Middle English Version of the Speculum Vitae attributed to William of Nassington / transcribed from BL MS Additional 33995 by Christine Robinson MED stencil ?a1375 *?Nassyngton SV (Add 33995:Robinson) Nassington, William of Robinson, Christine 824 kB University of Michigan Library Ann Arbor, Michigan 2023 CME90022

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 The Middle English Version of the Speculum Vitae attributed to William of Nassington / transcribed from BL MS Additional 33995 by Christine Robinson Oxford Oxford Text Archive unknown

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 English, Middle (1100-1500) 2023-02-13pfsMURPAdded basic markup to raw text obtained from OTA. Compared file to R. Hanna's print edition. Added line numbers and MILESTONE tags. Added chapter divisions corresponding to the outline in Hanna (1:3-4) in order to aid navigation, making use of headings in the MS when convenient.2026-05-08pfsMURPHeader created and attached.
OTA0022 OTA0022 CME90022 Middle English Version of William of Nassington's (?) Speculum Vitae MED stencil ?a1375 *?Nassyngton SV (Add 33995:Robinson) Transcribed from BL MS Additional 33995 by Christine Robinson February, 2023

Obtained as raw text from the Oxford Text Archive (no. 0022). MEC has added markup, folio references, line numbers, and chapter divisions (based on those in Hanna). The transcription makes no attempt to distinguish y/Y and þ/Þ or to supply punctuation.

 [Prologue] Almyghty Godde in Trynyte In wham anely er persons thre Fader and Sone and Haly Gast Yat er a Godde als we trowe mast Spede vs now at yis bygynnyng And graunt vs alle gode endyng And gif me grace swilk wordes to say Yat may be mast Godde to pay And to hym louyng and worschepe And to ye fende shame and shenship And to yhow yat me heres alswa Hele of saul and til alle ya Yat has nede of gode counsaylle And mede to me for my trauaylle Prayes alle now par charite Specially yat it swa be And yareto ilk man with godewille Bidde a Pater Noster stille Gode men and wymmen I yhou pray Takes gode kepe to yat I say And takes no rewarde to my dedes Al if I be synful yat redes Ne to my persoun ne to my body Yat I hald feble and vnworthy For al if I be of ille maners Ye wordes I rede er neuer ye wers For alle gode wordes men suld prayse And noght lacke ne loue yat yam says Yarefore takes na rewarde to me Wethir I am gode or ille to se Bot to my wordes anely takes kepe And whyle I speke kepe yhou fra slepe And on alle yat heres me right Ye benysoun of God mot lyght I warne yhow first at ye bygynnynge I wil make na vayne carpynge Of dedes of armes ne of amours Als dose mynstraylles and iestours Yat mas carpynge in many place Of Octouayne and Isambrase And of many othir iestes And namely whan yai cum to festes Ne of ye lyf of Beuis of Hamptoun Yat was a knyght of grete renoun Ne of Sir Gye of Warwyke Al if it myght sum men lyke I thynk my carpynge sal noght be For I hald yat noght bot vanyte Bot yis salbe my carpynge To carp of mast nedefull thynge Yat sykirest es for saul and lyf To man and womman mayden and wyf Yarefore gode men yat er here Listens me and yhe may lere How yhe sal rewell here yhour lyf And gouerne wele yhour wyttes fyue How yhe sal folow Goddes wille And knaw bathe gode and ille And what yhe sal chese and what forsake And what way yhe sal to heuen take In Inglische tunge I sal yhow telle If yhe so lange with me wil dwelle Na Latyne wil I speke ne wast Bot Inglische yat men vses mast For yat es yhour kynde langage Yat yhe haf mast here of vsage Yat can ilk man vnderstande Yat es borne in Ingelande For yat langage es mast shewed Als wele amonge lered als lewed Latyne als I trowe can nane Bot ya yat has it of skole tane Summe can Frankische and na Latyne Yat vsed has court and dwelled yarin And som can of Latyne aparty Yat can Frankys bot febilly And som vnderstandes Inglische Yat nouthir can Latyn ne Frankische Bot lered and lawed alde and yhunge Alle vnderstandes Inglische tunge Yarefore I hald it mast siker yan To shewe ye langage yat ilk man can And al for lewed men namely Yat can na manere of clergy To kenne yam war mast nede For clerkes can bathe se and rede In sere bokes of haly writte How yai sal lif if yai loke itt Yarefore I wil me haly halde To yat langage yat Inglisch es called Gode men vnderstandes me now Ye right way I sal kenne yhow Yat yhe may halde whyle yhe lif And swilk a lessoun I sal yhow gyf Yat Mirour of Lyf to yhow may be In whilk yhe may al yhour lyf se First wil I speke of ye grete profyte Of ye Pater Noster yat comes of it And of ye fruyt and ye dignyte Of yat prayere als men may se And specially of ye seuen askynges Yat on ye Pater Noster hynges And of ye seuen giftes of ye Haly Gast Yat ye seuen askynges may to vs hast And of seuen syns yat mast may smert Yat ye seuen giftes puttes out of hert And specially of vertus seuen Yat may be sette in yair stede euen And of ye seuen blissedhedes To whilk ye seuen vertus vs ledes And of ye seuen medes alle Yat to ya blissedhedes suld falle Of alle yise poyntes I thynk to say Whaso wil here yam alle he may [Pater Noster] Ye Pater Noster first men leres For it es heued of alle prayers It es a prayere mast sufficiaunt Til alle ya yat it will haunt And mast siker whareso yai ga For yis lyf and ye tothir alswa Wharefore ilk man yat has tane Ye trouth of baptym at ye funt stane Yat prayere suld lere and tent Thurgh Halykirkes commaundement And ya yat wil noght lere ne knawe Yat prayere dispyses Goddis lawe Yarefore ye manere es yis to loke When first a chylde es sette to boke Ye Pater Noster he sal first lere For it es mast precious prayere Yat lessoun Godde almyghty Taght his discyples specially Yarefore may it be right callede Goddes prayere als we it halde Wharefore yai yat vnderstand wille Yis lessoun als yai suld thurgh skille Yai suld become bathe meke and mylde And debonere als a chylde Swilk er ye verray skolers right Of our wyse mayster Godde of myght Yat of his wisdome oft yam leres And teches yam als his awen skolers Bot we may fynde many a man Yat ye naked lettre anely can Of yis prayere yat Cryst wroght Bot ye vnderstandynge can yai noght Yarefore thynk yam it sauourles For yarein fele yai na swettenes Ful litell deuocioun haue yai In yat prayere when yai it say Bot whaso vnderstandes it wele A swete prayere yai may it fele Yis prayere suld be praysed ay Byfore alle ye prayers yat we say For it es priuyleged als we se By ye resoun of thynges thre Ane es dignyte yat heghe es Anothir thynge es shortenes Ye thridde thyng es grete profyte Yat on many wyse comes of it First yis prayere may be called A prayere of dignyte als I halde For Cryst made it first to say And taght his disciples so to pray A prayere of shortnes we it calle For in short wordes Cryst made it alle A prayere of profyte it es right For thurgh it we ask of Godde of myght Al yat es nedeful for yis lyf here And for ye tothir yat es more clere Yis prayere es short in worde wroght It es in sentence lange in thoght It es light to say prayande It es sutill to vnderstande Short in worde es yis prayere For men it suld lyghtlyar lere And thurgh shortnes of it by kynde Haf it ye titter in yair mynde In sentence it es lange to se For ye mare deuocioun yarein suld be For ye naked lettre yat es noght heuy Men suld say by mouth anely And alle ye sentence of it Vnderstande and in hert knytt It es also light to say For men suld thurgh it ofter pray Sutill to vnderstande es it For men suld mare sette yair witte On ye sentence of it namely Thurgh grete bisynes and study Yis bede puttes alle ille oway And alle yat gode es wynnes vs ay It festens in vs alle gode to last And mas our hert to Godde stedefast [The seven petitions] In yis prayere er askynges seuen Whilk yai er I sal yam neuen Of whilk seuen I fynde thurgh skille Thre yat dose away alle ille I fynde also thre othir askynges Yat alle yat gode es to vs brynges Yhete es yare ane als I can telle Yat festens our hert in alle gode to dwell So yat ilkane of ya askynges sere Has sere offices als yhe sal here First thre dose away alle ille Yat oft falles loude or stille For alle manere of ille we calle Outhir yat was or es or yat may falle For ye ille yat has bene done Yus we say to fordo it sone Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris In yis we ask to cleren our thoght Forgifnes of yat we haf wroght For ille yat men may after do Yus say we als falles yarto Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem In yis we ask sum sleght to se Agayne alle ille yat may be For ye ille yat we do ilka day We say yus to put it away Sed libera nos a malo In yis we ask ryght abstynence Of alle ille yat fyles our conscience Yhete es yare othir askynges thre For allekyn gode yat may be For alle manere of gode outhir bodily es Or gastly gode or gode endeles For bodily gode here to haue Our sustinaunce yus we craue Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie In yis we aske strength and myght For to sustayne our lyf here right For gastly gode here to stir vs To luf Godde we say yus Fiat voluntas tua sicut in celo et in terra In yis we ask nyght and day Stedfast wille Godde to serue ay For gode to haue withouten end We say yus whareso we wende Adveniat regnum tuum In yis ye blisse of heuen we craue And grace to be worthy it to haue For festenyng of our hertes to stande In gode yus say we prayande Sanctificetur nomen tuum In yis we ask wille stedefast Withouten faylyng in gode to last Swilk maner of askynges bene In yis haly prayer sene [First words of the Pater Noster] Bot yis prayer bygynnes right With four wordes of grete myght On whylk at ye bygynnynge hynges Al ye spede of ye seuen askynges Thurgh four wordes yat may we fele If we vnderstande yam wele How we sal rewel vs by skille To do yat mast es Goddis wille Yarefore first byhoues vs nede If we sal of our askynges spede Yise four wordes vnderstande And lede our lyf als yai commande Elles er we noght worthy To be herde of Godde almyghty Yise er ya four wordes to here Yat er ye entre of yis prayere Pater noster qui es in celis Yise er on Inglische yus to neuen Fader our yat es in heuen Yise four mykell mater byndes Als clerkes in yair bokes fyndes PATER Ye first worde es Pater right Yat es a worde of grete myght For it may make vs sone to spede Of our askynge when we haf nede Als we may bathe se and fele If we vnderstande yat worde wele For Saynt Bernard says yat ye prayere Yat bygynnes right in yis manere With yis swete name to neuen Yat es called Fader of heuen Gyues ane hope to purchace Al yat we ask here of grace Yis worde Fader to vndirstande Yat makes swete al ye remenande Shewes vs what we sal trowe And what we sal do here and howe It shewes ye lengthe of Goddes beynge Yat es ay withouten endynge For Godde withouten bigynnyng es And his lastynge es endeles He es bigynnyng withouten bygynnyng And he es ende withouten endyng Yat ordayned yam yat his ware To lif with hym for euermare For yhe sal wele vnderstande yan Yat first when Godde maked man Ilk man to gode destayned he Bot he wist what ilk man wald be Wha wald be gode wha wald be ille For he gaf ilk man a free wille For to chese or for to halde Gode or ille whethir yai walde Yhete Pater stirs vs to knawe euen Thre thynges in Godde Fader of heuen And thre thynges in his sons to se Yat lufs ye Fader with hert fre First in Godde ye Fader es myght And yarewith wisdome and godenes right In Godde ye Fader er alle yise thre For he es a Godde in Trynyte Might es ay in hym anely For he es Godde Fader almighty Mayster and Lorde als clerkes can telle Of heuen and erthe and of helle And of alle thynge maker he es And bigynnynge of alle godenes Swa men may als I vnderstande Knawe his myght yat es ay lastande In Godde ye Fader es wisdome Yat of hymself anely byhoues come Thurgh whilk he his menyhe ledes And gouernes yam wysely and spedes And namely his childer yat he wroght Yat lufs hym wele in hert and thoght So may men knawe whaso wille His wisdome by kyndely skille In Godde ye Fader es bounte Yat es ye thridde thynge to se For Godde ye Fader his childer loues And somtyme here he yam proues And when he sese yat yai do wronge He betes and chastyes yam amonge And if yai forsake hym for certayne And sithen wil turne til hym agayne He yam resayues debonerly And fayne es of yaire cumpany So may men knawe ye godenes Yat in Godde ye Fader es Yarefore suld his childer alle Als oft als yai Fader calle Knawe in hym yise thynges thre Might wisdome and bounte Yhete in his childer men may knawe Thre thynges to telle here on rawe Yat yai haf of ye Fader mast Als I wil shewe yhou in hast Ye twa bene nobillesce and ritches Ye thridde es beute als I gesce Nobillesce first es als I wene In yam yat Goddis childer bene For mare nobillesce may na man se Yan it es Goddis childer to be Yat es so heghe ane emperour And kynge of alle kynges of honour Ritches also to yam falles Yat men Goddis childer calles For mare ritches may na man haue Yan Godde on his childer vouches saue For Godde mas yam his heyres right Of ye kyngedome of heuen bright Yar alkyn ritches yat may falle Er sene and alkyn delyces withalle Beute in Goddis childer es For Godde yam made to his liknes And after his shappe yat es so fayre He made yair saulles of ye ayre Mare beute myght neuer be sene Yan in his lickenes es als I wene For so grete beute als es yarin Na hert may thynk na imagyn Yarefore his childer suld thynk ay Als oftsithe als yai Fader say Of yise thre thynges yat yai haue Of ye Fader yat wele vouches saue Swilk thynges on yam for yair byhoue Yarefore yam awe wele yair Fader luf Also yis worde yat Fader es called Askes of vs sex thynges to halde Yat I wil recken here on rawe Yis sex suld his childer knawe Luf and drede and obedience Seruyse honour and reuerence Ye first thynge yat Godde askes of vs Es luf yat we luf hym yus With al our hert in body wroght With al our saul with al our thoght With al our hert yat es to say Yat we on nathynge nyght ne day Sette our hert to luf mare Yan on Godde hou so we fare Na in nathynge yat man may neuen Haf mare delyte yan in Godde of heuen With al our saul we suld hym luf Yat es to say if we wil proue We suld titter thole if we war wis Our lyues be parted fra our bodys Yan fra Godde departed be Yat es our Fader ful of pyte Yat es we suld ye dede are take Ar we suld our Fader forsake We suld hym luf with al our thoght Yat es to say yat we suld noght Our wytte ne our vnderstandynge Ne our thoght thurgh imagynynge About nathynge mare occupy Yan in Godde Fader almyghty Ye secund thyng es drede alswa To haue in hert whareso we ga Yat we Godde drede with al our myght Thurgh sones drede yan do we right And noght thurgh drede yat men calles Carls drede yat oft falles For carls dredes yair louerdes thurgh awe And noght for luf als men may knawe Ye gode sons thurgh luf has drede To wreth yair fader in worde or dede Yis may wele be sones drede called Swilk drede in hert suld we halde And drede ay mare Goddis greuaunce Yan payne of helle or his vengeaunce For drede of payne anely to se Es drede withouten charyte Al yat men dose in swilk a drede Sal turne yam to litell mede Bot first thurgh ferdnes may drede bygyn Anely for vengeaunce of synne Thurgh whilk men may bygynne do wele And afterward a swete luf fele Yat ye Haly Gast with drede sal knyt In yair hertes to stable yair witte Drede mas a man synne forsake And luf mas a man gode vertus take Yai yat yise twa in hert wil halde Goddes sonnes may right be called Ya sonnes may calle here baldely Godde yair Fader almyghty Ye thridde thynge obedyence es Yat es to say bouxsomnes Yat we be bouxsom to do Goddis wille And alle his commaundements to fulfille For ye sonnes suld be obedyent To do ye Fadirs commandement His commandements whaso wil loke He may fynde yam aftir in yis boke Ye ferth thynge es seruyse For we er halden of office To serue Godde our Fader to pay With al ye bisynes yat we may And al our hert and our wille gif To do yat hym es mast lieue Swilk seruyse may mast ly In alle ye werkes of mercy Als men may fynde in yis boke Aftirward whaso wil loke Ye fift thynge es honour tolde Yat we suld alle yhunge and olde Loue Godde with grete talent Of alle godes yat he has vs sent On whilk gode we suld take kepe And spende yam in his worshepe And in na ryots ne in folys And if we do we er noght wys For vs byhoues acount to gif Of yat we do whyle we here lif And of alle yat Godde here wil vs sende And shew how we haf yam spend And of alle ye folys yat we do And of ilkan hour and tyme yarto Yarefore we suld Godde honour Ilka tyme and ilkan hour Outhir in worde or in dede Or in thoght hym honour bede And thank hym oft and loue hym ay Of yat he dose vs nyght and day So suld ye gode sonnes by skille Honour ye Fader yat es his wille Reuerence es ye sext and ye last For we suld with hert stedefast Do Godde alle maner of reuerence And namely here in his presence In kirk and in stedes withoute Yar his body es borne about We suld thurgh reuerence knele doun Be it in felde or be it in toun His presence here es ouer alle Yar we may speke to hym or calle Bot Halykirk his hous I halde Yat es mast stede of prayer called Yare suld we hym mast reuerence do With deuocioun yat falles yarto For when we speke to Godde or pray We suld do hym reuerence ay Yat es to say lout or knele With vncouerd heued yan do we wele And when we noght knele we suld stande If we may wele yat war semand And noght sitte yare with couerd hede To speke with Godde in haly stede Ne in kirk yat falles his hous to be We suld noght speke of vanyte For lesse reuerence we do hym yan Yan we wald do ane erthely man For if we war als I vnderstand In ye kynges chaumbre of Ingelande To pray ye kynge of his grace How wald we bere vs in yat place Wald we noght yare in his sight Do hym reuerence with al our myght And kepe vs so yat we nathynge Suld say yat myght displese ye kynge Mikell mare reuerence yan suld falle To Godde yat es mast kynge of alle For he es kynge of alle kynges Of wham al grace and godenes springes Yarefore to Godde yat we to pray We suld do ye reuerence yat we may So may we al our askynge haue If it be skilfull yat we craue Swilk reuerence to ye Fader falles Of his childer yat on hym calles Yarefore we suld nyght and day When we ye Pater Noster say Als meke childer and bouxsom be To our Fader ful of pyte Als we wil yat he be to vs A gode Fader and a gracious And if we wil his gode childer be Vs byhoues alle folys fle And loke yat we be clene within When we sal Pater Noster bygynne NOSTER In yis worde ligges a questyoun At ye bygynnyng of yis oresoun Why a man our Fader says ay And may noght als wele my Fader say And wha falles felaw with hym be When he says gif vs and noght gif me At yis may men answer sone And telle skill why it es done Thurgh skill suld none my Fader say Bot he yat es Goddis sone verray Thurgh kynde withouten bigynnyng And withouten ende and fayllyng Bot thurgh kynde his sonnes er we noght Bot in als mykell als we er wroght To his lickenes als es sene Als bathe Ieus and Sarzynes bene Bot we bene his childer thurgh grace And thurgh his chesyng to folow his trace Als men may fynde in som lande Swilk a law als I vnderstande Yat he yat es a riche man knawen Yat here has na childe his awen May chese a pouer mans chylde yat es fayre And make it his sone and his ayre Yis grace vs dide Godde Fader of myght Als says Saynt Paul ye apostel right When he made vs thurgh yat grace com To right trouth and to cristendome Yat war first pouer and naked to telle And childer of wreth and of helle Wharefore when yat we say yus Our Fader and say gif vs We gader to vs our brethir alle Yat to grace of baptym God wald calle Yat ye childer of Halykirk bene Thurgh trouth of baptym yat es clene Yis worde Noster vs shewes yarby Ye largesce and ye curtaysy Of Godde yat tittar inoghe gyues Yan lytell to yam yat here lyues And soner to many yan to ane Yat here has ye right trouth tane For Saynt Gregor spekes on yis manere And says yat a right prayere Ye mare yat men it comon mase Ye mare it es worth and vertu has Als a candell es brighter to kenne Yat serues til an halle ful of men Yan ye candell yat serues of light Noght bot anely to a mans sight Yis worde Noster vs biddes alswa Loue Godde our Fader whareso we ga And with al our hert thank hym sone Of ye grace yat he haues vs done Thurgh whilk we bene his childer fre And his heyres ordayned to be And yat we luf byfore alle othir Ihesu Cryst our eldest brothir Yat in yis grete grace vouched saue Vs his awen brethir to haue Yis worde Noster vs commaundes yhete Yat we right kepe with al our witte In our hertes ye Haly Gast Yat es wytnes here to vs mast Of ye grace of chesyng of vs Yat may thurgh skille be called yus Als a wede yat es mast to prayse Als Saynt Paul ye apostell says Thurgh whilk we er siker bi right To haf ye heritage yat es vs dight Of Godde our Fader yat es rightwys Yat es ye blisse of paradys Yhete on yis worde Noster hynges Amange alle othir twa thynges Yat we suld hald in hert ay Als oft als we ye Pater Noster say Ane es luf of brothirhede Anothir es syker hope to spede Luf suld we thurgh yis worde fele Yat ilkane of vs luf othir wele For we er alle bathe heghe and lawe Brethir als ilka man suld knawe Of a fader and a moder right Our fader es Godde mast of myght And our moder es Halykirk Aftir wham vs bihoues wirk Ilkane suld luf als syster and brothir Bot nane of vs suld dispyse othir Bot ilkane othir suld honour And help in nede and socour Als dose ye lyms of a body Ilkane helpes othir kyndely Lyms of a body er we alle Yat body Halykirk we calle Of whilk body Godde es ye hede Yarefore suld ilkane othir rede And ilkane here for othir pray Als men may here Saynt Iame say For yat prayere may to alle avaylle Yat dose Halykirkes counsaylle For he yat mase hys prayere comoun With gode hert and deuocioun He mase hym felawe of ye commonyng Of alle Halykirk in alle thynge And for ilka Pater Noster yat he says Night or day when so he prays He wynnes hym als I vnderstande Part of ane hundreth thousand Yis worde Noster yat es myghty Vs kennes to hate thre synnes namely Ane es a synne yat men pryde calles Anothir es hatred yat oft falles Ye thridde thynge es auaryce Ouer many men hauntes yat vyce Pride yat yhernes to haf maystry Puttes a man out of cumpany For when a man to pryde drawes He wald be oboun alle his felawes Yat man war noght here worthy To dwelle langar in cumpany For pryde oft brekes felawshepe And puttes a man vnto shenshepe Als Lucifer for pryde was Casten to helle for his trespas He was putt out als clerkes telles Of ye cumpany of aungels Hatred yat felaws persayue can Out of cumpany puttes a man For if a man his felaw hate And fondes to fordo his state Al ye felawshepe greues he In cumpany suld he noght be Auaryce puttes a man I wene Out of cumpany yat es clene For when a man noght comon wille With his felaws aftir skille Ne with yam part of yat he has Bot yat he wynnes his awen it mas Swilk a man methynk suld sone Out of cumpany be done Yarefore to swilk Godde vouches noght saue Yat yai part of ye Pater Noster haue Yis worde Noster vs shewes by skille Yat Godde es our awen if we will With ye Fader and ye Sone and ye Haly Gast Als we thurgh right trouth may tast If we hym loue and worshepe And hys commandements kepe Als Godde says to vs ilkane In ye goddespell of Saynt Ione Certayne hope we suld haue ay When we ye Pater Noster say For yis worde yat Noster es called Wille yat we hope in hert halde To spede of yat we aske and craue If it be skilfull yat we wald haue For he es our gode Fader of myght And we er his awen childer right Yarefore we hope better by skille Yat he our askynge wil fulfille Sen he es our Fader and we er his We hope of yat we sal noght misse QUI ES Yis worde qui es shewes what God es And ye ground of his sothfastnes For our Fader als clerkes telle can Es verray Godde and verray man A substaunce in Trinite And nane othir Godde es bot he Thurgh wham alle manere of thing es wroght Withouten wham ne may be noght Yarefore es synne in haly writte Called noght for Godde neuer made itte Men fyndes writen als clerkes can knawe In ye secund boke of ye alde lawe Yat Godde apered in a mountayne Vnto Moyses and yat was certayne And sayde to hym yus you sal go Into Egipt to Kynge Pharao And bidde hym deliuer in quert and hele My folk ye childer of Iraell Yat he in seruage haldes thurgh myght Say I sent ye to hym right Louerd quod Moyses if men ask me Yi name what sal myne answer be Yan sayde he if men ask my name You sal say I Am Yat Am Yus saltou say and noght it hele Vnto ye childer of Iraele He Yat Es has me sent Hider on yhou to take tent Yarefore says yis noble clerkes And haly men of haly werkes Yat amange alle ye heghe names to neuen Yat es sayde of Godde of heuen Ye first and ye proprest es yis Yat mast bi skille may vs wisse And kenne to knawe what Godde es Thurgh knawyng of sothfastnes For alle othir names yat may be Als when men spekes of his bounte Or of his wisdome or of his myght Als we here clerkes yus calle hym right Ye Right Gode Ye Right Fayre and Semely Ye Right Wys or Ye Right Myghty And many othir wordes men says Of hym when men wil hym prayse Yat says noght proprely to herynge Ye righte sothe of Goddis beinge Bot we yat rude er and vnsleghe To speke of swilk thing so heghe Speke we of Godde als we can Als we speke of ane erthely man Of wham we knawe noght ye name Yan er we noght mykell to blame Men says a man es a kynge of myght He es an erle he es a knyght He es gode he es curtays And many swilk wordes men says Thurgh whilk he may bi worthynes Knawe a man whatso he es Al if we knawe noght his name So may we speke of Godde ye same Many a worde fynde we may Yat shewes what war of hym to say Bot yare may na worde so propre be Als yis worde Es yat we here se Yat neuens ye name so proprely And so shortly of Godde almyghty In als mykell als we vndirstande He es anely Godde alweldande He es al ane ay lastandely And withouten bigynnyng ye same myghty And so he es withouten endynge Yat may men say of nane othir thinge He es sothfastly ay to last For he es verray and stedefast Ouer alle thing he wroght thurgh myght Ya yat er his creatures right Alle his creatures als men sese War noght elles bot vanytese Als Salamon says yat was witty And to regarde of Godde anely And alle suld turne vnto noght Warne Godde yam sustayned yat yam wroght Thurgh his grace and his vertu And so he dose al for our pru He es al ane sothfastly and fast For he es ye same ane ay to last And ay in ye same poynt of festenynge Withouten any maner of lousynge And withouten chaungyng of powere And withouten stiryng in any manere Als says Saynt Iame ye haly man Yise wordes als I shewe yhou can Alle othir thynges may stired be Of what kynde so yai er bot he Wharefore als haly writte beres wyttenes He es called proprely He Yat Es For he es sothfastly to se Withouten any vanyte He es stedefastly in alle thynge Withouten any stirynge He es ay lastandely to dwelle Withouten any ende to telle Withouten was withouten salbe For na passyng es of hym to se Now may yhe vnderstande wele Yat nathynge may be better to fele Yan to knawe yat yat Godde es In wham we fynde allekyn godenes Bot nathinge so harde es to knawe right Als knawe what Godde es and his myght Yarefore ilk man be war thurgh witte And muse noght ouermykell on it For men myght so erre and wrange wirke Agayne ye trouth of Halykirke It es inoghe to ilka man Yat ye Pater Noster can To say our Fader yat es in heuen Yat aywhare yar men may hym neuen In erthe on lande and in ye se In helle and in heuen es he Ouer al men may fele his myght Al if men may noght se hym right Bot we may se in many stede His blissed body in fourme of brede Bot face to face we se hym noght Til we be til heuen blisse broght Yare sal he be mast proprely sene And honured with yam yat yare bene He es als so gastly to say In haly mens hertes nyght and day Yat heghe er als ye heuen es sene And er ay clere als heuen and clene For in swilk hertes es Godde ay cledde And yarein sene lufd and dredde And loued ay and worshiped wele For swilk hertes may hym fele Yis worde qui es yhete vs calles To twa thynges specially yat falles Ane es right trouth yat vs sal saue Anothir es drede in hert to haue First ye trouth we suld halde right Yat we trowe here with al our might Specially in yise twa thinges On whilk al our trouthe here hinges In ye sothfastnes of Godde to wirk And in ye powere of Halykirke [The Trinity] In ye sothfastnes of Godde trowe we Yat he es a Godde in Trynyte Fader and Sone and ye Haly Gast Yat er a Godde thurgh trouth to tast For he es a Godde in threhede And he es thre in anehede And if yhe wil wyte hou yat may be Bihald ye sonne and yhe may se Whareby Godde vndirstanden es For he es called Sonne of Rightwysnes In ye sonne yat shynes bright Yhe may se thre thynges right Ane es fayrnes als fyre grete Anothir es brightnes ye thridde es hete And nane of alle yise thynges thre May fra ye othir departed be If men did away ye brightnes Yan bihoued men be sonneles Or if men did ye hete yarefra Yan bihoued men ye sonne forga For whare ane es yare bihoues be alle It may nane othir wise bifalle In ye fayrnes als of fyre semand Ye Fader first we vndirstande In ye brightnes yat comes of it Ye Sone we vndirstand thurgh witte In ye hete of ye sonne to tast We vnderstand ye Haly Gast Yise thre persones er alle ane And nane may be fra othir tane Ye Trinyte men yise thre calles And to yise thre thre thinges falles To ye Fader first falles myght And to ye Sone wisdome right And to ye Haly Gast godenes Alle falles to a Godde yat es To wase liknes we er wroght In sawll als we may se thurgh thoght Bi thre thinges yat mase it like To Godde yat es in heuenrike Ya thre bene mynde and vnderstandyng And wille or luf withouten fayllyng Thurgh mynde suld we thynk right On Godde ye Fader ful of myght Yat thurgh his myght alle thing made Heuen and erthe and ye werld brade And ilka thynge in right kynde So may his might cum to our mynde Thurgh vnderstandyng may we se Godde ye Sone yat boght vs fre And ordaynes alle thyng thurgh wisdom Yat may to our vndirstandyng com Thurgh wille or luf we may fele Godde ye Haly Gast right wele Yat alle godenes in hym has To wham our wille and luf gase Yus we may in our saul se All ye haly Trinyte Of yise thre mans saul made es Aftir Goddis image and his lickenes For aftir ye Sone we er made right Yat ye image es of ye Fader of myght Yarefore we se ye Fader lickenes Bi ye Sone yat his image es If yat we wille trowe ay yus Godde thurgh trouth es yan in vs Forwhy als ye apostell telles Cryst in ye trouth ay dwelles And ye trouth es in ye thoght And ye thoght in ye hert es broght And ye hert es in ye brest And ye body about it nest Yat es ye warde of ye castell Of ye hert yar ye trouth sal dwell Bot we suld on yis manere wirk Thurgh ye trouth and be noght irk We suld thynk on hym yat vs wroght And honure hym yat vs alle boght And hym habyde yat vs wil saue And yherne ye blisse yat we wald haue And knawe wele thurgh trouth yat Godde es Ful of mercy and rightwisnes Whaso yus dose he trowes right In ye sothfastnes of Godde of myght In ye powere of Halikirk alswa We suld trowe whareso we ga Ilke a kirke es Goddis hous Bot al Halykirke es Goddis spouse Yat we suld our Moder halde Als Godde es our Fader called For of Halykirk we er borne Thurgh baptem elles war we lorne Thurgh Halykirke vs bihoues be ledde And with haly writte vs bihoues be fedde For als a womman thurgh kynde knawen Norishes a childe yat es hir awen With ye mylk yat comes out Of hir pappes yat sho beres about Right so Halykirk our Modir dere Norisches vs on ye same manere And vs sustaynes and fedes alswa With ye mylk of hir pappes twa Yat gifs many stremes of mylk In haly writte men may fynde swilk Of ye ta pappe springes stremes ten And of ye tothir twelf to kenne Yat mylk whaso vnderstandes it Es called bi skille haly writte Ye twa pappes er yat I talde Ye new testament and ye alde Ye ten stremes yat out sprentes Er called ye ten commandementes Bi twelf stremes yat er springande Of ye tothir pappe I vnderstande Twelf articles of ye trouth right Yat we suld kepe bathe day and night Yus sustaynes vs Halykirke And teches vs gode werkes to wirke Thurgh haly writte yat es so swete Yat mas vs with gode vertus mete It es gadered for it es trewe Bathe of ye alde law and of ye newe Ye twa lawes togider er gode Of yam comes al our saul fode For of ye alde lawe als es knawen Er ye ten commaundementes drawen And of ye newe lawe bi it ane Er twelf articles of ye trouth tane [The Decalogue] Yise er ye commaundementes ten Yat byndes here alle cristen men Ye first es yis withouten errour You sal na fals goddis honour Anothir es yis yat es certayne You sal noght take Goddis name in vayne Ye thridde es ye haly day you kepe Ye ferth es fader and moder you worschepe Ye fift es sla na man willefully Ye sext es with na womman you foly Ye seuent stele noght yat othir mens es Ye aghtned bere na fals wittenes Ye neghent es loke you couayte noght Yi neghpur wyf thurgh wille na thoght Ye tende couayte noght whareso you gase Nathinge yat yi neghpur has Yise ten commandementes on rawe Er alle taken of ye alde lawe Yat Godde gaf first to Moyses Yat he for his prophete chese Opon ye Mount of Synay Yar Godde spake with hym apertly Yise commaundementes er na fables Forwhy Godde wrate yam in twa tables With his fynger als clerkes knawes And ya bitokenes ye twa lawes In ye tane er commandementes thre Yat bene onentes ye Trinite In ye tothir seuen bene Onentes our neghpur als I wene Ye first es yis withouten dout You sal na fals goddes lout Bot men suld Godde almighty honour And hym ane serue thurgh gode labour And sette yair luf and yair lykynge In yat Godde bifore alle thinge Thurgh yis commandement to fele Ilk man may bithynke hym wele If he haf leelly Godde honured ay If he haf serued hym wele to pay If he haf lufd Godde ouer alle thynge If he haf done withouten grochynge Ye seruyse yat he aght thurgh right To Godde yat es mast of myght If he haf fulfilled here Al his penaunce on right manere If he haf to Godde done right Al yat he in baptem hight Al may he se if he take tent Bi yis first commandement Yis vs forbedes alle mysbileues And alle outrages yat Godde greues Yis commaundement ordaynes euen A man to Godde ye Fader of heuen Ye secund commaundement folwand Es yis als I vnderstande You sal noght take Goddis name in vayne Yis commaundment falles to ordayne A man to Godde ye Sone yat es Yat says yus I am sothfastnes Whaso wil kepe yis commandement Bihoues be war and take gode tent And with al his myght hym forbere Yat he na maner of ath swere Bot in tyme when it war nede To trye a soth yat es in drede Ye thridde es halugh wele yi haly day Yat es yus mykell for to say You sal kepe ye Sonendays clene And alle ye solempne festes yat bene Yat es ordayned thurgh Halykirke Fra alle werk of seruage to wirke Yat es to say fra werkes of body And fra werkes of syn and of foly For synne es a wretche thralledome Yat som men hauntes of custome Yis commaundemente ordaynes mast A man to Godde ye Haly Gast Yise thre commaundementes to fele Kennes hym yat vnderstandes yam wele How he sal haue hym yat he be Acordande to ye Trinite Ye othir seuen may a man kenne How he sal haue hym onence alle men Yat here his euen crysten bene And onence himself to kepe him clene Ye first es fader and moder honour So suld men do and yam socour And als wele yam yat gastly bene Als ya yat er bodily sene And on twa maner whaso tas kepe Men suld fader and moder worshepe Ane es to yam men suld be bousom And do yam reuerence of coustom Anothir es als clerkes can rede Men suld yam helpe in yaire nede And in alle thinge counsaylle yam right With al yair conyng and yaire myght So yat yai may lengar lyue Opon erth and noght Godde greue To honour yam men suld vouche saue Thurgh wham yai yair lyf here haue For he yat wil noght thurgh bouxsomnes Worship yam thurgh wham he es It is noght right yat he lange be Yat yat he es here to se Anothir es you sal noght sla Ilk man be war he do noght swa For thre maners of slaghter bene Fra whilk man suld kepe him clene A slaghter es thurgh hande smert Anothir thurgh tunge ye thridde thurgh hert Thurgh hande es slaghter when men strikes With any wapen yat men likes Thurgh tunge also may be sone Slaghter on twa maners done Ane es thurgh commaundement namely Of a man yat es myghty For whasoeuer ye slaghter mas He yat comaundes it he slaas Anothir es thurgh suggestyoun Of a man yat mas hym boun To wrye a man or to gif rede Wharethurgh he may be done to dede Whaso yus a man wil dere He may be halden a manslaere Thurgh hert also may slaghter be On twa maners als men may se Ane es when a man thurgh thoght Wald anothir to dede war broght In als mykell als his wille es yan He es slaer of yat man Anothir manere es certayne He yat tholes a man be slayne And may hym sokour and noght wille He yat es manslaer thurgh skille And als bodily slaghter es right swa Men may gastly a man yus sla Yat es when a man thurgh enuye Anothir hates in hert dedely Or hym backebytes arely or late Or hym sclaunders his loos to abate Thurgh attry wordes and felle sawes Or fra ya yat nede has withdrawes Ye lyflade yat yair lyf suld halde A manslaer he may be called Ye thridde commandement es yis yan You sal noght foly with woman In yis commaundement Godde forbedes Alle manere of fleschely dedes Yat falles bitwene man and womman Als clerkes teches yat best can To saue ye dede of sposaylle Yat es thurgh Halykirkes counsaylle Leeffull and lawefull to fulfille If it be done als ye lawe wille Alle fleschely dedes bot yat anely May be called dedes of litchory Yat er werkes of grete vnclennes Yat drawes a man to payne endeles Bot whaso yhernes to be sene In heuen blisse with a lyf clene He suld kepe hym here haally Fra alle corrupciouns of body Ye ferth es you sal noght stele If you wil be halden leele In yis commandement namely Es theft forboden and robbery Okir als and extorsyouns And alle vnleffull raunsiouns Fals marchaundys and gylery And sacrilege and simony And alle vnleeffull takynges Alle withhaldynges and wrange hidynges Of othir mens gode withhalden stille Agayne yair wytynge and yair wille And whaso may be funden gilty In any of yise he es noght worthy To haf ye lyf yat es ay certayne Bot he al yhelde haally agayne Yat es wrange tane if he be mighty Or elles aftir his might aparty For he yat yhernes to haf ye lyf Yat ay sal last withouten stryf He suld fra na man take with wrange Ne yat he has tane withhalde ouer lange Na mare yan he wald war tane Or withhalden fra himself alane For elles yis commandement brekes he And es out of right charite Ye fift you sal bere na fals wyttenes Ne nathynge say yat fals es Agayne yi neghpur thurgh ille wille Yat him may dere or greue ille Ilka man here suld haf grete drede To leghe or to say falshede To greue his neghpur namely And if he do he es worthy Ye blisse of heuen for to tyne And in helle to haue endeles pyne For yise twa yan dispyses he Sothfastnes and charyte And whaso thurgh hymself wil noght Greue a man thurgh malyce soght When othir men hym harme wil do He suld nane wyse assent yarto In yis commaundement to loke Es forboden als says ye boke Alle manere of leghe and lesynge Alle fals falaces and forswerynge Alle maner of false losengeryse And alle fals conspiracyse Ye sext you sal noght by yi lyf Couayt here yi neghpur wyf Yat es to say a man suld noght Yherne his neghpur wyf in thoght Ne yhete nane othir womman Suld man couayte yat witte can Ne a womman a man in foly Anely thurgh likynge of body A man suld noght couayte to haue His neghpur mayden ne his knaue Ne his ox ne his asse yat gase Ne na moble yat he hase Nouthir robes ne vessele Ne siluer ne gold ne mele Yise men may fynde yat gifs tent Contende in yis commaundement Ye seuent of yis last seuen And ye last of ye ten to neuen Es yis you sal noght thurgh langynge Couayt to haue yi neghpur thynge Nouthir his hous ne his lande Ne nathyng als I vnderstande Yat haally may noght lifted be Fra ye ground als men may se In yis commaundement last sene Es forboden als I wene Alle manere of couatyse Yat es vnskilfull and wrangwyse Yise twa commaundements to fele To twa bifore acordes wele Yat es to say you sal noght fleschely Synne with na wommans body Ne you sal na mans gode stele Ne othir mens gode hyde ne hele For he yat has in hert ille wille Or if his entencioun be ille He may noght lange als says yis clerkes Kepe hym wele fra wicked werkes Yarefore methink wele if a man Or a woman yat right skille can Wille na dede of litchery do He suld noght yan assent yarto Ne to yam in yair foly Yat has wille to do litchery And if a man wil noght stele Bot wald be halden gode and leele He suld noght couayt in hert lange Othir mens gode to haue with wrange Yise er ye commaundements ten Of wilk falles ye thre to kenne Vnto ye luf of Godde of heuen And to ye luf of our neghpur euen Yise commaundements er now talde Bathe ye newe lawe and ye alde Ye whilk Goddis childer thurgh right Suld knawe and kepe with al yair might For he yat ye trouth in hert wil haue Suld kepe yise commaundements and saue [The Creed] On ye tothir syde shewes ye new lawe Twelf articles of ye trouth to knawe Ye whilk ye twelf apostels made Yat ye grace of ye Haly Gast habade For ilk apostell by and by Of ye crede made a party And ilka parte an article es called And in ye crede er twelf to halde For after ye noumbre yat was sene Of twelf apostels twelf articles bene Yat ilka man here bihoues haue And halde in hert yat wil be saue Bot ye ground of ye trouth bihoues be To trowe trewely yus in ye Trinite Yat ye Fader and ye Son and ye Hali Gast Er a Godde in thre persones to tast Ye twelf articles I shewe yhou sal And yair names yat made yam alle Ye first article es yis to rede Of ye twelf yat er in ye crede To trowe in Godde Fader almyghty Yat heuen and erth made craftyly And alle thing als says ye boke Petre first yis article toke Anothir es to trow with mynde In Ihesu Cryst his Sone thurgh kynde Yat a lorde es mast rightwys Of heuen and erth and paradys For a man suld trowe with al his myght Yat ye Sone es lyke to ye Fader right And euen with hym als clerkes may rede In al yat falles to his Goddehede And ye same es to vndirstandynge Yat ye Fader es in alle thynge Bot yat ye Fader of rightwisnes Es othir persone yan ye Sone es Als yis clerkes in boke can shewe Yis article toke Saynt Andrewe Ye thridde article nest folwande Es to trowe and to vnderstande Yat Ihesu Cryst of myght mast Conceyued was of ye Haly Gast And of ye Virgyne Mary borne Elles had we bene alle forlorne Yat es to say specially Yat Crist conceyued was in Mary Thurgh vertu of ye Haly Gast right And noght thurgh werk of mans myght And yat sho bifore ye birth was Clene mayden withouten trespas And in ye birth was mayden clene And after ye birth and ay has bene Yis article falles whaso tas hede To ye Sone onence his manhede Yis article ordayned nane othir Bot Saynt Iame Saynt Iohan brothir Ye ferthe es to trowe als clerkes wate Yat Cryst tholed vndir Pounce Pilate Mikell reproue and vilanye Yat to hym was done thurgh envye For Pilate was in Ierusalem yan A iustys and a domesman Thurgh wham Cryst was demed to dede Falsely after ye Iewes rede And his body on ye croyce done And dede was and biryed sone In a sepulcre wroght of stone Yis article made Saynt Ione Ye fift es als clerkes can telle To trowe yat Cryst went doun til helle Aftir his dede ful gode spede In saul anely with his Goddehede To delyuer ye saules fra care Of ye haly faders yat war yare Yat es to say of ilka man Yat yan was dede fra ye werlde bigan In verray trouthe and hope certayne Yat yai suld be delyuerd fra payne And thurgh Cryst Goddis Sone boght And to ye blisse of heuen be broght Yarefore als sone als Cryst was dede He went doun right to yat stede Yar ye haly faders ware And broght yam out of sorow and care Bot to depe helle went he noght To take yam out yat yider war broght For yai trowed noght in his comynge Yarefore yare es ay yair wonynge And afterward on ye thridde day He rase fra dede als we here say Alle haly writte to fulfille Als it was his swete wille And sone yareafter appered he To his disciples als yai myght se And for he wald proue his vpperysyng Yhete made he here lengar dwellynge Fourty days after he rase Yis article made Saynt Thomas Ye sext article als so to neuen Es to trowe yat he stey to heuen Ye fourtyde day of his vprysynge Withouten any manere of lettyng Alle his disciples yat seande And sittes on his Fadir right hande Yis article bihoues vs alle wit For Saynt Iacob ordayned it Ye seuent article es alswa To trowe right whareso we ga Yat Godde sal com at domesday To deme ilk man yat es to say Bathe quicke and dede als says yis clerkes And gode and ille after yair werkes Ye gode to ioy ye ille to payne Yis sal we trowe yat es certayne Yis article made Saynt Philippe Yarefore we wil it noght ouerhippe Ye aghtned article in hert to tast Es to trowe in ye Haly Gast Yat es to trowe thurgh stedfastnes Yat ye Haly Gast sothfastly es Ye gift and ye luf of ye Fader and ye Sone Als yai in heuen togider wone Of wham comes alle godes of grace In seuen giftes to purchace Yat for our saulles best suld be Als ye sal after here and se And yat ye Haly Gast es right Ye same Godde ay ful of myght And ye same Lorde in sothfastnes Yat ye Fader and ye Sone ay es Bot yat ye person we othir halde Yan of ye Fader and ye Sone es called Yis article yat I yus shewe Ordayned first Saynt Berthelmewe Ye neghent article yat I shew now Es in Halykirke to trowe And also in ye comonynge Of alle haly mens lifynge For Halykirk als men may kenne Es gaderyng of alle cristen men Yat in ye trouth of Cryst has bene And chosen for gode men and clene And yat er yhete whareso yai wende And yat salbe to ye werldes ende Alle sal yai be in a company In heuen with ioye and melody And we sal trowe if we vs kepe To comon with yat felawshepe [The sacraments] On yis article yat men to tentes Hinges ye seuen sacramentes In ye whilk ilka man suld trowe And ya sal I shewe yhow nowe Baptem yat first es halde I ane Yat falles at ye funt be tane Anothir es to vndirstande Confermyng of bischop hande Ye thridde es penaunce mare or lesse Ye ferth ye sacrament of ye auter es Ye fift es order of grete myght Ye sext es matrimoigne right Ye seuent es last enoyntynge Yise seuen in our trouth suld hynge Baptem clenses a man withinne Of ye grete originall synne Yat he of our formast fader tas And thurgh yat baptem grace has Confermynge of bisshop at ye last Festes ye Haly Gast fast In hym yat baptized es right To strengthe him agayne ye fendes might Penaunce fordose als clerkes wate wele Bathe dedely synne and venyele Ye sacrament of ye auter dight Es a thynge of grete myght Yat es Goddis awen flesshe and blode Yat of brede es made to saul fode Yat sacrament may fest and knytte Grace in hym yat receyues itte Yat repentaunt es and clene withinne Yat he falle noght agayne in synne And may recounsaylle hym agayne And in gode werkes hym sustayne Order gifs power to wirk Ye sacramentes of Halykirke Matrimoigne es grete and mighty For it fordose synne dedely Of dede bitwene man and womman If yair entent be skilfull yan Last enoyntyng yat oft es done To seke men may alegge sone Bathe body and saul of payn withinne And clense a man of venyall synne Yis article yat I yus rede Saynt Mathewe sette in ye crede Ye tende article yareaftir es To trowe to haf forgifnes Of alle synnes to whilk men tentes Thurgh vertu of ye sacramentes Yis article made Saynt Symon Alle our hele hynges yareon Ye elleuent article folwande Es yis namely to vnderstande And to trowe withouten fayntyse Yat alle men sal at domesday ryse Out of yair graues in flesshe and felle And body and saul togider sal dwelle Euermare withouten ende Whethir yai to ioye or payne wende Yis article amange alle othir Made Iudas Saynt Simons brothir Ye twelft article and ye last Es to trowe with hert stedefast Yat ye gode men yat salbe saue Endeles lyf yan sal haue In heuen with ye Trinite Yar ioye and blisse sal euermare be Bot ye wicked sal wende yat day To ye fire of helle yat lastes ay For yan salbe shewed na mercy Ilka man sal haue als he es worthy Yis article yat es sette shortly In ye crede made Saynt Mathy Yise er ye twelf articles knawen Yat of ye [ne]we lawe er drawen Yhete yis worde when we it rede Qui es stirs vs to haue drede For al if we Godde our Fader halde And we be here his childer called He es rightwys and sothfast And wil yhelde vs at ye last Aftir our dedes and yat es skille Be yai gode or be yai ille And yat salbe at domesday sene Wele es hym yat yan es clene For yan wil Godde rewarde sone To ilka man after he has done Yarefore we suld ay haf drede To do ille thurgh worde or dede For we sal gif acount yat day Of ilk idell worde yat we say IN CELIS Yis worde in celis es wele semand To yam yat wil it vnderstand Bot bi yis worde yat yus es tane It semes yar er ma heuenes yan ane And yat es sothe to proue bi skille Whaso vnderstande it wille For yare es na heuen of sikernes Bot anely yare yar Godde es And whareso Godde vouches saue to dwelle Yare men may heuen bi skille telle In many places Godde may be Alle at a tyme als men may se By a mirour on yis wyse Yat es crased in sere partyse In ilka pece grete and smale Man may se ay a thynge hale Alle at anes in ye mirour bright And alle may be a thynge in sight So shewes Godde him in many place Al at a tyme thurgh myght and grace In heuen and in erthe he es sene And in haly mens hertes clene And ilka hert yat Godde may halde Bi skille may be heuen called For als ye heuen es clene and clere So er yair hertes on ye same manere Yair hertes er ay ful of blisse Gastly men suld vnderstande yis For in Godde anely es al yair thoght On othir thynge ne think yai noght Bot in ye luf of Ihesu Cryst Er alle yair hertes thurgh thoght rauyst In yat yai haue so grete delite Yat yai it think a ioy parfyte Thurgh thoght in hert yan may yai se Ye mast blisse yat in heuen may be Yat es ye sight of Godde almyghty Yat yai may se in hert gastly Yarefore es heuen bi yis skille best In ilka place yar Godde wil rest Yat es in ye hertes of haly men Yat in erthe mast wille hym kenne Bot in heghe heuen als es proued He es mast worshiped and loued With alle ye halughs yat yare bene Of wham he es yare bodily sene For alle yat comes to yat place Sal se him yare face to face And yat sight es yair souerayne blisse Wa es hym yat yat sal mysse Yis worde in celis vs stirs to se Ye heght of Goddis maieste For he es so heghe yat al wroght Yat obown hym may be noght Bot vnder hym es alle thinge Yat euer had any bigynnynge And whaso yhernes to cum so heghe Hym bihoues clym vp bi a steghe Yat suld be made als says yis clerkes Of harde penaunce and haly werkes For yider comes na man to hym Bot he wil bi yis steghe clym Bot whaso wille his syn forsake Bigynnes yan yis steghe to make And ya yat of na penaunce irkes Ne of almus dede yis steghe wirkes Yis worde in celis vs askes thre thinges Yat tittest a man to heuen bringes Ane es called verray mekenes Strengthe of wille anothir es Pruesce of hert es ye thridde With yise thre men suld be ledde For yare may na man to heuen com Bot he be meke here and bouxsom For Godde says yus als clerkes knawes He salbe heghed yat hym lawes And he yat hymself here heghe wille He salbe lawed and yat es skille Yarefore we suld thynk and knawe How heghe Godde es and we so lawe And yat we haue noght yat gode es Of ourself bot wickednes For al yat we haue of grace and witte Al comes of Godde yat sendes vs itte Yarefore if we wil wisdome seke We haf grete mater to be meke For so heghe to heuen wynne we noght Bot we thurgh mekenes yider be broght We may noght cum on heght so fer Bot verray mekenes vs vp bere Verray mekenes als falles to be Shewes it in yise thinges thre In hert in mouthe and in werke Ilkane of ya may be a merke Als I sal recken yam here on rawe Thurgh whilk men may mekenes knawe Mekenes falles in herte to dwelle Thurgh yise four thynges yat I sal telle Thurgh oft bithinkynge vp and doun And thurgh verray contriscioun Thurgh gode suffraunce withouten grochyng Thurgh haly delyte withouten chaungyng Thurgh oft bithinking may mekenes com And make a man meke and bouxsom Yat him bithinkes of his wrechednes And what Godde has done hym mare and lesse For if he lat his thoght noght passe And hym bithynk what he first was And whethen he come if he right se And what he es and whare es he And what he salbe at ye ende And whiderward he sal yan wende He may fynde skilles and knawe Wharethurgh he suld him meke and lawe He suld think he was first noght And sithen conceyued in syn wroght Of a porcioun of foul matere Yat es a wlatsom thing to here Fra a foul herber he yan came Yat was fra his moder wame What he es he suld think For he es noght bot filth and stynke Na fruyt of himself may com Bot filth and stynk yat es wlatsom To alle wickednes he es heldande Bot in alle godenes he es fayllande Of himself withouten ne withinne Comes noght bot filthe and synne He es here in a mirke vallay Yar dole and anger es night and day Yat ful es of drede and trauaylle And of vanyte yat sal faylle And of perils yat oft here falles Yat vallay men yis werlde calles Yat to ye se may lickened be For it ebbes and flowes als dose ye se With grete waghes yat lang lastes Yat vppe and doun a man ay castes Yarefore whaso traystes on it It sal desceyf him ar he wit And when ye werled has him faylled And ye dede him has assaylled Yan sal his body noght elles be Bot wormes mete and erthe to se His body men sal in a pitte lay And ye saul sal wende anothir way Whethir it wende to ioye or payne Na man wate here for certayne Bot after ye endyng yat he sal make He sal his right iugement take Be it gode or be it ille He salbe demed yaraftir thurgh skille Also if he wald bithynk hym sone What godenes Godde haues hym done And what gode he dose him night and day And what he sal do hym and do may He suld luf him and drede in thoght Mare yan anythynge yat es wroght And luf and drede in alle thinge May sonest a man to mekenes bringe He suld think ay wele in thoght How Godde made him first of noght Aftir his image and his lickenes And ordayned him to ioye endeles And gaf him witte to knawe and skille What es gode and what es ille And how he boght hym agayne When he was dampned to helle payne Thurgh our formast fader synne Yat made first Godde and vs to twynne And what payne he tholed and reproue And how he dyed for our luf Al tholed he mekely yat might greue Ensaumple of mekenes vs to gieue Also he suld think when he may What Godde him dose night and day He sendes him ilk day his sustinaunce He saues him here fra alle meschaunce He helpes him when he has nede He strengthes him in alle gode dede Witte and strengthe he hym sendes And fra ye fende he hym fendes He spares him ay in his foly And to forgif him he es ay redy Al if he him gretly greue When he askes mercy he wil forgif And ay when he to hym turne wille Did he neuer so mykil ille He wil receyf him als his sone And ordayne him in blisse to wone Bot he yat here vouches noght saue To turne hym to hym and mercy craue After yis lyf he sal wende To payne of helle withouten ende Of swilk thoght comes luf and drede Yat may a man to mekenes lede Also thurgh verray contriscioun Mekenes it shewes in hert boun For when sorow in a mans hert rynnes When he bithinkes him of his synnes And of ye vnkyndenes yat he has wroght To Godde yat hym so dere has boght Yan tenders his hert for hys synne And mekenes lightens sone withinne Thurgh gode suffraunce also we se Mekenes falles in hert to be For when a man tholes with godewille Angers yat er sharp and ille Be it sekenes or be it pouert Mekenes shewes it yan in hert Yhete fynde I yat thurgh haly delyte Mekenes shewes it in hert tyte For when a man his hert settes right To luf Godde with al his myght Lastandly withouten fayllynge And has delyte in nane othir thing In ye hert yar swilk delyte es Schewes it verray mekenes In mouth mekenes shewes it ay Thurgh yise four thynges yat I now say Thurgh oft wreghyng in shrift of ille Thurgh deuoute prayere loude or stille Thurgh hertly continuele louynge Thurgh gode shewyng and techynge First thurgh oft wreghyng in shrift Yat ye saul toward Godde may lift Mekenes amange alle othir thewes Openly in ye mouthe it shewes For when a man es ay redy To wreghe hymself in shrift namely Of alle ye synnes yat he has wroght In worde in dede and in thoght And namely of ye hede synnes seuen Yat er mast principall to neuen Yat es to say pryde and envye Ire and slewth and litchery Glotony and couatyse If he war gilty on yis wyse And mare walde say if he couthe Yan shewes mekenes it in mouthe Yhete thurgh deuoute prayere semes Mekenes in mouth als men demes For when a man prayes deuoutly To our Louerd Godde almyghty With al ye wille yat in hym es Yan semes in his mouth mekenes Thurgh continuele louynge bi sight Mekenes shewes it in mouth right For when a man loues Godde ay And thankes hym bathe nyght and day Of alle gode yat he has hym done Yan shewes it mekenes in mouth sone Thurgh teching and shewyng of lare Mekenes shewes it openly yare For when a man es bisy to kenne And to shewe gode lare to alle men It semes wele bi his mouth fre Yat mekenes suld in hym be In werke mekenes may be sene Thurgh yise four thinges yat here bene Thurgh qwyting of al yat dette es Thurgh leel bodyly bouxsomnes Thurgh wirkyng of gode werkes namely Thurgh harde lyf ye flesshe to chasty First thurgh quytinge of alle dett Mekenes in werk es right sette For when a man wil right knawe Alle manere of dette yat he awe Bathe to Godde yat es ful of myght And to his euen cristen right And mase asseth to Godde and man Mekenes shewes it in werk yan Thurgh bouxsomnes als I wene Mekenes may in werk be sene For when a man with al his myght Es bouxsom bathe day and nyght Vnto Godde and to Halykirke Yair commaundmentes leelly to wirk And to his soueraynes aftir skille Es bouxsom to folow yair wille In hym semes mekenes ay redy Yat shewes it yan in werk apertly Thurgh wirkynge of gode werkes in sight Mekenes in werk shewes it right For when a man es bisy ay To do al ye gode yat he may And namely ye werkes of mercy Yat ouer alle othir er mast worthy Yan may men mekenes se and fele Yat in werke shewes it wele Thurgh sharpnes of harde lyf to lede Mekenes shewes it in werk and dede For when a man in penaunce lifs And thurgh penaunce his flesshe greues And flees delytz and kepes him chast And forsakes yat his flesshe yhernes mast To chasty it and to putte it lawe Yan may men mekenes in werke knawe Now haf I shewed here twelf thinges On whilk verray mekenes hynges Yat mas yair cours bi thre ways Als ye boke bifore right says Ye twelf skils yat yhe herd me neuen Ledes verray mekenes euen Bi thre partys and mase it light In hert in mouth and in werk right Withouten ya twelf in yise thre Verray mekenes may noght be Yis worde in celis with gode skille Askes of vs strengthe of wille Forwhy ye way yat we oft layte To heuen es so narow and strayte Yat na man may passe yarby Withouten gastly strengthe namely Yat es to vndirstande yus Bot he be als ye boke says vs With haly werkes strengthed wele And gode vertus yat he suld fele [The seven virtues] And namely with yise vertus seuen Yat I wil now specially neuen Yat es trouth hope and charyte Sleght yat thurgh witte bihoues be Methfulnes strengthe and rightwisnes Thurgh whilk ilk gode man gouerned es Ye thre first dyuyne vertus men calles And ye four after cardynalles Dyuynes men calles ye first thre Trouth and hope and charyte For yise thre ordaynes specially Al ye hert to Godde almyghty First trouthe als says Saynt Austyn Yat es ye first vertu dyuyne Puttes vs here vnder Goddis lawe And makes vs yat Lorde to knawe Of wham we halde als he vouches saue Alle ye godes yat we here haue Right trouth als says yis clerkes Es bigynnyng of alle gode werkes Trouth withouten gode werk es dede For of alle gode werkes it es hede Thurgh werkes anely na man may Withouten trouth Godde wele pay Hope es a siker habydynge Of gastly gode aftir our endynge Thurgh ye godenes of Godde almyghty And thurgh our gode dedes aparty For to com when we hethen wende Vnto ye blisse yat neuer sal ende And noght anely in ouer grete trayst Of Goddis godenes yat men may frayst Ne al anely als witte vs ledes In trayst of our awen gode dedes Bot in trayst of yam yat faylles noght When yai er bathe sammen broght For nouthir we sal so fer falle Intil wanhope mast synne of alle Yat we ne sal trayst to haf blisse If we wele do and leue our mysse Ne we ne sal so fer com Intil ouerhope thurgh our awen dome Yat we sal trayst als men witteles So mykell in Goddis godenes Yat we sal hope yat blisse to haue Withouten gode dedes and be saue Hope als Saynt Austyn says Vs may to Godde vplift and rayse And mas vs stalward and myghty And smert and wight and hardy To vndirtake for hym in right Yat yat passes here mans myght Charyte of ye thre es last Yat enioynes vs to Godde fast For charyte es nane othir thinge Bot dere anehede with hert lykynge Charyte wil yat we Godde luf Ouer alle thyng als men may proue And our euen crysten luf suld we Als ourseluen with hert fre We suld luf Godde for hymself anely And our euen cristen for God almyghty For ye tane may noght als I fele Withouten ye tothir be lufs wele Als Saynt Ione in his pistell says Whase sawes er mykell for to prays Yat commaundement he says we haue Of Godde namely als he vouches saue Yat whaso lufs Godde als he can He lufs his euen crysten yan For he yat lufs noght with hert fre His brothir wham he may se How suld he luf in hert right Godde of wham he has na sight Charyte yat es right tane Mas ye hert and Godde al ane Als says Saynt Paul trouth yar it es In Godde sees souerayne sothfastnes Hope his souerayne heght may se And charyte his souerayne bounte Yise thre vertus departed bene Thurgh thre degrees of luf clene Forwhy for thre thynges fynde I can Yat men specially lufs a man Outhir forthy yat men has herde Grete gode of hym yat he wele ferde Or forthy yat men bides to haue Grete gode of him als he vouches saue Or forthi yat men has had namely Grete gode of hym of curtaysy Bot yise thre maners of luf clene In yise thre first vertus er sene For luf of trouth heres and wirkes And of gode werk neuermare irkes Luf of hope yat alle gode waytes Feles ye right sauour and baytes Luf of charyte resayues at ye last And sees and tastes and haldes fast Ye four lattar vertus to halde Er ye vertus cardynals called Of whilk spekes yair auyse Yis philosofers yat war wys Bot ye Haly Gast gy(es) yam wele Ane hundrethfalde better to fele Als Salamon says in ye boke Of wisdome als clerkes may loke Ane es warnes als I right halde Anothir es methefulnes called Strengthe also ye thridde vertu es And ye ferth es rightwisnes Yise four vertus men comonly calles By skille ye vertus cardynalles Forwhy yai er als men may se Mast principalle aftir ye first thre For thurgh yise four vertus sere A man may gyen himseluen here Als ye pape thurgh his cardynals Gouernes Halykirk als falles And als ye herre gouernes ye dore And beres it vp fra ye flore Right so yai may a man right kepe Yat he falles noght doun ouer depe Warnes vs wisses ay war to be And ye wathes of yis werld to fle For it kennes vs to knawe bi skille Whilk es gode and whilk es ille And also to sundre haally Ye tane fra ye tothir party And ye ille ay to forsake And ye gode anely to take And of twa gode to chese ye bettir Yat to ye saul may be swettir Warnes kepes ay wele a man Yat his witte right rewell can Yat he be noght deceyued namely Thurgh wicked wyles of ye enemy Methe kepes yat he be noght Corrumped thurgh fals luf in thoght Strengthe him kepes yat he noght be Ouercommen thurgh drede or aduersyte Rightwisnes him settes thurgh myght In order and in state right Onence alle othir mare and lesse For it kepes to ilk man yat his es Yise four vertus yat er dyuers Er als four tours in four corners Of ye haly mans hous so fre Yat mas ye hous siker to be Warnes it kepes thurgh purueaunce Toward ye est fra perils and chaunce Methe it kepes toward ye southe Agayne wicked hetes vncouthe Strenght toward ye north es sette Agayne ye wicked coldes to lette And rightwisnes westward socours Agayne ye wicked rayne shours Yise four vertus has offyces sere Yat salbe keped on sere manere Als a philosofir says yat ight Placius in a boke right Yat he made of yise four vertus And parted yam sleghely and sayd yus Yat warnes has offices thre Forwhy thurgh him als men may se Al yat euer a man sal do Or say in alle yat falles yarto Alle ordaynes he and ledes at wille And rewels bi ye lyne of skille And nathing wil do day ne nyght Bot yat yat es resoun and right And in alle his werkes mare and lesse He puruays hym als sikerest es Aftir ye ordynaunce and ye wille Of Godde yat alle gode wil fulfille A grete lorde he may be called Yat has yis vertu and may it halde And gyes hym in yise thre thinges Thurgh yis vertu yar grete myght hinges Methe also has offices thre For ye hert yat has yat vertu fre Nouthir couaytes ne has talent To do thinge yat him may repent In nathynge he passes forby Ne ouer skille vnmesurabilly And vnder ye yhock of resoun right He settes and dredes day and nyght Al ye couatyse yat regnes mykell In yis werlde yat es ful fykell Yat es to say whaso has Yis vertu whareso he gase He kepes hym yat he be noght Corrumped nouthir in wille ne thoght Thurgh thre thynges als Saynt Ion says Yat man confoundes and Godde myspays Yat es lust of flesshe and pryde of hert And couatyse of ye werlde so smert Strengthe also has als I wene Thre offices als here es sene For ye hert yat has yis vertu right Rayses itseluen on heght thurgh myght Oboun alle perils yat may be In yis werlde yat we here se He dredes nathinge bot vilany And angre and welthe he bers sadly And suffirs euenly wo and wele Welth or angre whethir he fele So yat his hert es neuermare Ouer heghe here for na welefare Ne ouer laghe here on ye tothir