William Langland's The vision of Piers Plowman

Passus 5

The Kyng and hise knyghtes to the kirke wente Line 5.001 To here matyns of the day and the masse after. Line 5.002 Thanne w~ked I of my wynkyng and wo was withalle Line 5.003 That I ne hadde slept sadder and yseighen moore. Line 5.004 Ac er I hadde faren a furlong, feyntise me hente, Line 5.005 That I ne myghte ferther a foot for defaute of slepynge. Line 5.006 I sat softely adoun and seide my bileve, Line 5.007 And so I bablede on my bedes, thei broughte me aslepe. Line 5.008 And thanne saugh I muche moore than I bifore tolde-- Line 5.009 For I seigh the feld ful of folk that I before of seide, Line 5.010 And how Reson gan arayen hym al the reaume to preche, Line 5.011 And with a cros afore the Kyng comsede thus to techen. Line 5.012 He preved that thise pestilences were For pure synne, Line 5.013 And the south-westrene wynd on Saterday at even Line 5.014 Was pertliche for pride and for no point ellis. Line 5.015 Pyries and plum-trees were puffed to the erthe Line 5.016 In ensample, ye segges, ye sholden do the bettre. Line 5.017 Beches and brode okes were blowen to the grounde Line 5.018 And turned upward here tail in tokenynge of drede Line 5.019 That dedly synne er domesday shal fordoon hem alle. Line 5.020 Of this matere I myghte mamelen ful longe, Line 5.021 Ac I shal seye as I saugh, so me God helpe, Line 5.022 How pertly afore the peple prechen gan Reson. Line 5.023 He bad Wastour go werche what he best kouthe Line 5.024 And wynnen his wastyng with som maner crafte. Line 5.025 He preide Pemele hir purfil to lete, Line 5.026 And kepe it in hire cofre for catel at hire nede. Line 5.027 Tomme Stowue he taughte to take two staves Line 5.028 And fecche Felice horn fro wyve pyne. Line 5.029

Line 5.029 He warnede Watte his wif was to blame Line 5.030 For hire heed was worth half marc and his hood noght worth a grote, Line 5.031 And bad Bette kutte a bough outher tweye Line 5.032 And bete Beton therwith but if she wolde werche. Line 5.033 And thanne he chargede chapmen to chastisen hir children: Line 5.034 "Late no wynnyng forwanye hem while thei be yonge, Line 5.035 Ne for no poustee of pestilence plese hem noght out of reson. Line 5.036 My sire seide so to me, and so dide my dame, Line 5.037 That the levere child the moore loore bihoveth; Line 5.038 And Salamon seide the same, that Sapience made-- Line 5.039 " Qui parcit virge odit fitium. Line 5.039 Whoso spareth the spryng spilleth hise children.''' Line 5.040 And sithen he preide prelates and preestes togideres, Line 5.041 " That ye prechen to the peple, preve it yowselve, Line 5.042 And dooth it in dede--it shal drawe yow to goode. Line 5.043 If ye leven as ye leren us, we shul leve yow the bettre.' Line 5.044 And sithen he radde Religion hir rule to holde-- Line 5.045 " Lest the Kyng and his Conseil youre comunes apeire Line 5.046 And be stywards of youre stedes til ye be [stew]ed bettre.' Line 5.047 And sithen he counseiled the Kyng his commune to lovye: Line 5.048 "It is thi tresor, if treson ne were, and tryacle at thy nede.' Line 5.049 And sithen he preide the Pope have pite on Holy Chirche, Line 5.050 And er he gyve any grace, governe first hymselve. Line 5.051 "And ye that han lawes to kepe, lat Truthe be youre coveitise Line 5.052 Moore than gold outher giftes if ye wol God plese; Line 5.053

Line 5.053 For whoso contrarieth Truthe. He telleth in the Gospel, Line 5.054 Amen dico vobis, nescio Vos. Line 5.055 And ye that seke Seynt James and seyntes of Rome, Line 5.056 Seketh Seynt Truthe, for he may save yow alle. Line 5.057 Qui cum Patre et Filio--that faire hem bifalle Line 5.058 That seweth my sermon'--and thus seyde Reson." Line 5.059 Thanne ran Repentaunce and reherced his teme Line 5.060 And gart Wille to wepe water with hise eighen. Line 5.061 Pernele Proud-herte platte hire to the erthe Line 5.062 And lay longe er she loked, and - Lord, mercy!' cryde, Line 5.063 And bihighte to Hym that us alle made Line 5.064 She sholde unsowen hir serk and sette there an heyre Line 5.065 To affaiten hire flessh that fiers was to synne. Line 5.066 " Shal nevere heigh herte me hente, but holde me lowe Line 5.067 And suffre to be mysseyd--and so dide I nevere. Line 5.068 But now wole I meke me and mercy biseche Line 5.069 For al that I have hated in myn herte.' Line 5.070 Thanne Lechour seide "Allas!' and on Oure Lady cryde, Line 5.071 To maken mercy for hise mysdedes bitwene God and his soule Line 5.072 With that he sholde the Saterday seven yer therafter Line 5.073 Drynke but myd the doke and dyne but ones. Line 5.074 Envye with hevy herte asked after shrifte Line 5.075 And carefully mea culpa he comsed to shewe. Line 5.076 He was as pale as a pelet, in the palsy he semed, Line 5.077 And clothed in a kaurymaury--l kouthe it nought discryve-- Line 5.078 In kirtel and courtepy, and a knyf by his syde; Line 5.079 Of a freres frokke were the foresleves. Line 5.080 And as a leek that hadde yleye longe in the sonne, Line 5.081 So loked he with lene chekes, lourynge foule. Line 5.082 His body was to-bollen for wrathe, that he boot hise lippes, Line 5.083

