Twenty-six political and other poems (including 'Petty Job') from the Oxford mss. Digby 102 and Douce 322. Ed., with introduction and glossarial index, by D. J. Kail ...

XXV. (Pety Job, or Parce mihi, Domine!)

[Douce MS. 322, [At the beginning, a coat of arms painted: gules, a chevron azure, between three garbs or, 2 and 1.] leaf 10.] [57 stanzas of 12, abab, abab, and baba or bcbc, with Latin subjects.]

Here begynneth the nyne lessons of the Dirige whych Job made in hys tribulacion, lying on the Donghyll, and ben declared more opynly to lewde

mennes vnderstanding by a solempne, worthy, and dis|crete clerke, Rychard Hampole, and ys cleped pety Job, and ys full profitable to stere synners to compunccion.

(1)

Parce michi, domine, nichil enim sunt dies mei.

Lyef lord, my soule thow spare, The sothe I sey now sykerly, That my dayes nought they are; ffor though I be bryght of ble, Line 4 The fayrest man that ys oughware, Yet shall my fayrenesse fade and fle, And I shalbe wormes ware. . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 8 And when my body ys all bare, And on a bere brought shal be, I nat what I may synge thare But Parce michi, domine. Line 12

(2)

Quid est homo, quia magnificas eum?

What ys a man, wete I wolde, That magnifyeth hymself alway, But a marke, made in molde, Of a clyngyng clot of clay? Line 16 Thow shopest vs for that we shulde Haue ben in blysse for euer and ay; But nowe, allas, bothe yong and olde fforyetyñ hit bothe nyght and day. Line 20 A, good lord, what shall I say, I that stande in thys degre? I wote nothyng that helpe may But Parce michi, domine. Line 24

(3)

Aut quid opponis erga eum cor tuum, visitas eum diliculo, et subito probas illum?

Or why puttist thow thyn hert ayenst man Line 25 That thow hast so dere bought? Thow vysyteste hym, and art full fayne Sodenly to preue yef he be ought. Line 28

Line 28 To longe in synne we haue layne; ffor synne hath so oure soule thorow sought, To helpe oureself haue we no mayne, So moche woo hit hath vs wrought. Line 32 But to the pyt when we be brought, Then men woll wepe for the and me. But certes all that helpeth nought But Parce michi, domine. Line 36

(4)

Vsquequo non parcis michi nec dimittas me vt gluciam saliuam meam? peccaui.

Or why so longe or thow wolt spare Line 37 Me in synne that depe dyue? Thow woldest suffer neuer more Me to swolowe my salyue? Line 40 I haue the gylt, and greuyd sore, ffor synne with me hathe ben to ryue. But, lord, now lere me with thy lore That dedly synne fro me may dryue. Line 44 And Ihesu, for thy woundes fyue, As thow becammest man for me, When I shall passe oute of lyue, Than Parce michi, domine. Line 48

(5)

Quid faciam tibi, o custos hominum? quare posuisti me contrarium tibi, et factus sum michimet ipsi grauis?

What shall I do vn-to the, Line 49 O thow kepar of all mankynde? Of suche a matiere why madest thow me, To the contrarious me for to fynde? Line 52 O fader of heuen, fayre and fre, As thow art bothe good and hende, Yet be kynde as thow hast be, And spare me, lorde, that am vnkynde. Line 56 Thy frenshyp, fader, late me fynde, As thow art god in trinite. Of thy mercy make me haue mynde Wyth Parce michi, domine. Line 60

Line 60

(6)

[folio 10b] Cur non tollis peccatum meum, et quare non aufers iniquitatem meam?

Why takest thow nat my syn away, Line 61 A, thow god of all goodnesse? And why also, as I the say, Dost nat awey my wykednesse? Line 64 Thow madest me of a clot of clay, That breketh ofte thorough brotylnesse. ffull brotyll I am, hit ys no nay; That maketh me ofte to do amysse. Line 68 But good Ihesu, I pray thys ffor thy grete benygnyte: Thy mercy, lorde, late me nat mys, But Parce michi, domine. Line 72

(7)

Ecce, nunc in puluere dormio; et si mane me quesieris, non subsistam.