syde For nane illefare yat may bityde Bot stifly withouten fayntyse Standes agayne alle his enemyse Whethir yat yai bodyly be Or gastly yat men may noght se So yat na foul temptacioun Make him lightly to falle doun A gode knyght he suld be talde And ane hardy bachilere and a balde Yat in yise thre thinges to fele War appertly proued and wele Yise thre vertus armes a man And ordaynes hym sikerly yan And saues him ay in gode quert When he has yise thre thinges in hert Als yai ly in brede and lengthe Yat es resoun luf and strengthe Warnes right kepes ye resoun Yat it be noght deceyued thurgh tresoun Methe kepes ye luf ay fre Yat it noght corrumped be Strengthe kepes ye strengthe right Yat it be noght ouercomen thurgh myght Rightwisnes right wille may gif Til a man ordaynely to lif Onence ilk man bathe mare and lesse To do to yam al yat right es For als ye philosophre says wele Yis es ye vertu als men may fele Yat mas a man do yat hym awe Onence ilk man bathe heghe and lawe For it yheldes reuerence als es sene To yam yat oboun hym bene And lufrede on gode manere To yam yat bene euen with hym here And grace to yam with hert fre Yat vnder hym falles to be Thurgh yise four vertus yat I prays Als ye wys philosophre says A man es worthy thurgh fauour Yat he be made right gouernour First of hymself als es mast nede And aftirward of othir to lede In yise four vertus yat I sayde last Yis olde philosophres studyed fast And to forsake ye werlde vouched saue Vertu and wisdome for to haue Yarefore yai war here right called Philosophres yat lif yus wald For philosophye als we se Es a worde of grete dignyte And es yus mykell for to say Als luf of wisdome yat lykes ay And philosophre es noght elles Bot lufer of wisdom als clerkes telles Lorde how vs aght to drede sare Yat ya yat sumtyme paens ware And war withouten certayne lawe And ye grace of Godde couth noght knawe Ne ye gift of ye Haly Gast Bot folwes yair awen witte mast And yhete yai climned in ye mountayne Of parfytenes of lyf certayne Yus yai did als I shewe yhow Anely thurgh yair awen vertu And yam deyned na mare to loke To ye werlde yat yai forsoke And we yat cristen men er called And has ye verray trouth to halde And knawes Goddis commaundements mast And has ye grace of ye Haly Gast Yat in a day anely if we wille We may mare profyte loude or stille Thurgh ye grace yat we haue here Yan yai may in al a yhere We weltre here als swyne vnclene In ye sloghes of yis werlde here sene Yarefore says Saynt Paul right wele Als clerkes may fynde in boke and fele Yat ye paens yat has na lawe And dose ye lawe yat yai noght knawe At domesday sal vs deme Yat ye lawe has and noght wil it yheme Bot forthy yat yai haf noght here Ye right trouth in ye hert clere Ne ye grace of ye Haly Gast Alle yair vertus er dede and wast For yai haf na quyk vertu of myght Semed it neuer so fayr in sight For als men may se in som stede Bitwene a quyke cole and a dede Or a dede man and a lifande Yus es ye vertu to vndirstande Yat withouten brightnes es And ye vertu yat has brightnes Yat es ye valu and ye bounte And ye lyf of othir vertus to se Wharefore Saynt Austyn als I fynde yus When he spekes of yis four vertus He yam departes for our bihoue Proprely thurgh four manere of luf And also thurgh four thynges yarto Yat verray luf here may fordo He says first yat ye vertu of warnes Bi skille ye luf of ye hert es Thurgh whilk ye hert forsakes ay Alle thing yat lette or harme him may And cheses aftir he can se and fele Alle thing yat may help him wele To haf yat he lufs namely Yat es our Lorde Godde almyghty Ye vertu of methe als he says Es luf of hert yat Godde payse Thurgh whilk he gifs him with wille chast To Godde anely yat he lufs mast Ye vertu of strengthe es luf of hert Thurgh whilk he tholes al yat may smert Stalwardely withouten fayllynge To haue yat he lufs ouer alle thing Ye vertu of rightwisnes may be Bi skille ye luf of hert fre Thurgh whilk he serues yat he mast lufs Yat es Godde yat ye hert proues Yarefore vnderfote he settes Alle othir thinge yat swilk luf lettes Wharefore rightwisnes settes wele A man in his right state to fele Yat es abowen alle thinge soght And bynethen Godde yat alle thing wroght Withouten yise four vertus clene Na man may clym wele als I wene Into ye mountayne of parfytenes Yat ye right way to heuen es For whaso wil clymbe so heghe He suld flee welth and angre dreghe Forwhy na man comes to yat place Bot he first folow here Goddis trace He suld haf warnes on alle wyse Yat may make him yis werld dispyse And him bihoues haf strengthe withalle Elles he myght here ful sone falle Yat gifs him grace to vndirtake Yat yat strayte es for Goddis sake He suld haf methe als we se Yat he noght ouercharged be Rightwisnes he suld haf ay Yat him may lede bi ye right way And him shewe to se gastly Ye kingedome of God almyghty Als God to Iacob did thurgh myght Als ye boke of wisdome says right He yat had yise vertus alle A parfyte man men myght him calle For he war blissed in yis werlde here And in ye tothir yat es mare clere Forwhy he suld be in gode quert And ay in rest and pees of hert And in gastly ioy and delyte dwelle Als men may here yis clerkes telle Hym suld faylle here nathynge Yat gode ware to his lifynge And at ye last he suld wende To ye delitz withouten ende Now haf I talde yhow als I can Ye vertus yat mast strengthes a man With gode werkes yat specially springes Of twa maners of right lifynges Ane es called right actyue lyue Anothir es lyf contemplatyue Actyue lyf als says yis clerkes Es lyf of trauaylle in gode werkes For he yat hauntes yat lyf es bisy To do ay ye werkes of mercy Yat es ye hungry and ye thristy to fede To lene and frist yam yat has nede To clethe yat naked bene and bare To viset ye seke yat feles sare To herber in house with gode hert Pouer men yat comes ouerthwert To help yat in prisoun er bunden To biry yam yat dede er funden To counsaylle yam yat er redeles To teche vnconande al yat gode es To amende misdoars and chasty To comfort yam yat bene sary To forgif with godewille sone Trespas and wranges yat es done To rewe on yam yat angre has To pray for frendes and for faas To acorde yam yat bene at debate To do penaunce arely and late Werkes of mercy alle yise men calles Swilk werkes to lyf actyue falles Contemplatyue lyf es yis Haally study about heuen blisse Contemplatyue lyf hauntes he Yat lifs in clene charyte And settes his hert in Godde anly And leues ye werlde yat mase men bisy Contemplatyue lyf withouten semes A lyf of rest als men oft demes Bot he yat ledes yat lyf rightly He es in hert in thre thynges bisy Yat es to say in redynge In prayinge and in bithynkynge In redynge has he grete delyte Of lyfs of haly men parfyte And of haly wrytte yat clerkes lokes Yat es wryten in dyuers bokes Yhete haly ensaumples wil he rede To rewell his lyf bi yam and lede In prayinge es he bisy and boun With alle manere of deuocioun He es ay prayand loude or stille And shewes to Godde al his wille His prayere ful of yhernynge es To com to blisse yat es endeles He prayes also whareso he wendes For his faas and for his frendes When he prayes his hert es broght Clene out of alle idell thoght And bot he praye on yis manere Godde wil noght here his prayere In bithynkyng ful bisy he es When he thinkes of his wrechednes Bathe of saul and of body And of ye godenes and ye curtaysy Yat Godde has done him and dose ilk day Als yhe haf herde me bifore say Yus may contemplatyue lyf be Reweled in yise thinges thre Bot contemplatyue lyf es noght clene Bot actyue lyf yarewith be sene Of yise twa lyues als says yis clerkes Comes alle vertus and alle gode werkes Yis worde in celis yat we say yus Pruesce of hert askes of vs For heuen es swilk a kingedome Yat na man may yider come To bere ye coroun of blisse yareinne Bot he here it appertly wynne Thurgh pruesce and thurgh victory To ouercom yise thre faas namely Ye werlde his flesshe and ye fende Yat hym assaylles and wald shende Ye werlde assaylles on aythir syde A man yat wil it here habyde On ye right syde als I gesce It assaylles thurgh welth and ritches And on ye left syde alswa It assaylles thurgh angre and wa Bot ay when it a man assaylles Thurgh welthe and ritches yat oft faylles It may sone ouercommen be Thurgh willeful pouert als we se And when it assaylles thurgh angre a man It may lightly be ouercommen yan Thurgh stedefast suffraunce of hert Be ye angre neuer so smert Ye flesshe assaylles a man egrely Thurgh grete lust lykyng of body Yat may be ouercommen thurgh skille Thurgh abstinence of fre wille Ye fende assaylles a man sleghely Thurgh pryde of hert and vayneglory And he may thurgh verray mekenes Be ouercommen and made myghtles Yarefore whaso may on yis wyse Ouercom yise thre fals enemyse He sal noght yan of heuen mysse Yar he sal haue ye coroun of blisse Yat may he chalange rightwisly When he of yam has ye victory Now haf I talde ye vndirstandynge Of yise four wordes at ye bigynnynge Pater noster qui es in celis Whaso wil yise four wordes halde Goddis sone he may be called Yat es to say if he folow wille Ye vnderstandynge of yam bi skille Ye whilk men may lightly bere If yai it in yair hert sper Ye first worde shewes to our knawing Ye lengthe of Goddis ay lastyng And thurgh kynde of ye Faderhede He askes of vs luf and drede Bouxsomnes and honour to do Seruyse and reuerence yarto Ye secund worde vs shewes to se Ye largesce of Goddis charyte And askes of vs when we it rede Luf yat falles to brothirhede And hope withouten dout to haue Alle yat we rightwisly craue Ye thridde vs shewes als writen es Ye depnes of his sothfastnes And askes of vs trouth stedefast And drede of ye dome yat salbe last Ye ferth worde shewes als falles to be Ye heght of Goddis maieste And askes of vs namely thre thinges Ane es mekenes yat in hert springes Anothir strengthe of wille suld be Ye thridde es pruesce of hert fre Yus may men vndirstande shortly Yise four wordes with lytell study And whaso vndirstandes yam right And aftir yam dose with al his might And fulfilles ay Goddis wille He es his gode sone thurgh skille Whatso he of ye Fader wil craue Yat skilful es he sal yan haue And he yat wirkes yareagayne He says his Pater Noster in vayne After yise four wordes at ye bigynnyng Folwes euen ye first askynge And if we ya four fest in vs Yan may we say sikerly yus Sanctificetur nomen tuum Yise four wordes er ye prolouge called Of ye Pater Noster als I halde Yat es right als ane entree Of a toun or of a cyte Into a cyte na man may Com bot bi ane entre of way So sal we com on ye same manere Bi yis proloug to right prayere [The petitions of the Pater Noster, and the Gifts] After yat folwes seuen askinges Yat purchaces and to vs bringes Ye seuen giftes of ye Haly Gast Yat to clene lifyng vs may hast Ye whilk out of ye hert drawes Ye seuen hede synnes yat within gnawes And settes seuen maner of vertus Instede of yam yat men suld vse Ye whilk a man euen ledes To seuen manere of blissedhedes Of yise seuen askynges ye first thre Mase a man here haly to be And ye four yat aftir lys Mase a man here rightwys Forwhy al ye halynes of a man Als yis clerkes shewe vs can Yat es made right lyke to be To ye image of ye Trynyte Aftir thre thynges yat er sene In ye saul yat yise thre bene Mynde vndirstandynge and wille Yat es in yise thre thinges thurgh skille In yat yat ye saul in ye body Be clensed in ye wille parfytely Of allekyns maner of fylynge And lightend wele in ye vndirstandyng And parfytely confermed in ye mynde In Godde and with Godde yat toke man kynde And ye mare largely yat ye saul fre Resayues of Godde yise giftes thre Ye mare proprely it neghes nere To his kynde beute yat es clere Yat es to ye beute yat come mast Of ye Fader and ye Sone and ye Hali Gast Yat es when Godde ye Fader fre Confermes in mans hert mynde to be Godde ye Sone withouten lettyng Lightens his vndirstandynge And Godde ye Haly Gast to fele His wille at ye last clenses wele Yise thre thynges yat we suld haue We aske ilk day here and craue Thurgh ye first thre askinges Yat in ye Pater Noster hynges DE PRIMA PETICIONE SCILICET SANCTIFICETUR ET CETERA First we suld bigynne to pray At ye heghest when we yus say Sanctificetur nomen tuum Here shewe we at ye biginnyng To our Fader our mast yhernynge Yat we suld in hert haf ay While we wone here nyght and day Yat es shortly to say yus Yat his name be halwed in vs Wharefore when we say als bousom Sanctificetur nomen tuum Yus we say for thing mast certayne Lorde yis es our yhernyng souerayne Ouer alle thinge yis aske we Yat halwed mot yi name be Yat es yi knawynge and yi trouth right Be festend in vs day and nyght Yarefore in yis first askynge We ask bifore alle othir thinge Ye first gift of ye Haly Gast Yat es ye gift of wisdome to tast Ye whilk festes ye hert ay fast In Godde ye Fader ay to last And ioynes and knyttes it to him so Yat it may noght depart him fro Wisdome es sayde of sauour Of thinge yat swete es and noght sour For when a man es bouxsom To resayue ye gift of wisdome He tastes ye sauour what it es And feles of Godde ye swetnes Als he yat wil and may tast wele Ye swetnes of gode licour and fele Bi ye mouthe if he tast right Better yan he may bi ye sight And forthy yat ya yat er vnconande Suld ye better vnderstande Yis askynge yat we say yus Yi name mot be halwed in vs Men suld knawe and right halde Yat yis worde yat haly es called Es als mykell to say als clene Als withouten erthe to be sene Als halwed to Goddis seruyse And to alle werkes yat bene rightwys Als litted in blode ay to last Als confermed and festened fast On yise thre wyse ye gast of wisdome Halwes ye hert yat es bouxsome First he clenses and fynes it right Als fyre fynes gold yat es bright Aftirward I fynde alswa He puttes away alle erthe yarfra Yat es to say als clerkes can proue He dose away al erthely luf And alkyn flesshely affeccioun Yat reues a man deuocioun And mase it bicom fade to ye sight Al yat bifore semed clere and bright Als water semes fade in shewyng To hym yat to gode wyne has lyking Afterward he halwes it euen To ye seruyse of Godde of heuen And puttes it fra alle bisynes Of thoght and of yat vanyte es And mase it to think on Godde ay And to luf Godde wele and serue to pay Als ye kirke es on ye same wyse Halwed here to Goddis seruyse So yat men sal nathinge wirke Bot Goddis seruyse in Halykirke Also he littes ye hert in blode Yat precius es and clene and gode For he puttes it als I vnderstande In swilk a grete luf brynnande And in swilk deuocion namely Of our Lorde Godde almyghty Yat when he thinkes vp and doun On Cryst and on his passyoun It es thurgh litted in ye blode Yat Cryst shedde for hym on rode Als a soppe es of warme brede Yat es dipped in wyne rede So es ye hert yat es clene to fele In ye blode of Cryst es litted wele Yis es a newe baptyme sene To make ye hert bright and clene For als ye boke beres wittenes Lyttynge and baptyme al ane es Yarefore he festes ye hert right In Godde yat es mast of myght So yat it may noght fra God wynne For nathinge may yam sundre ne twynne Yan may we say yis worde yus Yi name mot be halwed in vs Yat es to say on yis manere Graunt vs ye gast of wisdom here Wharethurgh we be fyned clene And clensed of alle filthes yat bene Wharethurgh we be so filled of yi luf Yat swettest es of alle thing to proue Yat alle othir swetnes may be To vs ay bitter yus aske we Wharethurgh we may so on all wyse Vs gif to ye and to yi seruyse Yat we alle othir seruyse forsake And to yi seruyse anely vs take Wharethurgh we be noght anely Wasshen bot litted in grayne yarby And renoueld thurgh grace and myght And eft baptyzed and wasshen right In Crystes blode precious to proue Thurgh deuocioun and fast luf Wharethurgh ye name of our Fader fre Mot in vs so fast festened be Yat he be our gode Fader of myght And we his childer and his ayres right So festened fast yat nathinge May greue na louse yat festnynge A grete grace es yis at ye last When ye hert in Godde es so rotefast Yat ye wille and ye deuocioun May noght be loused thurgh temptacioun And so fulfilled in ye luf anely Of ye swetnes of Godde almyghty Yat it ne may na solace gette Bot of Godde yar ye thoght es sette Yan es ye hert yat yis may fele Fested in Godde parfytely and wele On yis manere aske we ay Als oftsythe als we yus say Sanctificetur nomen tuum Yat es to say shortly yus Fader halow yi name in vs Yat er yi childer here thurgh skille Yat we do noght agayne yi wille Bot yat we mot here in alle thing Bouxsomly do al yi bidynge DE SECUNDA PETICIONE SCILICET ADVENIAT ET CETERA And forthi yat we er noght mighty To do Goddis wille here parfytely Whyle we dwell in yis werld here Yarefore we say on yis manere Adveniat regnum tuum Yat es to say yi kyngedome Hastily mot to vs come Our Lorde says yus in ye godespell To his discyples als I now tell Ye kyngedom of God es within yhou Yat it may so be vnderstandes now When God gyfs a grace thurgh myght In mans hert yat es called right Ye haly gift of vnderstandyng Yat may a man to clene lyf bringe For als ye sonne puttes away Ye mirkenes of night and mas day And wastes ye cloudes yat myrk bene And ye mornyng mistes yat er sene Right so yis gift yat men tastes Al ye mirkenes of ye hert wastes And shewes his syns thurgh clerenes And alle his defautes mare and lesse So yat he yat wenes he es clene Sal fynde in ye hert als I wene So mykil poudre yarein dwelle Of synne withouten noumbre to tell Als ye sonnebeem shewes right Poudre and motes yar it shines bright Yareafter he shewes thurgh his clernes Noght anely yat yat withinne es Bot yat yat es withouten to telle And yat es bynethen him in helle And yat es obowen in heuen And yat es obouten him euen Yat es to say ye fayre creatures Yat Godde ay loues and honures And witneses here sothfastly How wys Godde es and how mighty How mykell how gode and hou debonere How swete how lufly of chere And ye mare clere he sees thurgh sight Ye creatures yat Godde made right Ye mare he es yhernand in thoght To se yat Lorde yat yam wroght Bot he sees wele yat vnclene es he And vnworthy yat Lorde to se Yan chaufes he ye hert thurgh maystry And waxes wrathe to himself anely Yan tase he a picke sharp and smert And grubbes and mynes about ye hert Ay til he withinne ye hert be Yar he may alle his defautes se And when he has myned and es within Yan fyndes he yare so mykell syn And so many vyces of vnclennes And so many defautes mare and lesse And so mykell poudre yat his sight spilles Of wicked thoghtes and of ille willes Yat he mas dole and has grete tene For swilk filth es in ye hert sene Yan biginnes he alle filth out cast And mas ye hert clene at ye last Of alkyn thing yat lettes ye sight Of Godde our Fader mast of myght And yat dose he thurgh tunge swift When he wryes himself in shrift Bot when he has lang grubbed about And al ye filth has casten out Yan fyndes he in ye hert thurgh grace Pese and rest ioy and solace So mykell and so grete to telle Yat him think yis werld noght bot helle To regarde of yat clerenes And of pees yat yan in ye hert es And yis aske we bathe nyght and day Thurgh yis askyng when we it say Adveniat regnum tuum Yat es to say Fader of pyte Graunt vs here if yi wille be Yat ye Haly Gast vs light within And clense our hert of al filth of syn So yat we may here worthy be In our hertes ye ay to se And you vouche saue to com And wone in vs with yi kyngedom Als kynge and lorde and gouernour Als chief mayster and comandour So yat our hert be al yine awen And you kyng yarof to vs ay knawen So yat we may of ye haf sight In our hert bathe day and nyght Yis es ye lyf yat we mast craue Ye kingedome of Godde in vs to haue Yarefore says Godde on yis manere In ye gospell als men may here Godde es als a tresour kidde Yat in a felde es priuyly hidde Yat es in ye hert ful of clennes Yat es mare yan al yis werlde es Yus in ye Pater Noster aske we Thurgh yis askynge als yhe may se Adveniat regnum tuum Yat may be shortly sayde yus Lorde thurgh grace here regne in vs Yat we thurgh blisse may regne in ye In ye tothir werld yat ay salbe Fiat voluntas tua sicut in celo et in terra And yis same say we comonly For yam yat er in purgatory DE TERTIA PETICIONE SCILICET FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA ET CETERA And forthy yat we may noght haue Blisse in heuen yat we craue Bot we in erthe here do his wille Yarefore we say yus thurgh skille Fiat voluntas tua sicut in celo et in terra Yat es to say on yis wyse sone Fader yi wille in vs be done In erthe als es in heuen sene Yat es als in aungels yat yare bene Yat er so lighted and fested fast In Godde thurgh blisse yat ay sal last Yat yai may yherne nane othir thing Bot yat yat es to yi likynge Yis askyng may noght auaylle Withouten ye gift of counsaylle Yat es a gift of ye Haly Gast Yat teches vs here Goddis wille mast And turnes our wille to his likynge And so to do his wille in alle thinge Yat na self wille ne witte in vs rest Bot his wille anely yat es best Yat it be huswyf and lauedy Of al ye hert withinne haally And gouerne it with resoun and skille And do in vs whatso it wille Als it dose and es done right In ye aungels of heuen bright And dose Gods wille in alle thinge Withouten any agayne standynge Al yis in our askynge lyes When we say yus on yis wyse Fiat voluntas tua sicut in celo et in terra Yat es shortly yi wille be done In erthe als in heuen sone Yat es yus mykell for to say Graunt vs myght and grace here ay To do ay here with gode talent Alle yat es yi commandement And yat you forbedes to leue sone In erthe als es in heuen done Yise er ye first askynges thre Yat we in ye Pater Noster se Yat of alle ye tothir heghest bene And ye mast worthy als es sene In ye first we ask als childer bouxsom Of our Fader ye gift of wisdome We aske in ye secunde askynge Ye heghe gift of vnderstandynge And in ye thridde yat may vs vaylle We aske ye haly gift of counsaylle Yise thre we noght anely craue For we yam suld here parfytely haue Bot we shewe our Fader our yhernyngs Yat specially on our hert hynges Yat bene or suld be in yat sone Yat yise thre askynges war in vs done And confermed in vs and fested fast And fulfilled in ye luf yat ay sal last In ye tothir four yat after lyse We say to our Fader on yis wyse Graunt vs forgif vs and kepe vs Delyuer vs ya four shew we yus And bot we yise four askynges haue We may noght wele our lyf here saue Forwhy yise four ful nedeful bene In yis lyf yat here es sene DE QUARTA PETICIONE SCILICET PANEM NOSTRUM ET CETERA And forthy yat we may noght fulfille Whyle we lif here al Goddis wille Bot we haf sustynaunce of body Yarefore we say yus specially Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie Yat es to say shortly yus Our ilk day brede today gif vs Our gode mayster vs kennes hereby Mekely to speke and wysely When he kennes vs yus to say Our ilke day brede graunt vs today What may ye sone better craue Or aske of ye Fader here to haue Yan brede anely withouten mare For ye day als nedeful ware He askes nane outrage yarby Nouthir fisshe ne flesshe bot brede anely And yat askes he noght for yhere ne woke Bot for ye day als says ye boke Now semes yis a lytell thinge Yat we craue in yis askynge Bot a grete thing may he it fele Yat can vnderstande it wele When a man wil ane abbot praye And hym aske ye brede of his abbay He askes after his entent Ye brothirhede of ye couent And part of yair lyf religious And of alle ye gode dedes of ye hous Swa askes he Godde yat says yus Lorde our ilke day brede today graunt vs In yis he askes for his mast nede Ye company and ye brothirhede And part and right in ye godes alle Yat in heghe heuenryke may falle Yis es ye brede of yat blisseful couent Ye brede of heuen yat he sal hent Ye brede of aungels profytable Ye brede mast delycius and delytable Ye brede of mast sikernes Ye brede of lyf yat es endeles For a siker lyf mas yat brede And kepes ye saul fra gastly dede Yat brede may be talde right Fode of grete vertu and myght For it may staunche wele and fille Al ye hunger of ye werlde bi skille And so may do nane othir fode Bot yat brede anely yat es so gode Yat brede men resayues right To sacrament of ye auter dight Hastyly men suld ay ete it And gredily als says haly writte Als ye gredy man dose gode mete Yat so gredily wil it ete Yat ye gode morsels yat er smale Withouten chewyng swalowes hale Swa suld men with a brynnand luf Resayue yat mete for ye saul bihoue And swelow it withouten chewyng With grete luf of hert and lykyng Yat es men suld trowe sothfastly Yat yis mete es ye blissed body Of Ihesu Cryst vs to fede With ye saul of his Godhede Alletogider gastly to se Withouten musyng how yat may be Forwhy mare may Godde do alweldand Yan any man may vnderstande Afterward of yat blissed mete Men suld ett als dose ye nete Yat eftsons chewes ye gresse Yat he has eten als his kynde es With lytell and litell als he shewes And yat es when he ye cude chewes Swa suld a man thurgh deuocioun Think when he has swelwed yat mete doun And recorde of(t) in hert and thoght Ye gode yat God has for him wroght And how grete payne our Lorde Iesus Suffred here in erthe for vs Yan fyndes he ye sauour right Of yat mete of so grete myght And conceyues also and tastes yarby A brynnand luf in God almyghty And a grete yhernyng nyght and day To thole for hym al yat he may And al yis mase ye grete vertu Of yis blissed brede of valu Forwhy yat brede als men may fele Strengthes and comfortes ye hert wele To yat yat it be stalward to proue And to suffre mykell for Goddis luf Bot yat may noght be bot if it tast Ye fierth gift of ye Haly Gast Yat es ye gift of strengthe talde Yat armes and mas Goddis knyghtes bald And mas yam rynne to martirdome And lagh when yai in torments come And yarefore when we yis brede craue We aske ye gift of strengthe to haue For als ye brede yat here es bodily Sustaynes and strengthes ye body Right so ye gift of strengthe may make Ye hert stalwarde to vndirtake And thole ane harde thing to ye body For ye luf of Godde almyghty Yis brede we calle our brede mast Forwhy it was made of our past It es our brede thurgh right tryed For it was for vs sothen and fryed Sothen it was in ye wambe namely Of ye blissefull mayden Mary Fryed it was al in blode On ye croyce anely for our gode For he vouched saue to do yus In yat brynnand luf he had to vs Yis brede of whilk I spake bifore Es ye siker warnystore Yat ay lastes and neuer faylles Wharewith he ye shippe vitaylles Yat Halykirk es to vnderstande To passe ye see of ye werlde flowande It es our brede thurgh vnderstandyng For Godde at his last leue takynge Left vs in his last testament Ye body of Ihesu Cryst to tent Als ye mast and ye derrest tresore Yat he might leue vs here in store And gaf vs it while we here lif Als ye best iewell yat he might gif Yat we suld kepe whyle we haf witte For ye luf of hym yat left vs itte And vse it ay when we er worthy In remembraunce of hym anely It es our for nathing bi skille May reue vs it agayne our wille For it es a distribucioun Yat es ane ilk day warisoun Yat Godde gifs til his chanouns Ilke day instede of yair comouns Yat his seruyse here dose right And synges his werkes day and nyght His chanouns er called hertes clene Yat meke to Godde and bouxsom bene Yat er bisy to do ilka day Alle ye gode werkes yat God may pay Thurgh verray luf and deuocioun In remembraunce of his passyoun Our ilk day brede men calles it yus For it es nedefull ilk day to vs And ilka day if we do wele We suld resayue it and fele Worthily in ye sacrament Of ye auter with gode entent Als dose ye prest thurgh wham it es dight Or gastly thurgh trouth take it right Yis brede ful noble and precious es And ful of myght and sothfastnes It es a mete real and clene In whilk alle maner of delyces bene For alle gode sauours yareof may com Als ye boke says yus of wisdome Yis es na mete for knaues and pages Ne to hors ne cherles for yair wages Bot to ye hertes yat here er curtays Clene and gentell and noble to prays Yat er ye hertes yat in alle place Er curtays and gentell thurgh grace And noble thurgh gode lyf to se And clene wasshen thurgh shrift pryue Of ye vertu of yat brede Saynt Ione spekes in a stede And calles yat blissed brede to fele Ouer alle thinge substanciele Yat es to say for mast sustinaunce It passes obown alle othir substaunce And alle creatures mare and lesse In vertu and in worthynes Yar may na man in yis lyue Bettir yis blisseful brede discryue Yan calle it als it semes wele Ouer alle thinge substancyele Men says substanciele es yat mete In whilk es mayne and substaunce grete Mete of substaunce we say yan Es mete of grete norisshyng to man And ye mare ye mete es norisshande Ye mare substanciele it es semande Yarefore es vertu and norisshynge In yis brede ouer alle thinge Mare yan any man knawe here may Or think with hert or with tunge say For ye vertu of yis brede may passe Alle ye mens wytte yat euer was Yis brede we ask of our Fader ay And pray hym graunt it vs today Yat es to say you it vs gif Als lange als we sal here lif Yat we mot here gode iourne make And gastly habyde our hire to take Yat es ye peny of blisse to kenne Yat Godde gifs to his werkemen Yat in his vyneyherde trauaylle wille Als ye gospell telles bi skille For he comes at euen and mas yair pay Yat es ye ende of yis lyf to say Yarefore ye brede yat best es for vs Aske we ay when we say yus Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie Yat may be sayde yus shortly and wele Graunt vs today our brede to fele Yat es strengthe and hele namely Bathe of saul and of body Thre manere of brede here aske we Thurgh yis askynge als yhe may se Ane es bodyly brede of substaunce Yat es our nedefull sustinaunce Anothir es gastly yat es wytte To vnderstande haly writte Ye thridde es brede of ye eukarist Yat es ye blissefull body of Cryst Yat comfortes thurgh grace namely Ye kynde of ye saul and of ye body DE QUINTA PETICIONE SCILICET ET DIMITTE ET CETERA And for we er na gode worthy Whiles we here in synne ly Yarefore we aske of our Fader dere Forgifnes and says on yis manere Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus nobis debitoribus nostris In yis askynge yat we here say Our Fader of heuen yus we pray Yat he wil forgif vs sone Our mysdedes yat we haf done Als we forgif with godewille To yam yat has done vs ille Yis salbe our vnderstandynge Ay when we sal say yis askynge Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus nobis debitoribus nostris Yat es to say specially yus Fader our dettes forgif vs Als we alle dettes forgif clene Til alle yat our dettours bene Our dettes er our synnes ilkane Yat we haf here to frest tane And sette our saules for yam to halde Yat es ye best wedde of ye hous calde Forwhy a man yat es gilty Of a synne yat es dedely For yat a synne yat comes so tyte Als onence ye dede and ye delyte To so grete oker bonden es he Yat it may neuer thurgh him quitte be For he has nouthir powere na myght To make assethe yarfore bi right Yat vsure to vnderstande es Ye payne of helle yat es endeles Also to Godde almyghty he awe Yat he has wrethed and broken his lawe So grete amendes forsothe to say Yat he es of na powere to pay For in al his lyf while he lifs here If he lifd ane hundreth yhere Or mare if he so lange lyued And he had anes Godde dedely greued He myght noght penaunce inoghe do For yat a synne als fel yarto If Godde wald vse yat mercyfull es Ye grete reddure of rightwisnes Yarefore bihoued hym specially Rynne to ye courte of mercy And cry mercy som grace to wynne And ask forgifnes of his synne Forwhy thurgh right als writen es In ye court anely of rightwisnes Ye synful man suld dampned be To endeles dede withouten pyte Yarefore our Lorde Godde swete Iesus For our recouerere kennes vs To aske hertly when we haf nede Forgifnes of al our mysdede Bot ilk man suld take kepe yat prays To Godde our Fader when he yus says Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus nobis debitoribus nostris Lorde forgif vs our misse yat ders Als we forgif our mysdoers God wil noght forgif vs our folys Bot we forgif on ye same wys Als clerkes may here himself telle Openly in ye godspelle Wharefore he yat ye Pater Noster says And of forgifnes ye Fader prays And rankour in hert haldes or envye Or ire or hatred or felonye He prays agayne himseluen ay When he ye Pater Noster sal say For he prays yat God forgif him noght Ye dedes yat he has wrange wroght When he says forgif me myne ille Als I othir men forgif wille And yarefore ilke tyme yat a man His Pater Noster says als he can Bifore Godde in pryuyte Yat knawes his hert and may it se And persayues al hys entent He suld forgif al mautalent And wreth out of his hert sone cast And rancour so yat it noght last And elles his prayere als we se Sal mare agayne hym yan for him be And if he think it harde and greue His mawtalent here to forgif To yam yat wil hym any ille Or has mysdone him agayne skille Yan suld he think als I hym rede Yat our Lorde forgaf his dede To yam yat hym did on ye rode To gif vs here ensaumple gode To forgif alle trespas sone To yam yat has hym misdone And yhete mare for yam to praye And in yair nede to helpe yam ay Forwhy als ye gospell right says It es na grete thinge to prays Ne grete desert onence God to rose To do yam gode yat vs gode dose Ne to luf yam anely yat here lufs vs Forwhy Iewes and Sarzyns dose yus Bot we yat er Goddis childer fre Thurgh trouth and grace als falles to be And has ye name of Cryst to halde And Crysten men thurgh trouth er cald And er heyrs with Cryst so rightwys Of ye herytage of paradys We suld forgif ilkane othir And luf sammen als syster and brothir And luf our enmys here namely Yat to vs has here envye Yat es to say we suld luf ay Yair persones and for yam pray And helpe yam when yai haf nede Yan war we worthy to haf mede Forwhy yus Godde vs commandes In ye godspell als clerkes vnderstandes Wharefore we suld anely hate Yair synnes yat appayres yair state And luf yair sawles in hert and thoght Yat aftir Goddis image er wroght Als a lym lufs of ye body And forberes anothir lym kyndely If ye tane hurt ye tothir sare Ye tothir venges hym neuer ye mare We er in Cryst alle a body Als says ye apostell openly And yarefore we suld here luf right Ilkane othir with al our myght And he yat lufs noght yus I halde Yat he may manslaer be cald Yat dampnes hymself to payne endeles Als haly writte beres wittenes Yat says he yat wil his brothir dere Or in hert hates he es mansslaere Yarefore parchaunce swilk wil say Ye Pater Noster when yai pray Yat better war als semes bi skille Yai lete it be and helde yam stille Forwhy yai moue yair awen iugement Agayne yamself aftir yair entent Bot neueryelesse yai suld say Ye Pater Noster ay when yai may And leue it noght al if yai be In synne and out of charyte For yat prayere es so precious And so haly and so vertuous Yat thurgh vertu of it and thurgh myght Som grace sal yair hertes light To do yam se al yayr foly And repent yam and aske mercy For als I sayd first and es sene In yat prayere seuen askynges bene And ilkane askynge may purchace Of ye Haly Gast a speciall grace Yat ye synful mans hert may fele Al be his askynge condicionele For in ye Pater Noster we pray On condicioun when we yus say Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus nobis debitoribus nostris Fader forgif vs our folys Als we forgif on ye same wyse Als wha say if we forgif noght Forgif vs noght yat we haf wroght In yis askynge yat we charge mast We ask a gift of ye Haly Gast Yat es called ye gift of knawyng Yat mase a man knaw his lifyng Yis gift abates a mans felnes For it shewes a man what he es And whare he es if he wil se And in what perill here es he And whethen he come and whider he sal And his misdedes he shewes hym al And what he has tane of frest vnqwitte And how mykell he awe it mas him wit And when he sees yat he es so sette Yat he has noght to quyte his dette Yan sal ye Haly Gast of knawyng Bringe him til a grete forthinkynge And make him grete and sare sigh ay And cry God mercy and yus say Lorde forgif me here my dettes Yat er my synnes yat my mede lettes Forwhy I am als you may se Gretly endetted onence ye Thurgh my wickednes yat I haf wroght In worde in werk in wille in thoght And for ye gode yat I haf left to do And yat I haf forgeten yarto Yat I suld haf done thurgh skille And myght haf done and had na wille And for ye gode yat you dose me And ye vertus yat I haf of ye Yat I vse wrange with my body And serues ye vnbouxsomly And for I may noght yis dette quyte Lorde yat I awe forgif me tyte And when ye gift of knawynge Has made hym swilk a shewynge Yat he may knawe al his wickednes And alle his defautes mare and lesse Yan mas yis gift hym at ye last Alle rancour out of ye hert cast And to forgif al mautalent And alle wranges yat he has hent And gifs hym wille to forgif tyte To yam yat has hym done dispyte Yan faylles he noght of his yhernyng When he shewes yis askynge Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus nobis debitoribus nostris Yat es to say on yis manere Fader forgif vs our synnes here Yat we haf agayne ye wroght In worde in dede or in thoght Right als we forgif here wille To yam yat has done vs ille DE SEXTA PETICIONE SCILICET ET NE NOS ET CETERA And forthy yat we er noght worthy To haf forgifnes of our foly Bot we vs kepe forwarde fra synne Yat we falle noght agayne yarinne Yarefore we pray for drede of fallynge To God of help thurgh yis askynge Et ne nos inducas in temptacione Yat es to say yus shortly Swete Fader God almyghty Lede vs noght withinne temptacioun Yat we na mare to synne be boun Yat es to say thurgh vnderstandyng Lat vs noght be ledde in fondyng Nouthir of ye werlde ne of ye fende Ne of our flesshe yat ye saul may shende Ye fende yat es ay felle and balde Principall tempter may be talde And ye flesshe and ye werlde he settes For his seruauntes and his sugettes Thurgh wham he may men tittest bring To flesshe lust and werldely lykynge And to alle maner of wicked vyce Forwhy yat es his kynde offyce Whareof he serues in Goddis hostelle To proue yhung knyghtes yat with him dwelle And if fondynge war noght profytable To gode men here of hert stable Godde yat alle thinge dose wele Suld noght thole men so mykil it fele Bot when he yat temptes says Saynt Bernard On our backes strykes harde He foreges vs corouns of blisse Yat Godde graunts to yam yat er his For he yat strykes fast thurgh might On ye backe of a gode knyght He forges him loos and worshepe Al if he yat strykes take na kepe Bot ye fende thurgh wyles yat he can To yat anely he temptes a man Yat he myght draghe him sleghely Fra ye luf of Godde almyghty Yarefore Saynt Paul yat mykel grace had His disciples prayed and badde Yat yai suld sadly grunded be Als a tour yat es stronge to se And als a tre roted fast In clene charyte ay to last So yat na temptacioun Might stryke yair hertes vp ne doun Yarefor in yis askynge ask we Helpe of God and ye gift of pyte Yat es a grace yat fresshes ye hert wele And mas it swete and pitous to fele And mas it florisshe als says yis clerkes And bere fruyt inoghe of gode werkes And festes his rotes in ye lande Yar men sal ay be lyfande Yis grace whaso tas gode tent May be lickend to ye gode syment With whilk men mas als men says Ye strange walles Sarzynays Yat na man vnnethes breke yam may So harde and so strange er yai Right so ye gift of pyte festes And stables ye hert yar it restes Yarefore yis worde yus say we Yat falles in ye Pater Noster to be Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem Yat es to say to vnderstande Swete Fader God alweldande Make our hertes stable and fast In alle fondynges ay to last Thurgh grace to fele als may be Of ye haly gift of pyte Yat thurgh na blast of temptacioun Our hertes be stird nouthir vp ne doun Bot we pray noght on yis manere Yat we be noght tempted here For yis war a foly to pray And a shameful thinge to vs to say Right als a mans sone of grete might Yat war made a new knyght Prayed his fader on yis wyse Thurgh faynt hert and cowardyse Gode fader he says I pray ye Kepe me wele and forbere me Yat I neuer to tournament ga Na to bataylle bot kepe me yarfra Swilk a knyght es noght worthy To haf loos als he yat es dughty We suld ay yherne fondyngs to fele So yat we agayne stande it wele For fondyng for our prow may be On many manere als yhe may se Forwhy we may be thurgh fondynge Made mare meke in alle thynge And mare dredefull and mare wys In alle maners and mare of prys And mare dughty and mare proued And of Godde our Fader mare loued For als Salamon says yareby Yat was a wyse man and a wytty He yat neuer was fanded yhete He may noght rightly a thinge witte Bot als men has vnderstandynge Of ye bataylle of Troy thurgh heresaying Forwhy he may knawe ne gesce His awen strengthe ne his feblesce Ne ye strengthe of his enemys Ne ye sotiltees yat in yam lyse Ne howe leel Godde es to help in nede His awen frende yat es in drede Ne fra how many shenshipes And synnes and perils he him kepes And for alle yise skils als I proue He suld noght cun Godde right luf Ne thank him of his godenes here Warne he war fonded on som manere Bot in ye Pater Noster we praye Yat he our hertes kepe nyght and day Yat no fondynges yam fordo Yat es yat we noght assent yarto Forwhy of ourself here er we So feble yat we haf na pouste To thole assautes of ye fende strange Withouten helpe of Godde amange And what tyme yat he vs faylles We falle when ye fende vs assaylles Bot ay when God helpes vs right Thurgh his grace and thurgh his myght We fight agayne ye fende fast And ouercomes hym at ye last Yarefore we aske in yis askynge Our Fader helpe in alle fondynge Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem Yat es to say yus shortly Swete Fader Godde almyghty Lede vs noght in fondynge of synne Yat es lat vs noght entre yarinne Thurgh wicked consentynge of hert Or likynges yat comes ouerthwert DE SEPTIMA PETICIONE SCILICET SED LIBERA ET CETERA And forthy yat when God vouches saue Yat we ye godes yat we aske haue We er noght siker to halde yam stille Bot he delyuer vs of alle ille Yarefore we say yis yarto Sed libera nos a malo Saynt Austyn says yat som vyces Chaces our wille here and entyces To do mykell mare ille yarto And to leue ye gode yat we suld do For al yat men has done wele Thurgh ye gift of grace yat men may fele Pryde yat es of alle synnes mast Eghtels to fordo and and wast Yarefore yise clerkes yat wisdom can Says yat when God has gyuen a man Yat he has asked and after prayed In ye sex askynges bifore sayde Yan war grete nede methinke bi skille Yat he delyuerd ware of al ille Yarefore yis askynge last we fynde Als ye rerewarde yat comes bihynde Sed libera nos a malo Yat es to say Fader almyghty Delyuer vs of alle ille haally Yat es of our faa ye fende And of his wyles yat may vs shende Yat we thurgh pryde ya godes noght tyne Yat you has gyuen vs here of yine In yis askynge aske we yus Yat he ye gift of drede graunt vs Wharethurgh we be delyuerd wele Of alle ille yat men may fele Yat es of alle synnes namely And of perils of saul and of body In yis werlde and in ye tothir ay And yareto falles vs amen say Yat es to say swa mot it be Alle our prayere yus afferme we Bot forthy yat our Lorde Iesus In ye gospell says vs yus Whatso yhe aske my Fader or craue In my name here yhe sal haue Yarefore it war gode whaso wille At ye ende to say yise wordes yartille Per Dominum nostrum Ihesum Cristum filium tuum qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate spiritui sancto deo per omnia secula seculorum amen Yat es to say on yis manere In Inglysshe tunge als yhe may here Thurgh our Louerd yat es ful of myght Ihesu Cryst yi sone thurgh right Yat with ye lifs and regnes mast In anehede with ye Haly Gast Yat es ye same Godde almyghty In alle werldes of werldes to say shortly Yan at ye first may be here sayde Amen after we haf yus prayde Now haf yhe herde ye vnderstandyng Of ye Pater Noster to ye endynge Ye whilk God teches in ye gospelle Als men may here yise clerkes telle Bot vnderstandes yhe sal noght say Als wryten es here when yhe pray Bot yhe sal say by mouthe anely Ye naked lettre and think yareby In yhour hertes on yis manere Als I haf tolde on ilk worde here And hast yhow noght when yhe sal pray Many Pater Nosters to say For bettir it es als I right fele To say a Pater Noster wele With a right vnderstandynge And with deuocioun and likynge Yan a thousant to say ouerthwert Withouten deuocioun of hert For Saynt Paul says yus leuer had I Haf fyue wordes sayde deuoutly With hert and vnderstandyng right Yan fyue thousant sayde with tung light Withouten hert and deuoute thoght And vnderstandyng rightly soght And yarefore when we sal here pray To Godde our Fader nyght or day Our hert suld on our prayere be Withouten thoght of vanyte And bot we pray with hert certayne Our tung trauaylles al in vayne For prayer of tung Godde myspays Withouten ye hert of hym yat prays Yarefore when we sal to God pray Ye hert bihoues think and ye tung say So yat ye tunge ye hert ay fele And with ye hert acorde wele Elles auaylles noght yat ye tung may do For Godde taas na rewarde yarto Bot he can bathe fele and tast What our hertes yhernes mast If we aske oght with hert fre Yat suld to vs nedefull be To graunt vs it he vouches saue And mare yareto yan we can craue For we can noght als wele se Of what we haf nede als can he Yarefore we suld first aske and seke Ye kyngdome of God with hert meke Ilk day ar we did othir dede Yan sal we of our askynge spede And haf al yat nedefull ware yarby Bathe for ye saul and for ye body Yat aske we and aftir it pray In yis haly prayere yat we say Yat we our Pater Noster calle Ye whilk Cryst made for help of vs alle And sette Pater at ye bigynnynge For we suld yareinne haf mare likynge [The Septenary] Yis prayer yat vs falles to bigynne Has seuen siker askinges withinne Als yhe haf herde me bifore telle And mare wil say if yhe wil dwelle Yise seuen vs wynnes and mas vs tast Ye seuen giftes of ye Haly Gast Yat puttes out of ye hert euen Ye principall dedely synnes seuen With alle yair braunches yat may be sene And mas ye hert of alle synnes clene And in yair stede withinne settes right Seuen manere of vertus of myght Ye whilk vertus a man right ledes Vnto ye seuen blissedhedes And to seuen medes yat to yam lys Als I sal shewe yhow on sere wyse Ye first askyng of ye seuen In ye Pater Noster es yis to neuen Sanctificetur nomen tuum Yat mas a grace in ye hert to com Yat es called ye gift of wisdom Ye whilk drawes out hally Of ye hert ye synne of glotony And settes yis in yat stede yat es Ye vertu of mesure and sobrenesse Yat a man bringes to ye blissedhede Of paysebilnes and to his mede Yat es yat he sal in heuen wone And be called ay Goddis sone Als Godde says blissed be yai Yat er paysebil in yis lyf ay For yai sal Goddis childer be called And for his childer he sal yam halde Ye secund of ya askynges sere In ye Pater Noster es yis to here Adveniat regnum tuum Yis askynge may to vs brynge Ye haly gift of vnderstandynge Yat puttes out of ye hert namely Ye filthe of ye synne of licchery And settes in yat stede to se Ye clene vertu of chastite Yat may brynge a man thurgh myght Yat kepes it wele day and nyght To ye blissedhede als clerkes says Of clennes of hert yat God pays And to ye mede yarefore ay lastand Yat es sight of Godde alweldande Als Godde calles yam blissed yat bene Namely in hert honest and clene For yai sal Godde appertely se In ye gospell yus says he Ye thridde askyng es yis to say In ye Pater Noster when we pray Fiat voluntas tua sicut in celo et in terra Yis askynge may vs mykell auaylle It wynnes vs ye gift of counsaylle And puttes out of ye hert a vyce Yat es ye synne of auaryce And instede of yat ye hert to light Settes ye vertu of mercy right And bringes a man specially Vnto ye blissedhede of mercy And aftirwarde vnto ye mede Yat es mercy when he has nede Als Godde says blissed be yai Yat here mercyable er ay For yai sal fully mercy haue When yai haf nede yat sal yam saue Ye ferth askynge als we se In ye Pater Noster sal yis be Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie Yis wynnes vs als clerkes wate wele Ye haly gift of strengthe to fele Yat drawes ye synne of slawnes Out of ye hert yare it es And euen instede of it to gesce Settes ye vertu of pruesce Ye whilk may a man right lede And bringe him to ye blissedhede Of hungre and thrist of rightwisnes And to ye mede yat yarefore es Yat es to say gastly fillynge Of endeles ioy and likynge Als Godde says yus mast of myght Blissed be ya yat hungres right And thristes aftir rightwisnes For yai sal filled be als right es Ye fift askynge men yis calles Yat in ye Pater Noster falles Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus nobis debitoribus nostris Yis askynge may to vs brynge Ye haly gift of knawynge Yat out of ye hert smertly drawes Ye synne of wreth als yis clerkes knawes And instede of it als falles to be Settes ye vertu of equyte Ye whilk may a man sone bringe To ye blissedhede of gretynge And to ye mede yarefore thurgh grace Yat es comfort and solace Als Godde says right on yis manere Blissed be yai yat sorow has here For yai salbe conforted wele Yare yai sal endeles ioy fele Ye sext askyng to telle on rawe In ye Pater Noster es yis to knawe Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem Yis wynnes vs als men may se Ye haly gift of pyte Yat puttes out thurgh maystry Of ye hert ye synne of envye And instede of yat for to kepe Settes ye vertu of frenshepe Yat ledes a man in wham luf es Vnto ye blissedhede of mildenes And to ye mede yat yarefore salbe Yat es ye lande of mast plente Als Godde says blissed er alle ya Yat here er mylde whareso yai ga For yai sal haue ye lande of blisse And of ioy yat yai sal neuer mysse Ye seuent askynge last of alle Of ye Pater Noster we yis calle Sed libera nos a malo Yis askynge when we haf nede May make vs haue ye gift of drede Yat puttes ye synne of pryde out Of ye hert yat es heghe and stout And instede of it plantes and settes Mekenes yat pryde mast lettes Yat may a man here lightly lede Vnto ye parfyte blissedhede Yat es to say of gastly pouert Yat comes of a parfyte hert And to ye mede yarefore thurgh right Yat es ye kyngedome of heuen bright Als Godde says in ye gospell mast Blissed be ye pouer in gast For yairs es ye kyngdome of heuen Yar mare ioy es yan man may neuen Amen comes bihynde at ye last Yat festens al our prayere fast [The Gift of Dread] Bot al if we first aske ye mast And ye heghest gift of ye Haly Gast And ilkane after othir euen After order of ye askynges seuen Til we come at ye lawest of alle Yat we ye gift of drede calle At ye lawest vs bihoues bigynne Ar we may to ye heghest wynne Yat es to say ye gift of drede Ye whilk vs may to wisdom lede For ye prophete yat Dauid hight Says yus in ye sauter right Yat drede of Godde in hert to halde Es ye bigynnyng of wisdom called [Dread vs. Pride] For ye gift of drede yat we aske last Ye first and ye mast synne may cast Out of ye hert yar it es inne Yat es pryde rote of al synne For pryde yat comes of hert and thoght Was ye first syn yat euer was wroght Pryde was bigynnyng of al ille Pryde es contrarius to alle skille Pryde brake first ye company And ye ordre in heuen yat was semly When Lucifer for his beute Obowen alle othir aungels wald be And euen with Godde mast of myght Yat hym made so fayre and bright Yarefore fra heuen doun he felle And bicome ye foullest deuell of helle And alle yat war of his assent Out of heuen with hym doun went And bicome fendes yat war aungelles Of whilk som in ye ayr yhete dwelles Bot Lucifer yat so heghe wald sitt Fell deppest doun into helle pitte To wham men may licken bi skille Yise proude men of hert and wille Yat brekes and fordose al yat yai can Ye company and ye order of man When yai yherne to be myghty Oboun alle othir and haue maystry And mare praysed wald be ay Yan othir yat er bettir yan yai Yis synne of pryde ful perillous es Of wham springes al wickednes For it blyndes a man and reues him sight Yat he knawes noght himseluen right Pryde yhete may be lickened wele To ye fendes awen wyne to fele Yat semes gode and delitious And es ful strange and perillous Thurgh whilk ye fende als he can Mase drunken here many a man Yat bene wys riche and myghty And noble and wight balde and hardy And comonly to vnderstand Alle maner of men here lifande Bot specially yise men of myght Yat knawes noght yairseluen right Ne yair defautes here noght sees Ne yair folys ne yair nycetees Bot folwes ay yair awen wille Al yair lykynge to fulfille Wharefore I hald yis synne namely Ye mast perillous malady Yat any man may fele or se Of alle othir yat may be For in grete perill es yat man Yat na man thurgh medycyne hele can To wham alle medycyne yat felle to hym And alle treacle turnes til venym So dose techynge of alle godenes And chastyinge to hym yat proude es For ay ye mare yat men blame him wille And chasty bi right lawe and skille Ye mare he es wrethfull and hasty And ye mare defendes he his foly Pryde yat rote es of alle wickednes Ye fendes eldest doghter es Yat has parte of his herytage Ye whilk falles to hir maryage And he yat wedde hir vouches saue Yat part with hir he sal haue Pride agayne Godde werrays And agayne his godes als clerkes says And Godde werrays agayne pryde And abates hir myght on ilka syde Pryde es quene of alle vices Yat to alle wickednes vs entyces Pryde es ye gredy lyonesce Yat alle gode swelwes als I gesce Pryde alle grace fordose and vertus In alle gode werkes yat a man dose Forwhy pryde mas of vertu vyce Of almus synne yis es hire office And of al gode yat man may neuen Wharethurgh men myght here wynne heuen Sho mas a man to wynne helle sone And wastes alle gode yat he has done Pryde es ye first yat assaylles fast Goddis knyght and yat leues him last For when he has ouercommon right Alle othir synnes thurgh grace and myght Yan comes pryde aftir yat victory And assaylles hym mast stalwardely Pryde mas men heghe state couayte And maystry ouer alle othir men layt Bot pryde als clerkes in boke can rede May be fordone thurgh ye gift of drede DE DONO TIMORIS DOMINI Ye gift of drede es a grace Yat vs bihoues first purchace Bifor alle ye tothir for to haue Al if we it yus last craue Thurgh ye last askynge of alle Yat in ye Pater Noster may falle Yis gift es ye last in askynge Bot it suld be ye first in hauynge For it es a bigynnynge to fele Of ye tothir als clerkes wate wele Yarefore at yis we suld bigynne Elles may we noght to ye tothir wynne Als men biginnes yat wil clym heghe At ye lawest degre of ye steghe For na man at ye heghest may be Bot he bygynne at ye lawest degre Ye seuen giftes has sere offices To voyde ye hert of alle vyces And to sette in yair stede agayne Alle vertus yat er certayne Bot ye gift of drede first out shotes Of ye hert pryde with alle his rotes And with alle his braunches mare and lesse And instede of pryde settes mekenes Als I sal shewe yhow if yhe habyde Bot first I wil speke of pryde Pryde had speciall rotes seuen Whilk yai er I sal yam neuen Ye first rote als wryten es Es proprely vnfaythfulnes Ye secund es dispyte yareby Ye thridde men calles surquidry Ye ferth es als yis clerkes wate Couaytynge of heghe state Ye fift men calles vayneglory And ye sext es ipocrysy Ye seuent es fole shame to hide Yise er seuen smale rotes of pryde Men may bi skille calle yam rotes For many braunches out of yam shotes Vnfaythfulnes proprely es To Godde and man vnkyndenes Vnfaythfulnes has braunches thre Vilany ye first may be Yat es forgetyng yat a man Yat right witte and gode skille can To thank Godde forgetes sone Of al ye gode yat he has him done Ye tothir may be wodenes talde When a man to spende es balde His tyme wrange of yhouth and elde And wate him bihoues acount yhelde Fals renayinge es ye thridde When a man with ye fende es ledde So yat he his Lorde forsake And to his Lordes enemy him take A renayed man men comonly calles Hym yat in dedely synne falles Bot specially to our knawynge In thre thinges may be renayinge Yat es when any crysten wight Forsakes and haldes noght ye trouth right Or thurgh athe ye trouth forsweres Or trowes in oght yat fals trouth beres Ye secund rote es dispyte Yat in thre partys spredes tyte Ane es when a man prayse ne wille Othir in hert als falles bi skille Bot of yam has grete dedeyne Al if yai fals continaunce feyne When men wil noght for honure dwelle To do ye reuerence yat men felle Or when men wil noght bouxsomly do To yam yat men suld bowe vnto For vnbouxsomnes first springes Out of dispyte yat on pryde hinges Vnbouxsomnes som wil noght layne Agayne Godde and his souerayne Vnto Godde men suld do ay Al ye worshepe yat men may And to his halowes reuerence And to yair souerayne obedience And whaso dose noght he es to wyte Methink he has in hert dispyte Bot comonly na man synnes Yat ne he it thurgh dispyte bigynnes For ilka dedely synne es wroght Thurgh dispyte in dede or thoght Ye thridde rote es surquydry Yat shewes it oft appertly In som men yat wald be sene When yai wrange of yamself wene For yai gesce yam of mare prys Yan yai ere or othir als wys Yis es ye largest rote of ye seuen Yat sex braunches shotes out euen Ye first braunche syngulerte es Yat es to say self willefulnes Anothir es thurgh pomp and outrage A fole vndirtakynge of costage Fole mayntenaunce es ye thridde Of motynges and strifes yat wyde er spredde Ye ferthe braunche es fole vauntyng Ye fift I halde es skornynge Ye sext frawardnes es called Yat many men in hert wil halde First singuler[te] es yis bi skille When a man folwes his awen wille And noght wil do als wyser dose Bot his awen wille for pompe and rose Anothir es fole vndirtakynge Of outrageous dispendynge When a man mas grete outrage And lettes for na grete costage Foryi yat men suld thurgh yat skille Hym halde mare large and fre of wille Ye thridde braunche es mayntenaunce Of motynges and striues yat falle ochaunce For Salamon says yat motynge and strif Amange proude men es ay ful rif Vauntynge es aftir ye ferth talde Yat es when a man waxes so balde To avaunce him of his noblesce Of his witte or of his ritches Or of his vertus or of his foly Or of his myght or his maystry Or of oght yat neuer was sene And mas men bi hym so to wene Forthy yat men suld him noble halde For pomp and loos yat he haf walde Or to losengeours yat can make dyn Gyues giftes for loos yareby to wyn Ye fift braunche after es skornynge Yat es when a man mas hethynge Of othir men thurgh grete nycete Yat has noght vertus als has he And of gode men of gode renoun For yat yai do yair deuocioun Ye sext braunche nest folwand Es frawardnes to vnderstande Yat es als I wil yhow telle When a man es fraward and felle And wrath als men hym did vilany When men hym snybbes of his foly Bot he es ful seke liggand on couche Yat may thole na man him touche And strange sekenes es in hym When treacle turnes hym to venym Ye ferthe rote als clerkes wate Es yhernynge namely of heghe state Yat bi twa partys shewes his myght Bathe bi ye left syde and bi ye right On ye right syde it passes sleghely Thurgh giftes and spenses and losengery Als when a man couaytes baylly To haue powere and maystry He dose alle yat he may do Thurgh procurynge to com yarto On ye left syde yus may it hynge Thurgh falshede and backebytynge Als when a man anothir deres Yat office or power beres And es bisy to brynge hym doun Thurgh falshede or thurgh tresoun For he couaytes oboun hym be And to haue here mare powere yan he Ye fift rote es vayneglory Yat in mans hert springes lightly Vayneglory es nane othir thinge Bot in hert a vayne lykynge Of thinge thurgh whilk men may loos wyn Bot som men charges litell yat syn Men may him rightly a fole calle For he reues Godde yat him suld falle To Godde falles louynge and worshepe For ye godes yat we of hym kepe And to vs falles ye auauntage He yat yhernes mare dose outrage Bot bi som skille can I fynde Yat vayneglory may be called a wynde Yat blawes alle maner of men doun Bathe men of ye werlde and of religyoun With vayneglory felled es he Yat has likynge of vanyte And whaso loos yhernes for gode dede He sal neuer haf othir mede Thurgh vayneglory to vndirstande Ye fende bicomes a marchande Yat he haldes his mone of prys Thurgh whilke he mas his marchandys He wendes obout on ilka syde Thurgh ye fayr of yis werlde wyde Ye druryse of ilka man to bie With ye mone of vayneglory Ya drurys bene mens gode dedes Wharefore ye fende yat mone bedes A grete foly methinke dose he Yat selles his godes for yat mone Forthy many men aght to be sory Yat lufs yat mone of vayneglory On thre maners als I telle can Vayneglory deceyues a man Ane es when he es gladde in thoght Of gode dedes yat he has wroght And thinkes hym pryuyer yan he es With Godde anely for his godenes Anothir es when a man heres Yat men prayses his maners And has a lykynge in hert yan For men hym haldes a gode man Ye thridde es when a man him spedes With al his myght to do gode dedes Forthi yat he suld praysed be With alle yat his dedes may se Ye sext rote es ipocrysy Yat shewes som men ouer comonly For when a man shewes halynes Mare withouten yan withinne es And wers withinne es yan he semes Als ipocryte men hym right demes Bot I fynde wryten apertly Thre maner of ipocrysy Ane es foul yat semes ille Anothir fole ye thridde sutille Foul ipocrisy may yis be When a man in priuite Dose foul synne and rekes neuer when And semes clene bifore alle men Fole ipocrisy es yis called right When a man with al his myght Dose gode dedes for men suld wene Yat he war a gode man and a clene Suttill ipocrisy als I halde Es when a man wynne wald Outhir dignite or benefyce Or baylif or any office He beres hym wele and mekely To make men wene he war worthy Swilk a grete state for to take Als man yat es withouten lake Bot when he to yat state may wynne Yan he shewes what he es withinne He waxes yan bathe felle and stout And puttes fast his venym out In pryde and in othir wickednes Yan may men knawe what he es First als a shepe he mas him be sene And yareafter he semes a wolf kene Bot men may knawe bi ye fruyt yat springes What ye tree es yat it forth bringes Ye seuent rote es fole shame Wharethurgh a man es worthy blame Yat lettes to do any gode dede In sight of men for shame or drede For when a man in mens sight Lettes for shame to do yat es right Or any dede yat to Godde may pay For any speche yat men may say Yan dose he noght Goddis wille Bot pleises ye werlde he dose ille I halde hym ya(n) na bettir yan wode Yat leues for shame to do gode For yat seruaunt es worthy haf blame Yat lettes to serue his lorde for shame Bot som es ouer balde and hardy To haunt yair synne ay apertly And nouthir has here shame na drede To do in sight a wicked dede Yat may men calle folehardynes Yat a part of ye seuent rote es Yise seuen rotes spredes wyde Yat comes out of ye stock of pryde Ye whilk stocke with alle his rotes Ye gift of drede out of ye hert shotes And settes mekenes in yat stede Yat es of alle vertus ye hede Of yis vertu I wil yhow telle Aparty if yat yhe wil dwelle DE VIRTUTE HUMILITATIS Mekenes has seuen degrees And seuen braunches yat men suld chese Bot first I wil ye degrees neuen And afterwarde ye braunches seuen Ye first degre may be yis Yat when a man knawes his mysse And his defautes and his freilte Yan bigynnes he meke to be Als Saynt Bernard beres wittenes Mekenes he says swilk a vertu es Yat it mas a man himseluen dispyse When he knawes what in him lyse Bot som wate yair defautes wele Bot yai can noght yam pleyn ne fele Yarefore ye secund degree suld falle Yat a man suld fele his defautes alle For he yat feles sare hym mekes And blethely til a gode leche sekes When he feles filthes within him byte He wald fayne it cast out tyte Yarefore ye thridde degre es yis Yat he suld shryue hym of his mysse Bot som yam shryues and sighes sare Bot yai wald nane wist how ille yai ware Yarefore ye ferthe es yis bi skille Yat a man suld yherne to be halden ille Bot som feles wele yair foly And says na man es so ille als I Bot if ane say ful sothe saystow He wald be wrathe als I trow Yarefore ye fift es on yis manere A man suld blethely his defautes here For Saynt Bernard yat Godde oft payde Says yus als I here bifore sayde Yat ye verray meke man wald be Halden vyle yat men myght se And noght be praysed als ye meke Forwhy he wil na loos seke Yarefore ye sext comes aftir tyte Yat ye meke suld suffre dispyte Als Dauid did yat was king of myght Yat tholed his seruaunt yat Semay ight Reuyle him foully and at him cast And al suffird he with hert stedfast Yarefore es yis ye seuent degre Yat ye verray meke with hert fre Suld yherne ay withouten fayntyse Yat men hym reuyle and dispyse Yis may men calle right als it es Ye heght mast of parfytenes Yat es verray mekenes of hert Ye whilk es called gastly pouert Yarefore sayd Godde of myght mast Blissed be ye pouere in gast Here haf I tolde ye degrees seuen Now wil I ye seuen braunches neuen Yat springes out of mekenes right Yat we suld haunt bathe day and night Ane es to honure Godde anely Bathe with hert and with body Anothir es to prayse ilk man Ye thridde es to lack ourself yan Ye ferthe to luf pouert bi skille Ye fift es to serue with godewille Ye sext to fle of alle loos ye cry Ye seuent to trayst in Godde anely Wele es hym yat lufs to wirke Yise seuen poyntes and es noght irke Ye first braunche es als I tolde right To honure Godde mast of myght Bot men may on thre maneres Honure Godde als ye boke vs leres Ane es thurgh symple trowynge Anothir may be thurgh leel louynge Ye thridde es thurgh deuout prayere Yise thre maners er gode to lere Thurgh symple trowyng whaso wil May honure Godde yus bi skille Yat es if he trowe sympilly Ye wordes of Godde almyghty Withouten sekynge of skils to se How Goddis worde myght so be Als dose a chylde yat es yhunge Yat trowes wele his mayster tunge Thurgh leel louynge yhete men may Honure Godde yat es to say When a man with symple mode' Loues and thankes God of al gode Yat he has done hym and vouches saue And yat he hopes yhete to haue Als ye pouer yat in pouert lifs Es fayne when men him almus gifs With al his might he thankes yam sone Yat hym any gode has done Men may thurgh deuoute prayere Honure Godde on ye thridde