The vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman, together with Vita de Dowel, Dobet, et Dobest, secundum Wit et Resoun, by William Langland (about 1362-1393 A. D.)

PASSUS X. (DO-WEL II.)

[TITLE. &—dowel] vt supra CR; & tercius de dowel B; et ijus de Dowel W; & ijus dowel L. O has merely Passus decimus.] Passus decimus de visione, & secundus [de] dowel.

THanne hadde witte a wyf · was hote dame studye, [A page 122] [hote] called R. was] þat was B.] Þat lene was of lere · and of liche bothe. [lere] lire CB. liche] lichee R.] She was wonderly wroth · þat witte me þus tauȝte, [wroth] wrouȝt B.] And al starynge dame studye · sternelich seyde, [seyde] loked W.] Line 4 "Wel artow wyse," quod she to witte · "any wysdomes to telle To flatereres or to folis · þat frantyk ben of wittes!" [frantyk] frenetike WO; frentik CRB. wittes] wytte B.] And blamed hym and banned hym · and badde hym be stylle, With suche wise wordes · to wissen any sottes; Line 8 And seyde, "noli mittere, man · margerye perlis [man] CB om. margerye] magerie RB.] Amanges hogges, þat han · hawes at wille. Þei don but dryuele þer-on · draffe were hem leuere Þan al þe precious perre · þat in paradys wexeth. [þe] C om. perre] perree W; pere B. wexeth] vexes (sic) C.] Line 12 I sey it bi suche," quod she · "þat sheweth bi her werkes, Þat hem were leuer londe · and lordship on erthe, [on erthe] here R.] Or ricchesse or rentis · and reste at her wille, [Or] Other R; Of B. or] other R; and of B.]

Þan alle þe sothe sawes · þat salamon seyde euere. Line 16 ¶ Wisdome and witte now · is nouȝt worth a carse, [A page 123] [carse] so in R; kerse WCOB.] But if it be carded with coueytise · as clotheres kemben here wolle. [it be] he B. kemben] kemen B. here] CROB om.] Who-so can contreue deceytes · an conspire wronges, [can contreue] kan troue C. de|ceytes] desaytise C.] And lede forth a loue-day · to latte with treuthe; [to—with] and letten þe R.] Line 20 He þat suche craftes can · to conseille is clepid; [folio 38] Þei lede lordes with lesynges · and bilyeth treuthe. [lordes] lordynges C.] ¶ Iob þe gentel · in his gestes witnesseth, [gestes] gestes · gretely COB.] Þat wikked men, þei welden · þe welthe of þis worlde, [þei] COB om.] And þat þei ben lordes of eche a londe · þat oute of lawe libbeth;

Quare impij viuunt? bene est omnibus, qui preuaricantur & inique agunt?

[of—a] of ech COB; in vch a R. lawe] C om. (!).] Line 25 ¶ Þe sauter seyth þe same · bi suche þat don ille,

Ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes; in seculo optinuerunt diuicias.

[habundantes] & habundantes O. diuicias] R om.] 'Lo!' seith holy letterrure · 'whiche lordes beth þis shrewes!' [holy] þe holy O. letterrure] lecture B. lordes] W om.] Þilke þat god moste gyueth · leste good þei deleth, [moste gyueth] most greueth CR; gyueþ moost W; moost good gyueþ O.] Line 28 And moste vnkynde to þe comune · þat moste catel weldeth;

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

[[quid fecit] supplied from The Vulgate; not in the MSS.] Harlotes for her harlotrye · may haue of her godis, And iaperes and iogeloures · and iangelers of gestes. ¶ Ac he þat hath holy writte · ay in his mouth, [In the margin of O is Nota: how good carpyng is not loued.] Line 32 And can telle of Tobye · and of þe twelue apostles, [þe] W om.]

Or prechen of þe penaunce · þat pilat wrouȝt [þe] COB om. pilat] Pilat wikkedly W.] To Ihesu þe gentil · þat Iewes to-drowe:— Litel is he loued · þat suche a lessoun scheweth, [Litel] Ful litel B.] Line 36 Or daunted or drawe forth · I do it on god hym-self! [daunted—drawe] daunteþ or drawiþ B. god] B om.] ¶ But þo þat feynen hem folis · and with faityng libbeth, [þo] þei B; þoo W.] Aȝein þe lawe of owre lorde · and lyen on hem-selue, [lorde] C omits, by mistake.] Spitten and spewen · and speke foule wordes, Line 40 Drynken and dryuelen · and do men for to gape, [dryuelen] drauelen O. for] for (printed fer) W. gape] Iape B.] Lickne men and lye on hem · þat leneth hem no ȝiftes, [Lickne] Likkene RO; Lykene C. ȝiftes] gestes CB.] Þei conne namore mynstralcye · ne musyke, men to glade, Than Munde þe mylnere · of multa fecit deus! [mylnere] mulenere R; melner C.] Line 44 Ne were here vyle harlotrye · haue god my treuthe, Shulde neuere Kyng ne kniȝt · ne chanoun of seynt Poules [chanoun] canoun R.] Ȝyue hem to her ȝeresȝiue · þe ȝifte of a grote! [ȝeresȝiue] yeresgyfte C. ȝifte] worth R; value O.] ¶ Ac murthe and mynstralcye · amonges men is nouthe Leccherye, losengerye · and loseles tales; [Leccherye] But lecherie B. losengerye] and losengerie RCOB.] Line 49 Glotonye and grete othes · þis murthe þei louieth. [þei] R om.] ¶ Ac if þei carpen of cryst · þis clerkis and þis lewed, [A page 124] [carpen] harpen C.] Atte mete in her murthes · whan mynstralles ben stille, [her] COB om. murthes] murþe W.] Line 52 Þanne telleth þei of þe trinite · a tale other tweyne, [tweyne] tweye W; tweyen O.] And bringen forth a balled resoun · and taken Bernard to witnesse, [forth] O om.] And putten forth a presumpsioun · to preue þe sothe.