Line 5.083 And wryngynge he yede with the fust--to wreke hymself he thoughte Line 5.084 With werkes or with wordes whan he seyghe his tyme. Line 5.085 Ech a word that he warp was of a neddres tonge; Line 5.086 Of chidynge and of chalangynge was his chief liflode, Line 5.087 With bakbitynge and bismere and berynge of fals witnesse: Line 5.088 This was al his curteisie where that evere he shewed hym. Line 5.089 "I wolde ben yshryve,' quod this sherewe, "and I for shame dorste. Line 5.090 I wolde be gladder, by God! that Gybbe hadde meschaunce Line 5.091 Than though I hadde this wouke ywonne a weye of Essex chese. Line 5.092 I have a neghebore neigh me, I have anoyed hym ofte, Line 5.093 And lowen on hym to lordes to doon hym lese his silver, Line 5.094 And maad his frendes be his foon thorugh my false tonge. Line 5.095 His grace and his goode happes greven me ful soore. Line 5.096 Bitwene mayne and mayne I make debate ofte, Line 5.097 That bothe lif and lyme is lost thorugh my speche. Line 5.098 And whan I mete hym in market that I moost hate, Line 5.099 I hailse hym hendely, as I his frend were; Line 5.100 For he is doughtier than I, I dar do noon oother; Line 5.101 Ac hadde I maistrie and myght--God woot my wille! Line 5.102 "And whan I come to the kirk and sholde knele to the Roode Line 5.103 And preye for the peple as the preest techeth-- Line 5.104 For pilgrymes and for palmeres, for al the peple after-- Line 5.105 Thanne I crye on my knees that Crist yyve hem sorwe Line 5.106 That baren awey my bolle and my broke shete. Line 5.107 Awey fro the auter thanne turne I myne eighen Line 5.108 And biholde how [Hayne hath a newe cote; Line 5.109 I wisshe thanne it were myn, and al the web after. Line 5.110 And of his lesynge I laughe--that li[ght]eth myn herte; Line 5.111 Ac for his wynnynge I wepe and waille the tyme; Line 5.112 And deme men that thei doon ille, there I do wel werse: Line 5.113 Whoso undernymeth me herof, I hate hym dedly after. Line 5.114 I wolde that ech a wight were my knave, Line 5.115 For whoso hath moore than I, that angreth me soore. Line 5.116

Line 5.116 And thus I lyve lovelees like a luther dogge Line 5.117 That al my body bolneth for bitter of my galle. Line 5.118 I myghte noght ete many yeres as a man oughte, Line 5.119 For envye and yvel wil is yvel to defie. Line 5.120 May no sugre ne swete thyng aswage my swellyng, Line 5.121 Ne no diapenidion dryve it fro myn herte, Line 5.122 Ne neither shrifte ne shame, but whoso shrape my mawe?' Line 5.123 "Yis, redily!' quod Repentaunce, and radde hym to the beste, Line 5.124 " Sorwe for synnes is savacion of souIes.' Line 5.125 " I am evere sory,' quod [Envye], " I am but selde oother, Line 5.126 And that maketh me thus megre, for I ne may me venge. Line 5.127 Amonges burgeises have I be, [bigg]yng at Londoun, Line 5.128 And gart bakbityng be a brocour to blame mennes ware. Line 5.129 Whan he solde and I nought, thanne was I redy Line 5.130 To lye and to loure on my neghebore and to lakke his chaffare. Line 5.131 I wole amende this if I may, thorugh myght of God Almyghty.' Line 5.132 Now awaketh Wrathe, with two white eighen, Line 5.133 And nevelynge with the nose, and his nekke hangyng. Line 5.134 "I am Wrathe,' quod he, "I was som tyme a frere, Line 5.135 And the coventes gardyner for to graffen impes. Line 5.136 On lymitours and listres lesynges I ymped, Line 5.137 Til thei beere leves of lowe speche, lordes to plese, Line 5.138 And sithen thei blosmede abrood in boure to here shriftes. Line 5.139 And now is fallen therof a fruyt--that folk han wel levere Line 5.140 Shewen hire shriftes to hem than shryve hem to hir persons. Line 5.141 And now persons han parceyved that freres parte with hem, Line 5.142 Thise possessioners preche and deprave freres; Line 5.143 And freres fyndeth hem in defaute, as folk bereth witnesse, Line 5.144 That whan thei preche the peple in many places aboue' Line 5.145 I, Wrathe, walke with hem and wisse hem o Line 5.146 Thus thei speken of spiritualte, that either despiseth oother, Line 5.147

Line 5.147 Til thei be bothe beggers and by my spiritualte libben, Line 5.148 Or ellis al riche and ryden aboute; I, Wrathe, reste nevere Line 5.149 That I ne moste folwe this wikked folk. For swich is my grace. Line 5.150 "I have an aunte to nonne and an abbesse: Line 5.151 Hir were levere swowe or swelte than suffre any peyne. Line 5.152 I have be cook in hir kichene and the covent served Line 5.153 Manye monthes with hem. and with monkes bothe. Line 5.154 I was the prioresse potager and other povere ladies, Line 5.155 And maad hem joutes of janglyng--that Dame Johane was a bastard, Line 5.156 And Dame Clarice a knyghtes doughter--ac a cokewold was hir sire, Line 5.157 And Dame Pernele a preestes fyle--Prioresse worth she nevere, Line 5.158 For she hadde child in chirie-tyme, al oure Chapitre it wiste! Line 5.159 Of wikkede wordes I Wrathe hire wortes made, Line 5.160 Til ""Thow lixt!'' and ""Thow lixt!'' lopen out at ones Line 5.161 And either hitte oother under the cheke; Line 5.162 Hadde thei had knyves, by Crist! hir either hadde kild oother. Line 5.163 Seint Gregory was a good pope, and hadde a good forwit Line 5.164 That no Prioresse were preest--for that he [purveiede]: Line 5.165 Thei hadde thanne ben infumis the firste day, thei kan so yvele hele counseil. Line 5.166 "Among monkes I myghte be, ac manye tyme I shonye, Line 5.167 For ther ben manye felle frekes my feeris to aspie-- Line 5.168 Bothe Priour and Suppriour and oure Pater Abbus; Line 5.169 And if I telle any tales, thei taken hem togideres, Line 5.170 And doon me faste Frydayes to breed and to watre; Line 5.171 And am chalanged in the Chapitrehous as I a child were, Line 5.172 And baleised on the bare ers--and no brech bitwene! Line 5.173 Forthi have I no likyng with tho leodes to wonye; Line 5.174