manere Als when a man him think vnworthy And prayes to Godde right hertly With teres of eghe and hert sare For he hym feles of godenes bare Als a chylde yat naked standes Bifore his mayster and dredes his handes Forthy yat he can noght his lessoun Ful hertly prayand kneles he doun On yis wyse honures he God yan Yat es ye verray meke man Ye secund braunche als ye boke says Es when a man alle othir wil prayse Bot ye meke may prayse in yise thre In hert in mouth and in dede to se In hert he may withouten fayntys Alle othir men prayse on yis wise He trowes othir mens witte vnknawen Wele mare yan he dose his awen He wil yat othir mens wille Be mare done yan his awen in skille In othir mens vertu mare he traystes Yan in his awen yat he oft fraystes In mouth als so ye meke man On thre wyse othir men prayse can Alle othir mens godenes he liftes heghe And puttes yam bifore his eghe He hydes and excuses ilk mans lacke And puttes yam ay bihynde his backe And alle yat may seme gode and ille To ye mast gode he turnes bi skille In dede ye meke prayses othir ay On yise thre wyse yat es to say He worshepes othir with godewille And dose yam reuerence bi skille He serues yam als falles yarto And dose yam ye gode yat he may do He puttes othir bifore hym tyte Til alle worshepe and profyte Ye thridde braunche yat mekenes rayses Es when a man himself mysprayses Bot ye meke man on ye same wyse Als he prayses othir himself dispyse To dispyse himself he has na drede In hert in mouth and in dede In hert ye meke wil blethely Halde hymself vyle and vnworthy And noght knawe ye gode yat he has done Bot bihinde his back puttes it sone Of his wickednes he thinkes ay right And puttes yam bifor him in his sight In mouth ye meke himself reproues Of alle his mysse yat in hert houes He snybbes his werkes and his dedes His wordes his thoghtes yat he dredes He wreyes hymself thurgh tung swift Of alle his mysdede oft in shrift In dede he hym mysprays wille He yheldes yat he awes and dose skille He dose penaunce for saul bote And puttes his flesshe vndirfote Almus dede he dose blethely And alle ye werkes of mercy Ye ferthe braunche als men may proue Es when a man wil pouert luf So dose ye verray meke in hert On four maners he lufs pouert He lufs pouer mens company And haldes ye maners of yam haly He tholes for Goddis luf and assayse Hungre and colde and othir mysays He begges prayers whareso he wendes Of gode men yat bene Goddis frendes Ritchesce he forsakes right And flees yam with al his myght Ritchesce suld men hate and fle For thre skils als yhe may se For perils yat in ritches hynges For ye godes yat of pouert springes For Godde himself wald pouert fele Yarefore suld men luf it wele Ye fift braunche es to serue blethly Als when a man es ay redy To serue ye nedefull als he can So dose ye verray meke man To serue and helpe him es right lief Alle yat has nede and meschief Ye meke als wele wil hym hast To serue ye leste als ye mast Als Godde did yat sympilly lete When he wesshe his disciples fete He gaf vs ensaumple to knawe To be bouxsom and bere vs lawe Bot mekenes ye meke man leres To bowe and serue in aght maners Ye meke him boghes to serue redily And sympilly with al his body And clenly and wele in alle thinge And trewely withouten fayllynge And comonly with al his myght And wightly with gode hert and light And stalwardely whareso he wende And lastandely to his lyues ende Ye meke him lawes to serue redyly Als ye shipman yat es ay redy When he has nede to rynne and skippe Als he war wode to gouerne ye shippe Ye meke hym lawes to serue sympilly Als dose ye shepe yat es noght wyly Yat mekely gase withouten stryue Whiderso ye hirde hym wil dryue Ye meke hym lawes to serue clenely Bathe with hert and with al his body For he hates nathinge here so mykill Als to plese ye werlde yat es fikill Ye meke him lawes to serue trewely Als dose ye gode bouxsom lauedy Yat in foly wil na man plese Bot to hir lorde anely for his ese Ye meke hym lawes to serue comonly Als dose ye asse yat beres oft heuy Yat beres als blethely barly als whete And als fast for smale gase als for grete And als blethely beres stanes als brede And lede or iren als golde rede Ye meke him lawes to serue wightly Als he yat es light and semy When bouxsomnes him ledes in state And Goddis wille with his prelate Ye meke him lawes to serue stalwardly Als he yat es strange and myghty Yat al his strengthe thurgh mekenes To Goddis strengthe chaunges yat mast es Ye meke him lawes to serue lastandly Als he yat es neuer wery To boghe hym ay vnto mekenes And na mare wery yan ye sonne es Yat euer ye mare he ryses on lengthe Ay ye mare gaders his strengthe Ye sext braunche es yis to se Als when a man wil loos fle Als dose ye man yat mekenes ledes For twa thinges yat he dredes For ye wynde of vayneglory shille And for ye tempest of tung yat es ille First for ye wynde of vayneglory Ye meke man flees loos sleghely Als God did when he ye folk had fedde And hel(e)d ye seke fra yam he fledde And til a mountayne droghe him nere For he wald na loos yan here In orysouns yare wald he be To teche vs how we suld loos fle For tempest of tunge ye meke man Also flees loos als he can Als dose a mayden in hir flours Yat lufs a man paramours Shames alstyte als sho may witt Yat any man persayues itte So dose ye meke when he heres Yat men spekes of his maners Yan sekes he to places pryue And to hirnes loos for to fle Yare may he be in pees and rest And speke with his twa frendes best With Godde and with himself anely And yan has he a siker company Yare may he dresce him to Godde right soght And Godde to hym thurgh haly thoght Yare fyndes he swetnes of solace Yat Godde him gifs in priue place Ye seuent braunche es yis to frayst Ouer alle thinge in Godde to trayst So dose ye meke in wham hope hinges He traystes in Godde thurgh twa thinges Thurgh haly conscience to se And thurgh hardynes of hert fre He traystes thurgh haly conscience When he thinkes on Goddis presence And es rauyst to heuen heghe Thurgh haly thoght with gastly eghe Yan seese he ye werld lytell yat tyde Vnto regarde of heuen so wyde He sees it foul thurgh ye ayre To regarde of heuen so fayre Ful vgly semes it to his sight To regarde of heuen so bright And al voyde semes ye werld to be To regarde of ye grete plente Yat he sees in heuenryke Of allekyn gode yat ye hert may like Yan bigynnes he ye werlde dispyse For him think it noght bot fayntyse Yan hates he alle ye ritchesce Of ye werlde and alle ye nobillesce For when he sees it al sammen Hym think it noght bot a barne gammen Or als a dreme in his slepe Yan forsakes he ye werldes worshepe Thurgh hardynes of hert stable He traystes in Godde so mercyable When he dar habyde so wele Ye angres of ye werlde and fele And allekyns noyes thole and proue Or take ye dede for Goddis luf Ye seuen braunches now haf I redde Yat in ye meke mans hert er spredde Alle yai sprynge bathe mare and lesse Out of ye vertu of mekenes Yat ledes a man bi ye right way To ye blissedhede yat es to say Of gastly pouert yat God pays And to his mede als God yus says Blissed be ye pouer in gast For heuenryke yairs es mast Here may men se whaso tas hede Whareof serues ye gift of drede It es ye last yat we craue Bot it es ye first yat we suld haue Yat gift may ye seuent askynge Of ye Pater Noster to vs brynge Yat may vs fra alle ille defende Ye whilk gift Ihesu Cryst vs sende AMEN DE DONO PIETATIS Anothir gift yhete may we gette Als here in yis boke es sette Yat after ye gift of drede suld be And yat es ye gift of pyte Ye whilk ye sext askyng may wyn vs In ye Pater Noster so precius Yis gift of pyte es swilke a grace Yat to charyte it may vs chace And our hertes so strengthe and fest fast Yat na fandynge vs may doun cast Yis gift of pyte es ful myghty It puttes away ye synne of envye Out of ye hert yar it es inne And settes frenship instede of yat synne DE PECCATO INVIDIE Envye in thre partys may sprede In hert in mouth and in dede In hert it spredes thurgh thre thinges Yat in ye envyous mans hert hynges A fals demynge ye first thynge es Ye tothir es a wicked gladdenes Ye thridde es a fole forthinkynge Yise thre out of envie may springe A fals demyng may yis wele be When ye envyus may here or se Ye godenes of anothir man And in hert demes hym falsely yan A wicked gladdenes yis men calles When ioy in a mans hert falles Of othir mens noye or greuaunce Or of any harme yat comes thurgh chaunce A fole forthynkynge es yis called When a man in hert wil halde Outhir murnynge dole or care For any othir mens welefare Envye also spredes in mouthe Thurgh thre thinges yat er couthe Thurgh myssayinge and bitternes Thurgh backbytynge yat ye thridde es For at ye defill men may knawe What likour es in ye tunne to drawe Missayinge of mouth first es yis When a man spekes oght amysse Of any othir mens godenes And paynes hym to make it lesse Bitternes es yis bi skille When a man heres of othir men ille He ekes it and maas it mare And dose it be knawen wyde whare Backebytynge es yis to say When a man spekes ille ay And turnes al yat he may here Of othir men to ye werst manere In dede spredes also envye Thurgh thre thinges specially Thurgh restreynyng of gode bigunne Thurgh fordoynge of gode yat es wonne Thurgh dressynge of wycked wyles At yise thre ye fende oft smyles Restreynyng may be yis to lacke When ye envyous puttes obacke A man yat has gode bigynnynge And wil do wele in alle thynge Bathe to Godde and to ilke a man Hym lettes ye envyous als he can A fordoinge men may yis telle When he yat es envious and felle Distroys anothir man thurgh myght Yat to Godde and man dose right Dressynge of wyles yat er wycke Yat in ye envyous man may stycke Agayne gode men yat es to abate Yair gode name and yair state Ye whilk ye envyous nyght and day Waytes to fordo in al yat he may Men may licken ye envyous Vntill a worme yat es venemous Yat clerkes calles on Latyn yus Als ye boke says Basiliscus Ye whilk distroys als men has sene Ye gresse yat growes when it es grene And namely a thinge als we se Yat es ye corne yat has states thre First ye corne semes a gresse Yat waxes ay mare and noght lesse Sithen it spyres and florisches fayr Thurgh vertu and thurgh kynde of ye ayre Yareafter bicomes it corne rype Bathe for to bery and for to strype Ye gresse bitokens yat first suld springe A man yat has gode bigynnynge To do wele als his hert es sette And yat wil ye envyous man lette Als dose ye worme withinne a stound Yat lettes ye gresse yat growes on ground Ye florisshynge to se and fele Bitokens a man yat dose here wele Agayne hym es ye envyous boun To distroy hym and brynge hym doun Als ye worme dose thurgh his myght Yat distroys ye grysse yat florisshes right Ye rype corne yat es in sesoun Bitokens gode men of renoun Agayne yam ye envious man Sekes alle ye wyles yat he can To fordo here yair gode fame And to brynge yam til a werldes shame For ye mare yat gode men dose wele Ye mare sorow ye envious may fele Ye synne of envye es so perillous Yat vnnethes may ye envyous Come to right repentaunce It bringes him til swilk ane encombraunce [Sins against the Holy Ghost] For it es a synne yat Godde hates mast It es contrarious vnto ye Haly Gast Yat es of alle godenes ye welle For Godde says yus in ye godspelle Yat whaso synnes and dose ille Agayne ye Hali Gast thurgh wille In yis werlde getes he na mercy Ne in ye tothir of yat foly For he yat dose swilk a vyce He synnes thurgh wille and malyce Bot men sal sauely vndirstande And noght be ouermykell dredande Yat it ne es nane so grete synne done Yat ne Godde wil forgif it sone If a man hym wil repent In yis lyf with gode talent Bot vnnethes wil a man bigynne To repent hym of swilk a synne Bot sex synnes fynde I speciele Agayne ye Haly Gast to fele Ane es presumpcioun of hert balde Yat es ouerhope in Inglishe talde Wanhope es ye secund synne Waa es hym yat endes yareinne Ye thridde es hardnes of hert Ye ferthe es dispyte of penaunce smert Ye fift es wereyinge in othir men Of ye grace of ye Haly Gast to ken Ye sext synne yareaftir es Wereying agayne sothfastnes Ouerhope proprely may be yis When a man ledes his inwitte mysse Yat wil noght leue his foly Bot traystes al in Goddis mercy Here mas he Goddis mercy ouer large Yis es a synne gretly to charge For al if he lifd ay als a swyne He wenes yat Godde wil noght him tyne Yare haldes he Godde vnrightwys And his rightwisnes of lytel prys So Goddis mercy ouer large men mas And his rightwysnes ouer skars tase And thurgh yat men may so lange synne Yat mercy of Godde sal yai neuer wynne Anothir synne es wanhope called Yat es yis proprely to halde When a man es so ful of foly Yat he traystes noght in Goddis mercy He wenes and hopes yat God may noght Forgif hym ye synne yat he has wroght So mas wanhope Goddis mercy lesse Als ouerhope dose his rightwisnesse Bot it es nane yat mercy wil haue Yat he ne may haue it if he it craue Yat es if he wil folow yarto And shryue hym wele and penaunce do And make amendes of alle his ille And turne hym after Goddis wille And elles he es noght worthy To haf forgifnes and mercy For Godde says yus in ye gospelle Als yhe may here yis clerkes telle Alle sal noght he says yat says yus Lorde Lorde haf mercy on vs To ye kingdome of heuen wende To lif in ioye withouten ende Bot ya anely yat wil fulfille In alle thinge my Faders wille Hardnes of hert es ye thridde Yat es when a man es so stedde Yat he es hardened in his synne Yat na man may him out wynne For he wil for nathynge him amende Yat men may warne hym or defende Ye ferthe es dispyte of penaunce When a man thurgh wicked encumbraunce Es neuer in wille ne in entent Of his synne hym to repent Ye fift es wereynge agayne grace Of ye Haly Gast yat we purchace Als when a man wald fordo and wast Men yat ledde er thurgh ye Haly Gast For ye envyous wald fayne fordo Yat ye Haly Gast puttes yam to Ye sext synne and ye last yis es Wereying agayne sothfastnes Pryncipally of ye trouth right Als when a man with al his myght Wytandly haldes yareagayne Yan getes he na mercy certayne For whaso haldes agayne ye faythe He dose heresy yat synne es layth Yise sex synnes semes ye mast Yat er agayne ye Haly Gast So stronge yay er and so fast yai bynde Yat vnnethes I may a man fynde Yat wil in shryft ya synnes graunt Or for yam wil be repentaunt Yarefore ful seldom may men se Yat yise synnes forgyuen may be On yis wyse ye gift of pyte may Ye synne of enuye putte away Out of ye hert yar it es knytte And sette frenship ins(t)ede of itte DE VIRTUTE AMICITIE Frenship mas a mans hert fre And brynges hym to right charyte Yis vertu has seuen degrees And seuen braunches als clerkes sees Ye seuen degrees er als I proue Seuen maners of skils of luf Why ilk man suld kyndely luf othir And help hym wele als his awen brothir Ye first skille es yis to neuen For we haf alle a Fader in heuen Yat made vs alle mare and lesse After his shappe and his lickenes Ye tothir skille es foryi Yat we er crystened alle haally In a baptyme and maked fre And thurgh a prys boght and a mone Ye thridde es foryi yat we haue Alle a trouth yat sal vs saue And er bunden alle with a lawe Yat to ye luf of Godde sal vs drawe Ye ferthe es forthi yat we alle Haf a Lorde yat we to calle Yat haldes vs alle vnder his shelde Body and saul and al yat we welde Ye fift es als ilke man knawes Foryi yat we er alle felawes In Goddis oste yat ilk day fightes Als his soudours and his knyghtes And alle habyde we a warysoun Yat es of blisse ye coroun Ye sext skille es yis to wit For we bene alle of a spyrit To lif gastly als we lif right Alle bodyly here of an ayre bright Thurgh yat spirit chosen er we Goddis childer our Fader so fre Ye seuent skill yhete es forthy Yat we er alle lyms of a body Yat body Halykirke we calle And Godde es ye hede of alle And we lyf here alle with a fode Yat es Goddis flesshe and blode Yise er ye seuen skilles to proue Yat stirs a mans hert to luf Yat he suld fest in hert and knytte With seuen braunches yat springe of it Ye whilk we frayst als seuen vertus Als ye lyms of ye body dose Yat es to say innocence Debonerte and obedyence Charyte pyte and rightwisnes And parfyte luf ye seuent es Innocence thurgh vnderstandynge Yat es to say vnderynge Yat es yat nane othir sal dere Bot ilk man suld othir forbere Als ye lymes dose of ye body Ilkane forberes othir kyndely And nane of yam wil othir greue For ilkane es to othir leue By ye lyms yat er so lufand Innocence we vnderstande We er als lyms of a body cald Yarefore we suld yat vertu halde Debonerte may vs lere To be mure and debonere To suffre and noght seke vengeaunce On yam yat vs dose here greuaunce Ne to hald na wreth in hert For na greuaunce yat vs may smert Als ilka lym lesse and mare Tholes othir yat it hurtes sare And noght it venges ne smytes agayne Fele it neuer so mykell payne Yus by ye lyms men may se Ye vertu of debonerte Yat has thre speciele degrees Yat ye debonere man suld chees Ane es yis yat he venge him noght For na harme yat to hym es wroght Anothir es yat he hald noght lange Wrethe in hert for na wrange Ye thridde es yat he kepe him wele Yat he na stiryng of hatred fele Agayne his neghpur nyght ne day For noght yat he may do or say Obedyence of luf may com Yat es when a man es bouxsom To his souerayne with hert fre So bouxsom suld we alle be Als ye lyms bene yat er in quert To yair souerayne yat es ye hert For alle ye lyms has grete talent To do ye hertes commandement Als lange als yai may dreghe After ye wissynge of ye eghe In yis we knawe obedience right To wham luf and charyte gifs myght Charyte es a vertu to fele Yat we suld halde and kepe wele Yat mase vs helpe othir right And serue yam with al our myght Als we wald yai did vs in nede Withouten any gift or mede Als a lym dose yat es fayne To helpe anothir yat has payne And ese it on ye best manere Withouten couatyse or daungere In yis we may knawe and se Ye grete vertu of charyte Wharefore ilk man suld bi skille Helpe othir with godewille Yat has defaute or mischief And withouten helpe may noght lif Ilk man suld do to othir sone Als he wald to hymself war done And lat nane othir of helpe faylle When he may yam helpe or vaylle Bot ilkane counsaylle othir and kenne And to yam yat nede has gif and lenne For Goddis luf and for noght elles Forwhy charyte yis men telles Pyte es a vertu called Yat we suld ay in hert halde Yat opens ilk mans hert to fele When othir fares ille or wele Pitee yar it es verray Puttes a man in a gode way It mas a man to sighe sare For othir mens here illefare And to haue ioye and solace Of othir mens happe and grace Als ilk lym feles what othir aylles When oght it greues or auaylles And ilk lym til hymseluen taas Bathe gode and ille yat othir hase For if men smyte outhir fote or the Ye mouthe says you hurtes me By ye lyms of ye body We may knawe pyte verrayly Yat vertu it shewes in twa thinges Withinne ye hert yare it springes Ane es ioy withouten rose Of gode yat he has or dose Anothir es sorow yat som of irkes Of ille yat othir feles or wirkes Rightwisnes es a vertu of myght Yat mas our hertes boun to do right And to haue compassyoun and mercy On alle yat seke er and sary For ilk man after his state es Suld rewe of othir yat has sekenes And helpe to brynge hym out of bale And tent to hym til he war hale Als alle ye lyms lesse and mare Eses a lym yat es sare And helpes it at yair powere Til it be made hale and fere By yis vnderstande we wele Ye sothe of rightwysnes to fele Thurgh whilk men suld ay be bisy Ye misdoers for to chasty And yair suggets yat dose ille Men suld punysshe bi lawe and skille And thole his neghpur noght be shent Bot brynge hym til amendement For ilk man suld othir saue For luf yat he suld to hym haue Parfyte luf of swilk myght es talde Yat it mas a man boun and balde To putte hymself in grete perill To saue anothir man fra ille Als a lym helpes anothir in nede And puttes it for hym in drede For when a fote bigynnes to skrythe Ye tothir kepes and sokours it swithe And if men at ye heued wil smyte Ye hande wil kepe ye strake tyte Yus may a man when he had nede Knawe his frende yat hym luf wil bede By ye lyms als we proue Vnderstande we parfyte luf Thurgh whilk ilke man here suld for othir In perille hym putte to saue his brothir Als Godde gaf vs ensaumple ryf When he wald for vs gif his lyf Yise er ye seuen braunches of luf Yat ye hert of man may oft moue Yai sprede in vs if we yam kepe Thurgh ye vertu of frendshepe Yat bringes a man in wham it es To ye blissedhede of myldenes And to ye mede yat yarefore falles Yat es ye lande yat men heuen calles Als yhe myght here me bifore telle How Godde says yus in ye godspelle Blissed be bathe yhunge and alde Yat er mylde yai may be balde For yai sal haue when yai hethen wende Ye lande yat lastes withouten ende Here men may se yat tentes yarto What ye gift of pyte vs may do Ye whilk es a speciall grace Yat ye sext askynge may purchace Yat we in ye Pater Noster neuen Yat gift vs graunt ye Kynge of heuen AMEN DE DONO SCIENCIE Ye gift of knawynge may we haue After pyte if we it craue Thurgh ye fift askynge with hert clene Yat in ye Pater Noster es sene Ye gift of knawyng shewes vs right What we er and what es our myght And in what perille we er alle And whethen we come and whider we sall And what folys we haf done And mas vs forsake our synne sone Yat gift out of ye hert drawes clene Ire yat mas men felle and kene DE PECCATO IRE Ire es a synne yat wyde spredes And bi four partys a man ledes Ane es agayne God of heuen Anothir agayne a man self euen Ye thridde agayne his awen meyne Agayne his neghpur ye ferthe may be Ire a mans hert grettely moues Agayne Godde oft als ye boke proues When a man grotches or mas ille chere Agayne Godde or his halowes dere If he yam sclaundre or says vilany Or says Godde dose noght rightwisly For Godde wil noght fulfille his wille Or for he feles oght yat es ille He synnes greefly and maas God wrathe For he hym greues and his halowes bathe Alle yis comes of ye synne of ire Yat ledes a man til helle fyre Ire may stir a man also Agayne hymself and do hym wo Als when a man yat es brathe Agayne himseluen es so wrathe Yat he may nouthir ete na drynke Ne comfort in his hert may synke Bot falles parchaunce in sekenes sone For his wille may noght be done Yat wrethe may nane bot himself dere Of himself he may be manslaere Ire stirs a man agayne his menyhe For ouer yam he has mast pouste His menyhe wyf and barnes men calles And his seruaunts yat serue hym falles Bot when a man es moued thurgh ire Agayne yam yan he fares als fyre He bannes and betes and lays on yan And fares als he war a wode man What vessaylle he brekes he gifs neuer tale Bathe pottes and coppes he leues nane hale He fares als he war in wodnes And so semes it wele yat he es Ire mas a man felle and hasty Agayne his neghepur yat wones him by When ire ryses bitwene twa In seuen thinges it wil forth ga Ane es stryf thurgh wordes smert Anothir es rancour in hert Ye thridde es hatred priue Ye ferthe may be called medle Ye fift es yhernynge of vengeaunce Ye sext es slaghter thurgh myschaunce Ye seuent es were yat yan falles sone Thurgh whilk many men er fordone For when were ryses or debate Bytwene twa men of grete state Mikell blode es yan sene spilt And many men dede withouten gilt Touns brende and landes distroyed And many men on sere wyse noyed Som er disherite and som flemed And som er in strayt prisoun yhemed And som er raymed and raunsound And som has many sare wounde And many othir harmes er done Yat many may noght be amended sone Ire es ye enchesoun of al yis Yat mas a man tyne heuen blisse Yus may of ire com mykell waa Yat es moued bitwene twa How may a man yan yat es gilty Make amendes of swilke foly And bot he mendes make of swilk thinge I drede yat he in helle mon hynge Yis synne of ire withouten dout Ye gift of knawynge puttes out Of ye hert and settes yareinne A vertu instede of yat synne Yat es ye vertu of euenhede Ye whilk a mans resoun suld lede DE VIRTUTE EQUITATIS Euenhede es a vertu of skille Yat acordes resoun with wille Resoun falles be in four thinges Yat to rightwisnes a man bringes Ane es enqueryng anothir demynge And ye thridde es right bithinkynge Ye ferthe es shewyng of tunge fre In yise four falles resoun to be Resoun mas a man to enquere And ye sothe of gode men lere Whethen a thinge comes and how Ar he it sal certaynly trowe Resoun suld a man wele yheme Yat falles anythinge to deme Yat he afferme noght in vayne Til he be of ye sothe certayne Resoun mase a mans witte stable To think yat may be profitable Resoun wil in ye hert knytte Thre partys of ye sleght of witte A party to thynk ay sone Of ye thinges yat es done Anothir es to vndirstande And to se ye thinge yat es semande Ye thridde es to puruay and ordayne Thinge yat sal byfalle certayne Resoun mas a man take hede How he sal his tunge right lede When he sal speke and when be stille Yat he na wordes in vayne spille Yus may men se whaso can How resoun suld rewell a man Bot wille suld be with resoun ay For euenhed ledes yam bathe a way Wille falles to be with resoun In four thinges for som enchesoun Yise er ye four luf and drede Ioye and sorow in hert to sprede First a man suld nathinge luf Bot thinge yat war for his awen saule bihof And nane othir thing suld he drede Bot thing yat tene him myght to saul mede And of noght elles haf ioy ne delyte Bot of thinge yat myght make him parfyte Ne haf sorow in hert loude ne stille Bot for thinge yat es agayne Goddis wille Ye right vertu of euenhede Shewes it als men may in boke rede In seuen degrees on ilka syde And seuen braunches yat spredes wyde Ye seuen degrees er nathinge elles Als I fynde and als clerkes telles Bot seuen maners of clere sight Yat teches a man ye way right Ye first sight es yis to bygynne Yat a man suld se himself withinne Anothir es yat a man sal se To ye thynge yat falles vnder him be Ye thridde sight mas a man sleghe To se yat es bifor his eghe Ye ferthe mas a mans eghe glyde To se clerely on ye right syde Ye fift a mans eghe may lede On ye left syde to loke and take hede Ye sext sight als says ye boke Mas a man bihynde hym loke Ye seuent mas a man thurgh sleght Loke oboun his heued on heght First suld a man withinne himself se His consciens yat es pryue And ransake it wele yat tyde And examyne on ilka syde Ilka thoght and ilka wille Whilk es gode and whilk es ille And ordayne al his entencioun After ye rewarde of resoun So yat resoun and ye wille fre May bathe at ane accorde be A man suld loke thurgh clere sight To thinge yat es vnder him right Yat es his body yat yhernes likynge Of whilk him falles to haue ye kepynge For in yat party war grete nede To halde ye lyne of euenhede And ye right mesure yat it noght faylle Als in clethynge and in apparaylle In mete and drynk and othir thynge Yat ye body askes thurgh yhernynge For ye body yhernes albeit pouer Wel oftner outrage yan mesure Bot a man bihoues lede warly Ye fyue wyttes of his body Thurgh ye lyne of equyte So yat na witte passe his degre And rewell yam so in yair offyce So yat yai turne fra alle vyces Als ye eghen to se ye eres to here Ye nese to smelle sauours sere Ye mouth to tast and to speke wele Ye handes and al ye body to fele Yise er ye yhates of ye saul namely And ye wyndous of ye body Thurgh whilk ye ded entren may Vnto ye saul by ye neste way A man suld loke thurgh sight clere To thynge yat es byfore him here Yat es to say als men may gesce Werldely godes and ricchesce Yat may deceyf a man mast And ye saul distroy and wast Yarefore a man suld hym avyse For to do yat yat es rightwyse And passe noght ye lyne of eqite For na gode yat he may se A man suld loke clerely on ye right syde And lat nathing his sight hyde And yat sight sal him teche and kenne So to take kepe to gode men Yat he of yam may witte fele And ensaumple take to do wele So yat his dedes be reweld bi skille Als ye vertu of euenhede wille On ye left syde als says ye boke Suld a man thurgh clere sight loke Yat es a man suld bihalde Misdoars yat foles er called Yat yair foly can noght hyde Yai er als on ye left syde To yam a man suld bi twa skils Take rewarde for alle perilles Ane es men suld haue compassioun Of yair wicked condycioun Anothir es men suld be bisy To fle yair synne and yair foly A man also suld be sleghe And haue bihynd hym a clere eghe Yat es to say yat he take kepe Of ye fende to fle his felawshepe Yat standes bihynd him waytand ay Thurgh wyles to wynne him to his pray Bot him thar noght his wyles drede Yat folowes ye lyne of euenhede A man suld loke in ilka stede Thurgh clere sight obown his hede For he suld be of his sight sleghe To haf ay Godde bifore his eghe Yat es to say in yis condicioun So yat alle his entencioun Of his hert be symple and clene In alle his dedes als may be sene For withouten right entencioun Als knawes clerkes of discrescioun Almus dede synne may oft be And vertu vyce als we oft se Right entencioun es yis Als clerkes can vs teche and wisse When a man alanely wil proue To do gode werkes for Goddis luf Yise seuen maneres of sightes to rede Er ye seuen degrees of euenhede Yat haues seuen braunches to telle Als I sal shewe yhow if yhe wil dwelle For yhe may vndirstande yam yus Ye seuen braunches er ye seuen vertus Agayne ye dedely synnes seuen Als men may fynde yam sette ful euen Ane es mekenes agayne pryde Yat spredes ouer alle ye werlde wyde Anothir es luf agayne envye Yat ouercomes yat synne lightly Ye thridde es debonerte Yat skomfites ire and dose him fle Ye ferthe braunche pruesce es Yat may putte away slawenes Ye fift es chastyte of body Yat standes agayne licchery Ye sext es sobrenes to knawe Yat glotony may doun drawe Ye seuent es largesce so fre Yat mas auaryce away to fle Yise er ye seuen vertus to tast Yat ye seuen dedely synnes may wast Yis seuen vertus ful wyde spredes For ye gift of knawyng yam ledes Ilka vertu after his degre By ye right way of equyte Yat shewes it when men wele dose In alle ye werkes of othir vertus For withouten euenhed to hald Na vertu may be vertu called Bot it tynes of vertu ye name And bicomes vyce to mykell blame Bot whaso wil his defautes se In yise seuen poyntes of equyte Iniquite sal he oft fynde Yare ar equite es left byhynde Yat es to say he may fynde amange Oftner wyckednes and wrange Yan he may fynde euenhede Outhir in worde or in dede Yan sal he wepe and make murnynge Thurgh ye haly gift of knawynge Yan es he blissed als God gun telle Til his disciples in ye godspelle For he called yam blissed yat gretes fast For yai salbe comforted at ye last For ye yat here has receyued right Ye gift of knawynge yat es of myght May haue in yis werlde na dwellynge Withouten sorow and gretynge Bot sex maners of gretynges sere Parfyte men has in yis werlde here Yat thurgh ye gift of knawyng springes In a mans hert for sex thinges Ane es foryi yat he feles euen Yat he has wretthed God of heuen Anothir es for ye drede to telle Yat he has of ye payne of helle Ye thridde es for ye angres sere Yat he sees gode men suffre here Ye ferthe es for synnes and folys Yat foles haunt yat er noght wys Ye fift es for yis wreched lyf Yat we fele here with angers and strif And for ye tothir lyf yat es comande Yat es fra vs so lange taryande Ye sext comes of deuocioun And of mynde of Crystes passyoun And of ye grete plente of blisse Yat God has graunted til alle his And of ye felynge yat men may tast Of ye grace of ye Haly Gast He yat yus gretes als I haf talde Men may hym right blissed halde For gretly comforted sal he be Als clerkes in haly writte may se For Godde says yus thurgh wordes swete Blissed be yai alle yat grete For yai salbe comforted wele Thurgh ioy and blisse in heuen to fele Vnto yat siker blissedhede Ye vertu of euenhede may vs lede Yat comes of ye gift of knawynge Ye whilk we wynne thurgh ye fift askynge Yat in ye haly Pater Noster es Als ye boke beres wyttenes Yusgates shewes yis gift his myght Godde graunt it in our hertes to light AMEN DE DONO FORTITUDINIS After yat gift als clerkes wate wele Ye gift of strengthe we may fele Yat gift amange alle othir thynge We aske thurgh ye ferthe askynge Of ye Pater Noster when we pray If we yat bede bouxsomly say Yat gift may make a mans hert Stalwarde and hardy and smert And balde to vndirtake and proue A grete thynge here for Goddis luf For it may arme ye hert so wele Yat it na hurt of angre fele Yat gift out of ye hert drawes Ye synne of accyde als clerkes knawes DE PECCATO ACCIDIE Accyde es sleuthe in Goddis seruyce In whilke I fynde many a vice For when yat synne in hert es knytte Aghtene vices may sprynge of itte Of whilk aghtene sex er ful ryf Yat lettes bigynnynge of gode lyf And sex fordose gode amendement And puttes a man til appayrement And othir sex may sone brynge A man til a wicked endynge First er sex mikell in vse Yat gode bigynnynge of lyf fordose Ane es dasednes of hert anely Anothir es tendernes of body Ye thridde idelnes of man in quert Ye ferthe es heuynes of hert Ye fift lithernes of hert wythinne Ye sext es arghnes gode to bigynne Dasednes of hert als clerkes proues Es when a man Godde dasedly loues And slawly his luf in Godde settes Swilk luf gode bigynnyng of lyf lettes Bot whaso wil gode lyf bigynne And kepe him here clene fra synne He suld luf Godde with al his myght Brennandely bathe day and nyght And parfytely in hert and thoght Ouer alle thinge yat euer was wroght And yat luf mas a ground lastande On whilk clene lyf may fast stande Tenderness of flesshe als I fynde Haldes a man mykell byhynde Yat may here na penaunce bere Ne thole nathinge his body to dere Forwhy he may na harde thing touche He may be called ye fendes couche Yat to ye fende es ful soft On whilk he sittes and lenes him oft And says til hym on yis manere With a fals flaterand chere You hast bene norisshed tenderly Yarefore tent wele to yi body And putte ye til na penaunce I rede For parchaunce it myght be yi dede Forwhy you may na penaunce bere Als othir yat er stalwardere You ert of a wayke conpleccioun Penaunce myght sone brynge ye doun It war to ye a foul meschaunce To fordo yiself thurgh penaunce Yus can ye fende a man shryue And lette his bigynnynge of gode lyf Idelnes als yise clerkes says Es a synne yat ye fende pays For when ye fende fyndes a man Idell he comes to hym yan And occupyes hym in his nedes And puttes hym to synful dedes For he dose hym thinke yan on foly On pryde and on licchery On glotony and othir folys On whilk thurgh ye fende he studys After yat he has na drede To fulfille yam alle in dede Yus ye fende thurgh idelnes can Lette ye gode lyf of a man Heuynes of ye hert es to drede Yat fordose sauour of gode dede For when a man in hert es heuy Hym list noght do bot sitte or ly Or slepe outhir naked or cledde And lathe to ryse out of his bedde Ne hym list noght go to kirke Ne na haly werkes to wirke He wald are tyne four messes or ma Ar he a slepe walde forga Or a swete in a mornynge For yarto has he oft likynge He vneses hym noght nyght ne day Bot tas al ye esement yat he may Bot somtyme he es ful wakande And ful bisily trauayllande Obout ye werldes nedes to wende And to serue his flesshe and ye fende Bot when he suld God worshepe Yan list hym best ly and slepe Al hys tyme yan he tynes And alle his gode dedes away dwynes Lythernes of hert withinne Es when a man ligges in synne And feles ye fondynge of ye fende And of his flesshe yat wil him shende And thurgh lythernes and ye fendes rede Wil noght anes lift vp his hede Vnto Godde ne haf repentaunce Ne shryue hym ne do penaunce He wil noght his synne forsake Ne nane amendes wil he make Men may him licken als men can Vntill a lyther forworthen man Yat had leuer ly rotande In a prisoun yat es stynkande Yan hym war any penaunce thole Of clymynge out of yat hole Methinke here es grete lithernes Whare na bigynnyne of gode lyf es Arghnes also methink es harde For yat mas a man a cowarde Yat may be called littelhede Of trayst of helpe in gode dede For he yat falles in yat synne He dar na gode werke bygynne Yat suld til saul hele auaylle For he dredes yat Godde wil him faylle He has mykell trauaylle in thoght For he has grete drede of noght He may be lickened als we rede Til a man yat of his dreem has drede And til a man yat es so ferde Yat dar noght entre ye kirkeyherde For ye snaylle yat crepes about Yat agayne him puttes his hornes out Bot als a chylde he es herteles Yat dar noght so arghe he es Passe by ye way at his ese For he sees ye goos at hym whese Yise er sex vyces knawen ryf Yat lettes bigynnynge of gode lyf Othir sex er here on rawe sette Yat amendement of lyf may lette Als taryinge and reckelesnes Forgetynge and slawenes Latches also and fayllynge Yise sex mas a grete lettynge Ye first es taryinge yat es ille Als when Godde sendes a man wille To amende his lyf and wele to do And he hym spede noght tyte yarto Yan comes ye fende to hym yat tyde And biddes hym yhete a whyle habyde And says al by tyme yhete you may Amende ye and serue Godde vntil pay For you ert yhunge and hale of hert And you semes stalward and smert Bathe to ryde yhete and to gange And be you siker you sal lyf lange Sen you of lyf has lange space Whyle you ert yhunge take yi solace For when you ert ane alde man Of alle you may amende ye yan For when you bicomes a papillarde Of ye sal na man take rewarde Yis es ye fendes compasment Yat lettes a mans amendement After yat comes reckelesnes Yat vyce amange many man es For he yat taryes gode dede He es a reckeles man in nede He es reckeles and vnredy Yat list noght in hert be bisy To amende hym and fle al ille And to do yat es Goddis wille For reckelesnes oftsythe dose skathe To body and saul and shendes yam bathe After yat comes forgetynge To whilk reckelesnes a man may bringe For whaso es reckeles and gifs na tale Forgetes bathe grete synnes and smale Yat to shewe in shrift nedeful ware On whilk he may think na mare Bot reckelesnes and forgetynge Mas til a man a grete lettynge Hys synnes and his defautes to fele Yarefore he can noght shryue him wele And yat es a grete perill to drede When a man forgetes his mysdede Of whilk to prest he suld him shryue While he had space and war on lyue For if he think noght what his syn es Whareof sal he aske forgifnes And bot he graunt what he has wroght Forgifnes of yat ne getes he noght For it es nane yat synne can fele If he grape his conscience wele Yat ne he may fynde inoghe ilk day Of his defautes in shrift to say Bot reckelesnes als clerkes fyndes And forgetyng ye synful blyndes So yat he may nathinge se Yat in his conscience suld be Slawenes es a perillous vyce To whilk ye flesche a man wil tyce Yat vyce comes of a faynt hert Yat feble es and noght in quert And of a wicked coustom Yat to ye saul es vnhaalsom For whaso wones him to be slawe Yat wone fra alle gode wil him drawe And his wille so bynde and lede Yat vnnethes hym list do a gode dede Bot somtyme he wil thurgh foly Swilk hardnes do til his body Thurgh grete fastynge ouer myght And thurgh wakynge day and night And othir penaunce ouer mesure Yat he falles in grete langure And yarto in a grete sekenes And yan es he made so myghtles Yat he ne may on nane wyse Trauaylle in Goddis seruyse Ne hym loue ne hym honoure Ne of deuocioun haue sauour Ne of matyns houres ne orysounes Ne of messes ne of sarmounes Yus men may fynde slawenes Redy yar a faynt hert es After yat comes latchesce And puttes a man to swilk febillesce Yat ilk day after othir yat dawes His wille fra Godde somwhat drawes So es he ilk day apayrande Til he be made al recreande Fayllyng ye sext vyce may be Als men may oft in seruauntes se For first to serue yai er bouxsom And sithen fraward ar yair terme com Bot he es worthy to be hyreles Yat serues noght als ye couenaunt es So serues men Godde yat we to calle For we suld be his seruauntes alle Som bigynnes wele Godde to pay And faylles lange ar yair terme day Bot he es vnworthy to haf mede Yat wele bigynnes and faylles in nede Yise sex vyces lettes amendement And mas a mans saull for to be shent Othir sex yhete fynde I can Yat til ille endynge bringes a man Yis er ya sex yat er noght gode Vnbouxsomnes and vntholemode Grochynge also and drerynes Langure and wanhope yat werst es Vnbouxsomnes first puttes obacke A man yat wil noght blethely take Penaunce yat ye preste him bedes In shrift anely for his misdedes Yis vice mas a mans hert harde And vnbouxsom and frawarde Vnto Godde and to Halykirke Yair commaundementes for to wirke Or to hym yat es his souerayne To do aftir yat he wil ordayne Vntholemodenes wrange wil lere A man yat wil noght blethely here What he es worthy for his synne And ye perille yat he es inne Yis vyce puttes a man fra skille To thole yat yat es agayne his wille Grochynge comes yan yat es yis When men says a man yat he dose mysse He groches yarewith and greues him tyte And thinkes men dose it for dispyte Yareafter comes a drerynes In ye whilk som men fallen es Swilk men we may oft se Yat ful gretly greued wild be Of allekyn thinge yat men yam says Or men yam dose yat yam noght pays After yat may com langure Yat es murnynge ouer mesure Yat comes in a mans hert sone For som dedes yat he has done For so mykell sorow may he tast Yat hym irkes with his lyf mast And yhernes oft his awen dede And yat comes of ye fendes rede Wanhope comes yan alderlast In whilk ye fende haldes a man fast For when a man in wanhope es broght In Goddis mercy ne traystes he noght For hym thinke so mykell his mysse Yat he may neuer haf heuen blisse And in yat he may parchaunce Sla hymself thurgh ye fendes combraunce Yus may yise sex vyces brynge A man vntil ane ille endynge Yise er ye aghtene vyces to knawe In whilk men falles yat er slawe Alle yai sprynge on ilka syde Out of ye synne of accyde Yis synne ye gift of strengthe out drawes Of ye hert als yis clerkes knawes And in yat stede euen to gesce Settes ye vertu of pruesce DE VIRTUTE PROBITATIS Pruesce es a vertu of prys Yat mas a man hardy and wys Thurgh whilk he may ouercom thurgh grace Alle vyces and vertus purchace Seuen degrees has yat vertu And seuen braunches of grete valu Yise er ye degrees first to knawe Als yai er sette here on rawe Nobillesce of hert in ilka chaunce Traystynge sikernes and suffraunce Stedfastnes yat mykell may vaylle And lastandnes withouten faylle Hunger and threst of rightwisnes And ilkane of yise a vertu es Nobillesce of hert yar godewille lyse Shewes it wele in twa partyse On ye ta syde to dispyse and fle Ye werlde yat es noght bot vanyte For Saynt Austyn says als I gesce Yat yis es verray pruesce When a mans hert dispyses here Thinge yat es noght in his powere Yat es thinge yat hym bihoues mysse And tyne foreuer mawgre hisse Whaso has yat vertu right Dispyses ye werlde bathe day and nyght And al ye welth yat yareinne es Hym think it noght bot wrechednes Nobillesce on ye tothir syde Mas a man balde to habyde And a grete thynge to vndertake And to chese for Goddis sake Als ye wys philosofre says Yat nobillesce of hert yat God pays Es a skilfull vndertakynge Of a right heghe dredeful thynge For he yat es at lyf parfyte Bot he be war he may falle tyte Bot ye vertu yat I bifore talde Mas a man hardy and balde To vndirtake with hert boun Ye right way of parfeccioun And to chese with stable hert Ye lyf yat semes here sharp and smert Traystyng settes a mans hert fast And mase it stable and strange to last For he yat wil vndirtake A gode way for Goddis sake So fast he suld his hert sette On his purpose yat noght it lette And of nathinge be abayst Bot sikerly in Godde ay trayst To fulfille with al his myght Yat yat he has bigunnen right Sykernes a mans hert ledes So yat he na perille dredes Ne na wickednes ne na payne Yat men may here ordayne For ye gift of strength mas him smert And gifs hym a noble hert To vndirtake a grete thinge Withouten any fayllynge Aftirward it gyues hym luf And wille yat thing for to proue And to folwe it a yhernynge And trouthe to ye ende it to brynge After yat it gyues hym myght And mas him siker als a gode knyght Yat he dredes noght perill ne payne Ne yhete ye dede yat es certayne Bot yhernes angres and to yam tentes Als ye gode knyght dose turnamentes And als ye haly martirs did Yair turmentes yat felle war kidde Suffraunce helpes a man in case To ouercom his mast faas Ya er his flesshe ye werld ye fende Yat nyght and day waytes him to shende For suffraunce may be right tolde Til a man a shelde of golde Yat for Goddis luf noy dar byde Yat shelde him couers on ilka syde So yat na strake of tribulacioun May him sare hurt ne stryke doun For na man may haue victory Withouten suffraunce ne maystry Ne nane may com to parfeccioun Bot he suffre tribulacioun Stedfastnes es profitable Yat festes ye hert and mas it stable Als a tour yat ground has tane Opon a harde roche of stane And als a tre in erthe rotefast Yat na wynde ne stormes may doun cast So suld a man yat has wytte Stedfastly his hert knytte So yat na chaunce gode ne ille It may reuin ne turne his wille For na man may haue victory Withouten stedfastnes namely Lastandnes es ay ilyke newe Yat vertu comes of hert trewe Thurgh whilk a man suld ay be boun To take ye way of parfeccioun And in yat way to be ay lastande And neuer for wele ne wa faylland Vntil he com til his lyues ende When he sal out of yis werlde wende Hungre and thrist of rightwisnes Ane hertly yhernynge of gode yat es For a man suld yherne day and nyght To yhelde and do yat at es right Bathe to Godde and to ilka man After yat he may do and can And on hym his luf vouche saue Yat for hym his awen lyf gaue And if he be somtyme myghtles Yat he may noght do yat right es Bot puttes his myght to Goddis wille Yan wil Godde yat faylles fulfille For Godde sayd noght yus als I wene Blissed be ya yat rightwys bene Bot he sayde yus mare curtaysly Als he yat es ful of mercy Blissed be alle ya mare and lesse Yat yhernes to do ay rightwisnes Yise er called ye seuen degrees Of pruesce yat a man suld chese Yat may hym lede ye right way To ye heghe lyf yat lastes ay [Prowess fights seven battles] Bot seuen braunches er yare yhitte Yat men calles and haldes thurgh wytte Seuen victorys yat here auaylles Of seuen manere of bataylles Thurgh whilk a man may noght mysse Of ye seuen corounnes of blisse Ye first bataylle to bygynne Es ye bataylle of dedely synne Anothir es of penaunce harde Ye thridde es of flesshe so frawarde Ye ferthe and ye fift of ye werld er twa Ye tane of welthe ye tothir of wa Ye sext of wicked men and felle And ye seuent of ye fende of helle Dedely synne es ye first bataylle Yat bigynnes a man to assaylle Agayne yat bataylle bihoues him fight Or flee it fast with al his myght Bot he yat flees may noght al leese For he fightes wele yat wele fleese For whaso assentes noght to synne He ouercomes withouten dynne Bot whaso es felled in yat stour May noght ryse withouten sokour He has mare nede with help to mete Yan he yat standes opon his fete Bot Godde thurgh grace most take his hand Ar he may ryse agayne and stande And arme hym agayne yat chaunce With ye stronge armure of penaunce Ye whilk ye Haly Gast hym brynges And yat byhoues be of thre thinges Ane es repentaunce called of hert Anothir es shrift of mouth appert Ye thridde amendes thurgh wille fre He suld be armed with yise thre Repentaunce of hert es yis When a man wil knawe his mysse And has sorow for yat labour Yat he has wrethed his creatour And ye mare yat he has wroght als fole Ye mare in hert suld be his dole For whaso es synnefull and ille Yise thre names beres thurgh skille Goddis theef and theues fere Murthere of his doghter dere And Goddis traytour yus men calles Ye synnefull man yat in synne falles First Goddis thief he may be knawen For he wastes yat es noght his awen Yat Godde hym toke to kepe and welde Of whilk hym bihoues acount yhelde Murtherer he hymseluen mas Yat thurgh synne his saul slaas Ye whilk Godde made to his lickenes Yat thurgh grace his doghter es Goddis traytour he es bi resoun For he dose Godde a grete tresoun When he yheldes to ye fende haally Yat es Goddis mast enmy Ye castell of his hert so queme Ye whilk Godde toke hym for to yheme Ye secund thynge es shrift of mouthe Yat mas a man to Godde ful couthe Ye whilk has sex condiciouns Als men has herde in sere sarmouns First shrift suld be wysely done And also hastly and sone Appertly and bisily ay Haally and mekely and oft to assay First suld shrift be made wysely For a man suld make him bifore redy And of allekyn synne bithynk him wele Bathe of dedely and of venyele Yat he has wroght als vnbouxsom Ar yat he bifore ye prest com Yhete suld he loke ar he hym shryue What he es yat sal here his lyue If he be conande his shrift to here And to assoylle hym has powere Shrift suld be done hastyly For many skilles to telle why For taryinge of shrift in yis lyue Es perillous for skilles fyue Ane es for ye condicioun Of synne yat es a confusyoun For synne es als telles yis clerkes A brynnande fyre yat wastes gode werkes Yat may on nane wyse sleckened be Withouten teres in shrift pryue Anothir es for ye sekenes of synne To whilk shrift es ye medecyn For he yat sekes noght to be hale Of his hele he gifs neuer tale Ye thridde skille es for ye dede Yat waytes a man in ilka stede Forwhy ye dede es so sodayne Yat na man may be certayne Of ye tyme yat may noght faylle When ye dede sal hym assaylle Ye ferthe es for godes yat es done Yat a man thurgh synne may tyne sone Yat es al yat he has done wele Wharethurgh he suld heuen blisse fele And al his tyme yat myght auaylle Thurgh his synne sal hym faylle Bot al may he recouer agayne Thurgh verray shrift yat es certayne Ye fift skille and ye last es yis For forgetynge of his mysse For whaso late his shryft bigynnes He may forgete many of his synnes Of whilk he may neuermare mene How suld he yan shryue hym clene Ye thridde condicioun of shrift es Als ye boke here beres wyttenes Yat a man suld shryue hym appertly And for his synne in hert be sory Yat es to say he suld shewe sone Certayne synnes yat he has done And al ye entencioun and ye wille Yat he had to do yat ille Ye ferthe es a man suld be redy To shryue him wele and bisily Yat es to say a man suld sone Telle his synne als it es done And when and whare and ye cause why And how oft he did yat foly And ye manere how he did yat synne And how lange he has lyen yarinne Ye fift condicioun es yat a man Suld shryue him haally als he can Til a prest yat has powere Al his lyf haally to here And noght depart his shrift in twa To com fra ane and til anothir ga For if he at ane his shrift bigynne And telle til anothir anothir synne Or any synne in shrift layne I telle yat shrift done in vayne Bot he yat wil make his shrift haale Suld telle alle his synnes grete and smale Til ane yat hym may gif penaunce And telle hym alle ye circumstaunce Yat ekes ye synne als I talde are Yat es how he did when and whare How oft and why and ye dwellyng yarinne And what he es yat didde ye synne Whethir he lered or lawed be And what state he has and what degre And of what state he es kydde With wham he or sho ye synne didde For a synne in a persone may be Mare yan in othir twa or thre And in som stede mare and in som stede lesse After men sees yat ye stede es And mare may a synne in a heghe tyme de[re] Yan in anothir yat es lawer And mare es a synne done on som wyse Yan in anothir manere thryse And ye oftner yat he dose a synne And ye lengar yat he dwelles yarinne Ye mare penaunce he es worthy Yat suld weghe agayne yat foly And ye wers yat ye cause es Wharethurgh he dose a wickednes Ye mare penaunce bihoues hym do For yat synne als falles yarto Yarefore ilk man lered and lewed Suld shryue him yus als I haf shewed And shewe haally withouten dyn Al ye circumstaunce of ye synne Bot whaso wele wil shryuen be Hym byhoues parte himself hin thre First at ye hert he sal bigynne And sithen at ye mouth and ye tunge withinne And aftirwarde at al ye body Til he haf ransaked ilka party For ilkane mas his cours euen Thurgh alle ye dedely synnes seuen First suld he telle his thoghtes ouerthwert And ye wicked yhernynes of his hert And yareafter his wordes ilkane Yat out of his mouth wrange has gane And afterward he suld telle sone Alle ye ille werkes yat he has done And so may he if he be wys Putte out in shrift alle his folys For alle synnes yat on conscience hynges Comes specially of yise thre thinges Of hert of mouthe and of werke By yise thre may we take our merke To shewe in shrift what we haf thoght What we has sayde what we haf wroght And ouer yat may we knawe sone Ye synnes of leuynge of gode vndone Bot first I wil telle yhow som Of ye synnes yat of ye hert may com PECCATA CORDIS Ye synnes of ye hert er yise bi skille Thoght delyte consentynge and wille Yhernynge and vnfaythfulnes Slewth dulhede and vndeuoutenes Wrange hope ouerhope and wrange wenyng Wanhope yat werst es and vntraystyng Fole luf yat es ille brynnande Drede yat es ay ille lawande Assocynge and fole affeccioun Vayne gessynge and suspecioun Wrethe hatrede and lytherhede Rancour envye and carles drede Ioye of othir mens angre and care Sorow of othir mens welefare Dedeyne murnynge yat ye hert shendes And flesshely affeccioun of frendes Trechery and vnconable gladnes Vnsuffraunce and werldely drerynes Vayne dole perplexte and pryde Irkynge of gode and accyde Couatyse and auaryce Hardnes of hert and maly(c)e Vnstedfastnes and forgetynge Forthinkynge of penaunce doynge Studyinge of ille to bigynne Ioye yat a man has of his synne And sorow yat he na mare ille did Ipocrysy yar ye synne es hidde Luf to plese a man agayne skille Drede to displese hym yat dose ille Shame to do any gode dede In sight of men when it war nede Hardynes and baldenes in synne Argnes of gode dede to bigynne Singulere witte and luf pryue Yhernynge of state or of dignyte Vayneglory and vayne likynge Yat of thre maners of gode may springe Of godes of kynde of happe of grace Yat Godde vs gyues for our solace Laynynge of sothe in hert hidde Shame of frendes yat pouer er kidde Despyte of bidynge of souerayne Vnrewith of yam yat feles payne Misbileue in hert to halde Alle yise er synnes of ye hert called PECCATA ORIS Ye synnes of ye mouth er vayne spekyng And oft swerynge and forswerynge Sclaunderynge of Godde almyghty Takynge of his name vnreuerently Threpying agayne rightwisnes To telle oght yat errour es Houres vnreuerently to say Withouten deuocioun to pray Backebytyng leghes and losenger[y] And reprouynge of vylany Stryfs missayinge and bannynge Sclaundre vpbraydynge and chetynge Lackynge and louynge agayne conscience Agayne sayinge of obedyence Pynchynge at luf and at charyte And lettynge of luf yar luf suld be Fals pleynynge of men yat er giltles And fole berynge of fals wyttenes False flateryng to mayster or to lorde Wreghynge and sawynge of discorde Tellynge of vayne trewfles with tung Skornynge outhir of alde or yhunge Eggynge and counsayllyng agayn skille Misturnynge of gode vnto ille Discurynge of mens priuyte Yat thurgh right layned suld be In kirke to plede yat halwed has bene To stir a man to ire and tene To threpe on men yat yai noght did To agayne say yat sothe es kidde To reproue a man of a thinge felly Of whilk ye reprouer es gilty Mikell speche and oft iangelynge Fole speche and vayne vauntynge Excusynge and defendynge of syn Skrykyng crying and vayne dyn Grochynge agayne Godde and man Blawynge of bost yat som men can To snybbe and sette men to resoun Agayne skille withouten enchesoun To mote in causes vnrightwys To lere a man to greue his enmys Fals demynge of othir mens dedes Fals endytynge yat men dredes Laghinge grynnynge and vayn likenyng Dispytous blerynge and mowe makyng To synge sanges of iolyte To rede on bokes of vanyte To shewe wordes of herlotry To speke foul wordes of vilany To study mare in voice brekyng In kyrke yan in deuoute syngyng To dispute and argu in vayne To shew fallaces vncertayne To aske on hethyng or wrange to answer To yam yat men suld forbere To spire how a thinge may be Yat es Goddis awen priuite Yise er ye synnes of ye mouthe Yhete er yare ma whaso yam couthe PECCATA OPERIS Ye synnes yat comes of werk and ded[e] Of ye body er yise to rede Drunkennes and glotony And manslaghter and litchery Sacrylege theft and rauyn And symony yat I hald grete syn Oker yat gretly Godde myspayse Brekynge of dere haly dayse Brekynge of vowes yat men maas Forsakynge of order yat men taas Takynge of housil vnworthily Vnreuerence vnto Goddis body Bisynes obout vayne reuerys Faylyng thurgh fayntys in Goddis seruy[s] Ille ensaumple in dede to gif To othir men yat suld wele lyf Or any werke to haunt or wirke Yat may be sclaundre to Halykirke To hurt a man in his persoun In his godes or in his renoun Tresoun falshede and gilry And wichecraft and tregetry Extorsyouns yat er laweles Sellynge of lawe and of rightwisnes Fals marchandyse and fole sleghtes Hauntyng of fals mesures and weghtes Plays iapes als men oft sees Yat er noght bot vanytees Hauntyng of carols and of daunce Feynynge of fole continaunce To gif ioglours and mynstrales Giftes for iapes and for vayn tales To drawe fra a mans awen body His nedeful fode yat he suld lif by Or ouermykell to take and vse In outrage als som men dose To vndirtake with a grete wille To do mare yan men may fulfille Offyce to halde and to haunt To whilk a man es noght sufficiaunt Or offyce or craft to bigynne Yat may noght be withouten synne Agayne to turne and to haunt eft Ye synne yat a man has left Custom to synne yat es harde to breke Bataylle to mayntene or conteke To smyte or to assayle on som wyse To fynde and to vse nouaylleryse Sturdynes of men yat I hate Agayne othir men of mare state Hardnes yat som dose yat may To men yat er meyner yan yai To trespas in vnderstandynge In sight in heryng or in felynge In smellynge in tastynge with mouthe In kyssynge yat es a taken couthe In halsynge or in vndertakyng In beckenyng and in signes makyng In wrestelynge yat es play of strengthe In ekynge and lessynge of brede and lengthe In gifinge or takynge of giftes After yat men yair handes skiftes In any of Goddis commandementes Or in haly writte yat men to tentes Ye circumstaunce of synne to take Yat ye synne ful greef may make Als tyme stede manere and tale Person dwellyng elde and witte haale Ye whilk er declared in yis boke A lytell bifore yar men may loke And when a man him puttes to synne Bifore ar fondynges bigynne Or paynes hym to synne mare With his body yan myster ware Yise er ye synnes to telle shortly Yat comes of werk and dede of body PECCATA OMISSIONIS SUNT Ye synnes of leuyng of gode vnwroght Es to haue noght Godde in thoght To luf him noght ne to drede To thank him noght of al gode dede To halde noght done thurgh Goddis myght Ye dedes yat a man dose right For synnes here na sorow to make Als a man suld do for Goddis sake To make him noght ay redy and able Grace to resayue yat es profitable To vse noght grace ne to kepe wele Yat men has getyn and may fele To turne him noght ne hym hast To ye enspyrynge of ye Haly Gast To confourme noght his wille haally Vnto ye wille of Godde almyghty To ga noght to ye kirk ne to pray Ne ye houres of ye day to say To leue thing vndone thurgh neclygence To whilk he es halden of obedyence To do noght his offyce ne to hald vowe To fader or moder noght to bowe To resayue noght anes in ye yhere Housill and shrift with conscience clere To knaw noght himself ne his state To reproue noght his synnes ne hate His conscience noght right to lede Nouthir in worde ne in dede To tary and to do noght sone Thinge yat felle be tyte done To haf na ioy ne solace Of othir mens welefare and grace Or to haue na sorow ne care Of othir mens angre and illefare To relese noght ne to forgieue Wranges al if yai might gretly greue To kepe noght trouth ne leaute To othir men als falles to be To answer noght to ye gode dede Yat othir men has done in nede Also to do noght blethely Als falles ye werkes of mercy To chasty noght yam yat mysdose To snybbe yam noght yat syn wil vse To make noght pees als falles bi skille Yare yar stryf es and ille wille To teche noght vnconande men Ye whilk men er halden to kenne To comfort yam noght saddely Yat has angre and er sary To do noght after gode mens rede To be noght deuout in haly bede Here men may se and knawe Many synnes wryten on rawe He yat lokes yam ouer graythely May wyte of what syn he es gilty Swa may he ransake al his lyf And knawe of what he sal him shryue Ye sext condicioun es yareby Yat a man suld shryue him mekely For he yat in shrift his hert lawes Spekes to Godde yat it wele knawes For ye preste yat es of shrift herer In shrift he es tolde Goddis avener And al yat es shewed hym yan He heres als Godde and noght als man Yarefore ye synful suld thurgh right In shrift him meke with al his myght Als he war bifore Godde of heuen And with dole and drede his synnes neuen Ye seuent condycioun es yis to se Yat a man suld oft shryuen be Of wicked dedes and thoghtes and willes And yat war nedeful for sex skilles Ane es for mare grace to wynne And to be made mare clene withinne Anothir es for synnes venyele Yat men may ilk day newe fele For yat at oft fyled es sene Oft bihoues be wasshed clene And thinge yat oft comes yat dere may Men bihoues oft do it away Als dose ye shipman yat ye shippe kepes Ay when ye water withinne crepes Als oft als it comes in fast Als oft bihoues hym out it cast And bot he do ye shippe sal synke Thurgh weght of ye water als methynk So fares a mans saul withinne In wham comes ilk day newe synne Yat him bihoues in shrift roun And elles it suld his saul weghe doun For als many smale cornes may make A grete charge til ane hors backe Right so may many synnes smale Make a grete dedely synne hale Ye thridde skille es to chace ye fende Fra him away yat wald hym shende Ye ferthe skille es for to lere To shryue him wele while he es here Ye fift skille es to telle foryi Yat he ne wate neuer certaynely If he war euer shryuen clene Of alle his synnes yat he may mene Ye sext es to be ye mare meke And for ye mare mede to seke Bot fyue thinges shrift mast lettes Yat ye fende in mans hert settes Ane es shame in hert ful euen Yat a man has his synnes to neuen Anothir es wicked drede yarto Yat a man has penaunce to do Ye thridde es wicked luf to telle Yat a man has in syn to dwelle Ye ferthe es wrange hope of hert Yat a man has of lange lyf in quert Ye fift es wanhope werst of alle In whilk ye fende mas a man falle Ye thridde thynge es amendes to make Yat man suld to ye armure take For a man suld be ay redy To make amendes of his foly And penaunce do yat ye saul auaylles Als his shrift fader him counsaylles Yat amendes in shryft demes After ye perille of his synne semes Ye secund bataylle es of penaunce Yat puttes a man oft fra suffraunce For when a man hym sal repent Of ye synne yat hym has shent Yan at first comes ouerthwert A new stryf vntill his hert Yat mas a man so vnstedefast So yat his purpose may noght last Ful chaungeable es his thoght Forwhy certayne of wille es he noght To what penaunce he suld him spede And what lyf he myght here lede For som bigynnes penaunce to haunt Yat in yat bataylle er recreaunt Bot aftir ye wedircocke lyf yai Yat with alle wyndes turnes ay So lightly chaunges a mans thoght Now he wille and now he wil noght Bot when a man yat God wald pay Settes his hert in swilk a way To do penaunce and it fulfille So yat nathynge chaunge his wille Ne in his penaunce wil noght faylle Yan ouercomes he yat bataylle Ye thridde bataylle es ay fresshe Yat es ye bataylle of his flesshe Yat bataylle es bathe kene and felle And langest with a man wil dwelle For when ye flesshe penaunce beres Or any hardnes yat it deres It groches yarewith and pleynes it oft For it lufs wele alle thing yat es soft And alle eses and alle delyces Yat ledes a man to many vices And if ye flesshe haf al ye wille It ouercomes a man thurgh skille Bot I wil licken after I can Ye flesshe vntill ane ille womman Of wham ye maners er noght to prayse Als Salamon ye wyse man says For euer ye mare men folwes hir wille Ye mare fraward sho es and ille And ye mare felle and ye mare kene Als was in Sampson ye forte sene Yat of a womman ouercommen was For hir wyles his strengthe gun passe For in his hare was al his strengthe Yat semely was of brede and lengthe Al yat was haally fra hym reft So yat na strengthe was with him left Yan felle he in ye handes of his enmys Al was thurgh a wommans quayntys Forsothe right so oft it fares Of a mans flesshe whaso it spares If he lat it hym ouercom It castes hym intill a thralledom For it maas him to synne ful boun When it bicomes wylde and wantoun Bot it war gode for ye saul bote To halde ye flesshe ay vndirfote And lat it haue na delyte Yan may lightly it skomfyte For whaso ouercomes yat bataylle Godde him hetes withouten faylle Ye whyte robe of his lyuere Yat es ye robe of chastyte Ye ferth and ye fift bataylle yan Ye werlde brynges to assaylle a man And Dame Fortune with hir whele Yat turnes obout als men may fele Ye werlde a man here assaylles On aythir syde with twa bataylles Ye tane es ye ferthe to neuen And ye tothir ye fift of ye seuen Ye ta bataylle es als I gesce Of honours delices and ritchesce Ye whilk ye werld profirs in sight Yat assaylles a man on ye syde right Ye tothir bataylle es ful smert Yat es angre iuel and pouert Yat Godde sendes for ye saul bihoue Som to chasty and som to proue Yat assaylles fast on ye left syde Yat bataylle suld a man habyde And stand stalwardely in yat stour For Godde wil helpe him and sokour Bot whaso flees werldes likynge And bides angres withouten grochyng He ouercomes ye bataylles bathe And passes away withouten skathe For ye first bataylle God hetes him yis Worshepe and lykinge in heuen blisse For Godde sal sette him with him right In his trone so richely dight Als Saynt Iohan beres wittenes In ye Apocalips als wryten es And for ye tothir Godde rightwys Hetes hym ye delyces of paradys Ye whilk he grauntes alle ya at ye last Yat in yat bataylle standes fast And ouercomes with gode chere Ye angres of yis werlde here Ye sext bataylle yat I wil telle Es of wicked men and felle Ye whilk er lyms of Antecryst Yat ye fende of helle has noryst Yai noy ya yat gode men er kidde Als wicked tyrauntes martirs didde And als Antecryst sal do to som In ye ende of ye werld yat