Þus þei dryuele at her deyse · þe deite to knowe, [deyse] deys WCOB; dayes R.] Line 56 And gnawen god with þe gorge · whan her gutte is fulle. [folio 38b] [gutte—fulle] guttis is fulle (sic) C; guttis been fulle OB; guttes fullen W.] ¶ Ac þe careful may crye · and carpen atte ȝate, Bothe afyngred and a-thurst · and for chele quake; [afyngred] a-fyngerd C; an|hungred O; a-hungred B. a-thurst] a-furst W; a-þrist O; a-thrust CB. chele] chelde C.] Is none to nymen hym nere · his noye to amende, [Is] Is þer WB. noye] nuye R; anoy W. to] R om.] Line 60 But [hoen] on hym as an hounde · and hoten hym go þennes. [[hoen on] so in R; heon on LC; howen on O; howlen on B; hunten W. In L, the line is marked for correction.] Litel loueth he þat lorde · þat lent hym al þat blisse, Þat þus parteth with þe pore · a parcel whan hym nedeth. [hym] hem O.] Ne were mercy in mene men · more þan in riche, Line 64 Mendinantȝ meteles · miȝte go to bedde. God is moche in þe gorge · of þise grete maystres, [gorge] gorges R.] Ac amonges mene men · his mercy and his werkis; [Ac] And B.] And so seith þe sauter · I haue yseye it ofte,

Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata, inuenimus eam in campis silue.

[I] Ich R. yseye] seiȝen WB; seyn O; seen C. inuenimus] & inuenimus CB. eam (2)] eum R.] Line 68 Clerkes and other kynnes men · carpen of god faste, [kynnes] R om.] And haue [hym] moche in þe mouthe · ac mene men in herte. [A page 125] [[hym WCROB] L om. þe] B om.] Line 70 ¶ Freres and faitoures · han founde suche questiouns To plese with proude men · sithen þe pestilence tyme, [sithen] syn W; siþ O. þe] C om. tyme] R om.] And prechen at seint poules · for pure enuye of clerkis, Þat folke is nouȝte fermed in þe feith · ne fre of her goodes, [is] been O. feith] fayit C] Line 74

Line 74 Ne sori for her synnes · so is pryde waxen [is pryde] pruyde is R. waxen] woxen RWB; vaxen C.] In religioun and in alle þe rewme · amonges riche & pore, [alle] C om. rewme] Reme W.] Line 76 Þat preyeres haue no power · þe pestilence to lette. [

þe pestilence] þis pestilences R. Here R has two extra lines, belonging to the C-text.

For god is def now a dayes · and deyneth his heres to opne,

þat gerles for here gyltes · he for|grynt hem alle.

For deyneth we should read deyneth not.

] And ȝette þe wrecches of þis worlde · is none ywar bi other, [wrecches] wrycches C.] Ne for drede of þe deth · withdrawe nouȝt her pryde, [nouȝt] noȝt of B.] Ne beth plentyuous to þe pore · as pure charite wolde, But in gaynesse and in glotonye · for-glotten her goode hem-selue, [in (2)] CB om. for-glotten] forglutten WCO; for-gutten B.] Line 81 And breken nouȝte to þe beggar · as þe boke techeth,

Frange esurienti panem tuum, &c.

And þe more he wynneth and welt · welthes & ricchesse, [welt] weldiþ B. ricchesse] richesses RB.] And lordeth in londes · þe lasse good he deleth. [And] Euere as he R. And—londes] And lord of leedis and londis B.] Line 84 ¶ Thobye telleth ȝow nouȝt so · take hede, ȝe riche, [hede, ȝe] he þe C (sic).] How þe boke bible · of hym bereth witnesse:

Si tibi sit copia, habundanter tribue; si autem exiguum, illud impertiri stude libenter:—

[bible] of þe bibile C; of þe bible B. hym] hem CB. sit copia] copia sit COB. illud] COB om. im|pertiri—libenter] inpertire libenter stude R.] Who-so hath moche, spene manliche · so meneth Thobie, [spene] spende WO. manliche] muche C. meneth] seiþ W. B is corrupt.] And who-so litel weldeth · reule him þer-after; [And] B om.] Line 88 For we haue no lettre of owre lyf · how longe it shal dure. [dure] endure B.] Suche lessounes lordes shulde · louie to here,

And how he myȝte moste meyne · manliche fynde. [he myȝte] þei myȝton B. meyne] meynee W.] ¶ Nouȝt to fare as a fitheler or a frere · for to seke festes, [Nouȝt] And nouȝt C; And how noȝt B; Ac not O. or] or as R. for] R om.] Line 92 Homelich at other mennes house[s] · and hatyen her owne. [[houses] so in WCROB; house L.] Elyng is þe halle · vche daye in þe wyke, [Elyng] Elenge WCOB. þe] þat B. wyke] weke RC.] Þere þe lorde ne þe lady · liketh nouȝte to sytte. [folio 39] [ne] and COB. to] O om.] Now hath vche riche a reule · to eten bi hym-selue [vche] ech WB; ich O; elk (sic) C. hymselue] hem-selue C.] Line 96 In a pryue pa[r]loure · for pore mennes sake, Or in a chambre with a chymneye · and leue þe chief halle, [a (1)] B om. with] by R.] Þat was made for meles · men to eten Inne; And al to spare to spille · þat spende shal an other. [al] O om. to spille] to spende W; and to spille (badly) CB. spende] spene R; spille W.] ¶ I haue yherde hiegh men · etyng atte table, [yherde] herd CRB.] Line 101 Carpen as þei clerkes were · of cryste and of his miȝtes, And leyden fautes vppon þe fader · þat fourmed vs alle, [vppon] on CB.] And carpen aȝeine clerkes · crabbed wordes;— 'Whi wolde owre saueoure suffre · suche a worme in his blisse, Þat bigyled þe womman · and þe man after, Line 106 Þorw whiche wyles and wordes · þei went[en] to helle, [wenten CRB] wente W; went L.] And al her sede for here synne · þe same deth suffred? ¶ Here lyeth ȝowre lore' · þise lordes gynneth dispute, [þise] þat þeise O.] 'Of þat ȝe cleikes vs kenneth · of cryst by þe gospel;

Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris, &c.

[ȝe] þe WB. patris] R om.] Whi shulde we þat now ben · for þe werkes of Adam Roten and to-rende? · resoun wolde it neuere; Line 112

Vnusquisque portabit onus suum, &c.'

[to-rende] to-rene R; rend CB; renten O. wolde] walde RC. portabit—suum] honus suum portabit R.] Line 112 Suche motyues þei moeue · þis maistres in her glorie, [moeue] moeuen B; meuen O; meue WR (misprinted mene).] And maken men in mysbileue · þat muse moche on her wordes; ¶ Ymaginatyf her-afterward · shal answere to ȝowre purpos. [her-afterward] here-after CB. answere] answerie R. ȝowre] hir W.] Line 115 ¶ Augustyne to suche argueres · he telleth hem þis teme,

Non plus sapere quam oportet.

