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.)

Incipit liber de Petro Plowman.

[Prologus.] [OBS. L=MS. Laud 581; W=MS. printed by Wright; O=MS. Oriel; R=MS. Rawlinson; C=Camb. MS. Dd. 1. 17; C2=Camb. MS. Ll. 4. 14. Readings from the last of these are given only occasionally.]

In a somer seson · whan soft was the sonne, [A page 1] [L folio 1] I shope me in shroudes · as I a shepe were, [in] into W. shepe] sheep W; scheep C2; but C has schepe (with a final e).] In habite as an heremite · vnholy of workes, Went wyde in þis world · wondres to here. Line 4 Ac on a May mornynge · on Maluerne hulles [Ac] And CC2.] Me byfel a ferly · of fairy me thouȝte; I was wery forwandred · and went me to reste Vnder a brode banke · bi a bornes side, Line 8 And as I lay and lened · and loked in þe wateres, [in] on W.] I slombred in a slepyng · it sweyued so merye. [in] in-to W. sweyued] sweyed W.] ¶ Thanne gan I to meten · a merueilouse sweuene, [to] so in W (but not printed).] That I was in a wildernesse · wist I neuer where, [a] WO om.] Line 12 As I bihelde in-to þe est · an hiegh to þe sonne, [As] And as W; And C. an hiegh] on hyȝ O; on hie C2.] I seigh a toure on a toft · trielich ymaked; [seigh] sawȝ O. trielich] rie|liche (with t erased) C; triedliche O.] A depe dale binethe · a dongeon þere-Inne, With depe dyches & derke · and dredful of sight. Line 16

Line 16 A faire felde ful of folke · fonde I there bytwene, [A page 2] Of alle maner of men · þe mene and þe riche, Worchyng and wandryng · as þe worlde asketh. Some [putten] hem to þe plow · pleyed ful selde, [[putten W] putte C₂; put LC. See l. 23. hem] him C. pleyed] plei|den W; pleyede O; plaiden C; pleyed LC₂. selde] seelde O; seeld C₂; sel|den C.] Line 20 In settyng and in sowyng · swonken ful harde, [in sowyng] WOC₂ omit in. swonken] swynken C.] And wonnen that wastours · with glotonye destruyeth. [with] in OC₂. destruyeth] dis|troys C.] ¶ And some putten hem to pruyde · apparailed hem þere-after, [apparailed] apparayleden OC₂; apparailed LWC.] In contenaunce of clothyng · comen disgised. [disgised] degised W.] Line 24 ¶ In prayers and in penance · putten hem manye, [prayers] preyere O. in pe|nance] penaunces W.] Al for loue of owre lorde · lyueden ful streyte, [loue] þe loue W.] In hope forto haue · heueneriche blisse; [forto haue] to haue after W.] As ancres and heremites · that holden hem in here selles, Line 28 And coueiten nought in contre · to kairen aboute, [kairen] cayren O; carien WC₂; walken C.] For no likerous liflode · her lykam to plese. ¶ And somme chosen chaffare · they cheuen the bettere, [chosen] chesen C. cheuen] cheueden W.] As it semeth to owre syȝt · that suche men thryueth; [suche] swilke C. men] OC₂ om.] And somme murthes to make · as mynstralles conneth, [conneth] konne W; knaueth C.] And geten gold with here glee · synneles, I leue. [synneles] Mr Wright prints giltles (cf. Text A); but we find syn|neles in LWC; not synles in OC₂.] Line 34 Ac iapers & iangelers · Iudas chylderen, [Ac] As COC₂.] Feynen hem fantasies · and foles hem maketh, [Feynen] þat feynen OC₂.] And han here witte at wille · to worche ȝif þei sholde. [at wille] at her wille OC₂. sholde] wolde W.] That Poule precheth of hem · I nel nought preue it here; [A page 3] [nel] wol W. In the margin of O is written, Qui non laborat non manducet.] Line 38

Line 38 Qui turpiloquium loquitur · [is luciferes hyne]. [Qui] But Qui W. The readings are—Qui turpiloquium loquitur, &c. LC; But Qui lcquitur turpiloquium · is Luciferes hyne W; O resembles W, with knaue instead of hyne; C₂ has the same as O, with hyne written above knaue. Cf. Text A.] ¶ Bidders and beggeres · fast aboute ȝede, Line 40 With her bely and her bagge[s] · of bred ful ycrammed; [folio 1b] [bely] belies W. bagges] L has bagge; but WCOC₂ have the plural.] Fayteden for here fode · fouȝten atte ale; [atte ale] at þe ale W; at ale O; at nale C₂.] In glotonye, god it wote · gon hij to bedde, [it] W om. gon] go W; gayt C. hij] þei WO; they C.] And risen with ribaudye · tho roberdes knaues; [þo] þe O.] Line 44 Slepe and sori sleuthe · seweth hem eure. [seweth] sheweth C; suen O.] ¶ Pilgrymes and palmers · pliȝted hem togidere [pliȝted] pliȝteden O; pliȝted L; pliȝten W; gedir C.] To seke seynt Iames · and seyntes in rome. [To] For to W. in] at W.] Thei went forth in here wey · with many wise tales, And hadden leue to lye · al here lyf after. [to lye] for to lye O; to lee C.] Line 49 I seigh somme that seiden · þei had ysouȝt seyntes; To eche a tale þat þei tolde · here tonge was tempred to lye, [To eche] Tho hilke C. here] thayr C.] More þan to sey soth · it semed bi here speche. [to] OC₂ om. here] thair C.] Line 52 ¶ Heremites on an heep · With hoked staues, Wenten to Walsyngham · and here wenches after; [here] hire W; thair C.] Grete lobyes and longe · that loth were to swynke, Line 55 Clotheden hem in copis · to ben knowen fram othere; And shopen hem heremites · here ese to haue. ¶ I fonde þere Freris · alle þe foure ordres, Preched þe peple · for profit of hem-seluen, [Preched] Prechynge W; Pre|cheden O.] Glosed þe gospel · as hem good lyked, [A page 4] [Glosed] Gloseden O.] Line 60 For coueitise of copis · construed it as þei wolde, Many of þis maistres Freris · mowe clothen hem at lykyng, [maistres] so also in C; maistre W; maystre O. mowe] now W.]

For here money and marchandise · marchen togideres. [marchandise] hire marchaun|diȝe W; mauchaudises (sic) C.] For sith charite haþ be chapman · and chief to shryue lordes, Line 64 Many ferlis han fallen · in a fewe ȝeris. But holychirche and hij · holde better togideres, [hij] þei O.] The moste my[s]chief on molde · is mountyng wel faste. [myschief] mychief L; meschief WCO. wel] vp wel OC2.] ¶ Þere preched a Pardonere · as he a prest were, Line 68 Brouȝte forth a bulle · with bishopes seles, [with] wiþ many W.] And seide þat hym-self myȝte · assoilen hem alle Of falshed of fastyng · of vowes ybroken. [of vowes] of Auowes W; and of vowes CO.] ¶ Lewed men leued hym wel · and lyked his wordes, [hym] it W.] Comen vp knelyng · to kissen his bulles; Line 73 He bonched hem with his breuet · & blered here eyes, [bonched] bunchede O; Mr Wright prints bouched. eyes] eiȝen W; yen O; eyen C.] And rauȝte with his ragman · rynges and broches. Thus þey geuen here golde · glotones to kepe, Line 76 And leueth such loseles · þat lecherye haunten. [leueth] leueþ it or leneþ it (misprinted leveth in) W; leuys or lenys C; louen OC2. þat] as W.] Were þe bischop yblissed · and worth bothe his eres, [yblissed] yblessed W; Iblessid O.] His seel shulde nouȝt be sent · to deceyue þe peple. Ac it is nauȝt by þe bischop · þat þe boy precheth, [Ac] And C. boy] both C.] Line 80 For the parisch prest and þe pardonere · parten þe siluer, [A page 5] [folio 2] That þe poraille of þe parisch · sholde haue ȝif þei nere. [poraille] pore porayle O. nere] ne were WO.] ¶ Persones and parisch prestes · pleyned hem to þe bischop, Line 83 Þat here parisshes were pore · sith þe pestilence tyme, [parisshes] parisse C. pore] pouere W. sith þe] sith C.] To haue a lycence and a leue · at London to dwelle, [a leue] leue WO.] And syngen þere for symonye · for siluer is swete. Line 86 ¶ Bischopes and bachelers · bothe maistres and doctours,

Þat han cure vnder criste · and crounyng in tokne [crounyng] crowng (sic) C; crownes C2.] Line 88 And signe þat þei sholden · shryuen here paroschienes, Prechen and prey for hem · and þe pore fede, Liggen in London · in lenten, an elles. [Liggen] Liggand C. in Lon|don] at Londone W.] Somme seruen þe kyng · and his siluer tellen, Line 92 In cheker and in chancerye · chalengen his dettes. [chancerye] chauncelrie W.] Of wardes and wardmotes · weyues and streyues. [and wardmotes] and of warde|motes W; of wardemotes OC2. weyues and] of weyues of OC2.] ¶ And some seruen as seruantz · lordes and ladyes, And in stede of stuwardes · sytten and demen. [stuwardes] stywardes W; sti|wardes C.] Line 96 Here messe and here matynes · and many of here oures Arn don vndeuoutlych; · drede is at þe laste Lest crist in cons[is]torie · acorse ful manye. [consistorie WCO] constorie L. acorse] a-curse C; curse O.] I parceyued of þe power · þat Peter had to kepe, Line 100 To bynde and to vnbynde · as þe boke telleth, [to unbynde] vnbynden W.] How he it left wiþ loue · as owre lorde hight, [left] self (!) OC2.] Amonges foure vertues · þe best of alle vertues, [C omits.] Þat cardinales ben called · & closyng ȝatis, Line 104 Þere crist is in kyngdome · to close and to shutte, [crist is] is crist W. in] in his W.] And to opne it to hem · and heuene blisse shewe. [opne] opene W; open C.] Ac of þe cardinales atte Courte · þat cauȝt of þat name, [Ac] And C. atte] at WO.] And power presumed in hem · a Pope to make, [And] Ac (!) O.] Line 108 To han þat power þat peter hadde · inpugnen I nelle; [han] haue CO. inpugnen] impugnen W; Impugne it O.] For in loue and letterure · þe eleccioun bilongeth, [letterure] in lettrure W.] For-þi I can and can nauȝte · of courte speke more. [and can] and I can OC2.] ¶ Þanne come þere a kyng · knyȝthod hym ladde, Line 112 Miȝt of þe comunes · made hym to regne, And þanne cam kynde wytte · and clerkes he made,

For to conseille þe kyng · and þe comune saue. ¶ The kyng and knyȝthode · and clergye bothe Line 116 Casten þat þe comune · shulde hem-self fynde. ¶ Þe comune contreued · of kynde witte craftes, [contreued] controued (pro|bably miswritten) C.] And for profit of alle þe poeple · plowmen ordeygned, To tilie and trauaile · as trewe lyf askeþ. [folio 2b] [and trauaile] and to trauaille W.] Line 120 Þe kynge and þe comune · and kynde witte þe thridde [and kynde] kynde C.] Shope lawe & lewte · eche man to knowe his owne. [lewte] leaute WC; leute O.] ¶ Þanne loked vp a lunatik · a lene þing with-alle, And knelyng to þe kyng · clergealy he seyde; Line 124 "Crist kepe þe, sire kyng · and þi kyngriche, [Here commences the fragment of MS. R which is now found in MS. Lansdowne 398; see the Preface.] And leue þe lede þi londe · so leute þe louye, [leue] leue or lene WCO. lede] to lede OC2.] And for þi riȝtful rewlyng · be rewarded in heuene!" ¶ And sithen in þe eyre an hiegh · An angel of heuene Lowed to speke in latyn— · for lewed men ne coude Iangle ne iugge · þat iustifie hem shulde, Line 130 But suffren & seruen— · for-thi seyde þe angel, "Sum Rex, sum Princeps · neutrum fortasse deinceps;— O qui iura regis · Christi specialia regis, Line 133 Hoc quod agas melius · iustus es, esto pius! Nudum ius a te · vestiri vult pietate; [ius] vis R.] Qualia vis metere · talia grana sere. Line 136 Si ius nudatur · nudo de iure metatur. [ius] vis R.] Si seritur pietas · de pietate metas!" ¶ Thanne greued hym a Goliardeys · a glotoun of wordes, And to þe angel an heiȝ · [answered] after, [[answered C] answerde W; answerede O; answeres LR.] Line 140 "Dum rex a regere · dicatur nomen habere, [Dum] so in LWR; Cum CO.] Nomen habet sine re · nisi studet iura tenere."

¶ And þanne gan alle þe comune · crye in vers of latin, [And þanne] Thanne W. co|mune] comunes O. vers] a vers R.] To þe kynges conseille · construe ho-so wolde— Line 144 "Precepta Regis · sunt nobis vincula legis." ¶ Wiþ þat ran þere a route · of ratones at ones, And smale mys with hem · mo þen a þousande, [mys] mees W; myce O. with] myd W.] And comen to a conseille · for here comune profit; [here] þe W.] Line 148 For a cat of a courte · cam whan hym lyked, [courte] contree W.] And ouerlepe hem lyȝtlich · and lauȝte hem at his wille, And pleyde wiþ hem perilouslych · and possed [hem] aboute. [[hem COR] LW om.] Line 151 "For doute of dyuerse dredes · we dar nouȝte wel loke; [dar] doren O; durre C2. wel] C om.] And ȝif we grucche of his gamen · he wil greue vs alle, [of] R om.] Cracche vs, or clowe vs · and in his cloches holde, [or] & O. clowe] clawen W; clawe RO; clow C.] That vs lotheth þe lyf · or he lete vs passe. [or] er WR.] Myȝte we wiþ any witte · his wille withstonde, [wille] wit C (wrongly).] Line 156 We myȝte be lordes aloft · and lyuen at owre ese." [aloft] o-lofte W; on lofte R.] ¶ A raton of renon · most renable of tonge, [renon] renoun WCO. renable] resonable R.] Seide for a (souereygne · help) to hym-selue;— [folio 3] [hym-selue] hem alle R.] "I haue ysein segges," quod he · "in þe cite of london [ysein] seyn CO; y-seyen W. segges] segthis C.] Beren biȝes ful briȝte · abouten here nekkes, [Beren] Weren C. biȝes] beiȝes W; behes C; byes O; beȝes R.] Line 161 And some colers of crafty werk; · vncoupled þei wenden [wenden] so in LCOR; wenten W.] Boþe in wareine & in waste · where hem leue lyketh; [hem leue lyketh] hem-self liked W; þaym lef lykeþ R.] And otherwhile þei aren elles-where · as I here telle. Line 164 Were þere a belle on here beiȝ · bi Ihesu, as me thynketh, [beiȝ] bighes C; byes O; bye R.] Men myȝte wite where þei went · and awei renne! And riȝt so," quod þat ratoun · "reson me sheweth, [þat] þe O.]

To bugge a belle of brasse · or of briȝte syluer, [bugge] bigge CO; bye C₂.] Line 168 And knitten on a colere · for owre comune profit, [on] it on W.] And hangen it vp-on þe cattes hals · þanne here we mowen [W omits.] Where he ritt or rest · or renneth to playe. [R omits. rest] restiþ O.] And ȝif him list for to laike · þenne loke we mowen, [R omits.] Line 172 And peren in his presence · þer while hym plaie liketh, [þer while] þe while WR.] And ȝif him wrattheth, be ywar · and his weye shonye." [ywar] war W.] ¶ Alle þis route of ratones · to þis reson þei assented. [þis (1)] þe R. þei] O om.] Ac þo þe belle was ybouȝt · and on þe beiȝe hanged, [Ac] And C. ybouȝt] y-brouȝt W.] Line 176 Þere ne was ratoun in alle þe route · for alle þe rewme of Fraunce, [rewme] reaume W; reem C.] Þat dorst haue ybounden þe belle · aboute þe cattis nekke, [ybounden] bounden W; bounde O.] Ne hangen [it] aboute þe cattes hals · al Engelonde to wynne; [[it] occurs in WCROC₂; L om. þe cattes] his R.] And helden hem vnhardy · and here conseille feble, [And] Alle W.] Line 180 And leten here laboure lost · & alle here longe studye. [alle] O om.] ¶ A mous þat moche good · couthe, as me thouȝte, Stroke forth sternly · and stode biforn hem alle, And to þe route of ratones · reherced þese wordes; [route of] O om.] Line 184 "Thouȝ we culled þe catte · ȝut sholde þer come an|other, [culled] killen W; kulled C; killeden O; had Iculled R.] To cracchy vs and al owre kynde · þouȝ we croupe vnder benches. [cracchy] cracche O; cacchen W; cache C₂. croupe] cropen W, crepe C; crope R.] For-þi I conseille alle þe comune · to lat þe catte worthe, And be we neuer so bolde · þe belle hym to shewe; [so] W om.] Line 188 For I herde my sire seyn · is seuene ȝere ypassed,

Þere þe catte is a kitoun · þe courte is ful elyng; Line 190 Þat witnisseth holiwrite · who-so wil it rede,

Ve terre vbi puer rex est, &c.

For may no renke þere rest haue · for ratones bi nyȝte; [þere] no R.] Þe while he caccheþ conynges · he coueiteth nouȝt owre caroyne, [owre] youre W.] Line 193 But fet hym al with venesoun · defame we hym neuere. [fet] fedeþ W; fedes C. al] O om.] For better is a litel losse · þan a longe sorwe, Þe mase amonge vs alle · þouȝ we mysse a schrewe. [C om.] Line 196 For many mannus malt · we mys wolde destruye, And also ȝe route of ratones · rende mennes clothes, [ȝe] the C; þe O.] Nere þat cat of þat courte · þat can ȝow ouerlepe; [þat cat of þat] þe cat of þat W; þat cat of þe R.] For had ȝe rattes ȝowre wille · ȝe couthe nouȝt reule ȝowre-selue. [rattes] ratones R.] Line 200 I sey for me," quod þe mous · "I se so mykel after, [folio 3b] [for me] it for my-self R.] Shal neuer þe cat ne þe kitoun · bi my conseille be greued, Ne carpyng of þis coler · þat costed me neure. [Ne] Thoruȝ W. costed] cost CO.] And þouȝ it had coste me catel · biknowen it I nolde, [had coste] hadde costned W; costed R.] But suffre as hym-self wolde · to do as hym liketh, Line 205 Coupled & vncoupled · to cacche what thei mowe. For-þi vche a wise wiȝte I warne · wite wel his owne."— [Forþi—wiȝte] For vche a wyse man R. vche] ech W; ilke C.] ¶ What þis meteles bemeneth · ȝe men þat be merye, [bemeneth] bymene R.] Deuine ȝe, for I ne dar · bi dere god in heuene! [for—dar] ne dar I nouȝt R.] Line 209 ¶ Ȝit houed þere an hondreth · in houues of selke, Seriauntȝ it semed · þat serueden atte barre, [it semed] it bi-semed W; it semeden O; as it semed C. atte] at þe WOR.] Plededen for penyes · and poundes þe lawe, [Plededen] Pleteden WCRO; Pleded C₂.] Line 212

Line 212 And nouȝt for loue of owre lorde · vnlese here lippes onis. [vnlese] vnlose (printed un|close) W; vnlose O; vnlouse C.] Þow myȝtest better mete þe myste · on maluerne hulles, [þe] W om.] Þan gete a momme of here mouthe · but money were shewed. [A page 6] [momme] mom W; mumme OR. but—were] but moneie be O; til moneie be W; er mony hem by R. L has monoy, miswritten for money; cf. Pass. I. l. 44.] ¶ Barones an burgeis · and bonde-men als [burgeis] burgeises W.] Line 216 I seiȝ in þis assemble · as ȝe shul here after. Baxsteres & brewesteres · and bocheres manye, [Baxteres] baksteres WR.] Wollewebsteres · and weueres of lynnen, Taillours and tynkeres · & tolleres in marketes, Line 220 Masons and mynours · and many other craftes. Of alkin libbyng laboreres · lopen forth somme, [alkin] alle kynne W; alle kyn O; alkyn C; alle R.] As dykers & delueres · þat doth here dedes ille, [doth] doon WO; does C.] And dryuen forth þe [longe] day · with "Dieu vous saue, Dame Emme!" [[longe] so in WCO; L has dere. Cf. Text A. þe — day] here dayes here R. vous] W om.] Line 224 Cokes and here knaues · crieden, "hote pies, hote! Gode gris a[nd] gees · gowe dyne, gowe!" [and] and WRO; an C; L has a.] ¶ Tauerners vn-til hem · tolde þe same, [tolde] trewely tolden W.] "White wyn of Oseye · and red wyn of Gascoigne, [red wyn] R om.] Line 228 Of þe Ryne and of þe Rochel · þe roste to defye."— Al þis seiȝ I slepyng · and seuene sythes more. [W omits; but Mr Wright sup|plies the line from MS. T (of the A|class). seiȝ] sawe CO.]

PASSUS I.

Passus Primus de visione. [TITLE. So in LWC; Passus primus de visione petri plowman R; Primus Passus O.]

What this montaigne bymeneth · and þe merke dale, [A page 7] And þe felde ful of folke · I shal ȝow faire schewe. A loueli ladi of lere · in lynnen yclothed, [lere] leere W; lyre C.] Come down fram a castel · and called me faire, Line 4 And seide, "Sone, slepestow · sestow þis poeple, [sestow] sest þow R; seest þou O.] How bisi þei ben · abouten þe mase? [abouten] alle aboute W.] Þe moste partie of þis poeple · þat passeth on þis erthe, Haue þei worschip in þis worlde · þei wilne no better; Of other heuene þan here · holde þei no tale." [folio 4] Line 9 ¶ I was aferd of her face · þeiȝ she faire were, [aferd] a-fered CW; a-feerd O. she] scho C.] And seide, "mercy, Madame · what is þis to mene?" "Þe toure vp þe toft," quod she · "treuthe is þere-Inne, [toure] thour C. vp] on W.] And wolde þat ȝe wrouȝte · as his worde techeth; [techeth] thecheth C.] Line 13 For he is fader of feith · fourmed ȝow alle, [is] O om. fourmed] and formed W.] Bothe with fel and with face · and ȝaf ȝow fyue wittis Forto worschip hym þer-with · þe while þat ȝe ben here. [A page 8] [þe] W om. þat] O om.] And þerfore he hyȝte þe erthe · to help ȝow vchone Line 17 Of wollen, of lynnen · of lyflode at nede, [of lyflode] o lifode (sic) C.] In mesurable manere · to make ȝow at ese; ¶ And comaunded of his curteisye · in comune þree þinges; Line 20

Line 20 Arne none nedful but þo · and nempne hem I thinke, [and] O om.] And rekne hem bi resoun · reherce þow hem after. [þow] ȝe O.] That one is vesture · from chele þe to saue, [is] W om. vesture] clothinge C₂. chele] chelde C; cold W; colde C₂.] And mete atte mele · for myseise of þi-selue, [atte] at W; at þe R; atte the C.] Line 24 And drynke whan þow dryest · ac do nouȝt out of resoun; [ac] and CC₂.] That þow worth þe werse · whan þow worche shuldest. ¶ For loth in his lifdayes · for likyng of drynke, Dede bi his douȝtres · þat þe deuel lyked; [lyked] wolde C. But C omits the next line, which ends with wolde.] Line 28 Delited hym in drynke · as þe deuel wolde, And lecherye hym lauȝt · and lay bi hem boþe; And al he witt it wyn · þat wikked dede. [O omits. it] it þe WC.]

Inebriamus eum vino, dormiamus que cum eo, Vt seruare possimus de patre nostro semen.

Thorw wyn and þorw women · þere was loth acombred, And þere gat in glotonye · gerlis þat were cherlis. [gat] he gate O. gerlis] barnes C. cherlis] karles C.] Line 33 For-þi drede delitable drynke · and þow shalt do þe bettere; Mesure is medcyne · þouȝ þow moche ȝerne. [moche] myche O; muchel W; mikile C; muche R.] It is nauȝt al gode to þe goste · þat þe gutte axeþ, [to] for O. þe—axeþ] guttis askys C.] Line 36 Ne liflode to þi likam · [þat leef is to þi soule. [[þat leef—not þi likam] LWC wrongly omit this, owing to the repetition of likam; but we find—þat leef is þi soule Lef nauȝt þi licame R; þat leef is to þi soule Leeue þou not þi likham OC₂. Cf. Text A.] Leue not þi likam] · for a lyer him techeth, [[þat leef—not þi likam] LWC wrongly omit this, owing to the repetition of likam; but we find—þat leef is þi soule Lef nauȝt þi licame R; þat leef is to þi soule Leeue þou not þi likham OC₂. Cf. Text A.] That is þe wrecched worlde · wolde þe bitraye. [A page 9] [þe] a O.] For þe fende and þi flesch · folweth þe to-gidere, [þe] W om.] Line 40 This and þat [sueth] þi soule · and seith it in þin herte; [[sueth] so in R. The other readings hardly make sense; they are—seest L; seeþ WO; sees C; seiþ C₂. Cf. Text A. seith] setth C. it] O om.]

And for þow sholdest ben ywar · I wisse þe þe beste." [ywar] ware C. beste] bettre O.] ¶ "Madame, mercy," quod I · "me liketh wel ȝowre wordes, Line 43 Ac þe moneye of þis molde · þat men so faste holdeth, [Ac] And C. holdeth] kepeth R.] Telle me to whom, Madame · þat tresore appendeth?" [to—Madame] madame to whom R.] ¶ "Go to þe gospel," quod she · "þat god seide hym|seluen, Tho þe poeple hym apposed · wiþ a peny in þe temple, [Tho] When C; To O. hym] þat hym O.] Whether þei shulde þer-with · worschip þe kyng Sesar. [folio 4b] Line 48 And god axed of hem · of whome spake þe lettre, [axed] asked WCO. hem] hym W.] And þe ymage ilyke · þat þere-inne stondeth? [ilyke] was lik W.] 'Cesaris,' þei seide · 'we sen hym wel vchone.' [Cesaris] Cesares W; Cesar C. hym] it W.] ¶ 'Reddite cesari,' quod god · 'þat cesari bifalleth, [cesari (2)] cesar C.] Line 52 Et que sunt dei, deo · or elles ȝe done ille.' [ille] yuele O.] For riȝtful reson · shulde rewle ȝow alle, [riȝtful] riȝtfully W.] And kynde witte be wardeyne · ȝowre welthe to kepe, [welthe to kepe] wele to kype C.] And tutour of ȝoure tresore · and take it ȝow at nede; For housbonderye & hij · holden togideres." [For] And O. hij] þei O; heo R.] Line 57 Þanne I frained hir faire · for hym þat hir made, [hir (2)] me W.] "That dongeoun in þe dale · þat dredful is of siȝte, What may it be to mene · ma-dame, I ȝow biseche?" [A page 10] [biseche] be biseche C (an ob|vious error).] Line 60 ¶ "Þat is þe castel of care · who-so cometh þerinne [þe] a R. cometh] comþ W.] May banne þat he borne was · to body or to soule. [or] & O.] þerinne wonieth a wiȝte · þat wronge is yhote, Fader of falshed · and founded it hym-selue. Line 64 Adam and Eue · he egged to ille,

Conseilled caym · to kullen his brother; [kullen] killen WCO.] Iudas he iaped · with iuwen siluer, [iuwen] Iewes R; Iuwes C₂.] And sithen on an eller · honged hym after. [an] C om. hym after] hym|selue W; hym selue, corrected to hym after O.] Line 68 He is letter of loue · and lyeth hem alle, That trusten on his tresor · bitrayeth he sonnest." [he] he hem W. bitrayeth he] bytrayed aren R.] ¶ Thanne had I wonder in my witt · what womman it were [it] sche R.] Þat such wise wordes · of holy writ shewed; [shewed] me scheued C.] Line 72 And asked hir on þe hieȝe name · ar heo þennes ȝeode, [on] in CO. ar heo] er she W; ers scho C; er sche O; er heo R.] What she were witterli · þat wissed me so faire? ¶ "Holicherche I am," quod she · "þow ouȝtest me to knowe, I vnderfonge þe firste · and þe feyth tauȝte, [vnderfonge] vnderfeng W.] Line 76 And brouȝtest me borwes · my biddyng to fulfille, [And] And þou O.] And to loue me lelly · þe while þi lyf dureth." [me] C om. me lelly] lely me R.] ¶ Thanne I courbed on my knees · and cryed hir of grace, [courbed] coureed C.] And preyed hir pitousely · prey for my synnes, [prey] to preye R.] Line 80 And also [kenne] me kyndeli · on criste to bileue, [A page 11] [[kenne WCRO] L corruptly has kende.] That I miȝte worchen his wille · þat wrouȝte me to man; [R omits.] "Teche me to no tresore · but telle me þis ilke, How I may saue my soule · þat seynt art yholden?" Line 84 ¶ "Whan alle tresores aren tried," quod she · "trewthe is þe best; [aren tried] been I-tryed O. quod she] CO om.] I do it on deus caritas · to deme þe soþe; It is as derworth a drewery · as dere god hym-seluen. [folio 5] [It] þat it R. drewery] drury W.] ¶ Who-so is trewe of his tonge · & telleth none other, [Who-so] Who W; He R.]

And doth þe werkis þer-with · and wilneth no man ille, [doth] O om.] Line 89 He is a god bi þe gospel · agrounde and aloft, [agrounde] on ground O. aloft] on loft O; o lofte W.] And ylike to owre lorde · bi seynte lukes wordes. Þe clerkes þat knoweþ þis · shulde kenne it aboute, Line 92 For cristene and vncristne · clameþ it vchone. [clameþ] cleymeþ W; claymeth R.] ¶ Kynges & kniȝtes · shulde kepe it bi resoun, Riden and rappe down · in reumes aboute, [down] adoun O.] And taken trangressores · and tyen hem faste, [trangressores] marked as a Latin word in WC; transgressouris O.] Line 96 Til treuthe had ytermyned · her trespas to þe ende. And þat is þe professioun appertly · þat appendeth for knyȝtes, [þe] W om. for] to WO.] And nouȝt to fasten a fryday · in fyue score wynter; [a] o W.] Line 99 But holden wiþ him & with hir · þat wolden al treuthe, And neuer leue hem for loue · ne for lacchyng of syluer. [A page 12] [And] Ne R.] ¶ For Dauid in his dayes · dubbed kniȝtes, And did hem swere on here swerde · to serue trewthe euere; [swerde] swerde (printed swerdes) W; swerd CO; swerdes R.] And who-so passed þat poynte · was apostata in þe ordre. [þat] þe O. was] is O.] Line 104 ¶ But criste kingene kynge · kniȝted ten, [kingene] kyngen C.] Cherubyn and seraphin · suche seuene and an-othre, [an-othre] oþere W.] And ȝaf hem myȝte in his maieste · þe muryer hem þouȝte; [muryer] miswritten murger L; murgur R; murier W; muryer C.] And ouer his mene meyne · made hem archangeles, [meyne] meynge C.] Line 108 Tauȝte hem bi þe Trinitee · treuthe to knowe, To be buxome at his biddyng · he bad hem nouȝte elles. [To] And R.] ¶ Lucifer wiþ legiounes · lerned it in heuene, But for he brake buxumnesse · his blisse gan he tyne, [But for] Til R.]

And fel fro þat felawship · in a fendes liknes, Line 113 In-to a depe derke helle · to dwelle þere for eure; And mo þowsandes wiþ him · þan man couthe noumbre, [wiþ] myd W.] Lopen out wiþ Lucifer · in lothelich forme, Line 116 For þei leueden vpon hym · þat lyed in þis manere:

Ponam pedem in aquilone, et similis ero altis|simo.

[C omits. pedem] pedem meum O. et—altissimo] &c. R.] ¶ And alle þat hoped it miȝte be so · none heuene miȝte hem holde, [none] no C.] But fellen out in fendes liknesse · nyne dayes togideres, Til god of his goodnesse · gan stable and stynte, [stable] stablisse W.] Line 120 And garte þe heuene to stekye · and stonden in quiete. [stekye] stekie W; steke C.] ¶ Whan thise wikked went out · wonderwise þei fellen, [wonderwise] in wonder wise W.] Somme in eyre, somme in erthe · & somme in helle depe; [in erthe] in þe erthe C.] Ac lucifer lowest · lith of hem alle; [folio 5b] [lith] liþ yet W.] Line 124 For pryde þat he pult out · his peyne hath none ende; [pult] pelt R; putte W; put C; puttede O.] And alle þat worche with wronge · wenden hij shulle [þat] C om. (by mistake). hij] þei WRO.] After her deth day · and dwelle wiþ þat shrewe. [and] to R.] Ac þo þat worche wel · as holiwritt telleth, [Ac] And WRC.] Line 128 And enden as I ere seide · in treuthe, þat is þe best, [ere] erst O. þe] O om.] Mowe be siker þat her soule · shal wende to heuene, [A page 13] [soule] soules W.] Þer treuthe is in Trinitee · and troneth hem alle. [and troneth] for to saue R.] For-þi I sey as I seide ere · bi siȝte of þise textis, [þise textis] þis texte C. siȝte of] R om.] Line 132 Whan alle tresores arne ytried · treuthe is þe beste. [O omits. ytried] tried W.] Lereth it þis lewde men · for lettred men it knowen, [it] R om. þis] þise W; þiese O; this R. it knowen] ne knowen C.] Þat treuthe is tresore · þe triest on erþe."

¶ "Ȝet haue I no kynde knowing," quod I · "ȝet mote ȝe kenne me better, [ȝet mote ȝe] ye mote W. ȝe kenne me] I lerne R.] Line 136 By what craft in my corps · it comseth and where." [corps] cors W; coors O.] ¶ "Þow doted daffe," quod she · "dulle arne þi wittes; [Here MS. R. has lost two leaves. It begins again at P. ii. l. 40.] To litel latyn þow lernedest · lede, in þi ȝouthe;

Heu michi, [quod] sterilem duxi vitam iuueni|lem!

[lede] leode WO. ȝouthe] thougthe C. [quod] This reading must be right, as shewn by the scansion of the line. It occurs in MS. Camb. Ff. 5. 35. But LWC, and Crowley's text, have quia.] ¶ It is a kynde knowyng," quod he · "þat kenneth in þine herte [he] she W; sche O. See note.] Line 140 For to louye þi lorde · leuer þan þi-selue; No dedly synne to do · dey þouȝ þow sholdest: This I trowe be treuthe · who can teche þe better, ¶ Loke þow suffre hym to sey · and sithen lere it after. [lere] here C.] For thus witnesseth his worde · [worche] þow þere|after; [W omits. [worche COC₂] worcheth L (wrongly).] Line 145 For trewthe telleþ þat loue · is triacle of heuene; [of] in O.] May no synne be on him sene · þat vseth þat spise, And alle his werkes he wrouȝte · with loue as him liste; [his] this C. he] he (printed be) W.] And lered it Moises for þe leuest þing · and moste like to heuene, [lered] lernede O. þe] O om.] Line 149 And also þe plente of pees · moste precious of vertues. [þe] C om. plente] plentee WC. Cf. Text A.] ¶ For heuene myȝte nouȝte holden it · it was so heuy of hym-self, Tyl it hadde of þe erthe · yeten his fylle. [yeten] eten WO; heten C.] Line 152 ¶ And whan it haued of þis folde · flesshe & blode taken, [haued] hadde WO; had C. þis] þe O. taken] OC₂ om.] Was neuere leef vpon lynde · liȝter þer-after,

And portatyf and persant · as þe poynt of a nedle, Line 155 That myȝte non armure it lette · ne none heiȝ walles. ¶ For-þi is loue leder · of þe lordes folke of heuene, And a mene, as þe Maire is · bitwene þe kyng and þe comune; [bitwene] bitwixe O.] Riȝt so is loue a ledere · and þe lawe shapeth, Line 159 Vpon man for his mysdedes · þe merciment he taxeth. [man] a man C.] And for to knowe it kyndely · it comseth bi myght, [folio 6] [myght] nyght (!) C.] And in þe herte þere is þe heuede · and þe heiȝ welle; [heuede] heed W.] ¶ For in kynde knowynge in herte · þere a myȝte bigynneth. [A page 14] And þat falleth to þe fader · þat formed vs alle, Line 164 Loked on vs with loue · and lete his sone deye Mekely for owre mysdedes · to amende vs alle; [Mekely] Mekel C.] And ȝet wolde he hem no woo · þat wrouȝte hym þat peyne, But mekelich with mouthe · mercy he bisouȝte [with] bi O. he] W om.] Line 168 To haue pite of þat poeple · þat peyned hym to deth. ¶ Here myȝtow see ensamples · in hym-selue one, [Here] Here (printed There) W. myȝtow] myghtestow C. en|samples] ensample W; ensaumpyle C.] That he was miȝtful & meke · and mercy gan graunte To hem þat hongen him an heiȝ · and his herte þirled. [hongen] hengen W.] ¶ For-thi I rede ȝow riche · haueth reuthe of þe pouere; Thouȝ ȝe be myȝtful to mote · beth meke in ȝowre werkes. [Thouȝ] Thought C.] Line 174 ¶ For þe same mesures þat ȝe mete · amys other elles, Ȝe shullen ben weyen þer-wyth · whan ȝe wende hennes;

Eadem mensura qua mensi fueritis, remecietur vobis.

¶ For þouȝ ȝe be trewe of ȝowre tonge · and trewliche wynne, And as chaste as a childe · þat in cherche wepeth, [cherche] kerke C]

But if ȝe louen lelliche · and lene þe poure, Such goed as god ȝow sent · godelich parteth, [A page 15] [goed] good WCO.] Line 180 Ȝe ne haue na more meryte · in masse ne in houres, [more] C om. ne] nor W.] Þan Malkyn of hire maydenhode · þat no man desireth. ¶ For Iames þe gentil · iugged in his bokes, That faith with-oute þe faite · is riȝte no þinge worthi, [faite] feet W; feite O; facte or faite C.] And as ded as a dore-tre · but ȝif þe dedes folwe;

Fides sine operibus mortua est, &c.

[C om. the second as. þe] thy C.] Line 185 ¶ For-thi chastite with-oute charite · worth cheyned in helle; It is as lewed as a laumpe · þat no liȝte is Inne. ¶ Many chapeleynes arne chaste · ac charite is awey; [ac] and C.] Aren no men auarousere þan hij · whan þei ben auaunced; [hij] þei O.] Line 189 Vnkynde to her kyn · and to alle cristene, Chewen here charite · and chiden after more. Such chastite wiþ-outen charite · worth cheyned in helle! Line 192 ¶ Many curatoures kepen hem · clene of here bodies, Thei ben acombred wiþ coueitise · þei konne nouȝt don it fram hem, So harde hath auarice · yhasped hem togideres. [folio 6b] And þat is no treuthe of þe trinite · but treccherye of helle, [no] in O (wrongly).] Line 196 And lernyng to lewde men · þe latter for to dele. ¶ For-þi þis wordes · ben wryten in þe gospel, [A page 16] Date & dabitur vobis · for I dele ȝow alle. And þat is þe lokke of loue · and lateth oute my grace, [lateth] leteþ WC.] To conforte þe careful · acombred wiþ synne. [conforte] counforte O; con|forten W; confort C.] Line 201 ¶ Loue is leche of lyf · and nexte owre lorde selue, [nexte] nexit C.] And also þe graith gate · þat goth in-to heuene;

For-þi I sey as I seide · ere by þe textis, [ere—textis] erst · bi þe trewe textis O.] Line 204 Whan alle tresores ben ytryed · treuthe is þe beste. [ytryed] tried W] Now haue I tolde þe what treuthe is · þat no tresore is bettere, I may no lenger lenge þe with · now loke þe owre lorde!" Line 207

PASSUS II.

[TITLE. So in LWC; Secundus Passus O.] Passus secundus de visione, vt supra.

Yet I courbed on my knees · and cryed hir of grace, [A page 17] [courbed] courred C.] And seide, "mercy, Madame · for Marie loue of heuene, That bar þat blisful barne · þat bouȝte vs on þe Rode, Kenne me bi somme crafte · to knowe þe fals." [to] for to O.] Line 4 ¶ "Loke vppon þi left half · and lo where he standeth, [he] sche O. standeth] stondeþ W.] Bothe fals and fauel · and here feres manye!" ¶ I loked on my left half · as þe lady me taughte, [taughte] thaughte C.] And was war of a womman · wortheli yclothed, [was] whas C. wortheli] worþi|liche W.] Line 8 Purfiled with pelure · þe finest vpon erthe, Y-crounede with a corone · þe kyng hath non better. [corone] croune C. hath] haes C.] Fetislich hir fyngres · were fretted with golde wyre, [fretted] fettred C; fetrid O. gold] gol C.] And þere-on red rubyes · as red as any glede, Line 12 And diamantz of derrest pris · and double manere saf|feres, [safferes] saphires W; saphyrs C; saphers O.] Orientales and ewages · enuenymes to destroye. ¶ Hire robe was ful riche · of red scarlet engreyned, [A page 18] With ribanes of red golde · and of riche stones; Line 16 Hire arraye me rauysshed · suche ricchesse saw I neuere; [saw] sauȝ W.]

I had wondre what she was · and whas wyf she were. [she] scho C. whas] whos WCO.] ¶ "What is þis womman," quod I · "so worthily a|tired?" ¶ "That is Mede þe Mayde," quod she · "hath noyed me ful oft, [hath] hathes C.] Line 20 And ylakked my lemman · þat lewte is hoten, [lewte] leautee W; leaut C.] And bilowen hire to lordes · þat lawes han to kepe. [han] hathes C.] In þe popis paleys · she is pryue as my-self, [folio 7] But sothenesse wolde nouȝt so · for she is a bastarde. Line 24 ¶ For fals was hire fader · þat hath a fykel tonge, And neuere sothe seide · sithen he come to erthe. [come] com WC.] ¶ And Mede is manered after hym · riȝte as kynde axeth;

Qualis pater, talis filius; [bona] arbor bonum fructum facit.

[axeth] askeþ WO; askes C. [bona] So in CC2; bonus LWO. fructum] fructum (printed fructrum) W.] I auȝte ben herre þan she · I cam of a better. [auȝte] ouȝte W. herre] hyere W; heyer O.] Line 28 ¶ Mi fader þe grete god is · and grounde of alle graces, [graces] grace C.] O god with-oute gynnynge · & I his gode douȝter, [O] Oo (printed So) W. his] C om.] And hath ȝoue me mercy · to marye with my-self; [ȝoue] yeuen W; geue C.] And what man be merciful · and lelly me loue, [loue] loueþ O.] Line 32 Schal be my lorde and I his leef · in þe heiȝe heuene. ¶ And what man taketh Mede · myne hed dar I legge, That he shal lese for hir loue · a lappe of caritatis. How construeth dauid þe kynge · of men þat taketh Mede, Line 36 And men of þis molde · þat meynteneth treuthe, And how ȝe shal saue ȝow-self · þe Sauter bereth wit|nesse,

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo, &c.

[shal] shul W; schul O; sal C. ȝow-self] ȝow-seluen O; ȝour-self W; ȝowre-self C.]

¶ And now worth þis Mede ymaried · al to a mansed schrewe, [al to] vn-to W. mansed] mansed W (see Mr Wright's note); maysed C; in MS. O mansed is glossed by cursid. schrewe] sherewe W; O om.] To one fals fikel-tonge · a fendes biȝete; [Here MS. R begins again. fikel] fikel of R. a] and C.] Line 40 Fauel þorw his faire speche · hath þis folke enchaunted, [þorw] thourth C. his] hir C. hath] hayth C.] And al is lyeres ledyng · þat she is þus ywedded. ¶ To-morwe worth ymade · þe maydenes bruydale, [ymade] ymaked W; ymaad O. maydenes] maydesnesse (!) C. bruy|dale] bridale WC; brydale O.] And þere miȝte þow wite, if þow wolt · which þei ben alle [miȝte þow] myȝtow W; myȝtist þou O. wolt] wilt WRO.] Line 44 That longeth to þat lordeship · þe lasse and þe more. [longeth] longen WO.] Knowe hem þere if þow canst · and kepe þi tonge, [kepe] kepe þow W; kepe wel O; kepen R.] And lakke hem nouȝt, but lat hem worth · til lewte be iustice, [lewte] leaute W; leute O; leaut C.] And haue powere to punyschen hem · þanne put forth þi resoun. [A page 19] [þanne] þat C.] Line 48 ¶ Now I bikenne þe criste," quod she · "and his clene moder, And lat no conscience acombre þe · for coueitise of Mede." [lat] at R.] ¶ Thus left me þat lady · liggyng aslepe, And how Mede was ymaried · in meteles me þouȝte; Line 52 Þat alle þe riche retenauns · þat regneth with þe false [retenauns] retenaunce WO; retenauntȝ C; retenawans R.] Were boden to þe bridale · on bothe two sydes, [boden] bede R.] Of alle maner of men · þe mene and þe riche. To marie þis maydene · was many man assembled, [was] were W. man] men W.] Line 56 As of kniȝtes and of clerkis · and other comune poeple, As sysours and sompnours · Shireues and here clerkes, [folio 7b] [sompnours] somonours W; sumpnoures RO.] Bedelles and Bailliues · and brokoures of chaff[a]re, [chaffare WCO] chaffre L.]

Forgoeres and vitaillers · and vokates of þe arches; [vokates] aduokettes W.] Line 60 I can nouȝt rekene þe route · þat ran aboute mede. ¶ Ac Symonye and cyuile · and sisoures of courtes [Ac] And C.] Were moste pryue with Mede · of any men, me þouȝte. [me] R om.] Ac fauel was þe first · þat fette hire out of boure, [Ac] And C.] Line 64 And as a brokour brouȝte hir · to be with fals enioigned. [O omits.] Whan Symonye and cyuile · seiȝ here beire wille, [beire] so also C; boþer (printed bothe) W; boþer O; bethere R.] Thei assented for siluer · to sei as bothe wolde. [A page 20] [Thei] And R. sei] seggen R.] Thanne lepe lyer forth, and seide · "lo here! a chartre, [lepe] leep W; leup R.] That gyle with his gret othes · gaf hem togidere," Line 69 And preide cyuile to se · and symonye to rede it. Thanne Symonye and cyuile · stonden forth bothe, [stonden] stondeth R.] And vnfoldeth þe feffement · þat fals hath ymaked, [feffement] feffament C.] Line 72 And þus bigynneth þes gomes · to greden ful heiȝ:—

"Sciant presentes & futuri, &c.

[gomes] gromes C. to] at R.] ¶ Witeth and witnesseth · þat wonieth vpon þis erthe, Þat Mede is y-maried · more for here goodis, [y-maried] maried C.] Þan for ani vertue or fairenesse · or any free kynde. [vertue] vertus C. or (1)] of CO. or (2)] or for O. kynde] kyne C; kende R.] Line 76 Falsenesse is faine of hire · for he wote hire riche; And fauel with his fikel speche · feffeth bi þis chartre [speche] felaw O.] To be prynces in pryde · and pouerte to dispise, [prynces] princesse O.] To bakbite, and to bosten · and bere fals witnesse, Line 80 To scorne and to scolde · and sclaundere to make, Vnboxome and bolde · to breke þe ten hestes;— [R begins, Bold and vnbuxum.] ¶ And þe Erldome of enuye · and Wratthe togideres, With þe chastelet of chest · and chateryng-oute-of-resoun, [chastelet] chastilet WO. cheste] cleste C; gestes R. resoun] tyme R.] Þe counte of coueitise · and alle þe costes aboute, [counte] countee WCRO. costes] coostes O.] Line 85

Line 85 That is, vsure and auarice · alle I hem graunte, In bargaines and in brokages · with al þe [borghe] of theft;— [[borghe CR] burghe WO; L has borgthe.] ¶ And al þe lordeship of lecherye · in lenthe and in brede, Line 88 As in werkes and in wordes · and waitynges with eies, [waitynges] in waitynges W; wattynges C. eies] eiȝes W; yen O.] And in wedes and in wisshynges · and with ydel thouȝtes, [wedes] wedynges R. in (2)] O om.] There as wille wolde · and wer[k]manship failleth." [wolde] ne wolde LC; but ne must be omitted, as in WRO; see note. werkmanship] wermanship L (by mis|take; WCRO preserve the k)] Line 91 ¶ Glotonye he gaf hem eke · and grete othes togydere, And alday to drynke · at dyuerse tauernes, [in] with R. ar] er WCO.] And there to iangle and to iape · and iugge here euene cristene, And in fastyng-dayes to frete · ar ful tyme were. Line 95 And þanne to sitten and soupen · til slepe hem assaille, [soupen] to soupe O.] And [breden] as burgh-swyn · and bedden hem esily, [folio 8] [[breden WCO] bredun LR. as] as a R.] Tyl sleuth and slepe · slyken his sides; And þanne wanhope to awake hym so · with no wille to amende, [hym] hem W. to (2)] it C.] For he leueth be lost · þis is here last ende. [be lost] he be lost O; be yloste R. here] hir WC; his R.] Line 100 ¶ And þei to haue and to holde · and here eyres after, A dwellyng with þe deuel · and dampned be for eure, Wiþ al þe purtenaunces of purgatorie · in-to þe pyne of helle. [purtenaunces] purtenance CO; appurtinaunces W. of (2)] in O.] Ȝeldyng for þis þinge · at one ȝeres ende, [ȝeres ende] dayes tyme W.] Line 104 Here soules to Sathan · to suffre with hym peynes, [to (2)] and R.] And with him to wonye with wo · whil god is in heuene. [A page 21] [with] in CRO.]

¶ In witnesse of which þing · wronge was þe first, [which] whilch C; þis R. was] C om.] And Pieres þe pardonere · of paulynes doctrine, Line 108 Bette þe bedel · of Bokyngham-shire, Rainalde þe Reue · of Rotland sokene, [Rainalde] Reynald WCR; Reynold O. Rotland] Rutland W; Rutlande C; Rokelond R; Ruteland O.] Munde þe Mellere · and many moo other. [Munde] Maude WCRO. mellere] millere W; mylner O.] "In þe date of þe deuel · þis dede I assele, [In þe] In R. I assele] I en|sele W; is yseled C.] Line 112 Bi siȝte of Sire Symonye · and cyuyles leue." [and] at R.] ¶ þenne tened hym theologye · whan he þis tale herde, [tened] teneth R; torned C. herde] harde C; yherde R.] And seide to cyuile · "now sorwe mot þow haue, [to] vn-to W.] Line 115 Such [weddynges] to worche · to wratthe with treuthe; [[weddynges WRO] wend|ynges LC. Cf. Text A.] And ar þis weddyng be wrouȝte · wo þe bityde! [ar] er WCO.] ¶ For Mede is moylere · of amendes [engendred,] [moylere] muliere W; Moilere C; mulirie O. [engendred WO] en|gendreth LCR.] And god graunteth to gyf · Mede to treuthe, [graunteth] graunted CO.] Line 119 And þow hast gyuen hire to a gyloure · now god gyf þe sorwe! Thi tixt telleth þe nouȝt so · treuthe wote þe sothe, [Here MSS. Bodley 814, Cotton Calig. A. xi., and B. M. Addit. 10574 (which up to this point have followed the C-text), begin to agree with the B-text. See Note.] For dignus est operarius · his hyre to haue, And þow hast fest hire to fals · fy on þi lawe! [fest] fast R.] Line 123 For al by lesynges þow lyuest · and lecherouse werkes, [lecherouse] lechores R.] Symonye and þi-self · schenden holicherche, [schenden] scheden (by mis|take for schenden) C.] þe notaries and ȝee · noyeth þe peple, [A page 22] [noyeth] noyen WO; noythis C; nuyȝet R.] Ȝe shul abiggen it bothe · bi god þat me made! Wel ȝe witen, wernardes · but if ȝowre witte faille, Line 128 That fals is faithlees · and fikel in his werkes, [fikel] fals R.]

And was a bastarde y-bore · of belsabubbes kynne. [was] as R. y-bore] yborne C; Iborn O.] And Mede is moylere · a mayden of gode, [is] O om. moylere] muliere W; mulere O.] And myȝte kisse þe kynge · for cosyn, an she wolde. [an] and WCRO. she] he R.] ¶ For-þi worcheth bi wisdome · and bi witt also, [witt] witti O.] Line 133 And ledeth hire to londoun · þere lawe is yshewed, [lawe] it W.] If any lawe wil loke · þei ligge togederes. And þouȝ Iustices iugge hir · to be ioigned with fals, [with] to W.] Ȝet beth war of weddyng · for witty is truthe, [folio 8b] [beth] be W. weddyng] þe weddynge R.] Line 137 And conscience is of his conseille · and knoweth ȝow vchone; And if he fynde ȝow in defaute · and with þe fals holde, It shal bisitte ȝowre soules · ful soure atte laste!" [soure] so spelt in LWCRO. atte] at þe W; at C.] Line 140 ¶ Here-to assenteth cyuile · ac symonye ne wolde, [ac] and C.] Tyl he had siluer for his seruise · and also þe no|taries. [A page 23] [Tyl] Thil C. his] this R.] ¶ Thanne fette fauel forth · floreynes ynowe, And bad gyle to gyue · golde al aboute, Line 144 And namelich to þe notaries · þat hem none ne faille, [noon ne] non ne R; noone O.] And feffe false-witnes · with floreines ynowe; [witnes] witnesse CRO; wit|nesses W.] "For he may mede amaistrye · and maken at my wille." [he] þei WCO.] ¶ Tho þis golde was gyue · grete was þe þonkynge [gyue] y-gyue W; Igyue R.] Line 148 To fals and to fauel · for her faire ȝiftes, And comen to conforte · fram care þe fals, And seiden, "certis sire · cesse shal we neuere Til Mede be þi wedded wyf · þorw wittis of vs alle. [þi wedded] weddid þi O.] Line 152 For we haue Mede amaistried · with owre mery speche, [haue] han O. with] thorȝ R.]

That she graunteth to gon · with a gode wille, [she] sho C; heo R. to gon] goo R.] To Londoun to loke · ȝif þat þe lawe wolde [þat] W om. þe] R om.] Iugge ȝow ioyntly · in ioye for euere." Line 156 ¶ Thanne was falsenesse fayne · and fauel as blithe, And leten sompne alle segges · in schires aboute, [sompne] somone W. alle] alle þe R.] And bad hem alle be bown · beggeres and othere, [othere] otheres R.] To wenden wyth hem to Westmynstre · to witnesse þis dede. [hem] hym R. þis] þe R.] Line 160 ¶ Ac þanne cared þei for caplus · to kairen hem þider, [Ac] And C. kairen] carien W.C.] And fauel fette forth þanne · folus ynowe; [folus] foles W; foolis CO.] And sette Mede vpon a Schyreue · shodde al newe, [A page 24] [vpon] vpp R. shodde] shoed W; I-schoud R; schod O.] And fals sat on a sisoure · þat softlich trotted, Line 164 And fauel on a flat[er]ere · fetislich atired. [flaterere] So in WCRO; L has flatere.] ¶ Tho haued notaries none · annoyed þei were, [haued] hadde W; had C; hadden O.] For Symonye and cyuile · shulde on hire fete gange. ¶ Ac þanne swore Symonye · and cyuile bothe, [Ac] And C.] Line 168 That sompnoures shulde be sadled · and serue hem vchone, [sompnoures] somonours W. vchone] echone WC; ichoon O.] And lat apparaille þis prouisoures · in palfreis wyse;— [þis] þise W; þe R; þeise O.] "Sire Symonye hym-seluen · shal sitte vpon here bakkes. [hym-seluen] hym-self W · hym-selue R.] ¶ Denes and suddenes · drawe ȝow togideres, [suddenes] sudenes O; south. denes WR; subdeanes C.] Line 172 Erchdekenes and officiales · and alle ȝowre Regystreres, [officiales] deknes · officiales R. alle] C om.] Lat sadel hem with siluer · owre synne to suffre, As auoutrie and deuo[r]ses · and derne vsurye, [folio 9] [auoutrie] deuoutrie R. de|uorses] so in C; diuorces W; de|uorces O; but LR have deuoses. vsurye] vsure RO.]

To bere bischopes aboute · abrode in visytynge. Line 176 ¶ Paulynes pryues · for pleyntes in þe consistorie, [pryues] pryuees W; preues O. þe] WC om.] Shul serue my-self · þat cyuile is nempned; And cartesadel þe comissarie · owre carte shal he lede, [A page 25] [þe] oure O.] And fecchen vs vytailles · at fornicatores. Line 180 ¶ And maketh of lyer a longe carte · to lede alle þese othere, [maketh] make C. longe] lang W; lange R. þese] þise WC; þes R.] As Freres and faitours · þat on here fete rennen." [Freres] fobberes R. faitours] fautouris O.] And thus fals and fauel · fareth forth togideres, And Mede in þe myddes · and alle þise men after. [men] other CO.] Line 184 ¶ I haue no tome to telle · þe taille þat hem folweth, [tome] toom O. hem folweth] hire folwed W.] Of many maner man · þat on þis molde libbeth; [W omits.] Ac gyle was forgoer · and gyed hem alle. ¶ Sothenesse seiȝ hym wel · and seide but a litel, [hym] hem WR. a] W om.] Line 188 And priked his palfrey · and passed hem alle, And come to þe kynges courte · and conscience it tolde, [come] com WR.] And conscience to þe kynge · carped it after. ¶ "Now by cryst," quod þe kynge · "and I cacche myȝte Line 192 Fals or fauel · or any of his feres, [or] other R (in both places).] I wolde be wroke of þo wrecches · þat worcheth so ille, [þo] þe C.] And don hem hange by þe hals · and alle þat hem meynteneth! Shal neure man of molde · meynprise þe leste, [of] of þis W; on O. leste] leeste WO.] Line 196 But riȝte as þe lawe wil loke · late falle on hem alle." [wil] wol WC; wole O.] ¶ And comanded a constable · þat come atte furst, [come] com W. atte] atte þe R; at C.] To "attache þo tyrauntz · for eny thynge, I hote, And fettereth fast falsenesse · for enykynnes ȝiftes, [A page 26] [enykynnes] any kynnes WC; any kyns O.] Line 200

Line 200 And gurdeth of gyles hed · and lat hym go no furthere. And ȝif ȝe lacche lyer · late hym nouȝt ascapen [ȝe] thou C. lacche] laccheth R.] Er he be put on þe pilorye · for eny preyere, I hote; [þe] C om.] And bryngeth Mede to me · maugre hem alle." [bryngeth] brynght C. maugre] maugree W; maugrey O.] Line 204 ¶ Drede atte dore stode · and þe dome herde, [atte] at þe WCO.] And how þe kynge comaunded · constables and seriantz, [comaunded] demede R. ser|iantz] sergeauntz W; sergeantz C; sergeauntis O.] Falsenesse and his felawschip · to fettren an to bynden. [an] and WCRO.] Þanne drede went wiȝtliche · and warned þe fals, Line 208 And bad hym flee for fere · and his felawes alle. ¶ Falsenesse for fere þanne · fleiȝ to þe freres, [fleiȝ] fleiȝt R; fleis C.] And gyle doþ hym to go · agast for to dye. Line 211 Ac marchantz mette with hym · and made hym abide, [folio 9b] [Ac] And C.] And bishetten hym in here shope · to shewen here ware, [shope] shoppes W.] And apparailled hym as a prentice · þe poeple to serue. [And] W om. apparailed] apparayleden O. a prentice] Appren|tice W.] ¶ Liȝtliche lyer · lepe awey þanne, [lepe] leep W; leepe O.] Lorkynge thorw lanes · to-lugged of manye. [Lorkynge] Lurkynge W.] Line 216 He was nawhere welcome · for his manye tales, [nawhere] nowher W; nawere R; nouȝwher O; naught where C.] Ouer al yhowted · and yhote trusse; [yhowted] so in LC; I-howted RO; y-houted or y-honted (printed y-honted) W.] Tyl pardoneres haued pite · and pulled hym in-to house. [haued] hadde W; hadden O.] They wesshen hym and wyped hym · and wonden hym in cloutes, [A page 27] [wonden] wounden WCO. hym] C om.] Line 220 And sente hym with seles · on sondayes to cherches, [sente] senten W; sent R. cherches] kyrkees C; chirche O.] And gaf pardoun for pens · poundmel aboute. [gaf] yeuen W. pens] pans R.]

¶ Thanne loured leches · and lettres þei sent, Þat he sholde wonye with hem · wateres to loke. Line 224 Spiceres spoke with hym · to spien here ware, [spoke] spoken O; speken WR; spake C. with] to R.] For he couth of here craft · and knewe many gommes. [of here] on here R; of hir WC. gommes] gummes R.] ¶ Ac mynst[r]alles and messageres · mette with hym ones, [Ac] And WC.] And helden hym an half-ȝere · and elleuene dayes. [an half-ȝere] half a ȝere R.] Line 228 ¶ Freres with faire speche · fetten hym þennes, [with] with hir C. þennes] þennes (printed pennes) W; theynnes C.] And for knowyng of comeres · coped hym as a frere. Ac he hath leue to lepe out · as oft as hym liketh, [Ac] And C.] And is welcome whan he wil · and woneth wyth hem oft. Line 232 ¶ Alle fledden for fere · and flowen in-to hernes, Saue Mede þe Mayde · na mo durst abide. [na mo] nama C; no moo O; no man R.] Ac trewli to telle · she trembled for drede, [Ac] And C. she—drede] heo tremeled for fere R.] And ek wept and wronge · whan she was attached. [ek] al-so R. whan] R om. she] heo R.] Line 236

PASSUS III.

[

TITLE; Passus tertius O; Passus iijus L; Passus Tertius de visione, C; to which W adds vt supra; and R adds petri plowman, vt supra, &c.

OBS. Occasional readings from MS. B (Bodley 814) are given in lines 1-86; after which it is more closely collated. See Note.

] Passus tertius.

Now is Mede þe Mayde · and namo of hem alle [A page 28] Line 1 With bedellus & wiþ bayllyues · brouȝt bifor þe kyng. [wiþ] BO om. bayllyues] baillies W; baylis O; baillifs C. brouȝt] ybrouȝt RB.] The kyng called a clerke · can I nouȝt his name, To take Mede þe mayde · and make hire at ese. Line 4 "I shal assaye hir my-self · and sothelich appose [sothelich] couthliche R.] What man of þis molde · þat hire were leueste. [þis] C om. molde] world RB.] And if she worche bi my witte · and my wille folwe, [B omits. my (1)] W om.] I wil forgyue hir þis gilte · so me god help!" [þis gilte] þis gultes R; þe gilt B.] Line 8 ¶ Curteysliche þe clerke þanne · as þe Kyng hight, [þanne] C om. hight] hym hyȝt B.] Toke Mede bi þe Middel · and brouȝte hir in-to chaumbre, [into] in O; to B.] And þere was myrthe and mynstralcye · Mede to plese. [to] forto B.] ¶ They þat wonyeth in Westmynstre · worschiped hir alle; [folio 10] [worschiped] worschipeden O; worshipeþ WB.] Line 12 Gentelliche wiþ ioye · þe Iustices somme [somme] comen O; sone B.] Busked hem to þe boure · þere þe birde dwelled, [hem] hym B. birde] burde W; buyrde R; berde B; bryde O; bred C2.]

To conforte hire kyndely · by clergise leue, [A page 29] And seiden, "mourne nought, Mede · ne make þow no sorwe, Line 16 For we [wil] wisse þe kynge · and þi wey shape, [[wil R] willen B; wol W; LCO om. shape] make B.] To be wedded at þi wille · and where þe leue liketh, [B omits. leue] leef W.] For al conscience caste · or craft, as I trowe!" [conscience] Consciences W. caste—craft] crafte · and cast R; cast a craft B.] ¶ Mildeliche Mede þanne · mercyed hem alle Line 20 Of þeire gret goodnesse · and gaf hem vchone [þeire] hire W; her O.] Coupes of clene golde · and coppis of siluer, [coppis] cuppes RO; pecis B.] Rynges with rubies · and ricchesses manye, The leste man of here meyne · a motoun of golde. Line 24 Thanne lauȝte þei leue · þis lordes, at Mede. ¶ With that comen clerkis · to conforte hir þe same, And beden hire be blithe · "for we beth þine owne, [beden] biden C.] For to worche þi wille · þe while þow myȝte laste." [þe—laste] while our lif lasteþ B.] Line 28 Hendeliche heo þanne · bihight hem þe same, [heo] sho C; sche O; she B.] To "loue ȝow lelli · and lordes to make, [ȝow] hem WCOB. lelly] lealy C; lely R; leely B.] And in þe consistorie atte courte · do calle ȝowre names; [And] O om. consistorie] con|storie RB. ȝowre] hire W. names] name O.] Shal no lewdnesse lette · þe leode þat I louye, Line 32 That he ne worth first auanced · for I am biknowen [ne] R om. auanced] vaunsed R.] Þere konnyng clerkes · shul clokke bihynde." [A page 30] [clokke] so in LWCROB.] ¶ Þanne come þere a confessoure · coped as a Frere, [come] cam W; com RB. coped] ycoped R; caped C.] To Mede þe mayde · he mellud þis wordes, [mellud] melled C; mellid B; mened W; medelede O.] Line 36 And seide ful softly · in shrifte as it were, [softly] sotely R.] "Theiȝ lewed men and lered men · had leyne by þe bothe, And falsenesse haued yfolwed þe · al þis fyfty wyntre, [B omits. falsenesse] falsede R.]

I shal assoille þe my-selue · for a seme of whete, Line 40 And also be þi bedeman · and bere wel þi message, Amonges kniȝtes and clerkis · conscience to torne." [torne] turne ROB.] ¶ Thanne Mede for here mysdedes · to þat man kneled, And shroue hire of hire shrewednesse · shamelees, I trowe, [shroue] shrof WR; shroof B.] Line 44 Tolde hym a tale · and toke hym a noble, Forto ben hire bedeman · and hire brokour als. ¶ Thanne he assoilled hir sone · and sithen he seyde, [he seyde] a sayde R.] "We han a wyndowe a wirchyng · wil sitten vs [ful] heigh; [a (2)] in W. [ful] So in WCROB; L has wel. Cf. Text A.] Line 48 Woldestow glase þat gable · and graue þere-inne þi name, Siker sholde þi soule be · heuene to haue." "Wist I that," quod þat womman · "I wolde nouȝt spare [folio 10b] For to be ȝowre frende, frere · and faille ȝow neure Line 52 Whil ȝe loue lordes · þat lechery haunteþ, And lakkeþ nouȝt ladis · þat loueþ wel þe same. It is a frelete of flesche · ȝe fynde it in bokes, [a] W retains a, omitted in the printed copy. ȝe] þei B.] And a course of kynde · wher-of we komen alle; Line 56 Who may scape þe sklaundre · þe skaþe is sone amended; [þe (1)] W om.] It is synne of [þe] seuene · sonnest relessed. [B omits. [þe] inserted in WOC₂; LC om. sonnest] is sonnest O. relessed] for-gyuene C.] ¶ Haue mercy," quod Mede · "of men þat it haunte, And I shal keure ȝowre kirke · ȝowre cloystre do maken, [keure] keuere O; kouere C; couere W. ȝowre (2)] & ȝoure O.] Wowes do whitten · and wyndowes glasen, Line 61 Do peynten and purtraye · and paye for þe makynge,

That eury segge shal seyn · I am sustre of ȝowre hous." [A page 31] [

51—63. R has only these four lines—

Wist I þat, quatȝ mede · þere nys wyn|dow no wowȝ,

þat y ne wolde make and amende · it with of myne,

And my name write · openliche þere|Inne,

þat vch a segge schal I-se · Ich am suster to ȝow alle.

] [seyn] seye WCO.] ¶ Ac god to alle good folke · suche grauynge defendeth, [Ac] And C.] To writen in wyndowes · of here wel dedes, Line 65 On auenture pruyde be peynted þere · and pompe of þe worlde; [On] An W; And CR; In B. peynted] ypeynted R.] For crist knoweþ þi conscience · and þi kynde wille, [crist] god R. kynde] kende R.] And þi coste and þi coueitise · and who þe catel ouȝte. [And] R om.] ¶ For-þi I lere ȝow, lordes · leueþ suche werkes, Line 69 To writen in wyndowes · of ȝowre wel dedes, Or to greden after goddis men · whan ȝe delen doles; An auenture ȝe han ȝowre hire here · and ȝoure heuene als;

Nesciat sinistra quid faciat dextra.

[An] On WCO; In B. han] haue W.] Line 72 Lat nouȝte þi left half · late [ne] rathe, [[ne] so in WCRB; LO have no. Cf. Text A.] Wyte what þow worchest · with þi riȝt syde; For þus bit þe gospel · gode men do here almesse. [For] And O. bit] bitt R; bid|diþ B. In W miswritten by, as printed.] ¶ Meires and maceres · that menes ben bitwene Line 76 Þe kynge and þe comune · to kepe þe lawes, [kepe] kepe wel O.] To punyschen on pillories · and pynynge stoles [on] vppon R.] Brewesteres and bakesteres · bocheres and cokes; [bakesteres] baxters C.] For þise aren men on þis molde · þat moste harme worcheth [on] vppon R; of B.] Line 80 To þe pore peple · þat parcel-mele buggen. ¶ For they poysoun þe peple · priueliche and oft, [A page 32] [For—poysoun] And also poy|sene R. poysoun] enpoisone W; punyschen O.] Thei rychen þorw regraterye · and rentes hem buggen [buggen] biggen WO; bieggen B.] With þat þe pore people · shulde put in here wombe; For toke þei on trewly · þei tymbred nouȝt so heiȝe, Line 85 Ne bouȝte non burgages · be ȝe ful certeyne. [burgages] burgage R.]

¶ Ac Mede þe Mayde · þe Maire hath bisouȝte, [Ac] And C.] Of alle suche sellers · syluer to take, Line 88 Or presentȝ with-oute pens · as peces of siluer, [folio 11] [or] And B. pens] pans R.] Ringes or other ricchesse · þe regrateres to maynetene. [or other] other othere R.] ¶ "For my loue," quod that lady · "loue hem vchone, [loue] lord R.] And soffre hem to selle · somdele aȝeins resoun." Line 92 ¶ Salamon þe sage · a sarmoun he made, For to amende Maires · and men þat kepen lawes, And tolde hem þis teme · þat I telle thynke;

Ignis deuorabit tabernacula eorum qui libenter accipiunt munera, &c.

[thynke] written thynko in L; þynke W; thenke CRO. accipiunt munera] R om.] Amonge þis lettered ledes · þis latyn is to mene, [O omits. ledes] lede R.] Line 96 That fyre shal falle, and [brenne] · al to blo askes [That] þat is O. [brenne WCOB] preferable to berne, as in L.] The houses and þe homes · of hem [þat] desireth [þe homes] homes W. [þat WCROB] L om.] Ȝiftes or ȝeresȝyues · bi-cause of here offices. [ȝeresȝyues] ȝereȝiftes R; yeres|yiftes C. offices] office R.] ¶ The kynge fro conseille cam · and called after Mede, [A page 33] [fro] fro þe W.] And ofsent hir alswythe · with seriauntes manye, [alswythe] as swiþe WC; also swiþe B. seriauntes] sergeauntz W; sergeauntes CO; seruauntis B.] Line 101 That brouȝten hir to bowre · with blisse and with ioye. [That] And W.] ¶ Curteisliche þe kynge þanne · comsed to telle, To Mede þe mayde · melleth þise wordes: [melleth] he meneþ W.] Line 104 "Vnwittily, womman! · wrouȝte hastow oft, Ac worse wrouȝtestow neure · þan þo þow fals toke. [Ac] And C.] But I forgyue [þe] þat gilte · and graunte þe my grace; [[þe] þee WO; þe R; þo (by mistake for þe) CB; L om. Cf. Text A. þat] þis O.] Hennes to þi deth day · do so namore! [do] to do R.] Line 108 ¶ I haue a knyȝte, conscience · cam late fro biȝunde; [biȝunde LR] biyonde WCO.] Ȝif he wilneth þe to wyf · wyltow hym haue?" [wyf] wyue RB.]

