William Langland's The vision of Piers Plowman

Passus 11

Thanne Scriptare scorned me and a skile tolde, Line 11.001 And lakked me in Latyn and light by me sette, Line 11.002 And seide, " Multi multa sciunt et seipsos nesciunt.' Line 11.003 Tho wepte I for wo andwrathe of hir speche Line 11.004 And in a wynkynge w[o]rth til I [weex] aslepe. Line 11.005

Line 11.005 A merveillous metels mette me thanne. Line 11.006 For I was ravysshed right there--for Fortune me fette Line 11.007 And into the lond of longynge and love she me broughte, Line 11.008 And in a mirour that highte Middelerthe she made me to biholde. Line 11.009 Sithen she seide to me, -Here myghtow se wondres, Line 11.010 And knowe that thow coveitest, and come therto, peraunter.' Line 11.011 Thanne hadde Fortune folwynge hire two faire damyseles: Line 11.012 Concupiscencia Carnis men called the elder mayde, Line 11.013 And Coveitise of Eighes ycalled was that oother. Line 11.014 Pride of Parfit Lyvynge pursued hem bothe, Line 11.015 And bad me for my contenaunce acounten Clergie lighte. Line 11.016 Concupiscencia Carnis colled me aboute the nekke Line 11.017 And seide, "Thow art yong and yeep and hast yeres ynowe Line 11.018 For to lyve longe and ladies to lovye; Line 11.019 And in this mirour thow might se myrthes ful manye Line 11.020 That leden thee wole to likynge al thi lif tyme.' Line 11.021 The secounde seide the same: " I shal sewe thi wille; Line 11.022 Til thow be a lord and have lond, leten thee I nelle Line 11.023 That I ne shal folwe thi felawship, if Fortune it like.' Line 11.024 " He shal fynde me his frend,' quod Fortune therafter; Line 11.025 "The freke that folwede my wille failled nevere blisse.' Line 11.026 Thanne was ther oon that highte Elde, that hevy was of chere, Line 11.027 " Man,' quod he, "if I mete with thee, by Marie of hevene Line 11.028 Thow shalt fynde Fortune thee faille at thi mooste nede, Line 11.029 And Concupiscencia Carnis clene thee forsake. Line 11.030 Bittrely shaltow banne thanne, bothe dayes and nyghtes, Line 11.031 Coveitise of Eighe, that evere thow hir knewe; Line 11.032 And Pride of Parfit Lyvynge to muche peril thee brynge.' Line 11.033 " Ye? Recche thee nevere!' quod Rechelesnesse, stood forth in raggede clothes Line 11.034 " Folwe forth that Fortune wole--thow has wel fer til Elde. Line 11.035 A man may stoupe tyme ynogh whan he shal tyne the crowne. Line 11.036

Line 11.036 ""Homo proponit,'' quod a poete, and Plato he highte, Line 11.037 ""And Deus disponit'' quod he, "lat God doon his wille.'' Line 11.038 If Truthe wol witnesse it be wel do, Fortune to folwe, Line 11.039 Concupiscencia Carnis ne Coveitise of Eighes Line 11.040 Ne shal noght greve thee graithly, ne biglIe thee but thow wolt.' Line 11.041 " Ye, farewel Phippe! ' quod Faunteltee, and forth gan me drawe, Line 11.042 Til Concupiscencia Carnis acorded til alle my werkes. Line 11.043 "Allas, eighe!' quod Elde and Holynesse bothe, Line 11.044 "That wit shal torne to wrecchednesse for wil to have his likyng!' Line 11.045 Coveitise of Eighes conforted me anoon after Line 11.046 And folwed me fourty wynter and a fifte moore, Line 11.047 That of Dowel ne Dobet no deyntee me thoughte. Line 11.048 I hadde no likyng, leve me, [o]f the leste of hem ought to knowe. Line 11.049 Coveitise of Eighes com ofter in mynde Line 11.050 Than Dowel or Dobet among my dedes alle. Line 11.051 Coveitise of Eighes conforted me ofte, Line 11.052 And seide, " Have no conscience how thow come to goode. Line 11.053 Go confesse thee to som frere and shewe hym thi synnes. Line 11.054 For whiles Fortune is thi frend freres wol thee lovye, Line 11.055 And fe[stn]e thee in hir fraternitee and for thee biseke Line 11.056 To hir Priour Provincial a pardon for to have, Line 11.057 And preien for thee pol by pol if thow be pecuniosus. Line 11.058 Pena pecuniaria non sufficit pro spiritualibus delictis. Line 11.058 By wissynge of this wenche I dide, hir wordes were so swete, Line 11.059 Til I foryat youthe and yarn into elde. Line 11.060 And thanne was Fortune my foo, for al hir faire biheste, Line 11.061 And poverte pursued me and putte me lowe. Line 11.062 And tho fond I the frere afered and flittynge bothe Line 11.063 Ayeins oure firste forward, for I seide I nolde Line 11.064