Loo, in pouder I shall slepe, Line 73 ffor owte of poudere furst I cam, And into poudere must I crepe, ffor of that same kynde I am. Line 76 That I ne am pouder I may not threpe, ffor erthe I am, as was Adam; And nowe my pytte ys doluen depe. Though men me seke, ryght nought I am. Line 80 O thow, fader Abraham, ffor Mary loue, that mayde so fre, In whos blode thy son swamme, So Parce michi, domine. Line 84

(8)

TEdet animam meam vite mee; dimittam aduer|sum me eloquium meum; loquar in amari|tudine amime mee; dicam deo, "noli me condempnare; indica michi cur me ita iudices."

Hyt forthynketh my soule y-wys, Line 85 The lyfe that I haue lad alway; ffor now my speche ayenst me ys, Sothly my lyfe I shall dysplay. Line 88

Line 88 In sorow and in bytternesse Of myn oune soule, thus shall I say: Now, good Ihesu, kynge of blysse, Dampne me nat at domesday. Line 92 And, good Ihesu, to the I pray, Telle how thus thow demest me. Nowe yeue me mercy, and say nat nay, Wyth Parce michi, domine. Line 96

(9)

Nunquid tibi bonum videtur si calumpnieris et oprimas me, opus manuum tuarum, et consilium impiorum adiuues?

Semeth hit good, lorde, vnto the, Line 97 To thryste me doune, and me accuse? I am thy werke, thow madest me: Thyne oune handwerk thow nat refuse. Line 100 Wythyn the close of cheryte, Good god, thow me recluse, And yef I gylte the in any degre, With thy mercy thow me excuse, Line 104 Ne late me neuer of maters muse That fallen vnto dyshoneste. Thys prayer thow nat recuse, But Parce michi, domine. Line 108

(10)

Nunquid oculi carnei tibi sunt aut sicut videt homo et tu vides?

Whether thyne eyen flesshly be, Line 109 Or yef thow seest as seeth a man? Nay, forsooth, but oonly we Of outeward thynges beholdyng han; Line 112 But inward thynges dost thow se, That non other may se ne can; Therfore, lorde, I pray to the, Warne me when I am mystan, Line 116 That I may flee fro foule sathan, That ys aboute to perysshe me. Lese nat thow ones wan, But Parce michi, domine. Line 120

Line 120

(11)

Nunquid sicut dies hominis dies tui et anni tui sicut humana sunt tempora?

Whether thy dayes, lord, be syke Line 121 As mennys dayes, that dwellen here, [folio 11a] Or thy yeres be ought lyke To the tymes of mannes yere? Line 124 That day a man ys fresshe and fryke, And sheweth forth a gladsom chere; But to-morow he wexeth syke, And haply borne forthe on a bere. Line 128 Thus mannes tyme ys in a were; But thy tyme stondeth in oo degre. Therfore, I pray in thys manere: Lorde, Parce michi, domine. Line 132

(12)

Vt queras iniquitatem meam, et peccatum meum scruteris, et scias quia nichil impium fecerim, cum sit nemo qui de manu tua possit eruere.

ffor to seche my wyckednesse, Line 133 And for suche thus all my synne, Me thynketh hit commeth of grete hardnes, With me, lorde, so to begynne. Line 136 Shewe thow forth thy grete goodnes, And thyne hardshyp vp thow pynne. Thynke opon the brytylnesse That alwey worcheth me withynne. Line 140 And sythen I may nat fro the twyn, Ne from thyne hande warysshed be, Though I offende more or mynne, Euer Parce michi, domine. Line 144

(13)

Manus tue fecerunt me, et plasmauerunt me totum in circuitu, et sic repente precipitas me.

Thyne handes, lorde, haue made me, Line 145 And formed me in shape of man, And me thow settest in degre Of grete nobley after than. Line 148

Line 148 But whan I, thorough the sotylte, Deceyued was of foule sathan, Thow puttedyst me fro that dignite, Heldyng doune on my brayn pan. Line 152 Noon other cause alege I can, But that synne hathe depryued me. Now, for the blood that from the ranne, So Parce michi, domine. Line 156

(14)

Memento, queso, quod sicut lutum feceris me, et in puluerem reduces me.