[Augustyne] Austyn WCRB. he] WCOB om. hem] WCOB om. þis] his O.] Wilneth neuere to wite · whi þat god wolde [wite] wete B.] Suffre Sathan · his sede to bigyle, Ac bileue lelly · in þe lore of holicherche, [A page 126] [Ac] And B. bileue] bileueþ WB.] Line 119 And preye hym of pardoun · and penaunce in þi lyue, And for his moche mercye · to amende ȝow here. For alle þat wilneth to wyte · þe weyes of god almiȝty, [weyes] whyes O.] I wolde his eye were in his ers · and his fynger after, Þat euere wilneth to wite · whi þat god wolde [122—124. þe weyes—to wite] CB omit.] Line 124 Suffre sathan · his sede to bigile, Or iudas to þe iuwes · ihesu bytraye. [to—iuwes] þe Iew R.] Al was as þow wolde · lorde, yworschiped be þow, [þow wolde] þow woldest WCOB; he wolde R. yworschiped] worshiped C. þow] þe W.] And al worth as þow wolte · what so we dispute! [al] C om.] Line 128 ¶ And þo þat vseth þis hanelounes · to blende mennes wittes, [hanelounes] hanylounes or hauylounes C; written so as to re|semble hauelounes in L; hauylounes O; hauelons R; hauylouns B. blende] blynde O.] What is dowel fro dobet · now def mote he worthe, [now] þat W.] (Sitthe he wilneth to wyte · whiche þei ben bothe), [Sitthe] Siche B. bothe] alle R.] But if he lyue in þe lyf · þat longeth to dowel; [folio 39b] [lyf] lyue RB.] Line 132 For I dar ben his bolde borgh · þat dobet wil he neuere, [bolde] R om. he neuere] be nere R.]

Þeigh dobest drawe on hym · day after other." [þeigh—drawe] þei don best þat drawen B.] ¶ And whan þat witte was ywar · what dame studye tolde, [what] how R.] He bicome so confus · he couth nouȝte loke, [bicome—confus] was so y|seufitid (y-scumfitid?) B.] Line 136 And as doumbe a[s] deth · and drowe hym arrere; [as (2)] as WCROB; a L. deth] deef B. and] he B. hym] al B; C om.] ¶ And for no carpyng I couth after · ne knelyng to þe grounde, I myȝte gete no greyne · of his grete wittis, Line 139 But al laughyng he louted · and loked vppon studye, In signe þat I shulde · biseche hir of grace. ¶ And whan I was war of his wille · to his wyf gan I loute, [A page 127] [B omits.] And seyde, "mercy, madame · ȝowre man shal I worthe, [worthe] worþe OB; be C.] As longe as I lyue · bothe late & rathe, [Forto] And forto R; For y B. dureth] lastes C.] Line 144 Forto worche ȝowre wille · þe while my lyf dureth, With þat ȝe kenne me kyndely · to knowe what is dowel." [kenne—kyndely] kendely (by mistake) R.] ¶ "For þi mekenesse, man," quod she · "and for þi mylde speche, Line 147 I shal kenne þe to my cosyn · þat clergye is hoten. [clergye] clergise R.] He hath wedded a wyf · with-Inne þis syx monethes, [monethes] monethus R; monþes WB.] Is sybbe to þe seuene artz · scripture is hir name. [Is] þat is B. þe] W om. artz] ars RB; artes C.] Þei two, as I hope · after my techyng, Shullen wissen þe to dowel · I dar it vndertake." [wissen] wise R. it] wel R.] Line 152 ¶ Þanne was I also fayne · as foule of faire morwe, [also] as R. of] on B.] And gladder þan þe gleman · þat golde hath to ȝifte, And axed hir þe heighe weye · where þat clergye dwelte, [axed] hasked R; asked W.]

"And telle me some token," quod I · "for tyme is þat I wende." [I] we R.] Line 156 ¶ "Axe þe heighe waye," quod she · "hennes to suffre| [she] studye COB.] Bothe-wel-&-wo · ȝif þat þow wolt lerne, [þow wolt] þat wold B (wrongly).] And ryde forth by ricchesse · ac rest þow nauȝt þerinne, [ac] but O; and C. þow] OB om.] For if þow couplest þe þer-with · to clergye comestow neuere. [clergye] cherche R.] Line 160 ¶ And also þe likerouse launde · þat leccherye hatte, [hatte] hattes C; is hote R; hatteþ B.] Leue hym on þi left halue · a large myle or more, [hym] it WCOB. or] and CO.] Tyl þow come to a courte · kepe-wel-þi-tonge| Fro-lesynges-and-lither-speche-· and-likerouse-drynkes. [Fro] For C.] Þanne shaltow se sobrete · and symplete-of-speche, [sobrete] sobere C. speche] berynge R.] Line 165 Þat eche wiȝte be in wille · his witte þe to shewe, [A page 128] And þus shaltow come to clergye · þat can many þinges. ¶ Saye hym þis signe · I sette hym to scole, [Saye] Telle B. signe] taken C; tokene B. I] þat y B.] Line 168 And þat I [grete] wel his wyf · for I wrote hir many bokes, [folio 40] [[grete WCB] grette LRO.] And sette hir to sapience · and to þe sauter glose. [to] B om. glose] glosed B.] Logyke I lerned hir · and many other lawes, And alle þe musouns in mu[si]ke · I made hir to knowe. [þe] W om. musouns] muy|sones R. in] of O. musike] muke in L, but marked for correction; musik WCROB. I] R om.] Line 172 ¶ Plato þe poete · I put hym fyrste to boke, [hym] W om. fyrste] B om.] Aristotle and other moo · to argue I tauȝte. [Aristotle] so in WCRO; Arestotle L. moo] R om. I] I hem B.] Grammer for gerles · I garte first wryte, [gerles] gildire C (a confusion between g[erles] and [ch]ildire). wryte] to write W.] And bette hem with a baleis · but if þei wolde lerne. [hem] hym RB. baleis] wande C.] Of alkinnes craftes · I contreued toles, [contreued] controued C.] Line 177

