William Langland's The vision of Piers Plowman

Passus 18

Wolleward and weetshoed wente I forth after Line 18.001 As a recchelees renk that [reccheth of no wo], Line 18.002 And yede forth lik a lorel al my lif tyme, Line 18.003 Til I weex wery of the world and wilned eft to slepe, Line 18.004 And lened me to a Lenten--and longe tyme I slepte; Line 18.005 Reste me there and rutte faste til ramis palmarum. Line 18.006 Of gerlis and of Gloria, laus gretly me dremed Line 18.007 And how osanna by organye olde folk songen, Line 18.008

Line 18.008 And of Cristes passion and penaunce, the peple that ofraughte. Line 18.009 Oon semblable to the Samaritan, and somdeel to Piers the Plowman, Line 18.010 Barefoot on an asse bak bootles cam prikye, Line 18.011 Withouten spores other spere; spakliche he loked, Line 18.012 As is the kynde of a knyght that cometh to be dubbed, Line 18.013 To geten hym gilte spores on galoches ycouped. Line 18.014 Thanne was Feith in a fenestre, and cryde "At Fili David!' Line 18.015 As dooth an heraud of armes whan aventrous cometh to iustes. Line 18.016 Olde Jewes of Jerusalem for joye thei songen, Line 18.017 Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Line 18.017 Thanne I frayned at Feith what al that fare bymente, Line 18.018 And who sholde juste in Jerusalem. "jesus,' he seide, Line 18.019 "And fecche that the fend claymeth--Piers fruyt the Plowman.' Line 18.020 "Is Piers in this place?' quod I, and he preynte on me. Line 18.021 "This Jesus of his gentries wol juste in Piers armes, Line 18.022 In his helm and in his haubergeon--humana natura. Line 18.023 That Crist be noght biknowe here for consummatus Deus, Line 18.024 In Piers paltok the Plowman this prikiere shal ryde; Line 18.025 For no dynt shal hym dere as in deitate Patris.' Line 18.026 "Who shal juste with Jesus?' quod I, "Jewes or scrybes?' Line 18.027 "Nay,' quod Feith, "but the fend and fals doom to deye. Line 18.028 Deeth seith he shal fordo and adoun brynge Line 18.029 Al that lyveth or loketh in londe or in watre. Line 18.030 Lif seith that he lieth, and leieth his lif to wedde Line 18.031 That, for al that Deeth kan do, withinne thre daies to walke Line 18.032 And fecche fro the fend Piers fruyt the Plowman, Line 18.033 And legge it ther hym liketh, and Lucifer bynde, Line 18.034

Line 18.034 And forbete and adoun brynge bale-deeth for evere: Line 18.035 O Mors ero mors tua!' Line 18.035 Thanne cam Pilatus with muche peple, sedens pro tribunali, Line 18.036 To se how doghtiliche Deeth sholde do, and deme hir botheres right. Line 18.037 The Jewes and the justieeayeins Jesu thei weere, Line 18.038 And al the court on hym cryde " Crucifige!' sharpe. Line 18.039 Tho putte hym forth a p[e]lour bifore Pilat and seide, Line 18.040 "This Jesus of oure Jewes temple japed and despised, Line 18.041 To fordoon it on o day, and in thre dayes after Line 18.042 Edifie it eft newe--here he stant that seide it-- Line 18.043 And yit maken it as muche in alle manere poyntes Line 18.044 Bothe as long and as large a lofte and by grounde.' Line 18.045 " Crucifige!' quod a cachepol, " I warante hym a wicche!' Line 18.046 " Tolle, tolle!' quod another, and took of kene thornes, Line 18.047 And bigan of [gr]ene thorn a garland to make, Line 18.048 And sette it sore on his heed and seide in envye, Line 18.049 "A ve, rabyt' quod that ribaud--and threw reedes at hym, Line 18.050 Nailed hym with thre nailes naked on the roode, Line 18.051 And poison on a poole thei putte up to hise lippes, Line 18.052 And beden hym drynken his deeth-yvel--hise dayes were ydone-- Line 18.053 And [seiden], " If that thow sotil be, help now thiselve; Line 18.054 If thow be Crist and kynges sone, com down of the roode; Line 18.055 Thanne shul we leve that lif thee loveth and wol noght lete thee deye!' Line 18.056 " Consummatum est,' quod Crist, and comsede for to swoune, Line 18.057 Pitousliche and pale as a prison that deieth; Line 18.058 The lord of lif and of light tho leide hise eighen togideres. Line 18.059 The day for drede withdrough and derk bicam the sonne. Line 18.060 The wal waggede and cleef, and al the world quaved. Line 18.061 Dede men for that dene come out of depe graves, Line 18.062 And tolde why that tempeste so longe tyme durede. Line 18.063 "For a bitter bataille,' the dede body seide; Line 18.064 "Lif and Deeth in this derknesse, hir oon fordeoth hir oother. Line 18.065 Shal no wight wite witterly who shal have the maistrie Line 18.066 Er Sonday aboute sonne risyng'--and sank with that til erthe. Line 18.067

