Eine nordenglische Cato-version / [ed. Max Förster].

EINE NORDENGLISCHE CATO-VERSION.

Die vorliegende mittelenglische versbearbeitung der Disticha Catonis ist uns bisher nur aus einer knappen notiz im Archiv für das studium der neueren sprachen bd. XCV, s. 11 f. be∣kannt, woselbst Napier auf eine unbeachtete Cato-version im MS. Rawlinson G. 59 [Die handschrift stammt aus dem 3. viertel des 15. jahrhunderts. Vgl. Madan, A Summary Catalogue. Vol. I (Oxford 1895), No. 14790.] kurz aufmerksam machte. Sie findet sich dort auf fol. 1^a-11^b. Fast gleichzeitig fand ich dieselbe version auch in dem MS. Δ. IV 1 des Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge [Auch diese handschrift gehört in die mitte des 15. jahrhunderts. Vgl. M. Rh. James, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Library of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (Cambridge 1895), No. 65.] , woselbst unser text auf fol. 202^b-208^a hinter Gowers Confessio Amantis steht.

Über das verhältnis der beiden handschriften sei hier [Der vorliegende Cato-text wird ausführlich besprochen werden in meiner gesamtausgabe aller mittelenglischen Cato-versionen, deren veröffent∣lichung ich leider infolge anderer arbeiten noch hinausschieben muss.] nur bemerkt, dass S und R so stark voneinander abweichen, dass eine von beiden eine bearbeitung des ursprünglichen textes darstellen muss. Ein auch nur oberflächliches studium der ab∣weichungen lehrt, dass offenbar S den ursprünglicheren wort∣laut enthält, obwohl R einzelne verse und ganze strophen (zb. v. 336-343 und 348-351) bewahrt hat, die S fehlen. R bietet demgegenüber eine stark überarbeitete version des originaltextes, in welcher einzelne strophen geradezu neu∣übersetzungen aus dem lateinischen sind, so die strophen 22, 24, 27, 30, 39, 40, 45, 50, 112, 54, 59, 67, 71, 73, 75, 77, 80,

87, 90, 113, 115, 123, 126, 134, 129, 130, 136, 137, 138, 141, 143. Andere strophen in R weisen einen (zb. v. 116) oder zwei (zb. str. 28, 41, 42, 43, 44, 53, 57, 60, 62, 80, 83, 96, 100, 101, 103, 106, 109, 111, 116, 121, 122, 124, 127, 128, 132, 133, 135, 139, 140, 142) oder drei (zb. st. 131) oder vier (str. 49) neue verse auf. In wiederum anderen strophen sind die reimwörter geändert, so zb. in str. 46, 52, 60, 63, 64, 79, 82, 93, 94, 99. Auch fehlen in R manche strophen gänzlich, namentlich gegen ende hin, so zb. die übersetzungen der lateinischen distichen IV 5-7, 11, 26, 32, 33, 36, 46-48.

Die sprache, so wie sie uns in den beiden handschriften entgegentritt, trägt keinen einheitlichen charakter: mittel∣ländische und nördliche formen stehen dicht nebeneinander, namentlich im Sidney-MS., während die Oxforder handschrift das mittelländische gepräge konsequenter durchgeführt hat. Die reime weisen aber auf den norden hin, so zb. fare 'fahren': mare 'mehr' 322; lare 'lehre': it ware 'es wäre' 350; debate: wate 'ich weiss' 198; sare 'schmerz': are 'sie sind' 510, 616; lore: whore 'wo' (also lare: whare einzusetzen) 546; here 'hören': sere 'verschieden' (= an. sér) 186; brennand (ptz.): seruand 'diener' (sb.) 202; vnderstand (imp.): redand (ptz.) 348; stande (sb.): seilande (ptz.) 588; couenaund: farand (ptz.) 22; be (inf.): honeste 8; vndo (inf.): þerto 370; fei 'glaube' (afrz. fei): sei 'sagen' (inf.) 104; lere 'lernen': ere 'sie sind' (an. eru und ae. [angl.] earon) 346; ere 'sind': dere 'teuer' 196; were 'schlimmer' (= an. verri): bere 'tragen' 282; ai 'immer' (= an. ei): mai 'may' 134, 484; ai: nai 604; ai: way 216, 296; wil: þere-til 300, 488, 498; fei 'glaube': þai (= ae. þeir) 326; þai: alway 640; sle 'schlau' (= an. slœ́gr): fle 'fliehen' 364 (trotz Luick, Untersuchungen § 163, doch wohl = ae. flēon); ille 'krank' (= an. illr): stille 100; wille: ille 358; is: wikkednes (also wohl es einzusetzen) 122. Also: ā für ae. ā, ẹ̄ für me. ẹ̄ȝ, das Partizipium Präsentis auf -and, gänzlicher abfall des infinitiv-n, das stummsein des end-e, der plural ere 'sind' (neben are), die häufigen skandinavischen lehnwörter,—alles spricht für den norden Englands als ent∣stehungsort dieser Cato-version.

Es ist schwer für die datierung des textes anhaltspunkte zu gewinnen. Da das original nach ausweis der reime noch keinerlei einfluss der Londoner schriftsprache erkennen liess,

dürfen wir die entstehung desselben wohl noch in das 14. jahr∣hundert zurückverlegen.

Auch der wortschatz scheint auf den norden und das 14. jahrhundert zu verweisen.

Der unbekannte verfasser dieser Cato-übertragung hat als versmass den paarweis gereimten viertakter gewählt, welcher allerdings in der handschrift R häufig zu fünftaktern verbreitert worden ist. Meist 2, seltener 4 oder gar 5 kurze reimpaare geben, zu einer strophe zusammengefasst, je ein lateinisches distichon wieder. In sechs fällen (str. 24, 31, 87, 90, 130, 151) haben wir in S schweifreimstrophen, bestehend aus sechs dreitaktern. Ob diese der originalversion angehören, ist zweifel∣haft, da R jedesmal statt dessen zwei viertaktige reimpaare aufweist. Ebenso muss unentschieden bleiben, ob sie etwa beziehungen zu dem im gleichen versmass abgefassten Fairfax-Cato (ed. Brock EETS. 68, p. 1669-1674) haben, da letzterer uns nur fragmentarisch überliefert ist.

Besonders beachtenswert ist diese nordenglische Cato∣bearbeitung auch deshalb, weil sie die älteste unter den mittel∣englischen ist, die nicht auf eine französische mittelstufe [Sowohl der mittelenglische Vernon-Cato wie der Fairfax-Cato (nur fragment) sind aus dem Französischen übersetzt. Dagegen stammt auch die Burgh'sche version direkt aus dem Lateinischen.] , sondern direkt auf das lateinische zurückgeht.

Die verweise auf das lateinische original sind in dem unten folgenden abdruck der englischen version nach der zählung von Baehrens (in Poetae latini minores, vol. III, p. 214 ff.) gegeben.

Sidney MS.

I. [Br. Sent. Praef. 1-4.]

Whan I bethenke me hertli, [f. 202v] [col. 2] How fele men erren greuousli [ 2] And gon fro wei of vertewous wille, Me þenketh spedeful, and I wille [ 4] Sei sum þing, þat schold with resoun Ben socour to here opinion, [ 6] Where-þorw þat þei miht þrusti [Gemeint ist wohl trusti.] be And lede here life in honeste. [ 8]

II. [Br. S. Pr. 4-7.]

Now to þe, mi swete sone dere, I schal þe schew, in what manere [ 10] Þe þewis of þi þowt þou mai Conforme wel to vertew verrai; [ 12] Take þou mi biddeng so on hande, Þat þou rede hem and vnderstande; [ 14] For it is wel nere worth no þing To rede withoute vnderstondeng. [ 16]

III. [Br. S. 1-9.]

Ofte meke praieris to God þou make. Fader and moder þou nout forsake. [ 18] Loke to þi frendis dere þou be, And to þe market þou puruei þe. [ 20] With gode men [Ergänze go = lat. Cum bonis ambula.] . And hold couenaund. Haile bletheli. Be clene farand. [ 22] Quite, þat þou howis [Lies owis.] . And pres nout þe To counsel, til þou cleped be. [ 24]

IV. [Br. S. 11. 13. 14. 17. 19. 21-25. 36. 37. 47.]

Slepe with mesure. And [Zu streichen.] kepe þi lelte. To þe wine þou tempre þe. [ 26] Plei with þe top; and leue þe dise. Lesse þan þiself þou skorne no wise. [ 28] Fihte for þi cuntre stalworthli. [f. 203r] [col. 1] To hom þou ȝeuest, se riht gratheli. [ 30]

Drede þi maister. And kepe þi þing. Trow no foli ne flatereng. [ 32] With diligence do al þi dede. But lihte wimmen I þe forbede. [ 34]

V. [Br. S. 26-29. 31. 35. 38-43. 49. 51.]

Rede bokis ofte; and letterure lere. Holde, þat þou leris. Þi meine [Hs. davor durchstrichenes meire.] stere. [ 36] Be gode to gode. And speke mekeli. And counsel alwei sikerli. [ 38] Gode estimacion alwei holde. Scorne þou neiþer ȝunge ne olde. [ 40] Vse vertewis and do but riht. Wirche be law and nout be miht. [ 42] Suffre þe law, þat þou wil in bring. At festis be but litel [Wohl in einsilbiges lite zu ändern.] spekeng. [ 44]

