The Petworth ms. of Chaucer's Canterbury tales. Ed. by Frederick J. Furnivall.

[6-text p 190]

And here bygynneþ The prologe of Thoppas [¶ The prologe] [on leaf 224]

WHan saide was þis tale euery man As sober was þat wonder was to see Til þat our oost Iape byganne And þan at erst he loked vpon me .i. chaucers Line 1884 And saide þus what man art þou quod he Thow lokest as þow woldest fynde an hare ffor euer vpon þe grounde I se þe stare Line 1887

¶ Approche nere and loke meryly Now war ȝou sirs and lat þis man han plas He in þe waast is shape as wel as I This were a popet in armes to embrace Line 1891 ffor eny womman smal and faire of faice He semeþ Elnyssh be his cuntenaunce ffor vnto no wiȝt doþ he daliaunce Line 1894

Say nowe somewhat siþens oþere folk han saide Telle vs a tale of merth and þat anon Oost quod I ne be nat euel paide. ffor oþer tale certes can I noon. Line 1898 But of a ryme I lered longe agon ȝe þat is good quod he shul we it here Som deynte þing me semeþ by his chere. [[No break in the MS, and no spaces between the stanzas above and after.]] Line 1901

[6-text p 191]

¶ Here bygynneþ be tale of chaucere by Sire Thopace.

¶ Capitulum xix^m ¶ Sire Thopace.

[Fitte I.]

LEstneth lordes in good entent [folio 224b] And I will telle verrement Of myrth [[in a later hand]] and of solace Line 1904 Of a knyȝt was faire and gent In bataile and in tornament His name was sir thopace. Line 1907

I-born he was in fer cuntree In fflaunders al byȝonde þe see Att Poperinge in þe place Line 1910 His fader was a man ful free And lorde he was of þat cuntre As it was goddes grace Line 1913

Sir Thopas was a doughty swayn White was his face as payndemayn His lippes rede as Roos. Line 1916 His rudde is like scarlett in grayn And I ȝow telle in good certayn He had a semely nose Line 1919

His heer his beerd was lik saffron þat to his girdel kauȝt adoune His shoon of Cordewayne/ Line 1922 Of brugges were his hosen broun His Roobe was of Ciclatoun That cost mony a rayn Line 1925

[6-text p 192] Line 1925

He couþe hunte at wylde dere· And Ride on hawkyng for þe Ryuer Wiþ grey goshauke on honde Line 1928 Therto he was a good archere To wrastling was þer noon his peer Ther eny ram shulde stonde Line 1931

fful mony a maide briȝt in boure þei morn for him Paramoure Whan þei were bette to sclepe. Line 1934 But he was chaast and no lecchoure And swete as is þe bremble floure That bereþ þe reede heppe Line 1937

And so byfelle vppon a day ffor soþþe as I ȝowe telle may Sire Thopaas wold out ride [folio 225a] Line 1940 He worþ vp on his stede gray And in his honde a launce gay A longe swerde be his side Line 1943

He prikkeþ þorowe a faire forest Ther-in is mony a wilde beest ȝa boþ bukke and hare Line 1946 And as he prikkeþ norþ and eest I telle ȝowe hym had almest By-tidde a sory care Line 1949

There springen herbes grete and smale þe lykorice and þe Setuale And mony a clowe gyloffre Line 1952 And notemuges to put in ale Wheþere it be moyst or stale Or forto lay in Coffre Line 1955

[6-text p 193] Line 1955

þe birdes syngen it is no nay þe sparhauke and þe popeniay þat Ioie it was to here Line 1958 The þrostel cok made eke his lay The woode douve vpon þe spray She songe ful loude and clere/ Line 1961

Sire Thopas felle in loue longynge And whan he hard þe þrostel synge. He prikkes as he were woode Line 1964 His faire stede in his prikkinge So swette þat men myȝt hym wringe His sides were al blood Line 1967

Sire Thopas eke so wery was ffor prikkinge on þe soft gras So feers was his corage Line 1970 That doune he laide hym in þat plas To maken his stede som solas ffor he was so Sauage Line 1973

O seint Marie Benedicite What aileþ þis loue at mee To bynde me so sore Line 1976 Me dremed al þis nyȝt parde An Elfe quene shal my lemman be [folio 225b] And sclepe vndere my gore Line 1979

And elf quene wil I loue ywis ffor in þis world no womman is Worþi to be my make Line 1982 in toun Al oþer wommen I forsake And to an elfe quene I me take By dale and eke by doune Line 1986

[6-text p 194] Line 1986

Into his sadel he came anone And prikkeþ ouere stile and stone An helf quene forto aspie Line 1989 Til he so longe haþ riden and goon That he fonde in a privee woon þe Cuntry of fary. Line 1992 ¶ so wild ffor in þat cuntre nas þer noon . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Neiþer wif ne child Line 1996

Til him þer come a Ioly geaunt His name was clepede Sir Olyfaunte A perilous man of dede Line 1999 He seide childe by tirmagaunt But ȝif þou prik out of myn haunt Anoon I sclee þi stede. Line 2002 ¶ wiþ mace Here is þe quene of fairie Wiþ harpe wiþ pipe and Simphony Dwelling in þis place Line 2006

The Childe saide so mot I þee To morowe wil I meten þee Whan I haue myn Armure Line 2009 And ȝit I hope par ma faye þat þou shalt wiþ þis launcelay Abien it ful sore Line 2012 ¶ Thorgh þⁱ mawe Shal I perce ȝif I may Er it be fully prime of day ffor here þow shalt be sclawe Line 2016

[6-text p 195] Line 2016

Sire Thopas drogh a-bak ful fast This Geaunt at him stones cast Out of a felle staf sclynge Line 2019 But faire eskapeþ child thopa And al it was þorgh goddes grace [folio 226a] And þorgh his faire beringe Line 2022

Ȝit listneþ lordes to my tale Murier þan þe nyȝtingale ffor now I wil ȝou rowne Line 2025 Howe Sire Thopas wiþ sides smale Prickinge ouer doune and dale Is come aȝein to toune Line 2028

His mery men commaunded he To make hym boþ game and glee ffor nedes most he fiȝt Line 2031 Wiþ oon geaunt wiþ hedes þre ffor paramoure and Iolite Of oon þat shoon ful briȝt Line 2034

Do come he seide myn menstralles And geestours for to telle vs tales Anon in myn armynge Line 2037 Of Romance þat bene reales Of popes and of cardynales And eke of loue likynge Line 2040

þei fatte hym first þe swete wyne . . . . . . . . . . Line 2043 . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] And licorice and eke comyne Wiþ sugre þat is cree Line 2046

[6-text p 196] Line 2046

He did next his white leer Of cloþ of lake fyne and clere A breche and eke a sherte Line 2049 And next his shert an aketon And ouer þat an haberion for peercyng of an herte Line 2052

And ouer þat a fyne hawberk Was al ywrouȝt of Iwes werk fful stronge it was of plate Line 2055 And ouer þat his cote armour As white as is þe lily flour In which he wil debate Line 2058

His sheeld was of gold so rede A þer-in was a bores hede A charbocle by his side Line 2061 And þere he swore on ale and brede [folio 226b] Howe þat þe geaunt shal be dede Betide what bytide Line 2064

His Iaumbeuxe were of [[? coniurbolie]] quirboile His sweerde scheeþ of yuory His helme of laton briȝt Line 2067 His sadel was of Rowel bone His bridel as þe sonne shone Or as þe moon liȝt Line 2070

His spere was of fyne Cipres That bodeþ werre & no þing pees The hede ful sharpe ygrounde Line 2073 His stede was al dapple grey It goþ an aumble by þe wey fful softely and rounde Line 2076

[6-text p 197] Line 2076 ¶ In londe Loo lordys myne here is a fitte If ȝe wil eny more of it To telle it wil I fonde Line 2080

[Fitte II.]

Now holde ȝoure mouth for charite Boþ knyȝt and lady fre And harkneþ to my spelle Line 2083 Of Batell and of Chivalrie And of ladies loue drurye Anoon I wil ȝou telle Line 2086

Men speken of romances of price Of horn childe and of ypotice Of Befes and of sire gie Line 2089 Of Sy le boyx and Pleyndamour But sire Thopace he bereþ þe flour Of royal chyualrie Line 2092

His good stede he bystrode And forþ vppon his way glode As sparke out of þe brond Line 2095 Vpon his creest he bere a tour And þer-Inne stiked a lilye flour God shilde his corps fro shonde Line 2098

And for he was a knyȝt auntrous He nolde sclepen in non hous / But ligge in his hode [folio 227a] His briȝt helme was his wongere And by hym baite his deistrere Of eerbes fyne and good. Line 2104

[6-text p 198] Line 2104 Hym self drank watere of þe welle As did þe knyȝt sire percyvelle So worþely vnder wede . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 2108

[6-text p 199]

NO more of þis for goddys dygnite Quod our hoost for þou makest me So wery of þi verrey lewdenesse That also wisly god my soule blesse Line 2112 Myn eeres aken of þi drasty speche Now such a ryme þe deuel I byteche ¶ This may wel be cleped ryme dogrel quod he Whi so quod he whi wilt þou lette me. Line 2116 More of my tale þan an oþer man Siþ þat it is þe best ryme þat I can By god quod he for pleynly at a worde Thi drasty rymyng nys nat worþ a torde Line 2120 Thow dost not ellis but spendest tyme Sire atte oon worde þou shalt no lenger ryme Lat see wher þou canst tellen ouȝt in geeste Or ellis in prose somewhat at þe leest Line 2124 In whiche þer be somme merth or doctrine Gladly quod I by goddys swete pyne I wil ȝow telle a litel þinge in prose þat auȝt like ȝou as I suppose Line 2128 Or ellis certes ȝe bene to daungerous It is a moral tale vertuous Al be it tolde somtyme in sondry wise Of sondry folk as I shal ȝou devise Line 2132 As þus ȝe woote þat euery euaungelist That tellen vs þe peyn of Ihesu crist Ne seiþ al þing as his felawe dooþ But naþeles her sentence is all sooþ. Line 2136 And al accorden as in her sentence Al be þer in her tellyng difference

[6-text p 200] ffor somme of hem seyn more and somme lesse [folio 227b] Whan þei his pitous passioun expresse Line 2140 I mene of mark mathewe luke and Iohn But doutelees her sentence is al on Therfore lordynggs al I ȝou biseche ȝif þat ȝe þenk I vary as in my spech Line 2144 As þus þouȝe þat I telle somwhat more Of prouerbes þat ȝe han herd byfore Comprehended in þis litell tretys here To enforsen wiþ þe effecte of my matere Line 2148 And þouȝe I not þe same wordes say As ȝe han herde ȝit to ȝo^u all I pray Blameþ me nat for in my sentence Shul ȝe nowhere fynde difference Line 2152 ffro þe sentence of þis tretys lite Aftere þe which þis mery tale I write And þerfor harkeneþ what I shal say And lat me telle al my tale I pray Line 2156

¶ Here endeþ þe tale of Sir Thopas [[No break in the MS.]]

[6-text p 201]

And here bygnneþ þe tale of Melebius & prudence.

[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in the MS. Tyrwhitt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines. Some of the omissions in the MS are supplied from the print of the French original in Le Ménagier de Paris, ed. 1847, i. 186, as that proves the omissions to be such.]

[Petworth MS, on leaf 227, back.]

[2157] A Ȝong man called Melebius myȝty and riche bygate vpon his wiff þat called was Prudence a doughter which þat called was Sophie.

[2158] Vpon a day byfelle; þat he for his disporte is went into þe feldes. him to play; [2159] his wif and his doughtere he haþ bylaft in-with his hous. of which þe doores weren fast shette. [2160] Ther of his olde fooen had espied. and satten ladders to þe walles of his hous. and by þe wyndowes bene entred. [2161] and bete his wiff and wounded his douȝter wiþ .v. mortal woundes in .v. sondry places. [2162] This is to sayn in her feete. in her hondes. in her ceres. in her nose. and in her mouþe. and laften her for dede. and wenten her way

[2163] Whan Melebius retourned was into his hous and segh al þis meschief. He like a mad man reending his cloþes gan to wepe and crie.

[2164] ¶ Prudence his wiff as ferforþ as she durst. bysouȝt hym of his weping for to stynt. [2165] but not forþi. he gan wepe and crye euere lenger þe more.

[2166] This noble wif prudence remembred her vpon þe sentence of Ovide in his booke þat cleped is þ^e remedy of loue. [folio 228a] De remedio Amoris. Where as he seiþ. [2167] He is a foole þat distroubeþ þe modere to weepe in þe deeþ of her childe. til she haue wepte her fulle. as for a certeyn tyme. [2168] And þan shal man / doon his dyligence wiþ amyable chere hir to recomforte and prei hyr of

[6-text p 202] her wepinge forto stynt. [2169] ffor which reson þis noble wiff Prudence suffred her husbonde forto wepe and crie as for a certeyn space. [2170] ¶ And whan she segh her tyme she saide to him in þis wise ¶ Allas my lord quod she whi maken ȝe ȝour self forto [sembler fol? [2171] Il n'appartient pas à sage homme de] maken such a sorowe. [2172] ȝoure douȝtere with þe grace of god shal warissh and scape. [2173] And al were is so? þat she riȝt nowe were dede. ȝe ne auȝt not as for her deth ȝour self destroie. [2174] ¶ Senec seiþ / þe wise man shal not take to gret discomfort for þee deeþ of his children. [2175] but certes he shuld suffre it in pacience / as wel as he abideþ þe deeþ of his owne propre persone.

[2176] ¶ This Melebius answerd anon and sayde. What man quod he shulde of his weping stent. Þat haþ so grete a cause as I haue. [2177] .Ihesu our lord him self wepte for þe deeþ of lazarus his frende ¶ Qualiter Ihesus christus fleuit propter mortem Lazari. [2178] ¶ Pru|dence answerde. Certes wel I woot attempre wepinge is no þinge defended to him þat soroweful is. amonges folk in sorowe. but it is rather graunted hym to wepe. [2179] The Appostel paul vnto þe Romayns. Apostolus a Ro|manos writeþ. Man shal reioyse wiþ hem þat maken Ioie. and wepe with suche folk as wepen: [2180] But þouȝe attempre wepinge be graunted. certes outrage wepinge is defended. [2181] ¶ Mesure of wepinge shulde be con|sidered aftere þe loor þat techeþ vs senec [2182] ¶ Whan þat þi frende is dede seiþ he. lat not þine eyen to moist bene of teeres. commynge to þine eyen. lat hem nat falle. [2183] And whan þowe hast forgoon þi freende. Do diligence to geten anoþer. and þis is more wisdome þan forto wepe for þi frende which þat þow hast lorne. for þer-in nys no boote. [2184] And þer-fore ȝif ȝe gouerne ȝou by sapience. putte away sorowe from ȝoure hertes. [2185] Remembreþ þat Ihesus Sirak seiþ.

[6-text p 203] A man þat is Ioious and glad in hert it conserueþ hym florsshyng in his age But soly sorowful hert makeþ his bonys drie. [2186] He seiþ eke þus. þat sorowe in hert scleeþ ful mony a man. [2187] Sa|lomon seiþ; þat riȝt as mothes in þe shepes fleese annoyen to þe cloþes. and þe smale wormes to þe tree. Riȝt so annoieþ sorowe to þ^e herte [2188] [folio 228b] Wherfore vs auȝt as wel in þe deeþ of oure children as in þe losse of our goodes temporeles haue pacience.

[2189] Remembreþ ȝowe vpon pacient Iob. Whan he had lost his childere and his temporell sub|staunce and in his body endured mony a greuous tribulacion Ȝit saide he þus. [2190] Our lorde haþ [ȝeue it me / our lorde haþ] byraft it me Riȝt so as our lord wolde riȝt so is it done. yblessed be þe name of our lord [2191] ¶ To þise forseide þingges answered Melebius vnto his wif Prudence All þise wordes quod he bene trewe. and þerto pro|fitable. But trewly myn hert is troubled soo. wiþ þis sorowe. so grisly þat I note what to doon. [2192] Lat calle quod prudence þi trewe frendes alle. and þine lynage which þat bene wise. telleþ ȝour caas and herkeneþ what þei say in counsailinge And ȝou gouerne aftere her sentence. [2193] Salomon seiþ wirk al þi þing by counsail and þou shalt neuere repent

[2194] ¶ Than by þe counsaile of [his wif Pru|dence] [Mellibée appella moult de] folk. [2195] as Sirurgyens. Phisiciens. olde folk and ȝonge. and som of his olde enemyes reconsiled as by her countenaunce to his loue and into his grace. [2196] And þerwiþal þer commen somme of his neiȝboures þat didden him reuerence. more for drede þan for loue as it happeþ oft [2197] ¶ Ther commen also ful mony subtile flaterers and wise aduocates lered in þe lawe.

[2198] And whan þise folk to-gydere were assembled. this Melebius in sorowful wise shewed hem his caas

[6-text p 204] [2199] And by þe manere of his speche it semed þat in his hert he bere a cruel yre. redy to do venge|aunce vpon his foon. And sodeynly þan desired þat þe werre shuld bygynne [2200] But naþelees ȝit axed he her counsaile vpon þis matere ./ [2201] ¶ A Sirurgien by licence and assent of such as were wise vp aroos and vn|to melebius saide as ȝe shul here

[2202] ¶ Sir quod he as to vs Syrurgience appenteþ þat we doo to euery wight þe best þat we can · wher as we bene wiþholden. and to our pacience þat we do no damage. [2203] Wherfore it happeþ mony tyme and oft þat whan þat twey men had euerich wounded oþere oon Sirurgien heleþ hem boþe. [2204] Wherfore vnto our art it is not appertenent to norsshe werre ne parties to supporte / [2205] But certes as to þe warisshing of ȝoure doghtere al be it so þat she perilously be wounded we shullen do so ententif bysynes fro day to nyght That wiþ þe grace of god she shal be hool and sounde as sone as is possible [2206] ¶ Almost riȝt in þe same wise þe Phisicien answerd saue þat þei seiden a fewe woordes moore. [2207] That riȝt as maladies [folio 229a] bene by hure contraries saued Riȝt soo shal man warisshe werre by vengeaunce. [2208] His neigh|bours ful of envie his feyned frendes þat semeden reconsiled his flaterers [2209] made semblant of wepinge and enpeiren and engreggen mochel of þis matere in preising gretely meleby of myȝt. of power. of Richesse and of frendes. Dispisinge þe power of his aduersaries / [2210] and seiden vttrely þat he anoon shuld wreke hym. on his foes and bygynne werre.

[2211] ¶ Vp roos þan an aduocate þat was wise. by leue and by counsaile of oþere þat were wise. and saide. [2212] ¶ Lordingges þe nede for þe which we bene assembled in þis place is ful heuy þinge. and a grete matere [2213] by cause of þe wronge and of þe wikkednesse þat haþ bene doon. and eke by reson of a grete damage þat

[6-text p 205] in tyme commyng is possible to fallen. for þe same. [2214] and eke by reson of þe grete riches and power of þe parties boþe. [2215] ffor þe which resons it were a ful grete perile to erren in þis matere. [2216] Wherfore melebius þis is oure sentence. we counsaile ȝou abouen al þinge. þat riȝt anoon ȝe do diligence in þe kepinge of ȝoure propre persone in such a wise þat ȝe ne wante noon espie ne wacche. ȝoure body forto saue. [2217] And after þat we counsaile þat in ȝoure hous ȝe sette suffisant harnays. so þat þei mowe as wel ȝoure body as ȝour hous defende [2218] But certes forto moue werre . or sodeynly to doo vengeannce we mowe not deme in so litel tyme þat were profit|able [2219] wherfore we axen leisere and space to haue deliberacion in þis caas to deme. [2220] ffor þe Comon prouerbe seiþ þus. He þat sone demeþ sone shal repent. [2221] And eke men sayn þat þilk Iuge is wis þat sone vnderstondeþ a matere. and Iuggeþ by leisere. [2222] ffor al be it soo þat taryinge be noyful. algate it is nat to repreue in ȝeuynge of Iuggement ne in Vengeaunce takinge whan it is so suffisaunt and resonable. [2223] & swed oure lorde Ihesu crist by en|sample. ffor whan þe womman þat was taken in avoutrie / was brouȝt in his presence to knowen what shulde be doon of her persone. al be it þat he wist wel him self what he wold answere [toutesvoies il ne respondi pas] sodeynly. but he wolde haue deliberacion. And in þe grounde he wroot threse. [2224] and by þise causes we axe deliberacion. And we shul þan by grace of good counsaile doo þinge that shal be profitable

[2225] ¶ Vp sterten þen þe ȝonge folk at onys [folio 229b] and þe moost partie of þat companye han scorne of þis wise olde man and bygonnen to make noyse and saide. [2226] Riȝt soo þe while þat yren is hoote. men shulde smyte. Riȝt soo shuld men wreken her harmes and wrogges.

[6-text p 206] þe while þei bene fresshe and newe. And wiþ lowde voice þei criden werre.

[2227] .Vp roos þoo oon of þise olde wise and wiþ his hondes made countenaunce þat men shulde holden hem stille and ȝeuen hym audience. [2228] ¶ Lordingges quod he þer is ful mony a man / þat crien werre werre þat woten ful litel what werre amounteþ. [2229] Werre at his bygynnynge haþ so grete an entre and so large þat euery wiȝt may entre whan him likeþ and liȝtly fynde werre. [2230] But certes what ende shal falle it is nat liȝt to knowe. [2231] ffor soþely whan þat werre is onys bygonne. þer is ful mony a childe vnborn of his modere. þat steruen. ȝonge by cause of þilk werre or ellys lye in swowe and dye in wrecchednesse. [2232] And þerfore er þat eny werre be bygonne; men most han grete counsaile and grete deliberacion [2233] And whan þis olde man had wende to enforsen his tale by resons. wel nygh all at onys bygonne to rise forto breken his tale. and beden hym ful oft his wordes forto abrigge. [2234] ffor soþly he þat precheþ to hem þat list nat here his wordes his sermon availeþ not. [2235] ffor Ihesus Sirak. seiþ. þat musike in wepinge is noyous þinge. This is to saien as moch availeþ to speke to-fore folk to which his speche availlėþ not. as it is to synge byfore hym þat wepeþ. [2236] And whan þis wise man segh þat hym wanted audience al shamefast he sette hym doune ageyne. [2237] ffor Salomon seiþ. Ther as þou ne maist not haue audience. enforce þe nat to speke [2238] ¶ I se wel quod þis wise man þat þe comon prouerbe is soþe. þat good counsaile whan it is most nede availleþ

[2239] ¶ Ȝit had þis Melebius in his counsaile moche folk þat prively in his eere counsailed hym moche þinge and counsailed hym þe contrarye in general audience

[2240] ¶ Whan Melebius had herd þe grettest

[6-text p 207] partye of his counsaile were acorded þat he shuld make werre. Anon consented to her counseillinge and fully affermed her sentence [2241] ¶ Than dame Prudence whan þat she seye howe þat her husbonde shope forto wreke hym on his foon and bygynne werre . she in ful vnble wise whan she segh her tyme saide hym þise [folio 230a] wordes [2242] ¶ My lord quod she I ȝow biseche as hertely as I dare and can no hast ȝou nat to fast. and for all guerdons as ȝeue me audience. [2243] ffor Pirus Alfons. seiþ þus. who so þat doþ þe good or harme. hast þe nat to qwiten it. ffor in þis wise þi frende wil abide and þine enemye shal þe lenger lyve in drede ./ [2244] ¶ The prouerbe seiþ. He hasteþ wel þat wisely can abide. And in wicked haast nys no profit

[2245] ¶ This Meleby answerd to his wiff Prudence I. purpoos not quod he to wirken after þi counsaile ffor mony causes and resons. ffor certes euery wiȝt wolde holde me þan a fooll [2246] ¶ This is to sayne If I for þi counsailing wold chaunge þingges þat aren affermed by so mony wise men. [2247] Sec|oundly I saye þat alle wommen bene wicke. and non good of hem all. for of a thowsande men saiþ Salomon .I. foond oon good man. But certes of alle wommen good womman fonde I neuer one. [2248] And also certys ȝif I gouerned me by þi counsaille it shuld seme þat I had ȝeue þe euere þe maistrie as god forbede þat it so were. [2249] ffor Syrak seiþ þat if þe wif haue þe maistrie she is contrarious [à son mary]. [2250] And Salomon seiþ Neuere in þi lif to þi wif ne to þi childe ne to þi frende ne ȝeue no power ouer þi self. ffor bettere it were þat þi children asken of þi persone þinge þat hem nedeþ þan þou sese þi self in þe hondes of þi children [2251] ¶ And also ȝif I wolde wyrk by þi counsaillinge. Certes my counsaile most somtyme be secree. til it were tyme þat it most be

[6-text p 208] knowe and þis ne may not be [2252. For it is written, 'þe Iangelarie of wommen can hide þingges þat þei woote nouȝt' [2253] Furthermore, the philosopher saith, 'In wicked counsaille wommen venquissh men;' and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel. (See l. 2274, 2280, p. 209, 210, below.)]

