Selections from early Middle English, 1130-1250 [extracts]

IX. ANCRENE WISSE

(CORPUS MS.)

A. THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

Þvs mine leoue sustren iþe wildernesse þer ȝe gað{punctel} in · wið godes folc toward ierusalemes lond · {that} is þe [f. 56 r] riche of heouene{punctel} beoð þulliche beastes · þulliche wurmes. ne nat ich na sunne {that} ne mei beon ilead oðer to an of ham seouene{punctel} oðer to hare streones. vnsteaðeluest bileaue aȝein godes lare · nis hit te spece [ 5] of prude inobedience? Herto falleð sygaldren · false teolunges · lefunge o swefne · o nore · & on alle wicchecreftes. Neomunge of husel in eani heaued sunne · oðer ei oþer sacrement nis hit te spece of prude {that} ich cleopede presumptio · ȝef me wat hwuch sunne hit · is · [f. 56 v] ȝef me hit nat nawt · þenne is hit ȝemeles under [ 10] accidie · {that} ich slawðe cleopede. þe ne warneð oðer of his uuel oðer of his biȝete · nis hit slaw ȝemeles oðer attri onde? teoheði mis · edhalden cwide · fundles oðer lane · oðer þerwið mis fearen · nis hit spece of ȝisceunge{punctel} & aneS cunnes þeofðe? Edhalden oðres hure ouer his rihte terme nis hit strong reaflac hwa se ȝelden hit mei þe is [ 15] under ȝisceunge? Ȝef me ȝemeð wurse ei þing ileanet · oðer bitaht to witene · þen he wene þe ah hit · nis hit oðer triccherie · oðer ðemeles of slawðe? alswa is dusi heast oðer folliche ipliht trowðe · longe beon unbischpet · falsliche gan to schrift · oðer to longe abiden · ne teache pater noster godchild ne Credo · þeos & alle þulliche beoð ilead to [ 20] slawðe · {that} is þe feorðe moder of þe seoue sunnen. Þe dronc drunch oðer ei þing dude · hwer þurh na child ne schulde beon on hire istreonet · oðer {that} istreonede schulde forwurðen · nis þis strong monslaht of galnesse awakenet? Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nomen ne mahte namon rikenin · ah i þeo þe ich habbe [ 25] iseid{punctel} alle oþre beoð bilokene. Ant nis ich wene namon þe ne mei understonden him of his sunne nomeliche under sum of þe ilke imeane þe beoð her iwritene. Of þeose seoue beastes & of hare streones i wildernesse of anlich lif · is iseid herto · þe alle þe for∣fearinde fondið to fordonne. Þe liun of prude sleað alle þe prude · [ 30]

alle þe beoð hehe & ouerhohe iheortet. Þe attri neddre · þe ontfule & te luðere iþonket. Wreaðfule{punctel} þe vnicorne. Alswa of þe oþre o rawe. to godd ha beoð isleine · ah [f. 57 r] ha libbeð to þe feond · & beoð alle in his hond. & seruið him in his curt euch of þe meoster þe him to falleð. [ 35]

Þe prude beoð his bemeres · draheð wind inward wið worltlich hereword · & eft wið idel ȝelp puffeð hit ut ward as þe bemeres doð · makieð noise & lud dream to schawin hare orhel · ah ȝef ha wel þohten of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen þe schulen o fowr half þe world biuore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Ariseð [ 40] deade ariseð cumeð to drihtines dom forte beon idemet · þear na prud bemere ne schal beon iborhen · ȝef ha þohten þis wel{punctel} ha walden inohreaðe i þe deofles seruise dimlukeR bemin. Of þeose bemeres seið Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio anime sue attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue [ 45] of hereword seið as ich seide.

Summe iuglurs beoð þe ne cunnen seruin of nan oþer gleo bute makien cheres · wrenche þe muð mis · schulen wið ehnen. Of þis meoster seruið þe unseli ontfule i þe deofles curt · to bringen o lahtre hare ondfule lauerd · ȝef ei seið wel oðer deð wel{punctel} ne mahen [ 50] ha nanes weis lokin þider wið riht ehe of god heorte · ah winkið o {that} half & bihaldeð o luft ȝef þer is eawt to edwiten · oðer ladliche þiderward schuleð mið eiðer. Hwen ha ihereð {that} god{punctel} skleatteð þe earen adun · ah þe lust aȝein {that} uuel{punctel} is eauer wid open · þenne he wrencheð þe muð{punctel} hwen he turneð god to uuel · & ȝef hit is sumdel [ 55] uuel · þurh mare lastunge wrencheð hit to wurse · þeos beoð forecwidderes hare ahne prophetes · þeos bodieð biuoren hu þe eateliche deoflen schulen ȝet ageasten ham wið hare grennunge · & [f. 57 v] hu ha schulen ham seolf grennin & niuelin & makien sur semblant for þe muchele angoise i þe pine of helle. Ah for þi ha [ 60] beoð þe leasse to meanen {that} ha biuoren hond leornið hare meoster to makien grim chere.

Þe wreaðfule biuore þe feond skirmeð mid cniues · & is his cnif warpere · & pleieð mid sweordes · bereð ham bi þe scharp ord up

on his tunge. Sweord & cnif eiðer beoð scharpe & keoruinde word [ 65] {that} he warpeð from him & skirmeð toward oþre · & he bodeð hu þe deoflen schulen pleien wið him mid hare scharpe eawles · skirmi wið him abuten & dusten ase pilche clut euch toward oðer · ant wið helle sweordes asneasen him þurh ut · {that} beoð kene ant eateliche ant keoruinde pineN. [ 70]

Þe slawe lið & slepeð o þe deofles bearm as his deore deorling · & te deouel leið his tutel dun to his eare · & tuteleð him al {that} he wule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god{punctel} meaðeleð þe feond ȝeorne · & te idele underueð luueliche his lare. Jdel & ȝemeles is þes deofleS bearnes slep · ah he schal o domesdei grimliche abreiden [ 75] wið þe dredfule dream of þe englene bemen · & in helle wontreaðe echeliche wakieN. Surgite aiunt mortui surgite & uenite ad iudicium saluatoriS.

Þe ȝiscere is his eskibah · feareð abuten esken · & bisiliche stureð him to rukelin to gederes muchele & monie ruken · blaweð þrin [ 80] & blent him seolf · peaðereð & makeð þrin figures of augrim · as þes rikeneres doð þe habbeð muche to rikenin. Þis is al þe canges blisse & te feond bihalt tis gomen & laheð {that} he bersteð. Wel un [f. 58 r] derstont euch wis mon {that} gold ba & seoluer · & euch eorðlich ahte · nis bute eorðe & ahte esken þe ablendeð euch moN þe ham in blaweð · {that} [ 85] is þe bolheð him þurh ham in heorte prude. Ant al {that} he rukeleð & gedereð to gederes · & ethalt of ei þing {that} nis bute esken mare þen hit neodeð{punctel} schal in helle wurðen him tadden & neddren · & ba as ysaie seið · schulen beon of wurmes{punctel} his cuuertur & his hwitel · þe nalde þerwið neodfule feden ne schruden. Subter te sternetur [ 90] tinea & operimentum tuum uermiS.

Þe ȝiuere glutun is þe feondes manciple · ah he stikeð eauer iceler oðer icuchene · his heorte is i þe disscheS · his þoht al i þe neppes · his lif i þe tunne · his sawle i þe crohhe · Kimeð biuoren his lauerd bismuddet & bismulret · a disch in his an hond · a scale in his [ 95] oðer. Meaðeleð mis wordes · wigleð as fordrunke mon þe haueð imunt to fallen · bihalt his greate wombe · & te deouel lahheð. Þeose þreatið þus godd þurh ysaie · Serui mei comedent & uos esurietis &c'.

Mine men schulen eoten & ow schal eauer hungrin · & ȝe schule beon feorle world buten ende. Quantum glorificauit se & in deliciis [ 100] fuit{punctel} tantum date illi tormentum & luctum · In apocalipsi · Contra unum poculum quod miscuit miscete ei duo. ȝef þe kealche cuppe wallinde bres to drinken · ȝeot in his wide þrote {that} he swelte inwið. aȝein an ȝef him twa. þullich is godes dom aȝein ȝiuere & druncwile iþe apocalipse. [ 105]

IX. ANCRENE WISSE (CORPUS MS.)

B. THE OUTER RULE

Ȝe mine leoue sustren bute ȝef neod ow driue & ower [f. 112 v] meistre hit reade · ne schulen habbe na beast bute cat ane. Ancre þe haueð ahte · þuncheð bet husewif ase Marthe wes · ne lihtliche ne mei ha nawt beo Marie marthe suster wið griðfullnesse [f. 113 r] of heorte. for þenne mot ha þenchen of þe kues foddre · of heorde [ 5] monne hure · Olhnin þe heiward · wearien hwen he punt hire · & ȝelden þah þe hearmes. ladlich þing is hit wat crist hwen me makeð i tune man of ancre ahte. Nu þenne ȝef eani mot nedlunge habben hit · loki {that} hit namon ne eili ne ne hearmi · ne {that} hire þoht ne beo nawiht þron ifestnet. ancre ne ah to habben na þing {that} utward drahe hire [ 10] heorte. Na chaffere ne driue ȝe · ancre {that} is chepilt · {that} is · buð forte sullen efter biȝete · ha chepeð hire sawle þe chapmon of helle. þing þah {that} ha wurcheð ha mei þurh hire meistres read{punctel} for hire neode sullen · hali men sumhwile liueden bi hare honden.

