The Corpus ms (Corpus Christi coll., Oxford) of Chaucer's Canterbury tales. Ed. by Frederick J. Furnivall. Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400.756 600dpi TIFF G4 page imagesUniversity of Michigan LibraryAnn Arbor, Michigan2006AGZ8235.0001.001828 C5O ser.1 no.5 etc.

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Chaucer society. [Publications] First series. 5,[11, 18, 34, 41, 53, 67]Publications (Chaucer Society) ; Ser. 1, [no.] 5, 11, 18, 34, 41, 53, 67The Corpus ms (Corpus Christi coll., Oxford) of Chaucer's Canterbury tales. Ed. by Frederick J. Furnivall. Chaucer, Geoffrey, d. 1400.Furnivall, Frederick James, 1825-1910.700 [i.e. 705] p. : ill. London,Pub. for the Chaucer society by N. Trübner & co.,1868-[1869]Page 193 duplicated, one page numbered 281-2, and extra pages 350*, 603a-b, 604a-b inserted.Issued in 7 parts 1868-84.Imperfect: wanting 9 of the 23 plates indicated in contents (p. viii) and the woodcuts of "6 tellers of tales," etc. (9 pl.) which may never have been issued. cf. set in Cambridge ms.

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THE Corpus MS (Corpus Christi Coll., Oxford.) OF Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

EDITED BY FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL.

LONDON: PUBLISHT FOR THE CHAUCER SOCIETY BY N. TRÜBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL. 1868-1879.

First Series.

CLAY AND TAYLOR, THE CHAUCER PRESS, BUNGAY.

GROUP A. FRAGMENT I. § 1. GENERAL PROLOGUE. CORPUS MS. (Oxford).[N.B. The first 72 lines, and other gaps, are supplied from MS. Arch. Seld. B. 14, Bodleian Library.] Here bigynneth the prolog of this book the which is namede the talis of Caunturbury in the whiche prolog thautour openly declarith the names of alle the pilgremes there condiciouns and there array. WHan that Apprille / with his shouris soote the drought of Marche / hath pershid to the roote and bathed euery veyne in swich licoure of which vertue / engendrid is the floure whan zepherus eke / with his swete brethe inspirid hath / in euery holt and hethe the tendre croppis / and the yonge sonne hath in the Ram / his halff cours I-ronne and smale fowlis make melodie that slepen al nyght / with open eyghe so priketh hem nature / in here coragis that longen folk to gon / on pilgrimagis and Palmeris for to seke strange strondes to serue halowes couthe / in sondre londes and specially / from euery shiris ende of Ingelond to Caunturbery thei wende the holy blisfull marter / for to seke that hem hath holpen / whan thei were seke bifill that on that seson on a day in Suthwork atte Tabard as I lay redy to wende / on my pilgrimage to Caunterbury / with ful deuout corage at night was come / in-to that hosterie wel .xxix.ti in a companye of sondry folk / bi auenture I-falle in feloshipe / and pilgremes were thei alle that toward Caunterbury wolde ryde the chambres and stablis weren wyde and wel weren eased at the beste and shortly whan the sonne was to reste so hadde I spokyn / with hem euerychon that I was of here feloshipe anon and made forward erly for to ryse to take oure wey / there as I yow devise but nertheles while I haue tyme and space or that I ferther in this tale pace me thynketh it accordant to reson to telle yow al the condicion of ech of hem so as it semed me and which they were and of what degre and eke in what array that thei were inne and at a knyght than woll I first bigynne A knyght ther was and that a worthi man¶ A knyght. that fro the tyme / that he first bigan to riden owt / he loued chyualrie trouth and honour / fredom and curtesie ful worthi was he / in his lordis werre and ther-to had he riden / no man ferre as wel in cristendom / as in hethenesse and euere honoured / for his worthynesse At Alisandre he was whan it was wonne ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne aboven alle nacions in Pruce in Lectow hadde he reysed and in Ruce no cristenman / so ofte of his degre in Garnade at the sege eke hadde he be of Algezire and riden in Belmarye at Lyeis was he and at Satalye whan thei were wonne and in the grete see at many a noble arme hadde he be at mortal batailles had he ben ffiftene and foughten for our feith at Tramessene in listes thries and ay slayn his foo this ilke worthi knyght hadde ben also somtyme with the lord of Palatye ayeyne another hethen in Turkye and euere-more he had a souerayne prys and though that he was worthy he was wys and of his port as meke as is a mayde he neuere yit no vilonye ne saide in al his liff / vn no manere wight he was a verry perfit gentill knight ffor to telle ȝow of his array[The Corpus MS. begins here] His hors were goode but he was not gay Of fustion he wered a gepon Al bismotered with his haburgon ffor he was late y-come from his viage And wente for to don his pilgrimage Wiþ him þer was his sone a ȝong squier A louyere and a lusty bacheler Wiþ lockes crulle as þei were leyd in presse Of .xx. ȝeer of age he was I gesse Of his statuture (sic) he was of euene lengþe And wonderly deliuere and gret of strengþe And he hadde be somtyme in Chiuachie In fflaundres in artoys and Pykardie and born him wel as of so litel space In hope to stonden in his lady grace Embroyded was he as it were a mede All ful of freissche floures white and reede Synging he was or floytynge al þe day He was als freissch as is þe monþ of may Schort was his gowne wiþ sleeues longe and wyde Wel couþe he sitte on an hors and faire ride He couþe songes make and wel endite Iuste and eek daunce and wel purteray and write So hote he loued þat by nighter tale He sleep nomore þan doþ a nightyngale Courteys he was lowly and seruisable and karf biforn his fader atte table A ȝeman hadde he and seruantes namo At þat time for him liste ride so And he was clad in coote and hood of greene A scheef of pocok arwes bright and keene Vnder his belt he bar ful þriftily Wel couþe he dresse his takel ȝimanly His arwes drouped nought wiþ fetheres lowe And in his hond he bar a mighty bowe A not-hed hadde he wiþ a broun visage Of woode-craft wel couþe he al þe vsage Vpon his arm he bar a gay bracer And by his syde a swerd and a bocler And on þat oþer side a gay daggere Harnaysed wel and scharp as point of spere A Christophre on his brest of seluer schene An horn he bar þe bawdrik was of grene A foster was he soþly as I gesse Ther was also a Nonne a Prioresse That of hir smyling was ful symple a[nd] coy Hir grettest oþ was but by seint loy And sche was cleped ma dame Englentyne ffol wel sche song þe seruise diuine Entuned in hir nose ful semely And frenssch sche spak ful faire and fetisly After þe scole of stratford atte Bowe ffor ffrenssh of Parys was to hire vnknowe At mete wel I-taught was sche wiþ-all Sche leet no morsell from hire lippes falle Ne wete hire fyngres in hir sauce deepe Wel couþe sche carie a morsel and wel keepe / That no drope ne fell vpon hir breste In Curtesye was sette ful moche hire leste Hir ouer lippe wyped sche so cleene That in hir cuppe þer was no ferthing seene Of grete whan sche dronken hadde hir draughte fful semely after hir mete sche raughte And sikerly sche was of gret disporte And ful plesant and amyable of porte And peyned hire to counterfete cheere Of court and to ben estatlich of maneere And to ben holden digne of reuerence But for to speken of hir conscience Sche was so charitable and so pytous Sche wolde weepe if þat sche sawe a mous Kaught in a trappe if it were deed or bledde Of smale houndes hadde sche þat sche fedde With rosted fleissh or mylk or wastel brede But sore wepte sche if oon of hem were dede Or if men smot it with a ȝerde smerte/ And al was conscience and tendre herte/ fful semelich hir wympil pynched was Hir nose was streight hire yghen grey as glas Hir mouth ful smal and þerto softe and rede But sikerly sche hadde a fair forhede It was almost a spanne brood I trowe ffor hardely sche was nought vndergrowe fful fetys was hir cloke as I was war Of smal coral aboute hir arm sche bar A payre of bedes gauded al with greene And þer-on heng a broche of gold ful scheene On which þer was first writen with a crowned A. And after. Amor vincit omnia. Anoþer Nonne with hir hadde sche / That was hir Chapelleyne and prestes þre A Monk þer was a fair for þe maistrie And out Ridere þat loued venerie A manly man to ben an abbot able / fful many a deinte hors hadde he in stable / And whan he rood men might his brydel heere Gynglyng in a whistlyng wynd as cleere And eek as lowde as doþ þe chapel belle Ther as þis lord was keper of þe selle The Reule of sent Maure or of seint Beneit By-cause þat it was old and somdel streit This ilke monk leet olde þinges pace And held after þe newe world þe space He ȝaf nought of þe text a pulled hen That seith þat hunters be nought holy men Ne þat a monk whan he is recheles Is likned til a fyssh þat is waterles This is to seie a monk out of his cloystre But þilke text / held he not worth an oystre / And I seide his opinion was good What schulde he studie and make himseluen wood Vpon a book alwey in cloyste to poure Or swynke with his hondes and laboure As austyn bit how schal þe world be serued Lat austyn haue his swynk to him reserued Ther-fore he was a prikasour aright Grehoundes he hadde swift as foule in flight Of prikynge and of huntyng for þe hare Was alle his luste for no cost wolde he spare I seigh his sleues I-purfiled at þe hond Wiþ grys and þat þe fynest of a lond And for to festne his hood vnder þe chynne He hadde of gold wrought a ful curious pynne/ A loue knotte in þe gretter ende þer was/ His hed was balled þat schon as eny glas And eek his face as he hadde ben anoynt He was a lord ful fatt and in good poynt His eyghen stepe and rollyng in his hede That stemed as a forneys of a lede His bootes souple his hors in gret estate Now certeinly he was a fair prelate He nas nat pale as a forpyned goost A fat swan loued he best of any rost His palfray was as broun as is a berie A ffrere þer was a wanton and a merye A lymitour a ful solempne man In all þe ordres foure is non þat can So mochil of daliance and fair langage He hadde made ful many a mariage Of ȝonge wommen at his owne cost Vnto his ordre he was a noble post fful wel biloued and famulier was he Wiþ frankeleyns ouer al in his contre And wiþ worþi wommen of þe toun ffor he hadde power of confessioun As seyde himself more þan a curat ffor of his ordre he was licenciat fful swetly herde he confession And plesant was his absolucion He was an esy man to ȝiue penaunce Ther as he wiste to haue a good pitaunce ffor vnto a pouer ordre for to ȝiue Is signe þat a man is wel I-schriue ffor if he ȝaf he dorste make auant He wiste þat / a man was repentant ffor many a man so hard is of his herte He may nought wepe al-þough him sore smerte Ther-fore in stede of weepyng and preyeres Men mote ȝeue siluer to þe pouere freeres His typet was ay farsed ful of knyfes And pynnes for to ȝiue faire wyues And certeynly he hadde a mery note / Wel couþe he synge and playen on a rote Of ȝeddynges he bar witterly þe pris His nekke whit / was as þe flour-delys Ther-to he was strong as a Champioun He knew þe tauernes wel in euery toun And euerich hostiller and tapstere Bet þan a lazar or a Beggere ffor vnto such a worþi man as he Acorded nought as by his faculte To haue with such sek lazer aqueintance It is nought honest it may nought auaunce ffor to delen with such poraile But all with Riche and sellere of vitaille And ouer al þer as profyt scholde arise Curtays he was and lowly of seruise Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous He was þe beste begger in his hous . . . . .no gap in the MS. ffor þough a widewe hadde nought a scho So plesant was his In principio Ȝet wolde he haue a ferþing or he wente His purchas was wel bettre þan his rente And rage he couþe right as it were a whelpe / In louedayes þer couþe he moche helpe / ffor þer he was not lich a cloysterer With a thred-bare cope as a pore scoler But he was lik a maister or a pope Of double worstede was his semy-cope / That rounded as a belle on the presse Somwhat he lipsed for his wantounesse To make his englissh sweete vpon his tonge And in his harpyng whan þat he hadde songe / His yghen twyncled in his heed aright As don þe sterres in þe frosty night This worþi lymitour was cleped huberd A marchant was þer with a forked berd In mottle and heigh on horse he satte Vp-on his heued a fflaundrissh beuer hatte His bootes clapsed faire and fetysly His resons he spak ful solempnely Schewyng alwey þe encres of his wynnynge He wolde þe see were kept for eny þinge By-twixe Middelburgh and Orewelle Wel couþe he in eschaunge scheldes selle / This worþy man ful wel his witte bisette Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette So statly was he of his gouernance With his bargaynes and his cheuissance ffor soþe he was a worþi man with-all But soþly to sein I not how men him call A Clerk þer was of Oxenford also That vnto logyk hadde long I-go As lene was his hors as is a rake And he nas not right fat I vndertake But loked holwe and þer-to soburly fful þredbare was his ouereste courtepy ffor he had geten him no benifice Ne was so worldly for to haue office ffor him was leuer to haue at his bed hede Twenty bookes clad in blak and rede Of Aristotle and his philosophie Than robes riche or fithel or gay Sautrie / But al by þat he was a philosophre Ȝit had he but a litel gold in cofre But al þat he might of his frendes hente / On bokes and on lernyng he it / spente And besily gan for þe soules preye Of hem þat ȝaf him wher-with to scoleye Of studie took he most cure and most heede Nought o word spak he more þan was neede And þat was seyd in forme and reuerence And schort and quyk and ful of heigh sentence Sownyng in moral vertu was his speche And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche A Sergeant of þe lawe war and wys That often hadde ben at þe Parvys That was also / ful riche of excellence Discret he was and of gret reuerence He semed swich his wordes were so wise Iustice he was ful often in assise By patent and by plein commission ffor his science and for his heigh renoun Of fees and robes had he many oon So gret a purchaceour was nowher non Al was fee simple to him in effecte His purchasynge might not ben infecte No wher so besy a man as he þer nas And ȝit he semed bisiere þan he was In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle That from þe tyme of king William were falle Ther-to he couþe endite and make a þink Ther couþe no wight pynche at his writynk And euery statut couþe he plein by Rote He rood but homly in a medly coote Gert with a seint of silk . wiþ barres smale / Of his array telle I no lenger tale A ffrankeleyn was in his compaignie Whit was his berd as is the dayessye Of his complexion he was sanguyne Wel loued he by þe morwe a sop in wyne To lyuen in delit euer was his wone / ffor he was Opiournes owne sone That held opinion þat plein delite Was verrey felicite parfite An houshalder and þat a gret was he Seint Iulian he was in his contre His breed his ale was alweys after oon A better envyned man was neuer noon Wiþoute bake mete was neuer his hous Of fissh and fleissh and þat so plenteuous It snewed in his hous of mete and drink Of alle deyntes þat men coude þink After þe sondry sesons of þe ȝere So changed he his mete and his sopeere fful many a fat partrich hadde he in Mewe And many a brem and many a luce in stuwe Wo was his cooke but his sauce were Poynant and scharp and redy all his gere His table dormant . in his halle alway Stod redy couered all the longe day At Sessions þer was he lord and sire fful ofte tyme he was knight of þe schire An anelas and a gisper al of silke Heng at his girdel whit as morne mylke A scherref had he ben and a comptour Was nowher such a worþi vauasour An haburdaissher and a Carpenter A Webbe a Dyer and a Tapecer And þei were cloþed alle in oo liuere Of a solempne and a gret ffraternite fful freissch and newe here gere a-piked was Here knyfes nere chaped nought wiþ bras But all wiþ siluer wrought ful clene and wel Here gerdles and here pouches eueridel Wel semed ech of hem a fair burgeys To sitten in a yeldehalle on a deys Euerich for þe wisdom þat he can Was schaply for to ben an Alderman ffor Catell hadde þei ynough and rente And eek here wyues wolde it wel assente And elles certein þei were to blame It is ful fair to be cleped ma dame And gon to vigilies al bifore And haue a mantel rialliche / bore A Cook þei hadde wiþ hem for þe nones To boyle þe chikenes with þe maryebones And poudre marchānt tart and gallyngale Wel kowde he know a draught of london ale / He couþe rost and seþe and broile and frie Maken mortreux and wel bake a pye But gret harm was it as it þoughte me That on his schyne a mormal hadde he ffor blank-manger þat made he wiþ þe beste / A schipman was þer wonyng fer by weste ffor ought I wot he was of Dertemouthe He rood vpon a rouncy as he couþe In a gowne of faldyng to þe knee / A dagger hangyng in a lace hadde he / Aboute his nekke vnder his arm a-doun The hoote somer had mad his hiew al broun And certeinly he was a good felawe fful many a draught of wyn he hadde drawe ffrom Burdeaux warde whil þe chapmen sleepe Of nyce conscience took he no keepe If þat he faught and had þe heigher honde By water he sent hem hom to euery londe But of his craft to riken wel his tydes His stremes and his daunger him besydes His herberwe and his moone and his ledmannage Ther was non such from hulle to kartage Hardy he was and wys to vndurtake With many a tempest had his berd be schake He knew alle þe hauenes as they were ffro Gotlond to þe Cape de fynystere And euery Cryke in Bretaigne and in Spaigne His barge y-cleped was þe Mawdeleyne With vs þer was a Doctour of Phisike In al þis world ne was þer non him like To speke of Phisik and of Surgerie ffor he was grounded in astronomie He kept his pacient a ful gret del In houres by his magique naturel Wel couþe he fortune the ascendent Of his ymages for his pacient He knewe þe cause of euery maladie / Were it of hoot of cold or moist or drie / And wher engendred and of what humour He was a verray parfit practisour The cause I-knowe and of his harm þe rote / Anon he ȝaf þe sike man his bote fful redy had he his appotecaries To sende hem drugges and his letuaries ffor ech of hem made oþer for to wynne Here frendschip nas nat / newe for to gynne / Wel knew he þe olde Escalapius And discorides and eke Rusus Olde ypocras haly and Galien Serapion Razie and auyzen Auerois damascien and Constantine Bernard and Gatisdene and Gilbertine Of his diete mesurable was he ffor it was of no superfluite But of gret norisshing and digestible His studie was but litel on the bible In sangweyn and in pers he clad was al Lyned wiþ Taffata and with Sendal And yet he was but esy of dispense He kepte þat he wan in Pestilence ffor gold in phisique is accordial Ther-fore he loued gold in special A good wif þer was of by-syde bathe But sche was somdel def and þat was skaþe Of cloþ-makyng sche hadde such an haunte Sche passed hem of ypres and of Gaunte In al þe parissche wif ne was þer noon Þat to þe offryng toforn hire schulde gon And if þer dede certein wroþ was sche That sche was oute of alle charite / Hire couerchiefs ful fyne were of grounde I dorste swere þei weyeden ten pounde / That on a soneday weren vpon hir hede Hire hosen weren of fyn scarlet reede fful streyt yteyed and schoos ful moyste and newe Bolde was hir face and fair and reed of hewe Sche was a worþi womman al hir lyue Housbondes atte chirche dore sche hadde fyue Wiþouten oþer companye in ȝouþe But þer-of needeþ nought to speke as nouþe And þries hadde sche ben at Ierusalem Sche hadde passed many a strange strem At Rome sche hadde ben and at Boloigne In Galice at saint Iame and at Coloigne Sche couþe moche of wandring by þe weye Gat toþed was sche soþly for to seye Vpon an ambler esely sche satte I-wympled wel and on hir heed an hatte As brood as is a bokeler or a targe A fote-mantell abouten hir hipes large / And on hire feet a paire of spores scharpe In felaschipe wel couþe sche laughe and carpe Of remedies of loue sche knew par chaunce / ffor sche couþe of þat art þe colde daunce A good man was þer of religioun And was a poure person of a toun But riche he was of holy þought and werk He was also a lerned man and a clerk That cristes gospell trewly wolde preche His parisshiens deuoutly wolde he teche Benigne he was and wonder diligent And in aduersite ful pacient and swich he was preued ofte siþes fful loþ were him to cursen for his tyþes / But raþer wolde he yeuen out of doute Vnto his poure parisshens aboute Of his offryng and of his substance He couþe in litel þing haue suffisance Wyd was his parisshe and houses fer a-sondre But he ne lefte nought for rayn ne þondre In seknesse nor in meschief to visite The ferreste in his parisshe moche and lite Vpon his feet and in his hond a staf This noble ensample to his scheep he yaf That ferst he wrought and aftirward he taughte Out of þe gospel he þo wordes caughte And þis fugure he addede eek / þer-to That if gold ruste what schal Iren do ffor if a prest be foul on whom we truste No wonder is a lewed man to Ruste And schame it is if a prest take kepe A schiten schepperde and a clene schepe Wel ought a prest ensample for to ȝyue By his clennes how þat his scheep schulde lyue He sette nought his benefice to hire And leet his scheep acombred in þe myre And ran to london vnto Seinte Poules To seeke him a Chaunterie for soules Or with a breþerede for to be with-holde / But duelte at hom and kepte wel his folde So þat þe wolf ne made it not miscarie He was a schepperde and not a mercenarie And þough he holy were and vertuous He was nought to synful men dispitous Ne of his speche daungerous ne digne But in his teching discret and benigne To drawe folk to heuen by fairnesse By good ensample þis was his bisynesse / But it were ony persone obstinat What so he were of heigh or low estat Him wolde he snebbe scharply for þe nones A bettre prest I trowe þat nowher non es He waited after no pompe and reuerence Ne maked him a spiced conscience But cristes lore and his apostles twelue He taught but ferst he folwed in himselue / With him þer was a plowman was his broþer That hadde I-ladde of dong ful many a foþer A trewe swynker and a good was he Lyuyng in pees and parfit charite God loued he best wiþ alle his herte At alle tymes þough him gamed or smerte And þan his Neighebore right as him selue He wolde þressche and þerto dike and delue ffor cristes sake for euery pouere wight Wiþouten hire if it lay in his might His tiþes payed he ful fair and well Boþe of his propre swynk and his catell In a Tabbard he rood vpon a mere Ther was also a Reeue and a Mellere / A Sompnour and a Pardoner also A Maunciple and my self þer nare no mo / The meller was a stout carl for þe nones fful big he was of brawn and eek of bones That proued wel for ouer al þar he cam Atte wrastlyng he wold haue awey þe ram He was schort schuldred a þikke knarre The was no dore þat he nolde heue of harre Or breke it at a rennyng with his heede His berd as eny sowe or eny fox was reede And þerto brod as þough it were a spade / Vpon þe cop right of his nose he hade A wert and þer-on stood a tuft of heeres Reed as the berstles of a sowes Eres / Hise nose-þrilles blake weren and wide A swerd and bokeler bar he by his syde His mouþ as gret was as a gret fourneys He was a Iangler and a goliardeys And þat was most of synne and harlotries Wel couþe he stele corn and tolle þries And ȝit he hadde a þombe of gold parde A whit cote and a blew hood wered he A Baggepipe wel couþe he blowe and soun And þer-with-al he brought vs out of toun A gentil maunciple was þer of a temple / Of which achatours mighte take exsemple / ffor to ben wyse in byeng of vitaile ffor wheþer þat he paied or took by taile Algate he wayted so in his achate That he was ay biforn and in good estate / Now is not þat of god a ful fair grace That such a lewed mannes witt schal pace The wisdom of an heep of lernede men Of maistres hadde mo þan þries ten That were of lawe expert and curious Of which þer was a dosein in that hous Worþi to ben Stywardes of Rente and londe Of any lord þat is in Ingelonde To make him lyue by his propre good In honour detteles but if þat he were wood Or lyue as skarsly as him list desire And able for to helpen al a schire In any cas þat mighte falle or happe And ȝit þis manciple sette here alþer cappe The Reeue was a sclender colerik man His berd was schaue as nygh as euer he can His her was by his eeres ful round y-schorn His toppe was dokked lik a prest biforn fful longe were his legges and ful lene I-lik a staf þer was no calf y-sene Wel couþe he kepe a garner or a bynne Ther was non auditour couþe on him wynne Wel wist he by þe drought and by þe reyne The yeldyng of his seed and of his greyne His lordes scheep his neet his dayerie His swyn his hors his stoor and his pulletrie Was holly in þis Reeues gouernynge / And by his couenant ȝaf þe rikenynge Syn þat his lord was twenty ȝeer of age Ther couþe no man brynge him in arrerage Ther nas baillif ne herde nor oþer hyne That he ne knew his sleight and his covyne They were adrad of him as of þe deþ His wonyng was ful fair vpon an heþ Wiþ greene trees schadewed was his place He couþe bettre þan his lord purchace fful Riche he was astored priuely His lord he couþe plese wel subtily To yiue and lene him of his oughne good And haue a þank and yet a cote and hood In ȝouþe he hadde lerned a good mester He was a wel good wrighte a Carpenter This reeue satte vpon a ful good stot That was al pomely grey and highte scot A long Surcote of pers vpon he hadde And by his syde he bar a rusty bladde Of Northfolk was þis Reue of which I telle Bysyden a toun men clepen it Baldeswelle Tukked he was as is a frere aboute And euer he rood þe hyndrest of oure route A Somynour was þer with vs in þat place That hadde a fyri cherubynnes face ffor Sauseflem he was with eyghen narwe / Als hoot he was and leccherous as a sparwe Wiþ scalled browes blak and piled berde / Of his visage children weren afferde Ther nas quyk siluer litarge or bremston Boras orsure ne oyle of Tarte noon Ne oynement þat wolde clense and byte To him might helpe of his whelkes white Nor of þe knobbes sittyng in his cheekes Wel loued he garlik oynons and eek leekes And for to drinke strong wyn reed as blood Than wolde he speke and crye as he were wood And whan þat he wel dronken hadde þe wyn Than wold he speke no word but latyne A fewe termes hadde he tuo or þre That he had lerned out of som decre No wonder is he herd it al þe day And eek ȝe knowen it wel how þat a Iay Can clepe watte as wel as can þe pope But who so couþe in oþer þing him grope Than hadde he spent al his philosophie Ay questio quid Iuris wolde he crye He was a gentil harlot and a kynde A bettre felaw schulde men not fynde He wolde suffre for a quart of wyn A good felawe to haue his concubyn A twelf moneth and excuse him atte fulle / fful priuely eek a fynch couþe he pulle / And if he fond owher a good felawe He wolde techen him to han non awe In such caas of þe Erchedeknes curs But if mannes soule were in his purs ffor in his purs he scholde punyssched be Purs is þe Erchedeknes helle seide he But wel I wot he lyhede right in dede Of cursyng ought eche gilty man him drede ffor curs wil sle right as assoylyng sauith And also war him of a Significauith In daunger hadde he at his owne gyse The yonge gerles of þe diocise And knew here counseil and what was al here rede A garland hadde he sette vpon his heede As gret as it were for an ale stake A bokeler hadde he made him of a cake / With him þer rood a gentill pardoner Of Rouncyuall his frend and his comper That streight was comen fro þe court of Rome fful lowe he song come hider loue tome This Somnour bar to him a stif burdoun Was neuer trompe of half so gret a soun This pardoner hadde her as yelow as wax But smothe it heng as doth a strik of flax. By ounces heng his lokkes þat he hadde / And þer with he his schuldres ouer spradde But þinne it lay by culpons on and oon But hood for Iolite werede he noon ffor it was trussed vp in his walet Him þoughte he rood al of the newe get Discheuele saf his cappe he rood al bare Swich glaryng yghen hadde he as an hare A vernicle hadde he sewid on his cappe His walet [lay] biforn him in his lappe / Bret ful of pardon comen fro Rome al hoot A voys he hadde as smal as a goot No berd ne hadde he ne neuer schulde haue As smothe it was as it ware late schaue I trowe he were a geldyng or a mare But of his craft fro Berwik in to ware Ne was þer such anoþer pardoner ffor in his male he hadde a pilewber Which þat he sayde was oure lady veyle He seide he hadde a gobet of þe seyle That seint petir hadde whan þat he wente Vpon the see til ihesu crist him hente He hadde a Croys of laton ful of stones And in a glas he hadde pigges boones But with þese reliqes whan þat he fonde A poure person dwellyng vpon londe / Vpon a day he gat him more moneye Than þat þe person gat in monþes tweye And þus with feyned flatering and Iapes He made þe person and þe poeple his apes But trewely to tellen atte þe laste He was in chirche a noble ecclesiaste Wel couþe he rede a lessonn or a story But alþer best he song an offertory ffor wel he wiste whan þat song was songe He moste preche and wel affile his tonge To wynne seluer as he [right] wel cowde Ther fore he song so meriely and lowde / Now haue I told ȝow soþly in a clause The estat . the array þe nombre and eeke þe cause Whi þat assembled was þis companie In Suthwerk at þis gentil hostelrie / That highte þe Tabbard faste by þe belle But now is tyme to yow for to telle / How þat we beeren vs þat ilke night Whan we were in þat Osterie alight And after wol I telle of oure viage And all the remenant of our pilgrimage But ferst I pray ȝow of your curtesie The ȝe ne rette it nought my vilenye Though þat I pleinly speke in þis matere To telle ȝow here wordes and here cheere Ne þough I speke here wordes propurly ffor þis ȝe knowen as wel as I Who so schal telle a tale after a man He mot reherse as neyh as euer he can Euerich a word if it be in his charge Al speke he neuer so rudely and large Or elles he moot telle his tale vntrewe Or feyne þinges or fynde wordes newe He may nought spare al þough he were his broþer He moot als wel seie o word as anoþer Crist spak himself ful brode in holy writte And wel ȝe wot no vilenye is itte Ek Plato seith who so can him rede The wordes mot be cosyn to þe dede Also I preyȝe ȝow forȝiue it me Al haue I not set folk in here degre Heer in þis tale as þat þei scholden stonde My witt is schort ȝe may wel vnderstonde Gret cheere maad oure ost vs euerychon And to þe souper sette he vs anon He serued vs with vitailles atte beste Strong was þe wyn and wel drynken vs leste A semly man our hoste he was with alle ffor to ben a marchall in an halle A large man he was with eyȝen stepe A fairer burgeys is þer non in Chepe Bold of his speche and wys and wel y-taught And of manhode him lakkede right naught Ek þer to he was right a merie man And after soper pleyen he bigan And spak of merþe amonges oþer þinges Whan þat he hadde maad our rikenynges And seide þus Now lordynges trewely Ȝe ben to me welcome right hertely ffor by my trouthe if þat I schal not lye I seyh not þis yer so mery a companye At oones in þis herberw as is now ffayn wold I don ȝou merthe wist I how And of a merþe I am right now biþought To don you eese and it schal coste nought ye gon to Caunturbury god yow speede The blisful martir quyte ȝou ȝour meede And wel I woot as ȝe gon by þe weye ye schapen ȝou to talen and to pleye ffor trewely confort ne merþe is non To riden by þe wey domb as a ston And þer for wol I make you disport As I seide erst and do you som confort And if ȝou likeþ all by on assent ffor to stonden at my Iuggement And for to werken as I schal ȝou seie To morwe whan ȝe riden by þe weie / Now by my fader soule þat is deed But ȝe be merye I wil ȝeue ȝow myn heed Hold vp ȝour hond wiþoute more speche / Our counseil was not longe for to seche / vs þought it was not worþ to make it wys And graunted him wiþoute more avys And bad him seye his verdit as him leste Lordynges quod he / now herkneþ for þe beste But take it nought I prey ȝow in disdeigne This is þe poynt to speke schort and pleigne That ech of ȝou to schorte with ȝour weye In þis viage schal telle tales tweie To Caunturbury-ward I mene it so And homward he schal tellen oþer tuo Of auentures þat whilom haue bifall And which of yow þat beriþ him best of all That is to sein that telleþ in þis cas Tales of best sentence and most solas ./ Schal haue a souper at our alþer cost Her in þis place sittynge by þis post Whan þat we comen aȝein fro Canturbury And for to make ȝou þe more mury I wil my seluen goodly with ȝou ryde Right at myn owne cost and be ȝour gyde And who so wol my Iuggement wiþ seye Schal paye al þat we spende by þe weye And if ȝe vouche saf þat it be so Tel me anon wiþouten wordes moo And I wol erly schape me þer fore This þing was graunted and our oþes swore With ful glad herte and preyȝen him also That he wolde vouche saf for to do so And þat he wolde ben our gouernour And of oure tales Iugge and reportour And sette a souper at a certein pris And we wiln rewled ben at his deuys / In heighe and lowe and þus by oon assent We ben accorded to þe Iuggement And þer vpon þe wyn was fet anon We dronken and to reste went echon Wiþouten eny lenger taryyng A morwe whan þe day bigan to spryng vp ros oure oost and was our alþer cok And gadered vs to gider all in a flok And forþ we riden a litel more þan paas vnto þe wateryng of seint Thomas And þer our oost gan his hors areste And seide lordes herkneþ if you leste / Ȝe wot ȝour forward and I it ȝou recorde If euynsong and morwesong acorde lat see now who schal telle þe firste tale As euer mote I drynke wyn of ale Who so be rebel to my Iuggement / Schal paie for all that by þe weie is spent Now draweþ Cut or þat we ferþer twynne he which þat haþ þe schortest schal bigynne ¶ Sir knight quod he my maister and my lord Now draweþ Cut for þat is myn acord Comeþ nerre quod he my lady prioresse And ȝe sir clerk let be ȝour schamfastnesse Ne studieþ nought lay hond to euery man Anon to drawe euery wight bygan And schortly for to tellen as it was / Were it by auenture or sort or cas The soþ is þis the Cut fel to þe knight Of which ful bliþe and glad was euery wight And telle he moste his tale as it was resoun By forward and by composicioun As ȝe han herd what nedeþ wordes mo And whan þis good man saugh þat it was so As he þat wys was and obedient To keepe his forward by his free assent He seide siþþe I schal begynne þe game What welcome be þe Cutte a goddes name Now lat vs ride and herkneþ what I seye And with þat word we riden forþ oure weye And he bigan with right a merye cheere His tale anon and seyde as ȝe may heere Iam que domos patrias scitice post aspera gentis Prelia laurigero etc. Whilom was as olde stories tellen vs Ther was a Duk that highte Theseus / Of Athenes he was / lord and gouernour And in his tyme such a Conquerour That grettere was non vnder þe sonne fful many a riche Contre hadde he wonne What with his wisdam and his chiuallerie He conquered all þe regne of ffeminie That whilom was I-cleped Scithia And weddede þe queen ypolita And brought hir hom wiþ him in his contre With muche glorie and gret solempnite And eek hir ȝonge suster Emelye And þus with victorie and with melodie[line erased here, apparently the previous one repeated.] Late I þis noble duk to Athenes ride And all his host in armes him bisyde And certes if it nere to long to heere I wolde haue tolde fully þe manere how wonnen was þe regne of ffeminie By Theseus and by his Chiualrie And of the grete bataille for þe noones Bitwixen athenes and Amazones And how asseged was Ipolita The faire hardy quene of Scithia And of þe fest þat was at hir weddyng And of þe tempest at hir hom comyng But al þat þing I moot as now forbere / I haue god wot a large feeld to ere And weyke ben þe oxen in my plough The remnant of þe tale is long ynough I wol not letten eek noon of þis route Lat euery felawe telle his tale aboute And lat se now who schal þe souper wynne And þer I lafte I wil aȝein bigynne This Duk of whom I make mencioun Whan he was comen almost to þe toun In all his wele and his moste pryde He was war as he cast his eyhe asyde Wher þat þer kneled in þe heighe weye A company of ladies tweye and tweye Eche after oþer cladde in cloþes blake But such a cry and such a woo þei make That in þis world is creature lyuynge That herde such anoþer weymentynge And of þis cry þey nolde neuer stente Til þei þe Reynes of his bridel hente What folk ben ȝe þat at myn hom comynge Pertourbe so my feste wiþ cryinge Quod Theseus haue ȝe so gret enuye Of myn honour that þus compleigne and crie Or who haþ ȝou mysboden or offended And telleþ me if it may ben amended And whi þat ȝe ben cloþed thus in blak The eldest lady of hem alle spak Whan sche had swouned with a dedly cheere That it was routhe for to seen and heere ¶ Sche seide lord to whom fortune haþ yiuen Victorie and as a conquerour to lyuen Not greueþ ous ȝoure gloire and your honour But we beseke mercy and socour Haue mercy on our woo and our distresse Som drope of pite þurgh þi gentilesse / vpon vs wrecched wommen let ȝe fall ffor certes lord þer is non of vs all That sche nath ben a duchesse or a queene Now be we Caytifs as it is wel seene Thanked be fortune and hir false whiel That non estat ensureth for to ben wel Now certes lord to abyde ȝoure presence / Here in þis temple of the goddesse Clemence We haue be waytinge al þis fourte night Helpe vs lord siþ it is in þy might ¶ I wrecche which þat weepe and weile þus Was whilom wyf of king Cappaneus That starf at Thebes cursed be þat day And alle we þat ben in þis array And maken al þis lamentacioun We losten all our housbondes at þat toun Whil þat þassege þer aboute lay And yet now þe olde Creon weiloway That lord is now of Thebes þe Cite ffulfild of Ire and of Iniquite He for despite and for his Tyrannie To don þe deede bodies vilenye Of all oure lordes whiche þat ben slawe Haþ all þe bodies on an heep y-drawe And wol nought suffre hem by non assent Neither to ben y-buried noþer y-brent But makeþ houndes ete hem in despyt And with þat word wiþoute more respit Thei fellen gruf and cryden pitously Haue on vs wrecchede wommen som mercy And lat our sorwe synken in þin herte This gentil duk doun from his courser sterte With herte pitous whan he herde hem speke Him þoughte þat his herte wolde breke Whan he saugh hem so pite and so mate That whilom were of so gret astate And in his armes he hem all vp hente And hem conforteþ in ful good entente And swor his oth as he was trewe knight He wolde don so ferforþly his might Vpon þe tyrant hem to wreke That all þe poeple of grece scholde speke How Creon was of Theseus y-serued As he þat hadde his deþ ful wel deserued And right anon wiþouten more abod His baner he displaied and forth rood To Thebes-ward and al his host biside No nerre Athenes wolde he go ne ride Ne take his ease fully half a day But onward on his way þat night he lay And sente anon ypolita þe queene And Emelye hir ȝonge suster scheene Vnto þe toun of Athenes to dwelle And forþ he ritte þer nys namore to telle The rede Statue of Mars with spere and targe So schineþ in his white baner large That alle þe feelde gliteren vp and doun And by his baner born is his pynoun Of gold ful riche in which þer was y-bete The Mynataur which þat he wan in Grece Thus rit þis duk þus rit þis conquerour And in his host of Chiuallerie þe flour Til þat he come to Thebes and alight ffaire in þe feeld þer as he þought to fight But schortly for to speken of þis þing With Creon which þat was of Thebes king He faught and slough him manly as a knight In pleyn bataile and putte þe folk to flight And by asseut he wan þe Cite after And rente adoun boþe wall and sparre and rafter And to þe ladies he restored ageyn The bones of here frendes þat were slayn To don obsequies as was þo þe gyse But it were all to longe to deuyse The grete clamour and þe waymentyng That the ladys made atte brennyng Of þe bodies and þe gret honour That Theseus þe noble conquerour Doþ to þe bodies whan þei from him wente But schortly for to telle is myn entente Whan þat þis worþi duk þis theseus Haþ Creon slayn and wonne Thebes þus Stille in þat feeld he took al night his reste And dide with all þe contre as him leste To ransake in þe caas of þe bodies deede Hem for to streepe of harneys and of wede The pilours diden bysynesse and cure After þe bataile and disconfiture And so bifelle þat in the caas þei founde Thurgh girt with many a greuous blody wounde Tuo ȝonge knightes liggynge by and by Boþe in armes same wrought ful richely Of which tuo Arcita hight þat oon And þat oþer knight highte Palamon Nat fully quyk ne fully deed þei were But by her cote armours and by here gere The heraudes knewe hem self in special As þei þat weren of þe blood real Of Thebes and of sustren tuo y-born Out of þe caas þe pilours han hem torn And han hem caried softe vnto þe tente Of Theseus and he ful sone hem sente / To Athenes to dwellen in prisoun perpetuelly hem nolde he not Raunson And whan þis worþi duk haþ þus y-don He took his oost and home he rit anon With laurer corouned as a conquerour And þere he lyueþ in ioye and in honour Terme of his lif what needeþ wordes mo And in a tour in angwissh and in woo. Dwellen þis Palamon and eek Arcite ffor euere more þer may no gold hem quite This passeþ ȝeer by yer and day by day Til it fel oones in a morwe of May That Emely þat fairer was to seene Than is þe lilye vpon his stalke grene And freisscher þan þe may wiþ floures newe ffor wiþ þe rose colour strof hir hewe / I not which was þe fairer of hem tuo Er it were day as was hire wone to do Sche was arisen and al redy dight ffor May wil haue no sluggardie on night The seson prikeþ euery gentil herte / And makeþ it out of his sleep to sterte And siþen arise and don may obseruance This makeþ Emelye to haue remembrance To don honour to May and for to rise I-cloþed was sche freissh for to deuyse Hir yelow her was broyded in a tresse By-hinde hir bak a yerde long I gesse And in þe gardyn atte sonne vpriste Sche walkeþ vp and doun and as hir liste Sche gadreth floures party whit / and reede / To make a sotyl garland for hir heede And as an angel heuenysshely sche song The grete tour þat was so þikke and strong Which of þe Castell was þe chief dongeon Ther as þe knightes weren in prison Of which I tolde ȝou and telle schal Was euen ioynant to þe gardein wal Ther as þis Emely had hir pleying Bright was þe sonne and cler in þat mornyng And Palamon þis woful prisoner As was his wone by leue of his gailler Was risen and romed in a chambre on heigh In which he al þe noble cite seigh And ek þe gardyn ful of branches grene Ther as þe freisshe Emely þe schene Was in hir walk and romed vp and doun This sorwful prisoner this Palamoun Goþ in þe chambre Romynge to and fro And to himself compleignyng of his wo That he was born ful ofte seide allas And so byfell by auenture or caas That þorugh a wyndow þikke of many a barre Of yren gret and square as any sparre He cast his eyghen vpon Emelya And þer with al he bleynt and cryed a As þough he stongen were vnto þe herte And with þat crye Arcite anon vp sterte / And seide Cosyn myn what eyleþ þe That art so pale and dedly on to se Why crydestow who haþ þe don offence ffor goddes loue tak al in pacience Oure prisoun for it may non oþer be ffortune haþ yiue vs þis aduersite Som wicke aspect or disposicion Of Saturne by som constollacion Haþ ȝiuen vs þis al þough we had it sworn So stood þe heuen whan þat we ware born We mote endure it þis is schort and playn This Palamon answerd and seide again / Cosyn for soþe of þis opynion Þou hast a vain Imaginacion This prison causede me nought to crie But I was hurt right now þorugh out myn yhe In to myn hert þat wol my bane be The fayrnesse of þat lady þat I see Ȝonde in the gardyn rome to and fro Is cause of al my crying and my wo I not wher sche be womman or goddesse But Venus is it soþly as I gesse And þer with al on knees a doun he fille And seyde Venus if it be þy wille yow in þis gardeyn þus to transfigure Byfore me sorwful wrecched creature Out of þis prison help þat we mowe scape And if so be oure destenye be schape/ By eterne world to deyen in prison. Of oure lynage haue som compassion That is so lowe y-brought by tyrannie And with þat word Arcite gan aspye Wher as þis lady romed to and fro And with þat sight hir beaute hurt him so That if þat Palamon was wounded sore Arcite is hurt as muche as he or more / And with a syke he seyde pitously The freissche beaute sleþ me sodeinly Of hire þat rometh in þe yonder place And but I haue hir mercy and hir grace That I may seen hir atte leste wey I nam but ded þer nys no more to sey This Palamon whan he þis wordes herde Dispitously he loked and answerde Wheþer seistow þis in ernest or in pleye Nay quod Arcite in ernest by my feye God helpe me so me lust ful yuel playe This Palamon gar kne his browes twaye It were to þe quod he no gret honour ffor to be fals ne for to be traytour To me þat am þi cosyn and þi broþer y-sworn ful deepe and ech of vs til oþer That neuer for to deyen in þe payn Til þat þe deþ departe schal vs twayn Neither in loue for to hinder oþer Ne in non oþer cas my lieue broþer But þat þou scholdest trewly forþer more In euery caas and I schal forþre þe þore This was þin oþ and myn also certeine I wot right wel þou darst it not wiþ-seyne Thus art þou of my counseil out of doute And now þou woldest falsly ben aboute To loue my lady whom I loue and serue And euer schal til þat myn herte sterue Now certes fals Arcite þou schalt not so I loued hir ferst and tolde þe my wo As to my counseil and my broþer sworn To forthre me as I haue told biforn ffor which þou art y-bounden as a knight To helpe me if it lay in thy might Or elles art þou fals I dar wel sayn This Arcite ful proudly spak agayn Thou schalt quod he be raþer fals þan I But þou art fals I telle þe witterly ¶ ffor paramour I loued hir first er þou What wilt þou seyn þou wist it nought yit now Wheþur sche be a womman or goddesse Thin is affeccion of holynesse And myn is loue as to a creature ffor which I tolde þe myn auenture As to my cosyn and to my broþer sworn I pose þat þou louedest hire biforn Wostow nought wel þe olde clerkes sawe That who schal ȝiue a louer eny lawe¶ Quis legem dat amantibus. loue is a gretter lawe by my pan Than may be yeue to eny erthly man And þerfore positif lawe and such decree Is broke alday for loue in eche degree A man moot needes loue maugre his hede He may not fleen hit þough he scholde be dede Al be sche mayde or wydow or elles wif And eek it is not likly al þi lif To stonden in hir grace namore schal I ffor wel þou wost þi selue verreily That þou and I ben dampned to prison Perpetuelly vs gaigneth no Ramson We stryuen now as houndes for þe bon They fought alday and ȝet here part was non Ther com a kyte whil þat þei were so wroþe That bar a way þe bon bytwixe hem boþe Ak þerfore atte kinges court my broþer Ech man for him self þer is non oþer Loue if þou list for I loue and ay schal A soothly leue broþer þis is al Her in þis prison mote we endure And euerich of vs take his auenture Gret was þe strif and long bitwix hem tweye If þat I hadde leyser for to seie / But to þis effect it happed on a day To telle it ȝou as schortly as I may A worþi duk þat highte Perotheus That felawe was vnto duk Theseus Syn þilke day þat þai were children lite Was come to Athenes his felawe to visite and for to pleye as he was wont to do ffor in þis world he loued noman so And he loued him als tendurly agayn So wel þei loued as olde bokes sayn That whan þat oon was ded soþly to telle / his felaw went and sought him doun in helle But of þat story list me nought to write Duk Perotheus louede wel arcite And had him knowe at Thebes þer be yere And finally at request and preyere Of Perotheus wiþoute ony Raunson Duk Theseus him leet out of prison ffrely to gon wher þat him list ouer al In such a gise as I ȝou telle schal This was þe forward pleinly for tendite / Bitwixe Theseus and him Arcite That if so were þat arcite were founde / Euer in his lif by day or night or stounde In eny contre of þis Theseus And he were caught it was accorded þus That with a swerd he scholde leese his heed Ther was noon oþer remedie ne reed But takeþ his leeue and homward he him spedde Lat him be war his nekke liþ to wedde How gret a sorwe suffreþ now arcite The deth he feeleþ þurgh his herte smyte He wepeþ. weyleth. crieþ pitously To sleen himself he wayteþ priuely He seide allas þat day þat I was born Now is my prison worse þan biforn Now is me schape eternaly to dwelle Nought in Purgatori but in helle Allas þat euer I knew Perotheus ffor elles hadde I haue dwelled with Theseus I-fetered in his prison eueremo Thanne hadde I ben in blisse and not in woo Only þe sight of hire whom þat I serue þough þat I neuer hire grace may deserue Wolde haue y-suffised right ynough for me ¶ Oo deere Cosyn Palamon quod he Thin is þe victorie of þis auenture fful blissefully in prison might þou dure In prisoun certes nay but paradys Wel haþ fortune torned þe þe dys That hast þe sight of hire and I þabsence / ffor possible is syn þou hast hir presence And art a knight a worþi and an able That by som caas syn fortune is changeable Thou maist somtyme to þi desir atteyne But I þat am exiled and bareyne Of alle grace and in so gret despeire That þer nys erþe water fyr ne eyre Ne creature þat of hem maked is / That may me helpe or don confort in þis Wel ought I sterue in wanhope and distresse ffare wel my lif my lust and my gladnesse Allas why pleynen men so in comune Of purueance of god or of fortune That ȝiueth hem ful ofte in many a gyse Wel bet þan þey can hemself deuyse Som man desireþ for to haue richesse That cause is of his mordre or gret seknesse / And som wolde out of his prison fain That in his hous is of his meyne slain / Infinite harmes ben in þis matiere We wot not what þing þat we preyen heere / We faren as he þat dronken is as Mous A dronke man wot wel he haþ an hous But he not which þe righte weie is þider And to a dronke man þe weye is slider And certes in þis world so faren we We seeken fast after felicite But we gon wrong ful ofte trewely Thus may we seyn all and namlich I That wende and hadde a gret opynion That if I mighte skapen fro prison Than hadde I ben in ioye and parfyt hele Ther now I am exiled fro my wele Syn þat I may not seen ȝou Emelye I am but ded þer nys no remedye vpon þat oþer syde Palamon Whan þat he wiste þat arcite was gon Swich sorwe he makeþ þat þe grete tour Resouneþ of his yollyng and clamour The pure fettres of his schynes grete Were of his bittre salte teeres wete Allas quod he arcita cosyn myn Of all our strif god wot þe fruyt is þin Thou walkest now in Thebes at þi large And of my woo þou yernest litel charge Thou maist syn þou hast wisdom and manhede Assemble all þe folk of oure kinrede And make a werre so scharp on þis Cite That by som auenture or som tretee Thou maist haue hir to lady and to wif / ffor whom þat I most needes leese my lif ffor as by weie of possibilite Sitthe þou art at þi large of prison fre And art a lord gret is þin auantage. More þan is myn þat sterue her in a kage ffor I mot weepe and wayle whil þat I lyue With all þe woo þat prison may me ȝiue And eek with peyne þat loue me yiueþ also That doubleþ al my torment and my wo Ther with þe fyr of gelousie vpsterte With Inne his brest and hente him by þe herte So woodly þat he lik was to byholde The boxtre or þe asshen deed and colde Than seide he o cruel goddes þat gouerne This world with bynding of your word eterne And writen in þe table of athamaunt youre parlement and ȝour eterne graunt What is mankynde more vnto ȝou holde Than is þe scheep þat roukeþ in þe folde ffor slain is man right as anoþer beeste And dwelleþ eek in prison and in arreste And haþ siknesse and gret aduersite And ofte tymes gilteles parde ¶ What gouernance is in þis prescience That gilteles tormenteþ Innocence And encreseth þis is al my penaunce That man is bounden to his obseruaunce ffor goddes sake to letten of his wille Ther as a beeste may all his lust fulfille And whan a beeste is ded he haþ no peyne But after his deth þe man mot weepe and pleyne Though in þis world he haue care and wo Wiþouten doute it may stonden so The answere of þis lete I to diuines But wel I wot þat in þis world gret pyne is Allas I see a serpent or a þeef That many a trewe man haþ do meschief Gon at his large and wher him list may turne But I moot ben in prison þurgh Saturne And eek þurgh Iuno Ialous and eek wood That haþ destroyed wel neyh al þe blood Of Thebes with his waste walles wide And venus sleeþ me on þat oþer syde ffor Ialousye and fere of him Arcite ¶ Now wil I stynte of Palamon alite And lat him in his prison stille dwelle And of Arcite forþ I wil ȝou telle The somer passeþ and þe nightes longe Encresceth double wise þe peynes stronge Boþe of þe louer and of þe prisoner I not which haþ þe wofuller myster ffor schortly for to sein of Palamon Perpetuelly is dampned to prison In cheynes and in fettres to þe ded And arcite is exiled vp his hed ffor euermore as out of þat contre Ne neuer he ne schal his lady se ¶ yow louers aske I now þis question Who haþ þe wors arcite or Palamōn That oon may seen his lady day by day But in prison moot he duellen ay That oþer wher him list may ride or go But seen his lady schal he neuer mo Now diuineth as ȝou list þat ȝe can ffor I wol telle forth as I bigan[No gap in the MS.] [PART II. No gap in the MS.] Whan þat arcite to Thebes comen was fful ofte a day he swelte and saide allas ffor seen his lady schal he neuere mo And schortly to concluden al his wo So mochel sorwe hadde neuer creature That is or schal whil þat þe world may dure His sleep . his mete . his drink is him by-raft That lene he wex and drye as is a schaft His yghen holwe grisly to biholde His hewe falwe and pale as ayssche colde And solitarie he was and euer allone And waylyng al þe night makyng his mone And if he herde song or instrument Than wolde he weepe he mighte nought be stent So feble were his spiritz and he lowe And chaunged so þat no man couþe knowe His speche noþer his voys þough men it herde And in his gere for al þe world he ferde / Not comly lyk to louers maladye Of heres but raþer lik manye Engendred of humour malencolik Biforn his celle fantastik And schortly torned was al vp and doun Boþe habite and disposicioun Of him þis woful louere daun arcite What scholde I alday of his woo endite Whan he endured hadde a ȝeer or tuo This cruel torment and þis peyne and woo At Thebes in his contre as I seyde Vpon a night in sleep as he him leyde Him þoughte þat þe wengede god mercurie Biforn him stood and bad him to be merie His sleepy ȝerde in honde he bar vpright An hatte he wered vppon his heeres bright Arrayed was þis god as he took keepe As he was whan þat argus took his sleepe And seyde him þus to Athenes schalt þou wende Ther is þe schapen of þi wo an ende And with þat word arcite wook and sterte Now trewely how sore þat me smerte Quod he to Athenes right now wol I fare Ne for þe drede of deþ schal I nought spare To see my lady þat I loue and serue / In hire presence I ne recche nouȝt to sterue / And with þat word he caughte a gret mirour And saugh þat chaunged was al his colour And saugh his visage al in anoþer kinde And right anon it ran him in his mynde Than siþen his face was so disfigured Of maladie þe which he hadde endured He mighte wel if þat he bar him lowe Lyue in Athenes eueremore vnknowe / And seen his lady wel neigh day by day And right anon he changed his array And cladde him as a poure laborer And al allone saf oonly a squier That knew his priuete and al þe caas Which was desgised pouerly as he was To Athenes is he gon þe nexte way And to þe courte he wente vpon a day And atte gate he profred his seruise To drugge and drawe what so men wol deuise And schortly of þis matier for to sein He fille in office with a chamburlein / The which þat was dwellyng with Emelye ffor he was wys and sone couþe aspye Of euery seruant which þat serueþ here Wel couþe he hewen woode and water bere ffor he was yong and mighty for þe nones And þerto he was strong and bigge of bones To doon þat eny wight him can deuyse A yeer or tuo he was in þis seruise Page of þe Chambre of Emelye þe brighte And Philostrat he seyde þat he highte ¶ But half so wel byloued aman as he Ne was þer neuer in court of his degre He was so gentil of condicioun That þurgh out al the court was his renoun Thei seide þat it were a charite That Theseus wolde enhaunce his degre And putten him in worschipful seruise Ther þat he might his vertu excercise And þus withinne a while his name is spronge Boþe of his deedes and of his goode tonge That Theseus haþ taken him so neere That of his Chambre he made him a squiere And gaf him golde to mayntene his degre And eek men brought him out of his contre ffro ȝeer to ȝeer ful priuily his rente But honestly and sleighly he it spente That no man wondred how þat he it hadde And þre ȝeer in þis wise his lif he ladde And bar him so in pees and eek in werre Ther was no man þat Theseus haþ derre And in þis blisse lete I now arcite And speke I wol of Palamon alite ¶ In derknesse and horrible and strong prison This seuene ȝeer haþ seten Palamon fforpyned what for woo and for distresse Who feleth double sore and heuynesse But Palamon þat loue drencheþ so / That wood out of his wit he goþ for wo And eek þer to he is a prisoner Perpetuelly not oonly for a ȝeer Who couþe ryme in englissh propurly His martirdom for soþe it am not I Ther fore I passe als lightly as I may ¶ It felle þat in þe seuenþe ȝer of may The þridde night as olde bokes sein / That als þis storie telleþ more plein Were it by auenture or destinee As whan a þing is schape it schal be That sone after þe mydnyght Palamon By helpyng of a frende brak prison And fleþ þe cite faste as he may goo ffor hadde yeue his gailler drunke soo Of a clarre maad of a certeyn wyn With nercotiks and opie of Thebes fyn That al þat night þough þat men wolde him schake Tbe gailler sleep he mighte not awake And þus he fleeth as fast as euer he may The night was schort and faste by þe day That needes cost he most himseluen hyde And til a groue faste þer bisyde With dredful foot þan stalkeþ Palamon ffor schortly þis was his opinion That in þat groue he wolde him hide alday And in þe night þan wolde he take his way To Thebes-ward his frendes for to pray On Theseus to helpe him to werray And schortly ouþer he wolde leese his lif Or wynnen Emely to his louely wif / This is þeffecte and his entente playn ¶ Now wol I torne vnto arcite agayn That litel wiste how neih þat was his care Til þat fortune hadde kaught him in his snare The besy larke messanger of day Salueth in hir song þe morwe gray And fyry phebus riseþ vp so bright That al þe orient laugheth of þe light And with his streemes drieth in þe greues The seluir dropes hangyng in þe leeues And Arcita in þe court roial Wiþ Theseus his squier principal Is rysen and lokeþ on þe mery day And for to doon his obseruance to may Remembryng on þe poynt of his desir He on his courser stertyng as þe fir Is riden in to þe feeldes him to pleye Out of þe court were it a myle or tweye And to þe groue of which þat I ȝou tolde By auenture his weye he gan to holde / To maken him a garland of þe greues Were it of woodebynde or hawethorne leeues And loude he song aȝein þe sonne scheene / May with all þi floures whit and grene Welcome be þou faire freisshe may I hope þat I som grene gete may And from his courser with a lusty herte In to þe groue ful hastily he sterte And in a path he rometh vp and doun Ther as by auenture of þis Palamon Was in a busshe þat no man might him see fful sore aferd of his deth was he No þing ne knewe he þat it was arcite God wot he wolde haue trowed it ful lite But soþ is seide go siþþen many ȝeeres That feeld haþ yhen and þe woode haþ eeres It is ful fair a man to bere him euene / ffor alday meeteþ men at vnsett steuene fful litel woot arcite of his felawe That was so neigh to herken of his sawe ffor in þe busshe he sitteþ now ful stille Whan þat arcite hadde Romed all his fille And songen al þe Roundel lustily In to a studie he fel sodeinly As doon þese louers in here queynte geeres Now in þe croppe and now doun in þe breeres Now vp now doun as boket in a welle Right as þe friday soþly for to telle Now it schineþ and now it reyneþ faste Right so gan gery venus ouer caste The hertes of hir folk right as hire day Is geerful right so chaungeþ sche array Seelde is þe fryday al þe wike y-like ¶ Whan þat arcite hadde songe he gan to syke And sette him doun wiþouten eny more Allas quod he þat day þat I was bore How longe Iuno þurgh þi cruelte Wiltow werreien Thebes þe Cite Allas y-brought is to confusion The blood Roial of Cadme and Amphion Of Cadmus which þat was þe ferste man That Thebes bult or ferst þe toun bigan And of þe cite first was crouned king Of his lynage am I and his ofspring By verray ligne as of þe stok roiall And now I am so caytif and so þrall That he þat is my mortel enemy I serue him as his squier pouerly And ȝit doþ me Iuno wel more schame ffor I dar nought biknowe myn owne name But þer as I was wont to hight arcite Now highte I Philostrate nought worþ a myte Allas þou felle mars allas þou Iuno Thus haþ your ire oure lignage al fordo Saf only me and wrecched Palamon That Theseus martireþ in prison And ouer al þis to slen me vtterly loue haþ his faire dart so brennyngly. y-stiked þurgh my trewe carful herte That schapen was my deþ arst þan my scherte ye sleen me with ȝour eyȝen emelye Ȝe ben þe cause wher fore þat I dye Of all þe remanant / of myn oþer care Ne sette I nought þe montance of a tare So þat I coude don aught to ȝoure plesance And with þat word he fel doun in a traunce A long tyme and aftirward he vpsterte This Palamon þat þought þat þorugh his herte he felte a cold swerd sodeinliche glyde ffor yre he quok no lenger wolde he byde And whan þat he had herd Arcites tale As he were wood with face deed and pale he sterte him vp out of þe buskes þikke And seide arcite false traytour wikke Now art þou hent þat louest my lady so ffor whom þat I haue al þis peyne and wo And art my blood and to my counseil sworn As I ful ofte haue told þe heer biforn And hast be-iaped here duk Theseus / And falsly chaunged hast þi name þus I wol be ded or elles þou schalt dye Thou schalt not loue my lady Emelye But I wol loue hire oonly and nomo ffor I am Palamon þi mortel foo And þough þat I no wepene haue in þis place But out of prisoun am astert by grace I drede nought þat ouþer þou schalt die Or þou ne schalt not louen Emelye Chees which þou wilt or þou schalt not asterte This arcite with ful despitous herte When he him knew and hadde his tale herde As fers as a leon pulled out a swerde And seide þus by god þa[t] sitteþ aboue Nere it were þat þou art sike and wood for loue And eek þat þou no wepne hast in þis place / Thou schuldest neuer out of þis groue pace That þou ne schuldest deyen of myn honde ffor I diffie þe sewrte and þe bonde Which þat þou seist I haue maad to þe / What verray fool þink weel