[2254] ¶ Dame Prudence ful debonairly and wiþ grete pacience had harde all þat her husbonde liked to say. þan axed she of hym licence forto speke and saide in þis wise. [2255] ¶ My lord quod she as to ȝoure furst reson certes it may liȝtly be answerde. for I say þat it nys no foly to chaunge counsaille whan þe þinge is chaunged. ffor ellis whan þe þinge semeþ oþer wise þan it was byforn [2256 Après, je dy encores plus, car se tu avoies promis et juré de faire] ȝoure emprise. And naþelees ȝe wayn to [per]foreme þilk same emprise. by iust cause. Men shuld not seyn þat ȝe were a lyer or forsworne. [2257] ffor þe booke seiþ The while man makeþ no lesinge; whan he turneþ his corage to þe better. [2258] And al be it soo þat ȝoure emprise be establed and ordeyned by grete multitude of folk. ȝit ther ȝou not acomplise þilk same ordynaunce but ȝou like. [2259] ffor þe trouþe of þingges and þe profite bene raþer founden. in fewe [folio 230b] folk þat bene wise and ful of reson þan by grete multitude of folk þer euery man crieþ and clatereþ what hym likeþ. Sooþly such multitude nys not honest [2260] And to þe secounde reson wher as ȝe seyn þat wommen bene wicked. saue ȝoure grace Certes ȝe dispise all wommen in þis wise. and [he] þat al dispiseth [al displeseth]. as seiþ þe boke. [2261] And Senec seiþ. Who-so wil haue sapi|ence shal no man dispreise. but he shal gladly teche þat he can. wiþ[out] presumpcioun or pride. [2262] and suche þinge as he nouȝt ne can he shal not bene ashamed to lerne hem / and enquere of lasse

[6-text p 209] folk þan hym self. [2263] And þat þer haþ bene ful mony good wommen. [l'en le puet prouver légièrement. [2264] Premièrement, car nostre Seigneur Ihésu-Crist ne se fust oncques daigné descendre en femme] ȝif alle wommen had be wikke. [2265] but for þat grete bounte þat is in wommen; our lorde Ihesus crist whan he was risen from deþe to lyf appered raþer to a womman þan to his apostels. [2266] And þouȝe þat Salomon say. þat he ne fonde neuer no good womman; It foloweþ not þerfore þat alle wommen bene wikke. [2267] ffor þouȝe. þat he ne foonde noon good Certes mony an oþere man haþ founde mony a womman ful good and trewe. [2268] Or ellis perauenture þe entent of Salomon þis. as in souereyn bounte he saide no womman. [2269] This to sayn þat þer is no wiȝt þat haþ souereyne bounte sauf god allone. as he hym self recordeþ in his euaun|gely. [2270] ffor þer nys no creature so good þat hym ne wanteþ somwhat of þe perfeccioun of god þat is his [maker] [2271] ¶ Ȝoure iij. reson is þis. ȝe seyne þat if ȝe gouerned ȝou by counsaile of me it shulde seme þat ȝe had ȝeue me þe maistrie and þe lordship Ouer ȝoure person. [2272] sire saue ȝoure grace; it is not soo. ffor ȝif it so were þat man shulde be counsailed but only of hem þat had maistrie and lordship ouer his persone. men wold nat be counsailled so oft. [2273] ¶ ffor soþly þilk man þat axeþ counsaile of a purpoos. ȝit haþ he free chois wheþer he wil wirk by þat counsaile or nōōn. [2274] ¶ And as to ȝoure ferþe reson þer as ȝe sayn þat þe Iangelarie of wommen can hide þingges þat þei woote nouȝt as who seiþ. þat a womman can not hide. [2275] Sire Thise woordes bene vnder|stonde of wommen þat bene Iangelers and wicked [2276] of which womme men seiyn þat þre þingges dryuen a man out of his hous. That is to seyn Smoke. dropping of Reyn/ and wicked wyues [2277] ¶ And

[6-text p 210] such womman seith Salomon. þat it were better a man were in desert by hym self. þan wiþ a womman at home þat is riotours. [2278] And Sire by ȝoure leue [folio 231a] þat am nat I. [2279] ffor ȝe haue ful oft assaied my grete silence and my grete pacience. and eke how wel I can hiden and hele þinges þat men ouȝten secrely to hyde [2280] ¶ And soþly as to ȝoure .v. reson. where as ȝe sayn þat in wicked coun|saille wommen venquissh men / god woote þilk is no reson in no stede. [2281] ffor vnderstondeth nowe. Ȝe axen counsaile forto doo wikkednesse. [2282] and if ȝe will wirk wickednesse and ȝoure wiff restreyn þilk wikkednesse & ouercommeþ ȝou by reson and by good counsaile / [2283] certis ȝoure wiff ouȝt raþer to be preysed þan yblamed [2284] ¶ Thus shuld ȝe vnder|stonde þe philosophre þat saiþ. In wikked counsaille wommen venquyssh her husbondes [2285] And þer as ȝe blamen alle wommen and her resons I shal shewe ȝou by mony ensamples þat mony a womman haþ bene ful good an ȝit bene. and her counsaile hoolsom and profitable [2286] Eke somme men han saide þat þe counsail of wommen is eiþer do dere or to litel of price [2287] But al be it soo þat ful mony womman is badde and her counsaile vile and not worþe / ȝit han men founden ful mony a good womman and ful discrete and wise in counsailynge [2288] ¶ Loo Iacobe by counsaile of his modere Rebekka wan þe benyson of Isaak his fadere and þe lordship of al his // [2289] Iudith by her good counsaille delyuered þe Cite of Bethulye in which she dwelled out of þe hondes of Olyfernes þat had it biseched and wolde it destroye [2290] abigaille deliuered Nabell her husbonde from dauid þe [roy qui le voloit occire, et appaisa] þe kinge by her witte and by þe good counsail|inge [2291] ¶ Hester By hure good consaile enhaunsed gretly þe puple of god in þe regne of Assuerus. The kinge [2292] and þe same bunte in good counsailynge of

[6-text p 211] mony a good womman may men telle / [2293] and more|ouer whan our lorde had create Adam our forme fadere he saide in þis wise [2294] ¶ It is nat good to be a man allone. make we to hym an helpe s[e]mblable to him self [2295] ¶ Here may ȝe see þat ȝif womman were nat good and her counsaile good and profitable [2296] Oure lord god of heuen wolde neiþer haue wrouȝt hem. ne called hem helpe of man. but raþer confusion to man. [2297] And þat seide onys a clerk in twoo vers. What is bette þan gold. Iasper. And what is better þan Iaspe. Wisdome. [2298] And what is better þan wisdom Womman. and what is better þan good womman no þinge. [2299] And sire by mony oþer resons may ȝe see þat wommen bene good [et leur conseil bon] and profitable. [2300] And þerfore ȝif ȝe wil trest to my counsaile I shal restore ȝou ȝoure douȝtere hool [folio 231b] and sounde. [2301] And eke I wil do to ȝou so moche þat ȝe haue honure in þis caas

[2302] ¶ Whan meleby harde þe wordes of his wiff Prudence he saide þus. [2303] I see wel þat þe wordes of Salomon bene soþe. He seiþ þat wordes þat bene spoken discretely by ordinaunce. bene hony combes for þei ȝeuen swetnesse to þe soule and hoolsomnesse to þe body [2304] And wif by cause of þi swete wordes and eke for I haue assaied and preued þi grete sapience and þi grete trouþe I wil gouerne me by þi counsaile in al þinge

[2305] ¶ Now sire quod dame prudence and siþen ȝe vouche sauf to be gouerned by my counsaile I wol enforme ȝowe howe ȝe shul gouerne ȝoure selfe in chesing of ȝoure counsaile. [2306] ȝe shal first in al ȝoure werkes mekely bysechen to þe hiȝe god þat he wil be ȝoure counseilour [2307] and shapeþ as to such entent þat he ȝeue ȝou counsaile and comforte as tauȝt Thebye his sone. [2308] At al tymes þow shalt blesse

[6-text p 212] god and prey hym dresse þi waies. and loke alle þi counsailles bene in hym for euermore [2309] ¶ Seint Iame eke saiþ. If eny of ȝowe haue nede of Sapience. axe it of god. [2310] and afterward þan shal ȝe take counsaile in ȝoure self. and examyne wel ȝoure þouȝtes of such þingges as ȝou þenkeþ þat is best for ȝoure profit. [2311] And þan shal ȝe driue from ȝoure hert þoo þat bene contrarious to good counsayle. [2312] þat is to sayn Ire. Couetise and hastinesse.

[2313] ffurst he þat askeþ counsaile of hym self certys he most bene wiþ-out Ire. for many causes [2314] ¶ Þe furst is þis. He þat haþ grete Ire and wreþe in hym self he weneþ alway þat he may doo þat he may nat doo [2315] ¶ And secoundly he þat is Irous and wroth. he ne may nat wel deme. [2316] [and he þat] may nat wel [deme may nat wel] counsaile [2317] ¶ The iij. is this þat he þat is Irous and wroþe as saiþ Senec ne may nat speke but blameful þingges / [2318] and wiþ his vicious wordes he stireþ oþer folk to angre and to Ire. [2319] And eke sir ȝe most dryue Coueitise out of ȝoure hert. [2320] ffor þe appostel seiþ þat Couetise is roote of alle harmes. [2321] And trusteþ wel þat a couetous man ne can nat deme [ne thinke] but only to fulfille þe eende of his couetise [2322] and certes þat may neuer ben accompliced. ffor euer more þe habundance þat he haþ of Ricchesse þe more he desireþ. [2323] ¶ And sire ȝou most also dryue [folio 232a] away from ȝoure hert hastynesse [2324] for certes ȝe may not deme for þe best a sodeyn þouȝt þat falleþ in ȝoure hert. ¶ but ȝe most avise ȝou on it ful oft. [2325] ffor as ȝe herde he[re]-to-forn þe comon prouerbe. It is þis þat he þat sone demeþ. sone repenteþ.

[2326] Sire ȝe bene not alway in like disposicion [2327] for certes some þinge þat semeþ somtyme to ȝou good to do. Anoþer tyme it semeþ to ȝou þe contrarie

[6-text p 213]

[2328] ¶ Whan ȝe han taken counsaile in ȝoure self and so han demed by good deliberacion such þingges as ȝou semed best / [2329] þan rede I ȝou þat ȝe kepe it Secre [2330] Bywrey nat ȝoure counsaile to no persone. but if so be þat ȝe wenen þat sikerly þat þorgh ȝoure bewreying ȝoure condicion shal be þe more profitable. [2331] ffor Ihesus Cirak seiþ. neiþere to þi ffoo ne to þi freende diskeuere not þi secre ne þi folye [2332] for þei wil ȝeue þe audience and lokinge and supportacion in þi presence and scorne þe in þine absence [2333] ¶ Anoþer clerk seiþ þat scarcely shalt þow fynden eny persone þat may kepe counsaile secrely. [2334] Þe boke saiþ. Whilst þat þou kepest þi counsaile in þine herte þou kepest it in þi prison. [2335] And whan þou bywreyest þi counsaile to eny wight he holdeþ þe in his snare [2336] And þerfore it is better hide þi counsaile in þine hert. þan preien hym to whoom ȝe han bywreieþ ȝoure counsaile þat he wil kepen it clooce and stille [2337] ¶ ffor Senec saiþ. If so be þat þou ne may þine owne counsaile hide. how maist þou preien eny oþer wiȝt þi secree counsaile to kepe [2338] ¶ But naþelees ȝif þou wene sikerly þat þi bewriyng of þi counsaile to a persone wil make þi condicion stonden in a better plite. þan shalt þou telle him þi counsaile in þis wise [2339] ¶ ffurst þou shalt make no semblant whedere þe were leuer pees or werre. or þis or þat. ne schewe hym not þi wille and þine entent. [2340] ffor trest wel þat comonly þise counsailours bene flaterers [2341] and namely þe counseilours of grete lordys. [2342] ffor þei enformen hem alway raþer to speke plesannt wordys enclynynge to þe lordes lust þan woordes þat bene trewe and profitable [2343] ¶ And þerfore men sayne þat þe riche man haþ seelden good coun|saile. but ȝif he haue it of hym self [2344] And aftere þat þow shalt considere þi frendes and þine enemyes. [2345] and as touchinge þi freendes þou shalt con|sidere

[6-text p 214] ¶ which of hem bene most feiþfull. and most wyse and eldest [folio 232b] and most approued in counseillynge / [2346] of hem shalt þowe axe þi counsaile as þe caas requireþ

[2347] I say not furst ȝe shul clepe to ȝoure coun|saile ȝoure frendes þat bene trewe [2348] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ. Þat riȝt as þe hert of a man deliteþ in Sauour þat is swete. riȝt so þe counsaile of trewe frendes ȝeueþ swetnesse to þe sowle. [2349] He seiþ also þat þer may no þing be likned to þe trewe frende. [2350] ffor certes gold ne siluer bene not so moch worþ as þe good wille of a trewe frende. [2351] ¶ And eke he saiþ þat a trewe frende is a grete defence / who so þat it fyndeþ. certis he fyndeþ a grete tresoure. [2352] Than shul ȝe eke considere if þat ȝoure trewe frendes bene discrete and wise. for þe boke seiþ Aske alway þi counsaile of hem þat bene wise. [2353] And by þis same reson shulde ȝe clepen to ȝoure counsaile of ȝoure frendys þat bene of age such as han sayn moch and bene expert in mony þingges and bene approued in counsailinge. [2354] ffor þe boke seiþ þat in olde men is þe sapience [et en moult de temps est prudence] [2355] ¶ And Tullius saiþ þat grete þingges ne ben not accomplised by strenght ne by delyuernesse of body but by good counsaile By auctorite of persones and be science þe which iij. þinges ne bene not feble by age but certes þei cnforsen and en|cresen day by day. [2356] And þan shal ȝe kepe þis for a general rewle ¶ ffurst shal ȝe kepe to ȝoure counsaile a fewe of ȝoure frendes þat especial bene [2357] ffor Salomon seiþ Mony frendes haue þowe but among a thousand chese þe oon to be þi counseil|our. [2358] ffor al be it soo þat þowe furst ne telle þi counsaile but to a fewe. þou maist afterward telle it to more folk. ȝif it be nede. [2359] But loke alway þat þi counsailers haue þilk thre condiciouns Þat I haue saide

[6-text p 215] byfore. þat is to say þat þei bene trewe and wise and of olde experience. [2360] and wirk not alway in euery nede by oon counsailere allon. for some it byhoueþ be counsailed by mony [2361] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ [salvation] of þingges; is wher þer bene mony counselours

[2362] ¶ Nowe seeþ what I haue tolde ȝou of which folk ȝe shuld be counsailed. Now wil I telle ȝou which counsaile ȝe auȝt eschewe [2363] ¶ ffirst ȝe shul eschewe þe counsaile of foolis. So seiþ Salomon. Take no coun|saile of a foole ffor he can no counsaile. but aftere his owne affeccion [2364] ¶ The boke saiþ. þat þe proprete of a fool is þis. He troweth liȝtly harme of euery wiȝt. and liȝtly troweþ all bounte [folio 233a] in hym self [2365] Thow eke shal eschewe þe Counsaillynge of all flaterers suche as enforsen hem raþer to preise þe persone by flaterye þan forto telle ȝou þe soþ|fastnesse of þingges./

[2366] ¶ Therfore Tullius seiþ ¶ Amonge alle þe pestilences þat ben in frendship þe grettest is fflatery. And þerfore is moor nede. þat þowe eschewe and drede and flee from þe swete wordes of flaterers þan of eny oþer puple [2367] ¶ The booke seiþ. Thow shalt raþer drede and fflee from þe swete wordes of flaterers and preisers þan fro þe eger wordes of þi frende þat saiþ þe þi soþes. [2368] ¶ Salomon seiþ; That þe wordes of a flaterer is a snare to cacchen innocentes wiþe. [2369] He seiþ also þat he þat spekeþ to his freende. wordes of swetnesse and of plesaunce setteþ a nett byfore his foote to cacchen him [2370] And þerfore seiþ Tullius ¶ Encline nat þine eeres to fflaterers. ne take no counsaile to wordes of fflatery [2371] And Caton seiþ ¶ Auise þe wel and eschewe wordes of swetnesse and of plesaunce. [2372] And eke þou shalt eschwe þe counsaile of þine olde enemyes [qui sont reconciliés, [2373] car il est escript: nul ne retourne seurement en la

[6-text p 216] grâce de son ennemy.] [2374] ¶ And Isope seiþ. Ne trest not to hem to þe which þow hast hadde somtyme werre or enemyte. ne telle not hem þi counsaile [2375] ¶ And senec telleþ · þe cause whi · it may nat be. He seiþ where þat grete fuyre haþ longe endured. þat þer dwelleþ somme vapour of warmnesse [2376] ¶ And þerfore seiþ Salomon./ In þine olde foo trest neuere. [2377] ffor sikerly þouȝe þine enemye be reconsiled and makeþ þe chere of humilite. and lowteþ to þe his hede. ne trust him neuere. [2378] for certes he makeþ þilk fayned humilite more for his profite þan for eny loue. of þi persone. [afin qu'il puisse avoir victoire de toi] by swich feyned counten|aunce. þe which victory he myȝt not haue wiþ stryf or werre [2379] ¶ And Peter Alfons seiþ ¶ Make noon felawship wiþ þine olde enemyes. for ȝif þowe doo hem bounte. þei wil peruerten it into wykkednesse [2380] ¶ And eke þou most eschwe þe counsaile of ham þat ben þi se[r]uauntes. and beren þe grete reuerence. for perauenture þei sayn it more for drede þan for loue [2381] ¶ And þerfore seiþ a Philosophre in þis wise; Ther nys no wiȝt perfitly trwe to hym þat he to fore dredeþ [2382] ¶ And Tullius saiþ ¶ Ther is noo myȝt so grete of noon Emperour that longe may endure but ȝif he haue more loue of þe puple þan drede [2383] ¶ Thow shalt also e[s]cheu þe counsaillynge of folk þat bene dronklewe. for þei ne can no counsaile hide [2384] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ ¶ Ther is no counsaile þer as regneþ dronknesse [2385] ¶ Ȝe shul also haue in suspecte þe counsaile of such folk as counsaile ȝowe prively. oon. [folio 233b] and þe contrarie openly [2386] ffor Cassiodorie seiþ./ That it is a manere scleiȝt to hindere. whan he sweweth to doon oon þinge openly and werkeþ þe contrarie prively [2387] ¶ Thow shalt also haue in suspecte the counsailing wiþ wickeþ folke ffor þe boke saiþ The counsailynge of wicked folk is alway ful

[6-text p 217] of fraude [2388] And dauid seiþ Blessed is þat man þat haþ not folowed þe counsailling of wikked men or schrewen [2389] ¶ Thow shalt also eschewe þe counsaile of ȝonge folk. for her counsaile is not ripe

[2390] ¶ Now Sire siþ I haue shewde ȝou of such folk ȝe shuld take ȝoure counsaille And of which folk ȝe shul take ȝoure counsaile. and of which folk ȝe shul folowe þe counsaille [2391] ¶ Now shal I telle ȝou howe ȝe shul examyne ȝoure counsaile. after þe doctrine of Tullius [2392] in examynynge. þan of ȝoure counseillour. ȝe shul considere mony þingges [2393] ¶ Alþer furst ȝe shul considere þat in þilk þinge þat þowe purposest. and vppon what þinge þow wolt haue counsaille þat verrey trouþe be saide and considered. This is to sayn telle trewly þi tale. [2394] for he þat seiþ fals may not wel be counsailed in þat tale [in which he lyeth] [2395] And after This þou shalt considere þoo þingges þat accorden to þat þou purposest forto doo by þi counsail|lours. ȝif reson. accorde þerto. [2396] & eke ȝif þi myght may atteyne þerto. And ȝif þe more party and þe better part of þi counsailours accorde þerto anoon. [2397] þan shalt þou considere þat þinge þat shal folowe of þat counsailleng. as. pees. werre. grace. profite or damage and mony oþer þingges. [2398] [et en toutes ces choses] þow shalt chese þe best and wayue all oþer. [2399] ¶ Than shalt þow considere of what roote is engendred þi matere of þi counsaile and whatt fruyte may be conseyued and engendred þer-of [2400] ¶ Thow shalt also considere all þise cases from whannes þei bene sprongen [2401] And whan ȝe han examyned ȝoure counsaille as I haue saide. which parte is þe better and more profitable and haue approued it by mony wise folk and eelde. [2402] Than shalt þow considere if þow maist performe it and make of it a good ende. [2403] ffor reson wil not þat eny man shuld bygynne a þinge but ȝif he myght performe it as hym lest or auȝt [2404] Ne no wiȝt shuld

[6-text p 218] take vpon him so heuy a charge þat he myȝt not bere it. [2405] ffor þe prouerbe seiþ. He þat to moche embraiseth; destrayneþ litel · [2406] And Caton saiþ ¶ Assaie to doo such þingges as þow hast pouer to doo. lest þat þi charge oppresse þe so soor þat þe byhoueþ to wayue. þinge þat þou hast bygonne [2407] ¶ And ȝif so be [folio 234a] þat þowe be in doute whedere þou maist performe a þinge or noon. chese raþer to suffre þan bygynne [2408] And Petrus Alfons / saiþ; If þou hast myght to done a þinge of which þe most repent. it is bettere nay þan ȝee. [2409] This is to sayn þat þe is bettere to holde þi tunge stille. þan forto speke. [2410] Than may ȝe vnderstonde by strenger resons. þat ȝif þou hast powere to perfourme a warke of which þou shalt repent. þan is it better þat þowe suffre þan bygynne [2411] ¶ Wel sayne þei þat defenden euery wiȝt to assay a þing of which he is in doute whedere he may performe it or noon. [2412] And after whan ȝe han examyned ȝoure counsaile as I haue saide biforn. and knowen wel ȝe may per|fourme ȝoure emprise. conforme it þan sadly til it be at an eend

[2413] ¶ Nowe is it reson and tyme. þat I shewe when and wherfore þat ȝe may chaunge ȝoure counsail|lours wiþ-out repreef [2414] ¶ Soþely a man may change his counsaille. and his purpoos if þe cause seseþ. or whan a newe cause byndeþ. [2415] ffor þe lawe seiþ þat vpon þingges þat newly betiden byhoueþ newe consaille. [2416] And Senec seiþ / ȝif þi counsaile be commen to þe eeres of myn enemye; chaunge þi counsaille [2417] ¶ Thow maist also chaunge þi counsaille. ȝif so be þat þou fynde þat by errour or by oþer cause harme or damage may be-tide [2418] ¶ Also ȝif þi counsaille be dishonest. or ellis commeþ of dishonest cause chaunge þi consaille [2419] ffor þe lawes sayn · þat al byheestes þat bene dishonest bene of no valewe.