Line 5.174 I ete there unthende fissh and feble ale drynke. Line 5.175 Ac outher while whan wyn cometh, whan I drynke wyn at eve, Line 5.176 I have a flux of a foul mouth wel fyve dayes after. Line 5.177 Al the wikkednesse that I woot by any of oure bretheren, Line 5.178 I cou[gh]e it in oure cloistre, that al oure covent woot it.' Line 5.179 "Now repente thee,' quod Repentaunce, "and reherce thow nevere Line 5.180 Counseil that thow knowest, by contenaunce ne by speche; Line 5.181 And drynk nat over delicatly, ne to depe neither, Line 5.182 That thi wille by cause therof to wrathe myghte turne. Line 5.183 Esto sobrius!' he seide, and assoiled me after, Line 5.184 And bad me wilne to wepe my wikkednesse to amende. Line 5.185 And thanne cam Coveitise, I kan hym naght discryve-- Line 5.186 So hungrily and holwe Sire Hervy hym loked. Line 5.187 He was bitelbrowed and baberlipped, with two blered eighen; Line 5.188 And as a letheren purs lolled hise chekes-- Line 5.189 Wel sidder than his chyn thei chyveled for elde; Line 5.190 And as a bondeman of his bacon his berd was bidraveled; Line 5.191 With an hood on his heed, a lousy hat above, Line 5.192 In a [torn] tabard of twelf wynter age; Line 5.193 But if a lous couthe lepe the bettre, Line 5.194 She sholde noght wa[ndr]e on that Welche, so was it thredbare! Line 5.195 " I have ben coveitous,' quod this caytif, " I biknowe it here; Line 5.196 For som tyme I served Symme-atte-Style, Line 5.197 And was his prentice yplight his profit to wayte. Line 5.198

Line 5.198 First I lerned to lye a leef outher tweyne: Line 5.199 Wikkedly to weye was my firste lesson. Line 5.200 To Wy and to Wynchestre I wente to the feyre Line 5.201 With many manere marchaundise, as my maister me highte. Line 5.202 Ne hadde the grace of gyle ygo amonges my ware, Line 5.203 It hadde ben unsold this seven yer, so me God helpe! Line 5.204 "Thanne drough I me among drapiers, my Donet to lerne, Line 5.205 To drawe the liser along--the lenger it semed; Line 5.206 Among the riche rayes I rendred a lesson-- Line 5.207 To broche hem with a pak-nedle, and playte hem togideres, Line 5.208 And putte hem in a press[our] and pyned hem therinne Line 5.209 Til ten yerdes or twelve tolled out thrittene. Line 5.210 "My wif was a webbe and wollen cloth made; Line 5.211 She spak to spynnesteres to spynnen it oute. Line 5.212 The pound that she paied by peised a quartron moore Line 5.213 Than myn owene auncer wh[an I] weyed truthe. Line 5.214 "I boughte hire barly--she brew it to selle. Line 5.215 Peny ale and puddyng ale she poured togideres; Line 5.216 For laborers and lowe folk, that lay by hymselve. Line 5.217 The beste ale lay in my bour or in my bedchambre, Line 5.218 And whoso burned therof boughte it therafter-- Line 5.219 A galon for a grote, God woot, no lesse, Line 5.220 [Whan] it cam in cuppemele--this craft my wif used! Line 5.221 Rose the Regrater was hir righte name; Line 5.222 She hath holden hukkerye [this ellevene wynter]. Line 5.223 Ac I swere now (so thee lk!) that synne wol I lete, Line 5.224 And nevere wikkedly weye ne wikke chaffare use, Line 5.225 But wenden to Walsyngham, and my wif als, Line 5.226 And bidde the Roode of Bromholm brynge me out of dette.' Line 5.227 - Repentedestow evere? ' quod Repentaunce, " or restitucion madest? ' Line 5.228

Line 5.228 Yis: ones I was yherbemed', quod he. with an heep of charmen: Line 5.229 I roos whan thei were al-reste and riflede hire malest Line 5.230 "That was no restitucion,' quod Repentaunce, "but a robberis thefte; Line 5.231 Thow haddest be bettre worthi ben hanged therfore Line 5.232 Than for al that that thow hast here shewed! ' Line 5.233 -I wende riflynge were restitucion.' quod he, "for I lerned nevere rede on Line 5.234 And I kan no Frenssh. in feith, but of the Fertheste ende of Northfolk.' Line 5.235 " Usedestow evere usurie,' quod Repentaunce. - in al thi lif tyme? ' Line 5.236 " Nay, sothly,' he seide, "save in my youthe; Line 5.237 I lerned among Lumbardes a lesson, and of Jewes-- Line 5.238 To weye pens with a peis. and pare the hevyeste, Line 5.239 And lene it for love of the cros, to legge a wed and lese it. Line 5.240 Swiche dedes I dide write if he his day breke; Line 5.241 I have mo manoirs thorugh rerages than thorugh Miseretur et commodat. Line 5.242 I have lent lordes and ladies my chaffare, Line 5.243 And ben hire brocour after, and bought it myselve. Line 5.244 Eschaunges and chevysaunces--with swich chaffare I dele, Line 5.245 And lene folk that lese wole a lippe at every noble. Line 5.246 And with Lumbardes lettres I ladde gold to Rome, Line 5.247 And took it by tale here and told hem there lasse.' Line 5.248 " Lentestow evere lordes for love of hire mayntenaunce?' Line 5.249 "Ye, I have lent lordes. loved me nevere after, Line 5.250 And have ymaad many a knyght bothe mercer and draper Line 5.251 That payed nevere For his prentishode noght a peire of gloves!' Line 5.252 "Hastow pite on povere men that [purely] mote nedes borwe?' Line 5.253 "I have as muche pite of povere men as pedlere hath of cattes, Line 5.254 That wolde kille hem, if he cacche hem myghte, for coveitise of hir skynnes! Line 5.255 "Artow manlich among thi neghebores of thi mete and drynke?' Line 5.256 " I am holden,' quod he, "as hende as hounde is in kichene; Line 5.257 Amonges my neghebores namely swich a name ich have.' Line 5.258