sal com For yai yat wil noght to hym assent Salbe done to swilke tourment Yat vnnethes sal any lif yan Yat dar hym clayme for cristen man Bot he yat in yis werlde leues Ye whilk wicked men oft greues If he take alle his greuaunce Als Iob did with gode suffraunce And trayst in Godde mast of myght He ouercomes yat bataylle right Til hym yat dose opon yis wyse Godde hetes power ouer his enmyse Ye seuent bataylle and ye last Aftirward assaylles vs fast Yat es ye bataylle of ye fende Yat assaylles a man ay at ye last ende Forwhy ye fende es so wyly And til a man he has swilke enuy Yat when he has ouercommen thurgh myght Ye sex bataylles yat I touched right And es clommen vp on ye mountayne Of parfytenes of lyf certayne Yan comes ye fende vnto yat man With sleghtes to ouercom hym yan And assaylles hym to stryke him doun Thurgh vayneglory and presumpcioun For when he has wele ouercommen Ye sex bataylles and es heghe clomen Hym think hym yan mare worthy Yan othir er and mare haly And with Godde of heuen mare priue Yan any othir man suld be For him think yai haf noght so wele done So mas ye fende hym falle sone And als lawe to ye sight of eghe Als him thoght bifore he was heghe Als Lucifer did in a short tyde Yat felle fra heuen til helle for pryde Yarefore methink it war grete nede Til hym yat wil parfyte lyf lede Yat of ya bataylles has victory To defende hym fra vayneglory And fra presumpcioun alswa For ye fende about ledes yise twa Als ye rerewarde yat comes bihynde To assayle gode men yat he may fynde And to ouercom yam and doun cast Yat clymmes heghe and standes noght fast For thurgh yat rerewarde parchaunce A man may falle oft in combraunce Als a shippe may tittar perisshed be Nere ye hauen yan in myddes ye se Right so a man als clerkes knawes Yat to ye hauen of hele drawes Thurgh ye fende es tempted mare Yan he fer fra ye hauen ware For ye fende a man mast waytes Yat parfyte lyf and saul hele laytes Bot a man suld sette his hert haally And his luf in Godde almyghty And hungre after rightwisnes And yherne to do yat Goddis wille es And to defende hym be ay redy Fra presumpcion and vayneglory So may he yat bataylle skomfyte And do ye fende a grete dispyte And he yat ouercommes yat bataylle Sal haue ye mede yat neuer sal faylle For Saynt Ione says als yis clerkes sees In ye boke of priuytees Yar Godde says yus mast of myght Til hym yat ouercommes right I sal ye gif at ete withouten strif Of ye fruyte of ye tre of lyf Yat es in midward paradyse Yat fruyt passes als fruyt of pryse Whaso wille ye fende ouercom Of yat fruyt yan getes he som Yise seuen bataylles er seuen degrees Of pruesce yat gode men suld chees Ye whilk vertu a man may lede Euen vnto ye blissedhede Of hungre and thrist of rightwisnes And to ye mede yat yarefore es Yat es ye blissefull fillynge Of ioy and gastly lykynge Als Godde says yat es ful of myght Blissed be yay yat hungre right And thrist after rightwisnes For yai salbe filled of ioy endeles To whilk pruesce yat anely springes Of ye gift of strengthe a man bringes Yan may men wyte yat tentes yarto What ye gift of strengthe may do Yat ye ferth askynge yat we say In ye Pater Noster wynne vs may In whilk namely yis gift we craue Godde graunt vs yat we may it haue AMEN DE DONO CONSILUM Anothir gift may mykill auaylle Yat es ye gift of counsaylle Yat teches vs wele Goddis wille And mas our wille acorde yartille Yat gift amange alle othir thynge We aske in ye thridde askynge Of ye Pater Noster yat we bidde Yat mast haly prayere es kydde Yat gift out puttes of ye hert a vice Yat yise clerkes calles auaryce DE PECCATO AUARICIE Auaryce shewes it in thinges thre Bisy wynnynge ane may be Strayt haldynge anothir es Ye thridde es spendynge of skarsnes For auaryce es swilk a synne Yat mas a man be bisy to wynne Werldely godes yat bihoues faylle And in yat has he grete trauaylle Auaryce a mans hert settes To halde straytly yat he gettes And in yat has he grete drede For he wenes ay he sal haf nede Auaryce makes a man so skarse Yat he noght spendes bot ay spars And mas hym haue at ye departynge Of ya godes dole and myslykynge And parchaunce payne withouten ende For yam when he sal hethen wende Yus has a man in ye wynnynge Trauaylle and drede in ye haldynge And ye departynge sorow and wo And parchaunce endeles payne also Auaryse may be tolde bi skille Bigynnynge and rote of alle ille Yat es a craft yat ye fende leres To yam yat wil be his skolers Auaryce men may bi skille calle A tre yat growes and spredes ouer alle Of whilk springes braunches ten Yat spredes amange alle maner of men Ane es oker first to bygynne Anothir es theft ye thridde rauynne Ye ferth es chalenge in falshede Ye fift es sacrilege to drede Ye sext braunche symony es Ye seuent braunche es wickednes Ye aghtned es fals marchaundyse Yat som men hauntes on many wyse Ye neghent es craft of foly And also offyce of vylany Ye tende may be called fole play Yat foles vses and nane bot yai Okir thurgh sleght of okereres Shewes it on many maneres Ye first es when men frestes a thing And takes oght for ye frestynge Thurgh ye couenaunt bifore yat men mas Alle es oker yat men swa tase Yis may be halden commonly Okir withouten curtaysy And it bihoues him yhelde agayne Or elles he sal haue helle payne Anothir manere of okir es Yat es yis bot it es lesse Als when a man of his wille fre Lenes siluer or gold in mone And takes oght for ye frestynge Of curtaysy withouten hetynge Yhete es yat okir als men says Bot he yat tase it es curtays Yat bihoues hym stoppe in ye dette Or elles wreth of Godde sal he gette For ilk man suld for Goddis sake Til othir frest and noght yarefore take Yan wil Godde for yat dede Specially graunt him his mede Ye thridde maner of okir kidde Es yis yat es here mykell hidde Als when a man weldes a thinge Yat his frendes wan with okeryng And yai be passed out of yis lyf Be it fader moder or wyf He suld noght halde it in store Bot he wald make assethe yarfore Yat es to say if he may witt How his frendes had wonnen it And if he do he es gilty Als he yat first didde yat foly Ye ferthe manere es chargeand Yat es yis to vndirstande Als when a man a seruaunt has Yat okir til his vse tase If he yareof payde hym halde He may be mayster okerer cald Ye fift manere of okir es yis Yat som men vses yat lifs mysse Als whan a man for okir lens Ye siluer yat es othir mens Yat he in kepyng has to saue With yat yus wil he okir haue Or if he borow in priuite For okir siluer or othir mone To lene to othir for to haue Mare okir yan he yarefor gaue He yat es disciple okerere Yat manere sal he bye ful dere Bot he yarefore amendes make Ar ye dede hym hethen take Ye sext es yis when a man selles Corne or beste or oght elles And frestes it til a terme day And selles derrer for frest of ye pay In ye dette if he do wele He suld allowe it ilka dele Yat he has mare als I vnderstande Yan he wald first haf tane in hande And bot he do he mon be shent When he es of yis werlde went Ye seuent maner of okir soght Es yis yat som men charges noght Als when a man selles a thing namely Til him yat nede has it to bye For he sees wele and can wit Yat he yat byes may noght tharne it Yan selles he it for double prys He takes ouermykell on yat wyse Na mare he suld take of hym yan Yan it war worth til anothir man For al yat he yat tyme tas mare Yan ye worth him sal rewe sare For on ya(t) wyse dose he noght Als he wald til hym war wroght Yarefore sal he aresouned be For he dose agayne charyte Ye aghned manere es yis to drede When a man sees anothir haf nede To selle corne catell or fee Bifore ye tyme yat fell to be Yan byes he it for a light prys Til his auauntage on yis wyse So yat he make bifore ye pay And ye corne habide til a day For he has na dout yat ne ye corn salbe At ye day mar worth yan yat payed he Yus may ye corne be sald and boght So yat ye byer has half for noght For at ye day may falle swa Yat ye corne es worth swilke twa Yarefore he suld when he it tas Pay hym mare als ye corne yan gase And if he rewarde hym with na mare Yan tase he oker als I sayde are Ye neghent maner of okir I fynde Yat mas som mens conscience blynde Yat es when a man for auauntage Lenes siluer for rent in morgage And tase ye profete of ye rent Ouer ye siluer yat es lent Of al ye tyme vntill ye day Yat es sette to take ye pay Bot he ye profyte to prys sette And allowe it in ye dette His saul salbe in grete daungere Als he yat es ane okerere Ye tende manere of oker may be In yis case yat men may oft se Als when a man withhaldes for ay A wedde yat layde es til a day For he has noght ye pay of ye dette Namely at ye day yat es sette Al if ye couenaunt swilke ware Yhete of ye wedde war worth mare Yan ye dette amount myght Hym bihoued yhelde agayne thurgh right Or elles he sal haue ane harde fitte When he sal out of yis werlde flitte Or if a man a wedde yat es layde Were vntill ye dette be payde If it be appayred als I trowe In ye pay hym bihoues allowe And stoppe als mykell and na lesse Als ye wedde appayred yan es And bot he do I warne him wele He mon yarefore harde payne fele Ye elleuent manere fynde I now Yat es yis yat dar I avowe When a man tase til a marchande Siluer or gold bi yis couenande Yat he haf half yat wynnynge es And his awen siluer neuer ye lesse If he take half wynnynge fre Withouten oker may yat noght be For he wil haue ay half wynnyng And noght allowe al if yare be tynyng Bot if he make first swilk couenand Yat he to perille of losse wil stande And alowe als falles alle costage Yan may he take half auauntage Leeffully als ye couenand wille Withouten okir and yat es skille And ye same maner in catell lys Yat to half es laten on yis wyse When a man lates catelle or fee To half if swilk couenaunt be Yat he half ye auauntage haue Yat yareof comes and his awen saue So yat if yat catelle be lost He wil haue haally yat it cost Ne yhete allowe na costage Yan hald I okir al his auauntage Ye twelft manere of okir es ille Yat es yis yat som men vse wille Als when a man wil frest or len Siluer or corne til symple men Or othir thinge yat myght yam auaylle Yan puttes he yam vnto trauaylle In his werkes yat he wald war wroght And elles wald he frest yam noght Or if yai may noght ye dette pay Als yai er halden at ye day Yan mas he with yam couenand To wirke his werkes with fote or hand For yat dette yat yai hym awe And yareto he byndes yam with ye lawe He wil for ilk peny of ye dette Thre peny worth of werke sette Yis es a synfull bargayne Yarefore he mon haf mykell payne Now haf I shewed yhou on sere wyse Ye cases in whilk okir lyse Ye secund braunche of auaryce Es theft yat es a wicked vyce Bot fyue maners of theft I fynde In whilk couatys mas men blynde For if yai yat men here theues calles Couthe se what dome to theues falles Thurgh lawe of lande and Goddis lawe To stele oght yai suld haf awe A maner of theft es theft appert Anothir pryue ye thridde couert Ye ferthe es lytell theft to knawe Ye fift es theft of theef felawe Appert theft dose he yat man Yat thurgh sleght appertly stele can And hauntes oft yat foly To sustayne him and his yarby He war worthy als I vndirstande Be tane and hanged thurgh law of lande A pryue theft dose he yis Yat takes oght yat es noght his And haldes it priuyly als his awen And yhete es he for trewe man knawen Bot whethir he take mare or lesse A priue theef he yat es Bot al if he be here for trewe kidde Fra Godde may noght yat theft be hidde And yoghe he skape here ye lawe of land To Goddis lawe hym bihoues stande For when his saul es hethen flemed Thurgh Goddis lawe he salbe demed And parchaunce to endeles payne Bot he yhelde it here agayne A couert theft dose he in case Yat kepynge of his lordes godes hase Als bayllif seruaunt othir grayue Yat falles his lordes rentes resayue And in his acount reckenes lesse Ye receytes yan ye spens es So sleghely he can his acount sette Yat his lorde rynnes in his dette And puttes hymself vntill auauntage Yare he suld be in arerage So sleghely steles he his lordes rent Methink he war worthy be shent Yhete thurgh colour of his offyce He hauntes couertly yis vyce Auauntage of othir men to take With fals sleghtes yat he can make Yus can he couertly stele And yhete he semes als he war lele Bot if he wist what he war worthy For swilk dedes hym aght be sory Also a wyf suld vnderstande Yat takes ye godes of hir husbande Agayne his leue or his wille Sho steles ya godes and dose ful ille Or he yat es man religious Yat takes ye godes of his hous Withouten leue of his souerayne He steles ya godes for certayne For wyf ne man of religyoun Of ye godes yat es comoun Has na manere of proprete Ye lawe wil yat it so be Yarefore yai may noght selle ne gif Withouten yair soueraynes leef Also yat wyf dose grete foly Yat has a chylde in auoutery If it be to hir lorde vnknawen And he wenes ye chylde es his awen Ye whilk als heyre beres herytage Agayne ye lawe of maryage And his awen yat heyr suld be Es disherite yat es pyte Thurgh hir foly yat es so hidde A couert theef sho may be kidde Yat sal sho somtyme bye ful dere Bot if sho may make amendes here Ye litell theft es mykell in vse Yat oft a mans seruaunt dose Yat steles oft when hym best thinke Withinne house bathe mete and drinke Hennes chikens and swilk smale store And no mare thinkes to pay yarfore Yhete ye seruaunt gyues neuer tale To stele othir thinges yat er smale Hym think it a common custom Of his mayster godes to stele som Yhete he has lytell drede in thoght To take his hyre and serue it noght For if he serue noght leelly To haue hyre he es noght worthy And al yat he oght takes mare Yan he has serued or worthy ware He suld yhelde agayne in yis case For al he steles yat he mare tase And bot he do I warne hym wele Ful harde payne sal he fele Yat lastes parchaunce withouten ende When he out of yis werld sal wende Yhete a chylde at frendes fyndynge Yat tas of yairs anythinge Withouten leue agayne yair wille He steles it he dose right ille Or if his frendes him fynde to skole And he haunt ryots als a fole And spendes his tyme on ille manere And his frendes gode and wil noght lere Be he neuer his frendes so leef Onence Godde he es a theef And yat he sal ful dere habye Bot he amende here yat foly Yat es to say if he haf skille And witte to knawe bathe gode and ille Yhete he yat fyndes a thing of cost In any stede yat som has lost And wil noght be ye thing oknawen Bot haldes it stille als his awen And fra him yat awe it ye thing seles Certaynely he ya(n) it steles Theft of hym yat es theef felawe Es when a man a theef may knawe And wil take of him of gift or bye Yat he wate es stolne theefly Or wytandely a theef recettes Or oght yat he thurgh theft gettes Whaso dose on yis manere He may be called theues fere For he es yan als wele gilty Als he yat did ye felony For swilk a common worde men has Als gode es he yat haldes als flaas And ye same dome may he drede Yat him falles haue yat dose ye dede Also a bayllyf yat attachen may A theef and lates him skape away Or iustyse yat ye lawe suld lede Yat saues a theef for gift or mede Or quest yat thurgh gift anely Yat says a theef es noght gilty Or he yat procures a theef to saue For any auauntage yat he may haue Or he yat mase hym right bisy To bye a theef fra ye withy Yise manere of men als I vnderstande Vnto yair theft er assentande For swilk men als I haf here talde Mayntenes theues and maas yam balde And warne yai ware als I wene Swa many theues suld noght be sene Als now er yat som men knawes Yarefore yai er als theues felawes And onence Godde yai er als gilty Als theues yat dose ye felony For yai make yat theues er balde And er noght chastyde als ye lawe walde Yarefore harde payne sal yai fele Bot yai here amende yam wele Ye thridde braunche es rauyn Yat es tolde a grete synne Bot sex manere of rauyn to kenne Er yat vses sex maner of men A maner of men er comon robbours Anothir es fals executours Ye thridde es fals dettours sene Ye ferthe lordes yat couatous bene Ye fift es prelates of Halykirke Yat thurgh couatyse wrang wil wirke Ye sext es als ye boke telles Officials denes and bedelles And also baylifs and shirreues Yat many men falsely greues Common robbours may yai be called Yat men sees comoun paase halde Yat robbes and reues bi wode and strete Alle manere of men yat yai with mete Som robbes on watir and som on lande And nouthir spars pilgrym ne marchand Yai sal bye swilk dedes ful dere Outhir in ye tothir werlde or here Fals executours may bi skille Be called robbours for yai do ille Yai suld thurgh Halykirke rede Mynistre leelly ye godes of ye dede For thurgh athe yai er bunden yarto And with ye dede godes leelly to do If yai ya godes to yamself take And wil noght leel mynystracioun make Bot spendes yam in yair awen vse Yai robbe ye dede yat so dose Bot yai agayne yhelde yat tresor Yai sal haf harde payne yarfore Fals detours er mykell to wyte Yat mykill borwes and noght wil quyte Or fra seruauntes yat serued has lange Withhaldes yair hire and dose yam wrange Yai er robbours thurgh Goddis lawe Yat wrange withhaldes yat yai awe Yarefore harde payne mon yai gette Bot yai here quyte leelly yair dette Lordes yat ay bene couaytous Ledes a lyf yat es perillous For yai rayme pouer men and pille And takes yair godes agayne yair wille Fra yam yat er yair bondemen knawen Yai take yair godes als yair awen And alle yair tenauntes dose outrage Thurgh taxinge and thurgh tallyage And take thurgh lordeschip and maystry Yair godes yat yai suld lyf by Yai er als robbours and so yai seme He mon yam quyte yat al sal deme Prelates of Halykirke to se Thurgh myght of yair auctoryte Dose yair sogettes grete outrage And puttes yam to grette costage When yai yam visyte yat make maystryes And rayses of yam grete procuracyes And what yai aske yam bihoues pay For yai dar noght agayne yam say Ya yat dose yus out of course Yai may be called als robbours Officyals and denes bathe Som dose lytell gode bot skathe Oft yair chapiters yai wil sette To gadir al yat yai may gette Yai take bathe of grete and smale Yohe yai do wrange yai gif neuer tale For yai haf mare affeccion To siluer yan to correccyoun And yhete yai do noght so grete reddure To riche men als yai do to pouer For riche men for mede yai forbere And pouer men wrangwisly yai dere Til saul hele ne tent yai noght Bot in wynnynge es al yair thoght Alle with maystry oft yai wirke Thurgh cursynge and doinge out of kirke With swilk manere of ordinaunce Yai chace men vnto penaunce Ay til yai make redempcioun Yat may be called extorsyoun And al yat yai on yis wyse wynne Semes a manere of rauyn Yhete somonours and bedelles Yat vndir yam in office dwelles Wil for na conscience lette Yat yai ne take al yat yai may gette Shirrefs and baylifs yhete dose duresce Yai put men oft to grete distresce Yat leel bene withouten blame Yai prisone yam and dose yam shame And fettres yam and dose yam pyne Til yai haf made to yam a fyne Na sewet gete yai of persoun Til yai gif a grete raunsoun Bot pouer men yat may noght gif Sal haf na mare eise yan a theef Yogh yai be leel men and trewe Yai wil neuer ye mare on yam rewe Swilk hardnes do yai and malyce Thurgh colour of yair offyce Alle yat yai take yus wrangwisly Semes a manere of robbery Ye ferthe braunche chalenge men calles Yat in aght maner of men falles Yat of Godde here standes nane awe And falshede vses agayne ye lawe Ane es fals playntif motande Anothir es fals defendande Ye thridde fals wittenes and sisour Ye ferth fals auoket and pledour Ye fift fals procuratour and attourne Ye sext fals notere and clerk of fee Ye seuent false iuge and iustyse Ye aghtned es assesour wrangwyse Fals playntif als methink es he Lered or lawed whethir he be Yat sekes a false enchesoun To mote a man agayne resoun And a fals accioun feynes And thurgh a fals colour him pleynes To putte a man thurgh ille conscience To trauaylle and til grete spens Ne of yat wrange wil noght seese Til he be fayne to make his peese Yus he dose for he wald wynne Bot he mon by ful dere yat synne Ye fals defendand als men says Es he yat sekes fals delays When a man him motes thurgh right He him defendes with al his myght Thurgh delays and fals cauteles Foryi yat he him gilty feles Bot he yat motes be wele war Ye defendand wil him forbarre Of yat yat he askes hym bi lawe Yat he wil nouthir graunt ne knawe For he wil ay ye lawe fle At ye lawe wil he noght be Bot he yat flees here rightwisnes Of Goddis mercy salbe partlesse Fals wittenes I hald a legher Yat on ye boke wil him forswer Yat in causes beres fals wittenes And namly yare yar matrimoyne es For yat es a bande for terme of lyf Yat byndes a man vnto his wyf Yar yat band thurgh God es knytte It falles to na man to louse itte And whaso dose yar it es certayne He beres fals wittenes yar agayne And wrethes God and dose grete skathe To his awen saul and to othirs bathe Also ye fals sissour es prest To gange opon a fals enquest Yat puttes a man fra his right tyte Thurgh shewyng of a fals verdyte Als fals witnes fals tales yai telle Bot yai yam mend yai sal haf helle A fals auoket es he bi skille Yat a fals cause mayntene wille For al if he allege lawes amange He can turne right into wrange Thurgh sutell cauteles yat he can Yarefore som haldes hym a wyse man Bot he es a fole and a fals auokett Yat in causes ye right can lette A fals pledour wil noght forsake A fals plee to vndirtake For he can shape a wrange delay And fourme an enquest wrange to say He charges noght his conscience To shewe a fals euydence His falshed may men noght wele knawe For he can couer it with ye lawe Yarefore in wrange he es mare balde A false pledour he may be talde A fals procuratour noght dredes To folow and procur a fals nedes Ne he lettes noght to do falshede Ay til he may yat nedes spede He studyes after wrenkes and wiles Many a man yus he bygyles Ye same manere yhete dose he Yat es a fals attourne For he folwes with al his myght Als wele a wrang ple als a right And yhete he wil be of ye assent To thole his mayster nedes be shent He yat dose so he es a traytour Be he attourne or be he procuratour A fals notere hym men telles Yat mas fals lettres or libelles Or fals actes or instrumentes In any nedes yat he to tentes He war worthy als I vndirstande For yat falshede to lese ye hande Bot if he attaynt war of yat vyce He suld be suspende of his offyce Or he yat clerke es of ye coroun Of kynges court or of court baroun Yat mas any fals recorde Or dose falshede to his lorde Shewes his counsaylle or falses his seele Or his lordes auauntage stele Methink he war worthy be drawen Als a traytour if it war knawen And sithen [be] hinged bi ye hals If he war attaynt so fals Bot al if he skape ye payne here His saul mon by yat falsed dere A fals domesman es to drede Yat dose mare wrange yan euenhede For when he sittes in iugement Til his auauntage wil he tent And to yat party yat greses his hande He wil thurgh fauour be heldande And yhete may it so bityde Yat he wil take on aythir syde Bot he yat on hym mast vouches saue Mast fauour of hym sal haue And a dome giuen in yat case For him yat na right hase Yus dose fals iuge of Halikirke And right so wil fals iustys wirke Also yhete ye fals assisour Yat es ye domesman consayllour And als his felawe syttes him by Yhete heldes he to ye ta party For gift yat he taas amange He counsaylles him to do wrange Parchaunce to gif a fals iugement Or tary ye right bi his assent Yarefore somtyme yam sal sare rewe Yat euer yai any lawe knewe Bot vndirstandes als I yhow ken Yat I speke anely of fals men Yat in falshede er sleghe and balde Als I haf shewed bifore and talde And noght of yam yat trewely dose Yat gode conscience and trewith wil vse Als gode faythe and ye lawe wille And til ilk man do resoun and skille Als yai wald men to yam didde Of what state so yai er kidde What craft so yai haunt or faculte Or what offyce yai haue or dignyte If yai yair conscience right lede After ye lyne of euenhede And rightwisnes do to ilka man Grete mede er yai worthy yan For yai may yan be als parfyte Als any frere es or hermyte Sacrilege ye fift braunche es Yat mas a man ay graceles Yat synne als I sal shewe sone On many maners may be done First a man may sacrilege wirke Yat brekes or brynnes Halykirke Outhir wyndous dores or walles Or houses yat to Halykirk falles Or boke or chalyce or vestyment Or any outhir ournament Or vilany in any place dose Yat es apropred to Halykirk vse Or entres within withouten leue Any harme to do or greue Of grete cursynge he es noght quyte For Halykirk he dose dispyte Sacrilege also he wirkes Yat steles oght of Halykirkes Or oght withouten wyse mens rede Beres out of any halwed stede Or out of vnhalwed yat es lesse Beres anythinge yat halwed es Vestyment boke or chalyce If he wil do it thurgh malyce He yat dose swilk foly To be cursed he es worthy Sacrilege yhete may yis be called When a man wil withhalde Agayne right with maystry Thynge yat falles to sayntwary Outhir lande or tenement Or oght yat falles be payde als rent Or teendes yat men right dette telles Or offerandes or anythinge elles Whaso wrange withhaldes swilk thinge Rynnes in ye sentence of cursynge Sacrilege agayne conscience Dose he yat dose yat vyolence In halwed stede or sheddes blode Or litchery dose hym hald I wode For when halwed stede es so fyled Yan bihoues it be recounciled Sacrylege may yis be neste Als when a man smytes a prest Or any clerke yat has tane croun Or man or womman of religyoun Or a womman yat es religyous Drawes with force out of hire hous Agayne hir wille if it so be Appert sacrilege yan dose he For swilk er lyms of Halykirke And Goddes seruauntes his werkes to wirke He yat dose yus him aght haf drede For he es cursed of yat dede Yhete dose he sacrylege and dose ille Yat drawes a man agayne his wille Out of kirke or halwed stede To whilke he flees for drede of dede Halikirkes grith for sokour to haue Als lange als ye law vouches saue And he yat dose hym yat greuaunce Withdrawes fra hym his sustinaunce Or dose any payne yarewith To do hym forsake his grith Or lettes hym ye way gangande Yat has forsworne ye kinges lande Or puttes him out on any wyse He brekes Halykirkes fraunchyse Cursed es he yat so wil do And alle yat assentes yarto Sacrilege also dose he Yat has godes of Halykirke fre Als prelate persoun or vykere Yat spendes ya godes on ille manere Of yat he mon be accused Als he yat sacrylege has vsed Sacrilege yhete clerkes calles Spouse breke yat oft falles For sposaylle es a sacrament Of Halykirk yat men suld tent Yat here es mast nedefull to neuen Of alle ye sacramentes seuen He yat thurgh any counsaylle Dose any dispyte vnto sposaylle Or brekes ye vowe of chastyte Yat es solempne or yhete priue Of religious or seculere Yat haly order beres here He dose dispyte to Halykirke And yus he may sacrilege wirke Sacrilege he dose men says Yat kepes noght ye haly days Yat Halykirke commandes haly He yat yam brekes dose vylany To Halykirke yat vs forbedes To do oght yan bot haly dedes Yat tyme suld men haunte ye kirke And werkes of halynes yan wirke For haly tyme has his fraunchyse Als haly stede has on ye same wyse Ye sext braunche es simony Yat es vsed ouer comonly And namely amange lered men Yat ye perille mast suld ken Thurgh symony lered men wil wirke Yat es made stiwarde of Halykirke For yai yat wil haue benefyce Bihoues com in thurgh his offyce Yarefore men of sere nacioun Sekes to hym for warysoun And alle yat him sekes spede may Yat siluer or gold has for to pay Symony als som clerkes says Openly shewes him by sex ways Ane es in order als I wene Yare symony es oft sene For when a man wald ordayned be Of bisshop hande in any degre Parchaunce vnnethes sal he spede Withouten grete prayere or mede Anothir es yar I fynde a vyce Yat es in gift of benefyce For he yat may a benefyce gieue On whilk a clerke may godely lieue Kirke prouendre or vikery Fre chapell or chauntery He thinkes noght gif it in wast He gyues it him yat gyues him mast Or to hym to wham he dette awe Or for frendship of som felawe Or for othir cause yat may be And noght anely for charyte In chaunge of benefyce ye thridde es To chaunge a mare for a lesse For when twa auaunced men assentes To chaunge yair auauncementes He yat ye leste has sal bote take Forthy yat he ye chaunge sal make Swilk manere of chaunge es oft done Bot rightwys chaunge makes ful fone Ye ferth may in eleccioun be Of prelacy or of dignyte For when a college or a couent Sal chese a prelate thurgh assent To dignyte or prelacy Yai chese ane yat es vnworthy In swilk eleccioun yai acorde Thurgh prayere or procurment of lorde Yus er chosen thurgh swilk fauour Bisshop abbot and pryour Yarefore thurgh swilke eleccioun Halykirk gase nere doun Ye fift way es in comynge Of religioun thurgh procurynge For fone for yair condicioun Er resayued intil religyoun Amange possessioners namely Yat has rentes to lyf by Withouten prayere or procurment Or a pitance vnto ye couent Yhete freres yat has nathinge To lif by bot of begynge Yai vse oft swilk a manere Yai wil resayue nane to frere Bot he can do yam auauntage Or for hope of helpe of his lynage Yus do yai for yair awen prow Yis cause methink es noght at allow Bot yis suld yair entent be Yai suld anely for charyte Resayue a man for his awen mede Yat religyous lyf wald lede Ye sext es shewynge of Goddis worde And mynysterynge of Goddis borde For he yat falles to preche or telle Haly writte and ye godspelle And wil noght blethely sarmon make Bot he oght for his trauaylle take I hald yat prechour nerehande wode Yat selles Goddis worde for erthly gode Or he yat preste es and wil noght Synge a messe bot it be boght Or wil noght here a mans shrift Ne housill hym bot he haf gift Or oght takes bi yat entent For any othir sacrament Na better may he be talde Yan Iudas was yat Cryst salde With clerkes es symony mast vsed Bot lewed men bees noght excused Of yat vyce yat assentes yarto Or helpes in yat yai may do Ye seuent braunche wickednes we calle Yat in sex thinges oft may falle Ane es renaying of Crystes lawe Anothir es wichecraft to knawe Ye thridde es procuryng of mans dede Ye ferthe distroying of toun or stede Ye fift es raysynge of discorde Ye sext es wrange wrying to lorde Renaying es als men says When a man Godde renays And his lawe and waxes vntrewe And bicomes Sarzyne or Iewe And so es made ye fendes man Forthy yat he suld be ryche yan For couatys of werldes ritchesce Yis may be called a grete wickednes Wichecraft suld na man vse Ne charmes for whoso it dose Or to wichecraft assentes Or to vnleeffull experimentes Or mas wrange coniurysounes Or rayses ye fende to wyte resounes Mawmetry yan yai wirke Agayne ye trouthe of Halykirke Procurynge of mans dede es ille Whethir it be done loude or stille For he yat manslaghter wil do Or procures or assentes yarto Or hyres men to do yat dede Helle yarefore mon be his mede For he semes withouten pyte A grete wickednes may yis be Distroyinge of toun or of manere Es a grete wickednes to here For he yat distroys or brynnes Toun or stede wickedly he synnes Or procurs othir to do yat ille Bot he be excused thurgh skille Parchaunce he mon haf yarefore helle For it es a grete wickednes to telle Makynge of discorde also es Bitwene men a grete wickednes For he yat obout wendes To make discorde bitwene frendes Or bitwene man and his wyf Mas any debate or stryf Or rayses wreth yar luf suld be A grete wickednes dose he Fals wreghyinge als I halde A wickedenes it may be called Yat baylifs and bedels oft vses And pouer men falsely accuses To yair lordes and yair soueraynes Yat yam in offyces ordaynes To do yam lesen yair werldes gode Yat yai haf wonnen to yair lyues fode Yhete er som men yat wil assent To make a fals endytement To endyte a man vngilty Outhir of trespase or felony Whaso it dose or procures yarto He wald fayne yat man fordo In als mykell als in hym es Yis may be tolde a grete wickednes And swilk wickednes als men may se Mas many men dampned to be Ye aghtned braunche of couatyse May be called fals marchaundyse Yat es vsed amange marchaundes Ye whilk yise fyue maners hauntes A manere es in lither bargaynynge Anothir es leghyng and forswerynge Ye thridde es hauntynge of weghtes vntrewe Or fals mesures olde or newe Ye ferthe es fals shewyng to sight Ye fift es laynynge of ye sothe right First es lyther barganynge Vnskilfulle byinge and sellynge For som men yat sal oght by Bargaynes with men vnskilfully Yat thurgh myschief has nede to selle Corne or beste or othir catelle He sees ye sellar es noght wys He byes ye thinge at a vyle prys So yat when it es salde and boght He has ye thinge nere half for noght Also to selle yus es hym leef Til hym yat byes at meschief Yus wynnes he mykell lightly Whethir he selle or he by Leghes and fals athes amange In marchandyse dose mykell wrange For som man when he sal selle oght Leghes and athes spares he noght He says ye thinge es better yan it es So leghes he agayne sothfastnes He sweres yat he has yareon lost And yat it cost mare yan it cost Yan bihoues hym forsworne be Yusgates his marchandyse mas he And als he selles so can he bye Thurgh leghes and athes and gilry For yat thinge yat he bye wille He lackes it gretely agayne skille And telles defautes yar nane er sene And sweres it es noght gode ne clene He lakkes it falsly on yis wyse Yat he myght haf it for lytell pryse Hauntyng of fals mesures and weghtes Es oft in marchandyse thurgh sleghtes For som hauntes bath riche and pore Double weght and double mesure And vses bathe thurgh lithernes Byes with ye mare and selles with ye lesse Or if ye weght or mesure be leele And seled with ye kynges seele Yhete he can in a short whyle In weghyng or metyng do gyle In sellyng he can ye mette scarse sette And in byinge haf mare yan ye mette Yis manere of marchandyse es ille For yat es agayne lawe and skille Fals shewynge als I wene In som marchandyse es sene For som man his ware can dight To make it seme plesand in sight Or shewe it in stede of dymnes Yar it semes bettir yan it es So dose som draper yat es lathe In mykell light to shew his clathe Yis manere semes na lewte Fals marchaundyse may yis be Laynynge of sothe yat es hidde Mas fals marchaundyse be kidde For som can selle a thinge to wynne Yat has priue defaute withinne Yat withouten may noght be sene Yhete semes it to sight gode and clene Als yis fals cosours dose Yat can yair horse falsely rose Alle yair defautes knaw yai wele Bot yai layne yam ilka dele Yai wille noght ye sothe telle For yai suld yam ye derrer selle Whaso selles on yis wyse Methink he mas fals marchaundyse Ye nyeghent braunche als vndirstand I Es offyce or craft of foly Yat hauntes seuen manere of men Whilk yai er I sal yhow kenne Common wymmen hald I ane Yat to ye bordell has yam tane Anothir es called iogelours Ye thridde may be called faytours Ye ferthe men calles sneckedrawers Yat er halden als ille or wers Ye fift er herlotes with yair gaudes And ye sext men calles haraudes Ye seuent also er champiouns Ye aghned er tollers of market touns Ye neghent er hyngemen of offyce Yis craftes er alle ful of vyce In swilk craftes na man may wynne Yair sustinaunce withouten synne Common wymmen yair bodys selles For yair lyflade yai do noght elles Yai werne na man with yam to rage Of wham yai may haue auauntage With synne yai wynne yair sustinaunce Yai do nane othir cheuissaunce A synnefull craft methinke es yis Yat dose yam tyne heuen blisse Iogelours grete auauntage gettes Thurgh fals iapes and tregettes And leges yat yai make amange Whaso hauntes swilk craft lyues wrange Faytours wynnes mete and mone Of yam yat has mercy and pyte For lithir wyles can yai fynde To make yam seme crokid or blynde Or seke or mysays to mens sight So can yai yair lyms dight For men suld yam mysays deme Bot yai er noght swilk als yai seme Mikell gode wynne yai yus Methink yis manere es perillus Sneckedrawers men may kenne Som men calles yam robertmen At many a dore yai drawe ye snecke And opens bathe ye dore and ye hecke If yai ye husband at hame fynde Yai say alle yair godes er brynde Or yat yai war amange theues stadde And er robbed of al yat yai hadde Riche men yai say yai ware And now yai er pouer and bare Som also telles and says Yat yai haf lost hors and hernays And yair armour and othir gere Thurgh myschief in lande of were Som says yair rentes and yair landes Er alle in othir mens handes And er weddesette til a day And alle er leghes yat yai say Yhete yai say yai er of gentill blode For yat men suld do yam mare gode When yai haf leghed yan yai craue Bot yai ga noght til yai haue And if yai fynde ye husband out Yan yai cast yair sight about And sees ye wyf has na socour Parchaunce yai folow hir into ye bour Al yat yai aske sho wil yam take For drede of yam swilk boste yai make Ye grace of Godde methink yam wantes Yat ledes yair lyf with swilk trantes Herlotes walkes thurgh many tounes With specked mantels and burdouns And at ilk mans hous ga yai in Yare yai hope oght for to wynne Bot herlotes men calles comonly Alle yat hauntes herlotry Herlotes falles to stand on ye flore And play somtyme at ye spore At ye bene and ye catte A foul play hald I yat And yareagayne may yai noght be When men biddes yam for yaire fee For ye rewell of yair religyoun Es swilk thurgh yair professyoun Yis es a poynt of yair rewell ilk tyme To licken men yare yai com in ryme Yhete haunt yai oft othir iapes Som ledes beres and som ledes apes Yat mas sautes and solaces als men yat sese Alle yise er folyes and nycetese Haroudes of armes oft er sene In stede yar grete lordynges bene Bot at ye dede of armes wil yai be To deme to wham suld falle ye gre Be it in iustynge or turnament Yai wil take ful gode entent To wyte wham falles haue a prys For yan sal yair auauntage ryse Yai halwe his name thurgh grete cry Yarefore yai haue giftes of curtaysy Riche robes or othir ritchesce Bot yam bihoues crye a largesce Yus wynne yai pompe to mayntene Yis manere of wynnynge es noght clene Champions with lordes dwelles To fight for yam in yair querelles For thing yat es in debate Yat may be termyned nane othir gate And whaso may othir ouercome Wynnes ye right thurgh coustome Yarefore yai wille take grete wage Or bouche of court with auauntage Methink swilk men lifs noght wele And yat mon yai hereafter fele Tollers office yhete es ille For yai tak tolle oft agayne skille Of diuers men yat falles nane gieue And many man ful oft yai greue For mykell tolle yat yai take Es thurgh escresce yat yai make For it was neuer tolle gaderere Yat he ne wald greue men and dere Swilk offyce I rede he flee Yat wil out of perille be Forwhy we fynde wryten in boke Yat Cryst Mathew yarefra toke For ye perille yat es yareinne For men vses it noght withouten synne Hynger of men prayse I leste For yat offyce es mast vnhoneste For yai er fayne withouten pite Hynge many men for yair fee Yai recke neuer how many yai hinge If yai may haue gode wynnynge Ne how many heueds yai of smyte If men wil yam yair trauaylle quyte Al haf yai leue thurgh lawe of land Yai synne yhete als I vnderstande Yat of offyce bihoues nedely be Withouten reuthe and pyte Yam war bettir thigge yair mete Yan any gode on yat wyse gete Yis es an offyce of grete wrechednes Als ilkane of ye tothir es Ye tende braunche may men calle Fole play yat es last of alle Yat es play of tables or of dyce Of whilk comes neghen manere of vyce Ane es couatyse yat wyde es spredde Anothir es rauyn and okir ye thridde Ye ferth es multiplying of leghes And idell speche yat fra ye mouth fleghes Ye fift es sclaundre of Godde of heuen And of his halwes yat we oft neuen Ye sext es ille ensaumple to tast Ye seuent spendynge of tyme in wast Ye aghtned es corrupcioun called In yam yat vses swilk plays to bihald Ye neghent es vnbouxsomnes to wirke Agayne ye defense of Halykirke Couatyse I fynde yareinne For he yat plays couaytes to wynne Sen he of wynnyng settes his thoght Withouten couatyse ne es he noght Rauyne yare es als men may knawe For he yat playes spoylles his felawe To take of hym he wil noght lette Al yat euer he may gette And yat he getes withhaldes stille Yis may be called rauyn bi skille Okir also men may yare kenne For he tas for neghen shillynges ten Noght for a moneth to pay Bot for an houre anely of ye day Sen he tas so mykell fre Appert oker may yis be Multiplyinge of wordes in vayne And athes and leghes vncertayne Er mykell vsed at yat gammen When twa or thre playes sammen Bot alle ya wordes vndirstande I Er noght withouten synne and foly Yhete sclaundre yai Godde als I wene And his halowes yat with him bene For when yair chaunce comes noght tyte Yai flyte with Godde and al hym wyte And his halowes yai mysprayse And says yai er alle vncurtayse Yai say Godde and his halowes bathe Helpes yam noght bot dose yam skathe A grete sclaundre to Godde es yis And til his halwes with him in blisse Ille ensaumple methink yai gyf Til othir men yat suld wele lyf For som yan gifs yair willes yarto To do right als yai se yam do Thurgh ille ensaumple men may make Foles yat wille aftir it take Yhete spende yai yair tyme noght wele Bot yai lese it ilka dele And ye gode yat yai suld do to whyles And vses folyes yat yair saulles fyles Swilk spendynge of tyme in vayne Mon putte yair saulles to mykell payne Corrupcion to yam may be Yat vses of custom it to se For many lufs nyght and day To stande or sitte to se yat play Methink yat yat manere es vnhaalsom To yam yat vses it of custom Yhete methink vnbouxsom er yai Til Halykirke yat vses yat play For Halykirke defendes swilk werkes And namely to prestes and to clerkes Alle ya yat dose yareagayne Suld be chastyde thurgh yair souerayne Bot whaso any wynnynge hentes In play of dyce or in turnamentes Be it in town or be it in felde Yam bihoues it agayne yhelde Or to pouer men it alle dele For yat wynnynge es noght leele Here haf I shewed on sere wyse Ye ten braunches of couatyse Yat ye gift of counsaylle drawes Out of ye hert yat it lawes And settes yareinne instede of yat A vertu yat mercy hatt DE VIRTUTE MISERICORDIE Mercy may wele lickened be By gode skille vntill a tre Yat men sees bathe growe and sprede Bathe on heght and also on brede Seuen degrees of yat tree er sene And out of it springes braunches fourtene Of whilk bene seuen to telle yam eft On ye right syde and seuen on ye left Ye first degree es kynde right Anothir es grace for vs dight Ye thridde es yat rewels our witte Ye commaundement of haly writte Ye ferthe es honour to Godde of heuen Ye fift largesce of Godde to neuen Ye sext es drede of ye dome namely Ye seuent es ye fruyt of mercy Yise seuen degrees er seuen skilles Yat our hertes to mercy tilles First kynde suld vs to mercy lede To helpe our euen crysten in nede Foryi yat we er alle mare and lesse Of a kynde and a lickenes In kynde of bestes may we fynde Ensaumple yat vs to mercy suld bynde Yat som foulle thurgh kynde wil lette Of flesshe of ye same kynde to ette And yhete a meer thurgh kynde wil thole Souke hir anothir meeres fole And wolfes als we fynde in iestes Has keped childer fra othir bestes Wele mare suld we be mercyable Yan bestes yat er vnresonable Thurgh kynde to helpe othir and saue Yat we se our lickenes haue Grace suld vs to mercy drawe To help yat nede has for Goddis awe For we er alle lyms thurgh grace to wirke Of a bodi yat es Halykirke And thurgh grace Godde rightwyse Boght vs alle with a pryse Yat was his awen precious blode Yat he shedde for vs on ye rode For mercy he had of mans kynde Yat aght vs ay to haue in mynde And forthy we er alle brethir fre And a fader and a moder haf we Our Fader es Godde yat sendes solace And Halykirk our Moder thurgh grace Sen ilkane of vs es othir brothir Ilkane suld we haf mercy on othir Ye commandement of haly writte Suld our hertes to mercy knytte For haly writte vs biddes be bisy To do ye werkes of mercy Ya werkes passes alle othir vertus Yai kyndell ye luf of Godde in vs For als oyle yat ye laump has withinne Passes oboun al lykour thynne So passes mercy yat es clene Oboun alle othir vertus yat bene And als ye oylle in a laumpe bright Maas ye fyre yareinne to brynne light So ye oylle of mercy to proue Norisshes in hert ye fyre of luf And als ye fyre out wil ga When ye oylle withdrawes yarfra And to ye light noght auaylles When ye oylle in ye laump faylles So faylles luf of Godde first knawen When mercy faylles and es withdrawen Mercy als yise clerkes says Es ye vertu yat mast Godde pays And ye fende of helle mast deres For it es ye armes yat mast him feres Yarfore yai yat wil wele spede Haue mercy of yam yat has nede And help yam in yair mischief So yat yai may ye better lief For yat yai gif es halden als store Yai mon haf heuen blisse yarfore And ya yat ye pouer help wil warne In yair mast nede help mon yai tharne Honour to Godde almyghty Suld stir vs sone vnto mercy For yai do Godde grete honour Yat ye pouer wil help and sokour For yat men dose to ye pouer yat es nedy Men dose it vnto Godde almyghty Als Godde himseluen beres wyttenes In ye godspelle yat sothe es He says yhe yat haf done to myne Yhe did it to me yat sal yhe noght tyne Ye pouer men yat here er sene Goddis awen menyhe bene Whaso thurgh mercy yam sokours Or worshepes he Godde honours For he yat worshepes ye menyhe Honour to ye Lorde dose he And he yat to ye menyhe dose shame Vnto ye Lorde he dose ye same A fayre ensaumple of yat we haue Of Saynt Martyne yat vouched saue For Goddis luf to parte his mantell And to ye pouer man gaf a cantell And sone yareafter his sight was ledde Yar he sagh Godde yarewith cledde And herdde him to his aungelles say Lo how Martyn cledde me today Largesce of Godde yat es large of gift Suld our hertes to mercy lift For Godde gyues to ilk man largely After he es of his curtaysy Sen Godde giues largely we suld gief Largely to yam yat has myschief For Godde biddes vs mercyable be Als ye fader yat es ful of pyte Goddis sones als ye boke yam leres Suld folow ye gode faders maneres Yarefore ye wyse man biddes vs Be merciable to do almus And helpe ya yat nede has here So may we be Goddis sones dere Drede of ye dome at ye last day Suld stir our hertes to mercy ay For alle yat here has na pyte Withouten mercy demed salbe Als says ye haly man appertly Iugement withouten mercy Salbe gyuen agayne ilka wight Yat ye werkes of mercy dose noght right And yai yat ye werkes of mercy has done Yat day yai sal haf mercy sone Bot alle yat mercy here wil warne Mercy of Godde yai sal yan tharne For Godde turnes yam ye deef ere yan Yat turnes ye deef ere to ye pouer man Of yat we may ensaumple telle Yat Godde shewes in ye godspelle Of ye riche man and es wryten yus Yat warned ye lazar his almus Yarefore Godde warned him yareagayne A drope of water to slocken his payne When he in ye fyre of helle was And brinned hate for his trespas And ye fole maydens how yai war stadde Yat in yair laumpes nane oylle hadde Yarefore Godde yat al synne hates At ye bridale sperred ye yhates Agayne yam for yai nane oylle broght And sayde to yam I knaw yhow noght Right so ye yhates of paradyse Salbe sperred on ye same wyse Agayne alle ya men namely Yat has in hert here na mercy And withouten mercy be yan In helle als was ye riche man Ye fruyt of ye tree yat mercy es called Suld make vs mercy in hert halde For mercy als ye boke vs leres Shewes his fruyt on many maners First mercy thurgh grace to vs wynnes Forgifnes of alle our synnes Mercy saues vs fra alle mischaunce And wynnes vs here our sustinaunce Mercy vs may fra ye fende saue And multiplyes ye gode yat we haue Als we may fynde and proue itte By many ensaumples in haly writte Mercy es ye gode marchande Yat ay wynnes and neuer es tynande Als says Saynt Paul thurgh short shewyng Mercy es worthe to alle thynge For yat stane es ful precious Yat to alle thinges es vertuous Yat es mercy yat wynne vs may Alle manere of gode yat es to say Bathe werldely gode and gastly to neuen And endeles gode yat es ye blisse of heuen Of werldely godes yat Godde lenes vs Salamon spekes and says yus With yi ritches you Godde honour And with yi gode ye pouer sokour And Godde sal fulfille yi gerners Of corne and with wyne yi celers Bot vndirstande with al yi witte Yis worde als Salamon says itte He says of yi gode and yi ritchesce And noght of yat yat othir mens es Als som yat wil yair almus make Of othir mens gode yat yai take Thurgh okir or theft or rauyn Or thurgh gilry if yai it so wynne For swilk almus gete yai na mede Yai do mare synne yan almus dede Swilk almus es made in vayne For Godde wil yat yai it yhelde agayne And almus do thurgh mercy Of yat yat yai haf wonnen leelly Mercy may be to our pru Lickened to sede of grete vertu Yat growes after ye kynde of yat Better in lene erthe yan in fatte For mercy shewes his frute sone When it es to ye nedefull done Mercy fordose ye fendes rede And saues vs fra alle manere of dede Fra dede of helle yat es endeles Fra dede of synne yat gastly es Fra bodily dede yat alle bihoues fele Bathe gode and ille als clerkes wate wele For men may fynde ensaumples in boke Of haly mens lyfs whaso wil loke Yat men fra dede has bene raysed Thurgh werkes of mercy yat mast es praysed Yarefore mercy mykell auaylles It es ye tresour yat neuer faylles Thurgh mercy grace here wynne we may And aftir yis lyf blisse for ay [The Works of Mercy] Yise er ye degrees of mercy seuen And now I wil ye braunches neuen Ye braunches bene werkes of mercy Yat bene bath bodyly and gastly Out of mercy als says yis clerkes On aythir side growes seuen werkes On ye right syde seuen gastly springes And on ye left syde seuen bodily hinges Ye gastly werkes bene yise to knawe Ye whilk I wil recken here on rawe Ye first of ye gastly werkes yis es To counsaylle yam yat bene redeles Anothir es als I vndirstande To teche yam yat bene vnconande Ye thridde werk also es yis To chasty yam yat done amisse Ye ferthe es yis in ilka case To comfort yam yat angre has Ye fift also to forgif Alle wranges and trespas yat may greue Ye sext es to haue in hert pyte Of yam yat we in angre se Ye seuent es withouten fayntyse To pray ilk day for our enemyse Ye first werk es counsaylle to bede To yam yat has of counsaylle nede For Goddis luf when yai it craue And noght for werldely wynnyng to haue Als pledours dose and auokettes Yat yair hertes on wynnyng settes Bot som of yam als men vndirstandes Wynnes and takes on bathe handes Yai gif na counsaylle bot for mede Or for fauour or for drede For Goddis luf wil yai nane gieue For yat trauaylle wald yam greue Bot yair counsaylle mast auaylles Yat bisily and wele counsaylles Synfull men to leue yair synne And men of gode lyf to dwelle yarinne Als dose prelates and confessours And othir gode counsayllours Yai wirk right yat werke gastly Yis es ye first braunche of mercy Ye secund werk es to kenne And to teche vnconande men And yat suld yai namely do Yat er halden and bunden yarto Als prelates yair suggettes to preche Als maysters yair disciples to teche Als fader and moder to chasty And to teche yair childer curtaysy Prelates suld yair suggettes wisse And teche yam ye way to blisse And kenne yam how yai sal forsake Synne and to gode lyf yam take And teche yam whilk es Goddis lawe And how yai sal his wille knawe Thurgh gode ensaumples of haly writte To make yair hertes fra synne flitte And how yai suld luf Godde and drede And gif yam gode ensaumple in dede For ilka prelate es ensaumplere Til his suggettes yat he suld lere For al say he wele and dose noght so He gifs yam ensaumple ille to do And als many paynes he worthy es Als he gifs ensaumple of wickednes Maysters to teche suld bisy be Yair discyples in som faculte Of science craft or mistere Yat yai er halden yam to lere So yat na tyme of lerynge faylle In defaute of ye maysters trauaylle For if yai spende yair tyme in waste Yair maysters yat er to wyte maste Of al yat tyme yat wrange es vsed Sal bifore Godde be accused When alle dedes salbe shewed Bathe of lered men and of lewed Fader and moder suld teche right Yair childer with al yair myght And norisshe yam in gode thewes And kepe yam fra company of shrewes And fra swerynge of grete athe And fra leghynge yat oft dose skathe And chasty yam when yai do wrange And spare yam noght yarefra ouer lange For als we se men settes a shoo On a last yat es mete yarto Ye shappe it tase when it sittes fast Shal halde whyles ye sho may last And als a colt a tetche ay hauntes Yat he tase first when men him dauntes So haldes a chylde thurgh hande and tunge Ye tetche for ay yat he takes yhunge Yarefore men suld when yai leste couthe Kenne yam gode thewes in yair yhouthe For ye fader and ye moder salbe Accused bifor Godde so wil he Of alle ille tetches in worde and dede Yat yair childer takes in barnhede Thurgh ye defaute at ye bigynnynge Of yair faders and moders techynge Ye thridde werk of mercy es yis To chasty yam yat dose amysse Yat falles til prelates specially And til kynges and lordes yat bene myghty Yai suld chasty with al yair myght Yair suggettes yat dose noght right For if yai suffir thurgh reckelesnes Or thurgh fauour any wickednes Yat yai thurgh lawe may amende here Of yat synne er yai partenere Yarefore nouthir prince ne prelate Suld suffre na synne yat yai wate Bot yai yareinne amendement sette And nouthir for luf ne fauour lette For if so falle yat yare be With a lorde wicked menyhe And ye lorde yair wickednes knawe And wil noght sette yam in awe A grete taken may men se yan Yat ye lorde es na gode man For swilk a worde es in ilka cuntre Yat men says swilk lorde swilk menyhe Bot thurgh ille menyhe als es sene Lordes with wrange oft sclaundred bene Yarefore yise lordes suld take kepe And nouthir for luf lette ne frendshepe To chasty yair menyhe or suggettes Of yair folys yat gode lyf lettes For yai suld drede Godde mare yan man And luf hym mare after yai can Men suld luf wele mens persounes And hate yair fole condiciounes Yarefore prelates and princes of ye lande And othir lordes suld vnderstande Yat vnknawyng yam noght excuses Of folys yat yair suggettes vses For yai er halden thurgh ye lawe To enquere ye defautes and knawe Thurgh men yat bene gode and leele Yat ye sothe wil noght concele For wyte yai wele at domesday Yai be noght excused for to say Lorde swilk defautes knewe we noght Yare sal yai se what yai haf wroght Ye ferthe werke es of mercy To comfort yam yat er sary Als seke men yat beddered lyse Or ya yat er in othir anguyse Men suld yam comfort in alle yair bales Thurgh gode ensaumples and fayre tales To brynge yam out of wrange thoght So yat yair hertes faylle yam noght Als Saynt Paul says yhe yat has quert Comforte yam yat er feble of hert And Salamon says and beres wyttenes Yat he yat at malese of hert es Suld haue comforte and wax light Thurgh gode wordes yat men says him right For als ye hert yat has grete lykynge In gode sawors thurgh smellynge So feles ye saul swetnes yat vaylles In gode wordes and gode counsaylles If a sothfast frende him counsaylle swa Yat lufs hym bathe in wele and wa For a man may fele and se in dede Wha es his frende when he has nede Four thinges may men shewe yat can Yat in alle angres comfortes a man If he his thoght on ya four sette Alle his angres he sal forgette Ane es to think on ye paynes of helle Yat er mare yan tunge may telle Anothir to think withouten fayntyse On ye grete ioye of paradyse Ye thridde es with gode deuocioun To think on Crystes passyoun Ye ferthe to think what godes and grace Angres and noyes may purchace To yam yat tholes it with godewille Als men may shewe bi sere skille First suld he think yat in angre es On ye payne of helle yat es endeles Yat synful men yat dwelles yareinne Sal thole eueremare for yair synne Ye paynes er so hidous to here Yat alle ye clerkes fer and nere Yat euer was or yat lyues yhete Couthe noght imagyne a payne thurgh witte Ya paynes bene so sharp and felle Yat alle ye angres yat men may telle Or persecucions or anguys Yat men tholes here on any wyse Er noght bot als ane oyntyng ware To regarde of ye paynes yare Whaso thinkes what ya paynes ere Angres him sal here lytell dere Yat he tholes in his lyf dayse Als Saynt Austyne to Godde yus says Lorde lat britten me here and broylle me Yat I to helle noght dampned be Methink it es ane eesy thinge To suffre ye wande of chastyinge To skape ye glayue yat strikes sare And yat slaas ye saull for euermare Yat es ye sharp dede of helle Yat neuer has ende als clerkes can telle Godde shewes a man grete semblant of luf When he sendes angre him here to proue Als Godde says yat es ful of mercy Yam yat I luf I wille chasty Ye ox yat men wil slaa in sesoun Men fedes fatte for yat enchesoun Bot ye ox yat sal noght be slayne Men puttes to yhock in plogh or wayne Swa it es a signe of dampnacyoun Til hym yat here has na tribulacioun Bot allekyn welthes and delyces has here To wax fatte to ye fendes lardere Als says Saynt Austyne and may wele be Yat whaso has of welthe plente And continuele hele a token it es Of dampnacioun yat es endeles Bot he yat Godde haldes to his store Him most thole here angres yarefore A token of luf shewes ye emperour To yat man and dose him grete honour To wham he sendes als him gode think His awen coppe yareof to drynk Ye coppe es angre yat here es ryf And persecucioun of yis lyf Yat es ye first saus to sette With whilk men suld swilk mete ette Yat es angre of bitter tast Yat bitternes may sour saus wast Yat saus I calle of mynde a mees Of ye payne of helle yat neuer sal sees Yat calle I vynegre yat es soure Yat dose away al ya sauour Of ye wyne of werldely delitz Yat mas men falle in many a vyce Als ye vynegre dose men tyne Ye sauour and ye tast of gode wyne Ye secund thinge to thynk es yis Of ye grete ioye and ye grete blisse Of paradyse yat lastes ay Als men has herde haly men say So mykell ioye yare es to telle Yat alle ye delitz here yar we dwelle Es noght bot sorow trowe ilk man yis To regarde of yat grete blisse Yat blisse sal yai haue at ye last Yat here tholes angre with hert stedfast Bot na man getes yat warysoun Bot he thole here tribulacioun Yarefore ne suld na man stryue With ye angres of yis lyue Bot yherne oft with yam to mete For al seme yai bittir yai er swete For thinge yat bitter to ye body es To ye saul es grete swetenes Yarefore he suld nane angre drede Yat wald yarefore haf blisse to mede For angre suld litell dere him yan Als Saynt Gregor says ye haly man Trayst of mede yat may noght faylle Alleges mykell a mans trauaylle Ye thridde thinge es in tribulacioun To think ay on Crystes passioun Yat he tholed for mans trespase Whaso thinkes how harde it was First how he had many sare buffet And sithen naked with scourges bette Yat his body ran al ouer blode And sithen naylled was on ye rode And yareon he dyed and yhelde ye gast And al tholed he for our luf mast So harde payne had neuer man Als Cryst for vs suffred yan Ne harder payne myght neuer be For he spake yis worde of grete pyte Thurgh Ieremye ye prophete Yhe men he sayde yat passes bi ye strete Habyde a whyle ar yat yhe ga And bihalde my payne and my wa If euer was any sorow or payne So harde and bittir als es myne Mynde of yis suld do vs grete And make our angres to vs swete Nathinge to vs here may be better Na noght may make our angres swetter Als I fynde wryten in haly writte Ensaumple yar men may rede it How ye childer of Iraell Yat Moyses ledde Goddis profyte leele Come til a water yat yai soght Bot drynk yareof ne myght yai noght For ye water was bitter to fele Bot aftirward God payed yam wele He bad Moyses lay yareinne a tre And al ye water suld swete be Moyses did als Godde hym sayde And it was swete yar ye tre was layde Ye bitter water als I halde Ye angres of yis werlde es called Ye tree yat made it swete sone Es ye croyce on whilk Godd was done Wharefore whaso in hert has mynde What payne yat Cryst had for mankynde On ye croyce als was his wille Hym suld think here nane angre ille For it ne es payne ne aduersyte Ne angre yat in yis werlde may be Yat ne ye mynde of Goddis passyoun Suld make it swete thurgh deuocioun Ye ferthe thinge es to think in thoght When we er in anger broght What godes yat angre wynne may Til him yat mekely suffirs it ay First angre proues Goddis knyght To loke how hardy he es and wight A knyght may noght his strength fele Til he in stoure be proued wele For Saynt Paul says als I fynde can Yat pacience mast proues a man And als ye aungell spak yarby And sayde yis worde vnto Thoby For you paied Godde it bihoued Yat yi fondynge had ye proued Angre yogh it be greef to sight It clenses ye saul and mase it bright Right als fyre mas golde fyne And als ye fyle dose ye iren to shyne And als ye flaylle ye corne dinges Out of ye caffe yat on it hynges Als Saynt Gregor telles and says In a boke yat es mykell to prayse Yat angres bene medycynes leele Ye grete sekenes of synnes to hele For als ye boke openly shewes vs Yare we may fynde wryten yus Yat sekenes ye saul sobre maas Yat synne oftsythe couerd haas Yarefore says yus Saynt Gregor You suld noght think hard yarfore Yat you feles here malady Withouten ye on yi body If you be heled clene withinne Of allekyn sekenes of synne Also thurgh tribulacioun Men wynnes of blisse ye coroun For Saynt Iame says yat blissed es he Yat tholes fandynge and aduersyte Als ye gode knyght yat in stour takes And endures many harde strakes Forthy ye heghe coroun of blisse When he es proued salbe hisse Yise four thinges yat I haf talde We suld in our hertes falde And think on yam nyght and day In alle angres yat greue vs may For nathinge vs may comfort mare Yan mynde of yam when we er in care Ye fift braunche es of ye tree of mercy To forgif alle wranges hally Forwhy Saynt Gregor says yus Yat he yat gyues his almus To nedefull men yat pouerly lifs And wranges done him noght forgifs Bot haldes rancour in his thoght His almus dede auaylles him noght For Godde payse noght ye gift of ye hande While rancour es in ye hert dwelland Godde weghes ye gift on his manere Aftir ye wille es of ye gifere Als Godde says in ye godspelle On yis wyse als I sal yhow telle If yat yhe wil noght forgif Ilkane othir whyle yhe here lif Ye Fader of heuen ne wil noght Forgif yhow yat yhe wrange haf wroght Forthy methink he dose ful ille Yat othir here forgif noght wille For agayne himself als oft he prays Als he ye Pater Noster says Yar we pray Godde forgif vs sone Als we do yam yat vs has mysdone If we forgif noght yan say we yus And biddes yat Godde noght forgif vs Ye sext braunche es to haf compassioun Of yam yat er in tribulacioun Or in any angre of hert Or in synne yat ye saul may smert For we er als lyms of a body Ilkane suld fele othir malady And alle othir angres and waa And haf rewthe in hert whareso yai ga Thurgh kynde a lym suld fele and bere Ye sekenes yat anothir may dere Als says Saynt Paul wha has sekenes And I noght seke als he es And Saynt Gregor also says In a boke he made in his days Yat euer ye mare a man es parfyte Ye mare he suffres angre and dispyte Ye seuent braunche es to pray For our enemys nyght and day And for men yat in synne lyse Yat God gif yam grace to ryse Als Godde himself commandes vs In ye godspell yare he says yus Prayes for yam with godewille Yat yhow harme dose loude or stille Yan sal yhe be Goddis sones right And his heyres in heuen bright Whaso dose noght yus I halde Goddis sone sal noght be called And yai yat er noght Goddis sonnes Getes na parte yar Godde wonnes Of his herytage yat falles Till yam yat he his sones calles Yise er ye braunches of mercy Yat bene ye seuen werkes gastly Yat springes fra mercy on ye right syde And amange gode men spredes wyde On ye left syde springe othir seuen Yat er ye bodily werkes to neuen Ane es hungry and thristy to fede With mete and drynk yat has nede Anothir es ay when nede ware To clethe yam yat er naked and bare Ye thridde es to frest yam for Goddis sake Yat has grete nede of frest to take And of ye dette to gif respyte And yam forgif yat may noght quyte Ye ferthe es als men vndirstandes To visyte yat liggen in Goddis bandes Ye fift es pouer men to herber And pouer pilgrimes yat walkes fer Ye sext es als in boke es funden To visite yam yat er in prisoun bunden Ye seuent es to biry ye dede Yise seuen werkes stand mykell in stede Ye sex of yam er of ye gospell Als men may here yis clerkes telle Bot ye seuent werke of mercy Ordayned ye haly man Thoby First we suld fede ye hungry And gif a drynk vnto ye thrysty So biddes haly writte vs do In many stedes yat accordes yarto First gifs Thoby swilk a rede And says you sal ete yi brede With ye nedefull yat pouerly gase Yat defaut of mete and drynk has And yus says Salamon ye wyse If you se any of yine enmyse Haf defaute and hungre grete For Goddes luf gif you yam mete If him thrist lette for na swynke For Goddis luf to gif hym drynke Also in ye gospelle men may lere How Godde says on yis manere When you mas feste yus saltou do Calle feble and blynde and croked yarto Yan saltow be talde blissed tyte For yai may noght it ye quyte Bot Godde sal yhelde ye on his wyse When alle men sal at domesday ryse Yis es agayne ye riche men right Yat mas grete outrage in sight For pompe and pryde of ye werlde to se And of ye pouere has na pyte Bot yam aght haue grete drede alle Yat it suld swa with yam bifalle Als with ye riche glotoun bifelle Of whilk Godde spekes in ye godspelle Yat alle his lyf in delyces ledde And with delicious metes hym fedde And lete ye lazer of pouer state For hungre perisshe at his yhate Bot when yai bathe thurgh dede gun passe Ye chaunce of ye dyce chaunged was For ye lazer was borne vp euen With aungels to ye blisse of heuen And ye riche man was biryed in helle Als wryten es in ye godspelle Yat nede had of a drope of watir Yar he brynned neuer thinge hatter For if al ye water of ye see myght rynne Opon his tunge oboun his chynne Al yat water myght noght him kele So grete hete gan he yare fele Of brynnand fyre yat lastes ay Yat nane kyns thinge slecken may Yarefore it es gode als methink To fede ye pouer with mete and drynk For yat may men fra helle lette And make yam ye blisse of heuen gette Als men in ye gospelle here may How Godde sal yus at ye grete dome say Comes yhe blissed alle bidene Yat my fader childer has bene In to his kyngedome with me Yar ioye and blisse sal euermare be For when I hunger and threst hadde With mete and drynk yhe made