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.)

[Prologus.] [Prologus; not in any of the MSS.]

IN A somer sesun · whon softe was þe sonne, [folio 394b:2] [whon softe was þe sonne] as y south wente U.] I schop me in-to a schroud · A scheep as I were; [into] vndur H; in U; to D. A scheep, &c.] as I a shep were TH UH₂D.] In Habite of an Hermite · vn-holy of werkes, [of] as TUH₂D.] Wende I wydene in þis world · wondres to here. [Wende I wydene] Wente wyde TH₂D; I wente wide UH.] Line 4 Bote in a Mayes Morwnynge · on Maluerne hulles Me bi-fel a ferly · A Feyrie me þouhte; [A Feyrie] of fairie THUH₂D.] I was weori of wandringe · and wente me to reste [of wandring and] of-wandrit & T; forwandred H₂, forwandryd y U; for wandryng & D.] Vndur a brod banke · bi a Bourne syde, Line 8 And as I lay and leonede · and lokede on þe watres, [leonede] lened me U.] I slumberde in A slepyng · hit sownede so murie. [sownede] swiȝede T; swyed H₂; schewed D. hit sownede] I swe|uenyd U.] ¶ Þenne gon I Meeten · A Meruelous sweuene, Þat I was in A Wildernesse · wuste I neuer where, [wuste I] y wyste UH.] Line 12 And as I beo-heold in-to þe Est · an-heiȝ to þe sonne, [And] Ac TD; H omits; But U. an heiȝ] up U.] I sauh a Tour on A Toft · [triȝely] I-maket; [[triȝely T; triely U; tryelyche H₂] wonderliche VH; trewliche D. imaket] a-tired U.] A Deop Dale bi-neoþe · A dungun þer-Inne, With deop dich and derk · and dredful of siht. [dich] dikes T; diches UH₂. and dredful, &c.] þat dredeful was of syghte H.] Line 16

Line 16 ¶ A Feir feld ful of folk · fond I þer bi-twene, [fond I] I fonde H.] Of alle maner of men · þe mene and þe riche, Worchinge and wondringe · as þe world askeþ. [H. omits this line. wondringe] wandringe TUDH₂. as] so D.]

Summe putten hem to þe plouȝ · and pleiden hem ful seldene, [and pleiden hem] pleiȝede TUD. hem ful] but H.] Line 20 In Eringe and in Sowynge · swonken ful harde, [eringe] settyng TH₂D; seed tyme U. harde] sore HH₂.] Þat monie of þeos wasturs · In Glotonye distruen. [þat monie of] whom that T; And wonnen þat U; whanne þat D. In] wiþ TUDH₂.] ¶ And summe putten hem to pruide · apparaylden hem þer-after, In Cuntinaunce of cloþinge · queinteliche de-Gyset; [cuntinaunce] quoyntyse H. queinteliche degyset] comen disgisid TUH₂D; þei conen hem disgyse H.] Line 24 To preyere and to penaunce · putten heom monye, [To] In THD. preyere] preyers HTUD. to] HD om.] For loue of vr lord · liueden ful harde, [ful harde] wel streite TD; ful strayte HUH₂.] In Hope for to haue · Heuene-riche blisse; As Ancres and Hermytes · þat holdeþ hem in heore Celles, Line 28 Coueyte not in Cuntre · to carien a-boute, [carien] cairen T; cayren H₂.] For non likerous lyflode · heore licam to plese. [non] no THU. licam] lykames U; lyke hem (!) D.] ¶ And summe chosen Chaffare · to cheeuen þe bettre, [Chaffare] to chaffare TUD. to cheeuen] þei cheuide TU; to preue H; þey cheuen D.] As hit semeþ to vre siht · þat suche men scholden; [hit semeþ to] es seen in U. suche men] þei so H. scholden] þriuen TH₂U; þryueth D.] Line 32 And summe Murþhes to maken · as Munstrals cunne, [And gete gold wiþ here gle · giltles, I trowe.] [From T: also in HUH₂D. giltles] synles HUD; synfullyche H₂.] ¶ Bote Iapers and Iangelers · Iudas Children, [Iudas] Iudases U.] Founden hem Fantasyes · and fooles hem maaden, [Founden] þa faynen H; Gon fynden U; fynden H₂. maaden] maken HUTD.] Line 36 And habbeþ wit at heor wille · to worchen ȝif hem luste. [ȝif hem luste] ȝif þei wolde H; what hem liketh U.]

Þat Poul precheþ of hem · I dar not preouen heere; [dar] wol U. preouen] proue it TH₂; sey H; proue yt D.] Qui loquitur turpiloquium · Hee is Luciferes hyne. [Qui, &c.] Qui turpe loquitur D. Hee is] is HUH₂D; his T.]

Bidders and Beggers · faste a-boute eoden, [folio 395a:1] [Bidders and beggers] beggeris and bydderes U. eoden] ȝede TH₂; ȝeden H; ȝedyn U.] Line 40 Til heor Bagges and heore Balies · weren [bratful] I-crommet; [bagges—Balies] bely & here bagge TH₂D; belyes and here bagges U. [bratful T; bretful H₂; bredful UD] faste VH.] Feyneden hem for heore foode · fouȝten atte alle; [Feyneden hem] Flite þanne T; þei fliten U; Fayteden H; Faytours H₂; Flytteden & D. atte alle] at þe ale TD; at þe nale UH; at nale H₂.] In Glotonye, God wot · gon heo to Bedde, And ryseth vp wiþ ribaudye · þis Roberdes knaues; [þis] as TUD; tho H₂.] Line 44 Sleep and Sleuȝþe · suweþ hem euere. ¶ Pilgrimes and Palmers · Plihten hem to-gederes [Plihten] pyghten H.] For to seche seint Ieme · and seintes at Roome; Wenten forþ in heore wey · with mony wyse tales, [wyse] vayn H.] Line 48 And hedden leue to lyȝen · al heore lyf [aftir]. [[aftir THUH₂D] tyme V.] [Ermytes on an hep · wiþ hokide staues, [From T; also in UH₂D; not in VH.] Wenten to Walsyngham · & here wenchis aftir;] [From T; also in UH₂D; not in VH.] ¶ Grete lobres and longe · þat loþ weore to swynke [lobres] lobies TUH₂D; loburs H. þat loþ weore] loth for U.] Line 52 Cloþeden hem in Copes · to beo knowen for breþeren; [for breþeren] from oþere TU H₂D.] And summe schopen [hem] to hermytes · heore ese to haue. [

om. the whole line U. And summe] TH₂D om.; summe H. [hem THD.] V omits.

OBS. After l. 54 the two following lines occur, in H₂ only;

Who-so ȝeueth for godes loue · wyl nat ȝeue his þankis

But þere his mede may be most · and most merytorye.

]

I Font þere Freres · all þe Foure Ordres, [Font] fond TUH₂H; But I fonde D.] Prechinge þe peple · for profyt of heore wombes, [heore wombes] þe wombe TH₂.] Line 56 Glosynge þe Gospel · as hem good likeþ, [Glosynge] gloside TUH₂; gloseth D. good] silf H. likeþ] likide TUH₂.]

For Couetyse of Copes · Construeþ hit ille; [ille] ful yuel H; as þei wolde TUH₂; at wille D.] For monye of þis Maistres · mowen cloþen hem at lyking, [cloþen—lyking] be clothed the better H.] For Moneye and heore Marchaundie · meeten ofte to-gedere. [For moneye] For here mony TUH₂D. oft] THUH₂D omit.] Line 60 Seþþe charite haþ be chapmon · [and] cheef to schriuen lordes, [charite—chapmon] freeris han ben chapmen H. [and THUH₂D] V omits.] Mony ferlyes han bi-falle · in a fewe ȝeres. [bifalle] fallen TUD; falle ryȝt H₂.] But holychirche bi-ginne · holde bet to-gedere, [biginne] and þei T; and he U H₂D. holde—togedere] þe better to holde togedre H; holde togidre U.] Þe moste Mischeef on molde · mounteþ vp faste. [mounteþ, &c.] is mountyng up faste T; is mowntynge vp wel faste H. H₂D.] Line 64 ¶ Þer prechede a pardoner · as he a prest were, [as—were] a prest as he were U; a prest as it were H.] And brouȝt vp a Bulle · with Bisschopes seles, [vp] forth THUH₂.] And seide þat him-self mihte · a-soylen hem alle Of Falsnesse and Fastinge · and of vouwes I-broken. Line 68 Þe lewede Men likede him wel · and leeueþ his speche, [likede] leuide T; leued HD; lyueden U. him] DH om. wel] U om. leeueþ] likide TU; lykeden H; liked D; leued H₂.] And comen vp knelynge · and cusseden his Bulle; [and cusseden] to kissen TU H₂D.] He bonchede hem with his Breuet · and blered heore eiȝen, [bonchede] bunchiþ T; bunched H₂; blessid UH; bonches D.] And rauhte with his Ragemon · Ringes and Broches. [And rauhte] Raughte hym U. Ringes and broches] broches and rynges UD.] Line 72 Þus ȝe ȝiueþ oure gold · Glotonye to helpen, [þus—gold] þus þei ȝouen here geld TD; þus ȝe ȝyuen ȝoure goodus H. Glotonye] glotonis THUH₂D.] And leueþ hit to losels · þat lecherie haunten. Weore þe Bisschop I-blesset · and worþ boþe his Eres, Heo scholde not beo so hardi · to deceyue so þe peple. [Heo—hardi] His sel shulde not be sent TUH₂D. to deceyue so] to bigyle so H; TUH₂D omit so.] Saue hit nis not bi þe Bisschop · þat þe Boye precheþ; [Saue—bi] It is not al be TH; y trowe it is noght for U; It is nouȝt be H₂; He is nouȝt al by D. þe Boye] þey boþe D.]

Bote þe Parisch prest and he de-parte þe seluer, [he] þe pardoner THUH₂D. departe] parte THU; departid H₂; parteth D.] Line 78 Þat haue schulde þe pore parisschens · ȝif þat heo ne weore. [haue—parisschens] þe pore peple of þe parissh shulde haue TH₂D; þe poore of þe parysche schuld haue H; þe pore peple schuld haue U.] ¶ Persones and parisch prestes · playneþ to heore Bis|schops, [parisch prestes] prouenders H. playneþ] playned H; pleynide hem TD; playnen hem U. Bisschops] bisshop TU.] Line 80 Þat heore Parisch haþ ben pore · seþþe þe Pestilence [tyme], [Parisch] parischens HU. haþ ben] was T; ben U; were H₂D. [tyme THUH₂D] V omits.] And askeþ leue and lycence · at londun to dwelle, [And—lycence] To haue a licence & leue TUH₂. askeþ] han H. D omits this line.] To singe þer for Simonye · for seluer is swete.

ÞEr houeþ an Hundret · In Houues of selk, [houeþ] houide THUH₂D.] Line 84 Seriauns hit semeþ · to seruen atte Barre; [hit semeþ] it semide THH₂; þei semeden U; it semedyn D. to seruen atte] þat seruide at þe T; pletiden at þe U.] Pleden for pons · and poundes þe lawe, [Pleden—poundes] Pleten for penis & poynteþ T; For penyes & for powndis pladden H; þei pletide for pens and poundide U; plededen for pens & poundes D.] Not for loue of vr lord · vn-loseþ heore lippes ones. [vnloseþ—ones] openyd his lippes U; not open her lyppus oonus H.] Þow mihtest beter meten þe Myst · on Maluerne hulles, Þen geten a Mom of heore Mouþ · til moneye weore schewed. [weore] be TH₂UD.] Line 89 ¶ I sauh þer Bisschops Bolde · and Bachilers of diuyn [Bisschops] erchebisschopes U.] Bi-coome Clerkes of A-Counte · þe kyng for to seruen; Erchedekenes and Deknes · þat Dignite hauen, [Erchedekenes] I saw þere erchedeknes U. Deknes] denis THUD; dekenes H₂.] Line 92 To preche þe peple · and pore men to feede, Beon lopen to londun · bi leue of heore Bisschopes, To ben Clerkes of þe kynges Benche · þe Cuntre to schende.

¶ Barouns and Burgeis · and Bonde-men also [and Burgeis] TU omit and. Bondemen] bondage TH₂; bondeage D; bondages U.] Line 96 I sauȝ in þat Semble · as ȝe schul heren her-aftur. [semble] semele T. heren her|aftur] heer aftir TU; seen aftur H; here after D.] ¶ Bakers, Bochers · and Breusters monye, [Bakers] Baxteris & T; bakeris and HH₂U; Baksteres & D.] [Wollene websteris · and weueris of lynen, [From T; also in UH₂D. [tanneris & tokkeris] toucheris and tolleris U; towkers and tollers H₂; & souters and tokkeres D.] Taillours, tanneris · & tokkeris boþe,] [From T; also in UH₂D. [tanneris & tokkeris] toucheris and tolleris U; towkers and tollers H₂; & souters and tokkeres D.] Line 100 Masons, Minours · and mony oþer craftes, Dykers, and Deluers · þat don heore dedes ille, [heore dedes] here dede T. here werk U. ille] yuol H.] And driueþ forþ þe longe day · with "deu vous saue, dam Emme!" [vous] THU om. with—saue] dieu gard D.] Line 103 ¶ Cookes and heore knaues · Cryen "hote pies, hote! Goode gees and grys · Gowe dyne, [Gowe]!" [[Gowe THUH₂; V has Gouwe]] Tauerners to hem · tolde þe same tale [to hem] tollid hem U. Tolde—tale] and tolde hem þe same U; tolde þe same TD; tolde hem the same H₂.] Wiþ good wyn of Gaskoyne · And wyn of Oseye, [Wiþ wyn of osay & wyn of gascoyne TH₂D (but D reads Asay); wiþ white wyn of oseye · and gas|coyne U.] Of Ruyn a[n]d of Rochel · þe Rost to defye. [Ruyn] þe ryn THDUH₂. Rochel] þe rochel THUH₂.] Line 108 [Al þis I sauȝ slepynge · & seue siþes more.] [From T. Also in UD and H₂.]

PASSUS I.

[Primus passus de visione.] [Primus, &c.] found in TUD.]

What þis Mountein be-Meneþ · and þis derke Dale, [bemeneþ] meniþ TD; may mene U. þis darke] þis deope H; ek þe derke TD.] And þis feire feld, ful of folk · feire I schal ow schewe. [feire feld] THUH₂D omit feire; but see prol. l. 17.] A louely ladi on leor · In linnene I-cloþed, [on leor] of lire THUD; of lore H₂. I-cloþed] was clothid U.] Com a-doun from þe [clyf] · and clepte me feire, [[clyf] so in UDH₂; V and H have loft; T reads fro þat kiþ. clepte] clepid H; callide TUH₂D.] Line 4 And seide, "sone! slepest þou? · Sixt þou þis peple [slepest þou] slepistow U. sixt] sest T; seest HUD.] Al hou bisy þei ben · A-boute þe Mase? Þe moste parti of þe peple · þat passeþ nou on eorþe, [nou on] on þis TH₂; vpon HU; here on D.] Hauen heo worschupe in þis world · kepe þei no betere; [in þis] of þis HD; of þe U.] Of oþer heuene þen heer · [holde] þei no tale." [[holde] so in TUDH₂; ȝeueþ V; ȝyue H.] Line 9 ¶ Ich was a-ferd of hire Face · þauh heo feir weore, And seide, "Merci, Ma dame · What is þis to mene?" [is þis to mene] may þis by|meene HU.] ¶ "Þis Tour and þis Toft," quod heo · "treuþe is þer|Inne, [and þis] of þe T; on þe HDH₂; in þe U.] Line 12 And wolde þat ȝe wrouȝten · as his word techeþ; [And] he H; þat U; D om.] For he is Fader of Fei · þat formed ow alle [folio 395a:2] [Fei] feiþ THUD. ow] ȝow TUH₂D; ȝou H.] Boþe with Fel and with Face · and ȝaf ow fyue wittes, Forte worschupen him [þerwith] · while ȝe beoþ heere. [Forte] For to THH₂DU. [þer|wiþ] V omits this word; but it occurs in THUH₂; D has with.]

And for he hihte þe eorþe · to seruen ow vchone [for—eorþe] þerfore he bad ȝow eche U. for he hihte] therefore hooteth H; þerfore he hiȝte TH₂D. to—uchone] to helpe ȝow ichone TDH₂; an helpen oþer U.] Line 17 Of wollene, Of linnene · To lyflode at neode, [Of—of] And wollen & D.] In Mesurable Maner · to maken ow at ese; And Comaundet of his Cortesye · In Comune þreo þinges; Line 20 Heore nomes beþ neodful · and nempnen hem I þenke, [Heore—neodful] Narn (Are H₂) none nedful but þo TH₂; Arn non nedful but þei U; Ne arn non nedful but þo D.] Bi Rule and bi Resun · Rehersen hem her-aftur. [Bi—bi] And rekne hem in TD; And rekene hem be H₂; And rekne hem ȝow by U. Rehersen] reherse þou TD; reherse ȝow H₂; reherce ȝe U. heraftur] aftir UD.] ¶ Þat on Clothing is · from Chele ow to saue: [cloþing is] is vesture TH₂; is vesture verrailiche U. from chele] fro cold U. ow] þe TH₂. D reads, That on is cloþing for cold · þat it may þee saue.] And þat oþur Mete at Meel · for meseise of þiseluen: [And—meel] þe toþer is mete at ȝour meel U. meseise] myschief UH. þiseluen] ȝow selue U.] Line 24 And drink whon þou druiȝest · but do hit not out of Resun, [þow druiȝest] þe driȝeþ TH₂; ȝow drieth U.] Þat þou weor[þ]e þe worse · whon þou worche scholdest. [þou weore] þou worþe THD; þe worth H₂; ȝe wurche U. þou—scholdest] ȝe swynke scholde U.] ¶ For Lot in his lyf-dayes · for lyking of drinke, [for lyking] þorouȝ lykynge H.] Dude bi his douhtren · þat þe deuel louede, [louede] lykide THUH₂D.] Line 28 Dilytede him in drinke · as þe deuel wolde, [

T omits this line; but it occurs in H₂ as well as in HD and U.

OBS. A whole folio is here lost out of U; from l. 33 down to l. 99.

] And lecherie him lauhte · and lay bi hem boþe; And al he witede hit wyn · þat wikkede dede. Dreede dilitable drinke · And þou schalt do þe bettre; Line 32 Mesure is Medicine · þauh þou muche ȝeor[n]e. [ȝeorne] V ȝeore; but T has ȝerne; so H and D.] Al nis not good to þe gost · þat þe bodi lykeþ, [bodi] gut TD; gutt H₂; which is perhaps a better reading, as regards the alliteration. lykeþ] askeþ HH₂D.] Ne lyflode to þe licam · þat leof is to þe soule. ¶ Leef not þi licam · for lyȝere him techeþ, [lyȝere] lyar H; a liþer T; a lyere H₂; a leder D. techeþ] ledith H.] Line 36

Line 36 Þat is þe Wikkede word · þe to bi-traye. [wikkede] wrecchide TH₂D. word] world THH₂D.] For þe Fend and þi Flesch · folewen to-gedere, [folewen] foloweþ þee H.] And schendeþ þi soule · seo hit in þin herte; [seo] set T; I see H; & set D; and seith H₂.] And for þou scholdest beo war · I wisse þe þe bettre. [bettre] best HTH₂D.] Line 40

"AMadame, Merci!" quaþ I · "me likeþ wel þi wordes. Bote þe Moneye on þis Molde · þat men so faste holden, Tel me to whom þat Tresour appendeþ?"

"GO to þe gospel," quaþ heo · "þat god seiþ him|seluen, [þat god] þer god H. seiþ] seyde HD.] Line 44 Whon þe peple him a-posede · with a peny in þe Temple, Ȝif heo schulden worschupe þer-with · Cesar heore kyng. [heo schulden] þei wile T. heore] þe TD.] ¶ And he asked of hem · of whom spac þe lettre, And whom þe ymage was lyk · þat þer-Inne stod. [And—lyk] And þe imagis like T; And ymage lyk DH₂. stod] standis T; stondeth HH₂; standes D.] Line 48 ¶ "Ceesar, þei seiden · We seoþ wel vchone."

[Reddite ergo que sunt cesaris cesari, et que sunt dei deo.]

[The Latin quotation following is found in H.] "þenne Reddite," quaþ God · "þat to Cesar falleþ, [þenne Reddite] Reddite cesari TH₂D; ȝeldeþ to cesar H. falleþ] befalle TH₂ (which also om. to); apendiþ H; he longeþ (be-longeþ?) D.] Et que sunt dei deo · or elles do ȝe ille." [Et—deo] & to god his deel H; Et que sunt dei digno D. do ȝe] ȝe don THH₂; also D (which om. elles).] For Rihtfoliche Resoun · schulde rulen ou alle, Line 52 And kuynde wit be wardeyn · oure weolþe to kepe, And tour of vr tresour · to take hit [ȝow] at nede; [tour] toure H; tutour TH₂D. [ȝow TH₂; ȝou HD] V omits.] For husbondrie and he · holden to-gedere." [he] witte H.]

ÞEnne I fraynede hire feire · for him þat hire made, Line 56 "Þat [dungun] in þat deope dale · þat dredful is of siht, [þat—dale] þe dungeon in þe dale TDH₂; þe dale & þe dongown H. [dungun] V has doun; but see prol. l. 15.] What may hit Mene, Madame · Ich þe bi-seche?" [hit mene] þat bymeene H.]

"ÞAt is þe Castel of care," quod heo · "hose comeþ þer-Inne, [quod heo] TH₂ and D omit. hose] who þat THH₂.] Mai Banne þat he born was · to Bodi or to soule. Line 60 Þer-Inne woneþ a wiht · þat wrong is I-hote, [wiht] wy TH₂; wey D.] Fader of Falsness · he foundede [it] him-seluen; [falsnes] falshed TH₂D. [it T; yt D] VHH₂ omit.] Adam and Eue · he eggede to don ille; [to don] hem to TD; to HH₂.] Counseilede Caym · to cullen his Broþer; [Caym he cownseyled, &c., H.] Line 64 Iudas he Iapede · with þe Iewes seluer, [wiþ] þorogh H. Iewes] Iewene T; Iewyne H₂; Iuen D.] And on an Ellerne treo · hongede him after. [on—treo] siþen on an eldir T; sethen on An yllern D; sithen on an eldren H₂.] He is a lettere of loue · and lyȝeþ hem alle [a lettere] leder D. lyȝeþ] by|lyȝeth H.] Þat trusteþ in heor tresour · þer no truþe is Inne." [in heor] on his TH₂D. þer] þat H. þer—Inne] betraid arn sounest TH₂; betrayed buþ sounest D.] Line 68 ¶ Þenne hedde I wonder in my wit · what wommon hit weore, Þat suche wyse wordes · of holy writ me schewede; [me] TDH₂ omit.] And halsede hire in þe heiȝe nome · er heo þeonne ȝeode, What heo weore witerly · þat [wisside] me so feire. [wisside TH₂; wysed D] techeþ V; tawght H.] Line 72

"Holi churche Icham," quaþ heo · "þou ouhtest me to knowe: Ich þe vndurfong furst · and þi feiþ þe tauȝte. [Ich—furst] I undirfange þe ferst TH₂D; I þee furst undurfonge H.þe] D omits.] Þow brouȝtest me Borwes · my biddyng to worche, And to loue me leelly · While þi lyf durede." [durede] duriþ TH₂; lasted H; dureth D.] Line 76 ¶ Þenne knelede I on my kneos · and criȝed hire of grace, [criȝed] prayed H.] And preiede hire pitously · to preye for vr sunnes, [And—to] To haue pytee on þe pepul & to H. vr sunnes] my sennes T; my synnes H₂D.] And eke to teche me kuyndely · on crist to bi-leeue, [eke to teche] to teche H; ek kenne TH₂.]

Þat Ich his wille mihte worche · þat wrouhte me to Mon. [his—worche] miȝte werchen his wil TH₂D.] Line 80 "Tech me to no Tresour · bote tel me þis ilke, [to no Tresour] no tresour, quoþ I H. tel] teche H.] Hou I may saue my soule · þat seint art I-holde." [I-holde] yhoten TH₂; D has, þat senne had y-holden.] ¶ "Whon alle tresour is I-triȝed · Treuþe is þe Beste; [tresour is I-triȝed] tresours arn triȝed THH₂; to which H also adds quod heo.] I do hit on Deus Caritas · to deeme þe soþe. Line 84 Hit is as derworþe a drurie · as deore god him-seluen. [Hyt is derworthe & dreury, &c. D. a] H om.] For hose is trewe of his tonge · telleþ not elles, [hose] whoso THH₂. not elles] non oþer THH₂D.] Doþ his werkes þer-with · and doþ no mon ille, [and doþ] & wilneþ T; & wyllith H₂; willeþ D.] He is a-counted to þe gospel · on grounde and on lofte, [acounted—gospel] a god be þe gospel TD; good be gospel H₂. on—lofte] in heuen & in erþe H.] And eke I-liknet to vr lord · bi seint Lucus wordes. [Iliknet] lyke THH₂D.] Line 89 Clerkes þat knowen hit · scholde techen hit aboute, [techen hit] kenne it TH₂D.] For Cristene and vn-cristene · him cleymeþ vchone. [him cleymeþ] cleymeþ it TH₂; claymen it HD.]

Kynges and knihtes · scholde kepen hem bi Reson, [hem] it THH₂D.] Line 92 And Rihtfuliche Raymen · þe Realmes a-bouten, [folio 395b:1] [And—Raymen] And riden & rappe doun TH₂; And ryden at ran|doun D. Raymen] rule H. þe Realmes] in reaumes TH₂; her rewmes H; in reames D.] And take trespassours · and [teiȝen] hem faste, [trespassours] hem þat trespas|sen H. [teiȝen T; tyen H₂; teyen D] bynden V; bynde H.] Til treuþe hedde I-termynet · þe trespas to þe ende. [þe trespas] here trespas THH₂D.] For Dauid, in his dayes · he Dubbede knihtes, [dayes] lyfdayes D.] Line 96 Dude hem swere on heor swerd · to serue treuþe euere. [Dude] made TH₂D; & made H. heor] his TH₂; a D.] Þat is þe perte profession · þat a-pendeþ to knihtes, [perte profession] professioun apertly TH₂D; perfyt professyoun H.] And not to faste a Friday · In Fyue score ȝeres, [a] oon H. ȝeres] wynter TH H₂D.] But holden with hem and with heore · þat asken þe treuþe, [hem—heore] hym and wiþ hire TUH₂D; hem and with hers H.]

And leuen for no loue · ne lacching of ȝiftus; [leuen—loue] neuere leue hym for loue TH₂; neither leef hem for loue U; neuer leue hem for loue D. ne—ȝiftus] ne for lakkynge of siluer U; ne lachesse of gyftes D; ne no lach|ynge of ȝyftus H.] Line 101 And he þat passeþ þat poynt · is a-postata in þe ordre. [And] For H. he þat] whoso TUH₂D. þe] his THUDH₂.] [For crist, kyngene kyng · knyhtide tene,] [

This line is a made up one, from H and U. The readings are,

For crist kynge of knyȝtus · knytted somtyme H.

And kyng, kyngene kyng · knyhtide tene U.

And crist king of kinges · kniȝtide tene TH₂.

And crist kyng of knyȝtes · knyȝted ten D.

] ¶ Cherubin and Seraphin · an al þe foure ordres, [an—ordres] such seuene & a noþer TH₂; and siche mo oþere U; such seuene & oþer D.] Line 104 And ȝaf hem maystrie and miht · in his Maieste, [maystrie—miht] miȝt in his mageste TDH₂U; honour and myȝte H. in—Maieste] þe meryere hem þouȝte TUH₂; þe meryere hym þouȝte D.] [And ouer his meyne · made hem Archaungelis,] [From T. Also in UH₂ and D.] And tauȝte [hem] þorw þe Trinite · treuþe for to knowen, [hem THUH₂D] V omits. treuþe] þe trouþe THUH₂D.] And beo boxum at his biddynge · he bad hem not elles. [biddynge] heste U.] ¶ Lucifer with legiouns · lerede hit in heuene; [lerede] lernyd UD; also D omits hit.] Line 109 He was louelokest of siht · aftur vr lord, [louelokest] þe louelyst U. of siht] to loke on TH₂.] Til he brak Boxumnes · þorw bost of him-seluen. ¶ Þene fel he with his felawes · and fendes bi-comen, Out of heuene in-to helle · hobleden faste, [hobleden] hobelide þei TH₂ UHD; hobleden wel H.] Line 113 Summe in þe Eir, and summe in þe Eorþe · and summe in helle deope. ¶ Bote Lucifer louwest · liȝþ of hem alle; [liȝþ] light U.] For pruide þat he put out · his peyne haþ non ende; [þat—out] he was putte out H; he putte out U; þat he put out was D. wende] wende þedyr H.] Line 116 And alle þat wrong worchen · wende þei schulen [wrong worchen] werchen wiþ wrong TUH₂; wurche with wronges D.] After heore deþ-day · and dwellen with þat schrewe. ¶ Ac heo þat worchen þat word · þat holi writ techeþ, [þat word þat] in þis world as H (written over an erasure).] And endeþ as Ich er seide · in profitable werkes, [profitable] perfite TH₂D.] Line 120

Line 120 Mouwen be siker þat heore soules · schullen to heuene, [schullen] shal wende THUH₂D.] Þer Treuþe is in Trinite · and Corouneþ hem alle. [Corouneþ hem] tronen hym T; tryeste of U; trowe him H₂; crownen hem D; crowneþ hem H.] ¶ For I sigge sikerli · bi siht of þe textes, [For—sikerli] For-þi I seye as I seide er TUH₂D; For I saye as I er sayde H. þe] þise T; þese U.] Whon alle tresor is I-triȝet · Treuþe is þe beste. [tresor—I-triȝet] tresours arn (ben H) triȝed THUH₂.] Line 124 Lereþ hit þis lewed men · for lettrede hit knoweþ, [þis] þus TH₂; to H; U omits; also D omits hit. lettrede] lettered men H.] Þat treuþe is tresour · triedest on eorþe." [is tresour] is þe tr. TD; is a tr. H. triedest] triȝest here TH₂; þe trieste U; tryest D.]

"Yit haue I no kuynde knowing," quod I · "þou most teche me betere, [quod I] UD omit. þou—betere] ȝet mote ȝe bet kenne T; ȝe mot me betere kenne UH₂; but ȝe me bet kenne D.] Bi what Craft in my Corps · hit cumseþ, and where." [Craft] kynne craft U. cumseþ] compsiþ T; bicomseþ H; comseth UH₂; comsit D.] Line 128

"ÞOu dotest daffe," quaþ heo · "Dulle are þi wittes. [dotest] dotide TUH₂; dootest H; doted D.] Hit is a kuynde knowynge · þat kenneþ þe in herte [kenneþ—in] comseth in þin U. in] in þin THDH₂.] For to loue þi louerd · leuere þen þi-seluen; [leuere] betere U.] No dedly sunne to do · dyȝe þauȝ þou scholdest. [to do] þat þou do H. dyȝe—þou] þoghe þou deye U.] Line 132 Þis I trouwe beo treuþe! · hose con teche þe betere, [hose con] who can TUH₂D.] Loke þou suffre him to seye · and seþþe teche hit forþure! [teche—forþure] lere it aftir TH₂; lerne it aftir U; leret after D.] For þus techeþ us his word · (worch þou þer-aftur) [techeþ us] askiþ wytnesse TH₂; witnesseth UD.] Þat loue is þe leuest þing · þat vr lord askeþ, Line 136 And eke þe playnt of pees; · prechet [in] þin harpe [eke þe playnt] eke þe plante T; eke þe plaunte HH₂; also plante U; eke þe plonte D. prechet—harpe] preche it in þin harpe THH₂; put it in þin herte U; preche it in þy herte D; but V has, prechet þe þin harpe.] Þer þou art Murie at þi mete · whon me biddeþ þe ȝedde; [whon—ȝedde] in þi most myrthe (over an erasure) H. me] men TUH₂. The line in D is corrupt.]

For bi kuynde knowynge in herte · Cumse[þ] þer a Fitte. [bi] in TD; H omits. in herte] U omits. Cumse—Fitte] þer comsiþ a miȝt T; bygynne suche H; þer comseth it right U; conseyue þou myȝte D; þer comeþ a miȝt H₂.]

ÞAt Falleþ to þe Fader · þat formede vs alle. [þat] And þat TUH₂D.] Line 140 He lokede on vs with loue · and lette his sone dye [He] þat U; TH₂D omit. and] he H.] Mekeliche for vre misdede[s] · forte amende vs alle. [misdede] misdedis THUH₂D. forte] to THUH₂D.] And ȝit wolde he hem no wo · þat [wrouȝte] him þat pyne, [[wrouȝte THUDH₂] V has wolde, copied from the first part of the line.] But Mekeliche with mouþe · Merci he by-souȝte, [he] H and U omit.] Line 144 To haue pite on þat peple · þat pynede him to deþe. ¶ Her þou miht seon ensaumple · in [hymselfe] one, [Her—ensaumple] Here miȝt þou sen ensaumplis TDH₂; Here myght se ensamples U. [hymselfe TUDH₂] V has þi-self.] Hou he was mihtful and Meke · þat merci gon graunte [145—147 are omitted in H.] , [Hou] þat TUH₂D. þat] and TUH₂D.] To hem þat heengen him heiȝe · and his herte þurleden. [To—heengen] For hem þat honged H. heiȝe] by TH₂DU (by mis|take).] [For-þi I rede þe riche · haue reuþe on þe pore; [

From T; also in HUD and H₂. V has only one line, viz. For|þi I rede þe Mihtful of Mayn be Meke of þi wordes. werkis] hertes D. The Latin quotation is found in H only.

OBS. MS. H. is here much tampered with and of little value, for about nine lines.

] Line 149 Þeiȝ ȝe ben miȝty to mote · beþ meke of ȝour werkis;]

[Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, reme ci[e]tur uobis;]

[From T; also in HUD and H₂. V has only one line, viz. For|þi I rede þe Mihtful of Mayn be Meke of þi wordes. werkis] hertes D. The Latin quotation is found in H only.] [OBS. MS. H. is here much tampered with and of little value, for about nine lines.] For þe same Mesure þat ȝe Meten · A-mis oþer elles, [þat ȝe meten] þat þou metest (over erasure) H; ȝe metyn here U. Amis] a-riȝt (over erasure) H.] Ȝe schul be weyen þer-with · whon ȝe wenden hennes. [ȝe wenden] þat ȝe gon U.] ¶ For þauȝ ȝe ben trewe of tonge · and treweliche winne, [For—ȝe] For þi TH₂; For þy D. of] of ȝoure TUH₂D.] And eke as chast as a child · þat in Chirche wepeþ, [as chast] U omits.] Line 154 Bote ȝe liuen trewely · and eke loue þe pore, [liuen trewely] loue lelly T; loue lely UH₂D. eke loue] lene (or leue) TU; ȝeue to loue H₂; loue D.] And such good as God sent · Treweliche parten, [And] Of TUH₂D. sent] haþ sent U. Treweliche parten] goodliche parteth UTH₂; godliche parte D.] Line 156

Line 156 Ȝe naue no more merit · In Masse ne In houres [naue] ne haue TUH₂; haue D. Masse] Matynes TUH₂. houres] masse TH₂; oures UD.] Þen Malkyn of hire Maydenhod · þat no Mon desyreþ. [desyreþ] desired U.] ¶ For Iames þe gentel · bond hit in his Book, [bond hit] ioynide TH₂; Iug|gid U; hath wryten D.] Þat [Fey] withouten [fait] · Is febelore þen nouȝt, [[Fey] feiþ THUH₂; fay D. [fait TH₂; feet D] werk U; warkis H. V misreads, þat Treuþe withouten Fey.] Line 160 And ded as a dore-nayl · but þe deede folewe. [

ded] as ded TH₂. but þe] but ȝif þe THUH₂D.

OBS. After folewe H inserts the weak line, þat is, to sokoure þe sorow|ful · & haue charite to alle.

] Chastite withouten Charite · (wite þou forsoþe), [wite—forsoþe] worth cheynide in helle TH₂; wurþ schryned in helle U; worth shewed in helle D. (See l. 168.)] Is as lewed as a Laumpe · þat no liht is Inne. [Is] þat is U; Hit is DT.] Line 163 ¶ Moni Chapeleyns ben chast · but Charite is aweye; [Moni] Now many U.] Beo no men hardore þen þei · whon heo beoþ avaunset; [Beo no men] Arn none TUH₂; þer beoþ noon H.] Vn-kuynde to heore kun · and to alle cristene; [Transposed in H.] , [and to] and ek to TUH₂D.] Chewen heore charite · and chiden after more! [Transposed in H.] , [Chewen] þei chewen H; Chiwen U.] Such [Chastite] withouten [Charite] · worþ claymed in helle! [[Chastite, &c.] chastite with|oute charite THUH₂D; V absurdly transposes chastite and charite; see l. 162. claymed] cheynid TH₂; schryned U; shewed D.] Line 168 ¶ Curatours þat schulden kepe hem · clene of heore bodies, [Curatours] ȝe curatours TUH₂D. schulden—hem] kepe ȝow TUH₂D; schulden ȝou kepe H. of heore] of ȝour TUH₂D. H has, in ȝoure soules.] Þei beoþ cumbred in care · and cunnen not out-crepe; [þei—care] ȝe ben acumbrid wiþ couetise TUH₂D. & cunnen] ȝe mowe T; ȝe cunne UH₂; ȝe can D; þei con H.] So harde heo beoþ with Auarice · I-haspet to-gedere. [harde—wiþ] faste haþ TH₂D; harde haþ U. I-haspet] haspide ȝow TUH₂D.] Þat nis no treuþe of Trinite · but tricherie of helle, [þat þe trewe tresoure of trouþe · is almost forȝete H.] Line 172 And a leornyng for lewed men · þe latere forte dele. [latere forte] lattere to THUH₂; latter for to D.] ¶ For þeos beþ wordes I-writen · In þe Ewangelye,

Date et dabitur vobis · for I dele ow alle. [

After vobis, ȝeueþ to myne of ȝoure goodus for I dele, &c. H.

OBS. The rest is not in V.

] [Ȝoure grace & ȝoure good happe · ȝoure welþe for to wynne, [These two lines are in H only.] Line 176 & þerwiþ knoweþ me kyndely · of þat I ȝou sende.] [These two lines are in H only.] [Þat is þe lok of loue · þat letiþ out my grace [letiþ—my] lyth in ȝoure H.] To counforte þe carful · Acumbrid wiþ synne. [U omits. wiþ] in H.] Loue is þe leueste þinge · þat our lord askiþ, Line 180 And eke þe graiþ gate · þat goþ into heuene. [graiþ gate] redyest waye H; greytheste gate U.] For-þi I seiȝe as I seide er · be siȝte of þise tixtes, [For-þi] þerfore U. seide er] er seyde H; sayde here D.] Whan alle tresouris arn triȝede · treuþe is þe beste. Now haue I tolde þe what treuþe is · þat no tresour is betere, [þat] H omits.] Line 184 I may no lengere lenge · now loke þe oure lord."] [178—185. from T; with which D and H₂ very closely agree; also found in H; and (partly) in U.] [lenge] lende H; duellen U; lengen D. now] but H; D om. þe] þou loue H; by D.]

PASSUS II.

[

Title; found in TH₂UD; H has Ter|cius Passus by mistake, as it also calls the next Passus by the same name.

OBS. The first 23 lines occur twice in U; readings from the fragment are distinguished by the italic letter U.

] [Passus secundus de visione.]

Yit kneled I on my knees · and cried hire of grace, [folio 395b:2] [cried] prayed H.] And seide, "Merci, Madame · for Maries loue of heuene [Merci, Madame] V has Madame Merci, with marks for transposition.] Þat Bar þe blisful Barn · þat bouȝt vs on þe Roode, [blisful] blisside TU; blessyd D. on þe Roode] wiþ his blood H.] Teche me þe kuynde craft · forte knowe þe false." [Teche—kuynde] kenne me be sum TU U H₂D; teche me by kynde H. forte knowe] to kenne TH₂; to knowe U U D.] Line 4 "Loke on þe lufthond," quod heo · "and seo wher [he] stondeþ! [lufthond] left U; left half TU. quod heo] TDU omit; quod sche U. seo] lo TH₂. [he TUH₂D] þei H U; V has heo.] Boþe Fals and Fauuel · and al his hole Meyne!" [his] her H. al—Meyne] hise feris manye TU U H₂D.] I lokede on þe luft half · as þe ladi me tauhte; Þenne was I war of a wommon · wonderliche cloþed, [

cloþed] atired U; clothid U.

OBS. After cloþed H inserts, In reed scarlet heo rode · rybande wiþ gold (see l. 13).

] Line 8 Purfylet with pelure · þe ricchest vppon eorþe, [

ricchest vppon] pureste on U U D; purest in H₂.

OBS. Here H inserts, pyȝte ful of perrye · & of preciouse stoones (see l. 12).

] I-Corouned with a Coroune · þe kyng haþ no bettre; Alle hir Fyue Fyngres · weore frettet with Rynges, [U omits this line; so also does U.] Of þe preciousest perre · þat prince wered euere; [

preciousest] pureste TU U H₂D. H reads.

Of reed gold so ryche · redilyche I-dyȝte

Wiþ preciouse stoones so stoute · stond|ynge þer-ynne.

] Line 12

Line 12 In Red Scarlet heo Rod · I-Rybaunt with gold; [H inserts above; see obs. on l. 8. heo rod] robid TU UD; robe H₂. I|Rybaunt] & ribande TH₂D; rybanyd U U.] Þer nis no Qweene qweyntore · þat quik is alyue. [nis] is HU U. qweyntore] koynter H. alyue] on lyue HU U DH₂; o lyue T.] ¶ "What is þis wommon," quod I · "þus wonderliche A-tyret?" [wonderliche] worþily TH₂D.] ¶ "Þat is Meede þe Mayden," quod heo · "þat haþ me marred ofte, [quod heo] TU U DH₂ omit. me marred] noiȝede me ful T U H₂; anoyȝed me H; noyed me wol U; noyed me wel D.] Line 16 A[n]d I-lakked my lore · to lordes aboute. In þe pope paleys heo is · as priue as my-seluen; And so schulde heo nouȝt · for wrong was hir syre; [heo nouȝt] it not be TD.] [Out of] wrong heo wox · to wroþerhele monye. [U omits this line. [Out of TH UH₂D] V has In-to; U reads, Out of wrong wente sche · wrotherhele manye.] Line 20 Ich ouhte ben herre þen heo · I com of a bettre. [herre] hiȝere T; heyȝer H; heyere U U D.] ¶ To-morwe worþ þe Mariage I-mad · Of Meede and of fals; Fauuel with feir speche · haþ brouȝt hem to-gedere, [brouȝt] forgid TU U DH₂.] And Gyle haþ bi-gon hire so · heo graunteþ al his wille; [U omits.] Line 24 And al is liȝeres ledynge · þat heo leuen to-gedere. [U omits.] [leuen] liȝen TH₂D; lyue so H.] ¶ To-Morwe worth þe Mariage I-mad · soþ as I þe telle, [To-Morwe—I-mad] To-morne schal þei make þe mariage H. soþ] TUH₂D omit; D also om. I-mad.] Þat þou miht [wyte] ȝif þou wolt · whuche þei ben alle [þat—wolt] þere miȝte þou wyte ȝif þou wilt (wolt H) THUH₂D; V has seo instead of wyte.] [Þat longith to þat lordschipe · þe lasse and þe more. [From U; also in TH₂D; V has only l. 30, running thus, Bote ȝif þow wilne to wone · with treuþe in his Blisse, with which H closely agrees.] Line 28 Know hem þere ȝif þou canst · and kepe þe fro hem alle, [From U; also in TH₂D; V has only l. 30, running thus, Bote ȝif þow wilne to wone · with treuþe in his Blisse, with which H closely agrees.] Ȝif þou wilnest to wone · with treuthe in his blisse;] [From U; also in TH₂D; V has only l. 30, running thus, Bote ȝif þow wilne to wone · with treuþe in his Blisse, with which H closely agrees.] [lerne his lawe þat is so lele · & siþþe teche it furþer.] [This occurs in H only.]

