Political, religious, and love poems. Some by Lydgate, Sir Richard Ros, Henry Baradoun, Wm. Huchen, etc. from the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lambeth Ms. no. 306, and other sources, with a fragment of The Romance of Peare of Provence and the fair Magnelone, and a sketch, with the prolog and epilog, of The Romance of the knight Amoryus and the Lady Cleopes,

POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS, AND LOVE POEMS.

Hodson MS. 39, on leaf 3 (A.D. 1483).

Kyng Edward the iiij^th.

(10 stanzas of 7 lines each, ababbcc.) [There is a Religious Poem of 6 stanzas next it in the MS., but as this would make a break in the Political Poems if put after Edward IV. here, it is printed on p. 289, below.]

(1)

¶ Wher is this Prynce that conquered his right Line 1 Within Ingland / master of all his foon, And after Fraunce, be very force & myght Without stroke / and afterward cam hoom, Line 4 Made Scotlond to yelde / and Berwyk wan he from, Rydyng a hontyng / hym silff to sporte & playe: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to praye.

(2)

¶ This most dred prince / that was vnder the son, Line 8 Through all this wordle renewed was his name, The dowthiest, the worthiest, withouten comparison, Ther was noon siche / but ye reken the same Compassed the wordle / so spronge his name; Line 12 And as in batell, the ffresshest I shall say: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(3)

¶ Wher is he nowe, that man of noble men, Line 15 That, in his howsold, kepte the ryall rowte? Ther is no place in all the wordle I ken, but of the Substaunce he hath chosen owte. Hit was a wordle to se hym ride aboute Line 19 Through-out his land; And that was day be day: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(4)

¶ O noble Edward, wher art thowe be-come, Line 22 Which full worthy I haue seen goyng in estate? Edward the iiij^th I mene, with the sonne, The rose, the sonnë-beme / which was full fortunate: Noon erthly prince durst make with hym debate. Line 26 Art thowe agoo, and was here yestirday? All men of Englond ar bound for the to pray. Line 28

(5)

The well of Knyghthode, withouten any pere Line 29 Of all erthely prynces thowe were the lode-sterre! Be-holde & rede; herkyn well and hyre! In gestis, in romansis, in Cronicles nygh & ferre, Well knowen it is / þer can no man it deserre, Line 33 Pereless he was / and was here yestirday: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(6)

¶ Fy on this wordle! What may we wrecches say, [folio 3b] Line 36 That nowe haue lost the lanterne & the light, Oure kyng oure lorde, (alas and wele-a-wey!) In euery felde full redy for oure right, It was no nede / to pray hym for to fight; Line 40 Redy he was / that was here yestirday: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(7)

¶ Me thynkith euer this kyng sholde not be gon; Line 43 I see his lordis, I see his knyghtis all; I see his plasis made of lyme and ston; I see his seruauntes sittyng in the Hall, And, walkyng among them, his Marshall. Line 47 What sholde I say? He was here yestirday: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(8)

¶ I am be-giled / for He is past and goon; Line 50 I mette his men wepyng in clothis blake; Not oon nor tweyn: god wote, many oon, Which daily waylith & sorowith for his sake Hit to endite, hit makith my herte quake, Line 54 When I remembre he was here yestirday: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(9)

¶ Nowe pray we to god, that all this wordle hath wrought, Among his Aungelis / this prince may have a place; And for his passion that vs so dere hath bought, That, of his paynys he may haue his grace. Nowe, gracious lord, remembre well this case! Line 61 As wofull synners, we call to the, and say, That we of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

(10)

¶ Ye wofull men / that shall this writyng rede, Line 64 Remembre well here is no dwellyng place. Se howe this prince is from vs goon, and dede, And we shall, aftir hym, suë the trace: Ther is no choise /. ther is noon other grace; Line 68 This knowe ye well / he was here yestirday: All men of Englond ar bounde for hym to pray.

Explicit /

The Twelve Letters that shall save Merry England.

(Ab. 1465.) [Lambeth MS. No. 306, fol. 134.]

(1)

[There is a space left for a large E, but only a little e is written, as a guide to the capital-maker.] ERLY in a sommeristide y sawe in london, as y wente, A gentilwoman of chepe-side workinge on a vest[i]ment. Line 4

(2)

She sette xij lett[e]rs on a Rowe, And saide, if that y myght it vnderstond, Thorough þe grace of god, ye schule it knowe, This lettres xij schall save mery Englond. Line 8

(3)

A litil while yf ye wille duelle, And yeve avdenes vnto me, what lettres they be y shall you telle, they were drawe oute of þe .A.b.c. Line 12

(4)

They were nether A. b. nor S., [? for C.] Of any clarke y take wittnes, Hit was R. w. And ij ees F. M. Ȝ. [ȝ = y.] and S. Line 16

(5)

Than stode y stille a litile Sesone, And constred this lettres or y wente thens, And Exspoundide theim after myn owne wesdone After the forme of Experience. Line 20

Line 20

(6)

iij ares for iij Richardes þat bene of noble fames; A E. for Edward, men wote it is soo, This ben the lettr[e]s of the iiij lordes names The whiche all Englonde is myche bounden too. Line 24

(7)

A .Ȝ. for yorke that was manely & myghtfull, The whiche Grewe be þe grace of god & grete reuela|cion, Raynyng with Rewles [A long f with a stroke through it stands here.] resenable and Rightfull, The whiche for oure sake hathe sofferde grete vex[a]|cion. Line 28

(8)

An .M. for marche, treue in eueri titell & triall, [folio 134b] Growinge be eistricion, that worthi and wis is, Concayued in wedlocke, & comen of blode rialle, [[Edward IV.]] Ioyning vnto vertu, devode of vices. Line 32

(9)

An S. for Salisbery, without any avision, Riall in his reynyng, and riche in his Rente, Brynging a man to a good conclucion, Called for his wisdome patris Sapiente. Line 36

(10)

A Doble W. for Warwike, þat god be his gide, Who is called with þe comens their childe & þer deffence, The boldest vnder baner batell to a-bide, for þe righte of Englonde he dothe his deligence. Line 40

(11)

An F. for þe feterlock þat is of grete Substance, That hathe amendide many maters þorow his medi|acion; In yrlonde & in walles, in englonde and in fraunce, He Reynyed with Rewelis of Riall Repetacion. Line 44

Line 44

(12)

An R. for the Rose þat is frische and wol nat fade, Bothe þe rote & the stalke þat is of grete honoure, from normandie vnto norway þe leues do springe, from irlonde vnto Estlonde me reioise þat floure. Line 48

(13)

An E. for þe egile þat grete worship hath wone Thorowe þe spredinge of his wengis þat neuer begane to flee, There was neuer birde brede vnder þe stone More fortunable in a felde þan þat birde hath be. Line 52

(14)

An R. for þe Raged staf [(Warwik)

The Bere is bound that was so wildFfor he hath lost his ragged staffe.

Cotton Rolls, ii. 23, in Wright's Pol. Songs, v. ii. p. 222.] þat no man may a-Skape, from scotlonde to Calles, þerof they stonde in Awe, he is a stafe of stedfastne[s], bothe erly & latte To Chastes siche kaytifes as don ayenst þe lawe. Line 56

(15)

Nowe haue y declared you this lettr[e]s all xij [folio 135] Accordyng to their condisciones whereuer þei ride or goo[n]; nowe thei be declared eche lorde be him self, Their entent and purpos groundeth all in oon, Line 60

(16)

That is, for to distroy tresson, & to mak a treue triall Of theym that be-fawte & hurte vs all full sore, And for þe welfare of Edward Rex moste riall, That is þe verie purpos that we labure fore. Line 64

(17)

And nowe, my frendes in eueri cost, The grace and goodnes of þe holigost Kepe you in sted[fa]ste charite, And after this life, bryng you & me Line 68 vnto euer-lasting Ioie; amen, for charit[e]! [[The poem on Women follows, which is printed in The Wright's Chaste Wife: 'Women, women, loue of women, make bare purs with some men.]]

EXPLICIT.

Edwardus, Dei Gratia.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 136.]

[The big initial is wanting, tho' a small one is put, as in the last poem.] AA A, Edwardeus Dai gracia, Sithe god hathe chose þe to be his knyȝt, And posseside þe in thi right, Thoue hime honour with al thi myght, Line 4 Edwardes, Dai gracia. Oute of þe stoke þat longe lay dede [MS. lade day.] God hathe causede the to sprynge & sprede, And of al Englond to be the hede, Line 8 Edwardes, Dei gracia. Sithe god hathe yeuen the, thorough his myȝte, Owte of that stoke birede in sight The floure to springe, a Rosse so white, Line 12 Edwardes, Dai gracia, Thoue yeve hem lawde and praisinge, Thove vergyne knight of whom we synge, Vn-Deffiled sithe thy begynnyng, Line 16 Edwardes, Dai gracia. God save thy contenewaunce, And so to prospede to his plesance That euer thyne Astate thou mowte enhaunce! Line 20 Edwardes, Dai gracia. Rex Anglie & francia, y Say, Hit is thine owne, why saist þou nay? And so is spayne, þat faire contrey, Line 24 Edwardis, Dai gracia.

Fy on slowtfull contenewaunce Where conquest is a noble plesaunce, And Regesterd in olde rememberance, Line 28 Edwardes, Day Gracia. Wherefor, prince And kyng moste myȝti, Remembere þe Subdeue of þi Regaly, Of Englonde, frawnce, & spayn trewely, Line 32 Edwardes, Dai gracia. [[A Recipe "For brekyng owte of scabbes & bleynes" follows.]]

EXPLICIT.

THE RECEYVYNG OF KYNG EDWARD THE IIIJ^TH AT BRYSTOWE.

[MS. Lambeth 306, fol. 132. The heavy letters mark the red of the MS.]

First atte the comyng ynne atte temple gate there stode Wylliam conquerour with iij lordis, and these were his wordis

Well-come, Edwarde, oure son of high degre! Many yeeris hast þou lakkyd owte of this londe: I am thy fore fader, Wylliam of normandye, To see thy welefare here thrugh goddys sonde.

Over the same gate stondyng a greet Gyaunt delyueryng the keyes.

¶ The Receyuyng atte temple Crosse next folowyng.

There was seynt George on horsbakke vppone a tent fyghtyng with a dragone, And þe kyng & þe quene on hyghe in a castelle, And his doughter benethe with a lambe. And atte the sleyng of the dragone ther was a greet melody of aungellys. [[Follows: A medycyne for the pestylence.]]

For Iake Napes Sowle, Placebo and Dirige.

(A.D. 1450.) [MS. Lambeth 306, fol. 51, in John Stowe's hand.]

HERE FOLOWYTHE A DYRGE MADE BY THE COMONS OF KENT IN THE TYME OF THER RYSYNGE WHEN JAKE CADE WAS THEYR CAPPITAYN.

(1)

¶ In the moneth of may whan gres growes [MS. Cott. Vesp. B. xvi, leaf 1, back, gresse growes.] grene, fragrans in there floures with A swet [Flagrant in her flowres with swete] savor, Iake napis in [wold ouer] the see, A maryner for to bene, Line 3 with his clogge and his cheyne, to sell [seke] more tresowr.

(2)

¶ suche A thynge [Swyche a payn] prykkyd hym, he axid [asked] A con|fessowr: nycolas of the towre seyd "I am redy here to se;" [Nicolas said 'I am redi | thi confessour to be'] he was holde so hard, he passyd the same [holden so | that he ne pasade that] howre; for Iake napes sowle, placebo and dirige. Line 8

(3)

¶ who shall execute y^e fest of [his exequies. | With a] solempnite? [folio 51b] bysshoppis and lords, as gret reson is, Monkes, chanons, and prestis, with al y^e [ch . . pr . . & other] clergy, prayeth for [pray for this Dukes soule | þat it might] hym that he may com to blys, Line 12

(4)

¶ And that [let] nevar such Anothar come aftar this! his intersectures, [interfectours,] blessid mot [mighte] they be, and graunt them [them for ther dede] to reygne with aungellis! for [and for] Iake napys sowle, placebo & dirige. Line 16

Line 16

(5)

¶ "placebo," begynneth the bishop of hereforthe; [Herforde] "dilexi," quod y^e bisshop of chester, "for my Avaunser;" [Dilexi, for myn auauncement | saithe þe bisshop of Chestre] "hew michi," [me] seyd salysbery, "this game gothe ferforthe;" [this gothe to ferre forthe;] "Ad dominum cum tribularer," seyth y^e abbot of glocester. Line 20

(6)

¶ "dominus custodit," thus seyþ y^e bisshoppe [Abbot (om. thus)] of Rouchestre. "leuaui oculos meos," seyþ frere stanbery, ["volaui." [volavi is from MS. Cott. which omits 'meos'] ] "Si iniquitates," seyth y^e bysshope of worcestre; for Iake napis sowle, "de profundis clamavi." Line 24

(7)

¶ "Opera manium tuarum," seyth y^e cardinall wysely, "hath wronge, [that brought forthe.] confitebor," for all Iake napis wis|dome, [alle this Napes reason.] "Audiui vocem," seyd Ihesu crist [songe Allemightty god] on hye. [MS. Cott. prefixes 'And þerfore synge we'] "Magnificat anima mea Dominum." Line 28

(8)

¶ Now to this dyryge most we nedys [we gon &] come this Ioyfull [pascalle] tyme, to say brevely, [veryli.] ix spalmes (sic), ix [Thre psalmes & thre] lessons, to say all & sum, [þat alle is and somme.] for Iake napys sowlle, placebo & dirige. Line 32

(9)

¶ Executor [Executors] of this office, dirge for to synge, shall begynne y^e bisshope of seynt as. "varba [Verba] mea Auribus," seythe the abbot of Redynge, for all our hope and Ioy [Alle your ioye and hope] is come to Allas. Line 36

Line 36

(10)

¶ "Convertere [MS. Cott. is wrongly read by Mr. Wright, Commitere] domine," for vs wantyth [yet graunte vs] grace, thow [Saiþ] abbot of seynt albonys, full sorely synge ye: [MS. Cott. omits synge ye.] The abbot of the towre hyll, with his fate face, Line 39 tremelyth and quakythe, [quakeþ & tremleþ] for "domine, ne in furore."

(11)

¶ Master watyr lyard schall sey [synge] "nequando." the abbes of seynt alborghe, [Abbot of Westmynstre.] "domine, deus meus, in te speraui;" "Requiem eternam, god graunte hem to, [them alle to come to.] to sey [þerto] A patar nostar," [saiþ [From MS. Cott.] ] the bysshop of seynt davi. Line 44

(12)

¶ For the sowles of thes wyse and wurthy, [soules þat wise were & mightty.] [folio 52] Adam Molens, suffolke, sir Robert Ros, [Suffolk, Moleyns, and Roos.] thes thre; And specyally for Iake napis sowlle [in especial for Iac Napes] that evar was sly, [wyly.] for his sowle, placebo & dirige. Line 48

(13)

¶ "Rys vp, lord say, and [vp, Say] rede "parce mihi domine, Nichil enim sunt dies mei," that shalt thou [mei | þou shalt] singe; the bysshope of carlyyll seyth "credo videre [syngis Credo ful sore.] all [To suyche] fals traytors to come to evyll [come foule] endynge." Line 52

(14)

¶ Dwelle thou shalt [The baron of Dudley] withe grete mornynge, Rede [Redethe] "tedet animam meam vite mee;"

"Manus tue," danyell, thou shalt synge [Who but Danyel, qui lasarum shal synge] For Iake napis sowle, placebo & dirige. [. . Iac nape . . . The Cotton MS. ends shortly thus, on leaf 2, front:—

¶ Iohn Say redethe, "Manus tue fecerunt me.""Libera me," syngethe Trevilian | warre the rere,That thei do no more so. Requiescant in pace:Thus prayes alle Englond | ferre & nerre.

¶ Where is Somerset | whi aperes he not hereto synge | Dies ire & miserie?God graunte Englond | alle in fere,for thes traitours | to synge Placebo & Dirige.

¶ Meny mo þer be behynde | þe sothe for to telle,þat shall messes | oppon thes do synge.I pray som man | do rynge the belle,þat þese forsaiden | may come to þe sacrynge.

¶ And þat in brief tyme | without more tarienge,þat þis messe may be ended | in suyche degre,And þat alle Englond | ioyfulle may syngeþe commendacioun, with Placebo & Dirige.

] Line 56

(15)

¶ "Qui lazarum resussitasti," Treuilyan shall singe; Hungerford, "manus tue fecerunt me; vby me abscondam, for dred this day?" Iohn say, synge "dominus regit me." Line 60

(16)

¶ "Nichyll mihi deerit," for owt that I can se; "ad te domine levavi," Master somerset schall rede: Iohn penycoke, "delycta Iuventutis mee, Allas, whythar may I fle for dred?" Line 64

(17)

¶ "Dominus, illuminacio, help, for now is ned," seyth mayster wyll say, "I trow it wyll not be:" "credo videre," sir thomas stanle, take hede; for Iake napis sowle, placebo & dirige. Line 68

Line 68

(18)

¶ "In memoria eterna," seyth Mayster Thomas Kent, "now schall owre treson be cornicled for evar;" "patar nostar," seyd mayster Gerveyse, "we be all shent, for so fals A company in englond was nevar." Line 72

(19)

¶ The abbot of barmundsey, full of lechery, "Quantas habeo iniquitatys," take for thy lesson; Gabull of the chancery begynyth "heu mihi!" that is his preve bande, and detent of treson. Line 76

(20)

¶ "Homo natus de muliere," seyth y^e Mayster of sent lawrence, "repletus multis miseriis," and that shall he wayll of Iake napes sort that hath don gret offence, and ever whill be lyvyd, cheffe of his counceyll. Line 80

(21)

¶ "Ne recorderys," stephen shegge shall synge, [folio 52b] "quis mihi tribuat for wichecraft," seythe stace; "Domine non secundum actum meum, for then shall I hynge;" for Iake napys sowle, placebo & dirige. Line 84

(22)

¶ "Expectans expectaui," seyth sir thomas hoo, "complaceat tibi," begynneth Iohn Hampton; "beatus qui intelligit, and dredit also," seyth Iohn fortescu, "all this fals treson." Line 88

(23)

¶ "sana, domine, oure wittes with reson," the lorde sudeley devoutly prayth, "quem ad modum," desiderat y^e lord stowrton, "sitiuit anima mea," for him lyeth. Line 92

Line 92

(24)

¶ The lord ryvers all onely seythe, "Requiem eternam god grawnt vs to se; A pater nostar ther must be in feyth, for Iake napis sowle, placebo & dirige." Line 96

(25)

¶ "spiritus meus attenuabytur," blakney shall begyn, "pecantem me cotidie," seyth myners; "pelle me consumptus carnibus to the nynne," Robart horne, alderman, that shall be thy vers. Line 100

(26)

¶ "Requiem eternam," for the respons, Phylip Malpas, be thow redy to synge; It wexyth derke, thou nedyst A scons; com forth, Iude, for thou shalt in brynge." Line 104

(27)

¶ "Quare de uulua eduxisti," ser Thomas tudnam, that rede ye: Abbot of westmystar, com, stond by in thy myter & cope, & sey "libera me." Line 108

(28)

¶ A-rys vp thorp and cantelowe, & stond ye togeder, and synge 'dies illa, dies ire;' pulford and hanley that drownyd the duke of glocestar, as two traytors shall synge "ordentes [MS. ordetes.? for ardentes.] anime." Line 112

(29)

¶ And all trew comyns ther to be bolde to sey 'requiescant in pace,' for all the fals traytors that engelond hath sold, And for Iake napis sowlle, placebo & dirige. finis. Line 116

Amen—writn owt of david norcyn his booke, by John stowe.

Satirical Proclamation (? 1436).

(MS. Cott. Vespas. B. XVI. Fol. 5.)

To alle you, I sende gretynge. Wot ye þat I am kyng of alle kynges, Lord of alle lordes, Souden of alle Surry, Emperour of Babilon, Steward of Helle, Porter of Paradise, Constable of Ierusalem, Lord of Certoffis, þat is to say, lord of þe parties of þe world, Cosyn to youre crist þat was nailed on þe rode. And if ye wol witen whi þat I am kynge of alle kynges, I lete you wite þat I haue vnder my lordship, of youre cristen kynges, xxxvij kynges crowned. And whi þat I am lord of alle lordes,—semyng to me, þer is none so worthi as I am. And whi I am Emperour of Babilon: I lete you wite þat I wedded þe Emperourys doughtter, which was Erle of Surry: Her fader died; wherfor I am Erle by her. And whi þat I am Stiward of Helle: I lete you wite I haue alle gouernaunce of wicked mawmentries & wicked spirites. And whi I am Porter of Paradis: I lete you wite I am keper of þe Stremes of Paradis, whiche may no man come to but he haue my lordship, & gef me a gret tribut. And whi þat I am Constable of Ierusalem: I lete you wite. þer may no man come to Port Iaffe but he gef me a gret tribut. And whi þat I am floure of alle þe worle: I may wel sai I haue þat cristen men prayn fore, þat is, þe holi cros þat your lord my cosyn died on, which ye may not haue without me. And þat I am cristes cosyn: I let you wite, I was cristen made, in Englond born, & for certeyn poyntes of lollerdy I [ne] myȝt abide þer, & so I wende to Rome, & after to Rodes; & þer I was with Sarasens, & turne to her lawe or be

ded. And for my curtesie I was put to þe Soudenys house, & was made vssher of halle; & þen died þe Souden & his heire, And I wedded his wiff. & so I was souden. & þen died my wiff; and I wedded þe Emperourys doughtter, & was Emperour bi here, & bycome Souden of Surry. but I sende gretyng to Henry kynge of England, þe frenshe womman sone. & so be þat he wol wed my doughter, I wel becom cristen, & alle my meyne, And wol gef hym iij Milions of gold, And delyuere hym þe holy cros, with al þe Reliques in my kepyng; And I shal make hym Emperour of xxxvij kynges cristen, þat is, Anglond, Fraunce, Irland, Scotland, Denmark, norwey, portu|gale, Cicile, Sipres, Spayn, Swhen, Sastel, Orsorial, beme, hungry, Magon, Naples, Cschresy; And to stonde with hym agaynst alle Cristen kynges. Writen in þe yere of youre gret god, my cosyn. MCCCCxvj yere. [[Mr. James Gairdner, of the Record Office, tells me that 'Henry kynge of England, þe frensh womman son,' can only mean Henry VI., born in 1421, son of Cathe|rine, daughter of Charles VI. of France. Henry's marriage with Margaret of Anjon, suggested by the Earl of Suffolk in 1444, took place in 1445. Mr. Gairdner therefore thinks the date of 1416 (the third of Henry V.) a mistake of the copier of the MS. In this Mr. G. E. Cokayne agrees, and would fix the date at 1436, believing that "þe frensh womman son" would not have been used after her death, in 1438. But the difficulty is to settle what the Proclamation is intended to satirize. The possession of Jerusalem, Joppa, the Holy Rood, etc., the being Souden of Surre or Syria, and the like, point to the Sultan. The Porter of Paradise, the Cousin of Christ, the opposition to Lollardy, might have been thought to hint at the Pope, if the marriages (unless allegorical ones are alluded to) did not prevent that. Professor Brewer suggests Anti|christ, that is, the representative of the Antichristian powers. The allusion to Lollardy may point to Sir John Oldcastle, Lord Cobham's rising, for which he was executed Dec. 25, 1417. "Curiously enough, Henry III. was also King of England for some time during the lifetime of his mother, a French woman; but of course the text could not apply to so early a date, besides that the taking away from the date is a greater sin than adding thereunto. I am inclined to think the whole thing a satire by the party of Cardinal Beaufort on the poverty of, and want of any real power in, René, Duke of Anjou, titular King of Jerusalem, Sicily, Naples, Aragon, Valence, etc., etc., who had succeeded his brother Louis in all these and many other high-sounding titles in 1434, and was probably at that time displaying them to the utmost advantage in hopes of getting something more solid by so doing— which came to pass in 1444 and 1445 by the betrothal and subsequent marriage of his daughter Margaret with King Henry. Jerusalem, etc., were considered by René as belonging to him. Remember, too, this was before the conquest of the Eastern Empire in 1453. [Constantinople was taken May 29, 1453, by Mahomet II., and Constantine XIII. (Palæologus) slain, with whom ended the Eastern Empire.—Haydn's Dict. of Dates.] Of course René's marriages do not apply. He married twice, but his first wife did not die till 1453. I have not time to go into the subject fully. Other points ought to be looked into—viz., Henry VI. was in his 23rd year, wished by the Duke of Gloucester to marry a daughter of the Count of Armagnac. Who was he? Could he be meant? I do not think so, because at that time Catherine was dead, and probably Henry would not be spoken of as the son of the Frenchwoman, it being usual for English kings to marry French princesses, and every king (excepting Edward III.) having done so from John downwards, though some had English wives as well. In 1425 John Palæologus II. was Emperor of the East, till 1448. What sort of man was he? He had probably many titles and (titular) kingdoms, and little else. I have not time to pursue him, liking René better."—G. E. C.]]

Lydgate's Horse, Goose, and Sheep.

[Written after A. D. 1421: see note to l. 234, p. 25.] (92 stanzas; 77 in sevens, ababbcc; and 15 in eights, abab,bcbc; with an Envoy "Don't despise your Neighbour.") From the Lansdowne MS. 699, in the British Museum, collated with the Harley MS. 2251 (leaf 277, &c.) and the Roxburghe Club reprint of the black-letter copy of the poem.

¶ Incipit Disputacio inter Equum, Aucam, & Ouem. [folio 66b]

A Disputation between a horse, a Sheepe and a Goose, for superioritie (in a later hand).

[folio 67]

(1)

COntrouersies / plëys & discordis [pleys . .] plees and al discorde HR.] Line 1 Atween personës / were it too or thre, [Atween . .] Betwene . . bien yit of it, Bitwene . . were R.] Sought out the ground / bi witnessis of recordis: [witnessis . .] witnesse of Recorde H, groundes be recordes R.] This was the costom / of antiquyte; Iuges were sett / that hadde Auctor[i]te, Line 5 The cas conceyved / stondynge indifferent, [cas] cause H, caas R.] Attweene parties / to yeue A Iugëment. [Attweene] Betweene HR. A] om. R.] Line 7

(2)

¶ Parties assemblid / of hih or lowe degre, [or] and HR.] Line 8 Weren admittid / to shewen in senténce, [Weren . . shewen] They were . . shewe H, Weren . . shewen R.] Ground of here quarell / the lawë made hem fre [here quarell] theyr quarels HR.] Without excepcïoun / to come to Audience, Bi the president / commaundid first silence, Line 12 Fredam yove / the parties nat to spare [yove] yeven H, yeue R.] Bi rule of right / ther grevès to declare. [rule] title HR.] Line 14

Line 14

(3)

¶ Vpon this matere / shortly to conclude, Line 15 Nat yoore a-gon / as I rehersë shall, [Nat] Nought HR.] I fond to purpos / A similitude Ful craftily / depeyntid vpon a wall: Tweyn sitt / in ther estat Roiall, [sitt] sette H, sittyng in estate R.] Line 19 The hardy Leoun / famous in al rewmys, [Leoun . . rewmys] Lyonne . . realmes H, The fierce lyon . . royames R.] Themperiall Egle / pershyng the sonnë bemys. [pershyng] percynge H, percyng R.] Line 21

(4)

¶ These were the dreedful / Roiall Iugis tweyne, [Roialle] om. R.] Line 22 In ther estatë / sittynge I took keepe, [keepe] goode kepe H, kepe R.] That herde the parties / bi & bi compleyne, The Hoors, the Goos / & eke the symple Sheepe. [& eke] and eke H, & LR.] The processe was nat / to profounde nor deepe, Line 26 Off that debat / but cóntryued of a fable: [that] theyr HR.] Which of them was / to man most profitáble. [was / to man] HR, to man was L.] Line 28

(5)

¶ Ech for his partie / proudly gan procede [folio 67b] Line 29 Tenforce hym silf / bi record of scripture [Tenforce] To enforce H.] In philosophie / as clerkis seen or rede, [In philosophie . . or] By philosophres . . and HR.] The prerogatives / geven hem bi nature, [The . . goven] This . . gyven H, The . . yeuen R.] Which of these thre / to euery crëature Line 33 In re publica / availeth most to man. [to] a R.] For his partie / then first the hors began: Line 35

(6)

¶ "To procede breffly, & nat long to tarie, [Equus] The Horse H. long to] HR, om. L.] Line 36 First fro the trowthë / that I do nat erre, [First] HR, om. L. trowthe] R, trowth LH.] What beste is found / at al so necessárie [at al] in al L, in alle thing R.] As is the hors / bothë nyh & ferre, [bothe] LR, bothe so II.] Or so notáble / to man in pees & werre? [in] bothe in H.] Line 40

Line 40 Hors in cronyclis / wo-so looke a-riht, [looke] redithe HR.] Hav be savacion / to many a worthi knyht. [Hav . . a] Han saved many a ful H, Haue saved often many a R.] Line 42

(7)

¶ "Marcial prowessis in especïall [prowessis] prowesse HR.] Line 43 God hath, bi hors / yovë to werreiours— [yove] gyven H, yeue R.] Record of Alisandre / whoos hors Busifall [Recorde . .] ¶ Bukoyfal equus Alexandri. Looke of Alisaunder . his hors Bukoyfal H.] Made hym tascapë / many sharp[ë] shours: [tascape] escape from H, fro R.] The golden chare / of oldë conqueroures [olde] R, old LH.] Line 47 Toward the tryumphe / for ther knyghtly deedis [Toward . . for] Towardis . . of H, Towarde for R. ther] om. R.] Conveied were / with fourë whitë steedis. [were] LH, hit was R.] Line 49

(8)

¶ "Remembre of Ector / the Troian chaumpioun, [Remembre] Now H. of] LH, om. R.] Line 50 Whoos hors was callid / whilom Galathe; [¶ Galathe equus Hec|toris H, in margin.] Vpon whos bak he pleyèd the leoun, And oftë sithë / made the Grekis flee. [ofte . . made] oft . . he made H, Full ofte sithes he made R.] The stede of Perseus / was callid the Pegasè, [stede of P.] persaus stede . was callid H, stede . . cleped R.] Line 54 With swift[ë] wengis, poetis seyn the same, [seyn] reherse H.] Was, for swifftnesse / callid 'the hors of Fame.' [Fame] LR, name H.] Line 56

(9)

¶ "Eques, ab 'equo' is seid of verray riht, [folio 68] Line 57 And cheualere is saide of cheualrye: [cheualere] LR, cheuallice H.] In Duche, a Rudder is a knyght; [Duche, a Rudder] whiche a Rider . callid H, Duche a rider is calld R (Hex|ham gives both Rudder and Rider in his Dutch Dict.).] Aragon tunge / doth also specifie [Aragon . . doth] LR, Arragoners don H.] Caualaro [MS. Caualato, alterd to Caualaro, and with "Cavalero" in margin.] / which, in that partie, [which in] LR, thurghout al H.] Line 61 Is name of worshipe / & took bigynnynge [took . .] so toke hys gynnynge H. name] LH, named R.] Off spooris of gold / & cheefly of rydynge. [of rydynge] LR, Ridynge H.] Line 63

Line 63

(10)

¶ "Thes Emperoures / thes princis & thes kynges, Line 64 Whan thei been armyd / in bright plate & mayle, [&] or H.] Withouten hors / what were here mustrynges, There brodë Baneres / & there riche apparaile, [&] or H.] [&] LH, or R.] To-fore ther Enmyes / to shew them in bataile? Line 68 Withouten hors / spere, swerde, no sheld [no] or H, ne R.] Mihte litel a-vailë / for to holde a feeld. [to holde] LR, the conquest of H.] Line 70

(11)

¶ "The hardy prikeris / vpon hors[ë] bak [The . . prikeris . . hors] LR. These . . Rynners . . theyr hors H.] Line 71 Be sent to-forn / what ground is best to take, [Be . . toforne] Bien . . afore H.] In that ordynaunce, that ther be no lak [In that] In theyr HR.] Bi providance / the feelde / whan thei shal make, [the . . shal] how they the fielde shul HR.] An hors wole weepë / for his maistir sake: [with '¶ secundum Bartholomeum de proprietatibus rerum' in margin.] Line 75 Chaunser remembrith / the swerd, the ryng, the glas, [Chaunser . . ryng] Chawer . . the swerd . rynge R, Chauncier . . the rynge the swerd H.] Presented wern / vpon a stede of bras. [Pre|sented] LR, Whiche presented H.] Line 77

(12)

¶ "Tween to hyllis / the prophete Zacarie [to] two HR. H has '¶ Montes erant &c. Zakarie .iij^o.' in margin.] Line 78 Sauh steedis foure / the first of hem was red, In charis foure / the feeld to magnyfie; The secunde was blak / it is no dreed; [it is no] leevith withouten H.] The thrydde was whighte / bodi, nek, & hed; Line 82 The fourthe was dyuers / & euerichon were strong; [was . . were] dyuers and eche of hem was H, diuerce of colours / wonder R.] And to knyghthood / alle these colourës longe. Line 84

(13)

¶ "The red hors / was tokne of hardynesse, [folio 68b] [was] LR, was there H.] Line 85 Which Apperteneth / to euery hardy knyht; The cole-blak hew / a sygne of sobirnesse, [a] LR, om. H.]

Poraile oppressid / to helpe them in ther right; The mylk-whiht steede / that was so glad of siht, [of] LR, a H. mylk-whight . . so] LH, white mylke. .was R.] Line 89 Tokne that knyhthod / trewly shuld entende, [Tokne] Toknyth HR.] Holi chirche / & preesthod to deffende. [Holi. .preesthod] The chirche and pristhode, Holi chirche maidens & wedewis holy H.] Line 91

(14)

¶ "The many-fold coloures / to speke in generall, [(in margin) ¶ Significant virtutes diuersas ad Miliciam pertinentes H.] Line 92 Been sondry vertues / & condicïouns, [vertues] vertuous] As the fower vertues / callid Cardynall [As. .callid] And. .clepid H.] Longyng to knyhthod / tencrese ther hih renouns, [Longyng. .hihe] Longen. .to encresen theyr H, long|yng. .tencrece their R.] In re publica / callid the Chaumpiouns, Line 96 Treuthe to sustene / shewë hem siluen strong, [shewe hem siluen] they ay to shewe hem H, & shewe hem self R.] Bounde bi ther ordre / to se no man have wrong. [to se no man] HR, so no moor L.]

(15)

¶ "Withouten hors / Iustis ne turney, att all [hors. .alle] horses.Ioustes ne turnal H, horse iustes ne tournaill R.] Line 99 May nat be holden, in werrë ne in pees; [holden] holde HR.] Nor in palestre / nor pleyes marcïall, [nor] no HR.] Yiff hors do faile / may come to non encres, [do] om. H.] Nor no man sothly dar put hym silf in pres [Nor] Ne H. sothly] LR, om. H. silf] LH, om. R.] Line 103 Withouten hors / for short conclusïoun, To atteyne the palme / of tryumphal guerdoun. [palme of] LR, om. H.] Line 105

(16)

¶ "Lower degrees / ther been of hors al-so, Line 106 Do grett profite / to euery comounte, [Do. .to] LR, To. .of H.] The plouh, the cart / myhtë no thyng doo [myhte no thynge] neyther myȝhte nat H, ne carte myght nought R.] Withouten hors / dayly ye may see: [Withouten] H, Without L, With oute R.] Tilthë were lost, ne werë hors parde; [ne were] ner we H. Tilthe] LH, Tillyng R. were] LH, were we R.] Line 110 The besi Marchant / to his ávauntage [besi] H, best L.] Nar shippis & hors / coude make no cariage. [Nar. .hors] Ner. .horses H. make] LH, haue R.] Line 112

Line 112

(17)

¶ "The shipe, bi liknesse / is clepid an hors of tree [folio 69] [bi] in H, be R. clepid] LH, callid R.] Line 113 (Ful notably / who can vndirstond,) To leden men / & carien ouer see [carien] carye hem ouer the see HR.] As don these hors whan thei are come to lond: [hors. .are] horsis they H, horse whan they R.] The poor man / ladith vpon a lond [vpon] eke in H, eke ledith in R.] Line 117 His litel capil / his corn, his mele, to selle; Whan it is grounde / hors carye it hom from melle. [hom. .] from the mylle H. from] om. L. And whan it is grounden bringeth it fro y^e melle R.] Line 119

(18)

¶ "In Wyntir seson / for to make bele cheere, [bele] the beal H, beal R.] Line 120 The hors is nedeful / wode & stuff to carie; [The hors is nedeful] HR, Than is neede L. stuff] LH, turf R.] Wyn, frute, & oyle / to servë thoruh the yeere [vynteres] the vynter H. appotecarie] potecarye HR.] Is brought to vynteres / & to the appotecarie Divers draggës / & many a letuarie, Line 124 Sondry bales / & shortly, al vitaille, Off the cariágë / hors have the travaille. [the. .have] LR, cariage horsis han H.] Line 126

(19)

¶ "Hey nor Otis / (playnly who list lerne,) [lerne] to lierne H.] Line 127 May from the feeldis / nor the medewis grene [feeldis nor] fieldis. ne H, feldes nor (the medes) R. feeld nor L.] To the garnere / nother to the berne, [To. .to] Vnto. .to H, To. .to R, To. .fro L.] Withouten hors / be caried, it is seene; [Withouten] H, Without L.] And to purpos / (I sei right as I meene) [to. .as] vnto purpos. .herk what H, vnto pourpose I seye as R.] Line 131 Ther is no best / (to rekne as I be-gan) [began] can H. to] LH, om. R.] So necessarie / as hors is on-to man. Line 133

(20)

¶ "August is a season / mery & glad, Line 134 Whan euery tre / with newë frut is lade, With drauht of hors / the shevis ben hom lad:

That moneth past / the levis gynnë fade, [gynne] begynne to H, gyn to R.] Which made, in somer / a plesant lusti shade: [plesant lusti] LR, lusti ple|saunt H.] Line 138 What doon hors than / (to speke in wordis pleyn,) [What. .than] Than what don hors H.] The secunde crop / thei carie home Roweyn. [home Roweyne] of Rowayne H, home of ryweyn R.] Line 140

(21)

¶ "Bi draught of hors / fro riveres & fro wellis [folio 69b] [fro. .& fro] from. .from & H, fro. .& R.] Line 141 Bowges be brought / to breweres for good ale; Leede, ston, & tymbre / cariage eek for bellis, [for] of H, caryage of bellis R.] We brynge to chyrches / (of trouthe, this is no tale); [We] horsis H. of] LH, in R.] We lade cloth sakkis / & many a largë male, [lade] leede H, lede R.] Line 145 And gladly someres / ar sent euyr to-forn [ar. .] ever be sent aforn H, be sent to forne R.] With gardeviaundis / how myht we be for-born? [we] hors H, horse R.]

(22)

¶ "Ye prudent Iugis / the Egle & the leoun, Line 148 What I haue saide / doth wisly advertise; Weieth this mater / in your discrecïoun, [Weieth] LR, Wey H.] Whedir Goos / or Sheepë (pleynly to devise) Off ther naturë / may in any wise [may] LR, mowen H.] Line 152 (Iustly demyth / lat it nat be sparid,) [demyth] LH, deme ye R.] Vn-to an hors / be likned & comparid. [&] LR, or H.] Line 154

(23)

¶ "That I have told / is trouth, & no feynynge; [no feynynge] LR, nat feyned H.] Line 155 No wiht of reson / may a-geyn replie, [may ageyn] agenst it may HR.] Goos nor Gandir / nór no Grene goslynge, [nór. .nor no] ne. .ne HR.] But if he entre / the boundis of Envie: [he] they HR.] Lat hir come forth / & say for hir partie." [hir. .hir] theym. .theyr H, her. .her R. The Goose answers.] Line 159 ¶ "Yis, trust me weel / for the [MS. "the I" with I crost thro.] I wil nat spare, [Auca] The Goose H. trust me weel] saide the goose H, Ghoos yes truste me wel R.] Lik as I fele / my verdite to declare: Line 161

Line 161

(24)

¶ "Where-as thou hast / vnto thi pasture [as . . vnto] that . . lo vnto H.] Line 162 But oo place / to make in, thi repair [But . . in] LR, Only but oon . . make H.] It is me grauntid / pleynly by nature [It . . pleynly] Yit is it to me I graunted H, Hit is graunted to me.] Tabide in thre / lond, watir, & ayer, [Tabide . . watir] To abide . . in water land H, To abide on water . . londe R.] Now a-mong floures & grevis that been fair, [among . . been] among . . grenys . . be R, on greues . amonge the floures H.] Line 166 Now bathe / in riveres / swymme in many a pond, For stormes & shoure / as drie as on the lond. [&] or H, storme or R.] Line 168

(25)

¶ "To myn entent / mo thyngës ye may seen [folio 70] [ye] LR, eke ye H.] Line 169 As men expertë knowen / that been olde: [men ex|perte] R, men expert H, expert L. wele] H.] Whan wildë gees, hihe / in the ayer vp fleen, [in . . fleen] LR, vp in . . flone H.] A pronostik / o snow & wedris colde [H and R transpose these lines, H leaves out o, has frostis for wedris, and theyr for her. R has 'frosti.'] With her weenges / displayed & vnfolde. [H and R transpose these lines, H leaves out o, has frostis for wedris, and theyr for her. R has 'frosti.'] Line 173 Kalendis bryngë / pleynly for to seye [Kalendis] The kalendis H.] A-geyn wyntir / how men shal them purueye. [Agayn . . shal] Agenst . . shulde H. shal them] sholde R.] Line 175

(26)

¶ "The grees of gandris / is good in medicyne, Line 176 With sundry gummës / tempred for the gout, [tempred] medled H.] Diveres achis taswáge / & to declyne [diveres . . taswage] Sundry . . to swage H, Dyuerce . . to swa|gen R.] In thextremytes / drawe the malice out: [thextr . . drawe] the extremytees to drawe H, . . to drawe R.] Fetheres of goos / whan thei falle or mout, [goos] ghees R. mout] mowte HR.] Line 180 To gadre hem vp / heerdis hem delite, Selle hem to flatcheres / the grey with the whihte. [Selle hem] LH, To selle to R.]

(27)

¶ "Men plukke stalkes / out of my weengis tweyn, [stalkes] fethers H.] Line 183 Some to portraye, somme to noote & write,

Whan Rethoriciens / han doon ther besy peyn Fressh Epistolis / & lettris to endite. With-out writyng / vaileth nat a myte; Line 187 For, yiff pennys / & writyng were a-way, [yiff] if that H, yf R.] Off rémembrauncë / we had lost the kay. [we had] LH, than were R.] Line 189

(28)

¶ "Off Gees also / the deede is previd oft Line 190 In many a contre / and many a regioun, To make pilwes / & Fether-beddis soft, Of provident men / plukkid of the doun: [pro|vident] providence H, prudence R.] Thus, to make / a pleyn comparisoun, [Thus . . pleyn] Lo thus to make a H.] Line 194 As pilwes been to chaumbris ágreáble, So is hard strauhë / litteer for the stable. [strauhe / litter] strawe to litter H, strawe lytter R.] Line 196

(29)

¶ "The fymë of gees / & greenë gos[e]lyngis [folio 70b] [goselynges] HR, goslyngis L.] Line 197 Gadred in May / among the herbis soote [the herbis] LR, these erbis H.] A-geyn brennyng, scaldyng / & many othir thynges, [Ageyne] Agenst H. many] LH, om. R.] Tempred with oile & Buttir doth gret boote [&] or H.] Tasswage the peyne / that perceth to the roote; [that] H, om. LR.] Line 201 But hors[ës] dungë / as refus al-way [hors . .] hors|dunge as refuse . is cast away HR.] Is good for forneyssis, temprid with clay. [forneyssis . . with] furneys . . with white H, furneis . . with R.] Line 203

(30)

¶ "A dedë hors / is but a fowle careyn, [dede] HR, ded L. is] is ne H.] Line 204 The ayr Infectyng / it is so corrypable; [it] HR, om. La, corrupable H, coruptable R.] But a fatt goos / whan it is newë slayn, [newe] R, new LH.] In disshis of gold / a morsel ágreáble, [morsel . .] LH, mussell greable R.] Is sewid vp / attë kyngis table, [sewid vp atte] served vp at the H, seruid vpon a R.] Line 208 Swymmyng on lyve / in watris cristallyn; Tendre rostid / requeerith to have good wyn. [Tendre . . good] LH, Tenderly . . haue R.] Line 210

Line 210

(31)

¶ "Through al the lond / of Brutis Albion, [Side-note: ¶ auca petit Bachum, Mortua vina lacum. Through] Though La, Thurghe H, Thurgh R.] Line 211 For fetherid Arwes / (as I rehersë can) Goos is the best / (as in comparisoun,) [as in] LH, to make R.] Except fetheris / of Pekok or of Swan: [fetheris] . . or] the fethers . . . & H, fethers . . & R.] Bi bowe & Arwis / sith the warr began, [bowe . . warre] LR, Bowes . . werris H.] Line 215 Have ynglysshmen / as it is red in story, [as it is red] Remembrede is H, r. in R.] On her enmyes / had many gret victóry. [her . . many] theyr . . many a H, Of their many a R.] Line 217

(32)

¶ "Hors in the feeld / may mustre in gret pride, [Hors] LR, Horsis H. in] LH, with R.] Line 218 Whan thei of trumpetis / here the blody soun; But whan an Arwe hath perced thoruh his side, [an . . his] LR, the . . the H. thoruh] LH, om. R.] To ground he goth / & cast his maistir doun: Entryng the feeld / he pleyeth the leoun; [the] the fiers H.] Line 222 What folwith aftir? / his cooreyn stynkith sore; Sauf skyn & shoon / men leve of hym no more. [men . . hym] of hym profiteth H, ther leveth R.]

(33)

¶ "Mihty capteyns / & knyhtis in the feeld [folio 71] [Mihty] These H.] Line 225 Makë her wardis / & her ordynaunce: [Make her . . her] Maken theyr . . theyr H, Make their . . their R.] First, men of Armys / with pollax, spere & sheeld, Sett in dew ordre / to have the gouernaunce, [dew ordre] the Renges H, ordre dewe R.] Which at Peiters / toke the kynge of Fraunce. Line 229 Thank to the goos / mote be yove of riht, [mote be yove] must be gyve H, most be youen R.] Which in that feeld / so proudly took her flight. [that] H, here La, the R.]

(34)

¶ "Slouth of my fliht / for hasti necligence Line 232 Of presumcion / the goos was left bi-hynde, [was] LR, om. H.]

Whan the famous / worthi duke of Clarence [Thomas, Duke of Clarence (1388?-1421), second son of Henry IV., by his first wife, Mary de Bohun. . . After Henry V.'s marriage, he accompanied the king at his triumphal entry into Paris on Dec. 1, 1420. On Henry's departure for England at the end of Jan. 1421, Clarence was appointed Captain of Nor|mandy and Lieutenant of France in the king's absence. Soon after, he started on a raid thro' Maine and Anjou, and advanced as far as Beaufort-en-Vallée, near the Loire. Meantime the Dauphin had collected his forces, and, being joind by a strong body of Scottish knights, reached Beaugé, in the English rear, on March 21. Clarence, on hearing the news, at once set out with his cavalry, not waiting for the main body of his army. He drove in the Scottish outposts, but was in his turn overwhelmed, and, together with many of the knights who accompanied him, was slain. His defeat was due to his own impatience, and his anxiety to win a victory which might compare with Agincourt. After his death the archers, under the Earl of Salisbury, came up and recovered the bodies of the slain (Cotton MS., Claud. A, viii., leaf 10 a). Clarence's body was carried back to England, and buried at Canterbury.—Dict. Nat. Biog., lvi., 158, 159.] [worthi] LH, & worthy R.] Rood on baiard / with his eynë blynde,— [eyne] Ien H, eyen R.] Fliht of my fetheris / was put out of mynde; [was put] LR, that day H.] Line 236 And, for he sett / of me, that day no fors, [of me that day] LH, that day of me R.] Ful litel or nouht / availed hym his hors. [Ful . . nouht] LH, So . . nought / what R.] Line 238

(35)

¶ "Bookis old / remembren in sentence [Bookis] LR, The bookes H.] Line 239 Som tyme whan Romë / bi his foon was take, [Som tyme . . foon] Whilom . . foomen H, Whilom . . foon R.] The Capitoilë kept / with gret deffence: Noise of a Gandre / the Capteyn did awake; [The Grey Lag-Goose is one of the most wary and knowing of birds, yet the word 'Goose,' as applied to men and women, is a term of ridicule, and this not|withstanding that the bird is credited with having saved Rome; neither can we forget that the Grey Goose feather winged the deadly cloth-yard shafts, which, on many a hard-fought field, against overwhelming odds, brought victory to the side of England.—1897, Dr. Henry O. Forbes in Butler's British Birds, iv. 58.] [did awake] LH, dide wake R.] Which thyng remembryd / thei sett vp for his sake, [thyng] LH, om. R. thei sett vp] LR, om. H.] In her templis wondir wide & olde, [here tem|plis] theyr temple . so H, their temples, om. wondir . R.] A largë gandre / forgid of fyn golde. [large] LR, grete H. of] LH, al of R.] Line 245

(36)

¶ "His wakir noise / was their savacïoun [their] they H, theire R, the L.] Line 246 Bi which the Capteyn / ran vp to the wall: [ran vp to] gate vpon H, ran vpon R.]