þat loue is fre And I wol loue hir maugre al þy might But for as moche þou art a worþy knight And willest to derreyne hir by batayle Haue her my trouþe to morwe I wol nought fayle Wiþouten wityng of eny oþer wight That heer I wol be founden as a knight And bringen herneys right ynough for þe And chese þe beste and lef þe worste for me And mete and drynk þis night wol y bringe ynough for þe and cloþes for þi beddynge And if so be þat þou my lady wynne And sle me in þis woode þer I am Inne Thou mayst wel haue þy lady as for me This Palamon answerd I graunt it þe And þus þei ben departed til a morwe Whan ech of hem hadde leyd his feiþ to borwe Occupied out of alle charite O regne þat wolde no felawe haue with þe fful soþ is seid þat loue ne lorschipe Wol not his þankes haue no felaschipe We fynde þat of arcite and of Palamon Arcite is riden anon in to þe toun And on the morwe er it were dayes light fful priuely tuo herneys haþ he dight Boþe sufficant and meete to darreyne The batail in þe feld bitwix hem tweyne And on his hors allone as he was borne He carieth al his harneys him biforne And in þe groue at tyme and place y-set This arcite and þis Palamon ben mette To changen gan þe colour in hire face Right as þe hunters in þe Reigne of trace That stondeþ atte gappe with a spere Whan hunted is þe leoun or þe bere And heereþ him come russhyng in þe greeues And bereþ boþe bowes and þe leeues / And þinkeþ here comeþ my mortel enemy Wiþoute faile he moot be deed or I ffor eiþer I mot sleen him atte gappe Or he mot slee me if þat me mys happe So ferden þei in chaungyng of here hewe As fer as euerich of hem oþer knewe / Ther nas no good day ne no saluynge / But streit wiþouten word or rehersynge / Euerich of hem hilp for to arme oþer As freendly as he were his owne broþer And after þat wiþ scharpe speres stronge / They foynen ech at oþer wonder longe Thou mightest wene þat þis Palamon In his fightinge were a wood leon And as a cruel tigre was arcite As wilde bores gonne þei to smyte / That frothen whit as foom for ire wood Vp to þe ancle foughte þey in here blood And in þis wise I lete hem fightyng dwelle And forþ I wole of Theseus you telle The destenye Ministre general That executeþ in þe world ouer al The purueance þat god haþ seie bifore So strong it is þat þei þe world hadde it swore The contraire of a þing by ȝe or nay Ȝet som tyme it schal falle on a day Þat falleþ nought eft wiþinne a þousend ȝere ffor certeinly oure appetites heere Be it of werre or pees or hate or loue Al is þis reuled by þe sight aboue This mene I now by mighty Theseus That for to hunte is so desirous And namly atte grete hert in may That in his bedde þer daweþ him no day That he nys cladde and redy for to ride Wiþ hunte and horn and houndes him besyde ffor in his huntyng haþ he such delit That it is all his ioye and appetyt To ben himself þe grete hertes bane ffor after mars he serueth now Diane Cler was þe day as I haue told er þis And Theseus with alle ioye and blys With his ypolita þe faire queene And Emelye cloþed al in greene On huntyng ben þei riden really And to þe groue þat stood ful faste by In which þer was an hert as men him tolde Duk Theseus þe streighte wey haþ holde / And to þe lannde he rideþ him ful righte ffor þider was þe hert wont to haue his flighte And ouer a brook and so forþ on his wey This Duk wol haue a cours at him or twey Wiþ houndes swich as þat him list to comaunde / And whan þis Duk was come vnto þe launde vnder þe sonne he loked and anon He was war of arcite and Palamon That foughten breeme as it were boles tuo The brighte swerdes wenten to and fro So hidously þat with þe leste strook It semeþ þat it wolde felle an ook But what þei were noþing he ne woot This duk his courser with his spores smot And at a stert he was betwixe hem tuo And pulled out a swerd and cried ho No more vp peyne of lesyng of ȝour hed By mighty mars he schal anon be ded That smyteth eny strok þat I may seen But telleþ me what myster men ȝe ben That ben so hardy for to fighten heere Wiþoute Iuge or oþer officere As it were in a litell liste really ¶ This Palamon answerde hastily And seide sire what needeþ wordes mo We haue þe deþ deserued boþe tuo Tuo woful wrecches be we tuo caytyues That ben encombred of oure owne lyues And as þou art a rightful lord and Iuge Ne ȝiue us neyþer mercy ne refuge But slee me first for seinte charite But slee my felawe eek as wel as me Or slee him [first] for þough þou knowest it lite This is þi mortel fo þis is arcite That fro þi lond is banyssched on his heede ffor which he haþ deserued to be ded ffor þis is he þat com vnto þi gate And seyde þat he highte Philostrate Thus haþ he Iaped þe ful many a ȝeere / And þou hast maked him þi cheef squiere And þis is he þat loueþ Emelye ffor siþ þat day is come þat I schal dye I make pleynly my confession That I am þilke woful Palamon That haþ þi prison broke wikkedely I am þi mortel foo and it am I That loueþ so hote Emelya þe bright[e] That I wol dye present in hir sighte Wher fore I axe deþ and my Iuwise But sle my felawe in þe same wise ffor boþe haue we deserued to be slayn ¶ This worþi duk answerde anon agayn And seide þis is a schort conclusioun your owne mouþ be ȝoure confessioun Haþ dampned ȝou and I wol it recorde It needeþ nought to pyne ȝou with þe corde ye schal be ded by mighty mars þe reede The queen anon for verrey wommanhede Com for to wepe and so dide Emelye And all þe ladies of þe compaignye Gret pite was it as it þought hem alle That euer such a chaunce schulde falle ffor gentil men þei were of gret estat And noþing but for loue was þis debat And saugh hire bloody woundes wide and sore And alle cryeden boþe lasse and more Haue mercy lord vpon vs wommen alle And on here bare knees doun þei falle And wolde haue kist his feet þer as he stood Til atte last aslaked was his mood ffor pite renneþ sone in gentil herte / And þough he ferst for Ire quook and sterte he haþ considered schortly in a clause The trespas of hem bothe and eek þe cause And al þough þat his Ire hire gilt accused Ȝit in his reson he hem boþe excused As þus he þoughte wel þat euery man Wil helpe himself in loue if þat he can And eek deliuere himself out of prison And eek his herte hadde compassion Of wommen for þey wepen euer in oon And in his gentil herte he þought anon And softe vnto himself he seide fy vpon a lord þat wol haue no mercy But be a leon boþe in word and dede / To hem þat ben in repentance and drede As wel as to a proud dispitous man That wol maintene þat he first bigan That lord haþ litel of discrecion That in such cas can no diuision But weyeth pride and humblesse after oon And schortly whan his Ire is þus goon he gan to loken vp with eyghen light And spak þis same wordes al on hight ¶ The god of loue a benedicite How mighty and how gret a lord is he Aȝeins his might þer gayneþ non obstacles He may be cleped a god of his miracles ffor he can maken at his owne gise Of euerich herte as þat him list deuise lo her þis arcite and þis Palamon That quytly were out of my prisoun And might haue lyued in Thebes rially And witen I am here mortel enemy And þat here deþ lith in my might also / And ȝit haþ loue maugre here yghen tuo Brought hem hider boþe for to deye Now lokeþ is not þat an heih folye ¶ Who may ben a fool but if he loue Byhold for goddes sake þat sitteþ aboue See how þai bleede be þai not wel arrayed Thus haþ hire lord þe god of loue y-paiȝed Hire wages and hire fees for hire seruise And ȝit þei wenen for to ben ful wise That seruen loue for aught þat may bifall But þis is ȝet þe beste game of all That sche for wham þei haue þis iolyte Can hem þerfore as moche thank as me Sche woot na more of all þis hoote fare By god þan woot a Cockow of an hare But al moot ben assayed hoot and colde A man moot ben a fool or ȝong or olde I wot it by my self ful yore agon ffor in my tyme a seruant was I on And þerfore syn I knowe of loues peyne And woot how sore it can a man distreyne As he þat hath ben caught often in his laas I you forȝiue al holly þis trespas At þe requeste of þe queen þat kneeleþ heere And eek of Emelye my soster deere And ȝe schal boþe anon vnto me swere That neuere ȝe schal my coroune dere Ne make werre vpon me night ne day But ben my frendes in alle þat ȝe may I ȝou forȝiue þis trespas euery del And þey him sworen his axing fair and wel And him of lordschipe and of mercy preide And he hem graunteþ grace and þus he seide To speke of riall lynage and richesse þough þat sche were a queen or a princesse Ech of ȝou boþe is worþy douteles To wedde whan tyme is but naþeles I speke as for my suster Emelye / ffor whom ȝe haue þis strif and Ialousie Ȝe wite ȝoure self sche may not wedde tuo At oones þough ȝe fighten eueremo That oon of ȝou al be him loþ or leef He moot go pypen in an yuy leef This is to sey sche may not haue boþe Al be ȝe neuer so Ialouse ne so wroþe And for-þi I ȝou putte in þis degre That ech of ȝou schal haue his destine As him is schape and kerkneþ in what wise Lo heer ȝour ende of þat I schal deuyse / ¶ My wil is þis for plat conclusion Wiþouten eny replicacion If þat ȝow likeþ takeþ it for þe beste / That euerych of ȝou schal gon wher him leste ffrely wiþouten Raunceon or daunger And þis day fifty wykes fer ne neer Euerich of ȝou schal bringe an hundred knightes Armed for þe lystes vp al rightes Al redy to darreyne hir by bataile And þis biheete I ȝou wiþoute faile vpon my trouþe and as I am a knight That wheþer of ȝou boþe þat haþ might This is to sein þat wheþer he or þou May with his hundred as I spak of now Sle his contrarie or out of lystes dryue That schal I ȝiue Emelya to wyue To whom þat fortune ȝeueþ so fair a grace The lystes schal I maken in þis place And god so wisly on my soule rewe As I schal euen Iugge ben and trewe ȝe schal non oþer eende wiþ me maken þat on of ȝou schal ben deed or taken And if ȝou þinkeþ þis is wel y-sayed Sey ȝour avys and holdeþ ȝou appaied This is ȝour ende and ȝour conclusion Who lokeþ lighty now but Palamon Who springeþ vp for ioye but arcite Who couþe telle or who couþe it endite The ioye þat is maked in þe place Whan Theseus haþ don so fair a grace But doun on knees went euery maner wight And þonked him wiþ all here hert and might And namely þe Thebanes ofte siþe And þus wiþ good hope and wiþ herte bliþe They take þeir leue and homward gon þei ride To Thebes with olde walles wyde [PART III. No gap in the MS.] I trowe men wold it deme necligence yf I forȝete te tellen þe dispense Of Theseus þat goþ so busily To maken vp þe lystes ryally That such a noble theatre as it was I dar wel seyn in þe world þer nas The circuite a Mile was aboute Walled of stoon and diched al wiþoute Round was þe schap in maner of compas fful of degrees þe heighte of sixty paas Than whan a man was sette on oo degre He lettede nought his felawe for to see Estward þer stood a gate of marbel white Westward right south anoþer in opposite And schortly to conclude such a place Was non in erþe as in so litel a space ffor in þe lond þer nas no crafty man That Geometrie or ars metrike can Ne purtreiour ne keruer of ymages That Theseus ne gain him mete and wages The Teatre for to make and deuyse And for to don his rite and sacrifise he estward hath vpon þe gate aboue In worschip of Venus þe goddesse of loue Don make an auter and an oratorie And of þe westward in memorie Of Mars he maked hath right such anoþer That coste largely of gold a foþer And northward in a toret on þe walle Of alabaustre whit and reed coralle An oratori riche for to see In worschip of Diane of chastite hath Theseus don wrought in noble wise But ȝit hadde I forgetyn to deuyse þe noble peyntyng and þe purtraitures The schap þe contienance and þe figures That weren in þise oratories þre fferst in þe temple of venus maist þou se Wrought in þe walle ful pitous to biholde The broken sleepes and þe sikes colde þe sacrede teeres and þe waymentyng The fyre strokes of þe desyring That loues seruantz in þis lijf enduren The othes þat here couenantz ensuren Plesant and hope desir fol-hardynesse Beaute and youþe bauderie Richesse Charmes and force lesynges flaterie Dispense bysynesse and Ialousie That werede of yalow of gooldes a garlond And a cukkow sittyng on his hond ffestes instrumentz karoles daunces lust and array and all þe circumstances Of loue which þat rekned and rekene schal By ordre were peynted on þe wal And mo þan I can make of mencion ffor sothly al þe mont of Citheron Ther venus haþ hir principal dwellyng Was schewed on þe wal in portreying Wiþ al þe gardyn and þe lustynesse Nat was forȝeten þe porter ydelnesse Ne Narcisus þe faire of yore agon Ne yet þe folie of king Salomon Ne ȝit þe grete strengþe of Hercules Thenchauntementz of Medea and Circes Ne of Turnus wiþ þe hardy fiers corrage The riche Crysus kaytif in seruage / Thus may ȝe seen þat wisdom ne richesse Beaute ne sleighte strengþe ne hardynesse / Ne may wiþ venus holde champartye ffor as hire list þe world þanne may sche gye lo all þise folk so kaught were in here lace Til þei for woo ful ofte seyde allase Suffiseth here ensamples oon or tuo And þough I couþe rekne a þousand mo The statue of venus glorious for to see Was inaked fleetyng in þe large see And fro þe nauel doun al couered was Wiþ wawes greene and bright as eny glas O citole in hir right hond hadde sche / And on hire heed ful semely for to see A rose garlond freissch and wel smellynge Aboue hir heed her doufes flykerynge Biforn hire stoode hir sone Cupido vpon his schuldernes wenges hadde he tuo And blynd he was as it is ofte seene / A bowe he bar and arwes bright and keene Whi schulde I nought as wel eek telle þe halle The purtraiture þat was vpon þe walle / Wiþinne þe temple of mighty mars þe reede Al peynted was þe wal in lengþe and brede / lik to þe eestres of þe grisly place That highte þe grete temple of Mars in trace In þilke colde frosty regioun Ther as Mars haþ his soueraigne mansioun ffirst on þe wal was peynted a foreste In which þer dwelled neyþer man ne beste Wiþ knotty knarry bareyne trees olde Of Stubbes scharpe and hidous to biholde/ In which þer ran a Rombel in a swough And þought a storm schulde bresten euery bough And dounward from an hull vnder a bente Ther stood þe temple of mars armypotente Wrought all of burned steel of which þentre Was long and streyt and gastly for to see And þer out cam a rage and such a vese That it made all þe gates for to rese The northerne light in atte dores schone ffor wyndowe on þe wall ne was þer none Thorugh which men mighte eny light discerne The dores waren all of Atthemant eterne ychenchede ouertwart and endlong Wiþ Iren towgh and for to make it strong Euery piler þe temple to sustene Was tonne gret of Iren bright and scheene Ther say I ferst þe derk ymagynynge Of felonye and al þe compassynge The cruel Ire reed as eny glede The pykpurs and eek þe pale drede The smyler wiþ þe knyf vnder þe cloke The schepene brennyng wiþ þe blake smoke The tresoun of þe morthering in þe bedde The open werre wiþ woundes all bibledde Contek wiþ bloody knyf and scharp manace Al ful of schrikyng was þat sory place The sleer of himself yet saugh I þere His herte hath baþed al his here The nayl y-dryuen in þe schood on night The colde deth wiþ mouþ gapende vpright Amyddes of þe temple sat meschance With disconfort and sory contenance yet saugh I woodnesse laughyng in his rage Armed compleint / out hees and feers outrage The karoigne in þe busk wiþ þrote y-korue A þousand y-slayn and nought of qualme y-storue The Tiraunt with his preye his force thraste / The toun destroied þer was noþing lafte yet saugh I brent þe schippes hoppestereres The hunte strangled wiþ þe wilde breeres / The sowe freten þe child right in þe cradel The Cook I-scalded for al his longe ladel Nought was forgeten by þe infortune of marte / The carter ouer-Riden wiþ his carte vnder þe wheel ful lowe he lay a doun Ther were also of martis diuisioun The barbour and þe bocher and þe smith That forge scharpe swerdes on his stith And all aboue depeynted in a toure Saugh I conqueste in gret honoure With þe scharpe swerd ouer his heed Hangynge by a subtyl twyned þreed Depeynted was þe slaughtre of Iulius Of grete Nero and of Anthonius Al be þat ilke time þei were vnborn Ȝet was hire deth depeynted þer biforn By manasyng of mars right by figure So was it schewed right in þat purtreiture As is depeynted in þe sertres aboue Who schal be slain or elles deed for loue Sufficeþ oon ensample in stories olde I may not rekne hem alle þough I wolde The statue of mars vpon a carte stood Armed and loked grym as he were wood And ouer his heed þer schineþ tuo figures Of sterres þat ben closed in scriptures That oon Puella þat oþer Rubeus This god of armes was arrayed þus A wolf þer stood biforn him at his feete Wiþ eighen reede and of a man he eete Wiþ subtill pensell was depeynted þis storie / In redoutyng of mars and of his glorie Now to þe temple of Diane þe chaste / As schortly as I can I wol me haste To telle ȝou all þe discripcioun Depeynted ben þe walles vp and doun Of huntyng and of schamefast chastite Ther saugh I how woful Calistope Whan þat Diane agreued was with here Was torned fro a womman til a bere /¶ Vrsa maior And after was sche maad þe loode-sterre Þus was sche peynted I can ȝou seye no ferre Hire sone is eek a sterre as men may se Ther saugh I dane torned til a tree I mene nat þe goddesse Diane But Penneus doughter which þat highte Dane ¶ Ther saugh I accheon an herte y-maked ffor vengance þat he saugh Diane al naked I saugh how þat his houndes haue him caught/ and freten him for þat þei knewe him naught yet ypeynted was a litel forþere more / how atthalance hounted þe wilde bore And Meliagre and many anoþer mo ffor which Diane wrought him care and wo Ther saugh I many anoþer storie / The which me list nat drawe to memorie / ¶ This goddesse on an hert ful wel hiegh seet Wiþ smale honndes all aboute hir feet And vnder neþe hire feet sche hadde a moone Wexynge it was and schulde wanye soone In gaude greene hir statue cloþed was Wiþ bowe in honde and arwes in a caas Hir eyhen caste sche ful lowe a doun Ther Pluto haþ his derke regioun A womman trauaillynge was hire biforn But for hire childe so longe was vnborn fful pitou[s]ly lucyna gan sche calle And seyde helpe for þou mayst best of alle Wel couþe he peynte lifly þat it wrought Wiþ many a floreyne he þe hewes bought Now ben þise listes maad an Theseus That at his grete cost arraied thus The temples and þe Theatres euerydel Whan it was don him liked wonder wel ¶ But stynte I wol of Theseus alite And speke of Palamon and of arcite The day approcheþ and hir retornynge That eueriche scholde an hundred knightes bringe The bataille to darrayne as I ȝou tolde And til athenes hire couenant for to holde Haþ euerych of hem brought an .C. knightes Wel armed for þe werre at alle rightes And sikerly þer trowed many a man That neuer siþþen þat þe world bigan That for to speke of knighthode of here hond As ferre as god haþ maked see or lond Nas of so fewe so noble a companye ffor euery wight þat loued chiualrie And wolde his þankes haue a passant name Haþ preyed þat he mighte ben of þat game A wel was him þat þer to chosen was / ffor if þer fille to morwe such a caas Ȝe knowe wel þat euery lusty knight That loueþ paramours and haþ his might Were it in Ingelond or elles where Thei wolde here þankes wilnen to be þere To fighte for a lady benedicite It were a lusty sighte for to see And right so ferden þey with Palamon With him þer wente knightes many on Som wol ben armed in an habergeon And in a brest plate and in a light Iepon And some wol haue a paire plates large And som wil haue a pruce scheld or a targe Som wol ben armed on his legges wel and haue an axe and som a mace of steel Ther nys no newe gyse þat it nas olde Armed were þei as I haue ȝou tolde Euerich after his opynioun Ther maystow see comyng wiþ Palamon ligurge himself þe grete king of trace Blak was his berd and manly was his face The cercles of his yhen in his heede Thei gloweden bitwixe yelow and rede And lik a griffon loked he aboute With kempe heres on his browes stoute his lymes grete his braunes harde and strong his schuldernes brode his armes round and long And as þe gyse was in his cuntre fful heighe vpon a chaar of gold stood he Wiþ foure white boles in þe trays In stede of cote armour ouer his harnays Wiþ nayles yelowe and bright as eny golde he hadde a berskynne coleblak for olde his longe her was kembed byhynde his bak As eny rauenes feþer it schon for blak A wreþe of gold arme gret of huge weighte vpon his heed sette ful of stones brighte Of fyne Rubies and of Diamantz Aboute his chaar þer wente wit Alantz Twenty and mo as gret as eny steere To hunten atte leon or þe deere And folwed him with mosel fast y-bounde Coleres of gold and torettes filed rounde An C. lordes hadde he in his route Armed ful wel wiþ hertes sterne and stoute ¶ With arcita in stories as men fynde The grete Emetreus þe king of Inde vpon a steede bay trapped in steel Couered in cloth of gold diapred weel Com ridyng lyk þe god of armes mars His cote armure was of cloþ of Tars Couched with perles whit and round and grete / His sadel was of brent gold newe I bete A mantelet vpon his schuldern hangynge Bret ful of Rubyes reede as fyr sparclynge His crispe her lik rynges was I-ronne And þat was yelow and glitering as þe sonne His nose was highe his eyen bright Cytryn His lippes rounde his colour was sanguyn A fewe frakenes in his face y-spreynd Betwixe yelow and somdel blak y-meynd And as a leon he his lokyng caste Of fyue and twenty ȝeer his age I caste His berd was wel begonne for to springe His voys was as a trompe thunderinge vpon his heed he wered a laurer grene A garland freissche and lusty for to seene vpon his hand he bar for his deduyt An Egle tame as eny lilie whit An C. lordes hadde he with him þere All armed saue her heedes in al here gere fful richely in alle maner þinges ffor trusteþ wel þat Dukes Erles kynges. Were gadred in þis noble companye ffor loue and for encrees of chiualrie aboute þis king þer ran on euery part fful many a tame leon and lepart And in þis wise þise lordes all and some Ben on þe soneday to þe Cite come Aboute prime and in þe toun alighte This Theseus þis Duk þis worþi knighte Whan he hadde brought hem in to his Cite And Inned hem euerich at his degre / He festeþ hem and doþ so gret labour To eesen hem and don hem all honour That yet men weneþ þat no mannes wit Of non estat ne couþe amenden it / The menstralcye þe seruise atte feste The grete ȝiftes to þe meste and leste The riche array of Theseus Paleys Ne who sat ferst ne last vpon þe deys What ladies fairest ben or best daunsynge Or which of hem can best daunsen or synge / Ne who most felynglik spekeþ of loue What haukes sitten on þe perche aboue / What houndes liggen on þe flor adoun Of all þis make I now no mencioun But alle þeffecte þat þinkeþ me þe beste Now comeþ þe poynt and herkneþ if ȝou lest ¶ The sonday night ar day bigan to springe Whan Palamon þe larke herde synge Al þough it / nere nought day by houres tuo Ȝet song þe larke and Palamon right þo Wiþ holy herte and with an heigh corage He ros to wenden on his pilgrimage vnto þe blisful Citharea benigne I mene Venus honorable and digne And in here houre he walkeþ forþ a paas vnto þe lystes þer hire temple was And doun he kneleþ and wiþ humble chere And herte sore he seyde as ȝe schal heere ¶ ffairest of faire O lady myn Venus Doughter to Ioue and spouse to Vulcanus Thou glader of þe mount of Citheron ffor þilke loue þou haddest to adon Haue pite of my bittre teeres smerte / and tak myn humble preier at þin herte Allas I ne haue no langage to telle / Theffectes ne þe torment of myn helle Myn herte may myn harmes nought bewreye I am so confuse þat I can not seye But mercy lady bright þat knowest wele My þought and seest what harmes þat I feele Considere al þis and rewe vpon my soore As wisly as I schal for euermore Emforth my myght þi trewe seruant be And holden werre alwey wiþ chastite That I make myn avow so ȝe me helpe I keepe nought of armes for to yelpe Ne I ne axe nought to morwe to haue victorie Ne renoun in þis caas ne veine glorie Of pris of armes blowen vp and doun But I wolde haue fully possessioun Of emelye and dye in þi seruise ffynde yow þe maner how and in what wise I recche nat but it may bettre be To haue victorie of hem or þei of me So þat I may haue my lady in myn armes ffor þough so be þat mars is god of armes youre vertue is so gret in heuen aboue That if yow list I schal wel haue my loue Thy temple wil I worschipe euermo An on þin auter wher I ride or go I wil don sacrifice and feeres beete And if ȝe wol not so my lady sweete Than pray I þe to morwe with a spere þat arcite me þurgh þe herte bere Than rekke I nat whan I haue lost my lyf þough þat arcite wynne hir to his wyf This is þeffect and ende of my preyere yif me my loue þou blisful lady deere Whan þe orison was don of Palamon his sacrifise he dide and þat anon fful pitously wiþ alle circumstances Al telle I not as now his obseruances But atte laste þe Statue of Venus schook And made a signe wherby þat he took That his prayer accepted was þat day ffor þough þe signe schewed a delay Ȝit wist he weel þat graunted was his boone And with glad herte he went him home ful soone The þridde hour inequal þat Palamon Bigan to venus temple for to gon vp roos þe sonne and vp roos Emelye And to þe temple of Diane gan hye Hir maydenes þat þider with hir ladde fful redily with hem þe fyr þey hadde Thencens þe cloþes and þe remenant all That to þe sacrifice longen schall The hornes full of methe as was þe gise Ther lacked nat to do hir sacrifise Smokyng þe temple ful of cloþes faire This Emelye with herte debonaire Hire body [wessh] with þe water of a welle But how sche dide hire rite I dar not telle But it be eny þing in general And ȝit it were a game to here it al To him that meneþ wel it nere no charge But it is good a man be at his large hire brighte heer was kempt vntressed al A Corone of a grene oke Serial vpon hire heed set ful faire and mete Tuo fyres on þe auter gan sche beete And dede hire þinges as men may biholde In Stace of Thebes and þise bookes olde Whan kyndled was þe fyr wiþ pitous cheere vnto Diane sche spak as ȝe may heere O chaste goddesse of þe woodes greene To whom boþe heuen and erþe and see is seene Queen of þe regne of Pluto dirk and lowe Goddesse of maydenes þat myn herte hast knowe fful many a yeer and wost what I desire As keepe me fro þi vengance and þin Ire That attheon aboughte cruelly Chaste goddesse wel wost þou þat I Desyre to ben a mayde all my lif Ne neuer wol I be no loue ne wijf I am þou wost ȝit of þy compaignie A maiden and loue huntyng and venerie And for to walken in the woodes wilde And nought to ben a wijf and be wiþ childe Nought wol I knowe compaignie of man Now helpe me lady siþþe ȝe may and can ffor þe þre formes þat þou hast in the And Palamon þat haþ swich loue to me And eek arcite þat loueþ me so sore This grace I preye ȝow wiþoute more And sende loue and pees bitwixe hem tuo And fro me torne awey here hertes so That all here hoote loue and here desire And all here besy torment and here fire Be queynt or torned in anoþer place And if so be þou wolt not do me grace Or if my destyne be schape so That I schal needes haue oon of hem tuo As sende me him that most desireth me Biholde goddesse of clene chastite The bittre teeres þat on my cheekes falle Syn þou art maiden and kepere of vs alle My maydenhode þou kepe and wel conserue And whil I lyue a maide I wol ȝou serue ¶ The fires brennen vpo þe auter cleer Whil Emelye was þus in hire preyer But sodeinly sche saugh a sighte queynte ffor right anon on of þe fyres queynte And quiked agayn and after þat anon That oþer fyr was queint and al a-gon And as it queinte it made a whistlinge As don þese wete brondes in here brennynge / And at þe brondes ende out ran anon As it were bloody dropes many on ffor which so sore a-gast was Emelye That sche was ful ny mad and gan to crie ffor sche ne wiste what it signefied But oonly for þe feer þus haþ sche cried And weepe þat it was pite for to heere And þer with al Diane gan appeere With bowe in hand right as an hunteresse And seyde doughter stynt þin heuynesse Among þe goddes heigh it is affermed And by eterne word writen and confermed Thou schalt be wedded vnto oon of þo þat han for þe So mochel care and wo And vnto which of hem I may not telle ffar-wel for I ne may no lenger dwelle The fyres which þat on myn auter brenne Schul þe declare ar þat ȝe gon henne / Thin auenture of loue as in þis caas And wiþ þat word þe arwes in þe caas Of þe goddesse clateren faste and rynge And forþ sche wente and made a vanysschynge ffor which þis Emelye astoned was And seide what amonteþ þis allas I putte me in þi proteccion Diane and in þi disposicion And home sche goþ anon þe nexte weye This is þeffecte þer nys namore to seye The nexte hour of mars folwynge þis Arcite vnto þe temple walked is Of fiers mars to don his sacrifise Wiþ all þe rites of his payen wise Wiþ pitous hert and heigh deuocion Right þus to mars he seide his orison O stronge god þat in þe regnes colde / Of trace honoured art and lord y-holde And hast in euery regne and euery londe Of armes al þe bridel in þin honde, And hem fortunest as þe lest deuyse Accepte of me my pitous sacrifise / If so be þat my youthe may deserue And þat I mighte be worthy for to serue Thy godhede þat I may ben oon of þine Than pray I þe to rewe vpon my pyne ffor þilke pyne and þilke hoote fyre In which þou whilom brendest for desire Whan þat þou vsedest þi beaute Of faire ȝonge freissche Venus free / And haddest hire in armes at þi wille Al þough þe oones on a tyme mysfille / Whan Walcanus hadde caught þe in his laas And fond þe ligging by his wijf allas ffor þilke sorwe þat was in þin herte Haue rouþe as wel vpon my peynes smerte I am yong and vnconnyng as þou wost And as I trowe with loue offended moost That euer was ony lyues creature ffor sche þat doth me all þis woo endure Ne reccheþ neuer wher I synke or fleete And wel I woot ar sche me mercy heete I moot wiþ strengþe wynne hire in þe place And wel I woot wiþoute helpe or grace Of þe ne may my strengþe nought auaile Than helpe me lord to morwe in my bataille ffor þilke fyr þat whilom brente þe As wel as þilke fir now brenneþ me And do þat I to morwe haue victorie Myn be þe trauaile and þin be þi glorie / Thy souerein temple wil I most honouren Of eny place and alwey most labouren In þi plesance and in þi craftes stronge And in þi temple I wil my baner honge, And all þe armes of my companye And eueremo vnto til þat day I dye Eterne fire I wol byfore þe fynde And eek to þis avow I wil me bynde My berd myn here þat longeþ longe a doun That neuer ȝet ne felte offensioun Of rasour nor of schere I wil þe yiue And ben þi trewe seruant whil I liue Now lord haue rouþe vpon my sorwes sore If me þe victorie I axe þe namore ¶ The preyer stynte of Arcita þe stronge The rynges on the temple dore þat honge And eek þe dores clateren ful faste, Of which arcita somwhat him agaste Þe fyres brenden vp þe auter bright That it gan al þe temple for to light And sweete smel the ground anon vp yaf And arcita anon his hand vp haf And more encense in to þe fir he caste With oþre rites moo and atte laste The statut of mars bigan his hauberk rynge And with þe soun he herd a mormoringe fful lowe and dym þat seyde þis victorie ffor which he ȝaf to mars honour and glorie And þus with ioye and hope wel to fare Arcite anon vnto his Inne is fare As fayn as foul is of þe brighte sonne And right anon such strif is bygonne ffor þilke grauntyng in þe heuen aboue Bitwixe venus þe goddesse of loue And Mars þe sterne god armipotent That Iubiter was besy it to stent/ Til þat þe pale Saturnus þe colde That knewe so many of auentures olde ffond in his olde experience an arte That he ful sone haþ plesed euery parte / A soþ is seyde elde haþ gret auantage In eelde is boþe wisdom and vsage / Men may þe olde at renne and nought a-trede Saturne anoon to stynte strif and drede Al be it þat it is agayn his kinde Of all þis strif he gan remedye fynde My deere doughter Venus quod Saturne My cours þat haþ so wide for to turne Haþ more power þan wot any man Myn is þe drynclyng in þe see so wan Myn is þe prison in þe derke cote Myn is þe strangle and hangyng by þe þrote The murmure and þe cherles rebellinge The gronyng and þe priue emprisonynge I do vengeance and plein correccion Wil I dwelle in þe signe of þe leon Myn is þe ruine of þe hihe halles The fallyng of þe toures and of þe walles vpon þe mynour and þe Carpenter I slough Sampson schakynge þe piler And myne ben þe maladies colde þe derke tresons, and þe castes olde my lokyng is þe fader of pestilence Now weep namore I schal don diligence That Palamon þat is þin owne knight Schal haue his lady as þou him bihight Though mars schal helpe his knight ȝet naþeles Betwixe ȝow þer moot be som tyme pees All be ȝe nought boþe of oo complexion That causeþ alday swich diuision I am þin ayell redy at þi wille Weepe now namore I wil þi lust fulfille ¶ Now wol I stente of þe goddes aboue Of mars and of venus goddesses of loue And telle yow as pleinly as I can The grete effect for which þat I bygan [PART IV. No gap in the MS.] Gret was þe feste in Athenes þat day And eek þat lusty sesoun of þat may Made euery knight to ben in such plesance That al þat monday ioustne þei and daunce And spend in heigh venus seruise But by þe cause þat þai scholde rise Erly for to seen þe grete fight vnto here reste wente þei at night And on the morwe whan þat day gan springe, Of hors and harneys noyse and clateringe Ther was in hostelleries al aboute And to þe paleys rood þer many a route Of lordes vpon steedes and palfreys Ther maystow seen diuisyng of harneys So vncouth and so riche wrought so wel Of goldsmythrie of broudyng and of steel Þe scheelde bright testeres and trappures Gold hewen helmes hauberkes cote armures lordes in paramentz on here courseres Knightes of Retenu and eek squieres Nayling þe speres and helmes boclyng Gydyng of scheldes wiþ layners lasyng There as neede is þei were noþing ydel The fomy steedes on þe goldene bridel Gnawen and faste þe armureres also / Wiþ file and hamer priking to and fro / yomen on foote and comunes many oon Wiþ schorte staues þikke as þey may gon Pypes trompes nakers Clariouns That in þe bataille blowe bloody sownes The paleys ful of poeples vp and doun Here þre þere ten holdyng here questioun Dyuynyng of þise Thebane knightes tuo Som seide þus som seide it schal be so Som holden with him with þe blake berde Som wiþ þe balled som with þe þikke herde Som seide he loked grym and he wold fighte He haþ a Sparth of xx. pound of highte Thus was þe halle ful of diuinyng longe after þat þe sonne gan to spring The grete Theseus þat of his sleep awaked Wiþ menstralcye and noyse þat was maked Heeld ȝet þe chambres of his paleys riche Til þat þe Thebane knightes boþen I-liche Honorably weren in to þe paleys fette Duc Theseus is at þe wyndow sette Arraied right as he were god in trone The poepel presed þiderward fulsone / Him for to seen and don heigh reuerence / And eek to herkne his heste and his sentence An herald on a scaffold made an hoo Til al þe noise of þe poepul was I-doo And whan he say þe pepul of noyse al stille Thus schewed he þe mighty dukes wille The lord hath of his heigh discrecion Considered þat it were destruccion To gentil blood to fighten in þis gise Of mortel bataille now in þis emprise Wher fore to schapen þat þei schal not deye He wol his ferste purpos modifye No man þerfore vpon peyne of his lyf No maner schot ne pollax ne schort knyf In to þe lystes sende or þider brynge Ne schort swerd for to stoke with poynt bytynge No man ne drawe ne bere it by his syde No man schal to his felawe ride But oo cours with a scharp y-grounde spere ffoyne if him list on foote himself to were / And he þat is at meschief schal be take And nought slain but be brought vnto þe stake That schal ben ordeyned on eyþer syde / But þider he schal be force and þer abyde / And if so falle þe cheuentein be take / On eyther syde or elles sleen his make No lenger ne schal þe torneyenge laste God speede ȝou go forth and lay on faste / Wiþ longe swerdes and ȝour maces fighteþ ȝour fille Go now your wey þis is þe lordes wille The voys of þe poeple touchede heuene So lowde criede þei with merie steuene God saf swich a lord þat is so good He wilneþ no distruction of blood Vp goþ þe trompes and þe melodye And to þe listes ritte the compaignye By ordinance þorugh out þe cite large Hanged wiþ cloþ of gold and nought with Sarge / fful lik a lord this noble duk gan ryde These tuo Thebanes vpon eyþer syde And after roode þe queene and Emelye / And after þat another compaignye / Of on and oþer after here degre And þus þey passen þurgh out þe Citee And to þe lystes come þey be tyme It nas nat of þe day ȝet fullich prime Whan sette was Theseus ful riche and hye ypolita þe queen and Emelye And oþer ladyes in degree aboute vnto þe seetes preseþ al þe route And westward þurgh þe gates vnder marte Arcite and eek þe hundred of his parte Wiþ baner reed is entred right anon And in þat selue moment Palamon Is vnder venus Estward in þe place Wiþ baner whit and hardy chere and face In al þe world to seken vp and doun So euene wiþoute variacioun Ther nere swiche companyes tweye ffor þer was non so wys þat couþe seie That eny hadde of oþer auantage Of worþinesse ne of astaat ne age So euene were þei chose for to gesse And in to Rynges faire þei hem dresse Whan þat here names rad were euerychon That in here nombre gyle were þer non Tho were þe gates schette and cryed was lowde Do now ȝour deuoir yonge knightes proude ¶ The heraudes lefte here prikyng vp and doun Now ryngeþ trompes lowde and clarioun Ther is namore to sein West and Est In goþ þe speres ful sadly in arest In goþ the scharpe spore in to þe syde þer seen men who can Iustne and who can ryde Ther schyueren schaftes vpon scheeldes þikke He feeleþ þorugh þe herte spoon þe prikke vp springeþ speres twenty foot on heighte Out gon þe sweerdes as þe seluer brighte The helmes þer to hewen and to schrede Out brest þe blood with sterne streemes reede With mighty maces þe bones þei tobreste he þurgh þe þikkest on þe þrong gan þreste Ther stomblen steedes stronge and doun gon alle he rolleþ vnder foot as doþ a balle he foyneþ on his foot with his tronchoun And he him hurteþ with his hors a doun he þurgh þe body is hurt and siþþen take Maugre his heed and brought vnto þe stake As forward was right þer he moste abyde Anoþer is ladde on þat oþer syde And som tyme doþ hem Theseus to reste hem to refreissche and drynken if hem leste fful ofte a-day han þise Thebanes two Togydre ymett and wrought his felawe wo vnhorsed haþ ech oþer of hem tweye Ther nas no Tygre in vale of Galgopheie Whan þat hire whelp is stole whan it is lite So cruel on þe hunte as is Arcite ffor Ialouse herte vpon þis Palamon Ne in belmaryn þer nys so fel leon That hunted is or for his hunger wood Ne of his prey desireþ so þe blood Of Palamon to sle his foo arcite The Ialous strokes on here helmes byte Out renneth blood on boþe here sydes reed Som tyme an ende þer is of euery deed ffor or þe sonne vnto þe reste wente The stronge king Emetreus gan hente This Palamon as he faught with arcite And made his sweerd deepe in fleissh byte And by þe force of twenty is he take vn-yolden and drawen to þe stake And in þe rescous of þis Palamoun The stronge knight ligurge is born a doun And king Emetreus for all his strengþe Is born out of his sadell a swerdes lengthe So hitte him Palamon or he were take But al for nought he was brought to þe stake his hardy herte might him helpe naught he moste abide whan þat he was caught By force and eek by composicion Who sorweþ now but woful Palamon Þat moot nomore gon aȝen to fighte And whan þat Theseus hadde seen þis sighte he cried ho namore for it is don Ne non schal lenger to his felaw gon I wil be trewe Iugge and not partie / Arcite of Thebes schal haue Emelye That by his fortune haþ hir faire y-wonne Anon þer is a noyse of poepel bygonne ffor ioye of þis so loude and heigh wiþ alle / It semed þat þe lystes scholde falle ¶ What can now faire venus don aboue What seiþ sche now what doþ þis queen of loue But weepeþ so for wantyng of hir wille Til þat hire teeres in þe lystes fille / Sche seyde I am aschamed douteles Saturnus seyde doughter hold þi pees Mars haþ his wille his knight hath all his boone And by myn heed þou schalt ben eesed soone The trompoures wiþ þe lowde menstralcye The heraudes þat ful lowde yelle and crye/ Ben in here wele for ioye of daun Arcite But herkneþ me and stynteþ noyse alite/ Which a miracle þer bifel anon This fiers Arcite haþ of his helm y-doon And on a courser for to schewe his face He prikeþ endelong þe large place lokyng vpward vpon þis Emelye And sche again him caste a frendlich yhe ffor wommen as to speken in comune Thei folwen all þe fauour of fortune/ And was al his chier as in his herde/ Out of þe ground a fir Infernal sterte/ ffrom pluto sent atte request of Saturne/ ffor which his hors for feere gan to turne/ And leep a syde and foundred as he leep And ar þat arcite may taken keep he plight him on þe pomel of his heede That in þe place he lay as he were deede His brest to-brosten with his sadel bowe As blak he lay as any cole or crowe So was þe blood y-ronne in his face Anon he was born out of þe place Wiþ herte soor to Theseus paleys Tho was he coruen out of his harneys And in a bed I-brought ful fair and blyue ffor he was yet in memorie and a lyue / And alwey cryeng after Emelye Duc Theseus with all his companye/ Is comen hom to Athenes his Citee With alle blisse and gret solempnete Al be it þat þis auenture was falle he nolde not disconforten hem alle Men seyde eek þat arcite schal not dye he schal ben heled of his maladye And of anoþer þing þei were as fayn That of hem alle was þer non y-slayn Alle were þei sore hurt and namely oon That with a spere was þerled his brest boon To oþer woundes and to broken armes Some hadden salue and some hadden charmes ffermacies of herbes and eek saue Thei dronke for þei wolde here lyues haue ffor which þis noble Duc as he wel can Conforteþ and honoureþ euery man And makeþ reuel al þe lange night vnto þe straunge lordes as it was right Ne þer was holden no disconfytyng But as a Iustnes or a torneying ffor soþly þer was no disconfiture ffor fallyng nys but an auenture Ne to be ladde by force to þe stake vnyolden and with twenty knightes take A persone alone wiþouten mo And haried forþ by arme foot and too And eek his steede driuen forþ wiþ staues Wiþ foot men boþe yomen and knaues It was arretted him no vilanye Ther may no man clepe it Cowardie ffor which anon Duk Theseus leet crie To stynte alle rancour and enuye The gree as wel of oo syde as of oþer And eiþer side ylik as oþer broþer And yaf hem ȝiftes after here degre and fully heeld he feste dayes þre And conueyed þe kynges worþily Out of his toun a iorney largely And hom went euery man þe righte way Ther was namore but far wel and haue good day Of þis bataille I wol no more endite But speke of Palamon and [of] arcite ¶ Swelleþ þe brest of Arcite and þe sore Encreceþ at his herte more and more The cloþ-red blood for eny lechecraft Corupteþ and is in his bouk I-laft Thaf neyþer veyne blood ne ventusynge Ne drynk of herbes may ben his helpynge The vertue expulsif or animal ffro þilke vertu cleped natural Ne may þe venym voide ne expelle/ The pipes of his longes gan to swelle And euery lacerte in his brest adoun Is schent with venym and corrupcioun Him gayneþ neyþer for to gete his lijf vomyt vpward ne dounward laxatif Al is to-brusten þilke region Nature haþ no dominacion And certeynly þer nature wil not werche ffare wel phisik go bere þe man to cherche / This al and som þat arcita mot dye ffor which he sendeth after Emelye And Palamon þat was his cousyn deere Than seyde he þus as ȝe schal after heere ¶ Nat may þe woful spirit in myn herte Declare a poynt of alle my sorwes smerte To you my lady þat I loue moost But I biqueþe þe seruice of my gost To yow abouen euery creature / Syn þat my lijf may no lenger dure Allas þe woo allas þe peynes stronge / That I for ȝou haue suffred and so longe / Allas þe deth allas myn Emelye Allas departyng of oure companye Allas myn hertes queene allas my lyf Myn hertes lady endere of my lif What is þis world what axed men to haue Now with with his loue now in his colde graue Allone wiþouten eny companye ffar-wel my sweete foo myn Emelye And softe take me in ȝoure armes tweye ffor loue of god and herkneþ what I seye ¶ I haue here with my cosyn Palamon Hadde strif and rancour many a day agon ffor loue of yow and for my Ialousye And Iuppiter so wis my soule gye To speken of a seruant propurly With circumstances alle trewely That is to sein trouþe honour and knighthede Wisdom humblesse estat and heigh kynrede ffredom and al þat longeþ to þat art So Iuppiter haue of my soule parte As in þis worlde right now knowe I non So worþi to be loued as Palamon That serueþ yow and wil don all his lijf And if þat euere ȝe schal be a wijf fforyete nat Palamon the gentilman And with þat word his speche faile gan ffor from his feet vnto his brest was come The colde of deþ þat hadde him ouercome / And yet more ouer for in his armes tuo The vital strengþe is lost and all ago Oonly þe intellecte wiþoute more That dwelled in his herte sik and sore / Gan faillen whan þe herte felte deþ Busked his yhen tuo and failed breþ But on his lady ȝet cast he his yhe His laste word was mercy Emelye his spirit changed hous and wente þere As I cam neuer I can nought telle where Therfore I stynte I am no dyuinistre Of soules fynde I nat in þat registre Ne me ne list þilke opinions to telle Of hem þough þat þey writen wher þei duelle Arcite is cold þat mars his soule gye Now wol I speke forth of Emelye Schrighte Emelye and houleþ Palamon And Theseus his suster took anoon Swounyng and bar hire fro þe cors away What helpeþ it to tarien forþ þe day To tellen how sche weepe boþe eue and morwe ffor in such caas wommen haue such sorwe Whan þat here housbondes ben fro hem a-go That for þe more part þei sorwen so Or elles fallen in swich a maladye That atte laste certeinly þey dye Infinite ben þe sorwes and þe teeres Of olde folk And folk of tendre ȝeeres In all þe toun for deþ of þis Teban ffor him þer weepeþ boþe child and man So gret weepynge was þer non certayn Whan Ector was brought al fressh y-slayn To Troye allas the pite þat was þere Cracching of cheekes rendyng eek of here Whi woldestow ben deed þis wommen crye And haddest gold ynough and Emelye No man mighte gladen Theseus Sauyng his olde fader Egeus That knew þis worldes transmutacioun As he hadde seyn it vp and doun Ioye after woo. and woo after gladnesse And scheweth hem ensample and liknesse Right as þer dede neuer man quod he That he ne lyued in erþe in som degree / Right so þer lyuede neuere man he seyde In al þis world þat som tyme he ne deyde This world is not but a þurghfare ful of wo And we ben pilgrimes passyng to and fro Deþ is an ende of euery worldly sore And ouer al þis ȝet seide he mochel more To þis effect ful wisly to enhorte The poeple. þat þei schulde him reconforte Duc Theseus with all his busy cure Cast now wher þat þe Sepulture Of good arcite may best y-maked be And eek most honorable in his degre And at þe last he took conclusion That þer as ferst arcite and Palamon hadde for loue þe bataille hem bitweene That in þe selue groue swete and greene Ther as he hadde his amorous desires his compleynt and for loue his hoote fyres he wolde make a fyr in which þe office ffuneral he mighte hem all complice he leet anon comande to hakke and hewe The ookes olde and leyen hem on a rewe In culpons wel arrayed for to brenne his officers with swifte foot þey renne And Ride anon at his comandement And after þis Theseus haþ y-sent After a beere and it al ouerspradde Wiþ cloþ of gold þe richest þat he hadde And of þe same suyte he cladde arcite vpon his hondes his gloues white Ek on his heed a croune of laurer greene And in his hond a swerd [ful] bright and keene he leyde him bare þe visage on þe beere Ther with he weep that pite was to heere And for þe pepul scholde seen him alle Whan it was day he brought him in to þe halle That roreþ of þe crye and þe soun ¶ Tho com þis woful Theban Palamon With flotery berd and ruggy asschy heeres In cloþes blak y-dropped al with teeres And passyng oþer of weepyng Emelye The reufullest of all þis companye In as moche as þe seruice scholde bee The more noble and riche in his degree Duc Theseus leet for[þ] þre steedes bringe That trapped were in steel al gliterynge And couered with þe armes of daun arcite vpon þese steedes greete and white Ther seten folk of which on bar his scheeld Anoþer his spere vpon his hondes heelde The þridde bar with him his bowe turkeys Of brent gold was þe caas and eek þe harneys And ryden forþ a paas with sorwful cheere Toward þe groue as ȝe schul after heere The noblest of þe Greekes þat þer were vpon here schuldres carieden þe beere With slake paas and eighen reede and wete Þurghout þe Cite by þe maistre streete / That sprad was al with blak and wonder highe Right of þe same is þe same is þe street y-wrye vpon þe right hond went olde Egeus And on þat other syde duk Theseus With vessels in here hand of gold ful fyne As ful of hony melk and blood and wyne Ek Palaman with ful gret companye And after þat com woful Emelye With fire in honde as was þat tyme þe gyse To do þoffice of funeral seruise Heigh labour and ful gret apparaillyng Was atte seruise and þe fir makyng That wiþ his greene top þe heuene raughte And twenty fadme of brede þe armes straughte / This is to sein þe bowes were so brode Of stree first þer was leyd many a loode But how þe fir was maked vp on heighte Ne eek þe names how þe trees highte As Ok. fir. birch. asp. Alder. holm. popeler Willow. Elm. plane. Assh. box. chesteyn lynde laurer. Mapel. þorn. beech. hasill. ew. whipiltre how þey were felde schal not be told for me Ne how þe goddes ronnen vp and doun Disherited of here habitacioun In which þei woneden in reste and pees Nymphes ffawnes and amadries / Ne how þe beestes and þe briddes alle ffledden for feered whan þe woode was falle / Ne how þe ground agast was of þe light That was not wont to see þe sonne bright Ne how þe fyr was couched first with stree / And þanne with drye stockes clouen a þre And þanne with greene woode and spicerie And þanne with cloth of gold and wiþ Perrye And garlandes hangyng with ful many a flour The mirre þencens with al so sweete odour Ne how arcite lay among al þis Ne what richesse aboute his body is Ne how þat Emelye as was þe gyse Putte in þe fyre of funeral seruise / Ne how sche swounede whan maad was þe fire Ne what sche spak ne what was hire desire Ne what Iuwels men in þe fyre cast Whan þat þe fyr was greet and brende fast Ne how som cast hir scheeld and som hire spere And of here vestimentz whiche þat þey were And coppes full of melk and wyn and blood Into þe fyr þat brente as it were wood Ne how þe Grekes with an huge route Thries ryden al þe fir aboute vpon þe left hond with a bowe schotynge And þries with here speres claterynge And þries how þe ladyes gon to crye Ne how þat lad was homward Emelye Ne how arcite is brent to aisshes colde Ne how þat liche-wake was y-holde Al þilke nyght ne how þe greekes play The wake-pleyes ne kepe I nought to say Who wrasteleþ best naked with oyle anoynt Ne who þat bar him best in no disioynt I wol not tellen alle how þey goon hom til athenes whan þe play was don But schortly to þe poynt þan wol I wende And maken of my longe tale an ende ¶ By proces and of lengthe of certeyn ȝeeres Al stynt is þe mournyng and þe teeres Of grekes by on general assent Than semede þer was a parlement At atthenes vpon a certein point and caas Among þe whiche poyntes y-spoken was To haue with certain contrees alliance And haue fully of Thebane obeissance ffor which þis noble Theseus anon leet seende after gentil Palamon vnwist of him what was þe cause and why But in his blake cloþes sorwfully he com at his comandement in hye Tho sente Theseus for Emelye Whan þey were sette and huyst was in þe place / An Theseus abyden haþ a space Or eny word com fro his wise breste his eyȝen sette he þer as was his leste / And with a sad visage he siked stille / And after þat right þus he seyde his wille The ferste maner of þe cause aboue Whan he ferst maade þe faire cheine of loue Gret was þeffect and heigh was his entente Wel wist he why and what þer of he mente ffor with þat faire cheyne of loue he bonde The fyr. þe aier. the water and þe londe In certeyn boundes þat þei may not flee / That same prince and þat same mouer quod he haþ stablissed in þis wrecchede world a-doun Certeine daies and dominacioun To all þat beþ engendred in þis place Ouer þe whiche day þay may not pace Alle mowe þey yet þo dayes abregge Ther needeþ nought non auctorite to legge ffor it is proeued by experience But þat me list to declaren my sentence / Than may men wel by þis ordre discerne That þilke mouere stable is and eterne Wel may men knowe but it be a foole That euery partie darreyned from his hoole ffor nature haþ nat taken his bygynnyng Of no partye nor of cantel of a þing But of a þing þat parfyt is and stable Descendyng so til it be corumpable And þerfore for his wise purueance he haþ so wel byset his ordinance That specie of þinges and progressions Schullen endure by successions And nought eterne wiþouten any lye This maystow vnderstonden and seen at yhe Loo þe Ok þat haþ so long a norshing ffro þe tyme þat it first bygynneþ to spring And hath so long a lijf as ȝe may see Yet atte laste wasted is þe tree / Considereþ eek how þat þe harde ston vnder oure foot on which we trede and goon Yet wasteþ it as it liþ by þe weye The brode ryuer som tyme wexeþ dreye The grete townes see we wane and wende Þan ȝe see þat all þis þing haþ ende Of man and woman se we wel also That needeth in oon of þe termes tuo That is to sein in ȝouþe or elles age He moot be deed þe king as schal þe page Sum in his bedd. som in þe deepe see Som in the large feeld as ȝe may see / Ther helpeþ nought al goþ þat ilke weye Than may I sein that al þis þing moot deye What maketh þis but Iuppiter þe king That is Prince and cause of alle þing Conuertyng alle vnto his propre wille ffrom which it is darreyned soþ to tille And heer agayns no creature on lyue Of no degree auailleþ for to stryue Thanne is it wisdom as it þenkeþ me To make vertue of necessite / And take it wel þat we may not eschewe And nameliche þat to vs alle is dewe . . . . .