Speculum Gy de Warewyke
An English Poem
WITH INTRODUCTION, NOTES, AND GLOSSARY HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME PRINTED AND FIRST EDITED FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS BY GEORGIANA LEA MORRILL, A.M., PH.D.
LONDON: PUBLISHT FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD.
1898.
Guy of Warwick, in deep remorse, would expiate his offences against God. He told his wish to Alquin, Dean of a religious brotherhood, and asked counsel for the welfare of his soul. The holy friar prepared a sermon, in which he instructed Guy how to discriminate between virtue and vice. The discourse unfolds principles of spiritual growth through a twofold medium, the renun∣ciation of evil and the achievement of good. Alquin concludes with an appeal for benevolence, which is en∣forced by an account of the incident of the widow of Zarephath.
Speculum Gy de Warewyke
Herkneþ alle to my speche, Hearken! 1 to] vnto DH2.
And hele of soule i may ou teche. I teach of the soul's health. 2 And] om. D. may] wyll A2DH1H2R.
Þat i wole speke, it is no fable, 3 no] not R.
Ac hit is swiþe profitable. 4 Ac] Bot DH2R, For H1. swiþe] ful H1R, very gode & H2. Be∣tween 4 and 5 the following three lines are interpolated in H2:
For the sowlys saluacyowne
Who soo that herythe þis sermoune
Inicium sapiencie timor domini (Cp. H2 in l. 138.)
Man, if þu wolt heuene winne, To win heaven, love God and
Þurw loue to god þu most biginne. 6 Þurw loue] To loue H1. to god] of god A2D, god H1, om. H2.
Þus shal ben þi biginning: 7 Þus] þis A2H2R. shal ben þi] ys the fyrste H2.
Þu loue god ouer alle þing 7 and 8 are omitted in H1. 8 Þu] To A2, om. DH2. god ouer] wele god abovyn H2.
¶ And þin emcristene loue also, thy fellow-Christian. 9 emcristene] euen crystyn A2DH1H2R. loue] om. A2H2, þou loue H1.
Riht as þi-self[e] þu most do. 10 do] do so D.
If þu wolt þus biginne and ende, 11 If] And if R.
Þu miht be seker to heuene wende; 11 and 12 are omitted in H2. 12 miht be] may R. wende] to wende R.
Ac, if þu louest more worldes god Flee the world. 13 Ac if] And ȝef A2D, But and H1, Iffe H2, But if R. worldes] þe worldes A2, worldly H1, þis worldis H2, worldlis R.
Þu shalt hit finde an yuel plawe: 15 an] for an H1. plawe] lawe (The word was originally plawe. p can be traced in the erasure.) D.
To deþ of soule it wole þe drawe, To death the world's
¶ For, whan þe world þe haþ ikauht 17 ikauht] caught A2DH2R.
In MSS. A1 and A2 have and in. his paunter þurw his drauht, net drags the soul, For the title, see the Introduction. The numbering of the folio follows the Auchinleck MS. The character ¶ reproduces the paragraphing of the Auchin∣leck text. 18 In] In to H2. þurw his] at a A2.
Al at his wille he wole þe lede. 19 Al at] At R. wole] shall H2.
Ne shaltu spare for no drede, and thou 20 Ne shaltu] Þou shalt not R.
Ne for loue to god, ne for his eiȝe, 21 Ne for] For noo H2. to god] of god A2DH1, om. H2. eiȝe] awe R.
To gon out of þe rihte weye; shalt suffer. 22 þe] his H2. weye] lawe R.
¶ For swiche [þer] beþ, þat loueþ more 23 For] om. DH2. þer] it A1DR, þei A2.
Þe world and his foule lore, 24 and] þen D. foule] fals A2.
Þan þeih don god, þat hem wrouhte 25 þeih don god] Iesu criste H2.
And on þe rode [hem] dere bouhte. 26 hem dere] dere A1, dere hem A2H1, ful dere R. (D has heu dere.) bouhte] abouȝte H2.
¶ Her-of i wole a while dwelle, 27 Her-of] Here R. wole] sall D. while] stounde H2.
And a tale i wole ȝou telle I wish to tell 28 wole] sal D.
Off an eorl of gode fame—of an earl,
Gy of Warwyk was his name—Guy of War∣wick, 30 Gy] Sire Gy H2.
Hou on a time he stod in þouht: 31 Hou on] On D, Vppe on H2, how in R.
Þe worldes blisse him þouhte noht. 32 Þe] þis DH2.
Þe world anon he þer þer is on erasure in MS. A1. forsok how he for∣sook the world, 33 he þer] he A2H1H2, þer he DR.
And to Iesu Crist him tok, 34 him] he hym DH1. tok] bi toke H1.
And louede god and his lore and chose God. 35 And] He H2. his] all his A2R, eke hys D (and and in H2).
And in his seruise was euere more. 36 in his seruise was] serued hym after R.
¶ A god man þer was in þilke dawe, A devout man, 37 in] be H2. þilke] þat A2H2R.
Þat liuede al in godes lawe; 38 liuede] leued R. al] wele A2, wel alle R. in] om. R.
Alquin was his rihte name, Alquin,
And man he was of gode fame; 40 And] A A2, And a D, A noble H2. man he was] man DH2. gode] riȝt gude D.
Dekne he was, and þe ordre he hadde; 41 and] om. R. þe] om. H1H2. he] om. DH2.
In holinesse his MS. H1 has his his. lyf he ladde; lived then,
Wit of clergie he hadde inouh,
Þerfore to godnesse euere he drouh. 44 Þerfore] and þerfore R.
¶ Off him þe eorl was wel war, of whom 45 Off him] þare of A2DH2. was wel] sone was full H2. war] I war A2D.
Þerfore his wille to him [he] bar, Guy 45 and 46 are omitted in R. 46 Þerfore] And þarfore A2, And alle H2. he] om. A1A2.
And of him him is above the line in MS. A1. MS. D has hys. he tok his red, asked advice,
¶ To kepen his soule from þe qued. 48 kepen] wyten D. qued] dede D.
¶ On a day, i vnderstonde, 49 On] Vpon H2.
Sire Gy þe eorl sente his sonde
To þe holi man Alquin 51 þe] þat R. Alquin] sire alquyn A2D, ffrere Alquyne H2.
And seide: '[I] MS. A1 omits I. grete þe wel, fader myn, and 52 wel] om. H2.
And preie þe for godes loue, begged 53 And] I A2, anon I D.
Þat us alle sit aboue, 54 us] ouyr vs H2.
Þat þu wole, par charite 55 par] for H1H2.
And in amendement of me, 55 and 56 are omitted in A2.
¶ Make me a god sarmoun a sermon, 57 Make me] Doo me make H2.
And don hit write in lesczoun: 58 don hit write] write hit R. lesczoun] a lessoun DR.
Þat were my ioye and my delit to free his 59 were] where D. my ioye] ioy A2. my delit] grete delyte H2.
And to my soule a gret profyt; soul from the
For þe world þurw his foule gile world's guile. 61 foule] false H2.
Haþ me lad to longe while. 62 lad] lette H1, be lyed H2. while] A while H2.
Þer-of i wole consail take, 63 Þer-of] þer for D. wole] wolde H2.
Hu i mihte þe world forsake.' 64 þe world] hym H2.
¶ Alquin þe eorl þo answerede, Alquin 65 Alquin] Þen Alquyne R. þe eorl þo] þen to þe erle D, sere Gy sone H2, þo erle R.
And Iesu Crist ful ȝerne he heriede, with joy 66 And] And swythe H2. ful ȝerne] ful werun D, om. H2. he] om. A2D.
Þat swich a wit was comen him to
And seide: 'His preie i wole do.' granted Guy's prayer, 68 His] þi A2H2. i wole] he wold DR.
'And, [sethen] i shal be þi leche, 69 And sethen] and whan A1, Sythe that H2, & sithen þat R. be] nu ben A1A2. þi] his H1.
Aller furst i wole þe teche, and preached 70 Aller] Alþere A2H1H2, Erle D. furst] ferest H1. wole] schal D.
Faire uertuz for to to is above the line in MS. A1. take of fair virtues 71 for to] to þe D.
And foule þewes to forsake. and ugly vices. 72 foule] lethere H2.
¶ Þat maitou noht don, leue broþer, 73 Þat] þis H1, Þus R. don] om. A2, mynn H2.
Bote þu knowe on and oþer, 74 Bote] But ȝyffe H2R. on] o þynge A2, þat on D, bothe one R. oþer] þat oþer D (oþe in H1).
I shal þe now shewe boþe, 75 þe now shewe] shewe to þe now H1, the shewe nowe hem H2.
Whiche beþ gode and whiche beþ loþe; 75 and 76 are transposed in A2.
¶ And at þe beste i wole biginne, First, 77 And at] And A2, At H1. wole] sal D.
Þe betre grace for to winne. to win grace
Þe uertuz i wole first shewe, he taught the virtues in order. 79 i wole] þat I wyll A2, I sal D, fyrste I wylle H2. first] ȝow H2. shewe] chewe (Before chewe space is left for an s.) D.
Whiche þeih beþ, alle on rewe.' 80 Whiche] Þe wyche D. alle on] now o D, al in H1, vppon A H2, on a R.
'Wisdom in godes drede Wisdom
Vse wel, þat be my rede; shall be thine, 82 be my] I þe D, is my R. Between
Trewe bileue and charite—also faith, love, 82 and 83 are the following two lines in A2 (Cp. A2 in ll. 140, 141, and 142.):
Twey þynggys it wyll þe tech
Whare þorouȝ þou myȝt to heuen rech 83 bileue] loue R.
Þise sholen bileue wid þe— 84 Þise] þey H1, Þese thre R. bileue] leue D, leeue R. þe] me H2.
Stedefast hope and mieknesse, steadfast hope, meek∣ness, peace, mercy, for∣giveness, patience, humility. 85 hope] om. A2, boþ H1.
Pes, merci, and forȝifnes,
¶ Loue of herte, ful of pite, 87 ful] and fulle H2.
Þat is verray humilite.
And þu wolt haue godes ore, 89 And] And ȝef A2DH1H2R. haue] om. R. ore] lore D.
Ȝit þu most vse more, 90 vse] doo welle H2.
For þi sinne repentaunce, Repent! 91 sinne] synne haue D.
And redi þerfore to don penaunce 92 þerfore] þare A2.
Wid sorwe at þin herte rote, In penitence
And shrifte of mouþe shal be þi bote. confess. 94 And] Wiþ H1. mouþe] mowȝt D. shal be þi] to A2, with dede D, wyll be þi H2.
In almes dede and charite Give in cha∣rity to thy life's end. 95 charite] chaste D, in charyte H2.
Þi lyf shal euere more be. 96 lyf] lyffe also H2.
¶ Þise beþ þe þewes, þat i þe teche, 97 þewes] vertues A2. i] I wil R.
Whar-þurw þu miht to heuene reche, 98 Whar-þurw] Where with H2. reche] Areche H2.
And so þu miht þe world forsake, 99 so] thus H2. þu] þorow H1. miht] mayste H2R.
If þu wolt hem to þe take.' 100 wolt hem to] hem wolt to A1, wylt heuen to A2, wylt þese to D, wylte to thys goodnesse H2.
¶ 'Nu i wole nempne The final e is above the line in MS. A1. þe wicke þewes, Base vices 101 wole] sall D. nempne] neuen A2D (D has new, but the e is hardly distinguishable from o. There is a break in the parchment before wykyd.) H1, telle H2, þe nemen R. þe wicke] wykyd A2D, þis worldly H1, þe othere H2.
Þat beþ noht gode, ac muche shrewes, 102 beþ noht gode] are swithe R. ac] bot A2DH1H2, om. R.
For, if þu dost bi here red[e], 103 here] there H2.
To strong[e] pine þeih wolen þe led[e]; lead to pain,
¶ Þanne is hit god, þat þu shone therefore shun 105 is hit] it is A2DH2, is R. 105 reads in H1: Þerfor loke þou hem shoone.
To drawe hem into þi wone. 106 To] For to H1R. into] in H1.
Herkne nouþe to me, 107 nouþe] now A2DH1H2R. to] wele vnto D, bisily to H1, Awhyle to H2, vnto R.
And i hem wole nempne þe: 108 i] om. R. hem wole] wyll hem D, hom I wil R. nempne] schewe A2, neuen vnto D, neuen to H1. 108 reads in H2: And I wylle telle ȝow wheche þei bee.
Pride, wraþþe, and enuie, pride, wrath, envy, injustice, faithlessness, false witness∣ing. 109 enuie] enueny D.
Fals iugement and tricherie;
Fals witnesse is on of þo—
Many a soule itt MS. A1 has itc. doþ ful wo. 111 and 112 are transposed in H2. 112 ful] myche H1, full moche H2.
Loue noht to muche þis worldes blisse: Avoid worldliness. It induces 113 þis] om. D.
Hit bringeþ man to þisternesse, Read þisternisse. 114 Hit] For it DH1. bringeþ] lediþ H1. man] a man A2H2, men DH1, mony R. to] vnto R. þisternesse] theftnese A2, dyrkenes DH1, Vncerteynnesse H2, merkenes R.
¶ Auarice and glotonye, avarice, glut∣tony, sloth, lechery.
Wicke sleuþe and leccherie.' 116 sleuþe] slownes R.
'Accedie is a wel foul sinne 117 wel] ful R.
To man, þat he may come widinne,
And, what it is, i wole þe wisse, 119 what] om. A2. wole] sall D.
Vnderstond, þat þu ne misse: 120 Vnderstond] vndirstond wel H1, Vndyrstonde yt welle H2. ne] not R.
¶ Accedie is (as) sleuþes broþer, [Acedia], the brother of sloth, 121 as] om. A2H1H2R. sleuþes] slow∣nes R.
Wicke on and wicke oþer; 122 on] is on A2R.
Hit is a derne mourni[n]g in mod 123 a] as a A1D.
And makeþ man anuied to do god. 124 And] Hytt H2. man] men D. anuied] vnneþe D, fro mynde R.
Offte þurw swiche mourning[e] attends despair of the mercy of God, 125 Offte] Welofte H2. swiche] swiche wicke A1A2R.
Wanhope beginneþ for to spring[e],
Þat, bote man turne awey þerfro, 127 Þat bote] Bot A2H1R, Butt yffe H2. man] a man A2D, men H1. turne] flee H2.
Sauued worþ he neuere mo. 128 worþ he] worth þei A2, shul he be H1, maye he be H2, bes he R.
¶ Wroþer hele was Iudas born, through which Judas was lost. 129 Wroþer hele] In a carful tyme H1, With wroþe hele H2.
