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 XII (DO-WEL IV).

[TITLE. Passus xij us LW; Passus Duodecimus CO; wrongly called Passus xj us de visione, vt supra R; also B wrongly adds et quintus [read quartus] de dowel.] Passus duodecimus.

"I am ymagynatyf," quod he · "Idel was I neuere, Þouȝe I sitte bi my-self · in sikenesse ne in helthe. [ne] nor W; and COB.] I haue folwed þe in feithe · þis fyue and fourty wyntre, And many tymes haue moeued þe · to þinke on þine ende, [moeued] meued WRB.] Line 4 And how fele fernȝeres are faren · and so fewe to come, [fernȝeres] fernyers C; ferneres R. are] be R; an (!) C; arn B.] And of þi wylde wantounesse · þo þow ȝonge were, [of] B om.] To amende it in þi myddel age · lest miȝte þe faylled [faylled] faile RB; faille C.] In þyne olde elde · þat yuel can suffre [elde] eelde R. yuel] so yuel CB.] Line 8 Pouerte or penaunce · or preyeres bidde;

Si non in prima vigilia, nec in secunda, &c. [folio 49b]

[bidde] to bidde W.] Amende þe while þow myȝte · þow hast ben warned ofte [while] þe while R. ben] be CB.] With poustees of pestilences · with pouerte and with angres; [of] and CB. pestilences] pesti|lence C; penaunce R.] And with þise bitter baleyses · god beteth his dere childeren,

Quem diligo, castigo.

Line 12

Line 12 And dauid in þe sauter seith · of suche þat loueth Ihesus, [R omits this line, and the quo|tation.]

'Virga tua & baculus tuus, ipsa me consolata sunt, &c.

[ipsa] ipse C. consolata] consolata (printed consolati) W.] Al-þough þow stryke me with þi staffe · with stikke or with ȝerde, [or with] other CO; oþer wiþ B.] It is but murth as for me · to amende my soule.' And þow medlest þe with makynges · and myȝtest go sey þi sauter, [makynges] makynge R; mais|tries CB.] Line 16 And bidde for hem þat ȝiueth þe bred; · for þere ar bokes ynowe [ȝiueth] geues C; ȝeuen B. þe] me B. ar] ben O. ynowe] y-knowe W; O om.] To telle men what dowel is · dobet, and dobest bothe, [men] me O. is] CB om.] And prechoures to preue what it is · of many a peyre freres." [preue] proue CB. a] C om.] ¶ I seigh wel he sayde me soth · and, somwhat me to excuse, [and] ac R.] Line 20 Seid[e], "catoun conforted his sone · þat, clerke þough he were, [Seide] Seid L; And seide R; Seide W; Saide C. conforted] con|forted me W; to conforte CB.] To solacen hym sum tyme · as I do whan I make;

Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis, &c.

[as] and R. I] ich R.] ¶ And of holy men I herde," quod I · "how þei other|while [of] R om. herde] here R; hard C.] Line 24 Pleyden, þe parfiter to be · in many places. [places] a place R.] Ac if þere were any wight · þat wolde me telle [Ac if] And if C; ȝif R. wight] wit R.] What were dowel and dobet · and dobest atte laste, Wolde I neuere do werke · but wende to holicherche, [do werke] worche B; wyrke C.] And þere bydde my bedes · but whan ich eet or slepe."

¶ "Poule in his pistle," quod he · "preueth what is dowel;

Fides, spes, caritas; & maior horum, &c.

[Poule] With poule R. pistle] pistles R. preueth] proues C. &] R om. horum] R om.] Line 30 Feith, hope, and charitee · and alle ben good, [and (2)] R om. good] goed R.] And sauen men sundry tymes · ac none so sone as charite. [ac] and C.] Line 32 For he doth wel with-oute doute · þat doth as lewte techeth; Þat is, if þow be man maried · þi make þow louye, [þow] he CB.] And lyue forth as lawe wole · while ȝe lyuen bothe. [And] R om. while] þe while R. bothe] here COB.] ¶ Riȝt so if þow be Religious · renne þow neuere ferther [ferther] þe ferþer B.] Line 36 To Rome ne to Rochemadore · but as þi reule techeth, [Rochemadore] Rochemadour CROB; Rochemador W.] And holde þe vnder obedyence · þat heigh wey is to heuene. [heigh] þe hiȝe B.] ¶ And if þow be mayden to marye · and miȝte wel contynue, [mayden] mayde & R. con|tynue] contene O.] Seke þow neuere seynt forther · for no soule helthe. [neuere] nere R. no] thy CB.] Line 40 For what made Lucyfer · to lese þe heigh heuene, Or salamon his sapience · or sampson his strengthe? [or] other R.] Iob þe Iewe his ioye · dere he it abouȝte, [C omits. dere he it] dere it he O; dere he B; ful deere W.] Arestotle and other mo · ypocras, & virgyle; Line 44 Alisaundre þat al wan · elengelich ended. [Alisaundre] Alexander C. ended] endeden O.] ¶ Catel and kynde witte · was combraunce to hem alle. [combraunce] a combraunce B.] Felyce hir fayrnesse · fel hir al to sklaundre; And Rosamounde riȝt so · reufully bysette, [folio 50] [reufully] reuful B. bysette] besette R; to bileue W.] Line 48

