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.)
Langland, William, 1330?-1400?
Page 210, B-text
PASSUS XIII (DO-WEL V).
*. [TITLE. Passus terciodecimus LCO; Passus xiijus, &c. W; Passus duode|cimus (!) de visione, vt supra R; Passus tercius decimus et Sextus [read Quintus] de dowel B.]Passus terciodecimus.
And I awaked þere-with · witles nerehande,*. [awaked] wakede O.]
And as a freke þat fre were · forth gan I walke*. [a] C om. fre] fere R; fey B. walke] walken R.]
In manere of a mendynaunt · many a ȝere after,*. [a mendynaunt] amendement (!) B. a (2)] RCOB om.]
And of þis metyng many tyme · moche þouȝt I hadde.*. [tyme] tymes R.]
4
First, how fortune me failled · at my moste nede,
And how þat elde manaced me · myȝt we euere meten;*. [manaced] mansed R. myȝt—euere] we miȝte neuere COB.]
And how þat freris folwed · folke þat was riche,*. [was] weren O.]
And folke þat was pore · at litel prys þei sette,*. [was] weren O.]
8
And no corps in her kirkeȝerde · ne in her kyrke was buryed,*. [ne] nor W. her (2)] hir (printed his) W; C om. was] were R.]
But quikke he biquethe hem auȝte · or shulde helpe quyte her dettes. [folio 53] *. [quikke] þei quyk B. he] CB om. hem] hym B; W om. or—quyte] to quyte wiþ W.]
And how þis coueitise ouercome · clerkes and prestes,*. [þis] COB om.; þus R.]
And how þat lewed men ben ladde · but owre lorde hem helpe,
12
¶ And how þat ymagynatyf · in dremeles me tolde,*. [dremeles] dremes C.]
Of kynde and of his connynge · and how curteise he is to bestes,*. [his] COB om.]
And how louynge he is to bestes · on londe and on water;*. [is] his C. bestes] briddes W.]
16
Leueth he no lyf · lasse ne more;*. [Leueth] Leueþ or Leneþ (printed Leneth) W.]
Þe creatures þat crepen · of kynde ben engendred.
And sitthen how ymagynatif seyde · vix iustus sal|uabitur,*. [sitthen] COB om. iustus] W om.]
And whan he had seyde so · how sodeynelich he passed.*. [14—20. R omits.]
20
¶ I lay down longe in þis þouȝte · and atte laste I slepte,*. [down] CB om.]
And, as cryste wolde, þere come conscience · to conforte me þat tyme,*. [þat] in þat R.]
And bad me come to his courte · with clergye sholde I dyne.*. [me] O om. sholde] shul C.]
¶ And for conscience of clergye spake · I come wel þe rather,*. [come] com WC; cam RB.]
24
And þere I say a maistre · what man he was I neste,*. [say] seiȝ WCO. neste] so in LRC; nyste WOB.]
Þat lowe louted · and loueliche to scripture.*. [louted] a-loutid B.]
¶ Conscience knewe hym wel · and welcomed hym faire;*. [Conscience] Conscien C. wel] B om.]
Þei wesshen and wypeden · and wenten to þe dyner.*. [wesshen] wasscheden O; wes|shenden (sic) C. wypeden] wipten B. wenten] wente R; went C. þe] COB om.]
28
Ac pacience in þe paleis stode · in pilgrymes clothes,*. [Ac] And WC.]
And preyde mete for charite · for a pore heremyte.*. [for (1)] par WO; pur B.]
¶ Conscience called hym in · and curteisliche seide,
Page 212, B-text
"Welcome, [wye!] go and wasshe · þow shalt sitte sone."*. [[wye WO] weye R; wy C; L wye, altered to wyel ȝe; B om.]
32
¶ Þis maister was made sitte · as for þe moste worthy,*. [as] and COB.]
And þanne clergye and conscience · and pacience cam after.*. [And] COB om.]
¶ Pacience and I · were put to be macches,*. [put] pote R. be macches] ben mettes R.]
And seten by owre selue · at a syde-borde.*. [seten] sitten C. a] þe W]
36
¶ Conscience called after mete · and þanne cam scripture,
And serued hem þus sone · of sondry metes manye,*. [hem] hym R.]
Of austyn, of ambrose · of alle þe foure euangelistes;
Edentes & bibentes que apud eos sunt.
*. [of alle] and of W. Edentes] Edentes (printed Edentis) W.]Ac þis maister ne his man · no manere flesshe eten,*. [Ac] And C. ne] nor W.]
40
Ac þei ete mete of more coste · mortrewes and potages;*. [Ac] And C. ete mete] hadde metes R. mortrewes] mortreux C.]
Of þat men mys-wonne · þei made hem wel at ese.*. [wel] B om.]
Ac her sauce was ouer soure · & vnsauourely grounde,*. [Ac] And C. ouer] euere COB. grounde] y-grounde CB.]
In a morter, post-mortem · of many bitter peyne,*. [many] many a W. peyne] peynes O.]
44
But if þei synge for þo soules · and wepe salt teres:
Vos qui peccata hominum comeditis, nisi pro eis lacrimas & orationes effunderitis, ea que in delicijs comeditis, in tormentis euometis.
*. [þo] the COB. and wepe] with many R. lacrimas] lacrimis C. L has in the margin—contra sacerdotes.]Conscience ful curteisly þo · comaunded scripture*. [ful] L has for altered to ful; ful WR; COB om.]
Bifor pacience bred to brynge · and me þat was his macche. [folio 53b] *. [macche] make COB; mete R.]
He sette a soure lof to-for vs · and seyde, "agite peni|tenciam,"*. [lof] lafe C. to-for] to-forn W.]Page 213, B-text
48
And sith he drough vs drynke · [diu]-perseuerans.*. [W has—And siþþe he brouȝte vs drynke · Dia perseuerans—(omit|ted in printed copy). [diu OB] dia LWR; dya C.]
"As longe," quod I, "as I lyue · and lycame may dure!"*. [As] Also B. I (1)] he RO. I lyue] lif R.]
"Here is propre seruice," quod pacience · "þer fareth no prynce bettere;"*. [is] C om.]
¶ And þanne he brouȝt vs forth a mees of other mete · of Miserere-mei-deus;*. [vs] COB om. a mees of] COB om. deus] R om.]
52
And he brouȝte vs of Beati-quorum · of beatus-virres makynge,*. [he—vs] COB om. vs] R om. of (2)] and of R. virres] so in LW; vir COB; vir his R.]
Et-quorum-tecta-sunt- · peccata in a disshe*. [Et] And R.]
Of derne shrifte, dixi · and confitebor tibi!*. [and] & W.]
"Brynge pacience some pitaunce" · pryueliche quod conscience;*. [Brynge] And brynge CB. pitaunce] CB om. pryueliche] O om.]