Line 18.067 Some seide that he was Goddes sone, that so faire deyde: Line 18.068 Vere filius Dei erat iste. Line 18.068 And some seide he was a wicche--"Good is that we assaye Line 18.069 Wher he be deed or noght deed, doun er he be taken.' Line 18.070 Two theves also tholed deeth that tyme Line 18.071 Upon a croos bisides Crist--so was the comune lawe. Line 18.072 A cachepol cam forth and craked bothe hir legges, Line 18.073 And hir armes after of either of tho theves. Line 18.074 Ac was no boy so boold Goddes body to touche; Line 18.075 For he was knyght and kynges sone, Kynde foryaf that throwe Line 18.076 That noon harlot were so hardy to leyen hond upon hym. Line 18.077 Ac ther cam forth a knyght with a kene spere ygrounde, Line 18.078 Highte Longeus, as the lettre telleth, and longe hadde lore his sight. Line 18.079 Bifore Pilat and oother peple in the place he hoved. Line 18.080 Maugree his manye teeth he was maad that tyme Line 18.081 To [justen with Jesus, this blynde Jew Longeus]. Line 18.082 For alle thei were unhardy, that hoved on horse or stode, Line 18.083 To touchen hym or to tasten hym or taken hym doun of roode, Line 18.084 But this blynde bacheler, that baar hym thorugh the herte. Line 18.085 The blood sprong doun by the spere and unspered the knyghtes eighen. Line 18.086 Thanne fil the knyght upon knees and cryde Jesu mercy: Line 18.087 "Ayein my wille it was, Lord, to wownde yow so soore!" Line 18.088 He sighed and seide, " Soore it me athynketh! Line 18.089 For the dede that I have doon I do me in youre grace. Line 18.090 Have on me ruthe, rightful Jesu!'--and right with that he wepte. Line 18.091 Thanne gan Feith felly the false Jewes despise-- Line 18.092 Callede hem caytyves acorsed for evere: Line 18.093 " For this foule vileynye vengeaunce to yow falle! Line 18.094 To do the blynde bete hym ybounde, it was a boyes counseille. Line 18.095 Cursede caytyves! Knyghthood was it nevere Line 18.096

