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 XI. (DO-WEL III.) [TITLE. Passus vndecimus & (sic) supra C; Passus vndecimus W; Passus xus de vis. vt supra R; B adds & quartus de Dowel.]

Passus xj ^us.

THanne scripture scorned me · and a skile tolde, [scorned] serued C.] And lakked me in latyne · and liȝte by me she sette, And seyde,

"multi multa sciunt, & seipsos nesciunt."

[in] a R. she] he R; COB om.] Þo wepte I for wo · and wratth of her speche, [folio 44] [wratth] wraþþe O; sorwe R.] And in a wynkyng wratth · wex I aslepe. [wynkyng] wyndynge COB. wratth] wrath R; wraþe W; wraþþe O; wratthe CB; wrath in Crowley. wex I] so in LCOB; weex I W; til I was R.] Line 4 A merueillouse meteles · mette me þanne, [A] A ful B. meteles] sweuene COB. me] I me O. mette—þanne] me tydde to dreme R.] Þat I was rauisshed riȝt þere · and fortune me fette, [þat] For R. and] for R.] And in-to þe londe of longynge · allone she me brouȝte, [And] B om. in-to] to C. all|one] & loue R.] And in a myroure þat hiȝt mydlerd · she mad me to bi|holde. [And] O om. mydlerd] so in LCB; mydleerd O; myddelerd R; middelerþe W. to] COB om.] Line 8 Sitthen she sayde to me · "here myȝtow se wondres, [Sitthen] Sone W. to] vnto O.] And knowe þat þow coueytest · and come þer-to, par aunter." [par aunter] par aunter R; par|aduenture B.]

¶ Þanne hadde fortune folwyng hir · two faire damoy|seles, [damoyseles] damesels C.] Concupiscencia-carnis · men called þe elder mayde, [mayde] B om.] Line 12 And coueytise-of-eyes · ycalled was þat oþer, [ycalled] called CB.] Pryde-of-parfyte-lyuynge · pursued hem bothe, And badde me, for my contenaunce · acounte clergye liȝte. ¶ Concupiscencia-carnis · colled me aboute þe nekke, Line 16 And seyde, "þow art ȝonge and ȝepe · and hast ȝeres ynowe, Forto lyue longe · and ladyes to louye; And in þis myroure þow myȝte se · myrthes ful manye, [in] R om. myrthes] myȝtes W.] Þat leden þe wil to lykynge · al þi lyf tyme." [wil] wole W; wyl C; wel R; wollen B.] Line 20 ¶ Þe secounde seide þe same · "I shal suwe þi wille; Til þow be a lorde and haue londe · leten þe I nelle, [a] B om.] Þat I ne shal folwe þi felawship · if fortune it lyke." "He shal fynde me his frende" · quod fortune þer-after; "Þe freke þat folwed my wille · failled neuere blisse." [folwed] folweþ CR; folwiþ B.] ¶ Thanne was þere one þat hiȝte elde · þat heuy was of chere, [of chere] C om.] Line 26 "Man," quod he, "if I mete with þe · bi Marie of heuene, [mete] mette B.] Þow shalt fynde fortune þe faille · at þi moste nede, And concupiscencia-carnis · clene þe forsake. Bitterliche shaltow banne þanne · bothe dayes and niȝtes [bothe] bothe þe C.] Coueytise-of-eyghe · þat euere þow hir knewe, [hir] it CO; hit B.] Line 31 And pryde-of-parfyt-lyuynge · to moche peril þe brynge." [of] of þi R. brynge] brouȝt CB.] ¶ "Ȝee, recche þe neuere," quod recchelesnes · stode forth in ragged clothes, [stode] stonde B.] "Folwe forth þat fortune wole · þow hast wel fer til elde; [fer] fare C. til] to RCB.]

A man may stoupe tymes ynow · whan he shal tyne þe croune. [tymes] tyme WOB. þe] B om.] Line 35 ¶ 'Homo proponit,' quod a poete · and plato he hyght, [poete] poete þo R.] 'And deus disponit,' quod he · lat god done his wille. If trewthe wil witnesse it be wel do · fortune to folwe, Concupiscencia-carnis · ne coueityse-of-eyes Ne shal nouȝt greue þe gretly · ne bigyle þe, but þow wolt." [gretly] graythly R. þe (2)] W om. þow wolt] if þow wolt þi-selue W.] Line 40 ¶ "Ȝee, farewel phippe!" quod fauntelte · and forth gan me drawe, [phippe] fipp R. quod] so in W (but printed and). forth] he B.] Til concupiscencia-carnis · acorded alle my werkes. [folio 44b] [alle] til alle R; wiþ alle B.] ¶ "Allas, eye!" quod elde · and holynesse bothe, [eye] eiȝe W; eyghe C; eyȝe RB; ye O.] "Þat witte shal torne to wrecchednesse · for wille to haue his lykynge!" [wille] wil W.] Line 44 ¶ Coueityse-of-eyghes · conforted me anon after, [anon] sone COB.] And folwed me fourty wynter · and a fyfte more, [folwed] folow C. and—fyfte] or fifty or O; or fifty and CB.] Þat of dowel ne dobet · no deyntee me ne þouȝte; [no] no (printed Ne) W. ne (2)] WCOB om. þouȝte] thynke C.] I had no lykynge, leue me if þe leste · of hem auȝte to knowe. [45—48. R omits.] [leue—leste] ne no luste CB; ne lust O.] Line 48 ¶ Coueytyse-of-eyes · cam ofter in mynde [mynde] my mende R; my mynde O.] Þan dowel or dobet · amonge my dedes alle. [þan] And (!) C.] Coueytise-of-eyes · conforted me ofte, [CB omit.] And seyde, "haue no conscience · how þow come to gode; Line 52 Go confesse [þe] to sum frere · and shewe hym þi synnes. [[þe RCB] þee WO; L om., but the line is marked.] For whiles fortune is þi frende · Freres wil þe louye, [Freres] sum frere R. wil] wol WC; wolen OB.]

And fecche þe to her fraternite · and for þe biseke, [fecche] fette R. biseke] by|seche R.] To her priour prouyncial · a pardoun forto haue, Line 56 And preyen for þe, pol bi pol · ȝif þow be pecuniosus."