Nawt deore dehtren ne wite ȝe in ower hus of oðer monne [ 15] þinges · ne ahte ne claðes · ne boistes · ne chartres · Scoren ne cyrograffes · ne þe chirch uestemenz · ne þe calices · bute neode oðer strengðe hit makie{punctel} oðer muchel eie. Of swuch witunge is muchel vuel ilumpen ofte siðen. IN wið ower wanes ne leote ȝe namon slepeN ·

ȝef muchel neod mid alle makeð breoken ower hus · hwil hit eauer is [ 20] ibroken · habbeð þrinne wið ow a wummon of cleane lif deies ant nihteS. FOR þi {that} wepmen ne seoð ow ne ȝe ham · wel mei don of ower clað beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo unorne · warm & wel iwraht · felles wel itawet · & habbeð ase monie as ow to neodeð to bedde & to rugge. [ 25]

Nest flesch ne schal nan werien linnene clað bute hit beo of hearde & of greate heorden. Stamin habbe hwa se wule · hwa se wule beo buten. Ȝe schulen in an hetter ant igurd liggen · swa leoðeliche þah {that} ȝe mahen honden put [f. 113 v] ten þer under. Nest lich nan ne gurde hire wið na cunne gurdles: bute þurh schriftes leaue. Ne [ 30] beore nan irn ne here · ne ilespiles felles · ne ne beate hire þer wið{punctel} ne wið scurge i leadet · wið holin ne wið breres · ne biblodgi hire seolf{punctel} wið ute schriftes leaue · nohwer ne binetli hire · ne ne beate bi uoren · ne na keoruunge ne keorue · ne ne neome ed eanes to luðere disceplines · temptaciuns forte acwenchen · ne for na bote [ 35] aȝein cundeliche secnesses · nan uncundelich lechecreft ne leue ȝe ne ne fondin · wið uten ower meistres read{punctel} leste ow stonde wurse. Ower schon i winter beon meoke · greate & warme. I sumer ȝe habbeð leaue bearuot gan & sitten & lihte scheos werieN · Hosen wið ute vampez{punctel} ligge in hwa se likeð · Ischeoed ne slepe ȝe nawt · ne [ 40] noh wer bute i bedde. Sum wummon inohreaðe wereð þe brech of here ful wel icnottet · þe streapeles dun to þe vet ilacet ful feaste · ah eauer is best þe swete & te swote heorte. Me is leouere {that} ȝe þolien wel an heard word{punctel} þen an heard here. Ȝef ȝe muhen beo wimpelles & ȝe wel wullen{punctel} beoð bi warme cappen · & þer uppon hwite oðer blake veiles. [ 45] Ancren summe sungið in hare wimplunge{punctel} na leasse þen leafdis. Ah þah seið sum {that} hit limpeð to euch wummon cundeliche forte werien wimpel · Nai · wimpel ne heaued clað nowðer ne nempneð hali writ{punctel} ah wriheles ane · Ad corinthios · Mulier uelet caput suum · Wummon seið þe apostle schal wreon hire heaued. wrihen he seið [ 50] nawt wimpliN. wrihen ha schal hire scheome · as eue sunfule dohteR · i mungunge of þe sunne {that} schende us on earst alle · ant nawt drahe þe wriheles to tiffunge & to prude · Eft wule [f. 114 r]

þe apostle {that} wummon wreo i chirche hire neb ȝetten · leste uuel þoht arise þurh hire onsihðe · Et hoc est propter angelos. hwi þenne [ 55] þu chirch ancre iwimplet openest þi neb to wepmonnes ehe{punctel} toȝeines þe sist men{punctel} spekeð þe apostle · ȝef þu þe ne hudest. ah ȝef {that} ei þing wriheð þi neb from monnes ehe · beo hit wah beo hit clað · i wel i rund windowe · wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimplunge. Toȝeines þe þe þus ne dest{punctel} spekeð þe apostle nawt toȝeines oþre · {that} [ 60] hare ahne wah wriheð wið euch monnes sihðe. þer awakenið ofte wake þohtes of · & werkes oðerhwileS. Hwa se wule beon isehen{punctel} þah ha atiffi hire nis nawt muche wunder{punctel} ah to godes ehnen ha is lufsumre{punctel} þe is for þe luue of him{punctel} untiffet wið uteN. Ring ne broche ne habbe ȝe · ne gurdel imembret · ne glouen ne nan swuch [ 65] þing {that} ow ne deh to habben. A meoke surpliz ȝe mahen in hat sumer werien. Eauer me is leouere se ȝe doð greattre werkes. Ne makie ȝe nane purses forte freondin ow wið · bute to þeo {that} ower meistre ȝeueð ow his leaue · ne huue ne blod binde of seolc · ne laz buten leaue · Ah schapieð & seowið & mendið chirche claðes · & poure monne hettren. [ 70] na swuch þing ne schule ȝe ȝeouen wið uteN schriftes leaue · namare þen neomen · {that} ȝe ne seggen him fore{punctel} as of oðre þinges · kun oðer cuððe · hu ofte ȝe under uengen · hulonge ȝe edheolden. tendre of cunne limpeð nawt ancre beonne. A mon wes of religiun · & com to him efter help his fleschliche broðer · & he tahte him to his þridde [ 75] [75. to his] is on erasure.] breðer · þe wes dead biburiet. Þe ondswerede wundrinde · Nai quoð [76. breðer] er on erasure.] he nis he dead? ant ich quoð þe hali mon [f. 114 v] am dead gaste∣liche. [77. Before nis, d erased.] Na fleschlich freond ne easki me fleschlich froure. Amices & parures · worldliche leafdis mahen inoh wurchen · ant ȝef ȝe ham makieð{punctel} ne makie ȝe þrof na mustreisun · veine gloire attreð alle [ 80] gode þeawes · & alle gode werkes. Criblin ne schal nan of ow for luue ne for hure. Taueles ne forbeode ich nawt. Ȝef sum riueð surpliz oðeR measse kemese{punctel} oþre riuunges ne riue ha nawt nome∣liche oueregede · bute for muche neode. Helpeð ow wið ower ahne swinc se forð se ȝe eauer mahen to schriden ow seoluen & feden ȝef [ 85] neod is · & þeo þe ow seruið. As sein Jerome leareð · ne beo ȝe neauer longe ne lihtliche of sum þing allunges idel · for anan rihtes þe feond beot hire his werc þe i godes werc ne swinkeð · & tuteleð anan toward hire. foR hwil he sið hire bisi{punctel} he þencheð þus · for nawt ich schulde nu cume neh hire{punctel} ne mei ha nawt iȝemen to lustni [ 90]

mi lare. Of idelnesse awakeneð muchel flesches fondunge. Ini∣quitas Sodome{punctel} saturitas panis & ocium · {that} is · SodomeS cwedschipe com of idelnesse & of ful wombe. Irn {that} lið stille gedereð sone rust · weater þe ne stureð nawt{punctel} readliche stinkeð.

Ancre ne schal nawt forwurðe scolmeistre · ne turnen ancre hus to [ 95] childrene scole · hire meiden mei learen sum oðer meiden · {that} were pliht of to leornin amonge wepmen · oðer bimong gromes. ah ancre ne ah to ȝemen bute godd ane · þah bi hire meistres read ha mei sum rihten & helpen to learen. Ȝe ne schulen senden leattres · ne underuon leattres · ne writen bute leaue. Ȝe schulen beon i doddet · [ 100] oðer ȝef ȝe wulleð ischauen fowr siðen i þe ȝer · to lihtin ower heaued · beo bi þe her ieueset{punctel} [f. 115 r] hwa se swa is leouere · ant as ofte ileten blod & ȝef neod iS{punctel} oftre · Þe mei beo þer buten{punctel} ich hit mei wel þolien. Hwen ȝe beoð ilete blod{punctel} ȝe ne [104. After beoð, al greiðe struck out.] schule don na þing þe þreo dahes {that} ow greueð · ah talkið to ower [ 105] meidnes · & wið þeawfule talen schurteð ow to gederes. Ȝe maheN swa don ofte hwen ow þuncheð heuie{punctel} oðer beoð for sum worltlich þing sare oðer seke · þah euch worltlich froure is unwurðe to ancre. Swa wisliche witeð ow in ower blodletunge{punctel} & haldeð ow i swuch reste{punctel} {that} ȝe longe þrefter mahen i godes seruise þe monluker swinken · [ 110] ant alswa hwen ȝe feleð eani secnesse. Muchel sotschipe hit is leosen for an dei{punctel} tene oðer tweolue. Vesscheð ow hwer se neod is as ofte as ȝe wulleð · & ower oþre þinges. Nes neauer fulðe godd leof · þah pouerte & unorneschipe beon him licwurðe. VNder∣stondeð eauer of alle þeose þinges · {that} nan nis heast ne forbod {that} [ 115] beoð of þe uttre riwle · þet is lute strengðe of. for hwon {that} te inre beo wel iwist as ich seide i þe frumðe · þeos mei beon ichanget hwer se eani neod oðer eani skile hit easkeð · efter {that} ha best mei þe leafdi riwle seruin as hire eadmode þuften · ah sikerliche wið uten hire þe leafdi feareð to wundre. Ancre þe naueð nawt neh [ 120] [120. towundre MS.] honde hire fode{punctel} beoð bisie twa wummen. An eauer þe leaue ed hame{punctel} an oþer þe wende ut · hwenne driueð neod · & þeo beo ful