Line 18.096 To mysdo a deed body by daye or by nyghte. Line 18.097 The gree yit hath he geten, for al his grete wounde. Line 18.098 " For youre champion chivaler, chief knyght of yow alle, Line 18.099 Yilt hym recreaunt rennyng, right at Jesus wilk. Line 18.100 For be this derknesse ydo, Deeth worth yvenquisshed; Line 18.101 And ye, lurdaynes, han ylost--for Lif shal have the maistrye. Line 18.102 And youre fraunchyse, that fre was, fallen is in thraldom, Line 18.103 And ye, cherles, and youre children, cheve shulle ye nevere, Line 18.104 Ne have lordshipe in londe, ne no lond tilye, Line 18.105 But al barayne be and usurie usen, Line 18.106 Which is lif that Oure Lord in alle lawes acurseth. Line 18.107 Now youre goode dayes arn doon, as Daniel prophecied: Line 18.108 Whan Crist cam hir kyngdom the crowne sholde lese-- Line 18.109 Cum veniat sanctus sanctorum cessabit unxio vestra.' Line 18.109 What for feere of this ferly and of the false Jewes, Line 18.110 I drow me in that derknesse to descendit ad inferna, Line 18.111 And there I saugh soothly, secundum scripturas, Line 18.112 Out of the west coste, a wenche, as me thoughte, Line 18.113 Cam walkynge in the wey; to helleward she loked. Line 18.114 Mercy highte that mayde, a meke thyng with alle, Line 18.115 A ful benigne burde, and buxom of speche. Line 18.116 Hir suster, as it semed, cam softely walkynge Line 18.117 Evene out of the est, and westward she lokede-- Line 18.118 A ful comely creature [and a clene], Truthe she highte; Line 18.119 For the vertue that hire folwede, afered was she nevere. Line 18.120 Whan thise maydenes mette, Mercy and Truthe, Line 18.121 Either asked oother of this grete wonder-- Line 18.122 Of the dyn and of the derknesse, and how the day rowed, Line 18.123 And which a light and a leme lay bifore helle. Line 18.124 "Ich have ferly of this fare, in feith,' seide Truthe, Line 18.125 "And am wendynge to wite what this wonder meneth.' Line 18.126 "Have no merveille', quod Mercy, "murhte it bitokneth. Line 18.127

Line 18.127 A maiden that highte Marie, and moder withouten felyng Line 18.128 Of any kynde creature, conceyved thorugh speche Line 18.129 And grace of the Holy Goost; weex greet with childe; Line 18.130 Withouten wem into this world she broghte hym; Line 18.131 And that my tale be trewe, I take God to witnesse. Line 18.132 "Sith this barn was ybore ben thritti wynter passed, Line 18.133 Which deide and deeth tholed this day aboute mydday-- Line 18.134 And that is cause of this clips that closeth now the sonne, Line 18.135 In menynge that man shal fro merknesse be drawe Line 18.136 The while this light and this leme shal Lucifer ablende. Line 18.137 For patriarkes and prophetes han preched herof often-- Line 18.138 That man shal man save thorugh a maydenes helpe, Line 18.139 And that was tynt thorugh tree, tree shal it wynne, Line 18.140 And that Deeth down broughte, deeth shal releve.' Line 18.141 "That thow tellest; quod Truthe, "is but a tale of waltrot! Line 18.142 For Adam and Eve and Abraham with othere Line 18.143 Patriarkes and prophetes that in peyne liggen, Line 18.144 Leve thow nevere that yon light hem alofte brynge, Line 18.145 Ne have hem out of helle--hold thi tonge, Mercy! Line 18.146 It is but trufle that thow tellest--I, Truthe, woot the sothe. Line 18.147 For that is ones in helle, out cometh it nevere; Line 18.148 Job the prophete patriark repreveth thi sawes: Line 18.149 Quia in inferno nulla est redempcio.' Line 18.149 Thanne Mercy ful myldely mouthed thise wordes: Line 18.150 "Thorugh experience,' quod he[o], " I hope thei shul be saved. Line 18.151 For venym fordooth venym--and that I preve by reson. Line 18.152 For of alle venymes foulest is the scorpion; Line 18.153 May no medicyne [am]e[nd]e the place ther he styngeth, Line 18.154 Til he be deed and do therto--the yvel he destruyeth, Line 18.155 The firste venymouste, thorugh vertu of hymselve. Line 18.156 So shal this deeth fordo--I dar my lif legge-- Line 18.157 Al that deeth dide first thorugh the develes entisyng; Line 18.158 And right as thorugh [gilours] gil;e [bigiled was man], Line 18.159 So shal grace that al bigan make a good ende Line 18.160