Line 5.258 "Now [but thow repente the rather,' quod Repentaunce, "God lene thee - nevere] Line 5.259 The grace on this grounde thi good wel to bisette, Line 5.260 Ne thyne heires after thee have joie of that thow wynnest, Line 5.261 Ne thyne executours wel bisette the silver that thow hem levest: Line 5.262 And that was wonne with wrong, with wikked men be despended. Line 5.263 For were I a frere of that hous ther good feith and charite is, Line 5.264 I nolde cope us with thi catel, ne oure kirk amende, Line 5.265 Ne have a peny to my pitaunce, so God [pyne] my soule in helle, Line 5.266 For the beste book in oure hous, theigh brent gold were the leves, Line 5.267 And I wiste witterly thow were swich as thow tellest! Line 5.268 Servus es al/erius, cum fercula pinguia queris. Line 5.268 Pane tuo pocius vescere, liber eris. Line 5.268 "Thow art an unkynde creature--I kan thee noght assoille Line 5.269 Til thow make restitucion' quod Repentaunce, -and rekene with hem alle. Line 5.270 And sithen that Reson rolle it in the Registre of hevene Line 5.271 That thow hast maad ech man good, I may thee noght assoille. Line 5.272 Non dimittitur peccatum donec restituatur ablatum. Line 5.272 For alle that han of thi good, have God my trouthe, Line 5.273 Ben holden at the heighe doom to helpe thee to restitue; Line 5.274 And who so leveth noght this be sooth, loke in the Sauter glose, Line 5.275 In Miserere mei, Deus, wher I mene truthe: Line 5.276 Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti, &c. Line 5.276

Line 5.276 Shal nevere werkman in this world thryve with that thow wynnest. Line 5.277 Cum sancto sanctus eris construwe me this on Englissh.' Line 5.278 Thanne weex that sherewe in wanhope and wolde han hanged hymself Line 5.279 Ne hadde Repentaunce the rather reconforted hym in this manere: Line 5.280 " Have mercy in thi mynde, and with thi mouth biseche it, Line 5.281 For [his] mercy is moore than alle hise othere werkes-- Line 5.282 Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius, &c-- Line 5.282 And al the wikkednesse in this world that man myghte werche or thynke Line 5.283 Nis na moore to the mercy of God than in[middes] the see a gleede: Line 5.284 Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam Dei est quasi scintilla in medio maris Line 5.285 Forthi have mercy in thy mynde--and marchaundise, leve it! Line 5.285 For thow hast no good ground to gete thee with a wastel Line 5.286 But if it were with thi tonge or ellis with thi two hondes. Line 5.287 For the good that thow hast geten bigan al with falshede, Line 5.288 And as longe as thow lyvest therwith, thow yeldest noght but borwest. Line 5.289 And if thow wite nevere to wh[om] ne wh[ere] to restitue, Line 5.290 Ber it to the Bisshop, and bid hym of his grace Line 5.291 Bisette it hymself as best is for thi soule. Line 5.292 For he shal answere for thee at the heighe dome, Line 5.293 For thee and for many mo that man shal yeve a rekenyng: Line 5.294 What he lerned yow in Lente, leve thow noon oother, Line 5.295 And what he lente yow of Oure Lordes good, to lette yow fro synne'. Line 5.296 Now bigynneth Gloton for togoto shrifte, Line 5.297 And kaireth hym to kirkewarde his coupe to shewe. Line 5.298

Line 5.298 Ac Beton the Brewestere bad hym good morwe Line 5.299 And asked of hym with that, whiderward he wolde. Line 5.300 "To holy chirche,' quod he, "for to here masse, Line 5.301 And sithen I wole be shryven, and synne na moore.' Line 5.302 " I have good ale, gossib,' quod she, " Gloton, woltow assaye?' Line 5.303 " Hastow,' quod he, "any hote spices?' Line 5.304 "I have pepir and pione,' quod she, "and a pound of garleek, Line 5.305 A ferthyngworth of fenel seed for fastynge dayes. Line 5.306 Thanne goth Gloton in, and grete othes after. Line 5.307 Cesse the Souteresse sat on the benche, Line 5.308 Watte the Warner and his wif bothe, Line 5.309 Tymme the Tynkere and tweyne of his [knav]es, Line 5.310 Hikke the Hakeneyman and Hugh the Nedlere, Line 5.311 Clarice of Cokkeslane and the Clerk of the chirche, Line 5.312 Sire Piers of Pridie and PerneIe of Flaundres, Line 5.313 Dawe the Dykere, and a dozeyne othere-- Line 5.314 A Ribibour, a Ratoner, a Rakiere of Chepe, Line 5.315 A Ropere, a Redyngkyng, and Rose the Dysshere, Line 5.316 Godefray of Garlekhithe and Griffyn the Walshe, Line 5.317 And [of] upholderes an heep, erly by the morwe, Line 5.318 Geve Gloton with glad chere good ale to hanselle. Line 5.319 Clement the Cobelere caste of his cloke, Line 5.320 And at the newe feire nempned it to selle. Line 5.321 Hikke the Hakeneyman hitte his hood after, Line 5.322 And bad Bette the Bocher ben on his syde. Line 5.323 Ther were chapmen ychose this chaffare to preise: Line 5.324 Whoso hadde the hood sholde han amcndes of the cloke. Line 5.325 Tho risen up in rape and rouned togideres, Line 5.326 And preised the penyworthes apart by hemselve. Line 5.327