Line 48 Þe bewte of hir body · in badnesse she dispended. [badnesse she] badd vse R; wickednesse she B.] Of many suche I may rede · of men and of wommen, [I may] men may I R. may] miȝte COB.] Þat wyse wordes wolde shewe · and worche þe contrarye, [wolde shewe] can say CB; kun seye O. worche] werchen R. con|trarye] contrarye L (by mistake). CB place bene after virtute.] Sunt homines nequam bene de virtute loquentes. Line 52 ¶ And riche renkes riȝt so · gaderen and sparen, [renkes] men þenken B. gaderen] þat gadren B; gadderand C. sparen] sparynge C.] And þo men þat þei moste haten · mynistren it atte laste; [þo] to C. atte] at þe WCOB. laste] leste C.] And, for þei suffren & se · so many nedy folkes, And loue hem nouȝt as owre lorde byt · lesen her soules;

Date & dabitur vobis, &c.

[owre lorde] god CB. byt] bit WCRO; bytt B; badly spelt bytte in L. lesen] þei lesen W; and lesen B. her] ȝoure R.] [So catel and kende wit · acombreth ful many; Line 57 Wo is hym þat hem weldeth · but if he hem [wel] despende;

Scientes et non facientes varijs flagellis vapula|bunt;

[

[wel] so in Cotton MS.; R has wil

Scientes—vapulabunt] R has—Scienti et non facienti varijs flagellis vapulabit. I correct it by the Cotton MS.

] Sapience, seith þe boke · swelleth a mannes soule,

Sapiencia inflat, &c.;]

[57—59. In R only; but necessary to the sense; cf. C-Text.] ¶ And ricchesse riȝt so · but if þe Rote be trewe; [ricchesse] riche C.] Line 60 Ac grace is a grasse þer-of · þo greuaunces to abate. [þer-of] þere-fore R. þo gre|uaunces] the greuance COB.] Ac grace ne groweth nouȝte · but amonges lowe; [ne] B om. lowe] þe lowe O.] Pacience and pouerte · þe place is þere it groweth, [Pacience] Of pacience R. is] hiȝte W.] And in lele lyuynge men · and in lyf holy, Line 64 And þorugh þe gyfte of þe holygoste · as þe gospel telleth,

Spiritus vbi vult spirat, &c.

[þe (1)] R om. gyfte] siȝt B. vult] wlt R.] Clergye and kynde witte · comth of siȝte and tech|ynge, As þe boke bereth witnesse · to buirnes þat can rede,

Quod scimus, loquimur; quod vidimus, testamur.

[As] And CB. buirnes] burnes WO; barnes CRB. can] konne C; kun O; kunnen B.] Of quod scimus cometh clergye · and connynge of heuene, [and] a R.] Line 68 And of quod vidimus cometh kynde witte · of siȝte of dyue[r]se peple. [of] C om. quod] B om. dyuerse] miswritten dyuese in L; diuerse WCROB.] Ac grace is a gyfte of god · and of gret loue spryngeth; [Ac] And CB.] Knewe neuere clerke how it cometh forth · ne kynde witte þe weyes,

Nescit aliquis vnde venit, aut quo vadit, &c.