Set pena pecuniaria non sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis.

[pecuniosus WC] peccuniosus L; pecunious R; peccunyous B. Set] R om. pecuniaria WCOB] written pe|cuniarea in L; pecularia R.] ¶ By wissynge of þis wenche I wrouȝte · here wordes were so swete, [wrouȝte] dede R.] Tyl I forȝat ȝouthe · and ȝarn in-to elde. [ȝarn] yarne C; ȝerne O; ran R.] And þanne was fortune my foo · for al hir faire biheste, [biheste] speche W.] And pouerte pursued me · and put me lowe, Line 61 And þo fonde I þe Frere aferde · and flyttynge bothe, [aferde] vnstable B. flyttynge] flettyng C; flitynge R.] Aȝeines owre firste forward · for I seyde I nolde Be buryed at her hous · but at my parisshe cherche. [buryed] buriel (sic) B.] Line 64 For I herde onys · how conscience it tolde, Þat þere a man were crystened · by kynde he shulde be buryed, Or where he were parisshene · riȝt þere he shulde be grauen. [were] were a R.] And for I seyde þus to freres · a fool þei me helden, Line 68 And loued me þe lasse · for my lele speche. Ac ȝet I cryed on my confessoure · þat helde hym-self so kunnynge, [Ac] And CB.] "By my feith, frere," quod I · "ȝe faren lyke þise woweres, Line 71 Þat wedde none wydwes · but forto welde here godis; [welde] wedden B. godis] goodes WC; goodis B; goed R.] Riȝte so, by þe Rode · rouȝte ȝe neuere [ȝe] þei B.] Where my body were buryed · bi so ȝe hadde my siluer. [buryed] y-buried B. my] the CB.] Ich haue moche merueille of ȝow · and so hath many an other, [an other] other RCOB.] Line 75

Line 75 Why ȝowre couent coueyteth · to confesse and to burye, Rather þan to baptise barnes · þat ben catekumelynges. [catekumelynges] cathecumynys O; catekounelyns CB.] Baptizyng and burying · bothe ben ful nedeful, [bothe] hath CB. ben] beþ WR.] Ac moche more merytorie · me þynke[þ] it is to baptize. [Ac] And C. þynkeþ] so in WOR; þynkiþ B; thyngket C; þynke L. it] CO om.] For a baptized man may · as maistres telleth, [as] as þise W; as wel as B.] Line 80 Þorugh contricioun come · to þe heigh heuene;

Sola contricio [delet peccatum.]

[to] til R. [delet peccatum COB] LWR merely have &c.] ¶ Ac a barne with-oute bapteme · may nouȝt so be saued; [folio 45]

Nisi quis renatus fuerit [ex aqua, &c.;]

[a] W om. so] CB om. saued] ysaued R. [ex aqua, &c COB] LWR om.] Loke, ȝe lettred men · whether I lye or do nouȝte." [whether] whetur R; wheher C. do] COB om.] And lewte loked on me · and I loured after. [lewte] lewete þo R; leaute B. loked] lok C.] Line 84 "Wherfore lourestow?" quod lewte · and loked on me harde, [lourestow] lourest þou OB.] "Ȝif I durste," quod I, "amonges men · þis meteles auowe!" [þis meteles] þeise metelis O.] "Ȝe, bi peter and bi poule," quod he · "and take hem bothe to witnesse,

Non oderis fratres secrete in corde tuo, set publice argue illos."

[ȝe] ȝhe O; ȝis W; CB om. take] so in LR; took WC; toke OB. hem] COB om. publice] puplice O.] ¶ "Þei wol alleggen also," quod I · "and by þe gospel preuen,

Nolite iudicare quemquam."

[quemquam] R adds &c.] Line 88 ¶ "And wher-of serueth lawe," quod lewte · "if no lyf vndertoke it, [lewte] leute þanne R. it] erased in O.] Falsenesse ne faytrye; · for sumwhat þe apostle seyde,

Non oderis fratrem.

[ne] and CB. apostle] gospel CB.]

And in þe sauter also · seithe dauid þe prophete,

Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis, &c.

[also] CB om.] It is licitum for lewed men · to segge þe sothe, [licitum] leueful O; lefsum B.] Line 92 If hem lyketh and leste · eche a lawe it graunteth, [and] or O. a] CB om.] Excepte persones and prestes · and prelates of holy cherche, [cherche] cherches R.] It falleth nouȝte for þat folke · no tales to telle, [no] none RB.] Þough þe tale were trewe · and it touched synne. [were] be W. touched] touche W.] Line 96 ¶ Þinge þat al þe worlde wote · wherfore shuldestow spare [þinge] Ac þinge R. shuldestow] shuldist þou OB.] [To] reden it in Retoryke · to arate dedly synne? [[To W] And LCROB. arate] a-raten R.] Ac be neuere more þe fyrste · þe defaute to blame; [Ac] And C. þe (2)] þe (omitted in printed copy) W.] Þouȝe þow se yuel, sey it nouȝte fyrste · be sorye it nere amended. [sey] ne seie B. amended] amendite R.] Line 100 No þinge þat is pryue · publice þow it neuere, [No] And CO; A B. publice] puplice O; publiche RB.] Neyther for loue laude it nouȝt · ne lakke it for enuye;

Parum lauda, vitupera parcius."

[laude] preise W; lakke R; lab B. parcius] propicius, &c B.] ¶ "He seith sothe," quod scripture þo · and skipte an heigh, & preched; [sothe] þe sothe R. þo] CB om.] Ac þe matere þat she meued · if lewed men it knewe, [Ac] And C. she] he COB. if] R om. knewe] knowe R.] Þe lasse, as I leue · louyen it þei wolde. [After this line R has an extra line—þe bileue þat lord · þat lettred men techeth; where the first þat should be of oure. Cf. Text C.] Line 105 ¶ This was her teme and her tyxte · I toke ful gode hede; 'Multi to a maungerye · and to þe mete were sompned, And whan þe peple was plenere comen · þe porter vn|pynned þe ȝate, [plenere] al plener B. porter] C om. ȝate] gate COB.] Line 108