Thus, bi a Gandre / recurèd was the toun, [recured] rekouered HR.] Callid of the world / Cite most Roiall, [H transposes these lines.] [the . . most] al the . . most excelent H, the world the cyte moste R.] Cite of Citees / that day most principall. [H transposes these lines.] Line 250 Was euyr hors / in bookis that ye can rede, [bookis] LH, book R.] Pro re publica / that dide sich a deede? Line 252

(37)

¶ "In the book / of Chyvaler de Sygne, [folio 71b] [of] LH, named of R.] [[See the E. E. T. S. text]] The stori tellith / (as in sentement,) Ther were childre / of the Roiall ligne [childre] children HR.] Born with cheynes / which, whan thei wern of rent, [whiche . . rent] whan they were from hem went H, and whan they were of rent R.] Thei turned to Swannës / by enchantëment, [enchantement] thenchauntement] H.] Line 257 Took her fliht / (the cronycle is ful cleer,) [cronycle] LH, trouth R.] And, as swannys / thé swomme in the Riveer. [as . . swomme] right as . . swamme H, as . . swamme R.] Line 259

(38)

¶ "This story is ful Autentik / & old, Line 260 In frenssh compiled / often rad & seyn: [often . .] ful oft radde and sene H, oft red and seyn R.] Of thilkë cheynes / was made a cuppe of gold [thilke] HR, the L.] Which is yit kept / as sommë folkis seyn, [as somme folkis] as that some folk H.] And bi descent / it longith (in certeyn,) [in] om. H.] Line 264 To the Herfordis / ye shal it fynde in dede [Herfordis . . it] Warewyk . . so H, herfordes . . so R, And to the herfordis . yif ye H.] Ceriously / who list the storye reede. [Ceriously / who list] Ceriously who so liste R.] Line 266

(39)

¶ "And semblably / nat longë here-to-forn, [And . . here] LR, Right . . ther H.] Line 267 (I telle this talë / as for my partie) [as] LR, here as H. my] HR, this L.] Ther was a man, in Lumbárdy born, To a goos turned / bi craft of sorcerye, [turned] Itorned H, y torned R.] A-bood so seuene yeer / (me list nat lye); [Abood] Boode H, And so abode R. lye] H, to l. LR. for to l. H.] Line 271

Line 271 His writ fill of / tho stood he vp a man, [tho . . vp] than . . forthe H, than . . vp R.] A-bood with the duke in seruyce of Melan. [Abood] Dwellid H, And bode (in seruyce with the duke of melan) R.] Line 273

(40)

¶ "And for he was / a man of hih degre, Line 274 Born of good blood / & notable in substaunce, [&] LR, om. H.] His kynrede yeuyth a goos / for ther leveré, [for] LR, to H.] The seide merveile / to put in rémembraunce. [these thyngis] LH, tynges R.] Peise alle these thyngis / iustly in balaunce, Line 278 And lat the hors leven his boost & roos, To be comparid / with gandir or with goos. [with . . with] othir with to gandir or La, to gander or to H, To make comparison with gander or ghoos R.] Line 280

(41)

¶ "Withynnë Rome / the Gandre was deified, [folio 72] Line 281 Set in ther templis / of gret Affeccïoun Bi senatoures / of costom magnyfied [costom] the toun R.] As cheeff protector / & saviour of the toun: [savioure] saver HR. the] her R.] Lat hors & sheepë / lay her bost a-doun, [here] theyr H, their R.] Line 285 But yiff the Ram, with his brasen belle, [Ram] LR, Ram here H.] Can for the sheepe / any bettir story telle." [any] som HR.] Line 287

(42)

¶ The sheepe was symple / loth to make a-fray, [¶ The sheepe spekith at side] H, The ram speketh for the sheep R.] Line 288 Lik a beste / disposid to meeknesse: [Lik] Ful liche H.] The sturdy Ram / aduócat was that day: [aduocat] his vocate H, his aduocate R.] Be-for the Iuges / Anon he gan hym dresse, [Be] To HR.] With an exordie / in latyn, this texpresse: [in] of R.] Line 292 "Veste purpurea / O Egle, & thou leoun, [O Egle, & thou leoun ¶ Ouis] vt rectores gregum HR.] Induti sunt Arietes Ouium. Line 294

(43)

¶ "Off this notáble / Roiall hih scripture, [Roialle] and H.] Line 295 The blessed Doctour Austyn, as I reede,

As by manere / a gostly fayr Figure [As . . a] H, Be manere gostly fayr La, Be a maner . . faire of R.] Off a chast sheepë / (thus he doth procede,) [chast . . doth] meke shepe . thus doth he H, m. s. t. he doth R.] Callid Maria, a maide / in thouht & deede, [Callid . . deede] om. H.] Line 299 Brouht forth the lambe / lambe of most vertu, [the . . of] a lamb that was H, a lambe R.] The lambe of grace / which is callid Ihesu. [is callid] namede is H, whos name was R.] Line 301

(44)

¶ "Austyn callith / this lambe, in his estat [Austyn] Augustyn R. his] om. R.] Line 302 (Bi many-foldë / recorde of scripture,) The roial lambe / of colour purpurat, Which for mankynde / list passioun to endure, [to] om. HR.] Born of a maide / bi grace, a-geyn nature, [ageyn] agenst H, agayn R.] Line 306 Whan he, bi mene / of hir humylite, [bi] bi the H, be R.] Took the meeke clothyng of our humanyte. [Took the meeke] List take the H, Toke the R.] Line 308

(45)

¶ "Born bi descent / to be bothe preest & kyng, [folio 72b] Line 309 Kyng bi successioun / fro Dauid doun bi line, [fro] from H, fro R.] Of purpil red / was his Roial clothyng, [purpil] purpur H.] This Agnus dei / born of a pure virgyne, Which wessh a-wey / all venym superfyne Line 313 On Calverie / whan he for man was ded, With his pure blood / purpurat & red. Line 315

(46)

¶ "This Paschale lamb / withouten spot, al whiht, [The Lambeth MS. 306 begins here.] Line 316 Bi his passioun / in Bosra steyned red, Which cam from Edom / lamb of most delite, [lamb . . most] this lamb . . grete H, this lambe of R.] That yaff his bodi / to man in forme of bred On sheerthursday / be-forn ar he was ded. [beforne ar] to-fore or H, to-fore R.] Line 320 Was euyr founde / afore this in scripture, [euyr . . this] there euer founde HR.] Off hors or goos / so solempne a Figure? Line 322

Line 322

(47)

¶ "This lamb was Crist / which lyneal doun cam; [lyneal] lineally HR. doun cam] cam doun LH, cam R.] Line 323 Bi descent / conveide the peedegree [Bi . . convaide] LR, In . . conveyede . bi. the] LH, de R.] Fro the Patriarch / I-callid Abraham, [Icallid] callid loo H.] Bi Isaac, Iacob / & so doun to Iesse, [Lord] LH, om. R.] Which, bi the vertu / of his humylite, Line 327 List to be callid the blessed Lord Ihesu, For his hih meekenesse / lamb of most vertu. [hih meekenesse] mekenesse . . the HR.] Line 329

(48)

¶ "And to reherse / worldly comoditees [to] LH, for to R.] Line 330 In re publica make no comparison; Ther is no best / which, in all degrees, Nouther Tigre / Olifant, nor Gryffon— [nor] ne HR.] Al thyngës rekned / thoruh euery region— Line 334 Doth so gret profite / hors, nor goos, nor swan, [nor . . nor] goos ne HR.] As doth the Sheepe, vn-to the ese of man. Line 336

(49)

¶ "Lat be thi bost, thou / hors, & thi Iangelyng! [folio 73] Line 337 Ley doun thi trapures / forgid of plate & maile! Cast of thy brydyl / of gold so fresshe shynyng! [brydyl] sadil HR.] What may thi sadil / or boses the availe? [sadil] bridel HR. boses] bos LH, boces R.] This gostly lambe / hath doon a gret bataile; Line 341 Bi his meknesse / he offred vp for man, [vp for] LR, for H.] Clad in pure purpil / venquysshid hath Satan. [venq . .] LR, he venquyssede H.] Line 343

(50)

¶ "The Goos may gagle / the hors may prike & praunce: [gagle] cacle H, cakle R. may] om. R.] Neither of hem / in prowes may atteyne [prowes] LH, processe R.] For to be set / or put in rémembraunce A-geyn the lamb / thouh thei ther-at disdeyne: [Ageyn] LR, Agenst H. ther-at] LH, om. R.] For comon profite / he passith bothë tweyne, Line 348

Line 348 Weied & considred / thei be no thyng liche [Weied . . liche] Considre it wele . be-twene pore and riche H, Weye and considere betwene . . R.] To hym in valew / be-tween poore & riche. [To . . riche] To the lamb in valu . . they be nothynge liche H, To hym in . . . liche R.] Line 350

(51)

¶ "Off Brutis Albion / his wolle is cheeff richesse, [Brutis . . his] LR, Inglande the wulle H.] Line 351 In prys surmountyng / euery othir thyng Sauff Greyn & corn: marchauntis al expresse, Woolle is cheeff tresoure / in this lond growyng: To Riche & poorë / this beeste fynt clothyng: [fynt] fyndith H, fynde R.] Line 355 Alle Nacïouns / afferme vp to the fulle, [afferme] affermen it HR.] In al the world / ther is no bettir wolle. [the . . is] this . . nys H, the . . is R.] Line 357

(52)

¶ "Of sheepe al-so / comyth pilet & eke fell, [pilet] pelt H. Lm (Lambeth), pellet R.] Line 358 Gadrid in thys lond / for a gret Marchaundise [in . . a] to gydre . for H, in . . for R. Marchaundise] in margin, later; tresoure dotted under for omission, in text.] Caried ovir see / where men may it sell: [ovir] bi H, over the R.] The wollë skynnys / makith men to rise [wolle . . makith] wullen . . causen H, wulle . . causen R.] To gret richesse / in many sondry wise; Line 362 The sheepe al-so / turnyth to gret profite, [turnyth] tournynge H, tornyth R.] To helpe of man / berith furris blak & white. [furris blak] LR, both blak H.] Line 364

(53)

¶ "Ther is also / made of sheepis skyn, [folio 73b] [of] of the HR.] Line 365 Pilchis & glovis / to dryve awey the cold. Ther-of also / is made good parchëmyn, To write on bookes / in quaiers many fold; [366, 368 as in HR; La transposes these lines.] [on . . in] on . . and HR, of . . & R.] The Ram of Colcos / bare a flees of gold; Line 369 The flees of Gedeon / of deuh délectáble [of . .] with dewe delitable H, . . delectable R.] Was of Maria / a Figure ful notáble. [ful notable] LR, delectable H.] Line 371

Line 371

(54)

¶ "His fleessh is / natural restauracion; Line 372 As summe men seyn / aftir gret siknesse, [seyne] LR, om. H.] Rostid or sodyn / holsom is moton: [sodyn] LR, soode . right H.] Wellid with growel / phisiciens expresse, [Wellid] Boyled H.] Ful nutritiff aftir a gret accesse. [accesse] LR, sikenesse H.] Line 376 The sheepe al-so / concludyng doutelees [doutelees] doutlees L, douteles R.] Of his naturë / louyth rest & pes. [louyth] lovithe ay H.] Line 378

(55)

¶ "Of the sheepe / is cast a-way no thyng: [Of] Of al H.] Line 379 His horn for nokkis / to haftis goth the bone; To the lond / gret profite doth his tirdelyng; [To the] The H, To R. tirdelynge] tyrtelyng R.] His talwe eke seruyth / for plaistres mo than on; [eke] om. R.] For harpë strynges / his roppis serue echone; Line 383 Of his hed / boilèd holle, with wolle & all, [his] LH, whos R. boiled holle] boild La, boylede holle H.] Ther comyth a gelle / an oynement ful Roiall; [an oynement] H, an oynemet La, oynement R.] Line 385

(56)

¶ "For ache of bonys / & also for brosoure [ache] LH, the ache R.] Line 386 It remedieth / & dooth men ese ful blyve; [men] H, om. LaR. ful] als H.] Causith men starkid / bonys to recure; [starkid / bonys] stark ioyntes H, of starke Ioyntes R.] Dede synnewis / restorith a-geyn to live. [Dede . . live] LaR, om. H.] Blak sheepis wolle / with fresh oil of olive— [fresh] om. R. oil of] oyle HR.] Line 390 These men of Armys / with charmys previd good,— [previd] LR, preve it H.] At a streight neede / thei can weel staunchë blood. [a . . weel] strayte nede . therwith H, . . . can wel R.]

(57)

¶ "But to the wolff / contrárie of nature [folio 74] [But to] Vnto HR.] Line 393 As seyn auctours / it is the humble best, [it . . humble] is this symple H, is this humble R.] Louyth no debat / for which eche crëature,

For his party / he woldë lyve in rest. [he wolde] R, the sheepe wolde H, he wol La.] Where-fore, ye Iugis / I hold it for the best, Line 397 Rem publicam / ye must of riht preferre, [must] shulde H, shold R.] Alwey consideryng / that pees is bet than werre. [Alwey . . than] . . better than R, Considerynge alwey . the peas is bette the H.]

(58)

¶ "In this matere / breffly to conclude, Line 400 Pees to preferrë / as to my devis, [my devis] LaR, myn advise H.] Bi many an old / previd symylitude, [an] om. R.] Makith no delay / yeuyth to the sheepe the pris, [Makith . . yeuyth] Make . . yeue R.] Of oon assent / sith that ye be wis: [sith . . be] LaR, sithen . . bien H.] Line 404 Lat al this werre & striff / be sett a-side, [al this] H, al La, alle R.] And vpon pees / dooth with the sheepe a-bide."

(59)

¶ "Nay," quod the hors / "your request is wronge, [youre] LaR, for youre H.] Line 407 Al thyng considerid / me were loth to erre: The sheepe is causë / & hath be ful longe, [and] LaR, and so H.] Of newë stryvës / & of mortal werre. [stryves] HR, striff La.] The circumstancis / me list nat to defferre: [to] om. H.] Line 411 Thi wolle was cause / & gret occasïon Whi the forsworn / and proude Duke of Burgon [the . . and] H, that the proude LaR.]

(60)

¶ "Cam befor Caleis / with Flemynges nat a fewe, Line 414 Which yaff the sakkis / & sarpleres of the toun [sakkis . . of] LaR, sarpluce . and sakkis in H.] To Gaunt & Brugis / his fredam for to shewe, And of thi wolle / hiht hem pocessïoun; [And . . hem] Of thy wullis theyr gaf theym H, Of . . he hyght hem R.] But his boistous baistille / first was bete doun; [But] om. HR.] Line 418 He vnethe / escapid with the liff: [He] Hym self HR.] What but thi wolle / was cause of al the striff? [wolle] wulles R. the] this HR.]

(61)

¶ "Wher richesse is / of wollë & sich good, [folio 74b] [Wher . . wolle] . . . wulles R, There riches is of wullis H.] Line 421 Men drawë thidir / that be rekëles, [that be] whiche bien H. rekeles] recheles R, rekles La.] As Soudïoures / that braynles been, & wood, To gete baggagë / put hem silf in prees. [put] LaH, they put R. silf] LR, forth H.] Thou Causist werre / and seist thu louest pees; [Thou . . and] Thus causest thou werre & R, Causist werre LaH. seist thu] seystow H.] Line 425 And yiff ther were / no werrë nor bataille, [yiff . . nor] gyve . . nother H, yf . . ne R.] Lityll or nouht / gret horsis shuld availe." [horsis] H, hors La, horse R.] Line 427

(62. The Goose)

¶ "No," quod the Goos / "nór my Fetharis white, [quod] said R.] Line 428 Withoutë werre / shuld do non Avauntáge, Nor hookid Arwis / profite but a lite. [hookid] LaR, sharpe H.] To mete oure enmyes / magre ther visage, [enmyes] ennyes La, enemyes HR.] And from oure foomen / save vs from damáge, [foomen] H, enmyes to La, them to R.] Line 432 Fliht of my Fetheris / despite of sheepe echon, [despite] LaR, faute H.] Shal vs defende / a-geyn our mortal foon." Line 434

(63)

¶ "Sothe," quod the hors / "as in my inward siht, [Sothe] R, Sithe H, Bothe La.] Line 435 Withouten werre / (be-forn as I yow told), [Withouten] H, Without La, With oute R. beforne] to-fore H, afore R.] We may nat save / nor keepë wele our right, [save] LaR, sawen H. wele] HR, om. La.] Our garisonës / nor oure castelis old. But here this sheepë / rowkyng in his fold, [rowkyng] H, vukyng La, ruckyng R.] Line 439 Set litill stoor / of swerd or Arwis keene, Whan he, in pees, may pasture on the greene. [in pes may] LaR, may in pease H.] Line 441

(64)

¶ "Yiff it so stood / that neuer werrë were, [Yiff . . stood] If it so were H. neuer] H, no LaR.] Line 442 Lost were the craft / of thesë Armoreres. [these] om. R.] What shuld availë / pollax, swerd or spere,

Or these daggarës / wrouht bi coteleres, Bowës, crosbowës / arwis of fletcheres? [of] R, or La, of the H.] Line 446 These instrumentis / for the werre all wrouht, [These . . all] The . . al H, All these Inst . . for the werre La, Alle . . is R.] Yif werrë stynt / they shuldë serue of nouht. [stynt] were stint HR. they shulde] shuld La.] Line 448

(65)

¶ "Her occupacioun / shold have non encres; [folio 75] [Her] Theyr H, Their R.] Line 449 Knyhthod nat flouren shuld / in his estat; [nat . . shuld] ne shuld . flaure H, shold not floure R.] In euery contre / yiff ther werë pees, No man of armys shold be fortunat: I preve that pees / is grond of all debat, Line 453 For on five spookis / lik as on a wheel, [on . . on] in . . spekis . . as is R.] Turnyth al the world / who can considre weel. [can considre] considereth R.] Line 455

(66)

¶ "Gyn first at pees / which causith most richesse, [most] al H, om. R.] & riches is / the originall of pride: Pride causith / for lak of Rihtwisnesse, Werre between Rewmys / look on euery side, Hertis contrarye / in pees can nat A-bide: [can] wil R.] Line 460 Thus, fynally / (whoo can considre & see,) Werre is cheff ground & cause of pouerte. Line 462

(67)

¶ "Pouert bi werrë / brouht to disencrese, Line 463 For lak of tresoure / than he can no more, Sauff only this / he crieth aftir pees, And, compleyneth / on the warris sore: [on] LaR, vpon H.] He seith, 'bi werris / he hath goodis lore, [goodis] his goodis HR.] Line 467 Can no recure / but grutchyng & disdeyn,' And seith he wold right fayn / have pees a-geyn. [And, right] H, om. La. he] LaH, the world R. fayn] lief H.]

(68)

¶ "Thus pride & richesse / to conclude in a clause, Line 470 Betwene thextremytes / of pes & pouertee, [Betwene] LaR, om. H. (Scan 'thextremytes' as 1 foot).]

Off all debatis / & werrë, be cheeff cause; [debatis] La R, delayes H.] And, sith wollis bryngith in greet plente [sith] thy H, saith R.] Wher thei habounde / (as folk expert may se), Line 474 Than may I seyn / (yiff men wole takyn keepe,) [yiff] yif that H, yf R.] Werre is brouht in / al only bi the sheepe. Line 476

(69)

¶ "Here is a gentil reson of an hors! ¶ Ouis [Ouis] ¶ The Ram spekyth H, The shepe answereth R.] Line 477 I trowë he be fallen / in a dotáge, [folio 75b] [trowe . . a] trowe . . into som R, leeve he be fal . in grete H.] Which, of madnesse / bi wollë set no fors, [wolle] wullis H. no] HR, so La.] Falsly affermeth / it doth non ávauntáge, [affermeth] affermyng HR.] Vertuous plente / may do no damáge: Line 481 Sheepe berith his wolle / I told so whan I gan, [wolle] flees HR. so] om. R.] [H has in margin: ¶ Non sibi, sed Reliquis, Aries sua vellera portat.] Nat for hym-silf, but for profit of man. [H has in margin: ¶ Non sibi, sed Reliquis, Aries sua vellera portat.] [Nat] Nought H, Not R.] Line 483

(70)

¶ "Divers comoditees that comen of the sheepe [Divers] LaR, om. H (scan 'comodi|tees' as 1 foot).] Line 484 Causë no werris / what men Iangle or muse, As in her gilt / ¶ ye Iuges, takith keepe [her . . takith] her take ye R, his . . taken H.] What that I sei / her Innocence texcuse! [texcuse] LaR, to excuse H.] Of Coveitise / men may falsly mysvse [mysvse] vse H, muse R.] Line 488 Her bëenfatis / & wrongly hem attwite [Her . . attwite] LaR, His . . bewite H.] Of such occasiouns / where he is nat to wite. [occasiouns . . he] lewdenesse . . he H, occasions . . she R.] Line 490

(71)

¶ "What is the sheepe / to blamë in your sight Line 491 Whan she is shoorn / & of hir flessh made bare, [she . . flessh] he . . his flees H, she . . her flees R.] Thouh folk of malice / for hir wollis fiht [hir wollis] his wulle H, his wollis La, her wulles R.] Causelees to stryve / foolis wil nat spare: [stryve] LaR, deryve H.] Where pees restith / thér is al weelfare; [Where] Where that H.] Line 495

Line 495 And sith the sheepe / louyth pes of Innocence, Yeuyth to his party / diffynytiff sentence." [Yeuyth . . party] Yeue ye for his parte R. to his party] for his part H. (72) The lyon & egle yeuyng Iugement R.] Line 497

(72)

¶ The Roial Egle / the leon of assent, [the leon of] and the lyon of one R.] Line 498 Al thyng considerid / rehersid heere-to-forn [toforn] aforn H, beforn R.] Of all these thre / bi good avisëment, Of hors, of goos, of Ram, with his gret horn, [of Ram . . gret] and Ram with croked H, and ghoos / and the ram with his R.] Sauh in re publica / myht nat be for-born, [nat] noun R. forborne] LaR, forsworn H.] Line 502 Bi short sentence / tavoydë al discorde, [tavoyde] to avoyde H, to voyden R.] Cast a meene / to sett hem at a-corde. [Cast] They cast H.] Line 504

(73)

¶ This was the meene / tavoidë first the stryves, [folio 76] [tavoide first] to awoyde al HR. the] her R. stryves] H, strif La, her striues R.] Line 505 And al old Rancour / with her hertis glade; [al . . her] of olde grucchynge with theyr H, R (less 'of').] Vse her yiftës / & her prerogatives [Vse . . here] To vse they gyftes and theyr H, Vse these ghyftes & thise R.] To that same eende / for which that thei were made, [same] H, om. LaR. for] to R, om. La. that] om. H.] Ware, with presumpcioun / her bakkis be nat lade, [Ware] H, War La. her] theyr HR.] Vndevided / with hert(ë), will & thouht [Vndevided with] al . vndevided . in Vndeuoyded in R.] Line 510 To doon her office / as nature hath hem wrouht.

(74)

¶ The hors, bi kynde, to lyvë in travayle, [lyve] lyuen R.] Line 512 Goos, with his gooslynges / to swymme in the lake, [Goos . .] The ghoos . . his La. to] R, om. LaH. his . . swymme] their goselynges to.] The Sheepe, whoos wollë / doth so myche availe, [wolle / doth] wullis . don H, wulles doth R.] In hir pasturë grese / & mery make; [hir . . grese] his . . gresen H, his . . grese R.] Her comparisouns / bi on assent for-sake, [Her] om. H, Their R ('-parisouns' is 1 foot).] Line 516 Al-wey remembryng / how god & nature, [Alwey . . &] LaR, Remembrynge hem how god & eke H.] To a good ende / made euery creature. [To] LaR, Til H.] Line 518

Line 518

(75)

¶ That noon of hem, to othir / shuld do no wrong [of hem] H, om. LaR. no] om. La.] Line 519 The ravenous wolf / the sely lambe toppresse; [wolf] HR, om. La.] And thouh oon bé / more than an othir strong, [And thouh] Although La.] To the febler / do no froward duresse. [no froward] LaR, none hard H.] Al extorcioun / is groundid on falsnesse; Line 523 Will is no lawe / whethir it be wrong or riht: [no] now R.] Treuthe is put doun / the feeble is put to fliht. [put] leyd R.]

(76)

¶ Odious of old / been all comparisouns, [comparisouns] HR, coparisouns La.] Line 526 And of comparisons / is gendrid hatereede; [compari|sons . .] hem engendred bien fowle hateredis H. gendrid] engendrid R.] All folk be nat / of lik condicïouns, [lik] oon H, And alle . . lyke of R.] Nor lik disposid / of thouht, wil, or deede; [or deede] or dedis H, & dede R.] But this fable / which that ye now reede, [But . .] For whiche cause this fable that ye rede R, For whiche this fable. whiche that ye redis H.] Line 530 Contreuëd was / that who that hath grettest part [that who that] who that H, who R.] Off vertuous yiftis / shold with his freend depart. [freend depart] LaR, friendis part H.]

(77)

¶ Thus all vertues / alloone hath nat oo man: [folio 76b] [Thus] As thus R. alloone . . oo] LaR, oon have no lyveng H.] Line 533 That oon lakkith / god hath yove a-nothir: [god] nature HR.] That thou canst nat / parcas a-nothir can: [parcas] LaR, parchaunce H.] So entircomon / as brothir doth with brothir; [So . .] Entercomen therfore R. doth with] LaR, with his H.] And if charite / gouerne weele the tothir, [And if . . tothir] If . . Roother H, Yf . . rother R.] Line 537 And in oo clausë / speke in wordis pleyn, [And in oo clause] Al in oon vessel . . to H.] That no man shold / of othir ha disdeyn. [of othir ha] have . . of othir H.] [Below, a later hand has written "Amor uincit omnia." The Roxb. Club reprint of 1822 has no envoy, but says, "Thus endeth the hors, the ghoos, and the sheep."] Line 539

¶ The Auctour makith a Lenvoie vpon alle the mateere be-fore said. [The Auctour. .] ¶ The moralite of the hors, the goose, and the sheepe, trans|lated by Dan Iohn Lidgate, H, in margin.]

(78)

¶ Off this fable / conceivith the sentence; [the] this H.] Line 540 At good leiser / doth the mateer see, Which inporteth gret intelligence Yiff ye list takë / the moralite Profitable to euery comounte, [co|mounte] comunalte H.] Line 544 Which includith in many sondry wise, No man shuld / of hih nor lowe degre, [nor] or H.] For no prerogatiff / his neighbore to despise. [to despise] despise La, to dispise H.] Line 547

(79)

¶ Som man is strong / hardi as a leoun Line 548 To byndë Beeris / or Booris to oppresse, Wher-as anothir / hath gret discrecïoun: Som man hooly / liveth in parfitnesse, Line 551 A-nothir besi / to gadre gret richesse; But with al this / tak heed of this emprise, No man presume / so hih his hornes dresse, For no prerogatiff / his neihbour to despise. [548-555] H omits.] Line 555

(80)

¶ Trappures of gold / ordeyned were for steedis; [folio 77] Line 556 Sheepe in the pasture / gresen with mekënesse, [the . . gresen] theyr . . to grace H.] Yit of ther wollis / be woven richë weedis, [be woven] bien wonder H.] Of smothë doun / maad pilwis for softnesse, Line 559 Fethirbeddis to sleepe, whan men dresse [whan men] on whan men hem H.] Toward Aurora / ageyn til thei arrise: [ageyn] H. a gey La.] Rolle vp this problem / thynk what it doth expresse: [what it] it H.] For no prerogatiffe / thi neihbour nat despise. Line 563

(81)

¶ The inward meenyng / to-forn as it is told, [meenyng / to forne] meanes . aforn H.] Line 564 The hors is tokne / of Marcïal noblesse

With his hi belle / & bocïs brood of gold. [belle] bellis H.] Estat of Tirantis / the poraile doth oppresse; Line 567 The woolff in ffoldis / to sheepë doth duresse, [ffoldis . . doth] fieldis the sheepe doth grete H.] Rukkyng in ffoldis / for dreed dar net arryse, [dreede] feer H.] Ye that han power / be war in your hihnesse, For no prerogatiff, your sogettis to despise. Line 571

(82)

¶ As pronostatik / clerkis bare witnesse; [As pronostatik] H; A pronostik La.] Line 572 Both ware of phebus / that erly cast his liht, [cast] castith H.] Of reyn, of stormis / of myste or of derknesse [of stormis / of] storme or H.] Shal aftir folwe / longe or it be nyht, Line 575 Signe of gret wyntir / whan wild gees tak her fliht [wild . . her] wielde . . theyr H.] Lik as nature / hir stoundis can devise: [H. leaves out.] Lat hih nor lowe / presumen of his myht, [Lat] Nat H.] For no prerogatiff / his neihbour to despise. Line 579

(83)

¶ Of mony strange vncouth simylitude, Line 580 Poetis of old / fablis haue contryvid, Of sheepe, of hors / of Gees, of bestis rude, [of bestis] and bestis H.] Bi which ther wittis / were secretly apprevid, [wittis were] witte was H.] Line 583 Vndir covert / tyrauntis eeke reprevid, [covert] covert termes H.] Ther oppressiouns & malis to chastise Bi exanplis / of resoun to be mevid, [exanplis of reason] ex|ample of reason . goodely H.] For no prerogatiff / poore folk to despise. [poore folk] the poraile H.] Line 587

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¶ Fortunës cours / dyuersly is dressid [folio 77b] Line 588 Bi liknessis / of many othir tale; [liknessis . . othir] liknes of many another H.] Man, best, & fowle / & fisshis been oppressid [Man] Men H.] In ther nature / bi female or bi male: Line 591 Of grettest fissh / devourid been the smale, [grettest] grete H (H transposes lines 591, 592).] Which in nature / is a ful straungë guyse,

To seen a kokkow / mordre a Nityngale, An Innocent bird / of hattreede to despise. Line 595

(85)

¶ With this processe / who that be wroht or wood, Line 596 Thynges contrarie / be founde in euery kynde: [contrarie] outrage H.] A cherl of berthë / hatith gentil blood: It were a monstre / a-geyn nature, as I fynde, Line 599 That a gret mastyff should a leoun bynde; A parlious Clymbyng / whan beggeres vp arise [parlious] perilous H.] To hih estat—merk this in your mynde— Bi fals prerogatives / ther neihbours to despise.

(86)

¶ Fals supplantyng / clymbyng vp of foolis, [vp] om. H.] Line 604 Vnto chairës / of wordly dygnyte, Lak of discrecioun sett Iobbardis vpon stoolis, [Lak] Looke H.] Which hath distroied many a comounte; Line 607 Marcolf to sitt / in Salamon-is see; [Marcolf . . Salamon-is] Marchol . . Salamons H.] What folwith aftir? / nor resoun nor Iustise, [nor . . nor] no . . no H.] Vn-Iust promocioun / & parcialite, [Vniust] Iniuste H.] Bi fals prerogativis / the neihboures to despise. Line 611

(87)

¶ Tweene riche & poore / what is the difference, [Tweene] Atwene H.] Line 612 When deth approchyth / in any crëature, [any] euery H.] Sauff a gay tumbë / ffresh of ápparence? The riche is shet / with coloures & picture [shet] shitte H.] Line 615 To hide his careyn / stuffid with fowle ordure; The poore lith lowe / aftir the comoun guyse, [proude] prowde men H.] To techyn al proude / of resoun & nature, For no prerogatiff / ther neihbour to despise. Line 619

(88)

¶ Ther was a kyngë / whilom as I rede, [folio 78] Line 620 As is remembrid / of ful yore a-gon, [of] of not H.]

Which cast away / croune [[? MS.]] & purpil weede, [croune & purpil] crowne and purpier H.] Bi causë that he / knew nat bon fro bon, [bon . .] boon from boon H.] Line 623 Of poore nor riche / hym sempte thei were al on, [nor] ne H.] Refusid his crōūnë / gan to aduertise [crounne] corowne and H.] Pryncis buried / in gold nor precious ston, [gold nor] glasse and H.] Shuld, of no pompe / ther suggettis nat despise. [nat] to H.]

(89)

¶ This thyng was doon / in Alisandris tyme, [Alisandris] Alisaunder H.] Line 628 Bothë autentik / & historiall; Bood nat til nyht / left his estat at pryme; His purpil mantil / his garnement Roiall, [garnement] gar|nementis H.] Line 631 Texemplifië / in especiall [Texemplifie] To exemeplifie H.] To Imperial power / what perel is to rise: [perel . . rise] H; powere . . arise La.] Who clymbith hihest / most dredful is his fall. Beeth war, ye princis / your sogetis to despise. [Beeth . . to] Eche man be ware . his neyghburgh H.] Line 635

(90)

¶ Hih & low / wer maad of oo mateer; [mateere] nature H.] Line 636 Of erthe we cam / to erthe we shal a-geyn; Thees emperours / with diadémys cleer, [H. leaves out.] With ther victóries / & triumphes in corteyn, Line 639 In charis of gold / lat hem nat disdeyn, [nat] have no H.] Thouh thei, eche day / of newe hem silf disguyse. Fortune is fals / hir sonne is meynte with reyn: Beth ware, ye pryncis / your suggettis to despise. [Beth] Be H.]

(91)

¶ Hed & feete / been necessary bothe; Line 644 Feet beryn vp all / & hedis shal provide; [beryn] bere H.] Hors, Sheep, & Gees / whi shuld thei bei wrothe, For ther comoditees / tabreyden vpon pride? [ta . . vpon] to abrayden vp H.] Line 647 Nature, his giftis / doth dyversly devide, [his] theyr]

Whoos power lastith / from Cartage into Fryse: [Fryse] prise H.] He lastith weel / that wisly can a-byde, For any prerogatiff/ his neihbour to dispise. Line 651

¶ Conclusio.

(92)

¶ To beast & foule / Nature hath set a lawe, [folio 78b] Line 652 Ordeyned steedis / in Iustis for the knyht, In carte & plouh / stokkis for to drawe, [stokkis] horsis H.] Sheepe in the pasture / to gresë day & nyht, [grese] grase H.] Line 655 Gees to swymme / a-mong to take ther fliht; Of god & kynde / to takë ther ffraunchise, [to take] taken al H.] Yeuyng exaumple / that no maner wiht, For no prerogatiff / his neihbour shal dispise. Line 659

Explicit.

¶ Incipit quedam compilacio de Regibus Anglie.

THis myhti William / Duke of Normandie, [folio 79] As bookis old[ë] / makë mencïoun, &c. [¶ William conquerour.]

Rats Away.

[MS. Rawl. C. 228, fol. 113, fly-leaf. The writing on this page is very illegible.]

I comawnde alle þe ratons þat are here abowte, þat non dwelle in þis place with-inne ne withowte, thorgh þe vertu of ihesu crist þat mary bare abowte, þat alle c[re]aturs owyn for to lowte, Line 4 & thorgh þe vertu of mark, mathew, luke, an ion,— alle foure awangelys corden into on,— thorgh þe vertu of sent ȝeretrude, þat mayde clene, god graunte þat grace Line 8 þat [non] raton dwelle in þe place þat her nanis [[namis?]] were nemeled in; & thorgh þe vertu of sent kasi þat holy man Line 12 þat prayed to god almyty, for skafhes [[for skathes.]] þat þei deden hys medyn be dayes & be nyȝt, Line 16 god bad hem flen & gon out of euery manesse syȝt. dominus deus sabaot, emanuel, þe gret gods name, I be-tweche þes place from ratones & from alle oþer schame! god saue þis place fro alle oþer wykked wytes boþe be dayes & be nytes! & in nomine patris & filii, &c. [[FOLLOWS: S 8. GOOD MEDICEYN POUR LE DROPESY, &C.]]

Twelve Points for Purchasers of Land to Look to.

[Fol. 203, col. 1, MS. Lambeth 306.]

Who-so wylle be ware of purchassyng, Consydre theese poyntes folowyng:—

.1.

Fyrst, se that the lande be cleere,

.2.

And the tytle of the sellere,

.3.

That it stonde in no dawngeer

Of no womans doweere;

Make thy chartyr on warantyse

To thyne heyres & assygnes all-so,

This shall a wyse purchasser doo:

And yn tenne yere, if ye wyse bee,

ye shall a-geyne youre syluer see.

.4.

And whethir the lande be bonde or free,

.5.

And the leese or releese of the feoffe.

.6.

Se that the seller be of age,

.7.

And whethir it be in any morgage;

.8.

Looke if ther-of a tayle be fownde,

.9.

And whethir it stonde in any statute bownde;

.10.

Consydre what seruyce longyth ther-to,

.11.

And the quyterent that there-of owte shall goo:

.12.

And yf thou may in any wyse

Of no womans doweere;

Make thy chartyr on warantyse

To thyne heyres & assygnes all-so,

This shall a wyse purchasser doo:

And yn tenne yere, if ye wyse bee,

ye shall a-geyne youre syluer see.

Of no womans doweere;

Make thy chartyr on warantyse

To thyne heyres & assygnes all-so,

This shall a wyse purchasser doo:

And yn tenne yere, if ye wyse bee,

ye shall a-geyne youre syluer see.

Of no womans doweere;

Make thy chartyr on warantyse

To thyne heyres & assygnes all-so,

This shall a wyse purchasser doo:

And yn tenne yere, if ye wyse bee,

ye shall a-geyne youre syluer see.

Of no womans doweere;

Make thy chartyr on warantyse

To thyne heyres & assygnes all-so,

This shall a wyse purchasser doo:

And yn tenne yere, if ye wyse bee,

ye shall a-geyne youre syluer see.

Of no womans doweere;

Make thy chartyr on warantyse

To thyne heyres & assygnes all-so,

This shall a wyse purchasser doo:

And yn tenne yere, if ye wyse bee,

ye shall a-geyne youre syluer see.

Like thy Audience, so utter thy Language.
TWO VERSIONS.

1. MS. Univ. Lib. Camb. Hh. 4. 12, leaf 82. 2. Harl. MS. 2255, leaf 1.

Lyke thyn Audience, so bttyr thy Langage. (BY LYDGATE.)

[MS. Univ. Lib. Camb. Hh. 4. 12, leaf 82.] [A.=Addit. MS. 34,360.]

(1)

I Counsell, what-so-euer thow be Line 1 Off polycye, forsight, and prudence, Yf yow wilt lyffe in pease and vnite, Conforme thiself and thynk on this sentence, Line 4 Whersoeuer thow hold [That . . holdist A.] residence; Among woluys be woluysch of corage; A leoun with leonnys; a lambe, for Innocence; lyke [And lyke A.] thyn audience, so vttyr thy langage. Line 8

(2)

¶ The vnicorne is cawght with maydyns song, Line 9 By disposicion, record of scripture; with cormerantes make thy nekke [nekke A, nek L.] long In pondys depe thy pray to recouere; [prayes to recure A.] Line 12 Among foxys be foxische of nature; Among rauenours [Raveyers A.] thynk for ávantage; with empty hand men may no hawkes lure, And like thyn audience, so vttyr thy langage. Line 16

(3)

¶ With holy men speke [trete A.] of holynesse, Line 17 And with a glotyn be delicate of thy fare; [welfare A.] With drownkyn men, do surfettes by excesse, And among wasters, no spendyng that þou spare; Line 20

Line 20 With wodcokkes, lerne for to dare; Line 21 And sharp thy knyfe with pilowrs for pilage; like the market, so praysë thy chafare; [ware A.] And like thyn audience, so vttyr thy langage. Line 24

(4)

¶ With an ottyr, spare ryuer none, ne ponde; Line 25 with hem that fyrrettyth, robbe conyng herthys; [feret . . kunnynggers A.] A blode-hounde, with bowe and arow in honde, Mawgre the wache of fosters and parkerrys. Line 28 like thy felishyp, spare no dawngers, [folio 82b] For lyfe ne dethe, thy lyfe to [to om. A.] putt in morgage Among knythys, squyrys, chanownys, monkes, frerys, like thy audience, so [so A, om. T.] vttyr thy langage. Line 32

(5)

¶ Daniel lay, [callid A.] a prophet full notable Line 33 Of god, preseruyd in prison with lyouns; Where god list spare, a tygre is not vengeable, No cruel best, [Nor no cruel bestis] berys, nor grifonys; Line 36 And yf [though] thow be in cavys with dragownys, Remembre how Abacuk browght þe potage So ferre to danyel, thorow many regionys; As case requirith, [Thus like thyn audience] so vttyr thy langage. Line 40

(6)

¶ With wise men talke of sapience, Line 41 with philosophers speke of philosophye; with schipmen, sailyng, that haf experience, In trobly sëys [sees A.] how they schall hem guye; Line 44 And with poetys talk of poetry; Be not presumptuose of chere ne of [of, om. A.] visage, But where thow cummyst in any cumpany, like thyn audience, [as case requyrith A.] so vttyr thy langage. Line 48

Line 48

(7)

¶ Thys lityll ditty concludyth in menyng, Line 49 Who that cast hym thys reule for to kepe, Mot conforme hym like in euery thyng, Where he shall byde, vnto the [Thy A.] felyshype: Line 52 with wachemen wake, with sloggy folkes [men A.] slepe with wode men wode, with frentyke men [men A, om. C.] sauage; Renne with bestys, with wyldë [wyld C, wielde A.] wormys crepe, And like the [thyn A.] audience, vttyr thy [hys C, so vtter thy A.] langage. Line 56

(8)

¶ Among all these, I counsell the [Among . . the A, Mong . . ȝit C.] take hede Line 57 Where thow abydyst or rest [Restis A.] in any place. In chefe, loue god, and with þi loue haf drede, [folio 83] And be fereful, agayne hym to trespace: Line 60 with vertuose folk [man A.] encresë shall þⁱ grace; And viciose men [folk A.] arn cause of gret damage; In euery feliship so for þⁱ self purchace Where vertu regnyth, there [so A.] vttyr thi langage. Line 64

(9)

¶ Be payed [pleased A.] with litell, content with suffisance; Line 65 Clyme not to hygh, thus byddyth [saith A.] socrates, Glad pouert is of tresours [of tresoure is A.] most substance; And Caton seyth, is [there is A.] none so gret encrese Line 68 Of worldly tresowre, as for to lyve in pease, Which among vertues hath þe vasselage; I takë record of [to recorde . the philosofre Diogenes A.] diogenes, which to Alysaunder had thys langage:— Line 72

(10)

¶ Hys palace was a lytyl poore tonne, Line 73 Which on a whelë he gan with hym cary, [with hym he dide A.] Bad thys emperowre 'ryde out of hys sonne,' which [MS. wihch] demyd hymself richar than kyng dary; Line 76

Line 76 kept with hys vesaile from wyndes [vessel . from wynde most A.] contrary, Line 77 Where-in he maad daily hys passage; Thys philosophre with princes list not [the prince . list nat to A.] tary, Ne in theire [Not in his A.] presence to vttyr noo langage. Line 80

(11)

¶ A-twene theis tweyn a gret comparison: Line 81 kyng alysaunder, he conquerryd all; Dyogenes lay in a small dongeon, [tonne A.] In sondre wedyrs which [Like s. w. A.] turnyd as ball; Line 84 Fortune to Alisaunder gaf a sodayne fall; The philosophre despised hys coignage, he thowght vertu was more imperiall, Than hys aquayntance with all [his grete riches . for al A.] hys prowd langage. Line 88

(12) [This st. left out by A.]

¶ Antonye and poule despised all richesse [folio 83b] Line 89 lyuyd in desert of wilfull pouert; Cesar and pompey of martiall wodnesse, By theyr enuyose compassyd cruelte, Line 92 Twene germany and affrik was gret enmyte; Noo comperison twene good grayne and forage; Prayse euery thyng like to hys degre, And like þ^e audience, so vttyr þⁱ langage. Line 95

(13)

¶ I founde a liknesse depict vpon a wall, Line 97 Armyd in vertues, as I walkyd vp and downe, The hede of thre, full solempne and roiall, Intellectus, memórye, and resoune; Line 100 with eyne [yen A.] and erys of clere discrecion, Mowth and tongge avoydyng all [to-avoyde al A.] outrage, A-gayne the vice of fals detraccion, To do no surfett in word ne in [in A, om. C.] langage; Line 104

Line 104

(14)

¶ Handys [Handis A, Hand' C.] and armys with thys discrecion, Line 105 Where [Whether A.] so man haf [had A.] force or febilnesse, Treuly to mene in hys affeccïon; For [from A.] ffraude or fauour, to folow ryghtwisnesse; Line 108 Entrailys, inward deuocion with mekenesse. Passyng pigmalion, which grauyd hys ymage, Prayd to venus, of louers chef goddesse, To grant it lyfe and qwiknesse of langage. Line 112

(15)

¶ Off hole entent pray we to crist ihesu, Line 113 To qwik [quykene A.] a figure in owre conscience: Reason as hede, with membres of vertu A-forne rehersyd breuely in sentence, Line 116 Vndir support of hys magnificence. Crist list so [so list A.] gouerne owre worldly pilgremage, Twene [Atwene A.] vice and vertu to set a difference, To hys plesaunce to vttyr owrë [his A.] langage. Line 120

EXPLICIT.

Lyke the Audience, so uttir thy language.

(Harl MS. 2255, leaf 1. 15 Stanzas of eights abab bcbc.)

Consulo, quisquis eris / qui pacis federa queris, Consonus esto lupis / cum quibus esse cupis.

