispayr · a doseyne myle a-aboute. [þrew MFS] þrewe P; þreuȝ T. drede] F om.] For care conscience [þo] · cryede vp-on elde, [[þo MFT] PES om.] Line 165 And bad hym fonde to fighte · and afere wanhope. [to] for to F. afere] fere a-wey S.] And elde hente good hope · and hastiliche shrof hym, [And] S om. And elde] Elde þo MF. hente] hente þo S.] And wayueþ away wanhope · and with lyf he fighteþ. [wayueþ] wayuede MT; wayued S; vanned F; vanscheþ E.] And lif fleyh for fere · to [fisik] after helpe, [fleyh] miswritten fleyht P (but see B-text); flew F; fli M; fly S; fleþ T; fleckeþ (!) E. [fisik EMST] phisik F; syke (for fysyke) P.] Line 169 And by-souhte hym of socour · and of [his] salue hadde, [by-souhte hym] him bi-souȝte MFS. [his MFST] here PE. hadde] he hadde MFS.] And gaf hym gold good won · þat gladede here hertes, [good] goud P. here hertes] his herte MST.] And þei gauen hym agayn · a glasene houe. [And] T om. þei gauen] þei ȝauen E; þei gauyn P; þei geuen T; þei gaf F; he gaf MS. hym] T om. houe] houue MST; howue F; how E.] Line 172 Lyf leyuede þat leche-craft · lette sholde elde, [A page 375] [þat] M om.] And to-dryue away deþ · with [dyas and] drogges. [to-dryue] so PEM; dryue FT; dreue S. [dyas and FS] dias and M; dyetis & T; miswritten dayes P; diares E. drogges] dragges FT; drouges S.] Elde auntred hym on lyf · and atte laste he hitte [Elde] And elde T. atte] at þe MFST. he] T om. hitte] hutte M.] A fisician with a forrede hod · þat he fel in a palsye, [with] in T. forrede] furrede F; furrid T. fel] fil F; ful M.] And þer deiede þat doctour · er thre dayes after. [þat] þe T.] Line 177 "Now ich seo," saide lyf · "þat surgerye ne phisike May nat a myte availle · to medlen a-ȝens elde."

And in hope of hus hele · good heorte he hente, [hele] helpe T.] Line 180 And rod so to reuel · a ryche place and a murye; [so to] so to þe F; to þe S. a (2)] EM om.] The companye of comfort · men cleped hit som tyme. [cleped EF] clepede MS; cli|pid P.] And elde hastede after hym · and ouer my hefde ȝeode, [hastede] T om. my] myn MFST. hefde] heed F; hed MET; hede S. ȝeode] he ȝede MF.] And made me balled by-fore · and bar on þe croune; [balled EMFS] ballide PT. by-fore] bi-forn M. on] vpon MFS.] So harde he ȝeode ouer myn hefde · hit wol be sene euere. [ouer] vpon S. hefde] hed EMST; heed F. sene EMFST] syne P.] Line 185 "Syre vuel-ytauht elde," quaþ ich · "vnhende go with þe! [vuel] euel MF; yuel E. ytauht] ytauhte P; ytauȝt EMT; tauȝt SF. vuel—elde] elde euele y|tauȝt T.] Suþþe whanne was þe hey wey · ouer menne hefdes? [whanne] wanne P. hey] T om. menne] menes MT; men ES; mennus F. hefdes] heuedis T; hedes EMS; heedus F.] Haddest þow be hende," quaþ ich · "þow woldest haue asked leue." [be hende] hende be S. quaþ ich] T om. asked] askede P.] Line 188 "Ȝe, leue lordeyn!" quaþ he · and leyde on me with age, [Ȝe leue] Ȝe ȝe lewed M.] And hitte me vnder þe ere · vnneþe may ich huyre. [hitte] hutte M. vnneþe MF] vnnyþe PT; vneþe E; onneþe S.] He boffatede me a-boute þe mouthe · and bete oute my wang-teþ, [wang-teþ] wongteþ M; iakteþ E.] Line 191 And gyuede me wiþ goutes · ich may nat go at large. And of þe wo þat ich was yn · my wif hadde reuthe, And wisshede wel witerlyche · þat ich were in heuene. [wisshede] wyschte S. witer|lyche] whiterlyche P; withturli M.] For þe lyme [þat] she louede me fore · and leef was to feele, [A page 376] [[þat MFS] PE om. she] heo F; hue S. fore] so PEMFS; better for. to] for to F.] Line 195