VI. [Br. S. 41. 44. 48. 50. 53. 55. 56.]

Do ai þing, þat rihtwise be [Hs. davor durchstrichenes is.] . Be iustful iuge. And alwei fle [ 46] Þe malediccion of God and man. Lie nout as ferforth as þou kan. [ 48] Al gode dede þou haue in þout. Withoute cause engreue þe nout. [ 50] I wil eke þat þou loveng be To hem þou wot louen þe. [ 52]

VII. [I 1.]

Mi suete sone, at þe beginneng, Sethe God is maker of al þing, [ 54] Honoure him and serue at prise With stedefast herte, withoute feintise. [ 56]

VIII. [I 2.]

Wake wel [Wohl zu streichen.] þe more, þat þou ne be To slepe ful subiect; for we se, [ 58] Þat meche slepe and long resteng Maketh to vicis more norscheng. [ 60]

IX. [f. 203r] [col. 2] [I 3.]

Þe first vertew, mi suete sone dere, Is to daunte þi tunge and stere; [ 62] For alwei next to God is he, Þat wel with resoun stille kan be. [ 64]

X. [I 4.]

Loke þou contrarious be in [Wohl zu streichen.] no wise With þi selfen [Lies self?] ; for he, þat ise [ 66] Acustomed with himself to striue, Schal with non oþer acorde on liue. [ 68]

XI. [I 5.]

If þou beholdis menis maneris, Here life and alle here feris, [ 70] Whan þou blamis oþer, þou mai se, Þat none withoute lak mai [Besser zu streichen.] liueng be. [ 72]

XII. [I 6.]

It, þat þou wot, þat noieth þe, Al-þow riht dere þing þat it be, [ 74] Departe it fro þe; for gladnesse Schold whilom be set before richesse. [ 76]

XIII. [I 7.]

Be þou meke, dere sone, and softe, As time desireth it ful ofte. [ 78] Wise men of maneris make changeng, As time asketh and þe þing. [ 80]

XIV. [I 8.]

Beleue nout þi wife vp þi seruaunt, Whan sche as wantoun is compleinaunt; [ 82] For þe wife hateth on grete manere Him, þat þe husbonde holdeth dere. [ 84]

XV. [I 9.]

If þou chastise oni, and he Wil nout gladli chastised be, [ 86] If he be dere to þe, I hete þan Þou schal nout leue, þat þou began. [ 88]

XVI. [f. 203v] [col. 1] [I 10.]

Mi leue [Entweder leue oder das folgende þou ist zu streichen, ausserdem in.] sone, þou striue with worde in no wise With him, þat ful of wordis ise; [ 90] For al hath worde, nei nere [Streiche nere oder nei.] þat is wrout, But to few ȝeuen is [Lies mit R is ȝeuen.] witte of þout. [ 92]

XVII. [I 11.]

Loue oþer men in suiche manere, Þat þou be to þiself dere; [ 94] And so to gode men gode þou be, Þat wikked damagis ne grow to þe. [ 96]

XVIII. [I 12.]

Mi dere sone [Streiche Mi dere sone.] , pres þou nout tiþengis to bere For doute men clepe þe here makere; [ 98] It noieth to few men to ben stille, But meche speche doth ofte-siþis ille. [ 100]

XIX. [I 13.]

Behote þou no certein þing, Þat þe is behote; for in suiche þing [ 102] Is seldom founde certein fei; For fele men fele þingis wil sei. [ 104]

XX. [I 14.]

If men wil preiseng of þe mo, Be iuge and deme, if it be so; [ 106] For to trow oþer of þe More þan þiself is grete nicite. [ 108]

XXI. [I 15.]

If oni man doth þe benefice, Loke þou recorde it fele siþe [Hs. sice.] [ 110] And is þou doest oni bounte To oni man, holde þou [Zu streichen mit R.] it secre. [ 112]

XXII. [I 16.]

Whan þou art old and ofte wil mene Of diuers þingis, þat þou has sene, [ 114] Make, þat þou leris in ȝungehede, Helpe þe in age, whan þou has nede. [ 116]

XXIII. [I 17.]

Sone, rekke nout, ho speke priuili; For alwei he, þat is gilti, [ 118] Leueth alle men speke of him, whan [Hs. wan.] he Seth hem speke in priuite. [f. 203v] [col. 2] [ 120]

XXIV. [I 18.]

Sone [Könnte gestrichen werden.] , oni, þat seli is, Ageinis [Lies Ageine.] al wikkednes [ 122] Puruei him riht wel; For surefaite at þe last [Streiche last.] endeng [ 124] Nout in al þing Acordis ilke a del. [ 126]

XXV. [I 19.]

Seþe bretle and vncertain life Is ȝouen bothe to man and wife, [ 128] Sette nout, if þou wil [Davor unter∣punktiertes do in der hs.] do þi mede, þine hope in oþer menis dede. [ 130]

XXVI. [I 20.]

If þat þi frende, þat pore be, A smal gifte ȝeueth freliche þe, [ 132] Loke þat þou take it þankefulli And preise it eke al fulli. [ 134]

XXVII. [I 21.]

Sethe kinde al naked childe þe wrout And bare-bouke [Zu bouk 'körper', vgl. bare-back; hs. boute.] Gode [Streiche Gode.] to þe erþe þe brout, [ 136] With pacience vmbethenke þe To bere þe charge of pouerte. [ 138]

XXVIII. [I 22.]

Mi dere sone, ne drede þe nout Þe last ende of þi life in þout; [ 140] For while þou to þat drede þe ȝeuis, Þi life þou lesis, þiself þat liuis. [ 142]

XXIX. [I 23.]

Þow þat þi frende for þi gode dede þe pai nout trewliche þi mede, [ 144] Blame þou nout God, but þe constreine And worschep him with al þi peine. [ 146]

XXX. [I 24.]

Vse with mesure þi wonne þing, So þat þere falle þe no faileng; [ 148] Kepe, þat þou has, and leue alwei, þat it mai faile and falle alwei [Lies awei, wie R.] [f. 204r] [col. 1] [ 150]

XXXI. [I 25.]

Neuer twies ne [Streiche ne oder lies Ne twies.] hote þou nout; Ȝeue, sone [Wohl besser zu streichen.] , þere þou has þowt [ 152] Þine honour for to saue. Auaunte þe no-þing sethen [ 154] For gifte, þat þou has ȝeuen, If þou wilt manhed haue. [ 156]

XXXII. [I 26.]

If men þe speke faire speche softeli And are nout þi frende al hertli, [ 158] Do þou riht so, I counsel þe; So gile with gile schal giled be. [ 160]

XXXIII. [I 27.]

Pres [Dahinter ist þe (so R) oder þou zu ergänzen.] nout to speke gretli To him, þat flatereth slili; [ 162] For þe pipe chaunteth merili, þe while Þe fouler þe briddis wil begile. [ 164]

XXXIV. [I 28.]

If þou haue children and no richesse, To sle of pouerte þe distresse, [ 166] Teche hem sum crafte, where-with þat þai Fro pouerte defende hem mai. [ 168]

XXXV. [I 29.]

It, þat is dere, þou þenke it vile And þing vile þink [Hs. þing.] dere sum while, [ 170] So þat þou ne holden be Gredi, skant, ne ȝit to fre. [ 172]

XXXVI. [I 30.]

It, þat þou wot was to reproue, Sodenli þou schold nout efte it loue; [ 174] For it is to þe techer schame, Whan þat his dede bereth him blame. [ 176]

XXXVII. [I 31.]

Dere sone, aske no þing to þe, But þat riht wil and honeste; [ 178] For it to aske it is foli, þat mai ben warned skilfulli. [ 180]

XXXVIII. [f. 204r] [col. 2] [I 32.]

Vnknow þing schold nout with þe Þan knowen stonde in more dignite [Lies deinte wie in R.] ; [ 182] Vp knowen [Hs. know.] þing men iuge mai, Vnknow þing in doute is ai. [ 184]

XXXIX. [I 33.]

Sethe þat hour [Lies our.] life is stered here In wandreng and in perelis sere, [ 186] Eueriche a dai sette þine entent To winne gode to þi gouernement. [ 188]

XL. [I 34.]

Þow þat þou mai sum time supprese Þi frende, haue rewthe be oni wise; [ 190] For þorw swete dedis ofte we se, Þat frendis ben knet in specialte. [ 192]

XLI. [I 35.]

Haue þou no drede to ȝeue but lete, Litli [D. i. lihtli, vgl. vv. 328 u. 373 liteli.] where þou wil mekel gete; [ 194] For ofte [Hs. davor durchgestrichenes þ.] þorw giftis ioined ere With grace of frendschepe frendis dere. [ 196]

XLII. [I 36.]

Strife nout, dere sone, ne make debate With þi gode frende; for wel I wate, [ 198] þat ire engendreth ai hateng And concord nurscheth gode loueng. [ 200]

XLIII. [I 37.]

Þow þou be in ire brennand For þe trespas of þi seruand, [ 202] Mesure þe so in þat hote fare, Þat in þine ire þou mai him spare. [ 204]

XLIV. [I 38.]

Put no man to grete dishese, Þow þat þou mai, but raþer plese; [In der hs. folgen auf v. 206 die zu str. LIX ge∣hörigen verse.] [ 206] Pacience gretumli vertew is [f. 204v] [col. 1] Among alle þewis, þat ben of pris. [ 208]

XLV [Str. XLV steht in der hs. hinter str. XLVI.] . [I 39.]