"Ȝe, lorde," quod þat lady · "lorde forbede elles! [forbede] forbede it W. lorde—elles] lord it me forbede R.] Line 111 But I be holely at ȝowre heste · lat hange me sone!" ¶ And þanne was conscience calde · to come and appiere [A page 34] [calde] called WCO; Icalled R.] Bifor þe Kynge and his conseille · as clerkes and othere. Knelynge conscience · to þe kynge louted, [louted] a-lowtid B.] Line 115 To wite what his wille were · and what he do shulde. [shulde] wolde W.] ¶ "Woltow wedde þis womman," quod þe kynge · "ȝif I wil assente, [I] she B. Woltow] Wiltow CR; wilt þou OB.] Line 117 For she is fayne of þi felawship · for to be þi make?" [fayne] R om.] ¶ Quod conscience to þe kynge · "cryst it me forbede! Ar I wedde suche a wyf · wo me bityde! [Ar] Er WCROB.] Line 120 For she is frele of hir feith · fykel of here speche, [fykel] and fykel R.] And maketh men mysdo · many score tymes; Truste of hire tresore · treieth ful manye. [treieth] bitrayeþ W; bitraieþ B.] Wyues and widewes · wantounes she techeth, [folio 11b] [wantounes] It may be wanton|nes, the reading being uncertain in W and C; but cf. wantownesse RO.] Line 124 And lereth hem leccherye · that loueth hire ȝiftes. Ȝowre fadre she felled · þorw fals biheste, [she] he R; O om. fals] faire R; hire fals B.] And hath apoysounde popis · [&] peired holicherche; [apoysounde] a-poysowned O; apoisunde C; appoysond R; apoisoned B; enpoisoned W. peired] and peired WO; and appayreth R. L omits &.] Is nauȝt a better baude · bi hym þat me made, Line 128 Bitwene heuene and helle · in erthe þough men souȝte! [in] and R.] For she is tikil of hire taile · talwis of hir tonge, [tikil] fikil O. talwis] and talewis W. hir] R om.] As comune as a cartwey · to eche a knaue þat walketh, To monkes, to mynst[r]alles · to meseles in hegges. [A page 35] [to (2)] and to R.] Line 132 Sisoures and sompnoures · suche men hir preiseth; [sompnoures] Somonours W.] Shireues of shires · were shent ȝif she nere; [nere] ne were W.] For she doþ men lese here londe · and here lyf bothe.

She leteth passe prisoneres · and payeth for hem ofte, [leteth] lat R; lates C; lateþ B. prisoneres] prisons R.] And gyueth þe gailers golde · and grotes togideres, Line 137 To vnfettre þe fals · fle where hym lyketh; And takeþ þe trewe bi þe toppe · and tieth hym faste, [þe trewe] trewthe R. hym] hem W.] And hangeth hym for hatred · þat harme dede neure. [hym] hem W.] ¶ To be cursed in consistorie · she counteth nouȝte a russhe; [consistorie] constorie RB. she] he R. russhe] resshe C; rische O; reische B; bene W.] Line 141 For she copeth þe comissarie · and coteth his clerkis; [she] he R.] She is assoilled as sone · as hir-self liketh, [as (1)] al-so B.] And may neiȝe as moche do · in a moneth one[s], [neize] nee C. as] al-so B. [ones ROB] one LWC. Cf. Text A.] Line 144 As ȝowre secret seel · in syx score dayes. [ȝowre] oure O.] For she is priue with þe pope · prouisoures it knoweth, [she] he R.] For sire symonye and hir-selue · seleth hire bulles. ¶ She blesseth þise bisshopes · þeiȝe þey be lewed, [þeiȝe—persones] R om.] Line 148 Prouendreth persones · and prestes meynteneth, [þeiȝe—persones] R om.] To haue lemmannes and lotebies · alle here lif dayes, [lif dayes] lyues dayes C.] And bringen forth barnes · aȝein forbode lawes. [A page 36] [bringen] bryngeþ WB. for|bode] forboden O.] There she is wel with þe kynge · wo is þe rewme, [rewme] reaume W; reame C.] Line 152 For she is fauorable to þe fals · and fouleth trewthe ofte. [þe] W om. fouleth] defouleþ W; folweþ CB.] ¶ Bi ihesus, with here ieweles · ȝowre iustices she shendeth, [ȝowre] þe R. she] heo R.] And lith aȝein þe lawe · and letteth hym þe gate, [letteth] let R.] That feith may nouȝte haue his forth · here floreines go so þikke. Line 156 She ledeth þe lawe as hire list · and louedayes maketh, [ledeth] let R.] And doth men lese þorw hire loue · þat lawe myȝte wynne,

Þe mase for a mene man · þouȝ he mote hir eure. [mote hire] moote heer O; mute here C2.] Lawe is so lordeliche · and loth to make ende, [make] make an O.] Line 160 With-oute presentȝ or pens · she pleseth wel fewe. [pens] pans R. she] he R.] ¶ Barounes and burgeys · she bryngeth in sorwe, [burgeys] burgeises W. she] heo R.] And alle þe comune in kare · þat coueyten lyue in trewthe; [comune in] comunes into O.] For clergye and coueitise · she coupleth togideres. Line 164 Þis is þe lyf of that lady · now lorde ȝif hir sorwe! [folio 12] And alle that meynteneth here men · meschaunce hem bityde! For pore men mowe haue no powere · to pleyne hem þouȝ þei smerte; [pore] pouere W. hem] B om.] Suche a maistre is Mede · amonge men of gode." Line 168 ¶ Thanne morned Mede · and mened hire to the kynge, To haue space to speke · spede if she myȝte. [she] a R.] ¶ The kynge graunted hir grace · with a gode wille; "Excuse þe, ȝif þow canst · I can namore seggen, Line 172 For conscience acuseth þe · to congey þe for euere." [A page 37] [congey] congeien W.] ¶ "Nay, lorde," quod þat lady · "leueth hym þe worse, [leueth] leue R; leues C.] Whan ȝe wyten witterly · where þe wronge liggeth; There þat myschief is grete · Mede may helpe. Line 176 And þow knowest, conscience · I cam nouȝt to chide, [þow] þat þow R.] Ne depraue þi persone · with a proude herte. Wel þow wost, wernard · but ȝif þow wolt gabbe, [wost] woost W.] Þow hast hanged on myne half · elleuene tymes, Line 180 And also griped my golde · gyue it where þe liked; [griped] Igripe R. gyue] and ȝaf B.] And whi þow wratthest þe now · wonder me thynketh. Ȝit I may as I myȝte · menske þe with ȝiftes, [menske] amende B.] Line 183 And mayntene þi manhode · more þan þow knoweste. ¶ Ac þow hast famed me foule · bifor þe Kynge here. [Ac] And C.]

For kulled I neuere no kynge · ne conseilled þer-after, [kynge] kniȝt R.] Ne dede as þow demest · I do [it] on þe kynge! [[it WRO; hit B] LC om.] Line 187 ¶ In normandye was he nouȝte · noyed for my sake; [noyed] Inuyed R; anoied B.] Ac þow þi-self sothely · shamedest hym ofte, [Ac] And C.] Crope in-to a kaban · for colde of þi nailles, [Crope] And crope B. kabane] Cabane W; caban CO.] Wendest þat wyntre · wolde haue lasted euere, [haue lasted] han y-lasted W; a last R. lasted] durid O.] And draddest to be ded · for a dym cloude, Line 192 And hiedest homeward · for hunger of þi wombe. [hiedest] hyedest þee O.] ¶ Wiþ-out pite, piloure · pore men þow robbedest, And bere here bras at þi bakke · to caleys to selle. [A page 38] [bere] bare CO.] There I lafte with my lorde · his lyf for to saue, [lafte] lefte R.] Line 196 I made his men meri · and mornyng lette. [lette] lettede O.] I batered hem on þe bakke · and bolded here hertis, [I] And I O. batered] batred W.] And dede hem hoppe for hope · to haue me at wille. Had I ben Marschal of his men · bi Marie of heuene! [his] O om.] I durst haue leyde my lyf · and no lasse wedde, Line 201 He shulde haue be lorde of þat londe · a lengthe and a brede, [a] in (in both places) W. of] of al B.] And also Kyng of þat kitthe · his kynne for to helpe, [of] of al B. kitthe] kiþ WB · kyth R; kiþþe O.] Þe leste brolle of his blode · a barounes pere! [folio 12b] [brolle] brol WR. blode] kynne CB. pere] piere WC.] Line 204 ¶ Cowardliche þow, conscience · conseiledest hym þennes, [þennes] þanne O.] To leuen his lordeship · for a litel siluer, That is þe richest rewme · þat reyne ouer houeth! ¶ It bicometh to a kynge · þat kepeth a rewme, [a (2)] þe COB.] Line 208 To ȝiue Mede to men · þat mekelich hym serueth, To alienes and to alle men · to honoure hem with ȝiftes; Mede makoth hym biloued · and for a man holden.

Emperoures and Erlis · and al manere lordes Line 212 For ȝiftes han ȝonge men · to renne and to ride. [For] þurȝ R. ȝonge men] ȝoumen R. renne] ȝernen R.] The pope and alle prelatis · presentȝ vnderfongen, [alle] alle þe W.] And medeth men hem-seluen · to meyntene here lawes. Seruauntz for her seruise · we seth wel þe sothe, [A page 39] [Seruauntz] Sergeauntz W. seth] se C.] Line 216 Taken Mede of here maistre · as þei mowe acorde. [maistre] mayster O; maistres WCB; meystres R.] Beggeres for here biddynge · bidden men Mede; Mynstralles for here murthe · mede þei aske. Þe kynge hath mede of his men · to make pees in londe; Line 220 Men þat teche chyldren · craue of hem mede. [of hem] after W.] Prestis þat precheth þe poeple · to gode, asken mede, And masse-pans and here mete · at þe mele tymes. [þe] R om. mele] male O.] Alkynnes crafty men · crauen Mede for here prentis; [Alkynnes] Alle kynne W; Alle kyns O. crafty] craftes W. prentis] Prentices WO; prentyces R.] Marchauntz and Mede · mote nede go togideres; [mote] most R.] Line 225 No wiȝte as I wene · with-oute Mede may libbe." ¶ [Quod] þe kynge to conscience · "bi criste! as me thynketh, [[Quod WCROB] Quatȝ L.] Mede is wel worthi · þe maistrye to haue!" [wel] R om. 230. with] by R.] Line 228 ¶ "Nay," quod conscience to þe Kynge · and kneled to þe erthe, "There aren two manere of Medes · my lorde, with ȝowre leue. Þat one, god of his grace · graunteth in his blisse To þo þat wel worchen · whil þei ben here. Line 232 The prophete precheth þer-of · and put it in þe sautere,

Domine quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo?

'Lorde, who shal wonye in þi wones · and with þine holi seyntes, [and] R om.]

Or resten on þi holy hilles?' · þis asketh dauid; [on] in WCOB.] Line 235 ¶ And dauyd assoileth it hym-self · as þe sauter telleth,

Qui ingreditur sine macula, & operatur ius|ticiam,

Tho þat entren of o colour · and of on wille, And han wrouȝte werkis · with riȝte and with reson; [wrouȝte] y-wroght W; Iwrouȝt R.] And he þat ne vseth nauȝte · þe lyf of vsurye, [ne] W om.] And enfourmeth pore men · and pursueth treuthe;

Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad vsuram, & munera super innocentem, &c.

[innocentem] innocentem B; innocentes O; innoc: LWCR.] Line 240 And alle þat helpeth þe innocent · and halt with þe riȝtful, [folio 13] [helpeth] helpen WO. halt] holt R; hold C; holden W; holdiþ B.] With-oute mede doth hem gode · and þe trewthe helpeth— [þe] O om. trewthe] trewe R.] Suche manere men, my lorde · shal haue þis furst Mede [þis] þe O.] Of god at a grete nede · whan þei gone hennes. [a] þe B; O om.] Line 244 There is an-other Mede mesurelees · þat maistres de|sireth; [A page 40] [an-other] and other C.] To meyntene mysdoers · Mede þei take; And þere-of seith þe sauter · in a salmes ende,

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

[þere-of] þer B. sunt] C om.] And he þat gripeth her golde · so me god helpe! Line 248 Shal abie it bittere · or þe boke lyeth! [bittere] bittirli O; ful bittere R; ful bytterly B. lyeth] lees C.] ¶ Prestes and parsones · þat plesynge desireth, That taketh Mede and [moneie] · for messes þat þei syngeth, [taketh] taken WO; takes C; taked R. [moneie WC] money O; moneye B; this seems preferable to the spelling mone LR.] Taketh here mede here · as Mathew vs techeth; [Taketh] Taken WO; Takes C. ] Line 252

Amen, amen, [receperunt] mercedem suam.

[receperunt O] recipiebant LWCRB.] Line 252 ¶ That laboreres and lowe folke · taketh of her maistres, [lowe] lewed R. taketh] taken WO.] It is no manere Mede · but a mesurable hire. [is] nis R. mesurable] reson|abile CB.] In marchandise is no mede · I may it wel a-vowe Line 255 It is a permutacioun apertly · a penyworth for an othre. [a] R om.] ¶ Ac reddestow neuere Regum · þow recrayed Mede, [A page 41] [Ac] And C.] Whi þe veniaunce fel · on Saul and on his children? [veniaunce] vengeaunce WC.] God sent to Saul · bi Samuel þe prophete, Þat agage of amaleke · and al his peple aftre [al] R om.] Line 260 Shulde deye for a dede · þat done had here eldres. ¶ 'For-þi,' seid Samuel to Saul · 'god hym-self hoteth The, be boxome at his biddynge · his wille to fulfille: [be] to be O. his] is C. his—to] & his wille O.] Wende to amalec with þyn oste · and what þow fyndest þere, slee it; [fyndest] fynst R.] Line 264 Biernes and bestes · brenne hem to ded; [brenne] bren W; brynne C. ded] dede CROB; deþe W.] Wydwes and wyues · wommen and children, Moebles and vnmoebles · and al þat þow myȝte fynde, [Moebles] Mobles C; Mebles ROB. vnmoebles] vnmobles C; vn|mebles ROB. þat] WO om.] Brenne it, bere it nouȝte awey · be it neuere so riche For mede ne for [moneie]; · loke þow destruye it, [ne] nor C. [moneie C] money OB; monee W; mone LR.] Line 269 Spille it and spare it nouȝte · þow shalt spede þe bettere.' ¶ And for he coueyted her catel · and þe kynge spared, Forbare hym and his bestes bothe · as þe bible wit|nesseth, Line 272 Otherwyse þan he was · warned of þe prophete, God seide to Samuel · þat Saul shulde deye, And al his sede for þat synne · shenfullich ende. [shenfullich] shendfulliche B; shentfulliche R; shenfuliche C. ende] endede R.] Such a myschief Mede made · Saul þe kynge to haue,

That god hated hym for euere · and alle his eyres after. [eyres] eires O; heires WCRB.] The culorum of þis cas · kepe I nouȝte to shewe; [shewe] telle W.] Line 278 An auenture it noyed men · none ende wil I make. [A page 42] [folio 13b] [An] On WO; R om. auen|ture] Aunter R.] For so is þis worlde went · wiþ hem þat han powere, That who-so seyth hem sothes · is sonnest yblamed. [sothes] soþest W.] Line 281 ¶ I conscience knowe þis · for kynde witt me it tauȝte, [I] retained in W (but not in the printed copy). me it] it me W. it tauȝte] tauȝte it O.] Þat resoun shal regne · and rewmes gouerne; And riȝte as agag hadde · happe shul somme. Line 284 Samuel shal sleen hym · and Saul shal be blamed, And dauid shal be diademed · and daunten hem alle, And one cristene kynge · kepen hem alle. ¶ Shal na more Mede · be maistre, as she is nouthe, [she] he R; scho C.] Ac loue and lowenesse · and lewte togederes, [Ac] And C. lowenesse] lewed|nese C; lewidnesse B. lewte] leautee W; leaute CB.] Line 289 Þise shul be maistres on molde · treuthe to saue. [on] of CB.] ¶ And who-so trespasseth ayein treuthe · or taketh aȝein his wille, Leute shal don hym lawe · and no lyf elles. [lyf] lif WRB; lief C; lijf O.] Line 292 Shal no seriaunt for here seruyse · were a silke howue, [seriaunt] sergeant W; ser|geant CB. here] his W.] Ne no pelure in his cloke · for pledyng atte barre. [atte] at þe WOB.] Mede of mys-doeres · maketh many lordes, And ouer lordes lawes · reuleth þe rewmes. Line 296 ¶ Ac kynde loue shal come ȝit · and conscience to|gideres, [Ac] And C. kynde] kende R.] And make of lawe a laborere · suche loue shal arise, And such a pees amonge þe peple · and a perfit trewthe, [a] R om.] Þat iewes shal wene in here witte · and waxen wonder glade, Line 300 Þat Moises or Messie · be come in-to þis erthe, And haue wonder in here hertis · þat men beth so trewe.

¶ Alle þat bereth baslarde · brode swerde or launce, [baslarde] baslard R; base|larde W; baselard CB; basalard O.] Axe [other] hachet · or eny wepne ellis, [[other R; oþer OB] ouþer WC; orther L (corruptly).] Line 304 Shal be demed to þe deth · but if he do it smythye In-to sikul or to sithe · to schare or to kulter;

Conflabunt gladios suos in vomeres, &c.;

Eche man to pleye with a plow · pykoys or spade, [B omits.] [pykoys] pykoise W; pikeys CO; pycoys R.] Spynne, or sprede donge · or spille hym-self with sleuthe. [B omits.] [or (2)] other R. spille] lese R.] Line 308 ¶ Prestes and parsones · with placebo to hunte, And dyngen vpon dauid · eche a day til eue. [a] W om.] Huntynge or haukynge · if any of hem vse, His boste of his benefys · worth bynome hym after. Shal neither kynge ne knyȝte · constable ne Meire Line 313 Ouer-lede þe comune · ne to þe courte sompne, Ne put hem in panel · to don hem pliȝte here treuthe, But after þe dede þat is don · one dome shal rewarde, Mercy or no mercy · as treuthe wil acorde. [folio 14] Line 317 ¶ Kynges courte and comune courte · consistorie and chapitele, [consistorie] constorie R. chapitele LR] Chapitle WCO.] [consistorie—courte] B omits.] Al shal be but one courte · and one baroun be iustice; [consistorie—courte] B omits.] [one] oon WC; on R; o O. baroun] C om.] Thanne worth trewe-tonge a tidy man · þat tened me neuere. Batailles shal non be · ne no man bere wepne, Line 321 And what smyth þat ony smyt[h]eth · be smyte þer|with to dethe,

Non leuabit gens contra gentem gladium, &c.

[smytheth] smyþeþ WO; smi|thie R; smyteth LCB. smyte] smiten R.] ¶ And er þis fortune falle · fynde men shal þe worste, By syx sonnes and a schippe · and half a shef of arwes; And þe myddel of a mone · shal make þe iewes to torne, [to] R om.]

And saracenes for þat siȝte · shulle synge gloria in excelsis, &c., [þat] þe R.] Line 326 For Makomet & Mede · myshappe shal þat tyme;

For, melius est bonum nomen quam diuicie multe."

[For] And CB.] ¶ Also wroth as þe wynde · wex Mede in a while, "I can no latyn," quod she · "clerkis wote þe sothe. [wote] wite W; wyten B.] Se what Salamon seith · in Sapience bokes, Line 330 That hij þat ȝiueth ȝiftes · þe victorie wynneth, [hij] þei WB; he O. ȝiueth] ȝyuen W; ȝeuen B.] & moche worschip had þer-with · as holiwryt telleth,

Honorem adquiret qui dat munera, &c."

[moche] moost W; myche O.] ¶ "I leue wel, lady," quod conscience · "þat þi latyne be trewe; [I] retained in W (but not in the printed copy).] Line 333 Ac þow art like a lady · þat redde a lessoun ones, [Ac] An C.] Was, omnia probate · and þat plesed here herte, For þat lyne was no lenger · atte leues ende. [no] O om. (!)] Line 336 Had [she] loked þat other half · and þe lef torned, [[she WC] sche RO; ȝe LB (corruptly). torned] Iturned R.] [She] shulde haue founden fele wordis · folwyng þer|after, [[she WC] sche RO; ȝe LB (corruptly). torned] Iturned R.] Quod bonum est tenete · treuthe þat texte made! ¶ And so ferde ȝe, madame! · ȝe couthe namore fynde, [couthe] koude C; coude RO.] Line 340 Tho ȝe loked on sapience · sittynge in ȝoure studie. Þis tixte þat ȝe han tolde · were gode for lordes, [han told] haue Itolde R. couthe] coude R.] Ac ȝow failled a cunnyng clerke · þat couthe þe lef haue torned! [Ac] And C. haue torned] attorned (contr. from a torned) R.] And if ȝe seche sapience eft · fynde shal ȝe þat folweth, Line 344 A ful teneful tixte · to hem þat taketh Mede, [B omits. taketh] taken O.] And þat is, animam autem aufert · accipientium, &c.:

And þat is þe taille of þe tixte · of þat þat ȝe schewed, [ȝe] she W. schewed] scheweden O; schede (!) R.] Þat þeiȝe we wynne worschip · and wiþ mede haue victorie, [mede] me (!) R.] Line 348 Þe soule þat þe sonde taketh · bi so moche is bounde." [sonde] sonȝd (miswritten for sondz?) R.]

PASSUS IV.

[TITLE. vt supra] petri plowman, vt supra R; CB om.] Passus quartus de visione, vt supra.

"Cesseth," seith þe kynge · "I suffre ȝow no lengere. [A page 43] [folio 14b] [Cesseth] Cesses C.] Ȝe shal sauȝtne for sothe · and serue me bothe. [sauȝtne] sauȝtle OB.] Kisse hir," quod þe kynge · "conscience, I hote." [hote] þe hote B.] ¶ "Nay, bi criste," quod conscience · "congeye me for euere! [for] er for W. for euere] rather COB.] Line 4 But resoun rede me þer-to · rather wil I deye!" ¶ "And I comaunde þe," quod þe Kynge · to conscience þanne, "Rape þe to ride · and resoun þow fecche; Comaunde hym þat he come · my conseille to here. Line 8 For he shal reule my rewme · and rede me þe beste, And acounte with þe, conscience · so me cryst helpe, How þow lernest þe peple · þe lered and þe lewede." [þe lered] lered R.] ¶ "I am fayne of þat forwarde" · seyde þe freke þanne, And ritt riȝte to resoun · and rowneth in his ere, [ritt] ryt W; rit CO; ridiþ B.] Line 13 And seide as þe kynge badde · and sithen toke his leue. [A page 44] [sithen] sithes R.] ¶ "I shal arraye me to ride, quod resoun · "reste þe a while"— And called catoun his knaue · curteise of speche, Line 16 And also tomme trewe-tonge- · telle-me-no-tales| Ne-lesyng-to-lawȝe-of · for-I-loued-hem-neuere— [lawȝe] lauȝen W; laughe C; lawe R; lauȝhe O; lauȝghe B. of] at O.]

"And sette my sadel vppon suffre- · til-I-se-my-tyme, And lete warrok it wel · with witty-wordes gerthes, [lete] let R; lat W. it] hym W. gerthes] gere B.] Line 20 And hange on hym þe heuy brydel · to holde his hed lowe, [holde] helde R.] For he wil make wehe · tweye er he be there." [wehe] wehee W. tweye] twies WB; twyes O; twyees C.] ¶ Thanne conscience vppon his caple · kaireth forth faste, [kaireth] carieþ WB.] And resoun with hym ritte · rownynge togideres, [ritte] ryt W; rit RO; rydes C; rytt B.] Line 24 Whiche maistries Mede · maketh on þis erthe. [Mede—erthe] on eerth · Mede þe mayde maketh R.] ¶ One waryn wisdom · And witty his fere Folwed hem faste · [for þei] haued to done [hem] hym W. [for þei WOB] for hij C; LR om.; but in L, the line is marked for correction. haued] hadde WC; hadden B.] In þe cheker and at þe chauncerie · to be discharged of þinges; [þe cheker] þescheker W. and] R om. at þe] in þe WCOB; atte þe R.] Line 28 And riden fast, for resoun · shulde rede hem þe beste, [hem] O om.] For to saue hem, for siluer · fro shame and fram harmes. ¶ And conscience knewe hem wel · þei loued coueitise, And bad resoun ride faste · and recche of her noither, [CB omit. resoun] O om. noither] neiþer WO; nother R.] "Þere aren wiles in here wordes · and with Mede þei dwelleth; [þere—wiles] þei arn wyli O.] Line 33 There as wratthe and wranglyng is · þere wynne þei siluer, ¶ Ac þere is loue and lewte · þei wil nouȝte come þere;

Contricio & infelicitas in vijs eorum, &c.

[Ac þere] Ac where W; And þer C; þere R.] Þei ne gyueth nouȝte of god · one gose wynge,

Non est timor dei ante oculos eorum.

[gose] goose W; goos O.] [folio 15] Line 36 For, wot god, þei wolde do more · for a dozeine chickenes, Or as many capones · or for a seem of otes,

Þan for loue of owre lorde · or alle hise leue seyntes. [loue] þe loue W.] For-þi, resoun, lete hem ride · þo riche, bi hem-seluen, [resoun] R om.] For conscience knoweth hem nouȝte · ne cryst, as I trowe. Line 41 And þanne resoun rode faste · þe riȝte heiȝe gate, As conscience hym kenned · til þei come to þe kynge. [þei] he O.] ¶ Curteisliche þe kynge þanne · come aȝein resoun, [come] com W. aȝein] ayeins W.] Line 44 And bitwene hym-self and his sone · sette hym on benche, And wordeden wel wyseli · a gret while togideres. [a] at C.] ¶ And þanne come pees in-to parlement · and put forth a bille, [A page 45] [put] puttede O.] How wronge aȝeines his wille · had his wyf taken, Line 48 And how he rauisshed Rose · Reginoldes loue, [Reginoldes] Reignaldes W; Rey|noldes CO; Reynaldes R; Raynaldis B.] And Margarete of hir maydenhode · maugre here chekis. [maugre] maugree W; maugrey O; magre B.] "Bothe my gees & my grys · his gadelynges feccheth; I dar nouȝte for fere of hym · fyȝte ne chyde. [hym] hem W.] Line 52 He borwed of me bayard · he brouȝte hym home neure, [he] and R. hym] it R.] Ne no ferthynge þer-fore · for nauȝte I couthe plede. [CB om. nauȝte] ouȝt W; ouȝt þat O.] He meyneteneth his men · to morther myne hewen, [hewen] hennes (!) R.] Forstalleth my feyres · and fiȝteth in my chepynge, Line 56 And breketh vp my bernes dore · and bereth aweye my whete, [CB om. bernes dore] berne|dores O.] And taketh me but a taile · for ten quarteres of otes, [but] C om. a] o O. taile] taille WC. ten] a ten CB.] And ȝet he bet me þer-to · and lyth bi my Mayde, [bet] beteþ WB.] I nam nouȝte hardy for hym · vneth to loke." [nam] am WR. vneth] vnneþe WROB; vnees C.] Line 60 ¶ The kynge knewe he seide sothe · for conscience hym tolde,

Þat wronge was a wikked luft · and wrouȝte moche sorwe. [luft] lift O; lyft C. wrouȝte—sorwe] muche sorwe wrouȝte R.] Line 62 ¶ Wronge was afered þanne · and wisdome he souȝte To make pees with his pens · and profered hym manye, And seide, "had I loue of my lorde þe kynge · litel wolde I recche, [A page 46] Line 65 Theiȝe pees and his powere · pleyned hym eure!" [hym] hem R.] ¶ Þo wan wisdome · and sire waryn þe witty, [wan] whan CB; wente WO.] For þat wronge had ywrouȝte · so wikked a dede, Line 68 And warned wronge þo · with such a wyse tale; "Who-so worcheth bi wille · wratthe maketh ofte; [bi] my CB; by my O.] I seye it bi þi-self · þow shalt it wel fynde. [þi-self] myself WCB.] But if Mede it make · þi myschief is vppe, Line 72 For bothe þi lyf and þi londe · lyth in his grace." ¶ Thanne wowed wronge · wisdome ful ȝerne, To make his pees with his pens · handi-dandi payed. [folio 15b] [his pees] pees WB.] Wisdome and witte þanne · wenten togideres, Line 76 And toke Mede myd hem · mercy to winne. [myd] with C.] ¶ Pees put forþ his hed · and his panne blody; [put] putte WR.] "Wyth-outen gilte, god it wote · gat I þis skaþe, [gilte] gult R.] Conscience and þe comune · knowen þe sothe." Line 80 ¶ Ac wisdom and witt · were about faste [Ac] And C. were] weren OB.] To ouercome þe kyng · with catel, ȝif þei myȝte. ¶ Þe kynge swore, bi crist · and bi his crowne bothe, [A page 47] Þat wronge for his werkis · sholde wo þolye, [þolye] thole R.] Line 84 And comaunded a constable · to casten hym in yrens, "And late hym nouȝte þis seuene ȝere · seen his feet ones." ¶ "God wot," quod wysdom · "þat were nauȝte þe beste;

And he amendes mowe make · late meynprise hym haue; [mowe] mowe (printed nowe) W.] And be borwgh for his bale · and biggen hym bote, [borwgh] borgh WCB; boruȝ R. biggen] buggen WR; biȝen B. hym] hem C.] Line 89 And so amende þat is mysdo · and euermore þe bettere." [euermore] euere be R.] ¶ Witt acorded þer-with · and seide þe same: "Bettere is þat bote · bale adoun brynge, [Bettere] þat bettere R.] Line 92 Þan bale be ybette · & bote neuere þe bettere." ¶ And þanne gan Mede to mengen here · and mercy she bisought, [mengen] meken R. she] he R; C om.] And profred pees a present · al of pure golde: "Haue þis, man, of me," quod she · "to amende þi skaþe, Line 96 For I wil wage for wronge · he wil do so namore." ¶ Pitously pees þanne · prayed to þe kynge To haue mercy on þat man · þat mys-did hym so ofte: [on] of O.] "For he hath waged me wel · as wysdome hym tauȝte, And I forgyue hym þat gilte · with a goode wille; Line 101 So þat þe kynge assent · I can seye no bettere; For Mede hath made me amendes · I may namore axe." [made me amendes] me amendes maad W. axe] aske O.] ¶ "Nay," quod þe Kynge þo · "so me cryst helpe! [A page 48] Line 104 Wronge wendeth nouȝte so awaye · arst wil I wite more; [arst] erst WCOB. wite] C om.] For loupe he so liȝtly · laughen he wolde, [loupe] lope WO; lepe B. laughen] leyȝhen R.] And efte þe balder be · to bete myne hewen; [balder] boldere WR. hewen] huen O; hewes R.] But resoun haue reuthe on hym · he shal rest in my stokkes, Line 108 And þat as longe as he lyueth · but lowenesse hym borwe." ¶ Somme men redde Resoun þo · to haue reuthe on þat schrewe, [redde] radde WR; radden O; redden B.] And for to conseille þe kynge · and conscience after, [folio 16]

That Mede moste be meynpernour · resoun þei bisouȝte. [moste] muste OB.] ¶ "Rede me nouȝte," quod resoun · "no reuthe to haue, Line 113 Til lordes and ladies · louien alle treuthe, And haten al harlotrye · to heren it, or to mouthen it; [heren it] heren W.] Tyl pernelles purfil · be put in here hucche; [pernelles] Parnelles W; pero|nelles RB; Peronelle C.] Line 116 And childryn cherissyng · be chastyng with ȝerdes; [childryn] childrene W; chil|dren COB; childerne R. chastyng] chastysyng O.] And harlotes holynesse · be holden for an hyne; [an hyne] vnheende O; nauȝte R.] Til clerken coueitise be · to clothe þe pore and to fede, [clerken] clerkene WR; clerkis B. to fede] fede W.] And religious romares · recordare in here cloistres, Line 120 As seynt Benet hem bad · Bernarde and Fraunceys; [A page 49] And til prechoures prechyng · be preued on hem|seluen; [And] C om.] Tyl þe kynges conseille · be þe comune profyte; Tyl bisschopes baiardes · ben beggeres chambres, [baiardes] Bayardes WCRO; bayardis B.] Line 124 Here haukes and her houndes · helpe to pore Re|ligious; [to] þe CB. pore] pouere WR; Religious] religiouses R.] ¶ And til seynt Iames be souȝte · þere I shal assigne, That no man go to Galis · but if he go for euere; And alle Rome-renneres · for robberes of [byȝonde] [of] W om. [byȝonde] biȝonde COB; biyonde W; preferable to by|ȝende, as in LR.] Line 128 Bere no siluer ouer see · þat signe of kynge sheweþ, [see] sehe O.] Noyther graue ne vngraue · golde noither siluer, [Noyther] Neiþer WCOB; Nother R. noither] neiþer WCOB; nother R.] Vppon forfeture of þat fee · who so fynt hym at Douere, [hym] it W.] But if it be marchaunt or his man · or messagere with letteres, [if] B om. it] he WCOB; but see Text A.] Line 132 Prouysoure or prest · or penaunt for his synnes.

¶ And ȝet," quod resoun, "bi þe Rode · I shal no reuthe haue, While Mede hath þe maistrye · in þis moot-halle. Ac I may shewe ensaumples · as I se other-while, [Ac] And C. as] CB om. other] ouþer W.] Line 136 I sey it by my-self," quod he · "and it so were [and—crowne] B om. crowne] coroune W; corown O.] That I were kynge with crowne · to kepen a Rewme, [and—crowne] B om. crowne] coroune W; corown O.] Shulde neuere wronge in þis worlde · þat I wite myȝte, [wite] witt R.] Ben vnpunisshed in my powere · for peril of my soule! Ne gete my grace for giftes · so me god saue! [for] þoruȝ R.] Line 141 Ne for no Mede haue mercy · but mekenesse it make. [make] made R.] ¶ For nullum malum þe man · mette with inpunitum, [A page 50] [inpunitum] impunitum O.] And badde nullum bonum · be irremuneratum. [badde] bad WRB; bade O.] Line 144 ¶ Late ȝowre confessoure, sire Kynge · construe þis vnglosed; And ȝif ȝe worken it in werke · I wedde myne eres, [ȝe worken] he wirke B. myne] boþe myne O.] That lawe shal ben a laborere · and lede a-felde donge, And loue shal lede þi londe · as þe lief lyketh!" Line 148 ¶ Clerkes þat were confessoures · coupled hem to|gideres, Alle to construe þis clause · and for þe kynges profit, [folio 16b] [Alle] Al W.] Ac nouȝte for conforte of þe comune · ne for þe kynges soule. ¶ For I seiȝe mede in the moot-halle · on men of lawe wynke, [seiȝe] seiȝ WC; seyȝ R; syȝ O; say B.] Line 152 And þei lawghyng lope to hire · and lafte resoun manye. [lope] lepe C. lafte] left WR.] ¶ Waryn wisdome · wynked vppon Mede, And seide, "Madame, I am ȝowre man · what so my mouth iangleth; [am] C om. iangleth] iangle WR.] Line 155 I falle in floreines," quod þat freke · "an faile speche ofte." [an] and WCROB.]

¶ Alle riȝtful recorded · þat resoun treuthe tolde, [riȝtful] rightfulle W.] Line 157 And witt acorded þer-with · and comended his wordes, And þe moste peple in þe halle · and manye of þe grete, [þe (2)] þis R.] Aud leten mekenesse a maistre · and Mede a mansed schrewe. [And] O om. maistre] mais|tresse B. mansed] mased C; masid B.] Line 160 ¶ Loue lete of hir liȝte · and lewte ȝit lasse, And seide it so heiȝe · þat al þe halle it herde, "Who-so wilneth hir to wyf · for welth of her godis, [wyf] wyue RB.] But he be knowe for a koke-wolde · kut of my nose!" [kut] bitte (prob. miswritten for kitte) R.] ¶ Mede mourned þo · and made heuy chere, Line 165 For þe moste comune of þat courte · called hire an hore. Ac a sysoure and a sompnoure · sued hir faste, [Ac] And C. sued] sueden O.] And a schireues clerke · byschrewed al þe route, [al] al (printed at) W.] Line 168 "For ofte haue I," quod he · "holpe ȝow atte barre, [holpe] Ihulpe R. atte] at þe WCOB.] And ȝit ȝeue ȝe me neuere · þe worthe of a russhe." [ȝeue] gaue C. russhe] risshe W; resshe C; rische O; reische B.] ¶ The kynge called conscience · and afterwardes resoun, [A page 51] And recorded þat resoun · had riȝtfullich schewed, [riȝtfullich] reufulliche (!) CB.] Line 172 And modilich vppon Mede · with myȝte þe Kynge loked, [with—loked] miȝte þat kyng loke R.] And gan wax wrothe with lawe · for Mede almoste had shent it, [gan] gand C. wax] wexe W. it] C om.] And seide, "þorw ȝowre lawe, as I leue · I lese many chetes; [ȝowre] W om. many] myn B. chetes] eschetes W; eschetis B.] Mede ouer-maistrieth lawe · and moche treuthe letteth. Ac resoun shal rekene with ȝow · ȝif I regne any while, And deme ȝow bi þis day · as ȝe han deserued. [bi þis] on a O.] Line 178

Line 178 Mede shal nouȝte meynprise ȝow · bi þe Marie of heuene! I wil haue leute in lawe · and lete be al ȝowre ian|glyng, [al] O om.] Line 180 And as moste folke witnesseth wel · wronge shal be demed." [moste] alle R. folke] O om. witnesseth] witnesse C. wel] R om. demed] ydemed R.] ¶ Quod conscience to þe kynge · "but the comune wil assent, [the] C om.] It is ful hard, bi myn hed · here-to to brynge it, Alle ȝowre lige leodes · to lede þus euene." Line 184 ¶ "By hym þat rauȝte on þe rode" · quod resoun to þe kynge, "But if I reule þus ȝowre rewme · rende out my guttes! [But if] But B.] Ȝif ȝe bidden buxomnes · be of myne assente." [folio 17] [ȝif] If WCROB.] ¶ "And I assent," seith þe kynge · "by seynte Marie my lady, [seith] saye C; quod O; quatȝ R.] Line 188 Be my conseille comen · of clerkis and of erlis. [C omits. Be] so in LROB. comen] so in LOB; Icome R. Hence the reading in W, By my counseil commune, is probably corrupt; cf. Text A.] Ac redili resoun · þow shalt nouȝte ride fro me, [Ac] And C.] For as longe as I lyue · lete þe I nelle." ¶ "I am aredy," quod resoun · "to reste with ȝow euere, [aredy] al redy WCB.] Line 192 So conscience be of owre conseille · I kepe no bettere." "And I graunt," quod the kynge · "goddes forbode it faile, [it] he R. it faile] ellis W.] Als longe as owre lyf lasteth · lyue we togideres." [lasteth] last R. lyue] leue R.] Line 195

PASSUS V.

[TITLE. Passus Quintus O; Passus quintus de visione LCB; to which W adds vt supra; and R adds petri plowman, vt supra.] Passus quintus de Visione.

The kyng and his knightes · to the kirke wente [A page 52] To here matynes of þe day · and þe masse after. Þanne waked I of my wynkynge · and wo was with-alle, [waked] awaked RB. was] C om.] Þat I ne hadde sleped sadder · and yseiȝen more. [sleped] slept W. yseiȝen] yseien B; I-sye O.] Line 4 Ac er I hadde faren a fourlonge · feyntise me hente, [Ac] And C. fourlonge] furlong W; forlong CO; furȝlonge R. feyn|tise] a feyntise O.] That I ne myȝte ferther a-foot · for defaute of slepynge; And sat softly adown · and seide my bileue, [sat] sette me B.] And so I babeled on my bedes · þei brouȝte me a-slepe. [so I] R om. on] vppon R; of O. þei] til þei B.] ¶ And þanne saw I moche more · þan I bifore tolde, [moche] myche O; mykile C. tolde] of tolde W.] Line 9 For I say þe felde ful of folke · þat I bifore of seyde, [say] seiȝ W; sey C; saw O; sauȝ B.] And how resoun gan arrayen hym · alle þe reume to preche, And with a crosse afor þe kynge · comsed þus to techen. [with] O om. afor] bifore C.] Line 12 ¶ He preued þat þise pestilences · [were] for pure synne, [preued] preueþ O. pestilences] pestilence C. [were W] was LCROB; but were seems required.] And þe southwest wynde · on saterday at euene [southwest] south westrene W. wynde] wijnd O. on] vppon a B. euene] eue C.]

Was pertliche for pure pryde · and for no poynt elles. [A page 53] [pure] R om.] Piries and plomtrees · were puffed to þe erthe, Line 16 In ensample, ȝe segges · ȝe shulden do þe bettere. [ȝe segges] þat ȝe segges (printed that the segges) W. ȝe shulden] sholden W; shulden B.] Beches and brode okes · were blowen to þe grounde, Torned vpward her tailles · in tokenynge of drede, [tailles] taile R. in tokenynge] to kenynge R.] Þat dedly synne at domesday · shal fordon hem alle. Line 20 ¶ Of þis matere I myȝte · mamely ful longe, [mamely] mamelen W; mamly B.] Ac I shal seye as I saw · so me god helpe! [Ac] And C. saw] sauȝ WB.] How pertly afor þe poeple · resoun gan to preche. [pertly] apertly B. gan] bigan WB; gand C.] ¶ He bad wastoure go worche · what he best couthe, Line 24 And wynnen his wastyng · with somme manere crafte. [crafte] craftys R.] ¶ And preyed peronelle · her purfyle to lete, [And] He W. peronelle] Per|nele WR.] And kepe it in hir cofre · for catel at hire nede. [folio 17b] [hir] CB om.] ¶ Thomme stowue he tauȝte · to take two staues, [stowue] Stowue C; stouue R; Stowe O; of stowue B; Stowue or Stowne (printed Stowne) W. staues] stones R.] Line 28 And fecche [felice] home · fro þe wyuen pyne. [[felice WCROB] filice L. fro þe] fram R. wyuen] wyuen or wynen LWCO; wyuene or wynene RB. See note to Text A; p. 144.] ¶ He warned watt · his wyf was to blame, [He] And O.] Þat hire hed was worth halue a marke · his hode nouȝte worth a grote. [þat] For W. halue a] half a C; half WROB. his] & his W; & is B. hode] hed C; B om. worth (2)] R om.] And bad bette kut · a bow other tweyne, [bow] bouȝ W; bowghe C. other] outher W; or C. tweyne] tweye WR; tweyen O.] Line 32 And bete betoun þer-with · but if she wolde worche. [if] C om. she] heo R.] And þanne he charged chapmen · to chasten her chil|deren; [chasten] chastiȝen W; chasti|sen O; chaste R.] Late no wynnynge hem forweny · whil þei be ȝonge, [hem] R om. forweny] for|wanye WB; for-wanyen R. whil] þe while R.]

Ne for no pouste of pestilence · plese hem nouȝte out of resoun. [pouste] poustee W.] Line 36 ¶ "My syre seyde so to me · and so did my dame, Þat þe leuere childe · þe more lore bihoueth, And Salamon seide þe same · þat Sapience made,

Qui parcit virge, odit filium.

Þe Englich of þis latyn is · who-so wil it knowe, Line 40 Who-so spareth þe sprynge · spilleth his children." [sprynge] ȝerde B. spilleth] he spilleth R. children] child B.] ¶ And sithen he preyed prelatȝ · and prestes to-gideres, [A page 54] [preyed] prechede W; proued R.] "Þat ȝe prechen to þe peple · preue it on ȝowre-seluen, [ȝowre-seluen] yowselue WR.] And doth it in dede · it shal drawe ȝow to good; Line 44 If ȝe lyuen as ȝe leren vs · we shal leue ȝow þe bettere." [lyuen] leuen WC. leren] lerne R.] ¶ And sithen he radde Religioun · here reule to holde— "Leste þe kynge and his conseille · ȝowre comunes ap|payre, And ben stuwardes of ȝowre stedes · til ȝe be ruled bettre." [stuwardes] stywardes WOB; stiwardes CR.] Line 48 ¶ And sithen he conseilled þe kynge · þe comune to louye, [þe (2)] his W. comune] comunes O.] "It is þi tresore, if tresoun ne were · and triacle at þi nede." [tresore—were] trewe tresor W. ne] R om.] And sithen he prayed þe pope · haue pite on holi|cherche, [pope] erased in R. on] of C.] And er he gyue any grace · gouerne firste hym-selue. Line 52 ¶ "And ȝe that han lawes to kepe · late treuthe be ȝowre coueytise, More þan golde or other gyftes · if ȝe wil god plese; [or other] ouþer W; & oþer O. ȝe] he O.] For who-so contrarieth treuthe · he telleth in þe gospel, [who-so] who B. telleth] telth R.]

That god knoweth hym nouȝte · ne no seynte of heuene,

Amen dico vobis, nescio vos.

[hym] hem R. Amen] Amen amen C.] ¶ And ȝe þat seke seynte James · and seintes of Rome, Line 57 Seketh seynt treuthe · for he may saue ȝow alle; Qui cum patre & filio · þat feire hem bifalle Þat suweth my sermon;" · and þus seyde resoun. [suweth] seweth W; suen O; sueth R; suwes C. resoun] O adds Amen.] Thanne ran repentance · and reherced his teme, [and] O om. teme] tyme C.] Line 61 And gert wille to wepe · water with his eyen. [folio 18] [eyen] eiȝen WB; eyȝes R; yen O. Superbia. This is here written in the margin of LWCO. Further on, we find the other titles, Luxuria, Inuidia, &c.]

SUPERBIA.

¶ Peronelle proude-herte · platte hir to þe erthe, [Peronelle] Pernele WR.] And lay longe ar she loked · and "lorde, mercy!" cryed, [she] he R. cryed] he criede R.] Line 64 And byhiȝte to hym · þat vs alle made, [byhiȝte] bisouȝte CB. to] vn|to O.] She shulde vnsowen hir serke · and sette þere an heyre [heyre] haire RB.] To affaiten hire flesshe · þat fierce was to synne: [fierce] fiers W; fers RO; feerse C; firs B.] "Shal neuere heiȝe herte me hente · but holde me lowe, [holde] holde I wole W.] Line 68 And suffre to be myssayde— · and so did I neuere. But now wil I meke me · and mercy biseche, [wil I] I wole W.] For al þis I haue · hated in myne herte." [al] R om. hated] I-hated R; hauntid B.]

LUXURIA.

¶ Þanne lecchoure seyde "allas!" · and on owre lady he cryed, [A page 55] Line 72 To make mercy for his mis-dedes · bitwene god and his soule,

With þat he shulde þe saterday · seuene ȝere þere-after, [þe saterday] on þe day R.] Drynke but myd þe doke · and dyne but ones. [myd] with CR. Inuidia. O has Envie.]

INUIDIA.

¶ Enuye with heuy herte · asked after scrifte, Line 76 And carefullich mea culpa · he comsed to shewe. He was as pale as a pelet · in þe palsye he semed, [as pale] also pale B. þe] O om. palsye] palacye C.] And clothed in a caurimaury · I couthe it nouȝte dis|creue; [clothed] cluted R. cauri|maury] kaurymaury W; Caurymaury CB; taurimauri (!) R. couthe] coude R. discreue] discryue WCOB; de|scriue R.] In kirtel and kourteby · and a knyf bi his syde, [kourteby] courtepy W; curteby R: curtepy B.] Line 80 Of a freres frokke · were þe forsleues. [þe] his R. forsleues] fore sleues WR.] And as a leke hadde yleye · longe in þe sonne, [leke] leek þat W. yleye] y|leyen C.] So loked he with lene chekes · lourynge foule. ¶ His body was to-bolle for wratthe · þat he bote his lippes, [to-bolle] to-bollen WCO; to|bolne B. bote] boot W; bot R.] Line 84 And wryngynge he ȝede with þe fiste · to wreke hym|self he þouȝte [wryngynge—ȝede] wryngȝed R. þe] his O. fiste] fust W; fuyst B.] With werkes or with wordes · whan he seighe his tyme. [seighe] seyȝ R; say B; saw O.] Eche a worde þat he warpe · was of an Addres tonge, [of] B om. an Addres] an addre R; a neddres W.] Of chydynge and of chalangynge · was his chief lyflode, [and] O om.] With bakbitynge and bismer · and beryng of fals wit|nesse; Line 89 Þis was al his curteisye · where þat euere he shewed hym. [W omits. euere] C om.] ¶ "I wolde ben yshryue," quod þis schrewe · "and I for shame durst; [yshryue] schryuen O. schrewe] sherewe W.] I wolde be gladder, bi god · þat gybbe had meschaunce,

Than þouȝe I had þis woke ywonne · a weye of essex chese. [woke] wouke W; wike B.] Line 93 ¶ I haue a neighbore neyȝe me · I haue ennuyed hym ofte, [A page 56] [neyȝe] by W; nyȝ OB. en|nuyed] anoyed W; enuyed CRO; ennyed B.] And lowen on hym to lordes · to don hym lese his siluer, And made his frendes ben his foon · thorw my false tonge; [made] also R.] Line 96 His grace and his good happes · greueth me ful sore. [greueth] greuen WOB; greues C.] Bitwene many and many · I make debate ofte, Þat bothe lyf and lyme · is lost þorw my speche. And whan I mete him in market · þat I moste hate, [hate] hatye R.] Line 100 I hailse hym hendeliche · as I his frende were; [folio 18b] [hailse] haile B. his] is C.] For he is douȝtier þan I · I dar do non other. Ac hadde I maystrye and myȝte · god wote my wille! [Ac] And C.] ¶ And whan I come to þe kirke · and sholde knele to þe Rode, [kirke] cherche R. to (2)] to|for O.] Line 104 And preye for þe pople · as þe prest techeth, For pilgrimes and for palmers · for alle þe poeple after, [and for] and B.] Þanne I crye on my knees · þat cryste ȝif hem sorwe Þat bar[en] awey my bolle · and my broke schete. [baren] so in OB; beren W; bare RC; bar L. broke] broken OB.] Line 108 ¶ Awey fro þe auter þanne · turne I myn eyghen, [A page 57] [eyghen] eyȝes R; yen O.] And biholde how Eleyne · hath a newe cote; [how] W om. Eleyne] heleyne R; Elyne C. hath] has C.] I wisshe þanne it were myne · and al þe webbe after. [þe] C om. webbe] web WRO; weeb B.] ¶ And of mennes lesynge I laughe · þat liketh myn herte; [mennes] his R. liketh] werkes C; akiþ B. þat—herte] þat myn herte akeþ O.] Line 112 And for her wynnynge I wepe · and waille þe tyme, [And] Ac R. her] his R.]

¶ And deme þat hij don ille · þere I do wel worse; [þat] men þat R. hij] þei WO; huy B.] Who-so vndernymeth me here-of · I hate hym dedly after. [here-of] herof (printed hero) W.] I wolde þat vche a wyght · were my knaue, [I] And I O. vche a] ech a W; Ilk a C. my] my owne O.] Line 116 For who-so hath more þan I · þat angreth me sore. And þus I lyue louelees · lyke a luther dogge, [luther] lyther CR; liþer B.] That al my body bolneth · for bitter of my galle. [bitter] bytterhed B. of] in R.] ¶ I myȝte nouȝte eet many ȝeres · as a man ouȝte, Line 120 For enuye and yuel wille · is yuel to defye; [defye] diffye CO; diffie B.] May no sugre ne swete þinge · asswage my swellynge, [sugre] sucre RB; sugure C.] Ne no diapenidion · dryue it fro myne herte, [diapenidion] diapendioun CB. Ne—diapenidion] For no diapendion may B.] Ne noyther schrifte ne shame · but ho-so schrape my mawe?" [Ne] B om. noyther] neiþer WOB; nouþer C. ne] no R. schrape] schape O.] Line 124 ¶ "Ȝus, redili," quod repentaunce · and radde hym to þe beste, [ȝus] ȝis WR; þis CB; þis (corrected to ȝis) O. redili] rede I O. and] has C; haþ B.] "Sorwe of synnes · is sauacioun of soules." [sauacioun] saluacion C.] ¶ "I am sori," quod þat segge · "I am but selde other, [A page 58] [þat] þe B.] And þat maketh me þus megre · for I ne may me venge. [venge] avenge O.] Line 128 Amonges Burgeyses haue I be · dwellynge At Londoun, [Burgeyses] burgeis C; burgeys R.] And gert bakbitinge be a brocoure · to blame mennes ware. [gert] gart W; grete C; gret B. bakbitinge] bagbytyng R.] Whan he solde and I nouȝte · þanne was I redy [redy] a-redy R.] To lye and to loure on my neighbore · and to lakke his chaffare. [lye] lee C. to lakke] lakke CB. chaffare] ware R.] Line 132

Line 132 I wil amende þis, ȝif I may · þorw myȝte of god almyȝty." [wil] wolde C. þorw] by CB; bi O. myȝte] my (!) C. þorw—of] by dere B.] Line 133

IRA.

¶ Now awaketh wratthe · with two whyte eyen, And nyuelynge with þe nose · and his nekke hangynge. [nyuelynge] neuelynge W; sneuelyng C; sneueling B. þe] his CB. hangynge] hyngyng CB.] ¶ "I am wrath," quod he · "I was sum tyme a frere, And þe couentes Gardyner · for to graffe ympes; [folio 19] [þe] O om. couentes] couent R.] Line 137 On limitoures and listres · lesynges I ymped, [listres] listers C; legistreris O.] Tyl þei bere leues of low speche · lordes to plese, And sithen þei blosmed obrode · in boure to here shriftes. [blosmed] blesmed (so mis|written) C. obrode] abrode CO; a|brood W; R om.] Line 140 And now is fallen þer-of a frute · þat folke han wel leuere [frute] fruyt WCROB. han] haue R. wel] C om.] Schewen her schriftes to hem · þan shryue hem to her persones. [shryue hem] shryuen C.] ¶ And now persones [han] parceyued · þat Freres parte with hem, [persones han] L omits han; but we find persons han W; han per|sones COB; haue persones R. The reading in W alone gives the right sense. parceyued] aperceyued R.] Þise possessioneres preche · and depraue freres, [depraue] dempne C.] Line 144 And freres fyndeth hem in defaute · as folke bereth witnes, [freres] R om.] That whan þei preche þe poeple · in many place aboute, [place] places WRO.] I, wrath, walke with hem · and wisse hem of my bokes. [walke] walkes C. hem] The first time R has hym, but the second time hem.] Þus þei speken of spiritualte · þat eyther despiseth other, [of] of my WR. eyther] aiþer C.] Line 148

Line 148 Til þei be bothe beggers · and by my spiritualte libben, [my] R om.] Or elles alle riche · and riden aboute. [B omits. alle] al W.] Line 150 I, wrath, rest neuere · þat I ne moste folwe [moste] muste OB; mot R.] This wykked folke · for suche is my grace. ¶ I haue an aunte to nonne · and an abbesse bothe, [an aunte] a naunte R. and an] & O. bothe] R om.] Hir were leuere swowe or swelte · þan [suffre] any peyne. [were] hadde W. þan] or O. [suffre WCRB] L has the unusual spelling soeffre.] Line 154 I haue be cook in hir kichyne · and þe couent serued Many monthes with hem · and with monkes bothe. [bothe] alse R.] I was þe priouresses potagere · and other poure ladyes, [priouresses] Prioresse WCO. poure] pouere WC; pouer R; pore OB.] And made hem ioutes of iangelynge · þat dame Iohanne was a bastard, [And—of] I made hir wortes with CB; And made hem iowtes wiþ O. Iohanne] Iohane W; Iohan C; ione R.] And dame Clarice a kniȝtes douȝter · ac a kokewolde was hire syre, [ac] and COB.] And dame Peronelle a prestes file · Priouresse worth she neuere, [Peronelle] Pernele W; peronel RO. she] heo R.] Line 160 For she had childe in chirityme · al owre chapitere it wiste. [she] heo R. chirityme] chirie|tyme WO. chapitere] Chapitre WOB.] ¶ Of wykked wordes I, wrath · here wortes I-made, [I-made] made WCB.] Til 'þow lixte' and 'þow lixte' · lopen oute at ones, And eyther hitte other · vnder þe cheke; [eyther] aither C.] Line 164 Hadde þei had knyues, bi cryst · her eyther had killed other. [Hadde] Ha C. her eyther] eiþer COB.] ¶ Seynt Gregorie was a gode pope · and had a gode forwit, Þat no priouresse were prest · for þat he ordeigned. [prest] preest WO.]

Þei had þanne ben infamis þe firste day · þei can so yuel hele conseille. [ben] be CR. infamis] so in LCRO, and in W (though printed in|fames); but infames in B. þe—day] O om. so—hele] ille holde CB. hele] holde O.] Line 168 ¶ Amonge monkes I miȝte be · ac many tyme I shonye; [ac] and CR. shonye] shonye it W.] For þere ben many felle frekis · my feres to aspye, [feres] feeris W; fieres C.] Bothe Prioure an supprioure · and owre pater abbas; [an] and WCROB.] And if I telle any tales · þei taken hem togyderes, Line 172 And do me faste frydayes · to bred and to water, [do] doon W.] And am chalanged in þe chapitelhous · as I a childe were, [am] ȝeet am R. chapitelhous] Chapitre hous WCB.] And baleised on þe bare ers · and no breche bitwene; [ers] ars B; hers (altered to bak) R. and] B om.] For-þi haue I no lykyng · with þo leodes to wonye. [O omits. þo] B om. leodes] ledes R; leedis B.] Line 176 I ete there vnthende fisshe · and fieble ale drynke; [folio 19b] [vnthende] vnheende O. fieble] feble WROB.] Ac other while, whan wyn cometh · whan I drynke wyn at eue, [Ac] And C. cometh] come C. whan (2)] þanne W; and COB. wyn (2)] wel R; it COB.] I haue a fluxe of a foule mouthe · wel fyue dayes after. [I] And W.] Al þe wikkednesse þat I wote · bi any of owre bretheren, [wote] woot WO; wot B. bretheren] brether C; breþere B.] Line 180 I couth it in owre cloistre · þat al owre couent wote it." [couth] kiþe B; couþe (glossed by make knowe) O. owre (2)] þe COB; R om. wote] woot WCO; wot RB.] ¶ "Now repent þe," quod Repentaunce · "and reherce þow neure Conseille þat þow cnowest · bi contenaunce ne bi riȝte; [riȝte] syȝt O; speche R.] Line 183 And drynke nouȝte ouer delicatly · ne to depe noyther, [nouȝte] nat W; nauȝt R; not OB. noyther] neiþer WOB; neyther R; nowþer C.] Þat þi wille bi cause þer-of · to wrath myȝte torne. [bi] be CROB.]

Esto sobrius," he seyde · and assoilled me after, [and] and so he R.] Line 186 And bad me wilne to wepe · my wikkednesse to amende.

AUARICIA.

¶ And þanne cam coueytise · can I hym nouȝte descryue, [Auaricia] Descripcio Avaritie R. can I] I can RO. nouȝte] naȝt W; noȝt B; not O.] Line 188 So hungriliche and holwe · sire [Heruy] hym loked. [[Heruy WOB] Henri L; henry CR.] He was bitelbrowed · and baberlipped also, [bitelbrowed] bytter browid B. also] boþe CB.] With two blered eyghen · as a blynde hagge; And as a letheren purs · lolled his chekes, Line 192 Wel sydder þan his chyn · þei chiueled for elde; [sydder] sidder WC; siddere B. chiueled] ryueleden (corrected to chyueleden) O; cheuerid B.] And as a bondman of his bacoun · his berde was bidraueled. With an hode on his hed · a lousi hatte aboue, [an] his R.] And in a tauny tabarde · of twelue wynter age, [twelue] twelf WC.] Line 196 Al totorne and baudy · and ful of lys crepynge; [totorne] to torn (printed so torn) W.] But if þat a lous couthe · haue lopen þe bettre, [þat] R om. haue] han W. haue lopen] lepe R.] She sholde nouȝte haue walked on þat welche · so was it thredebare. [haue] han W. on þat welche] on þat welþe W; on þat welsch R; there CB; þeron O. In R the line begins, He ne schulde nouȝt walke on þat welsch.] ¶ "I haue ben coueytouse," quod þis caityue · "I bi|knowe it here; [coueytouse] couettise C. I—here] y knew hit neuere B.] Line 200 For some tyme I serued · Symme atte Stile, [atte] at þe RO.] And was his prentis ypliȝte · his profit to wayte. [profit] prophete (!) C.] First I lerned to lye · a leef other tweyne, [leef] so in LWCROB. other] ouþer WC.] Wikkedlich to weye · was my furst lessoun. Line 204

Line 204 To Wy and to Wynchestre · I went to þe faire, With many manere marchandise · as my Maistre me hiȝte; [marchandise] merchandises COB.] Line 206 Ne had þe grace of gyle · ygo amonge my ware, [had] hadde WROB. ygo] go C; goo B. amonge] amonges W. ware] chaffare WCOB.] It had be vnsolde þis seuene ȝere · so me god helpe! [be] so in LR; ben WCB; been O.] ¶ Thanne drowe I me amonges draperes · my donet to lerne, [A page 59] [amonges] among WCOB.] Line 209 To drawe þe lyser alonge · þe lenger it semed; [lyser] liser WCB; lesere O.] Amonge þe riche rayes · I rendred a lessoun, [rayes] rayeres R.] To broche hem with a [pak-]nedle · and plaited hem togyderes, [[pak-nedle WCO] packenedle B; bat-nedle L; batnedel R. See Text A. plaited] playte W; plyghted C; plytyd B.] Line 212 And put hem in a presse · and pyn[n]ed hem þerinne, [pynned] so in CB; pyned LR; pynnede O; pyne W.] Tyl ten ȝerdes or twelue · [hadde] tolled out threttene. [[hadde WOCB] LR om.] ¶ My wyf was a webbe · and wollen cloth made; She spak to spynnesteres · to spynnen it oute. [She] Heo R. spynnesteres] a spinnester R.] Line 216 Ac þe pounde þat she payed by · poised a quarteroun more, [Ac] And C. þat] O om. poised] peised WR; weyed CO. quarteroun] quartron W; quaterone C; quartroun O; quarter R. B has, Ac for þe pound she paied · al-þouȝ hit weyed a quar|troun more.] Than myne owne auncere · who-so weyȝed treuthe. [folio 20] [auncere] aunser COB.] ¶ I bouȝte hir barly malte · she brewe it to selle, [malte] R om.] Peny ale and podyng ale · she poured togideres [podyng] puddyng WCR; pud|yng O. she] heo R.] Line 220 For laboreres and for low folke; · þat lay by hym|selue. [for] COB om.] ¶ The best ale lay in my boure · or in my bedchambre, [ale] of alle R. my bed|chambre] bedde chambre C.] And who-so bummed þer-of · bouȝte it þer-after, [B omits. bouȝte] he bouȝt CRO.]

A galoun for a grote · god wote, [no] lesse; [[no] so in WCROB; L has na.] Line 224 And ȝit it cam in cupmel · þis crafte my wyf vsed. [it] C om. cupmel] cuppemele WB; coppemele R; copmele C. vsed] vseth R.] Rose þe regratere · was hir riȝte name; [was] is R.] She hath holden hokkerye · al hire lyf tyme. [hokkerye] hukkerye W; hukrie O.] ¶ Ac I swere now, so the ik · þat synne wil I lete, [Ac] And C. so] also B. the ik] thee ik W; theich R; thehi C; þeik B.] Line 228 And neuere wikkedliche weye · ne wikke chaffare vse, [A page 60] But wenden to Walsyngham · and my wyf als, And bidde þe Rode of bromeholme · brynge me oute of dette." [bromeholme] Bromholm WCOB. of dette] dette C.] ¶ "Repente[de]stow þe euere," quod repentance · "ne restitucioun madest?" [Repentedestow] Repentedes|tow W; Repentedest þow R; Re|pentestow LC; Repentist þow OB. þe] WCRO om.; B retains. ne] or WCO.] Line 232 ¶ "Ȝus, ones I was herberwed," quod he · "with an hep of chapmen, [ȝus] ȝis WCOB. herberwed] y|herberwed W; herberd C; sobrid (!) B.] I roos whan þei were arest · and yrifled here males." [roos] aros B. arest] at reste B. yrifled] riflede WCOB; Irifled R.] ¶ "That was no restitucioun," quod repentance · "but a robberes thefte, Þow haddest [be] better worthy · be hanged þerfore [[be C] LR om.; be þe W; been O; ben B. be] to be O.] Þan for al þat · þat þow hast here shewed." [C has, thanne for al þat thow haste · here now yshewed; OB the same, but O has schewid for yshewed. LWR agree.] Line 237 ¶ "I wende ryflynge were restitucioun," quod he · "for I lerned neuere rede on boke, [for] COB om. lerned] lerid B. rede] COB om.] And I can no frenche in feith · but of þe ferthest ende of norfolke." [þe ferthest] ferrest C. nor|folke] Northfolk WC.] ¶ "Vsedestow euere vsurie," quod repentaunce · "in alle þi lyf tyme?" [Vsedestow] Vsedist þow OB. euere] O om.] Line 240

Line 240 ¶ "Nay, sothly," he seyde · "saue in my ȝouthe. [ȝouthe] ȝougþe B.] I lerned amonge lumbardes · and iewes a lessoun, [and—lessoun] a lessoun, and of iewes R.] To wey pens with a peys · and pare þe heuyest, [pens] pans R. peys] pays C.] And lene it for loue of þe crosse · to legge a wedde and lese it; Line 244 Suche dedes I did wryte · ȝif he his day breke. [breke] broke RB; brook O.] I haue mo maneres þorw rerages · þan þorw miseretur & comodat. [maneres] manoirs W. como|dat] so in LCROB; also comodat in W (though printed commodat).] ¶ I haue lent lordes · and ladyes my chaffare, [lent] Ilente R.] And ben her brocour after · and bouȝte it my-self. [bouȝte] brouȝt (!) R.] Line 248 Eschaunges and cheuesances · with suche chaffare I dele, [chaffare] chaffares R.] And lene folke þat lese wol · a lyppe at euery noble. And with lumbardes lettres · I ladde golde to Rome, And toke it by taille here · and tolde hem þere lasse." [taille] tale W. hem] O om.] "Len[t]estow euere lordes · for loue of her maynten|aunce?" [folio 20b] [Lentestow W] Lenestow L; Lenedest þow R; Lendestow C; Lent|ist þou OB.] Line 253 ¶ "Ȝe, I haue lent lordes · loued me neuere after, [lordes] to lordes W. loued] þat loueden O; louede þei B.] And haue ymade many a knyȝte · bothe mercere & drapere, [ymade] maad C; made B. a] CR om.] Þat payed neuere for his prentishode · nouȝte a peire gloues." [his] hir CB. peire] paire of C.] Line 256 ¶ "Hastow pite on pore men · þat mote nedes borwe?" [Hastow] Hast þou O.] ¶ "I haue as moche pite of pore men · as pedlere hath of cattes, [as moche] as mikile C; also muche B. of—men] of hem CB; on hem O. pedlere] þe pedlere R.] Þat wolde kille hem, yf he cacche hem myȝte · for coueitise of here skynnes." [yf] and R. cacche hem] COB om. for—of] forto haue CB.]

¶ "Artow manlyche amonge þi neiȝbores · of þi mete and drynke?" [Artow] Art þow ROB. þi mete and] met and of CB.] Line 260 ¶ "I am holden," quod he, "as hende · as hounde is in kychyne, [COB place as hende before quod he. is in] in his R.] Amonges my neighbores, namelich · such a name ich haue." ¶ "Now god leue neure," quod repentance · "but þow repent þe rather, [Now] O om. leue] leue þee or lene þee W. neure] CB om.] Þe grace on þis grounde · þi good wel to bisette, Line 264 Ne þine ysue after þe · haue ioye of þat þow wynnest, [ysue] vssue R; heires WCB; eyres O.] Ne þi excecutours wel bisett · þe siluer þat þow hem leuest; [wel] COB om. þe] þi O.] And þat was wonne with wronge · with wikked men be despended. [be] B om.] For were I frere of þat hous · þere gode faith and charite is, Line 268 I nolde cope vs with þi catel · ne owre kyrke amende, [nolde] wolde nouȝt R. kyrke] cherche R.] Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce · of þyne, bi my soule hele, [of—hele] so god my soule saue W. hele] CB om.] For þe best boke in owre hous · þeiȝe brent golde were þe leues, [brent] brend RB.] And I wyst wytterly · þow were suche as þow [tellest,] [[tellest WCROB] telleth L; but the line is marked for correction.] [Or elles þat I kouþe knowe it · by any kynnes wise.] [LWRO omit this line, but it is found in CBC₂, and in Crowley's text, which has kindes wyt for kynnes wise. I quote it from C.] Seruus es alterius · cum fercula pinguia queris, [cum] dum W.] Line 274 Pane tuo pocius · vescere, liber eris. [pocius] pocius (printed potius) W.] ¶ Thow art an vnkynde creature · I can þe nouȝte as|soille, [þe nouȝte] nouȝt þe CB.] Line 276

Line 276 Til þow make restitucioun · and rekne with hem alle, [R inserts quod repentance after restitucioun.] And sithen þat resoun rolle it · in þe regystre of heuene, [it] þe C; B om.] That þow hast made vche man good · I may þe nouȝte assoille;

Non dimittitur peccatum · donec restituatur abla|tum, &c.

[assoille] saue R. donec] nisi R. ablatum] oblatum WCB.] Line 279 ¶ For alle þat [haue] of þi good · haue god my trouthe! [[haue C] hauen B; han WO; hath LR.] [Ben] holden at þe heighe dome · to helpe þe to restitue. [[Ben WCOB] Is LR. holden] haldynge R. to (2)] R om.] And who so leueth nouȝte þis be soth · loke in þe sauter glose, [nouȝte þis be] this be nouȝt CB. þe] a R.] Line 282 In miserere mei deus · where I mene treuthe,

Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti, &c.

[After &c. follows, in R only, the curious line, þere is no laborere wolde leue with hem · þat knoweth peres þe plowman.] ¶ Shal neuere werkman in þis worlde · þryue wyth þat þow wynnest; [Shal] For schal R.] Line 284 Cum sancto sanctus eris · construe me þat on englische." [construe—englische] C om. me þat] me þis W; þou me þat B.] ¶ Thanne wex þat shrewe in wanhope · and walde haue hanged him-self, [þat] þe R. him-self] hym W.] Ne hadde repentaunce þe rather · reconforted hym in þis manere, [folio 21] [reconforted] conforted R. hym] CB om.] "Haue mercye in þi mynde · and with þi mouth biseche it, Line 288 For goddes mercye is more · þan alle hise other werkes;

Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius, &c.

[LOR preserve, WCB omit, the Latin quotation. eius] domini R.] ¶ And al þe wikkednesse in þis worlde · þat man myȝte worche or thynke, [þe] O om. in] of O. þis] C om. worche] do COB.] Ne is no more to þe mercye of god · þan in þe see a glede;

Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei, est [quasi] sintilla in medio maris.

[Ne is] Nis WCOB. [quasi WCORB] L om. sintilla] so in W (though printed scintilla).] ¶ For-þi haue mercy in þi mynde · and marchandise, leue it, Line 292 For þow hast no good grounde · to gete þe with a wastel, But if it were with thi tonge · or ellis with þi two hondes. For þe good þat þow hast geten · bigan al with false|hede, [bigan] hit began B.] And as longe as þow lyuest þer-with · þow ȝeldest nouȝte, but borwest. Line 296 ¶ And if þow wite neuere to whiche · ne whom to restitue, [wite] wost COB. restitue] restitute R; make restitucioun B.] Bere it to þe bisschop · and bidde hym of his grace, Bisette it hym-selue · as best is for þi soule. For he shal answere for þe · at þe heygh dome, Line 300 For þe and for many mo · þat man shal ȝif a reken|ynge. [for] COB om.] What he lerned ȝow in lente · leue þow none other, And what he lent ȝow of owre lordes good · to lette ȝow fro synne." [

Corruptly made into two lines in COB.

And what he lente yow of his goode · to wite yow fro synne,

For he sholde helpe yow · of oure lordes goode C.

]

GULA.