(1)

I Conseyl, what-so-euyr thou be Line 1 Off policye / forsight and prudence, Yiff thou wilt lyve in pees and vnite, Conforme thy sylff / and thynk on this sentence Line 4 Wher-so-evere / thou hoold residence. Among woluys / be woluyssh of coráge, Leoun with leouns / a lamb for Innocence, Lyke the audience / so vttir thy languáge. Line 8

(2)

¶ The Vnycorn / is cauht with maydenys song Line 9 By dispocicioun / récord of scripture; With Cormerawntys / make thy nekkë long, In pondys deepe, thy prayës to recure; Line 12 Among ffoxis / be ffoxissh of nature; Among ravynours / thynk, for ávauntage, With empty hand / men may noon haukys lure; And lyke the audience / so vttir thy languáge. Line 16

(3)

¶ With hooly men / spekë of hoolynesse; Line 17 And with a glotoun / be delicat of thy ffare; With dronkë men / do surfetys by excesse; And among wastours, no spendyng that thou spare;

With woodëcokkys / lernë for to dare; Line 21 And Sharpe thy knyff / with pilours, for piláge: Lyke the markét / so preysë thy chaffare; And lyke the audience / so vttre thy languáge. Line 24

(4)

¶ With an Otir / spare Ryveer noon, nor pond; [folio 1b] Line 25 With them that forett / robbë conyngerys,— A bloodhound, with bowe & arwe in hond,— Mawgre the wach / of fosterys and parkerys. Line 28 Lyke thy felaship / sparë no daungerys For lyff nor deth / thy lyff put in morgáge Mong knyhtës, squyers / chanouns, monkës, fryers: Like the Audience / vttir thy languáge. Line 32

(5)

¶ Danyel lay / a prophete ful notáble, Line 33 Of god preservyd / in prysoun with lyouns: Where god lyst spare / a Tygre is nat vengáble, No cruel beestys / Berys nor Gryffouns; Line 36 And yif thu be in Cavys with dragouns, Remembre how Abácuk / brought the potage So ferre to Danyel / to many regïouns: As caas requerith / so vttre thy languáge. Line 40

(6)

¶ With wysëmen / talkë of Sapience; Line 41 With philisóphres / speke of philosophie; With shipmen seyleng / that haue experience In troubly sëis / how thay shal hem guye; Line 44 And with Poëtys / talke of Poetrye; Be nat to presumptuous ['presumptuous' stands for one foot.] / of cheer nor of viságe, But where thou comest in ony companye, Like the audience, so vttir thy languáge. Line 48

Line 48

(7)

¶ This litel ditee / concludith in menyng, [folio 2] Line 49 Who that cast hym / this rewlë for to kepe, Not conforme hym / lyke in euery thyng Wher he shal byde / vnto the felashipe: Line 52 With wachmen, wake / with sloggy folkis, sleepe; With woodmen, wood / with frentyk folk, saváge; Renne with beestys / with wildë wormys creepe, And like the audience / vtter thy languáge. Line 56

(8)

¶ Mong allë thes / I counceyl yit take heed [Verba trans|latoris] Wher thu abydest / or reste in any place: In cheef, loue god / and with thy love ha dreed, And be feerful / a-geyn hym to trespace: Line 60 With vertuous men / encrecë shall thy grace; And vicious folk / arn cause of gret damáge; In euery Felaship / so for thy silf purcháce: Wher vertu regnyth / thu vttir thy languáge. Line 64

(9)

¶ Be paied with litel / content with suffisaunce; Line 65 Clymbe nat to hih / thus biddith Socrates: Glad pouert / is of tresowres most substaunce; And Catoun seith / is noon so greet encres Line 68 Off wordly tresoure / as for to live in pees, Which, among vertues / hath the Vasselage, I takë record / of Diogenees, Which to Alisaundre / had this languáge:— Line 72

(10)

¶ His paleys / was a litel poorë tonne, [folio 2b] Line 73 Which, on a wheel / with hym he gan carye; Bad this Emperour / ride out of his sonne, Which dempt hym-sylf / richer than kyng Darye,

Kept with his vessel / fro wyndis moost contrarye, Line 77 Wherin he madë / daily his passáge. This philisóphre / with pryncys lyst nat tarye, Nor, in ther presence / to vttre no languáge. Line 80

(11)

¶ Attwen thes tweyne / a greet comparysoun: Line 81 Kyng Alisaundir / he conquéryd al; Diogenes / lay in a smal dongoun, Lyke sondry wedrys / which turnyd as a bal. Line 84 Fortune to Alisaundir / gaff a sodeyn Fal; The philisophre / disposed his coignage; He thouht vertu / was moor Imperrial Than his acqueyntaunce / with al his proud languáge. Line 88

(12)

¶ Antonye and Poule / dispisid al richesse; Line 89 Lyved in desert / of wilful poverte. Cesar and Pompey / of marcïal woodnesse, By ther Envïous / compassyd cruelte; Line 92 Twen Germanye / and Affryk / was gret Enmyte. No comparisoun / twen good greyn and Foráge; Preise euery thyng / like to his degre, And, lyke the Audience / so vttir thy languáge. Line 96

(13)

¶ I fond a lyknesse / depict vpon a wal, Line 97 Armed in vertues / as I walk vp and doun: The hed of thre / ful solempne and Roial, Intellectus / Memórye / and Resoun, Line 100 With eyen / and Erys / of cleer discrecïoun: Mouth and tonge, avoiden al outráge A-geyn the vice / of fals detraccïoun, To do no Surfet / in woord nor in languáge. Line 104

Line 104

(14)

¶ Hand and armys / with this discrecioun, Line 105 Wher-so man hauë / force or Febilnesse, Trewly to meene / in his affeccïoun, For fraude or favour / to folwe rihtwisnesse, Line 108 Entrailes inward / devocioun with meeknesse Passyng Pigmalioun ['Pigmalioun' stands for one measure.] / which graued his ymáge, Prayd to Venus / of lovers / cheef goddesse, To graunt it lyff / and quyknesse of languáge. Line 112

(15)

¶ Of hool entent / pray we to Crist ihesu Line 113 To quyke a figure / in our conscïence: Reson as hed / with membris of vertu A-forn rehersyd / breefly in sentence, Line 116 Vndir support / of his magnificence. Crist so lyst governe / our wordly pilgrymáge Tween vice and vertu / to sette a difference, To his plesaunce / to vttren our languáge. [[The next Balade of Lydgate's against false Bakers and Millers is put in to fill the blank page at the back of this, tho' it's only a fragment. It happens to be the last leaf of this Harl. MS. 2255, and so, just handy.]] Line 120

Explicit.

Put thieving Millers and Bakers in the Pillory.

[Harl. MS. 2255, leaf 137 and last.]

[Harleian Catalog ii. 594, on MS. 2255, art. 45. The conclu|sion of some Ditty (not now easily to be found out) in three Stanzas . . . These Stanzas plainly set forth the Punishment inflicted upon thievish Millers and Bakers, by putting them not only into the Tumbrell, as of old, but into Wooden Bastile, as Hudibras says, by which, in this place is not to be under|stood the Stocks, but a Superior and more Conspicuous Machine, called the Pillory.]

(1)

¶ Put out his hed / lyst nat for to dare, Line 1 But lyke a man / vpon that tour to a-byde, For Cast of eggys / wil not Oonys spare, Tyl he be quaylled / body, bak, and syde; Line 4 His heed endooryd / and, of verray pryde, Put out his Armys / shewith abrood his face, The fenestrallys / be made for hym so wyde, Cleymyth to been / a capteyn of that place. Line 8

(2)

¶ The bastyle longith / of verray dewë ryght, Line 9 To fals bakerys / it is trewe herytage, Severall to them / this knoweth euery wyght, Be kynde assyngned / for their sittyng stage, Line 12 Wheer they may freely / shewe out ther visage Whan they take oonys / there possessïoun, Owthir in youthë / or in myddyl age: Men doon hem wrong / yif they take hym doun.

(3)

¶ Let mellerys and bakerys / gadre hem a gilde, Line 17 And alle of Assent / make a fraternite; Vndir the pillory / a litil Chapell bylde, The place amorteyse / and purchase liberte Line 20 For allë thoo / that of ther noumbre be, What-evir it coost / afftir that they wende, They may cleyme / be Iust auctorite, Vpon that bastile / to make an ende. Line 24

Explicit, quod Lydgate /

(86) Proverbys of Howsholde-kepyng.

[Lambeth MS. 306, fol. 64;? ab. 1530 A.D.]

THE DOCTRYNALL PRINCYPLIS & PROVERBYS YCONOMIE, OR HOWSOLDE KEPYNG, SENT FROM SAYNT BERNARDE, VNTO RAYMONDE, LORDE OF AMBROSE CASTELLE.

(1)

Attende that if thy chargis of thy houce & thi Rentis be egall, A soden chavnce may sone distroye the of yt.

(2)

A Ruynoys houce is the state of a negligent man.

(3)

The neglygens of a Ruler ys compared vnto a gret fyre brynnyng vp-an a houce.

(4)

Peyse wisely the besynes & the purpose of them wich ammynyster thy goodes.

(5)

To hym that is in the wey of poverte, & not fully power, it is lesse shame to spare, than vtterly to fawle.

(6)

It is wysdome, ofte to se thin owne goodis, how they bene dysposid.

(7)

Chargeabyl mariagis cawse hurte withoute wurshype.

(8)

Charge or expense for chyvalrye is wurshypfull.

(9)

Charge for helpyng of frendys is resonabyl.

(10)

Charge for helpyng of wasters ys but losse.

(11)

Consyder the mete & the drynke of thy bestys, for though they hungyr, they aske not.

(12)

Feede thi howce with groce, & not with delycate meete.

(13)

The glotone onethis chaungyth hym before his deth.

(14)

Glotony of a vyle neglygent man is but corruptioun.

(15)

Glotony of a besy man is to hym a solace.

(16)

Feede thy howce at pry[n]cipalle festes, plentevosly, but not delycatly.

(17)

Make a plee betwyx glotony and thy pursse. Nevyrthelesse be ware to which of thise two thow be advocate, or what sentens thou geue betwyx them, for glotony hath effectuall wytnes.

(18)

The pursse all-so provith evidently for hyr, be cofrys & celerys wastynge.

(19)

Thow demyst a-mysse a-gens glotonye, whan covetyse byndith or knyttith thy pursse.

(20)

Covetyse shall nevyr deme ryght be-twyx glotonye & the pursse, For [folio 64:2] covetyse is distroyer of hym selfe.

(21)

Covetise is not ellys, but evyr in powre lyving, and evyr to be a-ferde of poverte.

(22)

The covytous man lyvith ryght wysli in him selfe, in that he lesith not, but kepith to othirs advayle. Bettyr it is, to kepe for othir, than to leese in hym selfe.

(23)

In Plente of corne, desyre no derth; for he that lovith it, is a dystroyer of power men.

(24)

Sel thi corne at a lowe price, & not whan yt may not [be] bought of powre men: Not oonly to thy neyghbours, but allso to thyne enmyse, for litel pryce; for ofte the enmy is easelyer venquysied with seruice than with stroke of swerde.

(25)

Pride ageynste frende or neyghboure, is as a bath where men feer the thondyr strooke.

(26)

Be ware of straungers while thou haste an enmye, & se well to his wayes.

(27)

Debylite of an enmye is no sure peace, but truce for a season.

(28)

Iffe thou suppoce the sure whill thou haste an enmye, thow puttyst thi sellfe in peryll.

(29)

Be not curyous to wete or knowe what thin suspect women do. Thow shalte nevyr be curyd if thowe oonys knowe the cryme of thyne owne true wyfe.

(30)

In heryng of othir mens wyfes, thow shalte aswage the sorwe of thyn owne.

(31)

A nobyll and a wurshipfull hert nevyr askyth of womens dedys.

(32)

Thowe shalte bettyr chastise a shrode wyfe with myrthe, then with strokes or smytyng.

(33)

An olde commyn woman, if the lawe woulde suffyr, shulde be buryed quyke.

(34)

A costefull clothe is tokyn of poverte.

(35)

A sity garment is yrkesome to neybors.

(36)

Pleace with thi dedys rathir than with thy clothis.

(37)

A woman havyng clothis, & evir desyryng mo, lakkyth stedefastnes.

(38)

Holde hym thy bettir frende, [folio 64b] that rather geuith his goodys, than hym whiche offerth the his persoone.

(39)

Holde not [him] thy Frende that praysith the, present.

(40)

Yiff thow cowncel thy frende, folowe reason, & not his plesure.

(41)

Sey not to thy frende "do thus," but "me thynkyth thow mytyste do thus"; For yf ought fall a-mysse, thowe mayste soner be blamyd, than shuldyst be thanckyde yf thy councel avaylede.

[Nota.] Se what folowth to them that love mynstrels.

(42)

A man that Intendyth to mynstrels, shall soone be weddyd to poverte, & his sonne shall hyte derisioun.

(43)

Iff mynstrels pleace the, feyne as thow herde them, but thynke vppone a-nother.

(44)

He that lawith at a mynstrels worde, gevith to hym a wedde.

(45)

Rebukyng mynstrels ben well wurthy dethe.

(46)

Instrumentis of mynstrelsy seldome doth pleace god.

(47)

Put from the a proude servaunte, as hym that shulde be thy enemye.

(48)

Allso repelle that seruavnte that vsith to blaundysh the.

(49)

Wythstande the seruaunte that praysith the, for ellys he thynkyth the for to deceyve.

(50)

Loue that servaunte as thy childe, that sone is ashamyde.

(51)

Yf thou wilte bylde, let necessite induce the ther-to, and not luste of howsynge.

(52)

Covetyse of byldyng, in bildyng is not lessid.

(53)

Inordynat [MS. In inordynat.] bilding causith hasty sale of placys.

(54)

A performyd towre & a baare cofyr make, ovyr late, the greate bilder wyse.

(55)

Sel thyne howce to hym [folio 64b:2] that wyll geue moste.

(56)

Bettir it is to suffyr greate hungyr than sale of patrymonye.

(57)

Selle no parte of thyne heritage vnto thy bettyr, but for lesse pryce selle yt to thy subiecte.

(58)

What is vsure, but venyme of patrymonye, and a lawfull thefe that tellyth ys entent.

(59)

By right nought with felawshippe of thyne bettyr.

(60)

Suffyr patiently thy power felowshippe, & coople the not to the strawnger.

(61)

Evyr-lastyng god oonely ys sobyr yn plente & scarsnes of wynes.

(62)

Drunkeshippe doyth ryght nought evynly, but whan yt ovyrthroughith.

(63)

Yf thow felyst stronge wynes, fle felyshippe: seke slepe rathir than talkyng.

(64)

The drunke man with wordys accusith his owne excesse.

(65)

It besemyth not a yonge man to be A tasteoure of wynes.

(66)

Fle & estchue A leche that is drunkelewe. [Nota.]

(67)

Be ware of that leche which by the woulde take experyens howe he myght hele a-nothir.

(68)

Smale whelpes, leeve to ladyse & clerkys. [See Wyclif, E.E.T.S., 1880, p. 12.]

(69)

Waker howndes been profitable.

(70)

Howndes of venery coste more then they aveyle.

(71)

Make not thy sonne, stuarde of thy goodys.

(72)

Say not in thy selfe, 'what a-vaylith all doctryne, yf fortune lyste not to favoure?' I haue seene folys leevyng contyngence, accuse them-selfe infortunat, of whom the wyse man seledom complaynith.

(73)

Wyse laboure & myshappe seldom mete to-gyder, but yet sluggednes & myshappe be seldome dyssevyrde.

(74)

The slugge lokyth to be holpe [folio 65] of god that commawndyth men to waake in the worlde.

(75)

Peyse the eese of thyne expence with the laboure of thy getynge.

(76)

Commytte thyne age [to] thy god rather than to thy sonne.

(77)

In dysposyng thy legatys [sic], pay firste thy servanntis. [Nota.]

(78)

Commytte not thi soule to swych as loue thy persone, but rather to them which loue her owne sowles.

(79)

Dispose thi goodys or sykenes take the.

(80)

He that is a seruaunt to sykenes, may no testament make.

(81)

Free, theerfore, & in helth, make thowe thy testament.

(82)

Here what thi chyldern wyll doo aftyr thy deth. Peraventure thei seke departysion of ther heritage.

(83)

If thi chylderne bene gentilmen, it ys bettyr they be dyvydid in the worlde, then her heritage shulde be deuydide.

(84)

Yff thi childryn be laborers, let them do as th[e]i wyll.

(85)

Yf thei be merchauntes, dyvision of heritage is bettyr than commvnion, that the infortune of oone hurte not the other.

(86)

Iff the mothir of them seke to be maride, she doth folyly, and, woulde god, in-to the bewailyng of her, for her trespas, she myght be weddid to a yonge mane, For suche oone shulde sone caste her a-way & consume her goodes, and so oone cuppe of sorowe shulde be comvne to them bothe. [[Follows: The list of Books proscribd on the 1st Sunday of Advent, 1531, p. 62.]]

The Height of Christ, our Lady, &c.

[Lambeth MS. 306, fol. 203, col. 2.]

THE LONGITUDE OF MEN FOLOWYNG.

Moyses .xiij. fote & viij ynches & dimidium. Cryste .vj. fote & iij ynches. Our lady .vj. fote & viij ynches. Crystoferus .xvij. fote & viij ynches. Kyng Alysaunder .iiij. fote & v ynches. Colbronde .xvij. fote & ij ynches & dimidium. Syr Gy .x. fote. iij ynches & dimidium. Seynt thomas of Caunterbery .vij. fote saue a ynche. Long Mores, a man of yrelonde borne, & seruaunt to kyng Edward the iiijth .vj. fote & x. ynches & dimidium. [[Printed in Reliquiæ Antiquæ, v. 1, p. 200, with Ey for Gy, and "half" for the contraction di.]]

List of 30 Books Proscribed in 1531.

[MS. Lambeth, 306, fol. 65, col. 2.]

Memorandum, the firste sonday of Advent in the yere of our lorde M^l fyue hundreth & xxxi^th, these Bokes folowyng were opynly, at poules crosse, by the autorite of my lorde of london vnder his Autentycal seale, by the doctor that that day prechide, prohibite, and straytely commaunded of no maner of man to be vsed, bought, nor solde, nor to be red, vnder payne of suspencioun, and a greter payne, as more large apperyth in for-sayde autoryte.

The first boke ys this,

.1.

The disputacion betwixte the fathyr and the son.

.2.

The Supplicacion of beggars. [Extra Series XIII., E. E. T. Soc., 1871.]

.3.

The Revelation of Antechriste.

.4.

Liber qui de voti & novicio deo inscribitur.

.5.

Pre Precaciones.

.6.

Economica christiana.

.7.

The burying of the masse in english, yn ryme.

.8.

An Exposition in-to the vij^th chapter to the Corinthians.

.9.

The Matrimony of Tyndale.

.10.

A. B. C. ayenst the Clergye.

.11.

Ortulus anime, in Englissh.

.12.

A Boke a-yenst saynt Thomas of Caunterbury.

.13.

A Boke made by freer Roye ayenst the sevyn sacramentis.

.14.

An Answere of Tyndal vnto sir Thomas Mores Dyaloge, yn english.

.15.

A Disputacion of Purgatorye, made by Iohn Fryth.

.16.

The Firste boke of Moyses called Genesis.

.17.

A prologe in the ij^de boke of moyses, called Exodus.

.18.

A prologe in thyrde boke of Moyses, called Leviticus.

.19.

A prologe in the iiij^th boke of Moyses, called Nvmeri. [folio 65b]

.20.

A prologe in the v^th boke of Moyses, called Detronomye.

.21.

The Practyse of Prelates.

.22.

The Newe testament in englissh, with a Introduction to the Epistle to the Romaynes.

.23.

The Parable of the wyked mammonde.

.24.

The Obediens of A Chrysten man.

.25.

A boke of thorpe or of John Oldecastell.

.26.

The Some of Scripture.

.27.

The Prymer in Englissh.

.28.

The Psalter in Englissh.

.29.

A Dyalog betwixt the gentylman and the plowman.

.30.

Ionas In Englissh. And all other suspect bokes, bothe in Englissh and in laten, as well now printed or that here-after shall be printed, and not here afore namyd.

A Cale of Ryght Nought.

[Egerton MS. 1995.]

There was a man that hadde nought; There come theuys & robbed hym, & toke nought: He ranne owte, and cryde nought. Why shoulde he crye? he loste nought. Here ys a tale of ryght nought.

A Medicine to Restore Nature in a Man.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 65, back, col. 2.]

Take iij Chekyns or .iiij. as ye lyke, & put them in a coope to feede, as I shall teche you. Fyrste take a quantyte of whete, & put yt in clene watyr, & then gadyr a good quantyte of Snayles that beer howses on them, & put them therto as they be, shelles & all; and yf ye canne fynde no soche snayles, thanne take blak snayles, and so thanne boyle all these to-gyder, the whete & the snayles in water, with the shelles of them that haue shelles; & for lakke of them that haue shelles, boyle the blakke snayles. And whan it is well boylid to-gedyr, then take oute the whete by hym|selfe, & the watyr by hym-selfe, & caste awey the shelles & the corruptyon of the snaylles; And with that whete fede the checons, and with brede a-monge, And let them drynke of the watyr, & of none other watyr. And when ye be dysposyd, ete a Chekyn, one day rostyd, And ij dayes after, a-nother, & so contynue as ye fynde yt doth you good. [Probatum est.]

For to Dystroy a Wrang Nayle, othewyse callyd a Corne.

[Ibid.]

Take wylde tansey, and grynde yt, and make yt neshe, & ley it therto, and it wyl bryng yt owght.

Of the Seats of the Passions.

[Lambeth MS. 306, fol. 118, at foot.]

The bones in a man ben in nombre .ij C. xvij. The veynes ben .iij. C. lxv. The tethe in perfyte Age .xxxij. The mynde is in the Brayne. The vndyr|stondyng in the fronte. The Ire in the gawle. Auaryce in the kydney. Loue in the harte. Brethyng in the lownges. Gladnes in the splene. Thought in the harte. Blode in the body. Hope in the sowle. The mynde in the spyrit. The harte in the mynde. The Feyth in the harte. And cryst in the feyth. And whylth it noryssh the body, it is cawlyd Anima, the sowle. This worde Anima hath many significacions, for when it is in con|templacyon, it is sayde a spyrit, Spiritus. And when it savyrth, it is saide Reson or wytte, Animus. And when it felith, it is sayde felyng, sensus. And when it vnderstondyth, it is callyd mynde, Mens. And when it demyth, it is called Reson, Racio. And when it consentyth, it is callyd wylle, Voluntas. And when it recordyth, it is sayde mynde, Memoria.

A Greeting on New Year's Morning.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 136, back.]

(1)

Iuellis pricious cane y none fynde to Sell Line 1 to sende you, my Souerein, þis newe yeres morowe, wher-for, [for] lucke and good hanssell, my hert y sende you, & seynt Iohn to borowe, that an C yeres withouton aduerssit[e] & Sorowe Line 5 ye mowe live: y pray to god þat ye so moote, And of all your Dessires, to sende you hastely bot.

(2)

Beseching you, Dere heret, as Enterly as y cane, Line 8 to take en gre this poure gifte Onely for my sake, as is the custome, & hath ben ma[n]y a Day, Oo frend to a-nother yeve and take. Riche is it nat, grete boste of to make, Line 12 Saue an hert is reme[m]bratyf to you in eueri stounde the whiche perisschide ones, yet grene is þe wonde.

(3)

That it be youres, trewely it is my liste; Line 15 my possesioon and my parte þer-of y denye; and as towcheing to þis olde worlde called 'hadywiste,' Vnto my lives ende ful y Deffie. palaman gafe his herte to emely; Line 19 He fuched it no better, ne repentide it les thanne y do of this gifte, god y take to witnes. Line 21

Line 21

(4)

my purpos hathe ben longe my hert thus to chast, Line 22 And til this yeres day y ne durst for schame. men sei that no thinge is so free as gyfte, And to take it ayene y were fulle to blame; But as in that deffaute y wille not lese my name, Line 26 So that y yeue ones be yeve for euermore, For this hath loue and trouth y-lerned me þe lore, Euermore without chaung for euer til body and soule parte and disseuere. Line 30

To my Heart's Joy.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 137.]

(1)

My hertes Ioie, all myn hole plesaunce, Line 1 whiche that y sarue, and schall do faithfully with treue Entente and humble obseruaunce you for to please in that y cane treuely, besechinge youe, this litil bill and y Line 5 may hertely, with som plesaunce & drede, be Recomaundide moste specially vnto you, the floure of goodely-hede. Line 8

(2)

And yf ye liste to haue knoweliche of my part, Line 9 I am in hel, god thanked mote he be, as of body, bute treuely nat in herte, nor nat schall be til tyme y may you see; but thynketh that y as trewely will be he Line 13 that for youre Ease schall do my pouer & myȝte, And schall be your Deffence in all aduerssite As though that y were dayly in your sight. Line 16

(3)

I write no more to you, for lacke of space, Line 17 but y beseche the holy trin[i]te you kepe and save, be sopporte of his grace, and be youre Deffence in all aduerssite. go, litil bill, and say thoue were with me, Line 21 this same day at myne vp-Ryssinge, where that y be-sought god of merci tho to haue my Souerein in his kepeing. Line 24

(4)

As wyssely god me save as y am onely yours, what payne so euer y haue And will be at all owres. Line 28

To my Lady Dear.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 138.]

(1)

Frische flour of womanly nature, Line 1 ye be full gentill and goodly one to se, And all so stedfaste as any criatur that is lyuynge in any degre, fullfyled with all benyngnete, Line 5 And an Exsample of all worthynes, And they that to you haue nessesite be gracious euer thorough your gentilnes. Line 8

(2)

But y am so bowndon, y may nat stert, Line 9 to you complayning in this manere, Besechinge you euer with myn enterly hert, And humbly also y you Requer, As that bethe onely withowten pere Line 13 of goodely-hede and of assuraunce, y that am yours, whethe[r] ye be fare or ner, Reffuse me nat oute of your Réme[m]braunce. Line 16

(3)

Concedire, ladi dere, of your pete, [folio 138b] Line 17 the highe complaynt of my desses, my gref and myn aduerssite! ye be my bote þat may me best please; schewe me your meke sprite in my desses, Line 21 for other louer haue y none, And euer y well be Redy youe for to plesse, neuer none to haue bute you alone. Line 24

Line 24

(4)

None but you, lady and maistras, Line 25 fro whos herte with lyue myn may no disseuer, so faste it is lokyn in þe locke of stedfastnes that in your seruice it schall abide for euer. ye wete well my woo ye may recouere; Line 29 my paynes to Rellis may non bute yee, my lyfe And deth lithe in you euer, Right as it plesithe you to save or to flee. Line 32 lothe to offende! so y may my lady pleas, welcome payne, And Fie one esse! [[On the next folio (139), "Her begyneth the Retenewe of the dowty kynge k Edwarde the thirde, and howe he went to the sege of Callis with his Oste," etc.]]

Unto my Lady, the Flower of Womanhood.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 137, back.]

(1)

That pasaunt Goodnes, the Rote of all vertve, Line 1 whiche Rotide is in youre femynete, whos stepes glade to Ensue. ys eueri woman in their degre! And sethe that ye are floure of bewte, Line 5 Constreyned y am, magre myn hede, hartely to loue youre womanhede. Line 7

(2)

Your sade, Demewre, appert, goueronance Line 8 Of eliquens prengnavnt sauns coloure, So it Renyth in my Rememberaunce that dayly, nyghtly, tyde, tyme, and owre, hit is my will to purches youre fauoure, Line 12 whiche, wilde to Crist I myght atteyn, As ye of all floures Are my Souerayn. Line 14

(3)

Whan Reste And slepe y shulde haue noxiall, Line 15 As Requereth bothe nature and kynde, than trobled are my wittes all, so sodeynly Renyth in my mynde your grete bewte! me thynketh than y fynde Line 19 you as gripyng in myn armes twey; Bute whan y wake, ye Are away. Line 21

Line 21

(4)

Entirmet this with woo And gladnes, Line 22 bothe Ioye and sorowe in woo memorall, for than me thynkithe y see your likenes: Hit is nat so, it is fantasticall; the whiche my herte with þe swarde mortall Line 26 that nothinge is, saue uery Dethe, my wette is thynne, so schortithe my breth. Line 28

(5)

Nowe, lady myn, in whomë Vertus Alle [folio 138] Line 29 ar Ioined, and also comprehendide, as ye of al women y call moste principall, lette my gref in youre herte be entenderde, And also my veri treue loue Rememberde, Line 33 And, for my treve loue, ayene me to loue, As welethe nature, and god that setithe Above. Line 35

(6)

Go litill bill, with all humblis, Line 36 vnto my lady, of womanhede þe floure, and saie hire howe newe troiles lithe in distreȝ All onely for hire sake, and in mortall langoure; Line 39 And if sche wot nat whoo it is, bute stonde in erore, Say it is hire olde louer [The word looks like loli in the MS., but u, with the con|traction for er, is written the same way at the end of disseuer (p. 70, l. 26), showing that louer is the right reading here.] þat loueth hire so trewe, hire louynge a-lone, not schanginge for no newe. Line 42

EXPLICIT.

Bewte will Shewe, thow Hornys be Away.

(A LITELLE SHORT DITEY AGAYNE HORNES.)

(9 stanzas of eights, abab, bcbc.) [MS. Univ. Lib. Camb. Hh. 4. 12, leaf 84 a, collated with Harleian 2255, leaf 6.]

(1)

Of god and kynd procedyth all beaulte; Line 1 Crafte may shew a foren apparence, But nature ay must haf þ^e soueraynte. Thyng countirfetyd [countirfet H.] hath non éxistence; Twene gold and gossomer is gret difference; Line 5 Trewë metall requirith non alay; vnto purpóse by clere experience, Bewtey will shewe, thow hornys be [wer H.] away. Line 8

(2)

¶ Riche attyrys of gold and [of] perry, Line 9 Charbunclys, rubeys of most excellence, Shew in derknes lyght, whereso [wher so H., whersouer C.] þey be By their natural heuenly influence; Doblettes of glasse yeue a gret euidence, Line 13 Thyng countirfet wyl failen [faylen H., faile C.] at assay; On thys mater, concludyng in [in H., no C.] sentence, Bewte wyll shew, thow hornes be [were H.] away. Line 16

(3)

¶ Aleyn remembryght, [remembryth H.] hys cómplaynt who [who H., whoso C.] list see, Line 17 In hys boke of famose eloquence; Cladd all in flowris, and blossummys [blosmys H.] of a tre, he saw Nature in hyr most excellence,

Vpon hyr hede a kerchef of valence, Line 21 None othyr riches of countyrfet aray; Texemplifye by kyndly prouidence, Bewte wyll shew thow hornys be [wer H.] away. Line 24

(4)

¶ Famose poëtys of antiquite Line 25 In Grece and Troy, renowmyd [remowmyd C., renoumyd H.] of prudence, Wrote of qwene Helene, and Penolope, Of Policene with hyr chast innocence; ffor wyfys trew call Lucrece to presence; Line 29 That they were fayre, ther can no man say nay, kynd wroght hem with so gret[e] diligence, Theyr bewte cowde shew, [bewte couthe H.] thow hornys were cast away. Line 32

(5)

¶ Clerkës record by gret auctorite, [folio 84b] Line 33 hornys wer gyffe to bestis for diffence, A thyng contráry to feminite, To be mad sturdy of résistence; But archwyfès, [arche wyves H.] eger in ther violence, Line 37 fferse as a [a om. H.] tigre forto make affray, They haf despite, and agayne conscïence, list not, of pride, theyre hornys cast away. Line 40

(6) Lenvoye (H. om. C.)

¶ Noble princesse, [pryncessys H.] thys litell short ditey, Line 41 Rudely compilyd, lat it be none offence To ȝowre womanly mercifull pyte, Thow it be radd in ȝowr audience. Payse euery [Peysed ech H.] thyng in ȝowre iust aduertence. Line 45 So it be no displesance to ȝowre pay, Vndir support of ȝowr pacïence, Yeueth example hornes to cast away. Line 48

Line 48

(7)

¶ Grettest of vertues is humilite, Line 49 As Salamon sayth, son of Sapience, Most was accepted [acceptyd H., accept C.] to the deite. Take hede here-of, gefe [yeuyth H.] to thys word credence, How Maria, who had a preeminence [premynence H.] Line 53 Aboue all women, in Bedlem whan she lay, At Cristis byrth, no cloth of gret dispence, She weryd a keuerche; hornys were cast away. Line 56

(8)

¶ Of byrthë [birthe H., byrth C.] she was hyghest of degre, Line 57 To whom all angelles did obedience, Of Dauides lyne, which sprong out of Iesse, In whom all verteu is, [vertues H.] by iust conuenience Made stable in god by gostly confidence. Line 61 This rose of Jerico, ther growith non such in May; Pure in spirite, parfite in pacïence, In whom all hornys of pride were put away. Line 64

(9)

¶ Moder of Ihesu, myrrour of chastite, [folio 85] Line 65 In word nor thowght that neuer did offence; Trew examplire [Trewe exemplaire H.] of virginite, Hede-spryng and well of parfite continence! Was neuer clerk, by retoryk or [nor H.] science, Line 69 Cowde all hyr verteus réherse to þis day. Noble princesse, [Pryncessys H.] of meke beniuolence, By example [Bexample H. [["This Ballad," says Mr. Halliwell (who printed it in his edition of Lydgate's Minor Poems, p. 46-9), "has been printed by Sir Harris Nicolas, and in the Reliquiæ Antiquæ. The present version is from MS. Oxon. Laud. D. 31, N. 683, Bernard, 798; other copies are in MS. Rawl. Oxon. C. 86; MS. Bibl. Coll. Jes. Cantab. Q. Γ. 8, fol. 27; MS. Harl. 2255; MS. Voss. Lugd. 359; and the first four stanzas in MS. Harl. 2251." It was reprinted in the Percy Society's Satirical Songs and Poems on Costume, 1849, with a woodcut of a woman in a horned bonnet on p. 52.]] ] of hyr, ȝowre hornys cast away. Line 72

¶ Explicit.

The Parliament of Love.

[MS. Univ. Lib. Camb. Ff. 1. 6, leaf 51. Handwriting of the 15th century.]

What so euyr I syng or sey, My wyll is good too preyse here well.

Now ȝee that wull of loue lere, I counsell yow þat ȝe cum nere; To tell yow now is myne entent, Houth loue made late his parleament, Line 4 And sent for ladyes of euery londe, Both mayde, and wyfe þat had housbonde, Wythe gentyll wymmen of lower degre, and marchauntz wyfes grete plente, Line 8 Wythe maidenes eke þat where theym vndre, Of wyche there were a rygthe grete numbre.

And all tho men þat louers were [folio 51b] They had there charge for too be there, Line 12 And when they were assembled all, (yf I the werre sothe sey schall), with-in a castell feyre ande stronge, And as y lokyd them amonge, Line 16 I sawe a ryȝth grete cumpany of gentill-wummen that were there by, The whyche, as the custum was, Songe a balad stede of the masse Line 20 For goode spede of thes folkys all Þat where assemblede in the hall; and yf ȝe lyst ley too yowre ere, Rygh[t] thys they songe, as ȝee schall heyre. Line 24 "O god of loue! wyche lorde hart and souereyne, Send downe thy grace a-monge thys louerys all,

Soo þat þey may too thy mercy ateyne. At thys parlament most in Asspeciall; Line 28 as þou art oure Iuge, so be egall Too euery wygth þat louyth feythefully, And aftyr hys dyssert grante hym mercy!"

And whan this songe was songe and done, [folio 52] Line 32 Then went these ladyes eueryschone Vn-too A schambyr where they scholde Take theire places, yong and olde, like as þat they where of astate Line 36 For tescheue all maner debate. There sawe I first the goddesse of loue In here see sitte, rigth ferre aboue, And many othyr þat ther where. Line 40 yitt for too tell whom y sawe there, It passit now rigth ferre my wytte; But, among all, I sawe one sitte whiche was the feyryst creature Line 44 þat euer was furmyd by nature; and here beaute now too dyscryvye Ther can noo mannes vyttes alywe. yett as ferre as y can or may Line 48 Of [MS. Oof.] here beaute sum-what too say, I will applye my wittes all; For here I am & euyr schall Too speke of schape and semelynesse, Line 52 Off stature & of goodlynesse; here sydes longe with myddyll smale, here face well coulord and not pale, With white and rode ryth well mesuryd; Line 56 And ther-too schee was well emyred, And stode in euery mannes grace, [folio 52b] This goodly yong and fresche of face; and too speke of condicion, Line 60 Coude noo man fynde in noo region

One of soo grete gentillnesse, Of curtaise and lowlynesse, Of chere, of port, and dalyaunce, Line 64 And mastres eke of all pleasaunce; All-soo welle of secretenesse, The werray merroure of stedfastnesse. Of onest merth sche cowde rith mosche, Line 68 Too daunce and synge and othre suche; Soo well assuryd in here hert, That none il worde from here scholde stert. And thus on here y set my mynde, Line 72 And left all othre thyng by-hynde As touchyng too these louers all, whysche on here causes fast kan call. and for too tell theire all cumplayntes, Line 76 In sothe too me the matire queynte is; For as too hem i toke none hede. But in myne nowne [Sic in MS.] causes [Sic in MS. Read 'cause.'] to prosede, I drowe me by [my] sylf allone, Line 80 And into a corner gan too gone, And there I satte me downe a while, A litle bill for too compile Vn-too thys lady wych was soo faire, [folio 53] Line 84 and in her doyng soo debonaire. And if ye list too hyre & rede, Theffect of whych was thus in dede:—

[The little Song.]

"O souereyn [MS. soueuereyn.] prince of all gentillnesse, Line 88 Too whom I haue and euyr-more schall bee Trewe seruant with all maner humblenesse; What peyne I haue or what aduersyte, yett ȝee schall euyr fynde suche feyth on me Line 92 Þat I schall doo that may be your plesaunce, If god of his grace list me so a-vaunce.

"And yow I pray, as lowly as I can, Too take my seruice if hyt myth yow please; Line 96 And if ȝee list too reward thus yowre man, Than mygth hee say he were in hertis easee; For by my trouth y wulde not yow displease Line 99 For all the goode þat euer I hadde or schall, By my goode wille, what euer me be-fall. Line 101

"And if I haue seide any [MS. my.] thynge amysse Line 102 Too pardon me I yow be-sech and pray; For as wischli as euer y cum too blisse, My will is goode what euer y write or say." Go, thow litle songe, thow hast a blisfull day; Line 106 For sche þat is the floure of wommanhode At her oown leyser schall the syng and rede. [[La Belle Dame sans Merci, p. 80. See on this, Prof. Skeat's Introduction, Text, and Notes, in his pseudo-Chaucerian pieces, vol. vii. (1897) of his edition of Chaucer's Works, pages li.-lv., 300-326, 517-520, and H. Gröhler's earlier notice of Sir Richard Ros in Englische Studien, x. 206, and his dissertation "Ueber Richard Ros' mittelenglische ubersetzung des gedichtes von Alain Chartier, La Belle Dame sans Mercy," Breslau, 1886. Nichols, in his county history of Leicestershire, ii. 37, says that the Sir Richard Ros, who was presumably the poet, was born in 1429, and is known to have been alive in 1450, when he was 21 years old. The date of his englishing is probably about 1460. As the family of Roos or Ros were lords of Hamlake and Belvoir in N.E. Leicestershire, not far from Grantham in Lincolnshire, and Bourne, whence Robert of Brunne gets his name, Prof. Skeat (p. liii.) says there was something of a Northern element in Sir Richard's language, as shown by his ryme longès with songès in ll. 53-5, and his use of the Northern possessive pronoun their. This leaves little doubt that the Trinity manuscript's awn (ll. 455, 475, 608) for own—which Prof. Skeat adopts, no doubt from Thynne—is Sir Richard's own form of the word. The Harleian text of the poem, which I printed in our first issue of the Polit., Rel. and Love Poems, was copied from a MS. of which the leaves had been misplaced, as I found when comparing it with Chartier's French, at Prof. Skeat's request, on Jan. 21, 1895. He had none of the editions of Chartier, ab. 1490, 1526, 1527, 1617, etc., at Cambridge.]] Line 108

La Belle Dame sans Merci englisht by Sir Richard Ros from the French of Alain Chartier. [Œuvres de M. Alain Chartier, 1617, p. 502. The heading in H is "La Belle Dame sanz Mercy, translated out of French by Sir Richard Ros."]

[MS. Ff. 1. 6, University Library, Cambridge (U), leaf 117.] [Collated with MS. R. 3. 19, Trin. Coll., Camb. (T), and Harleian 372, leaf 61 (H).] Prologe [by Sir R. Ros, in 4 stanzas of Sevens, ababbcc.]

(1)

Halfe in a dreme, not fully well a-waked, Line 1 The golden slepe me wrapt vndir his wyng yet nat [UH not, om. T.] for-thy I rose, [arose UH.] and welny naked, All sodenly my-selfë Rémembryng Of a matér, leuyng all othir thyng Line 5 Which I schuld do, withouten more delay, ffor hem [hyr T, them H.] þe which [UT, to whom H.] I durst nat dysobbey. Line 7

(2)

My charge was þis, [UH, thus T.] to translat by and by, Line 8 (All thyng foryif [foryeuyn T, forgiven H.] ), as part of my penaunce, A boke callëd "la belle dame sans mercy," which maister Alayn made, of Rémembraunce, Chefe secretary with the kyng of fraunce. Line 12 And here-vpon, a while I [I UH, om. T.] stode musynge, And in my-selfe gretly ymagynynge Line 14

(3)

What wyse I schuld perfourme þis said processe, Line 15 Consideryng, by gode a-vysëment, Myn vnkonnyng and my gret [UT, om. H.] symplesse, And ayeynward, þe streyt commaundëment which þat I hade; and þus, in myn entent, Line 19 I wasse vexid, and turnyd vp and doun; yet att the last, as In conclusyoun, [HT, conclusy U.] Line 21

Line 21

(4)

I cast my clothës on, and went my way,— [folio 117b] Line 22 This forsaid charge hauyng in rémembraunce,— Til I cam to [UT, into H.] a lusty grene valey fful of floures; to se, a grete plesaunce; And so, bolded [UH, voldyd T.] with þair benyng suffraunce Line 26 That Rede [UH, to Rede T.] þis boke, touchyng þis [UT, the H.] said matere, Thus I bygan, [begynne H.] iff hit please yow to here: Line 28

(5. The Poem, in 50 stanzas of eights, ababbcbc.)

Not long ago, Rydyng an [UH, on a T.] esy paas, [

N'agueres cheuauchant pensoye,Comme homme triste & douloreux,Au dueil où il faut que je soyeLe plus dolant des amoureux;Puis que, par son dart rigoureux,La mort me tolli ma Maistresse,Et me laisse seul langoureuxEn la conduiste de tristesse.

Œuvres de M. Alain Chartier, 1617, p. 502.] Line 29 I fill in þought, of ioy full desperat, With gret disease and payn, so þat I was Of all louérs þe most vnfortunat, Sith by [UT, with H.] his dart most cruell, full of haat, Line 33 Þe [UH, om. T.] dethe hath [UH, Det hath fro me T.] take my lady and maystres, And left me sole, thus [UH, thys T.] discomfort and mate, Sore languischynge, and in way of distresse. Line 36

(6)

Then said I þus: hit falleth me to cesse, Line 37 Eyþer to ryme, or dytes for to make; And I, seurly, [UH, yet therwith T.] to make a fulle promesse To laughe no more, but wepe in clothës blake. My ioyfull tyme, alas! now is hit [UH, hit is T.] slake, Line 41 ffor in my selfe I fele no maner ease; lat hit by [be H, by U (by is an allowable spelling, but apt to confuse a reader).] wryten, siche fortune I take, which neyther me, nor doth non other, [UH, non other doth T.] please.

(7)

Iffe hit wer so, [UH, so that T.] my will or myn entent [folio 118] Line 45 wer cónstreynëd a ioyfull thyng to wryte, my penne couth neuer hauë [neuer have U, haue no T, haue H, with 'neuer know' in margin. [Neuer = ne'er.]] knolege what hit ment; To speke þerof, my tunge hathe no delyte; And with my mouth, iffe I laugh myche or lyte, Line 49 Myn yne schuld make a countynaunce vntrue; Myn hert also wold haue þerof despyte; the wepyng terës haue so large issue. Line 52

(8)

Thes seke louers, I leue þat to hem longes, Line 53 whiche lede þair [her HT.] lyfe in hope of állegeaunce, [Fr. allegement.] Þat is to say, to make balade [UH, baladys T.] or songes, Eueryche of hem, as þei fele her [theyr T, þer H.] grevaunce; ffor sche þat wasse my ioy and my plesaunce,— Line 57 whos soule, I pray god of his mercy saue,— Sche hath myn wyle, my hertës ordeynaunce, which lithe with hir vnder her toumbe in [in H, y T, & U. Which lyeth here, within this tombe ygrave. Skeat, from 3 MSS.] graue.

(9)

ffro þis tym forthe, tyme is to hold my pees; Line 61 It weryth [werieth H.] me þis mater for to trete; lat other louers put hem selfe in prees; Thair sesoun is; my tym is now [UH, nygh T.] for-yete; ffortune, by [UT, with H.] strenght, þe forser hath [UH, hath the forser T.] vnschete, Line 65 Wher-in wasse sparde [H, margin: text spradde; sperryd T, spred U.] all my worldely [H, wordely U.] Rychesse, And all þe goodys which þat I haue gete, In my best tyme of youth and lustynesse. Line 68

(10)

Loue hath me kept vndir his gouernaunce: [folio 118b] Line 69 Iffe I mysdid, god graunt me for-yifnesse!

Iffe I did well, yit felt [UH, fele T.] I no plesaunce; hit caused neither ioy nor [UH, causeth no but T.] hevynesse; ffor when sche dydë, þat wasse [whyche was T, that was H, þat wasse all U.] my maistresse, Line 73 All my [HT, My gode U.] welfare then made [UT, made then H.] þ^e sam purchasse; Þe deth hath set my boundis, of wytnesse, [La mort m'assist illec la bourne.] which for no thyng myn hert schall neuer passe.

(11)

In þis gret þought, sore trowbled in my mynde, Line 77 Allon þus rode I [H, I rode T, rode & U.] all þe morow tyde, Tyll, at þe last, hit happed me to fynde The place wher-In I cast me to a-byde, [UT, I purposid me to hide H.] when þat I had no ferþer for [UT, forth H.] to ryde. Line 81 And as I went, my loggyng to purvey, Ryght sone I herd, but lytell me be-syde, In a gardyn, wher mynstrells gan to play. Line 84

(12)

With þat anon I went me bakkermore; [Si me retray.] Line 85 My selfe and I, me þought we wer Inow; But tweyn, [UH, y. T.] þat wer my frendis her-byfore, [UH, tofore T.] had me espiëd, and I wot [UH, wyst T.] not how. Thai cam for me: aweyward I me drow, Line 89 Sum-what by force, sum-what by þair request, That in no wyse I couthe [UH, cowde T.] my selfe rescow, But [HT, bud U.] nede I must cum In, and se þ^e fest. Line 92

(13)

At my commyng, the ladyse euerychon [folio 119] Line 93 Bade me welcom, god wot, ryght gentilly, And made me chere, euerych by on and on, [These lines transferred in Trinity MS.] A gret dele better þen I wasse worthy; [These lines transferred in Trinity MS.] And, of þair grace, schewd me gret courtesy Line 97

Line 97 with good disport, by cause I schuld not morne. [UH, mone T.] That day I bode [UH, abode T.] still in þair cumpany, which wasse to me a gracyous soiourne. Line 100

(14)

The boordës wér spred in ryght [UH, full T.] lytell space; Line 101 The ladyse sat, eche as hem semyd best. were [were H, wher U, Ther were T.] non þat dide seruyse [UT, þat serued H.] with-In þat place, But chosen men, ryght of þ^e goodlyest; And sum þer were, paraunter [parauenture H.] most [more T, om. H.] freschest, Line 105 That saw þair Iuges syttyng full demure, without semblant, oþer [UH, eyþer T.] to most or lest, Not with standyng [UH, But not . . T.] þai had hem vndur cure. Line 108

(15)

Among all oder, on I gan aspye, Line 109 which in gret thought full often cam and went, As on [UT, man H.] þat had bene rauysched vttirlye, In his langage not gretly dylygent; Hys countynaunce he kept with gret turement, Line 113 But his desir far passed his resoun, ffor euer his yie [ey T, yee H.] went after his entent ffull many a tyme, when hit wasse no sesoun. Line 116

(16)

To make gud chere, ryght [UH, full T.] sore hym selfe he payned. [he peyned H, payned U, he feynyd T.] [folio 119b] And outwardly [UT, outeward H.] he feyned gret gladnesse; To syng also, by force he wasse constrayned, ffor no plesaunce, but [UH, for T.] verrey schamfastnesse; ffor the compleynt of his most hevynesse Line 121 Cam to his voyce alway with-out request, lyke as þ^e sown of byrdës doth expresse, [UH, doutles T.] when þai syng lowd, in fryth or in [in UT, om. H.] forést. Line 124

Line 124

(17)

Othir þer wer þat seruëd in the halle, Line 125 But non lyke hym, as after [hym . . H, hym for soth to T, as after U.] myn avyse; ffor he wase pale, and sumwhat lene with-all; his speche also tremlyd [UH, he spake also tremblyng T.] in ferefull wyse; And euer allon, but when he dyde seruyse. Line 129 All blake he ware, and no deuyse but playn; Me þought by hym, as my wyt couth [UH, wyll cowde T.] suffyse, hys hert wasse no thynge [UH, then not T.] in his awn demayn. Line 132

(18)

To feste hem all, he did his dilygence; Line 133 And wel he couth, [couthe H, cowde T.] ryght as hit semyd me; But euermor when he wasse in presence, his chere wasse do, [UH, done T.] it wold non other [UH, no bettyr T.] be: his scolemaystres [scole-maister UH, scolemaystres T.] hade siche autoryte, Line 137 That, all the while he stode [UH, that while he bode T.] still in þ^e place, Speke couth [coude H, cowde T.] he nat; but vpon her beaute he lokyd still, with Ryght [UH, ryght with T.] a pytous face. Line 140

(19)

With þat, his hede he turned attë [at the T.] laste, [folio 120] Line 141 ffor to biholde þe ladies euerychon; But euer in one he sette his ye [ey T.] stedfaste On hir, þe which his þought was most [UH, euer T.] vppon; And of his yen, [yen H, eyen T.] the shot [UT, sighte H, [Fr. trait].] y knewe anon, Line 145 Which federid was with right humble requestis. Then to my self y seyd, 'by god allon, Sich on was y, or that y [or y that y U, I that there H, I or euer y T.] sawe þese gestes.' Line 148

(20)

Out of the prees he went full esily, Line 149 To make stabill his heuy contynaunce;

And wite ye wele, he sighëd tenderly ffor his sorowes and wofull rémembraunce. Then in hym self he made his ordynaunce, Line 153 And forth-with-all cam to bryng in the mes; But, for to Iuge his [UH, But to beholde with T.] moste rewfull semblaunce, God wot it was a petous entremes. Line 156

(21)

After dynér, anone they hem avaunsed Line 157 To daunce aboute, these [UH, the T.] folkës euerychon; And forth-with-all þis heuy lover [louer HT, om. U.] daunced, Sumtyme with tweyne, and sum tyme but with on: Vnto hem all, his chere was after [UH, euer T.] on, Line 161 Now here, now there, as fill by áuenture; But euer among, [among HT, anone U.] he drow to hir allon, Which he most dredde, [UH, louyd T.] of lyuyng crëature. Line 164

(22)

To myn avise, god [good H.] was his puruiaunce [folio 120b] Line 165 When he hir chase [UH, chose T.] to his maystres allone, If þat hir herte were sette to his plesaunce As moche as was hir beauteous persone; ffor who þat euer setteth [sett H, wyll set T.] his trust vppon Line 169 Þe réporte of thair yen, withouten [UH, such oon then without T.] more, he myght be dede, and grauen vnder a [om. HT.] stone, Or euer she [UT, he H.] shuld, his hertis ease restore. Line 172

(23)

In hir faylëd no thyng, þat y couthe [as I koude H, þat I cowde T.] gesse [

En la dance ne failloit riensNe plus auent ne plus arriere

] Line 173 O wyse nor other, [On vice ner othir H, In any wyse nether T.] pryue nor apert; [or perte H, ne perte T.] A garnyson [UH, gramyson T.] sche was of all goodnesse, [UH, goodlynesse T.] To make a frounter [Fr. frontiere, front rank (make an attack on).—Skeat.] for a louers herte;

Right ȝonge and fressh, a woman full couert; Line 177 Assured wele [UH, wele with T.] hir port, and eke hir chere, Wele [UH, went T.] atte hir ease, withouten wo or smert, All vndirnethe the standart of daungere. Line 180

(24)

To se the fest, it weryd me full sore; Line 181 ffor hevy ioye dothe the herte sore [sore the herte T, soore the hurte H.] trauaylle. Out of the prees y me withdrow therfore, And sette me down allon, behynde a trayll ffull of leuès, to se, a gret mervayll: Line 185 with grene wythies ybounden [UH, ybounde full T.] wundirly; The leues were so thik, withouten fayll, That thoroughout myght no man me [UH, man T.] aspye. Line 188

(25)

To his lady he cam full curteysely, [folio 121] Line 189 Whan he [UH, he hym T.] þought tyme to daunce with hir a trace; Sith in an herber made full plesauntly Thei rested them, fro thens but lytill space; Nigh hem were non, a certeyn of compace, [UH, certeyn space T.] Line 193 But onely they, as fer as y couthe se; And safe [saue HT.] the trayll, there y [UH, there as T.] hadde chose my place, Ther was nomore betuyxt hem tweyne [UH, ij. T.] and me.

