The minor poems of the Vernon ms. ... (with a few from the Digby mss. 2 and 86) ...

XXXII. Hou a man schal lyue parfytly. (A translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum).

This treatise follows the Gospels without being separated from them, either by a larger Initial or special title; yet it is a separate treatise, being a translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum; it was made perhaps from a prose translation such as is found in MS. Vern., f. ccclv., and Thornton (E. E. T. Soc. 1867, p. 15 seq.). The sense is frequently obscured and corrupted. Another translation of St. Edmund's Speculum is Þe Spore of Loue, p. 268 ff. The Speculum is printed in De La Bigne's Magna bibliotheca veterum patrum, ed. Col. 1618, vol. XIII, p. 355.

                    
                       [The following Introduc|tion (1-50) agrees with the Index to the prose-transl. in MS. Vernon (but is want|ing in MS. Thornton).] IN nome of him Alweldyng [folio ccxxvii] 
                    
                      Þat is vr heiȝe heuene-kyng,
                    
                      Takeþ hede here in alle wyse
                    
                      To fleo þe sunne of Couetyse
                      Line 4 
                    
                      And alle þe dedly Synnes samed
                    
                      Þat her-aftur schul beo named.

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                       [In the Spec. precedes: Quo|modo homo debet respicere ad statum suum.] Ȝe mouwe also here hardily
                    
                      Hou mon schal lyue parfytly;
                    
                      Þenne schul ȝe here also
                      Line 9 
                    
                      What is þe wille of god euermo;
                    
                      Also schul ȝe here now rede
                    
                      What þing makeþ mon holy in dede;
                      Line 12 
                    
                      Þen schul ȝe here, ȝif ȝe wol trouwe,
                    
                      Hou mon schal him-self knowe,
                    
                      In bodi and in soule also,
                    
                      Wher he liue treweli or ne do;
                      Line 16 
                    
                      Also mowe ȝe here in hiȝ
                    
                      Þe godnesse of god þat is euer redi;
                    
                      Þen mowe ȝe heere in þis ryme
                    
                      How a Mon schal spende his tyme.
                      Line 20 
                    
                      Also heere lerne we may
                    
                      Hou þat we schule vre lord pay. [Spec.: Quomodo homo debet contemplari Deum in creatura.] 
                    
                      Herkneþ alle feire and stille:
                    
                      Heere schul ȝe so of godus wille,
                      Line 24 
                    
                      As witnesseþ folliche hit
                    
                      Þe Bok þat is cald holi writ:
                    
                      Þe seuen dedlich synnus, þe braunches also,
                    
                      I wol ȝow telle, ar ȝe go;
                      Line 28 
                    
                      Þe seuen vertuwes of Ion þe Ewangelist, [= the seven blessings, which however are given in Math. 5, 3. Spec.: De 7 virtutibus evangelicis.] 
                    
                      Þat [MS. þas]  was ful wel wiþ Ihesu Crist;
                    
                      Þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost,
                    
                      Þe whuche ben of mihtes most,
                    
                      And of heore strengþe also I-feere
                    
                      Sumwhat þenne mowe ȝe lere;
                    
                      Þen schul ȝe heere in presens
                    
                      Whuch ben þe ten Comaundemens;
                      Line 36 
                    
                      Þe[n] schul ȝe heere feir and briht
                    
                      Of þreo [cf. v. 857 ff., where the 4 cardinal virtues (45-8) are included.]  vertuwes and of heore miht,
                    
                      Þat is ffeiþ, good hope, and loue,
                    
                      Þat wol vs bringe to blisse aboue;
                      Line 40 
                    
                      Of þe twelf Articles of þe ffey
                    
                      Schul we also sumwhat sey;
                    
                      Of þe seuen Sacramens,
                    
                      Þat euer ben in godus presens;
                      Line 44 
                    
                      So schul ȝe heere sum or al
                    
                      Þe ffoure vertuwes Principal:

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                      Prouwesse, Rihtwisnesse, and Meth,
                    
                      Strengþe also wiþ hem he geth;
                      Line 48 
                    
                      Of þe seuen werkes [of merci] also—
                    
                      Lord, ȝif vs grace hem wel to do.—

Videte vocacionem vestram.
(Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.)

                    
                      Þis wordus here þat I ow say,
                    
                      To Religious men longen þay;
                      Line 52 
                    
                      Þus muche ben þei forte mene,
                    
                      As ȝe schul heere al bydeene:
                    
                      "Seo," he [sc. Poul]  seiþ, "bi-holde ȝe
                    
                      To what þing ȝe cleped be."
                      Line 56 
                    
                      Þat he seiþ, hem to redresse
                    
                      And to sturen hem to Parfytnesse.
                    
                      ffor [r. þerfor]  eueri Mon þat lyueþ here
                    
                      Ouhte ha Ioye and Serwe I-fere:
                      Line 60 
                    
                      Ioye for þe worþily wonynge
                    
                      Þat is ordeynt to wel lyuynge, [MS. Th.: Ioy for þe holy religion] 
                    
                      Serwe also to haue þerbi
                    
                      ffor vre liuynge vnrihtfuli.
                      Line 64 
                    
                      ffor her seiþ seint Eusebi
                    
                      Wordus þat ben ful dredfuly:
                    
                      "A Mon to Religiun him dresse
                    
                      Is aller-hext sikernesse;
                      Line 68 
                    
                      Not parfyt liue þer-inne son
                    
                      Is aller-hext Dampnacion."
                    
                      In Religiun we to beo don
                    
                      Is aller-hext Saluacion:
                      Line 72 
                    
                      Ȝif þow wolt þat saluacion proue,
                    
                      Al þat is good þou most loue,
                    
                      Þou most loue [r. leue]  eke also
                    
                      Al þat Religius [r. þe world?]  longeþ to;
                      Line 76 
                    
                      Þou most al þi wille ȝiue
                    
                      Parfytly and sikerly to liue.
                    
                      And seint Bernard vs techeþ in hiȝ
                    
                      To liue Mekeli, loueli, and worschipfuli.
                      Line 80 
                    
                      Þat "worschipfuli" is to mene,
                    
                      To Godus worschipe feir and clene,
                    
                      Þat þou do al þyn entent
                    
                      To don al his Comaundement;

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                      Line 84 
                    
                      To don his biddyng þou not asterte
                    
                      In al þat þou may þenke wiþ herte,
                    
                      And loke þou no þing þer-of breke
                    
                      Wiþ al þat þou wiþ mouþ mai speke,
                      Line 88 
                    
                      Or worche in dede wiþ-oute striue
                    
                      Wiþ eny of þi wittes fyue,
                    
                      Wiþ siȝt of Eȝe, wiþ Tonge tastyng,
                    
                      Smellyng of Neose, of Ere heryng;
                      Line 92 
                    
                      What þou dost bi wei or strete
                    
                      Wiþ bodi worching, going wiþ feete,
                    
                      Liggyng, stondyng, þenkyng [r. sittyng]  also,
                    
                      Loke ȝif hit beo godus wille or no.
                      Line 96 
                    
                      Ȝif hit beo his wille, do hit son;
                    
                      Ȝif hit ne beo, hit not don,
                    
                      Do hit not þenne for no maystrie,
                    
                      Þouȝ þou scholdest þerfore dye.—
                      Line 100 
                    
                      Þenne mony mon loud and stille
                    
                      Wol aske, what is godus wille.
                    
                      Hit is to vs boþe more and les
                    
                      To haue vs euere in holynes.—
                      Line 104 
                    
                      Þenne is to wite what, and whi,
                    
                      Þat makeþ a mon þenne holi.
                    
                      Two þinges þer ben In worchyng:
                    
                      Þat on is loue, þat oþur knowyng;
                      Line 108 
                    
                      Þat is knowyng of alle soþnes,
                    
                      And loue of alle grete goodnes.
                    
                      To knowyng of god þat is soþnes
                    
                      Maist þou not come in blod and flesch,
                      Line 112 
                    
                      Bote to knowe [r. þorw knowyng]  þin owne flesch, [r. self?] 
                    
                      And also [r. to loue of]  godus grete goodnes,
                    
                      Maistou not come, as I þe mene,
                    
                      Wiþ-outen loue of þin Euencristene.
                      Line 116 
                    
                      To knowyng of þi-sel[f] maistou
                    
                      Come þorwh good þenkyng nou; [Sp. per frequentem meditacionem] 
                    
                      Þou mayȝt come to godus knowynge
                    
                      Þorwh þin owne feire plesynge. [per puram contemplacionem] 
                    
                      To knowe þi-self old or ȝinge
                    
                      Maistou come bi þis bithinkynge:
                    
                      Þenk bisiliche, I preye þe,
                    
                      What þou weore, art, and schalt be,

                      Line 124

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                      Line 124 
                    
                      ffurst as to þi bodi here,
                    
                      Seþþhe to þi soule þat is so dere.
                    
                      As to þi bodi: foulore hit is
                    
                      Þen euer was eny donge, I-wis—
                      Line 128 
                    
                      Was neuer ȝit dounge so foule
                    
                      Þat wolde so stinke, rote and moule;
                    
                      Þou weore in so gret fulþe igete,
                    
                      Abhominable hit is þerof to speke;
                      Line 132 
                    
                      Þou schalt beo dilyueret to frete
                    
                      To Todus and oþur wormes mete.
                    
                      What þou hast ben & art, haue in mynde,
                    
                      Þat þi soule beo not beo-hynde;—
                      Line 136 
                    
                      What þi soule schal beo in tyme comyng,
                    
                      May no mon knowe but heuene-kyng.
                    
