William Langland's The vision of Piers Plowman

Passus 19

Thus I awaked and wroot what I hadde ydremed, Line 19.001 And dighte me derely, and dide me to chirche, Line 19.002 To here holly the masse and to be housled after. Line 19.003 In myddes of the masse, tho men yede to offryng, Line 19.004 I fel eftsoones aslepe--and sodeynly me mette Line 19.005 That Piers the Plowman was peynted al blody, Line 19.006 And com in with a cros bifore the comune peple, Line 19.007 And right lik in alle lymes to Oure Lord Jesu. Line 19.008 And thanne called I Conscience to kenne me the sothe: Line 19.009 "Is this Jesus the justere,' quod I, "that Jewes dide to dethe? Line 19.010 Or it is Piers the Plowman! Who peynted hym so rede?' Line 19.011 Quod Conscience, and kneled tho, " Thise arn Piers armes-- Line 19.012 Hise colours and his cote armure; ac he that cometh so blody Line 19.013 Is Crist with his cros, conquerour of Cristene.' Line 19.014 "Why calle ye hym Crist?' quod l, "sithen Jewes called hym Jesus? Line 19.015 Patriarkes and prophetes prophecied bifore Line 19.016 That alle kynne creatures sholden knelen and bowen Line 19.017 Anoon as men nempned the name of God Jesu. Line 19.018 Ergo is no name to the name of Jesus, Line 19.019 Ne noon so nedeful to nempne by nyghte ne by daye. Line 19.020 For alle derke develes arn adrad to heren it, Line 19.021 And synfulle aren solaced and saved by that name; Line 19.022 And ye callen hym Crist; for what cause, telleth me? Line 19.023 Is Crist moore of myght and moore worthi name Line 19.024 Than Jesu or Jesus, that al oure joye com of?' Line 19.025 "Thow knowest wel,' quod Conscience, "and thow konne reson, Line 19.026 That knyght, kyng, conquerour may be o persone. Line 19.027 To be called a knyght is fair, for men shul knele to hym; Line 19.028 To be called a kyng is fairer, for he may knyghtes make; Line 19.029 Ac to be conquerour called, that cometh of special grace, Line 19.030 And of hardynesse of herte and of hendemesse-- Line 19.031 To make lordes of laddes, of lond that he wynneth, Line 19.032 And fre men foule thralles, that folwen noght hise lawes. Line 19.033

Line 19.033 'The Jewes, that were gentil men, Jesu thei despised-- Line 19.034 Bothe his loore and his lawe; now are thei lowe cherles. Line 19.035 As wide as the world is, wonyeth ther noon Line 19.036 But under tribut and taillage as tikes and cherles; Line 19.037 And tho that bicome Cristene bi counseil of the Baptiste Line 19.038 Aren frankeleyns, free men thorugh fullynge that thei toke Line 19.039 And gentil men with Jesu--for Jesus was yfulled Line 19.040 And upon Calvarie on cros ycrouned kyng of Jewes. Line 19.041 " lt bicometh to a kyng to kepe and to defende, Line 19.042 And conqueror of his conquest hise lawes and his large. Line 19.043 And so dide Jesus the Jewes--he justified and taughte hem Line 19.044 The lawe of lif that laste shal evere, Line 19.045 And fended from foule yveles, feveres and fiuxes, Line 19.046 And from fendes that in hem was, and false bileve. Line 19.047 Tho was he Jesus of Jewes called, gentile prophete, Line 19.048 And kyng of hir kyngdom, and croune bar of thornes. Line 19.049 "And tho conquered he on cros as conquerour noble; Line 19.050 Mighte no deeth hym fordo, ne adoun brynge, Line 19.051 That he n'aroos and regnede and ravysshed helle. Line 19.052 And tho was he conquerour called of quyke and of dede. Line 19.053 For he yaf Adam and Eve and othere mo blisse Line 19.054 That longe hadde yleyen bifore as Luciferis cherles. Line 19.055 And took [Lucifer the lothly], that lord was of helle, Line 19.056 And bond [hym] as [he is bounde], with bondes of yrene. Line 19.057 Who was hardiere than he? His herte blood he shadde Line 19.058 To maken alle folk free that folwen his lawe. Line 19.059 And sith he yeveth largely al his lele liges Line 19.060 Places in Paradis at hir partynge hennes, Line 19.061 He my wel be called conquerour--and that is " Crist ' to mene. Line 19.062 "Ac the cause that he cometh thus with cros of his passion Line 19.063 Is to wissen us therwith, that whan we ben tempted, Line 19.064