(26)

I herde þ^e louer sighyng wondir sore; Line 197 ffor ay þe ner, þe sorer it hym sought; [UH, thought T.] his [UH, whos T.] inward payn he couthe [UH, cowde T.] not kepe in store, Nor [ne HT.] for to speke, so hardy was he nought; his leche was nere, þe gretter was his þought; Line 201 he mused sore, to conquere his desire, ffor noman may to more penaunce be brought, Þen in his hete to bryng hym to þe fire. Line 204

Line 204

(27)

Þe herte began to swelle withyn his chest, Line 205 So sore streynëd for anguysh and for payn, That all to pecis almost it to-brest, When bothe at ones, so sore it did constrayn; Desire was bold, but shame it gan [can H, dyd T.] refrayn; Line 209 Þe ton [UH, That oon T.] was large, the tother [UH, that other T.] was full cloos; No lytyll charge was leyd on hym, [UH, on hym was leyd T.] certeyn, To kepe such ware, [werre H.] and haue so many foos. Line 212

(28)

fful often tyme to speke, hym self he payned, [UH, feynyd T.] [folio 121b] Line 213 But shamefastnes and drede seid euer 'nay;' yit atte the last, so sore he was constreyned, When he full longe hadde putte it in delay; To his lady, right thus then gan he [UH, he gan to, T.] say Line 217 With dredfull voys, wepyng, halfe in a rage, "ffor me was purueied an vnhappy [UH, happy T.] day Whan y first hadde a sight of youre vysage! Line 220

(29)

"I suffre peyn, god wot, full hote [UH, sore T.] burnyng, Line 221 To cause my dethe, all for my trew seruice; And y se wele, ye reche [UH, rek T.] therof nothyng, Nor take non hede of it in no kyns [UH, therof hede in no maner T.] wyse; But when y speke, after my best avise, [UH, deuyse T.] Line 225 ye set it at [om. HT.] nought, but make therof a game; And though y sue [UH, shew T.] so grete an entirprise, It peireth [UH, apeireth T.] not your wurship nor your fame. Line 228

(30)

"Alas! what shuld be to you preiudice, Line 229 yf þat a man do loue you faythefully, To your [UH, euery T.] wurship, eschuyng euery vice? So am y youres, and will be [UH, shalbe T.] verely;

I chalange nought [UH, shall nat T.] of right, and resoun why, Line 233 ffor y am hole submyt to youre seruyse; Right as ye lyste it be, right [euyn H, om. T.] so will y, To bynde my selfe, where y was [UH, am T.] in fraunchise.

(31)

"Þough it be so, [be so I cannot H, so be þat I can hit nat T.] þat y cannot deserue [folio 122] Line 237 To haue youre grace, but alwey leue [ay to lyve H, alwey lyue T, alwey to leue U.] in drede; yit suffre me you fór to loue and serue without magrè [mauger H, mawgre T.] of youre most goodlyhede; Bothe feyth and trouth y yeue [yeue T, to gif H, ye U.] your womanhede, And my seruise, without ayen-callyng; Loue hathe me bounde, withoutë wage or mede, To be your man, and leue all othir thyng." Line 244

(32) LA DAME.

When this lady hadde herde all his [UT, this H.] langage, Line 245 She yaf [yaf hym U, om. hym HT.] answere full softe and démurely, Without chaungyng of Colour or corage, Nothyng in haste, but mesurabëly: "Me thynketh, sir, your þought is [your hert is T, ye doo fulle H.] grete foly. Line 249 purpose ye not your labour for to sees? ffor thynketh [thynk ye, HT.] not, whils þat ye leue and [ye . . and HT, I . . an U.] y, In this [UH, your T.] matier to sette youre hert in pees." [UH, ese T.] Line 252

(33) LAMANT.

"Þer may non make þ^e pees, but only ye, Line 253 Which ar the ground and cause [cause and grounde HT.] of all this war; ffor with youre yen þ^e letters writen be, By which y am defied [UH, deferryd T.] and put a-fer, youre plesaunt looke, my very lodësterre, Line 257 was made heraud of thilke same [thilke same H, þe same U, thys saunce T.] diffiaunce

which vtterly behight me to forbar [forbarre (loodsterre, aferre, werre) H.] Mi feythefull trust, and all my affiaunce." Line 260

(34) LA DAME.

"To leue in wo, he hathe gret fantasie, [folio 122b] Line 261 And of his hert also hathe sliper hold, That, only for byholdyng of an ye, [yee H, ey T.] Cannot abide in pees, as resoun wolde. Other, or me, [UH, ne T.] yf ye liste to biholde, Line 265 Oure yen [yeen H, eyen T.] ar made to loke: why shuld we spare? I take no kepe, nether of yong ne olde; who feleth smert, [UH, seketh harme T.] y consayll hym by [be H.] ware." Line 268

(35) LAMANT.

"If it be so, [UH, so be T.] one hurt an other sore, Line 269 In his defaut þat feleth the [the HT, no U.] greuaunce, Of very right a man may do no more; yit resoun wuld it were in rémembraunce. And, sith fortune nat only (by his chaunce) Line 273 hathe caused me to suffre all this payn, But your beaute, with all þe sircumstaunce, Whi list you [ye HT.] haue me in so grete disdeyn?" Line 276

(36) LA DAME.

"To your persone ne haue y non [UH, om. T.] disdeyn, Line 277 Nor neuer hadde, truly; nor nought [ner neuere H, ne neuer T.] will haue, Nor right gret loue, nor hatrede, in certeyn; Nor [UH, Ne T.] youre consayll to knowe, (so god me saue!) If such beleue [UH, conseyte T.] be in your mynde y-graue, [UH, graue T.] Line 281 Þat lytell thyng may do you gret plesaunce, you to begyle, or make [UH, mok T.] you for to rave, I will not cause non [noon H, no T.] such éncomberaunce." Line 284

(37) LAMANT.

"What euer hit be þat hath me [UT, me hath H.] þis purchácyde, [folio 123] Line 285 Wenyng hath noght deseyued me, [UH, om. T.] sertayne;

But feruent loue so sore me hath I-chasede, [UH, hath me enbrasyd T.] That I, [UH, om. T.] vnware, am casten [UH, cast T.] in your chayne; And sith so is, as [UH, hyt ys that T.] fortune lyste [UH, lyste so T.] ordayne, Line 289 All my welfare is in your handys falle, Inn éschewyng of more myschévous payne; Who sunnest dieth, his care is leste of alle." Line 292

(38) LA DAME.

"Þis [UH, The T.] sykenesse is ryght [UH, full T.] esy to endure, Line 293 But few peple hit causeth for to dye; But what þei meane, I know hit [it H, om. T.] verrey sure, Of mor comfórt to draw the remedye. Sych be þer now, [nought H, lew T.] playnyng full pytouslye, Line 297 That fele [UH, faylen T.] (gode wote) not alþer [UH, all the T.] -grettyst payne; And [Are UT.] iffe so be, loue hurtes [hurte H, hurt T.] so grevously, lesse harme hit were, wone sorouful, þen twayn." [tweyne HT, wayn U.]

(39) LAMANT.

"Alas, madame! iffe þat hit [UT, I H.] myght you please, Line 301 mych better wer, [UH, hyt were bettyr T.] by way of gentyllesse, Of won sory, [UT, sorwe H ('sory' in margin).] to make twayne [UH, ij. T.] well at ease, Then hyme to strye [stroye H, dystroy T.] that lyueth in destresse. ffor my desyr is noþer mor ne lesse, Line 305 But my seruysse to [UH, I T.] do, for your plesaunce, In éschewyng al maner doublenesse, To make too Joys insted of won [oo HT.] grevaunce." Line 308

(40) LA DAME.

"Of loue I seke noþer plesaunce nore [UT, ne H.] ease, [folio 123b] Line 309 Nor Ryght gret loue, [Nor gret desire HT.] nor [UH, ne T.] ryght gret affyaunce. þough ye be seke, hit dothe me no thyng please; Also, I take none hede to your plesaunce.

Chese who-so wyle, þair hertys to a-vaunce, Line 313 ffre am I now, and fre wyll I endure; To be Rulyd by mannys gouernaunce, ffor erthly gode, nay! that I you ensure." Line 316

(41) LAMANT.

"Loue, which þat [UT, om. H.] ioy and sorow doth depart, Line 317 hath set þe [UH, yow T.] ladyes out of all seruage, And largëly doth graunt hem, for þair [þar H, youre T.] part, Lordschip and rule of euery maner age. The pore seruaunt noght hath of [UH, hath noon T.] ávauntage Line 321 But what he may get only of purcháce; And he þat ones to loue dothe his omáge, ffull often [ofte H, oft T.] tyme, der boght is the rechace." [UT, dere his richesse boughte has H. O. Fr. rachatz; Mod. Fr. rachat, redemption, ransom.—Skeat. 'Rachapt, a redemp|tion, redeeming, rebuying, recovery of a thing sold, by paying that for which it was sold.'—Cotgrave.] Line 324

(42) LA DAME.

"Ladyes beth not so symple (þus I mene), Line 325 So dulle of wyte, so sotyd [sottid H, dotyd T.] of folye, That, for wordes which said ben of [UT are, om. H.] þ^e splene, In fayr langáge, paynted ful plesantlye, Which ye and mo [UH, me T.] holde scolys of [UT, scoolys holden H.] dailye, [dulye U, dieulye margin, daily H.] Line 329 To make hem all [UT, of H.] grete wondyrs to suppose; But sone thei cane, away her hedes [UT, þer hedys away H.] wrye, And to fayr speche, lyghtly þair yerës close." Line 332

(43) LAMANT.

"Þer is no man þat iangulith bysily [folio 124] Line 333 And sette [UT, settith H.] his hert and all his mynd þerfor, þat be reason may playn so pytously As he þat hath myche hevynesse in store. Whose hede is hole, [UH, nat sore T.] and saith þat hit is [UT, is nat T.] sore, Line 337 his fayned chere is hard [UH, herde T.] to kepe in mewe;

But thoght, which [UH, that T.] is vnfaynëd euermore, The wordës previth [preven H, present T.] as the warkës sewe." [shew T, sewe margin, shew H.] Line 340

(44) LA DAME.

"Loue is sotyle, and hath a grete awayte, [UT, abaite H, margin awayte.] Line 341 Scharpe in worchyng, in gabbyng gret plesance, And cane hyme venge of [UH, on T.] siche as, by deceyte, Wold fele and know [UT, knowe & fele H.] his secrete gouernance; And makyth hem to abey [obeye H.] his ordynance Line 345 By cherfull wayes, [weies H, wyse T.] as In hem [UT, hym H.] is supposed, But when þei [UT, þat þei H.] fallen in-to [UH, vnto T.] répentance, Then, in a rage, þeir councele is disclosed." Line 348

(45) LAMANT.

"Sith, for-as-mych as gode and eke natur Line 349 hathe loue avaunced [Skeat MSS. avaunced loue.] to so hye degre, Mych scharper is the poynte, þis [UH, thus T.] am I sure, yete [UT, hit H.] greueth mor the faute, wher-euer hit be. Who hath no colde, of hete hathe no deyntye; Line 353 þe tone for þe toder, axed is expresse; And of plesaunce knothe non [noon H, not UT.] þe serteyntye, Bot hit be [be H, om. UT.] wonen with thought and hevynesse."

(46) LA DAME.

"As for plesaunce, hit is not alway wone: [on (one) H.] [folio 124b] Line 357 That you [UH, to you T.] is swete, me thynketh [thynketh HT, thynke U.] a bytter payne; ye may not me constrayn, nor yet ryght none, After your lust to loue, [UH, lyue T.] þat is bot vayne. To chalange [UH, shall T.] loue by ryght, was neuer [UH, men T.] sayne, Line 361 But hert assent, by-fore bonde or promyse; ffor strenght nor force may not ataine, sertayne, A wylle þat stant enfeffyd in [in HT, on U.] franchyse." Line 364

Line 364

(47) LAMANT.

"Ryght fayr lady, god mot [UT, myghte H.] I never please, Line 365 Iffe I seche oþer ryght, as in þis case, But for to schew you playnly my disease, And your mercy to [UT, om. H.] abyde, and eke your grace. Iffe I purpóse your honour to defface, Line 369 Or ever dide, gode and fortune me schende, And that I never ryghtwysly [rightwisly H.] purcháce On only ioy, vn-to my lyvës ende!" Line 372

(48) LA DAME.

"ye and oþer, that sweere such othës faste, Line 373 And so condempne and cursen to and fro, ffull sykerly, ye wene your othës laste No lengur then the wordës beth [UH, byn T.] ago; And gode, and eke his sayntës, laugh [UH, dysplesyn T.] also. Line 377 In siche sweryng þer is no stedfastnesse; And þes wreches þat haue ful trust þer-to, After, þai wepe and waylen in destresse." Line 380

(49) LAMANT.

"he hath no corage of a man, truly, [folio 125] Line 381 That sechith plesaunce, worschip to despyse; Nor to be callyd forth, is not worthy The erthe to toche the ayre in no-skynnes [UH, ne the . . . no kyns T.] wyse. A trusty harte, a mouth without fayntyse, Line 385 Thes ben the strenght of euery man of name; And who þat laith [latith H, lesyth T.] his faith for lytel price, he lesith bothe his worschip and his fame." Line 388

(50) LA DAME.

"A currysche hert, [Fr. Villain cueur.] a mouthe [UH, among T.] þat is courteys, Line 389 ffull wel ye wote, þei be [UH, these byn T.] not ácordynge; yet faynëd chere ryght sone may þeim [UH, they may T.] apeyse, Wher of malece is sete al her [there H, theyr T.] worchynge:

ffull fals semblant þei bere, and trew semynge; [UT, meuyng H (semyng in margin).] Line 393 þaire name, þaire fame, þair tongës be bot [UT, not H (but in margin).] fayned; Worschip in heme is put in fórgetynge, [forgetyng T, foryeting H, for etynge U.] Noght répentyd, nor in no wyse complayned." Line 396

(51) LAMANT.

"Who thynketh ylle, no good may hyme be-fale: Line 397 Gode, of his grace, grawnt yche mon his desert! But, for his loue, among your [UH, hys T.] thoughtës alle, As thenke opon my wofull sorous [sorowe H.] smert; ffor, of my payne, whedre [UT, where H.] your tendre hert, Line 401 Of swete pytë, be noght þer-with a-grevyde, And iffe your grace to me wer [UT, be H.] discouért, Then, be your meane, sone [UH, om. T.] schuld I be releuyde."

(52) LA DAME.

"A lyghtsome hart, a folye of plesaunce, [folio 125b] Line 405 Ar myche better, the lasse whyle þei abyde; Thei make you thynk, [thyng U, thynk H.] and bryng you in [UH, into T.] a traunce; But þat sykenes will sone be remedyde. Respyte your thought, and put all þis a-syde; [UT, on side T.] Line 409 ffull goode disportës werith [weriethe H.] men al daye; To helpe nor hurt, my wille is not aplyde; Who trouthe [trowith H, troweth T.] me not, I [HT, erasure in U.] let hit pase awaye."

(53) LAMANT.

"Who hath a byrde, a faukyn or a hounde, Line 413 That folowith hyme for loue in euery place, he cherische [cherisithe H, cherysseth T.] hyme, and kepith hym [UT, om. L.] ful sounde; Out [UH, But T.] of his syght he wol hym [hym UT, om. H.] note enchace. And I, þat sette my wyttës, in this case, Line 417 On you allon, withouten any chaunge, Am [UT, And H (Am in margin).] put vnder, myche forþer out of grace, And lese set [UT, sette lesse H.] by, þen oþer þat be straunge." Line 420

Line 420

(54) LA DAME.

"Though I make chere to euery man a-boute, Line 421 ffor my worschip, and of myn awne fraunchyse, To you I nylle do so, withouten doute, In éschwyng all maner preiudyse. ffor, wett you well, [ye well HT, you will U.] loue is so [UH, om. T.] lytle wyse, Line 425 And in be-leue so lyghtly wyll [wil H, wyll T, wel U.] be broght, That he taketh, al at his awne devyse, Of thyng (god wot) þat serueth hym of noght."

(55) LAMANT.

"Iffe I, by loue and by my trew seruyse, [folio 126] Line 429 lese the good chere þat straungers haue alway, Wher-of schuld [shuld H, I schuld UT.] serue my trouth in any wyse les þen to heme [hem H, theym T.] þat come and go alday, Which hold [UH, had T.] of you no thyng, þat is no [non H, to no T.] nay? Line 433 Also in you is loste, to my semynge, All courtesy, which of [UH, of all T.] Resoun will [UT, wolde H.] say, That loue by [for Skeat.] loue were lawfull déseruynge." Line 436

(56) LA DAME.

"Courtesye is allied wondir nere Line 437 To [UT, with H.] worschip, which hyme louyth tendurly; [UT, best & tendirly H.] And he will not be bound, for no prayere Nor for no [UT, om. H.] yifte, I say you verely, But his good chere depart ful largëly Line 441 Wher hyme lykéth, as his conseit wil falle: Guerdoun constraynt, a yifte done thankefully, Thes twayn [UH, ij. T.] may not a-cord, nor neuer schale."

(57) LAMANT.

"As for guerdoun, I seche [UH, seke T.] none in þis case; [UH, place T.] Line 445 ffor þat desert, to me it [UT, om. H.] is to hye; Wherfor I asche [ashe H, ax T.] your pardoun and your grace, Sith me by-houyth deth, [H, om. UT.] or your mercye.

To yiue the good [good H, god U.] wher hit [UH, that it T.] wanteth, treulye, Line 449 That wer Resoun, and á [UT, om. H.] courteys manere; And to your awn myche bettyr were worthy, [UH, worth T.] þen to straungers, to schew heme louely [H, lowly T, lonely U.] chere."

(58) LA DAME.

"What call ye good? fayn wold I þat I wyste! [folio 126b] Line 453 That plesith on, an-oþer [UH, and other T.] smertyth sore; But, of his awn, to large is he þat liste yiue myche, and lese all his goode fame þerfore. On schuld not make a graunt, lytele nor more, Line 457 But þ^e request were ryght wele ácordynge; yif worschip be not kept and set byfore, All þat is lefte, is but a lytell thynge." Line 460

(59) LAMANT.

"In-to þis world was neuer formyd non, Line 461 Nor vndur heven crëature [UT, o creature H.] I-bore, Nor neuer schall, saffe only your parson, [persone H.] To whom your worschip toucheth half so sore; But me, which haue no sesoun, les ne more, Line 465 of youth nor age, but styll in your seruyse, I haue non yne, [yeen H, eyen T.] no wyt, nor mouth in store, But all beth [But . . byn T, that ne alle ar H.] yiuen to þe same offyse." Line 468

(60) LA DAME.

"A full gret charge hath he, with outen fayle, Line 469 þat his worschip kepyth in sykernesse; But in daunger he settyth his trauayle, That feffith hit with othyrs [UH, other T.] bysynesse. To hym þat longeth honneur and noblesse, Line 473 Vpon non othir schuld not [UH, om. T.] he awayte; ffor of his [UT, om. H.] awn, so mych hathë [hathe he HT.] þe lesse, That, of othir, mych folouth the conseit." Line 476

Line 476

(61) LAMANT.

"your yen [yeen H, eyen T.] haue set the prynte [UH, theym present T.] which þat y fele [Fr. Voz yeulx out si empraint leur merche.] [folio 127] Line 477 withyn myn herte, þat, wher-so-euer [where-sum-euer H.] y goo, If y do thyng þat sowneth [sowndithe H.] vnto wele, Nede must it [UH, it must T.] come from you, and fro no mo. ffortune will thus, þat y, for wele or wo, Line 481 My lyfe endure, your mercy ábidyng; And very right, will þat y thynk also Of your wurship, aboue all other thyng." Line 484

(62) LA DAME.

"To your wurship se wele, for þat is nede, Line 485 þat ye spende not your seasoun [UT, ye your sesoun spende not H.] all in vayn. As touchyng myn, y rede you take non hede, By your foly, to putte your-selfe in peyn. To Ouercom is good, and to restreyn Line 489 An herte which is deseyved folyly; ffor wers it is to breke þan [UH, the T.] bowe, certeyn, And better bowe, than falle to sodenly." Line 492

(63) LAMANT.

"Now, faire lady, thenk, sith it first began, Line 493 þat loue hadde sette myn hert vndre his [your H, om. T.] cure, It neuer myght, nor [I . . ne H, It not UT.] treuly y ne can, None othir serue, whils y shall here [UT, here I shal H.] endure; In most fre wise, therof y make you sure, Line 497 which may not be with-drawe: this is no nay. I must abide all maner áuenture; ffor y may nought putte to, nor take away." Line 500

(64) LA DAME.

"I holde it for no yifte, in sothefastnes, [folio 127b] Line 501 That one offereth, where þat it is forsake; ffor suche yifte is abandonnyng expresse, That, with wurship, ayen may not be take.

he hathe an hert full fell, [Thynne (Sk.), hertis full fele UT, hurte ful fele H.] þat list to make Line 505 A yift lightly, þat put is in refuse; But he is wyse þat suche conseyt will slake, So þat hym nede nether stodie nor [UT, neuer to stody ne H.] muse." Line 508

(65) LAMANT.

"he [UT, Who H.] shuld not muse, þat hath [hath HT, om. U.] his seruyse spent Line 509 On hir which is a lady honouráble; And yf y spende my tyme to þat entent, yit atte the lest y am nat répreuáble Of faylëd herte: to thynk, y am vnable, Line 513 Or me mystoke whan y made this request, By which loue hathe, of entirprise notáble, So many hertis getyn bi conquest." Line 516

(66) LA DAME.

"yf þat ye liste do after my Counsayll Line 517 Secheth faycrer, [UH, ferther T.] and of more hier fame, Which in seruice of loue will you prevayll After your þought, acordyng to the same. he hurteth both [both HT, om. U.] his wurship and his name, Line 521 þat folyly for tweyn [UH, ij. T.] hym-selfe will trobull; And also he leséth his after game, That surely cannot sette his poyntës double." [After-game, return-match . . . I believe l. 524 to mean, 'who cannot thoroughly afford to double his stakes.' To set often means to stake. The French is:—

'Et celuy pert le ien d'attenteQui ne scet faire son point double.'

—Skeat, vii. 519.] Line 524

(67) LAMANT. [Fr.: Le conseil que vous me donnez.]

"This your Counsell, by ought þat y can se, [folio 128] Line 525 Is better seid than done, to myn avise. Though i beleue it not, foryif [UH, foryeue T.] it me; Myn herte is suche, so hele [hoole THU.] withoute fayntyse, That it may not [TU, om. H.] yeve credence, in no wyse, Line 529 To thyng which [UH, thynke that T.] is not sownyng vnto trouth:

Other Councell, it [other counsail it H, others counsayles hit T, hit om. U.] are but fantasise, [UH, fantasyes T.] Saf of [of HT, om. U.] your grace to shewe pitë and routhe." Line 532

(68) LA DAME.

"I holde hym wise, þat wurcheth folyly, Line 533 And, whan hym list, can leue [And . . leue UH, when he can leue T.] and part therfro; But in konnyng he is to lerne, trewely, þat wold hym selfe condit, [conduyte H, condute T.] and cannot [cannat HT, canno U.] so. And he þat will not after Conseyll do, Line 537 his sute [UT, suerte UH (sute in margin).] he putteth in desé[s]peraunce; And all the good, which [goodys T, good which H.] þat shuld fall hym to, Is lefte as [UH, all T.] dede, clene out of rémembraunce." Line 540

(69) LAMANT.

"yit will y sue this matier faythfully Line 541 whils y may leue, what-euer be [UH, what oon by T.] my chaunce; And if it happe þat in my trouth y die, þat dethe shall not do me no displesaunce. But when þat y, by your full hard [UT, your harde H.] sufferaunce, Line 545 Shall die so trewe, and with so gretë [UT, grete a H.] peyne, yit shall it do me moche the [UT, moche H.] lesse grevaunce, þen for to leue a fals louer, sertayn." Line 548

(70) LA DAME.

"Of me gete ye right nought, this is no fable; [folio 128b] Line 549 I nyll [UH, wyll T.] to you be nether hard nor streyght; And right wil nat, nor maner Custumáble, To thynke ye shuld be sure of myn conseyt. Who secheth sorow, [UH, sorowys T.] his be [is by H ('his bi' margin), by T.] the reseyt. Line 553 Other Counceyll can y not fele nor se; Nor for to lerne, y cast not to awayte: Who wyll therto, late hym assay, for me." Line 556

Line 556

(71) LAMANT.

"Ones must it be [UH, it must be T.] asaied, þat is no nay, [Fr.: Vue fois le fault essayer.] Line 557 with suche as be of reputacïoun And of trewe loue the right deuoyr [UT, duetes H.] to paie, Of fre hertis, getyn by due Raunsom; ffor fre will holdeth this opynyon, Line 561 Þat it is grete dures and discomfort To kepe an hert in só streyt a presoun, Þat hathe but on body for [UH, to T.] his disport." Line 564

(72) LA DAME.

"I knowe so many Cases [UT, caases H (causes margin).] meruelos, Line 565 That y must nede, of resoun, thynk certeyn, Þat suche entre [UH, entent T.] is wondre perelous; And yit wele more, the comyng bak ageyn; [bak ageyn H, abak certeyn U, bak certeyn T.] Good or wurship therof is seldon seyn; Line 569 Wherfore y wil not make none suche aray, As for to fynde a plesaunce but bareyn, When it shall coste so dere, þ^e first asay." Line 572

(73) LAMANT.

"ye haue no cause to doute of this matiere, [Fr.: Vous n'auez cause de douter.] [folio 129] Line 573 Nor you to meve with non suche fantasise To putte me far all [all, om. T.] out, as a straunger; ffor youre goodnes can thynk [thynk H, thynke T, thyng U.] and wele avise, Þat y haue made a prefe [prese U.] in euery wise, Line 577 By which my trouth sheweth open evidence: Mi long abidyng and my trew seruice May wele be knowe by playn experience." Line 580

(74) LA DAME.

"Of very right, he may be called trewe, [Fr.: Il se peut loyal appeller.] Line 581 (And so must he be take in euery place) Þat can deserue, and let as he ne knewe, And kepe the good, yf he it may purcháce.

ffor who þat prayeth or sueth in any cace [UH, place T.] Line 585 Right wele ye wot, in [in, om. T.] þat no trouth is preued: Siche hathe ther bene, and [and H, an U.] are, þat geteth [UH, getyn T.] grace, And lese it sone, whan they it haue acheuyd." Line 588

(75) LAMANT.

"yf trouth me cause, bi vertu souerayn, Line 589 To shewe good loue, and all-wey fynde contráry, And cherissh þat at [that H.] slethe me with þ^e payn, Þis is to me a louely aduersarie. when þat pite, which longe aslepe dothe tarye, Line 593 hathe set þ^e fyn of all myn hevynesse, yit her comfort, to me most necessarye, Shuld sette my wille more sure in stabilnesse."

(76) LA DAME.

"Þe [UH, A T.] wofull wight, what may he [ye UT, he H.] thynk or say? [folio 129b] Line 597 Þe contrarie of áll ioye and gladnesse. A seke body, his thought is all away [UH, bodyes thought is alwey T.] ffro hem þat fele no sorow nor sekenes. Þus hertis [hurtes H. Skeat.] bene of dyuerse besynes Line 601 which loue [loue UH, om. T.] hathe putte to right gret hynderaunce, And treuthe also put in foryetfulnes, when they so sore begynne to sigh askaunce." Line 604

(77) LAMANT.

"Now god defende, but he be hauëles [De tous soit celuy deguerpiz.] Line 605 Of all wurship or good þat may befalle, Þat to the wurst turneth, by his lewdenes, A yift of grace, or ony thyng atte all That his lady [his lady H, this lady U, ys T.] vouchesaf vppon hym calle, Line 609 Or cheryssheth [cherysshe TH, cheryssheth U.] hym in honorable wyse! In þat defaut, what-euer he be þat fall, Deserueth [Deserueth H, Derserueth U.] more, then dethe to suffre twyse." Line 612

Line 612

(78) LA DAME.

"There is no Iuge yset of [UH, on T.] suche trespáce, Line 613 By which, of right, one may recouered be; One curseth faste, an-other dotbe manáce, yit dieth non, as fer as y can se, But kepe her cours all-wey, in one degre, [one degre H, oo degre T, ordre U.] Line 617 And euermore [euermore UT, euere newe H.] there labour dothe encrece, To brynge ladise, bi their grete [grete UT, om. H.] sotelte, ffor othirs gilt, in sorow and disese." Line 620

(79) LAMANT.

"All-be-hit [Though hit be T, Al be it H.] so, on do so gret offence, [Fr.: Combien qu on n'arde ne ne pende, p. 518.] [folio 130] Line 621 And be not dede, nor put to no Iuyse, Ryght wele I wot, hym gayneth no deffence, But he must ende in full myschéuous wyse, And all þat euer [euer UH, om. T.] is gode will hym despyse; Line 625 ffor falshode is so full of cursydnesse, That highe [theyr T, her H.] worschip may [may U, om. T, shall H.] never haue enterprise Wher hit rayneth, and hath the wylfulnysse." Line 628

(80) LA DAME.

"Of [Yef T, Off H.] that haue þei [þei haue T, haue þei H.] no gret fere now of [a TH.] dayes, Line 629 Siche as wyll [wyll T, wel U, wil H.] say, and maynten hit þer-to, That stidfast trouth is nothyng for to preyes [preys H.] In hem þat kepe hit longe, for weile or wo. Þaire bysy hertes passen to and fro, Line 633 Þai be so wele reclaymed to the lure, So well lorned hem [hem H, theym T, & U.] to with-holde also, And all to chaunge, when loue schuld best endure."

(81) LAMANT.

"When won hath sett his hert in stable wisse, Line 637 In siche a place which is boeth gude and trewe,

he schuld not flytte, bot do forth his seruyse Alway, with-outen [without the T, withoute H.] chaunge of any newe. As sone as loue by-gynneth to remew. [renew T, remewe H.] Line 641 All plesaunce goth anon, in letel space: As for my party, þat schal I [UT, For my party, al H, that I shal H.] eschewe, Whils þat my [my T, the UH.] sowle abydythe in his place."

(82) LA DAME.

"To loue trewly, ther as ye oght of ryght, [folio 130b] Line 645 ye may not be mysse-taken, dout[ë]lesse, Bot ye be fowle deceyued in your syght, By lyghtly vndurstandyng, as I gesse; yet may ye wel repeale your bysynesse, Line 649 And to resoun, some-what haue átendaunce, myche better þen to abyde, by fole [sole T, foly H.] symplesse, The feble socour [UH, socours T.] of desesperaunce." Line 652

(83) LAMANT.

"Resoun, councell, wysdam, and good avyse Line 653 Bene vndur loue a-restyd [UH, arestyn T.] euerychone,— To which I can acord in euery wyse;— ffor þai be not rebell, bot still as [UH, as a T.] stone; Their will and myne ar [myne ar T, mynd as U, myn ben H.] medeled al in won, Line 657 And þer-with bownden with so stronge a cheyne, That, as in hem, [theym T, heuen U, hem H.] departyng shal be none, But pytë breke the myghty bonde a-tweyn." Line 660

(84) LA DAME.

"Who loueth not hym-selfe, what-euer he be, Line 661 In loue he stant [UH, standeth T.] for-yet in euery place; And, of your woo, if ye haue no pyte, Othirs pyte be-leue not to purcháce, [purches UH.] But bethe fully assurèd in this case, Line 665 I am al-ways vndur on ordynaunce, To haue better: trysteth not after grace, And al þat leueth, [UH, loueth T.] take to your plesaunce." Line 668

Line 668

(85) LAMANT.

"I haue myn hope so sure and so stedfast, [Fr.: I'ay mon esperance fermee.] [folio 131] Line 669 That sich a lady schuld not faile pyte; But now, alas, it is schit vp so fast, That daunger schewth on me his cruelte. And iffe sche se þe [that T, the H.] vertu fayle in me Line 673 Of trew seruyse, þen sche to faile also No wondir wer; but þis is the seurte, I must suffre, which way þat euer hit [I T, it H.] go." Line 676

(86) LA DAME.

"leue [Loue T, Leve H.] this purpos, I rede you for your best; Line 677 ffor, lenger that [UH, the lenger T.] ye kepe hit þus in vayn, The les ye gete, as of your hertës rest, And to reioisse hit, schal ye neuer attayne. When ye abyde goode hope, to make you fayne, Line 681 ye schal be founde a-sotyde [UH, bounde assured T.] in dotage And in the ende, ye scháll know for sertayne, That hope schall pay þe wrecches for þer wage." [þer wage H, your wage T, your waye U.]

(87) LAMANT.

"ye say as fallyth most for your plesaunce, Line 685 And your power is grete; al þis I se; But hope schall neuer out of my Rémembraunce, By which I felt so grete aduersyte. ffor when nature hath set in you plente Line 689 Of all goodnes, by vertu and by [UH, hygh T.] grace, He [He UT, Ne U.] neuer assembled hem, as semyth me, To put pyte out of his dwellyng place." Line 692

(88) LA DAME.

"Pyte of ryght ought [oweth T, aught H.] to be resonáble, [folio 131b] Line 693 And to no wyght of gret disáuauntage: [disauauntaye . . domaye U.] Ther as is nede, hit schuld be [by U, be HT.] profytáble, And to the pytous, schewyng no domage. [disauauntaye . . domaye U.]

Iffe a lady will do so gret outráge Line 697 To schew pyte, and cause her awn debate. Of siche pyte comyth dispytous Rage, And of þe loue also ryght dedly [UH, dewly T.] hate" Line 700

(89) LAMANT.

"To coumfort hem þat lyue [UH, byn T.] all coumfortles, Line 701 That is non harme, but worschip to your name; But ye, þat bere an hert of syche dures, A fair body I-fourmyd [And a fair body formed. Thynne, Skeat.] to the same, Iffe I durst say, ye wyn all þis diffame Line 705 By cruelte, which sittyth you full ylle, But iffe pyte, which may al þis atame, [may . . attame H, may not al þis attame U, all this may attame T.] In your hye hert may reste and tary stylle." Line 708

(90) LA DAME.

"What-euer he be þat saith he loueth me,— Line 709 And paraunter I leue [UH, beleue T.] þat hit be so,— Ough[t] he be wroth, or schuld I [wrother schuld I T, wroth or I schuld U.] blamyd be, Though I did not as he wold haue me do? Iffe I medlyd with siche, or othir mo, Line 713 hit myght be called 'pyte maner-les;' And aftirward, iffe I schuld lyue in wo, Then to repent hit were to late, I gesse." Line 716

(91) LAMANT.

"O marbre [marbil H, marble T.] hert, and yet mor hard [UH, mor hardyr T.] ; pardye, [Ha! cueur plus dur que le noir marbre.] [folio 132] Line 717 Which mercy may not perse, [parte T, perce H.] for no labour, mor strong [UH, stronger T.] to bow then is a myghty tre, What vayleth [UH, avayleth T.] you to schew so gret rygour? please it you mor, to se me dye þis oure Line 721 By-for your yne, [eyne T, yeen H.] for your disport and play, Then for to schew some comfort or socour To respyte dethe, which chaseth me alway?" Line 724

Line 724

(92) LA DAME.

"Of your disease ye may haue á-legeaunce; [allegeaunce T, allegeance H.] Line 725 And as for myn, I lat hit ouer-schake. [UH, slake T.] Also, ye schall not dye for my plesaunce, Nor for your hele [UH, lyfe T.] I cane no suerty make. I wyll [UH, wold.] not hate myn hert for oþer [othyrs T, othirs H.] sake: Line 729 Wepe þei, laghe þei, [UH, or laghe T.] or syng, þis [UH, thus T.] I warant, ffor this mater so wele to [weel to H, wyll I T, wele I U.] vndur-take, Þat none of you schall make þer-of avaunt." Line 732

(93) LAMANT.

"I can no skylle of song: by god allone, Line 733 I haue mor cause to wepe in your presénce; And wel [wel T, wele H, wil U.] I wote, avaunter am I none, ffor certaynly, [UH, in certeyn T.] I loue better sylence. On schuld not loue by his hertis credénce, Line 737 But he wer suer to kepe hit secretly; ffor ávaunter is of no reuerence When þat his tonge is his most enemy." Line 740

(94) LA DAME.

"Male-bouche in court hath gret comaundëment; [folio 132b] Line 741 Ech man studith to say the wurst he may. Thes fals louers, in þis tyme now presént, Thai serue to bost, to Iangle as a Iay. Þe most secret wylle wele þat sum man [men TH.] say Line 745 how he mystristed is on sum partyse; [UH, in . . parte T.] Wherfor, to ladyse what men speke or pray, [UH, wherfor these louers whatsoeuer they say T.] It schuld not be byleuyd in no wyse." Line 748

(95) LAMANT.

"Of good and yll, schall be, and is alway; Line 749 the world is sich; þe erth it is nat playn. Thay þat be good, the preef schewth euery day, And othir-wyse, gret vylany, sertayn.

Is hit reson, þough on his tonge distayn, Line 753 with cursyd spech, to do hym-selfe a schame, Þat such [such T, suche H, sichur U.] refus schuld wrongfully remayn Vpon the good, Renomyd in þair fame?" [UH, renewyd in his name T.] Line 756

(96) LA DAME.

"Sich as be nought, when þai her[e] tydyngs newe, That eche trespace schall lyghtly haue pardon, Thai þat purpósith [purpose T, purposen H.] to be goode and trewe, (Wele set by noble disposicïoun To cóntynue in goode condycïoun) Line 761 Thai ar the first þat fallith [fall T.] in damáge, And full frely þair hertës [UT, theym H.] ábandone To lytell fayth, with soft and fair [UT, faire & softe H.] langage." Line 764

(97) LAMANT.

"Now know I welle, of verrey sertaynete, [folio 133] Line 765 Though [Though TH, Iff U.] on do trowly, yit [yet H, ye T.] shal he be schent, Sith all maner of Iustyce and pyte Is banyscht out of á ladys entent. I can nat se but all is at o stent, [a stent T, oo stente H.] Line 769 Þe good, þe [and TH.] yll, þe vyce, and eke vertu. Sych as be good, schall haue the punyschment ffor the trespace of hem þat beth vntrewe." Line 772

(98) LA DAME.

"I haue no power, you to do [UH, to do you T.] greuaunce, Line 773 Nor to punysch [UH, promyse T.] non oþer crëature; But, to eschewe þe more encoumberaunce, To kepe vs from you [you H, yow T, yois U.] all, I holde hit sure. ffals semblant hath a vysage full demure, Line 777 lyghtly to cache þ^e ladyse in a-wayte; wherfor we must, iffe þat [UH, om. T.] we wyll endure, Make ryght good wache: lo! þis is my conseyt."

(99) LAMANT.

"Sith þat, of grace, o goodly word allone Line 781 May noght be hade, but alway kept in store, I pele [UH, speke T.] to gode, (for he may her my mone,) Of þe duresse which greuythe me so [which . . . so UH, that . . me T.] sore. and of pyte I playne me fordermore, [furthermore T, furthere-more H.] Line 785 which he foryat, in all his ordynaunce, Or elles my lyfe to háue endid by-fore, which he so sone put out of Rémembraunce." Line 788

(100) LA DAME.

"Myn hert, nor I, haue done you no [noo H, om. T.] forfait, [folio 133b] Line 789 By which ye schuld complayne in any kynde. Ther hurtyth you [UH, Then T.] no thyng but your [your TH, ys U.] conseyt: Be Iuge your-selfe; for so ye schall hit fynde. Ons, for alwey, lat þis synke in your mynde: Line 793 Thát ye desir, schall neuer Reioysed be. ye noye me sore, in wastyng all þis [UH, of your T.] wynde; ffor I haue sayd ynoghe, as semythe me." Line 796

(101)

This wofull man rose vp in all his payn, Line 797 And so partyd, with wepyng [UH, heuy T.] countynaunce; his wofull hert, all-most itt brast a [it brest in H, brast in T.] -twayn ffull lyke to dye, forth walkyng [H, walkyng forth UT.] in a traunce, And said, "now, deth, com forth! [UH, deth come forthe and T.] thi-selfe avaunce, Or þat my hart for-yet his propirte; And make schortyr [UT, shorte H.] all þis wofull penaunce Offe my pour lyfe, full of aduersyte!" Line 804

(102)

ffro thens he went, bot whidur wyst I noght, Line 805 Nor to what part he drow, in sothfastnese; But he no mor wasse in his [his UH, om. T.] ladyes thought, ffor to the daunce anon sche gan her dresse.

And afterward,—on [on UH, and T.] told me þus expresse,— Line 809 He rent his here, for anguysch and for payn, And In hym-selfe toke so gret hevynesse, That he wasse dede with-In a day or twayn. Line 812

(103) LENVOY.

ye trew louers, þis [UH, thus T.] I be-seche you all, [folio 134] Line 813 Syche ávauntours, fle [UH, sle T.] hem in euery wyse, And as peple diffamyd, ye hem call, ffor þai, trewly, do you gret preiudyse. Refuse hath mad, for all sich flateryse, Line 817 Hys castels strong, stuffyd with ordynaunce; ffor þai haue hade long tyme, by þair offyce, The hole cuntre of loue in obbeisaunce. Line 820

(104)

And ye, ladyes, or [UH, of T.] what a-state ye be, Line 821 In whome worschip hath chose his dwellyng place, ffor goddes loue, do no sich cruelte, Namly to hem þat haue [haue UT, om. H.] deseruyd grace. Nore [Ner H, Nc T.] in no wyse ne folow not [ye not HT.] the trace Line 825 Of hyr, þat her is namyd [UH, is namyd her T.] ryght-wysly, Which by Reson, me semyth in þis case, May be called "la belle dame sanȝ mercy." [UH, om. T.] Line 828

Explicit.

(105. Sir R. Ros's Envoy, in 4 Stanzas of sevens, ababbcc.)

Go, lytell boke! god send thè good passáge! Line 829 Chese well thy way; be [be TH, by U.] symple of maner! Loke thy clothyng be [be TH, by U.] lyke thy pylgrymage, And specyally, lete þis be [be H, be in T, by U.] thi prayer Vn-to hem all [all UT, om. H.] þat thè wull rede or her, Line 833 'Wher þou art wronge, after þair helpe to call, Thè to corecte in any parte or all.' Line 835

Line 835

(106)

Pray hem also, with thyn humble seruyse, [folio 134b] Line 836 Thi boldënes [boldenesse H, boldnes U.] to pardon in þis case; ffor els þou art not able, in no wyse, To make thi selfe a-pere [appere TH.] in any place. And forþermor, by-seche hem, of þair grace, Line 840 By þair fauour and supportacïoun, To take in gre þis Rude translacioun. Line 842

(107)

The which, got wot, standith full destytute Line 843 Of eloquence, of metre, and of [of H, om. UT.] colours, Lyke as oo [a H. Wilde as a Harl. 372, Ff. I. 6, Camb. Univ.—Skeat.] best, naked, with-out refute, Vpon a playn tabyde [to abyde T, to bide H.] all maner schours. I can no mor, but aske of hem socours, Line 847 At whos request you wer mad [made was H.] in þis wyse, Comaundyng me with body and seruyse. Line 849

(108)

Ryght þus I make an end of þis processe, Line 850 By-sechyng hym þat all hath in baláunce, That no trew man be vexid, causëlesse, As þis man wasse, which is of Rémembraunce; And all þat do þair faithfull óbseruaunce, Line 854 And in þair trouth purpóse hem to endure, I pray god send [sende H, sun U.] hem bettyr áventure. [T, om. U, Qui legit, emendat scriptorem, non reprehendat H.] Line 856

Explicit la bell dame saunce mercy.

A Hymn to the Virgin Mary to preserve King Henry.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 177, back.]

(1)

O blessed mary, ['mayde,' alterd to 'mary.'] the flowre of virgynite! Line 1 O quene of hevyn Imperyall! O empres of hell, and lady of chastyte! To thè obey all aungels celestyall! For the hevynly kyng enteryd thy close virgynall, Line 5 Man to redeme from dedely synne, That, by his deth, hevyn he myght wynne. Line 7

(2)

Hayle, bryght starre of Ierusalem! Line 8 Heyle, ruddy roose of Ierico! Heyle, clerënes of bethlehem! To thè all synners do go, Mercy callyng, and besechyng to & fro, Line 12 Them to dyrect in this stormy se, As thou art parfyte rodde of Iesse. Line 14

(3)

O clerè porte of paradyse! Line 15 O spowse of Salamon so eloquent! O quene of most precyous pryce! Thou art a pyller of feyth excellent! My townge is not suffycïent Line 19 Thy clerënes to comprehende, Yf euery membre a tunge myght extende. Line 21

Line 21

(4)

Heyle flece of gedion, with vertu decorate! Line 22 Heyle plesaunt lyly, most goodly in bewty! Heyle towre of Dauid & vyrgyn immaculat! Redres mans sowle from all mysery, That he may enter the eternal glorye. Line 26 As thou art cyte of god, & sempiternal throne, Here now, blessyd lady, my wofull mone. Line 28

(5)

O plesaunt olyue with grace circundate! Line 29 O lemyng lawmpe, in light passyng nature! How greately is thy name glorificate! To the geuyth praysynges euery creature! As thou art goddys modyr & virgyn pure, Line 33 Graunt to man the blysse eternall When he passith thys lyfe terrestryall! Line 35

(6)

Heyle virgyn mary surmountyng clere tytan; [folio 177b:2] Line 36 Syttyng in hevyn most triumphantly! Heyle blasyng starre withowte peere! I beseche the as thou art moder of mercy, To preserue nobyl kyng herry Line 40 And all hys holy realme, As thou bare Iubyter In bethleem. [[The Wright's Chaste Wife follows, though headed by "A medycine for the tothe ache."]] Line 42

EXPLICIT.