                      Þenk þou hast In chele and hete
                    
                      I-do mony wikkednesse and grete,
                      Line 140 
                    
                      Þenk also, hem to redresse
                    
                      Þow hast laft mony gret goodnesse.
                    
                      Þenk also, þat þis beo not weyued,
                    
                      Þat longe hast lyued, and muche reseiued,
                      Line 144 
                    
                      And hou þou hast spendet þat reseit;
                    
                      To þe þenne wol þis beo ful streit:
                    
                      ffor vch a tyme, drede þe nouȝt,
                    
                      Þat þou hast not on god I-þouȝt,
                      Line 148 
                    
                      Þou hast so loren of þi dispens
                    
                      And don aȝeyn þi lordus defens—
                    
                      ffor hit is vr lordus biddyng
                    
                      To loue him ouer al oþur þyng.
                      Line 152 
                    
                      ffor þou schalt ȝelde also a-counte
                    
                      What vch an Idel word wol amounte,
                    
                      Also to Acountes þou schalt beo brouȝt
                    
                      ffor euerich Idel werk and þouht;
                      Line 156 
                    
                      And as vch an her on þin hed is wried
                    
                      Þat is saued schal beo glorifyed,
                    
                      Also schal no þing ascape
                    
                      Wiþ-outen a-counte erly or late. . . . .
                      Line 160 
                    
                      ffor þe soule þer hit is holde,
                    
                      Is more þen al þis worldus molde—
                    
                      Here is muche of godus grace!
                    
                      Ȝit schal hit ocupye no place.

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                      Line 164 
                    
                      Þe Bodi and þe soule ben al a-stray,
                    
                      Diuerse þouȝtes, willes, disires al day:
                    
                      Ho mihte þenne seche his herte so niȝ
                    
                      To ȝiue acountes al trewely
                      Line 168 
                    
                      Of al þat euere he hedde mys-wrouht
                    
                      Or eny mis-dede hedde in þouht?
                    
                      Seoþ now, breþeren bi ten or twelue,
                    
                      How ȝe ha neode to knowe or-selue!—
                      Line 172 
                    
                      Tac good ȝeme what þou [now] art
                    
                      To soule, and let hit not astart,
                    
                      Whon þou hast in þe luytel of goode,
                    
                      Luitel of wit and pouwer and moode,
                      Line 176 
                    
                      Þis is þus muche forte say
                    
                      Þat þou coueytest vche a day
                    
                      Þing þat nouht is worþ in dede
                    
                      Ne þat þe helpe mai at gret nede.
                      Line 180 
                    
                      Help vs god þat sitteþ on lofte,
                    
                      ffor elles beo we bigyled ofte,
                    
                      Oþurwhile þorwh Ragynge as vnwitti,
                    
                      And oþurwhile beo veyn [MS. veny]  glori;
                      Line 184 
                    
                      Now are we trauaylet in to drede I-lope,
                    
                      Now beo þe wey of fals hope.
                    
                      Þow art so chaungable be-hynde & bi-forn,
                    
                      Þat we wol to-day we wol not to-morn;
                      Line 188 
                    
                      Ofte vr-seluen for to plese
                    
                      Are we aboute worldly ese,
                    
                      But we haue hem at vr wille
                    
                      We beo turmented, us þinkeþ wiþ [om. wiþ]  ille:
                      Line 192 
                    
                      Whon þou hem at þi wille most hast,
                    
                      Þen art þou wiþ hem agreued mast.
                    
                      Þenk wel ȝit, I rede þe,
                    
                      Hou liht þou art to tempted be,
                      Line 196 
                    
                      ffebel and Brutel to stonde a-ȝeyn,
                    
                      Redi to asente wiþ al oure mayn.
                    
                      Of alle þeos Merueylous chaunces
                    
                      Vr lord haþ sent vs diliueraunces,
                      Line 200 
                    
                      And vche oþur day þerfore [r. þerfro] 
                    
                      He vs dilyuereþ more and more. [r. mo] 
                    
                      Whon þou weore nouȝt, he formede þe,
                    
                      Þi soule to his liknesse to be,

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                      Line 204 
                    
                      And þy stinkynde bodi also
                    
                      ffoormed he wiþ lymes two,
                    
                      So feir and noble and of gret prise
                    
                      Þat no Mon may no such deuise.
                      Line 208 
                    
                      Þenk bisiliche, ȝe
                    
                      Þat loueþ or ffadres and modres fre,
                    
                      Whi ȝe louen hem so tenderly—
                    
                      I wolde wite þe resun whi.
                      Line 212 
                    
                      Ȝif þou seist þus, as soþ hit is,
                    
                      ffor þou wer born and geten of her flesch:
                    
                      So don þe beestes, soþ to say,
                    
                      Þat breden of Mon and wommon al day.
                      Line 216 
                    
                      Þe soþe ȝif þou wol lerne þen,
                    
                      Bodi ne soule nastou of hem,
                    
                      But bi him ful witterli
                    
                      Þat is vr lord, god Almihti.
                      Line 220 
                    
                      What heddestou ben, I preye þe,
                    
                      Ȝif þou heddest stille such i-be
                    
                      In fulþe of synne as þou i-gete were?
                    
                      fful Abhomynable hit is to here.
                      Line 224 
                    
                      Ȝif þou loue broþur or suster þan
                    
                      ffor þei ben of þat fflesch i-tan
                    
                      Þat þou weore þi-self also—
                    
                      Þerfore þat loue hast þou hem to:
                      Line 228 
                    
                      Þou scholdust þen loue hard and nesch
                    
                      A pece of ffadur or Modur fflesch
                    
                      In þis Maner, þat I sei here,
                    
                      Al on Schornes [r. of-shorne]  þeiȝ hit were.
                      Line 232 
                    
                      Ȝif þou sigge in þis degre
                    
                      Þou louest hem, for flesch figured þei be
                    
                      To þi liknes, and for þei han
                    
                      Soule of god as þou hast tan:
                      Line 236 
                    
                      Bi þis is he no more þi broþur
                    
                      But on as muche as is a-noþur,
                    
                      But in as muche neuer-þe-latur
                    
                      As ȝe hedde boþe on flesch-fadur,
                      Line 240 
                    
                      And þenne þe biginnyng [MS. bigimyng]  of vre flesch
                    
                      Is stynkynde fulþe neuerþeles.
                    
                      Of O flesch-ffadur alle we came,
                    
                      Adam was he cald bi name;

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                      Line 244 
                    
                      And for he dude so gret folye,
                    
                      Scholde we neuer loue her fleschlye,
                    
                      Bute vche Mon þus scholde loue oþur
                    
                      Gostlich here as sustur and broþur.—
                      Line 248 
                    
                      Ihesu, þat is vr aller kyng,
                    
                      As I seide atte bygynnyng,
                    
                      Whon þou weor nouȝt, þen formed he þe.
                    
                      Whon þou weore lore, þen fond þe he,
                      Line 252 
                    
                      Whon þou weore sold in sorwe and sinne,
                    
                      Þen bouȝt he þe wiþ muchel wynne;
                    
                      Whon þou were diht, i-dampned also,
                    
                      Þen mihtfulliche he saued þe þo;
                      Line 256 
                    
                      Whon þou weore boren in synne eke,
                    
                      He Baptised þe wiþ wordus swete.
                    
                      And whon þou sungest, al day to se,
                    
                      Þen Mekeliche he soffreþ þe,
                      Line 260 
                    
                      And longe he wol ȝit þe abyde,
                    
                      Resseyue þe aftur, so may be-tyde,
                    
                      And putte þe in to his swete couent,
                    
                      Euer to beo to him present.
                      Line 264 
                    
                      Whon þou mis-dost, he wol þe þrete,
                    
                      Longe he bydeþ ar he wol bete;
                    
                      Whon þou syngest wiþ wille fre,
                    
                      fful sone wol he for-ȝiue hit þe.
                      Line 268 
                    
                      Whon þou mis-gost eke also,
                    
                      He þe Amendeþ wiþ wille ful þro,
                    
                      Whon þat þou in doute art ouht,
                    
                      In to þe techyng he haþ þe brouht;
                      Line 272 
                    
                      Whon þou art hungri in eny neode,
                    
                      ffeire he ordeyneþ þe to ffeede;
                    
                      Whon þou hast colde, he warmeþ þe, Mon,
                    
                      Whon þou hast hete, he keleþ þe þon;
                      Line 276 
                    
                      Whon þou wakest, [MS. walkest]  he saueþ þe so,
                    
                      Whon þou slepest, he kepeþ þe to;
                    
                      Whon þou rist vp, he þe sosteyneþ,
                    
                      Whon þou fallest, he þe reiseþ,
                      Line 280 
                    
                      Whon þou sittest, he halt þe ek,
                    
                      Whon þou stondest, he strengþeþ þi feet,
                    
                      And also, soþ for to say,
                    
                      He vndursitteþ þe euere and ay;

                      Line 284

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                      Line 284 
                    
                      Whon þou gost, he wol þe lede,
                    
                      Whon þou aȝeyn turnest, resseyueþ þe eke,
                    
                      Whon þou gost mis, a-ȝeyn calleþ he, [r. þe] 
                    
                      Whon þou art seek, þi cumfort to [r. wol?]  be.—
                      Line 288 
                    
                      Such goodnesses in mony degre
                    
                      Haþ vr lord god I-do for þe.
                    