Line 108 And plukked in pauci priueliche · and lete þe remenaunt go rowme!' [rowme] rome WRB; roome CO.] ¶ Al for tene of her tyxte · trembled myn herte, [trembled] tremeled R.] And in a were gan I waxe · and with my-self to dispute, [a] C om. were] weer W. to] COB om.] Whether I were chosen or nouȝt chosen; · on holi|cherche I þouȝte, [chosen] chose R (in both places). chosen (2)] COB om.] Line 112 Þat vnderfonge me atte fonte · for one of goddis chosen; [vnderfonge] vnder-fonged W; vndir-fenge OB; vnder-fange C. atte] at þe RCB. fonte] funt B; fount C. one] oen R. chosen] chosne L; but see l. 112.] For cryste cleped vs alle · come if we wolde, Sarasenes and scismatikes · and so he dyd þe iewes,

O vos omnes scicientes, venite, &c.;

[Sarasenes] Sarzens W. sci|cientes] so in LRCOB; sicientes W.] And badde hem souke for synne · saufly at his breste, [folio 45b] [saufly] saue R; safly B.] And drynke bote for bale · brouke it who so myȝte. [brouke] broke C.] ¶ "Þanne may alle crystene come," quod I · "and cleyme þere entre, [may] mowen O.] Line 118 By þe blode þat he bouȝte vs with · and þorugh bap|tesme after,

Qui crediderit & baptizatus fuerit, &c.

[þat] R om. with] R om.] For þough a crystene man coueyted · his crystenedome to reneye, [reneye] receyue R; forsake C.] Riȝtfulliche to renye · no resoun it wolde. Line 121 ¶ For may no cherle chartre make · ne his catel selle, [cherle] cherche (!) C.] With-outen leue of his lorde · no lawe wil it graunte. Ac he may renne in arrerage · and rowme so fro home, [arrerage] arreragis B. rowme so] renne R.] And as a reneyed caityf · recchelesly gon aboute, [a reneyed] he renneth R. gon] rennen W; RCOB om.] Line 125 Ac Resoun shal rekne with hym · [and rebuken hym at þe laste, [Ac] And WC.] [The last half of l. 126, and first half of l. 127, are found in R only. But see Text C.]

And conscience a-counte with hym] · and casten hym in arrerage, [The last half of l. 126, and first half of l. 127, are found in R only. But see Text C.] And putten [hym] after in a prisone · in purgatorie to brenne, [[hym WROB] LC om. a] COR om.] Line 128 For his arrerages rewarden hym þere · to þe daye of dome, [For] And for R. arrerages] arrerage CB; arerage O. to] riȝte to R; til B.] But if contricioun [wol] come · and crye, bi his lyue, [[wol WC] wole OB; miswrit|ten wel in LR, but the line, in L, is marked for correction. lyue] leue R.] Mercy for his mysdedes · with mouth or with herte." [or] and W.] ¶ "Þat is soth," seyde scripture · "may no synne lette [seyde] quod COB. may] þat may B.] Mercy alle to amende · and mekenesse hir folwe, [alle to] may al R. and] þat R. hir folwe] he folweth R.] Line 133 For þey beth as owre bokes telleth · aboue goddes werkes,

Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius."

[beth] bee C. bokes] boke R. eius (1)] O om.] ¶ "Ȝee! baw for bokes!" quod one · was broken oute of helle, [ȝee] ȝhe O; Ye RC.] Hiȝte troianus, had ben a trewe knyȝte · toke witnesse at a pope, [Hiȝte] þat hiȝte B. had] & hadde B. a] þe COB.] Line 136 How he was ded and dampned · to dwellen in pyne, [ded] dede R; deed B. pyne] peyne COB.] For an vncristene creature; ·—"clerkis wyten þe sothe, [wyten] wite W.] Þat al þe clergye vnder cryste · [ne] miȝte me cracche fro helle, [þe] C om. [ne W] LCROB om. me] hym B; C om.] But onliche loue and leaute · and my lawful domes. [leaute] my leute R. and (2)] of R.] ¶ Gregorie wist þis wel · and wilned to my soule [wilned] wilneth COB.] Line 141 Sauacioun, for sothenesse · þat he seigh in my werkes. [for] for þe R. seigh in] seith of R. in] CB om.] And, after þat he wepte · and wilned me were graunted

Grace, wyth-outen any bede byddynge · his bone was vnderfongen, [bede] bede (printed bene) W. In the margin of O is the note—Nota. þe ground of trentalis.] Line 144 And I saued, as ȝe may se · with-oute syngyng of masses; [may] mowen O; now R; W om. syngyng] syngen C.] By loue, and by lernynge · of my lyuyng in treuthe, [By] R om.] Brouȝte me fro bitter peyne · þere no biddyng myȝte." ¶ "Lo, ȝe lordes, what leute did · by an Emperoure of Rome, [did] R om.] Line 148 Þat was an vncrystene creature · as clerkes fyndeth in bokes. [fyndeth] fynde CB.] Nouȝt þorw preyere of a pope · but for his pure treuthe [In R, the word pope is erased, and in the margin (by a later hand) is—in Episcopum Romanum.] Was þat sarasene saued · as seynt Gregorie bereth wit|nesse. [sarasene] Sarsen W.] Wel ouȝte ȝe lordes, þat lawes kepe · þis lessoun to haue in mynde, [ȝe] þise B. to] COB om.] Line 152 And on troianus treuth to thenke · and do treuthe to þe peple. [¶ Þis matir is merke for mani of ȝow · ac, men of holy cherche, Þe legende sanctorum ȝow lereth · more larger þan I ȝow telle! Ac þus lele loue · and lyuynge in treuthe Line 156 Pulte oute of pyne · a paynym of rome. I-blessed be treuthe · þat so brak helle ȝates, And saued þe Sarasyn · fram Sathanas and his power, Þere no clergie ne couthe · ne kunnynge of lawes. Line 160 Loue and leute · is a lele science; For þat is þe boke blessed · of blisse and of ioye:— God wrouȝt it and wrot hit · with his on fynger, And toke it moyses vpon þe mount · alle men to lere.] [154—164. In R only.] 'Lawe with-outen loue,' quod troianus · 'leye þere a bene, [folio 46] Line 165