I may no lengore lette · vr lord Ich þe bi-kenne; [lette] lende H; dwelle D. vr] TD and U omit. bi-kenne] by-take H.] Line 32 And bi-come a good mon · for eny couetyse, ich rede." [And] Loke þou H. ich rede] H omits.] [When heo was me fro · I loked & byhelde] [Occurs in H only.]

Alle þis Riche [Retenaunce] · þat Regneden with Fals [[Retenaunce THUH₂D] Rete|nauntes V. þat—Fals] þat with false reigneth U.] Weoren bede to þe Bruyt-ale · on Bo two þe sydes. [Bruyt-ale] bedale T; bridale UHH₂D. Bo two þe] boþe two THUH₂D.] Line 36 Sir Simonye is of-sent · to asseale þe Chartres, [U omits. is of-sent] is assent T; is a-sent H₂; was aftur sent H; is A-sert D. asseale] a-sele T: seele H; ensele H₂; sele D.] Þat Fals oþur Fauuel · bi eny [fyn] heolden, [[fyn] THUH₂D; V has peyne.] And Feffe Meede þer-with · In Mariage for euere. ¶ Bote þer nas halle ne hous · þat miht herborwe þe peple, [þat miht] to THUH₂D.] Line 40 Þat vche feld nas ful · of Folk al a-boute. [nas] was D. ful] filled H.] ¶ In middes on a Mountayne · at Midmorwe tyde [on] of HD; T and U omit.] Was piht vp a Pauilon · A Proud for þe nones; [A proud] prow U; T and U omit A; was proud D.] And Ten þousend of Tentes · I-tilled be-sydes, [I-tilled] I-teldyde forþ H; teldit TH₂; tight þer U; teled D.] Line 44 For knihtes of Cuntre · and Comers aboute, [For] Of TUD. and Comers] of comeres TUH₂D.] ¶ For Sisours, for Sumnors, · for Sullers, for Buggers, [Buggers] biggeres UH; beggeris TH₂D.] For lewede, for lerede · for laborers of þropes, [lewede—lerede] lerid for lewid THUH₂D. þropes] þrepis U; þorpes D.] [& for the flaterynge freeris · alle þe foure orders], [Occurs in H only.] Line 48 Alle to witnesse wel · What þe writ wolde, In what manere þat Meede · In Mariage was [I-feffed], [manere] manere and howe H. In Mariage] H omits. [I-feffed H] feffid TUH₂D. V omits, evidently by mistake.] To beo fastnet with fals · þe fyn was arered. [fastnet] feffed U.] ¶ Þenne Fauuel fet hire forþ · and to fals takeþ, [takeþ] hir toke H; toket D.] Line 52

Line 52 In Forwarde þat Falsnesse · schal fynden hire for euere, [Falsnesse] falshed TH₂D; false U.] To be Boxum and Boun · his Biddyng to folfulle, [To—Boun] And he (she D) be bounde at his bode TH₂D; & be buxum at his bode U.] In Bedde and at Borde · Boxum and hende, And as sir Simonye wol sigge · [to suwen] his wille. [And—sigge] & at syre sy|monyes wille UD. to suwen] HTH₂; to suyen U; to sewen D; V has schewen.] Line 56 Now Simonye and Siuyle · stondeþ forþ boþe, [stondeþ] stoden H. forþ boþe] forþ in-fere H; vp boþe U.] Vn-Foldyng þe Feffement · þat Falsnes made, [Vn-Foldyng] & vn-foldeden H; And vnfolde TH₂D; And vnfoldith U. made] had made H; haþ ymakid TUH₂; haþ maked D.] [& þus bygonnen þe gomes · & gradden wel hyȝe]: [From H; also in TUH₂D.]

"HIt witen and witnessen · þat woneþ vppon eorþe, [In the margin of H is here written Carta; in the margin of D, Fauor.] Line 60 Þat I, Fauuel, Feffe Fals · to þat Mayden Meede, [Feffe—Meede] feffe falsnesse to mede TH D; haue [feffed?] fals|nesse to mede U.] To be present in pruyde · for Pore or for riche, Wiþ þe Erldam of Envye · euer forto laste, Wiþ alle þe lordschupe · of lengþe and of brede, [lordschup—brede] lordsshipe of leccherie · in lengþe and in brede TH₂; worschipe of lecherye in, &c. UD; H resembles T, but it is written in a later hand.] Line 64 Wiþ þe kingdom of Couetise · I Croune hem to-gedere; [hem] ȝow U.] Wiþ þe Yle of vsure · And Auarice þe False, [þe Yle] al þe Ile TD; al þe isle H₂; alle þe vices U. False] faste TU.] Glotonye and grete oþus · Ich ȝiue hem I-feere, [hem I-feere] hem togidere TH₂D; ȝow togidres U.] Wiþ alle delytes and lustes · þe deuel for to serue, [delytes—lustes] delites of lust TH₂D; þe delytes of deedly synne H; þe delices of lust U.] Line 68 In al þe seruyse of Slouþe · I sese hem to-gedere: [seruyse] seignourie UD. sese] ceese H; set TD.] ¶ To habben and to holden · and al heore heyres aftur, Wiþ þe purtinaunce of purgatorie · in-to þe pyne of helle: [wiþ] wiþ al H. in-to] & H.] Ȝeldynge for þis þing · at þe ȝeres ende, [þing] D omits. þe] oon H; o T; one UH₂.] Line 72 Heore soules to sathanas · to senden in-to pyne; [senden into] synken in TH₂D: synke into U.]

Þer to Wonen with Wrong · whil god is in heuene." [U omits.] ¶ In witnesse of whuche þing · wrong was þe furste, Pers þe pardoner · Paulynes [doctor], [Pers] And piers THH₂. Pauly|nes doctor] poulynes doctor TH₂; paulynes dottour (or doctour) U; paulynes doctoure D. V and H have douhter, douȝter; see l. 152.] Line 76 Bette þe Budul · of Bokynghames schire, Rondulf þe Reue · of Rotelondes sokene, [of—sokene] oute of Rotelonde H.] [Taberes & tomblers · & tapesters fele], [occurs in H and H₂ only; H₂ reads, Taylours, tapsters · and tauer|ners many.] Monde þe Mulnere · and moni mo oþure [Mulnere] myllere TH₂; mylnere UH; mellere D. and—oþure] of mal|wiche strete U.] Line 80 In þe Date of þe deuel · þe Deede was a-selet, [þe—aselet] þis dede I assele U; þis dede is seled D.] Be siht of sir Symoni · and Notaries signes. [and—signes] and signes of notories TUH₂; in seals of notoryes D.]

ÞEn teonede him Teologye · whon he þis tale herde, [teonede] tenide TH₂; tenyd U; tened D, which om. him.] And seide to Siuyle · "serwe on þi lokkes, [serwe] now sorewe THH₂D. lokkes] lockes H; bokes TUH₂D.] Line 84 Such Weddyng to worche · to [wraþþe] with truþe; [[wraþþe THUH₂D] teone V.] And ar þis weddyng beo wrouȝt · wo þe beo-tyde! For Meede is a Iuweler · A Mayden of goode, [folio 396a:1] [a Iuweler] molere T; muliere U; a medeler H; a medlere H₂; mulyer D. A—goode] of frendis engendrit TUH₂D.] God graunte vs to ȝiue hire · þer treuþe wol a-signe. [graunte—asigne] grauntide (graunt H₂, graunteþ UD) to gyue · mede to treuþe TUH₂D. asigne] assente H.] Line 88 And þou hast ȝiuen hire [to] a Gilour · God ȝiue þe serwe! [And] For H; D omits. [to THUD] V omits. God] oure lord H; now god TUH₂.] Þe Tixt telleþ not so · Treuþe wot þe soþe;

Dignus est operarius mercede sua;

[telleþ] telleþ þee H.] Worþi is þe Werkmon · his hure to haue; [hure] huyre H; mede TUH₂D.] And þou hast feffet hire with fals · fy on þi lawe! [feffet] festnyd U; fastnid TH₂D. lawe] lawes TU.] Line 92

For lechours and lyȝers · lihtliche þou leeuest, [

The readings are,

for lesyngis & lecheryes · suche warkes þou louest H;

For al be (by U) lesinges þou lyuest · & leccherous werkis TUD;

For al ben lesynges þou leuest · and lecherus workes H₂.

] Simonie and þi-self · Schenden holichirche;

[Ȝe schule abygge it boþe · by god þat me made, [From H; l. 95 occurs in TUH₂D after l. 97.] [it] TDUH₂ omit.] at oo ȝeris ende · whan ȝe reken schul]; [From H; l. 95 occurs in TUH₂D after l. 97.] Line 96 He and þeose [Notaries] · anuyȝen þe peple. [He and þeose] for ȝe and þese H; ȝe and þe TH₂D; ȝe and ȝe (by mistake for þe) U. [Notaries] See THUH₂D; V has the spelling Nataries, which looks wrong; for see l. 115.] For wel ȝe witen, wernardes! · but ȝif or wit fayle, [or] ȝoure TH₂; ȝour UD.] Þat fals is a faytur · a faylere of werkes, [a faylere] feyntles TH₂D; and feythles UH.] And a Bastard I-boren · of Belsabubbes kunne. [Belsabubbes] belsaboukis T.] Line 100 And Meede is a Iuweler · a Mayden ful gent; [a Iuweler] mulere T; moliere U; a medelar H; mulyer D; mened H₂. a—gent] of maides engendrit T; amonge men of goode H; a maiden of gode UH₂D.] Heo mihte Cusse þe kyng · for Cosyn ȝif heo schulde. [heo schulde] he wolde TH₂D; sche wolde U.] Worcheþ bi wisdam · and bi Wit aftur; [Worcheþ] þerfore worcheþ H. wisdam] wytte H. wit aftur] wysedam boþe H.] Ledeþ hire to londone · þer lawe is I-hondlet, Line 104 Ȝif eny leute wol loken · þat þei liggen to-gedere, [leute wol loken] leaute wile loke TH₂; lewte wil loke U. þat] TU om. liggen] lybbe H; D reads, yf ony liaunce wil loke · hem legge to-gidere.] And ȝif þe Iustise wol Iugge hire · to be Ioynet with Fals. [ȝif—hire] iustise iuggen here U; yf þe Iustice Iugge here DH₂.] Ȝit be-war of þe weddyng · for witti is treuþe; For Concience is of his [counseil] · and knoweþ ou vchone; [of his] of his counseil TUH₂D; his counseloure H. V reads, For Con|cience is on of his · and, &c.] Line 108 And ȝif he fynde such defaute · þat ȝe with Fals holden, [such—with] ȝow in defaute · & wiþ þe TUH₂D.] Hit schal bi-sitten oure soules · sore atte laste." [bisitten] sitt H; be set on U; be-set DT. sore atte] wel (ful H) sore at þe THUD. H₂ omits the line.] [herto assentid syuyle · but symonye ne wolde tyle he had syluer · for his sawes & his selynge. [his—selynge] his selis & signes TDH₂; selis & signes U.] Line 112

Line 112 Þen fet fauel forth · floreynes I-nowe, [fett] fecchide U.] & bad gyle go to · & ȝyue gold aboute, [go to &] go TUH₂D.] & namely to þis notaries · þat hem non lacked; [lacked] failede U; ne failiþ T; ne fayle H₂; fayle D.] & feffe false witnesse · with florens I-nowe, Line 116 For he may mede a-maysteren · & make hir at his wylle; [hir at his] at my T; here at our U; at his D.] For where falsenes is oft fownden · þere feiþ fayleþ [In H only.] Þoo þe gold was ȝouen · grete were þe thonkes [were þe thonkes] was þe þonk|ing TUH₂D.] to false & to fauel · for her feyre ȝyftus. Line 120 many comen, from care · to counforte þe false, [many—counforte] And comen to counforte fro care TUH₂D.] & sworen on þe hoolydom · þat "cesse schul we neuere [sworen—hoolydom] seide certis TUH₂D.] or mede be þi weddud wyf · þorouȝ witte of vs alle. [or] Til TUH₂D.] for we han mede a-maysterd · wiþ oure myri wordis [myri wordis] mery speche TH₂D; faire speche U.] Line 124 Þat heo graunteþ to goo · wiþ a good wille, to london to loke · if þe lawe wole [þe lawe] þat lawe TH₂D; þat þe lawe U.] Iugge ȝou Ioyntely · to be Ioyned for euer"]. [111—127. From H. Also in TUD and H₂, except line 118, which they omit.] [Iugge] Ioyne U. to—euer] in ioye for euere TH₂D; in lawe for euere U.] ¶ Þenne was Fals fayn · and Fauuel also bliþe, Line 128 And lette sompne alle men · In Cuntre a-boute, [lette] bad H. men] þe segges TUH₂; þe pepul H. cuntre] schyres HTUH₂. D reads, And let Symonye seche · al about in shires.] To Arayen hem redi · Boþe Burgeys and Schirreues, [

The other readings are, þat alle þei myȝten be bowne · beggers & oþer H;

And alle [to H₂] be boun · beggeris & oþere TUH₂D.

] To weende with hem to westmunster · to Witnesse þe deede. ¶ Þenne careden heo for Caples · to carien hem þider; [careden heo] cariede hy T; caareden þei H; cared þei UD. caples] cables D.] Line 132 Bote Fauuel fette forþ · Foles of þe beste, [Bote—fette] þanne fette fauel TUH₂D]

And sette Meede on a Schirreues Bak · I-schood al newe, [Schirreues bak] shirreue TUH₂D.] [& fals on a sysoures backe · þat softly trotted; (for falsnes aȝeyn þe feiþ · sisoures he defouleþ, Line 136 þoruȝ comburance of couetyse · clymben aȝeyn truþe, Þat þe feiþ is defouled · & falsly defamed, & falsnes is a lord I-woxe · & lyueþ as hym lykeþ): Fauel on a feyre speche · ful feyntly a-tyred; Line 140 (For feire speche þat is feiþles · is falsnes broþer; & þus sysoures ben sompned · þe false to serue, & feire-speche fauel · þat moche folke desceyueth)]. [

135—143. These lines are quoted from H; and those in parentheses occur in H only. V has only the one line,

And Fauuel on a Feir speche · Feynt|liche atyret.

T and D have only the two lines,

And fals sat on a sisour · þat softe|liche trottide,

And fauel vpon fair speche · fetis|liche atirid.

U has the same, omitting sat; H₂ has also two similar lines;

] ¶ Þenne Notaries none Hors hedden · anuyed þei weore, [Notaries — hedden] hadde notories none TUD; Notaries had noo horses H; þer hadde notories non hors H₂.] Line 144 Þat Symonie and Siuile · schulden go on foote. [Symonie—siuile] siuile and symonie H. go on foote] on here fet gange TUD; on fote gange H₂.] ¶ Þenne seide Siuile · and swor bi þe Roode, [

seide] swor TH₂D. swor] seide TH₂D.

OBS, H² has been closely collated only thus far; see the Preface.

] Þat Sompnors schulde ben sadelet · and seruen hem vchone; [seruen] beren U.] "And lette apparayle prouisours · on Palfreis wyse, [prouisours] þise prouisours THD; þe prouisours U. on] in THD.] Line 148 [Sire symonye hym-selfe · shal sitte on here bakkis], [From T; also in HUD and H₂. here backes] hym oone H.] And alle Denes and Sodenes · as Destreres dihten, [Denes—Sodenes] þe denis & southdenis TH₂; þe denes and sudenes U; þise officyales & deenys H; the denys sodenys D. Destreres] palfreyes H (in later hand). dihten] hem diȝte THUH₂D.] For þei schullen beren Bisschops · and bringen hem to reste. ¶ Paulines peple · for playntes in Constorie [Constorie] þe constrye H.] Line 152 Schal seruen my-self · þat Siuile hette;

Let Cart-sadele vr Commissarie · vr Cart he schal drawe, [Cart-sadele] sadele U; carte|sadil T. commissarie] comysaries H. vr—drawe] oure long carte þei schul drawe H.] And fetten vr vitayles · of þe Fornicatours; [of þe] at H; fro T; of UD.] And make liȝere a long cart · to leden alle þis oþure [make] makiþ of TUD.] Line 156 Fabulers and Faytours · þat on Fote rennen." [Fabulers] flaterers H; As folis TUD. rennen] iotten T.]

NOw Fals and Fauuel · fareþ forþ to-gedere, [Now] TUD omit. fareþ] goþ U.] And Meede in þe Middel · and al þe Meyne aftur. [middel] myddes U; myddis TD.] I haue no [tome] to telle · þe Tayl þat hem folweþ, [[tome T] tyme for H; tunge UD; V has while.] Line 160 Of so mony Maner Men · þat on Molde liuen. [Of—men] Of many maner of men TD; of alle manere of men U. Molde] þis molde TUD.] ¶ Bote gyle was for-goere · and [gyede] hem alle. [[gyede TUD] bygyed H (with by partly erased). V has gilede, a mistake evidently due to the word gyle preceding.] Soþnesse sauh hem wel · and seide bote luyte, [wel] D omits. luyte] a lytel HU; litel TD.] Bote prikede on his palfrey · and passede hem alle, [prikede] prikede forþ TU.] Line 164 And com to þe kynges Court · and Concience tolde, And Concience to þe kyng · Carpede hit aftur.

"NOw be crist," quod þe kyng · "ȝif I mihte Chacche [ȝif] And THD. mihte] mowe U.] Fals oþur Fauwel · or eny of his Feeres, [his] her H.] Line 168 I wolde be wreken on þis wrecches · þat worchen so ille, [on þis] on þoo H; of þise T; on þo UD. wrecches] U omits. worchen] wroughten U.] And don hem hongen bi þe hals · and al þat hem Meyntenen; [H omits this line. al] þey D.] Schal neuer [mon] vppon Molde · Meyntene þe leste, [neuer—vppon] neuer man of þis T; no man on H; neuer [man] on þis UD; where man is (in U) omitted; for mon V has non. meyn|tene þe leste] meynprise þe lest H; meynprise þe beste TUD.] But riht as þe lawe lokeþ · let fallen of hem alle. [lokeþ] wola loke H; wele D. of] on TUD.] Line 172 ¶ And Comaunde þe Cunstable · þat Com at þe furste, [Comaunde] comaunded HTUD. þe] a THUD. þat com] he com U.] To a-Tache þe Traytours · for eny Tresour, [a-Tache] take U. þe Tray|tours] þis tiraunt T; þese tirauntes U; þese tyrans D. Tresour] tresour, I hote TUD.]

Ich hote, ȝe Fetere Fals faste · for eny kunnes ȝiftus, [Ich hote ȝe] THUD omit. eny kunnes] ony kynne U; any skynes T; eny kynnes D; ony kynnes H. 176. gurdeþ] gederith T; gadereth U; gurde D.] And gurdeþ of gyles hed · let him go no forþer; Line 176 And bringeþ Meede to me · Maugre hem alle. [

to me] forth U.

OBS. In the margin of D is here written, Falsitas Deceptura Merces Simonia Mendax.

] ¶ Symonye and Siuile · I seende hem to warne, [seende] sente TD. warne] seye H.] Þat holichirche for hem · worþ harmet for euere. And ȝif ȝe chacche lyȝere · let him not a-skape, [chacche] take H; lacche TUD.] Line 180 To ben set on þe pillori · for eny preyere; [To ben set] Er he be put TD; Sette him H; Til he be set U. preyere] preyour, I hote TD; tresour, y hote U.] [I bydde þee awayte hem wele · let non of hem ascape]." [Occurs in H only.]

Dreede at þe dore stood · and þe [dume] herde, [stood] stant U. [dume] V has dune, clearly by mistake for dume; þis dome H; þat doom TD; þe dome U.] And wihtliche wente · to Warne þe False, [wente] wente he þo H] Line 184 And bad him faste to fle · and his feeres eke. [faste to fle] fleo fast H; fle for fere UTD. eke] alle TUD.] Þenne Fals for fere · fleih to þe Freeres, [fals] falsnesse TUD.] And gyle doþ him to go · a-gast for to dyȝe; [doþ] dide H. to go] awey U. a-gast for] and gast D.] Bote Marchaundes Metten with him · and maaden him to abyden, Line 188 Bi-souȝten him in heore schoppes · to sullen heore ware, [Bi-souȝten] & busscheden H; besshette TD; By-schytten U. sullen] shewen TD.] Apparayleden him as a prentis · þe Peple for to serue. Liȝtliche Lyȝere · leop a-wey þennes, Lurkede þorw lones · to-logged of Monye; [Lurkede] lurkynge TUD; H om. lones] hyrnes & lanus H; lanes TUD. to-logged] to-luggid THUD.] Line 192 He nas nouȝwher wel-come · for his mony tales, Bote ouur al I-hunted · and hote to trusse. [Bote] TUD omit. ouur al I-hunted] honsched as an hounde H. hote to] y-hote T; yhote go U.] Pardoners hedden pite · and putten him to house, [folio 396a:2] [pite] pytee of him H. putten] pulden TD; pullid UH.]

Wosschen him and wrongen him · and wounden him in cloutes, [Wosschen] wysshen TD; was|chid U. wrongen] wypide TUD. wounden] leyden H. cloutes] cloþis TUD.] Line 196 And senden him on sonendayes · with seales to churches, [senden] senten T; sent U. churches] þe churche H; chirche TUD.] And ȝaf pardun for pons · poundmele a-boute. [pons] pans H; panis T; pens UD.] ¶ Þis leornden þis leches · and lettres him senden [þis—leches] þanne louride lechis TUD; þerof herden leches H. him senden] besente T; he sente U; ben sent D.] For to [wone] with [hem] · watres to loke. [[wone THUD] ben V. For—wone] þat he schuld wone H. [hem THD] hym U. V has him, but the i is over an erasure.] Line 200 Spicers speeken with him · to a-spien heore ware, [

In H this line follows l. 208; and the lines answering to ll. 201, 202 run differently, viz. as follows:—

Spicers aspieden him · & speken wiþ him feyre,

& preyeden him priuely · to putte forþ her ware,

& he asured hem forsoþe · to serue hem for euer.

] For he kennede him in heore craft · and kneuȝ mony gummes. [kennede—craft] knewe her craft H; coude on here craft TUD. kneuȝ—gummes] couþe many Iapes H; knowith many gommes D.] ¶ Munstrals and Messagers · metten with him ones, [Munstrals, &c.] Messangers and mynstrels, &c. H.] And with-heo[l]de him half a ȝer · and elleuene wykes. [with-heo(l)de] wiþ-helden H; of-heeld U; withheld T; helden D. half a ȝer] an half ȝer H; half ȝer TU. wykes] dayes TUD.] ¶ Freres with feir speches · fetten him þennes; [Freres, &c.] wiþ faire speche freres, &c. U] Line 205 For knowynge of Comers · kepten him as a Frere; [kepten] copide TUD; copeden H.] Bote he haþ leue to lepen out · as ofte as him lykeþ, [lykeþ] luste H.] Line 207 And is wel-come whon he wole · and woneþ with hem ofte. [wole] cometh HU.] And alle fledden for fere · and flowen in-to huirnes; [And—fere] Alle oþur fledde for ferd H. huirnes] hernis T; hyrnes HU; hernes D.] Saue Meede þe Mayden · no mon dorste abyde; [no mon] no mo TUD; none H.] But trewely to telle · heo tremblede for fere, [fere] drede HU.] And eke wepte and wrong hire hondes · whon heo was a-tachet. [wepte] wep T; wepe HD; weep U. hire hondes] TUD omit.] Line 212

PASSUS III.

[Passus, &c.; found in THUD.] [Passus Tercius de Visione.]

NOw is Meede þe Mayden I-nomen · and no mo of hem alle, [I-nomen and no mo] I-nomen H; and no mo TD; name U.] Wiþ Beodeles and Baylyfs · I-brouht to þe kyng. [wiþ] And with U. Baylyfs] with bayles H; baillys U. I-brouht] & brouȝt H.] Þe kyng clepet a Cler[ke] · (I knowe not his nome), [clepet] calliþ TD; called HU. cler(ke)] clerke THUD. knowe] con H; can TUD.] To take Meede þe Mayden · and Maken hire at ese. [To take] & bade him take H.] Line 4 "Ichulle assayen hire my-self · and soþliche aposen [Ichulle] I wolde U; I wile TD; I wole H. After my-self H inserts seyd þe kyng. soþliche] softly hir H.] What Mon in þis world · þat hire weore leouest. [in þis world] of þis moolde U.] And ȝif heo worche be my wit · and my wil folewe, [ȝif] H omits. my wit] wyt TD.] I schal for-ȝiue hire þe gult · so me god helpe!" [I schal] I wile TD; I wole HU. þe gult] þis gulte H; þis mysgilt D.] Line 8 ¶ Corteisliche þe Clerk þo · as þe kyng hihte, [þo] þanne TU; þen H; þan D. as þe king hihte] as his kynde wolde H.] Tok þe Mayden bi þe Middel · and brouhte hire to chaumbre. [þe mayden] mede TUD.] ¶ Þer was Murþe and Munstralsye · Meede with to plese; [with] TUD omit.] Heo þat woneþ at westmunstre · worschipeþ hire alle. [Heo] þei H; TUD omit. alle] ychoone H.] Line 12

Gentiliche with Ioye · þe Iustise soone [Iustise] Iustices THD. soone] wel soone H; to sowpen U.] Busked him in-to þe Bour · þer þe Buyrde was Inne, [him] hem THD. in-to] to TUD. Bour] chaumbur H. buyrde was Inne] burde dwelliþ TUD.]

Cumfortede hire kuyndely · and made hire good chere, [good cheere] at eese H. and—chere] be clergie leue TD. U reads, Curteisly confortide mede · by clergies leue.] And seide, "Mourne þou not, Meede, · ne make þou no serwe, [Mourne þou] ne mowrne þou H; mourne TUD.] Line 16 For we wolen wysen þe kyng · and þi wey schapen, [schapen] make TUD.] For alle Concience Craft · and Casten, as I trouwe, [

The readings are,

For al consiences cast · a craft as I trowe T.

For al concience caste · a crafte can we schewe H.

For al consciences cast · or craft as y trowe U.

For Al concience cast · a craft as I trowe D.

] [Þat þou schalt haue boþe myȝt & maystrye · & make what þe likeþ [In H only.] wiþ þe kynge & þe comyns · & þe courte boþe]." [In H only.] Line 20 ¶ Mildeliche þenne Meede · Merciede hem alle [Mildeliche] Mekely H. þenne Meede] mede þanne TD; mede U.] Of heore grete goodnesse · and ȝaf hem vchone [grete] U omits.] Coupes of clene Gold · and peces of seluer, Rynges with Rubyes · and Richesses I-nouwe, [I-nouwe] manye THUD.] Line 24 [Þe leste man of here mayne · a mutoun of gold]. [From T; occurs also in HUD.] ¶ Þenne [lauȝten] þei leue · þis lordynges, at Meede. [[lauȝten HD] lauȝte TU; tok V. leue] her leue H. lordynges] lordis TUD.] Wiþ þat þer come Clerkes · to Cumforte þe same: [þer] THUD omit. Cumforte] conforten hire TUD.] "We biddeþ þe be bliþe · for we beoþ þin owne, [We biddeþ þe] And bidden hire TD; & bade here U.] Line 28 Forte worche þi wil · while vr lyf dureþ." [vr] þi TD. dureþ] lastiþ THD.] ¶ Hendeliche þenne heo · be-hihte hem þe same, To louen hem lelly · and lordes to maken, [hem] ȝow U. lelly] truly H. to maken] hem make TH; ȝow make UD.] And in Constorie at Court · to tellen heore names. [at] at þe U. H reads, In courte & in constrye, &c. to tellen heore] callen here T; calle ȝour U; telleþ D.] Line 32 "Schal no lewednesse hem lette · þe lewedeste þat I loue [Schal] þer schal HU. lewedeste] lede TU; ladde D.] Þat he ne worþ avaunset; · for Icham I-knowe [he] þei H. worþ] worþ ferst TUD. I-knowe] beknowe TUD.]

Þer Cunnynge Clerkes · schul Couche be-hynde." [þer] þere as H. Couche] clokke TUD.]

ÞEnne com þer a Confessour · I-Copet as a Frere; Line 36 To Meede þe Mayden · ful Mekeliche he loutede, [ful] THUD omit.] And seide ful softely · in schrift as hit weore, [ful] wol U; wil D.] "Þauh lerede and lewede · hedden leyen bi þe alle, [alle] ichone T; boþe H; echone D.] And þauȝ Fals hedde folewed þe · þis Fiftene winter, [Fals] falsnesse UH; falshed TD. Fiftene] four score U.] Line 40 I schal asoyle þe my-self · for a summe of whete, [summe of] sem of T; seem U; seme of D.] And eke be þi Baude · and Bere wel þin ernde [Baude] baudekyn TU; bawd|strot H. ernde] arnede T; erande HD; arende U.] Among Clerkes and knihtes · Concience to falle." [falle] felle THUD.] Line 43

ÞEnne Meede For hire misdede · to þat Mon knelede, [knelede] lowtide U.] And schrof hire of hir sunnes · schomeliche, I trouwe. [sunnes] shrewidnesse THD. schomeliche] shameles THUD] Heo tolde him a tale · and tok him a noble, [Heo] TUD omit. tale] tokne U.] For to ben hire beode-mon · and hire Baude after. [beodeman—after] bawde · and bere wel hir erand H.] Line 47 ¶ Þene he asoylede hire soone · and [siþ] to hire seide, [V omits siþ; but H has siþ, TU siþen, D sethen.] "We han a wyndow in worching · wol stonden vs ful heiȝe: [in] of T. ful] wel T; wol U.] Woldustow Glase þe Gable · and graue þerinne þi nome, [Woldustow] woldist þou THUD. þerinne] þere TUD.] Siker schulde þi soule ben · for to dwellen in heuene." [for—heuene] heuen to haue TUD; heuen for to haue H.] ¶ "Wust I þat," quod þe wommon · "þer nis nouþur Wyndou ne Auter, [nouþur] THUD omit.] Line 52 Þat I ne schulde maken oþur mende · and my nome write, [þat—mende] þat I schulde mende or make H; þat I ne schulde graue and mende U. D omits ne.] Þat vche mon schulde seye · Ich were suster of house." [þat—seye] þat iche segge shal se T; þat men schulden sey H; þat eche segge schulde wite U; That eche man shal se D. Ich were] þat I were H; þat I am D; I am T. of] of ȝour TUD; of þe H.]

¶ Bote god to alle good folk · such grauynge defendet, And seiþ, Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextera. [to] and UD; T omits. defendet] defendiþ THUD. sinistra] sinister TD. dextera] dexter TD.] Lete not þi luft hond · late ne raþe, [hond] halfe U.] Line 56 Beo war what þi riht hond · worcheþ or deleþ; [Beo war] wite U. hond] half U. or] ne U.] Bote parte hit so priueli · þat pruide beo not seȝen [Bote—priueli] And (Ac D) so preuyliche parte it TUD; so priuely be it parted H.] Nouþer in siht, ne in soule · for god him-self knoweþ Ho is Corteis, or kuynde · Couetous, or elles. Line 60 ¶ For-þi I lere ȝou, lordynges · such writynge ȝe leue, [lere] rede HU. lordynges] lor|dis TUD. such—leue] leuiþ such wrytyng TD; such lernyngus to leue H; to leue swiche writynge U.] To writen in Wyndouwes · of ȝoure wel dedes, Or to greden aftur Godus folk · whon ȝe ȝiuen or doles; [folk] men TUD. or] THUD omit.] Parauenture ȝe han · oure hure þerfore here. [folio 396b:1] [Parauenture] An aunter TU; In auntur lest H; On Awnter D. oure] ȝoure THUD. þerfore] þerof TD. oure—here] ȝour mede for ȝour gode U.] Line 64 ¶ For vr saueour hit seiþ · and him-seluen precheþ,

Amen dico vobis, receperunt mercedem suam;

[seiþ] seide TUD. precheþ] prechid TUD. H reads,For of suche men oure sauyoure · seiþ in þe gospel. Amen] Amen, amen U.TD read, Amen, amen, recipiebant, &c.] [Here forsoþe þei fongen · her mede forþ-wiþ]. [Occurs in H only.] [

OBS.: ll. 67—77 comprise the passage of which readings from 29 MSS. are given in a pamphlet entitled "Par|allel extracts from 29 MSS. of Piers Plowman," &c.; by the Rev. W. W. Skeat (published for the E. E. T. S.).

] ¶ Meires and Maistres · and ȝe þat beoþ mene [Meires] ȝe meyres H. Maistres] macerys U. and—mene] hij þat ben mene T; þat beoþ ordeyned meenes H; þei þat ben mene UD; hij þat ben menene dwellyn H₂.] Bitwene þe kyng and þe Comuns · to kepe þe lawes; [þe] his U. to kepe þe lawes] þe lawe for to kepe H.] Line 68 As to punisschen on pillories · or on pynnyng stoles Brewesters, Bakers · Bochers and Cookes; [Brewesters] Breweris TUH₂D.] For þeose be Men vppon Molde · þat most harm worchen, [H omits these lines.] To þe pore people · þat [percel-mel] buggen. [H omits these lines.] [[percel-mel] TUD (and 14 other MSS.); V reads, þat al schal a-buggen.] Line 72

Line 72 ¶ Þei punisschen þe peple · priueliche and ofte, [punisschen] poisone TUH₂D; pylen H. peple] pore pepul H. and ofte] wel ofte TUH₂D.] And recheþ þorw Reg[r]atorie · and Rentes hem buggeþ, [recheþ] risen vp TH₂; richen UD. H reads, & waxen ryche regra|toures, &c.] With þat þe pore people · schulde puten in heore wombe. [With þat] Of þat TUH₂D. wombe] wombes HU.] ¶ For toke þei on trewely · þei timbrede not so hye, [toke—trewly] if þei token with trouthe H; ne toke þei so wrongwisly U; took he but trewly H₂.] Line 76 Ne bouȝte none Borgages · beo ȝe certeyne. [bouȝte none] schulde bye noo H. borgages] bargaynes U; bargages H₂. ȝe] ȝe wel TH₂; þou wol UD.]

BOte Meede þe Mayden · þe Meir heo bi-souȝte, Of alle suche sullers · seluer to taken, [suche sullers] selleris U. seluer to taken] for to take syluer H.] Or presentes withouten pons · as peces of seluer, [withouten pons] oþer pens U; withoute panis T. as] os H; or U.] Line 80 Rynges with Rubyes · þe Regratour to fauere. [with Rubyes] or oþer richesse T; or richesses U; or other richesses D. þe—fauere] þat regratour to meynteyne T; þese regratoures to fauoure H; þese regratours to meyn|tene U; Regratours to mayntene D.] "For my loue," quod þe ladi · "loue hem wel vchone [U omits this line. wel] THD omit.] And soffre hem to sulle · sumdel aȝeyn Resoun." ¶ Bote Salamon þe Sage · a Sarmoun he made, [Bote] TUD omit.] Line 84 To a-Mende Meires · and men þat kepeþ þe lawe; [To—meires] For to amende men TD; to amende wiþ þise meyres H. and men] TD omit.] And tolde hem þis teeme · þat I wol telle nouþe:

Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera.

[And—teeme] And tok hym þis teeme TUD; lo, þis was his teme H. wol—nouþe] telle þenke THUD.] Among þis lewede men · þis latin Amounteþ, [lewede men] lettride lordis TD; lettride men U.] Þat Fuir schal falle · and brenne atte laste [brenne] forbrenne TD; for|brenne right U.] Line 88 Þe houses and þe homes · of hem þat desyreþ For to haue ȝiftes · in ȝouþe or in elde. [For—ȝiftes] To haue ȝeftis for here seruice TD; to take ȝyftes amysse H; to haue mede for here seruyse U.] [Now beoþ ȝe war, if ȝe wole · ȝe maysturs of þe lawe;

for þe soþe schale be souȝte of ȝoure soules · so me god helpe, Line 92 Þe suffraunce þat ȝe suffre · such wrongus to be wrouȝt; While þe chaunce is in ȝoure choyse · cheose ȝe þe best]. [91—94. Occur in H only.]

ÞE king com from Counseyl · and cleped aftur Meede, [þe—counseyl] þe kinge fro coun|seil com T; þan þe kyng fro Counceil come D; Then cam þe kyng from þe counseyle H; þe king & his conseil com U. cleped] callide THUD.] And of-sente hire a-swiþe · Seriauns hire to fette, [

The readings are,

And ofsente hire as swiþe seriauntis hire fecche (fette D) TD;

And sent aftur hir asswiþe · seriawntis hir fette H;

& of-sente here swithe · wiþ seriauntes here fette U.

In the latter, fette is transferred by mistake to the beginning of the line following.

] Line 96 And brouȝte hire to boure · with Blisse and with Ioye; [boure] borugh T; þe boure H. with—Ioye] þere þe king was ynne H.] [wiþ myrþe & wiþ mynstrasye · þei pleseden hir ychoone]. [Occurs in H only.] Corteisliche þe kyng · Cumseþ to telle, [Corteisliche] Certis TD. cum|seþ to telle] þoo seyde to mede H.] To Meede þe Mayden · [meleþ þeose] Wordes: [H omits this line. [meleþ þeose] There is no doubt that such should be the reading; but in V the scribe has mis-written it melodyes, which is nonsense; in T and H₂ we find melis þise; in U it is moueþ þese; D corruptly has mekely þese.] Line 100 "[Unwittily, ywys,] · wrouht hastou ofte; [From T. V has the inferior reading, Qweynteliche, quaþ þe kyng; which makes the king begin to talk a third time. The other readings are, Certis unwysely H; Vnwittily wrought· hast þou wol ofte UD.] Bote worse wrouhtest þou neuere · þen whon þou fals toke. Ac I forȝiue þe þis gult · and graunte þe my grace; [H omits by mistake the last half of this line, and the first half of l. 104. my] TU omit.] Hennes to þi deþ day · do so no more. [do so] do þou so TUD; so þou do H.] Line 104 ¶ Ichaue a kniht hette Concience · com late from bi-ȝonde, [hette] U omits; D is here again corrupt.] Ȝif he wilne þe to wyf · wolt þou him haue?" [him haue] assente H.] ¶ "Ȝe, lord," quaþ þat ladi · "[Lord] for-beode hit elles! [ȝe] ȝa TU; ȝea H. [Lord TUD] V and H have God, which spoils the alliteration. hit] TH omit; U reads, lord it forbede elles.] Bote Ich holde me to oure heste · honge me sone!" [

TDH₂ omit this line. The others give,

Bote ich hoolly be at ȝoure heest · gurd off my nek H.

But y be holy at ȝour heste · hange me elles U.

] Line 108

Line 108 ¶ Þenne was Concience I-clepet · to comen and apeeren [I-clepet] callid THD; ycalled U. D omits concience.] To-fore þe kyng and his Counsel · Clerkes and oþure. [Tofore] Before THUD.] Kneolynge Concience · to þe kyng loutede, [to] þen to H.] [to wyte what his wille were · & what he do schulde]. [From H. What þat his wille were, &c. TD; What his wille were, &c. U. Omitted in V by mistake, for it leaves the sentence incomplete.] ¶ "Woltou wedde þis wommon," quod þe kyng · "ȝif I wol assente? [quod þe kyng] THUD omit. I] he D.] Line 113 Heo is fayn of þi felawschupe · for to beo þi make." [Heo] for sche UD; for heo TH.] ¶ "Nay," quaþ Concience to þe kyng · "Crist hit me forbeode! [Nay] TUD omit. me] T omits.] Er Ich wedde such a wyf · wo me bi-tyde! Line 116 ¶ Heo is frele of hire Flesch · Fikel of hire tonge; [Flesch] feiþ TUD. tonge] speche TUD; feiþ H.] Heo makeþ men misdo · moni score tymes; In trust of hire tresour · teoneþ ful monye. [teoneþ] she teniþ T; heo teoneþ H; sche troyteþ U; sche tenes D.] ¶ Wyues and widewes · wantounesse heo techeþ, [heo] TUD omit.] Line 120 Lereþ hem lecherie · þat loueþ hire ȝiftes; [Lereþ hem] leride hem TUD; lereþ hem to H. loueþ] louiden TD; louedyn U. þat—ȝiftes] & lecching of ȝeftis H.] Vr Fader Adam heo falde · wiþ Feire biheste; [

ȝoure fadir he fellide · þoruȝ false behest T;

fele men heo falliþ · wiþ faire behestis H;

ȝour fadir sche fellide · þurw false byhestes U;

ȝoure fader sche felde · with fals be-hestes D.

] Apoysende Popes · and peyreþ holy chirche. [Apoysende] Apoisonide TD; Apo[i]sowned U. H reads, & popes heo poiseneþ. and peyreþ] apeiride al TU; Apeyred D.] Þer nis no beter Baude · (bi him þat me made!) [þer nis no] I not a TD; Is noght a U.] Line 124 Bitwene heuene and helle · In eorþe þauȝ men souhte. [In] & TU.] ¶ Heo is Tikel of hire Tayl · Talewys of hire tonge, As Comuyn as þe Cart-wei · to knaues and to alle; [80—127. Transposed in D; see pre|face.] [knaues—alle] knaue & to monke TU; knaues & to monkes D.]

To Preostes, to Minstrals · to Mesels in hegges. [To—minstrals] To mynstrelis, to messangeris TUH₂; To monkis, to minstrals H. to mesels] many tyme U.] Line 128 Sisours and Sumpnours · suche men hire preisen; [sumpnours] schereues U.] Schirreues of schires · weore schent ȝif heo nere. [U omits this line. nere] ne were T.] ¶ Heo doþ men leosen heore lond · and heore lyues after, [lond] lyf U. lyues] lond U; life T. after] eke H; boþe T.] And leteþ passe prisons · and payeþ for hem ofte. [passe prisons] prisouns passe H; passe prisoners T; passe þe pri|soneres U.] Line 132 Heo ȝeueþ þe Iayler Gold · and grotes to-gedere, [Heo] And THU. Iayler] gaileris TU. to-gedere] among H.] To vn-Fetere þe False · and fleo where hem lykeþ. [And—lykeþ] fle where hym likeþ TU.] Heo takeþ þe trewe bi þe top · and tiȝeþ him faste, [þe trewe] treuþe HU. tiȝeþ him] teieþ hym vp U.] And hongeþ him for hate · þat harmede neuere. [hate] hattrede THU. harmede] harm dide H.] Line 136 Heo þat ben Curset in Constorie · counteþ hit not at a Russche; [Heo þat ben] þeiȝ heo be H; To be TU. counteþ] heo countiþ TH; sche ȝyueþ U. at] THU omit. Russche] cresse H.] For heo Copeþ þe Comissarie · and Coteþ þe Clerkes; [coteþ þe] cloþiþ hise TU.] Heo is asoyled as sone · as hire-self lykeþ.