                      And goodnesse in þyn herte wore,
                    
                      Þou weore holden euer-more
                      Line 292 
                    
                      Alle dayes to þenke [on him] I-wis,
                    
                      And alle tymes to þonke for þis,
                    
                      Alle dayes to speke to [him] Aboue
                    
                      And alle dayes him hertly loue, [= praise] 
                      Line 296 
                    
                      And also wel, ȝit i þe say,
                    
                      On niht as vppon þe day.
                    
                      Þerfore þou þat art þus wrouȝt,
                    
                      At euen and morwe haue þus þi þouȝt
                      Line 300 
                    
                      Hou mony þousund men to say
                    
                      Han perisched in þat niht or þat day,
                    
                      Summe in bodi, soþ hit is,
                    
                      Summe in soule leosen her blis;
                      Line 304 
                    
                      Summe in fuire and oþur maneere,
                    
                      Summe in water þat is so clere;
                    
                      Summe Robbed and woundet also;
                    
                      Summe sodeynly to deþ han go
                      Line 308 
                    
                      Wiþ-outen schrif and hosul þen
                    
                      Þat hem þe rihte wei scholde ken,
                    
                      And for defaute of Confessiun
                    
                      Parauntur go to dampnaciun.
                      Line 312

                    
                      ÞEnk also, a-noþur is þis
                    
                      Þat niht and day moni mon is
                    
                      ffalle in peril of soule way,
                    
                      Þat þe fend haþ mad hem stray,
                      Line 316 
                    
                      Þat is to sei þus forþi
                    
                      In þe seuen synnes dedly:
                    
                      In Glotenye and Lecherie,
                    
                      Monslauȝt also and Envye.
                      Line 320 
                    
                      And of alle þeose wikkede chaunses
                    
                      Haþ crist mad þe diliueraunces,
                    
                      He haþ þe saued as mihti kyng
                    
                      Wiþ-outen þyn owne deseruyng!

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                      Line 324 
                    
                      And what hastou don him and whare
                    
                      Þat haþ þe kept from al þis care?
                    
                      Ȝif þou toke þus goode kepe
                    
                      Whon þou awakest of þi slepe,
                      Line 328 
                    
                      Hou mony goodnesses he haþ þe do,
                    
                      And euer is to þe aboute mo,
                    
                      Þow schuldest him loue souereynli
                    
                      Ouer al þis world, witterli;
                      Line 332 
                    
                      Þou schalt him fynde so bisy now
                    
                      Euermore a-boute þi prow
                    
                      As non oþur þyng he aboute were
                    
                      But þe to kepe whil þou art here.
                      Line 336 
                    
                      Whon þou hast þouȝt in þis wyse,
                    
                      A-Morwe soone vp arise
                    
                      And þonke þi lord of al þis goode,
                    
                      Þat for þe wolde dye on Roode,
                      Line 340 
                    
                      And sei to him wiþ herte fre
                    
                      In þis maner þat i sei to þe:

                    
                      Gracias ago tibi, domine Ihesu criste, qui me [mise|rum peccatorem] [so MS. Simeon]  in hac nocte custodi[sti], [pro|texisti], visitasti, sanum saluum & incolimem ad hanc horam peruenire fecisti, & pro alijs vniuersis beneficiis que [MS. qui]  michi tua sola bonitate contulisti. Qui viuis & regnas deus per omnia. [The English translation is omitted.] 
                    
                      Sey þus, for hit is to þi by-heue,
                      Line 343 
                    
                      Boþe on Morwen and at eue.

                    
                       [vv. 355-362 are not in the Spec.] ÞEnk þenne, I rede, also,
                    
                      Ar þat þou to þi bed go,
                    
                      Hou þou hast spendet þi tyme honeste
                    
                      Whon þou vp ros til þou go to reste;
                      Line 348 
                    
                      And whon þou hast bi-þouȝt þe wel,
                    
                      Bi-sech god merci eueridel
                    
                      Of al þe synnes þat þou hast wrouȝt,
                    
                      And goodnesse þou hast do nouȝt
                      Line 352 
                    
                      Whil vr lord þe lante miht,
                    
                      In þat day ne in þat niht.
                    
                      And loke þou do non oþur dede
                    
                      Til þou haue þe Comaundet, I rede,
                      Line 356 
                    
                      Þe and alle oþur goode eke
                    
                      In to þe hond of god ful meke,

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                      And þenne schaltou þus [The Latin text (In manus tuas &c.) is omitted.]  say
                    
                      In þis Manere, I þe pray. . . . .
                      Line 360 
                    
                      What þeos wordus ben to mene,
                    
                      Ȝe schul on Englich here bi-dene:

                    
                      "In to þin hondes, lord verray,
                    
                      And in to þin holy Aungeles ay,
                      Line 364 
                    
                      I be-teche þis ilke niht
                    
                      Mi bodi and soule to þe be diht,
                    
                      Mi breþeren and my sustren alle,
                    
                      And al my frendes, what-so bi-falle,
                      Line 368 
                    
                      And my nexte frendes eke,
                    
                      And al my gode doeres, i beo-seke,
                    
                      And also I be-seche at ene
                    
                      Alle oþur cristene for to mene.
                      Line 372 
                    
                      Kep vs, lord, þis niht in hiȝe,
                    
                      Þorwh þe [MS. þi]  beo-sechyng of þi Modur Marie
                    
                      And of al halewen also
                    
                      Þat euer weore on eorþe i-do,
                      Line 376 
                    
                      ffrom vices and couetyse vn-hende
                    
                      And ffrom temptaciun of þe fende,
                    
                      Of sodeyn deþ vnwarned to telle,
                    
                      And also from þe pyne of helle;
                      Line 380 
                    
                      Liht myn herte of þe holy gost,
                    
                      As þou art lord of mihtes most,
                    
                      And of þi grete grace þou me take,
                    
                      To þi Comaundemens me boxum make,
                      Line 384 
                    
                      And neuer beo departet from þe
                    
                      Wiþ-outen ende, so mot hit be."— —
                    
                      Ȝif þou vse þis-Maner þing,
                    
                      Þen schaltou haue soþfast knowyng,
                      Line 388 
                    
                      To knowe þi lord in whom is al,
                    
                      Þat haþ þe Mad and saue schal.
                    
                      Loke þenne þat þis beo þe rif,
                    
                      Her-wiþ to lede holy lyf.— —
                      Line 392

                    
                      Þreo Maners þer beo þen
                    
                      Of Contemplaciun vs to ken:
                    
                      Þe furste of hem þat þer is,
                    
                      In Creatures hit is, i-wis;
                      Line 396 
                    
                      Þat oþur in holy writ, we fynde;
                    
                      Þe þridde in god and in his kynde.

Page 232

                    
                      Contemplaciun is, siker ȝe beo,
                    
                      Þe goodnesse of god for to seo.
                      Line 400 
                    
                      Bi his [MS. þis]  Creatures may þou seo þan
                    
                      Þreo þinges ben In god and Man;
                    
                      Þis þreo ben, vs to redresse:
                    
                      Miht, wit, and gret goodnesse. [2 vv. wanting (Miht is ap|propred to god þe Fader).] . .
                    
                      Wit to god þat is sone,
                      Line 405 
                    
                      Goodnes to god holigost in wone.
                    
                      Þorwh his miht, þat wel was torned,
                    
                      Alle þinges þei ben formed;
                      Line 408 
                    
                      Þorwh his wit, so wel demeyned,
                    
                      Alle þinges wysliche he [r. be]  ordeyned;
                    
                      Þorwh his goodnesse, not denyed,
                    
                      Alle þeose þinges he [r. be]  multiplyed.
                      Line 412 
                    
                      His pouwer maistou seo þe laft
                    
                      Þorwh her gretnesse and here schaft;
                    
                      His wit also wiþ-outen distaunce
                    
                      Þorwh heore bounte [r. beaute]  and ordynaunce;
                      Line 416 
                    
                      His godnesse may we seo ful newe
                    
                      Bi heore Multiplicaciun and vertuwe.
                    
                      Heore gretnesse may we seo
                    
                      Wiþ foure propurtes [Lat. dimensiones]  þat þer beo,
                      Line 420 
                    
                      Þat is folliche for to say
                    
                      Þorwh heore heiȝnesse and depnesse ay,
                    
                      Þe oþur two ben of strengþe
                    
                      Þat is [MS. was]  þorwh heore brede and lenge.
                      Line 424 
                    
                      His wit maistou seo ful breme,
                    
                      Ȝif þou þerof take good ȝeme,
                    
                      Þer as he haþ ȝiue sum creature þore
                    
                      Beoyng wiþ-outen eny more,
                      Line 428 
                    
                      Þat is as muche forte say
                    
                      As stones þat ben in world al day. [Some vv. wanting: (to sum being & liuing as to treon & grases).] . . . . .
                    
                      He haþ ȝiue to oþur þynge
                    
                      Lyf, beoynge, and fleoynge, [r. felynge] 
                      Line 432 
                    
                      And al þise ben bi his hestes
                    
                      To þat þing þat men callen bestes.
                    
                      To oþur haþ he ȝiuen also
                    
                      Lyf, beoynge, and fleoinge [r. felynge]  bo,
                      Line 436 
                    
                      And also more þing of Renoun:
                    
                      He haþ to hem [MS. him]  I-ȝiue resoun;

Page 233

                    
                      Þis þing is I-ȝiuen þen
                    
                      Boþe to Aungel and to men.
                      Line 440 
                    
                      Stones noþing may þei feele,
                    
                      Ne grases, and ȝit lyue þei [sc. grases]  wele;
                    
                      Bestes lyuen and feleþ þe;
                    
                      Mon lyueþ and waxeþ as doþ þe tre,
                      Line 444 
                    
                      And as a Best feeleþ, he doþ,
                    
                      And resun as Angel haþ he soþ.
                    