56
¶ And þanne had pacience a pitaunce · pro-hac-orabit|ad-te-omnis-sanctus-in-tempore-oportuno;*. [And] R om. C begins—And thanne come to pacience · a pitaunce ybroughte; O has the same; B the same, with com þer for come. pro] Of pro COB. ad te] R om.]
And conscience conforted vs · and carped vs mery tales,
Cor contritum & humiliatum, deus, non de|spicies.
*. [humiliatum] miswritten humi|litatum in L.]¶ Pacience was proude · of þat propre seruice,
And made hym muirth with his mete · ac I morned euere,*. [mete] mene R. ac] and C.]
60
For þis doctoure on þe heigh dese · dranke wyn so faste;
Ve vobis qui potentes estis ad bibendum vinum!
*. [on—dese] vp-on þis hey deyes R. dranke] dronk R vinum] CB om.]¶ He eet many sondry metes · mortrewes and puddynges,*. [He] And R. eet] ete CB. mor|trewes] mortreux C; mortrels B.]
Wombe-cloutes and wylde braune · & egges yfrved with grece.*. [yfryed] fryed R; fried CB]Page 214, B-text
Þanne seide I to my-self · so pacience it herde,
64
"It is nouȝt foure dayes þat þis freke · bifor þe den of poules,*. [is] C om. den] deen WB; dene C. of] of seynt R.]
Preched of penaunces · þat poule þe apostle suffred,*. [penaunces] penaunce C.]
In fame & frigore · and flappes of scourges;
Ter cesus sum, & a iudeis quinquies quadra|genas, &c.
*. [&] and C; et R.]¶ Ac o worde þei ouerhuppen · at ech a tyme þat þei preche,*. [Ac] And C. ouerhuppen] ouerhippen CB. a] CB om. preche] prechen RCB.]
68
Þat poule in his pistel · to al þe peple tolde;
Periculum est in falsis fratribus.
*. [pistel] epistle O. al] O om. Periculum—in] Et in periculo R. in] O om.]Holywrit bit men be war · I wil nouȝt write it here*. [bit] biddiþ B; bides C. write] writen R; writte C.]
On englisch, an auenture · it sholde be reherced to ofte,*. [On] In WRB. an] on W; in B. auenture] aunter O.]
And greue þere-with þat good men ben · ac gramarienes shul rede;
Vnusquisque a fratre se custodiat, quia, vt dicitur, periculum est in falsis fratribus.
*. [þat] W om. men] COB om. ben] W om. ac] an C. rede] redde W.] 72
¶ Ac I wist neuere freke þat as a frere ȝede · bifor men on englisshe*. [Ac] And C; R om. a] R om. on] an R.]
Taken it for her teme · and telle it with-outen glosynge.*. [her] his W. telle] tellen R.]
Þei prechen þat penaunce · is profitable to þe soule,*. [þei] Ac þei R.]
And what myschief and malese · cryst for man tholed,*. [and] or COB. malese] male ese WRO; mal esse C; malaise B. tholed] tholde C.]
Ac þis goddes gloton," quod I · "with his gret chekes,*. [Ac] And C.]
Hath no pyte on vs pore · he perforneth yuel;*. [pore] pore men OB; pouere men C. perforneth] performeþ B.]
78
Þat he precheth he preueth nouȝt" · to pacience I tolde,*. [he—nouȝt] and preueth R.]Page 215, B-text
And wisshed witterly · with wille ful egre,*. [wisshed] wissed C. witterly] ful witterly W. ful] for (corrected to ful) L; ful WCROB.]
80
Þat disshes a[nd] dobleres · bifor þis ilke doctour,*. [and] miswritten a in L. do|bleres] doublers WC; doubleris O; dubbleris B. ilke] ille B; R om.]
Were [molten] led in his maw · and Mahoun amyddes!*. [[molten WCOB] molte R; moltoun L. led] leded (!) C. his] here R.]
"I shal iangle to þis Iurdan · with his iust wombe,*. [iust] mysty R; Iutte, corrected to Iuste O.]
To telle me what penaunce is · of which he preched rather."— [folio 54] *. [me] men O. rather] þere ay R.]
84
Pacience perceyued what I thouȝt · and wynked on me to be stille,*. [wynked—to] bad me R.]
And seyde, "þow shalt se þus sone · whan he may no more,*. [shalt] salt C.]
He shal haue a penaunce in his paunche · and puffe at ech a worde,*. [a (1)] C om. a (2)] CB om.]
And þanne shullen his guttis godele · and he shal galpen after;*. [godele] godle R; goþele WC; groþele O; gruwe B.]
88
For now he hath dronken so depe · he wil deuyne sone,*. [wil] wole WRB. deuyne] dyuye (sic) B. In the margin of O—Doc|tours of freris.]
And preuen it by her pocalips · and passioun of seynt Auereys,*. [by] R om.; by-for C. her pocalips] þe appocalipsis B.]
Þat neither bacoun ne braune · blan[c]mangere ne mor|trewes*. [blancmangere] so in WCO; blaumanger or blanmanger L; bla|manger B; ne blanmanger R. mor|trewes] mortreux C; mortrels B.]
Is noither fisshe [ne] flesshe · but fode for a penaunte.*. [fisshe] fisse C. [ne CROB] nor W; no L. fisshe—flesshe] fleisch ne fisch B. a penaunte] þe penauntes R; a penaunce C.]
And þanne shal he testifye of a trinitee · and take his felawe to witnesse,*. [þanne] C om. a] þe W. felawe] felawes COB.]
93
What he fonde in a freyel · after a freres lyuynge,*. [freyel] frayel WCB; freiel R. a (2)] COB om. freres lyuynge] frere leuynge R.]Page 216, B-text
And but if þe fyrst lyne be lesyng · leue me neuere after!*. [if] W om. þe—lyne] he first lyue W; þe first leef O; the first lif C; þe frust lif B.]
And þanne is tyme to take · and to appose þis doctoure*. [take] talke R. to (2)] COB om.]
Of dowel and of dobet · and if dobest be any pe|naunce."—*. [of (2)] WO om. dobest] dowel W. be] do B.]
97
¶ And I sete stille, as pacience seyde · and þus sone þis doctour,*. [sete] sat WCROB. as] an (sic) C.]
As rody as a rose · rubbed his chekes,*. [As] Al so B. rubbed] robbed R.]
Coughed and carped · and conscience hym herde,*. [Coughed] Couȝwede R; Com|sed B.]
100
And tolde hym of a trinite · and toward vs he loked.*. [vs] vs al C; vs alle B.]
¶ "What is dowel? sire doctour," quod I · "is dowel any penaunce?"*. [is (1)] his C. dowel] do-best R; it W.]