Line 19.064 Therwith to fighte and fenden us fro fallynge into synne, Line 19.065 And se bi his sorve that whoso loveth joye, Line 19.066 To penaunce and to poverte he moste puten hymselven, Line 19.067 And muche wo in this world wilnen and suffren. Line 19.068 "Ac to carpe moore of Crist, and how he com to that name, Line 19.069 Faithly for to speke, his firste name was jesus. Line 19.070 Tho he was born in Bethleem, as the Book telleth, Line 19.071 And cam to take mankynde, kynges and aungeles Line 19.072 Reverenced hym right faire with richesses of erthe. Line 19.073 Aungeles out of hevene come knelynge and songe, Line 19.074 Gloria in excelsis Deo &c. Line 19.074 "Kynges come after, knelede and offrede sense, Line 19.075 Mirre and muche gold withouten mercy askynge Line 19.076 Or any kynnes catel, but knoweliched[en] hym sovereyn Line 19.077 Both of sond, sonne and see, and sithenes thei wente Line 19.078 Into hir kyngene kith by counseil of aungeles. Line 19.079 And there was that word fulfilled the which thow of speke-- Line 19.080 Omnia celestia, terrestria, flectantur in hoc nomine Iesu. Line 19.080 " For alle the aungeles of hevene at his burthe knelede, Line 19.081 And al the wit of the world was in tho thre kynges. Line 19.082 Reson and Rightwisnesse and Ruthe thei offrede, Line 19.083 Wherfore and why wise men that tyme Line 19.084 Maistres and lettred men, Magi hem callede. Line 19.085 " That o kyng cam with Reson, covered under sense. Line 19.086 The seconde kyng siththe soothliche offrede Line 19.087 Rightwisnesse under reed gold, Resones felawe. Line 19.088 Gold is likned to Leautee that laste shal evere, Line 19.089 And Reson to riche[ls]--to right and to truthe. Line 19.090 "The thridde kyng tho kam, and knelede to Jesu, Line 19.091 And presented hym with Pitee, apperynge by mirre; Line 19.092 For mirre is mercy to mene, and mylde speche of tonge. Line 19.093 Ertheliche honeste thynges was offred thus at ones Line 19.094

Line 19.094 Thorugh thre kynne kynges knelynge to Jesu. Line 19.095 "Ac for alle thise preciouse presents Oure Lord Prynce Jesus Line 19.096 Was neither kyng ne conquerour til he [comsede] wexe Line 19.097 In the manere of a man, and that by muchel sleighte-- Line 19.098 As it bicometh a conquerour to konne manye sleightes, Line 19.099 And manye wiles and wit, that wole ben a ledere; Line 19.100 And so dide Jesu in hise dayes, whoso hadde tyme to telle it. Line 19.101 "Som tyme he suffrede, and som tyme he hidde hym, Line 19.102 And som tyme he faught faste, and fleigh outherwhile, Line 19.103 And som tyme he gaf good and grauntede heele bothe, Line 19.104 Lif and lyme--as hym liste he wroghte. Line 19.105 As kynde is of a conquerour, so comsede Jesu Line 19.106 Til he hadde alle hem that he for bledde. Line 19.107 " ln his juventee this Jesus at Jewene feeste Line 19.108 Water into wyn turnede, as Holy Writ telleth, Line 19.109 And there bigan God of his grace to do wel. Line 19.110 For wyn is likned to lawe and lifholynesse; Line 19.111 And lawe lakkede tho, for men lovede noght hir enemys; Line 19.112 And Crist counseileth thus--and comaundeth bothe-- Line 19.113 Bothe to lered and to lewede, to lovyen oure enemys. Line 19.114 So at that feeste first, as I bifore tolde, Line 19.115 Bigan God of his grace and goodnesse to dowel: Line 19.116 And tho was he cleped and called noght oonly Crist but Jesu-- Line 19.117 A fauntekyn ful of wit, filius Marie. Line 19.118 For bifore his moder Marie made he that wonder, Line 19.119 That she first and formest sholde ferme bileve Line 19.120 That he thorugh Grace was gete, and of no gome ellis. Line 19.121 He wroghte that by no wit but thorugh word one, Line 19.122 After the kynde that he cam of; there comsede he Dowel. Line 19.123 "And whan he was woxen moore, in his moder absence, Line 19.124 He made lame to lepe and yaf light to blynde, Line 19.125 And fedde with two fisshes and with fyve lowes Line 19.126 Sore afyngred folk, mo than fyve thousand. Line 19.127 Thus he confortede carefulle and caughte a gretter name, Line 19.128 The which was Dobet, where that he wente. Line 19.129