Crentale Sancti Gregorii.

[Brit. Mus. MS. Cott. Calig., A ii., leaf 86, back, col. 2, and MS. Lambeth 306, leaf 110.] [The B. Mus. text is rather earlier than the Lambeth, and is therefore printed here, the chief variations of the Lambeth MS. being put in the notes. See an earlier version in Minor Poems of the Vernon MS., E. E. T. Soc.]

[

A Writt men ffynt, A fayre storye,The Pope hit wrote, Seint gregorye

] A nobull story wryte y fynde, A pope hit wrote to haue yn mynde Of his modur, (& of her lyf) That holden was an holy wyfe, [That al men helden an holy housewyffe] Line 4 Of myrthes sadde, & [So sade of maneres, so] mylde of mode, Þat alle men held [Alle men helden] her holy & gode, Bothe deuowte & [Bonoure devoute so.] mylde of steuen Þat alle men helde her wordy [gesshed hire worthy to] heuen; Line 8 So holy as she was holde of name, Alle men were gladde of her fame, But as holy as she holden was, [Also holy as she was] Þe deuell browȝth her [The Fende it felde] yn a foule cas, Line 12 He trifeled her so [And travailde hir] with his trecherye And ledde her yn lust [into synne] of lecherye: For with lust of lecherye he her [That luste of loue hir so] begylde Tyll she hadde conceyued A chylde. [So ffer that she was with childe.] Line 16 And al so priuely she hit [So privily ner the lees she her] bare That þere-of was no man ware. And, for no mon shuld wyte of þat [witte her] case, A-none as þe chylde born was, Line 20

Line 20 The chylde she slowȝ & wyryede, [Be the necke the child she wriede.] And pryuely she hit [And a-none the childe she] byryede. Þer [Thus] was she combred yn a carefull case, And vnshryuen þer-of she was; [She shewed neuer shryfte þerof, alas!] Line 24 She ne tolde no [She tolde neuer] preste her priuyte, For she wolde holy holden be. [L. transposes this and the line above, and adds,

Alle folke were fayne of hire name,So holy she was holdene, and of gode fame.

Twyes] Efte sones she fell in [hir felle the] þe same case Ryȝth as beforn her be-tydde [as hit be-forne] was. Line 28 For she was comen of hyȝ parage, [price] Of gentyll [Riche] kynne & worþy [gentille] lynage; [L. adds,

Hir sonne was Gregory the pope;Men helden hir holy with alle her hope.

] Þerfore she wolde not her synne [durste she no shryft] shewe, Nor yn schryfte hit be [lest be schreft hir case were] knowe, [L. adds,

So shame maketh men to hide ther shryffte,And lese the grace of god alle-myght,And sethen to lyve synfully,And fallen to dethe sodeynly.

] Line 32 And so here [This womans] dedes were not a-spyed; But afturwarde sodenly [And sothely afterward] she dyed. When she was seyn so sodenly [softly] dye, Men hoped she was yn heuen hye; [fulle hie] Line 36 They helde her [helden hire] so holy & deuowte, Þat of here deth þey made [men had] no dowte, But sykurly men wende y-wys [wenden witterly al to wysse] Þat she was worþy [sett in] heuen blys. Line 40 Then aftur with-Inne a shorte [Ther after. . .litelle] tyme, [folio 87:1] Vpon a day soone aftyr pryme, The pope, as he at his massë [Her Sonne the pope at the mas] stode, Vpon his modur he hadde þowȝt [And of his moder hee trowed but] goode, Line 44 Prayng to god with conciens clere

The soþe to knowë as hit were; [L. omits lines 45, 46.] And sodenly, yn myddës his [the myd] masse, Þer þrowȝ to hym such a [drewe to him a grete] derkenesse Line 48 Þat he lakkede ner [That blacked alle] þe dayës lyȝt, For hit was [And was alse] derkë as mydnyȝt; In þat derkenes was [And in the derknes a] myste among. All a-stonyed he stode, so hit stongke; [L.,

Stonyed he was of a stynche fulle stronge.Ther-of so gresely he was a-gasteThat in swonyng he was alle-moste.

] Line 52 Be-syde he loked vnþur hys lere; In þat derknes a þyng þrew hym [Amiddes the derknes that þat drewe on] nere, A wonþurfull [wonder] grysely creature, Aftur a fend fyred with all her feture, [But as a ffende was hir feture] Line 56 All ragged & rente, boþe elenge & [So ragged so rent and also] euell, As orrybull [dredfulle] to be-holde as any [helle] deuell: Mowthë, facë, [and nose] eres & yes, Brennede all [Flammynge] full of brennyng lyes. Line 60 ¹⁶He was so agast of þat grysyly goste, That yn a swonyng he was almoste; He halsed hit, þorow¹⁶ [^16_16 He asked fullyche bi] goddes myȝte, That þe fende he putte to flyȝte, [That alle deuelis shulde drade by right] Line 64 And be þe vertu of hys blode That for mankynde dyed on Rode, "Sey me sykerly þe soþë [Sey thou me the sothe wel] soone What þou hast [Whate hate thou] yn þis place to done: Line 68 What ys þy cause þou cursed [the cause that þu weked] wreche, Thus at masse me for to [Thus me at masse do der and] drecche?" Þe gost answered with drury [drery] chere "I am þy modur þat þe beere, Line 72 Þat for vnschryuen dedes so [om. so] derne In byttyr paynes þus y brenne."

Then sayde [Tho answerd] þe pope, "alas! Alas! Modur, þis ys to me [My moder this is] a wondur case. Line 76 A! leef [Alas] modur! how may þis be In such paynes [A-Raye] þe for to se? For alle men wende y-wys [Men wendyne witterlyche I-wis] [folio 87:2] That þou hadde bene wordy [were worthi to haue] heuen blys, Line 80 And full good [fulle welle with god] þat þou were To praye for vs þat ben [leven] here. Sey me, modyr, with-outen fayne Why art þou put to all þis payne." Line 84 She sayde, "sone, sykerly [my sonne sothefastlye] I shalle þe telle þe causë why: For y was not such as y semed, But mychë [Butt wecked and] worsë þen men wened; Line 88 I lyuede in lustes [I synned] wykkydly in my lyfe, Of þe whyche y wolde me not [durste me neuer] shryfe;" And [She] tolde hym trewly all þe [her] case Fro þe bygynnyng how þat [From one tille other as] hit wase. Line 92 ¹⁶The pope lette teres a-down Renne, And to his modyr he sayde þen,¹⁶ [^16_16 L. omits these lines.] "Telle me now, modur, for [Sey me, moder, for] loue of mary flour, If any þyng may þe help or [Yf oughte the may save and] sokour? Line 96 ¹⁹Bedes, or masse, þy penaunce to bye, Or ony fastyng þy sorowe to aleye; What crafte, [?MS.; may be 'curste'] or caste, or any oþur þyng The may help, or be þy Releuyng."¹⁹ [^19_19

Wheþer fastynge or pennaunce may þee alegge,Bedis or masses thi peynes to brygge,With cost, and crafte, and other thingeTo the be helpe of Any savynge.

] Line 100 "My [My dere] blessed sone," sayde she, "Full well y hope þat hit may [welle y-holpen y myght] be; Syker & saf myȝth y [Holpen and savide y myghte] be well,

Who-so trewly wolde take a [vnder-toke a trewe] trentell Line 104 Of ten chef festës of [of alle] þe ȝere, To syng for me yn [on] þis manere, Thre masses of crystys natyuyte, And of þe xij day [Epuphanie. L. compresses the next eight lines into four long ones.] oþur þre, Line 108 Thre of our ladyes puryfycacioun, And oþur þre of her Annunciacioun, Thre of crystes gloryous Resurreccioun, And oþer þre of his hyȝ Ascencioun, Line 112 And of pentecoste oþur þre, And þre of þe blessed trinite, And of our ladyes Assumpcioun, oþur þre, And of here Ioyfull natiuite þre; Line 116 These ben þe chefë [tho ilke] festës ten That sokour þe sowles þat ben fro heuenn. [That souerenly socouren synfulle men] "Who so [Whate preeste] sayth þese masses with-out fayle, For synnfulle sowles þey shalle [To . . . they shulden myche] a-vayle; Line 120 Alle A [In one] ȝere, with-outen trayne, [folio 87b:1] They delyuere a sowle [Delyuer sowles] out of payne. Lette say þese masses be ȝour hestes With-Inne þe [euery] vtas of þe [euery] festes; Line 124 And he þat shall þese masses do, Sey [Shalle sey . . too. For the next four lines the Lambeth MS. (fol.112) reads:

Trewly with-owtene ony wereEuery day thorowe-oute the yere;Do hem it to saye euery daye,Or he that dothe thes masses to saye,Whoso wille knowe this orisoun clene,Hit is in Englisshe this myche to mene:Oracio, 'Deus qui es nostra Redempcio'"God, that arte oure verray Redempcioun,To owre Sowlis sothefast saluacioun:That chesest, alle oþer londis be-forne,The lond of hest, in to be borne,And thi dethe suffrest in that same,Delyuere the Soules from helle blame!Brynge hem oute of the fendis bonde,And that londe out of hethen men honde!And that pepille that levith not on the,Throwe thi vertue a-mendide may be,And alle that trustyn on thi merce,Lord, save hem alle for thi pite!"

] he þer-with þis oryson also,

'Deus qui es nostra Redempcio' With alle þe oþur þat longen þer-to." Line 128 The pope was gladde here-of in fay, And to his modur þen gon he say, "Modyr," he sayde, "þis shall be [wille y] do, For y am most bounde [I am a man moste holdynge] þerto; Line 132 Thou were [artte] my modur, I was [am] þy sone; Thys same ȝere hit shall be done; [To synge these masses y shalle not shonne] God graunte me grace to [me moder the] stonde in stede Aȝeyns alle þe synnus þat euur þou dede; Line 136 I commaunde hooly, my [pray the holiche] moder dere, þat þis tyme twelfmoneþ þou to me apere, And hooly to me þy state þou telle, [Holiche thi state to me thowe shewe] That how þou fare y may wyte welle." [faryst I mowe it knowe] Line 140 "My sone," she sayde, "y woll yn fay;" And with þat worde she wente her way. [she vansshede awaye] Day by day [So day from day] þe ȝere gon passe, The pope for-ȝate neuur [lete neuer to say] his masse Line 144 The samë dayes þat were a-syned, To helpe his modur þat was [was soo] pyned; And toke þe orysons all-way þer-to Ryȝth as she bad hym for [As his moder praide him] to do. Line 148 xij moneþ aftur, as he at masse [That time a twelmothe at the masse he] stode, With gret deuocioun & holynesse gode, [Holy in prayers, with devociouns gode] At þat samë tyme full Ryght [And in the same tide a-plight] He sawe a full swetë [wondere sely] syght: Line 152 A comely lady dressed [so dressyd] & dyght, That all þe worlde was not so [alle the place of hir shone] bryȝt, Comely [Comly and] crowned as a qwene,

Twenty Angellys her ladde [Two Angilles helden hir hem] betwene. Line 156 He was so Raueshed [was y-Ravesshede] of þat syght That nyȝ [Allemoste] for Ioye he swoned [felle downe] Ryght; He fell down flatte by-fore [to-for] her fete, Þat deuowtly teres wepynge [Devoute teres ther] he lete, Line 160 And [He] grette here with a mylde steuen, And sayde þere, [om. þere] "lady, qwene of heuen, Modyr of Ihesu, mayde [mylde] marye, [folio 87b:2] For my modyr, mercy I crye." Line 164 ¹⁰At þat worde, with myldë chere She hym answered on þis manere, "Blessed sone,¹⁰ [^10_10 Do way, she saide] I am not she Who wenest þou [Ne whom þu wenest] þat I be; Line 168 But certes, [sothe] as þou seest me here, I am þy modyr þat þe bere, That here by-fore, [Be-forne y ferde] þou wystë well, I was wordy payne yn hell, [Right foule as a deville of helle] Line 172 And now y am such [I Am nowe swiche] as þou seest here, Þorow help of þe [and] vertu of þy prayere; Fro derknesse I dresse to [derknesse in to] blyssë clere; Þe tyme be blessed þat y þe bere! Line 176 And, for þe kyndenesse of [and, sonne, for] þy good dede, Heuen blysse [Sovereyn Ioye] shall be þy mede. And alle þo þat leten þese masses be [this massys this] do, Shall saue hem self & oþur [haue hem selfe and the soules. L. omits the next two lines.] mo; Line 180 Þus may þey helpe her frendes alle That Reche-lesly yn synnë falle: Therfore, sone, þis story þou preche; And almyȝty [My dere sonne] god y þe be-teche." Line 184 ²³At þe endyng of her wordes euen

An Angell her ber yn to heuen: In-to þat placë god vs sende, To dwelle with her with-outen ende! Line 188 ¶ Thys ys þe vertu, y þe telle,²³ [^23_23

When she hadde this saide A-none,The Angelle to hevyn with her con gone;To that place god vs sendeThat wonneth in blysse with-owten ende!Now haue we herd fayre and weleThe vertus (of Seint Gregories trentalle)

] Of seynt gregory trentelle; But who so wyll do hit trewely, [parfitely] He mostë do more sykurly: [therto trewly] Line 192 Þe preste þat þe masse shall [shalle this trentalle] synge, At eche feste þat he doþ hit mynge, [dothe mynde] He moste say with good deuocioun, Ouer [Euery] Euen þe commendacyoun, Line 196 Placebo & dyryge [& the direges he most sey] also, The sowle to brynge out of woo; And also þe salmis [spalmes] seuenne For [That helpeth] to brynge þe sowle to [tille] heuen; Line 200 Among oþur prayeres þey ben [For A-monge alle other they bethe] good To brynge sowles [the soule] fro helle f[l]ode, [flode L. (fode, Cott., is offspring, person).] For euery psalme qwencheth [dothe quynche] a synne As ofte as a man þoth hem mynne. [Any man dothe them be-gynne. L. adds:

And with gode Devocion seith þem to the ende,Then may the soules to hevyn wende;Therfore this Salme haue ye in thought;The xv Salmes for-yete ye nought;The letany also ye haue in mynde,Loke thou leve hit not be-hynde.

] Line 204 Loke [om. Look] with good deuocyon þou hem [hit] say, [folio 88:1] And to alle halewes þat þou [hallowun ther-with to] pray, To [Pray hem to] helpe þe with all her myȝte The sowle [soules] to brynge to heuen bryght Line 208 There euur ys day, and neuur nyght; Cryst graunt vs parte of þat lyght! [vs grace to se that sight] Loke þese [þis] ben sayde alle in fere

Euery day yn [thorowe] þe ȝere; Line 212 Neuer a day þat þou [And euery day loke thou not] for-gete, These to say þou ne [This is to say loke thou not] lette; Also in þe Vtas [In the evtas] of euery feste Al so longe as hit doth [they do] leste— Line 216 Viij^te dayis men callen þe Vtas— Þe preste moste say in his masse, (A nobull orysoun hit ys holde,) Þe colette þat fyrst y of tolde; Line 220 And aftur þe fyrste orysoun, Þer ys an-oþur of gret Renoun Þat to þe sowle ys wonþur swete, Menne calle hit þe 'secrete.' [L. has the side note, Secret[um.] Omnipotcns sempiterne deus.] Line 224 When þe preste hath don [sacred] his masse, Vsed, [And vsid] & his hondes wasche, A-noþur oryson he moste say Þat yn þe boke fynde he may, Line 228 Þe 'post comen' [L. side note, post communionem. Deus cuius nomine (?).] men don hit calle, That helpeth sowles out of þralle; And þat þis be don at eche a feste As þe trentall speketh [That . . . speketh of] moste & leste; Line 232 Then may þou be sykur & certayne [fulle serteyne] To brynge þe sowle out of [sowles oute of her] payne To endeles Ioye, þat lasteth aye, Þat god dyed fore on good fryday. [He vs graunte that for vs Dyed on gode Frydaye.] Line 236 To þat Ioye he [god] vs brynge Þat ys in heuen with-oute endynge! Pray we alle hit may so [that hit so] be, And say Amen for [Amen, Amen per] charyte! [[HERE AFTER FOLOWETH MEDCYNES OF LECHECRAFTE, FOL. 114 L. 'Vrbanitatis' follows in Calig. A ii.: printed in Babees Book, E. E. T. Soc., Orig. Ser. No. 32.]] Line 240

EXPLICIT. [SENT GREGORYS TRENTALLE, L.]

The Adulterous Falmouth Squire.

(A STORY OF TOO SKWYRYS THAT WERE BRETHERN, THE WYCHE DWELLYD HERE YN YNGLOND, YN THE TOUNE OF FAL|MOWTHT, YN DORSETSCHERE; THE TONE WAS DAMPNYD FOR BREKYNG OF HYS WEDLOK, THE TOTHER WAS SAUYD.—Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 110: in a 16th century hand.)

PROLOGUE.

From MS. Ashmole 61, fol. 136.

SIR WILLIAM BASTERDFELD'S WARNING.

All crysten men þat walke by me, Be-hold and se þis dulfull syȝht! It helpys not to calle ne cry, For I ame dampned, a dollfole wyȝht. Line 4 Some tyme in Ingland duellynge— Thys was trew with-outen lesynge— I was callyd sir Wylliam Basterdfeld, knyȝt; Be-were be me, both kynge and knyȝht, Line 8 And amend ȝou whyle ȝe haue space, Fore I haue lost euer-lastynge lyȝht, And þus of mercy cane I gete no grace. When I was now as ȝe be, Line 12 I kepyd neuer oþer lyffe, I spendyd my lyffe in vanyte, I[n] veynglory, bate, and stryffe; Grete othes with me wer fulle ryffe; Line 16 I had no grace me to amend, I sparyd noþer meyd ne wyffe, And þat hath brouȝt me to þis ende. I hade no hape whyll I was here Line 20

Line 20 Forto a-ryse and me repent, Tyll þat I was brouȝt on bere; Than was to late, ffore I was schente. All-wey with þem I ame aweyde, Line 24 In fyre of hell I schall euer be brente; Alas! þis world hath me deseyuede, Fore I had no grace me to amende. In lechery I lede my lyfe, Line 28 Fore I hade gode and gold at wylle; I scleuȝe my selue with-outene knyffe, And of glotony I hade my fylle; In sleuth I ley, and slepyd stylle. Line 32 I was deseyued in a reyste, A dolefulle deth þat dyde me kylle; Than was to late off had-I-wyste. Thus ame I lappyd all a-boute; Line 36 With todys and snaks, as ȝe may se, I ame gnawyne my body a-boute. Alas, alas! full wo is me, It is to late, it will not be! Line 40 I knaw welle women, mor and mynne, Fore hym þat dyȝed fore ȝou and me, Aryse, and rest not in ȝour synne! Fore when I was in my flowres, Line 44 Than was I lyȝht as byrd on brere; There-fore I suffere scharpe schoures, And by þat bergayne wonder dere, And byde in peynes many and sere; Line 48 There-fore þus I make my mone. Now may helpe me no prayere, I have no gode bot god alone. Wo be þei, who so euer þei be, Line 52 And haue þer v wyttes at wylle, And wyll not be-wer be me, And knaw gode thinge fro þ^e ylle. The pore, fore faute late þem not spylle! [folio 136b] Line 56 And ȝe do, ȝour deth is dyȝht;

Ȝoure fals flessch ȝe not fullfylle, Lost with lucyfere fro the lyȝht. In delycate metes I sette my delyte, Line 60 And myȝhty wynes vn-to my pay; That make þis wormys on me to byte, Ther-fore my song is well-y-wey! I myȝht not fast, I wold not praye, Line 64 I thouȝt to amend me in myn age, I droffe euer forth fro dey to dey, There-fore I byde here in þis cage. Thys cage is euer lastynge fyre; Line 68 I ame ordeynd þer-in to duelle; It is me gyuen, fore myne hyre, Euer to bryne in þe pytte of helle. I ame feteryd with þe fendes selle, Line 72 There I a-byde as best in stalle; There is no tonge my care cane telle, Be-were ȝe haue not sych a falle! Alas þat euer I borne was, Line 76 Or modere me bore! why dyde sche so? For I ame lost fore my trespas, And a-byde in euer-lastynge wo; I haue no frend, bot many a fo. Line 80 Be-hold me how þat I ame tourne, Fore I ame rente fro tope to to; Alas þat euer I was borne! Gode broþer, haue me in mynd, Line 84 And thinke how þou schall dyȝe all wey, And to þi soule be not vn-kynde, Remenbyre it boþe nyȝt and dey! Besyly lokë þat þou praye, Line 88 And be-seke þou heuen kynge To saue þe on þat dredfull dey That euery man schall gyffe rekenynge; Fore þer no lordes schall fore þe praye, Line 92 Ne Justys, noþer no mane of lawe; There charter helpys þe not þat dey,

There pletyne is not worth an hawe. God gyue þe grace þi selue to know, Line 96 And euery mane in hys degre! Fare wele! I here an horne blow, I may no lenger byde with þe.

The Story.

(From MS. Lambeth 306, fol. 107-110 (sign l. 3-6, which has no Prologue).

MAn, Frome [MS. Ashmole, fro] myschefe thou þe A-mende, Line 100 And to my talkynge thou take gode hede, Fro synnes vij thou the defende, The leste of all is for to drede; For of the leste y will you speke, Line 104 And for to fabill I will you nought; [fro hell I wyll you tech] Be warë, man, god will him wreke Off him that is cause, spowsode to breke. [his teching do breke] The first Sacrement that euer god made, Line 108 That was wedlok, in gode faye; Kepe [Be-leue] thou hit [þat] with-outë dred, For hit lastith till [þat schall last to] domes daye. For his bonde we may all breke, [This line omitted.] Line 112 His owne worde, and [if] we will halde, To [Tyll] dethë comë that shall wreke, [all shall werke] And be cast in claye full colde. [vs all in cley to fold] The gretter [gretyst] kynge of all the worlde Line 116 By som cause his Crowne may for-gone,— I take witnesse of olde and yenge, [kyng rycherd] Off kynge Sacre and kynge Salamond, [And kynge fabere and Absalome] Off Davit [And kynge Dauyd] that made the Sauter booke, [Add, "For synne þat he dyde with bersabe"] Line 120 Criste of [fro] hym his crowne con [he] take. [Add, "Thus holy wryte tellys me"] [folio 107b]

The grettest Clerke that Euer thou seste, To take hym vnder heuen cope, [This line (not in Lambeth MS.) is from MS. Ashmole.] He may neuer take order of preste, Line 124 But he haue licence [leue] of the pope, And he be getten in bawdre, [vowtry] Or ellis a bastarde he be borne,— This cause I tell well for the, [Thus I canne well telle to ye] — Line 128 The order of preest-hode [preste] he has forlorne. The [And the] begger at the townës ende, To hym wedlok is as fre As to the Ricchest kynge or quene, [þe ryall kyng of kyne] Line 132 For all is but one [a] dignyte. Man, yf thou wist whate it were To take a-noþer then thi wyffe, Thou wolde [woldyst] rather suffre here [it] Line 136 To be quycke [Omitted.] slayne with a knyffe; For yf thou take a-noþer manes wyffe, A wronge aire [eyere] thou moste nedis gett And this (sic) thou bringest iij sowles in stryfe, Line 140 In hellë fyre to bren [ly] and hete. But write thes thingës in thine [wreches thinke in þer] herte That felis the [fele þem] gilty in this case, With shryfte of mouthe and pennaunce smerte, Line 144 They wene ther blis for to vmbrace, [vn brace] But and thei dye a sodeyne dethe With-outen shrefte or penaunce, [repentans] To helle they gone [go] with-outen lese, [lete] Line 148 For thay can chese none oþer chaunse. A gode Ensampill [sampull] y will [þou inserted.] tell; To my talkynge ye [tale if ȝe] take gode [Omitted.] hede, In Falmowthe [felamownte] this case be-fell. Line 152 Thirty wynter be-for [senne] the dethe [folio 108]

Ther dwellyd two breþeren in a [þe] towne, By on Fadir and moder goten and borne, [getyne] Squiers thei were of gret Renowne, Line 156 [This line follows line 154 in MS. Ashmole.] As the story tell [tellys] me by-forne. The elder broþer had a wyfe, The fairest woman in any [all þat] londe, And yett he [Omitted.] vsid a cursid lyfe, Line 160 And brought his [hyre] soule in bitter bonde; He Rought not whate woman he toke, So litell he sett by his spoushode, [wyffe] To [Omitted.] the devill caught him in his [A] croke, Line 164 And with grete myschefe marked his mede. [And marked his mede with, etc.] Thes two breþeren vpon a daye With Enmyse were slayne in fight; The elder to hellë [helle he] toke the waye, Line 168 The yonger to paradicë bright; [ryȝht] And this was knowen in sothefastnes; [sothnes] Herken, [Herkyns] sires, whate y will [schall] saye! Take gode hede bothe more and lasse, Line 172 For godis loue ber this [this tale] a-waye! The elder broþer hade a Sonne to [a] clerke, Well of fyftene wynter of age; [fully xv ȝere of Age] He was wyse & [ryȝht] holy in [in hys] worke, Line 176 To [Tho] hym shulde falle the Eritage. For his Fader he made grete mone, As fallis a gode childe euer [sone] of kynde; Eiche [Euery] nyght to his Fadir grave wolde he gone, Line 180 To [For to] haue his soule in Speciall mynde. [in minde] Thus he prayed bothe day and nyght To god and to his modir dere, Off his Fadyr to haue a Sight, Line 184 To wytt [Omitted.] in whate place that he [he in] were.

The childe that was so nobill and wise [folio 108b] Stode at his Fadir graue at eve; [grauys graue] Ther come in [Omitted.] oone in a white Surplice, Line 188 And priuely toke him by the sleve, And sayd, "Childe, come on with me, [Come onne chyld and go with me] God [For God] hase herde thi prayer; Child, thi Fader thou shalt see, Line 192 Where he brenys [bryneth] in hellë fyre." He led him to A comly hill, The Erthe opened, and in thay yode; [he in ȝede] Smoke and fire ther con [gan þer] oute falle; [welle] Line 196 And many gostis glowinge on glede, [saules glo-wand in glede] In peynes stronge, and troubill with-alle. [This line omitted.] Ther he sawe many Sore turment, How saules were putt in grete pyne; [py[n]inge] Line 200 He sawe his Faþer how he brentt, And by the membrys how that [Omitted.] he henge; [hynge] Fendis black [bold] with Crokis kene Rent his body fro lithe to lyth. [fader fro lyth to leme] Line 204 "Child, þu comyste [conets] thi Fadir to sene, Loke vp nowe, and speke him with." [with him] "Alas, Fadyr, how standis [stand] this case That ye bene in this peynës stronge?" Line 208 "Sonne," he said, "y may sey alas That euer y did thi moder wronge, For she was bothë fayre and gode, And also bothe tresti and trewe. Line 212 Alas! y am [was] worssë than wode Myn ownë balë for to [þer I dyde] brewe." "Fadir, [Wheþer] is ther no [any] Saint in hevyn That ye were wonte to haue in mynde, Line 216 That myght you helpe [lowse] oute of this payne, [prison]

Our lady mary, or some gode frende?" [folio 109] "Sonne, all the saintes that bethe in hevyn, Nor all the Angilles vndir the trinite, [skye] Line 220 For to redde me [one oure space oute] of this payne They haue no power for to helpe [to lyst me] me. Sonne, and [if] euery gresse were a preeste That growith vpon goddis grownde, Line 224 Off this paynes [peyne] that thou me seste Canne neuer makë me vnbounde. Sonne, þu shalt be a preeste, y wote it wele; Onys or this day seven yere— Line 228 Att messe ne [At] matynes, mett ne [ne At] mele,— Thou take me neuer in thi prayer: Loke, Sonne, þu do as Y the saye! Therfor y warne the wele before, Line 232 For euer the lenger [more] þu prayes for me My paynes shall be more and more. Fare wele," he saide, "my derë Sonne, The Fadir of hevyn be-teche y the, Line 236 And warne euery man, where-so þu come, Off wedlok to brekë, [brekynge] ware to be." The Angill be-ganne þe child to lede Oute [Sone oute] of that wrechidly [wrechyd] wone Line 240 In-to a forest was longe in brede; The sonne was vp, and bright it shone. He led him to a fayre Erbere, [arbour] The yatis [pathys] were of clene Cristalle Line 244 That to his sight were passyng fayre. And as [als] bright as any beralle; The wallys semed of gold bright, With dorrys that were high and longe, [dores and with tourys strong] Line 248 Thay harde vpon the yatis on high, [hyht] Mynstralsy and Angelle [with Angelles] songe:— [folio 109b]

The pellycan and the papynjaye, The tymor and the turtill trewe, Line 252 An hondered thousande in [on] her laye, [rewe] The nyghtyngale with notis newe. On a grene hill he sawe a tre, [an hylle] The Savoure [fauour] of hit was stronge & store, Line 256 Pale it was, and wanne of ble, Lost hit had bothe [hat þe] frute and floure. A Ruthefull [reufull] sight that child con see, And of that sight he had grete drede, Line 260 "A! dere [god] lady, howe may this bee, [le] The blode of this tre bledis [lokys] so rede?" The Angill saide, "childe, [Omitted.] this is the tree That God, Adam, the frute for-bede, Line 264 And therfor drevyn oute was hee, And in the Erthe his lyfe to lede. In the same place ther yn feste it blede, [For in the place ther thou seys it spred] Grewe [Grow] the appill that Adam bote, Line 268 And that was thorough Evys rede And the devill of hell, full well y wote. [it knewote] Whan Any Synfull comys here in, As þu sest nowe here [chyld] with me, Line 272 For vengeance of that cursyd Synne, The blode will Ranne [rynneth] oute of the tre." He ladde him forthe vpon a [þe] playne, He was ware of a pynacle pight,— Line 276 Suche on had [saw] he neuer sayne, [none] — Off clothes of gold burneysshed bright; Ther-vnder sate a crëature As [Als] bright as any Sonnë beme, Line 280 Angillis [The angell] did him grete honoure; "Lo, childe," [son] he saide, "this is thy neme; Ther, Faþer [Thy feyr] broþer thou may senne in heuen, [Omitted.]

In heuen [heuens] blissë with-oute Ende; Line 284 So myght thi Faþer hauë [well a] bene And he to wedlock had ben kynde, But [Omitted.] therfor he has getten him helle Endles in the [þat] depe dongeon Line 288 Ther euer more for to dwelle; Fro that place is þer no [in helle is no] Redempcion." Man, from myschefe thou [Omitted.] þe a-mende, And þu may sitt full [all] safe from care: Line 292 From dedely synne thou [god] the defende, And stryghte to [And vnto] blisse thi soule shall fare. [¹⁰A story of too skwyrys that were brethern, the whyche dwellyd here yn ynglond, yn the towne of Falmowtht, yn Dorsetschere; the tone was dampnyd for brekyng of hys wedlok, the tother was sauyd.¹⁰] [HERE FOLOWITH SENT GREGORIS TRENTALLE.¹⁰ [^10_10 These words are in a later hand.] ]

EXPLICIT.

Jhesu, Mercy for my Mysdede! A DEUOYT MEDITACIONE.

[Trin. Coll. Cambridge, B. 10, 12, leaf 53. Date of MS. about 1450.] [22 stanzas of eights, abab, cdcd.]

(1)

Ihesu, mercy! mercy, I cry: myn vgly synnes þou me forgyfe. þ^e werlde, my flesch, þ^e fende, felly þai me besale both strange & styfe; Line 4 I hafe ful oft to þaim consent, & so to do it is gret drede; I ask mercy with gud entent; Ihesu, mercy for my mysdede! Line 8

(2)

Þe werlde thurgh his fals couetyse, þ^e fende with pryde, wreth, ire, envy, I hafe, ihesu, bene fylde oft sythys, my flesche with slewth & lychery, Line 12 And oþere many ful gret synnes: with repentance, ihesu, me fede, for euere my tyme opon me rynnes: Ihesu, mercy for my myse-dede! Line 16

(3)

Turne not þi face, ihesu, fro me, þof I be werst in my lyfynge; I ask mekely mercy of þe, for þi mercy passes al thynge. Line 20 In þi fyue woundes þou sett my hert, þat for mankynde on rode walde blede, & for þi dede vgly & smert, Ihesu, mercy for [my [Omitted in MS.] ] myse-dede! Line 24

Line 24

(4)

To þi lyknes þou has me made; þe for to lufe þou gyfe me grace! þou art þ^e lufe þat neuere [folio 53b] sal fade; mercy I ask whils I hafe space. Line 28 I tryst ihesu of forgyfnes of al my synnes, þat is my crede; I me betake to þi gudnes; ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 32

(5)

Als touchande grace, bot ask & hafe: þus has þou het in þi beheste, þarfor sum grace on þe I crafe; with outen grace I am bot beste, Line 36 & warre þan beste defyled with syne; þou graunt þat grace may in me brede, þat y [Inserted in a different hand.] þi lufe, ihesu, myȝt wynn: Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 40

(6)

Al worldely lufe is vanite; bot lufe of þ^e passes al thynge. þar is no lufe with outen þe; & þe to lufe I aske syghynge. Line 44 Ihesu, me graunt lufe þ^e forthy, & in þi law, ihesu, me lede. þat I myslufede, I aske mercy: Ihesu, mercy for my mysdede! Line 48

(7)

It is of þ^e for to forgyfe alkyn tryspas both more & mynn; It is of me, whyls I here lyfe, or more or lesse ilke day to synne, Line 52 And of þ^e fende to duell þer in: þou gyfe me grace to take gud hede þat I þi lufe, ihesu, myght wynne! Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 56

Line 56

(8)

Dispyce me noȝt, swete lorde ihesu, I am þ^e warke of þin aghen hende, þof I hafe bene to þe vntrew; Ihesu, þou kan me sone amende; Line 60 þou has me made to þi lyknes, thurgh synne I hafe loste heuenly mede; Now, lorde, I aske of þi gudenes, Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 64

(9)

þow walde be borne for synful man, for syn þou take no wreke on [folio 54] me. . . . . . . . . . . [no gap in MS.] Line 68 My comforth be þi harde passione; Ihesu, þer of hafe I gret nede; For synne þou graunt me contrycione: Ihesu, mercy for mysdede! Line 72

(10)

After my dedes þou deme me noȝt; after mercy þou do to me; If þou me deme als I hafe wroght, in bytter payns I drede to be. Line 76 My lyfe to mende, & hafe mercy, my lorde ihesu, þou be my spede, luf þ^e, & drede, þat syttis on hy: Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 80

(11)

If I had done ilke cursed warke, & alken synnes wer wroȝt in me, þou may þaim sleke, als is a sparke when it is put in myddes þ^e see; Line 84 & þar may no man sleke my myse bot þou, ihesu, of þi godhede; when þou wouchesafe, þou sone forgyfese: Ihesu, mercy for my mysdede! Line 88

Line 88

(12)

Who sal þe loue in fynyal blyse bot trow mankynde & angels fre? Myne heretage forsoth þat is: thurgh gude lyfeynge & grace of þe, Line 92 þou me restore vnto þat blyse; beholde frelete of my manhede þat makes me oft to do of myse: Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 96

(13)

Þo[u] wil no dede of synful man: þus says þou, lorde, in haly wryt; Ful wele wote þou coueytis þan he turne his lyfe & sone mende it: Line 100 þou gyfe me grace my lyfe to mende, beswylede in synn als wyckede wede; graunt me þi lufe with outen ende: Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 104

(14)

Þow art my god, I þ^e honour; þou art þ^e sone of maydyn & moder, [folio 54b] In my dysese þou me succure þou art my lorde, þou art my brother; Line 108 þou sal me deme, my cryatour, when vp sal ryse euere ilke a lede. Mercy, ihesu, my sauyour! Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 112

(15)

Þou helpe me, lorde, in my dysese, þat walde susan helpe in hir tyme; Ful gret clamour þan gon þou pese when scho acusede was of crime. Line 116 þou sett my saule, myn hert, in ese, þ^e fende to flee & his falshede, & soferandely þ^e for to plese: Ihesu, mercy for my mysedede! Line 120

Line 120

(16)

In my baptym I mayde beheste þ^e for to serue lelely & wele; Of þi seruyse oft hafe I seste, with synnes thowsandes serued vnsele; Line 124 Bot þi mercy nedes moste be sene þer moste synn is & wyckededede; þ^e moste synful I am, I wene; Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 128

(17)

For synful man walde þou be borne; for ryghtwys not þou wil recorde; when man had synnede, he was forlorne, & þan him kyndely þou restorde; Line 132 þou sufferde paynes corōnde with thorne, nakede with outen clath or schrede, with mykel sorue þi body torne: Ihesu, mercy for my mysdede! Line 136

(18)

Þou art my hope, my way ful sure, ay lastande hele, both streng[t]h & pese; þou art pyte þat ay sal dure; þou art gudenes þat neuer sal sese; Line 140 þou art clennes, both mylde & mure; me þ^e displese, ihesu, for bede, Als þou was borne of virgyne [folio 55] pure: ihesu, mercy for my myse dede. Line 144

(19)

Þou byddes ilke man ȝelde gud for ille, not il for il to ȝelde agayne; þan I beseke þe þat þou wil graunt me mercy in stede of payne! Line 148 þou me forgyfe, & mercy graunt, & in my saule þou sawe þi sede, þat I may, lorde, make myne auaunt: Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 152

Line 152

(20)

Bot, worthy lorde, to þ^e I cry, & I in syne stande obstynate; þarfore þou heres noȝt me forthy, þou wil noȝt here me in þat state. Line 156 þou gyfe me grace lefe my foly, & fe[r]uently þ^e lufe & drede, þan wate I wele I get mercy: Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Line 160

(21)

Noght euere-ilke man þat cales þ^e lorde or mercy askes, sal hafe þi blise, his consciencȝ bot he remorde, & wirke þi wil, & mende his lyfe. Line 164 to blyse sal I sone be restorede if I my saule þusgates wil fede; Of þi mercy late me recorde: ihesu, mercy for my mysedede! Line 168

(22)

I me betake to þi mercy þat mercy gyffes to synful men; þou kepe me, lorde, for I sal dye, & wot neuere whore, ne how, ne when. Line 172 In þi hote lufe me graunt to brene, & þat lesson trewly to rede; Mercy þou graunt! amen! amen! Ihesu, mercy for my myse dede! Amen! Line 176

Alya Cantica.

[Trin. Coll. Cambridge, B. 10. 12, leaf 55. Date of MS. about 1450.] [5 stanzas of eights, abab, abab.]

(1)

Ihesu, þi name honourde myȝt be with al þat any lyfe is in. Nou, swet ihesu, als þou made me, þou kepe me ay fro dedely synne! Line 4 Ihesu, þ^e sone of mary fre, þe ioy of heuen þou graunt me wynne; [folio 55b] My saule, ihesu, take I to þe when my body & it sal twynne. Line 8

(2)

Ihesu, þi name in me be sett als þou art kynnge & lorde of lyght, & graunt me grace ai bett & bett my lyfe to mende & lyf ay ryght. Line 12 Ihesu, þi sydes with blode war wett, & dulefully for me war dyght; þou kepe me oute of syne & dett, now, swete ihesu, ay moste of myght! Line 16

(3)

Ihesu, þi name is hegh to neuen, & ȝit I, katyfe, cry & kall, Ihesu, me helpe & brynge to heuen with þ^e to won my synful sall. Line 20 Myghty ihesu, þou here my steuen als þou me boght when I was thrall, & forgyfe me þ^e synnes seuen, for I am gilty in þaim all. Line 24

Line 24

(4)

Ihesu, my lufe & my lykynge, for euere more blyste mot þou be. Mi lufely lorde, my dere darlynge, ful wer me [fayne [Omitted in the MS.] ] myght I þe se. Line 28 Ihesu, my lorde, þou gar me synge a lufely kynge is comen to me; My swete swetnes of alkyn thynge, my hope & tryste is al in þe. Line 32

(5)

Ihesu, me helpe euere more at nede, & fro þ^e fende þou me defende; þou sett my saule in lufe & drede, & al my myse þat I may mende. Line 36 Ihesu, þi blude þat þou walde blede, fro þis fals lyfe or þat I wende þou wesche a way al my mysdede, & graunt me blyse with outen ende. Amen.

Whi art thow froward sith I am Merciable.

[5 stanzas of eights, abab, bcbc.]

[MS. Univ. Libr. Camb., Hh. iv. 12. leaf 85 a; handwriting of the 15th century. In every case a stroke is drawn over the final on. Sometimes the preceding i is omitted, in which case it is here inserted in italics.]

In cruce sum pro te, qui peccas; desine, pro me, Desine; do veniam; dic culpam, retraho penam.

(1)

¶ "Vpon a crosse naylyd I was for the, Soffred deth to pay thy rawinson; [or, rawmson] Forsake thy synnë for the loffe of me, Be répentant, mak playne confessïon. Line 4 To contrite hertis I do remissïon; Be nat dispayryd, for I am not vengeáble; Gayn gostly enmys thynk on my passion; Whi art thow froward, sith I am merciáble? Line 8

(2)

¶ "My blody woundis downe raylyng by thys tre, loke on hem well, and haf compassïon; The crowne of thorne, þ^e spere, and nailys thre Percyd hand and fote of indignacion, Line 12 Myn hert ryuen for thy redempcïon; lat us tweyn in thys thyng be greáble, loffe for loff, by iust conuencïon; whi art thow froward, sith I am merciáble? Line 16

Line 16

(3)

¶ "I had, on petyr and magdaleyne, pite For the gret constrent of there contricion; [folio 85b] Gayne thomas Indès incredulite, he put hys [hand] [A word is here lost.] depe in my side adowne; Line 20 Rolle up thys mater, graue it in thy reson; Sith I am kynd, why art þou so vnstable? My blod, best triacle for thy tran[s]gression; Whi art thow froward, sith I am merciáble? Line 24

(4)

¶ "Thynk, a-gayne pride, on myn humilete; Ren to scole, record well thys lesson; Gayn fals enuy, thynk on my charite, My blode all spilt by distillacïon; Line 28 whi did I thys? to safe the fro prisoune; afforne thyn hert, hang thys lityll table, Swetter than bawme gayn all gostly poyson; Be þow not froward, sith I am merciáble." Line 32

(5)

¶ "lord, on synfull knelyng on ther knee, Thi deth remembryng of humble affeccion, O ihesu, grant of thy benignite, That tho .v. wellys ple[n]teuose of fuyson, Line 36 Callyd thy .v. wowndis by computacion, May wach in vs all surfetis réproueáble. Now, for thy moders meke meditacion, At hyr request, be to us merciáble." [NOTES.—L. 11, Nailys Thre, because one was put through the two feet, and one through each hand. L. 19, Thomas Indes:— Thomas was said in old legends to have preached in India; see "The Complaynt of Criste" in this volume, l. 58, and Piers Plowman (vol. ii. p. 405, l. 13283), "Thaddee and ten mo: with Thomas of Inde."] Line 40

EXPLICIT.

Incypyt the Stacyons of Rome.

[Cott. Calig. A. ii. leaf 83, and Lambeth 306, leaf 152, back. The text, to line 553, is that of the Cotton MS.: the readings of the Lambeth MS. are in the notes.]

He þat wyll hys sowlë [wolle be his soullis] leche, Lysteneth to me, and y woll ȝou teche. Pardon ys þe sowlë [sowelys] bote, At gretë Rome þer ys þe Rote: Line 4 Pardon, yn frensh a worde hit ys, [Pardon, A worde in trouthe is] Forȝeuënesse of synnes y-wys. The [A] Duches of troye þat sum tyme [whilom there] was, To Rome she come with grete pres; [moche solace.] Line 8 Of hyr came Romyrus [Remus] & Romulus Of whom Rome ys cleped ȝyt y-wys: [clepyd thus] Hethen hit was, & cristened [Rome was hethene, and crystene] nowȝt Tyll petyr and paule hadde hit bowȝt, Line 12 Wyth golde, syluere, ne [Neydur with syluer, neydur] with good, But with her flesh & [and with] her blode, For þer þey suffrede bothë dethe, [to be dede] Here sowles to savë fro þe qweþe. [to save her soule from the qweede. L. omits the next eight lines.] Line 16 In Rome Y shall ȝou steuene And honþred kyrkes fowrty and seuen; Chapelles þer ben many mo, Tenne þowsand & fyfe; also Line 20 A-bowte þe wall, to & fowrty, Grete towres þre hondredde & syxty, Fowr & twenty gret ȝates þer be Pryncypall ouur oþur, y tell þe. Line 24

Line 24 ¶ At seynt petur whe shall be-gynne To telle of pardon þat slaketh [the pardon þat quenchithe] synne: A fayr mynstyr men may þer [there þou myght] se, Nyne and twenty grecys þer be; [xxxix Auters there be spesyally.] Line 28 And al so ofte [As ofte] as þou gost vp or downe, Begynneth of gode [Be cause of] deuocyoun Thow sha[l]t haue at eche a gree, [shalt . . degree.] — Man or wommon wheþur þou bee,— Line 32 Seuenne ȝere of [to] pardon, And þer-to goddes benysoun; [And of thy synnes Remyssyon. The next two lines are,

Pope Alysaundur grauntythe all and someto all theyme that thyddur come;

and the next eight lines are omitted.] Pope Alyxandur hit graunted at Rome, To man or womman þat dedur come. Line 36 A-bouenne þe grece, as þou shalt gone, Stondeth a chapell hym self a-lone, In þe whych song petur his fyrst masse, As þe Romaynis seyn, more & lasse. Line 40 As often as þou wylt þydur come, [folio 83b] Seuenne þowsand ȝer þou getest of pardon; And as mony lentones mo Euery day ȝyf þou wylt þedur go. Line 44 In þat mynster may þou [þou mayste] fynde An hounþred [fowre score] Auters by-fore & be-hynde; And when þe [Alle the] Auters halowed were, xxiiij [xviij] ȝere, & so mony lentones more [lenttis by-foore] Line 48 He ȝaf & graunted to [of] pardon, And ther-to goddes [crystys] benesoun. A-mong þe auters vij þer be More of grace & [moste of grace and of] dyngnyte: Line 52 The Auter of þe Vernake ys þat on, [is one] Vpon þe Ryȝth hond as þou shalt gon;

¹The secounde, yn honour of our lady ys; The þrydde, of seynt symon y-wys; Line 56 The iiij, of seynt Andrew þou shalt haue; Þe .v. of seynt gregour, þer he lys yn graue;¹ [^1_1

þe secunde is symonde & Iude, þou myght haue,there of seynt gregorye there he is grave.the iiij^te of oure ladye I-wys,of whome the covent syngithe messe;the fyvithe of seynt Andrewe is.

] The syxte, of seynt leon þe pope, [leo papa I-wys. L. omits the next seven lines, and transposes the eighth and ninth, reading doo for done, to ryme with also.] There he song masse yn his cope; Line 60 Of þe holy crosse þe seuennyþ ys, In þe whych no wommon cometh ywys. At eche on of þese Auteres þere Is euery tyme, of pardon vij ȝere, Line 64 And as mony lentones mo To all þat wyll deþur goo, At þe hyȝ Auter þer petur ys done, Pope gregory graunteth a pardon Line 68 Of synnis for-gyffenne & oþes [for-yeett and odur] Also, Seuenne & twenty ȝere [MS. ȝef; L and vij yere. Lambeth has, 'And vij ȝere he grauntythe therto.'] he ȝaf þer-to, Fro holy þorsday yn-to [vnto] lammes Is [om. Is] euery day more & lasse, Line 72 Fowrtene [there is xiiij] þowsand ȝere. To all þat cometh to þat mynstere [to alle men that comys there] ⁹On our lady day þe Assumpcioun Is a þowsand ȝer of pardon. Line 76 On seynt petur & powle day Þat⁹ [^9_9 Of seynt Martyn the xviij daye this] mynster was halowed, as [as om.] y say, Þen ys þer xiiij [is vij] þowsand ȝer & le[n]tons [lenttis] þer-to, & þe þrydde part of þy [þy om.] penauns vndo. Line 80 When þe vernacull shewed ys, [folio 83b:2] Gret pardon for soþe þer ys, [is there I-wys] Fowr þowsand ȝere, as y ȝou [thre thowesande yere the] telle,

To men þat yn þe cyte [to hem that in Rome] dwelle; Line 84 And men þat dwellen be-sydwarde, [And they that were thyddyrwarde] ix þowsand ȝer shall be here [is theyre] part; And þou þat passen [yff thowe passe] ouur þe see, xij þowsand ȝere ys graunted þe; Line 88 And þer-to þou shalt haue more, [shalt wynne] Þe þrydde parte forȝeuenesse of þy sore. [For-yevenes of all thy synne.] In lenton ys more [lent that holy] grace; ⁸Eche pardoun ys dowbled yn þat⁸ [^8_8 is dowbylde in eche place beethe Idoone] place. Line 92 In þat place þer be done Holy bonës mony on, Of petur, powle, & saynt [Iude and] symon, Seynt Iude, [and of sent] gregour, and leon, Line 96 [L. inserts,

Seynt Iohn and seynt Boneface,Proscesse and Martyn in that place.