Mi dere sone, take hede to þi gode, Þat þou has purchaced with maine and mode; [ 210] For if þi trauaile in [Wohl besser zu streichen.] idel be, Þan groweth distresse and pouerte. [ 212]

XLVI. [I 40.]

Mi dere sone, loke þou large be [In der hs. steht vor loke durchgestrichenes I und vor large durchgestrichenes be. Der vers würde glätter durch ein hinter loke einzufügen∣des þat.] And sum time to þi frendis fre; [ 214] But whan þou is happi, be [Lies be þou.] ai Next þiself be oni wai. [ 216]

XLVII. [II. Praef. 1-3.]

If þou wise wil be of tilieng, Red Virgile and se his techeng. [ 218] Or if of herbis þou wil knaw Þe strengþe [Lies strengþes mit R = lat. vires.] , Macer wil þe schaw. [ 220]

XLVIII. [II. Praef. 4-5.]

Ȝit so mai falle, it wil þe like To rede of Rome and of Aufrike, [ 222] Þe grete batailis þou mai rede, Lucan kan wel þan telle here dede. [Die lesart von R scheint mir vorzuziehen.] [ 224]

XLIX. [II. Praef. 6-7.]

And if with amouris þou wil assai To ben aqueint, I þe þan prai, [ 226] þou after þe boke of Ouide spere, And þere of amouris þou mai lere. [ 228]

L. [II. Praef. 10 + II 1.]

Þere-for to [Streiche to.] come and wisdom lere, Wherewith þou mai þe gouerne and stere. [ 230] Teche eke men, þat straungeris be, Vertewis, ȝeue it it disheseth [Lies ȝef it disese nout þe = lat. si potes.] nout þe. [f. 204v] [col. 2] [ 232] It is more riche þan be a king, To conquere frendis þorw þi [Streiche þi.] gode doeng. [ 234]

LI. [II 2.]

Spere nout of Goddis priuite Ne what þing þat heuen mai be; [ 236] Sethe þou art a dedli creature, Of dedli þingis be al [Streiche al.] þi cure. [ 238]

LII. [II 3.]

Leue drede of deth; it is foli To þinke on it; lo, reson whi. [ 240] For whan þou dredis it in þi þout, Þis werldis ioi auaileth it [Statt it ist wohl besser mit R þe zu lesen.] nout. [ 242]

LIII. [II 4.]

Whan þou art wroth with old or ȝing, Striue nout for vncertaine þing; [ 244] For ire disturbleth so þi þout, Þat sein þe sothe wel mai it nout. [ 246]

LIV. [II 5.]

Make þi dispence redi with hert glade [Lies redi and glade?] , As þe þing wold, þat it were made; [ 248] For to ȝeue sum time is witt, As þing and time desireth itt. [ 250]

LV. [II 6.]

Þat is to meche, I prei þe fle; Of Goddis sonde loke [Streiche loke.] þou paied be; [ 252] For schippis, þat seilen in hesi flode, Comuneli þei come to gode. [ 254]

LVI. [II 7.]

Þi felawis vilani or ellis here [Streiche ellis here.] schame Discouere þou neuer to lese here name; [ 256] For þow þat foli schold þe plese, Þou scholdest no wiseman mekel hese [Lies ese.] . [ 258]

LVII. [II 8.]

Leue [Hs. loue.] nout, þat fals men schal here sinne With al here subtil crafte it [Wohl besser craftes statt crafte it zu lesen.] winne; [ 260] For sinnis sum time wil appere, And [Streiche And.] sum time ben hid and efte ful clere. [f. 205r] [col. 1] [ 262]

LVIII. [II 9.]

Mi dere sone, þou schal nout despise Þe strengþe [strengþes wäre glätter und = lat. vires.] of litel bodise; [ 264] For suiche mai schew ful gode counsaile, Þat kinde made strengþe of bodi faile. [ 266]

LIX [Die str. LIX folgt in der hs. auf v. 206 und zwar vv. 269 u. 270 als 2. teil zur str. XLIV gezogen, während vv. 267 und 268 mit vv. 207-208 eine neue strophe bilden.] . [II 10.]

Him, þat þou knowest is [Lies knowis.] nout þi pere Ȝeue stede sum time but where [Lies but were 'ohne zweifel'.] . [ 268] For ofte we se, þe ouercome man þe ouercomer discumfite kan. [ 270]

LX. [II 11.]

With him, þat with þe knowen is, Striue nout be no [Streiche no.] wordis in no wise; [ 272] For of ful [Streiche ful.] smale wordis ofte is sene Grow to dishese debate and tene. [ 274]

LXI. [II 12.]

Of what þat euer is Goddis wille, With sorceri spere þou neuer þere-tille; [ 276] For what he ordeineth of vs al, With-outen [Lies withoute.] vs he deliuere schal. [ 278]

LXII. [II 13.]

With al þi miht, sone, fle envi; For þow it hurt nout men to [Streiche to.] gretli, [ 280] It maketh men in hem-seluen were And is envious for to bere. [ 282]

LXIII. [II 14.]

Be of strong corage and hert mihti, Whan þou art wronged wikkedli; [ 284] For non mai wel endure but lesse, Þat purchaceth causis with wikkednesse. [ 286]

LXIV. [II 15.]

Of ille wordis, þat fer are gon, Mi dere sone, reherce þou non; [ 288] For after frendschepe [Lies fendschepe = lat. post inimicitias.] on ire to mene Cometh ofte wikkednes withoute wene. [ 290]

LXV. [II 16.]

Mi dere sone, þou schal nout despise Þi self ne ȝit to meche preise [Lies prise.] ; [ 292] So folis don in here vanite, Þat to veine glori subiect wil be. [ 294]

LXVI. [II 17.]

Despende on suiche wise þi richesse ai, [f. 205r] [col. 2] Þat þou ne waste þi gode awai; [ 296] For gode in schort time wexeth þinne, Þat men were long aboute to winne. [ 298]

LXVII. [II 18.]

Mi dere sone, as time it wil, Be nice and foltich eke þere-til; [ 300] It is gret wisdom treuli, Whan it is time, to feine foli. [ 302]

LXVIII. [II 19.]

Fle leccheri and eke with-al Fals auarice eschew þou schal; [ 304] For þei ben contrari to gode name And defouleris of noble fame. [ 306]

LXIX. [II 20.]

Beleue nout men to trustli, þat tellen talis ouer-comuneli; [ 308] þe more þei sein, leue hem þe lesse; For men sei nout alwei sothefastnesse. [ 310]

LXX. [II 21.]

Whan þou art drunk, þou schal nout þinke To sette þe blame vpon þe drinke. [ 312] þou mai nout blame sette on þe wine, But, seþe þou dranke, þe blame is þine. [ 314]

LXXI. [II 22.]

þow þat þi counsel riht preui be, Truste it to a felow, þat is secre. [ 316] And þe helpe of þi bodili hele Committe it [Streiche it.] to lechis, þat ben lele. [ 318]

LXXII. [II 23.]

What cas be riht þat falle to þe, With pacience take þou it in gre; [ 320] For fortune oþer while with his [Streiche his.] fals fare Heggeth [Lies Eggeth.] ille men, þat sche hurteth [Lies hurte.] hem mare. [ 322]

LXXIII. [II 24.]

Mi suete sone, loke þou euer for-se þingis, þat mai wel happe to þe; [ 324] For þingis hurten lasse parfai, [f. 205v] [col. 1] Whan beforn wel sene are þai. [ 326]

LXXIV. [II 25.]

Set nout þi þout ne þi trauaile In þing, þat liteli [D. i. lihtli, vgl. vv. 194 u. 373.] mai faile; [ 328] But leue in hope, for hope is beste; It nil þe leue, til þou mai leste. [ 330]

LXXV. [II 26.] [II 27.] [II 28.]

Þow [Ob in þat (= lat. ut) zu ändern?] þou haue miht and strengþe with-al To dele with lust þou leue schal; [ 332] For men with lust schold litel dele, But icheman schold kithe [Lies kepe? vgl. v. 336 und R v. 347.] his hele. [ 334]

LXXVI. [II 29.] [II 30.]

Speciali I þe requere, þou kepe þine hele, mi swete sone dere; [ 336] And þow dishese falle to þe, Blame nout þe time, þow it so be. [ 338]

LXXVII. [II 31.]

Truste to no metengis ne fantasi; For men desiren in here foli [ 340] Diuers þingis þorw here [Streiche here.] ymagineng, þe whiche [Hs. wiche; streiche þe.] þei se ofte in here slepeng. [ 342]

LXXVIII. [III. Praef. 1-2.]

Ho-euer desireth [Lies desire?] to know þis writ Or here or rede ofte-sithis it, [ 344] Þe conmaundementis he mai lere, Þat to þe life riht þankeful ere. [ 346]

LXXIX. [III 1.]

Cum here and rede and vnderstand, Þat þou schal lere wisdom redand; [ 348] For þe life, þat is withoute lare, A ded ymage riht as it ware. [ 350]

LXXX. [III. Praef. 3-4.]

And þow ȝe wil mi writt despise And holi al mi writeng disprise, [ 352] Ȝe lakke neiþer mi writ ne me, But ȝour-seluen forgete ȝe. [ 354]