Heo may as muche do · In a Mooneþ ones, [Heo may] She may neiȝ T; Sche may ny U. as muche do] do as myche H.] Line 140 As [ȝoure] secre seal · In Seuen score dayes. [[ȝoure TH] vre V; þe U. seuen—dayes] foure score wintris H.] Heo is priue with þe Pope · Prouisours hit knowen; [128—142. Omitted in D.] Sir Simonie and hire-self · asselen þe Bulles; [asselen] selen HU; seliþ TD.] Heo Blessede þe Bisschopes · þouȝ þat þei ben lewed. [Heo—þe] She blissiþ þise TUD; Heo examyneþ þe H. þouȝ—ben] ȝif þei be T; if þei beþ H; þo þat ben D.] Line 144 ¶ Prouendreres, persuns · Preostes heo meynteneþ, [

Prouendrours, prestis & per|sones · she maynteniþ to holde T; (D same, omitting prestis &);

Prouendrours, persones · pres|tes sche meynteneþ to holde U.

] To holde Lemmons and Lotebyes · al heor lyf-dayes, [TUD omit to holde here; see l. 145.]

And bringeþ forþ Barnes · aȝeyn forbodene lawes. [bringeþ] bringen TUD. for|bodene] forbode HU.] Þer heo is wel with þe kyng · wo is þe Reame! [wel] U omits.] Line 148 For heo is Fauerable to Fals · and fouleþ Treuþe ofte. [folio 396b:2] [fouleþ] falliþ H; foloweþ D.] ¶ Barouns and Burgeis · heo bringeþ to serwe, [Burgeis] bachelers H. to] in TD.] Heo Buggeþ with heore Iuweles; · vr Iustises heo schendeþ. [Be Ihesu, wiþ hire Iuelx · ȝoure Iustice she shendiþ TUD; where for Iuelx U has Ieweles, D Iuels. heo] & hem H.] Heo lihþ aȝeyn þe lawe · and letteþ so faste, [Heo lihþ] And leiþ TD; Sche leyth U; Makiþ hem liȝe H. letteþ so faste] lettiþ þe treuþe T; letteþ treuthe ofte U; letteþ it so fast H. D corrupt, here and in next line.] Line 152 Þat Feiþ may not han his forþ · hir Florins gon so þikke. [not—forþ] haue no forþ H.] Heo ledeþ þe lawe as hire luste · and loue-dayes makeþ, [Heo—þe] She let T. hire luste] heo wol H.] Þe Mase for a Mene mon · þauȝ he mote euere. [Mene] pore U. þauȝ—euere] þei he plede euere H.] Lawe is so lordlich · and loþ to maken eende, [so lordlich] now lordschipe D.] Line 156 With-outen presentes or pons · heo pleseþ ful fewe. [pons] panis T; penyes H; pens UD. ful] wel H.] Clergye an Couetise · heo Coupleþ to-gedere. [an] & THD; and U.] Þis is þe lyf of þe ladi · vr lord ȝif hire serwe! [þe] þat TUD; þy H.] Line 159 And alle þat Meynteneþ hire · [myschaunce hem bytide]! [Meynteneþ hire] hire meyn|teneþ H; meintene here men UT. [myschaunce hem bytide] From H; TUD have the same. V merely repeats, vr lord ȝif hem care.] For [þe] pore may haue no pouwer · to playne, þauȝ hem smerte, [V omits þe, but it is found in H. TUD have, For pouere men, &c. to—smerte] to pleyne hem þeiȝe þei smerte U.] Such a Mayster is Meede · A-Mong Men of goode."

ÞEnne Mornede Meede · and Menede hire to þe kyng [menede] pleyned HU.] To haue space to speken · spede ȝif heo mihte. Line 164 Þenne þe kyng graunted hire grace · with a good wille: [þenne] THUD omit.] "Excuse þe, ȝif þou const · I con no more seye; [no more seye] sey no more H.] For Concience haþ a-cuiset þe · to Congeye for euere." [haþ a-cuiset] acusiþ TUD. congeye] cunge T; conieye þe H; conge þe D; cunge þe U.]

"Nay, lord," quaþ þat ladi · "leef him þe worse Line 168 Whon ȝe witen witerliche · Wher þe wrong lihþ. [lihþ] liggeþ TD; liþ H; duel|lith U.] ¶ Þer Mischef is gret lord · Meede may helpe, [grete lord] gret TUD; most H. mede—helpe] mede it may amende H; mede mayde may helpe D.] And þou knowest, Concience · I com not to chyde, [And þou knowest] þou know|ist wel H. com not] can nouȝt for T.] Ne to depraue þi persone · with a proud herte. [depraue] dispise U.] Line 172 ¶ Wel þou wost, Concience · (But ȝif þou wolt lyȝe), Þow hast honged on my Nekke · Enleue tymes; [Nekke] half TUD (one would expect to find half (= hals, a neck) but it is plainly half). Enleue] en|leuene TU; elleuen DH.] And eke I-gripen of my gold · and ȝiuen þer þe lykede. [I-gripen of] grepe TD; gripen U. ȝyuen þer] gyue it where TD. lykede] list H; likiþ TD.] Whi þou wraþþest þe now · wonder me þinkeþ! Line 176 For ȝit I may as I mihte · menske þe wiþ ȝiftes, [For] THUD omit. menske] mylde U; auaunce TD.] And Meyntene þi Monhede · more þen þou knowest, And þou hast famed me foule · bifore the kyng heere. [And] But H. heere] nowþe H.] ¶ For Culde I neuere no kyng · ne counseilede þer-after; [

Culde] kilde TU; kelled D. H reads,

& I agult hym neuer · ne his counsel neþer.

] Ne dude i neuere as þou dust · I do hit on þe kyng! [Ne—dust] Ne dide as þou demist TUD; for I dede neuer as þou didest H. þe kyng] þy-silue H.] Line 181 ¶ In Normandie nas he not · a-nuyȝed for my sake; [anuyȝed—sake] noied for me U.] Ac þou þi-self soþliche · schomedest him þere, [schomedest] asshamidest T; aschamyd H; schamed D. þere] ofte TD. U reads, Ac þou self sikerly · conseiledest hym þennes: see l. 199.] Creptest in-to a Caban · for Colde of þi nayles, [Creptest] þou creptest H; Crope TD; creep U.] Line 184 Wendest þat wynter · wolde haue last euere, [Wendest] þou wendest H. haue] UD omit. last] y-last H.] And dreddest to haue ben ded · for a dim Cloude, [to—ded] þe to be deed U; to be ded T; for to be ded D.] And hastedest hamward · for hunger of þi wombe! [And hastedest] And hastide þe TD; þou hastedest þee H; & hasti|dest þe U.] ¶ Withouten pite, pilour! · pore Men þou robbedest, [pite] riȝt H. pilour] þou pilour HU.]

And beere heor bras on þi Bac · to Caleys to sulle. Line 189 Þer I lafte with my lord · his lyf forto saue, [lafte] lefte TU.] Maade him murþe ful muche · Mournynge to lete, [

& made him merie · morn|ynge to lete H;

And made hym murþe · mourn|yng to leue TD;

And made hym mirthes · fro morwe til eue U.

] Battede hem on þe Bakkes · to bolden heore hertes, [Battede—Bakkes] And bater|ide hym on þe bak T; & batrid men on here backis H; I batride on þe bak UD. to—hertes] boldite his herte TUD.] Dude hem hoppe for hope · to haue me at wille. [Dude hem] Dede hym TD; & dide hym U; I made hem H. hoppe] D omits. hope] ioiȝe H. wille] here wille H; his wille U.] Line 193 Hedde I be Marchal of his Men · (bi Marie of heuene)! [Marchal] marchaunt (!) TD. Men] oost H. Marie] maries loue H; mary loue U.] I durste haue I-leid my lyf · and no lasse wed, [lyf] heed U. lasse] wors D.] He hedde beo lord of þat lond · in lenkþe and in brede; [hedde be] schuld haue be THUD.] And eke kyng of þat cuþþe · his cun for to helpe; [cuþþe] kiþ TH₂; kytthe U; cuntrey H; kyth D. cun] kyn THUD.] Line 197 Þe leeste barn of his blod · a Barouns pere. [barn] brol TUD.] ¶ Soþliche, þou Concience · þou counseildest him þennes, [Soþliche] but soþely H; Cowardliche UD. T omits this very necessary line.] To leue þat lordschupe · for a luitel seluer, [þat] his TUD. seluer] disese H.] Line 200 Þat is þe Riccheste reame · þat Reyn ouer houeþ! [þat—houeþ] þat regniþ ouer on T; þat regneþ ouer one D.]

Hit bicomeþ For a kyng · þat kepeþ a Reame [for] to H; TUD omit.] To ȝiue meede to men · þat mekeliche him seruen; [mede—men] hise men mede TUD. mekeliche] menskly H.] To Aliens, to alle Men · to honoure hem with ȝiftes. [To] And U. hem] U omits.] Line 204 Meede makeþ him beo bilouet · and for a Mon I-holden. [him] U omits. beo] H omits.] Emperours and Eorles · and alle maner lordes [Emperours] dukis H.] Þorw ȝiftes han ȝonge men · to renne and to ride. ¶ Þe pope and his prelates · presentes vnderfongen, [and] wiþ TUD.] Line 208 And Meedeþ men hem-seluen · to meyntene heore lawes. [men hemseluen] men hymselfe T; gretly men H; hem hym-selue U; men here-self D. heore] here THD; his U.]

¶ Seruauns for heore seruise · (ȝe seon wel þe soþe), [Seruauns] seruauntis THUD. ȝe—soþe] we se wel þe soþe TUD; wite ȝe for soþe H.] Takeþ Meede of heore Maystres · as þei mowen a-corde. Beggers for heore biddyng · Biddeþ Men [meede]; [U omits this line. biddyng] bedis H. [mede THH₂D] V has mete, which is out of place entirely.] Line 212 Munstrals for heor Murþe · Meede þei asken. ¶ Þe kyng Meedeþ his Men · to maken pees in londe; [Meedeþ] haþ mede of U; haþ nede (sic) of TD.] Men þat knoweþ Clerkes · Meede hem craueþ. [Men þat ben clerkis · crauen of hym mede TUD; & þese kunnynge clerkis · crauen vpon mede H.] ¶ Prestes þat precheþ · þe peple to goode Line 216 Askeþ Meede and Masse-pons · and heore Mete eke. [Masse-pons] messe-penis TUD; maspenyes H. eke] alse TUD.] Alle kunne craftes men · craueþ Meede for heore prentys; [Alle—craftes] Of alle kyn crafty T; Alle kynne crafty U; & alle manere craftis H; alle kende crafty D. for] to H.] Meede and Marchaundie · mot [nede] go to-gedere. [[nede] V has not, which is contrary to the sense; the others have these half-lines: mote nede go to|gidere TH₂D; most nede holde to|gedris H; mot nede mete to-gidres U.] Line 219 Þer may no wiht, as I wene · with-outen Meede libbe." [No wiȝt as I wene · wiþoute mede miȝte libbe TU. mede] mete D. libbe] lyue H.]

"NOW," quod þe kyng to Concience · "be crist, as me þinkeþ, [Now] þo H; TUD omit. as me þinkeþ] þat me made H.] Meede is Worþi · Muche Maystrie to haue!" [muche] þe TUD.] "Nay," quod Concience to þe kyng · and knelede to grounde; [grounde] þe grounde H; þe erþe TUD.] "Þer beoþ twey maner of Meedes · my lord, bi þi leue. [my] U omits. þi] ȝour THUD.] Þat on, good God of his grace · ȝiueþ, in his blisse, [þat on] þe ton U. good] THU omit. ȝiueþ] haþ grauntid H. D is corrupt.] Line 225 To hem þat wel worchen · whil þat þei ben here. [wel worchen] werchen wel TUD. þat] THUD omit.] ¶ Þe Prophete hit prechede · and put hit in þe psauter,

Qui peccuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram, & c.

[hit prechede] prechiþ it T; prechide it UD. and—psauter] and preued it in þe sauter H. non dedit] dat H; dedit TH₂D. ad] in H.]

Tak no Meede, mi lord · of Men þat beoþ trewe; [folio 397a:1] [men] hem T.] Line 228 Loue hem, and leeue hem · for vr lordes loue of heuene; Godes Meede and his Merci · þer-with þou maiht winne. [þou maiht] miȝte þou THD; myghtow U.] ¶ Bote þer is a Meede Mesureles · þat Maystrie desyret, [Bote] TUD omit. Maystrie desyret] maystrie desireþ H; maistris desiriþ TD; maistres desyren U.] To Meyntene Misdoers · Meede þei taken; Line 232 And þerof seiþ þe psauter · in þe psalmes eende,

In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt; dextera eorum repleta est muneribus;

[

And þerof seide þe sauter · in a salmis ende T;

And þat witnessiþ wel þe sauter · of wicked men H;

UD like T, but with seith for seide. In quorum] Inimicorum (!) H.

] [þat here riȝthond is hepid · ful of ȝeftis], [In H only.] And heo þat gripeþ heore ȝiftus · (so me God helpe!) [And—ȝiftus] But he þat grip|eþ siche ȝeftis H. ȝiftus] gold U.] Þei schullen a-Bugge bitterly · or þe Bok lyȝeþ! [þei] he H; TUD omit. þei—bitterly] he schal abigge it bitterly H; Schal abye ful bitere U.] Line 236 ¶ Preostes and Persones · þat plesyng desyreþ, [Preostes—Persones] Persouns & prestis H. þat — desyreþ] þat penyes desiren H; þat plesynges de|siren U.] And takeþ Meede and moneye · for Massen þat þei syngen, [And takeþ] to take H; Schal take U; þat take TD. D omits & moneye.] Schullen han Meede in þis Molde · þat Matheu haþ I-grauntet;

Amen dico vobis, receperunt mercedem suam.

[Schullen] þei H. Meede] þe mede U; here mede H. in] on THD; of U. þat—I-grauntet] with|outen eny more H. H omits the Latin quotation. Amen — vobis] Amen, amen TD. receperunt] recipie|bant TUD.] Þat laborers and louh folk · taken of heore Maystres, [louh folk] lewid men H; loud (or lond) folk U.] Line 240 Nis no Maner Meede · bote Mesurable huyre. [Nis] hit nis H; It is UD; Is T. Meede] of mede T. bote] but a TUD.] ¶ In Marchaundise nis no Meede · I may hit wel avoue; [nis] is TUD.] Hit is a permutacion · a peni for anoþer. [It is a permutacion apertly, &c. TD; but a-pert permytacion · as a, &c. H; It is apertly a permutacion, &c. U. peni] peny-worth UD.]

But Raddest þou neuer Regum · [þou] recreiȝede Meede, [[þou TUH₂D] þat VH.] Whi þat veniaunce fel · on Saul and his chi[l]dren? [whi] how H. and] and on TU; and eke on D.] Line 245

God sende to seie · Bi Samuels mouþe, [sende—seie] sente hym to segge TU; sende him to say H; sent hym to sayne D.] Þat Agag and Amalec · and al his peple aftur, [Agag] achar U. and Amalec] of amaleg TH; for Amalec D. al] TD omit.] Schulden dye for a dede · þat don hedde his eldren [his] here T.] Aȝeynes Israel and Aaron · and Moyses his broþer. [TUD omit this line.] Line 249 ¶ Samuel seide to Saul · God seendeþ þe and hoteþ [and hoteþ] to say H.] To beo boxum and boun · his biddyng to worche; [boun] bold U. worche] ful|fille TUD.] "Weend þider with þin host · wymmen to Culle, [Wend þou to amalek wiþ þine ost · þe cuntre to quelle H.] Line 252 Children and Cheorles · Chop hem to deþe, [chop] dryue H; schap D.] Loke þow culle þe kyng · Coueyte not his goodes [U omits this line, and also ll. 255, 256.] For Milions of Moneye; · Morþer hem vchone. [Milions] any mylionis THD. morþer] murdre T; molde H; morder H₂; muldre D.] Bernes and Beestes · Brenne hem al to askes." [burwes & bernes · & bestis þou brenne H. al to askes] to deþe TD.] Line 256 ¶ And for he culde not þe kyng · as crist him-self hihte, [him-self hihte] hymself sende H; hym selue bad U; bode sente T; hym boþe sente D.] Coueytede feir catel · and [culde] not his Beestes, [Coueytede] but coueyted UH. feir] here TU; þe H; his D. his] here H. and—Beestes] kilde not hire bestis TH₂UD; hence culde is the reading; V and H read slouh, slow.] Bote brouhte wiþ him þe Beestes · as þe Bible telleþ, [him—Beestes] hem here goodis H. telleþ] techiþ H; hym tolde (!) T; tolde D.] ¶ God sende to seye · þat [Saul] schulde dye, [God seide to samuel · þat saul shulde deiȝe TUD. [Saul] So in THUH₂D; V has Samuel, which is obviously wrong.] Line 260 And al his seed for þat Sunne · schendfulliche ende. [schendfulliche] senfully schulde T; schendfully schuld D.] Such a Mischef Meede · made þe kyng to haue, [Mischef] mysdede U.] Þat God hatede him euere · and his heires after. [hatede—euere] hatiþ þat kinge T; hateth þe kyng D; hatid hym for euer H; hatide þe kyng for euere U. his] alle hise THUD.]

Þe Culorum of þis [clause] · kepe I not to schewe, [culorum] coloure H. [clause] Inserted on the authority of T and H₂; not in VHU; D has the para|phrase, The ende of þis terme · y oute to schewe.] Line 264 In Auenture hit [nuyȝed] me · an ende wol I make: [Omitted in H.] [In—me] An Aunter it me noi|ȝide T; An aunter ȝif it noiede me U; On Aunter it noyed me now D. [nuyȝed] Such should be the reading; cf. l. 182. In V it is miswritten munged.] ¶ And riht as Agag hedde · hapne schulle summe; [Omitted in H.] [hapne—summe] happe shal somme T; hap men schul se som tyme U; happed ende schul somme D.] Samuel schal slen him · and Saul schal be blamet, [þen samuel slowe agag · and saul was y-blamyd H.] Dauid schal ben Dyademed · and daunten hem alle, [& dauid was diademyd · and daunted hem alle H. daunten] dam|nen D.] Line 268 And on cristene kyng · kepen vs vchone. [266—269. In TUD these four lines follow l. 271, ll. 270, 271 being made to follow l. 265.] [on] o T; one U. kepen vs] kept hem H; to kepen vs U.] Concience knoweþ þis; · for kuynde wit me tauȝte [Concience knoweþ] In con|sience knowe I TU; I consciens knew H. kuynde wit] kynde it TD; resoun it U.] Þat Resun schal regne · and Reames gouerne; Schal no more Meede · be Mayster vppon eorþe, Line 272 Bote loue and louhnesse · and leute to-gedere. [leute] leaute T; lyaunce D.] ¶ And heo þat trespasseþ to trouþe · or doþ aȝeyn his wille, [

And who-so trespassiþ trewely · & takiþ to þe wronge T;

And who trespaseth treuliche · and taketh aȝens right U;

And ho-so trespaced treuþe · & takeþ ony þyng D.

] Leute schal don him lawe · or leosen his lyf elles. [His wykkide leaute shal do hym lawe · or lese his lif ellis TU; D simi|lar, with liaunce for leaute, and and for or.] Schal no seriaunt for þat seruise · were a selk houue, [a—houue] no selk gowne U.] Ne no Ray Robe · wiþ Riche pelure. [wiþ] of HT; with no D.] Line 277 ¶ Meede of misdoers · makeþ men so riche, [Meede—misdoers] meede wiþ her mysdedis H. men] hem THUD.] Þat lawe is lord I-waxen · and leute is pore. [leute] lyaunce D.] Vnkuynde[n]esse is Comaundour · and kuyndenesse is Banescht. [Vnkuynde(n)esse] wickednes HU; vnkyndenesse TD.] Line 280 [Ac] kuynde wit schal come ȝit · and Concience to-gedere, [[Ac] V has And; but Ac (TUD) gives far better sense, and H has but.] And make of lawe a laborer · such loue schal aryse!"

PASSUS IV.

[[Passus, &c.] THUD.] [Passus Quartus de Visione.]

"SEseþ," seide þe kyng · "I suffre ȝou no more. [suffre ȝou] ne mote ȝe H. more] lengere TUD.] Ȝe schulle sauȝtene forsoþe · and serue me boþe. [Sauȝtene] sauȝte T; saghtlyn U; in H acoorde is written, as a gloss, above saȝtene; saghten D.] Cusse hire," quaþ þe kyng · "Concience, Ich hote." [Cusse] Kisse TH; kys D.] "Nay, be Crist," quod Concience · "Congeye me raþer! [Crist] god TUD. congeye] cunge TU; counge D.] Bote Reson Rede me þer-to · Arst wol I dye!" [Rede] radde H; rewle D. arst] erst T; first U. arst—dye] leuer hadde I deyȝe H.] Line 5 ¶ "And I comaunde þe," quod þe kyng · to Concience þenne, [þenne] as swiþe H.] "Þat þou Rape þe to ride · And Reson þou fette; [þat þou] TUD omit. and] H omits. þou] þat þou TD; þou me U; to H.] Comaunde him þat he come · my Counseil to here. Line 8 For he schal reule my Reame · and Rede me þe beste [me] me for H.] Of Meede, and of oþer mo · and what mon schal hir wedde; [oþer mo] mo oþere TU. and what] what TUD. wedde] haue H.] And A-Counte with Concience · (so me [Crist] helpe!) [a-counte] counte TUD. with] wiþ þee H. [Crist T] god VHUD.] How þou ledest my peple · Lered and Lewed." [ledest my] lerist þe TD; lernest my H; rewliste þe U.] Line 12 ¶ "I am Fayn of þat foreward" · seide þe Freike þenne, [seide] quod H. Freike] frek TH; freek U; frayk D.] And Rod riht to [Reson] · and Rouned in his Ere, [Rod riht] rideþ riȝt H; riȝt renneþ TUD. [Reson] So in THUD; V has Concience, which is clearly wrong. Rouned] rouniþ TH; rownes UD.]

Seyde as þe kyng sende · and seþþe tok his leue. [Seyde] Seide hym TD; & seide H. sende] him sente U; bade H. seþþe] siþþe TH; sitthe U; sethen D.] ¶ "I schal araye me to Ride," quod Reson · "Reste þe a while"— Line 16 And clepte Caton his knaue · Curteis of speche— [And] he H. clepte] calde TUD. Caton] conscience U.] "Sette my Sadel vppon Soffre- · til-I-seo-my-tyme, [soffre] soffre, quoþ he H.] And loke þou warroke him wel · wiþ swiþe feole gurþhes; [loke þou warroke] let warroke TUD. swiþe—gurþhes] riȝtful gerþis TU; wytful gartys D.] Hong on him an heui Bridel · to bere his hed lowe, [an] þe THD. to bere] to holde TD; & hoold U.] Line 20 Ȝit wol he make moni a whi · er he come þere." [he] we TD (wrongly). moni a whi] many wehe TU; many a wehe H; many wey D. er he] er we TU; or he H; or we D.]

ÞEnne Concience on his Capul · Carieþ forþ Faste, [carieþ] cairiþ T; caried HD.] And Resun with him Rideþ · Rappynge Swiþe; [Rideþ] rit T; right U. Rap|pynge swiþe] & rapiþ hym ȝerne TH; & rapide hym faste U; & hastid hem swiþe H. D omits this line.] Bote on a wayn [witti] · and wisdame I-feere [folio 397a:2] [

Ac vnwary wisdom · & witty his (wyt his ovne D) fere TD;

Ac on-were wysdom · & wytty his fere U;

& in a wayn wysdome · and witty his fere H.

V has Bote on a wayn wyd, &c. which gives no sense; see Folweden in next line. N.B. V has witti in l. 141 below.

] Line 24 Folweden hem faste · for þei hedden to done [hem faste] faste forþ U.] In Esscheker and Chauncelrie · to ben descharget of þinges; [Esscheker] cheker TUH₂D; court HU. chauncelrie] in chauncelrie H; in chauncerie TD; in þe chancerye U. ben descharget] deschargen hem H.] And Riden faste, for Reson · schulde Reden hem þe beste [& for reson shulde reule hem · & rede hem for þe best H.] For to sauen hem-self · from schome and from harme. [& saue hem fram harme · fram shame also H.] ¶ Bote Concience com arst · to Court bi A Myle, [Myle] myle wey TUD.] Line 29 And Romede forþ bi Reson · Riht to þe kyng. [Romede] rombide T; rowned U. bi] wiþ THU; D omits. Riht] & rauȝt H.]

COrteisliche þe kyng · þenne com to Resoun, [þenne—Resoun] þanne com in to resoun TU; welcomed resoun H.] Bitwene himself and his sone · sette him on Benche, [Bitwene] And betwyn TD. him|self] hym U. on] a T. H omits this line.]

And wordeden a gret while · wysliche to-gedere. [wordeden] speken H. wysliche] wel wisly TU.] Line 33 Þene Pees com to parlement · and put vp a Bille, [Pees com] com pes THD. vp] forth U. Bille] bulle H.] Hou þat Wrong aȝeyn his wille · his wyf hedde I-take, [his—I-take] hadde his wyf take THU; D omits hadde.] And [hou] he Rauischede Rose · Reynaldes lemmon, [V omits hou, but it is in THUD. lemmon] loue TUD; douȝter H.] Line 36 And Mergrete of hire Maydenhod · maugre hire chekes. [Mergrete] molde H.] "Boþe my Gees and my Grys · [his] gadelynges fetten; [[his] V has þe, but this is in|ferior to his, which is in THUD. fetten] fecchen THU. gadelynges fet|ten] gadlyng fecches D.] I dar not for dreede of hem · fihte ne chide. [dar] durst H; þer D. dreede of] U omits; fer of TD.] He Borwede of me Bayȝard · and brouhte him neuer aȝeyn, Line 40 Ne no Ferþing him fore · for nouȝt þat I con plede. [Ferþing—fore] ferþing þerfore TD; ferthyngworth þerfore U; ferþing for hym H. nouȝt—plede] nouȝt I couþe plete T; ouȝt þat I cowde pleden H; ought I coude plete U; nouȝt y couþe plede D.] He meynteneþ his Men · to Morþere myn owne, [to morþere] forto sle H. owne] hynen TD; hyne U.] Forstalleþ my Feire · Fihteþ in my chepynges, [Feire] feires HTD. chepynges] chepynge THUD.] Brekeþ vp my Berne-dore · and bereþ awei my whete, [dore] dores HTUD.] And takeþ me bote a tayle · of Ten quarter oten; [bote] þen H. of ten] for ten TUD. oten] of otis T; otes U; ootis H; otys D.] Line 45 And ȝit he bat me þerto · and liȝþ be my Mayden. [bat] betiþ THUD.] I nam not so hardi for him · vp for to loke." [

vp for] vneþis H.

And I am not hardy vnneþe · on hym for to loke TD;

And I am noght so hardy · ones on hym to loke U.

] Þe kyng kneuh he seide sooþ · for Concience him tolde. [þe—kneuh] þo kneuȝ þe kinge TU; That knewe þe kyng D. H has, þe king seide, þis is soþ · for conscience hit me tolde.] ¶ Wrong was a-Fert þo · and Wisdam souhte [a-fert] aferd THD; aferid U. souhte] he souȝte THD; bysoughte U.] Line 49 To Make his pees with pons · and proferde forþ Moneye, [pons] his panis T; penyes H; his pens U; his pans D. forþ Moneye] hym manye TD; manye U.]

And seide, "Hedde I loue of þe kyng · luite wolde I recche [

H omits. TUD read,

And seide, hadde I loue of my lord þe kinge · litil wolde I recche;

but in UD the last half-verse is at the beginning of the next line; in V we should perhaps read, of my lord.

] Þauh pees and his pouwer · playneden on me euere!" [but pes wiþ his powere · play|ned on hym euere H. þauh] if U. on me] hem T; hym UD. D omits and his pouwer.] ¶ Wisdam wente þo · and so dude Wit, [wente] wan to T; wan U; ran D. dude wit] dede wyt also TUD; dide hym witt H.] Line 53 And for wrong hedde I-do · so wikked a dede [And for] For þat THUD. I-do] ywrouȝt H; wrouȝt TD; don U.] And warnede wrong þo · with such a wys tale; [þo] U omits. a wys tale] wyse talys D.] "Whose worcheþ bi wil · wraþþe makeþ ofte; [wraþþe makeþ] makiþ wraþþe H.] Line 56 I sigge hit bi þi-seluen · þou schalt hit sone fynde. [I sigge] we say H. þi-seluen] my-self TUD.] Bote ȝif Meede make hit · þi Mischef is vppe, [Bote—hit] But mede þi pees make U. þi] TD omit.] For boþe þi lyf and þi lond · liȝþ in þe kynges grace." [lond] lyme H. liȝþ—kynges] liþ in his TD; liþ in here H; ben in his U.]

Wro[n]g þenne vppon Wisdom · wepte to helpe, [Wrong] THUD. vppon] on TU. wepte] wepiþ TD. to helpe] to helpe hym at nede U; to hym helpe; hym to helpe T.] Line 60 Him for his handidandi · Rediliche he payede. [

For of hise penys he proffride · handy dandy to paye T;

For right þer of is handy dandy payd U;

For of his handy-dandy payd (sic) D.

] Þene wisdam and wit · wente to-gedere, And nomen Meede with hem · Merci to wynne. [nomen] toke THD; token U.] ¶ Pees putte forþ his hed · and his ponne blodi: [ponne] panne TUDH₂; hode H. ponne blodi] blody panne U. (In D Blody begins the next line.)] Line 64 "Withouten gult, god wot · gat I þis scaþe." [gat] hent H.] ¶ Concience and þe kyng · knewen þe soþe; [U omits. Concience—kyng] þe king & conscience H. knewen] kneuȝ wel TD.] Wusten wel þat wrong · was a schrewe euere. [Wusten] And wisten THUD.] ¶ But wisdam and wit · weoren ȝeorne aboute faste [weoren ȝeorne] were THUD.] Line 68

Line 68 To ouercome þe kyng · with [catel] ȝif heo mihten. [[catel TUD] Meede VH.] ¶ Þe kyng swor þo bi crist · and bi his Coroune boþe, [þo] THUD omit.] Þat wrong for his werkes · schulde wo þole, [TUD omit this line.] And Comaundede A Constable · to casten him in Irens. [T omits this line; UD omit down to Constable.] "He ne schal þis seuen ȝer · seon his feet ones." [ne schal] shal not H; shulde not T. to casten hym in yrens he schal þis vij ȝer sen his fet onys (!) U; D similar, but has he schal not.] Line 73 ¶ "God wot," quaþ wisdam · "þat weore not þe beste; And he amendes make · let Meynprise him haue; [And] ȝef H. make] mowe make TU; wol make H.] And beo borw of his bale · and buggen him bote, [born of] borugh for T; brouȝt of H; borw for U; borow for D. buggen] bringen T; bigge HU; beggyn D.] Line 76 And a-Menden his misdede · and euer-more þe bettre." [And] TUD omit, his] þat UD; þat he T. þe] do þe U.] ¶ Wit a-Cordede herwith · and seide him þe same: [him] TUD omit. D is corrupt.] "Hit is betere þat boote · Bale a-doun bringe [Hit is betere] Betere is THUD.] Þen Bale be beten · and boote neuer þe better." [beten] bote U.] Line 80

ÞEnne Meede Meokede hire · And Merci bi-souhte, [Meede Meokede] gan mede to meke TUD.] And profrede pees a present · al of pure Red gold: [pure Red] purid TH; pure U; pured D.] "Haue þis of me," quod heo · "to Amende with þi scaþe, [me] me, man TUD. with] TUD omit.] For Ichul wage for wrong · he wol do so no more." [Ichul] y wile T; y wol HU; I wyl D. wol] shal TUD.] Line 84 Pees þenne pitously · preyede þe kyng To haue merci on þat Mon · þat mis-dude him ofte: "For he haþ waget me a-mendes · as wisdam him tauhte, [For—a-mendes] For he haþ wagid me wel TUD; For he hadde wagid hym wel H.] I Forȝiue him þat gult · with a good wille; [him—gult] þee þis gult quod pees H.] Line 88 So þat ȝe assented beo · I con no more sigge; [þat—beo] ȝe assente þerto TU; ȝe Assente D; þat ȝe assent, my lord H. no—sigge] sey no more TUD.]

For Meede haþ maad me amendes · I may no more aske." [H omits this line. Meede] he U. me amendes] my mendis TD. aske] axen TU; axe D.] ¶ "Nay," quod þe kyng þo · "(so god ȝiue me blisse!) [god] crist U.] Wrong went not so awei · til ich wite more; [went] wendiþ THU; wendes D. til] er TU; or D.] Line 92 Lope he so lihtliche awei · lauȝwhen he wolde, [for yf he lept so liȝtly · he wolde vs alle scorn H. awei] U omits. lauȝwhen] lauȝen T; laghen U; lawhen D.] And eft be þe baldore · forte beten myne [hynen;] [eft] ofte THUD. baldore] boldere HTD; baldere U. forte, &c.] to bete my hynen TUD; to mysdo my puple H. V omits hynen] Bote Reson haue reuþe of him · he resteþ in þe stokkes [of] on TDHU. resteþ in þe] shal reste hym in þe TD; schal resten in U; shal into þe H.] Also longe as I lyue · bote more loue hit make." [Also longe] As long TUD; be as longe H.] Line 96 ¶ Þenne summe Radde Reson · to haue reuþe of þat schrewe, [þenne] TD omit. summe] summe men TD; U omits. of] on THUD.] And to Counseile þe kyng · and Concience boþe, [to counseile] þo conseilede U.] Þat Meede moste be Meynpernour · Reson heo bi-souȝte. [heo bisouȝte] þei besouȝte TUD; þei preied H.]

"Rede me not," quod Reson · "Reuþe to haue, [Rede] Rediþ H. Reuþe] no reuþe TUD; reuþe for H.] Line 100 Til lordes, and ladies · louen alle treuþe, And perneles porfyl · be put in heore whucche; [porfyl] purfile TH; purfil U; purfyl D. whucche] hucche TU; whicche H; huche D.] Til children Chereschinge · be chastet wiþ ȝerdes, [children] childris T; childrens H; childrenes U. chereschinge] chiding H. chastet] chastid U; chasted D; chastisid TH.] Til harlotes holynesse · be holden for an hyne; [Til] And THUD. holynesse] harlotrie U. be—hyne] be preised ful hiȝe H (TUH₂D like V). an] any D.] Line 104 Til Clerkes and knihtes · ben Corteis of heore Mouþes, [folio 397b:1] [Clerkes—knihtes] kniȝtes & clerkis H.] And haten to don heor harlotrie · and vsun hit no more; [to don] TD omit. don] U omits. heor] H omits. and—more] oþer mouþe it with tungis T; & no more it vsen H; or mouthe it hem|selue U; oþer hit mouþen D.]

Til prestes heore prechyng · preuen hit in hem-seluen, [U omits the line. in] TH omit. preuen hit in] preued D.] And don hit in dede · to drawen vs to gode; [vs—gode] men to goode H.] Line 108 Til seint Iame beo I-souht · þer I schal a-signe, [H omits these lines.] And no mon go to Galys · bote he go for euere; [And] þat TUD. bote] but ȝif T; but yf D.] And alle Rome Renners · for Robbeours of bi-ȝonde [And] til H. alle] alle þe T. Robbeours] Robberis THUD.] Bere no seluer ouer see · þat bereþ signe of þe kyng, [bereþ—kyng] signe of kinge shewide T; coyn of kyng schewith U; syne of kyng schewith D.] Nouþer Grotes ne gold I-graue · with þe kynges Coroune, [Neiþer grotis ne gold · ygraue wiþ kinges coyn TUD.] Vppon Forfet of þat Fe · hose hit fynde at douere, [Vppon Forfet] For faytour D. þat] þe H. hose—douere] who fynt hym do euere TD; whoso fynt hit at douere H; who fynt hym diuerse U.] Bote hit beo Marchaund oþur his men · or Messager with lettres, [Marchaund] messingere H. men] man TUD. Messager] mes|sangeris T. or—lettres] þat wiþ hym beriþ lettris H.] Or Prouisours or Preestes · þat Popes a-vaunset. [Or—Preestes] oþer prestis oþer prouisours H; oþer prouisour or prest TUD. Popes avaunset] þe pope auaunciþ TUD; popis doþ auaunce H.] Line 116 ¶ And ȝit (quod Reson) bi þe Roode · I schal no reuþe haue, [ȝit] D omits. schal] wol U.] While Meede haþ eny Maystrie · to Mooten in þis halle; [eny] þe TUD. Mooten] moten U; mo T; moo D.] [Ac y mai schewe ȝow ensamples · y seie be myselue]. [From U. Also in T, which has Ac I may shewe ensaumplis · as I se forsoþe; D like T, but omits forsoþe. The line is not in V or H.] ¶ For I sigge hit for my soule · And hit so weore [U omits down to soule. for—soule] be myself T; myself H.] Line 120 Þat Ich weore kyng with Croune · to kepen a Reame, [kyng—croune] a king crown|ed H. kepen] gouern H. UD mis|written, including part of l. 120.] Scholde neuer wrong in þis world · þat Ich I-wite mihte, [neuer] no D. wrong] U omits. Iwite mihte] myȝte wete D.] Ben vn-punissched beo my pouwer · for peril of my soule! [beo] be U; by D; at THH₂.] Ne gete grace þorw ȝift · (so me [god] helpe!) [grace þorw] my grace by H; my grace þoruȝ T; my grace with UD. ȝift] giftes TD; ȝeftis H; ȝiftes U. [god] So in THUD; V has gold.] Line 124

Line 124 Ne for Meede haue Merci · but Mekenesse hit make. [

H varies, reading,

for loke what þese wordis seyn · þat writen beþ in latyn.

Meede] no mede TUD. make] made TUD.

] For nullum malum þe Mon mette · [with] inpunitum, [In these lines H has only the Latin words.] [

For nullum malum · he may mete with Inpunitum TD;

For nullum malum · inpunitum þe may mete with U. [with TUD] with-outen V.

] And bad nullum bonum · be irremuneratum. [In these lines H has only the Latin words.] [bad] bad quod (!) D. be] TUD omit.] Let þi Clerk, sire kyng · Construe þis in Englisch; [Clerk] clerkis H; confessour TUD. þis in] it þe on TD; it þe in U.] And ȝif þou worchest hit in wit · Ich wedde boþe myn Eres, [worchest—wit] werche þis werk T; worche it in werk UD; werchest þer-after H. Ich wedde] y lay H. boþe] TD omit.] Line 129 Þat lawe schal ben a laborer · and leden a-feld dounge, [a-feld] to feld U; on felde D.] And loue schal leden þi lond · as þe leof lykeþ." [þe leof] þe lefe T; þe best U; þy self H; þe lef D.]

Clerkes þat were confessours · Coupled hem to-gedere, [Clerkes—confessours] þo alle þe grete clerkis H.] Forte Construe þis Clause · and distinkte hit after. [and—after] declynede fast TH₂; & declyne aftir U; & wite what it mened H; declyned it faste D.] Whon Resun to þis Reynkes · Rehersede þeose wordes, [Whon—reynkes] Ac resoun amonge þise renkis T; Ac whan resoun among þe renges U; but when resoun among hem H; Ac resoun among þe reules had D.] Nas non in þat Moot-halle · more ne lasse, [Nas non] þer nas no man TD; þer nas man HU. þat Moot-halle] þe court H.] Þat ne held Reson a Mayster þo · And Meede a muche wrecche. [þo] TUD omit. wrecche] shrewe H.] Line 136 Loue lette of Meede luite · and louh hire to scorn, [Meede luite] hire liȝt TUD; hire liȝtly H.] And seide hit so loude · þat soþnesse hit herde, [seide] gredde U. so] to D.] "Hose wilneþ hire to wyue · for weolþe of hire godes, [wyue] wyf H.] Bote he beo A Cokewold I-kore · cut of boþe myn Eres!" [I-kore] ycald TU; ykyd H; I-callid H₂; called D. boþe myn eres] myne eeris H; my nose TUD.] ¶ Was nouþer wisdam þo · ne witti his feere, [Was—þo] Warne wisdom þo TD; I warne þat wysdom H; Vnwar was wisdom U. witti] no wyt T; ynwit U. ne—feere] & wyt his owne fere D.] Line 141

Line 141 Þat couþe warpen a word · to with-siggen Reson; [U omits this line. þat—warpen] ne couþe seie H; couþe nouȝt warpen TD. with-siggen] aȝen|seie H.] Bote stareden for studiing · and stooden as Bestes. [stareden—studiing] stareden & studeden H; staringe & stodyenge TD; starende & studiande U. and stooden] stoden TD; stode forþ U.] ¶ Þe kyng acordede, bi crist · to Resons Connynge, [acordede] a-cord H. con|nynge] kunnyng H; sawis TUD.] And rehersede þat Reson hedde · Rihtfoliche I-schewet: [hedde] TD omit.] "Bote hit is hard, be myn hed · herto hit bringe, [hard] wel hard T; wol hard U; ful hard D. herto—bringe] herto to bringe it T; it þer to to brynge U · herto to brynge D.] Line 146 Al my lige leodes · to lede þus euene." [þat eny lyuyng men · shulde lede hem þus euen H. Al] And alle T. leodes] ledes TUD. þus] hem þus TUD.] ¶ "Bi him þat rauhte on þe Roode," · quod Reson to þe kyng, [rauhte] deiȝede T; rest hym H; deyde D.] Line 148 "Bote I Rule þus þi Reame · Rend out my Ribbes! [Bote] But ȝif TD. þi] ȝoure D. out] of U.] Ȝif hit beo so þat Boxumnesse · beo at myn assent." [so] TD omit. beo at] be of HUD.] ¶ "Ich assente," quod þe kyng · "bi seinte Marie mi ladi, [quod þe kyng] H omits.] Beo my counseil I-come · of Clerkes and of Erles. [of erles] erlis T; of kniȝtis H.] Line 152 ¶ Bote Rediliche Reson · þou Rydest not heonnes, [Rydest, &c.] shalt not wende henne T; schalt not riden henne U; shalt wende henne D (sic).] For as longe as I liue · lette þe I nulle." [H varies, reading For into my deþday · we nele not depart. lette—nulle] loue þe I wile TUD.] ¶ "Icham Redi," quod Reson · "to Reste with þe euere; So þat Concience beo vr counseiler · kepe I no betere." [þat] TUD omit. vr counseiler] of oure counseil HU; of ȝour counseil TD.] ¶ "I graunte gladly," quod þe kyng · "God forbeode he fayle [gladly] wel H; TUD omit. God—fayle] godis forbode he faille (failed U) TU; god forbede I fayle D.] Line 157 And also longe as I lyue · leue we to-gedere." [And also] As TUD; for as H. I] we H. leue] libbe TUH₂D; loue H.]