[No gap: line left out.] And rebell is to him þat all may gye And certeinly a man haþ most honour To deyen in his excellence and flour Whan he is siker of his goode name Than haþ he doon his freendes ne him no schame And gladder oughte his frendes ben of his deþ Whan wiþ honour y-yolden is vp þe breþ Than whan his name apalled is for age ffor al forgeten is his vessellage Than is the beste as for a worþy fame To deyen whan he is best of name The contrarie of alle þis is wilfulnesse Why grucchen we why haue we heuynesse That goode Arcite of Chiuallerie þe flour Departed is wiþ duete and with honour Out of þis foule prison of þis lyf Why gruccheþ heere his cosyn and his wyf Of his welfare þat loueþ him so wel Kan he hem þank nay god woot neuer a deel That boþen his soule and eek him offende / And yet þei mowe her lustes nought amende What may conclude of þis longe serie But after wo I rede vs to be merye And þanken Iupiter of all his grace And er we departen from þis place I rede we make of oure sorwes tuo O parfyt ioye lastyng euer mo And lokeþ now where most sorwe is Inne Ther wol I ferst amenden and bygynne Suster quod he þis is my ful assent Wiþ all þauys heere of my parlement / That gentil Palamon ȝoure oughne knight That serueth ȝou with wille and herte and might / And euer haþ don siþen ye ferst him knewe That ȝe schull of ȝour grace vpon him rewe And taken him for housbond and for lord Lene me your hond for þis is oure acord Lat see now of your wommanly pite he is a kinges broþer sone parde And þough he were a pore Bachiller Syn he haþ serued you so many a yeer And had for ȝou so gret aduersite / It moste ben considered leeueþ me ffor gentil mercy oughte to passen right Than seide he þus to Palamon þe knight I trowe þer needeþ litel sermonyng To make you assented to þis þing Come nere and take ȝoure lady by þe hond Bitwixen hem was maad anon þe bond That highte matrimoigne or mariage By all þe counsail and þe baronage And þus wiþ alle blisse and melodye Haþ Palamon y-wedded Emelye And god þat al þis world haþ wrought Sende him his loue þat haþ it deere bought ffor now is Palamon in alle wele Lyuyng in blisse in richesse and in hele And Emely him loueth so tendrely And he hir serueþ so gentilly That was þer no word hem betweene / Of Ialousie or ony oþer teene Thus endeth Palamon and Emelye / And god saue all þis faire companye ¶ The Millewardes tale/[no gap in the MS.] Whan þat þe knight had þus his tale y-told In all þe companye nas þer ȝong ne old That he ne seyde it / was a noble storye And worþi for to drawen in memorie And nameliche þe gentils euerych oon Oure Oost lough and swor so mot I gon This goþ aright vnbokeled is þe male/ lat se now who schal telle anoþer tale ffor trewely þe game is wel bygonne Now telleþ ȝe sire monk if ȝe kunne Somwhat to quyte with þe knightes tale The meller þat for-drunken was al pale So þat vnneþe vpon his hors he sat he nolde aualen neyþer hood ne hat Ne abide noman for his curtesie/ But in Pilates vois he gan to crye And swor by armes and by blood and bones I can a noble tale for þe nones Wiþ which I wol now quite þe knightes tale Oure oost saugh þat he was drunken of ale And seyde abyde Robyn leeue broþer Som bettre man schal telle vs ferst anoþer Abyd and lat vs werken þriftily By goddes soule quod he þat wol nat I ffor I wol speken or elles go my weye Oure oost answerde /telle on a deuelleweye Thou art a fool þi witte is ouercome Now herkneþ quoþ þe meller alle and some But first I make a protestacioun That I am dronke I knowe it by my soun And þerfore if I speke or mys say Wite ȝe it þe ale of Suthwerk I ȝou pray ffor I wol telle a legende and a lyf Boþe of a Carpenter and of his wijf / how þat a clerk haþ sett þe wrightes cappe The Reeue answerde and seyde stynt þy clappe lat be þi lewed dronken harlotrie It is a synne and eeke gret folye To apeiren eny man or diffame And eek to bringe wyfes in such fame Thou maist ynough of oþer þinges sain This dronken meller spak ful soone agayn And seyde leeue broþer Osewold / Who has no wyf he is no Cokewold But I seye nought þerfore þat þou art oon Ther been ful goode wyfes many on . . . . . . . . . .no gap in the MS. Why art þou angry wiþ my tale now I haue a wif parde as wel as þou Yet nolde I not for þe Oxen in my plough Take vpon me more þan ynough As demen on my self þat I were oon I wil bileeue þat I am noon And housbonde schal not ben Inquysitif Of goddes priuetees ne of his wijf So he may fynde goddes foyson þere/ Of þe remenant needeþ nought to enquere What scholde I more sayn but þis Mellere he nolde his wordes for no man forbere But tolde his cherles tale in his manere Me aþinkeþ þat I schal reherce hem heere And þerfore euery gentil wight I preye Demeþ nought for goddes loue þat I seye Of yuel entent but for þat I moot reherse Here tales alle be þei bettre or worse Or elles falsen som of my matiere And þer-fore who so list it nought to heere Torne ouer þe leef and chees anoþer tale ffor ȝe schulle fynde ynowe grete and smale Of storial þing þat toucheþ gentilesse And eek moralite and holynesse Blameþ not me if þat ȝe cheese amys The meller is a cherl ȝe knowe wel þis So was þe Reeue eek and oþer mo And harlotrie þey tolden boþe tuo Auiseþ ȝou and putteþ me out of blame And eek men schal not make ernest of game[No gap in the MS.] Whilom þer was dwellyng at Oxenfoord A Riche gnoffe þat gestes heeld to boorde And of his crafte he was a Carpunter Wiþ him þer was dwellyng a pouer scoler hadde lerned art but all his fantasye Was torned for to lerne astrologie/ And couþe a certein of conclusions To demen by interrogacions If þat men axed him in certeyn houres Whan men schuld haue drought or elles schoures Or if men axed him what schal bifalle Of euery þing I may nought reknen alle This clerk was cleped heende Nicholas Of derne loue he couþe and of Solas And þer-to he was sleigh and ful priue And like a mayde meeke for to see A chambre hadde he in þat hostellerie Allone wiþouten eny companye fful fetisly dight wiþ herbes soote And he himself as sweete as is þe roote Of licoris or any Settewale his almagist and bokes grete and smale his astrelabre longyng for his art his augrym stones' layen faire a part On schelfes couched at his beddes heede His presse y-couered with a faldyng reed And al aboute þer lay a gay sautrie On which he made a night melodye So swetly þat alle þe chambre ronge And angelus ad virginem he songe And after þat he song þe kinges note fful ofte blessed was his merie þrote And þus þe sweete clerk his tyme spente After his freendes fyndyng and his rente This Carpunter hadde wedded a newe wyf Which þat he louede more þan his lyf Of xviij. ȝeer sche was of age Ialous he was and heeld hir narwe in cage ffor sche was wylde and ȝong and he was old And demed him self ben lik a Cokewold he knew not Caton for his witte was rude That bad men wedde his similitude Men scholde wedde after here astat ffor youþe and eelde is often in debat But siþen þat he was fallen in the snare He most endure as oþer folk his care ffair was þis ȝonge wijf and þer wiþ al As eny wesele hire body gent and smal A ceynt sche wered barred al of self A barmcloþ as whit as morne melk Vpon hire lendes ful of many a goore Whit was hir smok and brouded al bifore And eek byhynde on hire coler aboute Of kolblak silk wiþinne and eek wiþoute The tapes of hir white voluper Were of þe same suyte of hire coler hire filet brood of silk and sitt ful hye and sikerly sche hadde a likerous yhe fful smal y-pulled were hire browes tuo And þo were bent and blak as any slo Sche was ful more blisful for to see/ Than is þe newe perionette tree And softer þan þe wolle is of a weþer And by hir gerdul hinge a purs of leþer Tassed wiþ selk and perled wiþ latoun In al þis world to seeken vp and doun Ther is no man so wys þat couþe þenche So gay a popelote or swich a wenche/ fful brighter was þe schynyng of hir hewe Than in þe tour þe noble y-forged newe But of hir song it was so lowd and ȝerne As any swalwe chitering on a berne/ Ther-to sche couþe skippe and make a game As ony kyde or calf folwyng his dame hir mouþ was sweete as braket or þe meth Or hoord of appeles layd in hay or heth Wynsyng sche was as is a Ioly colt long as a mast and vpright as a bolt A broche sche bar on hir loue coler As brood as is þe boos of a bocler hire schos were laced on hire legges hye Sche was a primerole a pygges nye ffor eny lord to liggen in his bedde/ Or ȝet for eny good yeman to wedde ¶ Now sire and eft sire so bifel þe caas That on a day þis heende Nicholas ffil wiþ þis ȝonge wijf to rage and playe Whil þat hir housbonde was at Osenaye As clerkes ben ful subtil and ful queinte And priuely he caught hir by þe queynte And seyde I wis but if ich haue my wille ffor derne loue of þe lemman I spille/ And held hir harde by þe haunche bones And seyde lemman loue me wel al at ones Or I wol deyen al so god me saue And sche sprong as a cold doþ in þe traue And with hir hed sche wried faste awey Sche seide I wil nat kisse þe by my fey Whi labbe quod ich labbe Nicholas Or I wol crie out harrow and allas Do wey ȝoure hondes for ȝoure curtesye This Nicholas gan mercy for to crie And spak so faire and profred him so fast That sche hir loue graunted him atte last And swor hir oþ by sent Thomas of kent That sche wolde ben at his comaundement Whan þat sche may hir leysir wel aspye Myn housbonde is so ful of Ialousye That but I wayte wel and be priue I woot right wel I nam but deed quoþ sche Ye moote ben ful derne as in þis caas Nay þer-of kare ȝe nought quod Nicholas A clerk hadde litherly biset his while But if he couþe a carpunter begile And þus þey ben acorded and y-sworn To wayte a tyme as I haue told biforn Whan Nicholas hadde þis euerydel And thakked hire aboute þe lendes wel he kist hir sweete and takþ his Sauterie And playeþ faste and makeþ melodye Than fil it þus þat to þe parissche cherche/ Cristes owne werkes for to werche This goode wijf wente on an haly day hir forhed schon as bright as any day So was it waissche whan sche leet hir werk Now was þer of þat chirche a parissche clerk The which þat was y-cleped absolon Crul was his heer and as þe gold it schon And strouted as a fanne large and brode fful streyte and euene lay his Ioly schode his rode was reed his eyhen gray as goos Wiþ poules wyndow coruen in his schoos In hoses rede he wente fetisly I-clad he was ful smal and propurly Al in a kertell al of light waget fful faire an þikke ben þe poyntz y-sett And þer vpon he hadde a gay surplys As whit as is þe blosme on þe Rys A merie child he was so god me saue Wel couþe he laten blood or clippe or schaue And make a charter of lond or an aquitance In twenty maner couþe he trippe and daunce After þe scole of Oxenforde þo And wiþ his legges casten to and fro And playen songes on a smal rubible Ther-to he song som tyme a lowde quynyble/ And as wel couþe he pleye on a giterne In all þe toun nas brewhous ne tauerne That he ne visited wiþ his solas Ther any gaillard tappestere was But soth to sein he was somdel squaymous Of fartyng and of speche daungerous ¶ This absolon þat Ioly was and gay Goþ with a censer on þe haly day Sensyng þe wyfes of þe parische fast And many a louely look on hem he cast And namely on þis carpunteres wyf To loke on hire him þought a mery lijf Sche was so proper and swete and swete and licorous I dar wel sein if sche hadde ben a mous And he a catte he wolde hire hente anoon This parissche clerk þis ioly absolon haþ in his herte such a loue longynge That of no wijf took he non offrynge ffor curtesie he seide he wolde non The moone whan it was night ful brighte schon And Absolon his giterne haþ I-take ffor paramoure he þoughte for to wake And forþ he goþ iolyf and amorous Til he com to þe carpunteres hous A litel after cokkes had y-crowe And dressed him vp by a schot wyndowe Thas was vpon þe carpenteres walle he syngeþ in his voys gentil and smalle Now dere lady if þi willes be I prey yow þat ȝe wil Rewe on me ffol wel acordant to his giternyng This Carpenter awok and herde him syng And spak vnto his wijf and seyde anoon What Alison heris þou not absolon That chaunteþ þus vnder oure boures walle And sche answerde hir housbonde þer wiþ alle Yis god woot Iohan I here it euery del This passeþ forþ what wile ȝe bet þan wel ffro day to day þis ioly Absolon So woweþ hire þat him is woo bigon he wakeþ al þe night and al þe day he kembede his lokkes brode and made hem gay he woweþ hire by menes and brocage/ And swore he wolde ben hir oughne page/ he syngeþ brokking as a nightyngale he sente hire pyment meth and spiced ale/ And wafres pypyng hoot out of þe gleede And for sche was of town he profred meede ffor somme folk wol be wonnen for richesse And somme for strokes and somme for gentilnesse Som tyme to schewe his lightnesse and maystrie he pleieth heraudes vpon a scaffold hye But what auayleþ him as in þis caas Sche loueþ so þis heende Nicholas That Absolon may blowe þe buckes horn he ne haþ for his labour but a skorn And þus sche makeþ absolon here ape And all his Ernest turneþ till a Iape ffor soþ is þis prouerbe it is no lye Men sein right þus alwey þey neighe slye makeþ þe ferre leef to be loth ffor þough þat absolon be wood or wroþ By cause þat he fer was from hire sight þis neigh Nicholas stood in his light ¶ Now bere ye wel heende Nicholas ffor absolon may waille and synge allas And so bifell it on a Saturday This Carpunter was gon to Osenay And heende Nicholas and alison Acorded be to þis Conclusion That Nicholas schal schapen hem a wile This seely Ialous housbonde to by-gyle And if so be þe game wente aright Sche scholde slepen in his arm al nyght ffor þis was his desyr and hire also And right anon wiþouten wordes mo This Nicholas no lenger wolde tarie But doþ ful softe vnto his chambre carie Boþe mete and drynke for a day or tweye And to hire housbonde bad hir for to seye If þat he axed after Nicholas Sche scholde say sche nyste wher he was Of al þat day sche seigh him nought wiþ eye Sche trowed þat he was in maladye ffor for no cry hir mayde couþe him calle he nolde answere for noþing þat mighte falle This passeþ forþ al þilke Saturday That Nicholas stille in his Chambre lay And eet or sleep or dede what him liste Til Sonday þat þe sonne goþ to reste This sely carpunter haþ gret meruayle Of Nicholas or what þing might him ayle And sayde I am adrad by seint Thomas It stondeth nat aright with Nicholas God schilde þat he deide sodeinly This world is now ful tykell sikerly I seigh to day a cors y-born to cherche That now a monday last I saugh him werche Go vp quod he vnto his knaue anon Clepe at his dore or knocke with a stoon loke how it is and telle me boldely This knaue goþ him vp ful sturdily And at þe chambre dore whil þat he stood he criede and knokkede as þat he were wood What how what do ȝe mayster Nicholay how may ȝe sleepen al þe longe day But al for nought he herde nought a word An hole he fond ful lough vpon a bord Ther as þe catte was wont in for to creepe And at þat hole he loked in ful deepe/ And atte last he hadde of him a sight This nicholas sat euer capyng vpright As he hadde keked on þe newe moone And doun he goþ and tolde his mayster soone In what array he saugh þis ilke man This Carpunter to blessen him bigan And seyde help vs seinte ffredeswide A man woot litel what him schal betyde/ This man is falle with his astronomie In som woodnesse or in som agonye I þought ay wel how þat it scholde be Men scholde not knowe of goddes priuite Ȝe blessed be alwey a lewed man That nought but oonly his bileeue can So ferd anoþer clerk with astronomie he walked in þe feeldes for to prie vppon þe sterres what þer schulde bifalle Til he was in a Marle pit y-falle he saugh nought þat but ȝit by seint Thomas Me reweth sore of heende Nicholas he schal be rated of his studyyng If þat I may by Ihesu[MS. Ihe] heuene king Gete me a staf þat I may vnderspore Whil þat þou Robyn heuest vp þe dore he schal out of his studying as I gesse And to þe chambre dore he gan him dresse his knaue was a strong carl for þe nones And by þe hasp he heef it / of at oones In to þe floor þe dore fill anon This Nicholas sat ay as stille as stoon And euere capede vpward in to the ayre This Carpunter wende he were in despaire And hent him by þe schuldres mightyly And schook him harde and cryed spitously What Nicholas what how looke a doun Awake and þenk on cristes passioun I crouche þe from Elues and fro wightes Ther-wiþ þe night spell seyde he anon rightes Of foure halues of þe hous aboute And on þe þresschefold on þe dore wiþoute Ihesu crist and seynt Benedight Blesse þis hous from euery wikkede wight ffor þe nightes verye þe white Pate noster Where wentestow þou seinte peteris suster And atte laste þis heende Nicholas Gan for to sike sore and seyde allas Schal al þe werld be lost eft sones now This Carpenter answerde what seist þou What þink on god as we doon men þat swynke This nicholas answerde feche me drynke And after wol I speke in priuitee Of certein þing þat toucheþ þe and me I wil telle it non oþer man certeyn This Carpenter goþ doun and comeþ agein And brought of mighty ale a large quart And whan þat ech of hem hadde dronken his part This Nicholas his dore faste schette And doun þe Carpunter by him he sette And seyde Iohn myn hooste leef and deere Thou schalt vpon my trouþe swere me heere That to no wight þou schalt þis counseil wreye ffor it is cristes counseill þat I seie/ And if þou telle it man þou art forlore/ ffor þis vengance þou schalt haue þerfore That if þou wreie me þou schalt be wood ¶ Nay crist forbede it for his holy blood Quod þo þis sely man I nam no labbe Ne þough I seie I nam not leef to gabbe Sey what þou wolt I schal it neuer telle To child ne wijf by him þat hariede helle/ Now Iohan quod Nicholas I wil nouȝt lye I haue I-founde in myn astrologie/ As I haue loked in þe moone bright That now a monday next at quarter night Schal falle a Rayn and þat so wilde and wood That half so gret was neuer Nowels flood This world he seide in lasse þan in an hour Schal al be dreynt so hidous is þe schour Thus schal mankynde drenche and leese here lif This Carpunter answerde allas my wijf And schal sche drenche allas myn alisoun ffor sorwe of þis he fell almost a doun And seyde is þer no remedye in þis caas Whi ȝis for gode quod heende Nicholas If þou wolt worchen after lore and red Thou mayst noȝt werken after þin oughne heed ffor þus seiþ Salamon þat was ful trewe Work all by counseill and þou schalt nought rewe And if þou worken wolt by good counseille I vndertake wiþoute mast or seile Yet schal I saue hire and þe and me/ hast þou nought herde how saued was Noe Whan þat owre lord haþ warned him biforn That all þe world with water schulde be lorn Ȝis quod þis Carponter ful ȝore ago hastow not herd quod Nicholas also The sorwe of Noe wiþ his felaschipe Or þat he mighte gete his wif to schipe him hadde leuer I dar wel vndertake At þilke tyme þan all his weþeres blake That sche hadde a schip hir self allon And þer-fore wost þou what is best to doon This axeþ haste and of an hastyf þing Men may nought preche or make tarying Anon go gete vs faste in to þis Inne A knedyng trough or elles a kemelynne ffor ech of vs but look þat þey ben large In which men mowe swymme as in a barge And han þer vitailles suffisaunt But for a day fy on þe remenaunt The water schal aslake and gon a way Aboute prime vpon þe nexte day But Robyn may not wite of þis þi knaue/ Ne eek þy mayde gylle I may nought saue/ Axe nought why for þough þou axe me I wol nought tellen goddes priuite Sufficeþ þe but if þi wittes madde To haue as gret a grace as noe hadde Thi wif schal I wel sauen out of doute Go now þi wey and speed þe heer aboute/ But when þou hast for hire and þe and me Y-geten vs þese knedyng tubbes þre Than schalt þou hang hem in þe rof ful hye That noman of oure purueance espye And whan þou þus hast don as I haue seyd And hast oure vitailes faire in hem y-leyde And eek an ax to smyte þe corde a tuo Whan þat þe water comeþ þat we may go And broke an hole an heigh vpon þe gable vnto þe gardeynward ouer þe stable That we may freely passen forþ oure wey Whan þat þe grete schour is gon a wey Thanne schalt þou swymme as mery I vndertake As doþ þe white doke after his drake Than wol I clepe how alison how Ioon Be merie for þe flood wol passe anon And þou wolt sein haill maister Nicholay Goode morwen I see þe wel for it is day And þanne schal we be lordes all oure lif Of alle þe world as Noe and his wijf But þat of oo þing I warne þe ful right Be wel auysed on þat ilke night That we ben entred in to þe schippes boord That noon of vs ne speke nought a word Ne clepe ne crye but been in his preyere ffor it is goddes oughne heeste deere Thy wijf and þou mot hange fer atwynne ffor þat betwixe ȝou schal be no synne No more in lokyng þan þer schal in dede This ordinance is seid go god þe speede To morwe at night whan men ben all on sleepe In to our knedyn tubbes wil we creepe And sitten þer abidyng goddes grace Go now þy wey I haue no lenger space To make of þis no lenger sermonyng Men sein þus sende þe wise and sey no þing þou art so wys it needeþ þe nought to teche Go saue oure lijf and þat I þe beseche ¶ This seely Carpunter goþ forþ his wey fful ofte he seyde allas and weylawey And to his wijf he tolde his priuitee And sche was warr and knew it bet þan he What al þis queynte cast was for to seye But naþeles sche ferde as sche wolde deye And seyde allas go forþ þi weie anon help vs to scape or we ben deede echon I am þi trewe verray wedded wijf Go deere spouse and help to saue oure lijf ¶ lo which a gret þing is affection Men may dye of ymaginacion So deepe may impressions be take This seely Carponter bygynneþ quake him þenketh verraily þat he may se Noe flood come walkyng as þe see To drenchen alison his hony deere he weepeþ wailleþ maketh sory cheere/ he sykeþ wiþ ful many a sory swogh And goþ and geteþ him a knedyng trough And after a tubbe and a kemelyn And priuily he sent hem to his In And hyng hem in þe roof in priuite his oughne hond he made eek leddres þre To clymben by þe ronges and þe stalkes vnto þe tubbes hangyng in þe balkes And hem vitailled boþe trough and tubbe Wiþ bred and cheese and good ale in a Iubbe/ Suffisyng right ynough as for a day But ar þat he hadde maad al þis array he sent his knaue and eek his wenche also vpon his neede to london for to go And on þe monday whan it drough to night he schette his dore wiþoute candel light And dressed all þing as it scholde be/ And schortly clomben vp all þre/ Thei setten stille wel a forlong way Now pater noster clum seide Nicholay And Clum quod Iohn and Clum seide alison This Carpunter seide his deuocion And stille he sitte and biddeþ his prayere Awaityng on the rayn if he it heere The deth sleepe for wery bysynesse ffil on þis Carpunter right as I gesse Aboute corfew tyme or litel more ffor trauaille of his gost he groneþ sore And eft he routeþ for his heed myslay Doun of þe laddre stalkeþ Nicholay And alison ful softe a doun sche spedde Wiþouten wordes mo þey gon to bedde Ther as þe carpunter is wont to lye Ther was þe reuel and þe melodye/ And þus lith alison and Nicholas In busynesse of merþe and of solas Til þat þe belle of laudes gan to rynge And the freres in þe chauncell gonne synge/ This parische clerk þis amorous absolon That is for loue alwey so wo bigon vpon þe monday was at Osenay With compaignie him to desport and play And axed vpon caas a cloisterer fful priuily after Iohn þe Carpunter And he drough him a part out of þe chirche And seyde I not I saugh him heere nought werche Siþþe Saturday I trowe þat he be went ffor tymber þere oure abbot haþ him sent ffor he is wont for tymber for to go And dwelle atte graunge a day or tuo Or elles he is at his hous certeyn Wher þat he be I can nought soþly sein This absolon ful ioly was and light And þoughte now is tyme to wake al nyght ffor sikerly I saugh him nought styryng Aboute his dore syn day bigan to spring So mote I þriue I schal at cokkes crowe fful priuily knokken as his wyndowe That stant ful lowe vpon his boures walle To alison now wol I tellen alle My loue longyng for ȝit I schal not misse That atte laste wey I schal hir kisse Som maner comfort schal I haue par fay My mouþ haþ icched al þis longe day That is a signe of kissyng atte leste Al night me mette eek I was at a feeste Therfore I wol go sleepe an our or tweye And al þe night þan wol I wol I wake and pleye Whan þat þe ferste cok haþ crowe anon vp rist þis Ioly louer absolon And him arrayeþ gay and poynt/ deuyse But ferst he cheweþ grayn and likorise To smellen swoote or he hadde kempt his here vnder his tonge a trewe loue he beere/ ffor þer-by wende he to be gracious he rowmeth to þe carpenteres hous And stille he stant vnder þe schot wyndowe vnto his brest it raught it was so lowe/ And softe he coughed wiþ a semy soun What do ȝe hony combe swete alisoun My faire brid my sweete synamome/ Awaketh lemman myn and spekeþ to me We[l] litel þenken ȝe vpon my woo That for ȝoure loue I swete as I go No wonder is þough þat I swelte and swete I morne as doþ þe lambe after þe teete I-wys lemman I haue such loue longyng That lik a turtel trewe is my moornyng I may not ete namore þan a mayde/ Go fro þe wyndow Iakke fool sche sayde As help me god it wil not be com pame/ I loue anoþer and elles I were to blame/ Wel bette þan þe by Ihesu absolon Go forþ þi wey or I wil caste a stoon And lete me slepe a twenty deuel way Allas quod absolon and weyloway That trewe loue was euer so yuel besette/ Than kisse me syn it may be no bette/ ffor ihesus loue and for þe loue of me Wolt þou þan go þi way þer-with quod sche Ye certes lemman quod þis absolon Than make þe redy quod sche I come anon . . . . . . . . . .no gap in the MS. This absolon doun sette him on his knees And saide I am a lord at alle degrees ffor after þis I hope þer comeþ more lemman þi grace and sweete brid þin ore The wyndow sche vndoþ and þat in hast/ haue do quod sche com of and speed þe faste lest þat our neighebore þe espie This absolon gan wipe his mouþ ful drye Derk was þe night as piche or as þe cole And at the wyndow out sche putte hire hole And absolon him fil no bet ne wers But wiþ his mouþ he kiste hire naked ers/ fful sauorly er he were war of þis/ A bak he stert and þought it was amys/ ffor wel he wiste a womman haþ no berd he felt a þing al rough and longe y-hered And sayde fy allas what haue I do Tehe quod sche and clapt þe wyndow to And absolon goþ forþ a sory pas A berde a berd seide heende Nicholas By goddes corpus þis goth faire and wel This sely absolon herde it euery del And on his lippe he gan for anger byte And to himself he seyde I schal þe quyte Who rubbeþ now who froteþ now his lippes With dust with sond wiþ straw with cloþ wiþ chippes But absolon þat seith ful ofte allas/ My soule bitake I to Saternas/ But me were leuere þan al þis toun quod he/ Of þis despite awroken for to be Allas quoþ he allas I ne hadde y-bleynt his hote loue is cold and al yqueynt ffor fro þat tyme þat he hadde kest hire ers Of paramours he sette not a kers/ ffor he was heled of his maladie/ fful ofte paramoures he gan diffie And weepe as doþ a child þat is y-bete/ A softe paas he wente ouer þe strete/ vntil a Smyth men clepen daun Geruays That in his forge smythieþ plough harnays he scharpeþ scharre and Culter bisyly. This absolon knokkeþ al Esely And sayde vnto Geruays and þat anon What who art þou it am I absolon What absolon for cristes swete tree Why ryse so raþe benedicite What eyleþ ȝou som gay gerl god it woot haþ brought ȝou þus vpon þe viritoot By seinte note ȝe wot wel what I me[ne] This absolon ne roughte nat a bene Of all his pley no word a-gayn he gaf he hadde more tow on his distaf Than Geruays knew and sayde frend so deere The hoote Culter in þe Chemenye heere As lene it me I haue þer-wiþ to done/ I wol bringe it agayn ful soone Geruais answerde certes were it gold Or in a poke nobles all vntold Thou scholdest haue as I am trewe smith Ey cristes foo what wol ȝe don þer-with Ther-of quod absolon be as be may I schal wel telle it þe to morwe day And caughte þe culter by þe colde stele fful softe out aþ þe dore he gan to stele And went vnto þe Carpenteres wal he koughede ferst and knokkede þer wiþ al vpon þe wyndow right as he dede ere/ This alison answerde who is þere That knokkeþ as I warant it a þeef Why nay quod he god woot my sweete leef I am þin absolon þi dereling Of gold quod he I haue þe brought a ryng My moder yaf it me so god me saue/ fful fyn it is and þer-to wel y-graue This wol I yiuen þe if þou me kisse This Nicholas was risen for to pisse/ And þought he wolde amenden al þe Iape/ he schulde kisse his ers or þat he scape And vp þe wyndow dide he hastily And out his ers he putte priuily Ouer þe buttok to þe haunche bon And þer-wiþ spak þis clerk þis absolon Spek swete brid I not wher þou art This Nicholas anon leet flee a fart As gret as it hadde ben a þonder dent That wiþ þe strook he was almost y-blent And he was redy wiþ his Iren hoot And Nicholas in þe ers he smoot Of goþ þe skyn an hande brood aboute/ The hoote culter brenned so his toute/ And for þe smerte he wende for to dye As he were wood for woo he gan to crye/ help water water help for goddes herte This Carpunter out of his slomber sterte And herde on cryen watir as he were wood And þought allas now comeþ Noweles flood And sette him vppe wiþoute wordes mo And wiþ an ax he smot þe corde a tuo And doun goþ al he fond neyþer to selle/ No breed nor ale til he com to þe selle/ vpon þe floor and þer a swowen he lay vp sterte hire alison and Nicholay and cried out and harrow in þe strete The neigheboures boþe smale and grete In ronnen for to gauren on þis man That a swowen lay boþe pale and wan ffor with þat falle he brosten haþ his arm But stonde he moste vnto his oughne harm ffor whan he spak he was anon bore doun With heende Nicholas and alisoun They tolden euery man þat he was wood he was a-gast so of þe Nowels flood Thurgh fantasie þat of his vanite he hadde y-bought him knedyng tubbes þre And hadde hem hanged in þe roof aboue And þat he preyed him for goddes loue To sitten in þe roof par companye The folk gan laughen at his fantasie And to þe roof þay loken and þei cape And torned all his harm vnto a Iape ffor what so þis Carpenter answerde It was for nought no men his reson herde With oþes grete he was so sworn a doun That he was holden wood in all þat toun ffor euery clerk anon right heeld with oþer They seyde þe man is wood my leeue broþer And euery wight gan laughen at his strif Thus swyued was þe Carpunteres wijf ffor all his keepyng and his Ialousye/ And absolon haþ kist hir neþer yhe And Nicholas is scalded in his toute// This tale is don and god saue al þe route¶ Explicit fabula Molendinarij[No gap in the MS.] ¶ Here bygynneþ þe Reeues tale Whan folk han laughen at þis nyce cas Of absolon and heende Nicholas¶ Co. iijo. Diuerse folk diuersely þey seyde But for þe more part þei lough and pleyde Ne at þis tale I saugh noman him greeue But it were oonly Osewold þe Reeue By cause he was of Carpenteres craft A litel Ire is in his herte laft he gan to grucche and blamen it a lite So þe ik quod he ful wel couþe I þe quyte With bleryng of a proud melleres ye If þat me liste to speke of Ribaudie But yk am old me list not pley for age Gras tyme is don my fodder is forage/ This white top writeþ myn olde ȝeres myn herte is also mouled as myn heeres But if I fare as doþ an open ers That ilke fruyt is euer lengere þe wers Til it be roten in mullok or in stree/ We olde men I drede so fare we Til we be roten can we nought be ripe We hoppen alwey whil þe world wil pipe ffor in oure wille þer stikeþ euer a naile To haue an hoor heer and a greene taile As haþ a leek for þough oure might be gon Oure wille desireþ folie euer in oon ffor whan we may nought doon þan wole we speke yet in oure asschen olde is fyr y-reke ffoure gleedes han we whiche I schal deuyse/ Auauntyng lyuyng anger couetyse This foure sparkes longeþ vnto eelde Oure olde lymes now wel ben vnwelde But wil ne schal nat failen þat is soþ And yet haue I alway a Coltes toþ As many a ȝeer as it is passen henne Syn þat my tappe of lif bygan to renne ffor sikerly whan I was born anoon Deþ drough þe tappe of lijf and leet it goon And euer siþen haþ so þe tappe y-ronne Til þat almost al empty is þe tonne The streem of lijf now droppeþ on þe chimbe. The sely tonge may wel rynge and chymbe. Of wrecchedenesse þat passed is ful yore With old folk saue dotage is nomore/ Whan þat oure oost hadde herde þis sermonyng he gan to speken as loodly as a king he seyde what amounteþ all þis witte What schal we speke alday of holy writte The deuel maade a reeue for to preche Or of a Soutere schipman or a leche Sey forþ þi tale and tarie nought þe tyme lo deppeford and it is halfwey prime lo Grenewich þat many a schrewe is Inne It were al tyme þi tale for to begynne Now sires quod þis Osewold þe Reeue I pray you alle þat ye nought ȝou greeue Thou I answere and somdel sette his houve ffor leueful it is with force force of schouve This dronken mellere haþ y-told vs heere how þat bygyled was a Carpuntere/ Perauenture in scorn for I am oon And by youre leeue I schal him quyte anoon Right in his cherles termes wil I speke/ I preye to god his nekke mote tobreke he can wel in myn ȝe sen a stalke But in his owne he can nought seen a balke/¶ ffabula[No gap in the MS.] AT Trumpyngton nought fer fro Cantabregge Ther goþ a brook and ouer þat a bregge vppon þe whiche brook þer stant a Melle And þis is verray soþ þat I ȝou telle A meller was þer duellyng many a day As any pecok he was proud and gay Pype he couþe and fissche and nettes beete And torne coppes and wel wrastle and scheete/ Ay by his belt he bar a long Panade And of a swerd ful trenchant was þe blade/ A Ioly popper bar he in his pouche Ther was noman for peril durste him touche/ A scheffeld thwitel bar he in his hose Round was his face and Camuse was his nose/ As pyled as an ape was his sculle he was a market betere atte fulle Ther was no wight þat dorst hand on him legge But if he swor he scholde anon abegge A þeef he was forsoþe of corn and mele And þat a sleigh and vsaunt for to stele his name was hoote deynous Symkyn A wijf he hadde come of noble kyn The parsoun of þe toun hir fader was/ With hire he yaf ful many a panne of bras ffor þat Symkyn scholde in his blood allye Sche was y-fostred in a Nonnerie/ ffor symkyn wolde no wyf as he sayde But sche were wel ynorissched and a mayde/ To sauen his estate of yomanrie/ And sche was proud and pert as is a pye A ful fair sight was it vppon hem tuo On halidayes biforn hire wolde he go Wiþ his typet wounden aboute his heede/ And sche cam after in a gyte of reede/ And Symkyn hadde hosen of þe same Ther dorste no wight clepen hire but dame Was non so hardy þat wente by þe way That wiþ hire dorste or ones rage or play But if he wolde be slain of Symkyn With panade or with knyf or boydekyn ffor Ielous folk ben perilous eueremo Algate þei wolde here wyues wenden so And eek for sche was somdel smoterlich Sche was as digne as water in a dich As ful of hoker and of bisemare hire þoughte þat a lady schulde hir spare What for hire kynrede and hire nortelrie That sche hadde lerned in þe nonnerie A doughter hadde þe betwixe hem tuo Of twenty ȝer wiþouten eny moo Sauyng a childe þat was of half ȝeer age In cradel it lay it was a proper page/ This wenche þikke and wel ygrowen was Wiþ Camoys nose and eyen grey as glas Wiþ buttokes brode and brestes rounde and hye But right fair was hire heer I wol nought lye ¶ The parson of þe toun for sche was fair In purpos was to maken hire his hair Boþe of his catel and his mesuage And strange he made it/ of hire mariage his purpos was for to bistowe hire hye In to som worþi blood of auncetrie/ ffor holy chirches good moot ben dispended On holy cherche blood þat is descended Therfore he wolde his holy blood honoure/ þough þat þe holy chirche scholde deuoure Gret soken haþ þis meller out of doute Wiþ whete and malt of all þe land aboute/ And nameliche þer was a gret collegge Men clepeþ þe Soler halle of Cantabregge Þere was here whete and eek here malt y-grounde And on a day it happeþ in a stounde Syk lay þe manciple on a maladie/ Men wenden wisly þat he schulde dye ffor which þis mellere stal boþe mele and corn An hundred tyme more þanne biforn ffor þer biforn he stal but curteysly But now he was a theef outrageously ffor which þe wardein chidde and made fare/ But þer-of sette þe meller nought a tare/ he crakede bost and swor it was nought so/ Thanne were þere ȝonge scoleres tuo That dwelten in þe halle of which I seye Testyf þey were and lusty for to pleye And oonly for here mirthe and reuerye vpon þe wardein bisily þei crye To ȝif hem leue but a litel stounde To go to melle and seen here corn y-grounde And hardily þei dorste leye here nekke The mellere schulde nat stele hem half a pekke/ Of corn ne by sleight ne by force hem Reue And atte laste þe wardeyn yaf hem leue Iohn hight þat oon and alayn hight þat oþer Of oo toun were þei born þat highte strother ffer in the North I can not telle where This alayn makeþ redy all his gere And on an hors þe sak he cast anon fforþ goþ alayn þe clerk and also Iohn Wiþ good swerd and wiþ bokeler by his syde Iohn knew þe wey him needede no guyde/ And atte melle þe sak a doun he layth Alain spak first . alhail Symon in faiþ how fares þi faire doughter and þi wyf Alayn welcome quod Symkyn by my lyf And Iohn also how now what do ȝe heere By god quod Iohn Symond neede haþ no peere him bihoues serue himself þat has na swayn Or elles he is a folt as clerkes sayn Oure manciple I hope he wil be deed Swa werkes him ay þe wanges in his heed And þerfore is I come and eek alayn To grynde oure corn and carie it ham agayn I pray you speedes vs heithen þat ȝe may It schal be don quod Symkyn by my fay What wil ȝe doon whil þat it is in hande By god right by þe hoper wil I stande Quoþ Iohan and se how gates þe corn gas Inne Ȝit saugh I neuer by my fader kynne how þat þe hoper wagged til and fra Alayn answerde Iohn and wiltow swa Than wil I be byneþe by my croune And se how gates þe mele falles a doune In-til þe trough þat sal be my disporte Quod Iohn in faath I may ben of ȝour sorte I is as ille a melle as ere ȝe This mellere smylede at here nycete And þought al þis nys don but for a wile They wene þat no man hem may begyle But by my þrift yit schal I blere here ye ffor al þe sleight in here philosophie The more queinte crekes þat þay make/ The more wol I stele whan I take In stede of flour ȝit wol I yeue hem brenne/ The grettest clerkes ben nought þe wisest menne As whilom to þe wolf þus spak þe mare Of all here arte counte I nouȝt a tare/ ¶ Out of þe dore he goþ ful priuely Whan þat he saugh his time softely he lokeþ vp and doun til he haþ founde The clerkes hors þer as it stood ybounde Behynde þe mille vnder a leuesel And to þe hors he goþ him faire and wel he strepeþ of þe bridel right anoon And whan þe hors was laus he gynneþ goon Toward þe fen þare wilde mares renne/ And forth with wehe þorugh þikke and þorugh þenne This meller goþ agayn no word he sayde But doþ his note and wiþ hise clerkes pleyde Til þat hire corn was faire and wel y-grounde And whan þe mele is sakked and y-bounde This Iohn goþ out and fynt his hors away And gan to crye harrow and weylaway Oure hors is lost Alayn for goddes banes Steppe on þi feet com of man al at anes Allas oure wardein has his palfray lorn This aleyn al forgat boþe mele and corn Al was out of his mynde his housbondrye What whilk wey is he gon he gan to crye The wyf cam leepyng inward at a ren Sche seyde allas ȝour hors goth in þe fen With wilde mares as faste as he may goo Vnthank come on his hand þat bond him so And he þat bettre scholde haue knyt þe reyne Allas quod Iohn Alayn for cristes peyne lay doun þi swerd and I wol myn alswa I is ful swift god wat as is a Ra By goddes harte he sal nouȝt scape vs baþe Why ne had þou put þe caple in þe lathe Ilhaille by godde alayn þou is a fonne Thise sely clerkes han fulfaste y-ronne Toward þe fen boþe alayn and eek Iohn And whan þe Mellere seigh þat þei were gon he half a buisschel of here corn haþ take And bad his wijf go knede it in a cake And seide I trowe þe clerkes weren aferd Yet kan a mellere make a clerkes berd ffor all his art yet lat hem gon here weye Lo where he goþ ye lat þe children pleye They gete him nought so lightly by my croun Thise seely clerkes rennen vp and doun With keep. keep. stand. stand. iossa. warderere / Ga whistel þou and I schal keepe him heere But schortly til it was verray night They couþe nought þough þei dede all here might here capel cacche he ran alwey so faste Til in a diche þei caught him atte laste Wery and wet as beest is in þe rayn Comeþ seely Iohn and with him comþ alayn ¶ Allas quod Iohn þe day þat I was born Now ere we dryuen til hething and til scorn Oure corn is stole men wil vs fooles calle Boþe þe wardein and oure felawes alle And namely þe meller weylawey Thus pleyneþ Iohan as he goþ by þe wey Toward þe melle and bayard in his hond The meller sittyng by þe fyr he fond ffor it was nyght and ferþer might he nought But for þe loue of god þei him bisought Of herberwe and of eese as for here peny The mellere seyde agayn if þer be eny Such as if is ȝit schal ȝe haue ȝoure part Myn hous is streit but ȝe han lerned art Ȝe can by argumentes make a place A myle brood of twenty foote of space lat se now if þis place mow suffise Or make it rowmere with speche as is ȝoure gyse Now Symond seyde þis Iohn by seint Cuthberd As is þou mery and þat is faire answerd I haue herd say men sal take of tua þinges Swilk as he fyndes or take swilk as he brynges/ But specially I pray þe ooste deere Gete vs som mete and drynk and mak vs cheere And we wol payen trewly atte fulle With empty handes men may naan haukes tulle Lo heer oure siluer reedy for til spende This meller to þe toun his doughter sende ffor ale and breed and rosted hem a goos And boond here hors it scholde namore go loos And in his owne chambre he made a bedde With scheetes and wiþ chalons faire y-spredde Nought from his oughne bed ten foote or twelue/ his doughter hadde a bed al by hir selue/ Right in þe same chambre by and by It mighte be no bette and cause why Ther was no romer herberwe in þe place þey soupen and þey speken hem of solace And drynken euere strong ale atte beste A-boute mydnyght wente þei to reste Wel haþ þe mellere vernysshed his heed fful pale he was for-drunken and nouȝt reed he yexeth and he spekeþ þurgh þe nose/ As he were on þe quakke or on þe pose/ To bedde he goþ and with him goþ his wijf As eny Iay he light was and Iolif So was hire Ioly whistel wel y-wette The cradell at hire beddes feet is sette/ To rokken and yeue þe childe to souke And whan þat dronken was al in þe crouke To bedde wente þe doughter right anoon To bedde goþ Alayn and also Iohn Ther was nomore þem needede no dwale This meller haþ so wisely bibbed ale That as an hors he snorteþ in his slepe Ne of his tayl behynde he took no keepe his wijf bar him a burdon a ful strong Men mighten heere here routyng a furlong The wenche routeþ eek par compaignie Alayn þe clerk þat herde þis melodye he pokede Iohn and seyde sleepist þou herdestow euer slik a sang ar now lo swilk a couplyng is bitwixe hem alle A wilde fyr on þair bodies falle ho herkned euer slik a ferly þing Ye þai sall haue þe flour of yll endyng This lange night þer tydes me na reste/ But ȝit na force al schal be for þe beste ffor Iohn seide als euer mote I þriue If þat I may yon wenche wol I swyue Som esement haþ lawe schapen vs ffor Iohn þer is a lawe þat seith þus That if a man in a poynt be agreeued That in anoþer he schal be releeued Oure corn is stolen soþly it is no nay And we han had an ylle fitte to day And syn I schal haue noon amendement Agayn my losse I wol haue esement By goddes sale it sal nan oþir be This Iohn answerde Alayn so mot I þe The meller is a perilous man he sayde And if þat he out of his slape abrayde he mighte don vs boþe a vilanye Alayn answerde I counte him nought a flye And vp he rist and by þe wenche he crepte This wenche lay vpright and faste slepte Til he so neigh was or sche mighte spye That it hadde been to late for to crye And schortly for to seyn þey were at oon Now play alayn for I wol speke of Ioon This Iohn liþ stille a forlong wey or tuo And to himself he makeþ rouþe and wo Allas quod he þis is a wikke Iape Now may I sayn þat I is but an ape Ȝet haþ my felaw somwhat for his harm he has þe myllers doughter in his arm he auntred him and haþ his needes spedde And I lye as a draf sak in my bedde And whan þis Iape is told anoþer day I schal be holde a daffe a Cokenay I wol arise and aunter it by my faith vnhardy is vnseely as men saith And vp he ros and softely he went vnto þe cradill and in his hand it hent And bar it softe vnto his beddes feet Sone after . þe wif hire routyng leet And gan to wake and went hire out to pisse And com agayn and gan hir cradel mysse And groped heer and þer but sche fond noon Allas quod sche I hadde almost mys goon I hadde almost goon to þe clerkes bedde Ey benedicite þan hadde I foule y-spedde And forþ sche goþ til sche þe cradil fond Sche gropeþ alwey forþer with hire hond And fond þe bed and þoughte nought but good By cause þat þe cradel by it stood And nyste wher sche was for it was derk But faire and wel sche crepe in to þe clerk And lith ful stille and wolde haue caught a slepe With-Inne a while þis Iohn þe clerk vp lepe And on þis goode wijf he leiþ on sore So mery a fitte ne hadde sche not ful yore he prikeþ harde and deepe as he were madde This Ioly lyf han þise tuo clerkes ladde Til þat þe þridde cok bygan to synge Aleyn wax wery in þe dawenynge ffor he hadde swonken all þe longe nyght And sayde far wel Malyn sweete wight The day is come I may no lenger byde But euermoo wher so I go or ryde I am þin oughne clerk so haue I hele Now deere lemman quod sche go far wele But or þou go oo þing I wol þe telle Whan þat þou wendest homward by þe melle Right at þe entre of þe dore behynde Thou schalt a cake of half a busshel fynde That was y-maked of þin oughne mele Which þat I hilpe my sire for to stele And goode lemman god þe saue and keepe/ And with þat word almost sche gan to weepe Alayn vprist and þought or þat it dawe/ I wol go creepen in by my felawe/ And fond þe cradel wiþ his hond anon By god þought he al wrang I haue mysgon Myn heed is toty of my swynk/ to nyght That makeþ me þat I go nought aright I wot wel by þe cradel I haue mysgo here lith þe meller and his wijf also And forth he goþ on twenty deuelway vnto þe bed þer as þe meller lay he wende haue cropen by his felawe Iohn And by þe mellere in he creep anoon And caught him by þe necke and softe he spak he seyde þou Iohn þou swyneshed awak ffor cristes sawle and heer a noble game/ ffor by þat lord þat called is saint Iame As I haue þries in þis schorte night Swyued þe mellers doughter bolt vprigh[t] Whil þou hast as a coward ben agast þe false harlot quod þe meller hast A fals traitour false clerk quod he þou schalt be ded by goddes dignite Who durste be so bolde to disparage My doughter þat is comen of such lynage And by þe þrote bolle he caught alayn And he hent him dispitously agayn And on þe nose he smot him with his fiste/ Doun ran þe bloody streen vpon his briste And in þe floor with nose and mouth to-broke þei walwe as doþ tuo pigges in a poke And vp þai gon and doun a-gayn anoon Til þat þe meller spurned at a stoon And doun he fel bakward vpon his wijf That wiste noþing of þis nyce strijf ffor sche was falle a sleepe a litel wight With Iohn þe clerk þat waked hadde al þe night And with þe falle out of hir sleep sche brayde help holy cros of bromeholm sche sayde/ In manus tuas lord to þe I calle Awake Symond þe feend is on me falle Myn herte is broken help I nam but ded Ther liþ on vp my wombe and vp myn heed help Symkyn for þe false clerkes fighte This Iohn starte vp as fast as euer he mighte And grasped by þe walles to and fro To fynde a staf and sche stert vp also And knew þe estris bet þan did þat Iohn And by þe wal a staf sche fond anon And saugh a litel schymeryng of a light/ ffor at an hole in schoon þe moone bright And by þat light sche saugh hem boþe tuo But sikerly sche nyste who was who But as sche saugh a whit þing in hir eye And whan sche gan þis white þing aspye Sche wende þe clerk had wered a voluper And wiþ þe staf sche drough ay ner and ner And wende han hitte þis alayn atte fulle And smot þe meller on þe pilede skulle That doun he goth and cryed harrow I dye This clerkes beet him weel and leet him lye And greyþen hem and tooke here hors anon And eek here mele and on here wey þey goon And atte Mille yet þai toke here cake/ Of half a busschel flour ful wel y-bake Thus is þe proude Meller wel y-bete And haþ y-lost þe gryndyng of þe whete And payed for þe soper euery dele/ Of Alayn and of Iohn þat bette him weel his wyf is swyued and his doughter als/ lo swich it is a mellere to be fals And þerfore þis prouerbe is seyd ful soth him þar nat weene wel þat yuel doþ A gilour schal himself begyled be/ And god þat sitteþ highe in mageste/ Saue all þis companye grete and smale Thus haue I quytte þe meller in my tale[No gap in the MS.] The Cook of london whil þe Reue spak ffor ioye he þoughte he clawed him on þe bak ha ha quod he for cristes passioun This meller haþ a scharp conclusioun vpon his argument of herbergage We[l] seide Salamon in his langage/ Ne bryng nat euery man in to þin hous ffor herberwyng be night is perilous Wel oughte a man auysed for to be Whom þat he broughte in to his priuite I praie to god so yeue me sorwe and care If euere sithen I highte hogge of of ware herde I mellere bettre y-set a werke he hadde a Iape of malice in þe derke/ And þerfore if ȝe vouche sauf to heere/ But god forbede þat we stynte heere A tale of me þat am a pouere man I wol yow telle as wel as euer I can A litel Iape þat fil in oure Citee Oure oost answerde and seide I graunte it þe Now telle on Roger loke þat it be good ffor many a paste hast þou latyn blood And many a Iakke of Douer hast þou sold That haþ ben twyes hoot and twyes cold Of many pilgrym hastow cristes curs ffor of þy persely ȝit þey fare þe wors þat þei haue eten wiþ þe stubbul goos ffor in þy schoppe is many a flye loos Now tel on gentil Roger by þi name But yet I preye þe be not wroþ for game A man may say ful soth in game and play Thou seist ful soþ quod Roger by my fay But soþ play quad play as þe flemyng seith And þerfore herry baillyf by þi feith Be þou nouȝt wroth or we departen heere Though þat my tale be of an Ostelleere But naþeles I wol not tellen it ȝit But or we parte I-wys þou schalt be quyt And þer wiþ al he lough and made cheere/ And saide his tale as ȝe schal after heere[No gap in the MS.] Incipit fabulaCm. iiijm. A Prentys whilom dwelled in oure Citee And of a craft of vitaillers was he Gaillard he was as goldfynch in þe schawe Broun as a berye a propur schort felawe/ Wiþ lokkes blake y-kempt ful fetysly Daunce he couthe so wel and Iolyly That he was cleped Perkyn Reuolour he was as ful of loue paramour As is þe hyue ful of hony sweete Wel was þe wenche with him mighte meete At euery brydale wolde he synge and hoppe he louede bet þe tauerne þan þe schoppe ffor whan þer any rydyng was in chepe Out of þe schoppe þider wolde he leepe Til þat he hadde al þe sight y-seyn And daunced wel wolde he not come ageyn And gadered him a meyne of his sorte To hoppe and synge and maken such desporte And þere þei setten steuene for to mete To pleyen atte dys in such a streete ffor in þe toun nas þer no prentys That fairere couþe caste a paire of dys: Than Perkyn couþe and þer-to he was fre Of his dispense in place of priuite/ That fond his maister wel in his chaffare/ ffor ofte tyme he fond his box ful bare ffor sikerly a prentys Reuelour That haunteþ dys ryot or paramour his maister schal it in his schoppe abeye Al haue he not part of þe menstralcye ffor theft and riot þei ben conuertible Al conne he play on gyterne or Rubible Reuel and trouthe as in a lough degre þey been ful wroþe alday as men may se This Iolif prentys with his maister bood Til he were neigh out of his prentyshood Al were he snybbed boþe erly and late And som tyme lad with Reuel to Newgate But atte last his mayster him biþoughte vpon a day whan he his paper soughte Of a prouerbe þat seiþ þis same word Wel bette is roten appul out of hord þan þat it rotye al þe remenant So fareþ it by þe riotous seruant It is ful lasse harm to late it pace þanne he schende all þe seruantȝ in þe place Therfore his mayster ȝaf him a quitance And bad him go with sorwe and with meschance And þus þis Ioly prentys hadde his leue Now lat him riote al þe night or leue And for þer nys no þeef wiþouten a lowke That helpeþ him to wasten and to sowke/ Of þat he brybe can or borwe may Anon he sente his bedde and his array vnto a Coupere of his owne sorte That louede dys and Reuel and disporte And hadde a wyf þat heeld for contynance/ A schoppe / and swyued for hire sustynance.[No break in the MS.] APPENDIX TO GROUP A. [THE SPURIOUS TALE OF GAMELYN.] Incipit ffabula/ LIthen & lesteneþ and herkeneþ aright And ȝe schulle heeren of a doughty knight Sire Iohn of Boundys was his name he couþe of norture and mochil of game. Thre sones þe knight hadde and with his body he hem wan The eldest was a moche schrewe and sone he bigan his breþeren loued wel here fader and of him were agast The eldest deserueþ his faderes curs & hadde it atte last The goode knight his fader lyued so yore That deþ was comen him to and handlid him ful sore/ The goode knight cared sore sik þer he lay how hise children schulde lyuen after his day he hadde ben wyde wher but non housbond he was Alle þe lond þat he hadde it was verrey purchas ffayn he wolde it were dressed among hem alle That eche of hem hadde his part as it mighte falle Tho sente he in to contre after wise knightes To helpen delen his londes and dressen hem to rightes he sent hem word by lettres þey scholden hyȝe blyue If þey wolde speke wiþ him whil he was on lyue Tho þe knightes herden seek þat he lay hadde þei no reste neiþer night ne day Til þei comen to him þer he lay stille On his deþ bedde to abyde goddes wille Thanne seyd þe goode knight syk þer he lay lordes I ȝou warne for soþe wiþouten nay I may no lengere lyuen heer in þis stounde ffor þorugh goddes wille deth draweþ me to grounde/ Ther nas noon of hem all þat herde him aright That þay hadden reuþe of þat ilke knight And seyde sire for goddes loue dismaye ȝou nought God may don boote of bale þat is now y-wrought Than spak þe goode knight sike þer he lay Boote of bale god may sende I wot it is no nay But I beseke ȝou knightes for þe loue of me Goþ and dresseth my lond among my sones þre And for þe loue of god deleþ hem nat amys And forȝeteþ nought Gamelyn my ȝonge sone þat is Takeþ heede to þat oon as wel as to þat oþer Seelde ȝe see ony heir helpen his broþer Tho leeten þey þe knight lyen þat was not in hele And wenten in to counseill his londes for to dele/ ffor to delen hem all to oon was here þought And for gamelyn was yongest he scholde haue nought Alle þe lond þat þer was þai dalten it it tuo And leeten Gamelyn þe ȝonge wiþoute lond go And ech of hem seyde to oþer ful loude his breþeren mowe ȝiue him lond whan he good coude Whan þei hadde deled þe lond at here wille Thei camen to þe knight þere he lay ful stille And tolden him anon how þei hadden wrought And þe knight þer he lay liked it right nought Than seide þe knight by seint Martyn ffor al þat ȝe haue don ȝit is þe lond myn ffor goddes loue neighebours stondeþ alle stille And I wol dele my lond right after my wille/ Iohn myn eldeste sone schal haue plowes fyue That was my fadres heritage whil he was on lyue And my myddelest sone fyue plowes of londe That I halp for to geten with my right honde And all myn oþer purchas of londes and leedes That I bequeþe Gamelyn and all my goode steedes And I beseke ȝou goode men þat lawe conne of londe ffor Gamelynes loue þat my bequeste stonde Thus dalte þe knight his lond by his day Right on his deþ bedde sik þer he lay And sone afterward he lay stoon stille And deyde whan tyme com as it was cristes wille Anon as he was deed and vnder gras graue Sone þe oldere broþer gylede þe yonge knaue he took in to his hond his lond and his leede And Gamelyn himselue to cloþen and to feede he cloþed him and fedde him yuel and eek wroþe And leet his londes and his houses boþe his parkes and his woodes and dede no þing wel And sethen he it aboughte on his faire fel So longe was Gamelyn in his broþeres halle ffor þe strengeste of good þei douteden him alle Ther was non þer-Inne nowþer ȝong ne olde That wolde wraþþe Gamelyn were he neuer so bolde Gamelyn stood on a day in his broþeres ȝerde/ And bygan with his hond to handlen his berde he þought on his londes þat layen vnsawe And his faire Okes þat doun were drawe his parkes were broken and his deere reued Of all his goode steedes non was him bileued hise houses were vnhiled and ful yuel dight Tho þoughte Gamelyn it wente nought aright Afterward cam his broþer walkynge þare And seyde to Gamely is oure mete yare Tho wraþþed him Gamelyn and swor by goddes book þou schat go bake þi self I wol not be þi cook how broþer Gamelyn / how answerest þou now Thou spake neuer such a word as þou dost now By my faiþ sayde Gamelyn now me þinkeþ neede Of all þe harmes þat I haue I took neuer are heede My parkes ben y-broken and my deer bireued Of myn armure and my steedes nought is me bileued Alle þat my fader me biquaþ al goþ to schame And þer fore haue þou goddes curs broþer by þy name Thanne bispak his broþer þat rape was of rees Stond stille gadelyng and hold right þi pees/ Thou schalt be fayn for to haue þi mete and þi wede What spekest þou Gamelyn of lond oþer of leede Than seyde Gamelyn þe child þat was ying Cristes curs mote he haue þat clepeþ me gadelyng I am no worse gadelyng ne no worse wight But born of a lady and geten of a knight Ne durste he not to Gamelyn neer a foote go But clepede to him his men and seyde to hem þo Goþ and beteþ þis body and reueþ him his wit/ And lat him lere anoþer tyme to answere me bet Than seyde þe child yonge Gamelyn Cristes curs mot þou haue broþer art/ þou myn And if I schal algate be beten anon Cristes curs mote þou haue but þou be þat oon And anon his broþer in þe grete hete Made his men to fette staues Gamelyn to beete Whan þat euerych of hem hadde a staf I-nomen Gamelyn was war þo he seigh hem comen Tho Gamelyn seigh hem comen he loked ouer all And was war of a pestel stood vnder a wall Gamelyn was light and þider gan he lepe And drof alle his broþeres men right soone on an heepe he loked as a leon a layde on good won Tho his broþer seigh þat he bigan to gon he fleigh vp in til a loft and schette þe dore fast Thus Gamelyn wiþ his pestelle made hem agast Somme for gamelynes loue and some for his eye All þei drowen by halues þo he bigan to pleye What now seyde Gamelyn yuel mot þou þee Wil ye bigynne contek and so soone flee Gamelyn sought his broþer whider he was flowe And saugh wher he loked out at a wyndowe Broþer saide Gamelyn come a litel neer And I wil teche þe a play atte Bokeleer his broþer him answerde and sayde be seint Richere Whil þe pestel is in þin hond I wol come no neer Broþer I wel make þy pees I swere by cristes oore/ Cast a-way þe pestel and wraþþe þe nomore I moot neede sayde Gamelyn wraþþe me at oones ffor þou wolde make þi men to breke my boones Ne hadde I had mayn and might in myn armes To haue hem driuen fro me þei wolde haue do me harmes Gamelyn sayd his broþer be þou nought wroþ ffor to see þe haue harm were me right loþ I dide it nought broþer but for a fondyng ffor for to loken or þou were strong and art so ȝing Com a doun þan to me and graunte me my boone Of þing I wol þe asken and we schul saughte soone Doun þan cam his broþer þat fikel was and felle And was swithe sore agast of þe pestelle he seyde broþer Gamelyn aske me þy boone And loke þou me blame but I it graunte soone Thanne seyde Gamelyn broþer y-wys And we schulle ben at on þou most me graunte þis Al þat my fader me biquath whil he was on lyue Thou most do me it haue if we schulle nouȝt stryue That schalt þou haue Gamelyn I swere by cristes oore Al þat þi fader þe byquath þough þou woldest haue more Thi lond þat lieth laye wel it schal be sowe And þine houses reised vp þat ben y-leyd so lowe Thus sayde þe knight to Gamelyn by mouþe And þoughte of falsnesse as he wel couþe The knight þought on treson and Gamelyn on noon And went and kissed his broþer and when þey weren at oon Allas yonge Gamelyn noþing he ne wist Wiþ such fals tresoun his broþer him kist/ liþeneth and lesteneþ and holdeþ youre tonge And ȝe schul heere talkyng of gamelyn þe ȝonge Ther was þer besyden cried a wrastelyng And þer fore þer was vp y-set a Ram and a ryng And Gamelyn was in wille to wende þerto ffor to preuen his might what he couþe doo Broþer seyde Gamelyn by seint Richer Thou most lene me to night a litel courser That is freissch to þe spores on for to ryde I moste on an Erande a litel here besyde/ By god seyde his broþer of steedes in my stalle Go and chese þe þe beste spare non of alle Of steedes or of coursers þat stonden him bysyde And telle me goode broþer whider þou wolt ryde here besyde broþer is cryed a wrastlyng And þerfore schal be sette a Ram and a Ryng Moche worschipe it were broþer to vs alle Might I þe Ram and þe ryng bryngen hom to þis halle A steede þer was sadeled smartly and skeet Gamelyn dide a paire spores fast on his feet he sette his foot in þe styrop þe steede he bistrood And toward þe wrastelyng þe ȝonche child rood Tho Gamelyn þe ȝonge was ryden out atte gate The false knight his broþer loked it after þate And bisoughte ihesu crist þat is heuen king he mighte breke his necke in þat wrastlyng As sone as gamelyn com ther þe place was he lighte doun of his steede and stood on þe gras And þere he herde a ffrankelyn wayloway syng And bigan bitterly his hondes for to wryng Goode man seide Gamelyn whi makest þou þis fare Is þer noman þat may ȝou helpen out of þis care Allas seide þis ffrankleyn þat euer was I bore ffor tweye stalworþe sones I wene þat I haue lore A champion is in þe place þat haþ y-wrought me sorwe ffor he haþ slayn my tuo sones but if god hem borwe I wolde ȝiue ten pound by ihesu crist and more Wiþ þe nones I fand a man to handelen him sore Goode man seide Gamelyn wilt þou wel done hold myn hors whil my man draweþ of my schone And help my man to kepe my cloþes and my steede And I wil in to þe place gon to loke if I may speede By god seide þe ffrankeleyn it schal be doon I wol my self be þy man to drawen of þi schoon And wende þou in to þe place ihesu crist þe speede And drede not of þi cloþes nor of þi goode steede Barfot and vngert Gamelyn in came Alle þat were in þe place heede of him þei name how he dorste auntre him of him to don his might That was so doughty a champioun in wrastelyng and in fight vp sterte þe Champioun rapely anon Toward ȝonge Gamelyn he bigan to goon And seide who is þi fader and who is þi sire/ ffor soþe þou art a gret fool þat þou come hire/ Gamelyn answerde þe Champioun þo/ Thou knewe wel my fader whil he couþe goo Whiles he was on lyue by seint Martyn Sire Iohn of Boundes was his name and I Gamelyn ffelawe seide þe Champioun so mote I þriue I knew wel þi fader whil he was on lyue And þi self Gamelyn I wol þat þou it heere Whil þou were a ȝong boy a moche schrewe þou were/ Than seide Gamelyn and swor by cristes oore Now I am oldere woxe þou schalt fynde me a more By god sayde þe champiōn welcome mote þou be/ Come þou ones in myn hond schalt þou neuer þe It was wel wiþinne þe night and þe moone schon Whan Gamelyn and þe Champiōn togidere gonne gon The champioun caste tornes to Gamelyn þat was preste And Gamelyn stood stille and bad him don his beste Thanne seyde Gamelyn to þe champioun Thou art faste aboute to bringe me doun Now I haue proued many tornes of þine Thou most he seyde prouen on or tuo of myne Gamelyn to þe champiōn yede smertly anoon Of alle þe turnes þat he couþe he schewed him but oon And kast him on þe left syde þat þe ribbes to-brak And þarto his oon arm þat yaf a gret crak þan seyde Gamelyn smertly anoon Schal it be holde for a cast or elles for noon By god seyde þe champioun wheþer þat it be he comeþ oones in þin hond schal he neuer þe Than seyde þe ffrankelein þat hadde his sone þere/ Blessed be þou Gamelyn þat euer þou bore were The ffrankeleyn seide to þe champiōn of him stod him non eye This is ȝonge Gamelyn þat taughte þe þis pleye Aȝein answerde þe Champioun þat liked noþing welle he is oure alþer maister and his pley is right felle/ Siþen I wrastlede ferst it is y-go ful yore But I was neuere my lyf handled so sore Gamelyn stood in þe place alone wiþoute sirk And sayde if þer be moo lat hem come to werke The champion þat payned him to werke so sore It semeth by his continance þat he wol no more Gamelyn in þe place stood stille as a stoon . . . . .no gap in the MS. Ther was non with Gamelyn wolde wrastle more ffor he handled þe Champiōn so wonderliche sore/ Tuo gentil men yemede þe place Come to Gamelyn god ȝiue him goode grace And sayden to him do on þin hosen and þi schoon ffor soþe at þis tyme þis faire is y-done And þanne sayde Gamelyn so moot I wel fare I haue nought ȝit haluendel sold my ware/ Tho sayde þe Champiōn so brouke I my sweere He is a fool þat þer-of byeþ þou sellest it so deere Tho saide þe ffrankeleyn that was in moche care/ ffelawe he sayde whi lakkest þou his ware/ By seint Iame in Galeys þat many man haþ sought yit it is to good chepe þat þou hast y-bought Tho þat wardeynes were of þat wrastlyng Come and broughte Gamelyn þe Ram & þe ryng And sayde haue gamelyn þe Ring and þe Ram ffor þe beste wrastelere þat euer heere cam ¶ Thus wan Gamely þe Ram and þe Ryng And wente with moche Ioye hom in þe mornyng his broþer seigh wher he cam wiþ þe grete route And bad schitte þe gate and holde him wiþoute þe porter of his lord was sore agast And stert anon to þe gate and lokked it fast Now liþeþ and lesteneþ boþe ȝong and olde/ And ȝe schul heere game of Gamelyn þe bolde/ Gamelyn com þer for to haue come In Than was it schett faste wiþ a pyn Thanne seyde Gamelyn porter vndo þe gate/ ffor many a good mannes sone stondeþ þerate Than answerd þe porter and swor by goddes berde Thou ne schalt Gamelyn come in to þis ȝerde Thou lixt sayde Gamelyn so brouke I my chyn he smot þe wiket with his foot and brak away þe pyn The porter seih þo it mighte no bettre be he sette foot on erþe he bigan to flee By my faiþ sayde Gamelyn þat trauaile is lore ffor I am of foote as light as þou þough þou haddest swore Gamelyn ouertok þe porter and his teene wrak And gert him in þe necke þat þe boon tobrak And took him by þat oon arm and þrew him in a welle/ vij. fadmen it was deep as I haue herd telle/ Whan Gamelyn þe yonge þus hadde playd his play Alle þat in yerde weren drewen hem a-way þei dredden him ful sore for wreke þat he wrought And for þe faire companye þat he þider brought Gamelyn ȝede to þe gate and leet [it] vp wyde he leet hem in alle þat gone wolde or ryde And seyde ȝe be welcome wiþouten eny greeue ffor we wiln ben maisteres heere and aske no man leeue yesterday I lefte seyde ȝonge Gamelyn In my broþer seler .v. tonne of wyn I wol not þis companye parten a twynne And ye wol doon after me whil ony sope is þrinne And if my broþer grucche or make foul cheere Oþer for spense of mete and drink þat we spenden heere/ I am oure catour and bere oure alþer purce he schal haue for his grucching seint maries curse My broþer is a negon I swere by cristes oore And we wol spende largely þat he haþ spared yore And who þat makeþ grucching þat we heere dwelle/ he schal to þe porter in to þe drawe welle/ vij. dayes and seue night Gamelyn heeld his feeste/ With mochel solace was þere and no cheste/ In a litel toret his broþer lay steke And seigh hem wasten his good but durst he not speke Erly on a mornyng on þe viije. day The gestes come to Gamelyn and wolde gon here way lordes sayde Gamelyn wil ye so hye All þe wyn is not yet drunken so brouk I myn ye Gamelyn in his herte was wel woo Whanne his gestes toke hire leue from him for to goo he wolde þei hadde dwelled lenger and þai saide nay But bitaughten Gamelyn god and good day Thus maade Gamelyn his feeste and brought it wel to eende And after his gestes tok leue to wende litheþ and lesteneþ and holdeþ ȝoure tonge And ȝe schul heere gamen of Gamelyn þe ȝonge herkeneth lordynges and listeneth aright Whan all gestes were goon how Gamelyn was dight All þe whil þat Gamelyn held his mangerie his broþer þought on him be wreke with his treccherie Tho Gamelynes gestes were riden and y-gon Gamelyn stood anoon allone frend had he noon Tho after ful soone wiþinne a litel stounde Gamelyn was taken and ful harde bounde fforþ com þe false knight out of þe sellere To Gamelyn his broþer he ȝede ful neere And seyde to Gamelyn who made þe so bold ffor to stroyen my stoore of myn houshold Broþer sayde Gamelyn wraþþe þe right nouȝt ffor it is many day go siþþen it was bought ffor broþer þou hast had by seint Richer Of fiftene plowes of lond þis xvj. ȝer And of alle þe beestes þou hast forþ bred That my fader me byquath on his deth bed Of alle þis .xvj. ȝeer I yiue þe þe prow/ ffor þe mete and þe drink þat we haue spended now Thanne seyde þe false knight yuel mote he þee herkne broþer Gamelyn what I wol yiue þee/ ffor of my body broþer geten heer haue I noon I wil make þe myn heir I swere by sein Iohn Par ma fay seyde Gamelyn and it so bee And þou þenke as seist god ȝelde it þe No þing wiste Gamelyn of his broþeres gile Ther-fore he him begiled in a litel while/ Gamelyn seyde he o þing I þe telle Tho þou þrewe my porter in to þe drawe welle I swoor in þat wraþþe and in þat grete moot þat þou scholdest be bounde boþe hand and foot Therfore I þe beseche broþer Gamelyn Lat me nought be forsworne broþer artow myn Lat me bynde þe boþe hand and foote ffor to halde myn avow as I þe bihoote Broþer seyde Gamelyn as so mote I þee Thou schalt nought be forsworne for þe loue of me Tho maden þei gamelyn to sitte might he not stonde Til þei hadden him bounde/ boþe foot and honde The false knight his broþer of Gamelyn was agast And sente after feteres to feteren him atte last his broþer made lesynges on him þer he stood And tolde hem þat comen In that Gamelyn was wood Gamelyn stood to a post bounden in þe halle/ Tho that comen in lokeden on him alle Euer stood Gamelyn euen vpright But mete and drink hadde he noon noþer day ne night Thanne sayde Gamelyn broþer by myn hals Now I haue aspied þou art a party fals hadde I wist þat treson þat þou haddest y-founde I wolde haue youe strokes or I hadde be bounde Gamelyn stood bounden stille as eny stoon Tuo daies and tuo nightes mete hadde he noon Thanne sayde Gamelyn þat stood y-bounde stronge Adam spenser me þink I faste to longe Adam þe spenser now I beseche þe ffor þe moche loue my fader loued þe If þou may come to þe kayes leese me out of bonde And I schal parte wiþ þe of my free londe Thanne sayde adam þat was þe spenser I haue serued þi broþer þis .xvj. ȝer If I lete þe gon out of his boure he wolde say afterward I were a traitour Adam seyde Gamelyn so brouke I myn hals þou schalt fynde my broþer atte laste right fals/ Ther-fore broþer adam loose me out of bondes And I wil parte with þe of my free londes vp swich a forward seide adam y-wys/ I wol do þerto al þat in me is Adam seyde Gamelyn also mote I þee I wil holde þe couenant and þou wil lose me Anon as adames lord to bedde was y-goon Adam tok þe kayes and leet Gamelyn out a-non He vnlokked Gamelyn boþe handes and feet In hope of auancement þat he him biheet Thanne seide Gamelyn þanked be goddes sonde Now I am loosed boþe foot and honde hadde I now eten and drunken aright Ther is non in þis hous schulde bynde me þis night Adam took Gamelyn stille as stille as eny stoon And ladde him in to spense rapely and anoon And sette him to soper right in a priue stede he bad him do gladly and Gamelyn so dede Anon as