Line 11.064 Be buried at hire hous but at my parisshe chirche Line 11.065 (For I herde ones how Conscience it tolde Line 11.066 That there a man were cristned, by kynde he sholde be buryed). Line 11.067 And for I seide thus to freres, a fool thei me helden, Line 11.068 And loved me the lasse for my lele speche. Line 11.069 Ac yet I cryde on my confessour that [so konnyng heeld hymself]. Line 11.070 "By my feith, frere!' quod I, " ye faren lik thise woweris Line 11.071 That wedde none widwes but for to welden hir goodes. Line 11.072 Right so, by the roode, roughte ye nevere ' Line 11.073 Where my body were buryed, by so ye hadde my silver! Line 11.074 Ich have muche merveille of yow, and so hath many another, Line 11.075 Whi youre covent coveiteth to confesse and to burye Line 11.076 Rather than to baptize barnes that ben catecumelynges. Line 11.077 Baptizynge and buryinge bothe beth ful nedefulle; Line 11.078 Ac muche moore meritorie me thynketh it is to baptize; - Line 11.079 For a baptized man may, as maistres telleth, . Line 11.080 Thorugh contricion come to the heighe hevene-- Line 11.081 Sola contricio delet peccatum-- Line 11.081 Ac a barn withouten bapteme may noght so be saved-- Line 11.082 Nisi quis renatus fuerit. Line 11.082 Loke, ye lettred men, wheither I lye or do noght.' Line 11.083 And Lewte tho lo[ugh] on me, for I loured after. Line 11.084 "Wherfore lourestow?' quod Lewtee and loked on me harde. Line 11.085 "If I dorste [amonges men,' quod I], "this metels avowe!' Line 11.086 " Yis, by Peter and by Poul!' quod he, " and take hem bothe to witnesse: Line 11.087 Non oderis fratres secrete in corde tuo set publice argue illos.' Line 11.088 "They wole aleggen also,' quod I, " and by the Gospel preven: Line 11.089 Nolite iudicure quemquam. Line 11.090 "And wherof serveth lawe,' quod Lewtee, if no lif undertoke it-- Line 11.091 Falsnesse ne faiterie? For somwhat the Apostle seide Line 11.092 Non oderis fratrem. Line 11.093 And in the Sauter also seith David the prophete Line 11.094 95 Existimasti inique quod ero tui similis &c. Line 11.094 It is licitum for lewed men to [l]egge the sothe Line 11.095 If hem liketh and lest--ech a lawe it graunteth'. Line 11.096 Except persons and preestes and prelates of Holy Chirche: Line 11.097 It falleth noght for that folk no tales to telle-- Line 11.098 Though the tale were trewe--and it touched synne. Line 11.100 "Thyng that al the world woot, wherfore sholdestow spare Line 11.101 To reden it in retorik to arate dedly synne? Line 11.102 Ac be neveremoore the firste the defaute to blame; Line 11.103 Though thow se yvel, seye it noght first--be sory it nere amended. Line 11.104 No thyng that is pryve, publice thow it nevere;- Line 11.105 Neither for love laude it noght, ne lakke it For envye: Line 11.106 Parum lauda; vitupero parcius.' Line 11.106 " He seith sooth,' quod Scripture tho, and skipte an heigh and preched; Line 11.107 Ac the matere that she meved, if lewed men it knewe, Line 11.108 The lasse, as I leve, lovyen thei wolde Line 11.109 The bileve o[f Oure] Lord that lettred men techeth. Line 11.110 This was hir teme and hir text--I took ful good hede: Line 11.111 "Multi to a mangerie and to the mete were sompned; Line 11.112 And whan the peple was plener comen, the porter unpynned the yate Line 11.113 And plukked in Pauci pryveliche and leet the remenaunt go rome.' Line 11.114 Al for tene of hir text trembled myn herte, Line 11.115 And in a weer gan I wexe, and with myself to dispute Line 11.116 Wheither I were chose or noght chose; on Holy Chirche I thoughte, Line 11.117