See 171/841.] Seynt parnell þat holy vyrgyn, And seynt Sythe [sythi L, sythe C.] þat þoled [suffyrde] pyne, And mony mo þer are yn fere [bethe I fere] Þat to Ihesu beth [been to cryst] leue & dere: Line 100 ¹⁶No mon kan þe soþë say. Þerfore passe we forth an oþur way¹⁶ [^16_16

Nowe passe we forthe in oure wayethat we mowe the sothe saye

] To seynt powle, as y wene, Fowr myle ys holden [been] be-twene; Line 104 In þat place [waye] ys grette pardon, And of many synnis [of synnes] remyssyoun; Sawle was his nome [name] by-fore, Syth þe tyme þat he was bore; [frome that tyme he was I-boore] Line 108 Heþen he was, & cristened noȝth, [he was hethen and crystyn nought] Tyll criste hit putte yn [hit in] his þowȝth; And þat holy mon Ananyas [an holy man Amas] Crystened hym þorow [by] goddis grace, Line 112

Line 112 And called [clepyd] hym paule, petur brodur, Þat eche of hem shuld [Ech one of them to] comforte oþur; And yn þe worshyp of þat [In that Ilke] conuercyoun ys graunted a M^lle [Is an hundyrde] ȝere of pardon, Line 116 And at þe feste of his day Two [A] M^lle ȝere haue þou may. [I the saye] On chyldermasse day yn [at] cristemasse Is iiij M^lle ȝere to [Be xl. yere more] more & lasse; Line 120 ⁹And on seynt Martyn, þe viij day, [folio 184] That mynster was halewed as y ȝou say, Ther ys xiiij þowsand ȝere, & lentones þer-to, And þe þrydde part of þy penauns vn-do.⁹ [^9_9 omitted] Line 124 And ȝyf þou be þere all þe ȝer, Eche a day [soneday] yn þat mynster, ¹¹Thow shalt have as moche pardon As þou to seynt Iame wolde gon.¹¹ [^11_11

thowe hatt pardone all and someas thowe to seynt Iamis had gon & comyn.

] Line 128 ¶ Her may we no lengur be; [nat longe dwelle] To saynt Anastase moste we; [of seynt Austyn must I telle] Two myle þer ys [I holde] be-twene, Of fayr way & of clene; [Fulle fayre wayes and a green] Line 132 And eche a day ȝyf þou wolte trace, [crave] Seuenne M^lle ȝere þer þou hase; [viii. Ml yere þou myghttis have. L. omits the next two lines.] And þer-to shalt þou have also The þrydde parte of þy penaunce vn-do. Line 136 Pope vrban, þat holy syre, So rewardeth men for here [hathe rewardede men her] hyre; Tho þat ben shryuen & verry [yf men be shreffe and] contryte, Of all here synnes he maketh [alle Synnes god make] hem qwyte. [L. inserts,

to alle thoo that ar RedyeIn alle þe festis of oure ladye,of pere, powle, and seynt Iohn,Evangelystis baptysyde, & many one,of mary mawdelyn, and kateryne,Seynt Marget, Annes þe holy vyrgynethre thowesande and fyffty yereof penaunce ben for-yevyn there;Syluestre and gregory and odur moo,pope Nicholas confermethe thoo.

] Line 140

Line 140 Pope siluestur ȝaf [gregorye] to pylgrymes That þydur come yn þere [comyth by dyuers] tymes, Penans broken, & othes also, His holy help he putte [hande of helpe he doþe] þer-to; Line 144 Wrathyng [Wrathe] of fadur & modur, ȝyf hit be, In goddes name he for-ȝeueþ hit þe, So þou smyte not with þyn [So that þou smyttyst hym nat with] honde; Ryȝth so hit ys, I vnþerstonde. [And thus hit is to vndyrstande] Line 148 Be-fore þat [a] dore stondeth a stone, Seynt powle [powelys] hedde was layde þer-on; A traytur [tyraunt] smote of his hede With a swerde þat þer-by ys [swerde there is] layde; Line 152 Ther sprong welles þre,— Who so ys þere, well may hit [L. his C, comythe there he may] se,— Of watyr both fayr [In that watyr that is ffresche] & good, Menne & wymmen haue þer boote. Line 156 In þat place a chapell ys, 'Scala cely' called hit ys, [celi I-clepyd I-wys] 'Laddere of heuen' men clepeþ hit In honour of our lady, be my wytte. [hit is sett] Line 160 ¹⁵Ther ys two chapelles of her more, [folio 84:2] As menne in Rome tellys þore;¹⁵ [^15_15

the seconde chapelle, I telle the,In the name of her þer þou myght see

] Manye ys þe holy bone [boowe] That vnþur þe hyȝ awter ys done; [that on to the Anters men dothe vowe] Line 164 Ten þowsand Marteres, with honour, In þe tyme of tyberye [In tyme of tybyan] þe emperour, They suffred deth all yn Rome, [Suffyrde dethe alle and some] Her sowles yn [to] heuenne for to wone. [come] Line 168 Þer men may helpe boþe [om. boþe] qwykke & dede,

As clerkes yn her [om. her] bokes Rede; ² [^2_2

forty and viij popys grauntythe thanthat lyethe at seynt Bastyan;pope syluestre, Orban, and benett,seynt leo, and clement, confermythe hit.

] Who-so syngeþ masse yn þat chappell For any frend, he loseþ hym fro hell, Line 172 He may hym brynge þorow purgatory y-wys In-to þe blys of paradys, Ther sowles abyde tyll domis day In mychë Ioye, as y ȝou say; Line 176 And iij M^lle ȝer ar graunted more Of holy popes þat have ben þore: And syx popes graunted þat þanne That lyen at seynt sebastyan, Line 180 Pope vrban, siluester, & benet, Lyon, Clement, confermed hyt. ¶ Passe we forth on our ȝate [nowe passe . . with devocyon] To saynt marye Annuncyate; [Annunciacyone] Line 184 Two myle ys bytwene, [there be] y vnþurstonde, But þey be somdele large & [L. omits large &] longe. Ther [that] ys wryten, as y ouȝ say, Of owr lady yn þe [that] way, Line 188 Down she come with angelus To a brodur of þat hows, [

A downe she come in to þat place,to a frere, by goddis grace.

] And sayde to hym þat, eche manne That out of dedely synne þydur camme, [woulde come] Line 192 Fro þe fyr [frome fyre] of hell she wold hym shylde, As she was mayden & modur mylde. ¹²And þis pardon papes han graunted To hem þat ben verry Repentaunt: Line 196 Fyfe hondereth ȝer of pardon, And þer-to goddes benyson.¹² [^12_12 omitted in L.] ¶ To fabyane & bastyane moste [sebastyan passe] we, Thyþur haue we mylës þre. Line 200

Line 200 An Angell from heuenne þydur [om. þydur] kamme [folio 84b] To seynt gregory, þat holy manne, As he songe masse at þe [sange at an] Aweter Of seynt fabyane, þat [of Sebastyan the] holy martyr, Line 204 And seyde, 'her yn þys place Is lyȝth [is in this place lyght] of heuen þorow [by] goddis grace, And of mony synnes Remyssyoun;' And fowrty ȝer of pardon, Line 208 And also mony lentones [as many lenttis] mo, Pope Gelacyus ȝaf [glasius hathe grauntede] þer-to. As moche pardon ys there As yn [is at] saynt petur mynstere, Line 212 By cause of [that is for] þe holy bones That were buryed þer [alle] at ones. And þer lay petur & powle vnþur [There petur and poule laye vndur] grounde Fyfe [vij] hondred ȝer er [afore] þey were founde; Line 216 And aftur-warde, [than] þorow goddes grace, They wer founden yn þat place [L. inserts, lf. 155,

In tyme of glasius the pope,with-owten dowte this is hepe,and than with grete devosyonthey were broughte to Rome towne,And worshupped with gret solempnyte.

] As þey Awȝtë [oughte wele] for to be. ¹⁷Pope pelagyus, y telle þe, Line 220 (Of syxe popys telle y wyll, On aftur an oþur, as hit ys skyll,)¹⁷ [^17_17

Of odyr popes I telle the,And so forthe of odyr three,pope Gelasius as hit is see.

] Gregory, Syluester, þer ben [and syluester this is] þre; Alysaunder & nycholl, þer ben fyue; Line 224 Honoryus was þe sixte whyll he was alyue. [H. the sixte in his lyue] Eche on hem ȝaf hys grace, A þowsand ȝer yn þat place, To all þat þer [tho that there haue] bene Line 228 Of dedely synnë shryuen clene;

For ellis¹ hit may not his sowle vaylen, Of deedly synne but he be shryuen.¹ [^1_1

thy soule may nought lyveBut thowe of dedly synne be shryue

] A lytyll besyde þou may [be-hynde þou myghte] go, Line 232 There standes a chapell yn a Roo; [standythe . . . woo] Six [thre] & fowrty popes somtyme were Verrey marteres, & lyen [that lyythe] þere, Eche of hem ȝaf his benyson: [L. inserts, There is playne Remyssyon, and leaves out l. 239, 'Forȝeuenesse,' etc.] Line 236 Of all þe synnes þat þou haste done Synne þou yn to þe [Sythe in to this] worlde kom, [folio 84b:2] Forȝeuenesse hast þou þer a-non, All hit [that] ys forȝeuen þe; Line 240 So harde y a clerke say þat þer hadde [and alle odyr that there] be. And ȝyf þou dye dydurward, [thyddyr-warde] Heuenne blys shall be þy part; ¹¹Thow shalt go as derk as nyȝt, Line 244 And þerfore þou most haue condell lyȝt,¹¹ [^11_11

But þou must haue candyllyghteOr ellis þou goest as derke as nyghte.

] For vnþur þe erþe þou most wende, Þou shalt not see [see L., om. C.] be-fore ny be-hynde; For þydur fledde mony a [holy] man, Line 248 For drede of deth to saue hem, And suffred payne [Suffyr paynes] harde & sore, In heuen to dwelle for euur more, ¶ To þe palme wyll we goo, [Now weende wee to þe palmete] Line 252 'Domine quo uadys,' men clepe hit so, And þer mette petur [there petur mett] with Ihesu, And sayde, "lord, wheþur [whyddyr] wylt þou?" Cryste Answered to petur þo, Line 256 "In-to Rome," he sayde, "y [A-yeen I wylle] go, Efte to dye on [on þe] Rode for þe, For [Petyr] þou dredest to dye for me." "Lorde," he sayde, "mercy y cry, Line 260

Line 260 To take þe deth [to dye for the] y am Redy." Ther ys ȝette a syne of his [crystis] fote On a marbull stone þer as [Vppon the marble there] he stode; ⁴Eche a day, a þowsand ȝer Line 264 Of pardon þou may haue þer; ¶ In a stone ys wryten, gret pardon Ther ys, of synnis Remyssyoun At seynt Iohn þe porte latyn Line 268 Is a chapell fayr & fyn; At þe feste of his day A sowle fro purgatorye wynne þou may; And euery day, ȝyf þou wylt craue, Line 272 Fyfe hondred ȝere þer may þou haue, He þat goth yn-to þat place Where he yn oyle soden was, The power ys of crystis graunt Line 276 To hem þat be verry Repentaunt. ¶ At⁴ [^4_4

that stoone is vndyr An AwterPalysyd with Iren and stele,—that is for drede of stelynge,that no man shoulde hit A-way bryng;—As offt as thowe comyst thare,xl thowesande yere þou hast thare.At seynt Iohn porte latyneSoulys þou myghte brynge owte of pyneIn the daye of the feste of hym,As þou shalt fynde hit wryttyn,In honowre of . . . . .

] saynte Thomas of ynde [folio 85] A kyrke þou may þer [fayre place þou mayst] fynde; Putte to [thyddyr] þy honde with [of] Almesdede Line 280 (And þou shat haue [shalt have þerfor] gret mede,) To helpe hem þat ben there In þe [this] holy lond or elles where, Nyȝte & day to [they] pray for the Line 284 For þe help of the [For help of thy] charyte; Of mony popes þat þer haue [And . . þat hathe] be Thys pardon ys granted clene to þe, [graunttyd thee]

Fourtene M^lle ȝer & somdell [xiij M^l yere and] more, Line 288 And þe þrydde parte forȝeuenys of [sevenythe part of alle] þy sore. ³Ther ys gret pardon y-wys Wher þe stacyones cleped ys;³ [^3_3

Pope gregore, Alysaundyr, & Vrban,Alle thre grauntede than [folio 156] the pardon that is so grete,the 'stacyons' men clepe hit.

] Pope bonyface confermed all, Line 292 And [For] euur more laste hit shall. To saynte Iohn latronense [latene] moste we, A whyle ther for [And a whyle there] to be, To telle of pardon þat ys þore: Line 296 In all Rome ys no more Then [there] ys þer graunted of Ihesu cryste, Þorow [L. omits þorow, and transposes the Johns.] þe prayer of Iohn þe euaungelyste And saynt Iohn þe baptyste also, Line 300 To all þat þydur wyll [hem that thedyr] goo. For sumtyme was a [An] emperour That loued [levyd in] Rome with grete honour, 'Kyng [om.] constantyne' men dede hym calle Line 304 Bothe yn bour & yn halle; [he was A sterne man with alle] In mahounde was all [In many thyngis he sett] his þowȝth, For why, on cryste he leued [In Ihesu cryste belevyd he] nowȝth: A mesell we fynde he [that he] was Line 308 Tyll [But] cryste sende hym bettur [of his] grace. Pope syluester gon hym preche, [leche] Crystes lawë for to [And of crystes lawe hym] teche; Þer leued he well [And than he be-levyd] yn goddis sone, Line 312 And a crysten [Crystis] mon he wolde be-come; He dyde [lett] hym crystene, as y ȝou telle, And þis myracull hit [hym] be-felle: Þe watur wysh a-way his [that the watyr hym washed of] synne, Line 316

Line 316 And [of] all þe fylthe þat he was Inne. [his body with-in. L. adds:

for meselle he was, as I seyde ere,And afftyr, fayre man and clere

] Then speke [seyde] þe emperour [folio 85:2] To pope syluester with gret [om. gret] honour, "Syluester," he sayde, [holy Fadyre] "goddys klerke, Line 320 I may se now, [that I may see] þat ere was derke; My mys-beleue blyndede [blent] me That y myȝte not þe mote [ne mytht the soothe] se Of goddes myȝth & his werkes; Line 324 Now [om. Now] y wyll be-come one of his clerkes." ¹⁰Then þanked he criste with gret honour, Kyng constantyne, þat emperour;¹⁰ [^10_10 omitted.] "My place, [palys] syluester, y ȝeue þe to [in-to thy] honde; Line 328 Of me þou shalt hit vnþerfonge, And make þer-of goddys hows, For y wyll þat hit be þus; I wyll hit leue [hym love] with all my myȝtes, Line 332 For y woll be on of goddis knyȝtes; [And pray to been his owne knyght] And when þou haste so do, [I-doo] Ȝefe þy grete benesoun [thy blessyng] þere-to, To all þat wyll [men that] þydur come Line 336 To honour [worshepe] crystë, goddis sone, And saynt Iohn þe euaungelyste, Petur, powle, & Iohn þe [and poule seynt lohn] baptyste." Pope syluester, þen sayde he, [the p. s. sayde aye] Line 340 "Of petur, powlë, [of poule] & of me, They shall be clene of synne & pyne [be purgyd clene of synne] As cryste clensed [sporgyd] þe of þyne, And as þe fylthe fell þe fro, [alle thy fylthe fylle frome thee] Line 344 As clene of synne shall be all þo [Clene of syn shulle they bee] Of all maner kyn of synne [fylthe]

That dwelleth þe [that noone shalle dwelle her] sowle with-Inne." ²Pope boneface telleth þis tale, Line 348 And y telleyth forth with-outen fayle. Hit were no nede to no mon yn crystyante To passe yn² [^2_2

the pardone of Sylvester, Euery delethe poope gregorye confermythe wele,Boneface the pope seyde this tale;yff men wyst grete and [s]malethe pardon that is at Rome,they wold sey in theyre doomehit were no neede for the

] to þe holy lond ouur þe see, To ierusalem nor to seynte kateryne, Line 352 To bryngë sowlës out of [men to helle] pyne; For þer ys pardon [pardone is there] with-owten ende; Well his hym þat þydur may wende! Pope boneface telleth more Line 356 Of mykyll pardon þat ys þore: [of odyr pardone in his lore] Who-so comeþ to þe chapell of Ion baptyst, [To Iohn Evangelyste] [folio 85b:1] That dere ys to Ihesu cryste, And hathe ony [goode] deuocyon, Line 360 That þydur wyll go [And comythe thyddyr (leaf 157)] with oryson, Þorow his prayer þey may be clansed of synne, [By oure poope wee purgythe his synne] What tyme þey entre þe chapell [he comythe the chirche] with-In; ¹¹Pope boneface maketh hem clene Line 364 Of all synnis þat þey in bene. In þat mynster þat ys so hende, Fowr dores shalt þou fynde; As sone as þou be In at one, Line 368 And passes þowr [for þrow] euerychone, Plener Remyssyon may þou haue Of all þe synnis þat þou wylt craue.¹¹ [^11_11 omitted.] ¶ Reliquies [Relykes] þer ben mony on, Line 372 In worshyp of crist & of seynt Iohn: In þe Roofe [A chapelle] ouyr þe popes see, A saluator may þou see, [is, I telle thee.]

Neuur peynted with hond of mon, Line 376 As men yn Romë [As the story] tellë kon: When syluester halewed þat [þat holy] place, Hit aperede þorow [stoode there by] goddës grace. [L. inserts:

A nodyr chappelle is in house,there-in been Relykis precyouse:

] A tabull þer ys, þat [the tabylle there-in] men mey se Line 380 That cryste made on his monde, [Maundee] On shereþorsday [Shrofe thursday] when he breke brede By-fore þe tyme þat he was dede: "To here of þis, [And said "etythe one of hit] hit doth ȝou gode, Line 384 Hit ys my flesh and my blode; When ȝe shall here me not [me nat here shalle] fynde, Hit shall [I wole] ȝou kepe fro þe fende." Also þer ben two tabeles, y vnþurstonde, [

Above An Auter made of treelyche A tabylle, I telle thee;vndyr the Awter, An Arche of stoone,with holy Relykys many one.

] Line 388 That criste wrote on with his [wrought with his owne] honde, And toke [tolde] þe lawe to moyses To [the] kepe þe pepull yn goddis pece. [his pepulle for to holde in pease] A [The] ȝerde of aaron þat was [is] gode, Line 392 Hit turnede [he turnyd the] watyr yn-to blode, And fro blode to [in to] watur a-gayn, To shewe þat þey were goddes [goode] men. Angelles mete, þey seyn [fulle sothe] þer ys; [folio 85b:2] Line 396 ²²Also of þe fyue loues & of þe fesh, And Releue þat leued aftur hem, That criste feed with, fyfe þowsand mene.²² [^22_22

And fyve lovys and ij ffyshyswith whiche cryste ffed v thowesande men,xij baskettis fulle of Releeffe lefft then;Ho-so is there, the sothe may see.

] Fowr pylers of bras þer bene strong, [there bee.] Line 400 That have stonden þer full longe, [

A-boute the hyghe Auter stande;they been styffe and stronge

]

Ther ben none suche yn all [om. alle] Rome; Wonþur hit ys how þey þedur come: But vaspasyon þat holy [Vaspasius the nobylle] kyng, Line 404 And tytus his sone þat was so ȝyng, [tutus his sone yonge] From ierusalem he [om. he] dede hem come In-to þe holy place of Rome. Ther ben þe [ij] chaynis of saynt Iohn Line 408 When [where-with] he was bownden, & myȝt not gone; And þe vessell þat þey ȝaf hym drynke In, [the venym was in] — Moche [alle] þe more was her pyne; [synne] He dronke hit vp, hit [of hit and] greued hym nowȝt, Line 412 For yn Ihesu [on cryste] was all his þowȝth;— ¹²And a kertell of þat manne That fro deth was Reysed þan.¹² [^12_12

of A curtylle of Seynt Iohnthat iij men frome þe dethe a-Ryse be-goone

] Ther be þe [Of the] cloþis of Ihesu criste, Line 416 And þe askes of [of the asshis of seynt] Iohn þe baptyste; ¹⁵Also þe cloth þat Ihesu gan lede Hys dyssypeles on to fede, ^*And a serke þat our lady gon make Line 420 † For her swetë sonës sake; § Of þe blood & watyr also ‡ That out of cristis syde gan go; And mylke of marye þe vyrgyne, Line 424 And a foote of marye Magdeleyne,¹⁵ [^15_15

And of the clothe that cryste wypyd on foote & handeOn schroffethursday his Dissypyls to foonde

] And þe cloþis þat criste was wonden [wrapped] In When he shulde dye [was ded] for mannis syn; ‖ ¹⁸And of þe flesh of his cyrcumsyce; Line 428 Men hit holde yn grete pryse. Of petur & powle þe heddys ben þere,

Welle closed a-bowte þe hyȝ Auter; When þe heddis shewed shall be, Line 432 Then ys þer pardon gret plente, As mych pardon y-wysse As when þe vernacull shewed ys; And þat ys graunted certaynly Line 436 Of pope Vrban & of gregory. Ther ben oþur Relykes mony on¹⁸ [^18_18

§ of bloode and watyr also there is‡ that owte of crystis syyde gon goo I-wys;^*And the shyrte that our ladye made† for hyr swete sonnys saake;‖ of Ihesu cryste the Syrcumsyse;of the cloþe of seynt Iohn bapetyse,and odyr Relykys many oone

] [folio 86] In worshyp of criste & of seynt Iohn. [L., leaf 129, inserts:

On the mynyster ende iij durrys there bee—Whan thowe art there, þou mayst see;—As offt as thy be opynnyd to thee,And þan passithe thorowe ony of hem thre,pleyne Remyssyon þou myght haveof alle thy Synnys, yf þou wolte hit crave.

] ¶ Her may we no lengur be; Line 440 In-to þe popes halle mostë [pase] we; In þat halle, þre dores þer be; Eche a day open þou may hem se; [they stonde opyn vnto thee] ⁴As ofte as þou gost þorow ony of hem, Line 444 And þou be of synnë clene, And enterest þorow any of hem þre,⁴ [^4_4

As offte as þou passyste one of hemAnd entyrst by A-nodyr A-yeen,And passythe euery of the three,

] Fowrty ȝer of pardon ys graunted to de. [xl yere is grauntyd thee] ¶ ⁶The pope Vrbane, y ȝou say, Line 448 In lenton þe fyrst þoresday, Shewede petur & powle heuedes two By-fore þe Romanes and oþur mo, And graunted a hondred ȝere of pardon Line 452 Seuen myle abowte Rome towne; And also mony lentones mo, That same tyme he ȝaf þer-to;

There ys no man now y-bore, Line 456 Nor hys fadur hym be-fore, That of þe heddës haue a syȝth At þat [The letter over the þ is blurred.] tyme, but be grace of god almyȝt. Ther ys a chapell of gret pardon Line 460 And of mony synnis Remyssyon, Menne calle hit sancta sanctorum; In þat chapell shall no womon ['wo' put over line in a later hand.] com.⁶ [^6_6

Nowe pase wee to sancta sanctorum swythe,that mannys hart makythe blythe.

] Ther-yn ys A saluatowr Line 464 To whom men don gret [yee shalle do] honour, The whyche was sent to our lady (Whyle þat she was her [in eorthe] vs by) From her sone þat ys a-bouen, Line 468 Aftur þe tyme of his [affter his] ascencion. ⁷Ther may no wommon entre þor By-cause of her þat synned sore; She browȝt vs alle to þe qwede Line 472 Tyll cryste on crosse suffered dede: Euery day, seuen þowsand ȝere Of pardon þou may haue þere; And also, ȝyf þou wylt craue, Line 476 Plener Remyssyon þou may haue. [folio 86:2] ^*At þe chappell of þe Rode Is an offrynge fayr & gode,

†Men calle hyt Ierusalem; Line 480 ‡Seynt Elene latte make hem.⁷ [^7_7

the hedys of petyr & poule beþe there,wele I-closyd vndyr An Awter;And odyr Relykys many onebeen closed in Iren and in stoone.who-so is poope of Roome,the keyys þer-of with hym dothe nomethat no man may hem seeBut he hym selffe in presence bee.In that chapelle, yf þou wolte crave,vii M^l yere þou myghtest have,And so many lenttis moreyff thowe be screffe,⁷ þou mayste have soo; [[shriven, A.S. bescrifen, con|fessed, Som.]] And yett theere is grauntyd therto [folio 158b] the thyrde parte of pennaunce vndo.^*the pardone of holy Roode chyrche,whiche is the name of þe seyde kyrke,—†Ierusalem, men clepe hit sertayne,‡Saynt Elyn hit made with noble mayne,§And put there-in Relekys fele,As I can shewen swythe wele;hit was her house and her socouregod to serve withe honowre.for eche day in that mynystre,of pardoune is xxviij yere;Also as many lenttis mooCertenly is grauntyd þerto,At the hye Awter shalt þou have Alsofourty yere, and lenttis moo,for Anastace, cesar the martyr,Bothe were buryede there.

] Constance, þe holy wommon, Of kyng constantyne she kam; Hys þowȝtur [doughtter] she was, & þat was sene, Line 484 For, þorow þe prayr of seynt Elene, That holy place she [he] madë thus In honour [worshupe] of þe holy crosse. ⁴ [^4_4 Transposed, and put after scicio (spelt sissio), l. 497. [[L. sitio, I thirst.]] ] Pope syluester hit halewede þo, Line 488 And gret pardon he ȝaf þer-to; For eche [Euery] sonday yn þe ȝer, And eche [om. eche] wedenesday, ȝyf þou be þer, ⁸Is two þowsand & fyfe ȝere, Line 492 And yche a day, on hondered ys þer.⁸ [^8_8

An hundyrde yere myght þou haveof pardone yff þou wylt hit crave

] §Relykes þer be mony & fele: ⁹The sponge of galle & of eysell That þe Iewes profered cryst to⁹ [^9_9

that is there for sothe to telleWhan . . . profyrde to drynk thoo

] Line 496 When [Whan that . . Sissio] he sayde "scicio"; ‖¹¹And a nayle, when Ihesu criste was Don on þe Rode for our trespas.¹¹ [^11_11

And yeet moore I wole the telle:there is A coorde In one chapelle,—Ane highe in the Roofe hit is doo, [folio 159] for no man shoulde come þer-too.—that ylke coorde, they sey hit is,with whiche cryste was led to þe crosse I-wys;‖ And A nayle that smyte cryst Ihesuswhane he Suffyrde Dethe for us;And the hede of seynt vynsent;the clothe of bapetyse whan he was brent.

]

And yn þat cherche [the chirche hit] ys also Line 500 Of þe crosse þat he was on [god was] Ido, And of þe tre þat þe þeues henge on [the crosse þat þe theefe hyng hym] by That of his synnis askede [whan he cryed, Lorde] mercy; [L. inserts: the tethe Also there been of seynt blase,

And odyr Relykys many oone,I cannat telle hem everychone.

] And a tityll of syr pylat,— Line 504 He may hit Rede þat ys [made hit Red þat was] þer-at,— "Thys ys Ihesu of naȝareth, Kyng of Iewes, þat þolede [suffyrde] deth;" The tytyll ys honged, y wyll not [hyde with-owten] lye, Line 508 By [In] a crosse þat ys hym bye, [hangithe hye] In þe maner of a bowe [In maner of A bowe for-soothe] In þe myddes of þe kyrke, y trowe; [menystre Rooffe] In þat maner hit ys do [I-doo] Line 512 For no man shulde come þer-to. ¶ Of more pardon y wyll ȝou [I yowe] say That at seynt laurence ys eche [of seynt lawerens þat ylk] day; Seuen þowsand ȝer, & lentones [with lenttis] þer-to, Line 516 And þe þrydde parte of þy penauns vndo. [L. inserts:

In tyme off the Emperourekynge constantyne of grete honoure

] Pope pelagyus, [honorius] þat holy man, [folio 86b] That chyrche to halowe fyrst [halowed and] be-gan, And graunted þer-to hys pardon [the pardoone he grauntyd to alle Anoone] Line 520 And also goddes [there-to his] benyson, Thorow prayres of two martires [the holy marter] Steuen & laurence þat þer lyes. [Seynt st. and seynt l. þat be there]

¹And vnþur þe awter ys made a stone, Line 524 There a-bowte þey may gone: An hole on þis awter þou may fynde; Knele down þer with good mynde, Putte yn þy heed or þy honde, Line 528 And þou shalt fele a swete gronde, A swete smelle of bodyes þat þer be,¹ [^1_1

A-bowte the Awter þou shalt goone; [folio 159b] At every ende þou shalt fynde—knele there-to yf þou be hende,—A swete smelle, thoowe hit be derke,(thorowe grace of crystis owne werke,)of bodyes that there beryed be

] Here sowles be with god in trinite. ²And ȝyf þou be þer all þe ȝere, Line 532 Eche wednesday yn þat mynster, Thow may haue, of cristes powere, A sowle to drawe out of purgatory fyre.² [^2_2

Who-so wole dwelle in halle,And go eche Daye to seynt lawrence mynstyr,he may there delyuer with orysoneA sowle owte of purgatory presone.

] ¶ At seynt sympyll, fawstyne, & betrys, [In the chirche of fastyine, simple, beatrice] Line 536 That ben all martyres of [be very Martyrs of Ihesu] cryste. Seynt sympull, pope of Rome he [in Roome] was, And god hym sente a fayr grace; Seuen hondred holy [vj M^l [= 6000] holy mennys] bones Line 540 He gedered, but not [gadyrde to gedur alle] at ones, And yn þat chyrche he dede hem graue, For ho-so seke hem, his sowle he may saue; [Sykyr he was that they were savede. (Sowle is in a later hand.)] And he ȝaf pardon to alle þo Line 544 That be shryuen & þydur wyll [om. wylle] go, Fyfe þowsand ȝer [vij M^l yere of pardoon] & more Thorow prayeres of hem þat lyen [lygg] þore.

¶ [Cott. MS. With-owte owte. L. inserts:

Whane he was dede, þer was he grave;Cryste his soule kepe and save!A stoone doþe stande in þe weyeBy-twyx the chyrche and martyrs twey,Seynt Iulyan and seynt vrban,there was men and women,In that stoone wryttyn isgrete pardoone, soothe I-wys,Euery daye in the yerevij thowesande yere þou myght have there.

] With-owte þe kyrke of Iulyan [chirche of seynt vyuyen (lf. 160, bk.)] Line 548 Ther ys wryten yn a stone That honoryus, þat holy pope, That kyrke [this chirche] halewede yn his [A] cope; And six [thre] þowsand ȝere he ȝaf to pardon Line 552 To all þo þat þydur wyll come. [

And there-to goddis benysonelastynge for euer-moreto alle men that been there.

] [[Here the Cotton MS. ends, but the Lambeth MS. (leaf 160) continues.]]

.;. EXPLICIT þE STACIONES OF ROME .;.

In the menyster of þat holy preste that is dere to Ihesu cryste, Eusebius is there name,— Line 556 to tell of hym hit is goode game,— hit is wryttyn in A stoone 'I wole the halowe or I goone,' that pope gregory with his hande Line 560 that chirche halowed, I vndyrstande, and yave pardoun, I yowe saye, A C yerys and fourty daye and there-to mo I wole yowe telle Line 564 to Abate the peyne off helle. And In the chyrche of seynt Iulyan there is his chykk, and tethe þer-one; A thorne thyrlyd in crystis hed, Line 568 when he suffyrde for us to be ded, And odyr Relykys many and dere;

Go thyddyr and haue vij C yere. Anodyr chyrche for-soþe there is, Line 572 of seynt Mathewe worshupe I-wys, In the Right hande as þou shalt goone to the chyrche of seynt Iohn: An hole Arme of seynt Christofre, goddis knyght, Line 576 [In a chiste right there is dyght,] In that same chyrche hit is I-doo, And grete pardone yeve thertoo, for cryste hym selffe there-on stoode, Line 580 whan he bare hym on the Floode. In the chirche of uyght and modeste, [folio 160b] there men mowe have, moste & leste, the iiij^te parte of for-yevenes of syn, Line 584 what tyme he comythe þe chirche with-in. vij M^l martyrs lyggythe there, As hit is wryttyn in that mynystre; In tyme of Emperoure Anthony[n]e Line 588 that tyrant was, and paynyme; this is the vij parte of þy synne ondoone. At seint mary maioure Is A chirche of grete honowre; Line 592 As the hye Auter, hit is seyde, there is the body of mathewe leyde: In the chyrche, Anodyr partye, lyethe seynt Ierome sykerlye; Line 596 frome the Cyte of Damase, [A long initial letter which looks like I, stands before he.] he was brought in-to þat plase; by-foore A plase he was pyght, 'precepe' men clepe hit. Line 600 vppon his graue lyethe A stoone, And A crosse is leyde there-one; A-bowte that stoone A grate there is of Irne stronge made I-wys. Line 604 In that plase is A chapell of seynt Agas, þou wott hit wele;

x yere of pardone is grauntyd there, lygyng there-to evyr-more. Line 608 A lytyll clothe lyethe there too, of whiche cryst was fyrste in do of his modyr, whan he was bore to save man that was for-lore. Line 612 of his Flesche the Syrcumsyse, Men hit holdythe of grete pryse; And of the hey, more and lasse, [folio 161] that cryste lay on by-fore þe asse. Line 616 An arme is also there of seynt thom[a]s the marter, and A party of the brayne of his hede At caunterbury there he was dede, Line 620 And Rochet that is goode,— hit was sprongyn with his bloode— which he had one whan he was take for alle holy chirche-is saake. Line 624 And An Image sykurly wondyr fayre of oure ladye; seynt luke, whyles he was in londe, woulde haue payntyd hit with his hande; Line 628 And whane he hade ordeyinyd hit soo, alle his colourse there too, he founde An Image alle Redy, Neuer noone syche in eorthe he sy, Line 632 with Angellis handis, & nought with his: the story in Roome wyttnessithe this, that is wryttyn every dele At the hye awter in A tabyll. [MS. In a tabylle at, etc.] Line 636 there is pardoone, men may see, of many popys þat there hathe bee; vppon the chyrchë halydaye A M^l yere of pardon þou may, Line 640 And there-to, yff þou wylt more, the thyrde parte of alle þy lore,

And vii C yere there-too; wele is hym that thyddyr may goo. Line 644 In eche feste of oure ladye, to þat graunttythe seynt gregorye; he yaffe therto A C yere of pardone, And therto crystis benysone. Line 648 In owre ladijs day Assumpsione, There is than grete pardone; [folio 161b] frome þat fest tyll Ihesu was bore, No daye shall be for-lore; Line 652 there is xv M^l yere of penaunce þou shuldyst full-fyll here. Anodur chyrche also there is, 'Pudencyam' hit is clepyd I-wys; Line 656 An holy woman I fynde she was, All full-fyllyd by goddis grace: the thyrde parte of þy synne for-yevenes ther þou myght wynne. Line 660 A chyrche-yerde is there too of seynt presell, men clepe hit soo. Seynt gregory tellythe [us] that in þat yarde & in þat house Line 664 Ben beryed many of thoo, thre thowesand with-owten moo; for eche body þou myght tell O yere and o lent þou myght spell Line 668 of pardon is grauntyd to þe By prayer of hem þat there bee; for seynt petyr & seynt poule, þat some tyme were, Bothe were harborowed there. Line 672 A lytyll chapell yeet there is, I-clepyd 'titulus pastoris;' As þou comyst at the chyrche-is ende, that chapell þou shalt fynde; Line 676 The pope of Rome þat was than, seynt peius the holy man, the bapetystore there he founde,

and holowed [sic] hit with his honde; Line 680 And vppon An estyr daye— As I tell yowe nowe I maye— Syxty soules and xviij there-to, to Crystyn-dom he brought thoo. Line 684 Of praxed, the holy woman, [folio 162] all the sothë tell I can, A thowesande bodyes with-owten moo, And iij hundyrde there-too, Line 688 In þat place buryed shee— her sowelys bethe with cryst so Fre— that suffyrde dethe in þat tyme Of the emperoure Anthony[n]e. Line 692 pope Innocent, for love of hem, graunte[de] tho to allë men O yere, and xl dayes there-to, And the iiij parte of penaunce vndo. Line 696 And there is of the pyllur A party that cryste was bounde to sykyrly; And yff þou come in lent to chyrche, Double pardoone þou myght wyrche. Line 700 there lyethe bodyes of sylvester & seynt martyn, the story of Rome wytnessithe hit myne. Anodur Day in the yere of seynt petre men clepythe there Line 704 Ad [MS. And] vincula in londe, lammasse day þou vndyrstonde, whan petur was bounde with Irnys grete, As wee in oure bokis Reede, Line 708 that daye is grete pardoone, of alle thy synnys remyssyoun; And every day, yff þou wolt crave, fyve hundyrd yere there þou myght haue, Line 712 And so many lenttis moo pope gelasius haþe grauntyd þerto. ¶ there is a pese of the Roode

that cryst was on do for oure goode, Line 716 And the bed [MS. hed] of seynt Martyne, An holy man þat tholyd pyne; In that bed shall no man lye, for he wole not þat hit be seye, [folio 162b] Line 720 Ne touche-hit with no manis hande, [This line is repeated after the next.] for hit is prevy, I vndyrstande. Suche bed of penaunce I not no moo, to A plase of [MS. of of] the postyllis twoo— Line 724 cryste us kepe owte of woo!— [Seemingly l. 725 should follow 723, and be followed by a line like 'Now lat us forthe goo.'] fyrste of constantyne hit was sett, And sythen herytykis done hit bett;

Pelagius and pope Iohn, Line 728 they dede hit Rere vp Anone, And yave there-to grete pardoone, for there lyethe many A seynt of grete Renowne, phylype and Iacobe in shryne, Line 732 Sent eugenie þe holy vyrgyne, Seint sabasabyne, wrote wee fynde, And the tabarde of thomas of Inde: An arme of seynt blase is there, Line 736 And odyr relykys many and sere. two thowesande yere, yf þou wolt crave, Eche day there myght þou have, And on eche Apostyllis day Line 740 this pardoon is dowbyld, I the saye. At seynt bartylmewe þou myȝte have A thowesande yere yf þou wolte crave; there lyethe his bodye on þe hye Auter: Line 744 wele is hym that comythe there. at seynt mary Rotounde there is A chyrche fayre I-founde; there is wryttyn, I yowe saye, Line 748 In o sonday that is in maye;

whan the soneday is I-come, there is full Remyssyone, And eche daye in the yere Line 752 grete pardon þou myght have there: Agrypa ded hit make for sabillis & neptuno-is sake; Modyrs they were of cursyd men, [folio 163] Line 756 And false fendis folowed hem. [[really Mars and Jupiter],] he yave hit name of pantheon; In all Romë was syche noone; A fygur they made of golde Reede, Line 760 More than god they gan hit drede; 'Neptune' clepyd hit was I-wys; to leve there-one they were nat wysse; An hye on the tempyll hit satt, Line 764 And lokyde forthe lyke A katt, vppon the Rooffe in an holle hit brent as hellë cole: vppon his hed A covert of brasse; Line 768 to seynt petyr blowen hit was with A wynde of hell, I trowe, for no man myght hit thedur throwe; there standythe [hit,] I tell thee, Line 772 by-fore the mynyster dor þou myght hit see; the Rofe is opyn there he stoode; there stondythe, and doþe no goode.

And the pope boneface Line 776 was full-fyllyd with goddis grace; In hym selffe he was dismayed that mannys soule was so betrayed: to the emperoure Iulius sone he came, Line 780 that was forsoþe A wele goode man; "that tempyll," he sayde, "graunt hit me, [[Phocas, A.D. 609.]] I the praye for seynt charyte, that men clepe pantheon, I leve, Line 784 that mannys soule hit doþe greve." he seyde, "take hit euery dele;

that þou hit have, me lykythe wele." And the fyrst day of novembur, Line 788 pope boneface with hartë tendyr the pepull of Rome ded calle, And bade assemble in his halle, [folio 163b] In pantheon all in-same, Line 792 for to chaunge þat ylkë name In honowre of oure ladye, and all halowen þat bethe þer-bye; this was noster dame la Rounde, Line 796 In pantheon fyrste I-founde; And sange hys mase þat ylkë daye, And yave grete pardone, I yowe saye, And comawndyd all crystyn men Line 800 that daye to halowe, for love of hem that bethe in hevyn with swete Ihesus, Night and day to praye for us. And on the morowe he be-hett also Line 804 that men shoulde to chyrchë goo to praye for hem that ded bee, that cryste on hem have pyte, And one us whan wee dye; Line 808 Amen, saythe all for charyte. At seynt mary transpedian there been ij pyllurs made of stoone, to whiche petyr and poule bounden were Line 812 when thé levyd in eorthë there. there they stonde, I tellë thee; whan þou Art there, þou mayste hem see; Eche day, yf þou comyste there, Line 816 foure hundyrd yerë þou haste there. At seynt Speryte hospytalle, there men mowe haue, gret and smalle, vij yere of pardoune, Line 820 the vij^te parte of penaunce ondone. At seynt Iamys vppon the flome Be thre hundyrde yere of pardonne,

And so many Lenttis moore Line 824 for-sothe ben I-grauntyd there. Att seynt mary tryst-iuere [folio 164] thowe shalt have sevyn yere: two wellis there bethe, I tell thee, Line 828 that sprynggythe oyle, there men may see, that ylk nyght þat cryst was boore to save man that was for-loore. At sesyle, the holy marter, Line 832 thowe myght have A C yere. At seynt petyr and poullys preson thowe myght have grete pardonne, two thowesande yere, I tell thee, Line 836 Eche day yf thowe there bee. thorowe the vertu of her orysune A well spronge there in prisune, with whiche water, baptysyd were Line 840 processe and martuman, crystis dere.

At seynt mary la noue þou myght haue an hundyrde yere if þou wolt craue. at the chirche of seynt Alext Line 844 there wee mowe have, moste & leste, two thowesande and ij C yere, eche day yf þou comyst there. At seynt cosme and Demiave Line 848 iij hundyrd yere þou myght have. At the chyrche of seynt eustace there men myght fynde A wele fayre place; there lyethe he and his wyffe, Line 852 and his ij sonnes, with-owttyn stryffe, two thowesande yere þou myght have eche Daye yf þou wolte crave. nowe passe wee to þe saluator Line 856 to whome men dothe grete honowre. A fygur of god þou myght see, his face, his crowne, I tell thee; there myght þou have A M^l yere; Line 860

Line 860 Eche day yff thowe be there, Syx hundred and xxx^ty mo, I the tell, [folio 164b] for to Abate the peynys of hell. at seynt Sysely the holy marter, Line 864 there thowe myght haue A C yere. the Mawdlene there, I tell thee, whan þou Art there þou myght see. Be-sydes petre-Ad-vincula A chapell is Line 868 of A Saluator worshupte Iwys, where he delyd his tresoure to save holy chyrchis honoure: of pardon ij thowesande yere Line 872 thowe myght have whan þou art there At the chyrche of iiij Doctours fyne, Ierome, gregory, Ambrose, & Austyne, At eche chyrche yff þou wylt craue [MS. haue] Line 876 A thowesande yere, þou [MS. yf þou] myght hit haue. At seynt lawrence in Damace there shalt þou fynde A feyre place: Eche day, yf thowe come there, Line 880 thowe myght have v C yere. At seynt mary Rochelle there is many greses, I wete wele; there is ij thowesande yere & more Line 884 to hem that wole thyddyr goo. [For fore or fare.] there is An Image, I vndyrstonde, of oure ladye þat Lewke wrought with his honde, I-closed alle withe syluer clere, Line 888 I-payntted Abowte withe colours dere; there dwellythe Frere menowrse, And servyn owre ladye with honowrse. At seynt Mary Merle bethe dwellynge [[de' Miracoli?]] Line 892 Frere prechourse to Rede and synge: Sykyrly there þou myght have A M^l yere, and þou hit crave. At seynt Andrewys holy chyrche sykyrly Line 896

Line 896 Been yeerys grauntyd full fourty, [folio 165] And seynt gregory purchased syche grace, what man or woman is buryed in þat plase, yf he beleve in god & holy chyrche also, Line 900 he shall not be dampned for nought þat he hathe doo, But be saved frome the payne of hell: this is the sothe that I the tell. yf þou tryste no þyng to me, Line 904 on the chyrche-dore þou mayst hit see. pardone is there myche moore than I have Reseyned [resigno, I reveal, disclose.] here byfore, And that I shall with all my myght Line 908 there-off wryte boþe day & nyght, By gode that was of mary boore to save mankynde þat was for-loore, Graunt vs parte of this pardoone, Line 912 And there-withe gyve us his benysone! [[Follow: A Medecyne for the Pestylens, etc., The maner to kepe haukes, etc.]]

EXPLICIT ÞE STACIONS OF ROOME.

Gaude, flore Virginali.

(Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 133.)

(1)

Gaude, the flowre of virginyte, In hevyn thow hast a principalite Off worship and honowre; Thi blys is more in dignite Line 4 Then alle the sayntis that euer may be Or aungelis in hevyn towre! Gaude, flore virginali!

(2)

Gaude, goddys spouse so deere! Line 8 Was there neuer sonnye day so cleere Nor of so grete lyght! There myght neuer son shyne heere As thow fyllist heuyn empere Line 12 With bemys that ar so bryght! Gaude, sponsa cara dei!

(3)

Gaude, vessel of vertue & grace, I-Crowned quene in that place Line 16 Where thy sonne is kynge! Angels alle in his presence Ar vndyr thyn obedyence, And do the worshippynge! Line 20 Gaude, splendens vas virtutum!

(4)

Gaude, modyr and mayden fre, Throw the bonde of charyte To god so holy and knytte, Line 24 That what so euer thi askyng be, Alle the holy trynite Ful goodly grauntyth the hitte. Gaude, nexu caritatis! Line 28

Line 28

(5)

Gaude, frute of allë flowres! For who so euer the honowryth With preyour nyght or day, The fadyr of heuyn, of his godhed Line 32 He graunt them to ther mede The blysse that lastyth aye! Gaude, mater miserorum!

(6)

Gaude, the modyr of cryst iesu, Line 36 So gracyous and ful of vertu, That, for thi holynesse, So highe arte nowe in dignite! Thowe sitteste next the trinite Line 40 In grete honowre and blysse. Gaude, virgo, mater Christi!

(7)

Gaude, mayden clene and pure, Euyr beynge secure and suere Line 44 That these yoies seuyn Shalle neuer swage nor sesse, But euermore endure and encresse While god regnyth in heuyn. Amen. Line 48 Gaude, virgo, mater pura! [Scriptus Anno Domini 1508 per D. T. Mylle.]

Regina Celi Letare.

[Lambeth MS. 306, leaf 132, back.] [The thick letters mark the red ones of the MS.]

Regina celi letare. alleluya. quia quem meruisti portare. alleluya. resurrexit sicut dixit. alleluya. ora pro nobis deum. alleluya. Line 4

In ista antiphona alleluya accipitur iiij^or diuersis modis. Primum alleluia. lauda deum creatura. Secun|dum. salus. vita. lux. Tercium. saluum me fac deus. Quartum idem est. quod pater, et filius, et spiritus sanctus.

Regina celi le - ta - re! Quene of hevyn, make thou myrth! alleluya! lauda deum cr[e]atura! Line 12 And prayse god wyth alle thy myght! quia quem meruisti portare. For of the. he toke his byrth. alleluya. salus vita lux. Line 16 That is, heele, lyfe, and lyght. resurrexit, sicut dixit; he rose from deth; so sayde he. alleluya! Saluum me fac deus! Line 20 Saue vs, god, in nedë moste! ora pro nobis deum! Pra for vs the trynyte! alleluya! pater et filius et spiritus sanctus, Line 24 Fader, and sonne, and holy goste.