Line 177 Of carpentrie, of kerueres · and compassed masouns, [carpentrie] capentrie C.] And lerned hem leuel and lyne · þough I loke dymme. [lerned] kennede O.] ¶ Ac theologie hath tened me · ten score tymes, [Ac] COB om.] Line 180 The more I muse þere-Inne · þe mistier it semeth, And þe depper I deuyne · þe derker me it þinketh; It is no science for sothe · forto sotyle Inne; [science] sentens C. sotyle] sauȝtele R; subtile C; sutile B.] A ful lethy þinge it were · ȝif þat loue nere. [A] And O. lethy] loþ B; lyght C.] Line 184 Ac for it let best by loue · I loue it þe bettre; [Ac] And COB. let] leteþ W; leet R. þe] C om.] For þere þat loue is leder · ne lacked neuere grace. [A page 129] [þere þat] þat þere R. ne] þer W. lacked neuere] lakkes no C; lakkeþ no OB.] Loke þow loue lelly · ȝif þe lyketh dowel; [Loke] Loue R. þe lyketh] þow thenke R.] For dobet and dobest · ben of loues kynne. [For] And O.] Line 188 ¶ In other science it seyth · I [seigh] it in catoun, [[seigh CWO] saye LB; seye R.] Qui simulat verbis, [nec] corde est fidus amicus, [simulat] so in WCROB; similat L. [nec COB] vel LW; vel in R.] Tu quoque fac simile, sic ars deluditur arte. [sic] cum O. deluditur] di|luditur R; dilluditur O.] Who-so gloseth as gylours don · go me to þe same, [go me to] so in LRW; do hem COC₂; don hem B.] Line 192 And so shaltow false folke · and faythlees bigyle, Þis is catounes kennyng · to clerkes þat he lereth. Ac theologye techeth nouȝt so · who-so taketh ȝeme, [ȝeme] gome R.] He kenneth vs þe contrarye · aȝein catones wordes; [He] And COB.] For he bit vs be as bretheren · and bidde for owre enemys, [bit] bid C; biddeþ WB. as] B om.] Line 197 And louen hem þat lyen on vs · and lene hem whan hem nedeth, And do good aȝeines yuel · god hym-self it hoteth,

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

[And] And also CB. hoteth] biddes C. habemus] est R. ad omnes] R om.] ¶ Poule preched þe peple · þat parfitnesse loued, Line 200 To do good for goddes loue · and gyuen men þat asked, [asked] asketh R; asken OB.] And nameliche to suche · þat sueth owre bileue. [þat] as W. sueth] scheweth R.] And alle þat lakketh vs or lyeth vs · owre lorde techeth vs to louye, [vs (1)] R om. or lyeth vs] and lies vs C; & lieþ vs O; and bilieþ vs B; or lyeþ W. owre lorde] god COB.] And nouȝt to greuen hem þat greueth vs · god hym-self for-badde it,

Michi vindictam, & ego retribuam.

[hym-self—it] þat forbedes C; þat forbediþ O; þat for-bede B. re|tribuam] retribuam &c CB.] Line 204 For-þi loke þow louye · as longe as þow durest, For is no science vnder sonne · so souereyne for þe soule. [science] conscience CO.] ¶ Ac astronomye is an harde þynge · and yuel forto knowe, [folio 40b] [an] and C; R om. knowe] C om.] Geometrie and geomesye · is ginful of speche; [is] so W. ginful] synful B.] Line 208 Who-so thenketh werche with þo two · thryueth ful late. [werche] to worche B.] For sorcerye is þe souereyne boke · þat to þe science longeth. [boke] bolk B. þe (2)] þat B; þo R. science longeth] sciences bi|longeþ W.] ¶ Ȝet ar þere fybicches in forceres · of fele mennes makynge, [fybicches] fibiche C. mennes] mannys B; men C.] Line 211 Experimentz of alk[en]amye · þe poeple to deceyue, [alkenamye] so in WC; alkene|mye O; alconomie R; alle kyn amye B; alkamye L.] If þow þinke to dowel · dele þer-with neuere. [A page 130] [þinke] þenkist B. dele] dele þou B.] Alle þise science[s] I my-self · sotiled and ordeyned, [sciences] so in WRB; science LO; sciens C.] And founded hem formest · folke to deceyue. [founded] by-fond R.] ¶ Telle clergye þise tokenes · and scripture after, [þise tokenes] þis tokene W. and] and to R.] Line 216

Line 216 To conseille þe kyndely · to knowe what is dowel." [To] I COB. to—is] for to knowe R.] ¶ I seide, "graunt mercy, madame" · and mekeliche hir grette, [graunt mercy] gramercy B. hir] y here B.] And went wiȝtlich awey · with-oute more lettynge, [wiȝtlich awey] miȝteliche my wey R; wiȝthi a-weye B.] And til I come to clergye · I couthe neuere stynte. [til] R om.] Line 220 And gret[te] þe good man · as studye me tauȝte, [grette] so in WCRO; grett B; gret L. man] man wel CB. studye] þe gode wif R (which is better).] And afterwardes þe wyf · and worshiped hem bothe, And tolde hem þe tokenes · þat me tauȝte were. Was neuere gome vppon þis grounde · sith god made þe worlde, [Was] Was þere B. gome] mane C. sith] syn C; synnes R. þe] þis O.] Line 224 Fairer vnder-fongen · ne frendeloker at ese, [frendeloker] frendloker CRB; frendeleker O; frendlier W.] Þan my-self sothly · sone so he wist Þat I was of wittis hous · and with his wyf dame studye. [Þat] That (printed Than) W. wyf] C om.] I seyde to hem sothely · þat sent was I þider, [hem] hym COB. was I] I was R.] Line 228 Dowel and dobet · and dobest to lerne. ¶ "It is a comune lyf," quod clergye · "on holycherche to bileue, [A page 131] With alle þe artikles of þe feithe · þat falleth to be knowe. And þat is to bileue lelly · bothe lered and lewed, Line 232 On þe grete god · þat gynnyng had neuere, And on þe sothfaste sone · þat saued mankynde Fro þe dedly deth · and þe deueles power, [þe (2)] W om.] Þorwgh þe helpe of þe holy goste · þe whiche goste is of bothe; Line 236 Three [propre] persones · ac nouȝt in plurel noumbre, [[propre R] wrongly omitted in LWCOB. ac] and CR.] For al is but on god · and eche is god hym-selue;

Deus pater, deus filius, deus spiritus sanctus;

[eche] elkon C.] God þe fader, god þe sone · god holigoste of bothe, Maker of mankynde · and of bestes bothe. [Maker] Makers C; Naþeles (!) B.] Line 240 ¶ Austyn þe olde · here-of he made bokes, [he] WCOB om.] And hym-self ordeyned · to sadde vs in bileue. [ordeyned] ordeigned it CB.] Who was his autour? · alle þe foure euangelistes; [Who] Who so B.] And cryst clepid hym-self so · þe ewangelistes bereth witnesse:—

Ego in patre & pater in me est; &, qui videt me, videt et patrem meum.

[ewangelistes] euangelist COB. est] R om. videt me—meum] me vidit, patrem meum vidit R. W omits this Latin quotation.] Line 244 Alle þe clerkes vnder cryst · ne couthe þis assoille, But þus it bilongeth to bileue · to lewed þat willen dowel. [folio 41] [it] C om. bilongeth] longeth RO. lewed] men COB.] For had neuere freke fyne wytte · þe feyth to dispute, [For] Ne B.] Ne man had no merite · myȝte it ben yproued:

Fides non habet meritum, vbi humana racio prebet experimentum.