LXXXI. [f. 205v] [col. 2.] [III 2.]

If þat þou liuest rihtwisli, Rekke nout, what ille men speke þe bi; [ 356] For it is nout at hour [Lies our.] wille, To lette men to [Streiche to.] speke gode or ille. [ 358]

LXXXII. [III. 3.]

If þat þou lad to witnesse be, Saue alwei þi lelte, [ 360] In al-so meche as euer þou mai, Hele þi frendis schenschepe [Hs. frenschepe.] ai [ 362]

LXXXIII. [III 4.]

Flatereng men, subtile and sle, And queinte-ispoken I prei þe fle; [ 364] For simple trewþe is worth preiseng, Setteng to fraude feined þing. [ 366]

LXXXIV. [III 5.]

Fle dasidnes of bodi and eke of [Streiche eke of.] þowt; For be þine hert to langour browt, [ 368] þat slewþe schal þi self vndo, þi strengþe and corage eke þere-to. [ 370]

LXXXV. [III 6.]

Sum time among þi besines Take consolace [Davor durchgestrichenes ta.] , game and gladnes, [ 372] So þat þou mai þe liteliere With meri þowt þi trauaile bere. [ 374]

LXXXVI. [III 7.]

Oþer menis saw ne dede þou neuer skorne and þat for drede, [ 376] þat riht into [Lies in.] þe self degre Oþer haue cause for to skarne þe. [ 378]

LXXXVII. [III 8.]

Þat auenture hath þe sent þorw gifte or testament, [ 380] Holde [Streiche Holde.] þat wreten is in table, Ne waste þou nout a-wai, [ 382] But forthere it, if þou mai, þat none speke þe no fable. [ 384]

LXXXVIII. [f. 206r] [col. 1] [III 9.]

If in þine age it happe to þe, þat þou habundaunt of richesse be, [ 386] Kepe worschep, honour and honeste, And be sumdel to þi frendis fre. [ 388]

LXXXIX. [III 10.]

Mi dere sone, if þou wil be wise, Þi seruauntis counsel neuer despise, [ 390] Ne ȝit neuer [Streiche neuer.] non oþer manis witt, Whan profite or auaile mai it. [ 392]

XC. [III 11.]

If gode is nout with þe, As it was wont to be, [ 394] As chaunce cometh ofte in place, Be also paid of þe lasse [Lies lesse.] [ 396] As of grete richesse, Seþe time it ȝeuis [Vielleicht ȝeue?] of grace. [ 398]

XCI. [III 12.]

Be cause of dowri wedde no wife For dowt, þat sche worth scowte and strife; [ 400] For it is a grete perplexite To holde hir, if sche forward be. [ 402]

XCII. [III 13.]

Of oþer menis werkis wise Wel mai þou lere to winne supprise; [ 404] And if þou seest þei worche foli, Take þou exaumple for to go bi. [ 406]

XCIII. [III 14.]

It, þat þou knowest þou mai nout do, Pres nout to put nout [Streiche nout.] þi hande þere-to, [ 408] For drede, þat gret charge of trauaile Make þe, whan þou has saied, faile. [ 410]

XCIV. [III 15.]

If þou do owt and [Vielleicht besser þat zu lesen.] is nout wel, Discouere þi wrong riht eueri del, [ 412] So þat noman suppose in þe, þou woldest be fals in preuite. [ 414]

XCV. [f. 206r] [col. 2] [III 16.]

Mi swete sone, if þou wranged were, þi iugis helpe þou scholdest requere [ 416] To bringe þi cause wel to þe liht; For law schold rewled be with riht. [ 418]

XCVI. [III 17.]

What euer þou suffrest as of gode skil, With pacience, sone, þou suffre it wil; [ 420] And þou be gilti, loke þou be þine own iuge and condempne þou þe. [ 422]

XCVII. [III 18.]

Ofte-sithis, sone, mi versis þou rede, Lere hem and take to hem gode hede; [ 424] But list nout to peise disouris song: Ful ofte þei lien and singen wrong. [ 426]

XCVIII. [III 19.]

At festis loke, þat þou be Of litel speche and of secre, [ 428] So þou for iaper be nout told, But holden curteis, whan þou wold. [ 430]

XCIX. [III 20.]

Þow þat sum time þi wife be wroth, Drede nout alle hir wordis loth [Hs. lorth.] ; [ 432] But be ware, whan sche wepeth sore, For þan sche gloseth more and more. [ 434]

C. [III 21.]

Dispende þi gode in suiche manere, Þat þou it kepe to þi mistere; [ 436] Whan men here godis [Lies mit R gode.] haue wasted al, To [Streiche To.] oþer menis godis seke þei schal. [ 438]

CI. [III 22.]

Mi dere sone, if þou wil be wise, Þou drede þe deth on no kinnis wise; [ 440] It is þe hende of grete and smal, Of gode and ille, and of vs al. [ 442]

CII. [III 23.]

Suffre þi wife sum time, þow sche [f. 206v] [col. 1] Þe speke wordis of perplexite; [ 444] For it is hard þing of þi wille, If þou suffre ne hold þe stille. [ 446]

CIII. [III 24.]

Loke þat þi frendis, dere sone, with þe Be neuer loued with seke pite; [ 448] Ne ȝit þi moder neuer displese, If þat þou þi frendis wil emplese. [ 450]

CIV. [IV. Praef. 1-2.]

Seker life if þou wil liue And þe al hol fro vicis ȝeue, [ 452] Þat ageine vertewis of þowt Standeth, loke þat þou wirche nout. [ 454]

CV. [IV. Praef. 3-4.]

Þis techeng, sone, take of mine hande, Haue hem [Streiche hem.] in memori and vnderstande; [ 456] And sum þing schal þou rede and se, Where-of þi self schal maister be. [ 458]

CVI. [IV 1.]

If þou al holi wil be wise, Hertli richesse þou must despise; [ 460] For ho hem most habundantli Hath, is most beggar and nedi. [ 462]

CVII. [IV 2.]

Þe profite, þat nature to þe ȝeues [Hs. ȝeuest und liuest.] ), Schal neuer þe leuen [Hs. liuen.] , whil þou liues [Hs. ȝeuest und liuest.] , [ 464] So þat þou wil paied be Of þat, þat time ȝeueth to þe. [ 466]

CVIII. [IV 3.]

If þou vntrusti be and nice And misse þe gouerne as vnwise, [ 468] Blame nout fortune ne ȝit þi chaunce, But blame þine own misse-ordinaunce. [ 470]

CIX. [IV 4.]

Loue þe peni, I counsel þe, But loue litle þe forme to se; [ 472] For neiþer honest man ne holi [Lies hali.] [f. 206v] [col. 2] Desireth to se it to speciali. [ 474]

CX. [IV 5.]

If þou be seke and misse-fare And þou be riche, no tresore spare [ 476] To kepe þiself; for al þi pelfe [Davor durchgestrichenes plefe.] It serueth of [Streiche of.] nout, and þou lese þi selfe. [ 478]

CXI. [IV 6.]

þi maisteris wordis and beteng with-al, His chastiseng eke þou suffre schal; [ 480] But [Streiche But.] ȝit scholdis þou þi faderis lore And eke his worde suffre meche more. [ 482]

CXII. [IV 7.]

What þing þat is or profite mai, Do þou þat; and eschew þou ai [ 484] Þat þing, þat liteli is to faile Or þat ne wil quite þe þi trauaile. [ 486]

CXIII. [IV 8.]

What þou wil ȝeue, ȝeue it with gode wille, Whan þou ȝeuest owt þine asker til; [ 488] For al þat gode wonnen [Lies wonne.] is in parti, Þat don is to gode men and worthi. [ 490]

CXIV. [IV 9.]

Mi dere sone, if þou suspecte be Of oni þing þou here or se, [ 492] Sette remedi in suiche manere, Þat þi name be wel kept and clere. [ 494]

CXV. [IV 10.]

Whan þe lusteth of leccheri, Restreine þi þowt riht stalworthli; [ 496] ȝeue nout to þi wombe þe wille, For þat wil steren [Lies stere.] it more þere-tille. [ 498]

CXVI. [IV 11.]

Sethe diuers bestis in here degre, Mi dere sone, ben adrad of þe, [ 500] I þe counsel al, þat I kan, Þat þou no beste drede more þan man. [ 502]

CXVII. [IV 12.]

If þou felest in þe grete miht And eke in hert, þow þat þou be wiht, [ 504] Be euer curteis in þine assai; Þat þou art strong, so wil men sai. [ 506]

CXVIII. [IV 13.]

Of knowen frendis and of dere Aske helpe, if þou haue grete mistere; [ 508] For non wil more sure saue þi sare Þan trew frendis, þat stedefast are. [ 510]

CXIX. [IV 15.]

If þou þenkest for to purchace þe Felaw or frende, weiþer euer þat [Streiche euer þat.] he be, [ 512] To his fortune beholde þou nout, But to þe vertewis, þat are in him brout. [ 514]

CXX. [IV 16.]

Dispende þi gode, sone, as þe wise, And fle þe name of auarice; [ 516] For what auaileth þi richesse þe, If þou habundawnt [Lies abundawnt.] nedi be. [ 518]

CXXI. [IV 17.]

If þou desirest to kepe þi name, Þi worschep and þine honest fame, [ 520] Fle euermore in al þi þowt Fals ioies of life, þat helpeth nout. [ 522]