unorne wiðuten euch tiffunge · oðer a lutel þuftene{punctel} oðer of feier ealde. Bi þe wei as ha geað{punctel} ga singinde hire beoden · ne ne halde na tale wið mon ne wið wummon · ne sitte ne ne stonde · bute {that} [ 125] leaste þet ha eauer mei ear þen ha ham cume. Nohwider elles ne ga [f. 115 v] heo bute þider as me send hire · wið ute leaue · ne ne eote ha ne ne drinke ute · Þe oþer beo eauer inne · ne wið ute þe ȝeten: ne ga wið ute leaue. Ba beon obedient to hare dame in alle þing · bute i sunne ane · na þing nabben þet heo hit nute · ne underuo na [ 130] þing · ne ne ȝeoue nowðer{punctel} wið uten hire leaue. Na mon ne leote ȝe in · ne þe ȝungre ne speoke wið namon bute leaue · ne ga ha nawt ut of tune: wið uten siker fere · ȝef hit swa mei beon{punctel} ne ne ligge ute. ȝef heo ne con oboke{punctel} segge bi pater nostres · ant bi auez hire ures · & wurche {that} me hat hire wið ute gruchunge. habbe eauer hire [ 135] earen opene toward hire dame. Nowðer of ȝe wummen ne beore from hare dame · ne ne bringe to hire nane idele talen{punctel} ne neowe tidinges · ne bitweonen ham seolf{punctel} ne singen ne ne speoken na ne worldliche spechen · ne lahhen swa ne pleien{punctel} þet ei mon {that} hit sehe {punctel} mahte hit to uuel turnen. Ouer alle þinges leasunges & luðere wordes [ 140] heatien. hare her beo icoruen · hare heaued clað sitte lahe · eiðer [141. laḥhe MS.] ligge ane. Hare cop beo hehe isticchet · & bute broche. na mon ne seo ham unleppet ne open heaued. lah locunge habben. Heo ne schulen cussen na mon · ne cuðmon ne cunnes mon · ne for na cuððe cluppen · ne weschen hare heaued · ne lokin feaste o na mon{punctel} ne toggin [ 145] wið ne pleien. Hare weden beon of swuch schape · & al hare aturn swuch{punctel} þet hit beo edscene hwerto ha beoðiturnde. Hare lates lokin warliche · {that} nan ne mahe edwiten ham{punctel} in hus ne ut of hus. On

alle wise forbeoren to wreaðen hare dame · & as ofte as heo hit doð{punctel} ear ha drinken oþer eoten{punctel} makien [f. 116 r] hare venie · o cneon [ 150] dun biuoren hire & seggen · mea culpa · & underuon þe penitence {that} ha leið up on hire lutinde hire lahe. Þe ancre þrefter neauer mare {that} ilke gult ne upbreide for na wreaððe · bute ȝef ha eft sone falle i {that} ilke · ah do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. Ȝef ei strif ariseð bitweone þe wummen{punctel} þe ancre makie eiðer to makien oþer venie o cneon to þer [ 155] eorðe · & eiðer rihte up oþer{punctel} & cussen on ende · ant te ancre legge on eiðer{punctel} sum penitence · mare up o þe ilke þe greatluker gulte. Þis is a þing witen ha wel {that} is gode leouest{punctel} Sahtnesse & some · & te feond laðest · for þi he is eauer umben to arearen sum leaððe. Nu sið þe sweoke wel · {that} hwen fur is wel o brune{punctel} & me wule {that} hit aga{punctel} [ 160] me sundreð þe brondes · & he deð nond {that} ilke. luue is ihesu cristes [161. hond MS.] fur · {that} he wule {that} bleasie aa i þin heorte · ant te deouel blaweð forte puffen hit ut. Hwen his blawunge ne geineð nawt · he bringeð up sum uuel word · oðer sum oþer nohtunge · hwer þurh ha to hurten eiðer frommard oþer · & te hali gastes fuR cwencheð hwen þe [ 165] brondes þurh wreaððe beoð isundret. for þi halden ham i luue feaste to gederes · Ant ne beo ham nawt of hwen þe feond blawe · nomeliche ȝef monie beon iueietsomet{punctel} & wel wið luue ontende. Þah þe ancre on hire meidnes for openliche gultes legge penitence{punctel} to þe preost noðe∣leater schriuen ham hwen neod is · ah eauer þah wið leaue. Ȝef ha [ 170] ne cunnen nawt þe mete graceS · seggen in hare stude{punctel} pater noster biuoren{punctel} & aue Maria · & efter mete alswa · ant a Credo mare · & segge þus on ende · feader · Sune · hali gast al mihti godd · ȝeoue ure dame his grace · [f. 116 v] se lengre se mare · & leue hire & us ba neomen god ende · for ȝelde alle þe us god doð · & milci hare sawle þe us god [ 175] idon habbeð · hare sawle & alle cristene sawleS.

Bitweone mel ne gruchesi ȝe nawt · nowðer frut ne oðerhwet{punctel} ne [177. gruchesi] ch on an erasure.] drinken bute leaue . & te leaue beo liht in al {that} nis sunne. Ed te mete na word · oðer lut{punctel} & teo stille. Alswa efter þe ancre complie · aþet prime · ne don na þing ne seggen{punctel} hweR þurh hire silence mahe [ 180] beon isturbet. Nan ancre seruant ne ahte bi rihte to easkin iset hure · bute mete & hure {that} ha mei flutte bi{punctel} ant godes milce. Ne mis leue nan godd{punctel} hwet se tide of þe ancre · {that} he hire trukie. þe meidnes wið uten ȝef ha seruið þe ancre alswa as ha ahen · hare hure schal beon þe hehe blisse of heouene. Hwa se haueð ehe of hope toward [ 185] se heh bure{punctel} gleadliche wule ha seruui & lihtliche alle wa · & alle teone þolien. wið eise & wið este ne buð me nawt bliSSe.

Ȝe ancres ahen þis leaste stucche reden to ower wummen euche wike eanes · aþet ha hit cunnen. Ant muche neod is {that} ȝe neomen to ham muche ȝeme · for ȝe mahen muchel beon þurh ham i godet · & [ 190] iwurset. On oðer half ȝef þet ha sungið þurh ower ȝemeles{punctel} ȝe schule [191. ȝef above þurh deleted.] beo bicleopet þrof biuore þe hehe deme · & for þi as ow is muche neod · & ham ȝet mare{punctel} ȝeornliche leareð ham to halden hare riwle · ba for ow & for ham seolf{punctel} liðeliche & luueliche · for swuch ah wummone lare to beonne · luuelich & liðe · & selthwenne sturne. Ba is riht {that} ha [ 195] ow dreden & luuien · ant þah {that} ter beo eauer mare of luue{punctel} þen of drede · þenne schal hit wel fearen · Me schal healden eoli & win ba i wunden efter godes lare · ah mare of softe eoli{punctel} þen of [f. 117 r] bitinde win . {that} is Mare of liðe wordes{punctel} þen of suhinde · for þer of kimeð þinge best{punctel} {that} is luue eie. lihtliche & sweteliche foRȝeoued [ 200] ham hare gultes · hwen ha ham icnaweð & bihateð bote. Ase forð

as ȝe mahen of mete & of claðes · & of oþre þinges þet neode of flesch easkeð{punctel} beoð large toward ham{punctel} þah ȝe nearowe beon & hearde to ow seoluen. Swa deð þe wel blaweð{punctel} went te nearewe of þe horn to his ahne muð{punctel} ant utward {that} wide. Ant ȝe don alswa as ȝe wulleð {that} [ 205] ower beoden bemin wel & dremen{punctel} i drihtines earen · nawt ane to ower ahnes{punctel} ah to alle folkes heale · as ure lauerd leue þurh þe grace of him seolf {that} hit swa mote ameN. Hwen ower sustres meidnes cumeð to ow to froure{punctel} cumeð to ham to þe þurl{punctel} earunder & ouer-under · eanes oðer twien · & gað aȝein sone{punctel} to ower note gastelich [ 210] ne biuore Complie ne sitte ȝe nawt for ham ouer riht time · swa {that} hare cume beo na lure of ower religiun{punctel} ah gastelich biȝete. ȝef þer is eani word iseid {that} mahte hurten heorte{punctel} ne beo hit nawt iboren ut{punctel} ne ibroht to oþer ancre{punctel} {that} is eð hurte. To him hit schal beon iseid{punctel} þe lokeð ham alle. Twa niht is inoh {that} ei beo edhalden · ant {that} beo [ 215] ful seldene · ne for heom ne breoke silence ed te mete{punctel} ne for blod∣letunge · bute ȝef sum muche god oðer neod hit makie. Þe ancre ne hire meiden ne plohien 'nane' worldliche gomenes ed te þurle · ne ne ticki to gederes · foR ase seið seint Beornard. vnwurðe þing is to euch gastelich mon · & nomeliche to ancre{punctel} euch swuċh fleschlich [ 220] froure · & hit binimeð gastelich {that} is wið ute met utnume murhðe · & {that} is uuel change as is iseid þruppe.