Line 11.117 That underfeng me atte font for oon of Goddes chosene. Line 11.118 For Crist cleped us alle, come if we wolde-- Line 11.119 Sarsens and scismatikes, and so he dide the Jewes: Line 11.120 0 vos omnes sicientes, venite &c; Line 11.120 And bad hem souke for synne sa[l]ve at his breste. Line 11.121 And drynke boote for bale, brouke it whoso myghte. Line 11.122 "Thanne may alle Cristene come,' quod I, -and cleyme there entree Line 11.123 By the blood that he boughte us with and thorugh bapteme after: Line 11.124 Qui crediderit et baptizatus fuerit &c. Line 11.124 For though a Cristen man coveited his Cristendom to reneye, Line 11.125 Rightfully to reneye no reson it wolde. Line 11.126 " For may no cherl chartre make, ne his c[h]atel selle Line 11.127 Withouten leve of his lord--no lawe wol it graunte. Line 11.128 Ac he may renne in arerage and rome fro home, Line 11.129 And as a reneyed caytif recchelesly aboute. Line 11.130 Ac Reson shal rekene with hym and rebuken hym at the laste, Line 11.131 And Conscience acounte with hym and casten hym in arerage, Line 11.132 And putten hym after in prison in purgatorie to brenne, Line 11.133 For his arerages rewarden hym there right to the day of dome, Line 11.134 But if Contricion wol come and crye by his lyve Line 11.135 Mercy for hise mysdedes with mouthe or with herte.' Line 11.136 " That is sooth,' seide Scripture; " may no synne lette Line 11.137 Mercy al to amende, and mekenesse hir folwe; Line 11.138 For thei beth, as oure bokes telleth, above Goddes werkes: - Line 11.139 Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius.' Line 11.139 "Ye, baw for bokes!' quod oon was broken out ofhelle. Line 11.140 " I Troianus, a trewe knyght, take witnesse at a pope Line 11.141 How I was ded and dampned to dwellen in pyne ' Line 11.142

Line 11.142 For an uncristene creature; clerkes wite the sothe-- Line 11.143 That al the clergie under Crist ne myghte me cracche fro helle Line 11.144 But oonliche love and leautee and my laweful domes. Line 11.145 "Gregorie wiste this wel, and wilned to my soule Line 11.146 Savacion for soothnesse that he seigh in my werkes. Line 11.147 And after that he wepte and wilned me were graunted grace, Line 11.148 Withouten any bede biddyng his boone was underfongen, Line 11.149 And I saved, as ye may see, withouten syngynge of masses, Line 11.150 By love and by lernyng of my lyvynge in truthe, Line 11.151 Broughte me fro bitter peyne ther no biddyng myghte Line 11.152 " Lo! ye lordes, what leautee dide by an Emperour of Home Line 11.153 That was an uncristene creature, as clerkes fyndeth in bokes. Line 11.154 Nought thorugh preiere of a pope but for his pure truthe Line 11.155 Was that Sarsen saved, as Seint Gregorie bereth witnesse. Line 11.156 Wel oughte ye lordes that lawes kepe this lesson to have in mynde, Line 11.157 And on Troianus truthe to thenke; and do truthe to the peple. Line 11.158 "This matere is merk for many of yow--ac, men of Holy Chirche, Line 11.159 The Legend[a] Sanctorum yow lereth more largere than I yow telle. Line 11.160 Ac thus leel love and lyvyng in truthe Line 11.161 Pulte out of pyne a paynym of Rome. Line 11.162 Yblissed be truthe that so brak helle yates Line 11.163 And saved the Sarsyn from Sathanas and his power, Line 11.164 Ther no clergie ne kouthe, ne konnyng of lawes! Line 11.165 Love and leautee is a lell science, Line 11.166 For that is the book blissed of blisse and of joye: Line 11.167 God wroughte it and wroot it with his owene fynger Line 11.168 And took it to Moises upon the mount, alle men to lere. Line 11.169 "Lawe withouten love,' quod Troianus, "ley ther a bene-- Line 11.170 Or any science under sonne, the seven arts and alle! Line 11.171