¶ "Dowel?" quod þis doctour— · and toke þe cuppe and dranke—*. [toke—dranke] dronk after R.]
"Do non yuel to þine euenecrystene · nouȝt by þi powere."*. [Do] Is do W; Crowley also inserts Is; but see C-Text; and cf. l. 115.]
104
¶ "By þis day, sire doctour," quod I · "þanne be ȝe nouȝt in dowel;*. [day] O om. þanne] COB om.]
For ȝe han harmed vs two · in þat ȝe eten þe pud|dyng,*. [han] haue R.]
Mortrewes, and other mete · and we no [morsel] hade!*. [Mortrewes] Mortreux C; Mor|trels B. [morsel WCB] mussel LRO.]
And if ȝe fare so in ȝowre fermorie · ferly me þinketh,*. [if] R om. fermorie] Fer|merye WCR.]
But chest be þere charite shulde be · & ȝonge childern dorste pleyne!*. [chest] cheeste W. be] O om. ȝonge] CB om.]
109
I wolde permute my penaunce with ȝowre · for I am in poynte to dowel!"
Page 217, B-text
¶ Þanne conscience curteisliche · a contenaunce he made,*. [curteisliche] ful curteislich R. he] WCOB om.]
And preynte vpon pacience · to preie me to be stille,*. [preynte] prentede R; prynkid B. pacience] penaunce B. to (2)] COB om.]
And seyde hym-self, "sire doctour · and it be ȝowre wille,
113
What is dowel and dobet? · ȝe deuynours knoweth."
¶ "Dowel," quod þis doctour · "do as clerkes techeth,*. [do] dos R.]
And dobet is he þat techeth · and trauailleth to teche other,
116
And dobest doth hym-self so · as he seith & precheth:—
Qui facit et docuerit, magnus vocabitur in regno celorum."
*. [doth] doo C.]¶ "Now þow, clergye," quod conscience · "carpest what is dowel."*. [carpest] capest (by mistake) C.]
"I haue seuene sones," he seyde · "seruen in a castel,*. [seuene] R om. in] at COB.]
Þere þe lorde of lyf wonyeth · to leren hym what is dowel;*. [wonyeth] woneth CB. leren] lerne COB. hym] hem CB; WO om.]
120
¶ Til I se þo seuene · and my-self acorden,
I am vnhardy," quod he · "to any wyȝt to preue it.*. [to preue] proue R.]
For one pieres þe ploughman · hath inpugned vs alle, [folio 54b]
And sette alle sciences at a soppe · saue loue one,*. [sciences] science RO. soppe] soep R; sope W.]
124
And no tixte ne taketh · to meyntene his cause,*. [taketh] takees C.]
But dilige deum · and domine, quis habitabit, &c.
And seith þat dowel and dobet · aren two infinites,*. [seith] seigh C. þat] O om. two] twa C.]
Whiche infinites, with a feith · fynden oute dobest,*. [a] oo B.]
128
Which shal saue mannes soule · þus seith piers þe ploughman."*. [þe] CB om.]
¶ "I can nouȝt her-on," quod conscience · "ac I knowe wel pieres;*. [ac] and C. wel] COB om.]Page 218, B-text
He wil nouȝt aȝein holy writ speken · I dar wel vnder|take;*. [aȝein] aȝeynes R. dar wel] dar O; CB om. vndertake] vnder|stonde B.]
Þanne passe we ouer til piers come · and preue þis in dede.
132
Pacience hath be in many place · and perauntre cnoweth*. [place] places CB; a place R. perauntre] par auenture RCO. cnoweth] knoweth RO; knowiþ B; knowes C; mouþed W.]
Þat no clerke ne can · as cryst bereth witnesse;
Pacientes vincunt, &c."
*. [ne can] can R; knoweþ O.]"At ȝowre preyere," quod pacyence þo · "so no man displese hym;*. [At] so in CROB; written like Ac in LW. hym] hem R.]
Disce," quod he, "doce · dilige inimicos.*. [quod] quod (printed quo) W. doce] & doce O. dilige] and dilige COB. In margin of L—disce, doce, et dilige.]
136
Disce, and dowel · doce, & dobet;
Dilige, and dobest · þus tauȝte me ones*. [O omits.]
A lemman þat I loued · loue was hir name.
'With wordes and with werkes,' quod she · 'and wille of þyne herte,*. [with (2)] COB om.]
140
Þow loue lelly þi soule · al þi lyf tyme;*. [þow] R om.]
And so þow lere þe to louye · for þe lordes loue of heuene,*. [þow] to R. þe (1)] and R. þe (2)] oure W.]
Þine enemye in al wyse · euene forth with þi-selue.
Cast coles on his hed · and al kynde speche,*. [and] of WRB.]
144
Bothe with werkes and with wordes · fonde his loue to wynne;*. [werkes—wordes] werke and word COB.]
And lay on hym þus with loue · til he la[u]ghe on þe;*. [lay] ley R; leye WO; lye C; beie B. laughe C] lauȝe W; lauȝhe R; lawȝhe O; lauȝghe B; laghe L.]
And but he bowe for þis betyng · blynde mote he worthe!
148
For he þat loueth þe lelly · lyte of þyne coueiteth.*. [lyte] litel WCB; litil O. coueiteth] desireth R.]
Kynde loue coueiteth nouȝte · no catel but speche,
With half a laumpe lyne in latyne · ex vi transicionis.'*. [transicionis] transgressionis O.]
¶ I bere þere-inne aboute · fast ybounde dowel,*. [aboute] a beaut C; a beaute B. In margin of L—Solucion.]
152
In a signe of þe saterday · þat sette firste þe kalendare,
And al þe witte of þe wednesday · of þe nexte wyke after;*. [And] In O. þe (2)] C om. wed|nesday] wodnesday W; wedenesday R. wyke] woke O.]
Þe myddel of þe mone · is þe miȝte of bothe.
And here-with am I welcome · þere I haue it with me."*. [is] as W. miȝte] nyght WCB.]
¶ "Vndo it, late þis doctour deme · if dowel be þer|inne;*. [late] and late R. deme] dem C; se R; sen (altered to deme) L. if] where R. þer-inne] here-inne R.]
For, bi hym þat me made · miȝte neuere pouerte,
158
Miseise, ne myschief · ne man with his tonge,*. [Miseise] Misaise B. ne] ne no W.]
Colde, ne care · ne compaignye of theues,
Ne noither hete, ne haille · ne non helle pouke,*. [noither] nother R; neiþer WOB; nouther C.]
Ne noither fuire ne flode · ne fere of þine enemy*. [noither] nother R; neiþer OCB; W om. enemy] enemyes O.]
162
Tene þe eny tyme · and þow take it with þe;
Caritas nichil timet.
