John Gower's Confessio amantis

Prologue

Lines 1 through 100

Of hem that writen ous tofore Line P.1 The bokes duelle, and we therfore Line P.2 Ben tawht of that was write tho: Line P.3 Forthi good is that we also Line P.4 In oure tyme among ous hiere Line P.5 Do wryte of newe som matiere, Line P.6 Essampled of these olde wyse Line P.7 So that it myhte in such a wyse, Line P.8

Line P.8 Whan we ben dede and elleswhere, Line P.9 Beleve to the worldes eere Line P.10 In tyme comende after this. Line P.11 Bot for men sein, and soth it is, Line P.12 That who that al of wisdom writ Line P.13 It dulleth ofte a mannes wit Line P.14 To him that schal it aldai rede, Line P.15 For thilke cause, if that ye rede, Line P.16 I wolde go the middel weie Line P.17 And wryte a bok betwen the tweie, Line P.18 Somwhat of lust, somewhat of lore, Line P.19 That of the lasse or of the more Line P.20 Som man mai lyke of that I wryte: Line P.21 And for that fewe men endite Line P.22 In oure englissh, I thenke make Line P.23 A bok for Engelondes sake, Line P.24 The yer sextenthe of kyng Richard. Line P.25 What schal befalle hierafterward Line P.26 God wot, for now upon this tyde Line P.27 Men se the world on every syde Line P.28 In sondry wyse so diversed, Line P.29 That it welnyh stant al reversed, Line P.30 As forto speke of tyme ago. Line P.31

Line P.31 The cause whi it changeth so Line P.32 It needeth nought to specifie, Line P.33 The thing so open is at y�e Line P.34 That every man it mai beholde: Line P.35 And natheles be daies olde, Line P.36 Whan that the bokes weren levere, Line P.37 Wrytinge was beloved evere Line P.38 Of hem that weren vertuous; Line P.39 For hier in erthe amonges ous, Line P.40 If noman write hou that it stode, Line P.41 The pris of hem that weren goode Line P.42 Scholde, as who seith, a gret partie Line P.43 Be lost: so for to magnifie Line P.44 The worthi princes that tho were, Line P.45 The bokes schewen hiere and there, Line P.46 Wherof the world ensampled is; Line P.47

Line P.47 And tho that deden thanne amis Line P.48 Thurgh tirannie and crualte, Line P.49 Right as thei stoden in degre, Line P.50 So was the wrytinge of here werk. Line P.51 Thus I, which am a burel clerk, Line P.52 Purpose forto wryte a bok Line P.53 After the world that whilom tok Line P.54 Long tyme in olde daies passed: Line P.55 Bot for men sein it is now lassed, Line P.56 In worse plit than it was tho, Line P.57 I thenke forto touche also Line P.58 The world which neweth every dai, Line P.59 So as I can, so as I mai. Line P.60 Thogh I seknesse have upon honde Line P.61 And longe have had, yit woll I fonde Line P.62 To wryte and do my bisinesse, Line P.63 That in som part, so as I gesse, Line P.64

Line P.64 The wyse man mai ben avised. Line P.65 For this prologe is so assised Line P.66 That it to wisdom al belongeth: Line P.67 What wysman that it underfongeth, Line P.68 He schal drawe into remembrance Line P.69 The fortune of this worldes chance, Line P.70 The which noman in his persone Line P.71 Mai knowe, bot the god al one. Line P.72 Whan the prologe is so despended, Line P.73 This bok schal afterward ben ended Line P.74 Of love, which doth many a wonder Line P.75 And many a wys man hath put under. Line P.76 And in this wyse I thenke trete Line P.77 Towardes hem that now be grete, Line P.78 Betwen the vertu and the vice Line P.79 Which longeth unto this office. Line P.80

Line P.80 Bot for my wittes ben to smale Line P.81 To tellen every man his tale, Line P.82 This bok, upon amendment Line P.83 To stonde at his commandement, Line P.84 With whom myn herte is of accord, Line P.85 I sende unto myn oghne lord, Line P.86 Which of Lancastre is Henri named: Line P.87 The hyhe god him hath proclamed Line P.88 Ful of knyhthode and alle grace. Line P.89 So woll I now this werk embrace Line P.90 With hol trust and with hol believe; Line P.91 God grante I mot it wel achieve. Line P.92

Line P.92 If I schal drawe in to my mynde Line P.93 The tyme passed, thanne I fynde Line P.94 The world stod thanne in al his welthe: Line P.95 Tho was the lif of man in helthe, Line P.96 Tho was plente, tho was richesse, Line P.97 Tho was the fortune of prouesse, Line P.98 Tho was knyhthode in pris be name, Line P.99 Wherof the wyde worldes fame Line P.100

Lines 101 through 200

Write in Cronique is yit withholde; Line P.101 Justice of lawe tho was holde, Line P.102 The privilege of regalie Line P.103 Was sauf, and al the baronie Line P.104 Worschiped was in his astat; Line P.105 The citees knewen no debat, Line P.106 The poeple stod in obeissance Line P.107 Under the reule of governance, Line P.108 And pes, which ryhtwisnesse keste, Line P.109 With charite tho stod in reste: Line P.110 Of mannes herte the corage Line P.111 Was schewed thanne in the visage; Line P.112 The word was lich to the conceite Line P.113 Withoute semblant of deceite: Line P.114 Tho was ther unenvied love, Line P.115 Tho was the vertu sett above Line P.116 And vice was put under fote. Line P.117 Now stant the crop under the rote, Line P.118 The world is changed overal, Line P.119 And therof most in special Line P.120 That love is falle into discord. Line P.121