Gamelyn hadde eten wel and fyn And þerto y-dronke wel of þe reede wyn Adam seyde Gamelyn what is now þy rede ffor I go to my broþer and gyrde of his hede Gamelyn seyde adam it schal nouȝt be so I can teche þe a reede þat is worth þe tuo I wot wel for soþe þat þis is no nay We schulle haue a mangery right on sonday Abbotes and Priours many heer schal be And oþer men of holy chirche as I telle þe þou schalt stonde vp by þe poste as þou were hond fast And I schal leue þam vnloke þat away þou may hem caste Whan þat þei haue eten and wasshen here hondes Thou schalt biseke hem alle to bringe þe out of bondes And if þei wil borwe þe þat were good game Thanne were þou out of prison and I out of blame And if ech of hem sey to vs nay I schal don anoþer I swere by þis day Thou schalt haue a good staff/ and I wol haue anoþer And cristes curs haue þat oon þat failleþ þat oþer Ya for gode seyde Gamelyn I say it for me If I faile on my syde yuele mote I þe If we schulle algate assoile hem of here synne Warne me broþer adam whan we schul begynne Gamelyn seyde adam by seinte charite/ I wil warne þe biforn whan þat it schal be Whan I twynk on þe loke for to gone And cast awey þe fetteres and come to me anoon Adam seyde Gamelyn blessed be þy boones That is a good counsail yeuyng for þe nones If þey werne me to bringe me out of beendes I wol sette goode strokes right on here lendes Tho þe sonday was y-come and folk to þe feeste ffaire þei were welcomed boþe leste and meeste And euere as þey atte hall dore comen In Thay caste þair yhe on ȝonge Gamelyn The false knight his broþer and ful of trecchery Alle þe gestes þat þer were atte mangery Of Gamelyn his broþer he tolde hem with mouþe/ All þe harme and þe schame þat he telle couþe Tho þei were serued of messes tuo or þre Thanne seyde Gamelyn how serue ȝe me/ It is not wel serued by god þat al made That I sitte fastyng and oþer men make hem glade The fals knight his broþer þere þat he stood Tolde all his gestes þat Gamelyn was wood And Gamelyn stood stille and answerde nought But adames wordes he heeld in his þought Tho Gamelyn gan speke dolfully wiþ alle To þe grete lordes þat saten in þe halle lordes he seyde for cristes passion help to brynge Gamelyn out of prison Thanne seyde an abbot sorwe on his cheeke he schal haue cristes curs and seinte maries eeke That þe out of prisoun beggeth or borweth But euere worþe hem wel þat doþ þe moche sorwe After þat abbot þan spak anoþer I wolde þin hed were offe þey þou were my broþer Alle þat þe borwe foule moot þam falle Thus þei seide alle þat weren in þe halle Than seyde a priour yuel mote he þriue It is moche sorwe & and skaþe boy þat þou art on lyue Ow seyde Gamelyn so brouke I my bon Now I haue aspied þat freendes haue I noon Cursed mot he worthe boþe fleisshe and blood That euere do priour or abbot eny good Adam þe spenser took vp þe cloþe And loked on Gamelyn and seih þat he was wrooth Adam on þe Pantrie litul he þought But tuo goode staues to halle dore he brought Adam looked on Gamelyn and he was war anon And cast awey þe feteres and he bygan to goon Tho he cam to adam he took þat oo staf And bigan to worche and goode strokes yaf Gamleyn cam in to þe halle and þe spencer bothe And loked hem aboute as þei hadde be wroþe Gamelyn sprengeþ holy water with an ook spire That somme þat stoode vpright felle in the fire Ther was no lewed man þat in þe halle stood That wolde do Gamelyn any þing but good But stooden besyden and lete hem boþe werche ffor þei hadde no reuþe of men of men of holy cherche Abbot or priour monk or chanon That Gamelyn ouertok anon þei ȝeden doun Ther was non of hem alle þat wiþ his staf mette That he made hem ouerþrowe and quitte hem his dette Gamelyn sayde adam for sainte charite/ Pay good lyueray for þe loue of me And I wol kepe þe dore so euer heere I masse/ Er þei ben assoiled þer schal non passe Dout þe nouȝt seide Gamelyn whil we ben in feere/ Kepe þou wel þe dore and I wol werche heere Stere good adam and late þer none flee And we schulle telle largely how many þer be Gamelyn seyde adam do hem but good Thay ben men of holy che[rche] draw of hem no blood Saue wel þe croune and do hem non harmes But breke boþe here legges and siþþen here armes Thus Gamelyn and adam wroughte right faste/ And pleyden with þe monkes and made hem agaste/ Thider þey come rydyng Iolyly wiþ swaynes And hom aȝein þei were ledde in Cartes and in waynes Tho þei hadden alle y-don þan seyde a gray frere Allas sire abbot what dide we now heere Tho þat we comen hider it was a cold rede vs hadde ben better at home wiþ water and wiþ breed Whil Gamelyn made ordres of monkes and freere/ Euer stood his broþer and made foul cheere Gamelyn vp wiþ his staf þat he wel knew And gerte him in þe nekke þat he ouerþrew A litel aboue þe girdel þe riggebon tobarst And sette him in þe feteres þer he sat arst Sitte þere broþer seyde Gamelyn ffor to coole þi blood as I dide myn As swiþe as þei hadde wroken hem on here foon They askede water and wisshen anoon What somme for here loue and somme for awe Alle þe seruantz serued hem of þe beste lawe The scherreue was þenne but fyue myle/ And al was told him in a litel while/ how Gamelyn and adam hadde don a sory res Bounden and wounded men aȝein þe kinges pees Tho bigan sone strif for to wake And þe scherref aboute Gamelyn for to take Now litheþ and lesteneþ so god ȝiue ȝou good fyn And ȝe schul heere good game of ȝonge Gamelyn ffour and twenty ȝonge men þat helden ful bolde Come to þe scherref and seyde þat þai wolde Gamelyn and adam fette be way The scherref yaf hem leue soþ as I ȝou say þei hieden faste wolde þay nought belynne Til þei comen to þe gate þer gamelyn was Inne They knokken on þe gate þe porter was ney And loked out at an hole as man þat was sleigh The porter hadde beholde þam a litel while he louede Gamelyn and was adrad of gile/ And leet þe wiket stonde ful stille And asked hem wiþoute what was here wille ffor all þe grete company þanne spak but oon Vndo þe gate porter and lat vs In goon Than seyde þe porter so brouke I my chynne Ȝe schul sey ȝour erand er ȝe comen Inne Sey to Gamelyn and adam if þeir wille be We wol speke to hem two wordes or þre ffelaw sayde þe porter stond þere stille And I wol wende to Gamelyn to witen his wille In wente þe porter to Gamelyn anon And saide sire I warne ȝou here ben come ȝoure foon The scherreues men ben atte gate ffor to take ȝou boþe schulle ȝe not scape Porter seyde Gamelyn so mote I wel þe I wol allowe þe þi wordes whan I my tyme see Go aȝein to þe gate and dwelle wiþ hem a while/ And þou schalt see right soone porter a gyle Adam seyde Gamelyn loke þe to goone We haue foomen atte gate and freendes neuer oone It ben þe scherreues men þat hider ben y-come/ Thei ben swore to-gidere þat we schul be nome Gamelyn saide adam hye þe right blyue And if I faile þe þis day yuel mote I þriue And we schulle so welcome þe Scherreues men That somme of hem schulle make here beddes in þe fen Atte posterne gate Gamelyn out wente And a good cart staf in his hond he hente Adam hente soone anoþer gret staf ffor to helpe Gamelyn and goode strokes he ȝaf Adam felde tweyne and Gamelyn felde þre That oþer sette feet on erþe and bigan to flee What seide adam so euere heere I masse/ I haue right good wyn / drynke or ȝe passe Nay by god sayde þai þi drink is not good It wolde make a mannes brayn to lyen in his hood Gamelyn stood stille and loked him aboute And saide þe scherref comeþ with a gret route Adam seide Gamelyn what be now þy redes here comeþ þe scherreue and wil haue oure heedes Adam sayde to Gamelyn my reed is now þis Abyde we no longere if we fare amys I rede þat we to woode goon ar þat we be founde Bettre is it þer louse þan in toune y-bounde Adam tok by þe hond ȝonge Gamelyn And euery of hem drank a draught of wyn And after token here cours and wenten here way Tho fond þe scherreue nest and noon ay The scherref lighte doun and went in to þe halle And fond þe lord fetered faste wiþ alle þe scherreue vnfetered him right soone anon And sente after a leche to hele his regge bon lete we now þis false knight lye in his care And talke we of Gamelyn and loke how he fare Gamelyn in to þe woode stalkede stille And adam þe spenser likede right ylle Adam swore to Gamelyn by seint richeer Now I see it is mery to ben a spenser That leuere me were keyes to bere Than walken in þis wilde woode my cloþes to tere Adam sayde Gamelyn dismaye þe right nought Many good mannes childe in care is brought As þei tooke talking boþe in feere Adam herde talking of men and neigh him þought þei were Tho Gamelyn vnder woode loked aright vij. score of ȝonge men he say wel adight Alle satte atte mete compas aboute Adam sayde Gamelyn now haue ȝe no doute After bale comes boote þorugh goddes might Me þinkeþ of mete and drynk þat I haue a sight Adam lokede þo vnder woode bowgh And þo he say mete he was glad ynough ffor he hopede to god for to haue his deele And he was sore alonged after a good meele As he saide þat word þe mayster outlawe Saugh Gamelyn and adam vnder woode schawe/ ȝonge men seyde þe maister by þe god roode I am war of gestes god sende vs goode ȝond been tuo yonge men right wel adight And perauenture þer ben mo who so loked aright Ariseþ vp yonge men and sette hem to me It is good þat we witen what men it be vp þei sterten .vij. fro þe dyner And metten with Gamelyn and adam spenser Whan þei were neih hem þan seyde þat oon yeldeþ vp yonge men ȝour bowes & your floon Thanne seide Gamelyn þat yong was of elde Moche sorwe mote he haue þat to yow hem ȝeelde I corse non oþer but right my selue þey ȝe fette to yow fyue þanne ye be twelue þo þei herde by his word þat might was in his arm There was non of hem þat wolde don him harm But seide to gamelyn myldely and stille/ Com afore oure maister and say to him þi wille yonge men seyde Gamelyn by your leute/ What man is ȝour maister þat ye with be Alle þei answerde wiþoute lesyng Oure mayster is crouned of outlawes king Adam sayde Gamelyn go we in cristes name/ he may neyþer mete ne drynk werne vs for schame/ If þat he be kynde and come of gentil [blood] he wol yeue vs mete & drynk and don vs som good By saint Iame saide adam what harm þat I gete/ I wol auenture me to þe dore þat I hadde mete/ Gamelyn and adam wente forþ in feere And þei grette þe maister þat þey founde þere Than seyde þe mayster king of outlawes What seeke ȝe yonge men vnder þe woode schawes/ Gamelyn answerde þe king wiþ his croune he moste needes walke in woode þat may not walke in towne Sire we walke not heere non harm to do But if we meete a deer to schete þer to As men þat ben hungry and mowe no mete fynde And ben harde bestad vnder woode lynde Of Gamelynes wordes þe mayster hadde rewþe And seyde ye schal haue ynough haue god my treuþe he bad hem sitte doun for to take reste And bad hem ete and drynke and þat of þe beste As þei eeten and dronke wel and fyn Than saide þat oon to þat oþer þis is Gamelyn Tho was þe maister out-lawe in to counseil nome And tolde how it / was Gamelyn þat þider was y-come Anon as he herde how it was byfalle he made him maister vnder him ouer hem alle Wiþinne þe þridde weke him come tydynges To þe mayster outlawe þat was here kynges þat he schulde come home his pees was maad And of þat goode tydyng he was ful glaad Tho sayde he to his ȝonge men soþ for to telle Me ben comen tydynges I may no lenger dwelle Tho was Gamelyn anon wiþoute taryyng Maad mayster outlawe and crouned here king Tho was Gamelyn crouned king of out-lawes And walked a while vnder woode schawes The false knight his broþer was scherreue and sire And leet his broþer endite for hate and for Ire Tho were his bonde men sory and noþing gladde Whan Gamelyn here lord wolfes heed was cried and maad And sente out of his men wher þey might him fynde ffor to seeke Gamelyn vnder þe woode lynde To tellen him tydynges the wynd was went And all his good reued and his men schent Whan þei had him founden on knees þey hem setten And a-doun with here hood and here lord gretten Sire wraþþe you nought for þe goode roode ffor we haue brought ȝou tydynges but þei ben not goode Now is þy broþer scherreue and haþ þe baillie And haþ endited þe and wolfes heed doþ þe crye Allas sayde Gamelyn þat euer I was so slak That I ne hadde broke his necke þo I his rigge brak Goþ greeteþ wel myn housbondes and wijf I wil ben atte nexte schire haue god my lijf Gamelyn cam wel redy to þe nexte schire And þere was his broþer boþe lord and sire Gamelyn com boldely in to þe moot halle And putte adoun his hood among þe lordes alle God saue yow lordynges þat now heere be But broke bak Scherreue yuel mote þou þee Why hast þou do me þat schame and vilenye ffor to late endite me and wolues heed do me crye Tho þoughte þe false knight for to ben awreke And leet take Gamelyn most he nomore speke Might þer be no more grace but Gamelyn atte laste/ Was cast in to prison and fetered faste/ ¶ Gamelyn haþ a broþer þat highte sire Oote As good a knight and heende as mighte gon on foote Anon ȝeede a messager to þat goode knight And told him altogider how Gamelyn was dight Anon as sire Oote herde how Gamelyn was dight he was right sory was he noþing light And leet sadle a steede and þe way he nam And to his tweyne breþeren right soone he cam Sire sayde sire Ote to þe Scherreue þo We ben but þre breþeren schulle we neuer be mo And þou hast prisoned þe beste of vs alle Swich anoþer broþer yuel him mote bifalle Sire Ote seyde þe fals knight lat be þi curs By god for þi wordes he schal fare þe wurs To þe kinges prisone he is y-nome And þer he schal abyde to þe Iustice come Parde saide sire Ote bettre it schal be I bidde him to maympris þat þou graunte to me Til þe nexte sittyng of deliuerance And late þanne Gamelyn stande to his chaunce Broþer in swich a forward I take him to þe And by þi fader soule þat þe bigat and me But he be redy whan þe Iustice sitte Thou schalt bere his Iuggement for all þi grete witte I graunte wel seide sire Ote þat it so be let deliuere him anon and tak him to me Tho was Gamelyn deliuered to sire Ote his broþer And þat night dwelleden þat oon wiþ þat oþer On þe morwe seyde Gamelya to sire Ote þe heende Broþer he seyde I moot for soþe fro þe weende To loke how my yonge men leden here lyf Wheþer þey lyuen in Ioye or elles in strif By god seyde sire Ote þat is a cold rede Now I se þat all þe cark schal falle on myn hede ffor whan þe Iustice sitte and þou be nought y-founde I schal anon be take and in þy stede y-bounde Broþer sayde Gamelyn dismaie þe nought ffor by saint Iame in Gales that many man haþ sought If þat god almighty holde me my lyf and witte I wil be þere redy whan þe Iustice sitte Thanne seide sire Ote to Gamelyn god schilde þe fro schame Com whan þou seest tyme and bryng vs out of blame ¶ litheth and lesteneth and holdeþ ȝou stille And ȝe schulle heere how Gamelyn hadde his wille Gamelyn wente vnder þe woode Rys And fond þere pleying yonge men of pris Tho was yonge Gamelyn right glad ynough Whan he fond his men vnder þe woode bough Gamelyn and his men talked in feere And þey hadde good game here maister to heere/ his men tolden him of auentures þat þei hadde y-founde And Gamelyn him tolde aȝein how he was faste bounde Whil Gamelyn was outlawe hadde he no curs Ther was no man þat for him ferde þe wors But abbotes and priours monk and Chanōn On of hem lefte he nought whan he might hem nom Whil Gamelyn and his men made merþes Ryue The false knight his broþer yuel mote he þriue ffor he was faste aboute boþe o day and oþer ffor to hire þe queste to hangen his broþer Gamelyn stood on a day and he biheeld The woodes and þe schawes in þe wilde feeld he þought on his broþer how he him beheet Þat he wolde be redy whan þe Iustice seet he þoughte wel þat he wolde wiþoute delay Come afore þe Iustice to keepen his day And seide to his yonge men dighte yow ȝare ffor whan þe Iustice sitte we mote be þare ffor I am vnder borwe til þat I come/ And my broþer for me to prison schal be nome By seint Iame seide his ȝonge men and þou rede þertoo Ordeigne how it schal be and it schal be do Whil Gamelyn was comyng þer þe Iustice satte The false knight his broþer for-yatte he not þatte To hire þe men on his quest to hangen his broþer Though þey hadde nought þat oon he wolde haue þat oþer Tho cam Gamelyn fro vnder woode Rys And broughte with him ȝonge men of prys I se wel seyde Gamelyn the Iustice is sette Go aforn adam and loke how it spette Adam wente in to þe halle and loked all aboute he seih þere stonde lordes boþe grete and stoute And sire Ote his broþer fetered wel fast Tho went adam out of halle as he were agast Adam seide to Gamelyn and to his felawes alle Sire Ote stant fetered in þe moot halle yonge men sayde Gamelyn þis þey heeren alle Sire Ote stant fetered in þe moot halle If god yif vs grace wel for to do he schal it abegge þat it broughte þerto Thanne seyde Gamelyn þat lokkes hadde hore Cristes curs most he haue þat him[four strokes to the m.] bond so sore And þou wolt Gamelyn don after my reed Ther is non in þe halle schal bere awey his heed Adam seyde Gamelyn we wille nought doon so We wol sle þe gultyf and late þe oþer go I wil in to þe halle and wiþ þe Iustice speke On hem þat ben gultyf I wol ben a-wreke late non scape at þe dore yonge men take yeme ffor I wol be Iustice þis day doomes to deeme God speede me þis day at my newe werk Adam com with me for þou schalt be my clerk his men answerde him and bad him don his best And if þou to vs haue neede þou schalt fynde vs preste We wiln stande with þe whil þat we may dure And but we werken manly pay vs non hure Yonge men sayde Gamelyn so mot I wel þee/ As trusty a maister ye schal fynde of me Right þer þe Iustice sat in þe halle In wente Gamelyn amonges hem alle Gamelyn leet vnfettere his broþer out of bende Thanne seide sire Otes his broþer þat was heende Thou haddest almost Gamelyn dwelled to longe ffor þe queste is out on me þat I scholde honge Broþer seide Gamelyn so god yif me good rest This day þey schul ben hanged þat ben vpon þe quest And þe Iustice boþe þat is þe Iugge man And þe schirriue boþe þorugh him it bigan Thanne seyde Gamelyn to þe Iustise Now is þy power don þou most nedes arise Thou hast yiuen doomes þat ben yuel dight I wil sitten in þi sete and dressen hem aright The Iustice sat stille and roos nought anoon And Gamelyn cleuede his cheke boon Gamelyn tok him in his armes and nomore spak But þrewe him ouer þe barre and his arme tobrak Durste non to Gamelyn seye but good ffor fered of þe companye þat wiþoute stood Gamelyn sette him doun in þe Iustices sete And sire Otes his broþer by him and adam at his feet Whan Gamelyn was sette in þe Iustices sete/ herkne of a bourde þat Gamelyn dede he leet fetere þe Iustice and his false brother And leet hem come to þe barre þat oon wiþ þat oþer Tho Gamelyn hadde þus y-don hadde he no rest Til he hadde enquered who was on þe quest ffor to deemen his broþer sire Otes for to honge Er he wiste which þei were he þoughte ful longe But as sone as Gamelyn wiste wher þey were he dede hem euerichon feteren in fere And bringen hem to þe barre and sette hem in Rewe By my faith seide þe Iustice þe Scherreue is a schrewe/ Thanne sayde Gamelyn to þe Iustice Thou hast youe doomes of þe wors assise And þe .xij. Sisours that weren of þe queste They schulle ben hanged þis day so haue I good reste Thanne seyde þe Scherreue to yonge Gamelyn lord I crye þe mercy broþer art þou myn Ther-fore saide Gamelyn haue þou cristes curs ffor and þou were maister yet I schulde haue wors ffor to make schort tale and nought to long he ordeigned him a queste of his men so strong The Iustice and þe Scherreue beþ honged hye To weiuen with þe Ropes and with þe wynd drye And þe .xij Sisours sorwe haue þat rekke Alle þey were hanged faste by þe nekke Thus endeth þe false knight with his treccherie That euer hadde lad his lyf in falsnes and folye he was hanged by þe necke and nought by þe purs That was þe meede þat he hadde for his fadres curs Sire Otes was eldest and Gamelyn was ying Wenten with here frendes and passed with þe king They made pees with þe king of þe best assise The king loued wel sire Ote and made him Iustice And after þe king made Gamelyn boþe in est and west Cheef Iustice of his fre fforest Alle his wighte yonge men þe king for-yaf here gilt And siþþen in good office þe king haþ alle hem pilt ¶ Thus wan Gamelyn his lond and his leede And wrak him of his enemys and quitte hem here meede And sire Ote his broþer made him his heir And siþþen wedded Gamelyn a wyf a good and a fair They lyueden togidere whil þat crist wolde And siþþen was gamelyn grauen vnder molde And so schal we alle may þer noman flee God bring vs to þe Ioye þat euer schal be AmeN pour charite[No gap in the MS.] GROUP B. (α. FRAGMENT II.) § 1. MAN OF LAW'S HEAD-LINK. CORPUS MS. Owre oost saugh wel þat by þe brighte sonne.Cm.vm. The ark of his artificial day hadde ronne The ferþe part of half an hour and moore And þough he were nought deepe expert in lore he wist it was þe xviij.e day Of Aprille þat is messager to May And saugh wel þat þe schadwe of euery tree Was as in lengþe þe same quantite That was þe body erect þat caused it And þerfore by þe schadewe he took his wit That Phebus which þat schon so cler and bright Degrees was xlv clombe on hight And for þat day as in þat latitude It was ten atte clokke he gan conclude And sodeinly he plight his hors aboute lordynges quod he I warne ȝou alle þis route The ferþe party of þis day is gon Now for þe loue of god and of seint Iohn leseþ no tyme as ferforth as ye may Lordinges þe time it wasteþ night and day And steleþ from vs what priuely slepyng And what þurgh necligence in oure waking As doth þe streem þat turneþ neuer agayn Descendyng from þe mountayn in to playn Wel can senek and many a Philosophre Biweilen tyme more þan gold in cophre ffor los of catelle may recouered be But los of tyme schendeþ vs quod he It wil nought come agayn wiþouten drede Namore þan wile Malkyns maydenhede Whan sche haþ lost it / in hir wantonnesse lat vs nought mowlen þus in ydelnesse Sire Man of lawe quod he saue ȝe blis Tel vs a tale anon as forward is ye be submitted þurgh your free assent To stonde in þis cas of my Iuggement Aquiteþ ȝow now of ȝoure beheste Thanne haue ȝe doon your deuer atte leste Oost quod he depardeux ich assente To breke forward is nought myn entente Biheste is dette and I wil holde fayn Al my biheste I can no bettre sain ffor swich lawe as a man yeueþ anoþer wight he schulde himself vsen it by right Thus wile oure text but naþeles certein I can right now no þrifty tale sein That Chaucer þough he can but lewedly On metris and in rymyng craftily haþ sayd hem in such englissh as he can Of olde tyme as knoweþ many a man And if he haue nought seyd hem leeue broþer In o book / he haþ seyd hem in anoþer ffor he haþ told of louers vp and don Mo þan Ovide made mencion In his Epistles þat been ful olde What scholde I tellen hem sen þei ben tolde In youþe he made of Ceys and alcione And siþþen haþ he spoke of euerychone Thise noble wyfes and þese louers eeke Who so þat wile his large volom seeke Cleped þe seintes legende of Cupide Ther may he seen þe large woundes wyde Of lucresse & of Babilan Tisbe The swerd of Dido for þe fals Ene The tree of Phillis for hire Demephon The pleynt of Dyanyre and of Ermion Of Adriane and of ysyphile The barayne ysle stondyng in þe see The dreynt leander for his Erro The teeres of helyne and eek þe woo Of Brixseyde and of þe ladomya þe cruelte of queen medea The litel children hangyng by þe hals ffor þe Iason þat was of loue so fals Of ypmistra Penolope Alceste youre wifhode he comendeth wiþ þe beste But certeinly no word ne writeþ he Of þikke wicke ensample of Canace That loued hir owne brother synfully Of suche cursed stories I sei fy Or elles of Tyro Appoloneus how þat þe cursed king Antiochus Biraft his doughter of hir maydenhede That is so horrible a tale for to rede Whan he hir þrew þorugh þe pament And þerfore he of ful auisement Nolde neuer write in none of his sermons Of which vnkynde abhominacions Ne I ne wil not reherce if þat I may But of my tale how schal I don þis day Me were loþ be likned douteles To muses þat men clepen pieriedes Methamorphoseos wot what I mene But naþeles I recche nought a bene Though I come after him with hawe bake I speke in prose and lat him Rimes make And with þat word he with a sobre chere Bigan his tale as ȝe schal after heere. [PROLOGUE OF THE MAN OF LAW'S TALE.] ¶ Incipit ffabula.[There are no breaks in the MS between stanzas or Parts.] O Hateful harm condicion of pouert With thurst with cold with hunger he confoundeth To asken helpe þe schameþ in þin hert If þou now axe wiþ neede art þou so wounded That verray neede vnwrappeth al þi wounde hid Maugre þin heed þou most for Indigence Or stele or begge or borwe þi dispence Thou blamest crist and seist ful bitterly he mys departeþ richesse temporal Thy neyghebour þou witest synfully And seist þou hast to litel and he haþ al Par fey seistow somtyme he rekene schal Whan þat his tail schal brennen in þe gleede ffor he nought helpeþ needeful in here neede ¶ Herkne what is þe menyng of þe wise Bet is to deyen þan haue Indigence This self neighebore wile þe dispise If þou be pouer far wel þi reuerence yet of þe wise man tak þis sentence Alle þe dayes of pore men ben wikke Be war þerfore or þou come in þat prikke ¶ If þou be pouere þi broþer hateþ þe And alle þi freendes fleen fro þe allas O Riche marchantz ful of wele be O noble prudent folk as in þis cas youre bagges ben nought filled with ambes aas But with Sis Cynk þat renneþ for ȝour chance At Cristes masse merye may ȝe daunce ¶ ye seeken lond and see for ȝour wynnynges As wys folk þat knowen alle thestat Of regnes ȝe ben fadres of tyþinges And tales bothen of pees and of debat I were right now of tales desolat Nere þat a marchant gon is many a yere Me taught a tale which as ye schal heere [PART I.][No break in the MS.] ¶ In Surrye whilom dwelt a companye Of Chapmen riche and þer-to sad and trewe That wyde where sente here spicerie Cloþes of gold and Satyn riche of hewe here chaffare was so thrifty and so newe That euery wight haþ deynte to chaffare With hem and eek to sellen hem here ware ¶ Now fil it þat þe maistres of þat sort han schapen hem to Rome for to wende Were it fo chapmanhode or for disport Non oþer message wolde þey þider sende But comen hemself to Rome þis is þe ende And in swich place as þought hem auantage ffor here entente þei take here herbergage Soiorned han þise marchantez in þat toun A certein tyme as felle to hire plesance But so felle þat þe excellent renoun Of þe Emperour doughter dame Custance Reported was with euery circumstance vnto þise Surrien marchantz in swich wise ffro day to day as I schal you deuyse/ ¶ This was þe comone voys of euery man Oure emperour of Rome god him see A doughter he haþ þat syn þe world bigan To rekne as wel hir goodnesse as beaute Nas neuer such anoþer as is sche I pray to god in honour hir sustene And wolde sche were of alle Europe þe queene ¶ In hire is heigh beaute wiþoute prideEuropia est tercia pars mundi. youþe wiþoute greenehod of folye To alle hire werkes vertu is hire guyde humblesse haþ slayn in hire al tyrannye Sche is a merour of alle curtesye hire herte is verray chambre of holynesse hire hand ministre of fredam for almesse ¶ And al þis voys is soþ as god is trewe But now to purpos lat vs turne again Thise marchantz han doon fraught here schippes newe And whan þay haue þis blisful mayde sain hom to Surrey beþ þei went agayn And don here needes as þey han don yore And lyuen in wele I can seye yow nomore Now fil it þat þis marchantz stoden in grace Of him þat was þe Sowdon of Surrie ffor whan þei came from eny strange place he wolde of his benigne curtesie/ Make hem good chere and besily aspie Tythynges of sundy Remes for to leere The wondres þat þey mighte seen or heere Amonges oþer þinges specially Thise marchantz han him told of Dame Custance So gret noblesse in ernest ceriously That þis Sowdan haþ caught so gret/ plesance To han hire figure in his remembrance And alle his lust and alle his besy cure Was for to loue hire whil his lijf may dure Parauenture in þilke large book Which þat þei cleped þe heuen write was Wiþ sterres whan þat he his birþe took That he for loue schulde han his deþ allas ffor in þe sterres clerer þan is þe glas Is writen god wot / who so cowde it rede/ The deþ of euery man wiþouten drede ¶ In sterres many a wynter þer biforn Was write þe deth of Ector Achilles¶ Ceptra pharonei fratrum discordia Thebe flamma pnetontis deucalionis aque in stellis priami species audacia turni sensus vlixeu herculeus que vigor. Of Pompe Iulius or þei were born The stryf of Thebes and of hercules/ Of Sampson Turnus and of Socrates The deth/ but mennes wittes ben so dulle That no wight can wel rede it atte fulle This Sowdon for his priuey counseil sente And schortly of þis mater for to pace he haþ to hem declared his entente And seide hem certein but if he might haue grace To haue Custance wiþinne a litel space he nas but ded and charged hem in hye To schapen for his lyf som remedye ¶ Diuerse men diuerse þinges seiden The argumentes casten vp and doun Many a sotil reson forþ þey leyden They speken of Magique and abusion But fynally as in conclusion They can not seen in þat non auantage Ne in non oþer weye saf mariage ¶ Than saugh þey þer in such difficulte By way of reson for to speke al playn By cause þat þer was such diuersite Bitwen here boþe lawes þat þei sayn They trowe þat no cristne prince wolde fain Wedde his child vnder oure lawes so sweete That vs was taught by mahon oure prophete ¶ And he answerde raþer þan I leese Custance I wol be cristned douteles I mot ben hires I may non oþer cheese I pray ȝow holdeþ ȝour argumentz in pees Saueþ my lif and beþ nought Recheles To geten hire þat haþ my lif in cure ffor in this woo I may not longe endure ¶ What nedeþ grettere dilatacion I seie by tretys and embassadrie/ And by þe popes mediacion And alle þe chirche and alle þe chiualrie That in distruction of mawmattrie And in encres of cristes lawe deere They ben accorded so as ȝe schal heere/ ¶ how þat þe Sowdan and his Baronage And alle his lieges schold y-cristened be/ And he schal han Custance in mariage And certein gold y not what quantite And herto founden sufficeant seurte This same accord was sworn in either syde Now faire Custance almighty god þe gyde Now wolde sommen waiten as I gesse/ That I schulde tellen al þe purueance That þe Emperour of his noblesse hath schapen for his doughter dame Custance Wel may men knowe þat so gret ordinance May noman tellen in a litel clause As was arrayed for so heigh a cause ¶ Bisschoppes ben schapen wiþ hire for to wende lordes ladies knightes of renoun And oþer folk ynowe þis is þe ende And notified is þurgh out þe toun That euery wight wiþ gret deuocion Scholde preye crist þat he þis mariage Resceyue in gree. and speede þis viage ¶ The day is come of hir departyng I sey þe woful lady[so] fatal is come That þer may be no lenger tarying But forþward þey hem dressen alle & some Custance þat with sorw is al ouercome fful pale arist and dresseþ hire to wende ffor wel sche seeth þer is non oþer ende Allas what wonder is it þough sche wepte That schal be sent to strange nacion ffro freendes þat so tendrely hire kepte And to be bounden vnder subiection Of oon sche knoweth not his condicion housbondes ben alle goode and han ben yore That knowen wyfes I dar say ȝou namore ¶ ffader sche sayde þi wrecchede child Custaunce Thy yonge doughter fostred vp so softe And ye my mooder my souereigne plesance Ouer alle þing out taken crist a lofte Custance youre child hir recomandeþ ofte vnto your grace for I schal to Surrie Ne schal I neuer seen ȝou more with ye Allas vnto þe Barbarie nacion I moste anon siþþen it is your wille But crist þat starf for oure Redempcion So yeue me grace his hestes to fulfille I wrecche womman no fors þough I spille Wommen are born to thraldom and penance And to ben vnder mannes gouernance ¶ I trowe at Troye whan Purrus brak þe walle Or ylion þat brende Thebes þat Citee Not Rome for the harme thurgh hanybal That Romayns haþ venquissed tymes þre Nas herde such tendre weepyng for pite As in þe Chambre for hire departyng But forþ sche moot wher so sche weepe or syng¶ Vnde P[t]holomeus libro jo, Capitulo go primi motus celi duo sunt quorum vnus est qui mouet totum semper ab oriente in occidentem vno modo super orbes & cetera. Item aliter vero motus est qui mouet orbem stellarum currencium. Contra motum primum videlicet ab occidente in orientem super alios duos polos & cetera. Omnes enim concordati sunt quod electiones sint debiles nisi in di|uitibus, habent enim isti licet debilitentur eorum electiones radicem .i. natiuitates eorum que confortat omnem planetam debilem in itinere. huc. philosophus. ¶ O ferste moeuyng cruel firmament Wiþ þy diuinal sweigh that crowdest ay And hurlest alle fro Est to Occident That naturelly wolde holde anoþer way Thy crowdyng sett þe heuen in such array Atte bygynnyng of þis fiers viage That cruel mars haþ slain þis mariage ¶ Infortunat ascendent tortuous Of which þe lord is helples falle allas Out of his angle in to þe derkest hous O. mars .o. ataȝir as in þis cas O fieble moone vnhappy been þy paas Thou knettest þe þer þou nart nought receyued There þou were wel fro þens now art þou weyued ¶ Imprudent Emperour of Rome allas Was þer no Philosophre in al þi toun Is no tyme bet þan oþer in such caas Of viage is þer non election Namly to folk of heigh condicion Nat whan a roote is of a burthe y-knowe Allas ȝe ben to lewed or to slowe ¶ The schip is brought þis woful faire mayde Solempnely wiþ euery circumstance Now Ihesu crist be with ȝou alle sche sayde Ther nys nomore but far wel faire Custance Sche peyneþ hire to make good contynance And forþ I lete hire saile in þis manere And torne I wille again to my matiere The mooder of þe Sowdon welle of vices Espied haþ hir sones pleyne entent how he wol lete his olde Sacrifices And right anon sche for hire counseil sent And þei ben come to knowe what sche ment And whan assembled was þis folk in feere Sche sette hire doun and seide as ye schal heere ¶ lordes quoþ sche ȝe knowen euerych on how þat my sone in poynt is for to lete The holy lawes of oure alkaron yeuen by goddes messager Makomete But oon avow to grete god I hete The lyf schal rather out of my body sterte Or makometis lawe out of myn herte What scholde vs tyden of þis newe lawe But þraldam to oure bodyes and penance And afterward in helle to ben drawe ffor we reneyed mahon oure creance But lordes wol ye maken assurance As I schal sein assentyng to my lore And I schal make vs sauf for eueremore ¶ They sworen and assenten euery man To lyue with hire and dye and by hire stonde And euerich in þe beste wise he can To strengþen hire schal alle his frendes fonde And sche haþ þis emprise take on honde Which ȝe schal here þat I schal deuyse And to hem alle sche spak in þis wise ¶ We schulle ferst feyne vs cristendom to take/ Cold water schal not greue vs but a lite And I schal swich a reuel and feste maken That as I trowe I schal þe soudon quite ffor þough his wijf be cristened neuer so white Sche schal haue neede to waissche a-way þe reede Though sche a ffonte ful of water wiþ hire leede/ ¶ O soudanesse roote of Iniquite Virago þou Semyram þe secounde O. serpent vnder femeninete lik to þe serpent deepe in helle y-bounde O feyned womman al þat may confounde Vertu and Innocence þorgh þy malice Is bredd in þe as nest of euery vice ¶ O Sathan envious syn þilke day That þou were chased fro oure heritage Wel knewestow to wommen þe olde way Thow madest Eua to bringen in seruage Thow wilt fordon cristene mariage Thin Instrument so weylowey þe while Makest þou of wommen whan þou wilt begile ¶ This Sowdanesse whom I þus blame and warie leet priuely hire counseil gon here way What schulde I in þis tale lenger tarye Sche rideth to þe Sowdan on a day And seide him þat sche wolde reneye hir lay And cristendom of prestes handes fonge Repentynge sche heþene was so longe ¶ Besekyng him to doon hire þat honour That sche most han þe cristne folk to feste To plesen hem I wol do my labour The Sowdan seith I wil don at your heste And knelyng þanketh hire of þat requeste So glad he was he nyste what to seye Sche kiste hir sone and hom sche goþ hir weye [PART II.] ¶ Arryued been þise cristene folk to londe In Surrie with a gret solempne route And hastiliche þis sowdan sent his sonde ffirst to his mooder and alle þe regne aboute And saide his wijf was come out of doute And preyde hir for to ryde agein þe queene The honour of his regne to susteene ¶ Gret was þe prees and riche was þarray Of Surriens and Ramains met y feere The mooder of þe Soudan riche and gay Receyued hire with also glad a cheere As any mooder might hir doughter deere And to þe nexte Citee þer bisyde A softe paas solempnely þei ryde ¶ Naught trowe I þe tryumphe of Iulius Of which þat lukan makeþ such a bost Was riallere ne more curious Than was thassemble of þis blisful oost But þis scorpion this wikkede goost The Sowdanesse for alle hir flateringe Caste vnder þis ful mortally to stynge ¶ The Sowdan comeþ himself sone after þis So really that wonder is to telle he welcomeþ hire with alle ioye and blis And þus in merthe and Ioye I lete hem dwelle The fruyt of þis matiere þat I telle Whan tyme come men þought it for þe best That Reuel stynte and men gon to here Rest ¶ The tyme com þis olde Sowdanesse Ordeyned haþ þis feeste of which I tolde And to þe feste cristene folk hem dresse In general boþe ȝonge and olde here may men feste and rialte biholde And deyntees mo þan I can ȝou deuyse But all to deere þei bought it ar þey ryse ¶ O sodein woo þat euer art Successour¶ Semper mundane leticie tristicia repentina succedit. Mundana ergo felicitas multis amaritudinibus est respersa. Extre|ma gaudij luctus occupat audi ergo salubre consilium in die bonorum ne immemor sis malorum. To worldly blysse spreynd is with bitternesse The ende of þe ioye of oure worldly laboure Wo occupieth þe fyn of oure gladnesse herk þis counseille for þi sikernesse vpon þi glade day haue in thy mynde The vnwar wo or harm þat comth behynde ffor schortly for to tellen at oo word The Sowdan and þe cristene euerychone Ben al to-hewe and stiked atte bord But it were oonly dame Custance allone This olde Sowdanesse cursede crone haþ with hire freendes doon þis cursede dede ffor sche hir self wolde alle þe contre lede ¶ Ne þer nas Surrian non þat was conuerted That of þe counseil of þe Sowdan wot That he nas al to-hewe or he asterted And circumstance han þei take anon foot hoot And in a Schippe al steereles god woot Thay han hire sette and bidden hire lerne sayle Out of Surrie agaynward to ytaile ¶ A certein tresour þat sche þider ladde And soþ to sain vitaile gret plente They han hire yeuen and cloþes eek sche hadde And forþ sche saileþ in þe Salte see O my Custance ful of benignite O emperoures yonge doughter deere he þat is lord ouer fortune be þy steere ¶ Sche blisseþ & with ful pitous vois vnto þe croys of crist þus seyde sche O cler o welful auter holy croys Rede of þi lambes blood ful of pite That wisshe þe world fro þe olde iniquite Me fro þe feend and fro his clawes keepe That day þat I schal drenchen in þe deepe ¶ victorious tree proteccion of trewe That oonly worþi were for to bere The king of heuene with his woundes newe The white lambe þat hurt was with a spere ffleemer of feendes out of him and here On whych þi lymes feithfully entenden Me keepe and yef me might my lijf tamenden ¶ yeeres and dayes fleet þis creature Thurgh out þe see of grece vnto þe strayte Of Marrok as it was hire auenture O many a sory meel now may sche bayte After hire deþ fulofte may sche wayte Or þat þe wilde wawes wil hir dryue vnto þe place þer sche schal arryue ¶ Men mighten [aske] whi sche nas nat slayn Eke atte feste who might hir body saue I answere to þat demande agayn he saued daniel in þe horrible caue Ther euery wight saue he maister or knaue Was wiþ þe leon frete or asterte No wight but god þat he bar in his herte ¶ God list to schewe his wonderful myracle In hire. for sche scholde seen his mighty werkes Crist which þat is to euery harm triacle By certein menes oft as knowen clerkes Doþ þing for certein ende þat ful derk is To mannes wit þat for oure ignorance Ne konne nought knowe his prudent purueance ¶ Now siþ sche was not atte feste y-slawe Who kept hir fro þe drenching in þe see Who kepte Ionas in þe fisshes mawe Til he was spouted vp at Nyniue Wel may men knowe it was no wight but he That kepte pepul ebraik from here drenchyng With drye feet þurgh out þe see passyng ¶ Who bad þe foure spiritz of tempest That power han boþe to annoyen lond and see Boþe north and south and also west and est Anoyeþ neyþer see ne lond ne tree Soþly þe comandour of þat was he That fro þe tempest ay þis womman kepte As wel whan sche wook as whan sche slepte ¶ Wher might þis womman mete and drynke haue Three ȝeer and moore how lasteþ hire vitaille Who fedde þe Egipcien marie in the Caue Or in desert no wight but crist sanz faille v. þousand folk it was a gret meruaille With loues fyue and fisshes tuo to feede God sent his foyson at hire grete neede ¶ Sche driueþ forþ in to oure Occean þurghout oure wilde see til atte last vnder an hold þat nempnen I ne can ffor in Northumburland þe wawe hir cast And in þe sond hir schippe stiked so fast That þennes wold it nought of alle a tyde The wille of crist was þat sche scholde abyde ¶ The Constable of þe castelle doun is fare To seen þis wrak and alle þe schippe he sought And fond þis wery womman ful of care he fond also þe tresow þat sche brought In hire langage mercy sche bisought The lyf out of hir body for to twynne hire to deliuere of wo þat sche was Inne ¶ A maner latyn corupt was hire speche But algates þer by was sche vnderstonde The constable whan him list no lengere seche This woful womman brought he to þe londe Sche kneeleth doun and þankeþ goddes sonde But what sche was sche wolde no man seye ffor foul ne fair þough þat sche scholde deye ¶ Sche seyde sche was so mased in þe see/ That sche foryat hire mynde by hire trouþe The constable of hire haþ so gret pite And eek his wyf þat þei weepen for rouþe Sche was so diligent wiþouten slouþe To serue and plese euerich in þat place That alle hire louen þat loken on hire face ¶ The constable and dame hermengheld his wif Were payens and þat contray euery where But hermyngeld loued hir right as hire lijf And Custance haþ so longe soiorned þere In orisons wiþ many a bitter teere Til Ihesu haþ conuerted þurgh his grace Dame hermyngeld constablesse of þilke place ¶ In alle þat land durste no cristene route Alle cristene folk ben fled from þat contre Thurgh payens þat conquereden heer aboute The plages of þe north by land & see To wales fledde þe cristianite/ Of olde britons dwellyng in þis Isle/ There was hire refut / for þe meene while ¶ But yit nas neuer cristene britons so exiled That þer nas somme in here priuyte honourede crist/ and hethen folk bygiled And neygh þe castelle swich þer dwelden þre That oon of hem was blynd and might not se But it were wiþ þilk eyen of his mynde With whiche men seen after þat þai ben blynde ¶ Bright was þe sonne as in þat Someres day ffor which þe Constable and his wyf also And Custance han y-take þe righte way Toward þe see a forlong weye or two To pleyen and to Romen to and fro And in here walk þre blynde men þey mette Crokede and olde with fast eyen y-schette ¶ In the name of crist criede þis blynde breton dame hermyngild yeue me sight agayn This lady wax affrayed of þe soun lyst þat hir housbond schortly for to sein Wolde hire for ihesu cristes loue haue slain Til Custance made hire bold and made hire werche The wille of crist as doughter of his cherch ¶ The Constable wax abaisshed of þat sight And sayde what amounteþ al þis fare Custance answerde sire it is cristes might That helpeþ folk out of þe feendes snare And so ferforth sche gan oure lay declare That sche þe Constable or þat it was eue Conuerteþ and on cryst made him bileeue ¶ This Constable was noþing lord of þis place Of which I speke þere he Custance fond But kepte it strongly many a wynter space vnder .alla. kyng of all Northumberlond þat was ful wys and worþy of his hond Agayn þe Scottes as men may wel heere But torne I wil again to my mateere/ ¶ Sathan þat euer vs wayteth to begile Saugh of Custance al hire perfection And cast anon how he might quite her while And made a yong knight þat dwelte in þe toun loue hire so hoot of fowl affection That verraily him þought he schulde spill But he of hire might ones haue his wille ¶ he woweth hire but it auaileþ nought Sche wolde do no synne by no weye And for dispit he compassed in his þought To make hir on schameful deþ to deye he wayteþ whan þe Constable was aweye And priuyly vpon a night he crept In hermyngildes chambre whil sche slept ¶ Wery for-waked in his orisons Slepeth Custance and hermenghild also This knight þurgh Sathanas temptacions Al softely is to þe bedde I-go And kutte þe þrote of hermengild a tuo And leyde þe blody knyf by dame Custance And wente his wey þer god yeue him meschance ¶ Sone after comth þis constable hom a gayn And eek Alla þat king was of þat lond And saugh his wyf dispitousliche slain ffor which ful ofte he wepte and wrong his hond And in þe bed þe bloody knyf he fond By dame Custance allas what might sche seye ffo verray woo hir witte was alle aweye ¶ To king Alla was told al þis meschance And eek þe tyme and wher and in what wise That in a schip was founde þis Custance As heer biforn ȝe han herd eer deuise The kinges herte of pite gan agrise Whan he seih so benigne a creature ffalle in disese and in mysauenture ¶ ffor as þe lomb toward his deth is brought So stant þis Innocent bifore þe king This false knight þat haþ þis trayson wrought Bereþ hire an hand þat sche haþ do þis þing But naþeles þer was gret mornyng Among þe poeple and seye þay can not gesse That sche hadde don so gret a wickednesse ¶ ffor þey han sein hir euer so vertuous And louyng hermynghild right as hire lif Of þis bar witnesse euerich in þat hous Sauf he þat hermegild slough wiþ his knif This gentil king haþ caught a gret motyf Of þis witnesse and þought he wolde enquere Deppere in þis cas a trouthe for to lere ¶ Allas Custance þou nast no champion Ne fighte canst þou nought so weyloway But he þat for oure redempcion And bond Sathan and lith yet þer he lay So be þy stronge champion þis day ffor but vpon þe miracle kithe Wiþouten gilt þou schalt ben slayn as swithe ¶ Sche sitte hir doun on knees and þus sche sayde Immortal god þat sauedest Susanne ffro false blame and þou merciful mayde Marie I mene doughter to seint Anne Biforn whos child aungelis synge Osanne If I be gilteles of þis felonie My socour be for elles schalt I dye ¶ haue ye not sein som tyme a pale face/ Among a prees of him þat haþ be lad Toward his deth wher as him get no grace/ And swich a colour in his face haþ had Men mighte knowe his face þat was bystad Amonges alle þe faces in þat route So stant Custance and loketh hire aboute ¶ O queenes lyuynge in prosperite Duchesses and ȝe ladies euerichone haue som routhe on hir aduersite An emperoures doughter stant allone Sche haþ no wight to whom to make hir moone O blood real þat stondest in þis drede/ ffer been þi freendes at þy grete neede ¶ This alla king haþ such compassion As gentil herte is fulfild of pite That from his eyhen ran þe water don Now hastilich do fecche a book quod he And if þis knight wol swere how þat sche This womman slough ȝit wol we vs auyse / Whom þat we wolde þat schal be oure Iustise ¶ A briton book y-writen with euaungiles Was fette and on þis book he swor anon Sche giltif was in þe mene whiles An hand him smot vpon þe nekke bon That doun he felle at ones as a stoon And boþe his eyen brust out of his face/ In sight of euery body in þat place ¶ A vois was herd in general audience And seyde þou hast disclandred gilteles The doughter of holy chirche in heigh presence Thus hast þou doon and ȝet I moot holde my pees Of þis merueyle agast was alle þe prees As m[a]zed folk þei stooden euerychone ffor drede of wreche saue Custance allone Gret was þe drede and eek þe repentance Of hem þat hadden wrong suspecion vpon þis seely Innocent Custance And for þis miracle in conclusion And by Custance mediacion The king and many anoþer in þat place Conuerted was þanked be goddes grace ¶ This false knight was slain for his vntrouthe By Iuggement of. alla. hastily And yet Custance haþ of his deth gret rouþe And after þis ihesus[MS ihc] of his mercy Made Alla wedden ful solempnely This holy mayden þat is so bright and scheene And þus haþ Crist made Custance a queene ¶ But who was woful if I schul nat lye Of þis wedding but Donegilde and nomo The kinges mooder ful of tyrannye hir þought hir cursed herte barst/ a two Sche wolde nought hir sone hadde don so hir þought a despit þat he schulde take So strange a creature vnto his make ¶ Me list nouȝt of þe chaf ne of þe stre Make so long a tale as of þe corn What schulde I tellen of þe realte Of mariage or which cours goþ biforn Who bloweþ in a trompe or in an horn The fruyt of euery tale is for to seie/ Thei ete and drynke and daunce and synge and pleye They gon to bedde as it was skile and right ffor þough þat wyfes ben ful holy þinges They moste take a pacience a night Such manere necessaries as ben plesynges To folk þat han y-wedded hem wiþ rynges And leye a litel here holynesse asyde As for þe time it may non oþer betyde ¶ On hire he gat a knaue child anon And to a bisshope and his counseil eeke he took his wijf to kepe whan he is goon To Scotland ward his fomen for to seeke Now faire Custance þat is so humble and meeke So longe is gon wiþ childe til þat stille Sche halt hir chambre abydyng at cristes wille ¶ The tyme is come a knaue child sche beer Mauricius atte font ston þei him calle This Constable doþ forþ come a messagere And wrot to his king þat cleped was alle. how þat þis blisful tyding is bifalle And oþer tydynges spedful for to seye he takeþ þe lettre and forth he goþ his weye ¶ This messager to don his auantage/ vnto þe kinges moder rideþ swiþe And salueth hire ful faire in his langage Ma dame quoþ he ȝe may be glad and bliþe And thanke god an hundred þousand siþe My lady queen haþ child wiþouten doute To Ioye and blisse of alle þis regne aboute ¶ lo here þe lettres seled of þis þing That I mot bere with al þe haste I may If ye wole aught vnto your sone þe king I am your seruant boþe night and day Dongyld answerd as now at þis tyme nay But heer al night I wole þou take þi rest Tomorwe wil I seie what me lest ¶ This messager drank sadly ale and wyn And stolen weren his lettres priuyly Out of his box whil he sleep as a swyn And counterfeted was ful subtilly Anoþer lettre wrought ful synfully vnto þe king direct of þis matiere ffro his Conestable as ȝe schal after heere The lettre spak þe queen deliuered was Of so horrible a feendlich creature That in þe Castelle non so hardy was That ony while dorste þerinne endure The mooder was an elf by auenture ycome by charmes or by sorcerie And euery wight hateþ hire companye Wo was þis king whan he þis lettre hadde seyn But to no wight he tolde his sorwes sore But of his oughne hond he wrot ageyn Welcome þe sonde of crist for eueremore To me þat am now lerned in his lore lord welcome be þi lust and þi plesance My lust is put al in þin ordinance ¶ kepeth þis child al be it foul or faire And eek my wif vnto myn hom comyng Crist whan him list may sende me an haire More agreable þan þis is to my liking This lettre he seleþ priuyly wepyng Which to þe messager was take sone And forth he goþ þer is nomore to doone ¶ O messager fulfild of dronkenesse /¶ Quid turpius ebrioso cui fetor in ore tremor in corpore qui promit stulta prodit occulta cui mens alienatur facies trans|formatur nullum enim latet secretum vbi regnat ebrietas. Strong is þi breþ þi lymes faltren ay And þou biwreyest alle sikernesse / Thy mynde is lorn þou iangelest as a Iay Thy face is torned in a newe aray Ther dronkenesse regneþ in ony route Ther nys no counseil hid wiþouten doute ¶ O donegild I haue non englissh digne vnto þy malice and þy tyrannye And þerfore to þe feend I þe resigne / lat him enditen of þi traiterie / ffy mannyssh fy o nay by god I lye ffy feendlich spirit for I dar wel telle Though þou here walke þy spirit is in helle / ¶ This messager comþ fro þe king agayn And at þe kinges moodres court he light And sche was of þis messager ful fain And plesed him in al þat euer sche might he drank and wel his gerdel vnderpight he sleepeþ and he snorteþ[MS fn . . .] in his gyse Al night til þe sonne gan arise ¶ Eft were his lettres stolen euerich on And countrefeted lettres in þis wise The king comandeþ his constable anon vp peyne of hangyng on a heih Iuyse That he ne schulde suffre in no wise/ Custance in with his Regne for tabide Thre dayes and a quarter of a tyde ¶ But in þe same schip as he hire fond hire and hire ȝonge sone and alle hir gere he schulde putte and croude fro þe londe And charge hire þat sche neuer eft come þere O my Custance wel may þi goost haue feere/ And sleping in þi drem ben in penaunce/ Whan Donegild caste al þis ordinance ¶ This messager on morwe whan he wook Vnto þe castel halt þe nexte way And to þe Constable he þe lettre took And whan þat he þis pitous lettre say fful ofte he seyde allas and weylaway ¶ lord crist quod he how may þis lettre endure So ful of synne is many a creature ¶ O mighty god if þat it be þi wille Sith þou art rightful Iuge how may it be That þou wolt suffren Innocentz to spille And wikke folk regnen in prosperite ¶ O goode Custance allas so wo is me That I moot be þi tormentour or deye On schames deþ þer is non oþer weye ¶ Wepen boþe ȝonge and olde in al þat place Whan þat þe king þis cursede lettre sente And Custance with a dedly pale face The ferþe day toward hir schip sche wente But naþeles sche takeþ in good entente The wille of crist and knelyng in þe stronde Sche seyde lord ay welcome be þi sonde he þat me kepte fro þe false blame Whil I was on þe lond amonges yow / he kan me kepe from harm and eek fro schame In salte see al þough I se not how As strong as euer he was he is right now / In him trust I and in his mooder deere That is to me my sail and eek my steere hir litel child lay weepyng in hire arm And knelyng pitously to him sche seide Pees litel sone I wol do þe non harm Wiþ þat hir couerchef of hir heed sche breyde And ouer his litel eyȝen sche it leyde/ And in hir arm sche lulleth it ful faste / And in to heuen hir yhen vp sche caste ¶ Moder quod sche and mayde bright marie Soth is þat þurgh wommannes eggement Mankynde was lorn and dampned ay to deye ffor which þi child was on a croys y-rent Thy blisful eighen saugh al his torment Than is þer no comparison bitwene Thy wo and any wo man may sustene ¶ Thou saugh þi sone y-slayn biforn þin eyen And ȝit now lyueþ my litel child par fay Now lady bright to whom alle woful cryen Thow glorie of wommanhod þou faire may Thou hauen of refut brighte sterre of day Rewe on my child þat of þi gentilesse Rewest on euery rewful in distresse ¶ O litel child allas what is þi gilt That neuer wroughtest synne as ȝit par de Why wil þin harde fader haue þe spilt O mercy deere Conestable quod sche As lat my litel child dwelle heer with þe And if þou darst nought sauen him for blame So kisse him ones in his fadres name ¶ Ther with sche lokeþ bakward to þe lond And sayde farewel housbonde routheles And vp sche rist and walketh doun þe stronde Toward þe schip hir folweþ alle þe prees And euer sche preieþ hir child to holde his pees And takeþ hire leeue and with an holy entent Sche blisseþ hire and in to schip sche wente vitailled was þe schip it is no drede habundauntly for hire ful longe space And oþer necessaries þat scholden neede Sche hadde ynough heried be goddes grace ffor wynd and weder almighty god purchace And brynge hir home I can no better sey But in þe see sche dryueþ forþ hir wey [PART III.] Alla þe king comþ hom sone after þis / vnto his castelle of þe which I tolde And axeþ wher his wyf and his child is The Constable gan aboute his herte colde And pleynly al þe maner he him tolde As ye han herd I can telle it no bettre And scheweth þe king his seal and his lettre And seyde lord as ȝe comaunded me vp peyne of deth so haue I don certein This messager tormented was til he Moste biknowen and tellen plat and plein ffrom night to night in what place he hadde leyn And þus by witt and subtil enqueryng ymagined was by whom þis harm gan spring ¶ The hond was knowe þat þe lettre wrot And alle þe venym of þe cursed dede But in what wise certeinly I not The effect is þis þat alla out of drede his mooder slough þat many men pleynly reede ffor þat sche traitour was to hire ligeance / Thus endeþ olde Donegild wiþ meschance The sorwe þat þis Alla night and day Makeþ for his wyf and for his child Ther is no tonge þat it telle may But now wol I vnto Custance go That fleeteþ in þe see in peyne and wo .v. yeer and more as likede cristes sonde Ar þat hire schip approched vnto londe ¶ Vnder an heþen castelle atte laste Of which þe name in my text nouȝt I fynde Custance and eek hir childe þe see vp caste Almighty god þat saueþ al mankynde haue on Custance and hir child som mynde That fallen is in hethene hond eft sone In poynt to spille as I schal telle yow soone Doun fro þe Castelle comþ þer many a wight To gawren on þis schip and on Custance But schortly fro þe castel on a night The lordes styward god yeue him meschance A theef þat hadde renyed oure creance / Com in to schip allone and seide he scholde hir lemman be wher so sche wolde or nolde/ ¶ Wo was þis wrecchede womman þo bigon hir child cryede and sche cried pitously But blisful marie halp hir right anoon ffor with hir strogelyn wel and mightily The theef fel ouer bord al sodeinly And in þe see he dreynte for vengance And þus haþ crist / vnwemmed kept Custance O foule lust of luxurie lo þin ende¶ O extrema libidinis turpitudo que non solum mentem effeminat sed eciam corpus eneruat semper sequntur dolor & peni|tencia post & cetera. Nought / oonly þat þou fayntest mannes mynde But verreyly þou wolt his body schende The ende of þi werk or of þi lustes blynde Is compleynyng how many oon may men fynde That nought for werk somtyme but for þentent To don þis synne ben eyþer slayn or schent ¶ how may þis weyke womman han þe strengþe hire to defende ageyn þis renegat O. golyas vnmesurable of lengþe how mighte Dauid make þe so mat So yonge and of armure so desolat how dorst he loke vpon þi dredful face Wel may men sen it was but goddes grace Who yaf Iudith corage or hardynesse To slen him Olefernus in his tent And to delyueren out of wrecchednesse The poeple of god. I sey for þis entent þat right as god spirit and vigor sent To hem and saued hem out of meschance So sent he might and vigor to Custance fforþ goþ hir schip forþ on þe narwe mouth Of Iubaltar and Septe dryuyng ay Somtyme west and som tyme north and south And som tyme est ful many a wery day Til cristes mooder blissed be sche ay haþ schapen þurgh hir endeles goodnesse To make an ende of alle hir heuynesse ¶ Now lat vs stynte of Custance but a þrowe And speke we of þe Romeyn Emperour That out of Surrie haþ þe lettres knowe The slaughtere of cristene folk and deshonour Don to his doughter by a fals traytour I mene þe cursede wickede Sowdonesse That at þe feste let slen boþe more and lesse ¶ ffor which þis Emperour haþ sent anon his senatour wiþ real ordinance And oþer lordes god wot many on On Surriens to taken his vengance They brennen sleen and bringen hem to meschānce fful many a day but schortly þis is þende homward to Rome þei schapen hem to wende This Senatour repaireth with victorie To Romeward saylinge really And mette þe schip dryuyng as seiþ þe storie In which Custance sitte ful pitously No þing ne knew he what sche was ne why Sche was in swich aray ne sche nyl seye Of hire astate þough sche scholde deye he bringeþ hire to Rome and to his wijf he yaf hire and hire ȝonge sone also And wiþ þe Senatour sche ladde hir lyf Thus kan oure lady bringen out of woo Woful Custance and many anoþer mo And long tyme dwelled sche in þat place In holy werkes euere as was hir grace ¶ The Senatoures wijf hir aunte was But for al þat sche knew hir neuer þe more I wil no lenger tarien in þis caas But to king Alla which I spak of yore That for his wyf wepeþ and sikeþ sore / I wol retorne and lete I wil Custance vnder þe Cenatoures gouernance / ¶ kyng Alla which þat hadde his moder slayn vpon a day fil in such repentance That if I schortly tellen schal and playn To Rome he comeþ to receyuen his penance And put him in þe popes ordinance In heigh and low and Ihesu crist besoughte fforyeue his wikkede werkes þat he wroughte ¶ The fame ano þurgh Rome toun is born how Alla king schal comen in pilgrinage By herberiours þat wenten him biforn ffor which þe Senatour as was vsage Rood him agayn and many of his lynage As wel to schewen his hie magnificence As to don any king a reuerence ¶ Gret cheere doth þis noble Senatour To king Alla and he to him also Euerich of hem doþ oþer gret honour And so bifille þat in a day or tuo This Senatour is to king alla go To feeste and schortly if I schal not lye Custance sone is in his companye / ¶ Som men wolde seyn atte requeste of Custance This Senatour haþ lad þis child to feste I may not tellen euerich circumstance / Be as be may þer was he atte leste But soþ is þis þat at his moodres heste Byforn Alla duryng þe metes space The child stood loking in þe kinges face This alla king haþ of þe child gret wonder And to þe Senatour he sayde anon Whos is þat faire child þat stondeþ yonder I not quod he by god and by seint Iohn A mooder he haþ but fader haþ he non That I of woot and schortly in a stounde / he tolde alla how þat þis child was founde ¶ But god wot quod þis Senatour also So vertuous a lyuere in my lyf Ne saugh I neuer as sche ne herde of mo Of worldly wommen mayde ne of wijf I dar wel sayn sche hadde leuer a knyf Thurghout hire brest þan ben a womman wikke Ther is noman kowde bringe hire to þat prikke Now was þis child as lik vnto Custance / As possible as is a creature to be This alla haþ þe face in remembrance Of dame Custance and þer on mused he If þat þe childes moder were aught sche / That is his wyf and priuily he sighte And spedde him fro þe table þat he mighte ¶ Par fay he þought þe fantome is in myn hed I oughte demen of skilful Iuggement That in þe salte see my wyf is deed And aftirward he made his argument What wot I if þat crist haþ hider sent My wyf by see as wel as he hir sente To my contre fro þennes þat sche wente ¶ And after non hom with þe Senatour Goþ alla for to seen þis wonder chaunce This Senatour doþ alla gret honour And hastily he sente after Custance But trusteþ wel hire luste nought to daunce Whan þat sche wiste wherfore was þat sonde Vnneþe vppon hire feet sche mighte stonde / ¶ Whan alla saugh his wyf faire he hire grette / And wepte þat it was reuþe for to se ffor atte ferste look he on hire sette / he knew wel verrely þat it was sche / and for sorwe as domb stant as a tre So was hir herte schet in hire distresse Whan sche remembred his vnkyndenesse / ¶ Twies sche swowneþ in his owne sight he wepte and him excuseth pitously Now god quod he