                      Þenk þou on þat dignite
                    
                      To creature of Mon is ȝiue so fre,
                      Line 448 
                    
                      Hou þat his ȝift wiþ honoures
                    
                      Sormounteþ alle oþur Creatoures.
                    
                      Þerfore seiþ Austyn þus fol riht:
                    
                      "I nolde ben Aungel, þeiȝ I miht,
                      Line 452 
                    
                      Heore stat wolde I forsake þan
                    
                      ffor þat stude was purueyed for man."

                    
                      ÞEnk also, Mon is worþi
                    
                      Gret schenschipe, witerli,
                      Line 456 
                    
                      Þat wol not liue at godus wille
                    
                      And his Comaundemens folfille,
                    
                      Whon alle Creatures þat ben and were
                    
                      Ben ordeynd for monnes mestere.
                      Line 460 
                    
                      Þe goode bestes [r. creatures]  þat meke beo þon,
                    
                      Beoþ maad for þreo þinges for mon:
                    
                      ffor to helpen vs wiþ-outen fayle,
                    
                      As schep, hors, kuyn, in vre trauayle;
                      Line 464 
                    
                      And vs to feede, [r. hyde? cf. MS. Thornt.]  and vs to cloþe,
                    
                      As leþer, fflesch [r. flax (Th. lyne).]  and wolle boþe, [2 vv. om.? cf. MS. Thornt.] 
                    
                      As Corn on eorþe and foules to be
                    
                      And also ffissches in þe Séé.
                      Line 468 
                    
                      Þe nuyȝing graȝes [= grases]  and bestes venimous
                    
                      Ben ordeynd for þreo þinges to vs:
                    
                      ffor chastisyng, and amendement,
                    
                      And for techyng wiþ good entent.
                      Line 472 
                    
                      Chatised and punissched we ben in route
                    
                      Whon we ben hurt, and in such doute; [i.e. in doubt of being hurt] 
                    
                      And þat is ful derworþli
                    
                      Of Godus owne grete merci—
                      Line 476 
                    
                      Þerfore bodili he com
                    
                      To Chastise vs, boþe god and Mon, [MS. Th.: And þat es gret mercy of Godde þat he will chasty vs bodyly þat we be noght punescht lastandly.]

Page 234

                    
                      Þat we nere dampned wiþ-outen ende
                    
                      ffor to dwelle wiþ þe ffende.
                      Line 480 
                    
                      We ben amendet whil we wol mynne
                    
                      Þat al vr wo comeþ fro vr synne;
                    
                      Whon we seo þe soþe þus
                    
                      So smale creatures may greuen vs,
                      Line 484 
                    
                      Þen may we þinke þat we be
                    
                      fful of ffebelnesse and of ffrelete,
                    
                      We ouhten alle to beo ful Meke.
                    
                      Whon we godus werkes wol se and seke . . . . . [The 3rd point (teaching of noious creatures) is wanting.] 
                      Line 488 
                    
                      Whon þou hast þus monyfolde
                    
                      Þe werkes of god folliche beo-holde,
                    
                      Lift vp þyn herte wiþ wille liht
                    
                      And þenk þe Muchelnes of Godus miht,
                      Line 492 
                    
                      Þat alle þing ordeyneþ in delyt,
                    
                      And al hit is for vre profyt.
                    
                      A, Lord, Merci! what schul we say
                    
                      Bot we þe serue to þi pay?
                      Line 496 
                    
                      Al þat he vs ȝaf to Multiplie,
                    
                      Alle þo Bestes we distruye;
                    
                      Ȝif God ordeyne and forme hem,
                    
                      We beo bisi to struiȝe hem þen. [Some verses om.?] 
                      Line 500 
                    
                      Loue [al. þei l.; loue = praise]  God for his goodnesse;
                    
                      Honoure him for his feirnesse;
                    
                      Glorifye him at þi redres
                    
                      And also for his grete prouwes.—
                      Line 504 
                    
                      ÞEn is þer a-noþur degre
                    
                      Of Contemplaciun, I telle þe,
                    
                      Þe wȝuche trewe and soþ is hit:
                    
                      Þat is cald holy writ;
                      Line 508 
                    
                      Þat wol teche þe wiþ-Inne,
                    
                      To drawe þe from peril of synne,
                    
                      Þe peyne forte douten ay,
                    
                      To loue þe Ioye þat come may.
                      Line 512 
                    
                      And euer loke, aboute þou be
                    
                      To holde wiþ þe Charite, [513-14 ought to follow the 2 vv. om. after 518. The text is here very corrupt.] 
                    
                      Þis world also in alle wyse
                    
                      Þou beo aboute to dispise;
                    
                      Loke þou what is to done,
                    
                      And also loke what is to schone. [2 vv. om., cf. Spec.: Quan|tum illuminat intellectum in cognitione veritatis, et quan|tum inflammat affectum in fervore caritatis.]

Page 235

                    
                      Of þis two þinges seruen hit
                    
                      Al þat is writen in holy writ:
                      Line 520 
                    
                      Þis ben þo two, to trowe,
                    
                      Þat þou schalt boþe leeue [r. loue]  and knowe [2 vv. om.; Spec.: Ex scriptura debes extrahere et cognos|cere:] 
                    
                      Wȝuche ben þe seuen synnes dedly,
                    
                      And þe seuen vertuwes þerby,
                    
                      Þe ten Comaundemens al-wey,
                    
                      And þe twelf Articles of þe fey,
                    
                      And þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost,
                    
                      And þe seuen sacremens most,
                      Line 528 
                    
                      And þe seuen werkes of Merci,
                    
                      And þe vertuwes of þe Ewangeli, [The 7 praiers of the Paternoster are om. here and in the poem.] 
                    
                      And þe Ioyes also of heuen
                    
                      And þe peynes of helle to nemen.
                      Line 532

Off þe seuen dedly synnes.

                    
                      SEuen Sinnes þer ben dedly:
                    
                      Pruide, Wraþþe, Sleuþe, and Envy,
                    
                      Glotonye, and gredines [= couetise, cf. v. 605.]  also,
                      Line 535 
                    
                      Couetyse [om. Couetyse]  and lecheri, wiþ hem to go.
                    
                      Pruide no-þing elles ne is
                    
                      Bote loue to muche monnes hihnes.
                    
                      And of him comeþ oþur seuene:
                    
                      Vnbuxumnes, þat draweþ from heuene,
                      Line 540 
                    
                      Aȝeynes god, be þou serteyn,
                    
                      Or elles aȝeyn his souereyn;
                    
                      Þat is to sei, I telle þe son,
                    
                      To leue þat is hym beden don—
                      Line 544 
                    
                      Þus is he peired and not mendet,
                    
                      He doþ [r. And do]  þing þat him is defendet.
                    
                      Þat oþur þing is Auauntyng,
                    
                       [These vv. are corrupt; cf. V. pr. tr.: whon a mon avaunteþ him of good þat he haþ of a-noþer or of an vuel (Th. of ill) þat he haþ of himself.] Whon mon of oþur monnes þing
                    
                      And to him-self bi wikkednes
                    
                      He hateþ and bringeþ him in distres.
                    
                      Þe þridde spice is Ypocrisye,
                    
                      Whon mon feineþ him to haue in hiȝe
                      Line 552 
                    
                      Holines þat he haþ nouht,
                    
                      And doþ [Vern. pr. tr. hut, Th. hydes.]  his wikkednes in dede and þouȝt.
                    
                      Þe ffeorþe spice, hit is þen
                    
                      Dispit þat he haþ to oþur men,

                      Line 556

Page 236

                    
                      Line 556 
                    
                      Whon mon [MS. men]  reherceþ [r. repreueþ? (Th. lesses).]  oþur mennes good dede,
                    
                      He wolde beo holde þe beter in leode.
                    
                      Þe ffyfþe spice is Arrogaunce boun,
                    
                      Whon a Mon Makeþ comparisoun
                      Line 560 
                    
                      Bi-twenen his vuel doynges
                    
                      And oþur mennes for eny þinges,
                    
                      ffor his wikkednes and trespas
                    
                      Scholde seme muche þe las.
                      Line 564 
                    
                      Þe sixte spice is boldnes [so V. pr. tr., Th. vnshamefulnesse]  in nome,
                    
                      Whon a Mon haþ no schome
                    
                      Of his grete wikkednes forþi
                    
                      Þat he haþ don so openly.
                      Line 568 
                    
                      Þe seuenþe Elaciun is to rede,
                    
                      Whon mon is proud of his vuel dede.
                    
                      Þou schalt wite boþe in and out
                    
                      Þat þis þreo þinges makeþ Mon prout:
                      Line 572 
                    
                      Þat is to wite and haue in muynde
                    
                      Þe goodes þat he haþ of kuynde,
                    
                      Þat is of [om. of?]  feirnes, or strengþe to say,
                    
                      Or souereyn wit, or Noblay—
                      Line 576 
                    
                      Þat noblei calle I in þis stage
                    
                      He þat [r. þat he]  is prout of hei lynage.
                    
                      Þat oþur þing is and euer was
                    
                      Þe godus þat men han of purchas,
                      Line 580 
                    
                      As wittes, [Th. cunnynge, V. sciens, Sp. scientia.]  vertuwes euerichane,
                    
                      Graces, [al. grace]  Dignite, and eke good fame.
                    