For þurw þat sinne he was lorn; 130 þurw] om. D. lorn] for lorne A2DH1H2R.
Merci he les þurw þat sinne, 131 þurw] for A2.
Wher-þurw he ne mihte no ioye winne. 132 ne] om. H1H2R. no ioye] heuen A2.
¶ Vch man birede him in his sihte Hasten! 133 birede] I rede A2, be rede D, be redy R. him] om. R. 133 reads in H1 and in H2:
I counsel yche man with al his myȝte H1.
Euyry man behouythe in hys syȝte H2.
To flen þat sinne bi his mihte Flee that sin. 134 flen] flye H1. bi] om. H1, with H2R. his mihte] all his myȝt DH2R, boþ day and nyȝte H1.
And alle oþere þat i haue nempt, 135 oþere] þe oþer DH2. haue] here H1. nempt] neuen H1.
If he wole to ioye be dempt.' 136 he wole] þai wil R. be dempt] idempt D, be demened R. 136 reads in H1: If ȝe wil come to þe blisse of heuen.
Herkne now to my sarmoun, Hearken to my sermon! 137 sarmoun] lessounne H2.
What i wole telle in my lesczoun. 138 wole] shall A2. telle] say A2, þe tell D, rede þe H2. in my lesczoun] be resounne H2. After 138 one line is interpolated in H2: Inicium sapiencie timor domini. (Cp. H2 after l. 4 and A1A2DH1 after l. 882.)
Wisdom in godes drede, De Sa∣pientia. Wisdom
Off which þat i erere seide, Read sede. 140 which] suche H1. þat] om. D. erere] here D, eere of H2, bifore R. 140 reads in A2: Vse wele þat be my rede. (l. 82. Cp. A2 in variants.)
¶ Tweie þinges it wole þe teche, points two ways to heaven: 141 it] I DH2.
Whar-þurw þu miht to heuene reche: 142 reche] Areche H2.
Þat is, lat þi sinne and do god flee sin; do good. 143 Þat] And þat A2. lat] leue A2H1H2R. þi] om. DR.
For his loue, þat deiede on rod; 144 rod] þe rode D.
¶ Ac to late þi sinne al onliche 145 Ac] And A2DH1, om. H2, But for R. late] leue A2H1H2, loue R. þi] om. DR. sinne] om. R. al] om. A2H1H2. (sekerlich has been crossed out before onliche in A2.) onliche] onely R.
Nis noht inouh, sikerliche. 146 Nis] Es DH1H2R. sikerliche] sikerly R.
Þu most don god forþ þerwid, Read þerwiþ. The rewards are mercy and peace.
If þu wolt haue merci and griþ. 148 and] or H1. griþ] greyþe D.
¶ Þis wonder of many sinful men, The wicked 149 Þis] Þis is A2, It es D, Thys ys a H2. of many] is of mony R. sin∣ful] om. DH2, a synful R. men] man DR.
Þat þinkeþ it were muche muchel is in MS. A1. for hem 150 it were] om. A2.
To haue gret worldes honour
As londes, rentes, halle, and bour, 152 As] As in D, om. H2.
Riche vessel of siluer and gold
And grete tresor and faire bold, value worldly possessions 154 grete] oþer H1. and faire bold] faire and bold A2H2, manyfolde H1.
¶ Riche mete and riche drink[e], 155 2d riche] goode H1.
And litel þerfore for to swink[e], 156 litel] leþe D.
Hele of bodi in bon and huide, 157 Hele] Helthe H2. in] om. A2, and R. huide] hede H1.
And gret los of pompe and pride. and fleeting glory, but 158 And] om. H2AR. of] also of H2.
A murie lyf hem þinkeþ þis were, 159 þis] ytte H2R.
But eft hit worþ ibouht [ful] MS. A1 has wel. dere, earth's joy is bought dear. 160 eft] om. D, after H1H2. worþ] shal be H1, wylle be H2, mot be R. ibouht] abought A2D, boȝte H1H2R. After 160 are the following two lines in H2:
Where be thoo þat thynkyþe þere vpon
I cane nott telle be seynte John
Quia nihil The MSS. have nichil. in-felicius, quam felicitas peccatoris. Latin: The Latin text is inserted between 158 and 159 in R. Quia nihil] Qui R. in-felicius] infecelius A2, felicius R. felicitas] fecilitas A2, vita R.
Naþeles hit may falle wel, 161 Naþeles] Neuer þe lese A2H2, but no þo lesse R. falle] be fall H2, bifalle R.
Þat, þouh man haue muche katel 162 Þat] om. H2R. (Space is left for one word in H2.) man] a man A2DR, men H1, summan H2. muche] ryȝt mochill H2.
As londes, rentes, and oþer god, 163 As londes] Londes londes (The second londes is marked for erasure.) D.
Ȝit ȝit is on the margin before he in MS. A1. he may be pore of of is above the line in MS. A1. mod
And low of herte, ful iwis, 165 low] ful lowe DR. ful] om. DR, fully H1, and fulle H2. iwis] wyse H2.
And halt þerof ful litel prys. 166 halt] haue H2. ful] om. A2H2R. (lytyll is over erasure in H2.)
¶ Ac nu i wole speke and rede Such sinful ones 167 Ac] And also A2, and DH2, But H1R. nu i wole] now I sal D, I wil now H1. and rede] om. A2.
Of hem, þat i erere seide, Read sede. 167 and 168 are transposed in D. 168 hem] whum D. erere] are A2D, bifore H1R, eere of H2.
Þat þurw here pride and here wil 169 here] hyȝe H1. wil] yll (There is an erasure before y.) D.
Þeih fallen ofte in gret peril. are in peril, 170 Þeih] om. R.
Seint Austin halt þer-mide noht 171 halt þer-mide] þare with holdeth (Two letters have been crossed out before holdeth.) A2, halde þer with DH1, holte þere with ryȝt H2R.
And seiþ, it shal ben dere bouht, 172 And] He DH2. bouht] abouȝht A2.
And skilfulliche it mot be so, 173 And] For H2. skilfulliche] wilful∣lyche H1. mot] moste H1H2R.
For, whan a man haþ sinne do, 174 For] om. H2. a man] man A2H2. sinne do] synn ido DR, mysdo H1, A synne doo H2.
Oþer he mot hit beten here and they must atone. 175 mot hit beten] mot beten D, he motte be beten (One letter has been erased before h.) H1, he mvste be betyn H2.
Or suffre pine elles where. 176 Or] Oþer D, Or ellis R. pine] paynes A2H2.
¶ Wole ȝe here, what louerede The gracious love of God 177 ȝe here] þou here now R. louerede] I rede R.
God kudde to to is above the line in MS. A1. hem þat wole Before w one letter has been erased in MS. A1. him drede? 178 kudde] kyþeþ H1R, shewythe H2. to] om. R. hem] man D, him H1H2. wole him] wold hyme A2, hym wyll H2.
[He wyll hem here hold[e] lowe, 179 hem] om. R. here holde] holde here D, hold meke & H1, holdyn here full H2, holde hom here R.
For þei schold hym þe better knawe Read knowe.;] 179 and 180 are omitted in A1. 180 þe] om. H1. 180 has the following readings in D and in H2:
He wole hem chasten wid smale pining grants chas∣tenings, anguish, 181 He wole] om. H2. hem] hym DH1, om. H2R. chasten] kast H1, Chastyse hem H2R.
And maken hem lese þat hote brenning; 181 and 182 are omitted in A2. 182 hem] hym D, hom to R. þat] þe DH2.
And many anguisse he wole hem ȝiue 183 And many] A man D, Many an H2. hem] hym D.
To suffre here, whiles þeih liue,
¶ As hunger and þurst and trauail strong; hunger, thirst, 185 As] om. DH1H2, and R. (And is crossed out before As in A2.)
Hij sholen haue euere among 186 Hij] Þei A2H1H2R, he D. haue] suffri DH2.
Lore of catel and seknesse, Read seknisse. earthly losses. These in∣crease hea∣ven's joys, 187 Lore] Losse A2H1H2R. seknesse] stronge syknysse H2.
And al is to echen here blisse. 188 And] om. H2. al is] all it is A2H2, all D. here] þaire ioy and D, þeire H1.
Man, if þu (ne) leuest noht me, 189 ne] om. A2DH1H2R. leuest] be leue H2.
Þu sek aboute, and þu miht se 190 Þu sek] Seek H1R. þu miht se] by þe se A2, bi se D, þou maist see H1R, þe besye H2.
Þise holi men alle bidene,
How þeih liuede in wo and tene. 192 liuede] lybbeþe D. wo] sorowe H2.
And, if my tale nis noht for-ȝete, Read forȝite. 193 if] if þou R. nis] es DH1, þou H2, om. R.
Þanne maitou wel iwite, 194 Þanne] Now H1. maitou] þou myȝt ful D. wel] þo better R. iwite] þerof I wyte H1, wete H2, witt R.
Þat þe worldes blisse is noht, for the world's bliss is naught. 195 þe] þys H2. blisse] wele DH2. is] nys A2.
Whan þu hast abouten souht; 196 abouten] all abouten DH2, hit thorou R. souht] I soȝte H1.
¶ For, ȝif One letter has been erased before ȝ in MS. A1. a man haþ her his wille, 197 his] all hys D.
Wel lihtliche he may spille. 197 and 198 are omitted in H2. 198 Wel] Ful DH1R. lihtliche] lyȝtly H1R. spille] hys saule spyll D, hymself spylle H1.
Her i wole nouþe blinne. 199 Her i wole nouþe] Here I wyll not A2, Now I wil here of H1, Of thys now I wolle H2, Here I wil a while R. blinne] be kenne (The k is imperfectly formed.) D, belynne H2.
Anoþer þing i wole biginne Believe in De Fide. 200 Anoþer] And oþere A2, And anoþer D, And of othyre H2. wole] sal D.
To speke, man, of þi bileue, 201 man] more R.
For hit is god, it One letter is erased after it in MS. A1. wole noht greue. 201 and 202 are transposed in D. 202 it] and DH1R. wole] nyl H1.
Man, þi bileue shal be so:
Þat o god is and no mo, one God, 204 is] ther ys H2.
Þat o god is in vnite, a God in unity and in trinity,
Þre persones in trinite. 204-206 read in H1:
Þat þer is oo god & no moo
Þe whiche is in persones þree
And oo god in trinitee 206 Þre] And þre D.
¶ Þu shalt, [man], bileue also 207 man] om. A1A2R, al so H1. also] here to H1.
And treuliche in þin herte do, 208 treuliche] trewly A2H1H2R. do] þenk so H1, yt doo H2R.
Þat god had neuere biginning without be∣ginning, without end∣ing, Creator of all. 209 had] ne hadde H2.
Ne neuere (ne) shal haue ending, 210 Ne] Nor A2. ne] om. A2DH1H2R. haue] haue noon H1H2.
¶ And shappere re is above the line in MS. A1. is of alle shaftes, 211 shaftes] shappes A2. (schaftes is over erasure in D.)
And ȝeueþ wit in alle craftes, 212 ȝeueþ] ȝif þe D, ȝifere of H1, gaffe H2.
And made man after his owen face—213 made man] man made A1A2R, shope man H2. owen] om. H2.
Nas þat gret loue of heih[e] grace? 214 Nas þat] Was þer D, þat was H1R, Was þat not a H2. gret] for R. of heihe] and heȝe D, of his holy H1, of hys H2.
And ȝaf to man fre power God bestowed freedom of will, but 215 ȝaf] ȝif D.
To chese, boþe fer and ner, 216 To chese] Of thise A2, to these R.
Off god and yuel shed to make, 217 Off] And of D, om. H2. yuel] of euel D. shed] for A2H2, cheyse D.
Þe euel to late and god to take. 218 Þe] Þat D. late] leue A2DH1R. and] þe A2DR.
Wheiþer he wole chese, he haþ power 219 Whei∣þer] Whiche H1, Too whether H2.
Þurw ȝifte of god, while he is her; 220 ȝifte] might R.
Þanne is hit noht on god ilong, He is not at fault if man choose the wrong. 221 is hit] it is A2R. on] in A2H1. ilong] a longe A2H2, longe DH1R.
If man wole chese to don wrong. 222 man] he A2DH2. wole] wollen to D, om. H1.
¶ Adam was þe forme man, Adam 223 forme] first A2H1R, formeste H2.
Þat euere singyn bigan, 224 Þat] In wham H1. singyn] first synne DH2, ony synne R.
And þat was god to wite noht, 225 wite] wyte ryȝte H2.
Þerfore hit haþ ben dere bouht. bought sin dear. 226 hit] he D. haþ] was ful R. ben] om. DR. bouht] a bouȝt A2D.
God ȝaf him wit as his owen, 227 his] is DH2.
God and yuel for to knowen, 228 yuel] wicke R.
Ac þurw eging of þe fend and Eue 229 Ac] And A2DH1R, om. H2. þurw] Thorowe þe H2R. Eue] of eue D.
He dede a sinne þat gan him greue. 230 a] om. H1. gan him] was ful D, dide hym H1H2R.
¶ Vnboxomnesse was his gilt, For disobe∣dience he was thrust from paradise, but 231 his] hit R.
Þerfore out of paradys he was [pylt]. pylt is supplied from MS. A2. was is the last word of the line in MS. A.1 gilt seems a deeper black than what precedes, suggesting that it may have been added later. 232 he was] was he R. pylt] om. A1, put D.
Boxomere he was to his wif, 233 Boxomere] Buxom more D, Moore boxum H1.
Þan to god þat ȝaf him lyf;
And, for he dede after hire lore, 235 for] for þat R. hire] þeyre H1.
He bouhte hit siþþen swiþe sore. 236 bouhte hit] abouȝte D. siþþen] afterworde H1, aftyr H2. swiþe] ful H1.
¶ His fredom was binomen him al 237 binomen him] bimonie hym H1, fro hym tane R.
And put in seruage as a þral, 238 in] to D.
¶ Noht one he, bute alle þo 239 one] only A2DH2R, oonlyche H1. alle] also al H1.
Þat of him comen for euere mo. 240 for euere] euer A2DH2.
Ac for hit was þurw gile don, 241 Ac] And A2D, But H1H2R. þurw] for R. don] idon D.
God ȝaf his pite þer-vpon, God's pity and love saved man∣kind. 242 God ȝaf] Almyȝty god had H1, God had R. his] hym D, om. H1R.
And eke for loue þat he hade 243 eke] also H1H2. for] for þe A2H2.
To man, þat he himselue made, 244 man] monkynde R. he] hem D. him∣selue] om. R.
To sauue man, man he bicam, God became man, 245 To sauue man] To saue hym þan H1, Man to saue H2. man he] he man H2.