Line P.121 And that I take to record Line P.122 Of every lond for his partie Line P.123 The comun vois, which mai noght lie; Line P.124 Noght upon on, bot upon alle Line P.125 It is that men now clepe and calle, Line P.126 And sein the regnes ben divided, Line P.127 In stede of love is hate guided, Line P.128 The werre wol no pes purchace, Line P.129 And lawe hath take hire double face, Line P.130 So that justice out of the weie Line P.131 With ryhtwisnesse is gon aweie: Line P.132 And thus to loke on every halve, Line P.133 Men sen the sor withoute salve, Line P.134 Which al the world hath overtake. Line P.135 Ther is no regne of alle outtake, Line P.136 For every climat hath his diel Line P.137 After the tornynge of the whiel, Line P.138 Which blinde fortune overthroweth; Line P.139 Wherof the certain noman knoweth: Line P.140 The hevene wot what is to done, Line P.141 Bot we that duelle under the mone Line P.142 Stonde in this world upon a weer, Line P.143 And namely bot the pouer Line P.144 Of hem that ben the worldes guides Line P.145 With good consail on alle sides Line P.146 Be kept upriht in such a wyse, Line P.147 That hate breke noght thassise Line P.148 Of love, which is al the chief Line P.149 To kepe a regne out of meschief. Line P.150 For alle resoun wolde this, Line P.151 That unto him which the heved is Line P.152 The membres buxom scholden bowe, Line P.153 And he scholde ek her trowthe allowe, Line P.154 With al his herte and make hem chiere, Line P.155 For good consail is good to hiere. Line P.156 Althogh a man be wys himselve, Line P.157

Line P.157 Yit is the wisdom more of tuelve; Line P.158 And if thei stoden bothe in on, Line P.159 To hope it were thanne anon Line P.160 That god his grace wolde sende Line P.161 To make of thilke werre an ende, Line P.162 Which every day now groweth newe: Line P.163 And that is gretly forto rewe Line P.164 In special for Cristes sake, Line P.165 Which wolde his oghne lif forsake Line P.166 Among the men to yeve pes. Line P.167 But now men tellen natheles Line P.168 That love is fro the world departed, Line P.169 So stant the pes unevene parted Line P.170 With hem that liven now adaies. Line P.171 Bot forto loke at alle assaies, Line P.172 To him that wolde resoun seche Line P.173 After the comun worldes speche Line P.174 It is to wondre of thilke werre, Line P.175 In which non wot who hath the werre; Line P.176 For every lond himself deceyveth Line P.177 And of desese his part receyveth, Line P.178 And yet ne take men no kepe. Line P.179 Bot thilke lord which al may kepe, Line P.180 To whom no consail may ben hid, Line P.181 Upon the world which is betid, Line P.182 Amende that wherof men pleigne Line P.183 With trewe hertes and with pleine, Line P.184 And reconcile love ayeyn, Line P.185 As he which is king sovereign Line P.186 Of al the worldes governaunce, Line P.187 And of his hyhe porveaunce Line P.188 Afferme pes betwen the londes Line P.189 And take her cause into hise hondes, Line P.190 So that the world may stonde apppesed Line P.191 And his godhede also be plesed. Line P.192

Line P.192 To thenke upon the daies olde, Line P.193 The lif of clerkes to beholde, Line P.194 Men sein how that thei weren tho Line P.195 Ensample and reule of alle tho Line P.196 Whiche of wisdom the vertu soughten. Line P.197 Unto the god ferst thei besoughten Line P.198 As to the substaunce of her Scole, Line P.199 That thei ne scholden noght befole Line P.200

Lines 201 through 300

Her wit upon none erthly werkes, Line P.201 Which were ayein thestat of clerkes, Line P.202 And that thei myhten fle the vice Line P.203 Which Simon hath in his office, Line P.204 Wherof he takth the gold in honde. Line P.205 For thilke tyme I understonde Line P.206 The Lumbard made non eschange Line P.207 The bisschopriches forto change, Line P.208 Ne yet a lettre for to sende Line P.209 For dignite ne for Provende, Line P.210 Or cured or withoute cure. Line P.211 The cherche keye in aventure Line P.212 Of armes and of brygantaille Line P.213 Stod nothing thanne upon bataille; Line P.214 To fyhte or for to make cheste Line P.215 It thoghte hem thanne noght honeste; Line P.216 Bot of simplesce and pacience Line P.217 Thei maden thanne no defence: Line P.218 The Court of worldly regalie Line P.219

Line P.219 To hem was thanne no baillie; Line P.220 The vein honour was noght desired, Line P.221 Which hath the proude herte fyred; Line P.222 Humilite was tho withholde, Line P.223 And Pride was a vice holde. Line P.224 Of holy cherche the largesse Line P.225 Yaf thanne and dede gret almesse Line P.226 To povere men that hadden nede: Line P.227 Thei were ek chaste in word and dede, Line P.228 Wherof the poeple ensample tok; Line P.229 Her lust was al upon the bok, Line P.230 Or forto preche or forto preie, Line P.231 To wisse men the ryhte weie Line P.232 Of suche as stode of trowthe unliered. Line P.233 Lo, thus was Petres barge stiered Line P.234 Of hem that thilke tyme were, Line P.235 And thus cam ferst to mannes Ere Line P.236 The feith of Crist and alle goode Line P.237 Thurgh hem that thanne weren goode Line P.238 And sobre and chaste and large and wyse. Line P.239 Bot now men sein is otherwise, Line P.240 Simon the cause hath undertake, Line P.241 The worldes swerd on honde is take; Line P.242 And that is wonder natheles, Line P.243 Whan Crist him self hath bode pes Line P.244 And set it in his testament, Line P.245 How now that holy cherche is went, Line P.246 Of that here lawe positif Line P.247 Hath set to make werre and strif Line P.248 For worldes good, which may noght laste. Line P.249 God wot the cause to the laste Line P.250 Of every right and wrong also; Line P.251 But whil the lawe is reuled so Line P.252 That clerkes to the werre entende, Line P.253 I not how that thei scholde amende Line P.254 The woful world in othre thinges, Line P.255 To make pes betwen the kynges Line P.256 After the lawe of charite, Line P.257 Which is the propre duete Line P.258