Line 165 Or any science vnder sonne · þe seuene artz and alle, But if þei ben lerned for owre lordes loue · loste is alle þe tyme:'— [B omits. if] WCROB om. loste] I-lost R.] For no cause to cacche siluer þere-by · ne to be called a mayster, Line 168 But al for loue of owre lorde · and þe bet to loue þe peple. [bet] better C. peple] pope(!) B.] For seynte Iohan seyde it · and soth aren his wordes,

'Qui non diligit, manet in morte—

[aren] arn WB.] ¶ Who so loueth nouȝte, leue me · he lyueth in deth|deyinge'— [leue] leueþ B. deth] deeþ B; deeþ (printed deep) W.] And þat alle manere men · enemys and frendes, Line 172 Louen her eyther other · and lene hem as her-selue. [Louen] Loue W. lene] so in O; in other MSS., it is more like leue; see the Critical Note. hem] hym C. her-selue] hem-selue W.] Who so leneth nouȝte, he loueth nouȝte · god wote þe sothe, [Who] For who R. leneth] leneþ O; in other MSS., it looks like leueth. god] oure lorde R.] And comaundeth eche creature · to confourme hym to louye, [And] Crist W. comaundeth] comaunded R; comande C. eche] ech a W; vch R; iche O; Ilk C. confourme] conformen W.] And souereynelyche pore poeple · and here ennemys after. [pore] þe pouere W. here] hir WC.] Line 176 For hem þat hateth vs · is owre meryte to louye, And pore peple to plese; · here prayeres may vs helpe. For owre ioye and owre hele · Ihesu cryst of heuene, [For] And W. hele] heele W; euel (!) R. Ihesu] is ihesu R.] In a pore mannes apparaille · pursueth vs euere, [pursueth] pursued W.] Line 180 And loketh on vs in her liknesse · and þat with louely chere, [B omits.] To knowen vs by owre kynde herte · and castyng of owre eyen, [eyen] eighe C; eiȝe B; ye O; eyes R.]

Wheþer we loue þe lordes here · byfor owre lorde of blisse; [Wheþer] miswritten Wherþer in L. owre] þe W.] ¶ And exciteth vs bi þe euangelye · þat, when we maken festes, [euangelye] euangeliste B.] Line 184 We shulde nouȝte clepe owre kynne þer-to · ne none kynnes riche;

'Cum facitis conuiuia, nolite inuitare amicos;

[shulde] shal C. none kynnes] none kyne R; no kyn OB.] Ac calleth þe careful þer-to · þe croked and þe pore, [Ac calleth] And calles C.] For ȝowre frendes wil feden ȝow · and fonde ȝow to quite [ȝowre] oure C. wil feden] wolen fede RB; wol fenden C. fonde] fonden R.] Ȝowre festynge and ȝowre faire ȝifte; · vche frende quyteth so other. [festynge] fastyng B. ȝifte] ȝifte W; ȝiftes RO; ȝiftis B; giftes C. quyteth] quit R.] Line 188 ¶ Ac for þe pore I shal paye · and pure wel quyte her trauaille, [CB omit. pure] puire R. quyte] quiten R.] Þat ȝiueth hem mete or moneye · and loueth hem for my sake.' [

moneye] mone R. and] or W. After l. 190 R inserts an ap|parently spurious line—

¶ Almiȝty god hath made riche · men if he wolde.

] For þe best ben somme riche · and somme beggers and pore. [For] Ac for R.] Line 191 For alle are we crystes creatures · and of his coffres riche, [his] CB om.] And bretheren as of o blode · as wel beggares as erles. [And] As R. o] oo W; COB om. wel] O om.] For on caluarye of crystes blode · crystenedome gan sprynge, [on] at R.] And blody bretheren we bycome þere · of o body ywonne, [bycome] bicome (printed bi|comen) W. o] one R; a CB.] As quasi modo geniti · and gentil men vche one, Line 196 No beggere ne boye amonges vs · but if it synne made;

Qui facit peccatum, seruus est peccati, &c.

¶ In þe olde lawe · as holy lettre telleth, [holy] þe R. telleth] techiþ B.]

Mennes sones · men called vs vchone, [called] callen WO; calliþ B.] Of adames issue and Eue · ay til god-man deyde; [man] mand (sic) C. deyde] deyede R; deyed CB.] Line 200 And after his resurreccioun · Redemptor was his name, And we his bretheren, þourgh hym ybouȝt · bothe riche and pore. [ybouȝt] y-bouȝt (printed y|brought) W; bouȝt OB; bought C.] For-þi loue we as leue bretheren shal · and vche man laughe vp other, [folio 46b] [loue] lyue O. bretheren] childern R. shal] schul O; W om. laughe] lawȝhe O. vp] so in LR; of W; on O; vp-on C; vppon B.] And of þat eche man may forbere · amende þere it nedeth, [And] For O. of] if COB.] Line 204 And euery man helpe other · for hennes shal we alle;

Alter alterius onera portate.

[other] oþer here R. shal] shul W; schulle R.] And be we nouȝte vnkynde of owre catel · ne of owre kunnynge neyther, [vnkynde] vnkende R. neyther] nouther C; noþer R.] For noet no man how neighe it is · to be ynome fro bothe. [noet] so in LR; noot O; woot W; not C; B places not after man. neighe] COB om. be] ben W. ynome] bynome C. to—ynome] ne how sone he take B.] Line 207 For-þi lakke no lyf other · þough he more latyne knowe, Ne vnder-nym nouȝte foule · for is none with-oute faute. [for] C om. is] þer is B. faute] defaute WR.] For what euere clerkis carpe · of crystenedome or elles, Cryst to a comune woman seyde · in comune at a feste, [a (2)] the CB.] Þat fides sua shulde sauen hir · and saluen hir of alle synnes. [hir of] of hir CB. alle] WCOB om.] Line 212 ¶ Þanne is byleue a lele helpe · aboue logyke or lawe; [aboue] abue (sic) R.] Of logyke ne of lawe · in legenda sanctorum [ne] or W.] Is litel allowaunce made · but if bileue hem helpe. [allowaunce — bileue] alowed þei both · but by-leue R.] For it is ouerlonge ar logyke · any lessoun assoille, [ar] er WO; or CB.] Line 216

Line 216 And lawe is loth to louye · but if he lacche syluer. [louye] loue C. lacche] take C.] Bothe logyke and lawe · þat loueth nouȝte to lye, [Bothe] But O. to] for to R.] I conseille alle crystene · cleue nouȝte þer-on to sore. [crystene] cristen men CB. cleue] clyue W; to cleue B. sore] soore W.] For sum wordes I fynde ywryten · were of faithes techynge, [ywryten] writen WCB; write R. were] þat were W; þa were B.] Line 220 Þat saued synful men · as seynt Iohan bereth wytnesse;

Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, remecietur vobis.