And pine for hem to him he nam, 246 pine] peyne & passion H1, grete peyne H2, pyne grete R. hem] man A2H2, hym R. to him] om. A2H1H2R.
And ȝaf for hem his herte blod, and shed His heart's blood on the cross, died, was buried, 247 And] He H2. hem] man H2, hym R.
And deiede for hem on þe rod. 248 And] And þus H1, om. R. deiede] with harde deth R. for hem] om. H1R, for man H2. on] opin A2DH1H2R.
¶ Ibiried he was, in There is an erasure after in in MS. A1. toumbe he lay, 249 Ibiried] Biryed H1H2R.
Til hit com þe þridde day; 250 Til hit com] Tyll it came to A2H2, Forto com D.
Vp he ros þe þridde day rose the third day, 251 reads in A2: And rose for soth als I ȝow say.
From deþ to liue wid-oute nay; 251 and 252 are omitted in H2.
To heuene he steih þurw his mihte, ascended into heaven,
Riht in-to his faderes sihte, 254 Riht] Ful ryȝt H1, om. H2. in-to] to D. faderes] awne fader D, ffadyrys ryche H2.
And sit on his faderes riht[e] side, sits at His Father's right hand. 255 And sit] þere he sittiþ H1.
Þe grete dom for to abide. 256 for] om. R.
Þider he wole come on domesday, On Dooms∣day 257 Þider] Hedere A2, And hedyr H2, om. R. he wole] shall H2. on] at DH2, sithen on R.
Cruwel and sterne wid-oute nay, 258 wid-oute nay] for soþe too saye H2.
¶ He þat was woned to be 259 þat] þat afore H2. woned] woned merciful H1.
Meke as a lomb, ful of pite: 260 a] om. H1H2R.
Þeder he wole lihten adoun He will come to earth to judge with∣out mercy. 261 Þeder] þer DH1, Hedyr H2, þere þen R. lihten] þane lyȝte H2. adoun] downe H2.
Wraþfful and sterne as a lioun. 261 and 262 are omitted in A2. 262 and] om. R. a] ony H2.
Merci nele he shewe non, 263 nele] þan wyll H2, wil R.
¶ Ac, riht after þat man haþ don, 264 Ac] Bot A2H1H2R, And D. þat] om. A2. man haþ] men haue H2.
He shal fonge his iugement 265 He shal] They shulle þan H2, þai shal R. fonge] a fonge D, take H2R. his] om. A2, here H2R. iugement] verament (MS. indistinct) A2.
To ioye or to strong turment. 266 or to] or els H1. turment] tournement DH2.
¶ Allas! what sholen hij onne take, 267 what] how A2DH1H2R. hij] þei A2DH1H2R. onne] þan on H2.
Þat wolden [here] her god forsake 268 is written twice in MS. A1. The second time it is crossed out. Those who forsook God 268 here her god] her god A1A2DR, here god here H1, here here lorde H2.
Þurw sinne of fles[c]h[ly] MS. A1 has fleshes. liking, 269 of] of here H1.
And wolde hit bete wid no pining?
Þer-fore þeih sholen in-to helle, shall be driven 271 sholen] shulle go H1, shul wende R. into] til R.
Wheiþer þeih wolen, or þeih nelle, 272 or þeih] or A2. 272 is omitted in R. In its place is the following line: nyl þai wil þai þere to dwelle.
And þere bileue[n] euere mo, 273 bileuen] be leuyn H2. euere] for euer H1H2R.
In [as] strong pine as men may do. to hell. 274 as] also A1A2, om. DR, als H1. strong] strounger H1. as] om. R. men] man A2H2, fend H1, om. R. may do] & eke in woo R.
Seint Austin spekeþ of alle swiche 275 Austin] poul A2, austyn he H2.
And seiþ wordes [ful] reuliche: 276 ful reuliche] reuliche A1D, rewefullich A2.
Habent mortem sine morte The wicked in hell et finem mortis sine fine. Latin: Through defacement of the page 'fine' is wanting in A2. et] om. D. fine] morte H1.
¶Hij sholen haue deþ wid-outen deiing shall suffer death without dying, 277 Hij] þei A2DH1H2R.
And point of deþ wid-outen ending;' 278 point] apoynt D, ende R.
Here deþ hij sholen wilnen euere, 279 Here] þare A2H1. hij] þei A2DH1H2R. wilnen] wyll A2H2R, welny D, feel H1.
Ac to ende of deþ comen hij neuere; divers ago∣nies, 280 Ac] For A2, And DH2, But H1R. ende] þe ende H1H2. hij] þei A2DH1H2R.
Hij sholen euere more duire 281 Hij] þei A2DH1H2R. duire] þere endure H2.
In stronge pine of hote fire. sharp pain of fire; 282 In] In þe H2. hote] hell A2H2.
Her i wole nouþe dwelle, 283 Her] Herof H1. i wole] sal I D. nouþe] a whill A2 (before I wil) R, now D. 283 reads in H2: [N]ow of þis tale I wylle dwelle. (A blank space has been left for a large N.)
And of mur[y]ere MS. A1 murszere. þinge [i wole] ȝou telle. 284 muryere] a myrrier R. i wole ȝou] ȝou A1R, om. D, I wil H1.
¶ Tellen i wole ful iwis 285 Tellen] Telle ȝow H2. wole] sal D. ful] ryȝt now A2, om. D, su[m]∣what H1, sone H2, now forthe R.
Off þe ioyes of paradys,
Whiche godes children, þat gode be, but God's children 287 Whiche] Þo whiche R.
Sholen haue and ise; 288 haue] þat joye haue H2. ise] eke see H1, ytt see H2, al so sene R.
Ac, þouh i hadde in my bayli[e] 289 Ac] For A2, And DR, But H1H2. þouh] and H1, of R. hadde] haue D.
Þe wit of alle clergy[e], 290 alle] al maner H1H2.
¶ Mihte hit neuere so bifalle, 291 Mihte hit] ȝit myȝt it H1, Ne myȝt ytt H2, hit might R. neuere] not H1.
Þat i mihte telle[n] alle. 292 tellen] telle ȝow halffe ne H2, thorouly telle hom R.
Ac, also god ȝif me grace, 293 Ac] And A2, om. D, But ȝit H1, Butt H2R. also] as H1R. ȝif] wol ȝyf DH1R.
I shal ȝou shewe in þis place, 294 shal] wylle H2.
What ioie þeih sholen han ifere, 295 ifere] in fere DH1R.
Þat seruen god on eorþe here. 296 on] in A2H1.
Whan þeih sholen parten henne, 297 Whan] When þat R. parten] departen A2, perty D. henne] hethen R.
Ful wel þeih sholen here weie kenne shall know their way to paradise, 298 here] þair D.
Riht to þe blisse of paradys, 299 to þe] in to A2, to D.
Þat god haþ ȝarked to alle his. 295-300 are omitted in H2. 300 Þat] Whiche H1. ȝarked] made A2H1.
¶ Þere is euere ioye inouh there to dwell in joy amid justice, 301 euere ioye] joye euere H2.
And euere riht widouten wouh, 302 wouh] vow (possibly for wowe of DH2) H1.
Wit and kunning and kointise, 303 kointise] qweyntise A2DH2.
And trewe loue widou[t] MS. A1 ou. feintise, love, 303 and 304 are transposed in D. 304 And] om. H2.
Streinþe inouh and fairnesse, beauty, 305 Streinþe] þere is strenkþe H1.
And liht wid-oute þisternesse. and light. 305 and 306 are omitted in H2. 306 þisternesse] dirkenese A2D, ony derknes H1, merkenes R.
Þere sholen þeih noht ben agilt, 307 noht ben] fynde no A2, haue no R. agilt] gylt A2R, I guilde D.
[For] al here wille shal ben fulfilt: 308 For al] al A1, For DH2. here] þaire DH2.
Hij sholen haue, mid iwisse, 309 Hij] þei A2DH1R. mid] mende D, with a H1, þer with R. iwisse] Wisshe H1.
Fulle ioye and fulle blisse, 309 and 310 are omitted in H2. 310 Fulle] Ful of D, Al maner H1. fulle] ful of D, al maner H1.
¶ Boþe þe pore and þe riche, There poor and rich to∣gether, 311 Boþe þe] Boþe A2. þe] eke A2, eke the H2.
Ac, wete þu wel, noht alle iliche. 312 Ac] For A2, and DH1, But H2R. þu] it D, þou it H1. wel noht] wel and nauȝt D, wil noȝ H1, wil not R. alle] om. A2. iliche] elich A2, in lyche H2.
Euerich shal haue his woniȝ[i]ng each hath his dwelling, after his own deserving. 313 Euerich] Euere he A2, For eueryche H2, Ilkone R.
Riht after his owen deseruing; 314 owen] om. H2.
Ac lat hit noht come in þi þouht, 315 Ac] And A2D, But H1H2R. lat hit noht come] trow þou wel R.
Þat any of hem shal wanten ouht, 316 any] non R.
For he þat haþ lest in þat woniing wonjjng in MS. A1. The least in God's king∣dom hath perfect joy. 317 he þat] who so R.
Haþ fulle ioye ouer alle þing. 318 Haþ] He hathe H2R. ouer] of A2H1R, in DH2.
¶ Þerfore, man, in al þi miht, 319 in] with A2H2R.
Þu loue wel god bi day and niht: 320 Þu] om. DH1H2. wel god] god wel R. bi] om. D.
¶ Þe inwardlichere þu louest him her, 321 Þe] þe more A2, For so D, For the more þat H2. inwardlichere] inwordelich A2D, om. H2.
Þe more shal ben þi ioye þer.
Herkne nu alle to me, Between 322 and 323 is interpolated in H2: 'Deleccio es proximi.' 323 alle] om. A2. 323 reads in H2: Herken now my ffrende so free.
For i wole speken of charite. De uera Caritate. Love 324 wole] sal now D. of] om. D.
Off alle uertuz hit is hext, 325 hext] þo hext R.
And godes wille hit is next. is well pleas∣ing to God. 326 godes wille] at goddys wyll þane (The page is worn, so that the line is nearly erased.) A2.
Ȝif þu wolt wite [what] hit be, 327 wite] om. DH2. what] hu A1A2. be] may be R.
Herkne, and i wole telle þe: 328 wole] sall D. 328 reads in H2: Sytte nowe stylle & herken me.
Hit is, loue god ouer alle þing, Then love God well, 329 Hit is loue] Loue welle H2.
In þouht, in dede, and in speking. 330 in dede] & dede H1R. and] om. A2D.
And, if þu wolt euere come þerto, and 331 euere] om. A2H2.
An-oþer þing þu most do: 332 Anoþer] Ane oþer D. þing] om. H2. þu] þe R. most] mvste nedys H2.
Þu most loue, hu-so hit be, love thy fellow-man,
Þin emcristene forþ wid þe. 334 emcristene] euene crystenn A2H2R, enemy H1. forþ] ryȝt euen H1.
¶ Man, woltou make a god prouing, 335 Man] þan D. god] om. H2.
Wher þu loue þe heuene king? 336 Wher] Wheþere A2D, If H1H2R. þe] om. A2.
If þu louest god ful iwis, 337 If] For yffe H2. ful] filly H1, om. H2, wel R.
Þu [wolt] louen alle his. so that 338 wolt] most A1, mvste nedys H2. his] þat is hisse R.
Si non diligis proximum tuum, quem uides, deum quem non uides, quomodo potes diligere? MS. A1 has dilegere. Latin: The passage is omitted here and is inserted between 345 and 346 in D. diligis] deliges A2H1. uides] tu vides H2. deum] om. H2. 'quem non vides' is inserted after 'deligere' in H2. quomodo] commodo A1, quoniam A2DH1H2. potes diligere] diligere potes D, potes dilegere A2H1.
For men seiþ soþ, bi wit[te] mayne: 339 For men] Man H1, Men R. soþ] and soþ D, soþ for H1. 339 reads in H2: In the gospelle I seye ȝow be ryme.
'Whoso loueþ me, he loueþ myne.' thou mayst see God. 340 Whoso] He þat H2. myne] alle myne H2, my hyne R.
'But þu loue [þyn em] MS. A1 has þe. cristene þat bi þe be, 341 But] But yffe H2. emcristene] cristene A1, euene crysten A2H2R, neȝtbore H1. þat bi þe be] þat by be þe D, þat dewlliþ þe by H1, be þe H2, þat is by þe R.
Þat alday [þou] MS. A1 omits þou. mait hem ise, 342 is omitted in D. 342 alday] om. R. þou] om. A1R. mait] mast A2. hem] al day with eghen R. ise] se A2R. 342 has the following readings in H1 and in H2:
Whom þou maiste see eche day wiþ yeȝe H1.
That aldaye wythe hem mayste speke & see H2.
Hou maitou loue god, i ne can deuise, 343 maitou] mast þou A2, schuldest D, myxte þou H1, þou R. ne can] can nouȝt A2H1H2R.
Whom þu miht sen on none wyse!' 344 Whom] That H1. miht] may not A2H1H2, mait DR. on] in A2DH1H2.
¶ Þis seiþ sein Powel and bereþ witnesse, 345 Þis] Thus H2. seiþ sein Powel] saint poul saiþ H1, seyþe poule H2R.
As he may wel in soþ[e]nesse. 346 As] Also A2, Soo H2. wel] om. D. in] in þe boke of H2.
Abraham him sauh, ac þu [nost] noht hou! Abraham saw God 347 him] om. R. ac] for A2, om. D, but H1H2R. þu] he R. nost] om. A1, ne wost A2, woste H2, not wist R. noht] om. A2DH1R.
Herkne, i wole þe telle nowh: 348 i wole] I sal D, and I wil H1H2R. þe telle] tell þe A2DH1H2R.
¶ Þe fourme of þre children he mette, in the person of three angels, 349 Þe] In A2. þre] om. R.
Þre he sauh, and (as) on he (hem) grette; 350 and as] and A2D, but H1. he] om. R. hem] om. A2DH1.
In tokne it was, i telle þe, betokening the Holy Trinity. 351 tokne] tokenyng A2H2R. telle] telle it D.
Off þe holi trinite. 352 þe holi] god þat is in A2, þe soþfast holy H1, alle the hole H2, þo heghe holi R.
¶ Holliche as liche a is over erasure in MS. A1. on he grette hem þere 353 as on] om. A2, as D, all oon H2. grette] sawe A2. hem] hym D, om. H2.
In tokne of ne o is over erasure in MS. A1. o god, þat hij were. 354 tokne] tokenyng A2H2R. o] om. A2. hij] þei A2DH1H2R.
Hu Moyses him sauh, woltou here, Moses saw God 355 him such] says now D, sawe hym H2R. here] now lere R.
