GROUP G. FRAGMENT VIII.
§ 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE.
CAMBRIDGE MS.
[THE PROEM.]
[Here begynnethe þe Prologge of þe Secound Nunne [Sloane MS 1685 folio 157b] [[No breaks between the stanzas in Sloane.]]
(1)
The mynystre of þe Noryce vnto vices.
Line 1
whiche þat men clepen in englys ydylnesse
The portere of þe gate ys of delyces
To eschewe and by hir contraryry hym oppresse
Line 4
þat ys to say by lefefulle besynesse [Sloane MS 1685 folio 158a]
wele ouȝte we don oure entent
leste þat þe fende þorouȝe ydelnesse vs hent
Line 7
(2)
ffor he þat with his þousand cordes sliȝ
Line 8
Contynuelly vs awayteth to be-clappe
þan he may man in ydelnes aspye
he can so liȝtly cacche hym in his trappe
Line 11
Tylle þat a man be hent riȝt/ by þe lappe
he nys not ware þe fende haþe hym in honde
wele ouȝt vs worche and ydelnesse with stonde] [[Sloane 1685 extract stops]]
(3)
And thow men dreddyn neuere for to deyin [Camb. MS Gg. 4. 27] [folio 373a]
ȝit seen men weel by resoun douteles
That ydilnesse is rote slogardye
Of whiche there neuere comyth encrees
Line 18
And seen that slouthe hire holdyt in a lees
Only for to slepe & ete & drynke
And to deuoure al that othir swynke
Line 21