Line 5.327 [There were othes an heep, for oon sholde have the werse]; Line 5.328 Thei kouthe noght by hir conscience acorden in truthe, Line 5.329 Til Robyn the Ropere arise the[i by]sou[ght]e, Line 5.330 And nempned hym for a nounpere, that no debat nere. Line 5.331 Hikke the Hostiler hadde the cloke Line 5.332 In covenaunt that Clement sholde the cuppe fille Line 5.333 And have Hikkes hood the Hostiler, and holden hym yserved; Line 5.334 And whoso repented rathest shoulde aryse after Line 5.335 And greten Sire Gloton with a galon ale. Line 5.336 There was laughynge and lourynge and " Lat go the cuppe!' Line 5.337 [Bargaynes and beverages bigonne to arise;] Line 5.338 And seten so til evensong, and songen umwhile, Line 5.339 Til Gloton hadde yglubbed a galon and a gille. Line 5.340 His guttes bigonne to gothelen as two gredy sowes; Line 5.341 He pissed a potel in a Paternoster-while, Line 5.342 And blew his rounde ruwet at his ruggebones ende, Line 5.343 That alle that herde that horn helde hir nose after Line 5.344 And wisshed it hadde ben wexed with a wispe of firses! Line 5.345 He myghte neither steppe ne stonde er he his staf hadde, Line 5.346 And thanne gan he to go like a glemannes bicche Line 5.347 Som tyme aside and som tyme arere, Line 5.348 As whoso leith lynes for to lacche foweles. Line 5.349 And whan he drough to the dore, thanne dymmed hise eighen; Line 5.350 He [thr]umbled on the thresshfold and threw to the erthe. Line 5.351 Clement the Cobelere kaughte hym by the myddel Line 5.352 For to liften hym olofte, and leyde hym on his knowes. Line 5.353 Ac Gloton was a gret cherl and a grym in the liftyng, Line 5.354 And koughed up a cawdel in Clementes lappe. Line 5.355 Is noon so hungry hound in Hertfordshire Line 5.356 Dorste lape of that levynge, so unlovely it smaughte! Line 5.357

Line 5.357 With al the wo of this world, his wif and his wenche Line 5.358 Baren hym to his bed and broughte hym therinne; Line 5.359 And after al this excesse he had an accidie. Line 5.360 That he sleep Saterday and Sonday, till sonne yede to reste. Line 5.361 Thanne waked he of his wynkyng and wiped hise eighen; Line 5.362 The first word that he spak was--'Where is the bolle?' Line 5.363 His wif [and his wit] edwyte[d] hym tho how wikkedly he lyvede. Line 5.364 And Repentaunce right so rebuked hym that tyme: Line 5.365 "As thow with wordes and werkes hast wroght yvele in thi lyve, Line 5.366 Shryve thee and be shamed therof, and shewe it with thi mouthe.' Line 5.367 'I, Gloton,' quod the gome, 'gilty me yelde-- Line 5.368 That I have trespased with my tonge, I kan noght telle how ofte Line 5.369 Sworen ""Goddes soule and his sydes!' and "So helpe me God and halidome!' Line 5.370 Ther no nede was nyne hyndred tymes; Line 5.371 And overseyen me at my soper and som tyme at Nones, Line 5.372 That I, Gloton, girte it up er I hadde gon a myle, Line 5.373 And yspilt that myghte be spared and spended on som hungry; Line 5.374 Over delicatly on f[ee]styng dayes dronken and eten bothe, Line 5.375 And sat som tyme so long there that I sleep and eet at ones. Line 5.376 For love of tales in tavernes [in]to drynke the moore I dy[v]ed; Line 5.377 And hyed to the mete er noon [on] fastyng dayes.' Line 5.378 " This shewynge shrift,' quod Repentaunce, " shal be meryt to the.' Line 5.379 And thanne gan Gloton greete, and gret dcel to make Line 5.380 For his Iuther Iif that he lyved hadde, Line 5.381 And avowed to faste--"For hunger or for thurste, Line 5.382 Shal never fyssh on Fryday defyen in my wombe Line 5.383

Line 5.383 Til Abstinence myn aunte have yyve me leeve-- Line 5.384 And yet have I hated hire al my lif tyme!- Line 5.385 Thanne cam Sleuthe al bislabered, with two slymy eighen. Line 5.386 "l moste sitte,' seide the segge, "or ellis sholde I nappe. Line 5.387 I may noght stonde ne stoupe ne withoute a stool knele. Line 5.388 Were I brought abedde, but if my tailende it made, Line 5.389 Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse er I were ripe to dyne.' Line 5.390 He bigan Benedicite with a bolk, and his brest knokked, Line 5.391 Raxed and rored--and rutte at the laste. Line 5.392 -What, awake, renk!- quod Repentaunce, 'and rape thee to shryfte!' Line 5.393 "If I sholde deye bi this day,' quod he, "me list nought to 1oke. Line 5.394 I kan noght parfitly my Paternoster as the preest it syngeth, Line 5.395 But I kan rymes of Robyn Hood and Randolf Erl of Chestre, Line 5.396 Ac neither of Oure Lord ne of Oure Lady the leeste that evere was maked. Line 5.397 I have maad avowes fourty, and foryete hem on the morwe; Line 5.398 I parfournede nevere penaunce as the preest me highte, Line 5.399 Ne right sory for my synnes, yet [seye I] was I nevere. Line 5.400 And if I bidde any bedes, but if it be in wrathe, Line 5.401 That I telle with my tonge is two myle fro myn herte. Line 5.402 I am ocupied eche day, halyday and oother, Line 5.403 With ydel tales at the ale and outherwhile in chirches; Line 5.404 Goddes peyne and his passion, [pure] selde thenke I on it; Line 5.405 I visited nevere feble men ne fettred folk in puttes; Line 5.406 I have levere here an harlotrye or a somer game of souters, Line 5.407 Or lesynges to laughen of and bilye my neghebores, Line 5.408 Than al that evere Marc made, Mathew, Johan and Lucas. Line 5.409