[And eek, haue god my soule! · and þow wilt it craue,
Þere nys neyther emperour ne emperesse · erl, kynge, ne baroun,
165
Pope, ne patriarch · þat puyre reson ne schal make
Þe meyster of alle þo men · þoruȝ miȝt of þis redeles;
Nouȝt thoruȝ wicche-crafte, but thoruȝ wit · (& þow wilt þi-selue)
168
Do kynge and quene · and alle þe comune after
Ȝyue þe alle þat þei may ȝiue · as [for þe] best ȝemere,*. [[for þe] such is my conjecture; the MS has þe for.]Page 220, B-text
And, as þou demest, wil þei do · alle here dayes after;
Pacientes vincunt, &c."]
*. [164—171. In R only; but cf. C|Text, which has a passage epitomized from it.]¶ "It is but a dido," quod þis doctour · "a dysoures tale.
Al þe witt of þis worlde · and wiȝte mennes strengthe [folio 55] *. [and] ne R. wiȝte] wiþ O; wiȝth B.]
Can nouȝt confourmen a pees · bytwene þe pope and his enemys,*. [þe pope] W om. cnemys] enmye B; enemye C.]
174
Ne bitwene two cristene kynges · can no wiȝte pees make,*. [wiȝte] wiȝth B.]
Profitable to ayther peple" · and put þe table fro hym,
And toke clergye and conscience · to conseille, as it were,
177
Þat pacience þo moste passe · for pilgrimes kunne wel lye.*. [pacience] pacien (sic) C. þo] þoo O; þow W. moste] moost C; mote R.]
¶ Ac conscience carped loude · and curteislich seide,*. [Ac] And C. loude] aloude R.]
"Frendes, fareth wel" · and faire spake to clergye,
180
"For I wil go with þis gome · if god wil ȝiue me grace,*. [me] the CB.]
And be pilgryme with pacience · til I haue proued more."
¶ "What?" quod clergye to conscience · "ar ȝe coueitouse nouthe*. [ar] er C.]
After ȝeresȝyues or ȝiftes · or ȝernen to rede redeles?*. [or (1)] an C; & O; and B. or (2)] other R. to] ye to C; ȝe to B. redeles] rideles CO.]
I shal brynge ȝow a bible · a boke of þe olde lawe,
185
And lere ȝow, if ȝow lyke · þe leest poynte to knowe,*. [ȝow lyke] ȝe liken R. leest] best COB.]
Þat pacience þe pilgryme · perfitly knewe neuere."*. [þat] R om. neuere] euere R.]
¶ "Nay, bi cryste," quod conscience to clergye · "god þe forȝelde,*. [to clergye] CB om.]
188
For al þat pacience me profreth · proude am I litel.*. [litel] ful litil O; but litile CB.]
Ac þe wille of þe wye · and þe wille [of] folke here*. [Ac] And C. þe (2)] that CB. þe wille (2)] ȝe wolen O; ye wille CB. [of WO] LCRB om.]
Þe good wille of a wiȝte · was neure bouȝte to þe fulle;*. [a] vch a R. neure] nere R.]
For þere nys no tresore þerto · to a trewe wille.*. [nys] is CB. þerto] for soþe W.]
193
¶ Haued nouȝt Magdeleigne more · for a boxe of salue,*. [Haued] Hadde WCOB. Mag|deleigne] marie magdeleyne R; Mau|deleyne W.]
Þan zacheus for he seide · dimidium bonorum meorum do pauperibus?*. [do] da C.]
And þe pore widwe · for a peire of mytes,
196
Þan alle þo that offreden · in-to gazafilacium?"*. [gazafilacium] Gazophilacium W; gazofilacium R.]
¶ Þus curteislich conscience · congeyde fyrst þe Frere,*. [fyrst] O om.]
And sithen softliche he seyde · in clergyes ere,*. [softliche] sothliche CB.]
"Me were leuer, by owre lorde · and I lyue shulde,
200
Haue pacience perfitlich · þan half þi pakke of bokes!"*. [þi] this CB.]
¶ Clergye to conscience · no congeye wolde take,*. [to] of W; and R.]
But seide ful sobreliche · "þow shalt se þe tyme,
Whan þow art wery for-walked · wilne me to con|saille."*. [for-walked] of-walked W. wilne] wille W.]
204
¶ "Þat is soth," seyde conscience · "so me god helpe!*. [seyde] quod WCOB.]
If pacience be owre partyng felawe · and pryue with vs bothe,
There nys wo in þis worlde · þat we ne shulde amende,*. [nys] ne is R; is no COB.]
And confourmen Kynges to pees · and al kynnes londes,*. [al kynnes] alle kynnes W; alle kynne R; al kyns O.]
Sarasenes and surre · and so forth alle þe iewes*. [Sarasenes] And Sarasynes R. surre] al Surrie B; surry C; Surrie R. þe] R om.]
209
Turne in-to þe trewe feithe · and in-til one byleue."*. [Turne] Turnen R; Torne C. one] oure B.]
¶ "Þat is soth," quod clergye · "I se what þow menest,
I shal dwelle as I do · my deuore to shewen,*. [deuore] deuoir WCOB; deuer R.]
212
And conformen fauntekynes · and other folke ylered, [folio 55b] *. [conformen] so in R; confer|men WCO; confirmen B; cf. l. 208.]
¶ Conscience þo with pacience passed · pilgrymes as it were.*. [passed] passiþ B.]
Þanne had pacience, as pylgrymes han · in his poke vittailles,
216
Sobrete, and symple speche · and sothfaste byleue,
To conforte hym and conscience · if þey come in place
Þere vnkyndenesse and coueytise is · hungrye contrees bothe.*. [hungrye contrees] honger con|treyes R.]
¶ And as þei went by þe weye · of dowel þei carped;*. [þei] þe W. of] and of R. þei (2)] R om. carped] carpeden O.]
Þei mette with a mynstral · as me þo þouȝte.*. [mette] metten RO. mynstral] ministrale R. þo] B om.]
221
Pacience apposed hym fyrste · and preyed hym he sholde hem telle*. [fyrste] þoo O. hym (2)] CB om.]
To conscience, what crafte he couthe · an to what contree he wolde.
¶ "I am a mynstral," quod þat man · "my name is actiua vita:
224
Alle ydel ich hatye · for of actyf is my name.*. [Alle] And alle O. ydel] ydel|nesse W. of] O om.]
A wafrere, wil ȝe wite · and serue many lordes,*. [wil] wol WCB; welle R.]
And fewe robes I fonge · or furred gounes.*. [And] I C; A B.]
227
Couthe I lye to do men laughe · þanne lacchen I shulde*. [Couthe] Coude R. lye] lee C. to] and R.]
Other mantel or money · amonges lordes mynstralles.*. [money] mone R. mynstralles] or mynstrals W.]