PASSUS V.

[Passus, &c. In THUD.] [Passus quintus de visione.]

ÞE kyng and his knihtes · to þe Churche wenten [his] T omits.] To heere Matyns and Masse · and to þe Mete aftur. [to þe] sithe to U.] Þenne Wakede I of my wink · me was wo with alle [wink] wynkyng TUH. me—wo] & wo was TU; wo was me H. with alle] þerfore H.] Þat I nedde sadloker I-slept · and I-seȝe more. [nedde] ne hadde TU. sadloker I-slept] yslepe saddere TU. I-seȝe] yseyn TH; yseie U.] Line 4 Er I a Furlong hedde I-fare · A Feyntise me hente, [a—I-fare] hadde faren a fur|longe THU. A] swiche U; TH omit. Feyntise] fantesie U. hente] hadde T.] Þat Forþer mihti not a-fote · for defaute of Sleep. [Forþer—a] I ne miȝte ferþere a TU; ferþer ne miȝte y one H. sleep] slepynge TU.] I sat Softeliche a-doun · and seide my beo-leeue, [a-doun] in my bedis T (wrongly; see l. 8).] And so I blaberde on my Beodes · þat brouhte me a-Slepe. [blaberde] babelide T; bablide U; blaberid H. þat] þei TU.] Line 8 Þen sauh I muche more · þen I beofore tolde, [sauh I] y sawe H. muche] meke T. tolde] shewid H.] For I sauh þe Feld ful of Folk · þat ich of bi-fore schewede, [TH omit. For] U omits. of—schewede] byfore nempnyd U.] And Concience with a Crois · com for to preche. [And] & how H. com] bygan H.] ¶ He preide þe peple · haue pite of hem-selue, [He] And TH. preide] prechide U haue] to haue U. of] on THU.] Line 12 And preuede þat þis pestilences · weore for puire synne, [þis pestilences] þe pestilence H; þis pestilence U. weore] wern T; was HU.] And þis souþ-Westerne wynt · on a Seterday at euen [þis] þe THU. wynt] wynd TU. a] TU omit.]

Was a-perteliche for pruide · and for no poynt elles. [pruide] synne U. no poynt] nothyng U.] ¶ Piries and Plomtres · weore passchet to þe grounde, [Piries] peretrees H. Plomtres] plantes T. passchet] possid H; put TU. grounde] erþe TU.] Line 16 In ensaumple to Men · þat we scholde do þe bettre. [to men] sent god T; seith god U. þat we] thorn;at ȝe T; þat þei H; ȝe U.] Beches and brode okes · weore blowen to þe eorþe, [þe eorþe] grounde T; þe grounde U.] And turned vpward þe tayl · In toknyng of drede [vpward] vp U. þe tayl] here tail T; here tailes H.] Þat dedly Synne or domesday · schulde fordon hem alle. [dedly synne] deth U. schulde] shal TU. hem alle] þe world H.] Line 20 ¶ Of þis Matere I mihte · Momele ful longe, [of—mihte] vpon þis ilke matere y H; Of þis matere myght y U. momele] mamele T; mamle U; momelid H. ful] wel TU.] Bote I sigge as I sauh · (so me god helpe)! [Bote-sigge] Ac I shal seiȝe TU; but y say H. sauh] saiȝ T; sauȝ H; seide U.] How Concience with a Cros · Comsede to preche. [comsede] cumside T; bygan for H; com for U.] ¶ He bad wastors go worche · what þei best couþe, [He] & H. wastors] wastour TU. þei] he TU.] Line 24 And wynne þat þei wasteden · with sum maner craft. [þei wasteden] þei wasted H; he wastide TU; V has þei ne wasteden, but I propose to omit ne. maner] maner of T; kynne U.] ¶ He preiȝede Pernel · hire Porfil to leue, [folio 397b:2] [He] And TH. preiȝede] pre|chid U.] And kepen hit in hire Cofre · for Catel at neode. [kepen] kepte T. cofre] whicche H. for—neode] lest rattis hit eten H.] Thomas he tauȝte · to take twey [staues], [[staues THUH₂] V has stauenes; prob. from wyuene in l. below.] Line 28 And fette hom Felice · From wyuene pyne. [hom Felice] felis his wyf T; home his wyf H. wyuene] heuene wyuene U, with stroke through heuene. See Critical Notes.] ¶ He warnede watte · his wyf was to blame, [watte] also watte H.] Þat hire hed was worþ a Mark · and his hod worþ A Grote. [worþ (2)] not worþ TH; not a U.] ¶ He chargede Chapmen · to Chasten heore children; [chasten] chastice TU.] Line 32 Let hem wonte non eiȝe · while þat þei ben ȝonge. [Let] & lete H. Let—eiȝe] let no wynnyng for-wanye hem T; let no welthe for-wany hem U. while þat] whiles þat U; whiles T.]

¶ He preyede Preestes · and Prelates to-gedere, [preyede] prechiþ T; prechide U. Preestes—prelates] prelatis & prestis THU.] Þat þei prechen þe peple · to preuen hit in hem-seluen— [prechen] shulde preche H. to] & THU. in] THU omit.] "And libben as ȝe lereþ vs · we wolen loue ow þe betere." [ȝe—vs] þei tauȝte hem H; ȝe lerne vs U. we wolen] þei wolde H; for we wol U. loue ow] leue ȝow T; loue hem H; loue ȝou U.] Line 36 ¶ And Seþþe he Radde Religioun · þe Rule for to holde— [þe—for] here reweles T; here rule HU. holde] kepe U.] "Leste þe kyng and his Counseil · ȝor Comunes apeire, [kyng and his] kyngis H. ȝor] here H. apeire] apeiriþ T; apeired H.] And beo stiward in oure stude · til ȝe be stouwet betere. [beo] were H; be TU. in—stude] of ȝoure stede T; in ȝore stede U; in here stude H. til—betere] til ȝe be stewid betere T; til þei were amendid H; so þat ȝe cheue þe betere U.] ¶ And ȝe þat secheþ seynt Iame · and seintes at Roome, [at] in U.] Secheþ Seint Treuþe · for he may sauen ow alle; [Secheþ] Sekiþ at hom T.] Line 41 Qui cum patre et filio · feire mote you falle." [feire] þat faire UH. falle] be|falle TU.]

ÞEnne Ron Repentaunce · and Rehersed þis teeme, [Ron] ran H; TU omit. and] TU omit. þis] his TU.] And made William to weope · watur with his eȝen. [William] wil T; wille U. his] V has boþe his; but boþe is best omitted, as in THU.] Pernel proud-herte · platte hire to grounde, [grounde] þe erþe TU.] Line 45 And lay longe ar heo lokede · and to vr ladi criede, [to vr ladi] lord mercy THU.] And beo-hiȝte to him · þat vs alle maade, Heo wolde vn-souwen hire smok · and setten þer an here [wolde] shulde TU. smok] serke TU; shert H.] Forte fayten hire Flesch · þat Frele was to synne: [Forte fayten] For to affaiten TH; To affayten U. frele] fers T; fresch HU.] Line 49 "Schal neuer liht herte me hente · bote holde me lowe, [liht] heiȝ T; hye U. hente] hente, quoþ heo H.] And suffre to beo mis-seid— · and so dude I neuere. And nou I con wel meke me · and Merci be-seche [And—wel] But now wile I TU; Now wol y H. me] myself H.] Line 52 Of al þat Ichaue I-had · envye in myn herte."

¶ Lechour seide "Allas!" · and to vr ladi criede [Lechour] þe lechours H. to—criede] lord mercy bad H; on our lady cride U.] To maken him han Merci · for his misdede, [As one line in H; so also we find To make mercy for his mysdede · betwyn god & hym T; To make amendes for his mysdede · bytwene god & hym U.] Bitwene god almihti · and his pore soule, [As one line in H; so also we find To make mercy for his mysdede · betwyn god & hym T; To make amendes for his mysdede · bytwene god & hym U.] Line 56 Wiþ-þat he schulde þe seterday · seuen ȝer after [schulde] T omits. þe seterday] saterdayes U.] Drinken bote with þe Doke · and [dynen] but ones. [Drinken] Schulde drinke T. doke] goos U. [dynen] dyne TU; eten VH.] ¶ Envye wiþ heui herte · asket aftur schrift, [heui] hiȝe H.] And gretliche his gultus · bi-ginneþ to schewe. [gretliche] carfulliche THU. gultus] cope T; coupe U. biginneþ] begynneþ he T; he gynneþ U.] Line 60 As pale as a pelet · In a palesye he seemede, [As] He was as TU. pelet] palet T; pelat U. As—pelet] þe pelour was pelled H. In a] & on þe T; in þe H. In a palesye] & peralatik U.] I-cloþed in A Caurimauri · I couþe him not discreue; [I-cloþed] He was cloþid TU; cloþid H. caurimauri] caury maury T; cawrymawry H (which omits a); caurymawry U; caurimauri H₂. couþe hym] can it T.] [A kertil & a courtepy · a knyf be his side; [From T; also in HUH₂.] Of a Freris frokke · were þe fore sleuys]. [From T; also in HUH₂.] , [frokke] frogge U. þe fore] his two H; þe forme U.] Line 64 As a leek þat hedde I-leiȝen · longe In þe sonne, [As—þat] like as he H.] So loked he with lene chekes; · lourede he foule. [lene] his lene H. lourede he] lourande T; lourynge U; lowring ful H. foule] lowe H.] His Bodi was Bolled · for wraþþe he bot his lippes, [bolled] bolnid TU. he bot] þat he bot TU; he bote boþe H.] Wroþliche he wrong his fust · he þouȝte him a-wreke [wrong] wroþ TU. he—awreke] to wreke hym he þouȝte TU; he þouȝte hym to wreke H] Line 68 Wiþ werkes or with Wordes · whon he seiȝ his tyme. [werkes—wordes] werkis & wordis T; werk or wiþ word U. seiȝ] saiȝ T; sey U; sawe H.] "Venim or vernisch · or vinegre, I trouwe, [vernisch] verious T; vergeous U; verdegrese H.] Walleþ in my wombe · or waxeþ, ich wene. [Walleþ] walewiþ T; walweþ U. wombe] wombe, quoþ he H. or waxeþ] & waxiþ as TU.] I ne mihte mony day don · as a mon ouhte, [I—mony] I miȝte not many TU; I miȝt not many a H. ouhte] miȝte TU.] Line 72

Line 72 Such wynt in my wombe · waxeþ, er I dy[n]e. [wynt] wynd TU. dy(n)e] dyne THUH₂; V has dye, by mistake.] ¶ Ichaue a neihȝebor me neih · I haue anuyȝed him ofte, [a neihȝebor] neȝeboris H. me neih] neiȝ me TU; many H. him] hem H.] Ablamed him be-hynde his bak · to bringe him in dis|claundre, [After l. 74, H inserts l. 77, slightly varied. Ablamed] And blamide THU. him] hem H. his] here H. him] hem H. disclaundre] fame TU; defaut H.] And peired him bi my pouwer · I-punissched him ful ofte, [And—him] To apeire hym TU; to apeiren hem H. I-punissched, &c.] I pursuide wel ofte T; y pursuyed ofte U; y preued ful oft H.] Line 76 Bi-lowen him to lordes · to make him leose Seluer, [Bilowen] And belowen T; And yley on U. make] don TU. H reads, & eke y-bulled hem to þe lord to make hem lese siluer (see note to l. 75).] I-don his Frendes ben his fon · with my false tonge; [I-don] And don TU. with my] þoruȝ my T; þurw his U. H reads, I made here frendis be here foon, &c.] His grase and his good hap · greueþ me ful sore. Line 79 ¶ Bitwene him and his Meyne · Ichaue I-Mad wraþþe, [H omits.] [I-mad] mad T; mad ofte U.] Boþe his lyf and his leome · was lost þorw my tonge. [H omits.] , [lyf—leome] lyme & his life TU.] Whon I mette him in þe Market · þat I most hate, [whon] but when H. in þe] in a T; in U. hate] hatide THU.] Ich heilede him as hendely · [as I his frend] weore. [heilede] hailside THUH₂. [as—frend] So in THU; V has his frend as I.] He is douȝtiore þen I · i dar non harm don him. [He is] but he was H. i—him] y durst bede hym none harm H.] Line 84 Bote hedde I maystrie and miht · I Morþerde him for euere! [Bote—I] Ac hadde I TU; ȝif y had H. I morþerde] I wold murdre T; I wolde murthre U; y hadde maymed H.] ¶ Whon I come to þe churche · and knele bi-fore þe Roode, [and] to H. knele] knelide T. bifore] afore U; to TH.] And scholde preiȝe for þe peple · as þe prest vs techeþ, [And scholde] To THU. vs techiþ] techiþ T; me techith U; pre|chiþ H.] Þenne I crie vppon my knes · þat crist ȝiue hem serwe [Aftir þanne I criȝe on my knes þat crist gyue hym sorewe T; Aftir þat I pray on my knees our lady ȝyue hym sorwe U; þenne bidde I wiþ my mouþ þat crist, &c. H.] Line 88

Line 88 Þat haþ I-bore a-wei my Bolle · and my brode schete. [haþ Ibore] bar THU. brode] broken TH.] ¶ From the Auter I turne · myn eiȝe, and bi-holde [Fro þe auter myn eiȝe I turne & beholde T; Fram þe auter I turne me, & byholde heyne H.] Hou heyne haþ a newe Cote · and his wyf anoþer; [T one line, How heyne haþ a newe cote, I wysshe it were myn howne (howue?); U has two lines, How hayne haþ a newe cote, y wysche it were myn owen, And al þe wele þat he haþ greueth me wol sore, with which cf. l.] ¶ Þenne I wussche hit weore myn · and al þe web aftur. [T one line, How heyne haþ a newe cote, I wysshe it were myn howne (howue?); U has two lines, How hayne haþ a newe cote, y wysche it were myn owen, And al þe wele þat he haþ greueth me wol sore, with which cf. l.] Line 92 Of his leosinge I lauhwe · hit likeþ me in myn herte; [lauhwe] smyle U. hit—in] þerof in T; and þerof lawheþ U; it likeþ H.] Ac for his wynnynge I wepe · and weile þe tyme. [heyne] he H. þe web] his wele H.] [Ac for] Ac of TU; & for H.] ¶ I deme men þat don ille · and ȝit I do wel worse, [þat—ille] þere þei don ille T; þer y do ille U; þei don yuel H. wel] THU omit.] Line 95 For I wolde þat vch a wiht · in þis world were mi knaue, [vch—wiht] iche wiȝt TU; alle wiȝtes H. in—world] in world H; TU omit. knaue] knaues H.] [And who-so haþ more þanne I · þat angriþ myn herte]. [From T; also in HUH₂.] ¶ Þus I liue loueles · lyk A luþer dogge, [lyk] as T. luþer] lyþer T; lither UH₂; leþer H.] Þat al my breste Bolleþ · for bitter of my galle; [þat] And T. my—bolleþ] my brest bolniþ T; bolnyth my breste U.] May no Suger so swete · a-swagen hit vnneþe, [This arrangement suits the alliteration, and occurs in TUH₂; V has May no suger so swete · dryue, &c.; Ne no Diopendion · aswagen, &c.; which H resembles.] , [so swete] ne swet þinge THU. vnneþe] An vnche TU; vneþ H.] Line 100 Ne no Diopendion · dryue hit from myn herte; [This arrangement suits the alliteration, and occurs in TUH₂; V has May no suger so swete · dryue, &c.; Ne no Diopendion · aswagen, &c.; which H resembles.] , [Diopendion] dyapendyon TH; diapenydion UH₂.] Ȝif schri[f]t schulde hit þenne swopen out · a gret wonder hit were." [schrift] THU; V has schrit. hit—out] it shop T; U (wrongly) omits; aswage it (cf. l. 100) H. a—were] a gret wondir T; it were a gret wondir U; wonder me þinkeþ H.] ¶ "Ȝus, rediliche," quod Repentaunce · and Radde him to goode, [ȝus] ȝis TH; ȝys U. goode] þe best H.] "Serw for heore sunnes · saueþ men ful Monye." [heore sunnes] synne TU. men ful] wel TU; ful H.] Line 104

Line 104 ¶ "Icham sori," quod Envye · "I ne am but seldene oþer, [ne am] nam H; am TU. seldene] selde TH; seldom U.] And þat Makeþ me so mad · for I ne may me venge." [And] U omits.] ¶ Þenne com Couetyse · I couþe him not discreue, [couþe] can THU. him] U omits.] So hungri and so holewe · sire herui him loked. [hungri] hungrily T. so] TH omit. herui] heruy THU.] Line 108 He was bitel-brouwed · with twei blered eiȝen, [folio 398a:1] [He was bittirbrowid & babirlippid boþe Wiþ two bleride eiȝen as a liþene purs lollide his chekis T; He was bitelbrowid & babirlippid wiþ two brode iȝen And as a leþerne pors lollide his chekes H; He was babir|lippid and eek biterbrowed Wiþ two blerid eyȝen as a lethern purse U; (TU faulty)] And lyk a leþerne pors · lullede his chekes; ¶ In A toren Tabart · of twelue Wynter Age; [toren] broun H; tore U. age] old H.] But ȝif a lous couþe lepe · I con hit not I-leue [ȝif] U om. con] may THU. I-leue] yleue H; leue T; trowe U.] Line 112 Heo scholde wandre on þat walk · hit was so þred-bare. [Heo] he T; how heo H; þat he ne U. wandre—walk] wandre on þat walsshe scarlet T; walke on þat wede H; slideren þeron U. hit—so] so was it T; so was U.] ¶ "Ichaue ben Couetous," quod þis Caityf · "I be|knowe hit heere; [Two lines in U, viz. I haue louyd couetise al my lif tyme, I knowe it here byfore crist & his clene modir; T has, I haue ylouid coueitise, quaþ he, al my lif tyme, and also I knowe hire at begin. of l. 115; H and V shew the true old form.] For sum tyme I Seruede · Simme atte noke, [simme] symoun H. atte] at þe THU.] And was his pliht prentys · his profyt to loke. [H omits. pliht prentys] pren|tis ypliȝt T; prentis aplight U.] Line 116 ¶ Furst I leornede to Lyȝe · A lessun or tweyne, [lessun or] lef oþer T; leef oþer U.] And wikkedliche for to weie · was myn oþer lessun. [weie] wynne U. was—lessun] was my ferste lesson TU; certis was þe þridde H.] ¶ To Winchestre and to Wych · Ich wente to þe Feire [Wych] wy TU; wellis H.] With mony maner marchaundise · as my mayster hihte; [hihte] me hiȝte T; me bad H; me tauȝte U.] Bote nedde þe grace of gyle · I-gon a-mong my ware, [Bote nedde] Ne hadde TU.] Line 121 Hit hedde ben vn-sold þis seuen ȝer · so me god helpe! [ben—ȝer] ofte be vnsold H.]

¶ Þenne I drouȝ me a-mong þis drapers · my Donet to leorne, [among þis] among T; among þese H; to U. leorne] lere TU.] To drawe þe lyste wel along · þe lengore hit semede; [lyste wel] list TH; lysour U. semede] semyth U.] Among þis Riche Rayes · lernde I a Lessun, [þis] þe THU. lernde I] I rendrit TU.] Line 125 Brochede hem with a pak-neelde · and pletede hem to|gedere, [Brochede] Prochid U. pak|neelde] pacneld H; pakke nedle TU. pletede] pleit T.] Putte hem in a pressour · and pinnede hem þer-Inne [pressour] presse H. pinnede] peyned H.] Til ten ȝerdes oþer twelue · tolden out þrettene. [U omits. out] H om.] Line 128 ¶ And my Wyfat Westmunstre · þat Wollene cloþ made, [And — þat] my wyf was a wynstere & T; my wif was a breu|stere & U.] Spak to þe spinsters · for to spinne hit softe. [Spak] And spake TU. spin|sters] spynstere TU.] Þe pound þat heo peysede [by] · peisede a quartrun more [þe] two H. peysede] weid by TU; VH omit by. peisede] was U; weied H.] Þen myn Auncel dude · whon I weyede treuþe. [myn—dude] any aunsel dede T; ony almesdede (!) U. whon I] & I T; whan sche U.] Line 132 ¶ I Bouhte hire Barly · heo breuh hit to sulle; [hire] hire also H.] Peni Ale and piriwhit · heo pourede to-gedere [piriwhit] pile-whey T; pile|whew U; pilwhay H₂.] For laborers and louh folk · þat liuen be hem-seluen. [and louh] & louȝ T; & lewid H; for loþ U. liuen] lay T] ¶ Þe Beste in þe Bed-chaumbre · lay bi þe wowe, [þe] my TU. Bed] H om. lay—wowe] lith by þe wowes U.] Line 136 Hose Bummede þerof · Bouȝte hit þer-after, [Bummede] dronke H. Bouȝte] he bouȝt U; shulde bye H.] A Galoun for a Grote · God wot, no lasse, Whon hit com in Cuppemel; · such craftes me vsede. [com] comeþ HU. cuppemel] cop-mele H; cuppemale U. such—vsede] þat craft my wyf vside TU; such crafte heo vsiþ H.] ¶ Rose þe Regratour · Is hire rihte name; [Is] was TH.] Line 140 Heo haþ holden hoxterye · þis Elleuene wynter. [Hoxterye] osterye U. þis elleuene] elleuene T; all þis xxxti H.] ¶ Bote I swere nou [soþely] · þat sunne wol I lete, [I—soþely] now I swere soþely H. [soþely HTU] V (wrongly) omits. wol—lete] wole I leue H; shal I lete TU]

And neuere wikkedliche weye · ne fals chaffare vsen, [And] Ne TU. wikkedliche weye] wickedly forto weye H; wynne wykkidly U. fals] wykkide T; no U. vseu] make TU.] Bote weende to Walsyngham · and my wyf alse, Line 144 And bidde þe Rode of Bromholm · bringe me out of dette." [bringe me] to brynge vs U.]

NOu ginneþ þe Gloton · for to go to schrifte, [þe] TU om. go to] T om.] And carieþ him to chircheward · his schrift forte telle. [carieþ] cariede TU; wendiþ H. schrift] synnes T; synne U. telle] shewe THU.] Þenne Betun þe Breustere · bad him gode morwe, [þenne Betun] And Betoun TU; bele H. bad him] þer bad he T; þere bad him U; þen bade hym H.] Line 148 And seþþen heo asked of him · "Whoder þat he wolde?" [seþþen] THU om. whoder þat] wheþer þat H; whidirward TU.] ¶ "To holi chirche," quod he · "for to here Masse And seþþen I-chule ben I-schriuen · and sunge no more." [Ichule] I wile THU. sunge] synne THU.] ¶ "Ichaue good ale, gossib," quod heo · "gloten, woltou asaye?" [gossib] U om. gloten] H om.] Line 152 "Hastou ouȝt I þi pors," quod he · "eny hote spices?" [I þi pors] in þy pors H; U omits. ouȝt — pors] T omits.] "Ȝe, glotun, gossip," quod heo · "god wot, ful goode; [ȝe] ȝhe H; ȝa TU. quod heo] U om. ful goode] wel hote TU. H reads, ȝhe, god wot, quod heo, ful hote I haue.] I haue peper and piane · and a pound of garlek, [I haue] H om. piane] peynye T; pianye HU. pound—garlek] pomgarnade (!) H.] Line 155 A Ferþing-worþ of Fenel-seed · for þis Fastyng dayes." [Ferþingworþ] pound T. Fenel seed] felkene sedis T; fenkil seed U. þis] þese H; TU om.] ¶ Þene geþ Gloton in · and grete oþus after; [geþ] goþ TH; gooþ (sic) U.] Sesse þe souters wyf · sat on þe Benche, [Sesse] Cisse T; Cesse U; Symme H. Souters wyf] soutere TH; soustere U.] Watte þe warinar · and his wyf boþe, [warinar] waffrer TU. boþe] after H.] Tomkyn þe Tinkere · and tweyne of his knaues, [Tomkyn] Symme T; Thomme U. tweyne] two HU.] Line 160

Line 160 Hikke þe hakeney mon · and hogge þe neldere, [hakeney mon] hakeneman U. hogge—neldere] hobbe þe neldere H; hogge þe myllere T; hobbe þe mylner U.] Clarisse of Cokkes lone · and þe Clerk of þe churche, [Clarisse] Claris T; Clares U; Clarice H. lone] lane TU. churche] werkis H.] Sire Pers of pridye · and pernel of Flaundres, [TU omit. H reads, Sire peris of pryde, pernel of flaundris.] Dauwe þe disschere · and a doseyn oþere. [disschere] dykere TU.] Line 164 [A] Ribibor, [a] Ratoner · a Rakere of chepe, [[A] so in TU. [a] so in TU; V reads, And Ribibor þe R.; H reads, Robyn þe r. a Rakere] & a rakiere T; a rakiere H.] A Ropere, a Redyng-kyng · and Rose þe disschere, [a] & a H. disschere] ribbere H.] Godfrei of Garlesschire · and Griffin þe walsche, [TU omit. Garlesschire] garle|kiþe H. Griffin] gruffiþ H.] And of vp-holders an hep · erly bi þe morwe [And of] And HU; Of T. an hep] U om.] Line 168 Ȝiue þe gloton with good wille · good ale to honsel. [ȝiue þe] ȝeue T; Gaf U. good wille] glad chiere TU. honsel] hansele T; drinke HU.]

ÞEnne Clement þe Cobelere · caste of his cloke, [þenne] TU omit.] And atte newe Feire · he leyde hire to sulle; [atte] at þe THU. he—hire] nempnide it TU. sulle] selle TU.] And Hikke þe Ostiler · hutte his hod aftur, [And] THU omit. hutte] hitte TU; cast H.] Line 172 And bad bette þe Bocher · ben on his bi-syde. [bad] U omits. bi-syde] side THU.] Þer weore chapmen I-chose · þe chaffare to preise; Hose hedde þe hod · schulde haue Amendes. [Hose] þat who so U. A|mendes] amendis of þe cloke TU.] Þei Risen vp Raply · and Rouneden to-gedere, [þei—vp] þo risen þei vp T. Raply] in a rape T; in rape U. rouneden] rombeden T.] Line 176 And preiseden be peniworþus · and parteden bi hem|seluen; [H omits. and parteden] apertly TU.] Þer weoren oþes an hep · hose þat hit herde. [an] on an U. hose—herde] þanne þei ne couþe T; þei couthe not ȝit iugge U; ouer þe ware H.] Þei couþe not bi heore concience · a-corde to-gedere, [þei—heore] Be here T; þei couþe not by H; Ne by here clene U.] Til Robyn þe Ropere · weore Rad forte a-ryse, [weore] was THU. forte aryse] to arisen TH; vp to rise U.] Line 180

Line 180 And nempned for a noumpere · þat no de-bat neore, [nempned] nempnide hym T. And—for] þei named hym H. neore] nere T; were HU.] [for he schulde preise þe penyworþes · as hym good þouȝt. [In H only.] ¶ Þenne Hikke þe Ostiler · hedde þe cloke, In Couenaunt þat Clement · schulde þe Cuppe fulle, [clement] clement þe coupere T. schulde—fulle] shulde felle þe cuppe T; þe cuppe schulde fille U.] And habbe hikkes hod þe ostiler . and hold him wel I|seruet; [

wel] TU omit. H reads,

And klement hadde hickis hood · & held hym wel apaied.

] Line 185 And he þat repenteþ Raþest · schulde arysen aftur, [And he þat] And whoso TU; whoso H. repenteþ Raþest] repentid hym raþest H; repentist raþere U. aftur] afore U.] And greten Sir gloten · with a galun of ale. [of] TH omit.] ¶ Þer was lauȝwhing and lotering · and "let go þe cuppe;" [lauȝwhing—lotering] myche lauȝhing H; lawhynge & lurkynge U; lauȝinge and lourynge TH₂.] Line 188 Bargeyns and Beuerages · bi-gonne to aryse, [Beuerages] beuerechis TU. to aryse] for to arise T; þo to rise H; to rise U.] And seeten so til Euensong · And songen sum while, [folio 398a:2] [Euensong] mydnyȝt H.] Til Gloten hedde I-gloupet · A Galoun and a gille. [Igloupet] ygloppid H; y|gulpid T; y-golped U.] He pissede a potel · In a pater-noster while, Line 192 And Bleuh þe Ronde Ruwet · atte Rugge-bones ende, [Ruwet] rewet H; ryuet TU.] Þat alle þat herde þe horn · heolden heore neose after, [herde þe] herden þat THU.] And weschte þat hit weore I-wipet · with a wesp of Firsen. [

The readings are,

And wisshide it hadde be wexid · wiþ a wysp of firsen T;

And wyȝschid it hadde be waxed · wiþ a wips of ferse H;

And wysschide it hadde waxid · wiþ a wyspe of fyre (!) U.

] ¶ He hedde no strengþe to stonde · til he his staf hedde; [til] er T.] Line 196 Þenne gon he for to go · lyk A gleo-monnes bicche, [

þenne—go] þen bygan he to go H; & þan gan he go U. lyk] as H.

OBS. In T ll. 197, 198 are mixed up, thus:—

And þanne gan he to go sum tyme asid & sum tyme arere.

]

Sum tyme asyde · and sum tyme arere, [asyde] auaunt H.] As hose leiþ lynes · to [lacche] wiþ Foules. [leiþ] leide TU. [lacche] So in TU; VH have the mis-reading cacche. wiþ Foules] wiþ larkes T; wiþ briddis H; wilde foules U.] ¶ Whon he drouh to þe dore · þen dimmede his eiȝen, He þrompelde atte þrexwolde · and þreuh to þe grounde. [He—atte] He stumblide on þe TU; he stumblid to þe H. þrexwolde] þresshewold T; þreschfold H; throsch|fold U. þreuh] fel TH; stey U. grounde] erþe TU.] [Clement þe coblere · cauȝte glotoun by þe mydle, Line 202 And for to lyfte hym aloft · leide hym on his knees; And glotoun was a gret cherl · and grym in þe lyftynge, And cowhede vp a cawdel · in clementis lappe, Line 205 Þat þe hungriest hound · of hertforde schire Ne durst lape of þat laueyne · so vnloveli it smakith]. [In U only.] Þat with al þe wo of þis world · his wyf and his wenche [þat] U omits. þis] þe TH.] Line 208 Beeren him hom to his bed · and brouhten him þer|Inne. [hom] TU omit.] And after al þis surfet · an Accesse he hedde, [accesse] axesse TH; accidie U.] Þat he slepte Seturday and Sonenday · til sonne wente to reste. [wente] ȝede TU.] ¶ Þenne he wakede of his wynk · and wypede his eiȝen; [he—wynk] wakide he of his wynkynge THU.] Line 212 Þe furste word þat he spac [was] · "wher is þe Cuppe?" [word] word was H. spac] spak was T; spak, what U. [was TH] V omits. cuppe] bolle TU.] His wyf warnede him þo · of wikkednesse and of sinne. [warnede—þo] blamide hym þanne THU. & of] of H; & TU.] Þenne was he a-schomed, þat schrewe · and schraped his eren, [he—schrewe] þat schrewe as|shamide THU. schraped] robbed H.] And gon to grede grimliche · and gret deol to make [gon—grimliche] gan grete grymly T; gan to grete grymly U; bygan to be sory H. to make] made TU.] For his wikkede lyf · þat he I-liued hedde. [his] þe HU. wikkede] liþer TU.] Line 217

Line 217

"FOr hungur oþer for Furst · I make myn A-vou, [

The readings are,

And auowide to faste · for any hungir or þrist T;

þo to fast he made a uow · for hunger or for þurst H;

And avowed to faste · for hungir or for þriste U.

] Schal neuer [fysch] on Frydai · defyen in my mawe, [V omits fysch; but it is in HTU. After Frydai H inserts quod he. mawe] wombe T.] Er Abstinence myn Aunte · haue I-ȝiue me leue; [Er—aunte] er into tyme þat abstinence H.] Line 220 And ȝit Ichaue I-hated hire · al my lyf tyme." [I-hated hire] hire hatid H.] ¶ Sleuþe for serwe · fel doun I-swowene [Sleuþe] þo sleuþe H. Iswowene] a swowe TH; aswoune U.] Til vigilate þe veil · fette water at his eiȝen, [

þe veil] þer while T; U omits. fette] wol fecche U. at] to TU.

OBS. H makes two lines of this, thus:—

til he woke & wept · water wiþ his iȝen,

& vigilate þe wakere · warned him þo.

] And flatte on his face · and faste on him criȝede, [And flatte] heo flat H; And flattide it T.] Line 224 And seide, "war þe for wonhope · þat Wol þe bi-traye. [war þe for] þat H. þat—þe] wile þe T; wolde hym H; he wil þe U.] ¶ 'Icham sori for my sunnes' · sei to þi-seluen, [U omits this line.] And bet þi-self on þe Breste · and bidde god of grace, [þe] þy H. god] hym TU.] For nis no gult her so gret · his Merci nis wel more." [U omits. For] þer H. her] H omits. his] þat H. his—more] þat his goodnesse nis more T.] ¶ Þenne sat sleuþe vp · and sikede sore, [sikede sore] seide to hymsiluen H; seynide hym faste TU.] Line 229 And made a-vou bi-fore god · for his foule sleuþe; [bifore] tofore T; to H; to verrey U. foule] wicked H.] "Schal no sonenday þis seuen ȝer · (bote seknesse hit make), [þis] be þis TU. ȝer] U omits.] Þat I ne schal do me ar day · to þe d[e]ore churche, [do me ar] euery H. to—deore] to the dere T; rise erly to H; to þe parische U.] Line 232 And here Matins and Masse · as I a Monk were. [Matins—Masse] masse & matynes TH. as—Monk] a monk as I H.] ¶ Schal non ale after mete · holde me þennes, [non ale] no riot H.] Til ichaue Euensong herd · I beo-hote to þe Rode. [beohote to] behote TU; swere by H.]

And ȝit I-chulle ȝelden aȝeyn · ȝif I so muche haue, [Ichulle ȝelden] wile I ȝelde T; y wold ȝelde H; y wol ȝelde U.] Al þat I wikkedliche won · seþþe I wit hade. [Al] U omits.] Line 237 ¶ And þauh my lyflode lakke · letten I nulle [And þauh] þeiȝ T. my—lakke] lyflode me faile U. nulle] ne wolle U.] Þat vche mon schal habben his · er ich henne wende: [vche] euery HU; iche A T.] And with þe Residue and þe remenaunt · (bi þe Rode of Chester!) Line 240 I schal seche seynt Treuþe · er I seo Rome!" [seynt] TU omit. seo] seke T; se H; see U.] ¶ Robert ȝe Robbour · on Reddite he lokede, [on—he] rufulliche H. he] TU omit.] And for þer nas not Wher-with · he wepte ful sore. [And—wherwith] for þat he was wicked H. ful] swiþe THU.] But ȝit þe sunfol schrewe · seide to him-seluen: [But ȝit] And ȝet TU; But H.] Line 244 "Crist, þat vppon Caluarie · on þe Cros diȝedest, [vppon] on THU. on] vpon TH. cros] rode T. diȝedest] deide HU.] Þo Dismas my broþer · bi-souȝte þe of grace, [þe] hym U.] And heddest Merci of þat mon · for Memento sake, [And] And þou TU; as þou H. of] on THU. memento] memen|to-is TH.] Þi wille worþ vppon me · as Ich haue wel deseruet [worþ] werche TU. as] for H. wel] U omits.] To haue helle for euere · ȝif þat hope neore. Line 249 So rewe on me, Robert · þat no Red haue, [me] þis TU. no Red haue] red non ne hauiþ T; no reed ne haue H; reed non haueþ U.] Ne neuere weene to wynne · for Craft þat I knowe. [weene] weniþ TU. for—knowe·] wiþ craft þat he knowiþ TU.] Bote for þi muchel Merci · mitigacion I be-seche; [muchel] grete U. H reads, bote for þi mytigacion · mercy y by-seche.] Line 252 Dampne me not on domes day · for I dude so ille." [H omits these lines.] , [on] at TU. for] for þat TU.] ¶ Ak what fel of þis Feloun · I con not feire schewe, [H omits these lines.] , [fel] befel TU.] But wel Ich wot he wepte faste · watur with his eiȝen, [But] THU omit. faste] H omits.] And knouhlechede his gult · to Crist ȝit eft-sones, [to—ȝit] þerto H; ȝit U.] Line 256

Line 256 Þat Penitencia is [pike · he] schulde polissche newe, [

V reads, þat Penitencia is prest · schulde polissche him newe.

But this is probably wrong; cf.

þat penitencia his pike · he shulde pulsshe newe T;

þat penaunce his piked staf · shulde be polischid al new H;

þat penitencia his pyke · schulde pulsche newe U.

] And lepe with him ouerlond · al his lyf tyme, [leep] go H.] For he haþ leiȝen bi latro · lucifers brother. [haþ leiȝen] hadde leiȝe TU; hadde leyn H. brother] hyne T; Aunte U.] ¶ A þousent of Men þo · þrongen to-geders, [A] And T. of—þo] of men T; men H; men & mo þo U. þrongen] þe wronge (!) T.] Line 260 Weopyng and weylyng · for heore wikkede dedes, [weylyng] wringing H. heore—dedes] here mysdedis H.] Criȝinge vpward to Crist · and to his clene moder [Criȝinge] Criede T; Cryden U. clene] dere T.] To haue grace to seche seint treuþe · god lene þei so mote! [seint] THU omit. god—mote] god lene þat hy moten T; so god lene þat þei mote U.]

PASSUS VI.

[Title from T; also called Passus Sextus in HUD.] [Passus Sextus de visione, vt prius.]

[NOw riden þis folk · & walken on fote [These two lines are in H only.] to seche þat seint · in selcouþe londis]. [These two lines are in H only.]

BOte þer were fewe men so wys · þat couþe þe wei þider, [were] was T. men] U omits. þat—þider] þat þei þider couþe T; þe wey þider coude U; þat þe wey couþen H.] BOte bustelyng forþ as bestes · ouer valeyes and hulles, [bustelyng] blustrid T; blustren U; bolstride H. forþ as] as blynd H. and] or U.] [for while þei wente here owen wille · þei wente alle amys]. [In H only.] Line 5 Til [hit] was late and longe · þat þei a Leod metten, [(hit) was] So in H; TU omit; V omits hit. leod] lede TU; man H.] Apparayled as a Palmere · In pilgrimes wedes. [Palmere] paynym TU. wedes] wyse THU.] He bar a bordun I-bounde · wiþ a brod lyste, [He bar a burdoun in his hond · bounde wiþ a lyste H.] Line 8 In A weþe-bondes wyse · I-wriþen aboute. [U omits. weþebondes] wode|byndes H; way wendis T. Iwriþen] he bond hym T.] A Bagge and a Bolle · he bar bi his syde; An hundred of ampolles · on his hat seeten, [

seeten] seten THU.

OBS. In this l. H₂ has apples (!) for ampolles.

] Signes of Synay · and Schelles of Galys; Line 12 Moni Cros on his cloke · and keiȝes of Rome, [Moni cros on] And many crouch in T; & many crosses on H; And many a cros on U.] And þe vernicle bi-fore · for men schulde him knowe, [bifore] to-fore H; hym by|forn U. hym knowe] y-knowe H; knowe T]

And seo be his signes · whom he souht hedde. [folio 398b:1] ¶ Þis Folk fraynede him feire · from whenne þat he coome? [

Expanded in U into two lines;

þis folk frayneth him faire · for hym þat hym made,

Fro whennes þat be come · & whiderward he schulde. from whenne] whenis T.

] Line 16 "From Synay," he seide, · "and from the Sepulcre; From Bethleem and Babiloyne · I haue ben in boþe, [at bedlem & at babilon · haue y ben also H. From—Babiloyne] At bedlem (bethlem U) at babiloyne TU.] In Ynde and in Assye · and in mony oþer places. [In—Assye] In Armonye, in Alisaundre THU. and] TU om.] Ȝe mouwe seo be my Signes · þat sitteþ on myn hat, Line 20 Þat I haue walked ful wyde · In weete and in druye, [ful] wel T; U omits.] And souht goode seyntes · for my soule hele." ¶ "Knowest þou ouht A Corseynt · Men calleþ Seynt Treuþe? [ouht—corseynt] ouȝt a cor|seint, quod þei TU; a seint, quoþ þei H. Men—seynt] þat men callen THU.] Const þou wissen vs þe wey · wher þat he dwelleþ? [wissen] teche H. he] wy T. dwelleþ] walkeþ H.] Line 24

"Nay, so God glade me!" · seide þe gome þenne, [God—me] god mote me helpe T; god me helpe H; me god helpe U. gome] man T; pilgrym H.] "Sauh I neuere Palmere · with pyk ne with schrippe [Sauh I] I sauȝ TH. pyk—schrippe] scrip ne wiþ pyk H.] Such a seint seche · bote now in þis place." [Such—seche] Axen aftir hym TU; aske after seint treuþe H. bote] er T; eer þan U.] "Peter!" quod a Plouȝ-Mon · and putte forþ his hed, "I knowe him as kuyndeliche · as Clerk doþ his bokes; Clene Concience and wit · [kende] me to his place, [Clene] kynde H. and wit] H omits. [kende] So in TU; VH read tauȝte. to] riȝt to H.] Line 30 And dude enseure me seþþe · to serue him for euere. [enseure—seþþe] me to sure hym TU; me assure H.] ¶ Boþe to sowen and to setten · while I swynke mihte, [to—setten] sowe his seed T; now and sithe U.] I haue ben his felawe · þis fiftene wynter; [felawe] folowere TU; holdere H. þis fiftene] al þis fourty TU.] Line 33 Boþe I-sowed his seed · and suwed his beestes, [suwed] kepid U; folewid H.]

And eke I-kept his Corn · I-caried hit to house, [eke] TH omit. I-caried] & cariede THU.] I-dyket and I-doluen · I-don what he hihte, [I haue dichid & doluen · & do what he bad H. Idon] and do THU.] Line 36 With-Innen and withouten · I-wayted his profyt; [I-wayted] waytide T; to wayten U.] Þer nis no laborer in þis leod · þat he loueþ more, [nis] is H. laborer] laboure H. þis leod] his lordsshipe TU; lordschip H. he loueþ more] he louiþ betere T; hym likeþ betere U.] For þauh I Sigge hit my-self · I serue him to paye. [paye] plese U.] ¶ I haue myn hure of him wel · and oþerwhile more; [I] And T. wel] TH omit.] He is þe presteste payere · þat poré men habbeþ; [presteste] rediest H. habbeþ] knowen TU; knowiþ H.] Line 41 He with-halt non hyne his huire · þat he hit naþ at euen. [with-halt] ne halt TU. hit naþ] ne haþ it TU. H reads, he with-holdiþ no mannys huyre · he paieþ hem at euen.] He is as louh as A lomb · louelich of speche, [louelich] & loueliche TU.] And ȝif ȝe wolleþ I-wite · wher þat he dwelleþ, [And ȝif] ȝif þat H. ȝe—I|wite] þat ȝe wille wite U. he] wy T.] Line 44 I wol wissen ow þe wey · hom to his place." [

I shal wisse ȝow wel · þe riȝt way to his place T;

I shal teche ȝou ful riȝt · home to his house H;

I schal wisse ȝow þe wey · right to his place U.