Line P.258 Belongende unto the presthode. Line P.259 Bot as it thenkth to the manhode, Line P.260 The hevene is ferr, the world is nyh, Line P.261 And veine gloire is ek so slyh, Line P.262 Which coveitise hath now withholde, Line P.263 That thei non other thing beholde, Line P.264 Bot only that thei myhten winne. Line P.265 And thus the werres thei beginne, Line P.266 Wherof the holi cherche is taxed, Line P.267 That in the point as it is axed Line P.268 The disme goth to the bataille, Line P.269 As thogh Crist myhte noght availe Line P.270 To don hem riht be other weie. Line P.271 In to the swerd the cherche keie Line P.272 Is torned, and the holy bede Line P.273 Into cursinge, and every stede Line P.274 Which scholde stonde upon the feith Line P.275 And to this cause an Ere leyth, Line P.276 Astoned is of the querele. Line P.277 That scholde be the worldes hele Line P.278 Is now, men sein, the pestilence Line P.279 Which hath exiled pacience Line P.280 Fro the clergie in special: Line P.281 And that is schewed overal, Line P.282 In eny thing whan thei ben grieved. Line P.283 Bot if Gregoire be believed, Line P.284 As it is in the bokes write, Line P.285 He doth ous somdel forto wite Line P.286 The cause of thilke prelacie, Line P.287 Wher god is noght of compaignie: Line P.288 For every werk as it is founded Line P.289 Schal stonde or elles be confounded; Line P.290 Who that only for Cristes sake Line P.291 Desireth cure forto take, Line P.292 And noght for pride of thilke astat, Line P.293 To bere a name of a prelat, Line P.294 He schal be resoun do profit Line P.295

Line P.295 In holy cherche upon the plit Line P.296 That he hath set his conscience; Line P.297 Bot in the worldes reverence Line P.298 Ther ben of suche manie glade, Line P.299 Whan thei to thilke astat ben made, Line P.300

Lines 301 through 400

Noght for the merite of the charge, Line P.301 Bot for thei wolde hemself descharge Line P.302 Of poverte and become grete; Line P.303 And thus for Pompe and for beyete Line P.304 The Scribe and ek the Pharisee Line P.305 Of Moi�ses upon the See Line P.306 In the chaiere on hyh ben set; Line P.307 Wherof the feith is ofte let, Line P.308 Which is betaken hem to kepe. Line P.309 In Cristes cause alday thei slepe, Line P.310 Bot of the world is noght foryete; Line P.311 For wel is him that now may gete Line P.312 Office in Court to ben honoured. Line P.313 The stronge coffre hath al devoured Line P.314 Under the keye of avarice Line P.315 The tresor of the benefice, Line P.316 Wherof the povere schulden clothe Line P.317 And ete and drinke and house bothe; Line P.318 The charite goth al unknowe, Line P.319 For thei no grein of Pite sowe: Line P.320 And slouthe kepeth the libraire Line P.321 Which longeth to the Saintuaire; Line P.322 To studie upon the worldes lore Line P.323 Sufficeth now withoute more; Line P.324 Delicacie his swete toth Line P.325 Hath fostred so that it fordoth Line P.326 Of abstinence al that ther is. Line P.327 And forto loken over this, Line P.328 If Ethna brenne in the clergie, Line P.329 Al openly to mannes y�e Line P.330 At Avynoun thexperience Line P.331

Line P.331 Therof hath yove an evidence, Line P.332 Of that men sen hem so divided. Line P.333 And yit the cause is noght decided; Line P.334 Bot it is seid and evere schal, Line P.335 Betwen tuo Stoles lyth the fal, Line P.336 Whan that men wenen best to sitte: Line P.337 In holy cherche of such a slitte Line P.338 Is for to rewe un to ous alle; Line P.339 God grante it mote wel befalle Line P.340 Towardes him which hath the trowthe. Line P.341 Bot ofte is sen that mochel slowthe, Line P.342 Whan men ben drunken of the cuppe, Line P.343 Doth mochel harm, whan fyr is uppe, Line P.344 Bot if somwho the flamme stanche; Line P.345 And so to speke upon this branche, Line P.346 Which proud Envie hath mad to springe, Line P.347 Of Scisme, causeth forto bringe Line P.348 This newe Secte of Lollardie, Line P.349 And also many an heresie Line P.350 Among the clerkes in hemselve. Line P.351 It were betre dike and delve Line P.352 And stonde upon the ryhte feith, Line P.353 Than knowe al that the bible seith Line P.354 And erre as somme clerkes do. Line P.355 Upon the hond to were a Schoo Line P.356 And sette upon the fot a Glove Line P.357 Acordeth noght to the behove Line P.358 Of resonable mannes us: Line P.359 If men behielden the vertus Line P.360 That Crist in Erthe taghte here, Line P.361 Thei scholden noght in such manere, Line P.362 Among hem that ben holden wise, Line P.363 The Papacie so desguise Line P.364 Upon diverse eleccioun, Line P.365 Which stant after thaffeccioun Line P.366 Of sondry londes al aboute: Line P.367 Bot whan god wole, it schal were oute, Line P.368

Line P.368 For trowthe mot stonde ate laste. Line P.369 Bot yet thei argumenten faste Line P.370 Upon the Pope and his astat, Line P.371 Wherof thei falle in gret debat; Line P.372 This clerk seith yee, that other nay, Line P.373 And thus thei dryve forth the day, Line P.374 And ech of hem himself amendeth Line P.375 Of worldes good, bot non entendeth Line P.376 To that which comun profit were. Line P.377 Thei sein that god is myhti there, Line P.378 And schal ordeine what he wile, Line P.379 Ther make thei non other skile Line P.380 Where is the peril of the feith, Line P.381 Bot every clerk his herte leith Line P.382 To kepe his world in special, Line P.383 And of the cause general, Line P.384 Which unto holy cherche longeth, Line P.385 Is non of hem that underfongeth Line P.386 To schapen eny resistence: Line P.387 And thus the riht hath no defence, Line P.388 Bot ther I love, ther I holde. Line P.389 Lo, thus tobroke is Cristes folde, Line P.390 Wherof the flock withoute guide Line P.391 Devoured is on every side, Line P.392 In lacke of hem that ben unware Line P.393 Schepherdes, whiche her wit beware Line P.394 Upon the world in other halve. Line P.395 The scharpe pricke in stede of salve Line P.396 Thei usen now, wherof the hele Line P.397 Thei hurte of that thei scholden hele; Line P.398 And what Schep that is full of wulle Line P.399 Upon his back, thei toose and pulle, Line P.400

Lines 401 through 500

Whil ther is eny thing to pile: Line P.401 And thogh ther be non other skile Line P.402 Bot only for thei wolden wynne, Line P.403 Thei leve noght, whan thei begynne, Line P.404 Upon her acte to procede, Line P.405 Which is no good schepherdes dede. Line P.406