Haue mynde, therfore, I the pray, Line 157 O thow god, almyghty kynge. Thynke thow madest me of clay, And in-to clay thow shalt me brynge. Line 160 Suche ys thy myght, and hath be ay. And sythen thow madest furst all thynge, Who dare sey ayene the nay, To lette thy wyll or thy lykyng? Line 164 There ys man olde ne yonge That stryue dar ayenst the. Therfore, nede maketh me synge, Lorde, Parce michi, domine. Line 168

(15)

Nonne sicut lac mulsisti me, et sicut caseum me coagulasti?

Mylkedest nat me, lorde, as mylke, Line 169 With nesshe blood whan thow me made? And sythen, lord, that ylke, Ryght as the hardnesse of chese ys hade? Line 172 My bloode ys nessher than ys sylke, In reyny weder that sone woll fade, And thus me made do dedys swylke With whyche my goste ys ofte vnglade. Line 176 And thus in sinne full depe I wade, That nygh I droune thorow freelte. Although I can of synne nat sade, Yet Parce michi, domine. Line 180

Line 180

(16)

Pelle et carnibus vestisti me, ossibus et neruis compegisti me.

With flesshe and felle thow hast me cladde, Line 181 With bones and synewes togeder knyt. Lyfe and mercy of the I hadde. To gouerne me thow yaue me wyt. Line 184 To kepe thyne hestes thow me bade, And seydest that I shuld, for hit, In heuen blysse be euer gladde; [folio 11b] And yet I woll nat fro syn flytte, Line 188 But freelte, lord, so me smytte, Vnnethe kepte ys oone for me. Nat for than I pray the yet ffor Parce michi, domine. Line 192

(17)

Vitam et misericordiam tribuisti michi.

Lyfe and mercy thow yaue me ay. Line 193 When I wold thy mercy craue, Thow seydest to me nat ones nay, But glad was when I wold hit haue. Line 196 Thow were redy nyght and day With mercy, lord, me to saue; But I denyed hit alwey, So woodly syn made me to raue. Line 200 I seruyd syn, and was hys knaue. I dyd that was ayenst me. Now, lord, when I am leyde in graue, Than Parce michi, domine. Line 204

(18)

Et visitacio tua custodivit spiritum meum.

Thy vysitacion, lorde, hath kepte Line 205 My spyryte, that ys me withyn. ffor when I wolde to syn haue lepte, Than holy grace made me to blyn. Line 208 And ofte tyme I haue sore wept, The more grace of the to wyn. And thus with wepyng haue I wypt My soule, lord, from dedly synne. Line 212

Line 212 Lord, late me neuer werke begynne That in any wyse may displese the; And, som tyme though I fro the twyn, Yet, lord, Parce michi, domine. Line 216

(19)

Quantas habeo iniquitates et peccata, scelera mea atque delicta ostende michi.

What wykednes all that I haue, Line 217 With my synnes all on an hepe, Shewe me hem, or I go to graue, That I for hem may sore wepe; Line 220 My soule, lord, that I may saue ffrom the pyt of hell so depe, Where synful soules tumble and raue, In endeles woo ataketh good kepe. Line 224 Toodes of hem doth crowde and crepe, In suche peynes the soules be. ffrom that place I may nat kepe Withouten Parce michi, domine. Line 228

(20)

Cur faciem tuam abscondis, et arbitraris me inimi|cum tuum?

Why hydest thow fro me thy face Line 229 That ys so full of all fayrenesse? I mene thys somtyme thy grace, That thow withdrawest and yeuest me lace. Line 232 As thyne enemy thow dost me chace, Demyng me in grete hardnesse. Thy loue fayne wold I purchase Yef thow wolt me hit graunte of thy goodnes. Line 236 Now graunte me, lord, suche stedfastnes, That I may stande in oo degre, And though I fall thorow brotylnes, Lorde, Parce michi, domine. Line 240

(21)

Contra folium quod vento rapitur, ostendis poten|ciam tuam, et stipulam siccam persequeris.