]

"YE, leue pers," quod þis palmers · and profreden him huire. [þis palmers] þe pilgrimes THU.] "Nai, bi þe peril of my soule," quod pers · and bigon to swere, [Nai] H om. pers] he H. bigon to] gan to T; gan for to U; fast he dide H.] "I nolde fonge a ferþing · for seynt Thomas schrine! [fonge] take H.] Treuþe wolde loue me þe lasse · a gret while after! [Treuþe] For treuþe TU. lasse] wers THU. a—after] a longe time aftir TU; a gret while here after H.] Line 49 ¶ Bote ȝe þat wendeþ to him · þis is þe wei þider: [wendeþ—him] wilneþ to wende TU; wole to hym wende H.] Ȝe mote go þorw mekenesse · boþe Mon and wyf, [mon—wyf] men & wyues TU. OBS. 52—Pass. VII. 1. 2. MS. H has here lost a folio; the rest of the Passus is collated with D.] Til ȝe come in-to Concience · þat crist knowe þe soþe [knowe] wyte TUD.]

Þat ȝe loueþ him leuere · þen þe lyf in oure hertes, Line 53 And þenne oure neihebors next · In none wyse apeire [apeire] apeiriþ T; to apeire UD.] Oþerweys þen þou woldest · men wrouȝten to þi-seluen. ¶ So Bouweþ forþ bi a brok · beo-boxum-of-speche, [So bouweþ] And so bouȝ T; And so boweþ U; And so bowe D. brok] banke T.] [Forþ til ȝe fynde a forde · ȝour-fadres-honoureth]; [From U; also in TD. Forþ til] For to T; For D.] Line 57 Wadeþ in þat water · wasscheþ ow wel þere, [Wadiþ] Wades U. wassheþ—þere] & wassche ȝou þerynne U.] And ȝe schul lepe þe lihtloker · al oure lyf tyme. [lihtloker] liȝtliere T.] ¶ Sone schaltou þenne I-seo · swere-not-but-þou-haue neode| [Sone—Iseo] So shalt þou se TD; So schul ȝe se U. þou haue] it be for TUD. þe] U om.] Line 60 And-nomeliche-In-Idel- · þe-nome-of-God-Almihti. [In Idel] an ydel T; on ydel D; on þe ydel U. þe nome] name U] ¶ Þenne schul ȝe come bi a Croft · but cum ȝe not þer|Inne; [schul ȝe] shalt þou TD. but—ȝe] ac come þou T; but come D; cometh U.] Þe Croft hette coueyte-not- · Mennes-catel-ne-heore|wyues| [þe] þat T. hette] hattiþ T; hatte U; hiȝte D.] Ne-non-of-heore-seruauns- · þat-nuyȝen-hem-mihte; [nuyȝen] noiȝe T; noye UD.] Line 64 Loke þou breke no Bouȝ þere · but ȝif hit beo þin owne. [Bouȝ] bowis TUD. ȝif hit] it TD; þei U. þin] ȝour U.] ¶ Twei stokkes þer stondeþ · but stunt þou not þere, [stunt þou] stynte þou TD; stynte ȝe U.] Þei hetten, Sle-not, ne-stel-not · stryk forþ bi hem boþe; [hetten—not] hote stele nouȝt ne sle nouȝt TUD. stryk—hem] but strike forþ by UT.] Lef hem on þi luft half · loke hem not aftur, [þi] þe U. luft] left TUD. loke—aftur] & loke nouȝt þere-aftir TUD.] Line 68 And hold wel þin haly-day · euere til euen. [U omits. euer til] heiȝ til þe T; eyliche to D.] ¶ Þenne schaltou Blenchen at a brok · ber-no-fals|witnesse, [blenchen at] see blenche U. brok] bourne T; bak U; berwe D.]

He is frettet with-Innen with Floreyns · and oþes wel monye; [frettet withinnen] frettid in T; frethid yn U; fryþed in D. with floreyns] white floures (!) D. oþes wel] oþere flouris TD; oþere feeȝ U.] Loke þou plokke no plonte þer · for peril of þi soule. [Loke] And loke TD. plonte] plantis TUD.] ¶ Þenne schaltou [se] sei-soþ- · so-hit-beo-to-done| [þenne] And þanne TD. [se] in UD only, yet required. sei] D omits. so hit] V has so þat hit; but þat is best omitted, as in TUD.] And-loke-þat-þou-lyȝe-not- · for-no-monnes-bidyng. [And loke] loke TD.] Line 74

ÞEnne schaltou come to a Court · Cleer as þe Sonne, [cleer] as clere U; as chere D.] Þe Mot is of Merci · þe maner al abouten, [mot] moot U; mote D.] Line 76 And alle þe walles beþ of wit · to holde wil þeroute; [wil] wel U.] Þe Carnels beþ of Cristendam · þe kuynde to saue, [carnels] kirnelis TU; cornels D. þe] þat TD.] Brutaget with þe bileeue · wher-þorw we moten beo sauet. [Brutaget] And boterasid TD; And briteschid U. þe] TUD om. wherþorw—beo] oþer þou worst not T; or elles þou best noght U; so elles þou worst nouȝt D.] Alle þe houses beoþ I-hulet · Halles and Chaumbres, [þe] U om. Ihulet] helid TUD. halles] halle U.] Wiþ no led bote with loue- · as-Breþeren-of-o-wombe. [with loue] loue & louȝnesse TD; al wiþ loue U.] ¶ Þe Tour þer treuþe is Inne · I-set Is aboue þe sonne, [is inne] is hymselfe TD; him|selue is U. Iset—aboue] is vp to TUD.] He may do with þe day-sterre · what him deore lykeþ; [him deore] hym good U; þat hym D.] Deth dar not do · þing þat he defendeþ. [not—þing] do no þing D.] Line 84 ¶ Grace hette þe ȝate-ward · A good mon forsoþe, [ȝateward] porter TD; gate|ward U.] His Mon hette a-Mende-þou · for mony men him knoweþ; [amende þou] amende ȝow TU; amendes D. him] he T.] Tel him þis tokene · for treuþe wot þe soþe: [for] TUD om.] 'I performede þe penaunce · þat þe prest me en-Ioynede; [þe—þat] D om. þat] T om.] ¶ I am sori for my sunnes · and so schal I euere [I] And TD; And y U.] Line 89 Whon I þenke þer-on · þauȝ I weore a pope.' [þenke þeron] þeron þenke U.]

Bidde a-Mende [-þou] Meken him · to his Mayster ones, [amende þou] See l. 86; amende ȝow TU; amendis D; a-Mende V. ones] Begins l. 92 in TUD.] To wynne vp þe wiket-ȝat · þat þe wey schutte, [wynne vp] weue out TD. wiket|ȝat] wyket TUD. þe—schutte] he with shette TD; þe wight schetteþ U.] Line 92 Þo þat Adam and Eue · eeten heore bone; [þo þat] þo TUD. bone] bane TUD.] For he haþ þe keye of þe cliket · þauȝ þe kyng slepe. [keye of] keiȝes & TUD.] ¶ And ȝif grace þe graunte · to gon in in þis wyse, [þe graunte] graunte þe TUD. in in] in on U; in TD.] Þou schalt seo treuþe him-self · sitten in þin herte. [folio 398b:2] [sitten] wel sitte T; wil sette D.] Line 96 ¶ Þenne loke þat þou loue him wel · and his lawe holde; [þenne—wel] And lere þe for to loue TUD.] Bote beo wel I-war of wraþþe · [þat wykkide] Schrewe, [Bote—wraþþe] Ac be war þanne of wraþþe T; Ac be war of wretthe noght U; Ac be waar þanne wraþe nouȝt D. [þat wykkide TUD] for he is a V.] For he haþ Envye to him · þat [in þyn herte sitteþ;] [[in þyn herte sitteþ] So in TUD; sitteþ in þyn herte V.] And puiteþ forþ pruide · to preisen þi-seluen. [puiteþ forþ] pokiþ þe for TD; lokith for U.] Line 100 ¶ Þe boldnesse of þi benfes · blendeþ þin eiȝen, [þi benfes] þi bien fait T; þat ben feet U; þy benfet D. blendeþ—ciȝen] makiþ þe blynd þanne TUD.] And so worþestou I-driuen out · and þe dore I-closet, [worþestou] worst þou TUD. out] out as dew TUD.] I-keiȝet and I-kliketed · to [kepe] þe þer-oute; [[kepe] TD; holden V; holde U.] Hapliche, an Hundred ȝer · er þou eft entre. [Hapliche] Happily TUD. ȝer] wynter TUD.] Line 104 ¶ Þus maihtou leosen his loue · to leten wel bi þi-seluen, [maihtou] miȝt þou TUD.] Bote gete hit aȝeyn bi grace · and bi no ȝift elles. [Bote] And TUD. bi] þoruȝ T; þurw U; with D; (in both places). ȝift] þing D.]

Ak þer beoþ seuen sustren · þat seruen treuþe euere, [sustren] doutres U. seruen] T om. (by mistake).] And ben porters at posternes · þat to þe place longen. [at posternes] to þe posternis T; at þe posterne U; of þe posternes D.] Þat on hette Abstinence · And Humilitie a-noþer, [þat on] þe ton U. and] U om. humilitie] meknesse TD. anoþer] a noþer T; an oþer U; þat oþer D.] Line 109 Charite And Chastite · beoþ tweyne ful Choyse Maidenes, [Charite—Chastite] Chastite and charite U. tweyne—choyse] hire chief TUD. maidenes] U om.]

Pacience and Pees · Muche peple helpen, [U omits. muche peple] mekil folke þei T; many folk þei D.] Largesse þe ladi · ledeþ in ful monye. [Largesse] Largite U. þe] þat UD. ledeþ] letith U; let TD. ful] wel TUD.] Line 112 ¶ Bote hose is sib to þis sustren · so me god helpe! [hose] who so T; ho so D; sche U. þis] þe U.] Is wonderliche wel-comen · and feire vnderfonge. [Is] He is TUD. wel-comen] welcome T; wolcome D; vnwolcome (!) U. feire] vnfair (!) U.] And bote ȝe ben sibbe · to summe of þeos seuene, [And—ȝe] But ȝif ȝe T; But ȝe D; But if he U.] Hit is ful hard, bi myn hed! · eny of ow alle [Hit—hed] He is wel hard to ben had D. ful] wel TUD.] Line 116 To gete in-goynge at þat ȝat · bote grace beo þe more." [To—ȝat] Gete ingate at eny U. in-goynge] ingange TD. at þat] at any T; atte D.] ¶ "Bi Crist," quaþ a Cutte-pors · "I haue no kun þere!" [a] þe D. haue] ne haue T. kun] kyn TUD.] "No," quaþ an Apeward · "for nout þat I knowe!" [No] Ne I TUD. for nout] be auȝt TUD.] "I-wis," quaþ a waferer · "wust I þis for soþe, [Iwis] Wyte god TUD. þis for] þat for TD; þat þe U.] Line 120 Schulde I neuere forþere a fote · for no freres prechinge." [neuere] no D.] ¶ "Ȝus," quaþ pers þe plouȝ-mon · and prechede hire to goode, [ȝus] ȝis TU; þus D. prechede hire] pukide hym T; pokid hym U; poked hem D.] "Merci is a Mayden þer · and haþ miht ouer hem alle; [is] haþ TD; hadde U. þer] T om. and haþ] haþ TD; þat U.] Heo is sib to alle synful men · an hire sone alse; [Heo] And she TUD. men] TUD om. an] and UTD.] Line 124 And þorw þe help of hem two · (hope þou non oþer), [two] TD om.] Þou maiȝt gete grace þer · so þat þou [go] bi-tyme." [þer] TU om. þat] TUD om. [go TUD] come V.]

PASSUS VII.

[Title from T; also called P.Septimus in UD.] [Passus septimus de visione, vtprius.]

"ÞIs weore a wikked wei · bote hose hedde a gyde, Þat mihte folwen us vch a fote · forte þat we come þere." [

vch a] iche T; ech U. forte—come] til þat we were T; til we were U.

OBS. Collation with H here recom|mences.

] Quaþ perkyn þe plouȝmon · "bi peter þe Apostel, [peter] seint peter H; seint poule TU.] I haue an half Aker to herie · bi þe heiȝe weye; [herie] ere H; erie U; ern T. bi] by-side H.] Line 4 Weore he wel I-Eried · þenne with ou wolde I Wende, [Hadde y herd þat halfe akir · so me god helpe T;hadde y erid þat · þen wolde y wiþ ȝou wende H;Hadde eryed myn halue acre · I schal brynge ȝou þere U.] And wissen ou þe rihte weye · til ȝe founden treuþe." [U omits. wissen ou] teche ȝow H. founden treuþe] come þere H. T reads, I wolde wende wiþ ȝow · til ȝe were þere.] ¶ "Þat weore a long lettynge" · quaþ a ladi in a skleir, [þat] þis TU. in a skleir] in a scleire TU; wiþ a sleyre H.] "What schul we wimmen · worche þe while?" [schul] schulde T.] Line 8 "Summe schul souwe sakkes · for schedyng of Whete, [souwe sakkes] sewe þe sake TU. of] of þe THU.] And ȝe wyues þat habbeþ wolle · worcheþ hit faste, [ȝe] TU om. wolle] wollene T. worcheþ—faste] wurche it ȝe schulle U.] [Spynneth it spedily · spareþ noght ȝour fyngres], [From U; also in TH.] Bote ȝif hit beo haly day · or elles holy euen. [or elles] oþer T.] Line 12 Lokeþ forþ or Linnene · And labereþ þer-on faste. [or] ȝoure THU.] Þe Neodi and þe Nakede · nym ȝeeme hou þei liggen, [Þe Neodi] þer nedy ben U. þe] U om. nym ȝeeme] nymeþ hed T; nym hede U; takiþ kepe H. H trans|poses neodi and nakede.]

And cast on hem cloþes for colde · for so wolde treuþe; [And] THU om. on] TU om. wolde] wile T; wole HU.] For I schal lene hem lyflode · But ȝif þe lond fayle, [lene] fynde H.] Line 16 As longe as I liue · for vr lordes loue of heuene. [vr] our U; þe T. loue] U om.] ¶ And ȝe, loueli Ladies · with oure longe Fyngres, [oure longe] ȝour louely TU.] Þat habbeþ selk, and sendel · souweþ, whon tyme is, [souweþ] sewiþ it TU.] Chesybles for Chapeleyns · and Churches to honoure; [Chesybles] chesiples H. Chape|leyns] chapellis TU; churchis H. and] T om. Churches] chapels H.] And alle maner of Men · þat bi Mete liuen, [of] H om. bi] by þe HTU.] Line 21 Helpeþ him worche wihtliche · þat winneþ oure fode." [him] hem TU. worche] forþ H. oure] ȝoure THU.]

"BI Crist," quaþ a kniht þo · "þou [kennest] vs þe beste! [þo] U om. [kennest HU] techest V; techist T; the allit. re|quires kennest.] Saue o tyme trewely · þus tauht was I neuere! [Saue—tyme] but o tyme H; Ac on þe tem TU. þus] so H; TU om.] Line 24 Bote [kenne] me," quod þe kniht · "and I-chul conne erie; [H omits. [kenne TU] tech. V; see l. 23. Ichul—erie] I wile lerne to eren T; y wol lere to erye U.] [I wol helpe þee to labore · whil my lyf lastiþ."] [From H; in H only; perhaps redundant; see l. 29.] "Bi seint peter," quod Pers · "for þou profrest þe so lowe, [peter] poule TU. Pers] perkyn THU.] I schal swynken and sweten · and sowen for us boþe, [swynken—sweten] swete and swynke U.] And eke labre for þi loue · al my lyf tyme, [eke] U om. labre] labore H; laboure T; labouren U. Spelt labore in l. 117; but see U 221, 259.] Line 29 In Couenaunt þat þou kepe · Holi chirche and my-seluen [kepe] kepe wel U. and my|seluen] right And me (the two last words in next line) U; And myself (in next line) T.] From wastors and Wikkede men · þat Wolden vs destruyen. [wastors] watris (sic) U. and—men] T om. vs] me TU.] And go þou hunte hardily · to Hares and to Foxes, [þou] THU om. to—Foxes] þe hare & þe fox TU.] Line 32

Line 32 To Beores and to Bockes · þat brekeþ menne hegges, [To Beores] to beris H; And þe boris T; And to brokkys U. to Bockes] þe bukkes T; to bukkes U. menne] mennys H; myn TU.] And fecche þe hom Faucuns · þe Foules to quelle; [þe Foules] foules U. quelle] kille THU.] For þei comen in-to my croft · And Croppen my Whete.' [þei] þise TU. in-to] to TH. Croppen] crepen in H.] ¶ Ful Curteisliche þe kniht · conseiued þeose wordes; [Ful] THU om. conseiued] comsed H; compsiþ T. þeose] his U.] "Be my pouwer, pers · I plihte þe my trouþe Line 37 To folfulle þe Foreward · while þat I may stonde!" [folfulle] folewe H. þe] þis H; þat U. þat I] I T; my lyf H.] ¶ "But ȝit O poynt," quod pers · "I preye þe no more; [But—O] ȝe, ȝit a H; ȝa, & ȝet a T; And a U. pers] perkyn THU. no] sire H; TU om.] Loke þou teone no tenaunt · bote treuþe wol assente: [assente] Accorde U.] And ȝif pore men profreþ ou · presentes or ȝiftes, [ȝif] þei T; þeiȝe U. profreþ ou] profre þe TU; presentiþ þee H. presentes or] wiþ H.] Line 41 Takeþ hem not, in auenture · ȝe mouwen hem not de|seruen; [Takeþ] Nyme TU. in auenture] an aunter TU. ȝe mouwen] þou mowe TU; þou maist H.] For þou schalt ȝelden hit a-ȝeyn · at one ȝeeres ende, In a wel perilous place · þat Purgatorie hette. Line 44 And mis-beode þou not þi bonde-men · þe beter þou schalt spede, [þou] TU om. þou schalt] þou miȝt HU; shalt þou T.] And þat þi-self be trewe of tonge · and tales þou hate, [And—þiself] And þat þou TU; & H. of] of þy HU. and] H om.] Bote hit beo wisdam or wit · þi werkmen to chaste. [beo] be of TU. or] or of TU; & H. þi] H om. werkmen] wicked men H.] Hold not þou with harlotes · here not heore tales, [not—with] wiþ none TU. þou] H om. here] ne here TU] Line 48 And nomeliche atte Mete · suche Men eschuwe; [atte] at þe HU; at T. suche] for suche T (badly). Men] men þou U.] For þei ben þe deueles disours · I do þe [to] vndurstonde." [þei ben] it arn TU; it beþ H. [to THU] V om.] ¶ "Ich a-sente, be seint Iem!" · seide þe kniht þenne, [folio 399a:1] "For to worche bi þi word · while my lyf dureþ." [word] wordis H.]

¶ "And I schal A-paraile me," quod perkin · "In pil|grimes wyse, [me] U om. pilgrimes] pilgrym T; a palmerys H.] Line 53 And wende with ou þe rihte wei · til ȝe treuþe fynde." [wende] U om. ou—rihte] ȝow þe TU; þee on þe H. ȝe—fynde] ȝe fynde treuthe U; we fynde treuþe TH.] He caste on his cloþes · I-clouted and I-hole, [I-hole] hole TU. H reads, He cast on his cloutid cloþis & his olde cokeris.] His Cokeres and his Coffus · for Colde of his nayles, [His cokeres] H om. (see l. 55). coffus] coffis also H; cuffis T; cuffes U.] He heng an Hoper on his Bac · In stude of a Scrippe, [He] And T. an] his THU. on—bac] at his hals T; on his rugge H. stude] stede THU. a] his U.] A Busschel of Bred corn · he bringeþ þer-Inne: [busschel] boyschel H. he bringeþ] brouȝte he T; he brouȝte H; bryng me U.] Line 58 "For I wol souwen hit my-self · and seþþen with ou wende. [myself] my-self, quoþ he H. with ou] wile I THU.] For hose helpeþ me to heren · or eny þing to swynken, [For hose] And who-so THU. heren] eren T; erie HU. to] TU om.] He schal haue, beo vr lord · þe more huyre in heruest, [He] TU om. huyre] here T; mede U. in] at U.] And make him murie with þe Corn · hose hit euere bi|gruccheþ. [with—corn] þerwith U. euere] THU om.] And alle kunnes Craftus men · þat cunne lyuen with treuþe, [kunnes craftus] manere craftis H; kyne crafty TU. with] in THU.] Line 63 I schal fynden hem heore fode · þat Feiþfuliche lyuen; [heore] THU om. þat] H om. Feiþfuliche] skilfulliche U. lyuen] to lyuen H.] ¶ Saue Iacke þe Iogelour · And Ionete of þe stuyues, [Ionete] Ienot H. of] at U. stuyues] styves H; stywes U; stewis T.] And Robert þe Ribaudour · for his Rousti wordes. [Robert] Robyn TU.] Treuþe tauhte hit me ones · and bad me telle hit forther, [tauhte hit] tolde THU. me] me þus U. telle] teche H. forther] forþ T.] Deleantur de libro · [I ne shulde not dele wiþ hem,] [I have made this an allit. line, as it stands in T; V has only De|leantur de libro viuencium; H has the wholequotation Deleantur—scribantur, and omits 69, 70; U has deleantur de libro viuencium y schulde noght dele with hem; which is too long.] Line 68 Holi churche is holden of hem · no tiþe to taken; [H omits. Holi] For holy TU. tiþe] tiþes T. taken] asken T; axen U.]

Et cum Iustis non Scribantur;

Þei ben a-scaped good þrift · god hem amende!" [H omits. þrift] Auntir T; auntour U. god] now god T.]

Dame [werche]-whon-tyme-is · Hette Pers Wyf, [[werche THU] V om. Hette—wyf] piers wyf hatte THU.] His douhter hette do-riht-so- · or-þi-dame-wol-þe|bete, [so] T om. wol] shal TU.] Line 72 His sone hette Soffre-þi-souereyns- · for-to-han-heor|wille| [for to] to TU.] And-deeme-hem-not-for-ȝif-þou-do- · þou-schalt-hit-deore|abugge. [do] doist H; dost TU. deore abugge] dere abigge TH; sore abie U.] ["Let god worþe wiþ al · for so his woord techiþ;] [From T; also in HU. worþe] wurche U.] For nou Icham old and hor · and haue of myn owne, [nou] now HU; T om. Icham] I am THU. and hor] and hoor U; H om. haue] y-now haue H.] To Penaunce and to pilgrimage · I wol passe with þis oþure. [I wol] wile I T. þis] TU om.] For-þi I wole, ar I Wende · write my Testament. [Forþi] For U. ar] er TU; or H. write] do writen U; do wyte (sic) T. testament] bequest T; byquestes U.] In dei nomine, Amen · I make hit mi-seluen. [In—amen] In þe name of god H (which has here in margin, In dei no.).] He schal haue my soule · þat best haþ deseruet, [He] For he TU.] Line 80 And defende hit from þe fend · for so I beo-leeue, [I] is my U.] Til I come to myn A-Countes · as my Crede me telleþ, [myn] his THU. me telleþ] me techiþ TU; techiþ H.] To ha Reles and Remission · on þat Rental I be-leeue. [ha] haue THU. reles] a relese H. and] and a H. on] of H. I beleeue] I leue T; for euer H.] Þe Chirche schal haue my Careyne · And kepe mi Bones; [kepe] kepe þer H.] For of my Corn and Catel · heo Craueþ þe Tiþe. [corn—catel] catel & my corn H. heo craueþ] I crauide T. tiþe] tiþes TU. heo] I T; he HU.] Line 85 I Payede him prestly · for peril of my soule, [I payede] I haue paied H; It payd it U; And payede T. him] U om.]

He is holden, Ich hope · to haue me in Muynde, [in] in his U. muynde] mynde TU.] And munge me in his memorie · Among alle cristene. [munge] monewe T; mynwe H; menewe U.] Line 88 ¶ Mi wyf schal haue þat I won · with treuþe, and no more, [with treuþe] trewliche U.] And dele A-mong my Frendes · and my deore children. [Frendes] children H. deore children] frendis boþe H.] For þauh I dye þis day · my dettes beoþ I-quit; [dye—day] deiȝe to day TU; deied to day H. Iquit] quyt TH; yquytte U.] I Bar hom þat I Borwede · er I to bedde eode, [to—eode] went to bedde H. eode] ȝede TU.] Line 92 And with þe Residue and þe Remenaunt · by þe Rode of Chestre! [with þe] wiþ U. Remenaunt] remelaunt H.] I wol Worschupe þer-Wiþ · Treuþe in my lyue, [in] be U.] And ben his pilgrym atte plouȝ · for pore Mennes sake. [atte] at his U; at þe T.] Mi plouh-pote schal be my pyk · and posshen atte Rootes, [plouh-pote] plowbat H; plow U. pyk] pykstaf U; pilgrimstaf H. and—atte] & putte at þe T; picche vp þe U; to posse at þe H.] Line 96 And helpe my coltre to kerue · and close þe vorwes." [vorwes] forewis T; forwis H; furwes U.]

Now is Pers and þe pilgrimes to þe plouh I-fare; [and—pilgrimes] þe pilgryme H. Ifare] faren THU.] To heren þis half-Acre · helpen him ful monye. [heren] erien TU. þis] þe U; his H. ful] THU om.] Dykers and Deluers · Dikeden vp þe Balkes; [dikeden] dykeþ T; dyggen U; diȝten H. balkes] baukis H.] Line 100 Þer-with was perkyn a-payed · And preisede hem ȝerne. [hem] hem ful H.] Oþur werk-men þer weren · þat Wrouȝten ful monye, [þat] & T. monye] faste THU.] Vche Mon in his maner · Made him to done; [Vche] Eche TH; Euery U. in] on TU. him] hymself T.] And Summe, to plese perkyn · pykeden vp þe weodes. [vp] out U.] ¶ At heiȝ prime perkyn · lette þe plouȝ stonde, [At—prime] At hye prime of þe day U; An hast þen H. perkyn] piers U; peris T.] Line 105 While þat he ouer-seȝe him-self · ho þat best wrouhte; [While—ouerseȝe] To ouersen hem TU; to ouerse H.]

He schulde ben huyred þer-aftur · whon heruest tyme come. [He] þei H; TU om.] ¶ Þenne seten summe · And songen atte ale, [atte ale] at þe ale T; at þe nale HU.] Line 108 And holpen him to herien · wiþ "Hey! trolly-lolly!" [him] TU om. to herien] ere þe half akir T; to erye þe halue acre U. hey—lolly] dieu sa dame emme U.] ¶ "Now, be þe prince of paradys" · quaþ pers þo in wraþþe, [Now] TU om.] "Bote ȝe Rysen þe raþer · and Rape ȝow to worche, [þe] vp þe H.] Schal no greyn þat heer groweþ · gladen ow at neode, [heer] H om.] And þauh ȝe dyen for de-faute · þe deuel haue þat Recche!" [þauh] ȝif U. defaute] þe de|faut H; doel T; dool U. haue] hange U.] Line 113 ¶ Þenne weore þe faytors a-ferd · And feynede hem blynde, [þe] þer H; TU om. aferd] fele H. and] þat H.] And summe leiden þe legges a-liri · as suche losels cunne, [And] TU om. þe legges] here lege T; þe leg U. aliri] a lery TH; a lyry U. losels] lorellis T.] And playneden hem to pers · with suche pitouse wordes: [hem] U om.] "We haue no lymes to labore with · vr lord we hit þonken, [no lymes] none hondis T. vr] oure H. vr—þonken] lord, ygracid be ȝe T; lord, y-graced be þe U.] Line 117 Bote we preyeþ for ou, pers · and for oure plouh boþe, [ou] ȝow TU; þee · H. oure] ȝoure TU; þy H.] Þat God for his grace · oure greyn multiplye, [H omits. for] of T. oure] ȝoure TU.] And ȝelde ow for oure Almus · þat ȝe ȝiuen vs here! [H omits. for] of TU. oure] ȝoure TU. almus] almesse T; almes U.] Line 120 For we mowe nouþur swynke ne swete · such seknes vs eileþ." [nouþur] not T. swynke ne swete] swete ne swinke U. seknes] feblesse U.] ¶ "Ȝif hit beo soþ þat ȝe seyen," quod pers · "sone I schal a-spye! [soþ] so U. þat ȝe seyen] HU om. sone—schal] I shal it sone TU.] Ȝe beoþ wastors, I wot · and treuþe wot þe soþe! [wot] wot wel TU.]

Icham his holde hyne · and ouȝte him to warne [Icham] And I am TU. holde] olde TU. and] I U.] Line 124 Whuche wastors In world · his werk-Men distruyȝen. [Whuche] Suche TH; Whiche U. In] in þis TU; in þe H.] Ȝe eten þat þei schulden eten · þat [heren] for vs alle; [þei] I T. [heren] Such should be the reading; eren T; erien HU; V has swynken. See ll. 60, 99. vs] ȝow H.] Bote Treuþe schal techen ow · his Teeme for to dryue, Boþe to sowen and to setten · and sauen his tilþe, [to—setten] to setten & to sowen TH; setten & sowe U. tilþe] telþe TH.] Line 128 Gaste Crowen from his Corn · and kepen his Beestes, [Gaste crowen] Chase gees TU. from his] fro þe HU.] Or ȝe schulle ete Barly Bred · and of þe Brok drynke. [Brok] brod T (wrong).] Bote heo beo blynde or broke-schonket · or bedreden liggen, [folio 399a:2] [heo] he TU; ȝe H. broke|schonket—liggen] bedrede or ellis broke-shankid H.] Þei schul haue as good as I · so me god helpe, [þei—haue] þei shuln ete T; ȝe schul eten U; þen shulle ȝe haue H. good—I] I seie U.] Line 132 [Til god of his grace · gare [hem] to arise]. [In T is here an extra line, Til god of his grace · gare hym to arise; where hym should be hem.] ¶ Ancres and Hermytes · þat holdeþ hem in heore Celles Schulen habben of myn Almus · Al þe while I liue, [Al—while] while þat H.] I-nouh vche day at Non · but no more til a morwe, [but] & H. til a] til on þe T; til þe H; er U.] Line 136 Leste þe Fend and heore flesch · fouleden heore soules; [þe—flesch] his flessh & þe fend T; þe feend and his flesche U. foule|den—soules] foulide his soule T; fole|wen here soulis H; folewed togidre U.] Ones at Noon Is I-nouȝ · þat no werk ne vseþ, [ne] U om.] He abydeþ wel þe bet · þat Bommeþ not to ofte." [Bommeþ] ne bommeþ H.]

ÞEnne wastours gunne arise · and wolden han I-fouhte; [wastours gunne] gan þe was|tour T; gan wastour U; bygan was|tour to H.] To Pers þe plouh Mon · [one] profrede his gloue, [[one H] he TU; V has And.] A Brutiner, A Braggere · A-Bostede him Alse, [Brutiner] bretoner T; bry|toner UH. A-Bostede] he bostide T; bostide U. alse] also THU.] Line 142 And bad go pisse him with his plouh · pillede screwe! [bad] bade hym H. with] & H. pillede] olde pilede H. screwe] shrewe TH; schrewe U.]

"For we wolen habbe of þi Flour · wol þou so nulle þou, [

Wilt þou, nilt þou, we wile haue · oure wil of þis flour T;

Woltou, neltou, we wole haue · y-now of þy floure H;

Wil þou, nyl þou, we wol · haue of þi floure U.

] And of þi Flesch fecche · whon þat vs lykeþ, [of] T om. fecche] fecche awey TU; & þy fysch H. whon þat] whanne T; whan so U.] Line 145 [And make vs merye þerwiþ · maugre þi chekes!"] [From U; also in TH.] ¶ Þenne Pers plouh-mon · playnede him to þe kniht, To kepen him as Couenaunt was · from cursede schrewes, From wastors þat wayten · winners to schende. Line 149 Curteisliche þe kniht · as his kuynde wolde, [þe] þo þe H. kniht] kniȝt þanne TU.] Warnede wastors · and wissede hem do betere; [wastors] þe wastour T; wast|our U. wissede] bade H. hem] hym TU. do betere] betere TU; go werche H.] "Or ȝe schul a-bugge hit bi [þe] lawe · bi þe Ordre þat I bere!" [ȝe schul] þou shalt TU; þei shulde H. a-bugge hit] abigge TH; abye U. [þe THU] V om. ordre] lord (!) U. I bere] he bere H; I welde U.] Line 152 ¶ "I was not wont to worche," quod a wastour · "ȝit wol I not biginne!"— [a] THU om. ȝit] nowe TU.] And lette luytel of þe lawe · and lasse of þe kniht, [luytel] liȝt THU.] And countede pers at a peose · and his plouh boþe, [peose] pese TH. countede—peose] bad piers go pisse U.] And Manasede him and his men · whon þat þei next metten. [þat] THU om.] Line 156

"NOu be þe peril of my soule," quaþ Pers þe plouh-Mon, [þe plouhmon] I shall appeire ȝow alle THU.] I schal a-peiren ow alle · for oure proude wordes!" [THU omit; see l. above.] And hoped aftur hunger þo · þat herde him atte furste: [hoped] houpide T; howpide U; huntid H. þo] THU om.] "A-wrek me on þis wastors," quod pers · "þat þis world schendeþ!" [Awrek] Wreke UH. þis (1)] TH om. þis (2)] þe U. schendeþ] apeiriþ T.] Line 160 ¶ Hongur in haste · hente [wastor] bi þe mawe, [Hongur] & hunger U. haste] haste þanne T. [wastor] wastour THU; V has wastors.]

And wrong him so be þe wombe · þat boþe his eȝen watreden, [And—wombe] U om. boþe—watreden] al watride his eiȝen TU.] And Buffetede þe [brutiner] · aboute boþe his chekes; [[brutiner (see l. 142)] bre|toner TH; brytoner U; V has boye (by mistake); see l. 165. boþe his] þe TU.] He lokede lyk a Lanterne · al his lyf After. [He] þat he THU.] Line 164 He Beot so þe Boyes · he barst neih heore Ribbes, [He—boyes] He beet hem so boþe TH; And beet hym boþe U. he—neih] þat he brast ner T; and brak nere U. ribbes] mawis THU.] Nedde Pers wiþ a peose lof · I-preyed him to leue; [Nedde] Ne hadde HU; Nhadde T. wiþ] but T. I-preyed—leue] ypreied hem to lyue H; þei preyede hym beleue T; prayed hym by-lyue U.] And with a Benene Bat · I-bot hem by-twene, [benene bat] bene batte T; beny batte U. I-bot hem] he hadde TU; ȝede hem H.] Line 167 And hutte hongur þer-with · A-midde boþe his lippes, [hutte] hitte THU. þer-with] U om. boþe his] hise T; þe U.] And he bledde in-to þe Bodiward · a Bolleful of gruwel; [he—bodiward] bledde in-to þe bodyward TU; made hym blede inward H. gruwel] growel TU; gruel H.] Nedde þe Fisicien furst · defendet him water [Nedde] Ne hadde TU; Nadde H. furst] U om.] To Abate þe Barli bred · and þe Benes I-grounde, Þei hedden beo ded bi þis day · and doluen al warm.

ÞEnne Faytors for fere · flowen to Bernes, [þenne] THU om. fere] ferde þen H. to] into THU.] Line 173 And flapten on with fleiles · from morwe til euen, [flapten] flappid H; flappe U; flatte T. morwe] morne UH.] Þat Honger nas not hardi · vp for to loke, [nas] was TU. not] noght so U. vp for] on hem for T; on hem H; ones on hem U.] For A potful of peosun · þat pers hedde I-mad. [potful] potel THU. peosun] pesen H; pesyn U; pecis T. hedde I-mad] let make H.] Line 176 An Hep of Hermytes · henten heom spades, [An Hep] & an hepe H; In helpe T. heom] hem TU; here H.] And doluen drit and donge · to dutte honger oute. [dutte—oute] ditte out hunger TH; dryuen hungir out U.] ¶ Blynde and Bedraden · weore Botned a þousent, [bedraden] bedrede T; blereey|ȝed U. botned] botind T; aboute U.] Þat lyȝen for blynde · and for broke-legget [T omits. for broke-legget] brokelegged by þe hye weie U.] Line 180

Line 180 Vppon softe sonenday · bi þe heiȝe weye; [T omits; U omits part (see l. 180). sonenday] sonedaies H.] Hungur hem helede · wiþ an hot Cake. [hot] oten H; ote U.] ¶ Lome mennes limes · weore lyþet þat tyme, [Lome] And lame THU. lyþet] liþnid T; liþed HU.] Line 183 And bi-come knaues · to kepe pers beestes, And preyeden for Charite · with pers for to dwelle, [for] hym for U; pur T. pers] hym U.] [Al] for Couetyse of his corn · to caste a-wey hunger. [[Al THU] V has And, re|peated from 184, 185. caste] chase TU.] ¶ Pers was proud þer-of · And put hem in offys, [Pers] & pieris THU. þer-of] þerfore H.] Line 187 And ȝaf hem mete and moneye · as þei mihte deseruen. [deseruen] asserue TU.] ¶ Þenne hedde peers pite · and preiede hunger to wende Hom to his oune hurde · And holden him þer for euere. [Hom to] Hom into TU; into H. hurde] erþe TH; ȝerde U. for] TU om.] ¶ "And ȝit I preye þe," quod pers · "er þou passe henne, [And ȝit] Ac ȝet T; but H. henne] ferþere THU.] Of Bidders and of beggers · what is best to done? [bidders—beggers] beggeris & bidderis T; beggeres and of bydderis U; bedreden & beggeris H. is best] best is T.] Line 192 I wot wel whon þou art I-went · þei wol worchen ful ille; [I—I-went] For I wot wel, be þou ywent T; I woot, be þou went H; For I wot wel by ȝe went U. ful] TU om.] And Mischef hit makeþ · þei beoþ so meke nouþe, [And] TU om. And—makeþ] þy-self makiþ it iwis H. þei] hym T.] And for de-faute of foode · þus faste þei worchen; And heo beoþ my blodi breþeren · for god bouȝte vs alle. [And—breþeren] þei beþ myne breþeren of one blood H. heo beoþ] it ben TU. bouȝte] made H.] Treuþe tauhte me ones · to louen hem vchone, Line 197 And helpen hem of alle þyng · aftur þat hem neodeþ. [aftur—hem] þat hem of T; what þat hem U.] ¶ Ȝit wolde I witen ȝif þou wustest · what were þe beste, [ȝit—I] now wolde I HU; I wolde T. wustest] wistest THU.] And hou I mihte A-Maystren hem · and maken hem to worche." [And] H om.] Line 200

Line 200

"HEre nou," quod hunger · "and holde hit for wisdam, [for] for a THU.] Bolde Bidders and Beggers · þat mowen her mete bi|swinke, [bidders—beggers] beggeris & bigge TU. mete] breed T. biswinke] swynke U.] With houndes bred and horse bred · hold vp heor hertes, [houndes bred] houndes U. hold—hertes] holde þow here mawes H.] And Bamme hem with bones · for bollyng of heore wombes; [And bamme] And bane TU; a-bane H. bones] benys U. bollyng] bollnynge TH; swellynge U.] Line 204 And ȝif þe gomes grucchen · bidde hem go swynke, [And—þe] ȝif eny H. gomes] gromes THU.] And þei schule soupe þe swettore · whon þei han hit deseruet. [þe] T om. swettore] betere U. han hit] it haþ T; haue H; it han U.] And ȝif þou fyndest eny Freik · þat fortune haþ a-peiret [fyndest] fynde THU.] With fuir, or with fals folk · fonde suche to knowe; [fuir] fure H; fyre U. folk] men THU. to] T om.; forto H; men to U.] Cumforte hem with þi Catel · for cristes loue of heuene, Loue hem, and lene hem · so þe lawe of kuynde wole. [lene] lone U. so þe] & so þe T; for so H; for so þe U. wole] wolde TU.] And alle manere of Men · þat þou mayȝt aspye, [of] H om. mayȝt] miȝte TH.] Line 211 Þat neodi ben, or naket · and nouȝt haue to spende, [neodi—or] ben nedy & H. nouȝt haue] naue not H.] With Mete or with Moneye · mak hem fare þe betere, [folio 399b:1] [or—moneye] or mone T. mak] lete H. mak—betere] let make hem at ese T.] Or with word or with Werk · while þat þou art here. [TU omit. H has, wiþ werke oþer wiþ wordis · whils þou art here.] Mak þe Frendes þer-with · for so Seint Matheu techeþ,

Facite vobis amicos de mammona iniquitatis."

[H puts the Lat. quotation before this line. mak þe] And make þe T; lat make þi U. þerwith] þermiþ T; þermyde U. seint—techeþ] matheu vs techiþ TU; seiþ þe gospel H.] ¶ "I wolde not greue god," quod pers · "for al þe gold on ground; [211—216. These lines are in U made into only four lines, with omissions and false arrangements.] [TU here corruptly arranged. greue] wraþþe H. gold—ground] good on erþe H. on] on þis T.] Line 216

Line 216 Miht I sunneles don as þou seist?" · seide pers þenne. [Miht] May U. I—don] y do synles H.] ¶ "Ȝe, I be-hote þe," quod hunger · "or elles þe Bible lyȝeþ; [be-hote þe] hote þe T; hote god U. Bible] book H.] Go to Genesis þe Ieaunt · engendrure of vs alle; [Go to] So in TU; V has Go to þe; so seiþ H. Ieaunt] geaunt TU; gent H. engendrure] gendrer H.] In Sudore and swynk · þou schalt þi mete tilie, [sudore—swynk] sudore &c., & swynke T; sudore uultus tui swynke U; sweting & swinking H. tilie] begins next line in TU] Line 220 And labre for þi lyflode' · for so vr lord hiȝte. [219—221. H arranges in the order 220, 221, 219.] , [hiȝte] biddith UH.] ¶ And Sapiens seiþ þe same · I saih hit in þe Bible; [H omits. saih] saiȝ T; seie U.] 'Piger propter frigus · no feld nolde he tilie, [he] TU om. no—tilie] arare noluit H; no feld wolde tilie TU.] He schal go bidde and begge · and no mon beete his hunger.' [He—go] þerfore he shal H. bidde—begge] begge and bidde U. beete] bete TU.] Line 224 ¶ Matheu þe Monnes face · he Mommeþ þeose wordes, [þe] wiþ þe T. he mommeþ] mowþed H; nempniþ T. he—wordes] mouthith vs þe same U.] 'Seruus nequam hedde npnam · and for he nolde hit vsen, [H reads, Serue nequam, scie|bas quia, &c. þe wicked seruaunt made a couenaunt, & for he nolde it vse. npnam] a nam TU.] He hedde Maugre of his Maister · euere more aftur;

Auferte ab illo mnam, & date illi, &c.]