Line 195 And a nyghtes nameliche · when we naked were, [nyghtes] nyghȝtes P. And—nameliche] Namelich on nyȝtes M; Namelich a nyȝtus FS.] Line 196 Ich ne myghte in none manere · maken hit at heore wille, [ne] MFS om.] So elde and [hue] hit hadde · a-feynted and forbete. [[hue S] heo MF; ȝo E; he P (for hue, the usual form elsewhere). hit] E om. hit hadde] hadde hit S. a-feynted M] afeyntede P; forfeynted EFS. forbete EMFS] forbeete P.] [195—198. Erased in T; rewritten in late hand.] And as ich sat in þis sorwe · [ich] sauh how kynde passede. [as] M om. [ich E] y S; i FT; and M; P om. sauh] sawe E; saw M; sauȝ T; say FS.] And deþ drow neyghynge me · for drede gan ich quaken, [neyghynge] neȝyng E; and neihede MF; nere & nyȝede S; faste to T.] Line 200 And criede carfully to kynde · [out] of kare me brynge, [carfully] T om. [out EMFST] P om.] "Lo, hou elde þe hore · haþ me byseye; [Lo] & seide lo F. haþ] haueþ MS. me] S om. byseye] so PE; bi-seiȝe MT; be-seye S; biseie F.] Awreke me, yf ȝoure wil beo · forich wolde be hennes.' [Awreke] Awrekeþ M. me] E om. ich] wo i M.] "Yf þow wolt beo awreke · wende in-to unite, Line 204 And hold þe þare euere · til ich sende for þe, [sende—þe] for þe sende F.] And loke þou conne som craft · er þou come þennes." [er] or þat F.] "Consaileþ me, kynde," quaþ ich · "what crafte be best to leere?" [kynde—ich] quod i to kynde MF.] "Lerne to loue," quaþ kynde · "and lef alle oþer þynges." [Lerne] Lere þow T. quaþ] seide F. lef] leue T. þynges] T om.] Line 208 "Hou shal ich come to catel so · to cloþe me and to feode?" "And þow loue leelliche · lacke shal þe neuere [And] As S.] Wede ne worldlich mete · while þy lyf lasteþ." [worldlich ME] wordliche PF; wordly S; worþi T. while] with F. þy] þe M.] And ich þorgh consail of kynde · comsede to rome [And] Þo F. ich] placed before comsede in MFS. þorgh] be T.] Line 212

Line 212 Thorgh contricion and confession · til ich cam to unite; And þer was conscience constable · crystine to saue. [And] MS om.] He was byseged soþliche · with seuene grete geauntes, [He] Ȝo E. He was] And T. byseged EM] bisegid FS; bysegide P.] That with Antecrist helden · harde aȝeyns conscience. [Antecrist] Aunticrist PS. with—helden] heelde with antecrist F.] Sleuthe with hus slynge · an hard saut he made. [A page 377] [Sleuthe] Þo slewthe F. saut EFST] better than sauht P; sauȝt M; cf. l. 300. he] F om.] Line 217 Proude preostes cam with hym · passend an hundred; [preostes] prelates M. cam—hym] with him come F. passend] passyng EMST. passend—hundred] mo þan a þousand (as in B-text) F.] In paltokes and pikede shoes · and pissares longe knyues, [and (1)] & in S. pissares] so PME; pisserus FST. longe] with longe E.] Thei come aȝeyns conscience · with couetise þei helden. [Thei] T om. helden] holden S.] "By þe marie," quaþ a mansed preest · was of þe marche of yrelonde, [By þe] so PEMFS; Be þe T. marie] mare S. mansed] mansede PF; mansed E (which shows it is not maused); monsede S. was] T om. was—yrelonde] & by seint myȝhel F.] Line 221 "Ich counte conscience no more · by so ich cacche seluer, [counte] acounte M. conscience—more] no more consience T. by so] so þat T.] Than ich do to drynke · a drawt of good ale!" [drawt] so PE; drauȝt MFT; draft S.] And so seide syxty · of þe same countreo, [countreo] wise F.] Line 224 And shotten aȝeyns hym with shot · [many a schef of] oþes, [with] FS om. shot] schotus S. [many—of EF] wiþ many a schef of M; many a schef S; many shef of T; mony shef P.] And brode-hokede arwes · godes herte and hus nailes, [arwes] harwes P; but see l. 117. herte] fleys M; blod S.] And hadde almost vnite · and holychurche a-doune. [adoune] distroyed T.] Conscience cride, "helpe · cleregie, oþer ich falle, [cleregie] to clergie F. oþer] or MT; for FS.] Line 228 Thorgh imparfit preestes · and prelates of holychurche." Freres herde hym crie · and comen hym to helpe,