                      Þe þridde is worldly godus þus,
                    
                      As Cloþinge, housynge, Rentes, possessions,
                      Line 584 
                    
                      Meyne, and also gret honour
                    
                      Of þe worldly þinges in eueri stour.

                    
                      Off Envye comeþ, haue we no care,
                    
                      Ioye of oþur mennes vuel-fare,
                      Line 588 
                    
                      And also to make sweryng [r. serwyng]  gret
                    
                      ffor oþur mennes wel-farynge and get.
                    
                      And þat may ben in herte stinkynge, [Sp. per afflictionem, Th. with lykynge] 
                    
                      Or in Mouþ þorwh Bakbytynge,
                      Line 592 
                    
                      Or in werkes of vuel entent
                    
                      Þorwh defaute of good entisement. [Sp. per subtractionem boni vel incitamentum mali.]

Chidyng waxeþ of Wraþþe þen, Swellyng of herte amonges men, 596

Page 237

                    
                      Line 596 
                    
                      Schomeful wordus þenke to seyn,
                    
                      Sclaundre, and also gret dedeyn.
                    
                      Of slouȝþe comeþ drerines, wikkednus, and swelling
                    
                      Of foul wille, wiþ gret þretyng,
                      Line 600 
                    
                      Aboute godus comaundemens not to do,
                    
                      Wonhope, Rechelesnesse also, [vv. 601 and 602 to be transp. Sp. desperatio, negligentia erga dei præcepta.] 
                    
                      Outrage wille of herte to sen
                    
                      Aboute þinges þat defendet ben.
                      Line 604

                    
                      Off gredines [= couetise]  comeþ tresun prest,
                    
                      fforswerynges, and wikked rest, [so MS. Th. (V. feble rest); Sp. inquietudo.] 
                    
                      Violence, and hardnes of herte
                    
                      Aȝeynes Merci wiþ muchel vnquerte.
                      Line 608

                    
                      ÞEnne þer comeþ of Glotonye
                    
                      Veyne gladnesse, and Lecherye,
                    
                      ffulþi, [r. fulþe, V. Pr. tr. fulþe, Sp. immunditia]  Muche speche in hiȝing,
                    
                      And ful feble vndurstondyng.
                      Line 612 
                    
                      Of Lecherie comeþ blyndnes of herte,
                    
                      In Orisun wiþ muchel vnqwerte—
                    
                      In al þe preyers he scholde in be
                    
                      Nis þer wiþ him no stabulte;
                      Line 616 
                    
                      Of him comeþ fool-hastines also,
                    
                      Loue of him-self wol wiþ hym go,
                    
                      Hate of god þat vs bouht,
                    
                      Loue of þis world þat is nouht,
                      Line 620 
                    
                      Drede of [r. and]  dispeir Is al his wone
                    
                      Of þe world þat is to come.
                    
                      Þeose ben þe seuen dedly synnes forþi.
                    
                      Wel may þei ben cald dedli:
                      Line 624 
                    
                      Þe furste þreo dispoyleþ þe mon,
                    
                      Þe ffeorþe abateþ hym as he con,
                    
                      Þe ffyfþe byndeþ him in bonde, [Sp. prosternit eum] 
                    
                      Þe Sixte deseyueþ him in londe,
                      Line 628 
                    
                      Þe seuenþe him put in þraldome,
                    
                      Him to muche harm and schome.
                    
                      ffor Pruide, beo þou þerof bolde,
                    
                      Bi-nymeþ a Mon his god [MS. good, cf. v. 652.]  to holde;
                    
                      And Envye bi-nymeþ also him fro
                      Line 633 
                    
                      His euencristen, [MS. owne self, cf. 654.]  from god to go;
                    
                      Wraþþhe, þat is a schrewed delf,
                    
                      Bi-nymeþ a Mon his owne self;

                      Line 636

Page 238

                    
                      Line 636 
                    
                      Of Slouþe þat ilke foule synne
                    
                      Euere hit tormenteþ hymme; [so Th.] 
                    
                      Gredines in eueri toun
                    
                      Casteþ þe vnsely mon adoun;
                      Line 640 
                    
                      Glotenye deseyueþ hym in luytel stage;
                    
                      Lecherie put him in foul seruage.

Seuen blessynges of god. [This passage, om. in MS. Thornt., agrees with the pr. tr. in MS. Vern.]

                    
                      Aȝein þis seuene vices þus
                    
                      Ordeynt remedie sone Ihesus,
                      Line 644 
                    
                      And send us seuen vertuwes in hihe
                    
                      In þe holy Ewangelye, [Math. 5, 3.] 
                    
                      And seiþ þus in þis Manere
                    
                      As ȝe schul her aftur here:
                      Line 648 
                    
                      "Blesset be þe meke of spirit euene,
                    
                      ffor heoren is þe kynedom of heuene"—
                    
                      Þis is aȝein pruide and mood,
                    
                      Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon his god so good.
                      Line 652 
                    
                      "I-blesset beo þe deboner þen
                    
                      Aȝeynes heore euen-cristen men,
                    
                      ffor þei schul haue in to heore honde
                    
                      Þe lond þat is euer lastonde"—
                      Line 656 
                    
                      Þis is aȝeyn þe foule Envye,
                    
                      Þat bi-reueþ mon his euencristen trie.
                    
                      "Blesset beo þo þat wepen ofte,
                    
                      ffor þei schul beo cumfortet on lofte"—
                      Line 660 
                    
                      Þis is aȝeynes wraþþe to delue,
                    
                      Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon him-selue.
                    
                      "Blesset be þe Merciable men,
                    
                      ffor god schal haue Merci of hem"—
                      Line 664 
                    
                      Aȝeynes gredynes þis mot be,
                    
                      Þat of no mon he haþ pite.
                    
                      "Blesset beo þo þat hungri be þen
                    
                      Aftur Rihtful, disyr forte ken,
                      Line 668 
                    
                      ffor þei schul be fed in blisse"—
                    
                      Þis is aȝein Slouþe and rechelesnesse.
                    
                      "Blesset mote þe clene of herte be,
                    
                      Þe face of god schul þei se"—
                      Line 672 
                    
                      Þis is a-ȝeyn glotenye doyng,
                    
                      Þat euer þenkeþ on flesch lykyng.

Page 239

                    
                      "Blesset be þe pesybles i-tald,
                    
                      Godus children schul þei be cald"—
                      Line 676 
                    
                      Aȝeynes lecherie þis ordeynt wes,
                    
                      ffor þe lechour naþ neuer pes;
                    
                      He naþ no pes for his beste,
                    
                      He may in herte neuer ha reste.
                      Line 680 
                    
                      Þeose ben þe vertuwes seuene
                    
                      Aȝeyn þe vices forte nempne. [The last part of the Chapter in the Speculum is omitted.]

Seuen medicines for þe seuen dedly synnes.

                    
                      Afftur þis he wol vs teche,
                    
                      God þat is vr goode leche,
                      Line 684 
                    
                      Þis seuen medicines, trie to vs,
                    
                      To helen vs of seuen Maledius,
                    
                      And þus he confermeþ [The poet or scribe took confermeþ for conformeþ.]  hem [r. men.] 
                    
                      In to [þo]  seuen vertuwes þen
                      Line 688 
                    
                      Bi vertue of þe holy gost,
                    
                      Þat is lord of mihtes most.
                    
                      Þeose þei ben to nempne þat þing:
                    
                      Þe holigost of wisdam and of vndurstondyng,
                      Line 692 
                    
                      And also, wiþ-outen fayle,
                    
                      Þe gost of strengþe and of counsayle,
                    
                      Þe gost of wit and of pite,
                    
                      Þe gost of doute of god mot be.
                      Line 696 
                    
                      Þorwh þis seuen ȝiftes god ȝaf mon
                    
                      Al þat he haþ neode of þon
                    
                      To his Bodiliche lyf
                    
                      And to his soule wiþ-outen strif.
                      Line 700 
                    
                      Seo hou mon may in his mode
                    
                      Leue þe vuel and take þe gode:
                    
                      To leue þe vuel þat is forbod
                    
                      Techeþ þe gost of þe doute of god;
                      Line 704 
                    
                      Þe gode to do, I telle þe,
                    
                      Þat techeþ þe gost of pite.
                    
                      Two þinges þer beo þan
                    
                      Þat letteþ good doinge of man:
                      Line 708 
                    
                      Þat on is worldly riches,
                    
                      And also gret frouwar[d]nes [Sp. adversitas mundi, Th. tribulacion, cf. v. 718.] ;
                    
                      Riches, hit mon deseyueþ,
                    
                      ffrouwardnes from god him weyueþ.

                      Line 712

Page 240

                    
                      Line 712 
                    
                      Þerfore a mon schal dispise
                    
                      Worldly richesse in alle wyse,
                    
                      Þat he beo not deseyuet beo hit:
                    
                      Þat vs techeþ þe gost of wit.
                      Line 716 
                    
                      And þou schalt suffre stalworþli
                    
                      Tribulacions and anguyses worldli,
                    
                      Þat þou neuere ouercomen be:
                    
                      Þus techeþ þe gost of strengþe to þe.
                      Line 720 
                    
                      Þeose foure ben souereynly
                    
                      To bodiliche lyf forþy.
                    