[maugre] a maugre T. euere] for euere T. aftur] þeraftir UH. The Latin is in H only.] ¶ He bi-nom him his npnam · for he nolde not worche, [He bi-nom] And benom TU; & byraft H. npnam] nam TU; besaunt H. not] TU om.] And ȝaf hit him in haste · þat hedde ten bi-fore; [U omits. hit] T om. ten] ten þere T.] Line 229 And seþþen he þus seide · his seruauns hit herden, [þus] THU om. seide] seide hym to þat H. seruauns—herden] seruaunt it hadde T. After this line H has Omni habenti dabitur.] ¶ He þat haþ schal haue · to helpe þer neod is, [neod is] it nediþ H.] And he þat nouȝt haþ, nouȝt schal haue · ne no mon him helpe; [nouȝt schal] shal nouȝt TU. no mon] none shal H.] Line 232

Line 232 And he þat hopeþ forte haue · hit him beo bi-reuet.' [And þat he (he þat H) weniþ wel to haue · I wile it be hym bereuid THU.] For kuynde wit Wolde · þat vche mon wrouhte [For] THU omit. mon] wiȝt T. vche mon] euery man for his fode U.] Wiþ techinge or with tilynge · or trauaylynge of hondes, [U omits. Wiþ] oþer wiþ TH. or—tilynge] oþer tellinge T. trauay|lynge] wiþ trauel H.] Actyf lyf or Contemplatyf · Crist wolde hit alse. [Crist] so crist H. hit alse] it were H; it were so U.] Line 236 For so seiþ þe Sauter · In Psalm of beati omnes,

[Labores manuum tuarum quia manducabis, &c.]

[For—In] The sauter seiþ in þe T; þe sauter seith it in a U; H reads, as þe sauter hymself seiþ in a psalme. The Latin is from TH; also in U, which adds, beatus es, & bene tibi erit.] ¶ He þat get his fode her · with trauaylinge in Treuþe, [get] getiþ HU. trauaylinge—Treuþe] trauaile of his hondis THU.] God ȝiueþ him his blessyng · þat his lyflode so swynkeþ." [him] T om. his lyflode] here liflode here T; so his lyuelood H. so swynkeþ] so wynneþ TU; wynneþ H.]

"Yit I preye þe," quod pers · "par Charite, ȝif þou Conne [þe] U om. Conne] canst H; cunne U; kenne T.] Line 240 Eny lyf of leche Craft · lere hit me, my deore. [lyf] life T; leef U; lessoun H. lere] lerne H; teche U. hit] H om. my] H om.] For summe of my seruauns · beoþ seke oþer-while, [oþer-while] som tyme U.] Of alle þe wike heo Worcheþ not · so heor wombe akeþ." [wike] wyke T; weke H; wowke U. heo] T om.; þei HU.] ¶ "I wot wel," quod Hungur · "What seknesse hem eileþ, Line 244 Þei han I-Maunget ouur muche · þat makeþ hem grone ofte. [I-maunget] mangid THU. muche] mykil U. hem] U om. grone ofte] oft grone H.] ¶ Ac Ich hote þe," quod Hungur · "and þou þin hele wylne, [hote] bidde U. and] as TU; ȝef H. wylne] wilnest TH; desirest U.] Þat þou drynke no dai · til þou haue dynet sumwhat; [til] er T. haue—sumwhat] dyne sumwhat TU; haue ydyned H.] ¶ Ete not, Ich hote þe · til hunger þe take, [Ete not] And ete nouȝt T; And noght U. hote] bidde U. til] er TU.] Line 248 And sende þe sum of his sauce · to sauer þe þe betere; [þe] U om. sum] THU om. þe þe betere] þi lippes TH; wiþ þi lippes U.]

Keep sum til soper tyme · And [sit] þou not to Longe, [Keep] And kep THU. sum] som-what U. [sit TU] V and H have faste, which is clearly wrong. þou] THU om. to] U om.] A-Rys vp ar appetyt · habbe I-ȝeten his Fulle. [vp] U om. habbe I-ȝeten] haþ eten T; haue eten HU. Fulle] fille THU.] ¶ Let not sir Surfet · sitten at þi Bord; Line 252 Loue him not, for he is a lechour · and likerous of Tonge, [Loue] Leue TU.] And aftur mony Metes · his Mawe is a-longet. [mony] many maner of T; many maner U. a-longet] alongid TU is a-longet] H om.] And ȝif þou diȝete þe þus · I dar legge boþe myn Eres, [diȝete] diete U; vsest H. legge—Eres] ley myn armes T; leye my lyf H; leyn myn eres U.] Þat Fisyk schal his Forred hod · for his [foode] sulle, [[foode THU] V has lyflode, which spoils the metre; see l. 259.] And eke his cloke of Calabre · with knappes of Gold, [his—of] his cloke wiþ T; his clokis of H; þe clokis of U. with knappes] & þe knoppis TU; & his coppis H.] And beo Fayn, be my Feiþ · his Fisyk to lete, [U om. Fayn—my] ful fayn in H.] Line 258 And leorne to labre wiþ lond · leste lyflode Faile; [lond] hondes U. lyflode] liflode hym TU; his lyuelode H.] Þer beoþ mo lyȝers þen leches · vr lord hem amende! [beoþ—lyȝers] arn mo liȝeris TU; ne beþ non more losels H. vr lord] oure lord H; lord T; god U.] Þei don men dyȝen þoruȝ heor drinke · er destenye wolde." [þoruȝ] with U. drinke] drynkes T. wolde] it wolde TU.]

"BI seint Poul!" quod pers · "þeos beoþ prophitable wordes! [Poul] pernel TH. pers] perkyn U. beoþ] arn TU.] Line 262 Þis is a loueli lesson · vr lord hit þe for-ȝelde! [vr lord] lord T; crist U. hit] H om.] Wend nou whon þi wille is · Wel þe beo for euere!" [nou] H om. wel—beo] þat wel be þou T; þat wel be þe U. for] THU om.] "I beo-hote þe," quod hungur · "heonnes nul I wende [beo-hote] hote U. þe] god T.] Er I haue I-dynet bi þis day · and I-dronke boþe." ¶ "I haue no peny," quod pers · "Poletes to bugge, [I haue] & y naue H. peny] penyes U. Poletes] pulettis T; pultys U. to] with to U.] Nouþer gees ne grys · bote twey grene cheeses, Line 268 And a fewe Cruddes and Craym · and a þerf Cake, [And] T om. a—Cake] non oþer cake T; an hauir cake U; two hauere cakis H.]

And a lof of Benes and Bren · I-Bake for my Children. [And] T om. And—Bren] al of benys & of bran H.] ¶ And I sigge, bi my soule · I haue no salt Bacon, [And] And ȝit U. haue] naue H.] Ne no Cokeneyes, bi Crist · Colopus to maken. [cokeneyes] cokenay T; cokeney U. colopus] colopis T; colhoppis H; colopes with U.] Line 272 ¶ Bot I haue porettes and percyl · and moni Col|plontes [porettes—percyl] persile & poret T; persil, porrette U; persely & poretis H. col-] cole- T; caul- H.] And eke a Cou, and a Calf · and a Cart-Mare [eke] H om.] To drawe a-feld my donge · Whil þe drouhþe lasteþ. [afeld my] on feld my T; on felde U; a-feld þe H.] ¶ Bi þis lyflode I mot lyuen · til lammasse tyme; [mot] most H.] Line 276 Bi þat, Ich hope forte haue · heruest in my Croft; Þenne may I dihte þi dyner · as þe deore lykeþ." [276—278. U omits.] , [þenne] And þanne T.] ¶ Al þe pore peple · pese-coddes fetten, [fetten] þei fetten HU.] Bake Benes in Bred · þei brouhten in heor lappes, [H reads, benys & bacoun wiþ hem þei brouȝten. Bake—bred] Benes & blake (sic) applis T; Benys and baken apples U. lappes] lappe T.] Line 280 Chibolles, Cheef mete · and ripe chiries monye, [Inserted by H after 284. Chibolles] chibollis T; chibols H; chybolys U. Cheef mete] & chirinellis T; chernelys U; chesteyns H. ripe] riche T. monye] also H.] And proferde pers þis present · to plese with hungur. [proferde] offriden H. þis] a T. with] þerewiþ TU.] ¶ Honger eet þis in haste · and asked aftur more. [Honger] And hungir T. eet þis] hente þis T; eet hit H; ete al þis U.] Þenne þis folk for fere · fetten him monye [þenne þis] & þe H. fere] ferd H.] Line 284 Poretes, and Peosen · for þei him plese wolden; [T omits. H reads, Poretis & peris · applis & plowmes; U reads, Grene porret and pesen · to poysen him þei þouȝte.] From þat tyme þat þulke weore eten · take he schulde his leue [THU omit.] Til hit to heruest hiȝede · þat newe corn com to chep|ynge. [Be þat it neiȝide ner herues · newe corn com to chepynge (towne U) TU; by þat it neiȝed heruest, þat newe corn riped H.] Line 287

Line 287

ÞEnne was þat folk fayn · and tedde hunger ȝeorne [was] were H. þat] THU omit. ȝeorne] with þe beste TU; fast H.] With good Ale, and glotonye · and gart him to slepe. [and gart] he gart T; & made H; þei dyden U.] And þo nolde þe wastor worche · but wandren aboute, [wolde—wastor] nolde wastour not T; wolde wastour not H; wolde no wastours U. wandren] wandrite T; wandriden U; wandrid H.] Ne no Beggere eten Bred · þat Benes Inne coome, [Beggere] lengere U. eten] ete no U. Inne coome] comen ynne U.] Bote Coket and Cler Matin · an of clene whete; [folio 399b:2] [and] or TU. an] or TU; & H.] Line 292 Ne non halfpeny Ale · In none wyse drynke, [H omits.] , [none] no T.] Bote of þe Beste and þe Brouneste · þat Brewesters sullen. [H omits.] , [and þe] and of U.] ¶ Laborers þat haue no lond · to liuen on Bote heore honden, [haue] hadde U. to—honden] but lyue on here handis T; but lyue by hemsilue H; to lyue by but here handes U.] Deyne not to dyne a day · niht-olde wortes. [Deyne] Deyneþ T; Deygned U. not] H om. dyne—day] dynen wiþ U.] Line 296 Mai no peny Ale hem paye · ne no pece of Bacun, Bote hit weore Fresch Flesch · or elles Fisch I-Friȝet, [hit weore] ȝif it be T; it be UH. Fresch] rostid U. elles] T om.; fresch H.] Boþe chaud and pluschaud · for chele of heore Mawe. [Boþe] And TU. chele] chil|lyng THU. heore mawe] his mawe T; here mawes H; here chekys U.] ¶ Bote he beo heihliche I-huret · elles wol he chide, [H reads, but þei be hiȝely y-huyred, ellis wollen þei chide. he] ȝif he T. heihliche] lyliche U (wrong).] Þat he was werkmon I-wrouȝt · warie þe tyme, [he was] þei were H. Iwrouȝt] bycome H.] Line 301 And Corse ȝerne þe kyng · and al his Counseil aftur, [Corse ȝerne] þanne curse T; curse H. his] þe T.] Suche lawes to loke · laborers to chaste. [chaste] chastise T.] ¶ Ac while hunger was Mayster heer · wolde þer non chyde, [301—304. U omits.] , [mayster heer] here maister T þer non] þei not H.] Line 304 Ne striue aȝeyn þe statues · so steorneliche he lokede. [statues] statut T; statutes UH. U reads, And stryue aȝens þe statutes · and sternely loken.]

¶ I warne ȝou, alle werk-men · winneþ while ȝe mowe, [alle] THU omit. winneþ] wercheþ H.] Hunger hiderward aȝeyn · hiȝeþ him ȝeorne. [Hunger] For hungir THU. aȝeyn] THU om. hiȝeþ—ȝeorne] hastiþ hym faste T; hastiþ ful fast H; hyeth hym faste U.] Line 307 ¶ He wole a-wake þorw watur · þe wastours alle, [wole—watur] shal awake þis water T; wol wade þurȝ watris H; schal awake ȝour wele U. þe] his U; TH om. alle] to chaste THU.] Er Fyue ȝer ben folfult · such Famyn schal a-Ryse [fyue] fewe H. schal] wol H.] Þorw Flodes and foul weder · Fruites schul fayle; [flodes] flood T; tempestes U. and] oþer þoruȝ T. weder] wederis TU. fruites] flodis U. fayle] falle TU.] And so seiþ [Saturne] · and sent vs to warne. [[Saturne] satourne T; saturne HU; V has Saturnes. sent vs] sente ȝow T; sende ȝow H; sendith ȝow U.] Line 311

PASSUS VIII.

[Title; from T. Also called P. octavus in HUD.] [Passus Octauus de Visione, vt prius.]

TReuþe herde telle her-of · And to Pers sende, To taken his teeme · and tilyen þe eorþe; [tilyen—eorþe] his erþe tilien T.] And purchasede him a pardoun · A pena et a culpa [purchasede] purchace TH; pur|chasen U. a] U om.] For him, and for his heires · euer more aftur. [for his] his U. euer] for euere T. aftur] þeraftir U.] Line 4 And bad holden hem at hom · and heren heore leyȝes, [holden hem] hym holde hym THU. heore leyȝes] his laiȝes TU; here leies H.] And al þat euere hulpen him · to heren or to sowen, [al] þo T. euere] THU om. him] T om. or] & H.] Or eny maner mester · þat mihte Pers helpen, [or eny] & alle H. maner] maner of T. mester] myster men H. mihte Pers] piers myghte U.] Part in þat pardoun · þe Pope haþ I-graunted. [in] of H. þat] þe T. Igraunted] hem grauntid TU.] Line 8 ¶ Kynges and knihtes · þat kepen holi churche, [kepen] helpen U.] And Rihtfuliche Rulen · þe Reame and þe peple, [Rihtfulliche] rewfulliche (!) T. rulen—þe] in reaum rewliþ þe T; in here rewme rewlen here U; reulen þe rewmes & þe H.] Han pardoun þorw Purgatorie · to passen ful sone, [ful] wel TU.] Wiþ patriarkes in paradys · to pleyen þer-aftur. [pleyen] pleyen hem U.] Line 12 ¶ Busschops þat blessen · and boþe þe lawes cunnen, [þe] TU om. cunnen] kenne TU; knowen H.] Lokeþ on þat on lawe · and lereþ men þat oþer, [þat on] þat o T; þe to U. lereþ] lere T; leren H; lerne U. þat oþer] þe tothir U.]

And bereþ hem boþe on heore bac · as heore baner scheweþ, [baner scheweþ] dedis shewyn H.] And precheþ heore persouns · þe peril of sunne, [persouns] paryschens U.] Line 16 Hou heore schabbede schep · schal heore wolle saue, [heore] þat TU; þat here H. schabbede] shabbide TH; scabbide U. schal] schulde H.] Han Pardoun with þe Apostles · whon þei passen hennes, And atte day of dom · with hem on deis setten. [And atte] And at þe T; On þe U; at þe H. with—deis] at here deis to TU; on hiȝe deis to H.] ¶ Marchau[n]s in þis Margin · hedden mony ȝeres, [þis] þe THU. mony ȝeres] ȝeris many H.] Line 20 Bote non A pena et a culpa · þe pope nolde hem graunte, [nolde hem] wolde hym T; wolde U.] For þei holdeþ not heore haly-day · as holy churche techeþ, [holdeþ] helde T. heore haly|day] here haly-dayes TH; þe haly|day U.] And for þei sworen bi heore soule ·—"so God hem moste helpe!"— [sworen] swere THU. soule] soulis H. so] & so T. hem moste] muste hem TU; shulde hem H.] Aȝeyn heore clene Concience · heore catel to sulle. [heore] THU om. catel] ware U.] Line 24

BOte vndur his secre seal · Treuþe sende a lettre, [sende] sente hym T; sente U.] And Bad hem Bugge Boldely · what hem best lykede, [hem (1) hym] T. hem best] þat hym T. lykede] likeþ TU.] And seþþen sullen hit a-ȝeyn · And saue þe wynnynge, [U omits.] And make Meson deu þer-with · Meseyse to helpe, [make] þe U (wrong). meson deu] mesonis deux T; mesoun dieux H. meseyse] myseises T; mesels H; þe myseyse U.] Line 28 And wikkede wones · wihtly to amende; [U reads, Wightliche wikkide weyes · for to don amende. And—wones] Wykkide weyes T; & also wicked weies H.] ¶ Beete Brugges a-Boute · þat to-Broke were, [U omits. Beete Brugges] And bynde brugges T; & bigge brigges H.] Marie Maydens · or Maken hem Nonnes; [Marie] & marien H. or] also & T; or ellis H. nonnes] wyues U.] ¶ Pore widewes þat wolde beo · none wyues aftur, [Wydewis þat wiln not be wyues · helpe hem þer aftir T; þat pore wydewes wol ben · and none wyues aftir U. none] no more H.] Line 32 Fynde suche heore foode · for Godes loue of heuene; [Godes] oure lordis THU.]

¶ Sette scolers to scole · or to sum oþer craft, [Sette] & sett HU. to—craft] summe skynes craftis T; to somme kynne crafte U.] Rule Religion · and Rente hem Betere; [Rule] Releue T; Reule wel U; & releue H. Religion] religiouse HU. Rente—betere] rede hem þe beste U.] "And I schal sende ow my-self · seint Mihel myn Aungel, [ow] ȝow UH; T om. myself] selue U. Mihel] Michel TU; myȝhel H.] Line 36 Þat no deuel schal ȝou dere · whon ȝe dye schulle, [whon—schulle] diȝe whan ȝe diȝe TU; when ȝe beþ dede H.] Þat I ne schal sende ȝor soules · saaf in-to heuene, [þat I] for I H; þat he U. ne] H om. ȝor soules] his soule T. saaf into] sauely to H.] And bi-foren þe Face of my Fader · fourmen or seetes. [And] H om. þe—Fader] my fadir face U. fourmen—seetes] frely ȝow sette H.] Vsure And Auarice · and oþes I defende, [I] y ȝou H.] Line 40 Þat no gile go with ou · Bote þe grace of treuþe." [grace of] graiþ T; grete HU.]

ÞEnne were Marchaundes Murie · þei wopen for Ioye, [þei wopen] many wepe T; & wepten H; and wepyn U.] And ȝeeuen wille for his writynge · wollene cloþes; [ȝeeuen] ȝaf TH. wille] william H. wollene] wel newe H.] For he Copiede þus heore Cause · þei couden him gret þonk. [For] And for T. he copiede] to copie H. heore cause] here clause TU; þis clause H. þei—þonk] þei ȝeue hym gret mede T; þei couþe hym gret þank H; cowde hym gret mede U.] Line 44 Men of lawe hedden lest · for heo beoþ [loþ [Men] And men U. hedden lest] were laft oute H; þei haddyn lest U. heo—loþ] lewid þei ben alle T; þey beþ loþ H; lettrid þei ben alle U; heo beoþ lettred alle V.] To mote for mene men · but ȝif þei hadde money;] [This line, and the word loþ pre|ceding, are from H. The other MSS. omit it, and are hardly intelligible.] So seiþ þe sauter · and sapience boþe,

Super Innocentes munera non Accipiunt. A Regibus [et principibus erit merces (eorum).]

[So] For so T; as H; And so U. seiþ] in H follows sauter. and] & þe H. Innocentes] innocentem TU. Accipiunt] accipies TU. Regibus] V has Regibus, &c.; T has down to principibus; U down to erit; eorum I have supplied. H quotes loosely.] Of [princes] and Prelatus · heor pencion schulde aryse, [[princes THU] V has Parisches (wrong).] And of þe pore peple · no peneworþ to take. [þe] no TU. peneworþ] peny|worþ HU; peny T.] Line 49

Line 49 ¶ Ac he þat spendeþ his speche · and spekeþ for þe pore [Ac] For U; but H. pore] pore peple U.] Þat is Innocent and neodi · and no mon haþ apeyret, [þat—neodi] Also for an Inno|cent H; þat innocentis ben and nedy U. and] þat HU. haþ apeyret] apeiriþ TH; hem apeire U.] Cumforteþ him in his caas · Coueiteþ not his goodes, [him] hem U. his caas] þat cas TH; þat caas U. his] here HU.] Line 52 Bote for vr lordes loue · lawe for him scheweþ, [loue] loue of heuen H. him] hem HU.] Schal no deuel at his deþ-day · deren him worþ a Myte, [worþ] TU omit.] Þat he ne worþ siker saaf · and so seiþ þe psauter,

[Qui facit hec, non mouebitur in eternum.]

[siker saaf] saufe sykirly T; sikerly sauf U. [Qui, &c.] In H only.] ¶ Ac to bugge water, ne wynt · [ne] wit, (is þe þridde), [ne wynt] ne wynd T; or wind H; wynd U. [ne] Supplied from T; or H; V om. U reads, Ac to bigge water, wynd or wit · is ydel, y rede (which gives the sense).] Nolde neuer holy writ · God wot þe soþe! [Nolde] Ne wolde THU. writ] cherche U.] Line 57 ¶ Þeos þreo for þralles · beo þriuen a-mong vs alle, [þriuen] þrowe T; throwen U; y-ȝeuen H. among] H om.] To waxen or to wonien · wheþer God lykeþ. [or—wonien] & wanyen T; or to wanye H; and wanyn U. wheþer] where þat TU; wheþer þat H.] His pardoun In purgatorie · is petit, I trouwe, [folio 400a:1] [is petit] ful litel is H; wel litel is TU.] Line 60 Þat eny Meede of mene Men · for Motynge receyueþ. ¶ Ȝe Legistres and lawyers · ȝe witen wher I lyȝe; [lawyers] lawisteris T. ȝe] T om. wher] ȝif TU.] Seþþe ȝe seon þat hit is so · serueþ to þe Beste. [þat—so] it is þus TU. serueþ] sewiþ T; sueth U.]

Libbinde Laborers · þat libben bi heore hondes, [Libbinde] Alle libbyng T; Alle lyuynge HU. libben] lyuen THU.] Line 64 Þat treuliche taken · and treuliche tiþen, [tiþen] wynnen THU.] And liuen in loue and in lawe · for heore lowe hertes, [hertes] herte TU.] Hedde þe same Absolucion · þat sent was to pers. [Hedde] shul haue H. same] H om. sent—pers] was sent to pers plowman U.] ¶ Bidders and Beggers · Beoþ not in þe Bulle, [and] ne U. þe] þat U.] Line 68 Bote þe suggestion be soþ · þat schapeþ hem to Begge. [Bote] But ȝif TU. þe—soþe] here destenye be so U. þat—Begge] þat þei fore begge TH.]

For he þat beggeþ or biddeþ · bote he habbe neode, [biddeþ] bit T; byt U. bote—habbe] til he haue H.] He is Fals with þe Fend · and defraudeþ þe neodi, [with] as U. defraudeþ] kiliþ T.] And eke gyleþ þe ȝiuere · al aȝeyn his wille. [eke] T om. ȝiuere] kende U. al—his] ageyns his TH; ageyn godis U.] Line 72 Þei libben [not in loue · ne] no lawe holden; [not—ne UT] not in loue þat H; V has (by mistake) in no lawe · þat.] Þei weddeþ no wommon · þat þei with deleþ; [weddeþ—wommon] ne wedde no womman T; wedde none wyues U.] Bote as [wilde] Beestes, [wiþ] wo · worcheþ to-gedere, [[wilde—wo] wilde bestis wiþ wehe T; wilde bestis wiþ woo H; wilde bestes þat wiþ wo U; V reads, Beestes þat wo; but we should insert wilde and wiþ (THU); and omit þat (not in TH). worcheþ] & worþ vp T; worþen H; wurchen vp U.] And bringeþ forþ Barnes · þat Bastardes beon holden. [Barnes] children U. Bas|tardes] bois T.] ¶ Or his Bac, or his Bon · heo brekeþ in heore ȝouþe, [or his] oþer here H. his bon] here boonys H. heore] his TU.] Line 77 And goþ, Fayteþ with heore Fau[n]tes · euer-more after. [goþ] gon & TH; U om. fautes V (wrongly)] fauntis THU. euer] for euere T.] Þer ben mo mis-happes amongus hem · hose takeþ heede, [mishappes] mysshapen TU.] Þen of alle oþure men · þat on Molde wandren. [of—oþure] of alle oþer maner T; of alle manere H; oþer maner of U. on molde] on þis molde T; in þis world U.] Line 80 Þei þat lyuen þus heore lyf · mouwe loþe þe tyme, [loþe] curse U.] Þat euere þei weore Men I-wrouȝt · whon þei schul henne fare. [þei—weore] he was TU. þei] he TU.]

BOte olde Men and hore · þat helples beoþ of strengþe, [& hore] trewly U.] And wymmen with childe · þat worchen ne mowen, Blynde and Bedreden · And Broken heore membres, [blynde] Blynde men U. bedre|den] blereyed U. heore] of here H; þe U.] Line 85 Þat taken Meschef Mekeliche · as Meseles or oþere, [þat] & þo þat H. meschef] his meschiefe T; meschefs H. or oþere] & oþere T; oþer ellis H; & siche oþere U.] Han as pleyn pardoun · as þe plouh-mon him-seluen; For [loue of] heore lowe hertes · vr lord haþ hem graunted [[loue of THU] V omits. hertes] herte TU. vr lord] oure lord TH; þat god U.] Line 88

Line 88 Heore penaunce and heore purgatorie · is her vppon eorþe. [Heore] þe H. and heore] of here H. is—vppon] upon þis pur TU; here vpon H.] ¶ "Pers," quod a prest þo · "þi pardon most I reden, [þo] T om.] For I wol construe vch a clause · and knowen hit in Englisch." [For—wol] For I shal T; & H. vch a] it iche T; it euery HU. knowen hit] kenne it þe TU; vndo it H.] ¶ And Pers at his preyere · þe pardon vnfoldeþ, [vnfoldeþ] vnfeld H.] Line 92 And I bi-hynden hem boþe · bi-heold al þe Bulle. [

I] U om. biheold] he hylde U. in ignem eternum] H om.

OBS. H inserts this quotation after l. 98

] In two lynes hit lay · and not a lettre more, [not a] no H.] And was I-writen riht þus · In witnesse of treuþe:

¶ Et qui bona egerunt, Ibunt in vitam eternam; Qui vero mala, in ignem eternum.

"Peter!" quod þe preost þo · "I con no pardoun fynde, [þo] HU om.] Bote dowel, and haue wel · and god schal haue þi soule, Line 97 And do vuel, and haue vuel · hope þou non oþur, [hope þou] & hope þou T; & hope to H.] Þat aftur þi deþ day · to helle schaltou wende!" [schaltou] ne shalt þou T; þou schalt U; shalt þou H.] ¶ And Pers, for puire teone · pollede hit a-sonder, [And] þo H. puire] T om.] Line 100 [& siþþe he seide to hem · þese semely sawis,]

"Si Ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis, non timebo [mala, quoniam tu mecum es.]

[In H only; in place of it, VTU have and seide, at end of l. 100. [mala—es] From T; V has m. q. t. m. es; U has mala, &c.; H ends at mortis, and inserts the quotation after l. 103.] ¶ I schal sese of my sowynge," quod pers · "and swynke not so harde, [quod pers] HU om. not] no more H.] Ne aboute my lyflode · so bisy beo no more! Of preyere and of penaunce · my plouh schal ben her|aftur [preyere] preieres UTH. of] H om.] Line 104

Line 104 And bi-loure þat I beo-louh · er my lyf fayle. [biloure] lowren U; by-loure H. beolouh] louȝ T; by-louȝ H; er by|lowhe U. er—lyf] þeiȝ liflode me TU; or lyuelode me H.] ¶ Þe [prophete his payn eet] · In penaunce and wepyng; [Thus in U (cf. quot. be|low) ; other MSS. wrong; we find þe prophetes peyneden hem V; þe prophet his peyned T; þer is profyt in peyne H. and] & in THU.] As þe psauter vs seiþ · so dude moni oþere, [As] By þat UTH. seiþ] techith U. so dude] & so dede T; & doþ H.] Þat loueþ God lelly · his lyflode is wel muche:

Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes, die ac nocte.

[lelly] wel U. his] H om. wel muche] þe more T; myche H.] Line 108 ¶ And bote [ȝif luke] lyȝe · he lereþ vs a-noþer; [[ȝif luke UT; luk H] þe Bok V. lereþ] lerneþ HU. anoþer] non oþer H.] Þat to bisi we ne schulde beo · her vppon eorþe, [þat we ne schuln nouȝt be besy · aboute þe bely ioye T; he biddeþ vs we shuld not · here be to besy In no maner wise · aboute oure wombe ioiȝe H; By fowles he vs techith · þat we schulde besy ben For to make wombe ioye · in þis wonynge here U.] While we woneþ in þis world · to make vs wombe Ioye. ¶ Ne soliciti sitis · he seiþ in his godspel, [in] it in T. he—godspel] H omits.] Line 112 And scheweþ hit by ensaumple · vr soules to wisse. [hit by] it vs be T; vs by U; vs by an H. vr soules] oure selue T; vs selue U.] ¶ Þe Foules in þe Firmament · [who fynt] hem in winter? [[who fynt THU] heo feedeþ V (see l. 116).] Whon þe Forst freseþ · foode hem bi-houeþ; [forst] frost THU.] Line 115 Haue þei no gerner to go to · ȝit God fynt hem Alle." [Haue þei] þei haue U. gerner] berne U. to go to] þerto T; greiþ H. ȝit] but THU.]

"What?" quod þe prest to Perkyn · "peter! as me þinkeþ, Þow art lettret a luyte · ho lered þe on Boke?" [lettret] lernid T. luyte] litel THU. lered] lernide THU. on] in H.] "Abstinence þe Abbesse · myn A-b-ce me tauȝte, [After Abbesse H inserts quod he. A-b-ce] a.b.c THU.] Line 119 And Concience com aftur · and [kennide] me betere." [aftur] aftirward U. [kennide TU] tauȝte VH. betere] moche more U.] ¶ "Weore þou a prest," quod he · "þou mihtest preche whon þe luste, [prest] prest, piers TU. luste] likiþ T; liked HU.]

Quoniam literaturam non cognoui · mihte be [þy] Teeme!" [H reads, For þou knowist no lettrure miȝt be þy teme, and then adds the Latin. mihte] þat miȝte TU. [þy HTU] V wrongly has my.] "Lewede lorel!" quod he · "luite lokestou on þe Bible, [lorel] losel H. he] peris T. luite] litel THU. lokestou] lokest þou THU.] On Salamones sawes · [seldom] þou bi-holdest; [[seldom U] luitel V; litel TH; but the alteration is clearly right.] Line 124 [slynge awey þese scorners, he seiþ · wiþ here shrewid fliting, [In H only. [Ejice] Ecce VTHU (all wrong). Iurgia] uirga or iurga U; virga H. [ne crescant] So in TU; nunc crescunt V; non quies|cam H.] for wiþ hem redely · y kepe not to rest;]

[Ejice] derisores et Iurgia cum eis, [ne crescant]."

[In H only. [Ejice] Ecce VTHU (all wrong). Iurgia] uirga or iurga U; virga H. [ne crescant] So in TU; nunc crescunt V; non quies|cam H.] ¶ Þe Prest and Perkin þo · Apposeden eiþer oþer, [þe] And þe T; þus þe U. þo] THU om. þo—oþer] eiþer apposid oþer U.] And þorw heore wordes I a-wok · and [waitide] a|boute [[waitide THU] lokede V.] Line 128 And sauh þe sonne sitte souþ · euene þat tyme [sitte—tyme] euene souþ sitte þat tyme TU; þat tyme sitte euen souþ H.] Meteles and Moneyeles · on Maluerne hulles, [and moneyeles] on merueilles (!) T.] [Musyng] on þis Meeteles · A myle wei Ich ȝeode. [[Musyng THU] Mony elynge V. Meeteles] metelis T; matere U; meting H. wei] weies U.] Mony tyme þis Metels · han made me to studie [metels] meting H; metelis T. han] haþ HU.] Line 132 For pers loue, þe plouh-mon · ful pensyf in myn herte; [For] And for THU. pers] peris his H. loue þe] lyf U. ful] wel T; U om. pensyf] pitously U. myn] THU om.] For þat I sauh slepynge · ȝif hit so be mihte. [ȝif] if þat U.] ¶ Bote Catoun construweþ hit nay · An Canonistres boþe, [construweþ] construed U. nay] T om. canonistres] catonistris U.] And siggen bi hem-seluen · Sompnia ne cures. [The readings are, Sompnia ne cures T; And by hem selue Sompnia ne cures (sic) U; Sompnia ne cures nam mens est humana quod (?) optat, & seiþ þat we shulde charge no sweuenys H.] Line 136 Ac for þe Bible · bereþ witnesse hou [After how U has daniel þe prophete. H reads, but daniel dampneþ it, & þe bible boþe (!)]

Daniel deuynede · þe Dremels of a kyng, [folio 400a:2] [Daniel] Dauid T. deuynede] demide T dremels] drem T; dremys U. kyng] kyng onys U. H has, & beriþ witnes þer of a kingis dremyng.] Þat Nabugodonosor · [nempne þese clerkes.] [137—139. V is here misdivided, and omits part of l. 139, having for it only þat Nabugodonosor hette.] [þat] H om. [nempne—clerkes] from U; also in T; þese clerkis hym nempneþ H.] Daniel seide, "Sir kyng · þi sweuene is to mene, Line 140 Þat vnkouþe knihtes schul come · þi kin[g]dam to clayme; [vnkouþe knihtes] an vnkynde kniȝt T; vncouthe kynges U. king|dam] kindam V; kingdom THU.] Among lower lordes · þi lond schal be departet." [lower] lewide T. lond] londis THU.] As Daniel diuinede · hit fel in dede after, [diuinede] demide T; deuysed H. hit—dede] in dede it fel T; in dede it byfel UH.] Line 143 þe kyng laste his lordschupe · and lasse men hit hadden. [kyng] lord U. laste] les T; lost HU. lordschupe] lond H. lasse] lesse T; false U. men hadden] lordis hadden it H. OBS. H ends here.] ¶ And Ioseph Mette Metels · ful Meruilous alse, [In T and U only two lines. And Iosep mette merueillously · how þe mone & þe sonne And þe en|leuene sterris · halsiden hym alle T; And Ioseph mette merueilousliche · how þe mone & þe sonne And seuene sterres · hailsede hym al abowtyn U.] How þe sonne and þe Mone · and enleuene sterres [In T and U only two lines. And Iosep mette merueillously · how þe mone & þe sonne And þe en|leuene sterris · halsiden hym alle T; And Ioseph mette merueilousliche · how þe mone & þe sonne And seuene sterres · hailsede hym al abowtyn U.] Falden bi-fore his Feet · and heileden him alle. [In T and U only two lines. And Iosep mette merueillously · how þe mone & þe sonne And þe en|leuene sterris · halsiden hym alle T; And Ioseph mette merueilousliche · how þe mone & þe sonne And seuene sterres · hailsede hym al abowtyn U.] Line 147 ¶ "Beu fiz, quod his Fader · for defaute we schulle, I my-self, and my sones · seche þe for neode." ¶ Hit fel as þe Fader seide · In Pharaones tyme, [fel] befel TU. þe] his TU.] Þer Ioseph was Iustise · Egipte to kepen. [þer] þat TU. Egipte] al egipte U.] ¶ Al þis makeþ me · on Metels to þenken [Transposed in U.] , [me] me mochil U.] Line 152 Mony tyme at Midniht · whon [men] schulde slepe, [me] me mochil U.] , [Mony tyme] Manye tymes T. [men] T; VU have I.] On Pers þe plouh-mon · and whuch a pardoun he hedde, [and—a] whiche a T; & whiche a U. hedde] hauiþ T.] And hou þe preost inpugnede hit · al bi pure Resoun, [bi pure] before T.] And diuinede þat Dowel · Indulgence passede, [diuinede] he leuide T. pas|sede] passiþ T.] Line 156 Bienals and Trienals · and Busschopes lettres

Dowel on Domesday · Is digneliche I-preiset, [on Domesday] at þe day of dome TU. digneliche] ferforþliche U. I-preiset] vndirfongen TU.] He passeþ al þe pardouns · of seint Petrus churche. [

pardouns] pardoun TU. of] at T. churche] chirche at rome U.

OBS. U here inserts the Latin line, Quodcunque, &c.; see l. 162.

]

Now haþ þe pope pouwer · pardoun to graunte, Line 160 Þe peple with-oute penaunce · to passe to Ioye. [to—Ioye] a pena & a culpa T.] Þis is a lef of vre bileeue · as lettret men vs techeþ,

Quodcunque ligaueris super terram, erit ligatum et in celis.

[a lef] þe lif T; a leef U. techeþ] shewiþ T.] And so bileeue I lelly · (vr lord forbeode hit elles!) [so—lelly] so I leue lelly T; y byleue it wel U. vr] TU omit. hit] T omits.] Line 163 Þat pardoun and penaunce · and preyers don sauen [don sauen] do salue T; to|gidres Mown saue U, (the last two words being in l. 165.)] Soules þat han sunget · seuen siþes dedlich. [sunget] ysynned T; synned U.] ¶ Bote trustene to Trienals · treuly me þinkeþ [Bote—to] And to triste on þis T; Ac to traste on þese U. treuly] certes U.] Is not so syker for þe soule · sertes, as do-wel. [Is] It is T. sertes] trewly U (see l. 166). as] as is TU.] Line 167 ¶ For-þi I rede ȝow Renkes · þat Riche ben on eorþe, [Forþi—Renkes] þerfore y rede þat lordes U.] Vppon trust of oure tresour · Trienals to haue, Beo ȝe neuer þe Baldore · to Breke þe ten hestes; [Beo ȝe] Be þou UT.] ¶ And nomeliche, ȝe Meires · and ȝe Maister Iuges, [Meires—Iuges] maistris, as meiris & iuggis T; maistres, þat men þat Iuggeȝ holden U.] Þat han þe welþe of þis world · for wyse men ben holden, [þat—for] þat han þe world at wille & T; þei to haue welthe of þis world U.] Line 172 To purchasen pardoun · and þe popes Bulles. [T omits this line. To] For to U.] At þe dredful day of dom · þer dede schullen a-rysen, [day—dom] dom day T. þer] whanne þe T; whan U.] And comen alle bi-fore crist · and a-Countes ȝelden, [

alle] T omits. and acountes] acountes to TU.

OBS. U omits to end of Passus, leav|ing a small blank space.

] How þou laddest þi lyf · and his lawe keptest, [lyf] life here T.] Line 176

Line 176 What þou dudest day bi day · þe Doom þe wol rehersen; [day—day] day T (by mistake). þe wol] wile T.] ¶ A powhe ful of pardoun þer · with Prouincials lettres, [powhe ful] pokeful T. with] ne þe T.] Þauh þou be founden in Fraternite · a-mong þe foure Ordres, [in] in þe T.] Line 179 And habbe Indulgence I-doubled · bote Dowel þe helpe, [I doubled] double-fold T.] I nolde ȝeue for þi pardoun · one pye hele! [nolde] ne wolde T. pardoun] patent T.]

FOrþi I counseile alle cristene · to crie crist merci, [to—crist] criȝe god T.] And Marie his Moder · to beo mene bi-twene, Þat God ȝiue vs grace · er we gon hennes, Line 184 Such werkes to worche · while þat we ben here, [while þat] whiles T.] Þat aftur vr deþ day · Dowel reherce, Þat atte day of dom · we duden as he us hiȝte. [atte] at þe T. us] T omits.]

[Explicit hic visio willelmi de Petro de Plouȝman. Eciam Incipit Vita de do-wel, do-bet, & do|best, secundum wyt & resoun.] [ [Explicit, &c.] From T; so also UH₂D; see Critical Notes and Preface.]

PASSUS IX.

[

Incipit hic, &c. This is the only title that occurs in V. The large initial þ is omitted by mistake, and a blank space left for it.

OBS. H₂ is collated with the rest to the end of the volume.

] Incipit hic Dowel, Dobet, and Dobest.

¶ [Þ]us I-Robed in Russet · Romed I a-boute [Romed I] I rombide T; y romyd al U; I rome H₂.] Al a somer sesoun · For to seche Dowel, And [fraynide] ful ofte · of [folk] þat I mette [[fraynide TH₂; y frayned U] askede V; see l. 5. [folk TUH₂] Men V; see l. 5.] [Ȝif any wiȝt wiste · where do-wel was at Inne, [From T; also in UH₂; V omits.] Line 4 And what man he miȝte be · of many man I askide]. [From T; also in UH₂; V omits.] , [he] it U. askide] frayned U.] Was neuer wiht as I wente · þat me wisse couþe [wente] wene TUH₂.] Wher þis ladde loggede · Lasse ne more; [loggede] lengide TH₂; lengith U. Lasse ne more] þe lesse ne þe more TH₂.] ¶ Til hit fel on a Friday · twei Freres I mette, [fel] befel T; byfel U; befil H₂.] Line 8 Maistres of þe Menours · Men of grete wittes. [wittes] wyt T; witte UH₂.] Ich heilede hem hendeli · as Ich hedde I-leorned, [heilede] hailside TU; halside H₂.] And preiede hem, par Charite · er þei [passede furre,] [par] for U. [passede furre] furre passede V; passide ferþere TUH₂.] "Ȝif þei [knewen any] Cuntre · or Coostes a-boute [[knewen any T] knewe ony U; knewen ony H₂; V has knewe, omit|ting any.] Line 12 Wher þat Dowel dwelleþ · do me to wisse." [dwelleþ] dwellide TH₂.] ¶ "Mari," quod [þe] Menour · "A-mong vs he dwelleþ, [V has a Menour; TH₂ þe maistris; U þese maistres; cf. ll. 22, 24. Among] at hom wiþ U; see l. 20.]