Ac for þei couþe nat wel here craft · conscience for-soke hem. [T omits. Ac] & F.] Neode neyhede þo ner · to conscience he tolde [neyhede] neȝhed F; neȝed E; neiȝide T; nyȝȝede S. to] and to M; & T.] Line 232 Þat þei came for couetise · to haue cure of soules, [soules] soule T.] And for thei aren poure, paraunter · for patrimonye hem failleþ, [for (2)] M om. poure par|aunter] perauntur poore F.] Thei wolle flaterie to fare wel · to folke þat ben riche. [flaterie] so PE; flatere MFST. to (2)] T om.] And sitthen þei chosen chile · and c[h]aytif pouerte, [chile] so PS; clyle (for chyle) E; chele MFT. chaytif] caytif PE; but chaitife M; chaitif T; cheityf S; F has caitevous.] Let hem chewe as þei chosen · and charge hem with no cure. [hem (1)] E om.] Line 237 For lommere he lyeþ · þat liflode mote begge, [A page 378] [lommere] so PE; lomere MF; loomere (altered to loome, with the gloss i. sepe) T. he] þey E. mote] schal M.] Than he þat laboreþ for lyflode · and leneþ hit beg|geres. [Than] Þat (!) F. for lyflode] þerfore F. hit] it to FS; to M.] And sitthen freres for-soke · þe felicite of erthe, [þe] FS om.] Line 240 Lat hem be as beggers · oþer lyue by aungeles fode." Conscience of þis consail tho · comsede for to lauhe, [þis] his S. tho] MF om. comsede] becomsed F. for] T om. lauhe] lauȝe EST; lauȝhe F; laue M.] And cortesly confortid hem · and cald yn alle freres, And seide, "sires, sothly · wel-come be ȝe alle Line 244 To unite and to holichurche · ac o þing ich ȝow preye, Holdeþ ȝow in unite · and haueþ non enuye [Holdeþ] And holdiþ T. haueþ] haþ T.] To lerede ne to lewide · bote lyueþ after ȝoure reule. And ich wol beo ȝoure borw · ȝe shulleþ haue brede and cloþes, [ich wol] i my-self wole MF; y my silf schal S. shulleþ] schulle M.; schal F.] Line 248 And oþer necessaries ynowh ȝou shal no þyng lakke, [ȝou] ȝe MT; þat ȝe F. shal] schulle M; shuln T. no þyng] nat F.]

With þat ȝe leue logyk · and lerneþ for to louye. [logyk] ȝour logik F. lerneþ EMT] lernyeþ P; lerne F. for] T om.] For loue lefte þei lordshupes · boþe londe and scole, [loue] S om. lefte] lost E. lordshupes] lordschip EF; lordschup S; lordschepe M.] Frere fraunceis and domynyk · for loue to be holy. Line 252 And yf [ȝe] coueiteþ cure · kynde wol ȝow telle, [[ȝe EMFST] he P. cure] any cure F.] That in mesure god made · alle manere þynges, [manere] maner of T; S om.] And sette hit at [a] sertayn · and at a syker numbre, [hit] so in all; cf. B-text. [a EMFT] PS om. a (2)] F om.] And nempnede hem names · and nombrede þe sterres;

Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum.