Ac for I can noither tabre ne trompe · ne telle none gestes,*. [Ac] And C. tabre] taborne C. none] no WO; noon C.]
Farten, ne fythelen · at festes, ne harpen,
Iape ne iogly · ne gentlych pype,*. [CB om. iogly] Iogele WO; iangele R.]
232
Ne noyther sailly ne saute · ne synge with þe gyterne,*. [sailly] saille WO; sayle RB. saute] sautre C.]
I haue none gode gyftes · of þise grete lordes,*. [none] no WO; na C. þise] þis RC.]Page 223, B-text
For no bred þat I brynge forth · saue a beneson on þe sonday,*. [brynge] brouȝt R.]
Whan þe prest preyeth þe peple · her pater-noster to bidde*. [preyeth] preches C; prechiþ B.]
236
For peres þe plowman · and þat hym profite wayten.*. [peres] pier C. þat] þo þat B. wayten] wayteth RB.]
And þat am I, actyf · þat ydelnesse hatye,*. [am I] I am CROB.]
For alle trewe trauaillours · and tilieres of þe erthe;*. [For] Of R. þe] COB om.]
Fro mychelmesse to mychelmesse · I fynde hem with wafres.*. [with] wiþ my W; O om.]
240
¶ Beggeres and bidderes · of my bred crauen,*. [bidderes] bilderis B.]
Faitoures and freres · and folke with brode crounes.
I fynde payne for þe pope · and prouendre for his palfrey,*. [prouendre] prouende B.]
And I hadde neuere of hym · haue god my treuthe,
244
Noither prouendre ne parsonage · ȝut of þe popis ȝifte,*. [þe] W om. ȝifte] ȝiftes R.]
Saue a pardoun with a peys of led · and two pollis amydde!*. [peys] payes C. amydde] amyddes W.]
Hadde iche a clerke þat couthe write · I wolde caste hym a bille,*. [iche] ech C; ich WR.]
Þat he sent me vnder his seel · a salue for þe pesti|lence,*. [sent] sende B. In margin of R—laus & vis Indulgenciarum.]
248
And þat his blessyng & his bulles · bocches miȝte de|stroye:
In nomine meo demonia [eicient], & super egros manus imponent, & bene habebunt.
*. [And] R om. þat] B om. bocches miȝte] myȝte bocches O. [eicient] so in WCROB; eiciunt L.]And þanne wolde I be prest to [þe] peple · paste for to make,*. [[þe WCROB] L om. paste] paast W; past B.]
For hym and for alle his · fonde I þat his pardoun*. [his (1)] hisse C; hise B.]
252
Miȝte lechen a man · as I bileue it shulde.*. [I] B om. it] O om.]
For sith he hath þe powere · þat peter hym-self hadde,*. [sith] sethe R.]
He hath þe potte with þe salue · sothly, as me þinketh:
Argentum & aurum non est mihi; quod autem [folio 56] habeo, [hoc] tibi do; in nomine domini, surge & ambula.
*. [hath] hase C. potte] poot B. [hoc RO] LWCB om. in—domini] O om.]¶ Ac if miȝte of miracle hym faille · it is for men ben nouȝt worthy*. [Ac] And C. ben] beth R.]
256
To haue þe grace of god · & no gylte of þe pope.*. [þe (1)] no R. þe (2)] W om.]
For may no blyssyng done vs bote · but if we wil amende,*. [For] R om. wil] wolen B.]
Ne mannes masse make pees · amonges cristene peple,
Tyl pruyde be purelich fordo · and þat þourgh payn defaute.*. [purelich] priueliche R. þat] alle R; W om.]
260
¶ For ar I haue bred of mele · ofte mote I swete,*. [B omits. ar] er WCO. ofte] erst CO.]
And ar þe comune haue corne ynough · many a colde mornynge;*. [ar] er WCOB. a] COB om. colde] calde C.]
So, ar my wafres ben ywrouȝt · moche wo I tholye.*. [ar] er WCOB. ywrouȝt] wrought COB. wo] wa C.]
¶ Alle Londoun I leue · liketh wel my wafres,*. [Alle] Al (printed At) W; Al COB.]
264
And lowren whan þei lakken [hem]— · it is nouȝt longe ypassed,*. [CB omit. [hem WR] it LO.]
Þere was a carful comune · whan no carte come to toune
With [bake] bred fro stretforth · þo gan beggeres wepe,*. [[bake R] LWCOB om.; but it improves the line. stretforth] Strat|forde WCOB; statforde R. gan] gon|nen WCO; gunnen B.]
And werkmen were agaste a litel · þis wil be þouȝte longe.*. [litel] lite W; litil COB. wil] wel R. þouȝte] þouȝt on B.]Page 225, B-text
268
In þe date of owre dryȝte · in a drye apprile,*. [drye apprile] druye auerel R.]
A þousande and thre hondreth · tweis thretty & ten,*. [hondreth] hundred WOB; hondrede R. thretty] so also in R; twenty WCB; twenti O.]
My wafres þere were gesen · whan chichestre was Maire."*. [þere] COB om. gesen] gesene WR; looks like gefene in B. was] were R.]
271
¶ I toke gode kepe, by cryst · and conscience bothe,*. [gode] grete R.]
Of haukyn þe actyf man · and how he was y-clothed.*. [haukyn] in L, this word (here and elsewhere) looks more like hankyn. y-clothed] clothed CB.]
He hadde a cote of crystendome · as holykirke bileueth,*. [cote] Cite (!) C; citee B. kirke] chirche CB.]
Ac it was moled in many places · with many sondri plottes,*. [Ac] And C. places] place R.]
Of pruyde here a plotte, and þere a plotte · of vnboxome speche,*. [here] hire C; he R.]
276
Of scornyng and of scoffyng · and of vnskilful berynge,
As in aparaille and in porte · proude amonges þe peple,
Otherwyse þan he hath · with herte or syȝte shewynge;*. [hath] hym haþ W. with] wytt B. or] and R. syȝte] eye C; ye O; eiȝe B.]
Hym willynge þat alle men wende · he were þat he is nouȝte.*. [willynge] wilnynge R. wende] wenden O; wente R. nouȝte] not O.]
280
For-why he bosteth and braggeth · with many bolde othes,*. [bosteth] bosted C. braggeth] bragged C.]
And in-obedient to ben vndernome · of any lyf lyuynge,
And so syngulere by hym-self · as to syȝte of þe poeple,*. [W has—And noon so singuler by hym-self · ne so pomp holy; COB have—And so singuler by hym-self · ne noon so poppe (sic) holy. L and R are alike, except that for pompe (L) we find pope in R, a read|ing which I have adopted. See Criti|cal Note.]