Of þis boc redeð hwen ȝe beoð eise euche dei{punctel} leasse oðer mare. Jch hopie {that} hit [f. 117 v] schal beon ow ȝef ȝe hit redeð ofte{punctel} swiðe biheue{punctel} þurh godes muchele grace · elles ich hefde uuele bitohe [ 225] [225. godes] d corr. out of g MS.] mi muchele hwile. Me were leouere godd hit wite do me toward rome{punctel} þen forte biginnen hit eft forte donne. Ȝef ȝe findeð {that} ȝe doð alswa as ȝe redeð{punctel} þonckið godd ȝeorne · ȝef ȝe ne doð nawt{punctel} biddeð godes are · & beoð umben þeronuuen {that} ȝe hit bet halden efter ower mihte. [ 230]

Feader · Sune · hali gast · an almihti godd wite ow in hiS warde · he gleadie ow & frouri ow mine leoue sustren · ant for al {that} ȝe for him dreheð & dreaieð · ne ȝeoue ow neauer leasse · þen al to gedere him seoluen · Beo he aa iheiet from world in to worlde aa on ecnesse · AMeN. Ase ofte aS ȝe habbeð ired eawiht her on{punctel} greteð þe leafdi [ 235] wið aN aue{punctel} for him {that} swonc her abuten · Jnoh meaðful ich am þe bidde se lutel · ¶ Explicit · Jþench o þi writere i þine beoden sum chearre{punctel} ne beo hit ne se lutel. Hit turneð þe to gode{punctel} {that} tu bidest for oþre.

ANCREN RIWLE

(CAIUS MS.)

A. THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

[Þ]us mine leoue frend iþe wildernesse þat ge [p. 127] gat in wid godes folc toward ierusalemes londe þat [p. 126] is þe riche of heouene{punctel} beod þuliche bestes þulliche wurmes · Ne nat [3. sulliche MS.] ich nan sunne þat ne mai beon ilad · oþer to an of ham seoluen oþer to hare streones · vnstaþelfast bi leaue · agein hali lare · nis hit of [ 5] prude inobedience? Herto falled sigaldren · false teolunges · Lefunge o nore. o swefne & alle wicchecraftes. Neominge of husel in ei heaued sunne · oþer ai oþer sacrement · nis hit spece of prude{punctel} þat ich cleopede presumpciun · gif me wat hwat sunne hit is. Gif me hit nat naut{punctel} þenne is hit gemeles vnder accidie · þat ich slouþe cleopede. [ 10] þe þat ne warned oþer of his uuel · oþer of his bigete · nis hit slaþ [11. bigete] b corr. out of l.] gemeles oþer attri onde? To thehewen mis · et halden cwude · fundes oþer lane · nis þis giscunge{punctel} þeofþe. at halden oþeres hure ouer his richte terme · nis hit strong reflac. þat is under gissunge{punctel} gif me gemed wurse ai þing [p. 128] ilened · oþer bitahted te witene þen [ 15] he wene þat hit ah · nis oþer tricherie · oþer gemeles of slauþe. [16. tricherie] over c, contraction mark for er.] Alswa is dusi hest · oþer folliche iplicht trouþe Longe beon un bisch∣bed · falsliche gan to schrifte · oþer to longe abiden · Ne teachen god child pater noster · Ne Credo · þeos & alle þulliche · beod ilad to slauþe · þat is þe feorþe moder of þe seoue sunnen · þeo dronc druch [ 20] oþer ai þing dude hwer þurh na child ne shulde beon on hire istreoned · oþer þat istreonede shulde for wurþen{punctel} Nis þis strong monslaht of galnasse awakened{punctel} Alle sunnen sunderliche bi hare nomeliche nome ne mahte na mon rikenen. Ah iþeo þat ich habbe iseid{punctel} alle oþere beod bilokene. An nis ich wene namon þat ne mai [ 25] under stonden him of his sunnen nomeliche wnder summe of þe ilke þat imene{punctel} þe beod þer i writene.

[O]f þeos sewe beastes & of hare strenes iwildernesse of anlich lif is iseid hiderto [p. 129] þe alle þe forfarinde fondet te fordonne. þe Leon of prude slead alle þe prude. Alle þat beod [ 30]

hehe & for hehe iheorted. þe aetri neddre{punctel} þe ond fule. & þe luþere iþonked. wredfule þe unicorne. Al swa of þen oþer areawe. to god ha beod isleine · Ah ha libbed to þe feond & beod alle in is hird · & serued him in his curt · Euch of þe mester þet him to falleð.

[Þ]E prude beod his bemeres · Drahed wind inward · of worldlich [ 35] hereword · & eft wid idel ige'l'p puffed hit utward · as þe bemares dod. Makied noise & lud drem to shawen hare prude. Ah gif ha uel þothten · of godes bemeres of þe englene bemen · þat shulen afour half þe word · bi fore þe grurefule dom grisliche blawen · Arised deade arised · Cumed to drichtines domes for to beon idemed · þer na prud [ 40] bemere ne shal beon iboregen · Gif ha þohten wel þis · ha walden inoh raþe iþe deoueles seruise dimluker bemen. Of þeose bemeres sei'd' [p. 130] Jeremie · Onager solitarius in desiderio suo [43. seid] d above a blotted letter.] attraxit uentum amoris sui · Of þe wind drahinde in for luue of hereword{punctel} seid as ich seide. [ 45]

[S]umme iugelurs beod þe ne cunen seruin of nan oþer gleo buten maken cheres · wrenchen þe mud mis shuli wid þe ehnen. of þis mester seruid þe unseli eon'd'fule iþe deoueles curt · to bringen a lahtre hare on'd'fule leouerð. gef ei ded wel oþer seid wel{punctel} ne [48,49. eondfule, ondfule] d above in darker ink.] mahen ha nanes weis liki þiderwarð wid richt ehe of god heorte · Ah [ 50] winked o þet half & bi halded a luft gif þer is out to et wite oþer{punctel} [51. out] out MS.] ladliche þiderward shuled mid eiþer. hwen ha ihered þat god skletteð þe earen adun · Ah þe lust a gein þet uuel is ea wid opene. [53. eawid MS.] þenne wrenched þe mud mis{punctel} hwen he turned þet god to uuel · & gef hit is [p. 131] sumdel uuel{punctel} þurh more lastunge wrenched hit to [ 55] [55. On lower margin in a later hand: Prude and nid · and lecherie · Grede and idelhed · coueitise and glotunie beod seouen ded Sundes.] wurse. þeos beod for quiddares hare ahne prophetes. þeos bodied biuoren hu þe ateliche deouelen shulen get agastan ham wid hare grennunge · & hu ha shulen ham seolf grennen & niwelen · & makien sur semblant · for þe muchele angoise iþe pine of helle. Ah forþi ha beod þe lesse te meanen · þat ha bi foren hont leorned ha meoster te [ 60] makien grim chere.

[Þ]E wreadfule biuoren þe feond skirmed mid kniwes · is his knif warpare · & pleied mid sweordes · bered ham bi þe sharpe ord

open his tunge. swerd & knif eiþer beod sherpe & keorwinde: word þat he warped from him & skirmed toward oþere. And he boded hu [ 65] þe deouelen shulen pleien wid him · mid hare sharpe eawles · Skirmin wid him abuten · & dusten as a pilche [p. 132] clut · Euch toward [67. apilche MS.] oþere · & wid helle sweordes asnesen þurh ut þat beod kene & eateliche keorwinde pinen.

[Þ]E slauwe lid & sleped oþe deoules barm as his deore deorling · & [ 70] þe deouel leid his tutel dun to his earen · & tutelid him al þat he eawer uule. for swa hit is sikerliche to hwam se is idel of god · Meaþeled þe feond georne. & þe idele underweng luueliche his lare · Idel & gemeles is þes deoueles bernes slep · Ah he shal a domes dai grimliche abreiden · wid þe dredfule drem of þe englene bemen · & in [ 75] helle wondrede etheliche wakien · Surgite mortui qui jacetis in sepulcris · surgite & venite ad Judicium saluatoris.

[Þ]E gissere is his eskebah · fared abuten esken · & bisiliche stured him te rukelen te gederes · muchele & monie ruken · blawed þer [p. 133] in · & blend him seolf · paþered & maked þer in figures of [ 80] augrim · As þeos rich'k'eneres dod þat habbed muche te rikenen. þis [81. rich'k'eneneres MS.] is þes kanges blisse · & þe feond bi hald þis gomen · & lahed þat he bersteð. wel under stonde þis euch mon · þat gold ba & seoluer · & euch worldlich ahte · nis buten eorðe & esken þat ablent euchmon þat in ham blaweð · þat is þat þat bolehed ham þurh ham in heorte [ 85] prude. And al þat he rukeled & gedered to gedere · & ethalt of ani þing þat nis buten esken mare þen hit neodeð{punctel} shal in helle wurden him tadden & neddren · & ba as ysaie seið shulen beon of wurmes his cuuertur & his 'þ'witel þat neolden war wið neodfule feden & shruden. Subter te sternetur tinea & operimentum tụum [ 90] uermis.