[hem] men F.] Kynges and knyghtes · þat kepen and defenden, Line 257 Hauen officers vnder hem · and ech of hem a certayn, And yf þei wage men to werre · thei wryten hem in numbre; [A page 379] [in] be T.] Wol no treserour take hem wages · trauayle þei neuere so sore, [Wol] For wil F. Wol—treserour] Wul not tresoure S.] Line 260 Bote hij beon nempned in þe numbre · of hem þat ben ywaged. [hij beon] hy be ES; þei ben MT; þei be F. nempned] named F; T om. þe numbre] nombre T. y|waged] wagid T.] Alle oþere in bataille · beeþ [yholde] brybours, [Alle] Al þat F. beeþ] þei beth F. [yholde EST] i-holde MF; miswritten yolde P. yholde brybours] bribores I-holde F.] Pilours and pyke-herneys · in eche parshe a-corsede. [parshe] paresche E; a pa|resche F. a-corsede] cursed F.] Monekes and monyales · and alle men of religion, [alle] iche T.] Line 264 Here ordre and here ruele wol · to haue a certayn numbre; Of lered and lewede · þe lawe wole and askeþ [and] and of MFS. lered—lewede] lewide & leride T. wole] wolde M.] A certayn for a certayn · saue onliche of freres! [of] þe E; MFS om.] For-thi," quaþ conscience, "by crist · kynde wit me telleþ, [For-thi] For-whi M.] Line 268

Line 268 Hit is wickede to wage ȝou · ȝe wexeþ oute of numbre. [ȝe] for ȝe M. wexeþ EFM] wexiþ T; wexuþ S; miswritten wexit P.] Heuene haueþ euene numbre · And helle is with-oute numbre; [T omits. haueþ] haþ an E. numbre (2)] F om.] Line 270 For-thi ich wolde witerly · þat ȝe were in registre, [For-thi] For-whi M. wolde] wulle S. witerly] whiterly P; with|turli M. were—registre] weren i|registred M; in registre were F.] And ȝoure numbre vnder notarie signe · and noþer more ne lasse." [

notarie] so PEF; notories MT; a noteryes S. more] mo MFST.

After l. 272, T repeats l. 261 in the form—But þei be nempnid in þe noumbre · of þeim þat ben wagit.

] Enuye herde þis · And het freres go to scole, [het] heet F; hette T; bad S. go] to go F.] Line 273 And lerne logik and lawe · and eke contemplacion, And preche men of plato · and prouen hit by seneca, That alle þyng vnder heuene · ouhte to beo in comune. [ouhte] owe E.] He lyeþ, as ich leyue · þat to þe lewede so precheþ, [He] But he F.] For god made to men a lawe · and Moyses hit tauhte, [A page 380]

Non concupisces rem proximi tui.

And vuel is this yholde · in parshes of yngelonde, [vuel] euele MFT; yuel E. parshes] so PE; parsches M; parisches F; parosshis T.] For persones and parshe-preestes · þat sholde þe peuple shryue, [For] Þat T. sholde] schul S.] Line 280 And thei beon curatours cald · to knowe and to hele, [And] T om. cald] i-cald M. hele] helpe E; holde T.] Alle þat been here parshenes · penaunces [to enioyne], [penaunces] penaunce FS. [to enioyne MFS] enioyne T; enioyneþ P; enioyned E.] And beo ashamede in here shryft; · ac shame makeþ hem wende, [And—in] Ac for þei schameth of F. ac] & T; F om. wende] to wende F.] Line 283 And fleo to [þe] freres · as fals folke to westmynstre, [[þe EMST] fals F; P om. as] & T. fals] S om. folke] folk dooth FS; folc don M.] Þat borweþ and bereþ hit thuder · And thenne byddeþ frendes [hit] MFS om.]