[Knewe] Know C. ne] þe (!) O. þe] his R.] Ac ȝit is clergye to comende · and kynde witte bothe, And namely clergye, for crystes loue · þat of clergye is rote. [of] B om.] Line 73 For Moyses witnesseth þat god wrote · for to wisse þe peple, [witnesseth] witnesse C. wrote] wroot WC. wisse] wise R.] In þe olde lawe, as þe lettre telleth · þat was þe lawe of iewes, [þat] R om.] Þat what woman were in auoutrie taken · were she riche or pore, [in WCROB] L has the word in the margin. auoutrie] deuoutrie R. were she] were he R; COB om. or] other COB.] Line 76 With stones men shulde hir stryke · and stone hir to deth. [stones] stanes C. stryke] striken R. stone] stonen RB; stonye C. deth] dede R.] A womman, as we fynden · was gulty of þat dede, [R omits. we fynden] I fynde W.] Ac cryste of his curteisye · þorw clergye hir saued; [þorw] and þoruȝ R.]

For þorw carectus þat cryst wrot · þe iewes knewe hem|seluen [For] And W. carectus—wrot] cristes carectus R; carrectis þat crist wrouȝte CO.] Line 80 Gultier as afor god · and gretter in synne [Gultier] Giltier WCO; Gilty B. gretter in] in gretter O.] Þan þe woman þat þere was · and wenten awey for schame. Þe clergye þat þere was · conforted þe womman. Holykirke knoweth þis · þat crystes writyng saued; [kirke] cherche R. knoweth] knew B. saued] saued hire W.] Line 84 So clergye is conforte · to creatures þat repenten, [þat] þat hem B.] And to mansed men · myschief at her ende [mansed] mased C; manasid B.] ¶ For goddes body myȝte nouȝte be · of bred, with|outen clergye, Þe which body is bothe · bote to þe riȝtful, [is] is bote to B. bote] boote WC; B om.] Line 88 And deth and dampnacioun · to hem þat dyeth yuel. [dyeth] dyen CB.] As crystes carecte conforted and bothe · coupable shewed [carecte] carrectes C; caractes O; carectes B; carette R. con|forted] counforteden O. coupable] coupile C; couple B. shewed] scheweden O.] Þe womman þat þe iewes brouȝte · þat Ihesus þouȝte to saue;

Nolite iudicare, et non iudicabimini, &c. [folio 50b]

[þe] R om. brouȝte] bouȝte R. non] non (printed not) W.] Riȝt so goddes body, bretheren · but it be worthily taken, [body] B om. but] but if W.] Line 92 Dampneth vs atte daye of dome · as þe carectes dede þe iewes. [Dampneth] Dampned R. carectes] caractes W. þe—dede] dede þe carette R.] For-þi I conseille þe for cristes sake · clergye þat þow louye, [þat þow] to COB.] For kynde witte is of his kyn · and neighe cosynes bothe [neighe] nyȝ B.] To owre lorde, leue me; · for-þi loue hem, I rede; [hem] hym C.] Line 96

Line 96 For bothe ben as miroures · to amenden owre defautes, And lederes for lewed men · and for lettred bothe. ¶ For-þi lakke þow neuere logyke · lawe, ne his cus|tumes, [lawe] is lawe B.] Ne countreplede clerkes · I conseille þe for eure. Line 100 For as a man may nouȝt se · þat mysseth his eyghen, [eyghen] siȝte R.] Namore can no klerke · but if he cauȝt it first þorugh bokes. [if] C om. cauȝt] cacche O.] Al-þough men made bokes · god was þe maistre, And seynt spirit þe saumplarye · and seide what men sholde write. [þe] his COB. men] man R.] Line 104 And riȝt as syȝte serueth a man · to se þe heighe strete, [W omits. Found in LCROB C2.] Riȝt so ledeth letterure · lewed men to resoun. [ledeth] lereth R. letterure] clergie CB.] And as a blynde man in bataille · bereth wepne to fiȝte, [And as] As as (sic) C. bereth] bere R.] And hath none happ with his axe · his enemye to hitte, [his] C om. enemye] enmy C; enemyes O.] Namore kan a kynde witted man · but clerkes hym teche, [kynde witted] kende wedded R. but] but if O. clerkes] clergie CB.] Line 109 Come for al his kynde witte · to crystendome and be saued; Whiche is þe coffre of crystes tresore · and clerkes kepe þe keyes, To vnlouken it at her lykynge · and to þe lewed peple [vnlouken] vnloken WCOB.] Ȝyue mercy for her mysdedes · if men it wole aske [ȝyue] Gyfe C; For R. wole] wol C; wolen B; wole (printed wolde) W.] Line 113 Buxomelich & benygneliche · and bidden it of grace. [bidden] biden C. of] as R.] ¶ Archa dei in þe olde lawe · leuites it kepten; [olde] holde R.] Hadde neuere lewed man leue · to leggen honde on þat chest, [leggen] lygge C. þat] the COB. chest] kyste C.] Line 116