Line 5.409 And vigilies and fastyng dayes--alle thise late I passe, Line 5.410 And ligge abedde in Lenten and my lemman in myne armes Line 5.411 Til matyns and masse be do, and thanne moste to the Freres; Line 5.412 Come I to Ite, missa est I holde me yserved. Line 5.413 I am noght shryven som tyme, but if siknesse it make, Line 5.414 Noght twyes in two yer, and thanne [telle I up gesse]. Line 5.415 "I have be preest and person passynge thritty wynter, Line 5.416 Yet kan I neyther solve ne synge ne seintes lyves rede, Line 5.417 But I kan fynden in a feld or in a furlang an hare Line 5.418 Bettre than in Beutus vir or in Beati omnes Line 5.419 Construe clausemeI[e] and kenne it to my parisshens, Line 5.420 I kan holde lovedayes and here a reves rekenyng, Line 5.421 Ac in Canoun nor in Decretals I kan noght rede a lyne. Line 5.422 "If I bygge and borwe aught, but if it be ytailed, Line 5.423 I foryete it as yerne, and yif men me it axe Line 5.424 Sixe sithes or sevene, I forsake it with othes; Line 5.425 And thus tene I trewe men ten hundred tymes. Line 5.426 And my servaunts som tyme, hir salarie is bihynde: Line 5.427 Ruthe is to here the rekenyng whan we shal rede acountes, Line 5.428 So with wikked wil and wrathe my werkmen I paye! Line 5.429 "If any man dooth me a bienfait or he1peth me at nede, Line 5.430 I am unkynde ayeins his curteisie and kan nought understonden it; Line 5.431 For I have and have had somdel haukes maneres-- Line 5.432 I am noght lured with love but ther ligge aught under the thombe. Line 5.433 The kyndenesse that myn evenecristene kidde me fernyere Line 5.434 Sixty sithes I, Sleuthe, have foryete it siththe Line 5.435 In speche and insparge of speche; yspilt many a tyme Line 5.436

Line 5.436 Bothe flessh and fissh and manye othere vitailles, Line 5.437 Bothe bred and ale. buttre, melk and chese Line 5.438 Forsleuthed in my service til it myghte serve no man. Line 5.439 I [yarn] aboute in youthe, and yaf me naught to lerne Line 5.440 And evere sitthe have I be beggere [be] my foule sleuthe: Line 5.441 Heu michi quia serilem vitam duxi iuvenilem !' Line 5.441 "Repentedestow the noght?' quod Repentaunce--and right with that he swowned Line 5.442 Til Vigilate the veille fette water at hise eighen Line 5.443 And flatte it on his face and faste on hym cryde Line 5.444 And seide, 'Ware thee--for Wanhope wolde thee bitraye. Line 5.445 ""I am sory for my synnes'', seye to thiselve, Line 5.446 And beet thiself on the brest, and bidde Hym of grace, Line 5.447 For is no gilt here so gret that his goodnesse nys moore.' Line 5.448 Thanne sat Sleuthe up and seyned hym swithe, Line 5.449 And made avow tofore God for his foule sleuthe: Line 5.450 "Shal no Sonday be this seven yer, but siknesse it [make], Line 5.451 That I ne shal do me er day to the deere chirche Line 5.452 And here matyns and masse as I a monk were. Line 5.453 Shal noon ale after mete holde me thennes Line 5.454 Til I have evensong herd--I bihote to the Roode! Line 5.455 And yet wole I yelde ayein. [y]if I so muche have, Line 5.456 Al that I wikkedly wan sithen I wit hadde; Line 5.457 And though my liflode lakke, leten I nelle Line 5.458 That ech man shal have his er I hennes wende; Line 5.459 And with the residue and the remenaunt, bi the Rode of Chestre, Line 5.460 I shal seken truthe erst er I se Rome!' Line 5.461 Roberd the Robbere on Reddite loked, Line 5.462 And for ther was noght wher[with], he wepte swithe soore. Line 5.463 And yet the synfulle sherewe seide to hymselve: Line 5.464

Line 5.464 "Crist, that on Calvarie upon the cros deidest, Line 5.465 Tho Dysmas my brother bisoughte thee of grace, Line 5.466 And haddest mercy on that man for Memento sake; Line 5.467 So rewe on this Rober[d] that Reddere ne have, Line 5.468 Ne nevere wene to wynne with craft that I knowe; Line 5.469 But for thi muchel mercy mitigacion I biseche: Line 5.470 Dampne me noght at Domesday for that I dide so ille!' Line 5.471 What bifel of this feloun I kan noght faire shewe. Line 5.472 Wel I woot he wepte faste water with hise eighen, Line 5.473 And knoweliched his [coupe] to Crist yet eftsoones, Line 5.474 That Penitencia his pik he sholde polshe newe Line 5.475 And lepe with hym over lond al his lif tyme, Line 5.476 For he hadde leyen by Latro, Luciferis Aunte. Line 5.477 And thanne hadde Repentaunce ruthe and redde hem alle to knele. Line 5.478 " For I shal biseche for a1le synfulle Oure Saveour of grace Line 5.479 To amenden us of oure mysdedes and do mercy to us alle. Line 5.480 Now God,' quod he, "that of Thi goodnesse gonne the world make, Line 5.481 And of naught madest aught and man moost lik to thiselve, Line 5.482 And sithen suffredest hym to synne, a siknesse to us alle-- Line 5.483 And al for the beste, as I bileve, whatevere the Book telleth: Line 5.484 0 felix culpa ! 0 necessarium peccutum Ade ! Line 5.484 For thorugh that synne thi sone sent was to this erthe Line 5.485 And bicam man of a maide mankynde to save-- Line 5.486 And madest Thiself with Thi sone us synfulle yliche: Line 5.487 Faciamus hominem ad imaginem et similitudinem nostram; Et anoi Line 5.487 Qui manet in caritate, in Deo manet, et Deus in eo; Line 5.487