Line 18.160 [And bigile the gilour--and that is good] sleighte: Line 18.161 Ars ut artem falleret.' Line 18.161 "Now suffre we!' seide Truthe, " I se, as me thynketh, Line 18.162 Out of the nyppe of the north, noght ful fer hennes, Line 18.163 Rightwisnesse corne rennynge; reste we the while, Line 18.164 For he[o] woot moore than we--he[o] was er we bothe.' Line 18.165 "That is sooth,' seide Mercy, "and I se here by sowthe Line 18.166 Where cometh Pees pleyinge, in pacience yclothed. Line 18.167 Love hath coveited hire longe--leve I noon oother Line 18.168 But [Love] sente hire som lettre, what this light bymeneth Line 18.169 That overhoveth helle thus; she us shal telle.' Line 18.170 Whan Pees in pacience yclothed approched ner hem tweyne, Line 18.171 Rightwisnesse hire reverenced for hir riche clothyng, Line 18.172 And preide Pees to telle hire to whit place she wolde Line 18.173 And in hire gaye garnements whom she grete thoughte? Line 18.174 "My wil is to wende,' quod she, "and welcome hem alle Line 18.175 That many day myghte I noght se for merknesse of synne-- Line 18.176 Adam and Eve and othere mo in helle, Line 18.177 Moyses and many mo; Mercy shul [synge], Line 18.178 And I shal daunce therto--do thow so, suster! Line 18.179 For Jesus justede wel, joye bigynneth dawe: Line 18.180 Ah vesperum demorabitur fletus, et ad matutinum leticia. Line 18.180 " Love, that is my lemman, swiche lettres me sente Line 18.181 That Mercy, my suster, and I mankynde sholde save, Line 18.182 And that God hath forgyven and graunted me, Pees, and Mercy Line 18.183 To be mannes meynpernour for everemoore after. Line 18.184 Lo, here the patente!' quod Pees, "ln pace in idipsum, Line 18.185 And that this dede shal dure, dormiam et requiescam.' Line 18.186 "What, ravestow?' quod Rightwisnesse; "or thow art righty dronke! Line 18.187

Line 18.187 Levestow that yond light unlouke myghte helle Line 18.188 And save mannes soule? Suster, wene it nevere! Line 18.189 At the bigynnyng God gaf the doom hymselve-- Line 18.190 That Adam and Eve and alle that hem suwede Line 18.191 Sholden deye downrighte, and dwelle in peyne after Line 18.192 If that thei touchede a tree and of the fruyt eten. Line 18.193 Adam afterward, ayeins his defence, Line 18.194 Freet of that fruyt, and forsook, as it were, Line 18.195 The love of Oure Lord and his loore bothe Line 18.196 And folwede that the fend taughte and his felawes wille Line 18.197 Ayeins reson--I, Rightwisnesse, recorde thus with Truthe Line 18.198 That hir peyne be perpetuel and no preiere hem helpe. Line 18.199 Forthi lat hem chewe as thei chosen, and chide we noght, sustres, Line 18.200 For it is botelees bale, the byte that thei eten.' Line 18.201 "And I shal preie,' quod Pees, "hir peyne moot have ende, Line 18.202 And wo into wele mowe wenden at the laste. Line 18.203 For hadde thei wist of no wo, wele hadde thei noght knowen; Line 18.204 For no wight woot what wele is, that nevere wo suffrede, Line 18.205 Ne what is hoot hunger, that hadde nevere defaute. Line 18.206 If no nyght ne weere, no man, as I leve, Line 18.207 Sholde wite witterly what day is to meene. Line 18.208 Sholde nevere right riche man that lyveth in reste and ese Line 18.209 Wite what wo is, ne were the deeth of kynde. Line 18.210 So God that bigan al of his goode wille Line 18.211 Bicam man of a mayde mankynde to save, Line 18.212 And suffrede to be sold, to se the sorwe of deying, Line 18.213 The which unknytteth alle care, and comsynge is of reste. Line 18.214 For til modicum mete with us, I may it wel avowe, Line 18.215 Woot no wight, as I wene, what is ynogh to mene. Line 18.216 " Forthi God, of his goodnesse, the firste gome Adam, Line 18.217 Sette hym in solace and in sovereyn murthe; Line 18.218 And siththe he suffred hym synne, sorwe to feele-- Line 18.219 To wite what wele was, kyndeliche to knowe it. Line 18.220 And after, God auntrede hymself and took Adames kynde Line 18.221 To wite what he hath suffred in thre sondry places, Line 18.222