Line 19.129 For deve thorugh hise doynges and dombe speke and herde, Line 19.130 And alle he heeled and halp that hym of grace askede. Line 19.131 And tho was he called in contre of the comune peple, Line 19.132 For the dedes that he dide, Fili David, lhesus. Line 19.133 For David was doghtiest of dedes in his tyme, Line 19.134 The burdes tho songe, Saul interfecit mille et David decem milia. Line 19.135 Forthi the contree ther Jesu cam called hym fili David, Line 19.136 And nempned hym of Nazareth--and no man so worthi Line 19.137 To be kaiser or kyng of the kyngdom of Juda, Line 19.138 Ne over Jewes justice, as Jesus was, hem thoughte. Line 19.139 "Wherof hadde Cayphas envye, and othere of the Jewes, Line 19.140 And for to doon hym to dethe day and nyght thei casten; Line 19.141 And killeden hym on cros wise at Calvarie on Friday, Line 19.142 And sithen buriede his body, and beden that men sholde Line 19.143 Kepen it fro nyghtcomeris with knyghtes yarmed, Line 19.144 For no frend sholde it fecche; for prophetes hem tolde Line 19.145 That that blissede body of burieles sholde risen, Line 19.146 And goon into Galilee and gladen hise Apostles Line 19.147 And his moder Marie--thus men bifore demede. Line 19.148 "The knyghtes that kepten it biknewe hemselven Line 19.149 That aungeles and archaungeles er the day spronge Line 19.150 Come knelynge to that corps and songen Line 19.151 Christus resurgens--and it aroos after, Line 19.152 Verray man bifore hem alle, and forth with hem he yede. Line 19.153 "The Jewes preide hem of pees, and [pre-ide] the knyghtes Line 19.154 Telle the comune that ther cam a compaignie of hise Apostles Line 19.155 And biwicched hem as thei woke, and awey stolen it. Line 19.156

Line 19.156 "Ac Marie Maudeleyne mette hym by the weye Line 19.157 Goynge toward Galilee in godhede and manhede, Line 19.158 And lyves and lokynge--and she aloud cride Line 19.159 In ech a compaignie ther she cam, "" Christus resurgens!'' Line 19.160 Thus cam it out that Crist overcoom, recoverede and lyvede: Line 19.161 Sic oportet Christum pati et intrare &c. Line 19.161 For that wommen witeth may noght wel be counseille! Line 19.162 "Peter parceyved al this and pursued after, Line 19.163 Bothe James and Johan, Jesu for to seke. Line 19.164 Thaddee and ten mo. with Thomas of Inde. Line 19.165 And as alle thise wise wyes weren togideres Line 19.166 In an hous al bishet and hir dore ybarred, Line 19.167 Crist cam in--and al closed both dore and yates-- Line 19.168 To Peter and to hise Apostles, and seide, "" Pax vobis;' Line 19.169 And took Thomas by the hind and taughte hym to grope. Line 19.170 And feele with hise fyngres his flesshliche herte. Line 19.171 "Thomas touched it, and with his tonge seide, Line 19.172 " Dominus meus et Deus meus. Line 19.173 Thow art my lord, I bileve, God Lord Jesu! Line 19.174 Thow deidest and deeth tholedest and deme shalt us alle, Line 19.175 And now art lyvynge and lokynge, and laste shalt evere!' Line 19.176 "Crist carpede thanne, and curteisliche seide, Line 19.177 ""Thomas, for thow trowest this and treweliche bilevest it, Line 19.178 Blessed mote thow be, and be shalt for evere. Line 19.179 And blessed mote thei be, in body and in soule, Line 19.180 That nevere shul se me in sighte as thow seest nowthe, Line 19.181 And lelliche bileve al this I love hem and blesse hem: Line 19.182 Beati qui non viderunt et crediderunt.'' Line 19.182 "And whan this dede was doon, Dobest he [thou]ghte, Line 19.183 And yaf Piers power, and pardon he grauntede: Line 19.184 To alle maner men, mercy and foryifnesse; Line 19.185 [To] hym, myghte men to assoille of alle manere synnes. Line 19.186