[Þ]E giuere glutun is þes deoules manciple · Ah he stiked eauer iceler oþer icuche [p. 134] ne · his heorte is iþe dishes · his þoht al iþe nappes · his lif iþe tunne · his saule iþe crohhe · kimed bi woren his lauert bi smudded & bi smured · A dich in his an hond · A scale in [ 95] his oþer · Meadeled mis wordes wigeled as for drunken · mon þat haued mint to fallen · bi halt his greate wombe. & þe deouel lahheð. Þeos þreated þus god þurh ysaie · Serui mei commedent & uos esurietis

&c'. Mine men shulen eoten · & ow shal eawer hungren · & ge shulen beon feondes fode world buten ende. Quantum gl[ori]fi∣cauit [ 100] se & in deliciis fuit{punctel} tantum date illi tormentum & luctum · Apocalipsis · Contra unum quod miscuit date illi duo · gef þen kelche cuppe wallinde bras te drinken · geot in his wide þrote · þat he swelte in wið. agein gef him twa. þullich is godes dom agein giwere & druncwile iþe apocalipse. [ 105]

ANCREN RIWLE

(COTTON MS. NERO)

B. THE OUTER RULE

Ȝe mine leoue sustren *bute ȝef neod ow driue* ne [1. mine . . . sustren om.] schulen habben no best . bute kat one. ancre þet [2. schule ȝe C haue na nan C beast B cat ane B þe C] [f. 116 r] haueð eihte þuncheð bet husewif ase marthe was . þen ancre . ne none [3. haues ahte achte C semes betere B as B wes C þen ancre om. B nanes for 'lihtliche oðer' nanes C] weis ne mei heo beon marie . *marthe suster * mid griðfulnesse of [4. weies mai ho ha C beo wið B] heorte. Vor þeonne mot heo þenchen of þe kues foddre and of [ 5] [5. for þenne B ho ha C cuwes C and om. B] heordemonne huire . oluhnen þene heiward . warien hwon me punt [6. þe heordes hure C Olcne olchni C þe B haiward haiwart C hwen he B pundes] hire & ȝelden þauh ðe hermes. wat crist þis is lodlich þing . hwon [7. ȝelde B þah þach C harmes B ladli ladlich C þing is wat crist hwen B] me [f. 116 v] makeð mone in tune of ancre eihte. Þauh ȝif eni mot [8. me me MS.] [8. mon makes B in tune man itune man C ancres B ahte achte C Nu þenne latter deleted, þah in margin Nu þach C ȝef C ani B] nede habben ku: loke ðet heo none monne ne eilie: ne ne hermie. [9. nedinge nedunge C haue ku] hit B hit na mon B eile eili C harme harmi C] ne þet hire þouht ne beo nout þeron i uestned. ancre ne ouh nout [ 10] [10. ni þoht þocht C nawt nawicht C ter on þron C ifestnet Anker ah ach C nawt T om. C] to habben no þing þet drawe utward hire heorte. none cheffare ne [11. haue no þing om. T nan C utward drahe utwart draȝe C Na B chaffare cheffere C] driue ȝe. ancre þet is cheapild. * þe buð for te sullen efter biȝete * [12. ȝe over an erasure.] [12. Anker chapmon chepilt] heo cheapeð hire soule: þe chepmon of helle. * Þing þah {that} ha [13. ho ha C cheapes cheapeð C sawle saule to C chapmon chepmon C] wurcheð{punctel} ha mei wel þurh hire meistres read{punctel} for hire neode sullen . þah swa dernliche as ha mei for misliche monne wordes.* Ne wite ȝe [ 15] [15. Nawt ne Naut ne C ȝe om. C] nout in oure huse of oðer monnes þinges . ne eihte . ne cloðes . ne [16. owre ouwer C hus B of om. B monne C ahte achte C claðes ne nout . . . caliz om. C, then interlined bute neod . . . eie' ne . . . ȝe om.] nout ne vnderuo ȝe ðe chirche uestimenz ne þene caliz bute ȝif * neod [17. Nawt te churche uestemenz ne þe chaliz ȝif . . . oðer om.] oðer * strencðe hit makie: oðer muchel eie. vor of swuche witunge [18. strengðe make vor om. B swuch swich C lokinge witing C] is i kumen muchel 'vuel' oftesiðen. wiðinnen ower woanes: ne lete [19. vuel on margin.] [19. muchel bifallen muchel uuel ilumpen C vuel om. siðe Inwið B owre wahes wanes C lete ȝe bis] ȝe nenne mon slepen. ȝif muchel neode mid alle makeð breken [ 20] [20. na wepmon nan mon C ȝef C muche B ned neod C wið makes B to breke breoken C]

ower hus: þeo hwule ðet hit euer is i broken: loke þet ȝe habben þerinne [21. owre þe om. B hwil B ðet om. B eauer B loke þet ȝe om. B haues habbeð C ter inne þrinne C] mid ou one wummon of clene liue . deies & nihtes. [22. wið ow B a an C cleane lif B daies nichtes C]

Uor ði þet no mon ne i sihð ou . ne ȝe ne i seoð nenne mon: wel [23. For B na nan C seo sið C ow B ne iseoð om. B ham him C] mei don of ower cloðes . beon heo hwite: beon heo blake . bute [23, 24. welmeidon MS.] [24. duhen owre ouwer C clað B beo hit hwit beo hit blac bute hit beo B] þet heo beon unorne & warme & wel i wrouhte . uelles wel i tauwed . [ 25] [25. & om. B warm B iwraht iwracht C felles B iteawet itauwet C] & habbeð ase monie ase ou to neodeð . to bedde and eke to rugge. [26. habbes as ow B to nedes eke om. B]

Nexst fleshe ne schal non werien no linnene cloð bute ȝif hit beo [27. Nest flesch B nan B werie no om. nan C cloð om. B ȝif om. B] of herde and of greate heorden. stamin 'habbe' hwo se wule. [28. harde B heordes were C hwa B wile] and hwo se wule mei beon buten. ȝe schullen liggen in on heater [29. and om. hwa B nule {punctel} beo wið uten mei beon om. C schuln in schulen in C an B hatter hetter C] and i gurd. ne bere ȝe non iren . ne here . ne [f. 117 r] irspiles felles. [ 30] [30. gurd liggen igurd liggen C were nan irn beore nan iren C haire ylespiles B] ne ne beate'ou'þer mide. ne mid schurge i leðered: ne i leaded. ne mid [31. hire þerwið B wið B i leðered ne om. B ileadet B ne om. B] holie . ne mid breres . ne ne biblodge hire sulf: wið uten schriftes leaue . [32. wið holin wið holine C wið B ne blodeke ne bibloðgi C seluen seolf C ute C schirches] ne ne nime et enes to ueole disceplines. ower schon beon greate [33. nine for ne ne neome C ateanes ed eanes C feole B disciplines diciplines C owre scheon C] and warme. Ine sumer ȝe habbeð leaue uorto gon and sitten baruot. [34. I In C hauen barefot to Gan & sitten barfot gan & sitten C] and hosen wið uten uaumpez . and ligge ine ham: hwo so likeð. Sum [ 35] [35. and om. B Hose uampez uampeð C and om. B ham om. B hwa se like hwase wule C] wummon i nouh reaðe . wereð þe brech of heare fulwel i knotted . and [36. mon inohraðe inochraðe C weres te brec haire here C icnotten icnotted C and om. B] þe strapeles adun to hire uet. i laced ful ueste. ȝif ȝe muwen beon wim∣pel leas: [37. strapples dun to þe fet B faste For ȝif . . . bi, T has habbes ȝef ȝe mahen (over muchel del.) beo wimpelles C] *& ȝe wel wullen* beoð bi warme keppen . and þeruppon * oðer [38. cappes cappen C and . . . wimlunge in l. 52 om. þruppon C] hwite oðer* blake ueiles. *Ancren summe sungið in ha[re] wimlunge [39. ueilles C] na lesse þene lefd[i.] Sum seið {that} hit limped . to e[i] wummon cundeliche{punctel} [ 40] for te weri[en] wimpel. Nai . Wimpel ne hef[ed] nouðer ne nemneð hali writ{punctel} ah wriheles of heuet. Ad cor[inth.] Mulier uelet caput suum. Wummon seið þe apostel schal wrihen hi[re] heauet. wrihen he seið naut wimplin. wrihen ha schal hire scheome as sunfule eue dohte[r {punctel}] i mungunge of þe sunne {that} sch[en]de us erst alle & naut [ 45] drah[en] {that} wriheles te tiffung & te prud[e]. Eft wule seinte pauel {that}