In fourme of a bush al on fire, Read fere. 356 of] al of D. on] of D, on a R.
At þe mount of Synay bi olde dawe, 357 At] And in H1.
Þar god him ȝaf þe firste lawe? 357 and 358 are omitted in H2. 358 him ȝaf] ȝaf hym A2, ȝaf H1.
¶ Al on fire þe bush was, in the bush, burning but not con∣sumed, 359 on] of D. was] ytt was H2.
And ibrent noþing it nas: 360 And] but R. ibrent] ebrynde A2, brente H2R. it nas] nas D, for soþe yt nas H2, þo buske nas R.
Þere shewede god his grete miht 361 grete] meche H2.
And himself in þat ilke sihte. 362 And] In D. þat ilke] þulke D, þat H1H2R.
¶ Þat bush bitokneþ vre leuedi, symbol of the pure maiden∣hood of Mary. 363 Þat] þe A2H2R. bush] boys D. bitokneþ] he tokenes of D, bi tokened H1, tokend R. vre] one R.
Hire clene maiden-hed witerli; 364 Hire clene] In here H2, with hir clene R. witerli] sykerly DR.
For hit was euere iliche clene, 365 euere iliche clene] ilyche clene euere H2.
[Ne] MS. A1 omits Ne. mihtte hit noht be wemmed ene. 366 hit] þer H1. noht] om. A2. be wemmed ene] ony wemme bene H1, be wemmyd neuere H2, I nemed bene R (wemedene in A2).
Hete of flesh no mihte hire wemme, 367 Hete of] he D. ne] om. R. hire] yt H2, hir not R. wemme] warme H1.
No more þan þe bush mihte brenne. 368 No] Ne D. þan] might R. mihte] did H1, om. R. brenne] burne H1.
And many anoþer him iseih Others have seen God, 369 anoþer] oþer H1. him] that hym H2. iseih] saiþe A2, say DH2, did sey H1, seghe R.
And wid [him] spak, þat was him neih, 370 wid him spak] wid spak A1, spake with hym A2, spake hym with R. þat] and D.
¶ But noht alone in his godhede, but no man hath seen Him in His Divinity 371 But noht] and D. alone] al on H1, onely R.
Ac i-meind wid þe manhede; 372 Ac] Bot A2DH1H2R. i-meind] I menged A2H2, imed D, it was mayned H1, mynged R. þe] his H1H2.
For, sikerliche i telle þe, 373 For sikerliche] Sekyrly as H2. telle] tell it D, now telle ytt H2.
Man ne sauh neuere his deite 374 Man ne sauh] Man sawe DH2R, þou mayst se H1.
¶ Bodiliche on eorþe her, here on earth. 375 Bodiliche] With bodily eyȝe H1, Godlyche H2, Bodily R. on] in R. eorþe] herth D.
He mihte noht, it is so cler. 376 He mihte noht] Whilest þou art on lyue H1, men might not R. 376 reads in D: No may noman haue þat power.
And, if þu wolt witen hou, 377 witen] I wyte D. hou] now R.
Herkne, i wole þe telle now; 378 Herkne] Herken and H1R. wole] sal D. þe telle] telle þe H1, telle ȝow R. now] om. R. 378 reads in H2: Sytte nowe stylle & herkenyþe nowe.
For so heih a þing is þe god-hede, 379 For] And D, om. H1. a þing] ys H2, þing R. þe] his A2.
Þer-of to speke it is drede. 380 Þer-of to speke] Þat to speke þer of D. drede] no drede H1, grete drede H2R.
God is so clene and so cler a þing, 381 clene and so] om. A2, cler and D, clere and so H2. cler] clene DH2.
Þat heuene and erþe he One letter has been erased after he in MS. A1. ȝeueþ shining, 382 he] it D, om. H2.
And sunne and mone and sterren breme, 383 And] om. H2. breme] beme DR.
Off him þeih han al here leme. 384 here] þaire D.
¶ Þu sext, man, wel aperteliche, 385 man wel] wele man D, man here H1, man H2R.
Þat þe sunne haþ brihtnesse muche, Read miche.
And, þouh he sitte so wonder heie, 387 And] om. A2. þouh] om. R. he] it A2H1. sitte] schyne D, is sett R. so] neuer so A2, om. DH1.
Hit greueþ euere mannes eiȝe, We may not gaze on the sun. 388 Hit] ȝit it A2. euere] om. A2R, euereche D, euere a H1. mannes] bodyly D.
Inwardliche on hire to se 389 Inwardliche] Inwardly H2R. on] vppe to H2. hire] om. A2, hit R.
For hire grete clerte. 390 hire] his R. grete] moche H2. clerte] charite R.
Nu, for-soþe i telle þe—391 telle] tell it DH2.
And sikerliche lef þu me— 392 sikerliche] sekyrly H2R. lef þu] þou mayste leue H1, be leue H2.
Þat god, þat ȝaf þe sunne his liht, God, its source, hath hundred-fold its brilliancy. 393 Þat] om. A2H2. ȝaf] om. A2. sunne his] sonnes A2, sonn here DH2.
Is swich an hundred [siþe] so briht. 394 swich an] seche a D, an H1R. hundred] hundreth A2H1. siþe] om. A1A2D, tyme H2.
¶ Man, mihte hit euere þanne be, Can human eye behold that glory? 395 Man] Man how D, þerfor man H1, how þen R. euere þanne] euer so A2, euer DH1R, þane euere H2.
Þat bodilich eiȝe mihte him se 396 bodilich] bodelich with A2, boldelyche H2, bodily R. eiȝe] om. H2. him] euer D, hym euer H1, om. H2.
Here on eorþe,—þe godhede? 397 on] in H2. þe] in his H1.
Nay, noman mihte don þat dede: 398 Nay] om. DH2.
Þat is preued and ishewed 399 Þat] and þat R. preued] I proued A2, proued wele DH2. ishewed] schewed DH2R, wel shewede H1.
Boþe to lered and to lewed. 400 lered and] lerned and eke H1.
Þanne maitou þenke: 'Hu mai þis be? 401 Þanne] How D. (How is crossed out before þane in A2. þane is above the line.) maitou] maste þoue A2, myȝte þou H2. hu] om. DH1. mai þis] sal þis D, þis may not H1, maye yt H2.
Ne shal no man god ise?' 402 Ne shal no man] þat noman sal D, þat any man here shul euer H1, Shalle ther noman H2, ne may no mon R. ise] see A2H1R, here se H2.
¶ Ȝus, ȝus, bi my leaute! Yes, yes,
Herkne, and i wole telle þe: 403 and 404 read in H1:
ȝis for soþ wiþ outen ney
Herken & here what I wil say 404 wole] sal D.
Ȝif þu wolt sen in þi siht
God of heuene, þat is so briht,—
¶ Vnderstond nu what i mene—407 nu] wel H1H2.
'Þu most ben of herte clene,' the undefiled 408 Þu] For þou H1. of] in H1.
In word, in dede, and in þouht, 409 reads in H1: Of worde of dede & of þoȝte.
Þat þu ne be ifiled noht; 410 Þat] So þat H1. ne] om. H1R. ifiled] fyled A2H1, fyled right R.
For god self seide in soþ[e]nesse—411 self] hym A2, him self H1H2 (following sayed) R. seide] saiþe A2H1H2.
Þe godspel þerof bereþ MS. A1 has bereþ þerof. witnesse: 412 Þe] and þo R.
Beati mundo MS. A1 mondo. corde, quoniam ipsi deum uidebunt. shall see the infinite God of Heaven
Þis is to seie, i telle þe: 413 Þis] Þat A2H2R. telle] telle yt H2.
'Þe clene of herte, blessed þeih be;' 414 Þe] Al H1R. þeih] om. H2.
For, at þe heie dom sikerliche 415 heie] daye of H2, grete R. sikerliche] sekyrly H2.
'Þeih sholen se god' aperteliche, 416 aperteliche] apertely H2.
In his godhede and in his blisse,
Off which þeih sholen neuere misse. and shall hearken to the joyous summons,— 418 Off] Þo R.
¶ Þanne sholen þeih here, herkne nouþe, 419 Þanne sholen þeih] That shulle ȝe H2. here] om. A2. herkne nouþe] wiþ here ere H1, þat bene couthe R.
A blisful word of godes mouþe, 420 godes mouþe] god þere H1.
[Which shal not be to hem vncowþe,
For god shal sey it with his mowþe: 421 and 422 are omitted in A1A2H2R.
Venite, benedicti MS. benedicte. patris mei.] The Latin is omitted in A1A2H2R.
'Comeþ, mine blessede fere, 'Come, be∣loved, dear to my Father! In my bliss dwell ever∣more.' 423 Comeþ] Comes now R. fere] children in fere H1, alle in ffere H2, in fere R.
Þat my fader beþ leue and dere! 424 Þat] Þat to H1H2R. leue and] ful H1.
In-to my blisse ȝe sholen wende,
Þat lasteþ euere wid-outen ende, 426 lasteþ euere] euir shalle laste H2.
And euere more þer to wone
Wid þe fader, and wid þe sone, 428 and wid] and H2.
And wid þe holi gost in vnite, 429 And] om. H1.
Þat is þe holi trinite.' 430 Þat] whiche H1.
¶ 'And [ȝe], MS. A1 has þe. The doomed souls, 431 And] om. H1. goþ] þere H1, om. H2.
Þat sholen ben dampned euerichon!' 432 Þat] Þei A2, om. H1, ȝe H2R.
Þere hij sholen him sen also, 433 hij] þei A2H1H2R. him sen] se hym R.
Ac al shal ben for here wo; 434 Ac] For A2, But H1H2R. al] yt H2, þat R. for] to A2, al for R.
For toward hem he wole turne 435 turne] hym turne R.
¶ Boþe wraþful and eke sterne,
And namlich to þat cumpaignye
Þat slowen him þurw enuie, who slew Him with cruel nails through hands and feet, shall see the ghastly wounds they made. 438 þurw] þorouȝ here A2H1.
And kene nailes driuen ek 439 driuen] þey dryuen H1.
Þurw his honden and his fet, 440 and] and þorow H1. his fet] fete did hom to seke (þai is on the margin.) R.
¶ And þere þeih sholen se soþliche, 441 And] om. A2. soþliche] opunlyche H1, sothly R.
His grisli wounden openliche, 442 openliche] opunly R. 442 reads in H1: Al his woundis sicurliche.
Þat þeih deden hemselue make. 443 hemselue] hym self A2.
For drede hij sholen þanne quake; 435-444 are omitted in H2 444 hij] þei A2H1R. (shul þai follow þen in R.)
Þanne wole god to hem seie His angry voice will command: 445 god] he H2.
Wid sterne voiz and wid heie: 446 and wid heie] and with eye A2, withoute neye H1, and angry eye H2, & grete aie R.
'Corsede gostes, ȝe beþ me loþe! 'Accursed spirits, go! Depart into the tortures of hell!
Goþ anon, goþ nu, nu is above the line in MS. A1. goþe 447 and 448 have the following readings in H1 and in H2
ȝe cursyd gostis fro me goþ
For to my fadire & me ȝe beþ ful loþ H1.
Waryed gostys ȝe are me lothe
Gothe in to sorowe & care bothe H2.
¶ In-to þe stronge fyr of helle, 449 In-to þe] In to A2R, And evene in to H2. stronge] stynkynge H1, om. H2. fyr] payne A2, pytte H2.
Euere more þer to dwelle, 450 Euere more] And euere more A1H1, Withowtyn ende H2, for euer more R. þer] þeire In A2, þere for to H1.
And brenne þer in hote fyr! Read fer. Burn eter∣nally!
ȝe seruede non oþer her: 451 and 452 are omitted in H2. 452 ȝe] for ȝe han R. seruede] haue a seruid H1. her] hyere A2H1.
Merci is al fro ȝou gon, For evermore 453 al fro ȝou] now alle H2. gon] I gonne H2.
For whij on me hadde ȝe non!' 454 whij on] on A2H2. hadde ȝe] ne hadde ȝe D, ȝe haden R. Between 454 and 455 are the following two lines in H2:
Whan ȝowre power was full welle
I sente I nowe of euyry dele
He þat nele no merci haue 455 nele] wil H1H2R. no] om. A2.
Off him þat doþ him merci craue, 456 Off] On R. him þat] hem H1. doþ him] doþ A2H2, wolde hym R.
He shal ben iuged, witerli, thou art judged!' 457 witerli] vtturly H1.
Rihtfulliche wid-oute merci. 458 Rihtfulliche] Skylffulliche H2.
¶ Sein Daui seiþ, if þu wolt loke 459 Sein] For seynt R.
In a vers of þe þe is above the line in MS. A1. sauter boke:
Spera in domino, et fac bonitatem. De Spe.
'Hope to god, and do god,' Hope in God; do good.
Riht so i hit vnderstod; 462 hit] om. R.
Ac ydel hope man mai habbe—463 Ac] For A2, But H1R. man] a mon R.
I sey þe soþ wid-outen gabbe—
For alone to hope, widoute goddede, 465 alone to] all on to A2, om. H1, al onely R. goddede] ony good dede H1.
¶ Is ydel hope, so god me rede. 465 and 466 are in∣serted between 470 and 471 in A2.
Ac i ne seie noht forþi, 467 Ac i ne] For I A2, But ȝit I H1, But I ne R.
Þouh man be charged, sikerli Though grievous the burden, 468 Þouh man] þou may R.
¶ Wid grete sinnes heuie and and is above the line in MS. A1. sore,
He ne shal despeire neuere þe more, be not in despair. Be steadfast. 470 He] ȝit R. ne] om. A2DR, shal] shalt þou R.
Ac soþfast hope haue, to winne 471 Ac] And A2, But H1R. soþfast] stedfast R. haue] om. A2, haue þou R.
Godes merci of his sinne 472 Godes] And cry god H1. his] þi R. The MS. continues with 476 in D.
Þurw shrifte of mouþe and repentaunce,
And redi þerfore to don penaunce.
¶ Ȝif þu dost þus, bi day and niht, Daily in con∣fession and tears, hope for mercy. 407-475 are omitted in D.
Put al al is above the line in MS. A1. þin hope in god almiht, 476 in] to D. almiht] of might R.
And tristi hope to him þu haue,
Þat he þe wole helpe and saue. 478 Þat] And H1. helpe] boþ helpe H1.
Herkne, what i wole seie nouþe, 479 what] þat D. wole] sal D. seie] say þe D, om. R. nouþe] nowe D. 479 reads in H1: Loke þis be not to ȝow vnkowþe. (Cp. l. 421.)
For hit com out of godes mouþe: 480 out] om. A2D.
Vbi te in-benio, ibi One letter has been erased before ibi in MS. A1. te iudicabo. Latin: iudicabo] iudico A2R.