Ȝeorne of for-ȝeuenesse · oþer lenger ȝeres leue. [Ȝeorne] Ȝerne FST; Ȝorne E; Ȝurne M. of] or T; S om. leue] lone M.] Ac while he is in westmynstre · he wol be by-fore, [while] wile P. in westmynstre] at westmynstur halle F.] And maken hym myrie · with oþer menne goodes. [myrie with] wondur mery · of F. menne] menes M; mennus FT; men S.] Line 288 And so hit fareþ by muche folke · þat to freres hem shryueþ, [And] MFS om. to] to þe F. hem] FT om.] As asisours and executours · þei shal ȝeue þe freres [asisours ES] asissours P; sisours MFT. executours EMFT] excecutours P; exceketours S. freres] faitoures F.] A parcel to preye for hem · and maken hem [murye] [parcel] miswritten prarcel P. to] for to F. hem] him T. [murye T] mury E; murie M; merye FS; murþe P.] With þe remenant of þe good · þat oþer men by|swonke, [of—good] T om.] Line 292 And suffre þe dede in dette · to þe day of dome. [þe (1)] so þe F. to] til MS; ȝe til F.] Enuye here-fore · hatyde conscience, [Enuyc] But sir enuye F; Euer enuye M. hatyde] hatiþ T.] And freres to philosophie · he fond hem to scole, [freres] fals frerus F. hem] so F; vs T.] The while couetise and vnkyndenesse · assailede con|science. [A page 381] [The] F om. while] wile P. couetise—vnkyndenesse] vnkynde|nesse and coueitise M. assailede conscience] consience assaileden T.] Line 296 In vnite holichurche · conscience held hym, [held] hold S.] And made pees portor · to pynne þe ȝates. [þe] wel þe F.] Alle tale-tellours · and titereres in ydel, [Alle] Of alle T. titereres in] titeris of T.] Ypocrise and thei · an hard sawt thei ȝeuen. [an EMFS] miswritten and P. sawt F] saut ST; sauȝt M; mis|written swat (for sawt) PE. ȝeuen] ȝouen F. an—ȝeuen] han hard saut made T. ȝeuen] ȝouen F.] Line 300 Ypocrise at þe ȝate · harde gan fighte, [at þe] ate F. gan] gan to F.] And wondede wel wickedly · meny a wys techere, [a] T om. techere] techeris T.]

That with conscience acordede · and cardinale uertues. [cardinale] cardinales ME.] Conscience calde a leche · þat couthe wel shryue, Line 304 To salue þo þat sik were · and þorgh synne y-wonded. [þorgh] with T. y-wonded] wounded F.] Shruft shupte sharpe salue · and made men do penaunce [Shruft] Schrift M; Schrif F. shupte] so PE; schop MS; schoop F; shop T. penaunce] penaunces E.] For here mysdedes · that thei wrouht hadde, [wrouht hadde] hadde ywrouȝt T. wrouht] i-wrout M.] Line 307 And þat peers pardoun were ypaied · Redde quod dedes. Some likede nat þis leche · and lettres þei senten, [senten] sette T.] Yf eny surgeyn were in þe sege · þat softere couþe plastre. [were] F om. þat] F om. couþe plastre] plaster couþe E.] Sire lyf-to-lyue-in-lecherie · lay þere and gronede; [in] M om.] Line 311 For fastynge of a friday · he ferde as he wolde deye. [he] T om. wolde] wul S. deye] a died F.] "Ther is a surgen in þe sege · þat softe can handle, And more of fisik by fer · and fairer he plastreþ; [softe] softer F; softre M.] On frere flaterere · is fisician and surgien." [fer MFT] ferre E; feer P.] Quaþ contricion to conscience · "do hym come to unite, [come] to come F.] Line 316 For her is meny man · hurt þorgh ypocrisye." [A page 382] [is—hurt] buþ many men i|hurt M. meny] many a FT. hurt] l-hert F.] "We haue no neode," quaþ conscience · "ich wote no bettere leche [no] a M (see next line).] Þan person oþer parshe-prest · penytancer oþer busshup, [Þan—oþer] And þat is M. busshup] busshop M; bischop EFT.] Saue peers the plouhman · þat hath powere ouere alle, [Saue] And also M. ouere] of T.] And indulgence may do · bote yf dette lette." [lette] lette it T.] Line 321 "Ich may wel suffry," quaþ conscience · "sutthe ȝe desiren [313—322. S omits.] [suffry] suffre MFET. ȝe] þat ȝe M. desiren MFT] disyren P.]