Line 19.186 In covenaunt that thei come and kneweliche to paye Line 19.187 To Piers pardon the Plowman--Redde quod debes. Line 19.188 "Thus hath Piers power, be his pardon paied, Line 19.189 To bynde and unbynde bothe here and ellis, Line 19.190 And assoille men of alle synnes save of dette one. Line 19.191 "Anoon after an heigh up into hevene Line 19.192 He wente, and wonyeth there, and wol come at the laste, Line 19.193 And rewarde hym right wel that reddit quod debet-- Line 19.194 Paieth parfitly, as pure truthe wolde. Line 19.195 And what persone paieth it nought, punysshen he thenketh, Line 19.196 And demen hem at domesday, bothe quyke and dede-- Line 19.197 The goode to the Godhede and to greet joye, Line 19.198 And wikkede to wonye in wo withouten ende.' Line 19.199 Thus Conscience of Crist and of the cros carpede, Line 19.200 And counseiled me to knele therto; and thanne cam, me thoughte, Line 19.201 Oon Spiritus Paraclitus to Piers and to hise felawes. Line 19.202 In liknesse of a lightnynge he lighte on hem alle Line 19.203 And made hem konne and knowe alle kynne langages. Line 19.204 I wondred what that was, and waggede Conscience, Line 19.205 And was afered of the light, for in fires liknesse Line 19.206 Spiritus Paraclitus overspradde hem alle. Line 19.207 Quod Conscience, and knelede, "This is Cristes messager, Line 19.208 And cometh fro the grete God--Grace is his name. Line 19.209 Knele now,' quod Conscience, "and if thow kanst synge, Line 19.210 Welcome hym and worshipe hym with Veni Creator Spiritus !' Line 19.211 Thanne song I that song, and so dide manye hundred, Line 19.212 And cride with Conscience, " Help us, God of grace!' Line 19.213 And thanne bigan Grace to go with Piers Plowman, Line 19.214 And counseillede hym and Conscience the comune to sompne: Line 19.215 "For I wole dele today and dyvyde grace Line 19.216 To alle kynne creatures that kan hise fyve wittes-- Line 19.217 Tresour to lyve by to hir lyves ende. Line 19.218

Line 19.218 And wepne to fighte with that wole nevere faille. Line 19.219 For Antecrist and hise al the world shul greve, Line 19.220 And acombre thee, Conscience, but if Crist thee helpe. Line 19.221 "And false prophetes fele, flatereris and gloseris, Line 19.222 Shullen come and be curatours over kynges and erles. Line 19.223 And thanne shal Pride be Pope and prynce of Holy Chirche, Line 19.224 Coveitise and Unkyndenesse Cardinals hym to lede. Line 19.225 Forthi,' quod Grace, "er I go, I wol gyve yow tresor, Line 19.226 And wepne to fighte with whan Antecrist yow assailleth.' Line 19.227 And gaf ech man a grace to gye with hymselven, Line 19.228 That Ydelnesse encombre hym noght, ne Envye ne Pride: Line 19.229 Divisiones graciarum sunt. Line 19.229 Some [wyes] he yaf wit, with wordes to shewe-- Line 19.230 Wit to wynne hir liflode with, as the world asketh, Line 19.231 As prechours and preestes, and prentices of lawe-- Line 19.232 They lelly to lyve by labour of tonge, Line 19.233 And by wit to wissen othere is grace hem wolde teche. Line 19.234 And some he kennede craft and konnynge of sighte. Line 19.235 With sellynge and [by] buggynge hir bilyve to wynne. Line 19.236 And some he lered to laboure on lond and on watre, Line 19.237 And lyve by that labour--a lele lif and a trewe. Line 19.238 And some he taughte to tilie, to dyche and to thecche, Line 19.239 To wynne with hir liflode bi loore of his techynge. Line 19.240 And some to devyne and divide, [diverse] noumbres to kenne: Line 19.241 And some to compace craftily, and colours to make; Line 19.242 And some to se and to seye whit sholde bifalle, Line 19.243 Bothe of wele and of wo, telle it [wel] er it felle-- Line 19.244 As astronomyens thorugh astronomye, and philosofres wise. Line 19.245 And some to ryde and to recovere that unrightfully was wonne: Line 19.246 He wissed hem wynne it ayein thorugh wightnesse of handes, Line 19.247