Line P.406 And upon this also men sein, Line P.407 That fro the leese which is plein Line P.408 Into the breres thei forcacche Line P.409 Her Orf, for that thei wolden lacche Line P.410 With such duresce, and so bereve Line P.411 That schal upon the thornes leve Line P.412 Of wulle, which the brere hath tore; Line P.413 Wherof the Schep ben al totore Line P.414 Of that the hierdes make hem lese. Line P.415 Lo, how thei feignen chalk for chese, Line P.416 For though thei speke and teche wel, Line P.417 Thei don hemself therof no del: Line P.418 For if the wolf come in the weie, Line P.419 Her gostly Staf is thanne aweie, Line P.420 Wherof thei scholde her flock defende; Line P.421 Bot if the povere Schep offende Line P.422 In eny thing, thogh it be lyte, Line P.423 They ben al redy forto smyte; Line P.424 And thus, how evere that thei tale, Line P.425 The strokes falle upon the smale, Line P.426 And upon othre that ben grete Line P.427 Hem lacketh herte forto bete. Line P.428 So that under the clerkes lawe Line P.429 Men sen the Merel al mysdrawe, Line P.430 I wol noght seie in general, Line P.431 For ther ben somme in special Line P.432 In whom that alle vertu duelleth, Line P.433 And tho ben, as thapostel telleth, Line P.434 That god of his eleccioun Line P.435 Hath cleped to perfeccioun Line P.436 In the manere as Aaron was: Line P.437 Thei ben nothing in thilke cas Line P.438 Of Simon, which the foldes gate Line P.439 Hath lete, and goth in othergate, Line P.440 Bot thei gon in the rihte weie. Line P.441 Ther ben also somme, as men seie, Line P.442 That folwen Simon ate hieles, Line P.443

Line P.443 Whos carte goth upon the whieles Line P.444 Of coveitise and worldes Pride, Line P.445 And holy cherche goth beside, Line P.446 Which scheweth outward a visage Line P.447 Of that is noght in the corage. Line P.448 For if men loke in holy cherche, Line P.449 Betwen the word and that thei werche Line P.450 Ther is a full gret difference: Line P.451 Thei prechen ous in audience Line P.452 That noman schal his soule empeire, Line P.453 For al is bot a chirie feire Line P.454 This worldes good, so as thei telle; Line P.455 Also thei sein ther is an helle, Line P.456 Which unto mannes sinne is due, Line P.457 And bidden ous therfore eschue Line P.458 That wikkid is, and do the goode. Line P.459 Who that here wordes understode, Line P.460 It thenkth thei wolden do the same; Line P.461 Bot yet betwen ernest and game Line P.462 Ful ofte it torneth other wise. Line P.463 With holy tales thei devise Line P.464 How meritoire is thilke dede Line P.465 Of charite, to clothe and fede Line P.466 The povere folk and forto parte Line P.467 The worldes good, bot thei departe Line P.468 Ne thenken noght fro that thei have. Line P.469 Also thei sein, good is to save Line P.470 With penance and with abstinence Line P.471 Of chastite the continence; Line P.472 Bot pleinly forto speke of that, Line P.473 I not how thilke body fat, Line P.474 Which thei with deynte metes kepe Line P.475 And leyn it softe forto slepe, Line P.476 Whan it hath elles al his wille, Line P.477 With chastite schal stonde stille: Line P.478 And natheles I can noght seie, Line P.479 In aunter if that I misseye. Line P.480 Touchende of this, how evere it stonde, Line P.481

Line P.481 I here and wol noght understonde, Line P.482 For therof have I noght to done: Line P.483 Bot he that made ferst the Mone, Line P.484 The hyhe god, of his goodnesse, Line P.485 If ther be cause, he it redresce. Line P.486 Bot what as eny man accuse, Line P.487 This mai reson of trowthe excuse; Line P.488 The vice of hem that ben ungoode Line P.489 Is no reproef unto the goode: Line P.490 For every man hise oghne werkes Line P.491 Schal bere, and thus as of the clerkes Line P.492 The goode men ben to comende, Line P.493 And alle these othre god amende: Line P.494 For thei ben to the worldes y�e Line P.495 The Mirour of ensamplerie, Line P.496 To reulen and to taken hiede Line P.497 Betwen the men and the godhiede. Line P.498 Now forto speke of the comune, Line P.499 It is to drede of that fortune Line P.500

Lines 501 through 600

Which hath befalle in sondri londes: Line P.501 Bot often for defalte of bondes Line P.502 Al sodeinliche, er it be wist, Line P.503 A Tonne, whanne his lye arist, Line P.504 Tobrekth and renneth al aboute, Line P.505 Which elles scholde noght gon oute; Line P.506 And ek fulofte a litel Skar Line P.507 Upon a Banke, er men be war, Line P.508 Let in the Strem, which with gret peine, Line P.509 If evere man it schal restreigne. Line P.510

Line P.510 Wher lawe lacketh, errour groweth, Line P.511 He is noght wys who that ne troweth, Line P.512 For it hath proeved ofte er this; Line P.513 And thus the comun clamour is Line P.514 In every lond wher poeple dwelleth, Line P.515 And eche in his compleignte telleth Line P.516 How that the world is al miswent, Line P.517 And ther upon his jugement Line P.518 Yifth every man in sondry wise. Line P.519 Bot what man wolde himself avise, Line P.520 His conscience and noght misuse, Line P.521 He may wel ate ferste excuse Line P.522 His god, which evere stant in on: Line P.523 In him ther is defalte non, Line P.524 So moste it stonde upon ousselve Line P.525 Nought only upon ten ne twelve, Line P.526 Bot plenerliche upon ous alle, Line P.527 For man is cause of that schal falle. Line P.528 And natheles yet som men wryte Line P.529 And sein that fortune is to wyte, Line P.530 And som men holde oppinion Line P.531 That it is constellacion, Line P.532 Which causeth al that a man doth: Line P.533 God wot of bothe which is soth. Line P.534 The world as of his propre kynde Line P.535 Was evere untrewe, and as the blynde Line P.536 Improprelich he demeth fame, Line P.537 He blameth that is noght to blame Line P.538 And preiseth that is noght to preise: Line P.539 Thus whan he schal the thinges peise, Line P.540 Ther is deceipte in his balance, Line P.541 And al is that the variance Line P.542 Of ous, that scholde ous betre avise; Line P.543 For after that we falle and rise, Line P.544 The world arist and falth withal, Line P.545 So that the man is overal Line P.546 His oghne cause of wel and wo. Line P.547 That we fortune clepe so Line P.548