Line 5.487 And siththe with Thi selve sone in oure sute deidest Line 5.488 On Good Fryday for mannes sake at ful tym~ of the day; Line 5.489 Ther Thiself ne Thi sone no sorwe in deeth feledest, Line 5.490 But in oure secte was the sorwe, and Thi sone it ladde: Line 5.491 Captivum duxit captivitatem. Line 5.491 The sonne for sorwe therof lees sight for a tyme Line 5.492 Aboute mydday whan moost light is and meel-tyme of seintes-- Line 5.493 Feddest tho with Thi fresshe blood oure forefadres in derknesse: Line 5.494 Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris vidit lucem mugnam. Line 5.494 And the light that lepe out of Thee, Lucifer it blente, Line 5.495 And blewe alle Thi blessed into the blisse of Paradys! Line 5.496 "The thridde day therafter Thow yedest in oure sute: Line 5.497 A synful Marie The seigh er Seynte Marie Thi dame, Line 5.498 And al to solace synfulle Thow suffredest it so were-- Line 5.499 Non veni vocare iustos set peccatores ad penitenciam. Line 5.499 "And al that Marc hath ymaad, Mathew, Johan and Lucas Line 5.500 Of Thyne doughtiest dedes was doon in oure armes: Line 5.501 Verbum caro factum est et hubitavit in nobis. Line 5.501 And by so muche it semeth the sikerer we mowe Line 5.502 Bidde and biseche, if it be Thi wille Line 5.503 That art oure fader and oure brother--be merciable to us, Line 5.504 And have ruthe on thise ribaudes that repenten hem soore Line 5.505 That evere thei wrathed Thee in this world, in word, thought or dede!' Line 5.506 Thanne hente Hope an horn os Deuf tu conversus vivificabis nos Line 5.507 And blew it with Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitate Line 5.508

Line 5.508 That alle Seintes in hevene songen at ones Line 5.509 "Homines et iumenta salvabis, quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam, D Line 5.510 A thousand of men tho thrungen togideres, Line 5.510 Cride upward to Crist and to his clene moder Line 5.511 To have grace to go [seke Truthe--God leve that they moten!] Line 5.512 Ac there was wight noon so wys, the wey thider kouthe, Line 5.513 But blustreden forth as beestes over ba[ch]es and hilles, Line 5.514 Til late was and longe, that thei a 1eode mette Line 5.515 Apparailled as a paynym in pilgrymes wise. Line 5.516 He bar a burdoun ybounde with a brood liste Line 5.517 In a withwynde wise ywounden aboute. Line 5.518 A bolle and a bagge he bar by his syde. Line 5.519 An hundred of ampulles on his hat seten, Line 5.520 Signes of Synay and shelles of Galice, Line 5.521 And many a crouch on his cloke, and keyes of Rome, Line 5.522 And the vernicle bifore, for men sholde knowe Line 5.523 And se bi hise signes whom he sought hadde. Line 5.524 This folk frayned hym first fro whennes he come. Line 5.525 " Fram Synay,' he seide, " and fram [the] Sepulcre. Line 5.526 In Bethlem and in Babiloyne, I have ben in bothe, Line 5.527 In Armonye, in Alisaundre, in manye othere places. Line 5.528 Ye may se by my signes that sitten on myn hatte Line 5.529 That I have walked ful wide in weet and in drye Line 5.530 And sought goode Seintes for my soule helthe.' Line 5.531 " Knowestow aught a corsaint,' [quod thei], " that men calle Truthe? Line 5.532 Koudestow wissen us the wey wher that wye dwelleth?' Line 5.533 "Nay, so me God helpe!' seide the gome thanne. Line 5.534 "I seigh nevere palmere with pyk ne with scrippe Line 5.535 Asken after hym er now in this place.' Line 5.536 "Peter!' quod a Plowman, and putte forth his hed, Line 5.537 "I knowe hym as kyndely as clerc doth hise bokes. Line 5.538 Conscience and Kynde Wit kenned me to his place Line 5.539

Line 5.539 And diden me suren hym si[ththen] to serven hym for evere, Line 5.540 Bothe to sowe and to sette the while I swynke myghte. Line 5.541 I have ben his folwere al this fourty wynter-- Line 5.542 Bothe ysowen his seed and suwed hise beestes, Line 5.543 Withinne and withouten waited his profit, Line 5.544 Idyke[d] and id[o]lve, ido that he hoteth. Line 5.545 Som tyme I sowe and som tyme I thresshe, Line 5.546 In taillours craft and tynkeris craft, what Truthe kan devyse, Line 5.547 I weve and I wynde and do what Truthe hoteth. Line 5.548 For though I seye it myself, I serve hym to paye; Line 5.549 I have myn hire of hym wel and outherwhiles moore. Line 5.550 He is the presteste paiere that povere men knoweth: Line 5.551 He withhalt noon hewe his hire that he ne hath it at even. Line 5.552 He is as lowe as a lomb and lovelich of speche. Line 5.553 And if ye wilneth to wite where that he dwelleth, Line 5.554 I [wol] wisse yow [wel right] to his place.' Line 5.555 'Ye, leve Piers!' quod thise pilgrimes, and profred hym huyre. Line 5.556 'Nay, by [the peril of] my soule!' quod Piers and gan to swere, Line 5.557 " I nolde fange a ferthyng, for Seint Thomas shryne! Line 5.558 Truthe woIde love me the lasse a long tyme after. Line 5.559 Ac if ye wilneth to wende wel, this is the wey thider: Line 5.560 Ye moten go thorugh Mekenesse, bothe men and wyves, Line 5.561 Til ye come into Conscience, that Crist wite the sothe, Line 5.562 That ye loven Oure Lord God levest of alle thynges, Line 5.563 And thanne youre neghebores next in none wise apeire Line 5.564 Otherwise than thow woldest h[ii] wroughte to thiselve. Line 5.565 "And so boweth forth by a brook, "" Beth-buxom-of-speche', Line 5.566 [Forto] ye fynden a ford, " Youre-fadres-honoureth' : Line 5.567 Honora patrem et matrem &c. Line 5.567 Wadeth in that water and wassheth yow wel there, Line 5.568 And ye shul lepe the lightloker al youre lif ty Line 5.569