[Ne] For O. merite] mercy R. yproued] ypreued W; proued RB. prebet experimentum] &c R.] Line 248 ¶ Þanne is dobet to suffre · for þi soules helth, [þi] þe W. soules] soule RCB. helth] sake COB.] Al þat þe boke bit · by holycherche techyng; [Al] And B. bit] bides C. cherche] cherches W.] And þat is—'man, bi þi miȝte · for mercies sake, Line 251 Loke þow worche it in werke · þat þi worde sheweth; [þi] þis R. worde] werke CB.] Suche as þow semest in syȝte · be in assay y-founde;

Appare quod es, vel esto quod appares:

[yfounde] founden O. vel] aut R.] And lat no body be · bi þi beryng bygyled, [beryng] lernynge CB. bygyled] be bygiled R.] But be suche in þi soule · as þow semest with-oute.' [be] COB om.] ¶ Þanne is dobest to be bolde · to blame þe gylty, [dobest] dobet B.] Line 256 Sithenes þow seest þi-self · as in soule clene;

Ac blame þow neuere body · and þow be blame-worthy: Si culpare velis · culpabilis esse cauebis, Dogma tuum sordet · cum te tua culpa remordet. [tuum] tua B. te] B om.] Line 260 God in þe gospel · grymly repreueth [grymly] greuously W.] Alle þat lakken any lyf · and lakkes han hem-selue:

Quid consideras festucam in oculo fratris tui, trabem in oculo tuo [non vides?]

[Quid] Qui W. OB omit all after trabem; C all after the second in; non vides is in R only.] Why meuestow þi mode · for a mote in þi brotheres eye, [meuestow] meues þow R; mouestow C; meuest þou OB; printed menestow W. brotheres] brother R.] Sithen a beem in þine owne · ablyndeth þi-selue?

Eice primo trabem de oculo tuo, &c.,

[Sithen] Siþþe R. ablyndeth] blyndeþ O; ablendeth R. Eice] so in LWCROB. de] in W.] Line 264 Whiche letteth þe to loke · lasse other more. [Whiche] Witt R.] ¶ I rede eche a blynde bosarde · do bote to hym-selue; [a] B om.] For abbotes and for prioures · and for alle manere prelates, [for (2)] COB om. for (3)] COB om. manere] manere of COB.] As parsones and parisshe prestes · þat preche shulde and teche, [As] And C; Ac B. parisshe] parisshe (printed parisshes) W. shulde] schulle R.] Line 268 Alle manere men · to amenden by here myȝte; [manere] manere of COB. by] be CR. myȝte] myȝtes W.] This tixte was tolde ȝow · to ben war, ar ȝe tauȝte, [tolde] I-told R (better). war] y-war W; ware C. ar] er WCOB.] Þat ȝe were suche as ȝe seyde · to salue with othere. [seyde] seye W. to] to (printed So) W. salue] saue B.] For goddis worde wolde nouȝt be loste · for þat worch|eth euere, [loste] boste R; altered in L from boste to loste.] Line 272 If it auailled nouȝt þe comune · it myȝte auaille ȝow|seluen. [ȝow-seluen] ȝoure-seluen R; yow C; ȝow B.] ¶ Ac it semeth now sothly · to þe worldes syght, [now] no R. þe] R om. worldes] wordis B.] Þat goddes worde worcheth nauȝte · on lered ne on lewede, [worde] wordes R. on (2)] CB om.]

But in suche a manere as Marke · meneth in þe gospel,

Dum cecus ducit cecum, ambo in foueam cadunt.

[a] COB om. foueam] fouiam R.] ¶ Lewed men may likne ȝow þus · þat þe beem lithe in ȝowre eyghen, [likne] liken C; likken O. þus] COB om.] Line 277 And þe festu is fallen · for ȝowre defaute, In alle manere men · þourgh mansed prestes. [mansed] mased C; mansed (altered to mased) B.] Þe bible bereth witnesse · þat alle þe folke of israel [alle] al W (omitted in printed copy).] Byttere abouȝte þe gultes · of two badde prestes, [Byttere] Ful bitterli B. abouȝte] bouȝte COB. gultes] giltes WCO; gilt B. two] þo two B.] Line 281 Offyn and Fynes; · for her coueytise, [folio 41b] [Offyn] so in WCOR; Offny B. Fynes] Fynees C; fynyes B.] Archa dei myshapped · and ely brake his nekke. [myshapped] meskapud R; myschappid B.] ¶ For-þi, ȝe corectoures, claweth her-on · and corecteth fyrst ȝow-seluen, [ȝe] CB om. claweth] clawes C. corecteth] corectes C. ȝow-seluen] youre-seluen COB.] Line 284 And þanne mowe ȝe saufly seye · as dauid made þe sauter:

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

[saufly] safly WCO; manliche R. seye] segge R. made] made in W. tuam] &c B.] ¶ And þanne shal borel clerkes ben abasched · to blame ȝow or to greue, [And] COB om. borel] burel WR. or—greue] R om. to (2)] B om.] And carpen nouȝte as þei carpen now · and calle ȝow doumbe houndes,

Canes non valentes latrare,

[carpen (2)] do COB. and] ne W. valentes] volentes B.] And drede to wratthe ȝow in any worde · ȝowre werke|manship to lette, Line 288 And be prestiore at ȝowre prayere · þan for a pounde of nobles; [prestiore] presteore R; prest|ier CO; prester W; more preest B. prayere] preyeres R. for] CB om.] And al for ȝowre holynesse · haue ȝe þis in herte. [al] B om.]