Was none suche as hym-self · ne none so [pope]-holy,*. [W has—And noon so singuler by hym-self · ne so pomp holy; COB have—And so singuler by hym-self · ne noon so poppe (sic) holy. L and R are alike, except that for pompe (L) we find pope in R, a read|ing which I have adopted. See Criti|cal Note.]
Y-habited as an hermyte · an ordre by hym-selue,*. [Y-habited] In habyte O; In abite B. an (2)] and C.]
285
Religioun sanz reule · and resonable obedience;*. [and] or W.]
Lakkyng lettred men · and lewed men bothe,
Page 226, B-text
In lykyng of lele lyf · and a lyer in soule;
288
With Inwit and with outwitt · ymagenen and studye,*. [With (1)] B om. with (2)] R om.; Crowley also omits. with outwitt] with oute wit C.]
As best for his body be · to haue a badde name,*. [badde] bolde R.]
And entermeten hym ouer-al · þer he hath nouȝt to done,*. [to] do B.]
Wilnyng þat men wende · his witte were þe best,*. [Wilnyng] Willynge WCB; wilnynge R.]
292
[Or for his crafty kunnynge · or of clerkes þe wisest,
Or strengest on stede · or styuest vnder gurdel,
And louelokest to loken on · and lelest of werkes,
And non so holy as he · ne of lif clennere,
296
Or feyrest of feytures · of fourme and of schafte,
And most sotyl of songe · other sleyest of hondes,
And large to lene · losse þere-by to cacche;]*. [293—299. In R only; yet found in the C-text in a different part of the poem; see Critical Note.]
And if he gyueth ouȝte pore gomes · telle what he deleth;*. [gyueth] gyue O; gyfues C. pore] to pouere W; the pouere CB. telle] til C; telliþ B. deleth] delet C.]
300
Pore of possessioun · in purse and in coffre,*. [coffre] cofre boþe W; coffres bothe COB.]
And as a lyon on to loke · and lordeliche of speche.*. [on] R om.; vppon B.]
¶ Baldest of beggeres · a bostour þat nouȝt hath,*. [Baldest] Boldest WCROB. a] as a B.]
In towne and in tauernes · tales to telle,
304
And segge þinge þat he neuere seigh · and for soth sweren it; [folio 56b] *. [segge] saies C. seigh] er sawe C; sauȝ B.]
Of dedes þat he neuere dyd · demen and bosten,
And of werkes þat he wel dyd · witnesse and seggen—*. [seggen] siggen W.]
"Lo! if ȝe leue me nouȝt · or þat I lye wenen,*. [ȝe] þou OB; thow C. wenen] ȝee wenen B.]
308
Axeth at hym or at hym · and he ȝow can telle,
What I suffred and seighe · and some tymes hadde,*. [What] Whan C. tymes] tym C.]
311
Al he wolde þat men wiste · of werkes and of wordes,*. [of (2)] R om.]
Which myȝte plese þe peple · and praysen hym|seluen:
Si hominibus placerem, Christi seruus non essem; Et alibi: nemo potest duobus dominis seruire.
*. [hym-seluen] hem-seluen CRO.] 313
¶ "Bi criste," quod conscience þo · "þi best cote, haukyn,
Hath many moles and spottes · it moste ben ywasshe."*. [it] and B. ywasshe] ywasshen C; ywaischen B; ywasschid O; wa|schen R.]
¶ "Ȝe, who so toke hede," quod haukyn · "byhynde and bifore,*. [ȝe] ȝhe O; ȝee B.]
316
What on bakke and what on bodyhalf · & by þe two sydes,*. [and] C om. what] RO. om. bodyhalf] bodye CB. two] to R.]
Men sholde fynde many frounces · and many foule plottes."
¶ And he torned hym as tyte · and þanne toke I hede,*. [tyte] tit CB; tijt O; tyd W.]
It was fouler by felefolde · þan it firste semed.*. [felefolde] felfolde R.]
320
It was bidropped with wratthe · and wikked wille,
With enuye and yuel speche · entysyng to fyȝte,*. [enuye] eneuye R.]
Lyinge and laughynge · and leue tonge to chyde;*. [Lyinge] Lyȝynge R. laugh|ynge] lakkynge R (which is perhaps the true reading). and leue] a lef R; and leef O.]
Al þat he wist wykked · by any wiȝte, tellen it,*. [þat] the that C. tellen] to tellen B.]
324
And blame men bihynde her bakke · and bydden hem meschaunce;
And þat he wist bi wille · tellen it watte,*. [it] it to ROB.]
And þat watte wiste · wille wiste it after,
And made of frendes foes · þorugh a false tonge,*. [of] B om. þorugh] throught C.]
328
"Or with myȝte of mouthe · or þorugh mannes strengthe*. [of] or with W. mannes] mennes W.]
Wyth-inne, as a shepster shere;"— · I-shrewed men & cursed!*. [shepster] shepsteres WO; shapsteris B. I-] In B. men] man W; cf. C-Text. & (1)] R om. labor & dolor] &c COB. & alibi—acutus] R om. gladius acutus] &c O.]
Cuius malediccione os plenum est, & amaritudine; sub lingua eius labor & dolor:
& alibi: filij hominum, dentes eorum arma & sagitte, & lingua eorum gladius acutus:—
¶ "Þere is no lyf þat I louye · lastyng any while,*. [I louye] I loue RC; me loueþ W.]
332
For tales þat I telle · no man trusteth to me,
And whan I may nouȝt haue þe maistrye · with malen|colye I take,*. [with] which R; swich W.]
Þat I cacche þe crompe · þe cardiacle some tyme,*. [þe (2)] and þe W.]
Or an ague in suche an angre · and some tyme a feure,*. [ague] aguwe B. suche] swich WCO.]
336
Þat taketh me al a twelf-moneth · tyl þat I dispyse*. [taketh] hit holdeþ B.]
Lechecrafte [of] owre lorde · and leue on a wicche,*. [[of WCOB] or LR; but the line is marked for correction in L.]
And segge, þat no clerke ne can · ne cryste, as I leue,*. [segge] seye WB; seggeþ O.]
To þe souter of southwerke · or of shordyche dame emme!*. [shordyche] sordich O.]
340
And segge, þat no goddes worde · gaf me neuere bote,*. [segge] seye WB; saye; seggeþ O. no] none of B. worde] B om. gaf me] ȝauen B.]
But þorw a charme had I chaunce · & my chief hele!"
¶ I wayted wisloker · and þanne was it soiled*. [wisloker] bisiloker CB. þanne was] that C. it soiled] I-soyled R.]
With lykyng of lecherye · as by lokyng of his eye.*. [as by] and by CO; and B. his] myn R. Here follows the catch|word in L—for eche a mayde þat he mette.]
344
For vche a mayde þat he mette · he made hir a signe [folio 57] *. [signe] syngne R.]