CXXII. [IV 18.]

Scorne þou non age ne ȝit despise Old men, if þou wil be wise; [ 524] In old men is ofte children witt, Ho kan take hede and wel sen it. [ 526]

CXXIII. [IV 19.]

Sone, lere sum crafte, þat helpe þe mai; For richesse cometh and goth awai. [ 528] Þi crafte wil helpe, þereto þou lest; For in distresse it wil helpe þe best. [ 530]

CXXIV. [f. 207r] [col. 2] [IV 20.]

To menis wordis and here maneris Herkne al preuiliche in feris; [ 532] Be þat þou schalt here preuite Knowen and eke here vnsecre. [ 534]

CXXV. [IV 21.]

Vse þe studi stedfastli, Þow þou haue lered in to [Streiche to.] parti [ 536] Riht wel þi crafte, ȝit lere þou more; For vsage schal parfite euer [Streiche euer.] þi lore. [ 538]

CXXVI. [IV 22.]

Drede nout þi deth to sore, I prei; For al suiche drede is put awei. [ 540] What man þat kan his life despise, He dredis his deth on no kinnis wise. [ 542]

CXXVII. [IV 23.]

Lere vertewis of þe wise man, And teche hem gode, þat no gode kan; [ 544] For vertewous doctrine and gode lore Schold be scatered ouer-alwhore. [ 546]

CXXVIII. [IV 24.]

Drinke with mesure and ete also, Or ellis it wil be þi fo; [ 548] For sekenes of soule and bodi Cometh of generacion of gloteni. [ 550]

CXXIX. [IV 25.]

Þou preise no þing to speciali, But þou it know al fulli; [ 552] For drede, þat no lacchenes þe take, Þat þou ne loue, þat þou did hate [Streiche hate.] lake. [ 554]

CXXX. [IV 26.]

þat þing forsake and fle, þat wik is and wilde wil be [ 556] Ageine þing pesable; For efte, if þou be wo, [ 558] Hope better [Lies bet.] to passe þere-fro And come to blisse ful stable. [ 560]

CXXXI. [IV 27.]

Lere wisdom, sone, if þou be wis; [f. 207v] [col. 1] þorw besines wisdom ȝouen is; [ 562] Seldom [Lies Seld.] þorw wise withoute studieng Happeth men to kone grete þing. [ 564]

CXXXII. [IV 28.]

So preise þou man, but spare vmbi þou has nout proued al hutterli [Lies utterli.] ; [ 566] For aldai certis he schal schew to [Streiche to oder certis.] þe His frendschepe, his ille and his bounte. [ 568]

CXXXIII. [IV 29.]

It is no schame to lere þat þing, þat þou ne kan; but schameful þing [ 570] It is to þe þou wil nout lere, þat þou ne kan, mi suete sone dere. [ 572]

CXXXIV. [IV 30.]

In wine are wordis and leccheri And lust; with hem greueth foli. [ 574] Of here braunchis, sone, kepe þe clene And fle al strife, dishese and tene. [ 576]

CXXXV. [IV 31.]

I prei þe, sone, þou do mi wille, þou fle alle þowti men and stille; [ 578] For ful [Streiche ful.] smoþe water ofte-time is depe And euel [Wohl ill einzusetzen.] to passe, ho cowde take kepe. [ 580]

CXXXVI. [IV 32.]

If þi fortune to þe displese Of þi gode and of [Streiche of.] þi richese, [ 582] Abide ful mekeli in þi þout, Whil [Wahrscheinlich in Til zu bessern.] better [Lies bet.] mai be, and sorw nout. [ 584]

CXXXVII. [IV 33.]

Riht as þou mai, I prei þe, do. þat passeth þi miht, pres nout þere-to. [ 586] To seile is sekerer be þe strande þan in þe tempest fer seilande. [ 588]

CXXXVIII. [IV 34.]

Ageine rihtwise men and wise Debate þou neuer, sone, be no wise; [ 590] For rihtwise God in maieste Taketh vengeaunce of suiche iniquite. [ 592]

CXXXIX. [IV 35.]

Be nout to sori, þow þou lese al þi gode, þi richesse grete and smal; [ 594] But haue grete ioi of al þat þing, Þat is behinde with þe duelleng. [ 596]

CXL. [IV 36.]

Grete dishese in hert it is To lese þi richesse; but wers it is [ 598] To lese þi frende stedfast and trew; For þat is lost, þat men mai rew. [ 600]

CXLI. [IV 37.]

Behote no time of life to þe; For, mi dere sone, where-euer þou be, [ 602] þe schadew of deth þe foleweth ai, Where-euer þou go; þat is non nai. [ 604]

CXLII. [IV 38.]

Worschep þi God abouen [Lies aboue.] al þing, With hert and þowt [Dahinter ergänze alwei.] preieng and preching [Streiche and preching.] ; [ 606] To calf ne ox þou neuer prei, But late hem with þe plow go plei. [ 608]

CXLIII. [IV 39.]

Ȝeue stede alwei to men of miht, And eke to pore þou do but riht; [ 610] If þou do so, grace schal to þe Falle; for þou lost iniquite. [ 612]

CXLIV. [IV 40.]

Whan þou trespasseth and doest wrong Chastise þi-self and duelle nout long; [ 614] For whil þe woundis heleng are, Sorw is medicine of þat sare. [ 616]

CXLV. [IV 41.]

He, þat þi frende of long time was, Condempne him nout for litel [Vielleicht ist smal dafür zu lesen.] trespas; [ 618] Þow he be chaunged, euer þou mene Of frenschep, þat hath ben [Lies was (mit R) für hath ben.] ȝow betwene. [ 620]

CXLVI. [f. 208r] [col. 1] [IV 42.]

Þe gretter office þat falleth to þe, Þe more gracious loke þou be, [ 622] Þat þere ne falle to þe suiche name, Þou lese þine office þorw þi nice fame. [ 624]

CXLVII. [IV 43.]

Be war, sone [Glätter wäre dere sone.] , of suspicioun, It is ful perilous a renoun. Ho-euer in suiche cas liueng be, It is his deth in al degre. [ 628]

CXLVIII. [IV 44.]

If þat þe happe for to bie In bondage men þorw here folie, [ 630] Clepe hem men and lakke hem nout; For þei ben men, al be þei bout. [ 632]

CXLIX. [IV 4.] [Dies lateinische distinchon ist zwar in beiden hss. vorausgeschickt, der übersetzer hat aber vielmehr IV 28 im sinn.]

Ne be to hasti of þi preiseng, Ne ȝit to hote in þi lakkeng; [ 634] Þere mai þe take sum lacchesnesse, Þat þou so preised, to loue it lesse. [ 636]

CL. [IV 46.]

Of wrecchis deth glade þe no þing, Ne of here ende no reioiceng; [ 638] For also wel, dere sone, die þai As þei, þat liuen worschepli alwai [Lies ai für alwai.] [ 640]

CLI. [IV 47.]

If frende, þat þou has lefe, Speke þi wife wordis [In der hs. steht davor ausgestrichenes þi.] grefe, [ 642] Þat rennen nout in fame, Haue nout þine hert ful grim [ 644] In-wardis toward him; Wite first, ho hath þe blame. [ 646]

CLII. [IV 48.]

If þou haue lered vertewis sere In studieng, mi suete sone dere, [ 648] Loke oþer men þe better be Of þo [So!] vertewis, þat grew to þe. [f. 208r] [col. 2] [ 650]

CLIII. [IV 49.]

Mi dere sone, meruaile nout, þow I Haue write þeise versis so nakedli; [ 652] Certis mi schort witte made itt, Þat I tweien and tweien to-gedir knitt. [ 654]

Explicit Cato.

Rawlinson MS.

1.

When I auysed me ryght hertely, [f. 1r] How dyuerse men eren grevously, [ 2] Departyng fro wey of vertu will, Me semeth it nedful to fulfyll [ 4] And teche sum thing, that scholde with resoun Socowr to here opinioun; [ 6] Wherthurgh that [Hs. davor unterpunktiertes her.] gloryous her lyuyng be And lede here lyf in honeste. [ 8]

2.

My beste byloued sone now and dere, I schal teche the trew manere, [ 10] The conceytes of thi thoght how thou may Confourme wel to vertu; therfor assay [ 12] To take my preceptis so on honde, That thow rede hem and vnderstonde; [ 14] For it is worth but lytil thing To reede with-owte vndirstondyng. [ 16]

3.

Ofte dewlyche to God thow pray; Thi fader and moder content al-way; [ 18] Loke to thi lynage thow graciows be; To the market purvey the; [ 20] With good men go; kep thi byhest; Gladlyche thow salue; and be honest; [ 22] Quyt, that thow schall; and prese noght the To counseyll, tyl thow clepid be. [ 24]

4. [f. 1v]

Slep with mesure; kep thi lewte; To the wyn tempre the; [ 26] Pley with the toppe; eschew the dys, Lesse then thi self thow ne despys; [ 28] For thi natyf ground fyght myghtly; To whom thow gyve, se discretly; [ 30]

Dred thi mayster; and kep thi thing; Trowe no foly ne flatering; [ 32] With diligence do al thi dede; But lyghtwymmen I the for-bede. [ 34]

5.

Reed bokes ofte and letters lere; Hold, that thow lernest; thi meigne stere; [ 36] Be goodly to goode; spek mekelych; Counseyll al-wey sykerlych; [ 38] Sewre estimacioun thou, sone, holde; Ne skorne thou nother ȝong ne olde; [ 40] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suffre the lawe, thou wilt in brynge; At festes spek thow but esy thing. [ 42]

6.