That frere flaterere be fet · and fysyke ȝou syke." [frere flaterere] þat frere M; þe frere FS. fet] i-fet MF. syke] be sike F.] The frere here-of herde · and hyede faste [frere] fals frere F. hyede] he hied F.] Line 324 To a lorde for a lettere · leue to haue to curen [to (2)] T om.] As he a curatour were · and cam with hus letteres [he—curatour] a curatour he MFT. and] T om. letteres] lettere T.] Baldely to þe bushope · and hus breef hadde, [breef] so PF; bref EMST.] In countreyes þer he cam · confessions to hure; Line 328 And cam ther conscience was · and knockede atte ȝate. [atte] at þe MFT.] Pees vnpynnede þe dore · þat was portour of vnite, [vnpynnede] þo vnpynned F; openide T. þe dore] hit MFS; it T. þat] MT om. was portour] porter was F.] And in hast he [askede] · 'what hus wil were?' [he] T om. [askede MF] asked E; eschte S; hesshede P; hiȝte T.] "In faith," quaþ þis frere · "for profit and for helthe, [frere] frere þo F. helthe] helpe S.] Carpe ich wolde with contricion · and þer-fore cam ich hyder." [ich wolde] wolde i T. con|tricion] conscience F.] Line 333 "He is syke," seide pees · "and so aren meny oþere; [so] M om. aren] beþ E.] Ypocrisye haþ hurt hem · ful hard is yf [þei] keuere." [hem] hym S. hurt hem] hem I-hert F; i-hurt hem M. [þei EMF T] þey S; miswritten ȝe P.] "Ich am a surgen," seide þe frere · "and salues can ich make, [ich] T om.] Line 336 Conscience knoweþ me wel · and what ich can don." [what] wot what M; what þat FS. don E] done P; do MF.] "Ich preye the," quaþ pees þo · "er þow passe forþere, [þo] T om. forþere] ferrer F.] What hattest þow? ich praye [þe] · hele nat þy name." [hattest þow] hattestow F. [þe EF] PMST om. praye þe] þe pray F.] "Certes," seide his felawe · "syre penetrans-domos." [his] is P.] "Ȝe, go þi gate," quaþ pees · "by god, for al þy fysike, [A page 383] Bote þow conne [oþer] craft · þou comest nat here-ynne. [[oþer MFS] any oþer E; eny PT.] Ich knew such on ones · nat eyhte wynter passede, [on] a wy F. passede] a-passad M.]

Cam yn thus y-coped · at a court þere ich dwellede. [y-coped E] i-coped MF; y|copede P.] He was my lordes leche · and my ladies boþe, [He—lordes] And my lord (!) T.] Line 345 And atte last þis lymytour · þo my lord was oute, [And] T om. atte E] at þe MFST; atte þe (wrongly) P. was] whas P.] He saluede so oure wommen · til somme were with childe." [til] þat T. were] where P.] Hende-speche het pees þo · opene þe ȝates— [Hende] Hendy S. het—þo] þo heet pees F. opene] & praide open F. ȝates] ȝate S.] Line 348 "Lat yn þe frere and hus felawe · and make hem faire chere. [Lat] And lat PE (but MFST omit And; cf. B-text); Let MST; Late F. þe] S om. chere EMFST] chyre P.] He may seo and huyre here · so may by-falle, [seo] i-seo M. huyre here] i|here M; hem here T. may] it may F.] That lyf þorgh hus lore · shal leue couetise, [leue] leue his F.] And to beo a-drad of deþ · and wiþ-drawe hym fro pruyde, [to] T omits; but the rest retain to. hym] hem T.] Line 352 And acorde with conscience · and cusse here aiþer oþere." [And] S om. here] eþer (sic) E; MFST om.] Thus þorgh hende-speche · entrede þe frere, [Thus] & þus F.] And cam to conscience · and corteisliche hym grette. [to] þo to F.] "Thou art welcome," quaþ conscience · "canst þou hele syke?" [art MFST] ert PE. welcome] wolcome P. canst þou] canstow F.] Line 356 "Here is contricion," quaþ conscience · "My cosyn, ywonded; [quaþ conscience] T om. y|wonded] y-wondyd S; ywondede P; i-wounded ME; is I-wounded F; liþ woundit T.] Conforte hym," quaþ conscience · "and take kepe to hus sores. The plastres of þe person · and þe pouderes beoþ to sore, [plastres] plastre M. þe (2)] MFS om. to] so MF; S om. and—to] pynen hym T.] Line 359