[remecietur] remescietur R; remencietur B.] ¶ For-þi lerne we þe lawe of loue · as owre lorde tauȝte, And as seynte Gregory seide · for mannes soule helthe,

Melius est scrutari scelera nostra, quam naturas rerum.

¶ Why I moue þis matere · is moste for þe pore, [moue] meue WROB; moeue C. for] C om.] Line 224 For in her lyknesse owre lorde · ofte hath ben y-knowe. [her] here R; hir W; his COB. ofte] of R. ben] be R. y-knowe] knawen C.] Witnesse in þe Paske wyke · whan he ȝede to Emaus; [Paske] Pask W; Pasqe R; Passe C. wyke] woke R; weke C.] Cleophas ne knewe hym nauȝte · þat he cryste were, [ne] COB om.] For his pore paraille · and pylgrymes wedes; [paraille] apparaille W; ap|paralle C; apparayle B. wedes] wede B.] Line 228 Tyl he blessed and brak · þe bred þat þei eten, [blessed] blissed RCB.] So bi his werkes þei wisten · þat he was Ihesus; [bi] be R. his] hise WC.] Ac by clothyng þei knewe hym nouȝte · ne bi carpynge of tonge. [Ac] And C. by] be R. bi] be R.] ¶ And al was in ensample · to vs synful here, [in ensample] ensaumple for sothe R.] Line 232 Þat we shulde be low · and loueliche of speche, And apparaille vs nouȝte ouer proudly · for pylgrymes ar we alle; [ouer] to CB. ar] er C.]

And in þe apparaille of a pore man · and pilgrymes lyknesse [in þe] in C; B om. ap|paraille] paraile R.] Many tyme god hath ben mette · amonge nedy peple, [mette] y-mette R; at þe mete B.] Þere neuere segge hym seigh · in secte of þe riche. [segge] mane i. segge C.] Line 237 ¶ Seynt Iohan and other seyntes · were seyne in pore clothynge, [seyne] seyen W; seyn RCB. in] C om. pore] oþer B.] And as pore pilgrymes · preyed mennes godis. [preyed] preyude R; prayden C; preieden B. mennes] men R. godis] goodes W; goedes R; goddes C; goodis B.] Ihesu cryste on a iewes douȝter alyȝte · gentil woman þough she were, [folio 47] [alyȝte] liȝte W. she] a R.] Line 240 Was a pure pore mayde · and to a pore man wedded. [Was] A was R. pure] puir R. pure pore] pore pure B. mayde] mayden RB. wedded] y-wedded WR.] ¶ Martha on Marye magdeleyne · an huge pleynte she made, [In the margin of L is—Martha & Maudelene. an] and (!) RC. she] sho C; W om.] And to owre saueour self · seyde þise wordes,

Domine, non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me sola[m] ministrare, &c.?

[solam] so in WCOB; sola L. R omits all after cure; COB omit ministrare.] ¶ And hastiliche god answered · and eytheres wille folwed, [hastiliche] stilleliche B.] Line 244 Bothe Marthaes and Maries · as Mathew bereth witnesse, [Marthaes] in Marthas CB. Maries] in Maries CB. as] and B.] Ac pouerte god put bifore · and preysed it þe bettre;

Maria optimam partem clegit · que non [aufere|tur ab ea.]

[Ac] And C. it] þat W. [auferetur—ea] supplied from COB.] ¶ And alle þe wyse þat euere were · by auȝte I can aspye, [þe] CB om. wyse] wyes B.] Preysen pouerte for best lyf · if pacience it folwe, [Preysen] Preiseden W. folwe] folwed W; wolde R.] Line 248 And bothe bettere and blisseder · by many folde þan ricchesse. [blisseder] blesseder W.]

Al though it be soure to suffre · þere cometh swete after; [Al] For W; And COB; Alle R. þere—after] þer-after comeþ swete W.] As on a walnot with-oute · is a bitter barke, And after þat bitter barke · (be þe shelle aweye), Line 252 Is a kirnelle of conforte · kynde to restore; So is, after, pouerte or penaunce · pacientlyche ytake. [is] CB om.] For it maketh a man to haue mynde in gode · and a grete wille [For it] R om. a (1)] COB om.] To wepe and to wel bydde · wher-of wexeth mercy, Line 256 Of which cryst is a kirnelle · to conforte þe soule. [O omits.] And wel sykerer he slepyth · þe [segge] þat is pore, [[segge R] man LWCOB; cf. l. 237.] And lasse he dredeth deth · and in derke to be robbed, [robbed] yrobbed W; rubbid B.] Þan he þat is riȝte ryche · resoun bereth wytnesse; Line 260 Pauper ego ludo, dum tu diues meditaris. ¶ Al þough salamon seide · as folke seeth in þe bible,

Diuicias nec paupertates, &c.,

[Al] Alle R; And OB. folke seeth] men seth R. In the margin of L is—parfite povertee.] Wyser þan salamon was · bereth witnesse and tauȝte, Þat parfyte pouert was · no possessioun to haue, Line 264 And lyf moste lykynge to god · as luke bereth witnesse,

Si vis perfectus esse, vade & vende, &c.;

[as] and C.] And is to mene to men · þat on þis molde lyuen, [mene] many (!) C.] Who so wil be pure parfyt · mote possessioun forsake, [pure] pouere C; pore OB. mote] moot WC.] Or selle it, as seith þe boke · and þe syluer dele Line 268 To beggeres þat gone and begge · and bidden good for goddes loue. [gone] gaen C; goon W; gon RB.] ¶ For failled neuere man mete · þat myȝtful god serued;

[Non vidi iustum derelictum, nec semen eius querens panem;]

[serued] serueþ WR. [Non—panem] in O only.] As dauid seith in þe sauter · to suche þat ben in wille [þat] as B.]