wumm[on] wreo i chirche hire neb ȝette leste vuel þoht arise þurh hir[e] on sihðe & hoc est · propter ang[e]los. Hwi þenne þu chirche ancre al beo þu iwimplet{punctel} openest þah þi neb to weopmones ehe . Te ȝeines þe. þe isist men spekeð seinte pauel. Ah ȝef ei þing [ 50] wriheð{punctel} þi neb from monnes ehe{punctel} beo hit wah beo hit clað i þi parlures þurl{punctel} wel mei duhen ancre of oðer wimlunge.* Hwo se [52. wimlumpe MS.] [52. hwa B] wule beon i seien . þauh heo atiffe hire{punctel} nis nout muchel wunder. [53. wile isehen iseȝen C of alle þ hire cumen to add. þah þach C ho ha C atiffen atifi C ham na nan C muche B] auh to godes eien . heo is lufsumere þet is uor ðe luue of him{punctel} [54. Ah ach C ehne echnen C ho ha C lufsumer þe is C for B] untiffed wið uten. Ring . ne broche nabbe ȝe . ne gurdel i membred . [ 55] [55. i menbred MS.] [55. untiffet B ni ni i membret] ne glouen . ne no swuch þing þet ou . ne deih for to habben. [56. ni gloues na nan C swich C ow B deah i burð C for om. B] *vnderstondeð . {that} of alle þeose þinges nis nan hest ne forbot for alle ha beoð of þe vttere riwle {that} is lute strencðe of{punctel} for hwon {that} te inre beo wel iwist as ic seide i þe frumðe . ha mei beon ichanget [59. ha] & MS.] hwer se euer ei neod oder eni skile hit askeð . efter {that} ha mei ase [ 60] þuften . best seruin þe leafdi riwle.*

Euer me is leouere . so ȝe don gretture werkes. ne makie none [62. Eauer B leuere leoure C se B grattere grettere Ne . . . cloðes in l. 66 om. make ȝe C nane C] purses . uorte ureonden ou mide .* bute to þeo {that} ower meistre [63. forto freonden ow wið C] ȝeoueð ow his leaue* {punctel} ne blodbendes of seolke .* ne laz . bute leaue * {punctel} [64. blod binden of seolc C] auh schepieð and seouweð and amendeð chirche cloðes . and poure [ 65] [65. Ach schap'i'eð & seoweð & mendeð (e over ạ) C claðes C] monne cloðes. no þing ne schule ȝe ȝiuen: wið uten schriftes leaue. [66. menne hettren C Na nan 'swuc' C ȝeouen bute ȝe hauen chirches leaue ȝeuen C] helpeð mid ower owune swinke so uorð so ȝe muwen to schruden [67. Helpes wið B owre ahne achne C swinc swinch C se forð se B muhen muchȝen C] ou suluen and *feden ȝef neod is* þeo ðet ou serueð . ase seint [68. ow seluen ow seoluen C ta {that} ow seruen ow seruið C As B sein] ierome lereð: ne beo ȝe neuer idel . uor anonrihtes ðe ueond beot [69. leares leareð C neauer B 'allunge' idel '& se forð 'as ȝe mahen' C for B ananrihtes ananrichtes C te feond feont C bedes.] hire his werc: þet ine godes werke ne wurcheð . and he tuteleð anon∣rihtes [ 70] [70. þe C i in C werc B swinkes swinkeð C he om. B tuteles anan B] touward hire. uor þeo hwule [f. 117 v] þet he isihð hire bisi . [71. toward towart C for hwil he B seos sið C] 'he' þencheð þus . vor nout ich schulde nu kumen neih hire{punctel} ne mei [72. he þe swike þenches tus for B noht naut C ischulde nu cume to hire cumen nu nech hire C mai] heo nout i hwulen uorto her'c'nen mine lore. of idelnesse awakeneð [73. ho ha C nawt naut C ȝeme nu iȝemen C to B lustnen mi lustin min C lare B wakenen]

muchel flesshes fondunge . Iniquitas sodome . saturitas panis [74. muchele flesches B fondinges] & ocium . þet is . al sodomes cweadschipe kom of idelnesse: & of ful [ 75] [75. al om. B sodome cwedschipe C com B] wombe. Iren þet lið stille{punctel} gedereð sone rust . and water þet ne [76. wambe Irn {that} lis Gederes muche C and om. B] stureð nout readliche stinkeð. ancre ne schal nout forwurðen scol∣me'i'stre: [77. stures nawt naut C raðliche readiliche C stinkes ȝe ne schule sende lettres. Ne underfo lettres bute leaue C nawt naut C forwurðe. B scolemeister scol above erasure C] ne turnen hire ancre hus{punctel} to childrene scole. hire meiden [78. hire om. B ancres childre'ne' schole C Hire . . . leren in l. 81 om.] mei þauh techen sum lutel meiden. þet were dute of forto leornen [79. þauh om. C learen C lute C of{punctel} to C] among gromes . auh ancre ne ouh forto ȝemen bute god one. Þah [ 80] [80. bimong gremes C Ach C nach to ȝeme C ane C] bi hire meistres read{punctel} ha mei sum rihten & helpe to leren.*

Ȝe ne schulen senden lettres . ne underuon lettres . ne writen: buten [82. underfon bute] leaue. Ȝe schulen beon i dodded four siðen iðe ȝere: uorto lihten [83. schule C beo idoddet C iþe ȝer fiftene siðe ȝer C uorto . . . heauet in l. 85 om. to lichten ower heauet C] ower heaued. * oðer ȝef ȝe wulled ischauen. hwa se wule ieveset. ah ha mot te oftere weschen & kemben hire heauet* {punctel} and ase ofte ileten [ 85] [85. & fowr siðe ileten & as ofte ilete blod '& ȝef neod is oftere' C] blod . and oftere ȝif neod is . and hwo so mei beon þer wið uten{punctel} ich [86. oftre ned and . . . þolien om. C Hwa se mai wel beo wið uten: ich hit mai þolien] hit mei wel i þolien. hwon ȝe beoð i leten blod . ȝe ne schulen don [87. Hwon . . . blod om. C Hwen arn schule C do þreo daies na þing {that} ow greues don 'þeo' þreo daȝes nan þing {that} ow greueð C] no þing þeo þreo dawes{punctel} þet ou greue . auh talkeð mid ower meidenes. [88. Ah ach C talkes to B owre seruant ower meidnes C] and mid þeaufule talen: schurteð ou to gederes. ȝe muwen don so [89. wið B þeawfule þeufule C tales: schurtes ow schurtið C muhen muȝe C swa don ofte hwen ow B] ofte: hwon ou þuncheð heuie . oðer beoð uor sume worldliche þinge [ 90] [90. þunches heui C arn for sum B worldlich C þing B] sorie: oðer seke. So wisliche witeð ou in our blod letunge: and [91. sari B Swa B wislich C wites Of ower blodletunge in marg. C ow B owre ower C blodletinge] holdeð ou ine swuche reste . þet ȝe longe þer efter muwen ine godes [92. haldes haldeð C ow B iswuch in swich C rest þrafter þrefter C muhen muȝen C ine om. C i godes] seruise þe monluker swinken . and also hwon ȝe i ueleð eni secnesse . [93. þe om. C wurchen C alswa alse C hwen B felen feleð C ani B] vor muchel sotschipe hit is . uorto [f. 118 r] uorleosen uor one deie . [94. vor om. B muche B sotchipe C uorto om. C to lose leosen C for an B dai dei C] tene oðer tweolue. Wassheð ou hwar se ȝe habbeð neode: ase ofte [ 95] [95. twelue tweọlue C Vas del. wasches in marg. wescheð C ow B hwer B ned is neod is C as B] ase ȝe wulleð. [96. as B wiln wulh C Ouwer meidnes riwle in marg. C]

Ancre þet naueð nout neih honde hire uode: beoð bisie two [97. Anker þe C naues nawt naut C neh hond nech hont C fode B beos bisi twa wimmen B] wummen . on ðet bi leaue euer ethom . an oðer þet wende ut [98. an B þe C leaue eauer with erasure of two letters before eauer leaue C at hame ed hame C þe C] hwon hit is neod . and þeo beo ful unorne * oðer a lute þuhten* [99. hwen B ned driues neod driueð C tat]