Line 18.222 Bothe in hevene and in erthe--and now til helle he thenketh, Line 18.223 To wite what alle wo is, that woot of alle joye. Line 18.224 "So it shal fare by this folk: hir folie and hir synne Line 18.225 Shal lere hem what langour is, and lisse withouten ende. Line 18.226 Woot no wight what werre is ther that pees regneth, Line 18.227 Ne what is witterly wele til ""weylawey'' hym teche.' Line 18.228 Thanne was ther a wight with two brode eighen; Line 18.229 Book highte that beaupeere, a bold man of speche. Line 18.230 "By Goddes body!' quod this Book, "I wol bere witnesse Line 18.231 That tho this barn was ybore, ther blased a sterre Line 18.232 That alle the wise of this world in o wit acordeden-- Line 18.233 That swich a barn was ybore in Bethleem the citee Line 18.234 That mannes soule sholde save and synne destroye. Line 18.235 "And alle the elements,' quod the Book, "herof beren witnesse. Line 18.236 That he was God that al wroghte the wolkne first shewed: Line 18.237 Tho that weren in hevene token stella comata Line 18.238 And tendeden hire as a torche to reverencen his burthe; Line 18.239 The light folwede the Lord into the lowe erthe. Line 18.240 The water witnesseth that he was God, for he wente on it; Line 18.241 Peter the Apostel parceyved his gate, Line 18.242 And as he wente on the water wel hym knew, and seide, Line 18.243 ""tube me venire ad te super aquas.'' Line 18.244 And lo! how the sonne gan louke hire light in hirselve Line 18.245 Whan she seigh hym suffre, that sonne and see made. Line 18.246 The erthe for hevynesse that he wolde suffre Line 18.247 Quaked as quyk thyng and al biquasshed the roche. Line 18.248 "Lo! helle myghte nat holde, but opnede tho God tholede, Line 18.249 And leet out Symondes sones to seen hym hange on roode. Line 18.250 And now shal Lucifer leve it, though hyrn looth thynke. Line 18.251 For Gigas the geaunt with a gyn engyned Line 18.252 To breke and to bete adoun that ben ayeins Jesus. Line 18.253 And I, Book, wole be brent, but Jesus rise to lyve Line 18.254 In alle myghtes of man, and his moder gladie, Line 18.255

Line 18.255 And conforte al his kyn and out of care brynge, Line 18.256 And al the Jewene joye unjoynen and unlouken; Line 18.257 And but thei reverencen his roode and his resurexion, Line 18.258 And bileve on a newe lawe, be lost, lif and soule!' Line 18.259 "Suffre we!' seide Truthe, "1 here and see bothe Line 18.260 A spirit speketh to helle and biddeth unspere the yates: Line 18.261 ""Attolite portas.'' Line 18.261 A vois loude in that light to Lucifer crieth, Line 18.262 ""Prynees of this place, unpynneth and unlouketh! Line 18.263 For here cometh with crowne that kyng is of glorie.'" Line 18.264 Thanne sikede Sathan, and seide to helle, Line 18.265 "Swich a light, ayeins oure leve, Lazar it fette; Line 18.266 Care and combraunce is comen to us alle! Line 18.267 If this kyng come in, mankynde wole he fecche, Line 18.268 And lede it ther Lazar is, and lightliche me bynde. Line 18.269 Patriarkes and prophetes han parled herof longe-- Line 18.270 That swich a lord and a light shal lede hem alle hennes.' Line 18.271 "Listneth!' quod Lucifer, "for I this lord knowe; Line 18.272 Bothe this lord and this light, is longe ago I knew hym. Line 18.273 May no deeth this lord dere, ne no develes queyntise, Line 18.274 And where he wole, is his wey--ac ware hym of the perils! Line 18.275 If he reve me of my right, he robbeth me by maistrie; Line 18.276 For by right and by reson the renkes that ben here Line 18.277 Body and soule beth myne, bothe goode and ille. Line 18.278 For hymself seide, that sire is of hevene, Line 18.279 That if Adam ete the appul, alle sholde deye, Line 18.280 And dwelle [in deol] with us develes--this thretynge he made. Line 18.281 And [sithen] he that Soothnesse is seide thise wordes, Line 18.282 And I sithen iseised sevene [thousand] wynter, Line 18.283 I leeve that lawe nyl noght lete hym the leeste.' Line 18.284