[6-text p 219] [2420] And eke ȝif it so be þat it be inpossible or may not goodly be performed or kept.

[2421] And take þis for a general rewle þat euery counsaile þat is affermed so strongly þat it may nat be chaunged for no condicion þat may be-tide I saye þat þilk counsayle is wikked

[2422] ¶ This Melebius whan he had herde þis doctrine of his wiff Dame Prudence. Answerde in þis wise. [2423] ¶ Dame quod he as ȝit into þis tyme ȝe han wel and connably tauȝt me. as in generall howe I shal gouerne as in chesinge and in wiþholding of my counsaillours [2424] But nowe wolde I fayn þat ȝe wolden condescenden in especiall. [2425] and tel me howe likeþ. or what semeþ ȝowe by our counsaillours þat we haue chosen in our present nede

[2426] ¶ My lord quod she I biseche ȝowe in alle hum|blesse þat ȝe wil not wilfully replie aȝeinst my resons / and mystemper nat ȝour hert þouȝe I [folio 234b] say or speke þinge þat ȝou displeseþ. [2427] ffor god woote þat as þat as in myn entent I speke it for ȝoure best for ȝoure honure and ȝoure profite. [2428] and soþly. I hope þat ȝoure be|nignite wil taken in pacience. [2429] Tresteþ me wel quod she þan þat ȝoure counsaille as in þis caas ne shuld nat as forto speke proprely. be called a consaillinge. but a mociōn or mouynge of foly. [2430] in which counsaille ȝe han erred [en moult de manières]

[2431] [Premièrement, tu as erré] in þe assem|blyng of ȝoure counsaillers. [2432] ffor ȝe shuld first haue cleped a fewe folk [et puis après plusieurs] ȝif it had bene nede. [2433] But certes ȝe han sodeynly cleped to ȝoure counsaille a grete multitude of puple. fful chargeant and ful noyous forto here [2434] Also ȝe han erred. for þere as ȝe shuld oonly haue cleped to ȝoure counsaille ȝoure trewe freendes olde and wise [2435] ȝe haue ycleped straunge folk. ȝonge folk. fals flaterers and enemyes

[6-text p 220] reconsiled and folk þat done ȝou reuerence without loue [2436] ¶ Also ȝe haue erred. for ȝe haue brouȝt wiþ ȝou to ȝoure counsaille. Ire. Coueityse. and hastynesse [2437] þe which þre þingges [sont contraires à conseil, et] [2438] ȝe han not avyncesed or destroyed hem / neiþer in ȝoure self ne in ȝoure counsaillours as ȝe ouȝt [2439] ¶ Ȝe haue erred also for ȝe han shewed to ȝoure counsailers ȝoure talent and ȝoure affection to make werre anoon and forto do vengeance. [2440] þei han espied by ȝoure wordes to what þing ȝe bene enclined. [2441] & þerfore han þei counsailled ȝou raþer to ȝoure talent þan to ȝoure prophete [2442] ¶ Ȝe haue erred also. ffor it semed þat ȝou suffised to haue bene coun|sailled by þise counsailloures oonly & with þat litel avice./ [2443] Where as in so grete and so highe a nede it had ben necessarie moo counsaillours and more deliberacion to performe ȝoure emprise [2444] ¶ ȝe haue erred also. for ȝe haue nat examened ȝoure counsaile in þe forseide matere ne in dwe manere. as þe cace requireþ [2445] ¶ ȝe han erred also for ȝe han maked no dyuysion bytwix ȝoure counsaillours. Þis is to sayn bytwix ȝoure frendes & ȝoure fayned counsaillours [2446] ne ȝe han not knowe þe wille of ȝoure trewe frendes. olde and wise [2447] But ȝe han cast all her wordes in an hochepote and enclyned ȝoure herte to þe more parte and to þe gretter nombre and þer by ȝe condescended. [2448] And siþ ȝe wote wele þat men shal fynde a gretter multitude of fooles þan of wise men. [2449] and þerfor þe counsaillours þat ben at congregacions and mul|titudes of folk þer as men take more reward to þe nombre þan to þe sapience of persones [2450] ¶ Ȝe se wel þat [folio 235a] in such counsaillyngges fooles haue þe maistrie [2451] .Melebius answerd ageyn and saide ¶ I graunte wel þat I haue erred. [2452] but þer as þowe saist me here bifore þat he nys nat to blame þat chaungeþ his coun|saillours

[6-text p 221] in certeyn cases and for certeyn iust causes [2453] I am al redy to chaunge my counsailours riȝt as þowe wolt devise [2454] ¶ The prouerbe seiþ. þat forto do synne is mannyssh But certes forto perseuere longe in synne is werke of þe deuell

[2455] ¶ To þis sentence anoon answered dame pru|dence and saide [2456] Examyneþ quod þan she ȝoure coun|saile. and lat vs see whiche of hem haþ spoken moost resonable & taught ȝou best counsaile. [2457] And for as moche as þat þe examynacion is necessarie lat vs bygynne at Cirurgiens and at þe phisicience þat furst speken in þis matere. [2458] I say ȝou þat þe Cirurgiens and þe phisiciens haue seiden ȝou in ȝoure coun|saile discretly as hem auȝte. [2459] and in her speche seiden ful wisely as to þe office þat hem appenteþ to done to euery wight honoure and profite and no wiȝt to anoye [2460] and aftere her craft to doon grete diligence vnto þe cure of hem which þat þei han in gouern|aunce. [2461] And sir riȝt as þei han answered wisely and discretely [2462] riȝt so rede I þat þei bene heghly and souereynly guerdoned for her noble speche. [2463] and eke for þei shuld do þe more ententif bysynes in þe Curacion of ȝoure douȝter / [2464] ffor al be it soo þat þei bene ȝoure freendes þerfore shal ȝe not suffre þat þei serue ȝou for nouȝt [2465] But ȝe auȝt þe raþer to gerdone hem and shewe hem ȝour largesse. [2466] And as tochinge þe proposicion þe which þe phisiciens encresden in þis caas. þis is to sayn [2467] þat in maladies. þat oon contrarieþ is warshed by anoþer contrarie [2468] .I wold fayn knowe how þei vnderstonde þilk text And what is her sentence [2469] ¶ Certes quod Melebius vnderstonden it in þis wise. [2470] þat riȝt as þei han [m'(ont) fait un contraire, que je leur face un autre, [2471] et pour ce qu'ils (se) sont] venged ham on me and done me wronge Riȝt so shal I venge me vpon hem.

[6-text p 222] and done hem wronge [2472] and þan haue I cured oon contrary by a noþer

[2473] ¶ lo lo quod dame Prudence. how liȝtly is euery man enclyned to his owne desire and to his awne plesaunce [2474] Certes quod she. wordes of þe phisiciens ne shulden nat haue bene vnderstonden in þis wise. [2475] ffor certys wikkednesse is nat contrarie to wicknesse. ne vengeance to vengeaunce. ne wrong to wronge. but þei bene semblable [2476] and þer|for on vengeaunce is not warisshed by anoþer venge|aunce. ne oon wrong by a noþer [folio 235b] wronge. [2477] but euer-ych of hem encreseþ and angreþ and greggeþ oþer. [2478] But certes þe wordes of þe phisicien shuld ben vnderstonden in þis wise. [2479] ffor goodnesse and wikked|nesse ben two contraries and pees and werre and venge|aunce and suffrance. discord and accorde and mony oþer þingges. [2480] But certes wikkednesse shal be warsshed by goodnesse. discord by accord. werre by pees. and so forþ of oþer þingges. [2481] And also to hem accordeþ [saint Pol] þe appostel in mony places [2482] He seiþ. ne ȝeldeþ nouȝt harme for harme ne wikked speche for wikked speche. [2483] but doþ wel to hem þat don ȝou harme. and blesse hem þat sayn to þe harme [2484] and in mony oþer places he amonesteþ pees and accorde. [2485] ¶ But now wil I speke to ȝou of þe coun|saile which þat was ȝeuen to ȝou by þe men of lawe and þe wise folk [2486] þat seiden all by oon acorde as ȝe han herd bifore. [2487] That ouer alle þingges ȝe shal do ȝoure diligence to kepe ȝoure persones and to warnestore ȝoure hous [2488] and saiden also. þat in þis ȝe ouȝt forto worchen ful wisely and bisily and wiþ grete deliberacion [2489] And sire as to þe furst poynt þat toucheþ to þe keping of ȝour persone [2490] ȝe shul vnderstonde þat he þat haþ werre shal euermore deuoutely and mekely preien by-forn alle þingges [2491] þat Ihesu crist of his mercy. wol

[6-text p 223] haue hym in his protection and bene his souereyn helpinge at his nede. [2492] ffor certes in þis world þer nys no wiȝt þat may be counsailled or kepte sufficiently wiþ|out þe kepinge of our lord Ihesu crist. [2493] To þis sentence accordeþ þe profete Dauid þat seiþ. [2494] Ȝif god ne kepe þe Citee in ydel waiteþ he þat it kepeþ. [2495] Now sire þan shul ȝe committe [la garde] of ȝoure persone to ȝoure trewe frendes þat bene appreued and yknowe [2496] and of hem shul ȝe asken helpe ȝoure body forto kepe ffor caton seiþ ¶ Ȝif þou hast nede of helpe aske it of þi frendes [2497] ffor þer is noon so good a phisicien as þi trewe frende [2498] ¶ After þis þan shal ȝe kepe ȝou from al straunge folk and fro leers and haue alway in suspecte her companye [2499] ¶ ffor Pers Alfons seiþ þus ne take no company by þe waye of a straunge mon. but ȝif so be þat þowe knowe him of a lenger tyme. [2500] And ȝif so be þat he falle to þi companye per|auenture wiþ-outen þine assent [2501] enquere þan as sotilly as euer þou maist of his conuersacion and of his lyf byfore and feyne þi way. Say þow wolt goo þidere as þou wilt not goo. [2502] and ȝif he bere a spere holde þe on þe riȝt side. And ȝif he bere [folio 236a] a swerde holde þe on þe lift side [2503] and so after þis þan shal ȝe kepe ȝou wisely from al such manere puple as I haue saide byfore and hem and her counsaile eschewe. [2504] And þan after þat shal ȝe kepe ȝou in such a manere [2505] þat for eny presumpcion of ȝoure strength. þat ȝe ne despise nat þe myȝt of ȝoure enemye and of ȝour aduersarie. so lite þat ȝe lete þe kepinge of ȝoure persone for ȝoure presumpciōn. [2506] ffor euery wise man dredeþ his enemye. [2507] Salomon saiþ. wakeful is he þat oft haþ drede. [2508] ffor certes he þat þorowe hardynesse of his hert and þorowe þe hardynesse of hym self haþ to grete presumpciōn him shal euel betide [2509] ¶ Than

[6-text p 224] shal ȝe euermore countrewaite enbusshmentys and al especials. [2510] ffor Senec saiþ. þat þe wise man þat dredeþ harmes; escheweþ harmes. [2511] he ne falleþ not into periles; þat periles escheweþ [2512] ¶ And al be it so þat it seme þat þou art in siker place ȝit shaltowe alway doo þi diligence in kepinge of þi persone. [2513] þis is to sayn be not necligent to kepe þi persone not oonly from þi grettest enemyes; but fro þi leest enemyes. [2514] Senec saiþ. A man þat is wel avised he dredeþ his leest enemye [2515] Ovide. saiþ. þat þe litel wesell wil slee þe grete Owle and þe wilde hert [2516] And þe boke seiþ; A litel þorne may prik a kinge ful sore. And an hounde wil holde þe wilde bore. [2517] But naþelees I say. ¶ not þou shalt be so moch cowarde þat þou doute þer as it is no drede [2518] ¶ The boke saiþ / þat some folk han grete lest to desceyue. but ȝit þei dreden hem to be de|sceyued. [2519] Ȝit shalt þou drede to be empoysened and kepe þe from þe company of scorners [2520] ¶ ffor þe booke seþ; Wiþ scorners make no companye. but flee hem and her wordes as venyme.

[2521] Now as to þe secounde poynt when as ȝoure wise counsailours counsailed ȝow to warnstore ȝoure hous wiþ grete diligence. [2522] I wold fayn knowe how þat ȝe vnderstonden þilk wordys and what is ȝoure Sentence.

[2523] Melebius Answerd and saide. Certes I vnder|stonde it in þis wise þat I shal warnstore myn hous wiþ towres such as haue castels and oþer manere edifi[c]es and armure and arcelries [2524] by such þingges as I may my persone and my hous kepe and defende. þat myn enemyes shul be in drede myn hous to approche.

[2525] To þis sentence anon answerd Dame Prudence ¶ Warnstoringe quod she of hegh toures and grete edifices [appertaineth sometimes to pride [2526] Men make towers and great edifices] with grete

[6-text p 225] costages and wiþ grete travaile. and whan þat þei be accompliced. ȝit bene þei nat worþ a stree. but ȝif þei ben deffended by trewe frendes þat bene olde and wise./ [2527] [folio 236b] And vnderstonde wel þat þe strengest and þe grettest garison þat þe riche man may haue as wel to kepe his persone as his goodes. is [2528] þat he be beloued wiþ his subiectys. and wiþ his neiȝbours [2529] ffor þus saiþ Tullius ¶ That þer is a maner garneson þat no man may venquyssh ne discomfett. And þat is [2530] a lord to be byloued wiþ his Citeseins and of his puple

[2531] Now sir as to þe iij. poynt where as ȝoure olde and wise counsaillours. seiden þat ȝowe ne auȝt not sodeynly ne hastely proceden in þis nede. [2532] but þat ȝou auȝt purveien and apparailen ȝou in þis caas wiþ grete diligence and grete deliberacion. [2533] trewly I trowe þat þei seiden riȝt wisely and riȝt soþe. [2534] ffor Tullius seiþ ¶ In euery nede er þow bygynne it apparaille þe wiþ grete diligence [2535] Than say I þat in vengeance takinge in werre in bataile and in warne-storinge. [2536] er þan þou bygynne. I rede þat þou apparaile þe þerto. and do it with grete deliberacion. [2537] ffor Tullius saiþ; ¶ That longe apparaylinge to-forn þe bataile; makeþ shorte victorie. [2538] And so Cassidorus saiþ. ¶ The garneson is strenger whan it is longe tyme avised.

[2539] But now lat vs speke more of þe counsaile. þat was accorded by ȝoure neighbours which as doon ȝou reuerence wiþ-out loue [2540] ȝoure olde enemyes recon|siled. ȝoure flaterers [2541] þat counsailden ȝou cer|teyn þingges prively. and openly counsailden ȝou þe contrarie [2542] ¶ The ȝonge folk also þat counsailed ȝou to venge ȝou / and make werre anoon [2543] ¶ And certes sire as I haue saide byforn ȝe haue gretly erred to han cleped Such manere folk to ȝoure counsaile. [2544] which counsailours bene nowe repreued. by þe resons to-fore saide. [2545] But naþelees lat nowe descende to

[6-text p 226] þe speciall. ¶ ȝe shullen furst proceden aftere þe doctrine of Tullius [2546] ¶ Certes þe trouþe of þis or þis counsaile nedeþ nat diligently enquere. [2547] for it is wel wist which þei bene þat done to ȝou þis trespace and vilanye [2548] and how mony trespasours. and in what manere þei han to ȝou done. All þis wronge and al þis vylanye [2549] And aftere þis þan shal ȝe examyne þe .ij. condicions whiche þat þe same Tullius addeþ in þis matere. [2550] ffor Tullius put to a þinge. þe which he clepeþ consentinge. þis is to sayn [2551] ¶ Who ben þei and which bene þei. and how mony. þat consenten to þi counsaile in þi wilful|nesse to doo hastely ¶ vengeaunce. [2552] And lat vs con|sidere also. Who bene þei and howe mony & which bene þei þat consenten to ȝoure aduersaries. [2553] And certys as to þe [folio 237a] furst poynt it is wel knowen which folk bene þei þat consenten to ȝoure hastif wilful|nes. [2554] ffor trewly al þoo þat counsailden ȝou to make sodeyn werre ne bene nat ȝoure frendes [2555] [Or véons doncques qui tu es et qui sont ceulx que tu tiens tant à ennemis.] as to ȝoure persone. [2556] ffor al be it soo þat ȝe bene myghty and riche. certes ȝe bene but alloon. [2557] for certes ȝe ne haue no childe but a douȝtere. [2558] ne ȝe ne haue no breþeren ne Cosyns Germaynns ne noon oþer nygh kynrede./ [2559] wherfore þat ȝoure enemyes for drede shulden stent to plede with ȝowe ne destroye ȝoure persone [2560] ¶ Ȝe knowe also þat ȝoure richesses mosten be dalt in diuers parties. [2561] and whan þat euery wiȝt haþ his parte þei ne wol not take but litel reward to venge þi deth. [2562] but þine enemyes bene Þre. And þei han mony children. breþeren Cosynes and oþer nygh kinrede. [2563] And þouȝe it so were þow haddest sclayn of hem twoo or þree. ȝit dwellen þer ynowe to wreke her deeth. and to slee þi persone [2564] And þouȝe so were þat ȝoure kynrede were more siker and stedfast þan

[6-text p 227] þe kyn of ȝoure aduersaries. [2565] ȝit naþelees ȝoure kynrede nys but litel kynrede. and litel sibbe to ȝowe. [2566] And þe kynne of ȝoure enemyes ben nygh sibbe to hem. And certis as to þat. Her condicione is bett þat ȝowres. [2567] Than lat vs considere also. ȝif þe counsaillinge of hem þat counsailed ȝowe to take sodeyn vengeaunce whedere it accorde to reson. [2568] Certys ȝe knowe wel nay. [2569] ffor as by riȝt and reson þer may no man take vengeaunce on no wiȝt but þe Iuge þat haþ þe Iurisdiction of it [2570] whan it is ygraunted hym to take þilk vengeance hastely or at|temperally as þe lawe requireþ. [2571] And ȝit more|ouere of þilk word þat Tullius clepeþ consentynge. [2572] Thow shalt considere ȝit þow myȝt and þi power myȝt consent and suffice to þi wilfulnesse and to þi counsailours. [2573] ¶ And certes þou maist wel say nay. [2574] for sikerly as forto speke proprely. we may do no þinge. but oonly þing as we may done riȝtfully. [2575] And certes riȝtfully ne mowe ȝe take no vengeaunce as of ȝoure propre auctorite [2576] þan mowe ȝe sene þat ȝoure power consenteþ nat ne accordeþ not to ȝoure wilfulnesse [2577] ¶ lat vs nowe examyne þe iij poynt þat Tullius clepeþ consequent [2578] [Tu dois doncques savoir que à vengence que tu veulx faire, est conséquent] [2579] And þerof foloweþ a-noþer vengeaunce perile and werre. and oþer damages wiþ-out nombre of which we bene litel warre as at þis tyme./ [2580] ¶ And as touþing þe fourte poynt þat Tullius clepeþ en|gendringe [2581] þou shalt considere þis wronge which þat is done to þe is engendred of þe hate of þine enemyes [2582] and of þe [folio 237b] vengeance takinge vpon þat wolde engendre anoþere vengeaunce And mochel sorowe and waastinge of Richesse as I saide eerst.

[2583] ¶ Now sire as þan touchinge to þe poynt. That Tullius causes which þat is þe last poynte [2584] þou

[6-text p 228] shalt vnderstonde þat þe wronge þat þou hast receyued haþ certeyne causes. [2585] whiche þat clerkes clepen orience. And officience. And causa longinqua and causa propinqua. This is say þe fer cause and þe nyȝe cause. [2586] The fer cause is almyȝty god þat is cause of al þingges. [2587] The nere cause is by þre enemyes [2588] ¶ The cause accidentale was hate. [2589] þe cause materiall beþ .v. woundes of þi douȝtere [2590] The cause formal is þe maner of her worching þat brouȝten ladders and clomben Inne at þi wyndowes. [2591] The cause ffynal was. for to scle þi doughtere. It letted nouȝt in as moch as in hem was / [2592] Than to speke of þe ferþe cause as to what ende þei shal come or what shal fynaly bytide of hem in þis caas. ne can I not deme but by countyng and by supposinge [2593] ¶ ffor we shul suppose. þat þei shul come to a wikked ende. [2594] by cause þat þe booke of Decrees seiþ ¶ Seeldome or wiþ grete peyne bene causes ybrouȝt to good ende whan þei bene bodely begonne.

[2595] ¶ Now sire ȝif men wold aske me whi þat ȝe suffred men to doo ȝou þis wronge and vilenye. Certes I can nat wel answere as for no soþfastnesse. [2596] ffor þe apostell saiþ. þat þe sciences and þe Iugementes of our lord god almyȝty. bene ful depe. [2597] þer may no man conprehende ne Serchen hem suffisantly [2598] ¶ Naþelees by certeyne presumpcions of coniectyngges I holde and bileue [2599] þat god which þat is ful of iustice. and of riȝtwisnesse haþ suffred þis bitidde by Iustise ¶ cause resonable

[2600] ¶ Thi name is Melebye ¶ This is to sayne a man þat drynkeþ hony. [2601] thow hast ydronke so moche hony of which swete temporell richesses / and delicious hon|oures of þis world [2602] þat þou art dronken. and hast forȝeten Ihesu crist þine creature [2603] Thow ne hast not doon to hym such honoure and reuerence as þe auȝt [2604] ne þou ne hast nat wel taken kepe to

[6-text p 229] þe wordes of O ¶ Ovide þat seiþ. [2605] Vndere þe hony of þe goddes of þi body. is hidde þe venyme þat scleeþ þi soule [2606] ¶ And Salomon saiþ. Ȝif þou hast found hony. eete of it þat suffiseþ the. [2607] ffor ȝif þou ete of it out of mesure. þou shalt spewe and be nedy and poore. [2608] and perauenture criste haue þe in despite. and haþ turned away from þe his face and his eeres of mysericord [2609] And also he haþ suffred þat þou hast be [folio 238a] punshed in þe manere þat þou hast trespased. [2610] Thou hast doon synne aȝeinst our lord crist [2611] ffor certes iij. enemyes of man|kynde þat is to seyne þe flessh. þe feende. and þe worlde [2612] thowe hast suffred hem entred into þine hous wilfully by þe wyndowe of þi body. [2613] And hast nat defended þi self sufficiently aȝeinst her assawtes and her temptacions so þat þei han wounded þe saule in .v. places. [2614] þis is to sayn þe dedly synnes þat bene entred into þine hert by þi .v. wyndowes [2615] and in þe same manere our lord crist haþ suffred and willed þat þise iij. enemyes bene entred into þi hous by þi wyndowes [2616] and haue ywounded þi douȝtere in þe forsaide manre

[2617] ¶ Certes quod Melebius I se wel þat ȝe en|force ȝou moche by wordis to ouercome me in suche a manere þat I shal not venge me on myn enemyes. [2618] shewing me þe periles and þe eueles þat myghten falle of þis vengeaunce [2619] But who so wold considere in all vengeances þe periles and euels þat myȝten swe of vengeance takinge [2620] a mon wold neuere take vengeance and þat were harme [2621] ffor by þe venge|aunce takinge. bene þe wikked men disseuered from þe good men. [2622] And þei þat han wille to do wikked|nesse restreynen her wikked purpoos whan they sene þe punshynge and chastising of trespasoures.