With-owte cause, sone, noght irows be. And also hertely I pray the fle, [ 44] Thow be noght waryed with God ne man. Ly by no way al-thogh thow can. [ 46] With thin frendis in debate be pacient. [f. 2r] With no myght but with lawe do iugement. [ 48] Of bien-fait receyuyd be euer kynde. Thou deme no man. And in mynde [ 50] With wrong thou desyr no creatures thing. Ryghtwesnesse to worche be thi studyng. [ 52] I wol al-so, that thou louyng be To hem, that thow wost louen the. [ 54]

7.

My fayre sone, at the begynnyng, Sythen God made erthe and celestial thing, [ 56] Worschype hym, serue hym, and pryse With stedefaste herte and no feyntyse. [ 58]

8.

Wak the more, that thou ne be To slep subiect; for thou mayst se, [ 60] That mechyl slep and long restyng Maketh to vices gret noryschyng. [ 62]

9.

The first vertu, and thou wilt enquere, That is to daunte thi tonge and stere; [ 64] For next to God for sothe is he, That wel with resoun stylle can be. [ 66]

10.

Be noght contrarius desyryng prys Whit [So für with.] thi seluen; for that ys [ 68] Acustumed with hym-self to stryue, Schal with noon other acorde on lyue. [ 70]

11.

To mennys maners ȝif thou take good hede, [f. 2v] To here lyf, here contenaunce and al here dede, [ 72] When thou blamest other, thou may se, That noon with-owte vyce lyuyng may be. [ 74]

12.

What thing thou trowest noye the, Al-tagh ryght dere ȝif it be, [ 76] Departe hit fro the; for ioyausnesse Schulde whilom be set a-fore rychesse. [ 78]

13.

Be thou sad, sone, and softe, As tyme, thing desireth; for ofte [ 80] Thise wyse men of maners maketh chaungyng, As tyme desyreth and the thyng. [ 82]

14.

Beleef noght thi wyf vp thi seruaunt, When scheo on hym is compleynaunt; [ 84] For the wyf hateth ofte on gret manere Hym, that the housband haldeth dere. [ 86]

15.

ȝyf thou refreynest any, and he Fro vice wil noght refreyned be, [ 88] ȝif he be dere, ȝeyt than Ne schuldest thou leue, that thou began. [ 90]

16.

Debate noght with wordys [with w. steht in der hs. auf dem rande.] , and thou be wys, With him, that ful of wordys is; [ 92] For al hath word, ner that is wroght, But to fewe is gyuen wytt of thoght. [ 94]

17.

Loue other men on such wyse maner, [f. 3r] That thou be to thi seluen wys and der; [ 96] And so to goode men wys thow be, That wykked damages growe noght to the. [ 98]

18.

Ne besy the noght tydyngs to bere For drede thei clepe the here makere; [ 100] It noyeth to fewe men to be stylle, But moche speche doth ofte sythes ylle. [ 102]

19.

Behote thou no certeyn thing, That the is behete; for in behetyng [ 104] Is [Hs. ȝs.] selden founden certeyn fay; For fele men certeyn thinges wil say. [ 106]

20.

ȝyf any preyse the to or fro, Be iuge and deme, ȝif it be so; [ 108] To byleue other of thi proprete More then thi self is nycete. [ 110]

21.

Ȝyf any the helpe in word or dede, Loke thou recorde hit and eke tak hede, [ 112] That, ȝif thou dost any bounte To any man, hold it secre. [ 114]

23 [vv. 115-119 stehen hinter v. 123 in der hs.] .

When thou art aged and ofte wilt mene [f. 3v] Of here continaunce, I the for-bede [v. 116 (= v. 121) ist irrtümlich hier wiederholt.] [ 116] Of word and dede, that hast sene, Make, that thou lerndest in ȝowthede, [ 118] Help the in age, when thou hast nede.

22.

Ȝyf men speke priuely, tak thow no hede [ 120] Of here continaunce, I the for-bede; The gylty supposeth in euery toun [ 122] Men speken of hym, when thei roun.

24.

When thou art happy, I prey the fle, [ 124] What thing that semeth aduersite; For thinges, that happen accidentlych, [ 126] The first and the laste be noght ylych.

25.

Sythen brytil and vncerteyn lyf [ 128] Is ȝeven bothe to man and wyf, Sette noght, ȝyf thou wilt do my red, [ 130] Thyn hope in other mennys ded.

26.

Ȝif thi frend of pore degre [ 132] A lytil gyfte gyfes frely to the, Loke thou take hit thankfully [ 134] And preyse hit also fully.

34 [vv. 136-139 hinter v. 167 in der hs.]

Sythen kynde a naked chyld the whroghte [ 136] And bare to burth the forth broghte, With pacience thow bethenke the [ 138] To suffre the charge of pouerte.

27.

Discrecioun ne wil, that thou drede [ 140] The deth; for that mot falle nede. Whil thou deth dredest, my sone dere, [ 142] Plesaunce and lyf arn lost yfere.

28.

Ȝif thi knowleche for thi good dede [ 144] Ne quyte the frendly thi mede, To chyde thi God for that than spare [ 146] And streyne thi self fro alle such fare.

29.

Vse with mesure thi wonnen thyng; [f. 4r] [ 148] Se ther falle the no fayllyng; Kep, that thou hast, and leef al-way, [ 150] That may faylle and falle a-way.

30.

Tary noght to do thi gentyltesse; [ 152] For wordis with-owte dede may lytil plesse. For fele wordis, thou schalt be told, [ 154] Ful of wynd and noght goodly ben hold.

31.

Who-so the pleseth with fayre word softly, [ 156] Beyng noght thi frend al hertly, Do thou ryght so, I conseylle the; [ 158] So frawde with gyle schal gyled be.

32.

Ne prese the noght to speke continualy [ 160] With hem, that flatren sleghtfully; The pype chaunteth meryly, the whyle [ 162] Men the bryddes wolen bygyle.

33.

Ȝif thou haue chyldren and no rychesse [ 164] To kepe hem fro pouert and distresse, Teche hem sum craft, wher-thorgh thay [ 166] Fro pouert hem defende may.

35.

That is dere, thenk hit vile [f. 4v] [ 168] And thing, that vile is, dere sumwhyle, So that thou ne holden be [ 170] Couetows, skant, ne ȝet to fre.

36.

What gouernaunce thow woned was to reproue, [ 172] Do thow hit noght for my love; For it is to the techer schame, [ 174] When his dede bereth hym blame.

37.

Aske noght, ȝif that thou wilt preysed be, [ 176] But that ryght wil or honeste; For to aske hit it ys foly, [ 178] That may be denyed skylfully.

38.

Vnknowen thing scholde noght to the be [ 180] Than knowen stonden in more deynte; Of knowen thing men iugen may, [ 182] The contrary is yn dowte ay.

39.

Thogh thi lyf turne to and fro [ 184] In certeyn perils, wher-euer thou go, Ȝet sette the day, wher-euer thou be, [ 186] For sum wynnyng, I counceyll the.

40.

Paciently thou trete thi frend, [ 188] Thagh thou may hym ouercome and schend. Thorgh swete dedes ofte ioyned ere [ 190] With grace of frendschyp frendis dere [Man sieht, vv. 190-191 gehörten ursprünglich (inhalt) wie in S zur folgenden strophe.] .

41.

Haue thow no drede to ȝyfe withowte lett [f. 5r] [ 192] Lytil, wher thow wilt mochil gett; Thorgh such thinges falleth ofte grace [ 194] And knetteth frendschyp and alle such cace.

42.

Discord ne stryf thow neuer move [ 196] With hym, that is bounden to the in love; Ira [so!] engendreth euer hatyng, [ 198] And acord norysscheth good lovyng.

43.

When thou art in angyr and brennyng sett [ 200] For thi seruants trespas and forfett, Mesure the so in that hote fare, [ 202] That thou hem suffre may and spare.

44.

Be graciows to knowe and knowlache, [ 204] Thogh thou may discounfyt hem with owtrage. Pacience passyng vertu ys [ 206] Among alle vertwys, that arn of prys.

45.

Discretly thou spende thi wonnen stoor, [ 208] Thou hast geten with labowr soor; When trauayll turneth harmyng the, [ 210] Than groweth greet necessite.

46.

Large of table sum tyme thow be [ 212] And gracious to thy frendis in specialte; When thou art happy, be thow ay [ 214] Next thi seluen for any way.

47.

Ȝyf thou wys wilt be of erthe tylyng, [ 216] Reed Virgile and se his techyng. Or ȝif thow wilt herbes knowe, [f. 5v] [ 218] The strengthes Macer can the schewe.

48.

So may the falle, hit wil the lyke [ 220] To reede of Rome and Affryke The grete bataylles, thou may reede [ 222] Lucan, that wel can telle here dede.

49.

And ȝif with loue thou wilt assay [ 224] To be aqueynte, I the pray, Thou aftir the book of Ouyde spere, [ 226] And ther of love may thou lere. Ȝyf thow wilt lyue wysly, [ 228] Conforme the to lerne bysyly, Wher-thorgh thou may be quyt of vyce, [ 230] Image and wynne gret pryce.

50.