Quia Amore Langueo. (PART I.)

(THE VIRGIN'S COMPLAINT BECAUSE MAN'S SOUL IS WRAPT IN SIN.)

[Lambeth MS. 853, ab. 1430 A.D., page 4.] [8 stanzas in eights, abab bcbc, except st. 1, abab bcbd.]

(1)

IN a tabernacle of a tour, As y stood musynge on þe moone, A crowned queene, moost of honour, Me þouȝte y siȝ sittinge in trone. Line 4 Sche made hir cómpleynt bi hir oone, For mannis soule is wrappid in synne: [The ryme should be in -o, as in the other stanzas.] "Y may not leeue mankynde a-loone, Quia amore langueo. Line 8

(2)

I loke for loue of man, my broþir, [page 5] I am his avoket [Alterd by a later hand to 'advoket.'] on euery wise, I am his moder, y can noon oþir; Whi schulde y my dere child dispise? Line 12 ¶ Þouȝ he me wraþþe in diuerse wise, Þoruȝ freelte of fleisch be falle me fro, Ȝit muste y rue til þat he rise, Quia amore langueo. Line 16

(3)

I abood & abide with greet longynge, I loue & loke whanne man wole craue, I pleyne me for pitee of pinynge; Wolde he aske merci, he schulde it haue; Line 20 Seie to me, soule, y schal þee saue;

Bid me, child, & y wole goo; Praiedist me neuere, but y forgaue, Quia amore langueo. Line 24

(4)

Moder of mercy y was for þee made: Who nediþ mercy but þou a-loone? To ȝeue grace & merci y am more glade Þan þou to aske; whi nyst þou noon? Line 28 ¶ Whanne seide y nay? tel me to whom! [page 6] Neuere ȝit to freend ne foo! Whanne þou askist not, þan make y moon, Quia amore langueo. Line 32

(5)

O wrecche, in þis world y loke on þee Whanne y se þee trespase day bi daye, Wiþ leccheri aȝen my chastite, With pride aȝen my meeke a-ray. Line 36 ¶ My loue abidiþ þee; yra is a-way; Mi loue þee calliþ, & þou stelist me fro; Ȝit sue to me, synner, y þee pray, Quia amore langueo! Line 40

(6)

My sone was outlawid for þi synne, His body was beten for þi trespase, Ȝit prickiþ it myn herte þat so nyȝ my kynne Þat so schulde be disesid, a sone, a-las! Line 44 ¶ Mi sone is þi fader, his moder y was, He soukide my pappis; he loued þee so, He is deed for þee; myn herte þou has, Quia amore langueo. Line 48

(7)

¶ My sonë deedë for þi loue, [page 7] His herte was persid with a spere To bringe þi soule to heuene a-boue, For þi loue so diede he here. Line 52

Line 52 ¶ Þerfor þou must be to me moost dere, Siþen my sonë loued þee so; Þou praiest to me neuere but y þee here, Quia amore langueo. Line 56

(8)

My sone haþ grauntide me, for þi sake, Euery merciful praier þat y wole haue; For, he wole no veniaunce take If y aske mercy for þee, but þat y schal haue. Line 60 ¶ Þerfor axe þou merci, & y schal þee saue, With pitee y rue vpon þee so, I longe for mercy þat þou schuldist craue, Quia amore langueo." Line 64

Quia Amore Langueo. (PART II.)

(OR CHRIST'S COMPLAINT FOR HIS SISTER, MAN'S SOUL.)

[16 stanzas of eights, abab bcbc.]

Lambeth MS. 853.

[Follows the last poem, seemingly as a continuation.]

(1)

IN a valey of þis restles mynde I souȝte in mounteyne & in myde, Trustynge a trewe loue for to fynde. Vpon an hil þan y took hede; Line 4 ¶ A voice y herde—& neer y ȝede— [page 8] In huge dolour complaynynge þo, "Se, dere soule, how my sidis blede, Quia amore langueo." Line 8

(2)

Vpon þis hil y fond a tree; Vndir þe tree a man sittynge, From heed to foot woundid was he, His hertë blood y siȝ bledinge:— Line 12 ¶ A semeli man to ben a king, A graciouse face to loken vnto;— I askide whi he had peynynge, He seide "quia amore langueo." Line 16

(3)

I am true loue, þat fals was neuere; Mi sistyr, mannis soule, y loued hir þus; Bi-cause we wolde in no wise disceuere, I lefte my kyngdom glorious. Line 20 ¶ I purueide for hir a paleis precious; Sche fleyth, y flolowe, y souȝte hir so, I suffride þis peynë piteuous Quia amore langueo. Line 24

Line 24

(4)

My fair spouse, & my louë briȝt, [page 9] I saued hir fro betynge, & sche haþ me bet; I cloþid hir in grace & heuenli liȝt, þis bloodi scherte sche haþ on me sette, Line 28 ¶ For longynge of loue ȝit wolde y not lett; Swetë strokis axë þese; lo, I haue loued hir euere as y hir het, Quia amore langueo. Line 32

(5)

I crowned hir wiþ blis, & sche me with þorn; I ledde hir to chaumbir, & sche me to die; I brouȝte hir to worschipe, & sche me to scorn; I dide her reuerence, & sche me vilonye. Line 36 ¶ To loue þat loueþ, is no maistrie; Hir hate made neuere my loue hir foo, Axë me no questioun whi, Quia amore langueo. Line 40

(6)

Loke vnto myn hondis, man! þese gloues were ȝoue me whan y hir souȝte; þei ben not white, but rede & wan, On broudrid with blood my spouse hem brouȝte. Line 44 ¶ Þei wole not of, y loose hem nouȝte, [page 10] I wowe hir with hem where-euere sche go; Þese hondis for hir so freendli fouȝte, Quia amore langueo. Line 48

(7)

Merueille nouȝte, man, þouȝ y sitte stille; Se, loue haþ sched me wondir streite, Boclid my feet, as was hir wille, With scharp naile, lo, þou maiste waite. Line 52 ¶ In my loue was neuere desaite, Alle myn humours y haue opened hir to, Þere my bodi haþ maad hir hertis baite, Quia amore langueo. Line 56

Line 56

(8)

In my side y haue made hir neste; Loke in! how weet a wounde is heere, Þis is hir chaumbir, heere schal sche reste, Þat sche & y may slepe in fere. Line 60 ¶ Heere may sche waische, if ony filþe were, Heere is sete for al hir woo; Come whanne sche wole, sche schal haue chere, Quia amore langueo. Line 64

(9)

I wole abide til sche be redy, [page 11] I wole hir sue if sche seie nay; If sche be richilees, y wole be gredi, And if sche be daungerus, y wole hir praie. Line 68 ¶ If she wepe, þat hide y ne may, Myn armes her hired to clippe hir me to; Crie oonys; y come: now, soule, asay, Quia amore langueo. Line 72

(10)

I sitte on þis hil, for to se fer, I loke into þe valey, my spouse to se; Now renneþ sche a-wayward, ȝit come sche me neer, For out of my siȝte may sche not flee. Line 76 ¶ Summe wayte hir prai to make hir to flee, I renne bifore, and fleme hir foo; Returne my spouse aȝen to me, Quia amore langueo. Line 80

(11)

Fair loue, lete us go pleye! Applis ben ripe in my gardayne, I schal þee cloþe in a newe aray, Þi mete schal be mylk, hony, & wiyn. Line 84 ¶ Fair loue, lete us go digne, [page 12] Þi sustynaunce is in my crippe, lo! Tarie þou not, my faire spouse myne, Quia amore langueo. Line 88

Line 88

(12)

Iff þou be foul, y schal þee make clene; If þou be sijk, y schal þee hele; If þou moorne ouȝt, y schal þee meene; Whi wolt þou not, faire loue, with me dele? Line 92 ¶ Foundist þou euere loue so leel? What woldist þou, spouse, þat y schulde do? I may not vnkyndeli þee appele, Quia amore langueo. Line 96

(13)

What schal y do with my fair spouse, But a-bide hir of my gentilnes Til þat sche loke out of hir house Of fleischli affeccioun? loue myn sche is. Line 100 ¶ Hir bed is maade, hir bolstir is blis, Hir chaumbir is chosen; is þer non moo. Loke out on me at þe wyndow of kyndenes, Quia amore langueo. Line 104

(14)

My loue is in hir chaumbir: holde ȝoure pees, [page 13] Make ȝe no noise, but lete hir slepe: My babe, y wolde not were in disese, I may not heere my dere child wepe. Line 108 ¶ With my pap y schal hir kepe. Ne merueille ȝe not þouȝ y tende hir to; Þis hole in my side had neuere be so depe, But quia amore langueo. Line 112

(15)

Longe þou for loue neuere so hiȝ, My loue is more þan þin may be; Þou wepist, þou gladist, y sitte þee bi, Ȝit woldist þou oonys, leef, loke vn-to me! Line 116 ¶ Schulde y alwey fedë þee With children mete? nay, loue, not so! I wole preue þi loue wiþ aduersite, Quia amore langueo. Line 120

Line 120

(16)

Wexe not wery, myn ownë wijf! What mede is it to lyue euere in coumfort? In tribulacioun y regne moore rijf Ofttymes þan in disport. Line 124 ¶ In wele & in woo y am ay to supporte; [page 14] Myn ownë wijf, go not me fro! Þi meede is markid whan þou art mort, Quia amore langueo. Line 128

Quia Amore Langueo.

(From the Song of Solomon.)

[16 stanzas of eights, abab bcbc.]

[MS. Univ. Lib. Camb. Hh. 4. 12, leaf 41b. Handwriting of the latter half of the 15th century.]

(1)

IN the vaile of restles mynd I sowght in mownteyn & in mede, trustyng a treulofe for to fynd: vpon an hyll / than toke I hede; Line 4 a voise I herd / (and nere I yede) in gret dolour complaynyng tho, "see, derë soule, my sydës blede Quia amore langueo." [Solomon's Song, ii. 5 and v. 8 (Vulgate).] Line 8

(2)

¶ Vpon thys mownt I fand a tree; vndir thys tree / a man sittyng; from hede to fote / wowndyd was he, hys hert blode I saw bledyng; Line 12 A semely man / to be a kyng, A graciose face / to loke vnto. I askyd hym / how he had paynyng, he said, "Quia amore langueo." Line 16

(3)

¶ I am treulove / that fals was neuer: my sistur, mannys soule, I loued hyr thus; [Sol. Song, iv. 9.] By-cause I wold on no wyse disseuere, I left my kyngdome gloriouse; Line 20 I purueyd hyr a place full preciouse; she flytt / I folowyd / I luffed her soo; that I suffred thes paynès piteuouse Quia amore langueo. Line 24

Line 24

(4)

¶ My faire love and my spousë bryght, [folio 42] I saued hyr fro betyng / and she hath me bett; I clothed hyr in grace / and heuenly lyght, this blody surcote she hath on me sett; Line 28 for langyng love, I will not lett, swetë strokys be thes, loo; I haf loued euer [[MS. ouer]] als I hett, Quia amore langueo. Line 32

(5)

¶ I crownyd hyr with blysse / and she me with thorne, I led hyr to chambre / and she me to dye; I browght hyr to worship / and she me to skorne, I dyd hyr reuerence / and she me velanye. Line 36 to love that loueth / is no maistrye, hyr hate made neuer my love hyr foo; ask than no moo questions whye, but Quia amore langueo. Line 40

(6)

¶ loke vnto myn handys, man! thes gloues were geuen me / whan I hyr sowght; they be nat white / but rede and wan, embrodred with blode / my spouse them bowght; Line 44 they wyll not of / I lefe them nowght, I wowe hyr / with them / where euer she goo; thes handes full frendly for hyr fowght, Quia amore langueo. Line 48

(7)

¶ Maruell not, man, / thof I sitt styll, [folio 42b] my love hath shod me / wondyr strayte; she boklyd my fete / as was hyr wyll with sharp nailes / well thow maist waite! Line 52 in my love was neuer dissaite, for all my membres I haf opynd hyr to; my body I made hyr hertys baite, Quia amore langueo. Line 56

Line 56

(8)

¶ In my syde / I haf made hyr nest, loke in me / how wyde a wound is here! this is hyr chambre / here shall she rest, that she and I may slepe in fere. Line 60 here may she wasshe / if any filth were; here is socour for all hyr woo; cum if she will / she shall haf chere, Quia amore langueo. Line 64

(9)

¶ I will abide / till she be redy, I will to hyr send / or she sey nay; If she be rechelesse / I will be redy, If she be dawngerouse / I will hyr pray. Line 68 If she do wepe / than byd I nay; myn armes ben spred to clypp hyr to; crye onys, "I cum!" / now, soule, assaye! Qui amore langueo. Line 72

(10)

¶ I sitt on an hille / for to se farre, [folio 43] I loke to the vayle / my spouse I see; now rynne she awayward, now cummyth she narre, yet fro myn eye syght she may nat be; Line 76 sum waite [[MS. "make," corrected in margin to "waite."]] ther pray / to make hyr flee, I rynne tofore / to chastise hyr foo; [[Satan]] recouer my soule / agayne to me, Quia amore langueo. Line 80

(11)

¶ My swete spouse / will we goo play; apples ben rype in my gardine; [[Sol. Song, iv. 16.]] I shall clothe the in new array, thy mete shall be / mylk / honye / & wyne; [[Sol. Song, v. 1.]] Line 84 now, dere soule, latt us go dyne, thy sustenance is in my skrypp, loo! tary not now / fayre spousë myne, Quia amore langueo. Line 88

Line 88

(12)

¶ yf thow be fowle / I shall make [thee] clene, if thow be seke, I shall the hele; yf thow owght morne / I shall be-mene, spouse, why will thow nowght with me dele? Line 92 thow fowndyst neuer / love so lele; what wilt thow, sowle / that I shall do? I may / of vnkyndnes the appele, Quia amore langueo. Line 96

(13)

What shall I do now with my spouse? [folio 43b] abyde I will hyre iantilnesse, wold she loke onys / owt of hyr howse of flesshely affeccions / and vnclennesse; Line 100 hyr bed is made / hyr bolstar is in blysse, hyr chambre is chosen, / suche ar no moo; loke owt / at the wyndows of kyndnesse, [[Sol. Song, ii. 9.]] Quia amore langueo. Line 104

(14)

¶ Long and love thow neuer so hygh, yit is my love more / than thyn may be; thow gladdyst / thou wepist / I sitt the bygh, yit myght thow, spouse / loke onys at me! Line 108 spouse, shuld I alway fedë the with childys mete? / nay, love, / nat so! I pray the, love, with aduersite, Quia amore langueo. Line 112

(15)

¶ My spouse is in chambre, hald ȝowre pease! [[Sol. Song, ii. 7 and viii. 4.]] make no noyse / but lat hyr slepe; my babe shall sofre noo disease, I may not here my dere childe wepe, Line 116 for with my pappe I shall hyr kepe; no wondyr / thowgh I tend hyr to, thys hoole in my side had neuer ben so depe, but Quia amore langueo. Line 120

(16)

¶ Wax not wery, myn owne dere wyfe, [folio 44] what mede is aye to lyffe in comfort? for in tribulacion, I ryn more ryfe ofter tymes / than in disport; Line 124 In welth, in woo, euer I support; than, derë soule, go neuer me fro! thy mede is markyd, whan thow art mort, in blysse; Quia amore langueo. Line 128

FINIT.

The Complaynt of Criste.

[Lambeth MS. 306, ab. 1460-70 A.D., leaf 145, written in 8-line stanzas, though to l. 135 it is in 12-line ones.]

(Christ's First Complaint against Man.)

(1)

This is the comepleynt off god Fro man to man that he haþe bouȝte, And thus [[MS. thus thus]] he seyethe to here Ateynt, "Myne owne pepull, what haue yee wrought Line 4 that thowe to me Art so feynt, And I thy love so sore have sought? In thyn Answer no thyng þou peynte to me, By-cause I knewe þy þought. Line 8

(2)

"Haue I nat Do alle that me oughte? have I lefft ony thynge be-hynde? why wrathyst þou me? I greve þe nought; why arte thowe to thy Frende onkynde? Line 12 I shewed thè Love; and that was seene whane I made thè lyke to me; On erthe my werkis bothe quyk & grene, I put hem vndyr in thy poweste. Line 16

(3)

"And frome pharos (that was so keene) Of egypt I delyuerd thee, I kyllyd hym and his by-deene. the Red see for the in to flye, Line 20 I bad that hit drye shouldë bee; I seassid the water and the wynde, [folio 145b] I lede the ouer, and made þe Free: why art thowe to thy freende onkynde? Line 24

Line 24

(4)

"And xl yere in wyldurnesse, with angels foodë I thè Feed; Into the londe of grete Ryches, to schewe thè love, there I thè led. Line 28 to do thè more of kyndenes, I toke þè kyndely, and nothyng dred, I lefft my [[MS. my my]] myght, ant toke mekenes, And my harte bloode for thè I bled. Line 32

(5)

"Thy soule to save, this lyffe I led, I bounde my selffe, þe to onbynde, thus with my woo thy nedis I spede; why art thowe to thy frende onkynde? Line 36 for the in paradyse I ordeynnyd A plase; full Rychë was thyn énfeftment; howe myght þou me þus dispyse ony more, than to breke my comaundement, Line 40

(6)

"And to synne In vij Maner wyse, and to myne Enemy so soone Assent? he put the Downe, thowe myghttyst nat Ryse; thy strenkythe, thy wytt, A-way is went! Line 44 poore, naked, shamed, and shent, that Frendeshype myghttest þou nat fynde, But me that on the Roode was Rent; why art þou to thy freende onkynde? Line 48

(7)

"Man, I love the! whome Lovyst thowe? I am þy frende; why wolt þou feyne? I for-yave, and þu me slewe: ho hath departyd oure lowe A tweyne? Line 52 Turne to me! by-thenke the howe thowe haste go mys! come home Agayne! And thowe shalt be as welcome nowe As he that synne neuer ded fayne. Line 56

Line 56

(8)

"Wayte what ded Mary Mawdeleyne, [folio 146] And what I seyd to thomas of Inde; I graunte the blysse, why lovys þou peyne? why art þou to thy Frende onkynde? Line 60 of A Frende the fyrstë preffe Is love, & drede, & nought displease. there was neuer thyng to me so leffe As mankynde that nought may peasse. Line 64

(9)

"For the I suffyrde grete repreffe: In hyghe hevyn thy soule to easse I was on-hanged as A theeffe; thowe dedest the deede, I had þe disease. Line 68 thowe canst me neydur thank nor pleasse, Ne do goode deede, ne haue me in mynde; I am thy leche in thy Disease, thowe cannyst me nowdur thanke nor pleasse, [[These lines are repeated by mis|take.]] Line 72

(10)

"Ne do goode deede, we have in mynde, [[These lines are repeated by mis|take.]] I am thy leche in thy diseasse, [[These lines are repeated by mis|take.]] Why art thowe to þy Frende on-kynde? vnkynde,—for thowe kyllyd thy lorde, Line 76 And euery day þou wounedyst hym newe, for thowghe wee ben brought to oone Acorde, In couunaunt, wreche, þou art one-trewe, And Redy also to Resorte, Line 80

(11)

"To folowe vyces and sle vertu; All Rybawdry thowe canste reporte, And Day by daye hit to Renewe; [[No gap in MS.]] Line 84 And redy also to pursewe the poore peepull with sleyghttis blynde; thowe shalt owte of this worlde remeve; why art thowe to thy Frende onkynde? Line 88

Line 88

(12)

"The devyll me tempttyd neuer but thrye, But þou me temptyst frome day to daye whythe cursyng affter vengeaunce to crye, to styr my wrathe þou wylt assaye, Line 92 thowe woledyst, and ony woulde me by, Wele worsse than Iudas me be-traye; [folio 146b] at my werke þou haste e[n]vye; that wele ne woo is to þy paye. Line 96

(13)

"And thowe me myghttyst, as I þe maye, wele byttyrly thowe woldyst me bynde; I for-yave, and þou seyest nay, why arte thowe to þe frende onkynde? Line 100 I have bought thy love full dere: Onekynde! why for-sakis þou myne? I yave the myn hart & bloode in Fere Onkynde! why wolt þou nat yeve me þyne? Line 104

(14)

"Thowe art on-kyndë homagere, for with my Fo þou makest me fyne; thowe servyst me with febull chere; to hym thyn hart wolte fully enclyne. Line 108 And I am lorde of blysse and pyne, and alle thyng may I lousse & bynde, Ayenst the wole I my yatis tynde All whyle þou arte to þy frende onkynde. Line 112

(15)

"Man! by-thenk the what þou Arte, fro whens þou come, & wheder þou mone, for thowȝe þou to-day be in hele & quarte, to-morowe I may put þe A-doune. Line 116 lett mylde mekenes melt in þyn hart, that þou Rewe on my passyone, with my woundis depe and smarte, with crosse, naylys, spere, & crowne. Line 120

Line 120

(16)

"Let god and discressione thy wyll holy vp to me sende: thowe hast wyttys & Reasone, And yff þou wylt, þou mayst be kynde." Line 124

(Man's First Answer.)

¶ "A! lorde, A-yeenst the wee wole nat plette, for as þou wouledyst, hit is, and was, And wee have deservyd hellë hete, But nowe wee yelde us to thy grace. Line 128

(17)

"Wee wole boowe, and thowe shalt bete, [folio 147] And Chastice us, lorde, for oure trespase, And lett mercy for vs entrete that neuer no feondis oure soweles chase. Line 132 A! blysfull lady, fayre of face, helpe! for wee been fer be-hynde; that wee nowe with weepyng crye 'alas, for that wee were to oure frende onkynde.' " Line 136

EXPLICIT [in a later hand. The Manuscript goes right on with the continuation, really a separate Poem.]

(18)(Christ's Second Complaint.)

Thus oure gracius god, prince of pyte, whos myght, whose goodenes, neuer by-gan, at whose wyll all by-hovythe to bee, Compleynnyng hym thus to synfull man: Line 140 "Myne owne pepull, Answer me, Excuse thy selffe yf þou can: what haue I trespassyd vnto the? thowe for-sakyst me, þou servyst Sathan. Line 144

Line 144

(19)

"Mane! suche A loue to the I hade! this worllde in vj dayes whan I wrought, thau was the last thyng that I made By-cause I woulde þou wantyd nought. Line 148 what thyng the myght helpe or glade, [2 lines wanting in MS. . . . .] . . . . . to thy be-hoffe alle forthe is brought. Line 152

(20)

"More-ouer I yave the suffraunt[e] that alle Bestis shoulde bowe þe vntyll; I made the also lyke to me, And yaffe the connyng [[MS. comyng]] of Fre wyll, me to serve, that thowe myght see, Line 157 god chese the goode, and leve the yll. I ax no thyng Agayne of the But be my [[MS. thy]] servaunt, as hit is skyll. Line 160

(21)

"But vnto this, takys thowe no tent thowe wyrchyst A-waye full onkyndely, Aloone one-lefully that love is lent; thy hart be-holdythe nat hevyn one hye, Line 164 For alle the goodenesse I have the sente, The lyst nat onys to saye gramercye. [folio 147b] In tyme comyng lest þou Repent, Man! make Amendis or þou dye." Line 168

(22)(Man's Second Answer.)

A crysten soule conseyvyd with synne Resceyvyd in consyence þis compleynt; he fyll downe flatt with dulfull synne, And seyd, "lorde, mercy, souerayne seynt! Line 172 I, moste vnkynde wreche of mankynne, I knowelege I am thy traytur atteynt; this wykkyd lyffe that I lyve in, I may hit nat frome þy knowyng glent: Line 176

Line 176

(23)

"I want wordis and Also wytte, of thy kyndenes to carpe A clawse; All that I haue, þou gave me hytt Of thy goodenesse with-owten cause; Line 180 thowe I have grevyd the, and do yeett, thowe thy benefittis nought with-drawes; I haue deserved to haue hell pytt, So haue I levyd Ayenst thy lawes. Line 184

(24)

"but, lorde, þou knowest mannys febullnes, howe Frell he is, and haþe been aye, for thowȝe the sowle have thy lyknesse, Man is but lothesum eorthe and claye, Line 188 In synne conseyued, and wrechchydnes, And to the soule Rebell Alleweye. furst A man growys As A gras, And Afftyr-warde welkythe as flowre or hay Line 192

(25)

"sithe man is than so frell A thyng, And thy power so grete in kynde, this worlde, man, aye twynkelynge thowe maye distroye, noone may defende, Line 196 with that god mercy wole meenge, and to my soule gostely þou sende; Sore me Repentythe my mys-levyng; Mercy! lorde! I wole A-mende." Line 200

(26)(Christ's Third Complaint.)

"Man, I sende the bodyly helthe [folio 148] that thowe shouldyst spend hit in my servyce, fayrenes and Also feturs fele: But, man, what doste þou with all this? Line 204 thowe doest the delytys of þe devyll; thy delyte is to me to dispyse; thowe levyst A lecherous lyfe one-lelle; frome yere to yere þat lyst nat to A-Ryse. Line 208

Line 208

(27)

"Thowe stodyest affter more Araye, And makest gret cost on clothyng, to make the semely, as who shoulde saye thowe cowdest Amend[e] thy makyng. Line 212 thowe cannyst Dyght the Rychely day by day to steere the peopull to synnyng, thy wrechchyd wyll þou folowyst alle daye; what ende syn hathe, thowe thenkyst nowght. [[The rhyme requires no thyng.]] Line 216

(28)

"In noyes tyme, by-cause of synne— for lechery In Especyall— what vengeaunce cam þan to mankyn! Save viij persowenys they were drowenyd alle. Line 220 Of sodome and gomer the ought to meene, howe I made fyre and brymston falle frome heven on men that bade there-in; for synne were distroyed boþe grete & smalle. Line 224

(29)

"Man, wenyst thowe my myght be lesse than hit was than, or ellis I hathe nat as mychë wykkydnesse As whan I smote so spiteousely? Line 228 But yett I wyll thy fawtes Redresse, thoowe I nowe sparë for my mercy; Man, thenke vppon my Ryghtwysnes, And make A-mendis or that þou dye." Line 232

(30)

(Man's Third Answer.)

"I wott wele, lorde, þou Ryghtfull arte, And þat synne mut be ponysshed need; But o thyng holdythe hope in myn harte, that mercye passithe my mysdede; Line 236 I knowë wele I may nat with-starte, [folio 148b] I have so doone, I ought to dreede. With beaute and with bodyly quarte to servë the I toke noone heede. Line 240

Line 240

(31)

"I haue mysspendyd my yonge age In synne, and wantonnehed also, I have been slowe and lovyd outerage; A gloton, A lechur, I was bothe to. Line 244 I am worthy noon odyr wage But for to dwell in eendeles woo; Alas! why haue I been so outerage, And servyd the fende þat was my Foo? Line 248

(32)

¶ "But, lorde, in holy wrytt Rede wee that þou for-sakyst no wrechchyd wyght that leuythe his syn and turnythe to the, And I to the turne have tyght. Line 252 ffull prowde and Rebell haue I been, But I wele meke me to my myght, frome hens forwarde I purpose me A-yenst myn ownë flesche to fyght. Line 256

(33)

"My Flesche to fellë I wole faste, My louys to travell I wole sende, And thorowe thy grace I am nat A-gast, what sorowe or sykenes to me þou sende, Line 260 to suffyr whyle my lyffe wole laste; for vttyrly to this Entent, to ponysche þat I haue trespassed, Mercy, Ihesu, I wole Amende." Line 264

(34)

(Christ's Fourth Complaint.)

"Man, I haue sende þe syluer & gollde, And alle the welthe within þy woone, to susteyne the and thyn houssolde, And with the Resedewe many one Line 268 tho myghttyst þou haue yonge and olde that been diseassyd and woo-by-goone; My servauntis suffyr hunger and colde, [folio 149] Releffe of the yeet haue I noone. Line 272

Line 272

(35)

"yff þou yeve for my love A ferthyng, thowe doest hit with An hevy harte; In almys dar þou Do nothyng for Drede þou fallë in pouerte, Line 276 In wordis and in vayne spekyng, what-euer þou wastyst, mery þou arte; Of suche I wole haue Rekenyng; A Domys day þou shalt not starte. Line 280

(36)

"than shalt þou yeve A-counte full strayte, howe thowe come by thy goode, eche dele, whedur with trouthë or Dyssayte, And howe þou spendyst hit, evyll or wele. Line 284 Noone odyr grace than afftyr wayte: As þou haste wrought, so shalt þou fele. what shall than prophyte þi gowne purfylled? Poundes and markes of the I peele. Line 288

(37)

"A clene conscyence shall þat daye More prophyte be, & more sett bye, than all thy muke and alle þy moneye that euer was, or shall be vndyr þe skye. Line 292 than wole nat helpë plete nor playe, for ar Right-wole than Deme shall I; And there-for, whylë þat þou may, Make Amendis or þou dye." Line 296

(38)

(Man's Fourth Answer.)

"I wote wele, lorde, frome yere to yere full gretely grevyd the, I have; that I wete wele; nor, þy mercy were, My modyrs wombe hade be my grave. Line 300 for what profyttythe my levyng here But þou wolt affter-warde me save? But Ihesu, as þou boughttest me dere, Leve nat my soulë in hellë Cave! Line 304

Line 304

(39)

"My waste expensis I wyll with-drawe, [folio 149b] Nowe, sertayne, 'waste,' wele colyd þei be, for þou were spent my boste to blowe, My name to bere by londe and ssee. Line 308 wele I wott me thought nat trewe with many A man of my cuntre; yff they me mett, they me nat knewe, Ne neuer yett harden speke of me. Line 312

(40)

"fondely haue I wrought & wyrchyd on wyse; I myght haue goton mychë meede had I spent hit in goddis seruyce, On men diseisyd and almys deede. Line 316 But thorowe thy grace I wyll A-Ryse, for, haue I and myne, oure bare mede, with the Remnaunt, lorde, at þy devyse, the poore, the nakyd, to cloþe & ffeede. Line 320

(41)

"Syk men that lyen in goddis bondis, they haue no syluer for to spende, And prisonners bounden with fete and hondis, Offt for to vesyte I wyll hem Amende: Line 324 what I see howe hit with hem stondis, Suche as I haue, I shall hem fynde; But, lorde, lett þy worke be þy bondis; A, mercy, Ihesu, I wyll Amende!" Line 328

(42)

(Christ's Fifth Complaint.)

"Man, yff thowe wylt Amendis make, Do thyn Almes with thyne owne goode, And wayte þou wyrkë no man wrake, to venge Anodyr manys goode. Line 332 yff thowe ontrewly frome one take, And there-with fynde xl. her goode; Suche sacrefysis I for-saake, they been to me as sowre as soote. Line 336

Line 336

(43)

"the poore peopull þou doest opresse with flyghttis & wylys many also: thowe makyst chyrches, and syng messes, [folio 150] thowe Amendyst wayes, men on to go; Line 340 and some men ban the, & some men blesse: Whedur shall I here of theese twoo? yff þou wolt haue grace as þou thenkis, lett falsnes be Flemyd the froo. Line 344

(44)

"the mothes that thy clothys etys, and þou lettest poore men go bare, thy drynkis soweren, þou mouledest metis where-with the febull myght wele fare. Line 348 thy Rustes þat thy syluer ffreete, thy goodis that evyll goton are, they cryen vppon the vengeaunce grete, there for to spyll, yeet I þe spare. Line 352

(45)

"with-holdyn hem A-yenst the Ryght, thoowȝe thy servaunttis vppon þe crye; And, man, offtymes þou hast me hyght thowe woulde Amende, & leve folye. Line 356 thowe spekyst soore by day and nyght, thowe brekyst couinaunt contenually; yett is me lothe with the to fyght; Line 359 yett make Amendis, man, or þou dye." [[See note on p. 214]]

(46)

(Man's Fifth Answer.)

"Swete lorde, I may nat Ayenst þe saye, [[on leaf 152]] I have nat holden þat I the heete: I greve the gretely every daye, I do nat as I am in dett, Line 364 I woulde do wele, but wele-A-waye, With Enemyes I am euer by-sett; whan my soule woulde faynest þe paye, My flesche is the fyrst þat wole it lett. Line 368

Line 368

(47)

"Euer the fatter that I [hit] Feede, Euer the Fressher hit is my foo, yett must wee bere hit Abowtë nede, But febull hit is, hit wole me sloo. Line 372 the worlde, the fende, my batayle byde Some tyme with wele, some tyme with woo; whate may I do with a wykkyd weede, to fyȝte A-yeen my enemyes soo? Line 376

(48)

"whan I in-force me wother wyles, And thynke I woulde lyve a trewe lyffe and for-sooke all batayllis & gylys, the worlde byddythe me batell blyve, Line 380 And, but I wole vse wrenchis wylys, to comyn wyse as I shall nat stryve," [[MS. ends, and is incomplete.] ["The Stacyons of Rome" follows on leaf 152, back.] [After line 360 the MS. runs on with line 383, p. 216, and transposes Man's Fifth Answer, ll. 361-382, to the end, p. 224. I fetch it back to its right place above.—F. J. F.]] Line 382

(49)

(Man's Sixth Answer.)

"Swete Ihesu, answer I [ne] can, Line 383 But oft I crye mercy with hart stable; Alas for woo! why is man wele woorse than beste onresonáble? Line 386 All bestis, sithe this worllde by-gan, In kyndely wyrchyng be duráble, Save onely I, off wyttys wanne, that wofull many dedis dampnáble. Line 390

Line 390

(50)

"I, man, was made to knowe my maker, And to love hym ouer alle thyng; And I, A wreche, was neuer maker to cache kynde knowyng of my kynge; [folio 150b] Line 394 to tryfyllis have I be tent-taker. A songe for sorowe wele may I synge, for hade I of syn be for-saker, of cryst shoulde I have hade knowynge. Line 398

(51)

"My gostely than blysefull off duste, Curssyd covetyse hathe so blyndedyd me, they been shotyn with ffleschely luste, than hevenly thyngis may I noone see. Line 402 But, lorde, thowȝe I have been on[i]est, thorowe helpe of thy Benyngnyte I hope to Rube A-waye the Ruste, with penaunce, frome my gostely syhte. Line 406

(52)

"And where that I haue A-fore this My worledly synnys spente, frome hens forwarde my purpose is to lerne thy lawe to my lyvys ende. Line 410 thy x comaundëmentis I-wys, hem for to kepe I wyll me bende, And there as I haue doone A-mys, Mercy, Ihesu! I wyll Amende." Line 414

(53)

(Christ's Seventh Complaint.)

"Man, my mercy, yf þou it mende, I have the hit shewed in many wyse Sythen the tyme that þou fyrst synned Ayenst myne hest in paradyse. Line 418 In hell preson when þou were pynyd for doyng of the develys devyse, owte of thy teene for to be tenyd, Mercy and love þe holpe or this. Line 422

Line 422

(54)

"Mercy was thyn advocate cheffe that I for the tooke Flesche & bloode; loue made the to me so leffe, that I for the was Rente on Roode; Line 426 I suffyrde dethe to chaunge þy greffe, And In-to hell than doune I yeede; I brought þe to preeffe to the blysse: Man! I haue been thy frende full goode. [folio 151] Line 430

(55)

"I be-gan poore, thé Ryche to make; to make thé whyte, I was made Rede; my sorowe, my syknes, made thé to slake, My hunger booke the blysfull brede. Line 434 I bonde my selffe, þy bondis I braake; to gett thy lyffe, I suffyrd dede; what shoulde I do more for thy saake? to hele thy foote, hurt was my hede. Line 438

(56)

"yff þou thynk I myght more do for thy saake, saye, I am Redy to dye A-yeen, yff neede were there-too: Suche loue, man, to the haue I. Line 442 I hyght the myrthe & Ioyës moo, But þou Art thy moste Enemy, for nought that I do but þou wylt so; Man! make Amendis or thowe dye." Line 446

(57)

(Man's Seventh Answer.)

"Lorde, whan I thynke on þy pouerte, and how wylfull þou were and fayne; [[Lines 449 and 448 are transposed, and 450a repeated wrongly.]] — to sle my syn, þou were slayne [[Lines 449 and 448 are transposed, and 450a repeated wrongly.]] — to suffyr for me woundis smarte; Line 450 And howe wylfull þou were and fayne; Line 450a harder than Iren is my harte that hathe no pyte of thy payne! Euer the kynder to me þou arte, the more vnkynder I am A-gayne. Line 454

Line 454

(58)

"Why wouledyst þou, lorde, be slayne for me? than Am I thyne Enemye moste vnhende, Sithen no man hathe more charyte than deethe to suffyr for his Frende? Line 458 what skyll is þou shouledyst slayne bee, Sythen I made þe thrall to þe Fende? I trespassyd, lorde, why smottis þou nat me? Nowe, blessyd be þou with-owttyn eende! Line 462

(59)

"I see wele, lorde, that þou lovest us [folio 151b] for oure profyte, & nought for yeve; [[pyne]] for what were þou, ne were Ihesus, thoughe all wee were in eendeles payne. Line 466 Alas, wee been so vysyous, And so onkyndely frome hyr declyne, that is oure god so gracïus, And is so lothe, mannys soule to tyne. Line 470

(60)

"But, swete lorde, as þou haste bygoone, so lett thy mercy forthe extende; Put thy crosse and thy passyon By-twene my werkis, they ought to be brent, Line 474 And thy dome that I may nat shoone, that bondis of hell can me nat hende. Who but the fadur shoulde helpe þe soone? Mercy, Ihesus! I wyll Amende." Line 478

(61)

(Christ's Eighth Complaint.)

"Man, yff þou wolte my mercy gete, thorowe my passyon of grete vertu, why lovyst nat þou me for to bete? Line 481 Eche day on crosse þou doest me newe with deedly syn, at morne, at mete, thowe turmentis me on-trewe, And namely, with thyne othis grete, to swere þou wolte nat me eschewe Line 486

Line 486

(62)

"No lym on me, man, þou for-beryste: why doyst þou evyll Ayenst goode? By my soule thowe offt-tyme sweryst, by my body, and by my bloode; Line 490 with thy tunge me all to-teryst, whan þou arte wroþe & wel ny woode; Man, with thy onkyndnes more me derest than they that rent me on þe Roode. Line 494

(63)

"thowe haste more pyte vppon þy too yff hit be hurt, and lytyll bleede, than euer þou haddyst for all þe woo that euer I Suffyrde for þy mysdeede. Line 498 Whan þou arte tought, than þou shalt woo [folio 152] of sweryng, but yff hit were neede: thowe scorenest hem than seyne þe soo, thowe takest to my heste no kepe. [[heede]] Line 502

(64)

"Lowde lesyngis on me þou makyst, Some tyme to wynne An halpenye, what tyme to wytnes þou me takyste, And yeet the for-sweryst þe wyttyngly. Line 506 Byyng and syllyng, þou nat for-sakyst; bothe veyne & wronge þou sweryst wronge; whan þou doest thus, there bale þou bakeste; Man! make Amendis or thowe dye." [[See note on p. 214.]] Line 510

Goddis owne complaynt.

"WHI ART THOU TO THI FREEND VNKINDE?"

[Lambeth MS. 853, ab. 1430 A.D., page 81, written without breaks.]

(1)

(Christ's First Complaint against Man.)

This is goddis owne complaynt To euery man þat he haþ bouȝt, And þus he seiþ to hem ataynt, "Myne ownë peple, what han ȝe wrouȝt, Line 4 ¶ Þou þat to me art so faynt, And y þi loue so fer haue souȝt? In þine answere no þing þou paynt To me; for whi, y knowe þi þouȝt. Line 8 ¶ Haue y not doon al þat me ouȝt? Haue y left ony þyng bihynde? Whi wraþþist þou me? y greue þee nouȝt; Whi art þou to þi freend vnkinde? Line 12

(2)

I schewid þee loue, & þat was sene Whanne y made þee lijk to me; On erþe my werkis [page 82] boþe quycke & grene, I putte hem vndir in þi poste. Line 16 And fro farao—þat was so kene— Of egipt y delyuered þee, I killid him & hise bidene. Þe reed see atwo to flee Line 20 ¶ I bad, þat drie it schuldë be; I ceessid þe watir & þe wynde, I ledde þe ouer, & made þee free: Whi art þou to þi freend vnkinde? Line 24

Line 24

(3)

And fourti ȝeer in wildirnes Wiþ aungelis fodë y þee fedde; Into þe lond of greet richesse, To schewe þe louë, y þee ledde. Line 28 ¶ To do þe more of kyndënes I took þi kinde, and noþing dredde, I lefte my myȝt, & tooke meekenes; Myn hertë blood for þee y bleed. Line 32 ¶ Thi soule to saue, þis lijf y ledde; I boond my silf, þee to vnbinde; Þus with my wo þi nedis I spedde; Whi art þou to þi freend vnkinde? [page 83] Line 36

(4)

For þee y ordeyned paradijs; Ful riche was þin enfeffement; How myȝtist þou me ony more dispise, Þan to breke my cómaundement, Line 40 ¶ And synne in seuene maner of wise, And to myn enemy so soone assent? He putte þee doun, þou myȝtist not rise; Þi strengþe, þi witt, awei is went! Line 44 ¶ Pore, nakid, schamed, & schent, Þat frendschip myȝtist þou noon fynde But me, þat on þe roode was rent; Whi art þou to þi freend vnkynde? Line 48

(5)

O Man, y loue þee! whom louest þou? I am þi freend; whi wolt þou feyne? I for-ȝaf, & þou me slouȝ: Who haþ departide oure loue a tweyne? Line 52 ¶ Turne [page 84] to me! biþinke þee how Þou hast goon mys! come hoom ageyne! And þou schalt be as weel-come now As he that synne neuere dide steyne. Line 56

Line 56 ¶ Waite what y dide to marie maudeleyne, And what y seide to thomas of ynde; I graunte þee blis, whi lovest þou peyne? Whi art þou to þi freend vnkinde? Line 60

(6)

Of a freend the first[ë] preef Is loue wiþ drede, & nouȝt displese. Þere was neuere þing to me so leef As mankinde þat nouȝt may pese. Line 64 ¶ For þee y suffride greet repreef: In hiȝ heuene, þi soule to ceese, Y was an-hangid as a þeef; Þou dedist þe dede, y hadde þe disese. Line 68 ¶ Þou canst me neuere þanke ne please, Ne do no good dede to haue me in mynde; Y am þi leche [page 85] in þi disese, Whi art þou to þi freend vnkinde? Line 72

(7)

O vnkinde! for þou haste slayn þi lord, And euery day þou woundist me newe, For þouȝ we ben brouȝt to oon acoord, In couenaunt, wrecche, þou art vntrewe, Line 76 ¶ And redy also to resorte To folewe vicis & flee vertu; Al ribaudie þou canst reporte,— Woo is him þat þi wraþþe may not eschewe!— Line 80 ¶ And redi also to pursue Þe poore peple with sleiȝtis blynde. Þou schalt out of þis world remewe, Bi-cause þou art to þi freend vnkinde. Line 84

Line 84

(8)

Þe deuel me temptide neuere but þrie; But þou me temptist from day to day Wiþ cursynge, aftir venieaunce dooþ crie; To stire mi wraþþe þou wolt a-saye; Line 88 ¶ Þou woldist, & ony wolde me bie, [page 86] Weel worse þan iudas me bitraie; At my werk þou hast enuye, Þat weel ne woo may þee noon paye. Line 92 ¶ For & þou ouer me myȝtist, as y ouer þee may, Weel bittirli þou woldist me bynde: I forȝaf, & þou seiest naye; Þus y am freend, & þou vnkynde. Line 96

(9)

I haue bouȝt þi loue ful dere: Vnkinde! whi forsakist þou myn? I ȝaf þee myn herte & blood in fere; Vnkinde! whi nyl þou ȝeue me þin? Line 100 ¶ Þou art an vnkynde omagere, For with my foo þou makist þi fyn; Þou seruest me with febil chere; To him þin herte wolt hooli enclyne. Line 104 ¶ And y am lord of blis & pyne, And al þing may y lose [page 87] & bynde, Aȝen þee wole y my ȝatis tyne, Al þe while þou art to þi freend vnkynde. Line 108

(10)

Man! biþinke þee what þou art, From whens þou come, and whidir þou art boun! For þouȝ þou to-day be in hele & qwart, To-morewe y may putte þee doun. Line 112 ¶ Lete mylde & meckenes melte in þin herte, Þat þou rue on my passïoun, With widë woundis depe & smerte, Wiþ crossë, nailis, spere, & crowne. Line 116

Line 116 ¶ Lete drede & good discresïoun Þi wil holli up to me send: Þou hast fyue wittis & reasoun, And if þou wolt, þou maist be kynde." Line 120

(11)

(Man's First Answer.)

A! lord, aȝens þee wole we not plete, For as þou wolt, it is, & was; We han deserued hellë hete, But now [page 88] we ȝeelde us to þi grace. Line 124 ¶ We wolen bowe, & þou schalt bete, And chastice us, lord, for oure trespace, And lete merci for us entrete, Þat neuere no feendis oure soulis chase. Line 128 ¶ A! blissid lady, fair of face, help! for wee be fer bihynde; Þat wee wiþ weepynge moun crie, alas! For that we were to oure freend vnkinde." [["Iff þou wole be wul with god" follows.]] Line 132

A-M-E-N.

Christ's own Complaint,

"MAN, MAKE AMENDIS OR þOU DIE." (otherwise called the Remorse of Conscience.)

(12)(Christ's Second Complaint.)

Thus oure gracious god, prince of pitee, [page 193] [God] whos miȝt, whos goodnes, neuere bigan, At whos wil al bihoueþ to be, Compleyneth him þus to synful man: Line 136 "Myn owne peple, answere ȝe me, Excuse þi silf if þat þou can: what haue y trespasid vnto þee þat þou forsakist me, & seruest sathan? Line 140

Line 140

(13)

¶ "Man! such a loue to þee y hadde! [page 194] Þe world in sixe daies whanne y it wrouȝt, Þou were þe laste þing þat y maad, By-cause y wolde þee wantid nouȝt. Line 144 Whát þing myȝte þee helpe or glade, What þat þou nedidist durst nouȝt be souȝt; Foul, fische, al þing, þee to glade, To þi bihoue al was forþ brouȝt. Line 148

(14)

¶ "More-ouer y ȝafe þee souereynte Þat alle beestis schulde bowe þee vntille; I made þee also lijk to me, And ȝaf þee kunnynge and free wille, Line 152 Me to serue þat þou myȝtist se, To chese þe good, and leue þe ille. Y aske no þing aȝen of þee But be þi souereyn, as it is skille. Line 156

(15)

¶ "But vnto þis, takist þou no tent, But wriþist awey ful vnkindely, On loue onleefful þi loue is lent; Þin herte biholdiþ not heuen an hiȝ, Line 160 For of al þee good y haue þee sent, [page 195] Þou list not to seie oonys 'gramercy.' In tyme comynge lest þou repente, Man! make Amendis or þou dye." Line 164

(16)

(Man's Second Answer.)

A Cristen soule conceyued with synne [Man.] Receyued in conscience þis compleynt; Fallyng doun flat with doolful dynne, Line 167 And seide, "lord, mercy, moost souereyne seynt! I, moost vnkynde wretche of mankynne, Y knouliche y am þi traitour atent; Þis wickid lijf þat y lyue ynne, Y may it not from þi knowynge gleynt: Line 172

Line 172

(17)

¶ "I want wordis and also witt; Of þin kindenes to carpe oon clause; Al þat y haue, þou ȝaue me it Of þi goodnesse, wiþ-outen cause; Line 176 Þouȝ y haue greued þee, & do ȝitt, Þou þi benefetis not wiþdrawis; I haue deserued hellë pitt, So haue y lyued aȝens þi lawis. Line 180

(18)

¶ "But, lord, þou knowist mannis febilnes, [page 196] How freel he is, & haþ ben ay, For þouȝ þe soule haue þi lijknes, Man is but wlatsum erþe and clay, Line 184 In synne conceyued & wretchidnesse, And to þe soule, rebel alwey. First a man growith as dooþ a gras, And anoon after welewith as flouris of hay. Line 188

(19)

¶ "Siþen man is þan so freel a þing, And þi power, lord, is so fer ykend, Þis world, is an iȝës twynkeling Þou maist distroie, noon may defende. Line 192 Wiþ þi riȝt, lord, mercy mynge, And to my soule goosteli salue þou sende! Sore me repentiþ my mys-lyuynge, For, merciful lord! y schal amende." Line 196

(20)

(Christ's Third Complaint.)