Ayenst a leefe, that lyght ys to blowe, Line 241 To me that am freel of kynde, Thy myght and power dost thow showe, As though I myght beres bynde. Line 244 With wyndes ofte I ouerthrowe, Suche fondyng of the I fynde. I renne forthe fro rowe to rowe, Som-tyme before, somtyme behynde. Line 248 I grope as a man that ys full blynde; But though I stomble, thow folowest me. A, lord, though I to the be vnkynde, Yet Parce michi, domine! Line 252

(22)

Scribis enim contra me amaritudines, et consumere me vis peccatis adolescencie mee.

Thow wrytest, lord, ayenst me [folio 12a] Line 253 Bytternesse, that I shall rede, At domesday, in syght of the, And all the worlde in length and brede. Line 256 That I dyd in pryuyte, There opynly hit owte shall sprede; And thys thow wylt full well y-se, And distroy me for my wyked dede. Line 260 But, lorde, to the I clepe and grede, As thow art lorde of all pyte, That day when I shall drope and drede, Than Parce michi, domine! Line 264

(23)

Posuisti in neruo pedem meum, et obseruasti omnes semitas meas, et vestigia pedum meorum con|siderasti.

In a synew thow hast my feet sette, Line 265 With the whyche that I go shall, And all the pathes thow hast mette That euer I yede in wey or walle. Line 268 There ys nothyng that the may lette To knowe my steppes grete and smalle, Wycked and worse, good and bette, I wote well thow considerest alle. Line 272

Line 272 But, lorde, to the I clepe and calle; When I slyde, supporte thow me; And though somtyme I take a falle, Yet Parce michi, domine! Line 276

(24)

Qui quasi putredo consumendus sum, et quasi vestimentum, quod commeditur a tinea.

The whyche as rotyng shall consume, Line 277 And fare as mowthe eten cloth; And as from the fyre departeth fume, So body and soule asundre goth. Line 280 I am made of a lothly hume; Hit ys a thyng to man most loth. Wherof than shulde I presume To be hygh-herted or lyghtly wroth? Line 284 Though I be he that ofte mys doth, Of mercy art thow large and fre. As I leue that thys ys soth, So Parce michi, domine! Line 288

(25)

HOmo natus de muliere, breui viuens tempore, repletur multis miserijs,

A man that ys of a woman bore, Line 289 But lytell whyle he lyueth here, And euery day more and more Replenysshed ys with synnes sere; Line 292 With hote and colde, and hungor sore, Turmented ys from yere to yere, And ofte hym wanteth goddys lore, That gostly wey, he shuld lere. Line 296 And thus he wandreth in a were, As a man blynde, and may nat se. Therfore I pray the, with louely chere, ffor Parce michi, domine! Line 300

(26)

Qui quasi flos egreditur et conteritur, et fugit velud vmbra, et nunquam in eodem statu permanet.

The whyche spryngeth oute as a floure, Line 301 That groweth fresshe, all men to glade;

But when he with a sharpe shoure Ys smyten, begynneth sone to fade. Line 304 So lese I the fayre coloure That god almyghty furst in me made, And thus I chaunge in euery shoure, And fle away ryght as a shade. Line 308 And herewith I am full lade With synnes of diuerse degre. Of heuen blysse me nought degrade, But Parce michi, domine! Line 312

(27)

Et dignum ducis super huiuscemodi aperire oculos tuos, et adducere eum tecum in iudicium.

And, lord, thow lettest that hit be dygne Line 313 Thyne eyen to opene vppon suche on, And hym thow shewest, by that sygne, That he, with the, to dome shall gone. Line 316 Haue mercy on me, Ihesu benygne! Me thynketh myn hert ys harder than a ston, [folio 12b] And besyed with a spiryte maligne. My flesshe, the worlde, then ben my fone. Line 320 These ben myn enemyes, lord, echone, Euer aboute to perysshe me. Lorde, for the loue of Mary and Iohn Euer Parce michi, domine! Line 324

(28)

Quis potest mundum de immundo conceptum semine? nonne tu, qui solus es?