[¶ Amonges riȝtful religiouse · þis reule schulde be holde; Gregorie þe grete clerke · and þe goed pope [A page 132] Line 292 Of religioun þe reule · reherseth in his morales, And seyth it in ensaumple · for þei schulde do þere|after, 'Whenne fissches failen þe flode · or þe fresche water, Þei deyen for drouthe · whanne þei drie ligge; Line 296 Riȝt so, quod Gregorie · religioun roileth, [Gregorie] here miswritten Grigori; but see l. 297. roileth] mis|written rolleth; but see A xi. 206.] Sterueth and stynketh · and steleth lordes almesses, Þat oute of couent and cloystre · coueyten to libbe.' For if heuene be on þis erthe · and ese to any soule, It is in cloistere or in scole · be many skilles I fynde; For in cloistre cometh [no] man · to chide ne to fiȝte, [[no] supplied from Text C; R om.] But alle is buxumnesse þere and bokes · to rede and to lerne.] [291—303. In R only; cf. Text A and Text C. See the Critical Note.] Line 303 ¶ In scole þere is scorne · but if a clerke wil lerne, [scorne] a scorn B. scorne—wil] skile · and scorne but ȝif he R.] And grete loue and lykynge · for eche of hem loueth other. Ac now is religioun a ryder · a rowmer bi stretes, [Ac] And CO. rowmer — stretes] Romere aboute W.] A leder of louedayes · and a londe-bugger, [a] R om. bugger] bygger CO; biere B.] A priker on a palfray · fro manere to manere, Line 308 An heep of houndes at his ers · as he a lorde were. [An] And C. ers] ars B.] And but if his knaue knele · þat shal his cuppe brynge, [if] B om. his (2)] hym C; hym þe OB. cuppe] coppe WC.] He loureth on hym and axeth hym · who tauȝte hym curteisye? [hym (2)] COB om.] Litel had lordes to done · to ȝyue londe fram her heires [done] so in RB; don L; doon WC; do O; see p. 170, l. 37.] Line 312

Line 312 To Religious, þat haue no reuthe · þough it reyne on here auteres. [reuthe] ryghte C.] ¶ In many places þer hij persones ben · be hem-self at ese, [places] place C. þer] or B. hij] þei WO; thay C. persones ben] ben persons W. be] be (pr. by) W.] Of þe pore haue þei no pite · and þat is her charite; [þe] O om. her] his C; hir pure R.] Ac þei leten hem as lordes · her londe lith so brode. [Ac] And COB. londe lith] londes lyen W.] ¶ Ac þere shal come a kyng · and confesse ȝow re|ligiouses, [religiouses] religiouse O; re|ligiouns B.] Line 317 And bete ȝow as þe bible telleth · for brekynge of ȝowre reule, [þe] C om.] And amende monyales · monkes and chanouns, [monyales] monial C.] And putten hem to her penaunce · ad pristinum statum ire, [hem] W om. ad] B om.] Line 320 And Barounes with Erles beten hem · þorugh beatus virres techynge, [with] and COB. beten] biten R. virres] so in LWR; vir-is B; vir CO.] Þat here barnes claymen · and blame ȝow foule:

Hij in curribus, [et] hij in equis; ipsi obligati sunt, &c.

[Hij] so in the MSS. in both places, except that C has Hijs in the first case. [et WCROB] L om.] ¶ And þanne Freres in here freitoure · shal fynden a keye Of costantynes coffres · in which is þe catel [coffres] tresore COB.] Line 324 Þat Gregories god-children · han yuel dispended. [god-children] gode childerne R.] ¶ And þanne shal þe abbot of Abyndoun · and alle [his] issu for euere [Abyndoun] Abyngton C. [his WCROB] L om. issu] vssue R.] Haue a knokke of a kynge · and incurable þe wounde. ¶ That þis worth soth, seke ȝe · þat oft ouer-se þe bible:

Quomodo cessauit exactor, quieuit tributum; [folio 42] contriuit dominus baculum impiorum,

et virgam dominancium cedencium plaga in|sanabili, &c.

[þis] is (corruptly) B. þe] ȝoure B. cedencium] credencium CB. insanabili] insabili CRB.] ¶ Ac ar þat kynge come · cayme shal awake. Line 329 Ac dowel shal dyngen hym adoune · and destruyen his myȝte." [Ac] And COB; But W. dyngen] dygen C.] "Þanne is dowel and dobet," quod I · "dominus and kniȝthode." ¶ "I nel nouȝt scorne," quod scripture · "but if scryueynes lye; [A page 133] Line 332 Kynghod ne knyȝthod · by nauȝt I can awayte, [ne] & OB; a C.] Helpeth nouȝt to heueneward · one heres ende, [heres] heris WB.] Ne ricchesse riȝt nouȝt · ne reaute of lordes. [reaute] Reautee W; realte RB.] ¶ Poule preueth it inpossible · riche men [to] haue heuene, [it] O om. inpossible] so in R; unpossible O; impossible WCO. [to WOB] LRC om.] Line 336 Salamon seith also · þat syluer is worst to louye:

Nichil iniquius quam amare peccuniam.

And caton kenneth vs to coueiten it · nauȝt but as nede techeth, [it—techeth] not but as it nediþ OB; nouȝt · but as it nedes C. as—techeth] at pure nede R.] Dilige denarium, set parce dilige formam. And patriarkes and prophetes · and poetes bothe Line 340 Wryten to wissen vs · to wilne no ricchesse, [wilne] wille B.] And preyseden pouerte with pacience; · þe apostles bereth witnesse, Þat þei han heritage in heuene · and bi trewe riȝte, Þere riche men no riȝte may clayme · but of reuthe and grace." [men] man R. no] noȝt B. may] mowen O; CB om.] Line 344 ¶ "Contra," quod I, "bi cryste · þat can I repreue, [repreue] reherce CB.] And preue it bi Peter · and bi poule bothe,

Þat is baptized beth sauf · be he riche or pore." [CB omit. is] been O. beth sauf] been saued O. he] þei O.] ¶ "Þat is in extremis," quod scripture · "amonges saracenes and iewes; [saracenes] Sarzens W.] Line 348 Þei mowen be saued so · and þat is owre byleue, Þat an vncristene in þat cas · may crysten an hethen, [an (1)] on R. þat] þis CB. hethen] haythen C.] And for his lele byleue · whan he þe lyf tyneth, [his] is C.] Haue þe heritage of heuene · as any man crystene. Line 352 ¶ Ac crysten men with-oute more · may nouȝt come to heuene, For þat cryst for cristen men deyde · and confermed þe lawe, [men] man B. deyde] deyede RO; deide W; dede C; dide B.] Þat who-so wolde and wylneth · with cryste to aryse,

Si cum Christo surrexistis, &c.,

[surrexistis] resurexistis C; resurexisti B.] He shulde louye & leue · and þe lawe fulfille. Line 356 Þat is—'loue þi lorde god · leuest aboue alle, [þi] þe B. þi—god] god þi lorde R. aboue alle] of alle thynges CB; aboue al þing O.] And after, alle crystene creatures · in comune, eche man other,' And þus bilongeth to louye · þat leueth to be saued. [to (2)] W om.] And but we do þus in dede · ar þe daye of dome, [ar] er O; or CB; at W.] Line 360 I[t] shal bisitten vs ful soure · þe siluer þat we kepen, [[It WCROB] IL (line marked).]

i. panni.