Line P.548 Out of the man himself it groweth; Line P.549 And who that other wise troweth, Line P.550 Behold the poeple of Irael: Line P.551 For evere whil thei deden wel, Line P.552 Fortune was hem debonaire, Line P.553 And whan thei deden the contraire, Line P.554 Fortune was contrariende. Line P.555 So that it proeveth wel at ende Line P.556 Why that the world is wonderfull Line P.557 And may no while stonde full, Line P.558 Though that it seme wel besein; Line P.559 For every worldes thing is vein, Line P.560 And evere goth the whiel aboute, Line P.561 And evere stant a man in doute, Line P.562 Fortune stant no while stille, Line P.563 So hath ther noman al his wille. Line P.564 Als fer as evere a man may knowe, Line P.565 Ther lasteth nothing bot a throwe; Line P.566 The world stant evere upon debat, Line P.567 So may be seker non astat, Line P.568 Now hier now ther, now to now fro, Line P.569 Now up now down, this world goth so, Line P.570 And evere hath don and evere schal: Line P.571 Wherof I finde in special Line P.572 A tale writen in the Bible, Line P.573 Which moste nedes be credible; Line P.574 And that as in conclusioun Line P.575 Seith that upon divisioun Line P.576 Stant, why no worldes thing mai laste, Line P.577 Til it be drive to the laste. Line P.578 And fro the ferste regne of alle Line P.579 Into this day, hou so befalle, Line P.580 Of that the regnes be muable Line P.581 The man himself hath be coupable, Line P.582 Which of his propre governance Line P.583 Fortuneth al the worldes chance. Line P.584

Line P.584 The hyhe almyhti pourveance, Line P.585 In whos eterne remembrance Line P.586 Fro ferst was every thing present, Line P.587 He hath his prophecie sent, Line P.588 In such a wise as thou schalt hiere, Line P.589 To Daniel of this matiere, Line P.590 Hou that this world schal torne and wende, Line P.591 Till it be falle to his ende; Line P.592 Wherof the tale telle I schal, Line P.593 In which it is betokned al. Line P.594 As Nabugodonosor slepte, Line P.595 A swevene him tok, the which he kepte Line P.596 Til on the morwe he was arise, Line P.597 For he therof was sore agrise. Line P.598 To Daniel his drem he tolde, Line P.599 And preide him faire that he wolde Line P.600

Lines 601 through 700

Arede what it tokne may; Line P.601 And seide: "Abedde wher I lay, Line P.602 Me thoghte I syh upon a Stage Line P.603 Wher stod a wonder strange ymage. Line P.604 His hed with al the necke also Line P.605 Thei were of fin gold bothe tuo; Line P.606 His brest, his schuldres and his armes Line P.607 Were al of selver, bot the tharmes, Line P.608 The wombe and al doun to the kne, Line P.609 Of bras thei were upon to se; Line P.610 The legges were al mad of Stiel, Line P.611 So were his feet also somdiel, Line P.612 And somdiel part to hem was take Line P.613 Of Erthe which men Pottes make; Line P.614

Line P.614 The fieble meynd was with the stronge, Line P.615 So myhte it wel noght stonde longe. Line P.616 And tho me thoghte that I sih Line P.617 A gret ston from an hull on hyh Line P.618 Fel doun of sodein aventure Line P.619 Upon the feet of this figure, Line P.620 With which Ston al tobroke was Line P.621 Gold, Selver, Erthe, Stiel and Bras, Line P.622 That al was in to pouldre broght, Line P.623 And so forth torned into noght." Line P.624 This was the swevene which he hadde, Line P.625 That Daniel anon aradde, Line P.626 And seide him that figure strange Line P.627 Betokneth how the world schal change Line P.628 And waxe lasse worth and lasse, Line P.629 Til it to noght al overpasse. Line P.630 The necke and hed, that weren golde, Line P.631 He seide how that betokne scholde Line P.632 A worthi world, a noble, a riche, Line P.633 To which non after schal be liche. Line P.634 Of Selver that was overforth Line P.635 Schal ben a world of lasse worth; Line P.636 And after that the wombe of Bras Line P.637 Tokne of a werse world it was. Line P.638 The Stiel which he syh afterward Line P.639 A world betokneth more hard: Line P.640 Bot yet the werste of everydel Line P.641 Is last, whan that of Erthe and Stiel Line P.642 He syh the feet departed so, Line P.643 For that betokneth mochel wo. Line P.644 Whan that the world divided is, Line P.645 It moste algate fare amis, Line P.646 For Erthe which is meynd with Stiel Line P.647 Togedre may noght laste wiel, Line P.648 Bot if that on that other waste; Line P.649 So mot it nedes faile in haste. Line P.650 The Ston, which fro the hully Stage Line P.651

Line P.651 He syh doun falle on that ymage, Line P.652 And hath it into pouldre broke, Line P.653 That swevene hath Daniel unloke, Line P.654 And seide how that is goddes myht, Line P.655 Which whan men wene most upryht Line P.656 To stonde, schal hem overcaste. Line P.657 And that is of this world the laste, Line P.658 And thanne a newe schal beginne, Line P.659 Fro which a man schal nevere twinne; Line P.660 Or al to peine or al to pes Line P.661 That world schal lasten endeles. Line P.662 Lo thus expondeth Daniel Line P.663 The kynges swevene faire and wel Line P.664 In Babiloyne the Cite, Line P.665 Wher that the wiseste of Caldee Line P.666 Ne cowthen wite what it mente; Line P.667 Bot he tolde al the hol entente, Line P.668 As in partie it is befalle. Line P.669 Of gold the ferste regne of alle Line P.670 Was in that kinges time tho, Line P.671 And laste manye daies so, Line P.672 Therwhiles that the Monarchie Line P.673 Of al the world in that partie Line P.674 To Babiloyne was soubgit; Line P.675 And hield him stille in such a plit, Line P.676 Til that the world began diverse: Line P.677 And that was whan the king of Perse, Line P.678 Which Cirus hyhte, ayein the pes Line P.679 Forth with his Sone Cambises Line P.680 Of Babiloine al that Empire, Line P.681 Ryht as thei wolde hemself desire, Line P.682 Put under in subjeccioun Line P.683 And tok it in possessioun, Line P.684 And slayn was Baltazar the king, Line P.685 Which loste his regne and al his thing. Line P.686 And thus whan thei it hadde wonne, Line P.687 The world of Selver was begonne Line P.688