Line 11.171 --But thei ben lerned for Oure Lordes love, lost is al the tyme, Line 11.172 For no cause to cacche silver therby, ne to be called a maister, Line 11.173 But al for love of Oure Lord and the bet to love the peple. Line 11.174 "For Seint Johan seide it, and sothe arn hise wordes: Line 11.175 Qui non diligit manet in morte. Line 11.175 Whoso loveth noght, leve me, he lyveth in deeth deyinge; Line 11.176 And that alle manere men, enemyes and frendes, Line 11.177 Love hir eyther oother, and lene hem as hemselve. Line 11.178 Whoso leneth noght, he loveth noght, Oure Lord woot the sothe Line 11.179 And comaundeth ech creature to conformen hym to lovye - Line 11.180 His neighebour as hymselve and hise enemyes after. Line 11.181 For hem that haten us is oure merite to lovye, Line 11.182 And sovereynly povere peple to plese--hir preieres maye us helpe. Line 11.183 For oure joy and oure [ju]ele, Jesu Crist of hevene, Line 11.184 In a povere mannes apparaille pursueth us evere, Line 11.185 And loketh on us in hir liknesse and that with lovely chere, Line 11.186 To knowen us by oure kynde herte and castynge of oure eighen, Line 11.187 Wheither we love the lordes here bifore the Lord of blis Line 11.188 And exciteth us by the Evangelie that whan we maken festes, Line 11.189 We sholde noght clepe oure kyn therto, ne none kynnes riche: Line 11.190 Cum facitis conviva, nolite invitare amicos. Line 11.190 ""Ac calleth the carefulle therto, the croked and the povere; Line 11.191 For youre frendes wol feden yow, and founde yow to quyte Line 11.192 Youre festynge and youre faire yifte--ech frend quyteth so oother. Line 11.193 Ac for the povere I shal paie, and pure wel quyte hir travaille Line 11.194 That yyveth hem mete or moneie and loveth hem for my sake.' Line 11.195