Line 19.247 And fecchen it fro false men with Folvyles lawes. Line 19.248 And some he lered to lyve in longynge to ben hennes, Line 19.249 In poverte and in pacience to preie for alle Cristene. Line 19.250 And alle he lered to be lele, and ech a craft love oother, Line 19.251 And forbad hem alle debat--that noon [be] among hem. Line 19.252 "Though some be clenner than some, ye se wel," quod Grace, Line 19.253 "That he that useth the faireste craft, to the fouleste I kouthe have put hym. Line 19.254 Thynketh [that alle craftes, quod Grace]. "cometh of my yifte; Line 19.255 Loketh that noon lakke oother, but loveth alle as bretheren. Line 19.256 "And who that moost maistries kan, be myldest of berynge; Line 19.257 And crouneth Conscience kyng, and maketh Craft youre stiward, Line 19.258 And after Craftes conseil clotheth yow and fede. Line 19.259 For I make Piers the Plowman my procuratour and my reve, Line 19.260 And registrer to receyve redde quod debes. Line 19.261 My prowor and my plowman Piers shal ben on erthe, Line 19.262 And for to tilie truthe a teeme shal he have.' Line 19.263 Grace gaf Piers a teeme--foure grete oxen. Line 19.264 That oon was Luk, a large beest and a lowe chered, Line 19.265 And Mark, and Mathew the thridde--myghty beestes bothe; Line 19.266 And joyned to hem oon Johan, moost gentil of alle, Line 19.267 The pris neet of Piers plow, passynge alle othere. Line 19.268 And yit Grace of his goodnesse gaf Piers foure stottes-- Line 19.269 Al that hise oxen eriede, thei to harewen after. Line 19.270 Oon highte Austyn, and Ambrose another, Line 19.271 Gregori the grete clerk, and [the goode Jerom]. Line 19.272 Thise foure, the feith to teche, folweth Piers teme, Line 19.273 And harewede in an handwhile al Holy Scripture Line 19.274 With two [aithes] that thei hadde, an oold and a newe, Line 19.275 Id est, Vetus Testamentum et Novum. Line 19.275 And Grace gaf Piers greynes--cardynales vertues, Line 19.276 And sew it in mannes soule, and sithen he tolde hir names. Line 19.277 Spiritus Prudencie the firste seed highte; Line 19.278

Line 19.278 And whoso ete that, ymagynen he sholde, Line 19.279 Er he dide any dede, devyse wel the ende; Line 19.280 And lerned men a ladel bugge with a long stele Line 19.281 That caste for to kepe a crokke, and save the fatte above. Line 19.282 The seconde seed highte Spiritus Temperancie. Line 19.283 He that etc of that seed hadde swich a kynde, Line 19.284 Sholde nevere mete ne meschief make hym to swelle; Line 19.285 Ne sholde no scornere out of skile hym brynge; Line 19.286 Ne wynnynge ne wele of worldliche richesse, Line 19.287 Waste word of ydelnesse ne wikked speche moeve; Line 19.288 Sholde no curious clooth comen on his rugge, Line 19.289 Ne no mete in his mouth that Maister Johan spicede. Line 19.290 The thridde seed that Piers sew was Spiritus Fortitudinis; Line 19.291 And whoso ete of that seed hardy was evere Line 19.292 To suffren al that God sente, siknesse and angres. Line 19.293 Mighte no lesynges, ne lyere, ne los of worldly catel. Line 19.294 Maken hym, for any mournynge, that he nas murie in soule, Line 19.295 And bold and abidynge bismares to suffre, Line 19.296 And pletede al with pacience and Parce michi, Domine, Line 19.297 And covered hym under conseille of Caton the wise: Line 19.298 Esto forti animo cum sis dampnatus inique. Line 19.298 The ferthe seed that Piers sew was Spiritus Iusticie, Line 19.299 And he that ete of that seed sholde be evere trewe Line 19.300 With God, and naught agast but of gile one. Line 19.301 For gile gooth so pryvely that geod feith outher while Line 19.302 May nought ben espied [thorugh] Spiritus Iusticie. Line 19.303