And owre bakkes þat moth-eten be · and sen beggers go naked, [bakkes] glossed i. panni in L, and cloþes in C; B has bakcloþis. moth] mote R; motthis B. be] B om.] Or delyte in wyn and wylde foule · and wote any in defaute. [delyte] delite vs COB. and (1)] & in R. wote] wite W; woot O; wyten B.] For euery cristene creature · shulde be kynde til other, [A page 134] [folio 42b] And sithen hethen to helpe · in hope of amendement. [CB omit.] God hoteth bothe heigh and lowe · þat no man hurte other, [B omits. hoteth] bedes C. bothe] W om.] Line 366

Line 366 And seith, 'slee nouȝt þat semblable is · to myne owen liknesse, [scith] saide C. semblable is] is sembland C; is semblable B.] But if I sende þe sum tokne'; · and seith, non mecaberis, [seith] sayde C. mecaberis] so in WCRB; necaberis L (with n altered from m); necabis O. The mistake is the author's. See the Critical Note.] Is, slee nouȝt, but suffre · and al for þe beste. [For,

Michi vindictam, & ego retribuam.]

[Is] I COB. [For—retribuam] in R only; cf. Text A; and see l. 204.] Line 369 'For I shal punysshen hem in purgatorie · or in þe putte of helle, [hem] R om.] [or in—mysdedes] CB omit.] Vche man for his mysdedes · but mercy it lette.' " [or in—mysdedes] CB omit.] ¶ "Þis is a longe lessoun," quod I · "and litel am I þe wyser; Line 372 Where dowel is, or dobet · derkelich ȝe shewen; Many tales ȝe tellen · þat theologye lerneth; [theologye] teologie R.] And þat I man made was · and my name yentred [I man] y am B.] In þe legende of lyf · longe er I were, [lyf] seyntis O.] Line 376 Or elles vnwriten for somme wikkednesse · as holywrit wytnesseth,

Nemo ascendit ad celum, nisi qui de celo de|[s]cendit.

[vnwriten] writen O. somme] COB om. writ] C om. wytnesseth] telleth R; witnesse C. descendit] miswritten decendit in L.] ¶ I leue it wel," quod I, "bi owre lorde · and on no letterure bettere. [I] And I R. quod I] R om.; CB place it after lorde.] For Salamon þe sage · þat sapience tauȝte, God gaf hym grace of witte · and alle his godes after, [gaf] gaf (printed gat) W. his] R om.] [To reule þe reume · and riche to make;] [In R only. Cf. C-text.] Line 381 He demed wel & wysely · as holy writte telleth. Aristotle & he · who wissed men bettere? Maistres þat of goddis mercy · techen men and prechen, Of here wordes þei wissen vs · for wisest as in here tyme, [wisest] visest C. as] R om.]

And al holicherche · holdeth hem bothe ydampned! [A page 135] [al] as C. holdeth] holt O.] ¶ And if I shulde worke bi here werkes · to wynne me heuene, [here] his CB. werkes] wekes (wrongly) C.] Line 387 Þat for her werkes and witte · now wonyeth in pyne, [and] and here R.] Þanne wrouȝte I vnwysely · what-so euere ȝe preche. [wrouȝte] wrouȝte (printed wroughe) W. so] B om.] ¶ Ac of fele witty in feith · litel ferly I haue, [Ac] And COB. of] O om.] Þough her goste be vngraciouse · god for to plese. For many men on þis molde · more sette here hertis [men] man R. hertis] herte R.] Line 392 In good þan in god · for-þi hem grace failleth, At here moste myschief · whan þei shal lyf lete. [At here] Ac þe OB; And þe C. myschief] myscheef is O. lyf] þe lif B.] As Salamon dede, and such other · þat shewed gret wittes, [dede—other] and other dede R.] Ac her werkes, as holy wrytte seyth · was euere þe con|trarye. [Ac] And C. werkes] wordes (wrongly) CB. seyth] R om (!). was] so in LCROB; were W.] Line 396 For-þi wyse witted men · and wel ylettred clerkes, [and] ne R.] As þei seyen hem-self · selden done þer-after, [A page 132]

Super cathedra[m] moysy, &c.

[selden] selde W; senden (!) C. cathedram] so in RO; cathedra LWCB.] ¶ Ac I wene it worth of many · as was in Noes tyme, [it] I R.] Þo he shope þat shippe · of shides and bordes; [shope] shoop W. and] and of WR.] Line 400 Was neuere wriȝte saued þat wrouȝt þer-on · ne oþer werkman elles, But briddes and bestes · and þe blissed Noe, And his wyf with his sones · and also here wyues; [folio 43] Of wriȝtes þat it wrouȝte · was none of hem ysaued. [COB omit. wriȝtes] wightes W. ysaued] saued R.] Line 404 ¶ God leue it fare nouȝt so bi folke · þat þe feith techen Of holicherche, þat he[r]berwe is · and goddes hous to saue, [herberwe WCOB] herberwe R; heberwe L; (the line is marked).]

And shelden vs fram shame þer-inne · as noes shippe did bestes; [shelden] shilden W; schilde RCOB. noes] Noe C.] And men þat maden it · amydde þe flode adreynten. [adreynten] adrugend (sic) C.] Þe culorum of þis clause · curatoures is to mene, [clause] cause O. curatoures] in curatoures R.] Line 409 Þat ben carpenteres holykirke to make · for crystes owne bestes,

Homines & iumenta saluabis, domine, &c.

[At domes-day þe [diluuye] worth · of deth and [fyr] at ones; For-þi I conseil ȝow clerkes · of holy cherche þe wriȝtes, Wercheth ȝe werkes as ȝe seen I-write · lest ȝe worth nauȝt þer-inne.] [411—413. In R only. Cf. C-text. [diluuye] so in MS. Camb. Univ. Lib. Ff. 5. 35; R wrongly has deluye. [fyr] so in MS. Ff.; R has feer.] Line 413 ¶ On gode fridaye I fynde · a feloun was ysaued, [On gode] For a goed R. ysaued] saued O.] Þat had lyued al his lyf · with lesynges and with thefte; [lyued] I-lyued R.] And for he biknewe on þe crosse · and to cryste sc[h]rof hym, [biknewe on] beknede to W. schrof WRB] L has scrof; but the line is marked for correction; schroue CO.] Line 416 He was sonnere saued · þan seynt Iohan [þe] Baptiste, [saued] I-saued R; y-saued W. [þe WCROB] L om.] And or Adam or ysaye · or eny of þe prophetes, [or (1)] er COB; ar R.] Þat hadde yleine with Lucyfer · many longe ȝeres. [yleine] I-lyen R; yleyen WC.] A robbere was yraunceouned · rather þan þei alle, [yraunceouned] raunceoned C; raunsomed B.] Line 420 With-outen any penaunce of purgatorie · to perpetuel blisse. ¶ Þanne Marye Magdaleyne · what womman dede worse? [þanne] And CB.] Or who worse þan dauid · þat vries deth conspired? [þan] dede þan R.] Or Poule þe apostle · þat no pitee hadde, Line 424 Moche crystene kynde · to kylle to deth? [R omits.]