Line P.688 And that of gold was passed oute: Line P.689 And in this wise it goth aboute Line P.690 In to the Regne of Darius; Line P.691 And thanne it fell to Perse thus, Line P.692 That Alisaundre put hem under, Line P.693 Which wroghte of armes many a wonder, Line P.694 So that the Monarchie lefte Line P.695 With Grecs, and here astat uplefte, Line P.696 And Persiens gon under fote, Line P.697 So soffre thei that nedes mote. Line P.698 And tho the world began of Bras, Line P.699 And that of selver ended was; Line P.700

Lines 701 through 800

Bot for the time thus it laste, Line P.701 Til it befell that ate laste Line P.702 This king, whan that his day was come, Line P.703 With strengthe of deth was overcome. Line P.704 And natheles yet er he dyde, Line P.705 He schop his Regnes to divide Line P.706 To knyhtes whiche him hadde served, Line P.707 And after that thei have deserved Line P.708 Yaf the conquestes that he wan; Line P.709 Wherof gret werre tho began Line P.710 Among hem that the Regnes hadde, Line P.711 Thurgh proud Envie which hem ladde, Line P.712 Til it befell ayein hem thus: Line P.713 The noble Cesar Julius, Line P.714 Which tho was king of Rome lond, Line P.715 With gret bataille and with strong hond Line P.716 Al Grece, Perse and ek Caldee Line P.717 Wan and put under, so that he Line P.718 Noght al only of thorient Line P.719 Bot al the Marche of thoccident Line P.720 Governeth under his empire, Line P.721 As he that was hol lord and Sire, Line P.722 And hield thurgh his chivalerie Line P.723 Of al this world the Monarchie, Line P.724 And was the ferste of that honour Line P.725 Which tok the name of Emperour. Line P.726

Line P.726 Wher Rome thanne wolde assaille, Line P.727 Ther myhte nothing contrevaille, Line P.728 Bot every contre moste obeie: Line P.729 Tho goth the Regne of Bras aweie, Line P.730 And comen is the world of Stiel, Line P.731 And stod above upon the whiel. Line P.732 As Stiel is hardest in his kynde Line P.733 Above alle othre that men finde Line P.734 Of Metals, such was Rome tho Line P.735 The myhtieste, and laste so Line P.736 Long time amonges the Romeins Line P.737 Til thei become so vileins, Line P.738 That the fals Emperour Leo Line P.739 With Constantin his Sone also Line P.740 The patrimoine and the richesse, Line P.741 Which to Silvestre in pure almesse Line P.742 The ferste Constantinus lefte, Line P.743 Fro holy cherche thei berefte. Line P.744 Bot Adrian, which Pope was, Line P.745 And syh the meschief of this cas, Line P.746 Goth in to France forto pleigne, Line P.747 And preith the grete Charlemeine, Line P.748 For Cristes sake and Soule hele Line P.749 That he wol take the querele Line P.750 Of holy cherche in his defence. Line P.751 And Charles for the reverence Line P.752 Of god the cause hath undertake, Line P.753 And with his host the weie take Line P.754 Over the Montz of Lombardie; Line P.755 Of Rome and al the tirandie Line P.756 With blodi swerd he overcom, Line P.757 And the Cite with strengthe nom; Line P.758 In such a wise and there he wroghte, Line P.759 That holy cherche ayein he broghte Line P.760 Into franchise, and doth restore Line P.761 The Popes lost, and yaf him more: Line P.762

Line P.762 And thus whan he his god hath served, Line P.763 He tok, as he wel hath deserved, Line P.764 The Diademe and was coroned. Line P.765 Of Rome and thus was abandoned Line P.766 Thempire, which cam nevere ayein Line P.767 Into the hond of no Romein; Line P.768 Bot a long time it stod so stille Line P.769 Under the Frensche kynges wille, Line P.770 Til that fortune hir whiel so ladde, Line P.771 That afterward Lombardz it hadde, Line P.772 Noght be the swerd, bot be soffrance Line P.773 Of him that tho was kyng of France, Line P.774 Which Karle Calvus cleped was; Line P.775 And he resigneth in this cas Line P.776 Thempire of Rome unto Lowis Line P.777 His Cousin, which a Lombard is. Line P.778 And so hit laste into the yeer Line P.779 Of Albert and of Berenger; Line P.780 Bot thanne upon dissencioun Line P.781 Thei felle, and in divisioun Line P.782 Among hemself that were grete, Line P.783 So that thei loste the beyete Line P.784 Of worschipe and of worldes pes. Line P.785 Bot in proverbe natheles Line P.786 Men sein, ful selden is that welthe Line P.787 Can soffre his oghne astat in helthe; Line P.788 And that was on the Lombardz sene, Line P.789 Such comun strif was hem betwene Line P.790 Thurgh coveitise and thurgh Envie, Line P.791 That every man drowh his partie, Line P.792 Which myhte leden eny route, Line P.793 Withinne Burgh and ek withoute: Line P.794 The comun ryht hath no felawe, Line P.795 So that the governance of lawe Line P.796 Was lost, and for necessite, Line P.797 Of that thei stode in such degre Line P.798 Al only thurgh divisioun, Line P.799