¶ Now bigynneth glotoun · for to go to schrifte, [GULA] LWCOC₂.] Line 304 And kaires hym to-kirke-ward · his coupe to schewe. [kaires] karieþ WB. kirke] cherche R. coupe] culpe B.] ¶ Ac Beton þe brewestere · bad hym good morwe, [Ac] And W; An C.] And axed of hym with þat · whiderward he wolde. [axed] asked WR. of] at W. hym] B om. whiderward] whider B.] ¶ "To holi cherche," quod he · "forto here masse, [cherche] kirke O. forto] to CB.] Line 308

Line 308 And sithen I wil be shryuen · and synne namore." ¶ "I haue gode ale, gossib," quod she · "glotown, wiltow assaye?" [wiltow] woltow W; wilt þou OB.] "Hastow auȝte in þi purs · any hote spices?" [purs] purs, quod he W.] ¶ "I haue peper and piones," quod [s]he · "and a pounde of garlike, [piones] pionus C; pioyne R; greynes B. she] so in W; sche OR; he LCB; see l. 310.] Line 312 A ferthyngworth of fenel-seed · for fastyngdayes." [A] And a W.] ¶ Þanne goth glotoun in · and grete othes after; Cesse þe souteresse · sat on þe benche, [souteresse] sowestere B.] Watte þe warner · and his wyf bothe, [warner] waryner B.] Line 316 Tymme þe tynkere · and tweyne of his prentis, [Tymme] Symme CRB. prentis] prentices WCO; prentys R; prentiȝ B.] Hikke þe hakeneyman · and hughe þe nedeler, [A page 61] [hughe] howe R; hue O.] Clarice of cokkeslane · and þe clerke of þe cherche, [cokkeslane] cockislane B. þe clerke] clerc C.] Dawe þe dykere · and a dozeine other; [R transposes these lines.] Line 320 Sire Piers of Pridie · and Peronelle of Flaundres, [folio 21b] [R transposes these lines.] [Sire] And sire R. Pridie] Pride C. Peronelle] Pernele W.] A ribibour, a ratonere · a rakyer of chepe, [rakyer] Raker COB.] A ropere, a redyngkyng · and Rose þe dissheres, [redyngkyng] Rydyngkyng C. dissheres] disshere B; dyssheres douȝter R.] Godfrey of garlekehithe · and gryfin þe walshe, [garlekehithe] garlek-hethe R. gryfin] grifyth R.] Line 324 And vpholderes an hepe · erly bi þe morwe [erly] herly R.] Geuen glotoun with glad chere · good ale to hansel. [Geuen] Gyuen C. glad] good COB.] ¶ Clement þe cobelere · cast of his cloke, And atte new faire · he nempned it to selle; [atte] at þe WCOB; to þe R. he] R om.] Line 328 Hikke þe hakeneyman · hitte his hood after, And badde bette þe bochere · ben on his side. [ben] to ben R.] Þere were chapmen y-chose · þis chaffare to preise; [were] R. om. y-chose] chosen CB.]

Who-so haueth þe hood · shuld haue amendes of þe cloke. [Who-so] That whoso W. haueth] haue CB; hadde WO. shuld] shul CR. haue] han W.] Line 332 ¶ Two risen vp in rape · and rouned togideres, [Two] þo R. vp] R om.] And preised þese penyworthes · apart bi hem-selue; [þese] þe R.] Þei couth nouȝte bi her conscience · acorden in treuthe, Tyl Robyn þe ropere · arose bi þe southe, [bi] R om (!).] Line 336 And nempned hym for a noumpere · þat no debate nere, [A page 62] [noumpere] nounpere W; noun|pier C. nere] were R.] [For to trye þis chaffare · bitwixen hem þre.] [From O; also in CBC₂; LWR omit. Crowley has the line, but puts there for þre.] ¶ Hikke þe hostellere · hadde þe cloke, In couenaunte þat Clement · shulde þe cuppe fille, Line 340 And haue Hikkes hode hostellere · and holde hym yserued; [yserued] serued CB.] And who-so repented rathest · shulde arise after, [who-so] who þat COB. rathest] rather COB.] And grete sire glotoun · with a galoun ale. [sire] wele C; wel B; wel sire O.] ¶ Þere was laughyng and louryng · and "let go þe cuppe," Line 344 And seten so til euensonge · and songen vmwhile, [seten so] sitten so R; so setyn þey C; so þei seten B; so seten O. songen] syngen R. vmwhile] vmb|while R; oþer while O.] Tyl glotoun had y-globbed · a galoun an a Iille. [y-globbed] y-glubbed W; glubbed O; globed C; swelwid B. an] and WCROB. Iille] gille WCROB.] His guttis gunne to [gothely] · as two gredy sowes; [gunne] gonne R; bigonne WC; bigune O. [gothely C] gurle, corrected to gotheli O; goþelen W; grouly B; godly LR; but in L, the line is marked for correction. Crowley prints gothlen. gredy] guedy R.] He pissed a potel · in a pater-noster while, [potel] potel and more B.] Line 348 And blew his rounde ruwet · at his rigge-bon ende, [And] He R. ruwet] rowet R; rewet C; ruet B. rigge-bon] rigges boun C; ruggebones W; rigges|bones R; rigge-bonys O; riegbones B.] That alle þat herde þat horne · held her nose after, [þat herde] R om. nose] noses W.] And wissheden it had be wexed · with a wispe of firses. [wexed] waxed COB. wispe] wips R.]

¶ He myȝte neither steppe ne stonde · er he his staffe hadde; [ne] no C.] Line 352 And þanne gan he go · liche a glewmannes bicche, [go] to goo B. glewmannes] glemannes W; glwemannes (sic) R.] Somme tyme aside · and somme tyme arrere, [A page 63] [arrere] arere WCRB; a rere O.] As who-so leyth lynes · forto lacche foules. [lynes] lymȝerdis B. lacche] kacche B.] ¶ And whan he drowgh to þe dore · þanne dymmed his eighen, [And] Ac R. eighen] eyȝes R.] Line 356 He [stumbled] on þe thresshewolde · an threwe to þe erthe. [[stumbled WCO] stomlid B; trembled L; tremled R. thresshe|wolde] þreiswald B; þresshfold W. an] and W &c. threwe] throwe C; ouerþrew B.] Clement þe cobelere · cauȝte hym bi þe myddel, For to lifte hym alofte · and leyde him on his knowes; [hym] C om. knowes] knowes, altered to knees C; knees O.] Ac glotoun was a gret cherle · and a grym in þe lift|ynge, [a grym] grym O; heuy B.] Line 360 And coughed vp a caudel · in clementis lappe; [folio 22] [coughed] cowede R; kowid B.] Is non so hungri hounde · in Hertford schire Durst lape of þe leuynges · so vnlouely þei smauȝte. [þe] þat WCOB. leuynges] leuyng R. þei smauȝte] hit smacchid B.] ¶ With al þe wo of þis worlde · his wyf and his wenche Line 364 Baren hym home to his bedde · and brouȝte hym þer|inne. [home] R om.] And after al þis excesse · he had an accidie, Þat he slepe saterday and sonday · til sonne ȝede to reste. [slepe] sleep WB. ȝede to] wente to O; took CB.] Þanne waked he of his wynkyng · and wiped his eyghen; Line 368 Þe fyrste worde þat he warpe · was, "where is þe bolle?" [þe (1)] C om.]

His [wif] gan edwite hym þo · how wikkedlich he lyued, [[wif WO] witte LRB; wit C. Cf. Text A.] And repentance riȝte so · rebuked hym þat tyme: [so] þoo so O.] ¶ "As þow with wordes and werkes · hast wrouȝte yuel in þi lyue, [yuel] ille COB.] Line 372 Shryue þe and be shamed þer-of · and shewe it with þi mouth." [shamed] a-schamed OR. þi] COB om.] ¶ "I, glotoun," quod þe gome · "gylti me ȝelde, [gome] grom W; goome C.] Þat I haue trespassed with my tonge · I can nouȝte telle how ofte, [þat] Of þat R.] Sworen 'goddes soule' · and 'so god me help and halidom,' [soule] soule and his sydes R. god—help] help me god R; me god helpe W. and halidom] at þe holy dom B; W om.] Line 376 Þere no nede ne was · nyne hundreth tymes; [ne] W om. hundreth] hundred WC; hundrid OB.] ¶ And ouer-seye me at my sopere · and some tyme at nones, [ouer-seye] ouerseyen W. at my] atte C; at þe B.] Þat I glotoun girt it vp · er I hadde gone a myle, [it] COB om.] And y-spilte þat myȝte be spared · and spended on somme hungrie; [And] And (printed An) W. y-spilte] spilt COB. spended] spend R. on somme] vppon þe B.] Line 380 Ouerdelicatly on fastyng dayes · drunken and eten bothe, And sat some tyme so longe þere · þat I slepe and ete at ones. [þat I] and R. slepe] sleep W; sleped C; slep R; slepte O. at] al at B.] For loue of tales in tauernes · to drynke þe more, I dyned, [to drynke] and for drynke W; to ete R.] And hyed to þe mete er none · whan fastyng dayes were." [hyed] hiȝed me B.] Line 384

Line 384 ¶ "This shewyng shrifte," quod repentance · "shal be meryte to þe." [shrifte] of shryfte B. meryte] mercy CB.] ¶ And þanne gan glotoun grete · and gret doel to make [þanne] C om. grete] to grete RB. gret] muche R. to make] made O.] For his lither lyf · þat he lyued hadde, [lither] luþer W.] Line 387 And avowed [to] fast— · "for hunger or for thurst [A page 64] [[to WCOB] LR om. avowed to] made his avow to B; vowede to O. thurst] thruste C.] Shal neuere fisshe on þe fryday · defien in my wombe, [þe] WCO om. Shal—defien] þat neuere fisch on þe Friday · diffie shal B.] Tyl abstinence myn aunte · haue ȝiue me leue; [haue ȝiue] hath Iȝeue R.] And ȝit haue I hated hir · al my lyf tyme."

ACCIDIA.

¶ Þanne come sleuthe al bislabered · with two slymy eiȝen, [Accidia] LWC; ROB om. come] cam WCOB. bislabered] by|slobred R. slymy eiȝen] slymed eyȝes R.] Line 392 "I most sitte," seyde þe segge · "or elles shulde I nappe; [shulde I] I schulde OB.] I may nouȝte stonde ne stoupe · ne with-oute a stole knele. [a] R om.] Were I brouȝte abedde · but if my taille-ende it made, Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse · ar I were rype to dyne." [ryngynge] þyng B. ar] er WCB; ere R; or O.] Line 396 He bygan benedicite with a bolke · and his brest knocked, [his] is C; on his B.] And roxed and rored · and rutte atte laste. [roxed] raxed W; roskid B. atte] at þe WO; al out atte B.] "What! awake, renke!" quod repentance · "and rape þe to shrifte." [folio 22b] [What] COB om. renke] and þenk B.] ¶ "If I shulde deye bi þis day · me liste nouȝte to loke; [If] Al-þouȝ B. day] day quod he R. liste] lest R.] Line 400

Line 400 I can nouȝte perfitly my pater-noster · as þe prest it syngeth, [it] COB om.] But I can rymes of Robyn hood · and Randolf erle of Chestre, Ac neither of owre lorde ne of owre lady · þe leste þat euere was made. [Ac] And C. of (2)] CO om. euere—made] þat is made COB.] ¶ I haue made vowes fourty · and for-ȝete hem on þe morne; [vowes] auowes W. fourty] fifty COB. on þe] al at CB; or R; on O. morne] morwe WCRO; morwen B.] Line 404 I parfourned neure penaunce · as þe prest me hiȝte, [parfourned] performed B.] Ne ryȝte sori for my synnes · ȝet was I neuere. [Ne] For B. synnes] synne CB.] And ȝif I bidde any bedes · but if it be in wrath, Þat I telle with my tonge · is two myle fro myne herte. I am occupied eche day · haliday and other, [occupied] ocuped R.] Line 409 With ydel tales atte ale · and otherwhile in cherches; [atte ale] at þe Ale WCRO; at þe nale B. in cherches] in cherche R; at chirche W.] Goddes peyne and his passioun · ful selde þynke I þere-on. [þere-on] on CO; on it W.] ¶ I visited neuere fieble men · ne fettered folke in puttes, [fieble] feble WOB; seke R. puttes] pittes COB.] Line 412 I haue leuere here an harlotrie · or a somer game of souteres, [haue] hadde R. a] C om. somer game] somer gamen B.] Or lesynges to laughe at · and belye my neighbore, [lesynges] lesynge W. at] of R. neighbore] neȝebores WCOB.] Þan al þat euere Marke made · Mathew, John, & lucas. [þan] R om (!). lucas] luk B.] And vigilies and fastyng dayes · alle þise late I passe, [late I] I late R.] And ligge abedde in lenten · an my lemman in myn armes, Line 417 Tyl matynes and masse be do · and þanne go to þe freres; [and þanne] þan C.]

Come I to ite, missa est · I holde me yserued. [yserued] serued COB.] I nam nouȝte shryuen some tyme · but if sekenesse it make, [if] COB om.] Line 420 Nouȝt tweies in two ȝere · and þanne vp gesse I schryue me. [schryue] miswritten shcryue in L. me] C om.] ¶ I haue be prest and parsoun · passynge thretti wynter, [thretti] twenty B. wynter] yere COB.] Ȝete can I neither solfe ne synge · ne seyntes lyues rede, [ȝete] And yet W. solfe] solf B; solue R; solue (printed solne) W.] But I can fynde in a felde · or in a fourlonge an hare, Better þan in beatus vir · or in beati omnes Line 425 Construe oon clause wel · and kenne it to my paroch|ienes. [oon—wel] it clausemel R; me þis clause wel B. my] þi (!) B. parochienes] parisshens WCOB.] I can holde louedayes · and here a Reues rekenynge, [and] or R.] Ac in canoun ne in þe decretales · I can nouȝte rede a lyne. [CB om. ne in þe] nor in W; ne O.] Line 428 ¶ Ȝif I bigge and borwe it · but ȝif it be ytailled, [it (1)] auȝt W. ȝif (2)] B om. ytailled] tailled COB.] I forȝete it as ȝerne · and ȝif men me it axe [as] also B. ȝerne] soone O. axe] aske R.] Sixe sithes or seuene · I forsake it with othes, And þus tene I trewe men · ten hundreth tymes. [tene I] I tene RB. hundreth] hundred WOB.] Line 432 ¶ And my seruauntz some tyme · her salarye is bihynde, Reuthe is to here [þe] rekenynge · whan we shal rede acomptes; [is] it is WB. [þe WCOB] LR om.] So with wikked wille and wraththe · my werkmen I paye. ¶ Ȝif any man doth me a benfait · or helpeth me at nede, [doth] do COB. benfait] bien|fait WC; benfeet RO; bienfet B. helpeth] helpe COB.] Line 436

Line 436 I am vnkynde aȝein his curteisye · and can nouȝte vnderstonde it; [folio 23] [vnkynde] vnkende R; vn|hende O. aȝein] ayeins W; aȝens O; to CB. his] W om.] Line 437 For I haue and haue hadde · some dele haukes maneres, I nam nouȝte lured with loue · but þere ligge auȝte vnder þe thombe. [nam] am WCB. lured] leired C; lieured B. þere ligge auȝte] auȝt be CB; if ouȝt lye O. þe] R om.] ¶ The kyndenesse þat myne euene-cristene · kidde me [fernyere], [kidde] kudde R; kydden O. [fernyere WC] ferneȝere RB; ferne ȝer O; farnere L.] Line 440 Sixty sythes I, sleuthe · haue fo[r]ȝete it sith, [sythes] sithe R. forȝete] for|yete W; miswritten forȝete L.] In speche and in sparynge of speche · yspilte many a tyme [of speche] OB om; of speches C. yspilte] I spilt COB; I spelt R. a tyme] tymes CB.] Bothe flesche & fissche · and many other vitailles; [

Boþe flesshe and fisshe · butter, mylk, an chesse,

Boþe brede an ale · and many other vitailles COB. many] myn R.

] Bothe bred and ale · butter, melke, and chese [

Boþe flesshe and fisshe · butter, mylk, an chesse,

Boþe brede an ale · and many other vitailles COB. many] myn R.

] Line 444 Forsleuthed in my seruyse · til it myȝte serue noman. ¶ I ran aboute in ȝouthe · and ȝaf me nouȝte to lerne, And euere sith [haue] be beggere · for my foule sleuthe; [[haue C] haue I WO; I haue B; LR omit; but the line is marked for correction in L. Crowley has haue.] Heu michi, [quod] sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem. [[quod RB] quia LWCO; which spoils the scansion.] Line 448 ¶ "Repentestow þe nauȝte?" quod repentance · and riȝte with þat he swowned, [Repentestow] Repentest þou BO; Repentest R; Repentedestow W. þe] WCO om. swowned] swhounede R.] Til vigilate þe veille · fette water at his eyȝen, [eyȝen] eyȝes R; yen O.] And flatte it on his face · and faste on hym criede, [B transposes these lines.] [it on] water in B. faste] R om.] And seide, "ware þe fram wanhope · wolde þe bitraye. [B transposes these lines.] [fram] fro CB; for WO. wolde] he wolde B.] 'I am sori for my synnes' · sey so to þi-selue, [so] þou B; WCO om.] Line 453 And bete þi-selue on þe breste · and bidde hym of grace; [bete] bette C. þe] þi C. hym] god B.]

For is no gult here so grete · þat his goodnesse nys more." [is] þer is B. no] no (printed ne) W. nys] is CROB.] ¶ Þanne sat sleuthe vp · and seyned hym swithe, [seyned] sayned C; blissid B.] Line 456 And made avowe to-fore god · for his foule sleuthe, [avowe] avow O; awowe C; a vow RB; auow (printed a vow) W.] "Shal no sondaye be þis seuene ȝere · but sykenesse it lette, [but—it] but ȝif sekenesse me R.] Þat I ne shal do me er day · to þe dere cherche, [ne] B om.] And heren matines and masse · as I a monke were. Line 460 Shal none ale after mete · holde me þennes, Tyl I haue euensonge herde · I behote to þe Rode. And ȝete wil I ȝelde aȝein · if I so moche haue, [A page 65] [And—I] What I nam R.] Al þat I wikkedly wan · sithen I wytte hadde. Line 464 ¶ And þough my liflode lakke · leten I nelle, [my] me R.] Þat eche man ne shal haue his · ar I hennes wende: [ne] ROB om.] And with þe residue and þe remenaunt · bi þe Rode of chestre! [with þe] with CO. þe Rode] rode C.] I shal seke treuthe arst · ar I se Rome!" [arst] erst WCOB. ar] er WCROB.] Line 468 ¶ Robert þe robbere · on reddite lokede, [Robert] Roberd WCR.] And for þer was nouȝte wher-of · he wepe swithe sore. [wepe] weped COB; wepte W. sore] O om.] Ac ȝet þe synful shrewe · seyde to hym-selue, [Ac] And C.] "Cryst, þat on caluarye · vppon þe crosse deydest, [on] on þe O.] Line 472 Tho dismas my brother · bisouȝte ȝow of grace, [B omits. dismas] bymas R.] And haddest mercy on þat man · for memento sake, [on] of CO.] So rewe on þis robbere · þat reddere ne haue, [haue] haþ O.] Ne neuere wene to wynne · with crafte þat I owe. [folio 23b] [owe] knowe R.] Line 476 But for þi mykel mercy · mitigacioun I biseche; [for] C om. I] O om.]

Ne dampne me nouȝte at domesday · for þat I did so ille." [so] O om.] ¶ What bifel of þis feloun · I can nouȝte faire schewe, [feloun] schrewe O.] Wel I wote he wepte faste · water with boþe his eyen, And knowleched his gult · to cryst ȝete eftsones, [R omits. gult] gilt WCO. eftsones] efter soones O.] Line 481 Þat penitencia his pyke · he shulde polsche newe, [A page 66] [polsche] polische O; polissh C; pulsche B.] And lepe with hym ouer londe · al his lyf tyme, [lyf] C om.] For he had leyne bi latro · luciferes aunte. [had] hath R.] Line 484 ¶ And þanne had repentaunce reuthe · and redde hem alle to knele, "For I shal biseche for al synful · owre saueoure of grace, To amende vs of owre mysdedes · and do mercy to vs alle. ¶ Now god," quod he, "þat of þi goodnesse · gonne þe worlde make, [he] R om. (!) þat] precedes gonne COB. gonne] gunne O; bi|gonne W. make] to make W.] Line 488 And of nauȝte madest auȝte · and man moste liche to þi-selue, [auȝte] alle þynge B.] And sithen suffredest for to synne · a sikenesse to vs alle, [suffredest] suffrest COB. for to] hym to R; for O; for oure B (which last is clearly wrong here).] And al for þe best, as I bileue · what euere þe boke telleth,

O felix culpa! o necessarium peccatum ade! &c.

[telleth] telle CB. peccatum ade] ade peccatum O.] For þourgh þat synne þi sone · sent was to þis erthe, And bicam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue, Line 493 And madest þi-self with þi sone · and vs synful yliche,

Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem et similitu|dinem nostram;

Et alibi: qui manet in caritate, in deo manet, & deus in eo;

[vs synful] vs silf B; CB omit the quotation, and also ll. 495—497. et similitudinem] WO om. &—eo] O om.] ¶ And sith with þi self sone · in owre sute deydest [þi] þe R. sute] so in O; seute R; secte W. Crowley has sute.] On godefryday for mannes sake · at ful tyme of þe daye, [þe] R om.] Line 496 Þere þi-self ne þi sone · no sorwe in deth feledest; [ne] and R.] But in owre secte was þe sorwe · and þi sone it ladde,

Captiuam duxit captiuitatem.

[þe] þat R. duxit] duxi CB.] ¶ Þe sonne for sorwe þer-of · les syȝte for a tyme [les] lees W; lese C. syȝte] liȝt W; hys liȝt O. for] of W.] Aboute mydday whan most liȝte is · and mele tyme of seintes; [mele] meke (!) B.] Line 500 Feddest with þi fresche blode · owre forfadres in derk|nesse,

Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris, vidit lucem magnam;

[with] þo with R. fresche blode] Fleisch & þi blood B. ambula|bat] ambulat CB.] And thorw þe liȝte þat lepe oute of þe · lucifer was blent, [was] it R.] And blewe alle þi blissed · in-to þe blisse of paradise. [blissed] blissed þennes R. þe] þy C.] ¶ Þe thrydde daye after · þow ȝedest in owre sute, [þow] O om. sute] so in WO; suyte CB; seute R.] Line 504 A synful Marie þe seighe · ar seynte Marie þi dame, [A] And COB. þe] þow CB. ar] er WCROB.] And al to solace synful · þow suffredest it so were:

Non veni vocare iustos, set peccatores ad peni|tenciam.

[And] CB om. al] O om. set] sed R.] ¶ And al þat Marke hath ymade · mathew, Johan, and lucas, [And] To (!) B.] Of þyne douȝtiest dedes · were don in owre armes. [folio 24] [douȝtiest] douȝty WCOB. were] was W; þat weren B.]

Verbum caro factum est, et habitauit in nobis.

Line 508

Line 508 And bi so moche, me semeth · þe sikerere we mowe [me] it R. sikerere] syker|loker R.] Bydde and biseche · if it be þi wille, [biseche] biseche it CB.] Þat art owre fader and owre brother · be merciable to vs, [to] til CO.] And haue reuthe on þise Ribaudes · þat repente hem here sore, [reuthe] mercy R. here] R om.] Line 512 Þat euere þei wratthed þe in þis worlde · in worde, þouȝte, or dedes." [wratthed] wraþþeden O; wrathe C. in—worlde] R om. dedes] dede CO.] ¶ Þanne hent hope an horne · of deus, tu conuersus viuificabis [nos,] [[nos] in R only.] And blew it with Beati quorum · remisse sunt iniqui|tates, [blew] he blew R.] Þat alle seyntes in heuene · songen at ones,

Homines & iumenta saluabis, quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam, deus, &c.

[þat] Til CB. deus] found in W (but not printed).] Line 516 ¶ A thousand of men þo · thrungen togyderes; Criede vpward to cryst · and to his clene moder [Cricde] Cryeden O.] To haue grace to go with hem · treuthe to seke. [To—go] Grace to god (!) R.] Line 519 ¶ Ac þere was wyȝte non so wys · þe wey þider couthe, [A page 67] [C omits. was wyȝte] ne was B.] But blustreden forth as bestes · ouer bankes and hilles, [blustreden] blostereden R; blustrenden (sic) C. forth] for C.] Til late was and longe · þat þei a lede mette, [þat þei] til þey C; til þei wiþ B.] Apparailled as a paynym · in pylgrymes wyse. He bare a burdoun ybounde · with a brode liste, Line 524 In a withewyndes wise · ywounden aboute. [withewyndes] wiþwynde W; wodebyndis B; swithe wyndes CO.] A bolle and a bagge · he bare by his syde; [bolle] bulle R.] An hundreth of ampulles · on his hatt seten, [An] An (printed And) W. hundreth] hundred WROB.] Signes of synay · and shelles of galice; [synay] a sise (!) R.] Line 528

Line 528 And many a cruche on his cloke · and keyes of Rome, [a] CR om. cruche] crouche WCOB. keyes] þe cayes R.] And þe vernicle bifore · for men shulde knowe, [knowe] I-knowe R.] And se bi his signes · whom he souȝte hadde. [A page 68] [signes] seynes R.] Line 531 ¶ Þis folke frayned hym firste · fro whennes he come? [þis] þeise O. frayned] frey|neden B.] ¶ "Fram synay," he seyde · "and fram owre lordes sepulcre; [Fram] Fro COB (twice). synay] Synay (printed Syny) W.] In bethleem and in babiloyne · I haue ben in bothe, [bethleem] Bedlem COB.] In ermonye, in Alisaundre · in many other places. [ermonye] Armonye W. in Alisaundre] so in W; but printed and Alisaundre. in] and in R.] Ȝe may se bi my signes · þat sitten on myn hatte, Line 536 Þat I haue walked ful wyde · in wete and in drye, And souȝte gode seyntes · for my soules helth." [soules] soule R.] ¶ "Knowestow ouȝte a corseint · þat men calle treuthe? Coudestow auȝte wissen vs þe weye · where þat wy dwelleth?" [Coudestow] koudest þow ROB. auȝte] CB om. þe] þe riȝte B. wy] wyȝte R; he COB.] Line 540 ¶ "Nay, so me god helpe!" · seide þe gome þanne, [me] mote me B.] "I seygh neuere palmere · with pike ne with scrippe [seygh] ne sauȝ B. scrippe] scrippe wende O.] Axen after hym er · til now in þis place." [Axen] Asken W. til] COB om.] "Peter!" quod a plowman · and put forth his hed, [folio 24b] Line 544 "I knowe hym as kyndely · as clerke doþ his bokes; [bokes] booke COB.] Conscience and kynde witte · kenned me to his place, And deden me suren hym sikerly · to serue hym for euere, [deden] diden W; dide C. suren hym] suren hem R; swere COB.] Bothe to sowe and to sette · þe while I swynke myghte. Line 548 I haue ben his folwar · al þis [fifty] wyntre; [[fifty] WCOB; fourty LR; Crowley has fifty. Cf. Pass. VI. 85.] Bothe ysowen his sede · and sued his bestes, [ysowen] I-sowe R; sowen CB; sewe O. sued] fedde CO; feed B.]

With-Inne and with-outen · wayted his profyt. [A page 69] [wayted] I-wayted R.] I dyke and I delue · I do þat treuthe hoteth; [I do] & do OB. treuthe] he R. hoteth] me hoteþ B.] Line 552 Some tyme I sowe · and some tyme I thresche, In tailoures crafte and tynkares crafte · what treuthe can deuyse, I weue an I wynde · and do what treuthe hoteth. [an] and WCROB. weue—wynde] wynde and wede B. do] I do C. hoteth] me hotiþ B.] ¶ For þouȝe I seye it my-self · I serue hym to paye; Line 556 Ich haue myn huire [of hym] wel · and otherwhiles more; [[of hym R] LWCOB om.] He is þe prestest payer · þat pore men knoweth; He ne with-halt non hewe his hyre · þat he ne hath it at euen. [He ne] He CROB. non—hyre] no men here huyre R; noon hynen his hire B. þat—euen] þat þei ne haue it anone R.] He is as low as a lombe · and loueliche of speche, Line 560 And ȝif ȝe wilneth to wite · where þat he dwelleth, I shal wisse ȝow witterly · þe weye to his place." ¶ "Ȝe, leue Pieres," quod þis pilgrymes · and profered hym huire For to wende with hem · to treuthes dwellyng place. [treuthes] treuthe C.] Line 564 ¶ "Nay, bi my soules helth," quod pieres · and gan forto swere, [soules helth] soule CB; soules helþe (printed helpe) W; soule perel R.] "I nolde fange a ferthynge · for seynt Thomas shryne! [fange] fonge RB.] Treuthe wolde loue me þe lasse · a longe tyme þere|after! [a] COB om. þere-after] after COB.] Line 567 Ac if ȝe wilneth to wende wel · þis is þe weye thider, [ȝe] yow W.] [Þat I shal say to yow · and sette yow in þe soþe.] [From C; also in OBC2; LWR and Crowley omit.] ¶ Ȝe mote go þourgh mekenesse · bothe men and wyues, Tyl ȝe come in-to conscience · þat cryst wite þe sothe, [in-to] to COB.] Þat ȝe louen owre lorde god · leuest of alle þinges, [A page 70] Line 572 And þanne ȝowre neighbores nexte · in non wise apeyre

Otherwyse þan þow woldest · he wrouȝte to þi-selue. [þi-selue] þe-selue O.] ¶ And so boweth forth bi a broke · beth-buxum-of|speche, [boweth] bouh R; bowe CB. beth] be R; bees C. of] of þi R.] Tyl ȝe fynden a forth · ȝowre-fadres-honoureth,

Honora patrem & matrem, &c.:

[forth] forthe RB; foorþe O; ford W; forde C. honoureth] ȝe honoure O.] Line 576 Wadeþ in þat water · and wascheth ȝow wel þere, [in] in-to B. þat] O om. wascheth] wasshe WC. þere] þer-Inne W.] And ȝe shul lepe þe liȝtloker · al ȝowre lyf tyme. [þe] C om. liȝtloker] lighter C; liȝtlier OB.] And so shaltow se swere-nouȝte- · but-if-it-be-for-nede| [shaltow] schalt þow R. se] O om. if] B om.] And-namelich-an-ydel- · þe-name-of-god-almyȝti. [an] on W; in OB.] Line 580 ¶ Þanne shaltow come by a crofte · but come þow nouȝte þere-Inne; [þow] COB om.] That crofte hat coueyte-nouȝte- · mennes-catel-ne-her|wyues-, [That] þe R. mennes] men CR. catel] R om (!).] Ne-none-of-her-seruauntes- · þat-noyen-hem-myȝte. [folio 25] [noyen] anoien B.] Line 583 Loke ȝe breke no bowes þere · but if it be ȝowre owne. [ȝe] þow R. ȝowre] on ȝoure R.] ¶ Two stokkes þere stondeth · ac stynte ȝe nouȝte þere, [stondeth] stonde CB. ac] and C.] They [hatte] stele-nouȝte, ne-slee-nouȝte · stryke forth by bothe; [[hatte CR] hatten OB; hiȝte W; hat L. ne] & W. by bothe] bifore COB.] And leue hem on þi left halfe · and loke nouȝte þere|after; And holde wel þyne haliday · heighe til euen. Line 588 Thanne shaltow blenche at a berghe · bere-no-false|witnesse, [blenche] written more like bleuche in L; blenche W. Cf. Text A. berghe] beruh R; beruȝ O.] He is frithed in with floreines · and other [fees] many; [A page 71] [He] R om. frithed in] florischid wiþ-Inne B. [fees WCRB] foes L; foos O.] Loke þow plukke no plante þere · for peril of þi soule. [þow] ȝe R. þi soule] ȝoure soules R.]

¶ Þanne shal ȝe se sey-soth- · so-it-be-to-done| [se] R om.] Line 592 In-no-manere-ellis-nauȝte- · for-no-mannes-biddynge. [no] none RB; good W.] ¶ Þanne shaltow come to a courte · as clere as þe sonne, Þe mote is of mercy · þe manere aboute, [þe mote] þat moot hit B. of] O om. manere] Manoir W.] Line 595 And alle þe wallis ben of witte · to holden wille oute; [And] CB om.] And kerneled with crystendome · man-kynde to saue, [kerneled] I-carneled R. man|kynde] þat kende R.] Boterased with bileue-so- · or-þow-beest-nouȝte-ysaued. [Boterased] Botrased W; Bi|trased C; I-buterased R; Bretaskid B.] ¶ And alle þe houses ben hiled · halles and chambres, [And] O om. hiled] I-hyled R; helied B. halles] halle B. chambres] chambere C.] Wit[h] no lede, but with loue · and lowe-speche-as-bre|theren. [With] Wit L; but the line is marked for correction.] Line 600 Þe brugge is of bidde-wel- · þe-bette-may-þow-spede; [brugge] brygge COB. may] maist B.] Eche piler is of penaunce · of preyeres to seyntes, [Eche] Ilke C. preyeres] prayer C; preyer O; preiere B.] Of almes dedes ar þe hokes · þat þe gates hangen on. [almes dedes] almeis dede C. þe (1)] þo B. þat] COB om.] ¶ Grace hatte þe gateward · a gode man for sothe, [hatte] hotiþ B.] Line 604 Hys man hatte amende-ȝow · for many man him knoweth; [hatte] hotiþ B. for] R om. man] men WB.] Telleth hym þis tokene · þat treuthe wite þe sothe; 'I parfourned þe penaunce · þe preest me enioyned, [parfourned] parfournied R; performed B. þe (2)] þat þe W.] And am ful sori for my synnes · and so I shal euere, Line 608 Whan I þinke þere-on · þeighe I were a pope.' ¶ Biddeth amende-ȝow meke him · til his maistre ones, [A page 72] To wayne vp þe wiket · þat þe womman shette, [wayne] wayne OB; wayne or wayue LRC; waynen or wayuen (printed wayven) W.] Tho Adam and Eue · eten apples vnrosted;

Per euam cun[c]tis clausa est, & per mariam virginem [iterum] patefacta est;

[[iterum] in R only. See note.] Line 612

Line 612 ¶ For he hath þe keye and þe [cliket] · þouȝ þe kynge slepe. [he] scho C. [cliket WCB] clikat LR. þouȝ] þouȝ þat B.] And if grace graunte þe · to go in in þis wise, [in in] in WCROB; but see Text A.] Þow shalt see in þi-selue · treuthe sitte in þine herte, [sitte] W om.] In a cheyne of charyte · as þow a childe were, Line 616 To suffre hym and segge nouȝte · aȝein þi sires wille. [segge] saye C. segge nouȝte] to segge (!) R. þi sires] thy eires C; þyn heiris B.] ¶ Ac bewar þanne of wrath-þe · þat is a wikked shrewe, [Ac] And WC. wrath-þe] Wratthe CB. shrewe] sherewe W.] He hath enuye to hym · þat in þine herte sitteth; [folio 25b] [to] til COB.] And pukketh forþ pruyde · to prayse þi-seluen. [pukketh] pukkes C; pucketh R; poukeþ O; pokeþ WB. forþ] for C; R om.] Line 620 Þe boldnesse of þi bienfetes · maketh þe blynde þanne, [bienfetes] benefetes R; bien|faittes CB; beenfetis O. maketk] make C.] And þanne worstow dryuen oute as dew · and þe dore closed, [þanne] O om. worstow] worst þou B; worþest þou O. dryuen] dryues C. dew] deuh R; a dew CB. closed] I-closed R.] Kayed and [cliketed] · to kepe þe with-outen; [Kayed] I-cayed R; Keyed WCOB. [cliketed CB] clikated L; cliketted W; I-clycated R.] Happily an hundreth wyntre · ar þow eft entre. [hundreth] hundred WOB. ar] er WCOB.] Line 624 Þus myght þow lesen his loue · to late wel by þi-selue, [myght þow] myȝtist þou O; myȝtestow W; miȝtow R.] And neuere happiliche efte entre · but grace þow haue. [but] til O.] ¶ Ac þere [aren] seuene sustren · þat seruen treuthe euere, [Ac] And WC. [aren R] are W; ar L; been O; ben B; be C; see next line. sustren] sistren O; systers C; ȝiftes (!) R.] And aren porteres of þe posternes · that to þe place longeth. [aren] arn W; been O; ben B; be C. porteres] portes C. of] ouer R. þe (2)] C om.] Line 628 Þat one hat abstenence · and humilite an other, [humilite] vmblete R.] Charite and chastite · ben his chief maydenes,

Pacience and pees · moche poeple þei helpeth, [A page 73] Largenesse þe lady · heo let in ful manye; [heo] he R; she WOB; sho C. in] out (!) O.] Line 632 Heo hath hulpe a þousande oute · of þe deueles pon|folde. [Heo] Sche OB; Sho C. hulpe] so in R.; holpe WCO; holpen B. ponfolde] pondfolde R; punfolde WB; pounfolde C; pynfold O.] ¶ And who is sibbe to þis seuene · so me god helpe! [who] who so CB.] He is wonderliche welcome · and faire vnderfongen. And but if ȝe be syb · to summe of þise seuene, [if] if þat R. ȝe] he B.] Line 636 It is ful harde bi myne heued," quod Peres · "for any of ȝow alle To geten ingonge at any gate þere · but grace be þe more." [ingonge] ingong O; Ingange C; in-going WB. any] þe COB.] ¶ "Now, bi cryst," quod a cutpurs · "I haue no kynne þere!" Line 639 "Ne I," quod an apewarde · "bi auȝte þat I knowe!" [Ne] Nor WCB; Nou O. I (2)] I kan W.] ¶ "Wite god," quod a wafrestre · "wist I þis for sothe, [Wite god] God wot B. wa|frestre] waferer OB. for] R om.] Shulde I neuere ferthere a fote · for no freres prechynge." [Shulde] Shul C. freres] frere R.] ¶ "Ȝus," quod Pieres þe plowman · and pukked hem alle to gode, [ȝus] ȝis B; ȝis WC. pukked] poukede O; poked WRB; pute C. hem] the (miswritten for them) C; O om.] Line 643 "Mercy is a maydene þere · hath myȝte ouer hem alle; [a] as C. hath] and haþ B. hem] WCOB om.] And she is syb to alle synful · and her sone also; And þoruȝe þe helpe of hem two · (hope þow none other), þow myȝte gete grace þere · bi so þow go bityme." [þere bi] þere · bi LO; þere · be R; þere W; þerby CB.] ¶ "By seynt Poule," quod a pardonere · "perauenture I be nouȝte knowe þere, [knowe þere] welcome R.] Line 648

Line 648 I wil go fecche my box with my breuettes · and a bulle with bisshopes lettres!" [go] COB om. fecche] fette B. bisshopes] bisshope C.] "By cryst," quod a comune womman · "þi companye wil I folwe, Þow shalt sey I am þi sustre · I ne wot where þei bicome." Line 651

PASSUS VI.

[TITLE. Passus Sextus LOB; C adds, de visione; WR add, de visione, vt supra.] Passus Sextus.

"This were a wikked way · but who-so hadde a gyde [A page 74] That wolde folwen vs eche a fote;" · þus þis folke hem mened. Quatȝ Perkyn þe plouman · "bi seynt Peter of Rome, [CB omit.] I haue an half acre to erye · bi þe heighe way; [folio 26] Line 4 Hadde I eried þis half acre · and sowen it after, [eried] hered R. sowen] I-sowen R.] I [wolde] wende with ȝow · and þe way teche." [wolde WOB] wil LR; wyl C.] ¶ "Þis were a longe lettynge" · quod a lady in a sklayre, [a (3)] retained in W (but omitted in the printed edition). sklayre] Scleyre W; slaire C.] "What sholde we wommen · worche þere whiles?" [CB omit. þere whiles] so in R; þe whyles O; þe while W.] Line 8 ¶ "Somme shal sowe [þe] sakke," quod Piers · "for shedyng of þe whete; [shal] schal R; shul WC; shullen B. [þe WCROB] L om. þe whete] whete CB.] And ȝe, louely ladyes · with ȝoure longe fyngres, [ladyes] lady B.] Þat ȝe han silke and sendal · to sowe, whan tyme is, [han] haue WRCB. sendal] sandel WC.] Chesibles for chapelleynes · cherches to honoure. Line 12 ¶ Wyues and wydwes · wolle & flex spynneth,

Maketh cloth, I conseille ȝow · and kenneth so ȝowre douȝtres; [Maketh] Make C. kenneth so] kennes C; kennyþ B.] Þe nedy and þe naked · nymmeth hede how hij liggeth, [nymmeth] takes C. hij lig|geth] þei liggeþ W; þey ligge COB; a lyggeth R.] And casteth hem clothes · for so comaundeth treuthe. [A page 75] [casteth] castes C. hem] hym R. comaundeth] biddiþ O; com|aunde C.] Line 16 For I shal lene hem lyflode · but ȝif þe londe faille, [lene] so in LOB; lene or leue RC; lenen or leuen (printed leven) W.] Flesshe and bred bothe · to riche and to pore, As longe as I lyue · for þe lordes loue of heuene. [þe] oure O.] ¶ And alle manere of men · þat þorw mete and drynke lybbeth, [lybbeth] lyues C.] Line 20 Helpith hym to worche wiȝtliche · þat wynneth ȝowre fode." [Helpith] Helpes C. wynneth] wynnes C.] ¶ "Bi crist," quod a knyȝte þo · "he kenneth vs þe best; Ac on þe teme trewly · tauȝte was I neuere. [Ac] And C. tauȝte] caught (so miswritten) C.] Ac kenne me," quod þe knyȝte · "and, bi cryst, I wil assaye!" [Ac] But W; And C. bi cryst] COB om.] Line 24 ¶ "Bi seynt Poule," quod Perkyn · "ȝe profre ȝow so faire, Þat I shal swynke and swete · and sowe for vs bothe, [sowe] saw C.] And oþer laboures do for þi loue · al my lyf tyme, [laboures] laboreres R.] In couenaunt þat þow kepe · holikirke and my-selue [In the margin of O—þe lyuyng of trewe knyȝtis. my] þy C.] Line 28 Fro wastoures and fro wykked men · þat þis worlde struyeth. [fro] COB om. struyeth] strueth R; struthes C; stroyen O; stroieþ B; destruyeþ W.] ¶ And go hunte hardiliche · to hares and to foxes, To bores and to brockes · þat breketh adown myne hegges, [A page 76] [brockes] bukkes R. adown] doun W. myne] men B.]

And go affaite þe faucones · wilde foules to kille; [go] so W. þe] þi WR; þy C. foules] foweles W; bestis O.] Line 32 For suche cometh to my croft · and croppeth my whete." [suche] swiche WR; swilce C.] ¶ Curteislich þe knyȝte þanne · comsed þise wordes, [þise] hise O.] "By my power, Pieres," quod he · "I pliȝte þe my treuthe To fulfille þis forward · þowȝ I fiȝte sholde; Line 36 Als longe as I lyue · I shal þe mayntene." [Als] Al-so B; As CR.] ¶ "Ȝe, and ȝit a poynt," quod Pieres · "I preye ȝow of more; [ȝe] ȝhe O; ȝee B. a] C om.] Loke ȝe tene no tenaunt · but treuthe wil assent. [Loke] Lokiþ þat B.] And þowgh ȝe mowe amercy hem · late mercy be taxoure, [folio 26b] [hem] men R; CB om.] Line 40 And mekenesse þi mayster · maugre medes chekes, [þi] þe CB; ȝoure R. medes] mede R.] And þowgh pore men profre ȝow · presentis and ȝiftis, Nym it nauȝte, an auenture · ȝe mowe it nauȝte deserue; [Nym] Nemeþ B. an auenture] in aduenture B. ȝe] þow R.] For þow shalt ȝelde it aȝein · at one ȝeres ende, Line 44 In a ful perillous place · purgatorie it hatte. [hatte] hatteth RB.] ¶ And mysbede nouȝte þi bonde-men · þe better may þow spede; [And] COB om. bonde-men] bonde-man R. may] mayst OB.] Þowgh he be þyn vnderlynge here · wel may happe in heuene, [happe] happen B.] Þat he worth worthier sette · and with more blisse, [worth—sette] worthier sit CO; worþiere sitteþ B.] Line 48 [Þan þow, bot þou do bette · And lyue as þow shulde;] [LWRO omit. Copied from C; found also in BC₂, and in Crowley's text. In CBC₂ it is wrongly placed after the Latin quotation; rightly placed in Crowley. shulde] sholdust B.]

Amice, ascende superius.

For in charnel atte chirche · cherles ben yuel to knowe, [charnel] a chanel (!) R. atte] at WR; and in CB. cherles] clerkes R.] Or a kniȝte fram a knaue þere · knowe þis in þin herte. [þere] COB om.]

And þat þow be trewe of þi tonge · and tales þat þow hatie, [þat þow] COB om. þi] R om. tales—hatie] loke þow tales hatye CO; loke talis þat þow hate B.] Line 52 But if þei ben of wisdome or of witte · þi werkmen to chaste. [þei] it COB. of (1)] C om. of (2)] COB om. chaste] chastie CR; chastise OB.] Holde with none harlotes · ne here nouȝte her tales, [with] nauȝt with R.] And nameliche atte mete · suche men eschue; [atte] at þe WCR; at O; at þi B.] For it ben þe deueles disoures · I do þe to vnder|stande." [it ben] it beth R. þe (1)] þo B. vnderstande] vnderstone C.] Line 56 ¶ "I assente, bi seynt Iame" · seyde þe kniȝte þanne, [seyde—kniȝte] þe knyȝt sayde COB.] "Forto worche bi þi wordes · þe while my lyf dureth." ¶ "And I shal apparaille me," quod Perkyn · "in pilgrimes wise, [A page 77] [In margin of O—How peers gooþ on pilgrimage. And] COB om.] And wende with ȝow I wil · til we fynde treuthe; Line 60 ¶ And cast on me my clothes · yclouted and hole, [me] WCOB om. cast—clothes] on my cloþis caste B. yclouted] boþe clowtede B. hole] I-hole R.] My cokeres and my coffes · for colde of my nailles, [coffes] cuffes CRO; cuffus B.] And hange myn hoper at myn hals · in stede of a scrippe; [hoper] glossed in OC2—i. a seed leep. a] þe B.] A busshel of bredcorne · brynge me þer-inne; Line 64 For I wil sowe it my-self · and sitthenes wil I wende [sowe] saw C. and] B om. sitthenes] siþenes W; sytthen R; siþen C; seþen B.] To pylgrymage as palmers don · pardoun forto haue. [To] On B. for] O om.] ¶ Ac who so helpeth me to erie · or sowen here ar I wende, [Ac] And WCB. or] and W. here] CB om. ar] er WCOB; ere R.] Shal haue leue, bi owre lorde · to lese here in heruest, [lese here] lacche her C; lacche hire OB.] Line 68 And make hem mery þere-mydde · maugre who-so bigruccheth it. [And] Ac B. hem] COB om.; hym R. þere-mydde] þer-with C. bigruccheth it] grucches C; grucchiþ O; grucche B; it be-grucche R.]

¶ And alkyn crafty men · þat konne lyuen in treuthe, [alkyn] alle kynne WOR.] I shal fynden hem fode · þat feithfulliche libbeth. [libbeth] lyuees C.] ¶ Saue Iakke þe iogeloure · and Ionet of þe stues, [Iakke] Iagge W. stues] stuwes W; stewes C; stiues R; styuehous B.] Line 72 And danyel þe dys-playere · and denote þe baude, [dys-playere] dees-pleyere WCO. denote] Enote CB; euot O.] And frere þe faytoure · and folke of his ordre, [his] hire W. B has—And þe frere faytour · wiþ al his hool ordre.] And Robyn þe Rybaudoure · for his rusty wordes. Treuthe tolde me ones · and bad me tellen it after, [it] hit forþ B.] Line 76 Deleantur de libro viuentium · I shulde nouȝte dele with hem; [I—hem] CB om.] For holicherche is hote of hem · no tythe to take, [folio 27]

Quia cum iustis non scribantur;

[hote] hoten O. take] aske R. Quia] so in W; misprinted Qui.] [A page 78] They ben ascaped good auenture · now god hem amende!" [now] but O; WCB om.] ¶ Dame worche-whan-tyme-is · Pieres wyf hiȝte, [worche] werche wel B.] Line 80 His douȝter hiȝte do-riȝte-so-. or-þi-dame-shal-þe-bete, His sone hiȝte suffre-þi-souereynes-· to-hauen-her-wille| [souereynes] suffereignes C. to] RO om.] Deme-hem-nouȝte-for-if-þow-doste-· þow-shalt-it-dere|abugge. [doste] do CB. it] ful O; is C. abugge] a-bygge C; abiegge B.] "Late god yworth with al · for so his worde techeth; [CB omit. so] O om.] Line 84 ¶ For now I am olde and hore · and haue of myn owen, To penaunce and to pilgrimage · I wil passe with þise other. [to] CO om.] For-þi I wil, or I wende · do wryte my biqueste. [or] er WCOB; ar R. biqueste] queste R.] In dei nomine, amen · I make it my-seluen. [In—soule] one line in R.] Line 88 He shal haue my soule · þat best hath yserued it, [In—soule] one line in R.] [Þat best, &c.] one line in R. yserued] deserued W. it defende—bileue] I-keped it R.] And fro þe fende it defende · for so I bileue, [Þat best, &c.] one line in R. yserued] deserued W. it defende—bileue] I-keped it R.] Til I come to his acountes · as my credo me telleth, [credo me] crede R.]

To haue a relees and a remissioun · on þat rental I leue. [a (2)] O om. leue] bileue CB.] Line 92 ¶ Þe kirke shal haue my caroigne · and kepe my bones; [caroigne] cariogne C; carayne RB.] For of my corne and catel · he craued þe tythe. [he] she WB. þe] R om.] I payed it hym prestly · for peril of my soule, [hym] ful W; hem B.] For-thy is he holden, I hope · to haue me in his masse, [A page 79] Line 96 And mengen in his memorye · amonge alle crystene. ¶ My wyf shal haue of þat I wan · with treuthe and nomore, And dele amonge my douȝtres · and my dere children. [children] childres R; childerne C.] For þowghe I deye to-daye · my dettes ar quitte, [deye] deyede R. dettes—quitte] dette is I-quited R; dettes are quyte W.] Line 100 I bare home þat I borwed · ar I to bedde ȝede. [ar] er WCOB.] ¶ And with þe residue and þe remenaunte · bi þe Rode of Lukes! [and] of CB.] I wil worschip þer-with · treuthe bi my lyue, And ben his pilgryme atte plow · for pore mennes sake. [atte] at þe RB; at CO.] Line 104 My plow-fote shal be my pyk-staf · and picche atwo þe rotes, [plow-fote] ploughwes foot B; plow-pote R; plow-foot WC. pyk|staf] pikid staf B. and—rotes] to picche a-two rotis B. atwo] at R.] And helpe my culter to kerue · and clense þe forwes." ¶ Now is perkyn and his pilgrymes · to þe plowe faren; [his] hise WC; þese R.] To erie þis halue acre · holpyn hym manye. [þis] so in W; misprinted his. holpyn] þer helpen B.] Line 108 Dikeres & delueres · digged vp þe balkes; [digged] digges C. balkes] baukys B.] Þere-with was perkyn apayed · and preysed hem faste. Other werkemen þere were · þat wrouȝten ful ȝerne, [ȝerne] faste C.]

Eche man in his manere · made hym-self to done, [Eche] Elke C.] Line 112 And some to plese perkyn · piked vp þe wedes. ¶ At heighe pryme peres · lete þe plowe stonde, To ouersen hem hym-self · and who-so best wrouȝte, [folio 27b] [To] And ȝeed to R. and] B om.] He shulde be huyred þer-after · whan heruest-tyme come. [A page 80] [He] For he B.] Line 116 ¶ And þanne seten somme · and songen atte nale, [atte nale] at þe nale ROB; at þe ale R.] And hulpen erie his half acre · with "how! trolli|lolli!" [hulpen] holpen WCOB; ho helpen R. erie] herie C: ere W; to erye RB. his] þis W. how] hey O.] ¶ "Now, bi þe peril of my soule!" quod Pieres · al in pure tene, "But ȝe arise þe rather · and rape ȝow to worche, Line 120 Shal no greyne þat groweth · glade ȝow at nede; And þough ȝe deye for dole · þe deuel haue þat rec|cheth!" [deye] deyede R. dole] doel W; deul R; deel O; defaute B. haue] hym haue B. reccheth] recches C; recche R.] ¶ Tho were faitoures aferde · and feyned hem blynde, [Tho] Two C. aferde] afered W.] Somme leyde here legges aliri · as suche loseles conneth, [aliri] a-liry W; a-lyrye C. conneth] knoues C.] And made her mone to pieres · and preyde hym of grace: Line 125 "For we haue no lymes to laboure with · lorde, y-graced be ȝe! [y-graced] graced R; graceful B. ȝe] þe W.] ¶ Ac we preye for ȝow pieres · and for ȝowre plow bothe, [Ac we] And C. for (2)] O om.] Þat god of his grace · ȝowre grayne multiplye, Line 128 And ȝelde ȝow of ȝowre almesse · þat ȝe ȝiue vs here; [of] for W. ȝowre] O om. almesse] almose C.] For we may nouȝte swynke ne swete · suche sikenesse vs eyleth." [nouȝte] neiþer B. eyleth] C om.; ayleth R.]

¶ "If it be soth," quod pieres, "þat ȝe seyne · I shal it sone asspye! [If it] If þis CB. þat—seyne] CB om. In margin of O—Of ydel beggers.] Ȝe ben wastoures, I wote wel · and treuthe wote þe sothe! [ȝe] þo R. wote (2)] wot wel R.] Line 132 And I am his olde hyne · and hiȝte hym to warne [A page 81] Which þei were in þis worlde · his werkemen appeyred. [his] þat his B. appeyred] apayreth R.] ¶ Ȝe wasten þat men wynnen · with trauaille and with tene, [with (2)] COB om.] Ac treuthe shal teche ȝow · his teme to dryue, Line 136 Or ȝe shal ete barly bred · and of þe broke drynke. But if he be blynde [or] broke-legged · or bolted with yrnes, [[or WCROB] and L.] He shal ete whete bred · and drynke with my-selue, [whete] swete O.] Tyl god of his goodnesse · amendement hym sende. Line 140 Ac ȝe myȝte trauaille as treuthe wolde · and take mete & huyre To kepe kyne in þe felde · þe corne fro þe bestes, [kyne] kyene C; ken R kyen WB; kijn O.] Diken or deluen · or dyngen vppon sheues, [dyngen vppon] picchen vp B.] Or helpe make morter · or bere mukke a-felde. [make] to make B.] Line 144 ¶ In lecherye and in losengerye · ȝe lyuen, and in sleuthe, [in (2)] COB om. ȝe lyuen] lyue R.] And al is þorw suffrance · þat veniaunce ȝow ne taketh. ¶ Ac ancres and heremytes · þat eten [noȝt] but at nones, [Ac] As C. [noȝt WCOB] LR omit.] And namore er morwe · myne almesse shul þei haue, [er] er þe W.] And of my catel to cope hem with · þat han cloistres and cherches. [of my] COB om.; of W. cope] kepe W. and cherches] in kerkes R.] Line 149 Ac robert renne-aboute · shal nowȝte haue of myne,

Ne posteles, but þey preche conne · and haue powere of þe bisschop; [haue] ȝut haue R.] They shal haue payne and potage · and make hem-self at ese, [folio 28] [hem-self] hem COB.] Line 152 For it is an vnresonable Religioun · þat hath riȝte nouȝte of certeyne." [riȝte—of] no thyng in COB.] ¶ And þanne gan a wastoure to wrath hym · and wolde haue yfouȝte, [And] COB om. a] W om. to] CB om.] And to Pieres þe plowman · he profered his gloue; [þe] O om. he] O om.] A Brytonere, a braggere · a-bosted pieres als, [Brytonere] Bretoner WRB.] Line 156 And bad hym go pissen with his plow · for-pyned schrewe! [with] on R.] "Wiltow or neltow · we wil haue owre wille, [A page 82] [Wiltow—neltow] wil þow or nelle þow R; wilt þou or nylt þou O.] Of þi flowre and of þi flessche · fecche whan vs liketh, [Of] And of R. fecche] facche C; fette hit B.] And make vs myrie þer-myde · maugre þi chekes!" [þer-myde] þer-with CB.] Line 160 ¶ Thanne Pieres þe plowman · pleyned hym to þe knyȝte, [þe] O om.] To kepe hym, as couenaunte was · fram cursed shrewes, And fro þis wastoures wolueskynnes · þat maketh þe worlde dere: [wolueskynnes] wolf skynnes CO; of wolues kynne B. þe] þis R.] "For þo waste and wynnen nouȝte · and þat ilke while [þat] B om.] Line 164 Worth neuere plente amonge þe poeple · þer-while my plow liggeth." [þe] R om. þer-while] þe while WROB. liggeth] lieþ B; legges C.] ¶ Curteisly þe knyȝte þanne · as his kynde wolde, [as] C om.] Warned wastoure · and wissed hym bettere, [bettere] þe better O.] "Or þow shalt abugge by þe lawe · by þe ordre þat I bere!" [abugge] abigge WCO; abiegge B. by (1)] with R.] Line 168

Line 168 ¶ "I was nouȝt wont to worche," quod wastour · "and now wil I nouȝt bigynne!"— [was] nas O. wont] woned B; wone R. wil—nouȝt] I nyl COB.] And lete liȝte of þe lawe · and lasse of þe knyȝte, And sette Pieres at a pees · and his plow bothe, [pees] pese WCRCB. plow] plowht C.] And manaced pieres and his men · ȝif þei mette eft sone. [manaced] manseyd R.] Line 172 ¶ "Now, by þe peril of my soule!" quod pieres · "I shal apeyre ȝow alle!" [Now] R om.] And houped after hunger · þat herd hym atte firste: "A-wreke me of þise wastoures," quod he · "þat þis worlde schendeth!" [schendeth] schenden R; shendes C.] ¶ Hunger in haste þo · hent wastour bi þe mawe, [þo] þan B. mawe] wombe W.] Line 176 And wronge hym so bi þe wombe · þat bothe his eyen wattered; [A page 83] [And] And he B. bothe—wattered] al waterred his eyȝes R.] He buffeted þe Britoner · aboute þe chekes, [Britoner] Bretoner WRB.] Þat he loked like a lanterne · al his lyf after. [after] tyme B.] He bette hem so bothe · he barste nere here guttes; [he] þat he B. barste] brast C.] Line 180 Ne hadde Pieres with a pese-lof · preyed hunger to cesse, [lof] loof WO; lafe C; lofe R. to cesse] sese R.] They hadde ben doluen bothe · ne deme þow non other. [bothe] W om. ne—þow] wilne þou B.] "Suffre hem lyue," he seyde · "and lete hem ete with hogges, [lyue] to lyue B. and] B om.] Or elles benes and bren · ybaken togideres, [and] an C; or W. bren] bran COB.] Line 184 Or elles melke and mene ale" · þus preyed pieres for hem. [mene] meyne ROB; meynye C.] ¶ Faitoures for fere her-of · flowen in-to bernes, [her-of] þer-of COB. into] in R.] And flapten on with flayles · fram morwe til euen, [flapten] flapped C; flappiden B.]

That hunger was nouȝt so hardy · on hem for to loke, [so] R om. for to] fort B.] Line 188 For a potful of peses · þat peres hadde ymaked. [peses] pesen O; pisen B; pese C.] An heep of heremites · henten hem spades, [folio 28b] [An] And C.] And ketten here copes · and courtpies hem made, [ketten] kutten CB; kitten WO. copes] capes C. courtpies] curtepies B; curtbyes CO; curtebies R. made] maked W.] And wenten as werkemen · with spades and with schoueles, [with (2)] COB om.] Line 192 And doluen and dykeden · to dryue aweye hunger. [doluen] dolueden O.] ¶ Blynde and bedreden · were botened a þousande, [bedreden] bedrede B; bedered O. botened] botoned C; bootned W.] Þat seten to begge syluer · sone were þei heled. [þat] And C. seten to] re|peated in L, by mistake.] For þat was bake for bayarde · was bote for many hungry, [A page 84] [bote for] bote to R.] Line 196 And many a beggere for benes · buxome was to swynke, [a] CO om. buxome] fayne R. was] were B.] And eche a pore man wel apayed · to haue pesen for his huyre, [eche] elke C. apayed] payed CO. his] her O.] And what pieres preyed hem to do · as prest as a sper|hauke. [to] for to R. as (1)] also B.] Line 199 And þere-of was peres proude · and put hem to werke, [peres] pieris so B.] And ȝaf hem mete as he myȝte aforth · and mesurable huyre. [mesurable] resounable O.] ¶ Þanne hadde peres pite · and preyed hunger to wende Home in-to his owne erde · and holden hym þere. [in-to] vn-to W. erde] erþe COB; yerd W.] "For I am wel awroke now · of wastoures, þorw þi myȝte. [now] W om.] Line 204 Ac I preye þe, ar þow passe" · quod Pieres to hunger, [ar] er WO; or CB. to] þo to R.] "Of beggeres and of bidderes · what best be [to] done? [and] O om. of] CB om. be] is R. [to WCROB] L om.]

For I wote wel, be þow went · þei wil worche ful ille; [wil worche] wolen do O.] For myschief it maketh · þei beth so meke nouthe, Line 208 And for defaute of her fode · þis folke is at my wille. Þey are my blody bretheren," quod pieres · "for god bouȝte vs alle; [þey are] It aren R; And ȝit þei arn O. bretheren] brether C. for] & R.] Treuthe tauȝte me ones · to louye hem vchone, And to helpen hem of alle þinge · ay as hem nedeth. And now wolde I witen of þe · what were þe best, Line 213 An[d] how I myȝte amaistrien hem · and make hem to worche." [And] An L; but marked for correction. amaistrien] amaystrien R; a-maistren W; a-mastrie O; maistre B; maister C.] ¶ "Here now," quod hunger · "and holde it for a wisdome: [A page 85] [Here] I here R; Here me B.] Bolde beggeres and bigge · þat mowe her bred bi|swynke, Line 216 With houndes bred and hors bred · holde vp her hertis, Abate hem with benes · for bollyng of her wombe; [bollyng] bolnyng CB. wombe] wombes W.] And ȝif þe gomes grucche · bidde hem go swynke, [þe—grucche] þey grucche þanne COB. go] go and R.] And he shal soupe swettere · whan he it hath deseruid. [R omits.] ¶ And if þow fynde any freke · þat fortune hath ap|peyred, [And] Ac R. fortune] falshed R.] Line 221 Or any maner fals men · fonde þow suche to cnowe; [CB omit.] [fals] fawti O. cnowe] knowe WRO.] Conforte [hem] with þi catel · for crystes loue of heuene, [CB omit.] [[hem RO] hym LW.] Loue hem and lene hem · so lawe of god techeth:—

Alter alterius onera portate.

[Loue] Hire B. hem] hym CB (in both places). so—god] for so þe lawe COB. onera] honera R portate] so in W, but misprinted portare.] And alle maner of men · þat þow myȝte asspye, [of] RB om. þat] CO om. myȝte] myȝtist O.] Line 225 That nedy ben, and nauȝty · helpe hem with þi godis, [nauȝty] noȝt han B.]

Loue hem and lakke hem nouȝte · late god take þe veniaunce; Theigh þei done yuel · late þow god [y-worþe]:—

Michi vindictam, & ego retribuam.

[þow] WCOB om. [y-worþe W] better than aworthe LR; CO have worthe; B has worche.] Line 228 And if þow wil[t] be graciouse to god · do as þe gospel techeth, [folio 29] [And] Ac O. wilt] WCO; wolt B; wil L; R om.] And [biloue] þe amonges low men · so shaltow lacche grace,

Facite vobis amicos de mamona iniquitatis."

[[biloue WCOB] bilow L; by|lowe R; in L, the line is marked for correction. low] lewed W. vobis] vos W. mamona] mammona (printed Mammone) W.] ¶ "I wolde nouȝt greue god," quod piers · "for al þe good on grounde; Miȝte I synnelees do as þow seist?" · seyde pieres þanne. [A page 86] Line 232 ¶ "Ȝe, I bihote þe," quod hunger · "or ellis þe bible lieth; [bihote þe] þe bihote B. þe] god R.] Go to Genesis þe gyaunt · þe engendroure of vs alle; 'In sudore and swynke · þow shalt þi mete tilye, [and] & in OR.] And laboure for þi lyflode' · and so owre lorde hyȝte. Line 236 And sapience seyth þe same · I seigh it in þe bible; [seigh] se CB. it] R om.] 'Piger pro frigore · no felde nolde tilye, [pro] pro (printed præ) W. nolde] wolde R.] And þerfore he shal begge and bidde · and no man bete his hunger.' [he shal] shal he CB.] ¶ Mathew with mannes face · mouthed þise wordes, [a besaunt] [mouthed] mouthe C; mouth|eth R.] Line 240 Þat seruus nequam had a nam · and for he wolde nouȝte chaffare, [nam] Mnam WC; man (!) RB. wolde] nolde COB.] He had maugre of his maistre · for euermore after; [for] WCB om.] And binam [hym] his Mnam · for he ne wolde worche, [[hym WCROB] L om. Mnam] napm (sic) R; nam O. ne] C om.]

And ȝaf þat Mnam to hym · þat ten Mnames hadde, [Mnam] nam RO. Mnames] Mnammes CB; napmes R; nammes O.] And with þat he seyde · þat holicherche it herde, Line 245 'He þat hath shal haue · and helpe þere it nedeth, And he þat nouȝt hath, shal nouȝt haue · and no man hym helpe; [þat] C om. nouȝt hath] hath nouȝt CB.] And þat he weneth wel to haue · I wil it hym bireue.' [A page 87] [wel] for R.] ¶ Kynde witt wolde · þat eche a wyght wrouȝte Line 249 Or in dykynge or in deluynge · or trauaillynge in preyeres, [in (2)] CB om.] Contemplatyf lyf or actyf lyf · cryst wolde men wrouȝte. [lyf (2)] COB om. men] þei WCOB.] Þe sauter seyth in þe psalme · of beati omnes, [þe] a R.] Line 252 Þe freke þat fedeth hym-self · with his feythful laboure, [þat] B om. his] C om.] He is blessed by þe boke · in body and in soule:

Labores manuum tuarum, &c."

¶ "Ȝet I prey ȝow," quod pieres · "par charite, and ȝe kunne Eny leef of lechecraft · lere it me, my dere. Line 256 For somme of my seruauntz · and my-self bothe [bothe] been seek oþer while O.] Of al a wyke worche nouȝt · so owre wombe aketh." [a] þe O. wyke] woke R.] ¶ "I wote wel," quod hunger · "what sykenesse ȝow eyleth, Ȝe han maunged ouer-moche · and þat maketh ȝow grone. [ouer] to COB. and] B om. grone] to grone COB.] Line 260 Ac I hote þe," quod hunger · "as þow þyne hele wilnest, [Ac] And COB.] Þat þow drynke no day · ar þow dyne somwhat. Ete nouȝte, I hote þe · ar hunger þe take, [þe (2)] R om.] Line 263 And sende þe of his sauce · to sauoure with þi lippes; And kepe some tyl soper-tyme · and sitte nouȝt to longe, [tyl] to RO; for CB.] [A page 88]

Arise vp ar appetit · haue eten his fulle. [folio 29b] [Arise] And rys W; And rise COB. eten] I-ete R.] Lat nouȝt sire surfait · sitten at þi borde; Leue him nouȝt, for he is lecherous · and likerous of tonge, [lecherous] likerous CB. likerous] lecherous CB. of] of his COB.] Line 268 And after many manere metes · his maw is afyngred. [afyngred] a-fyngerd C.] ¶ And ȝif þow diete þe þus · I dar legge myne eres, [þe] C om.] Þat phisik shal his furred hodes · for his fode selle, [hodes] hood B.] And his cloke of calabre · with alle þe knappes of golde, [þe] R om. knappes] knoppes CB.] Line 272 And be fayne, bi my feith · his phisik to lete, And lerne to laboure with londe · for lyflode is swete; [lerne] lere CO; to lere B. laboure] labori R.] For morthereres aren mony leches · lorde hem amende! [For] R om. morthereres—leches] many lechis ben morþereris B; þer aren mo morareres (sic) þan leches R.] Þei do men deye þorw here drynkes · ar destine it wolde." [do men] maken men to B. drynkes] drynkyngis B. destine] here desteny B. it] COB om.] Line 276 ¶ "By seynt Poule," quod pieres · "þise aren profit|able wordis! [pieres] Piers W; perkyn CB.] Wende now, hunger, whan þow wolt · þat wel be þow euere! [be þow] þow be R; be þee O; be þe B.] For þis is a louely lessoun · lorde it þe for-ȝelde!" [it] CB om.] ¶ "By-hote god," quod hunger · "hennes ne wil I wende, [By-hote] I bihote B. ne wil I] wol I nat COB.] Line 280 Til I haue dyned bi þis day · and ydronke bothe." ¶ "I haue no peny," quod peres · "poletes forto bigge, [forto] to W.] Ne neyther gees ne grys · but two grene cheses, [CB omit. gees] goos O. grys] grijs O.] A fewe cruddes and creem · and an hauer cake, Line 284

Line 284 And two loues of benes and bran · y-bake for my fauntis. [A page 89] [bran] of bran B. y-bake] I take CB.] And ȝet I sey, by my soule · I haue no salt bacoun, Ne no kokeney, bi cryst · coloppes forto maken. Line 287 Ac I haue percil and porettes · and many kole-plantes, [Ac] And C. percil] percile WR; percelle C; persoly B. porettes] porett R; porete B. kole-plantes] cale-plantes C; queynte herbes R.] And eke a cow and a kalf · and a cart-mare To drawe a-felde my donge · þe while þe drought lasteth. [a-felde] on feld B. þe (1)] B om. þe (2)] C om. drought last|eth] weder is drye COB.] And bi þis lyflode we mot lyue · til lammasse tyme; [til—tyme] to heruest tyme CB; til heruest tyme come O.] And bi þat, I hope to haue · heruest in my croft; Line 292 And þanne may I diȝte þi dyner · as me dere liketh." [liketh] likes C; lykede B.] Alle þe pore peple þo · pesecoddes fetten, [fetten] to fette B.] Benes and baken apples · þei brouȝte in her lappes, [Only one line in CB; thus—Benes, Chibolles, and cherueles · and many oþer herbes.] [lappes] lappe R.] Chibolles and cheruelles · and ripe chiries manye, [Only one line in CB; thus—Benes, Chibolles, and cherueles · and many oþer herbes.] Line 296 And profred peres þis present · to plese with hunger. [And—þis] To make Piers a COB. with] with his COB.] ¶ Al hunger eet in hast · and axed after more. [Al] An C; Ac B. axed] asked C; askiþ B.] Þanne pore folke for fere · fedde hunger ȝerne With grene poret and pesen · to poysoun hunger þei þouȝte. [poret] porettes COB. and] and wiþ B. to—hunger] to poisone hym W; hunger þey CB. þouȝte] souȝte B.] Line 300 By þat it neighed nere heruest · newe corne cam to chepynge; [it—nere] neighed C; neyȝhede it O; hit neighed B. newe] & newe W; CB om.] Þanne was folke fayne · and fedde hunger with þe best, [A page 90] [B omits. hunger with] hem of CO.] With good ale, as glotoun tauȝte · and gerte hunger go slepe. [CB omit. gerte] garte W.]