Line 19.303 Spiritus Iusticie spareth noght to spille hem that ben gilty, Line 19.304 And for to correcte the kyng if he falle in [any kynnes] gilt. Line 19.305 For counteth he no kynges wrathe whan he in court sitteth Line 19.306 To demen as a domesman--adrad was he nevere Line 19.307 Neither of duc ne of deeth, that he ne dide the lawe; Line 19.308 For present or for preiere or any prynces lettres, Line 19.309 He dide equyte to alle eveneforth his power. Line 19.310 Thise foure sedes Piers sex, and siththe he dide hem harewe Line 19.311 With Olde Lawe and Newe Lawe, that love myghte wexe Line 19.312 Among thise foure vertues, and vices destruye. Line 19.313 " For comunliche in contrees cammokes and wedes Line 19.314 Foulen the fruyt in the feld ther thei growen togideres; Line 19.315 And so doon vices vertues--[f]orthi,' quod Piers, Line 19.316 "Hareweth alle that konneth kynde wit by conseil of thise doctours, Line 19.317 And tilieth after hir techynge the cardynale vertues.' Line 19.318 "Ayeins thi greynes,' quod Grace, " bigynneth for to ripe, Line 19.319 Ordeigne thee an hous, Piers, to herberwe inne thi cornes. Line 19.320 "By God! Grace,' quod Piers, 'ye moten gyve tymber, Line 19.321 And ordeigne that hous er ye hennes wende.' Line 19.322 And Grace gaf hym the cros, with the croune of thornes, Line 19.323 That Crist upon Calvarie for mankynde on pyned; Line 19.324 And of his baptisme and blood that he bledde on roode Line 19.325 He made a manere morter, and mercy it highte. Line 19.326 And therwith Grace bigan to make a good foundement, Line 19.327 And watlede it and walled it with hise peynes and his passion, Line 19.328 And of al Holy Writ he made a roof after, Line 19.329 And called that hous Unite--Holy Chirche on Englissh. Line 19.330 And whan this dede was doon, Grace devysede Line 19.331 A cart highte Cristendom, to carie home Piers sheves, Line 19.332 And gaf hym caples to his carte, Contricion and Confession; Line 19.333 And made Preesthod hayward, the while hymself wente Line 19.334

Line 19.334 As wide as the world is, with Piers to tilie truthe Line 19.335 And the lo[nd] of bileve, the lawe of Holy Chirche. Line 19.336 Now is Piers to the plow. Pride it aspide Line 19.337 And gadered hym a greet oost: greven he thynketh Line 19.338 Conscience and alle Cristene and Cardinale Vertues-- Line 19.339 Blowe hem doun and breke hem and bite atwo the mores; Line 19.340 And sente forth Surquidous, his sergeaunt of armes, Line 19.341 And his spye Spille-Love, oon Spek-yvel-bihynde. Line 19.342 Thise two coome to Conscience and to Cristen peple, Line 19.343 And tolde hem tidynges--that tyne thei sholde Line 19.344 The sedes that [Sire] Piers sew, the Cardynale Vertues: Line 19.345 "And Piers bern worth ybroke, and thei that ben in Unitee Line 19.346 Shulle come out, and Conscience; and youre [caples two], Line 19.347 Confession and Contricion, and youre carte the Bileeve Line 19.348 Shal be coloured so queyntely and covered under oure sophistrie, Line 19.349 That Conscience shal noght knowe by Contricion Line 19.350 Ne by Confession who is Cristene or hethene; Line 19.351 Ne no manere marchaunt that with moneye deleth Line 19.352 Wheither he wynne with right, with wrong or with usure.' Line 19.353 With swiche colours and queyntise cometh Pride y-armed, Line 19.354 With the lord that lyveth after the lust of his body-- Line 19.355 "To wasten on welfare and on wikked kepynge Line 19.356 Al the world in a while thorugh oure wit!' quod Pryde. Line 19.357 Quod Conseience to alle Cristene tho, " My counseil is to wende Line 19.358 Hastiliche into Unitee and holde we us there, Line 19.359 And praye we that a pees weere in Piers berne the Plowman. Line 19.360 For witterly, I woot wel, we beth noght of strengthe Line 19.361 To goon agayn Pride, but Grace weere with us.' Line 19.362 And thanne kam Kynde Wit Conscience to teche, Line 19.363 And cryde, and comaundede alle Cristene peple Line 19.364