But, lord, who may clene make Line 325 Conceyued thyng of seede vnclene? Nat thow? A, yes, I vnderstande, Yef the lyste to make hit clene. Line 328 Allas, I walke in a lake Of dedly synne that doth me tene. But, lorde, for the loue of Maryes sake, Amende the harme that I of mene. Line 332 Y-wys I am nat worthe a bene, Of my sylfe, to commendyd be. Yet helpe me, lorde, with thy grace shene, And euer Parce michi, domine! Line 336

Line 336

(29)

Breues dies hominis sunt, numerus mensium eius apud te est.

Mennes dayes ben shorte, beware, Line 337 And therto take good entente; ffor in respyte of tyme euermare They beth nothyng equipolent. Line 340 The nombre of hys monthes are Alwey at the, lorde, verament. Oure lyfe ys nought but sorow and care Tyll we be passed iugement. Line 344 My wyttes, lorde, I haue myspent, That thow me yaue to rewle with me. But that I may ryse vp, and here repent, Lorde, Parce michi, domine! Line 348

(30)

Constituisti terminos eius, qui preteriri non pote|runt.

Hys termes, lord, thow hast ordeyned, Line 349 How longe he shall now lyue here; That may he nat passe, ne be refreyned, But by thyne absolute power. Line 352 Thys sentence may be well susteyned By a story, as we may here, Howe Ezechye to deth-ward peyned, And yet god addyd ouer xv yere. Line 356 Hys kyndly tyme was comen full nere, But for hys synnes tho wepte he. Lorde, yeue me grace, that I may here Haue Parce michi, domine! Line 360

(31)

Recede ergo paululum ab eo, vt quiescat, donec optata veniat, et sicut mercenarij dies eius.

Therfore, lord, a lytell go awey. Line 361 Withdrawe thyn hande, that man may rest Tyll he desyre hys dethe day, And wylne to be shut vp in hys cheste, Line 364 And late hym lyue, yef hym lust ay. Thys holde I, lorde, for the beste.

All disease from hym delay Tyll the careyn in erthe be keste. Line 368 Allas, all thys world now ys myswrest, To carpe thys, lorde, ayenst the. Make me to thy mercy trest, ffor Parce michi, domine! Line 372

(32)

Quis michi hoc tribuat, vt in inferno protegas me, donec pertranseat furor tuus?

Who to me may yeue or graunte, Line 373 ffor loue or any affeccioun, ffro thy wrathe that ys duraunte, I may haue my proteccioun? Line 376 In helle yef I be concurraunte, There am I in subieccioun. In heuen though thow woldest me haunte, Yet there am I at thy correccioun. Line 380 I may nat from thy respeccioun By no way, lorde, hyde now me. Therfore seye I thys lessoun Of Parce michi, domine. Line 384

(33)

Et constituas michi in quo recorderis mei.

And thow woldest a tyme ordeyne [folio 13a] Line 385 In whyche thow woldest of me haue mynde, With som solace me to susteyne, That of thy blysse am so fere behynde. Line 388 My woo from the can I nat leyne, But telle hit the, for thow art kynde. I am fast bounde here with a cheyne Of dedly synne, full wele I fynde. Line 392 But woldest thow, lorde, me vnbynde Thorough the vertew of thy pyte, Than were I glad, and lyght as lynde, To haue Parce michi, domine. Line 396

(34)

Putasne mortuus homo rursum viuat?

Trowest thow nat that man shal ryse Line 397 Ayene to lyfe, that dyed onys? Yes, and that in a wonderful wyse,

With flesshe and felle, bloode and bones. Line 400 Than shal god hys dome deuyse, And to hym take the good att ones; But dampned soules shullen sore gryse, And yeue a shoute with hydous grones. Line 404 Thys make they shull wofull mones; All that shullen dampned be, That I may dwelle withyn the wones Of Parce michi, domine! Line 408

(35)

Cunctis diebus quibus nunc milito, expecto donec veniat immutacio mea.

All the dayes that I lyue here Line 409 In thys wofull wepyng dale, I byde alwey, from yere to yere, Tyll I chaunge, as men do fall. Line 412 Change I shall withouten were, Nat ay be dwellyng in thys vale; But, lorde, whan I am leyde on bere, Hye vp to heuen my soule hale,— Line 416 ffor there commyn neyther grete ne smale But thow drawe hem, lorde, to the,— That my soule be not in bale, But Parce michi, domine! Line 420

(36)

Vocabis me, et ego respondebo tibi; operi manu|um tuarum porriges dexteram.