[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence: 'Certes,' said she, 'I grant you that from vengeance come many

[6-text p 230] advantages as well as many evils; [2624] yet vengeance be|longeth not to a "senglere persone," but only to the judges, and to those who have jurisdiction over evil-doers.'] [2625] And ȝit say I more þat as riȝt as so senglere persone synneþ in takinge vengeaunce of a noþer man [2626] Riȝt so synneþ þe Iuge ȝif he doo no vengeaunce on hem þat it haue deserued [2627] ¶ ffor Senec seiþ þus ¶ þat maister he saiþ is good þat repreueþ shrewes [2628] ¶ And as Cassiodorie seiþ. A man dredeþ to do outrage whan he woote and knoweþ þat it displeseþ to þe Iugges and þe souereyns. [2629] And anoþer seiþ ¶ The Iuge þat dredeþ to do riȝt. makeþ men schrewes [2630] ¶ And seint Paule þe appostel seiþ in his epistel whan he writeþ to þe Romayns Þat þe Iuge berent not þe spere wiþ-outen cause. [2631] but þei beren it to punshe þe schrewes and mysdoers and forto defende þe good men. [2632] ȝif ȝe wil þan take vengeance of ȝoure enemyes ȝe shal retourne or haue ȝoure recours to þe Iuge þat haþ þe Iurisdiction vpon him [2633] and he shal punsshe hem as þe lawe askeþ and requereþ

[2634] ¶ A quod Melebies þis vengeance likeþ me no þinge [2635] I by-þenk me nowe and take hede. howe fortune haþ norsshed me fro my childhode. and haþ hulpen me to passe mony a stronge paas [2636] ¶ Now wil I assaien her trowinge wiþ goddes helpe þat he shal helpe me my shame forto [folio 238b] venge

[2637] ¶ Certes quod Prudence ȝif ȝe wil wirk by my counsaill ȝe shul not assaien fortune by no way [2638] ne ȝe shul not lene ne bowe vnto hire. after þe wordes of Senec. [2639] ffor þingges þat bene folily done. and þat bene in hope of fortune shullen neuere come to good eende. [2640] ¶ And as þe same senc saiþ . þe more clere and þe more shynynge þat fortune is. þe more brotel and þe sonner brekeþ she. [2641] tresteþ not on her for she nys nat stedfast. [2642] ffor whan þowe wenest or trowest to be more swre or siker of her

[6-text p 231] helpe. she wil faile þee. [2643] ¶ And þer as ȝe sayn þat fortune haþ norsshed ȝou from ȝoure child|hode. [2644] I say þat in so mochel shal ȝe þe lasse trest in her. and in her witt [2645] ¶ ffor Senec saiþ. what man þat is norsshed by fortune; she makeþ him to grete a foole [2646] ¶ Now þan siþ ȝe desire and aske vengeaunce. and þe vengeance þat is done [selon l'ordre de droit et devant le juge ne te plaist, [2647] et la vengence qui se fait] in hope of fortune is peril|ous and vncerteyn. [2648] þen haue noon oþer remedy. but forto haue ȝoure cours vnto þe souereyn Iuge þan vengeþ all vilanyes and wrongges. [2649] and he shal venge ȝou. After hym self witnesseþ; where as he saiþ [2650] ¶ leueþ þe vengeance to me./ & I shal doo it

[2651] ¶ Melebius answered. Ȝif I ne venge me noȝt of þe vilanye þat men han done to me. [2652] I shal somne or warne hem þat han do to me þoo vilanyes and al oþer to doo me anoþer vilanye. [2653] ¶ ffor it is writen. ȝif þou take no vengeaunce of an olde vilanye / þow somn|est þine aduersaries to doo an newe vilanye. [2654] And also for my suffraunce men wolden doo me so moche vilanye þat I myȝt neiþer bere it ne sus|teyne it. [2655] And so þan I shulde be kept ouer lawe [2656] ¶ ffor men sayn In mochel suffringe shul mony þingges vnto þe which þow shalt not mow suffre

[2657] ¶ Certes quod prudence I graunte ȝow þat ouer mochel suffraunce is not good [2658] But ȝit ne foloweþ it not þer-of. That euery persone to whome men doo vilany take of it vengeaunce. [2659] ffor þat apper|teneþ & longeþ oonly to the Iuges. ffor þei shul venge vilanyes and Iniuries. [2660] And herfore þoo two autoritees þat ȝe han saide aboue ben oonly vnderstonden in þe Iuges [2661] for whan þei suffre ouer ¶ mykel þe wrongges and vilenyes to be done

[6-text p 232] wiþ-out ponshinge. [2662] þei sommone nat a man al only forto doo newe wrongges but þei commaunden it [2663] ¶ Also a wise man seiþ þat þe Iuge þat cor|recteþ not þe synner. Commaundeþ and biddeþ hym to synne [2664] and þe Iuges and [folio 239a] souereynes myȝten in her londe so moche suffre of þe Shrewes and mysdoers [2665] þat þei shulden bye such suffraunce by processe of tyme wexen of such power and myȝt. þat þei shuld putte out þe Iuges and souereynes from her places. [2666] and at þe last do hem lose her lordshippes

[2667] ¶ I put caas riȝt nowe ȝe had leue to venge ȝou. [2668] I say þat ȝe ben nouȝt of myght ne power as nowe to venge ȝou. [2669] ffor ȝif we wil make comparison vnto þe myȝt of ȝour aduersaries. ȝe shul fynde in many þingges þat I haue shewed ȝo^u er þis þat her condicion is better þan ȝoure. [2670] And þerfore say I þat it is good as nowe þat ȝe suffre and be pacient

[2671] ¶ fferþer more ȝe knowen wel þat after þe comon Sawe it is a woodenesse a man to stryue wiþ a strenger. or wiþ a more myȝty man þan hym self. [2672] And forto stryue wiþ a man of euen strength þat is to say wiþ as stronge a man as he is it is perile. [2673] And forto stryue wiþ a waikere man it is foly [2674] And þerfore shuld a man flee stryuynge as mochel as he myȝt [2675] ¶ ffor Salomon saiþ. It is a grete worship a man to kepe hym from noyse and stryf. [2676] And ȝif it so byfalle or happe þat a man of gretter myȝt and strenger þan þou art do þe greuaunce. [2677] stody and byse þe raþer to stille þe same greuaunce þan forto venge þe [2678] ¶ ffor Senec saiþ That he putteþ hym in grete perile. þat stryueþ wiþ a gretter man þan he is him self [2679] And Caton saiþ. Ȝif a man of hier astate or of degre or more myȝty þan þou. do þe an oþer greuaunce suffre hym [2680] for he þat onys haþ greued þe

[6-text p 233] may anoþer tyme releue þe. and helpe þe. [2681] ȝit sette I caas ȝe haue boþ myȝt and licence forto venge ȝou. [2682] I saie þat þer bene ful mony þingges þat shuld restreyn ȝou of vengeance takinge [2683] and make ȝou forto enclyne to suffre and for|to haue pacience in þe wrongges þat bene done to ȝou. [2684] ffurst and forward ȝif ȝe wil considere þe defautes þat bene in ȝoure persone. [2685] for which defautes god haþ suffred ȝou to haue tribulacion as I haue saide byfore [2686] ¶ ffor þe Poete saiþ. þat we ouȝten paciently þe tribulacions to take þat commen to vs whan þat we þenken and consideren þat we han deserued to haue hem [2687] ¶ And seint Gregor seiþ. That whan a man considereþ wel þe nombre of his defautes and of his synnes [2688] þan peynes and þe tribulacions þat he suffreþ semen þe lasse vnto him [2689] And in as moche as him þenk|eþ his synnes more hevie and greuous [2690] in so moche his peyne is þe liȝter / and þe [folio 239b] esier vnto hym [2691] ¶ Also ȝe owen to enclyne and bowe ȝoure herte to take þe pacience of our lorde Ihesu crist. As seiþ seint Petre in his epistell [2692] Ihesu crist he seiþ haþ suffred for vs and ȝeuen ensample to euery man to folowe and to swee hym [2693] for he did neuere ¶ synne ne neuere cam a vileyns worde out of his mouþe [2694] whan men cursed hym he cursed hem nouȝt . . . . . [no gap] [2695] Also þe grete pacience ¶ whiche þat seintes þat bene in paradis han had in tribulacions þat þei han suffred wiþ-outen her desert or gilt. [2696] aught moch stire ȝou to pacience [2697] ¶ fferþer|more ȝe shal conforte ȝou to haue pacience [2698] consideringe þat þe tribulaciōns of þis worlde. but litel ¶ while enduren. and soon bene ypassed and goon [2699] And þe Ioye þat a man secheþ to haue by pacience in tribulacions is perdurable. after þat þe

[6-text p 234] appostel seiþ. in his Epistel [2700] ¶ The Ioie of god he seiþ is perdurable. þat is to saye euerlastinge. [2701] Also troueþ and bileueþ stedfastly þat he nys nat wel norsshed ne wel ytauȝt þat cannot haue pacience ne wil not receyue pacience [2702] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ. That þe doctrine and þe witte of man is knowe by pacience. [2703] And in anoþere place he seiþ. þat he þat kepeþ hym by pacience ¶ gouerneþ him by grete prudence [2704] ¶ And þe Same Salomon seiþ The angre and þe wrethful man makeþ noyses. and þe pacient man attempreþ and stilleþ him self [2705] ¶ he saiþ also it is more worth to be pacient þan for to be riȝt stronge. [2706] And he þat may haue lordship of his owne hert is more to preise þan he þat by his fors takeþ grete Citees and townes [2707] Therfore seiþ seint Iame in his Epistell. þat pacience in a grete vertue of perfection.

[2708] [Certes, dit Mellibée, je vous ottroye, dame Prudence, que patience est une grant vertu,] [2709] But euery man may nat haue þe perfection þat we seken. [2710] ne I. am not of þe nombre of riȝt per|fit men. [2711] for myn hert may neuer be in pees; vnto þe tyme it be venged [2712] ¶ And al be it so þat it was grete perile to myne ¶ ennemyes to done me a vilanye in takinge vengeance vpon me. [2713] ȝit token þei noon hede vppon þe perile. but fulfilleden her wik¶ked wille and her corage [2714] And þer-for me þenkeþ men ouȝt not repreue me þouȝe I putte me in a litel perile to venge me. [2715] and þouȝe I doo a grete excesse. þat is to say þouȝe I venge oon outrage by a noþere

[2716] ¶ O quod dame prudence ȝe say ȝoure wille. and as ȝou likeþ. [2717] But in no caas of þe world a man shuld not do outrage ne excesse forto venge hym [2718] ¶ ffor Cassidore seiþ þat as euel doþ he þat auengeþ him by outrage. as he þat doþ þe

[6-text p 235] outrage. [2719] And þer-for ȝe shul venge ȝou after þe ordere of ryȝt þat is to sain [folio 240a] by þe lawe and by noon excesse ne noon outrage. [2720] And also if ȝe wil venge ȝou of þe outrage of ȝoure aduersaries in oþer manere þan riȝt comaundeþ ȝe synnen [2721] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Senec. þat a man shal neuere venge schrewdenesse by schrewdenesse / [2722] And if ȝe say þat riȝt axeþ a man to defende violence by violence. and fiȝtynge by fiȝtinge. [2723] certes ȝe say soth. whan þe defence is done anoon with-outen interualle or wiþ-out taryinge or delay. [2724] for to defenden hym and not forto vengen hym. [2725] And it bihoueþ þat a man put such attemperance in his defence [2726] þat men haue no cause no matere to repreuen hym þat defendeþ hym of excesse and of outrage. [car autrement ce seroit contre droit et contre raison (Le Mén.)] [2727] ¶ Parde ȝe knowen well þat ȝe maken noon defence as nowe forto defende ȝou but forto venge ȝou [2728] And so sweþ it þat ȝe han no wille to doo ȝoure dede attemperally. [2729] and þerfore me þenkeþ þat pacience is goode ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ; þat he þat is nat pacient shal haue grete harme

[2730] ¶ Certes quod meleby I graunte ȝou þat whan a man is impacient and wrooþ of þat þat toucheþ hym nat and of þat þat perteneþ not to hym. þouȝe it harme him it is no wondere [2731] ¶ ffor þe lawe saiþ. þat he is coupable. þat entermeteþ hym or melleþ hym wiþ suche þinge as apperteyneþ nat to hym [2732] ¶ And Salomon saiþ. That he þat entermeteþ hym of þe noise or of þe strif of an oþer man is like to hym. þat takeþ þe hounde by þe eeres [2733] and [aussi comme cellui qui prent le chien par les oreilles] is oþer while biten wiþ þe hounde. [2734] ¶ Riȝt in þe same wise is it reson þat he haue harme þat by his impacience medleþ him of þe noise of an oþer man. wher þat it apperteneþ not to him [2735] ¶ But ȝe knowe wel þat þis dede and

[6-text p 236] þis greef and þis dissese toucheþ me riȝt nygh. [2736] And þerfore þouȝe I be wroþe and im|pacient it is no mervaile. [2737] and sauynge ȝoure grace I can not see þat it myȝt gretlich harme me. þouȝe I toke vengeance [2738] ffor I am Riccher and more myȝty þan myn enemyes bene. [2739] And wel knowen ȝee þat by money and by hauyng grete posses|sions bene all þingges of þis world ygouerned [2740] ¶ And Salomon seiþ. þat all þingges obeyen to monay.

[2741] [Prudence, quant elle oy son mary vanter de sa richesse et de sa puissance, et soy esjouir, et] dispreis|ing þe poor of his aduersaries. Tho she spak and seide in þis wise. [2742] Certes dere sire I graunt ȝou þat ȝe bene riche and myȝty. [2743] and þat richesses ben good to hem þat han wel goten hem. and þat wel can vsen hem [2744] ffor riȝt as þe body of a man; may not lyue wiþ-out þe saule. no more may it live wiþ-out temporal goodes. [2745] And by rich|esse may a [folio 240b] man gete hym grete worship [2746] ¶ And þerfore seiþ Pamphilles. ȝif an neterdes douȝtere he saiþ be riche she may chese of a thowsand men [lequel qu'elle veult pour son mary [2747] car (Le Ménagier, tome i)] . . [no gap in the MS.] oon wil not forsake her ne refuse her. [2748] And þus Pamphilles seith also ¶ ȝif þou be riȝt happy þat is to say riȝt riche þow shalt fynde a grete nombre of felawes and frendes. [2749] And ȝif þi fortune that þou wexe poor. fare wel frendship and felawship. [2750] for þou shalt bene allone wiþ-oute eny companye. but ȝif it be þe company of poor folk [2751] // And ȝit seiþ þis Pamphilles more ouer þat þei þat bene thral and bonde of lynage. shullen be made worþi and noble by richessesse [2752] And riȝt so as by richesses þer commen mony goodes. Riȝt so by pouert þer commen mony harmes and euels. [2753] ffor grete pouerte con|streyneth

[6-text p 237] a man to doo mony euels [2754] ¶ And þer|fore clepeþ Cassidore pouert. þe modere ruyne. [2755] That is to say þe modere of ouerþrowinge or falling downe [2756] ¶ And þerfore Pers Alfons saiþ. Oon of þe grettest aduersitees of þis world is [2757] whan a free [man] by kinde is constreyned by pouert to eten þe almesse of his enemye [2758] ¶ And þe Same Seiþ Innocent in oon of his bokes. He seiþ þat soriful and vnhappy is þe condition of a poor begger. [2759] ffor ȝif he askeþ not his mete he dyeþ for hungere. [2760] [et se ils demandent, ils meurent de honte;] Necessite constreyneþ hym to aske. [2761] And þerfore seiþ Salomon. That better is to dye þan forto haue suche pouerte [2762] ¶ And as þe Same Salo|mon seiþ Better is to dye a bitter deeþ þan forto lyuen in swich wise [2763] ¶ By þise resons þat .I haue seide vnto ȝowe and by mony resons þat I coude saie [2764] I graunte þat richesses bene good to hem þat geten hem well And vsen hem wel. [2765] And þerfore wil I shewe ȝow how ȝe shul haue ȝou. and howe ȝe shal bere ȝou in gaderinge of richesses. and in what manere ȝe shul vsen hem

[2766] ffirst ȝe shul geten hem with-out grete desire. by good leisere sokingly. and not ouerhastely. [2767] ffor a man þat is to desiringe to geten richesse. abandoneþ hym to þeft and to all oþer evels [2768] ¶ And þerfore seiþ Salomon ¶ he þat hasteþ hym to bysily to wexe ricche; shal be noon Innocent [2769] ¶ He saiþ also þat þe Richesse þat hastely commeþ to a man. sone and liȝtly gooþ and passeþ from hym [2770] ¶ But þat richesse þat commeþ alway litel and litel. wexeþ alway and multiplieþ [2771] ¶ And sire ȝe shul gete richesse by ȝoure witte. and by ȝoure travaile. vnto ȝoure profite [2772] and þat wiþ-outen wronge or harme doynge to eny oþere persone. [2773] ffor þe lawe

[6-text p 238] seiþ ¶ That he ne makeþ nat hym self riche. ȝif he do harme to a noþer wight [2774] ¶ This is to say þat nature defendeþ and forbedeþ by ryght. þat [folio 241a] no man make him self riche wiþ þe harme of a noþere person. [2775] ¶ And Tullius saiþ. þat no sorowe ne no drede of deth ne of þouȝt þat may falle to a man [2776] is so mochel aȝeinst nature as a man to encrees his owne profite to þe harme of anoþer man [2777] ¶ And þouȝe þe grete men and þe riche men geten rychesses more liȝtly þan þou. [2778] ȝit shalt þou nat be ydel ne sclowe to þi prophete. ffor þou shalt in al þinge and in al wise fle ydelnesse [2779] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ; That ydelnesse techeþ a man to do mony eueles [2780] ¶ And þe Same Salomon seiþ. þat he þat travailleþ and bysieþ him to tille his londe shal ete þe brede. [2781] But he þat is ydel and casteþ him to doo no bysynesse ne occupacion shal falle into pouert and dye for hungere. [2782] And he þat is ydel and sclowe. can neuer fynde conable tyme forto do his profite [2783] ¶ ffor þer is a versifiour þat saiþ. That þe ydel man excuseþ hym in wyntere. be cause of þe grete colde. And in somer by encheson of þe grete hete [2784] ¶ ffor þise causes seiþ Caton ¶ Wakeþ and enclyneþ ȝou not ouermoche forto sclepe. for ouer moche rest norssheþ and causeþ mony vyces [2785] ¶ And þerfore seiþ seint Ierom ¶ Doþ somme good dedys þat þe deuel which is oure enemye ne fynde ȝou nat vnocupied. [2786] ffor þe deuel ne takeþ not liȝtly vnto his worch|inge such as he fyndeþ occupied in goode werkes

[2787] ¶ Than þus in geting of Richesse ȝe moten flee ydelnesse / [2788] ¶ and afterward ȝe shul vse þe richesse which ȝe han geten by ȝoure witte and by ȝoure travaile [2789] in such a manere þat men holde ȝou nat to scarce. ne to sparinge. ne to fool large. þat is to sayn ouer large a spendere [2790] ¶ ffor riȝt as men blamen an Auarous man by cause of his scarsete and chyncherie [2791] In þe same manere is he blamed

[6-text p 239] þat spendeþ ouer largely. [2792] ¶ And þerfore seiþ Caton. vse he saiþ þe Richesse þat þou hast ygeten. [2793] in such a manere. þat þer be no matere ne cause to calle þe neiþer wrecche ne chynche. [2794] ffor it is grete shame a man to haue a poor hert and a rich purs [2795] ¶ He seiþ also þe goodes þat thow hast geten vse hem by mesure þat is to say. spende mesurably [2796] ffor þei þat folyly waasten and dispenden þe goodes þat þei haue. [2797] whan þei han no more propre of her owne þei shape hem to take þe goodes of a noþer man. [2798] ¶ I say þan þat ȝe shal flee Auarice / [2799] vsinge ȝoure richesse as in such manere þat men say not þat ȝoure goodes bene yburied. [2800] but þat ȝe [folio 241b] haue hem in ȝoure myght and in ȝoure weldinge [2801] ffor þe wise repreeueþ þe Auerous man and seiþ in twoo versus. [2802] Wherto and whi bereþ a man his goodes by his Auarice and knoweþ wel þat nedes he most deye. [2803] for deþ is þe ende of euery man as in þis present lif [2804] and for what cause or encheson ioyneþ he him or knytteþ he hym so fast vnto his goodes [2805] þat all his wittes mowe not disseuere hym or departen hym fro his goodes. [2806] and knoweþ wel or aught knowe þat whan he is dede he shal no þinge bere wiþ him out of þis world [2807] ¶ And þerfore seiþ seynt Austyne. That þe Auerous man is likned into helle. [2808] þat þe more it swoloweþ. þe more desire it haþ to swalowe and deuowre [2809] And as wel as ȝe wolde eschwe to be cleped an Auarous man or chynche [2810] as wel shul ȝe kepe ȝou and gouerne ȝou so and in such a wise so þat men ne cleped ȝou not fool large [2811] ¶ Therfore seiþ Tullius The goodes he seiþ of þine hous shuld nat bene hidde ne kept so cloos but þat þei myȝt be opned by Pite and by bonairte [2812] þat is to sayn to ȝeue hem parte þat han grete nede [2813]

[6-text p 240] Ne þi goodes shuld not bene so open to be euery mannys goodes [2814] ¶ Afterward in getinge of ȝoure richesse & in vsyng of hem ȝe shul alway haue þre þingges in ȝoure hert. [2815] þat is to sayn. our lorde god. conscience and good name [2816] ¶ ffirst ȝe shul haue god in ȝoure hert [2817] and for no ricchesse ȝe shul doo no þinge which may in eny manere displese crist þat is youre creatour and ȝour maker [2818] ¶ ffor after þe worde of Salomon. it is better to haue a litel good with þe loue of god [2819] þan to haue moche good and tresour and lese þe loue of his lorde god [2820] ¶ And þe prophet seiþ. þat better it is to bene a good man. and haue a litel good and tresour. [2821] þan to be holden a shrewe and haue grete Ricchesse. [2822] And ȝit say I ferþermore þat ȝe shulden alway doon ȝour bisynesse to gete ȝou richesses [2823] so þat ȝe gete hem wiþ good conscience [2824] ¶ And þe Appostel saiþ. Ther nys no þinge in this world of which we shuld haue so grete Ioye as whan our conscience bereþ vs witnesse of good [2825] ¶ And þe wise man saiþ. The substance of a man is ful good whan synne nys nat in his coscience [2826] ¶ Afterward in getinge of ȝoure richesses / and in vsing of hem [2827] þe most haue grete bysynesse and grete diligence þat ȝoure [folio 242a] good name be alway kept and conserued [2828] ¶ ffor Salo|mon seiþ That better it is and more availleþ a man to haue good name þan to haue grete richesse [2829] ¶ And þerfore he saiþ in a noþer place Doo grete diligence seiþ Salomon in kepinge of þi frend and of þi good name. [2830] ffor it shal lenger abide wiþ þe þan eny tresour be it neuere so precious. [2831] And certes he shuld not be cleped a gentil man. þat after god and good conscience all þingges left ne doþ his dyligence and bysynesse to kepen his good name [2832] ¶ And Cassidore saiþ; þat it is signe of a gentill hert whan a man desireþ and loueþ to haue a goode name./

