'that ther may no thyng abyde,
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for to departë by almesse
to folk that liven in distresse.'
Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]
"Ma dame," quod I, "as semeth me,
ye sholde, of ryght and equyte,
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The handës kerve, and kutte away,
and stoppe the holës nyght and day."
Provide[n]s Celerar: [[St., om. C.]]
Quod Providence anoon to me,
'Thes, ben the handës thre, [[6-syllable line]]
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which that thevës (by assent)
ar wont to vsen (of entent),
I menë, pyratys of the Se,
which bryngë folk in pouerte.
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'The first hand of allë thre,
ys called (lernë this of me,)
'the hand of Dymës,' by gadryng,
To gadre vp dymës for the kyng. [folio 296a]
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'the tother hand, ful sorë pulles
gold for trentals and for bulles,
and dyuers subuencïouns
and grevous contribucïouns,
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graunted (in especïal)
at Chipytres [[chapters St.]] general.
the handës do no thyng, nor werche,
but waste the good of holy cherche.'
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Pilgrim: [[St., om. C.]]
"What hand is that (telle on, let Se,)
Which hath an Eye (as thynketh me,)
Sett in the myddës of the hand?
for I saugh neuere (on Se nor land)
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Such another her-toforn,
Sith the tyme that I was born."
Providens: [[St., om. C.]]
'Be nat astonyed, neuere a del!
this hand is (who so lokë wel,)
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of our noble Visitour,
Which doth his peyne and his labour
to looke for lucre and fals guerdoun,