Line 11.195 "Almighty God myghte ha[ve] maad riche alle men, if he wolde, Line 11.196 Ac for the beste ben som riche and some beggeres and povere. Line 11.197 For alle arc we Cristes creatures, and of his cofres riche, Line 11.198 And bretheren as of oo blood, as wel beggeres as erles. Line 11.199 For at Calvarie of Cristes blood Cristendom gan sprynge, Line 11.200 And blody bretheren we bicome there, of o body ywonne, Line 11.201 As quasi modo geniti gentil men echone-- Line 11.202 No beggere ne boye amonges us but if it synne made. Line 11.203 Quifacit peccatum servus est peccati. Line 11.203 ln the olde lawe, as the lettre telleth, "mennes sones'' men called us, Line 11.204 Of Adames issue and Eve, ay til God-Man deide; Line 11.205 And after his resurexcion Redemptor was his name. Line 11.206 And we hise bretheren thorugh hym ybought, bothe riche and povere. Line 11.207 Forthi love we as leve children shal, and ech man laughe of oother, Line 11.208 And of that ech man may forbere, amende there it neaeth, Line 11.209 And every man helpe oother--for hennes shul we alle: Line 11.210 Alter alterius onera portate. Line 11.210 And be we noght unkynde of oure catel, ne of oure konnyng neither, Line 11.211 For woot no man how neigh it is to ben ynome fro bothe. Line 11.212 Forthi lakke no lif oother, though he moore Latyn knowe, Line 11.213 Ne undernyme noght foule, for is noon withoute defaute. Line 11.214 For whatevere clerkes carpe of Cristendom or ellis, Line 11.215 Crist to a commune womman seide in commune at a feste Line 11.216 That Fides sua sholde saven hire and salven hire of synnes. Line 11.217 "Thanne is bileve a lele help, above logyk or lawe. Line 11.218 Of logyk ne of lawe in Legendo Sanctorum Line 11.219 Is litel alowaunce maad, but if bileve hem helpe; Line 11.220 For it is overlonge er logyk any lesson assoille, Line 11.221 And lawe is looth to lovye but if he lacche silver. Line 11.222 Bothe logyk and lawe, that loveth noght to lye, Line 11.223 I conseille alle Cristene, clyve noght theron to soore, Line 11.224 For some wordes I fynde writen, were of Feithes techyng, Line 11.225 That saved synful men, as Seint Johan bereth witnesse: Line 11.226 Eadem mensura qua mensifueritis remecietur vobis. Line 11.226 Forthi lerne we the lawe of love as Oure Lord taughte; Line 11.227 And as Seint Gregorie seide, for mannes soule heIthe, Line 11.228 Melius est scrutari scelera nostra quam naturas rerum. Line 11.229 "Why I meve this matere is moost for the povere; Line 11.230 For in hir liknesse Oure Lord ofte hath ben yknowe. Line 11.231 Witnesse in the Pask wyke whan he yede to Emaus-- Line 11.232 Cleophas ne knew hym noght, that he Crist were, Line 11.233 For his povere apparaille and pilgrymes wedes, Line 11.234 Til he blessede and brak the breed that thei eten. Line 11.235 So bi hise werkes thei wisten that he was Jesus, Line 11.236 Ac by clothyng thei knewe hym noght, ne by carpynge of tonge. Line 11.237 And al was ensample, for sooth, to us synfulle here, Line 11.238 That we sholde be lowe and loveliche of speche, Line 11.239 And apparaille us noght over proudly--for pilgrymes are we alle. Line 11.240 And in the apparaille of a povere man and pilgrymes liknesse Line 11.241 Many tyme God hath ben met among nedy peple, Line 11.242 Ther nevere segge hym seigh in secte of the riche. Line 11.243 "Seint Johan and othere seintes were seyen in poore clothyng, Line 11.244 And as povere pilgrymes preyed mennes goodes. Line 11.245 Jesu Crist on a Jewes doghter lighte: gentil womman though she were, Line 11.246 Was a pure povere maide and to a povere man ywedded. Line 11.247 "Martha on Marie Maudelayne an huge pleynt she made, Line 11.248

Line 11.248 And to Oure Saveour self seide thise wordes: Line 11.249 Domine, non est tibi cure quod soror mea reliquit me solam ministrare ? Line 11.250 And hastily God answerde, and eitheres wille ful [wel lo]wed, Line 11.251 Bothe Marthaes and Maries, as Mathew bereth witnesse; Line 11.252 Ac poverte God putte bifore, and preised it the bettre: Line 11.253 Maria optimam partem elegit, que non auferetur ab ea. Line 11.253 "And alle the wise that evere were, by aught I kan aspye, Line 11.254 Preisen poverte for best Iif. if Facience it folwe, Line 11.255 And bothe bettre and blesseder by many fold than Richesse. Line 11.256 Although it be sour to suffre, ther cometh swete after; Line 11.257 As on a walnote--withoute is a bitter barke, Line 11.258 And after that bitter bark, be the shelle aweye, Line 11.259 is a kernel of confort kynde to restore. Line 11.260 So is after poverte or penaunce paciently ytake, Line 11.261 Maketh a man to have mynde in God and a gret wille Line 11.262 To wepe and to wel bidde, wherof wexeth mercy, Line 11.263 Of which Crist is a kernell to conforte the soule. Line 11.264 And wel sikerer he slepeth, the segge that is povere, Line 11.265 And lasse he dredeth deeth and in derke to ben yrobbed Line 11.266 Than he that is right riche--Reson bereth witnesse: Line 11.267 Pauper ego ludo dum tu dives meditaris. Line 11.267 "Although Salomon seide, as folk seeth in the Bible, Line 11.268 Divicias nec paupertates &c, Line 11.268 Wiser than Salomon was bereth witnesse and taughte Line 11.270 That parfit poverte was no possession to have, Line 11.271 And lif moost likynge to God, as Luc bereth witnesse: Line 11.272 Si vis perfectusesse, vade et vende &c-- Line 11.272