and his halwes bright So wisly on my saule as haue mercy That of youre harm as gilteles am I As is Maurice my sone so lik ȝoure face Elles the feende me fecche out of þis place / ¶ longe was þe sobbyng and þe bittre peyne / Or þat here wofulle hertes mighte cesse / Gret was þe pite for to heere hem pleyne / þurgh whiche pleyntes gan hire wo encresse / I pray ȝou alle my labour to relesse I may not tellen hir wo vntil to morwe I am so wery for to speke of hire sorwe ¶ But finally whan þat þe soþe is wist That Alla gilteles was of hire woo / I trowe an hundred tymes ben þei kiste And such a blisse is þer betwixe hem tuo That saue þe ioye þat lasteth eueremo Ther is non lik þat ony creature haþ seyn or schal whil þe world may dure ¶ Tho preyed sche hire housbonde mekely In relief of hir longe pitous pyne That he wolde preye hire fader specially That of his mageste he wolde enclyne To fouche sauf som day with him to dyne Sche preyde him eek he scholde by no weye vnto hir fader no word of hire seye ¶ Some men wolde sein how þat þe child Maurice Doþ þis message vntil þis Emperour But as I gesse Alla was nought so nyce To him þat was of so souereigne honour As he þat is of cristene folk þe flour Sent eny child but it is bet to deme he went himself and so it may wel seme ¶ This Emperour hath graunted gentily To come to dyner as he him bysought And wel redy he lokede bisily vpon þis child and on his doughter þought Alla goþ to his In and as him ought Arrayed for þis feste in euery wise As ferforth as his konnyng may suffise ¶ The morwe com and alla gan him dresse And eek his wyf þis Emperour to meete And forþ þey ryde in ioye and in gladnesse / And whan sche seigh hir fader in þe strete Sche light a doun and falleþ him to feet ffader quod sche youre ȝonge child Custance Is now ful clene out of ȝoure remembrance ¶ I am ȝoure doughter Custance quod sche That whilom ye sent vnto Surrye I am I fader þat in þe salte see Was putte allone and dampned for to dye Now goode fader mercy to you I crye Send me nomore vnto non hethenesse But þonk my lord heer of his kyndenesse ¶ Who can þe pitous Ioye tellen al Bitwexe hem þre syn þey ben þus y-mette But of my tale make an ende I schal The day goþ faste I wol no lenger lette This glad folk to dyner þey hem sette In ioye and blisse at mete I lete hem dwelle A þousand fold wel more þan I can telle / This child maurice was sitthen Emperour Made by þe pope and lyuede cristenely To cristes chirche he dede gret honour But I letete[so] alle his story passen by Of Custance is my tale specially In olde Romeyn gestes men may fynde ¶ A mane vsque ad vesperam mutabitur tempus tenent tympanum & gaudent ad sonum organi. Maurices lyf I bere it nought in mynde ¶ This king Alla. whan he his tyme say With his Custance his holy wif so sweete To Engelond þei come þe redy way Wher as þay lyue in ioye and in quiete But litel while it lasteþ I ȝou heete Ioye of þis world for tyme wil nouȝt abyde ffro day to nyght it chaungeþ as þe tyde ¶ Who lyued euere in such delyt a day Quis vnquam vnicam diem totam duxit in sua delecta|cione iocundam quem in aliqua parte diei reatus consciencie vel impetus ire vel motus concupiscencie inde non turbauerit quem liuor inuidie vel ardor auaricie vel tumor superbie non vexauerit vel quem aliqua iactura vel offensa vel passio non commoauerit. That ne meued eyþer conscience / Or Ire or talent of som kyn affray Enuye or pride or passion or offense / I ne say but for þis ende þis sentence That litel while in Ioye or in plesance lasteþ þe blisse of alla wiþ Custance / ffor deþ þat takeþ of heigh and lough his rent Whan passed was a yeer euene as I gesse Out of þis world þis king Alla he hent ffor whom Custance haþ ful gret heuynesse / Now lat vs prayen god his soule blesse / And dame Custance finally to seye Toward þe toun of Rome goþ hire weye To Rome is come þis holy creature And fyndeþ hire freendes hol and sounde Now is sche scaped alle hire auenture And whan sche hir fader haþ I-founde Doun on hir knees falleth sche to grounde Wepynge for tendirnesse in herte bliþe Sche herieþ god an C. þousand sithe In vertue and holy almesdede / They lyuen alle and neuer asonder wende Til deth departe hem þis lif þey lede And fareþ now wel my tale is at an ende Now ihesu crist þat of his might may sende Ioye after wo gouerne vs in his grace And kepe vs alle þat ben in þis place /Explicit Owre oost vpon his stiropes stood anoonon leaf 90 And seyde goode men herkeneþ euerych on This was a thrifty tale for þe nones Sire parissche prest quod he for goddes boones Telle vs a tale as was þi forward yore I se wel þat ye lerned men in loore Can moche good by goddes dignete The parson him answerde benedicite What eyleþ þe man so synfully to swere / Oure ost answerde. O Ianekyn be ye þere I smelle a lollere in þe wynd quod he how goode men quod oure host herkeneþ me Abydeþ for goddes digne passion ffor we schal han a predicacion This lollere heer wil prechen vs som what Nay by my fader soule þat schal he nat Seyde þe Esquier heer schal he nat preche He schal no gospel glosen here ne teche he leueþ all in þe grete god he he wolde sowen som difficulte Or springen Cokkel in oure clene corn And þerfore oost I warne þe biforn My Ioly body schal a tale telle And I schal clynken ȝou so mery a belle That I schal waken al þis compaignie But it schal not ben of philosophie Ne Phislyas ne termes queinte of lawe Ther is but litel latyn in my nawe[The Squire's Tale follows in the MS.] AT Sarray in þe land of Tartarye Ther dwelt a king þat werreyed Russye Thurgh which þer deyed many a doughty man This noble king was cleped kambynskan Which in his tyme was of so gret renon That þer nas nowher in no region So excellent a lord in alle þing him lacked nought þat longed to a kyng As of þe secte of which þat he was born he kepte his lay to which þat he was sworn And þerto he was hardy wys and riche And pitous and Iust alwey y-liche Soþ of his word benigne and honorable Of his corage as eny centre stablecentrum circuli yong freissh and strong in armes desirous As eny bacheler of alle his hous A fair persone he was and fortunat And kepte alway so wel real astat That þer nas no wher swich anoþer man This noble king this Tartre Kambynskan hadde tuo sones in Eltheta his wyf Of which þe eldest highte Algarsyf That oþer was y-cleped Camballo A doughter hadde þis worþy king also That yongest was and highte Canace But for to telle you al hire beaute It lyþ nought in my tonge ne in my konnyng I dar not vndertake so heigh a þing Myn englissch eek is insufficient It moste ben a Rethor excellent That couþe his colours longyng for þat art If he schulde hir discryue in any part I am non swich I moot speke as I can And so bifelle that whan þis Cambynskan haþ twenty wynter born his Diademe As he was wonte fro yeer to yeer I deeme he leet þe feste of his natiuite Don cryen þurgh Sarray his Cite The laste Idus of March after þe ȝeer Phebus þe sonne Iolif was and cleer ffor he was neigh his exaltacion In martes face and his mansion In aries þe Colerik þe hote signe fful lusty was þe weder and benigne ffor which þe foules aȝein þe sonne sshene What for þe seson and þe yonge grene fful loude songe hire affections hem semed han geten hem protections Aȝėin þe swerd of wynter keene and cold This Kambynskan of which I haue ȝou told In Real vestiment sit on his deys With dyademe ful heigh in his paleys And halt his feste solempne and so riche That in þis world ne was þer non it liche Of which if I schal telle al þe array Than wold it occupye a someres day And eek it needeþ nat to deuyse At euery cours þe ordre of here seruise I wol not tellen of here straunge sewes Ne of here swannes ne of here heron-sewes Ek in þat lond as tellen knightes olde Ther is som mete þat is ful deynte holde That in þis lond men recche but smal Ther nys no man þat may reporten al I wol not tarien yow for it is prime And for it is no fruyt but los of tyme vnto my first purpos I wole haue my recours / And so bifelle þat after þe þridde cours Whil þat þis king sit þus in his nobleye herknyng his menstreles here þinges pleye Biforn him atte bord deliciously In atte halle dore al sodeinly Ther com a knight vpon a steede of bras And in his hond a brood Mirour of glas vpon his thombe he hadde of gold a ryng And by his syde a naked swerd hangyng And vp he rydeþ to þe heihe bord In alle þe halle ne was þer spoke a word ffor merueille of þis knight him to biholde fful bysyly þey wayten ȝonge and olde / This strange knight þat com þus sodeynly Al armed saue his heed ful richely Salued þe king and queen and lordes alle By ordre as þey seten in þe halle with so heigh reuerence and obeissances As wel in speche as in contenances That Gawayn with his olde curtesye / Though he com agayn out of fayrie / Ne couþe him nought amende wiþ no word And after þis bifore þe heihe bord he with a manly vois sayde his message After þe forme vsed in his langage wiþoute vice of Sillable or of lettre And for his tale scholde seme þe bettre Acordant to his wordes was his chere / As techeþ art of speche hem þat it lere / Al be it þat I can nat sowne his stile Ne can not clymben ouer so heigh a style yet/ seye I þis þat as to commune entente Thus moche amounteþ al þat euer he mente If it so be þat I haue it in my mynde he seyde þe king of Arabie and of Inde My liege lord on þis solempne day Salueþ ȝou as he best can and may And sendeþ yow in honour of your feste By me þat am redy at al your heste / This steede of Bras þat esily and wel kan in þe space of a day naturel This is to seie in .xxiiijti. houres Wher so yow list in droughte or in schoures Beren youre body in to euery place / To which youre herte wilneth for to pace wiþoute wem of ȝou þorugh foul or fair Or if ȝou list to flee as hye in þair As doþ an Egle whan him list to sore This same steede schal bere ȝou eueremore wiþouten harm til ye be þer you leste Though þat ȝe slepen on his bak or reste And torne aȝayn wiþ wryþing of a pyn he þat it wroughte couþe ful many a gyn he waitede many a constellacōn Or he hadde do þis operaciōn And knew ful many a seal and many a bond This Mirour eek þat I haue in myn hond haþ such a might that men may in it see whan þer schal fallen any aduersite Vnto youre regne or to your self also And openly who is ȝour frend or foo And ouer al þis if ony lady bright haþ set hire herte on any maner wight If he be fals sche schal his trayson se his newe loue and al his subtilite So openly þat þer schal no þing hyde wherfore ageyn þis lusty somer tyde This mirour and þis ryng as ye may see / he haþ sent to my lady Canacee youre excellent doughter þat is heere The vertu of þis ring if ȝe wol heere Is þis. þat if hir list it for to were / vpon hir þombe or in hir purs it bere Ther is no foule þat fleigh vnder þe heuene þat she ne schal vnderstonde his steuene And knowe his menyng openly and pleyn And answere him in his langage ageyn And euery gras þat groweþ vpon a roote / Sche schal wel knowe and whom it wol do boote Al be his woundes neuer so deepe and wyde This naked swerd þat hongeth by my syde Swich vertu haþ þat what man so ye smyte Thurghout his armour it wole kerue and byte Were it as þikke as is a braunched oke And what man þat is wounded wiþ þe stroke Schal neuer be hol til þat yow list of grace To stroke him wiþ þe plat in þilke place Ther he is hurt þis is as moche to sayn ye moote with þe platte swerd agayn Stroke him on þe wounde and it wil close This is a verray soth wiþouten glose It failleþ nought whiles it is in youre hold And whan þis knight haþ þus his tale told he rydeth out of þe halle and doun he light his steede which þat schon as sonne bright Stant in þe court stille as ony stoon This knight in to his chambre is lad anoon And is vnarmed and to þe mete y-set The presentes ben ful richely y-fet This is to sein þe swerd and þe mirour And born anon vnto þe hihe tour Wiþ certein officers ordeyned þerfore And vnto Canacee þe ryng is bore Solempnely þer sche sitt atte table But sikerly wiþouten eny fable / The hors of bras þat may nat be remewed It stant as it were to þe ground y-glewed Ther may noman out of þe place it dryue ffor non engyn of wyndas or polyue / And cause why for þey can nouȝt þe craft And þerfore in the place þei han it laft Til þat þe knight haþ taught hem þe maneere To voyden him as ȝe schal after heere Gret was þe prees þat swarmed to and fro To gauren on þis hors þat stondeþ so ffor it so heih was and so brood and long So wel proporciouned for to be strong Right as it were a steede of lumbardye Ther with so horsly and so quyk of ye As it a gentil poyleys courser were ffor certes fro his tail vnto his eere Nature ne art ne couþe him nought amende In no degre as al þe poeple wende But euermore here mooste wonder it was how þat it cowde gon and was of Bras It was of ffaierye as þe peple semede diuerse folk diuersely han demede As many heedes as many wittes þer been They murmerede as don a swarm of been And maden skyles after here fantasyes Rehersyng of þe olde poetries.i. equs pedasdus And seyden it was lik þe Pagasee The hors þat hadde wynges for to flee Or elles it was þe Grekes hors Synon That broughte troye to destruction As men in þise olde gestes reede Myn herte quod oon is eueremore in drede I trowe som men of armes ben þer Inne That schapen hem þis cite for to wynne It were right good þat alle swich þing were knowe Anoþer rowned to his felawe lowe And seyde he lyeth for it is raþere lik An apparence y-maad by som magyk As Iogelours pleyen at þese festes grete / Of sondry þoughtes þus þey Iangle and trete As lewed peple demeþ communly Of þinges þat been more maad subtily Than þey can in here lewednesse comprehende / They demen gladly to þe baddere ende And some of hem wondren on þe mirour That born was vp vnto þe maistre tour how men might in it suche þinges se Anoþer answerde and seyde it might wel be Naturelly by composicions Of aungels and of sleygh reflexions And seyde þat in Rome was such oon They speke of alocen and vitilion And of aristotle þat writen in here lyues Of queinte mirours and of perspectyues As knowen þey þat han here bookes herde And oþer folk han wondred on þe swerde That wolde perce þurgh euery þing And fille in speche of Thelophus þe king And of achilles for his queinte spere / ffor he couþe with it boþe hele and dere / Right in swich wise as men may wiþ þe swerd Of which right now ye haue youre seluen herd They speken of sondry hardyng of metalle And speke of medicynes þer wiþalle And how and whanne it scholde harded be Which is vnknowe algate vnto me / Tho speeke þey of Canaces ryng And seyden alle þat swich a wonder þing Of craft of rynges herde þey neuere non Saue þat he moyses and king Salomon hadde a name of konnyng in swich art Thus seyen þe peple and drawen hem a part But naþeles somme seyde þat it was Wonder to maken of fern aisshen glas And ȝit is glas not lik aisshen of fern But for þey han knowen it so fern Therfore ceseþ here Ianglyng and here wonder As sore wondren some on cause of þonder On ebbe and flood on gossomer and on myst / And alle þing til þe cause is wist Thus Ianglen þei and demen and deuyse Til þat þe king gan fro his bord arise ¶ Phebus haþ laft þe angle meridional And ȝit ascendyng was þe best roial The gentil leon wiþ his Aldrian Whan þat þis Tartre kyng Kambynskan Ros from his bord ther as he sat ful hye Biforn him goþ þe lowde menstralcie / Til he com to his chambre of paramentz Ther as þey sownen diuerse instrumentz That is lik an heuene for to heere / Now dauncen lusty venus children deere ffor in þe fisshe hir lady sat ful hyePiscis And lokeþ on hem with a freendy yhe This noble king is set vp on his troone This straunge knight is fet to him ful sone / And on þe daunce he goþ with Canacee here is þe reuel and þe Iolite That is nat able a dul man to deuyse / he moste han knowe loue and his seruise / And ben a festlich man as freisch as may That scholde ȝow deuisen such array who couþe telle yow þe forme of daunces So vncouthe and such freissche continaunces Swich subtile lokynges and dissimulynges ffor drede of Ialouseye mennes aperceyuynges Noman but lancelet and he is deed Therfore I passe ouer al þis lustyhed I say nomore but in þis Iolynesse I lete hem til men to soper hem dresse The stiward bit spices for to hye And eek þe wyn in al þis melodye The vssheres and þe squyers ben y-gon The spices and þe wyn is come anon They eete and dronke and whan þis hadde an ende vnto þe temple as resoun was þey wende ¶ The seruise doon. þey soupen al by day What needeþ you rehersen here aray Ech man woot wel þat at/ a kinges feste haþ plente to þe meste and to þe leste And deyntees mo þan ben in my knowyng And after souper goþ þis noble king To seen þis hors of bras wiþ al a route Of lordes and of ladyes him aboute Swich wondryng was þer on þis hors of bras That siþþen þe grete seege of Troye was Ther as men wondren on an hors also Ne was þer swich a wondryng as was þo / But finally þe king askeþ þe knight The vertue of þis courser and þe might And preyde him to telle his gouernance The hors anon bigan to trippe and daunce Whan þat þis knight layde hond vpon his reyne / And seyde sire þer is namore to seyne But whan þou list to ryden eny where ye moote trille a pyn stant in his eere which I schal telle you bitwen vs tuo / ye moot nempne him to what place also Or to what Contre þat yow list to ryde And whan ye come þer as yow list tabyde Bid him descende and trille anoþer pyn ffor þer-in liþ þeffect of al þat gyn And wole doun descende and don your wille And in þat place he wol abyde stille þeigh alle þe world hadde þe contrarie swore he schal not þennes be þrowe ne y-bore Of if yow liste bidde him þennes gon Trille þis pynne and he wil vanyssche anon Out of þe sight of euery maner wight And come ayein be it day or night whan þat yow list to clepen him agayn In swich a gyse as I schal to yow sayn Bitwixen yow and me and þat ful soone Ryd whan yow list þer is no more to doone Enformed whan þe kyng was of þe knight And haþ conceyued in his witt aright The maner and þe forme of alle þis þing fful glad and bliþe þe noble doughty kyng Repeyryng to his reuel as biforn The brydel is in to þe tour y-born And kept among his Ieweles lief and diere The hors vanyssht y not in what manere Out of here sight ye gete namore of me But þus I lete in lust and Iolite This Kambynskan his lordes festeynge Til wel neigh þe day bigan to springe¶ Explicit prima pars ¶ The Stag of an hert ¶ The norice of digestion is slepe Gan on hem wynke and bad hem take kepe That moche mete and labour wol haue reste / And with a galpyng hem alle he keste / And seyde þat it was tyme to lye a doun ffor blood was in his dominacion Cherissheþ blood natures frend quod he þey þanken him galpynge by tuo by þre And euery wight gan drawen him to his reste As sleep hem bad þey tooke it for þe beste here dremes schulle not mowe be told for me fful were here heedes of fumosite That causeþ drem of which þer is no charge / They sleepen til it was pryme large / The moste part but it were Canace Sche was ful mesurable as wommen be ffor of hire fader hadde sche take hir leeue To go to reste sone after it was eue hir list not appalled for to be ffor on þe morwe vnfestlich for to see / And slepte hir ferste sleep and awok ffor swich a ioye sche in hir herte took Boþe of hire queynte ryng and hire mirour That twenty tyme sche chaungeth hire colour And in hire sleep right for impression Of hire mirour sche hadde a vision Wherfore ar þat þe sonne vp gan glyde Sche cleped vp on hire maystresse bysyde And seyde þat hir liste for to arise Thise olde wommen þat ben gladly wyse As is hire maystresse answerde anon And seyde ma dame whider wolde ye gon Thus erely for folk ben alle in reste I wole quod sche arise for me leste / No lengere sleepen but walken aboute hire maistresse clepeþ wommen a gret route / And vp þey risen wel ten or twelue vp riseþ freisshe Canace hir selue As rody as bright as þey þe yonge sonne That in þe Ram. is ten degrees vpronne Non hiher was he whan sche redy was And forth sche walkede eesyly a pas Arrayed after þe lusty seson soote lightly for to pleye and walke on foote Nat but .v. or .vj. of hire meyne And in a trench fer in þe park goþ sche The vapour which þat fro þe erþe glood makeþ þe sonne to seeme rody and brood But naþeles it was so fair a sight That it made alle here hertes for to light What for þe sesoun and þe morwenynge And for þe foules þat sche herde synge ffor right anon sche wiste what þey mente Right by here song and knew alle here entente // The knotte why þat euery tale is told If it be taryed til lust be cold Of hem þat han it herkned after yore The sauour passeþ euer lenger þe more ffor fulsomnesse of prolixite And by þis same resoun þenkeþ me I scholde to þe knotte condescende And maken of hire walkyng sone an ende ¶ Amydde a tree for-drye as whit as chalk/ As Canacee was pleyng in hire walk Ther sat a ffaukon ouer hir heed ful hye That with a pitous voys so gan to crye That al þe woode resede of hire crye And beten hadde hire self so pitously / With boþen hire wynges til þe reede blood Ran endelong/ þe tree þer as sche stood And euer in oon sche cryed alwey and schrighte And with hire beek hir seluen so sche pighte That þer ne was tygre ne cruel beste That duelleþ eyþer in woode or in foreste þat nolde han wept if þat he wepe couþe ffor sorwe of hire sche schright alwey so louþe ffor þer nas neuere yit/ no man on lyue If þat I couþe a fawkon wel descryue That herde of such anoþer of fayrnesse As wel of plumage as of gentilnesse Of schap of al þat mighte rekened be A fawkon peregryn þanne semed sche Of fremde londe and euermore as sche stood Sche swounede now and now for lak of blood Til wel neigh is sche fallen fro þe tree This faire kinges doughter þis kanacee That on hir fynger bar þe queynte ryng þurgh which sche vnderstood wel euery þing That any foul may in his ledne sayn And kowde answere him in his ledne agayn haþ vnderstande þat þis fawkon sayde And wel neigh for þe rouþe almost sche deyde And to þe tree sche goþ ful hastily And on þis fawkon lokeþ pitously And held hire lappe abrood for wel sche wiste / The fawkon moste falle from þe twyste / whan þat it swownede next for lakke of blood A long while to wayte hire sche stood Til atte laste sche spak in þis maneere Vnto þe hauk as ȝe schal after heere what is þe cause if it be for to telle That ye ben in þis furial peyne of helle Quod Canacee vnto þis hawk aboue Is þis for sorwe of deth or los of loue ffor as I trowe þise beþ causes tuo That causen moost a gentil herte woo Of oþer harm it redeþ nought/ to speke ffor þi your self vpon your self yow wreke which þat proueþ wel þat eyþer Ire or drede Moot ben encheson of youre cruel dede Syn þat I se non oþer wight yow chace ffor loue of god so doþ your selue grace Or what may be your help for west nor est Ne saugh I neuer er now no bryd ne best That ferde with himself so pitously ye slee me with youre sorwe verrayly I haue of yow so gret compassioun ffor goddes loue com fro þe tree a doun And as I am a kinges doughter trewe If þat I verraily þe causes knewe Of youre disease if it lay in my might I wolde amende it or þat it were night Als wisly help me grete god of kynde And herbes schal I right ynowe fynde To hele wiþ ȝour hurtes hastily Tho schrighte þis faukon yet more pitously Than euer sche dide and fil to grounde anon And liþ on swowne deed as ony stoon Til Canacee haþ in hir lappe hire take vnto þat tyme sche gan of swowne awake / And after þat sche of swowne gan abreide Right in hir hawkes leodne þus sche seyde That pite renneth sone in gentil herte ffeelyng his similitude in peynes smerte / Is proued alday as men may it see As wel by werk as by auctorite ffor gentil herte kepeþ gentillesse I se wel þat ye han of my distresse Compassion my faire Canace / Of verray wommanly benignite / That nature in youre principles haþ set But for non hope for to fare þe bet But for to obeye vnto youre herte fre / And for to maken oþer be war by me / As by þe whelp chastised is þe leon Right for þat cause and for þat conclusion Whil þat I haue a leyser and a space Myn harm I wol confessen er I pace And euer whil sche can hir sorwe tolde That oþer wepte as sche to water wolde Til þat þe fawkon bad hir to be stille / And with a sike þus sche seyde hire tille Ther I was bred allas þat ilke day And fostred in a roche of marbul gray So tendrely þat noþing eylede me I ne wiste nought what was aduersite Til I couþe flee ful hye vnder þe sky þo dwelte a tercelet me faste by That semede welle of alle gentilnesse Al were he ful of treson and falsnesse / It is wrapped vnder humble cheere And vnder hiew of trouþe and in swich manere Vnder plesance and vnder bysy peyne That no wight couþe han wende he coude feyne So deepe in greyn he dyed his colours Right as a serpent hit him vnder flours Til he may se his tyme for to byte Right so þis god of loues ypocrite Doþ so his cerymonijs obeissances And kepte in semblant alle his obseruances That sowneþ in to gentilesse of loue As in a tombe is al þe faire aboue And vnder is þe corps swich as ȝe woot Swich was þis ypocrite boþe cold and hoot And in þis wise he serued his entente That saue þe feende non wiste what he mente Til he so longe hadde wopen and compleyned And many a yeer his seruise to me feyned Til þat myn herte to pitous and to nyce Al Innocent of his crowned malice ffor-fered of his deþ as þoughte me vpon his oþes and his seurte Grauntede him loue vpon þis condicion That euer mo myn honour & renoūn were saued boþe preuy and apert This is to sein þat after his dissert I yaf him al myn herte and my þought God woot and he þat oþer wise nought And tok his herte in chaunge of myn for ay But soþ is seyd go sethen many a day A trewe wight and a þeef þenkeþ nat oon And whan he saugh þe þing so fer y-gon That I grauntede him fully my loue / In swich a gyse as I haue sayd aboue / And yeuen him my trewe herte as fre / As he swore he yaf his herte to me / Anon þis Tygre ful of doublenesse ffil on his knees wiþ so deuoute humblesse wiþ hye reuerence and as by his cheere / So lik a gentil louere of manere / So rauysshed as it semede for þe ioye That neuere Iason ne paris of Troye Iason certes ne non oþer man Syn lameth was þat Aldirfirst bygan To louen tuo as writen folk biforn Ne neuer siþþe þe firste man was born Ne couþe man by twenty þousand part Countrefete þe sophimes of his art Ne were worþi to vnbokele his galoche Ther doublenesse or feynyng scholde aproche Ne so couþe þanke a wight as he dide me / his manere was an heuene for to se Til eny womman were sche neuer so wys So peynted he and kembeþ at poynt devys As wel his wordes as his continance And I so loued him for his obeissance And for þe trouþe I demed in his herte That if so were þat any þing him smerte Al were it neuer so lite and I it wiste Me þoughte I felte deþ at myn herte twiste And schortly so ferforth þis þing went That my wille has his willes Instrument This is to sein my wille obeyede his wille In alle þing as fer as reson fille Kepyng þe boundes of my worschipe euere Ne neuer hadde I þing so leef ne leuere As him god woot ne neuere schal no mo This laste lengere þan a yer or tuo ¶ That I supposed of him no þing but good But fynally þus atte laste it stood That fortune wolde þat he moste twynne Out of þat place which þat I was Inne Wher me was wo it is no question I kan not make of it discripcion ffor o þing dar I telle boldely I knowe what is þe peyne of deþ þer by Such harm I felte for he ne mighte beleue So on a day of me he tok his leue / So sorwfully eek I wende verrayly That he hadde feeled as moche harm as I Whan þat I herde him speke and sawe his hewe / But naþeles I þoughte he was so trewe/ And eek þat he repaire scholde agayn Wiþinne a litel while soþ to sayn And reson wolde eek þat he moste go ffor his honour as ofte happeþ so That I made vertu of necessite / & took it wel syn þat it / moste be As I best mighte I hidde from him my sorwe And took him by þe hond seint Iohn to borwe And seyde þus lo I am youres al Beþ swich as I haue be to yow and schal What he answerde it needeþ nat reherse Who can seyn bet þan he who can do werse Whan he haþ al wel seyd þan haþ he doon Therfore byhoueþ him a wel long spoon That schal eten wiþ a feend þus herde I seye / So atte laste he moot forþ his weye And forth he fleþ til he com þer him leste Whan it com him to purpos for to reste / I trowe he hadde þilke text in mynde /¶ Reditui suo singula gaudent/. That alle þing repeyryng to his kynde / Gladeþ himself / þus seyn men as I gesse / Men louen of propre kynde newfangilnesse / As briddes doon þat men in cages feede / ffor þeigh þou night & day take of hem heede / And strawe here cages faire as softe as silk And yeue hem sucre hony bred and mylk Yet right anon as þat his dore is vppe he wiþ his feet wil sporne doun his cuppe And to þe woode he wole and wormes ete So newefangel ben þei of here mete And louen noueleries of propre kynde No gentilesse of blood may hem bynde So ferde þis tercelet allas þe day Though he were gentil born fressche and gay And goodly for to seen and humble and fre he saugh vpon a tyme a kyte flee And sodeinly he loued þe kyte so That alle his loue is clene fro me go And haþ his trouþe falsed in þis wyse Thus haþ þe kite my loue in hire seruise And I am lorn wiþoute remedye And wiþ þat word þis faukon gan to crye And swouned eft/ in Canacees barm Gret was þe sorwe for þe haukes harm That Canacee and alle hire wommen maade They nyste how þey mighte þe fawkon glade But Canacee home bereþ hire in hire lappe And softely in plastres gan hire wrappe Ther as sche with hir beek haþ hurt hir selue Now kan not Canace but herbes delue Out of þe grounde and maken salues newe Of herbes preciouses and fyn of hewe To helen wiþ þe hauk fro day to nyght Sche doþ hir besynesse and alle hire myght And by hire beddes heed sche made a muwe And couered it with veluettes bluwe In signe of trouþe þat is in wommen seene And alle wiþoute þe muwe is peynted greene In which were peynted alle þese false fowles As ben þise tydifs tercelettes and owles Right for þe spyte were peynted hem bysyde Pyes on hem for to crye and chyde Thus leet I Canacee hire hawk keeping I wole nomore as now speke of hire ryng Til it come eft to purpos for to seyn how þat þis ffaukon gat hire loue ageyn Repentant as þe storie telleþ vs By mediacion of Camballus The kinges sone of which I yow tolde / But hennes forth I wol proces holde To speke of auentures and of batailles That yet was neuer herde so gret meruailles ffirst wil I telle yow of Kambynskan That in his tyme many a cite wan And after wol I speke of Algarsif how þat he wan Theodora to his wyf ffor whan ful ofte in gret peril he was Ne hadde he ben holpen by þe hors of bras And after wol I speken of Camballo That faught in listes with þe breþeren tuo ffor Canacee er þat he might hir wynne And þer I lefte I wol ageyn bygynne Appolo whirleth vp his char so hyeApollo i. sol. Til þat þe god mercurius hous þe slye /¶ Explicit .ija. pars. GROUP D. FRAGMENT V. § 1. WIFE OF BATH'S PREAMBLE. CORPUS MS. Prologus vxoris de Bathe. [headline] Experiment þough non auctorite¶ Prologus vxoris de Bathe .Co.vijo. Were in þis world is right ynough for me To speke of wo þat is in mariage ffor lordynges syn I twelue ȝeer was of age / Thanked be god þat is eterne alyue housbondes atte chirche dore I haue had fyue/ If I so often might haue wedded be But alle were worþy men in here degre But me was told certein nought longe agones [that criste ne wente / neuere but onys][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14.] To weddyng in þe Cane of Galile / That by þilke ensample taught he me That I ne schulde wedded be but ones herk eek lo which a scharpe worde for þe nones Besyde a welle Ihesu god and man Spak in repreef of þe Samaritan Thow hast y-hadde .v. housebondes quod he. And þat ilke man þat now haþ þe Is not þin housbonde þus sayde he certayne What he mente þer-by I can nought sayne Wele But þat/ I axe why þe fyfte man Was non housbonde to þe Samaritan how many might sche han in mariage [This line is by another hand, over an erasure.]Ȝitt hardde I neuere telle in al myn age Vppon þis nombre diffinicioun Men may deuyne and glosen vp and doun But wel I woot expresse wiþouten lye God bad vs for to wexe and multiplye That gentil text can I wel vnderstonde Eke wel I woot he seyde myn housebonde Schulde lete fader & mooder and take to me¶ Relinquet homo patrem & matrem & adherebit &c/ But of noon nombre mension made he / Of Bigamye or of Octogamye Why schulde men þenne haue it in vilanye / loke here þe wise man king Salomon I trowe he hadde wyues moo þan on¶ Genesis ijo. Quamobrem Now wolde god it leeful were to me / To be refreisshed half so ofte as he Which ȝifte of god hadde he for alle his wyues No man haþ such þat in þis world a lyue is God wot þis noble king as to my witte The firste night hadde many a mery fitte Wiþ iche of hem so wel was him alyue Blissed be god þat I haue wedded fyue Welcome þe sixte whan þat euer he schal ffor siþþe I wille nought kepe chaste in al Whan myn housebonde is fro þe world y-gon Som crystne man schal wedde me anon ffor þan þe apostle seiþ þat I am free To wedde a goddes half wher it likeþ me he seiþ þat to be wedded is no senne¶ Melius est nubere quam vri Betre is it to be wedded þan to brenne What rekkeþ me þough folk sey vylanye Of schrewed lameth and his Bygamye / I woot wel Abraham was an holy man And Iacob eek as fer as euer I can And ech of hem hadde wyues mo þan tuo And many anoþer holy man also Wher can ȝe say in any maner age That vs god defended mariage By expresse word I pray yow telleþ me Or wher comaunded he virginite I wot as wel as ye it is no drede þe apostel whan he spekeþ of maydenhede he seyde þer-of precepte hadde he noone Men may counseille a womman to ben oone But counseilling is no comaundement he putte it in oure owne Iuggement ffor hadde god commaunded maydenhede þanne hadde he dampned weddyng with þe dede And certes if þer were no seed y-sowe virginite þanne wher-of scholde it growe Poule dorste nought comanden at þe leste A þing of which his mayster ȝaf him non heste The darte is sette vppe fro virginite Chase who so may who so renneþ best lat see But þis word is nought take of euery wight But þere as god wolde yeue it of his might I wot wel þat þe apostel was a mayde / But naþeles þough þat he wrot or sayde he wolde þat euery wight were such as he / Al nys nat but counseile to virginite And for to be a wijf he yaf me leue Of Indulgence so is it no repreue To wedde me if þat my make deye / Wiþoute excepcion of Bygamie / Al were it good no womman for to touche he mente as his body or in his couche ffor peril is boþe to touche and for to assemble Ȝe knowe what þis ensample may resemble This al and some he heeld virginite More perfyt þan wedded in freelte ffreltee clepe I not but þat he and sche Wolde leede here lijf al in chastite I graunte it wel I haue non envye Though maydenhede preferre Bygamye It likeþ hem to be clene in body and gost Of myn estate I wole make no boost ffor wel ȝe knowe a lord in his houshold haþ not euery vessele of golde / Some ben of tree / and doon here lord seruise God clepeþ folk to him in sondry wise And euerich haþ of god a propre ȝifte / Some þis some þat as him likeþ schifte virginite is gret perfection And conscience eek with deuocion But crist þat of perfection is welle Bad nought euery wight he schulde selle Al þat he hadde and ȝiue it to þe pore And in swich wise folwe him and his lore he spak to hem þat wolde lyue parfitly¶ Mathei xixo. Dixit autem ihesus vade & vende omnia que habes & da pauperibus And lordynges by ȝoure leue þat am not I I wole bystowe þe flour of alle myn age In charite and fruyt of maryage Telle me also to what conclusion Were membres maade of generacion And of so parfyt wise and why y-wrought Tristeþ right wel þey were not made for nought Glose who so wile and seye boþe vp and doun That þey were made for purgacioun Of vryne and oure boþe þinges smale Were eek to knowe a femal from a male And for non oþer cause what seye ȝe no; The experience woot it is nouȝt so So þat þe clerkes be not with me wroþe I seye þis þat þey maked be for boþe This is to seyn for office and for eese Of engendrynge þare we not god displese Why schulden men elles in here bokes sette That man schal yelde to his wijf his dette Now wher-wiþ scholde he paye his payement yf þat he ne vsed his seely instrument Than were þey maade vpon a creature To purgie vryne and eek for engendure But I seye nought þat euery wight is holde That haþ such harneys as I to yow of tolde To gon and vsen hem in engendrure Thanne scholde men take of chastite no cure Crist was a mayden and schapen as a man And many a seynt syn þat þe world bygan Yet lyued þey euere in parfyt chastite I nel envye with no virginite lete hem ete brede of pured whete seed And late vs wyues ete barly breed And yet with barly breed Mark telle can Oure lord[catchword: a leaf out; a sheet misplaced] [Ihesu refresshed / many a man in suche estate as god hath cleped vs I wol perceiver / I am nought precious in wiffhode wol I vse myn instrument as frely as my maker / hath hit sent yiff I be dangerous / god yeve me sorowe myn housbonde shal it haue both eve and amorwe whan that him list / com forth and pay his dette an housbonde wol I haue / I wol not lette which shal be / both my dettour and my thralle and han his tribulacioun with-alle vppon his flesshe / while that I am his wiff I haue the power / durynge al my liff¶ Ad Corinthios vijo vir sui corporis non habet potestatem set mulier &c vppon his propre body / and not he right thus the Appostel / tolde vn-to me and bad oure housbondes / for to love vs welle alle this sentence / me liketh euerydelle Uppe sterte the pardoner / and that anoon now dame quod he / bi god and bi seint Iohn ye ben a noble prechoure / in this caas I was abovte to wedde a wiff allaas what shulde I bye it / on my flesshe so dere yit had I lever wedde noon to yere abyde quod she / my tale is not bigonne[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] nay thow shalt drynken / of another tonne or that I go / shal sauour wers than ale and whan I haue tolde forth my tale of tribulacioun / that is in mariage of which I am expert / in myn age this is to seie / my-silff hath ben the whippe than maistow chese / whether thow wih sippe of thilke tonne / that I shal abroche be war of hit / or thow to nygh approche for I shal telle ensamples / mo than ten who so that wil not / be war bi other men by him shulle other men corrected be these same wordis / writeth Protholome¶ Protholome rede in his Almageste / and take it there dame I wol pray yow / if youre wille were seide this Pardoner / as ye bigan telle forth youre tale / spare for no man and teche vs yongemen / of youre practike gladly quod she / sith it may yow like but that I pray / to al this companye if that I speke / after my fantesie as taketh nought agreff / of that I seye for myn entente / is not / but for to pleye. NOw sirs than shal I telle yow my tale as euere mot y drynke wyn or ale I shal sey soth / tho housbondes that I hadde as thre of hem were goode / and two were badde the thre were goode men / riche and olde vnneth myghten thei / the statute holde in which thei were bounden vn-to me ye wot wel what I meene of this parde as god me helpe / I laugh whan I thynke how pitously a nyght / I made hem swynke but bi my fay / I tolde of hit no store thei hadde me yeve here londe / and here tresore me nedede nought / do lenger diligence[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] to wynne here love / and do hem reuerence they loued me so wel / bi god above that I ne tolde no deynte / of here love a wise woman wol besy hir / euere in oon to gete hir love / ye there as she hath noon but sith I hadde hem / holly in myn honde and that thei hadde / yeve me al here londe what shulde I take kepe hem for to please but if it were my profyte / and myn ease I sette hem so a worke / bi my fay that many a night / thei songen welaway the Bacoun was not fette for hem I trowe][Arch. Seld. B. 14 ex|tract stops] That some men haue in Essexe at Dunmowefor 102 I gouerned hem so wel after my lawe That iche of hem ful blisful was and fawe / To bringe me gay þinges fro þe feyre They were ful glad whan I spak to hem faire[This line is by another hand.] ffor god it woot I chidde hem spytously Now herkneþ how I bar me proprely ye wyse wyues þat can vnderstande Thus schulde ye speke and bere hem wrong on hande ffor half so boldely þer can no man Swere and lye as a womman can I seye not þis by wyues þat ben wise / But it be whan þat þey hem mysavyse / A wise wijf schal if þat sche can hire good Bere him on hond þat þe kow is wood And take witnesse of hir owne mayde / Of hire assent but herkeþ how I sayde / Sire olde kaynard is þis þin array Why is my neyheboures wijf so gay Sche is honoured ouer al wher sche goþ I sitte at hom I haue no þrifty cloþ What dostow at my neyhebores hous Is sche so fair art þou so amerous What roune ȝe wiþ oure mayde benedicite Sire olde lechour let þy iapes be / And if I haue a gossibb or a freende Wiþoute gilte ȝe chide as a feende If þat I walke or pleye vnto his hous þou comest home as drunken as a mous And prechest on þi benche wiþ euel preef þou seist to me it is a gret meschief To wedde a pouer womman for costage And if þat sche be riche of gret parage þanne seistow þat it is a tormentrie / To suffre hire pryde and hire malencolie / And if þat sche be fair þou verray knaue / Thow seist þat euery holour wol hir haue / Sche may no while in chastite abyde That is assayed vppon eche syde Thou seist some folk desire vs for richesse Some for oure schapp and some for oure fayrnesse And some for sche can oþer synge or daunce þus saistow wernard god ȝiue þe meschance Some for here hondes and here armes smale Thus goþ al to þe deuel by þy tale/ þou seist men may not kepe a castel walle It may so longe assailed ben ouer alle / And if þat sche be foule þou seist þat sche Coueiteþ euery man þat sche may see ffor as a spaynel sche wol on him lepe Til þat sche fynde som man þat wol hir chepe Ne non so grey goos goþ þer in þe lake As seist þou þat wol be wiþouten make And seist it is an hard þing for to weelde A wight þat noman wille his þankes helde Thus seistow lorel whan þou gost to bedde And þat no wys man needeþ for to wedde And noman þat entendiþ to þe heuene Wiþ wilde þunder dent and fyre leuene / Mote þy wicked necke be to-broke þou seist þat droppyng houses and eek smoke And chydyng wyues maken men to fle Out of here owne houses a benedicite What eyleþ swich an olde man for to chyde Thou seist we wyues wille oure vices hyde Til we be faste and þanne we wille hem schewe Wel may þis be a prouerbe of a schrewe Thou seist þat Oxen assen hors and houndes They ben assayed at diuerse stoundes Bacynes lauours or þat men hem bye Spoones stooles and swich housbondrye And so ben cloþes pottes and oþer arrayes But of wommen aren maked non assayesfor 103 Til þei ben wedded olde dotard schrewe And seist how þanne we wil oure vices schewe Thou seist also þat it displeses me But if þou wille preyse my beaute And but þou poure alwey vpon my face And clepe me faire dame in euery place And but þou make a feste on þat ilke day That I was born and make me freische and gay And but þou do to my norys honour And to my chambre wiþinne my bour And to my fadres folk and his allyes Thus seist þou olde barel ful of lyes And yit of oure apprentys Iankyn ffor his crispe heer schynynge so gold fyn And for he squyeres me boþe vp and doun yet hastow þought and fals suspecion I wil him nought þough þou were deed to morwe But telle me þis why hydest þou with sorwe Thy keyes of þi cheste away fro me / It is my good as wel as þin parde What wenestow make an ydyot of oure dame / Now by þat lord þat called is seint Iame þou schalt not boþe þough þou were wood Be maister of my body and my good That oon þou schalt forgo maugre þin eyȝen What helpeþ it on me enquere and spyen I trowe þough þou woldest loke me in þi cheste þou scholdest seie wyf go where þe leste Take youre disporte I wol not leue no tales I knowe ȝow for a good wyf dame Alis We loue no man þat takeþ keepe or charge Where þat we go we wole be at oure large Of alle men blessed mote he be The wise astrologien dann ptholome That seiþ þis prouerbe in his almageste Of alle men his wisdam is hyeste That rekkeþ not who haþ þe world in hande By þis prouerbe þou schalt wel vnderstande haue þou ynough what þar þe rekke or kare how meryly þat oþer folkes fare ffor certes olde dotard by youre leue ye schulle haue queynte right ynough at eue he is to gret a nygard þat wol warne A man to light a candel at his lantarne he schal haue neuer þe lesse light/ parde haue þou ynough þe þar not pleyne þe þou seist also þat if þou make vs gay Wiþ cloþing or with precious array That it is peril of oure chastite And ȝit with wordes þou most enforce me / And seie þise wordes in þe apostels name In habyt made with chastite and schame ye wommen schulle apparaille you quod he/ And nat in tressed heer and gay perre As perle ne wiþ golde ne cloþes riche After þi texte ne after þi rubriche I wol not werke as mochil as a gnatt þou saydest als þat I was like a catt But who so wolde senge a cattes skyn þanne wolde þe catt wel dwellen in his In And if þe cattes skyn be slike and gay Sche nel not dwelle in house half a day But forþ sche wille or ony day be dawed To schewe hire skyn and go a caterwrawed þis is to say if I be gay sir schrewe I wil renne out my borel for to schewe Sire olde fool what helpeþ þe to spien They þou prey argus with his þousand yhenargus habuit mille oculos. To be my warde corps as he can best In feiþ he schal not kepe me but if me lest yet couþe I make his berd so mote I þee þou seist eek þat þer ben þinges þreefor 104 þe whiche þinges troublen al þis Erþe And þat no wight may endure þe ferþe O leue sire schrewe ihesu schorte þi lijf yet prechest þou and seist an hateful wijf y-rekned is for oon of þis meschances Ben þer non oþer maner resemblances þat ye may likene ȝoure parables to But if a sely wijf be on of þo And likenest wommannes loue to helle To bareyne lond þer water may not dwelle þou likenest it/ also to wilde fyre The more it brenneth þe more it haþ desire To consume eny þing þat brende wolde be Thou seist þat right as wormes schende a tree Right so a wyf destroyeþ hir housebonde This knowen þey þat ben to wyues bonde lordynges right þus ȝe han vnderstande Bar I stifly myn olde housbondes on hande þat þus þey seyden in here drunkenesse And eek þat he hadde suspecion and Ielousnesse On Iankyn and on my nefe also O lord þe peyne I dede hem and þe woo fful gilteles by goddes sweete pyne ffor as an hors I couþe boþe byte and whyne I couþe pleyne and I was in þe gilte Or elles ofte tyme I hadde ben spilte Who so þat first to mylle comþ ferst grynte I pleyned first so was oure werre stynte þey were ful glade to excusen hem ful blyue / Of þing which þei agilte neuer here lyue Of wenches wolde I beren hem on honde Whan þat for sike þey might vnneþe stonde yet tykeled I his herte for þat he Wende I hadde of him so gret chiertee I swore þat al my walkynge be night Was for to aspye wenches þat he dighte vnder þat colour hadde I many a myrþe ffor alle such witte is ȝiue vs in oure birþe Desceipte wepyng spynnyng god haþ ȝiue To womman kyndely whil þat þei may lyue¶ ffallere flere nere dedit deus in muliere And þus of o þing I auaunte me At þe ende I hadde þe beste in eche degre By sleighte or force or by som maner þing As by continuel murmur and grucching Namely a bedde hadde þey meschaunce Ther wolde I chide and do hem no plesaunce I wolde no lenger in þe bedde abyde If þat I felte his arm ouer my syde Til he hadde made his raunsom vnto me Thanne wolde I suffre him do his nycete And þerfore euery man þis tale I telle Wynne who so may al are for to selle Wiþ empty hande men may non haukes lure ffor wynnyng wolde I al his lust endure And make me a feyned appetyt And ȝit in bakon hadde I neuer delit/ That maked me þat euer I wolde him chyde ffor þough þe pope hadde sete him besyde I wolde nouȝt spare him at his oughne bord ffor by my trouþe I quitte him word for word As helpe me verrey god omnipotent þough I right now schulde make my testament I ne owe him a word þat it nys quitte I brought it so aboute by my witte That he muste ȝiue it vp as for þe beste / Or elles hadde we neuere ben in reste ffor þough he loked as a leoun ȝet scholde he faile of his conclusion Thenne wolde I seye now goode leef take keepe / how mekely lokeþ wilkyn oure scheepe Com ner my spouse lat me ba þi cheeke ȝe schulle be al pacient and meekefor 105 And han a sweete spiced conscience / Syn ȝe so preche of Iobis pacience Suffreþ alwey syn ȝe so wel can preche And but ȝe do certein we schul ȝou teche That it is fair to haue a wyf in pees On of vs moot bowen doutelees And siþþe a man is more resonable Than woman is sire ȝe moste be suffrable / What eyleþ ȝou to grucche þus and grone Is it for ȝe wolde haue my queynte allone Whi tak it al / lo haue it euery del Petir I schrewe ȝou but ȝe loue me wel ffor If I wolde selle my bele chose I couþe walke as freissche as a rose But I wil kepe it for ȝour owne toþ ȝe be to blame by god I seye ȝou soþ Suche maner wordes hadde we on honde Now wol I speke of my ferþe housbonde / ¶ My ferþe housbond was a reuelour This is to seye he hadde a paramour And I was yong and ful of Ragerie Styborne and strong and ioly as a pye lord how couþe I daunce to an harpe smale / And synge ywys as eny nyghtyngale / Whan I hadde dronke a draughte of sweete wyn Meteling þe foule cherle þe swyn That with a staf byraft his wif hir lyf ffor sche drank wyn þough I hadde ben his wijf Ne schulde he nought han daunted me fro drynke And after wyn on venus most I þinke ffor also syker as colde engendreþ hayl A likerous mouþ moste han a likerous tail In womman violent is no defence This knowen lecchoures by experience But lord crist whan þat it remembreþ me / vpon my ȝouþe and my Iolyte It tykeleþ me about myn herte roote vnto þis day it doþ myn herte boote þat I haue had my world as in my tyme But age allas þat al wol envenyme haþ me byraft my beaute and my piþ lat go far wel þe deuel go þer-wiþ The flour is gon þer is nomore to telle The bren as I best can now moot I selle But ȝet to be right mery wol I fonde / Now forþ to telle of my ferþe housbonde I seye I hatte in herte gret despyt That he of eny oþer hadde delyt But he was quyte by god and by sent Iose I made him of þe same woode a crose Not of my body in no foul manere But certeinly I made folk such cheere That in his owne grece I made him frye ffor angery and for verray Ialousie / By god in erþe I was his purgatorie ffor which I hope his soule be in glorie / ffor god it wot he sat ful ofte and song Whan þat his scho ful bitterly him wrong ffor þer was non sauf god and he þat wiste In many wise where I him twiste he deyed whan I cam fro Ierusalem And liþ y-graue vnder þe Roode beem Al nys his tombe not so curious As was þe sepulcre of him Darius Which þat appelles wroughten subtilly It nys but waste to burye him preciously lat him far wel god ȝiue his soule reste he is now in his graue and in his cheste ¶ Now of my fyfþe housbonde wil I telle God late neuer his soule come in helle / And ȝit was he to me þe moste schrewe / That feele I on my ribbes al by rewefor 106 And euere schal vnto myn endyng day But in a bed he was so freissh and gay And þer-wiþ-al so wel couþe he me glose / Whan þat he wolde han my bele chose / þat þough he hadde me bete on euery boon he couþe wynne agayn my loue anon I trowe I loued him þe bet for he Was of his loue daungerous to me We wymmen han if þat I schal not lye In þis manere a queinte fantasye Wayte what þing we may nought lightly haue Ther-after wole we crye alday and craue / fforbede vs þing and þat desyren we Prees on vs faste and þanne wil we flee / Wiþ daunger outen we alle oure chaffare Gret prees at market makeþ deere ware / And to gret cheep is holde / at litel pris This knoweþ euery womman þat is wys My .ve. housbonde god his soule blesse Which þat I took for loue and no richesse / he som tyme was a clerk of Oxenforde And hadde left scole and wente at hom to borde Wiþ my gossybb dwellyng in oure toun God haue hire soule hir name was alisoun Sche knew myn herte and al my priuyte / Bettre þan oure parissche prest so mote I þee / To hire bywreyed I my counseil al ffor hadde myn housbonde pyssed on a wal Or don a þing þat schulde haue cost his lyf To hire and to anoþer worþy wyf And to my neece which I loue wel I wolde han told his counseill euerydell And so I dede ful ofte god it woot That made his face often reed and hoot ffor verray schame and blamed himself for he hadde told to me so gret a pryuyte And so it felle þat ones in a lente So ofte tyme vnto my gossib wente / ffor euer ȝit I loued to be gay And for to walke in march aueril and may ffrom hous to hous to herkne sondry tales That Iankyn clerk and my gossibb dame alis And I my self in to þe feldes wente myn housbond was at london al þat lente I hadde þe bettre leysir for to pleye And for to see and eek for to be seye Of lusty folk what wist I wher my grace Was schapen for to be or in what place þerfore made I my visitacions To vigilies and to processions To prechyng eek and to þis pilgrimages To pleyes of myracles and of mariages And wered vpon my gaye skarlet gytes This wormes ne þise moþþes ne þise mytes vppon my peril frete hem neuer a del And wostow why for þey were vsed wel ¶ Now wol I tellen forþ what happed me I seye þat in þe feeldes walked we Til trewely we hadde such dalyance þis clerk and I þat of my purueiaunce I spak to him and seyde how þat he If I were wydow schulde wedde me ffor certeynly I seye for no bobaunce / þat was I neuer ȝit wiþoute purueance Of mariage ne of oþer þinges eeke I holde a mouses witte nat worþ a leek þat haþ but oon hole for to stirten to And if þat faile þan is al y-do [I bar him on honde / he had enchaunted me[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14. No other Oxford MS has these lines.—G. Parker.] my dame taughte me / that subtilte and eke I seide / I mette of him al night he wolde haue shamed me / as I lay vpright and al my bed was ful / of verry blood but yit I hope / that ye shul do me good for blood bitokeneth gold / as me was taughte and al was fals / for I dremed right naughte but as I folwed ay / my dames lore als wel of that / as of other thinges more][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14. extract stops] But now sire lat me see what I schal seyn A ha. by god I haue my tale agayn Whan þat my ferþe housbonde was on bere I wepe algate and made sory cherefor 107 As wyues mooten for it is vsage / And with my keuercheeff couered my visage But for þat I was purueyed of a make / I weep but smale and þat I vndertake To chirche was myn housbond y-born on morwe With neghebours þat for him made sorwe And Iankyn oure clerk was on of þo As help me god whan þat I seih him go After þe beere me þought he hadde a paire Of legges and of feet so cleene and faire That al myn herte I yaf vnto his holde he was I trowe twenty wynter olde And I was fourty if I schal seye soþ But yet I hadde alwey a coltes toþ Gat toþed I was and þat bycam me wel I hadde þe printe of seint venus sel As help me god I was a lusty oon And fair and riche and ȝong and wel bygon And trewely as myn housbond tolde me I hadde þe beste queynte þat/ mighte be [for certis I am al fully Venerian[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14. Only this Oxf. MS has these lines. Barlow 20 omits ll. 605-8 too.—G. P.] in feling / and myn herte is Marcian Venus me yaff my lust / my likerousnes and Mars yaff me / my sturdy hardynes] Myn ascendent was Taur and Mars þerinne Allas allas þat euer loue was synne / I folwed ay myn inclinacion By vertue of my constellacion · That made me I couþe not wiþdrawe My chambre of venus from a good felawe [yit haue I Mars is marke / vppon my face[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14. Laud 600 also has these lines. 619-226, but no other Oxford MS has them.