Line 19.364 For to delven and dyche depe aboute Unitee Line 19.365 That Holy Chirche stode in [holynesse], as it a pyl weere. Line 19.366 Conscience comaundede tho alle Cristene to delve, Line 19.367 And make a muche moot that myghte ben a strengthe Line 19.368 To helpe Holy Chirche and hem that it kepeth. Line 19.369 Thanne alle kynne Cristene--save comune wommen-- Line 19.370 Repenteden and refusede synne, [right] save thei one, Line 19.371 And [a sisour and a somonour] that were forsworen ofte; Line 19.372 Witynge and wilfully with the false [thei] helden, Line 19.373 And for silver were forswore--soothly thei wiste it! Line 19.374 Ther nas no Cristene creature that kynde wit hadde-- Line 19.375 Save sherewes one swiche as I spak of-- Line 19.376 That he ne halp a quantite holynesse to wexe: Line 19.377 Some by bedes biddynge and some by pilgrymage Line 19.378 And other pryve penaunce, and somme thorugh penyes delynge. Line 19.379 And thanne wellede water for wikkede werkes, Line 19.380 Egreliche ernynge out of mennes eighen. Line 19.381 Clennesse of the comune and clerkes clene lyvynge Line 19.382 Made Unitee Holy Chirche in holynesse stonde. Line 19.383 " I care noght,' quod Conscience, " though Pride come nouthe; Line 19.384 The lord of lust shal be letted al this Lente, I hope. Line 19.385 Cometh,' quod Conscience, "ye Cristene, and dyneth, Line 19.386 That han laboured lelly al this Lenten tyme. Line 19.387 Here is breed yblessed, and Goddes body therunder. Line 19.388 Grace, thorugh Goddes word, gaf Piers power, Line 19.389 Myght to maken it, and men to ete it after Line 19.390 In helpe of hir heele ones in a monthe, Line 19.391 Or as ofte as thei hadde nede, tho that hadde ypaied Line 19.392 To Piers pardon the Plowman, redde quod debes.' Line 19.393 " How?' quod al the comune. "Thow conseillest us to yelde Line 19.394

Line 19.394 Al that we owen any wight er we go to housel?' Line 19.395 "That is my conseil,' quod Conscience, "and Cardinale Vertues; Line 19.396 That ech man foryyve oother, and that wole the Paternoster-- Line 19.397 Et dimitte nobis debita nostra &c-- Line 19.397 And so to ben assoilled, and siththen ben houseled.' Line 19.398 " Ye? Baw!' quod a brewere, " I wol noght be ruled, Line 19.399 By Jesu! for al youre janglynge, with Spiritus Iusticie, Line 19.400 Ne after Conscience, by Crist! while I kan selle Line 19.401 Bothe dregges and draf, and drawe at oon hole Line 19.402 Thikke ale and thynne ale; that is my kynde, Line 19.403 And noght hakke after holynesse--hold thi tonge, Conscience! Line 19.404 Of Spiritus Iusticie thow spekest muche on ydel.' Line 19.405 " Caytif! ' quod Conscience, "cursede wrecche! Line 19.406 Unblessed artow, brewere, but if thee God helpe. Line 19.407 But thow lyve by loore of Spiritus Iusticie, Line 19.408 The chief seed that Piers sew, ysaved worstow nevere. Line 19.409 But Conscience be the comune fode, and Cardinale Vertues, Line 19.410 Leve it wel, thei ben lost, bothe lif and soule.' Line 19.411 "Thanne is many [leode] lost!" quod a lewed vicory. Line 19.412 "I am a curatour of Holy Kirke, and cam nevere in my tyme Line 19.413 Man to me that me kouthe telle of Cardinale Vertues, Line 19.414 Or that acountede Conscience at a cokkes fethere! Line 19.415 I knew nevere Cardynal that he ne cam fro the Pope: Line 19.416 And we clerkes, whan thei come, for hir comunes paieth, Line 19.417 For hir pelure and hir palfreyes mete and pilours that hem folweth. Line 19.418 The comune clamat cotidie, ech a man til oother, Line 19.419 ""The contree is the corseder that cardinals come inne, Line 19.420 And ther thei ligge and lenge moost lecherie there regneth!"' Line 19.421 " Forthi,' quod this vicory, " by verray God! I wolde Line 19.422 That no cardynal coome among the comune peple, Line 19.423