[6-text p 241] [2833] ¶ And þerfore seiþ seint Austyne. Ther bene two þingges þat are necessarye and nedefull. [2834] & þat is good conscience and good loos. [2835] that is to sayn good conscience to þine owne persone inward And good loos for þi neighbour outward. [2836] And he þat tresteþ him so moche in his good conscience [2837] þat he displese and setteþ at nouȝt his good name or loos. and rekkeþ not þouȝe he kepe not his good name. he nys but a cruell cherle

[2838] ¶ Sire now haue I schewed ȝou how ȝe shuld doo in kepinge rychesse and howe ȝe shuld vsen hem [2839] ¶ I see wel þat for þe trust þat ȝe haue in ȝoure ricchesse. ȝe wil meuen werre and bataille [2840] I counsaile þat ȝe bygynne no werre. in trest of ȝoure Richesse. ffor þei ne suffisen not werres to Mayn|tene [2841] ¶ And þerfore saiþ a Philosophre. That man þat desireþ and wil algates haue werre. shal neuere haue suffisaunt. [2842] ffor þe Richer þat he is þe gretter dispence mote he make ȝif he wil haue wor|ship or victorie [2843] ¶ And Salomon saiþ þat þe gretter richesse þat a man hath. þe gretter dispendours he haþ. [2844] And dere sir al be it soo. þat for ȝoure richesse ȝe mowe haue mochel folk. [2845] ȝit byhoueþ it not. ne it is not good to bygynne werre. þer as ȝe may in oþer manere haue pees vnto ȝoure worship and profite [2846] ¶ ffor þe victorie of batailles þat bene in þis world lith not in grete nombre or multitude of puple. ne in vertue of man. [2847] but it lith in þe wille and in þe hand of our lord god almyȝty [2848] ¶ And þerfore Iudas makabeus which was goddys knyȝt [2849] whan he shuld fiȝt aȝeinst his aduersarie þat had a gretter nombre and a gretter mul|titude of folk And strenger þan was þis puple of Maka|be. [2850] Ȝit he recomforte his lytel [folio 242b] companye and saide riȝt in þis wise [2851] ¶ Also liȝtly quod he may our lord god almyȝty ȝeue victorie to fewe folk

[6-text p 242] as to monye [2852] ffor þe victory of bataille commeþ not by þe grete nombre of puple [2853] but it commeth fro our lord of heuene. [2854] And dere sire for as moch As þer nys no man certeyn ȝif it be worþ þat god ȝeue hym victorie . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] or nouȝt. aftere þat Salomon seiþ. [2855] Therfore euery man shulde gretly drede werrus to bygynne [2856] And by cause þat [in] batailles [are] many periles [2857] & [it may] happen oþer while þat as sone is þe grete man sclayn as þe litel man [2858] ¶ And as it is ywritte in þe second book of kingges The dedes of batailles bene auenturous and no þinge certeyn. [2859] for as liȝtly is oon hurt wiþ a spere as a noþer [2860] And þerfore it is grete perile in werre. Therfore shuld a man flee and eschewe werre in as mochel as a man may goodly./ [2861] ffor Salomon seiþ; He þat loueþ perile shal falle in perile

[2862] After þat dame prudence had spoken in þis manere Melebius answerd and saide. [2863] I see wel dame þat by ȝoure faire wordes and by ȝoure resons þat ye han schewed me. þat þe werre likeþ ȝou no þinge. [2864] But I haue not ȝit herde ȝoure coun|saile howe I shal doo in þis nede.

[2865] Certes quod she I counsaile ȝo^u þat ȝe ac|corde wiþ ȝoure aduersaries and þat ȝe haue pees with hem [2866] ¶ ffor seint Iame seiþ in his Epistell ¶ That by concord and pees þe smale richesses wexen grete [2867] And by debate and discord þe grete richesse fallen doun. [2868] And ȝe knowe wel þat oon of þe grettest and most souereyn þinge þat is in þis world is vnite and pees [2869] And þerfore saiþ our lord Ihesu crist to his apostel in þis wise [2870] ¶ Wel happy and blessed bene þei þat louen and pu[r]chasen pees for þei bene called children of god [2871] ¶ A quod Meleby nowe se I wel þat ȝe loue not myn h[o]noure and my worship. [2872] Ȝe knowen wel þat myne

[6-text p 243] aduersaries haue bygonnen þis debate and brigge by her outrage [2873] And ȝe See wel þat þei ne requiren ne preien me nat of pees ne þei asken not to be recounsailled. [2874] wil ȝe þan þat I goo meke and obeye me to hem. and crye hem mercye. [2875] ffor soth þat were not my worship. [2876] ffor riȝt as men sayn þat ouer grete humblesse engendreþ dispisinge. so fareþ it by to grete humilite & mekenesse

[2877] ¶ Than bygan dame prudence to make sem|blaunt of wreth and saide. [2878] Certes sire sauf ȝoure grace I loue ȝour honoure and ȝoure profite as I doo myn owne and euere ha [folio 243a] ue done [2879] ne ȝe ne mowen not sayn þe contrarie. [2880] And ȝit ȝif I had saide þat ȝe shulde haue purchased þe pees and þe reconsiliacion I ne had not moche mystake me ne saide amys [2881] ffor þe Wise man seiþ. The dis|sencion bygynneþ by a noþer man. and þe reconsilynge by þi silf. [2882] And þe prophete saiþ. fflee schrewdenesse and doo goodnesse [2883] ¶ Seke pees and folowe it in as moche as in þe is. [2884] ¶ Ȝit seiþ he not þat ȝe shul Swe raþer to ȝoure aduersaries for pees þan þei shullen to ȝou. [2885] ffor I knowe wel þat ȝe bene so hard herted. þat ȝe wil do no þing for mee [2886] ¶ And Salomon seiþ; þat he þat haþ ouer harde an hert. at þe last shal myshappe and mystide

[2887] ¶ Whan Melebius had seye dame prudence make semblaunt of wreth he saide in þis wise [2888] ¶ Dame I prey ȝou þat ȝe be not displesed of þingges þat I saye. [2889] ffor ȝe knowe wel þat I am angry and wrooþ and þat is no wondere. [2890] and þei þat bene wrooþ. weten not wel what þei doon ne what þei seyn [2891] ¶ And þerfore the prophete seiþ. That trowbled eyen haue no clere siȝt. [2892] But saiþ on and counsaile me as ȝe likeþ. for I am redy to doo riȝt as ȝe wil desire. [2893] and if ȝe repreue me of my foly .I am þe more holden to loue ȝou and to preise

[6-text p 244] ȝou [2894] ¶ ffor Salomon saith That he þat reproueþ hym þat dooþ foly. [2895] he shal finde gretter grace þat he þat deceyueþ hym wiþ swete wordes

[2896] Than said Dame prudence. I make no semblant of wreþe ne of anger but for ȝoure grete profite [2897] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ; he is more wrooþ þat re|preueth or chideþ a foole for his folye schewing him semblant of wreþe [2898] þan he þat supporteþ hym or preiseþ him in his mysdoynge at laugheþ at his foly [2899] ¶ And þis same Salomon seiþ afterward þat by þe soriful vese of a man þat is to sayn by sory and heuy countenaunce of a man [2900] þe foole correcteþ and amendeþ him self

[2901] ¶ Than sayde Meleby I shal not conne an|swere to so mony resons as ȝe putten to me and shewen / [2902] saiþ shortely ȝoure wille. and ȝoure coun|saile and I am al redy to fulfille and performe it

[2903] ¶ Than Dame prudence diskeuered al her wille vnto hym and saide [2904] I counsaile ȝou þat ȝe abouen al þinge maken pees bytwene god and ȝowe [2905] and beþ reconsailled vnto him and to his grace. [2906] ffor I haue seid ȝow here byfore ¶ God haþ suffred ȝou to haue þis tribulacion and dissese for ȝoure synnes. [2907] And if ȝe doo as I say ȝowe [folio 243b] god wil sende ȝoure aduersaries vnto ȝou [2908] and make hem to falle at ȝoure fete redy to ȝoure wille and ȝoure com|aundement [2909] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþe; Whan þe con|dicion of man is plesaunte and likinge to god [2910] he chaungeth þe hertes of þe mannes aduersaries and con|streyneþ hem to bysechen him of pees and of grace [2911] ¶ And I prei ȝou lat me speke wiþ ȝoure aduersaries in privy place. [2912] for þei shal not knowe it be ȝoure wille ne ȝoure assent. [2913] And þan whan I knowe her will and assent; I may counsaile ȝou þe more suerly

[2914] ¶ Dame quod Meleby doþ ȝour will and

[6-text p 245] ȝoure lyking [2915] ffor I putte me fulli in ȝoure disposicion and ȝoure ordynaunce

[2916] ¶ Than dame prudence whan [she] segh þe wille of her husbonde and she delyuered her and toke avice by hure self [2917] þenkinge by her self how she myȝt bringe þis nede vnto a goode conclusion and a good eende [2918] ¶ And whan she seeȝe her tyme she sent for þise aduersaries to come vnto her into a pryvy place [2919] and schewed wisely vnto hem þe greet goodnesse þat commeþ of pees. [2920] and þe grete harmes and periles þat ben in werre. [2921] and saide to hem in a goo[d]ly manere howe þat hem ouȝten to haue grete re|pentance [2922] of þe Iniurie and wronge þat þei hadden ydone. to Meleby her lorde and vnto her and vnto her douȝter.

[2923] And whan þei herden þe goodly wordes of dame Prudence [2924] þei weren so supprised and rauisshed and hadden so gret Ioie of her þat wondere was to telle [2925] ¶ O lady quod þei ȝe ¶ han schewed vnto vs þe blissinge of swetnesse aftere þe Sawe of dauid þe prophete. [2926] ffor þe reconsilinge which we ne bene not worþi to haue in no manere. [2927] but we ouȝt to requiren it wiþ grete contricion and humilite [2928] ȝe as ȝoure grete goodnesse haþ presented vnto us [2929] Now se we wel þe science and þe konyng of Salomon is ful trewe [2930] for he seiþ þat swete wordes multiplien and encresen freendes. and maken schrewes to be debonayre and meke

[2931] Certes quod þei we putten oure dede and al our matere. and cause alhoolly in ȝoure good wille [2932] and bene redy to obeye to þe speche and þe comaunde|ment of my lord Melebye [2933] ¶ And þerfore our dere and benigne lady we preien ȝou and bysechen ȝou as mekely as we conne or mowen [2934] ¶ Þat [folio 244a] it like vnto ȝoure grete goodnesse to fulfille in dede ȝoure good|ly wordes [2935] ffor we consideren and knowen

[6-text p 246] þat we han offended and greued my lorde Melebie out of mesure [2936] so fer forþ þat we bene nat a power to maken his a[men]dys. [2937] and þerfore we oblie and bynde vs and our frendes forto doo al his wille and his comaundement [2938] But perauenture he haþ such hevynesse and such wreth to vs ward by cause of our defence [2939] þat he wil enioyne vs suche peyne as we may not bere ne susteyne [2940] ¶ And þerfore noble lady we biseke to ȝoure wommanly pite. [2941] takeþ such avisement in þis nede þat we ne our frendes ben not disherited ne distroied þorgh oure foly

[2942] Certis quod Prudence it is an harde þinge and riȝt perilous [2943] þat man put him al vtterly in þe arbitracion and Iugement and in þe myght and power of his enemyes [2944] ¶ ffor Salomon seiþ Leueþ and ȝeueþ credence to þat I shal sayn ¶ I say quod he ȝif puple and gouernours of holy church · [2945] to þi sone. to þi wif and þi frende. ne to þi broþer. [2946] ne ȝeue þou neuere myȝt ne maistrie of þi body while þou lyuest [2947] ¶ Nowe sith þat he forfendeþ. þat man shuld not ȝeue to his broþer ne to his freende þe myȝt of his body [2948] Than by a strenger reson he forfendeþ and forbedeþ. a man to ȝeue hym self vnto his enemye [2949] ¶ And naþe|les I counsaile ȝowe þat ȝe ne mystrest not my lorde [2950] for I woote wel and knowe verrely þat he is debonaire and meke. large and curtays. [2951] and no þinge desirous ne coueitous of good ne ricchesse. [2952] ffor nys no þinge in þis world þat he desireþ. saue oonly worship and honour [2953] ¶ fferþermore I knowe wel and I am riȝt swre þat he wil no þinge doo in þis nede wiþ-out counsaile of me. [2954] And I shal so worche in þis cause þat by þe grace of our lorde god ȝe shul be recounsailled vnto vs.

[2955] Than seide þei wiþ oon vois. Worshipful

[6-text p 247] lady we putten vs and oure ¶ goodes al fully in ȝoure wille and in ȝoure disposisicion [2956] and bene redy forto come what day þat it likeþ vnto ȝoure noblenesse to lymyte vs or asigne vs [2957] forto make oure obligacion and be bounde as stronge as it likeþ vnto ȝoure goodnesse [2958] þat we may fulsille þe will of ȝow and of my lord Melebye.

[2959] And whan dame prudence had ¶ [folio 244b] herde þe an|swers of þise men she bad hem go ageyn prively [2960] And she retorned to her lord Meleby and told hym how she fand his aduersaries ful repentaunte [2961] knowlechyng ful lowly her synnes and trespases / and howe þei weren redy to suffren al peyne. [2962] requiryng and preying hym of mercye and pite

[2963] ¶ Þan saide Meleby he is wel worþ to haue pardone and forȝeuenesse of his synne. þat excuseþ nat his synne. [2964] but knowleccheþ and repenteþ hym asking Indulgence [2965] ¶ ffor Senec say. There is þe remyssion and forȝeuenes; wher as þe confession is. [2966] ffor confession is neighbour to Innocence. [2967] ¶ And he saþ in an oþer place; þat he þat haþ shame of his synne and knowlecheþ it; is worþi remyssion. And þerefor I assent and conferme me to haue pees. [2968] But it is good þat we doo it not wiþ-out þassent of oure frendes

[2969] Than was prudence riȝt glad and Ioyful and saide þis [2970] ¶ Certes sire quod she ye han wel and goodly answerd. [2971] ffor riȝt as by the counsaile of assent and helpe of ȝoure frendes ȝe haue ben stired to venge ȝou. and make werre. [2972] Riȝt so wiþ|outen her counsaile shal ȝe not accorde ȝou ne haue pees wiþ ȝoure aduersaries [2973] ¶ ffor þe lawe saiþ. Ther nys no þing so good by way of kynge as þinge to bene vnbounde by hym þat it was ybounde

[2974] And þan Dame prudence wiþ-outen delay or tarynge sent anoon Massagers for her kynne and for her olde frendes which þat were trewe and wise [2975]

[6-text p 248] and tolde hem by order in þe presence of Me[le]bye al þis matere as it is aboue expressed and declared. [2976] and preyed hem þat þai wolde ȝeuen her avice and coun|saile what best were to doo in þis nede [2977] ¶ And whan Melibies frendes had taken her avise and deliber|acion of þis forseide matere [2978] and hadden examyned it by grete bysynesse and grete diligence. [2979] þei ȝaf ful counsaille forto haue pees and rest. [2980] And þat Melebius shuld receyuen wiþ good hert his aduersaries to forȝeuenesse and Mercy.

[2981] ¶ And whan dame prudence had herd þassent of her lord Melebius and þe counsaile of his frendes [2982] accorde wiþ her wille and her entencion [2983] she was wonderly glad in hert and saide [2984] Ther is and olde prouerbe quod She seiþ; þat þe goo[d]nesse þat thou maist doo þis day do it [2985] and abyde nat til [le soir ne] to morowe. [2986] And þerfor [folio 245a] I counsaile ȝou þat ye sende ȝoure massagers which þat bene discrete and wise. [2987] vnto ȝoure aduersaries Telling hem in ȝour bihalf [2988] þat ȝif þei wil trete of pees and accorde. [2989] Þat þei shapen hem wiþ-oute delay or taryng to come vnto vs. [2990] Which þinge was perfourmed in dede. [2991] And whan þise trespasours and repentynge folk of her folies þat is to say þe aduersaries of melebye [2992] hadden herd what þe massagers saiden vnto hem. [2993] Þei were riȝt glad and Ioiful and answerden ful mekely and benygnely [2994] ȝeeldinge graces and thonkingges to her lorde Melebie and to al his companye [2995] and shopen hem wiþ-oute lay to goo wiþ þe massagers and obey to þe Comaundement of her lorde Melebius

[2996] ¶ And riȝt anoon þei token her way to þe courte of Meleby [2997] and token to hem some of her trewe frendys to make feiþ for hem and forto bene her borowes [2998] ¶ And whan þei were commen to

[6-text p 249] þe presence of melebius he seide hem þise wordes [2999] It stondeþ þus quod Melebie and soþ it is þat ȝe [3000] causelees and wiþ-out skille and reson [3001] haue done grete iniuries and wronges to me and to my wiff Prudence And to my ¶ douȝtere also. [3002] ffor ȝe han entred into myn hous by violence [3003] and haue done such outrage þat alle men knowe wel þat ȝe han deserued þe deeþ [3004] And þerfore wil I knowe and witt of ȝou [3005] wheþere ȝe putte þe punsshment and þe chastisement and þe vengeaunce of þis outrage in þe will of me and of my wif Dame Prudence or ȝe wil not

[3006] Than þe wisest of hem þre answerd for hem alle and seide [3007] ¶ Sire quod he we knowe wel þat we bene vnworþi to come vnto þe Suerte vnto so grete [a lord] and so worþi as ȝe bene. [3008] ffor we han so gretely mystaken vs and haue offended and gilted in such a wise. ageyn ȝoure hegh lordship. [3009] þat trewly we han deserued þe deeþ. [3010] But ȝit for þe grete goodnesse and debonairte þat all men don witnesse of ȝoure persone / [3011] We submytten vs to ȝour excellence and benygnyte of ȝoure gracious lordship. [3012] for we bene redy to obey to all ȝoure comaundementes [3013] bysekinge ȝou þat of ȝoure merciable pite ȝe wil considere our grete repentaunce and lowe submyssion [3014] and graunt us forȝeuenesse of oure outrageous trespas and offence. [3015] ffor wel we knowen þat ȝoure liberall grace and mercie streccheþ forþere into good|nesse þan doþ our outrageous trespas into wikked|nesse. [3016] [folio 245b] al be it þat cursedly and damp|nably we han ygilt aȝeinst ȝoure grete lordship

[3017] ¶ Than Melebye toke hem vp fro þe grounde ful benygnely [3018] and receyued her oblacions and her londes by her oþes vpon her plegges and borowes. [3019] And assigned hem a certeyn day to retourne vnto his courte [3020] forto accepte and to receyue þe sentence and

[6-text p 250] Iuggement of þat Melebye wil comaunde to be done to hem by þise causes to-fore seide. [3021] which þingges ordeyned / euery man · retourned home to his hous

[3022] ¶ And whan þat Dame Prudence segh her tyme. she f[r]ayned and asked her lorde [3023] what vengeaunce he þouȝt to take on his aduersaries

[3024] To which Melebius answerd and saide. Certys quod I I thenk and purpoos me fully [3025] to dis|herite hem and al þat euere þei haue and forto putte hem in exile for euere moo

[3026] ¶ Certis quod dame Prudence þis were a cruel sentence and mochel aȝeinst reson. [3027] ffor ȝe bene riche ynouȝe and haue no nede of oþer mennys good / [3028] and ȝe myȝten lightely gete ȝou a coueitous name [3029] Whiche is a vicious þinge and ouȝte to bene eschewed of euery man [3030] ¶ ffor aftere þe sawe of þe word of þe apostel Coueityse is roote of alle harmes [3031] And þerfore it were better to ȝou to lese so mochel good of ȝoure owne. þan forto take of her good in þis manere. [3032] ffor bettere it is to lese good with Worship þan it is to wynne good wiþ vileny and shame./ [3033] And euery man ouȝt to doo his diligence of his bysynesse to geten hym a good name. [3034] And ȝit shal he not oonly bysyen him in kepinge his good name [3035] But he shal also enforsen him alway to doon somme þinge by which he may renouelle his good name [3036] ¶ ffor it is written ¶ The olde good lose or good name of a man · is sone done or goon or passed whan it is not newed ne re|nouelled [3037] And as touching þat ȝe sayn ȝe wil exile ȝoure aduersaries [3038] þat þenkeþ me moch aȝeinst reson. and out of mesure [3039] con|sidered. þe power þat þei han ȝeuen ȝou vpon hem self [3040] ¶ And it is writen ¶ that he is worþi to lesen his privelegge þat mysvseþ þe myȝt and þe power þat is ȝeuen hym [3041] And I sette caas ȝe myȝt enioyne hem þat peyne by riȝt and lawe [3042] which I

[6-text p 251] trowe ȝe mowe not doo [3043] I say ȝe myȝt not put it to execucion perauenture / [3044] and þan were it likly to retourne to þe werre as it was byforne [3045] And þerfore ȝif ȝe þan wol þat men don [folio 246a] ȝou obeis|aunce ȝe most deme more curtaisly [3046] This is to sayn ȝe most ȝeue more esy sentences and Iuggementys. [3047] ffor it is writen þat he þat most curteisly comaundeþ to hym men most obeyen [3048] ¶ And þer|fore I prey ȝou þat in þis necessite and in þis nede ȝe cast ȝou to oouercome ȝoure hert. [3049] ffor Senec saiþ. He þat ouercommeþ his hert ouercommeþ twies./ [3050] ¶ And Tullius saiþ. Ther nys no þing so comendable in a grete lord [3051] as whan he is debonaire and meke and apaiseth hym self lightly. [3052] And I prey ȝou þat ye wil forbere nowe to do vengeaunce [3053] in such a maner þat ȝour good name may be kept and conserued [3054] and þat men mow han a cause and matere to preise ȝou of pite and of mercy [3055] and þat ȝe haue no cause to repent ȝou of þinge þat ȝe doōn [3056] ¶ ffor Senec saiþ. He ouercommeþ in an euel manere þat repenteþ hym of his victorie. [3057] Wher|fore I prey ȝou lat mercy be in ȝoure hert [3058] to þe effecte and entent þat god almyȝty haue mercy on ȝou in his last Iuggement [3059] ¶ ffor seint Iame seiþ in his Epistel ¶ Iuggement wiþ|oute mercy shal be do to hym þat haþ no mercy on another wiȝt

[3060] Whan Melebius had herd þe grete skilles and resons of dame · Prudence and her wise enformaciōn and techinge. [3061] His hert gan enclyne to þe wille of his wif. considerynge her trewe entent. [3062] Con|fermed. hym anōn and contened fully to worchen aftere her counsaile [3063] and þonked god of whome procedeþ al goodnesse þat hym sent a ¶ wif of so grete discreciōn [3064] And whan þe day come þat his aduer|saries shuld apperen · in his presence [3065] he speke

[6-text p 252] to hem ful goodely And saide in þis wise. [3066] Al be it soo þat of ȝoure pride and hegh presumpciōn and foly. and of ȝoure negligence and vnkonyng [3067] ȝe han mysborn ȝou. and trespased vnto me [3068] ȝit for as moche as I See and byholde ȝoure grete humilite [3069] and þat ȝe bene sory and repentaunte of ȝoure giltes. [3070] It constreyneþ me to do ȝou grace./ and mercy [3071] and wherfore I receyue ȝou to my grace. [3072] And forȝeue ȝou vtterly al þe offences Iniuries and wrongges þat ȝe have done aȝeinst me and myne [3073] to þis effecte and to þis eende þat god of his endelees mercye [3074] wil at þe tyme of our deyinge forȝeue vs our giltes þat we han trespased vnto hym in þis wrecched world. [3075] ffor doutelees ȝif we bene sory and repentaunte of þe synnes and giltes in þe which we han trespased in þe siȝt of oure lorde god. [3076] he is so free and so merci|able. [3077] þat he [folio 246b] wil forȝeue vs oure giltes [3078] and brynge vs to þe blisse þat neuere haþ eende .AmeN.