—G. P.] and also in another prevy place for god so wis be / my sauacioun I loued neuere / bi no discressioun but euere folwed / myn appetite al were he long / shorte / blak or white I toke no kepe / so that he liked me how pore he was / ne eke of what degre] What schulde I seye but at þe monþes ende This Ioly clerk Iankyn þat was so heende / haþ wedded me with gret solempnite And to him ȝaf I al þe lond and fee / That euere was me ȝiuen þer byfore But afterward repentede me ful sore he nolde suffre no þing of my lest By god he smot me onys on þe lest ffor þat I rente out of his book a leef That of þat strook my eeren woxen deef ¶ Stiborne I was as is a leonesse / And of my tonge a verray Iangleresse / And walke I wolde as I hadde don biforn ffrom hous to hous al þough he hadde it sworn ffor wiþ ful often tyme he wolde preche And me olde romance gestes teche how he simplicius Gallus lefte his wijf And hire forsook for terme of his lijf Not but for openhede he hir say Lokyng out at his dore on a day Anoþer Romayn tolde he me by name That for his wyf was at a Somer game / Wiþoute his wytyng he forsook hire eeke And þanne wolde he vpon his bible seeke That ilke prouerbe of ecclesiaste Wher he comaūndeþ and forbedeþ faste Man schal not suffre his wyf to roule aboute þan wolde he seye right þus wiþouten doute Who so þat buldeth his hous al of salwesnota bene And prikeþ his blynde hors ouer þe falwes And suffreþ his wijf go for to seeken halwes Is worþy for to be hanged on þe galwes But al for nought I sette nat an hawe Of his prouerbes ne of his olde lawe Ne I wolde not of him corrected be / I hate him þat my vice telleþ me And so don mo god woot of vs þan I This made him with me wood al outerly I nolde not forbere him in no caas Now wil I seie ȝou soþ by seint Thomas Why þat I rent out of his book a leef ffor which he smot me þat I was deef he hadde a book þat gladly night and day ffor his disporte he wolde rede alway he clepede valery and Theofraste At which book he lowh alwey ful fastefor 108 And eek þer was som tyme a clerk in Rome / A Cardinal þat highte seint Ierome That made a book aȝein Iouynian In which book eeke þer was Terculan Crisippus Trocula and helowys That was abbesse nat fer fro Parys And eek þe parables of Salomon Ovides art and bokes many oon And alle þise were bounde in oo volume And euery night and day was his custume Whan he hadde leysyr and vacacioun ffrom oþer worldly occupacion To reden in þis book of wikked wyues he knew of hem mo legendes and lyues Than ben of goode wyues in þe bible / ffor trusteþ wel it is an impossible That ony clerk wole speken good of wyues But if it be of holy seintes lyues Ne of non oþer wommen neuer þe mo Who peynted þe lyoun tel me who By god if wommen hadden writen stories As clerkes han wiþinne here oratories They wolde haue writen of men more wickednesse Than alle þe marke of adam may redresse The children of mercurie and venus Ben in here werkynge contrarious Mercurie loueþ wisdam and science / And venus loueþ ryot and dispence / And for here diuerse disposicion Eche falleþ in oþres exaltacion As þus god wot mercurie is desolat In Piscis. where venus is exaltat And venus falleþ þer mercurie is reised Ther-fore no womman of no man is preysed The clerk whan he is olde and may not do To Venus werk nought worþ his olde scho Than sitte he doun and writ in his dotage / That wommen con not keepe here mariage But now to purpos why I tolde þe That I was beten for a book pardee Vppon a night Iankyn þat was oure syre Redde on his book as he sat by þe fyre Of Eua first þat for hire wickednesse Was al mankynde brought to wrecchednesse [for which Ihesu crist / him silff was sleyne that bought vs with his herte blood ageyne lo here expresse of recorde / may ye fynde that woman was the loos / of al mankynde[Laud MS 739 omits 716-720.]] Tho redde he me how Sampson lost his heris Slepyng his lemman kit it wiþ hir scheris Thurgh which treson lost he boþe his eyen Tho redde he me if þat I schal not lyen Of ercules and of his deyanire / That caused him to sette himself a fyre No þing for-gat he þe penance and woo That Socrates hadde with his wyues tuo how þat ancipa caste pisse on his heed This seely man sat stille as he were deed he wyped his heed no more durste he seyn But or þat þundir stynte comeþ a reyn Of Phasipha þat was þe queen of Grete / ffor schrewednesse him þought þe tale swete ffy spek nomore it is a grisly þing Of hire horrible lust and hire likyng Of Clitermistra for hire leccherie That falsly made hir housbonde for to dye he redde it wiþ wel good deuocion he tolde me for what occasion Amphiorax at Thebes lost his lyf Myn housbond had a legend of his wijf Eriphilem þat for an ouche of golde haþ pryuyly vnto þe Grekes tolde Wher þat hir housbond hid him in a place ffor which he hadde at Thebes sory grace Of lyma tolde he me and of lucye They boþe made here housbondes for to dyefor 109 That on for loue þat oþer was for hate lyma hire housebonde on euen late Enpoysoned hadde for sche was his foo Lucia likerous loued hir housbonde so That for he scholde vppon hir alwey þinke Sche yaf him such a loue maner drynke That he was deed er it was by þe morwe And þus algates housbondes han sorwe Than tolde he me how oon latumyus Compleigned to his felaw arius That in his gardyn growed such a tree On which he seyde þat his wyues þre hanged hemselue for hertes dispitous O leeue broþer quod þis arious ȝif me a plante of þat blisful tree And in my gardyn planted schal it be/ Of later date of wyues haþ he redde That han slayne here housbondes in þe bedde And leet hir lecchour dight hir al þe night Whan þat þe corps lay in þe floor vpright And some han dryuen nayles in here brayn Whil þat þey sleepe and þus þey han hem slayn Some han ȝiuen poyson in here drynke He spak more harme þan herte may beþynke And þer-wiþ-al he knew of mo prouerbes þan in þis worlde þer growen gresse or herbes¶ Solo melius est habitare Bet is quod he þin habitacion Be with a leoun or a foul dragon Than with a womman vsyng for to chyde Bet is quod he heihe in þe roof abyde Than wiþ an angry wyf doun in an hous They ben so wicked and contrarious þey hateþ þat here housbondes loueþ ay he seyde a womman cast hir schame away Whan sche cast of hir smok and forþermo A fair womman but sche be chast also Is lyk a goldryng on a sowes nose Who wolde wene or wolde suppose þe woo þat in myn herte was and pyne And whan I saugh he wolde neuer fyne To reden on þis cursed book al night Al sodeinly þre leues haue I plight Out of his book right as he red and eeke I with my fest so took him on þe cheeke þat in oure fire he fille bakward adoun And he vpstirte as doþ a wood leoun And with his fest he smot me on þe heed þat in þe floor I lay as I were deed And whan he saugh how stille þat I lay he was agast and wolde han fledde away Til atte laste out of my swowe I brayde O hast þou slayn me false þeef I sayde And for my lond þus hastow moerdred me / Or I be deed ȝit wol I kisse þe And neer he come and kneled faire adoun And seyde deere suster alisoun As help me god I schal þe neuer smyte þat I haue doon it is þiself to wyte fforȝiue it me and þat I þe beseke / And ȝit eftsones I hitte him on þe cheeke / And seyde þeef þus mochel am I wreke Now wil I dye I may no lenger speke But at þe laste / wiþ mochel care and woo We felle acorded by vs seluen tuo he ȝaf me al þe brydel in myn hond To haue þe gouernance of hous and lond And of his tunge and of his hand also/ And made him brenne his book anon right þo And whan þat I hadde geten vnto me By maistrie al þe souerainte þan he seyde myn owne trewe wyfleaf 114, back, at bottom of the page Do as þou list þe terme of alle þy lif /leaf 101 b. for 110 kepe þin honour and keep eek myn estate / After þat day we hadde neuer debate / God help me so I was to him as kynde As eny wijf from Denmark in to ynde And al so trewe and so was he to me / I pray to god þat sitte in mageste So blisse his soule for his mercy deere Now wol I telle my tale if ȝe wol heere ¶ Here endeþ þe prologe of þe gode wif of Baþe [The Wrangle between the Summoner and Friar.] The frere lowh whan he haþ herd al þis Now dame quod he so haue I ioye or blis This is a long preamble of a tale And whan þis somnour herde þe freere gale / Lo quod þe somnour goddes armes tuo A freere wille entremette him euermo lo goode men a flye and eek a freere Wille falle in euery dissche and eek/ matiere / What spekest þou of preambulacion What amble or trotte or pees or go sit doun Thou lettest/ oure disport in þis manere / ȝe woltow so þou sompnour quod þe ffrere / Now by my fay I schal er þat I go Telle of a Somnour such a tale or tuo That alle þe folk schulle laughen in þis place Now elles frere I beschrewe þy face Quod þis somnour and I byschrewe me / But if I telle þe tales tuo or þre Of freres or I come to Sydyngborne þat I schal make þin herte for to morne ffor wel I wot þy pacience is gon Oure hoste cryde pees and þat anon And seyde lat þe womman telle hir tale / Ye faren as folk þat dronken ben of ale Do dame telle forþ youre tale and þat is beste Al redy sire quod sche right as yow leste [MS cut away. lf 101b, bkIf I have licens o]f þis worþi frere [MS cut away. lf 101b, bkYis dame telle] forþ þi tale I wol here [[MS cut away.]Here bigynneth] þe goode wyues tale of batheon lf 101, bk IN olde dayes of þe king arthour [O]f which þat britons speken gret honour [A]l was þis land fulfild of fayerie [T]he elfe queen with hire ioly compaignie [D]aunced wiþouten in many a greene meede [T]his was þe olde opynion as I rede [I speke of many] hundred ȝeer ago [But] now can noman see non elues moo [For] þe grete charite and þe preyeres [Of] lymytoures and oþre pouere freeres [T]hat serchen euery land and euery streem [A]s þikke as motes in þe sonne beem Blissynge halles chambres boures [C]itees burghes castels hihe toures [T]hropes bernes schipenes dayeries This makeþ þat þer ben no fayeries ffor þer as wont to walke was an elf Ther walkeþ now þe lymytour himself In vndermeles and in morwenynges And seiþ his matyns and his holy þinges As he goþ in his lymytacioun Wommen may go now saufly vp and doun In euery busch or vnder euery tree þer is non oþer Incubus but he And he wol do hem but dishonour And so felle it / þat þis king arthour hadde in his hous a lusty bacheler þat on a day cam rydyng fro ryuer And happed alone as sche was born he saugh a mayden walkyng him biforn Of which mayde maugre hire heed By verray force he refte hir maydenhed ffor which oppression was such clamour And swich pursute vnto þe king artourfor 111 That dampned was þis knight for to be deed By cours of lawe and scholde haue lost his heed Perauenture such was þe statute þo But þat þe queene and oþer ladyes mo So longe preyede þe king of grace / Til he his lijf him graunted in þe place And yaf him to þe queen al at hire wille To cheese wheþer sche wolde him saue or spille The queen þankeþ þe king with alle hire might And after þis þus spak sche to þe knight Whan þat sche seigh hir tyme on a day þou stondest ȝet quod sche in such aray þat of þi lijf ȝet hast þou no suerte I graunte þe lijf if þou canst telle me What þing is it/ þat wommen most desiren Be war and keep þi neeke bon from yren And if þou canst nought telle it me anon ȝit/ wol I ȝiue þe leue for to gon A twelf monþe and a day to seeke and lere An answere sufficant/ in þis matiere And seurte wil I han or þat þou pace Thy body for to yelden in þis place Wo was þis knight and sorufully he sikeþ But what he may not do al as him likeþ And at þe laste he chese him for to wende / And come aȝein right at þe yeres ende / With swich answere as god wolde him purueye / And takeþ his leue and wendeþ forþ his weye he seekeþ euery hous and euery place / Wher as he hopeþ for to fynde grace To lerne what þing wommen louen most But he now couþe arryuen in no coost Wher as he mighte fynde in þis matere / Tuo creatures acordyng in feere Some seyden wommen loue best richesse Some seyde honour some seyden Iolynesse / Some riche array some seyden lust a bedde / And ofte time to be wydewe and wedde / Some seyden þat we be most yesed Whan þat we ben y-flatered and y-plesed he goþ ful neigh þe soþe I wol nat lye A man schal wynne vs best wiþ flaterie And with attendaunce and wiþ besynesse Ben we y-lymed boþe more and lesse / And some men sein how þat we louen best ffor to be fre and do right as vs lest And þat noman / repreue vs of oure vice But seye þat we be wyse and noþing nyce ffor trewely þer nys non of vs alle / If eny wight wol clawe vs on þe galle / þat we nyl loke or he seiþ vs soþ Assay and he schal fynde it þat he doþ ffor be we neuer so vicious wiþinne We wil be holden wys and clene of synne And some men sein þat gret delyt haue we ffor to be holden stable and ek secre And in oo purpos stedefastly to dwelle And not bewreye þing þat men vs telle But þat tale is not worþ a rake stele Parde we wommen konnen noþing hele Witnesse on Myda wil ȝe heere þe tale / Ovide amonges oþer þinges smale Setthe myda hadde vnder his longe heris Growynge vp his heed two assis eeres þe whiche vice he hidde as he best might fful sotilly from euery mannes sight þat saf his wijf þer wist of it no mo he loued hire most and trusted to hire also he preyde hire most þat vnto no creature Sche scholde not tellen of his disfigure Sche swor him nay for al þis world to wynne / Sche wolde do þat vylanye or þat synnefor 112 To make hire housbonde han so foul a name ffor reproeuyng of him and foule schame But naþeles hir þoughte þat sche dyde That sche so longe scholde a counseil hyde hir þought it sat so sore aboute hir herte That needely som word hir most asterte And siþþe sche dorste tellen it no man Doun to a mareys faste sche ran Til sche cam þer hir herte was a fyre And as a bytore bumliþ in þe myre Sche leyde hire mouþ vnto þe water doun Bewreye me nought þou water with þy soun Quod sche to þe I telle it and nomo Myn housebonde haþ longe asses eeres tuo Now is myn herte al hool now it is oute I might no lenger kepe it out of doute here may ȝe see þough we a tyme abyde Yet out it moot we mowe no counseil hyde The remenant of þe tale if ye wol heere Redeþ Ovyde and ȝe may it leere This knight of which my tale is specially Whan þat he saugh he mighte nought come þerby þis is to seye what wommen louen most Wiþinne his herte sorwful was þe gost But home he goþ he mighte nought soiourne þe day was come þat homward most he tourne And in his way it happed him to ryde In alle his care vnder a forest syde Wher he saugh on one daunce go Of ladyes xxiiij. and ȝit mo Toward þe daunce he drowe him yerne In hope þat som wisdam schulde he lerne But certeinly or he cam fully þere / Vanyssched was þe daunce he nyste not where / No creature saugh he þat bar lyf Saue in þe grene he saugh sittyng a wijf A foulere wight þer may non deuyse Agayn þe knight þe olde wijf gan arise And seyde sire knight here forþ ne liþ no wey Telle me what þat ȝe seken by ȝoure fey Perauenture it may þe bettre be / This olde folk konne mochel þing quod sche / my leeue mooder quod þis knight certeyn I am but ded but if þat I can seyn What þing it is þat wommen most desire Cowde ȝe me wisse I wolde wel quyte youre hyre Plight me þi trouþe here in myn hand quod sche The nexte þing þat I require þe Thou schalt it do if it lye in þy might And I wil telle it ȝou or it be night haue here my trouþe quod þe knight I graunte Than quod sche I may me wel auaunte Thy lyf is sauf for I wol stonde þer by vpon my lijf þe queen wole seye as I lat se which is þe proudest of hem alle That wereþ on a kerchef or a calle þat dar say nay of þat I schal ȝou teche lat vs go forþ wiþoute lenger speche Tho rowned sche a pystel in his eere And bad him to be glad and haue no feere Whan þey be comen to þe court þis knight Seyde he hadde holde his day as he hadde hight And redy was his answere as he sayde fful many a noble wijf and many a mayde And many a wydowe for þat þey ben wyse / The queen hir seluen sittyng as Iustyse Assembled ben his answer for to heere And afterward þis knight was bode appeere And þat þe knight schal telle in audience To euery wight comanded was scilence What þing þat worldly wommen louen meest This knight ne stood nat stille as doþ a beestfor 113 But to his question anon answerde / With manly vois þat al þe court/ it herde My liege lady generally quod he / Womman desireþ to haue soueraynte As wel ouer hir housbonde and hire loue And for to be in maystrie him aboue þis is ȝoure most desyr þough ȝe me kille Doþ as you list I am heer at your wille In al þe court ne was þer wijf ne mayde Ne wydewe þat contraried þat he sayde But seyden he was worþy han his lijf And wiþ þat word vp sterte þat olde wijf Which þat þe knight saugh sittyng on þe grene Mercy quod sche my souerayn lady queene/ Or þat youre court departe do me right I taughte þis answere vnto þis knight ffor which he plighte me his treuþe þere The firste þing I wolde of him requere he wolde it do if it lay in his might Byfore þe court þan preye I þe sire knight Quod sche þat þou me take vnto þi wijf ffor wel þou wost þat I haue kept þy lijf If I seye fals sey nay vpon þy fey This knight answerde allas and weylowey I wot right wel þat such was my biheste / ffor goddes loue chese a newe requeste/ Tak al my good and lat my body go Nay þan quod sche I schrewe vs boþe tuo ffor þough þat I be foule and olde and poure I nolde for al þe metal ne for oure þat vnder erþe is graue or liþ aboue But if þat I þy wyf were and þi loue My loue quod he nay my dampnacion Allas þat eny of my nacion Scholde euere so foule y-disparaged be But al for nought þe ende is þis þat he Constreyned was he nedes moste hire wedde And takeþ þis olde wijf and goþ to bedde Now wolden some men seyn perauenture That for my necgligence I do no cure To telle ȝou þe Ioye and þe array That at þe feste was þat ilke day To which þing schortly answere I schal I seye þer was no ioye ne feste at al þer nas but heuynesse and mochil sorwe ffor priuely he wedded hire on a morwe And al day after hidde him as an owle / So wo was him his wijf loked so foule Gret was þe sorwe þe knight hadde in his þought Whan he was with his wyf a bedde brought he walweþ and torneþ to and fro his olde wijf lay smylyng eueremo And seide O dere housbonde o benedicite ffareþ euery knight þus with his wijf as ȝe Is þis þe lawe of king arthures hous Is euery knight of his loue þus daungerous I am ȝour owne loue and eek ȝoure wijf I am sche which þat saued haþ ȝoure lijf And certes ȝit dede I ȝou neuer vnright Why fare ȝe þus wiþ me þe ferste night ȝe faren like a man þat hadde lost his wit ffy what is my gilt for godes loue tel it And it schal ben amended if I may Amended quod þis knight nay nay That wil nat ben amended neueremo þou art so loþly and so olde also And þer-to comen of so lowh a kynde That litel wonder is þough I walwe & wynde So wolde god myn herte wolde breste Is þis quod sche þe cause of ȝoure vnreste; ȝe· certeinly quod he no wonder is Now sire quod sche I couþe amende al þisfor 114 If þat me liste or it were dayes þre So wel ȝe mighte bere ȝou vnto me ¶ But for ȝe speken of such gentilesse¶ Nota bene de Nobilitate As is descended out of alle richesse / þat þerfore schulden ȝe be gentil men Such erregance nys nat worþ an hen lo who þat most is vertuous alway Preuy and aperte and most endeþ ay To do þe gentil dedes þat he can And take him for þe grettest gentil man Crist wole we clayme of him oure gentilnesse Nat of oure eldres for here olde richesse ffor þough þey ȝeue vs alle here heritage ffor which we clayme to be of heigh parage ȝet may þey not bequeþe for no þing To non of vs here vertuous lyuyng That made hem gentil men y-called be And bad vs folwen hem in such degre Wel can þe wise poete of fflorence That highte dante speke in þis sentence Lo in swich maner ryme is dauntes tale fful seelde vp riseþ by his branches smale Prowesse of man for god of his prowesse / Wil þat of him we clayme oure gentilnesse ffor of oure eldres may we noþing clayme But temperel þing þat we may hurte and mayme Ek euery wight wot þis as wel as I If gentilesse were plaunted naturelly Vnto a certein linage doun þe lyne Pryue and aperte þanne wolde þey neuer fyne To don of gentilesse þe faire office þey mighten do no vylanye ne vice Tak fyre and bere it in þe derkest hous Bitwixe þis and þe mount of Caucasous And lat men schette þe dores and go þenne ȝet wol þe fyr as faire lye and brenne As þough a þousand men might it beholde his office naturel ay wol it holde / vp peril of lyf til þat it dye / here may ȝe se wel how þat genterie / Is not annexed to possession Siþþe folk do nat here operacion alwey as doþ þe fir lo in his kinde ffor god it wot men may ful often fynde A lordes sone do schame and vilanye And he þat wol haue pris of his gentrie ffor he was boren of a gentil hous And hadde his eldres noble and vertuous And nyl himseluen do no gentil dedes Ne folwe his gentil ancestre þat ded is he nys nat gentil be he duk or eerle ffor vyleyns synful dedes make a cheerle ffor gentilnesse nys but reneute Of þin ancestres for here beaute Which is a strong þing for þi persone The gentilesse comeþ fro god allone Thanne comeþ oure verray gentilesse of grace It was noþing byqueþe vs wiþ oure place / þinkeþ how noble as seiþ valerius Was þilke Tullius hostilius That out of pouert ros to heigh noblesse Redeþ Senec/ and redeþ eek Boesse / þer schulde ȝe seen expres þat it no dredis That he is gentil þat doþ gentil dedis And þerfore deere housebonde I þus conclude Al were it þat myn ancestres were rude ȝet may þat heye god and so hope I Graunte me grace to lyue vertuously Thanne am I gentil whan þat I begynne To lyuen vertuously and weyuen synne And þer as ye of pouert me repreue The hihe god on whom þat we bileeuefor 115a In wilful pouert chese to leese his lijfNota de paupertate And certes euery man and mayde and wijf May vnderstonde ihesu heuen king Ne wolde not chese a vicious lyuyng Glad pouert is an honest þing certeyn þis wille Senec/ and oþer clerkes sein Who so þat holt him payed of his pouert I holde him riche al hadde he nought cert he þat coueyteþ is a pouere wight ffor he wolde han þat nys nat in his might But he þat nought haþ ne coueyteþ to haue Is riche al þough men holde him but a knaue Verray pouert is synne proprely Iuuenal seiþ of pouert myrily The pouere man whan he goþ by þe way Bifore þe þeues he may synge and play Pouert is hatel good and as I gesse / A ful gret brynger out of busynesse A gret amender eek of Sapience To him þat lackeþ it in pacience Pouert is þis al þough it seme alenge Possession þat no wight wol chalenge Pouert ful often whan a man is lowe Makeþ his god and eek himself to knowe Pouert a spectacle is as þinkeþ me þurgh which he may his verray freendes se And þerfore syn þat I you nought greue Of my pouerte nomore me repreue Now sire of eelde ȝe reproeue me And certes sire þough non auctorite Were in no book / ȝe gentil of honour Seyn þat men schulde an old wijf do fauour And clepe him fader for ȝour gentilnesse / And auctours schal I fynden as I gesse / Now þer ȝe seyn þat I am foul and olde Than drede ȝou nought to ben a cokewolde ffor filþe and helþe al so mote I þe Ben grete wardeyns vpon chastite But naþeles syn I knowe ȝoure delyt I schal fulfille your worldly appetyt Chees now quod sche on of þese þinges tweye / To han me foule and olde til þat I deye And be to ȝow a trewe humble wijf And neuere ȝow displese in alle my lijf Or elles ȝe wol haue me ȝong and fair And take ȝour auenture of þe repair That schal come to your hous by cause of me Or in som oþer place wel may be Now chees ȝour seluen wheþer þat ȝou likeþ þis knight auysed him and sore sikeþ But atte laste he seyde in þis manere My lady and my loue and wijf so deere I putte me in ȝoure wise gouernance Cheseþ ȝour self which may be most plesance And most honour to yow and me also I do no force þe wheþer of þe tuo ffor as ȝou likeþ it sufficeþ me þanne haue I gote of ȝou maystrie quod sche Syn I may cheese and gouerne as me list ȝe certes wijf quod he I holde it for best kisse me quod sche we be no lenger wroþe / ffor by my trouþe I wol be to yow boþe þis is to sein / to be boþe fair and good I pray to god þat I mote steruen wood But I to ȝou be also sad and trewe / As euer was wijf syn þat þe world was newe And but I be to morwe as fair to seene As eny lady emperice or queene / þat is bitwen þe est and eek þe weste / Do wiþ my lijf and deþ right as ȝou leste Cast vp þe curteyne loke how it is /bottom of leaf 106 And whanne þat þe knight sawh al þis That sche so fair was and so ȝong þerto ffor ioye he hente hir in his armes tuo his herte baþed in a baþ of blisse A þousand tyme a rowe he gan hire kisse And sche obeyed him in euery þing That mighte doon him pleisance or likyng And þus þey lyued vnto here lyues ende In perfyt ioye and ihesu crist vs sende housbondes meke ȝonge and freissche abedde And grace to ouerlede hem þat we wedde And eek I pray to Ihesu schorte here lyues That wol not be gouerned by here wyues And olde and angry nyggardes of dispence God send hem sone a verray pestilence¶ Explicit ¶ Here bygynneþ þe prologe of þe ffrere / This worþy lymytour þis noble ffrere¶ Incipit pro|logus ffratris he made alway lowrynge cheere vpon þe somnour but for honeste No vyleynes word as ȝit spak he / But atte laste he seyde vnto þe wijf Dame goode god ȝif ȝou right good lijf Ȝe han touched heer al so mote I þe In scole matier gret difficulte Ȝe han seid mochel þing right wel I seye But dame heere as we ryden by þe weye Vs nedeþ nat to speken but of game And late auctoritees a goddes name To preching & to scole eek of clergie / But if it like vnto þis companye I wol ȝou of a somnour telle a game Parde ȝe may wel knowe by þe name That of no somnour may no good be sayd I pray þat non of ȝou be yuele payd A somnour is a romere vp and doun Wiþ amendement of fornicacioun And is y-bete at euery townes ende Oure host þo spak a sire ȝe scholde ben heende And curteys as a man of ȝour astat In companye we wille no debat / Telleþ ȝoure tale and lateþ þe somnour be Nay quod þe somnour lat him seye to me What so him list whan it comþ to my lot By god I schal him quiten euery grot I schal him telle such a gret honour It is to be a flateryng lymytour And eek of ful many an oþer cryme Which nedeþ nat/ rehersen at þis tyme And his office I schal him telle y-wys Oure host answerde pees nomore of þis And afterward he seyde vnto þe frere / Telle forþ ȝoure tale my leue mayster deere ¶ Here bygynneth þe ¶ ffreres tale Whilom þer was dwellyng in Couentre An erchedekne a man of heih degre That boldely dide execuciōn In punysschyng of fornicacion Of wichcraf and eek of Bawderie Of diffamacion and auoutrie Of chirche reeues and of testamentes Of contractes and of lak of sacramentes Of vsure and Symonye also But certes lecchours dede he grettest wo They scholden syngen if þey were hent And smale tyþeres weren foule y-schent If eny person wolde vpon hem pleyne Ther might astirte him no pecunial peyne ffor smale tyþes and eek for smal offrynge he made þe poeple spitously to synge ffor or þe bisschop caught hem wiþ his hook They weren in þe Erchedeknes book And þanne hadde he þurgh his Iurdiction Power to don on hem correction he hadde a somnour redy to his hande A sleyere boy was non in engelande ffor sotilly he hadde his especiaile That taughte him where þat him mighte auayle he coude spare of lecchours on or tuo To techen him to foure and twenty mo ffor þough þis somnour wood were as an hare To telle his harlottrie I wil not spare ffor we ben oute of here correction They han of vs no Iuresdiction We neuer schullen terme of alle hire lyues Petur so ben þe wommen of þe Styues Quod þis Somnour y-putt out of oure cure Pees with meschance and with mysauenture Thus seyde oure host and let him telle his tale Now telleþ forþ and late þe somnour gale Ne spareþ nought myn oughne maister deere This false þeef þis somnour quod þe ffrere / hadde alwey bawdes redy to his hond As eny hauke to lure in Engelond That telle him al þe secre þat þey knewe ffor here aqueintance was nat come of newe þey weren his approwours priuely he tok himself a gret profyt þerby his maister knew nat alwey what he wan Wiþouten maundement of a lewed man he coude somne on peyne of cristes curs And þey were ynly gladde to fille his purs And made him grete festes atte nale And right as Iudas hadde purses smale And was a þeef right swich a þeef was he his mayster hadde but half his dewete he was if I schal ȝiuen him his laude A theef and eek a sompnour and a baude he hadde eek wenches of his retenue That wheþer þat sir Roberd or sir huwe Or Iohn or Rauf or who þat it were That lay by hem þat tolde it in his eere Thus was þe wenche and he of oon assent And he wolde fecche a feyned maundement And somne hem to þe Chapitre boþe tuo And pile þe man and late þe wenche go þanne wolde he seye I schal freend for þy sake Do strike þe out of oure lettres blake þe þar nomore as in þis cas trauayle I am þi frend þer I þe may auayle Certein he knew of briberies mo þan possible is to telle ȝou vnto ffor in þis worlde is dogge for no bowe That knew an hurt deer from an old bite kowe Than þat þis sompnour knew a sleigh lecchour Or avouter or elles a paramour And for þat was þe fruyt of alle þe rent Therfore on it he sette al his entent And so bifelle þat ones on a day This somnour euer waytyng on his pray Rode for to somne an old wijf a ribibe ffeynyng a cause for he wolde bribe And happede þat he seigh byfore hym ryde / A gay yoman vnder a forest syde A bowe he bar and arwes bright and keene he hadde vppon a courtepy of grene / An hatte vppon his heed wiþ frenges blake Sire quod þis Sompnour hail and wel atake / Welcome quod he and euery good felawe Whider ridestow vnder þis greene schawe Seyde þis ȝeman wilt þou fer to day This somnour him answerde and seyde nay here faste by quod he is myn entente To ryden for to reysen vp a rente / It longeþ to my lordes dewete Art þou þanne a baillif ȝe quod he he dorste nouȝt for verray filþe and schame Seie þat he was a somnour for þe name Depardieux quod þis ȝoman dere broþer þou art a bailly and I am anoþer I am vnknowen as in þis cuntre Of þin aqueintance I wil preye þe And eek of breþerhode if þat þou leste I haue golde and siluer in my cheste If þat þe happed come in-to oure schire Al schal be þin right as þou wolt desyre Graunt mercy quod þis somnour by my feiþ Euerich in oþeres hond his trouþe leiþ ffor to be swore broþer til þey deye and wiþ þat word þey ryden forþ here weye This somnour wiþ þat was so / As ful of venym ben þis wary-angles And euer enquiryng vpon euery þing Broþer quod he wher is ȝoure dwellyng Anoþer day if I scholde ȝou seche This ȝoman him answerde in softe speche Broþer quod he fer in þe Norþ cuntre Wher as I hope som tyme I schal þe se Or we departe I schal þe so wel wisse That of myn hous schalt þou neuer misse / Now broþer quod þis sompnour I ȝou pray Teche me whil we ryden by þe way / Syn þat ȝe ben a baillyf as am I Som subtilte telle me feiþfully In myn office how þat I may most wynne And spareþ not for conscience ne synne But as my broþer tell me how do ȝe Now by my trouþe broþer deere seyde he As I schal tellen þe a feiþful tale / My wages ben ful streyte and smale / My lord is hard to me and daungerous And my office ful laborious And þerfore by extorciouns I lyue ffor soþe I [take] al þat men wil me ȝiue Algate be sleigte or violence ffrom ȝeer to ȝer I wynne al my dispence / I can no bettre tellen feiþfully Now certes quod þis sompnour so fare I I spare not to take god it wot But if it be to heuy or to hoot What I may gete in counseil priuely No maner conscience of þat haue I Ner myn extorcion I might noȝt lyuen Of swiche iapes wil I nat be schriuen Stomake ne fro conscience knowe I noon I schrewe þese schriftefadres euerichon Wel be we mette by god and by seint Iame But leeue broþer telle me þanne þy name Quod þis somnour in þis mene while This ȝeman gan a litel for to smyle Broþer quod he wiltow þat I þe telle I am a steue my dwellyng is in helle And heer I ryde aboute my purchasyng To wite wher men wil ȝif me eny þing my purchace is to fette of alle my rente loke how þou rydest for þe same entente To wynne good þou rekkest neuer how Right so fare I for ryde wolde I now vnto þe worldes ende for a preye A quod þis somnour benedicite what ȝe seye I wende ȝe were a yoman trewely Ȝe han a mannes schappe as wel as I han ȝe a figure þanne determinat In helle þer ȝe ben in ȝoure estat Nay certeinly quod he þer han we noon But whan vs likeþ we can take vs oon Or elles make ȝou wene we ben schape Som tyme [like] a man or like an ape / Or lik an aungel can I ryde or go It is no wonder þing þough it be so A lousy iogulour can deceyue þe And par de ȝit can I more craft þan he / Why quod þis somnour ryde ȝe þanne or gon In sondry schappe and nat alwey in oon ffor we quod he wille vs swich forme make As most able is oure prayes for to take What makeþ ȝou to han al þis labour fful many a cause leeue sire somonour Seyde þis feend but al þing haþ tyme The day is schort and it is passed prime And ȝet ne wan I no þing in þis day I wil entende to wynnyng if I may And nat entende oure wittes to declare ffor broþer myn þi witte is al to bare To vnderstonde þough I tolde hem þe But for þou axest whi labouren we ffor somtyme ben we goddes instrumentz And menes to do his comaundementz Whan þat him list vpon his creatures In diuerse acte and in diuers figures Wiþouten him we han no might certayn If þat him liste to stonden þer agayn And som time at oure praye han we leue Only þe body and not þe soule greeue / Witnesse on Iob whom þat we dyden wo And som tyme han we might of boþe tuo þis is to seyn of soule and body eeke And som tyme we ben suffred for to seeke vpon a man and do his soule vnreste Nat his body and al is for þe beste Whan he wiþstondeþ oure temptacion It is a cause of his saluacion Al be it þat it was not oure entente he schulde be sauf but þat we wolde him hente And som tyme be we seruantz vn-to man As þe erchebisschope seint Dunstan And to þe apostles seruant/ was I ȝet telleþ me quod þe somnour feiþfully Make ȝe ȝow newe bodyes þus alwey Of elementz þe feend answerde nay Som tyme we feyne and som tyme we arise / Wiþ dede bodyes in ful sondry wise And speke as renabely and faire and wel As to þe phitonessa dede Samuel / And ȝit wol some men say it was nat he I do no force of ȝoure diuinite But o þing warne I þe I wil nat Iape Thou wilt algates wite how we be schape / þou schalt her aftirward my broþer deere Come wher þe needeþ nat of me to leere ffor þou schalt by þin owne experience Come in-to þe chayer rede þis sentence Bet þan virgile whil he was a lyue Or dante also now lat vs ryde blyue ffor I wil holde company wiþ þe Til it be so þat þou forsake me Nay quod þis somnour þat schal nat betyde I am a ȝeman knowe is ful wyde my trouþe wil I holde to þe as in þis cas ffor þey þou were þe deuyl Sathanas My trouþe wil I holde to my broþer As I am sworne and eche of vs to oþer ffor to be trewe broþer in þis cas And broþer we gon to oure purchas Take þou þy part what men þe wole yiue And I schal myn þus may we boþe lyue And if þat eny of vs haue more þan oþer lat him be trewe and parte it wiþ his broþer I graunte quod þe deuyl by my fay And wiþ þat word þey ryden forþ here way And right at þentryng of þe tounes ende To which þe somnour schop him for to wende They say a carte þat charged was with hey Which þat a cartere drof forþ on his wey Deep was þe wey for whiche þe carte strood This cartere smot and striued as he were wood hayt brok hayt scot what spare we for þe stones The feend quoþ he ȝow fecche boþe body and bones / As ferforþly as euere were ȝe foled So moche woo as I haue for ȝou þoled þe deuel haue al boþe hors and cart and hey þoughte þis somnour he schulle we haue a pley And neer þe feend he drough as nought ne were fful priuely and rouned in his eere herkne my broþer herkne by þy feiþ herestow nat how þe cartere seiþ hente it anone for he haþ ȝiuen þe Boþe hey and carte and eek his caples þre / Nay quod þe deuyl god not neuer a del It is not his entente truste me wel Aske him þiself if þou nat trowest me Or elles stynte a while and þou schalt se This carter þakked his hors on þe croupe / And þey bygonne to drawe and to stoupe / hayt now quod he þat Ihesu crist ȝou blisse And alle his hondywerk boþe more and lesse / þat was wel twight myn owne lyard boy I pray god saue þe and seinte Loy. Now is my carte out/ of þe slough par de lo broþer quod þe feend what tolde I þe / here may ye see myn oughne deere broþer The carle spak o þing but he þought anoþer late vs go forþ abouten oure viage here wynne I noþing vpon cariage Whan þat þey comen somwhat out of þe toun Þis somnour to his broþer gan to roun Broþer quod he here woneþ an old rebekke That hadde almost as leef to leese hire necke As for to ȝiue a peny of hire good I wil haue twelue pens þough þat sche be wood Or I wille sompne hire to oure office And ȝit god woot of hire knowe I no vice But for þou canst nat as in þis contre Wynne þi coste tak here ensample of/ me This somnour clappeþ at þe wydowes gate Com out he seyde þou olde viritrate I trowe þou hast som frere or prest wiþ þe Who clappeþ seyde þis wijf benedicite God saue ȝou sire what is ȝour swete wille I haue quod he a somonur of þe here a bille vp peyne of cursyng loke þat þou be To morwe biforn oure erchedekenes kne To answere to þe court of certein þinges Now lord quod sche crist ihesu heuen kinges So wisly helpe me as I ne may I haue ben syk and þat ful many a day I may nat gon so fer quod sche ne ryde But I be deed so prikeþ it in my syde / May I nat axe a libel sire somonour And answere þere by my procutour To swich a þing as men wolde appose me / ȝis quod þis somnour pay anon lat se Twelue pens to me and I wil þe aquite I schal no profyt haue þer-by but lite My maister haþ þe profyt/ and nat I Come of and late me ryden hastily Ȝeue me twelue [pens] I may no lenger tarye twelue quod sche lady seinte marie So wisly help me out of care and synne þis wyde world þough þat I scholde it wynne Ne haue I not xij. pens wiþinne myn holde ȝe knowen wel þat I am pouer and olde kyþe ȝoure almesse on me pouere wrecche Nay þanne quod he þe foule feend me fecche If I þe excuse þough þou scholde be spilt Allas quod sche god wot I haue no gilt Pay me quod he or by þe swete seint anne As I wol bere a-way þy newe panne / ffor dette which þou owest me of old Whan þat þou madest þin housbond kukkewold I preyde at home for þy correction Thow lixt quod sche by my sauacion Ne was I neuer or now wydewe ne wijf Somoned vnto your court in al my lijf Ne neuer I nas but of my body trewe / vnto þe deuel blake and rowe of hewe yeue I þy body and my panne And whan þe deuyl herde hir curse so vpon hir knees he seyde in þis manere Now mabely myn owne mooder deere It is ȝour wille in ernest þat ȝe seye þe deuyl quod sche fette him or he deye / And panne and al but he wil him repente Nay olde stot þat is not myn entente Quoþ þis somnour for to repente me ffor any þing þat I haue had of þe I wolde I hadde þy smok and euery cloþ Now broþer quod þe deuyl be nat wroþ þy body and þis panne is myn by right þou schalt wiþ me to helle yet to night Wher þou schalt knowen of oure priuete More þan a mayster of diuinite And wiþ þat word þis foule feend him hent Body and soule he with þe deuyl went Where þat somnours han here heritage And god þat made after his ymage Mankynde saue and gyde vs alle and some And leeue þis somnour good man to bycome lordinges I couþe han told ȝou quod þis frere hadde I had leysir for þis somnour heere After þe tixte of crist poule and Iohn And of oure oþer doctours many oon Suche peynes þat ȝoure hertes might agrise Al be it so no tonge may deuyse / þough þat I might a þousand wynter telle þe peyne of þilke cursed hous of helle But for to kepe vs fro þat cursed place Wakeþ and prayeþ ihesu for his grace So kepe vs fro þe temptour Sathanas herkneþ þis word be war as in þis cas þe leoun sitte in his awayte alway To sle þe Innocent if þat he may Disposeþ ay ȝour hertes to wiþstonde þe feend þat ȝou wolde make þralle and bonde he may nat tempten yow ouer your might ffor crist wille be ȝour champion and knight And preyeþ þat þis somnour him repente Of his mysdede or þat þe feend him hente ¶ Her endeþ þe ffrere his tale /¶ Explicit This Somnour in his styrop heyhe stoodon leaf 120, back Vpon þis frere his herte was so wood That lik an aspen leef he quok for Ire lordynges quod he but o þing I desire / I ȝou beseche þat of ȝour curtesye Siþ ȝe han herde þis false frere lye As suffreþ me I may a tale telle This frere bosteþ þat he knoweþ helle/ And god wot þat it is litel wonder ffreres and feendes ben but litel asonder ffor parde ȝe han. ofte tyme herd telle/ how þat a frere rauyssched was in helle In spirit ones by avisioun And as an aungel ladde him vp and doun To schewen him þe peynes þat þer were In alle þe place saugh he nat a ffrere Of oþer folk he saugh ynowe in woo Vnto þis aungel spak þe frere þo Now sire quod he han freres such a grace / That non of hem schal come to þis place / Ȝis quod þis aungel many a milioun And vnto Sathanas he hadde him doun And now haþ Sathanas saiþ he a taile Bradder þan of þe Caryk is þe saile hold vp þi tayl þou Satanas quod he / Schew forþ þin ersand lat þe frere se / Wher is þe neste of ffreres in þis place And er þat half a forlong wey of space Right so as bees swermen out of an hyue Out of þe deueles ers þey gon to dryue Twenty þousand freres on a route And þoughte helle swarme al aboute And camen aȝein as faste as þey mighte gon And in his ers þey crepeden euerichon he clapte his tayl aȝein and lay stille This frere whan he loked hadde his fille vppon þis tormentes of þis sory place / his spirit god restored of his grace / Vnto his body aȝein and he awok But naþeles for feere ȝit he quok So was þe deueles ars ay in his mynde þat is his heritage of verray kinde God saue ȝow alle saue þis cursed frere / My prologe wol I ende in þis manere / ¶ Here begynneþ þe Somnours tale LOrdynges þer is in york schire / as I gesse A mersshy countre called Holdernesse In which þer wente a lymytour aboute / To preche and eek to begge it is no doute And so bifelle þat on a day þis frere Hadde preched atte cherche in þis manere And specially abouen euery þing Excited he þe poeple in his preching To trentales and for goddes sake Ther-with men mighten holy houses make Ther as diuin seruice is honoured Nought þer as it is wasted and deuoured Ne þer it nedeþ not for to be ȝiue As to possessioners þat may elles lyue þanked be god in wele and habundance Trentales seyde he deliuereþ fro penance here frendes soules as wel olde as ȝonge If þat þey ben hastily y-songe Nought for to holde a prest ioly and gay he syngeþ not but o messe in a day Delyuereþ out quod he anon þe soules fful hard it is wiþ fleisshook oþer with oules Now speed ȝou hastely for cristes sake to kepe ȝou fro peynes of feendes blake And whan þe frere hadde seyde al his entente Wiþ Qui cum patre forþ he wente Whan folk in chirche hadde ȝiue him what hem leste he wente his way no lenger wolde he reste Wiþ scrippe and tipped staf tukked ful hye In euery hous he gan to pore and prye And beggeþ mele or chese or elles corn his felaw had a staf typped with horn A payre of tabeles of yuory And a poyntel polisshed fetously And wrot þe names alwey as he stood Of any folk þat ȝaf hem eny good Ascance þat he wolde for hem preye ȝiue vs a busshel whete malt/ or reye A goddes kechil or a trippe of chese Oþer elles what ȝow list we may nat cheese A goddes halpeny oþer a masse peny Oþer ȝiue vs of ȝour bran if ȝe haue eny A dagoun of ȝour blanket leeue dame Oure suster deere here I write ȝoure name Bacon or beef or such þing as ȝe fynde A sturdy harlot wente hem ay behynde That was here hostes man and bar a sakke And what men ȝaf hem leyde it on his bakke And whan he was out at þe dore anoon he planed awey þe names euerychoon That he bifore hadde writen in his tables he serued hem with nyfles and with fables Nay þer þou lixt þou somnour quod þe frere / Pees quod oure host for cristes moder deere Telle forþ þi tale spare it not at al So þryue I quod þis somnour so I schal So longe he wente hous by hous quod he Til he come to an hous þer he was wont to be Refresshed more þan in an .C. places Seke lay þe bonde man whos þe place is And vpon a kowche lowe he lay Deus hic quod he / O Thomas frend good day Seyde þis frere curteysly and softe Thomas sayde he god ȝelde ȝow ful ofte haue I vpon þis benche faren wel heere haue I eten many a mery meel And fro þe benche he drof awey þe cat And leyde doun his potent and his hat And eek his scrippe and sette him softe a doun his felawe was go walked in þe toun fforþ with his knaue in-to þat ostelrie Wher as he schop him þilke night to lye O deere maister quod þis seeke man how han ȝe fare siþenes þat marche bigan I say ȝow nought þis fourtenight and more God woot quod he laboured haue I ful sore And specially for þy Saluacion haue I seyde many a precious orison And for oure oþer frendes god hem blesse I haue to day don at ȝoure chirche a messe A sayd a sermon after my simple wit nought alle after þe text of holy writ ffor it is hard to ȝou as I suppose þerfore wol I teche to ȝou al þe glose Glosyng is a glorious þing certein ffor lettre sleeþ so as clerkes sein þer haue I taught hem to be charitable And spende here good þer it is resonable There I sawh oure dame a wher is sche yonde in þe yerde I trowe þat sche be / Seyde þis man and sche wil come anon Ey mayster welcome be ȝe by seint/ Iohn Seyde þis wijf how fare ȝe hertely þe frere ariseþ vp ful curteisly And hir enbrased in his armes narwe And kisseþ hir swete and chirkeþ as a sparwe Wiþ his lippes dame quod he right wel As he þat is your seruant eueridel I-þanked be god þat ȝou ȝaf soule and lyf ȝit/ sawh I not to day so fair a wijf In al þe chirche god so saue me ȝe god amende defautes sir quod sche Algates welcome be ȝe by my fey Gramercy dame þis haue I founde alwey But of ȝour grete goodnes by ȝour leeue I wolde pray ȝou þat ȝe nought ȝou greue I wole with Thomas speken a litel þrowe þese curates ben ful necligent/ and slowe To grope tendrely a conscience In schrifte and in preching is my diligence And studye in petres wordes and in poules I walke and fisshe mennes soules To ȝelde ihesu crist/ his propre rente To sprede his wordes is sette al myn entente ¶ Now by ȝour leeue o deere sire quod sche Chydeþ him wel for god in trinite he is as angry as a pissemire þey þat he haue al þat he can desire þey I him wrye a night and make him warm And ouer him leye my legg or arm he groyneþ lik oure boor gronyng in sty Oþer desport of him right non haue I I may not plesen him in no maner caas ¶ Ieo vous dy trescher & bien amy O Thomas This makeþ þe feende þis mot ben amended Ire is a þing þat heye god defended And þer-of wol I speke a word or tuo Now maister quod þe wijf or þat I go What wol ȝe dyne I wole go þer aboute Now dame quod he Ieo vous dye sanz doute haue I not of a Capon but þe lyuere And of ȝour softe brede but a schyuere And after þat a rosted pigges heed But þat I wolde for me no beeste were deed þanne hadde I wiþ ȝou holly suffisance I am a man of litel sustenance / My spirit is fostred in þe bible þe body is ay so redy and penyble To wake þat my stomak is destroyed I pray ȝou dame þat ȝe be nought anoyed þey I so frendly my counseil to ȝou schewe By god I wolde not telle it/ but a fewe Now sire quod sche but oo word or I go my child is deed wiþinne þise wikes tuo Siþþen þat ȝe wente out of þis toun his deþ saugh I by reuelacion Seiþ þis frere at home in oure dortour I dar wel seyn þat/ er þat half an hour after his deþ I sawh him born to blisse In myn avision so god me wisse So dede our sextein and oure fermorer That han ben trewe freres. fyfty ȝeer They may now god by þanke of his lone maken here Iubile and walken allone And vp I ros and alle oure couent eeke With many a teere trillyng on my cheeke Wiþouten noyse or clateryng of bellis Te deum was oure song and no þing elles Saue þat to crist I seyde an orison Thankyng him of his reuelacion ffor sire and dame trusteþ me right wel Oure orisons ben more spirituel And more we se of cristes secre þinges Than burel folk [though they were kynges We lyue in pouerte & in abstynence. And borell solke] in richesse and wynnynges[in dispence. Harl. 1758] Of mete and drynk and in here foul delit/ We han þis worldes lust al in despit Lazar and Diues liueden dyuersely And dyuerse guerdon hadde þey þerby Who-so wol preye he moot faste and be clene And fatte his soule and make his cheekes lene We fare as seiþ þapostil cloþ and foode Sufficeþ vs þeyȝ þey ben not goode The clennes and þe fastyng of ous ffreres makeþ þat crist accepteþ oure prayeres lo moyses .xl. dayes and .xl. nyght ffasted or þat þe heihe god of might Spak wiþ him in þe mount of Synay With empty wombe fastyng many a day Receyued he þe lawe þat was writen Wiþ goddes fynger and helthe wel ȝe witen In þe mont or elles er he hadde eny speche With heyhe god þat is oure lyues leche he fasted longe and was in contemplance And aaron þat hadde þe temple of god in gouernance And eek þat oþer prestes euerichon In-to þe temple whan þey scholden gon To praye for þe poeple and do seruise They nolden drynken in no maner wise/ No drynk þe which hem mighte drunke make But euere in abstynence to preye and wake lest þat þey deyede tak heede what I seye But þey ben sobre þat for þe poeple preye Ware þat I say no more for it suffiseþ Oure lord ihesus / as holy god deuyseþ ȝiueþ ous ensample of fastyng and prayeres Therfore we mendinantz we pouere freres Ben wedded to pouert and to continence To charite humblesse and also pacience To persecucion for rightwisnesse / To wepyng misericorde and clennesse And þerfore may ȝe see þat oure prayeres I speke of vs we mendenante ffreres Ben to þe hihe god more acceptable Than ȝoures wiþ ȝoure feste at þe table ffro paradys first if I schal nought lye Was man out chaced for his glotonye And chast was man in paradys certayn But herkne þere what I schal ȝou sayn I haue no text of þat as I suppose But I schal fynde it in a maner glose That specially oure swete lord Ihesus Spak þus by vers whan he seyde þus Blessed ben þey þat pore in spirit/ ben And so forþ al þe gospel may ȝe seen Wher it be like oure profession Or hem þat swymmen in possession ffy on here pompe and on here glotonye And for here lewednesse I hem diffye Me þinkeþ þey ben like Iovinian ffatte as a whale and walking as a swan As vynolent as botel in þe spence here prayer is ful of gret reuerence Whan þey for soules sein þe psalme of dauid lo buff þey sain cor meum eructauit Who folweþ cristes gospel and his lore But we þat humble be and chaste and pore Werkers of goddes word and eek auditoures / þerfore right as an hauke rype at a sours vp springeþ vnto þe ayre right so prayeres Of charitable and chaste besy freres maken here sours to goddes eeren and who Thomas þerfore so mote I ride or go And by þat god þat cleped is seint yue Nere þou oure broþer schuldest þou not þriue In oure chapitre praye we day and night To crist þat he sende þe hele and might Thy body for to welden hastily God wot quod he noþing þer-of wot I As helpe me crist as in fewe ȝeeres haue I spended vpon diuers maner freres fful many a pound ȝit fare I neuer þe bett Certein my good haue I almost bisett ffar wel my golde for it is al a-go The ffrere answerde o Thomas why dost þou so What needeþ ȝou diuerse freres to seche What needeþ him þat haþ a parfit leche To sechen oþer leches in þe toun ȝour inconstance is ȝour confusioun holde ȝe þen me or elles oure couent To preye for ȝou ben insufficient Thomas þat Iape is not worþ a myte ȝoure maladye is for ȝe han ȝiuen vs so lite A ȝif þat couent half a quarter otes A ȝiue hem one or tuo grotes A ȝiue þe frere a peny and let him go Nay nay Thomas it may no þing be so What is a ferþing worþ parted in twelue lo eche þing þat is oned by himselue Is more straunge þen when it is skatered Thomas of me þou schalt nat be flatered þou woldest oure labour haue for nought The hihe god þat al þis world haþ wrought Seiþ þat þe werkman is worþi his hyre Thomas nought of ȝour tresore I desire As for my self but þat alle oure couent To pray for ȝou is ay so diligent And for to bulden cristes oughne chirche Thomas if ȝe wol lerne for to wirche Of buldyng vp of chirches may ȝe fynde If it be good in Thomas lijf of Inde Ȝe ligge heer ful of anger and of Ire With þe which þe deuyl sette ȝoure ers a fyre And chyden heere þis sely Innocent Ȝoure wijf þat is so meeke and pacient And þerfore Thomas trowe me if ȝou list Ne stryue not wiþ þy wijf al for þe beste And bere þis word awey now by þy feith Touchinge such þing lo what þe wise man seiþ Wiþinne þin hous ne be þou no leoun To þy subiectis do non oppressioun Ne make þin acqueintance not for to fle And Thomas ȝit eft sones say I þe Be war for hire þat in þy bosom slepeþ Be war of þe serpent þat so slyly crepeþ vnder þe grasse þat styngeþ subtilly Be war my sone and herkene paciently That xxti. þousand men han lost here lyues / ffor þat þei han ben spitous to here wyues Now siþ ȝe han so holy and so meeke a wijf What needeþ ȝou Thomas to make strif þer is y-wys no serpent so cruel Whan men trede on his tail ne half so fel As womman is whan sche haþ caught an Ire Vengance is þanne al þat þey desyre Ire is a synne on of þe grete of seuene Abhominable vnto þe god of heuene And to himself it is destruction þis euery lewed vicary or parson Can say how Ire engendreþ homicide Ire in soþ is executor of pryde I couþe of Ire seye so mochil sorwe My tale scholde laste til to morwe And þerfore I praye god boþe day and night An Irous man sende him litel might It is gret harm and certes gret pite To sette an Irous man in heih degre ¶ Whilom þer was an Irous potestat As seiþ Senek durynge his estat Vpon a day out riden knightes tuo And as fortune wolde it were so That oon of hem cam home þat oþer nought Anon þe knight bifore þe Iuge is brought And seyde þus þou hast þy felaw slayn ffor which I deme þe to deþ certain And to anoþer knight comaunded he Go lede him to þe deþ I charge þe And happed as þey wente by þe weye Toward þe place þer as he schulde deye The knight cam which þey wend hadde be deed Thenne þoughten þey it were þe beste reed To lede hem boþe to þe Iuge aȝein þey seyden lord þe knight ne haþ not sleyn his felawe here he stant on lyue ȝe schulle be deed quod he so mot I þriue þis is to say boþe oon and tuo and þre And to þe firste knight right þus spak he I dampned þe þou most algate be deed And þou also most needes lese þin heed ffor þou art cause why þy felaw deyþ And to þe þridde knight right þus he seiþ Thou hast not don þat I comaunded þe And þus he dede do slee hem alle þre Irous kambises was eek drunkelewe And ay delited him to ben a schrewe And so bifelle a lord of his meigne That loued vertuous moralite Sayde on a day vnto himself right þus A lord is lost if he be vicious And drunkenesse is eek a foul record Of any man and namly in a lord Ther is ful many an ey and many an eere Awaytyng on a lord and he not where ffor goddes loue drynkeþ more attemperelly Wyn makeþ a man to lese wrecchedly his mynde and eek his lymes euerychon The reuers schalt þou see quod he anoon And proue it by þin owne experience That wyn doþ to folk no such offence Ther is no wyn byreueþ me my might Of hande ne foot ne of myn eyȝen sight And for despite he dranke ful moche more An hundred part þan he had don bifore And right anon þis cursede wrecche lete þis knightes sone biforn him fecche And commaundyng hem þey schulde biforn him stonde And sodeinly he took his bowe on honde And vp þe streng he pulled to his eere And wiþ an arwe he slough þe child right þere Now wheþer haue I a siker hond or non Quoþ he is al my might and my witte agon haþ wyn byreued me myn yhe sight What schulde I telle þe answere of þe knight his sone was slayn þer is namore to say Beþ war þerfore wiþ lordes how ȝe play Syngeþ placebo and I schal if I can But if it be vnto a pouere man To a pouere man men scholde his vices telle / But not to a lord þei he schulde go te helle / Lo Irrous Sirus þilke Percien how he destroyed þe ryuer of Gysen ffor þat an hors of his was dreynt þerinne Whan þat he wente Babilon to wynne he made þat þe ryuer was so smal That wommen mighten waden oueral lo what seyde he þat so wel teche can Ne he no felawe to an yrous man Ne wiþ no wood man walke by þe way leste þe repente I wol nomore say Now Thomas leeue broþer leue þin Ire Thou schalt me fynde as iuste as is a squire holde nought þe deueles knyf ay at þin herte / Thin anger doþ þe al to sore smerte But schewe to me alle þy confession Nay quod þis seeke man by seint Symon I haue ben schriuen þis day at my curate I haue him tolde al holly myn estate It needeþ nomore speke of it sayde he But if me luste of myn humilite Ȝiue me þenne of þy gold to make oure cloystre Quod he for many a muscle and many an oystre haþ ben our foode oure cloystre for to reyse Whan oþer men han ben ful wel at eyse And ȝit god wot vnneþes þe foundement Parformed is ne of oure pauyment Nis nought a tile ȝit wiþinne oure wones By god we owen fourty pound for stoones/ Now helpe thomas for him þat harwed helle Or elles moote we oure bokes selle And if we lacke oure predicacion þanne goþ þe world al to destruccion ffor whos wolde fro þis world vs byreue So god me saue Thomas by ȝoure leeue he wolde byreue out of þe world þe sonne / ffor who can teche and werchen as we konne And þat is not of litel time quod he But sethyns Elye was or Elyze han freres ben þat fynde I of record In charite I-þanked be oure lord Now Thomas help for seinte charite A-doun anon he sette him on his kne This sike man wex wel neigh wood for Ire he wolde þat þe frere hadde ben a fuyre With his fals dissimilacion Such þing as is her in my possession Quod he þat I may ȝiue and non oþer ȝe sein me þus / þat I am ȝour broþer ȝe certes quod þe ffrere trusteþ me wel I took oure dame oure lettres wiþ oure seel ¶ Now wel quod he and somwhat schal I ȝiue vnto ȝour holy couent whil I lyue And in þin hand þou schalt it han anon vp þis condicion and oþer non þat þou depart it so myn owne deere broþer That euery frere haue as moche as oþer þis schalt þou swere on þy profession Wiþouten fraude or cauellacion I swere it quod þis frere vpon my feiþ And þer wiþal his hond in his he leiþ lo heer my feiþ in me schal be no lacke þan putte þin hond doun by my bakke Sayde þis man and grope wel byhynde Byneþe my buttok þere schalt þou fynde A þing þat I haue hidde in priuete A þought þis frere þat schal go wiþ me And doun his hande he launceþ vnto þe clifte he hopede þere for to fynden a ȝifte And þanne ful besy was þis frere Abouten his tuwel gropyng here and þere ¶ Amydde his hand he leet þe frere a fart Ther is no capel drawyng in þe cart þat might haue lete a fart of such a soun þe frere vp sterte as it were a fers leoun A false cherl quod he for cokkes bones This hast þou for despite doon for þe nones þou schalt abeye þi farte if þat I may his meigne which þat herden þis affray Cam lepynge in and chased out þe ffrere And forþ he goþ wiþ a ful angry cheere And fette his felawe þer as lay his store he loked as it were a wilde boor he grynded his teeþ so was he wroþ A stourdy paas doun to þe court he goþ Wher as þer woned a man of gret honour To whom þat he was alwey confessour This worþy man was lord of þat village þis frere cam as þough it were in a rage Wher as þis lord sat etyng at his bord vnneþes might þe frere speke a word Til atte laste he seyde god ȝou se þis lord gan loke and seyde benedicite Quod he frere Iohn what maner world is þis I see wel þat som þing is amys ȝe loken as þe woode were ful of þeeues Sit doun anon and telle me what ȝour greef is And it schal ben amended if þat I may I haue quod he had a despit to day God ȝelde ȝou a-doun in ȝoure village þat in þis world is non so pore a page þat he nolde han abhominacion Of þat I haue receyued in þis toun And ȝit me greueþ no þing so sore As þat þis olde cherl wiþ lokkes hore Blasphemed haþ oure holy couent eeke Now maister quod þis lord I ȝou beseke No maister quod he but a seruitour þey I haue had in scole þat honour God likeþ nouȝt þat men vs Raby calle neiþer in market ne in ȝour halle No force quod he but telle me of ȝour greef sire quod þis frere an ydious mescheef This day betidde is to myn ordre and to me And so par consequens to eche degre Of holy chirche god amende it sone Sire quod þe lord ȝe wot what is to doone Distempre ȝou nought ȝe be my confessour ȝe ben þe salt/ of þerþe and þe sauour ffor goddes loue ȝoure pacience ȝe holde Telleþ me ȝour greef and he anon him tolde As ȝe han herd byfore ȝe wot wel what The lady of þe hous ay stille sat Til sche hadde herde what þe frere sayde Ey goddes moder quod sche blisful mayde Is þer nouȝt elles telleþ me feiþfully ¶ madame quod he how þenke ȝou þerby how þat me þenkeþ quod sche so god me spede I say a cherl haþ don a cherles deede what schulde I say god let him neuer þe his seeke heed is ful of vanite I holde him in a maner frenesye Madame quod he by god I schal not lye but I on oþer wise may ben awreke I schal sclaundre him oueral wher I speke The false blasphemour þat charged me To parte þat might nouȝt departed be To euery man y-liche wiþ meschaunce þe lord sat stille as he lay in a traunse And in his herte he rolled vp and doun how hadde þis cherl ymaginacioun To schewe such a probleme to þe frere Neuer erst er now herde I of such matere I trowe þe deuyl putte it in his mynde In ars metrik schal þer no man fynde Biforn þis day of such a question Who schulde make a demonstracion þat euery man schulde haue y-lik his part Of a soun or of a sauour of a fart O nyce proude cherle I schrewe his face lo sires quod þe lord wiþ harde grace Who herde euer of such a þing er now / To euery man ylike telle me how It is a impossible it may not be O nyce cherle god let him neuer þe þe rublyng of a fart and euery soun Nys but of eyre reuellacioun And þer-wiþ wasteþ litel and litel away þer is no man can deme by my fay If þat it/ were departed equaly What lo my cherle lo ȝit how schrewedely vnto my confessour to day he spak I holde him certein a demoniak Now eteþ ȝoure mete and leteþ him go pleye lete him go hange himself a deuelweye[The Solution of the "Probleme" by the Lord's Squire. No break in the MS.] Now stood þe lordes squier at þe bord þat karf here mete and herde word for word Of alle þing of which I haue ȝou sayd my lord quod he beþ not yuele payd I couþe telle for a gowne cloþ To ȝou sir frere so ȝe ben nat wroþ how þat þis fart scholde euene deled be Among ȝour couent/ if it like me Telle on quod þe lord and þou schalt haue anon A gowne cloþ by god and by seint Iohn My lord quod he whan þat þe weder is faire Wiþouten wynd or pertourbyng of ayre let bringe a cart whel heer in-to þis halle But loke þat he haue his spokes alle xij. spokes haþ a carte whel comunly And bringe me þanne .xij. freres wite ȝe why ffor .xiij. is a couent as I gesse ȝoure confessour hede for his worþinesse Schal performe vp þe nombre of his couent þanne schullen þey knelen doun by oon assent And to euery spokes ende in þis manere fful sadly leye his nose schal þe freere ȝoure noble confessour þere god him saue Schal holde his nose vpright vnto þe naue þanne schal þis cherl wiþ bely styf and touȝt As any tabour hider ben y-brought And sette him on þe wheel right on þis carte vpon þe naue and make him lete a farte And ȝe schuln se vp peril of my lijf By preof which þat is demonstratif þat equaly þe soun of hit wole wende And eeke þe stynke vnto þe spokes ende Saue þat þis worþi man þis confessour By cause he is a man of gret honour Schal haue þe ferste fruytes as reson is þe noble vsage of freres ȝit is þis þe worþy men of hem schuln ferst be serued And certeinly he haþ it wel disserued he haþ to day taught vs so mochil good Wiþ preching in þe pulpit þer he stood þat I may vouche sauf I say for me he hadde þe firste smelle of fartes þre And so wolde alle his couent hardily he bereþ him so faire and holyly þe lord þe lady & eche man saue þe ffrere Sayden þat Iankyn spak in þis matiere As wel as euclide or protholome Touchinge þe cherle þey seyden subtilite And by heyh witte make him speke as he spake he is no fool ne no demonyake And Iankyn haþ y-wonne a newe goune My tale is doon we ben almost at towne ¶ Here endeþ þe Somnours tale GROUP E. FRAGMENT VI. § 1. THE CLERK'S HEAD-LINK. CORPUS MS. ¶ here bygenneþ þe prologe of þe clerk of Oxenfordon leaf 129, back SIre clerk of Oxenford oure oste sayde ȝe ryde as stille and coy as doþ a mayde Were newe spoused sittyng atte bord This day ne herde I of ȝoure tonge a word I trowe þat ȝe studye aboute som sophime But Salamon saiþ euery þing haþ tyme¶ Pausacio ffor goddes sake beþ of bettre cheere It nys no tyme for to stodyen heere Telle vs som mery tale by ȝoure fay ffor what man þat is entred in-to play he needes mote vnto þe play assente But preches nat as freres don in lente To make vs for oure olde synnes wepe Ne þat þy tale make vs not to sleepe¶ Pausacio Telle vs som mery þing of auentures / ȝoure termes ȝoure coloures ȝoure figures keep hem in store til so be ȝe enditen by stile as when þat men to kinges writen Spekeþ so plein at þis tyme I ȝou pray þat we may vnderstonde what ȝe say¶ Pausacio This worþi clerk benignely answerde Oft quod he I am vnder ȝour ȝerde ȝe han of vs as now þe gouernance And þerfore wol I do yow obeissance As fer as reson axeþ hardel I wil ȝou telle a tale which þat I lernede at paradovse of a worþi clerk As preued by his wordes and his werk he is now deed and nayled in his cheste I pray to god to ȝiue his soule reste¶ Pausacio ffraunces Petrake þe laureat poete highte þis clerk whos retorique sweete[a leaf out] [enlumynede al ytaille / of Poyetrie as Lynyan dide / of Philosophie or lawe / or other arte par-ticulere but deth that wol not suffre vs / duelle here but as it were / a twynkelyng of an yghe hem both hath sleyn / and alle shulle we dye but forthe to tellen / of this worthy man that taughte me this tale / as I bigan I sey that he first / wight highe stile enditeth er he the body of his tale writeth a proheme / in the which discerneth he the mounde / and of Saluce the contre and spekith of Appenyn the hilles highe that ben the boundes / of west Lumbardie and of the Mounte Vesulus / in special where as the Poo / out of a wel smal takith his first spryngyng / and his sours and holte even streighte wey / his cours to Emel-ward / to Ferrare / and to Venyse the which a longe thing were / to devise and trewely / as to my Iugement me thinkith it a thing / inpertynent save he wol conveye / his matiere but this is the tale / which ye shal hiere Here endith the clerke of Oxonford his prolog And next folwyng bigynneth his tale of Gresilde.MS Arch. Seld. B. 14, on leaf 66 Ther was in the weste side of ytaylle down at the rote / of Vesulus the colde a lusty playne / habundaunte of vitaylle where many a toure and towne / thow maist biholde that founded were / in tyme of faders olde and many a-nother / dilectable sight and Saluces / this noble contre hight A Marques whilom / was lord of that londe as were his worthi eldres / him bifore and obeysaunte / ay redy to his honde were alle his liges / both lesse and more thus in delite he lyved / and hath done yore biloued and drad / thorugh favour of fortune both of his lordis / and of his comune ¶ Therwith he was / to speken of lynage the gentilest borne / of al Lumbardye a faire persone and strong / and yonge of age and ful of honoure / and of curtesie discrete I-nough / his contre for to gye saue in som thingis / he was to blame and Walter was this yonge lord-is name ¶ I blame him thus / that he considred noughte in tyme comyng / what myghte him betide but on his lust present / was al his thoughte as for to havke and hounte / on euery side wel nygh al other cures / lete he slide and eke he nolde / and that was worst of alle wedde no wiff / for aughte that myghte bifalle ¶ Oonly that poynt / his peple bare soore[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14.] that flokmele on a day / they to him wente and oon of hem / that wysest was of loore or ellis that the lord / best wolde assente that he shulde telle him / what his peple mente or ellis coude he wel / shewe suche matire he to the Marques seide / as ye shulle hire ¶ O noble Marques / youre humanite assurith vs / and yevith vs hardynesse as offte as tyme / is of necessite that we to yow mow telle / oure hevynesse acceptith now lord / of youre gentilnesse that we with pitevous herte / to yow pleyne and lete not youre eeris / my voys disdeyne ¶ Al haue I nought to done / in this matire more than a-nother man hath / in this place yit for as meche / as ye my lord / so dere haue alwey shewed to me / favoure and grace I dar the better axe of yow / a space of audience / to shewe oure requeste and ye my lord / to do right as ye leste ¶ For certes lord / so wel vs likith yow and al youre werke / and haue done that we][Arch. Seld. B. 14 extract ends] Ne coude nought vs self deuysen howCorpus MS We mighte lyue in more felicite Saue o þing lord if it ȝour wille be That for to be a wedded man ȝou leste þen were ȝoure peple in souereyn hertes reste[No breaks in the Corpus MS between the stanzas.] Boweþ ȝoure nekke vnder þat blisful ȝok Of souerainte and nought of seruise Which þat men clepe spousaile or wedlok And þenkeþ lord amonges ȝoure þoughtes wise [how that oure dayes pas / in sondre gise][Arch. Seld. B. 14.] ffor þough we slepe or wake or renne or ryde Ay fleeþ þe tyme and wol noman abyde And þough ȝoure greene þoughtes floure as ȝit In crepeþ age alway as stille as stoon And deth manaceþ euery age and smyt In ech astat for þer askapeþ noon And also certein as we knowe echoon þat we schulle deye as vncertein we alle Ben of þat day þat deþ schal on vs falle ¶ Accepteþ þanne of vs þe trewe entent þat neuere ȝit ne refused ȝour heste And we lord if þat ȝe wile assent To chese ȝou a wijf in schort tyme atte leste Borne of þe gentilest and of þe meste Of alle þis lond so þat it oughte seme honour to god and ȝou as we can deme ¶ Delyuer vs out of al þis busy dede And tak a wijf for hihe goddes sake ffor if it so bifelle as god forbede þat þorugh ȝoure deþ ȝour lynage schulde slake And þat a straunge successour