Therfore, sone, to me enclyne [ 232] And lern, what sapiens is, by my doctryne. Profite also other by thi bounte, [ 234] Al-thogh vnknowen to the thei be. For grettyr rychesse is noon with-outen drede [ 236] Than conquest frendschyp thorgh thi good dede.

51.

Spyr noght of Goddis pryuete [ 238] Ne what thing that heuene may be; Syn thow art a dedly creature, [ 240] Of dedly thinges be thi cure.

52.

Leef drede of deth; for hit is foly [ 242] To thenk on hit so bysyly. For wil [Lies while.] swych drede is in thi thoght, [f. 6r] [ 244] Ioye of this lyf auaylleth the noght.

93 [vv. 246-327 (= str. 93-112) stehen in der hs. hinter v. 481.]

When thou art in ire hot brennyng, [ 246] Stryf noght for vncerteyn thyng; Ire distorbeth so thi thoght, [ 248] That se the sothe wel may thou noght.

94.

Make thi despenses on good manere, [ 250] As thing asketh and thi powere; To gyve sumtyme it is witt, [ 252] As thing and tyme desyreth it.

95.

That is to meche, I rede the fle; [ 254] Of esy thing content thow be; Sykerer is the schyppe in esy flood, [ 256] Than forthir forth in wawys wood.

96. [f. 9v]

Hyd pryuely thi felawes schame, [ 258] And thow be wys, and here il name, That mony ne blame that nycete, [ 260] That only doth displese to the.

97.

Suppose noght, that euyl men wynne [ 262] Here vnthryfty dedes and here synne; Synnes ofte hydde don ofte apere [ 264] In tyme derke and sumtyme clere.

98.

In maner ne contenaunce thou ne dispys [ 266] The vertu of lytyl bodyys [So!] ; Such may schewe thorgh counseyll, [ 268] That kynde [Davor unterpunktiertes ma.] maketh strengthe fayll.

99.

Sum tyme ȝif stede, my sone dere, [ 270] To him, that lesse is then thi pere; Ofte we sen, the ouercome man [ 272] The ouercomer discounfyt can.

100.

Loke thow debate [Davor unterpunktiertes ne] ne stryve [ 274] Aȝeyns no knowlache thou hast on lyve; Meche debate groweth y-wys [ 276] Thorgh smale wordis sayd amys.

101.

What euer God thenketh with the to do, [ 278] With sorcery spyre do noght ther-to; What he hath ordeyned of vs alle [ 280] With-owte vs he delyuere schalle.

102.

With al thy myght, sone, fle enuy; [ 282] For thogh it herte no man grevowsly, Hit maketh men in hem-self werre, [ 284] And ys grevows for to bere.

103.

Of strong corage be thou myghty, [ 286] When thou art demed wykkedly. No man reioyseth longe, [ 288] That he wynneth with iuge wronge.

104.

Of myssayd thing, tha [Lies that.] is a-gon, [ 290] Of such vnthrift reherse thou non; After enemyte on ire to mene [ 292] Cometh ofte wykkednesse bytwene.

105.

To meche thi self thou neuer preyse [ 294] Ne ȝet thi self neuer dispyse; So don fooles, tha [Lies that.] of vanite [ 296] Arn ful of glory and of nycete.

106.

Despende thi good with mesure al-way, [ 298] That thou ne waste thi good away; Good in schortyme wortheth thynne, [ 300] That men a-bowte was longe to wynne.

107.

Dissimile sum tyme foly in doyng, [ 302] As tyme desyreth and the thyng; It is a souereyn wysdom certeynly, [ 304] When it is tyme, to feyne foly.

108.

Fle lecchery and eke with-al [ 306] Fals auarice eschewe thou schal; For thei ben contrari to good name [ 308] And defowlers of noble fame.

109.

Beleef no man to certeynly, [ 310] That telleth tales comunly; Litil trust is on hym to leyn; [ 312] For fele men fele thinges seyn.

110.

Ȝef thou be drunke, thou schalt noght think [ 314] To sette the blame vp-on the drink. Thou may no blame sette vp-on the wyn, [ 316] But, sin thou drank, the blame is thyn.

111.

Thagh thi conseyll be pryue and secrett, [ 318] Trust it to thi felaw that is discrett And the help of thi bodyly cure [ 320] Take it to leche, that is sure.

112.

Dere sone, ber it paciently, [ 322] What thing the hapneth heuyly. The condicioun of fortune sum tyme to ese [ 324] Euyl men, and that for here disese; For to socowr goode men at nede [ 326] Is more to preyse than wynne gret mede.

53.

Tak good hede and wel fore-se, [ 328] What caas may falle sum tyme to the; Thinges hurten lasse by skyll, [ 330] ȝtf men the peryll before se wyll.

54.

I pray the, that in aduersite [ 332] Discounfyt with mystrust thi thoght ne be. Haue euer good hope; for hope ne can [ 334] Departe al the whyle on lyue is man.

55. [II 26.]

Lef noght gladly a profitable thing, [ 336] The falleth in ȝowthe thorgh gouernyng; Thogh thou be stored of gret rychesse, [ 338] Balled occasion make hit sesse.

56. [II 27.]

Abyd discretly, that may befalle; [ 340] That semeth to be, hede than [Lies thou?] schalle. Put al thi gouernaunce in Godis hond, [ 342] That bothe partyes doth vndirstond.

57.

That thou the myghtier may lyve at ese, [ 344] Fro owtrages of mete and drynke thou sese; Men with lust schulde lytil dele, [ 346] But euery man scholde kepe his hele.

58. [II 29.]

ȝyf thow wilt be vertwys and wys, [ 348] The peple iugement thow noght despys; Lyghtlych than scholdest thou please to noon, [f. 6v] [ 350] When thou woldist displese vchon.

59.

Thi diligence, sone, and bysynesse [ 352] The first is to kepe the fro sekenesse; Thagh cause of dolour to the falle, [ 354] Of thi dyseayse blame no tyme at alle.

60.

To fantasyes and metyngs trust the noght; [ 356] For sumtyme ymagine men in here thoght, While thei wake, diuerse thinges, [ 358] And ofte thei sen hit in here slepinges.

61.

Who-so desyreth to knowe this writt [ 360] Or reede or here ofte-sythes hitt, The commaundements he may here, [ 362] That to the lyf ryghthanful ere.

62.

Cum here, vnderstonde and rede [ 364] And to my byddyng thou take good hede; For the lyf withowte lore [ 366] A deed ymage is, as hit wore.

63.

Profyte thou may, and thou be wys; [ 368] And who-so wyl my writt despys, He lakketh nother my wrytt ne me, [ 370] But hym-seluen for-ȝeteth [Hs. for ȝeteh.] he.

64.

Sythen thou lyuest iustly, the ne reke [ 372] The wordes of euyl men, what thei speke; Hit is noght at owre wylle [f. 7r] [ 374] To lette men speke good or ylle.

65.

Ȝyf thou led to wytenes be, [ 376] Sauyng al-wey thi lewte, In as moche as thou may [ 378] Couer thi felawis schendschyp ay.

66.

My dere sone, euer I pray the fle [ 380] Flateryng wordys, queynte and sle; Symple soth worth is hegh preysyng, [ 382] Sette to frawde feyned thyng.

67.

Eschewe slewthe and vnlustynesse, [ 384] The wheche is cleped vnbysynesse, Whil thi thoght in langowr is, [ 386] Thi bodi as consumed is y-wys.

68.

Sumtyme among thi bysynesse [ 388] Melle solace, gamen and ioyowsnesse, That thou may the [Hs. nur th.] lyghtlyker [ 390] With mery thoght thi trauayll ber.

69.

Other mennys word ne dede [ 392] Thou scorne by no way and that for drede, That ryght in the selue degree [ 394] Other hauen cause to scorne the.

70 [Davor, am ende von f. 7^r, eine strophe gebildet aus vv. 396 und 401-403 mit dem zu str. 70 gehörigen lateinischen distichon, welches auf f. 7^v fehlt. Die varianten daraus sind: 401 prosperyte, 402 f. in, 403 after.] .

What fortune, sone, ȝeuyth to the, [f. 7v] [ 396] Note hit and kepe hit in thi degre, Encresyng thin estat, keping thi name, [ 398] That noon haue cause epeyre thi fame.

71.

Ȝyf pleyntowsly rychesse falle to the [ 400] In thi laste dayes and prosperite, Lyf worschyply and in good gouernaunce, [ 402] And aftir thi power thi frendis auaunce.

72.

Profitable counseyll thou noght despise [ 404] Of thi pouere seruaunt, ȝyf thou be wyse; Vse ȝet noon other mannys wytt, [ 406] When profyt or avaylle may hit.

73.

In thi good or gouernaunce ȝif thou be trustyng, [ 408] The hapneth and chaungeth here cheressyng. Loke that euer content thow be [ 410] Ther-of, that tyme ȝeuyth to the.

74.

Be cause of dower wedde no wyf [ 412] For dowt, that sche worth scowte and stryf; For it ys gret prosperyte [ 414] To holde hire, and sche fordward be.

75.

Lern thorgh ensample of others dede, [ 416] What thing thow schalt do or drede; It is good here gouernaunce [ 418] Be maystresse of thyn ordynaunce.

76.

That thow knowest thou may noght do, [ 420] Pres noght to sette thi hond ther-to, For drede of gret charge of trauayll, [ 422] Make the, when thou hast fonded, fayll.