To serue god godeliche · ne greueth hym no penaunce,

Nichil inpossibile volenti,

[no] nouȝt no B. R reads—With eny wel or wo (half-line blank) To serue god godeliche · ne greueth hem no penaunce, nichil difficile volenti, &c.] Ne lakketh neuere lyflode · lynnen ne wollen,

Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono.

[neuere] noyther R. lyflode] C om.] Line 273 If prestes weren parfyt · þei wolde no syluer take [folio 47b] [parfyt] wise R. no] no (printed ne) W. In the margin of O—Of annueleris prestis.] For masses ne for matynes · nouȝte her mete of vsureres, Ne neither kirtel ne cote · þeigh þey for colde shulde deye, Line 276 And þei her deuo[i]r dede · as dauid seith in þe sauter,

Iudica me, deus, & discerne causam meam.

[deuoir] so in WCOB; deuor L; deuer R. dede] R om. seith] says C; seide R. discerne] so in W, but printed decerne.] Spera in deo speketh of prestes · þat haue no spendyng syluer, [deo] deo &c CB. haue] han R; haueþ B.] Þat ȝif þei trauaille trewlich · and trusten in god almiȝti, [trusten] tristen RB; trist C.] Hem shulde lakke no lyflode · noyther wollen ne lynnen. [Hem] thaym C. wollen—lynnen] lynnen ne wollen W.] And þe title þat [ye] take ordres by · telleth ȝe ben auaunced; [þat] COB om. [ye WR] þei LCOB. ordres] ordre O; her ordre B. telleth] til CB. ȝe] þei B.] Line 281 Þanne nedeth nouȝte ȝow to take syluer · for masses þat ȝe syngen. [nouȝte—to] naught yow C; not ȝow O; yow noȝt to WRB. syngen] syngeth R.] For he þat toke ȝow ȝowre tytle · shulde take ȝow ȝowre wages, [ȝow (1)] R om. shulde] shal C.] Or þe bisshop þat blesseth ȝow · if þat ȝe ben worthy. [Or] Of C. blesseth] blessed W; blisses C; blissiþ B.] ¶ For made neuere kynge no knyȝte · but he hadde catel to spende, [neuere] neuere no L; but as the other MSS. omit this first no, it is unnecessary to retain it.] Line 285

Line 285 As bifel for a kniȝte · or fonde hym for his strengthe; [fonde] foond W; fonde, altered to fande C; fynde B.] It is a careful knyȝte · and of a caytyue kynges makynge, [a (2)] CO om.] Þat hath no londe ne lynage riche · ne good loos of his handes. [no] noþer R; neiþer B. riche] R om. loos] los RB. handes] hondes R; hand B.] Line 288 Þe same I segge for sothe · by alle suche prestes, [suche] swiche WRC.] Þat han noyther kunnynge ne kynne · but a croune one, [one] oon C; on hede B.] And a tytle, a tale of nouȝte · to his lyflode at myschiefe, [at] at his W.] He hath more bileue, as I leue · to lacche þorw his croune [lacche] lacchen R.] Line 292 Cure, þan for konnyng · or—'knowen for clene of berynge.' [knowen] knowyng COB. for] or for B. of] WB om.] I haue wonder [for] why · and wher-fore þe bisshop [[for W] and RC; & LO; B and Crowley om.] Maketh suche prestes · þat lewed men bytrayen. Line 295 ¶ A chartre is chalengeable · byfor a chief iustice; If false latyne be in þe lettre · þe lawe it inpugneth, [þe] þat RCOB; þat (printed the) W. inpugneth] impugneþ WR; impugnes C.] Or peynted parenterlinarie · [or] parceles ouer-skipped; [parenterlinarie] par enterlin|arie R. [or W Crowley] LRCOB om. ouer-skipped] ouer-kipped C.] Þe gome þat gloseth so chartres · for a goky is holden. [goky] gooky C.] ¶ So is it a goky, by god · þat in his gospel failleth, Or in masse or in matynes · maketh any defaute,

Qui offendit in vno, in omnibus est reus, &c.

[in (2)] CO om. est reus] R om.] Line 301 And also in þe sauter · seyth dauyd to ouerskippers,

Psallite deo nostro, psallite; quoniam rex terre deus israel; psallite sapienter.

[ouerskippers] ouerkippers C.] Þe bisshop shal be blamed · bifor god, as I leue, Þat crouneth suche goddes kniȝtes · þat conneth nouȝt sapienter [crouneth] crowned CB; O om. conneth] kunneth R; kunnen B; kunne O; konnes C.] Line 304

Line 304 Synge ne psalmes rede · ne segge a messe of þe day. [segge] seye WCO; synge B.] Ac neuer neyther is blamelees · þe bisshop ne þe chapleyne, [Ac] And WC. ne] and R. þe (2)] C om.] For her eyther is endited · and þat of 'ignorancia [her] euere O; her euer B. of] is W.] Non excusat episcopos · nec idiotes prestes.' [idiotes] idiotos B.] Line 308 ¶ Þis lokynge on lewed prestes · haþ don me lepe fram pouerte, [on] of O. don] doon W; do R. lepe] luppe R.] Þe whiche I preyse þere pacyence is · more parfyt þan ricchesse." [þe] CB om. þere] here B. is] B om.] ¶ Ac moche more in metynge þus · with me gan one dispute, [L has only a faint paragraph|mark, but it is certain that a new paragraph begins here.] And slepynge I seigh al þis · and sithen cam kynde, [folio 48] And nempned me by my name · and bad me nymen hede, [nempned] called C. my] COB om. nymen] nemen B.] Line 313 And þorw þe wondres of þis worlde · wytte for to take. [wondres] wordes RB. þis] þe R.] And on a mountaigne þat mydelerd hyȝte · as me þo þouȝte, [mydelerd] mydel erde R; myddel erþe W; midilerd B. þo] than C; W om.] I was fette forth · by ensaumples to knowe, [fette] fet WC; feet B. en|saumples] ensampel C.] Line 316 Þorugh eche a creature and kynde · my creatoure to louye. I seigh þe sonne and þe see · and þe sonde after, [see] sehe O. sonde] sande C.] And where þat bryddes and bestes · by here make[s] þei ȝeden, [And] B om. [makes W] make LCRO; mak B; but see l. 335. þei] WO om.] Wylde wormes in wodes · and wonderful foules, [in] and R.] Line 320 With flekked fetheres · and of fele coloures. [fetheres] federes R.] Man and his make · I myȝte bothe byholde; [and] hadde O. bothe byholde] se bothe R.]