Line 116 But he were preste or prestes sone · patriarke or pro|phete. [¶ Saul, for he sacrifised · sorwe hym be-tydde, And his sones al-so · for þat synne myscheued, And many mo other men · þat were no leuites, Line 120 Þat with archa dei ȝeden · in reuerence and in wor|chippe, And leyden honde þer-on to liften it vp · and loren hir lif after. [loren] miswritten boren in R, but altered to loren.] For-þi I conseil alle creatures · no clergie to dispise, Ne sette schort be here science · what so þei don hem|selue. Line 124 Take we her wordes at worthe · for here witnesse be trewe, And medle we nauȝt muche with hem · to meuen any wrathe, [medle we] ne medle we R; medele we in Cotton MS.] Lest cheste chafen vs · to choppe vche man other; [118—127. In R only; but see Text C.]

Nolite tangere christos meos, &c.]

[chafen] chasen R; a-chaufe in Cotton MS.; chaufe in Whitaker, p. 232.] ¶ For clergye is kepere · vnder cryst of heuene; [is] is kynge and R. kepere] kepere þer-of B.] Line 128 Was þere neuere no knyȝte · but clergye hym made. Ac kynde witte cometh · of alkynnes siȝtes, [Ac] A (sic) C; And B. al|kynnes] alle kynnes W; alle kyns O.] Of bryddes and of bestes · of tastes of treuthe, and of deceytes. [of tastes] CB om.] ¶ Lyueres to-forn vs · vseden to marke [Lyueres] Lyuyers CB. to-forn] to-foren R. marke] make R.] Line 132 Þe selkouthes þat þei seighen · her sones for to teche, [þe] For W. selkouthes] sel|couthe C; selcouþe OB. seighen] seye R.] And helden it an heighe science · her wittes to knowe, [an] and C.] Ac þorugh her science sothely · was neuere no soule ysaued, [Ac] And C. sothely] shortly B. no] CB om. ysaued] saued CRB.]

Ne brouȝte by her bokes · to blisse ne to ioye; [brouȝte] bouȝte R.] Line 136 For alle her kynde knowynges · come but of dyuerse sightes. [knowynges] knowynge CB. come] cam R.] ¶ Patriarkes and prophetes · repreued her science, [repreued] repreueth RB; re|preueden W; reproued C. science] sightes C; siȝtis B (cf. line 137).] And seiden, her wordes ne her wisdomes · [was] but a folye; [ne] and W. wisdomes] wis|dome R. [was R] nas LWCOB; but observe the alliteration.] As to þe clergye of cryst · counted it but a trufle;

Sapiencia huius mundi, stulticia [est] apud deum.

[As] And W. it] COB om. trufle] trefle R. [est WCB] LRO om. deum] R om.] Line 140 For þe heihe holigoste · heuene shal to-cleue, And loue shal lepe out after · in-to þis lowe erthe, [þis] þe W; his O.] And clennesse shal cacchen it · and clerkes shullen it fynde; [folio 51]

Pastores loquebantur ad inuicem.

[shullen] schal C; shal B.] ¶ He speketh þere of riche men riȝt nouȝt · ne of riȝt witty, [riȝt nouȝt] noȝt B; nouȝt C.] Line 144 Ne of lordes þat were lewed men · but of þe hexte lettred oute,

Ibant magi ab oriente, &c.

[hexte] hyeste WO; heighest C; heiȝeste B.] ¶ If any frere were founde þere · Ich ȝif þe fyue shil|lynges; [Ich] I WCOB.] Ne in none beggares cote · was þat barne borne, [beggares] burgeises W.] But in a burgeys place · of bethlem þe best; [141—148. R omits.]

Set non erat locus [eis] in diuersorio; & pauper non habet diuersorium.

[burgeys] Burgeises W. beth|lem] bedlem O. [eis] supplied from the Vulgate; W has ei; LCOB om. locus] CB om.] Line 148 ¶ To pastours and to poetes · appiered þat aungel, [To] þo B. þat] þe WCOB; an R.] And bad hem go to bethlem · goddis burth to honoure, [bethlem] bedlem O; bethelem C; bthlem (sic) R. burth] sone B.]