Line 359 And lat hem lygge ouer-lange · and loþ is to chaungen; [A page 384] [And] He T. lat] lateth F; letteþ M; letuþ S; let T. to] hem to F.] Fro lente to lente · he let hus plastres [byte]." [to] in-to M. let] latte E; lateth F; letteþ M; letuþ S. [byte T] bite EMF; byde PS.] "That is ouerlonge," quaþ þis lymytour · "ich leyue ich shal amende hit." [ouerlonge] to longe F; longe T. þis] M om. lymytour EFT] ly|metour S; lymytur M; lymatour P. amende hit] hit amende MS; it mende F.] Line 362 He goþ [&] gropeþ contrition · and gaf hym a plastre [He] And T. [& EFS] PMT om.; see l. 368. and] an P. a] þan a F.] Of "a pryue payement · and ich shal preye for ȝow, [a] F om. ȝow] ȝowe P.] And for hem þat ȝe aren holden to · al my lyf-tyme, [holden] i-holde ME.] And make ȝow my lady · in masse and in matynes, [masse] massus F. in (2)] F om.] As freres of oure fraternite · for a litel seluer." Line 367 Thus he goþ and gadereþ · and gloseþ þer he shryueþ, [þer] whan F.] Til contrition hadde clene for-ȝute · to crie and wepe and wake [hadde] haue M. for-ȝute] for-ȝete MFST; forȝit E. wepe] to wepe T. and wake] at beginning of l. 370 in T; as in B-text.] Line 369 For hus wickede werkes · as he was woned by-fore. [woned] wonede P; wont FT; i-woned M.] For comfort of hus confessour · contricion he lefte, [For] Þoru M; Þurw F. hus] þis MFS.] That is þe souereyne salue · for alle kynne synnes. [kynne] maner T.] Anon sleuthe seih þat · and so dude pruyde, [Anon] T om. seih] saw M; say FS; sey E; seþ T.] Line 373 And comen with a kene wil · conscience to assaile. [assaile] sayle F.] Conscience criede eft · "cleregie, come help me!" [cleregie] to clergie to F. me] hym EMFS; T om.] And bad contricion to come · to helpe [kepe] þe ȝate. [to (1)] T om. to (2)] & F. [kepe EMST] to kepe F; P om.] "He lith [adreynt]," saide pees · "and so doþ meny oþere; [[adreynt EMF] adraynt S; adreynched P; & dryueliþ T.] Line 377 The frere with hus fisik · þis folke haþ enchaunted, [enchaunted EMF] enchaunt|ede P.]

And doþ men drynke dwale · þat men dredeþ no synne." [dwale] so in all. þat—no] til þei forȝete T.] "By crist," quaþ conscience tho · "ich wol by-come a pilgryme, [tho] S om.] Line 380 And wenden as wide · as the worlde regneþ, [A page 385] [as] forth also F. worlde] wordle P; wordl S.] To seke peers þe plouhman · þat pruyde myghte destruye, [þe] MFS om. pruyde myghte] myȝt pruyd S; myȝte pride F. pruyde] M om.] And [þat] freres hadden a fyndynge · þat for neode flateren, [[þat EMFST] þe P. flateren] flaterede F.] And counterpleideþ me, conscience; · nowe kynde me a-venge, [counterpleideþ] counturpleteth F. kynde] kende T; kyng (!) E.] Line 384 And sende me hap and hele · til ich haue peers plouh|man!" And suthe he gradde after grace · til ich gan a-wake. [suthe] siþ EF; siþþe ST; seþþe M.]

Hic explicit passus secundus de dobest. [So P; EMF omit Hic. S has—Explicit secundus & vltimus de dobest; T has—Explicit; E adds—incipit passus tercius (!).]

Explicit Peeres Plouheman, scriptum per Thom. Dankastre.