¶ And þo wolde wastour nouȝt werche · but wandren aboute, [wolde—nouȝt] ne wolde no wastour R; wolde nouȝt (omitting wastour) C; þei wolden noȝt B. wandren] wandred COB.] Line 304 Ne no begger ete bred · þat benes Inne were, [folio 30] But of coket or clerematyn · or elles of clene whete; [But of coket or clene whete · and drynke of þe beste ale C; B the same, with or of for or.] [or (1)] or of R; and W.] Ne none halpeny ale · in none wise drynke, [But of coket or clene whete · and drynke of þe beste ale C; B the same, with or of for or.] [halpeny] so also in RO; half|peny W.] But of þe best and of þe brounest · þat in borghe is to selle. [of (2)] O om.] Line 308 ¶ Laboreres þat haue no lande · to lyue on but her handes, [haue] hadde O. to—but] but lyue wiþ O.] Deyned nouȝt to dyne a-day · nyȝt-olde wortes. [Wolden ete no nyȝt olde wortis · ne drynke no peny ale OC₂. nouȝt] R om. (by mistake).] May no peny ale hem paye · ne no pece of bakoun, [308—311. CB omit.] [Wolden ete no nyȝt olde wortis · ne drynke no peny ale OC₂. nouȝt] R om. (by mistake).] But if it be fresch flesch other fische · fryed other bake, [if it be] COB om. bake] y-bake WB; baken O.] [fryed—chaud] R om. or] and W. here] his R.] Line 312 And þat chaude or plus chaud · for chillyng of here mawe. [fryed—chaud] R om. or] and W. here] his R.] ¶ And but if he be heighlich huyred · ellis wil he chyde, [if] CO om. heighlich] hye O.] And þat he was werkman wrouȝt · waille þe tyme, [COB omit.] Aȝeines catones conseille · comseth he to iangle:—

Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento.

Line 316 ¶ He greueth hym aȝeines god · and gruccheth aȝeines resoun, [gruccheth] grucchede B.] And þanne curseth he þe kynge · and al his conseille after, [And] R om. þanne—he] he corses þe C; he curseþ þe O; he cursed þe B.] Suche lawes to loke · laboreres to greue. [loke] look C.] Line 319

Line 319 Ac whiles hunger was her maister · þere wolde none of hem chyde, [Ac] And COB. þere—hem] wolde þey nat COB.] Line 320 Ne stryue aȝeines his statut · so sterneliche he loked. [A page 91] [his] þe B.] ¶ Ac I warne ȝow, werkemen · wynneth while ȝe mowe, [Ac] And C.] For hunger hide[r]ward · hasteth hym faste, [hiderward] so in WCROB; hideward L. faste] ful faste R.] He shal awake with water · wastoures to chaste. [water] wat R. chaste] chastie C; chastise OB.] Line 324 Ar fyue [ȝere] be fulfilled · suche famyn shal aryse, [fyue] fewe B. [ȝere R] ȝeer OB; LWC om.; Crowley has yere. suche] CB om.] Thorwgh flodes and þourgh foule wederes · frutes shul faille, [þourgh] CROB om. foule wederes] foule werdis O; foolis wordis B.] And so sayde saturne · and sent ȝow to warne: [sent] sende B.] Line 327 Whan ȝe se þe sonne amys · and two monkes hedes, And a Mayde haue þe maistrie · and multiplie bi eight, [multiplie] so in WCOB; LR have multiplied; Crowley has mul|tiply. bi] be R.] Þanne shal deth withdrawe · and derthe be iustice, [ll. 329,330. Transposed in B.] And dawe þe dyker · deye for hunger, [deye] shal dye B.] But if god of his goodnesse · graunt vs a trewe. [But] And R. if] W om.] Line 332

PASSUS VII.

[TITLE. So in LWCRB; Passus 7 us O.] Passus vij ^us. de visione, vt supra.

Treuthe herde telle her-of · and to peres he sent, [A page 92] [her-of] her-of (printed her) W. he] O om. sent] wente B.] To taken his teme · and tulyen þe erthe, [taken] maken W. tulyen] so in LR; tilien WCB; tilie O.] And purchaced hym a pardoun · a pena & a culpa For hym, and for his heires · for euermore after. Line 4 And bad hym holde hym at home · and eryen his leyes, And alle þat halpe hym to erie · to sette or to sowe, [halpe] holpen WOB; holpe R.] Or any other myster · þat myȝte pieres auaille, [myster] mestier W; mester R; mynysterye B.] Pardoun with pieres plowman · treuthe hath ygraunted. [pieres] peres þe R; pieris þe B.] ¶ Kynges and knyȝtes · þat kepen holycherche, [cherche] cherches R.] Line 9 And ryȝtfullych in reumes · reulen þe peple, [reumes] reames C; Remes W.] Han pardoun thourgh purgatorie · to passe ful lyȝtly, [folio 30b] [Han] And (!) R. lyȝtly] lighte COB.] With patriarkes and prophetes · in paradise to be felawes. [felawes] felawe WCOB.] Line 12 ¶ Bisshopes yblessed · ȝif þei ben as þei shulden, [shulden] mowe amende B.] Legistres of bothe þe lawes · þe lewed þere-with to preche, [þe (1)] WRB om.] And in as moche as þei mowe · amende alle synful, [A page 93] [And] O om.]

Aren peres with þe apostles · [þis] pardoun Piers sheweth, [[þis WCOB] þus LR.] And at þe day of dome · atte heigh deyse to sytte. [deyse] deys WCOB; dayes R. to] W om.] Line 17 ¶ Marchauntz in þe margyne · hadden many ȝeres, Ac none a pena & a culpa · þe Pope nolde hem graunte, [Ac] And C. none—pena] no pena R. a (2)] O om. Pope] pape C. nolde hem] wald hem nauȝt R; wolde hem B.] For þei holde nouȝt her halidayes · as holicherche techeth, [holde] held C. halidayes] halyday R. techeth] telleth R.] And for þei swere by her soule · and 'so god moste hem helpe,' [by—soule] ofte R. and] R om. moste] mote B; R om.] Line 21 Aȝein clene conscience · her catel to selle. [catel] chaffare B.] ¶ Ac vnder his secret seel · treuthe sent hem a lettre, [Ac] And CB. his] her O. seel] sehel O.] That þey shulde bugge boldely · þat hem best liked, [þat] what B. best liked] likede best O; best liketh R.] Line 24 And sithenes selle it aȝein · and saue þe wynny[n]ge, [it] it vs R. wynnynge] wyn|nynges R; miswritten wynnyge L.] And amende mesondieux þere-myde · and myseyse folke helpe, [þere-myde] þer-with CRB.] And wikked wayes · wiȝtlich hem amende; [CB om. hem] W om.] And do bote to brugges · þat to-broke were, [brugges] brugges (altered to brygges) C; briegges B.] Line 28 Marien maydenes · or maken hem nonnes; [maken] to make B.] Pore peple and prisounes · fynden hem here fode, [A page 94] [and] or R. prisounes] prisones RCO; prisons W; prisoneris B. fode] liflode CB; lijflode O.] And sette scoleres to scole · or to somme other craftes; [somme] R om.] Releue Religioun · and renten hem bettere;— Line 32 "And I shal sende ȝow my-selue · seynt Michel myn archangel, Þat no deuel shal ȝow dere · ne fere ȝow in ȝowre deyinge, [deyinge] deynge R; doynge (sic) COB, and Crowley.] And witen ȝow fro wanhope · if ȝe wil þus worche,

And sende ȝowre sowles in safte · to my seyntes in ioye." [sende] sente C. in (1)] in-to O.] Line 36 ¶ Þanne were Marchauntz mery · many wepten for ioye, [Marchauntz—wepten] manye marchauntz · þat wopen R. many] & O.] And preyseden pieres þe plowman · þat purchaced þis bulle. ¶ Men of lawe lest pardoun hadde · þat pleteden for Mede, [Two lines in R; the first ends at hadde; the second is eked out by adding for þat craft is schrewed.] Line 39 For þe sauter saueth hem nouȝte · such as taketh ȝiftes, And namelich of innocentz · þat none yuel ne kunneth;

Super innocentem munera non accipies.

[ne kunneth] konnes C; kunnen OB. R omits the Latin.] Pledoures shulde peynen hem · to plede for such, an helpe, [peynen] pyne CO; pynen B. an] and WCROB.] Prynces and prelates · shulde paye for her trauaille;

A regibus & pryncipibus erit merces eorum.

¶ Ac many a iustice an iuroure · wolde for Iohan do more, [Ac] And C. a iustice] Iustices COB. iuroure] Iurour CO; Iur|rouris B. Iohan] ion O.] Line 44 Þan pro dei pietate · leue þow none other! [A page 95] Ac he þat spendeth his speche · and spekeþ for þe pore [Ac] And C. spendeth] speneth R.] Þat is Innocent and nedy · and no man appeireth, Conforteth hym in þat cas · with-oute coueytise of ȝiftes, [folio 31] [Conforteth] And conforteth R.] Line 48 And scheweth lawe for owre lordes loue · as he it hath lerned, [lerned] I-lerned R; y-lerned W.] Shal no deuel at his ded-day · deren hym a myȝte, [ded-day] dede-day C; deeþ-day WB.] Þat he ne worth sauf and his sowle · þe sauter bereth witnesse;

Domine, quis habitabit in tabernaculo tuo, &c.

¶ Ac to bugge water, ne wynde · ne witte, ne fyre þe fierthe, [Ac] And C. ne (1)] no R. fierthe] ferþe WCROB.] Line 52 Þise foure þe fader of heuene · made to þis folde in comune; [þis] his COB.] Þise ben treuthes tresores · trewe folke to helpe, [treuthes] trewest C.] Þat neuere shal wax ne wanye · with-oute god hym|selue. [with-oute] wiþ (!) O.] ¶ Whan þei drawen on to deye · and Indulgences wolde haue, [on—deye] vn-to þe day C; vnto þe deþ OB; in-to deth R.] Line 56 Her pardoun is ful petit · at her partyng hennes, [Her] His CRB. her] his R.] Þat any Mede of mene men · for her motyng taketh. [any] R om. her] his COB.] Ȝe legistres and lawyeres · holdeth þis for treuthe, [ȝe] the C; þe RB. and] and þe R. holdeth] holdes C.] Þat, ȝif þat I lye · Mathew is to blame, [þat (2)] B om. is to] y B.] Line 60 For he bad me make ȝow þis · and þis prouerbe me tolde,

Quodcumque vultis vt faciant vobis homines, facite eis.

[make] take O.] ¶ Alle lybbyng laboreres · þat lyuen with her hondes, Þat trewlich taken · and trewlich wynnen, And lyuen in loue and in lawe · for her lowe hertis, [hertis] herte R.] Line 64 Haueth þe same absolucioun · þat sent was to peres. [Haueth] Han O; Has C; Haþ B.] ¶ Beggeres ne bidderes · ne beth nouȝte in þe bulle, But if þe suggestioun be soth · þat shapeth hem to begge. For he þat beggeth or bit · but if he haue nede, [A page 96] [bit] bid C.] Line 68 He is fals with þe fende · and defraudeth þe nedy, And also he bigileth þe gyuere · ageines his wil. [bigileth] gyleth R.] For if he wist he were nouȝte nedy · he wolde ȝiue þat an other, [ȝiue þat] it gif COB.]

Þat were more nedy þan he · so þe nediest shuld be hulpe. [more—he] more nedyer and nauȝtier R.] Line 72 Catoun kenneth men þus · and þe clerke of þe stories, [men] me WO. of þe] of WCOB.] Cui des, videto · is catounes techynge, And in þe stories he techeth · to bistowe þyn almes;

Sit elemosina [tua] in manu tua, donec studes cui des.

[[tua WCOB] LR om.] ¶ Ac Gregori was a gode man · and bad vs gyuen alle [Ac] And C. was] is R.] Þat asketh, for his loue · þat vs alle leneth:—

Non eligas cui miserearis, ne forte pretereas illum qui meretur accipere. Quia incertum est pro quo [Deo] magis placeas.

[leneth] leues C. [Deo W] deum LCROB; deo in Crowley.] Line 77 ¶ For wite ȝe neuere who is worthi · ac god wote who hath nede, [wite ȝe] ye woot COB. ac] and C.] In hym þat taketh is þe treccherye · if any tresoun wawe; [In] Alle in R. þe] R. om. any] C om. wawe] walke WCROB.] For he þat ȝiueth, ȝeldeth · and ȝarketh hym to reste, [þat ȝiueth] ȝift R.] And he þat biddeth, borweth · and bryngeth hym-self in dette. [biddeth] bit R.] Line 81 For beggeres borwen euermo · and her borghe is god almyȝti, [folio 31b] [For] For-thi R. borghe] bo|rugh C; boruȝ O; borȝ R.] To ȝelden hem þat ȝiueth hem · and ȝet vsure more:

Quare non dedisti peccuniam meam ad mensam, vt ego veniens cum vsuris [exegissem illam?]

[more] amore R. veniens] veniam W. [exegissem] exigissem, &c. CB; & exigissem R; exigerem L; exigere WO. [illam] omitted in the MSS.; added from the Vulgate.] ¶ For-þi biddeth nouȝt, ȝe beggeres · but if ȝe haue gret nede; [gret] COB om.] Line 84 For who-so hath to buggen hym bred · þe boke bereth witnesse, [hath—buggen] may by C; may bigge OB.]

He hath ynough þat hath bred ynough · þough he haue nouȝt elles:

Satis diues est, qui non indiget pane.

[ynough] I-nowe R (in both places); B omits the second. þough] if C. non] R om. (!)] ¶ Late vsage be ȝowre solace · of seyntes lyues redynge, Þe boke banneth beggarie · and blameth hem in þis manere:

Iunior fui, etenim senui; et non vidi iustum derelictum, nec semen eius [querens panem.]

[hem] COB om. etenim] etenim (printed et jam) W. [querens panem OCB] LWR omit.] Line 88 ¶ For ȝe lyue in no loue · ne no lawe holde; [lyue] lyue nouȝt CB.] Many of ȝow ne wedde nouȝt · þe wommen þat ȝe with delen, [wommen] womman C. þat] CO om.] But as wilde bestis with wehe · worthen vppe and worchen, [bestis] hors B. worthen vppe] & worþ vp O.] Line 91 And bryngeth forth barnes · þat bastardes men calleth. [calleth] callid B.] Or þe bakke or some bone · he breketh in his ȝouthe, [some] þe R. he breketh] he breke C; þei breken R; ȝe brekiþ B. his] here R.] A[nd] sitthe gon faiten with ȝoure fauntes · for euer|more after. [And] L has A; but the line is marked for correction; And WCROB. ȝoure] here R; her O.] Þere is moo mysshape peple · amonge þise beggeres, [mysshape] myshap C; mys|happy B; myschappid O.] Þan of alle maner men · þat on þis molde walketh; Line 96 And þei þat lyue þus here lyf · mowe lothe þe tyme, [And þei] þo R.] Þat euere he was man wrouȝt · whan he shal hennes fare. [þat] þan C. he—man] þei were men W. he shal] þei shal W. fare] C om.] ¶ Ac olde men & hore · þat helplees ben of strengthe, [Ac] And C.] And women with childe · þat worche ne mowe, Line 100 Blynde and bedered · and broken here membres, [bedered] bedreden W; bed|rede OB; bedred C; bederede R.]

Þat taketh þis myschief mekelych · as meseles and othere, [þis myschief] þise myschiefs WCB; þeise mescheues O.] Han as pleyne pardoun · as þe plowman hym-self; [as (1)] a O; also B.] For loue of her lowe hertis · owre lorde hath hem graunted [A page 97] Line 104 Here penaunce and her purgatorie · here on þis erthe. [on] vpon R.] ¶ "Pieres," quod a prest þo · "þi pardoun most I rede, For I wil construe eche clause · and kenne it þe on engliche." [wil] schal R. eche] ich a O. on] an R.] ¶ And pieres at his preyere · þe pardoun vnfoldeth, [vnfoldeth] he vnfoldeth R.] And I bihynde hem bothe · bihelde al þe bulle. [bihelde] biholde C. bulle] bille C.] Line 109 Al in two lynes it lay · and nouȝt a leef more, [Al] And W; Alle R.] And was writen riȝt þus · in witnesse of treuthe:

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

[in witnesse] watinesse (!) B. eternum] eternam B.] ¶ "Peter!" quod þe prest þo · "I can no pardoun fynde, Line 112 But 'dowel, and haue wel · and god shal haue þi sowle, And do yuel, and haue yuel · hope þow non other [But] after þi ded-day · þe deuel shal haue þi sowle!' " [folio 32] [[But WCOB] þat LR; Crow|ley has But. ded-day] dede-day C; deeþ-day WB; deth-day RO.] ¶ And pieres for pure tene · pulled it atweyne, And seyde,

"si ambulauero in medio vmbre mortis, non timebo mala; quoniam tu mecum es.

[mala] O om.] Line 116 ¶ I shal cessen of my sowyng," quod pieres · "and swynk nouȝt so harde, Ne about my bely ioye · so bisi be namore! [Ne] Ne be COB. bisi] bisily COB. be] COB om.] Of preyers and of penaunce · my plow shal ben her|after, [of (2)] COB om. penaunce] penaunces R.]

And wepen whan I shulde slepe · þough whete bred me faille. [A page 98] Line 120 ¶ Þe prophete his payn ete · in penaunce and in sorwe, [ete] eet WR.] By þat þe sauter seith · so dede other manye; [other manye] many other COB.] Þat loueth god lelly · his lyflode is ful esy:

Fuerunt michi lacrime mee panes die ac nocte.

¶ And, but if Luke lye · he lereth vs bi foules, [he—foules] or lereth vs be foles R.] Line 124 We shulde nouȝt be to bisy · aboute þe worldes blisse; Ne solliciti sitis · he seyth in þe gospel, And sheweth vs bi ensamples · vs selue to wisse. [bi] B om. vs selue] ouresilue B; oure seluen O.] Line 127 Þe foules on þe felde · who fynt hem mete at wynter? [on] in WCOB; of R. fynt] fyndes C. at] in B.] Haue þei no gernere to go to · but god fynt hem alle." [fynt] fyndes C.] ¶ "What!" quod þe prest to perkyn · "peter! as me þinketh, Þow art lettred a litel · who lerned þe on boke?" ¶ "Abstinence þe abbesse," quod pieres · "myne a.b.c. me tauȝte, [þe abbesse] R om.] Line 132 And conscience come afterward · and kenned me moche more." [come] cam W.] ¶ "Were þow a prest, pieres," quod he · "þow miȝte preche where þow sholdest, [pieres] WO om. miȝte] myȝt|est WROB. sholdest] woldest R.] As deuynour in deuynyte · with dixit insipiens to þi teme." [A page 99] [As] As a B. in] of R.] ¶ "Lewed lorel!" quod Pieres · "litel lokestow on þe bible, [Lewed] Lew C. Pieres] Pieris þo B. litel—on] ful litil lokist þou vp-on B. þe] þi R.] Line 136 On salomones sawes · selden þow biholdest,

[Eice] derisores et iurgia cum eis, ne crescant, &c."

[On] Or on O; Vppon B; And R. selden] ful selde B. [Eice O] Ecce LWRCB. (Eice is the old spell|ing of the word now spelt Ejice.) et—crescant] R om.]

¶ Þe prest and perkyn · apposeden eyther other, And I þorw here wordes a-woke · and waited aboute, And seighe þe sonne in þe south · sitte þat tyme, [sitte] satte C; sate O; at B.] Line 140 Metelees and monelees · on Maluerne hulles, [monelees] moneles R; monei|lees WCOB.] Musyng on þis meteles; · and my waye ich ȝede. [þis meteles] þeise metelis O. and] a R. One would think that the reading should be on; (a = on.)] ¶ Many tyme þis meteles · hath maked me to studye [The paragraph-mark is omit|ted in L; but in W, we have here a large illuminated letter.] [þis meteles] þeise metelis O. hath] han OB. to] O om.] Of þat I seigh slepyng · if it so be myȝte, Line 144 And also for peres þe plowman · ful pensyf in herte, And which a pardoun peres hadde · alle þe peple to conforte, And how þe prest impugned it · with two propre wordes. Line 147 Ac I haue no sauoure in songewarie · for I se it ofte faille; [folio 32b] [Ac] And C. songewarie] sompnewarie O.] Catoun and canonistres · conseilleth vs to leue To sette sadnesse in songewarie · for, sompnia ne cures. [songewarie] sompnewarie O.] ¶ Ac for þe boke bible · bereth witnesse, [Ac] And C. bible] of the bibile C; of þe bible B.] How danyel deuyned · þe dremes of a kynge, [A page 100] [dremes] dreme R; dreem W.] Line 152 Þat was nabugodonosor · nempned of clerkis. [nempned] Inempned R.] Daniel seyde, "sire Kynge · þi dremeles bitokneth, [dremeles bitokneth] dremels bitokneþ W; dremelis bitoknen O; dremees bitoknes C; dremes bitokeneþ B.] Þat vnkouth knyȝtes shul come · þi kyngdom to cleue; [cleue] cleyme WB; clayme C; reue R.] Amonges lowere lordes · þi londe shal be departed." And as danyel deuyned · in dede it felle after, Line 157 Þe kynge lese his lordship · and lower men it hadde. [lese] lees WO; les R; lees aftir B.] ¶ And ioseph mette merueillously · how þe mone and þe sonne, [and þe] & O.] And þe elleuene sterres · hailsed hym alle. [hym] hem CO.] Line 160

Line 160 Þanne Iacob iugged · iosephes sweuene: "Beau filtz," quod his fader · "for defaute we shullen, [Beau] Bew O. filtz] so also in R; fitz WOC; fiz B.] I my-self and my sones · seche þe for nede." ¶ It bifel as his fader seyde · in pharaoes tyme, Line 164 Þat ioseph was iustice · egipte to loken, [egipte] al Egipte B.] It bifel as his fader tolde · his frendes þere hym souȝte. [þere hym] hym þere R.] And al þis maketh me · on þis meteles to þynke; [þis meteles] þeise meteles O; þis metels WCRB.] ¶ And how þe prest preued · no pardoun to dowel, Line 168 And demed þat dowel · indulgences passed, [demed] nempned R. indul|gences] indulgence RCB.] Biennales and triennales · and bisschopes lettres, And how dowel at þe day of dome · is dignelich vnder|fongen, [A page 101] And passeth al þe pardoun · of seynt petres cherche. [passeth] passid B. al þe] alle R. petres] Peter C; Petir B.] ¶ Now hath þe pope powere · pardoun to graunte þe peple Line 173 With-outen eny penaunce · to passen in-to heuene; [eny] C om.] Þis is owre bileue · as lettered men vs techeth,

Quodcumque ligaueris super terram, erit ligatum et in celis, &c.

[is] R om. &c.] R om.] And so I leue lelly · (lordes forbode ellis!) [lordes] oure lordis B.] Line 176 Þat pardoun and penaunce · and preyeres don saue [saue] þe same CB.] Soules þat haue synned · seuene sithes dedly. Ac to trust to þise triennales · trewly me þinketh, [Ac] And C. trust] trist RB.] Is nouȝt so syker for þe soule · certis, as is dowel. [173—180. O omits; but in the margin is the note—now haþ þe p.] [Is] It is R. soule] saules C; soulis B.] Line 180 ¶ For-þi I rede ȝow, renkes · þat riche ben on þis erthe, [renkes] thenke R; to þynk B.] Vppon trust of ȝowre tresoure · triennales to haue, Be ȝe neuere þe balder · to breke þe [ten] hestes; [balder] bolder WCRB. [ten CROB] x LW.] And namelich, ȝe maistres · mayres and iugges, Line 184

Line 184 Þat han þe welthe of þis worlde · and for wyse men ben holden, [for] COBR om.] To purchace ȝow pardoun · and þe popis bulles. [folio 33] [and] at O.] At þe dredeful dome · whan ded[e] shullen rise, [dede] so in WCR; þe dede B; ded L. rise] arise CB.] And comen alle bifor cryst · acountis to ȝelde, [bifor] to-fore W. acountis] and acountes R.] Line 188 How þow laddest þi lyf here · and his lawes keptest, And how þow dedest day bi day · þe dome wil reherce; [A page 102] [dedest] dost R.] A poke ful of pardoun þere · ne prouinciales lettres, [poke] pook C; pouhȝ R.] Theigh ȝe be founde in þe fraternete · of alle þe foure ordres, [foure] fyue R.] Line 192 And haue indulgences double-folde · but if dowel ȝow help, [indulgences] indulgence CB. if dowel] dowel wil R.] I sette ȝowre patentes and ȝowre pardounz · at one pies hele! [pardounz] pardon WCROB. one] on RB; a O. pies hele] pese hule C; peese hole B.] ¶ For-þi I conseille alle cristene · to crye god mercy, And Marie his moder · be owre mene bitwene, [be] þat she be B.] Line 196 Þat god gyue vs grace here · ar we gone hennes, Suche werkes to werche · while we ben here, [while] þe while R.] Þat after owre deth-day · dowel reherce, [deth-day] dede-day C.] At þe day of dome · we dede as he hiȝte. Line 200

[Explicit visio willelmi de petro plowman. Et sequitur vita de dowell, Dobett, et Do-beste, secundum wytt & reson.] [From MS. Camb. Univ. Lib. Ll. 4. 14, in a later hand; cf. Text A.]

Visio ejusdem de Do-wel, Do-bet, et Do-best, secundum Wit et Resoun.

PASSUS VIII. (INCIPIT DO-WEL.) [

TITLE. [Petri—Dobest] so in R (but with the spelling Plowhman); & primus de dowel LW; vt supra C; vt supra; Et hic incipit primus de do|wel, &c., B. O merely has Passus octauus. See the Note.

OBS. From this point mere varia|tions of spelling and inflexion will not so often be given, as they can be well ascertained from the foregoing part.

]

Passus octauus de visione [Petri Plowman. Incipit Dowel, Dobet, & Dobest.]

THus yrobed in russet · I romed aboute [A page 103] [romed WCRO] romed me B; spelt rowmed in L, but the line is marked.] Al a somer sesoun · for to seke dowel, And frayned ful oft · of folke þat I mette, [frayned] asked C.] If ani wiȝte wiste · where dowel was at Inne, [was] were R.] Line 4 And what man he miȝte be · of many man I axed. [man] men B.] ¶ Was neuere wiȝte, as I went · þat me wisse couthe [Was—went] And was neuere in þis worlde R.] Where þis lede lenged · lasse ne more; [O omits. lenged] logged was B. ne] oþur B.] ¶ Tyl it bifel on a fryday · two freres I mette, Line 8 Maistres of þe Menoures · men of grete witte. [Maistres] And maistres R.] I hailsed hem hendely · as I hadde lerned, And preyed hem par charitee · ar þei passed forther, [par] for CR; pur OB.] If þei knewe any contre · or costes, as þei went, [contre] courte R. as] þer R.] Line 12 Where þat dowel dwelleth · doth me to wytene.

¶ For þei ben men on þis molde · þat moste wyde walken, [wyde] wilde COB.] And knowen contrees, and courtes · and many kynnes places, [contrees and courtes] townes and contreis B.] Bothe prynces paleyses · and pore mennes cotes, Line 16 And do-wel and do-yuel · where þei dwelle bothe. [14—17. R omits.] ¶ "Amonges vs," quod þe Menours · "þat man is dwellynge, [þe Menours] a menoures (sic) R.] And euere hath, as I hope · and euere shal here-after." [A page 104] [euere (2)] B om.] ¶ "Contra," quod I as a clerke · and comsed to dis|puten, [comsed] by-gane C.] Line 20 And seide [hem] sothli, "sepcies · in die cadit iustus; [folio 33b] [[hem WCOB] LR om. sothli] R om.] Seuene sythes, seith þe boke · synneth þe riȝtful. [seith] on þe day seiþ B.] And who-so synneth," I seyde · "doth yuel, as me þinketh, [I seyde] he saide CO; seide he B.] And dowel and do-yuel · mow nouȝt dwelle togideres. [dowel—do-yuel] do-yuel and do-wel CB. O omits this line.] Ergo, he nys nauȝt alway · amonge ȝow freres; [nys] is CROB.] Line 25 He is otherwhile ellis where · to wisse þe peple." [is] C om.] ¶ "I shal sey þe, my sone" · seide þe frere þanne, [shal] B om.] "How seuene sithes þe sadman · on þe day synneth; [þe (2)] a WCOB.] By a forbisene," quod þe frere · "I shal þe faire shewe. [a forbisene] an ensample B.] Line 29 ¶ Lat brynge a man in a bote · amydde a brode water, [a (3)] þe WCOB.] Þe wynde and þe water · and þe bote waggynge Maketh þe man many a tyme · to falle and to stonde; [þe] a O. a] RO om. and] þan B. stonde] stumble O.] For stonde he neuere so styf · he stombleth ȝif he moeue; [he] B om. stombleth] tumbleþ B. moeue] meue WR; moueþ O; meuyþ B.] Line 33

Line 33 Ac ȝit is he sauf and sounde · and so hym bihoueth, [Ac] And CB.] For ȝif he ne arise þe rather · and rauȝte to þe stiere; [stiere] steere W; stere COB; sterne R.] Þe wynde wolde, wyth þe water · þe bote ouerthrowe; [wyth] and R.] And þanne were his lyf loste · þourgh lacchesse of hym-self. Line 37 ¶ And þus it falleth," quod þe frere · "bi folke here on erthe; Þe water is likned to þe worlde · þat wanyeth and wexeth, [A page 105] [wanyeth] wanes C; wantiþ B.] Þe godis of þis grounde aren like · to þe grete wawes, Þat as wyndes and wederes · walweth aboute. [walweth] walkeþ WRB; walkes C; walken O.] Line 41 Þe bote is likned to owre body · þat brutel is of kynde, [body] bodyes CB.] Þat þorugh þe fende and [þe] flesshe · and þe frele worlde [þat] And B. [þe WCOB] þi LR. þe (3)] þis R.] Synneth þe sadman · a day, seuene sythes. Line 44 ¶ Ac dedly synne doth he nouȝt · for dowel hym kepith, And þat is charite þe champioun · chief help aȝein synne; For he strengtheth man to stonde · and stereth mannes soule, [man] men W.] And þowgh þi body bow · as bote doth in þe water, [And] þat R. þowgh] doiþ B. þi] þe W. þe] C om.] Line 48 Ay is þi soule sauf · but [if] þi-self wole [[if WCOB] LR om. þi-self wole] þow wole þi-selue W.] Do a dedly synne · and drenche so þi soule; [so] CB om. soule] selue R.] God wole suffre wel þi sleuthe · ȝif þi-self lyketh. [sleuthe] soule R.] For he ȝaf þe to ȝeresȝyue · to ȝeme wel þi-selue, [to (1)] a W.] Line 52 And þat is witte a[nd] fre wille · to euery wyȝte a por|cioun, [and] L has a, but the line is marked for correction; and WCROB.] To fleghyng foules · to fissches & to bestes. [&] and also COB.] Ac man hath moste þerof · and moste is to blame, [man] þanne, altered to men R.]

But if he worche wel þer-with · as dowel hym techeth." ¶ "I haue no kynde knowyng," quod I · "to conceyue alle ȝowre wordes, [ȝowre] þi R.] Line 57 Ac if I may lyue and loke · I shal go lerne bettere." "I bikenne þe cryst, [quod he] · þat on þe crosse deyde." [[quod he W] quod þei R; LCOB om. on þe] on W; vppon þe B.] And I seyde, "þe same · saue ȝow fro myschaunce, Line 60 And ȝiue ȝow grace on þis grounde · good men to worthe." [folio 34] ¶ And þus I went wide-where · walkyng myne one, [myne] bi myn B.] By a wilde wildernesse · and bi a wode-syde. [wode-syde] wodes side WCB.] Blisse of þo briddes · [abyde me made,] [Blisse] þe blisse B. þo] þe WCOB. [abyde me made R] brouȝte me aslepe LWCOB. But see the three next lines; and cf. Text A.] Line 64 And vnder a lynde vppon a launde · lened I a stounde, [A page 106] [a (1)] RB om. vppon] vnder B. I] y me B.] To lythe þe layes · þe louely foules made. [lythe] hiren B. þe (2)] þat þo B; þat þe R. louely] R om.] Murthe of her mouthes · made me þere to slepe; [slepe] sleple W.] Þe merueillousest meteles · mette me þanne [þe] R om. merueillousest] Merueylokest R; merueilous B. mette me] Mette I me O; me mette B.] Line 68 Þat euer dremed wyȝte · in worlde, as I wene. [L repeats dremed, but the line is marked.] ¶ A moche man, as me þouȝte · and lyke to my-selue [moche] mykil C. me] R om.] Come and called me · by my kynde name. "What artow," quod I þo · "þat þow my name knowest?" [þo] R om.] Line 72 "Þat þow wost wel," quod he · "and no wyȝte bettere." ¶ "Wote I what þow art?" · "þought," seyde he þanne, "I haue suwed þe þis seuene ȝere · sey þow me no rather?" [sey] seye W; seyȝ O; sawe C.] ¶ "Art þow thought?" quod I þo · "þow couthest me wisse [couthest—wisse] kannes me wisse C; knowest, y-wysse B; coud|est me wisse where R.] Line 76

Line 76 Where þat dowel dwelleth · and do me þat to knowe?" [þat (2)] hym R.] ¶ "Dowel and dobet · and dobest þe thridde," quod he, [þe] O om.] "Aren three faire vertues · and beth nauȝte fer to fynde. Who-so is trewe of his tonge · and of his two handes, And þorugh his laboure or þorugh his londe · his lyflode wynneth, [or] and B. þorugh (2)] COB om. londe] londes COB.] Line 81 And is trusti of his tailende · taketh but his owne, [CB om. his tailende] taylyng O.] And is nouȝt dronkenlew ne dedeignous · dowel hym folweth. [A page 107] [is] is (printed his) W. dronk|enlew] dronkelew R; dronkelewe (printed dronklewe) WB; dronklewe C; drunklew O. dedeignous] deygn|ous CB.] Dobet doth ryȝt þus · ac he doth moche more; [doth (1)] does C; do B. he] B om.] Line 84 He is as low as a lombe · and loueliche of speche, [as (1)] B om.] And helpeth alle men · after þat hem nedeth; Þe bagges and þe bigurdeles · he hath to-broken hem alle, [to-broken] to-brook C; broken B.] Þat þe Erl auarous · helde, and his heires; [þe] B om.] Line 88 And þus with Mammonaes [moneie] · he hath made hym frendes, [þus] R om. Mammonaes] Mamondes C. [moneie WCOB] mone LR. hath] had B. made] ymade R.] And is ronne in-to Religioun · and hath rendred þe bible, [in-to] to WCOB. bible] bille (!) R.] And precheth to þe poeple · seynt Poules wordes,

Libenter suffertis insipientes, cum sitis ipsi sapientes,

[precheth] preched CR.] 'And suffreth þe vnwise · with ȝow for to libbe, [In one line—And to þe vn|wise ye do goode · for so god yow beddis C; B the same, but with hotiþ for beddis.] Line 92 And with gladde wille doth hem gode · for so god ȝow hoteth.' [In one line—And to þe vn|wise ye do goode · for so god yow beddis C; B the same, but with hotiþ for beddis.]

¶ Dobest is aboue bothe · and bereth a bisschopes crosse, [bothe] hem boþe O.] Is hoked on þat one ende · to halie men fro helle. [Is] And is B. hoked] an hoke R.] A pyke is on þat potente · to pulte adown þe wikked, [A] And a B. is] R om. on—potente] on þe potente CO; in þe poynt B. pulte] pelte R; pilte O; putte WCB. wikked] helle B.] Þat wayten any wikkednesse · dowel to tene. [wikkednesse] wickednesse to do B.] Line 97 And dowel and dobet · amonges hem ordeigned [folio 34b] [and (2)] haþ B. ordeigned] ordeyneden O; ordeyneþ B; han or|deyned W.] To croune one to be kynge · to reule hem bothe; [one] and R. R omits from to reule (l. 99) to kynge in l. 104.] Þat ȝif dowel or dobet · did aȝein dobest, [did] doþ O.] Line 100 Þanne shal þe kynge come · and casten hem in yrens, [A page 108] [casten] putte B.] And but if dobest bede for hem · þei to be þere for euere. [bede] did C; dyde B; bidde O. hem] hym CB. þei—þere] þei be þer O; þer to be B.] ¶ Thus dowel and dobet · and dobest þe thridde, [dobest] best C.] Crouned one to be kynge · to kepen hem alle, [be] be (printed the) W; þe B. kepen] so in WCOR; spelt kepin L; B has helpe.] Line 104 And to reule þe Reume · bi her thre wittes, [þe] þi O.] And none other-wise · but as þei thre assented." [none] in non B. assented] assentes C; assenteþ B.] ¶ I thonked thouȝt þo · þat he me þus tauȝte; [þus] B om.] "Ac ȝete sauoureth me nouȝt þi seggyng · I coueite to lerne [Ac ȝete] Ac R; And yet C; And ariȝt B. seggyng] seying W; sayeng C; segge B. lerne] lere B.] Line 108 How dowel, dobet, and dobest · don amonges þe peple." ¶ "But witte conne wisse þe," quod þouȝt · "where þo thre dwelle; [quod] C om. þo] þei B.] Ellis wote I none þat can · þat now is alyue." [can] can þe telle B. is alyue] lyueþ B.] ¶ Þouȝte and I thus · thre days we ȝeden, [we] COB om.] Line 112 Disputyng vppon dowel · day after other,

And ar we were ywar · with witte gan we mete. [we (1)] y B. were ywar] were war WB; war were R. we (2)] I O.] He was longe and lene · liche to none other, Was no pruyde on his apparaille · ne pouerte noyther, Sadde of his semblaunt · and of soft chiere. Line 117 I dorste meue no matere · to make hym to iangle, But as I bad þouȝt þo · be mene bitwene, [A page 109] [be] to be B.] And put forth somme purpos · to prouen his wittes, [somme] his R.] What was dowel fro dobet · and dobest fram hem bothe. ¶ Þanne þouȝt in þat tyme · seide þise wordes, Line 122 "Where dowel, dobet · and dobest ben in londe, [Where] Whether R. dobet] and dobet B. ben] was CB; R om.] Here is wille wolde ywyte · yif witte couthe teche hym, [is] R om. ywyte] wite WCOB; Iwitt R.] And whether he be man or [no] man · þis man fayne wolde aspye, [[no man] so in RCB; L omits no, but the line is marked; WO have womman, which is probably corrupt. fayne] COB om.] Line 125 And worchen as þei thre wolde · þis is his entente." [þis] thus W.]

PASSUS IX. (DO-WEL I.)

[TITLE. Passus nonus LO; Passus Nonus de visione, vt supra CR; to which W adds et primus de Do-bet (an obvious mistake); B adds, et se|cundus de Dowel. But Crowley has the correct title.] Passus nonus [de visione; et primus de dowel.]

"Sire dowel dwelleth," quod witte · "nouȝt a day hennes, [A page 110] In a castel þat kynde made · of foure kynnes þinges; [kynnes] maner R.] Of erthe and eyre is it made · medled togideres, [eyre] of Eyr WB; heyer R. is it] is it (printed it is) W.] With wynde and with water · witterly enioyned. Line 4 Kynde hath closed þere-Inne · craftily with-alle, A lemman þat he loueth · like to hym-selue, [like] y-liche R.] Anima she hatte · ac enuye hir hateth, [hatte] hatteth R.] A proude pryker of Fraunce · prynceps huius mundi, Line 8 And wolde winne hir awey · with wyles, and he myȝte. [folio 35] ¶ Ac kynde knoweth þis wel · and kepeth hir þe bettere, [Ac] And CR.] And hath do hir with sire dowel · is duke of þis marches. [And—do] And hath I-do R; As does C; And dooþ W; As doþ B. sire] R om. þis] þe R.] Dobet is hir damoisele · sire doweles douȝter, Line 12 To serue þis lady lelly · bothe late and rathe. Dobest is aboue bothe · a bisschopes pere; [A page 111] [aboue] aboute R.] Þat he bit, mote be do · he reuleth hem alle; [do] don B; doon O. reuleth] reule C.] Anima þat lady · is ladde bi his lerynge. [lerynge] lernyng R.] Line 16

Line 16 ¶ Ac þe constable of þat castel · þat kepeth al þe wacche, Is a wys kniȝte with-al · sire Inwitte he hatte, And hath fyue feyre sones · bi his first wyf; Sire sewel and saywel · and herewel þe hende, [herewel] sire here-wel R.] Line 20 Sire worche-wel-wyth-þine-hande · a wiȝte man of strengthe, [Sire] And CB.] And sire godfrey gowel · gret lordes for sothe. [gret lordes] a grete lord R.] Þise fyue ben sette · to saue þis lady anima, [saue] kepe W. lady] R om.] Tyl kynde come or sende · to saue hir for euere." Line 24 ¶ "What kynnes thyng is kynde," quod I · "canstow me telle?" [kynnes] kynne R; COB om.] ¶ "Kynde," quod witte, "is a creatour · of alle kynnes þinges; [creatour] creature COB. alle kynnes] alkynge C; alkynne R; alkyns O.] Fader and fourmour · of al þat euere was maked; And þat is þe gret god · gynnynge had neuere, [þat—gret] þe get (sic) R.] Line 28 Lorde of lyf and of lyȝte · of lysse and of peyne. [lysse] blisse RB.] [Transposed in B.] Angeles and al þing · aren at his wille. [Transposed in B.] Ac man is hym moste lyke · of marke and of schafte; [hym moste] most hym R. schafte] schape C.] For þorugh þe worde þat he spake · wexen forth bestes,

Dixit, & facta sunt;

[wexen] so in LRO; woxen WCB. Dixit] Et dixit B. sunt] sunt, &c. CB.] ¶ And made man likkest · to hym-self one, [A page 112] [likkest] I-likest R.] Line 33 And Eue of his ribbe-bon · with-outen eny mene. [mene] mede B.] For he was synguler hym-self · and seyde faciamus, [and] R om.] As who seith, 'more mote here-to · þan my worde one; [mote here-to] mut þerto O.] My myȝte mote helpe · now with my speche.' [now] forþ W.] Line 37 Riȝte as a lorde sholde make lettres · and hym lakked parchemyn, [a] C om.]

Þough he couth write neuere so wel · ȝif he had no penne, [no] a CB.] Þe lettre[s] for al þe lordship · I leue were neuere ymaked. [lettres O] lettre LWCRB; Crowley has letters; see l. 38.] Line 40 ¶ And so it semeth bi hym · as þe bible telleth,Þere he seyde,

dixit, & facta sunt;

[semeth] semed R. bible] book COB. he seyde] it sayes C; hit seiþ B; he seyþ O.] He moste worche with his worde · and his witte shewe. And in þis manere was man made · þorugh myȝte of god almiȝti, With his worde and werkemanschip · and with lyf to laste. Line 44 And þus god gaf hym a goost · of þe godhed of heuene, [of] þoruȝ W. godhed] godded R.] And of his grete grace · graunted hym blisse, [folio 35b] And þat is lyf þat ay shal last · to al [his] lynage after. [[his WR] LCOB om. lynage] lynages CO.] And þat is þe castel þat kynde made · caro it hatte, [þat] þis R. castel] catel (!) RB.] Line 48 And is as moche to mene · as man with a soule; [is] þat is O.] And þat he wrouȝt with werke · and with worde bothe, [worde] his wordes R.] Þorugh myȝte of þe maieste · man was ymaked. ¶ Inwit and alle wittes · closed ben þer-inne, [Inwit] In-wyttis B. closed] I-clothed R.] Line 52 For loue of þe lady anima · þat lyf is ynempned; Ouer al in mannes body · he walketh and wandreth, [CB omit.] Ac in þe herte is hir home · and hir moste reste. [Ac] And WC. hir (1)] his C; B om. hir (2)] his CB.] Ac Inwitte is in þe hed · and to the herte he loketh, [Inwitte] wytt B. he] R om.] What anima is lief or loth · he lat hir at his wille; [or] & O. his] hire R.] Line 57 For after þe grace of god · þe grettest is Inwitte. ¶ Moche wo worth þat man · þat mys-reuleth his In|witte, [man] wiȝt R.] And þat be glotouns globbares · her god is her wombe;

Quorum deus venter est.

[globbares] glubberes WO; glob|bers C; clobberis B. venter] venter eorum B.] For þei seruen sathan · her soule shal he haue; [soule] so in R; soules WCOB.] Line 61 Þat liueth synful lyf here · her soule is liche þe deuel. [soule] soules C. deuel] deuelis O.] And alle þat lyuen good lyf · aren like god almiȝti,

Qui manet in caritate, in deo manet, &c.

[like] lik to WCOB.] ¶ Allas! þat drynke shal for-do · þat god dere bouȝte, [bouȝte] abouȝte COB.] And doth god forsaken hem · þat he shope to his lik|nesse;

Amen dico vobis, nescio vos: & alibi: et dimisi eos secundum desideria eorum.

[he shope] schope hem R. & alibi—eorum] R om. eorum] &c. CB.] Line 65 ¶ Foles þat fauten Inwitte · I fynde þat holicherche [A page 113] [fauten] faylen B.] Shulde fynden hem þat hem [fauteth] · and faderelees children; [hem (2)] R om. [fauteth RCOB] fauted LW; marked in L.] And wydwes þat han nouȝte wher-with · to wynnen hem her fode, [CB omit.] Line 68 Madde men, and maydenes · þat helplees were; Alle þise lakken Inwitte · and lore bihoueth. ¶ Of þis matere I myȝte · make a longe tale, And fynde fele witnesses · amonges þe foure doctours, [witnesses] witnesse CR.] And þat I lye nouȝt of þat I lere þe · luke bereth wit|nesse. [of—þe] I lerethe (sic) R.] Line 73 ¶ Godfader and godmoder · þat sen her godchildren [Godfader] Godfadir OB; God|fadres W. godmoder] godmodir OB; godmodres W.] At myseise and at mischief · and mowe hem amende, [At] þat is R. at] COB om.] Shal haue penaunce in purgatorie · but ȝif þei hem helpe. [ȝif] if COB; W om.] Line 76 For more bilongeth to þe litel barne · ar he þe lawe knowe, Þan nempnyng of a name · and he neuere þe wiser! [he] CB om.] Shulde no crystene creature · crien atte ȝate,

Ne faille payn ne potage · and prelates did as þei shulden. [Ne] And R.] Line 80 A Iuwe wolde nouȝte se a Iuwe · go iangelyng for de|faute, For alle þe moebles on þis molde · and he amende it miȝte. [folio 36] [moebles] mebles WOB; nobles (!) R. on] of RB.] ¶ Allas! þat a cristene creature · shal be vnkynde til an other, [cristene WCROB] spelt cres|tene in L. be] be so OB. til] to CB.] Sitthen Iuwes þat we iugge · Iudas felawes, [Sitthen] Syn W.] Line 84 Ayther of hem helpeth other · of þat þat hym nedeth. [Ayther—hem] þat ayther R. þat þat] hem þat R. hym] hem W.] Whi nel we cristene · of cristes good be as kynde [nel] nyl C; nylen O; ne wil R; ne wille B.] As Iuwes, þat ben owre lores-men? · shame to vs alle! [shame] to schame R.] Þe comune for her vnkyndenesse · I drede me, shul abye. [vnkyndenesse] wikkednesse CB. abye] abide B.] Line 88 ¶ Bisschopes shul be blamed · for beggeres sake; He is worse þan Iudas · þat ȝiueth a iaper siluer, [a iaper] Iapers COB.] And biddeth þe begger go · for his broke clothes:

Proditor est prelatus cum Iuda, qui patrimo|nium christi minus distribuit: & alibi:

Perniciosus dispensator est, qui res pauperum Christi inutiliter consumit.

[biddeth] bit R. begger] beg|geris B. go] go forþ B. minus] minus LCROB; minus or mimis W. est] O om. Christi] COB om.] He doth nouȝt wel þat doth þus · ne drat nouȝt god almiȝty, [drat] drad R; drat, altered to drad C.] Line 92 Ne loueth nouȝt salamones sawes · þat sapience tauȝte; [A page 114]

Inicium sapiencie, timor domini:

[Ne] He W.] ¶ Þat dredeth god, he doth wel; · þat dredeth hym for loue, [COB have one long line— Dred god for loue & þou doste wel · but nouȝt for vengeaunce, and þou dost bet.] [dredeth] drat R (bis).]

And nouȝt for drede of veniaunce · doth þer-fore þe bettere; [COB have one long line— Dred god for loue & þou doste wel · but nouȝt for vengeaunce, and þou dost bet.] [R has—And drad hym nauȝt for loue of vengeance · to do þe bettere.] He doth best, þat with-draweth hym · by day and bi nyȝte [He doth] thow dost COB. þat—hym] if þow withdrawe COB.] Line 96 To spille any speche · or any space of tyme;

Qui offendit in [vno], in omnibus est reus.

[[vno WCOB] verbo LR; see p. 184. in—est] est in omnibus COB.] ¶ Lesyng of tyme · treuthe wote þe sothe! Is moste yhated vp erthe · of hem þat beth in heuene, [yhated] hatid O. vp] vpon WOB.] And sitthe to spille speche · þat spyre is of grace, [sitthe] seche R. spyre] spire CROB; spicerie W.] Line 100 And goddes gleman · and a game of heuene; Wolde neuere þe faithful fader · his fithel were vn|tempred, [his] þis W. vntempred] vn|tymbred R.] Ne his gleman a gedelynge · a goer to tauernes! [101—103. C omits from and in 101 to gleman in 103.] ¶ To alle trew tidy men · þat trauaille desyren, Line 104 Owre lorde loueth hem and lent · loude other stille, [hem] O om. other] eiþer O.] Grace to go to hem · and agon her lyflode;

Inquirentes autem dominum non minuentur omni bono.

[to hem] to hem tille R. agon] agoon RO; ofgon W.] ¶ Trewe wedded libbing folk · in þis worlde is dowel; [A page 117] For þei mote worche & wynne · and þe worlde susteyne. [mote] musten O.] For of her kynde þei come · þat confessoures ben nempned, [þei] he R.] Line 109 Kynges and kniȝtes · kayseres and cherles, [Kaysers and kyngis · knyȝttis and clerkis B.] Maydenes and martires · out of o man come. [o] a COB.] Þe wyf was made þe weye · for to help worche, Line 112 And þus was wedloke ywrouȝt · with a mene persone; First bi þe faderes wille · and þe frendes conseille,

And sytthenes bi assent of hem-self · as þei two myȝte acorde. And thus was wedloke ywrouȝte · and god hym-self it made; [folio 36b] [113—116. R omits from with a mene to ywrouȝte.] Line 116 In erthe þe heuene is · hym-self was þe witnesse. [þe—is] þere heuen is R; and in heuene W. was þe] bereþ WCB.] ¶ Ac fals folke faithlees · theues and lieres, [faithlees] and faithles R.] Wastoures and wrecches · out of wedloke, I trowe, Conceyued ben in yuel tyme · as caym was on Eue. [in] R om. on] and B.] Line 120 Of such synful shrewes · þe sauter maketh mynde,

Concepit in dolore, et peperit iniquitatem, &c.:

[in dolore] dolorem R. &c.] RB om.] And alle þat come of þat caym · come to yuel ende. [A page 118] For god sent to seem · and seyde bi an angel, [For] And W. seem] sem B. an] þe CB.] Þyne issue in þyne issue · I wil þat þei be wedded, And nouȝt þi kynde with caymes · ycoupled ne yspoused. [caymes] caym R. ne] nor W.] Line 125 ¶ Ȝet some, aȝein þe sonde · of owre saueoure of heuene, [saueoure] lorde CB.] Caymes kynde & his kynde · coupled togideres, [his] her B.] Tyl god wratthed for her werkis · and suche a worde seyde, [CB have one long line— Til god saide for wrathe · þat I maked man me a-thynkes.] [for] wiþ O.] Line 128 'Þat I maked man · now it me athynketh, [CB have one long line— Til god saide for wrathe · þat I maked man me a-thynkes.]

Penitet me fecisse hominem.'

[now] W om. athynketh] for|þynkeþ W; þinketh R.] ¶ And come to Noe anon · and bad hym nouȝt lette: [come] somme C; sente B.] 'Swithe go shape a shippe · of shides and of bordes. [of (2)] CB om.] Þi self and þi sones three · and sithen ȝowre wyues, [self] folk B. three] þre (not printed) W; B om.] Buske ȝow to þat bote · and bideth ȝe þer-inne, Line 133 Tyl fourty dayes be fulfilde · þat [þe] flode haue ywasshen [[þe W] LCROB om. Crowley retains it. ywasshen] Iwasted R.] Clene awey þe cursed blode · þat caym hath ymaked.

¶ Bestes þat now ben · shulle banne þe tyme, [A page 119] Line 136 Þat euere þat cursed caym · come on þis erthe; Alle shal deye for his dedes · bi dales and bi hulles, [bi (2)] R om.] And þe foules þat fleeghen · for[th] with other bestes, [forth] so in CWROB; L has for, but the line is marked.] Excepte oneliche · of eche kynde a couple, [of eche kynde] of ich a kynde & O. eche] on R.] Line 140 Þat in þi shyngled shippe · shul ben ysaued.' [þi] þis R.] Here abouȝt[e] þe barne · þe belsyres gultes, [abouȝte] WCRB; bouȝte O; abouȝt L. belsyres] belsire C. gultes] giltes WCRB.] And alle for her forfadres · þei ferden þe worse. [forfadres] fadres W. her for|fadres] his sake B.] Þe gospel is here-ageine · in o degre, I fynde,

Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris, & pater non portabit iniquitatem filii, &c.

[&—portabit] nec pater R. portabit iniq: filii, &c] &c C; por|tabit, &c O; B om.] Line 144 ¶ Ac I fynde, if þe fader · be false and a shrewe, Þat somdel þe sone · shal haue þe sires tacches. [þe] of þe B. sires] sire CR.] Line 146 ¶ Impe on an ellerne · and if þine apple be swete, [on] in C; vpon R. ellerne] Ellere W; ellern tree B. if] B om. ] Mochel merueile me þynketh · & more of a schrewe, [þynketh] thynk C.] Þat bryngeth forth any barne · but if he be þe same, And haue a sauoure after þe sire · selde seestow other;

Numquam [colligimus] de spinis vuas, nec de tribulis fycus.

[[colligimus COB] colligitur LWR. vuas] vua W.] And þus þourw cursed caym · cam care vppon erthe; [folio 37] And al for þei wrouȝt wedlokes · aȝein goddis wille. [wedlokes] wedlok COB.] For-þi haue þei maugre for here mariages · þat marye so her childeren; [For-þi—þei] For þei haue þe B. for] of W. for—mariages] COB om. marye so] so marien CO; marien B. þat—so] as men marien now R.] Line 153 For some, as I se now · soth for to telle, For coueitise of catel · vnkyndeliche ben wedded. As careful concepcioun · cometh of suche mariages, [As] Ac OB; And C. of suche] to þat R.] Line 156

Line 156 As bifel of þe folke · þat I bifore of tolde. [þe] þat R.] [i. boni] [i. bonas] ¶ For goode shulde wedde goode · þough hij no good hadde; [R omits.] [For] Ther-fore W. The gloss i. boni means id est, boni. hij] þei WO; huy B.] 'I am via & veritas,' seith cryst · 'I may auaunce alle.' [R omits.] [I] For I CB. seith] seid B. seith cryst] O om. alle] yow alle W. I—alle] as me þynkeþ B.] ¶ It is an oncomely couple · bi cryst, as me þinketh, [B transposes these lines.] [an oncomely] an vnkouþe C; a wondur B. cryst] Ihesus R.] To ȝyuen a ȝonge wenche · to an olde feble, [B transposes these lines.] [feble] febil man B.] Line 161 Or wedden any widwe · for welth of hir goodis, [widwe] wodewe W.] Þat neuere shal barne bere · but if it be in armes! [if] B om. in] in hir W.] Many a peire sithen þe pestilence · han pliȝt hem to|gideres; [A page 120] [þe] B om.] Line 164 Þe fruit þat þei brynge forth · aren foule wordes, [þei] W om.] In ialousye ioyeles · and ianglyng on bedde. [R omits. ioyeles] geolous B. on bedde] abedde CB.] Haue þei no children but cheste · an choppyng hem bitwene. [cheste] cheeste W; chydes C; iangelynge R. choppyng] clappyng W; gaying (sic) R.] ¶ And þough þei don hem to donmowe · but if þe deuel help Line 168 To folwen after þe flicche · fecche þei it neuere; And but þei bothe be forsworne · þat bacoun þei tyne. [168—170. R has— And for to go to dunmowe · to fecche hom here bakon, And whan þei haue brouȝt it hom · to whom is best to selle it, And þus þei lyuen in coueytise · þe deuel and þei to-gyderes.] [And] B om.] ¶ For-þi I conseille alle crystene · coueite nouȝt be wedded [crystene] cristen men B. be] to be R.] For coueitise of catel · ne of kynrede riche. [catel] no catel B. kynrede] no kynrede B.] Line 172 Ac maydenes and maydenes · macche ȝow togideres, [macche] make R.] Widwes and widwers · worcheth þe same. [Widwes—widwers] Wydeweres and wydewes R.]

For no londes, but for loue · loke ȝe be wedded, [londes] laudes (for landes) C. ȝe] þat ȝe R.] And þanne gete ȝe þe grace of god · and good ynogh to lyue with. [þe] R om.] Line 176 ¶ And euery maner seculer · þat may nouȝt continue, [continue] contene O; con|teyne B.] Wysly go wedde · and war hym fro synne; [go] to B.] For leccherye in likyng · is lymeȝerde of helle. [likyng] lokyng COB.] Whiles þow art ȝonge · and þi wepne kene, Line 180 Wreke þe with wyuynge · ȝif þow [wilt] ben excused. [Wreke] Werke O. [wilt O] wolt WCB; wil L. Dum] Cum CB.] Dum sis vir fortis · ne des tua robora scortis, Scribitur in portis · meretrix est ianua mortis. ¶ Whan ȝe haue wyued, bewar · and worcheth in tyme; Line 184 Nouȝt as Adam & Eue · whan caym was engendred. [177—185. R omits.] For in vntyme, trewli · bitwene man & womman, [For] And R. in vntyme] vnite (!) CB.] Ne shulde no bourde on bedde be; · but if þei bothe were clene [bourde] berde R. on bedde] a-bedde R; on (printed or) bedde W. bothe] CB om.] Bothe of lyf and of soule · and in parfyte charitee, [Bothe] R om. and] L really has & and, evidently by mistake.] Line 188 Þat ilke derne dede · do noman ne sholde. [ne] R om.] And if þei leden þus her lyf · it [likeþ] god almiȝti; [folio 37b] [And] But CB. leden] ledden R. [likeþ WOB] likes C; liked LR.] For he made wedloke firste · and him-self it seide; [A page 121]

Bonum est vt unusquisque vxorem suam habeat, propter fornicacionem.

[propter, &c.] R om.] ¶ And þei þat oþergatis ben geten · for gedelynges ben holden, Line 192 As false folke fondelynges · faitoures and lyars; [As] And RB.] Vngracious to gete goode · or loue of þe poeple, Wandren and wasten · what þei cacche mowe. [þei] þe C.]

Aȝeines dowel þei don yuel · and þe deuel serue, Line 196 And after her deth-day · shulle dwelle with þe same, [shulle dwelle] soule dwelles C; þe soule shal dwelle B. same] deuel R.] But god gyue hem grace here · hem-self to amende. [hem] hym C.] ¶ Dowel, my frende, is · to don as lawe techeth, [to] CB om. as] as þe COB.] To loue þi frende and þi foo · leue me, þat is dobet. To ȝiuen and to ȝemen · bothe ȝonge and olde, Line 201 To helen and to helpen · is dobest of alle. [199—202. R omits.] ¶ And dowel is to drede god · and dobet to suffre, [dowel is] þus is dowel R. to] (2)] is to COB.] And so cometh dobest of bothe · and bryngeth adoun þe mody, Line 204 And þat is wikked wille · þat many werke shendeth, [werke] a werk W; werkes R.] And dryueth away dowel · þorugh dedliche synnes." [dryueth] dryue C. þorugh] with CB. synnes] syne COB.]

PASSUS X. (DO-WEL II.)

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

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

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

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

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

Ecce ipsi peccatores habundantes; in seculo optinuerunt diuicias.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For deyneth we should read deyneth not.

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

Frange esurienti panem tuum, &c.

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

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

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

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

Filius non portabit iniquitatem patris, &c.

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

Vnusquisque portabit onus suum, &c.'

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

Non plus sapere quam oportet.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michi vindictam, & ego retribuam.

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

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

Deus pater, deus filius, deus spiritus sanctus;

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

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

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

Fides non habet meritum, vbi humana racio prebet experimentum.

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

Appare quod es, vel esto quod appares:

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

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

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

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

Eice primo trabem de oculo tuo, &c.,

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

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

Dum cecus ducit cecum, ambo in foueam cadunt.

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

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

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

Canes non valentes latrare,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nichil iniquius quam amare peccuniam.

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

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

Si cum Christo surrexistis, &c.,

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

i. panni.

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

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

Michi vindictam, & ego retribuam.]

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

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

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

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

Super cathedra[m] moysy, &c.

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

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

Homines & iumenta saluabis, domine, &c.

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

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

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

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

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

Dum steteritis ante Reges et presides, &c.;

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

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

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

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

Ite vos in vineam meam."

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.

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

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.] Line 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.] Line 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, Line 12 Þorugh vnkonnynge curatoures · to incurable peynes. [peynes] peyne C.]

¶ 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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,

"Welcome, [wye!] go and wasshe · þow shalt sitte sone." [[wye WO] weye R; wy C; L wye, altered to wyel ȝe; B om.] Line 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] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 48

Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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]

Þanne seide I to my-self · so pacience it herde, Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 78 Þat he precheth he preueth nouȝt" · to pacience I tolde, [he—nouȝt] and preueth R.]

And wisshed witterly · with wille ful egre, [wisshed] wissed C. witterly] ful witterly W. ful] for (corrected to ful) L; ful WCROB.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.]

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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 109 I wolde permute my penaunce with ȝowre · for I am in poynte to dowel!"

¶ 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, Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.]

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. Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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! ¶ Ac for to fare þus with þi frende · foly it were, [Ac] And C.] Line 148

Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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) Line 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.]

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.] Line 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, Line 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, Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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.] Hath moeued my mode · to mourne for my synnes. [moeued] meued WRO; moued C.]

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.] Line 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, Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 212 And conformen fauntekynes · and other folke ylered, [folio 55b] [conformen] so in R; confer|men WCO; confirmen B; cf. l. 208.] Tyl pacience haue preued þe · and parfite þe maked." [preued] serued O.]

¶ Conscience þo with pacience passed · pilgrymes as it were. [passed] passiþ B.] Þanne had pacience, as pylgrymes han · in his poke vittailles, Line 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.] Line 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: Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.]

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.] Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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.] And buxome and busy · aboute bred and drynke [busy] bisy be B.]

For hym and for alle his · fonde I þat his pardoun [his (1)] hisse C; hise B.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 268

Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 285 Religioun sanz reule · and resonable obedience; [and] or W.] Lakkyng lettred men · and lewed men bothe,

In lykyng of lele lyf · and a lyer in soule; Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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.] And what I couth and knewe · and what kynne I come of." [knewe] knowe C.] Line 311

Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 328 "Or with myȝte of mouthe · or þorugh mannes strengthe [of] or with W. mannes] mennes W.] Auenge me fele tymes · other frete my-selue [Auenge] Auenged R.]

Wyth-inne, as a shepster shere;"— · I-shrewed men & cursed!

Cuius malediccione os plenum est, & amaritudine; sub lingua eius labor & dolor:

& alibi: filij hominum, dentes eorum arma & sagitte, & lingua eorum gladius acutus:—

[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.] ¶ "Þere is no lyf þat I louye · lastyng any while, [I louye] I loue RC; me loueþ W.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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, Tyl eytheres wille waxeth kene · and to þe werke ȝeden, [eytheres] either C.]

As wel in fastyng-days & frydayes · and forboden nyȝtes; [in] R om. &] as COB. and] as W.] Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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.] Line 368 Or by nyȝt or by day · aboute was ich euere, [Or] Other R (twice).] Þorwgh gyle to gadren · þe good þat ich haue.

¶ 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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 Line 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.] Line 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,

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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 408

Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 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. Line 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. Line 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.] Line 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, In ȝowre deth-deyinge · I drede me ful sore, [ful] R om.]

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 Line 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.] Line 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, Line 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, Line 444 And a lered man, to lere þe · what oure lorde suffred, For to saue þi soule · fram Sathan þin enemy,

And fithel þe, with-out flaterynge · of gode friday þe storye; And a blynd man for a bourdeoure · or a bedrede womman, Line 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 Line 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.] Line 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.] Line 460

PASSUS XIV (DO-WEL VI).

[TITLE. Passus quarto-decimus de visione, vt supra CR (but R has xiijus); Passus xiiijus, &c WO; B adds et vijus [read vjus] de dowel.] Passus xiiij ^us.

"I Haue but one [hool] hatere," quod haukyn · "I am þe lasse to blame [one] oon WC; on RB; an O. [hool WCOB] LR om.] Þough it be soiled and selde clene · I slepe þere-inne on niȝtes; [soiled] soulid B; suyled C. selde clene] foule COB. on] o W.] And also I haue an houswyf · hewen and children—

Vxorem duxy, & ideo non possum venire—

[an houswyf] a wif CB; a wijf O. hewen] and hewen B. venire] &c. R.] Þat wolen bymolen it many tyme · maugre my chekes! [wolen] walden C; wolden O. bymolen] bifoule C; defoule B. tyme] tymes R. maugre] maugree W; magre B.] ¶ It hath ben laued in lente · and oute of lente bothe, [lente] lenten R; leaute B (twice).] With þe sope of sykenesse · þat seketh wonder depe, [seketh] sekest CB.] Line 6 And with þe losse of catel · loth forto agulte [loth] bathe C; boþe B.] God or any gode man · bi auȝte þat I wiste; [or] ar R; or (indistinct, and printed of) W.] And was shryuen of þe preste · þat gaue me, for my synnes, To penaunce, pacyence · and pore men to fede, Line 10 Al for coueitise of my crystenedome · in clennesse to kepen it.

¶ And couthe I neuere, by cryste · kepen it clene an houre, [couthe] coude R. neuere] nouȝt R. kepen it] precedes bi crist in B.] Line 12 Þat I ne soiled it with syȝte · or sum ydel speche, [soiled] soulid B; fouled C.] Or þorugh werke or þorugh worde · or wille of myn herte, [þorugh (2)] CROB om. worde] thouȝt R. or (3)] and other R.] Þat I ne flober it foule · fro morwe tyl eue." [þat] But CO. flober] floboure C.] ¶ "And I shal kenne þe," quod conscience · "of con|tricioun to make, [kenne] telle B.] Line 16 Þat shal clawe þi cote · of alkynnes filthe,

Cordis contricio, &c.:—

[clawe þi cote] þi cote make clene B. clawe] C om.] Dowel [shal] wasshen it and wryngen it · þorw a wys confessour,

Oris confessio, &c.:—

[[shal W] schal O; LCRB om. it (1)] it (but omitted in printing) W.] Dobet shal beten it and bouken it · as briȝte as any scarlet, [shal] þat schal R. it (1)] R om.] And engreynen it with good wille · and goddes grace to amende þe, [engreynen] engreynen or en|greyuen (printed engreyven) W.] Line 20 And sithen sende þe to satisfaccioun · for to sowen it after,

Satisfaccio dobest.

[sowen] sewe O; souuen R. Satisfaccio dobest] Satisfaccio &c. COB.] ¶ Shal neuere myste bimolen it · ne moth after biten it, [Shal] Do-best shal C; Dobet schal B. myste] cheeste W. bimolen] bynolnen CB; by-mole R. moth] mought C; moche B. biten] beten B.] Ne fende ne false man · defoulen it in þi lyue; Shal none heraude ne harpoure · haue a fairere garne|ment [none] no CRB. garnement] garment R.] Line 24 Þan haukyn þe actyf man · and þow do by my techyng; [þow] þo B. by] C om.] Ne no mynstral be more worth · amonges pore & riche,

Þan Haukynnes wyf þe wafrere · with his actiua vita." [with his] which is R.] ¶ "And I shal purueye þe paste," quod pacyence · "þough no plow erie, [þe] þee W. þough] þouȝ þow R.] Line 28 And floure to fede folke with · as best be for þe soule, [þe] thy COB.] Þough neuere greyne growed · ne grape vppon vyne. [growed] growe B. vyne] þe vyne B.] Alle þat lyueth and loketh · lyflode wolde I fynde, [Alle] To alle W.] And þat ynough shal none faille · of þinge þat hem nedeth. [ynough] Inought C; y B; I|now R.] Line 32 We shulde nouȝt be to busy · a-bouten owre lyflode,

Ne solliciti sitis, &c.: volucres celi deus pascit, &c.: pacientes vincunt, &c." [folio 58b]

[Ne] Dum B.] ¶ Þanne laughed haukyn a litel · and liȝtly gan swerye, [laughed] lawhed R; lowȝ O. swerye] swere RCOB.] "Who so leueth ȝow, by owre lorde · I leue nouȝte he be blissed!" [leueth] loueþ B. by] noþer be R.] ¶ "No," quod pacyence paciently · and out of his poke hente Line 36 Vitailles of grete vertues · for al manere bestes, [Vitailles] Vitales R.] And seyde, "lo! here lyflode ynough · if owre byleue be trewe! [ynough] I-nowe RB.] For lente neuere was lyf · but lyflode were shapen, [neuere] nere R. lyf] þere lif R.] Wher-of or wherfore · or where-by to lybbe. [or (2)] and RO.] Line 40 ¶ Firste þe wylde worme · vnder weet erthe, [weet] þe wete B.] Fissch to lyue in þe flode · and in þe fyre þe crykat, [fyre] fuir R; fyer B. crykat] criket WO; crikat RCB.] Þe corlue by kynde of þe eyre · moste clennest flesch of bryddes, [corlue] Corlew WR; curlowe C; curlu B.] And bestes by grasse and by greyne · and by grene rotis, [by (2)] COB om.] Line 44

Line 44 In menynge þat alle men · myȝte þe same [myȝte] myȝt se CB; myȝten do O. þe] C om.] Line 45 Lyue þorw lele byleue · and loue, as god witnesseth;

Quodcumque pecieritis a patre in nomine meo, &c.: & alibi,

Non in solo pane viuit homo, set in omni verbo, quod procedit de ore dei."

[a patre] R om. de ore dei] &c CB.] ¶ But I loked what lyflode it was · þat pacience so preysed, [what] what þat R. it] R om.] And þanne was it a pece of þe pater-noster · fiat voluntas tua. [it] R om.] Line 48 ¶ "Haue, haukyn!" quod pacyence · "and ete þis whan þe hungreth, [ete] et W.] Or whan þow clomsest for colde · or clyngest for drye. [clyngest] chillist O. drye] drouȝthe R.] Shal neuere gyues þe greue · ne grete lordes wrath, [Shal] And schal R; Schulden O; Shulde B; Shul C. gyues] fey|toures R; gomes O; synne B.] Prisone ne peyne · for—pacientes vincunt. Line 52 ¶ Bi so þat þow be sobre · of syȝte and of tonge, In etynge and in handlynge · and in alle þi fyue wittis, [in (3)] COB om.] Darstow neuere care for corne · ne lynnen cloth ne wollen, [Darstow] Thardestow C; Tharst þow ROB.] Ne for drynke, ne deth drede · but deye as god lyketh, Or þorw honger or þorw hete · at his wille be it; Line 57 For if þow lyuest after his lore · þe [shorter] lyf þe better: [lyuest] lyue W. [shorter WC] schorter ORB; miswritten shot|ter in L, but the line is marked for correction. better] leuere R.] Si quis amat cristum, mundum non diligit istum. ¶ For þorw his breth bestes wexen · and abrode ȝeden,

Dixit & facta sunt, &c.:

[bestes] mowen men and bestis B. wexen] woxen W; wexeth R.] Ergo þorw his breth mowen · men & bestes lyuen, [lyuen] libben R.] Line 61

Line 61 As holywrit witnesseth · whan men segge her graces,

Aperis tu manum tuam, & imples omne animal benediccione.