And songe a songe of solas · gloria in excelsis deo! [songe] syngen R; sange C.] [Riche men rutte þo · and in here reste were, [In R only; and in C-Text.] Line 152 Þo it schon to [þe] schepherdes · a schewer of blisse.] [In R only; and in C-Text.] [[þe] from Cotton MS.; R om.] ¶ Clerkes knewe it wel · and comen with here presentz, [Clerkes] And clerkes R.] And deden her homage honourablely · to hym þat was almyȝty. [her] W om. After this line C inserts—And goddes sone that sittes in heuene · and shal saue vs alle; B has the same, except was syttyþ for sittes. This line is not in the Cotton MS. Vesp. B. 16.] Line 155 Why I haue tolde [þe] al þis— · I toke ful gode hede [[þe CRB] þee O; LW om.] How þow contraryedest clergye · with crabbed wordes, [contraryedest] contrariest C.] 'How þat lewed men liȝtloker · þan lettred were saued, [liȝtloker] liȝtliker O. saued] I-saued R.] Þan clerkes or kynde witted men · of crystene peple.' [clerkes] clergie B.] ¶ And þow seidest soth of somme · ac se in what manere:— [ac] and C. se] se ȝit OB; se yit C. what manere] whanere (!) R.] Line 160 Take two stronge men · and in themese caste hem, [themese] Themise C; temese R; tamise OB. caste hem] hem caste O.] And bothe naked as a nedle · her none syker[er] þan other, [her] er C; arn O; þat B. sykerer] miswritten syker in L, siker in R; sikerer WCOB.] Þat one hath connynge · and can swymmen and dyuen, [dyuen] driuen R.] Þat other is lewed of þat laboure · lerned neuere swymme; [lerned] þat lerned W; and lerned B. swymme] to swymme COB.] Line 164 Which trowestow of þo two · in themese is in moste drede? [þo] hem CB; þe O. in themese] þat W. themese] temese RO; tamyse B. in moste] most in B; in oost (!) C.] He þat neuere ne dyued · ne nouȝt can of swymmynge, [ne (1)] R om.] Or þe swymmere þat is sauf · bi so hym-self lyke, [lyke] likiþ B.] Þere his felaw flet forth · as þe flode lyketh, [flet] flette C; fleteþ WB.] Line 168 And is in drede to drenche · þat neuere dede swymme?"

¶ "Þat swymme can nouȝt," I seide · "it semeth to my wittes." [R omits. semeth] comeþ B. my] C om.] ¶ "Riȝt so," quod þe Renke · "resoun it sheweth, [þe] that CB. Renke] frek B.] Þat he þat knoweth clergye · can sonner aryse Line 172 Out of synne and be sauf · þough he synne ofte, [and] and he R. synne] senege R.] If hym lyketh and lest · þan any lewed lelly. [lyketh] likes C; likid B. lest] list CB.] For if þe clerke be konnynge · he knoweth what is synne, [knoweth] knowe C.] And how contricioun with-oute confessioun · conforteth þe soule, Line 176 As þow seest in þe sauter · in psalme one or tweyne, [As] And CB. þe] thy COB. psalme] psalmes CB; Salmes WO.] How contricioun is commended · for it caccheth awey synne;

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

[[peccata] in R only.] And þis conforteth vch a clerke · and keuereth hym fram wanhope, [keuereth] couereþ W; kenneth R.] In which flode þe fende · fondeth a man hardest; Line 180 Þere þe lewed lith stille · and loketh after lente, [lente] leaut (sic) C, from confusion with leute; leaute B.] And hath no contricioun ar he come to shryfte · & þanne can he litel telle, [folio 51b] [ar] er her (sic) C. þanne] R om. he—telle] C om.] And as his lores-man leres hym · bileueth & troweth; [And] But W. his] is C.] And þat is after person or parisch prest · and, par|auenture, [bothe] [and] þe whiche ben W. par|auenture] par auenter R. [bothe R] he O; LWCB om.; cf. C-Text. Crow|ley has he is.] Line 184 Vnconnynge to lere lewed men · as luk bereth wit|nesse,

Dum cecus ducit cecum, [ambo in foueam cadunt.]