¶ Here endeþ chaucers tale of melebye

[6-text p 253]

And here bygynneþ þe prologe of þe Monke./ [on leaf 246, back]

Whan ended was my tale of Meleby And of Prudence and her benygnyte Line 3080 Our hoost saide as I am feiþful man And by þe corps precious Matrian I had leuer þan a barel of ale. That good loue my wif had herd þis tale Line 3084 ffor she nys no þinge of such pacience As was þilk Melebies Dame Prudence By goddes bones whan I bete my knaues She bringeþ me forþ þe grete clubbed staues Line 3088 And crieth Slee þoo dogges euerychon And breke of hem boþ bak and boon And ȝif þat eny neighbour of myne Wil nat to my wif in church enclyne Line 3092 Or be so hardy to hure do trespas Whan she commeþ hoom she rampeþ in my face And crieþ fals coward kepe and wreke þi wiff By goddes bonys I wil haue þi knyff Line 3096 And þow shalt haue my distaff and go spynne ffrom day to nyght þus she wil bygynne Allas she seiþ þat euer I was yshape To wedde a Milksop or a coward ape Line 3100 That wil be ouercome wiþ euery wiȝt Thow darst not stonde by þi wyues riȝt Þis is my lif but ȝif þat I wil fiȝt Out at þe door anoon I mot me diȝt Line 3104 Or ellys I am lest but ȝif þat I. Be like a wilde lyon fool hardy. I wote wele she wil do me sclee som day Somme neighhoure of myne and þennes renne away Line 3108 ffor I am perilous wiþ knyf in honde Al be it I dar nat her withstonde

[6-text p 254] ffor she is bigge in Armes be my faith Þat shal he fynde þat hir mysdoþ or saiþ Line 3112 But lat vs passe away fro þis matere My lorde þe Monke quod he be mery of chiere [folio 247a] ffor ȝe shul telle a tale trewly Loo Rouchester stant here fast by Line 3116 Ride forþ myn owne lord breke not ȝoure game But by my trouþe I knowe nouȝt ȝoure name Whedere shal I calle ȝou my lord dan Iohn Or danne Thomas or dann Albon Line 3120 Of what hous be ȝe by ȝoure fader kyn It is a gentile pasture þat ȝe goon In Thow art not like a penannte or a goost Thus to þe Monke seide oure oste Line 3124 Vppon my faiþe þou art some officere Som worþi Sexteyn or som selerere ffor by my fadere saule as to my dome Thow art a maistere whan þou art at home Line 3128 No poor cloistrere ne no novise But gouernour boþ wily and wise And þer-wiþ-al of braune and of bonys A wel farynge persone for þe nonys Line 3132 I pray god ȝeue hym confusion That þe furst brouȝt to Religion ffor þou woldest haue bene a tredeforþ ariȝt Haddest thou as grete leue as þou hast myȝt Line 3136 To performe al þi lust in engendrure Thow haddest ygete mony a creature Allas whi werest þow so wide a cope God ȝeue sorowe to me and I were pope Line 3140 Not oonly þou but euery myȝty man. Thouȝe he were shore brode vpon þe pan. Shuld haue a wiff for al þe world is lorn Religion haþ take vp al þe cōrn Line 3144 Of tredyng; and we burile men bēn but shrympes. Of feble trees þer commen symple ympes.

[6-text p 255] This makeþ þat oure heires bene so sclendere And feble þat þei may not wel engendere Line 3148 This makeþ þat our wyues wil assay Relygious folk for þei may bettere paye Of Venes payment þan may we God woot no lasshebourues pay ȝe [folio 247b] Line 3152 Be nat wroþe my lorde þouȝe I play ffor ofte in game a soþe I haue herd say This worþi monke toke all in pacience And saide I wil doon al my diligence Line 3156 As fer as sowneth unto honeste To telle ȝou a tale or two or þre And ȝif þe list to herken hiderwarde I wil ȝou say þe lif of seint Edward Line 3160 Or elles furst tregedies wil I ȝou telle Of which I haue an hundred in my Selle Tregedie is forto seyn a certeyn storie As olde bookes make vs memorie Line 3164 Of hem þat stood in grete prosperite And is falle out of hie degree Into Miserye and endeþ wrechedly And þei bene versefied comonly Line 3168 Of sex fete of which men callen exametron In proose eke bene endited mony on In metere eke and in sondry wise loo þis claring auȝt ynow suffise Line 3172 Now herkeneþ ȝif ȝou like to here But furst I ȝou biseche in þis manere þouȝe I be ordred tel not þise þingges Be it of Popes Emperours or kyngges Line 3176 After her Age as men may writen fynde But telle hem som byfore and some behynde As it commeþ nowe in my remembraunce Haue me excused of myn ignoraunce Line 3180

¶ Here bygynneþ þe prologe of þe monke

[6-text p 256]

And here bygynneþ þe monkes tale [[No breaks between the stanzas in the MS, except for the red headings.]] [on leaf 247, back]

I wol by-waile in ma[ne]re of tregedie [¶ Þe tale] þe harme of hem þat stonden in hie degrie And fallen so þat þer nys no remedye To bringe hem out of her aduersite Line 3184 ffor certeynly whan fortune list to flee þer may no man of hir þe cours wiþholde Lat no man trest on blynde prosperite Beþ ware of þise ensamples trewe and olde [folio 248a] Line 3188

¶ Primo de Lucifero;

At lucifere þouȝe he an aungel were And nat a man. but at hym I wil bygynne ffor þouȝe fortune may noon aungel dere ffroo high degre þer felle he for hys synne Line 3192 Downe into helle wwere he ȝit is Inne O lucifer briȝtest of aungels alle Now art þou Sathanas þat maist nat twynne Out of myserie in which þat þou art falle Line 3196

¶ De Adam./

Loo Adam in þe feelde of Damyssene Wiþ goddes oune fyngers wrouȝt was he And nouȝt bygeten of mannes sperme vnclene And wolt al Paradys sauyng oon tree Line 3200 Had neuere worldly man so hie degre As Adam vnto he wyþ nyce gouernance Was dryue out of his high prosperite To laboure and to helle and to meschance Line 3204

[6-text p 257]

¶ De Sampsone

Lo sampson þat was annunciate By þe Aungel longe er his natiuite And was to god almyȝty consecrate And stoode in noblesse while þat he myȝt see Line 3208 Was neuer such a noþer as was he To speke of strength, and þerto hardynesse But to his wyues tolde he his secree Thourgh which he sclouȝe hym self for wrecchednesse Line 3212

¶ Sampson þis noble and myȝty champion Wiþ-oute wepen saaf his hondes tway He sclough and also to-rent þe lyon Toward his weddyng walking by þe way Line 3216 His fals wif coude hym so wel plese and pray Til she his counsaile knewe and she vntrewe To his foos his counsaile gan to wrye And hym forsoke and toke anoþer newe Line 3220

Thre hundred foxes toke Sampson for Ire And alle her tailes he to-gyder bonde. And Sette þe foxes tailles a fire [folio 248b] ffor he in euery taile had knytte a bronde Line 3224 And þei brent al þe cornes of þat londe And al her oliuerus an vynes eke A thowsand he sclough eke wiþ his honde And had no wepon but an asses cheke Line 3228

Whan þei were sclayn so þrested hym þat he was wel nye lorn wherfor he gan to preye þat god wolde of his peyne haue som pite And sende hym drynke or ellys most he deye Line 3232 And out of his asses cheke þat was so dreye Out of a wonge toth spronge anon a welle Of whiche he dronk ynouȝe shortly to . . . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] telle Line 3236

[6-text p 258] Line 3236

By verray force at Algason vpon a nyȝt Maugre the philistiens of þat Cite þe gatys of þat toune he haþ vp pliȝt And on his bak caried hem haþ he Line 3240 Hie vpon an hille þat men myȝt See O noble almyȝty sampson leef and dere Haddest þou nat to wommen told þi secre In al þis world ne had ben þi pere Line 3244

This Sampson neiþer Sither dronk ne wyne Ne on his hede come neiþere rasour ne Shere . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] ffor al þe strength in his heres were Line 3248 And fully xx^ti wynter ȝeer by ȝere He had of Israel þe gouernaunce. But he shal wepe mony a tere ffor wommen men bryngen to meschaunce Line 3252

To his lemmon his Dalyaunce he told That in his herus al his strengthe lay And falsly to his foomen she hym sold And sclepinge in her barme vpon a day Line 3256 She made to clippe or shere his heer away And made his foomen all his craft to aspyen And whan þat þei foonde hym in þis aray þei bounde hym fast and put out his yen Line 3260

But er his heer was yclipped or shaue Ther was no boonde wiþ which men myȝt hym bynde But now he is in prison put in a kaue [folio 249a] Where as þei made hym at þe querne grynde Line 3264 O noble Sampson strengest of mankynde O whilom Iuge in glorie & richesse Now maist þow wepe wiþ þine eyen blynde Siþens þow art from wele falle into wrecchednesse Line 3268

[6-text p 259] Line 3268

The eende of þise catyfs was as I shal say His ffoomen made a feest vpon a day And made hym as her foole to-forn hem play And þis was [in] a temple of a grete aray Line 3272 But at þe last he made a foule afray ffor he two postes shoke and made hem falle And downe fill temple and al þer it lay And sclough hym self and eke his foomen alle Line 3276

This is to say þe princes euerechon And eke a thowsand bodyes were þere sclayn Wiþ falling of þe grete temple of ston Of Sampson ne wil I no more sayn Line 3280 Be ware of þise ensamples olde and playn þat no man telle her counsaile to her wyves Of suche þinge as þei wolde haue secre fayn Ȝit þat it touche her lymmes or hir lyues. Line 3284

¶ De Ercule./

Of Ercule this souereyn conquerour Syngen his werkes lewde and high renoun. ffor in his tyme of strength he bere þe flour He slowe and raft þe skyn fro þe lyoun Line 3288 He of Sentawres laide þe boost a doun He Arpies sclowe þe cruel briddes felle He golden apples byraft þe dragoun He drowe out Serbyrois þe hound of helle Line 3292

He sclowe þe cruel tyraunt Buserus And made his hors to frete hym flessh and bon He sclough þe verrey serpent venemous Of Achiles two hornes breke he on Line 3296 An he sclowgh Cacus in a kaue of ston He sclowgh þe geaunte Anteus þe strong He sclowe þe grisly boore and þat anon And bare þe hede vpon his nek longe [folio 249b] Line 3300

[6-text p 260] Line 3300

Was neuer wiȝt siþen þe world bygan þat sclowe so mony monstres as did he Þorgh-out þis wide world his name ran What for his strength and for his bounte Line 3304 And euery Rewme went he forto See He was so stronge no man myȝt hym lette And boþ þe worldes ende saiþ trophe In stede of bondes he a piler sette Line 3308

A lemman had þis noble Campion That hight Dianyre fressh as may And as þe clerkes maken mencion She haþ hym sent a shert fressh and gay Line 3312 Allas þis shert and welaway Evenymed was subtilly wiþ-all That ere þat he had wered it half a day It made his bones from his flesshe falle Line 3316

But naþeles some clerkes her excusen By oon þat hight Nessus þat it maked. Be as be may I wil her not accusen · But on his bakke þe shert he weres al naked. Line 3320 Til þat his flessh was for þe venyme blaked And whan he segh noon oþer remedye In hote cooles he haþ hym-self raked ffor wiþ no venyme deyned he to dye Line 3324

Thus sterf þis worþi myghty Ercules Lo who may trust on fortune eny throwe ffor hym þat foloweþ al þis world of prees Er he be ware is oft yleide ful lowe Line 3328 fful wise is he þat hym self can knowe Beþ ware for whan þat fortune lest to glose Þan waiteþ she her man doun to throwe By suche a way as he wold leest suppose Line 3332

[6-text p 261]

¶ De rege Nabugodonosor./

The myȝty trone þe precious tresour The glorious sceptre and real mageste Þat had þe kynge Nabugodonosor Wiþ tunge vnneþ may / discrived be Line 3336 He twyes nam Ierusalem þe Cite [folio 250a] The Vessell of þe temple he wiþ hym lad At Babiloyne was his souereyn See In which his glorie and his delit he had. Line 3340

The fairest children of þe blood Royal Of Ierusalem he ded do gilde anonon And maked eche of hem to bene his cherle Amon[ge] all oþer Danyel was oon Line 3344 þat was þe wysest childe of euerychon ffor he þe dremes of þe kynge expowned Wher as in Caldey clerk was þer noon þat wist to what fyne his dremes sowned Line 3348

This prowde kynge lete make a stature of gold Sixty cubites longe and Seuen in brede To whiche ymage boþ ȝonge and olde Comaunded he to loute and haue in drede Line 3352 Or in a fornays ful of flawmes rede. He shal be brent þat wold nat obeye But neuere wold assent vnto þat dede Danyel ne his ȝonge felawes tweye Line 3356

This kynge of kyngges prowde was and elate He wende god þat sitte in maieste Ne myght hym nat byreue of his estate But sodeynly he lost his dignyte Line 3360 And like a beest hym semed forto be And ete hay as an oxe and lay þerout In reyne wiþ wilde beestes walked he Til a certeyn tyme was come aboute Line 3364

[6-text p 262] Line 3364

And like an Egles fetheres was his heeres His nailes like briddes clawes were [Til] God releued hym a certeyn ȝeres And ȝaf hym witte and þan wiþ mony a tere Line 3368 He þonked god and euere his lyf in fere was he to doon amys in more trespas And or þat tyme ylaide was on his bere He knewe wel þat god was ful of myȝt and grace Line 3372

De Baltazar dicti Regis Nabugodonosor filio.

His sone which þat hiȝt Baltazar That heelde þe regne aftere his faders day [folio 250b] He by his fadere couþe not be war ffor proude he was of hert and of aray Line 3376 And eke an ydolater was he ay His high astate assured hym in pride But fortune cast hym doune and þer he lay And sodeynly his regne gan devide Line 3380

A feest he made vnto his lordes alle Vppon a tyme and made hem bliþe be And þan his officers can he calle Gooþ bryngeþ forþ þe vessels quod he Line 3384 Which þat my fader in his prosperite Out of þe temple of Ierusalem byraft And to oure heghe goddes þonke wee Of honur þat our elders wiþ vs laft Line 3388

His wif his lordes and his concubynes Ay dronken þe whiles her appetite last Out of þise noble vessels sondry wynes And on a wal þis kyng his eyen cast Line 3392 And sawe an honde armelees þat wrote ful fast ffor fere of which he quoke and sighed sore This honde þat baltazar made so soor agast Wrote mane techel phares and no more Line 3396

[6-text p 263] Line 3396

In al þat londe Magytien was þer noon þat couþe expoune what þis lettre ment But Danyel expouned it anoon And saide king god þi fader sent Line 3400 Glorie and honour Regne tresour and rent And he was proude and god no þing dradde And þerfore god grete wreth vpon hym Sent And hym by-raft þe regne þat he hadde Line 3404

He was out cast of mannys companye Wiþ asses was his habitacion And ete hay as a beest in wete and drye Til þat he knewe by grace and by reson Line 3408 That god of heuene haþ domynacian Ouer euery regne and euery creature And þan had god of hym compassion And hym restored his regne and his figure [folio 251a] Line 3412

Eke þou þat art his sone art proude also And knowest all þise þingges prively And art rebel to god and art his foo Thow drank eke of his vessels boldly Line 3416 Thi wif eke and þi wenches synfully Drank of þe same vessels sondry wynes And heried fals goddys cursedly Þerfore to þe shapen grete peyn es Line 3420

This hand was sent fro god þat on þe wall wrote mane techel phares trest me Thy regne is done þou waiest not at all Devided is þi regne and it shal be Line 3424 To Medes and to perses ȝeuen quod he And þilk same nyȝt þe kyng was sclawe And Darius occupieþ his degre They he þerto nad neiþer riȝt ne lawe Line 3428

[6-text p 264] Line 3428

Lordyngges her-by ensamples mowe ȝe take How þat in lordship is no sikernesse ffor whan fortune wil a man forsake He bereþ away his regne and his richesse Line 3432 And eke his frendes boþ more and lesse And what man haþ frendes þorowe fortune Mishappe wil make hem enemyes I gesse This prouerbe is ful soþe and ful commune Line 3436

¶ De Cenobia;/

CEnobia of Palamere þe quene As writen Persiens of her noblesse So worþi was in Armes and so kene þat no wiȝt passed hure in hardynesse Line 3440 Ne in lynage ne in oþer gentilnesse Of þe kyngges blood of percy is she descended. I say þat she nad not moost fairenesse But of hure Shap she myȝt not be amended Line 3444

Fro childhode I fynde þat she fledde Office of wommen and into woode she went And Mony a wilde hertes blode she shedde wiþ arowes brode þat she to hym sent Line 3448 She was so swift þat she anoon hem hent [folio 251b] And whan þat she was elder she wold kille Lyons . lybardes and beres alto-rent And in hure armes weelde hem at her wille Line 3452

She durst wilde beestes dennes seke And renne in þe mountayn al þe nyght And sclepe vndere a bussh she coude eke Wrastelen by verray force and myght Line 3456 Wiþ eny yong man were he neuer so wiȝt Ther myght no þinge in her Armes stonde She kepte her maidenhode from euery wiȝt To no man deyned hure to be bonde Line 3460

[6-text p 265] Line 3460

But at þe last her frendes han hure maried To Odonak a prince of þat Cite Al were it so þat she hem longe taried And ȝe shal vnderstonde how þat he Line 3464 Haþ suche fantasies as had she But naþelees whan þei were knyt in fere þei lyueden in Ioie and in felicite ffor eche of hem had oþer leef and dere Line 3468

Sauf oon þinge that ȝe nolde neuere assent By no way þat he shulde by hire lye But onys for it was her pleyn entent To haue a childe þe world to multiplie Line 3472 And also sone as she myȝt aspie. That she was nouȝt wiþ child with þat dede þan wil she suffre hym doon his fantasie Eftsone and not but onys out of drede Line 3476

And ȝif she were wiþ childe at þilke cast No more shulde he playe þilke game Till xl^ti. daies were past Than wolde she onys suffre hym doo þe same Line 3480 Al were this Odenake wilde or tame He gate no more of hure. for þus she saide It was to wyues lechery an shame In oþer caas if þat men wiþ hem plaide Line 3484

Twoo sones by þis odynak had She The whiche she kepte in vertue and in letture But nowe vnto oure tale turne wee [folio 252a] I say þat worshipful creature Line 3488 And wise þer-wiþ and large with mesure So penyble in þe werre and curteyse eke No more labour myȝt in werre endure was noon þouȝe in al þis world men shuld seke Line 3492

[6-text p 266] Line 3492

Hire Riche aray myȝt not be tolde As wel in vessel as in cloþinge She was al clad in perry and in gold And eke she laft not for noon huntynge Line 3496 To haue of sondry tungges folk knowing whan þat she leisere had and forto entende To lerne bookes was al hure likynge How she in vertue myȝt her lyf dispende Line 3500

And shortely of þis storie forto entrete So dughty was her husbonde as she That þei conquered mony regnes grete In þe Orient wiþ mony a faire Cite Line 3504 Appertenent vnto þe mageste Of Rome and wiþ stronge hond helde hem fast Ne neuer myȝt her foomen doon hem flee Ay whiles þat Odenake dayes last Line 3508

Her batailles who so lest hem forto rede Ageyn sopere þe kyng and oþer moo And howe þat all þe processe felle in dede whi she conquered and what titel had þerto. Line 3512 And after of her mescheef and of her woo Howe þat she was byseged and Itake Lat hym vnto my maister Petrarke goo. Þat writte Inowe of þis I vndertake. Line 3516

Whan Odenak was dede she myȝtily þe Regnes heelde and wiþ hur propre honde Aȝeinst her foos she fauȝt trewly þat þer nas kyng no prince in al þat londe Line 3520 þat he nas glad ȝif he þat grace fonde þat she ne wolde vpon his lond werreye wiþ hire þei made alliance by bonde To bene in pees and lat hure ride and pleye / Line 3524

[6-text p 267] Line 3524

The Emperour of Rome Claudius [folio 252b] Ne hym byforn þe Romayne galiene Ne durst neuer be so coragius Ne noon ermyne ne noon Egipciene Line 3528 Ne Surryene ne noon Arabiene Wiþ-in þe feelde þat durst wiþ hire fiȝt Lest þat she wolde wiþ hure hondes hym scleen Or wiþ her mayne putten hem to fliȝt Line 3532

In kyngges habite went her sonys twoo As heires of her regnes alle And hermanno and Tymalao Her names were as perciens hem calle Line 3536 But ay fortune haþ in her hony galle This myȝty qwene may not longe endure ffortune out of her regne made her falle To wrecchednesse and to mysauenture Line 3540

Aurelion whan þat þe gouernaunce Of Rome come into his hondes tweye He shope vpon þis quene to do vengeaunce And wiþ his legyons he toke his waye Line 3544 Toward Cenoby and shortly forto seye He made hur flee and at þe last her hent And fettred hure and eke her children tweye And wan þe londe and home to Rome is went Line 3548

Amonge þise oþer þingges þat he wan her chare þat wrouȝt was with gold and perre This grete Romayn þis Aurelian. haþ wiþ hym lad for þat men shuld see Line 3552 Byforn hys trihumphe walkeþ she Wiþ Gilt cheynes in her nek hongynge Corowned she was as after her degre And ful of Perry charged her cloþinge Line 3556

[6-text p 268] Line 3556

Allas fortune she þat whilom was Dreedful to kyngges and to emperours Now gaureþ alle þe puple on hir allas And she þat helmed was in stronge stoures Line 3560 . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Shal on her hede bere a Vitremyte And she þat bare þe sceptre ful of floures Shal bye a dystaf her coste forto quite [folio 253a] Line 3564

[Peter the Cruel, of Spain.]

O noble o worþi peter glory of Spayn Whoom fortune helde so hiȝe in maieste Wel ouȝt men þi pitous deeþ complayn Thi bastard broþer made þe to flee Line 3568 And aftere at a siege by subtilte Thowe were bytraied and lad to his tent Wher as he wiþ his owne honde sclogh þe Succeedynge in þi regne and in þi rent Line 3572

The felde of snowe wiþ þe Egle blak þer-Inne [[Bertrand du Guesclin.]] Caught wiþ þe lyme rodde colours as þe glede He brewe þis cursednesse and al þe synne þe wicked nest was werker of þis nede. Line 3576 Nouȝt charles Olyfere þat ay toke good hede Of trouþe of honure but Armorekke [[Oliver de Mauny of Britanny.]] Genilon Olyuer corupte for nede Brouȝtest þis worþi king in suche brekke Line 3580

[Peter of Cyprus.]

¶ worþi Petre kynge of Cipre alsoo. That Alisaunder wan by high maistrie fful mony a heþen wrouȝtest þou for woo. Of which þine owne leeges had enuye Line 3584 And for no þing but for þi chyualrie They in þi bed han sclayn þe by þe morue Thus gan fortune gouerne and gie And out of Ioie bringe into sorowe Line 3588

[6-text p 269]

[Bernabo Visconti, of Milan.]