[witnesseth] witnesse C. segge] seye WOB; sayes C. graces] grace R.] ¶ It is founden þat fourty wynter · folke lyued with|outen tulyinge, [tulyinge] tiliyng OB; tilynge C.] And oute of þe flynte spronge þe flode · þat folke & bestes dronke, [bestes] best B.] Line 64 And in Elyes tyme · heuene was yclosed, [Elyes] helyes CB.] Þat no reyne ne rone; · þus rede men in bokes, [rone] roon W; roen R; raynde C; ron B. rede] rett R. in] on R.] Þat many wyntres men lyueden · and no mete ne tulyeden. [wyntres] wynter R. lyueden] lyued R. tulycden] teleden R; tylied C; tiliden O; tilieden B.] Seuene slepe, as seith þe boke · seuene hundreth wynter, [slepe] slepen ROB. seith] sayes C. hundreth] hundred WOB; hun|dre C.] ¶ And lyueden with-oute lyflode · and atte laste þei woken, [folio 59] [atte] at þe WROB; þe C.] Line 69 And if men lyued as mesure wolde · shulde neuere more be defaute [more] COB om. be defaute] defaute be B.] Amonges cristene creatures · if crystes wordes ben trewe. Ac vnkyndnesse [caristia] maketh · amonges crystene peple, [Ac] And C. [caristia RCOB] caristiam W; carestia L. crystene] cristes R.] Line 72 And ouer-plente maketh pruyde · amonges pore & riche; [pruyde] pryde WO; CB om.] Ac mesure is so moche worth · it may nouȝte be to dere, [Ac] Ther-fore W; And C. so] W om.] For þe meschief and þe meschaunce · amonges men of sodome, [In margin of O—Of Sodom & Gomor.] Wex þorw plente of payn · & of pure sleuthe;

Ociositas & habundancia panis peccatum turpis simum nutriuit.

Line 76

Line 76 For þei mesured nouȝt hem-self · of þat þei ete and dronke, Diden dedly synne · þat þe deuel lyked, [Diden] Thei diden W.] So vengeaunce fel vpon hem · for her vyle synnes; [So] And B. fel] fil W. synnes] synne B.] Þei sonken in-to helle · þo citees vchone. [þo] þe WROB. vchone] Ilcone C.] Line 80 ¶ For-þi mesure we vs wel · and make owre faithe owre scheltroun, [scheltroun] sheltrom WO; shyltroun C; sheltrun B.] And þorw faith cometh contricioun · conscience wote wel, [wote] woot it O.] Whiche dryueth awey dedly synne · and doth it to be venial. And þough a man myȝte nouȝte speke · contricioun myȝte hym saue, [CB omit.] Line 84 And brynge his soule to blisse · by so þat feith bere witnesse, [by] for W; COB om. bere] heer O.] Þat, whiles he lyued, he bileued · in þe lore of holy|cherche; [in] COB om. þe] CO om.] Ergo contricioun, feith, and conscience · is kyndelich dowel, And surgienes for dedly synnes · whan shrifte of mouth failleth. [surgienes] surgyanes R; surgien O. synnes] synne RB. failleth] faylede O.] Line 88 ¶ Ac shrifte of mouth more worthy is · if man be i[n]liche contrit; [Ac] And C. is] C om. be] C R om. inliche] in-lich R; inlich O; y-liche WC; iliche L; ilich B.] For shrifte of mouth sleeth synne · be it neuere so dedly; [synne] synnes CB. it] þei CB.] Per confessionem to a prest · peccata occiduntur, Þere contricioun doth but dryueth it doun · in-to a venial synne, [dryueth] dryues C. doun] CB om.] Line 92 As dauid seith in þe sauter · et quorum tecta sunt peccata. [As] And COB.]

Ac satisfaccioun seketh oute þe rote · and bothe sleeth and voideth, [Ac] And C.] And, as it neuere had ybe · to nouȝt bryngeth dedly synne, [And] And (printed An) W. ybe] be R.] Þat it neuere eft is seen, ne sore · but semeth a wounde yheled." [it] it is COB. is] COB om. ne] COB om. semeth] semees C; as B. yheled] heled CB.] Line 96 ¶ "Where woneth charite?" quod haukyn · "I wiste neuere in my lyue [Where] ȝe where R. woneth] wonyeþ W; wonnes C. In margin of O—Where is charite. neuere] nere R.] Man þat with hym spake · as wyde as I haue passed!" ¶ "Þere parfit treuthe and pouere herte is · and pacience of tonge, [and] & þanne O.] Þere is charitee, þe chief chaumbrere · for god hym|selue!" [þe] B om. chaumbrere] chamber C; chaumbre R; chaum|ber B.] Line 100 ¶ "Whether paciente pouerte," quod haukyn · "be more plesaunte to owre driȝte [paciente] pacience and R; pacience or B; pacience C. driȝte] lord R; sight C; siȝt B.] Þan ricchesse riȝtfulliche ywonne · and resonablelich yspended?" [ywonne] I-wonne R; wonne WCB; wonnen O. yspended] de|spended W; spende C; spendid OB.] ¶ "Ȝe, quis est ille?" quod pacience · "quik laudabi|mus eum. [ȝe] ȝhe O; ȝee B.] Þough men rede of richchesse · riȝt to þe worldes ende, [þough] Thouȝt C. rede] red|den O.] I wist neuere renke þat riche was · þat whan he rekne sholde, [renke] freik B. þat (2)] þan B.] Line 105 Whan it drow to his deth-day · þat he ne dred hym sore, [it] he WCOB. drow] drogh W; droue C; drouȝ B. dred] dredde WOB; dradde R.] And þat atte rekenyng in arrerage fel · rather þan oute of dette. [þat] R om. atte] at þe WRC OB.]

¶ There þe pore dar plede · and preue by pure resoun, To haue allowaunce of his lorde · by þe lawe he it cleymeth, [folio 59b] Line 109 Ioye þat neuere ioye hadde · of riȝtful iugge he axeth, And seith, 'lo! briddes and bestes · þat no blisse ne knoweth, [knoweth] couthe COB.] And wilde wormes in wodes · þorw wyntres þow hem greues, [hem] hym B.] Line 112 And makest hem welnyegh meke · and mylde for defaute, And after þow sendest hem somer · þat is her souereigne Ioye, [hem] hym CB. her] B om.] And blisse to alle þat ben · bothe wilde and tame. Þanne may beggeres, as bestes · after bote waiten, [as] and RCOB. bestes] bid|ders (corrected to beestes) O. bote] bothe C.] Line 116 Þat al her lyf han lyued · in langour and in defaute. [langour] hungur B. in (2)] B om.] But god sent hem some tyme · some manere ioye, [hem] hym CB.] Other here or elles where · kynde wolde it neuere; For to wrotherhele was he wrouȝte · þat neuere was ioye shaped. [wrotherhele] wo other wel C; woo oþer wele B; ouer myche woo O. was ioye] ioye was R.] Line 120 ¶ Angeles þat in helle now ben · hadden ioye some tyme, And diues in deyntees lyued · and in douce vye; [in (1)] in (printed in the) W. douce vye] doute vrrie (sic) B.] Riȝte so resoun sheweth · þat þo men þat were riche, [þo] þe W; þoo O. þat—riche] R om.] And her makes also lyued · her lyf in murthe. Line 124 ¶ Ac god is of a wonder wille · by þat kynde witte sheweth, [Ac] And C. a] W om.] To ȝiue many men his mercymonye · ar he it haue de|serued. [men—mercymonye] man his mede W.] Riȝt so fareth god by some riche · reuthe me it þinketh,

For þei han her hyre here · an heuene as it were, [her—here] here her salarium B. an] and WCO; her B.] And is gret lykyng to lyue · with-oute laboure of body; [is] his B; eke O; W om. lyue] þe lif R.] And whan he deyeth, ben disalowed · as dauid seith in þe sauter,

Dormierunt, & nichil inuenerunt;

Line 130 And in an other stede also · velud sompnum surgencium, domine, in ciuitate tua, & ad nichilum rediges. [&] RO om. rediges] eorum rediges R. See Note.] Allas! þat ricchesse shal reue · and robbe mannes soule Fram þe loue of owre lorde · at his laste ende! Line 133 ¶ Hewen þat han her hyre afore · aren euermore nedy, [Hewen] þay B. hyre afore] huire to-fore R.] And selden deieth he out of dette · þat dyneth ar he deserue it, [he (1)] R om. ar he] or þei R.] And til he haue done his deuor · and his dayes iourne. [deuor] deuoir WC; deuer RB. dayes] C om.] For whan a werkman hath wrouȝte · þanne may men se þe sothe, [may] mowen O; may (printed many) W. may men] men may B.] Line 137 What he were worthi for his werke · and what he hath deserued; [he were] were he B.] And nouȝt to fonge bifore · for drede of disalowynge. ¶ So I segge by ȝow riche · it semeth nouȝt þat ȝe shulle [nouȝt] R om.] Haue heuene in ȝowre here-beyng · and heuene her-after; [heuene in] to heuenes for R. here] hiȝe B; hee C. beyng] beryng CB; dwellyng W. heuene (2)] heuene also W. her-after] þer-after WR.] Riȝt as a seruaunt taketh his salarye bifore · & sitth wolde clayme more, [as] so as W. salarye] hire C. sitth] after C. more] huire R.] Line 142 As he þat none hadde · and hath huyre atte laste. [none] non ne R. huyre] heuene R. atte] at þe WROB.] It may nouȝt be, ȝe riche men · or matheu on god lyeth;

De delicijs ad delicias, [difficile] est transire.

[god] yow CB. De] De (printed Væ) W. [difficile WCROB] deficile L. transire] ascendere R.] ¶ Ac if [ye] riche haue reuthe · and rewarde wel þe pore, [Ac] And C. [ye WCROB] þe L.]

And lyuen as lawe techeth · done leute to alle, [lawe] þe lawe CB. done] and doon WB. leute] leaute WCB; lewte O. to] to hem WCOB.] Line 146 Criste of his curteysie · shal conforte ȝow atte laste, [atte] at þe WOB; att þe R.] And rewarde alle dowble ricchesse · þat reuful hertes habbeth. [habbeth] hases (sic) C.] Line 148 And as an hyne þat hadde his hyre · ar he bygonne, [folio 60] [þat] O om.] And whan he hath done his deuor wel · men doth hym other bounte, Ȝyueth hym a cote aboue his couenaunte · riȝte so cryst ȝiueth heuene [ȝyueth] Gyfe C. cote] Cite C; citee B.] Bothe to riche and to nouȝte riche · þat rewfullich lybbeth; [to nouȝte] noȝt to B. rew|fullich] riȝtfullich R.] Line 152 And alle þat done her deuor wel · han dowble hyre for her trauaille, [deuor] connande C. hyre] B om.] Here forȝyuenesse of her synnes · and heuene blisse after. [Here] CB om.] ¶ Ac it nys but selde yseyn · as by holy seyntes bokes, [Ac] And C. nys] is W. selde] seldom B. yseyn] so seyn C; so seien B. bokes] lyues O.] Þat god rewarded double reste · to any riche wye. Line 156 For moche murthe is amonges riche · as in mete and clothynge, And moche murthe in Maye is · amonges wilde bestes, [moche] mykyl C.] And so forth whil somer lasteth · her solace dureth. [155—159. R omits.] Ac beggeres aboute Midsomer · bredlees þei soupe, [Ac] And C; R om. Mid|somer] myssomer CR. soupe] soupen O; slepe W.] Line 160 And ȝit is wynter for hem worse · for wete-shodde þei gange, [wete-shodde] watschod R. gange] gangen O; gone W.] A-fyrst sore and afyngred · and foule yrebuked, [A-fyrst] A-first CO; A-furst WR; a-frust B. A-fyrst sore] Sore a-frust B. afyngred] affyngred CR; an-hungrid B. foule yrebuked] foul|iche rebuked COB.] And arated of riche men · þat reuthe is to here. [men] O om.] Line 163

Line 163 Now, lorde, sende hem somer · and some manere ioye, Heuene after her hennes goynge · þat here han suche defaute! For alle myȝtest þow haue made · none mener þan other, And yliche witty & wyse · if þe wel hadde lyked. [þe wel] thy wille COB.] And haue reuthe on þise riche men · þat rewarde nouȝte þi prisoneres; [And] But lord W. on] of CB. prisoneres] prisones R.] Line 168 Of þe good þat þow hem gyuest · ingrati ben manye; [ingrati] vnkynde O.] Ac, god, of þi goodnesse · gyue hem grace to amende. [Ac] And C. hem] vs O.] For may no derth ben hem dere · drouth, ne weet, [ben] O om. weet] weet hem greue W.] Ne noyther hete ne haille · haue þei here hele, [Ne] B om. ne] nor C.] Line 172 Of þat þei wilne and wolde · wanteth hem nouȝt here. ¶ Ac pore peple, þi prisoneres · lorde, in þe put of myschief, [Ac] And C. þi] þei B. pri|soneres] prisones R.] Conforte þo creatures · þat moche care suffren Þorw derth, þorw drouth · alle her dayes here, [þorw (2)] and CO; of B. drouth] drouȝþe OB.] Line 176 Wo in wynter tymes · for wantyng of clothes, [wynter tymes] wyntres tyme R.] And in somer tyme selde · soupen to þe fulle; [selde] seldeu C.] Conforte þi careful · cryst, in þi ryche, [þi (2)] B om. ryche] richesse W.] For how þow confortest alle creatures · clerkes bereth witnesse,

Conuertimini ad me, & salui eritis:

Line 180 ¶ Þus, in genere of his [gentrice] · Ihesu cryst seyde, [his] alle his R; WCOB om. [gentrice O] gentries W; gentrise CB; genitrice LR.] To robberes and to reucres · to riche and to pore. [and] R om. reueres] reueris WCOB. After l. 182, R adds—To hores, to harlotes · to alle maner poeple.] Þow tauȝtest hem in þe Trinitee · to take baptesme, And be clene þorw þat crystennynge · of alle kynnes [synnes]; [be] to be W. [synnes RCO] synne WB; L om.; but the line is marked.] Line 184

Line 184 And [if] vs fel þorw folye · to falle in synne after, [[if WR] LCOB om. fel] fille W. synne] som C; somer (!) B.] Confessioun, and [knowlechyng] · & crauyng þi mercy [[knowlechyng CORB] mis|written knelechyng in L; but the line is marked; knowlichynge W. Con|fessioun—knowlechyng] Knowlech|ynge and confession R. &] in W.] Shulde amende vs as many sithes · as man wolde desire. [as (2)] B om.] Ac if þe [pouke] wolde plede here-aȝeine · and punyssh vs in conscience, [Ac] And WCR. [pouke R] pope (!!!) LWCOB; see l. 190. here|aȝeine] þere-aȝeine RB; her-ayein (printed ayein) W. punyssh] pun|ischen on R.] Line 188 He shulde take þe acquitance as quik · and to þe qued schewe it,

Pateat, &c., per passionem domini,

[He] Ho R. to] do R.] And putten of so þe pouke · and preuen vs vnder borwe. [so] COB om.] Ac þe perchemyn of þis patent · of pouerte be moste, [Ac] And C. moste] muste O.] And of pure pacience · and parfit bileue. [folio 60b] [pure] pouere C; pore B.] Line 192 Of pompe and of pruyde · þe parchemyn decorreth, [decorreth] decourreþ WR.] And principaliche of alle peple · but þei be pore of herte. [alle] al þe W.] Ellis is al an ydel · al þat euere we writen, [we] W om. writen] written C.] Pater-nostres and penaunce · and pilgrimage to Rome. [Pater-nostres] Pater noster CROB. penaunce] penaunces R. pil|grimage] Pilgrymages W.] But owre spences and spendynge · sprynge of a trewe [wille], [But] And R. spences] spence C. and] and oure RB. [wille WCO] welle LRB.] Line 197 Elles is al owre laboure loste; · lo! how men writeth In fenestres atte freres · if fals be þe foundement; [atte] at þe WCROB.] For-þi crystene sholde ben in comune riche · none coueitouse for hym-selue. [ben] O om. coueitouse] coueite COB.] Line 200 ¶ For seuene synnes þat þere ben · assaillen vs euere, [þat] WCOB om. ben] ben þat W. vs] þee O.] Þe fende folweth hem alle · and fondeth hem to helpe, Ac wiþ ricchesse þat Ribaude · rathest men bigyleth. [Ac] And C. þat] þo R. Ribaude] ribalde C; ribaudes R. rathest] he raþest W.]

For þere þat richesse regneth · reuerence folweth, [reuerence] reuerences R.] Line 204 And þat is plesaunte to pryde · in pore and in riche. [pore] pouerte C; pouert B.] And þe riche is reuerenced · by resoun of his richchesse, [And] Ac R. reuerenced] yreuerenced C.] Þere þe pore is put bihynde · and par auenture can more [þere] That C.] Of witte and of wysdom · þat fer awey is better [fer] B om. awey] wei R.] Line 208 Þan ricchesse or reaute · and rather yherde in heuene. [reaute] realte O; rente B. yherde] herde C; herd OB.] For þe riche hath moche to rekene · and riȝte softe walketh, [riȝte softe] many tyme hym þat W.] Þe heigh waye to-heuene-ward · oft ricchesse letteth,

Ita [in]possibile diuiti, &c.,

[heigh] riȝt R. oft] W om. ricchesse] riche R; Richesse hym W. [inpossibile W] possibile LCROB.] ¶ Þere þe pore preseth bifor þe riche · with a pakke at his rugge,

Opera enim illorum sequ[u]ntur illos.

[preseth] precheth R. rugge] rygge CO. sequuntur] sequntur LCRB.] Line 212 Batauntliche as beggeres done · and baldeliche he craueth, [Batauntliche] Batanlich C.] For his pouerte and his pacience · a perpetuel blisse;

Beati pauperes, quoniam ipsorum est regnum celorum.

[his (2)] COB om.] ¶ And pryde in ricchesse regneth · rather þan in pouerte, [And] Ac R. pouerte] pouert RB.] Arst in þe Maister þan in þe man · some mansioun he hath. [Arst] Or R. þan] or R. þe] O om. he] R om. hath] haueþ WR; has C.] Line 216 Ac in pouerte þere pacyence is · pryde hath no myȝte, [Ac] And C.] Ne none of þe seuene synnes · sitten ne mowe þere longe, Ne haue powere in pouerte · if pacyence it folwe. [it] W om.] For þe pore is ay prest · to plese þe riche, Line 220 And buxome at his byddyng · for his broke loues; [byddyng] biddynges W. loues] looues O.]

And buxomenesse and boste · aren euer-more at werre, [more] CB om.] And ayther hateth other · in alle manere werkes. [ayther] eiþer WOB.] If wratthe wrastel with þe pore · he hath þe worse ende; [wrastel] wrystel C.] Line 224 For if þey bothe pleyne · þe pore is but fieble, [For] And WO.] And if he chyde or chatre · hym chieueth þe worse; [For loulich he loketh · and loueliche is his speche, Þat mete or mone · of other men mote asken. Line 228 And if glotonie greue pouerte · he gadereth þe lasse, For his rentes ne wol nauȝte reche · no riche metes to bugge; And þouȝ his glotonye be to gode ale · he goth to cold beddynge, And his heued vn-heled · vn-esiliche I-wrye; Line 232 For whan he streyneth hym to streche · þe strawe is his schetes; So for his glotonie and his grete scleuthe · he hath a greuous penaunce, Þat is welawo whan he waketh · and wepeth for colde, And sum tyme for his synnes · so he is neuere murie, Withoute mornynge amonge · and mischief to bote.] [227—237. In R only. Cf. C-Text.] ¶ And if coueitise wolde cacche þe pore · þei may nouȝt come togideres, [if] þouȝ R. wolde] walde R; WCOB om.] Line 238 And by þe nekke namely · her none may hente other. [her] for B. hente] henten R.] For men knoweth wel þat coueitise · is of a kene wille, [wel] O om. a] W om.] And hath hondes and armes · of a longe lengthe, [a longe] longe R; ful greet W.] And pouerte nis but a petit þinge · appereth nouȝt to his naule, [nis] ne is R; is O. a] O om. petit] pety R. naule] nauele WCR; name (!) B; in margin of L—vmbili|cus.] Line 242 And louely layke was it neuere · bitwene þe longe and þe shorte. [it] COB om.]

And þough auarice wolde angre þe pore · he hath but litel myȝte, [folio 61] [angre] C om. but] but a B.] Line 244 For pouerte hath but pokes · to putten in his godis, [godis] soddes C; soddis B.] Þere auarice hath almaries · and yren-bounde coffres; And whether be liȝter to breke? · lasse boste it maketh, [lasse—it] so in LCROB; and lasse boost W.] A beggeres bagge · þan an yren-bounde coffre! [beggeres] begger C. coffre] coffires (sic) C.] Line 248 ¶ Lecherye loueth hym nouȝt · for he ȝeueth but lytel syluer, Ne doth hym nouȝte dyne delycatly · ne drynke wyn oft. [nouȝte] B om.] A strawe for þe stuwes! · it stode nouȝt, I trowe, [R omits. stuwes] styue|hous B. it] hit ne B; þei W. [no þyng WCOB] none L. pore men] a pore man B. were] stoode W; stood C; stoden O; stonden B; probably owing to stode in l. 251. vntyled] vnhiled O; which is perhaps right.]] Had þei [no þyng] but of pore men · her houses were vntyled! [R omits. stuwes] styue|hous B. it] hit ne B; þei W. [no þyng WCOB] none L. pore men] a pore man B. were] stoode W; stood C; stoden O; stonden B; probably owing to stode in l. 251. vntyled] vnhiled O; which is perhaps right.]] Line 252 ¶ And þough sleuthe suwe pouerte · and serue nouȝt god to paye, [god] C om.] Mischief is his maister · and maketh hym to thynke, Þat god is his grettest helpe · and no gome elles, [his] RB om. gome] man C; with i. gome above it.] And his seruaunt, as he seith · and of his sute bothe. [Follows l. 257 in B. his (1)] so in LOB; is C; he his (printed he is) W; he is R. sute bothe] suyte bethe C; suyte boþe B.] And where he be or be nouȝte · he bereth þe signe of pouerte, [where] wheiþer WC; wheþer OB. be (2)] C omits.] Line 257 And in þat secte owre saueoure · saued al mankynde. For-thi al pore þat paciente is · may claymen and asken [al pore] alle pore R; euery poore W; al pouerte COB. paciente] paciens C.] After her endynge here · heuene-riche blisse. ¶ Moche hardier may he axen · þat here myȝte haue his wille In londe and in lordship · and likynge of bodye, [londe] lorde R.] Line 262 And for goddis loue leueth al · an lyueth as a beggere; [an] and WCROB.]

And as a mayde for mannes loue · her moder forsaketh, [for] for a R.] Hir fader and alle her frendes · and folweth hir make, [Hir] And O. folweth] folowes C; folwed R.] Moche is suche a mayde to louie · of hym þat such one taketh, [suche a] þat R. Moche—louie] Muche moore is to loue W.] Line 266 More þan a mayden is · þat is maried þorw brokage, [More—is] Than is þat maiden W. is (2)] C om.] As bi assent of sondry partyes · and syluer to bote, [As] And COB.] More for coueitise of good · þan kynde loue of bothe;— ¶ So it fareth bi eche a persone · þat possessioun for|saketh, Line 270 And put hym to be pacient · and pouerte weddeth, [put] puttes C; puttiþ OB.] Þe which is sybbe to god hym-self · and so to his seyntes." [þe] R om. to—seyntes] neyȝ is pouerte R.] ¶ "Haue god my trouthe," quod Haukyn · "ȝe preyse faste pouerte; [ȝe—faste] þat huyre faste preyse R.] What is pouerte with pacience," quod he · "proprely to mene?" [with] R om. quod he] O om.] Line 274 ¶ "Paupertas," quod pacience · "est odibile bonum,

Remocio curarum, possessio sine calumpnia, donum dei, sanitatis mater;

Absque solicitudine semita, sapiencie temperatrix, negocium sine dampno;

Incerta fortuna, absque solicitudine felicitas."

[sanitatis] sanitas CB (also sanitas in MS. W); semita R. so|licitudine] solitudine R (once); B (twice).] ¶ "I can nouȝt construe al þis," quod Haukyn · "ȝe moste kenne [me] þis on englisch." [al] COB om. ȝe] þe R. kenne me þis] so in WR; kenne þis L; seye it O; seyn hit B; sayn C.] Line 276 "In englisch," quod pacyence, "it is wel harde · wel to expounen; [wel (1)] ful B.] Ac somdel I shal seyne it · by so þow vnderstonde. [Ac] And CR. þow] ye C; ȝee B.]

Pouerte is þe first poynte · þat pryde moste hateth, Thanne is it good by good skil · al þat agasteth pryde. [it] C om.] Riȝte as contricioun is confortable þinge · conscience wote wel, [wote] it woot O.] Line 281 And a sorwe of hym-self · and a solace to þe sowle, [folio 61b] [a (2)] COB om.] So pouerte propreliche · penaunce, and ioye, Is to þe body · pure spiritual helthe,

Ergo paupertas est odibile bonum,

[spiritual] perpetuel O.] Line 284 And contricioun confort · & cura animarum. [animarum] COB add the words the secounde, which is really only a title to the paragraph follow|ing. Cf. l. 290.] ¶ Selde [sit] pouerte · þe sothe to declare, [[sit WR] sitte (which is in|ferior spelling) LCO; sytteþ B.] Or as iustyce to iugge men · enioigned is no pore, [Or] For W. as] a B. en|ioigned—pore] R om.] Ne to be a Maire aboue men · ne mynystre vnder kynges; [to] for to R. a] W om. aboue] ouere R. kynges] kyng O.] Selden is any pore yput · to punysshen any peple;

Remocio curarum.

[any] enemye (!) R. yput] putte CB.] Line 289 Ergo pouerte and pore men · perfornen þe comaunde|ment,

Nolite iudicare quemquam. Þe þridde:—

[The words þe þridde are really only a title to the paragraph follow|ing. Cf. l. 294.] ¶ Selde is any pore riche · but of riȝtful heritage; [any pore] pore riȝt R. of] of his R.] Wynneth he nauȝt with weghtes fals · ne with vnseled mesures, [weghtes] wiȝtes W; weightes C; weyȝtis OB; wittes R. with (2)] COB om.] Line 292 Ne borweth of his neghbores · but þat he may wel paye,

Possessio sine calumpnia.

¶ Þe fierthe is a fortune · þat florissheth þe soule [fierthe] ferþe WROB; ferde C. is] it is R. a] B om.] Wyth sobrete fram al synne · and also ȝit more; [synne] synnes O.] It affaiteth þe flesshe · fram folyes ful manye, Line 296 A collateral conforte · crystes owne ȝifte,

Donum dei.

¶ Þe fyfte is moder of helthe · a frende in alle fondynges, [is] it is þe R. helthe] hele R.] And for þe land euere a leche · a lemman of al clennesse,

Sanitatis mater.

[land] so in W; lawde RC; lewede O; lewid B. Sanitatis] Sani|tas CB (and in MS. W).] ¶ Þe sexte is a path of pees · ȝe, þorw þe pas of altoun [sexte] sixte it R. path] paþþe O; paaþ B. pas of] pa (sic) R. altoun] Aultone WC; aultoun O; altone RB.] Pouerte myȝte passe · with-oute peril of robbynge, Line 301 For þere þat pouerte passeth · pees folweth after, And euere þe lasse þat he bereth · þe hardyer he is of herte; [þat] O om. he (2)] R om.] For-þi seith seneca · paupertas est absque solicitudine semita, [solicitudine] solitudine ROB.] Line 304 And an hardy man of herte · amonge an hepe of þeues;

Cantabit [pauper] coram latrone viator.

[[pauper O] paupertas LWCR B; see Note. viator] viatore W.] ¶ Þe seueneth is welle of wisdome · and fewe wordes sheweth, [is] it is R. welle] wille CB.] For lordes alloweth hym litel · or lysteneth to his reson, [For] Ther-fore W. litel] lite R.] He tempreth þe tonge to-treuthe-ward · and no tresore coueiteth;

Sapiencie temperatrix.

[He] For he W. and] þat R. Sapiencie, &c.] R om.] Line 308 ¶ The eigteth is a lele laborere · and loth to take more [eigteth] eighte CB. is] it is R. a] B om. laborere] labour WCOB.] Þan he may wel deserue · in somer or in wynter, And if [he] chaffareth, he chargeth no losse · mowe he charite wynne;

Negocium sine dampno.

[[he WCROB] L om.; but the line is marked. chaffareth] chaffare COB. wynne] wynte R.] ¶ The nyneth is swete to þe soule · no sugre is swettere; [nyneth] nythe it (sic) R; ny|ȝente B. to] for O. is (2)] COB om.] For pacyence is payn · for pouerte hym-selue, [folio 62] Line 313 And sobrete swete drynke · and good leche in sykenesse,

Þus lered me a lettred man · for owre lordes loue, [lettred] lered R. loue] loue of heuene W.] Seynt austyn, a blissed lyf · with-outen bysynesse, [a] CB om. bysynesse] bisy|nesse ladde W. Cf. C-Text.] Line 316 For body and for soule · absque solicitudine felicitas. [for (2)] COB om. absque] R om. solicitudine] solitudine B.] Now god, þat al good gyueth · graunt his soule reste, Þat þus fyrst wrote to wyssen men · what pouerte was to mene!" [þus] þis WCO.] ¶ "Allas!" quod haukyn þe actyf man þo · "þat, after my crystendome, [þe—þo] R om.] Line 320 I ne hadde ben ded and doluen · for doweles sake! [doweles] dowel C.] So harde it is," quod haukyn · "to lyue and to do synne. [do] do (printed do no) W. See Note.] Synne suweth vs euere," quod he · and sori gan wexe, [suweth] scheweth R.] And wepte water with his eyghen · and weyled þe tyme, [tyme] thyme C.] Þat euere he dede dede · þat dere god displesed; [euere he] he euere WO. dede dede] dide dede WCO.] Line 325 Swowed and sobbed · and syked ful ofte, [Swowed] Swouned (printed Swound) W; Swonde C; He swowned B.] Þat euere he hadde londe or lordship · lasse other more, [or] ouþer W. lordship] larde (corrected to lord) O.] Or maystrye ouer any man · mo þan of hym-self. Line 328 "I were nouȝt worthy, wote god," quod haukyn · "to were any clothes, [wote god] wite god R; COB om. were] werien W; werie CR.] Ne noyther sherte ne shone · saue for shame one, [Ne] B om. noyther] nouther C; neiþer WOB.] To keure my caroigne," quod he · and cryde mercye faste, [caroigne] cariogne C; careyne W; caroyne R; caroyne wiþ B. mercye faste] fast mercye COB.] And wepte and weyled · and þere-with I awaked. [awaked] waked C.] Line 332

PASSUS XV (PROLOGUE TO DO-BET).

[TITLE. So in W; Passus xiiijus de visione, vt supra R; Passus xvus. Explicit de do-wel, & Incipit primus de do-bet C; Passus xvus de dowel. Et incipit primus de dobet B; Passus quintodecimus O.] Passus xv ^us : finit dowel, & incipit dobet.

Ac after my wakyng · it was wonder longe, [Ac] As B; An C. wakyng] walkynge RB. wonder] C om.] Ar I couth kyndely · knowe what was dowel. [couth] koude WC; coude RB.] And so my witte wex and wanyed · til I a fole were, [a] B om.] And somme lakked my lyf · allowed it fewe, Line 4 And leten [me] for a lorel · and loth to reuerencen [[me WRB] LCO om.] Lordes or ladyes · or any lyf elles, As persones in pellure · with pendauntes of syluer; [with] and with COB.] To seriauntz ne to suche · seyde nouȝte ones, [ne] and R. seyde] and seide R; seide I W.] Line 8 'God loke ȝow, lordes!' · ne louted faire; Þat folke helden me a fole · and in þat folye I raued, [me] C om.] Tyl resoun hadde reuthe on me · and rokked me aslepe, Tyl I seigh, as it sorcerye were · a sotyl þinge with-al, [it] it of R. a] & O.] One with-outen tonge and teeth · tolde me whyder I shulde, [whyder] wonder R.] Line 13 And wher-of I cam and of what kynde; · I conjured hym atte laste, [of] COB om. of—kynde] whider I schulde R.]

If he were crystes creature · for crystes loue me to tellen. [creature] creature quod he B. for—loue] anoon W.] ¶ "I am crystes creature," quod he · "and crystene in many a place, [crystes] criste C. a] R om.] Line 16 In crystes courte I-knowe wel · and of his kynne a partye. [crystes] crist C. his] CB om.] Is noyther peter þe porter · ne poule with his fauchoune, [ne] ne (printed Nor) W. his] þe R.] Þa[t] wil defende me þe dore · dynge ich neure so late. [þat] so in WCROB; þa L; but marked for correction.] At mydnyȝt, at mydday · my voice so is yknowe, [so is] is so R. yknowe] knowe W; knowen O.] Line 20 Þat eche a creature of his courte · welcometh me fayre." [eche] Ich R; Ilke C.] ¶ "What ar ȝe called," quod I, "in þat courte · amonges crystes peple?" [quod I] follows courte in COB.] "Þe whiles I quykke þe corps," quod he · "called am I anima; [folio 62b] [quykke] quykne (printed quikne) W; quikye R; quik was in COB. corps] body C. called] I-cald R.] And whan I wilne and wolde · animus ich hatte; [and] or O. animus] anima B.] Line 24 And for þat I can and knowe · called am I mens; [and] W om. mens] mens. thouȝte R.] And whan I make mone to god · memoria is my name; And whan I deme domes · and do as treuthe techeth, Þanne is racio my riȝt name · resoun an englisshe; [resoun] & resoun O. an] on WCOB.] Line 28 And whan I fele þat folke telleth · my firste name is sensus, [firste] CB om.] And þat is wytte and wisdome · þe welle of alle craftes; And whan I chalange or chalange nouȝte · chepe or refuse, [I] O om. chepe] clepe O.] Þanne am I conscience ycalde · goddis clerke and his notarie; [conscience] C om.] Line 32

Line 32 And whan I loue lelly · owre lorde and alle other, Þanne is lele loue my name · and in latyn amor; [and] C om.] And whan I flye fro þe flesshe · and forsake þe caroigne, [flye] fle R.] Þanne am I spirit specheles · and spiritus þanne ich hatte. [I] I a W. and] WCOB om.] Line 36 Austyn and ysodorus · ayther of hem bothe [ayther] oþer B.] Nempned me þus to name; · now þow myȝte chese, [now] and now W. myȝte] myȝtist O.] How þow coueitest to calle me · now þow knowest alle my names.

Anima pro diuersis actionibus diuersa nomina sortitur: dum viuificat corpus, anima est; dum vult, animus est; dum scit, mens est; dum recolit, memoria est. Dum iudicat, racio est; dum sentit, sensus est; dum amat, amor est; dum negat vel consentit, consciencia est; dum spirat, spiritus est."

[now] for now W. þow know|est] knawestow C; knowest þow B. alle] W om. vult] wlt (sic) R. scit] B om.; sit R.] ¶ "Ȝe ben as a bisshop," quod I · al bourdynge þat tyme, [as] B om.] Line 40 "For bisshopes yblessed · þei bereth many names, [þei] COB om.] Presul and pontifex · and metropolitanus, [metropolitanus] metropolanus R.] And other names an hepe · episcopus & pastor." ¶ "Þat is soth," seyde he · "now I se þi wille! Line 44 Þow woldest knowe and kunne · þe cause of alle her names, [her] my W.] And of myne, if þow myȝtest · me þinketh by þi speche!" [myne] me W.] ¶ "Ȝe, syre," I seyde · "by so no man were greued. [so] so þat B.] Alle þe sciences vnder sonne · and alle þe sotyle craftes [sciences] science ROB; sciens C.] Line 48

Line 48 I wolde I knewe and couth · kyndely in myne herte!" [I (2)] OB om. knewe] knowe COB. couth] kunne O.] ¶ "Þanne artow inparfit," quod he · "and one of prydes knyȝtes; [inparfit] vnparfit CB. prydes] pride C.] For such a luste and lykynge · lucifer fel fram heuene:

Ponam pedem meum in aquilone, & similis ero altissimo.

¶ It were aȝeynes kynde," quod he · "and alkynnes resoun, [alkynnes] alle kynnes W; alle kyne R; al kyns O; alkyn B.] Line 52 Þat any creature shulde kunne al · excepte cryste one. [one] R om.] Aȝein such salomon speketh · and dispiseth her wittes, And seith,

sicut qui mel comedit multum, non est ei bonum: Sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimitur a gloria.

[opprimitur] opprimatur R.] To englisch men þis is to mene · þat mowen speke & here, Þe man þat moche hony eteth · his mawe it en|gleymeth; [eteth] eet R; eteis C. it en|gleymeth] it englames C; is en|glaymed R; is engleymed B.] And þe more þat a man · of good mater hereth, Line 57 But he do þer-after · it doth hym double scathe: Beatus est, seith seynt Bernard · qui scripturas legit, [folio 63] [est] B om.] Et verba vertit in opera · fullich to his powere. [verba vertit] vertit verba R. fullich] follich R.] Line 60 Coueytise to kunne · and to knowe science [C omits.] [science] sciences W.] Pulte out of paradys · Adam and Eue, [C omits.]

Sciencie appetitus hominem inmortalitatis [glo|ria] spoliauit.

[Pulte] so in R; Putte WB; Pullede O. [gloria WO] gloriam LCRB.] And riȝte as hony is yuel to defye · and engleymeth þe mawe, [riȝte] ȝet R.] Riȝt so þat þorw resoun · wolde þe rote knowe [þat] he þat W.] Line 64

Line 64 Of god and of his grete myȝtes · his graces it letteth. [of] C om. grete] COB om. graces] grace COB.] For in þe lykyng lith a pryde · and a lycames coueitise, [þe] þat B. lith] lyges C. a (2)] in a CB; W om.] Aȝein crystes conseille · and alle clerkes techyng, That is,

non plus sapere quam oportet sapere.

Freres and fele other maistres · þat to þe lewed men prechen, [fele] R om. þe] WO om.] Line 68 Ȝe moeuen materes inmesurables · to tellen of þe Trinite, [ȝe] COB om. inmesurables] so in CB; īmesurables O; vnmesur|able W; vnmesurables R.] Þat ofte tymes þe lewed peple · of hir bileue douten. [R omits.] Bettere byleue were mony · doctoures such techyng, [Bettre it were to manye doc|tours · to leuen swich techyng W; Betere by-leue by mone · doctoures techynge R; Better to leue wer many · doctours swich techyng CB; O like L, with to bileue for byleue.] And tellen men of þe ten comaundementz · and touchen þe seuene synnes, [And] To C. þe (1)] C om.] Line 72 And of þe braunches þat burgeouneth of hem · and bryngeth men to helle, [CB om. burgeouneth] burioneþ W; bourgeleth R.] And how þat folke in folyes · myspenden her fyue wittes, As wel freres as other folke · folilich spenen [spenen] so in RC; spenden W; þei spenden O; speken B. In margin of O—Pride of Freris.] In housyng, in haterynge · and in-to hiegh clergye shewynge, [and] R om. in-to] COB om.] Line 76 More for pompe þan for pure charite · þe poeple wote þe sothe [poeple] pople R; peple W; pe|pile C.] Þat I lye nouȝt, loo! · for lordes ȝe plesen, [lye] ne lye O.] And reuerencen þe riche · þe rather for her syluer;

Confundantur omnes qui adorant scul[p]tilia; & alibi:

Vt quid diligitis vanitatem, & queritis men|dacium?

[þe (2)] R om. syluer] goodis O. [sculptilia WCROB] scultilia L. mendacium] &c. R.] Go to þe glose of þe verse · ȝe grete clerkes; [þe] þise W.] Line 80 If I lye on ȝow to my lewed witte · ledeth me to brennynge! For as it semeth, ȝe forsaketh · no mannes almesse, Of vsureres, of hores · of auarous chapmen, [of (3)] and R.] And louten to þis lordes · þat mowen lene ȝow nobles, Aȝeine ȝowre reule and Religioun · I take recorde at Ihesus, [and] & ȝoure R. at] of COB.] Line 85 Þat seide to his disciples · ne sitis personarum acceptores. [personarum acceptores] R transposes.] ¶ Of þis matere I myȝte · make a longe bible, Ac of curatoures of crystene peple · as clerkes bereth witnesse, [of (2)] ouer R. In margin of O—Curatis.] Line 88 I shal tellen it for treuth sake · take hede who so lyketh! [treuth] truþes WCOB. hede] he (!) C. lyketh] lokes C.] ¶ As holynesse and [honeste] · oute of holicherche spredeth [As] And B. [honeste WCRO B] honestete L.] Þorw lele libbyng men · þat goddes lawe techen, [lawe] lawes R.] Riȝt so out of holicherche · alle yueles spredeth, [yueles] euel B. spredeth] spredes C; spreden O; spryngeþ W.] Line 92 There inparfyt presthod is · prechoures and techeres. [prechoures] and prechoures R.] And se it by ensample · in somer tyme on trowes, [And] I W. trowes] trewes R.] Þere somme bowes ben leued · and somme bereth none; Þere is a myschief in þe more · of suche manere bowes. [more] more (printed morre) W; moore O.] Riȝt so persones and prestes · and prechoures of holy cherche, [so] so bi W. cherche] cherches R.] Line 97 Þat aren rote of þe riȝte faith · to reule þe peple; [þat aren] Is þe R.] Ac þere þe rote is roten · reson wote þe sothe, [Ac] And WC.]

Shal neure floure ne frute · ne faire leef be grene. Line 100 For-þi, wolde ȝe lettred leue · þe leccherye of clothynge, [folio 63b] [ȝe] þe RB. lettred] lettred men O.] And be kynde, as bifel for clerkes · and curteise of crystes goodes, [bifel] fel O. curteise] cur|tesie C.] Trewe of ȝowre tonge · and of ȝowre taille bothe, [taille] taile R; tail WCOB.] And hatien to here harlotrye · and nouȝt to vnderfonge [hatien] hauen (!) C. nouȝt] auȝt R.] Tythes of vntrewe þinge · ytilied or chaffared, [Tythes] Tethes C. of vntrewe] of trewe R; but of trewe W. ytilied—chaffared] I-tyled or I-chafared R.] Line 105 ¶ Lothe were lewed men · but þei ȝowre lore folwed, And amenden hem þat mysdon · more for ȝowre en|samples, [amenden] amendeden W. þat] þat þei R.] Þan forto prechen & preue it nouȝt · ypocrysie it semeth. Line 108 For ypocrysie in latyn · is lykned to a dongehul, [For ypocrisie] The which W. is lykned] likned is CB. dongehul] dongoun R.] Þat were bysnewed with snowe · and snakes wyth|inne; ¶ Or to a wal þat were whitlymed · and were foule wyth-inne. [CB omit. whitlymed] whyȝt|lymed wiþout O. were] O om.] Riȝt so many prestes · prechoures and prelates, Line 112 Ȝe aren enblaunched with bele paroles · and with clothes also, [ȝe] CB om. aren] Er C. also] R om.] Ac ȝowre werkes and ȝowre wordes þere-vnder · aren ful vnlouelich. [Ac] And RC. ȝowre (2)] COB om. þere] B om. ful] B om. vnlouelich] wlueliche (sic) R.] ¶ Iohannes crysostomus · of clerkes speketh and prestes,

Sicut de templo omne bonum progreditur, sic de templo omne malum procedit.

Si sacerdocium integrum fuerit, tota floret ecclesia; si autem coruptum fuerit, omnium fides marcida est.

Si sacerdocium fuerit in peccatis, totus populus co[n]uertitur ad peccandum.

Sicut cum videris arborem pallidam & mar|cidam, inteligis quod vicium habet in radice,

Ita cum videris populum indisciplinatum & ir|religiosum, sine dubio sacerdocium eius non est sanum.

[crysostomus] criostomus R. progreditur] egreditur COB; procedit R. floret] floreret O. coruptum] co|rupta R. omnium] omnium (printed omnis) W. sacerdocium] sacerdos R. peccandum] peccatum R. pallidam—marcidam] marcidam & pallidam OCB. inteligis] In-tellis R.] ¶ If lewed men wist · what þis latyn meneth, [In margin of O—Prestis.] Line 116 And who was myn auctor · moche wonder me þinketh, [who] B om.] But if many a prest bere · for here baselardes and here broches, [a] R om. bere] heer O. here (2)] B om. for—broches] for here broches and for here baselardes R.] A peyre bedes in her hande · and a boke vnder her arme. [peyre] peire of W. MS. O (which in l. 118 has heer for bere) has a totally different line here, viz. Schulden go synge seruyseles · wiþ sire philip þe sparwe.] Sire Iohan & sire Geffray · hath a gerdel of syluer, [hath—gerdel] han gyrdeles O.] Line 120 A basellarde, or a ballokknyf · with botones ouergylte. [or a] and a CB; & O. with botones] & barres O.] Ac a portous þat shulde be his plow · placebo to segge, [Ac] And C. portous] port|hors WB; porthous C; porthos O; portos R. segge] saye C.] Hadde he neure seruyse to saue syluer þer-to · seith it with yvel wille! [saue] haue R. seith] sayes C. it] B om. seith—wille] for spendyng at ale O. yvel] euel R; ydel WCOB.] Allas! ȝe lewed men · moche lese ȝe on prestes, Line 124 Ac þinge þat wykkedlich is wonne · and with false sleigthes, [Ac] And C.] Wolde neuere witte of witty god · but wikked men it hadde; [witte] þe wit WCOB. witte—god] of witty god þe wit COB. hadde] maked R.]

Þe which aren prestes inparfit · and prechoures after syluer, Line 127 Sectoures and sudenes · somnoures and her lemmannes. [Sectoures] Seketoures R; Exe|cutours W. sudenes] Sodenes WRB; suddenes CO. somnoures] Somonours W.] Þis þat with gyle was geten · vngraciouslich is spended; [þis] That W. spended] spened R; despended W.] So harlotes and hores · ar hulpen with such goodis, [hulpen] so in R; holpe WO; holpen C. with] þoruȝ O. goodis] godeth (!) R.] And goddes folke for defaute þer-of · forfaren and spillen. [And] Ac R.] ¶ Curatoures of holykirke · as clerkes þat ben auerouse, Liȝtlich þat þey leuen · loselles it habbeth, [habbeth] hase C; haþ B.] Line 133 Or dyeth intestate · and þanne þe bisshop entreth, [þanne] þer B.] And maketh murthe þere-with · and his men bothe, [þere-with] þer-myd W.] And seggen, 'he was a nygarde · þat no good myȝte [aspare] [[aspare WCRB] spare O; as|spare L.] Line 136 To frende ne to fremmed · þe fende haue his soule! [fremmed] fremde C; frem B.] For a wrecched hous he helde · al his lyf tyme; [he helde] held he W.] And þat he spared and bispered · spene we in murthe.' [folio 64] [bispered] bi-sperred R; bi|sperde O; bispared CB. spene] so in R; spende COB; dispende W. we] we hit B; C om.] ¶ By lered, by lewed · þat loth is to spende, [By—lewed] Be þei lered be þei lewide O; Be he lewid be he lerid B. spende] spene R; despende W.] Line 140 Þus gone her godes · be þe goste faren. [gone] goon WC; goen R. be] by C.] Ac for good men, god wote · gret dole men maken, [dole] deel O; del B; doel WC.] And bymeneth good mete-ȝyueres · and in mynde haueth, [in] C om. haueth] hem haueth RB.] In prayers and in penaunces · and in parfyt charite." [penaunces] penaunce COB.] ¶ "What is charite?" quod I þo · "a childissh þinge," he seide; Line 145

"Nisi efficiamini sicut paruuli, non intrabitis in regnum celorum;

[childissh] childist B. sicut] sicut W (but not printed). in—celo|rum] &c O. In margin of L—quid est caritas.] Line 145 With-outen fauntelte or foly · a fre liberal wille." [fauntelte] fauntee O.] ¶ "Where shulde men fynde such a frende · with so fre an herte? [fynde] CB om.] I haue lyued in londe," quod I · "my name is longe wille, [I (1)] B om. lyued] CB om. I (2)] he W. longe] lange C. In margin of L—nota. the name of thauctour (in a later hand). In margin of R and O—Longe Wylle.] Line 148 And fonde I neuere ful charite · bifore ne bihynde! Men beth mercyable · to mendynantz & to pore, [pore] þe pore O.] And wolen lene þere þei leue · lelly to ben payed. [leue] loue C. payed] apayed R.] ¶ Ac charite þat poule preyseth best · and most plesaunte to owre saueoure, As

non [inflatur,] non [est] ambiciosa, non querit que sua sunt,

[Ac] And C. preyseth] pre|cheþ O. plesaunte to] pleses C; pleseþ OB. owre saueoure] oure lord W; god R. As] Is W; CB om. [inflatur WCROB] inflatus L. [est WCROB] L om.] Line 152 I seigh neuere such a man · so me god helpe, That he ne wolde aske after his · and otherwhile coueyte Þinge þat neded hym nouȝt · and nyme it if he myȝte! [neded hym] nedeth hym CO; hym neded R. nyme] take C. he] thay C.] ¶ Clerkis kenne me þat cryst · is in alle places; [kenne] tellen O.] Line 156 Ac I seygh hym neuere sothly · but as my-self in a miroure,

It[a] in enigmate, tunc facie ad faciem.

[Ac] And C. neuere] O om. (!) a] R om. [Ita COB] It L; Hic R; W om.] And so I trowe trewly · by þat men telleth of charite, [And so] Also B.] It is nouȝt championes fyȝte · ne chaffare, as I trowe." ¶ "Charite," quod he, "ne chaffareth nouȝte · ne chalengeth, ne craueth. [ne (2)] noþer R.] Line 160 As proude of a peny · as of a pounde of golde, [of (1)] as CB.]

And is as gladde of a goune · of a graye russet As of a tunicle of tarse · or of trye scarlet. [tarse] Carse C; say B. trye] tried CO; fyn B.] He is gladde with alle gladde · and good ty[l] alle wykked, [tyl] til WCRO; to B; mis|written ty in L; but marked for cor|rection.] Line 164 And leueth and loueth alle · þat owre lorde made. [And] He R.] Curseth he no creature · ne he can bere no wratthe, [Curseth] Corseþ W; Cursees C.] Ne no lykynge hath to lye · ne laughe men to scorne. [hath to] haue R. men] me R.] Al þat men seith, he let it soth · and in solace taketh, [let] leet W; lat O.] And alle manere meschiefs · in myldenesse he suffreth; Coueiteth he none erthly good · but heuene-riche blisse." [good] godes R.] ¶ "Hath he any rentes or ricchesse · or any riche frendes?" ¶ "Of rentes ne of ricchesse · ne reccheth he neuere. [ne (1)] nor W. ne (2)] COB om. reccheth] rekkeþ W.] Line 172 For a frende þat fyndeth hym · failled hym neuere at nede; [fyndeth] fynt R. failled] failles C. hym (2)] hy R.] Fiat-voluntas-tua · fynt hym euer more. [fynt] fyndes C; fyndiþ OB.] And if he soupeth, ette but a soppe · of spera-in-deo. [soupeth] soupe CO. ette] eet R; eteþ W; he ete C; he etiþ OB.] He can purtreye wel þe pater-noster · and peynte it with aues, [folio 64b] [wel] O om. aues] aue R; C om.] Line 176 And other-while is his wone · to wende in pilgrymage, [is his wone] is wone R; he is woned WB; he is wonte C; he is wone O. in] on W; o R; C om. pilgrymage] pilgrymages WCOB.] Þere pore men and prisones liggeth · her pardoun to haue. [prisones] prisoners COB. liggeth] lygges C; been O.] Þough he bere hem no bred · he bereth hem swetter lyflode, [hem (1)] hym C. lyflode] O om.] Loueth hem as owre lorde biddeth · and loketh how þei fare. [biddeth] bit R.] Line 180

Line 180 ¶ And whan he is wery of þat werke · þanne wil he some tyme [tyme] B om.] Labory in a lauendrye · wel þe lengthe of a myle, [Labory] so in R; Labouren WCOB. a (1)] WCOB om. wel] O om.] And ȝerne in-to ȝouthe · and ȝepliche speke [ȝouthe] þouȝt B. speke] seche R (which seems better).] Pryde with al þe appurtenaunce · and pakken hem to|gyderes, [appurtenaunce] appurten|aunces W; appurtenantz C; purten|aunce R.] Line 184 And bouken hem at his brest · and beten hem clene, And leggen on longe · with laboraui in gemitu meo, [leggen] lyggen C. on] a B.] And with warme water at his eyghen · wasshen hem after. [eyghen] eyȝes R; yen O.] And þanne he syngeth whan he doth so · & some tyme seith wepyng,

Cor contritum & humiliatum, deus, non de|spicies."

[And] R om.] Line 188 ¶ "By cryst, I wolde þat I knewe hym," quod I · "no creature leuere!" [quod I] COB om.] ¶ "With-outen helpe of Piers plowman," quod he · "his persone seestow neuere." [Piers] peres þe R. seestow] seest þow ROB.] ¶ "Where clerkes knowen hym," quod I · "þat kepen holykirke?" [Where] Wheiþer W. clerkes knowen] clergie knew CB. þat] þa R. kirke] cherche RCB.] ¶ "Clerkes haue no knowyng," quod he · "but by werkes and bi wordes. [knowyng] knowlechynge R. bi] COB om.] Line 192 Ac piers þe plowman · parceyueth more depper [Ac] An C. parceyueth] per|ceyued CO.] What is þe wille and wherfore · þat many wyȝte suffreth,

Et vidit deus cogitaciones eorum.

[[What W] þat LR (marked in L) Wher COB. þe] R om. wille] welle CB. wyȝte] wit R; a wiȝt O. Et] And R. vidit] vidis C.] For þere ar ful proude-herted men · paciente of tonge, [ar] er C; arn O; is B: herted] herte R.]

And boxome as of berynge · to burgeys and to lordes, [burgeys] burgeises W.] And to pore peple · han peper in þe nose, Line 197 And as a lyoun he loketh · þere men lakketh his werkes. ¶ For þere ar beggeres and bidderes · bed[e]men as it were, [ar] aren R; arn O; er C. [bedemen WROB] bedmen LC.] Loketh as lambren · and semen lyf-holy, [lambren] lambroun R; lam|bern C. semen] semed R. lyf] ful W.] Line 200 Ac it is more to haue her mete · with such an esy manere, [Ac] And C. with] on R; in COB. an] COB om.] Þan for penaunce and parfitnesse · þe pouerte þat such taketh. [and] or COB.] ¶ Þere-fore by coloure ne by clergye · knowe shaltow hym neuere, [coloure] colon B. hym] hem C; W om. Cf. l. 189.] Noyther þorw wordes ne werkes · but þorw wille one. And þat knoweth no clerke · ne creature in erthe, [ne] in (!) C. in] on W; an R.] Line 205 But piers þe plowman · petrus, id est, christus. [id est] i. W; hit is B.] For he ne is nouȝte in lolleres · ne in lande-leperes hermytes, [ne is] nys WR; is COB. lolleres] losellis O; freris B. lande|leperes] land-lepynge B.] Ne at ancres, þere a box hangeth · alle suche þei faiten. [at] in B.] Fy on faitoures · and in fautores suos! [faitoures] a faytour B. in] on C.] Line 209 For charyte is goddis champioun · and as A good chylde hende, And þe meryest of mouth · at mete where he sitteth. [meryest] merþe B. mouth] muthe R.] Þe loue þat lith in his herte · maketh hym lyȝte of speche, [þe] To R.] Line 212 And is [companable] and confortatyf · as cryst bit hym|selue,

Nolite fieri sicut ypocrite, tristes, &c.

[[companable RCO] compaign|able WB; compenable L. confort|atyf] confortif C. fieri—&c.] tristes fieri sicut yporcrite (sic) R.] For I haue seyn hym in sylke · and somme tyme in russet, [folio 65] [seyn] seyen W; seen O.] Bothe in grey and in grys · and in gulte herneys, [gulte] gilt WCOB. herneys] hernes C.] And as gladlich he it gaf · to gomes þat it neded. [as] also B.] Line 216 ¶ Edmonde and Edwarde · eyther were kynges, [eyther] ayther C; eyþer of hem B; boþe W.] And seyntes ysette · tyl charite hem folwed. [tyl] so R; for W.] ¶ I haue seyne charite also · syngen and reden, [seyne] yseyen WR. reden] redend (altered to redAnd) C.] Ryden and rennen · in ragged wedes, Line 220 Ac biddyng as beggeres · bihelde I hym neuere. [Ac] And C. beggeres] a begger B. bihelde] biholde C. I] CB om.] Ac in riche robes · rathest he walketh, [Ac] And C.] Ycalled and ycrimiled · and his crowne shaue, [and] O om. ycrimiled] I|crymeled R; y-crymyled W; ycry|maylid O; crymailed C. shaue] y|shaue WR; schauen O.] [And clenlich ycloþed · in cipres & in tartaryne.] [From O; also in CB; LWR omit. cipres] cipyrs C; purpre B. in (2)] B om. tartaryne] tarterine C. Possibly a spurious line; not in Crowley.] Line 224 And in a freres frokke · he was yfounde ones, [freres] frere R.] Ac it is ferre agoo · in seynt Fraunceys tyme; [Ac] And C. ferre] so in R; fer COB; fern W.] In þat secte sitthe · to selde hath he be knowen. [In] And in COB. he] O om. knowen] knowe R; founde W.] Line 227 ¶ Riche men he recomendeth · and of her robes taketh, [of] B om.] Þat with-outen wyles · leden her lyues,

Beatus est diues, qui, &c.

[est] B om.] ¶ In kynges courte he cometh ofte · þere þe conseille is trewe, Ac if coueityse be of þe conseille · he wil nouȝt come þer-inne. [Ac] And C. nouȝt] C om.] In courte amonge iaperes · he cometh but selde, [but] noȝt but WOB; nouȝt be C.] Line 232

Line 232 For braulyng and bakbytyng · and beryng of fals witnesse. [braulyng] braggyng B.] ¶ In þe constorie bifor þe comissarie · he cometh nouȝt ful ofte, [þe] B om. constorie] so in RB; Consistorie WCO. ful] ful (printed but) W.] For her lawe dureth ouer-longe · but if þei lacchen syluer; And matrimoigne for monye · maken & vnmaken, [monye] mone R.] Line 236 And þat conscience and cryst · hath yknitte faste, [yknitte] knyt C.] Þei vndon it vnworthily · þo doctours of lawe. [þei] þat C. þo] the C.] [¶ Amonges erchebischopes and oþer bischopes · And prelates of holy cherche, For to wonye with hem · his wone was sum tyme, Line 240 And cristes patrimonye to þe pore · parcel-mel dele. Ac auerice hath þe keyes now · and kepeth for his kynnesmen, And for his seketoures & his seruants · & somme for here children.] [239—243. In R only. Cf. C-Text.] ¶ Ac I ne lakke no lyf · but lorde, amende vs alle, [CB omit.] Line 244 And gyue vs grace, good god · charite to folwe! [And] But B. god] C om.] For who so myȝte mete with hym · such maneres hym eyleth, [with] myd W. eyleth] ayliþ OB; C om.] Noyther he blameth ne banneth · bosteth, ne prayseth, [blameth ne banneth] bannes ne blamed C; banneþ ne blameþ O; blanneþ ne blameþ B.] Lakketh, ne loseth · ne loketh vp sterne; [Transposed in COB. In pace—&c.] R om. id] C om.] Line 248 Craueth, ne coueiteth · ne crieth after more,

In pace in id-ipsum dormiam, &c.

[Transposed in COB. In pace—&c.] R om. id] C om.] Þe moste lyflode þat he lyueth by · is loue in goddis passioun, [þat] COB om. by] R om.] Noyther he biddeth, ne beggeth · ne borweth to ȝelde; [he] he ne R. ne (1)] ne he C.]

Misdoth he no man · ne with his mouth greueth. Line 252 ¶ Amonges cristene men · þis myldnesse shulde laste; In alle manere angres · haue þis at herte— [at] atte R.] Þat þough þei suffred al þis · god suffred for vs more, [god] go R.] In ensample we shulde do so · and take no veniaunce [shulde] schul C. no] R om.] Of owre foes þat doth vs falsenesse · þat is owre fadres wille. [owre] O om.] Line 257 For wel may euery man wite · if god hadde wolde hym|selue, [wel—man] euery man may wel R. hadde] R om. wolde] wold W; walde C. selue] sulue R.] Sholde neuere Iudas ne iuwe · haue Ihesu don on Rode, [Sholde] Shul C. ne] þe B.] Ne han martired peter ne Poule · ne in prisoun holden. [folio 65b] [han] haue RB.] Ac he suffred in ensample · þat we shulde suffre also, [Ac] And C. shulde] CB om.] And seide to suche þat suffre wolde · þat pacientes vincunt. ¶ Verbi gratia," quod he · "and verrey ensamples manye, In legenda sanctorum · þe lyf of holy seyntes, Line 264 What penaunce and pouerte · and passioun þei suffred, In hunger, in hete · in al manere angres. [in (2)] and in COB. manere] maneres C.] Antony and Egidie · and other holi fadres Woneden in wildernesse · amonge wilde bestes; [wildernesse] wildernesses R. amonge] amonges R.] Line 268 Monkes and mendynauntz · men bi hem-selue, In spekes an in spelonkes · selden speken togideres. [an] and WCROB. in] RCOB om. spelonkes] spekelonkes CB.] Ac noyther antony ne Egidy · ne hermite þat tyme [Ac] And C.] Of liouns ne of leoperdes · no lyflode ne toke, [liouns] leons W; lyons R; lyouns COB. ne (2)] þei B.] Line 272 But of foules þat fleeth · þus fynt men in bokes. [foules] þe foules R; foloughes (!) C. fleeth] fleigh C; flyen O. þus] þat B. fynt] fyndeþ W; fyndes C.] Excepte þat Egydie · after an hynde cryede,

And þorw þe mylke of þat mylde best · þe man was susteyned; [mylde] meke R; hynde B. susteyned] ysusteyned R.] And day by day had he hir nouȝt · his hunger forto slake, [And] Ac R (which seems better).] Line 276 But selden and sondrie tymes · as seith þe boke and techeth. [tymes] tyme R. seith] sayes C. techeth] teches C.] ¶ Antony a dayes · aboute none tyme, [a dayes] on a day R. none] þe noon O.] Had a bridde þat brouȝte hym bred · þat he by lyued; [bred] his brede R.] And þough þe gome hadde a geste · god fonde hem bothe. Line 280 ¶ Poule primus heremita · had parroked hym-selue, [had parroked] and parroke (!) C; hadde parroked in R.] Þat no man miȝte hym se · for mosse and for leues; Foules hym fedde · fele wynteres with alle, Til he founded freres · of austines ordre. [ordre] ordre or ellis freris lyen B.] Line 284 Poule, after his prechyng · panyers he made, [Poule] An-oþer poule O. panyers] payneres R.] And wan with his hondes · þat his wombe neded. [his (1)] R om.] Peter fisched for his fode · and his felawe andrewe; Some þei solde and some þei sothe · and so þei lyued bothe. [solde] shalde C. sothe] soþen O; seþ B; sethed C; soden W; eeten R.] Line 288 And also Marie Magdeleyne · by mores lyued and dewes, [Magdaleyne] Maudeleyne W RO. lyued] R om. and] and by R.] Ac moste þorw deuocioun · and mynde of god almiȝty. [Ac] And C.] I shulde nouȝt þis seuene dayes · seggen hem alle, [shulde] shol C. seggen] tellen C.] Þat lyueden þus for owre lordes loue · manye longe ȝeres. [manye—ȝeres] amonges wilde bestes R.] Line 292

Line 292 Ac þere ne was lyoun ne leopart · þat on laundes wenten, [lyoun] leon W. leopart] leopard W; leopartz R; lyberde C.] Noyther bere, ne bor · ne other best wilde, Þat ne fel to her feet · and fauned with þe tailles. [ne] hit ne B. fel] fil WB. þe] hir C; here B. tailles] taile R.] And if þei couth han ycarped · by cryst, as I trowe, Þei wolde haue fedde þat folke · bifor wilde foules. Line 297 [For alle þe curteisie þat bestes kunne · þei kidde þat folke ofte [In R only.] In likkyng and in lowynge · þere þei on laundes ȝede.] [In R only.] Ac god sent hem fode bi foules · and by no fierse bestes, [Ac] And C. foules] fowle C. no] none B.] In menynge þat meke þinge · mylde þinge shulde fede; [shulde] schul C.] As who seith, religious · ryȝtful men shulde fynde, [As] As (printed Ac) W. re|ligious] Religiouses WO. shulde] schol C. fynde] fede W.] Line 302 And lawful men to lyf-holy men · lyflode brynge. [brynge] sholde brynge W.] And þanne wolde lordes and ladyes · be loth to agulte, And to take of her tenauntz · more þan treuth wolde, Fonde þei þat Freres · wolde forsake her almesses, [Fonde] so in R; Founde (printed Foulde) W; Founde CB; Founden O. almesses] almesse CR; almysse B.] Line 306 And bidden hem bere it · þere it was yborwed. [hem] hym B. yborwed] borwed R.] For we ben goddes foules · and abiden alwey, [folio 66] [In margin of O—Dietyng of religious.] Line 308 Tyl briddes brynge vs · þat we shulde lyue by. [vs] vs meet C; vs mete OB.] For had ȝe potage and payn ynough · and peny-ale to drynke, [had] haue O. ynough] O om.] And a messe þere-mydde · of o manere kynde, [a messe] a mees W; on messe R. þere-mydde] therwith C; þe mydde B. o] on R; any COB.] Ȝe had riȝt ynough, ȝe Religious · and so ȝowre reule me tolde: Line 312

Nunquam, dicit Iob, rugi[e]t [onager] cum herbam habuerit? aut mugiet bos cum ante plenum presepe steterit?

brutorum animalium natura te condempnat, quia cum eis pabulum commune sufficiat; ex adipe prodijt iniquitas tua.

[had] han O. rugiet] so in R; rugit WCOB. [onager WCROB] oner|ger L. herbam habuerit] habuerit herbam R. brutorum—sufficiat] R om. quia] O om.] Line 312 ¶ If lewed men knewe þis latyn · þei wolde loke whom þei ȝeue, [whom] wham R. ȝeue] gyfue C.] And auyse hem bifore · a fyue dayes or sexe, [a] RO om.] Or þei amortesed to monkes · or chanouns her rentes. [Or] Er WOB; Ar RC. amortesed] amortiseden C; mortise|den O; enmorteysed B. rentes] rente W.] Allas! lordes and ladyes · lewed conseille haue ȝe Line 316 To ȝyue fram ȝowre eyres · þat ȝowre ayeles ȝow lefte, [ȝowre (2)] C om. ayeles] Ailes C. ȝow lefte] hadde CB.] And ȝiueth to bidde for ȝow · to such þat ben riche, [ȝiueth] ȝyueþ it WB. to (2)] to (misprinted Fo) W. þat] as R.] And ben founded and feffed eke · to bidde for other. [founded] I-founded R.] ¶ Who perfourneth þis prophecye · of the peple þat now lybbeth,

Dispersit, dedit pauperibus, &c.?

[þis] the COB. dedit] deus B.] Line 320 If any peple perfourme þat texte · it ar þis pore freres! [þat] this COB. ar] er C. þis] þe B. In margin of O—Deri|dendo.] For þat þei beggen abouten · in buildynge þei spene, [spene] spenen O; spende RB; spende it WC.] And on hem-self sum · and such as ben her laboreres, [such as] on hym þat B. as] R om.] And of hem þat habbeth þei taken · and ȝyue hem þat ne habbeth! [hem (1)] CB om. þei taken] y-take B. and] B om. ȝyue] ȝyueþ W; ȝeuen B; gyfes C. ne] na C; nede B; W om.] Line 324 ¶ Ac clerkes & knyȝtes · and comuneres þat ben riche, [Ac] And C; As B.] Fele of ȝow fareth · as if I a forest hadde, Þat were ful of faire trees · and I fonded and caste [I] B om. fonded and] fond and B; foonddand C.]

How I myȝte mo þer-inne · amonges hem sette. Line 328 Riȝt so, ȝe riche · ȝe robeth þat ben riche, [ȝe (1)] þe B. robeth] so in W; robet C; robbeth R; robben O; rob|biþ B. See l. 333.] And helpeth hem þat helpeth ȝow · and ȝiueth þere no nede is. As who so filled a tonne · of a fresshe ryuer, [tonne] toune or tonne W; tonne ful R; tunne OB. fresshe] ful R.] And went forth with þat water · to woke with themese, [woke—themese] wooke wiþ þe temse O. In margin of O—Quid est dare impijs.] Riȝt so, ȝe riche · ȝe robeth and fedeth [robeth] so in WC; robbeth R; robben O; robbiþ B.] Line 333 Hem þat han as ȝe han; · hem ȝe make at ese. ¶ Ac Religious þat riche ben · shulde rather feste beggeres [Ac] And C. feste] fede R.] Þan burgeys þat riche ben · as þe boke techeth;

Quia sacrilegium est res pauperum non pauperi|bus dare.

Item, peccatoribus dare, est demonibus immolare.

Item, monache, si indiges et accipis, pocius das quam accipis. Si autem non eges, & accipis, rapis.

Porro, non indiget Monachus, si habeat quod nature sufficit.

[burgeys] burgeises W. I|tem (1)] Item idem R. Item (2)—rapis] R om.] Line 336 For-þi I conseille alle cristene · to confourmen hem to charite; [confourmen] conforte B.] For charite with-oute chalengynge · vnchargeth þe soule, [þe soule] R om.] And many a prisone fram purgatorie · þorw his preyeres he delyu[e]reth. [his] is B. he] COB om.; is R. delyuereth] so in WOB; deliueres C; deliuered R; delyureth L.] Ac þere is a defaute in þe folke · þat þe faith kepeth; Wherfore folke is þe feblere · and nouȝt ferme of bilieue. [Wherfore] Where R. is] been O. feblere] fibler C.] Line 341

Line 341 As in lussheborwes is a lyther alay · and ȝet loketh he lyke a sterlynge, [As] And COB. lyther] luþer W.] Þe merke of þat mone is good · ac þe metal is fieble; [mone] moneie C; monee W. uc] and C.] And so it fareth by some folke now · þei han a faire speche, [folio 66b] Line 344 Croune and crystendome · þe kynges merke of heuene, Ac þe metal, þat is mannes soule · with synne is foule alayed; [Ac þe] And þat C. mannes] man C. alayed] allaied C.] Bothe lettred and lewede · beth allayed now with synne, [CB omit.] That no lyf loueth other · ne owre lorde, as it semeth. [it semeth] I leue O.] For þorw werre and wykked werkes · and wederes vn|resonable [For] For what R.] Line 349 Wederwise shipmen · and witti clerkes also [witti] O om.] Han no bilieue to þe lifte · ne to þe lore of philosofres. [lifte] lif B. philosofres] phi|losophie B.] ¶ Astrymyanes alday · in her arte faillen, [Astrymyanes] Astrimyanes R; Astromyens OB; Astronomiens WC.] Line 352 Þat whilum warned bifore · what shulde falle after. [falle] byfalle R.] Shipmen and shep[h]erdes · þat with shipp & shepe wenten, [Shipmen] Chapmen CB. shepherdes] so in W; schepherdes R; sheperdes L; scheperdis B; shiperdes C; heerdis O. shepe] shipmen CB.] Wisten by þe walkene · what shulde bityde; [walkene] walkne W; wolken C; welken OB; wakkne R.] As of wederes and wyndes · þei warned men ofte. [As] And B. and] and of RB.] Line 356 Tilieres þat tiled þe erthe · tolden her maistres, [tiled] tilien B.] By þe sede þat þei sewe · what þei selle miȝte, [By] Whi B.] And what to lene and [what] to lyue by · þe londe was so trewe. [[what WCOB] LR om. lyue] leue RB.] Line 359 Now failleth þe folke of þe flode · and of þe londe bothe, [þe (2)] O om.]