77. [f. 8r]

What thing thou dost vnryghtfully, [ 424] Thou hyde it noght and resoun why: Men supposen in such case [ 426] Of yuel men thou sywe the trase.

78.

My sone, when thow wronged were, [ 428] The iuges help thow scholde requere To bringe thi cause wel to lyght; [ 430] For lawe scholde rewled be with ryght.

79.

What thou suffrest as dewly, [ 432] Loke thou bere hit paciently. ȝif thou be gylty, loke thou be [ 434] Thyn owne juge and dampne the.

80.

Be besy and reed moche writt; [ 436] That thou redest, kep in thi witt; Thogh poets wryten wondirfull thing, [ 438] Beleef thou noght al here endytyng.

81.

Be mesure of speche and of dalyaunce [ 440] At festis and of good gouernaunce, That thou for jangler be noght told, [ 442] But holden curteys, when thou wold.

82.

When thi wyf is wroth and chydeth lowde, [ 444] Dred thou noght here wordys prowde; But when thi wyf is wepyng sore, [ 446] Then doth sche manace more and more.

83.

Discretly vse thi wonnen thing [f. 8v] [ 448] And wast it noght mysgouernyng; When men here good han wasted al, [ 450] Aftir other mennys good seken thei schal.

84.

Euyl it is, leue me well, [ 450] Nothir to suffre ne holde the styll [Nach v 451 ist raum für zwei zeilen frei gelassen.] ).

85.

Thi fader and moder, dere sone, with the [ 452] Ne be feyntly loved with seek pyte; Ne ȝet thi moder as fool displese, [ 454] ȝef tho [Lies thou.] hire lynage wyl wel enpese [So!] ).

86.

Secure lyf ȝif thow wilt lyve [ 456] And the al hol fro vices ȝyve, That aȝeynes vertu of thi thoght [ 458] Standeth, loke that thou worche noght.

87.

Reed hertly this biddyng and hem conceyve; [ 460] And such techyng thou schalt receyve, The whyche with vsage and studyyng [ 462] To maystres estat may the bryng.

88.

Abundance despyse and hygh rychesse, [ 464] And thou wilt lyue in blysfulnesse; He that hem [hem über der zeile.] most abundauntly [ 466] Hath, is most beggyr and nedy.

89.

Profites, that nature hath to the gyve, [ 468] Schal neuer the leve, whil thou may lyue, So that thou contendet [Lies contented.] be, [ 470] Ther-of vse disposeth for the.

90. [f. 9r]

ȝyf thi-self torgh [Lies thorgh.] mys-gouernaunce [ 472] Empeyrest or thi thing thorgh ordinaunce, Say thou noght, that fortune is blynd, [ 474] But blame thi-self, thou art by-hynd.

91.

Love wel the peny, I conceyll the, [ 476] Bute love lytil the forme to se; Neyther honest man ne holy [ 478] Desyreth to se it specyaly.

92.

When thou wilt to any graciously do, [ 480] Hastly thi grace thou schew hym to [Darauf raum für zwei zeilen freigelassen.] .

113.

ȝif men for mysdede holde the suspect, [f. 11r] [ 482] Pryuely aspy and in affect, What thei mene; for gret hindring [ 484] May falle of such suspeciows thing.

114.

ȝif the lustes of lecchery, [ 486] Distreyne thi thoght myghtly; ȝif noght to the wombe thi wyl, [ 488] For that wyl streyne it more ther-tyl.

115.

ȝif nature the graunteth strengthe and myght, [ 490] Gouerne it [Davor unterpunk∣tiertes t.] wysly and with [Davor unterpunktiertes such.] such slyght, That thou be countyd with men of prys, [ 492] Profiting in myght, discret and wys.

116.

ȝif thou hadde nede, thou scholde requere [ 494] Socowr at thi frendis, that beth dere; For noon wyl swrlyer saue the fro sore [ 496] Than trew frendes knowyng the be-fore.

117.

ȝif thou thinke purchase the [ 498] Felaw or frend, whethir he be, As to his fortune tak thou no hede, [ 500] But to his vertwys and his good dede.

118.

With ordenaunce dispende, and thou be wys, [ 502] Thi rychesse, and fle the name of auarys; What auaylleth rychesse the, [ 504] ȝif thou habundant nedy be.

119.

Kepyng thi name and thi degre, [f. 11v] [ 506] Thi fame, thin honour and honeste [Für die fehlenden zeilen ist kein raum frei gelassen; die folgende strophe schliesst sich vielmehr ohne das lateinische distichon direkt an v. 507 an.]

120.

Fle in thi thoght and al thi lyf [ 508] An hold man to despyse or wyf; For longe-lyuers with age knytt [ 510] Arn hole retourned to chyldis witt.

121.

Lern sum craft; for thoght [Lies thogh.] to the [ 512] Falle contrary fortune or aduersite, Thi connyng then schaltou fynde the best; [ 514] For craft ne leueth the, whil thou may leste.

122.

Tak hede thus pryuely, as noght ne were, [ 516] What men do speke and to here manere; For the speche of peple discouereth wyde [ 518] Sum tyme here wil and eke doth hyde.

123.

Thagh thow in thi craft be parfyt, [ 520] To encrese in lernyng be thi delyt; For as sapiens groweth with studyng, [ 522] So don craftis with ofte worchyng.

124.

Dred noght the deth ne his crwelte; [ 524] When-euer he cometh, thou pacient be. He, that can here his lyf dispyse, [ 526] He dredeth the deth on no kynnys wyse.

125.

Lern sapiens of the wyse man, [ 528] And teche him also, that no good can; Vertu, doctrine and good lore [ 530] Scholde be departed ouer-al-where.

126.

Be hol and drynk as wyl resoun, [f. 12r] Acordyng to thy complexioun; Glotonye, ȝif thou wilt aspye, [ 534] Is pryncipal cause of maladye.

127.

My goodly sone, ȝif thou be wyse, [ 536] No man openly do thou preyse; For drede, that aftir sum lyghtnesse the tak, [ 538] That thou hast preysed, thou schalt it lak.

128.

Diligently euer lern sapiens; [ 540] Thorgh bysynesse groweth hegh prudens. And selden thorgh witt with-owte studyng [ 542] Happeth man to conne gret thyng.

129.

Skarsly thou preyse in ernest or play [ 544] Thi frend, thogh thou hym ofte assay; For al day schal [Davor unterpunktiertes trust wel.] falle, trust wel to this, [ 546] Thou schalt wel knowe, what frend he is.

130.

What thou ne can, haue thou no schame [ 548] To lern, encresyng euer thi name; To conne sum good is a fayre avaunt, [ 550] And as fowl it is to be ignoraunt.

131.

In wyn arn wordis and lecchery; [ 552] To hem comuneth ful glotony. Kep, that is worschyp to thi lyf, [ 554] And euer, sone, fle debate and stryf.

132.

Of pryue stylle men and ymaginyng [ 556] Fle hem and al here counceyllyng; Ful stylle flood sum tyme is dep [ 558] And euyll to passe, who kowthe take kep.

133.

Aȝeyns the ryght-ful dispitowsly [ 560] Debate thou neuer ne wrongfully. God taketh vengeance of alle [Davor unterpunktiertes such.] such thing [ 562] And scheweth of tyme his punysching.

134.

Thogh thou haue lost of thi rychesse, [ 564] Fro passyng sorow scholdest thou cesse; And of the remenaunt laft with the [ 566] Make thou fest and joyowste.

135.

Dere sone, ȝyf thou wys wyl be, [ 568] No spas of lyf behete thou the; Wher-euer thou gos or in what way, [ 570] Deth thi schedewe pursweth ay.

136.

With encense to plese God thou prese; [ 572] Lat the calf for the plogh encrese; With the deth of hym trust thou no thing [ 574] To plese God yn offryng.

137.

Ȝif stede, sone, to thi myghtyer [ 576] And eke to pore men of lasse power; Sum tyme to profyt hit schal the falle [ 578] To honour hem, that thou myght hurte alle.

138.

When thou hast synned in word or dede, [ 580] Chast thy-seluen of that mysdede; For whyle thi woundis heling be, [ 582] Sorow is medicyn of sore to the.

139. [f. 11v]

Dampne noght thi frend, sone, thogh he [ 584] Hath chaungéd maners and faylleth to the; Be noght crwel, but al-wey mene [ 586] Of duryng frendschyp was ȝow betwene.

140.

Ȝyf fortune with office wyl the auaunce, [ 588] The more graciows thou be of gouernaunce; Be war thou entre in no such fame, [ 590] Thou lese thi office for euyl name.

141.

Be war, sone, that thou ne be [ 592] Holden suspect in pryuete; Such suspecioun is perilows thing [ 594] And bringeth sum peple to here endyng.

142.

ȝif it happe to the for prys [ 596] Bonde-men do [Lies to.] bye in-to seruys, Thou clepe hem seruaunts and lak hem noght; [ 598] For thei arn men, thogh thei be boght.

143.

How profitable it is, and thou be wys, [ 600] To make nother preysyng ne ȝet despys; The may happe desyre ful sore [ 602] The thing, of [Davor unterpunktiertes the.] whyche thou made no store.

144.

Dere sone, merueyle noght, thogh I [ 604] Haue wryte thise wordes so nakedly; Certis my scherte wytt made hitt, [ 606] That I tweyn to-gedir knytt.

Würzburg.

Max Förster.