Line 5.569 And so shaltow se "Swere-noght-but-if-it-be-for-nede- Line 5.570 And-nameliche-on-ydel-the-name-of-God-Almyghty.'' Line 5.571 "Thanne shaltow come by a croft, but come thow noght therinne: Line 5.572 The croft hatte "" Coveite-noght-mennes-catel-ne-hire-wyves- Line 5.573 Ne-noon-of-hire-servaunts-that-noyen-hem-myghte.'' Line 5.574 Loke thow breke no bowes there but if it be [thyn] owene. Line 5.575 "Two stokkes ther stondeth. ac stynte th[ow] noght there: Line 5.576 Thei highte ""Stele-noght'' and "" Sle-noght''--strik forth by bothe, Line 5.577 And leve hem on thi lift half and loke noght therafter, Line 5.578 And hold wel thyn haliday heighe til even. Line 5.579 "Thanne shaltow blenche at a bergh, "Bere-no-t-ais-witnesse''; Line 5.580 He is frythed in with floryns and othere fees manye: Line 5.581 Loke thow plukke no plaunte there, for peril of thi soule. Line 5.582 " Thanne shaIt thow see "" Seye-sooth-so-it-be-to-doone Line 5.583 In-no-manere-ellis-noght-for-no-mannes-biddyng.'' Line 5.584 "Thanne shaltow come to a court as cler as the sonne. Line 5.585 The moot is of Mercy the rnanoir aboute, Line 5.586 And alle the walles ben of Wit to holden Wil oute, Line 5.587 And kerneled with Cristendom that kynde to save, Line 5.588 Botrased with "" Bileef-so-or-thow-beest-noght-saved.'' Line 5.589 "And alle the houses ben hiled, halles and chambres, Line 5.590 With no leed but with love and lowe speche, as bretheren [of o wombe]. Line 5.591 The brugge is of " Bidde-wel-the-bet-may-thow-spede;'' Line 5.592 Ech piler is of penaunce, of preieres to seyntes; Line 5.593 Of almesdedes are the hokes that the gates hangen on. Line 5.594 "Grace hatte the gateward, a good man for sothe; Line 5.595 His man hatte ""Amende-yow''--many man hym knoweth. Line 5.596 Telleth hym this tokene: ""Truthe[w] the sothe-- Line 5.597

Line 5.597 I parfourned the penaunce that the preest me enjoyned Line 5.598 And am sory for my synnes and so I shal evere Line 5.599 Whan I thynke theron, theigh I were a Pope.' Line 5.600 "Biddeth Amende-yow meke hym til his maister ones Line 5.601 To wayven up the wiket that the womman shette Line 5.602 Tho Adam and Eve eten apples unrosted: Line 5.603 Per Evam cunctis clausa est et per Mariam virginem iterum patefacta est. Line 5.603 For he hath the keye and the cliket, though the kyng slepe. Line 5.604 And if Grace graunte thee to go in in this wise Line 5.605 Thow shalt see in thiselve Truthe sitte in thyn herte Line 5.606 In a cheyne of charite, as thow a child were, Line 5.607 To suffren hym and segge noght ayein thi sires wille. Line 5.608 "Ac be war thanne of Wrathe, that wikked sherewe: Line 5.609 He hath envye to hym that in thyn herte sitteth, Line 5.610 And poketh forth pride to preise thiselven. Line 5.611 The boldnesse of thi bienfetes maketh thee blynd thanne Line 5.612 And [so] worstow dryven out as dew, and the dore closed, Line 5.613 Keyed and cliketted to kepe thee withouten Line 5.614 Happily an hundred wynter er thow eft entre! Line 5.615 Thus myghtestow lesen his love, to lete wel by thiselve, Line 5.616 And [gete it ayein thorugh] grace [ac thorugh no gifte ellis]. Line 5.617 "Ac ther are seven sustren that serven Truthe evere Line 5.618 And arn porters of the posternes that to the place longeth. Line 5.619 That oon hatte Abstinence, and Humilite another; Line 5.620 Charite and Chastite ben hise chief maydenes; Line 5.621 Pacience and Pees, muche peple thei helpeth; Line 5.622 Largenesse the lady, she let in ful manye-- Line 5.623 Heo hath holpe a thousand out of the develes punfolde. Line 5.624 "And who is sib to thise sevene, so me God helpe, Line 5.625 He is wonderly welcome and faire underfongen. Line 5.626 And but if ye be sibbe to some of thise sevene-- Line 5.627 It is ful hard, by myn heed,' quod Piers, "for any of yow alle Line 5.628

Line 5.628 To geten ingong at any gate but grace be the moore!' Line 5.629 "Now, by Crist!' quod a kuttepurs, - I have no kyn there.' Line 5.630 " Ne I', quod an apeward, - by aught that I knowe.' Line 5.631 "Wite God,' quod a wafrestere, "wiste I this for sothe, Line 5.632 Sholde I never ferther a foot for no freres prechyng.' Line 5.633 " Yis! ' quod Piers the Plowman, and poked hem alle to goode, Line 5.634 "Mercy is a maiden there, hath myght over hem alle; Line 5.635 And she is sib to alle synfulle, and hire sone also, Line 5.636 And thorugh the help of hem two--hope thow noon oother-- Line 5.637 Thow myght gete grace there--so thow go bityme.' Line 5.638 "Bi Seint Poul!' quod a pardoner, paraventure I be noght knowe there: Line 5.639 I wol go fecche my box with my brevettes and a bulle with bisshopes lettres. Line 5.640 "By Crist!' quod a commune womman, thi compaignie wol I folwe. Line 5.641 Thow shalt seye I am thi suster.' I ne woot where thei bicome. Line 5.642