Thow shalt me call at domesday, Line 421 When thow art set on iugement, And I to the, wythouten delay, Shall yeue my answere verament. Line 424 But, good Ihesu, to the I pray, Thynke alwey with full entent Thow madest me of a clot of clay; Thyne handwerke helpe, as thow furst ment; Line 428 And with my thought I haue myspent, Thorough malyce, here, of frealte: Here, leof lorde, late me repente, But Parce michi, domine! Line 432

Line 432

(37)

Tu quidem gressus meos dinumerasti, sed parce peccatis meis.

fforsothe, my steppys euerychone Line 433 Thow nombred hast, and tolde hem all. But, lorde, to the I make my mone, As thow art lord of heuen and hell. Line 436 Vertues, lorde, though I haue none, Late thy grace in me now welle; ffor woo ys hym that stante alone, And hathe noon helpe yef that he fall. Line 440 My syn ys bytter than eysell or gall, And stynketh, lorde, in syght of the. But nought for than to the I call ffor Parce michi, domine! Line 444

(38)

Spiritus meus attenuabitur, dies mei breuiabun|tur, et solum michi superest sepulcrum.

My spyryt shal be feble and feynt Line 445 When I am fallen in any age, My dayes, make I neuer so queynt, Shullen abrege and somwhat swage, Line 448 And I ful sone shal be atteynt Whan I haue loste myn hote corage; And though I dyed than as doth a seynt, A pyt shal be myne herytage; Line 452 In erthe gete I non other wage [folio 13b] Off all rychesse that man may se. Whan I am closed in that cage, Than Parce michi, domine! Line 456

(39)

Non peccaui, et in amaritudinibus moratur oculus meus.

I haue nat synned wylfully Line 457 Thorow my feynt, feble nature, Ne greued the so greuosly, Wherfore I shulde thys wo endure. Line 460 Thow punysshest me, and I not why, Passing resoun and good mesure.

Hit ys my flessh, lorde, and nat I, That grocheth ayenst thyn hard reddure. Line 464 But, lorde, as I am thy creature, And that ylke god that boughtest me, So my care recouere and cure With Parce michi, domine! Line 468

(40)

Dies mei transierunt, cogitaciones mee dissipate sunt, torquentes cor meum.

My dayes, lorde, passed are, Line 469 And olde I am, I am no faunt. My thoughtes wandre wyde whare, ffor they ben, lorde, full variaunte. Line 472 Myne herte they greuyn wonder sare, ffor euer aboute hym they haunte. Thys maketh me to drowpe and dare That I am lyke a pore penaunte. Line 476 Though I be, lorde, vnsuffisaunte, Any helpe to gete of the, Yet, for I am thy creaunte, Lorde, Parce michi, domine! Line 480

(41)

Noctem verterunt in diem, et rursum post tenebras spero lucem.

The nyght they turned in-to the day, Line 481 ffor they maden me to wake all nyght. I myght nat slepe by no way, Suche thoughtes were in myn hert plyght. Line 484 In derkenesse dymme as I so lay, Yet hoped I after the clere day lyght; But thoughtys me so trobled ay, That I was than a wofull wyght. Line 488 But, lorde, as thow art mekyl of myght, All euyll thoughtes put fro me, And that I of the may haue a syght, Lorde, Parce michi, domine! Line 492

(42)

Si sustinuero, infernus domus mea est; in tenebris straui lectulum meum.

Lorde, yef I shall suffre thys grete disese, Line 493 Hit woll me brynge vnto my graue. And yet ywys I may nat chese, Whether I be kyng, knyght or knaue. Line 496 In derkenesse dymme, all oute of ese, My lytell bed spred I haue; That bed shall I neuer lese, Though I wolde for angor raue, Line 500 Tyll the day of dome, that of my graue I shall aryse, and mo with me. My soule, lorde, I pray, thow saue With Parce michi, domine! Line 504

(43)

Putredini dixi, pater meus es; mater mea et soror mea, vermibus.