Semynge to-synne-ward · and some tyme he gan taste
Aboute þe mouth, or bynethe · bygynneth to grope,
As wel in fastyng-days & frydayes · and forboden nyȝtes;*. [in] R om. &] as COB. and] as W.]
349
And as wel in lente as oute of lente · alle tymes ylyche,*. [as (1)] also B. wel] lef R. lente] leynten B (twice).]
Suche werkes with hem · [were] neuere oute of sesoun;*. [Suche] Swiche WCO; Seche B. hem] hym C. [were WRCB] weren O; was L.]
Tyl þei myȝte namore · and þanne had merye tales,*. [had] hadde R; hadden OB; W om.]
352
And how þat lechoures louyen · lauȝen an iapen,*. [lechoures] leccherous C. lauȝen] lawen R. iapen] Iapeng (sic) C.]
And of her harlotrye and horedome · in her elde tellen.*. [And—harlotrye] Or herlotrie R. in] and in R.]
¶ Thanne pacience parceyued · of poyntes [of] his cote,*. [[of WCOB] LR om.]
Was colmy þorw coueityse · and v[n]kynde desyrynge;*. [Was] so in LRCOB; That were W. colmy] colomy WC; culmy O. vnkynde] vkynde L; but marked for correction.]
More to good þan to god · þe gome his loue caste,
357
And ymagyned how · he it myȝte haue
With false mesures and mette · and with false witnesse;*. [mesures] mesure O. mette] met WCO.]
Lened for loue of þe wedde · and loth to do treuthe,*. [for] it for O. wedde] weed B.]
And awaited þorwgh which · wey to bigile,*. [awaited] I awaytede O; way|tid B. which] whitus R. wey] weyus R. to] he myȝte best B.]
361
And menged his marchaundyse · and made a gode moustre;—
"Þe worste with-in was · a gret witte I lete hit,*. [a] O om.]
And if my neighbore had any hyne · or any beste elles,*. [if] CO om. any] an R.]
More profitable þan myne · many sleightes I made,
365
How I myȝte haue it · al my witte I caste,
And but I it had by other waye · atte laste I stale it,*. [I] if I R. it] COB om. other] ooþer W; a-noþer B.]
Or pryuiliche his purse shoke · vnpiked his lokkes,*. [shoke] schoke R; shook WC O; shok B. vnpiked] and vnpikede W.]
368
Or by nyȝt or by day · aboute was ich euere,*. [Or] Other R (twice).]
Þorwgh gyle to gadren · þe good þat ich haue.
Page 230, B-text
¶ Ȝif I ȝede to þe plow · I pynched so narwe,*. [pynched] puched C; pikid B.]
Þat a fote londe or a forwe · fecchen I wolde,*. [fecchen I] fecche Ich R.]
372
Of my nexte neighbore · nymen of his erthe;*. [nymen—reche] R om. nymen] and nymen W. [I WCOB] L om. rope] so in C; repe WO; ripye B. ouer-reche] y ouerreche B. or] or (printed of) W; & O. red] reed WO; rede R. ropen] repen RB. Line 374 is marked for correction in L.]
And if [I] rope, ouer-reche · or ȝaf hem red þat ropen,*. [nymen—reche] R om. nymen] and nymen W. [I WCOB] L om. rope] so in C; repe WO; ripye B. ouer-reche] y ouerreche B. or] or (printed of) W; & O. red] reed WO; rede R. ropen] repen RB. Line 374 is marked for correction in L.]
To seise to me with her sykel · þat I ne sewe neure.*. [To] And COB. seise] seysed B. her] my COB. ne] OB om.]
¶ And who so [borwed] of me · abou[ȝ]te þe tyme,*. [[borwed WR] borweth LCOB. abouȝte] he bouȝte B; miswritten aboute in LR.]
376
With presentes priueliche · or payed somme certeyne.*. [presentes] present CB.]
So, walde he or nouȝt wolde he · wynnen I wolde;*. [walde he] so in R; wolde he COB; he wolde W. he (2)] R om. nouȝt—he] he nolde COB.]
And bothe to kyth and to kyn · vnkynde of þat ich hadde.
¶ And who so cheped my chaffare · childen I wolde,
But he profred to paye · a peny or tweyne*. [to] me to COB.]
381
More þan it was worth · and ȝet wolde I swere,
Þat it coste me moche more · swore manye othes.*. [me] R om. swore] and so swoor W; & swore OB.]
¶ In halydayes at holicherche · whan ich herde masse,*. [In] On W. at] in O; and CB. herde] here O.]
Hadde [I] neuere wille, wot god · witterly to biseche*. [[I WCOB] LR om.; but the line is marked in L. neuere] nere R.]
Mercye for my mysdedes · þat I ne morned more
386
For losse of gode, leue me · þan for my lykames giltes*. [For] For (printed Nor) W. my] R om. giltes] gilte CB.]
As if I had dedly synne done; · I dred nouȝt þat so sore, [folio 57b] *. [As] And C. dred] dredde WO; drede CB; dradde R.]
388
As when I lened and leued it lost · or longe ar it were payed.*. [lened—it (1)] haue lent hit and is B. and] CO om. were] be B.]
So if I kydde any kyndenesse · myn euen-cristene to helpe,
Page 231, B-text
Vpon a cruel coueityse · myn herte gan hange.*. [a] O om. herte] consience R.]
And if I sent ouer see · my seruauntz to Bruges,*. [if] O om. see] sehe O. ser|uauntz] seruaunt B.]
392
Or in-to Pruslonde my prentys · my profit to wayten,*. [Pruslonde] pruys londe R; Pruce lond W; spruce land (sic) C.]
To marchaunden with monoye · and maken her es|chaunges,*. [marchaunden] marchaundisen B. monoye] so in R; moneie WCOB. eschaunges] chaunges R.]
Miȝte neuere me conforte · in þe mene tyme,*. [neuere] nere R. tyme] while W.]
Noither messe ne matynes · ne none manere siȝtes,*. [none] no RC. siȝtes] shytes R.]
396
Ne neuere penaunce perfourned · ne pater-noster seyde,
Þat my mynde ne was more · on my gode, in a doute,*. [on] in R. a] O om.]
Þan in þe grace of god · and his grete helpes:
Vbi thesaurus tuus, ibi & cor tuum."
*. [Vbi] Vbi est R.][Ȝet [þe] glotoun with grete othes · his [garnement] hadde soyled,*. [[þe] must be inserted; R om. [garnement] miswritten granement; but garnement ( = garment) is right.]
400
And foule be-flobered it · as with fals speche;
Þere no nede ne was · [tok] godes name an Idel,*. [þere] miswritten As þere, which is nonsense; it is repeated from Pass. V. l. 377, which see. [tok] must be inserted; R om.]