[to] te O. lere] lerne B. cecus] secus B. cecum] secum B. [ambo in foueam] in OC2 only; cadunt I have supplied.] ¶ Wo was hym marked · þat wade mote with þe lewed! [R omits.] Wel may þe barne blisse · þat hym to boke sette; [blisse] blesse þat man W. to—sette] sette to scole R.] Line 187 Þat lyuynge after letterure · saued hym lyf and soule! [saued] saueþ W.] Dominus pars hereditatis mee · is a meri verset, [meri] murye W; myrie C. verset] verseit R.] Þat has take fro tybourne · twenti stronge þeues; Þere lewed theues ben lolled vp · loke how þei be saued! [be] ben RB.] Þe thef þat had grace of god · on gode fryday as þow speke, [on] a R. þow speke] þu speke R; thow spake C; þow spekest W; ȝe speken O.] Was, for he ȝelte hym creaunt to cryst on þe crosse · & knewleched hym gulty, [Was] þat was B. he] þat he B. ȝelte] yald W; ȝelde R; yelde C; ȝalte O; ȝald B. creaunt] recreant R. on—&] & vpon a cros R. knew|leched] know C; knewe O; knew B. hym] R om.] Line 193 And grace axed of god · [þat to graunten it is] redy [R omits. [þat—is] so in W; and he is euer LCOB.] [To hem] þat boxomeliche biddeth it · and ben in wille to amenden hem. [[To hem] from W; LCROB om. þat] þam B. biddeth] bid C. hem] hym B; hem (not printed) W.] Ac þough þat þef had heuene · he hadde none heigh blisse, [Ac] And CB. þef had] CB om. none] no C; but not so B.] Line 196 As seynt Iohan and other seyntes · þat asserued hadde bettere. [asserued] deserued WCOB. In margin of L—in domo meo multe sunt mantiones.] Riȝt as sum man ȝeue me mete · and sette me amydde þe flore, [sum man] som men C; if men B. ȝeue] gyf C. sette—flore] amyd|de þe floor sette me W.] Ich haue mete more þan ynough · ac nouȝt so moche worship [Ich haue] I haue CB; And hadde W. þan] þa B. ac] and C.] As þo þat seten atte syde table · or with þe souereignes of þe halle, [atte] at þe WCROB. syde] COB om. þe (1)] COB om.] Line 200

Line 200 But sitte as a begger bordelees · bi my-self on þe grounde. [sitte] sete W; settiþ B. a begger] beggers COB.] So it fareth bi þat feloun · þat a gode fryday was saued; [a] on CB.] He sit neither with seynt Iohan · Symonde, ne Iude, [sit] so in WC; sitt RB; sittiþ O; sitte L. with] by CB. seynt] R om. Symonde] ne Symond R.] Ne wyth maydenes ne with martires · confessoures ne wydwes, [confessoures] ne confessoures R. with] C om.] Line 204 But by hym-self as a soleyne · and serued on þe erthe. [But] CB om. soleyne] solayn C. þe] W om.] For he þat is ones a thef · is euermore in daungere, And as lawe lyketh · to lyue or to deye;

De peccato propiciato, noli esse sine metu.

And forto seruen a seynt · and such a thef togyderes, [forto] to C.] It were noyther resoun ne riȝt · to rewarde hem bothe aliche. [were] war C. to] C om.] Line 209 ¶ And riȝt as troianus þe trewe knyȝt · tilde nouȝt depe in helle, [tilde] tilte O; dwelte W.] Þat owre lorde ne had hym liȝtlich oute · so leue I þe thef be in heuene. [þe] þat þe B. thef] R om.] For he is in þe lowest of heuene · if owre bileue be trewe, [of] COB om.] Line 212 And wel loselyche he lolleth þere · by þe lawe of holy|cherche,

Quia reddit vnicuique iuxta opera sua, &c.

[wel loselyche] wollosliche R; wel lowselich C; wel loselich O; wel looseliche B. Quia] Qui WB; And R. reddit] reddite R.] ¶ And why þat one thef on þe crosse · creaunt hym ȝelt [And] Ac R. on] vpon R. ȝelt] yald W; ȝelde R; ȝelte OB; gylty (!) C.] Rather þan þat other thef · þough þow wolde appose, [wolde] woldest WRO.] Alle þe clerkes vnder cryst · ne couthe þe skil assoille;

Quare placuit, quia voluit.

[þe (2)] R om. assoille] telle R.]