Line P.799 Hem nedeth in conclusioun Line P.800

Lines 801 through 900

Of strange londes help beside. Line P.801 And thus for thei hemself divide Line P.802 And stonden out of reule unevene, Line P.803 Of Alemaine Princes sevene Line P.804 Thei chose in this condicioun, Line P.805 That upon here eleccioun Line P.806 Thempire of Rome scholde stonde. Line P.807 And thus thei lefte it out of honde Line P.808 For lacke of grace, and it forsoke, Line P.809 That Alemans upon hem toke: Line P.810 And to confermen here astat, Line P.811 Of that thei founden in debat Line P.812 Thei token the possessioun Line P.813 After the composicioun Line P.814 Among hemself, and therupon Line P.815 Thei made an Emperour anon, Line P.816 Whos name as the Cronique telleth Line P.817 Was Othes; and so forth it duelleth, Line P.818 Fro thilke day yit unto this Line P.819 Thempire of Rome hath ben and is Line P.820 To thalemans. And in this wise, Line P.821 As ye tofore have herd divise Line P.822 How Daniel the swevene expondeth Line P.823 Of that ymage, on whom he foundeth Line P.824 The world which after scholde falle, Line P.825 Come is the laste tokne of alle; Line P.826 Upon the feet of Erthe and Stiel Line P.827 So stant this world now everydiel Line P.828 Departed; which began riht tho, Line P.829 Whan Rome was divided so: Line P.830 And that is forto rewe sore, Line P.831 For alway siththe more and more Line P.832 The world empeireth every day. Line P.833 Wherof the sothe schewe may, Line P.834 At Rome ferst if we beginne: Line P.835

Line P.835 The wall and al the Cit withinne Line P.836 Stant in ruine and in decas, Line P.837 The feld is wher the Paleis was, Line P.838 The toun is wast; and overthat, Line P.839 If we beholde thilke astat Line P.840 Which whilom was of the Romeins, Line P.841 Of knyhthode and of Citezeins, Line P.842 To peise now with that beforn, Line P.843 The chaf is take for the corn, Line P.844 As forto speke of Romes myht: Line P.845 Unethes stant ther oght upryht Line P.846 Of worschipe or of worldes good, Line P.847 As it before tyme stod. Line P.848 And why the worschipe is aweie, Line P.849 If that a man the sothe seie, Line P.850 The cause hath ben divisioun, Line P.851 Which moder of confusioun Line P.852 Is wher sche cometh overal, Line P.853 Noght only of the temporal Line P.854 Bot of the spirital also. Line P.855 The dede proeveth it is so, Line P.856 And hath do many day er this, Line P.857 Thurgh venym which that medled is Line P.858 In holy cherche of erthly thing: Line P.859 For Crist himself makth knowleching Line P.860 That noman may togedre serve Line P.861 God and the world, bot if he swerve Line P.862 Froward that on and stonde unstable; Line P.863 And Cristes word may noght be fable. Line P.864 The thing so open is at y�e, Line P.865 It nedeth noght to specefie Line P.866 Or speke oght more in this matiere; Line P.867 Bot in this wise a man mai lere Line P.868 Hou that the world is gon aboute, Line P.869

Line P.869 The which welnyh is wered oute, Line P.870 After the forme of that figure Line P.871 Which Daniel in his scripture Line P.872 Expondeth, as tofore is told. Line P.873 Of Bras, of Selver and of Gold Line P.874 The world is passed and agon, Line P.875 And now upon his olde ton Line P.876 It stant of brutel Erthe and Stiel, Line P.877 The whiche acorden nevere a diel; Line P.878 So mot it nedes swerve aside Line P.879 As thing the which men sen divide. Line P.880 Thapostel writ unto ous alle Line P.881 And seith that upon ous is falle Line P.882 Thende of the world; so may we knowe, Line P.883 This ymage is nyh overthrowe, Line P.884 Be which this world was signified, Line P.885 That whilom was so magnefied, Line P.886 And now is old and fieble and vil, Line P.887 Full of meschief and of peril, Line P.888 And stant divided ek also Line P.889 Lich to the feet that were so, Line P.890 As I tolde of the Statue above. Line P.891 And this men sen, thurgh lacke of love Line P.892 Where as the lond divided is, Line P.893 It mot algate fare amis: Line P.894 And now to loke on every side, Line P.895 A man may se the world divide, Line P.896 The werres ben so general Line P.897 Among the cristene overal, Line P.898 That every man now secheth wreche, Line P.899 And yet these clerkes alday preche Line P.900

Lines 901 through 1000

And sein, good dede may non be Line P.901 Which stant noght upon charite: Line P.902 I not hou charite may stonde, Line P.903 Wher dedly werre is take on honde. Line P.904 Bot al this wo is cause of man, Line P.905 The which that wit and reson can, Line P.906 And that in tokne and in witnesse Line P.907

Line P.907 That ilke ymage bar liknesse Line P.908 Of man and of non other beste. Line P.909 For ferst unto the mannes heste Line P.910 Was every creature ordeined, Line P.911 Bot afterward it was restreigned: Line P.912 Whan that he fell, thei fellen eke, Line P.913 Whan he wax sek, thei woxen seke; Line P.914 For as the man hath passioun Line P.915 Of seknesse, in comparisoun Line P.916 So soffren othre creatures. Line P.917 Lo, ferst the hevenly figures, Line P.918 The Sonne and Mone eclipsen bothe, Line P.919 And ben with mannes senne wrothe; Line P.920 The purest Eir for Senne alofte Line P.921 Hath ben and is corrupt fulofte, Line P.922 Right now the hyhe wyndes blowe, Line P.923 And anon after thei ben lowe, Line P.924 Now clowdy and now clier it is: Line P.925 So may it proeven wel be this, Line P.926 A mannes Senne is forto hate, Line P.927 Which makth the welkne to debate. Line P.928 And forto se the proprete Line P.929 Of every thyng in his degree, Line P.930 Benethe forth among ous hiere Line P.931 Al stant aliche in this matiere: Line P.932 The See now ebbeth, now it floweth, Line P.933 The lond now welketh, now it groweth, Line P.934 Now be the Trees with leves grene, Line P.935 Now thei be bare and nothing sene, Line P.936 Now be the lusti somer floures, Line P.937 Now be the stormy wynter shoures, Line P.938 Now be the daies, now the nyhtes, Line P.939 So stant ther nothing al upryhtes, Line P.940 Now it is lyht, now it is derk; Line P.941 And thus stant al the worldes werk Line P.942