'Man, riht þere as i þe finde, Delay not to do good.
Riht þere i wole þe iuge and binde.' 482 þere] so D H1. wole] sal D.
Allas, what sholen hij þanne do, 483 what] how A2. hij] þei A2DH1R.
Þat beþ ifounde in sorwe and wo, 484 ifounde] I bounde A2, fon D, confoundid H1, founden R. sorwe] synne D.
Þat wolde noht hemselue shriue, 484 and 485 are over crasure in MS. A1. 485 wolde] nold D. hemselue] hem A2.
While þeih mihte in here liue! 486 While] Þe whyle D. in here] in þeire A2, and were on H1.
Þerfore, man, i warne þe:
Loke, þat þu þe bise, 488 bise] by þe se A2, be se D. 488 reads in H1 and R: Whilest þou maiste goo & see. þou] þat þou R.
Þat þu be euere redi and ȝare Be ready. 489 Þat] Loke H1. euere] om. R.
Out of þis world for to fare; 490 þis] om. D. for] forþe D.
For siker noman wite ne may, 491 siker] sikurliche H1, sikernes R. ne] om. H1R.
Whanne shal ben his ending day,
¶ Þerfore þenk ofte in drede 493 þenk] haue it H1. in drede] I þe reide R.
Off þis word, word is corrected from world in MS. A1. þat god seide: Read sede. God said: 'Where I find, I bind.' 494 Off þis] þe H1. word] world D. seide] bi fore saide H1.
'Þere i þe finde, i wole þe binde:' 495 wole] sal D.
Lat ofte þat word ben in þi mynde! Remember! 496 þat] þis H1R.
¶ Man, if þu wolt þe world forsake, 497 wolt þe] wylt þen þe (þen blurred) A2, om. D, wilt þis H1R.
And Iesu Crist to þe take, 498 And] And to DH1. to þe] holy þe D, þe H1. take] bi take H1.
Þu most ben ofte in orisoun Pray often.
And in reding of lesczoun. De Scriptura∣rum Lectione. Read. 500 And] And eke H1. lesczoun] gods lessone R.
Wid us god spekeþ, whan we rede In reading, God speaks with us; 501 god spekeþ] to speke D.
Off him and of his goddede, 502 goddede] godhede A2H1, blissed dede R.
And we wid him, ful iwis, in prayer, 503 we wid him ful] he with vs spekiþ H1, we with hym R.
Whan we him bisekeþ þat riht is. we speak with God. Holy Writ is our mirror, where is re∣vealed 504 we] he D. him bisekeþ] him bysech A2, hym bedes D, bi seche him H1R. riht] riȝtful H1.
¶ Holi writ is oure myrour,
In whom we sen al vre socour, 506 sen] seken H1.
And, if we hit wolen vnderstonde, 507 hit wolen] willen it A2D.
Þer we muwen sen and fonge, 507 and 508 read in H1:
If we vndirstond it welle
Þere may we se euery delle. 508 we muwen] may we R. fonge] fonde D, vnderfonde R.
To haue of god þe knowelache, Read knoweleche. knowledge of God. 509 knowelache] knowleching R.
Boþe in þouht[e] and in speche. 510 speche] speking R.
¶ And, if þu wolt haue þe loue
Off god, þat is in heuen aboue, 512 god] Iesu R. is in heuen] in heuen sittes R.
Þu most ben euere in god acord, 513 acord] wille H1.
In pes and loue, and hate descord, De Praeceptis Pucis. Seek peace. 514 and loue] loue D. 514 reads in H1: to hate synne boþ loude & stille.
And ben aboute wid al þi miht,
To make pes bi day and niht; 516 bi] boþ H1.
¶ For Iesu Crist hit seiþ ful wel, God hath proclaimed a blessing to the peace∣maker.
As we hit finden in godspel: 518 hit finden] fynde D. in] in þe A2DH1.
Beati pacifici, quoniam filii Dei uo∣cabuntur. Latin: The text is inserted between 522 and 523 in H1.
A soþ word hit is and no les: 519 hit is] is it H1. no] not R.
'Iblessed be þat makeþ pes:' 520 Iblessed] Blessed H1R. be] be þei A2R, be he H1.
Hij ouhten to ben honured alle, 521 Hij] Þei A2DH1, hom R. ouhten to ben] owte be D, shul be H1, oow to be R.
For 'godes children men shal hem calle.'
¶ Man, if þu wolt to me herkny, 523 to me] come A2 (transposed after herken in R).
Nu i wole speken of merci. De Miseri∣cordia. 524 Nu] om. H1R. wole] sal D. speken] speke su[m]what H1. merci] mercie to þe R.
¶ Soþ[e]liche, wid-oute fable, 525 fable] ony fable H1.
Man, þu most ben merciable. Be merciful.
On Iesu Crist þenk witerli, 527 witerli] entereli H1.
Hou he deiede for merci, Christ hath died 528 for] oonly for H1.
¶ And al for he wolde merci haue 529 al for] for D.
Off hem þat wolde merci craue; 530 Off] On H1R. wolde merci] wyl it mekelyche D, wolde hym mercy R.
For, ar he deiede in flesh and bon,
Merci was þer neuere non.
¶ Bi þis ensaumple ȝe muwen se, for our sake, example of mercy. 533 ȝe muwen] þou mast A2.
Merciable for to be. 534 Merciable] Ful merciable H1.
Ȝif þi neiheboure misdoþ þe, 534 and 535 are omitted in D. 535 þi] ony H1. misdoþ] haue misdone to R.
More or lasse wheiþer hit be, 536 lasse] lesse lasse H1. hit] so hit R.
Or in dede, or in vbbreid, 537 Or] Ouþer A2DH1R. or] ouþer D. in] with H1, om. R. vbbreid] vnbroid D.
Or wid word þe haþ misseid, Misdeeds against thee, 538 Or wid] Ouþer with A2, Oþer in D, Or els with H1. þe] þat he H1 (after has in R). misseid] sayde H1.
And he þer-after of-þinkeþ sore 539 of-þinkeþ] for þynkkiþ A2, a þenke it D, aþynkeþ H1, forthinkus hit R.
And þer-of crieþ merci and ore, 540 crieþ] þe cry D.
For-ȝif hit him for godes loue, forgive for God's love. 541 For-ȝif] Forȝeued D. hit] om. A2H1.
Þat us alle sit aboue!
¶ And, if þu wolt no merci haue 543 if] om. R. wolt] nylt D. no] not A2.
Off him þat doþ þe merci craue, 544 Off] On H1R. him] hom R.
Merci getestu neuere non 545 getestu] gestow DH1.
Off trespas, þat þu hast idon; 546 Off] Of þe A2. þu] þi selfe H1. idon] done A2DH1R.
For god it seiþ in his godspel—547 For] om. D. it seiþ] seiþ it D. his] þe D.
Þere men may finde it ful wel— 548 men] om. H1, mony mon R. ful] om. R. The following text is introduced in R: 'Eadem mensura qua messi fueritis remetietur vobis.'
¶ 'Alswich met as þu metest me, 549 Alswich] Also soch A2, Sweche DR. met] mesure H1. me] to me D.
Alswich i wole mete to þe.' 550 Alswich] Also soch A2, Soche H1, right siche R. wole] sal D. to þe] þe A2, vnto þe D, aȝen to þe H1.
[For-ȝeue, þou man, for þe loue of me, De Indul∣gentia. 551 þou man] om. D, man H1R.
And I wyll for þe loue of þe.] 551 and 552 are omitted in A1. 552 wyll] sal D. for þe] for D, for ȝif for H1.
Nym god ȝeme, man. Þu sist 553 Nym] Take A2H1, Take mon R. god ȝeme] now gome D, gode hede H1. man] þer R. þu sist] þat þou sest A2, þere þou sittest H1, þou saiest R.
In þi paternoster, what þu bist: 554 þi] þo R. what] þare A2, whan H1. bist] bedest A2, biddest H1, prayest R.
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos etc. Latin: etc.] dimittimus etc. A2, di∣mittimus debitoribus nostris DH1R.
Þu seist: 'Swete lord, forȝiue þu me, Pray: 'Sweet God, forgive my guilt, 555 þu] om. R.
Þat i haue gilt aȝeines þe, 556 gilt] trespased H1, mysdone R. þe] om. A2.
Riht as i do alle þo, as I forgive.' 557 as] als D. do] do to DH1R.
Þat me hauen ouht misdo.' 558 me] to me R. ouht] ony þinge H1.
¶ And þu, þat art so cruwel in þouht To the cruel 559 And] O D. þat] om. A2. in þouht] in þy þouȝt A2, and touȝt D.
And wolt to merci herkne noht, 560 wolt] nylt D.
What wole hit [þe] helpe in eny stede 561 þe helpe] helpe A1, helpe þe A2H1, stonde R. stede] way H1.
Þe holi paternoster bede? the pater∣noster avail∣eth nothing. 562 Þe] þi D. bede] for to say H1, þof þou hit bidde R.
Noht, if i dar it seie, 563 Noht if] Nouȝt A2, Ryȝt noȝt H1. dar it] dare wele A2H1, doist (for dorst) D. seie] say and nay A2, say for sooþ H1.
For aȝein þiself[e] þu dost preie, 564 aȝein] aȝenste H1. dost preie] preyst wiþ mooþ H1.
¶ And þe holi bok of soþ[e]nesse 565 And] As A2.
Þer-of bereþ god witnesse 566 god] om. A2R.
And seiþ: 'He þat wole no merci haue, 567 wole no] nelt D.
On ydel doþ he merci craue.' 568 On] In D, ful R. doþ he] he doth A2, may he R.
In patientia MS. A1 reads paciena. vestra possidebitis bitis is written below the line in MS. A1. animas vestras.
Houre swete lord in his speche Our sweet Lord taught his disciples patience.
Hise deciples began to teche 570 began to] he gan to A2, he con R.
And bad hem ben of god suffraunce De Patientia 571 And] he R. bad] om. D.
In alle manere destourbaunce. 571 and 572 are transposed in R. 572 alle] euery D. destourbaunce] of disturb∣aunce D, dissese or chaunce H1.
¶ Ȝif þu art sek in flesh and blod, In sickness, be meek and content. 573 and] or D.
Þu most ben meke and þolemod 574 most] salt D. and] om. R. þolemod] þole mod A2, þole þi mode D, and lowe of mode H1, in al þi mode R.
And þenk[e] þat god it þe sende, Know that it is to help thy poor soul. 575 it þe] þe it A2.
Þi seli soule to amende. 576 to] for to H1.
¶ Ȝif þu hast lore of þi catel, Mourn not loss of pos∣sessions. 577 lore] lose A2H1R, hire D. þi] om. A2.
Biþenk þe þanne swiþe wel, 578 Biþenk] Loke & vmthink R. þanne] man H1, om. R.
Þat of þi-self[e] haddestu noht, Of thyself hadst thou nothing: all is God's gift. 579 haddestu] hast þou (or Last in A2) A2D, þou haddest hit R.
But as hit was þurw god iwrouht; The line is punctuated here with a period in MS. A1. 580 iwrouht] ibouȝt D, wroght R.
And, if god it wole from þe take, What God hath ordered, must be right. 581 it wole from þe] wyll it fro þe A2R, wil fro þe it H1.
Þu ne shalt þerfore no gruching make, 582 ne] om. H1R. þerfore] it þer of D.
¶ Ac suffre al godes wille Be not re∣gretful. 583 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And D.
Boþe lude and eke stille. God's will is best. 584 Boþe] What euer he do boþ H1. eke] om. H1.
¶ And, ȝif þe falleþ trauail on honde, In distress, pain, dis∣grace,
Or pine of bodi, or shame in londe,
Off al þis þu most suffraunt be, be still. 587 Off al þis þu most] Of þis þou most D, þou muste in al þis H1. suffraunt] suffrand A2DH1 (before most) R.
Þouh þe þinke, hit greue þe. 588 Þouh þe] ȝe þoȝ þou H1, þof þou R.
Þenk hou Iesu in-to erþe cam, Remember 589 Iesu] Iesu Criste D.
And þolede pine and shame for man, the agony, 590 þolede] suffrerd H1, for mon he tholyd R. for man] om. R.
And foule was þerto misseid, the vile words, 591 was þerto] þere was R.
And many a skorn on him leid, the scorn laid on Christ. He was silent. 591 and 592 are omitted in H1. In their place are the following two lines:
And many a fowle worde sufferd he þere
Boþ scornyngis and lesinngis on hym þey bere 592 on him] vpon R. leid] was leid (nearly erased) A2, Ileide D.
Wid-oute gruching he held him stille, 593 he] om. R. held him] was ful H1.
And þolede hit al wid milde wille, 594 þolede] suffered H1. hit al] it A2. milde] good H1.
¶ And al l is above the line in MS. A1. he dede for vre sake, 595 al he dede] died D.
For we sholde ensaumple take 596 ensaumple] ensample of him H1, at him ensaumpel R.
To be suffraunt in eueri stede, 597 suffraunt] suffrande A2DR, sufferynge H1. eueri] ilk a R.
Riht as vre lord himselue dede. 598 vre lord] criste H1. himselue] hym D, for vs H1.
And, ȝif a man þurw his power If man 599 a] ony R.
Doþ þe wrong on eorþe her, wrong thee, be not sad. 600 þe] ony H1.
Þenk in þin herte, i preie þe, 601 in] þus in D. þin] om. D.
Off þe wrong and þe vilte, 602 Off þe] And of þe A2, How myche H1. and þe] and of þe A2R, and H1. vilte] wyte A2, vilante (perhaps for vilanie) D.
Þat men to Iesu Crist dede 603 Þat men] Mankynde H1.
Here on eorþe in many stede, 604 on] in DH1R. many] many a DH1R.
¶ And hou he þolede hit mildeliche, 605 þolede hit] it þoled A2, þoled D, sufferid mekelych and H1. mildeliche] mykelich A2, stille H1, myldely R.
Al ffor þi loue, sikerliche. 606 sikerliche] sikerly R. 606 reads in H1: For luf of man with good wille.
On ensaumple of him þu nim, 607 On ensaumple] onsample D. þu] now þou D. nim] take H1.
To suffre wrong for þe loue of him; For love of Christ feel not ill will. 608 þe] om. DH1. loue of him] goddis sake H1.
For, i dar seie soþ[e]liche, 609 dar] dar wel H1. soþeliche] sothly R.
He may be martyr, treweliche, He may be martyr with∣out sword or flame, who is patient for the love of 610 He] Þat a man H1. martyr treweliche] martrid treuly R.
Wid-oute sheding of mannes blod, 611 of mannes] of his D, here of his H1.