oðer of feir elde and biðe weie ase heo geð · go singinde hire beoden. [ 100] [100. of om. feiȝer C ealde B and om. B wei as B ho Gas ha geað C Ga B seiende segginde C beodes] ne ne holde heo nout none tale mid mon ne mid wummon · ne ne [101. Ni ne halde B heo nout om. B na nan C wið B wið B ni sitte ne stonde Ne sitten ne stonden C] sitte ne ne stonde bute þet leste þet heo mei er þen heo kume hom. [102. After mei erasure of one letter.] [102. þe B leaste ho ha C ear B þenne C ho ha C ham cume B] nouhwuder elles ne go heo{punctel} bute þider ase me sent hire. wið ute [103. Nohwider Nochwder C ga B heo om. ha C as B mon sendes] leaue: ne ete heo ne ne drinke ute. þe oðer beo euer inne · ne wið ute [104. eote C ho ha C eauer B] þe ȝeate ne go heo nout wið ute leaue. boðe beon obedient to hore [ 105] [105. ȝate ȝete C ga B heo om. ha C nout om. B Baðe ba C hare C] dame in alle þinges{punctel} bute ine sūnne one. no þing nabben heo{punctel} þet [106. þing B in B ane B Na Nan C heo om.] hore dame hit nute . ne ne underuon no þing . ne ne ȝiuen wið uten [107. ho heo C for hore dame ni vnderfo Ne underuo C na nan C ȝiue ȝeouen C add nowðer nouðer C] hire leaue. Nenne mon ne leten heo in . ne ðe ȝungre ne speke mid [108. leue Na Nan C heo om. B ni ðe ȝungre om. C speoken C mid none monne om. C wið na wepmon] none monne: bute leaue . ne ne go nout ut of tune . wið uten siker [109. wið ute B leue Ne ga B noht naut C] uere . ne ne ligge ute. ȝif heo ne con o boke: sigge bi pater nostres [ 110] [110. fere B ȝef C ho ha C on C segge B] and bi auez hire vres . and wurche þet me hat hire wið uten gruc∣chunge. [111. auees C wurche & do hwat C mon bides wið ute grucchinge B] habbe euer hire earen opene touward hire dame. nouðer [112. eauer B eares toward towart C lafdi Nowðer] of ðe wummen ne beren urom hore dame . ne ne bringen to hire . none [113. of þe wummen om. C of þe familiers ne beo fram hire lafdi ni ni bringe nowðer ne beore ne ne bringe to heore dame C none om. B] idele talen: ne neowe tiþinges . ne bitweonen ham sulf ne singen . ne [114. tales newe tidinges C bitwenen B self seolf C ne nc singen C ni ne speken ne ne speoken ham seolf C] ne speken none worldliche spechen . ne lauhwen ne ne pleien so ðet [ 115] [115. none om. C nane speches lahhen swa ne pleien {that} lachȝen swa ne pleiȝen {that} C] ei mon þet hit iseie . muhte [f. 118 v] hit to v'u'el turnen. ouer alle [116. ani sehe sechȝe C mihte machte C hit om. C turnen hit] þing leasunge and luðere wordes . hatien. Hore her beo i koruen . [117. þinge leasinges leasing C uuele C hare C beon C icoruen B] hore heuedcloð sitte lowe. eiðer ligge one. Hore hesmel beo heie [118. hore . . . i hudeket om. hare C clað C lachȝe C ane C hare cop beo hechȝe isticched C] istihd{punctel} al wið ute broche. no mon ne i seo ham unweawed . ne open [119. al om. C na C seo C unlepped C] heaued. *Inwið þe wanes ha muhe werie scapeloris hwen mantel [ 120] ham heuegeð . ute{punctel} gan i mantlet þe heauet i hudeket.* louh lokunge [121. Lah lokinge Lach locunge C] habben. heo ne schulen cussen nenne mon .* ne cuð mon ne cunes [122. cuð corr. out of enð.] [122. Eiðer ligge ane add. ho ha C schulen om. C schule cusse B na nan C cunnes] mon . ne for nan cuððe cluppen* ne uor luue cluppen . ne kuð ne [123. ni na ne uor . . . unkuð om. B] unkuð . ne wasshen hore heaued . ne loken ueste o none monne . [124. ne . . . heaued om. nene weschen hare C Ni loke B faste o na on an C mon B] ne toggen mid him{punctel} ne pleien. hore weaden beon of swuche scheape [ 125] [125. toggle toggi C wið B him om. B pleiȝen C Hare B wede weden C beo swuch swich C schape B] & alle hore aturn swuch{punctel} þet hit beo eðcene hwarto heo beoð i turnde. [126. al & of swic aturn {that} 'hit' C eðscene edsene C hwerto B ho ha C beon B] hore lates loken warliche . þet non ne edwite ham ne ine huse ne ut [127. Hare B werliche C nan B etwite over wite del. C ne om. B in hus B] of huse. on alle wise uorberen to wreððen hore dame . and ase ofte [128. hus forbeoren B wradðen wraððen C hare C as B]

ase heo hit doð er heo drinken oðer eten . makien hore uenie akneon [129. as B ho ha C don ear ho ha C eoten C Maken C hire B o cneos acneon C] adun to þer eorðe biuoren hire: & sigge mea culpa . and underuon [ 130] [130. dun to þer eorðe om. B bifore biforen C seggen B vnder fo] ðe penitence: ðet heo leið upon hire lutende hire louwe. þe ancre [131. penitance C ho ha C leis ham B lutinde C lahe lachȝe C anker] neuer more þer efter þene ilke gult ne upb[r]eide hire: uor none [132. þilke gult neauer mare þr after þer efter neauer mare þilke gult C hire om. B for B na nan C] wreððe . bute ȝif heo eft sone ualle iðet ilke . auh do hit allunge ut of [133. wraððe B ȝef C ho ha C sones falle B i þat ilke i þilke C Ah Ach C] hire heorte. and ȝif eni strif ariseð bitweonen ðe wummen{punctel} ðe ancre [134. and om. B ȝef C ani B rises bitwenen ham utewið{punctel} bitwene þe wimmen C þe anker] makie eiðer of ham to makien oðer venie akneon to ðer eorðe . and [ 135] [135. make B of ham om. B make B þe oðer C o cneos o cneon C dun to þe to þe C] eiðer rihte up oðer: & kussen ham on ende . and þe ancre legge on [136. richte C cussen on B te anker leie] eiðer sum penitence. More upon þeo ilke: ðet gretluker haueð agult. [137. penitance C Mare B up o {that} ilke up on þilke C þe C greatluker gulte B] þis is o þing wute 'ȝe' [f. 119 r] wel to soðe ðet is gode leouest{punctel} [138. ȝe added in margin.] [138. is om. C a an C witen B ho ha C to soðe om. B godd god C leuest] seih[t]nesse & some. & þe ueonde loðest. and for þi he is euer umbe [139. sahtnesse sachtnesse C somentale te feond þe feont C laðest B and om. B eauer umben B] to arearen sume wreððe. nu isihð ðe deouel wel ðet hwon þet fur [ 140] [140. reare arere C sum laððe B seos sið C te swike þe sweoke C hwen fur B] is wel o brune . & me wule ðet hit go ut: me sundreð ðe brondes. [141. onbrune C mon wile Ga B mon sundres te brendes C] and he deð 'also' onond þet ilke. luue is ihesu cristes fur þet he wule [142. dos hond to {that} ilke deð {that} ilke C fuir wile] ðet blasie in vre heorte . and þe deouel bloweð forto puffen hit ut . [143. owre te blawes blaweð C] and hwon his blowinge ne geineð nout: þeonne bringeð he up sum [144. and om. B hwen B blast blawunge C Geines nawt naut C þeonne om. B he bringes he bringeð C] luðer word . oðer sum oþer nouhtunge: hwar þuruh heo to hurteð eiðer [ 145] [145. luðer om. hwat nochtunge C hwer B þurh þurch C ho ha C hurren B] urommard oðer{punctel} and þe holi gostes fur{punctel} acwencheð hwon ðe brondes [146. framward frommart C te hali gastes B cwenches cwencheð C hwen] þuruh wreððe{punctel} beoð i sundred. and for þi holden ham ine luue ueste [147. þurh þurch C wraððe B beon isundret and om. B halde halden C iluue inluue C faste feste C] to gederes . and ne beo ham nout of{punctel} hwon ðe ueond blowe . and [148. nawt naut C hwen B feond feont C blawe B and om. B] nomeliche ȝif monie beoð i ueied somed{punctel} and wel mid luue ontende. [149. nomeli ȝef C beon B ifest to Gedere iueiȝet somet C wel om. wið B ontendet] Þauh ðe ancre on hire meidenes uor openliche gultes . legge penitence [ 150] [150. Þah þach C þe om. anker seruanz for B Giltes leie penitance C] neuer ðe later to ðe preoste schriuen ham ofte . auh euer þauh mid [151. to preost no ðe latere to þe preost no ðe latere C Ah Ach C eauer B þah þach C wið B] leaue. and ȝif heo ne kunnen nout ðe mete graces: siggen in hore [152. and om. B ȝef C ho ha C cunen noht cunne naut C te seggen B hare C] stude{punctel} pater . noster . & aue maria biuoren mete . and efter mete also . [153. studen C Pater noster biforen pater noster biuoren C maria. After mete alswa marie. efter mete alse C] & credo moare . and siggen þus on ende . veder & sune & holi gost. [154. a crede C mare B seggen segge C fader sune B & om. hali gast B] & on almihti god{punctel} he ȝiue ure dame his grace{punctel} so lengre so more . [ 155] [155. & om. B an B almichtin C godd he om. B ȝeoue C lauedi se B se mare B] & leue hire & us boðe nimen god endinge . & forȝelde alle ðet us [156. baðe ba C nime neome C ende B & om. B þe C] god doð . & milce hore soulen: þet us god i don habbeð . hore soulen [157. don heore C sawle saule C & {that} us þe us C hauen hore soulen om. C sawle]