Line P.942 After the disposicioun Line P.943 Of man and his condicioun. Line P.944 Forthi Gregoire in his Moral Line P.945 Seith that a man in special Line P.946 The lasse world is properly: Line P.947 And that he proeveth redely; Line P.948 For man of Soule resonable Line P.949 Is to an Angel resemblable, Line P.950 And lich to beste he hath fielinge, Line P.951 And lich to Trees he hath growinge; Line P.952 The Stones ben and so is he: Line P.953 Thus of his propre qualite Line P.954 The man, as telleth the clergie, Line P.955 Is as a world in his partie, Line P.956 And whan this litel world mistorneth, Line P.957 The grete world al overtorneth. Line P.958 The Lond, the See, the firmament, Line P.959 Thei axen alle jugement Line P.960 Ayein the man and make him werre: Line P.961 Therwhile himself stant out of herre, Line P.962 The remenant wol noght acorde: Line P.963 And in this wise, as I recorde, Line P.964 The man is cause of alle wo, Line P.965 Why this world is divided so. Line P.966 Division, the gospell seith, Line P.967 On hous upon another leith, Line P.968 Til that the Regne al overthrowe: Line P.969 And thus may every man wel knowe, Line P.970 Division aboven alle Line P.971 Is thing which makth the world to falle, Line P.972 And evere hath do sith it began. Line P.973 It may ferst proeve upon a man; Line P.974 The which, for his complexioun Line P.975 Is mad upon divisioun Line P.976 Of cold, of hot, of moist, of drye, Line P.977 He mot be verray kynde dye: Line P.978 For the contraire of his astat Line P.979

Line P.979 Stant evermore in such debat, Line P.980 Til that o part be overcome, Line P.981 Ther may no final pes be nome. Line P.982 Bot other wise, if a man were Line P.983 Mad al togedre of o matiere Line P.984 Withouten interrupcioun, Line P.985 Ther scholde no corrupcioun Line P.986 Engendre upon that unite: Line P.987 Bot for ther is diversite Line P.988 Withinne himself, he may noght laste, Line P.989 That he ne deieth ate laste. Line P.990 Bot in a man yit over this Line P.991 Full gret divisioun ther is, Line P.992 Thurgh which that he is evere in strif, Line P.993 Whil that him lasteth eny lif: Line P.994 The bodi and the Soule also Line P.995 Among hem ben divided so, Line P.996 That what thing that the body hateth Line P.997 The soule loveth and debateth; Line P.998 Bot natheles fulofte is sene Line P.999 Of werre which is hem betwene Line P.1000

Lines 1001 through 1088

The fieble hath wonne the victoire. Line P.1001 And who so drawth into memoire Line P.1002 What hath befalle of old and newe, Line P.1003 He may that werre sore rewe, Line P.1004 Which ferst began in Paradis: Line P.1005 For ther was proeved what it is, Line P.1006 And what desese there it wroghte; Line P.1007 For thilke werre tho forth broghte Line P.1008 The vice of alle dedly Sinne, Line P.1009 Thurgh which division cam inne Line P.1010 Among the men in erthe hiere, Line P.1011 And was the cause and the matiere Line P.1012 Why god the grete flodes sende, Line P.1013 Of al the world and made an ende Line P.1014 Bot Noe� with his felaschipe, Line P.1015 Which only weren saulf be Schipe. Line P.1016 And over that thurgh Senne it com Line P.1017

Line P.1017 That Nembrot such emprise nom, Line P.1018 Whan he the Tour Babel on heihte Line P.1019 Let make, as he that wolde feihte Line P.1020 Ayein the hihe goddes myht, Line P.1021 Wherof divided anon ryht Line P.1022 Was the langage in such entente, Line P.1023 Ther wiste non what other mente, Line P.1024 So that thei myhten noght procede. Line P.1025 And thus it stant of every dede, Line P.1026 Wher Senne takth the cause on honde, Line P.1027 It may upriht noght longe stonde; Line P.1028 For Senne of his condicioun Line P.1029 Is moder of divisioun Line P.1030 And tokne whan the world schal faile. Line P.1031 For so seith Crist withoute faile, Line P.1032 That nyh upon the worldes ende Line P.1033 Pes and acord awey schol wende Line P.1034 And alle charite schal cesse, Line P.1035 Among the men and hate encresce; Line P.1036 And whan these toknes ben befalle, Line P.1037 Al sodeinly the Ston schal falle, Line P.1038 As Daniel it hath beknowe, Line P.1039 Which al this world schal overthrowe, Line P.1040 And every man schal thanne arise Line P.1041 To Joie or elles to Juise, Line P.1042 Wher that he schal for evere dwelle, Line P.1043 Or straght to hevene or straght to helle. Line P.1044 In hevene is pes and al acord, Line P.1045 Bot helle is full of such descord Line P.1046 That ther may be no loveday: Line P.1047 Forthi good is, whil a man may, Line P.1048 Echon to sette pes with other Line P.1049 And loven as his oghne brother; Line P.1050 So may he winne worldes welthe Line P.1051 And afterward his soule helthe. Line P.1052 Bot wolde god that now were on Line P.1053 An other such as Arion, Line P.1054

Line P.1054 Which hadde an harpe of such temprure, Line P.1055 And therto of so good mesure Line P.1056 He song, that he the bestes wilde Line P.1057 Made of his note tame and milde, Line P.1058 The Hinde in pes with the Leoun, Line P.1059 The Wolf in pes with the Moltoun, Line P.1060 The Hare in pees stod with the Hound; Line P.1061 And every man upon this ground Line P.1062 Which Arion that time herde, Line P.1063 Als wel the lord as the schepherde, Line P.1064 He broghte hem alle in good acord; Line P.1065 So that the comun with the lord, Line P.1066 And lord with the comun also, Line P.1067 He sette in love bothe tuo Line P.1068 And putte awey malencolie. Line P.1069 That was a lusti melodie, Line P.1070 Whan every man with other low; Line P.1071 And if ther were such on now, Line P.1072 Which cowthe harpe as he tho dede, Line P.1073 He myhte availe in many a stede Line P.1074 To make pes wher now is hate; Line P.1075 For whan men thenken to debate, Line P.1076 I not what other thing is good. Line P.1077 Bot wher that wisdom waxeth wod, Line P.1078 And reson torneth into rage, Line P.1079 So that mesure upon oultrage Line P.1080 Hath set his world, it is to drede; Line P.1081 For that bringth in the comun drede, Line P.1082 Which stant at every mannes Dore: Line P.1083 Bot whan the scharpnesse of the spore Line P.1084 The horse side smit to sore, Line P.1085 It grieveth ofte. And now nomore, Line P.1086 As forto speke of this matiere, Line P.1087 Which non bot only god may stiere. Line P.1088