me gladde Wharefore ye pouer er my menyhe Yat yhe yam didde yhe didde to me Anothir bodily werk es tolde Yat es to couer ye naked fra colde For we suld of our clathes gieue To yam yat colde mast may greue And also gif yam yat nede has Hose and shone yat barfote gas So fynde we wryten of Thoby Yat taght his sone yus specially Ye naked he sayde you honour With yi robes and yam sokour And Isaye says you sal take kepe Of ye naked and yam worshepe Saynt Petir yat was and es so haly Thurgh swilk a noble werke of mercy Raysed a womman yat ight Dorcas Fra dede to lyue yat dede was For sho helped pouer yat was helpeles Als haly writte beres wittenes Anothir ensaumple fynde I can Of Martyne yat cledde ye pouer man Of whase werke Godde was payed Als I tolde bifore and sayde Bot ye clath yat gyuen es To ye pouer man yat es clatheles A grete menynge to hym may be Ay when ye pouer yareon may se To pray for hym yat he mede haue Yat ye clathe on hym vouched saue Ye thridde braunche es to frest and len To yam yat nede has yat er trew men And if yai may noght ye dette pay To forgif it yam whaso may For almus es noght anely to deele Bot it es almus to frest ye leele Sympilly for Goddis sake Withouten any oker to take And for Goddis luf ye dette forgieue To yam yat er at grete myschief And to wham yat yai er in dette broght To pay for yam yar yai may noght Als Godde commanded in ye alde lawe Yar he sayd yus whoso wil knawe If yi brothir in pouert be broght Agayne hym you ne sal noght Make yine herte harde to stande Ne fra hym withdrawe yi hande Bot you sal worshepe pouer men And whatso yam nedes yam len For Godde in ye godspell yat we rede Biddes yhow frest yam yat has nede Withouten hope of werldely wynnyng To haue ouer ye dette for ye frestyng And Godde yat yheldes al gode dede Sal yhelde yhow yarefore yhour mede Yis es agayne yis okerers Yat pouer men oft greues and deres When yai yam frest yai do outrage For yai take for ye frest auauntage In siluer or seruys or trauaylle Or in othir thinge yat may auaylle Bot Godde biddes yhou for ye pouer bihoue Frest yam yat nede has for his luf And Godde sal yhelde yhou with vsure For al yat yhe do to ye pouer And if yhe may persayue or knawe Yat ye pouer yat yhou dette awe May noght ye paye of ye dette make Yhe sal forgif it for Goddes sake For yus says Godde ful of myght In ye godspell als wryten es right If yhe forgif noght ilkane othir Sen ilkane es othir brothir Godde yhou forgif wil noght Yat yhe haf agayne him wroght Of yis ensaumple es to vndirstand Ye Godde shewed of ye ille seruand To wham his lorde forgyuen hadde Alle his dette and made hym gladde Bot for yat seruaunt wald noght lette To greue anothir yat aght hym dette And wald noght forgif hym sone Als his lorde to hym had done He come bifore his lorde agayne And was done to distresce and payne Als his lorde commanded and badde Til he al his dette yholden hadde So sal Godde do to yam thurgh skille Yat wil noght forgif with godewille Ye ferthe braunche es to visite ye seke Yis werke our mede mast may eke For yis es a werke yat Godde may plese To comfort yam yat er at malese And wele mare to our mede auaylles Yan dose fastyng or othir trauaylles For men may fynde yhete in a boke In Vitis Patrum whaso wil loke Yat an hermyte of grete deuocioun Asked swilk a manere of questyoun At ane of ye haly faders fre Yat war wyse and with Godde priue Whethir his lyf war mare to prayse Yat ilk woke fasted sex dayse And yarewith trauaylled with al his myght Or his lyf yat seke men serues right And whethir ware of bettir lifynge Yis was ye hermetes askynge Ye gode man answerd and sayd yus Als ye boke openly shewes vs Yat he suld haue mare mede bi skille Yat serues seke men with godewille And helpes yam he mare Godde payse Yan he yat fastes so many dayse Swilk werk of mercy to bigynne Es mykell worth to fordo synne For swilk a werke es yareagayne A grete remedy yat es certayne For Iob says yus you yat hale es You sal vysyte yine awen lickenes Yat es hym yat you vnderstandes Es seke and ligges in Goddis bandes He es like ye als yi brothir For he es a man als you ert anothir So saltow lightly synne flee Thurgh swilk a werke of charyte For Godde sal ye fra synne kepe For swilk a werke of frenshepe And Saynt Iame says yus als I wene Yat it es a religyoun clene Byfore Godde to vysyte blethely Seke men yat has grete malady And to yat I wil telle als I can A tale of a synnefull man Yat putted him a seruaunt to be In a spitell biyhonde ye see Ye seke men to serue and tent Thurgh grace yat Godde had him sent Opon a day wasshe hym felle A seke mans fote yat was meselle Als he yam wesshe vppe and doun He had grete abhominacioun Yarefore he had himself in despyte And toke and drank yat water alstyte Agayne his hert he drank fast Bot he feled it at ye last So swete likour and sauory Als it war ful of spycery Yat was a token yat his trespase And al his synne forgyuen was Thurgh yat werke yat he wroght For he hadde mercy yat he had soght Also swilk werke may men brynge To parfytenes of haly lifynge For ye wyse man says if you be meke Groche noght to visyte ye seke For thurgh yat werk you sal at ye last In ye luf of Godde be rotefast Thurgh yat werke men bydes grete mede Yat yai sal haue for yat gode dede Yat es ioye and blisse endeles Als ye godspelle beres wittenes Men telles of a lauedy yat hight Mary Torgan yat lyued right And was ane haly womman and wyf Scho turned hir lorde vnto gode lyf Yai bathe left al yat yai hadde Als scho counsaylled hir lorde and badde And putted yam bathe als men telles To serue seke men yat war meselles Thurgh whilk seruyse yat yai had soght To parfyte lyf yai war bathe broght Yare come a voyce til hir on ye nyght And sayde to hir yise wordes right Yi lorde yat has bene felaw with ye To serue seke men so meke wald be Salbe with ye yi felawe euen In ye heghe kyngdom of heuen Yhete grete ensaumple Godde gifs vs In ye godspelle yat witteneses yus Yat Cryst ye meselles touched bare And of yair sekenes heled yai ware Yarefore ye seruaunt ne suld noght Think dedeyne ne shame in thoght To visite and serue ye seke at hame When ye Lorde of heuen did ye same He come fra heuen doun right Into erthe thurgh his myght In his awen seruaunt likenes Als Saynt Paul beres wittenes To serue vs and vs hele withinne Yat war in grete sekenes of synne Ye fift braunche of mercy es To herber pouer yat er herberles And pouer pilgrymes yat about wendes Yat in yis werlde has fone frendes Yis es a werke yat Godde wele payse Als haly wrytte proues and says And many ensaumples may we fynde Yat suld our hertes to yat werke bynde First of Abrahm yat vouched saue To herber alle yat herber wald haue In lickenes of pilgryms come aungels Yat he herbard als ye boke telles Yarefore yai hight him for certayne Yat Sarre his wyf yat was barayne Suld conceyf a childe sone For yat yat he hadde yam done And Loth yat helde hospitalite Herber ye pouer blethely wald he Yare come in lickenes of pouer men Aungels yat he myght noght kenne Yarefore ye aungels yat to him come Hym saued fra perille of Sodome For when ye cyte suld synk for synne Yai badde he suld noght dwelle yarinne Yarefore Saynt Paul says I bidde ye Yat you leue noght hospytalyte Thurgh whilk men has God oft plesed And aungels instede of pouer men eesed And yat es na ferly if swilk men Resayf aungels yat yai noght ken For Godde yai herber yat mare es Als ye godspelle beres wittenes For Godde says yus til his menyhe Whaso resayues yhow resayues me Alle yat men dose to ye pouer sone Als Godde says til hym es done Of Saynt Gregor ensaumple we se Yat was a man of grete pyte He reseyued ay of coustom Alle ye pouer men yat wald com And himself when he suld yam fede Wald yam watir to yair handes bede On a day he did his almus Resayued pouer men in his hous And when he wende haf gyuen right Water to wasshe til a pouer wight Yat he sawe yare yat day Whyle he hym turned he was away Ye gode man yan awondred was How he suld so away passe Ye nyght after our Lorde Iesus Appered to hym and sayde him yus You has oft resayued me wele In my lyms als I myght fele And yis day hastow after yi myght In my persone resayued me right Swilk werke thurgh right conscience Halde I better yan abstinence And mare mede yareof may cum Als I fynde in Vitis Patrum A tale yat men suld noght ouerhippe Of ane haly man in Egipt Yat herberd ay in alle tymes Passand men and pouer pilgrymes In his hous and made yam gladde And gaf yam swilk gode als he hadde On a day come a pouer pilgryme Yat he hadde herberd with hym Yat was of grete abstinence And satte at ye mete in his presence He wald noght ete na drynke yat day For noght yat ye gode men myght say Yan sayde ye gode man to hym yus Brothir go we bathe to proue vs In ye yherde vnder yhone tre Yat growes fayre als you may se And pray we Godde yat ye tre in hast Bowe to hym yat payes Godde mast Yai went forth and yat prayere made And als yai stode a whyle and bade Ye tree boghed doun til hym yan Yat hadde resayued ye pouer man Bot it boghed noght to himward Yat thurgh abstynence lyfd harde So semes it yat hospitalyte Es mare yan abstinence may be Many ma ensaumples has bene Of hospitalyte ful oft sene Bot I may noght so lang dwelle Alle ya ensaumples now to telle Ye sext braunche es yat we be boun To visite yam yat er in prisoun And to comfort yam nyght and day And helpe yam out if yat we may For alle er we halden to do yus Als Saynt Petir commandes vs Yat says think ay on yam and mene Yat in prisoun bunden er sene Als you war bunden with yam yarinne And wald be out if you myght wynne Yat es to say you yam visyte And yam comforte with grete delyte Yat lys in prisoun nyght and day Bunden and may noght wynne away Als you wald if you lay yare Men comforted ye in yi care So dyd Thoby yat ay was boun To visite alle yat war in prisoun And comforted yam als he couthe With gode wordes of his mouthe Als Salamon says yus in a stede Delyuer yam yat men ledes to dede Als Danyell somtyme right didde Yat was a gode prophete kidde Yat fra dede delyuerd Sussan And als Godde delyuerd ye womman Yat staned suld haf bene forthy Yat sho was tane in avoutry Als ye lawe wald yat yan was Bot Godde made hir harmeles passe Bot Godde did noght swa bi yat skille Yat men suld noght ye lawe fulfille Of mysdoars yat hauntes synne Yat er funden gilty yarinne Bot thurgh yat dede he wald kenne What yai suld be yat er domesmen And how yai suld ye lawe yheme And how yai suld othir men deme Wharefore Godde teches vs four thinges Yat on yat ensaumple hynges Yat ilka domesman suld wele tent And kepe yat sittes in iugement Ane es yat mykell may auaylle Gode auysement and gode counsaylle For Iob says in causes yat I noght knawe I sal mare bisily seke ye lawe Yis may we vndirstand yareinne Yar sho was accused of synne Our Lorde yat al wist and wate With his fynger in ye erthe wrate In yat wrytynge with fynger of hande Discrescion we sal vnderstande And yarewith grete avysement For Godde gaf noght alstyte iugement Ye secund es right entencioun Yat men suld haue with discrescioun For yai suld noght be fletchand For na prayer ne gift in hande Ne for luf of man ne drede namely Yat vndirstande we hereby Yat our Lorde Godde mast of myght When he had wryten stode vpright Ye thridde thing es gode lyf and clene Yat in ye domesman suld be sene For he yat demes and gifs sentence Suld be man of gode conscience Elles may he in grete drede dwelle Thurgh ye sentence of ye godspelle Yat says als yhe deme othir now Swilk dome salbe gyuen to yhow And Saynt Paul says on yis manere Vnto ye wicked domesman here In yat yat you demes othir wrange You dampnes yiself to paynes strange For you dose ye thinge yat wrange semes Wharefore you othir men oft demes Yarefore Godde sayde when he vp stode He yat es clene of synne and gode Cast at hir ye first stane Yat yus es in avoutry tane And when ye Iewes him herd yus say For shame yai skulked alle away Ilkane after othir sone For yai saw wryten yat yai had done Yai thoght yam ar yai away gun passe Mare synnefull yan ye womman was Ye ferthe thinge suld in hert be Yat es compassyoun and pyte Yat ye domesman yat deme can Suld haue when he demes a man For he suld be mare merciable And thurgh mercy mare fauorable And haf pyte of mankynde amange So yat he do ye lawe na wrange Yan be ouer felle and fauourlesse Thurgh reddure of rightwysnes For rightwysnes withouten mercy Es cruelte yat greues gretely And mercy withouten rightwisnes Es halden foly and latches Yarefore yai er togider ay And nouther es fra othir away Bot somtyme als proues haly wrytte Ye tane es hidde ye tothir shewes it Bot mercy es oftner sene Yan rightwisnes es als I wene Saynt Iohan says with ye gilden mouth Yat mykell of haly wrytte couthe Yat better it es resounes to yhelde At domesday of yhouthe and elde To do mercy yat sikerest es Yan to do reddure of rightwysnes And Saynt Iame says yhete openly Yat iugement withouten mercy Sal on hym yat day be gyuen sone Yat na mercy here has done Yarefore our Lorde God alweldande When he had dresced him vp to stande He bowed eft to ye ertheward yan And sone after delyuerd ye womman For ye domesman suld heldand be Thurgh compassyoun and pyte To ye man yat he suld deme With a grete drede to seme And als it war agaynes his wille He suld hym deme and ye lawe fulfille Forwhy if he deme and do wrange He salbe demed to paynes strange At ye day of tremblynge and drede When ilka man sal se his awen dede Now se we it es a grete almus To visite prisounes als Godde biddes vs Forwhi hymself went to helle doun To delyuer out of yat prisoune Ye haly men yat hym lufs best And broght yam vnto ioye and rest Ye seuent braunche and ye last namely Es ye dede in erthe to biry For swilk werke als says haly writte Was Thoby loued yat oft did it He left his mete oft for yat dede To biry ye dede when it was nede And Godde loued ye Magdelayne For ye oynement sho did ordayne Yat sho somtyme on hym had layde Godde wyst what yat tokened and sayde Yat sho did it in right mesure In tokenynge of his sepulture And Ioseph asked Crystes body And when it was graunted him frely He toke it of ye croyce doun And biryed it with deuocioun Men in olde tyme amange yam straue For yaire sepulture yat yai wald haue For yai had rewarde als wryten es To yair fadirs halynes Yarefore yai wald after yair dede Be biryed in ye same stede By yair faders yar yai lay Yis maner in ye olde tyme vsed yai Wharefore Iacob sayde yus right Til his sone yat Ioseph hight In Egipt ne biry noght me Bot by my fader yare wald I be Yarefore war gode when a man es dede To lygge in a religious stede Amange gode men of relygioun Yat lifs in contemplacioun To haf parte of yair prayers And of yair gode dedes als parteners Thurgh kynd ilke man in honest stede Suld biry othir yat er dede We fynde in ye see a maner of fisshes Yat ye water thurgh kynde norisshes When a fisshe es dede and fordone Ye tothir yam gaders togider sone And beres it to ye ground of ye se Als in boke of kynde of bestes fynde we And in ye erth of ye [groun]d lays itte Yair kynde kennes yam swilk a witte Yhete Iewes and Sarzynes wil so do For kynde and pite yam stirs yarto Wele mare suld kynde and pyte yam ken Yat thurgh right trouthe er cristen men To biry here ye dede bodys Yat with ye saulles vp sal ryse At domesday and togider wende To ioy and blisse withouten ende And yarefore whaso lufs leelly His neghpur saull he lufs his body Yan suld he do hym at his dede day Alle ye kyndenes yat he may Now haf yhe herd ye werkes of mercy Bathe bodily werkes and gastly [Almsgiving] Alle er yai werkes of grete almus Yat to grete mede may brynge vs Bot forthy yat many er sene Tyne yair almus als I wene And many gode dedes yarto For yai do noght als yai suld do Yarefore I wil shew yhou ye manere How yhe suld do yhour almus here Yat mast suld pay Godde almyghty And yat I sal yhow shewe shortly Whaso almusfull here wil be He sal take kepe of thinges thre Ane es als ye boke shewes vs Of what he sal make his almus Anothir es to wham he sal it take Ye thridde how he sal his almus make First suld ilk man take kepe and se Of what his almus here suld be For he suld make it of his awen And noght of othir mens gode knawen Bot of yat yat he myght leelly wynne And noght of yat yat he wan with synne For ye almus yat es done here Of yat yat es geten on ille manere Als of theft rauyn or othir wrang taking Okir gilry or wrange withhaldyng Noght auaylles ne to God pays Bot wele mare greues him als clerkes says For haly writte als clerkes tas kepe Says you sal noght of ox ne shepe Vnto Godde make sacrafyce If yare be any wemme of vyce For swilk offerand es vnconable And vnto Godde abhomynable Yhete ouer yat says haly writte Als yis clerkes vndirstandes it Yat he yat any sacrafyse mas Of godes yat he fra pouer men tas Dose als he yat with maystry and myght Slaas ye sone in ye fader sight And Saynt Austyn yus spekes and says Whatkyn gift es yis to prayse Of yat yat ane taas with gladde sembland Yar anothir it tharnes gretande Tharefore ilk man suld gode kepe take Whareof he suld his almus make Anothir yat he suld take kepe to To wham he suld his almus do For haly writte says on yis manere Loke to wham you sal do gode here Do gode to gode yat suld be he Yat you wenes wele yat gode be And noght to wicked yat wyckednes can And take na kepe to ye synful man Yat es to say you sal noght gif To yam yat you sees with syn lif For resoun of yair synne anely Yat yai vse als herlotry Als som men dose yat oft dotes Yat gifs to iogelours and herlotes And to othir mynystrales Yat vses lesynges and vayne tales To yam men gifs for iapes makynge And elles men wald gif yam nathing And yat es synne yat worthy es payne And spendynge of ye tyme in vayne Bot whaso haues pyte in hert And compassioun of yair pouert Or of yair wyues or of yair barnes Or of fader or moder yat fode tharnes And gifs yam oght for yat skille Or to withdrawe yam fra ille And noght by resoun of yair foly He dose wele (als) he yat es witty Wharefore men suld almus bede Vnto ye pouer man yat has nede And mare to ye verray pouer by skille Yat er ay pouer of hert and wille Yat has left al yat yai hadde For ye luf of Godde als he badde Yan to yam yat er in pouert Agayne yair wille and agayn yair hert Bot always suld men blethely gif To alle yat men sees pouerly lif And namely to pouer yat shameful bene And to yam yat feble and alde er sene And to alle yat nede has men suld do Almus yat er of myght yarto And if yat men be halden yus To do to strange pouer yair almus Men er halden to fader and moder To helpe yam here bifore alle othir And sustayne yam and yair lyf saue Yat es to say if yai nede haue And swa teches kynde in alle landes And Godde in ye godspell so commandes Men redes als es wryten right Of a manere of foull of flight Yat fader and moder wil noght faylle When yai for elde may noght trauaylle Bot fyndes yam yair sustinaunce Of yat yai gete thurgh cheuissaunce Yus do yai als yai thurgh kynde can Right so thurgh kynde suld ilka man Helpe yair fader and moder in nede With a godewille yam cleth and fede And whaso dose noght hym I halde Vnkynde so may he right be called For he synnes agayne kynde euen And agayne our Lorde Godde of heuen Yat commaundes vs here to honoure Fader and moder and yam sokour Yarefore methink it es grete skille Yat he yat vnkyndely dose and ille To fader and moder haf myschaunce Thurgh synne and ye fendes combraunce Als has oft fallen bathe mare and lesse For swilk manere of vnkyndenes Ye thridde men suld for saul hele Knaw hou men suld almus dele And ye manere of gifyng of it Men yat gifs almus suld wit Four condicions men may rede Yat falles namely to almus dede Ane es yat he yat gifs almus here Suld gif it with godewille and gode cher Anothir es yat almus suld be done To ye pouer hastyly and sone Ye thridde it suld be done largely After ye gifar es myghty And ye ferth condicion es Yat it suld be done with mekenes First men suld do yair almus With gladde chere ye boke says yus For Godde tas kepe als I vnderstande Mare to ye hert yan to ye hande Forwhy Saynt Gregor says openly Yat our Lorde Godde almyghty Taas na kepe how grete thinge Men wil to yair offerand bringe Bot to ye hert he tase mast kepe Of hym yat dose hym any worshepe Of yat ensaumple telle I can In ye godspell of ye pouer womman Yat of hir awen na mare had fre Bot twa mytes of yat mone Yat sho offred with godewille Vnto ye temple als hir thoght skille Wharefore our Lorde yan sayd sone Yat yat pouer womman had mare done Of yat offerand yat sho made yare Yan alle ye tothir yat had done mare For mare pays Godde somtyme here Ane halpeny on yis manere Yat a pouer man gifs gladdely For ye luf of Godde almyghty Yan a riche man gaf with hande Ane hundreth mark with hert grochand And yarefore says ye wyse man yus In haly wrytte als ye boke shewes vs Make gode chiere he says while you lifs In alle yi giftes yat you gifs For Godde lufs als Saynt Paul says A blithe gifar and a curtays Bot it er som yat faylles nurture Yat er oft vilaynes vnto ye pouer For when yai any almus craue Yai by it dere ar yai oght haue For vilaynesly yai yam reproue Ar yai gif oght for Goddis luf Yai calle yam faytours and trowans Theues mythars and lurdans So yat when yai sal haf oght Yair almus salbe ouer dere boght Swilk almus dedes with reproues Our Lorde hates mare yan lufs Yarefore ye wyse man of grete wytte Yusgates says in haly wrytte To ye pouer helde yine ere And to hym debonerly answere Ye secund condicioun to rede Yat falles vnto almus dede Es yat a man yat es myghty Suld do his almus hastily For Salamon teches and says yus Als ye boke of wisdom shewes vs You sal noght if you be of powere Say to yi frende on yis manere Ga and come to morne agayne And I sal gif ye for certayne When you alstyte gif hym may Withouten any lengar delay In anothir stede yus says he Lat noght yi gift taryed be Fra pouer yat you sees nede haue If you yair lyues here wil saue Yat es to say lat yam noght hone When you may gif yam als sone Yis es agayne riche men namely Yat lates pouer men ay on yam crye Yat of yair helpe has grete nede And taryes yam lange ar yai spede For so lange bihoues yam pray and craue Ar yai may spede or oght haue So yat wen yai do yam oght Yan es yat dede ful dere boght For Senek says on yis manere Nathinge here es boght so dere Als yat thinge yat men of gift tas Thurgh grete prayere yat men mas For men says commonly yis worde soght He byes ouer dere yat askes oght Yarefore suld ilk man here gode do Alstyte while he es of myght yarto Forwhy yus says ye wyse man In haly writte yat yis clerkes can Tyte do yiself gode for Goddis sake If you haue whareof to take And offir with yine awen handes Vnto Godde worthy offerandes Whyle you lifs and may wele gange For ye dede sal noght tary lange And in anothir stede says he On yis manere als men may se Do gode he says vnto yi frende Byfore yi dede and yi lyues ende Yat es to ye saul als I halde Yat bi skille yi frende es called To wham you suld thurgh gode rede Do ay gode bifore yi dede Or to yi frende yat es best to neuen Yat es our Lorde Godde of heuen To wham you suld do gode ay Bifore yi dede here whyle you may And almus dede do for his luf To pouer men for yair byhoue For yat men dose to pouer mens vse To Godde almyghty yat men dose Wharefor almus yat a man gifs Whyle he here in yis werld lifs Sal mykell mare stand him in stede Yan yat yat gifn es aftir his dede Als ye lanterne yat borne es Bifore a man in grete myrkenes Wisses him bettir ye way to take Yan ye light borne bihynde his backe Yarefore Saynt Paul biddes vs ay Do gode in yis lyf whyle we may And while we haue ye tyme to tent Yat our Lorde Godde here has vs lent When a riche man mas him boun To com to a cyte or to a toun His forayers bifore sendes he To take his inne yare he suld be Forayeres yat taas on yis wyse Innes to riche men in paradyse Er ye almous yat yai gif Whyle yai in yis werlde lif For almus yat after a man es dede For hym es done hym standes in stede Als dose ye seruaunt yat bifore gaas Yat ouer late his lordes innes taas So yat his Lorde somtyme es Ille herberd thurgh his latchesce Ye thridde condicioun yat suld be In almus dede es yis to se To gif to pouer yat pouerly gaas Largely aftir a man haas For ye wyse man says yus in a boke Als clerkes may se yat wil it loke Gif God he says with hert fre After yat he has gyuen ye And Thoby says yus aftir yi myght Be mercyable til ilka wight If you haf mykell and es myghty Gif of yi godes here largely If you haf lytell and knawes skille Gif curtaysely and with godewille Forwhy ilk man als clerkes wate Suld gif blethely aftir yair state And after yat Godde has vouched saue To gif ilk man yat yai haue We rede of a ryche kynge yarby Yat a pouer man asked a peny Ye kynge answerd yat so littell thinge Ne felle noght be gift of a kynge And of Kynge Alisaundre rede we Yat gaf his seruaunt a cyte And ye seruaunt gun it forsake For him thoght ye gift ouer grete to take Yan sayde ye kynge I take na kepe What falles to ye bot to my worshepe Ye ferthe condycioun yat we rede Es to do here almous dede With grete mekenes and deuocioun And with a gode entencioun For whaso dose it suld be meke So yat he na vayneglory seke Ne to ye pouer be dispitous To wham he suld gif his almous Ne haf presumpcioun yarby If he be in synne dedely Yat he es worthy for yat dede To haue of Godde special mede It er some men yat almus dose Appertly for men suld yam rose Bot ye wyse man says on yis manere Yat men suld with a gode chere Putte yair almous aftir yai can In ye bosom of ye pouer man For Saynt Gregor says yarto It es inoghe to ye to do Almus so yat he se yat dede Of wham you thinkes to haf mede Yarefore Godde says in ye godspell yus When you sal do yine almus Lat noght yi left hand wyte na fele What ye right hand dose yan dose yow wele So yat yine almus dede done be In hidels yar na man may it se And ye Fader of heuen heghe Yat al yat hidde es sees with eghe Sal yhelde it ye als you sal fele Yus sayd Godde als clerkes wate wele Yat es when you sal almus do Loke vayneglory be noght yarto For vayneglory yat es fayllande Es vnderstanded bi ye left hande Bot when you gifs almus in sight Loke yat yine entencioun be right Yat es to vndirstande shortly By ye right hande of ye body Bot I say noght yat ne men may Do gode dedes bath nyght and day Appertly in ilk mans sight Gode ensaumple to gif right Wharethurgh Godde als he es worthy May be ye mare loued yarby For Godde says yus in ye godspelle Yat we suld do our werkes smelle Amange men yat yai yam fele Foryi yat Godde suld be loued wele And noght for loos of ye werlde yat wytes Als dose yis fals ipocrytes Ye gode seruaunt suld na shame haue To serue his lorde his menske to saue Bifore men wharesoeuer he com And in his seruyse to be ay bousom Forwhy God says yis worde yat byndes Als clerkes in ye godspell fyndes He yat shames he says with me Bifore ye men yat may him se Me sal shame with him in his nede Bifore aungels at ye day of drede Yis worde es agayne yam right Yat leues to do gode in sight For drede yat men suld yam halde Ipocrytes and so be called Yarefore says Saynt Gregor right Yat he yat sal do gode in sight He sal his werkes so bigynne Yat his entent be right withinne Ouer yat whaso wil almus do To pouer men yis falles yarto Yat it be done wele on yat wyse So yat ye pouer he noght dispyse Als ye prophete says on yis manere Dispyse you noght yine awen flesshe here Yat es ye pouer yat you may se Yat thurgh shappe es like to ye And of ye same kynde als you sees now Of flesshe and blode of whilk ertow And of ye same maters and likenes Of whilk you ert ye pouer man es It bene som men yat er myghty Yat settes bi ye pouer ouer lightly How ille yai fare yay noght recke And deynes noght with yam to speke And if yai speke yai speke ouerthwert Dispitously thurgh pryde of hert Of swilk men Godde es noght payde Bot Iobe did noght yus yat sayde He neuer dispysed arely ne late Men yat war in pouer state Foryi yat he somtyme had nede Bot he wald yaim bathe clathe and fede Ane haly man of clene lyfyng Al if he war grete lorde and kyng Of ye pouer him thoght na shame Als som lordes dose yat beres grete name Yat grete almus dedes dose On yair manere yat yai vse Bot always for yair pouert Yai haf yaim in despyte of hert And if yai ware rightly meke And na losengery wald seke Yai suld luf mare ye company Of gode men yat lifs here pouerly For ye luf of God yat yam couthe Edyfye thurgh gode wordes of mouthe Yan of many riche men of myght Yat er about yam day and nyght Yar men may noght bot flateryng se And couatyse and vanyte Yat mas yis lordes oft do wrange Thurgh yair wicked counsaylles amange And mykell gode gers yam leue sone Yat warne yai ware suld be done Also it er som men lifande Yat gifs oft almus with yair hande Bot to synne dedely es ay yair thoght Yat almus dede sal saue yam noght For if yai dyed in yat state Yair almus dedes als clerkes wate Might noght yam saue fra payne of helle For yair synne yat yai in dwelle Swilk men may right lickened be Til hym yat bigges an hous of tre Yat on ye ta syde to bigge es boun And ay on ye tothir syde drawes doun Yarefore haly wrytte yus says right If you wil paye Godde mast of myght Haf first pyte and mercy Of yine awen saulle principally For he yat to hymself dose ille Til wham suld he be gode thurgh skille He may noght leelle to othir be Yat to hymseluen dose na lewete And yarefore says Saynt Austyn yus Whoso ordaynely dose almus He sal first withouten dyn At his awen saul bygynne For he suld luf mare his saul in body Yan any othir man saue Godde anely By skille may na man say yat he Es ful of mercy and of pyte Whase hert pyte may noght meke To his moder yat es pouer and seke War he neuer so ful of mercy Yat he had done til othir many On ye same wyse I ne hald him noght Pitefull in hert and thoght Yat has na pite ne na mercy Of his awen saul in his body When he wate what state it es inne Yat es seke thurgh dedely synne Now haf I shewed yhou openly Ye vertu of ye tree of mercy And specially ye degrees seuen And ye fourtene braunches yat spredes euen And ye fruyt yat comes of it Als es funden in haly wrytte Of ye fruyt of yis tre to fele Spekes Dauid in ye sauter wele Yar he yus says blissed es he Yat to ye pouer wil tent and se Yat es to say yat he byde noght Til yat ye pouer wil aske him oght Bot gif hym tyte withouten askynge First ar he aske hym anythynge For yus says a prouerbe yat we haue He byes ouer dere yat bihoues craue For gode hert to gif has noght he Yat gifs noght ar ane askynge be Bot he dose wele and noght ille Yat gifs ye pouer yat aske him wille Bot he dose bettir to Goddis lykynge Yat gifs ye pouer withouten askynge And by hym Dauyd yis worde toke Als es wryten in ye sauter boke Yat says blissed es he for yat dede Yat tentes to ye pouer yat has nede For him sal delyuer Godde rightwys At ye ille day of his enemyse Yat es ye day of dome yat bi skille Til wicked men salbe ful ille Yat dampned salbe for yai had noght Ye werkes of mercy here right wroght Wherefore ye domesman sal say Ane hidous worde to yam yat day Yhe weryed wightes fra me wende Into ye fyre of helle yat has nane ende To dwelle yareinne for euermare With alle ye fendes yat sal dwelle yare Forwhy when I had hunger grete Yhe vouched saue on me na mete When me thristed na drynk yhe me bedde When I was naked yhe me noght cledde When I was seke ye visite me noght To me in prisoun noght yhe soght And also when I herberles was Withouten herber yhe lete me passe Yan sal he reproue yam straytely Yat has noght done ye werkes of mercy And yarefore yai sal delyuerd be To yair enemys yat yai sal se Yat es to ye deuelles of helle Euermare with yam to dwelle Fra wham yai yat pitefull bene And yat tentes to yam yat pouer er sene Salbe delyuerd yat day euen And be broght to ye kyngdom of heuen Als our Lorde Godde almyghty In ye godspell says appertly For he sal say yan to yam sone Yat ye werkes of mercy here has done Comes to me yhe yat bene here Mi Fader blissed childer dere And resayues ye kyngedome right Of heuen yat to yhow es dight Fra first tyme yat ye werld bigan When heuen and erthe was made and man For yat yhe did in my name To ye pouere to me yhe did ye same Godde sal yan do grete worshepe Til al yat blissed felawshepe And thank yam yan ful swetely For yat yai didde ye werkes of mercy And he sal gif yam for yair gode dede Ye lyf yat ay sal last to mede Yarefore says Godde yus als I wene Blissed er yai yat mercyfull bene For yai sal fully mercy haue For yai helped pouer mens lyues to saue Whiles yai lifd thurgh yair almus Blissed er alle yat haues done yus It es gode right yat Godde yam gif Ye lyf withouten ende to lif And foryi yat yai had pyte Of yam yat Goddis lyms suld be And yam had comforted and sustend wele In grete myschief yat yai gun fele It es skille sen yai war stedfast Yat he do yam mercy at ye last And yat he delyuer yam of meschiefs And of alle angres yat yam greues And so sal he do for yai er hisse For he sal gif yam ye coroun of blisse In his kyngdome yar he es kynge To whilk mercy he sal yam brynge Thurgh yis vertu men comes lightly To ye blissedhede of mercy And to ye grete mede to haue Yat es mercy als Godde vouches saue Als Godde sayde yat alle thing stables Blissed er ye mercyables For yai sal noght of mercy faylle At ye last for yair trauaylle Now may men se yat tentes yarto What ye gift of counsaylle may do Yat ye thridde askyng wynne vs may In ye Pater Noster yat we say Yat gift mas men bouxsom and balde To do mercy als I haf talde And ye synne of auaryce to fle Godde graunt yat gift in our hertes to be AMEN DE DONO INTELLECTUS After ye gift of counsaylle falles Anothir gift yat clerkes calles Ye gastly gift of vndirstandyng Yat we wynne thurgh ye secund askyng Of ye principalle askynges seuen Yat we in ye Pater Noster neuen Yat gift out puttes yar it wil wirk Alle yat mase ye hert myrke Right als ye sunne puttes away Ye myrkenes yat lettes ye day And ye mystes of ye mornynge So dose ye gift of vnderstandynge It lightens ye hert so of a man Yat he may se appertly yan Allekyns thynge yat es withinne And al ye filthe of his synne And alle yat es bynethen him lawe Als in helle he may it knawe And al yat es oboun hym heghe Als in heuen thurgh gastly eghe And al yat es obout hym here Als Goddis awen creatures sere Al may he se and knawe wele Yat yis gift in hert may fele So may it brynge a man bi skille Til a grete yhernynge and a wille Godde almyghty for to se And euermare with hym to be Yan puttes he out of hym sone Al ye synne yat he has done Thurgh shrift of mouth and penaunce smert And of alle synne clenses ye hert So yat he may Godde gastly se And wone with Godde and with him be Yis gift puttes out of ye hert namely Thurgh myght ye synne of licchery And in yat stede als falles to be Settes ye vertu of chastyte DE PECCATO LUXURIE Litchery es an outrageus luf In flesshely lykyng als clerkes can proue In whilk ye fende can a man lede Thurgh four thynges vnto ye dede A thinge es fole sight of eghe Anothir es speche of wordes sleghe Ye thridde es fole touchyng with hande Ye ferthe es kyssyng neste folwand And sone ye litcherous dede folwes yan To whilk ye fende yus ledes a man For right als ye fisshe with ye hoke May be sone tane als proues ye boke So may a man be tane bi skille In ille tyme thurgh litcherous wille Als ye fissher yat ye fisshe wil wayte Couers his hoke first with ye bayte And when ye fisshe ye bayt may se At yat mete fayne wald he be Ye fisshe drawes nere and bi it houes And of yat bayt first bytes and proues And sethen he swelwes it at ye last Yan es it tane with ye hoke fast Right so ye fende latches a man Thurgh sleghtes and wyles yat he can First he shewes a thinge of likynge Thurgh whilk comes a fole bihaldyng And of yat bihaldyng specially Comes a fole speche of litchery And of yat speche als I vnderstande Comes a fole handelynge of hande And of yat handelyng comes alswa A fole kyssynge bitwene twa And after yat kyssyng comes tyte A flesshely dede of fole delyte Yus can ye fende a man lede Al sleghely vnto a litcherous dede Bot we suld fra his sleght kepe vs Als kennes ye prophete yat says yus Turne yine eghe away says he Yat it bihalde na vanyte Yarefore he yat wil na foly do Bihalde noght yat yat es lyke yarto Forwhy ye eghe yat wysses ye body Es ye first messangere of foly Litchery als ye boke says Departes itself in twa ways And bathe ya ways may litchery be Als yis clerkes in boke can se Ane es litchery of hert thurgh thoght Anothir es litchery of body wroght Litchery of hert yat es vnclene Has four degrees als I wene Ane es thoght anothir es delyte Yat may falle in ye hert tyte Ye thridde es consentyng of skille Ye ferthe es yhernyng to do yat ille For ye wicked gast yat ay es bisy To kyndell ye fyre of litchery Withinne ye hert whareso he may Entre thurgh sleght by any way A fole thoght first he puttes yarinne And yat es noght yhete bot venyele synne Bot when he has done it think on ille He dose it dwelle in yat thoght stille And of yat thoght men may fele tyte Ye secund degre yat es delyte And yat may be dedely synne If a man dwelle lange yareinne Ye thridde degre comes of fole wille Yat es consentynge of skille Yat es when skille consentes to litchery And yat consentynge es synne dedely Ye ferthe degre after consentynge Yat es to say a brynnand yhernyng Yat a man has til a litcherous dede Es dedely synne yat men suld drede Al if he faylle of yat dede of litchery Ye grete yhernyng es synne dedely And thurgh swilk yhernyng many men may Synne dedely oftsythes on a day Parauenture neghen sithes or ten Thurgh ye sight of som wymmen Ladys or othir quayntely dight Yat dightes yam quayntely to mens sight Swilk quaynt tyffyng yai oft vse To do ye foles opon yam muse And yhete yai wene yai do noght ille For yai assent noght to swilk foles wille Bot certes ful greefly synne yai Als men may here wyse clerkes say For thurgh ye enchesoun of yam yan Ye saulles er lorne of many a man Yat yhernes to synne flesshely thurgh sight With yam yat er so quayntely dight For ye womman yat dightes hir quayntely Outhir on heued or on body To make men oft hir bihalde Ye fendes snare sho may be called Many a man in yat snare bande Es tane and broght to ye fendes hand And Salamon spekes and says yhete mare Yat ilk lym of hir es ye fendes snare Wharefore at ye last day of dome When alle men sal bifor Cryst com In grete drede sal sho answer yan And resoun yhelde of ilka man Of wham ye saul dampned es Thurgh hir dightyng and hir gaynesse Al if sho seme of gode condicioun If swilk be hir entencioun Yat men yat bihelde hir heued and body Had yhernynge with hir to foly Sho sal noght be excused bi resoun Yat sho ne es of yaire synne enchesoun Litchery of body on som wyse Departes it oft in sere partyse Als in litchery of eghen lokande Of eres of mouth and of hande And of alle ye wittes of ye body And specially in vilayne litchery To whilk synne may falle alle thinge Yat stirs ye flesshe to haue lykynge Als fayre robes yat men yhernes oft And beddyng yat es fayre and soft And in alle maner delices of body Ouer mesure al yat es litchery Litchery of body als men may here It shewes in fourtene braunches sere After ye state es mare and lesse Of yam yat dose swilk writchednes Ya braunches springes and waxes vpward Fra wicke to wers yat ye saul feles hard Ye first es ye dede als I shewe can Bytwene sengle man and womman Yat er noght bunden bi lawe to bowe Thurgh bande of maryage ne of vowe Ne of order ne of professioun Ne of na state of religyoun Yis flesshely dede es synne dedely Yat es ye first braunche of litchery Ye secund braunche may ye dede be Bitwene a sengle man yat es fre And a common womman of bordell Yat bedes hir body oft to selle Yis es a synne yat es mare greef And to ye fende of helle mare leef For yis es halden mare vyle And mare it may ye saul fyle Forwhy swilk wymmen of lyf vnclene Parchaunce er wedded als oft es sene Or er wymmen of relygioun Yat has forsaken yair professyoun And soiournes in gode touns namely Yar yai vse ye craft of bordelry And forsakes nane of al a kyn Yat has wille with yam to synne Fader ne sone ne cosyne ne brothir Yis synne es mare greef yan ye tothir Ye thridde es ye dede als I trowe Bytwene a man and a wydow Yat has avowed chastyte A mare greef synne yhete may yis be Ye ferthe ye dede es als I wene Bitwene a man and a mayden clene For to ye state of maydenhede Yat clene es keped falles mast mede Yarefore whaso fyles yat state Synnes greefly als clerkes wele wate Ye fift braunche es mykell to drede Of litchery yat es ye dede Bitwene a man of vnclene lyf And anothir mans wedded wyf Whethir ye man be wedded or noght Avoutry es bitwene yam wroght And yat es halden a ful greef synne Yat shendes yam yat lifs yarinne For wedded man or wyf namely Yat brekes sposaylle on outhir party He synnes greefly bi twa ways Als ye boke appertly says Ane es brekyng of ye fayth so fre Yat falles thurgh law of mariage be Bitwene a man and a wyf thurgh luf Yat ye tane suld kepe to ye tothir bihoue Anothir es sacrilege to wirke Agayne ye sacrament of Halykirke And agayne ye athe of maryage Yat oft es broken thurgh outrage By yise twa wayes men synnes greefly In ye synne of avoutry Thurgh whilk synne yat oft es done Many perilles may falle ful sone For thurgh yat synne als I vndirstande Er made many fals ayres of lande And yarewith many fole maryage And right ayre putted fra ye herytage Also thurgh ye fendes combraunce Yat synne a man brynges to myschaunce His body to be confounden or slayne And his saul dampned to helle payne Yhete yis synne yat I last talde Es somtyme turned twyfalde Bitwen a man yat has a wyf And a wedded woman of fole lyf Yat has also anothir husbande Yan es yis synne wele mare weghand For it es yan double avoutry Yat tittest fordose saul and body Ye sext braunche of litchery es ille Yat es when a man thurgh fole wille With his awen wyf a dede wil wirke Yat es forboden thurgh Halykirke Or vnkyndely dose any outrage Agayne ye order of maryage A ful greef synne yan dose he Thurgh whilk he may dampned be For als a man yat hates his lyf May sla himself with his awen knyf Right so a man thurgh lust of body With his awen wyf may synne dedely Yarefore men suld do nane outrage Bot folwe ye order of maryage And fare noght als a beste thurgh wille Yat knawes nouthir wytte ne skille Wharefore a man yat wedded es Suld kepe hym ay in clennes And na dede vnordaynely wirke Agayne ye sacrament of Halykirke Yat yis clerkes matrimoyne calles Bot yat yat to yat order falles For in matrimoyne swilk vertu es And swilk myght and halynesse Yat kepes a flesshely werk right wroght Fra dedely synne yat it greue noght Ye seuend braunche to vndirstande Es a synne yat es ful chargeande Yat es a dede on yis manere Bitwene a man and his comere Or bitwene his awen sone fre Or his doghter whether it be And ye childer of yam yat yam houe Yis es a ful greef synne to proue For ilkane of yam er sibbe til othir Gastly als sister and brothir Yarefore Halykirke has forbedde Yat any of yam othir wedde And if yai did yai did grete synne Bot Halykirke bihoued yam twynne Swilk sibred thurgh baptym falles Yat men gastly sibred calles Ye same sibred es to vndirstande Thurgh confermynge of bisshop hande Ye aghned braunche to shew yhou sone Es flesshely dede yat may be done Bytwene ane ille man or a gode And his sibbe womman of blode Yat dede men haldes a grete synne For yai er bathe of a kynne And yat synne may be mare and lesse Aftir yat ye sibbered es Ye neghent braunche a dede may be In ye sibbered of affinyte Bitwene a man of wantoun lyf And a womman yat es sibbe his wyf Or bitwene a wyf of fole semblande And a man yat sibbe es hir husbande Yis synne es greef and perillous Als ye boke openly shewes vs For when a man thurgh lust of body Has knawen a womman flesshely Ye lawe yan has him forbedde Any of hir cosynes to wedde Yat hir es sibbe if sho be Sibbe withinne ye fift degre For ye sibbered yat es tane In ye fift degre es halden als nane Bot ye sibbered als ye lawe settes Withinne yat degre sposaylle lettes For in ye ferthe degre and withinne Men may noght wedde withouten synne Na in yat sibbered may na bande Of matrimoyne thurgh ye law stande For ye band of sposayll may noght hald Bot it be done als ye lawe walde And if a man a womman wedde To be his fere at borde and bedde And he yareaftir knawe in synne Thurgh flesshely dede hir cosynne Yan tynes he for al his lyf Ye right yat he has of his wyf Yat he ne may noght thurgh ye lawe His awen wyf withouten syn knawe By way of dette his wil to haue Bot when sho wille hir dette craue Yan bihoues him hir dette fulfille With dole of hert als ye lawe wille Ye tende braunche es a flesshely werke Bytwene a womman and a clerke Yat ye haly order beres Yat synne ye saul ful gretly deres Bot yat synne may be mare and lesse After ye degre and ye order es For deken has lesse degre yan preste And subdeken lesse yan deken yat es neste Ye elleuent braunche als I haf soght Es flesshely dede yat es wroght Bytwene a seculere mans persoun And a womman of religyoun Or bitwene a man of religyous lyf And a seculere womman wenche or wyf Yis synne mast deres in ilka stede For ye tane onence ye werlde es dede Ye twelft braunche neste folwand Es a flesshely dede to vndirstand Bitwene a man and a womman Yat religious state bathe has tane Yis synne es greef als ye boke says And to ye fende of helle mast pays For yai er als dede fra ye werld namely And lyf to serue to Godde almyghty Ye thryttened braunche men may calle A flesshely dede yat oft may falle Bytwene a womman and a prelate Yat beres dignyte and grete state Yat synne es mare yan othir tre Thurgh ye heghe state and ye dignyte For he es ensaumplere to othir men Yat he es halden to chasty and kenne Ye fourtened braunche als falles in mynde Es a foul synne mast agayne kynde Ye whilk es ful wlatsom to neuen Yat gretly greues Godde of heuen For yat synne Godde had vengeaunce tane When he did rayne fyre and brunstane Opon Sodom and on Gomor Yat war brent and fordone yarfore And fyue cytees als clerkes can telle For yat synne sank doun til helle Yarefore men calles it syn sodomyk For it es to nane othir synne lyke Yat synne ye fende teches and leres To men and wymmen on sere maners Bot for it es so foul and wlatsom Yat ye fende think shame to com Nere yam yat he puttes yarto So foul it es when yai it do Yarefore for som skille wil I noght Shewe yhou hou yat syn es wroght Bot if any man fele him gilty Of yat synne yat es so vnkyndely I rede he shew it in shrift sone And telle it right als it was done For ye shame he has to telle yat chaunce Es a grete parte of his penaunce Now haf I spoken of litchery Bathe of hert and of body Of whilk ye gift of vnderstandynge Delyuers ye hert at his comynge And in yat stede als clerkes can se Settes ye vertu of chastyte Als yhe haf herde me bifore telle And may here mare if yhe wil dwelle Now wil I speke als in boke es sene Of chastyte yat vertu clene DE VIRTUTE CASTITATIS Chastite may be called right A tree of grete vertu and myght Ye whilk has seuen degrees sere And seuen braunches als yhe sal here Ye first degree es yis to bygynne Clene conscience of hert withinne Ye secund degre falles to be couthe Yat es honest speche of mouthe Ye thridde es kepyng of ye wittes fyue Ye ferthe es hardenes of strayt lyue Ye fift es fleyng of fole company And ye enchesouns of fole Ye sext es gode occupacioun Ye seuent es prayere of deuocioun First of yis tree of chastyte Ye rote clen conscience may be For withouten conscience clene Nathinge payse Godde yat may be sene For clene conscience yar it es soght Kepes ye hert fra wicked thoght And fra ille willes and ille yhernynges Yat out of wycked thoghtes springes So yat ye hert thurgh na wicked wille May be assentand vntil ille For he yat assentes to ille thoght Albeit yat he ye dede do noght For yat ille wille yat he es inne He may dampned be als for dedely synne Bot thre thinges als men may fele Kepes clene conscience of hert wele Ane es godewille oft to here Goddis worde and sarmouns sere Anothir es shrift and contricioun Ye thridde es mynde of Cristes passioun Yise thre thinges als in boke es sene Kepes conscience of hert clene Godewille to here Goddis worde be talde In alle gode mas a man balde And argh and dredefull oght to wirk Yat Godde forbedes and Halykirke Forwhy God says yus in ye godspell Til his discyples als I yhow telle Yhe er he says clene made nowe Thurgh wordes yat I haf shewed yhow Goddis worde of ye mouth of prechour Es als it war a clere mirour In ye whilk men may wele se Ye spottes of ye hert yat er priue Ye secund thinge yat clenses ye hert Es verray shrift and penaunce smert Yat mas conscience clere and bright For shrift of mouth may be called right Als a lavour yat hynges or standes At whilk men wasshes oft yair handes In ye boke of kynges es wryten yus Yat ye prophete Holyseus Commanded als I yhow telle Vnto Naaman yat was meselle Yat he suld wende and wasshe him swythe In ye flum Iordan seuen sythe To clense hym of yat malady Yat he hadde on his body He wesshe hym als ye prophete badde And when he hym so wasshen hadde Yan was he made al hale and clene Of yat euell yat bifore was sene Ye flumme Iordan als I shewe yhou may Es here yus mykell for to say Right als a ryuere of iugement Als yhe sal here if yhe gif tent And bitokens shrift whaso tase yheme Yare a man suld himself right deme With grete sorow in hert and thoght For his synnes yat he has wroght So yat a ryuere of teres bigynne And thurgh ye cundite of ye eghen ryn And also in yat yat ye prophete hight Yat ye mesell so foulle in sight Suld be hale and clene hym fele If he wesshe him seuen sithes wele Yat es to say of alle synne bidene With shrift he suld be wasshen clene Yarfore says Saynt Bernard yus Whase wordes er leryng vntil vs Luf shrift he says yat may ye saue If you wil fayred in ye haue For verray shrift may noght be Withouten clennes and bewte Ye thridde thinge es mynde certayne Of Crystes passyoun and his payne Yat es ye wepen als clerkes redes Yat ye fende of helle mast dredes Thurgh whilk he was ouercommen sone And his mast powere here fordone And of yat haf we in haly wrytte Ensaumple whaso wil here itte Of ye nedder of brasse wroght Yat Moyses on a rodde broght Agayne whilk nedders yat yan ware Yat venymed ye folk and stynged sare He helde vp heghe ye nedder of brasse Als our Louerd commandment wasse Yat al ye cuntre myght it se Ye venemous nedders yan gun fle And alle war waryst yat it bihelde Yat styngyng of ye nedders felde Ye nedder yat was made of brasse Yat on ye rodde hynged was Bytokens ye blissed body Of Ihesu Cryst Godde almyghty Yat was hinged on ye croyce hey And for vs vouched saaf to dye He was ye neddir withouten venym Alle treacle of hele come of hym Yarefore whaso feles hym biten Or venymde or with tange smyten Of ye nedders of helle yat sare stynges Als fendes yat smytes men with fondynges Bihalde he yan ye nedder of brasse With verray trouthe how he hynged was Yat es yat he of ye payne haf mynde Yat Cryst tholed for mankynde And alstyte ye fendes sal fle And yan sal he delyuerd be Of alle fondynges yat he feles byte So may he best ye fende skomfyte Ye secund degree of chastyte Als ye boke says falles yis to be Kepyng of mouth and tunge withinne Fra vilayne speche yat kyndels syn For swilk manere of wynde namely Oft stirs ye synne of litchery Wharefore yus says haly writte Als yis clerkes vnderstandes it Yat ye worde of a fole womman Brynnes als fire whaso fele can And Saynt Paul in a boke shewes Yat vilayne speche appayres gode thewes And yarefore whaso wil chast be And ye synne of litchery fle And spende his tyme in Goddis worshepe Fra vilaynes wordes he suld him kepe For he yat wil speke blethely Wordes yat falles to herlotry Or any wordes wil blethely here Yat es shewed on vilayne manere And in swilk speche ye tyme wil wast It semes wele yat he es noght chast For out of ye tunne may noght rynne Bot swilk likour als es yareinne For if ye speche be foul yat es spoken Yan semes it wele appert token Yat in ye hert vilany es And likyng of swilk wrechednes For of ye gaderynge yat es in ye hert Ye mouth spekes oft ouerthwert Ye thridde degre of chast lyf Es kepynge of ye wyttes fyue Als sight of eghe yat opens and speres Smellyng of neese heryng with eres Tastyng of mouth touchyng of hande Yise er fyue wyttes to vnderstande Thurgh whilk our lyf es reweld mast Ya suld he kepe yat wille be chast First bihoued him with al his myght Kepe ye eghe fra fole sight Of thinge yat noght es bot vanyte Yat to his flesshe likand may be And ye eres kepe fra fole herynge Of fole wordes and backebytyng Ye mouthe fra ille speche and tast Of mete and drynk yat lykes him mast Ye nese fra swete sauours to fele Yat ye flesshe lykes oft wele Ye handes and alle ye lyms of ye body Fra alle ille touchynges of foly Yise er fyue wyttes to kepe right Yat er ye yhates of ye hert dight Thurgh whilk ye fende has entree Into ye hert yar he wald be Yise er ye fyue wyndous of ye hous Thurgh whilk ye dede yat es perillous Withinne ye hert entren may Als men may here ye prophete say Forwhy many men has oft bene Ouercommen and tane als has bene sene Foryi yat yai sperred noght als wyse Ye yhates agayne yair enemyse And if yhe wille ensaumple se I sal shewe yhow twa or thre Wha was strongar yan was Sampson Wha was wyser yan was Salamon Wha was halyar yan Dauid was Al if he didde somtyme trespas Yhete war yai alle on sere wyse Ouercommen thurgh wymmens quayntyse Bot certes had yai keped right Ye yhates of yair hert thurgh myght And yam agayne yair enemys stoken Swa strangehaldes had yai noght broken For Saynt Ierom says yat ye tour Of ye hert yat has gode sokour May noght be wonnen ne tane lightly Nouthir thurgh strengthe ne thurgh mayst[ry] Bot if ye yhates war on som wyse Opend wyde agayne ye enmyse Wharefore I fynde als I haf redde Yat yis alde philosofres fledde Fer into wildernes to dwelle Yar nouthir toun was ne castelle In swilk wildernes som wald be Whare yai myght nouthir here na se Nathynge yat war delytable Yat myght make yair hert vnstable And turne yam to swilk vanytese Wharethurgh yai myght yair chastitie lese And som philosophirs als I fynde Fordidde yair sight and made yam blynde Forthy yat yai suld nathinge knawe Ne se yat myght yair hertes withdraw[e] Fra yair grete contemplacioun Swilk was yair entencioun Ye wittes of a man yat es idell Fares als a horse withouten brydell Yat rynnes ay on heued fast And castes his mayster at ye last Bot ye chaste hert of godewille Restreynes ye wittes with ye brydell of skille Ye ferthe degre of chastyte es Hardenes of lyf and straytenes For he yat wille fra litchery drawe Suld halde his flesshe vndirfote lawe Yat es ay rebelle vnto ye saul Als ye apostell says Saynt Paul Forwhy he yat wille thurgh maystry Abate ye fyre of litchery Bihoues withdrawe alle thinge away Yat ye fyre oght norisshe may Yat er eses and delyces of body Yat kyndels ye fyre of litchery And fordose chastyte of hert And elles es noght ye saul in quert For Saynt Bernarde says in a tretyce Yat chastyte perisshes in delyces And yarefore whaso will haally Hym kepe fra brynnynge of litchery Hym bihoues withdrawe and abate Alle thinge yat makes ye fyre brynne hate And slocken it at ye bigynnynge Thurgh abstynence and harde lyuynge Yan sal he noght be brent of itte Forwhy we fynde in haly wrytte Yat ye childer yat harde war ledde And with grete metes norisshed and fedde And na delycious mete wald haue War in ye fyre of Babiloyne saue By Babiloyne I vnderstande Ye fyre of litchery brennande Yat may be slekkend with short strif Thurgh abstinence and harde lyf Bot metes of delicious sauour And stalwarde wynes of fayre colour Mase litchery to brynne hate and light Als grese dose ye fyre brynne bright Ye fift degre yat chast men kepes Es fleynge of fole felawshepes And of alle ille enchesounes of synne Thurgh whilk litchery may bigynne For many men falles in litchery By resoun of fole company Elles suld yai noght falle so sare Warne wicked company ware For als ye leuayne yat es sour Drawes therf daghe to yat sauour And als an appill yat roten es Rotes othir thurgh yat moystnesse And als a quicke cole yat fyre es inne May make an heepe of coles to brenne Right so may a fole company Drawe a man vnto litchery Yarefore ye sauter says yus yarby You salbe haly with ye haly Yat es to say if you wil be Gode and haly and luf chastyte You sal gif ye als I ye kenne Vnto ye company of gode men For if you luf or folow wille Mens company yat er ille And wil noght leue when you may Als ille saltow be als er yai For he yat lufs ye company Of foles yat gifs yam to foly Hym bihoues nedely be a fole After ye manere of yair skole And yat says ye wyse man in his boke Als yis clerkes may fynde and loke Also ye man yat wil chast be Bihoues ye enchesouns of synne fle Als pryue speche of man with womman In suspecious stede by yam ane For yat gifs enchesoun synne to do When yai haf tyme and stede yarto Wharefore we rede in ye boke of kynges Yat accordes to many sayinges Yat Damon yat was Dauid sone Yat with his awen sister wald wone Als yai in chaumbre by yam ane ware Yai synned togider flesshely yare And ye lauedy yat Ioseph fande In hir chaumbre alane standande Wald haf done him with hir synne Bot he wald noght yat foly bigynne He agayne sayde hir als ye wyse Yarefore gun sho hym dispyse Wharefore Saynt Paul biddes vs be boun To fle ay fornycacioun Yat es to say ye enchesoun of foly Yat tilles a man vnto litchery Forwhy men may na bettir bigynne To ouercom yat flesshely synne Ne to kepe rightly chastyte In clennes als it falles to be Yan to flee fole companyse And ye enchesouns of folyse Wharefore ye aungell to Loth come And badde him wende out of Sodome And out of alle ye marches about For ye grete vengeaunce yat was to dout By Sodom may we vndirstande Synne of litchery yat es likande Ye marches of Sodom we may calle Enchesouns of synne yat mas men falle For it es noght inoghe to kepe A man fra synne ne fole felawshepe Bot he flee alle enchesouns of synne Yat mase a man ye synne to bigynne For men says on alde Inglisshe A comon worde opon yis wyse Swa lang ye potte to ye water gase Yat at ye last it es broken in case And so lange fleghes ye buttirfleghe About ye fyre lawe and heghe Yat at ye last it falles yarinne And yan bihoues it nedely brynne Right so a man sekes so lange Ye enchesouns of synne amange Yat at ye last hym bihoues falle In yat synne and be brent withalle Yarefore whaso dredes fallyng And wil kepe him fra swilk brennyng He suld fra yat fyre withdrawe him fer So yat ye fyre may him noght dere Ye sext degre als says yis clerkes Es occupacioun of gode werkes For ye fende of helle yat wakes ay And neuer slepes nyght ne day Bot on ilka syde es ay waytande Wham he may wynne vnto his hande And when he fyndes a man idelle And slawe he puttes on him a bridell And occupyes him in his nedes Yat er wicked thoghtes and ille dedes And ledes him so with ye brydel of synne Yat vnnethes may he fra him wynne Yus may a man yat idell es Be putted lightly to wickednes Idelnes als haly writte says Es reckelesnes yat ye fende payse And slawnes of hert wele to do Es maystresce of alle ille yarto Yarefore Saynt Paul says wysely Gif na rowme he says to ye enemy Yat es yus mykell for to say Ne bees noght idell nyght ne day So yat ye fende may na tyme fynde To skulk on yhow byfore na bihynde For to fande yhow with dedely synne For yarto he wald yhou fayne wynne Forwhy in boke yus redes yis clerkes Yat he yat idell es of gode werkes Vnto ye fende gyfs rowme and stede To fanden hym thurgh wycked rede Yarefore Saynt Ierom biddes vs wirke Gode werkes ay and be noght irke So yat ye fende fynde vs ay Bysy in gode werkes nyght and day For ye idell man yat list do noght Thurgh heuynes of hert and thoght He may noght wele halde him lange Yat he ne sal falle in synne yat es strange Forwhy ye prophete says in a stede Yat grete pryde and plente of brede And idelnes also was ye synne Of Sodom yat men vsed yarinne Yat es to say yai wald noght swynk Ne noght elles do bot ete and drynk Wharefore ful greefly yai sone felle In yat synne yat es noght to telle On yis wyse many men dose Yat spendes yair tyme in wicked vse For alle ye tyme forsothe yai lese Yat yai spende in vanyteese Or in outrages thurgh hert lykynge Of metes and drynkes or othir thynge Or in playes of fole continaunce Or in iolytees of sanges and daunce Swilk outrages and reueryse Puttes men oft here to folyse Thurgh lykynge yat yai haf withalle And yarefore oft lightly yai falle In many foull synnes to telle And aftirwarde in ye pitte of helle For Iob in a boke yus says Yai leden yair lifs in myrthes and plays And in solaces and in sere delyces Yat stirs men oft to foul vyces And at a poynt yai sal wende To ye fyre of helle withouten ende [Prayer in aid of chastity] And yat es in ye poynt of ye dede Whare na man may yam wisse na rede Ye seuent and ye last degre Yat falles vnto chastyte Es deuout prayere of ye hert bouxsom Yat mykill auaylles synne to ouercom And namely ye synne of litchery Yat wastes bathe saul and body Wharefore Saynt Ambros says yis skille Yat prayere yat comes of godewille Es a siker shelde in hande And agayne ye fendes dartes brynnand And Isider also says wysely Yat it es a grete remedy To rynne to ye prayer of custom Yat may ye fende sone ouercom For ay when he ye hert assaylles Agayne him prayere mast auaylles For prayere whaso it hauntes thurgh [vse] Alle ye assautes of synne fordose Prayere yat es made right hertly Onence Godde es ful myghty If it be sette on four pileres Yat er four thynges yat it vp beres Ye first es stedfast trouth to telle For Godde says yus in ye godspelle In alle yat yhe aske or craue In yhour prayere loke yat ye haue Trouth in Godde and in his myght And yhe sal haue yat yhe aske right Yus biddes Saynt Iame yat we sal do For he says yis yat acordes yarto Men suld Godde aske when yai haf nede In trouth withouten dout to spede For he yat doutes may lickend be Til a flote yat fletes in ye see Yat ye wynde and ye water togider Ledes aboute hider and yider Yarefore he yat askes Godde a thinge And doutes to spede of his askynge He sal noght spede als ye boke says Onence Godde of yat yat he prays Ye secund thinge yat sal vphald Prayere certayne hope es called To haue yat es asked bi skille If it be asked with godewille Wharefore ye sautere says yus yarby Haf gode hope in Godde almyghty And he sal yan do to ye Yat you askes with herte fre And yarefore says yhete ye sautere In anothir stede on yis manere Louerd Godde haf mercy on me For my hert traystes al in ye He gifs vs hope to aske him oght Yat hetes wele and desceyues vs noght When our Lorde says in ye godspell On yis manere als I yhow tell He yat askes tase ar he ga And he yat sekes he fyndes alswa And he yat rynges and calles fast Godde opens and lates hym in at ye last Yat es to say to ye vndirstandynge He yat askes wysely a thinge And sekes bisily als falles And dwellandely rynges and calles When yise thre thinges er rightly soght In ye prayere with stedfast thoght Wytte bisines and dwellandnes Alstyte Godde heres what ye prayere es Bot many men askes commonly Yat er noght herde of Godde almyghty Al if yai pray neuer so lange Forwhy yai fourme yair askyng wrang Wharefore Saynt Iame ye apostel says To yam yat vnwysely prays Yhe aske he says Godde oft som thing And wynnes noght by yat askynge Foryi yat yhe can noght wele Aske yat fel to yhow to fele Som askes hegher thinge to haue Yan felle to yam to aske or craue Als didde Iohans moder and Iame Scho asked of Godde in yair name Yat bathe hir sones myght sitte euen On aythir syde by him in heuen Yis askynge wanted discrecioun Bot it semed a presumpcioun Yat es noght elles bot wrange wenynge Yat men has of yamself in demynge And yarefore our Lorde was noght payed Y(h)e wate noght what yhe ask he sayde Wharefore he yat wil wysely pray Suld kepe him fra presumpcioun ay Yat he noght wene of himself anely Yat he war mykell thinge worthy Als Godde telles by ye pharysene Yat helde himself gode and clene And himself in his prayere rosed And othir dispysed and accused Bot he yat prayes suld pray mekely Bifore oure Lorde Godde almyghty Yat sees our hertes and knawes yat greues And our defautes wate and myscheues And wate what es nedeful to our state Better yan we ourseluen wate Yarefore take kepe he yat sal pray To seke men yat sittes bi ye way How yai in sight shewes yair sare And alle yair defautes lesse and mare To stir ye men yat yam may se To haue rewith of yam and pyte Swa suld a man with al his myght Do to Godde if he didde right And mekely shew his defautes withinne And recorde yare wele al his synne To purchace hym forgifnes Of Godde yat ful of mercy es Som men er yat ye werlde counsaylles Yat can noght aske yat mast auaylles Bot thinges yat er lytell and vyle Als werldely godes yam to bigyle Bot Godde yat es so large and curtays Gifs yat thinge yat es mare to prayse He wil gif yhow als he es rightwyse Ye thinge yat es of mast pryse Yat lastes ay withouten fayllyng Bot he wil noght with a lytell thing Pay yhow als men lightly may With an appil a chylde pay Godde wil ye aske with hert stable Grete thinges yat er profytable To saul hele pryncipally And noght anely vnto ye body Yat es his grace and his blisse Ye whilk yai sal haue yat er hisse For he yat askes of Godde ritchesce Or any werldely thinge to gesce Or honours or dede of enemy To be herde he es noght worthy For swilk prayers er wrange soght And yarefore Godde ne heres yam noght Forthy says yus Saynt Austyn Als clerkes fyndes in Latyn He says he haldes noght grete thinges Ye godes on whilk som mens hertes hing[es] Yat Godde als wele to wicked men gifs Als to gode men yat clenely lifs He wil say yat men suld noght Halde ne gesce in yair thoght For grete thinges yat er ay lastand Ye godes of ye werlde yat er passand Yat Godde gifs oft when he wille Als wele and mare to men yat er ille Yan to men yat er gode and clene Yat in gode lyf lange has bene Bot for yis skille als I yhow kenne Godde gifs yam mast to wicked men For