Swore þere-by swithe ofte · and al by-swatte his cote.
And more mete ete and dronke · þen kende miȝt defie—*. [kende] such is the usual spell|ing in R, wherever L has kynde.]
404
"And kauȝte seknesse sum-tyme · for my sorfetes ofte;*. [sorfetes] miswritten forfetes; but sense and alliteration decide it.]
And þanne I dradde to deye · in dedlich synne"—
Þat in-to wanhope he [worthe] · and wende nauȝt to be saued,*. [[worthe] miswritten wrathe in R.]
Þe whiche is sleuthe so slow · þat may no slithes helpe it,*. [slithes] a better spelling is sleiȝtes ( = sleights); cf. l. 365.]Page 232, B-text
408
Ne no mercy amenden · þe man þat so deyeth.]*. [400—409. In R only, and the text is corrupt. The reason for inserting it is given in the Critical Note.]
¶ Which ben þe braunches · þat bryngeth a man to sleuth?*. [Which] Ac whiche R. bryng|eth] bryngen WOB; brynges C.]
410
[Is whanne a man] morneth nouȝte for his mysdedes · ne maketh no sorwe,*. [[Is whanne a man O] Is whan man B; He þat W; LRC have the extraordinary false reading His wo|man; but, fortunately, the C-Text helps us out. (Is = it is, as else|where.) mysdedes] dedis O.]
Ac penaunce þat þe prest enioigneth · perfourneth yuel,*. [Ac] And WRC. enioigneth] enioyned B. perfourneth yuel] per|forme hij nylleþ B; parfourned C.]
Doth none almes-dede · dret hym of no synne,*. [Doth] Doos C. almes-dede] almesse W. dret] drat R; dred W; drede CB; drediþ O.]
413
Lyueth aȝein þe bileue · and no lawe holdeth;*. [holdeth] haldes C.]
Vch day is haliday with hym · or an heigh ferye;*. [Vch—is] Ilce day or Ilc C; Eche day or eche B. is] is an O. with hym] O om. or] & O; as B.]
And if he auȝte wole here · it is an harlotes tonge.
416
Whan men carpeth of cryst · or of clennesse of soule,*. [Whan] And whanne O. carp|eth] carpen WCOB. of (2)] COB om. soule] saule C; soules W.]
He wexeth wroth & wil nouȝte here · but wordes of myrthe.*. [wexeth] waxes C; waxiþ B.]
Penaunce and pore men · and þe passioun of seyntes*. [and (1)] of W. þe] O om. passioun] possessioun C.]
He hateth to here þere-of · and alle þat it telleth.
420
Þise ben þe braunches, beth war · þat bryngeth a man to wanhope!*. [beth] be CB.]
Ȝe lordes and ladyes · and legates of holicherche,*. [ȝe] þe R; also R repeats þe lordes. cherche] cherches R; kirce C.]
Þat fedeth foles sages · flatereres and lyeres,*. [foles] fole R. sages] sage O. lyeres] leers C.]
423
And han likynge to lythen hem · to do ȝow to lawghe;
Ve vobis qui ridetis, &c.:
*. [han] hase C. lythen] heren B; listem (sic) C. to (3)] R om.]And ȝiueth hem mete and Mede · and pore men refuse,
Lest þo thre maner men · to moche sorwe ȝow brynge:
Consencientes & agentes pari pena punientur.
*. [þo] þe CO. to moche] to muche to mykil (sic) C. ȝow] R om. punientur] puniendi sunt R.]Patriarkes & prophetes · and prechoures of goddes wordes
428
Sauen þorw her sarmoun · mannes soule fram helle;*. [sarmoun] sermons W; ser|moun CO; sermon B. mannes soule] manne saule C.]
Riȝt so flater[er]es and foles · aren þe fendes disciples,*. [flatereres] miswritten flateres in L; but the line is marked for cor|rection. aren] and CO.]
To entice men þorw her tales · to synne and harlotrye.*. [entice] eten (!) C. and] and to WB.]
Ac clerkes þat knowen holywryt · shulde kenne lordes,*. [Ac] And C.]
What dauid seith of suche men · as þe sauter telleth:
Non habitabit in medio domus mee, qui facit superbiam & qui loquitur iniqua:
*. [suche] swiche WO; swilc C. &] R om.]Shulde none harlote haue audience · in halle ne in chambres,*. [harlote] harlotes CB. ne] nor WR. chambres] chambre WB.]
Þere wise men were · witnesseth goddes wordes;*. [witnesseth] witnesse C.]
435
Ne no mysproude man · amonges lordes ben allowed.
[¶ Clerkes and kniȝtes · welcometh kynges ministrales,
And for loue of þe lorde · litheth hem at festes;
Muche more, me thenketh · riche men schulde
Haue beggeres byfore hem · þe whiche ben goddes ministrales,
440
As he seyth hym-self · seynt Iohan bereth witnesse:
Qui vos spernit, me spernit.
For-thi I rede ȝow riche · reueles whan ȝe maketh*. [reueles] at reueles R; but at should probably be omitted, as in MS. Cotton Vesp. B 16.]
For to solace ȝoure soules · suche ministrales to haue;
Þe pore, for a fol sage · syttynge at þe heyȝ table,
444
And a lered man, to lere þe · what oure lorde suffred,
For to saue þi soule · fram Sathan þin enemy,
Page 234, B-text
And fithel þe, with-out flaterynge · of gode friday þe storye;
And a blynd man for a bourdeoure · or a bedrede womman,
448
To crie a largesse by-for oure lorde · ȝoure gode loos to schewe!
Þise thre maner ministrales · maketh a man to lawhe,
And, in his deth-deyinge · þei don him grete conforte,
Þat bi his lyue lythed hem · and loued hem to here.
Þise solaseth þe soule · til hym-selue be-falle
453
In a wel [gode] hope, [for he wrouȝte so] · amonges worthi seyntes.]*. [437—454. In R only; but found in C-Text. The passage is fairly cor|rect.]*. [[gode] R om. [for he wrouȝte so] R om. But cf. C-Text.]
¶ Ac flat[er]eres and foles · þorw her foule wordes,*. [Ac] And C; Þere R. flat|ereres] miswritten flateres in LR.]
Leden þo þat louen hem · to luciferes feste,*. [louen] loued R.]
456
With turpiloquio, a lay of sorwe · and luciferes fithele.*. [lay] lady (sic in MS.) W. sorwe] sowe (sic) R.]
Thus haukyn þe actyf man · hadde ysoiled his cote, [folio 58] *. [ysoiled] soyled R; ysuyled O.]
Til conscience acouped hym þere-of · in a curteise manere,
Whi he ne hadde wasshen it · or wyped it with a brusshe.*. [wasshen] whasshen W; wais|chen B; wasched R. it (2)] O om.]
460