"A, Man, y ȝaf þee bodili hele Þat þou schuldist it spende in my seruice, Fairnesse also, and feturis fele: But, man, what doist þou with alle þeise? Line 200 Þou doist þe delicis of þe deuel: [page 197] Þi delite is me to dispise; Þou lyuest a letcherouse lijf vnleel; From ȝeer to ȝeer þou list not rise. Line 204

Line 204

(21)

¶ "Þou studiest aftir nyce aray, And makist greet cost in cloþing To make þee semeli, as who schulde say Þou cowdist ameendë my making. Line 208 Þou atirist þee richeli day bi day, To stire þe peple to synnynge; Þi wrecchid wil þou folewist alway; What eende synne haþ, þou þinkist no þing. Line 212

(22)

¶ "In noes tyme, by-cause of synne— And for letcherie moost in special— What veniaunce came þanne to mankynne! Saue .viij. persoones, drowned were al. Line 216 On sodom and gommor þou ouȝte to mynne, How y made fier & brymstoone falle From heuene on men þat abood þerynne; In synne were distroied boþe greet & smal. Line 220

(23)

¶ "Man, wenest þou now my myȝt be lesse [page 198] Þan it was þanne? or ellis y Hate not so mychë wickidnesse As whanne y smoot so spiteuoseli? Line 224 But ȝit y wole þi fautis redresse, Þouȝ y now spare for my mercy; Man, þinke vpon my riȝtwijsnesse, And, man, make amendis or þou die." Line 228

(24)

(Man's Third Answer.)

"I Woot weel, lord, þou riȝtful art, And þat synne mote be ponyschid neede; But oon þing holdiþ in hope myn hart, Þi merci passiþ my mysdeede; Line 232 I knowe weel y may nat with-start; I haue so doon, me ouȝte to drede. With bewte & with bodily qwart To seruë þee, y took noon hede. Line 236

Line 236

(25)

¶ "I haue myspendid my ȝong age In synne, & wantownesse also; Y haue be slow, and loued to rage; A glotoun, a letchour, y was boþe two. Line 240 I am worþi to haue noon oþir wage [page 199] But for to dwelle in eendelees woo; Alas! whi haue y ben outrage, And serued þe feend þat was þi foo? Line 244

(26)

¶ But, lord, in hooli writt rede we, Þat þou forsakist no wretchid wiȝt Þat leueþ his synne & turneþ to þee; And y to turne to þee have tiȝt. Line 248 Full proud and rebel haue y bee; But y wole meeke me in my siȝt; From hens forward, y purpose me, Aȝen myn ownë fleisch to fiȝt. Line 252

(27)

¶ "My fleisch to feble, y wole faste; Mi boonis to traueile y wole bende; And þoruȝ þi grace, y am not agast, What sorewe or sijknes to me þou sende, Line 256 To suffre whilis my lijf may laste; For vttirli to þis y wole entende, To ponysche þat y haue trespast; Mercy, ihesu! y wole amende." Line 260

(28)

(Christ's Fourth Complaint.)

"MAn, y haue sente þee siluer and golde, [page 200] And al þe welþe withinne þi woon, To susteine þee and þin householde; And with þe residue, manye oon Line 264 Þou myȝtist han holpe, ȝong & oolde Þat ben disesid and woo-bigoon; My seruauntis suffren hungir & coolde, Releef of þee ȝit haue þei noon. Line 268

Line 268

(29)

¶ "If þou ȝeue for my love a ferþinge, Þou doist it with an heuy harte; In almesse þou darist ȝeue no þing For drede þou schuldist falle in pouerte. Line 272 In wordis and in veyn spekynge, what euere þou waastist, þou myrie art; Of such y wole haue rekenynge; On doomysday þou schalt not starte. Line 276

(30)

¶ "Þanne schalt þou ȝeue acountis ful streite, How þou come to þi good, euery deel, Wheþir þou it wan with trouþe or with disceite, And how þou spendist it, yuel or weel. Line 280 Noon oþer grace þanne aftir waite; [page 201] For, as þou hast wrouȝte, so schalt þou feele. What schal þanne profite þi gowne y-pleite, Poundis or markis þat ȝe of þe peple peele? Line 284

(31)

¶ "A clene conscience schal in þat day More profite, & be more sett by, Þan al þe muk & þe money þat euere was or schal be, vndir þe sky. Line 288 Þanne wole not helpe to plete ne pray; þerfore, as riȝt wole, þanne deme schal y: And þer-fore, man, whilis þou may, Man, make amendis or þou die." Line 292

(32)

(Man's Fourth Answer.)

"I Woot weel, lord, from ȝeer to ȝeer [Man.] Ful greetli greeued þee y haue; Þat y wolde neer þi mercy were, My modirs wombe had be my graue. Line 296 For what profitiþ my lyuynge heere, But y myȝte aftirward be saaf? But ihesu, as þou bouȝtist me deere, Lete not my soule come in helle caaf! Line 300

Line 300

(33)

¶ "My waast expensis y wole with-drawe; [page 202] Now, certis, 'waast' weel callid þei be, for þei were spent, my boost to blowe, My name to bere boþe on londe & see. Line 304 Weel y woot me dare not trowe, Þouȝ many a man of my countree, If þei me mette, þei me not knowe, Ne neuere ȝit herde speke of me. Line 308

(34)

¶ "Fonnedli haue y wrouȝt, as a wretche vnwijs, Where y myȝte haue gete me myche meede Had y it spend in god-is seruyce, On men diseesid, and almesdeede. Line 312 But þoruȝ þi grace, lord, y wole rise; For, haue y or myne, oure barë neede, with the remenaunt, lord, at þi dyuyse, þe poore & nakid y wole cloþe & fede. Line 316

(35)

¶ "Sijke men þat liggen in god-is boondis, Þat han noo siluer for to spende, And prisoners bounden feet and hondis, Ofte for to visite y wole to hem tende: Line 320 Whanne y se how it with hem stoondis, [page 203] Such as y haue, y schal hem sende; But, lord, lete þese werkis be þi sondis; For, merciful lord, I wole amende!" Line 324

(36)

(Christ's Fifth Complaint.)

"MAn, if þou wolt amendis make, [God.] Þan do þin almes of þin owne good, And waite þou worchë no man wrake, to venge anothir man-is mood. Line 328 And þou vntruli from oon take, And þerwith fynde fourty her foode, Al suche sacrificis y forsake, For þei ben to me as sour as sood. Line 332

Line 332

(37)

¶"Þe poore peple þou doist oppresse Wiþ sleitis and wilis ful manye also; Þou makist chirchis, and doist singe messe, And mendist weies, men on to go; Line 336 And sum men þee banne, & summë blesse: Which schal y heere of þeisë two? If þou wolt haue grace as þou doist gesse, Lete al falsnes be fleemyd þee fro. Line 340

(38)

¶"Þe moþþis þat þi cloþis ete, [page 204] And þou letist poore men go bare, Þi drinkis þat sowren, & þi mowlid mete Wherwith þe febil myȝte weel fare, Line 344 Þe rust þat þi siluer doiþ freete, Þi goodis þat yuel gote[n] are, Þei crien vpon þee veniaunce greete Þee for to spille; but ȝit y spare. Line 348

(39)

¶"With-holden hire, aȝen þe riȝt Of þi seruanntis, vpon þee crye; And, man, ofte tyme þou hast me hiȝt Þou woldist amende, & leue folie; Line 352 Þou spekist faire boþe day & nyght, Þou brekist couenaunt contynuely; Me is ful looþ wiþe þee to fight; Þerfore make amendis, man, or þou die!" Line 356

(40)

(Man's Fifth Answer.)

"Sweete lord, y may not aȝen say, [Man.] Y haue not holden þat me hette: Y greeued þee greetli euery day, Y do not as y am in dette; Line 360 I wolde do weel; but, welle-away! [page 205] Wiþ enemyes y am euere bisette! Whanne y wolde þee faynest pay, My fleisch is þe first þat wole me lette. Line 364

Line 364

(41)

¶"Euere þe fattir þat y it feede, Euere þe freischer it is my foo, Ȝit y muste bere it a-boutë nede: Ful febil it is, it wole me sloo. Line 368 Þe world, þe feend, me [bataile] beede, Sumtyme with weele, sumtyme with woo; What may y do with a wekkid [[MS. welkid]] wede, To fiȝte aȝen þree enemyes soo? Line 372

(42)

¶"Whanne y enforsoþe me oþir whilis, And þinke y wolde lyue a trewë lijf And forsake all batailis & gilis, Þe world biddiþ me bataile blijf; Line 376 And, but y wole vse wrenchis & wilis, Þe comoun uoice is, y schal not þrijf. Summe at me mowis, summe at me smylis, And counten me but a kynde caitif. Line 380

(43)

¶"But y þinke, not-withstonding þis, [page 206] To forsake falsnes wiþ-outen eende, To restore aȝen þat y took mys, And to paie my dettis fair and hende; Line 384 And whanne y haue ȝeuen eche man his, As resoun is, þanne wole y spende, And ȝeue myn almës þere nede is; Mercy, ihesu! y wole amende." Line 388

(44)

(Christ's Sixth Complaint.)

"MAn, y sente þee kindeli in-siȝte [God.] Of vndir-stondyng, skil, & witt, To rewle þi silf bi resoun riȝt; More-ouer þou hast holi writt, Line 392 Þat cleerli schewiþ þee goostli liȝt, How þou schuldist deedli synne with-sett, And, how þou me pleasë myght: What eiliþ þee, man, þin iȝe to schett? Line 396

Line 396

(45)

¶"Wordli richesse, & rial repaire, Iewels, and þingis, and myrþe of iolite, Fischis, beestis, briddis of þe eir, Þese þinkiþ þee semeli for to se. Line 400 If þo þingis þat schulen perische & paire, [page 207] Vnto þi sighte þus semeli bee, Weel maist þou wite, y am weel faire, Of whom ech þing haþ his bewte. Line 404

(46)

¶"But, man, as þou wittlees were, Þou lokist euere dounwarde as a beest; It heeuyeth þee of me to heere, Foule speche is to þee a feeste. Line 408 I coumforte þee and make þe cheere, And þou aȝenward louest me leest; I calle þee to me ȝeer and ȝeer, Ȝit wolt þou not come at my request. Line 412

(47)

¶"As from þi foo, þou from me flees, Y folewe feste, and on þee crye, Þou wrappist þee wiþ vanytees, And þinkist my speche is but folie: Line 416 For þing þat nouȝt is, þou wolt leese [[MS. leesee]] My ioie þat lastiþ euere eendeleesly. Man, ȝit leue vice, and vertu chese, And amendis make, or þou die." Line 420

(48)

(Man's Sixth Answer.)

"SWeete ihesu, answere noon y can, [page 208] [Man.] But ofte cry mercy with herte stable: Alas for woo! whi is a man weel worse þan a beeste vnresonáble? Line 424 Alle bestis, siþen þis world bigan, In kindeli worchinge ben duráble, Saaf oonly I, of wittis wan, Þat haue doon manye dedis ful dampnáble. Line 428

Line 428

(49)

¶ "I, man, was made to knowe my maker, And to loue him aboue al oþir þing; And y, a wrecche, was neuere waker To catche kinde knowing of my kyng; Line 432 To triflis y haue be a greet tent-taker; A song of sorewe weel may I synge, For hadde y of synne ben a verri forsaker, Of crist schulde y haue had knowyng. Line 436

(50)

¶ "Mi goostli iȝen ben ful of dust, Cursid coueitise haþ so blyndid me, Þei ben blood-schoten with fleischli lust, Þat heuenly þingis may y noon se. Line 440 But, lord, þouȝ y haue ben vniust, [page 209] Ȝit þoruȝ þe help of þi benignite I hope to rubbe aweye þe rust, With penaunce, from my goostli yȝe; Line 444

(51)

¶ "And where þat y haue to-forë þis My witt in wordli þingis spende, From hens forþward my purpos ys To leerne þi lawe to my lyuës eende. Line 448 Þi ten comaundementis, so haue y blis, Them for to kepe, y wole me bende; And þere as y haue a-fore doon mys, Now, merci, God! y wole amende." Line 452

(52)

(Christ's Seventh Complaint.)

"MAn, my merci, if þou it mynned, [God.] Y haue schewid it þee on many wise Siþen þat tyme was þat þou first synned Aȝens my precept in paradijs. Line 456 In helle prisoun whane þou were pynned For doinge of þe deuelis deuyce, Out of þat prisoun for to be twynned, Mercy and loue þee halp; þinke on þese. Line 460

Line 460

(53)

¶ "Mercy was þin aduoket cheef [page 210] Þat y for þee took fleisch & blood; Loue madë þee to me so leef, Þat y for þee was rent on roode; Line 464 I suffride deeþ to chaunge þi greef, And vnto helle þan doun y ȝoode; Y brouȝte þee to blis from repreef: Þus haue y be, man, þi freend ful good. Line 468

(54)

¶ "I bicame poore, þee riche to make; To make þee whiȝt, y was made reed; Mi sorewe, my sijknesse, made þin to slake, Myn hungir book þi blisful breed. Line 472 I boond my silf, þi boondis y brake; To gete þee lijf, y suffride þe deede; What schulde y more do for þi sake? To hele þi foot, hurt was myn heed. Line 476

(55)

¶ "What woldist þou, man, þat y schuld do? My mercy to þee is ful redy Yf þou wolt dispose þee þerto; Such loue tó þee, man, haue y, Line 480 I hiȝte þee myrþe and ioiës moo, [page 211] But þou art þin owne moost enemy; for ouȝt þat y þee bidde, þou wolt so; Man! make amendis or þou die." Line 484

(56)

(Man's Seventh Answer.)

"LOrd, whanne y þinke on þi pouert, [Man.] And how wilful þou were, & fayn, To suffre for me woundis smert;— To slee my synnës þou were slayn,— Line 488 Hardir than iren is myn hert, Which haþ no pitee of þi payn! Euere þe kyndir to me þou art, Þe more vnkyndir am y agayn. Line 492

Line 492

(57)

¶ "Whi woldist þou, lord, be slayn for me, Þat am þin enemy moost vnhende? Siþen no man haþ more charite, Þan deeþ to suffre for his freende, Line 496 What skile is þou schuldist só slayn be, Siþen y made þee þral to þe feend? I trespaside, lord; whi smoot þou not me? Now, blessid be þou wiþ-outen eende! Line 500

(58)

¶ "I se weel, lord, þat þou louest us [page 212] For oure profite, & not for þine; For what were þou þee werse, ihesus, þouȝ alle we weren in eendelees peyne. Line 504 Alas, whi ben we so vi[ci]ouse, And so vnkyndeli from þee declynne þat oure god art so gracïous, And so looþ art, mannis soule to tyne? Line 508

(59)

¶ "But, sweete lord, as þou hast bigunne, So lete þi mercy forþ extende: Putte þi crosse & þi passioun Bitweene my werkis worþi to be brende, Line 512 And þi doom þat y may not schounne, Þat þe boondis of helle come me not hende. Who but þe fadir schoulde helpe þe sonne? Merciful ihesu, y wole amende." Line 516

(60)

(Christ's Eighth Complaint.)

"MAn, if þou wolt my mercy gete [God.] Þoruȝ my passioun of myche vertu, Whi leuest þou not of me to bete? Eche day on crosse þou doist me newe Line 520 With deedli synne, at morn, at meete, [page 213] As a turmentour to me vntrewe, And nameli, with þin oþis greete, To swerë þou wolt not eschewe. Line 524

Line 524

(61)

¶ No lyme on me, man, þou forbeerist: Whi doist þou yuel aȝens good? By my soule þou ofte tyme sweerist, Bi my body, and bi my blood. Line 528 Wiþ þi tunge þou me al to-teerist Whanne þou art wrooþ, as wiȝt moost wood. Man, with þin vnkindenes þou more me deerist Þan þei þat diden me on þe roode. Line 532

(62)

¶ Þou hast more pitee on þi too If it be hurt, and a litil bleede, Þan euere þou haddist for al þe woo Þat euere y suffride for þi mys-deede. Line 536 Whanne þou art tauȝt þat þou schuldist hoo Of sweering, but whanne it were neede, Þou scornest hem þat sayn þee soo; To myn heestis takist þou noon hede. Line 540

(63)

"Lowdë lesyngis on me þou makist, [page 214] Sum tyme to wynne an halpeny, What tyme to witnes þou me takist, And ȝit þou forsweerist þee wityngly. Line 544 Biynge & sillynge þou not forsakist, Boþe veyn & wrong to sweere me by; Whanne þou þus doist, þi bale þou bakist; Man! make þou amendis or þou die." Line 548

(64)

(Man's Eighth Answer.)

"Sweete ihesu, how schulde y aȝen say, [Man.] But þat y caitife am, more curst Þan þo þat doon þee on þe crosse eche day With greet ooþis & werkis wurst, Line 552 And myche more þee greeueþ þan þei Þat on calueri slowen þee firste; For hadde þei knowe þee for god verray, Þee to deeþ þei hadde not durst. Line 556

Line 556

(65)

¶ But y knowe, aftir my bileeue, Þat þou art god omnipotent, And ȝit y ceesse not þee to greue! Weel worþi am y to be schent! Line 560 How maist þou, lord, suffre me to meeue? [page 215] Alle creaturis owen me to turment; Merueile it is þat y not myscheeue, Þat y neere kild, drowned, or brent. Line 564

(66)

¶ The erþe opened and swelewid al quicke, Daton & abiron for her synne; And y weene þei were neuere so wick As y, moost caitife of mankynne! Line 568 In deedly synne men dien now þicke; Disese ful greet now dooþ bigynne, And ȝit in my synne y stonde and sticke; Yuel custum ys ful hard to blynne Line 572

(67)

¶ I wolde be wantowne, and do ille, But y wolde noon me reprehende, But lete me lyue aftir my wille: Þis was leefful, sumtyme y wende, Line 576 But now y se þat it is skille, Þat such light to me þou sende, But if y leue synne, it wole me spille. Merciful lord ihesu, y wole amende!" Line 580

(68)

(Christ's Ninth Complaint.)

"Man, of þi silf it schal be-long [page 216] If so be þi soule be spilt; Forȝeue þou hem þat worchen þee wrong, And y schal forȝeue þee þi gilt; Line 584 And if þou be of herte so strong, And on no wise forȝeue þou wilt, But venge þi silf with herte & tunge, As a traitour þou schalt be ouer tilt. Line 588

Line 588

(69)

¶ Þou getist no merci, þi silf to saue, Þat no mercy on oþir has: How may þou me of merci craue, And þou wolt grauntë no man grace? Line 592 Merciful men schulen mercy haue; Fel folk, schal y fleeme fro my face; What ensaumple þat y þee ȝaue, Whanne y deeþ suffride, no tent þou taas. Line 596

(70)

¶ I praied for hem þat me disesid, Þouȝ y myȝte hem haue dampned for ay; For, and þou be a litil displeside, Þou bannest & cursist nyght and day; Line 600 For no preching wolt þou be pleside, [page 217] But for to venge þee is þi wil alway; Ful foulë schulde þi foos be fesid If þou myȝte ouer hem, as y ouer þee may. Line 604

(71)

¶ Withoutë cause ofte art þou wrooþ Vnto þi freendis vnskilfully; Whanne þei þee techen & councelle boþe To leue þi wraþþe and þin enuye, Line 608 With wordis greete and spiteful ooþ Þou defendist þee of þi foule folie; But þee to leese, y am ful looþ; Man, make amendis or þou die." Line 612

(72)

(Man's Ninth Answer.)

"Sweete lord, þinke þou madist us alle, And how kinde and propir it is to þee, On synful men þat to þee calle, On hem to haue mercy and pitee. Line 616 Þouȝ y haue be as bettir as galle, For þi greet merci, haue mercy on me, And fro þi loue þat y no more falle! But kindele þou me in charitee. Line 620

Line 620

(73)

¶ For þouȝ y cowþe al kunnynge ken, [page 218] And speke with aungils tungë cleer, And þouȝ y delide among poore men My wordli goodis alle in feer, Line 624 And ȝaf my bodi for to brenne For loue of þee þat bouȝtist me dere, Ȝit al þis profitiþ me not þen, In loue and charite but if y weere. Line 628

(74)

¶ And y woot it is more plesyng To þee, ihesu, my souereyne lord, Þat y loue þee ouer al þing, And be in charite and acoorde Line 632 With alle my neiȝboris, oolde & ȝyng, Þan for to faste & goo wollewarde, And heere alle þe massis þat preestis syng; But if y loue, y gete no coumfort. Line 636

(75)

¶ Alas! whi haue y so wraþful ben, Þat loue myn herte myȝte not come hende? I hatide hem þat me neuere dide teen, Y loued not hem þat me good kende, Line 640 I castide me no þing to be in þat meen; [page 219] To loue myn enemyes, y wolde not entende; But ȝit schal y hem neuere curse, y weene; Merciful ihesu! y wole amende." Line 644

(76)

(Christ's Tenth Complaint.)

"MAn, if þou wolt of bataile blynne, And charite kepe in echë chaunce, My merci soonë schalt þou wynne, So þat þou do fruytis of penaunce. Line 648 Loke þin herte be contrite with-ynne, And sory for þi mys-gouernaunce: What profiȝtiþ þee to schryue þee of þi synne But þou in herte haue répentaunce? Line 652

Line 652

(77)

¶ Þou scornest, and penaunce doist þou noon For þi synne, but þin herte be soor; For wordli losse þou makist moone, Þou siȝest and sorewist myche þerfore. Line 656 And if þi body were woo bigoon, What bittir medecyn ȝeuen þee wore, Ioiyngly þou woldist it take anoon, Thi bodily helë þee to restore. Line 660

(78)

¶ Þi soule with synne is goostly slayn, [page 220] And þou withoute sorewe þi synnë tellis, To do such penaunce, þou art not fayn, As þi schrift-fadir þee councellis. Line 664 Thou wolt neuere restore agayn Fals-goten good þat þou wiþ mellis: Man, þou must þerfore suffre payn For þi synnes, heere or sumwhere ellis. Line 668

(79)

¶ It is impossible, and may not be, To passe fro ioie to ioie: for thi, Take þi crosse to þee, and folewe me, If þou wolt to my blis up stiȝe. Line 672 Greet sijknesse and al aduersite, What-so-euere comeþ, suffre paciently; Hate alway synne, and euere it flee, And, man, make amendis or þou die." Line 676

(80)

(Man's Tenth Answer.)

"LOrd, ȝeue me grace amendis to make, For of my silf me failiþ poweer: Synne þat is deedli y wole forsake, And to do deedis þat worþi merite weere. Line 680 In þis world sende me woo & wrake For synnis þat y haue doon ful seere: [page 221] Who haþ no desese, heere he may quake; Hem þat þou louest, þou chastisist heere. Line 684

Line 684

(81)

For my sake, þritti ȝeeris & moo, greet traueile for me in erþe þou hadde; þi modir, wiþ þin apostolis also, In greet disese her lijf þei ledde: Line 688 In aduersite and mychë woo martris & confessouris weren clad: in such a companye to goo in þi leuerey, y schulde be glad. Line 692

(82)

Siþen þi derlingis þat with þee dwelle hadden such aduersitee in þis lijf, what herte may þinke, or tungë telle, þe payne, þe anguische, & þe strijf Line 696 þat dampned men schulen haue in helle, þere eendelees woo & sorewis ben riyf? Y wole forsake my synnes so felle, & to a discreet preeste y wole me schryue. Line 700

(83)

¶ In trewe penaunce is myn entent, [page 222] Fro hens forward my tyme to spende, And kepe y wole þi comaundëment, Ellis in helle fier y schal be brende. Line 704 Rial repeire, riche roobis, and rent, What mowe þei helpe me at myn eende? But y þee serue, y schal be schende; Mercy, lord ihesu, y schal amende." Line 708

(84)

(Christ's Eleventh and last Complaint.)

"MAn, do penaunce whilis þou may, Lest sudeynli y take veniaunce: Do y not abide þee day bi day Bicause y wolde þou dide penaunce? Line 712 Man, y am more redy alway To forȝeue þee þi mys-gouernaunce Þan þou art mercy for to pray, For my wille were þee to enhaunce. Line 716

Line 716

(85)

¶ Whanne þou alle þi freendis hast asaied, Þou schalt fynde no freend lijk me; 'Þou wolt amende,' þus ofte þou seide, And aȝen amendis wole y not be; Line 720 Do trewe penaunce, & y am payed, [page 223] From eendelees peine y wole make þee free; For whi? for þi loue my lijf y laied: What freend wolde haue so doon for þee? Line 724

(86)

¶ With soruful herte þi synne þou schryfe, Make amendis with þi myȝt & mayn, And if þou þus leeue þi wickid lijf, Myn aungils wolen be þerof fayn. Line 728 Þinke þou ofte on lottis wijf, And turne not to þi synne agayn; Lete not dispeirë þee doun drijf; Þinke on petir & on mawdeleyn. Line 732

(87)

¶ Man, þus wipe awey þi wickidnes, And kepe my biddynge bi and by, And þou schalt haue in my blis, Worschip wiþoute ony velonye, Line 736 No pouert, but al richesse, Hele, strenþe, & wijsdom eendeleesly; Þou schalt be ful of al swetnesse Where þou schalt lyue & neuere die." Line 740

(88)

(Man's Eleventh and last Answer.)

"GRaunte mercy, ihesu, crop & roote [page 224] Of al frenschip, for þou neuere failis; Aȝens þee nyle y not moote, But, as ofte as me yue[l] aylis, Line 744 I wole fallë flat to thi foote, To helpë me in goostli batailis. Aȝens al bale, lord, þou be my boote, Whanne synne & sorowe me sore asailis. Line 748

Line 748

(89)

¶ Now woot y where y schal me hide Whanne y am stirid to ony synne; In þe greet wounde of þi right side; And, be y veryli hid þer-ynne, Line 752 As in a tour þere may y a-bide For auȝt þat þe feend can ymagyne, For al þis world þat is so wiyde, Þere is for man moost souereyn medicyn. Line 756

(90)

¶ Þere may no wanhope make me care, Þat haþ oon of þin aungils so good To kepe me þat y not mys fare, And þi modir, myldest of mood, Line 760 Þat schewiþ to þee hir pappis [Compare Hoccleve's Mother of God, p. 47, l. 112; p. 54, l. 72. Are these paps referd to in English poetry before the 15th century?] bare [page 225] (For me) of which þou soukedist foode; And to-fore þi fadir, [&] mere [MS. not clear.?mere = mother.] maree, Þou schewist þi woundis rent on roode. Line 764

(91)

¶ How myȝte y of þi mercy mys, Siþen to helpe man þou art so hende? Now, ihesu, lord, þou weel us wisse, And, whilis we lyue, such grace us sende Line 768 Þat we may bide wiþ þee in blis, And wiþ aungils, world withouten eende, Þat to be chosen, ordeyned ys To leeue al synne, & hem amende. [["In my ȝonge age" follows in the MS., p. 226.]] Line 772

Amen: Amen :Amen Amen."

The Virgin's Complaint. [In the first edition, this and the following poem from Harl. 3954, having the same first two stanzas, were printed opposite one another, for the contrast of their later stanzas. But as in this second edition the parallel arrangement would have left p. 233 blank, the Resurrection poem is now put after the Death one.] filius Regis Mortuus est.

[Lambeth MS. 853, ab. 1430 A.D., page 74, written without breaks.] [12 stanzas of 12 lines each, abab abab bcbc.]

(1)

AS resoun rewlid my richelees mynde, Bi wielde waies as y hadde went, A solempne citee me fortuned to fynde; To turne þerto was myne entent. Line 4 ¶ A maiden y mette, a modir hynde, Sobbinge & siȝynge, sche was neer schent; Sche wepte, sche wailid, so sore sche pined; Hir heer, hir face, sche tuggid & rent, Line 8 ¶ Sche tuggid, sche taar with greet turment, Sche racide hir skyn, bothe body & brest; Sche seide þeise wordis euere as sche went, "Filius regis mortuus est." Line 12

(2)

"The kingis sone," sche seide, "is deed, Þe ioie, þe substaunce of my lijfe: Þe modir to se hir sone so blede, It kittiþ myn herte as with a knyf. Line 16 ¶ My sone þat y was woont to fede, To lulle, to lappe, with songis rijf; Out of his herte his blood to schede, Makiþ me, his modir, in myche strijfe. Line 20 ¶ I am boþe maiden, modir, & wijf, [page 75] And sones haue y no mo to souke my brest; I may make sorewe without relijf, For 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 24

Line 24

(3)

Thus filius regis, myn owne dere child, Hangiþ on þe croos: y stoonde and se How he is woundid & defilid With spittinge & speeris so piteuousli. Line 28 ¶ I cried upon him as y were wielde, 'Mi swete dere sone, seest þou not me, Þine owne dere modir?' þo he me biheld, And seide, 'moorne not, modir, þi sorowe lete be; Line 32 ¶ I schal be þin & come to þee.' He spak; y swowned, y neuere ceest; A! sone myn, sone myn, upon a tree! Filius regis mortuus est. Line 36

(4)

He dieþ, he dieþ, þat is my blis; He swelte, y swowned, y cried a-las! No wondir is of my greet heuynes! Mi fadir, my broþir, my spouse, he was, Line 40 ¶ My modir, my socour, & al þat ys! Now fadirlees & modirlees y mai forþ passe, [page 76] Broþerlees, spouselees, ful wrecchid y-wis, As a þing forsaken þat no þing has! Line 44 ¶ A! gabriel, þou clepidist me ful of grace. Nay! ful of sorowe þou now me seest; Þe teeris trikilen dowun on my face, For 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 48

(5)

I lokide up," sche seid, "vn-to my child, I cried on þe iewis, & bad hem hang Þe modir bi þe sone þat neuere was filid: O deeþ, deeþ, þou doost me wrong! Line 52 ¶ Mi babe þou sleest, þat neuere was wielde; Come, sle þe modir! whi tariest þou so long? Þou morþer man, whi art þou now myelde

Vn-to þe modir þat wolde deeþ fong? Line 56 ¶ Þou pynest my sone with peynës strong; Pyne þan þe modir at hir reqwest! Alas, y may synge a soruful song, Þat [page 77] 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 60

(6)

A! þou erþe! on þee y clayme apeel Þat þou receyuedist his giltlees blood. Þou stoon! whi woldist þou be so freel To be þe morteis þere þe crosse stood? Line 64 ¶ He made þe erþe and stoonis feele, And ȝe ben instrumentis now to þe roode To sle ȝoure maker! ȝe wite ful weel He dide neuere yuel, but euermore good. Line 68 ¶ He was euere meeke & mylde of mood; Now is he stikid as it were a beest! Alas my babe, my lyuës foode, Filius regis mortuus est! Line 72

(7)

Thou tree, þou crosse, how durst þou be A galow to hang thi maker so? Vnto his fadir y may apeele þee Þat woldist be cause of þe sonës woo; Line 76 ¶ Not cause, but help þat he deed be! Ȝe trees! crie mercy, ȝe be my foo; Hadde ȝe be ordeyned [page 78] a roode for me, To hang me bi him, it hadde ben weel doo. Line 80 ¶ But what may y seie? whidir schal y do? [go] Þe tree haþ hangid a king, a preest; Of allë kingis suche ben no mo As 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 84

(8)

O ȝe creaturis vnkynde! þou iren, þou steel, þou scharp þorn! How durst ȝe slee ȝoure best frend,

Þe holiest child þat euere was born? Line 88 ¶ Ȝe haue him woundid, ye haue him pyned; Spere & nail his bodi haþ schorn! Þou spere! whi suffridist þou þe smyth þe grynde So scharpe, þat al his herte þou hast to-torn? Line 92 ¶ I may crie out on þee boþe euen & morn; A wemlees maydens sone þou sleest! I wringe & wepe as þing for-lorn! Filius regis mortuus est. Line 96

(9)

Thou scourgë maad of ful touȝ skyn, Knottid & gnaggid, y crie on þee! Þou [page 79] beet my barn þat neuere dide synne: Whi beet þou him, & fórbare me? Line 100 ¶ Made he þee nouȝt? myȝte þou not blynne? For ouermyche þou fraiedist þat free; Þoruȝ-out his bodi no place was inne, Boþe fleisch & blood þou pullidist with þee: Line 104 ¶ Þou madist ful blac þat was briȝt of blee, Þou schalt oonis come to oure conquest. O fadir of heuene! now haue pitee Þat 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 108

(10)

Also þou beest must bere þe galle Þat he schulde drinke; þou pynest him more! Vpon my knees here dowun y falle, And axe iuggement of heuen þerfore; Line 112 ¶ And moost y crie on ȝou iewis alle, For ȝit myȝte noon of hem so him haue to-tore, Of alle þese þe instrumentis þat y on calle, But ȝe hem made to greue him so sore. Line 116 ¶ He made ȝou iewis: ȝou to restore He come to ȝe erþe; & now ȝe encreest His pyne: [page 80] alas, þat euere ȝe were bore! For 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 120

Line 120

(11)

O ȝe fals iewis! whi dide ȝe þus, Him þus to slee, ȝoure sauyour? Whanne he sittiþ for iuge, whidir wole ȝe trus? Ȝe moun not hide ȝou from his reddour. Line 124 ¶ Alle oþere creaturis ben peteuose; Þe sunne, þe cloudis, for his dolour, Schewith her moornynge; but ȝe viciose, Ȝoure lauȝinge dooþ him dishonour. Line 128 ¶ Þe erþe qwakid temple & tour To bere ȝou synnful, proud, & prest; Þe sunne ȝeue ȝou no liȝt þis hour, For 'filius regis mortuus est.' Line 132

(12)

Now 'mortuus est' my fair lord! Now deed is my dere child, alas! Now y may walke in þis world As a wrecche þat wantiþ grace! Line 136 ¶ Al þis y seie to bere recorde; Noo lengir myȝte y loke in his face; Þus y come fro calueriward, Weping & wailing þat y born was. Line 140 ¶ If ony man loue me, lene me a plase Where y may [page 81] wepe my fille & reste, And my sone wole graunte him sum þat he has Filius regis mortuus est." Line 144

The Virgin's Complaint and Comfort. Filius Regis Mortuus est. Resurrexit: Regis Mortuus est.

[Harl. MS. 3954, ab. 1420 A.D.; leaf 90 a.] [12 stanzas of 12 lines each, abab abab bcbc.]

(1)

as reson hathe rulyd my recles mynde, Be a wey wandryng as I went, A solom cite me fortunyd to fynde. To turne þer-to was myne entent; Line 4 A louely lady, a maydyn hende, I met here mornyng; but wath sche ment I kowde noȝt knowyn; but fast sche pynyd, Sche swonnyde, sche seyd, & was nere schent. Line 8 Þat blissid beerde fro grownd I hent, Wyth water I wesche here face & brest; Her here, her skyn, sche raside & rent, And seyd "filius regis mortuus est. Line 12

(2)

Þe kynges sone," sche seyd, "is dede! Hyest in heuene his fader is; I am his moder þorowe his manhede, In bedlem I bare ȝour alderes blisse, Line 16 In circumsicion I saw hym blede, Þat prince present I-wys. In a tempille, as lawe gan lede, Tirtildovys I offerid a-bouyn al þis; Line 20 In-to egipt I fled, as m[o]der his, And lost hym, & fond hym at a fest Þer he tornyd water in-to wyn I-wis; And nowe: filius regis mortuus est. Line 24

Line 24

(3)

"Whan he was ded & hang on a tre, iiij flodes of paradice fro hym ran; I cried, 'dere sone, seist þu noȝt me, Thi karefulle moder blo & wanne?' [MS. wanme.] Line 28 A doleful loke þan lokede he, That percyd myn hert, boþe blode & bon; I criede on deth, 'why wilt þu fle? Cum, sle his moder, þu morder man! Line 32 Why slest þou my sone? cum, sle me þan! Why comst þu noȝt at my request? Þou takist fro me alle þat I wan, Nowe filius regis mortuus est.' Line 36

(4)

"What wonder is it þowe I be wo, For he is dede þat soke my pappe? His cors-is graue I come nowe fro, Þat sumtyme lay quyke on my lappe. Line 40 A-las! for sorwe I haue no mo; I, ka[r]fulle moder, where is myn happe? [folio 90b] Nowe ligiȝt he ded, boþe blok & blo! Þe sonne lost his lith, þe clowdes gan clappe, Line 44 The elementes gonne to rusche & rappe, And smet downe chirches & templis with crak, Dede men out of here graue gan skappe, And seyd filius regis mortuus est." Line 48

(5)

Why deyed þi sone, þou maydyn cha[s]t? Þe secund persone, & þe godhede nowt, Nore þe thirde persone, þe holigost, Þis merueliȝt me meche in my thowt. Line 52 For wysdome to þo sone was be-tawte [These lines do not rhyme with 1 and 3 of this stanza, as the others in the poem do.] Whan Adam to synne was browt, iij for iij þat we xulde trespace nowt; [These lines do not rhyme with 1 and 3 of this stanza, as the others in the poem do.]

But maker of redempcion was or we were wrowt. Line 56 Adam to a tre his handës cawt; Cristis handis to a tre were fest; To felle our fon our frendis fawt, And þer filius regis mortuus est. Line 60

(6)

Seynt poule seythe he deyed for alle; Why were not alle men sauyd þan? Sent austyn answerid in generalle, He deyid for euery leuyng man. Line 64 Hym selfë þat wille not god calle, He wylle not leue þat he hym whan; [for wan.] What wonder is it, þowe he be thralle That byndiȝt hym selfe, & not vn-lose can? Line 68 Þe blod þat fro his sydës ran Whan alle þis werlde was derke, est & west, Ther-for I syng as I be-gan, Filius regis mortuus est. Line 72

(7)

"Go, loke," sche seyid, "whille þou mayst se, I may no lenger taryon out of towne." I toke my gate up to þe tre Þér þe blod was rennyng downe: Line 76 iij dayis I dithe me þer to be, For pete of his passïon, Sithen to his graue he went a-lone fro me. iij women I met with precessïon, Line 80 I askyd hem whedir þat þei were bone; Fulle sone þei toke sorowe with-outyn rest, Ȝet þei answerid with dollefulle sone, [folio 91] And seyd, Filius regis mortuus est. Line 84

(8)

So to his graue I went ful rythe, And pursuyd after to wetyn an ende;

I sawe angelis with gret lithe Of seraphynnys order adowne gan sende. Line 88 Þe women, þei sobbid, & mornyd sore in sithe; Þei seyd, "we leyd hym here with oure hande." Þe angelis answeryd with wordis rythe, And seyd, "is not here þat ȝe wende; Line 92 He is resyn, as he ȝowe kennyd, And in to galalye forthe is prest." Here chere & comfort gan a-mende, For resurrexit! non mortuus est! Line 96

(9)

To telle þis tale I hied me fast, That filius regis. was resyn a-geyn; Bé a tempille as I forthe past, I herd wepyng with mechë peyn; Line 100 A woman I sawe þere at þe last That I first met, with-outyn layn, Ful doofully on me here eyn sche cast; But howe sche ferd, fast I gan frayn: Line 104 "A-las," sche sayd, "I am vn-fayn To se my sone in þis dissesse." Þan to þat ladi I answerid a-gayn, And seyd, "filius regis non mortuus est." Line 108

(10)

Seynt thomes seythe, & oder doctours an heppe, Þat first he apperid to our ladi dere; His dethe to here hert sanke most depe For sche was most of his chere; Line 112 So bryth, so gloriouce, þe sonne increppe, His schynyng merkes here bodi bare, He salutyd his moder with gret worchepe, Þat salutacion I herd neuere are, Line 116 "Salue, sancta parens!" I trowe it ware,— In latyne is wretyn fulle honest,— "My blissid moder for euer-mare! For resurrexit! non mortuus est!" Line 120

Line 120

(11)

"Þis was gret mervayle for to se, Þe ertdly moder þat kyng to susteyne; Sweche ioy and solemp[ni]te, Be-forn ne after was neuer seyn; Line 124 The erde is glad, þe sunne is fre, [folio 91b] Þe sunne is glad þat it brythe xalle bene, And neuer after so blac to sene. Þe werlde [MS. welrde] is glad, & hath grace sene, Line 128 Alle cristen pepill glad xal bene Þat crist is boþë k[i]ng and prest; Nowe is seyd hec dies for ioye, I wene, That resurrexit! non mortuus est!" Line 132

(12)

Syn he was lord & k[i]ng ouer alle, Had mythe & powere of good & ille, Whi wolde he not at oo word calle Þe soulis fro heuene at his owyn wille, Line 136 But þus to be ded & thralle? To þis oure gloce wylle answere tylle: He leet his mythe at þat tyme falle, And wrowt wisdomys folle sotylle, Line 140 To bie our soulis þat were hese with skille. Þe fende of mankende had gret tryste; There lost he his cause; þat lekid hym ille, Whan filius regis mortuus est. Line 144

Explicit Filius Regis . · .

Part of a Meditation of St. Augustine.

IN the 1866 issue of the stereotyped edition of Mr. Craik's Compendious History of the English Language, v. 1, p. 193, is the following passage quoted from Sir Frederic Madden's Preface to Havelok: "Between the years 1244 and 1258, we know, was written the versification of part of a meditation of St. Augustine, as proved by the age of the prior who gave the MS. to the Durham Library, MS. Eccl. Dun. A. iii. 12, and Bodl. 42." On my applying to the Librarian at Durham for further information about this piece of verse, the Rev. W. Greenwell answered, "It is upon a small piece of vellum, inserted, and forms no part of the original volume. I send you a correct copy." The Rev. H. O. Coxe, Bodleian Librarian, has also kindly sent me a copy of the Bodleian version, which I print side by side with the Durham one. Mr. Coxe dates the Oxford copy at from 1300 to 1320 A.D.

MS. Eccl. Dun. A. III. 12.

Wyth was his halude brest and red of blod his syde Bleye was his fair handled his wund dop ant wide

And his arms ystreith hey up-hon þe rode On fif studes on his body þe stremes ran o blode. [(P.S.—See Sir F. Madden's print of the Oxford copy, with the original Latin, in Warton, v. 1, p. 24, note, ed. 1840.)]

MS. Bodl. 42, fol. 250.

Wit was his nakede brest and red of blod his side Blod was his faire neb his wnden depe an uide

Starke waren his armes Hi-spred opon þe rode In fif steden in his bodi Stremes hurne of blode. [(P.S.—See Sir F. Madden's print of the Oxford copy, with the original Latin, in Warton, v. 1, p. 24, note, ed. 1840.)]

The Seven Deadly Sins, OR "GYF ME LYSENS TO LYVE IN EASE."

[MS. Univ. Lib. Camb. Ff. 1. 6. fol. 56 b. Handwriting of the 15th century. Every ll has a stroke through it, and most of the final n's have a stroke over them as here indicated.]

(1)

As I walkyd apon a day To take the eyre of fylde & floure, Apon a mylde mornyng of may, when floures ben full of swete savoure, Line 4 I harde on say, "o god! for ay? hough long shall I leve in my doloure?" Apon hys knëys he gan pray, "Swete Ihesu, sende me sum socoure, Line 8 Maryes son, most of honoure, That ryche & pore may ponyche & please, lys me now in my longoure, And gyf me lysens to lyve in ease. Line 12

(2)

To lyve in ease, thy lawes to kepe, Graunt me grace, lorde in blys soo bryght, That I neuer in that caban crepe Ther lusifer ys lokyn with-outyn lyght. Line 16 My myddell woundys, they ben derne & depe, Ther ys no plaster that persyth aryght, her smertyng wyll nat suffre me to slepe, Tyll a leche with dewte have thēm dyght. Line 20 hit most be a cnect, a crouned wyght, That knowth that quaysy from ben & pese, Or ellys theyre medsyns they haue no myght To geve a man lysens to lyve in ease. Line 24

Line 24

(3)

This wound norysshyth woundes sevyn; 'Superbia' ys the most prinsipall, 'pryde pertly' in englysshe steven, For he ys more bytter then euer was gall. Line 28 I haue had ther-to lechys aleven, [folio 57] and they gave me medysins all. The souereynyst medysyn that ys vnder heven, hyt growes nother in ground nother wall; Line 32 'vmylitas' I hard a clerke it call; had I hit, I were at ease. larde! sende it vnto the syke thralle, [MS. tharlle.] and gyff me lysens to lyve in ease. Line 36

(4)

A wycked wound hath me walled, And traveyld me from topp to too; This wracched worlde hit may be called, hit hath many a blayne black and bloo. Line 40 hit hurtys my soule, it makes me to halt, In hed, in hond, in hart al-soo. Nad I ben babtyzyd in water and salt, This ferdly fester wolde neuer me froo. Line 44 This leche lyssyd me, lazars, & moo, Davith and danyell, of her dysease. Amend my wound that doth me woo, And gyff me lysens to lyve in ease. Line 48

(5)

'Invidia' the therd wound ys, A wyckkyd gnawer, or venym, or gowt; he ys a wyckyd wound, I gess, Ther he hath power to Reyne or Rought. Line 52 The condyssion of the wound ys this, To bren my brest with-in and with-oute. I asked a lech what myght me lyss, he toke me 'carytas,' and put it in a clout, Line 56

Line 56 And bade me bame me well aboute, [folio 57b] when hit wolde other water or wese; And sone after, with-outyn doute, Than shold I have lysens to lyve in ease. Line 60

(6)

'Ira' ys a wyckyd wound; he ravesshith me, both raw and rede; And all my cors he woll confound, so sore he swellyth in hart and hede; Line 64 There ys non erbe that growyth on grounde, Nor no coresy may queth that qued, Set 'amor cum paciencia,' in a littyll stound; For he wyll drey ham and make ham ded. Line 68 Lord! sende me sum 'amor' sede, In my gardyn to rote and ryse; Or ellys, as seker as men ete bred, I shall neuer have lysens to lyve in ease. Line 72

(7)

'Auaryssia' ys a [balefull bane,] [MS. "a souking sore," copied from l. 85.] he bladdyrth and byldeth all in my boure; he makyth me to swell, both flesh and veyne, And kepith me low lyke a cochoure. Line 76 I have herde of an erbe to lyss that peyne, Men seyth it bereth a doubyll floure; 'vigilate, et orate:' vse well they tweyne, That shall help the of thy doloure, Line 80 As sekere as bred ys made of floure, Smell them in sesyn with thy nese; The swetness of that savoure Shall geve the lysens to lyve in ease. Line 84

(8)

'Accidia' ys a souking sore, [folio 58] he traveylyth me from day to day, And euer he wyll have more and more Plasters than he purvey may. Line 88

Line 88 I axst a mayster of fysyke lore, what wold hym drye and dryve away? 'Elymosina' ys an erbe ther-fore, Oon of the best that euer I say; Line 92 Noynt hem ther-wyth ay when thow may, Thingk that Requiem shall in the rent & sese, And sone after, with-in a nyght & a day, Thou shalt haue lysens to lyve in ease. Line 96

(9)

'Gula' ys a grevous gall; he bereueth my rest all in my bed; So sore I streyne my stomake with-all, wyth many festys when I am full fed; Line 100 I walow as worme doth in wall, I may nat trest tyll a schamely sched. Mercy! lorde! to the I call, For vs thou lettest thy brest be bled. Line 104 A leche hath layd hys hed to wed To make a plaster that wolde me please, Off abstinaunce; and I it had, Then sholde I haue lysens to lyve in ease. Line 108

(10)

'Luxiria' ys a lyther mormale; Mercy! lorde! full of pite; Thou bringest my body in bitter bale, And fraill my sowle with thy frailte. Line 112 Sumtyme a surioune tolde me a tale; [folio 58b] This was the lessyn that he lerned me; The rote of an erbe I sholde vp hale, Men call it 'chastite'; [This line and the next are written as one; cf. l. 128.] Line 116 and pounde it with penytencie; When the ryb wode wyll on the rese, Drayne it and dringke it with confescionè, Then shalt thow haue lysens to lyve in ease. Line 120

Line 120

(11)

other Erbys ther ben alsoo, That suffer the sores they may nat swell; 'Orys confescio' ys on of thoo, he wyll nat suffre no ded flessche for to dwell; Line 124 'Cordys contrycio' ys the too, A wasshyth the woundes as doth a well; 'Operys satisfaccio' the souereyne sauetyff, [Or 'sanetyff,' sanative.] For soth as I yow tell." Line 128 God, that made both hevyn and hell, geve vs grace to serue and please, In that worthy blys that we may dwell, And gyff vs all lysens to lyve in ease! Line 132

Explicit in veritate Da michi quod merui Quod leweston.