& alle cristene soulen. amen. Bitweonen mele ne gruselie ȝe nout. [158. sawle saule C amen om. B Bitwene B meal mel C gruse gruuesi C ȝe om. C nawt naut C] nouðer frut{punctel} 'ne' oðerhwat . ne 'ne' drinken wið uten leaue. [f. 119 v] [159. nowðer nouðer C fruit oðer hwet C ni ne C drinke bute B] auh þe leaue beo liht in alle þeo þinges{punctel} þer nis sunne. Ette mete [ 160] [160. & te & þe C licht C al {that} nis B At te ed þe C na nan C] no word . oðer lut . & þeo beon stille. also efter ðe ancre cumplie [161. & ta stille & þeo stille C Alswa B after ancres B aðet prime oðet prime C] uort midmorwen . ne don no þing . ne ne siggen . hwar þuruh [162. ni do þing ne segge ne don nan þing ne seggen C hwer þurh hwar þurch C] hire silence muwe beon i sturbed. non ancre seruant ne ouhte mid [163. muhe muȝe C beo desturbet beon to sturbed C Nan B ancres seruante ah achte C bi B] rihte uorto asken i sette huire{punctel} bute mete & cloð: þet heo mei vlutten [164. richte C to B iset hure B ant C clað B ho ha C mai flutte B] bi . & godes milce. ne mis leue non god{punctel} hwat so bitide of ðe ancre: [ 165] [165. nan B godd hwet C se tide B anker] þet he hire trukie. Þe meidenes wið uten ȝif heo serueð ðe ancre [166. over trukie faile C þeo {that} arn wið uten meidnes C ȝef C ho ha C seruen seruið C anker] also ase heo owen{punctel} hore hure schal beon ðe eche blisse of heouene. [167. alswa as B hom ahen ha achȝen C hare C beo] hwo so haueð eie hope touward so heie hure: gledliche wule heo seruen [168. Hwa se B haues ehe of eȝe of C toward towart C se B heh hech C gladli wile ho ha C seruin C] & lihtliche alle wo and alle teone þolien. Mid eise ne mid este{punctel} ne [169. lichtliche C wa B tene wið B este ne C wið B eise C] kumeð me nout toþer heouene. [ 170] [170. bueð mon nawt blisse buð me naut blisse C]

Ȝe ancren owen þis lutle laste stucchen reden to our wummen [171. ancres B ahen achȝe C laste lutle B stucche stuche C rede owre ower C seruanz] eueriche wike enes uort ðet heo hit kunnen. and muche neod is [172. euche uche C eanes B til {that} ho oðet 'til' ha C cunnen B ned is {that} ȝe B] ou beoðe: ðet ȝe nimen to ham gode ȝeme . vor ȝe muwen muchel þuruh [173. After gode ḍẹ MS.] [173. neomen C to ham nimen god muche C for B muhen muȝe C muchel om. C muche þurh B] ham beon i goded. and i wursed on oðer halue. ȝif heo sunegeð [174. hom beo igodet B wursnet. iwurset. C On B half B ȝef C ho ha C suneheþ sungeð C] þuruh ower ȝemeleaste{punctel} ȝe schulen beon bicleoped þer of biuoren þe [ 175] [175. þurh þurch C owre ȝemeles ȝemeles'chipe' C schule beo bicleopet þrof þref C bifore biforen C] heie demare . and for þi ase ou is muche neod . & ham is ȝete more{punctel} [176. hehe hechȝe C deme dom C and om. B as B ow B ned hom heom C is om. B ȝette ȝet C mare B] ȝeorneliche techeð ham to holden hore riulen . boðe uor ou: & for ham [177. ȝeornliche leares leareð C halden hare B riwle riuwlen C baðe ba'þe' C for ow B] suluen . liðeliche þauh & luueliche{punctel} uor swuch ouh wummone lore [178. seolf B þauh om. B luuelice C for B swich C ah ach C wummones lare B of religiun add.] to beon . luuelich and liðe and seldwhonne sturne. Boðe hit is riht [179. second and om. C seldscene selthwenne C Baðe ba'þe' C hit om. B richt C] þet heo ou [f. 120 r] dreden & luuien . auh þet ðer beo . more euer [ 180] [180. ho he corr. out of ha C ow B ah ach C ter eauer mare mare eauer C] of luue: þen of drede. þeonne schal hit wel uaren. Me schal helden [181. of þe þenne B faren B Mon heolde] eoli and win beoðe i ne wunden, efter godere lore . auh more of þe [182. baðe ba C in B wundes wundesi erasure of two letters C after godes lare B Ah Ach C mare B þe om. B] softe eolie{punctel} þen of þe bitinde wine . þet is . more of liðe wordes: þen [183. eoli B þenne C þe om. B bitende win B ma ma're' C þenne C] of suwinde . vor þerof kumeð þinge best{punctel} þet is luue eie. lihtliche & [184. suhiende sturne C for B cumes kimeð C Lichtliche C] sweteliche uorȝiueð ham hore gultes: hwon heo ham iknoweð and [ 185] [185. swetelich for ȝiues forȝeoueð C hare C hwen B ho ha C arn cnawe icnaweð C] bihoteð bote. [186. bihaten bihateð]

Se uorð ase ȝe muwen of drunch and of mete and of cloð and [187. Ase Alse C forð as B muhen muȝen C baðe add. drinch of drunch and om. C and after mete om. claðes B] of oðer þinges þet neode of fleshe askeð: beoð large touward ham: [188. oðre C þing ned flesch fles C askes beos toward B] þauh ȝe ðe neruwure beon and te herdure to ou suluen . vor so deð [189. þah þach C ðe om. B narewe beon & harde to ow seoluen B vor om. 'for' C Swa swa C dos] þe wel bloweð . went þene neruwure ende of þe horne to his owune [ 190] [190. {that} blawes blaweð C wendes te þe C narewe ende om. 'ende' C horn B toward ahne achne C] muðe . & utward þene wide. and ȝe don also . ase ȝe wulleð þet ower [191. muð B te þe C do alswa as B wiln wull C owre beodes] beoden bemen & dreamen wel: ine drihtenes earen . and nout one to [192. bemen wel & B i drihtines in drichtines C eare and om. B Nawt naut C ane B] ower ones{punctel} auh to alle uolkes heale . ase ure louerd leue þuruh ðe [193. owre anres a'u'nes C Ah ach C folkes B as B lauerd B þurh þurch C] grace of himsulf . þet hit so mote beon. amen. [194. himself him seolf C swa mote B beon. amen om. B]

Oþisse boc redeð eueriche deie: hwon ȝe beoð eise . eueriche deie [ 195] [195. Of C þis B redes eueriche deie om. B hwen B arn aise C euche dai uchedei C] lesse oðer more. uor ich hopie þet hit schal beon ou ȝif ȝe [196. mare B uor om. B þet om. ow B ȝef C] hit redeð ofte: swuðe biheue þuruh godes grace . and elles ich heuede [197. hit add. B reden swiðe B biheoue þurli B 'godes' C and om. B hafde hefde C] vuele bitowen muchel of mine hwule. God hit wot me were leouere [198. bitohen bitochȝen uuele C muche hwile B God . . . wot om. B leuere leoure C deu le set add. B] uorto don me touward rome{punctel} þen uorto biginnen hit eft forto donne. [199. to do B toward towart C for to for te C] and ȝif ȝe iuindeð þet ȝe doð also ase ȝe redeð{punctel} þonkeð god ȝeorne . [ 200] [200. and om. B ȝef C finden findeð C don alswa as B reden. þonkes godd] and ȝif ȝe ne doð nout{punctel} biddeð godes ore . [f. 120 v] and beoð umbe [201. and om. B ȝef C don nawt naut C biddes godd are B beos umben B] þer abuten: þet ȝe hit bet hol holden: efter ower mihte. Veder and [202. þer onuuen þer an ouen C hit bettere halden hit halden C after owre mihte efter ower michte C Fader sune. haligast an B] sune and holi gost . and on almihti god: he wite ou in his warde. [203. almichti C godd he om. B ow B] he gledie ou and froure ou{punctel} mine leoue sustren. and for al þet ȝe [204. gladie ow B frouri C ow B leue sustre] uor him drieð and suffreð . he ne ȝiue ou neuer lesse huire þen [ 205] [205. for B drehen oðer drehden dreȝed & dreiȝeð C he om. B ni ȝiue Ne ȝeoue C ow B neauer B lasse hure C] alto gedere him suluen. he beo euer i heid from worlde to worlde. [206. seluen seoluen C Beo he B ai ihehet eauer ihechȝet C fram into B] euer on ecchenesse. amen. [207. a on ecnesse 'a on echnesse' C]

ase ofte ase ȝe readeð out o þisse boc{punctel} greteð þe lefdi mid one aue [208. As C as B hauen red habbeð ired C oht o þis boc eawet þron C Gretes ure lauedi lafdi C wið an B] marie uor him ðet makede þeos riwle . and for him þet hire wrot and [209. marie om. B for B {that} swanc her abuten. þe swong her abuten. C] swonc her abuten. Inouh meðful ich am{punctel} þet bidde so lutel. [ 210] [210. Inouh . . . lutel om. 'Jnoh meðful ic am þe bidde se lutel' C]