To roten erthe, ryght thus sayde I, Line 505 "Thow art my fader of whom I cam," And vnto wormes sekurly, "Thow art my moder, thy son I am; [[MS. am I]] Line 508 My systren all ye bene, for why, None other then ye, forsoth I am." I shall call hem sustres, lo, for thy, ffor I shall roote amonge hem. Line 512 Of the lowest erthe god made Adam, Of whyche my kynde I had, as he. Now, lorde, that art lykened to a lambe, So Parce michi, domine! Line 516

(44)

Vbi est ergo nunc prestolacio [folio 14a] mea et paciencia mea? tu es, domine, deus meus.

Where ys myn abydyng nowe, Line 517 And all my pacience therto? They ben away, I wote neuer howe, ffor sothe me wanteth bothe two Line 520 Yef myn hert be styf and towe, To thanke the in wele and woo, Hit ys nat I, but only thow, Thow art my lord and god also. Line 524

Line 524 O thow grete lord, alpha and oo, Helpe me, for thy grete pyte! I haue y-nowgh, I pray the, hoo, And Parce michi, domine! Line 528

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PElli mee consumptis carnibus adhesit os meum, et derelicta sunt tantummodo labia circa dentes meos.

TO my skyn my mouth ys, lo, Line 529 And cleued fast, as ye se may; And wasted ys my flesshe also, And bothe my lyppes ben away. Line 532 My whyte tethe, they ben full bloo. Ye wolde be agaste, yef ye me say. Myne heryng ys full clene ago, Myne eyen ben dymme, þat weren ful gray; Line 536 And I that was full stoute and gay, ffull horyble am now opon to se. Tyme ys that men now for me pray, ffor Parce michi, domine! Line 540

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Miseremini, miseremini mei, saltem vos, amici mei, quia manus domini tetigit me.

. Reweth on me, reweth on me! Line 541 My frendes namly, now helpeþ at nede! ffor I am there I may nat fle. The hande of god ful sore I drede. Line 544 And frendes, seeth that I am he, Thys other day that on the erth yede. Now helpe, yef that youre wyll be, With prayer, fastyng, and almes-dede. Line 548 ffor these mowen best gete me mede With Placebo And Dirige. Herewith my soule I pray yow fede, With Parce michi, domine! Line 552

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Quare persequimini me sicut deus, et carnibus meis saturamini?

Why, as god, do ye pursewe Line 553 Me that suffre these sharpe shoures?

Ye lat me peyne here in a peynfull pewe, That ys a place of grete doloures. Line 556 Yow I chese for frendes trewe, And made yow myne executoures. But tyme shall come that ye shall rewe That euer ye were to me so false treytoures. Line 560 My good ye spent, as hit were youres, But nat a peny yeuyn ye me. Nowe for all suche faytoures, Lorde, Parce michi, domine! Line 564

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Quis michi tribuat, vt scribantur sermones mei?

Who may graunte me thys boone, Line 565 That my wordes wreten were In ensample of euerychon That hap may to ben in care? Line 568 ffor yef they wolden make moone, Eyther groche with hert sare Ayenst god, that sytteth in troone, Because, yef they wolden spare, Line 572 And make nat so ferly fare, But take ensample wolden of me. Now, lorde, as I am but wormes ware, So Parce michi, domine! Line 576

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Quis michi det vt exarentur in libro stilo ferreo, aut plumbi lamina vel celte sculpantur in silice?

Who shall graunt me, or I be dede, Line 577 To wryte hem by oon and oone, My booke with ynke blak or rede, Made with gumme and vermylone? Line 580 Or ellys yet in plate of lede, Or grauen in harde flynte of stone, [folio 14b] That all men, where euer they yede, Myght otherwhyle loke theropon? Line 584 I wolde my frendys and my foon Ensample take myght by me. As thow art thre, and god aloon, Now Parce michi, domine! Line 588

Line 588

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Scio enim quod redemptor meus viuit, et in nouis|simo die de terra surrecturus sum, et rursum circumdabor pelle mea, et in carne mea videbo deum, saluatorem meum.