Line 18.284 "That is sooth,' seide Satan, "but I me soore drede; Line 18.285 For thow gete hem with gile, and his gardyn breke, Line 18.286 And in semblaunce of a serpent sete on the appultre, Line 18.287 And eggedest hem to ete, Eve by hirselve, Line 18.288 And toldest hire a tale--of treson were the wordes; Line 18.289 And so thou haddest hem out and hider at the laste. Line 18.290 It is noght graithly geten, ther gile is the roote!' Line 18.291 " For God wol noght be bigiled,' quod Gobelyn, " ne byjaped. Line 18.292 We have no trewe title to hem, for thorugh treson were thei dampned.' Line 18.293 " Certes, I drede me,' quod the Devel, "lest Truthe wol hem fecche. Line 18.294 Thise thritty wynter, as I wene, he wente aboute and preched. Line 18.295 I have assailled hym with synne, and som tyme I asked Line 18.296 Wheither he were God or Goddes sone--he gaf me short answere; Line 18.297 And thus hath he trolled forth thise two and thritty wynter. Line 18.298 And whan I seigh it was so, slepynge I wente Line 18.299 To warne Pilates wif what done man was Jesus; Line 18.300 For Jewes hateden hym and han doon hym to dethe. Line 18.301 I wolde have lengthed his lif--for I leved, if he deide, Line 18.302 That his soule wolde suffre no synne in his sighte; Line 18.303 For the body, while it on bones yede, aboute was evere Line 18.304 To save men from synne if hemself wolde. Line 18.305 And now I se wher a soule cometh [silynge hiderward] Line 18.306 With glorie and with gret light--God it is, I woot wel! Line 18.307 I rede we fle,' quod he, "faste alle hennes-- Line 18.308 For us were bettre noght be than biden his sighte. Line 18.309 For thi lesynges, Lucifer, lost is al oure praye. Line 18.310 First thorugh the we fellen fro hevene so heighe; Line 18.311 For we leved thi lesynges, we lopen out alle with thee; Line 18.312 And now for thi laste lesynge, ylorn we have Adam, Line 18.313 And al oure lordshipe, I leve, a londe and a watre: Line 18.314 Nunc Princeps huius mundi eicietur foras.' Line 18.314

Line 18.314 Eft the light bad unlouke, and Lucifer answerde, Line 18.315 " Quis est iste ? Line 18.316 What lord artow?' quod Lucifer. The light soone seide, Line 18.317 Rex glorie, Line 18.318 The lord of myght and of mayn and alle manere vertues-- Line 18.319 Dominus virtutum. Line 18.319 Dukes of this dymme place, anoon undo thise yates, Line 18.320 That Crist may come in, the Kynges sone of Hevene!' Line 18.321 And with that breeth helle brak, with Belialles barres-- Line 18.322 For any wye or warde, wide open the yates. Line 18.323 Patriarkes and prophetes, populus in tenebris, Line 18.324 Songen Seint Johanes song, " Ecce Agnus Dei.' Line 18.325 Lucifer loke ne myghte, so light hym ablente. Line 18.326 And tho that Oure Lord lovede, into his light he laughte, Line 18.327 And seide to Sathan, "Lo! here my soule to amendes Line 18.328 For alle synfulle soules, to save tho that ben worthi. Line 18.329 Myne thei ben and of me--I may the bet hem cleyme. Line 18.330 Although reson recorde, and right of myselve, Line 18.331 That if thei ete the appul, alle sholde deye, Line 18.332 I bihighte hem noght here helle for evere. Line 18.333 For the dede that thei dide, thi deceite it made; Line 18.334 With gile thow hem gete, ageyn alle reson. Line 18.335 For in my paleis, Paradis, in persone of an addre, Line 18.336 Falsliche thow fettest there thyng that I lovede. Line 18.337 "Thus ylik a lusard with a lady visage, Line 18.338 Thefliche thow me robbedest; the Olde Lawe graunteth Line 18.339 That gilours be bigiled--and that is good reson: Line 18.340 Dentem pro dente et oculum pro oculo. Line 18.341