And euer haþ, as Ich hope · and euer schal her-after." [as] TH₂ omit.] ¶ "Contra," quod I as a Clerk · and comsede to dis|puite,

["Sepcies in die cadit iustus;]

[V omits the Latin quotation; TUH₂ give it.] Line 16 Seue siþes a day, seiþ þe Bok · sungeþ þe rihtful mon; [a day] on þe day U; TH₂ omit. sungeþ] falliþ TUH₂. mon] TUH₂ omit.] And hose sungeþ," I seide · "certes, as me þinkeþ, [I seide] I seiȝe TH₂; he seiþ U. as] TUH₂ omit.] Þat Dowel and do vuele · mowe not dwelle togedere. [þat] TH₂ omit.] Ergo, he nis not alwey · [at hom] among ow Freres, [[at hom TH₂] a tom V; U omits; see l. 14.] Line 20 He is or while elles-wher · to wisse þe peple." [or while] oþer while TH₂; som tyme U.] ¶ "I schal seie þe, my sone" · seide þe Frere þenne, [sone] sawe U. seide] seiþ U.] "Hou seuen siþes þe sadde mon · sungeþ in a day; [How seuen sithes on þe day · þe sadde man synnes U.] Bi [a forebisene]," seide þe frere · "I schal þe feire schewe. [[a forebisene TUH₂] ensaumple V. seide] quod TUH₂.] Line 24 ¶ Let bringe a Mon In A bot · A-midde a Brod water, [a Brod] the brode H₂] And þe wint and þe watur · and þe waggyng of þe Bot [And þe wint] þe wynd TUH₂. waggyng—Bot] wawes eke H₂.] Makeþ þe Mon Mony tyme · to stomble and to falle; [þe—tyme] many tyme þe man U. to—falle] to falle & to stande TUH₂.] (For stonde he neuere so stif · he stumbleþ in þe wag|gyng); Line 28 And ȝit he is saaf and sound · and so him bi-houeþ; [and sound] U omits.] For ȝif he ne rise þe raþer · and rauhte to þe steorne, [rise] arise TUH₂. and—steorne] & ariȝt sterede TH₂; and raughte þe stere U.] Þe wynt wolde with þe water · þe Bot ouer-þrowe; [ouerþrowe] ouertorne H₂.] Þer weore þe Monnes lyf I-lost · þorw [lachesse] of [folio 400b:1] himselue. [þorw] for TUH₂. [lachesse TUH₂] sleuþe V.] Line 32 Riht þus hit fareþ," quod þe Frere · "bi folk her on eorþe; [hit] TH₂ omit.]

¶ Þe watur is liknet to þe world · þat wonieþ and waxeþ; [liknet] lyk U. wonieþ] waniþ T; wanyeth UH₂. Also, U reads wax|eth and wanyeth.] Þe goodes in þis world · ben lyk þis grete wawes, [in þis world] of þis ground TUH₂. ben—grete] arn lyk to þe U.] Riht as wyndes and watres · waleweþ aboute. [Riht] That H₂T; And U. wale|weþ] wawen TH₂; wawes U.] Line 36 ¶ Þe Bot is liknet to þe Bodi · þat Brutel is of kuynde; [liknet] like TU; liken H₂. Brutel] britel TUH₂.] And þorw þe fend and his Flesch · and þe False world [And] That H₂TU. his] þe TUH₂.] Sungeþ þe sadde Mon · seuen siþes in þe day. [siþes] tymes TH₂. in] on U.] Line 39 ¶ But dedly sunne doþ he not · for Dowel him helpeþ, Þat is charite þe Champion · cheef help aȝeyn sunne; [þat] And þat TH₂. is] H₂ om. aȝeyn sunne] of alle U.] For he strengþeþ þe to stonde · he stureþ þi soule, [Aȝens synne for to synne · he stireth þe soule U (corruptly). he stureþ] & steriþ TH₂.] Þat þauȝ þi bodi Bouwe · as a Bot in þe Water, [a Bot] bot doþ TH₂; a boot doþ U.] Euer is þi soule saaf · Bote ȝif þi-self wolle. [Euer] Ay TUH₂. ȝif] þou TH₂; U omits. wolle] wilt TH₂; wolt U.] Line 44 ¶ Folewe þi Flessches wil · and þe fendes aftur, [fendes] feend U; fende H₂.] And do dedlich sunne · and drenche þi-seluen, [þi-seluen] þi soule U.] God wol soffre þe dye so · for [þi-self hast þe maistrie]." [dye so] to deiȝe so TH₂; to dey U. þiself—maistrie] so in TH₂; þou hast þe maistry U; þou art þin owne Mayster V.] ¶ "I haue no kynde knowyng," quod I · "to conceyue þi wordes, [quod I] U omits.] Line 48 But ȝif I may liuen and loken · I schal go lerne betere. I beo-take ȝou to crist · þat on [þe] Crois diȝede." [beotake—to] bekenne þe TUH₂. [þe TUH₂.] V omits.] And þei seiden þe same · "God saue þe from mischaunce, [God] TUH₂ omit.] And ȝiue þe grace vppon grounde · In good lyf to ende." [vppon grounde] on þis erþe TUH₂.]

Þus I wente wyden wher · Dowel to seche; [wyden wher] wyde where TH₂; wide whare U.] Line 53 And as I wente bi a wode · walkyng myn one, [And] T omits. myn one] me alone U.] Blisse of þe Briddes · made me to Abyde, [to] TUH₂ omit.]

And vnder A Lynde, vppon A launde · leonede I a stounde, [leonede I] lenide I me TH₂; y lened me U.] Line 56 For to leorne þe layes · þat louely foules maden. [For to leorne] To lerne TH₂; To lithen U. þat] þe U. foules] briddis TUH₂.] Blisse of þe Briddes · Brouȝten me a slepe; [þe] þise T. a slepe] on slepe UH₂.] Þe Meruiloste Meetynge · Mette I me þenne [I] TUH₂ omit.] Þat euere dremede driht · In drecchynge, I wene. [þat euere dright in doute · drempte, as I wene U. In drecchynge] in doute as TH₂.] Line 60 ¶ A Muche Mon, me þouhte · lyk to my-seluen, [Muche] muchel TH₂; mykil U.] Com and clepede me · be my kuynde nome. [clepede] callide TUH₂. kuynde] kynde T; righte UH₂.] ¶ "What art þou," quod I · "þat my nome knowest?" [I] I þo TH₂.] "Þat þow wost wel," quod he · "and no [wiȝt] betere." [þow wost] wost þou U; thou H₂ (by mistake). [wiȝt TUH₂] bodi V.] "Wot I," quod I, "ho art þou?" · ["thought," seide he] þenne, [Here V is corrupt, having þhouȝte I me seide I þenne; T reads, þouȝt, I-seide he þanne; H₂ has, thouȝt, seyde he than; the reading given is from U; see note.] Line 65 "I haue suwed þe þis seuen ȝer · seȝe [þou] me no raþere?" [suwed] swyed U. þis] TH₂ om. seȝe] seiȝe þou TH₂; seye þou U; V omits þou.] ¶ "Art þou þouȝt?" quod I þo · "const þou me telle, [quod I þo] þo quod I TH₂; þo, quod he U (wrongly). const þou] þou couþest TH₂; coudest þou U.] Wher þat dowel dwelleþ · do me to wisse?" [Wher þat] Where TUH₂. do] & do TH₂.] Line 68 ¶ "Dowel," quod he, "and Dobet · and Dobest þe þridde Beoþ þreo faire vertues · and beoþ not fer to fynde. [fer] for TH₂ (wrongly).]

H[o] is Meke of his Mouþ · Mylde of his speche, [Ho] V has He, by mistake; Who-so TUH₂.] Trewe of his tonge · and of his two hondes, [Trewe] Treuthe H₂ (corruptly).] Line 72 And bi his labur or bi his lond · his lyflode wynneþ, [And—lond] And þoruȝ his labour or his lond TH₂; And þurw þe laboure of his handes U.] And trusti of his taylende · takeþ bote his owne, [U omits. And] TH₂ omit.]

And is not dronkeleuh ne deynous · Dowel him foleweþ. [is not] nouȝt TH₂. deynous—foleweþ] deignous of speche U (see l. 77), omitting l. 76, and part of l. 77.]

DObet doþ þus · bote he doþ muche more; [U omits. doþ þus] þus doþ TH₂.] Line 76 He is as louh as a lomb · louelich of speche; While he haþ ouȝt of his owne · he helpeþ þer neod is, [ouȝt] U omits. helpeþ þer] delith þer moste U.] Þe Bagges and þe Bi-gurdeles · he haþ broken hem alle [Bigurdeles] bygirdles U; breigerdlis T; breigu[r]delis H₂. broken hem] so in TUH₂; V has hem broken, which spoils the line.] Þat þe Auerous hedde · or eny of his heires; [þat þe Erl Auerous · hadde, or his eires TUH₂.] Line 80 And wiþ Mammonas moneye · haþ maked him frendes, [haþ maked] he haþ mad TH₂; haþ mad U.] And is Ronnen in-to Religiun · And haþ Rendret þe Bible, [into] to TH₂.] And precheþ þe peple · seint poules wordes,

Libenter sufferte.

[sufferte] so in TH₂; U omits this quotation; V is indistinct.] ¶ 'Ȝe wyse, soffreþ þe vn-wyse' · wiþ ow for to libbe, [ȝe] The TH₂.] And with glad wille doþ hem good · for so god him|self hiȝte. [glad] good U. god—hiȝte] our lord highte U; god bit hym TH₂.] Line 85

Dobest is a-boue boþe · And Bereþ A Busschopes cros, [boþe] hem boþe TUH₂.] Is hoket atte ende · to holden [hem] in good lyf. [atte] at þat on TH₂; at þe ton U. [hem U] him V; men TH₂.] A pyk is in þe [potent] · to punge a-doun þe wikkede, [in—potent] in þat potent TH₂ (but H₂ omits in); in þe potente U; V has in þe ende, copied by mistake from l. 87. punge] pynche U.] Þat wayten eny wikkednesse · Dowel to teone. [wayten] haunteþ U.] Line 89 And as Dowel and Dobet · duden hem to vnderstonde, [duden hem] dede hem T; don hem H₂; doþ him U.] Þei han I-Corouned A kyng · to kepen hem Alle, [A] o T.]

ÞAt ȝif Dowel or Dobet · dude aȝeyn Dobest, [þat] And U. or] and TH₂.] Line 92 [And were vnbuxum at his biddinge · and bold to don ille], [From T; also in UH₂.]

Þen schulde þe kyng comen · And casten hem in prison, [þen] þat þanne TH₂. schulde—kyng] þe kyng schulde U.] And puiten [hem] þer In penaunce · with-outen pite or grace, [puiten] putten TUH₂. [hem TUH₂] him V. þer—penaunce] in prisone U.] Bote ȝif Dobest beede for [hem] · a-byde þer for euere! [Bote ȝif] But TH₂; & but ȝif U. beede] bede TU; bidde H₂. [hem TUH₂.]] ¶ Þus Dowel and Dobet · And Dobest þe þridde Line 97 Crounede on to beo kyng · And bi heor counseil worche, [heor] his TUH₂; him V.] And Rule þe Reame · bi Red of hem Alle, [bi Red] be red T; be rede H₂; for reed U.] And oþerwyse elles not · bute as þei þreo assenten." [oþerwyse elles] oþere wise & ellis TUH₂. þei] þese U. assenten] assentide T.] ¶ I þonkede [þouȝt þo · þat] he me so tauȝte, [[þouȝt—þat] so in TH₂; þouȝte so · þat U (where so is an error for þo); V has him feire · þo.] Line 101 "But ȝit sauereþ not me þi siggynge · so me God helpe, [not me] me nouȝt TH₂; me not U.] More kuynde knowynge · I coueyte to here, [here] lere TH₂; lerne U.] Hou Dowel and Dobet · and dobest beþ on eorþe." [How do-wel, do-bet, & do|best · don on þis erþe TH₂; How do|wel and do-bet · don on þis erþe U.] Line 104 ¶ "But wit con wisse þe," quod þouȝt · "wher þeos þre dwelleþ, [quod] U omits (by mistake). þeos] þo TUH₂.] Elles not no Mon · þat nou is alyue." [not] wot T; woot UH₂.] ¶ Þus þouȝt and I also · þroly we eoden [þouȝt & I þus · þre dayes we ȝeden TUH₂. eoden] V really has eodem, by mere mistake.] Disputyng on Dowel · day aftur oþer, Line 108 And er we weoren war · with Wit conne we meeten. [weoren war] ywar were T; I-war were H₂. with] U om. conne] gonne TH₂; gunne U.] ¶ He was long and lene · to loken on ful symple, [to—simple] lyk to non oþer TUH₂.] [Was no pride on his apparail · ne no pouert noþer], [From T; also in H₂; VU omit.] Sad of his semblaunt · and of softe speche. [softe] a softe TH₂; a sad U.] Line 112 I durste meue no mateere · to make him to Iangle, [durste] ne durste TH₂.]

Bote as [I bad þouȝt] þo · to beo mene bi-twene, [folio 100b:2] [But as I bad þouȝt þo · be mene betwene TH₂U; but U has to be me bytwene; V has þouȝt bad, omitting I.] To putte forþ sum purpos · to preuen his wittes. [to preuen] & prouen T.] ¶ Þenne þouȝt þat tyme · seide þeose wordes, [þouȝt] H₂ om. þat] in þat TUH₂.] Line 116 "Wher Dowel and Dobet · and Dobest beoþ in londe, [Wher] Where þat TUH₂.] Oure wille wolde I-witen · ȝif wit couþe [hym] techen." [Oure wille] Here is wil TUH₂. [hym TH₂U] V omits.]

PASSUS X.

[

Passus, &c.] so named in TUH₂.

OBS. Throughout this Passus the readings of H₂ agree with those of T, except where specially given.

] [Passus primus de dowel, &c.]

SIre Dowel dwelleþ," quod wit · "not a day hennes, [dwelleþ] U omits.] In A Castel, of kuynde I-mad · of foure kunne þinges, [of—Imad] þat kynde made TU. foure kunne] foure skenis T; foure skynnes H₂.] Of Erþe and Eir hit is mad · I-medelet to-gedere, [Eir] of eyr UH₂.] Wiþ wynt and wiþ watur · ful wittiliche I-Meint. [ful—Imeint] wiȝtliche enioynede T; wittyly enioyned U.] Line 4 Cuynde haþ Closet þer-In · Craftiliche wiþ alle, A loueli lemmon · lyk [to] him-self, [A—lemmon] A lemman þat he louiþ TU. [to] in TUH₂; V omits.] Anima heo hette; · To hire haþ Envye [U resembles V; TH₂ are corrupt; Anima · he haþ to hire enuye T; Anima he hath to hem enuye H₂.] A proud prikere of Fraunce · Princeps huius mundi, [Princeps] sire princeps H₂.] Line 8 And wolde wynnen hire a-wei · with wiles ȝif he mihti. Bote kuynde knoweþ hit wel · and kepeþ hire þe betere, [hit] þis U; hire T.] And haþ I-don hire to Sire [Dowel · duke of þese marches. [V omits the words within brackets by mistake, owing to the repetition of sire; they are supplied from U; l. 11 is alike in TH₂, but in l.] Dobet is hire damysele · sire] Doweles douȝter, [V omits the words within brackets by mistake, owing to the repetition of sire; they are supplied from U; l. 11 is alike in TH₂, but in l.] [TH₂ have sistir instead of douȝter.] Line 12 And serueþ þat ladi lelly · boþe late and raþe. [þat] þis TU.]

Þus Dowel and Dobet · and Dobest þe þridde Beoþ Maystres of þis Manere · þat Mayden to kepen. [þis] þe U. þat] þis T; þe U.] ¶ But þe Cunstable of þe Castel · þat kepeþ hem alle, Line 16 Is a wys kniht wiþ alle · Sire Inwit he hette, [Inwit] þouȝt T (wrongly).] And haþ fyue feire sones · bi his furste wyf; [And] He U.] ¶ Sire seowel and seywel · And herewel þe [h]ende, [and] sire U (twice). hende] so in TUH₂; V has ende.] Sire worche-wel-with-þin-hond · A wiht mon of strengþe, [A] and UT (wrongly); a H₂.] And sire Godfrei Gowel · grete lordes alle. Line 21 ¶ Þeose sixe ben I-set · to saue þe Castel; [sixe] vij U (owing to and in l. 20).] To kepe þis wommon · þis wyse men ben Charget, [þis wyse] wise U.] Til þat kuynde come or sende · And kepe hire him|seluen." [Til þat] Til TU. And] to T.] Line 24 ¶ "What calle ȝe þe Castel," quod I · "þat kuynde haþ I-maket, [þe] þat T; þis U; þe H₂. haþ] so in TUH₂; V really has haþ þus, but þus is best omitted.] And what cunnes þing is kuynde · con ȝe me telle?" [T omits; U has, Of what kynne thinge · cunne ȝe me telle; H₂ agrees with V.] ¶ "Kuynde," quaþ he, "is C[r]eatour · of alle kunne [beestes], [Creatour] creatours U. kunne beestes] kenis bestis T; kynne bestis U; V has best, but see l. 33.] Fader and Foormere · þe furste of alle þing; [þe] U omits. alle] H₂ omits.] Line 28 Þat is þe grete God · þat bigynnyng hedde neuere, [þat] And þat TU. is þe] he is U. bigynnyng] gynnynge TU.] Þe lord of lyf and of liht · of [lisse] and of peyne. [liht] liþ T. [lisse TH₂] Blisse VU. peyne] pyne U.] Angeles and alle þing · [arn] at his wille, [[arn TUH₂] ben V.]

Bote Mon is him Most lyk · of Marke and of schap; For wiþ word þat he warp · woxen forþ Beestes, [wiþ] þoruȝ TU.] Line 33 And alle þing at his wille · was wrouȝt wiþ a speche,

Dixit et facta sunt; [þing] TUH₂ om. dixit—sunt] Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem et similitudinem nostram U; see l. 41.]

Saue Mon þat he Made · Ymage to him-seluen, Ȝaf him goost of his Godhede · and grauntede him Blisse, Lyf þat euer schal lasten · and al his lynage aftur. [euer] ay TU. al] U om.] Line 37 ¶ Þat is þe castel þat kuynde made · Caro hit hette, [hette] hatte TU; hattith H₂.] And is as muche to mene · As Mon wiþ a soule, [And is] Is U; TH₂ omit. to] forto H₂. As] þat T. a] his T; þe U.] Þat he wrouhte with Werk · and wiþ word boþe; [U omits. werk] werkis T. word] wordis T.] Line 40

ÞOrw miht of his Maieste · Mon was I-maket,

[Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem et similitudi|nem nostram.]

[his] þe TU. Mon] whan (!) U. Faciamus, &c.] From U above, at l. 34; TH₂ insert it here, but omit et similitudinem.] Inwit and alle wittes · ben closet þer-Inne, [ben closet] enclosid ben T; bien I-closid H₂.] For loue of þat ladi · þat lyf is I-nempnet; Þat is Anima þat ouer al · in þe Bodi wandureþ, [in] U omits.] Line 44 But in þe herte is hire hom · hiȝest of alle; Heo is lyf and ledere · and a lemmon of heuene. [and a] and U; a T.] Inwit is þe help · þat Anima desyreþ; [help] halle T.] After þe grace of God · þe gretteste is Inwit. [þe—Inwit] Inwyt is þe grettest TU.] Line 48 ¶ Inwit in þe hed is · and helpeþ þe soule, [and helpeþ] & an help to T; an help to UH₂.] For þorw his connynge he [kepeþ] · Caro et Anima [he kepeth] is kept TU; hence the reading of V, viz. he clepeþ, is a mere mistake for he kepeþ; see l. 16.] In Rule and in Reson · bote Recheles hit make. ¶ He eggeþ þe [eiȝe-siht · and herynge] to goode, [

The readings are,

He eggeþ þe iþe siht · and Bringeþ to goode V;

He (It H₂) eggiþ eiȝe-siȝt · & herynge to gode TH₂;

He eggide eye to sighte · and herynge to gode U.

In V, iþe is probably written for iye or eiye.

] Line 52 Of good speche and of cunnynge · he is þe biginnere, [Of] Ofte H₂. good—cunnynge] speche & of goynge U.] In Monnes Brayn he is most · and mihtiest to knowe, Þer he is Bremest · But ȝif blod hit make. [he is] is his bour TU. ȝif] hoot U.]

For whonne Blod is Bremore þen Brayn · þen is Inwit I-bounde, [Bremore þen] brent in U. Inwit] þe wit U.] Line 56 And eke wantoun and wylde · withouten eny Resoun.

IN ȝonge Fauntes and Fooles · with hem Fayleþ Inwit, [ȝonge] U om. with] in U.] And eke in [sottes] þou miht seo · þat sitteþ atte Ale; [[sottes] UTH₂; V has wrecches. atte ale] at þe nale TU; at þe ale H₂.] Þei heldeþ Ale in heore hed · til Inwit beo a-dreynt, [heldeþ] helde T; heeld U; holde H₂. adreynt] drenchit TU.] Line 60 And [ben] Brayn-wode as Beestes · so heore Blod waxeþ. [[ben] So in TU; bien H₂; V omits. Braynwode] brayned U.] ¶ Þenne haþ þe Pouke pouwer · Sire Princeps huius mundi, [princeps—mundi] omitted in U; see note.] Ouer suche Maner Men · Miht in heore soules. [men] of men T. in] is in U.] Bote In Fauntes ne in Fooles · þe Fend haþ no miht [ne in] and U. Fend] deuil T. miht] wit U.] For no werk þat þei worchen · wikked or elles; [no] to U (wrongly).] Line 65 Bote þe Fadres and þe Frendes · For Fau[n]tes schul be Blamet [Faderes] fadir TU. Fauntes TU] V has Fautes.] Bote þei witen hem from wantounesse · whil þat þei ben ȝonge. [Bote] But ȝif T. witen] wone U. ȝonge] ȝouþe T (sic); ȝonge H₂.] ¶ And ȝif þat þei ben pore or Catelles · to kepen hem from ille, [And ȝif] And H₂; ac if U. þat] TU om. to] and U.] Line 68 Þenne is holy chirche a-signet · to helpen hem and sauen [asignet] owynge T; awynge U.] From Folyes, and Fynden hem · til þat þei ben wysore. [Fynden] fende H₂. þat—wysore] þei ben wise T. U reads, And for to fynde hem forþ · til þei ben wisere.] ¶ Bote vche [wiȝt] in þis world · þat haþ wys vnder|stondinge, [Bote] And TU. [wiȝt T; wight U] mon V. þis] þe U. haþ] H₂ omits by mistake.] Is Cheef souereyn [of] him-self · his soule for to ȝeme, [[of H₂] ouer TU; V omits. for to] to TU.]

And Cheuesschen him from charge · whon he childhode passeþ, [cheuesschen] cheuisshiþ TU. from] for any TU.] Line 73 Saue him-self from sunne · for so him bi-houeþ; [Saue] To saue U. bihoueþ] behouid H₂.] For worche he wel oþer wrong · þe wit is his oune. [wit] wyte U.]

ÞEne is Dowel a Duyk · þat distruieþ vices, [folio 401a:1] [þat] and U.] Line 76 And saueþ þe soule · þat sunne haþ no miht [U omits.] To Route ne to Reste · ne to Rooten in þe herte; [To] Ne U. to—þe] roren in þin T.] And þat is drede of God · for Dowel hit makeþ, [for] TU omit.] Hit is biginnynge of goodnesse · God for to drede; [And is þe begynnynge · god for to doute U. drede] douten TU.] Line 80 [Salamon it seide · for a soþ tale],

Innicium sapiencie, timor domini.

[From T; also in UH₂. timor] est timor T.] For doute, Men doþ þe Bet; · drede is such a Mayster Þat he makeþ Men Meoke · and Mylde of heore speche, [þat he] And þat U.] And alle kunne scolers · In Scoles forte lerne; [kunne] kynne U; kynde T. scoles—lerne] scole to lerne T; scole to lere U.] Line 84 Þenne is Dobet to beo war · for betynge of ȝerdes, [Dobet—war] do-bet to ben ywar T; do-bet ywar H₂; dowel to drede U. ȝerdes] þe ȝarde TU.] And þerof seiþ þe Sauter · þi-seluen þou miht reden,

Virga tua [et baculus tuus, ipsa me consolata sunt.]

[þerof] þere U. þiseluen] þe salme TU. The Latin is from TU; V has only virga tua, &c.] [Ac ȝif clene consience acorde · þat þi-selfe dost wel], [From T; so also UH₂; V has a corrupt line, Bote Clene Concience a|Corde · Bote þi-self Dowel. clene] þi clene U.] Wilne þou neuere in þis world · forte Dobetere;

For, Intencio [indicat hominem].

[forte] why for to UH₂. [indicat hominem TUH₂] V indistinct.] Line 88 ¶ Bi Counseil of Concience · a-Cordynge with holy churche, [Bi] Wiþ U. with] of H₂; T omits.] Loke þou wisse þi wit · and þi werkes aftur; For ȝif þou comest aȝein Concience · þou Cumbrest þi|seluen,

And so witnesseþ Godes Word · And holiwrit boþe;

[Qui agit contra conscientiam, edificat ad iehennam.]

[T omits, but not H². holiwrit boþe] holi chirche aftir U. The Latin quotation is from U; TH₂ have only the first four words of it.] Line 92 Bote ȝif þow worche bi godus word · I warne þe for þe beste, [for þe] þe T.] What so men worden of þe · wraþþe þe neuere; [worden] seyn U.] Catoun Counseileþ so · tak [kepe] of his teching,

Cum recte viuas, ne cures verba malorum;

[so] T omits. [kepe UTH₂] hede V. Catoun conseileþ þe · to take kepe on þis þinge U.] ¶ Bote suffre and sitte stille · And sech þou no furre, [And] U om. furre] ferþere TU.] And beo glad of þe grace · þat God haþ þe I-sent; [þe Isent] I-sent þe T; þe sent U.] Line 97 For ȝif þou cumse to Clymbe · and Coueyte herre, [herre] to ben heiere U; hiȝere H₂.] Þou miht leose þi louhnesse · for a luitel pruyde. ¶ I haue lerned hou lewede men · han lered heore children, [lerned] herd TU. how] ȝou H₂. lered] lernid T.] Line 100 Þat selden Moseþ þe Marbelston · þat men ofte treden; [

þat selde men seþ þe marbil· þat men ofte dreden T; (corrupt);

þat seelde men seen þe marbil mose · þat men ofte mouen U;

That selde men seth the marbul · that ofte men tredith H₂.

] ¶ And Riht so walkers · þat walken A-bouten [walkers] be romberis T; by renneres U. walken] rennen TU.] From Religion to Religion · Recheles ben þei euere. And men þat Cunne mony Craftes · Clergie hit telleþ, [And] Ne T. mony] alle U. Clergie—telleþ] clergie techiþ euere T; and clergie boþe U.] Þruft or þeodam with hem · selden is I-seye;

Qui circuit omne genus, [nullius est generis.]

[þeodam] þedom TU. hem] þo TU. selden is] is seldom U. [nul|lius—generis] in U; &c. T; V omits.] Line 105

Poul þe Apostel · In his pistel wrot [wrot] wrot it TU.] In ensaumple of suche · Rennars a-boute, [of—Rennars] of suche · schulde not renne T; þat siche · schulde not renne U.] And for wisdam Is writen · as witnesseþ Clerkes, [U omits. as—Clerkes] & witnessid in chirches T. ] Line 108

[In ea vocacione qua vocati estis, in eadem perma|neatis].

[The Latin is from U; T has, In eadem vocacione qua vocati estis, state, &c.; V omits.] Line 108 Ȝif þou beo Mon I-Mariet · Monk, oþur chanoun, Hold þe stable and studefast · And strengþe þi-seluen [þiseluen] þi soule U.] To beo blesset for þi beryng · ȝe, Beggere þauh þou weore! [ȝe—þou] þe biggere þeiȝ þou T; ȝif þou a beggere U.] ¶ Loke þou grucche not on god · þauȝ he þe ȝeue luytel, [ȝeue] gyue þe T.] Beo payed wiþ þi porcion · porore or Ricchore. [porore—ricchore] pore oþer riche T; be it pore or riche U.] Line 113 Þus in drede lyþ Dowel · And Dobet to soffren, [And] T omits.] For þorw soffraunce seo þou miht · hou souereyn[es] Ariseþ;

Qui se humiliat, [exaltabitur, &c.];

[þorw] þus þurw U. souereyn V] soueraynes TU. U has a blank space for the Latin; exaltabitur, &c., is from T.] And so lerede vs luc · þat lyȝede neuere. [U omits this line, and T inserts it before the quotation. lerede] leriþ T.] Line 116 And þus of drede and his dede · Dobest aryseþ, [his] here T; of our U.] Whuch is Flour and Fruit · I-fostred of Boþe. [Flour—Fruit] þe flour & þe fruyt TU. of] on U.] ¶ Riht as þe Rose · þat Red is and swote, Out of a Ragged Roote · and of Rouwe Breres [of—Breres] as a rowhe brere U; a rouȝ brere T.] Line 120 Springeþ and spredeþ · þat spicers desyreþ. [119—121. Wrongly made into two lines in TU. þe Rose] a Rose TU. þat—and] T omits.] [Springeþ] þat springeþ U.] ¶ Or as whete out of a weod · waxeþ vppon eorþe, [a] TU omit. vppon] out of þe TU.] So Dobest out of Dowel · and Dobet doþ springe [TU transpose Dowel and Dobet. doþ] gynneþ TU.] Line 123 A-Mong men of þis [molde] · þat Meke ben, or kuynde; [[molde TU] World V. or] & TU.] For loue of heore louhnesse · vr lord ȝiueþ hem grace Such werkes to worche · þat he is with apayet. [þat] as T.]

Furst and foreward · to folk þat ben I-weddet, [Ferst—forward] And formest & ferst T; Formest and first U.] And libbeþ as heore lawe wole · hit likeþ God almihti; [lawe wole] lawis wiln T. hit] þat U.] Line 128 For þorw wedlac þe world stont · hose wol hit I-knowe. [For] þat T; And U. hose] whoso TU.] Þei ben Ricchest in Reame · and þe Rote of dowel; [Ricchest—Reame] þe riccheste of reaumes TU.] For of heore kuynde þei come · þat confessours beþ nempned, [kuynde] kynde T; kyn U.] Boþe Maydens and Martires · Monkes an Ancres, [martires] nonnes TU.] Line 132 Kynges and Knihtes · and alle cunne Clerkes, Barouns and Burgeis · and Bonde Men of tounes. [tounes] towne U.] ¶ Fals folk and Feiþles · þeoues and lyȝers [Fals] Ac fals TU. þeoues] as þeuis TU.] Ben Conseyuet in Curset tyme · as Caym was on Eue, [on] and U (wrongly).] After þat Adam and Eue · hedden eten of þe Appel [Eue] she T. hedden] TU omit. of] TU omit.] Line 137 Aȝeyn þe heste of him · þat hem of nouȝt made. [U omits.] ¶ An Angel in haste · þennes hem tornde [haste] angir T. þennes—tornde] hiȝte hym (hem U) to wende TU.] In-to þis wrecchede world · to wonen and to libben [In tene & in trauaile · to here lyues ende]; [From U; also in T. in trauaile] trauaille T.] Line 141 In þat Corsede Constellacion · þei knewen to-gedere, [þei] þat þei U.] And Brouȝten forþ [a barn] · þat muche bale [wrouȝte.] [[a barn TU] Barnes V. [wrouȝte TU] wrouȝten V; cf. next line.] ¶ Caym men cleped him · In Cursed tyme engendret, [men—him] þei hym callide TU.] And so seiþ þe sauter · seo hit whon þe likeþ,

Concepit in dolore, [et peperit iniquitatem, &c.]

[Part of the Latin is from T; U here inserts a wrong quotation, Quare via, &c.; for which see Pass. XI. l. 23.] Line 145 And alle þat come of þat Caym · Crist hem hatede Aftur, [And] TU omit. hem hatede] hatide hem U; hatid T.] And Mony Milions mo · of Men and of Wymmen

Þat of Seth and his Suster · seþþen forþ coome; [þat] And TU. seþþen] sitthe þei U.] Line 148 For þei Marieden to corsed Men · þat comen of Caymes kuynde. [to] hem wiþ T; hem wiþ þe U. þat—kuynde] of caymes kyn TU.] For alle þat comen of þat Caym · A-Cursed þei weren, [acursed—weren] crist hatide hem euere U; see next line.] And alle þat couplede hem to þat kun · crist hem hatede dedliche. [U omits. to] with T. hem] T om. dedliche] euere T.]

Forþi he sende to [Seth] · And seide him bi an Angel, [he—Seth] he sente hym to seyn T; y sente hem to seye U. [Seth] V has Sem by mistake; see l. 148.] To kepe his cun from Caymes · þat þei coupled not to-gedere. [cun] kynrede TU. Caymes] caym U. þat] T omits. coupled] couple U.] Line 153 ¶ And seþþen [Seth] and his suster sed · weren spoused to Caymes, [[Seth] Seeþ U; Sem VT; see ll. 148, 152. sed] TU omit. to Caymes] wiþ caymes kynne U.] A-ȝeyn Godes heste · Gurles þei geeten, Þat God was wroþ with heor werk · And suche wordes seide,

Penitet me [fecisse hominem];

[þat] And U. werk] werkis TU. suche—seide] seide suche wordis T; seide þese wordis U. The quotation is in TU; V has only Penitet me, &c.; occurring after l. 158.] Line 156 And is þus muche to Mene · A-monges ȝou alle, [And] þat U. þus] as TU. ȝou] vs TU.] Þat I makede Mon · nou hit me for-þinkeþ; [folio 401a:2] [makede Mon] man makide T; man made U. nou] sore U.] ¶ And com to Noe Anon · And bad him not lette [Noe] nowel U.] Swiþe to schapen A schup · of schides and Bordes; [schapen] schapen him U. schides] shidis T; sides U.] Line 160 Him-self and his sones þre · And seþþen heore wyues, [heore] alle here U.] Bringen hem to þe Bot · And byden þer-Inne, [104—162. Omitted in H₂.] [

Bringen hem] Buskide T; Buskide hem U. þe] þat T. And byden] to abide U.

OBS. Here collation with H₂ recom|mences; see note to l. 104.

] Til Fourti dawes ben folfuld · [þat] þe flod haue I-wassche [dawes] dayes T; U omits. [þat] TH₂ have þat, but omit þe. Iwassche] y-waschide U.] Clene awey þe cursede blod · þat Caym haþ I-maket.

¶ 'Beestes þat now ben · mouwen [banne] þe tyme [mouwen] shuln TU. [banne TUH₂] curse V.] Line 165 Þat euere þat Cursede Caym · Com vppon eorþe; [þat cursede] curside T; þe curside U. vppon] on þis T; to þe U.] Alle schulen dye for his dedes · Bi Dounes and hulles, Boþe Fisch and Foules · forþ wiþ oþer beestes, [Fisch] fisshis TU. forþ] for H₂. wiþ] miþ T; with H₂. oþer] þe U.] Line 168 Out-taken Eihte soules · And of vche beest A Couple, [Eihte] þe eiȝte T; þe souen U. And] þat U (wrongly).] Þat in þe schynglede schup · schullen ben I-saued; [Put þat in þe same ship · þat shal ben ysauid T; þat in þe sengle schyppe · þat tyme schal be saued U.] Elles schal al dye · and to helle weende.' [schal] schulde U.]

Þus þorw Cursede Caym · Com Care vppon alle; [þus—caym] þoruȝ curside caym þus T.] Line 172 For [Seth] and his suster children · spouseden eiþer oþer, [For] And al for TU. [Seth] seeth U; Sem VT; see l. 148. chil|dren] U om. spouseden] spousid here U.] Aȝeyn þe lawe of vr lord · lyȝen to-gedere, [lyȝen] ley hem T; leyen U.] And weoren Maried at Mischef · as Men doþ now heore children. [weoren maried] mariede T.] For summe as I seo nou · soþ for to tellen, [U omits.] Line 176 For Couetise of Catel · vnkuyndeliche beoþ maried, [For] þat for U.] And Careful Concepcion · comeþ of such weddyng, [And] A TU.] ¶ Also bifel of þat folk · þat I beo-fore schewede. [Also bifel] As fel TU. þat] þe T; þis U. þat I] as T.] Hit is an vn-Comely Couple · be Cryst, as me þinkeþ, [me þinkeþ] I wene TU.] To ȝeuen a ȝong wenche · to an old feble Mon, [mon] TU omit; retained in H₂.] Line 181 Or to wedden an Old widewe · for weolþe of hire goodes, [Or wedde any wydewe · for any wele of godis TU.] Þat neuer schal Child bere · bote hit beo in hire Armes. [child bere] bere child TU. hire] TU omit.] ¶ In Ielesye Ioyeles · and Ianglynge in Bedde [V inserts and before Ioyeles, but it is best omitted, as it is in TUH₂. in Bedde] of bedde T; abedde U.] Line 184

Line 184 Mony peire seþþen þe pestilence · han pliht hem to|gedere; [þe] þis T. pliht] piȝt T.] Þe Fruit þat þei bringen forþ · ben mony foule wordes, [ben mony] arn manye T; arn but U.] Han þei none children bote chestes · and choppes hem bitwene. [chestes] chidinge T; cheste U. hem bitwene] togidere T; by-twene U.] Line 187 ¶ Þauȝ þei don hem to [donmowe · but þe deuel helpe] [

þeiȝ þei don hem to dunmowe · but ȝif þe deuil helpe T;

þei hiden hem to donmowe · but þe deuel helpe U;

þauȝ þei don hem to done · al þat þei mowen V; where done and mowen are corrupted from donmowe.

] To folewen aftur þe Flucchen · fecche þei hit neuere; [Flucchen] flicche TU.] Bote ȝif þei boþe ben forswore · [þat bacoun þei tyne]. [Bote ȝif] but U. [þat—tyne TUH₂] and Cursen þat tyme V.] ¶ Forþi I Counseile alle Cristene · coueite not ben I|weddet For Couetyse of Catel · ne of kun Riche; [ne—kun] or of kynrede T; or for kynrede U.] Line 192 Bote Maydens and [Maydens · maccheþ ou ysamme,] [V is here apparently corrupt; see various readings below.] [[maydens—ysamme] maidenis· macche ȝow ysamme T; maydenis · marie ȝou to-gyderis H₂; maydenes · ȝou to-same take U; V has vn|Maydens · clene ow save.] Widewers and widewes · [wercheþ riȝt] also, [V is here apparently corrupt; see various readings below.] [[wercheþ riȝt] werchiþ riȝt T; wurche ȝe U; V has worschupeþ; H₂ ends the line with werchith the same.] And þenne glade ȝe god · þat alle goodes sendeþ! [And] U om. þenne] T om. goodes] good T.] ¶ For in vn-tyme treweli · bi-twene Mon and wommon [vntyme] my tyme TU (also U omits in). mon—wommon] men & wommen T.] Schulde no Bed-bourde be · bote Boþe weore clene [Bed-bourde] bedborde U. Boþe weore] þei were boþe TU; if thei were bothe H₂.] Line 197 Of lyf and eke in loue · and in lawe alse. [eke in] of TU. in] of TU.] Þat deede derne · do no mon scholde, [deede derne] derne dede U. scholde] ne shulde T.] As is vset, bi-twene · sengle and sengle; Line 200

Line 200 Seþþen lawe haþ I-loket · þat vche mon haue a make In Mariage and Matrimoyne · I-Medlet to-gedere, [

200—202. Only two lines in TUH₂, thus:

As betwyn sengle & sengle · siþþe lawe haþ y-grauntid

þat iche man haue a make · in maner of wedlak TH₂ (where H₂ omits As];

Ac bytwene sengle and sengle · siþþe lawe haþ y-graunted

þat euery man haue a make · in mariage of wedlok U.

] Line 202 And worche þat with his wyf · and with no wommon elles. [worche—with] do þat werk on T; wurche on U. with no] on no T; no U.] ¶ Þat oþer-gates ben I-geten · [for gadelynges ben holden, [

V has only one line, þat oþergates ben I-geten · ben fyndlynges and lyȝers; I give l. 204 as it stands in TUH₂; for l. 205 we find,

þat ben false folke · and false heires also U.

And þat ben fals folke & fals eires · alse foundlynges & folis TH₂.

OBS. The vellum (better) portion of U ends here; the rest is on paper; and begins at l. 48 of Passus XI.

] Þat ben false folke and false heires] · fyndlynges and lyȝers, [

V has only one line, þat oþergates ben I-geten · ben fyndlynges and lyȝers; I give l. 204 as it stands in TUH₂; for l. 205 we find,

þat ben false folke · and false heires also U.

And þat ben fals folke & fals eires · alse foundlynges & folis TH₂.

OBS. The vellum (better) portion of U ends here; the rest is on paper; and begins at l. 48 of Passus XI.

] Vn-Gracios to gete loue · or eni good elles, Line 206 ¶ Bote wandren as wolues · and wasten ȝif þei mouwen. [But wandriþ & wastiþ · what þat þei mowe T.] A-ȝeyn Dowel þei don vuele · and þe deuel plesen, And aftur heore deþ day · schul dwelle wiþ þe schrewe, [þe schrewe] þe same T; þat same H₂.] Bute God ȝiue hem Grace · heer to A-Mende. [Bute] But ȝif T. hem] hym T.] Line 210 ¶ Þenne is Dowel to dreden · and Dobet to suffren, And so comeþ Dobest aboute · And bringeþ a-doun Modi, [modi] mody TH₂.] And þat is wikkede wil · þat Mony [werke] schendeþ." [is] H₂ omits. [werke H₂T] men V.]

PASSUS XI.

[Passus secundus de dowel, &c.] [Passus, &c.] so in TH₂. OBS. The readings of H₂ are the same as those of T, except when specially given as different.]

ÞEnne hedde wit A wyf · was hoten dam Studie, [was hoten] þat hatte T.] Þat [lene was of lich] · and of louh chere. [lene—lich] so in TH₂; V has euer was I-liche. louh] loþly T.] Heo was wonderliche wroþ · þat wit me þus tauhte, [me þus] so me H₂; so T.] And al starinde Dam Studie · steorneliche seide, [And sterneliche staringe · dame studie seide T.] Line 4 ¶ "Wel artou witti," quod heo · "wisdom to telle [artou witti] art þou wys, wyt T. wisdome] any wisdomis T.] To Fayturs or to Fooles · þat Frentik ben of wittes!" [Fayturs] flatereris T.] And Blamede him for his Beere · And Bad him beo stille [for his Beere] bitterly T.] Wiþ suche wyse wordes · to wisse eny fooles. Line 8 ¶ And seide, "Noli mittere · Margeri perles [Noli mittere] Nolite mittere. man T.] Among hogges þat han · hawes at heore wille; [heore] T omits.] Þei don bot drauele þeron · draf weore hem leuere Þen al þe presciouse Peerles · þat in paradys waxen. [presciouse Peerles] precious perrie T. waxen] wexiþ T; wexit H₂.] Line 12 ¶ I sigge hit bi þulke," quod heo · "þat bi heore werkes schewen [hit—þulke] be þo T. bi—schewen] shewen be here werkis T; schewen here werkis H₂.] Þat hem weore leuere lond · and lordschupe on eorþe, Richesse, Rentes · or Reste at heore wille [Or ricchesse or rentis · & reste at here wille T.] Þen Al þe soþ sawes · þat Salamon seide euere. Line 16

Line 16 ¶ Wisdam and wit nou · is not worþ a Russche But hit beo [cardet] with Couetise · as cloþers doþ heor wolle, [[cardet] cardit TH₂; carket V.] Þat Conterfeteþ disseites · and Conspiret wronges, [Conterfeteþ] can construe þe T; conspiret] conspire T.] And ledeþ forþ A loueday · to lette þe treweþe; [ledeþ] lede T.] Line 20 Þat suche craftes cunnen · to counseil beoþ I-clept, [to—Iclept] ben yclepid to counseil T.] And ben serued as syres · þat serueþ þe deuel. [þat] and H₂.] ¶ Iob þe Ientel · in his Ieestes seide,

Quare via impiorum prosperatur, bene est omnibus qui praue et inique agunt?