Shep[h]erdes and shipmen · and so do þis tilieres; [Shepherdes] so in WO; Shep|erdes L; Schipherdes C; Scheperdes R; sheepperdis B.] Line 361 Noither þei kunneth ne knoweth · one cours bi-for an|other. [kunneth—knoweth] kanne ne knawes C.] Astrymyanes also · aren at her wittes ende; [Astrymyanes] Astrimyanes R; Astromyens B; Astronomyens WCO.] Of þat was calculed of þe element · þe contrarie þei fynde. [þe element] þe elementz C; þe elementis OB; clement (sic) R.] Line 364 Gramer, þe grounde of al · bigyleth now children; [bigyleth] bigles (sic) C.] For is none of þis newe clerkes · who so nymeth hede, [newe] now CB. nymeth] takes C.] Þat can versifye faire · ne formalich enditen; [W omits. enditen] endenten R.] Ne nouȝt on amonge an hundreth · þat an auctour can construe, [Ne nouȝt] Nauȝt W; Is not O.] Line 368 Ne rede a lettre in any langage · but in latyn or in englissh. [in (2)] COB om. or in] and COB.] Go now to any degre · and but if gyle be mayster, [if] B om. be] me (!) C.] And flaterere his felawe · vnder hym to fourmen, [flaterere] flatre R.] Moche wonder me thynketh · amonges vs alle. [Moche] And muche R.] Line 372 Doctoures of decres · and of diuinite Maistres, Þat shulde konne and knowe · alkynnes clergye, [alkynnes] alkynne R; alle kynnes WCB; alkyns OB.] And answere to argumentz · and also to a quodlibet, (I dar nouȝt seggen it for shame) · if suche weren apposed, Line 376 Þei shulde faillen in her philosofye · and in phisyk bothe. [in (1)] of WCOB. in (2)] in her O; B om.] Wher-fore I am afered · of folke of holikirke, Lest þei ouerhuppen as other don · in offices & in houres. [ouerhuppen] ouer-hippen RCB. offices] office W.]

Ac if þei ouerhuppe, as I hope nouȝte · owre byleue suffiseth; [Ac if] And if WC; Ac þouȝ R. ouerhuppe] oue-hippe (sic) R; ouer|hyppe CB. suffiseth] suffise C; suffi|cit R.] Line 380 As clerkes in corpus-christi feste · singen & reden, [singen—reden] syngynge and redynge C.] Þat sola fides sufficit · to saue with lewed peple. ¶ And so may sarasenes be saued · scribes and iewes; [may] many B.] Allas þanne! but owre loresmen · lyuen as þei leren vs, [lyuen] leuen CB.] And, for her lyuynge, þat lewed men · be þe lother god agulten. [agulten] agylte C; to agulten O; a-gilten B.] For sarasenes han somwhat · semynge to owre bileue, For þei loue and bileue · in o persone almiȝty; [o] on R; oo B.] And we, lered and lewede · in on god bileueth. [bileueth] bileues C; beleuen O; almyȝty W; Crowley has beleue. Here R adds a line, which seems superfluous—Cristene and vncristene · on one god bileueth.] Line 388 Ac one Makometh, a man · in mysbileue [Ac] And WO; An C. in] of (!) O.] Brouȝte sarasenes of Surre · and se in what manere. [Brouȝte] at the end of l. 389 in W.] Þis Makometh was a crystene man · and for he moste nouȝte be a pope, [folio 67] [a] RCOB om. crystene] cristend C. man] WCOB om.] In-to Surre he souȝte · and þorw his sotil wittes Line 392 Daunted a dowue · and day and nyȝte hir fedde; [Daunted] He daunted W.] Þe corne þat she cropped · he caste it in his ere. [ere] here R.] And if he amonge þe poeple preched · or in places come, [R omits.] [places] place CB. come] commue (sic) B.] Þanne wolde þe coluer come · to þe clerkes ere, [R omits.] [þe (1)] C om. to] in-to O.] Line 396 Menynge as after meet · þus Makometh hir enchaunted, [as] B om. enchaunted] chaunted R.] A[nd] dide folke þanne falle on knees · for he swore in his prechynge, [And WCROB] A L.] Þat þe coluer þat come so · come fram god of heuene [coluer] culuer RB.]

As messager to Makometh · men forto teche. [As] And R.] Line 400 And þus þorw wyles of his witte · and a whyte dowue, [a] B om.] Makometh in mysbileue · men and wommen brouȝte, Þat lered þere and lewed ȝit · lyuen on his lawes. [lered—lewed] lyued þo þere and lyue W. þere] CB om. lyuen] leuen RCO; leeuen W; lieuen B. Cf. l. 576.] ¶ And sitth owre saueoure suffred · þe sarasenes so bigiled, [so] þus B.] Line 404 Þorw a crystene clerke · acursed in his soule; Ac for drede of þe deth · I dar nouȝt telle treuthe, [Ac] so in R; And COB; W om.] How englissh clerkes a coluer feden · þat coueityse hatte, [hatte] hiȝte W; hatteþ B.] And ben manered after Makometh · þat no man vseth treuth. [vseth] vsed C.] Line 408 ¶ Ancres and hermytes · and monkes and freres Peren to apostles · þorw her parfit lyuynge. [Peren] Peeren W; Peres R. to] to þe W.] Wolde neuere þe faithful fader · þat his min[i]stres sholde [fader] fadiþ B. ministres WC] mynystres O; mynystris B; minstres LR; Crowley has ministers.] Line 411 Of tyrauntz þat teneth trewe men · taken any almesse, [teneth] tenees C.] But done as Antony did · Dominik and Fraunceys, [Antony] domynyk O. Do|minik] antony O. and] or R.] Benet & Bernarde · þe which hem firste tauȝte To lyue bi litel & in lowe houses · by lele mennes almesse. [&] O om. almesse] fyndynge R.] Line 415 Grace sholde growe & be grene · þorw her good lyuynge, [Grace] Grasse R. good] lele R.] And folkes sholde fynde · þat ben in dyuerse sykenesse, [folkes] folke RC. fynde] fare W (which seems better, but lacks authority); Crowley has find.] Þe better for her byddynges · in body and in soule. Her preyeres and her penaunces · to pees shulde brynge [shulde] schuld hem R.] Alle þat ben at debate · and bedemen were trewe; Line 420

Petite & accipietis, &c.

Line 420 Salt saueth catel · seggen þis wyues;

Vos estis sal terre, &c.

[catel] þe catel WB. seggen] saynge C.] Line 421 Þe heuedes of holicherche · and þei holy were, [heuedes] heedis O.] Cryst calleth hem salt · for crystene soules;

Et si sal euanuerit, in quo salietur.

[crystene] cristynes C; cristned B.] Ac fresshe flesshe other fisshe · whan it salt failleth, [Ac] For W; And C.] It is vnsauory, for soth · ysothe or ybake. [ysothe] so in O; y-sothen B; ysoothe C; sothen R; ysoden W; Crowley has sodden. ybake] baken R.] Line 425 So is mannes soule sothly · þat seeth no good ensaumple [seeth] sayes C. ensaumple] ensamples W; saumple B.] Of hem of holycherche · þat þe heigh weye shulde teche, And be gyde, and go bifore · as a good baneoure, [baneoure] banner C; but in margin of C is baneour; Banyer W.] Line 428 And hardy hem þat bihynde ben · and ȝiue hem good euydence. [bihynde ben] been bihynde O.] ¶ Elleuene holy men · al þe worlde torned [Elleuene] Enleuene B.] In-to lele byleue; · þe liȝtloker, me thynketh, [liȝtloker] liȝtliker O. thynk|eth] thynke C.] Shulde al maner men · we han so manye Maistres, Line 432 Prestes and prechoures · and a pope aboue, Þat goddes salt shulde be · to saue mannes soule. [folio 67b] ¶ Al was hethenesse some tyme · Ingelond and Wales, [Ingelond] Engelond WC; Eng|lond O; englong B; england R.] Til Gregory gerte clerkes · to go here and preche. [gerte] so in CO; garte W; and grete RB. to—and] to go and to RCO; gunnen go and B.] Line 436 Austyn at Caunterbury · crystened þe kynge, [kynge] kynge þere R.] And þorw myracles, as men may rede · al þat marche he torned [may] so in R; mowe C; mowen O; mown B; mow (printed now) W.] To cryst and to crystendome · and crosse to honoure, And fulled folke faste · and þe faith tauȝte [fulled] follede W. faste] R om.] Line 440 More þorw miracles · þan þorw moche prechynge,

As wel þorw his werkes · as with his holy wordes, And seyde hem what fullynge · and faith was to mene. [what] wat was B.] ¶ Cloth þat cometh fro þe weuyng · is nouȝt comly to were, Line 444 Tyl it is fulled vnder fote · or in fullyng stokkes, [is] so in R and Crowley; be WCOB. fulled] foulled (!) C. stokkes] stoke B.] Wasshen wel with water · and with taseles cracched, [Wasshen] I-waschen R. taseles] taselles C; taslis B.] Ytouked, and ytented · & vnder tailloures hande. [Ytouked] Ywalked C. ytented] so in C; tentted R; y-teynted WOB. hande] handes R.] And so it fareth by a barne · þat borne is of wombe, [And] Riȝt W. of] of a W.] Til it be crystened in crystes name · and confermed of þe bisshop, Line 449 It is hethene as to heueneward · and helpelees to þe soule. ¶ Hethene is to mene after heth · and vntiled erthe; As in wilde wildernesse · wexeth wilde bestes, Line 452 Rude and vnresonable · rennenge with-out [croperes]. [[croperes C] croperis B; cropers (and crepers in margin) O; cropiers W; keperes R; miswritten creperes in L; Crowley has cropers.] ¶ Ȝe [mynnen] wel how matheu seith · how a man made a feste; [[mynnen W] menen O (and Crowley); miswritten nymmen in L; nemen B; take CR; observe the al|literation. how] hede whate R.] He fedde hem with no venysoun · ne fesauntes ybake, [hem] hem (printed him) W.] But with foules þat fram hym nolde · but folwed his whistellynge;

Ecce altilia mea & omnia parata sunt, &c.;

[folwed] folowen C; folwe B. altilia] volatilia B.] Line 456 And wyth calues flesshe he fedde · þe folke þat he loued. [And] O om.] Þe calfe bytokeneth clennesse · in hem þat kepeth lawes. ¶ For as þe cow þorw kynde mylke · þe calf norissheth til an oxe, [norissheth] norisshe C.] So loue and lewte · lele men susteyneth, [So] So doth R. and] & and L (by mistake). lele] and lele R. susteyneth] sustened CB.] Line 460

Line 460 And maydenes and mylde men · mercy desiren; Riȝt as þe cow-calf · coueyteth swete mylke, [as] so O. swete mylke] melk swete W.] So don riȝtful men · mercy & treuthe. [And by þe hande-fedde foules · his folk vnderstonde, Þat loth ben to louye · with-outen lernynge of en|saumples. [louye] written like louþe.] Line 465 Riȝt as capones in a court · cometh to mennes whist|lynge, In menynge after mete · folweth men þat whistlen, Riȝt so rude men · þat litel reson cunneth, Line 468 Louen and by-leuen · by lettred mennes doynges, And by here wordes and werkes · wenen and trowen. And, as tho foules to fynde · fode after whistlynge, So hope þei to haue · heuene þoruȝ her whistlynge. Line 472 And by þe man þat made þe feste · þe mageste bymeneth; Þat is, god of his grace · gyueth al men blisse; With wederes and with wondres · he warneth vs with a whistlere, Where þat his wille is · to worschipen vs alle, Line 476 And feden vs and festen vs · for euere-more at ones.] [464—477. In R only. A very curious passage. Cf. l. 456 above.] ¶ Ac who beth þat excuseth hem · þat aren persounes and prestes, [Ac] And C. beth] ben C. þat (2)] R om. aren] so in RC; arn OB; ben W.] Þat heuedes of holycherche ben · þat han her wille here, [heuedes] hedes CB. cherche] cherches R.] With-oute trauaille, þe tithe del · þat trewemen biswynkyn, Line 480 Þei wil be wroth for I write þus · ac to witnesse I take [wil] wol W; wole R; wolen O; wiln B. ac to] ac OB; and C.] Bothe Mathew and Marke · and Memento-domine|dauid;

[Ecce audiuimus eam in effrata, &c.]

[[Ecce—&c.] in R only; eam is miswritten eum; see Pass. X. 68.] What Pope or prelate now · perfourneth þat cryst hiȝte,

Ite in vniversum mundum & predicate, &c.?

¶ Allas! þat men so longe · on Makometh shulde byleue, [shulde] schullen R. byleue] so beleue O.] Line 484 So many prelates to preche · as þe Pope maketh, Of Nazareth, of Nynyue · of Neptalim, and damaske, Þat þei ne went as cryst wisseth · sithen þei wil[ne] a name, [wisseth] wissed C. [wilne a R] wil a L; wille haue W; wol haue C; wolen haue OB; but R is right.] ¶ To be pastours and preche · þe passioun of Ihesus, [folio 68] [þe passioun—seyde] re|tained in MS. W, but omitted in printed copy. so] W om. deye] to dye W. ponit] B om.] And as hym-self seyde · so to lyue and deye;

Bonus pastor animam suam ponit, &c.;

[þe passioun—seyde] re|tained in MS. W, but omitted in printed copy. so] W om. deye] to dye W. ponit] B om.] Line 489 And seyde it in sauacioun · of sarasenes & other. [it] it is B.] For crystene & vncristene · cryst seide to prechoures,

Ite vos in vineam meam

[For] To R. &] and to R.] And sith þat þis sarasenes · scribes, & Iuwes [sith] sitthen R.] Line 492 Han a lippe of owre byleue · þe liȝtloker, me thynketh, [Han] Hand (!) C. liȝtloker] liȝtliker O; lightlier WC. me thynk|eth] it semeth R.] Þei shulde torne, who so trauaille wolde · to teche hem of þe Trinite,

Querite & inuenietis, &c.

[trauaille wolde] trauailed W. to] & R.] ¶ It is reuth to rede · how riȝtwis men lyued, How þei defouled her flessh · forsoke her owne wille, [forsoke] & forsoken B.] Fer fro kitth and fro kynne · yuel yclothed ȝeden, Line 497 Badly ybedded · no boke but conscience, [Badly] ful baddeli B.] Ne no richchesse but þe Rode · to reioyse hem Inne;

Absit nobis gloriari, nisi in cruce domininostri, &c.

¶ And þo was plente & pees · amonges pore & riche; And now is routhe to rede · how þe red noble [red] reed C; rede B.] Line 501 Is reuerenced or þe Rode · receyued for þe worthier [or] er WCOB. receyued] and receyued WB. þe (2)] W om.]

Þan crystes crosse, þat ouer-cam · deþ and dedly synne. ¶ And now is werre and wo · and who so why axeth, [axeth] askeþ W.] For coueityse after crosse · þe croune stant in golde. [stant] standes C.] Bothe riche and religious · þat Rode þei honoure, Line 506 Þat in grotes is ygraue · and in golde nobles. [in (2)] C om. nobles] nobiles C.] For coueityse of þat crosse · men of holykirke Shul tourne as templeres did · þe tyme approcheth faste. [tourne] ouerturne B.] ¶ Wyte ȝe nouȝt, wyse men · how þo men honoured [wyse] ye wise WO. In margin of L—the fall of the church throwgh covitovsnes (in a later hand).] More tresore þan treuthe? · I dar nouȝt telle þe sothe; Resoun & riȝtful dome · þo Religious demed. [þo] þoo O; þe W. demed] damneden B.] Line 512 Riȝt so, ȝe clerkes · for ȝowre coueityse, ar longe, Shal þei demen dos ecclesie · and ȝowre pryde depose,

Deposuit potentes de sede, &c.

[þei] glossed i. resoun &c. in L.] ¶ Ȝif knyȝthod & kynde wytte · and comune con|science [comune] þe commune by W; comune & B. Crowley has—& com|mune by conscience.] Togideres loue lelly · leueth it wel, ȝe bisshopes, Line 516 Þe lordeship of londes · for euere shal ȝe lese, [londes] youre londes W. shal ȝe] ȝe schul O; ye shul CB.] And lyuen as leuitici · as owre lorde ȝow techeth,

Per primicias & decimas.

[lyuen] leuen C. ȝow] W om. decimas] diuicias CB.] ¶ Whan costantyn of curteysye · holykirke dowed With londes and ledes · lordeshipes and rentes, Line 520 An Angel men herde · an heigh at Rome crye, [an heigh] on hyȝ O; on heiȝ B.] 'Dos ecclesie þis day · hath ydronke venym, [In margin of O—Hodie vene|num est effusum in ecclesia domini.] And þo þat han petres powere · arn apoysoned alle.' A medecyne mote þer-to · þat may amende prelates, [mote] moot W; mot C; mo B; muste O.] Þat sholden preye for þe pees; · possessioun hem letteth, [folio 68b] Take her landes, ȝe lordes · and let hem lyue by dymes. [let hem] leteth hym C. dymes] dismes CB.]

If possessioun be poysoun · & inparfit hem make, [In margin of L (in a late hand)—a medycyne to emende pre|lates, &c.] Good were to dischargen hem · for holicherche sake, [were] it were B. cherche] so in CB; chirches WO.] And purgen hem of poysoun · or more perile falle. [of] of þat B. or] er WCOB.] Line 529 ¶ Ȝif presthod were parfit · þe peple s[h]olde amende, [presthod] prested C. sholde] solde L, but marked; schul C.] Þat contrarien crystes lawe · and crystendome dispise. [495—531. R omits.] For al paynym[es] prayeth · and parfitly bileueth [paynymes] so in WCROB; paynym L. prayeth] preire B. and—bileueth] to on persone to helpe R.] Line 532 In þe holy grete god · and his grace þei asken, [In—god] On o god þei greden R. þei] R om.] And make her mone to makometh · her message to shewe. Þus in a faith lyueth þat folke · and in a false mene, [in (2)] B om.] And þat is routhe for riȝtful men · þat in þe Rewme wonyen, [for] for þe R.] Line 536 And a peril to þe pope · and prelatis þat he maketh, [a] in a CB; in O. and (2)] and to R.] Þat bere bisshopes names · of Bedleem & babiloigne; [bere] bereth R. Bedleem] Bethleem WRCOB. &] and of RCOB.] [¶ Whan þe heye kynge of heuene · sent his sone to erthe, Many miracles he wrouȝte · man for to turne; Line 540 In ensaumple þat men schulde se · þat by sadde resoun Men miȝt nouȝt be saued · but þoruȝ mercy and grace, And thoruȝ penaunce and passion · and parfit byle[f]; [bylef] miswritten byle in R; cf. C-text.] And by-cam man of a mayde · and metropolitanus, And baptised and [bishoped] · with þe blode of his herte [[bishoped] written bischiued in R; cf. C-text.] Line 545 Alle þat wilned, and [wolde] · with inne-wit by-leue it. [[wolde] woled R; cf. C-text. inne-wit] a better spelling would be inwit.]

Many a seint sytthen · hath soffred to deye, Al for to enforme þe faith · in fele contreyes deyeden, In ynde and in alisaundre · in ermonye and in Spayne, In delfol deth deyeden · for there faith sake; Line 550 In sauacion of þe fayth · seynt thomas was ymartired, [thomas] nearly erased in R; cf. C-text.] Amonges vn-kende cristene · for cristes loue he deyede, And for þe riȝt of al þis reume · and al reumes cristene. Holy cherche is honoured · heyȝliche þoruȝ his deynge, He is a forbysene to alle bishopes · and a briȝt myroure, And souereyneliche to suche · þat of surrye bereth þe name,] [539—556. In R only. Properly, this passage belongs to the C-text, as, in the other MSS., l. 538 is closely joined to the line following it. Thus we find in L—of Bedleem & babi|loigne, þat hippe aboute in Engelonde, &c. See l. 557.] Line 556 Þat hippe aboute in Engelonde · to halwe mennes auteres, [hippe] huppe WO. in] O om. Engelonde] Englong B. In R the line is—And nauȝt to huppe aboute here in englande · for to halwe autres.] And crepe amonges curatoures · [and] confessen ageyne þe lawe,

Nolite mittere falcem in messem alienam, &c.

[crepe] crepe in R. curatoures] creatouris (!) B. [and WR] LCOB om. confessen] confesse men R; con|fessioun B. alienam] R om.] Many man for crystes loue · was martired in Romanye, [Many] Many a R. in Ro|manye] in Romayne WCOB; in Ro|maigne C; amonges romaynes R.] Er any crystendome was knowe þere · or any crosse honoured. [Er] Er ar LC (by mistake); Er W; Ar R; er þat B; Er þan O. any] R om. was] were R. crosse] cros þere R.] Line 560 ¶ Euery bisshop þat bereth crosse · by þat he is holden, [he] R om.] Thorw his prouynce to passe · and to his peple to shewe hym, Tellen hem and techen hem · on þe Trinite to bileue, [techen] schewen R. on] of OB.] And feden hem with gostly fode · [and nedy folke to fynden. Line 564 Ac ysaie of ȝow speketh · and osyas bothe, Þat no man schuld be bischope · but if he hadde bothe,

Bodily fode and gostly fode] · and gyue þere it nedeth; [564—567. [and nedy—fode] In R only. Not in C-text. Omitted in LWCOB, probably owing to the repe|tition of gostly fode.]

In domo mea non est panis neque vestimentum, et ideo nolite constituere me regem.

[and (2)] to R. nedeth] nedede R. me] me in CB. After regem both L and R add—yz: meaning yzaias (Isaiah). Cf. l. 565.] Ozias seith for such · þat syke ben and fieble,

Inferte omnes decimas in oreum meum, vt [sit] cibus in domo mea.

[oreum] so in LCRB; orreum W. [sit O] LWCROB om. mea] CB om.] Line 568 ¶ Ac we crystene creatures · þat on þe crosse byleuen, [Ac] And C.] Aren ferme as in þe faith · goddes forbode elles! [ferme] for me (!) R.] And han clerkes to kepen vs þer-Inne · and hem þat shal come after vs. [vs (2)] COB om.] ¶ And iewes lyuen in lele lawe · owre lorde wrote it hym-selue, [it] OB om.] Line 572 In stone, for it stydfast was · and stonde sholde eure— [was] is COB. sholde] schal O.] Dilige deum & proximum · is parfit iewen lawe— [proximum] proximum tuum O. iewen] Iues O.] And toke it moyses to teche men · til Messye come; [And] And he C; Ac he B. men] it hem R. Messye] messias B.] And on þat lawe þei [lyuen] ȝit · and leten it þe beste. [on] O om. lyuen] lyue WO; leuen CB; leue R. Cf. ll. 403, 576. ȝit] R om.] ¶ And ȝit knewe þei cryst · þat crystendome tauȝte, [knewe] knowen O; knowe B; knaw C.] For a parfit prophete · þat moche peple saued [For] And for R.] Line 578 Of selcouth sores · þei [seyen] it ofte, [[seyen RB] seyn C; seiȝen WO; seyne L (but see Pass. xvi, 116, 117).] Bothe of myracles & meruailles · and how he men fested [meruailles] miruaille C. &] and of B. he] R om.] With two fisshes an fyve loues · fyue thousande peple; [an] and WCROB.] And bi þat maungerye men miȝte wel se · þat Messye he semed. [men] þei R.] Line 582 And whan he luft vp lazar · þat layde was in graue, [luft] lufte R; lifte WCOB.]

And vnder stone ded & stanke · with styf voys hym called,

Lazare, veni foras,

[ded—stanke] stanke and dede R. hym] he COB.] Line 584 Dede hym rise and rowme · riȝt bifor þe iuwes. [folio 69] Ac þei seiden and sworen · with sorcerye he wrouȝte, [Ac] And C.] And studyeden to stroyen hym · and stroyden hem|self; [studyeden] stoded C. stroyen] struyen WR. hym] C om. stroyden] struyden W; struyeden R.] And þorw his pacyence her powere · to pure nouȝt he brouȝte,

Pacientes vincunt.

Line 588 ¶ Danyel of her vndoynge · deuyned and seyde,

Cum sanctus sanctorum veniat, cessabit vnxio vestra.

[vndoynge] vndirstondyng (!) B. sanctus—vestra] veniat sanctus sanctorum, &c. R.] And ȝet wenen þo wrecches · þat he were pseudo-pro|pheta, [ȝet] W om. þo] the CB.] Line 590 And þat his lore be lesynges · and lakken it alle, [CB om.] And hopen þat he be to come · þat shal hem releue, Moyses eft, or Messye · here maisteres ȝet deuyneth. [here—ȝet] ȝet here maystries R.] ¶ Ac pharesewes and sarasenes · Scribes & Grekis [Ac—sarasenes] Ac farisewes and sarasines R; And sarazens and pharasees COB. Grekis] so in OB; grekes CR; Iewes W. Crowley has Grekes.] Line 594 Aren folke of on faith · þe fader god þei honouren; [of] B om.] And sitthen þat þe sarasenes · and also þe iewes Konne þe firste clause of owre bileue · credo in deum

patrem omnipotentem,

[Konne] Kunnen R. omnipo|tentem] COB om.] Prelates of crystene prouynces · shulde preue, if þei myȝte, [prouynces] prouince R.] Line 598 Lere hem litlum & lytlum · & in ihesum christum filium, [Lere] To lere WB. filium] filium eius, &c. COB.]

Tyl þei couthe speke and spelle · et in spiritum sanctum, [et] and R.] And rendren it & recorden it · with remissionem peccatorum, [rendren] reden WCROB; Crowley has reade. Yet rendren seems right.] Line 601

Carnis resurreccionem, et vitam eternam; amen."

PASSUS XVI. (DO-BET I.)

[TITLE. So in LW; Passus xvius OC; Passus xvus de visione vt supra R; Passus septodecimus et secundus de dobet B.] Passus xvj ^us, & primus de dobet.

"Now faire falle ȝow!" quod I þo · "for ȝowre faire shewynge, For haukynnes loue þe actyf man · euere I shal ȝow louye; Ac ȝet I am in a were · what charite is to mene." ¶ "It is a ful trye tree," quod he · "trewly to telle. [trye] tried O. trewly] treuthe R.] Line 4 Mercy is þe more þer-of · þe myddel stokke is reuthe, [more] moore O. reuthe] rycthe (sic) C.] Þe leues ben lele wordes · þe lawe of holycherche, Þe blosmes beth boxome speche · and benygne lokynge; Pacience hatte þe pure tre · and pore symple of herte, [and pore] so in R; and pouere C; and pure WO; pore and B.] Line 8 And so, þorw god and þorw good men · groweth þe frute charite." [þorw (2)] RCB om. þe] þat B. charite] caritas B.] ¶ "I wolde trauaille," quod I, "þis tree to se · twenty hundreth myle, [wolde] wole B.] And forto haue my fylle of þat frute · forsake al other saulee. [forto] to CROB. fylle] fulle WB. saulee] so in C; saule OB; soule R; saulees W. In margin of R—Agite penitenciam. Cf. Pass. xiii. 48.] [edulium.] Lorde," quod I, "if any wiȝte wyte · whider-oute it groweth?" [oute] out þat R.] Line 12

Line 12 ¶ "It groweth in [a] gardyne," quod he · "þat god made hym-seluen, [[a WCROB] L om.] Amyddes mannes body · þe more is of þat stokke; [more] moore O.] Herte hatte þe [h]erber · þat it in groweth, [hatte] hat B; highte W. herber WCO] erber LR; herbergh B.] And liberum arbitrium · hath þe londe to ferme, [to] þe W.] Line 16 Vnder Piers þe plowman · to pyken it and to weden it." [Vnder] And vnder R. to (2)] COB om.] "Piers þe plowman!" quod I þo · and al for pure ioye [I] he B.] Þat I herde nempne his name · anone I swouned after, And laye longe in a lone dreme · and atte laste me þouȝte, [lone dreme] loue derne C.] Line 20 Þat Pieres þe plowman · al þe place me shewed, And bad me toten on þe tree · on toppe and on rote. [folio 69b] [me] me to WC.] With þre pyles was it vnder-piȝte · I perceyued it sone. "Pieres," quod I, "I preye þe · whi stonde þise piles here?" [I (2)] R om. piles] pikes C.] Line 24 ¶ "For wyndes, wiltow wyte," quod he · to witen it fram fallynge;

Cum ceciderit iustus, non collidetur; quia domi|nus supponit manum suam;

[witen] weten B; kepen R.] And, in blowyng-tyme, abite þe floures · but if þis piles helpe. [piles] floures (!) CB.] Þe worlde is a wykked wynde · to hem þat wolden treuthe, [to hem—wynde] R om. hem] hym C. wolden] willen WCOB.] Coueityse cometh of þat wynde · and crepeth amonge þe leues, [to hem—wynde] R om. hem] hym C. wolden] willen WCOB.] Line 28 And forfret neigh þe frute · þorw many faire siȝtes. [forfret] fofrete (sic) C; for|freteþ WOB.] Þanne with þe firste pyle I palle hym down · þat is, potencia dei patris. [Þanne] And R; That CB. palle] so in WR; pulle COB; Crow|ley has pale. Cf. l. 51. patris] W om.]

Þe flesshe is a fel wynde · and in flourynge-tyme [fel] feble B.] Þorw lykyng and lustes · so loude he gynneth blowe, [lykyng] libyng C. and] of O. loude he] lowe be B.] Þat it norissheth nice siȝtes · and some tyme wordes, And wikked werkes þer-of · wormes of synne, Line 34 And forbiteth þe blosmes · riȝt to þe bare leues. [forbiteth] forbetes C.] ¶ Þanne sette I to þe secounde pile · sapiencia dei patris, Þat is, þe passioun and þe power · of owre prynce Ihesu. Line 37 Þorw preyeres and þorw penaunces · and goddes passioun in mynde, [Þorw (1)] With R. þorw (2)] COB om. penaunces] penaunce O.] I saue it til I se it rypen · & somdel y-fruited. And þanne fondeth þe fende · my fruit to destruye, [þe] R om. fende] fynde C.] Line 40 With alle þe wyles þat he can · and waggeth þe rote, [waggeth] wagged CO.] And casteth vp to þe croppe · vnkynde neighbores, Bakbiteres breke-cheste · brawleres and chideres, [breke] brewe R. cheste] þe cheste W; chestes C.] And leith a laddre þere-to · of lesynges aren þe ronges, [ronges] longes (!) B.] And feccheth away my floures sumtyme · afor bothe myn eyhen. [afor] by-fore CR; to-fore B.] Line 45 Ac liberum arbitrium · letteth hym some tyme, [Ac] And C. letteth] lacches C; lacchiþ B. hym] hem R.] Þat is lieutenant to loken it wel · by leue of my-selue;

Videatis qui peccat in spiritum sanctum, nun|quam remittetur, &c.;

Hoc est idem, qui peccat per liberum arbitrium non repugnat.

[repugnat] written repug or repūg' in all the MSS. Crowley has repurgatur, which reading Mr Wright follows. See Critical Note.] Ac whan þe fende and þe flesshe · forth with þe worlde [Ac] And C. whan] what R.] Line 48 Manasen byhynde me · my fruit for to fecche, Þanne liberum arbitrium · laccheth þe thridde plante, [laccheth] takes C. thridde] firste WCOB; but cf. ll. 30, 36 above. plante] planke R.]

And palleth adown þe pouke · purelich þorw grace [purelich] priuelich R.] And helpe of þe holy goste · and þus haue I þe maystrie." Line 52 ¶ "Now faire falle ȝow, Pieres," quod I · "so faire ȝe discryuen Þe powere of þis postes · and her propre myȝte. [postes] postles C. myȝte] myȝtes W.] Ac I have þouȝtes a threve · of þis þre piles, [Ac] And CB. þouȝtes] toughes (!) B. threve] thrane (for thraue) R; trewe B.] In what wode thei woxen · and where þat þei growed; [woxen] waxen O; wexen Y. þat] Y om. growed] groweden O.] For alle ar þei aliche longe · none lasse þan other, [ar—longe] yliche longe þei ben Y; yliche been þei longe O.] Line 57 And to my mynde, as me þinketh · on o More þei growed, [growed] groweth Y; growen O.] And of o gretnesse · and grene of greyne þei semen." [of (1)] R om. o] oon Y. greyne] oo greyn O.] ¶ "Þat is soth," seide Pieres · "so it may bifalle; [seide] quod YWO. so—may] it myght so Y; so it myȝte O; so may R.] Line 60 I shal telle þe as tite · what þis tree hatte. [tite] stit Y; tid W; tyt R; tyte O. hatte] highte W.] Þe grounde þere it groweth · goodnesse it hiȝte, [hiȝte] hatte W.] And I haue tolde þe what hiȝte þe tree · þe trinite it meneth"— And egrelich he loked on me · & þer-fore I spared Line 64 To asken hym any more ther-of · and badde hym ful fayre [folio 70] To discreue þe fruit · þat so faire hangeth. ¶ "Here now bineth," quod he þo · "if I nede hadde, Matrymonye I may nyme · a moiste fruit with-alle. [may nyme] myȝte neuen Y.] Line 68 Þanne contenence is nerre þe croppe · as cal[e]wey bastarde, [Þanne] That YO. contenence] continnance Y. nerre] neer W; ner Y; nere R. calewey] so in O; cay|lewey R; kaylewey W; calawey Y; calwey L.] Þanne bereth þe croppe kynde fruite · and clenneste of alle,

Maydenhode, angeles peres · and rathest wole be ripe, [rathest] rapest Y. wole] wolde O.] And swete with-oute swellyng · soure worth it neuere." ¶ I prayed pieres to pulle adown · an apple, and he wolde, [pieres] Piers þo W.] Line 73 And suffre me to assaye · what sauoure it hadde. ¶ And pieres caste to þe croppe · and þanne comsed it to crye, And wagged wydwehode · and it wepte after. Line 76 And whan it meued Matrimoigne · it made a foule noyse, [it (1)] he R. noyse] nose (!) Y.] Þat I had reuth whan Piers rogged · it gradde so reufulliche. [Þat I] And I W; þat R. rogged] rused R.] For euere as þei dropped adown · þe deuel was redy, And gadred hem alle togideres · bothe grete and smale, Adam & abraham · and ysay þe prophete, [abraham] Eue Y. ysay] ysaac O.] Line 81 Sampson and samuel · and seynt Iohan þe baptiste; Bar hem forth boldely · no body hym letted, [boldely] baldely R; bodily WY. hym] hem RY. letted] lette R.] And made of holy men his horde · in lymbo inferni, [men] O om.] Line 84 There is derkenesse and drede · and þe deuel Maister. [There—drede] Ther as derk|nesse & drede is Y.] ¶ And Pieres for pure tene · þat o pile he lauȝte, [o] oo O; oon Y. þat—lauȝte] of þat a pil he rauȝte W.] And hitte after hym · happe how it myȝte, [And] He W. happe] hitte W. it] he O; happe Y.] Filius, bi þe fader wille · and frenesse of spiritus sancti, [fader] faderes R. spiritus sancti] Y om. (by mistake).] Line 88 To go robbe þat raggeman · and reue þe fruit fro hym. [raggeman] Rageman WRO; ragman Y. reue] reuend R.] ¶ And þanne spakke spiritus sanctus · in Gabrieles mouthe, [Gabrieles] gabriel R.] To a mayde þat hiȝte Marye · a meke þinge with-alle, [56—91. CB omit. See Preface. This passage is collated with MS. Y (Mr Yates Thompson's MS.).] [mayde] maiden Y.]

"Þat one Ihesus, a iustice sone · moste iouke in her chambre, [OBS: Henceforward only a few readings are given from Y. See note to l. 56.] [iustice] Iustices WO. iouke] iouken R.] Line 92 Tyl plenitudo temporis · fully comen were, [fully comen] tyme I-come R. In margin of O—Annis quingentis decies rursumque ducentis, vnus defu|erat cum deus ortus erat.] Þat Pieres fruit floured · and fel to be ripe. And þanne shulde Ihesus iuste þere-fore · bi iuggement of armes, [shulde] schul C. bi] & by R.] Whether shulde [fonge] þe fruit · þe fende or hym|selue." [[fonge WO] fonde LCRB; foonde Y. þe fende] the fynde C; to fynde B.] Line 96 ¶ Þe mayde myldeliche þo · þe messager graunted, And seyde hendelich to hym · "lo me, his hande|mayden, For to worchen his wille · with-outen any synne;"

Ecce ancilla domini; fiat michi [secundum verbum tuum], &c.

[[secundum—tuum] in B only.] And in þe wombe of þat wenche · was he fourty wokes, [wokes] woukes W; wookes C; wekes R; wikes B.] Tyl he wex a faunt þorw her flesshe · and of fiȝtyng couthe, [wex] weex W.] Line 101 To haue y-fouȝte with þe fende · ar ful tyme come. [y-fouȝte] fouȝten OB; foughte C.] And Pieres þe plowman · parceyued plenere tyme, [plenere] þe plener R.] And lered hym lechecrafte · his lyf for to saue, [hym] hym a B.] Line 104 Þat þowgh he were wounded with his enemye · to warisshe hym-self; [þowgh] þouȝt B. his] CB om. warisshe] warschen R; warsche B.] And did him assaye his surgerye · on hem þat syke were, [surgerye] surgenrie WB.] Til he was parfit practisoure · [if] any peril [felle], [folio 70b] [[if WCROBY] of L. [felle CBY] fel O; fille W; fulle LR.] And souȝte oute þe syke · and synful bothe, [oute] out of CB. and] and þe O.] Line 108

Line 108 And salued syke and synful · bothe blynde & crokede, And comune wommen conuerted · and to good torned;

Non est sanis opus medicus, set [infirmis], &c.

[And] R om. [infirmis] so in O; LWCB have in.; R has m. h. See Critical Note.] Bothe meseles & mute · and in þe menysoun blody, [mute] dome C.] Ofte he heled suche · he ne helde [it] for no maistrye, [Ofte] Of C. he (1)] W om. heled] heliþ B. suche] swiche W; swilke C. ne] nowth C. [it WROB] LC om.] Line 112 Saue þo he leched lazar · þat hadde yleye in graue, [þo] than C.] Quatriduanus quelt; · quykke did hym walke. Ac as he made þe maistrye · mestus cepit esse, [Ac] And C. þe] þat R.] And wepte water with his eyghen · þere seyen it manye. [seyen] seen C.] Line 116 Some þat þe siȝte [seyen] · saide þat tyme, [Some] And som CB. [seyen CB] seye R; seiȝen W; seyne L (but see last line). saide] sayed C.] Þat he was leche of lyf · and lorde of heigh heuene. Iewes iangeled þere-aȝeyne · and iugged lawes, [aȝeyne] ayenis C; aȝenst B. and] þat R.] And seide he wrouȝte þorw wicchecrafte · & with þe deueles miȝte,

Demonium habes, &c.

[þorw] with COB. with] wit R. habes] habet W.] Line 120 ¶ "Þanne ar ȝe cherles," quod [ihesus] · "and ȝowre children bothe, [cherles] clerkis (!) B. [ihesus] only R has the right reading, viz. ihc; this is corrupted into ich in LWCY; B has I, partly erased; see l. 123.] And sathan ȝowre saueoure · ȝow-selue now ȝe wit|nessen. [ȝow] so in RY; ye W; youre COB. ȝe] O om.] For I haue saued ȝow-self," seith cryst · "and ȝowre sones after, [ȝow] youre C. self] B om. seith cryst] R om.] Ȝowre bodyes, ȝowre bestes · and blynde men holpen, And fedde ȝow with fisshes · and with fyue loues, [fisshes] two fisshes W. with (2)] C om.] Line 125

Line 125 And left baskettes ful of broke mete · bere awey who so wolde;—" [broke mete] broken brede CB; breed broken O.] And mysseide þe iewes manliche · and manaced hem to bete, And knokked on hem with a corde · and caste adown her stalles, Line 128 Þat in cherche chaffareden · or chaungeden any moneye, [Þat] And C.] And seyde it in siȝte of hem alle · so þat alle herden, [it] O om.] "I shal ouertourne þis temple · and adown throwe, [throwe] þrowe it W.] And in thre dayes after · edifye it newe, [CB omit.] Line 132 And make it as moche other more · in alle manere poyntes, [other] ouþer W; or B.] As euere it was, and as wyde · wher-fore I hote ȝow, Of preyeres and of parfitnesse · þis place þat ȝe callen;

Domus mea domus oracionis vocabitur."

[þis] the C.] Enuye and yuel wille · was in þe iewes; [was] aren R.] Line 136 Thei casten & contreueden · to kulle hym whan þei miȝte, Vche daye after other · þeire tyme þei awaited. [þeire] thair C; O om.; hir W; here B. awaited] awaiteden W; waited CB.] Til it bifel on a fryday · a litel bifor Paske, [it] C om. Paske] pasche R; the paske CB; Pasqe W.] Þe þorsday byfore · þere he made his maundee, [þorsday] thoresday CR; þorus|day O; þursday WB. maundee] cene R; maunde COB.] Line 140 Sittyng atte sopere · he seide þise wordes— [Sittyng] Sittande R. atte] at þe WCROB.] "I am solde þorw one of ȝow · he shal þe tyme rewe [solde] salde C. one] summe R.] Þat euere he his saueoure solde · for syluer or elles." [he] R om. solde] salde C.] ¶ Iudas iangeled þere-aȝein · ac Ihesus hym tolde, [ac] and C.] Line 144 It was hym[-self] sothely · and seide, "tu dicis." [hym-self] so in WCROB; hym L.]

Þanne went forth þat wikked man · and with þe iewes mette, [þe] C om.] And tolde hem a tokne · how to knowe with ihesus, [hem] hym C. knowe] C om.] And which tokne to þis day · to moche is y-vsed, [And] Þe R. y-vsed] vsed RO. to—y-vsed] is to myche vsed O.] Line 148 Þat is, kissyng and faire contenaunce · & vnkynde wille; And so was with iudas þo · þat Ihesus bytrayed. [And so] As B; And C. þat] he COB.] "Aue raby," quod þat ribaude · and riȝt to hym he ȝede, [folio 71] [ribaude] ribalde C. ȝede] ȝode R.] And kiste hym, to be cauȝt þere-by · and kulled of þe iewes. [of] þoruȝ R.] Line 152 ¶ Þanne Ihesus to Iudas · and to þe iewes seyde, "Falsenesse I fynde · in þi faire speche, [I] ich R.] And gyle in þi gladde chere · and galle is in þi lawghynge. Þow shalt be myroure to manye · men to deceyue, [be] be a OY. manye · men] many man · hem B.] Line 156 Ac þe wors and þi wikkednesse · shal worth vpon þi|selue;

Necesse est vt veniant scandala; ve homini illi per quem scandalum venit!

[Ac] And C. þi] þe RO; þi (printed the) W. vpon] on O. veniant] venient B; veniat C. homi|ni] B om. scandalum venit] COB om.] Þow I bi tresoun be ytake · at ȝowre owne wille, [Þow] Þouȝt B. ytake] take WYRB; taken CO. at] and R.] Suffreth my postles in pays · & in pees gange." [Suffreth] Suffyres C. postles] so in R; Apostles W; apostyles C; apostelis O; apostlis B. pays] so in RYO; pais B; pees WC. pees] so in RYCOB; pays W.] On a thoresday in thesternesse · þus was he taken [On] In R. in] in þe O. thesternesse] Mirkenesse C.] Line 160 Þorw iudas and iewes · ihesus was his name; Þat on þe fryday folwynge · for mankynde sake [mankynde] mankyndes WO; mankende R.] Iusted in ierusalem · a ioye to vs alle.

On crosse vpon caluarye · cryst toke þe bataille, [On] On a CB.] Line 164 Aȝeines deth and þe deuel · destruyed her botheres myȝtes, [deth] þe deþ O. her] þere R. botheres] so in W; bother CYOB; beire R.] Deyde, and deth fordid · and daye of nyȝte made. [deth] deed W.] ¶ And I awaked þere-with · & wyped myne eyghen, And after piers þe plowman · pryed and stared. [þe] CB om.] Line 168 Estwarde and westwarde · I awayted after faste, [I] and CB. awayted] waited WCROB.] And ȝede forth as an ydiote · in contre to aspye After Pieres þe plowman; · many a place I souȝte. [O omits.] And þanne mette I with a man · a mydlenten son|daye, [a (2)] on O.] Line 172 As hore as an hawethorne · and Abraham he hiȝte. [hore] hoor W; hoer R; heor B. an] any CB.] I frayned hym first · fram whennes he come, [frayned] frain C.] And of whennes he were · and whider þat he þouȝte. [þouȝte] so in CROBY; souȝte W.] ¶ "I am feith," quod þat freke · "it falleth nouȝte to lye, [þat] þis COB. to] me to R.] Line 176 And of Abrahames hous · an heraud of armes. [an] and CB.] I seke after a segge · þat I seigh ones, [I (1)] And W. segge] man C.] A ful bolde bacheler · I knewe hym by his blasen." [knewe] knawe C; knowe O.] "What bereth þat buirn?" quod I þo · "so blisse þe bityde!" [bereth] berþ W. buirn] barne CB.] Line 180 ¶ "Þre leodes in o lith · non lenger þan other, [in] on RCOB.] Of one mochel & myȝte · in mesure and in lengthe; [myȝte] oo mageste O; oon myȝt and mageste CYB. in (2)] CB om.] Þat one doth, alle doth · & eche doth by his one. Þe firste hath miȝte and maiestee · maker of alle þinges; [þinges] thynge RCOB.] Line 184

Line 184 Pater is his propre name · a persone by hym-selue. [propre] COB om.] Þe secounde of þat sire is · sothfastnesse, filius, [þat] þa W. of—is] is of þat sire COB. sothfastnesse] stedfastnesse C; stefast (sic) B.] Wardeyne of þat witte hath · was euere with-oute gynnynge. [of] of al O.] Þe þridde hatte þe holygoost · a persone by hym-selue, [hatte] highte W; has C; haþ B; hat R.] Þe liȝte of alle þat lyf hath · a londe & a watre, [Þe—hath] þat alle þe liȝt of þe lif R. a (1)] on B. a (2)] on COB.] Line 189 Confortoure of creatures · of hym cometh al blisse. So þre bilongeth for a lorde · þat lordeship claymeth, [þre] ther C; þer B. claymeth] laymes (!) C.] Myȝte, and a mene · to knowe his owne myȝte, [a] WCO om. knowe] R om.] Line 192 Of hym & of his seruaunt · and what þei suffre bothe. [hym] hym-selue R. þei suffre] soffret hem R.] So god þat gynnyng hadde neure · but þo hym good þouȝte, Sent forth his sone · as for seruaunt þat tyme, [folio 71b] To occupien hym here · til issue were spronge, Line 196 Þat is, children of charite · & holicherche þe moder. Patriarkes & prophetes · and aposteles were þe chyldren, [chyldren] barnes R.] And cryst and crystenedome · and crystene holy|cherche. [and (3)] and alle R.] In menynge þat man moste · on o god bileue, [on] in R.] Line 200 And þere hym lyked & loued · in þre persones hym shewed. And þat it may be so & soth · manhode it sheweth, [O omits.] Wedloke and widwehode · with virgynyte ynempned, In toknynge of þe Trinite · was taken oute of o man. [taken—man] out of man taken W. o] a COB.] Adam owre aller fader · Eue was of hym-selue, [owre] was oure W. aller] alþer OB. Eue] and Eue W.] Line 205 And þe issue þat þei hadde · it was of hem bothe, [þei] he COB.] And either is otheres ioye · in thre sondry persones,

And in heuene & here · one syngulere name; [here] in erþe O.] Line 208 And [þus] is mankynde or manhede · of matrimoigne yspronge, [[þus WCOBY] þis L; þat R; the line is marked for correction. or] and W. yspronge] C om.] And bitokneth þe Trinite · and trewe bileue. [COBY omit.] ¶ Miȝte is matrimoigne · þat multiplieth þe erthe, [Miȝte] so in R; Might COYB; Mighty W. is] is in R.] And bitokneth trewly · telle if I dorste, [if] it if COBY.] Line 212 [Hym] þat firste fourmed al · þe fader of heuene. [[Hym WO] He LCRBY.] Þe sone, if I it durst seye · resembleth wel þe wydwe,

Deus meus, deus meus, vt quid dereliquisti me?

[if I it] is if I CO; if y B. resembleth—þe] resemblaunt to COB. wydwe] widuwes B.] Þat is, creatour wex creature · to knowe what was bothe; [wex] weex W; wax R.] Line 215 As widwe with-oute wedloke · was neure ȝete yseye, Na more myȝte god be man · but if he moder hadde; [Na] Ne na R.] So wydwe with-oute wedloke · may nouȝte wel stande, Ne matrimoigne with-oute moillerye · is nouȝt moche to preyse;

Maledictus homo qui non reliquit semen in israel, &c.

[moillerye] moillerie YB; moy|lere R; Muliere W; mulerie O; moil|liere C.] Þus in þre persones · is perfitliche manhede, [manhede] puir manhode R.] Line 220 Þat is, man & his make · & moillere her children, [man] a man CB. moillere] moillerie Y; moilliere C; mulliere W; moilre B; mulerer O. her] here R; WCOBY om.] And is nouȝt but gendre of o generacioun · bifor Ihesu cryst in heuene, [gendre] genderd C. o] a WC; OB om. Ihesu] B om.] So is þe fader forth with þe sone · and fre wille of bothe;

Spiritus procedens a patre & filio;

Line 223 Which is þe holygoste of alle · and alle is but o god. [holy] O om.] Þus in a somer I hym seigh · as I satte in my porche; [a] O om.]

I ros vp and reuerenced hym · & riȝt faire hym grette; [ros] roos W; raas C; aros B; aroos O.] Thre men to my syȝte · I made wel et ese, Line 227 Wesche her feet & wyped hem · and afterward þei eten [&] in R. hem] hes R.] Calues flesshe & cakebrede · and knewe what I thouȝte; Ful trewe tokenes bitwene vs is · to telle whan me lyketh. [is] been O. me] we B.] Firste he fonded me · if I loued bettere Line 231 Hym, or ysaak myn ayre · þe which he hiȝte me kulle. [he hiȝte] het B.] He wiste my wille by hym · he wil me it allowe, [he] a R.] I am ful syker in soule þer-of · and my sone bothe. I circumcised my sone · sitthen for his sake; [sitthen] sith RO; siþe B.] My-self and my meyne · and alle þat male were Line 236 Bledden blode for þat lordes loue · and hope to blisse þe tyme. [loue] sake O.] Myn affiaunce & my faith · is ferme in þis bilieue; [faith] fay R. þis] his CB; þis (printed his) W.] For hym-self bihiȝte to me · and to myne issue bothe Londe and lordship · And lyf with-outen ende; [folio 72] Line 240 To me and to myn issue · more ȝete he me graunted, [ȝete] if (!) B. me] men B; W om.] Mercy for owre mysdedes · as many tyme as we asken;

Quam olim abrahe promisisti, & semini eius.

[Mercy] More CB.] And sith he sent me to seye · I sholde do sacrifise, And done hym worshipe with bred · and with wyn bothe, Line 244 And called me þe fote of his faith · his folke forto saue, [þe fote] þe forþ O; stot CB.] And defende hem fro þe fende · folke þat on me leueden. [hem] hym C. leueden] bileueden B.] Þus haue I ben his heraude · here and in helle, And conforted many a careful · þat after his comynge wayten. [a] COB om. wayten] wait|eden W.] Line 248

Line 248 And þus I seke hym," he seide · "for I [herde] seyne late [[herde WCROB] L omits, but the line is marked.] Of a barne þat baptised hym · Iohan Baptiste was his name, Þat to patriarkes and to prophetes · and to other peple in derknesse [to (2)] CB om. to (3)] COB om.] Seyde þat he seigh here · þat sholde saue vs alle;

Ecce agnus dei, &c."

[seigh] seyde R. here] hir C; hym O. sholde] shul C. vs] hem R.] Line 252 ¶ I hadde wonder of his wordes · and of his wyde clothes; For in his bosome he bar a thyng · þat he blissed euere. [For] And R. þat] and þat R.] And I loked on his lappe · a lazar lay þere-Inne [on] in W.] Amonges patriarkes and profetes · pleyande togyderes. [CB om. pleyandc] pleyinge WYO; pleyede R.] "What awaytestow?" quod he · "and what woldestow haue?" [awaytestow] art þou B.] Line 257 "I wolde wyte," quod I þo · "what is in ȝowre lappe?" [is] is þis O.] ¶ "Loo!" quod he, and lete me se · "lorde, mercy!" I seide, "Þis is [a] present of moche prys · what Prynce shal it haue?" [[a WCROB] L om.] Line 260 "It is a preciouse present," quod he · "ac þe pouke it hath attached, [ac] and C.] And me þere-myde," quod þat man · "may no wedde vs quite, [þere-myde] þere-with RC. man] weye R.] Ne no buyrn be owre borwgh · ne bryng vs fram his daungere; [buyrn] barne CO.] Oute of þe poukes pondfolde · no meynprise may vs fecche, [R omits. pondfolde] ponfold CY; pynfold OB. no] ne no CB. may] O om.] Line 264

Line 264 Tyl he come þat I carpe of · cryst is his name, Line 265 Þat shal delyure vs some daye · out of þe deueles powere, [some daye] O om.] And bettere wedde for vs legge · þan we ben alle worthy, Þat is, lyf for lyf · or ligge þus euere Line 268 Lollynge in my lappe · tyl such a lorde vs fecche." ¶ "Allas!" I seyde, "þat synne · so longe shal lette Þe myȝte of goddes mercy · þat myȝt vs alle amende!" I wepte for his wordes · with þat sawe I an other Line 272 Rapelich renne forth; · þe riȝte waye he went. [270—273. R has—Allas, thouȝte I þo · þat is a longe a-bydynge, And sued hym · for he softe ȝede, Þat he toek vs as tit · ac, trewly to telle.] I affrayned hym fyrste · fram whennes he come, [affrayned] fraynede O.] And what he hiȝte & whider he wolde · and wightlich he tolde. [And] R om. wightlich] whith-liche R.] Line 275

PASSUS XVII. (DO-BET II.)

[TITLE. Passus xvijus OCYB; Passus xvjus de visione vt supra R; W adds —et ijus de Do-bet; B adds — et tercius de dobet.] Passus xvij ^us, et secundus de do-bet.

"I am spes," quod he, "a spye · and spire after a knyȝte, [quod—spye] a spie, quod he R. and spire] spere R.] That toke me a maundement · vpon þe mounte of synay, To reule alle rewmes with; · I bere þe writte here." [with] þere-with R. þe writte] it writen O; it write Y.] "Is it asseled?" I seyde · "may men se þi lettres?" [asseled] enseled W. þi] the COB.] Line 4 "Nay," he sayde, "I seke hym · þat hath þe sele to kepe; [I] W om. þe sele] þeal (!) C.] ¶ And þat is, crosse and crystenedome · And cryst þere-on to hange. [folio 72b] And whan it is asseled so · I wote wel þe sothe, [asseled] enseled W. I—sothe] R om.] Þat Lucyferes lordeship · laste shal no lenger." [R has—Sathanas power schal last no lenger, And þus my lettre meneth. See Critical Note.] Line 8 "Late se þi lettres," quod I · "we miȝte þe lawe knowe." [þi lettres] þat lettre R.] ¶ Þanne plokked he forth a patent · a pece of an harde roche, [Þanne—he] A plucked R. patent] pauntelet B.] Wher-on [were] writen two wordes · on þis wyse y|glosed,

Dilige deum & proximum tuum, &c.

[[were WCBY] weren O; was LR.]

Þis was þe tixte trewly · I toke ful gode ȝeme; [ȝeme] gome R.] Line 12 Þe glose was gloriousely writen · with a gilte penne,

In hijs duobus mandatis tota lex pendet & pro|phetia.

[writen] I-write R. mandatis] R om. tota—pendet] pendet tota lex R. prophetia] prophete CB.] ¶ "[Ben] here alle þi lordes lawes?" quod I · "ȝe, leue me wel," he seyde, [[Ben WCBY] Been O; Is LR. leue] lef R. wel] wille C; R om.] "And who so worcheth after þis writte · I wil vnder|taken, [And] COB om. þis writte] my wit R.] Line 15 Shal neuere deuel hym dere · ne deth in soule greue. [deth] dette COB; deet Y.] For þough I seye it my-self · I haue saued with þis charme Of men & of wommen · many score þousandes." [of (2)] CB om. þousandes] þousand W.] ¶ "He seith soth," seyde þis heraud · "I haue yfounde it ofte; [He seith] Ye seien W. seyde þis] sayed þe C; seide þe B; seiþ þe O. yfounde] founded CBY; founden O.] Lo here in my lappe · þat leued on þat charme, [on] of R.] Line 20 Iosue and Iudith · and Iudas Macabeus, Ȝe, and sexty þousande bisyde forth · þat ben nouȝt seyen here." [ȝe] R om.] ¶ "Ȝowre wordes aren wonderful," quod I tho · "which of ȝow is trewest, [aren] be C; ben B; been O. tho] CB om.] And lelest to leue on · for lyf and for soule? [on] so W.] Line 24 Abraham seith þat he seigh · holy þe Trinite, [holy] hoolly W.] Thre persones in parcelles · departable fro other, [departable] despartable B.] And alle þre but o god · þus Abraham me tauȝte, And hath saued þat bileued so · and sory for her synnes, [þat] þat I CB. bileued] bi|leueth R. synnes] synne COB.] Line 28

Line 28 He can nouȝte segge þe somme · and some aren in his lappe. [He] I O. and some] of þo þat B. his] my O.] What neded it þanne · a newe lawe to bigynne, [neded it] nediþ þee O; nedes it C; nediþ it B. bigynne] bringe R.] Sith þe fyrst sufficeth · to sauacioun & to blisse? ¶ And now cometh spes, and speketh · þat hath aspied þe lawe, [cometh] bigynneþ OY; bi|cometh CB. hath] W om.] Line 32 And telleth nouȝte of þe Trinitee · þat toke hym his lettres, 'To byleue and louye · in o lorde almyȝty, And sitthe riȝt as my-self · so louye alle peple.' ¶ Þe gome þat goth with o staf · he semeth in gretter hele [gome] mane C. goth] gaes C. o] a COB. in] in a B.] Line 36 Þan he þat goth with two staues · to syȝte of vs alle. [goth] gos C.] And riȝte so, by þe Rode! · resoun me sheweth, It is lyȝter to lewed men · a lessoun to knowe, [It] That it W. a] o W. knowe] lere B.] Þan for to techen hem two · and to harde to lerne þe leest! [lerne] lere C; here B. þe] þe (printed to the) W.] Line 40 It is ful harde for any man · on abraham byleue, And welawey worse ȝit · for to loue a shrewe! [welawey] waylawey C; wel awey W; weiloway B.] It is liȝter to leue · in þre louely persones [liȝter] written liȝtor; cf. l. 39.] Þan for to louye and leue · as wel lorelles as lele. [leue] leue or lene (uncertain in the MSS.) lele] lelles O; leles CB.] Line 44 Go þi gate," quod I to spes · "so me god helpe! [I] erased in B. to] COB om.] Þo þat lerneth þi lawe · wil litel while vsen it!" [36—46. R omits.] [wil] wol W; wel B; O om.] And as we wenten þus in þe weye · wordyng togyderes, [folio 73] [wenten] wente vs B.] Þanne seye we a samaritan · sittende on a mule, [sittende] so in R; sittynge WCOB.] Line 48 Rydynge ful rapely · þe riȝt weye we ȝeden, [Rydynge] Ryden R.]

Comynge fro a cuntre · þat men called Ierico; [Comynge] Com CB.] To a iustes in iherusalem · he chaced awey faste. Bothe þe heraud and hope · and he mette at ones [þe] CB om. and (2)] B om. he] glossed by .i. xpc. (meaning id est Christus) in LWR.] Line 52 Where a man was wounded · and with þeues taken. [wounded] I-wounded R.] He myȝte neither steppe ne stonde · ne stere fote ne handes, [He] A R. stere] stire C; sterie B. handes] hand B.] Ne helpe hym-self sothely · for semiuyf he semed, Line 55 And as naked as a nedle · and none helpe aboute hym. [hym] R om.] ¶ Feith had first siȝte of hym · ac he flegh on syde, [of] on R. ac] and C. flegh] fled C. on] a W.] And nolde nouȝt neighen hym · by nyne londes lengthe. [nolde] walde C. by] B om.] ¶ Hope cam hippyng after · þat hadde so ybosted, [þat] & O.] How he with Moyses maundement · hadde many men y-holpe; Line 60 Ac whan he hadde siȝte of þat segge · a-syde he gan hym drawe, [segge] grome C.] Dredfully, by þis day! as duk · doth fram þe faucoun. [Dredfully] Dredful B. duk] doke WCRO; a doke B.] ¶ Ac so sone so þe samaritan · hadde siȝte of þis lede, He liȝte adown of lyard · and ladde hym in his hande, [of] B om. ladde] CB om. hande] handes R.] And to þe wye he went · his woundes to biholde, [to þe] with þat R.] Line 65 And parceyued bi his pous · he was in peril to deye, [bi] in R.] And but if he hadde recourere þe rather · þat rise shulde he neure; [if] ȝif R; WB om. recourere] recouerer WOY; recouered B; socur C. rather] rapelier W.] [And breyde to his boteles · and bothe he atamede;] [In R only; but see C-text.] Line 68 Wyth wyn & with oyle · his woundes he wasshed, Enbawmed hym and bonde his hed · & in his lappe hym layde, [hym (2)] he CB.]

And ladde hym so forth on lyard · to lex christi, a graunge, Wel six myle or seuene · biside þe newe market; Line 72 Herberwed hym at an hostrye · and to þe hostellere called, [hostrye] ostrie COB. to] R om. hostellere] ostiler CB.] And sayde, "haue, kepe þis man · til I come fro þe iustes, [haue] there is a point after this word in C and O.] And lo here syluer," he seyde · "for salue to his woundes." And he toke hym two pans · to lyflode as it were, [pans] pens WCO.] Line 76 And seide, "what he speneth more · I make þe good here-after; [speneth] spendeþ WB; spendes C.] For I may nouȝt lette," quod þat leode · & lyarde he bistrydeth, [lette] O om. (!) bistrydeth] bistroode C; bistrode OB.] And raped hym to-iherusalem-ward · þe riȝte waye to ryde. ¶ Faith folweth after faste · and fonded to mete hym, [folweth] folwede WCOB.] Line 80 And spes spaklich hym spedde · spede if he myȝte, [spaklich] sparkliche R; scharpli B.] To ouertake hym and talke to hym · ar þei to toun come. [to (2)] til COB.] ¶ And whan I seyȝ þis, I soiourned nouȝte · but shope me to renne, [to] C om.] And suwed þat samaritan · þat was so ful of pite, [þat (1)] þe R. pite] piete C.] Line 84 And graunted hym to ben his grome · "gramercy," he seyde, [grome] gome R. gramercy] graunt mercy WCRO.] "Ac þi frende and þi felawe," quod he · "þow fyndest me at nede." [quod he] he saide CB; O om.] ¶ And I thanked hym þo · and sith I hym tolde,

How þat feith fleigh awey · and spes his felaw bothe, [fleigh] fleed C; fleȝ R.] For siȝte of þe sorweful man · þat robbed was with þeues. [þe] þat W.] Line 89 "Haue hem excused," quod he · "her help may litel auaille; [folio 73b] May no medcyn on molde · þe man to hele brynge, [on] vnder R.] Neither feith ne fyn hope · so festred ben his woundis, With-out þe blode of a barn · borne of a mayde. [mayde] mayden O.] Line 93 And be he bathed in þat blode · baptised, as it were, [be he] he be COB; be he (printed he be) W. he] R om.] And þanne plastred with penaunce · and passioun of þat babi, [plastred] pastrid B. and] and þe R.] He shulde stonde and steppe; · ac stalworth worth he neure, [ac] and CC2.] Line 96 Tyl he haue eten al þe barn · and his blode ydronke. [ydronke] drūnkyn C2.] For went neuere wy in þis worlde · þorw þat wilder|nesse, Þat he ne was robbed or rifled · rode he þere or ȝede, [or (1)] ne R.] Saue faith, & his felaw · spes, and my-selue, Line 100 And þi-self now, and such · as suwen owre werkis. [as] þat RC2.] ¶ For outlawes in þe wode · and vnder banke lotyeth, [outlawes] outlawe is R. loty|eth] lowted C.] And may vch man se · and gode merke take, [may] mowen W; mowe C; mown C2.] Line 103 Who is bihynde and who bifore · and who ben on hors, [who (2)] wo is B.] For he halt hym hardyer on horse · þan he þat is a fote. [halt] haldes C. a] on YBC2; at C; W om.] For he seigh me, þat am samaritan · suwen feith & his felaw [seigh] seith RC2. feith] forth Y.] Line 106 On my caple þat hatte caro · (of mankynde I toke it), [hatte] hattiþ B; highte W.]

He was vnhardy, þat harlot · and hudde hym in in|ferno. [vnhardy—harlot] vn harlot (by mistake) R. hudde] hud R; hidde WYC2B; hid C.] Line 108 Ac ar þis day þre dayes · I dar vndertaken, [Ac] And CC2. þis—dayes] þise daies þre B; thise dayes thre dayes C.] Þat he worth fettred, þat feloune · fast with cheynes, And neure eft greue grome · þat goth þis ilke gate;

[O mors, ero mors tua, &c.]

[grome] gome WRC2. [O—tua] in R only.] ¶ And þanne shal feith be forester here · and in þis fritth walke, [forester] forster WCC2Y. walke] C om.] Line 112 And kennen out comune men · þat knoweth nouȝte þe contre, [out] CC2BY om. comune] vn|kunnande (miswritten unkunmande) B.] Which is þe weye þat ich went · and wherforth to iherusalem. And hope þe hostelleres man shal be · þere þe man lith an helynge; [an] in Y; to CC2B.] And alle þat fieble and faynt be · þat faith may nouȝt teche, Line 116 Hope shal lede hem forth with loue · as his lettre telleth, [telleth] hem telles CB.] And hostel hem and hele · þorw holicherche bileue, [hostel] herber C. hele] hel hem C; heele hem B. holicherche] holichirchis B.] Tyl I haue salue for alle syke · and þanne shal I re|tourne, [retourne] turne W.] Line 119 And come aȝein bi þis contree · and confort alle syke Þat craueth it or coueiteth it · and cryeth þere-after. [it (1)] C2 om. or] and W. and] or W.] For þe barne was born in bethleem · þat with his blode shal saue

Alle þat lyueth in faith and folweth · his felawes tech|ynge." [ll.122, 123.

For the barne was borne in Bethlem · of a clene mayde,That shal with his blood · saue alle þat lyuen in feith,And foloweth the techynge · of holpe þat is his felawe Y.

So also CC2B; but C omits borne, C2 omits the first his, C the second his, and all three rightly have hope for holpe. LW are alike, and better.] [112—123. R omits.] ¶ "A! swete syre!" I seyde þo · "wher [shal I] byleue, [I seyde] seide I B. wher] whether R. [shal I YCC2B] I shal LWR.] Line 124 As feith and his felawe · enfourmed me bothe? [enfourmed] enformen CBYC2.] In þre persones departable · þat perpetuel were euere, And alle þre but o god · þus abraham me tauȝte;— [þre] this C; þis is B.] And hope afterwarde · he bad me to louye Line 128 O god wyth al my good · and alle gomes after, [C2 omits.] Louye hem lyke my-selue · ac owre lorde aboue alle." [my-selue] my-suluen R. ac] and CC2.] ¶ "After abraham," quod he · "þat heraud of armes, Sette faste þi faith · and ferme bileue. [faste] fully W.] Line 132 And, as hope hiȝte þe · I hote þat þow louye [hiȝte] bihiȝt R.] Thyn euene-crystene euermore · euene forth with þi|self. [folio 74] And if conscience carpe þere-aȝein · or kynde witte oyther, Or heretykes with argumentz · þin honde þow [hem] shewe; [[hem WR] hym LCC2B.] Line 136 For god is after an hande · yhere now and knowe it. ¶ Þe fader was fyrst, as a fyst · with o fynger fold|ynge, [as] CC2Y om. o] a CYB. foldynge] folden R.] Tyl hym loued and lest · to vnlosen his fynger, [loued] leued R. lest] liste WCC2BY; luste R. vnlosen] vn|closen B.] And profre it forth as with a paume · to what place it sholde. [profre] profered R.] Line 140 Þe paume is purely þe hande · and profreth forth þe fyngres [profreth] profer C.] To mynystre and to make · þat myȝte of hande knoweth, [mynystre] minstre R; myns|tre Y.]

And bitokneth trewly · telle who so liketh, [liketh] it liketh Y; it liked CB.] Þe holygost of heuene · he is as þe paume. [he] C2 om.] Line 144 Þe fyngres þat fre ben · to folde and to serue, Bitokneth sothly þe sone · þat sent was til erthe, [til] to C2.] Þat toched and tasted · atte techynge of þe paume [145—147. CB om.] [atte] and R.] Seynt Marie a Mayde · and mankynde lauȝte;

Qui conceptus est de spiritu sancto, [natus,] &c.

[[natus CBY] LWRC2 om.] Line 148 Þe fader is þanne as a fust · with fynger to touche,

Quia omnia traham ad me ipsum, &c.,

[þanne] pawme W. a] R om. touche] thouche R.] Al þat þe paume parceyueth · profitable to fele. Thus ar þei alle but one · as it an hande were, [an hande] a fust R.] And þre sondry siȝtes · in one shewynge. [in one] in oen in R.] Line 152 Þe paume, for he putteth forth fyngres · and þe fust bothe, [he] it W. he putteth] þe paume put (!) R.] Riȝt so redily · reson it sheweth, How he þat is holygoste · sire & sone preueth. And as þe hande halt harde · and al þynge faste [halt] haldes C.] Line 156 Þorw foure fyngres and a thombe · forth with þe paume, [a] B om.] Riȝte so þe fader and þe sone · & seynt spirit þe þridde Halt al þe wyde worlde · with-in hem thre, [Halt] Haldes C; W om. with-in] with R. thre] þre holden W.] Bothe welkne and þe wynde · water and erthe, [welkne] wolkne WR; þe welk|ene B; welken CC2.] Line 160 Heuene & helle · and al þat þere is Inne. [þere is Inne] so in R; is þer|Inne W; ther-Inne is CYC2B.] Þus it is, nedeth no man · to trowe non other, [is] RCB om. nedeth] it nedeþ C2. to] WCB om.] That thre þinges bilongeth · in owre lorde of heuene, And aren [serelepes] by hem-self · asondry were neure, [[serelepes] so in Y; serelopes W; surleps R; sereples CC2B; ser|clepes L (but marked for correction). were] were þei WCYC2B.]

Namore þan myn hande may · meue with-outen fyngeres. [myn—may] may an hand R. fyngeres] my fyngres WCC2YB.] Line 165 ¶ And as my fust is ful honde · yfolde togideres, [And] B om. fust] neef C. yfolde] y-holden W.] So is þe fader a ful god · formeour and shepper,

Tu fabricator omnium, &c.,

[shepper] scheppere R; shap|pere WC2; chappere B; shapeour Y; schipper C.] And al þe myȝte myd hym is · in makyng of þynges. [And] CYC2B om. myd] with C. of] of alle CYC2B.] Line 168 ¶ The fyngres fourmen a ful hande · to purtreye or peynten [or] or to CC2B.] Keruynge and compassynge · as crafte of þe fyngres; [and] or R. as] is R. crafte] crist C.] Riȝt so is þe sone · þe science of þe fader, And ful god, as is þe fader · no febler ne no better. Line 172 Þe paume is purelich þe hande · hath power bi hymselue, [hath] and haþ WC2.] Otherwyse þan þe wrythen fuste · or werkmanschip of fyngres; [þe wrythen] he writhes þe C; he wriþeþ þe B; þe writen R.] For þe paume hath powere · to put oute alle þe ioyntes, [þe paume] he W. put] pult R. alle] R om. After l. 175 B in|serts—and to strecche out þe synwes · and weynes boþe.] And to vnfolde þe folden fuste · [for hym it bilongeth; [folio 74b] [folden] R om. fuste] Neue C.] And receyue þat þe fyngres recheth · and refuse bothe, Whan he feleth þe fust · and] þe fyngres wille. [176—178. [for—and] in R only; but cf. C-text.] [and] atte L; at WC2; as CYB.] Line 178 So is þe holygoste god · nother gretter ne lasse [So] To (!) C.] Þan is þe sire and þe sone · & in þe same myȝte, [and] or R.] And alle ar þei but o god · as is myn hande & my fyngres, [my] C om.] Vnfolden or folden · my fuste & myn paume, Line 182 Al is but an hande · how so I torne it. [is] is it R. an] so in WR; on CC2B; oon Y.] [how so—þe hande] WCC2YB omit; retained in R and Crowley.]