schulde take ȝoure heritage. o wo were vs on lyue wherfore we pray ȝow hastily to wyue ¶ here meke preyer and here pitous cherte Made þe marquys herte haue pite [ye wol quod he / myn owne peple dere][Arch. Seld. B. 14.] To þat I neuer erst þouȝte streyne me I me reioysed of my liberte That selden tyme is founden mariage Ther I was free I moste be in seruage ¶ But naþeles I se ȝour trewe entente And truste vpon ȝour witte and haue don ay Wherfore with al my fre wille I wil assente To wedde me as sone as euer I may But þer as ȝe han profred me to day To chese me a wijf I ȝou relesse þat choys and pray ȝou of ȝoure profre cesse ¶ ffor I wot þat children often ben vnlike here eldres hem byfore Bounte comþ al of god not of þe stren Of which þei beþ engendred and y-bore I truste in goddes bounte and þerfore my mariage and myn astat and reste I him bitake he may do as him leste ¶ lat me alone in chesyng of my wijf But I ȝou pray and charge vpon ȝour lijf That charge vpon my bak I wil endure þat what wijf I take I þe assure To worschipe hire whil þat hire lijf may dure In word in werk boþe heere and euerywhere As sche an Emperoures doughter were ¶ And forþermore þis schal ȝe swere þat ȝe Aȝein my choys schulle neuer grucche ne stryue ffor siþþe I schal forgo my liberte At ȝoure request as euer mote I þriue [there as myn herte is sett / there woll I wyve][Arch. Seld. B. 14.] And but ȝe wol assente in such manere I pray ȝou speke nomore of þis matiere ¶ Wiþ hertly wil þey sweren and assenten To al þis þing þer seyde no wight nay Beseking him of grace or þat þei wenten þat he wolde graunten hem a certein day Of his spousaile as sone as euer he may ffor ȝet alway þe poeple somwhat dredde lest þat þis marquys no wijf wolde wedde He graunted hem a day such as him leste On which he wolde be wedded sikerly And sayde he dide al þis at þair requeste And þay wiþ humble entent ful buxomly knelyng vpon here knees ful reuerently him þonkyng alle and þus þay haue an ende Of here entent and home aȝein þei wende And her vpon he to his officers Comandeþ for þe feste to purveye And to his priue knightes and squyers Such charge ȝaf as him list on hem leye And þay to his comaundement obeye And ech of hem doþ al his diligence To do vnto þe feste reuerence [PART II.] ¶ Prima pars NOught fer fro þe paleys honurable Wher as þe marquys schop his mariage Ther stood a throop of þe Cite delitable In which þat pore folk of þat village hadden here bestes and here herbergage And of here labour toke here sustienance After þe erþe ȝaf hem abundance Among þis pore folk þer dwelled a man Which was holde pouerest of hem alle But heihe god sum tyme sende can his grace in to a litel oxe stalle Ianicula men of þat throop him calle A doughter hadde he fair ynough to sight ¶ And Grisildis þis ȝonge mayden highte But for to speke of verteuous beaute þanne was sche on þe fairest vnder sonne fful pouerely y-fostered was sche No likerous lust was in hire herte ronne Wel oftere of þe welle þan of þe tonne Sche drank for sche wolde vertues plese Sche knew wel labour but non ydel ese ¶ But þough þis mayden tendre were of age ȝet in þe brest of hire virginite Ther was y-closed rype and scharpe corage And in a gret reuerence and charite hire olde pouere fader fostred sche A fewe scheep spynnyng on feld sche kepte Sche nolde not ben ydel til þat sche slepte And whan sche com homward sche wolde bringe Wortes or oþer herbes tymes ofte The which sche schredde and seth for hir lyuynge And made hir bed ful harde and no þing softe / And ay sche kepte hir faderes lif on lofte Wiþ euery obeissance and diligence That childe may do to faderes reuerence / ¶ vpon Grisilde þe pouer creature fful ofte siþe þe marquys sette his ye As he on huntyng rood perauenture And whan it fell þat he might hir aspye he not wiþ wantoun lokyng of folye his eyen caste on hire but in sad wyse vpon hir cheere he wolde him ofte auyse ¶ Commendyng in his herte hir wommanhede And eek hire vertu passyng any wight Of so ȝong age as wel in cheere as in dede ffor þough þe poeple haue no gret insight In vertu he considerd ful right hir bounte and disposed þat he wolde Wedde hir oonly if euer he wedde scholde The day of weddyng com but no wight can Telle what womman þat it schulde be ffor which meruayle wondreþ many man And seyde whan þey were in pryuyte Wil nat oure lord ȝit leue his vanite Wil he nat wedde allas allas þe while Why wol he þus himself and vs begile But naþeles þis marquys haþ don make Of gemmes sette in golde and in asure Broches and rynges for Grisildes sake And of hire cloþing tok he þe mesure Of a mayden like to hire stature And eek of oþer ornamentes alle That vnto such a weddyng schulde falle ¶ þe tyme of vnderne of þe same day Approcheþ þat þis weddyng schulde be And al þe paleys but was in aray Boþe halle and chambre eche in his degre houses of offices stuffed wiþ plente Ther maystow se of deynteuous vitayle That may be founde as feer as last ytayle ¶ This real marquys richely arrayed lordes and ladyes in his companye The which vnto þe feste were prayed And of his retenue þe bachelrie With many a soun of sondry melodye vnto þe vilage of which I tolde In þis array þe righte wey haþ holde ¶ Grisilde of þis god wot ful Innocent þat for hire schapen al þis array was To fecche water at a welle is wente And comeþ home as sone as euer sche may ffor wel sche hadde herd seyde þat ilke day That marquys schulde wedde and if sche might Sche wolde fayn han seyn some of þat sight ¶ Sche þought I wille wiþ oþre maydens stonde þat ben my felawes in oure dore and se The marquisesse and þerfore wol I fonde To do at home as sone as it may be þe labour which þat longeþ vnto me And þanne I may at leysyr hire by-holde If sche þis wey vnto þe castel holde ¶ And as sche wolde ouer hire þresshfold gon The marquys cam and gan hir for to calle And sche sette doun hir water potte anon· Bysyde þis þresshfolde of þis oxe stalle And doun vpon hir knees sche gan to falle Wiþ sad contynance and kneleþ stille Til sche had herd what was þe lordes wille þis þoughtful marquys spak vnto þis mayde fful soberly and seyde in þis manere Wher is ȝour fader Grisildis he sayde And sche wiþ reuerence in humble chere Answerde lord he is al redy heere And in sche goþ wiþoute lenger lette And to þe marquys hir fader sche fette ¶ he by þe hond þan took þis olde man/ And sayde þus whan he him hadde a syde Ianycala I neyþer may ne can lengere þe plesaunce of myn herte hyde If þat þou vouche saff what so betyde þy doughter I wol take or þat I wende As for my wijf vnto hire lyues ende ¶ þou louest me I wot it wel certain And art my feiþful liege man y-bore And al þat likeþ me I dar wel sayn It likeþ þe and specialliche þerfore Telle me þat poynt as I haue sayd bifore If þat þou wilt vnto þat purpos drawe To take me as for þi sone in lawe ¶ The sodeyn cas þe man astoned so þat reed he wax abayst and al quakynge he stood vnneþe he sayde worde no mo But only þus lord quod he my willynge Is as ȝe wille nought aȝeins ȝour likynge I wole noþing ȝe be my lord so dere But as ȝou luste gouerneþ þis matiere ¶ ȝit wol I quod þis marquys softely þat in þi chambre I and þou and sche. haue a collacion and wostow why ffor I wil axe if þat hire wille be To be my wijf and reule hire after me And al þis schal be doon in þi presence I wol not speke out of þin audience ¶ And in here chambre whil þay were aboute here tretees which þat ȝe schul after heere þe poeple cam in to þe hous wiþoute And wondred hem in hor honeste manere And tentyfly sche kepte hir fader deere But outerly Grysildis wondre might ffor neuer erst ne saugh sche such a sight ¶ No wonder is þouȝ þat sche were astoned To se so gret a geste in þat place Sche neuer was to suche gestes woned ffor which sche loked wiþ ful pale face But schortly forþ þis mater for to chace This aren þe wordes þat þe marquys sayde To his benigne verray feyþful mayde ¶ Grisilde he seyde ȝe schule wel vnderstonde It likeþ to ȝoure fader and to me That I ȝou wedde and eek it may so stonde As I suppose ȝe wil þat it so be But þese demaundes ax I first quod he ¶ þat siþþen it schal be don in hasty wise Wille ȝe assente or elles ȝou auyse I seye þis be redy wiþ good herte To al my lust and þat I frely may As me best þinkeþ do ȝou knowe or smerte And neuer þe to grucche it night ne day And eek whan I say ȝe ne say not nay Neiþer by word ne by frounyng contynance Swere þis and heer I swere oure alliance ¶ Weddyng vpon þis word quakyng for drede Sche sayde lord vndigne or vnworþy Am I to þat ilke honour þat ȝe me bede But as ȝe wille ȝoure self right so wol I And here I swere þat neuer willyngly In werk ne þought I nyl ȝou disobeye ffor to be deed þough me were loþ to deye ¶ This is ynough Grisylde myn quod he And forþ he goþ wiþ a ful sobre cheere Out at þe dore and after þat cam sche And to þe poeple he sayde in þis manere þis is my wyf quod he þat stondeþ heere honoureþ hire and loueþ eek I preye Who so me loueþ þer is no more to seye And for þat noþing of hir olde gere Sche scholde bringe in to his hous he bad That wommen schulde dispoylen hire right þere Of which þis ladyes were noþing glad To handle hire cloþes wher Inne sche was clad But naþeles þis mayden bright of hewe ffro foot to heed þey cloþed han al newe ¶ hire heres han þey kempte þat layn vntressed fful rudely and wiþ hire fyngres smale þay tyred hire heed þat longe rudely lay dressed Of hire array what schulde I make a tale Sche is now fair of hew þat arst was pale vnneþe þe poeple hir knew for hir fairnesse Whan sche transmewed was in such richesse ¶ This marquys haþ hir wedded wiþ a ryng Brouȝt for þe same cause and hire sette vpon an hors snow whyt and wel amblyng And to þe paleys or he lenger lette Wiþ ioyful poeple þat hire ladde and mette Conueyed hire and þus þe day þay spende In reuel til þe sonne gan descende ¶ And schortly forþ þis tale for to chace I seye þat to þis newe marquysesse God haþ such fauour sent hire of his grace That it ne semed nought be kykenesse That sche was born and fedde in iudenesse As in a cote or in an Oxe stalle/ But norisshed in an emperoures halle ¶ To euery wight sche woxen is so deere And worschipful þat folk þer sche was bore And from hire burþe knewe hire þere by ȝeere vnneþe trowede þey but durst han swore þat to Ianicle of which I spak byfore Sche doughter nas for as by coueiture hem þoughte sche was anoþer creature ¶ ffor þough euere vertuous was sche Sche was encressed in such excellence Of þewes good y-sette in heih bounte And so discrete and fair of eloquence So benigne and digne of reuerence And coude so þe poeples herte embrace þat ech hir loueþ þat lokeþ on hir face ¶ Not only of salues in þe toun Pirplissched was þe bounte of hir name But eek besyde in many a region If on sayde wel anoþer sayde þe same So spredeþ of hire heih bounte & fame That men and wommen als wel ȝonge as olde Gon to salice vpon hir to byholde ¶ Thus Walter lowly nat but really Wedded wiþ fortunate honeste In goddes pees lyueþ ful esily At hom and outward grace ynough hadde he And for he saugh þat vnder lough degre Was ofte vertu hyd þe poeple him helde A prudent man and þat is seyn ful seelde ¶ Nat oonly þis Grisildis þurgh hir witte Coude al þe fait of wyfly homlynesse But eke whan þat þe cas requyred it The comun profyt coude sche redresse þer nas discorde rancour ne heuynesse In al þat lond þat sche couþe appese And wisly bringe hem alle in hertes eese ¶ Though þat hire housbonde absent were anon If gentil men or oþer of hire countre / Were wroþe sche wolde bringen hem at on So wys and rype wordes hadde sche / And Iuggements of so gret equite þat sche from heuen sent was as men wende þe poeple to plese and euery wrong to amende ¶ Nat long tyme after þat þis Grisilde Was wedded sche a douȝter haþ y-bore Al hadde hir leuer haue born a knaue childe Glad was þis marquys and his folk þerfore ffor þough a mayden childe come al bifore Sche may vnto a knaue child atteyne Be lykened siþþe sche is not bareyne¶ Explicit ija pars. Ther felle as it bifalleþ tymes mo When þat þis childe had souked but a þrowe This marquys in his herte longeþ so To tempte his wyf hir sadnesse for to knowe þat he ne might out of his herte þrowe ¶ This merueylous desir his wijf to assaye Needeles god wot he þought hir to affraye he hadde assayed hire ynough bifore And fond hir euer good what needed it hire for to tempte and alway more and more But as for me I seye þat euele it sitte þough some men it preyse for a subtil witte To assaye a wijf whan þat it is no neede And putten hire in anguissche and in dreede ¶ ffor which þis marquys wrought in þis manere he com a night allone þer as sche lay Wiþ sterne fate and wiþ trouble cheere And seyde þus Grisilde quod he þat day þat I ȝou took out of ȝoure pore aray And putte ȝou in astat of heye noblesse ȝe haue nouȝt forgeten as I gesse ¶ I seye Grisilde þis present dignite In which I haue putte ȝow as I trowe makeþ ȝou nouȝt forȝeteful for to be þat I ȝou took in pouer astate ful lowe ffor eny wele ȝe mote ȝoure selue knowe Tak heed of euery word þat I ȝou say þer nys no wight þat heereþ it but we tway ¶ ȝe wote ȝoure selue wel how þat ȝe come here In to þis hous þat nys nat longe ago And þough to me ȝe be right leeue and deere vnto my gentiles ȝe ben noþing so þey say to hem it is gret schame and wo ffor to be sogette and ben in seruage To þe þat art born of a smal vilage ¶ And namely siþþe þy douȝter was y-bore This wordes han þey spoke douteles But I desire as I haue don byfore To lyue my lyf wiþ hem in reste and pees I may not in þis cas be recheles I mot do wiþ þi douȝter for þe beste Nouȝt as I wolde but as my gentils leste ¶ And ȝit god wot þis is ful loþ to me But naþeles wiþouten ȝour wetynge I wil nat do but þis wil I quod he That ȝe to me assent/ as in þis þinge Schewe now ȝour pacience as in werkynge þat ȝe me hight and swor in ȝour village That day þat maked was our mariage ¶ Whan sche had herd al þis sche nat ameued Noyþer in word ne cheere ne contynance ffor as it semed sche was nat agreued Sche sayde lord al liþ in ȝour plesaunce My childe and I wiþ hertely obeissance ben ȝoures al and ȝe mowe saue & spille ȝoure owne þing workiþ after ȝour wille ¶ Ther may no þing so god my soule saue liken to ȝou þat may displesen me Ne I desyre noþing for to haue Ne drede for to lese saue oonly þe þis wille is in myn herte and ay schal be No lengþe of tyme or deþ may þis deface Ne chaunge my corrage to anoþer place ¶ Glad was þis marquys for hire answeryng But ȝit he feigned as it were not so Al dreery was his cheer as his lokyng Whan þat he schulde out/ of þe chambre go Sone after þis a forlong way or tuo he priuely haþ tolde al his entente vnto a man and to his wijf him sente ¶ A maner sergeant was þis priue man The which he feiþful often founden hadde In þinges gret and eek such folk wel can Don execucion of þinges badde The lord knew wel þat he him loued and dradde And whan þis sergaunt knew his lordes wille In to þe chambur he stalked him ful stille ¶ Ma dame he sayde ȝe moote forȝiue it me Though I do þing þe which I am constreyned ȝe ben so wys þat ful wel knowe ȝe þat lordes heestes mowe not be feyned þey mowe wel be weyled or compleyned But men moot needes to here lust obeye And so wol I þer nys nomore to seye ¶ þis child am I comaunded for to take And spak no more but out þe childe he hente Dispitously and gan a cheere make As þough he wold han slayn it or he wente Grisildes mot al soffre and consente And as a lombe sche sitteþ meke & stille And lete þis cruel sergant han his wille ¶ Suspeccious was þe defame of þis man Suspecte his face suspecte his word also Suspecte þe tyme in which he þis bygan. Allas hir doughter þat sche loued so Sche wende he wolde haue slayen it right þo But naþeles sche nouþer weep ne siked Conformyng hire to þat þe marquys liked ¶ But atte laste speke sche bigan And mekely sche to þe sergaunt preyed So as he was a worþy gentil man þat sche moste kisse hir childe or þat it deyde And in hir barm þis litel child sche leyde Wiþ ful sadde face and gan þis childe to blisse And lulled it and after gan it kisse ¶ And þus sche seyde in hire benigne vois ffar wel my child I schal þe neuer se But siþ I haue þe marked wiþ þe croys Of þilke fader blessed mote þou be þat for vs deyed vpon a crosse of tre þy soule litel child I him bytake ffor þis night schalt þou deye for my sake ¶ I trowe to a norice in þis cas It hadde ben hard þis reuþe for to se Wel might a mooder þan han cryed allas But naþeles so sadde stedefast was sche þat sche endured alle aduersite And to þe sergeaunt mekely sche sayde haue her aȝein ȝour litel ȝonge mayde ¶ Goþ now quod sche and doþ my lordes heste But o þing wold I pray ȝou of ȝour grace þat but my lord forbad ȝou atte leste Burieþ þis litel body in som place þat bestes ne no briddes it to-race But he ne wolde no word to þe purpos seye But/ tok þe childe and went vpon his weye ¶ þis sergaunt cam vnto þis lord ageyne And of Grisildes wordes and hir cheere he tolde him word for word in schort and pleyne And him presenteþ with his douȝter dere Somwhat þis lord hadde reuþe in his manere But naþeles his purpos held he stille As lordes don whan þay wol haue here wille And bad þis sergaunt þat he priuyly Schulde þis child ful ofte wynde and wrappe Wiþ alle circumstaunces tendrely And carye it in a coffre or in a lappe But vpon peyne his heed of for to swappe þat noman schulde knowe of his entent Ne when he come ne whider þat he went ¶ But at Boloigne it to his suster deere That ilke time of Panyke was Countesse / he schulde it take and schewe hir þis mateere / Besekyng hire to don hire besynesse This child to fostre in alle gentilnesse And whos child þat it was he bad hire hyde ffrom euery wight for ought þat may betyde ¶ þis sergaunt goþ and haþ fulfild þis þing But now to þis markys retorne we ffor now goþ he ful ofte ymagynyng If by his wyffes cheer he mighte se Or by hire word apparceyue þat sche Were chaunged but he neuer coude hir fynde But euer in oon ylike sad and kynde ¶ As glad as besy as humble in seruice And eek in loue as sche was wont to be Was sche to him in euery maner wyse Ne of hir doughter nought a word spak sche Accident for non aduersite Was seyn in hire ne neuer hir douȝter name Ne nempned sche in ernest ne in game¶ Explicit iija pars. IN þis astat þer ben passed .iiij. ȝer sche wiþ childe was but as god wolde A knaue childe sche bar by þis walter fful gracious and fair for to biholde And whan þat folk it to his fader tolde Nat onlich he but al þe contre merye Was for þis child and god þey þank and herye ¶ Whan it was tuo ȝeer old and fro be breste Departed of his norice on a day This marquys caughte ȝit anoþer leste To tempte his wijf ȝit ofter if he may O nedeles was sche tempted in assay But wedded men knowen no mesure Whan þat þay fynde a pacient creature ¶ Wijf quod þis marquys ȝe han herd of þis My poeple sekerly bereþ heuy of oure mariage And namely siþþe my sone boren is Now is it wers þan euer in al oure age The murmur sleþ myn herte and my corage ffor to myn eeres comeþ þe voys so smerte That it wel neih destroyed haþ myn herte ¶ Now sey þey þus whan walter is agon þanne schal þe blood of Ianicle succede And ben oure lord for oþer haue we non Suche wordes seiþ my poeple it is no drede Wel ought I of such murmur taken heede ffor certeinly I drede such sentence þough þey nought pleyne speke in myn audience ¶ I wolde lyue in pees if þat I mighte Wher fore I am disposed outerly As I his suster seruede be nighte Right so þenke I to serue him priuely þus warne I ȝou for ȝe nouȝt sodeinly Out of ȝour self for no wo schulde outraye Beþ pacient and þerfore I ȝou praye ¶ I haue quod sche sayd þus and euer schal I wille no þing ne nyl no þing certayne But as ȝou liste nouȝt greueþ me al þough þat my doughter and my sone be slayne At ȝour comaundement þis is to sayne I haue nouȝt had no part of children tweyne But first siknesse and after wo and peyne ¶ ȝe ben oure lord doþ wiþ ȝour owne þing Riȝt as ȝou liste askeþ no rede at me ffor as I lifte at home al my cloþinge Whan I first come to ȝou right so quod sche lefte I my wille and al my liberte And tok ȝour cloþing wherfore I ȝou preye Doþ ȝour plesance I wil ȝour lust obeye ¶ And certes if I hadde prescience ȝoure wille to knowe or ȝe ȝour lust me tolde I wolde it do wiþouten necligence But now I wot ȝour lust and what ȝe wolde Al ȝour plesaunce ferme and stable I holde ffor wiste I þat my deþ wolde do ȝou ese Right gladly wolde I deye ȝou to plese ¶ Deþ may not make no comparisoun vnto oure loue and whan þis marquys say þe contenaunce of his wijf he cast a doun his eyȝen tuo and wondreþ þat sche may In pacience suffre al þis array And forþ he goþ wiþ drery contynaunce But to his herte it was right gret plesance ¶ þis Oggel sergaunt in þe same wise þat he hir douȝter caughte right so he Or worse if men worse can deuyse haþ hent hir sone þat ful was of beaute And euer in oon so pacient was sche That sche no cheere made of heuynesse But kiste hir sone and after gan it blesse ¶ Saue þis sche preyed him if þat he mighte hir litel sone he wolde in erþe graue his tendre lymes delicat to sight ffro foules and fro bestes for to saue but sche non answer of him mighte haue he wente his wey as he no þing ne roughte But to Boloigne he tendrely it brouȝte ¶ This marquys wondreþ euer lenger þe more vpon hir pacience and if þat he Ne hadde soþly knowe þer bifore þat parfitly hir children loued sche he wolde haue wende þat of som subtilte And of malice or for cruel corrage That sche hadde suffred þis wiþ sad visage ¶ But wel he knewe next himself certayne Sche loued hir children best in euery wise / But now of wommen wolde I aske fayne If þise assayes mighte nouȝt suffise / What couþe a stordy housbonde more deuyse To proeue his wijf and hire stedfastnesse And he contynuyng euer in sturdynesse ¶ But þer ben folk of such condicion That whan þey haue a certein purpos take They can nought stynte of here entencion But right as þey were bounden to a stake þey wil nat of þat firste purpos slake / Right so þis marquys fully haþ purposed To tempte his wijf as he was first disposed ¶ he wayteþ if by word or contynance That sche to him was chaunged of corage But neuer coude he fynde variance Sche was ay oon in hert and in visage And ay þe furþer þat sche was in age þe more trewe if þat it were possible Sche was to him more lowe and more pesible ¶ ffor which it semed þus þat of hem tuo þer nas but oo wille for as walter liste That same lust was hire plesance also And god he þanked al fel for þe beste Sche schewed weel for no worldly vnreste A wijf as of hir self no þing ne scholde Wille in effecte but as hir housbond wolde þe sclaundre of walter ofte and wyde spradde That of a cruel herte he wikkedly ffor he a pore womman wedded hadde haþ murdred boþe his children priuely Such murmur was among hem comunly No wonder is for to þe poeples eere Ther com no word but þat þay mordred were ffor which þer as his poeple þer bifore hadde loued him wel þe sclaunder of his diffame Made hem þat þey him hatede þerfore To ben a murdrer is an hateful name But naþeles for ernest ne for game he of his cruel purpos nolde stente To tempte his wijf was sette al his entente ¶ Whan þat his douȝter twelf ȝer was of age he to þe court of Rome in subtil wise Enformed of his wille and sente his message Comaundyng hem suche bulles to deuyse/ In þis maner and in þis same gyse how þat þe pope as for his poeples reste Bad him to wedde anoþer if him leste ¶ I say he bad þay scholden countrefete The popes bulles making mencion þat he haþ leue his firste wijf to lete As by þe popes dispensacion To stynte rancour and discencion Bitwixe his poeple and him þus spak þe bulle þe which þey han publisshed atte fulle ¶ The rude poeple as it no wonder is Wenden ful wel þat it hadde be riȝt so But whan þis tyþinges come to Grisildis I deme þat hir herte was ful wo And sche ylike sad for euermo Disposed was þis humble creature To aduersite of fortune al tendure ¶ Abydyng euer his lust and his plesance To whom sche was ȝiuen herte and al As to hire worldly verray suffisaunce But schortly if þis story telle I schal This marquys writen haþ in special A lettre in which he scheweþ his entente And secretly he to boloigne it sente ¶ To þe erl of Panyke which þat hadde þo Wedded his suster preyed he specially To bringen home aȝein his children tuo But he o þinge preyed outrely With alle his herte ful affectuously þat he to no wight þough men wolde enquere Schulde nought telle whos children þat þei were ¶ But seye þe mayden schulde y-wedded be Vnto þe marquys of Saluce right anon And as þis erle was preyed right so dede he ffor at day sette he on his day is goon Toward Saluce and lordes many oon In riche array þis mayden for to gyde hire ȝonge broþer ryding by hir syde Arrayed was toward hir mariage This freisshe mayde ful of gemmes cleere hir broþer which þat vij. ȝeer was of age Arrayed eek ful freissch in his manere And þus in gret noblesse and wiþ glad cheere Toward Saluces schapynge hire iourneye ffro day to day þey ryden in here weye¶ Quarta pars. [PART V.] AMong al þis after his wicked vsage þis marquys ȝit his wijf gan tempte more To þe outrest proef of hire corage ffully to han experiment and lore If þat sche was as stidefast as bifore he on a day in open audience fful boustously haþ seid hir þis sentence Certes Grisildis I hadde ynough plesaunce To han ȝou to my wijf for ȝour goodnesse As for ȝour trouþe and ȝour obeissance Nat for ȝour lignage ne for ȝour richesse But now quod he in verray soþfastnesse þat in gret lorschipe if I wol auyse þer is gret seruytute in sondry wise ¶ I may not do as euery ploughman may My poeple me constreyneþ for to take anoþer wijf and cryen day by day And eek þe pope rancour for to slake Consenteþ it þat dar I vndertake And trewelich þus meche I wil ȝou seye My newe wijf is comynge by þe weye ¶ Be strong of herte and voyde anon hire place And þilke doware þat ȝe broughten me Tak it aȝein and graunte it of my grace Retorneþ to ȝour fadres hous quod he No man may alwey haue prosperite Wiþ euene herte I rede ȝou tendure þe strok of fortune or of auenture ¶ And sche aȝein answerde in pacience My lord seyde sche I wot & wiste alway how þat bitwixe ȝoure magnificence And my pouerte no wight can ne may maken comparison it/ is no nay I helde me neuer digne in no manere To be ȝour wijf ne ȝit ȝour chamberere And in þis hous þer ȝe me lady made ¶ þe hihe god take I for my witnesse And also wisly he my soule glade I neuer heelde me lady ne maystresse But humble seruaunt to ȝour worþinesse And euere schal whil þat my lijff may dure Abouen euery worldly creature ¶ That ȝe so longe of ȝoure benignite han holde me in honour and nobleye Wher as I was nouȝt worþy for to be þat þanke I god and ȝow whom I preye fforȝelde it ȝow þer nys no more to seye vnto my fader gladly wol I wende And wiþ him dwelle vnto my lyues ende ¶ Ther I was fostred of a child ful smal Til I be dede my lijf þer wil I lede A wydewe clene in body herte and al ffor siþþe I ȝaf to ȝow my maydenhede And am ȝour trewe wijf it is no drede God schilde such a lordes wijf to take Anoþer man to housbonde or to make ¶ And of ȝoure newe wyf god of his grace So graunte ȝou wele and heigh prosperite ffor I wille gladly ȝelden hire my place In which I was blisful wont to be ffor siþþe it likeþ ȝow my lord quod sche That whilom weren al myn hertes reste þat I schal go I wol go whan ȝou leste ¶ But þer as ȝe me profre swich dowayre Ay I first brought it is wel in my mynde It were my wrecched cloþes no þing fayre The whiche to me were now ful hard to fynde O goode god how gentil and how kynde ȝe semede by ȝour speche and ȝour visage þe day þat maked was our mariage But soþ is seyde algate I fynde it trewe ffor in effecte it preuede is on me loue is nat olde as whan þat it is newe But certes lord for non aduersite To deyen in þe cas it schal not be þat euer in word or werk I schal repente þat I ȝou ȝaf myn herte in hol entente ¶ My lord ȝe wot þat in my fadres place ȝe dede me strepe out of my pore wede And richely me cladden of ȝour grace To ȝou brought I nouȝt elles out of drede But feiþ and nakednesse and maydenhede And here aȝein ȝour cloþing I restore And eek ȝour weddyng ryng for euermore ¶ The remenaunt of ȝoure Iewellis redy be Wiþinne ȝour chambre dar I sauely sayn Naked out of my fadres hous quod sche I cam and naked I mot agayn Al ȝoure plesaunce wolde I folwe fayn But ȝit I hope it be nat ȝoure entente That smokles out of ȝoure paleys I wente ¶ ȝe coude nouȝt do so dishoneste a þing That þilke wombe in which ȝour children leye Schulde bifore þe poeple in my walkyng Be seyn al bare wher fore I ȝou preye / lat me not lik a worme go by þe weye Remembre ȝou myn owne lord so deere I was ȝoure wijf þough I vnworþy were Wherfore in guerdon of my maydenhede Which þat I brought and not awey I bere As voucheþ sauf to ȝif me to my mede But such a smok as I was wont to were þat I þer wiþ may wrye þe wombe of here þat was ȝour wijf and here take I my leue Of ȝou myn owen lord lest I ȝou greue ¶ The smok/ quod he þat þou hast on þi bak lat it be stille and bere it forþ wiþ þe But vnneþes þilke word he spak But wente his wey for rewþe and pite Biforn þe folk hir seluen strepeþ sche And in hire smok wiþ heued and foot al bare Toward hir fader hous is sche fare The folk hir folwen wepyng in hire weye And fortune ay þey cursen as þey gon But sche fro weepyng kepte hire eyhen dreye Ne in þis tyme word ne spak sche noon hire fader þat þis tydinge herde anon Curseþ þe day and tyme þat nature Schope him to be a lyues creature ¶ ffor out of doute þis olde pouere man þat whan þe lord had fulfilde his corage ffor euer it demed siþ it ferst bigan him wolde þinke it were disparage To wedde oon of so pore a lynage To his astat so lowe to alighte And voyde hire as sone as euer he mighte ¶ Aȝein his doughter hastely goþ he ffor he by noyse of folk knew hire comyng And wiþ hire olde cote as it mighte be he couered hire ful sorwfully wepynge But on hir body might he it not bringe ffor rude was þe cloþ and more of age By fele dayes þan was hire mariage Thus wiþ hir fader for a certein space Dwelleþ þis flour of wyfly pacience þat neyþer by hir wordes ne hir face Biforn þe folk ne eek in here absence / Ne schewede sche þat hire was don offence Ne of hire heih astat þe remembrance Ne hadde sche as by hire contynaunce No wonder is for in hire gret astate hire gost was euer in plein humilite No tendre mouþ non herte delicate No pompe ne semblant of realte But ful of pacience and benignite Discrete and prydeles ay honorable And to hir housbonde euer meeke and stable ¶ Men speke of Iob. and most for his humblesse As clerkes whan hem liste can endite Namly of men but as in soþfastnesse þough clerkes preyse wommen but a lite þer can no man in humblesse him aquite As wommen can ne can be half so trewe As wommen ben but it be falle of newe [PART VI.] ¶ ffro Boloigne is þis erl of Panyke come / Of which þe fame vp sprong to more & lesse / And to þe poeples eres alle and some / Was couþ eek þat a newe marquysesse he wiþ him brought in such pompe and richesse That neuer was þer seyn wiþ mannes eye So noble array in al west lumbardye ¶ The marquys which þat schope and knew al þis Or þat þis erl were come sent his message ffor þilke sely pore Grisildis And sche with humble herte and glad visage nouȝt wiþ no swollen herte in hire corage Cam at his heste and on hir knees hir sette And reuerently and wysly sche him grette ¶ Grisildis quod he my wille is vtterly þis mayden þat schal be wedded to me Receyued be to morn als really As possible is in myn hous for to be And eke þat euery wight in his degre haue his astat in sittyng and seruise And heih plesaunce as I can best deuyse ¶ I haue no womman sufficaunt certayn þe chambres for to arraye in ordinance After my lust and þerfore wolde I fayn Thyn were al such maner gouernance þou knowest eek of olde al my plesaunce þough þin array be badde and yuel beseye Do þou þi deuer atte leste weye ¶ Nat oonly lord þat I am glad quod sche To do ȝoure lust but I desire also ȝou for to serue and plese in my degre Wiþouten feynyng and schal eueremo Ne neuer for no wele ne no woo Ne schal þe goost wiþinne myn herte stente To loue ȝou best/ wiþ al my trewe entente ¶ And wiþ þat word sche gan the house to dighte And tables for to sette and beddes make And peyned hire to do al þat sche mighte Preyinge þe chambereres for goddes sake To hasten hem and faste swepe and schake And sche þe moste seruisable of alle haþ euery chambre arrayed and his halle ¶ Abouten vndren gan þis erl alighte And wiþ him brought his noble children tweye ffor wiþ þe poeple ran to see þe sight Of hire array so richely byseye And þan at erst amonges hem þey seye That walter was no fool þough þat him liste To chaunge his wyf for it was for þe beste ¶ ffor sche is fairer as þey demen alle þan is Grisilde and more tendre of age And fairer fruyt betwen hem schulde falle And more plesaunce for hire heih lynage hire broþer eek so fair was of visage That hem to se þe poeple haþ cauȝt plesaunce Commendynge now þe marquys gouernaunce ¶ O stormy poeple vnsad and euer vntrewe Ay vndiscrete and chaungyng as a fane Delityng ay in rombile þat is newe ffor lik þe mone ay wexen ȝe and wane Ay ful of clappyng dere y-nough a Iane ȝoure dome is fals ȝour inconstance wel preueþ A ful gret fool is he þat on ȝou leeueþ ¶ Thus saiden sadde folk in þat Cite Whan þat þe peple gazed vp and doun ffor þey were glade right for þe nouelte To han a newe lady of oure toun No more of þis now make I mencioun But to Grisilde anon wil I me dresse And telle hire constance and hire besynesse ¶ fful besy was Grisilde in euery þing That to þe feste was apertenent Right nought was sche abayssht of hire cloþing þough it were rude and eek somdel torent But with glad chere to þe gate is went With oþer folk to grete þe marquysesse And after þat doþ forþ hire besynesse ¶ Wiþ so glad chere his gestes sche resceyueþ And connyngly euerich in his degre That defaute no man apparceyueþ But ay þey wondren what sche mighte be þat in so pore array was for to se And coude such honour & reuerence And worþily þey preysen hire prudence ¶ In al þis mene while sche ne stente þis mayde and eek hir broþer to comende With alle hire herte in ful benigne entente So wel þat no man couþe hire pris amende But atte laste whan þise lordes wende To sitte doun at mete he gan to calle Grisilde as sche was besy in his halle ¶ Grisilde quod he as it were in his play how likeþ þe my wijf and hire beaute Right wel quod sche my lord for in good fey A fairer sawe I neuer non þan sche I pray to god ȝif ȝou prosperite And so hope I þat he wil to ȝou sende Plesaunce ynow vnto ȝour lyues ende ¶ O þing beseke I ȝou and warne also / þat ȝe prike wiþ no tormentynge þis tendre mayden as ȝe han do mo ffor sche is fostred in hire norischinge more tenderly and to my supposynge Sche coude nought aduersite endure As coude a pore fostred creature/ And whan þis walter saugh hir pacience hire glad cher and no malice at al And he so often hadde don hire offence And sche ay sadde and constant as a wal Continuyng euere hire Innocence oueral This sturdy marquys gan hire herte dresse To rewen on hire wyfly stedfastnesse ¶ This is ynough Grisilde myn quod he Be now no more agast ne yuel apayed I haue þy feiþ and þi benignite As wel as euer womman was assayed In gret astate and pouereliche arrayed Now knowe I deere wijf þy stedfastnesse / And hire in armes toke and gan hire kesse ¶ And sche for wonder took of hit no keepe Sche þouȝte nought what þing he to hir sayde/ Sche ferde as sche hadde stirte out of hir slepe Til sche out of hir masednesse abrayde Grisilde quod he god þat / for vs deyed þou art my wyf ne non oþer I haue Ne neuer hadde so god my soule saue ¶ This is þy doughter which þou hast supposed To be my wijf þat oþer feiþfully Schal be myn [heir] as I haue ay purposed þou bare him in þi body trewely At boloygne haue I kept hem pryuyly Tak hem aȝein for now mayst þou not seye þat þou hast lorn non of þy children tweye ¶ And folk þat oþerwise han sayd of me I warne hem wel þat I haue don þis dede ffor no malice ne for no cruelte But for tassaye in þe þy wommanhede And nat to slee my children god forbede But for to kepe hem pryuyly and stille Til I þi purpos knewe and al þy wille ¶ Whan þis herde a swowne doun sche falleþ ffor pytous ioye and after hir swownynge Sche boþe hire ȝonge children to hire calleþ And in his armes pitously wepynge Embraceþ hem and tendrely kissinge fful like a moder wiþ hire salte teeres Sche baþeþ boþe hire visage and hire heres ¶ O which a pytous sight it was to see hir swownyng and hire humble voys to heere Graunt mercy lord god I þanke it ȝou quod she þat ȝe han saued me my children deere now rekke I neuer to be ded right heere Siþþe I stonde in ȝour loue and in ȝour grace No fors of deþ ne whan my spirit pace ¶ O tendre o dere o ȝonge children myne ȝour woful moder wende stedefastly That cruel houndes or som foul vermyne hadde eten ȝou but god of his mercy And ȝoure benigne fader tenderly haþ don ȝou kepte and in þe same stounde Al sodeinly sche swapte a doun to grounde ¶ And in hire swowne so sadly holdeþ sche hire children tuo whan sche gan hem enbrace þat with gret sleighte and wiþ gret difficulte þe children from hire arm þei gon arace O many a teer on many a pitous face Doun ran of hem þat stooden hire besyde vnneþe aboute hire mighten þey abyde Walter hir gladeþ and hir sorwe slakeþ Sche ryseþ vp abaysshed from hire traunce And euery wight hire ioye and feste makeþ til sche haþ caught aȝein hir contenance Walter hire doþ feiþfully plesaunce þat it is deynte for to se þe cheere Bitwixe hem tuo now þey ben mett in feere ¶ This ladyes whan þat þey here tyme saye han taken hire and in to chambre goon And streepen hire out of hire ruyde array And in a cloþ of gold þat brighte schoon Wiþ a coroune of many a riche stoon vppon hire heed þey in to halle hir broughte And þan sche was honoured as sche oughte ¶ Thus haþ þis pitous day a blisful ende ffor euery man and womman doþ here might This day in mirþe and reuel to dispende Til on þe welken schone þe sterres bright ffor more solempne in euery mannes sight þis feste was and gretter of costage Than was þe reuel of hire mariage ¶ fful many a ȝeer in hih prosperite lyuen þise tuo in concord and in reste And richely his douȝter maryed he vnto a lord on of þe worþieste Of alle ytayle þanne and pes & reste his wyues fader in his court he kepeþ Til þat his soule out of his body creepeþ ¶ his sone succediþ in his heritage In reste and pees after his fader day And fortunat eek was in mariage Al putte he not his wijf in gret assay This world is not so strong it is no nay As it haþ ben in olde tyme ȝore And herkneþ what þis auctor seiþ þerfore This story is sayd not for þat wyues scholde ffolwen grisilde as in humilite ffor it were importable þough þey wolde But for þat euery wight in his degre Schulde be constante in aduersite As was Grisilde þerfore Petrayke writeþ þis story which he wiþ his stile enditeþ ffor siþþe a womman was so paciente vnto a mortel man wel more vs ouȝte Resceyuen al in gree þat god vs sente ffor grete skiles he preeueþ þat he wrouȝte But he ne tempteþ no man þat he brouȝte As seiþ seint Iame ȝif ȝe his pistil rede He preueþ folk alday it is no drede And suffreþ vs as for oure excercise Wiþ scharpe scorges of aduersite fful often to ben betyn in sondry wyse Nought for to knowe oure wille for certes he Or we were born knew al oure frelete And for oure beste is al oure gouernance lat vs þanne lyue in vertuous suffraunce ¶ But lordinges o word herkeneþ ar I go It were ful hard to fynde now a dayes In alle a toun Grisildes þre or tuo ffor if þat þey were putte to suche assayes The golde of hem haþ now so badde layes Wiþ bras þat þough þe coyne be fayr at eye It wolde raþer berst/ a tuo þan plye ¶ ffor which here for þe wyues loue of Baþe Whos lijf and al hire helþe god mayntene In hire maystrye and elles were it skaþe I wolde wiþ lusty herte freisshe and grene Sey ȝou a song to glade ȝou I wene And late vs stynte of ernestful matiere herkneþ my song þat seiþ in þis manere ¶ lenvoye de Chaucere ¶ Grisild is deed and eek hir pacience And boþe at oones buryed in ytayle Wher fore I crye in open audience No wedded man be hardy to assayle / his wyues pacience in hope to fynde / Grisildis for in certes he schal fayle / O noble wyues ful of heih prudence lat non humilite ȝoure tonge nayle / Ne lat no clerk haue cause or diligence To write of ȝou a story of such meruayle As Grisildis pacient and kynde lest chychevache ȝow swolwe in hire entrayle ffolweþ herto and holdeþ no scilence[a leaf out] [but euere answerith / in the contir-taille beth nat bidaffid / for youre innocence but sharply take on yow / the gouernaille enpoynteth wel this lessoun / in youre mynde for comune profit / sith hit may availle And ye Archiwivis / stondith at defence syn ye be stronge / as is a grete Camaille ne suffrith not / that men do yow offence and slender wivis / as feble in bataille beith egre as a Tigre / bi-yende the se fer in ynde ay clappith as a mylle / I yow consaille Ne dredith hem nought doith hem no reuerence for though thyn housbond armed be / in maille the wordis of thi crabbed eloquence shal persshe his breste / and eke his auentaille in gelousie I rede eke / thow him bynde and thow shalt make him covche / as a quaille Yf thow be feyre / there folk ben in presence shewe thow thi visage / and thin apparaille yf thow be foule / be fre of thi dispence to gete the frendis / ay do thi travaille be euer of chere as light / as leff on lynde and lete him care · wepe / wrynge and waille Here endith the Clerke of Oxonford his tale /] [and next folwith his tale of Ianuare and May.[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14.] Whilom ther was dwellyng / in Lumbardye a worthi knyght / that borne was in Pavie in which he lived / in grete prosperite and sexti yere / a wiffles man was he and folwed ay / his bodyly delite on women / there as was his appetite as don these foolis / that ben seculere and whan he was passed sexti yere were hit for holynes / or for dotage I can not sey / but suche a grete corage had this knyght / to be a wedded man that day and night / he doth al that he can to espien where he myghte / wedded be prayng oure lord / graunte him that he myghte onys knowe / of that blisful liff that is bitwixe an housbonde / and his wiff and for to live / vnder that holy bonde with which first / god man and woman bonde noon other liff seide he / is worthe a bene for wedlok is so esy / and so clene that in this world / hit is a paradise thus seide this olde knyght / that was so wise and certeynly / as soth as god is kynge to take a wiff / hit is a glorious thinge and namely whan a man is olde / and hore than is a wiff the fructe / of his tresore than shulde he take a yonge wiff / and a feyre on which he myghte / engender him an heyre and lede his liff in ioye / and in solas[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] where that these bachelers / synge alas whan that thei fynden / any aduersite in love / which nys but childis vanyte and trewely hit sit wel / to be so that bachelers han ofte peyne and wo on brotil gronde thei bilde / and brotilnes they fynden / whan thei wenyn sikernes thei live but as a brid / or as a beste in liberte / and vnder noon a-reste there as a wedded man / in his estate livith a liff blisful / and ordynate vnder the yoke of mariage I-bounde wel may his herte / in ioye and blis habounde for who can be so boxom / as a wiff who is so trewe / and eke so ententiff to kepe him sike and hole / as his make for wel or wo / she wol him not forsake she is not wery / him to loue and serue though that he lye bedred / til he sterve][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14 extract ends] And ȝit some clerkes seyn it nys nouȝt soCorpus MS Of which Theoffraste / is on of þo What fors þeiȝ theofraste luste lye Ne take no wijf quod he for husbandrye As for to spare in housholde þin dispence A trewe seruaunt doþ more diligence þy good to kepe þan þin owen wijf ffor sche wol clayme half part al hire lijf And if þat þou be seek so god me saue þy verray frendes oþer a trewe knaue Wol kepe þe bet þan sche þat wayteþ ay After þy good and haþ don many a day [and if thow take a wiff / in thin age oolde fful lightly maist thow be a Cokewoolde][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] To þis entente and an C siþes wurse [writeth this man / there / god his bonys cors][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] But tak no kepe of alle such vanyte Defye theofrast and herkne me A wyff is goddes ȝifte verrayly Alle oþer maner ȝiftes hardily As landes rentes pasture or comune Oþer oþer ȝiftes þat moebles of fortune þat passen as a schadewe on a wall But drede nought if pleynly speke I schall A wyf wil laste and in þin hous endure Wel lenger þan þe luste to endure mariage is a ful gret sacrament he which haþ no wijf I holde him schent he lyueþ helples and is al desolat I speke of folk in seculer estat And herkne why I say nouȝt þis for nouȝt þe womman is for mannes help y-wrouȝt þe hihe god when he hadde adam maked And sawe him allone bely naked God of his grete goodnesse sayde he þanne lete vs now make an helpe to þis manne ylike to himself and þen he made Eue here may ȝe se and here-by ȝe preue That wijf is mannes helpe and his comfort his paradis terreste and his disport So buxom and so vertuous is sche þey mosten needes lyue in vnite Of fleisshe þei ben and O fleisch as I gesse nouȝt but on herte in wele and in distresse A wyf; A seinte mary benedicite how might a man han any aduersite þat haþ a wyf certes I can nouȝt say þe blisse þat is bitwexe hem tway þer may no tonge telle or herte þynke If he be pore sche helpeþ him to swynke Sche keepiþ his good and wasteþ neuer a del And al þat hire housband lust hir likeþ wel Sche saiþ nouȝt ones nay whan he saiþ ȝe Do þis saiþ he al redy sire seyþ sche O blisful ordre O wedlok precious þou art so mery and eek so vertuous And so comended and aproued eke That euery man þat halt/ him worþ a leek vpon his bare knees aught al his lijf þanken his god þat him haþ sent a wyf Oþer preyed god him for to sende A wijf to laste vnto his lyues ende ffor þanne his lijf is sett in sikernesse he may nouȝt be desceyued as I gesse So þat he werche after his wyues reed þanne may he boldely beren vp his heed þey ben so trewe and so wys ffor which if þou wolt worchen as þe wyse Do alway so as þe womman wol þe rede lo how þat Iacob as þise clerkes rede By good counseil of his moder rebekke Band þe kydes skyn abouten his nekke ffor which his fadres benyson he wan lo Iudith as þe story eek telle can By wys counseil sche goddes poeple kepte And slough him Olophinus whiles he slepte Lo how Abygayle by good counseil how þat sche Saued hire housbonde Nabal whan þat he Schulde han be slayn and loke after also By good counseil delyuered out of wo The poeple of god and made him mardoche Of Assuer enhaunced for to be Ther is no þing gree superlatiff As seiþ Senek aboue an humble wyf Suffre þyn wyues tonge as Catoun byt Sche schal comaunde and þou schalt suffre yt And ȝit sche wolde obeye of curtesye A wyf is kepere of þin housbondrye Wel may þe seeke man bewayle and wepe / Ther as þer nys no wijf þe hous to keepe I warne þe if wysly þou wilt wirche loue wel þy wyf as crist loueþ his chirche If þou loue þy self þou louest þy wyf No man hateþ his flesch but in his lyf he fostreþ it/ and þerfore byd I þe Cherissche þy wijf or þou schalt neuer þe housbond & wijf what so men Iape or pleye Of worldly folk holde þe righte weye þey ben so knyt þer may non harm betyde And namely vpon þe wyues syde ffor which þis Ianuarye of which I tolde Considereþ haþ in wiþ his dayes olde þe lusty þe vertuous quyete þat is in mariage hony swete And for his frendes on a day sent To telle hem þeffect of his entent Wiþ face sadde he haþ hem þis tale tolde he sayde frendes I am hoor and olde And almost god wot at my pittis brinke vpon my sowle somwhat most I þinke I haue my body folyly dispended y-blessed be god þat it schal ben amended ffor I wol be certein a wedded man And þat in alle þe haste þat I can vnto som mayde fayr and tendre of age I pray you schapeþ for my mariage Al sodeinly for I wol nouȝt abyde And I wole fonde aspye on my syde To whom I may be wedded hastely But for as moche þat ȝe ben mo þen I ȝe schullen raþer such a þing aspyen þan I and wher me luste best allyen But o þing warne I ȝou my frendes deere I wol non old wyf haue in no manere / She schal nouȝt passe xvj ȝer certayn Old fleissh and ȝong fleissh þat wolde I han ful fayn Bet is quod he a pyk þan a pykrelle And bet þan olde beef is þe tendre feelle I wol no womman xxti ȝer of age It nys but benestraw and gret forage And eek þis olde wydewes god it woot þey konne so moche craft on wades boot So mochil broken harme whan þat hem liste þat wiþ hem schulde I neuer lyuen in reste ffor sondry scoles makeþ subtile clerkys Wommen of many a scole half a clerk is But certeinly a ȝong þing may me gye Right as men may warm wax wiþ handes to-plye þerfore I sey ȝow pleinly in a clause I wol non old wijf haue for þis cause ffor if so were if I hadde so myschaunce That I in hire ne couþe han · no plesaunce þenne scholde I lede my lijf in aduoutrye And so streyt to þe deuyl whan I dye Ne children schulde I non vpon hire geten ȝit were me leuer houndes hadde me eten þan þat myn heritage scholde falle In straunge hande and þus I telle ȝou alle I dowte nought I wot þe cause why men schulde wedde and forþermore wot I þer spekeþ many men of mariage þat wot nomore of hit þen wot my page ffor whiche causes men schulde take a wyf If he may not chaste be by his lijf Tak him a wijf wiþ gret deuocioun By cause of leofful procreacion Of children to þe honour of god aboue And nought only for paramour and for loue And for þei schulden leccherie eschue And ȝelde here dette whil þat it is newe Or for þat ilke man schulde helpe oþer In meschief as a soster schal do a broþer And lyue in chastite ful heuenly But sires by ȝour leue þat am not I ffor [god] be þanked I dar make auaunt I feele my lemes starke and suffisaunt To don al þat a man bilongeþ to do I wot my seluen best what I may do þough I be hoor and fare / as doþ a tree þat blosmeth er þat fruyt y-waxe be A blossemed tree nys neyþer druye ne deed I feele me no wher hoor but on myn heed Myn herte and myn lymes ben as greene As laurere þat purgh þe ȝer is seene And seþenes ȝe han herd al myn entent I pray ȝou to my wille þat ȝe assent Dyuerse men dyuersely him tolde Of mariages many ensamples olde Some blamed it some preysed it certein But atte laste schortly for to seyn As alday falleþ altercacion Bitwixe frendes in disputacion þer fel a stryf betwixe his breþeren tuo Of which þat on was cleped Placebo Placebo seyde o Ianuare broþer To ȝou telle I þis tale and to non oþer fful litel need hadde ȝe my lord so deere / Counseil to aske of any þat is heere But þat ȝe be on so ful of sapience þat ȝou ne likeþ for ȝour heigh prudence To weyue fro þe word of Salomon This word sayde he vnto vs euerychon Wirke alle þing by counseil þus seyde he And þanne schalt þou nouȝt repente þe But þough þat Salomon speke such a word myn owen deere brother and my lord So wisly god my soule bringe at reste I halde ȝoure owne counseil for þe beste ffor broþer myn of me take þis motyf I haue now ben a court man al my lyf And ȝit god wot þough I vnworþy be I haue standen in ful gret degre Abouten lordes in ful gret estate ȝit hadde I neuer wiþ non of hem debate I neuer hem contraried trewely I wot wel þat my lord can more þan I What þat he saiþ I halde it ferme & stable I saye þe same or oþer þing semblable A ful gret fool is eny counseilour þat serueþ eny lord of heih honour þat dar presume or ones þenken it/ þat his counseil schulde passe his lordes witt Nay lordes ben no fooles by my fay ȝe haue ȝoure self spoken here to day So heih sentence so holy and so wel That I consente and conferme euery del ȝoure wordes alle and ȝoure opynioun By god þer nys no man in al þis toun Ne in ytaille couþe bet han sayd Crist haldeþ him of þis ful wel a-payd And trewely it is an heih corage Of eny man þat stopen is in age To take a ȝong wyf by my fader kyn ȝoure herte hangeþ vpon a Ioly pyn Doþ now in þis matier right as ȝou leste ffor fynally I halde it for þe beste ¶ Iustynus þat ay stille sat and herde he right on þis wise to Placebo answerde Now broþer myn be pacient I preye Siþenes ȝe han sayd and herkneþ what I seye Senek amonges oþer wordes wyse Seiþ þat a man him oughte right wel auyse To whom he ȝeuyþ his lond oþer his catel And seþenes I aught/ auyse me right wel To whom I ȝiue my good awey fro me Wel more I auȝte to auȝse me To whom I ȝiue my body for alwey I warne ȝou wel it nys no childes pley To take a wijf wiþoute auysement Men moste enquere þis is myn assent Wheþer she be wys or sobre or drunkelewe Oþer proude oþer oþerwey a schrewe A chydester or a wastour of þy good Oþir riche or pore or of maneres wood Al be it so þat no man fynde schal None in þis worlde þat trottiþ hool in al Ne man ne beeste suche as men conne deuyse But naþeles it auȝt ynough suffise Wiþ any wijf if þat so were sche hadde mo goode þewes þan hire vices badde And al þis askeþ leiser for to enquere / ffor god it woot I haue wepte many a teere fful priuyly siþ þat I hadde a wyf Preyse who so wole a wedded mannes lijf Certayn I fynde in hit but coste and care And obseruaunces of alle blisses bare And ȝit god wot my neygheburs aboute. And namely of wommen many a rowte Sayn þat I haue þe moste stedefast wijf And eek þe meekest oon þat bereþ lijf But I wot best wher wryngeþ me my scho ȝe may for me right as ȝou likeþ do Auyseþ ȝou ȝe ben a man of age how þat ȝe entren in to mariage And namely wiþ a ȝong wijf and a fayr By him þat made water erþe and ayr þe ȝongest man þat is in al þis route Is besy ynough to bringen it aboute To han his wijf allone trusteþ to me ȝe schulle nouȝt plesen hire oonly ȝeres þre þis is to seyn to don hire plesaunce A wijf axeþ ful many an obseruaunce I pray ȝou þat ȝe ne ben euyl payed Wel quod þis Ianuare and hast þou al sayd Straw for þyn Senek and for þy prouerbis I counte nought a paner ful of herbes Of scole termes wiser men þan þou And þou hast herde assenteden right now / To my purpos Placebo what say ȝe I say it is a cursed man quod he þat letteþ matrimonye sikerly And wiþ þat word þay rysen sodeinly And ben assented fully þat he scholde Be weddid whan him luste and whan he wolde þe fantasye and þe besy curiousnesse ffro day to day gan in þe soule impresse / Of Ianuare aboute his mariage / many fayr schapp and many fayr visage / þer passeþ þorgh his herte night be night As whos took a myrour polisshed bright And sette it in a comune market place þenne scholde he se many a figure pace By his myrour and in þe same wise Gan Ianuare in wiþ his þouȝt deuyse Of maydenes whiche þat dwelte besyde he wiste nought wher he might abyde ffor þouȝ þat oon haþ beaute in hire face / Anoþer stant so in þe poeples grace / ffor hire sadnes and hire benignite þat of þe poeple grettest voys hadde sche And some were riche and hadde badde name but naþeles bitwixe ernest and game he atte laste appoynted him on oon And leet alle oþer fro his herte gon And ches hir of his owen auctorite ffor loue is blynd alday and may not se And whan þat he was in þe bed y-brought he purtreyed in his herte and in his þought hire freisshe beaute / and hir age tender hire myddel smal and hir armes long and sklender hire wise gouernaunce and hire grete gentilnes hir wommanly berynge and hire sadnes And whan þat he was fro hire condescended him þouȝte his þouȝt might nouȝt ben amended ffor whan þat he himself concluded hadde him þouȝt euer oþer mannes witte so badde þat inpossible it were to replye aȝein his choys þis was his fantasye his frendes sent he to at his instance And preyed hem to don him þat plesaunce þat hastely þey wolden don him come / he wolde abregge here labour alle and some Needeþ nomore for him to goon or ryde he was apoynted þer he wolde abyde Placebo cam and eek his freendes sone And alþer first he bad hem alle a bone þat non of hem non argumentes make Aȝeins þe purpos which þat he haþ take Which purpos was plesaunt/ to god sayde he And verray ground of his prosperite he sayde þer was a mayden in þe toun Which þat of beaute hadde gret renoun Al were it so sche were of smal degre Sufficeþ him hire ȝouþe and hire beaute Which mayde he seyde schulde ben his wiff To lede in ese and holynesse his lijf And þanked god þat he might han hire al þat no wight wiþ his blisse parten schal And preyed hem to laboure in þis neede / And schaped þat he fayled not to spede ffor þanne he seyde his spirit was at eese þen is quod he no þing may me displese / Saue o þing prikeþ in my conscience þe which I wol reherse in ȝoure presence / I haue quod he herd seyd ful ȝore ago þer may no man han parfyt blisses tuo þis is to say in erþe and eek in heuene ffor þey he kepte him fro þe synnes seuene And eek for euery braunche of þilke tre ȝit is þer so parfit prosperite And so gret ese and lust in mariage þat euer I am agast now in myn age þat I schal lede now so mery a lijf [so delicate withouten wo / or striff[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14; no gap in Corpus.] that I shal haue myn heuen / in erthe] heere ffor siþenes þat verray heuene is bought so deere Wiþ tribulacion and gret penaunce how scholde I lyue in such plesaunce As alle wedded men doþ wiþ here wyues / Come to þe blisse þer crist eterne on lyue is þis is my drede and ȝit myn breþeren tweye Assoylleþ me þis question I ȝou preye Iustynus which þat hated his folye Answeryng anon riȝt in his Iapere And for he wolde his longe tale abregge he wolde non auctorite alegge But seyde sire so þer be non obstacle Oþer þan þis god of his heih miracle And of his mercy may so for ȝou wirche þat er ȝe han ȝour ȝiftes of holy chirche ȝe may repente of wedded mannes lijf In which ye sayn þer is neiþer woo ne strijf And elles god forbede but if he sente A wedded man grace to repente Wel often raþer þan a sengil man And þerfore sire þe beste reed I can Dispeyreþ ȝou nouȝt haueþ in memory Paraunter sche may be ȝour purgatory Sche may be goddes mene and goddes whippe þan schal ȝour soule vp to heuene skippe Swifter þan doþ an arwe out of a bowe I hope to god her-after schalt þou knowe þat þer nys non so gret felicite In mariage ne neuer more schal be þat ȝou schal lakke of ȝour saluacion So þat ȝe vse as skile is and resoun þe lustes of ȝour wijf attemperelly And þat ȝe plese hir nouȝt to amerously And þat ȝe kepe ȝou eek fro oþer synne / Myn tale is doon for my witte is þinne Beþ nouȝt agast here-of my broþer But let vs wade fro þis mater to anoþer þe wijf of Bathe if ȝe han vnderstonde Of mariage which ȝe han on honde Declared haþ ful wel in litel space ffareþ now wel god haue ȝou in his grace And wiþ þis word þis Iustyne and his broþer han take here leue and ilke of hem of oþer ffor whan þey sawe it moste needes be þey wrouȝten so by wys and sleigh trete þat sche þis mayden which þat mayus hight As hastely as euer þat sche might Schal wedded be vnto Ianuarie / It trowe it were to long ȝou to tarie If I ȝou tolde of euery scryt or band By which þat sche was feffed in his land Oþer for to herken of hire riche aray But fynally y-comen is þis day That to þe chirche boþe ben þey went ffor to resceyue þe holy sacrament fforþ comþ þe prest wiþ stole aboute his nekke / And bad hire be ylike Sarra and Rebekke In wisdom and trouþe of mariage And sayde his orisouns as is his vsage And crouched hem and bad god schulde hem blesse And made al siker ynough with holynesse / þus ben þey weddid with solempnite And atte feste sitteþ he and sche Wiþ oþer worþy folk vpon þe deys Al ful of ioye and blisse is þe paleys And ful of instrumentz and of vitayle þe moste deyntevous of alle ytayle Byforn hem of instrumentz which a soun That Orpheus ne of Phebes ampheoun Ne maden neuer such a melodye And at euery cours cam lowde menstralcie þat neuer Ioab trumped for to heere / Neiþer Theodomas ȝit half so cleere And Thebes whan þe cite was in doute / Bacus þe wyn hem schenkeþ al aboute And venus lawheþ vpon euery wight ffor Ianuarye was bycome here knight And wolde boþe assayen his corage In liberte and eek in mariage And wiþ hir fyr brond wiþ hire hand aboute Daunsiþ byforn þe bryde al aboute And certeynly I dar wel seyn riȝt þis Emyneus þat god of weddyng is Sawe neuer in his lijf so mery a wedded man halde þou þy pes þou poete Marcean þat writest vs þat ilke weddyng mery Of hire phylologie and of mercurye And of þe sanges þat þe muses song So smale as eek þin penne and eek þy tong ffor to discryuen of þis mariage When tendre ȝouþe haþ wedded stowpyng age þer is such myrþe þat it may nouȝt be write Assayeþ it ȝou self þen may ȝe wite / If þat I lakke or non in þis matere Mayus þat sitt wiþ so benigne a cheere hire to beholde it semed fayerye Queene Ester loked neuer wiþ such an yhe On assuer so meke a look haþ sche I may ȝou nouȝt deuyse al hire beaute But þus moche of hir beaute telle I may þat sche was like þe brighte morwe of may ffulfilde of beaute and of plesaunce þis Ianuarye is rauyssht in a traunce And at euery tyme he loked on hire face / But in his herte he gan hire to manace þat he þat night in armes wolde hir streyne harder þan euyr parys did Eleyne But naþeles ȝit had he gret pite þat þilke night offenden hire moste he And þouȝt allas O tender creature Now wolde god ȝe mighte wel endure Al my corrage / it is so scharpe and kene I am agast ȝe schullen it nat sustene But god forbede þat I did al my myght Now wolde god þat it were waxen nyght And þat þe night wolde lasten eueremo I wolde þat al þis poeple were a go And finally he doþ alle his labour As he best mighte sauynge his honour To hasten hem fro þe mete in subtil wise þe tyme came þat resoun was to ryse And after þat men daunce and drynke faste And spices al aboute þe hous þay caste And ful of ioye and blisse is euery man Al but a squyer þat highte damyan Which karf byforn þe knight many a day he was so rauysshed on his lady may That for þe verray peyne he was neyȝ wood Almost he swelt and swowned þer he stood As þat sche bare daunsyng in hir hand So freisshe sche was and þerto so likand[spurious] And to his bed he went him hastily Nomore of him at þis tyme speke I But þere I lete him weepe ynough and pleyne Till freissche may wil rewen on his peyne ¶ O perilous fyr þat in þe bedstraw brediþ O famuler foo þat his seruise beediþ O seruant traytour fals holy hewe I-like to þe neddre sleyȝ and in Bosom vntrewe God schilde vs alle fro ȝoure iniquitance O Ianuare drunken in plesaunce O mariage see how þine Damyan þin oughne squyer and þyn borne man Entendiþ to do þe vylenye God graunte þe þin harmly foo to aspye ffor in þis world nys worse pestylence Than homly foo alday in þy presence Parfourmed haþ þis deuyn day his ark dyurne No lenger may þe body of him soiourne The Orisowte as in þat latitude Night wiþ his mantel þat is so derk & rude Gan for to sprede þe mysperye aboute ffor which departed is þe lusty route ffor Ianuare wiþ þank on euery syde home to here