[seide] seide it T. bene] ve TU. praue] peruerse U. (This quotation oc|curs in U elsewhere; see note to Pass. X. l. 145.)] ¶ Ac he þat holy writ haþ · euer in his mouþe, [folio 401b:1] [holy—euer] haþ holy writ ay T.] Line 24 And con tellen of Tobie · And þe Twelue Apostles, [And þe] & of þe T.] And prechen of þe penaunce · þat Pilatus wrouhte [And] Or T. Pilatus] pilatis T.] To Iesu þe Ientil · þat Iewes to-drowe On Cros vppon Caluarie · as Clerkes vs telleþ;— [telleþ] techiþ T.] Line 28 ¶ Luytel is he loued or leten bi · þat such a lessun Redeþ, [Redeþ] techiþ T.] Or Daunseled or Drawen forþ · þis Disours witen þe soþe; [Daunseled] dauntid T.] For ȝif Harlotrie ne Holpe hem þe bet · (haue God my soule!) [þe bet] betere T. soule] trouþe T.] More þen Musyk · or Makyng of Crist, [Crist] god almiȝt T; god al|myȝty H₂.] Line 32 Wolde neuer kyng ne kniht · ne Canoun of Seynt poules Ȝeuen hem to heore ȝeres-ȝiue · þe value of a grote!

BOte Munstralsye and Murþe · A-Mong Men is nouþe; [Bote] T omits.] Lecherie and losengrie · and loseles tales, Line 36 And geten gold with grete oþes · beoþ gamus nou A dayes. [And—with] Glotonye & T. beoþ] þise arn T.]

But ȝif þei Carpen of Crist · (þis Clerkes and þis lewede) Atte Mete in heor Murþe · whon Munstrals beoþ stille, [Atte—murþe] At þe mete & at murþe T.] ¶ Þenne telleþ þei of þe Trinite · hou two slowen þe þridde, Line 40 And Bringeþ forþ Ballede Resouns · tak Bernard to witnesse, [Ballede—tak] a ballid resoun · toke T.] And puyteþ forþ presumpciun · to preue þe soþe. [puyteþ] putte T.] ¶ Þus þei drauelen on heore deys · þe Deite to knowe, [drauelen on] dryuelen at T.] And demeþ God in-to þe gorge · whon heore Gottus follen. [And gnawen god in here þrote · whanne here guttis fullen T.] Line 44 But Carful Mon may crien · and clepen atte ȝate [But—Mon] Ac þe carful T. clepen atte] carpe at þe T.] Boþe of hungur and of þurst · and for chele quake; [of] for T. of] for T. quake] quakiþ T.] Nis no Mon him neih · his nuy to Amende, [

Is non to nymen him In · ne his anguyssh amende T; H₂ omits him.

OBS. Here collation with U recom|mences.

] Bote honesschen him as an hound · and hoten him go þennes! [honesschen] honysche U; hunsen T.] Line 48

Luyte loueþ he þat lord · þat leneþ him þat Blisse, [þat blisse] al þat blisse T.] Þat þus parteþ with þe pore · A parcel whon him neodeþ. Neore Merci In Mene Men · More þen in Riche, [Neore] Ne were U.] Wiþ Mony defauti Meeles · Mihte þei go to bedde. [Manye men meteles · miȝte go to bedde T; Manye mendinaw[n]tes meteles · myȝte go to bedde U.] Line 52 God is muche in þe gorge · of þeose grete Maystres, [þe] his U. gorge] þrote T; gorge H₂.] Bote A-Mong Mene Men · his Merci and his werkes; [U omits. mene] TH₂ omit.] And so seiþ þe psauter · sech hit In "Memento,"

Ecce Audiuimus eam in effrata, inuenimus [eam] in campis silue.

[sech] seek U; se T. [eam TUH₂] eum V.] ¶ Clerkes and kete men · Carpen of God ofte, [kete] kid T; kedde U; kyd H₂. ofte] faste TU.] Line 56

Line 56 And han him muche in heore Mouþ · bote Mene men in herte. [him] TU omit; H₂ retains.] Freres and Faytors · han founden suche questions [founden] founden vp TU; fonden H₂.] To plese with þis proude men · seþþe pestilence tyme; [þis] TU omit. seþþe] siþen þe T; siþ þe U.] Þei de-Foulen vre Fey · at Festes þer þei sitten. [þei] þat TU. Fey] false (!) T; feyth U. festes] þe feste T.] Line 60

For nou is vche Boye Bold · Broþel an oþer, [Broþel—oþer] & he be riche TU.] To talken of þe Trinite · to beon holden A syre, [talken] tellen TU.] And fyndeþ forþ fantasyes · vr feiþ to Apeyre; And eke de-Fameþ þe Fader · þat vs alle made, [eke defameþ] defame T; to de|fame U.] Line 64 And Craken aȝeyn þe Clergie · Crabbede wordes. [craken—þe] carpide aȝens T; carpen of U.] ¶ 'Whi wolde God vr saueour · suffre such a worm [God] TU omit. worm] worm in his blisse TU.] In such a wrong wyse · þe wommon to bi-gyle? [þat he gilide þe womman · & þe wy aftir T; þat begyles þe womman · & þe man after U.] Boþe hir hosebonde and heo · to helle þorw him wenten, [þoruȝ whiche a werke & wille · þei wenten to helle TU.] And heore seed for þat sunne · þe same wo drien.' [And] And alle TU. þat] here T. drien] suffride TU.] Line 69 ¶ Suche Motyues þei meuen · þis Maistres in heor glorie, [motyues] motifs T; motes U.] And makeþ Men Misbileeue · þat [musen on] heore wordes. [[musen on T] mousen on U; leeuen in V; H₂ torn away.]

But Austin þe Olde · for alle suche precheþ, [precheþ] prechide T; prechet U.] Line 72 And for suche tale tellers · such a teeme scheweþ,

Non plus sapere quam oportet sapere.

[scheweþ] shewide T. Non] Nolite U. oportet] V really has oporteþ, of course by mistake.] Þis wilneþ ȝe neuer to wite · whi þat God wolde [That is to seyn ne wilneþ neuere · for to wyte why TU; see next line, and l. 81.] Soffre Sathan · his sed to bi-gyle; [Soffre] That god wold suffre TU.]

¶ But leeueþ on þat lore · þat lereþ holichirche, [Ac beleue lelly of lore · of holy chirche T; And be-leef lely on þe lord · of holy chyrche U.] Line 76 And preye him of pardoun · and penaunce in þi lyue, [him] H₂ omits. of] of his U. in] be TU.] And for his muchele Merci · to amenden vs heere. For alle þat wilneþ [to wite · þe] weyes of god Almihti, [[to wite þe UTH₂] two V; see ll. 73, 81, 88. weyes] werkes T.] I wolde his eȝe weore in his ers · and his heele aftur; [eȝe were] eiȝen wern T.] Þat euer eft Wilneþ to wite · whi þat God wolde [whi þat] why T. þat—wolde] Begins l. 82 in U; cf. l. 74.] Line 81 Soffre Sathan · his seed to bi-gyle, Or Iudas þe Ieuȝ · Iesu bi-traye; [Or] Er T. bitraye] betrayede T.] Al was as he wolde · lord, I-heried be þou! [Iheried—þou] yworsshipid be þou T; I-wyrchepid þou be U.] Line 84 And al [worþ] as þou wolt · what so we tellen! [al] U om. [worþ TUH₂] beo V.] ¶ And nou comeþ a Conioun · and wolde cacchen of [my] wittes, [[my TH₂] me V.] What is Dowel from Dobet! · nou daffe mot he worþe, [nou] U om. daffe] defe TU.] [Siþen] he wilneþ to wite · whuche þei ben alle! [[Siþen T] siþþe U; sithen H₂; V has Sire.] Line 88 Bote he liue in þe leste degre · þat longeþ to Dowel, [Bote—degre] But ȝif he lyue lely in þe last day U.] I dar ben his borw · þat Dobet nul he neuere, [I] For I U. borw] bolde boruȝ TU. þat] TU omit. nul] wile TU.] Þauȝ Dobest drawe on him · day aftur oþur."

And whon þat wit was I-war · hou his wyf tolde, Line 92 He bi-com so confoundet · he couþe not [mele], [He—confoundet] He becomeþ so confus T; He come so confuse U. [mele TUH₂] medle V.] And as doumbe as a dore · drouȝ him asyde. [And as] Also T; And also U. dore] dore-nayl and H₂.] Bote for no Craft þat I couþe · ne knelyng to grounde, [Bote—þat] Ac for no carpinge T; And for no carpyng U. to] to þe TU.] I mihte gete no greyn · of [his] grete wittes, [greyn] gayn T. [his TUH₂] hire V.] Line 96 But al lauȝwhinge he loutede · and lokede vppon Studie, [lauȝwhinge] lauȝinge T; lour|yng U.] In signe þat I schulde · bi-sechen hire of grace. [of] of his T; of H₂.]

¶ And whon I wuste of his wil · to his wyf con I knele, [wuste] was war TU.] And seide, "Merci, Madame, ȝoure mon schal I [worþe], [[worþe TUH₂] beo V; see l. 85.] To worchen ȝoure wille · while my lyf dureþ; [while] þer whiles T.] Line 101 [Kenne] me kuyndely · to knowen what Is Dowel." [folio 401b:2] [[Kenne TH₂] To kenne U; Teche V.] ¶ "For þi Mekenesse, Mon," quod heo · "and for þi Milde speche, I schal [kenne] þe to my Cosyn · þat Clergye is I-hoten. [[kenne TUH₂] teche V. is I|hoten] hoteþ U.] He haþ wedded a wyf · wiþ-Inne þis wikes sixe, Line 105 Is sib to þe seuen Ars · þat scripture is I-nempnet; [Is] þat is U.] Þei two, as Ich hope · after my be-sechyng, [as] TU omit.] Schul wisse þe to Dowel · I dar vndertake." [dar] dar wel TU.]

ÞEnne was I as Fayn · as Foul on feir morwen, [on] of TU.] Line 109 Gladdore þen þe gleo-Mon is · of his grete ȝiftes, [is—ȝiftes] þat gold haþ to ȝifte TU.] And askede hire þe heiȝe wey · wher Clergye dwelleþ, [askede] axide TU. dwelleþ] wonide T; wonde U.] "And tel me sum tokne to him · for tyme is þat I wende." Line 112 ¶ "I schal teche þe þe heiȝe wey," quod heo · "from hennes to soffre [I—teche þe] Axe TU.] Boþe-weole-and-wo · ȝif þat þou wolt leorne, And Ryd forþ bi Richesse · Reste þe nouȝt þer-Inne; For ȝif þou Couple þe to him · to Clergie comestou neuere. [ȝif] U om. to] with UH₂.] Line 116 And eke þe longe launde · þat Lecherie hette, Leue him on þi luft half · A large myle or more, Forte þou come to a Court · kep-wel-þi-tonge [Forte] Foor til U; Til T.] Line 119 From-lesynges-and-lyȝeres-speche- · and-lykerous-drinke. [From] For T; fro U. speche] U om.] ¶ Þenne schaltou seo Sobre · And Symple-of-speche, [sobre—symple] sobirte & sim|plite T; soberte of symplesse U.]

Þat [eche wyȝt] beo in wil · his wit þe to schewe. [[eche wyȝt UTH₂] eueri mon V.]

So schalt þou come to Clergye · þat con mony þinges; [þinges] wyttes T.] Sei him þis [signe] · þat I sette him to scole, [[signe TUH₂] tokene V. þat] TU omit.] Line 124 And þat I grette wel his wyf · for I wrot hire a Bulle, [U omits. And—grette] And þat þou grete T; And if thou grete H₂. a Bulle] þe bible T.] And sette hire to sapience · and to hire psauter I-gloset. [to hire] to þe U.] ¶ Lo! logyk I lered hire · and al þe lawe after, [Lo] TUH₂ omit.] And alle Musons In Musyk · I made hire to knowe. [alle—in] alle þe musons of T; alle þe musonys of U. to knowe] knowe alse T.] Line 128 Plato þe Poyete · I put him furste to Boke, Aristotle and oþer mo · to Arguen I tauȝte; [to—tauȝte] I tawte ferst to argue U.] Gramer for [gurles] · I gon furste to write, [[gurles H₂TU] children V; see P. X. l. 155. to] TU omit.] And Beot hem wiþ a Baleys · But ȝif þei wolde lernen. ¶ Of alle Maner Craftus · I con Counterfeten heor tooles, [

And alle kynne craftis · I contreuide here,

Tolis of carpenteris & kerueris · & kende ferst masons T;

And alle kynne craftis · I con|strued hure ferst to lere,

Tolis of carpenteris, & kerue · I tauþte (sic) ferst masouns U. [kende TH₂] tauȝte V

] Line 133 Of Carpunters and keruers; · I [kende] furst Masouns, [

And alle kynne craftis · I contreuide here,

Tolis of carpenteris & kerueris · & kende ferst masons T;

And alle kynne craftis · I con|strued hure ferst to lere,

Tolis of carpenteris, & kerue · I tauþte (sic) ferst masouns U. [kende TH₂] tauȝte V

] And lered hem liuel and lyne · þauȝ I loke dimme. [lered] lernide TU. liuel—lyne] lyne & leuel U. loke] lokyd U.]

Bote Teologye haþ teoned me · ten score tymes; Line 136 For þe more I [muse] þeron · þe [mistiloker] hit semeþ, [The words mistiloker and derkore both occur in V, but in the wrong lines; see various readings.] [[muse TUH₂] studie V. [mis|tiloker] mistlokere TU; derkore V.] And þe deppore I diuinede · þe [derkore] me þouȝte. [The words mistiloker and derkore both occur in V, but in the wrong lines; see various readings.] [[derkore] derkere T; deppere U; mistiloker V. me] I U.] Hit is no science forsoþe · to sotilen þer-Inne, Neore þe loue þat lyhþ þerinne · a lewed þing hit weore. [U omits. lewed] wel lewid T.] Bote for hit [let] best bi loue · I leeue hit þe betere; [[let] lat T; last U; see l. 29. leeue] loue TU.] Line 141

Line 141 For þat loue is þe lord · þat lakkede neuer grace; [For þere þat loue is lord · lakkiþ neuere grace TU; H₂ the same, but with lakkede for lakkiþ.] ¶ Leef wel þer-vppon · ȝif þou þenke Dowel; [wel þervppon] lelly þeron TU.] For Dobet and Dobest · beoþ drawen of [loue] scole. [[loue scole U] lore in scole V; louis skile T; loues skyle H₂; see note.] In oþer science hit seiþ · seo hit in Catoun,

Qui simulat verbis, nec corde est [fidus] Amicus, [Tu quoque fac simile, sic ars deluditur arte.]

[seo] I saiȝ T; I saw U. [fidus TU] fidelis V. [Tu—arte] Omitted in VTUH₂, but given in D.] Line 145 But Theologie techeþ not so · hose takeþ kepe, [techeþ] techiþ vs TU; techit it H₂. hose] who T; who so U. kepe] heed TU.] He [kenneþ] us þe contrarie · aȝeyn Catons wordes, [[kenneþ] kenniþ T; kennes U; techeþ V. us] U om.] And biddeþ [vs] ben as Breþeren · and Blessen vr enemys, [biddeþ] bit U; biddith H₂; T omits. [vs TUH₂] V om.] And louen hem þat lyȝen on vs · lellyche at heor neode, [hem] U om. lellyche] & lenen hem TU.] And do good aȝeyn vuel; · God him-self hoteþ, Line 150 And seide hit him-self · In ensaumple for þe beste,

Necesse est vt veniant scandala.

[hit himself] himself hit V; TH₂ transpose the words; see note. Necesse—scandala] Dilige dominum deum tuum ex toto corde tuo U (see l. 236).] ¶ Bote Astronomye is hard þing · and vuel to knowe, [Bote] Ac U; T omits.] Gemetrie and Gemensye · is gynful of speche, [Gemetrie] Geometrie TU. Gemensye] geomesie T; gemessie U. gynful] gryfful U.] Line 153 Þat worcheþ with þeose þreo · þriueþ he late, [worcheþ—þeose] þinkeþ werche wiþ þo T; þenkeþ to werche with þo U; thynkist dele with tho H₂. he] wel T; wol U.] For sorcerye Is þe souereyn [bok · þat to þat science longiþ, [[bok—forellis] From T; also in UH₂; V omits. febicchis] fibeches U; febucches H₂.] Ȝet arn þere febicchis of Forellis] · of mony mennes wittes. [[bok—forellis] From T; also in UH₂; V omits. febicchis] fibeches U; febucches H₂.] [U omits the last half of l. 156, and the first half of l. 157. al|conomye] alkenemye T; alknamye H₂.] Line 156 ¶ Experimentis of Alconomye · Of Alberdes makynge, [U omits the last half of l. 156, and the first half of l. 157. al|conomye] alkenemye T; alknamye H₂.] Nigromancye and perimancie · þe pouke to Rise makeþ; [Rise makeþ] reisen TU; a-reysen H₂.]

Ȝif þou þenche Dowel · dele with hem neuere. [with hem] þerwith TU.] Alle þeose sciences · siker, I my-seluen [siker] sykerly U. my-seluen] my-self foundit TU.] Line 160 Haue I-founded hem furst · folk to deceyue. [Hem formest · folke for to desceyue T; þurw hem formest · folk to deceyuen U (see note to l. 160).]

I be-take þe to crist," quod heo · "I con teche þe no betere." [betake—to] bekenne þe TU.] I seide, "graunt Merci, Madame" · And Mekeliche hire grette, And wente forþ on my wei · withouten more lettynge, [forþ on] wiȝtly T; wiȝth in U.] And fond as heo fore-tolde · and forþ gon I wende, [foretolde] fayre tolde U.] Line 165 ¶ And ar I coome to clergye · couþe I neuer stunte. I grette þe goode mon · as þe gode wyf me tauȝte, [I] And U.] And afterward his wyf · I worschupet hem boþe, [I] & U. hem] T omits.] Line 168 And tolde hire þe tokenes · þat me I-tauȝt were. Was neuer gome vppon grounde · seþþen God made heuene, [gome vppon] grom vpon þis TU.] Feirore vndurfonge · ne frendloker maad at ese, [frendloker] frendliere T; frendlekere (sic) U; frendloker H₂.] Þen I my-self soþli · so sone as heo wuste [I] TU omit. so] as U. as heo] heo it T.] Line 172 Þat I was of wittes hous · and with his wif Dam Studie. [with] U om.]

Curteisliche Clergye · Clupte me and Custe, [Clergye] clergise T; clergie H₂. Clupte] collide H₂; callide T; calde U.] And asked hou wit ferde · and eke his wyf Studie. [asked] axide T; asked me U. ferde] U omits (by mistake); it also omits wyf. eke—wyf] his wif T; his wif dame H₂.] And I seide soþlyche · "þei sende me hider [seide] seiȝe T; seide H₂; seyde hem U. sende] sente TU. hider] þeder U.] Line 176 To leorne at ȝou Dowel · and Dobet after, [leorne] lere TU. Dowel] to dowel U. after] þere aftir TU.] And seþþen Afturward to seo · sumwhat of Dobest." ¶ "Hit is a wel feir lyf," quod heo · "Among þe lewed peple, [feir] lelly T; lely U.]

[Actif it] is I-hoten · hosebondes hit vsen; [

[Actif it TUH₂D] A lyf V; (by mere mistake). hosebondes] lewide men T.

OBS. Here, most unfortunately, the Vernon text ceases; for the rest, the Trinity MS. (T) is taken to form the text, and it is collated with UDH₂.

] Line 180 [Trewe tilieris on erþe · taillours & souteris, [folio 50b] [taillours] as taliours U. &] or D.] And alle kyne crafty men · þat cunne here foode wynne, [here foode] with here craft U.] Wiþ any trewe trauaille · toille for here foode, [toille] tilie U.] Diken or deluen · do-wel it hatte [hatte] hyȝte U; hattith H₂.] Line 184 To breke beggeris bred · & bakken hem with cloþis, [bakken hem] bak hym D; bachem U.] Counforte þe carful · þat in castel ben fetterid, [Counforte] confortid H₂ (wrongly). þat in] þat in þe U; in D. ben] is U.] And seken out þe seke · & sende hem þat hem nediþ; [seke] D omits (by mistake).] Obedient as breþeren · & sustren to oþere; [breþeren] broþer D; brothren H₂. sustren] sistres U. oþere] alle othir H₂.] Line 188 Þus bed þe do-bet · so beriþ witnesse þe sauter;

Ecce quam bonum et quam iocundum, habitare, Fratres, in vnum.

[þus—þe] Thus byt D; Thus bad the H₂; þese ben þat U. so] þus U.] Sike with þe sory · singe with þe glade,

Gaudere cum gaudentibus; Et flere cum flentibus,

[Dredles, is dobet · dobest wot þe sothe!] [From MS. Harl. 3954, fol. 122. TH₂UD have only a half-line, viz. God wot, þis is dobet; and they divide ll. 192, 193 wrongly.] Sire dobest haþ benefices · so is he best worþi, Line 192 be þat god in þe gospel · grauntiþ & techiþ;

Qui facit et docuerit, magnus vocabitur in regno celorum.

[U omits this line, and the Latin. docuerit] docuit D.] Forþi is dobest · [a] bisshopis pere, [For þis dobest is a bysschopis pere U. [a UD] TH₂ omit.] Prince ouer godis peple · to prechen or to chaste. [ouer] of U. or—chaste] & to techyn U.] Dobet doþ ful wel · & dewid he is also, [folio 51a] [dewid] dewyd H₂; dowel UD.] Line 196 And haþ possessions & pluralites · for pore menis sake.

For mendynauntȝ at mischiefe · þe men were dewid; [þe—dewid] þo men were I|dued U; þat men were sumtyme D.] And þat is riȝtful religioun · none renneris aboute, Ne no leperis ouer lond · ladies to shryue. Line 200 Gregory þe grete clerke · a good pope in his tyme, Of religioun þe rewele · he reherside in his morals, And seide it in ensaumple · þat þei shulde do þe betere: [seide it] seiþ hym U. þei] men U. do þe] do D.] 'Whanne fisshes faile þe flood · or þe fresshe watir, [or þe] of þe H₂.] Þei diȝe for þe drouȝte · whanne þei dreiȝe lengen; [þei—lengen] þey drye lyggyn D; thei dreiȝe leggen H₂; it dryheþ longe U.] Line 205 Riȝt so be religioun · it roileþ and steruiþ, [it roileþ] þat roxleþ, (loosely written for royleþ) U.] Þat out of couent & cloistre · coueiten to libben'. Ac now is religioun a ridere · & a rennere aboute, [aboute] be strete D; be stretis U.] Line 208 A ledere of [louedayes] · and a lond biggere, [[louedayes H₂; lufdayes U] ladies TD; see l. 20. lond biggere] lond-beggere D.] Poperiþ on a palfrey · to toune & to toune, [to—to] fro toun to H₂UD.] A bidowe or a baselard · he beriþ be his side; Godis flessh & his fet · & hise fyue woundis [fet] feet H₂UD.] Line 212 Arn more in his mynde · þan þe memorie of his found|ours. [Arn] Buþ D. þan þe] þan UD.] Þis is þe lif of þis lordis · þat lyuen shulde wiþ do-bet, And wel-a-wey wers · and I shulde al telle. [shulde] wold D; see note.] I wende þat kinghed & kniȝthed · & caiseris wiþ Erlis [D transposes kniȝthed and kinghed; U reads, I wende kyngis & knythis · and kayseres and Erles.] Wern do-wel & do-bet · & do-best of hem alle; [of] ouer U.] Line 217 For I haue seiȝe it my-selfe · & siþþen red it aftir, [seiȝe it] it sen U; seyn it H₂D. red it] i-rad U.] How Crist counseilliþ þe comune · & kenneþ hem þis tale,

Super cathedram moisi sederunt principes.

[counseilliþ] conseylede U. þis tale] þese lawes U. In U a blank space is left for the Latin.] For-þi I wende þat þo wyes · wern do-best of alle! Line 220

Line 220 I nile not scorne," quod scripture · "but scryueyns liȝe; [nile] nel D; wele U.] Kinghod & kniȝthod · for auȝt I can aspie, [auȝt] nouȝt D.] Helpiþ nouȝt to heuene · at one ȝeris ende, [heuene] hefne-ward U.] Ne richesse ne rentis · ne realte of lordis. Line 224 Poul prouiþ it is vnpossible · riche men in heuene, [it is] U om. is] D om. riche—heuene] þe riche to comen in hefne U.] Ac pore men in pacience · & penaunce togidere [men] D omits. penaunce] U repeats pacience.'] Hauen eritage in heuene · ac riche men non."— [Hauen] han here U. ac] and U.] "Contra," quod I, "be Crist! · þat can I þe wisse, [þat—wisse] i kan þe withseye U. þe] D omits.] Line 228 And prouen it be þe pistil · þat petir is nempnid;

Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit, saluus erit."

[þe pistil] apostil U. is nemp|nid] it nemnyþ D. saluus erit] U omits.] "Þat is in extremis," quod scripture · "as sarisines & Iewis [is] U omits. as] among U.] Mowe be sauid so · & so is oure beleue; [so is] þat U (omitting is).] Þat [an] vncristene in þat cas · may cristene an heþene, [þat—cas] þat oon cristen in cas U. [an] oon U; arn TH₂; buþ D; see note.] And for his lele beleue · whanne he his lif tyneþ, Line 233 Haue eritage in heuene · as an heiȝ cristene. [Haue] Haue an U.] Ac cristene men, god wot · comiþ not so to heuene; For cristene han a degre · & is þe comun speche,

Dilige deum, etc., Et proximum tuum sicut teipsum.

[degre] dirige U. is þe] our U. Dilige, &c.] Nemo, &c. U (see l. 255).] Godis word witnessiþ we shuln ȝiue · & dele oure enemys, [we—ȝiue] þat we schal þeue (!) U (by error for yeue).] Line 237 And alle men þat arn nedy · [as] pore men & suche, [folio 51b]

Dum tempus est, operemur bonum ad omnes, maxime autem ad domesticos fidei.

[[as H₂U] & T; D omits. fidei] H₂ omits.] Alle kynne creatures · þat to crist beleuiþ [Alle kynde creatours þat crist ben y-lyche U. beleuiþ] longen D.]

We be holde heiȝly · to herie & honoure, [We—holde] We ben I-holde U; Ben holde D.] Line 240 And ȝiuen hem of oure good · as good as oure seluen, [oure] here D. oure seluen] hem-seluen D.] And souereynliche to suche · þat sewen oure beleue; [þat sewen] as suen U.] Þat is, iche cristene man · be kynde to oþer, [is] U omits. kynde] kende U.] And siþen hem to helpe · in hope hem to amende. [to helpe] helpyn D. to] D omits.] Line 244 To harme hem ne slen hem · god hiȝte vs neuere; [ne] ne to H₂; or to U.] For he seiþ it hym-selfe · in his ten hestis, [For] U omits.] [Non] mecaberis, ne sle nouȝt · is þe kynde englissh,

For, Michi [vindicta], et ego retribuam;

[[Non UD] Ne TH₂. mecaberis] Sic; (the mistake is the author's). kynde] D om. [vindicta] vindictam TH₂UD (all wrong).] I shal punisshen in purcatory · or in þe put of helle [punisshen] pyne U.] Eche man for his misdede · but mercy it make." [Eche] Euery U.] Line 249 "Ȝet am I neuere þe ner · for nouȝt I haue walkid [nouȝt] nowth þat U.] To wyte what is do-wel · witterly in herte; For how so I werche in þis world · [wrong] oþer ellis, [So the line stands in D; TH₂ omit wrong; U reads, For how so I werche · wrong or ellis.] I was markid, withoute mercy · & myn name entrid [withoute] with U.] Line 253 In þe legende of lif · longe er I were; [þe] H₂ omits. were] ded ware U.] Or ellis vndir-writen for wykkid · as witnessiþ þe gospel,

Nemo ascendet ad celum nisi qui de celo descendit.

[vndirwriten] vnwrite U. wykkid—gospel] wiled · þus seiþ þe gospel U.] And I leue on oure lord · & on no lettrure betere; [And—on] And I leue it, be D; And beleue on H₂. lettrure] lettere U.] Line 256 For salamon þe sage · þat sapience made, God ȝaf [hym] grace · & richesse to-gidere [[hym UD] hem TH₂.] For to reule his reaum · riȝt at his wille; Dede he not wel & wisly · as holy chirche techiþ, [& wisly] ne wysly D.] Line 260 Boþe in werke & in woord · in world in his tyme? Aristotle & he · who wrouȝte betere?

And al holy chirche · holden hem in helle! [al] U omits. hem] hym D.] And was þere neuere in þis world · to wysere of werkis; [þere] U omits. to] two D; no U.] For alle cunnynge clerkis · siþþe crist ȝede on erþe Line 265 Taken ensaumples of here sawis · in sarmonis þat þei maken, [ensaumples] ensaumple H₂; exsample U. maken] maden H₂.] And be here werkis & here wordis · wissen vs to dowel; And ȝif I shal werke be here werkis · to wynne me heuene, [werkis] werk U; wordes D.] Line 268 And for here werkis & for here wyt · wende to pyne, [And I for here werkis · wende to pyne U.] Þanne wrouȝte I vnwisly · wiþ alle þe wyt þat I lere! [þanne—I] þan wroutty U. vnwisly] vnwittily U. þat] D om.] A goode friday, I fynde · a feloun was sauid Þat hadde lyued al his lyf · wiþ lesinges & þeftis; [U omits this line.] Line 272 And for he kneuȝ on þe crois · & to crist shref hym, [And—on] For he knelyd to U. kneuȝ] knew H₂D. shref] so in TDH₂; schrof U.] Sonnere hadde he saluacion · þanne seint Ion þe baptist, [he] UD omit.] Or Adam or ysaye · or any of þe prophetis, [þe] þese U; those H₂.] Þat hadde leyn with lucifer · manye longe ȝeris; [with] be U.] Line 276 A robbere hadde remission · raþere þanne þei alle, [folio 52a] Withoute penaunce of purcatorie · to haue paradis for euere. [of] in U.] Þanne marie þe maudeleyn · who miȝte do wers? [þe] UD omit.] Or who dede wers þanne dauid · þat vrie destroyede? [who] U omits.] Or poule þe apostil · þat no pite ne hadde, [ne] UD omit.] Line 281 Cristene kynde · to kille to deþe? And arn [none] for soþe · souereynes in heuene, [[none U; non DH₂] now T. souereynes] souereyn D. Arn none for sothe · so fer in hefne U.] As þise þat wrouȝte wykkidly · in world whanne þei were. Line 284 And ȝet I forget [ferþere] · of fyue wyttis techinge, [These two lines are corruptly given in all the MSS. See Critical Note.]

Þat clergie of cristis mouþ · comendite [was euer]; [These two lines are corruptly given in all the MSS. See Critical Note.] For he seide it hym-selfe · to summe of his disciplis, [285—287. U omits.]

[Cum] steteritis ante presides, nolite cogitare [quid loquamini];

[[Cum U] Dum TH₂D. [quid loquamini] In U only.] And is as muche to mene · to men þat ben lewid, [And] It U. as] H₂ omits.] Line 288 'Wheþer ȝe ben aposid of princes · or of prestis of þe lawe, [Wheþer] Whar D; Whan U. or of] othir of H₂; or UD.] For to answere hem · haue ȝe no doute, [hem] hym D.] For I shal graunte ȝow grace · of god þat ȝe seruen, Þe help of þe holy gost · to answere hem at wille.' [at wille] alle UD.] Line 292 Þe douȝtiest doctour · or dyuynour of þe trinite, [or—trinite] dempnour of þe lawe U] Þat Austyn þe olde · & hiȝeste of þe foure, [þat] þat was U. hiȝeste] þe heist U.] Seide þis for a sarmoun · (so me god helpe!)

Ecce ipsi [ydiote] rapiunt celum, vbi nos sapientes in infernum mergemur;

[Seide þis] And seide þus U. [ydiote U] ydioti TH₂; Idioti D. rapiunt] rapuerunt H₂. vbi—merge|mur] et nos cum doctrinis nostris demergemur in infernum U.] And is to mene in oure mouþ · more ne lesse, Line 296 'Arn none raþere yrauisshid · fro þe riȝte beleue [Arn] Buþ D. fro] for D.] Þanne arn þise grete clerkis · þat conne many bokis; [þanne—þise] þan þese U; Than buþ D.] Ne none sonnere ysauid · ne saddere of consience, Þanne pore peple as plouȝmen · and pastours of bestis.' [and] or D.] Souteris & seweris · suche lewide iottis [suche] and swiche U. iottis] Iuttis U.] Line 301 Percen wiþ a pater noster · þe paleis of heuene, [Percen] Pasen U.] Wiþoute penaunce, at here partynge · in-to heiȝe blisse!

Breuis oracio penetrat celum."

[

heiȝe] þe heye U; the heȝe H₂. Breuis—celum] UD omit.

OBS. See Critical Notes as to this ending.

]

PASSUS XII. SUPPLEMENT TO "PIERS PLOWMAN," PART I. TEXT A. [MS. Rawl. Poet. 137. fol. 40] [[NOTE. See the account at the end of the Passus, shewing whence this Twelfth Passus is derived.]]

Passus tercius de dowel. [Pass. XII. Called Passus tercius de dowel in MS. U and MS. Rawlinson 137. See the note to Pass. XI. l. 303, on p. 154.]

"Crist wot," quod clergie · "knowe hit ȝif þe lyke, [þe] ye U; but the y represents þ.] I haue do my deuer · þe dowel to teche; And who-so coueyteþ don betere · þan þe boke telleþ, [coueyteþ don] coueite to don U.] He passeþ þe apostolis lyf · and put him to aungelys! [þe] U om. him] hem U; cor|ruptly.] Line 4 But I se now as I seye · as me soþ thinkytȝ, Þe were lef to lerne · but loþ for to stodie. [U omits.] Þou woldest konne þat I can · and carpen hit after. Presumptuowsly, parauenture · a-pose so manye, Line 8 That [hit] myȝthe turne men to tene · & theologie boþe. [[hit] it U; MS. Rawlinson omits. men] me U.] Ȝif I wiste witterly · þou woldest don þer-after, Al þat þou askest · a-soylen I wolde." Skornfully þo scripture · [set vp here] browes, [þo] miswritten þe in MS. Raw|linson; U has yo = þo. [set vp here] So in U; MS. Rawlinson has sherte vp his, where at least his is wrong.] Line 12 And on clergie crieþ · on cristes holy name, [crieþ] cryede U. cristes] godis U.] That he shewe me hit ne sholde · but ȝif [hit] stryf were [shewe me hit] schewiȝt U (cor|ruptly). [hit] it U; MS. Rawl. om.] Of þe kynde cardinal wit · and cristned in a font;— [kynde] U om.] And seyde [hit] so loude · þat shame me thouȝthe, [[hit] it U; MS. Rawl. om. me] me it U.] Line 16 "Þat hit were boþe skaþe · and sklaundre to holy cherche, [boþe] U om.]

Sitthe theologie þe trewe · to tellen hit defendeþ; [Sitthe] Scihoþ (sic) U. þe trewe] yat trewe is U. to] U om.] Dauid godes derling · defendyþ hit al-so:

Vidi [preuaricantes] et tabescebam:

[[preuaricantes] So in U; MS. Rawl. corruptly has preuaricationes.] I saw synful, he seyde · þer-fore I seyde no-þing, [MS. U ends with tabescebam; and from this line to the end, we have only MS. Rawl. to trust to. seyde no|þing] It is clear that the poet con|strues tabescebam as if it were tacebam. The same idea recurs in ll. 23 and 29.] Line 20 Til þo wrecches ben in wil · here synne to lete. And poul precheþ hit often · prestes hit redyn,

Audiui archane que non licet homini loqui:

[Audiui, &c. Quoted again in Text B. Pass. XVIII.] I am not hardy, quod he · þat I herde with erys, Telle hit with tounge · to synful wrecches. Line 24 And god graunted hit neuere · þe gospel hit witnesseþ, In þe passioun, whan pilat · a-posed god al-myȝthi, And asked Ihesu on hy · þat herden hit an hundred, [folio 40b] Quid est ueritas? quod he · verilyche tel vs; Line 28 God gaf him non answere · but gan his tounge holde. Riȝt so I rede," quod she · "red þou no ferþer; Of þat he wolde wite · wis him no betere. For he cam not by cause · to lerne to dowel, Line 32 But as he seyþ, such I am · when he with me carpeþ." [such I am] i. e. I am not to be commended; alluding to Pass. XI. l. 286.] And when scripture þe skolde · hadde þus wyt y-sheued, Clergie in-to a caban · crepte anon after, And drow þe dore after him · and bad me go dowel, Line 36 Or wycke, ȝif I wolde · wheþer me lyked! Þan held I vp myn handes · to scripture þe wise, To be hure man ȝif I most · for euere-more after, With þat she wolde me wisse · wher þe toun were, Line 40 Kynde wit hure confessour · hure cosyn was Inne. [wit.] The MS. has wt, the usual contraction for with; but see ll. 43 and 53; and hit for hit, l. 25.] Þat lady þan low · and lauȝthe me in here armes, And sayde, "my cosyn kynde wit · knowen is wel wide, And his loggyng is with lyf · þat lord is of erþe. Line 44 And ȝif þou desyre · with him for to a-byde,

I shal þe wisse · where þat he dwelleþ." And þanne I kneled on my knes · and kyste her wel sone, And þanked hure a þousand syþes · with þrobbant herte. Line 48 She called [to ken] me · a clerioun þat hyȝt [These two lines are written as one in the MS. Some such phrase as to ken me seems to have been lost; see l. 53.] Omnia-probate · a pore þing with alle, [These two lines are written as one in the MS. Some such phrase as to ken me seems to have been lost; see l. 53.] [Omnia probate] Compare Text B. Pass. III. l. 335.] "Þou shalt wende with wil," quod she · "whiles þat him lykyþ, Til ȝe come to þe burghe · quod-bonum-est-tenete. [burghe]? burgher MS. But burghe = borough is meant; it is call|ed a court in l. 57.] Line 52 Ken him to my cosenes hous · þat kinde wit hyȝth, Sey I sente him þis segge · and þat he shewe hym dowel." Þus we lauȝþe oure leue · lowtyng at onys, And wente forþ on my way · with omnia-probate, Line 56 And ere I cam to þe court · quod-bonum-est-tenete, Many ferlys me by-fel · in a fewe ȝeris. [Cf. Prologue; l. 62. Here fol|lows the catchword—þe ferste ferly.] The fyrste ferly I fond · a-fyngrid me made; [folio 41] As I ȝede thurgh ȝouþe · a-ȝen prime dayes, [ȝouþe] miswritten ȝou · þe in MS.; the metrical dot being inserted by mistake after the letter u. But the reading is certain; cf. Text B. Pass. XI. 17, 34, 59; and especially observe the whole drift of Text B. Pass. XI.] Line 60 I stode stille in a stodie · and stared a-bowte; "Al hayl," quod on þo, and I answered "welcome · and with whom be ȝe?" [A half-line has probably been lost here.] "I am dwellyng with deth · and hunger I hatte, To lyf in his lordshepe · longyt my weye, Line 64 I shal felle þat freke · in a fewe dayes!" "I wolde folwe þe fayn · but fentesye me hendeþ, [Cf. Pass. V. 5.] Me folweþ such a fentyse · I may no ferþer walke." "Go we forþ," quod þe gom · "I haue a gret boyste Line 68 At my bak, of broke bred · þi bely for to fylle;

A bagge ful, of a beggere · I bouȝþe hit at onys." [bouȝþe] cf. wrouȝþ, l. 87; lauȝþe, l. 55; &c.] Than maunged I wit · vp at þe fulle, [Corrupt; probably two half|lines lost.] For þe myssyng of mete · no mesour I coude. Line 72 With þat cam a knaue · with a confessoures face, He halsed me and I · asked him after, Of when þat he were · and wheder þat he wolde. "With deþ I duelle," quod he · "dayes and nyȝtes; Line 76 Mi name is feuere, on þe ferþe day · I am a-þrest euere; I am masager of deþ · men haue I tweyne, [Fevers and Death appear in Text B. Pass. XX.] Þat on is called cotidian · a courour of oure hous, Tercian þat oþer · trewe drinkeres boþe! Line 80 We han letteres of lyf · he shal his lyf [tyne;] [[tyne] The MS. has tyme, cor|ruptly. See Pass. XI. 233.] Fro deþ, þat is oure duk · swyche dedis we brynge." "Myȝth I so, god wot · ȝoure gates wolde I holden." "Nay, wil!" quod þat wyȝth · "wend þou no ferther, Line 84 But lyue as þis lyf · is ordeyned for the, Þou tomblest wiþ a trepget · ȝif þou my tras folwe; [þou] miswritten þe in the MS.; the being the preceding word.] And mannes merþe wrouȝþ no mor · þan he deseruyþ here, [wrouȝþ] = wrouȝte. Cf. l. 70. The reading worþe would make better sense.] Whil his lyf and his lykhame · lesten to-gedere. Line 88 And þer-fore do after do-wel · whil þi dayes duren, Þat þi play be plentevous · in paradys with aungelys. [folio 41b] Þou shalt be lauȝth into lyȝth · with loking of an eye, So þat þou werke þe word · þat holy wryt techeþ, Line 92 And be prest to preyeres · and profitable werkes." Wille [wiste] þurgh in-wit— · þou wost wel þe soþe— [The word wiste has evidently been dropped here, probably on account of wost following.] Þat þis speche was spedelich · and sped him wel faste, And wrouȝthe þat here is wryten · and oþer werkes boþe [This means that, besides the Vita de Do-wel, Do-bet, et Do-best, the author wrote Peres the Plowman.] Line 96

Line 96 Of peres þe plowman · and mechel puple al-so; And whan þis werk was wrouȝt · ere wille myȝte a-spie, Deþ delt him a dent · and drof him to þe erþe, And is closed vnder clom · crist haue his soule! [98—100. These are the author's own words; he kills himself off, by way of finishing his poem, but he lived to re-write it, nevertheless.] Line 100 And so bad Iohan but · busily wel ofte, When he saw þes sawes · busyly a-legged [busyly] Read sothely? Busyly is repeated from the line above.] By Iames and by Ierom · by Iop and by oþere, And for he medleþ of makyng · he made þis ende. Line 104 Now alle kenne creatures · þat cristene were euere, God for his goudnesse · gif hem swyche happes, To lyue as þat lord lykyþ · þat lyf in hem putte. Furst to rekne Richard · kyng of þis rewme, Line 108 And alle lordes þat louyn him · lely in herte, God saue hem sound · by se and by land; Marie moder and may · for man þou by-seke; Þat barn bryng vs to blys · þat bled vp-on þe rode! Amen. [101—112. Obviously added, as stated, by another hand, viz. that of John But, who made a second "end," because he was accustomed to "meddle with makyng," i. e. to compose verses.] Line 112

Explicit do-Wel.
Nomen scriptoris · tisot plenus amoris.