Þat may ben here þolemod, 612 may ben] wele may here D, is R. þolemod] þole (verb) mode (substantive) D, of meke mode H1, of thole mode R.
¶ To suffre wrong and vnriht
For þe loue of god almiht: God Al∣mighty.
Ac swich a fiht is vnmeþ, The fight is hard, contra∣ry to nature. 615 Ac] For A2, And D, But H1R. vnmeþ] vnneþe A2, wele vnneþ D, vn eþ H1. 615 reads in R: But vnneth siche a faithe is þere.
For aȝein þe kinde hit geþ. 616 þe] om. R. geþ] seþe D, were R.
¶ Whij? for þe kinde of þi manhede 617 Whij] om. H1. þe] þi D. þi] þe D, om. H1R. manhede] mon R.
Wolde haue wreche of wrongful dede; 618 wreche of wrongful dede] vengaunce a non R. of] for A2.
Ac of Iesu tak þi minde, 619 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And D. Iesu] Iesu criste D. tak] take þou H1.
And fiht aȝein þin owen kinde,
And þu shalt haue for þi goddede In crown of
Off martyrdom þe heie mede. martyrdom have meed.
Ac þu, fersse man, þat art so stout, 623 Ac] For A2, But H1R. þu fersse] þe ferþe (or ferye) D, þou H1. art so stout] so proude art R.
And heih of mod, and herte proud Read prout. God honoreth lowliness. 624 And] om. A2D. heih of] of hyȝe H1. and herte] of herte A2D, & stoute of hert R. proud] om. R.
He wole bowe for noþing 625 He wole] He nyll A2D, þou nylt H1, he wil not R.
To man, ne to heuene king—626 To] Neþere to H1.
¶ And he þat wole him heinen here, The high He 627 he þat] þat D. wole] wold A2. him heinen] hym hye A2H1, hey hym D, heghe hym R.
Þat nele be meke in none manere, 628 þat nele] And wil H1, and wol not R. be meke] bowe R. in none] in no A2D, on noo H1R.
In litel while he shal hit knowe
And falle þerfore swiþe lowe. draweth low: De Humi∣litate. 630 þerfore swiþe] boþ fowle and H1.
Qui se exaltat, humiliabitur, et qui se humiliat, exaltabitur. Latin: exaltat humiliabitur] humiliat exaltabitur A2R. et] om. A2R. humiliat exaltabitur] exaltat hu∣miliabitur A2R.
Þe milde þurw [her] MSS. his. humilite the low He
Ful heie honoured þeih sholen be; 632 heie] Wele A2, lely R. þeih sholen] shall he A2H1R, he sal D.
For þeih i in þeih is in red ink above the line in MS. A1. sholen be drawen on heih lifteth high. 633 þeih] he DH1R.
And wonye e is above the line in MS. A1. god swiþe neih. 634 wonye] wounne with H1.
¶ And pride, it is so foul a last, The fairest angel was hurled from heaven 635 And] For A2D, But H1. it is] is DH1. a] at A2, boþ firste and H1.
Þat out of heuene he was cast. 636 Þat] om. D. heuene] paradys A2.
Þu shalt wel wite, þat i ne liȝe, 637 ne] not R.
For Lucifer [with] his cumpaignye, 638 with] and A1A2DR. his] al his H1.
[Out of heuen, þat was so bryȝte,
In-to helle for pride he toke his flyȝte.] 639 and 640 are omitted in A1A2DR.
Þurw þe pride þat hem gan folewe, through pride. 641 gan] dyde D, con R.
Þe pine of helle hem gan to swolewe, 641 and 642 are omitted in H1. 642 pine] pytt D. hem] þeyme A2. to] om. A2R.
¶ And so he wole don alle and some, 643 And so] So R. he] þei A2, om. H1. wole don] shalle do boþ H1. and some] men R.
Þat in pride be inome. 644 inome] taken R.
[Nowe be þou were, þou proude gome, Beware, proud man! 645 Nowe be þou] þen be H1, Now be R. gome] grome R.
Þat þou ne be in pryde enome:] 645 and 646 are omitted in A1D. 646 ne be] be not H1, om. R. enome] I nome H1, be not nome R.
Cast hit awey, i wole þe rede, 647 wole] sal D, om. H1.
Er of strong pine þe may drede; 648 Er of strong] Or of stronger H1, Or ellis of strong R. þe] þou D.
¶ For siker, and þu be nomen þerinne, 649 siker] sikerly R. nomen] founde H1, tane R.
Heuene maitou neuere winne, 650 maitou] myȝt þou D.
And oþer weye is þer non, 651 þer] þer neuer H1.
Bute to heuene or to helle gon. Pride drags to hell. 652 to helle] helle þou must H1, helle R.
Þanne do bi consail and bi red, MS. A1 bired. 648-653 are omitted in A2. 653 Þanne] Man D. bi] be my D. and bi] and be my D.
And ouercome þe foule qued, 654 þe] þat A2.
Þat fondeþ þe on vch a side, 655 on] in A2. vch] ilk R. a side] syde DH1.
Þe to holde in þi pride. 656 Þe to holde] For to holdene A2, Tho holde þe D, For to hold þe H1R. þi] om. R.
¶ Ac, if þu couþest knowe and se 657 Ac] For A2, And DH1, But R. couþest] kowdest H1. and] or R.
Þe uertu of humilite,
For noþing þu noldest shone, 659 þu noldest] noldest þou A2, þou nost it D, woltest it H1, þou woldist hit R.
Ac hit sholde euere wid þe wone: Have con∣tempt for vanities. 660 Ac] For A2, And D, But H1R.
Off alle uertuz it is hext, 661 hext] þo hext R.
And godes wille it is next. 662 And] And at A2.
Sein Gregory þerof bereþ witnes, 663 þerof bereþ] bereþ þerof A1, bereþ D.
Þat muchel spekeþ of soþ[e]nes: 664 soþenes] mekenesse D.
Qui sine humilitate virtutes ceteras Without hu∣mility holy works are congregat, est quasi, qui in vento puluerem portat. Latin: est] et D, om. H1R. qui] om. A2R, quem D. in vento puluerem] puluerem in vento R.
Man, þou[h] þu do muchel god, 665 do] om. D. muchel] ful meche D, neuer so mikel R.
But þou be meke and þolemod, 666 meke and] lowe & meke of H1. þolemod] þole (verb) mod (substantive) D, mode H1, of thole mode R.
Sein Gregory seiþ, þat holi clerk, 667 þat] þe A2. clerk] chirche A2D.
Þat muchel on ydel is þat werk. 668 on] in A2DR. þat] þi H1, his R.
Hit fareþ bi swiche, as we finde,
As who-so bereþ poudre in grete winde; like dust in wind. 670 who-so] he þat H1. grete] þe H1.
For, bere he neuere so muche, Read miche. 671 bere he] þoȝ he bere H1, of he bere R.
Hit fleþ awey ful lihtliche. 672 fleþ] falleþe D, flyeþ H1R. ful] om. A2.
Off man hit fareþ riht so, 673 Off] Ryȝt be D. riht so] also A2.
For, gode dedes þouh he do, 673 and 674 are transposed in A1, H1, and R. 674 þouh] of R.
Many and fele in vch a side, 675 and] ane D. in] on H1R. a side] syde A2D.
Þer may non wid him abide: 676 him] oþer R.
Bute he haue humilite, 677 Bute] But if H1. humilite] verray humylite R.
Awey þeih wolen fro him fle. Away they fly. 678 Awey] Alle R. þeih wolen fro him] fro hym þay wyl D, þei wil al fro him H1. fle] flye H1.
¶ A god þing is humilite: 678 and 679 are omitted in A2. 679 is omitted in D.
Off him comeþ verray charite, From humili∣ty springeth penitence, of which 680 him] him þat H1.
And penaunce, and eke shrift—681 And] In D.
Þis is of god a wel fair ȝift—De Compune∣tione cordis. 682 Þis] Þat D. wel] om. A2. ful R.
And of him forȝif[e]nesse of sinne. forgiveness is won, 683 of him] of hem D, om. R. sinne] hys synne A2.
Wel is him þat hit may winne! 684 hit may] þat may A2D, may it H1.
¶ Who-so is aferd of his trespaz, 685 Who-so] For who so A2, He þat H1. aferd] affred D.
He shal haue comfort and solaz
Off þe holi gost, witerli, 687 witerli] vtterly H1.
Þat wole [his] soule comforti, the soul's comfort, 688 his] þi A1R, man H1. comforti] confort in hye R.
And make men haue, mid iwisse, 689 men] here D, men to R. mid] mynde A2D, þer myd H1, þer with R. iwisse] wysse D.
Tristi hope to heuene blisse. and everlast∣ing delights. 690 Tristi] Of tresty D.
Sein Daui þer-of spak and seide Read sede. 691 þer-of] om. D.
In þe þe is above the line in MS. A1. sauter, as men rede: 692 as men] boke men may D. rede] do rede H1.
Secundum multitudinem dolorum meo∣rum in corde meo, consolationes tuae laetificauerunt MS. tue letificaueront. animam meam. Latin: meorum] om. R. meo] om. D. consolationes tuoe] om. R.
'[Þe] MS. A1 has so. more man douteþ here sinne, Fear sin! 693 man] a mon R. here] his A2H1R, here of D.
Þe more ioye he shal winne;' 694 he shal] shal he H1.
For, who-so haþ of sinne MS. A1 has his sinne. drede 695 sinne] his sinne A1R.
And nel noht don þat One letter has been erased after þat in MS. A1. foule dede, 696 And] He D. nel] wil H1R. noht] no more R. þat foule dede] þe fende reed H1, hit in dede R.
Hit semeþ, þat he haþ trewe loue
To Iesu Crist, þat is aboue. 698 is] sittiþe A2H1R.
¶ O þing is comen in my þou[h]t, 699 comen] comyn now D. in] to R.
To shewe hit wole i spare noht: 700 hit wole] it nyl A2H1, nil D, hit I wil R. i] om. R.
¶ Ȝif any þat is in holy lyf, The godly 701 þat is] man be H1, is R.
Man, maiden, oþer wif, 702 Man maiden] Man or childe made H1. oþer] or A2H1, wydow oþer D, childe or R.
In any time, þurw any cas, 703 any] one R. þurw] for D. any] a R.
Doþ a litel trespas, for a little trespass 704 Doþ] and dos R. a litel] gret or smale H1.
Þat be aȝein godes wille, 705 be] is H1R.
Oþer loud[e] oþer stille, 706 Oþer] Erly or late H1, be hit R. oþer] or H1, be hit R.
He wole haue more sorwe and drede grieveth more
For þat litel sinful dede, 708 litel] on H1.
Þan many on wole in eny stounde, than doth for his sin 709 on] om. DH1.
Þat lyþ in dedli sinne bounde. 710 lyþ] es D. bounde] I bounde A2H1R, iboude D.
Ȝif ȝe wolen wite herof þe skile, 711 ȝe wolen wite] þou wylt A2R, þou wolt nyt D, ȝe wil H1. þe skile] skyll D, ony þinge wite H1.
Herkne, and i ȝou telle wole: Read wille. 712 i ȝou telle] I þe telle A2R, tell þe I D, I wil tel ȝow H1. wole] ȝitte H1.
Þat man þat lyþ in dedli sinne, the man lying in guilt. 713 Þat] Þe A2DR.
And to singy wole noht blinne, 714 And to singy] Fro day to day and H1, and þo synne he R. wole] wyll he A2, nele DH1.
¶ Gostli wit he haþ ilore. He hath lost 715 wit] syȝt D. ilore] for lore A2DH1.
Whi, i wole telle, [and] wharfore; 716 wole] sal D. telle] þe tell A2. and] om. A1A2, how and D. 716 reads in H1 and R: I wil ȝow telle whi & wharfore. ȝow] þe R.
For gostli siht, witerliche, discernment 717 gostli] þi gostly D. siht] witte H1. witerliche] sikerlyche D, vtterlyche H1.
Man, is þi resoun, sikerliche, 718 Man is þi resoun] Is þi reson man H1. sikerliche] soþelyche D.
Wher-þur[w] þu miht in þi mod 719 Wher-þurw] wheire A2R.
Knowe boþe yuel and god, 720 boþe] om. A2, boþe þe DR, þer bi H1. and] and eke þe D, and þo R.
And shed to make in eueri dede 721 shed] partye H1. to] om. DH1. eueri] alle þi R. dede] stede A2H1.
Bitwene soþnesse and falshede. 722 Bitwene] Hyt wene D, bytwyx R.
¶ And, whan mannes soule, ful iwis, 723 And whan] When A2. mannes soule] man is A2. ful iwis] foule es D, fylid is H1, I wis R.
Þurw dedli sinne ifiled is, 724 Þurw dedli] And þorouȝ A2, þorow þe fende and H1. ifiled is] fouled es D, I wisse H1, fyled is R.
His knowelaching is al gon; 725 His knowelaching] Here knawlagyng D, gostly knowynge H1, his know∣ing R. al gon] agone A2, al agone D.
For wit ne siht haþ [he] MS. A1 has here. non, 726 ne] nor A2.
Wherfore þe sinful man and 727 Wherfore þe] þerfor þe sori H1.
Noþer he ne may ne he ne can 728 ne may] maye H1R. ne he ne] nouþere he ne A2, ne noþer he H1, ne he R.
His owen stat [a]riht ise, cannot see 729 ariht] riht A1R, ryȝt wel H1. ise] see A2R.
¶ Ne knowe in what lyf he be 730 he] þat he R.
For þisternesse, þat he is inne 731 þisternesse] derkenes A2, þe derknesse D, þe sternesse H1, merkenes R.
Þurw þe filþe of dedli sinne. the filth of deadly sin; but the holy hath 732 filþe] fylyng R.
¶ Ac he þat liueþ in holy lyf, 733 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And D. he] þoo R.
Man, mayden, oþer wyf, 734 oþer] childe or R. 734 reads in H1: Be he man mayde or wyfe.
And serueþ god on eorþe her, 735 serueþ] serued D. on eorþe] euer A2, in erþe H1.
His gostli siht is swiþe cler; spiritual sight. 736 is] om. D. swiþe] ful H1R.
For þerwid he may knowe and se—737 se] sene D.
In what lyf[e] þat he be—738 is omitted in D.
God and yuel, lasse and more, 739 and] oþer D. and] oþer D.
Al he knoweþ þurw godes lore; The Al∣mighty guideth him 737-740 are omitted in H1 and R.
¶ For widinne him is god almiht
And ȝeueþ him grace of gostly siht 742 And ȝeueþ him] þat is R.
To sen and knowe in his mod 743 sen and knowe] know ande to se D.