Line 19.423 But in hir holynesse helden hem stille Line 19.424 At Avynoun among Jewes--Cum sancto sanctus eris &c-- Line 19.425 Or in Rome, as hir rule wole, the relikes to kepe; Line 19.426 And thow Conscience in kynges court, and sholdest nevere come thennes; Line 19.427 And Grace, that thow gredest so of, gyour of alle clerkes ; Line 19.428 And Piers with his newe plough and ek with his olde Line 19.429 Emperour of al the world--that alle men were Cristene. Line 19.430 "Inparfit is that Pope, that al peple sholde helpe, Line 19.431 And s[ou]deth hem that sleeth swiche as he sholde save. Line 19.432 A[c] wel worthe Piers the Plowman, that pursueth God in doynge, Line 19.433 Qui pluit super iustos et iniustos at ones, Line 19.434 And sent the sonne to save a cursed mannes tilthe Line 19.435 As brighte as to the beste man or to the beste womman. Line 19.436 Right so Piers the Plowrnan peyneth hym to tilye Line 19.437 As wel for a wastour and wenches of the stewes Line 19.438 As for hymself and hise servaunts, save he is first yserved. Line 19.439 [So blessed be Piers Plowman, that peyneth hym to tilye], Line 19.440 And travailleth and tilieth for a tretour also soore Line 19.441 As for a trewe tidy man, alle tymes ylike. Line 19.442 And worshiped be He that wroghte al, bothe good and wikke, Line 19.443 And suffreth that synfulle be til som tyme that thei repente. Line 19.444 And God [the Pope amende], that pileth Holy Kirke, Line 19.445 And cleymeth bifore the kyng to be kepere over Cristene, Line 19.446 And counteth noght though Cristene ben killed and robbed, Line 19.447 And fynt folk to fighte and Cristen blood to spille Line 19.448 Ayein the Olde Lawe and Newe Lawe, as Luc bereth witnesse: Line 19.449 Non occides : mihi vindictam &c. Line 19.449 It semeth, bi so hymself hadde his wille, Line 19.450 That he ne reccheth right noght of al the remenaunt. Line 19.451 "And Crist of his curtesie the cardinals save, Line 19.452

Line 19.452 And torne hir wit to wisdom and to welthe of soule! Line 19.453 For the comune,' quod this curatour, "counten ful litel Line 19.454 The counseil of Conscience or Cardinale Vertues Line 19.455 But if thei sowne, as by sighte, somwhat to wynnyng. Line 19.456 Of gile ne of gabbyng gyve thei nevere tale, Line 19.457 For Spiritus Prudencie among the peple is gyle, Line 19.458 And alle tho faire vertues, as vices thei semeth. Line 19.459 Ech man subtileth a sleighte synne to hide, Line 19.460 And coloureth it for a konnynge and a clene lyvynge.' Line 19.461 Thanne lough ther a lord, and "By this light! seide, Line 19.462 I holde it right and reson of my reve to take Line 19.463 Al that myn auditour or ellis my styward Line 19.464 Counseilleth me bi hir acounte and my clerkes writynge. Line 19.465 With Spiritus Intellectus thei toke the reves rolles, Line 19.466 And with Spiritus Fortitudinis fecche it--wole [he, nel he]." Line 19.467 And thanne cam ther a kyng and by his croune seide, Line 19.468 "I am kyng with croune the comune to rule, Line 19.469 And Holy Kirke and clergie fro cursed men to defende. Line 19.470 And if me lakketh to lyve by, the lawe wole I take it Line 19.471 Ther I may hastilokest it have--for I am heed of lawe: Line 19.472 For ye ben but membres and I above alle. Line 19.473 And sith I am youre aller heed, I am youre aller heele, Line 19.474 And Holy Chirches chief help and chieftayn of the comune. Line 19.475 And what I take of yow two, I take it at the techynge Line 19.476 Of Spiritus Iusticie--for I jugge yow alle. Line 19.477 So I may boldely be housled, for I borwe nevere, Line 19.478 Ne crave of my comune but as my kynde asketh.' Line 19.479 "In condicion,' quod Conscience, "that thow [the comune] defende, Line 19.480 And rule thi reaume in reson, right wol and truthe Line 19.481

Line 19.481 That thow [have thyn askyng], as the lawe asketh: Line 19.482 Omnia sunt tua ad defendendum set non ad deprehendendum.' Line 19.483 The viker hadde fer hoom, and faire took his leeve-- Line 19.484 And I awakned therwith, and wroot as me mette. Line 19.485