                      Þat oþur longen wiþ-outen strif
                    
                      Alle to þe gostly lyf.
                      Line 724 
                    
                      ffor þreo maners bi resun
                    
                      Ben of Contemplaciun:
                    
                      On is [in] Creatures bi vre entent:
                    
                      Þat techeþ þe gost of entendement.
                      Line 728 
                    
                      A-noþur in holi writ also,
                    
                      Þat þou seost what þou schalt do
                    
                      And what þing þou schalt lete:
                    
                      Þat techeþ þe gost of counseil swete.
                      Line 732 
                    
                      Þe þridde is of him-self, god and Mon:
                    
                      Þat techeþ þe gost of wisdom.
                    
                      Now seo we now hou Ihesu þe lele
                    
                      Is euer aboute vr help and hele.
                      Line 736

Þe ten comaundemens of god. [This passage agrees with MS. Thornton.]

                    
                      Afftur þis schaltou witen þen
                    
                      Wȝuche ben þe comaundemens ten.
                    
                      Þe furste, hit is be þin a-cord:
                    
                      Worschipe to [r. þou]  O god, vr lord.
                      Line 740 
                    
                      Þen þe fend þe may not derue,
                    
                      Ȝif þou him only worschipe and serue.
                    
                      Worschupe him þorw feiþ and mode,
                    
                      And serue him wiþ werkes gode.
                      Line 744 
                    
                      Þenk ȝif þou haue alle tym
                    
                      Trewely honoured hym,
                    
                      And ouer alle oþur þinges
                    
                      Serue[d] hym and his biddynges;
                      Line 748 
                    
                      Þenk ȝif þou haue ȝolden him þi beo-hest
                    
                      Þat þou be-hiȝtest hym mest or lest:

Page 241

                    
                      Þou him be-hiȝtest feiþful trist
                    
                      Whon þou toke þi Baptist;
                      Line 752 
                    
                      Or ȝif þou haue lasse penaunce don
                    
                      Þen þe was leyd penaunce vppon.
                    
                      Þorwh þis comaundement al-to-gader
                    
                      Mon is ordeynt to god þe ffader.
                      Line 756

                    
                      ÞAt oþur bi-heste is forto seyn:
                    
                      Nempne not godus nome in veyn.
                    
                      Þorw þat is defendet lesynge,
                    
                      ffalshede, and forswerynge.
                      Line 760 
                    
                      Þorw þat is eueri good mon in wone
                    
                      Ordeynt touward god þe Sone,
                    
                      ffor he him-self bereþ witnesse
                    
                      And seiþ "I am soþnesse" expresse.
                      Line 764

                    
                      ÞE þridde heste is forte say
                    
                      Þat þou kepe wel þin haly-day.
                    
                      Þat is to sei, vch an heih fest
                    
                      Þat comeþ þe to, mest or lest,
                      Line 768 
                    
                      Haue þin herte in pes and reste most.
                    
                      Þat ordeyneþ mon to þe holygost.—
                    
                      Þeose þreo hestes techeþ ow and me
                    
                      To beren vs to god þe Trinite,
                      Line 772 
                    
                      To whos liknesse Mon is mad
                    
                      In soule, þat scholde be trewe and sad.
                    
                      Seuene oþure techeþ men
                    
                      Hou þei schul bere hem to her euen-cristen.
                      Line 776

                    
                      ÞE furste is: worschupe þou folly
                    
                      fflesch-fadur and modur and þi gostly.
                    
                      And þat in two Maner of þinges:
                    
                      In boxumnesse and for-berynges,
                      Line 780 
                    
                      And help hem bi þi pouwer in dede
                    
                      Of alle þinges þat þei haue nede.
                    
                      Þen schalt þou beo of long lyf
                    
                      In eorþe here wiþ-outen stryf.
                      Line 784 
                    
                      Ȝif þou wolt haue þe lyf longe,
                    
                      Worschupe þi god [al. hem or him (the scribe took "him" for god).]  wiþ wille stronge,
                    
                      ffor he [r. þat]  þe brouȝt, wite hit wel,
                    
                      Al þi lyf euerich a del.
                      Line 788

Þat oþur heste, hit is þon: In no wey þat þou sle no mon.

Page 242

                    
                      Þenne schaltou wite here,
                    
                      Mon-slauȝt is in þreo manere,
                      Line 792 
                    
                      In þreo manere hit is ful smerte:
                    
                      Of hond, of tonge, and of herte.
                    
                      Of hond hit is wiþ-outen meþ
                    
                      Whon a Mon wiþ wepene sleþ,
                      Line 796 
                    
                      Or whon he putteþ him in dede [Sp. in loco mortis] 
                    
                      In prisun or in oþur stede—
                    
                      Þat ilke doing cause may be
                      Line 799 
                    
                      Of his deþ, as I sei þe. . . . . [Some vv. wanting (manslaughter by tongue).] 
                    
                      Monslauȝt of herte is also here
                    
                      In oþur two vuel manere:
                    
                      Whon Mon coueyteþ oþures deþ in hiȝe,
                    
                      Or for de-faute leteþ him dye
                      Line 804 
                    
                      And nil not helpen him in þat mester
                    
                      Ne him deliuere, ȝif he ha pouwer.

                    
                      ÞEn is hit þe þridde heste:
                    
                      To do no lecherie, mest ne leste.
                      Line 808 
                    
                      He þat wol lyue wiþ-outen dyȝing
                    
                      In þe blisse of heuene-kyng,
                    
                      Him weore neod to kepe ful boun
                    
                      His dedlyche lyf from corupcioun,
                      Line 812 
                    
                      ffrom þat corupciun, sei I,
                    
                      Þat wol come of his bodi.

                    
                      ÞE ffeorþe heste is, witerli:
                    
                      To do no þefþe ne Robberi.
                      Line 816 
                    
                      He þat wol spare oþurmennes lyf,
                    
                      Bi-nyme him nouht wiþ no strif,
                    
                      Þorwh wȝuche bi-nymynge
                    
                      Þou maiȝt bi-reue his lyuynge.
                      Line 820

                    
                      ÞE ffyfþe heste þen is þis:
                    
                      Þow schalt bere no fals witnes
                    
                      Aȝeynes þin euen-cristen þen,
                    
                      Ne also þou schalt not cumforten hem
                      Line 824 
                    
                      Þat wolden liue in reste and ro (!) [Cf. Th.: þou sall noght bere f. w. agaynes thyne euencristyn with hym þat will noye hym or sla hym.] 
                    
                      Heore neihȝebors harm to do.
                    
                      ffor bi a fals witnesse i-bore
                    
                      A Mon may worldli beo forlore.
                      Line 828 
                    
                      Ȝif þou no counseil in no res
                    
                      To him þat wolde liuen in pes

Page 243

                    
                      Wiþ hys euen-cristen to debate;
                    
                      ffor ȝif þou dost, hit torneþ to wrake.
                      Line 832

                    
                      ÞE sixte heste wiþ-outen strif:
                    
                      Coueite þou nouȝt þi neiȝebors wyf,
                    
                      Ne non of his seruauns also,
                    
                      Ne nouȝt þat him longeþ to.
                      Line 836

                    
                      ÞE seueþe heste is þus, I-wis:
                    
                      Coueyte þou not þi neiȝebors godis.
                    
                      Þis two hestes acordyng ben
                    
                      To þo bifore as ȝe may sen,
                      Line 840 
                    
                      Þer he seiþ to þe in hiȝe
                    
                      "Do no þefþe, ne lecherie,"
                    
                      ffor he þat haþ wikked wille and smert,
                    
                      Wikked entent is in his hert,
                      Line 844 
                    
                      He may not longe for no þing
                    
                      Holden him from mis-doing.
                    
                      Þerfore I warne þe nou so,
                    
                      Þat þou lecherie ne do;
                      Line 848 
                    
                      Ȝif þou wolt not stele nou,
                    
                      Oþur mennes good coueite not þou.
                    
                      Þeos ben þe ten hestes to say
                    
                      Þat god ȝaf Moyses in þe Mount of Synay.
                      Line 852 
                    
                      Þe furste þreo, witeþ hit wel,
                    
                      Ben to godus honour eueridel;
                    
                      And to þi-self longen þe seuene,
                    
                      To louen alle cristene euene.
                      Line 856

Þe seuen vertues of god.

                    
                      Aftur scha[l]tou wite wȝuche ben
                    
                      Þe seuen vertuwes vppon to sen,
                    
                      Þat is to wite: ffeiþ, hope, and loue,
                    
                      Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes a-boue,
                      Line 860 
                    
                      Temperaunce, and strengþe mest.
                    
                      Of O Matere ben þeos two [r. ten?]  hest
                    
                      And þe seue vertuwes in presens,
                    
                      Saue þis is þe differens:
                    
                      Þe ten hestes techeþ hou [r. what]  þou schalt do,
                    
                      Þe seuen vertuwes techeþ þe matere [r. manere Cf. Th.: The x comandmenteȝ kennes vs what we sall do, and þe vii vertus kennes vs how we sall doo.]  also.
                    