And so I sey by þe · þat sekest after þe whyes, [whyes] whaies C; wyes B.] Line 217 And aresonedest resoun · a rebukyng as it were, [aresonedest] resonedest CB.] And of þe floures in þe fryth · and of her feire hewes, [R inserts these lower down, after l. 222.] [her] C om.] Where-of þei cacche her coloures · so clere and so briȝte, [R inserts these lower down, after l. 222.] [cacche] caughte C; lauȝte B.] And willest of briddes and of bestes · and of hire bredyng to knowe, [of (2)] WRO; CB om.; very faint in L. to] COB om.] Line 221 Why somme be alowe and somme alofte · þi lykyng it were, [be] so CB. alowe] alouȝ W; lowe CB; low R.] And of þe stones and of þe sterres · þow studyest, as I leue, [folio 52] [þe (1)] R om.] How euere beste or brydde · hath so breme wittes: [euere] euery B. or] ouþer W; other R.] Line 224 ¶ Clergye ne kynde witte · ne knewe neuere þe cause, Ac kynde knoweth þe cause hym-selue · [and] no creature elles. [Ac] And C. hym-selue] CB om. [and WCOB] LR om.] He is þe pyes patroun · and putteth it in hire ere, [is] his C. pyes patroun] pye patroen R. putteth] put R. it] COB om.] Þat þere þe þorne is thikkest · to buylden and brede; [þat] W om. þere] CB om. to] þere to R. buylden] byggen C; bilden in B. and] and to C.] And kynde kenned þe pecok · to cauken in swich a kynde, [kenned] kenneth COB. pecok] pakok C; pocok O. cauken] kauken COB.] Line 229 And kenned Adam · to knowe his pryue membres, [kenned] kende kenned R. knowe] knowen R.] And tauȝte hym and Eue · to hylien hem with leues. [hylien] helien WCRB; hilen O.] ¶ Lewed men many tymes · maistres þei apposen, [þei] COB om.] Why Adam ne hiled nouȝt firste · his mouth þat eet þe apple, [ne] COB om. hiled] huled R; hilled C; heliede B.] Line 233 Rather þan his lykam a-low · lewed axen þus clerkes; [lykam] likame W; likham CR. a-low] alogh W. lewed] þe lewid B.] Kynde knoweth whi he dede so · ac no clerke elles. [ac] and COB.]

Ac of briddes and of bestes · men by olde tyme [Ac] And C.] Line 236 Ensamples token and termes · as telleth þis poetes, [token] toke R. þis] so also in R; thise CB; þe WO.] And þat þe fairest foule · foulest engendreth, And feblest foule of flyght is · þat fleegheth or swym|meth; [fleegheth] fleeþ W; fleth R; flieth CB; flyeþ O.] And þat is þe pekok & þe pohenne · proude riche men þei bitokneth, [is] W om. pekok] pokok O; pacok C. pohenne] so in COB; Pehen W; pohen R. proude] CB om. þei] W om.] Line 240 For þe pekok, and men pursue hym · may nouȝte fleighe heighe; [pecok] pocok O; pacok C. pursue] pursuen R. may] ne may R.] For þe traillyng of his taille · ouertaken is he sone, And his flesshe is foule flesshe · and his feet bothe, [his (2)] is C.] And vnlouelich of ledene · and laith for to here. [of] on O. ledene] cryeng C. laith] looþ W; laithe R; loth C; layþ O; loþly B.] Line 244 ¶ Riȝt so þe riche · if he his ricchesse kepe, [his] is C.] And deleth it nouȝt tyl his deth day · þe taille of al sorwe. Riȝt as þe pennes of þe pecok · [peyneth] hym in his fliȝte, [as] so as W. as] so CB. pecok] pocok O; pacok C. [peyneth WOB] payned LR; peyned C.] So is possessioun payne · of pens and of nobles [and] or CB.] Line 248 To alle hem þat it holdeth · til her taille be plukked. And þough þe riche repente þanne · and birewe þe tyme, [repente] repente hym O.] Þat euere he gadered so grete · and gaf þere-of so litel, Þough he crye to cryst þanne · with kene wille, I leue [kene] clen CB.] His ledne be in owre lordes ere · lyke a pyes [chiteryng]. [be] is COB. lyke] yliche O; lyl (sic) R. [chiteryng W] LCROB om.; but the line is marked in L.] And whan his caroigne shal come · in caue to be buryed, [his] is C. caue] graue C.] I leue it flaumbe ful foule · þe folde al aboute, [flaumbe] flawme WRO; flambe CB.] Line 255