Line 18.341 Ergo soule shal soule quyte and synne to synne wende, Line 18.341 And al that man hath mysdo, I, man, wole amende it. Line 18.342 Membre for membre [was amendes by the Olde Lawe], Line 18.343 And lif for lif also--and by that lawe I clayme Line 18.344 Adam and al his issue at my wille herafter. Line 18.345 And that deeth in hem fordide, my deeth shal releve, Line 18.346 And bothe quyke and quyte that queynt was thorugh synne; Line 18.347 And that grace gile destruye, good feith it asketh. Line 18.348 So leve it noght, Lucifer, ayein the lawe I fecche hem, Line 18.349 But by right and by reson raunsone here my liges: Line 18.350 Non veni solvere legem set adimplere. Line 18.350 "Thow fettest myne in my place ayeins alle reson-- Line 18.351 Falsliche and felonliche; good feith me it taughte, Line 18.352 To recovere hem thorugh raunsoun, and by no reson ellis, Line 18.353 So that with gile thow gete, thorugh grace it is ywonne. Line 18.354 Thow, Lucifer, in liknesse of a luther addere Line 18.355 Getest bi gile tho that God lovede; Line 18.356 And I, in liknesse of a leode, that Lord am of hevene, Line 18.357 Graciousliche thi gile have quyt--go gile ayein gile! Line 18.358 And as Adam and alle thorugh a tree deyden, Line 18.359 Adam and alle thorugh a tree shal turne to lyve; Line 18.360 And gile is bigiled, and in his gile fallen: Line 18.361 Et cecidit in foveam quam fecit. Line 18.361 Now bigynneth thi gile ageyn thee to turne Line 18.362 And my grace to growe ay gretter and widder. Line 18.363 The bitternesse that thow hast browe, now brouke it thiselve; Line 18.364 That art doctour of deeth, drynk that thow madest! Line 18.365 "For I that am lord of lif, love is my drynke, Line 18.366 And for that drynke today, I deide upon erthe. Line 18.367 I faught so, me thursteth yet, for mannes soule sake; Line 18.368 May no drynke me moiste, ne my thurst stake, Line 18.369

Line 18.369 Til the vendage falle in the vale of Josaphat, Line 18.370 That I drynke right ripe must, resureccio mortuorum. Line 18.371 And thanne shal I come as a kyng, crouned, with aungeles, Line 18.372 And have out of helle alle mennes soules. Line 18.373 " Fendes and fendekynes bifore me shul stande Line 18.374 And be at my biddyng wheresoevere [be] me liketh. Line 18.375 Ac to be merciable to man thanne, my kynde it asketh, Line 18.376 For we beth bretheren of blood, but noght in baptisme alle. Line 18.377 Ac alle that beth myne hole bretheren, in blood and in baptisme, Line 18.378 Shul noght be dampned to the deeth that is withouten ende: Line 18.379 Tibi soli peccavi &c. Line 18.379 "It is noght used on erthe to hangen a feloun Line 18.380 Ofter than ones, though he were a tretour. Line 18.381 And if the kyng of that kyngdom corne in that tyme Line 18.382 There the feloun thole sholde deeth oother juwise, Line 18.383 Lawe wolde he yeve hym lif, and he loked on hym. Line 18.384 And I that am kyng of kynges shal come swich a tyme Line 18.385 There doom to the deeth dampneth alle wikked; Line 18.386 And if lawe wole I loke on hem, it lith in my grace Line 18.387 Wheither thei deye or deye noght for that thei diden ille. Line 18.388 Be it any thyng abought, the boldnesse of hir synnes, Line 18.389 I may do mercy thorugh rightwisnesse, and alle my wordes trewe. Line 18.390 And though Holy Writ wole that I be wroke of hem that diden ille-- Line 18.391 Nullum malum impunitum &c-- Line 18.391 Thei shul be clensed clerliche and [clene] wasshen of hir synnes Line 18.392 In my prisone Purgatorie, til parce it hote. Line 18.393 And my mercy shal be shewed to manye of my bretheren; Line 18.394