                      Þe ffurste þreo þat ben aboue,
                    
                      Is to wite, ffeiþ, Hope, and Loue,

                      Line 868

Page 244

                    
                      Line 868 
                    
                      Þise þreo, þei ordeyne hou þou schalt
                    
                      Touward god liue þat al walt;
                    
                      And þis oþere her-aftur scuene
                    
                      Teche þe to knowe þe wey to heuene.
                      Line 872

                    
                      ȜE [MS. Ze]  wite wel, my leue ffrende,
                    
                      Alle beo we formed to on ende:
                    
                      Þat is to seye, god to knowe,
                    
                      Him to loue and honoure we owe.
                      Line 876 
                    
                      Bote þreo þinges, ar we wende,
                    
                      Beon nedful to come to vre ende:
                    
                      And þenne is þis þat on
                    
                      To wite whodur we schulle gon;
                      Line 880 
                    
                      Þat oþur, þat we ben willi
                    
                      To gon in trust ful treweli;
                    
                      And þenne is þe þridde þinge:
                    
                      To haue trust of wel goinge—
                      Line 884 
                    
                      Gret folye hit were to fo or ffrende
                    
                      To bi-ginne þing he may not ende.
                    
                      A Mon þat wol wel do þer-tille,
                    
                      Meste ha miht, Connyng, and wille,
                      Line 888 
                    
                      Þat is to say þus ȝow to:
                    
                      Þat he con, Mai, and wol [wel] do.
                    
                      But for we haue not vs ner
                    
                      Of vr-self Miht, [r. Wil]  Wit, ne pouwer,
                      Line 892 
                    
                      Þerfore haþ god ȝiuen vs tille
                    
                      ffeiþ, alle þise to folfille. [Sp.: ideo donavit nobis Deus fidem ad implendum defectum cognitionis, spem ad implendum defectum potestatis, charitatem ad ordinandum voluntatem ad unum & aliud.] 
                    
                      ffeiþ ordeyneþ vs to god þe sone,
                    
                      To whom is a-propred wisdam in wone;
                      Line 896 
                    
                      Hope ordeyneþ vs to þe ffadur riht,
                    
                      To whom is a-propred Miht;
                    
                      Loue to þe Holigost doþ vs dresse,
                    
                      To whom is a-propred alle goodnesse.
                      Line 900 
                    
                      And þerfore of god wiþ-outen lesynge
                    
                      ffeiþ doþ vs to haue knowynge;
                    
                      And þat knowynge of [r. seiþ; cf. Th.: and þat knaweynge vs sayse þat he es wondyrfull[y] fre þat one þis manere and þus largely gyffes of his gudnes.]  god wiþ mood
                    
                      Ȝiueþ vs frely and largeli of his good:
                    
                      And out of þat godnesse [r. knowyng]  is i-crope
                    
                      And comeþ to vs þenne hope;
                    
                      Of þat knowyng, I vndurstod,
                    
                      Þer he seiþ vs þat he is good,

                      Line 908

Page 245

                    
                      Line 908 
                    
                      Þer-of comeþ feir aboue
                    
                      Þe þridde vertue þat is loue,
                      Line 910 
                    
                      ffor vch a þing, Resun whi,
                    
                      Schal loue þe goode kuyndeli. [The 4 cardinal virtues are treated separately v. 999, p. 247 ff, as in Th. and in the Spec.] 
                      Line 912

Þe twolue articles of þe fey. [This passage differs from Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr.]

                    
                      ÞEn schaltou wite, as I þe sei,
                    
                      Whuche ben þe .xij. Articles of þe fei.
                    
                      ffurst, god is on in him-self for to lende,
                    
                      And þre persones, wiþ-outen ende,
                      Line 916 
                    
                      And is verrey God and lord
                    
                      Þat alle þing made wiþ his word.
                    
                      Þat oþur article is ful trye:
                    
                      Þat he tok flesch and blod of Maide Marie.
                      Line 920 
                    
                      Þe þridde Article [belongs to the 2nd in Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr.] : þat he was bore þon
                    
                      Of hire, soþfast god and mon.
                    
                      Þe fferþe Article, we sen hit red:
                    
                      Vndur Pilatus pouwer was he ded,
                      Line 924 
                    
                      Not for nede, I sei ow tille,
                    
                      But vs to buye of his ffreo wille.
                    
                      Þe ffyfþe [belongs to the preceding in Spec. and V. pr. tr.; is om. in Th.]  is, soþ to telle:
                    
                      Þat his soule wente doun to helle
                      Line 928 
                    
                      And fet hem out in to his blis,
                    
                      Alle þo þat weren his.
                    
                      Þe Sixte: þat he ros wiþ-outen striue,
                    
                      God and Mon, from deþ to lyue.
                      Line 932 
                    
                      Þe seueþe is in vre sawes:
                    
                      Aftur þe fulle fourti dawes
                    
                      Of his blisful and hard dyȝing
                    
                      He steih to heuene þer he is kyng;
                      Line 936 
                    
                      He þat is lord of Séé and Sond
                    
                      Sitteþ þer on his fadur riht hond.
                    
                       [In the Spec. &c. these last articles belong to the preced|ing (5th), and the 7 sacra|ments form the 7 last.] Þe eihteþe is: he schal present
                    
                      Beon atte day of Iugement,
                    
                      Goode and wikkede schal he deme
                      Line 941 
                    
                      And alle þing as him wol bi-seeme.
                    
                      Þe Niþe is wiþ-outen bost:
                    
                      Þat in god is þe holygost,
                      Line 944 
                    
                      And euermore so wol be,
                    
                      Þe þridde persone [MS. persones]  of þe trinite;

Page 246

                    
                      Of whom, þat is so heiȝ in blis,
                    
                      Al-holichirche halewed hit is.
                      Line 948 
                    
                      Þe tenþe is of comynge [r. comonynge]  of holi men,
                    
                      Þat is to sei fulliche of hem
                    
                      Þat ben lymes of holychirche
                    
                      And no dedly synne nul worche,
                      Line 952 
                    
                      Han part of alle goode dedes sone
                    
                      Þat in holi chirche ben done.
                    
                      Þe Elleueþe is: þorw þe sacrament
                    
                      Of holichurche wiþ good entent
                      Line 956 
                    
                      Þe goode schul haue forȝiuenesse
                    
                      Of heore synnes more and lesse.
                    
                      Þe twelfþe is þat Mon and wyue
                    
                      Schullen arise from deþ to lyue.
                      Line 960 
                    
                      Þe þrettenþe is: þe goode schul haue
                    
                      Euerlastinde lyf þat schal hem saue,
                    
                      And þis oþure þenne schul wende
                    
                      To lastyng pyne wiþ-outen ende.
                      Line 964

Þe Seuen sacromens of holy churche. [In Spec., Th. and V. pr. tr. included in the creed as forming the 7 last articles. The text is abridged.]

                    
                      Afftur þis schul ȝe here bi-ginne
                    
                      Þe sacramens seuen þat fordon synne;
                    
                      He hem ordeynde synne to wiþ-stonde
                    
                      And þe gode to take on honde.
                    
                      Þe furste is cald Baptisme,
                    
                      Þat child takeþ er þen his crisme;
                    
                      Þat clanseþ mon of þat synne
                    
                      Þat vr forme-fader brouȝt us inne.
                      Line 972 
                    
                      Þat oþur sacrament is of renoun
                    
                      And is cald Confirmacioun:
                    
                      ffor whon he is so cristned þon,
                    
                      He confermeþ þe holigost in mon.
                      Line 976 
                    
                      Þe þridde is penaunce to biginne,
                    
                      Þat freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne.
                    
                      Þe feorþe is sacrament of þe Auter,
                    
                      Þat confermeþ mon hol and feer
                      Line 980 
                    
                      And ȝiueþ him strengþe good wiþ-alle,
                    
                      Þat he eft-sones in synne ne falle;
                    
                      Þat sacrament reconsileþ him ay,
                    
                      Susteyneþ him, þat he ne falle may.

                      Line 984

Page 247

                    
                      Line 984 
                    
                      Þe ffifþe is ordre, þat ȝiueþ power
                    
                      To Men ordeynet in heore mester
                    
                      Þe sacramens to make and worche,
                    
                      To serue wiþ god and holi churche.
                      Line 988 
                    
                      Þe Sixte is Matrimoyne to bigynne,
                    
                      Þat defendeþ dedly synne
                    
                      In werkes of generaciun þon
                    
                      Bi-twene mon and wommon.
                      Line 992 
                    
                      Þe seueþe is þe enoyling
                    
                      Of seke in perel of diȝing,
                    
                      And þat is in Aleggaunce
                    
                      Of Bodi and soules penaunce.
                      Line 996 
                    
                      Þeos ben þe sacramens þen, [MS. teu] 
                    
                      Þat longeþ to alle cristene Men.

Þe seuen [r. four, as in Spec.] principal vertues.

                    
                      Aftur þis nou wite we schal
                    
                      Wȝuche ben þe iiij. vertuwes principal,
                      Line 1000 
                    
                      Bi wȝuche vche monnes lyf here
                    
                      Is gouernet in þis world so dere:
                    
                      Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes bi chaunce,
                    
                      Strengþe, and also Temperaunce.
                      Line 1004 
                    
                      Of þeos foure spekeþ þe holygost
                    
                      In þe Bok of wisdam most
                    
                      Þat no þing bi good delyt
                    
                      In eorþe to Mon doþ more profyt.
                      Line 1008 
                    
                      ffor hose to do wel vndurstode,
                    
                      He moste knowe vuel from goode,
                    
                      Also, he seoþ here bi lettre,
                    
                      He moste knowe þe gode from þe bettre:
                      Line 1012 
                    
                      Þat vs techeþ in alle wyse
                    
                      Þat þyng þat is called queyntyse.
                    
                      And whon þou hast þus i-chose,
                    
                      Þe wikked from þe goode to lose [Spec.: Et quando elegisti bonum de malo aut de duo|busbonis melius, & tune debes relinquere malum & facere bonum, & dimittere minus bonum & facere maius bonum: & haec virtus Iustitia appellatur.] 
                    