gode men suld dispyse in wille Yat yat he gifs to men yat er ille And swilk godes er noght mast to prayse Als Saynt Austyn openly says Also Saynt Ambros says yarby When you prays he says God almyghty Aske grete thinges he says with hert stedfast Yat may withouten ende last And noght swilk thinges yat passes tyte For of swilk prayere God think dispyte Bot our gode mayster Godde almyghty Teches vs wele to aske wysely And fourmes our askyng right to vs When he says in ye godspelle yus If yhe wil ask anythinge free Of my Fader in ye name of me Whethir yhe aske loude or stille He sal graunt yhow it bi skille And he askes in ye name to neuen Of Ihesu Cryst Goddis Sone of heuen Yat askes with gode hert and leel Thinge yat falles to saul hele For Ihesu es yus mykell to say Als Hele or Helar ya(t) helen vs may And what we sal ask he teches vs In ye godspell when he says yus Sekes first he says Goddis kyngdom And his rightwisnes whareso yhe com And alle thinge yhe sal haue redy Yat nedefull es to saul and body For als men says men suld yam spede Ay first to yat yat war mast nede Twa thinges er nedefull to our fode Gastly gode and bodyly gode Bot of gastly gode we haf mast nede Yarefore we suld if we wil spede Aske first yat gode principally And our Lorde yat es almyghty Sal gif vs it and auauntage do And gif vs bodily godes yarto Yat our bodys may here sustayne Bot yat gode es noght so certayne Als gastly gode yat lastes ay For al werldely gode passes away We suld noght make godes principall Of swilk secund godes so smale Als som men dose yat lifs mysse Yat sekes nane othir lyf bot yis Ye whilke to ende may sone be broght And faylles yam whethir yai wil or noght Bot ye kyngdom of Godde so sothfast Yat es ye lyf yat ay sal last We suld first seke als teches yis clerkes Thurgh prayere and thurgh gode werkes And yat es yat Godde biddes vs Yar he says in ye godspell yus First sekes ye kyngdom of Godde wele And his rightwysnes to fele Yat es to say we suld wirke right Gode werkes ay with al our myght Wharethurgh we may com thurgh trauaylle Vnto ye kyngdom yat neuer sal faylle Whaso yus askes and sekes yarto Godde wille hym mare auauntage do For he wil gif hym suffissauntly Yat falles to sustynaunce of body Forwhy nathinge yat may auaylle To lyf or saul sal hym defaylle Yat in hert Godde dredes and lufs Als haly wrytte says and proues Bot couatous men of yis lyue Yat with ye werlde wil ay stryue Euer ye mare yai haue at wille Ye mare nede yai haue bi yis skille For ye mare a man has of meyne Ye mare nede of fode to yam has he And he yat mast of hors haues Mast has nede of stables and knaues And Saynt Ierom says on yis wyse Yat he yat ful es of couatyse Has grete defaut al vnsoght Of yat he has and yat he has noght And yarefore he yat wil Godde pray And aske oght yat auaylle him may He suld aske wysely if he pray right And bisily with al his myght And lastandly withouten faylyng Yan sal he spede of his askynge And Godde sal gif him on yis manere Al yat es nedeful to haue here For hele of saul soueraynely And for sustinaunce of his body Ye thridde thing yat suld vphalde Prayere es deuocioun called Yat liftes a mans hert vp euen Vnto our Lorde Godde of heuen Withouten thoght of anythinge Yat to deuocioun war lettynge For Godde says yus als I yhou say When you he says sal Godde pray Wende into yi hous in quert Yat es to say withinne yi hert And sperre ye dore opon ye fast Yat es to say you sal out cast Alle willes and thoghtes of vanyte Yat werldely or flesshely may be And yan pray ye Fader of heuen In priuyte with a mylde steuen And Saynt [Ciprayne] says yarby Yat alle werldely thoghtes and flesshely Suld depart fra ye hert sone Of hym yat prays Godde of a bone So yat ye hert nathinge thinke may Bot on yat thinge yat he sal pray Wenestow yat Godde heres ye he says When you heres noght yiself yat prays And Isider says ye wyse man Yat we pray sothfastly yan When we think on nane othir thinge Bot anely on our askynge And Saynt Austyn says als clerkes proues What auaylles he says yat ye lippe moues And betes togider ay of custom When ye hert of ye man es al dom Swilk difference als es sene Bitwene ye caffe and ye corne clene And ye branne yat es smal or grete And ye clene flour of ye whete And ye beste and ye bestes hyde Swilk difference es on ye tothir syde Bitwene ye prayer made ouerthwert And ye deuocioun of ye hert Godde es na hare yar he dwelles To be fedde with leeues and noght elles Godde weryed ye tree growand Yar he nathinge bot leeues fande Right so ye prayere es vnmyghty Yat es in leeues of wordes anely Withouten hertly deuocioun It payes noght Godde yat orysoun Bot he turnes ye ere yarefra away And wil noght here it nyght na day He vndirstandes noght swilk langage Foryi yareof comes nane auauntage He yat withouten deuocioun prayse He prayse als he yat spekes and says Half Inglisshe and half Frankisshe A nyce manere of speche es yis He prayse with mouth by vsage Bot ye herte spekes anothir langage When he thinkes on othir thinges Yat hym to vayne lykynge bringes Wharefore it semes als ye boke says Yat swilk men yat Godde so prays Walde hym skorne al yat whyle Als he yat wil a man bigyle Yat es deef and doumbe alswa Yat stirs his lippes to and fra And mas anely of speche semblaund And nathinge says to vnderstande To swilk maner of mens prayere Our Louerd turnes ye deef ere Bot yat prayere yat comes anely Of ye hert heres Godde almyghty For als he says in ye godspelle right Godde es a gaste of mykell myght And yarefore whaso herde wil be Of Godde yat es ful of pyte Hym bihoues pray als best es In gaste and in sothfastnes Wharefore ye prophete yat was wytty Vs teches to pray Godde deuoutely In ye sauter als yhe may here Yare he says yus on yis manere Louerd my prayere in yi sight Als ensense mot ga vp right For when ye ensense als men may fele Es in ye fyre it flayres wele So dose prayere to vnderstande Yat comes of ye hert brynnande Of ye luf of Godde almyghty Flayres ful swete to Godde namely And bot it flayre on yis manere Godde wil noght ye prayer here A messangere yat to court wendes And has yare na knawyng of frendes Ne wille na lettres with him brynge He may noght com bifor ye kynge Right so prayere and orysoun Withouten luf and deuocioun Als clerkes says es na bettir Yan messanger withouten lettre Prayere es yat men here mase Als a messangere yat to ye court gase Deuocioun es als lettre with seele Yat prayere beres als messanger leele And whaso sendes swilk messangere Vnto ye court on wrange manere Withouten lettre pryue to rede He sal noght wele his erand spede For men says yus als oft bytydes He yat fole sendes he fole habydes And fole wendes and fole comes hame Bot he yat sendes es mast to blame Yus falles by prayere yat men mas Yat na deuocioun with it has Bot whaso wille pray sothfastly With hert suld pray yus God almyghty Als Dauid did yat yus sayde In ye sauter when he prayde Lorde you here ye voyce of me With al my hert I crye to ye Crye of hert es brynnand luf Als clerkes may here Saynt Austyn proue Swilk crye and swilk voyce namely Es lykand vnto Godde almyghty And noght ye noyse of wordes soght To whilk ye hert acordes noght Wharefore Saynt Gregor says right wele Als clerkes may rede in boke and fele Yat sothfastly to pray and fast Es bitter sighynges to Godde to cast With compunctioun ay ouerthwert Yat es repentaunce with dole of hert And thurgh sadde wordes to pray mekely And na polist wordes to multyply Swilk crye chaces helle theues away Fendes yat waytes vs nyght and day For to robbe vs of alle godenes And to lede vs to al yat ille es Yarefore we suld oft to Godde calle Yat we noght in ya theues handes falle And crye to hym withouten fayntyse Agayne ye fyre of couatyse And agayne ye fyre of litchery Yat brynnes bathe saul and body Yat he vs graunt ye water of teres To sleken swilk fyre yat vs deres Yat it noght our hertes vmlappe Ne of our saulles fordo ye shappe Also we suld crye fast and calle To Godde yat Louerd es ouer alle Agayne ye grete flowand flode Of idell thoghtes yat er noght gode Yat in ye hert springes on sere wyse Yat thurgh consentyng we noght perise Yarefore cryed Dauid when he prayde To Godde in ye sauter and yus sayde Saue me Godde fra perils smert For waters has entred vnto my hert And our Lorde disciples with him pryue When yai war in ye myddes ye see And sawe ye tempestes fast ryse And war in poynt yan to peryse Yai cryed for fered and sayd yus Lorde in yis perill saue vs For yise thynges yat I tolde last Suld we ay to Godde crye fast To saue vs fra yis perils pryue Yat we thurgh yam noght perissed be Yat es to say of ye theues of helle Yat er vgly fendes and felle And of ye fyre of couatyse And of litchery yat oft wil ryse And of ye flode of ille thoghtes amange And of alle corrupcions so strange Now vnderstandes als I yhow say Yat men suld to Godde ay pray In alle tymes and in alle stedes Yar men has wille to say yair bedes Bot specially if yhe did right Yhe suld pray with al yhour myght And mare deuoutly als ye boke telles In Halykirke yan ouerwhare elles For yat es called hous of prayere Yar ye fende has leste powere Whare our deuocioun suld be ay Yarefore we suld yare mast pray And namely on Sonendays so dere And on othir haly days sere Yat er ordayned thurgh Halykirk Haly werkes yan for to wirke Als to serue Godde and loue and pray And to worshepe hym al yat we may Yarefore men seses of werldely werkes On swilk dere days als teches yis clerkes And tentes yan for al ye woke To gastly werkes als biddes ye boke Yat es to loue Godde and honour And to pray hym ay of sokour Sen Godde commanded yat es myghty In ye alde lawe so straytly To kepe ye sabate and to halde Yat ilkan haly day may be called And sethen als ye peple myght se Godde did a man to staned be For he gaderd by ye way A fone stickes on ye sabat day What sal he do on yam namely Yat dose grete synnes and vilany On Sonendays and othir festes Forwhy yai folow yair wille als bestes And wastes ye tyme als men may se In folys and in vanyte And on swilke days mare ille duse Yan yai on ye werke days vse Certaynely yan may yhe se Yat yai sal mare punyst be In ye tothir werlde yat lastes ay Yan Iewes yat brekes yair sabbat day For ye Sonenday mare haly es Yan ye sabbat day yat es lesse Pryncipall festes of ye yhere Er ordayned heghe days and dere Thurgh Halykirke to halugh and kepe Godde to loue and to worshepe And to thanke him of his godenes Yat he has done vs mare and lesse Als Halykirke recordes namely Of ye festes thurgh sere story First at Yhole of Goddis birthe With grete solempnyte and myrthe Es mencioun made euen and morne How he was of a mayden borne At Paskes also yat comes and gase How he fra dede to lyue rase At Haly Thursday es redde right How Godde steghe vp to heuen bright And at Wytsonenday es made mynde mast How Godde sent doun ye Haly Gast Til his apostels yat he lufd Als es thurgh Halykirke proued Also es ordayned thurgh ye lawe In Halykirk yat we suld knawe Festes of halughs yat er in heuen Als men may here in kirk oft neuen Ya festes suld men halugh and kepe And in yair name Godde worshepe And loue hym bathe lered and lewed Of myrakils yat he has shewed In yam thurgh myght of ye Haly Gast For to conferme our trouthe mast Yarefore yair festes we suld kepe clene Yat in Halykirke ordayned bene And pray yam yat yai be our sokour Onence Godde yat dose yam honour Bathe in erthe and in heuen bright Als Halykirke wytteneses right Wharefore he dose grete synne to fele Yat kepes noght ya festes wele For he agayne ye commandement wirkes Of Godde and agayne Halykirkes Bot some may answer yus and say Sir we may noght al day pray Ne ilka day bene at ye kirke We most somtyme othir thinge wirk What ille or foly suld yis be If I yhede somtyme to play me For som solace and myrth to make Why suld Godde yat to ille take For whyles I bourde and play in skille I do na synne ne think nane ille To yat wil I now answer ye Shortly als you sal here and se Alle ye tymes and alle ye dayse Yat you despendes in idell playse In reuerys or in vanyteses Yat to Godde es noght ordayned you leses For I wil you vnderstande and wytte Yat whethir you gange stande or sytte Alle ye tyme yat you thinkes noght On Godde yat you suld haf in thoght Al salbe reckend als tynt for ay Als men may here yis clerkes say Yat may yus vnderstanden be When you thinkes noght bot on vanyte And on nathynge yat ordayned es To Godde and to his rightwisnes Certes a grete thinge he leses Yat spendes his tyme in vanyteses And yat says Senek on yis manere Yat he tynes in yis werlde here Alle ye godes yat he suld do And al ye mede yat falles yarto Of al ye tyme so spended in vayne Whilk he sal neuer wynne agayne Bot grete syn als methink he dose Yat spendes ye tyme in ille vse Wharefore Godde at ye day of dome When alle men sal bifor hym come Sal aske of vs resouns certayne Of al ye tyme we spende in vayne Als Saynt Anselyne says in a boke Yar clerkes may yis mater loke Yarefore we suld ye tyme wele spende Whyle we lif here til our lyues ende For ye tyme es short of our lyf days And vncertayne als ye boke says For it es na man yat can se How lange hys tyme here salbe Na so wys es nane ne so sleghe Yat wate whenne ne whare he sal degh And yarefore he yat wil right kepe Ye haly days to Goddis worshepe His wille he suld to nathinge gif Yat Godde or his halughs myght greue Bot do alle thinge yat es Goddis wille And in gode werkes ye tyme fulfille And loue Godde ay in ilka place And thank hym oft of his grace And of alle othir gode namely And pray oft Godde of his mercy And sarmons here with gode talent And yat tyme to alle gode werkes tent Also when men es at ye kirke Of gode prayer men suld noght irke Bot men suld kepe yam yare fra dyn Honestly while yai er yarinne And do Godde honour and reuerence And his halughs in his presence For ye stede es clene and haly And ordayned to serue God almyghty And noght to iangle als men oft dose Ne lagh ne bourde ne trofles vse Forwhy Godde says on yis manere Mi hous es cald hous of prayere Yarefore men suld in kirke noght do Bot thynge yat it es ordayned to Als haly prayere and Goddis seruyse Als says Saynt Austyn ye doctour wyse Whaso come als I vnderstande Byfore ye kynge of Ingelande In his chaumbre to purchace A thinge yat es of special grace He wald hym kepe yat he sayd nathing Yat lightly myght displese ye kynge With mare skille he suld kepe him ay Yat comes in Goddis chaumbre to pray Yat es heghe kynge ouer alle kynges And cheef gouernour of alle thinges Yat es to say in Halykirke Whare men suld haly werkes wirke Ye whilk es Goddis chaumbre priue And his awen hous als says he Yar he says yus mi hous es Hous of prayere and of clennes So yat he yare do ne say nathinge Yat myght displese yat almyghty kynge Godde wil noght yat men make ne sette Of his hous bothe ne markette Yarefore Godde alle ya dryue walde Out of ye temple yat boght and salde For he wald noght yat men made dyn Ne did na werldely dedes yarinne He wald men tented til hym anely To pray hym of helpe and of mercy And to loue him ay with godewille And thank him bathe loude and stille Of alle gode yat he has yam done Yan wil Godde here yair prayer sone Yare suld a man putte out of his hert Alle idell thoghtes yat comes ouerthwert And sette stedfastly al his thoght On Godde anely yat hym made of noght And fra helle boght with his blode And think wele on alle othir gode Yat he has done of his curtaysy And ilk day dose contynuelly And recorde his synnes yat he has done And bifore Godde yare meke hym sone And pray hym oft of forgifnes Of alle his synnes mare and lesse And yat he gif hym grace forwarde To kepe hym fra synne yat byndes harde And gif hym wille to do alle thynge Yat es mast to Goddis likynge And mast shendship vnto ye fende And wele to lyf and wele to ende Yare suld yis grete lordes and ladys Forgete yair noblay if yai war wys And yair dignyte and yair heghenes And yair powere yat so grete es And thynk anely yat yai er yan Byfore yair Lorde and yair domesman Yat at ye dredeful day of dome When alle men sal bifore hym come Sal resounes ask of yam sone Of al ye gode yat he has yam done Of yair heghenes and of yair state How yai it vsed arely and late And yan sal he yhelde rightwysly To ille and gode als yai er worthy Yarefore yai suld at ye kirke yam lawe To Godde bathe thurgh luf and awe And noght yam enpryde for yair heghnes Of yair apparaylle and yair ritchesce Bot take ensaumple of ye lifynge Of Dauid yat was a riche kynge Yat had forgeten his dignyte When he prayde to Godde with hert fre And dispysed himself when he prayde And bifor Godde on yis wyse sayde I am na man yat men worshepes Bot a worme yat naked crepes In yis al his feblesce knewe he His pouert and his vanyte For als a worme es of na prys And lytell and vyle to dispyse And comes crepand naked and bare Out of ye erth and es bredde yare Right so a man es a vyle thinge And lytell and pouer at his bigynnyne For when he comes with sorowful chere Into ye exile of yis werlde here He brynges noght with hym yat day And noght sal he bere with him away Al naked he comes hider and bare And al naked sal he hethen fare Wharefore Saynt Bernard sayde sumtyme Yat a man es noght bot a foul slyme And a secke yat es ful of fen Yat stynkes foul vnto alle men And wormes mete yam to fede Yat thurgh kynde of ye erth may brede When man es geten thurgh kynde of man He es noght bot a foul slyme yan And als lange als he es here lifand He es a secke ful of fen stynkande And when he es dede and layde in graue Yan es he fode yat wormes wald haue Also yis grete ladys of myght Yat comes so apparaylled and dight With siluer and perels and golde rede And precious stanes opon yair hede With riche robes to ye kirke namely Bifore our Lorde Godde almyghty Suld take ensaumple als was sene By Hester yat was so ryche a quene Yat did hir riche apparaylle away When sho bifore Godde come to pray And ful mekely lawed hir in hert And knewe bifore Godde hir pouert And sayde to hym yus Lorde you wate Yat ye tokenyng of pryde I hate Agayne yis wreched werldes consaylle For I haf na lykynge in riche apparaylle Of precious stanes ne of gold rede Nouthir on body ne on hede Bot it es to me abhomynable For it may make mens hertes vnstable Certes right so to Godde may be Grete abhominacioun to se Of yam yat has in swilk thinge Grete pryde and grete lykynge And dightes yam quayntly to be sene Vnto yair sight yat foles bene Of swilk apparaylle Godde tase na kepe Al if yai it vse for worshepe In ye kirk in his presence Bot of ye meke hert and clene conscience Godde almyghty mast after yat lokes Als clerkes may fynde in sere bokes Saynt Paul ye apostell teches right How gode wymmen suld yam dight When yai suld to ye kirke wende To pray to Godde our sikerest frende Yai suld haue he says thurgh skille Habyte after yair state wille Yat war honest withouten outrage Yat war noght of ouermykell costage Yat es to vndirstande namely After yai er of state worthy For yat yat es mesure till ane Til anothir may be at outrage tane Wele mare falles vntill a quene Yan til a countays als I wene And mare til a countays body Yan to anothir symple lady And mare til hir yat men lady calles Yan to a symple woman falles Also Saynt Paul teches yam right How yai suld be symple of sight Yat es to say shameful and meke And na quayntyse to yair hedes seke Als tressurs and bilets yai suld nane vse Als fole wymmen commonly duse Yat strekes ye neckes out als ye hert Als als a hors of prys lokes ouerthwert And yhete Saynt Paul als teches he Wil noght yat yai ouer bisy be Ne ouer curyous yair heuedes to dight Nouthir with siluer ne with gold bright He wil yai haue als he counsaylles Yair heuedes couerd with clene vaylles And when yai er at ye kirke namely Bifor our Lorde Godde almyghty So yat na man yare tempted be Thurgh sight of yam when yai yam se Als gode wymmen yai suld yam dight Yat godenes of yair hert shewes right Saynt Ambros says yus he yat wille Yat Godde his prayere fulfille He suld do away and hyde Alle manere of tokenynge of pryde And bowe to Godde thurgh mekenes namly For to stir hym to haue mercy For proude apparaylle quayntly wroght Onence Godde may purchace noght Bot gifs enchesoun to deme ille Of hym or hir yat it vse wille Now haf I shewed thinges thre Yat specially in prayere suld be Trouth hope and deuocioun Of whilk I haf made mencioun Bot to prayere als I vnderstande If it suld be to Godde lykande And worthy to be herde sone Ye ferthe thing bihoued be done Yat es to ye prayere men suld do Twa wenges yat falles yarto Thurgh whilk it may fleghe vp euen Byfore our Louerd Godde of heuen Yat es fastynge and almus dede Yis twa ye prayere may euen vp lede Wharefore ye aungel spake to Toby And sayd hym yus appertly Prayere es a siker thynge With almus dede and fastynge Withouten yise twa it may noght flegh To Godde yat sittes in heuen so heghe Forwhy als an haly man says Gode lyf yat es mykell to prayse Makes prayere to fleghe ful swiftly To Godde with yise twa wenges yarby Bot synne als yis clerkes knawes When it wald fleghe agayne it draw[es] For men may wele wyte whaso wil lok[e] Als Isidere says in a boke Yat on twa maners for to neuen Prayere es letted to fleghe to heuen Outhir forthy yat a man for drede Wil noght lette of synneful dede Or forthi yat he wil noght ye trespase Forgif to yam yat greued hym hase For als nathinge may hele a wounde Yare yar iren ligges in ye grounde Nouthir oynement ne medycyne Als lange als iren ligges withinne Right so his prayere helpes him noght Yat haldes ille wille in hert or thoght It es noght herde als ye boke telles Als lange als ille wille in ye hert dwelles And yarefore says yus ye prophete Whase wordes to rede and here er swete Lift we he says our hertes vp euen And our handes to Godde of heuen He liftes his hert rightwysly And his handes to Godde almyghty Yat prayer lifts heghe to be sene Thurgh gode werkes and conscience clene Also ye apostoyll vs biddes and teches Als yis prechours says yat oft preches Yat we clene handes lift vp ay In alle our prayers when we sal pray Clene handes er called here clene werk[es] Of clene conscience als says yis clerkes For Godde wille noght here als I wene Prayer yat comes of hert vnclene Yat has ye conscience withinne Foul and ful of filthe of synne Wharefore our Lorde Godde spekes to vs Thurgh ye prophete yat says yus When yhe make many prayers sere I wil nane of yam blethely here Forwhy yhour handes er al blody Yus es wryten in ye prophecy Blody handes ya men has Yat ye pouer men pilles and flaas Yat vndir yam bene and with maystry Reues yam yat yat yai suld lif by Swilk men has blody handes and rede Of ye blode of pouer men yat yai shede For yai wald yam lyfles make When yair lyflade wald fra yam take Thurgh couatyse and rauyne Yis methynk es ful grete synne Swilk men mykill outrage duse For yai so blody morsels vse Wharefore yai sal make an harde pay When yai passe fra yis lyf away If haly writte yat ye boke shewes vs Be sothe yat telles and says yus Yat our Lorde Godde almyghty At domesday sal aske straytely Ye blode of men yat pouerly gaase Of yam yat ye handes blody has Wharefore whaso wrange wil oght take Of yat bihoues hym amendes make And yhelde agayne al wrange tane thing To yam yat awe it or in helle hynge And yarefore our Lorde God wil noght Yair prayer here yat yus has wroght Bot yai yam amende of yat foly To be herde yai er noght worthy Whaso wil comme in Goddis sight Hym to pray and wald be herde right With drawen swerde he suld noght com Ne with blody handes ne handes tome Yat es to say in wille to synne Ne vnclensed of foly withinne Ne tome hande of gode dede And if he do he sal noght spede For Godde says yus in haly wrytte Als ye boke witteneses it You sal noght als he says come In my sight with handes tome Bifore Godde comes he tome hande Yat askes hym any bone prayande Withouten present of gode werkes He sal noght spede als says yis clerkes Agayne hym sperres Godde ye yhate Als yis clerkes wele it wate Yat prays hym here of anythinge And wil na presente with him brynge Of yat we haf ensaumple to telle Als es wryten in ye godspelle How ye yhates war sperred fast Agayne ye fole maydens yat come last Yat yair laumpes tome with yam broght Yarefore Godde sayde I knaw yhou noght Wharefore Godde wil knaw na man Bot yam yat serues him als yai can And in yair laumpes has oylle of prys Als had ye maydens yat war wys Yat er als vnderstanded may be Ya yat ye hertes has ful of pyte And shewes it outwith thurgh gode werkes Swilk men Godde heres yus says yis clerkes To swilk men Godde opens ye yhate Yat comes noght tome hand ne ouer late When yai pray and aske a bone He resayues yair prayer sone Now haf I shewed how ye prayere Yat yise four pilers suld vp bere Trouth deuocioun hope to spede And fastynge with almus dede Ye whilk yhe herde me byfore neuen Es myghty onence Godde of heuen Forwhy it wynnes of him lightly Alle yat es nedeful vnto ye body And to ye saul yat sikerrest es Als haly wrytte beres wyttenes Wharefore Saynt Iame says in a boke Als clerkes may se it yat wil it loke Yat rightwis mans prayer in skille Es mykell worth yat Godde here wille For it helpes and warisshes wele Alle euels yat a man may fele Of body and saul yat gretly greues And yat yai mast drede yat here leues Wharefore Godde says als in boke es sene Yat ye prayere yat comes of hert clene Heles men withouten and withinne And purchaces forgifnes of alle synne We fynde wryten in ye alde lawe In a boke yat clerkes suld knawe Yat Moyses ouercome appertly Amaloch Goddis enemy And al his oste yat come on were Noght thurgh bataylle bot thurgh prayer And also an haly man yus says Yat a rightwis man when he prays May mare auaylle to Godde prayande Yan may ten thousant men fightande Ye prayere here of a gode man Thirles heuen and entres yan Suld it noght yan ouercom clene Ye enemys yat in erthe er sene A gode man prayand mare wynne may Of heuen in ane hour of ye day Yan a thousant knyghtes suld wyn of lande In lange tyme thurgh dynt of hande Yarefore war gode als I yhou kenne To purchace ye prayers of gode men Yat gifs yam to deuocioun And namely of men of religyoun Yat wone togider in company For to serue Godde specially And to pray for alle yat dose yam gode Yat helpes yam to yair lyfs fode Forwhy if a gode mans beede Onence Godde may stande in stede Wele mare auaylles als es oft sene Prayere of many gode men and clene For als ye haly man namely says When many gode men togider prayse It may noght faylle on na manere Yat ne Godde wille yair prayer here And if ane war a fole or twa Of a company alle er noght swa Als in case may falle ful lightly And so felle in Goddis cumpany Of his apostels Iudas was ane Yat him bytrayst and made be tane Bot ye tothir war gode and wele did Al if he war a shrewe kidde Ye prayere of al a couent Yat es haally of ane assent Salbe of ye abbot herde mare Yan sal a munk whilkso he ware Right so Godde heres tittar yair bede Yat dwelles togider in haly stede To serue Godde and hym to worshepe Yan of ane of ye felawshepe Wharefore Godde says in ye godspelle In yis manere als I now telle If twa of yhow with hert fre Accorden togider with me Whatso yhe of my Fader craue Withouten dout yhe sal it haue Here now haf yhe herde me neuen In yis boke ye degrees seuen Yat falles proprely vnto ye tre Of ye vertu of chastyte [The seven chaste states] Now wille I shewe aftir my wytte Ye seuen braunches yat comes of it Yat seuen manere of states er sere Of men yat lifs in yis werlde here Ane es of maydens yat wil fle Flesshely dede til yay maryed be Anothir es of anelepy Yat has bene fyled and leues yair f[oly] Ye thridde es of ya yat wedded b[ene] Ye ferthe state es of widous clene Ye fift state es of mayden sly Yat thinkes be chast vntil yai dy Ye sext state of clerkes may be Yat er ordayned in haly degre Ye seuent als ye boke mas mencioun Es of men of religyoun [Young virgins] Ye first state es of maydens namly Yat kepes yam clene of body And saues wele yair maydenhede Fra alle filth of litcherous dede Bot so vnbounden er yai and fre Yat yai may leeffully wedded be In swilk a state men suld kepe Chastyte to Goddis worshepe Yat es clennes of ye body And of ye hert withouten foly [The penitent] Ye secund state to kepe clene Es of yam yat fyled has bene Thurgh ye filth of litcherous dede And has lost yair maydenhede Als man and womman anelepy Yat neuer was wedded swilk er many Na neuer so bounden to chastyte Yat yai ne may maryed be And has bene shryuen and dose penaunce And in yair hertes has repentaunce Of alle yair synnes mare and lesse And kepes yam forwarde in clennes In swilk state men suld kepe ryght Chastyte with al yair myght For he yat es here in yat state He suld be bisy arely and late Alle ye enchesouns of synne to fle In swilke purpos he suld ay be And so may he kepe his body chast And on yat manere plese Godde mast To saue he may for certayne skille Mary hym what tyme so he wille Bot whaso wille kepe hym for mede Clene and chast of litcherous dede Hym bihoues his flesshe chasty With harde penaunce of body For hym bihoues fast and wake And yat his flesshe lykes forsake And yus he may his flesshe doun halde Fra foly ay when it ryse walde [The married] Ye thridde state es of yam to knawe Yat wedded ere thurgh Goddis lawe In yat state men suld thurgh right Kepe castyte bathe day and nyght To saue men suld for certayne skille Ye werke of sposaylle fulfille For a man and his wedded wyf Suld luf togider withouten stryf And aythir of yam suld yam kepe Leel til othir for Goddis worshepe And nouthir of yam do othir wrange Bot yat yat right es do ay amange Yis es Halykirkes counsaylle And yus wille ye lawe of sposaylle Thurgh whilk aythir has othir tane And als a body er bathe ane For yai er bathe togider knytte In Goddis yhock als says haly writte And yarefore aythir suld othir luf Leelly for yair saulles bihoue For als yai er bathe a body by skille So suld yai be a hert thurgh wille In certayne fayth and luf stedefast Yat to yair lyues ende suld last And na twynnyng make Godde to greue Of body ne hert whyles yai lif For yus es wryten in haly wrytte Men suld noght lese yat Godde has knytte Wharefore yai suld kepe yam fra synne After ye state yat yai lif inne Saue yat yai may ye werke wirke Of sposaylle thurgh ye lawe of Halykirke Yarefore Saynt Paul says yus to proue Yat wymmen suld yair lordes luf And vnder Godde yam worshepe mast And ay amange be sobre and chast Chast to kepe yam clene of body Fra alle othir bot yair lordes anely Sobre in mete and in drynk And on yair state yai suld ay thinke For grete outrage als ye boke shewes Of mete and drynk appayres gode thewes And kyndels ye fyre of litchery And stirs men oft to grete foly Also a man suld kepe hym right Chast and clene with al his myght Fra alle wymmen bot fra his wyf Yat hym byhoues halde to terme of lyf Sposaylle es a state to worshepe Yat men suld ay clenely kepe And halyly after Goddis lawe For many skils yat men suld knawe For sposaylle es als men may se A state of grete auctorite Of dignyte and of halynesse Thurgh yise thre sposaylle stabled es Of grete auctoryte es it Als beres wittenes haly writte Forwhy our Lorde Godde rightwys It stabled first in paradyse In ye state of obedyence Ar euer men synned thurgh neclygence Yarefore men suld with al yair myght Yat state clene kepe bathe day and nyght Als teches and biddes haly wrytte By resoun of Godde yat first stabled it And bi resoune of ye stede clene Yare it was first stabled and sene Also sposaylle es a heghe state Of grete dignyte als clerkes wate Forwhy our Lorde wald borne be Of a wedded womman yat was fre Yat was blisseful Mary mayden clene Yat Ioseph wedded hir to mayntene Goddis sone bifore ye heghe message Made hir ye mantell of maryage And wald be vndir yat mantell hemme Conceyued and borne withouten wemme Vndir yat mantell als clerkes can telle Was hidde fra ye deuell of helle Ye counsaylle of our saluacioun And ye pryuyte of our raunsoun Yarefore men suld yat state worshepe And honestly and clene it kepe It es also yar it es wemmeles A state of grete halynes For it es ane of ye sacramentes Yat Halykirke mykell to tentes And bytokens ye sposaylle Yat es knytte and neuer sal faylle Bytwene Ihesu Cryst and Halykirke Thurgh whase counsaylle vs bihoues wirke And bitwene Godde on ye same manere And mans saul yat he boght dere Wharefore ye state of maryage Yat clene es keped fra outrage Es so haly and so myghty Yat a flesshely dede wroght rightly In sposaylle als it falles to be Withouten dedely synne es fre And noght anely withouten synne Bot it may of Godde grete mede wynne Yat es to say if it be wroght Als Goddis lawe wald and elles noght Wharefore yhe sal vnderstande yarby Yat in thre case specially Men may ye dede of sposaylle saue Fra synne and mede for yat dede haue Ye first case here to shewe yhou sone Es yar ye dede es anely done In yis entent for childer getynge To serue Godde and for nane othir thinge For swilke entent mast to auaylle Was ordayned ye dede of sposaylle Ye secund case es yis to witte Yat when twa er togider knytte In weddelayke if nathinge it lette Ye tane sal yhelde ye tothir his dette When ye tane askes leeffully Ye tothir to yhelde suld be redy For yareto stirs yam rightwysnes Yat yheldes to ilk man yat his right es Wharefore if ye tane als ye lawe wille Askes ye dette outhir loude or stille By mouthe appertly or parchaunce Thurgh som tokenynge of cuntynaunce Als shamefull wymmen yat wald fayne haue Yair dette and dar noght for shame it craue By mouthe als it asked suld be Bot thurgh som continaunce priue Whethir of yam so wil forsake Ye dette to yhelde vnto his make He gifs ye tothir enchesoun To be of ille condycioun And synnes agayne rightwisnes For he dose noght yat yat right es He synnes agayne his wedded fere For he dose hir wrange on yis manere Forwhy ye tane has lawefully Powere of ye tothirs body Bot he dose wele after Goddis lawe Yat yheldes ye tothir yat he awe And if he so do trewely in dede In yat entent he es worthy mede For rightwysnes him stirs yarto And noght his litchery so to do Ye thridde case after of ya thre Es when a man in pryuyte Bedes his wyf to hir lykynge Yat derne dede withouten askynge So yat his entent be swilk wythinne Anely to kepe hir fra synne And namely if sho be in thoght So shameful yat sho dar noght Aske hir louerd swilk a thinge By mouth ne by na takenynge And he hoped yat sho wald lightly Falle in synne and in foly If he bedde hir noght yat dede Yan synnes he noght bot serues mede In yis case men suld yus do For pyte suld stir men yarto In yise thre case men may wirke Leeffully thurgh ye lawe of Halykirke Ye werke of weddelayk withouten synne After ye entent yat men er inne Bot on som case men may synne sone Yar ye dede of sposaylle suld be done Outhir dedely after ye dede es Or venyally yat es yhete lesse And specially in thre caase Men may in yat dede trespase Ye first case es als ye boke telles When a man sekes noght elles In yat dede bot to fulfille His lust and his litcherous wille He synnes yus thurgh litchery Outhir dedely or venyally Venially als when ye delyte Yat may ouercom a mans skille tyte Passes noght thurgh grete outrage Ye right boundes of maryage Yat es when ye delyte with wille Es bouxsom and sogette vnto skille So yat he yat es in yat state If he dedely synne right hate For nathyng wald swilk a dede do Bot with his wyf ne assent yarto Bot when his delyte and lust amange Es to his wyf so grete and strange And so blynded es yan his skille Yat he wald als wele his lust fulfille With hir and neuer ye mare hir spare Al if sho noght his wyf ware In yis case I halde yat dede Dedely synne yat men suld drede For his delyte has ouer grete rayke And passes ye boundes of weddelayke Wharefore our Lorde Godde es oft wrathe To swilk men and wymmen bathe And to ye fende gifs grete powere To trauaylle yam and noy yam here Als men may fynde wryten and knawe In a boke of ye alde lawe Of Raguell doghter yat ight Sare Yat Toby wyf was yus fynde I yare Yat had sometyme seuen husbandes Alle war yai slayne thurgh ye fendes handes Ye first nyght when yai wald ly By hir thurgh lust of litchery Wharefore ye aungell to Thoby spake Yat he suld hir to wyf take Yan sayde Toby yus to ye aungell I ne dar noght for ye case yat felle Of hir seuen husbandes yat war slayne Yan ye aungell answerd agayne I sal quod ye aungell telle ye In whilk men ye fende has pouste In swilk men he has mast powere To trauaylle yam and greue yam here Yat puttes Godde out of yair thoght When ye werke of weddelayk suld be wroght And tentes to nane othir thinge Bot to yair litcherous lykynge And yair foul lust for to fulfille Als dose a beste yat has na skille Yarefore somtyme Godde vouches noght saue Yat swilk men fruyt of engendrure haue Als so a man with his wedded fere May synne dedely on othir manere Yat es to say when he oght dose With his wyf agayne kyndely vse His wille othirwyse to fulfille Yan ye lawe of weddelayke and kynde wille Swilk men yhete may synne mare Yan othir yat I spake of are Bot yai yat in ye state of sposaylle Wirkes thurgh Halykirkes counsaylle And dredes ay Godde almyghty And kepes yat state here clenely Als ordayned es and als ye boke says Swilk men our Louerd mykell payse Ye secund case yar men synne may Dedely in wedlayke es yis to say Als when a man has na drede With his wyf to do ye dede Thurgh delyte and lust yat may falle sone In tyme when it suld noght be done Yat es when sho has a malady Yat som wymmen has comonly He yat his wyf yat tyme noght spares If he knaw first hou sho fares And in what state sho es of body Forsothe he synnes yan dedely Forwhy our Lorde Godde forbedes Yat any man yat perille dredes With his wyf dele when he wate Yat sho es proprely in swilk a state For perils yat er yan to drede Yat myght falle to ye fruyt of ye dede For Saynt Ierom shewes and telles In swilk tyme er geten meselles And som yat has na shappe of man And foles yat neuermare witte can And halt and lame croked and blynde And domb and deef swilk men may fynde Wharefore ye womman yat wedded es And feles hir in swilk sekenes Suld noght fra hir lorde it hele If he yat tyme wald with hir dele Bot if sho layne and haldes hir stille And lates him with hir do his wille If he knawe noght yat priuyte Sho synnes dedely and noght he Also yai bathe suld kepe yam clene And fra swilk dede yam abstene In haly tymes yat er dere Als at ye heghe festes of ye yhere And do noght elles ya tymes namely Bot tente to our Lorde Godde almyghty His seruyse yat tyme to fulfille For ye tyme es ordayned for yat skille Also yai suld in tyme of fastynge Abstene yam fra swilke lykynge Noght anely for yat it es synne Bot foryi yat yai myght titter wynne Thinge yat yai aske of Godde yan Als says Saynt Austyn ye haly man Also yai suld abstene yam right Fra yat dede with al yair myght Al ye tyme if yai be wyse When ye womman in gisyne lyse Or when yai haf certayne knawynge Yat hir tyme es nere of chyldynge Yai suld na tyme arely ne late Dele togider in yat state Bot abstene yam for honeste And for drede of perils yat myght be And also fra ye dede yam spare Fra tyme yat sho with quyck childe ware And if ye dede in yat state be wroght Withouten synne es it noght We fynde wryten in a boke Of kynde of bestes als men may loke Yat ye olyfaunt wil forsake Ye felawship of his awen make Alle tyme while sho with fole es And of yis beres ye boke wyttenes Yan think me yat a man suld be Mare ledde with skille and attempre Yan a beste yat can na skille Yat folwes after kynde his wille Yarefore a man suld him abstene When his wyf in yat state es sene Bot always I wil noght say Yat he synnes in yat dede ay If he swilk tyme ye dede wil do With his wyf yat assentes yarto By gode cause and entencion right Yat can Godde deme yat es ful of myght Ye thridde case yar dedely syn may be In ye dede of sposaylle so pryue Es when a man thurgh his awen rede Deles with his wyf in haly stede Als kirke halwed and kirkeyharde Of whilk men suld take gode rewarde For it es appropred anely To serue our Lorde Godde almyghty Yare suld na man swilk dede do With his wyf yogh scho assent yarto Bot abstene hym if he haf grace For reuerence of ye haly place And whoso wil noght hym abstene Ne kepe yat haly stede clene He synnes and dose grete vylany Vnto ye stede yat es so haly For ye werk of weddelayke yat es fre In haly stede grete synne may be And in haly tyme when it es wroght Yat in othir stede or tyme deres noght [The widowed] Ye ferthe state yat suld be clene Es of yam yat wedded has bene Yar ye dede yat spares right nane Has twynned twa and hent ye tane Bot whethir of yam yat leues olyue Be it ye man or be it ye wyue Suld his lyf chastly lede While he es in state of wydouhede Yat es a state mykell to prayse Als Saynt Paul ye apostell says He counsaylles yam yat wydous er called Yat yai yam in yat state halde And if yat state yam noght pay He biddes yam wedde yam when yay may For better it es als says he A man hym wedde yan brent to be Yat man hym brynnes thurgh foly Yat assentes vnto litchery For he puttes his hert in ye fyre Of litchery thurgh fole desyre And better it war hym to wedde Yan to yat fyre to brynne be ledde Yis es to vnderstande anely Als yhe haf herde in yis party Of yam yat suld yair lyf lede In ye state of symple wydouhede Bot noght of ya als I wele trowe Yat to yat state er bounden thurgh vowe So yat yai may noght yam mary Withouten synne yat es dedely After ye vowe es made to last For yat byndes yam vnto Godde fast And if yai it breke agayne Goddis wille Yai departe yamself fra Godde thurgh skille Bot if ye vowe al pryuy be And symple withouten solempnyte Albeit yat he synne dedely If he yareafter hym mary When he es wedded al do he ille In yat state he may dwelle stille Bot ye man or womman yat so dose For yat vow broken suld penaunce vse Bot when ye vowe es made lastande Solempnely thurgh prelates hande Or thurgh ye makynge of professyoun Yat falles vnto relygioun Or thurgh haly order yat men taas Yat suddeken deken or prest has In yis case es ye maryage noght For agayne ye lawe it es wroght Bot yam bihoues departed be Yat marys yam in swilk degre For yai be noght saue als says ye boke Bot yai kepe yat state yat yai first toke Bot to ye state of wydowhede I fynde swilk ensaumple to rede In a boke of bestes kynde Yat wydous suld oft haf in mynde Of ye turtell yat tynes hir make Yat neuer after wil othir take Bot flees alle othir company And dwelles in wildernes anely Bot thre thinges falles als I wene To yam yat in yat state er sene Ye first es als clerkes wate Yat whaso es in wydow state Suld hald him priuyly in his inne And vse scilence withouten dyn And noght folow straunge company Ne obout ye werlde be ouer bysy Of yat ensaumple fynde I can Of Iudith ye noble womman Yat was fayre of hide and hewe And a clene widow was and a trewe Of wham yan spekes haly wrytte Als says yis clerkes yat knawes it Yat fra hir chaumbre sho wald noght passe Ne fra hir maydens yat with hir was Bot helde hir priuyly in cloose Fra sight of men and werldes loose Wharefore Saynt Paul mykell reproues Yis wydous yat idelnes loues And yhunge wymmen quayntly dyght Yat shewes yam mykell to mens sight And er ouermykell iangelande Yis es to wydous noght semande Bot ya yat wydous right er called Withinne yair cloos suld yam halde And kepe yam fra mens speche and fle Alle werldely sightes of vanyte And yam occupye in gode dede Yis falles to ye state of wydouhede Ye secund thinge es oft to pray And to serue Godde bathe nyght and day And blethely to be at ye kirke And werkes of deuocioun to wirke Als we fynde wryten in boke In ye godspelle of saynt Luke Yat spekes of a noble womman Yat was wydow and hight Anne Yat wald noght fra ye temple passe Bot dwelled ay yare als hir wille was And payned hir with al hir myght To serue Godde bathe day and nyght In devoute prayers and fastynges And blethely didde his bidynges Ye thridde thinge es als methinke To vse ay strayte mete and drynke For whaso wil halde yam chast Bihoues vse grete metes mast And noght delicyous dayntees Yat makes many chastyte lees For Saynt Paul says and beres witnes Yat a womman yat widow es Yat in delyces hir lyf ledes Es dede thurgh synne yat men dredes And Bernarde says yat spekes of vyces Yat chastyte perisshes in delyces Yat es als he yat perisshes sone In ye water and es fordone Yat vnder ye water haldes his hede He may so drunken and be dede Wharefore na man may ouer lange halde His heued yat es his hert called In ye water of werldely delyces Yat stirs many men to vyces And brynges many to helle pyne Yat he ne sal ye lyf tyne Yat es grace of ye Haly Gast Thurgh whilk ye lyf lyues in God mast Also to wydous yat here er trewe Falles meke clethynge of symple hewe And noght of gay colours starande Ne of quaynt shappe yat es gay semande Bot wydous suld ensaumple take Of Iudith yat left for Goddis sake Hir riche robes yat syde gun traylle And alle hir othir gay apparaylle Yat felle bathe to body and hede Sho left alle when hir lorde was dede And toke ye habite of wydouhede And in yat meke habite sho yhede Yat was taken mare of dole namely Yan of ioy or of vayneglory And foryi yat sho lufd chastyte And wald ye enchesouns of syn fle Sho left ye apparaylle yat was fayre And al hir lyf wered ye hayre And fasted alle ye days of ye yhere Bot ya yat war haly and dere And yhete sho was ryche fayre and yhung And wyse of dede and of speche of tung Bot ye godenes of hir hert and thoght And luf of chastyte yat sho soght Yat sho oft shewed and noght hidde Made hir to do al yat sho didde Right so suld wydous yair lyf lede And kepe ye state of wydowhede In chastyte and in clennes Fra filth of synne yat cleuand es Namely ya yat er bounden to be Chast thurgh vowe of chastyte Othir yat er noght bunden yartille May maryen yam if yat yai wille [Perpetual virgins] Ye fift state es of clene virgyns Yat ye victory of yair flesshe wynnes Ye whilk er chast and ay has bene And thynkes ay forward kepe yam clene Fra alle corrupciouns of body For ye luf of Godde almyghty Yis state es mykell for to prayse For thre thynges als ye boke says Yat es to say for ye dygnyte For ye bewete and for ye bounte First men suld kepe yat state For ye dignyte als yis clerkes wate Forwhy yat state es of swilk myght Yat it mas yam yat kepes it right Euen lyke vnto Goddis aungels Als ye haly man in boke telles Bot a clene virgyne yat es leel Has yhete mare yan has an aungell Forwhy ye aungell lyfs gastly Als gaste withouten flesshe of body And virgynes yair flesshe about beres Yat temptes yam oft here and deres Bot virgyns has ye victory Of yair bodys and yat es ferly Yat yai may kepe so febell castelle Als yair bodys er to telle Agayne so stalward enemy Als ye fende es yat es so wyly Yat sekes ay alle maner of gynne Wharethurgh he may yat castell wynne For right fayne dispoylle it wald he Of ye tresour of virginyte Yat tresore es mykell to prayse Of whilk Godde in ye godspell says Yat ye heghe kyngedome of heuen To yat tresour es lickened euen Yat priuyly in ye felde es hidde Yat precious and riche es kydde Yis tresour hidde in felde namely Es maydenhede hidde in body Yat es als a felde thurgh skille Yat men suld thurgh penaunce tille Als ye boundes lys and ye merkes And sawe it with trauaylles and gode werkes Yis ryche tresour may be lyke By gode skille vntill heuenryke For ye lyf of virgynes es lyke right Vnto ye kyngedome of heuen bright Yat es vntill aungels lyf In heuen whare alle ioy es ryf Wharefore Godde says in ye godspelle Als yhe may here yis clerkes telle Yat at ye vprysynge generale When alle men in flesshe vpryse sal Yan sal noght be swilk maryage Als men mas here thurgh vsage Bot yai salbe als aungels yan Alle yat bees saue man and womman And yair bodys yat now has dymnes Sal shyne als bright als now ye son es Also yis state falles to be Gretly praysed for ye beawte For maydenhede yat keped es clene Es ye fayrest state in erthe sene Wharefore Salamon says ye wyse In ye boke of wysdome yar clergy lyse Haa he says how fayre it es Chast engendrure with clerenes Ful fayre it es als says he Clerenes namely with chastyte Forwhy yan es chastyte bright And maydenhede vnto Goddis sight When it es thurgh gode lyf and fayre And clere if nathinge it appayre Right als ye clerenes of ye sonne Makes fayre day here yar we wonne Right so ye clerenes of clere lyfynge And of grace yat es ye bigynnynge Makes maydenhede fayre and bright And plesaunt vnto Goddis sight Wharefore Saynt Ierom says yus Yat bifore alle othir vertus Maydenhede es clere and fayre If na spotte of synne it appayre So yat ye body ne ye hert withinne Be nanewyse corrumped with synne For he yat chast es ay of body And corrumped es in hert anely He als ye boke beres wyttenes Es als a graue yat paynted es Yat es whyte withouten and fayre And withinne foul als roten layre And roten erthe bathe wate and drye With ye carayne of ye body Maydenhede if men clene it halde May be bi skille ye whyte robe called Yar foul spottes may be mare sene Yan on any othir robe yat es clene Yis whyte robe suld keped be Fra fylynge of yise thinges thre Yat es mudde of erthe and blode And fyre yat may do skathe and gode Yise thre thinges may gretly fyle Ye whyte robe and make it vyle Ye mudde of ye erthe yat fyles som wyse May be called werldely couatyse Fra whilk yai suld kepe yam ay Yat in virgyne state wil Godde pay Forwhy na man may kyndely Pay bathe Godde and his enemy Ye tane of yam hym bihoues dispyse Als Ierom says ye doctour wyse And he semes noght Goddis frende Yat pleses ye werlde and ye fende For ye werlde es halden Goddis enmy Wharefore Saynt Ione says appertly Yat he sal enemy to Godde be Yat to ye werld es frende priue And Saynt Paul says yus if I wald Plese yam yat of ye werld er called I ne suld noght be leel seruand To Ihesu Cryst Godde alweldande A tok[e]n yat men ye werlde wil plese Yat puttes men oft fra rest and ese When ye hert on Godde es noght sette alle To wham we suld crye mast and calle Es ye curyouste namely Of gay attyre obout ye body For a man wald noght so bisy be To seke ay swilk curyouste Of fayre robes and apparaylle clene Warne he wald of men be sene Bot whaso mast es aboute To make ye body fayre withoute May tittest tyne thurgh filth of synne Ye fayrenes of ye saul wythinne Yat beaute suld plese Godde mast Bot beaute withouten es in wast Wharefore Saynt Bernard yat oft sayde Wordes of whilk Godde was payde Spekes namely to wymmen yus Yat sekes ay robes precious And othir noble apparaylle To plese ye werlde yat sal faylle And to shewe yam in mens sight To lat men se hou fayre yai er dight Ye doghters of Babyloyne he yam calles Yat es shenship in whilk som falles For yair lyf es als a wynde blast Yat sal turne yam at ye last To shame and endeles shenshepe Bot if yai of yair lyf take kepe Yai clethe yam rychely on sere wyse With ryche clathynge and pelour of pryse And vnder ya robes with pelure Yai er in saull nakede and pouer Yai shyne without als men may se With gold and siluer and ryche perre Als falles vnto werldes blisse Yat yam bihoues at ye last mysse Bot yai er foul in saull withinne For yai er mykell fyled with synne Thurgh yair maners vnconable Yat er to Godde abhomynable Bot Saynt Bernarde spekes openly Of wymmen yat er so bisy To apparaylle yam fra fote to croun In swilk a fole entencioun Yat es to say for to be sene And yherned of yam yat foles bene And yhete do yai mare yan yair state wille Ya wymmen methinke dose ille For bifore Godde yai sal yhelde resoun Of ilk men yat yai gif enchesoun To yherne with yam to do foly Thurgh swilk continance of body Bot alle ye likynge withouten yis Yat ye kynges doghter has of blisse Als Dauid says es wythinne In gode vertus withouten synne And in conscience yat es clene Yar na synne may yan be sene Ne na poynt of couatyse Bot plese Godde withouten fayntyse And yus ye filth of mudde so vyle Ye whyte robe ne may noght fyle Also men suld kepe yat robe clene Fra spottes of blode yat sone er sene Yat es fra ille thoghtes and lykynges And fra fole flesshely yhernynges Wharefore we may in boke rede Als Ierom says yat maydenhede Es sacrafyse and offerande To our Lorde Godde alweldande Yat es noght fyled in hert thurgh thoght Ne in body thurgh litchery wroght Forwhy he says yus certaynely Yat ye maydenhede of body Es noght worth and es medelesse Yar corrupcioun of hert es Als ye fruyt ne es noght gode And es noght worth to mans fode Yat semes hale when it es goten Withouten and es withinne roten Right so es maydenhede yat es sene Hale withouten and withinne noght clene Also men suld in yat state Kepe ye robe clene fra fyre hate Ye fyre yat brynnes yat whyte wede Of chastyte and of maydenhede Es to here or say with lykande wille Wordes yat may stir men to ille For Saynt Paul says yat Godde wele payde And als I haf bifore sayde Yat vilayne wordes yat men shewes May sone corrumpn gode thewes And yarefore says Senek right Kepe ye he says with al yi myght Fra foul wordes bathe nyght and day Yat er noght gode to here ne say For if he bigynne to speke or here Foul wordes and vses yat manere He waxes sone balde yareinne And falles ye lightlyer in synne And yarefore whaaso clene wil kepe Fra vylany and fra shendshepe Ye whyte robe of maydenhede To whilk falles right mykell mede Hym bihoues hym kepe nyght and day Yat he nouthir here ne say Wordes yat may sone kyndell synne Thurgh whilk he may be brent withinne For als ye catte yat es pryue Brynnes hir hippes als men may se Bot ye wylde catte dose noght swa Yat rynnes in ye wode to and fra Right so a man may be brent lightly Yat vses to speke or here vilany Bot he yat swilk speche wil ay fle In saul thar hym neuer brenned be Maydenhede and chastyte May to ye lily lickened be Yat es a flour whyte and fayre Yat growes on heght thurgh kynd of ye ayre Wharefore Godde says in haly wrytte Thurgh Salamon ye wyse of witte My lief es als ye lyly sene Amange ye thornes yat er kene Goddis derlynge als clerkes may rede Es ye saul yat kepes maydenhede For yat es swilk a vertu to prayse Thurgh whilk ye saul als clerkes says May purchace mast specially Ye luf of Godde almyghty Wharefore Saynt Ione ye wangelist Amange alle ye apostels of Cryst To Cryst mast hamely was and es And Cryst hym shewed mast hamelynes And mast verray tokenynges of luf Als men may in ye godspell proue And so was he amange ye tothir called Crystes disciple yat he luf walde And neueryelesse yhete lufd he ye tothir For he made ilkane othir brothir Bot hym mast specially lufd he For his maydenhede and chastyte Yis lily flour als clerkes wele wate Kepes hir beauwte and hir state Amange sharpe thornes yat springes Of diuerse flesshely fondynges For ye flesshe es als a middynge Yat of itself forthe bringes nathinge Bot sharpe thornes and netles kene And breres and thistels als es oft sene Yat er fole styrynges of delyte Yat oft prickes sare ye spiryte Bot ye flour of maydenhede Of swilk thornes thar haf na drede When it es roted sikerly In ye luf of Godde almyghty Yat ay defendes it and weres Fra thornes of fondynges yat deres To yis flour yat clerkes calles Flour of maydenhede sex leues falles And thre greyns endored withinne Yis flour falles to ilka virgynne Ye first leef of yis flour es Halenes of body yat es wemmeles Yat es to say yat ye body be Hale and clene thurgh chastyte Withouten wemme of litchery Yat ye flesshe yhernes specially For if a mayden yat men suld spare Agayne hir wille corrumped ware Sho shuld noght yarefore tyne ye mede Yat falles to clene maydenhede Wharefore Saynt Lucy sayd yus Vnto ye tyraunt so malicious Al if I now sho sayde thurgh ye Agayne my wille corrumpnd be My chastnes bees doubled thurgh yis Onence ye ryche coroun of blisse Ye secund leef als it es soght Es clennes of hert and of thoght For als Saynt Ierom ye haly man Says yus als I shewe yhow can It es noght worth to haue anely Clene maydenhede of body To yam yat to wedde yam has wille And thinkes yair purpos to fulfille Bot he spekes of yam whatso yai be Yat has avowed chastyte For whaso vowes to kepe for mede Chastyte or maydenhede He suld kepe chastly his hert Fra fole willes yat comes ouerthwert Ye thridde leef es mekenes called Yat ilka mayden in hert suld halde For proude mayden in hert namely May noght pay Godde almyghty And yarefore says Saynt Bernard wele Yat a fayre thinge it es to fele Maydenhede with mekenes right Yat mykell pleses Godde ful of myght Yam lufs Godde of wham gifs mekenes Loos to maydenhede yat clene es And maydenhede yat es clene Mekenes mas fayre to be sene And yus proues he aftirwarde I dar wele say says Saynt Bernarde Yat our Leuedy Mary mayden clene Warne hir grete mekenes had bene Ne had noght payed Godde almyghty Thurgh hir maydenhede anely Ye ferthe leef of yat flour es Drede of Godde and shamefulnes For ya yat verray maydens bene Dredefull and shamefull er oft sene And yat es lytell wonder to se If yai dredefull and shameful be For yai bere ful precious tresore In a febill vessaylle yarfore Wharefore our Leuedy Mayden Mary Was in priue place anely And dredeful was and sympely lete When ye aungell come hir to grete Bot drede of Godde als yhe may here May be called ye tresorere Yat kepes ay als es grete nede Ye ryche tresore of maydenhede Yat ye fende of helle on nane wyse May it stele thurgh his quayntyse For drede of Godde als clerkes can telle Kepes ye yhates of ye castelle Yar closed es ye ryche tresore Yat es ful siker warnistore Ye right yhates of ye castelle Of ye hert yar yat tresore suld dwelle Of clene maydenhede namely Er ye fyue wyttes of ye body Yat ye drede of Godde kepes ay So yat ye enemy noght entre may Thurgh vayne curyouste to se Or to here or to speke vanyte Forwhy vayne curyouste to here Or to se on som manere Vanytees of ye werlde namely Es way to ye synne of litchery For sight es first enchesoun of it Wharefore men redes in haly writte Yat Iacob doghter yat Dyna hight Was corrumpnd thurgh curyous sight For when sho went for to se Vnkouthe wymmen of ye cuntre And yhete sho went yan for nane ille Sho was rauyst agayne hir wille Thurgh ye prynces sone of ye cyte Yat did hir at his wille to be And so tynt sho hir maydenhede For sho to se ye wymmen yhede And yarefore mayden yat clene wil kepe Hir maydenhede to Goddis worshepe Hir bihoues kepe hir wittes right And withdrawe yam fra vayne curious sight And yat dose men principally Thurgh haly drede of Godde almyghty Yat er ya yat haues ay drede To wreth Godde in worde or dede And yat es ye wytte and ye quayntyse Of ye fyue maydens yat war wyse Of whilke spekes ye godspelle On yis wyse als I wille yhow telle Yat our Lorde says yat heuenryke To ten maydens with laumpes es lyke Of whilk ye fyue war wys to prayse And fyue war foles als ye boke says He calles ye kyngedome of heuen bright Als yis clerkes vnderstandes right Halykirke thurgh ye trouth ane Yat it has in baptyme tane Ye fyue wyse maydens bitokens right Yai yat kepes with al yair myght Ye fyue wyttes of ye body Of whilk I spake bifore aparty Ye fyue foles bitokens thurgh skille Yai yat kepes ye fyue wyttes ille Ye fift leef es sharpnes of lyf Yat with ye flesshe byhoues stryf For whoso kepe wille maydenhede His flesshe hym bihoues sharply lede And ay it chasty and halde in awe And putte it oft vnderfote lawe Thurgh fastynge wakyng and prayere And harde liggynge yat may it dere And grete trauaylle with lytell rest Yus may men kepe yat state best And whaso folwes his flesshe wille Ye state of maydenhede sal he spille Sharpnes of lyf yat es right soght Es als ane hegge stalwardely wroght For to kepe ye yharde of ye hert Yat nane ille beste com in ouerthwert Yat er called ye fendes of helle Our enemys yat er false and felle Yat eghtles ay if yai may spede To stele ye tresore of maydenhede And yarefore yat tresore so ryche kidde Suld be sikerly closed and hidde And wele keped nyght and day So yat it be noght tynt for ay For whaso tynes it for certayne He recouers it neuer agayne Na mare yan ye laumpe of glasse When it es broken yat first hale was May be made on any wyse Hale agayne thurgh mans quayntyse Ye sext leef bi vnderstandynge Es lastandnes withouten fayllyng Yat es fast purpos to kepe right Yat yat men has to Godde hight Whareof Saynt Austyn yat we of rede Says in ye boke of maydenhede And spekes to maydens yat Godde pays Folow yhe ay ye Lambe he says Yat es Cryst bees fast kepande Yat yhe haf hight to Godde alweldande And do yhe he says so hardily ay And bere yhow so ay whyle yhe may Yat ye tresore of maydenhede soght In ye name of yhow ne perisshe noght For if yhe it tyne yhe may noght do Wharethurgh yhe myght com yarto Ne thurgh na sleght agayne it gette Als I ensaumple by ye laumpe sette And Saynt Bernard says yus yarby In lastandnes yhe suld study For yat anely thurgh helpe of grace Ye coroun of blisse may purchace Yise sex leues bifore sayde Of whilk Godde almyghty es payde Ye lyly of maydenhede mas fayre If na corrupcioun it appayre Bot yat flour suld haf in myddes right Thre graynes endored fayre to ye sight Ye whilke bytokens specially Thre maners to luf Godde almyghty For maydenhede withouten luf Yat falles to Godde als I may proue Es als a laumpe of glasse clene Withouten oyle als es oft sene Wharefore ye maydens yat foles ware Ye whilke yair laumpes tome bare And forthy yat yai filled noght Yair laumpes yat yai with yam broght With clene oylle bot gaf neuer tale Yai war sperred out fra ye bridale And ye wyse maydens with godewille Of yat oylle yair laumpes gun fille With yair spouse yai in went Vnto ye brydale als was yair entent Thre maners sothfastly to neuen To luf and serue Godde of heuen Er bitokend to telle yarby Thurgh ye thre graynes of ye lily Ye whilk Saynt Austyne teches vs When he says you sal luf yus Godde with al yine vnderstandynge Withouten errour of knawynge You sal luf hym with al yi wille Withouten gaynsayinge loud or stille You sal hym luf with al yi mynde Withouten forgetynge yan ertow kynde In yis manere als clerkes shewe can Es Goddis image sette in man After ye grete dignytees thre Yat falles in ye saul to be Yat es to say mynde thurgh skille And vnderstandynge with wille When yise thre thinges specially Ere wele ordayned to Godde almyghty In thre maners yat er to prayse Als Saynt Austyne teches and says Yan er ye graynes of ye lily alle thre Endored with ye gold of charyte Yat gifs ay vnto vertu Beaute bounte and valu For withouten yat gold so bright Na vertu es fayre in Goddis sight Als Saynt Bernarde spekes wysely Of ye manere to luf Godde almyghty And says on yis wyse openly yan You yat es kidde crysten man And in Goddis name es baptyst Lere hou you sal luf Cryst Lere to luf Godde almyghty Wysely swetely and fastly Wysely so yat you noght be Deceyued thurgh na vanyte Swetely so yat you neuer ye mare Be stirde thurgh welth and welefare Fastly so yat you ouercommen be noght Thurgh nane angre of hert ne thoght Yus es ye lyly of maydenhede Right fayre yar yat flour wil sprede When it es swilk als I haf sayde Yan es Godde yareof wele payde For yat flour es yan semely And yis es ye secund skille why Yat maydenhede yus suld mare be Praysed for ye grete beaute Ye thridde skille why men suld it prayse Als ye boke proues and says Es for ye bounte and ye profyte Yat worthyly may come of it For maydenhede yat es wemmeles Of so grete a valu it es Yat it ne may on nane wyse Be praysed vnto certayne pryse Wharefore haly wrytte says yus Yat nathinge es so precius Ne so worthy yat men may tast Yat may be weghed agayne hert chast Forwhy it es ay mast worthy And es to vnderstande namely Of ye chastnes of maydenhede Yat falles in heuen to haf mast mede For maydenhede yat es clene Ouer alle othir states yat bene Beres als I vnderstande Mast fruyt vnto ye saul lykande For yai yat lif in maryage And kepes it clene fra alle outrage Als I haf here bifore talde Sal yare haf fruyte thrittyfalde And yai yat kepes clene widowhede Sal haue sextyfalde fruyte to mede Bot yai yat kepe maydenhede wele Ane hundrethfalde fruyte sal fele Wharefore our Louerd ful of myght In ye godspelle says yus right To yam yat he til hym calles Yat ye sede yat in ye erthe falles Sal gif fruyte at ye right tyde Thrittyfalde on som a syde And on anothir syde sexty And ane hundreth of ye thridde party Yise thre partis yat I yus neuen Thritty sexty ane hundreth euen To yise thre states falles to rede Sposaylle widouhede and maydenhede Ye tale of thritty thrys ten I halde Yat es of ten and of thre called For thrys ten of thritty may noght faylle Yat falles to ye state of sposaylle For in yat state Godde to worshepe Men suld ye ten commandements kepe Trewely als yam felle to be In ye trouth of ye Trynyte Ye tale of sexty mare amountes Of ten and sex yus men acountes For sex sithes ten mas sexty to rede Yat falles to ye state of wydowhede For in yat state men suld kepe right Ye ten commandements with al yair myght And yarewith men suld bisily Do ye sex werkes of mercy Bot ye noumbre of a hundreth hale Yat of ye tothir es mast tale For it representes a lytell figure Yat es rounde aboute in mesure Ye whilk es mast fayre and semely Amange alle othir figures yarby Yat falles to ye state of maydenhed Yar men suld yheme in worde and dede Ye ten commandements with hert fre In ye trouthe of ye Trynyte And ouer yat als falles yarto Ye sex werkes of mercy do For als ye rounde figure es Yar men sees ye roundnes Ye last ende with agayne crokynge Turnes agayne vnto ye bigynnynge And mas yat figure to seme right Als a coroun to mans sight Right so ye noumbre and ye tale Of ane hundreth yat es hale Kyndely with his cours may brynge Ye last ende vnto ye bigynnynge For ten sithe ten an hundreth mas Als yat noumbre in course gas Yat bitokens ye ryche coroun Yat ye wyse maydens had to warysoun Bot albeit so yat thurgh trauaylle In ye state of clene sposaylle And in ye state of wydowhede Men may wynne yat serues mede Ye coroun of blisse als Godde vouches saue And onence Godde mare meryte haue Yan may maydens yat chast has bene And kepes yair maydenhede clene For many er in paradyse Yat has lifd clene on yis wyse In weddelayke and in widouhede clene And er nerre Godde yan som virgyns bene Bot always