Þe longe lyff, þat is so god,
And þe drede of domes-day, to fear the day of eternity.
And þe pine þat lasteþ ay,
Wher-þurw hij sholen þe more drede 747 hij sholen] þei scholen A2R, he sal D, þei haue H1.
And flen sinne in al here dede. 748 And] to R. flen] flye H1. in] and A2, bi H1. here] his (nede has been crossed out after his.) D, maner H1. dede] rede H1.
¶ Here ȝe muwen se þe wrong 749 ȝe muwen se] we mow sene D. þe] boþ ryȝt and H1.
And knowe, wher-on [hit] MS. A1 has his. is long, 750 knowe] se R. long] alange A2.
Þat sinful man may noht se 751 Þat] And D, þe H1. may] om. D.
Hise giltes, þou[h] þeih MS. D has þay þay. grete be.
¶ Listneþ nouþe to my speche, 753 nouþe] now H1R.
And of nedful þing i wole ȝou teche. Needful is desire after righteous∣ness, therefore 754 of nedful] mede H1, nedeful R. wole ȝou] sal þe D, wil þe R.
Off holi churche it is þe lore, 755 churche] clerge D.
Þat spekeþ to alle, lasse and more, 756 lasse] boþ lasse H1.
And seiþ: 'Man, while þu miht liue, 757 miht] may DR.
Loke þat þu be ofte shriue.' De Con∣fessione. 758 ofte] elene R. shriue] Iscryue A2H1.
¶ Anon, so þu hast sinne wrouht, at once 759 Anon so] als sone as R. wrouht] I wrouȝht A2DH1.
While it is newe in þi MS. A1 reads þi þi. þouht, 760 While] þe whyle D.
Anon to shrifte þat þu gange, Read gonge. proceed to confess. 761 Anon] On on D. þat] loke þat H1.
Ne dwelle þu noht þerwid to longe; 762 þu] om. A2. noht þerwid] þerwith nauȝt D.
For, if þu dost, þu miht wel wite, 763 miht] maist A2, may DR.
Þat sumwhat shal be forȝete, Read forȝite. 764 sumwhat] som gylt D. shal be] þu myȝte H1. forȝete] for ȝete of hit R.
Wher-þurw þu miht be blamed, 765 miht] maiste DR.
And at þe dom sore ashamed. 766 sore] þerof D, ful sore R.
¶ Þerfore, man, while þu miht liue, 767 miht] mayȝt DR.
Loke, þat þu be [clene] MS. A1 has ofte. shriue, 768 shriue] I schryue A2DH1.
Wid sorwe of herte and repentaunce, 769 of] at þyne A2.
And of þe prest tak þi penaunce. Penance from the priest is healing 770 þe] þy A2.
Þis is a riche medicine, 771 riche] aryȝt D, a good & ryche H1, rightful R.
Hit shildeþ man fro helle pine. 772 man] þe right wys man D. helle] om. D.
A betre þing was neuere founde,—773 was] nas A2. founde] ifounde A2DH1.
For hit may hele dedli wounde—for deadly wound. 774 may hele] makes holle R.
And, who-so euere wole hit craue, 775 who-so] he þat H1.
Wid-outen cost he may hit haue.
¶ Man, ne lat hit for no shame, In shame delay confes∣sion, 777 ne] no D. lat] late þou A2, leue H1. hit] þou R.
Last þu falle þerfore in blame. 778 falle þerfore] þerfore falle R. blame] gret blame D.
If þu nilt for shame [shewe] hit her, 779 nilt] lette H1, wilt not R. shewe] om. A1, to shew H1. hit] hem H1R.
Hit shal ben shewed elle[s]wher MS. A1 eller wher. and all the creatures that ever were shall see and hear. 780 Hit] þei H1R. elles] als H1.
To alle þe shaftes þat euere were, 781 shaftes] creatures D, folke H1, men R.
And alle þeih sholen sen and here. 782 And] om. D. sen] hom se R. and here] it þer D.
Nihil absconditum, MS. A1 Nichil abscunditum. quod non scietur, nec occultum, quod non reueletur, MS. A1 releuetur. Latin: absconditum] occultum D, optatum H1. scietur] reueletur H1R. occultum] absconditum H1. reueletur] sciatur H1R.
And þer-of þu shalt haue shame 783 þer-of] þeire A2.
And þer-to wel muche blame. 784] wel] ful R.
Tweye manere shame men fint in boke, 785 manere] maner of DR.
Who-so wole þerafter loke:
Þat on goþ to dampnacioun; 787 Þat on] Þe tone D.
Þat oþer, to sauuacioun. 788 Þat oþer] Þe toþer D. to] vnto D, goþ to H1.
¶ Ȝif ȝe wole wite hou hit be, 789 ȝe wole wite] he wytt D, þu wilt wite H1R. hou] what H1. hit] þis may R.
Sitteþ stille, and herkneþ me: 790 me] to me A2. 790 has the following readings in D and in H1R (l. 328):
Harkeneþ alle now to me D.
Herken & I wil telle þe H1R. (l. 328)
¶ Man, þouh þu haue sinne wrouht True shame, 791 þouh] ȝef A2DR. sinne] foule synne A2D. wrouht] Iwrouȝt A2D, don H1R.
In word, in dede, and in þouht, 792 and] ouþere A2, or D. 792 reads in H1 and R: Loþly & fele many∣oon. fele] foule R. (Cp. l. 838 in A1.)
If þu art þiself þerof ashamed, in regret and sorrow, 793 þiself þerof] þyself A2, þerof H1.
And at þin herte sore agramed, 794 at] in D. sore] þerof D.
¶ And ne sparest for shame ne for eiȝe, 795 ne] om. R. for] ne for D, not for R. shame ne for eiȝe] loue ne ay R.
Þat þu hit nilt in shrifte seie, craves par∣don. 796 Þat] But þat H1. hit nilt] nylt it A2D, wilt H1, hom wilt R.
Off god þu miht wel lihtliche 797 þu] þat H1, om. R. miht] may D, þen may þou R. wel lihtliche] lightly R.
Forȝifnesse haue, sikerliche. Forgiveness wins 798 sikerliche] wele sykerlyche A2, sikerly R.
Þis ilke shame, be my croun,
Draweþ al to sauuacioun. eternal heaven. 800 al] þe R.
¶ Þat oþer shame so is þis: False shame 801 Þat] þe D. so is þis] soch it is A2, for soþ is þis H1, for sothe hit is R.
Ȝif a man haþ don amis 802 ȝif] ȝif þat D.
And foule sinne[s] MS. A1 sinneþ. haþ iwrouht, 803 foule] many fowle H1. iwrouht] wroȝt DH1R.
And wole for shame shewe hem noht 804 wole] nyl A2D. hem] it D.
In his shrifte to þe prest,
He wraþþeþ sore Iesu Crist.
For-ȝifnes, iwis, ne tit him neuere, 807 iwis] om. D. ne tit him] tydeþ hym A2R, ne tydde D, tidde hym H1.
But in helle to brennen euere. 808 to brennen] to brynne for A2, to wou D, fyre burne for H1, fire brenne R.
¶ Whi artu more ashamed to speke fears to show guilt. 809 more] nere D. to speke] a word to speke A2.
A word, þan godes heste to breke? 810 A word þan] Þane þou art A2. to] for to D.
Þis is foule, wicked shame, This wicked shame brings death. 811 is] is þe A2D, ilke H1R.
Þat bringeþ sinful man in blame. 812 Þat] om. H1R. sinful] a synful H1. man] men A2D. in] in gret D, to H1, in mikel R.
Þe lore þat comeþ out of godes mouþ, 813 out] om. A2. The manuscript con∣tinues with the Latin following 814 in H2.
To alle men hit sholde be couþ:
Lauamini, et mundi estote. De Poeni∣tentia. 459-814 and the Latin text fol∣lowing are omitted in H2.
Iesu spak and seide ene: 815 Iesu] Iesu Criste D, Thus Iesu H2. and seide] to hem al DH1. ene] euene A2H2, bidene DH1.
'Wassheþ ou, and beþ clene.' Wash there∣from. 816 beþ] be ȝe made H1.
Kindeliche ofte men seþ, 817 Kindeliche] Kendely H2R. ofte men] often∣tyme men H1, menne ofte tyme H2, of men R.
Wid water men wassheþ, þat foule beþ, 818 wassheþ] wasshe hem H1.
¶ And In MS. A1, d is in red ink above the line. hot water, be þu bold, 819 And] For H2.
Makeþ clannere þan doþ cold. 819 and 820 are inserted between 828 and 829 in H2. 820 Makeþ] wasshis R. doþ] þe A2DH2, dos þo R.
Al þis i seie sikerliche, 821 Al] And al H1. þis i] I hyte H2. sikerliche] sekerlye H2.
For to speken openliche, 822 speken] schew D. openliche] openlye H2.
¶ What hit is for to mene: 823 hit is] is hit R.
'Wassheþ ou, and beþ clene.' 824 beþ] beþ made H1.
Summe wassheþ, ac noht ariht, 825 wassheþ] wasshen hom R. ac] bot A2H1R, and D.
For þe clannere beþ hij no wiht. 823-826 are omitted in H2. 826 For] Neuere A2. hij] þei A2DH1R. no] ne A2, nauȝt DR. wiht] white A2, ryȝt D, whiȝt H1, dight R.
Þe hote teres of mannes eiȝe Read iȝe. Weep, and 827 mannes] a mannes D.
Makeþ clannere þan any liȝe. 828 Makeþ] Þay makeþ D, washeþ H1.
Many on wepeþ for his misdede, 829 Many on] Many A2R, And noman D. his] here A2R.
Ac to do sinne noht hij ne drede: leave sin. 830 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And D. noht] om. A2H1R, he nyl nouȝt D. hij ne] þei no A2, om. D, he hav no H1, þai han no R.
¶ He weneþ, wasshe him wid þat water, 831 He weneþ] Þei wene H1R. wasshe him] þay wassh hym D, to wasshe hem H1R.
And he is foul neuere þe later. 832 he is] es D, ȝit þei beþ H1, þai ben R. foule] foulid R.
Whij? For ȝit wole he noht sinne fle: 833 Whij] om. R. ȝit wole he] ȝif he nyl D, þei wil H1, if þai wil R. fle] and fle A2, flye H1.
Iwis, vnclene he shal be. 834 he shal] sall he D, þei shulle H1R. 834 reads in A2: He was vnelene so schall he be.
Ac anoþer manere wasshing 835 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And eke D.
Makeþ clene of alle þing: 836 Makeþ] Clense D.
Man, þouh þou haue sinne don, 837 þouh] if R. don] idone D.
Lodlich and foule many on, 838 Lodlich] Dedelyche (Cp. l. 792 in H1R.) D, lodely R. (The last word of line 838 is lost through a hole in the parchment in D.)
¶ Ȝif þu hast wille to leue þi sinne. 839 leue] lete D.
Þat þu no more ne come þerinne, 829-840 read on a in H2:
Sorowe of herte and repentawnce (Cp. l. 769 in A1.)
And for ȝowre synnys doo penawnce (Cp. l. 474 in A1.)
Shalle graunte ȝowe myghte & space
Iesu cryste too sene hys fface
Lady crownyd. heuene qwene
Preye for vs alle be dene
To thy sone. kynge of heuene
For hys holy namys seuene
That he vs graunte. hys ryche blysse
That we therof nott ne mysse
And that hit soo mote bee
Amen. Amen for seynte charyte
EXPLICIT SPECULUM GY DE WAREWYKE SECUNDUM ALQUINUM HEREMITE
840 no more] more D. ne] om. H1R. come] falle R.
Of þin eiȝen þe hote teres, Hot tears of repentance
Þat goþ adoun bi þine leres,
Hij wolen make god acord make har∣mony between thy soul and God. They cleanse from sin. 843 Hij] þay DH1R. god] a good H1.
Bitwene þi soule and oure lord
And make þe clene of þi sinne, 840-845 are omitted in A2.
Wher-þurw þu miht heuene winne. 846 miht] salt D.
¶ Nu ȝe muwe witen, what it is to mene: 847 ȝe muwe] may þou R. it is] is R.
'Wassheþ ou, and beþ clene;' 848 beþ] be ȝe made H1.
Ac he þat wole clene be, 849 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And D. he] ȝe R.
Certes [synne] he mot fle. 850 synne] sum what A1A2R, deedly synne H1. he] ȝe R. mot] moste A2H1R. fle] flye H1.
¶ Wole ȝe here ȝit eft sone 851 eft] efter R.
Off þing þat nedful is to done; 852 Off] One R. nedful] medeful D. to] to be H1.
Hit is godes owen lore, De non Tar∣dando Con∣verti ad Do∣minum. 853 godes owen] Iesu Criste D.
Þat spekeþ to alle, lasse and more: 854 Þat] om. D. alle] al men H1.
Ambulate, dum lucem habetis, ne tenebrae vos MS. A1. te tenebre nos. comprehendant.
'Go, man, while þat þu hast liht, Haste, lest 855 þat] om. A2H1R.
Lest þe of-take þe derke niht.' night sur∣prise. 856 of-take] ouere take A2H1R.
Þi lyf, man, is cleped liht, Life is day: death is night. 857 is cleped] I clepe þi D, is cald þi R.
And þi deþ þe derke niht. 858 þe] is þe A2, þi D.
While þu art on liue, þu miht worche While it is day, do works of love. 859 þu miht] and may D, þo maiste H1R.
Godes werkes of holi churche, Read wirche: chirche. 860 Godes werkes] To don warkes D, Good warkis and lawful H1.
And, certes, whan þat þu art ded, 861 þat] om. A2DH1R.
Þanne maitou don noþer god ne qued. 862 Þanne maitou] Þou mayȝt D. don noþer] nouþere do A2DR. ne] nor A2.
¶ Þerfore, man, i warne þe,
While þu miht gon and se, 864 While] Þe while A2, þat while D, whil þat R. þu miht] mayȝt þou D, þow maiste H1R.
In gode weyes sped þe faste! Speed fast.
Lef, þe niht þe wole agaste, The dark night brings terror. 866 Lef] Les A2, Laste DR, Els H1. þe wole] wil þe R.
And sikerliche widoute nay, 867 And] For D.
At þi dei[i]ng MS. A1 deijng. shal ben þi domesday,
For þere shal ben irekened al Then shall be counted all thy deeds.
Þat euere distu, gret and smal. 870 distu] dedest þou A2, þou diste H1, þou didist R. and] or A2D.
Þere þu shalt knowe and se
God or yuel, wheiþer it be, wheiþer it be is written on erasure in MS. A1. 872 or] and A2, oþer D. it be] þay benn D.