Of Melane grete Barnabo Viscounte God of delite and scourge of lumbardie Whi shuld not I þi fortune acounte Siþ in estaat þou clomben were so hie Line 3592 Thy broþer sone þat was þi double alie ffor he þi Neuewe was and sone in lawe Wiþ-in his prison made þe to die But whi ne howe wote I þat þou were sclawe Line 3596

[Ugolino, Count of Pisa.]

Of the Erle Hugelyne of pise þe languour Ther may no tunge telle for pite But litel out of Pise stant a tour In whiche towre in prison put was he Line 3600 And wiþ hym bene his litel children þre þe eldest scarcely .v. ȝere was of age [folio 253b] Allas fortune it was grete crueltee Such briddes forto putte into a cage Line 3604

¶ Dampned he was to dye in þat prison ffor Roger which þat bisshop was of pise Had on hym made a fals suggestion Thorgh which þe puple gan on hym arise Line 3608 And putten him in prison in such a wise As ȝe han herd and mete and drinke he had. So smal þat vnneþes it may suffise And þerwiþal it was ful poor and bad Line 3612

In a day byfelle þat in þat houre Whan þat his [mete] was wonte to be wrouȝt þe Gailour shette þe doores of þe toure He herde it wel but he seegh it nouȝt Line 3616 And in his hert anoon þer felle a þouȝt þat þei for hunder wolde done hym dyen Allas quod he allas þat I was wrouȝt þer-wiþ þe teeres felle from his eyen. Line 3620

[6-text p 270] Line 3620

His ȝonge sones þre þer were of age Vnto hym seide fadere whi do ȝe wepe whan wil þe Gailoure brynge our potage Is þer no morsel brede þat [ye] doo kepe Line 3624 I am so hungry þat I may nat sclepe Nowe wolde god þat I myȝt sclepen euere þan shuld noon hungre in myn herte crepe þer nys no þinge sauf brede þat me were leuere Line 3628

Thus day by day þis childe gan to crie Til in his faders barme adoune it lay And saide fare wel fadere I mote dye And kissed his fadere and dyed þe same day Line 3632 And whan þe wooful fadere did hym say ffor woo his armes two he gan to bite And saide allas fortune and welaway Thy fals whele my woo I may al wite Line 3636

His childer [wende] þat hit for hunger was þat he his armes gnowe and nouȝt for woo. þei seiden fadere do not so allas But raþer ete þe flessh vpon vs twoo. [folio 254a] Line 3640 Our flesshe þou ȝaf vs take our flessh vs froo And ete ynouȝe riȝt þus to hym þei saide And after þat wiþ-Inne a day or twoo Þei leide hem doune in his lappe and dayde Line 3644

Hym self dispeirede eke and for hu[n]ger starf Thus ended is þe myȝty erle of pise ffor highe astate fortune fro hym carf Of his tregetrie it ouȝte ynouȝe suffise Line 3648 Who so wil here it in a lenger wise Redeþ þe grete poete of ytaile þat hiȝte Daunte, for he can it devise ffrom poynt to poynte for no þing wil he faile. Line 3652

[6-text p 271]

¶ De nerone Imperatore.

Al þouȝe þat Nero were as vicious As eny feende þat lieth ful lowe adoune Ȝit he as telleþ vs swetheneus This wide world had in subieccion Line 3656 Both eest and west and Septemptrion Of Rubies Saphires and peerles white Were al his [cloþes] browd[ed] vp and doune ffor he [in] gemmes grete gan delite Line 3660

More delicate more pompous of araye More proude was neuere Emperour þan he þat ilke cloþe þat he had wered a day Aftere þat tyme he nolde it neuer see Line 3664 Nettes of gold threde had he grete plente To fisshen in Tibre whan hym list to pleye His lustes [were] as lawe in his degre ffor fortune as his frende wold hym obeye Line 3668

He Rome brent for his delicasie The Senatoures he sclouȝe vpon a day To here howe þat men wolde wepe and crie And sclouȝe his broþer and by his sustere [lay] Line 3672 His modere made he in pitous aray ffor he her wombe sclitte to byhold wher he conceyued was so welaway That he so litel of his moder tolde. Line 3676

No teer out of his eyen for þat siȝt [folio 254b] Ne came but saide a faire womman was she Grete wondere is þat he cowde or myȝt Be Domes man of her dede bewte. Line 3680 The wyne to brynge comaunded he And dronke anoon noon oþer woo he made Whan myȝt is Ioyned vnto cruelte Alas to depe wil þe venyme wade Line 3684

[6-text p 272] Line 3684

In ȝouthe a maister had þis emperour To teche hym letture and curtesye ffor of moralite he was þe floure As in his tyme but ȝif bokes lye Line 3688 And whiles his maister had of hym maistrie He made hym so conynge and so souple That longe tyme it was or tyrannye Or eny vice in hym durst vncouple Line 3692

This Seneca of which [that] I devise By cause Nero had of hym such drede ffor he for vices wold hym chastise Discretely as by worde and nat by dede Line 3696 Sire wolde he sayne an Emperour mot nede Be vertuous and hate tyrannye ffor which he hym in bathe made to blede On booþ his Armes til he most dye Line 3700

This Nero had eke of a custumance In ȝouþe aȝeinst his maister forto rise Which afterward hym þouȝt a grete greuance Therfore he made hym dye in þis wise Line 3704 But nathelees þis Senec þe wise Chees in a bathe to dye in þis manere Raþer þan han a noþer tormentri[s]e And þus haþ Nero sclayn his maister dere Line 3708

Now felle it so þat fortune lest no lenger þe highe Pride of Nero to cherice ffor þouȝe he were stronge ȝit was she strenger She þouȝte þus by god I am to nyce Line 3712 To sette a man þat is fulfild in vice In heghe degre and Emperour hym calle. By god out of his sete I wil him trice. [folio 255a] whan he leest weneþ sonnest shal he falle. Line 3716

[6-text p 273] Line 3716

The puple roos vp on hym on a nyȝt ffor his defaute and whan he it aspied. Out of his doores anoon he haþ hym diȝt Allone and þer he wende haue bene alied. Line 3720 He knokked fast and ay þe more he cried The faster schitten þei þe doores alle Þo wist he wel he had hym self mysgied. And went his way no lenger dorst he calle Line 3724

The puple cried and rombled vp and doun That wiþ his eeres herde he what þei seide Where is þis fals traitour þis Neroun ffor fere almost out of his witte he breide Line 3728 And to his goddes pitously he seide ffor socoure but it myȝt nat be-tyde ffor drede of þis him þouȝt þat he dyde And ranne into a gardeyne hym to hyde Line 3732

And in þis gardyne fonde he cherles tweye That sitten by a fuyre ful gret and rede And to þe cherles twey he gan to preie To scleen hym and to girden of his hede Line 3736 That to his body whan þat he were dede Were no despite ydon for his diffame Hym self he sclowȝe he coude no better rede Of which fortune lough and made a game Line 3740

[Holofernes.]

Was neuere Captayne vnder a kinge [¶ De Olyferno./] Þat regneþ more putte in subiectioun Ne strenger was in feelde of al þinge As in his tyme ne gretter of renoun Line 3744 Ne more pompous in high presumpcioun Than olyferne which that fortune ay kest So lycorously and lad hym vp and doun Til þat his hede was of er þat he wist Line 3748

[6-text p 274] Line 3748

Not oonly þat this world haþ of hym awe ffor lesinge of Richesse and of liberte But he made euery man renaye his lawe Nabugodonosor was lord saide he. Line 3752 Noon oþer god shulde honoured be [folio 255b] Aȝeinst his heest no wiȝt dar trespace Saue in Betulia a stronge Cite Wher Eliachym a preest was of þat place Line 3756

But take kepe of þe deth of Olyferne Amydde þe hooste he dronke lay al nyȝt Wiþ Inne his tente large as is a beerne And ȝit for al his pompe and al his myȝt Line 3760 Iudith a womman as he lay vpriȝt. Sclepinge his hede of smote and fro his tent fful prively she stale from euery wiȝt . . . . . [no gap in the MS.] Line 3764

[Antiochus.]

What nedeþ it of kynge Antiochus [¶ De Antiocho Rege] To telle his high and Ryal maieste His hie pride his werke venymus ffor suche anoþer was neuer noon as he Line 3768 Redeþ which þat he was in machabe And redeþ þe proude wordes þat he seide And whi he felle fro his prosperite And in an halle how wrechedly he deide Line 3772

Fortune hym had enhaunsed so in pride That verrely he wende he myȝt atteyne Vnto þe sterres vppon euery side And in a balaunce to wey þe mounteyne Line 3776 And alle þe floodes of the See Restreyne And goddes puple had he most in hate Hem wolde he sclee in torment and [in] peyn wenynge þat god ne myȝt his pride abate Line 3780

[6-text p 275] Line 3780

And for þat Nichamour and thymothe wiþ Iwes were venquysshed myȝtely Vnto þe Iwes such an hate had he That he bad graþed his chare ful hastifly Line 3784 And swore and saide ful dispitously Vnto Ierusalem he wolde eftsone To wreke his Ire on it ful cruelly But of his purpos he was lette ful sone Line 3788

God of his manace hym so sore smote Wiþ vnvysible wounde ay vncurable That in his guttes carf soo and bote That his peynes were importable [folio 256a] Line 3792 And certeinly þe wrech was resonable ffor many mannys guttes did he peyne But fro his purpoos cursed and dampneable ffor al his smerte he nolde hym restreyne Line 3796

But bad anoon apparaile his Ooste And sodeynly er he was of it ware God daunted al his pride and al his boost ffor he so sore felle out of his chare Line 3800 That hurte his lymmes and his skyn to-tare Soo þat he ne myȝt goo ne ride But in a chaier men about hym bare Al for-brused boþ bak and side Line 3804

The wreth of god hym smote so cruelly That in his body wikked wormes crepte And þer wiþ al he stonke so horryblye That noon of alle his mayne þat hym kepte Line 3808 whedere þat he woke or ellis sclepte Ne myght not þe stynk of hym endure In þis meschief he wailled and eke wepte. And knewe god lorde of euery creature Line 3812

[6-text p 276] Line 3812

To alle his hooste and to hym self also fful wlatsom was þe stink of his careyne No man myȝt hym bere to ne froo. And in his stynk and in his horrible peyne Line 3816 He starfe ful wrechedly in a mounteyne Thus haþ þis robbour and homycide That mony a man made to wepe and pleyne Such guerdon as by-longeþ vnto pride Line 3820

[Alexander the Great.]

The Storie of Alisaundre is so comune. [¶ De Alex|andro Rege] That euery wiȝt þat haþ discrecioun Haþ herd somwhat or all of his fortune This wide world as in conclusioun Line 3824 He wanne by strength or for his hie renoun They weren glad for pees vnto hym sende Þe pride of man and beest he laid adoun Wher so he come vnto þe worldes ende Line 3828

Comparison myȝt neuere be maked. Bytwix hym and anoþer conquerour [folio 256b] ffor al þis world for drede of hym Haþ quaked. He was of knyghthode and of fredom flour Line 3832 ffortune him made þe heir of hur honour Saue wyne and wommen no þing myȝt a-swage His hegh entente in armes and laboure So was he ful of louying corage Line 3836

What pite were it to hym þouȝe I ȝou tolde Of Darius and an hundred thowsand moo. Of kyngges Princes. and Erles bold Which he conquered and brouȝt into woo Line 3840 I say as fer as man may ride and goo. The worlde was his what shuld I more devise ffor þouȝe I write and told ȝou euer moo. Of his kinghode it myȝt not suffise Line 3844

[6-text p 277] Line 3844

Twelue ȝere he regned as saiþ Machabe Philippes sone of Macedoyne he was That furst was kinge of Grece þe cuntree O worþi gentile Alisaunder alas Line 3848 That euer shuld [thee] falle Such a caas Enpoysened of þi folk þou were Thine . sise . fortune haþ turned into an aas And ȝit for þe ne weppe she neuere a tere Line 3852

Who shal ȝeue teeres men to compleyne The deeþ of gentilnesse and of ffraunchise That al þe worlde weelded in his demeyne And ȝit him þouȝt hit myȝt not suffise Line 3856 So fful was his corage of high emprise Allas who shal me helpe to endite ffals fortune and poyson to despise The which twoo of al this woo I wite Line 3860

[Julius Cæsar.]

By wisdome manhode and by labour [¶ Iulius Cesar/.] ffro humblehede and fro Roial Maieste Vp roos he Iulius þe Conquerour That all þe Occident by londe and See Line 3864 By strength of honde or ellis by trete And vnto Roome made hem tributarie. And Sithens of Rome þe Emperour was he / Til þat fortune wexe his aduersarie [folio 257a] Line 3868

A Mighty Cesar þat in Tessalye. Aȝeinst Pompius fader þine in lawe That of þe Orient had al þe chyualrie As fer as þat þe day bygynneþ dawe Line 3872 Thogh þou þorgh þi knyghthode haþ hem take and sclawe Sauf fewe folk þat wiþ Pompius fledde Thorghe which þou puttest al þe orient in awe Thonke fortune þat so wel þe spedde Line 3876

[6-text p 278] Line 3876

But now a litel while I wil bywaile This Pompeus þis noble gouernour Of Roome which þat fleigh at this bataille I saye oon of his men a fals traitour Line 3880 His hede of smote to wynne hym fauour Of Iulius and hym þe hede brouȝt Allas Pompey of the Orient conquerour That fortune vnto such a funte brouȝt Line 3884

TO Rome aȝeine repeireþ Iulius. Wiþ triumphe laureat ful high But on a tyme Brutus Cassius þat euere had of his astate Envie Line 3888 fful priuely had made Conspiracie Aȝeinst þis Iulius in subtile wise / And cast þe place in which he shuld dye With boydekyns as I shal ȝou · devise Line 3892

This Iulius to þe Capithole went Vppon a day as he was wonte to goon And in þe Capitole anoon hym hente This fals Brutus and his foule foon Line 3896 And stiked hym wiþ boydekyns anon Wiþ mony a wounde and þus þei lete hym lye But neuere grunte he at no stroke but oon Or ellis at twoo but ȝif his storie lye Line 3900

So manly was þis Iulius of herte And so wel loued estately honeste That þouȝe his dedly woundes so sore smerte His mantel ouer his hippes cast he Line 3904 ffor no man shuld se his privete And as he lay on dyinge in a traunce [folio 257b] And wist verrely þat dede was he Of honeste ȝit had he remembraunce Line 3908

[6-text p 279] Line 3908

¶ Lucane to þis storie I recomende And to Sweton and Valerius also. That of His storie writeþ word and ende How þat þise grete conquerours twoo Line 3912 ffortune was furst frende and siþen a foo/ No man ne trust vpon his fauour longe But haue hure in a-waite euermoo Witnes on alle þise conquerours stronge Line 3916

[Cresus.]

This riche Cresus whilom kyng of lyde O which Cresus Cyquus sore hym dradde Ȝit was he kauȝt amonges al his pride And to be brent men to þe fure hym ladde Line 3920 But suche a Reyne doune fro þe walken shadde þat sclouȝe þe fuyre and made hym to eskape But to be war ȝit no grace he hadde Til fortune on þe galous made hym gape Line 3924

Whan he askaped was he can not stent ffor to bygynne a newe reyne aȝeine He wende wele for þat fortune hym sente Suche happe þat he askaped þorȝe þe reyne Line 3928 Þat of his foos he myȝt not be sclayn And Suche a sweuen vpon a nyȝt he mette Of which he was so proude and so fayn That in vengeance he al his hert sette Line 3932

Vpon a tree he was as hym þouȝt Ther Iubiter hym wassh boþ hals and Side And Phebus eke a faire towale hym brouȝt To drye hym wiþ an þerfore wex his pride Line 3936 And to his douȝtere þat stood hym beside Which þat he knewe in his sentence habounde He bad hure telle hym what it signyfied And she his dremes byganne riȝt þus expounde Line 3940

[6-text p 280] Line 3940

The tree quod she þe galous is to mene And Iubiter bitokeneþ snowe and reyne And Phebus wiþ his towale so clene. Thoo bene the sone stremes forto sayn [folio 258a] Line 3944 Thow shalt an honged be fadere certayn Rayn shal þe wassh and sonne shal þe drye Thus warned she hym ful plat and ful playn His douȝter [which] þat called was Phanye Line 3948

An honged was Cresus þe proude kinge His Roial trone myȝt hym not availe Tregedie is noon oþer maner þinge Ne can in synnynge cry ne bywaile Line 3952 But þat fortune alway wil assaile wiþ vnware stroke þe regnes þat bene proude ffor whan men trusten hir þan wil she faile And keuere her briȝt face wiþ a clowde Line 3956

¶ Thus endeþ þe monke his tale

[6-text p 281]

And here bygynneþ þe nonpreest his prologe [¶ The prologe;] [on leaf 258]

Ho quod þe knyȝt no more good of þis That ȝe han said is riȝt ynowe ywis And mochel more for litel heuynesse Is riȝt ynough to mochel folk I gesse [[no gap in Petworth]] Line 3960 [I sey for me / hit is a gret disese [Addit. MS 5140 folio 272a] and back Wher as men haue ben / in gret welth and ese To here of her sodeyn falle allas And the contrarye / is Ioye and gret solas Line 3964 And whan a man hath be / in poor estat And clymbeth vp / and waxeth fortunat And ther abidith / in prosperite Such thyng is gladsom / as thynketh me Line 3968 And of such thyng / were goodly for to telle ya quod our hoost / bi seynt poules belle ye sey soth / this monk hath clappid lowd He spak how fortune / couered was with a clowd Line 3972 I nat nere what / and also tragedie Riht now ye herde / and parde no remedie I[t i]s forto be wailyng and compleyne ffor that that is don / and also it is a peyne Line 3976 As ye han seid to heer of hevynesse Sir monk nomore of this / so god you blesse [You]r tale anoyeth / alle this companye Such thyng / is nat worth / a bottirflye [[Addit. MS 5140, extract stops]] ] Ȝoure tales done vs no sporte ne game Wherfore sir monke or daun pers by ȝour name I prey ȝou hertely telle vs somwhat ellys ffor sikerly ne were þe Clynkyng of ȝour bellis Line 3984

[6-text p 282] Line 3984 That on ȝoure bridel honge on euery side By heuene kynge þat for vs alle deyde I shuld er þis haue falle doun for sclepe Al þough [þe] sclouþe had neuer be so depe Line 3988 Than had ȝoure tale ben told in veyn ffor certeynly as al þise clerkes seyn wher as a [man] may haue non audience Nouȝt helpeþ it to telle his sentence Line 3992 And wel I woote þe substaunce is in me Ȝif eny þinge shal wel reported be Sir say somwhat of huntyng I ȝou preie Nay quod þis monke I haue no lust to pleie Line 3996 Now lat anoþer telle as I haue told Þan spak our hoost with rude spech and bold And saide vnto þe nonnes preest anon Come nere sir preest Come hider Sire Iohn [folio 258b] Telle vs such þingges as may our hertis glade Line 4001 Be bliþ þouȝe þou ride vpon a Iade What þouȝe þine hors be boþ foule and lene Ȝif he wil serue þe rek nat a bene Line 4004 Loke þat þi hert be mery euermoo. Ȝis sir quod he ȝis hoost so mote I goo But I be mery Iwis I wil be blamed. And Riȝt anoon his tale he haþ atamed. Line 4008 And þus seide to vs euerychon My tale I wil bygynne anon [[spurious]]

¶ Thus endeþ þe prologe of þe nonnes preste

[6-text p 283]

And here bygynneþ þe nonne preest his tale [on leaf 258, back]

A poor wydowe somdel stope in age was whilom dwelling in a narowe cotage Line 4012 Besides a groue stonding in a dale This widowe of which I telle ȝou my tale Siþens þilk day þat she was last a wiff In paciens lad a ful sympul liff Line 4016 ffor litel was hur Catel and hur rent By Husbondry of such as god her sent She fonde hure self and eke her doughtred twoo Thre large sowes had she and no moo. Line 4020 Thre kyen and eke a shepe þat hight malle fful soty was hur boure and eke her halle In whiche she ete mony a sclender mele Of poynant sause hir neded neuer a dele Line 4024 No deynte morsel passed hur þrote Hir diete was acordant to her cote Replecio ne made her neuer seke Attemper diete was all her phisike Line 4028 And exercise and hert sufficiance The goute letted hur no þing to daunce Ne poplexie shent not her hede Noo wyne dronke she neiþer white ne rede Line 4032 Her boord was serued most wiþ white and blake Milk and broune brede in which she fond no lake Seyned Bacon and somtyme an eye or tweye ffor she was as It were a manere of a deye [folio 259a] A gardyne she had enclosed al aboute Line 4037 Wiþ stikkes and a drie diche wiþ-oute In which she had a cok þat hiȝt chauntilere In all þe londe of crowing was his pere Line 4040

[6-text p 284] Line 4040 His mouþ was myrier þan þe mery orgon On masse daies þat in þe churche goon Wel sikerer was þe crowyng in his logge Þan is a clokke or an abbay orlogge Line 4044 By nature he crewe eche ascencioun Of Equinoxial of þilk toun ffor whan degrees .xv. were descended. þat knewe he þat it myȝt not bene amended Line 4048 His Combe was redder þan þe fyne Curall And bateled as it were a castel wall Ilike azure were his legges and his toone His bille was blake and as þe gete it shone Line 4052 His nailles witter þan þe lily floure And ylike burnysshed gold was his coloure This gentile Cok had in his gouernaunce Vij. hennys forto doon his plesaunce Line 4056 Which weren his sustres and his paramours And wonder like to hym as of colours Of þe which þe fairest hwed vnder þrote Was clepe fair Damysel Pertilote Line 4060 Curtais she was discrete and debonaire And Companable and bere her self so faire Siþens þilk day þat she was vij. nyȝt olde That trewly she haþ þe hert in hold Line 4064 Of Chauntelere loukyn in euery lith He loued hure so þat wel was hym þer with But such a Ioie as it was to here hem singe Whan þat þe briȝt sonne gan to sprynge Line 4068 In swete accorde my lief is fare a londe ffor þilk tyme as I haue vnderstonde Beestes and briddes coude speke and synge And so byfelle þat in þe dawynge Line 4072 As Chauntecleer amonges his wyues alle Sat on his perch þat was in þe halle [folio 259b] And next hym sat þis faire Pertilote This Chaunteclere gan gronen in his þrote Line 4076

[6-text p 285] Line 4076 As a man þat is in his dreme drecched sore And whan þat Pertilote þus herd hym rore She was a-gast and seide hert dere What eileþ ȝou to grone in þis manere Line 4080 Ȝe bene a verray scleper fy for shame And he answerd and saide þus madame I prey ȝou þat ȝe take it not a greef By god me mette þat I was in such mescheef Line 4084 Riȝt nowe þat ȝit myn hert is sore afriȝt Nowe god [quod] he my sweuen rede ariȝt And kepe my body out of foule prisoun Me mette þat I romed vp and doun Line 4088 With-in our yerde wher as I segh a beest Was lik an hounde and wold haue made arest Vpon my body and wold haue had me dede His colour was bytwix white and red Line 4092 And tipped was his taille and boþ his Eeres Wiþ blak vnlike þe remenaunt of his heeres His snowte smal with glowinge eyen tweye ȝit for his loke almost for fere I dye. Line 4096 This caused me my gronyng doutelees A voy quod she fie on ȝou hertelees Allas quod she for by þat god aboue Now han ȝe lost myn hert and my loue Line 4100 I can not loue a coward by my faiþe ffor certes what so eny womman seiþe We alle desiren ȝif it myȝt be To han husbondes hardy wise and free Line 4104 And secre ne noo nygard ne ne fooll To hym þat is a-gast of euery tooll Ne noon avoutour by þat god aboue How durst ȝe seyn for shame vnto ȝour loue Line 4108 That eny þing myȝt make ȝou a-ferde Haue ȝe no mannys hert and han a berde Allas and conne ye be a-gast of swuenes. No þing god woote but vanite in sweuen is [folio 260a] Line 4112