And [now] ben þise as souereynes · wyth seyntes in heuene, [[now WCOB] LR om.; but the line is marked in L. wyth] and CO. souereynes wyth] souereyne B.] Line 426 Þo þat wrouȝte wikkedlokest · in worlde þo þei were. [wikkedlokest] wikkedest COB. in] in þe B. þo] þe C.] ¶ And þo þat wisely wordeden · and wryten many bokes [wordeden] wrouȝten B.] Of witte and of wisdome · with dampned soules wonye. [of (2)] B om. wisdome] wis|dames O. wonye] wonnes C.] Þat salamon seith, I trowe be soth · and certeyne of vs alle,

[Sunt] iusti atque sapientes · & opera eorum in manu dei sunt, &c.;

[[Sunt R] Siue LCOW; B has Sint.] Line 430 ¶ Þere aren witty and wel libbynge · ac her werkes ben yhudde [þere] Thay C; þey B. witty] willy CB (corruptly). libbynge] likyng B. ac] and COB. yhudde] hid O.] In þe hondes of almiȝty god · and he wote þe sothe Line 432 Wher for loue a man worth allowed þere · and his lele werkes, [Wher for] so in LRO (wher = whether); Wher-fore WCB. loue] W om. a] of B.] Or elles for his yuel wille · & enuye of herte, [&] and for W.] And be allowed as he lyued so; · for bi lyther, men knoweth þe gode; [as] for R. so] þere O. bi] by þe W. so—lyther] so lither C; þere as liþen O; so liþer B. þe] CB om.] ¶ And wherby wote men whiche is whyte · if alle þinge blake were, [wote] wite C; witen O; wiste WB. is] were W.] Line 436 And who were a gode man · but if þere were some shrewe? For-þi lyue we forth with lither men · I leue fewe ben gode. [lither] oþere W. I—ben] thay ben few C; I leue fewe O; hij beþ fewe B.] For qant OPORTET vyent en place · yl ny ad que PATI, [qant] so in LC; quant W; quantȝ R; whan B. vyent] vyn R; comeþ WCOB. en] in COB. yl ny ad] il nad CO. yl—pati] B om.] And he þat may al amende · haue mercy on vs alle; [on] of COB.]

For sothest worde þat euere god seyde · was þo he seyde, nemo bonus. [For] For þe B. was] COB om.] Line 441 ¶ Clergye þo of crystes mouth · commended was it litel, [A page 136] [þo] O om. it] CB om.] For he seyde to seynt Peter · and to suche as he loued, [folio 43b]

Dum steteritis ante Reges et presides, &c.;

[Dum] Cum W.] Þough ȝe come bifor kynges · and clerkes of þe lawe, Beth nouȝte abasched · for I shal be in ȝoure mouthes, [Beth] Bees C. abasched] abassed C.] And ȝyue ȝow witte at wille · and kunnynge to conclude [ȝow] B om. at] and WCOB. and] R om.] Hem alle þat aȝeines ȝow · of crystenedome disputen. [of] R om.] ¶ Dauyd maketh mencioun · he spake amonges kynges, And miȝte no kynge ouercome hym · as bi kunnyng of speche. [And] Al R. as] B om. as bi] and be C.] Line 449 But witte ne wisdome · wan neuere þe maystrye, [ne] and W. wan] ne wan CB. þe] B om.] Whan man was at myschief · with-oute þe more grace. ¶ Þe doughtiest doctour · and deuynoure of þe trinitee, [doughtiest] douȝtiorokest R.] Was Augustyn þe olde · and heighest of þe foure, [Augustyn] Austyn WCROB. þe olde] y-holde B. þe] hem R.] Line 453 Sayde þus in a sarmoun · I seigh it writen ones,

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

[seigh] sauȝ B. idioti] so in LRW; ydiote COB. rapiunt] rapiunt (printed irapiunt) W. nos] O om. mergimur] C om.] And is to mene to englisshe men · more ne lasse, [to—men] to men W; on Englissh COB. more] to more COB. ne] and to COB. lasse] losse C.] Aren none rather yrauysshed · fro þe riȝte byleue [rather] oþere raþer OCB.] Line 456 Þan ar þis cunnynge clerkes · þat conne many bokes; [conne] knowe R; kunnen B.] ¶ Ne none sonner saued · ne sadder of bileue, [saued] I-saued R.] Þan plowmen and pastoures · & pore comune laboreres. [pastoures] portours B. pore] pouer R; oþere WCOB.] Souteres and shep[h]erdes · suche lewed iottes [B omits. shepherdes] so in W; miswritten sheperdes in L. suche] and oþere W; and swich C. iottes] Iuttes W.] Line 460

Line 460 Percen with a pater-noster · þe paleys of heuene, [Percen] þat persen B.] And passen purgatorie penaunceles · at her hennes partynge, [passen] passen þurgh B.] In-to þe blisse of paradys · for her pure byleue, Þat inparfitly here · knewe and eke lyued. [inparfitly] in parfit lif B. here] R om. eke] R om.] Line 464 ¶ Ȝee men knowe clerkes · þat han cursed þe tyme, [þat—cursed] cursen R.] Þat euere þei couth or knewe more · þan credo in deum patrem; [couth—knewe] kouþe on þe book COB. patrem] COB om.] And pryncipaly her pater-noster · many a persone hath wisshed. [her] þe R. a] C om. wisshed] I-wisched R.] Line 467 ¶ I se ensamples my-self · and so may many an other, [In margin of O is Exemplum bonum. may many] mowen O. an] WCOB om.] Þat seruauntes þat seruen lordes · selden falle in arrerage, [arrerage] rerage R; areragis O.] But þo þat kepen þe lordes catel · clerkes and reues. [But] But (printed And) W. þe] R om.] Riȝt so lewed men · & of litel knowynge, [knowynge] kunnynge R.] Selden falle þei so foule · and so fer in synne, [þei] R om.] Line 472 As clerkes of holikirke · þat kepen crystes tresore, Þe which is mannes soule to saue · as god seith in þe gospel:

Ite vos in vineam meam."