And þanne, par aunter, wo[lde]stu fain 873 And þanne] þen H1. woldestu] þou woldest A2, noldest þou D.
Biginne to worche and turne aȝein; 874 Biginne] By D.
¶ Ac, certes, þu ne shalt noht go, 875 Ac] Bot A2H1R, And D. ne] om. DH1R. noht go] so A2, not soo H1R.
Ac riht after þu MS. A1 þat þu. hast do, As thy deeds, shall be thy judgment. 876 Ac] Bot A2DH1R. þu] þt þu A1R.
Þu shalt fonge verreement 877 shalt fonge] schalt A2, afong D, shalt fynde þere H1, shalt take R.
Þare þi rihte iugement. 878 Þare] Fong þeire A2, For soþ H1. rihte] om. A2, owen H1, rightwis R.
Et ideo ambulate, dum lucem habetis.
Deþ is gilour swiþe strong Death is a deceiver, and deceives many, therefore 879 gilour] a gylour A2. swiþe] om. A2.
And gileþ many on euere among, 880 gileþ] be gyle D, bigiles R. many on] man A2D (D has an erasure of m before man.), many men (The e in men is defective through a small hole in the parchment.) H1.
Þerfore worch, while þu mait, 881 worch] man wirch A2, om. D. while þu mait] while mayt D, with out cessyngis H1, whil þat þou maght R.
For sodeyneliche þu miht be caiht. 882 For] Wyrche gude for D. miht be] may be A2R, mayt D, miȝt han þyn H1. caiht] endyngis H1.
Initium sapientiae, MS. Inicium sapiencie. timor domini: De Timore Domini.
'Drede of god in alle MS. A1 al alle. þing fear God,
Off wisdom is þe biginning;' 884 is þe] þis is þe first A2.
And many hauen of god drede, but not in dread, 885 And many hauen of] And many on haþe of DR, Man haue euer H1. drede] in drede H1.
Ac noht for loue of his godhede, 886 Ac] Bot A2R, And D, For H1. noht for loue] lesingis of H1.
But last þeih sholde for here gilt 887 But] And H1. last] lat A2, þat R. þeih sholde] þei shullen D, þat þou shalt H1. here] þaire D, þi H1.
In-to strong pine ben ipult. Probably read ipilt. See l. 239. 888 strong] om. A2. ipult] pute D, plyte H1, pilt R.
¶ Hit fareþ bi swiche, i vnderstonde,
As hit doþ here bi þe bonde: 890 As] Also A2. þe] a H1.
Þe bonde nele noþer loude ne stille as the bonds∣man before his lord. 891 nele] wil H1R. noþer] neuere A2.
Don noht aȝein his lordes wille— 892 noht] om. H1, oght R. The manuscript ends with 892 in A2.
Ac þat nis for loue ne for acord, 893 Ac] and D, But H1R. nis] es DR, nowþer H1. for] for no DR. ne for] no for no D, ne for non R.
Þat he haþ toward his lord—894 toward] to R.
For, if he dede, he wot wel, 895 wot] wote ful D, wist hit R.
He sholde lese of his catel; 896 sholde lese] lese suld D.
And ȝit hit fareþ bi man also, 897 ȝit] riȝt D.
Þat spareþ more sinne to [do] MSS. A1A2 have go. 898 Þat] om. D. spareþ] lettes R. to] for to D.
For þe doute of gret pining, Fear the 899 þe] om. R.
Þan for þe loue of heuen king. 900 Þan] om. H1. þe loue] loue DR. King of Heaven, so that
¶ It is noht euel so to biginne, 901 biginne] gynne DH1.
For drede of pine to late þi sinne, thou mayst catch grace 902 late þi] lete D, leue H1, leeue his R.
For sone after he may kacche grace 903 sone after he may] he may sonn aftyr D, soon after þou myȝt H1.
To biþenke him on godes face, 904 biþenke] be þenke DR. him on] hym of DR, þe in H1.
Hu murie hit were, to haue þe siht 905 þe] a D, þat H1.
Off godes face, þat is so briht! 906 godes] þat D, his H1. so briht] bryȝt so H1.
¶ And so he shal casten his loue 907 so] þus D. he] om. R. shal] may þen H1, þen shal he R.
To Iesu Crist, þat is aboue, 908 is] syttes DR.
And leten and flen sinful dede, to flee the evil world, 909 leten and flen] lete flene D, leue and flye H1, leeue & fle alle R.
Boþe for loue and eke for drede. 910 eke] om. H1R. The manuscript ends with 910 in H1.
Ac, who-so wole don be my lore, 911 Ac] and D, But R.
Iwis he shal spare more, 912 spare] lett R.
To flen sinne day and niht, 913 day] bothe day R.
For drede to lese þat faire siht lest thou lose the sight of God's glori∣ous face.
¶ Off godes face, þat is so cler, 915 Off] And of D.
Off whom we han al oure power, 916 Off] And of D.
Þan for drede of any wo, 917 any] oure R.
Þat any þing mihte hem do. 918 mihte hem] hym myȝt (over crasure) D, vs might R.
¶ Leue frend, herkne to me, 919 herkne] herken now D.
And more i wole speke to þe; Be piteous to the poor. 920 more i wole] meche I sal D.
For in þe godspel i wole rede De Eleemo∣synis. 921 þe godspel i wole] þis boke I sal D, þo gospel as we R.
Off þe uertu of almesdede.
Þin almesse þu shalt forþ puite, Put forth alms. 923 almesse] almes dede R. puite] pitte R.
And spare hit noht, þouth hit be luite: 924 1st hit] om. D. luite] litte R.
[In þe godspel it es write,
I sal, man, þat þou it wite.] 925 and 926 are omitted in A1R.
God seiþ þus in his lore:
'Man, if þu miht ȝeue no more Give but a cup of cold water in love,
¶ But a dishful of cold water,
Þu shalt hit ȝeue neuere þe later 930 shalt hit ȝeue] putt hit forth R.
Wid gode wille and wid charite, 931 wid charite] in pyte D, charite R.
And ful wel it worþ ȝolden þe.' 932 worþ] wroþ D, bes R. ȝolden] iȝolde D. and it will re∣ward thee.
And, whan þu shalt haue þank and mede 933 whan] hou D. haue þank and] be þenke for þat D.
For so litel an almesdede,
¶ Siker maitou þanne be, 935 maitou þanne] þen may þou R.
If þu ȝeuest muche in charite
To god, þu miht þe betre spede, 937 To] Tho D. miht] salt D.
And þe more shal ben þi mede. 938 more] more hym D.
Enes i it vnderstod, In almsdeed is double good. 939 i it] hit I R. 939 reads in D: Twys. I anderstand.
Þat in almesdede is double god: 940 þat in] In R.
¶ It fordoþ sinne, wite it wel,
And hit wole eche þi catel.
And, if þu art her-of in drede,
Hu hit mihte so be in dede, 944 so be] be so DR.
A god witnesse i wole drawe, This learn of 945 A] I R. wole] sal D.
On ensaumple of þe olde lawe. old law. 946 On ensaumple of þe] In þe sample in D.
¶ Holi writ, þat wole noht liȝe, 947 þat] om. R. wole] nyl D. liȝe] be leis R.
Spekeþ of þe profete Eliȝe, 948 Spekeþ] It telleþe D, þat spekes R.
Hou Iesu Crist, houre lo[ue]rd swete, Christ sent
Spak to Eliȝe þe profete. Elijah to a
To a pore widewe he him sende, widow to impart to her this twofold virtue. 951 To] And to D. he] om. D
Here beyþere lyf [for] for is supplied from D. to amende. 952 beyþere] pore D, bothus R. for to] to A1R.
He seide: 'Eliȝe, þu shalt fare
In-to Sarepte and wone þare. 954 wone] lye D.
¶ Þer is a widewe, þat shal þe fede, 955 shal þe] þou sal D, wil þe R.
And i wole ȝelde wel hire mede.' 956 i wole] sal D. wel] her ful wel R.
¶ Þe profete Helie began anon Elijah
Forþ in his weie for to gon. 958 in] on R.
At þe ȝate of þe cite þe widewe he mette, 959 þe] þat R.
And faire anon he hire grette. met the widow, and
He bad hire for godes loue, asked for
Þat us alle sit aboue, 962 alle sit] sittes alle R.
A di[sh]ful MS. A1 has difful. water she sholde him ȝiue, water and bread, to help him to live. 963 dishful] disful of DR. she] he R.
For to helpen him to liue. 964 2nd to] vnto D, for to R.
¶ Þe widewe seide, she wolde fain,
And to serue him she turne aȝe[i]n.
After hire he gan to crie, 967 he gan] began D, he bygan R.
And bad hire þat she sholde hie.
'Do,' he seide, 'be my red, 969 be] aftyr D.
Bring me wid þe a shiue bred!' 970 Bring] And brynge D. me] om. R. shiue] schyne D, shyuer of R.
Þe widewe him answere[de] MS. D reads answerd. anon: 971 him] þo D, om. R.
'Siker,' she seide, 'bred haue i non, The widow had nothing
Ne noht, þat i mihte þe ȝiue, 973 noht] nauȝt elles D. þe ȝiue] ȝeue D.
For to helpe þe to liue, 974 2nd to] for to D.
¶ But an handful mele in o picher but a handful of meal and some oil. 975 mele in o] of mele in a R.
And a litel oyle, þat is cler,
Þat i mot make of mete here 977 of] in D, on R. here] now here D.
To me and to my children ifere; 978 to] om. R. ifere] in fere DR.
And seþþe we moten deie in sore, She would eat and die. 979 deie in] die R.
For mete haue we no more.' 980 haue we] ne haue D.
¶ Þe profete hire answerede þo: 981 hire answerede þo] vnswerid hyr so R.
'Abid,' he seide, 'er þu go! Elijah said: 'Give me first. 982 Abid] And badde her D, I bid þe R.
First, þer-of mak me mete, 983 þer-of] he said D.
And, whan þat i hit haue iete, 984 i hit] hit I R. iete] hete D, ete R.
Off þat bileueþ, þu shalt make What re∣mains, use for thyself.' 985 bileueþ] þat leeues R.
For þe and for þi children sake.'
¶ Þis seli widewe þo wel sone The good woman 987 Þis] Þe DR. þo wel] þen ful R.
Grauntede MS. A1 has an erasure after t. wel al his bone: 988 al] to do R.
For his loue, þat him þider sende, brought him food. 989 him þider sende] Iudas solde R.
Hire litel mete she wolde spende. 990 she] he (perhaps for ho of l. 963) D. she wolde spende] shewe ho wolde R.
Þo þe profete þis iseih, Then the prophet turned his eyes to God. 991 Þo] When R. iseih] hym seghe R.
His eiȝen he kest to god on heih: 992 he kest to god] to god he kast R.
To him he made an orysoun, 993 made an] mende his D.
And anon god putte his fuisoun Abundance came upon the meal and
Vp-on hire mele in hire picher 995 hire] þe D.
And on hire oyle, þat is cler. the oil. 996 on] in R. is] was so D, was R.
¶ Þo seide anon þe profete He said 997 Þo] Þen R.
To þe widewe wordes swete: 998 and 999 are over erasure in MS. A1. sweet words:
'Ne dred þe noht, womman, in þi þouht! 'Fear not: 999 Ne] no D. þi] om. D.
Þi mele ne shal wante noht, thy meal shall not diminish: thy oil shall increase.' 1000 ne] om. DR. wante] wane D, want right R.
And þin oyle shal waxen: sikerli 1001 waxen] wereyn D.
Þi lome shal noht ben empti.' 1002 Þi] and þi R.
¶ Gret plente hadde þe widewe þo,
While she liuede euere mo. 1004 While she] And þe while ho D, whil þat ho R.
Now þu miht knowe in þi mod, This proves, that in alms∣deed lies two∣fold good. It removes sin, so that thou mayst win heaven. 1005 miht knowe] knowest R. in] wele in D.
Þat in almesse dede is double god: 1006 Þat] om. R.
Almesdede for[doþe þi synne], 1007 þi] om. R.
And þer-þur[w] [men may heuen wyn[ne]]; 1008 men] þou R.
And þi god sh[al multiplie], It adds to earthly goods.
So seiþ þe bok, [þat nyl nauȝt lye]. 1010 nyl] wil R.
¶ Þe godspel sei[þe to þe and me]: God says: 'Give, and men shall give to thee.' 1011 Þe] For þe D.
'Ȝif and men sha[l ȝefe þe].'
In anoþer stede, [I haue wytnesse],
Þat god self se[ide] [in soþenesse]: 1014 self] hym selfe D, hym R. seide] saies R.
'Al þat þu dost [for loue of me] 1015 for] for þo R.
To þe leste of m[yn meyne],
Riht to my-sel[fe, wete it wele],
Þu dost þi pres[ent euery dele].' 1018 euery] ilk a R.
¶ Glad maitou [be þan in þi þouȝt], Be glad in thy gift: 1019 be þan] be R.
Also ofte as þ[ou maytȝ ȝeue ouȝt], 1020 Also] Als DR.
For, þu miht [wele vnderstande], Read vnderstonde. thou 1021 miht] maytȝ D, may nowe R.
Þu takest hit [gode with þi honde]; takest it to 1022 with þi] in his R.
For godes w[orde in soþenesse] God with thy hand.
Þer-of bereþ [gude wyttnes]: 1024 Þer-of bereþ] Berþe þer of D.
'A man [may] man man is in MS. A1. b[e nouȝt to quede], Thou art not too vile to feed Christ. 1025 A] Þer fore R. may] om. R. quede] gnede R.
Iesu Crist for to [fede];'
For þer-wid þu [myȝt wele spede] 1027 þer-wid þu myȝt] þou may þer with R.
And heuene h[aue vnto þi mede]. Eternal joy will be thine. 1028 haue vnto] blis gete to R.
To þa[t] blisse [he] [vs bryng], 1029 he] om. A1D.
Þat is king [ouer all[e] þyng], Almighty King, show grace to us, that we may serve Him! 1030 king] lord R.
¶ And ȝeue us [grace, while we be here], 1007-1031 are defective in A1. The page has been cut through the middle of folio 48 a. Folio 48 b is wanting. The lines have been completed from MS. D. 1031 ȝeue] he gefe D.
[To serue hym and hys moder dere 1032 and hys moder dere] þat vs boght dere R.
In trowþe, loue, and in charite. 1033 trowþe] trewe R. in] om. R. The colophon reads in R: EXPLICIT HIC SPECULUM VTILE ISTIUS MUNDI.
Amen. Amen. So mot it be.] Amen. Amen. 841-1034 are omitted in H2. The manuscript ends with 840. For colophon, see the Introduction. 1032-1034, through loss of b, are not found in A1. The text follows b in D.