Line 11.272 And is to mene to men that on this moolde lyven, Line 11.273 Whoso wole he pure parfit moot possession forsake. Line 11.274 Or selle it, as seith the Book. and the silver dele Line 11.275 To beggeris that goon and begge and bidden good for Goddes love. Line 11.276 For failed nevere man mete that myghtful God serveth, Line 11.277 As David seith in the Sauter; to swiche that ben in wille Line 11.278 To serve God goodliche, ne greveth hym no penaunce-- Line 11.279 Nichil inpossibile volenti-- Line 11.279 Ne lakketh nevere liflode, lynnen ne wollen: Line 11.280 *Iuquirentes autem Dominum non minuentur omni bono. Line 11.280 "If preestes weren wise, thei wolde no silver take Line 11.281 For masses ne for matyns, noght hir mete of usureres, Line 11.282 Ne neither kirtel ne cote, theigh thei for cold sholde deye, Line 11.283 And thei hir devoir dide, as David seith in the Sauter: Line 11.284 Iudica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam. Line 11.284 "Spera in Deo speketh of preestes that have no spendyng silver Line 11.285 That if thei travaille truweliche and truste in God almyghty, Line 11.286 Hem sholde lakke no liflode, neyther lynnen ne wollen. Line 11.287 And the title that ye take ordres by telleth ye ben avaunced; Line 11.288 Thanne nedeth yow noght to [nyme] silver for masses that ye syngen. Line 11.289 For he that took yow youre title sholde take yow youre wages, Line 11.290 Or the bisshop that blessed yow, if that ye ben worthi. Line 11.291 "For made nevere kyng no knyght but he hadde catel to spende Line 11.292 As bifel for a knyght, or foond hym for his strengthe. Line 11.293 It is a careful knyght, and of a caytif kynges makyng, Line 11.294 That hath no lond ne lynage riche ne good loos of hise handes. Line 11.295 The same I segge for sothe by a1le swiche preestes Line 11.296 That han neither konnynge ne kyn, but a crowne one Line 11.297 And a title, a tale of noght, to his liflode at meschief. Line 11.298

Line 11.298 He hath moore bileve, as I leve, to lacche thorugh his croune Line 11.299 Cure than for konnynge or "knowen for clene of berynge.' Line 11.300 I Have wonder for why and wherfore the bisshop Line 11.301 Maketh swiche preestes, that lewed men bitrayen ! Line 11.302 "A chartre is chalangeable bifore a chief justice: Line 11.303 If fals Latyn be in that lettre, the lawe it impugneth, Line 11.304 Or peynted parentrelynarie, parcelles overskipped. Line 11.305 The gome that gloseth so chartres for a goky is holden. Line 11.306 "So is it a goky, by God! that in his gospel failleth Line 11.307 Or in masse or in matyns maketh any defaute: Line 11.308 Qui offendit in uno, in omnibus est reus. Line 11.308 And also in the Sauter seith David to overskipperis, Line 11.309 PsalliteDeonostro,psallite;quoniamrex terrae Deus Israel, psallite sapienter. Line 11.310 "The bisshop shal be blamed bifore God, as I leve, Line 11.311 That crouneth swiche Goddes knyghtes that konneth noght sapienter Line 11.312 Synge, ne psalmes rede, ne seye a masse of the day. Line 11.313 Ac never neither is blamelees, the bisshop ne the chapeleyn; Line 11.314 For hir either is endited, and that of "Ignorancia Line 11.315 Non excusat episcopos nec ydiotes preestes.' Line 11.316 "This lokynge on lewed preestes hath doon me lepe from poverte-- Line 11.317 The which I preise, ther pacience is, moore parfit than richesse.' Line 11.318 Ac muche moore in metynge thus with me gan oon dispute-- Line 11.319 And slepynge I seigh al this; and sithen cam Kynde Line 11.320 And nempned me by my name, and bad me nymen hede, Line 11.321 And thorugh the wondres of this world wit for to take. Line 11.322 And en a mountaigne that Myddelerthe highte, as me tho thoughte, Line 11.323 I was fet forth by ensaumples to knowe, Line 11.324