Line 18.394 For blood may suffre blood bothe hungry and acale, Line 18.395 Ac blood may noght se blood blede, but hym rewe.' Line 18.396 Auaivi archana verba que non iicet homini loqui. Line 18.396 "Ac my rightwisnesse and right shal rulen al helle, Line 18.397 And mercy al mankynde bifore me in hevene. Line 18.398 For I were an unkynde kyng but I my kyn helpe--- Line 18.399 And nameliche at swich a nede ther nedes help bihoveth: Line 18.400 Non intres in iudicium cum servo tuo. Line 18.400 "Thus by lawe,' quod Oure Lord, "lede I wole fro hennes Line 18.401 Tho [leodes] that I lov[e] and leved in my comynge. Line 18.402 And for thi lesynge, Lucifer, that thow leighe til Eve, Line 18.403 Thow shalt abyen it bittre!"--and bond hym with cheynes. Line 18.404 As troth and al the route hidden hem in hernes; Line 18.405 They dorste noght loke on Oure Lord, the [lothli]este of hem alle, Line 18.406 But leten hym lede forth what hym liked and lete what hym liste. Line 18.407 Manye hundred of aungeles harpeden and songen, Line 18.408 " Culpat caro, purgat caro, regnat Deus Dei caro.' Line 18.409 Thanne pipede Pees of poesie a note: Line 18.410 " Clarior est solito post maxima nebula phebus; Line 18.410 Post inimicicias clarior est et amor. Line 18.410 " After sharpest shoures,' quod Pees, " moost shene is the sonne; Line 18.411 Is no weder warmer than after watry cloudes; Line 18.412 Ne no love levere; ne lever frendes Line 18.413 Than after werre and wo, whan love and pees ben maistres. Line 18.414 Was nevere werre in this world, ne wikkednesse so kene, Line 18.415 "That Love, and hym liste, to laughyng ne broughte, Line 18.416 And Pees, thorugh pacience, alle perils stoppede.' Line 18.417

Line 18.417 " Trewes!' quod Truthe; " thow tellest us sooth, by Jesus! Line 18.418 Clippe we in covenaunt, and ech of us kisse oother.' Line 18.419 "And lete no peple,' quod Pees, "parceyve that we chidde; Line 18.420 For inpossible is no thyng to Hym that is almyghty.' Line 18.421 "Thow seist sooth,' seide Rightwisnesse, and reverentliche hire kiste, Line 18.422 Pees, and Pees h[i]re, per secula seculorum. Line 18.423 Misericordia et Veritas obviaverunt sibi, justicia et Pax osculate sunt. Line 18.423 Truthe trumpede tho and song Te Deum laudamus, Line 18.424 And thanne lutede Love in a loud note, Line 18.425 " Ecce quam bonum et quam iocundum &c.' Line 18.425 Til the day dawed thise damyseles carolden, Line 18.426 That men rongen to the resurexion--and right with that I wakede, Line 18.427 And called Kytte my wif and Calote my doghter: Line 18.428 "Ariseth and reverenceth Goddes resurexion, Line 18.430 And crepeth to the cros on knees, and kisseth it for a juwel! Line 18.431 For Goddes blik body it bar for eure body, Line 18.432 And it afereth the fend--for swich is the myghte, Line 18.433 May no grisly goost glide there it shadweth!' Line 18.434