I wote ryght well that myn redemptour Line 589 Lyueth yet, and lyue shall aye, And I shall ryse, I not what oure, Oute of the erthe on domysdaye, Line 592 And take to me my furst coloure, In flesshe and felle, clad on clay. And so shall I see my sauyour Deme the worlde in wondre aray. Line 596 The wikked than, withouten delay, As arowes, to helle they shullen fle. Lorde, that I go nat that way, So Parce michi, domine! Line 600

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Quem visurus sum ego ipse, et oculi mei conspec|turi sunt, et non alius.

Whan I mysylfe shall see in syght Line 601 With eyen clere, and hert[e] stable, And knowe hym as god almyght, That was for me man disparitable, Line 604 Shall ther fore me noon other wyght Se my god that ys durable, But I mysylfe, with eyen bryght, Shall hym beholde most honorable. Line 608 O lord, that charyte that ys so amyable, And bryght shynyng in thy mageste, That syght to se, lord, make me able, Thorow Parce michi, domine! Line 612

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Reposita est hec spes mea in sinu meo.

Thys hope ys in myn hert[e] sette, Line 613 That neuer from me shall dysseuere. Thereyn my truste also ys knette, The whyche to haue now ys me leuere. Line 616 I hope to god that I shall gete

Of all diseases yet rekeuere, And se my lorde in hys turete, With whom I hope to dwelle euer. Line 620 Though I be synfull, lorde, take me neuer In any thyng that may displese the. Thy blysse, late me haue for euer, Thorough Parce michi, domine! Line 624

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Quare de vulua eduxisti me, qui vtinam con|sumptus essem, ne oculus me videret?

lord, why leddest thow so me Line 625 A, Oute of the wombe that I was in? Wold god I had consumed be With-in myn oune moders skynne, Line 628 That the eye, with whyche I se, Had nat seyn nomore ne mynne, That I myght in that degre Neuer haue wyste what had be synne, Line 632 ffor syn maketh me from the to twynne, That of nought madest thow me. Thy mercy, lord, make me to wynne With Parce michi, domine! Line 636

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ffuissem quasi non essem, de vtero translatus ad tumulum.

And, wold god, that I be hadde Line 637 As a thyng that neuer was; ffor all with synne I am be-stadde, And euery day I do trespas. Line 640 No wonder though I be vngladde, And though I synge often allas; ffor pure woo I wexed madde, Nere goddys mercy my solas. Line 644 Lo, lorde, lo, I am ryght as A wytles man withouten the; But as thow of plente mercy has, [folio 15a] So Parce michi, domine! Line 648

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Nunquid non paucitas dierum meorum finietur breui?

Whether the fewnes of my dayes Line 649 Shull nat hastyly haue an ende? Sythen I can se by no worldly wayes, But oute of the world sone shal I wende, Line 652 The worldes wyles ryght nat me payes, ffor they ben false and full vn-thende. My flesshly lust my soule affrayes, And I am tempted with the fende. Line 656 Thys maketh me to bowe and bende Alwey to syn, that woo ys me. Lord, that art curteys and hende, So Parce michi, domine! Line 660

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Dimitte ergo me, domine, vt plangam paululum dolorem meum, antequam vadam, et non reuertar ad terram tenebrosam et opertam mortis caligine,

Therfore, lord, suffer thow me Line 661 A lytell what, that, whyl I may, The tyme that euer I greved the In ded or thought, by nyght or day, Line 664 And graunt me, yef thy wyl be, That here in erthe wepe I may, The derke lande that I neuer se, That keuered ys with black alway. Line 668 Now, good Ihesu, to the I pray, As thow art god in trinite, ffrom that londe thow kepe me ay, Thorow Parce michi, domine! Line 672

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Terram miserie et tenebrarum, vbi vmbra mortis et nullus ordo, sed sempiternus horror inhabitans.

The londe of myschyef and of derknes, Line 673 Where as dampned soules dwell, The londe of woo and of wrechednesse, Where ben mo peynes than tonge may telle, Line 676 The londe of dethe and of duresse, In whyche noon order may dwelle, The londe of wepyng and of drerynesse, And stynkyng sorow on to smelle: Line 680

Line 680 Now from that londe that cleped ys helle, Worthy lord, rescue now thow me, So that I maye euer with the dwelle Thorough Parce michi, domine! Line 684 Here endeth the ix lessons of the Dirige, which Yob made in his tribulacion.