Line 11.324 Thorugh ech a creature, Kynde my creatour to lovye. Line 11.325 I seigh the sonne and the see and the sond after, Line 11.326 And where that briddes and beestes by hir make thei yeden, Line 11.327 Wilde wormes in wodes, and wonderful foweles Line 11.328 With fleckede fetheres and of fele colours. Line 11.329 Man and his make I myghte se bothe; Line 11.330 Pverte and plentee, both pees and werre, Line 11.331 Blisse and bale -- bothe I seigh at ones, Line 11.332 And how men token Mede and Mercy refused. Line 11.333 Reson I seigh soothly sewen all beestes Line 11.334 In etynge, in drynkynge and in engendrynge of kynde. Line 11.335 And after cours of concepcion noon toke kepe of oother Line 11.336 As whan thei hadde ryde in rotey tume; anoonright therafter Line 11.337 Males drowen hem to males amornynge by hemselve, Line 11.338 And [femelles to femelles ferded and drowe]. Line 11.339 Ther ne was cow ne cowkynde that conceyved hadde Line 11.340 That wolde belwe after bole, ne boor after sowe. Line 11.341 Both hors and houndes and alle othere beestes Line 11.342 Medled noght with hir makes that [mid] fole were. Line 11.343 Briddes I biheld that in buskes made nestes; Line 11.344 Hadde nevere wye wit to werche the leese. Line 11.345 I hadde wonder at whom and wher the pye Line 11.346 Lerned to legge the stikkes in which she leyeth and bredeth. Line 11.347 Ther nys wrighte, as I wene, sholde werche hir nest to paye; Line 11.348 If any mason made a molde therto, muche wonder it were. Line 11.349 And yet me merveilled moore: many othere briddes Line 11.350 Hidden and hileden hir egges ful derne Line 11.351 In mareys and moores for men sholde hem noght fynde, Line 11.352 And hidden hir egges whan thei therfro wente, Line 11.353 For fere of othere foweles and for wilde beestes. Line 11.354 And some troden hir makes and on trees bredden Line 11.355

Line 11.355 And broughten forth hir briddes so al above the grounde. Line 11.356 And some briddes at the bile thorugh brethyng conceyved, Line 11.357 And some caukede; I took kepe how pecokkes bredden. Line 11.358 Muche merveilled me what maister thei hadde, Line 11.359 And who taughte hem on trees to tymbre so heighe Line 11.360 That neither burn ne beest may hir briddes rechen. Line 11.361 And sithen I loked on the see and so forth on the sterres; Line 11.362 Manye selkouthes I seigh, ben noght to seye nouthe. Line 11.363 I seigh floures in the fryth and hir faire colours, Line 11.364 And how among the grene gras growed so manye hewes, Line 11.365 And some soure and some swete--selkouth me thoughte. Line 11.366 Of hir kynde and hir colour to carpe it were to longe. Line 11.367 Ac that moost meved me and my mood chaunged-- Line 11.368 That Reson rewarded and ruled alle beestes Line 11.369 Save man and his make: many tyme and ofte Line 11.370 No Reson hem folwede, [neither riche ne povere]. Line 11.371 And thanne I rebukede Reson, and right til hymselven I seyde. Line 11.372 "I have wonder of thee, that witty art holden, Line 11.373 Why thow ne sewest man and his make, that no mysfeet hem folwe.' Line 11.374 And Reson arated me, and seide, "Recche thee nevere Line 11.375 Why I suffre or noght suffre--thiself hast noght to doone. Line 11.376 Amende thow it if thow myght, for my tyme is to abide. Line 11.377 Suffraunce is a soverayn vertue, and a swift vengeaunce. Line 11.378 Who suffreth moore than God?' quod he; "no gome, as I leeve. Line 11.379 He myghte amende in a minute while al that mysstandeth, Line 11.380 Ac he suffreth for som mannes goode, ad so is oure bettre. Line 11.381