has yis maydens chast A speciall coroun to prayse mast Oboun ye comon coroun of blisse Yat Godde has graunted til alle his Forthy yat maydens specially Has wonnen here ye victory Of yair flesshe yat yam oft assaylles Thurgh harde lifynge and gode trauaylles Wharefore yai folow ye Lambes pase Whiderwarde so euer he gase To wham yai er wedded als fere And has left flesshely brydals here For to be with Godde rotefast At ye brydale yat euer sal last Yai sal yare apparaylled be With grete worshepe and solempnyte In riche apparaylle fayre and clene So riche apparaylle was neuer sene Ne so fayre to any mans sight Couthe neuer yhete man descryue it right Wharefore I wil now na mare say Bot yat yat haly wrytte proue may Yat spekes of swilk fayre apparaylle Yat maydens has for yair trauaylle Yat es mare speciele als clerkes wate Yan yat any has of othir state Yhete says haly writte yis thinge Yat yai sal a newe sange synge Withouten trauaylle and study And make yareinne grete melody So delytable yai sal synge yan Yat so swete noyse herde neuer man Yat nane othir sal synge I wene Bot yai yat kepes yat state clene Yis newe sange yat yai sal synge Bytokens a newe ioy of lykynge And a speciall mede to haue Yat Ihesu Cryst in yam vouches saue Foryi yat yai with luf and drede Keped wele yair state of maydenhede Yis es ye fift braunche of ye tre Of ye vertu of chastyte Ye sext state yan es of clerkes Yat er ordayned to haly werkes Als suddeken yat beres haly state And deken and preste and prelate Yat has heghe order and dignyte Alle suld yai kepe wele chastyte For many skils yat I can say Whaso wil yam here he may First to ye order yat haly es Yat askes noght bot halynes Forwhy ye sacrament es so haly And so heghe and so worthy Yat yai yat has yat state so fre Er oblyst to kepe chastyte Yat yai may mary yam to nane After yai yat office haf tane For yai er appropred thurgh myght To serue Godde in his temple right And at his haly auter to stande And haly thinges to handell with hande Als chalyce corporals and vestymentes And othir haly ornamentes And yhete yat thinge yat es mast woryi Yat es Ihesu Crystes awen body Yat ye preste in haly stede At ye messe sacres in fourme of brede And hymself oft receyues it And gifs til othir yat haly bitte Yan suld yai be haly and chast Bi resoun of yair Louerd mast To wham yai serue yat knawes alle states And clennes lufs and alle filthe hates Yarefore Godde says yus appertly Be yhe haly for haly am I Forwhy swilke als ye lorde wil be Swilk suld be alle his menyhe Also yay suld kepe thurgh wyse men rede Chastyte by resoun of ye stede Yar yai serue yat so haly es And halde it in allekyns clennes Yat es ye kirke yat es haly And halwed to serue Godde almyghty I haf sene wryten als me menes Yat prestes amange ye paens Yat in yair temples serues and singes Kepes chastyte in alle fondynges And fra othir yam twynnes als men sese For yai yair chastyte suld noght lese Wele mare bi skille yai suld chast be Yat er prestes of cristyante Yat falles to serue and singe messe In Goddis temple yat halwed es And apropried to his seruyse Bot yai be chast yai er noght wyse Yhete suld yai ye mare clene be And ye mare kepe chastyte And be mare haly in dede and worde Foryi yat yai serue at Goddis borde Of his coupe and of his brede And also of his wyne so rede Yat es his awen flesshe and blode Ye whilk es our gastly fode Mikill halynes suld yai vse Yat swilk seruyse vnto Godde duse For Saynt Paul says als clerkes can se Yat bisshops thurgh yair dignite And othir yat haly werkes suld wirke Als mynystres of Halykirke Suld be chast and chastite kepe For yan yai do yair state worshepe Yis chastyte yat yai suld knawe Es assigned in ye new lawe Yar Godde commanded als ye law es sette To yam yat of ye Lambe suld ette Ye whilk bytokens specyally Ihesu Crystes awen body Yat yai suld belt yair lendes wele When yai flesshely fondynges fele Ye belt yat Goddis mynistres fre Suld belten yam with es chastyte Yat litchery of flesshe restreynes And yair state to Godde ordaynes Wharefore our Lorde Aaron badde Yat preste state and dignyte hadde Yat he and alle his childer bathe Suld be cladde in lynnen clathe And belted yareafter oboun tyte With a lynnen belt yat war whyte Aaron and his childer dere For to telle yhow shortly here Bytokens clene werkes to wirke And ye minystres of Halykyrke Yat suld ay clennely cledde be With ye lynne cote of chastyte Yat yai suld fast halde and noght tyne Yat es bytokened by ye whyte lyne For als ye lynne webbe narow or brade When it sal clene and whyte be made Men suld bete and wasshe oft Til it war made whyte and soft Right so yai suld yair flesshe dynge With discyplynes and harde lyuynge Yat ye flesshe may yarewith smert And also oftsythe wasshe ye hert Of alle ye fole thoghtes and yhernynges And wicked willes and lykynges Thurgh verray shrift and repentaunce Yis war a siker ordynaunce For to haue of Goddis lyuere Ye whyte cote of chastyte Bot yis cote suld obout it haue A whyte belt ye cote to saue Yat es to say yat chastyte Suld wele and straytely keped be And thurgh abstinaunce right restreyned And thurgh resoun wele ordayned Ye whilk it suld mast vphalde Yat es ye bocle of ye belt cald On othir wyse yhete shewe I may What ye cote and ye belt es to say First ye lynne cote bitokens wele Chastyte of herte to fele Ye belt oboun to telle shortly Bytokens chastyte of body Yat may restreyne ye flesshe fra syn And kepe chastite of ye saul within Ye same es bytokend to do By ye aube and ye belt yarto Yat ye minysters of Halykirke Er cledde inne haly werkes to wirke When yai sal serue at ye autere Thurgh ye order yat yai bere For yai suld be chast within namely In hert and withouten in body Litchery es so foule a synne Yat it fyles body and saul withinne And ye hertes of men makes ful myrke And namely of men of Halykirke For yai er called ye eghe bright Of Halykirke yat suld loke right For als ye eghe wisses ye body And shewes it ye way kyndely To what stede so it wil ga Whethir it wil wende to or fra Right so suld yis prelates wirke And othir mynystres of Halykyrke Yai suld shewe if yai war lele Til othir men ye way of hele Wharefore als a spotte yat es blacke Yat commonly men will lacke Semes mare foulle in ye eghe namely Yan in anothir lym of ye body Right so methink in gode faythe Ye spotte of litchery es mare laythe And mare perillous ay to kenne In clerkes yan in lewed men Also yai er by skille called mirour Of Halykirke yat es our sokour Whare ye lewed men yat na clergy hase Byhaldes and ensaumple tase Bot when ye mirour es spotty A man may se yan appertly Ye filthe (yat) in yat mirour es Bot noght his awen lickenes Ye spottes of filthe may he noght se On hymself if yare any be For ye mirour es yan so dym Yat he may noght se ye filth on hym Bot when ye mirour es made bright Yan may he knawe his filthe bi sight Forsothe methinke it fares right swa By prelates and bi othir ma Yat minystres bene of Halykirke Als fares bi yi mirour yat es myrke When yai thurgh syn er foul and spotty And namely thurgh ye synne of litchery Ful ille ensaumple yan yai gif Til othir men wele for to lif Bot som tas swilk ensaumple yarby Yat yai to synne er mare hardy Yarefore says ye boke yus wele Yat yai er worthy for to fele Als many specyel paynes thurgh skille Als yai gif ensaumple of ille Bot when yai kepe yam clene and chast And lifs to Goddis lykynge mast Yan may men by yair lyf thurgh sight Take ensaumple to lyf right Yan er yai worthy to haue mede Yat gode ensaumple shewes in dede Also methinke yai suld be clene So yat na synne war in yam sene For whaso es foul in conscience He may noght othir men wele clense Yat es to say to haue meryte Yus men sal vnderstande it Forwhy ye haly sacrament Yat es made thurgh right entent Or mynysterd als I vnderstande Thurgh ane ille ministers hande Es neuer ye wers of valu Na neuer ye lesse of vertu To halow and to gif yam right Yat receyues yat sacrament dight Yan to yam yat it tase knelande At a gode mynystre hande For ye wickednes of an ille man May noght appayre ye sacrament yan Ne godenes of hym yat gode es May noght amende it to worthynes Bot ay ye wickednes of wille Of a ministre yat es ille May othir enpayre als es oft sene Thurgh ille ensaumple of lyf vnclene Bot als men may se a candel stand To othir mens profyte brynnand And to harme of itself brynnes ay For it wastes itself away Right so ye wicked ministre mas Ye sacrament yat ye office has And til othir men mynistres it To yair saul hele and grete profyte And to othir mens saluacioun And to yair awen dampnacioun Yarefore sen yam falles yat office To halwe othir and clense of vice Yar yai mynystre thurgh right entent Yis Halykirke sacrament Yai suld be mare haly and clene Yan othir yat er in lesse state sene For if yai be ille yai sal mare be Punyst yan othir of lesse degre Yis es ye sext state right called Of chastyte yat clerkes suld halde And ye sext braunche of ye seuen Yat springes out of yat tre euen [The religious] Ye seuent state es of religioun Yat es stabled thurgh professioun For yai yat er in swilk a state Has hight Godde yat alle thing wate And made a vowe to hym yarby Yat yai sal lif here chastly Wharefore yai er als I say yhow Obliged thurgh swilk a vowe So yat yai mai neuer yam mary After yai er profest namely And if yai after mary yam walde Yat mariage ne suld noght halde And yarefore yai suld with al yair myght Kepe chastyte als yai haf hight For resoun of yair state yat es Haly and parfyte in halynes For ay ye halyer yat yai suld be Ye fouller es yair synne to se Als a spotte es whaso right demes Til ilk mans sight mare foul semes On a whyte robe yat es newe Yan on anothir of othir hewe And ye ferrer fra heght falles a man Ye sarer es his falle yan Also yai suld kepe chastyte right For to ouercom ye fendes myght Yat thurgh grete temptacioun Assayles men of religioun And has mare ioy when he may To wynne ane of yam vnto his pray Yan to wynne als yis clerkes wate Many othir of othir state For als ye aungels of heuen has Mikell ioy and grete myrth mas Of a synfull yat hym repentes And to verray penaunce tentes Right so ye fende has grete ioy yan When he ouercomes a gode man Yat of heghe and haly state es And mast parfyte in halynes And als ye fissher has in hert hale Mare ioy to take grete fisshes yan smale Right so ye fende thurgh his wyle Has mare ioy a man to bygyle Yat es haly of parfyte lyf Yan of othir twenty and fyue Men fyndes wryyten in a boke Of Vitis Patrum yat wil it loke Yat a munk yat lifd parfytely Talde how he bicome munk and why And wharefore he walde ye werld shone And sayde he was a paen sone Yat was ye preste of mawmetryse And kepar of alle yair sacrafyse He talde when he was in chyldehede In ye temple a tyme he yhede With his fader priuely He sawe yan a grete company Of foul fendes yat war yare So grisly a sight sawe he neuer are He saw a fende site in a sete Yat was vgly huge and grete And many fendes hym aboute And ane come and bigan him to loute Yat at first spake he yat Yat on ye sete so grysly satte And asked hym whethen he come And what he didde sen he went fro home Ye tothir answerde in his degre And sayde he come fra a cuntre Whare he had raysed grete were Amange alle ya yat he myght dere And swilk cunteck made and stryf So yat many yare had tynt ye lyf Yan asked ye mayster wham he gan loute How lange he hadde bene yare aboute Yan answerd he to hym yat satte Yat in thritty days he had done yat Yan sayd ye mayster to hym sone So lange tyme hasstow lytel done Yan commanded he to bete hym fast With harde babils whyle yai myght last Yan come anothir yat offyce bare And louted to ye mayster yare Ye mayster when he hym had sene Asked hym whare he had bene Ye tothir sayde he come fra ye se Whare he had fordone grete naue Sunken shippes and ryuen in sunder Thurgh wynde stormes and dyntes of thund[er] And drunkened men yat war yarinne Yat war combred in dedely synne Ye mayster hym asked yat loude yhelled How lange he had about yat dwelled Ye tothir answerde and sayde sone Yat in twenty days al yat was done Yan badde ye mayster yam bete him sare For he so lange tyme didde na mare After hym yan come ye thridde Ye mayster asked how he had spedde And whare he was and whethen he come And what he didde sen he went fro home Ye tothir answerde als best myght be And sayde he come fra a cyte Whare he was at a brydale And yare he wroght mykill bale He made swilk conteck in yat stede Yat many men was yare dede And yhete ye brydegome yan was slayne And yareof he sayde he was ful fayne Yan asked ye mayster half on hethynge How lange tyme was yat in spedynge Ye tothir answerd and sayde yus yan Yat in ten days fra he bygan Ye mayster commanded his menyhe Yat he suld smertly beted be And yat nane of yam suld hym spare For he so lange tyme did na mare Yare come ye ferthe at ye last Yat day and nyght had trauaylled fast About a man of religyoun To brynge hym vnto his bandoun And ye mayster honourde he Yare he sat heghe in his see Ye mayster hym asked wheyen he come And how lange he had bene fro home And al yat tyme what he had done Ye tothir spake and answerde sone Yat he come fra an hermytage Yar he had dwelled for auauntage Fourty yhere contynuelly To fonde a munke with litchery And he myght hym neuer are wynne Til yat nyght to do yat synne And now he sayde he had so wroght Yat he vnto yat synne was broght Yan vp stirte ye mayster swythe For yat dede made hym mast blythe And in his armes he hym hent And kissed hym with grete talent And hight hym for yat a warysoun And of his heued he toke his coroun And on tothirs heued he sette itte And didde hymseluen sitte And sayde he war worthy grete mede For he did swilk a dughty dede Ye haly man sayde yat when he had herd And sene how yis fendes ferde He thoght it was an heghe thinge Ye state of munk in clene lyuynge And yarefore he had deuocioun To bicom man of relygyoun And yat state of munk he yan toke Als it es funden wryten in ye boke Bi yis tale yus men may se Yat ye fende has ioy so fayne es he When he may thurgh sleght wynne A man of religyoun vnto synne And namely vnto litchery Yat wastes bathe saul and body For when a man thurgh deuocioun Entres into religyoun He es als he yat men sees wende Into ye felde to fight with ye fende Wharefore our Lorde blissed be he When he of ye fende fanded wald be He went into ye desert to dwell Als es wryten in ye godspelle For ye dishert of relygyoun Es a felde of temptacioun Religioun yat gode men suld halde May bi skille diserte be cald For als diserte es comonly sene In sharpe stede yar na delyces bene And yhete fer fra men diserte es Yarefore men calles it wildernes Right so ye state of relygioun Yat falles to lyf of parfeccioun Suld be sharpe and strayte in alle thing Thurgh sharpnes of strayte lyuynge Yat es a thorne heghe to telle Agayne ye wicked bestes of helle With whilk ye hert es closed about To halde ye wicked bestes out It es a wapen stalwarde and light Agayne ye enemy for to fight Thurgh whilk men may hym skonfyte And do hym fle away ful tyte Yat es a siker remedy Agayne ye fyre of litchery For he yat wil slecken wele Yat fyre of litchery ilka dele He suld slecken with sleght of witte Alle ye sparkes yat comes of it Yat er called flesshely delyces Yat bringes forthe oft grete vyces Ye whilk ye gode religious man Suld putte fra his flesshe ay yan Thurgh wakynge fastyng and disciplyns And hard werynge yat ye flesshe pynes Whaso wille wynne a cyte Or a castelle whethir it be He suld in al yat he may lette Yat yai yat haldes it suld noght gette Vitaylles ne water on nane wyse And so myght he yam sone enfamyse And yan may yai noght halde lange Ye castelle war it neuer so strange For yan haf yai na langar powere To halde it agayne yair aduersere Right so ye castelle of ye body Yat es ye strengthe of ye flesshe yarby May noght thurgh na flesshely delyte Be halden agayne ye spiryte When it es famyste with penaunce Thurgh abstynence of sustynaunce Also ye state of religyoun Suld be thurgh right entencioun Ferre fra ye werlde als ye boke telles Als in diserte yar na man dwelles So yat he yat yis state kepes wele Ye maners of ye werlde noght fele Forwhy he yat es in yat state He es als yis clerkes wele wate Dede als onence ye werlde namly And lifs in Godde almyghty Als says Saynt Paul in a stede For als a man yat es dede Bodily thurgh dedes dynt Has alle his body wittes tynt Yat es to say sight and smellyng Herynge speche and felynge Right so [syl] ye religious man Als to ye werlde be dede yan Yat he fele nathinge withinne Yat suld falle til any synne Bot he als dede in yat party So yat he myght say sothfastly Yis worde yat es mykell to prayse Ye whilk Saynt Paul ye apostell yus sayse Ye werlde es vylly hynged to me And I to ye werlde yus says he Yat es he helde ye werlde dispysable And hym to it abhomynable Als men dose an hinged man Yat es a thief or a lurdan Right so he helde ye werlde for vyle Yat es ful of falsed and of gyle Als men dose hym yat hynged es For his trespase and his wickednes Right so he suld thurgh right entencioun Yat es in ye state of relygioun Ye werlde for ay hate and fle Yat es so ful of vanyte Yat es to say ye couatyse Of ye werlde and othir folyse Yat he yareof fele nathinge Nouthir thurgh luf na thurgh yhernynge So yat his conuersacioun be In heuen bifore ye Trynyte Als Saynt Paul of hymseluen telles And of yam yat in yat state dwelles Our conuersacioun he says Es in heuen Goddis palays For al if ye body in erthe be right Ye hert es heghe in heuen bright Thurgh hertly yhernynge and thurgh luf Als men may by skilles proue Ye gode religyous suld nathinge haue Propre in erthe for hymself to saue Bot he suld do al his tresore In heuen yat es sikerest yarfore Als says Saynt Ione ye ewangelyst If you wil be parfyte in Cryst He says ga selle al yat you has And gif it to pouer yat obout gase Swa may you yan yi tresour saue And in heuen it fynde and haue Ye tresour of a man religious Es clene pouert yat es precious If it com of a gode wille And withouten grochyng loude or stille Als says ye haly man yarby In Vitis Patrum specially For pouert to ye mone es like Thurgh whilk men may bye heuenryke Wharefore Godde says yus blissed er yai Yat pouer er in gast nyght and day For yairs es als falles thurgh right Ye kyngedome of heuen bright Forsothe whaso es pouer in gast Yat es of wille thurgh grace to tast He sekes noght in yis werlde here Nouthir grete worsheps ne powere Ne ritches ne delyces to proue Bot forgetes al yat for Goddis luf Right so suld do ye man of religyoun Yat clymb wil on ye hille of parfeccioun Als ye aungell sayd yat to Loth come When he was went out of Sodome Stande noght he sayde ouer nere yat stede Yat you has left thurgh my rede Bot saue yiself in ye heghe mountayne Yan may you be siker and certayne For he yat es went thurgh deuocioun Out of ye werldes conuersacioun He sal noght nere ye werlde him halde Thurgh yhernynge yat werldely es calde Bot he suld drawe hym fer away Fra ye werlde in al yat he may Til he be with right entencioun On ye hille of parfeccioun Yare suld he tent to his hele souerayne And noght bihynde hym loke agayne For Loth wyf when sho with him come Out of ye cyte of Sodome Byhynde hir agayne sho lokede To ye cyte yat brynned and smoked And yarefore sho was for yat outrage Turned into a salte image By Loth wyf m(a)y wele bitaken Ya yat after yai haf forsaken Ye werlde withouten condicioun And er entred into religyoun And lokes agayn to ye werld thurgh wille Methink yat yai kepe yair state ful ille Yat in cloystre has ye body And ye hert to ye werlde haally Yai er lyke ye salt image yan Yat has noght bot a fourme of man And es harde and calde als ye stane Right swa er yai yat has tane Ye state yat es religyous talde Yai er in ye luf of Godde calde And harde ay withouten pyte And deuocioun yat felle to be Wharefore yai haf noght of parfeccioun Bot ye habite of religyoun Ye salt image als clerkes expounes it And als es founden in haly writte Bytokens witte and discrecioun Yat men suld haue in parfeccioun For als ye salt sauour gyues Vnto ye mete yat men with lyues And in his sauour ye mete may saue Right so a man suld wisdome haue And discrescioun als telles yise clerkes In his wordes and in his werkes Yis salt image thurgh right shewyng Suld gif witte and vnderstandynge And right ensaumple als ye boke telles To men yat in relygyoun dwelles Yat has left ye werlde haally For ye luf of Godde almyghty Yat yai noght turne to yat agayne Yat yai haf left als vncertayne And yarefore Godde says in ye godspelle To his disciples als I yhow telle Thinkes ay he says I yhow bidde Of Loth wyf what hir bitidde Yat es to say als says ye boke Yhe sal noght he says agayne loke Namely to ye thinge of vanyte Yat yhe haf left for ye luf of me So yat yhe thurgh yat tyne noght Grace and blisse yat yhe haf soght Als did somtyme Lothes wyf Yat of hir body tynt ye lyf Foryi yat sho wald agayne loke Til yat yat sho first left and forsoke Wharefore ye godspelle says to vndirstand Yat whaso to ye plogh lays hande And bihynde lokes agayne langely Ye kyngedome of Godde he es noght worthi Forwhy als he yat ye plogh ledes Lokes bifore ay how he spedes And paynes hym with al his myght To lede ye plogh in ye fur right Right so he suld do for alle chaunce Yat ledes ye lyf of penaunce Or haldes ye state of relygioun To clymb on ye hille of parfeccioun For in yat state yai suld haue ay Ye eghen of ye hert yat es to say Wille and vndirstandynge right To yat yat es bifore in sight And noght to yat yat es bihynde Yat passes away sone als ye wynde Yat es to say to godes ay lastande Yat ay bifore ye hert suld stande Yat er ye grete ritches of heuen Yat er mare worth yan man may neuen And noght werldely godes yat we here se Yat bihynde falles ay to be For ya suld fra ye hert be hidde Als Saynt Paul ye apostell didde Yat yus sayde yat forgeten had he Yat yat bihynde hym felle to be Yat was ye werlde ful of fayntyse And al ye werldes couatyse Ye whilk he wald on nanewyse prayse Bot dispyse als ye boke says For he had ay ye entencioun right And his yhernynge to heuen bright Bot many men of religioun Thurgh a wrange entencioun Puttes ye plugh bathe heghe and laghe Bifore ye oxen yat it suld draghe For whaso sekes thurgh yhernynge Mare werldely gode yan gastly thing Yai sette bifore als dose ye blynde Yat yat suld be ay bihynde Bodily gode yat passes away Bifore gastly gode yat lastes ay Swilk men of religioun Er in ye way of dampnacioun For of yat state yat es parfyte Yai haue right noght bot ye habyte Yat to religioun falles bi skille And yat state yai kepe right ille Men says yat habyte munk mas noght Bot haly lyf yat right es soght Bot ye religious yat lufs his saul Suld take ensaumple at Saynt Paul And als he did ye werlde forgette And al yat may religioun lette And leue haally bihynde hym ay Alle werldely godes yat wytes away And endeles godes yat er heghe He suld haue ay bifore his eghe And leue ya noght bihynde hym Bot ay fra vertu to vertu clym Til he com on yat mountayne Yar endeles ioy es souerayne Yare sal he se ay clerely Our Louerd Cryst Godde almyghty And he sal loue parfytely yare And haf hym yan for euermare Yis es ye blissedhede of lyfynge Yat ye gift of vnderstandynge Yam ledes to yat kepes bisily Clennes of herte and of body Of whilk Godde es ay wele payed Als I haf here byfore sayde And yarefore Godde says blissed er yai Yat kepes yam clene of hert ay For yai sal se yat blissedhede Yat here es bigunnen for grete mede For yai er clensed of ye mirkenes Of allekyns thinge yat errour es Als to ye vndirstandynge withinne And to ye wille of filthe of synne By yat yat yai se Godde what he es Thurgh ye trouthe of ye light of brightnes Yat comes thurgh gracious shynynge Of ye gift of vnderstandynge Thurgh whilk a man knawes gastly His creature Godde almyghty And alle yat specially falles To yat yat men saul hele calles Withouten doute or varyinge In ye trouthe of Cryst heuen kynge Whare yai er so ioyned at ye last And so grunded and rotefast Yat yai may noght thurgh skille certayne Departed be thurgh dede ne payne And yarefore yai er als I wene Blissed yat er of herte clene For yai haue ye eghen of ye hert Clere and hale and in gode quert And ye wille and ye vndirstandynge So clere and so clene to right knawynge Yat yai may se Godde mast souerayne And trowe thurgh trouthe yat es mast certayne Wharefore our Lorde sayde als es proued Yat Saynt Thomas yat he wele luued Foryi he sayde yat you thurgh sight Has me sene you has trowed right And yhete sayde Godde yise wordes alswa Blissed he sayde be alle ya Yat has noght sene me in body And has trowed wele and stedefastly Bot yis blissedhede yat here es Salbe fulfilled in ye lyf endeles Yar ye clene men of herte clere Thurgh stedefast trouth may se him here And yhete al dym yat sight bihoues be Bot yare sal yai hym appertly se Face to face thurgh right clere sight Als says Saynt Paul ye apostell right Yis es ye blissedhede of aungels And of halwes yat in heuen dwelles Yat ay may Godde in hys face se And a Godde knawe in persones thre And bihalde clerely thurgh grete lykynge In ye mirour yat brightes alle thinge Yar ye aungels and ye halwes haally Yam lokes and meruaylles yam yareby And may neuermare filled be Of bihaldynge of ye Trynyte For yare es alle bountees ay newe And alle beautes of allekyn hewe Ye welle of lyf yat lastes ay And alle delyces yat herte think may Forwhy men fyndes in haly writte Als clerkes may se yat lokes it Yat eghe of man war it neuer so clere Might neuer se na eres here Ne herte think ne tunge telle right Yat Godde to yam yat him lufs has dight Wharefore Saynt Anselyne to ye saul says You saul he says lift vp and rayse Obouen ye al yine vnderstandynge And whyles you may think on yis thing How mykell and how profytable And how fayre and how delytable Ye godes bene yat may contene Ioy and delyte of alle godes here sene And noght swilk ioy yat short whyle dures Als men may fynde in creatures Bot als mykell mare yar it es soght Als ye maker es yat yam wroght Haa man how es yi herte sette Wharto gastow dotande to gette Dyuerse godes vnto yi body Luf a godde specially Yat alle manere of godes contenes Yat godde es mare yan any man wenes Yat neuermare faylles na endes And yat has Godde dight to his frendes Yat es hymself to vnderstande And yat es souerayne gode ay lastande Of wham alle othir godes to telle Comes als strandes dose of a welle Certes says Saynt Austyne right He salbe blissed yat thurgh clere sight Withouten couerd face to se Ye blisse of Godde in his maieste And be shaped als ane of hisse Into ye image of his blisse Yar he sal se Godde als he es Yat sight es coroun yat es endeles And alle ye mede yat men may neuen Yat ye halwes has in heuen Yis salbe als ye haly man says Alle ye mast blisse of man to prayse To se ye man yat alle men made And heuen and erthe yat es so brade For yarefore Godde almyghty walde Bycom man and our manhede halde Yat made alle men in hym anely Blissed in saul and in body For yat yat man has sene him right In his manhede thurgh bodily sight And his saul has sene in his godhede Thurgh gastly eghe yat ye saul can lede Swa yat he fande swetenes and sauour And grete delyte in his creatour Bathe withinne and without Yat es certayne withouten dout Withinne als in his godhede And withouten in his manhede Yis salbe ye blisse of man Ye whilk na clerke discryue wele can Yis salbe his ioye parfyte In heuenryke and his delyte And his lyf withouten ende right And yat salbe yat blissed sight Yat blissedhede yai bide namely Yat kepes clennes of herte and body To whilk ye vertu of chastyte Brynges a man yat wil chast be And to ye mede yat Godde hight Yat es of Godde ye verray sight Als Godde says blissed er alle ya Yat of hert er clene whareso yai ga For yai sal Godde appertly se Yar he sittes in Trynyte Now may yhe se and haf knawyng What ye gift dose of vndirstandynge Yat ye secund askynge wynne vs may In ye Pater Noster when we pray Als I bifore haf talde yhow right Ye whilk Godde graunt in our hertes to light AMEN DE DONO SAPIENCIE Anothir gift of ye Haly Gast Es neste abouen yat es mast Ye whilk men calles ye gift of wisdom Yat specially may to vs com Thurgh ye first askynge yat we say In ye Pater Noster when we pray Yis es ye heghest gift and ye mast Yat mas a man to fele and tast Ye grete swetenes and ye sauour Of Godde almyghty his creatour So yat hym think yat nathing erthely Es so swete na yhete so sauoury Yan he settes alle his lykynge Anely in Godde ouer alle thinge Yis gift of wisdome specially Drawes ye synne of glotony Out of ye herte yar it wrotes With alle ye braunches and ye rotes And instede of yat synne settes right A vertu yat es of grete myght Yat es ye vertu of sobrenesse And of mesure yat haalsom es First yis gift byhoues bygynne To drawe out of ye hert yat synne Forwhy yat vertu may noght elles Com in ye hert yar yat synne dwelles Yat synne has many man bygyled And many saulles it has fyled To ye body yat synne es couthe For it es called a synne of ye mouthe Forwhy ye mouth has twa offyces Of whilk comes right many vyces Ane offyce falles to ye throte mast Als in etynge and drynkynge thurgh tast Anothir falles to ye tung by skille Als in spekynge of gode or ille If synne in outhir of yise twa falle Synne of mouth men may it calle Yat it departes in twa partyse Als I sal shewe yhow on sere wyse Ane es ye synne of glotony Yat falles to ye throte and ye bely Als in etynge and drynkynge mare Agayne mesure yan mystre ware Anothir es also in ye synne Of ye ille tung of ye mouth withinne Als in ille speche yat oft es shewed Bathe amange lered and lewed First I wille speke of glotony Yat corrumpns bathe saul and body And to nane othir harme dose Bot to yam anely yat it wille vse I wille yareafter als I can Speke of ye wyked tunge of man Yat othir men mykill mare deres Yan hymself yat it about beres For ye wicked tunge als clerkes wate May appayre many mens state DE PECCATO GULE Glotony als yis clerkes proues Es a synne yat ye bely luues Ye whilke thre thinges of a man wastes Yat mete and drynk in outrage tastes First it wastes ye saul withinne For it es a dedely synne It wastes ye body and forduse Thurgh vnkynde outrageous vse It wastes his godes thurgh outrage Of ouer grete dispens and costage Here men may bi skille wele se How glotony wastes yise thre Glotony es swilk a synne to telle Yat mykill payse ye fende of helle And myspayse gretly Godde of heuen By many skils yat I can neuen Thurgh yis synne als I fynde can Ye fende has grete powere in man For men fyndes wryten in ye godspelle Yat Godde gaf leue to ye fendes of helle To entre namely into swyne To tourment yam and do yam pyne And when yai entred ye swyne ran wode And drunkend yam in ye sees flode In tokenynge of yam namely Yat glotouns bene of yair bely Yat ledes yair lyf als swyne vnclene And swilk er many in yis werlde sene In yam ye fendes has leue to dwelle And to drunken yam in ye see of helle And to do yam so mykill ete Yat yai brest nere of yat mete And so mykill to drynke and so fast Yat yai drunken yamself at ye last When a champyoun yat es strange Has foghten with his felaw lange And has had hym doun at ye last And haldes hym by ye throte fast It es to hym grete noy and payne To couer vp and ryse agayne Right swa it es of a man withinne Yat ye fende haldes in yis synne For ye fende sekes blethely Vnto ye throte of a mans body Als to ye shepe sekes wolf or hounde It to wirghe and to confounde And als he dyd thurgh quayntyse To Adam and Eue in paradyse He hente yam yare bi ye throte When yai bathe on ye appell bote Yis es ye fissher of helle lake Yat bi ye throte ya fisshes can take And brynges yam hame vnto his inne Yat es saulles to helle thurgh yat synne Yis synne myspayse Godde almyghty For glotouns hym dose grete vilany When yai make yair godde thurgh hande Of a sekke ful of fen stynkande Yat es of ye foulle bely Yat yai luf mare yan Godde almyghty In yat som trowes and traystes ay And worshepes it bathe nyght and day Godde biddes a man fast for mede Ye bely says nay yat war na nede Bot you sal ete and drynk saddely And fede ye wele to strengthe yi body Godde biddes hym arely out of bedde ryse And ga to ye kirke to Goddis seruyse Ye bely answers yan alsone And says yus yat bees noght done I am so fulle he says of mete Me bihoues slepe and take a swete Ye kirke he says es nane hare It habydes til I com yare And when he ryses he bygynnes His prayers or his matyns Yan bygynnes he to aske and say Lorde what sal we ete today Whethir we may fynde today or gete Any gode thynge yat we may ete After matyns als falles to be Comes ye laudes and yan says he Lorde what we hadde yhistereuen gode wyne And gode mete yarewith in plenyne Afterwarde he gretes sone For his synnes yat he has done And says I am als heuy als lede I haf bene tonyght nere dede Ye wyne of yhistereuen was ful strange My heued es disy and has werked lange I be noght at ese to ryde ne ga Til I haf drunken a draght or twa Yis man lifs ful perillously Yat maas his godde of his bely Yis synne brynges a man to shame And reues a man his gode name For first bicomes he tauernere And afterwarde a dyce playere And yareafter bycomes harlote And vses many vilaynes note And aftir yat he bicomes litchour And sethen a theef and a robbour And at ye last for theft he es tane And es hanged by ye necke bane Yis es ye skotte yat he yus payse Yat es ledde by yise sex wayse Glotony departes it euen In fyue braunches yat I wil neuen For Saynt Gregor says als men heres Yat men may synne in fyue maneres In etynge and in drynkynge namely Als in fyue maners of glotony And if ye wille yam lere and knawe I sal yhou recken yam here on rawe Yus may men synne in glotony Outhir to ete or drynk ouer tymely Or ouer outrageously thurgh wille Or ouer hastyly agayne skille Or ouer daynteously thurgh talent Or ouer bisily oboute mete tent Ye first braunche es als men may se To ete and drynk ar right tyme be A foul manere it es to a man Yat has elde and his wytte can When he may on nane wyse habyde Ye tyme of etynge and ye tyde Of grete lust and litchery Comes yis braunche of glotony Yat a man yat es hale and fere And stalwarde and of lightsom chere Byfore tyme he sekes to ye mete Als dose an hors or elles a nete Withouten nedeful enchesoun Methynke yat man folwes na resoun Yarefore many synnes may com Of swilk vncomly coustom For som men says he may noght wele Fast ne nane othir penaunce fele Ne haunt ye kirke ne bidde na bede For he says he has ane ille hede Bot methink ful sothe says he For he has made it so to be And yarewith he has an ille hert Yat haldes ye heued out of quert And dose hym oft breke his fast Yat sal he bye dere at ye last And yhete he wille haue company Yat dose als he dose comonly Ye whilk he drawes fra gode dedes And intil helle with hym yam ledes For he mas yam oft to breke yair fast And to do glotony at ye last Fra whilk yai myght yam kepe euermare Warne swilk wicked felawship ware For yis glotouns and yise litchours Yis drynkers and yis ryotours Yat lufs ryots and tentes yarto Amange alle ye folys yat yai do Yai do a synne als I gesce Yat es called ye fendes maystresce Yat es when yai withdrawe away Alle ya fra godenes yat yai may Yai say yai may fast on nane wyse Yai leghe yat es noght bot fayntyse For defaut of luf of Godde of heuen Mas yam oft swilk wordes neuen For if yai lufd with hert stedfast Als mykell ye blisse yat ay sal last Als yai luf here yis werldes blisse Yat yam bihoues at ye last mysse Yai wald fast yan als blethely For ye luf of Godde almyghty And also for ye saul bihuf Als yai wald for ye werldes luf Bot som men may til euen fast For werldely godes yat faylles at ye last Bot yai may noght til none of ye day Fast for ye godes yat lastes ay Som men er als childer vnconande Yat wil haf brede ay in ye hande And yhe sal wele vndirstande yis Yat als a man yat tempres hym mysse May synne in ouer arely dyneres So may he synne in ouer late soperes Wharefore yis men yat lifs noght right Yat lufs mykell to wake on ye nyght And dispendes ye tyme in nycetees In idelnes and in vanytees And late to bedde gase and late ryses Swilk men synnes on many wyses First in yat yat yai ye tyme waste In grete ryots yat yai luf mast And thurgh ryots and herlotry Misturnes ye tyme vnkyndely For when yai make ye day of ye nyght And ye nyght of ye day yai do noght right Swilk men aght make dole and grete For Godde yam waryes thurgh ye prophete Bot men suld do wele on ye day And on ye nyght loue Godde and pray And he yat in ye bedde yan lys When tyme ware yat he suld ryse And wil slepe when he suld wake And his prayers to Godde make And loue Godde and here his seruyse Methink yat yat man es noght wyse For he tynes here al ye tyme right Bathe of ye day and of ye nyght Also in swilk wakynges men dose Many vanytees thurgh vse Als in plays of chesse and tables And in tellynge of trewfles and fables And leghes and lesynges ay amange And yus he spendes his tyme wrange And alle his godes yus may he waste And wrethes Godde yat charges maste And greues noght yhete Godde anely Bot he greues his saul and his body Ye secund braunche of glotony Es to ete or drynk outrageously Yat es to say withouten mesure He yat dose so shewes foul nurture Bi skille yai may be proprely called Glotouns yat swilk maners wil halde Bot it es a grete wytte to fele To halde and kepe ay mesure wele In etynge and drynkynge namely Yat es a grete hele vnto ye body For many a man thurgh swilk custom Hastes his dede ar his tyme com Yat es to say thurgh outrageusnes Of etynge and of drynkynge nedeles And yat a man vnto his dede hyes For yareof comes sere maladyse Bot whaso mesure lere wille He sal vnderstande thurgh skille Yat it er many maners sere Of lyfynge in yis werlde here Som lyfs after yair flesshe es And som after yair iolyfnes And som after yair ipocrysy Yat I halde a couert foly Som lifs after yair auaryce Ye whilk men haldes a grete vyce And som lyfs after yair fysyke Yat to nane othir lyuynge es lyke And som lyfs after honestee A skilfull lyfynge semes yat to be And som lyfs yat has done ille After yat yat yair synne wille And som lyfs after yair gaste And after ye luf of Godde maste First ya yat lyfs after yair flesshe Yat es ay freill tender and nesshe Yai sla yair awen saul gastly For yai make yair godde of yair bely Yai halde nouthir mesure na skille Bot folwes yair awen flesshely wille Yarefore yai sal haf endeles payne Withouten any mesure certayne Ya yat lifs after yair iolyfte Yat lufs riots and vanyte And hauntes oft fole felawshepe Nouthir yai can ne wille mesure kepe Yai yat thurgh sleght couertly Lifs after yair ipocrasy Yat bene ye fendes maysters cald Twa maners of mesures yai halde Forwhy ye twa wicked spirytes Yat tourmentes yise ipocrytes Er ayther to othir contrary And yat methink es grete ferly Ye tane says yus ete fast says he So yat you may fayre and fatte be Ye tothir says yus yat spekes last You sal noght do so you sal fast Til you be lene and pale and wan Yan saltow seme a gastly man Now yam bihoues yat wil lif swa Halde and haunt yise mesures twa Ye tane es lytell and skars to kenne Yat wil he vse in sight of men Ye tothir es large and better to chese Yat wil he vse when nane hym sese Swilk men haldes noght als I se Right mesure yat best suld be Ya yat lifs here in body After yair auaryce anely Haldes na mesure after skille Bot vses it als ye purs wille Yat lauedy es yar it sal dwelle And commaundresce of ye hostelle Bot bitwene ye bely of ye glotoun And ye purs es grete disputysoun Yar ye glotoun es skars and nyce Thurgh commandement of auaryce Ye bely says als it can think I wald be full of mete and drynke Ye purs says yareagayne Nay you sal noght spende in vayne Bot I wil yat you restreyne ye ay And spare and kepe al yat you may Yus er yise twa ay at stryf What saltou do yan caytyf Yat es thralle and vnderloute To swilk twa lordes yat er so stout Yat biddes ye hald als yai commande Twa mesures of weght fayllande Ye mesure of ye bely to charge In othir mens house es gode and large And ye mesure of ye purs es skars In his awen hous and droupes and dares Ya yat lifs after fysyke And hauntes mykell yat practyke Ye mesure of Ipocrase yai halde Yat es lytell and strayte calde And oft men has sene with eghe Yat he yat haldes him wyse and sleghe Yat thurgh fysyke his lyf can cast Thurgh fysyke dyes at ye last Ya yat wille with herte fre Lif after yair honeste Yai halde mast mesure of resoun Yat methinke es mast in sesoun Yai lyf honurabilly ay Yat bydes ye tyme of ye day And taas with godewille and gode chere Curtaysly whatso yai haf here Yai yat lifs in manere of skille After yat ye charge of yair syn wille Haldes swilk mesure thurgh contynaunce Als yai er charged in penaunce Ya yat lifs after yair spirite Er yai yat etes with grete delyte In ye luf of Godde of myghtes mast And yam teches ye Haly Gast To halde order mesure and resoun For yise thre er mykill in sesoun Ya men has ye right lordeshepe Of yair body yat yai suld kepe Yat es so taght thurgh right vsage So yat it askes here nane outrage And dose yat es ye spirites bidynge Withouten gaynsaying or grochynge Now may yhe bathe se and lere Thurgh yat yat I haue sayd yhow here Yat ye fende has ay many wyles Thurgh whilk he many men bygyles And hentes yam in ye wirgh at ye last And by ye throte haldes yam fast First shewes he to bygyle ye yus Ye gode wyne and ye metes delicius Als he ye appell didde to Eue Yat sho toke withouten leue And if yat hym noght auaylles He biddes ye yan and counsaylles To ete and drynk als othir dose For ye bihoues felawship vse Wiltow he says fra now forwarde Yat men halde ye a papillarde And wonder on ye and speke ouerthwert And say you has a narow hert And es so harde and so skars Yat you noght spendes bot spars And dar noght inoghe ete ne drynk Yus wil men say of ye and think Or he says you suld be bysy To kepe ye hele of yi body Yat it noght out of quert be broght For he yat has na hele has noght Be noght he says manslaer Of yiself ne man murtherere For you may so fast yi purs spare Yat you may sone yi body forfare You awe thurgh right purueaunce To yi body ye sustynaunce Or he says yus bithink ye sone And take kepe what gode you has done And dose and may do yat es mare Yan mete or drynk fra ye spare Or he says yus you etes noght anely For ye grete delyte of yi body Bot for to make ye on ye best wyse Stalwarde to last in Goddis seruyse He says you awe yi strengthe to kepe Anely to Godde for his worshepe Yus ye fende a man oft tilles To glotony thurgh swilk skilles For his skilles to vnderstande Er ay so sutille semande Yat it ne es nane so haly man Ne so wyse yat wisdom can Yat he ne hym somtyme bigyles Thurgh swilk skilles and swilk wyles Ye thridde braunche of glotony Es to ete ouer hastyly A foul manere methink es it Til a man yat has right witte To ete his mete thurgh a foul vse Ouer hastyly als an hound dose When he es on a caryoun He yat so dose semes a glotoun And ye mare gredily yat he etes Ye mare he synnes and Godde f[or]getes For als I fynde yat it na synne es To haue godes here and ritches Bot it es grete synne to proue Ritches ouermykell for to luf Right so it es na synne to ete Gode mete whaso it may gete Bot for to ete ouer hastyly Yat es synne and vilany Alle maner of mete yat es mans fode Es gode to yam yat er gode And specially to yam yat wille Vse yam with mesure and with skille And ete yam with ye saus namely Of ye drede of Godde almyghty For men suld ay haf drede in thoght Yat yai in outrage vse yam noght And loue Godde with gode talent And thank hym of al yat he has sent And by yat mete yat filles right Men suld think bathe day and nyght Ye swetenes of Godde so gode to fele And ye fode yat filles ye hert wele And yarefore men vses of custom Yis manere thurgh alle crystendom In houses of religyoun To rede at ye mete a lessoun Wharefore when ye body yat tyde Receyues ye fode on ye ta syde Ye hert on ye tothir syde may fele Ye fode yat to it sauours wele Ye ferthe braunche es a synne of body Of yam yat etes ouer daynteously For yai spende on a day and spille Mare yan men myght with fille Ane hundreth pouer men and fede Suffisauntly yat has nede Swilk men synnes on many maneres Als ye boke says on whilk men leres First yai synne in ye grete outrage Of grete dispense and grete costage Also yai synne in ye mete vsynge Thurgh ouer grete lust and lykynge Yai synne also in vayneglory Yat yai yareof haf specially Forwhy it es noght anely synne Ye litchery of ye throte withinne Bot it es oft for pompe here Yat yai seke mete of dayntees dere And so many courses multyplyes Of whilk may falle many folyse Ye fift braunche es ye curyouste Of glotouns yat wil bisy be To seke gode mete and it to taste In whilk yai yam delyte maste Yise men yat er ay so bisy May be called litchours proprely Yat thinkes on nane othir notes Bot on yair belys and on yair throtes In thre thinges als I yhow kenne Lys ye synne of swilk men First in bysynes at ye bigynnynge In getynge of mete and in dightynge Afterwarde in ye delyte grete In ye vsynge of yat mete And sethen in vayneglory to fele When yai recorde how yai er fedde wele And wha may telle als felle yarto What bisynes yai in yat do Yat yair metes be wele dight And ilk mete in his sauour right And how yai of a thinge of prys May make sere metes on dyuerse gyse Anely for yair awen delyte And noght for yair mast profyte And when ye metes yat er so dight Comes ilkane after othir right In sere courses and on sere wyse After ye manere of seruyse Yan wil yai haue when yai er at eese Troefles and bourdes to ye entremees And so ye tyme he ouersettes And ye caytyf himself forgettes Ye resoun slepes yat suld wake Yan cryes and says yus ye stomake Throte you slaas me thurgh maystry I brest nerehande so ful am I Ye throte yat es ay litcherous Answers agayne and says yus And al if you sal brest in twa Yis mees sal noght fra me ga After swilk litchery in yat mete Comes vayneglory and likyng grete Yat es to recorde and to thynk How yai war serued of mete and drynke Now haf yhe herde specially Ye synnes yat comes of glotony And foryi yat oft alle swilk synnes In tauerne comonly bigynnes Yat es of glotony called ye welle Yarefore I wille aparty telle Of ye synnes yat som men duse In ye tauerne when yai it vse Ye tauerne norisshes many a fole Ye whilk may be called ye fendes skole Yar his discyples in his sight Studys bathe day and nyght Also bi skils yat I can telle It may be called his awen chapelle Yar men hym serues thurgh ille thewes And yar he his myrakils shewes Swilk als to ye fende many falle Som sal I shewe yhow bot noght alle In kirke Godde shewes his vertus And his myracles yare he duse Yat mas ye blynde to haue ye sight And ye croked to gange right He gifs to yam yair right wytte Yat er wode and wantes it He mas ye domb haf graythe spekynge And to ye deef men yair right herynge Bot ye fende dose comonly In ye tauerne ye contrary For when ye glotoun yider gase He gaas right euen with fayr paas Bot hym wantes bi he wende agayne His fete to bere hym and to sustayne When he gaas yider he has sight Spekynge with tunge and heryng right And vnderstandyng and right mynde And witte and bodily strengthe of kynde Bot when he comes agayne yarefra He has haally tynt alle ya Als he yat wantes his eghen sight Yat es blynde and sees na light And wantes his speche and his herynge And witte and mynde and vndirstandynge Swilk myracles als I yhow telle In tauerne dose ye fende of helle Bot what lessoun in skole redes he To yam yat wille his skolers be Yai lere of hym to do vilany Glotony and litchery To swere and forswere and leghe ay To sklaunder and backebyte and myssay To skorne and flyte and to dispyse To be ay fals and wrangewyse To manace and to make barette To mayntene wrange and right to lette To controue gyle and trechery To renay Godde almyghty And many maners of othir synnes Yat in ye tauerne first bigynnes Als contekes stryfs and melles withalle And manslaghters yat oft may falle To stele and reue yai lere fast And by ye necke to hynge at ye last Yise er ye fendes propre lessouns Ye whilk he teches his glotouns Yat hauntes ye tauerne comonly Yat es called ye skole of glotony Here haf I shewed yhow als I couthe On ye ta syde ye synne of ye mouthe Yat men ye synne of glotony calles Ye whilke to ye throte mast falles DE MALA LINGUA Now wille I shewe and noght hyde Ye synne opon ye tothir syde Yat synne of ye mouthe es called bi skille And falles to ye tunge yat es ille Bot whoso wille auyse hym wele And knawe ye synne of ye tunge and fele He suld weghe and counterpayse With skille ilka worde yat he says What it es and whethen comes it And what ille it duse he suld witte For ye worde may be synne bi skille In itself for yat it es ille It may be synne for it comes namely Of ye wicked hert in ye body And ay ye last it may so be Yat ye worde als men may se Es grete synne for ye wicked vse Foryi yat it grete ille dose Ye whilk may greue sone and appayre Al if it seme polyst and fayre Bot yhe sal vnderstande and se Yat ye wicked tung es ye tre Yat our Lorde Godde alweldande Weryed als I vnderstande Foryi yat yat he fonde noght elles Bot leefs als ye boke telles By leefs in haly writte thurgh skille Er vnderstanded wordes ille And stronge it es to telle bi tale Alle leefs of ye tre grete and smale So es it stronge to telle ye synnes Yat of ye ille tunge first bigynnes Bot men may ten braunches knawe Yat on yis tre growes heghe and lawe And ya ten may be called bi skille Yis ten synnes yat I neuen wille Idell speche and vayne vauntyng Losengery and bakkebytynge Leghinge and forsweryng thurgh athe Stryuyng also and grochyng bathe Frawardnes and sclaundre to neuen To Godde and to his halwes in heuen First he yat wille ouer mykill vse Idell speche als iangelars duse May hent grete harme and losse yarby And yat persayues he noght lightly Forwhy he synnes and leses yarto Ye godes yat he myght gete or suld do And ye tresour of ye hert he lese And agayne filles it with vanytese Idell speche yat oftsithes falles Idell wordes men proprely calles Bot alle idell yhete er yai noght For thurgh yam mykill ille es wroght For idell wordes yat comes ouerthwert Of alle godenes voydes ye hert And filles it agayne of vanyte Wharefore yai sal aresoned be And yhelde resouns on domesday Of ilkan idel worde yat yai say And so says Godde in ye godspelle Yis es noght idell thinge to telle Wharefore yai sal for certayne chesouns In so heghe court yhelde resouns Als bifore Godde first to neuen And alle ye barnage of heuen In swilk idell speche to say On fyue maners synne men may Forwhy it er som mens wordes in vayn Yat er outrage and vncertayne Of whilk yair tunges so ful I fynde Yat yai speke bathe bifore and byhynde Als ye milne clappe yai er bi skille Yat may noght bi itseluen be stille It er som mens wordes curyous to here Als of men yat bene of gode chere Yat ouer blethely telles tythynges Ye whilk mens hertes to diseese bringes Yat manere mas yis iangeleres Be halden fals and leghers It er som wordes quaynt and sutill Of men yat has fayre speche at wille Yai can shewe wordes sutilly Bot yare es mykell vayneglory To plese ye herars at ye last And to make yam lagh fast It er som wordes yat of tung springes Yat er ful of filthe and of lesynges Als bourdes and troefles yat oft falles And alle ya idell wordes men calles Bot alle idelle er yai noght semande For yai oft dere and er stynkande Also of ye tunge som wordes skapes Yat er ful of skornes and iapes Ye whilk skorners yat er vncurtays To yam yat er gode men oft says And to alle men yat wele dose For yai wald drawe yam fra yat vse Alle swilk er idell wordes called Bot I wil noght yam idell halde Forwhy yat man es a manslaer Yat thurgh his tunge a man wil dere Or drawe hym fra gode to ille And fra gode purpos turne his wille Na mare thank cunnes Godde him yan Yan ye kynge wald cun a man Yat had his sone slayne and lorne And stolne his tresour and away borne After yat of ye tunge may springe Anothir synne yat es vauntyng Yat synne es bathe grete and vilayns After yat ye tunge it sustayns For whoso vauntes him openly He es a theef to Godde almyghty And withdrawes fra him yat es his Yat es to say worshepe and blisse Yat hym awe yhelde ay to Godde sone For ye gode yat he has hym done Als I here bifore haf talde Yarefore yis vaunters er ouer balde A greef synne methink yis es And yat hauntes it es witteles Forwhy ye godes wharethurgh he myght Wynne heuenryke yat es so bright He gifs ay for a lytell wynde Of vayneglory yat sal he fynde In yis braunche fyue leefs hynges Yat er fyue maners of vauntynges Ane es of thinge yat has bene Anothir of thing yat es now sene Ye thridde thing yat salbe thurgh wille Ye ferthe es couert ye fift sutill Ye first es yis to shewe yhou sone Vauntynge of thing yat has bene done And yat es of yam yat shones noght To reherce dedes yat yai haf wroght And says swilk dedes and yus we didde For yai wald fayne be dughty kydde And yat men yair pruesce knewe For werldely loos to haue ay newe Anothir maner of vauntyng es Of thinge yat men duse thurgh lithernes Yat es ye synne of yam to fele Yat wille noght payne yam to do wele Ne say wele als felle to be Bot when men may yam here or se Swilk men vses mykell vauntynge Bathe in saying and in doinge And in othir thinges yat falles yarto And selles for noght al yat yai do Hereto falles als I vnderstande Ye synne of yam appert semande Yat of yair godes yam vauntes ay Yat yai haue yat es to say Of yair ritchesce and yair nobillesce Or of yair strengthe or yair pruesce Yai fare als ye cukkuk bi lickenyng Yat can noght bot of himseluen synge Ye thridde es whaso knawes it Of thinge yat may be and es noght yhit Yat es a synne als I wene Of yam yat surquidrous er sene Som says I sal make yis and yat For men suld bi hym ye mare lat He says he sal make touns and palays Bot he wille noght do alle als he says Ye ferthe also to telle on rawe Es couert vauntynge to knawe Yat es of yam yat couertly duse And dar noght for shame yamself ruse Bot al yat yat othir dose or says Yai wil dispyse and mysprayse Right als yai couthe do and say Mikell better yan euer couthe yai Ye fift manere of vauntynge Es sutill to mens vnderstandynge Yat es of yam yat blethely walde Yat men yam praysed and gode men cald And dar noght vaunt yam appertly For perceyuynge of surquidery Bot als yai meke ware yai sutilly say Yat yare er nane so ille als yay Foryi yat men suld yam meke halde And prayse yam wele aftir yai walde Allas allas says Saynt Bernarde Yis es a doleful vauntyng outwarde Yai make yam deuels and noght elles For men suld hald yam als aungels Yai make yam ille als men yat er wode Foryi yat men suld halde yam gode Bot I trowe yat yai wald be ille payde If men answerd yam and sayde On yis manere certes sothe say yhe Wers yan yhe er may nane be Here to ye synne of yam falles Yat seken othir yat men calles Als auokettes yam for to prayse And yair pomp and loos heghe to rayse Yat es yair nobillesce for to cry Thurgh wham yai speke mare hardyly Ye thridde braunche es losengery Yat som men hauntes ouer comonly Ye whilk losengers men may halde Yat ye fendes noryces er called Ye whilk his childer at souke gifs And with glosynge yam fedes yat greues And mas yam in yair synne ly lange Thurgh yair fikell flaterand sange Yai enoynt with swete hony Ye way to helle for yam namely Foryi yat yai suld hardylyer ga By yat way yat enoynte es swa Als men dose yat ye beere taas Yai enoynt his way yar he gaas With hony to tillen hym to a pitte Yar he falles in ar euer he witte And swa he es sleghely tane Thurgh yat way yat he has gane Right so yis losengeours duse Yat losengery wille comonly vse Yai lede men thurgh yair losengery Into ye way of vayneglory Ye whilk may euen a man lede To helle pit yat es mast to drede Yis synne yat yus in ye tung lyse Departes it in fyue partys Yat out of yis thridde braunche springes Als fyue leefs yat on it hinges Ye first party es a synne yat deres Yat es ye synne of yis flateres Yat when yai se wham yai wil glose Yat specially yhernes to haue loose If he haue wele sayde or wele done Yai telle it to hymseluen sone Foryi yat he suld haue vayneglory Bot yai wille noght telle hym his foly Ye secunde es als I vnderstande Ye synne of yam yat gloses leghande Yat when a man dose or says Litell gode yat es lytell to prayse Yai make it mare and dose yarto Swilk twa als he can say or do So yat lesynges make yai ma Yan sothe saynges yha swilk twa And yarefore yai er in haly writte Called fals wyttenes yat spekes of it Ye thridde ye synne of yam es Als ye boke here beres wittenes Yat makes a man to vnderstande Thurgh sleghe sayinge and fayr semblande Yat he has in hymself alane Vertus and grace of whilk he has nane And yarefore haly writte yam calles Charmers yat name to yam falles For yai charme so sleghely a man Thurgh sleghe wordes yat yai speke can So yat he trowes mare yair sawes Yan himself yat he best knawes And better trowes yat a thinge may be Yat he heres yan yat he may se And yat yai say of hym so wele Yan yat yat he may se or fele Ye ferthe es ye synne of yam also Yat synges commonly placebo Yat es to say sir sothe say yhe Or yhe do wele als falles to be And turnes to ye gode and wil prayse Alle yat a man dose or sayse Whethir yat it be gode or ille Yai say it es gode to folow his wille And yarefore yai yat pleses men so Er called in haly writte eccho Yat es ye soune yat reboundes agayne When men spekes at a heghe mountayne Yat says after ye same worde ay Als oft als men wil oght say Whethir it be gode or ille to knawe Be it lesynge or sothe sawe It acordes ay wele to itte Als men may vnderstande thurgh witte Ye fift es a synne yat charge beres Ye whilk yai haunt yat er flaterers Yat oft defendes and excuses And couers ye vyces yat som men vses And ye synnes of yam namely Yat yai wil flater thurgh losengery And yarefore er yai taylles called In haly writte yat we sothe halde For yai couer ye filthe of synne Of riche men yat yai lif inne Outhir for luf or for drede Or for werldely profyte or mede And yai may be lickened namely Vnto ye fox taylle for yair trechery Ye ferthe braunche yat may springe Of ye ille tunge es backebytynge Yat many men thurgh envye Hauntes here ouer commonly Bot losengers and backbyters Er of a skole ye fendes skolers Of whilk ye tane may lickened be To a meruayllous beste in ye see And ye tothir als I vnderstande Til a venymous beste on ye lande Yise twa men may fynde in a boke Of kynde of bestes whaso wil loke Ye tane es ye mermayden called Yat es a meruayllous beste to bihalde Yat has ye body als a woman And ye taylle of fisshe yat swym can And naylles als ye iren sho has redy And synges in ye see so myryly Yat makes ye shipmen sone slepe And drunkens yam in ye see so depe Yis meruayllous beste on ye see Methink yis losengers may be Yat thurgh yair sange yat losengery es Makes men slepe in yair wickednes And haldes yam so lange yarinne Til yai be drunkened in yair synne Ye tothir beste on ye lande es sene And es a nedder yat es ful kene Yat rynnes bi kynde and thurgh vse Swifter on erthe yan a horse duse And to rynne lange he may wele dreghe And somtyme wil it with wenges fleghe And has venyme so strange to say Yat na treacle ouercom it may For ye dede may are com of it Ar a man may right fele ye bitte Yis nedder yat es so felle and kene Er backebyters yat bytand bene For Salamon says yat yai byte And als ye nedder with tange yai smyte And venymes ya yat yai ouertake And strykes and slaas thre at a strake Ane es hymself yat es backebytar Anothir es he yat es ye herer Ye thridde es he wham he backebytes Yise thre to dede at anes he smytes On yis braunche fyue leefs may hynge Yat es fyue manere of backebytyng Ye first es als ye boke proues When ye backebytar controues Any wickednes or lesynges Yat othir men in blame brynges Ye secund leef es yis to lere When yai ille of othir men here Yai telle it forthe in many a stede And says mare ay on yair awen hede Ye thridde es when yai sette at noght Ye gode yat a man has wroght And mas hym ille be halden yan Yus ete yai al hale a man Ye ferthe leef es als may falle When yai a man ete noght alle Bot bytes a pece of hym away Thurgh som worde yat yai can say And if yai durst byte mare yai walde Backebytyng yis es proprely called For als men may appertly knawe Yai of smyte and away drawe Of othir mens godenes aparty Yat yai here spoken of yam namely For when a man any gode says Of anothir yat he wil prayse Ye backebyter afferme it wille Bot he says a botte yat es ille Certainely yus says he yan Sothe it es he es a gode man And I luf hym right faythfully Bathe in saul and in body Bot a defaut methynk has he Yat es yis and yat forthinkes me And thurgh a priue enuye shewes it And yus bytes he of hym a bit He es ye scorpyoun venemous Yat with ye face fawens yus And venymes with ye taylle bihynde Als I in boke wryten fynde Ye fift leef of ye braunche es yis When he turnes anything mysse Yat es to say to ye wers party Alle yat he heres or sees namely Ye whilk men may thurgh kyndely skille Turne bathe to gode and vnto ille And yarefore he es called by resoun A fals domesman for yat enchesoun Ye fift braunche es als shewes ye tung Leghyng yat hauntes bath alde and yhung Leghyng falses a man yat es leel Als men may falsen ye kynges seel Or ye kynges monee yat es wroght Or ye papes bulle thurgh falsed soght And right als he yat falses ye mone Or ye kynges sele whethir it be Salbe demed thurgh ye lawe here To bere iewes als falsere Right so a man yat thurgh lesynge Falses hymself in anythinge Yat es Goddis prente and his licknes And says agayne sothfastnes He salbe demed on domesday Als falsere to payne yat lastes ay Ye legher es amange othir men Als ye fals peny to kenne Amange othir yat es gode and trewe Whethir it be alde monee or newe And als es ye caffe yat es oft sene Amange ye corne yat es gode and clene Ye legher es lyke thurgh lickenes Vnto ye fende yat his fader es And so says Godde in ye godspelle Als men may here yis clerkes telle For ye fende ye chief legher es And fader of leghes and of wickednes Als he yat first forged lesynge And yhete foorges thurgh controuyng Ye fende yat lettes ay gode thewes In many shappes he hym shewes And transfigures hym in many gyses To deceyue men on sere wyses And right so he yat es a legher Deceyues men on ye same maner Wharefore he may right lickened be To a fowell in som cuntre Ye whilk men camalyon calles Yat lifs of ye ayre als his kynde falles And has nathinge in his entraylles Bot wynde anely yat sone faylles And to ilka manere of colour knawen Yat he sees he moues his awen On yis braunche als I vnderstande Thre specyall leefs er hyngande Yat er ye thre maners of lesynges Ye whilk fra ye ille tunge springes For a maner of leghe es brynnande Anothir manere es plesande Ye thridde es noyande als yhe may se And synne es in ilkane of yise thre For Saynt Austyne ye haly man Says yus als I shew yhow can Yat howsoeuer a man gode dose To othir thurgh leghes yat he can vse Always his awen harme dose he Wharefore brynnand leghes synne may be Bot ye leghes of yis losengers Of yis truffeurs and yis leghers Yat bourdes and lesynges oft telles For mans solace and for noght elles Er proprely synne thurgh ye likynge Bathe in sayinge and in herynge Bot leghes yat noyes er synne dedely When a man yam shewes namely Thurgh wytynge and thurgh wille bathe To greue othir men and to skathe Out of yis braunche springes and spredes Alle fallaces and alle falsedes And alle ye gyles yat men can For to deceyue or greue a man Outhir in saul or in body Or in godes or in loos falsely Ye sext braunche es a perillous thing Yat es ye synne of forsweryng Ille it es to be a legher Bot wers it es a man him forswere And perillous and dredefull bathe Es to swere and to haunt athe And yarefore I fynde als clerkes redes Yat our Lorde swerynge forbedes Noght for yat yat men may noght swere Withouten synne yat ye saul may dere Bot foryi yat he yat oft sweres And seldom vayne athes forberes To forswere hym oft hym wil falle And synnes oftsythe yare withalle For thurgh athe yat men sweres and heres Men may synne in seuen maneres Ye wilk yis clerkes seuen leefs calles Yat to yis braunche specially falles Ye first to shewe in yis party Es when a man sweres right hertly And right blethely yis es despyte For it semes he has yareinne delyte Yarefore swerynge forbedes Saynt Iame Als Godde duse yat forbedes ye same Noght to swere when it es nede Bot likynge to swere yai forbede Anothir es when men swere wille Lightly for noght withouten skille Yat es defended als men may knawe In ye commandementes of ye olde lawe Yat Godde first with his fynger wrate In tables of stane als clerkes wele wate Ye thridde es when men sweres thurgh vse Coustomabilly als som men duse Als at ilka worde yat yai speke And how yai swere yai neuer reck For it er som so vylaynes ay Yat withouten athe can noght say Ya men er gretly to wyte And Godde has yam in dispyte When yai coustomabely for noght Calles hym to wyttenes yat yam wroght Ful grete bihoued be yat querele And skilful and sothfast and right leel Yar men dar calle to wyttenes So heghe a lorde als our Lorde es Or his moder yat we oft neuen Or any of his halughs in heuen Bot men suld na grete athe swere Bot when nede ware wyttenes to bere For Godde in ye godspell biddes vs Yat we swere nane athe bot yus When we sal swere he biddes vs say Noght elles bot yha yha nay nay Ye ferthe manere yat grete charge beres Yat es when a man folyly sweres Appertly or in pryuyte And yat may in many maners be Als when men sweres thurgh ire ouer sone And repentes yam when yai haf done Or when men sweres oght to bigynne Yat men may noght hald withouten syn For if men it helde it wald do skathe Yarefore men suld breke swilk an athe Bot yair penaunce bihoued yam take Yat swilk a fole athe wil make Or when men certaynely swere wille For anythinge be it gode or ille Of whilk men has na certaynte Yhete synne yai al if it sothe be Or when men hetes anythinge Certaynely withouten fayllynge Yat yai ne wate ne knawes noght right If yai may halde yat yai haf hight Or when men