Ac who is herte in þe hande · euene in þe myddes, [how so—þe hande] WCC2YB omit; retained in R and Crowley.] Line 184 He may receyue riȝt nouȝte · resoun it sheweth; [CC2YB omit.] For þe fyngres, þat folde shulde · and þe fuste make, [fuste] Neeue C.] For peyne of þe paume · powere hem failleth [paume] loofe C.] To [clucche] or to clawe · to clyppe or to holde. [[clucche WY] cluche RC2; cleuche CB; clicche L. to (3)] or CB.] Line 188 ¶ Were þe myddel of myn honde · ymaymed or ypersshed, [ymaymed] ymayheymed (sic) C. ypersshed] ypersed R; I-perisshed Y; y-perissed WC; perished C2B.] I shulde receyue riȝte nouȝte · of þat I reche myȝte. [of] and of CB.] Ac þough my thombe & my fyngres · bothe were to|shullen, [Ac] And C2; As C. to|shullen] to-schiruerd (sic) C; to|swolle R.] And þe myddel of myn hande · with-oute male ese, [male ese] ma layse (sic) B.] Line 192 In many kynnes maneres · I myȝte my-self helpe, Bothe meue and amende · þough alle my fyngres oke. [meue] moeue CY; meue (printed mene) W; moue C2. oke] oken C2.] Bi þis skil, me þynke[th] · I se an euydence, [þynketh] so in WCC2YB; þynke L; but see l. 278. skil—þynk|eth] kile he seyde (sic) R.] Þat who so synneth in þe seynt spirit · assoilled worth he neure, [þe] CC2YB om.] Line 196 Noither here ne elles-where · as I herde telle,

Qui peccat in [spiritum sanctum, nunquam,] &c.,

[herde] here C2. [spiritum sanctum] most MSS. have spiritu sancto; but C2 has the right reading here, though not in the next line. [nunquam] in R only.] For he prikketh god as in þe paume · þat peccat in [spiritum sanctum]. [as] C2 om.] [as in—fader] C om. a fynger] the fynger CC2YB.] For god þe fader is as a fuste · þe sone is as a fynger, [as in—fader] C om. a fynger] the fynger CC2YB.] The holy goste of heuene · is, as it were, þe pawme. [þe] C2 om.] So who so synneth in seynt spirit · it semeth þat he greueth [so] C2 om. in] in þe WCB; aȝeynes þe R.] Line 201

Line 201 God, þat he grypeth with · and wolde his grace quenche. ¶ And to a torche or a tapre · þe trinitee is lykned; [And] For R. or] or to R. lykned] ylikned CYB.] As wex and a weke · were twyned togideres, Line 204 And þanne a fyre flaumende · forth oute of bothe; [fyre] fere R. flaumende] flawmende R; flawmynge WB; flaum|yng CC2Y. oute] ouȝt R.] And as wex and weyke · and hote fyre togyderes [hote fyre] warme fere R.] Fostren forth a flaumbe · and a feyre leye, [a (2)] B om. leye] lowe C; light C2.] So doth þe sire & þe sone · & also spiritus sanctus Line 208 Fostren forth amonges folke · loue & bileue, [W omits. Fostren] Brynges C. bileue] loiale bileue C2.] Þat alkyn crystene · clenseth of synnes. [þat] C2 om. clenseth] clens|ede R.] And as þow seest some tyme · sodeynliche a torche, The blase þere-of yblowe out · ȝet brenneth þe weyke, With-oute leye or liȝte · þat þe macche brenneth, [leye] lowe C. macche] smacche C2Y. brenneth] swellith C2.] Line 213 So is þe holygost god · & grace with-oute mercy To alle vnkynde creatures · þat coueite to destruye Lele loue other lyf · þat owre lorde shapte. [other] or W; eiþer B. shapte] schupte R; ȝaf C2.] Line 216 ¶ And as glowande gledes · gladieth nouȝte þis werk|men, [as] as a CC2BY. glowande] glowynge WCC2B. gledes] glede CC2BY. gladieth] ne gladeth CC2BY.] Þat worchen & waken · in wyntres niȝtes, As doth a kex or a candel · þat cauȝte hath fyre & blaseth, [kex] kyse C2; kixe B.] Namore doth sire ne sone · ne seynt spirit togyderes, Graunteth no grace · ne forȝifnesse of synnes, [Graunteth] Graunte WCC2B.] Line 221 Til þe holi goste gynne · to glowe and to blase. [folio 75] So þat þe holygoste · gloweth but as a glede, [þat] doth C2. gloweth] glowe B. glede] glade W.] Tyl þat lele loue · ligge on hym & blowe, Line 224 And þanne flaumbeth he as fyre · on fader & on filius, [fader] pater YC2.]

And melteth her myȝte in-to mercy · as men may se in wyntre [in-to] to C2YB; o C.] Ysekeles in eueses · þorw hete of þe sonne, [Ysekeles] Iseyokels C. in] and W. eueses] euesynges WCC2B. þe] CB om.] Melteth in a mynut while · to myst & to watre; [Melteth] Melte W.] Line 228 So grace of þe holygoste · þe grete myȝte of þe trinite Melteth in-to mercy · to mercyable, & to non other. [in-to] to WCC2BY. non] W om.] And as wex with-outen more · on a warme glede Wil brennen & blasen · be þei to-gyderes, Line 232 And solacen hem þat may se · þat sitten in derkenesse, So wole þe fader forȝif · folke of mylde hertes Þat reufulliche repenten · & restitucioun make, In as moche as þei mowen · amenden & payen. [In] þi B.] Line 236 And if it suffice nouȝte for assetz · þat in suche a wille deyeth, [assetz] assetth C; aseth C2; to a-seeþ B. þat] Y om. a] CC2BY om.] Mercy for his mekenesse · wil make good þe reme|naunte. [wil] & Y.] And as þe weyke and fyre · wil make a warme flaumbe [warme] faire Y.] For to myrthe men with · þat in merke sitten, [myrthe] norische B. with] myd W. merke] þe derke W.] Line 240 So wil cryst of his curteisye · and men crye hym mercy, Bothe forȝiue & forȝete · & ȝet bidde for vs To þe fader of heuene · forȝyuenesse to haue. [217—243. R omits.] ¶ Ac hew fyre at a flynte · fowre hundreth wyntre, [Ac] And C; But C2. fyre—a] fuyr and R.] Line 244 Bot þow haue towe to take it with · tondre or broches, [towe] tacche R. tondre] tunder R.] Al þi laboure is loste · and al þi longe trauaille; For may no fyre flaumbe make · faille it his kynde. [his] is WC.] So is þe holy gost god · & grace with-outen mercy Line 248 To alle vnkynde creatures · cryst hym-self witnesseth,

Amen dico vobis, nescio vos, &c.

¶ Be vnkynde to þin euene-cristene · and al þat þow canst bidden, [þat] C2B om. þow] þau B.] Delen & do penaunce · day & nyȝte euere, [& (1)] or CC2BY. & (2)] or B.] Line 251 And purchace al þe pardoun · of Pampiloun & Rome, [Pampiloun] paemploen R.] And indulgences ynowe · & be ingratus to þi kynde, [ingratus] ingratis CY; in|grat R. kynde] kynne R.] Þe holy goste hereth þe nouȝt · ne helpe may þe by resoun; For vnkyndenesse quencheth hym · þat he can nouȝte shyne, [quencheth hym] qwenche hem R.] Ne brenne ne blase clere · for blowynge of vnkynde|nesse. [for] but Y.] Line 256 Poule þe apostle · preueth wher I lye,

Si linguis hominum loquar, &c.

[wher] wheiþer W. linguis] lingua B.] For-thy beth war, ȝe wyse men · þat with þe wo[r]lde deleth, [worlde] CWRC2YB; miswrit|ten wolde L (but marked).] That riche ben & resoun knoweth · reuleth wel ȝowre soule. [soule] soulis B; self C2.] Beth nouȝte vnkynde, I conseille ȝow · to ȝowre euene|crystene. Line 260 For many of ȝow riche men · bi my soule, men telleth, Ȝe brenne, but ȝe blaseth nouȝte · þat is a blynde be|kene;

Non omnis qui dicit domine, domine, intrabit, &c.

[þat] & þat R. a blynde] an vnkynde CB. intrabit] CC2BY om.] ¶ Diues deyed dampned · for his vnkyndenesse [dampned] Idampned R.] Of his mete & his moneye · to men that it neded. [folio 75b] [his (2)] of his WC2; RY om. neded] nedes C; nediþ B.] Line 264 Vch a riche I rede · rewarde at hym take, [a riche] riche man B.] And gyueth ȝowre good to þat god · þat grace of ariseth. [grace of ariseth] alle grace of riseth B.]

For [þei] þat ben vnkynde to his · hope I none other, [[þei WCC2BY] LR om] But þei dwelle þere diues is · dayes with-outen ende. [þei] thay schul CC2Y; þat þei shal B.] Þus is vnkyndenesse þe contrarie · þat quencheth, as it were, [vnkyndenesse] kyndenesse (!) B.] Line 269 Þe grace of þe holy gooste · goddes owne kynde. For þat kynde dothe, vnkynde fordoth · as þese cursed theues, [dothe] deth R. cursed] cor|sede W.] Vnkynde cristene men · for coueityse & enuye, [&] of C2.] Line 272 Sleeth a man for his moebles · wyth mouth or wyth handes. For þat þe holygoste hath to kepe · þo harlotes de|stroyeth, [þo] þe WC2.] Þe which is lyf & loue · þe leye of mannes bodye. [lyf] þe lif CB.] For euery manere good man · may be likned to a torche, Or elles to a tapre · to reuerence þe Trinitee; Line 277 And who morthereth a good man · me thynketh, by myn Inwyt, [who] who-so CBC2Y; ho-so R.] He fordoth þe leuest lyȝte · þat owre lorde loueth. ¶ Ac ȝut in many mo maneres · men offenden þe holy|goste, [Ac] But C2; And WC.] Line 280 Ac þis is þe worste wyse · þat any wiȝte myȝte [Ac] And C; But C2.] Synnen aȝein þe seynt spirit · assenten to destruye, [Synnen] Synegen R. þe] CBYC2 om.] For coueityse of any kynnes þinge · þat cryst dere bouȝte. [kynnes] CYC2B om.] Line 283 How myȝte he axe mercy · or any mercy hym helpe, [Also in R; WCYC2B omit; Crowley retains it.] Þat wykkedlich & willefullich · wolde mercy anynte? [anynte] so in R; aniente WC; anientice YC2B.] Innocence is nexte god · & nyȝte and day it crieth, [nexte] nex C.] 'Veniaunce, veniaunce · forȝiue be it neuere,

That shent vs & shadde owre blode · forshapte vs, as it were;

Vindica sanguinem iustorum!'

[vs (1)] R om. shadde] shad CYB; shedde WR; schede C2. for|shapte] for-schupte R. were] semed R. Vindica] Vindicta CB.] Line 288 Thus 'veniaunce, veniaunce' · verrey charite asketh; And sith holicherche & charite · chargeth þis so sore, [sith] sit C.] Leue I neure that owre lorde wil loue þat charite lakketh, [lakketh] hattes C; hatiþ B.] Line 291 Ne haue pite for any preyere · þere þat he pleyneth." ¶ "I pose I hadde synned so · and shulde now deye, [pose] sopose C2. synned] syneged R, now] nouȝt (!) C; nouȝth C2; noȝt B; nouȝ R.] And now am sory, þat so · þe seint spirit agulte, [now] nouȝt (!) R. am] I am W. so] I so WCC2YB. spirit] Spiriȝt I R.] Confesse me, & crye his grace · god, þat al made, [grace] mercy C2.] And myldliche his mercy axe · myȝte I nouȝte be saued?" [mercy] grace C2, saued] I|saued R.] Line 296 ¶ "Ȝus," seide þe Samaritan · "so wel þow myȝte repente, [ȝus] Thus (!) C; þus B; ȝis WYC2. wel] R om. myȝte] miȝtest R.] Þat riȝtwisnesse þorw repentance · to reuthe myȝte torne. [þorw] to R.] Ac it is but selden yseye · þere sothenesse bereth wit|nesse, [Ac] And C; But ȝet C2. it is] is it B. yseye] yseiȝe W; seyen CB; seie C2Y. þere] the CB; that Y.] Any creature þat is coupable · afor a kynges iustice, [þat is] be R. afor] by-for R. iustice] Iustices C.] Be raunsoned for his repentaunce · þere alle resoun hym dampneth. [repentaunce] R om. (!). dampneth] dampned Y.] Line 301 For þere þat partye pursueth · þe pele is so huge, [pele] peel R; peple WC2YB; pepile C; Crowley has plee. is] his C.] Þat þe kynge may do no mercy · til bothe men acorde, And eyther haue equite · as holy writ telleth; Line 304

Numquam dimittitur peccatum, [donec restitu|atur ablatum.]

[eyther] neither (!) C. donec] in Y only; the two words following are supplied from Pass. V. 279.] Line 304 Þus it fareth bi suche folke · þat falsely al her lyues [lyues] lyue R.] Euel lyuen & leten nouȝte · til lyf hem forsake; [Euel lyuen] I wulle leuen C2.] [Drede of desperacion · dryueth a-weye þanne grace, [In R only; but see C-text.] Þat mercy in her mynde · may nauȝt þanne falle;] [In R only; but see C-text.] Line 308 Good hope, þat helpe shulde · to wanhope torneth— [folio 76] [þat helpe] CB om. torneth] turne B.] Nouȝt of þe nounpowere of god · þat he ne is myȝtful [þe nounpowere] noun power Y; þe nounper R.] To amende al þat amys is · and his mercy grettere Þan alle owre wykked werkes · as holiwrit telleth,

Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius—

[eius (1)] domini R.] Line 312 Ac, ar his riȝtwisnesse to reuthe tourne · some restitu|cioun bihoueth; [Ac] But C2; And C. riȝt|wisnesse] rightfulnesse CYC2B.] His sorwe is satisfaccioun · for hym þat may nouȝte paye. [R omits.] ¶ Thre þinges þere ben · þat doth a man by strengthe [þere] that C. In the margin of L is—Fumus, Mulier, & stillicidia Expellunt hominem a domo pro[pria].] Forto fleen his owne hous · as holywryt sheweth. [Forto] C2 om. hous] W om.] Line 316 Þat one is a wikked wyf · þat wil nouȝt be chasted, [chasted] so in R; chastised W; schastisid C2; chastied C.] Her fiere fleeth fro hyr · for fere of her tonge. [fiere] so in C2B; feere WCY; fere R. fleeth] flien B. fro] R om.] And if his hous be vnhiled · and reyne on his bedde, [his] C om. vnhiled] vnhilled CC2Y; vnheled RB. on] in CBY.] He seketh and seketh · til he slepe drye. [and seketh] al aboute CC2BY. slepe] ligge CY; liggith C2; liegge B.] Line 320 And whan smoke & smolder · smyt in his syȝte, [&] or CC2BY. smyt] smitte RC2. Y omits from smyt to smolder in l. 323.] It doth hym worse þan his wyf · or wete to slepe. For smoke & smolder · smyteth [in] his eyen, [smyteth] smerteth R. [in WC2YB] LRC om. Cf. l. 341.] Til he be blere-nyed or blynde · and hors in þe throte, [blere-nyed] blereneyed R; blereighed WCC2Y; blerid B. hors] hoos CY; hos C2B; cowȝhe R. þe] his B.]

Cougheth, and curseth · þat cryst gyf hem sorwe [Cougheth] He kouȝeth R; Coughees C; Coughed Y; Than Cougheth he C2. þat] and bit B. hem] hym CRC2Y.] Line 325 Þat sholde brynge in better wode · or blowe it til it brende. [it (1)] B om. brende] brenne BC2Y.] ¶ Þise thre þat I telle of · ben þus to vnderstonde. [ben þus] þus ben R. to] CR om.] The wyf is owre wikked flesshe · þat wil nouȝt be chasted, [The] þre B. þat] R om. chasted] chastised WB; schastisid C2.] Line 328 For kynde cleueth on hym euere · to contrarie þe soule. [cleueth] clyueþ W.] And þowgh it falle, it fynt skiles · [þat] frelete it made, [[þat WCRC2BY] þe L. it] is CC2Y.] And þat is liȝtly forȝeuen · and forȝeten bothe, To man þat mercy asketh · and amende þenketh. [amende] to amende hym B; to amende C2.] Line 332 ¶ The reyne þat reyneth · þere we reste sholde, Ben sikenesses & sorwes · þat we suffren oft, [sikenesses] siknesse WCC2Y. &] and other R. oft] ouȝte R.] As Powle þe Apostle · to þe peple tauȝte,

Virtus in infirmitate perficitur, &c.

[in] retained in MS. W. per|ficitur] C om.] And þowgh þat men make · moche deol in her angre, [deol] doel WC2RY; dole C; dol B. her] C om.] And [ben] inpacient in here penaunce · pure resoun knoweth, [[ben W] be R; LCC2YB om.] Line 337 Þat þei han cause to contrarie · by kynde of her syke|nesse. [cause] resoun R.] And liȝtlich owre lorde · at her lyues ende, [liȝtlich] ful liȝtli B.] Hath mercy on suche men · þat so yuel may suffre. [96—340. Here MS. O has lost three leaves; this portion is collated with MSS. C2 and Y.] [so] CB om. Here collation with O recommences, and with C2 and Y ceases.] Line 340 ¶ Ac þe smoke and þe smolder · þat smyt in owre eyghen, [Ac] And C. smyt] smitte R.] Þat is coueityse and vnkyndenesse · þat quencheth goddes mercy. [þat (1)] COB om. is] R om. þat (2)] R om.]

For vnkyndenesse is þe contrarie · of alkynnes resoun; For þere nys syke ne sori · ne non so moche wrecche, [moche] yuele a O. wrecche] werche (!) C.] Þat he ne may louye, & hym lyke · and lene of his herte [lene] lene or leue in the MSS.] Goed wille & good worde · bothe wisshen and willen [&] R om. bothe] and W. willen] wilnen R.] Alle manere men · mercy & forȝifnesse, Line 347 And louye hem liche hym-self · and his lyf amende.— I may no lenger lette," quod he · and lyarde he pryked, [lyarde—pryked] harde priked CB; harde prikede forþ O.] And went away as wynde · and þere-with I awaked. [away] O om. awaked] wakede R; awakiþ B.]

PASSUS XVIII (DO-BET III).

[TITLE. Passus decimus octauus CO; to which W adds—&c. et iijus de dobet, and B (wrongly) adds—et quartus de dobet; R has—Passus xvijus de visione, vt supra.] Passus xviij ^us, et tercius de dobet.

Wolleward and wete-shoed · went I forth after, [folio 76b] As a reccheles renke · þat of no wo reccheth, [As a] And as a CB; And as O. renke] freek B. wo] C om. reccheth] roughte WB.] And ȝede forth lyke a lorel · al my lyf tyme, Tyl I wex wery of þe worlde · and wylned eft to slepe, [wylned] wilnes C. eft to] efte R.] And lened me to a lenten · and longe tyme I slepte; [slepte] slepe B.] Line 5 And of crystes passioun and penaunce · þe peple þat of-rauȝte, [þe] þer B. þat of-rauȝte] þat of taughte C; ofte tauȝte O; þer-of tauȝte B. This line is perhaps mis|placed, and should follow l. 8.] [Reste] me þere, and rutte faste · tyl ramis palmarum; [[Reste] so in WCOY; I reste B; Rested LR; (but reste is the A.S. form).] Of gerlis & of gloria laus · gretly me dremed, [&] O om.] Line 8 And how osanna by orgonye · olde folke songen. [osanna] Osanna (printed ho|sanna) W. orgonye] Organye WC; orgene R; organ B. folke] folkes CB.] ¶ One semblable to þe samaritan · & some del to Piers þe plowman, [þe (2)] CB om.] Barfote on an asse bakke · botelees cam pryk[y]e, [on] and oon C; & on OB. cam] so in WR; gan COBY. prykye] prikye WO; prekie B; pryke LC; prikynge R.] Wyth-oute spores other spere · spakliche he loked, [other] or O. spakliche] sprac|liche R; sharpliche B.] Line 12

Line 12 As is þe kynde of a knyȝte · þat cometh to be dubbed, [B omits. be] C om.] To geten hem gylte spores · or galoches ycouped. [geten] geute B. or] and COB.] ¶ Þanne was faith in a fenestre · and cryde "a! fili dauid!" [cryde] crie C. a (2)] B om.] As doth an Heraude of armes · whan [auntrous] cometh to iustes. [[auntrous RO] aunterous C; Auentrous W; aduenturus B; aun|turos L.] Line 16 Olde iuwes of ierusalem · for ioye þei songen,

Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini.

¶ Þanne I frayned at faith · what al þat fare be-ment[e], [þanne] That C. be-mente] so in RO; bymente WCB; bement L.] And who sholde iouste in Iherusalem · "Ihesus," he seyde, [sholde] R om.] "And fecche þat þe fende claymeth · Piers fruit þe plowman." [fecche] feccheth R; fecche out B.] Line 20 "Is Piers in þis place?" quod I · & he preynte on me, [þis] þat B. I] C om. preynte] twynclid B; prent R.] "Þis ihesus of his gentrice · wole iuste in piers armes, [þis] þus B. gentrice] gentries WC; gentrie RB.] In his helme & in his haberioun · humana natura. [in his] hise C; his B; O om.] Þat cryst be nouȝt biknowe here · for consu[m]matus deus, [biknowe] yknowe C; yknowen O; knowe B. consummatus] so in WROBY; consumatus LC. Cf. l. 57. deus] est COB. B places l. 24 after l. 25.] Line 24 In Piers paltok þe plowman · þis priker shal ryde; [priker] prikiere W.] For no dynte shal hym dere · as in deitate patris." "Who shal iuste with ihesus?" quod I · "iuwes or scribes?" ¶ "Nay," quod he, "þe foule fende · and fals dome & deth. [he] faith R. þe] but þe R. foule] R om. & deth] to deye R.] Line 28 Deth seith he shal fordo · and adown brynge Al þat lyueth or loketh · in londe or in watere. [or (1)] and WR. or (2)] and W.]

Lyf seyth þat he likth · and leyth his lif to wedde, [he] C om. likth] so in R; L really has likthe (but the e is not wanted); lieþ WCO; liȝeþ B.] Þat for al þat deth can do · with-in þre dayes, Line 32 To walke and fecche fro þe fende · piers fruite þe plowman, And legge it þere hym lyketh · and lucifer bynde, [legge] lede B.] And forbete and adown brynge · bale [&] deth for euere:

O mors, ero mors tua!

[forbete] forbite R; for to bete COB. adown] doun R. [& OY] of B; LWCR om.; but it seems neces|sary. ero—tua] mors tua ero R.] ¶ Þanne cam pilatus with moche peple · sedens pro tribunali, [moche] COB om.] Line 36 To se how doughtilich deth sholde do · & deme her botheres riȝte. [her botheres] here beither R; hir brotheres (!) CB. riȝte] myȝt O.] Þe iuwes and þe iustice · aȝeine ihesu þei were, [þe] B om. iustice] Iustices COB.] And al her courte on hym cryde · crucifige sharpe. [her] here R; þe WCOB. hym] ihesu R.] Tho put hym forth a piloure · bifor pilat, & seyde, [folio 77] [Tho] to B.] Line 40 "This ihesus of owre iewes temple · iaped & dispised, [This] þus B. iewes] R om. temple] peple CB. iaped] haþ Iaped W. Here B adds the probably spurious line—and seide he wolde felle a-doun þe temple · þat is so strong.] To fordone it on o day · and in thre dayes after [To] and B. on o] in a R; in o B.] Edefye it eft newe · (here he stant þat seyde it) [seyde it] it seide B.] And ȝit maken it as moche · in al manere poyntes, [ȝit] ȝut to B.] Line 44 Bothe as longe and as large · bi loft & by grounde." [bi] a R; on B.] ¶ "Cru[ci]fige," quod a cacchepolle · "I warante hym a wicche!" [Crucifige] miswritten Crufige L.] "Tolle, tolle!" quod an other · and toke o[f] kene þornes, [of] so in WCROB; o L; see next line.] And bigan of kene thorne · a gerelande to make, Line 48

Line 48 And sette it sore on his hed · and seyde in envye, "Aue, rabby!" quod þat Ribaude · and þrew redes at hym, [þat Ribaude] þe ribaudes R.] Nailled hym with þre nailles · naked on þe Rode, [Nailled] þei nailid B. þre] thre (with foure written in margin) R. on] vp-on R.] And poysoun on a pole · þei put vp to his lippes, [on] vppon B. vp] R om.] Line 52 And bede hym drynke his deth-yuel · his dayes were ydone. [deth-yuel] euyl deeþ B. ydone] doon C; done OB.] "And ȝif þat þow sotil be · help now þi-seluen, [þat] CB om.] If þow be cryst, & kynges sone · come downe of þe Rode; Þanne shul we leue þat lyf þe loueth · and wil nouȝt lete þe deye!" [shul] shulde B.] Line 56 ¶ "Consummatum est," quod cryst · & comsed forto swowe, [swowe] so in OB; swowen C; swoune W; swowne R.] Pitousliche and pale · as a prisoun þat deyeth; [Pitousliche] Ful pitousliche B.] Þe lorde of lyf & of liȝte · þo leyed his eyen togideres. [The lorde] Til lore R.] Þe daye for drede with-drowe · and derke bicam þe sonne, [bicam] bigan O.] Line 60 Þe wal wagged and clef · and al þe worlde quaued. [wal] wallis of þe temple B. worlde] word C. quaued] quakid B.] Ded men for that dyne · come out of depe graues, [dyne] dene WR; deeþ B. depe] here R.] And tolde whi þat tempest · so longe tyme dured. "For a bitter bataille" · þe ded bodye sayde; [bodye] bodies B.] Line 64 "Lyf and deth in þis derknesse · her one-fordoth her other; Shal no wiȝte wite witterly · who shal haue þe maystrye, [wite] wit C; witte R.] Er sondey aboute sonne rysynge" · & sank with þat til erthe. [sonne] þe sunne OB. til] in-to B.] Line 67

Line 67 Some seyde þat he was goddes sone · þat so faire deyde,

Vere filius dei erat iste, &c.

And somme saide he was a wicche · "good is þat we assaye, [þat we] R om.] Where he be ded or nouȝte ded · doun er he be taken." [he (1)] B om. ded (2)] B om. doun] a-doun B.] ¶ Two theues also · tholed deth þat tyme, [deth] dede R.] Line 71 Vppon a crosse bisydes cryst · so was þe comune lawe. [a] B om. bisydes] biside C.] A cacchepole cam forth · and craked bothe her legges, [A] Ac a R.] And her armes after · of eyther of þo theues. [her] þe W. of eyther] B om. þo] the C; þo two B.] Ac was no boy so bolde · goddes body to touche; [was] þer was B. boy] body W.] For he was knyȝte & kynges sone · kynde forȝaf þat tyme, [tyme] throwe R.] Line 76 Þat non harlot were so hardy · to leyne hande vppon hym. [hande] an hand R.] ¶ Ac þere cam forth a knyȝte · with a kene spere ygrounde, Hiȝte longeus, as þe lettre telleth · and longe had lore his siȝte. [Hiȝte] þat hiȝte B.] Bifor pilat & other peple · in þe place he houed; Line 80 Maugre his many tethe · he was made þat tyme [Maugre] and magre B. his many] he (!) B.] To take þe spere in his honde · & iusten with ihesus; For alle þei were vnhardy · þat houed on hors or stode, [folio 77b] [or] & COB. stode] stede R.] To touche hym or to taste hym · or take hym down of Rode. [hym (1)] R om. or to] or COB. hym (3)] W om. of] of þe B; on (!) C.] Line 84 But þis blynde bacheler þanne · bar hym þorugh þe herte; [þanne] þat R; WO om.] Þe blode spronge down by þe spere · & vnspered þe kniȝtes eyen. [þe (1)] þat B. spronge] ran B. vnspered] opned R. þe kniȝtes] hise CO; his B.]

Þanne fel þe knyȝte vpon knees · and cryed hym mercy— [vpon] vppon his B. hym] ihesu R.] "Aȝeyne my wille it was, lorde · to wownde ȝow so sore!" Line 88 He seighed & sayde · "sore it me athynketh; [He] And he B; How he C. sore] ful sore B.] For þe dede þat I haue done · I do me in ȝowre grace; Haue on me reuth, riȝtful ihesu!" · & riȝt with þat he wept. ¶ Thanne gan faith felly · þe fals iuwes dispise, Line 92 Called hem caytyues · acursed for euere, [Called] and kallid B. for] hem for R.] For þis foule vyleynye · "veniaunce to ȝow alle, [alle] falle W.] To do þe blynde bete hym ybounde · it was a boyes conseille. [ybounde] bounden O.] Cursed caytyue! · kniȝthod was it neuere [caytyue] caytif WC; caityues R; kaitifs B; caytyues castyng O.] Line 96 To mysdo a ded body · by day or by nyȝte. Þe gree ȝit hath he geten · for al his grete wounde. [þe] þre (!) B. gree—hath] grythe ye hase (!) C.] ¶ For ȝowre champioun chiualer · chief knyȝt of ȝow alle, Ȝelt hym recreaunt rennyng · riȝt at ihesus wille. [ȝelt] so in RB; ȝelte O; Yelde C; ȝilt W.] Line 100 For be þis derkenesse ydo · his deth worth avenged, [þis] C om. his] R om. avenged] I-venkesched R.] And ȝe, lordeynes, han ylost · for lyf shal haue þe maistrye, [ȝe] CB om. lordeynes] lur|daynes W; lurdeynes O.] And ȝowre Fraunchise, þat fre was · fallen is in thral|dome, [is] it B.] And ȝe, cherles, & ȝowre children · chieue shal ȝe neure, [cherles] clerkes CB. ȝe (2)] W om.] Ne haue lordship in londe · ne no londe tylye, [Ne] To W. londe] honde CO. no] none R.] Line 105 But al bareyne be · & vsurye vsen,

Which is lyf þat owre lorde · in alle lawes acurseth. [lyf] þe lif B. acurseth] a|cursid B.] Now ȝowre good dayes ar done · as Danyel prophecyed, [ar] arn W; aren C; be R; been O.] Whan cryst cam, [of] her kyngdom · þe croune shulde [cesse];

Cum veniat sanctus sanctorum, cessabit vnxio vestra."

[[of W] LRCOBY om.; but the line is marked for correction in L. her] þe R. þe] and COBY. [cesse WCY] cece O; sesse B; lese R; L has a blank space. cessabit—vestra] R om.] Line 109 ¶ What for fere of þis ferly · & of þe fals iuwes, [þe] þo R.] I drowe me in þat derkenesse · to decendit ad inferna. And þere I sawe sothely · secundum scripturas, Line 112 Out of þe west coste · a wenche, as me thouȝte, Cam walkynge in þe wey · to-helle-ward she loked. [walkynge] wandrynge B. þe] þat R.] Mercy hiȝt þat mayde · a meke þynge with-alle, A ful benygne buirde · and boxome of speche. [buirde] burde WR; birde C; beerde O; berd B.] Line 116 ¶ Her suster, as it semed · cam softly walkynge, [softly] softeli OB; softily C; sofly R; sooþly W.] Euene out of þe est · and westward she loked. A ful comely creature · treuth she hiȝte, [comely] manli B; many (!) C.] For þe vertue þat hir folwed · aferd was she neuere. Line 120 ¶ Whan þis maydenes mette · mercy and treuth, [Whan] And whan R.] Eyther axed other · of þis grete wonder, Of þe dyne & of þe derknesse · and how þe daye rowed, [dyne] dene ROB. of (2)] CB om.] And which a liȝte and a leme · lay befor helle. Line 124 "Ich haue ferly of þis fare · in feith," seyde treuth, [folio 78] "And am wendyng to wyte · what þis wonder meneth." [wonder] wonde R.] ¶ "Haue no merueille," quod mercy · "myrthe it bytokneth. A mayden þat hatte marye · and moder with-out felyng [hatte] hat R; hattiþ B; highte W.]

Of any kynnes creature · conceyued þorw speche [any kynnes] any kende R; mannys skynnes B.] Line 129 And grace of þe holygoste; · wex grete with childe; [And] þurgh B. wex] she wex B.] With-outen wem · in-to þis worlde she brouȝt hym; [wem] hemme B. hym] hym forþ O.] And þat my tale be trewe · I take god to witnesse. Line 132 Sith þis barn was bore · ben XXX^ti wynter passed; [Sith] Sit C. bore] so in R; ybore W; born COB. xxxti] thretty C; þrytti B.] Which deyde & deth þoled · þis day aboute mydday. [deth] COB om.] And þat is cause of þis clips · þat closeth now þe sonne, Line 135 In menynge þat man shal · fro merkenesse be drawe, [be] is B.] Þe while þis liȝte & þis leme · shal Lucyfer ablende. [þis (1)] þe B.] For patriarkes & prophetes · han preched her-of often, [her-of] her-on O; here B.] Þat man shal man saue · þorw a maydenes helpe, And þat was tynt þorw tre · tree shal it wynne, Line 140 And þat deth doun brouȝte · deth shal releue." [doun] adown W.] ¶ "Þat þow tellest," quod treuth · "is but a tale of waltrot; [treuth] C om. is] it is CB. tale of] C repeats these words, and omits waltrot.] For Adam & Eue · & abraham with other Patriarkes & prophetes · þat in peyne liggen, Line 144 Leue þow neuere þat ȝone liȝte · hem alofte brynge, [hem alofte] a-loft schal CB; a-lofte schal hem O.] Ne haue hem out of helle · holde þi tonge, mercy! [hem] hym B. holde] helde L (by a mere slip).] It is but a trufle þat þow tellest · I, treuth, wote þe sothe. [a] R om. trufle] tryfule C; truyfle B. I] R om.] For þat is ones in helle · out cometh it neuere; [þat] he þat W. it] he W.] Line 148 Iob þe prophete, patriarke · reproueth þi sawes,

Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio."

[patriarke] and patriark B. þi] þise B.] ¶ Þanne mercy ful myldly · mouthed þise wordes,

"Thorw experience," quod she · "I hope þei shal be saued. [she] he R. þei shal] þow schalt R.] For venym for-doth venym · & þat I proue by resoun. [I proue] so in CR; preue I WO; proue B.] For of alle venymes · foulest is þe scorpioun, [venymes] venym CB.] Line 153 May no medcyne helpe · þe place þere he styngeth, [he] it O.] Tyl he be ded & do þer-to · þe yuel he destroyeth, Þe fyrst venymouste · þorw venym of hym-self. [venymouste] venym is moost (!) O. venym] vertue R.] Line 156 So shal þis deth for-do · I dar my lyf legge, [for-do] do R. my] y B.] Al þat deth [for]dyd furste · þorw þe deuelles en|tysynge; [fordyd] fordide W; LCROB omit the prefix for-, which is wanted; cf. l. 343.] And riȝt as þorw gyle · man was bigyled, So shal grace þat bigan · make a good sleighte;

Ars vt artem falleret."

[sleighte] sighte CB; seeþ (altered to sighte) O.] Line 160 ¶ "Now suffre we," seyde treuth · "I se, as me þinketh, Out of þe nippe of þe north · nouȝt ful fer hennes, Riȝtwisnesse come rennynge · reste we þe while; [come] cam CO. we þe] whe a B.] For he wote more þan we · he was er we bothe." Line 164 ¶ "That is soth," seyde mercy · "And I se here bi southe, Where pees cometh playinge · in pacience yclothed; [folio 78b] [pees cometh] cometh pes R.] Loue hath coueyted hir longe · leue I none other [leue] leege B.] But he sent hir some lettre · what þis liȝte bymeneth, Þat ouer-houeth helle þus; · she vs shal telle." [she] he R.] Line 169 ¶ Whan pees, in pacience yclothed · approched nere hem tweyne, [yclothed] clothed RO; is y|cloþid B. nere] neiȝ CB; nyȝ O. hem] hym B.] Riȝtwisnesse hir reuerenced · for her riche clothyng, [hir] hem COB. for] by W.] And preyed pees to telle hir · to what place she wolde, [she] he R.]

And in her gay garnementz · whom she grete þouȝte. [garnementz] garmentz R. she] he R.] ¶ "My wille is to wende," quod she · "and welcome hem alle, [is] his C. she] he R.] Line 174 Þat many day myȝte I nouȝte se · for merkenesse of synne, [myȝte] nyȝte B.] Adam & Eue · & other moo in helle. Moyses & many mo · mercy shal haue, And I shal daunce þer-to · do þow so, sustre! [R omits. And] COB om. so] also B.] Line 178 For ihesus iusted wel · ioye bygynneth dawe;

Ad vesperum demorabitur fletus, & ad matu|tinum leticia.

[dawe] to dawe OB. leticia] B om.] Loue, þat is my lemman · suche lettres me sente, [me] he me R.] That mercy, my sustre, & I · mankynde shulde saue, [my sustre] R om.] And þat god hath forgyuen · & graunted me pees & mercy, Line 182 To be mannes meynpernoure · for euere-more after. Lo! here þe patent!" quod pees · "in pace in idipsum— And þat þis dede shal dure— · dormiam & requiescam." [dure] endure B.] ¶ "What, rauestow?" quod riȝtwisnesse · "or þow art riȝt dronke! [rauestow] rauest þou OB.] Line 186 Leuestow þat ȝonde liȝte · vnlouke myȝte helle, [Leuestow] Leuest þou O. ȝonde] ȝonder OB.] And saue mannes soule? · sustre, wene it neure! [it] þow it R.] At þe bygynnynge, god · gaf þe dome hym-selue, [At—god] For god þe bigyn|nere W.] Þat Adam & Eue · and alle þat hem suwed, [suwed] sulked (!) C.] Line 190 Shulde deye doune riȝte · and dwelle in pyne after, [Shulde] Shul C.] If þat þei touched a tre · and þe fruite eten. Adam afterward · aȝeines his defence, [Adam] And Adam B.] Frette of þat fruit · & forsoke, as it were, Line 194

Line 194 Þe loue of owre lorde · and his lore bothe, Line 195 And folwed þat þe fende tauȝte · & his felawes wille, Aȝeines resoun, I, riȝtwisnesse · recorde þus with treuth, [R omits. I] and WCOB. riȝtwisnesse] riȝt-fulnesse B.] Þat her peyne be perpetuel · & no preyere hem helpe. For-þi late hem chewe as þei chose · & chyde we nouȝt, sustres, [sustres] syster CO; fuster B.] For it is botelees bale · þe bite þat þei eten." Line 200 ¶ "And [I] shal preue," quod pees · "her peyne mote haue ende, [[I WCOB] LR om.; but the line is marked for correction in L. preue] preie R. ende] an ende CB.] And wo in-to wel · mowe wende atte laste; [wo] from wo W. mowe] schal B.] For had þei wist of no wo · wel had þei nouȝte knowen. [had] R om. þei (2)] þei (printed the) W.] For no wiȝte wote what wel is · þat neuere wo suffred, Ne what is hote hunger · þat had neuere defaute. [hote] hoot WO; hot B.] Line 205 If no nyȝte ne were · no man, as I leue, [as] is as C. leue] wene B.] Shulde wite witterly · what day is to mene; [wite] neuere wite W.] Shulde neuere riȝte riche man · þat lyueth in reste & ese Line 208 Wyte what wo is · ne were þe deth of kynde. [folio 79] [is] is ne wel CB.] So god þat bygan al · of his good wille Bycam man of a mayde · mankynde to saue, [Bycam] And bicam B.] Line 211 And suffred to be solde · to see þe sorwe of deyinge, [to (2)] and R.] The which vnknitteth al kare · & comsynge is of reste. For til modicum mete with vs · I may it wel avowe, [mete] mette ROB; met C. vs] hym O.] Wote no wiȝte, as I wene · what is ynough to mene. [is ynough] ynogh is W; is nouȝte R.] ¶ For-þi god of his goodnesse · þe fyrste gome Adam, [of his] his of B.] Sette hym in solace · & in souereigne myrthe; [myrthe] ioye R.] Line 217 And sith he suffred hym synne · sorwe to fele, [sith] syne C. synne] synege R.]

To wite what wel was · kyndelich to knowe it. [was] is R. to] and W. it] CB om.] And after god auntred hym-self · and toke Adames kynde, [auntred] grauntid COB.] Line 220 To wyte what he hath suffred · in þre sondri places, [hath] hase C. þre] the C; B om.] Bothe in heuene, & in erthe · & now til helle he þynketh, To wite what al wo is · þat wote of al ioye. [þat—of] and what is W. wote] woot CO; wot B.] ¶ So it shal fare bi þis folke; · her foly & her synne Shall lere hem what langour is · & lisse with-outen ende. [lisse] blisse R.] Wote no wighte what werre is · þere þat pees regneth, Ne what is witterly wel · til weyllowey hym teche." ¶ Thanne was þere a wiȝte · with two brode eyen, Line 228 Boke hiȝte þat beupere · a bolde man of speche. [beupere] bewpere R; bewpeer O; beaupeere W; beaupere CB.] "By godes body," quod þis boke · "I wil bere witnesse, Þat þo þis barne was ybore · þere blased a sterre, [ybore] born O.] That alle þe wyse of þis worlde · in o witte acordeden, [wyse of] men in R. acorde|den] acorden WCB.] That such a barne was borne · in bethleem Citee, [borne] y-bore W; y-born R. Citee] þe Citee W; þe cite R.] Line 233 Þat mannes soule sholde saue · & synne destroye. And alle þe elementz," quod þe boke · "her-of bereth witnesse. [C omits.] Þat he was god þat al wrouȝte · þe walkene firste shewed; [walkene] so in O; walkne R; wolkne W; welkne C; welkene B.] Line 236 Þo þat weren in heuene · token stella comata, [comata] cometa W.] And tendeden hir as a torche · to reuerence his birthe; [tendeden] tenteden CB. hir] it W. as] O om.] Þe lyȝte folwed þe lorde · in-to þe lowe erthe. [Þe] water witnessed þat he was god · for he went on it; [[þe WRO] þat LCB. wit|nessed] witnessiþ ORB; witnesse C.] Line 240

Line 240 Peter þe apostel · parceyued his gate, And as he went on þe water · wel hym knewe, & seyde,

Iube me venire ad te super aquas.

[as] C om. þe] þat R. hym] he hym B.] And lo! how þe sonne gan louke · her liȝte in her-self, [i. mare] Whan she seye hym suffre · þat sonne & se made. [se] mone R.] Line 244 The erthe for heuynesse · that he wolde suffre, [heuynesse] buxomnesse CB.] Quaked as quykke þinge · and al biquasht[e] þe roche. [biquashte] biquaschte O; biquasche R; biquasshed WC; to|clief B.] Lo! helle miȝte nouȝte holde · but opened þo god þoled, And lete oute symondes sones · to seen hym hange on Rode. [sones] sone W.] Line 248 And now shal lucifer leue it · thowgh hym loth þinke; [leue] R om. (!)] For gygas þe geaunt · with a gynne engyned [R omits. gynne] gyn haþ W. doune] a-doun WCOB.] To breke & to bete doune · þat ben aȝeines ihesus. [R omits. gynne] gyn haþ W. doune] a-doun WCOB.] "And I, boke, wil be brent · but ihesus rise to lyue, In alle myȝtes of man · & his moder gladye, [folio 79b] [of] of a R.] Line 253 And conforte al his kynne · & out of care brynge, And al þe iuwen ioye · vnioignen & vnlouken; And but þei reuerencen his Rode · & his resurexioun, [reuerencen] reuersen W.] And bileue on a newe lawe · be lost lyf & soule." [bileue] leuen CB; leue O. After this line COBY have the (pro|bably spurious) line—Al this I book witnesse · and yet muche more; where, for Al, OY have And.] Line 257 ¶ "Suffre we," seide treuth · "I here & se bothe, How a spirit speketh to helle · & bit vnspere þe ȝatis,

Attollite portas, &c."

[How] R om. bit] so in OB; bitt R; biddeþ W; biddes C.] A voice loude in þat liȝte · to lucifer cryeth, [cryeth] cried CO.] Line 260 "Prynces of þis place · vnpynneth & vnlouketh! [vnpynneth] oppeneþ O.] For here cometh with croune · þat kynge is of glorie." Thanne syked sathan · & seyde to hem alle, [syked] siȝede R; siȝhede O. hem alle] helle R.]

"Suche a lyȝte, aȝeines owre leue · Lazar it fette; [leue] loue B. it] so in RCO Y; is B; out W.] Line 264 Care & combraunce · is comen to vs alle. [combraunce] encombraunce W.] If þis kynge come in · mankynde wil he fecche, And lede it þer hym lyketh · & lyȝtlych me bynde. [lede] do O. it] hem R. hym lyketh] lazar is R.] Patriarkes & prophetes · han parled her-of longe, [longe] loude B.] Line 268 Þat such a lorde & a lyȝte · shulde lede hem alle hennes." [a (2)] W om. shulde] schal R; shol C.] ¶ "Lysteneth," quod Lucifer · "for I þis lorde knowe, [Lysteneth] listneþ now B.] Bothe þis lorde & þis liȝte; · is longe ago I knewe hym. [is] it is B.] May no deth hym dere · ne no deueles queyntise, [hym] þis lorde R.] Line 272 And where he wil, is his waye · ac war hym of þe periles; [wil—his] wolde his is B. his] R om. ac] and C.] If he reue me my riȝte · he robbeth me by maistrye. [reue] so in ROB; reueþ W; reuees C. me (1)] C om. my] of my R. he robbeth] & robbe R.] For by riȝt & bi resoun · þo renkes þat ben here, [bi] CB om. þo] þoo O; þe WCRB. renkes] freikis B. ben here] ich haue O.] Bodye & soule ben myne · bothe gode & ille. [ben] been O; beþ W.] Line 276 For hym-self seyde · þat sire is of heuene, [COB omit.] Ȝif Adam ete þe apple · alle shulde deye, [Ȝif] þat ȝif R; If WC. þe apple] R om.] And dwelle with vs deueles · þis þretynge he made; And he þat sothenesse is · seyde þise wordes; [he] R om.] Line 280 And sitthen I seised · seuene hundreth wyntre, [sitthen] I sitthen R. I seised] so in W; I sessed R; he seised CB; is ysesid O; is yCeisd Y. seuene] þise seue R; many OY.] I leue þat lawe nil nauȝte · lete hym þe leest." [nil] wole O; wil B.] ¶ "That is sothe," seyde Sathan · "but I me sore drede, For þow gete hem with gyle · & his gardyne breke, [gete] gatist B. hem] hym C.] Line 284

Line 284 And in semblaunce of a serpent · sat on þe appeltre, [semblaunce] semblaunt OB; liknees C. serpent] Nedder C. sat on] sete vp-on W.] And eggedest hem to ete · Eue by hir-selue, [eggedest] eggest C. ete] ete þer-of B.] And toldest hir a tale · of tresoun were þe wordes; And so þow haddest hem oute · & hider atte laste. [so] al-so R. hem] hym B.] Line 288 It is nouȝte graythely geten · þere gyle is þe Rote." "For god wil nouȝt be bigiled" · quod Gobelyn, "ne bi-iaped; [Gobelyn] goblyn O.] We haue no trewe title to hem · for þorwgh tresoun were þei dampned." [title] tilyle (!) R. þorwgh] wiþ B.] "Certes, I drede me," quod þe deuel · "leste treuth wil hem fecche. [þe] þis O. After this line CBY have the (probably spurious) line—Oute of oure poustee · and leden hem hennes.] Line 292 ¶ Þis þretty wynter, as I wene · hath he gone & preched; [wene] leue B. hath—gone] he wente aboute R.] I haue assailled hym with synne · & some tyme yasked [assailled] assoiled (!) C. tyme] R om.] Where he were god or goddes sone? · he gaf me shorte answere. [Where] Wheiþer W; Were B.] And þus hath he trolled forth · þis two & thretty wynter, [folio 80] [hath he] he hath R. trolled] tollid B. two] to R; twa C.] Line 296 And whan I seighe it was so · slepyng, I went, [slepyng] lepynge W; sepynge B.] To warne pilates wyf · what dones man was ihesus; [dones] dones O; done WR; doone Y; doon C; dene B.] For iuwes hateden hym · and han done hym to deth. I wolde haue lengthed his lyf · for I leued, ȝif he deyede, [I (1)] And I R. lengthed] lenged C.] Line 300 That his soule wolde suffre · no synne in his syȝte. For þe body, whil it on bones ȝede · aboute was euere, [suffre] nauȝt suffre R.] To saue men fram synne · ȝif hem-self wolde.

And now I se where a soule · cometh hiderward seyllynge, [seyllynge] sailynge RO.] Line 304 With glorie & with grete liȝte · god it is, I wote wel. [glorie] Ioie C. with (2)] RO om.] I rede we flee," quod he · "faste alle hennes. [we] þat we W.] For vs were better nouȝte be · þan biden his syȝte. [biden] to a-biden B.] For þi lesynges, Lucifer · loste is al owre praye. Line 308 Firste þorw þe we fellen · fro heuene so heighe; [fellen] fallen B.] For we leued þi lesynges · [we loupen oute alle with þe; [leued] loueden B. þi] on þi W; þise B. [we—lesynge] in R only; but cf. C-Text. ylore] y-lorn W; yloste C.] And now for thi last lesynge ·] ylore we haue Adam, And al owre lordeship, I leue · a londe & a water;

Nunc princeps huius mundi eicietur foras."

[a (1)] on B. a (2)] on OB. eicietur] eicitur RB.] Line 312 ¶ Efte þe liȝte bad vnlouke · & Lucifer answered, "What lorde artow?" quod lucifer · "quis est iste?" "Rex glorie" · þe liȝte sone seide, [In one line in R, which omits sone. And] þe R; And a B. of (2)] O om. mayne] man WR many B.] "And lorde of myȝte & of mayne · & al manere vertues; dominus virtutum; Line 316 Dukes of þis dym place · anon vndo þis ȝates, [Dukes] Duk R.] That cryst may come in · þe kynges sone of heuene." [þe] R om.] And with þat breth helle brake · with Beliales barres; [brake] braste R.] For any wye or warde · wide opene þe ȝatis. [opene] so in B; open CO; opned WR.] Line 320 ¶ Patriarkes & prophetes · populus in tenebris, Songen seynt Iohanes songe · ecce agnus dei. [Iohanes] Iohan B.] Lucyfer loke ne myȝte · so lyȝte hym ableynte. [ableynte] ablente WRO; a|blyndyde C; a-blynde B.] Line 323 And þo þat owre [lorde] loued · in-to his liȝte he lauȝte, [[lorde RWCOBY] L om. lauȝte] tooke C.] And seyde to Sathan, "lo! here · my soule to amendes [soule] soulis B.] For alle synneful soules · to saue þo þat ben worthy.

Myne þei be & of me · I may þe bette hem clayme. Al-þough resoun recorde · & riȝt of my-self, [Al-þough] And þouȝ WB.] Line 328 That if þei ete þe apple · alle shulde deye, [þei] he W.] I bihyȝte hem nouȝt here · helle for euere. For þe dede þat þei dede · þi deceyte it made; [dede (1)] dyede C. dede (2)] dide WCB; diden O.] With gyle þow hem gete · agayne al resoun. [gete] gate C.] Line 332 For in my paleys, paradys · in persone of an addre, [my] O om. paleys] place OB.] Falseliche þow fettest þere · þynge þat I loued. [fettest] fecchest R. þere] WO om.] ¶ Thus ylyke a lusarde · with a lady visage, Theuelich þow me robbedest; · þe olde lawe graunteth, [þe] and þe W. lawe] lawe it B.] Þat gylours be bigiled · & þat is gode resoun;

Dentem pro dente, & oculum pro oculo.

[be] þat ben B.] Line 337 Ergo, soule shal soule quyte · & synne to synne wende, [soule (2)] B om. to synne] C om.] And al þat man hath mysdo · I, man, wyl amende. [man wyl] may wel O. amende] amende it R.] Membre for membre · bi þe olde lawe was amendes, [folio 80b] [amendes] amendid B.] And lyf for lyf also · & by þat lawe I clayme it, [þat] þe O. it] R om.] Line 341 Adam & al his issue · at my wille her-after. [al] B om.] And þat deth in hem fordid · my deth shal releue, [þat] at R.] And bothe quykke & quyte · þat queynte was þorw synne; [quykke] quik R; quyke O; quykee C; quykye B; quykne W.] Line 344 And þat grace gyle destruye · good feith it asketh. [destruye] distroyed CB.] So leue it nouȝte, lucifer · aȝeine þe lawe I fecche hem, [it] I WCOB. nouȝte] neuere R. aȝeine] þat aȝen B.] But bi riȝt & by resoun · raunceoun here my lyges:

Non veni soluere legem, sed adimplere.

[But] And O. by] RCB om. lyges] lieges C; leges R; liegges B. adimplere] implere R.] Þow fettest myne in my place · aȝeines al resoun, [fettest] foched C. myne] hym B. al] R om.] Line 348

Line 348 Falseliche & felounelich; · gode faith me it tauȝte, [me it] it me B.] To recoure hem thorw raunceoun · & bi no resoun elles, So þat with gyle þow gete · þorw grace it is ywone. [with] þoruȝ WCOB. gete] gate C. it is] is it C. ywone] wonne COB.] Þow, Lucyfer, in lyknesse · of a luther addere, [þow] þat B. luther] lither RCOB.] Line 352 Getest by gyle · þo that god loued; [Getest] Gatest C; Gete R; Gat B. þo] þinge R.] ¶ And I, in lyknesse of a leode · þat lorde am of heuene, [I] CB om.] Graciousliche þi gyle haue quytte · go gyle aȝeine gyle! [quytte] y-quyt B. gyle (2)] riȝt B.] And as Adam & alle · þorw a tre deyden, [alle] alle other CB.] Line 356 Adam & alle þorwe a tree · shal torne aȝeine to lyue; [aȝeine] R om.] And gyle is bigyled · & in his gyle fallen:

Et cecidit in foueam quam fecit.

Now bygynneth þi gyle · ageyne þe to tourne, [to] C om.] And my grace to growe · ay gretter & wyder. [wyder] widder WCO; gret|tere R.] Line 360 Þe bitternesse þat þow hast browe · brouke it þi-seluen, [WO omit. hast] CB om. brouke] now brouke R. This line is found in Crowley. Cf. Pass. xi. 117.] Þat art doctour of deth · drynke þat þow madest! ¶ For I, þat am lorde of lyf · loue is my drynke, And for þat drynke to-day · I deyde vpon erthe. Line 364 I fauȝte so, me þrestes ȝet · for mannes soule sake; [B transposes these two lines.] [þrestes] þristeþ O; thryste C; thurstes R; þursteþ WB.] May no drynke me moiste · ne my thruste slake, [B transposes these two lines.] [thruste] þrist O; thryst C; threst R; þurst WB.] Tyl þe vendage falle · in þe vale of iosephath, [þe vendage] vengeaunce B.] Þat I drynke riȝte ripe must · resureccio mortuorum, [must] most R.] And þanne shal I come as a kynge · crouned with angeles, Line 369 And han out of helle · alle mennes soules. [han] so in R; haue WCOB. mennes] mannys O; manere CB.] ¶ Fendes and fendekynes · bifor me shulle stande, [fendekynes] fyndekynes WC; feendkyns O.]

And be at my biddynge · where so eure me lyketh. Line 372 And to be merciable to man · þanne my kynde it asketh, [And—be] Ac R. þanne—kynde] my kende þanne R. it] WO om.] For we beth bretheren of blode · but nouȝte in bap|tesme alle. Ac alle þat beth myne hole bretheren · in blode & in baptesme, Shal nouȝte be dampned to þe deth · þat is with-outen ende;

Tibi soli peccaui, &c.

Line 376 It is nouȝt vsed in erthe · to hangen a feloun [in] on R.] Ofter þan ones · þough he were a tretour. And ȝif þe Kynge of þat kyngedome · come in þat tyme, There þe feloun thole sholde · deth or otherwyse, [þe] W om. thole sholde] schulde þole O. or otherwyse] so in RCBY; ouþer oþer-wise O; or ooþer Iuwise W; other else in Crowley.] Line 380 Lawe wolde, he ȝeue hym lyf · if he loked on hym. [Lawe] þe lawe O. ȝeue] geue C; ȝaf R; ȝaue O. if] and R.] ¶ And I, þat am kynge of kynges · shal come suche a tyme, [folio 81] There dome to þe deth · dampneth al wikked; [There] Where þe O; Where B; Wher C. al] alle (printed alle the) W.] And ȝif lawe wil I loke on hem · it lithe in my grace, [loke—hem] on hym loke O.] Whether þei deye or deye nouȝte · for þat þei deden ille. [þei] O has he, the first time only.] Line 385 Be it any þinge abouȝte · þe boldenesse of her synnes, [it] O om. abouȝte] O om. (!)] I may do mercy þorw riȝtwisnesse · & alle my wordes trewe. [may] WOY om. trewe] been trewe O.] And þough holiwrit wil þat I be wroke · of hem þat deden ille,

Nullum malum inpunitum, &c.,

[386—388. CB omit.] [þat (1)] R om. Nullum] For nullum O.] Line 388 Thei shul be clensed clereliche · & wasshen of her synnes

In my prisoun purgatorie · til parce it hote, And my mercy shal be shewed · to manye of my bretheren. Line 391 For blode may suffre blode · bothe hungry & akale, [hungry] hungre C; and hungred (sic) B. akale] so in R; a|cale WO; a-calde C; a-cold B.] Ac blode may nouȝt se blode · blede, but hym rewe."—

Audiui archana verba, que non licet homini loqui.—

[Ac] And C. se] se his R. hym] it CB.] "Ac my riȝtwisnesse & riȝt · shal reulen al helle, And mercy al mankynde · bifor me in heuene. Line 395 For I were an vnkynde Kynge · but I my kynde holpe, [kynde] kyn R. holpe] so in R; helpe WCOB.] And namelich at such a nede · þer nedes helpe bi|houeth;

Non intres in iudicium cum seruo tuo, [domine.]

[namelich] mandlich (!) C; maliche B. such] silke (!) C. nedes] nede B. [domine] in O only.] Þus bi lawe," quod owre lorde · "lede I wil fro hennes Þo þat me loued · & leued in my comynge. [me] I R.] And for þi lesynge, lucifer · þat þow lowe til Eue, [lowe] so in R; leighe WC; leyȝ OB. til] to R.] Line 400 Thow shalt abye it bittre"— · & bonde hym with cheynes. [bittre] bitterli O. bonde] a|bond B.] Astaroth and al þe route · hidden hem in hernes, [Astaroth] Astarot R; Astroth W; Astoroth C; Astrot B. hem] thaym C.] They dorste nouȝte loke on owre lorde · þe boldest of hem alle, But leten hym lede forth what hym lyked · and lete what hym liste. [what hym (1)] whom hym W; with hym who hym C; with hym alle þat hym B. what (2)] whom W.] Line 404 ¶ Many hundreth of angeles · harpeden & songen,

Culpat caro, purgat caro; regnat deus dei caro.

¶ Thanne piped pees · of poysye a note, "Clarior est solito post maxima nebula phebus, [solito] solitus R. nebula] so in the MSS.]

Post inimicitias [clarior est et amor]. [[clarior—amor] LW omit; RCOBY retain this half-line.] Line 408 After sharpe shoures," quod pees · "moste shene is þe sonne; [sharpe] scharpest R. shene] clene B.] Is no weder warmer · þan after watery cloudes. Ne no loue leuere · ne leuer frendes, [Here R has lost eight leaves, down to Pass. XX. 27. This passage is collated with Y.] [leuer] more better O.] Line 411 Þan after werre & wo · whan loue & pees be maistres. Was neuere werre in þis worlde · ne wykkednesse so kene, Þat ne loue, & hym luste · to laughynge ne brouȝte, [ne (1)] CB om.] And pees þorw pacience · alle perilles stopped." [stopped] stoppeþ W.] "Trewes," quod treuth · "þow tellest vs soth, bi ihesus! [Trewes] Trews O.] Clippe we in couenaunt · & vch of vs cusse other." [cusse] kisse COBY; clippe W.] Line 417 "And lete no peple," quod pees · "perceyue þat we chydde, [lete] latte O; leteþ W. chydde] chide CY; chiden O.] For inpossible is no þyng · to hym þat is almyȝty." [inpossible] impossible OY.] ¶ "Thow seist soth," seyde ryȝtwisnesse · & reuer|entlich hir kyste, Line 420 "Pees & pees here! per secula seculorum."

Misericordia & veritas obuiauerunt sibi, iusticia & pax osculate sunt.

Treuth tromped þo, & songe · te deum laudamus; And þanne luted loue · in a loude note, [folio 81b]

Ecce quam bonum, & quam iocundum, &c.

[loue] W om. in] in-to B.] ¶ Tyl þe daye dawed · þis damaiseles daunced, Line 424 That men rongen to þe resurexioun · & riȝt with þat I waked, [rongen] range C; rounge B. waked] a-wakid B.] And called kitte my wyf · and kalote my douȝter— [called] y-callid B.] "Ariseth & reuerenceth · goddes resurrexioun, [Ariseth—reuerenceth] so in OBY; Arises and reuerens C; And bad hem rise and reuerence W. goddes] cristis B.]

And crepeth to þe crosse on knees · & kisseth it for a iuwel! [crepeth] crepe W. kisseth] kisse W; kisses C.] Line 428 For goddes blissed body · it bar for owre bote, [goddes blissed] cristis owen B.] And it afereth þe fende · for suche is þe myȝte, May no grysly gost · glyde þere it shadweth!" [shadweth] so in Y; shadwiþ B; schadwes C; schadewiþ O; walkeþ W.] Line 431

PASSUS XIX (PROLOGUE TO DOBEST).

[TITLE. Passus decimus nonus YO; to which B adds—et quintus de dobet. W agrees with L.] Passus xix ^us; & explicit dobet, & incipit dobest.

THus I awaked & wrote · what I had dremed, [dremed] ydremed WC.] And diȝte me derely · & dede me to cherche, To here holy þe masse · & to be houseled after. [holy þe] þe holi B.] [& to be—masse] COBY om.] In myddes of þe masse · þo men ȝede to offrynge, [& to be—masse] COBY om.] Line 4 I fel eftsones a-slepe · & sodeynly me mette, [COBY omit.] That Pieres þe plowman · was paynted al blody, [That] þanne O.] And come in with a crosse · bifor þe comune peple, And riȝte lyke in alle lymes · to owre lorde ihesu; [lymes] þynges W.] Line 8 And þanne called I conscience · to kenne me þe sothe. [And] CBY om.] "Is þis ihesus þe iuster?" quod I · "þat iuwes did to deth? [did] diden B; diden hym O.] Or it is Pieres þe plowman! · who paynted hym so rede?" [it is] so in WCOBY; is it in Crowley.] Quod conscience, & kneled þo · "þise aren Pieres armes, His coloures & his cote-armure · ac he þat cometh so blody [ac] and C.] Line 13 Is cryst with his crosse · conqueroure of crystene." [Is] Wiþ B.]

¶ "Why calle ȝe hym cryst?" quod I · "sithenes iuwes calle hym ihesus? [ȝe] W om. calle (2)] called CBY; calleden O.] Patriarkes & prophetes · prophecyed bifore, Line 16 Þat alkyn creatures · shulden knelen & bowen, Anon as men nempned · þe name of god Ihesu. Ergo is no name · to þe name of ihesus, [is] þer is B. þe] þat B. of] CBY om.] Ne none so nedeful to nempne · by nyȝte ne by daye. For alle derke deuelles · aren adradde to heren it, Line 21 And synful aren solaced · & saued bi þat name. And ȝe callen hym cryst · for what cause, telleth me? [ȝe] thay C. callen] callid B.] Is cryst more of myȝte · & more worthy name Line 24 Þan ihesu or ihesus · þat al owre ioye come of?" [come] comeþ B.] ¶ "Thow knowest wel," quod conscience · "and þow konne resoun, [konne] canst O.] That knyȝte, kynge, conqueroure · may be o persone. [O puts kynge before knyȝte. kynge] kyng and B. o] a B; of oo Y.] To be called a kniȝte is faire · for men shal knele to hym; Line 28 To be called a Kynge is fairer · for he may knyȝtes make; [To] And to O. is] O om.] Ac to be conquerour called · þat cometh of special grace, [Ac] And CYB.] And of hardynesse of herte · & of hendenesse [bothe], [[bothe COBY] LW om.] To make lordes of laddes · of londe þat he wynneth, Line 32 And fre men foule thralles · þat folweth nouȝt his lawes. [folio 82] ¶ The iuwes, þat were gentil men · ihesu þei dispised, Bothe his lore & his lawe · now ar þei lowe cherlis. As wyde as þe worlde is · wonyeth þere none [As] Also B. wonyeth—none] noon of hem þer wonyeþ W.] Line 36 But vnder tribut & taillage · as tykes & cherles. And þo þat bicome crysten · by conseille of þe baptiste, [baptiste] baptisme WCO; bap|tesme Y; baptyme B.]

Aren frankeleynes, fre men · þorw fullyng þat þei toke, [fre] & free O. fullyng] þe fullyng B.] And gentel men with ihesu · for Ihesus was [yfulled], [yfulled WCY] yfullid OB; yfolled L.] And vppon caluarye on crosse · ycrouned kynge of iewes. Line 41 ¶ It bicometh to a Kynge · to kepe and to defende, [to (2)] O om.] And conquerour of conquest · his lawes & his large. [And] And a C.] And so [dide] Ihesus þe iewes · he iustified & tauȝte hem [[dide] so in WCOBY; ded L.] Line 44 Þe lawe of lyf · that last shal euere; [lyf] longe lijf O.] And fended fram foule yueles · feueres & fluxes, [fended] fende hem O; fenden Y; fendist B; defended W.] And fro fendes þat in hem [were] · & fals bileue. [fro] O om. in] O om. [were WCYB] werren (sic) O; was L. fals] al fals O.] Þo was he ihesus of iewes called · gentel prophete, Line 48 And kynge of her kyngdome · & croune bar of þornes. ¶ And þo conquered he on crosse · as conquerour noble; [crosse] þe crois B.] Myȝt no deth hym fordo · ne adown brynge, That he ne aros & regned · and rauysshed helle. [ne aros] naroos W; no roos O; aros CB.] Line 52 And þo was he conquerour called · of quikke & of ded, [called] calle C; B om.] For he ȝaf Adam & Eue · and other mo blisse, Þat longe hadde leyne bifore · as lucyferes cherles. [leyne] y-leyen W. lucyferes] lucifer Y.] ¶ And sith he ȝaf largely · alle his lele lyges [alle] to alle B.] Line 56 Places in paradys · at her partynge hennes, He may wel be called conquerour · & þat is cryst to mene. ¶ Ac þe cause þat he cometh þus · with crosse of his passioun, [he] C om. his] CYB om.] Is to wissen vs þere-wyth · þat whan þat we ben tempted, [þat (2)] B om.] Line 60

Line 60 Þer-with to fyȝte & fenden vs · fro fallyng in-to synne, [fenden] defenden W. in-to] to W. synne] C om. (!)] And se bi his sorwe · þat who so loueth ioye, [se] se (printed so) W. so] B om.] To penaunce & to pouerte · he moste putten hym|seluen, And moche wo in þis worlde · willen & suffren. [wo] who B; O om. willen] to willen W.] Line 64 ¶ Ac to carpe more of cryst · And how he come to þat name, [Ac] As CB. more] B om. name] C om.] Faithly forto speke · his firste name was ihesus. [Faithly] Feiþ-fulli B.] Tho he was borne in bethleem · as þe boke telleth, And cam to take mankynde · kynges and aungeles Line 68 Reuerenced hym faire · with richesse of erthe. [Reuerenced] Reuerenseden B. richesse] richesses W.] Angeles out of heuene · come knelyng & songe,

Gloria in excelsis deo, &c.

[out] B om.] ¶ Kynges come after · kneled, & offred [come] þat come W. kneled] knelynge OY; and kneliden B.] Mirre & moche golde · with-outen mercy askynge, [moche] mylkyle (!) C.] Line 72 Or any kynnes catel · but knowlechyng hym soe|uereigne Bothe of sonde, sonne, & see · & sithenes þei went [folio 82b] [sonde] lond W; soule B; sonde and COY. see] sehe O.] In-to her kyngene kyth · by conseille of angeles. [her—kyth] hir kyngenelich C; hir kyngenlith Y; erþe kyngriche B. angeles] an angel B.] And there was þat worde fulfilled · þe which þow of speke,

Omnia celestia, terrestria, flectantur in hoc no|mine Ihesu.

[worde] world Y.] Line 76 For alle þe angeles of heuene · at his burth kneled, And al þe witte of þe worlde · was in þo þre kynges; Resoun & [riȝtwisnesse] · & reuth þei offred, [[riȝtwisnesse WOY] riȝtfulnesse LCB; but see l. 84.] Wherfore & whi · wyse men þat tyme, Line 80 Maistres & lettred men · Magy hem called.

¶ That o kynge cam with resoun · keuered vnder sense. [o] of (!) Y; on B.] Þe secounde kynge sitthe · sothliche offred [sitthe] ek CB; ech Y. soth|liche] soiþli he B.] Riȝtwisnesse vnder red golde · resouns felawe. [Riȝtwisnesse] Riȝtfulnesse B. red] B om.] Line 84 Golde is likned to leute · þat last shal euere, [Golde] For gold W. leute] beaute B. last] fast Y.] And resoun to riche golde · to riȝte & to treuthe. [W omits.] The þridde kynge þo cam · knelyng to ihesu, [þo] CB om.] Line 87 And presented hym with pitee · apierynge by myrre; [presented] presente C. apier|ynge] apperynge WO; appaieryng Y; a pilgrym (!) B. by] to C.] For mirre is mercy to mene · & mylde speche of tonge. Thre yliche honest þinges · [were] offred þus at ones, [Thre yliche] þise þree y|likne B. were—kynges] CB omit. [were WOY] was L.] Þorw þre kynne kynges · knelynge to ihesu. [Thre yliche] þise þree y|likne B. were—kynges] CB omit. [were WOY] was L.] ¶ Ac for alle þise preciouse presentz · owre lorde prynce ihesus [prynce] kyng W.] Line 92 Was neyther kynge ne conquerour · til he gan to wexe In þe manere of a man · & þat by moche sleight; [þe] þise B. moche] muchel W.] As it bicometh a conquerour · to konne many sleightes, [sleightes] wilis B.] And many wyles & witte · þat wil ben a leder; [wyles—witte] sotile wittis B.] Line 96 And so did ihesu in his dayes · who so had tyme to telle it. [ihesu] Iohan B. had] holdiþ B. to] B om.] Sum tyme he suffred · & sum tyme he hydde hym; [Sum] So þat B.] And sum tyme he fauȝte faste · & fleigh otherwhile. [fleigh] fledd C; pleieþ B.] And some tyme he gaf good · & graunted hele bothe, [good] gold B. hele] hile B.] Lyf & lyme · as hym lyste, he wrought. Line 101 As kynde is of a conquerour · so comsed ihesu, [a] B om. so] and so Y.] Tyl he had alle hem · þat he fore bledde. [had] badde C.] ¶ In his iuuente þis ihesus · atte iuwen feste, [iuuente] Iuuentee WY; Inno|cence CB. atte] at WC; at þe Y. iuwen] Iewne C; Iuen O.] Line 104

Line 104 Water in-to wyn tourned · as holy writ telleth, And þere bigan god · of his grace to dowel. [to] CYB om.] For wyn is lykned to lawe · & lyf of holynesse; [of] W om.] And lawe lakked þo · for men loued nouȝt her enemys. And cryst conseilleth þus · & comaundeth bothe, [þus] vs COBY. comaundeth] comaunde C.] Line 109 Bothe to lered & to lewed · to louye owre enemys. [Bothe] W om.] So atte feste firste · as I bifore tolde, [atte] at þe COY; þat þe B; at þat (printed the) W.] Bygan god, of his grace · & goodnesse, to dowel: Line 112 And þo was he cleped & called · nouȝt holy cryst, but Ihesu, [þo] þoo O; þanne W. cleped &] W om. cryst] chirche CB. Crowley has—not only christ but Jesu.] A faunt fyn, ful of witte · filius marie. ¶ For bifor his moder marie · made he þat wonder, Þat she furste & formest · ferme shulde bilieue, Line 116 That he þorw grace was gete · & of no gome elles. [folio 83] [of] CBY om.] He wrouȝt þat bi no witte · but þorw worde one, After þe kynde þat he come of · þere comsed he dowel. [þere] the Y. comsed] bygan C.] And whan he was woxen more · in his moder absence, [was woxen] woxen was W.] He made lame to lepe · & ȝaue liȝte to blynde, [lame] lame men B.] Line 121 And fedde with two fisshes · & with fyue loues Sore afyngred folke · mo þan fyue thousande. [afyngred] ahungerd C; and hungrid B. fyue] a CY. mo—thou|sande] fyue þowsan and mo B.] Þus he conforted carful · & cauȝte a gretter name, [carful] þe careful B. a] Y om. gretter] gret B.] Line 124 Þe whiche was dobet · where þat he went. For defe þorw his doynges to here · & dombe speke he made, [defe] deef CY; deefe O; deue W; deefe men B. þorw—doynges] he made B. speke—made] speke made C; to speke B.] And alle he heled & halpe · þat hym of grace asked. [he] B om.] And þo was he called in contre · of þe comune peple,

For þe dedes þat he did · fili dauid, ihesus! [fili—ihesus] ihesu fili dauid COBY.] Line 129 For dauid was douȝtiest · of dedes in his tyme, [his] B om.] The berdes þo songe · Saul interfecit mille, et dauid decem milia; [berdes] burdes W; birdes Y; byrdes C; burges B. þo] that COBY. Saul] Sal CB.] For-þi þe contre þere ihesu cam · called hym fili dauid, [For-þi] For B.] And nempned hym of nazereth · & no man so worthi To be kaisere or kynge · of þe kyngedome of iuda, [iuda] Iude C; Iudee B.] Line 134 Ne ouer iuwes iustice · as ihesus was, hem þouȝte. [Ne] And be B. iustice] Ius|tices C. ihesus] B om.] ¶ Where-of caiphas hadde enuye · & other of þe iewes, And forto done hym to deth · day & nyȝte þei casten; [done] done or doun L; doon WCY; don B; do O; cf. gone in l. 143.] Kulleden hym on-crosse-wyse · at caluarie on fryday, [Kulleden] And killiden B. on (2)] on þe B.] And sithen buryden his body · & beden þat men sholde Kepen it fro niȝt-comeres · with knyȝtes y-armed, [y-armed] armed Y.] Line 140 For no frendes shulde hym fecche · for prophetes hem tolde, Þat þat blessed body · of burieles shulde rise, [blessed] blisful C; bisseful (sic) B. shulde rise] risen sholde W.] And gone in-to galile · and gladen his apostles, And his moder Marie · þus men bifore demed. [men] þei B.] Line 144 ¶ The knyȝtes þat kepten it · biknewe it hem-seluen, [it (1)] so in W and Crowley; hym COBY. hem-seluen] hym-selue CB.] Þat angeles & archangeles · ar þe day spronge, Come knelynge to þe corps · & songen, christus re|surgens [Come] Comen kynlyn (!) B. corps] corees C; cors B.] Verrey man bifor hem alle · & forth with hem he ȝede. [man] men (sic) WO.] Line 148 ¶ The iewes preyed hem pees · & bisouȝte þe knyȝtes [pees] be pees W.]