Pouerte and plente · bothe pees and werre, Blisse and bale · bothe I seigh at ones, [at] al at W.] Line 324 And how men token Mede · and mercy refused. [how] O om.] ¶ Resoune I seighe sothly · suen alle bestes [suen] sewen W; schewen R; suwen CB.] In etynge, in drynkynge · and in engendrynge of kynde; [in (2)] & O. kynde] kende R.] And after course of concepcioun · none toke kepe of other, [of (2)] til R.] Line 328 As whan þei hadde ryde in rotey tyme; · anon riȝte þer-after, [As] And COB.] Males drowen hem to males · a mornynges bi hem-self, [a] on O. mornynges] mor|wenynges WROB; morwenges C.] And in euenynges also · ȝe[de] males fro femeles. [And] O om. ȝede] so in R; miswritten ȝe in L, but the line is marked for correction; in other MSS. we find—þe males ben fro femelles W; the males fro femeles C; þe males fro þe femeles OB.] Þere ne was cow ne cowkynde · þat conceyued hadde, [þere] þe R. ne (1)] COB om.] Þat wolde belwe after boles · ne bore after sowe; [belwe] belwen R.] Line 333 Bothe horse and houndes · and alle other bestes Medled nouȝte wyth here makes · þat with fole were. ¶ Briddes I bihelde · þat in buskes made nestes; [buskes] busches R.] Line 336 Hadde neuere wye witte · to worche þe leest. [neuere] nere R. wye] weye R; wiȝth B.] I hadde wonder at whom · and where þe pye lerned To legge þe stykkes · in whiche she [leyeþ] and bredeth; [legge] laye C. þe] R om. she] he COB; a R. [leyeþ W] layes C; in L badly spelt leythe; leuth R; leyȝeþ B.] Þere nys wriȝte as I wene · shulde worche hir neste to paye; [nys wriȝte] is no wit R. neste] nestes W.] Line 340 If any masoun made a molde þer-to · moche wonder it were. ¶ And ȝet me merueilled more · how many other briddes [And] Ac W. how] R om.] Hudden and hileden · her egges ful derne [Hudden] Hidden W. hileden] heleden CR; helieden B. egges] egghes C; eeggis B; eyren O.]

In mareys and mores · for men sholde hem nouȝt fynde, And hudden here egges · whan þei þere-fro wente, [hudden] hidden W. egges] egges C; eegis B; eggys O.] Line 345 For fere of other foules · and for wylde bestis. ¶ And some troden her makes · and on trees bredden, And brouȝten forth her bryddes so · al aboue þe grounde; [brouȝten] bredde R.] And some bryddes at þe bille · þorwgh brethynge con|ceyued; [CB omit. bille] bile W; bible (!) O. brethynge] bredyng (!) O.] Line 349 And some kauked, I toke kepe · how pekokes bredden. [kauked] kackeled C; kakele|den O; kakelid B. I] I (printed and) W. kepe] hede R. pekokes] pacokkes C. bredden] breden R.] Moche merueilled me · what maister þei hadde, [þei hadde] hem made W.] And who tauȝte hem on trees · to tymbre so heighe, Þere noither buirn ne beste · may her briddes rechen. [folio 48b] [noither] neiþer WB; noþer R. buirn] burn W; barne C; barn OB. may] ne may R.] ¶ And sythen I loked vpon þe see · and so forth vpon þe sterres, [vpon (1)] on COB. see] sehe O. forth vpon] on COB.] Line 354 Many selcouthes I seygh · ben nought to seye nouthe. [ben] beth R; þat ben B. seye] segge R; seyn B.] ¶ I seigh floures in þe fritthe · and her faire coloures, [in] of R.] And how amonge þe grene grasse · grewe so many hewes, [grewe] greuȝ R; growed W; grewen B.] And somme soure and some swete · selcouthe me þouȝte; Of her kynde and her coloure · to carpe it were to longe. [her (2)] of here R.] ¶ Ac þat moste moeued me · and my mode chaunged, [mode] moed R; mood W.] Þat resoun rewarded · and reuled alle bestes, Line 361 Saue man and his make; · many tyme and ofte [CB omit. tyme] tymes R.] No resoun hem folwed · and þanne I rebuked [No] Ne CB.] Resoun, and riȝte · til hym-seluen I seyde, [I] COB om.] Line 364 "I haue wonder of þe," quod I · "þat witty art holden, [holden] holde R.] Why þow ne suwest man and his make · þat no mysfait hem folwe?" [suwest] schewest R. mysfait] mysfeet W; mysfaut C; misfeith R; mysfaiþ B.]

¶ And resoun arated me · and seyde, "recche þe neuere, [And] And þo B.] Whi I suffre or nouȝt suffre · þi-self hast nouȝt to done; Line 368 Amende þow it, if þow myȝte · for my tyme is to abyde. [it] COB om. is] is nouȝt CB.] Suffraunce is a souereygne vertue · and a swyfte veni|aunce. [a (1)] COB om. a (2)] of O.] Who suffreth more þan god?" quod he · "no gome, as I leue! [suffreth] suffres C; suffrede WO. gome] man (with i. gome writ|ten above) C.] He miȝte amende in a Minute while · al þat mys standeth, [Minute] litel (corrected to mynute) C.] Line 372 Ac he suffreth for somme mannes good · and so is owre bettre. [suffreth] suffres C; suffrede O. is] it is W.] [¶ Holy writt," quod þat weye · "wisseth men to suffre;

Propter deum subiecti estote omni creature.