Line 11.381 " Holy Writ,' quod that wye, "wisseth men to suffre: Line 11.382 Propter Deum subiecti estote omni creature. Line 11.382 Frenche men and fre men affaiteth thus hire children: Line 11.383 Bele vertue est suffraunce; mal dire est petite vengeance. Line 11.383 Bien dire et bien suffrir fait lui suffrant a bien venir. Line 11.383 Forthi I rede,' quod Reson, "thow rule thi tonge bettre, Line 11.385 And er thow lakke my lif, loke if thow be to preise. Line 11.386 For is no creature under Crist can formen hymselven, Line 11.387 And if a man myghte make hymself good, Line 11.388 Ech a lif wolde be laklees--leeve thow non other. Line 11.389 Ne thow shalt fynde but fewe fayne for to here Line 11.390 Of here defautes foule bifore hem reherced. Line 11.391 "The wise and the witty wroot thus in the Bible:- Line 11.392 De re que te non molestat noli certare. Line 11.393 For be a man fair or foul. it falleth noght to lakke Line 11.394 The shap ne the shaft that God shoop hymselve; Line 11.395 For al that he wrought was wel ydo, as Holy Writ witnesseth: Line 11.396 Et vidit Deus cuncta que fecerat, et erant valde bona. Line 11.396 And bad every creature in his kynde encreesse, Line 11.397 Al to murthe with man that moste wo tholie Line 11.398 In fondynge of the flessh and of the fend bothe. Line 11.399 For man was maad of swich a matere he may noght wel asterte Line 11.400 That som tyme hym bitit to folwen his kynde. Line 11.401 Caton acordeth therwith--Nemo sine crimine vivit!' Line 11.402 Tho caughte I colour anoon and comsed to ben ashamed, Line 11.403

Line 11.403 And awaked therwith. Wo was me thanne Line 11.404 That I in metels ne myghte moore have yknowen. Line 11.405 And thanne seide I to myself, and [sherewe]de that tyme, Line 11.406 "Now I woot what Dowel is,' quod l, " by deere God, as me thynketh!' Line 11.407 And as I caste up myne eighen, oon loked on me and asked Line 11.408 Of me, what thyng it were? " Ywis, sire,' I seyde, Line 11.409 "To se muche and suffre moore, certes,' quod 1, "is Dowel.' Line 11.410 "Haddestow suffred,' he seide, "slepynge tho thow were. Line 11.411 Thow sholdest have knowen that Clergie kan and conceyved moore thorugh Reson- Line 11.412 For Reson wolde have reherced thee right as Clergie seide. Line 11.413 Ac for thyn entremetynge here artow forsake: Line 11.414 Philosophus esses, si tacuisses. Line 11.414 "Adam, whiles he spak noght, hadde paradis at wille; Line 11.415 Ac whan he mamelede aboute mete and entremeted to knowe Line 11.416 The wisedom and the wit of God, he was put fram blisse. Line 11.417 And right so ferde Reson bi thee--thow with thi rude spec Line 11.418 Lakkedest and losedest thyng that longed noght to doone. Line 11.419 Tho hadde he no likyng for to lere the moore. Line 11.420 " Pryde now and presumpcion paraventure wol thee appele, Line 11.421 That Clergie thi compaignye ne kepeth noght to suwe. Line 11.422 For shal nevere chalangynge ne chidynge chaste a man so soone Line 11.423 As shal shame, and shenden hym, and shape hym to amende. Line 11.424 For lat a dronken daffe in a dyk falle, Line 11.425 Lat hym ligge, loke noght on hym til hym liste aryse. Line 11.426 For though Reson rebuked hym thanne, reccheth he nevere; Line 11.427 Of Clergie ne of his counseil he counteth noght a risshe. Line 11.428 [To blame] or for to bete hym thanne, it were but pure synne. Line 11.429

Line 11.429 Ac whan nede nymeth hym up, for doute leste he [ne] sterve, Line 11.430 And shame shrapeth hise clothes and hise shynes wassheth, Line 11.431 Thanne woot the dronken daffe wherfore he is to blame.' Line 11.432 "Ye siggen sooth, by my soule,' quod l, "lch have yseyen it ofte. Line 11.433 Ther smyt no thyng so smerte, ne smelleth so foule Line 11.434 As shame, there he sheweth hym--for ech man shonyeth his felaweshipe. Line 11.435 Why ye wisse me thus,' quod l, "was for I rebuked Reson.' Line 11.436 "Certes,' quod he, "that is sooth,' and shoop hym for to wal n. Line 11.437 And I aroos up right with that and [raughte] hym after, Line 11.438 And preyde hym [if his wille were, he wolde] telle me his name. Line 11.439