                      Þat techeþ þe vertue to distresse
                    
                      Þat is cleped Rihtfulnesse.
                    
                      Two þinges þer ben in world ful þikke
                    
                      Letteþ mon do good and takeþ [r. forsake?]  wikke:
                      Line 1020 
                    
                      Þe riches of þis world is on,
                    
                      Þat alle weyes deseyueþ mon,

Page 248

                    
                      He disseyueþ mon in mony þinges,
                      Line 1023 
                    
                      þorwh swete restynges;
                    
                      A-noþur is Contek of worldli strif [Spec. adversitas, Th. tribulacyon] 
                    
                      Aȝeynes mon, doun hym to dryf.
                    
                      Aȝeynes richesse mesure þe in tide,
                    
                      Beo þou not risen to muche in pride:
                      Line 1028 
                    
                      Þat vertu is wiþ-outen distaunce
                    
                      Þis þat men calleþ temperaunce.
                    
                      Aȝeynes worldly cuntek and strif
                    
                      Loke brennynge wille [Sp. audacia animi, Th. hardines]  beo þe rif,
                      Line 1032 
                    
                      Þat þou beo not so feble boun
                    
                      Þat þe world þe caste a-doun:
                    
                      And þat vertue in brede and lengþe
                    
                      Is þat þat is i-cleped strengþe.
                      Line 1036

Seuen werkes of mercy.

                    
                      Afftur schaltou wite redili
                    
                      Wȝuche ben seuen werkes of Merci.
                    
                      Þe furste is, ȝiue þe hungri mete;
                    
                      Þat oþur, drinke þe þrusti to gete;
                      Line 1040 
                    
                      Þe þridde, cloþe þe naked bi tymes;
                    
                      Þe ffeorþe, to herborwe pilgrymes;
                    
                      Þe ffyfþe, prisons to visyte swete;
                    
                      Þe Sixte is, cumforte þe seke;
                      Line 1044 
                    
                      Þe seueþe, in certeyn place [Tob. 1, 20.]  we rede,
                    
                      Þat is to helpe burie þe dede.—
                    
                      Þen maistou sey in tour and toun:
                    
                      "I þat am in Religioun,
                      Line 1048 
                    
                      I naue no pouwer to ȝiue no mete,
                    
                      Ne drinke ne herborwe to hem gete,
                    
                      Ne cloþing to hem haue I non,
                    
                      To visite prisones may I not gon:
                      Line 1052 
                    
                      I am in oþur monnes pouwer;
                    
                      Þerfore me were beter seculer,
                    
                      Þat I mihte do trewely
                    
                      Alle þeose dedes of Mercy."
                      Line 1056 
                    
                      Þenk not þus, I rede þe,
                    
                      Leste þou her-Inne deseyued be.
                    
                      Betere hit is to þe in eueri toun
                    
                      To haue pite and compassioun

                      Line 1060

Page 249

                    
                      Line 1060 
                    
                      In þyn herte in alle weyse
                    
                      Of hem þat þou seost in Meseyse,
                    
                      Þen þou heddest al þe world wiþ þe
                    
                      Hit forth to dele for charite.
                      Line 1064 
                    
                      Ȝif þi-self, as I sei nou,
                    
                      And more þen al þe world ȝiuestou. [Some vv. wanting. Spec.: Sed jam posses dicere: verum est quod melius est homini dare seipsum quam de suo; sed multum praevalet dare vnum cum alio quam vnum illorum per se. Dico quod non est ita: Vtrum praevalet vocari Dominus quam eius servus? Scis bene quod praevalet vocari Dominus. Sed illi qui &c.] 
                    
                      ffor þei þat suffre in alle wyse
                    
                      Chele, hungur, defaute and Miseise,
                    
                      Ihesu seiþ wher-so he go
                    
                      And him-self he clepeþ þo;
                    
                      Þus he seiþ in his gospel—
                    
                      Hose wol hit seche, may fynde hit wel:
                      Line 1072 
                    
                      "What to þe leste of myne don be,
                    
                      Ȝe hit don al to me."
                    
                      Wheþer weor beter or more sen
                      Line 1075 
                    
                      To Iuge or elles Iugged to ben? [Spec. adds: Tu scis bene quod praevalet judicare: et hoc faciunt pauperes] 
                    
                      Þerfore to pore make þe liche,
                    
                      ffor þe pore schul Iugge þe riche;
                    
                      As vr lord seiþ feire and wel
                    
                      In his owne goode gospel: [Math. 19, 28.] 
                      Line 1080 
                    
                      "Ȝe þat alle þynges haue to proue,
                    
                      Leueþ hem for me and for my loue, [Math.: Vos qui reliquistis omnia et secuti est is me &c.] 
                    
                      And at þe grete day of dome,
                    
                      Whon I schal sitten in my trone—
                      Line 1084 
                    
                      ffor þere þo men schul me se
                    
                      In þe Seete of my Maieste—
                    
                      Þei [r. ȝe]  schul sitte on twelf seges wel
                    
                      And Iugge þe twelf kuyndes of Israel."
                      Line 1088 
                    
                      Wheþer weore hit better at þe leste
                    
                      Haue heuene in possession or in bi-heste? [Spec. adds: Certum est quod in possessione: sic habent pauperes] 
                    
                      ffor þus seiþ God, witeþ wel,
                    
                      In his holy Godspel: [Math. 5.] 
                    
                      "Blesset mote þe pore of spirit be,
                      Line 1093 
                    
                      ffor heoren is heuene," as I sei þe.
                    
                      He seiþ not þus in his steuen
                    
                      Heoren "schal beo" þe kyngdam of heuen,
                      Line 1096 
                    
                      But he hem doþ to vndurstonde
                    
                      Þei ben in possessiun and in honde.
                    
                      Seint Bernard in a sarmoun seiþ euen:
                    
                      "Þe pore naþ not in erþe, ne riche in heuen."

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                      Line 1100 
                    
                      And ȝif þe riche wol heuene haue,
                    
                      At þe pore he mot hit buye and craue.—
                    
                      Nou is hit good for to sen
                    
                      Wȝuche þat verreylich pore ben,
                      Line 1104 
                    
                      And also þulke oþere iliche
                    
                      Wȝuche þei ben, þat ben cleped riche.
                    
                      Summe ben þat han riches þikke
                    
                      And hem louen wiþ al heor witte:
                      Line 1108 
                    
                      Þo ben þis riche gredi men,
                    
                      And euer coueyten þe world þen.
                    
                      Oþur þer ben in dede and þouȝt
                    
                      Wolde be riche, but þei may nouȝt;
                      Line 1112 
                    
                      ffor and þei hadden worldus good,
                    
                      Þei wolden hit loue as þei were wod:
                    
                      Þulke ben þeose, soþ to telle,
                    
                      Þe caytyf beggers þat nouȝwher wol dwelle,
                      Line 1116 
                    
                      But euer þei reyken aboute to craue,
                    
                      Al þat þei seon þei wolde hit haue;
                    
                      Also wiþ hem sette we moun
                    
                      Þis fals folk of Religioun.
                      Line 1120 
                    
                      Þeos ben as riche in vnquerte
                    
                      As þeos oþure and as proude of herte;
                    
                      Crist spekeþ of hem in þe gospelle [Math. 19, 24.] 
                    
                      And þus þe wordus doþ he telle:
                      Line 1124 
                    
                      "A Chamayle mihte beter pase
                    
                      Þorwh anelde yȝe þenne in case,
                    
                      Þen miht such a riche mon
                    
                      In heuene come to þat kyndom."
                      Line 1128 
                    
                      Summen þat richesse is to brouht,
                    
                      Han hit, but þei louen hit nouht,
                    
                      But neuerþeles, þe soþ to saue,
                    
                      ffayn þei ben riches to haue:
                      Line 1132 
                    
                      Þos ben þese, to seye ow here,
                    
                      Þe goode men of þe world so dere,
                    
                      Þat al heore richesse wol dispende
                    
                      ffor loue of god þat hit sende.
                      Line 1136 
                    
                      Bote þe more harm is forþi,
                    
                      Suche ben fewe, witerli!
                    
                      Oþur þer ben, soþ hit is,
                    
                      Þat haue not of þis worldus blis

                      Line 1140

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                      Line 1140 
                    
                      Ne no þing þerof doþ craue
                    
                      Ne nolde not, þauh þeiȝ mihte, hit haue:
                    
                      Þis ben holy religious þerfore
                    
                      And oþure, þat mai wel beo cald pore; [MS. þore] 
                      Line 1144 
                    
                      Heoren is þe Ioye euerlastonde
                    
                      Wiþ god and wiþ godus sonde.
                    
                      Þen may we here-of nou say:
                    
                      "Blesset beo þe pore in spirit ay,
                      Line 1148 
                    
                      ffor heoren is þe kyndom
                    
                      Þer as dwelleþ God and Mon."
                    
                      Þenne drede we on þat oþur syde
                    
                      Leste þe wariing hem bi-tyde,
                      Line 1152 
                    
                      To þis ilke riche men,
                    
                      Leste þei schulle in helle bren.
                    
                      Pore þei ben in heor herte
                    
                      Þat ben pore and louen pouerte,
                      Line 1156 
                    
                      And þei ben pore in querte
                    
                      Þat han riches and louen pouerte.

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XXXII. Hou a man schal lyue parfytly. (A translation of the first part of St. Edmund's Speculum).

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Videte vocacionem vestram. (Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.)

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