sweres for oght or noght Bi ye creatures yat Godde has wroght Als som men sweres and says yus right By ye sonne yat shynes bright Or bi yis fyre or bi my hede Or by my fader saul yat es dede Or by my moder saul alswa Or by swilk othir creatures ma Swilk athes our Lorde Godde forbedes Als yis clerkes in ye godspelle redes Yarefore to yat yat thurgh worde or thoght Men wil conferme men suld noght Drawe to wittenes by na party Bot souerayne sothfastnes anely Yat es our Louerd Godde alweldande Yat made alle thing on water and lande Forwhy it es agayne Goddis lawe Yat any man to wittenes drawe Pouer creatures yat er noght elles Bot vanyte als ye boke telles And when a man has talent To swere by yam thurgh auysement He dose to yam yat er vnworthy Ye honour yat falles to Godde anely Bot when men sweres by ye boke Or bi ye godspelle yat men may loke Yai swere by Godde yat dyed for synne Whase wordes er wryten withinne And when men sweres bi thing worthy Als by ye relikes yat er so haly Or by ye halughs yat er in heuen Yat Halykirke bihoues oft neuen Yai swere by yam and bi Godde bathe Yat wones in yam yat es yair athe Ye fift yhete greues Godde almyghty Yat es when men sweres vylaynesly Outhir bi Godde or by his myght Or bi his halughs in heuen bright Or bi his saul or by his hert Or by his payne yat sare gun smert Or by his flesshe or by his blode Or by his dede yat he tholed on rode By his fete or by his handes twa Or by his naylles of fynger or ta Or by his body or by his banes Or by alle his lyms neuend at anes Here es many a vylayne athe Ye leste athe of alle mas Godde ful wrathe Grete vilany to Godde men duse Yat swilk vilaynes athes wil vse And if Godde be wrathe it es na wonder For yai hym ryue with athes isunder Yai er wers and mare vnkynde Yan ye Ieus yat hym a day pynede And beted hym bathe body and hede And didde hym noght bot anes to dede And ya yat sweres swilk maner of athe It semes yai do Godde mare skathe For ilk day yai do hym on rode And ilka day yay shede his blode With sharp athes in body and hede And ilka day yai newe his dede In als mykell als in yam es Thurgh yair athes and yair wickednes In yis synne er crysten men Wers yan er sarzynes to kenne Yat wil noght swere on na manere Ne sweryng of nane othir here By Ihesu Cryst so vylaynesly Als crysten men duse yat er mare woryi Cristend men er mare felle kidde Yan ye Ieus yat hym on croyce didde For yhete yai brake na bane of hym Bot crysten men brekes ilka lym And breitens hym bathe backe and body Als a swyne es in ye bouchery Swilk men suld nathing aske here Of Godde ne of his moder dere For yai yam so vylaynesly dispyse And alle his halughes on yis wyse Yat it es a wonder to mans wytte How crystyante may suffre it Ye sext es thurgh vnderstandynge When men sweres falsely for a thinge Or when men fals wyttenes beres Or at yair wytyng falsely sweres Swilk men als methink dose ille Howso yai swere yus agayne skille Be it appertly or couertly Thurgh fallace or thurgh sophestry For als haly writte says and proues Symplesce and sothfastnes God luues In swilk witte Godde reseyues ye athe And vnderstandes ye worde bathe Als he yat perceyues na gilery Bot vnderstandes ye athe sympilly Mikell methink es ye godenes Of Godde yat ay so curtays es When swilk men sweres thurgh cautele Yat es noght sothe als he wate wele Or hetes a thinge of yair awen wille Yat yai wil noght halde ne fulfille Yat ye fende of helle for yat dispyte Ne strangles yam noght alstyte For when a man sweres whatso he be And says yus als Godde saue me Or als Godde helpe me in my nede And he leghe yan hym aght haf drede For he puttes hym thurgh swilk leghyng Fra Goddis helpe and his kepynge Yan es he worthy to tyne yarfore By right his witte and his memore His godes his saul and his body And al yat he has of Godde anely Ye seuent leef and ye last Yat hynges on yis braunche fast Es when a man thurgh his fole wille Brekes his trouth or kepes it ille For yat he hetes and grauntes bathe Thurgh trouthe als wele als thurgh athe Bot he fulfille it he es forsworne And his saul in poynt to be lorne For ye trouthe vnkeped yat es tane And athe broken er bathe ane Ye seuent braunche also men calles Stryuyng yat amange som men falles Als when men flytes and myssays Yis es a synne yat ye fende pays For Saynt Austyn says yat nathinge Payse mare ye fende yan stryuynge By yis we may knawe and fele Yat nane othir synne hym pays so wele And yis synne may Godde mast displese For he lufs best acorde and peese Yis braunche it shewes in seuen thinges And er seuen leefs yat of it springes Ye first es stryf anothir flytynge Ye thridde dedeyne ye ferthe myssayinge Ye fift es reproue of grete wille Ye sext es manace of yat yat es ille Bot ye seuent mast greues our Lorde Yat es raysyng of grete discorde When ye fende sees luf and pees Amange gode men yat wald Godde pleese Ful mykill sorow has he yan And dose alle yat he may and can To make yam at discorde to be And makes yam stryue for yat lufs he With ye fyre of ire he yam enbraces And stirs yair hertes to ire and chaces Wharefore after stryf comonly Comes flytyng with noys and cry And right als fyre reke vp kestes And after ye reke lowe out brestes Right so after ire and ille wille Comes stryf and contek by yat skille And when ane til anothir says Whethir he lacke a thynge or prayse It es he says swa als I say Ye tothir says agayne hym nay Ye tane says I say swa was it Ye tothir says it was noght yhit Yis es stryf at ye bygynnynge And after stryf comes flytynge For when twa sal bigynne to flyte Ye tane leghes ye tothir alstyte After flytyng commes dedeyne Yat es a lynke of ye fendes cheyne Als when ye tane ye tothir wil pricke With felonnes wordes yat er wycke Whase tunges er mare sharpe bytande Yan any rasour in barbours hande And mare sharpe and swift thurgh strengthe Yan ane arowe yat fleghes on lengthe And mare percheand thurgh felnes Yan an elfyne poynt yat sharp es Swilk men whaso yam wil bihalde Er lyke til a beste yat es called Porkedespyne yat in Ynde es bredde Yat es with sharpe hornen pynnes cledde Yat beste es felle and sone es wrathe And when he es greued he wil do skathe For when hym tenes he launces out felly Ya sharp pynnes on his body And strykes fast with al his myght Bathe on ye left syde and on ye right Also vnto a felle dogge lyke er yai Yat berkes and bytes ay when he may After dedeyne yat es oft sene Comes missayinge felle and kene Als when ye tane with noys and dyn Missays ye tothir yat es grete synne For haly wrytte says if men it loke Als it es wryten in som boke Yat whaso wille his neghpur banne Of Godde weryed es yat man And Saynt Paul says yai may noght haue Ye kyngryke of Godde and be saue And Salamon says to vndirstande Yair mouthes er als a potte wellande Yar som hate dropes sprentes out And skaldes yam yat er aboute After missayinge comes reprouynge Yat es mare synne yan es bannynge Als when men reproues vilaynesly A man of any defaute of body Or of any foly or of synne Or of pouert yat he es inne Or of ye state of his pouer frendes Yis es noght Goddis wille bot ye fendes After reproues commes manaces Yat mens hertes to grete ire chaces So yat mellees bigynnes and were Amange yamself after yair powere And yai seese noght in swilk melle Til ye tane of ye tothir venged be Bot ouer alle ye synnes yat er neuend Passes a synne yat es ye seuend Of whilk yis boke spekes aparty Yat es ye synne of yam namely Yat discorde rayses and moues Bytwene twa frendes yat togider luues And fordose pees and rayses were Thurgh yair ille tunges yat yai bere And yareof may com mykell skathe Vnto yamself and to othir bathe Swilk men yat makes swilk debates Als haly wrytte says Godde hates Ye aghtned braunche of ye tung men calles Ye synne of grochyng yat oft falles Thurgh som men and wymmen bathe Yat noght dar answer when yai er wrathe For oft it falles yat when a man Es greued he dar noght answer yan Whethir he thurgh Godde or man be Greued he hym beres als pryue Bot he groches ay pryuely And momels with ye tethe aparty And yarefore ye synne of grochyng Es sette after ye synne of stryuyng Ye whilk es grete and gretly greuande To yam yat er commonly grochande Godde for yat synne vengeaunce toke On sere manere als says ye boke First Godde for yat syn thurgh his myght Didde ye erthe here open right To swelghe Abiron and Nathan Yat doun to helle al quyck felle yan Also for yis synne yat I neuen Godde sent a fyre doun fra heuen Yat brynned Thore and of his company With hym twa hundreth and fyfty Of ye grettest yat goddis oste was In wildernes for yat trespas For yis synne ye Iewes had tynt right Ye lande of Heste yat yam was hight Swa yat of sex hundreth thousand Yat our Lorde Godde alweldande Had casten fra ye seruage haally Of ye kyng of Egipt so myghty And yat he sustayned in wildernes Fourty wynter and na lesse With mete of heuen so swete and gode Ye whilk men calles aungels fode Nane entred into ye haly lande Bot twa als I vnderstande Yat Caleph and Iosue hight Bot dyed for sorow ilka wight And alle was for yis synne alane Yat swilk a vengeaunce was tane Yis braunche yat ye tung sustaynes Yat es a grochyng has twa graynes Ye whilk in ye twa partys springes Yat er twa maners of grochinges Ane es agayne Godde almyghty Ye tothir es agayne man namely First agayne Godde alweldande For many skils men er grochand For a man yat es of ille conscience And has tynt grace and pacience He wil always thurgh maystry Be oboun Godde almyghty So yat whatso Godde wil fulfille If he it do noght after his wille He groches and thinkes Godde dose wrange And yan he synges ye fendes sange For als ye Haly Gaste thurgh techynge Makes haly men in yair hertes synge Ye delytable sange of heuen Yat es Deo Gracias to neuen Of al yat Godde dose thurgh his myght Or whatso he sendes day or nyght Right so ye ille gaste shortly to telle Mas his men synge ye sange of helle Yat es ye hidous sange of grochyng Yat ye synfull sal ay in helle synge Yat sange sal last euermare Amange yam yat dwelles yare Certes methink swilk men er wode And proprely foles yat can na gode Yat wil yat Godde yam resouns yhelde Of yat he dose in yair yhouthe or elde For if he yam sende angre in herte Or any sekenes or any pouert Stormes of weders wate or drye Fayllyng of fruyt yat men lifs by Dere yheres als falles thurgh chaunce Skarsenes of mans sustynaunce And if he wille a man riche make And fra anothir his godes take Bot al be done at yaire deuys Yai say Godde es noght rightwys Yan groche yai agayne hym sone And blames hym for yat he has done And what wonder war it yan to se If Godde of swilk wald venged be Yat fra hym wald take his worshepe His wisdome and his lordeshepe Yus groches bathe yhung and alde Agayne Godde als I haf talde And synges ye sange of grochyng When Godde duse oght agayne yair lykyng Agayn man als swa yhete groches som And vses yat synne of custom Als seruauntes agayne yair lordes duse Or agayne yair maysters thurgh ille vse Als maydens agayne yair ladys Als childer yat er noght ay wys Agayne yair faders or moders dere Als pouer men agayne ryche men here Als cherles yat falles in thraldom be Agayne knyghtes or lordes of fe Als lewed men of diuerse states Agayne clerkes and prelates Als men of religyoun Bathe frere munk and chanoun Agayne yair abbottes or priours Or othir yat er yair gouernours In alle yise states bathe mare and lesse Ye synne of grochyng vsed es Outhir thurgh wille yat es frawarde Foryi yat yam think ful harde To do yat men biddes yam do When yai haf na wille yarto Or thurgh slawenes of hert anely Foryi yat yai er dulle and heuy Or thurgh vnsuffraunce agayne skille Foryi yat men dose noght yair wille Or thurgh envye and felony For yat men auaunces specially Som mare yan othir of ye menyhe Yat er of ye same state and degree And thurgh many othir resounes Yat of yat synne er ille enchesouns Ye neghent braunche of ye ille tung es Proprely ye synne of frawardnes Ille es ye grochyng of yis grochers Bot yhete es frawardnes wele wers Frawardnes first comes of ye hert Bot ye tung it shewes thurgh speche ouerthwert For whaso es frawarde thurgh ille wille He folwes nouthir resoun ne skille Bot he wald yat allekyns thinge War ay done at his lykynge He wald alle men plesed hym yan And he wille pay nane othir man His hert es harde and contrarius Of whilk Salamon spekes yus And says yat he ne may for nathinge Faylle at ye last of ille endynge And als grochyng of yam yat witte can Es agayne Godde and agayne man Right so swilk hertes yat er harde Agayne Godde and man er frawarde Yis synne yat ye tung so sustaynes Als I fynde has four graynes And departes it in four partys And ilka party on sere wyse Ye first es when ye hertes er sturdy And frawarde and ille willy And harde and styf and wil noght bowe To Goddes counsaylle for to trowe Anothir es when yam wantes wille Goddis commaundements to fulfille Ye thridde es when yai wille noght mekely Thole chastying als yai er worthy Ye ferthe es when yai resoun forsake And wille noght lerynge mekely take If any frende yam wille counsaylle In anythinge yat may yam vaylle Or shewe yam oght for yair profyte Yai take it alle in grete dispyte And wille nathinge do yarby Bot mare blethely dose ye contrary To Goddis counsaylle er yai rebelle If men yam counsaylle to saul hele Yai wil yarefore do nathinge Bot make skorne and hethynge Also yai er fraward of hert And contraryous of wille ouerthwert Goddis commaundementes to do Ye whilk yai er mast halden to And swilk assoynes ye fende yam settes Outhir of feblenes yat yam lettes Or of elde or elles of yhouthe Or of othir resouns vncouthe Yarefore yair saul hele yai do noght And yus may yai to helle be broght Also when a man yam wille chasty Or snybbe yam wele of yayr foly Yai it defend and excuse yam yan With all ye skilles yat yai can So yat yai wille on nane wyse Yair synnes knawe ne yair folyse And ay ye mare yat yai excuse Yair folys yat yai oft vse Ye mare yai encrese here yair synne And ye faster yai er bunden yarinne Also when our Lorde Godde almyghty Yam wille bete or chasty To yat yai wille noght bousom be Bot cunnes hym yarefore grete maugre And says maugre haue he or sho Yat me wille greue or elles mysdo Dere Godde he says what haf I wroght Yat I am yus angred for noght Yis es a grete frawardenes Bot yus duse a fole yat es witteles So yat yat treacle war to hym Turnes hym alle to pure venym And medecyne yat suld for hele be done Hastes hym vnto ye dede sone Alswa it er som maner of men Yat er of sere wyttes to kenne Yat wille noght knawe gode techinge Bot ay defendes yair vnderstandynge And mayntenes a wrange yare withalle So yat yai sone in errour falle And in fals opynyouns many And in mysbileue and heresy Ye tende braunche of ye ille tung to neuen Es sclaunder of Godde of heuen Or of his halwes yat men to calles Or of oght elles yat to yam falles Sclaunderyng of Godde yat hym myspays Es yis als Saynt Austyn says When men trowes thurgh wrange trowyng And says of Godde a wrange thinge Yat men suld nouthir trowe ne halde Blasfem in clergy yat es called Yat es sclaundryng of Godde in Inglys Yat may be done on many wyse Sclaunderyng of Godde es specially When wrange es sayde of God almyghty Or of any halwes in heuen Yat men suld in Goddis worshep neuen Or spekes by wrange auysement Agayne Halykirkes sacrament Als dose men of mysbyleue For thing yat may auaylle or greue Whethir it be for couatyse Of wynnynge yat es vnskilwyse Als som dose yat er charmers And witches yat er als ille or wers Or when yai say oght thurgh despyte Or thurgh ire yat kyndels in hert tyte Als yis swerers duse yat vilaynesly Dispyses Ihesu Crystes body And so vilaynesly thurgh athe swerand Missays of Godde alweldande And of his blissed moder dere Yat it es an hidous thinge to here Yai er als wode hundes yat gnawes And bytes and yair lorde noght knawes Yis es a synne yat Godde almyghty Punyst somtyme al openly Als I haf spoken byfore and sayde Of ye wicked Iues yat Godde myspayd Of yis synne says Godde in ye godspell On yis manere als I wille telle Yat it sal neuer forgyuen be In yis werlde yat we here se Ne in ye tothir yat es comande Yat es yus to vnderstande Yat vnnethes sal it so bifalle Yat it salbe forgyuen alle For it es agayne ye Haly Gast And swilk a synne men suld drede mast And Godde says whaso thurgh ille wille Agayne ye Haly Gast dose ille Yat synne sal neuer forgyuen be Here ne in ye tothir werlde to se Bot yhete it es na synne yat es done Yat ne Godde wille forgif it sone If a man hym wille repent And mekely com til amendement Bot vnnethes any man bigynnes To repent hym yat swa synnes Namely agayne ye Haly Gast Yarefore men aght to charge yat syn mast Now haf I talde yhow als I couthe Specially of ye synne of ye mouthe And first of ye synne yat men calles Glotony yat to ye throte falles And sethen on ye tothir party Of ye wyck tung yat es yarby And of ye ten braunches yat of it springes And of ye leefs yat on yam hynges Yat es ye vyces and ye synnes Yat of ye ille tung first bygynnes Bot bathe glotony and wicked sawes Ye gift of wisdom haly drawes Out of ye hert and yareinne settes A vertu yat swilk synne ay lettes Yat es ye vertu of sobrenes And of temperaunce yat nedefull es DE SOBRIETATE ET TEMPERANCIA Sobrenes and attemperaunce Es a vertu agayne alle chaunce Of outrage namely in alle thing Yat falles vnto a mans lifynge Ye whilk may noght in ye hert com Withouten ye gift of wisdom Yis gift of wisdome es ye mast And ye heghest of ye Haly Gast And ye heghest to purchace And yat es a speciall grace Yat ye Haly Gast to yam gifs Yat in contemplacioun lifs Thurgh whilk ye hert es fulfilled namly Of ye brynnand luf of God almyghty So yat it sekes noght thurgh langyng Ne desyres here nane othir thinge Bot anely Godde to taste and se And hym to haue and with hym be Yis es ye heght of parfeccioun And ye ende of contemplacioun Ye haly gift of vnderstandyng Of whilk I haf sayde byfore sumthyng Makes ye hert to knawe Godde right And gastly thinges thurgh gastly sight Bot ye gift of wisdom yat es mast Mas it to knawe and to fele and tast For wisdom es nane othir thinge Bot a swete sauory knawynge Yat es to say yat sauoures wele Yat ye hert with grete delyte may fele Forwhy a man knawes better ye wyne If it be right gode and fyne When he it drynkes and tastes right Yan he yat noght knawes it bot by sight Many philosophers couthe knawe Godde thurgh ye creatures yat yai sawe Als it war thurgh a mirour Bot of hym yai had na right sauour Yai sawe yare thurgh vnderstandyng And thurgh resoun withouten fayllyng His beaute his bounte and his myght And his wisdom thurgh yair sight Of ye creatures yat Godde wroght So fayre and so gode yat first war noght And so wele war ordayned thurgh skille To our bihoue after his wille Wharefore yai knewe wele his myght Thurgh kyndely way and symple sight Of resoun and vnderstandynge Thurgh whilk yai hadde anely knawyng Bot of ye luf of Godde ne feled yai noght Thurgh taste ne thurgh deuocioun soght Right so it er som crystend men Als wele lered als lawed to kenne Yat knawes Godde wele thurgh haly writte And thurgh trouth als yai vndersta(n)d it Bot foryi yat yai haue withinne Ye taste al englaymed thurgh synne Yai may na mare of Godde fele Na of his luf yat sauours so wele Yan ye seke man may fele sauour In gode mete or in gode lycour Yis gift of wisdom so gracius Yat ye Haly Gast gyues vs Parfytely clenses ye hert withinne And mas it clene of alle filth of synne And liftes ye spirite so of a man Yat he it ioynes fast to Godde yan Thurgh a luf yat es hertely tane So yat with Godde it es al ane Yare he hym fedes wele and greses Yare he hym sustaynes and eses Yare he delytes hym and hym kepes And yare he ligges restes and slepes Yare forgetes he alle werldely thynges And his trauaylles and his yhernynges Yat er flesshely and also erthely And alle hymself onence his body So yat he thinkes on nathing elles Bot on thinge on whilk his luf dwelles Yat es anely on Godde of heuen Yat es his maste comforte to neuen Ye last degree and ye heghest yis es Of ye steghe of parfytenes Yat Iacob sawe with gastly eghe Ye whilk reched to heuen so heghe Yar aungels vppe and doun went Als Godde almyghty had yam sent Ye degrees of yis steghe to heuen Er ye giftes of ye Haly Gast seuen Yat mas ye bandes of synne be broken Of whilk I haf bifore spoken By seuen degrees als ye boke telles Clymbes vppe ye gode aungels Yat er ya als clerkes redes Yat aungels lyf in erthe ledes In clennes and thurgh gode lifynge And has ye hertes in heuen thurgh yherny[ng] When yai wende here ay parfytande Fra vertu to vertu vp clymmande Vntill yai Godde appertly se Thurgh luf in parfyte charyte Bot when yai er clommen so heghe Vntill ye heghest degre of ye steghe Yan suld yai in yat parfeccioun Somtyme thurgh mekenes cum doun For ye mare yat a man parfyte es Ye mare he has of mekenes And ye mare yat he es in charyte Ye lesse prys by hymseluen settes he Wharefore men says yat prouerbes knawes Yat he yat best es mast hym lawes Wharefore he yat es parfyte and clene Suld be als a tree yat es grene Yat on ilk syde es charged wele With fayre fruyte and gode to fele And ye mare yat it es als men trowes Charged with fruyt ye mare it bowes On othir wyse men may vnderstande Yat ye aungels er doun comande Forwhy men yat aungels lyf ledes Here in erthe thurgh haly dedes When yai er clommen thurgh deuocioun In ye heghe degre of contemplacioun Yar ye gift of wisdom wones right Yat es ioynt to Godde ful of myght So yat yay forgete here clene Al yat vnder Godde es sene For yat swetenes yat sauours wele Yat ye hert may tast and fele Yat es so rauyst in Godde almyghty Yat passes alle othir delyces haally Fra yat heghe contemplacioun Byhoues oftsythe com doun And fra yat swetenes and yat rest And yat delyte yat yam think best Ye whilk yai fele of ye pappes swete Of comfort when yai with yam mete Yat Godde to yam luflily bedes And yam gifs at souke and fedes In swilk a lyf contemplatyf Vntill ye werkes of actyue lyf Of whilk I haue spoken bifore Yat parfyte men of gode memor Suld haue vnderstandyng yarby For yair awen profyte gastly Anothir resoun yhete yare es Als ye boke beres wyttenes Thurgh whilk yam bihoues cum doun Of yat degre of contemplacioun Yar ye gast of wisdom dwelles Als ye boke bifore right telles For ye corrupcioun of ye flesche Yat es so tender and so nesshe So freyll es yat ye spiryte Yat yhernes after gastly delyte Ne may noght als yis clerkes can telle In yis dedely lyf lange dwelle In so heghe state and degree Als of contemplacioun may be And yare fele so grete swetenes Yat passes alle ye delyte yat es In yis werlde yat men may fele Als men wate yat has proued wele Forwhy ye flesshe of ye body Es so contraryus and so heuy Yat it drawes ye gast oft to ille Whethir it wille or it noght wille And yarefore yis grete swetenes Yat so gode and so delicious es Ye whilk ye hert contemplatyf Feles here in yis dedely lyf Thurgh ye haly gift of wisdom Yat mas men gode meke and bouxsom Ne es nathinge bot a lytell tast Thurgh whilk men feles ye sauour mast Of Godde yat es so swete and soft Als men dose yat tastes oft Ye gode wyne by ye sauour Ar yai ful draght drynk of yat likour Bot when men comes in ye grete tauerne Yat men heres yis haly men yherne Yar ye tunnes er ful of blissed drynk Yat es mare swete yan herte may think Yat es ye blisse withouten ende To whilk we hope yat we sal wende Yar ye Godde of luf of ioy and peese And of solace yat neuer sal seese So redy salbe til alle his Yat yai sal alle be filled with blisse When alle yair yhernynges mare and lesse Salbe fulfilled with swetenes Als men may fynde in ye sauter boke In som stede wryten whaso wil loke When Godde sal do com on his frendes A floode of pees yat neuer endes Yus ye prophete appertly says Whase wordes er mykell to prayse Wharefore yai sal drynk so fast Of yat pees yat euer sal last Yat yai sal drunken be of yat flode Yat es so delycious and so gode Of yis blissefull drunkennes Yat ful of peese and of ioy es Spekes Dauid on yis wyse Of ye blisse of paradyse And says Lorde alle sal yai be Drunken of ye grete plente Yat in yi hous es so gode And ya yat filled er of ye flode Of yi delyte yat swete bihoues be For ye welle of lyf es with ye Yis es ye welle of lyf endeles Yat euermare springand es Yar neuer es nyght bot euer day Yat es Godde hymself yat lastes ay And yat es ye welle of lyf so heghe Yat neuermare may faylle ne dieghe Of whilk springes and rynnes clene On alle ye halwes yat er sene In paradyse and yat salbe A blisseful flode of grete plente Of ioy and delyte and pees And of rest yat neuer sal sees So grete yat al yat drynkes of yis Salbe drunken of ioy and blisse Yis es ye pees and ye blissedhede Yat parfyte men sal haf to mede In ye werlde yat es to com Thurgh ye heghe gift of wisdom For whilk pees to haue and fele Men suld sobrely lif and wele In yis werlde whoso witte can Als Saynt Austyn says ye haly man For nane may drynk yat has threst Of yis ryuere of pees and rest Ne nathynge yareof taste ne fele Bot ya yat kepes sobrenes wele Yis es ye vertu yat synne lettes Ye whilk ye gift of wisdom settes In ye herte agayne glotony Yat som men vses ouer comonly For wisdome teches vs sobrenes Als Salamon says and als proued es Sobrenes may be a tree called Yat ful precious es to bihalde For it kepes ye hele specially Bathe of ye saul and of ye body Als men may fynde in haly writte Whoso rightly lokes it Of glotony and of outrage In etyng and drynkyng thurgh vsage Comes many manere of sekenes And oft ye dede yat harder es Forwhy thurgh ouermykell etyng Or thurgh ouermykell drynkynge Many dyes al sodaynely tane And so yai er yair awen bane Right als ye fisshe yat es vncouthe Es tane with ye morsell in ye mouthe Yis vertu men suld kepe right Ouer alle thinge bathe day and nyght For ye godes yat it ay dose To hym yat wille it kepe and vse First sobrenes at ye bigynnyng Kepes to skille and vnderstandyng Yair fraunchis thurgh skilful vse Yat drunkennes oftsythe forduse For he yat es drunken es so tane With wyne or ale yat skille has he nane Bot leses thurgh outrage of drynkyng Bathe resoun and vnderstandyng And alle his wittes hym bihoues tyne Als he yat es drunkend in wyne And when he wenes als he thinkes Drynk ye wyne ye wyne hym drynkes Ye secund gode yat sobrenes Dose til a man namely yis es It helpes and delyuers hym haally Of ye vyle thralledom of ye bely For yise glotouns yat outrage taas Of yair bely yair godde maas Yat yai honure and na godde elles Als Saynt Paull ye apostell telles Certes yat man gretly reuyles Hymself and foully his saul fyles Yat serues with grete bisynes Swilk a lorde als his bely es Fra whilk lorde nathing may com Bot stynk and filth yat es wlatsom Bot sobrenes a man may kepe In right state and in his lordshepe For ye gast suld ay haue maystry And be lorde and sire of ye body And ye body suld serue ye gast Yis order kepes sobrenes mast Ye thridde gode yat sobrenes dose Es yis whoso wille it vse It kepes wele ye yhate of ye castelle Agayne ye oste of ye fende of helle Yat es ye mouthe yat standes ouerthwert Ye whilk es mayster yhate of ye hert Yat ye fende yat ay trauaylles With al his myght ful oft assaylles Bot sobrenes so weres ye yhate Yat he may noght entre by na gate And when ye yhate of ye mouthe of man Es wyde open and vnkeped yan Ye oste of synnes by yat party Entres withinne yan ful lightly And fightes yare with othir synnes Yan gase ye tung and noght blynnes Bot whaso has yis vertu haally He has lordeshepe of his body And may it mayster at his wille And lede bathe with resoun and skille Als men may an horse maystry With a brydell in ye mouthe namely Sobrenes at ye first bataylle In ye oste of vertus thurgh trauaylle Othir vertus kepes and weres Agayne synnes yat ye saul deres Wharefore ye fende yat first ille couthe First tempted Godde onence ye mouthe He badde hym make brede of a stane If he war Goddis Sone alane He assaylled also ye first man Onence ye mouthe and ouercome him yan For he opend hym sone ye yhate Of ye castelle and gaf hym gate For he assented to yat fondynge Withouten any agayne standynge Thre thinges namely and na lesse Teches vs to kepe wele sobrenes Ane es kynde to lede with skille Anothir es haly writte to fulfille Ye thridde es ilka creature right Yat Godde has made thurgh his myght First kynde vs teches wele to kepe Sobrenes to Goddis worshepe For amange alle bestes man kyndely Has leste mouthe after his body Also man has in comon sight Othir lyms yat er doubled right Als twa eres for to here And twa eghen of sight clere Yat ledes ye wittes yat he has tane Bot he has na mouthe bot ane Yhete teches kynde vs als methink Yat we suld in mesure ete and drynk For kynde has so lytell vphaldyng Yat outrage may it sone doun bryng Haly wrytte yat ay certayne es Teches vs to kepe sobrenes In many maners als falles to be And thurgh ensaumples als men may se Yat can it vnderstande in bokes And oft ye lyues of haly men lokes Als swa vs teches ilka creature To kepe sobrenes and mesure For in ilka creature Godde luues Right mesure als Salamon proues For sobrenes es noght elles Bot to kepe right mesure als he telles Yat es ye mydward bitwene Ouermykell and ouer lyttell sene After yat yat resoun and skille Lightes thurgh grace and teches ye wille Forwhy oft yus falles on som party Onence ye godes yat er werldely Yat thinge yat ouer mykell semes To ane es ouer lytell als men demes Til anothir swilk may he be Yus falles oft als we may se Yat yat to a poure es outrage To a ryche war ouer lytell wage Bot sobrenes and attemperaunce Settes mesure agayne ilka chaunce Also on anothir party In ye godes yat er gastly Als in fastyng and in wakyng And in harde disciplynes takynge And in othir werkes of vertus Yat for God and for ye saul men duse Settes temperaunce and sobrenes Right mesure als resoun es Yis vertu yat es profytable Haldes mesure ay resonable Noght anely in etyng and drynking Bot in vsyng of alle othir thing And namely of alle gode vertus Yat parfyte men here wille vse Als Saynt Bernard in som stede says Yat we here yis clerkes oft prays For yis vertu settes ilka thoght And ilka wille yat es soght And alle ye wittes of ye body And alle stirynges of ye hert namely Vnder ye lordshepe of resoun right Als ye wyse man says yat Tullus hight So yat resoun yat es lightend wele Thurgh ye gift of wisdom for to fele Haldes in pees and in quert His lordshepe of body and hert Yis es ye ende and ye intencioun Of alle vertus thurgh deuocioun So yat ye hert and ye body Be wele ordayned to Godde almyghty So yat Godde yat al can ordayne Anely be Louerd and souerayne On swilk wyse thurgh his dignyte Yat alle his obedyence be Als to ye right kyngedom haally Of ye saul and of ye body And yat mas anely sobre luf Of Godde als yis clerkes can pruf Yat settes ye hert with right skille Alle haally in Goddes awen wille Wharefore Saynt Austyn als men may here Spekes and says on yis manere Yat ye vertu of sobrenes And of attemperaunce proprely es A luf yat kepes itself wele And haly to Godde als men may fele Withouten any corrupcioun And vs drawes fra luf of here doun Yat es of luf yat comes ouerthwert Of yis werlde yat trobles ye hert Of ilka man yat here werldely es Yat puttes hym to vayne bisynes And fordose ye knawyng right Of hymself and of Godde ye sight Right als men sees noght clerely In trobled water yat es drouy Bot ye luf of Godde yat es clene Of werldely luf yat here es sene And of flesshely affeccioun Wynnes a gastly warysoun And maas ye hert here wele at eese And settes it in gode rest and pees For it settes ye hert in his awen stede Yat es in Godde our alderhede Yar it may rest and wele fare For na rest na pees es bot yare Wharefore our Lorde swete Ihesus In ye haly godspelle says yus Yhe sal in yis werlde be thrungen fast Bot in me yhe sal fynde pees stedefast And Saynt Austyn says Lorde my hert Ne may noght be in pees and quert Til yat it may rest in ye Yar pees and rest anely bihoues be Na swilk luf fra erthely thinges Out of ye myres of yis werlde springes Bot out of ye heghe roche of stane Yat es our Lorde Godde alane On whilk ye grete citee standes Of paradyse oboun alle landes And Halykirke yat gode cyte Yat es Ihesu Cryst blissed be he On whilk thurgh trowthe es sette fast Ye strange castels yat ay sal last Yat er ye haly hertes to fele Of gode men yat lifs wele Of yis heghe roche comes ye welle Of parfyte luf in ye herte to dwelle Yat es clensed and clene made Of ye luf of yis werlde brade Yis welle es so clere and bryght Yat ye hert may se thurgh gastly sight In it yat es so clere of colour And knawe hymself and his creatour Right als a man sees thurgh ye ayre Hymself in a welle clere and fayre On yis welle ye hert it restes Yat after ye luf of Godde thristes After ye trauaylle of gode werkes Als in boke wryten fyndes yis clerkes Yat Ihesu Cryst Godde almyghty When he had gane yat he was wery He sette hym doun a while to dwelle And rested hym opon a welle Opon ye whilk ye nobell hert Yat wille hym kepe in gastly quert Settes itself and takes his rest In ye luf of Godde yat es best Yis welle es so swete and sauory Yat whaso drynkes yareof blethely Alle othir swetenes he forgetes And alle sauours yat yat luf lettes Yis welle feles on na manere Nouthir erthe ne mudde of yis werlde here And yarefore it es swete to drynk And sauory als yis gode men think For euer ye lesse yat a kynde welle Has of ye erthe sauour and smelle Ye mare haalsom it es to a man And wele ye better to drynk yan Yis es ye siker welle of witte And of wisdome als clerkes calles it For he yat wil drynk of it wele He may knawe and thurgh skille fele Ye sauour and ye swetenes Yat in Godde almyghty es And yis es ye souerayne wytte Of man here als yis clerkes proues it To knawe his creature and fele And with alle his hert to luf him wele For withouten yis philosophy Alle othir witte es noght bot foly Yis witte settes ye haly gaste In ye herte God for to tast When he ye gift of wisdom bedes Yat ye hert with gastly ioy fedes Yis gastly witte yat comes anely Of parfyte luf of Godde almyghty Maas ye hert so attempree And so sobre als it falles to be And specially so wele it brynges To ryght mesure in alle thinges So yat ye hert als yis clerkes wate Yat es broght rightly in yat state Es in rest and pees withouten stryf Als pees may be in yis dedely lyf Forwhy in yis werlde na man may Lif in pees nyght ne day Withouten turnament and fightyng Ne withouten bataylle of fondyng Yat Godde sendes thurgh grete luf His awen knyghtes here to pruf And foryi yat yai suld cun vse right Ye armes of vertu and cun fight For elles may yai noght be talde Goddis knyghtes dughty and balde Wharefore men yat to armes tentes In tyme of pees maas turnamentes Bot when ye gode knyght venquid has Ye turnament away he gaas And turnes hame and fightes na mare And at his eese restes hym yare Right so ye gode hert als dose ye knyght When it has foghten and venquyd right Ye sharp turnamentes of fondynges Yat men assaylles and to synne brynges He comes after to hymself agayne And hym restes in Godde mast certayne Yat for nathynge wille hym faylle Bot comfortes hym after yat trauaylle So yat he forgetes yare sone Alle ye trauaylles yat he has done And thinkes on Godde yat he laytes Yare fyndes he yat he mast couaytes Yis es ye fruyt yat es defautles Yat ye tree beres of sobrenes Ye whilk als I haf talde may com Anely of ye gift of wisdom Sobrenes and attemperaunce Maas ye hert of clene cuntynaunce And es noght elles when it springes Bot kepyng of mesure in alle thinges Bot specially in thinges seuen Men suld kepe mesure euen Yat er seuen degrees and na lesse Of attemperaunce and sobrenes Ya er seuen maners of mesures Yat falles to crysten creatures And namely in seuen thinges to loke Als here es wryten in yis boke Ane es mesure in vndirstandyng Of ye trouthe bifore alle othir thinge Anothir es in yhernyng and wille And in ye appetyte to fulfille Yat thurgh ye flesshe and ye werld bathe Vnto ye saul may oft do skathe Ye thridde es in speche of tung fre And in wordes whatso yai be Ye ferthe es in listenyng with eres Of othir mens wordes yat charge beres Ye fift es in clethyng of sere gyse And in othir apparaylle of pryse Ye sext es mesure in ye manere Of cuntynaunce of sight and chere And in hauyng and in berynge Namely of body in alle thinge Ye seuent es for hele of ye body In etynge and drynkynge namely Ye first degre yat mesure es called Es yat a man suld mesure hald In ye vnderstandyng sympilly Of ye trouthe thurgh symple study And in alle ye articles of it Withouten any musyng of wytte Forwhy mesure he passes yat wille Thurgh musyng seke any kynde skille In yat yat es so heghe a thinge Oboun mans skille and vndirstandynge Als mystrowand men dose namely Yat ye trouthe mesures in som party After yair vndirstandyng mast And yat trauaylle of witte yai wast Bot yai suld mesure after Goddis w[ille] Yair vnderstandyng and yair skille To ye mesure of ye trouthe verray Als gode crysten men dose ay Als Saynt Paul says yus by skille Be na man mare wys yan right trouthe wille Bot lede his witte thurgh sobrenes After yat ye mesure of ye trouth es Yat Godde has gyuen vs to kepe To our hele and his worshepe And Salamon to his sone says yhete Swete sone he says mesure yi witte Yat es to say als clerkes can se Yat you noght of swa self wytte be Ne so fitched in yi surquydry Yat you ne be bouxsom yarby For to trowe to al gode counsaylle Yat bathe to lyf and saul may auaylle And yat you leue yi self wytte and bowe To yam yat er mare wys yan yow And specially thurgh gastly myght In ye articles of ye trouthe right Men suld leue yair self wytte and wille And yair self vnderstandyng and skille And put yam in ye seruage Of ye trouthe for mast auauntage Als says Saynt Paul and noght yhern to se Resoun kyndely yar nane may be Als yis curyous men oft dose Yat of ye trouthe ouermykill wil muse Bot whaso wille his saul saue And ye blisse of heuen wille haue Hym bihoues after right trouthe wirke And trowe als trowes Halykirke Ye secund degree of sobrenes Yat ye secund manere of mesure es Es when men right mesure settes Yat alle manere of outrage lettes In ye wille namely of yhernynge And in ye appetyte of likynge Wharethurgh men may so ordayne A bridell to halde ye wille agayne Yat es to say ye brydell of skille With whilk men suld lede ye wille Yat it may noght rynne ouer tyte To flesshely yhernynges ne to delyte Ne to vanytees ne couatyse Of ye werlde yar mast perille lyse Wharefore ye wyse man of grete witte Says yus openly in haly writte It es noght inoghe says he Ye couatyse of vanyte Ne ye yhernynge of yi hert light Bot yat you restrayne yi wille right So yat you nane wyse it fulfille And yareto gifs he a gode skille Forwhy if you to yi herte wil do Al yat it wille and assent yarto You mas grete ioy to yine enemyse Yat er ye fendes yat ye ay spyes Als a man dose on ye same manere Yat mas ioy to his aduersere Agayne wham he suld fight in felde When he to hym wille hym yhelde Yat man yheldes hym to ye fende right Als he yat es ouercommen in fight Yat assentes to flesshely lykynges Or to any wicked yhernynges Yarefore Saynt Petir yat Godde wele luued Says yus als yis clerkes has proued I bidde yhow he says in Goddis name Yat yhe yat er here fer fra hame Als vncouthe men and pilgrymes Kepe yhow wele here als Goddis lymes Fra yhernynges of flesshe yat ay fightes Agayne ye saul bathe days and nyghtes He yat es pilgryme als yhe may se And commes in a straunge cuntre Yar many theues and robbours bene Als es in many cuntrees sene Yat pilgrymes yat passes by ye strete Spyes and waytes with yam to mete To robbe yam and fra yam reue Al yat yai haue and noght yam leue He may hym kepe fra ya theues alle Yat he noght in yair handes falle Yat thinkes and castes with grete study How he may passe mast sikerly Alle ye gode men of yis werlde here Er straunge men to proue on yis manere For yai er out of yair cuntre Yat es paradyse yar yai wald be Yat es ye lande and ye herytage Of gode men yat flees outrage Yai er gode pylgryms als ye boke telles Forwhy yai think here nathing elles Bot make yair iournes day and nyght Til yai com to yair cuntre right Yar yair right herytage lys Yat es ye citee of paradys Ye whilk Goddis pilgrymes by right ways Sekes ay here als Saynt Paul says Yat wille noght for werldely auauntage In yis werlde here haue herytage Swilk pilgrymes yat wille passe sikerly Puttes yam in gode cumpany Yat ledes yam right als men may proue And sikerly in trouthe and luf Trouthe to pilgrymes shewes ye way And luf yam beres nyght and day Til yai be broght to yat cuntre Yar yair right herytage suld be On whilk yai sette so fast yair thoght Yat ye way yider deres yam noght He yat hym to swilk company gifs Thar noght drede robbours ne theues Yat waytes ye stretes yar men wendes Als I haf tolde ya er ye fendes Yat robbes and taas alle ya namely Yat has noght with yam gode cumpany Als yaas yat thurgh sere fandynges Fulfilles here yair wicked yhernynges Yat puttes yam in ye fendes handes And in his snares and in his bandes Trouthe and luf of Godde almyghty Withhaldes ye hert stedfastly And withdrawes it fra alle wicked thoght And fra fole wille yat it assent noght To na synne yat comes ouerthwert Yus trouthe and luf withhaldes ye hert Right als men dose with ye faukoun Yat to fleghe es oft boun With ye iesse men haldes hym stille Yat he fleghe noght after his wille Ye hert es als ye faukoun to flight Yat fayne wald fleghe if yat it myght Yat men may halde als men may proue With ye iesses of trouthe and luf Ye hert oft fleghes perillously So yat it perisshes itself yarby And falles sone als I yhou telle In ye foghelers gilders of helle Yat es ye fende yat waytes ay To take yat foghell if he may Yarefore ye gode men yat er wys Restraynes yair willes fra folys And yair yhernynges fra al yat ille es Thurgh attemperaunce and sobrenes Wharefore Senek yat was a wyse man Says yus als I shewe yhow can If you lufs wele says he To be sobre and attempre Restreyne yi yhernynges fra folys And putte a bridell to yi couatyse For als men haldes ye hors agayne With a bridell yat wald rynne fayne Yat he ne ga noght at his wille Right swa men may hald ye hert stille With ye bridell of sobrenes And of attemperaunce yat siker es Yat it ne may on nane wyse Gif it to werldely couatyse Ne til nane othir vanyte Swa suld ye hert restrayned be Ye thridde degree yat men suld halde Es mesure in wordes and speche called For Salamon says yat ye wyse man And ye wele lered yat wisdom can Mesures alle his wordes right And tempres his speche with al his myght And Saynt Ierom says ye gode techer Yus als ye boke may wittenes bere Yat bi ye weght of wordes to neuen Es common lyf attempred euen Yat es to say and to vnderstande After ye wordes of ye tung stirande Men may knawe whaso can Ye witte or ye foly of ye man Als men may knawe a swyne and se By ye tung if yat it hale be And yarefore ye wyse man of wytte Spekes yus and says in haly wrytte Yat ye wordes yat wyse men neuen In balaunce er weghed ful euen Yat es to say yat he yat es wise His wordes weghe withouten fayntyse In ye balaunce of resoun and skille And of discrescioun and noght of wille Swa yat ye wordes in shewynge Hald right mesure in alle thinge It bene som men of swilk wille Yat can noght halde yair tung stille Bot lates ye tung ga whyle it may And gifs na kepe what yai say Be it gode be it ille yat yai speck Or sothe or leghe noght yai reck Ya men may wele lickened be Vntill a milne als men may se Yat es withouten flode yhate Yar ye water to ye millne has gate Yat ye clowes of ye milne es called Yat ye water fra ye whele may hald Yat turnes about and noght blynnes Ay als ye cours of ye water rynnes Right so commes to yair tunges by vse Ille wordes als water to ye milne duse Bot ye wyse man of gode condycioun Settes ye clowes of discrescioun To kepe and halde ye water agayne Of fole wordes and speche in vayne Yat yai passe noght by na party Thurgh ye milne of ye tung namely And yarefore says ye wyse man yus In haly wrytte als ye boke shewes vs Lat noght ye water ga he says Yat es to say withhalde always Yi wordes of ille entencioun At ye clowes of discrescioun Forwhy Salamon says alswa He yat lates yat water ga Ouer hastyly agayne skille He es oft cause of mykill ille Of motes of stryfs and othir thinges Yat of ye wicked tung oft springes Als I sayd ar yar I mast talde Of ye wicked tung yat es so balde And yarefore says ye wyse man wele In haly wrytte als men may fele Sette yi wordes he says in balaunce And weghe yam euen for alle chaunce And in yi mouthe a brydell withalle And take gode kepe yat you noght falle Thurgh yi tung bifore yi faas Yat spyes ye whareso you gaas Whaso wille noght when he may Weghe his wordes ar he yam say In ye balaunce of discrescyoun Als yis boke yareof makes mencioun Ne his tung halde with ye brydell of skille Yat suld kepe ye tung fra ille He falles in ye handes of his enemys Yat er ye fendes yat hym ay spyes When ye enemys yat wille dwelle On were til yai haf tane ye castelle Fyndes ye yhates open wyde Yai entre lightly on yat syde Right swa ye fendes yat waytes to wynne Ye castell of ye herte withinne When yai fynde open ye mayster yhate Yat es ye mouthe yar yai haf gate Yai entre yan into ye castelle Yat yai wil halde while yai yare dwelle Yarefore says ye prophete Davy In ye sauter yus openly I haf sette he says als I couthe Gode kepynge vnto my mouthe Agayne myne enemy yat es agayne me Yat es ye fende yat I may noght se Ye kepyng of ye mouthe es yis Als Dauid sayd yat was of his Discrescioun and skille to fele Yat examynes ye wordes wele Byfore yai passe als ye boke telles Out of ye mouthe yar ye tung dwelles Yis es ye balaunce to mesure dight Of whilk ye wyse man spekes right Yar ye wordes suld be euen layde And weghed bifore ar yai war sayde Men suld knawe yat sothfastnes Haldes y(e) balaunce yat so euen es For sothfastnes accorde may Ye entencioun of ye hert ay And ye wordes of ye mouthe fre Alletogider als falles to be So yat ye mouthe ne say noght elles Bot sothfastnes als ye herte telles Yise balaunce suld ay euen hynge Withouten any wrange heldynge Vnto ye left syde or to ye right Yan hynges it wele to Goddis sight For men suld for na mans luf Ne for werldely gode yat men may pruf Ne for fauour ne for hatred Ne yhete for na drede of dede Leue to folwe sothfastnes And to say sothe when myster es Ne men suld say na lesyng yan Ne falsed in worde for na man Ye ferthe degree als ye boke says Of sobrenes yat es to prays Es a maner of mesure called In heryng yat men suld halde For als men suld mesure kepe In spekyng to Goddis worshepe Right so men suld kepe mesure right In heryng with alle yair myght For als men may synne in ille spekyng So men may synne in ille heryng Wharefore he yat wille blethely here Ille of othir es partenere And felaw whareso he dwelles Of ye synne of hym yat it telles Forwhy na man wald say blethely Ille of othir ne vilany Yat yair gode loos myght abate Namely bifore a man of state If he ne wened yat he myght pay To hym yat heres hym vilany say Wharefore yus says ye haly man And so says yis clerkes yat clergy can Yat na man suld be ille speker Warne he fande som ille herer And if na herar war of ille Nane ille speker suld be by skille Yise men of grete state if yai war wys Suld take gode kepe and yam avyse What yai suld here and what yai suld t[rowe] Als I sal afterwarde shewe yhow Bot flateryng leghes and losengery Er grete chepe in yair courtes namely Ye mast derthe of anything yat es Obout yam yare es sothfastnes And yarefore yai er comonly Deceyued thurgh swilk losengery For yai here blethely yat men yam says And trowes lightly yat yat yam pays Senek says nathing yat charge beres To grete men faylles bot sothesayers For it er grete chepe of leghers Of losengers and of flateres Men suld yair eres haf open ay To here blethely yat es to say Gode wordes of gode men and leele Yat mykell auaylles to saul hele And yair eres yai suld ay sper Agayne fole wordes yat may der Wharefore ye wyse man says yus In haly writte als ye boke shewes vs Stoppe he says yine eres wele With thornes yat er sharp to fele And ye ille tung listen you noght Yat brynges a man in ille thoght Ye ille tung es als I yhow telle Ye tung of ye nedder of helle Yat yai bere about yat spekes ille Yat venyms yam yat listen yam wille Agayne swilk tunges yat gretly deres Men suld fille and stoppe yair eres With sharpe thornes specially Of ye drede of Godde almyghty Or with ye thornes thurgh whilk God was Corowned anely for mans trespas Yat es mynde of Crystes passyoun Yat vs broght fra ye fendes bandoun For whaso wild haue parfytely Drede of our Lorde Godde almyghty And of his passyoun right mynde Als he suld haue if he war kynde He suld noght here blethely by skille Yis flateres ne spekers of ille Ne fole wordes ne vnhonest Bot som men er ya(t) charges yam lest Also men may in othir manere Vnderstande als yhe may here Yis worde yat grete charge beres Stoppe wele with thornes yine eres Thornes yat er sharpe semande Bytokens sharpe wordes and prickande Thurgh whilk ya yat spekes oft ille Men suld snybbe and make yam be stille And shewe yam swilk semblaunt and chere Als men wald noght yam blethely here Men has a manere of nedder sene Yat es ful venemous and kene Yat es in Latyne called aspis Ye kynde of yat nedder es yis Alstyte als sho may se a man Yat sho wenes charme hir can Scho stoppes hir ane ere with erthe fast And ye tothir with hir taylle at ye last Yat scho ye charmer may noght here Ne ye charme be he neuer so nere Ye nedder yat can hir eres yus ditte Vs teches to stoppe our eres thurgh wytte Yat we ne listen noght yis charmers Yat er flaterers and leghers Yat fals flateryng mykill hauntes And charmes ye ryche men and enchauntes Bot whaso stoppes his eres ay Als dose ye nedder yat es to say Ye tane with erthe yat it noght faylle And ye tothir ere with his taylle Hym thar haue na warde ne drede If he his witte wil right lede Of na charmes whareso he wendes Of wicked tunges ne of ye fendes He stoppes right ye tane of his eres With erthe als ye boke wyttenes beres Yat bithinkes hym yat he es noght Bot erthe and to erthe salbe broght And thinkes alswa of his wrechednes How pouer how vyle how feble he es Wharefore he suld hym meke yarby And halde hym noght worth of body Ye tothir ere he suld stoppe fast With his taylle yat byhynde commes last Yat es to say by vnderstandyng He suld ay think on his endynge And on ye dede yat he sal drye And wate neuer when he sal dye Ne how ne whare ne in what stede Ne whider he sal when he es dede He yat couthe stoppe on yis manere His eres he suld noght blethely here Nathing be spoken to him ne sayde Of whilk our Lorde suld be myspayde And on yis wyse a man may be Right mesured and attempere Ye fift degree als men may fele Of sobrenes es to kepe wele Right mesure withouten fayllyng In ryche apparaylle and in clethyng Yar men passes oft mesure right And maas grete outrage in mens sight And foryi yat swilk outrage Of curiouste and grete costage Yat men maas obout ye body Es halden grete synne and foly And enchesouns of synne may be In othir men als men may se Men suld ay right mesure kepe In swilk thinges to Goddis worshepe For if swilk apparaylle ryche and gay War noght swilk synne als I now say Godde had noght spoken so sharply yan In ye godspell agayne ye riche man Yat in riche purpre cledde hym oft And in bys yat was so soft Of whase lyuyng God was noght payd Als I haf here bifore sayde A grete fole es a man or a womman And als a chylde es yat na wytte can Ne skille has ne vnderstandynge Yat enprydes hym of his clethynge I suld wele a man a fole halde And a fole he may right be called Yat enprydes hym here gretly Of ye garment opon his body Yat suld be nane othir thinge Bot a token and a menynge Of ye shame yat was wyde knawen Of his first fader and of his awen Yis vsage yat we vse of clethyng Was funden first for yis thinge For our formast fader synne Yat dampned hymself and al his kyn To couer his shame and ours to hyde Why suld we yan in yat haf pryde When men sees a beer fayr dight And couerd with fayr clathes of sight Yat es a token to knaw yarby Yat withinne lyse a dede body If ye pacok of his fayre taylle Enpryde hym it es na meruaylle Ne if ye cok yat crawes loude Of his creste in hert be proude For kynde mas hym swa to be And als his kynde wille so dose he Sen he has nouthir witte ne skille After his kynde he dose his wille Bot man or womman whethir so it be Yat had witte and skille and wille fre And wate wele withouten faylle Yat kynde hym gifs na ryche apparaylle He suld noght enpryde hym namely Of ye apparaylle on his body Ne of ye quayntyse on ye hede For swilk pryde makes ye saul dede Yarefore says yus ye wyse man In haly wrytte als I fynde can In fayre robes he says enpryde ye noght Ne of yam haf na ioye in thoght And Saynt Paul als swa says yus right Yat yis wymmen suld yam dight And yam apparaylle in sobrenes And namely after yair state es Yat es to say in mesure mast Withouten outrage done in wast After yat yat ye state wille Of ye persone and after skille Certes methink yis may noght be Withouten grete outrage to se Yat a persone sal haue anely For ye vse of his awen body So many robes in a yhere Of riche clathe of colour sere Thurgh whilk many pouer men myght be Sustayned and so wald charyte And als es done obout a body Yat es grete outrage and foly And if ya robes and yat clethyng War gyuen at his last endyng For Goddes luf anely yhete suld yat Vnto his saul helpe somwhat Bot yai er gyuen specyally Til herlotes for yair herlotry And til mynstralles for yair dyn And yis es als I proue grete syn For he yat any gode gifs Til ya(t) man yat synfully lifs Yat vses iapes and herlotrys Vnto ye fende he mas sacrafyse Foryi men suld kepe in swilk thinges Mesure yat of sobrenes springes After yat yat ye state wald Of ye persone als I haf talde Ye sext degree of sobrenes And of temperaunce namely yis es Yat ilk man after his powere Suld mesure kepe on gode manere In beryng and in cuntynaunce After ye wyse mans ordynaunce Wharefore Senek says if you be Rightly sobre and attempre Take gode kepe and be war yarby Yat ye stirynges of yi body And of yi hert be noght vnclene Ne vnconable in beryng sene For of disordynaunce of ye hert When ye saul es noght in quert Comes als es sene comonly Ye disordynaunce of ye body It er som yat er chyldisshe and nyce And knawes noght yair awen vyce Yat mas men thurgh yair folys Halde yam foles and noght wys It falles wele til a man of valu Yat he be ledde thurgh ye vertu Of attemperaunce and sobrenes Yat tholes nane outrage yar it es And mesured wele als teches yis clerkes In alle his wordes and in alle his werkes And of so fayre contynaunce be Byfore alle men yai may hym se Swa yat na man may of his beryng Take ille ensaumple or of his lyuynge Ne yat he be noght halden vnwys Als a chylde or fole yat shewes folys Forwhy a philosophre yus shewes Yat a chylde of elde and a chylde of thewes And a chylde of wytte er alle ane Yus may ye name of chylde be tane And haly wrytte also says yus Als yis clerkes has oft shewed vs Yat a chylde of ane hundreth yhere Es weryed als yhe may here Yat es to say yat he or sho Yat has elde and na gode wil do Bot lifs als a chylde in foly He es weryed of Godde almyghty Wherefore Saynt Paul says yus Of hymself als ye boke shewes vs When I was he says a chylde Als chylde I wroght and was ful wylde Bot when I come to elde of man I left al my childehede yan For whaso haldes a man of elde A chylde yat na wytte can welde He haldes hym als ye manere es A fole yan yat es witteles Yarefore I rede als teches haly wrytte Yat nane of yhow be chylde of wytte Bot bese in beryng meke and mylde And lytell in malyce als a chylde Now es yis a fayre thyng yan And worshepefull to man and womman And namely til men of worshepe To halde sikerly and to kepe Certayne mesure withouten fayllyng In cuntynaunce and in berynge Ye seuent degre and ye last Es to kepe wele with hert stedfast Mesure yat men skillefull calles In etyng and drynkyng als falles For outrage yat we se men vse In mete and drynk grete harme duse Bathe to ye saul and to ye body Als I haf talde bifore openly Yarefore says Godde in ye godspelle Yus als men heres yis clerkes telle Takes kepe I bidde yhow says he Yat yhour hertes noght greued be Ne ouercharged with glotony Ne of drunkennes of body Yat es to say and to vndirstande Yus als es to our witte semande Yat yhe ne do for nathinge Outrage in etyng ne in drynkyng Sobrenes kepes mesure clene In etyng and drynkyng als es sene Yat men do here nane outrage Forwhy it turnes to nane auauntage Of outrage obout ye bely In etynge and drynkyng namely Yat stirs a man oft vnto vyce Inoghe es spoken in yis tretyce Yare I haf spoken openly Of ye synne of glotony To whilk ye vertu of sobrenes Yat I of spake contraryous es Yarefore I wille speke na mare now Of yat synne yat I haf shewed yhowe Now haf yhe herde me here neuen Openly ye degrees seuen Of ye tree of sobrenes Yat shewes alle fruyt yat gode es And if yhe blethely wil se And knawe ye braunches of yis tre Byhalde alle othir vertus and loke Yat er contened in yis boke Swa sal yhe fynde als may falle Yis vertu commonly ouer alle Forwhy als I haf byfore talde And shewed to yam yat me here wald Yis vertu yat alle vyces lettes In alle vertus right mesure settes Wharefore I say yat alle vertus Er braunches of yis yar men wele duse For yis vertu hym right shewes In alle othir vertus and thewes Wharefore I wil noght here sette Nane outhir braunche yat vyce may le[tte] Bot alle ye vertus yat men may loke And fynde wryten in yis boke I halde yam alle mare and lesse Braunches of ye tree of sobrenes Yis tree beres mykill faire fruyte Yat es speciall saul bote Yat es pees of hert thurgh gastly my[ght] Als I byfore haf talde yhow right For he yat has yis vertu wele He has ye herte als he may fele So twynned fra luf yat es werldely And swa knytted to Godde almyghty Thurgh charyte als men may rede Yat es parfyte luf and anehede And so fast in hym his luf he settes Yat he alle othir thinges forgettes Namely yat er noght ordayned right To Godde yat es ful of myght And on yis wyse als I yhow say Ye hert it restes in Godde ay Yar he may alle comfort fele And delyte and ioy yat hym lykes wele Ye whilk may passe als I wene Alle othir delytes yat here er sene Yis comfort and yis ioy to tast And yis delyte settes ye Haly Gast In ye hert yat parfyte es In ye vertu of sobrenes Yat men may fele specially com Of ye haly gift of wisdom Certes whaso myght fele best Swilk pees of hert yat wald hym rest In Godde of wham alle gode springes Yat es fulfillyng of his yhernynges He suld be blissed in yis werlde here And in ye tothir yat es mare clere For he suld wynne yat blissedhede Yat Godde als we in ye godspell rede Hight to yam ouer alle othir thinge Yat pees wille kepe withouten brekyng When he says yus blissed be yai Yat payseble er in hert ay For yai salbe called Goddis sonnes And wonne with hym yar he wonnes Yise er ye paysebles to prayse Als Saynt Austyne openly says Yat ordaynes and settes day and nyght Alle ye stirynges of yair hertes right Vnder ye lordshepe of right skille And of ye gaste als resoun wille Yise er bi right Goddis sonnes called For pees yai kepe wele and halde Forwhy yai bere ye right lickenes Of yair Fader yat Godde es And Lorde of pees and of luf Als Saynt Paul says yis may men proue Wharefore pees and luf parfyte Es a thinge of gastly delyte Yat mas a man mast kyndely Lyke to our Lorde Godde almyghty And contrary to ye fende of helle Goddis enemy yat es fals and felle Also yai may Goddis sonnes be called Thurgh anothir skille to halde For yai folwe yair Fader ay nerre Yan othir yat er fra hym ferre For pees and luf yat es hym dere Hym folwes and haldes mare nere Yan any othir vertu yat es Als haly writte beres wyttenes Also yai wirke yair Faders werkes After his wille als says yis clerkes For Godde come noght at ye bigynnyng Into yis werlde for nane othir thing Bot for to make here pees and luf Bytwene Godde and man for mans bihuf And bitwene man and aungell bright And bitwene man and hymself right Wharefore when Godde was borne als man Ye aungels sang for ye pees yan Yat Godde hadde into erthe broght Amange mankynde yat he had wroght Yan yai sange als yam felle to do Gloria in excelsis deo Et in terra pax hominibus Yat es blisse to Godde and pees to vs Als to men yat in erthe dwelles Yat er of godewille and to nane elles And foryi yat thurgh na yhernynge Ye paisebles sekes nane othir thing Bot pees and pees purchaces ay Onence Godde in al yat yai may And onence yair neghpur here And in yamself on gode manere Yai may be called specially Ye childer of Godde almyghty For yair Faders werk yai wirk And of his werkes yai er noght irke And foryi yat men calles yam ay Goddis childer blissed er yai In yis werlde thurgh special grace When yai pees of hert purchace Bot yis blissedhede salbe parfyte When yai salbe with grete delyte Als ye boke mas here mencyoun In right paiseble possessyoun Of yair Faders herytage fre Yat passes alle thing yat may be Yat men can in yis werlde neuen Ye whilk es ye kyngedom of heuen Yare yai salbe in siker pees And parfyte ioy yat neuer sal sees Yar alle yair willes and yair yhernynges Salbe fulfilled in alle thinges Yare na mare of ille may be Ne dole ne defaute ne aduersyte Bot plente of alle thing yat gode es And ioy and blisse yat es endeles Yis salbe pees mast profytable Pees mast honurable and delytable Pees mast siker and mast stedfast Pees mast parfyte yat ay sal last Pees yat sal surmount and passe Alle mens witte yat euer was Or salbe in alle mens lyf dayse Als Saynt Paull ye apostell says And sen it passes alle wytte of man Als wordes of man it passes yan Forwhy na hert of man think it may Ne ere yhete here ne tung say Ne eghe myght neuer se thurgh sight War it neuer so clere and bright What ioy it es yat neuer endes Yis pees yat God has hight his frendes Yis es ye blissedhede for to take Of paysebilnes yat I of spake To whilk ye vertu of sobrenes Brynges a man yat sobre es And to ye mede yat anely falles To yam yat men paysebill calles Yat es to be called Goddis sonnes And wonne with hym yar he wonnes Als men may here yis clerkes telle How Godde says in ye godspelle Blissed be yai yus says he Yat er paysebill als yai suld be For yai salbe called thurgh right Goddis childer yat es ful of myght Now may yhe se here openly And lightly knawe thurgh short study What gode ye gift dose of wisdome In ye herte yar it may com What vice it out drawes and what synne And what vertu it settes withinne Alle may men fynde in yis boke redy And by many skilles proued appertly Ye whilk gift withouten fayllyng Men may wynne thurgh ye first askyng Of ye Pater Noster yat we bidde For it es mast and heghest kidde It es ye first yat we craue Bot it es ye last to wynne and haue For we most first at ye lawest bigynne Ar we may to ye heghest wynne Ye lawest es dredde of Godde of heuen And wisdom es ye heghest of ye seuen And bot we first bigynne at drede We may noght wele of wisdom spede Forwhy drede of Godde when it wil com It es ye bigynnyng of wisdom Als ye wyse man in boke shewes vs And als I first talde yat says yus Initium sapientie est timor dei Yise twa giftes haldes ye tothir fast Goddes sende vs bathe ye first and ye last Yan er we siker whareso we ga Of alle ye tothir bitwene ya twa Yan may we of grace haue grete plente Godde graunt vs yat it so mot be AMEN [Conclusion] Here es ye ende of yis tretyce Yat spekes of many maner of vyce And of vertus many and sere And of alle yat nedefull war to lere And to knawe what es Goddis wille And what es gode and what es ille What Godde greues and what hym payse Als yis boke here openly says First to shewe als I had delyte Ye dignyte and ye grete profyte Of ye Pater Noster specially And ye vnderstandynge yarby Yareafter I tolde for lewed men mast Ye seuen giftes of ye Haly Gast And what es mast yair offyce And what es vertu and what es vyce Alswa men myght here me neuen Ye heued dedely synnes seuen With yair braunches and yair rotes Yat in ye hert of men oft shotes And seuen special vertus Yat alle ya seuen synnes forduse And yair braunches and yair degrees Yat lettes alle vyces and vanytees And of ye seuen blissedhedes I haf touched and of yair medes Alle es wryten here on yis boke Whaso wil rede it ouer and loke It es na vertu vnnethes ne synne Yat he ne sal fynde it wryten yarinne Yan may he knawe and se yarby Of what synne he es mast gilty And what remedy es yareagayne Or vertu yat es mast certayne Swa may a man knawe and se What he es and what he suld be For a man may noght him wele shryue Ne fra synne hym kepe in yis lyue Bot if he can knawe what es synne And what perille it es to dwelle yarinne Ne a man may noght kepe Goddis lawe Bot he can right vertus knawe For it es noght inoghe to a man To kepe hym fra synne al if he can Bot if he vse als teches yis clerkes Gode vertus and do gode werkes Yarefore lewed men has grete nede Yis boke oft to here or rede Yat Mirour may be called bi skille Yar men may se bathe gode and ille For he yat has hym yareinne sene May wyte whethir he be foul or clene Now haf I yus to ende broght Alle ye maters yat I haf sought Ye whilk men suld oft here and loke Als here es wryten in yis boke For whaso wille oft yam here or rede He sal noght faylle yat he ne sal spede Of speciall grace yat hym sal wisse Ye redy way to heuen blisse At yis tyme wille I na mare say Bot yhe yat haf herde yis I yhow pray Yat yhe pray for hym bathe alde and yhung Yat turned yis boke to Inglisshe tung Whareso he be and in what stede Whethir he lif or he be dede Yat Godde almyghty graunt hym mede In heuen blisse for yis dede And yhe sal noght tyne yhour trauaylle Of mede yarefore sal yhe noght faylle Forwhy ye boke appertely says Yat whaso here for othir prayse For hymself yan trauaylles he For yat es a token of charyte Bot Godde yat alle gode may gif Graunt yhow grace so here to lif Yat yhe may com when yhe hethen wende To ye blisse yat es withouten ende To whilk blisse he vs alle brynge Yat on ye croyce for vs wald hynge AMEN