[6-text p 286] Line 4112 Sweuens engendren of replexions And oft of fume and of complexions Whan humours bene to habundante in a wiȝt Certes þis dreme which ȝe han had to nyȝt Line 4116 Commeþ of þe grete superfluite Of ȝoure rede Colere parde Which causeþ folk to dreme her dremes Of Arowes and fires wiþ rede lemes Line 4120 Of Rede beestes þat willen hem bite Of contek and of whelpes grete and lite Riȝt as þe humour of Malecolie Causeþ [ful] mony a man in sclepe to crye Line 4124 ffor fere of beeres and boles blake Or ellis blake deuels wil hem take Of oþer humoures couþe I telle also That worken mony a man in slepe ful woo. Line 4128 But I wil passe as liȝtly as I can Loo Caton which þat was so wise a man Seid he not þus ne do no force of dremes Now sire quod she whan we flee fro the bemes. Line 4132 ffor goddis loue as takeþ som laxatif Vp perile of my saule and of my liff I counsaile ȝou þe best I wil not lye That boþ of colour and of Malencolie Line 4136 Ȝe purge ȝou and for ȝe shul not tarie Þouȝe þat in þis toune is non Apotecarie I shal my self to herbes techen ȝou which shal be ȝoure here and ȝour prowe Line 4140 And In þe Gardeyne two herbes shal I fynde þe which han of her proprete by kynde To purgen ȝou by-neþe and eke aboue fforȝeteþ not þis for goddes awne loue Line 4144 ȝe bene ful Colerike of complexion Where þe sonne in his assencion Ne fynde ȝou replete of ȝour humours hote And if it doo I dar wel lay a grote Line 4148

[6-text p 287] Line 4148 Þat ȝe shul haue a feuer terciane. Or an ague þat may be ȝour bane [folio 260b] A day or twoo ȝe shul haue dygestyues Of wormes er ȝe take ȝoure laxatyues Line 4152 Of laureal Centaure and of fumytere Or ellis of Ellibore þat groweþ þere Of Catapuce and of gatys-buries Or Erbe Ive grouyng in oure ȝeerd þer mery es Line 4156 Pek hem vp riȝt as þei growe and ete hem Inne Be mery husbonde for ȝour fader kynne Dredeþ no dreme I can say ȝou no more Madame quod he gramercy of ȝoure lore Line 4160 But naþelees as touching Danne Catoun That haþ of wisdome such grete renoun By god men may in olde bokes rede Oon of þe grettest auctour out of drede Line 4164 Of mony a man more of auctorite Than euer caton was so mot I the That al the reuers seyn of þis sentence Han han wel founden by experience Line 4168 That dremes bene significaciōns As wel of Ioie as tribulaciōns That folk enduren in þis lif present It nedeþ nat to make of þis noon argument Line 4172 The verrey preef sheweþ it in dede Oon of þe grettest auctour out of drede Saiþ þus þat whilom two felawes went On Pilgrimage in ful good entent Line 4176 And happed so þei commen into a toune Wher as þere was such congregacioun Of puple and eke of streite herbygage þat þei fande not as moche as a cotage Line 4180 In whiche þei boþ myght ylogged be Wherfore þei mosten of necessite As for þat nyȝt departen of companye And eche of hem goþ to his hostelrye Line 4184

[6-text p 288] Line 4184 And toke his logginge as it wolde falle That oon of hem was logged in a stalle ffer in a ȝeerde wiþ oxen of þe plouȝe That oþer man was logged wel ynouȝe [folio 261a] Line 4188 As was his auenture or his fortune Þat vs gouerneþ al as in commune And so by-felle longe er it were day This man mette in his bed þer as he lay Line 4192 How þat his felawe gan on hym calle And saide Allas for in an oxes stalle This nyȝt shal I be murþered þer I lie Now helpe me dere broþere er I dye / Line 4196 In al hast come to me he seide This man out of his sclepe for fere abreide But whan þat he was wakened out of his sclepe He turneþ hym and toke of þis no kepe Line 4200 Hym þouȝt his dreme was noȝt but a vanyte Thus twies in his sclepinge dremed he And at þ^e .iij. tyme ȝit his felawe Come as he þouȝt I am nowe Isclawe Line 4204 Biholde my blody woundes depe and wide Arise vp erly in þe morowe tide And at the west gate of þe toun quod he A cart ful of donge þer shalt þou see Line 4208 In which his body is hidde ful priuely To þilk carte aresten boldely My golde caused my murder soþ to sayn And tolde hym euery poynt how he was sclayn Line 4212 Wiþ a ful pitous face pale of hwe And trest wel his dreme he fonde ful trwe ffor on þe morowe as sone as it was day To his felawes Inne he toke þe way Line 4216 And whan he come to þis oxes stalle Aftere his felawe he bygan to calle The ostelere answerd hym anon And saide Sir ȝoure felawe is goon Line 4220

[6-text p 289] Line 4220 As sone as day he went out of þe toune This man gan falle in grete suspecioun Remembryng hym on his dremes þat he mette And forþ he goþ no lenger wold he lette Line 4224 Vnto þe west gate of þe toune and fonde A donge cart as he went to donge þe londe [folio 261b] That was araied in þe same wise As ȝe han herde þe dede man deuyse Line 4228 And wiþ an hardy hert he gan to crie Vengeaunce and iustice on þis vilanye My felawe murdred is þis same nyȝt And in þis carte he lith gapinge vp riȝt Line 4232 [I crye out / on the mynystres quod he [Addit. MS 5140 folio 276b] That sholde the lawe keep in this Cite Harrow allas / here lith my felawe sleyn What sholde I more / vnto this tale seyn Line 4236 The people out sterte / and caste the carte to grounde And in the myddis of the donge thei founde [[Addit. MS extract ends]] ] The dede man þat murdred was all newe O blisful god þat art so Iust and trewe Line 4240 Loo how þat þou bywreiest mordere alway Murder wil out þat see wee day by day Morder is so wlatsom and so abhomynable To god þat is so Iust and resonable Line 4244 þat he ne wil not suffre it hilled be Theigh it abide a ȝeer or twoo or þre Murder wil out þis is my conclusioun And riȝt anoon ministres of þe toun Line 4248 Haþ hent þe Carter and [ful] sore hym pyned And eke þe Ostilere so fer engyned That þei biknewe her wikkednesse anoon And weren honged by þe nek bone Line 4252 Here may men see þat dremes bene to drede And certes in the same boke I rede Riȝt in þe next chapitere I rede of þis I gabbe not so haue I Ioie or blis Line 4256

[6-text p 290] Line 4256 Two men þat wolden haue passed þe See ffor certeyn cause in to a fer contre If þat þe wynde ne had be contrarie That made hem in a Cite forto tarie Line 4260 That stood ful merye vpon an hauen side But on a daye aȝeinst þe euentide The wynde gan chaunge and blowe as hym lust Iolif and glad þei wenten vnto rust Line 4264 And Casten hem ful erly forto saile But herken how oo man felle in grete perile That oon of hem in scleping as he lay Hym mette a wonder dreme aȝeinst þe day Line 4268 Hym þouȝt a man stood be his beddys side And hym commaunded þat he shuld abide. [folio 262a] And saide hym þus if þou to morn wende Thowe shalt be dreynt my tale is at an ende Line 4272 He woke and tolde his felawe what he meitt And preide him his viage forto lette As for þat day he preide hym to abide His felawe þat lay by his beddys side Line 4276 Gan forto laugh and scorned ful fast No drem quod he may myne hert agast That I wil lette forto do my þingges I sette not a strawe by dremyngges Line 4280 ffor sweuenes bene but vanytees and Iapes Men dreme alway of owles and of apes And of mony a mase þer-wiþall Men dremen of þinge þat neuere [shal] Line 4284 But siþen I see þou wit here abide And þus forsclewþen wilfully þi tyde God woote it reweþ me and haue good day And þus he toke his leue and went his way Line 4288 And er that he had half his cours assailed I not whi ne what meschaunce it ailed But casuely þe shippes botme rent And ship and man vnder þe water went Line 4292

[6-text p 291] Line 4292 In siȝt of oþer shippes hym beside That wiþ hym sailled att þe same tyde And þerfore he seide Pertelote so dere By suche ensamples olde maist þou lere Line 4296 That no man shulde be to rechelees Of Dremes for I say þe doutelees That in mony a dreme ful sore is forto drede Lo in þe lif of seint kenelyne I rede Line 4300 That was kenulphus sone þe noble kynge Of Mertenrike how kenelyne mette a þinge A litel er [he] was murde[re]d on a day His murdre in his Auysion he say Line 4304 His norice him expowned euery dell His sweuen and bad hym for to kepe hym well ffor treson but he was seuen ȝere olde And þerfore litel tale haþ he tolde [folio 262b] Line 4308 Of eny dreme so holly was his herte Be god I had leuer þan my sherte That ȝe had herd his legende as haue I Dame Pertelote I say ȝou trewly Line 4312 Macrobyus þat writ þe avision In affrike of þe worþi Ciprion Affermeþ dremes and seþ þat þer bene Warnynge of þingges þat men after sene Line 4316 And ferþermore I pray ȝou lokeþ well The olde testament of Danyell Ȝif he heelde dremes of eny vanyte Rede eke of Ioseph and ye shal See Line 4320 Wheder dremes be somtyme I say not alle Warnyng of þingges þat shul after falle Loke eke of Egipte þe kinge danne Pharao His bakere and his botelere also Line 4324 Wher þei ne felt noon effecte in dremes Who so wil seche of sundry rewmes May reden of dremes mony a wonder þinge Loo Cresus which þat was of lyde þe kynge Line 4328

[6-text p 292] Line 4328 Mette he not þat he satte vpon a tre Which signified he shuld anhonged be Lo here Adromacha Ectors wiff That day þat Ector shuld lete his lif Line 4332 She dremed on þe same nyȝt byforn How þat þe lif of Ector shuld be lorn Ȝiff þilk day he went into bataile She warned hym but it myȝt not availe Line 4336 He went forto fiȝten naþelees But he was sclayn of Achilles But thilk tale is alto longe to telle And eke it is nygh day I may not dwelle Line 4340 Shortly I say as for conclusion That I shal haue of þis avision Of aduersitees and I say ferþermore That I ne wil telle of laxatifs no store Line 4344 ffor þei bene venemous I wote riȝt well I hem diffie I loue hem neuere a dele [folio 263a] NO lat vs speke of merþe and stent al þis Madame pertilote so haue I blisse Line 4348 Of oo þing god haþ sent me large grace ffor whan I se þe bewte of ȝoure face Ȝe bene so scarlet rede aboute þe eyen It makeþ al my drede for to dyen Line 4352 ffor also siker as in principio . Mulier est hominis confusio Madame þe sentence of þis latyn is Womman is mannys ioy and his blisse Line 4356 ffor whan I fele on nyȝt ȝour soft side Al be it þat I may not on ȝou ride ffor þat oure perche is made so narowe alas I am so ful of Ioye and solas Line 4360 Þat I defie boþ sweuen and dreme And wiþ þat word I fleegh doune fro þe beme ffor it was day and eke his hennes alle And wiþ a chukke he gan hem forto calle Line 4364

[6-text p 293] Line 4364 ffor he had founden a corn lay in þe ȝerde Real he was no more afferd He ffeþered Pertelot xx^ti tyme And drad as oft er it were prime Line 4368 He lokeþ as it were a grym lyoun And on his toes he roomed vp and doun Hym deyned not to sette his fete on grounde Ay chokked he whan he had a corne found Line 4372 And to hym þan ronne his wyues all Thus Royal as a prince in his hall Leue I þis chauntelere in his pasture And aftere wil I telle of his auenture Line 4376 Whan þe month þe which þe world byganne That hiȝt marche whan god first made man Was Complete and passed were also Siþens Marche bygan .xxx^ti· daies and twoo. Line 4380 Byfelle þat chauntelere in his pride His seuen wyues welken hym byside · Cast vp his eyen to þe briȝt sonne That in þe signe of Taurus was ronne [folio 263b] Line 4384 Twenty degrees and oon and somwhat more He knew by kynde and by noon oþer lore That it was prime he crewe wiþ blisful steuen The sonne he saide is clumben vp to heuen Line 4388 xl. degres and oon and more ywis Madame Pertelote my worldes blisse Herken how þise blisful briddes singe And se þe fresshe floures how þei springe Line 4392 fful is myn hert of Reuel and of solas But sodeynly hym felle a soriful caas ffor euer þe latter and of Ioie is sone ygoo And comonly ofte tyme it falleþ soo Line 4396 And if arthour coude faire endite He in cronicle myght Sauely write As for a souereyn notabilite Nowe euery wise man herken me Line 4400

[6-text p 294] Line 4400 This story is as trewe I vndertake As is þe booke of launcelote de lake That women holde in ful gret reuerence Now wil I turne aȝein to my sentence Line 4404 A Col foxe [ful] of scleiȝt and iniquite That in þe groue had wonned ȝeeres þre By high ymagynacion to-fore cast þe same nyght þorgh-out þe hegges brast Line 4408 Into þe ȝeerd þer chauntelere þe faire was wonte and eke his wyues to repaire And in a bedde of wortes stille he lay Till it was passed vndren of þe day Line 4412 Waitynge his tyme on chaunteler to falle As gladly done þise homycydes alle That in a-waite ligge to murdre men · O fals murdere rowkyng in þi den Line 4416 O newe Scariot o. newe Genylon ffals dissimylour o greke Symon Þat brouȝtest troye al vtterly to sorowe O chauntelere acursed be þat morowe Line 4420 þat þou into [þi] ȝeerd flegh from þe bemes Thow were ful wel ywarned by þi dremes [folio 264a] That ilke day was perilous to þe But þat .þat god a-fore wote most nedes be Line 4424 Aftere þe opynyon of certeyn clerkes Wittnesse of hym þat eny clerk es That in scole [is] grete altercacion In þis mater and grete disputacion Line 4428 And haþ bene of an C. thousand men / But I ne can[not] bult it to þe brenne As can þe holy doctour augustyne Or boys or þe Bisshop Bradwardyne Line 4432 Whedere þat goddys wille a-fore wetyng Streyneþ me nedely forto doon a þing Nedely clepe I symple necessite Or ellis ȝif þe free chois be graunted me Line 4436

[6-text p 295] Line 4436 To do þat same þing or do it nouȝt · Thouȝe god forwote it er it was wrouȝt Er of his wetyng streyneþ neuer a dele But by necessite condicionele Line 4440 I wil not haue to done of such matere My tale is of a cokke as ȝe shullen here That toke his counsaile of his wif with sorowe To walken in þe ȝeerde vpon þe morowe Line 4444 That he had mette þe dreme þat I ȝou tolde Womm[an]es counsaile is ful ofte colde Womm[an]es counsaile brouȝt vs first to woo And made Adam from paradys to goo. Line 4448 Ther he was ful mery an wel at ese But for I note whom I myȝt displese If I counsaile of wommen wold blame Passe ouere for I seide it in my game Line 4452 Rede awters wher þei trete of such matere And what þei seyne of wommen here Thise bene þe cokkes wordes and not myne I can no harme of no womman devyne Line 4456 ffaire in þe sonde to bath hur merely lith pertelote and al hure susters bye Aȝeinst þe sonne and chauntelere so fre Songe meryer þan þe meermaiden in þe See [folio 264b] ffor phisialogus saiþ witterly Line 4461 How þat þei syngen wel and merely And so byfelle as he cast his ye Amonges þe wortes vppon a botterflie Line 4464 He was war of this fox þat lay ful lowe No þinge ne lust hym þan for to crowe But cries anon cok cok and vp he sterte As a man þat was affraied in his herte Line 4468 ffor naturelly a beest desireþ to flee ffro his contrarie if he may it See Þouȝe he neuer had seye it erst with his ye This chauntelere whan he hym gan aspie Line 4472

[6-text p 296] Line 4472 He wold haue fledde but þat þe fox anon Saide gentile sir allas what hast þou don Bene ȝe affraied of me þat am ȝoure frende Certes sir þan ben ȝe vnhende Line 4476 If I to ȝou wil harme or vilanye I am not come ȝour counsaile to aspie But trewly þe cause of my comynge was oonly to harken how þat ȝe singe Line 4480 ffor trewly ȝe han as mery a steuen As aungel haþ þat is in heuen Ther-with ȝe han in musike more felinge þan had boys or eny þat can synge Line 4484 My lorde ȝour fadere god his saule blisse And eke ȝoure modere and hur gentilnesse Han in myn hous bene to ȝou grete ese And Certes sir riȝt fain wold I ȝou plese Line 4488 But for men speken of syngynge I wil seye So mot I brouke myn eien tweye Sauf ȝe I ne herd neuer man so synge As did ȝoure fader in þe mornynge Line 4492 Certes it was of hert al þat he songe And forto make his vois þe more stronge He wold so peyn hym þat wiþ both his yen He most wynke so loude he did crien Line 4496 And stonden on his typtoon þerwiþal· And strecche forþ his nek longe and small [folio 265a] And eke he was of such discrecion That þer nas no man in no region Line 4500 That him in songe or wisdom myȝt passe I haue wel red daun Burnel þer as Amonge his vers þer was a cok [That] ffor a preestes sone ȝaue hym a knok Line 4504 Vpon his legge whiles he was ȝonge and nyce He made hym forto lese his benefice But certeyn þer nys noon comparison Bytwix þe wisdom and discrecion Line 4508

[6-text p 297] Line 4508 Of ȝoure fadere and of his subtilite Now syngeþ sir for seint charite Lat see conne ȝe ȝoure fadere countrefete This Chauntelere his wenges gan to bete Line 4512 As man þat coude nat his treson aspie So was he rauessed wiþ his flaterye Allas ȝe lordes mony a fals flatour Is in ȝour court and mony a losengour Line 4516 That plesen ȝou more by my feiþ That he þat soþfastnesse vnto ȝo^u seiþ. Redeþ Ecclesiastre of flaterye Beþ ware ȝe lordes of her trecherye Line 4520 This Chaunteclere stood high vpon his toos Strecchinge his nek and held his eien cloos And gan to crowe loude for þe nones And daun Russel stert vp al at ones Line 4524 And by þe Gargaige hent Chaunteclere And on his bak toward the wood hym bere ffor ȝit was ther no man hym swed O Destany þat maist not bene eschewed Line 4528 Allas þat chaunteclere fel fro þe bemes Allas his wif ne rouȝt not of dremes And on a friday felle all þis meschāunce O Venus þat art goddes of plesaunce Line 4532 Siþens þat þi seruaunte was þis chaunteclere And in þi seruise did al his powere More for delit þan þe world to multiplie Whi woldest þou suffre on þi day to dye [folio 265b] O Gaufrede dere maistere souereyn Line 4537 Þat whan þe worþi kinge Richard was sclayn Wiþ shot compleyndest his deþ so sore Whi ne had I nowe þi sentence and þi lore Line 4540 Þe ffriday forto chide as did ȝe ffor on a friday shortely sclayne was he Þan wolde I shewe howe þat I coude playne ffor chaunteclere and for his peyne Line 4544

[6-text p 298] Line 4544 Certus such crye ne lamentacion was of ladies made whan þat Ilyon Was wonne. and pirrus with his streiȝt swerd Whan he hent king Prian by þe beerd Line 4548 And sclayn hym as seide Enneidos As maden all þe hennes in þe cloos Whan þei had seie of chaunteclere þe siȝt But souereyn dame pertelote shriȝt Line 4552 wel lodder þan did Hasdrubaldes wif whan þat her husbonde had lost his lif And þat þe romaynes had brent Cartage She was so ful of torment and of Rage Line 4556 That wilfully into þe fire she stert And brent her self wiþ a stedfast hert O wooful hennys riȝt so criden ȝe As whan þat Nero brent þe Cite Line 4560 Of Rome criden þe Cenatours wyues ffor þat her husbondes shulden lese her lyues wiþ-outen Gilt [þis] Nero haþ hem sclayn Now wil I turne to my tale aȝein Line 4564 This sely widowe and hure douȝters two Herden þe hennys crien and make woo And out atte door sterten þei anoon And segh þe fox toward þe groue goon Line 4568 And bare on his bak þe Cok away They criden out and harawe and welaway A ha þe fox and after hym þei ran And eke wiþ staues mony an oþer man Line 4572 Ran Coll our dogge. talbot and Garlonde And Malkyn wiþ her dystaf in hure honde [folio 266a] Ran cowe and calf and eke the verrey hogges Sore afferd for berking of dogges Line 4576 And shetinge of men and wommen eke þei ronne so þeire hertes þei þouȝt to breke þei ȝelden as feendes don in helle The dogges criden as men wold hem quelle Line 4580

[6-text p 299] Line 4580 Out of the hyues come þe swarme of bees The gees for fere flowen in þe trees So hidous was the noise .O benedicite Certes he Iak strawe and his mayne Line 4584 Ne made neuer showtes half so shrille whan þat þei wolde eny flemmyng kille As þat ilk day was made vpon þe fox Of bras þei brouȝt bemes and of box Line 4588 Of horn and boon in which þei pouped And þerwiþal þei schrited and showted. It semed as þat heuene shulde falle Now good I prey ȝou harkeneþ alle Line 4592 Lo how fortune turneþ sodeynly The hope and eke pride of her envie This cok/ þat lay vppon the fox bak In al his drede vnto þe fox spak Line 4596 And saide Sire if I were as ȝe Ȝit shuld I say as wis god helpe me Turne aȝeine ȝe proude cherles alle A verrey pestilence vppon ȝou falle Line 4600 Nowe am I come vnto þis wodys side Maugre ȝoure hede þe cok shal here abide I wol hym ete in feiþ and þat anon The fox answerde in faiþ it shal be don Line 4604 And [as] he spak þat worde al sodeynly This Cok brak from his mouþ delyuerly And high vppon a tree he flegh anon And whan þe fox segh þat he was gon Line 4608 Allas quod he O chauntelere allas I haue quod he done to ȝou trespas In as moch as I made ȝou aferd Whan I ȝou hent and brouȝt out of þe ȝerde [folio 266b] But sire I did it not in no wicked entent Line 4613 Commeþ doune and I shal telle ȝou what I ment I shal saie soþ god helpe me soo Nay þan quod he I schrewe vs boþ twoo Line 4616

[6-text p 300] Line 4616 And first I schrewe my self boþ blood and bones Ȝif þou bigile me ofter þan ones Thow shalt no more wiþ þi flaterie Do me swynk and wink wiþ myn ye Line 4620 ffor he þat wynket whan he shuld see As wisly god lat hym neuer þee Nay quod þe fox god ȝeue hym meschaunce That is so vndiscrete of gouernaunce Line 4624 That Iangeleþ whan he shuld haue pees Loo such is forto be rechelees And necligent and trusteþ on flaterie But ȝe þat holden þis foly Line 4628 As of a Cok of a fox and of an henne Takeþ þe Moralite good men· ffor seint poule seiþ al þat writen is To our doctrine it is writen ywis / Line 4632 Takeþ þe fruyte and lat þe chaf be stille Nowe good god if it be þi wille As seiþ my lorde so make vs all good men And bringe vs al to his blisse Amen. Line 4636

Thus endeþ þe preestes tale