Line 255 And alle þe oþer þer it lyth · [enuenymeþ] þorgh his attere. [And] CB om. oþer] erþe O; schere B. [enuenymeþ WCOB] en|uenymed LR. attere] attre W; atter RCO; attir B.] Line 256 By þe [po feet] is vnderstonde · as I haue lerned in auynete, [[po feet WR] poo feet CO; pownes feet B; profeet (!) L. vnder|stonde] vnderstande W; vnderstonded R. haue] COB om. auynete] auy|nettes C.] Excecutoures, fals frendes · þat fulfille nouȝt his wille [þat fulfille—witnesse] C om. witnesse] witnesses R. riȝt] COB om. it] he R.] Þat was writen, and þei witnesse · to worche riȝt as it wolde. [þat fulfille—witnesse] C om. witnesse] witnesses R. riȝt] COB om. it] he R.] Þus þe poete preues þat þe pecok · for his fetheres is reuerenced, [þat] O om. pecok] pocok O.] Line 260 Riȝt so is þe riche · bi resoun of his godis. [riche] riche man B.] ¶ Þe larke, þat is a lasse foule · is more louelich of ledne, And wel awey of wenge · swifter þan þe pecok, [wenge] wynge WCO; whenge B.] And of flesch, by fele folde · fatter and swetter. Line 264 To lowe lybbyng men · þe larke is resembled; Arestotle þe grete clerke · suche tales he telleth; [Arestotle] For aristotel R; Aristole C. he] COB om.] ¶ Thus he lykneth in his logyk · þe leste foule oute. [folio 52b] [logyk] glosinge R. leste] leeste W.] And where he be sauf or nouȝt sauf · þe sothe wote no clergye, [where] wheiþer W. sauf (1)] saue C. sauf (2)] COB om. no] þe (!) O.] Line 268 Ne of sortes ne of salamon · no scripture can telle. [of (2)] COB om.] Ac god is so good, I hope · þat sitth he gaf hem wittis To wissen vs weyes þere-with · (þat wissen vs to be saued, [weyes] wayes C.] And þe better for her bokes) · to bidden we ben holden, Þat god for his grace · gyue her soules reste; [soules] soule R.] Line 273 For lettred men were lewed men ȝut · ne were lore of her bokes." [men (2)] CB om. ȝut] yet WO; yit CB. ne were] nere CB; ner O. lore] loore W. her] þe R.]

¶ "Alle þise clerkes," quod I þo · "þat on cryst leuen, [quod] quo B. on] in W.] Seggen in her sarmones · þat noyther sarasenes ne iewes, [Seggen] Seyen W; Sayand C. noyther sarasenes] no sarazyns C; no Sarsyn B.] Ne no creature of cristes lyknesse · with-outen crysten|dome worth saued." Line 277 ¶ "Contra," quod ymagynatyf þo · and comsed for to loure, And seyde,

"saluabitur vix iustus in die iudicij.

[comsed] bygane C.] ¶ Ergo saluabitur," quod he · and seyde namore latyne. "Troianus was a trewe knyȝte · and toke neuere cristen|dome, Line 280 And he is sauf, so seith þe boke · and his soule in heuene. [is] R om. sauf] saaf W; O om. so] as COB.] For þere is fullyng of fonte · and fullyng in blode shedynge, [For] Ac R. fonte] founte C.] And þorugh fuire is fullyng · and þat is ferme bileue;

Aduenit ignis diuinus, non comburens, sed illuminans, &c.

[fuire] fuir R; fir WO; fier B; fire C. sed] set C.] ¶ Ac trewth þat trespassed neuere · ne transuersed aȝeines his lawe, [Ac] And C. transuersed] so also in R; trauersed WCOB. aȝeines] aȝen R.] Line 284 But lyueth as his lawe techeth · and leueth þere be no bettere, [lyueth] lyued R. techeth] tauȝte R.] And if þere were, he wolde amende · and in suche wille deyeth, [if] B om.] Ne wolde neuere trewe god · but treuth were allowed; [treuth] trewe treuthe R.] And where it worth or worth nouȝt · þe bileue is grete of treuth, [where] wheiþer W; were RCOB. it] it be W. worth nouȝt] worth nauȝte R; noȝt worþ W; nouȝt C; noȝt B; not O.] Line 288

Line 288 And an hope hangyng þer-inne · to haue a Mede for his treuthe. For,

Deus dicitur quasi dans vitam eternam suis, hoc est, fidelibus; et alibi: si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis, [&c.]

[a] CB om. for] B om. For] Quia COB. [&c CROB] LW om.] Line 289 Þe glose graunteth vpon þat ver · a gret mede to treuthe, [treuthe] trewe R.] And witt and wisdome," quod þat wye · "was somme tyme tresore, [wye] weye R.] To kepe with a comune · no katel was holde bettere, And moche murth and manhod:"—and riȝt with þat he vanesched. [manhod] manhede R; manhed C. with] myd R.] Line 293