Frenche men and fre men · affeyteth þus her childerne, Bele vertue est soffrance · mal dire est pety[t] veniance, [Bele] written Vele in R; but see Text C. petyt] written pety; but petit in MS. Cott. Vesp. B. 16.] Bien dire et bien soffrir · fait lui soffrant a bien venir. [soffrir] soffrer R; but the rime requires soffrir. lui] le in MS. Cott.; ly in Whitaker; but lui in MS. Camb. Dd. 3. 13.] For-þi I rede," quod reson · "rewle þi tonge bettere, And ar þow lakke [eny] lyf · loke if þow be to preyse! [[eny] so in MS. Cott.; mis|written my in R.] For is no creature vnder criste · can formen hym-seluen; And if a man miȝte make · hym-self goed to þe poeple, Vch a lif wold be lakles · leue þow non other. Line 382 Ne þow schalt fynde but fewe · fayne for to here Of here defautes foule · by-for hem rehersed.] [374—384. In R only. Cf. Text C, where some of these lines may be found.] ¶ Þe wyse and þe witty · wrote þus in þe bible,

De re que te non molestat, [noli] certare.

[þe (2)] C om. que te] quiete R. [noli WCOB] noly L; nolite R.] For be a man faire or foule · it falleth nouȝte for to lakke Line 386

Line 386 Þe shappe ne þe shafte · þat god shope hym-selue; For al þat he did was wel ydo · as holywrit witnesseth,

Et vidit deus cun[c]ta que fecerat, et erant valde bona;

[þat he] L has þe, corrected to þat he in the margin; þat he WCROB. did] wrouȝt R. ydo] do O. wit|nesseth] witnesse CB.] ¶ And badde euery creature · in his kynde encrees, [euery] to vch a R. encrees] encreesse W; encresce CR.] Al to murthe with man · þat most woo tholye [most] moste W; moost O; maest C. tholye] tholieth RO; tholde C.] Line 390 In fondynge of þe flesshe · and of þe fende bothe. For man was made of suche a matere · he may nouȝt wel astert Line 392 Þat ne some tymes hym bitit · to folwen his kynde; [ne] R om. tymes] tyme WCOB. bitit] bitid CO; bitidiþ B.] Catoun acordeth þere-with · nemo sine crimine viuit." [þere-with] with-al R; herwiþ O.] ¶ Tho cauȝte I coloure anon · and comsed to ben aschamed, And awaked þer-with; · wo was me þanne [And] And I O.] Line 396 Þat I in meteles ne myȝte · more haue yknowen. [haue] hauen R.] And þanne seyde I to my-self · and chidde þat tyme; "Now I wote what dowel is," quod I · "by dere god, as me þinketh!" [wote] woot WC; wot RB. dere] CB om.] And as I caste vp myn eyghen · one loked on me, and axed [folio 49] [And] B om. eyghen] eyen C; eyes R; yen O. one] oon WC; on RB. axed] asked WR.] Line 400 Of me, what þinge it were? · "ywisse, sire," I seide, "To se moche and suffre more · certes," quod I, "is dowel!" ¶ "Haddestow suffred," he seyde · "slepyng þo þow were, [Haddestow] Haddest þow RO; Haddist B.] Þow sholdest haue knowen þat clergye can · and con|ceiued more þorugh resoun; [knowen] yknowe CO; knowe RB. conceiued] contreued W. þorugh] bi B.] Line 404

Line 404 For resoun wolde haue reherced þe · riȝte as clergye saide. Line 405 Ac for þine entermetyng · here artow forsake;

Philosophus esses, si tacuisses.

[Ac] And CO. artow] art þow ROB.] ¶ Adam, whiles he spak nouȝt · had paradys at wille, [whiles] miswritten whhiles in L; þe whiles R; whilis B.] Ac whan he mameled aboute mete · and entermeted to knowe [entermeted] entermet hym C; entirmetid hym B.] Line 408 Þe wisdom and þe witte of god · he was put fram blisse; [and] of COB. was] C om. fram] fram þe R; fra C; fro B.] And riȝt so ferde resoun bi the; · þow with rude speche [rude] þi rude WCB.] Lakkedest, and losedest þinge · þat longed nouȝt to be done; [losedest] losest C. longed] longed þe W; longeþ B. to be done] þe to done R; to doone W; to done O; to be doute CB.] Þo hadde he no lykynge · forto lere þe more. [lere] lerne O.] Line 412 ¶ Pruide now and presumpcioun · per auenture, wole þe appele, [wole] wol WR; wolen OB; wyl C.] That clergye þi compaignye · ne kepeth nouȝt to sue. [þi] in þi R. ne] W om. to sue] efte to sitte R.] Shal neuere chalangynge ne chydynge · chaste a man so sone [Shal] For schal R. chaste] chastie C; chastise O; caste B.] As shal shame, and shenden hym · and shape hym to amende. [shape] schapen R.] Line 416 For lat a dronken daffe · in a dyke falle, [dyke] dyk W; diche OB.] Late hym ligge, loke nouȝte on hym · til hym lest to ryse; [lest] liste WC; list RB. to ryse] aryse W.] For þough resoun rebuked hym þanne · [reccheth [he] neuere, Line 419 Of clergie ne of his conseil · he counteth nouȝt a rusche;

[To blame] or for to bete hym þanne] · it were but pure synne. [419—421. [reccheth—þanne] in R only; but necessary, and occurs in Text C. [he] supplied from MS. Cot|ton; R wrongly has hym. [To blame] supplied from MS. Cotton; R wrongly omits. For various readings see Text C.] Ac whan nede nymeth hym vp · for doute lest he sterue, [nymeth] takes C; nyme B.] Line 422 And shame shrapeth his clothes · & his shynes wassheth, [shrapeth] shcrapet (sic) C. shynes] hondis B. wassheth] was|shede C.] Þanne wote þe dronken daffe · wherfore he is to blame." ¶ "Ȝe seggen soth," quod I · "ich haue yseyne it ofte, [soth] soth by my soule R.] Þere [smit] no þinge so smerte · ne smelleth so soure, [[smit R] smyt WO; smytes C; smyteþ B; badly spelt smitte in L. no þinge] non R. smelleth] cumlleth (altered to stumlleth or scmulleth) R. soure] foule R.] As shame, þere he sheweth him · for euery man hym shonyeth; [for—shonyeth] noman loueth his felachippe R.] Why ȝe wisse me þus," quod I · "was for I rebuked resoun." Line 428 ¶ "Certes," quod he, "þat is soth" · and shope hym for to walken; [he] I R. shope] schope R; shoop W. walken] waken R.] And I aros vp riȝt with þat · and folwed hym after, And preyed hym of his curteisye · to telle me his name.