Telle þe comune þat þere cam · a compaignye of his aposteles, [Telle] to telle B. þe comune] O om. cam] coomen O.] And bywicched hem as þei woke · & awey stolen it. [as] ar B. it] hym B.] ¶ Ac Marie Magdeleyne · mette hym bi þe wey, Line 152 Goynge toward galile · in godhed & manhed, And lyues & lokynge · & she aloude cryde, [lyues] so in W; on lyue O; a lyue Y; lymes CB. she] so CBY.] In eche a compaignye þere she cam · christus resurgens! [C and B are corrupt here.] Þus cam it out þat cryst ouer-cam · rekeuered & lyued;

Sic oportet christum pati, & intrare, &c.;

For [þat] þat wommen witeth · may nouȝte wel be con|seille! [[þat WCOBY] L om. witeth] witethes (!) C. conseille] counseille W; counseil CYB; counceyl O.] Line 157 ¶ Peter perceyued al þis · & pursued after, [perceyued] perceyues C.] Bothe iames & Iohan · Ihesu for to seke, [folio 83b] Tadde & ten mo · with Thomas of ynde. [Tadde] so in COB; Thaddee W; Thadde Y.] Line 160 And as alle þise wise wyes · weren togideres, [as] B om. wyes] men B.] In an hous al bishette · & her dore ybarred, [bishette] biset C; bisette Y. ybarred] so in W; ysperrede CY; yspered O; I-spord B; Crowley has barred.] Cryst cam in, & al closed · bothe dore & ȝates, [&] so in W; COBY om.; but cf. C-Text.] To peter & to his aposteles · and seyde pax vobis! [his] þise W; þe B.] Line 164 And toke Thomas by þe hande · and tauȝte hym to grope, [grope] grappe C.] And fele with his fyngres · his flesshelich herte. ¶ Thomas touched it · & with his tonge seyde,

'Deus meus & dominus meus.

Thow art my lorde, I bileue · god, lorde ihesu! [god] my god W. god lorde] my lord god B.] Line 168 Þow deydest & deth þoledest · and deme shalt vs alle! [shalt] shal B.] And now art lyuynge & lokynge · & laste shalt euere!' [shalt] schalt þou O.]

¶ Crist carped þanne · and curteislich seyde, 'Thomas, for þow trowest þis · & trewliche bileuest it, [bileuest] leuest O.] Blessed mote þow be · & be shalt for euere. Line 173 And blessed mote þei alle be · in body & in soule, That neuere shal se me in siȝte · as þow doste nouthe, [shal se] seien B.] And lellich bileuen al þis · I loue hem & blesse hem;

Beati qui non viderunt, [et crediderunt,] &c.'

[[et crediderunt COBY] LW om.] ¶ And whan þis dede was done · dobest he tauȝte, And ȝaf Pieres power · and pardoun he graunted [he] hym B.] To alle manere men · mercy & forȝyfnes, [men] of men C.] Line 179 Hym myȝte men to assoille · of alle manere synnes, [Hym—to] His power myȝte men Y; He myȝt men B. (These two readings are simpler, yet probably not genuine.) men] W om.; O places it after assoille. synnes] synne W.] In couenant þat þei come · & knowleche to paye, [knowleche] so in O; know|liche CY; knouleche B; apparently miswritten knewleche in L; knewe|liched W.] To pieres pardon þe plowman · redde quod debes. ¶ Thus hath pieres powere · be his pardoun payed, [hath] O om. be] by W; bi B.] To bynde & to vnbynde · bothe here & elles-[where], [to (2)] WCOBY om. [where WCOBY] L omits, but the line is marked; els where in Crowley.] And assoille men of alle synnes · saue of dette one. [assoille] soilled C. alle] CB om.] Line 185 ¶ Anone after an heigh · vp in-to heuene [an heigh] on heigh B; on hyȝ O. in-to] in-to þe Y; to the CB.] He went, & wonyeth þere · & wil come atte laste, [wil] wo (put for wol) B. atte] at þe WOB; at CY.] And rewarde hym riȝte wel · þat reddit quod debet— [And] L has And wil; but wil should be omitted, as in WCOBY.] Payeth parfitly · as pure trewthe wolde. [Payeth] And payeþ O.] Line 189 And what persone payeth it nouȝt · punysshen he þinketh, And demen hem at domes daye · bothe quikke & ded, [hem] hym COB. at] a CY.] Þe gode to þe godhede · & to grete ioye, Line 192 And wikke to wonye · in wo with-outen ende." [wikke] wikkede WCOBY.]

Þus conscience of crist · & of þe crosse carped, [þe] O om.] And conseilled me to knele þer-to · & þanne come, me þouȝte, [come] cam WOY; com CB.] Line 195 One spiritus paraclitus · to pieres & to his felawes; In lyknesse of a liȝtnynge · he lyȝte on hem alle, And made hem konne & knowe · alkyn langages. I wondred what þat was · & wagged conscience, And was afered of the lyȝte · for in fyres lyknesse [folio 84] [the] þat CYB. lyknesse] light|nesse W.] Line 200 Spiritus paraclitus · ouer-spradde hem alle. ¶ Quod conscience, & kneled · "þis is crystes messager, And cometh fro þe grete god · & grace is his name. Knele now," quod conscience · "& if þow canst synge, Welcome hym & worshipe hym · with veni, creator spiritus." Line 205 ¶ Thanne songe I þat songe · and so did many hundreth, [and] W om.] And cryden with conscience · "help vs, god of grace!" And þanne bigan grace · to go with piers plowman, And conseilled hym & conscience · þe comune to sompne, Line 209 "For I wil dele to-daye · & dyuyde grace, [dyuyde] ȝyue diuine W.] To alkynnes creatures · þat [han] her fyue wittes, [[han WCOYB] kan L.] Tresore to lyue by · to her lyues ende, Line 212 And wepne to fyȝte with · þat wil neure faille. For antecryst & his · al þe worlde shal greue, And acombre þe, conscience · but if cryst þe helpe. [þe (2)] Crowley omits.] ¶ And fals prophetes fele · flatereres & glosers [fele] fell in Crowley.] Line 216 Shullen come & be curatoures · ouer kynges & erlis, And pryde shal be pope · prynce of holycherche, [prynce] and prince in Crowley.] Coueytyse & vnkyndenesse · cardinales hym to lede. [hym] hem in Crowley.]

For-þi," quod grace, "er I go · I wil gyue ȝow tresore, [213—220. COBY omit, owing to repetition of And wepne, &c. W and Crowley retain this passage.] And wepne to fiȝte with · whan antecryst ȝow assailleth." [antecryst] any cristyne CB.] Line 221 And gaf eche man a grace · to gye with hym seluen, [eche] O om. gye] gide W; go COY; goo B; but Crowley has guide.] That ydelnesse encombre hym nouȝt · envye ne pryde,

Diuisiones graciarum sunt, &c.

¶ Some he ȝaf wytte · with wordes to shewe, [wordes] is wordis B.] Line 224 Witte to wynne her lyflode with · as þe worlde asketh, [Witte] Wiþ B. her] his Y. worlde] werk O.] As prechoures & prestes · & prentyce[s] of lawe, [prentyces] Prentices WCOY; princis B; miswritten prentyce in L.] Þei lelly to lyue · by laboure of tonge, [by] þoruȝ O; by a B.] And bi witte to wissen other · as grace hem wolde teche. Line 228 ¶ And some he kenned crafte · & kunnynge of syȝte, [he] B om. crafte] craftis B.] With sellyng & buggynge · her bylyf to wynne, [buggynge] byggynge CYB. bylyf] bilyue WC; bileue Y; bileue (altered to biliue) O; liflode B.] And some he lered to laboure · a lele lyf & a trewe, [a (2)] COB om.] And somme he tauȝte to tilie · to dyche & to thecche, [thecche] hegge COBY.] To wynne with her lyflode · by lore of his techynge. And some to dyuyne & diuide · noumbres to kenne; [to (1)] BY om. noumbres] membres C; menbris B.] And some to compas craftily · & coloures to make; And some to se & to saye · what shulde bifalle, [&] and som C; & summe OB. shulde] shulle B.] Line 236 Bothe of wel & of wo · telle it or it felle, As Astronomyenes þorw astronomye & philosophres wyse. [&] on O.] ¶ And some to ryde & to recoeure · þat vnriȝtfully was wonne; [&] & som YB. vnriȝtfully] wrongfully W.] He wissed hem wynne it aȝeyne · þorw wightnesse of handes, [wissed] wissem (!) B. wynne] to wynne WB. wightnesse] wight|wisnesse Y; witnesse CB.] Line 240

Line 240 ¶ And fecchen it fro fals men · with foluyles lawes. [folio 84b] [foluyles] so in W; foluiles COY; forluylis B.] And some he lered to lyue · in longynge to ben hennes, In pouerte & in penaunce · to preye for alle crystene. [for alle] fol (!) C.] And alle he lered to be lele · & eche a crafte loue other, [lele] lee B. a crafte] craft to B.] Line 244 And forbad hem alle debate · þat none were amonge hem. [debate] debatis B.] "Thowgh some be clenner þan somme · ȝe se wel," quod grace, "Þat he þat vseth þe fairest crafte · to þe foulest I couth haue put hym, [I] B om.] Þinketh alle," quod grace · "þat grace cometh of my ȝifte; [CBY omit.] Line 248 Loke þat none lakke other · but loueth alle as bre|theren. [Loke] Lokeþ W. none] no Y; no man W. loueth] loue C; Y om.] ¶ And who þat moste maistries can · be myldest of berynge, [who] þei B. can] konne CY; kunne B. be myldest] beþ mylde B.] And crouneth conscience kynge · & maketh crafte ȝowre stuward, [crouneth] crowned CBY; crowne O. maketh] maked CB; make O.] And after craftes conseille · clotheth ȝow & fede. [C omits. clotheth] cloþe B. fede] fedeþ O.] Line 252 For I make pieres þe plowman · my procuratour & my reve, And Regystrere to receyue · redde quod debes. My prowor & my plowman · Piers shal ben on erthe, [prowor] so in W; proweour Y; prowyour O; plough B; plowght C; purveour C2; Crowley has prouisor.] And for to tulye treuthe · a teme shal he haue." [tulye] tilie WCOBY.] Line 256 ¶ Grace gaue Piers a teme · foure gret oxen; [foure] of foure W.] Þat on was Luke, a large beste · and a lowe-chered, [a lowe-chered] of lowe chere B.]

And marke, & mathew þe þrydde · myghty bestes bothe, Line 259 And ioigned to hem one Iohan · most gentil of alle, [most] the most CBY.] Þe prys nete of Piers plow · passyng alle other. ¶ And grace gaue pieres · of his goodnesse, foure stottis, [stottis] grete stottes CB.] Al þat his oxen eryed · þey to harwe after. [þey] hem O. harwe] harwen it B.] Line 263 On hyȝte Austyne · & ambrose an-other, [ambrose an-other] anoþer am|brose B.] Gregori þe grete clerke · & Ierome þe gode; [Ierome] Ieromye Y.] Þise foure, þe feithe to teche · folweth pieres teme, And harwed in an handwhile · al holy scripture, [an] Y om.] Line 267 Wyth two harwes þat þei hadde · an olde & a newe,

Id est, vetus testamentum & nouum.

[an] and B. Id est] COBY om.] ¶ And grace gaue greynes · þe cardynales vertues, [cardynales] so in COY; car|dynals B; Cardynal W.] And sewe [hem] in mannes soule · & sithen he tolde her names. [sewe] sewen Y; swee (sic) C. [hem WC2] it LCOBY. he] COBY om.] Spiritus prudencie · þe firste seed hyȝte, And who so eet þat · ymagyne he shulde, Line 272 Ar he did any dede · deuyse wel þe ende; [did—dede] deide any deeþ W. deuyse wel] auyse hym wel of B.] And lerned men a ladel bugge · with a longe stele, [ladel] lady (!) Y. bugge] bygge CB; to bigge O.] Þat cast for to kepe a crokke · to saue þe fatte abouen. [þat] To O; And W.] ¶ The secounde seed hiȝte · spiritus temperancie. Line 276 He þat ete of þat seed · hadde suche a kynde, [hadde] it had C2.] Shulde neuere mete ne mochel drynke · make hym to swelle, Ne sholde no scorner ne scolde · oute of skyl hym brynge, [sholde] W om.]

Ne wynnynge ne welthe · of wor[l]deliche ricchesse [CC2BY om. worldeliche] see l. 287.] Line 280 Waste worde of ydelnesse · ne wykked speche meue; [Waste] Wat B. ne] ne no CBY.] Shulde no curyous clothe · comen on hys rugge, [rugge] rygge C; rigge C2B.] Ne no mete in his mouth · þat maister Iohan spieed. [folio 85] ¶ The thridde seed þat Pieres sewe · was spiritus for|titudinis. Line 284 And who so eet of þat seed · hardy was eure. [so] W om. was] was he W; he was B.] To suffre al þat god sent · sykenesse & angres; [sykenesse] & siknesse Y.] Myȝte no lesynge ne lyere · ne losse of worldely catel [lesynge] lesynges WCC2BY. ne lyere] no ber (!) C; hym dere B. worldely] wordly C; no B.] Maken hym for any mournynge · þat he nas merye in soule, [nas] ne was B.] Line 288 And bolde & abydynge · bismeres to suffre, And playeth al with pacyence · & parce michi, domine, And couered hym vnder conseille · of catoun þe wyse; [couered] coueren CC2Y; couereþ B.] Esto forti animo, cum sis dampnatus inique. Line 292 ¶ The fierthe seed þat pieres sewe · was spiritus iusticie, [fierthe] so in CB; ferþe WC2Y.] And he þat eet of þat seed · shulde be euere trewe [euere] neuere B.] With god, & nouȝt agast · but of gyle one. For gyle goth so pryuely · þat good faith other-while May nouȝte ben aspyed · for spiritus iusticie. [aspyed] espied W.] Line 297 ¶ Spiritus iusticie · spareth nouȝte to spille Hem þat ben gulty · & forto correcte Þe Kynge, ȝif he falle · in gylte or in trespasse. [in (2)] in ony C2.] Line 300 For counteth he no kynges wratthe · whan he in courte sitteth [counteth] a-counteþ B.] To demen as a domes man; · adradde was he neure, Noither of duke ne of deth · þat he ne dede þe lawe, [þe] WCC2BY om.] For present or for preyere · or any prynces lettres; Line 304

Line 304 He dede equite to alle · euene forth his powere. ¶ Thise foure sedes pieres sewe · and sitthe he did hem harwe Wyth olde lawe and newe lawe · þat loue myȝte wexe Amonge þe foure vertues · and vices destroye. [þe] þo W.] Line 308 ¶ For comunelich in contrees · kammokes & wedes [comunelich] comunes Y. kam|mokes] calokes B.] Fouleth þe fruite in þe felde · þere þei growe togyderes; And so don vices · vertues worthy. Quod Piers, "harweth alle þat kunneth kynde witte · bi conseille of þis doctours, [kunneth] konneþ W; konne CC2Y; kunne B. kynde] kyndly CC2BY.] Line 312 And tulyeth after her techynge · þe cardinale vertues." [tulyeth] tilieþ WC2YB; telles C. her] his C; þis C2. þe] B om.] ¶ "Aȝeines þi greynes," quod grace · "bigynneth for to ripe, [þi] þi (printed thei in 2nd ed.) W. grace] grace to Piers CBYC2. bigynneth for to] þat þi greyneþ B.] Ordeigne þe an hous, Piers · to herberwe in þi cornes." [Piers] CBY om.; L has quod Piers, where quod is wrongly repeated from l. 316. cornes] so in WB; corne CC2Y.] ¶ "By god! grace," quod Piers · "ȝe moten gyue tymbre, [god] goddis (wrongly) B. moten] most CB.] Line 316 And ordeyne þat hous · ar ȝe hennes wende." [wende] wente B.] ¶ And grace gaue hym þe crosse · with þe croune of þornes, That cryst vpon caluarye · for mankynde on pyned, And of his baptesme & blode · þat he bledde on Rode He made a maner morter · & mercy it hiȝte. Line 321 And þere-with grace bigan · to make a good founde|ment, And watteled it and walled it · with his peynes & his passioun, [folio 85b] [watteled] watlede W; watled CC2Y; watrid B. peynes] peyne W.] And of al holywrit · he made a rofe after, [al] C2 om.] Line 324 And called þat hous vnite · holicherche on englisshe. [on] in C2.]

And whan þis dede was done · grace deuised [grace] grace anon C2.] A carte, hyȝte cristendome · to carye pieres sheues; And gaf hym caples to his carte · contricioun & con|fessioun, Line 328 And made presthode haywarde · þe while hym-self went [þe while] while Y.] As wyde as þe worlde is · with pieres to tulye treuthe. ¶ Now is Pieres to þe plow · & pruyde it aspyde, [it] is B.] And gadered hym a grete oest · to greuen he þinketh [to] for to W; hym to B.] Conscience and al crystene · and cardinale vertues, [CC2BY omit.] Blowe hem doune & breke hem · & bite atwo þe mores; [Blowe] Blew CB. hem (1)] hym B. breke] brak B. bite] bitte C2; bot B.] Line 334 And sente forth surquydous · his seriaunt of armes, And his spye spille-loue · one speke-yuel-byhynde. Þise two come to conscience · and to crystene peple, And tolde hem tydynges · "þat tyne þei shulde þe sedes, [hem] hym C.] Line 338 That Pieres þere hadde ysowen · þe cardynal vertues; [ysowen] sowyn C2. cardynal] cardinals (with s nearly erased) C; Cardinalle or Cardinalles C2.] And Pieres berne worth broke · & þei þat ben in vnite [worth] wroþ B. broke] y|broke WB; brokyn C2. worth broke] with brake C.] Shulle come out, & conscience · & ȝowre two caples, [& (1)] of (corrected to &) Y; on B.] Confessioun & contricioun · and ȝowre carte þe byleue Shal be coloured so queyntly · and keuered vnder owre sophistrie, [owre] W om.] Line 343 Þat [conscience] shal nouȝte · knowe by contricioun, [[conscience] conscioun in L, but marked for correction.] Ne by confessioun · who is cristene or hethen, Ne no maner marchaunt · þat with moneye deleth, Where he wynne wyth riȝte · with wronge, or with vsure. [Where] Wheiþer W.]

¶ With suche coloures & queyntise · cometh pryde y-armed, [y-armed] armed CC₂B.] Line 348 With þe lorde þat lyueth after · þe luste of his body, [lyueth] leueth C₂.] To wasten, on welfare · and on wykked kepynge, [on (2)] in W; C₂ om. ke|pynge] lyuynge W.] Al þe worlde in a while · þorw owre witte," quod pruyde. ¶ Quod conscience to alle crystene þo · "my conseille is to wende Line 352 Hastiliche in-to vnyte · & holde we vs þere, [vs þere] us welle þer C₂.] And preye we þat a pees were · in Piers berne þe plow|man. [a] C om. were] where C₂.] For witterly I wote wel · we beth nouȝte of strengthe [276—355. Here the Oriel MS. has lost a leaf. This passage is collated with C2.] To gone agayne pryde · but grace were with vs." [Here collation with O recom|mences.] Line 356 ¶ And þanne cam kynde wytte · conscience to teche, [And] CBY om.] And cryde & comaunded · al crystene peple, For to deluen a dyche · depe a-boute vnite, [a dyche] and diche CY; & dichen O; and dike B.] That holy-cherche stode in vnite · as it a pyle [were]. [a pyle] appil (!) B. [were COBY] weere W; were in Crowley; L omits, but the line is marked for correction.] ¶ Conscience comaunded þo · al crystene to delue, Line 361 And make a muche mote · þat myȝte ben a strengthe, To helpe holycherche · & hem þat it kepeth, [hem] he CB.] ¶ Thanne alkyn crystene · saue comune wommen, Line 364 Repenteden & refused synne · saue they one; [folio 86] [refused] refuseden CB.] And fals men, flat[er]eres · vsureres and theues, [flatereres] miswritten flateres in LY; flatereris WOB; flaterers C.] Lyeres and questmongeres · þat were forsworen ofte, Wytynge and willefully · with þe false helden, [Wytynge] Wytyngli O.] Line 368 And for syluer were forswore · sothely þei wist it. ¶ Þere nas no crystene creature · þat kynde witte hadde,

Saue schrewes one · suche as I spak of, [one] O om. suche] and swich YO.] That he ne halpe a quantite · holynesse to wexe. [halpe] hape Y.] Line 372 Somme þorw bedes-byddynge · and somme þorw pyl|grymage, [pylgrymage] pilgrymages W.] And other pryue penaunce · and some þorw penyes delynge. [penaunce] penaunces W. penyes] pens Y; pans B.] ¶ And þanne welled water · for wikked werkes, [for] with C; þurgh B.] Egerlich ernynge · out of mennes eyen. [ernynge] ȝernynge B; ren|nynge O.] Line 376 Clennesse of þe comune · & clerkes clene lyuynge [of þe] out of W.] Made vnite holicherche · in holynesse to stonde. "I care nouȝte," quod conscience · "þough pryde come nouthe, [þough] þouȝt B.] Line 379 Þe lorde of luste shal be letted · al þis lente, I hope. [lente] leaute (by confusion with leute) Y; cf. l. 382.] Comeþ," quod conscience · "ȝe cristene, and dyneth, [Comeþ] Comes C. quod] B om. ȝe] iche O; þe B.] Þat han laboured lelly · al þis lente tyme. Here is bred yblessed · and goddes body þer-vnder. Grace þorw goddes worde · gaue Pieres power, Line 384 [And] myȝtes to maken it · & men to ete it after, [[And W] LCOBY omit, but it is found in Crowley. myȝtes] so in WB; Mighte COY.] In helpe of her hele · onys in a moneth, Or as ofte as þey hadden nede · þo þat hadde ypayed [þo] þey Y. hadde] O om.] To pieres pardoun þe plowman · redde quod debes." ¶ "How?" quod al þe comune · "þow conseillest vs to ȝelde Line 389 Al þat we owen any wyȝte · ar we go to housel?" ¶ "That is my conseille," quod conscience · "& car|dynale vertues, Þat vche man forȝyue other · and þat wyl þe pater|noster, Line 392

Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, &c.,

Line 392 And so to ben assoilled · & sithen ben houseled." [sithen] sithen to CY; siþ to B.] ¶ "Ȝe, bawe!" quod a brewere · "I wil nouȝt be reuled, [bawe] how CB; bow Y.] Bi ihesu! for al ȝowre ianglynge · with spiritus iusticie, [al] C om.] Ne after conscience, by cryste · whil I can selle Line 396 Bothe dregges & draffe · and drawe it at on hole, [dregges] dragges Y. it] it out W. on] C om.] Þikke ale and þinne ale · for þat is my kynde, [þikke] Thilke C. ale (1)] alle B. ale (2)] alle boþe B.] And nouȝte hakke after holynesse; · holde þi tonge, conscience! Of spiritus iusticie · þow spekest moche an ydel!" [moche] B om.] Line 400 ¶ "Caytyue," quod conscience · "cursed wrecche! Vnblessed artow, brewere · but if þe god helpe; [artow] art þou OB.] But þow lyue by lore · of spiritus iusticie, [lore] þe lore B.] Line 403 Þe chief seed þat Pieres sewe · ysaued worstow neure. [worstow] worþest þou O; worst þou B.] But conscience þe comune fede · and cardynale vertues, [fede] seed O.] Leue it wel þei ben loste · bothe lyf & soule." [folio 86b] [Y omits.] ¶ "Thanne is many man ylost" · quod a lewed vycory, [In margin of O—Of cardy|nalis.] "I am a curatour of holykyrke · and come neure in my tyme Line 408 Man to me þat me couth telle · of cardinale vertues, Or þat acounted conscience · at a cokkes fether or an hennes! [acounted] counted COY.] I knewe neure cardynal · þat he ne cam fro þe pope, [cardynal] Cardynal vertues B.] And we clerkes, whan þey come · for her comunes payeth, [payeth] payed C.] Line 412 For her pelure and her palfreyes mete · & piloures þat hem folweth. [folweth] folowed C; folwei B.]

Þe comune clamat cotidie · eche a man to other, [eche—to] ech a man til W; iche man to O; ech of hem to Y.] 'Þe contre is þe curseder · þat cardynales come Inne; [curseder] corseder W.] And þere they ligge and lenge moste · lecherye þere regneth:'— Line 416 For-þi," quod þis vicori · "be verrey god, I wolde [þis] the CB. be] by WCOBY.] That no cardynal come · amonge þe comune peple, [þe] Y om.] But in her holynesse · holden hem stille [holynesse] owne holynesse (which sounds better) O. holden] helden WC; holidem (!) B. stille] stille at home O.] At Auynoun, amonge þe iuwes · cum sancto sanctus eris, &c., [Auynoun] auioun O; Auion CY.] Line 420 Or in Rome, as here rule wole · þe reliques to kepe; [reliques] Iewis B.] And þow, conscience, in kynges courte · & shuldest neure come þennes, And grace þat þow gredest so of · gyour of alle clerkes, [gredest] graddest W.] And Pieres with his newe plow · & eke with his olde, [his (1)] is C; B om. eke] als C.] Emperour of al þe worlde · þat alle men were cristene. ¶ Inparfyt is þat pope · þat al peple shulde helpe, [þat] þe COBY. peple] þe peple OY; þe pepile C; þe world W. In the margin of O—De papa.] And sendeth hem þat sleeth suche · as he shulde saue; [hem] swiche W. suche] hem W. as] þat W.] And wel worth piers þe plowman · þat [pur]sueth god in doynge, [pursueth WCOBY] sueth (with pur erased) L.] Line 428 Qui pluit super iustos · & iniustos at ones, [at] boþe at B.] And sent þe sonne to saue · a cursed mannes tilthe, [þe sonne] thy sone Y.] As bryȝte as to þe best man · & to þe beste woman. [to (1)] Y om. &] or W.] Riȝte so Pieres þe plowman · peyneth hym to tulye [tulye] tilye WCOBY.] As wel for a wastour · & wenches of þe stuwes, [stuwes] styuehous B.] Line 433 As for hym-self & his seruauntz · saue he is firste yserued; [is] C om. yserued] seruede CB.]

And trauailleth & tulyeth · for a tretour also sore [tulyeth] tilieþ WOBY; tillies C. tretour] treytour Y; traitour CB.] As for a trewe tydy man · al tymes ylyke. [tydy] lyueng C.] Line 436 And worshiped be he þat wrouȝte al · bothe good & wykke, [wykke] wikked C; ille O.] And suffreth þat synful be · til some tyme þat þei re|pente. [þat (1)] þo þat B. til—re|pente] erased in W; supplied by Mr Wright from another MS.] And god amende þe pope · þat pileth holykirke, And cleymeth bifor þe kynge · to be keper ouer crystene, [keper] O om. ouer] our C; on Y.] Line 440 And counteth nouȝt þough crystene · ben culled & robbed, [nouȝt] at nouȝt O; Y om. þough] þouȝt B. culled] killed WCOB; kulled Y.] And fynt folke to fyȝte · and cristene blode to spille, [fynt] fyndes C.] Aȝeyne þe olde lawe & newe lawe · as Luke þer-of witnesseth,

Non occides: michi vindictam, &c.

[lawe (2)] B om. witnesseth] witnesse C. occides] occides &c. O. vindictam] so in the MSS.] It semeth, by so · hym-self hadd[e] his wille, [hym-self] þat hymsilf B. hadde] so in WYB; miswritten hadd in L; had C. wille] owne wille O.] Line 444 That he ne reccheth riȝte nouȝte · of al þe remenaunte. [ne] WCO om. remenaunte] toþer remenaunt O; renaunt (!) B.] And cryst of his curteisye · þe cardinales saue, And tourne her witte to wisdome · & to wele of soule! [witte] wittis B. wele] wel C; welþe W.] For þe comune," quod þis curatour · "counten ful litel [For] B om. counten] ac|counteþ it B.] Þe conseille of conscience · or cardinale vertues, [cardinale] Cardynals B.] Line 449 But if þei [seiȝe] as by syȝte · somwhat to wynnynge; [[seiȝe W] seigh CC2; seie B; seen O; sight (by mistake) Y; L has sowe; Crowley has se.] Of gyle ne of gabbynge · gyue þei neuere tale. [folio 87] [gyue] gil Y; gif C.] For spiritus prudencie · amonge þe peple, is gyle, Line 452

Line 452 And alle þo faire vertues · as vyces þei semeth; [B omits. þo] the COY. semeth] semed CY.] Eche man sotileth a sleight · synne forto hyde, [sotileth] subtileþ WOY; suttelde C.] And coloureth it for a kunnynge · and a clene lyuynge." [coloureth] colourd C; keuereþ B. for] with COBY. a (2)] B om.] Line 455 ¶ Thanne loughe þere a lorde · & "by þis liȝte," sayde, [loughe] louȝth B. þis] C om.] "I halde it ryȝte & resoun · of my reue to take [halde] holde WCOBY. reue] reme B.] Al þat myne auditour · or elles my stuwarde Conseilleth me by her acounte · & my clerkes wryt|ynge. Line 459 ¶ With spiritus intellectus · they seke þe reues rolles, [they] to CBY. reues] Iewes (!) B.] And with spiritus fortitudinis · fecche [it] I wole." [[it WCOBY] L omits, but is marked for correction. I] Y om. wole] wole after W.] ¶ And þanne come þere a kynge · & bi his croune seyde, [þanne] O om.] "I am Kynge with croune · þe comune to reule, Line 463 And holykirke & clergye · fro cursed men to defende. [to] O om. defende] fende W.] And if me lakketh to lyue by · þe lawe wil I take it, Þere I may hastlokest it haue · for I am hed of lawe; [hastlokest] so in OY; hasti|lokest W; hastilekest B; hastlyest C. hed] hede CY; heed W.] For ȝe ben but membres · & I aboue alle. [For] And W. ȝe] þei B. membres] menbris B.] Line 467 And sith I am ȝowre aller hed · I am ȝowre aller hele, [sith] seiþ B. aller (1)] alþer O; eldir B. aller (2)] alþer OB.] And holycherche chief help · & chiftaigne of þe comune. [cherche] chirches WO. chif|taigne] cheuentayn B; Chieftayn WOY.] And what I take of ȝow two · I take it atte techynge [atte] at þe WCOBY.] Of spiritus iusticie · for I iugge ȝow alle; So I may baldely be houseled · for I borwe neuere, [baldely] boldely WCBY; boldli O.] Line 472 Ne craue of my comune · but as my kynde asketh." [craue] care B.]

¶ "In condicioun," quod conscience · "þat þow konne defende And rule þi rewme in resoun · riȝt wel, & in treuth, [in (1)] and CY; bi O. In the margin of O—De pictate regis.] Take þow may in resoun · as þi lawe asketh;

Omnia tua sunt ad defendendum, set non ad depredandum!"

[may] so in COBY; mayst W. þi] þe O. depredandum] deprehen|dendum (printed deprædandum) W; deprecandum CBY.] Line 476 Þe vyker hadde fer home · & faire toke his leue, [vyker] vicorie O. his] is C.] And I awakned þere-with · & wrote as me mette. [awakned] a-wakiþ B. wrote] wroot WCY; wrouȝte O; wroȝt B.]

PASSUS XX (DO-BEST I).

[TITLE. So in W. CBY omit de vi|sione. O has only Passus vicesimus.] Passus xx ^us de visione, & primus de dobest.

Thanne as I went by þe way · whan I was þus awaked, [þus] B om.] Heuy-chered I ȝede · and elynge in herte; [chered] chere (!) C. elynge] elenge WCOBY.] I ne wiste where to ete · ne at what place. And it neighed nyeghe þe none · & with nede I mette, [nyeghe] neiȝ W; nere CY; neer O; ne B.] Line 4 That afronted me foule · and faitour me called. [afronted] afrounted WCBY; frountede O. foule] wel foule CBY. faitour] a faytour B.] "Coudestow nouȝte excuse þe · as dede þe Kynge & other, [Coudestow] Kanstow WCY; kanst þou O; kant þou B. In mar|gin of O—Necessitas.] Þat þow toke to þi bylyf · to clothes and to sustenance, [bylyf] bilyue WO; bileue CBY.] As by techynge & by tellynge · of spiritus temperancie, [As] And WOBY; but Crowley reads As. by (2)] CB om.] And þow nome namore · þan nede þe tauȝte, [nome] take C.] Line 9 And nede ne hath no lawe · ne neure shal falle in dette? [ne (1)] O om.; ne (printed he) W.] For þre thynges he taketh · his lyf forto saue, [thynges] kyngis (!) B.] That is mete, whan men hym werneth · & he no moneye weldeth, [werneth] warnen O; warnes C; warneþ YB.] Line 12 ¶ Ne wyght none wil ben his borwe · ne wedde hath none to legge. [folio 87b] [none (1)] ne B. wedde] wede C. none (2)] ne non B.]

And he cauȝte in þat cas · & come þere-to by sleighte, He synneth nouȝte sothelich · þat so wynneth his fode. And þough he come so to a clothe · and can no better cheuysaunce, [come] comeþ B. a] B om. cheuysaunce] che (!) C.] Line 16 Nede anon riȝte · nymeth hym vnder meynpryse. [nymeth] takes C.] And if hym lyst for to lape · þe lawe of kynde wolde [lyst] lif (!) B. for] CBY om.] That he dronke at eche diche · ar he for thurste deyde. [dronke] drinke O. eche] ech a Y.] So nede, at grete nede · may nymen as for his owne, [at] at (printed al) W.] Line 20 Wyth-oute conseille of conscience · or cardynale vertues, So þat he suwe & saue · spiritus temperancie. [suwe] sewe WC; sue O; swe Y.] ¶ For is no vertue by fer · to spiritus temperancie, [is] þer is B.] Neither spiritus iusticie · ne spiritus fortitudinis; [Neither] Ne WO.] Line 24 For spiritus fortitudinis · forfaiteth ful oft, [forfaiteth] forfeteþ WOYB; forfetes C.] He shal do more þan mesure · many tyme & ofte, [C omits. more] no more (!) B.] And bete men ouer bitter · and somme of hem to litel, [Here collation with Y ceases, and with R recommences. bete] bette C. ouer bitter] ful bitterli O; ouer|betterli B. of hem] body R; but this is a C-text reading.] And greue men gretter · þan goode faith it wolde. [it] COB om.] Line 28 ¶ And spiritus iusticie · shal iuggen, wolhe, nolhe, [wolhe nolhe] wol he nol he R; wole he nel he (printed wol he nele he) W; wole he or nyle he O; wil he nyl he B; wol wyl he nel he (sic) C.] After þe kynges conseille · & þe comune lyke. And spiritus prudencie · in many a poynte shal faille [a] C om.] Of þat he weneth wolde falle · if his wytte ne were. Line 32 Wenynge is no wysdome · ne wyse ymagynacioun, Homo proponit & deus disponit · & gouerneth alle good vertues. Ac nede is next hym · for anon he meketh, [Ac] and R; (but C has Ac).] Line 35 And as low as a lombe · for lakkyng of þat hym nedeth. [as (1)] also B. of] R om. After this line R has—For nede maketh nede · fele nedes lowh-herted. But this is a C-text line, and the second nede should be nedy.]

Wyse men forsoke wele · for þey wolde be nedy, [Wyse men] Filosofres R (as in C-text). forsoke] forsoken OB. wele] welth R. C repeats this line.] And woneden in wildernesse · & wolde nouȝte be riche. [in wildernesse] wel elengly R (as in C-text).] ¶ And god al his grete ioye · gostliche he left, [god al] þo god of B.] And cam & toke mankynde · and bycam nedy. Line 40 So nedy he was, as seyth þe boke · in many sondry places, [nedy he was] he was nedy R.] Þat he seyde in his sorwe · on þe selue Rode, 'Bothe fox & foule · may fleighe to hole & crepe, [foule] foughel C; gray B. fleighe] fle WRCO; go B.] And þe fisshe hath fyn · to flete with to reste, [to flete] it fleet C; þat it fletiþ B. to (2)] or to R.] Line 44 Þere nede hath ynome me · þat I mote nede abyde, And suffre sorwes ful sowre · þat shal to ioye tourne.' [sowre] sore B. þat] to B.] For-þi be nouȝte abasshed · to byd[d]e and to be nedy; [bydde] bidde RCOB; bide W; byde L.] Syth he þat wrouȝte al þe worlde · was wilfullich nedy, Ne neuer none so nedy · ne pouerere deyde." [pouerere] porere B; also porer O.] Line 49 ¶ Whan nede had vndernome me þus · Anon I felle aslepe, [had] haþ W. me] R om. I felle] I fel RC; I fil W; a fel B.] And mette ful merueillously · þat, in mannes forme, Antecryst cam þanne · and al þe croppe of treuthe [al þe] alle R; al CB. In mar|gin of O—Antecrist. Ieronimus super illud Dan. 12. beatus qui expectat & peruenit vsque ad dies .1335. beatus, inquit, qui, interfecto antichristo, dies supra numerum prefinitum .45. pre|stolatur, quibus & dominus saluator in sua magestate venturus est. [See S. Jerome on Dan. xii. 12.]] Line 52 Torned it vp so doune · and ouertilte þe rote, [it] C om.] And [made] fals sprynge & sprede · & spede mennes nedes; [[made R] LWCOB om. sprynge] spronge O; spryngiþ B. sprede] sprediþ B; spredde O. spede] spedde COB.] In eche a contre þere he cam · he cutte awey treuthe, [contre] Court CB.] And gert gyle growe þere · as he a god were. [gert] syet or gyet (!) B. growe] grew B. god] god (printed Good) W.] Line 56

Line 56 Freres folwed þat fende · for he ȝaf hem copes, [folio 88] And religiouse reuerenced hym · and rongen here belles, [religiouse] religiouses R.] And al þe couent forth cam · to welcome þat tyraunt, [forth] R om. þat] a R.] And alle hise, as wel as hym · saue onlich folis; [as (1)] also B.] Line 60 Which folis were wel leuer · to deye þan to lyue [wel leuer] gladdere R.] [Lenger], sith [leute] · was so rebuked, [[Lenger WCOB] Lengore LR. sith] þan O. [leute] leute or lente RB; lenten LWCO; but cf. C-text, and see l. 145. O has—Lenger þan lenten · to be so rebuked, which agrees with Crowley. rebuked] robbid and reued B.] And a fals fende antecriste · ouer alle folke regned; [a] as a W.] And þat were mylde men & holy · þat no myschief dredden, [And] Saue W. were] we R. myschief] mesch of (!) B.] Line 64 Defyed al falsenesse · and folke þat it vsed, And what Kynge þat hem conforted · knowynge hem any while, [any while] gyle R.] They cursed, and her conseille · were it clerke or lewed. ¶ Antecriste hadde thus sone · hundredes at his banere, Line 68 And Pryde it bare · boldely aboute, [boldely] ful buldli B.] With a lorde þat lyueth · after lykynge of body, [after] after · lust & O.] That cam aȝein conscience · þat kepere was & gyoure [gyoure] gwiour C.] Ouer kynde crystene · and cardynale vertues. [cardynale] cardinales R.] Line 72 ¶ "I conseille," quod conscience þo · "cometh with me, ȝe foles, [cometh] comes C.] In-to vnyte holy-cherche · and holde we vs there, And crye we to kynde · þat he come & defende vs, Line 75 Foles, fro þis fendes lymes · for Piers loue þe plowman. [þis] þe O. fendes] feend C.] And crye we to alle þe comune · þat þei come to vnite, [to (1)] on R.] And þere abide and bikere · aȝein beliales children." ¶ Kynd conscience þo herde · and cam out of þe planetes,

And sent forth his foreioures · feures & fluxes, [foreioures] forreyours W; for|reouris O; forreores R.] Line 80 Coughes, and cardiacles · crampes, and tothaches, Rewmes, & radegoundes · and roynouse scalles, [roynouse] ronyouse C; ruy|nouse O. scalles] scabbes W.] Byles, and bocches · and brennyng agues; Frenesyes, & foule yueles · forageres of kynde, Line 84 Hadde yprykked and prayed · polles of peple, [yprykked] priked O. of] of the COB.] Þat largelich a legioun · lese her lyf sone. [þat] R om. lese] lose R; loste W; loren CO; lorn B.] ¶ There was—"harrow and help! · here cometh kynde, With deth þat is dredful · to vndone vs alle!" [vndone] vndoen R; vndon CB; vndo WO.] Line 88 ¶ The lorde that lyued after lust · tho alowde cryde After conforte, a knyghte · to come and bere his banere. [conforte a] R om.] "Al-arme! alarme!" quod þat lorde · "eche lyf kepe his owne." [Al-arme] Alarme COB; A larme WR. alarme] a larme W.] ¶ And þanne mette þis men · ar mynstralles myȝte pipe, [And] R om.] Line 92 And ar heraudes of armes · hadden descreued lordes. ¶ Elde þe hore · he was in þe vauntwarde, [COB omit.] [hore] horel R. he] þat W. þe] R om.] And bare þe banere bifor deth · by riȝte he it claymed. [COB omit.] Kynde come after · with many kene sores, [come after] cam after hym R.] Line 96 As pokkes and pestilences · and moche poeple shente; [and] þat O.] So kynde þorw corupciouns · kulled ful manye. [folio 88b] [kulled] killede OB; kilde W.] ¶ Deth cam dryuende after · and al to doust passhed [dryuende] driuende R; dry|uynge WCOB. doust] duste WR; dust COB. passhed] paschte (altered to daschte) R; passid B.] Kynges & knyȝtes · kayseres and popes; Line 100 Lered ne lewed · he let no man stonde, [ne] and W. let] leet WC; left R.] That he hitte euene · þat euere stired after. [hitte] ne hitte O. euere stired] stirred neuer CB.]

Many a louely lady · and lemmanes of knyghtes [lady] R om. of] R om.] Swouned and swelted · for sorwe of dethes dyntes. [Swouned] Swowed B. dethes] dethe C; hise W.] Line 104 ¶ Conscience of his curteisye · to kynde he bisouȝte, To cesse & suffre · and see where þei wolde [cesse &] se and to C; see and B.] Leue pryde pryuely · and be parfite cristene. ¶ And kynde cessed tho · to se þe peple amende. Line 108 Fortune gan flateren thenne · þo fewe þat were alyue, [alyue] on lyue OB.] And byhight hem longe lyf · and lecherye he sent, Amonges al manere men · wedded & vnwedded, And gadered a gret hoste · al agayne conscience. Line 112 ¶ This lecherye leyde on · with a laughyng chiere, [a] R om. laughyng] lawh|ynge R; lawynge O; Ianglynge W.] And with pryue speche · and peynted wordes, And armed hym in ydelnesse · and in hiegh berynge. He bare a bowe in his hande · and manye blody arwes, [blody] brode W.] Weren fethered with faire biheste · and many a false truthe. Line 117 Wit[h] his vntydy tales · he tened ful ofte [With] so in WCROB; Wit L. his] R om.] Conscience and his compaignye · of holicherche þe techeres. ¶ Thanne cam coueityse · and caste how he myȝte Line 120 Ouercome conscience · and cardynal vertues, [cardynal] cardinales R.] And armed hym in auaryce · and hungriliche lyued. [And] B om. hungriliche] vngriseliche R; vngreliche C.] His wepne was al wiles · to wynnen & to hyden; [wiles] whyles O. wynnen] wynnyng B. hyden] holden B.] With glosynges and with gabbynges · he gyled þe peple. [with (2)] RCOB om. he gyled] to bigyle O.] Line 124 Symonye hym sent[e] · to assaille conscience, [sente] so in WCOB; sent L; sende R.] And preched to þe peple · and prelates þei hem maden, [þei] CB om.] To holden with antecryste · her temperaltes to saue;

And come to þe kynges conseille · as a kene baroun, [come] cam W; coomen O.] And kneled to conscience · in courte afor hem alle, [kneled] kneleden O. afor] bifore C; bi-forin B.] And gart gode feith flee · and fals to abide, Line 130 And boldeliche bar adown · with many a briȝte noble [a] CB om. briȝte] rede R. noble] noblis B.] Moche of þe witte and wisdome · of westmynster halle. He iugged til a iustice · and iusted in his ere, [iugged] Iogged W. til] to WO.] Line 133 And ouertilte al his treuthe · with "take þis vp amende|ment." [with] B om. vp] vpon B.] And to þe arches in haste · he ȝede anone after, [to] into R.] And torned Ciuile in-to Symonye · and sitthe he toke þe official; [Ciuile in-to] B om.] Line 136 For a [mantel] of menyuere · he made lele matrimonye [[mantel WCROB] mentel L. mantel—menyuere] menyuere mantel R. he] and W. lele] an vnleele B; a lele C.] Departen ar deth cam · & deuo[r]s shupte. [deuors] deuos L; a deuos R; deuors W; diuorce COB. shupte] schupte R; shapte WC; schapte O; shappe B.] ¶ "Allas!" quod conscience, & cried þo · "wolde criste, of his grace, [his] R om.] Line 139 That coueityse were cristene · þat is so kene a fiȝter, [folio 89] [a fiȝter] to fiȝte R.] And bolde and bidyng · while his bagge lasteth." [bidyng] abydynge ROB. while] þe while R. bagge] bake C.] ¶ And þanne lowgh lyf · and leet dagge his clothes, And armed hym in haste · in harlotes wordes, [in (1)] an W. in (2)] wiþ W.] And helde holynesse a iape · and hendenesse a wastour, Line 144 And lete leute a cherle · and lyer a fre man; [leute] leautee W; leaute C.] Conscience and conseille · he counted it a folye. [and] and his W. a] RCOB om. it—folye] at a flye W.] ¶ Thus relyed lyf · for a litel fortune,

And pryked forth with pryde · preyseth he no vertue, [pryked] prikeþ W.] [Ne] careth nouȝte how kynde slow · and shal come atte laste, [[Ne WR] He CO; And B; A (= he) L. slow] slawe C. slow—come] shal come · and sle hym B.] Line 149 And culle alle erthely creature[s] · saue conscience one. [culle] kille WCOB; calle R. creatures] so in WCOB; creature LR.] Lyf leep asyde · and lauȝte hym a lemman, [leep] lep CB; lepte W. leep asyde] seith occide (!) R.] "Heel & I," quod he · "and hieghnesse of herte Line 152 Shal do þe nouȝte drede · noyther deth ne elde, And to forȝete sorwe · and ȝyue nouȝte of synne." [And] But O.] ¶ This lyked lyf · and his lemman fortune, And geten in her glorie · a gadelyng atte laste, Line 156 One þat moche wo wrouȝte · sleuthe was his name. [wo] R om.] Sleuthe wex wonder ȝerne · and sone was of age, And wedded one wanhope · a wenche of þe stuwes. [stuwes] stif-hous B.] Her syre was a sysour · þat neure swore treuthe, Line 160 One Thomme two-tonge · ateynte at vch a queste. [two-tonge] two-tonges B. a queste] enqueste W.] ¶ This sleuthe was war of werre · and a slynge made, [was] wex COB. war—werre] werre & werre O.] And threwe drede of dyspayre · a dozein myle aboute. [threwe] drow B. of] & O.] For care conscience þo · cryed vpon elde, Line 164 And bad hym fonde to fyȝte · and afere wanhope. [hym] R om.] ¶ And elde hent good hope · and hastilich he shifte hym, [elde] helpe B. he] O om. shifte] chifte B.] And wayued awey wanhope · and with lyf he fyȝteth, [fyȝteth] fighted CB.] And lyf fleigh for fere · to fysyke after helpe, Line 168 And bisouȝte hym of socoure · and of his salue hadde, [hadde] he hadde W.] And gaf hym golde, good woon · þat gladded his herte, [And] He W. golde] goel R. his herte] here hertes R.] And þei gyuen hym agayne · a glasen houve. [gyuen] gafyn B. houve] howue WCOB; houe R.]

Lyf leued þat lechecrafte · lette shulde elde, Line 172 And dryuen awey deth · with dyas and dragges. [dryuen] to-driue R. dyas] so in W; dias CO; dayes R; diagrag|mator (!) B. dragges] drogges W.] ¶ And elde auntred hym on lyf · and atte laste he hitte [auntred] aduenturid B. hitte] hette B.] A Fisicien with a forred hood · þat he fel in a palsye, [a (3)] the CB; O om.] And þere deyed þat doctour · ar thre dayes after. Line 176 "Now I see," seyde lyf · "þat surgerye ne Fisyke [surgerye] surgiens CB.] May nouȝte a myte auaille · to medle aȝein elde;" [a] oo B. medle] medele CO; mede W.] And in hope of his hele · gode herte he hente, [herte] hope O. he] RB om.] And rode so to reuel · a ryche place and a merye, [so] forþ W. reuel] a reuel W.] Line 180 The companye of conforte · men cleped it sumtyme. [folio 89b] [conforte] court CO; court of (!) B. men] B om.] And elde anone after me · and ouer myne heed ȝede, [me] hym R. ȝede] he ȝede O.] And made me balled bifore · and bare on þe croune, [on] vppon B.] So harde he ȝede ouer myn hed · it wil be seen eure. [eure] euene B.] ¶ "Sire euel-ytauȝte elde," quod I · "vnhende go with the! Line 185 Sith whanne was þe way · ouer [mennes] hedes? [þe] þi O. [mennes] so in WCROB; men L; cf. l. 286.] Haddestow be hende," quod I · "þow woldest haue asked leue!" ¶ "Ȝe! leue lordeyne," quod he · and leyde on me with age, [lordeyne] so in R; lurdeyn W; lordyng COB.] Line 188 And hitte me vnder þe ere · vnethe may ich here; [may] myȝte W; but see l. 191.] He buffeted me aboute þe mouthe · & bett[e] out my tethe, [me] me so W. bette WCO] bett L; bet RB. out my] me on the COB. tethe] wange-tethe R. &—tethe] þat out my teeþ he bette W.] And gyued me in goutes · I may nouȝte go at large. [gyued] gyede O.] And of þe wo þat I was in · my wyf had reuthe, [had] hadde (printed hande) W.] Line 192 And wisshed ful witterly · þat I were in heuene. [ful] wel R.]

For þe lyme þat she loued me fore · and leef was to fele, [lyme] leeme B.] On nyȝtes namely · whan we naked were, [we] sche O.] I ne myght in no manere · maken it at hir wille, [at] B om.] Line 196 So elde and she sothly · hadden it forbeten. [she—forbeten] hee it hadde forbete R. forbeten] for-boden B.] ¶ And as I seet in þis sorwe · I say how kynde passed, [as] was (!) R. seet] so in WR; sat CB; satte O. say] so in R; seyȝ O; seigh C; sauȝ WB.] And deth drowgh niegh me · for drede gan I quake, And cried to kynde · out of care me brynge. Line 200 "Loo! elde þe hoore · hath me biseye, [me biseye] my lif seye R.] Awreke me, if ȝowre wille be · for I wolde ben hennes." ¶ "Ȝif þow wilt ben ywroken · wende in-to vnite, [ywroken] I-wreke R; wroken W; wroke B.] And holde þe þere eure · tyl I sende for þe, [holde] halde R.] Line 204 And loke þow conne somme crafte · ar þow come þennes." [conne] cunne OB; cune R. ar] er WB; or CO.] "Conseille me, kynde," quod I · "what crafte is best to lerne?" [Conseille] Conseileth R. is] be R.] ¶ "Lerne to loue," quod kynde · "& leue of alle othre." [leue] lief C; leef W. of] R om.] ¶ "How shal I come to catel so · to clothe me and to fede?" Line 208 "And þow loue lelly," quod he · "lakke shal þe neure [quod he] quod I B; R om.] Mete ne wor[l]dly wede · whil þi lyf lasteth." [Mete] Wede R. worldly WROB] wordly LC; but cf. P. xix. 287. wede] mete R.] ¶ And þere, by conseille of kynde · I comsed to rowme [I] R om. rowme] roome O; rome WCRB.] Thorw contricioun & confessioun · tyl I cam to vnite; And þere was conscience constable · cristene to saue, [conscience] R om. to] for to O.] And biseged sothly · with seuene grete gyauntz, [gyauntz] geauntz W; geauntes RCO; giauntes B.] Line 214 Þat with Antecrist helden · hard aȝein conscience.

¶ Sleuth with his slynge · an hard saut he made, [an] and (!) CB. saut] saute R; assaut WCOB. he] COB om.] Line 216 Proude prestes come with hym · moo þan a thousand, [moo—thousand] passynge a hundreth R; a correction made by the author; see C-Text.] In paltokes & pyked shoes · & pisseres longe knyues, [pisseres] pisseris WB; pissers CO.] Comen aȝein conscience; · with coueityse þei helden. [helden] holde B.] ¶ "By Marie," quod a mansed preste · of þe marche of yrlonde, [folio 90] [Marie] þe marie R. mansed] mased CB. of] was of R. yrlonde] erland R; Irlande CB; irloond O; Walys W.] Line 220 "I counte namore conscience · bi so I cacche syluer, [namore] no more bi OB. I (2)] þat y B.] Than I do to drynke · a drauȝte of good ale!" And so seide sexty · of þe same contreye, Line 223 And shoten aȝein with shotte · many a shef of othes, [aȝein] ayein hym COB. many—shef] with many schef COB. of othes] arwes B.] And brode hoked arwes · goddes herte, & his nayles, [nayles] bones B.] And hadden almost vnyte · and holynesse adowne. ¶ Conscience cryed, "helpe · clergye, or ellis I falle Thorw inparfit prestes · and prelates of holicherche." Freres herden hym crye · and comen hym to helpe, [and] B om.] Ac for þei couth nouȝte wel her craft · conscience for|soke hem. [Ac] And COB.] Line 230 ¶ Nede neghed tho nere · and conscience he tolde [tho] to C. nere] þere B.] That þei come for coueityse · to haue cure of soules [for] for no (!) R.] "And for þei arn poure, par auenture · for patrimoigne hem failleth, [hem failleth] þei faille W.] Line 233 Thei wil flatre, to fare wel · folke þat ben riche; [to] and W. folke] wiþ folk W.] And sithen þei chosen chele · and [cheytif] pouerte, [sithen] seyn CB. [cheytif] cheitif C; chaytijf O; cheytifte LR; cheitiftee W (which must be a slip). cheytif pouerte] pore cheitifte B.] Lat hem chewe as þei chese · and charge hem with no cure! [chese] so in R; chose W; chosen COB.] Line 236

[i. sepius] Line 236 For lomer he lyeth · þat lyflode mote begge, [R omits. begge] bigge O. it] it to O.] Þan he þat laboureth for lyflode · & leneth it beggeres. [R omits. begge] bigge O. it] it to O.] And sithen Freres forsoke · þe felicite of erthe, [And sithen] For sitth R. þe] R om.] Lat hem be as beggeres · or lyue by angeles fode!" Line 240 ¶ Conscience of þis conseille þo · comsed forto laughe, [þo] R om. laughe] lauȝte (!) B.] And curtei[s]lich conforted hem · and called in alle freres, [curteislich] curteilich (marked for correction) L.] And seide, "sires, sothly · welcome be ȝe alle To vnite and holicherche · ac on thyng I ȝow preye, [and] and to C. ac] and C.] Holdeth ȝow in vnyte · and haueth none envye Line 245 To lered ne to lewed · but lyueth after ȝowre rewle. And I wil be ȝowre borghe · ȝe shal haue bred and clothes, [shal] shullen B.] And other necessaries [I-nowe] · ȝow shal no thyng faille, [[I-nowe R] I-now C; ynowe WOB; better than anowe L. ȝow shal] þow schalt R. faille] lakke R.] Line 248 With þat ȝe leue logyk · and lerneth for to louye. For loue laft þei lordship · bothe londe and scole, [laft] þer-of lofte B.] Frere Fraunceys and Dominyk · for loue to ben holy. [Frere] Freres COB.] ¶ And if ȝe coueyteth cure · kynde wil ȝow teche, [coueyteth] coueites C; coueite WOR. teche] telle R.] Line 252 That in mesure god made · alle manere thynges, [thynges] þynge B.] And sette [hem] at a certeyne · and at a syker noumbre, [[hem W] it LCROB. at (2)] WO om. a (2)] C om.] And nempned names newe · and noumbred þe sterres;

Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum, & omnibus eis [nomina vocat], &c.

[names — noumbred] hem names · and newe nombre R. sterres] prestes (!) COB. Qui] Quis R. &—eis] RO om. [nomina CB] LWRO om. [vocat] not in the MSS.] ¶ Kynges & knyghtes · þat kepen and defenden, [kepen] kepten R.] Line 256 Han officers vnder hem · and vch of hem certeyne; [hem (1)] hym RB. vch] of iche O. certeyne] a certein WOB.]

And if þei wage men to werre · þei write hem in noumbre, [Or] wil no tresorere hem paye · trauaille þei neure so sore. [[Or] LWCROB omit; but it is necessary to the sense, and may be found in Crowley; WOB surmount the difficulty by placing l. 259 after l. 261; the C-text inserts an additional line. Or wil] And þer-fore wolen men B. tresorere] so in R; tresour|erer O; tresore CB; man tresore W. hem paye] taken hym wages R. so sore] C om.] Alle other in bataille · ben yholde bribours, [bataille] batililis (!) B. bri|bours] brokouris O.] Line 260 Pilours and pykehernois · in eche a place ycursed. [folio 90b] [a] CB om. place] parische R. ycursed] acursed ROB; a-corsed C.] ¶ Monkes and monyals · and alle men of Religioun Her ordre and her reule wil · to han a certeyne noumbre. [Her ordre and] Heraude (!) R.] Of lewed and of lered · þe lawe wol and axeth [wol] it wole O.] Line 264 A certeyn for a certeyne · saue onelich of freres. [onelich] holiche B.] For-þi," quod conscience, "by cryst · kynde witte me telleth, It is wikked to wage ȝow · ȝe wexeth out of noumbre! [out of] of on R.] Heuene hath euene noumbre · and helle is with-out noumbre; [Heuene] Euene O.] Line 268 For-þi I wolde witterly · þat ȝe were in þe Registre, [þe] O om.] And ȝowre noumbre vndre notarie[s] sygne · & noyther mo ne lasse!" [notaries] so in WCOB; notarie L; notari R. sygne] signes CB.] ¶ Enuye herd þis · and heet freres to go to scole, [heet] heit R; het B; leete O. to (1)] RB om.; and perhaps it is better omitted.] Line 271 And lerne logyk and lawe · and eke contemplacioun, [contemplacioun] constellacion (!) O.] And preche men of plato · and preue it by Seneca, Þat alle þinges vnder heuene · ouȝte to ben in comune. [alle] CB om. to] O om.] ¶ And ȝit he lyeth, as I leue · þat to þe lewed so precheth, [And ȝit] R om.] Line 275

Line 275 For god made to men a lawe · and Moyses it tauȝte,

Non concupisces rem proximi tui.

[god made] made god B.] And euele is þis yholde · in parisches of engelonde, [is] is (printed in) W. yholde] ȝolden B. engelonde] englonde R; englond OB.] For persones and parishprestes · þat shulde þe peple shryue, [shulde] shullen B.] Line 278 Ben curatoures called · to knowe and to hele, [to (2)] B om.] Alle þat ben her parisshiens · penaunce to enioigne, [penaunce] penaunces R. to] hem to B; and C; R om.] And shulden be ashamed in her shrifte; · ac shame maketh hem wende, [shulden] shullen B; R om. her] hir (printed his) W. ac] and C.] Line 281 And fleen to þe freres · as fals folke to westmynstre, [And] To CB. as] and B. westmynstre] Westmynyster O.] That borweth and bereth it þider · and þanne biddeth frendes [it] COB om.] Ȝerne of forȝifnesse · or lenger ȝeres [lone]; [[lone O] loone WC; of lone B; leue or lene LR.] Line 284 ¶ Ac whil he is in westmynstre · he wil be bifore, [westmynstre] Westmynyster OB.] And make hym merye · with other mennes goodis. [mennes] men R.] And so it fareth with moche folke · þat to þe freres shryueth, [þe] R om. shryueth] hem shryueþ WO.] As sysours and excecutours · þei wil [ȝyue þe] freres [wil] schul R. [ȝyue þe WRO] ȝeue þe B; geue þe C; L has þe, with ue written above, but the line is marked for correction.] Line 288 A parcel to preye for hem · & make hem-self myrye [hem-self] hem R.] With þe residue and þe remenaunt · þat other men biswonke, [þe (1)] R om. þe (2)] R om.] And suffre þe ded in dette · to þe day of dome. ¶ Enuye herfore · hated conscience, [herfore] here-fore CR.] Line 292 And freres to philosofye · he fonde hem to scole, [philosofye] philosophires C. hem] þanne W; O om.]

The while coueytise and vnkyndenesse · conscience as|sailled. [conscience] B om.] In vnite holycherche · conscience helde hym, And made pees porter · to pynne þe ȝates [pynne] penne B.] Line 296 Of alle taletellers · and tyterers in ydel. [Of] For O. tyterers] so in O; tytereres RB; titeleris W; tutelers C. in] an R.] Ypocrisye and he · an hard saut þei made. [an hard] and haid (!) B. saut] sawte R; saute O; assaut WCB.] Ypocrysie atte ȝate · hard gan fiȝte, [W omits. atte] at þe RCOB. fiȝte] to fiȝte OB.] And wounded wel wykkedly · many [a] wise techer, [[a WRB] LCO om. techer] techeris O.] Þat with conscience acorded · and cardinale vertues. [cardinale] cardinales R.] Conscience called a leche · þat coude wel shryue, [folio 91] [coude wel] wel kouthe COB.] Line 302 "Go salue þo þat syke ben · [and] þorw synne ywounded." [Go] To go W; To CB. ben] were R. [and WR] LCOB om. ywounded] & woundid O.] Shrifte shope sharpe salue · and made men do penaunce [shope] shoop W; shuppte R; shep B. men] B om.] For her mysdedes · þat þei wrouȝte hadden, Line 305 And þat piers were payed · redde quod debes. [piers] Pieris þe ploughman B; piers þe (!) C. payed] y-payed W.] ¶ Somme lyked nouȝte þis leche · and lettres þei sent, Ȝif any surgien were [in] þe sege · þat softer couth plastre. [[in R] LWCOB om.; but see l. 311. þe sege] B om. sege] so in R; segge WCO. couth] koude WR.] Line 308 Sire lief-to-lyue-in-leccherye · lay þere and groned; [lief] lif R; leef WCO.] For fastyng of a fryday · he ferde as he wolde deye. [For] For þe B. a] o R.] "Ther is a surgiene in þis sege · þat soft[e] can handle, [softe] so in WRCOB; soft L.] And more of phisyke bi fer · and fairer he plastreth, [more] can more B.] One frere flaterere · is phisiciene and surgiene." Line 313 Quod contricioun to conscience · "do hym come to vnyte, [Quod] Quatȝ R.]

For here is many a man · herte þorw ypocrisie." ¶ "We han no nede," quod conscience · "I wote no better leche Line 316 Than persoun or parissh prest · penytancere or bisshop, [penytancere] penitauncer WC OB; penauncer R; resembles peny|tantere in L.] Saue Piers þe plowman · þat hath powere ouer hem alle, [hath] haueth R. hem] R om.] And indulgence may do · but if dette lette it. Line 319 I may wel suffre," seyde conscience · "syn ȝe desiren, [syn] synnes R; sith C; siþe B.] That frere flaterer be fette · and phisike ȝow syke." [syke] seke R.] ¶ The Frere her-of herde · and hyed faste [hyed] hiȝed hym B.] To a lorde for a lettre · leue to haue to curen, [to curen] curen C; cure OB.] As a curatour he were · and cam with his lettres [As] And as CB. lettres] let|tere R.] Line 324 Baldly to þe bisshop · & his brief hadde, [Baldly] Boldely WCRB; Booldli O.] In contrees þere he come in · confessiouns to here, [come] cam RCB; coome WO. in] Inne COB; WR om. confes|siouns] confessioun O. to here] R om.] And cam þere conscience was · and knokked atte ȝate. [atte] at þe WCROB.] ¶ Pees vnpynned it · was porter of vnyte, [Pees] Pieris B.] Line 328 And in haste asked · "what his wille were?" "In faith," quod þis frere · "for profit and for helthe [frere] freris B. helthe] hele O.] Carpe I wolde with contricioun · & þerfore come I hider." Line 331 ¶ "He is sike," seide pees · "and so ar many other, Ypocrisie hath herte hem · ful harde is if þei keure." [is] it is B.] "I am a surgien," seide þe segge · "and salues can make; [seide] y (!) B. segge] frere R.] Conscience knoweth me wel · and what I can do bothe." "I preye þe," quod pees þo · "ar þow passe ferther, What hattestow, I preye þe? · hele nouȝte þi name." [hattestow] hattest þou OB.] ¶ "Certes," seyde his felow · "sire penetrans-domos." [Certes] Sire B. seyde—felow] felaw seyde he O; saide he felawe C.]

"Ȝe, go þi gate," quod pees · "bi god, for al þi phisyk, [pees] piers CB. þi (2)] B om.] But þow conne somme crafte · þow comest nouȝt her|Inne! [somme] any R; som ooþer W. her-Inne] he Inne (sic) R; ther-Inne CB.] Line 340 I knewe such one ones · nouȝte eighte wynter passed, [passed] hennes W.] Come in þus ycoped · at a courte þere I dwelt, [Come] And cam B. I] þat y B. dwelt] dwelde W.] And was my lordes leche · & my ladyes bothe. [folio 91b] [lordes] ladyes CB; lady O. ladyes] lordes C; lordis OB.] And at þe last þis limitour · þo my lorde was out, Line 344 He salued so owre wommen · til somme were with childe!" Hende-speche het pees · opene þe ȝates— [het] heet WRC; heete O. pees] pees þo R. opene] to opene O; vppon B.] "Late in þe frere and his felawe · and make hem faire chere. [þe] R om.] He may se and here · so it may bifalle, [here] here her R. it] R om.] Line 348 That lyf þorw his lore · shal leue coueityse, And be adradde of deth · and with-drawe hym fram pryde, And acorde with conscience · and kisse her either other." [her] B om.] Thus thorw hende-speche · entred þe frere, Line 352 And cam in-to conscience · and curteisly hym grette, [grette] grete C.] "Þow art welcome," quod conscience · "canstow hele þe syke? [canstow] canst þou OB. þe] R om.] Here is contricioun," quod conscience · "my cosyn, ywounded, Conforte hym," quod conscience · "and take kepe to his sores; [and] O om.] Line 356 The plastres of þe persoun · and poudres biten to sore, [plastres] plastre B. biten] bitten C; ben R.]

He lat hem ligge ouerlonge · and loth is to chaunge hem; [He] And R. lat] leet C; leete O; lett B. hem (1)] hym C.] Fro lenten to lenten · he lat his plastres bite." [lenten] lente R (twice). lat] latte O; lette R; letiþ B. bite] bitte R.] ¶ "That is ouerlonge," quod this limitour · "I leue I shal amende it;"— [That] This C.] Line 360 And goth and gropeth contricioun · and gaf hym a plastre [and (2)] R om.] Of "a pryue payement · and I shal praye for ȝow, For alle þat ȝe ben holde to · al my lyf tyme, [For] And for COB.] And make ȝow, my lady · in masse and in matynes, As freres of owre fraternite · for a litel syluer." [freres] frere WO.] Line 365 ¶ Thus he goth and gadereth · and gloseth þere he shryueth, [goth] gooþ WO; goos C. gadereth] gadderes C.] Tyl contricioun hadde clene forȝeten · to crye & to wepe, And wake for his wykked werkes · as he was wont to done. [wake] awake C; a-wakid B. was wont] was woned B; woned R.] Line 368 For confort of his confessour · contricioun he lafte, [lafte] lefte R.] Þat is þe souereynest salue · for alkyn synnes. [for] of O. alkyn] alle kynne WROB; alkynne C.] ¶ Sleuth seigh þat · and so did pryde, [seigh] seye R; see C; sei B; þanne saw O. so] also O.] And come with a kene wille · conscience to assaille. Conscience cryde eft · and bad clergye help hym, [hym] COB om.] Line 373 And also contricioun · forto kepe þe ȝate. "He lith and dremeth," seyde pees · "and so do many other; [dremeth] dreint (!) B.] The Frere with his phisik · þis folke hath enchaunted, [hath] hath so R.] And plastred hem so esyly · þei drede no synne." [esyly] hesily RB. þei] the C.] Line 377 ¶ "Bi cryste," quod conscience þo · "I wil bicome a pilgryme,

And walken as wyde · as al þe [worlde] lasteth, [as (1)] al so B. al] alle R; WO om. [worlde R] world WCOB; wordle L.] To seke Piers þe plowman · þat pryde may destruye, [seke] seche B. may] myȝte R.] And þat freres hadde a fyndyng · þat for nede flateren, [And] B om.] And contrepleteth me, conscience; · now kynde me auenge, [contrepleteth] conterpledes C.] Line 382 And sende me happe and hele · til I haue piers þe plowman!" And sitthe he gradde after grace · til I gan awake.

Explicit hic dialogus petri plowman. [So in WCO; Explicit hic B; Passus ijus de Do-best R; O adds—Lauderis Christe · quia finitur liber iste.]