houses lustily þei ryde / þer as þey don here þinges as hem leste And whanne þay seye her tyme gon to reste Sone after þat þis hastyf Ianuare Wol go to bedde he wol no lengere care he drynkeþ ypocras clarre and vernage Of spices hote to encresen his corage And many a letuare hadde he ful fyn Suche as þe cursed monk daun Constantyn haþ writen in his book of coytu To eten hem alle he nas no þing eschewe And þus to his priue freendes seyde he ffor goddes loue as sone as it may be let voyden alle þis hous in curteys wyse soone Men drunken and þe trauers drowe anone The bryde was brouȝt to bedde as stille as stoon So hastede Ianuer it moste be doon[spurious] And whan þe bed was wiþ þe prest y-blessed Out of þe chambre haþ euery wight him dressed And Ianuare haþ faste in armes take his freissche may his paradys his make he lulliþ hire he kisseþ hire ful ofte Wiþ þikke brystles of his berd vnsofte Ylike to þe skyn of an houndfissh scharp as brere ffor he was schaue al newe in his manere he rubbeþ hire vpon hire tendre face And sayde þus allas I mot trespace To ȝou my spouse and ȝou gretly offende Or tyme come þat I wol doun descende But naþeles considereþ þis quod he þis nys no werkman what so euer he be þat may boþe wirche wel and hastely þis wol be don at leyser parfitly It is no force how longe þat we pleye I trowe in wedlok coupled be we tweye And y-blessed be þe ȝok þat we ben Inne ffor in oure actis we may do no synne / A man may do no synne wiþ his wijf Ne hurte himselue wiþ his owene knyf Now we han leue to pleye vs by þe lawe Thus laboureþ he til þat þe day gan dawe And þenne he takeþ a soppe in fyn clarre And vpright in his bedde þanne sitteþ he / And after þat he sang ful lowde and cleere And kissed his wijf and made wantoun cheere he was al coltissch and ful of ragerie And ful of Girgoun as is a flekked pye / þe slakke skyn aboute his nekke schakeþ Whil þat he sang so chaunteþ he and crakeþ / But god wot what may þouȝte in hire herte / Whan sche him saugh vp sittyng in his scherte In his night cappe and wiþ his nekke lene / Sche preyseþ nouȝt his pleying worþ a bene þenne seyde he þus my restyng wol I take Now day is come I may no lenger wake And doun he leyd his heed and sleep til prime And aftirward whan þat he saugh his tyme vp ryseþ Ianuare but/ freissche may holt hire chambre vnto þe ferþe day As vsage is of wyues for þe beste / ffor euery labour som tyme mot haue reste Oþer elles longe may he nouȝt endure þis is to say no lyues creature Be it of fissh or brid or best or man Now wol I speke of woful dauyan þat langureþ for loue as ȝe schullen heere þerfore I speke to him in þis manere I say O sely Damyan allas Answere to þis demaunde as in þis cas how schalt þou þy lady freisshe may Telle þy wo sche wole alway say nay Eke if þou speke sche wole þy wo bewreye God be þin helpe I can no bettre seye þis sike damyan in venus fyre So brenneþ þat he deyeþ for desire ffor which he putte his liff/ in aduenture No lenger might he in þis wise endure But priuyly a penner gan he borwe And in a lettre wrot he alle his sorwe In maner of a complaynt oþer a lay vnto þis fair and freissche lady may And in a purs of silk heng on his scherte he haþ y-put and leyd it/ at his herte/ þe more þat at noon was þilke day That Ianuare haþ wedded þat freissche may In tuo of Taure was in þe Cancre Gliden So longe haþ sche in hire chambre abyden As costume is vnto þise noblis alle A bryde schal nouȝt eten in þe halle Til dayes foure oþer þre dayes atte leste y-passed ben þen lat hire go to feste þe ferþe day complet froo noon to noon Whan þat þe hihe masse was y-doon In halle sitt þis Ianuare and may As freissh as is þe brighte someres day And so bifelle how þat þis goode man Remembreþ him vpon þis damyan And sayde seinte mary how may þis be That Damyan entendiþ nouȝt to me Is he ay sike or how may þis betyde his squyers whiche þat stooden him besyde Excusynge him be cause of his seknesse Which letted him to don his busynesse Non oþer cause mighte make him care That me forþinkeþ quod þis Ianuare he is a gentil squyer by my trouþe / If þat he deyde it were harm and rouþe he is as wys discrete and secre As eny man I wot of his degre And þerto manly and eek seruisable And for to ben a þrifty man right able But after mete as sone as euer I may I wole my self visite him and eek may To don him al þe confort þat I can And for þat word him blessed euery man That of his bounte and of his gentilnesse He wolde so conforten him in his siknesse His squyer for it was a gentil dede Dame quod he þis Ianuar take good hede That at after mete ȝe wiþ ȝour wommen alle Whan ȝe han ben in chambre out of þis halle That alle ȝe gon to se þis Damyan Doþ him disport he is a gentil man And telleþ him þat I wil him visite haue I no þing but rested me a lite [and spede yow faste / for I wol abide til that ye slepe / right bi my side][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] Now wiþ þat worde he gan to him calle A squyer þat was marschal of his halle And tolde him certeyn þinges what he wolde This freisshe may haþ streyt hir weye holde Wiþ alle hire wommen vnto þis damyan Doun by his beddes syde sat sche þan Confortyng him as goodly as sche may This damyan whan he his tyme say In secret wise his purs and eek his bille In which þat he writen hadde his wille haþ putte in to hire hond wiþouten more Saue þat he siked wonder sore And softely to hire right þus sayde he mercy and þat ȝe discouereþ nouȝt me ffor I am ded if þat þis þing be kyd This purs haþ sche wiþinne hir bosme hid And went hir way ȝe gete nomore of me But vnto Ianure y-comen is sche And on his beddes syde sitte ful softe He takeþ hire and kisseþ hire ful ofte And leyde him doun to slepe and þat anon Sche feyned hire as þat sche moste gon þer as ȝe woot þat euery wight mot neede And when sche of þis bille haþ taken heede Sche rent it al to cloutes at þe laste And in þe pryue softely sche it caste Who studieþ now but fayre freissche may And a doun by Ianuer sche lay That sleep til þat þe coughe him haþ awaked Anon he preyed hir to strepen hire al naked he wolde of hire he sayde of hire haue som plesaunce he seyde hire cloþes dide him encombraunce And sche obeyeþ be he leef or loþ But lest þat precious folk be wiþ me wroþ how þat he wrouȝte I dar to ȝou nouȝt telle Oþer whether þat he þouȝt on paradys oþer of helle But I lete hem worchen in here wise Til euesong rynge and þat þey moste aryse / Were it by destyne oþir by auenture Were it by influence or by nature Oþer in constillacion þat in such estat The heuene stood þat tyme fortunat Was for to putte a bille of venus werkis ffor alle þing haþ tyme as seyn þise clerkis To any womman for to gete hir loue I can nouȝt say but þe grete god aboue þat knoweþ þat non acte is causeles he demeþ of alle for I wol holde my pes But soþ is þis how þat þis freissche may haþ take such impression þat day On pite of þis sike Damyan þat fro hir herte sche ne dryue can þe remembrance for to don him eese Certein þouȝt sche whom þat þis þing displese I rekke nouȝt for here I him assure To loue him best of eny creature / þough he na more nadde þan his scherte lo pite renneþ sone in gentil herte Her may ȝe se how excellent franchise In wommen is whan þey narwe hem auyse Som tyrant þer is as þer ben many oon þat haþ an herte as hard as eny stoon Which wolde han lete him steruen in þe place Wel raþer þan haue graunted him þat grace And hem reioysen in here cruel pryde And recched nouȝt to ben an homicide ¶ This gentil may fulfild of alle pite Right so of hire hond a lettre made sche In which sche graunteþ him of hire verray grace þer lackeþ nouȝt oonly but day and space Wher þat sche mighte to his lust suffise ffor it schal be right as he wol deuyse And whan sche saugh hire tyme vpon a day To visite þis damyan goþ faire may And sotilly þis lettre doun sche þriste vnder his pilwe rede iff him liste Sche takeþ him by þe hond and harde him twiste So secrely þat no wight hit wiste And bad him be al hool and forþ sche wente To Ianuare whan þat he for hire sente vp ryseþ Damyan þe nexte morwe Al passed was his siknesse and his sorwe he kembiþ him and proyneþ him and pikeþ he doþ al þat þis lady lust and likeþ And ek to Ianuare he goþ as lowe As euer did a dogge for þe bowe he is so plesaunt vnto euery man ffor craft is al who so þat it can þat euery wight is fayn to teche him good And fully in his lady grace he stood þus lete I Damyan aboute his neede And my tale forþ I wil procede Some clerkes halden þat felicite; Stant in delite and þerfore he This noble Ianuare wiþ alle his might In honeste wise as longeþ to a knight Schop him to lyue ful deliciously his housynge his array al honestely To his degre was maked as a kinges Among oþir of his honeste þinges he hadde a gardyn walled al wiþ stoon So fair a gardyn wot I nowher noon ffor out of doute I verrayly suppose þat he þat wroot þe romance of þe rose Ne couþe of it þe beaute wel deuyse ne pryapus ne mighte nat suffise þouȝ he be god of gardyns for to telle The beaute of þe gardyn and of þe welle þat stood vnder a laurer alway greene fful often tyme king Pluto and his queene Preserpyna and alle hire fayerie Disporten hem and maken melodye aboute þat welle and daunced as men tolde þis noble knight þis Ianuare þe olde Suche deynte haþ in it to walken and to pleye þat he wol suffre no wight to bere þe keye Saue he himself or of þe smale wiket he bar alwey of siluer a clyket Wiþ þe whiche whan þat him lust vnschette And whan þat he wolde paye his wijf his dette In somer seson þider wolde he go And may his wijf and no wight but þay tuo A þinges whiche þat were nouȝt don a bedde þey in þe gardyn parformed han and spedde And in þis wise many a mery day lyuede þis Ianuare and freissche may But worldly ioye may nouȝt alwey endure To Ianuare ne to no worldly creature O sodeyn happ O þou fortune vnstable / I-like to þe scorpion vnstable / That flaterest wiþ þin heed whan þou wolt stynge Thyn tayl is deþ þoruȝ þin enuenemynge O brutel ioye O swete poyson queynte O mustier þat sotilly canst peynte þine ȝiftes vnder þe hewe of stedefastnesse þat þou disceyuedest boþe more and lesse Why hast þou Ianuare þus deceyued And haddist him for þi fulle frend receyued And now þou hast byraft him boþe his eyen ffor sorwe of which desireþ he to deyen Allas þis noble Ianuare þat is so fre Amydde his lust and his prosperite Is woxen blynde and al sodeynly his deþ þerfore desireþ he outrely And þer wiþ al þe fyr of Ielousye leste þat his wijf schulde falle in som folye So brent his herte þat he wolde fayn That som man boþe hire and him hadde slayn ffor neuer [after] his deþ ne in his lyf Ne wolde he þat sche were loue ne wyf But euer lyue as a wydewe in cloþes blake Soule as þe turtil doþ þat haþ lost hire make / But at þe laste after a monþe or tweye his sorwe gan to swage soþ to seye ffor when he wiste it/ may non oþer be he paciently took his aduersite Saf out of doute may he nouȝt forgon þat he nas Ielous euermore in oon Which Ielousie it was so outrageous þat neiþer in halle ne in non oþer hous he nolde suffre hire for to ryde ne go Ne in non oþer place neuer þe mo But if þat he hadde hond on hire alway ffor which ful ofte wepeþ freisshe may That loueþ Damyan so benignely þat sche moot eyþer deye sodeinly Or elles sche mote han him at hire leste sche wayteþ whan hir herte wolde toberste vpon þat oþer syde Damyan Bycomen is þe sorwfulleste man þat euere was for neiþer night nor day Ne might he speke a word to freisshe may As to his purpos of no such matiere / But if þat Ianuarie most it here / þat hadde oon hond on hir euer mo And naþeles by wrytyng to and fro And pryue signes wist he what sche ment/ And sche knew of þe signe of his entent O Ianuarie what mighte þe affayle / þou mightest see as fer as schippes sayle ffor a[s] good is a blynd disceyued be As to be deceyued whan a man may se Lo argus which þat hadde an C. eyen ffor al þat euer he couþe poure or prien ȝit was he blent and god wot so ben mo þat wenyn wisly þat it nys nat so Passe ouer is an ese and say nomore This freissche may of which I spak of yore In warm wax haþ emprynted þis cliket þat Ianuarye bar of þis smale wyket By which vnto his gardyn ofte he wente And Damyan þat knew hire entente þe clyket countrefeted priuily Ther nys no more to say but hastyly Som wonder by his cliket schal betyde / Which ȝe schullen heere if ȝe woln abyde O noble Ovyde soþ saist þou god wot What sleight is it þough it be long and hoot That he nyl fynde it out in som manere By Pyramus and Thysbe may men leere þough þey were kepte ful longe streiȝt ouer al þey ben acorded rownynge þurgh a wal þer is no wight couþe han founde out such a sleiȝte But now to purpos er þat dayes eyȝte Were passed or þe monþe of Iuyl byfille þat Ianuarye haþ caught so gret a wille þurgh eggyng of his wijf him for to pleye In his gardyn and no wight but þey tweye That in a morwe vnto his may sayde he Rise vp my wijf/ my loue my lady fre þe turtlis voys is herd my doufe sweete The wynter is gon with alle his reynes weete Com forþ now wiþ þin eyen columbyne how fairer ben þy brestes þan is wyne þe gardyn is enclosed al aboute Come forþ my white spouse out of doute þou hast me wounded in myn herte O wyf No spotte in þe nas in al þy lyf Com forþ and let vs taken oure disport I chees þe for my wyff and my confort Suche olde lowde wordes vsed he On damyan a signe made sche That he schulde go biforn wiþ his clyket þis damyan haþ opened þe wyket And in he sterte and þat in such manere þat no wight might it se ne heere And stille he sitt vnder a bussch anon This Ianuare so blynd as is a stoon Wiþ mayus in his hond and no wight mo In to his freisshe gardyn is he go And clapte to þe wyket sodeynly Now wiff quod he her nys but þou and I þat art þe creature þat I best loue ffor by þat lord þat sitt vs alle aboue I hadde leuer deyen on a knyf Then þe offenden deere trewe wyf ffor goddes sake þenk how I þe chees Nouȝt for no coueytise dowteles / But oonly for þe loue I hadde to þe And þough þat I be olde and may nouȝt se Be to me trewe and I wol telle ȝou why Certes þre þinges scholden ȝe wynne þerby ffirst loue of crist and to ȝour self honour And al myn heritage toun and tour I ȝiue it ȝow makeþ Chartres as ȝou leste This schal be do to morwe er sonnes reste So wisly god my soule bringe in blisse And preye ȝou on couenaunt þat ȝe me kisse And þough þat I be Ielous wyte me nouȝt ȝe ben so deepe enprynted in my þouȝt þat whan þat I considere ȝour beaute And þer wiþ al þe vnlikly elde of me I may nouȝt certes þough I schulde deye ffor-bere to ben out of ȝour companye ffor verray loue þis is wiþouten doute Now kisse me wijf and let vs rome aboute ¶ This freissche may whan sche þis wordes herde/ Benignely to Ianuarye answerde But first and forward sche bygan to weepe I haue quod sche a soule for to keepe As wel as ȝe and also myn honour And of my wifhede þilke tendre flour Which þat I haue asseured in ȝour hand Whan þat þe prest to yow my body band Wher-fore I wol answere in þis manere Wiþ þe leue of ȝou my lord so deere I pray god þat neuer dawe þat day þat I ne sterue as foule as womman may If euer I do vnto my kynne þat schame / Oþer elles I empeyre so my name / þat y be fals and if I do þat lak To strype me and putte me in a sakk And in þe nexte ryuer do me drenche I am a gentil womman and no wenche Why speke ȝe þus but men ben euer vntrewe And wommen han reproef of ȝou ay newe ȝe can non oþer contynaunce I leeue But speke to vs as vntriste and in repreue And wiþ þat word sche saugh wher damyan Sat in þe bussh and knelen he bigan And wiþ hire fynger signes made sche þat Damyan schulde clymbe vpon a tree þat charged was wiþ fruyt and vp he wente ffor verrayly he knew al hire entente And euery signe þat sche couþe make Wel bet þan Ianuarye hir owne make ffor in a lettre sche hadde told him al Of þis matiere how he worche schal And þus I lete him sitte in þe Pyry And Ianuarye and mayus rownynge myry ¶ Bright was þe day and blew þe firmament Phebus of gold doun haþ his stremes sent To gladen euery flour wiþ his warmnesse he was þat tyme in Gemynys as I gesse But litel fro his declynacion Of Cancer Iouys exaltacion And so bifelle þat in a bright morwetyde þat in þe gardyn on þat ferþer syde / Pluto þat is þe king of fayerye And many a lady in his companye ffolwyng his wyf þe queene proserpyna Which þat he rauyssched out of Proserpyna Whiles þat sche gaderede floures in a mede In Claudian ȝe may þe storyes rede how in his grysly carte he hire fette This kyng of fayerie a doun him sette vpon a benche of/ toruys freissch and grene And right anon seyde he þus to his queene My wijf quod he þat may no wight seye nay þe experiens proueþ it euery day þe tresoun which þat womman doþ to man Ten hundred þousand tellen I can / Notable of ȝour vntrouþe and brytilnes O Salamon richest of alle richesse ffulfild of sapience and of worldly glorie fful worþy ben þyne wordes to memorie To euery wight þat witt and reson can þus preiseþ he ȝit þe bounte of man Among a þousand men ȝit fond I on But of alle wommen fond he neuer noon þus seiþ þe king þat knoweþ ȝoure wickednes / And Ihesus filius Cyrak as I ges / Ne spekeþ of ȝou but seeldyn reuerens A wilde fuyre a corumpte pestilens So falle vpon ȝour bodyes ȝit to nyght Ne se ȝe nought þis honurable knight By cause allas þat he is blynd and old his owne man schal make him kokewold Lo wher he sitte þe lecchour in þe tree Now wol I graunte of myn mageste vnto þis olde blynde worþy knight þat he schal han aȝein his eyȝen sight Whan þat his wijf wolde don him vylenye þan schal he knowe al hire harlottrie Boþe in repreef of hire and oþer mo ȝe schal quod Proserpyn and wol ȝe so Now by mo moodres syres soule I swere þat I schal ȝeuyn hire suffisaunt answere And alle wommen after for ȝour sake / þat þough þey ben in eny gilt y-take Wiþ face bold þei scholden hemself excuse And bere hem doun þat wolden hem accuse / ffor lakke of answere non of hem scholde deyen Al hadde ȝe seye a þing wiþ boþe ȝour eyȝen ȝit schullen we so visagen it hardyly And weepe and swere and chide subtyly þat ȝe schuln ben as lewed as here gees What rekkeþ me of ȝour auctoritees I wot wel þis Iewe þis Salamon ffand of vs wommen fooles many oon But þough þat he ne fond no good womman þer haþ I-founde many anoþer man Wommen ful trewe ful good ful vertuous Witnesse on hem þat dwellen in cristes hous Wiþ martirdom þey prouyd hir[MS h] constance þe Romayne Iestes maken remembrance Of many a verray trewe wijf also but sire ne beþ nouȝt wroþ as be it so þouȝ þat he seyde he fond no good womman I pray ȝou take þe sentence of þe man he mente þus þat in souerayne bounte Nis non but god but neyþer he ne sche Ey for verray god þat nys but oon What make ȝe so moche of Salamon What þough he made a temple goddes hous What þough he were riche and glorious So made he a temple of false godis Who mighte do a þing þat more forbode is Parde as fayr as he his name in-plastre he was a lecchour and an ydolastre And in his eelde he verry god forsook And if þat god ne hadde as seiþ þe book y-spared him for his fadres sake he scholde haue lost his regne sonner þan he wolde I sette nouȝt of alle þe vylenye þat ȝe of wommen wite a bottirflye I am a womman needes moot I speke Oþer elles swelle til myn herte breke ffor siþenes he seyde þat we ben Iangeleresses As euer mote I brouke boþe my tresses I schal not spare for no curtesye To speke him harm þat wolde vs vilanye Dame quod þis pluto be no lengere wroþ I ȝiue it vp but seþens I swor myn oþ þat I wolde graunten him his sight aȝein My word schal stonde þat warne I þe certayn I am a king it sitt me nouȝt to lye And I quod sche a queen of fayerye hire answere sche schal haue I vndertake let vs no more wordes make[For the rest of the Tale (from MS Arch. Seld. B. 14) see the Appendix.] [THE PROEM.] ¶ The p[ro]loge of þe ffrankeleyn Thise olde gentile britouns in here dayeson leaf 159 Of diuerse auentures maden layes Rymeden in here firste britoun tonge Whiche layes with here instrumentz þey songe Oþer elles radden hem for here plesaunce And on of hem haue I in remembraunce Which I schal seye wiþ as good wille as I can But sires by cause þat I am a burel man At my begynnyng first I ȝou beseche haueþ me excused of my rude speche I lerned neuer rethorik certayn þing þat I speke it mot be bare and playn I slepte neuer on þe mount of pernaso Ne neuer lered Marcus Thullius ne Cithero Colours of Rethorik ne knowe I non wiþouten drede But suche coloures as growen in þe mede Oþir elles suche as men dye or peynte Colours of Rethorik ben me to queynte Myn spyrit feleþ nought of such matere But if ȝe luste my tale schul ȝe not here [THE TALE.] Ther was a knight þat loued and did his peyne In amoryke þat cleped is Briteyne To seruen a lady in his beste wise And many a labour and many a gret emprise he for his lady wrouȝt er sche were wonne ffor sche was on þe fairest vnder sonne And eek þerto come of so heih kynrede That wel vnneþes durst þis knight for drede Telle hire his wo his peyne and his distresse But atte laste sche for his worþinesse And namely for his meke obeissance haþ such a pite caught of his penaunce That priuely sche felle of his acord To take him for hir housbonde and hire lord Of such lordschipe as men han ouer here wyues And for to lede þe more in blisse here lyues Of his fre wille he swor hire as a knight þat neuer in his wille by day ne by night/ Ne schulde he vpon him take no maystrie Aȝeins hire wille ne kuyþe hire Ialousye But hire obeye and folwe hire wille in al As ony louere to his lady schal Saue þat þe name of souereynete That wolde he han for schame of his degre Sche þankeþ him and wiþ ful gret humblesse Sche sayde sire seþþen of your gentilnesse ȝe profre me to han a large reyne Ne wolde neuer god betwixe vs tweyne As in my gilt were eyþer werre or stryf Sire I wil be ȝour owne humble trewe wijf haue here my trouþe til þat myn herte breste Thus be þey boþe in quiete and in reste ffor o þing syres saufly dar I seye That frendes euerich oþer mote obeye If þay wole longe holde companye loue wol nought ben constreigned by maystrie Whan maystrie comeþ þe god of loue anon Beteþ on his wynges and fare wel he is gon loue is a þing as any spiryt fre Wommen of kynde desiren liberte And nouȝt to be constreigned as a þral And so do men if I þe soþe seye schal loke who þat is most pacient in loue / he is at his auauntage aboue Pacience is an heih vertu certeyn ffor it venquissheþ as þese clerkes seyn Thynges þat Rigor schulde neuer atteigne ffor euery word men may nouȝt chyde ne pleyne / lerneþ to suffre or elles so mote I gon ȝe schullen it lerne wheþer ȝe wole or non ffor in þis worlde certeyn no wight nys / þat he ne doþ or saiþ sumtyme amys / Or oþir siknesse oþer constillacion Wyn wo or chaungyng of complexion Causeþ ful often to don amys oþer speken On euery wrong men may nouȝt ben awreken After þe tyme moste be temperaunce To euery wight þat can no gouernance / And þerfore haþ þis worþy wise knight To lyue in ese suffraunce hire behight And sche to him ful wisly gan to swere That neuer schulde þer be defaute in here / here may men sen an humble wyse acord Thus haþ sche take hir seruant and hire lord Seruaunt in loue and lord in mariage Then was he boþe in lordschipe and seruage Seruage nay but in lordschipe aboue Seþyns þat he haþ boþe his lady and his loue his lady certes and his wyf also The whiche þat lawe of loue acordeþ þer to And whan he was in þis prosperite home wiþ his wyf he goþ to his cuntre Nouȝt fer fro pedmark þer as his dwellyng was Wher as he lyueþ in blisse and in solas Who couþe telle but he hadde wedded be þe ioye þe ese and þe prosperite / That is bitwixe an housebond and his wyf A ȝeer and more lasted þis blisful lijf Til þat þis knight of which I spak of þus þat of kynrede was cleped arneragus Schope him to gon and dwelle a ȝeer or tweyne In engelond þat cleped eek was bretayne To seche in armes worschipe and eek honour ffor alle his lust he sette in such labour And dwelleþ þere þe book saiþ þus Now wol I stynte of þis arneragus And speken I wole of dorygen his wijf þat loueþ hir housbonde as hire hertes lyf And for his absens wepeþ sche and sikeþ / As don þese noble wyues when hem likeþ Sche mourneþ wakeþ wayleþ fasteþ & pleyneþ Desïre of his presence hire so destreyneþ That alle þis wyde world sche sette at nouȝt hire freendes which þat knewe hire heuy þouȝt Conforted hire in al þat euer þey mighte or may They prechen hire þay tellen hire night and day þat causeles sche sleeþ hire self allas / And euery confort possible in þis cas þey don to hire wiþ alle here busynes / And alle to make hire lete hir heuynes By processe as ȝe knowe wel euerychon Men may so longe grauen in þe ston Til som figure þerinne enprentyd be So longe han þey conforted hire þat sche Receyued haþ by hope and by reson The empryntyng of hir constillacion Thurgh which hire grete sorwe gan aswage / Sche may nought alway endure in such a rage / And eek arneragus in al þis care haþ sent his lettres home in al þis fare And þat he wolde come hastly aȝayn Oþer hadde þis sorwe hire herte slayn hire frendes sawe hire herte gan to slake / And preyed hire on knees for goddes sake To come and rome hire in companye Away to dryue hire derke fantasye And fynally sche graunted þat requeste ffor wel sche sawe it was for þe beste Now stood hire castel faste by þe see And often wiþ hire freendes walked sche hire to disporte on þe banke on heih Wher as sche many schippe and barge seih Seylinge here cours where hem luste to go But ȝit was þere a parcelle of hir wo ffor to hir self ful often seyde sche Is þer no schippe of so many as I se Wole brynge home my lord þen wolde myn herte Al waryssche of þis bitter peynes smerte Anoþer tyme þer wole sche sitte and þinke And caste hire eyen dounward fro þe brynke But whan sche saugh þe grisly rokkes blake ffor verray fere so wolde hire herte quake þat on hire feet sche mighte nought hire sustene Thenne wolde sche sitte a doun vpon þe grene And pitously in to þe see byholde And sayn right þus wiþ sorowful hertes colde Eterne god þat þurgh þy puruyaunce ledest þe world by certein gouernaunce In ydelnesse as men sayn ȝe no þing make But lord þese grisely feendly rokkes blake That semen raþer a foul confusion Of werk þen any fayr creacion Of whiche a parfyt god and a stable Why han ȝe wrouȝt þis werk vnresonable ffor by þis werke south north est and west Ther nys y-fostred man ne bryd ne best hit doþ no good to my witt but annoyeþ Se ȝe nouȝt lorde how mankynde it destroyeþ An hundred þousand bodyes of mankynde / han rokkes slayn al be þey nouȝt in mynde Which mankynde is a fair part of þy werk That þou it madest y-like to þin hond werk Thenne semed it ȝe hadde a gret chierte Toward mankynde but how þan may it be That ȝe suche menys make it to distroyen Whiche menys doþ no good but euer annoyen I wot wel clerkes woln sayn as hem leste By argumentz þat al þing is for þe beste Though I ne can þe causes for soþe knowe but þilke god þat made wynd to blowe As kepe my lord þis is my conclusion To clerkes lete I al disputacion But wolde god þat alle þe rokkes blake Were sonken in to helle for his sake / These rokkes sleen myn herte for feere Thus wolde sche sayn with many a pitous teere hire freendes sawe þat nas no disport To romen by þe see but discomfort And schopen for to pleyen som where elles / þey leden hire by Ryueres and by welles And eek in oþer places delitables þey daunce and pleye at Chesse and at tables So on a day right on þe morne tyde vnto a gardyne þat was right þere besyde In which þat þey hadde made here ordynance Of vitaile and of oþer puruyaunce They gon and pleyen hem al þe longe day And þis was on þe sixte morwe of may Which may hadde peynted wiþ his softe schoures / This gardyn ful of leues and of floures And wiþ crafte of mannes hande so curiously Arayed haþ þis gardyn trayelly That neuer nas þer gardyn of such prys But if it were þe verrey paradys The odure of floures and þe freisshe sight / Wolde han made ony pensyf herte light That euer was born / but if to gret siknesse / Oþer to gret sorwe hyld it in distresse / And after dynere gan þey to daunce So ful it was of beaute with plesaunce / And synge also but dorigen allone Sche made alwey hire compleynt and hire mone ffor sche ne saugh him on þe daunce go þat was hire housbond and hir loue also But naþeles sche moste a tyme abyde / And with good hope sche let hir sorwe glyde vpon þis daunce amonges oþer men Daunced a squier biforen Dorigen That freisscher was and iolyer of array As to my dome þan is þe monþe of May he syngeþ and daunceþ passyng any man That is or was siþenes þis world bygan Ther wiþ he was if men schulde him discryue / On þe beste farynge man on lyue / ȝong strong right vertuous riche and wys And wel biloued and holden in gret prys And schortliche if þe soþe telle I schal vnwytyng of þis Dorigen at al This lusty squyer seruaunt to venus Which þat y-cleped was Aurelius had loued hire best of eny creature Tuo ȝeer and more as was his aduenture / But neuer durste he telle hire of his greuance Wiþoute cuppe he drank al his penaunce he was dispeyred no þing durst he seye Saue in his sawe somwhat wolde he wreye his woo as in general compleynyng he sayde he louede and was biloued noþing Of such matiere made he many layes Songes compleigntes roundeletis virrelayes how þat he durste nouȝt his sorwe telle / That langusshiþ as fuyre doþ in helle And deye seyde he moste as did Ekko ffor narsisus þat durste nouȝt telle hir wo In oþer manere þenne ȝe here me seye Ne durst he nouȝt to hire his wo bewreye Saue peraduenture som tyme at daunces There ȝong folk kepen here obseruaunces hit may wel be he loked on hire face In such a wise as man þat askeþ grace But no þing wiste sche of his entent Naþeles it happed or þey þennes went By cause þat he was hire neyȝebourre / And was a man of worschipe and honour And hadde knowen him ofte tymes ȝore / þey felle in speche ofte more and more / vnto his purpos drowe aurelius And whan he saw his tyme he sayde þus Ma dame quod he by god þat þis world made So þat I wiste it mighte ȝour herte glade I wolde þat day þat ȝoure arneragus / Wente on þe see þat I aurelius had went þat I schulde neuer haue come aȝain ffor wel I woot my seruise is in vayn My guerdon nys but berstyng of myn herte / Ma dame reweþ vpon my peynes smerte ffor as wiþ a swerd ȝe may me sle or saue her at ȝoure foot god wolde þat/ I were graue / I haue as now no more leysir for to seye / haue mercy on me swete or ȝe wolen do me deye Sche gan to loke vpon aurelius Is þis ȝoure wille quod sche and say ȝe þus Neuer erst quod sche ne wist I what ȝe mente But now Aurely I knowe ȝoure entente By þilke god þat ȝaf me soule and lyf Ne schal I neuer be vntrewe wyf In word ne in werk as fer as I haue wit / I wole ben his to whom þat I am knyt But after þat in pleyn þus seyde sche / Tak þis for fynal answer as for me / Aurely quod sche by hihe god aboue ȝit wol I graunte ȝou to be ȝoure loue Seþyns I ȝou se so pitously compleyne / loke what day þat engelond is Bryteyne / ȝe remewe alle þe rokkes ston by stoon þat þay ne lette schip no boot to goon I say whan ȝe han made þese costes so clene Of Rokkes þat þer nys no ston y-sene / þan wol I loue ȝou best/ of any man haue here my trouþe in al þat euer I can Is þere non oþer grace quod he / No by þat lord quod sche þat made me ffor wel I wot þat þat schal neuer betyde let such folye out of ȝour herte glyde What deynte schulde man haue by his lijf ffor to loue anoþer mannes wyf That haþ hir body whan so þat him likeþ Aurelius ful ofte sore sikeþ / Wo was aurely whan þat he þis herde / And wiþ a sorwful herte þus answerde / ma dame quod he þis were impossible / Thenne mot I deye on sodeyn deþ orrible / And wiþ þat word he torned him anon þo came hire oþer frendes many oon And in þe aleyes romed vp and don And no þing wiste of þis conclusion But sodeinly bygan to reuel newe / Til þat þe brighte sonne loste his hewe / ffor thorisowte haþ raft þe sonne his light þis is as moche to say as it was night And home þey gon in Ioye and in solas / Saue oonly wrecched aurelius allas / he to his hous is gon wiþ sorwful herte he seiþ he may not fro his deþ asterte him semeþ he feliþ his herte colde vp to þe heuene his handes gan he holde And on his knees bare he sette him don And in his rauynge sayde his orison ffor verray wo out of his witte he breyde / he nyste nouȝt what he spak but þus he seyde Wiþ pitous herte haþ he his compleint bygonne vnto þe goddesse and first vnto þe sonne he sayde appollo god and gouernour And euery plaunte herbe tre and flour þat ȝeuest after þi declinacion To ilk of hem his tyme and his sesoun And þin herborwe chaungeþ lowe and heiȝe lord Phebus cast þin merciable eyȝe On wrecched Aurely þat am but lorn lo lord my lady haþ my deþ y-sworn Wiþouten gilt but þin benignite vpon my dedly herte haue sum pite But wel I wot lord Phebus if ȝou leste ȝe may me helpe saue my lady beste Now voucheþ sauf þat I may ȝou deuyse how þat I may be holpe and in what wyse ȝoure blisful suster lucyna þe schene.i. luna lucyna. þat of þe see is cheef goddesse & queene Though Neptunus haue deyte in þe see ȝit Emperesse abouen him is sche / ȝe knowen wel lord right as hire desire Is to be quyked and leteþ of ȝoure fire ffor which sche folweþ ȝou ful besyly Right so þe see desireþ naturelly To folwen hire as sche þat is goddesse Boþe in þe see and in Ryueres more and lesse Wher-fore lord Phebus þis is myn requeste Do þis myracle or I do myn herte to breste þat þou next at þis apposicioun Which in þe signe schal be of þe leoun And preyed hire so gret a flood to brynge That .v. fatheme at þe leste it ouer springe þe hyeste rokke in armorik Britayne And lete his flood endure ȝeres twayne Thenne certes to my lady may I saye holdeþ ȝoure hestes þe rokkes ben awaye lord Phebus do þis myracle for me Pray hire sche go no faster cours þan ȝe I say ȝou þus pray ȝour suster þat sche go None faster cours þan ȝe þis ȝeres tuo Then schal sche be euer at þe fulle alway And springe flood lasten boþe night and day And but sche fouche sauf in such manere To graunte me my lady souerein dere / Preye hire to synken euery rokke a doun In to hire owne darke Region vnder þe grounde þer Pluto duelleþ Inne Oþer neuer more schal I my lady wynne Thy temple in Delphos wol I barfoot seeke lord Phebus seeþ þe teeres on my cheeke / And of my peyne haue compassion And wiþ þat word in swowne he felle a doun And long tyme he lay in a traunce his broþer which þat knew of his penaunce vp caught him and to bedde him broughte Dispeyred in his torment and in his þought Lo y þis woful creature lete lye Chese he for me wheþer he wol lyue or dye Arneragus wiþ hele and gret honour As he was of Chyualry þe flour Is comen home and oþere worþy men O blisful art þou Dorigen þat hast þin lusty housbonde in þin armes þe freissche knight þe worþy man of armes That loueþ þe as his owen hertes lyf No þing luste he to be ymaginatyff Of any wight hadde spoke while he was oute To hire of loue he made þer-of no doute he nouȝt entendeþ to no such matere But daunceþ Iustiþ and makeþ good cheere As þus in Ioye and blisse I lete hem dwelle And of þe swete Aurelyus wol I telle In langure and in furious tormentz þus Tuo ȝer and more lay wrecche aurelius Or ony foot on erþe he mighte gon No confort in þis tyme nade he non Saue of his broþer which þat was a clerk he knew of al þis wo and of al þis werk ffor to non oþer creature certeyn Of þis matiere ne durste he no word seyn vnder his brest he bar it more secre Then euer did Pamphilius for Galathe his brest was hole wiþouten for to sene But in his herte was ay þe arwe kene And wel ȝe knowen þat a sore sauure In surgerie ful perilous is þe cure But man might touche þe arwe or come þerby his broþer wepeþ and wayleþ priuyly Til atte laste him felle in remembraunce That whiles he was at Orlyaunce in ffraunce As ȝonge clerkes þat ben likerous To reden artes þat ben curious Seken in euery halk and euery herne Particuler sciences for to lerne he him remembreþ vpon a day At Orlyaunce in studye a book he say Of magique naturell which his felawe That was þat tyme a bachiler of lawe Al were he þere to lerne anoþer craft And priuely vpon his deske y-laft This book spak mochil of þis operacions Touchynge þe .xviij. mancions That longen to þe mone and suche folye As in oure dayes nys nought worþ a flye ffor holy chirche saiþ in oure byleeue Ne suffreþ non illusion vs to greeue And whan þis book was in remembraunce Anon for ioye he gan for to daunce And to himselue sayde pryuely My broþer schal be warisshed hastily ffor I am siker þat þer ben sciences By whiche men maken dyuerse apparences / Whiche as þe subtile tregetoures pleyen ffor ofte at festes herde I seyen That tregettours wiþinne an halle large han made in come water and a barge / And in þe halle rowen vp and doun Som tyme haþ semed a grym leoun [and somtyme flouris springe / as in a mede[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] somtyme a vyne & grapes / white & rede] Som tyme a castel al of lym and ston And whan hem liked voyded it anon þus semed it to euery mannes sight Now þenne conclude I þus if þat I might At Orliaunce som olde felawe I-fynde That hadde þe moones manciouns in mynde Oþer magike naturel aboue he scholde wel make my broþer han his loue / ffor wiþ apparens a man may make To mannes sight þat alle þe Rokkes blake Of Britaigne were y-went euerychon And schippes by þe brinke mighte comen and goon And in such forme endure a ȝeer or tuo þen were my broþer warissched of his wo þen most sche needes knowen hire byheste Or elles he schal schamen hire at þe leste What schulde I make a lenger tale of þis Vnto his broþer bedde come he is And such confort he ȝaff him for to gon To Orlyaunce þat he vpstarte anon And on his way forþward is he fare In hope to ben y-lissed of his care / When þay were come almost to þat Cite But if it were a tuo forlong oþir þre A ȝong clerk romyng by himself þey mette Which þat in latyn thriftily hem grette And after þat he sayde a wonder þing I knowe quod he þe cause of ȝoure comyng And er þey forþer any foote went he tolde hem alle þat was in here entent This brytoun clerk him asked of felawes The which þat he had knowen in olde dawes And he answerde him þat þey dede were / ffor which he wepe ful ofte many a tere Doun of his hors Aurelius light anon And forþ wiþ þis magicien forþ is he gon home to his hous and made hem wel at ese / hem lacked no vitayle þat hem might plese / So wel arrayed hous as þer was oon Aurelius in his lyf saugh noon He schewed him er he wente to sopere fforestes parkes ful of wilde deere [there saw he hartes / with hornys ful highe[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14.] pasturynge right faire / & merilie he saw of hem an hundred / sleyn with houndes and somme with arwis blede / & bitter woundes he saw when voided were / the wilde dere these ffaukeners / vppon a faire Rivere] And how ffaukons han þe heron slayne Then sawe he knightes iusten in a playne And after þis he dide him such plesaunce That he him schewed his lady in a daunce On which himself he daunced as him þought And whan þis mayster þat þis magique wrought Sawh it was tyme to clappe his hondes tuo And fare wel al oure reuel is y-do And ȝit/ remewe þey neuer out of þis hous / Whiles þey sawe al þis sight merueylous But in his study þer as his bookes be þey saten stille and no wight but þey þre To him his mayster called þanne a squiere And seyde him þus is redy oure sopere Almost an hour it is I vndertake Seþyns I ȝou bad oure souper to make When þat þis worþy men wenten with me vnto my study þer as my bokes be Sire quod this squyer when it likeþ ȝou It is al redy þey ȝe wolen right now / Go we þen soupe quod he and for þe beste / These auerous folk som tyme mote haue reste And after souper felle þey in trete What somme schulde þis maystres guerdon be / Te remewe alle þe rokkes of Brytaigne And eek fro Geroun to þe mouþ of Sayne he made it straunge / and swore so god him saue lasse þan a þousand pound he nolde nouȝt haue Ne gladly for þat somme ne wolde he gon Aurelius wiþ blisful herte anon Answerde þus fy on a þousand pound þis wyde worlde þat men seyn is round þat wolde I ȝiue if I were lord of it This bargayn is ful dryue for we be knyt / Ȝe schulle be payed trewely by my trouþe But lokeþ now for no necligence or slouþe ȝe tary vs heere no lenger þan to morwe Nay quod þis clerk haue heer my trouþe to borwe To bedde is gon aurelius whan him liste And wel neigh al þat night he hadde his reste That for his labour and for his hope of blisse his woful herte of penaunce hadde a lisse vpon þis morwe when þat it was day To Britaigne toke þay þe righte way Aurelius and þis magicien besyde And ben descendid þer þey woln abyde And þis was as þe bokes me remembre þe colde frosty sesoun of Decembre Phebus wax olde and hewed lik latoun That in his hoote declinacion Schon as þe burnyd gold wiþ stremes bright But now in Scorpion a doun he light Wher as he schon ful pale I dar wel sayn The bitter frostes wiþ þe slete and rayn Destroyed haþ þe grene in euery ȝerde / Ianus sit by þe furye wiþ double berde And drynkeþ of his bugle horn þe wyn Biforn him stant þe braun of tuxed swyn And a nowel cryeþ euery lusty man Aurelius in al þat euer he can Doþ to his maister cheere and reuerence And preyeþ him to don his diligence To bryngen him out of his peynes smerte Or wiþ a swerd þat he wolde slitte his herte þat subtil clerk which þat rouþe hadde of þis man þat night and day he him spedde þat he ne lan To wayte a tyme of his conclusion This is to say to make illusioun I ne can no termes of astrologie / By which an apparence of Iogellerie / That sche and euery wight scholde wene and seye þat of Britaigne þe rokkes were aweye Oþer elles þey were sonken vnder grounde So atte laste whan þat he his tyme fonde To make his Iapes and his wrecchednes Of which a supersticious cursednesse his tables colletanes forþ he brought fful wel corrected ne þer lakked nouȝt/ Ne his collectes ne his expans ȝeres Ne his rotes ne his oþer geres / As ben his centrys and his argumentz And his proporcions conuenientz ffor his equacions in euery þing And by his viij spere in his werkynge he knew how fer Alnaþe was y-schoue ffro þe hede of þilke fixe aries aboue That in þe ixe spere considered is fful subtilly he calkeþ al þis / And whan he hadde founde his firste mansion he knewe þe remenaunt by proporcion And knewe þe arisyng of/ þe mone wel And in whos face and terme euery del And knew ful wel þe moones mansion acordant to his operacion And knew also his oþer obseruaunces / ffor suche illusions and suche meschaunces / As heþin folk vsed þilke dayes ffor whiche no lenger maked he delayes But þough his magik for a wike or tweye / It semed as alle þe rokkes were aweye Aurelyus which þat dispeyred is Wheþer he schal han his loue or fare amys Awayteþ night and day of þis myracle / And whan he knewe þat þer was non obstacle þat voyded were þise rokkes euerychon Doun to þis maistres feet he felle anon And seyde I woful wrecche aurelius þanke ȝou lord and lady myn venus That me han holpe fro my cares colde / And to þe temple forþ his way haþ holde Where he knewe he scholde his lady se And whan he saugh his tyme anon right he Wiþ dredful herte and humble cheere / Salued haþ his souerayn lady deere / My rightful lady quod þis woful man Whom I most drede and loue as I best kan And loþest were of alle þis world displese / Nere it þat I for ȝou haue suche disese That I moste dye her at ȝour foot anon But not wolde I telle how me is wo bygon But certes eyþer most I deye or pleyne / ȝe sleen me gilteles for verrey peyne / But of my deþ þough ȝe haue no rouþe Auyseþ ȝou er þat ȝe lese ȝour trouþe Repentiþ ȝou for þilke god aboue / Or ȝe me sleen by cause þat I ȝou loue / ffor ma dame wel ȝe wot þat ȝe han hight Nought/ þat I chalenge eny þing of right Of ȝou souereyne lady but ȝoure grace But in a gardyn ȝonde at such a place ȝe wot right wel þat ȝe behighte me And in myn hande my trouþe plighte me To loue me best god wot ȝe sayde so Al be þat I vnworþy am þerto Madame I speke it for þe honour of ȝow More þen to saue myn hertes lyf right now / I haue don so as ȝe haue commannded me And if ȝe vouche sauf ȝe may go se / And as ȝou luste haueþ ȝoure byheste in mynde ffor quyk or deed right þus ȝe schulle me fynde In ȝow liþ al to do me lyue or deye But wel I wot þe rokkes ben aweye / he took his leeue and sche astoned stood In alle hir face þer nas a drop of blood Sche wende neuer han comyn in such a trappe Allas quod sche þat þis euer schulde happe ffor wende I neuer by possibilite þat such a muster or such a meruaile schulde be It is aȝein þe processe of nature[These lines are trans|posed in the MS.] And home sche goþ a sorwsul creature[These lines are trans|posed in the MS.] ffor verray feere vnneþes may sche go Sche wepeþ and wayleþ a day or tuo And swowneþ þat it rouþe was to se But why it was to no wight tolde sche ffor out of toune was gon arneragus But to hir self sche sayde and spak þus In hire compleynt as ȝe schullen after heere Wiþ face pale and wiþ sorweful cheere Allas quod sche on þe fortune I pleyne That vnwar hast wrapped me in þi cheyne ffor which þe eschape wot I no socour Saue oonly deþ oþer elles dishonour On of þese tuo bihoueþ me to chese But naþeles ȝit hadde I leuer to lese / My lif þan of my body to han a schame Oþer knowe my self fals oþer lese my name / And wiþ my deþ I may be quyte y-wys haþ þer nouȝt many a wyf er þis And many a mayden y-slayn hem self allas Raþir þan wiþ here bodyes don trespas And certes lo þise stories beren witnesse Whan xxx tyrauntz ful of cursednesse hadde slayn Phydon in athenes atte leste þey comaunded his douȝtres to areste / And bryngen hem byforn hem in dispyt Al naked to fulfille here foule delyt And in here fadres blod þey made hem daunce vpon þe pament god ȝeue hem meschaunce ffor whiche þese woful maydens ful of drede / Raþer þan þey wolde lese here maydenhede / þay pryuely ben stert in to a welle / And dreynt hemselue as þe bookes tell They of mesue lete enquere and seke Of lacedemye .L. maydens eeke On which þey wolden don here leccherie But was þer non of al þat companye / þat sche nas slayn and wiþ a glad entent Chese raþir for to dye þan for to assent To ben oppressed of here maydenhede Why schulde I þanne to deye ben in drede lo eke þe tyraunt Anstoclydes þat loued a mayde þat/ hight Symphalides Whan þat hir fader slayn was on a night/ vnto þe Dyanes temple goþ sche anon right hente þe ymage with hire armes tuo ffro which ymage wolde sche neuere go No wight might of hit hir armes race Til sche was slayn in þe selue place / Now seþyns þat maydens hadde such despit/ To ben defouled wiþ mannes foul delyt Wel aught a wyf raþer hirself to sle/ þan ben defouled as þenkeþ me þat schal I sayn of hasdrubaldes wyf That/ at kartage byraft hir self hir lyf ffor whan sche sawh þat/ Romayns wan þe toun Sche took hir children alle and swept a doun In to þe fuyr and ches raþer to dye þan eny Romeyn did hir vilanye haþ nouȝt lucres y-slayn hir self allas At Rome þere sche oppressed was Of Tarquyn for hir þought it was a schame / To lyue whan þat sche had lost hire name / The viij. maydens of Milesye also / han slayn hem self for drede and for wo Raþir þan folke of gaule scholde hem oppresse / Mo þen a þousend stories as I gesse / Couþe I now telle as touchinge þis matere Whan habradas was slayn his wyf so dere hire self slough and let hir blood to glyde In habradas woundes brode and wyde / And seyde my body at þe leste way þer schal no wight defoule it if þat I may What schulde I mo ensamples her of sayn Siþþen þat so many han hemselue slayn Wel raþer þan þey wolde defouled be / I wol conclude what is best for me [to sle my selue / than be defouled thus[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] I wol be trewe / to Arueragus] Oþir raþer sle my self in som manere As Demonicious doughter dere By cause þat sche nolde not defouled be / O Cedasus it is ful gret pite To reden how þi doughtren deyeden allas þat slowe hemself for such a maner caas As gret appetyt was it or more The Theban mayden þat for Nichasore [hir selue slowe / right for suche manere woo[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] another Theban maiden dide right so] hire hadde wedded and y-dressed[spurious] ffor on of Macedoigne hadde hire oppressed þat schal I sayn of Nicharatiffs wijf þat for such cas byrafte hir self hir lyf how trewe was eek to alcebiades his loue þat for to deyen chees þan for to suffren his body vmbreyde be lo which a wyf was Alcestem quod sche What Emore of good Penolope / Al Grece knoweþ of hir chastite Pardee of leodomia is write þus That when at Troye was slayn protheselayus No lenger nolde sche lyue after his day The same of noble Porcia I telle may Wiþoute Brutus couþe sche not lyue To whom he hadde al hol his herte ȝiue The parfyt wyfhod of archemesy honoured is þurgh al þe Barbary O teuta queen in þy wyfly chastite To alle wyfes may a myrour be . . . no gap in the MS: these lines . . . .known only in Ellesmere MS. þus playned Dorigen a day or tweye Purposed euere þat sche wolde deye But naþeles vpon þe þridde night hom cam arneragus þe worþy knight And asked hire why þat sche weep so sore And sche gan weepen euer lenger þe more Allas quod sche þat euer was I born þus haue I seyd quod he þus haue I sworn I told him alle as ȝe han herde bifore It needeþ nouȝt/ to rehersen it nomore This housbond wiþ glad cheere in sondry wise / Answerd and sayde as I schal ȝou deuyse / Is þer ought elles Dorigen but þis Nay nay quod sche god help me so as wis This is to meche and it were goddes wille ȝe wyf quod he let slepe þat is stille It may be wel ȝit peraduenture to say ȝe schullen ȝour trouþe holden by my fay ffor god so wisly helpe me I hadde wel leuere y-stiked for to be / ffor verray loue which þat I to ȝou haue But if ȝe schulde ȝoure trouþe saue Trouþe is ȝe heihest þing þat man may kepe But wiþ þat word he brast anon to weepe / And sayde I ȝou forbede vp payne of deþ That neuer whiles þe lasteþ lyf and breþ To no wight telle how þat þis matere / As I may kepe I wole my woo endere Ne make no contynaunce of heuynesse That folk of ȝou may deme harme or gesse And forþ he cleped a squyer and a mayde Goþ forþ anon wiþ Dorigen he sayde / And bringeþ hire to such a place anon þey tooke her leue and on þair way þey gon But þey ne wiste why sche þider wente he nolde no wight telle hire entente . . . . .[Not in Arch. Seld. B. 14. These lines known only in the Ellesmere MS.] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .no gap in the MS. This squyer which þat hight Aurelyus On Dorigen which þat was so amerous Of aduenture happed hire to mete Amyd þe toun right in þe quyke strete As sche was boun to gon þe wey forþ right Toward þe gardyn þer as sche hadde hight And he was to þe gardynward also ffor wel he spyed whan sche wolde go Out of hir hous to eny maner place But þus þey mette of auenture or of grace And he saluyþ hire wiþ glad entent And axed of hire whider þat sche wente / And sche answerde half as sche were mad vnto þe gardyn as myn housbonde bad My trouþe for to holde allas allas Aurelius gan wonder of þis caas And in his herte had gret compassion Of hire and of hire lamentacion And of Arneragus þe worþy knight And bad hire holde al þat sche hight So loþ he was his wijf schulde breke hir trouþe And in his herte he caste of þis gret rouþë[blots over e later] Considerynge þe beste on euery syde / That fro his luste were him better abyde Than don so heigh a cherles wrecchednes Aȝeins fraunchise and aȝein al gentilnes ffor which in fewe wordes sayde he þus Ma dame seiþ to ȝoure lord Arneragus þat seþyns I se þis grete gentilnes / To ȝou and ek I se wel ȝoure distres þen ȝe to me þus schulde breke ȝoure trouþe Certes me þinkeþ it were right gret rouþe[spurious 1529] I haue wel leuer euer to suffre wo þen I departe þe loue betwixe ȝou tuo I ȝou relesse ma dame in to ȝoure hand Quyte euery surement and euery band That ȝe han made to me as here byforn Siþens þilke tyme that ȝe were born My trouþe I plight I schal ȝou neuer repreue Of no biheste and here I take my leue / As of þe trewest and þe beste wyf þat euer ȝit/ I knew in al my lyf But euery wight be war of hire byheste On Dorigen remembreþ atte leste / Thus can a squier don a gentil dede As wel as can a knight wiþouten drede Sche þanked him vppon hir knees al bare And home vnto hire housbonde is sche fare And tolde hem alle as ȝe han herde me sayde And be ȝe siker he was so wel a-payde / þat it were inpossible to write / What schulde I lengere of þis cas endite / Arneragus and dorigen his wijff In souerayn blisse leden forþ here lyff Neuer eft ne was þer anger hem betwene he cherisscheþ hire as þough sche were a quene And sche was to him trewe for euermore Aurelius þat his cost haþ al forlore Curseþ þe tyme þat euer he was y-born ffor certes he seiþ I am forlorn[spurious] Allas quod he allas þat I behight Of pured gold a þousand pound of wight/ vnto þis philosofre how schal I do I se no more but þat I am fordo / Myn heritage moot I needes selle And ben a beggere here may I no lenger dwelle And schamen al my kynrede in þis place But I of him may gete bettre grace / [but natheles / I wol of him assaye[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] at certeyne dayes / yere bi yere to paye] I wole þonke him of his grete curtesye My trouþe wol I kepe I wol nouȝt lye Wiþ herte sore he goþ vnto his coffre And broughte gold vnto his philosophre The value of .v. hundred pound I gesse And him besecheþ of his gentilnesse To graunte him dayes of þe remenant And maister I dar wel make auaunt I fayled neuer my trouþe as ȝit ffor sikerly my dettes schal be quyt Towardes ȝou how euer þat I fare To gon abegged in my kirtel bare But wolde ȝe fouche sauf vpon suerte Two ȝere or þre to respiten me þenne were I wel for elles moste I selle /[a leaf out of the Corpus MS.] [myn heritage / ther is no more to telle this Philosophre soburly answerde and seide thus / whan he these wordes herde haue I nat holden couenaunt / vn-to the yis certes / wel & trewely / quod he hast thow nat had thi lady / as the liketh no no quod he / & sorowfully he siketh what was the cause / telle me if thou can Aurelius his tale / anoon bigan and tolde him al / as ye han herde bifore hit nedith nat / to rehersen it no more he seide Arueragus / of gentilnesse had leuer dien / in sorow & distresse than his wiff / were of hir trouthe fals[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] the sorow of Dorigen / he told him als how loth hir was / to ben a wikked wiff and that she leuere had that day lost hir liff and that hir trouthe she swore / thorugh innocence she neuere erst herde speke / of apparence that made me han of hir / so grete pite and right as frely / as he sente hir to me as frely sente I hir / to him ageyne this is al & som / ther is no more to seyne this Philosophre answerde / leue brother eueryche of yow dide gentilly / to other thow art a squyer / & he is a knyght but god forbede / for his blisful myght but if a Clerke / couthe do a gentil dede as wel as any of yow / it is no drede sir I relece the / thi thousand pounde as thow right now / were crope out of the grounde ne neuere er now / ne haddist thow knowe me for sir I wol nat taken / a peny of the for al my crafft / ne nought for my travaile thow hast I-paide wel / for my vitaile hit is I-now / & farewel haue good day and toke his hors / & forth he goth his way lordinges this question / than wold I axe now whiche was the most fre / as thenketh yow now telleth me / er that I ferther wende I can no more / my tale is at an ende. Here endith the ffrankeleyne his tale][Arch. Seld. extr. ends] GROUP G. FRAGMENT VIII. § 1. THE SECOND NUN'S TALE. CORPUS MS. [THE PROEM.][No breaks in the Corpus MS between the stanzas.] [And next bigynneth the seconde nonne hir tale. &c. (1) The ministre and norice / vn-to vices which that men clepen / in englissh / Idelnesse that porter of the gate is / of delices to eschewen / and bi hir contrarie to oppresse that is to seyne / bi leoful besynesse wel oughte we to don / al oure entente lest that the fende / thorugh Idelnesse vs hente. (2) ffor he that with his thousand cordes slighe contenuelly vs waiteth / to bi-clappe whan he may man/ in Idelnesse aspie he can so lightly cacche him / in his trappe til that a man be hente / right bi the lappe he nys not ware / the fende hath him in honde wel oughte vs werche / and Idelnesse with-stonde. (3) And though men dradden neuere / for to die yit se men wel bi reson / doutelese that Idelnesse is hoten / slogardie of whiche cometh neuere / noon encrese and sithen that slouth hir holdith in a lese only for to slepe / and ete and drynke and to devouron / al that other swynke (4) ¶ And for to putten vs / from suche Idelnesse[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] that cause is / of so grete confusion I haue here don / my feithful besynesse after the legende / in translacion right after thi glorious liff / and passion thow with thi garland / wroughte of rose and lylye the mene I / maide / and martir / seynt Cecelye. (5) ¶ And thow that floure art / of virgynes alle of whom that Bernard / list so wel to write to the at my bigynnyng / first I calle thow comforte of vs wrecches / do me endite thi maidens deth / that was thorugh hir merite the eternal liff / and of the fende victorie as men mow after rede / in hir storie. (6) ¶ Thow maiden and moder / doughter of thi sone][Arch. Seld. B. 14 extr. ends] Thou welle of mercy synful soules cure In whom þat god for bounte chees to wone Thou humble and heih ouer euery creature Thou nobledest so ferre oure nature That no desdeyn þe makere hadde of kynde his sone in blood and fleissch to cloþe and wynde (7) ¶ Wiþinne þe cloystre blisful of þine sydes Took mannes schap þe eterne loue and pees That of þe trine compas lord and gyde is Whom erþe and see and heuene out of reles Ay herien and þou virgine wemmeles Bare of þy body and dwelledest/ mayde pure The creatour of euery creature (8) ¶ Assembled is in þi magnificence Wiþ mercy goodnesse and with such pite þat þou art þe sonne of excellence Nouȝt only helpest hem þat prayen þe But ofte tyme of þin benignite fful frely er þat men þin helpe beseche þou gost byforn and art here lyfes leche (9) ¶ Now help þou meke and blisful faire mayde Me flemyd wrecche in þis desert of galle Thenk on þe womman Canane þat sayde That whelpes eten some of þe crommes alle þat from here lordes table ben y-falle And þough þat I þe vnworþy sone of eue be synful ȝit accepte my byleeue (10) And for þat feiþ is deed wiþoute werkes So for to worchen ȝif me witte and space þat I be quyt from place þat most derk is O þou þat art so fair and so ful of grace Be myn aduocate in so heih a place Ther as wiþouten ende is longe Osanna Thou cristes moder and doughter of Anna (11) And of þin light my soule kepe in prison That troubled is by þe contagioun [of my body / & also bi the wighte[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] of erthely lust / & fals affeccion] O heuene o refute O saluacion Of hem þat ben in sorwe and in destresse / · Now help for vnto my werk I wol me dresse / (12) ¶ ȝet pray I ȝou þat reden þat I write fforȝeueþ me for I do no diligence þis ilke story subtil to endite ffor boþe haue I þe wordes and þe sentence / Of hem þat atte seyntes reuerence / The story wroot & solewen hir legende And pray I ȝou þat ȝe woln my werk amende (13) [THE TALE.] fferst wolde I ȝou þe name of seint Cecile Expoune as men may in here stories se It is to say on englissh heuene lylye ffor pure chastnesse of virginite / Oþer for sche witnesse hadde of honeste Of greue of conscience and of good fame The soote sauour lilye was hire name (14) Ouþer Cecile is to say þe way to blynde ffor sche ensample was by good techynge Or elles. Cecile is as I writen fynde Is ioyned by a maner conioygnynge Of heuen and lya and heiher in figuringe The heuen is set for þought of holynesse And lya for hire lastyng busynesse / (15) Cecile may eek be sayd in þis manere Wantynge of blyndnesse for hire grete light Of sapiens and for hir þewes clere Oþer elles þis maydenes name bright/ Of heuen and leos comeþ for which by right men mighte þe heuene of poeple hire calle Ensample of goode and wise werkes alle (16) ffor leos poeple in englissch is to say And right as men may in þis heuene se þe sonne and moone and þe sterres euery way Right so gostly in þis mayden fre Seyen þe feiþ of magnificence And ekyng of helþe and of sapience And sondry werkes bright of excellence / (17) And right as þis philosophres wryte That heuen is swyft round and brynnyng Right so was faire Cecile þe whyte fful swift and besy euer in good werkyng And round & hool in good perseueryng And brenne euere in charite lighte / Now haue I declared ȝou what sche highte (18) This mayden bright Cecile as hire lyf saiþ Was comen of Romayns and of noble kynde And so forþ fostred vp in þe faiþ Of crist and bar his gospel in hire mynde Sche neuer cessede as I writen fynde Of hire prayere and god to loue and drede Besechinge him to kepe hire maydenhede / (19) And what þis mayden schulde vnto a man y-wedded be þat was ful ȝong of age Which þat y-cleped was valerian And þe day was comen of hire mariage Sche fil deuoute and humble /in hire corage Vnder hire robe of gold þat sat ful faire And next hire fleissh sche clad hire in an haire (20) And whiles þe Orgles maden melodye To god allone þus in herte sang sche O lord my soule and eek my body gye Vnwemmed lest þat I confoundid be And for his loue þat deyde vpon a tre Euery secounde or þridde day sche faste Ay byddyng in hire orisons ful faste (21) The night com and to bedde sche moste gon Wiþ hire housbonde as often is þe manere And pryuely sche sayde to him anon O swete and wel biloued spouse dere Ther is a counseil and ȝe wolde it here / Which þat right fayn I wol vnto ȝou sayn So þat ȝe me assure it nought to bewrayn (22) Valerian gan faste / vnto hire swere That for no cas ne þing þat mighte be he scholde for no þing neuer bywreyen hire And þanne at erst þus to him sayde sche I haue an aungel which þat loueþ me That wiþ gret loue wheþer so I wake or slepe Is redy ay my body for to kepe (23) And if þat he may felen out of drede [that ye me touche / or loue in vilonye[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] he right anoon wol sle yow / with the dede and in youre youthe / thus shul ye die and if that ye / in clene loue me guye] he wolde ȝou loue as me for ȝour clennesse And schewe ȝou of his ioye and his brightnesse (24) valerian corrected as god wolde Answerde aȝein if I schal truste to þe / let me þat aungel see and him biholde And if þat it a verray aungel be Thanne wol I don as þou hast preyed me And if þou loue anoþer man for soþe / Right wiþ þis swerd I wol sle ȝou boþe (25) Cecily answerde anon in þis wise If þat ȝou luste þat aungel schul ȝe se So þat ȝe trowe on crist and ȝou baptise Goþ forþ to via apia quod sche þat from þis toun ne stant by myles þre / And to þe pouere folkes þat þere dwelle / Sey hem right þus as þat/ I schal ȝou telle / (26) Telle hem þat I Cecile ȝou to hem sent To schewen ȝou þe goode vrban þe olde ffor secre needes and fro good entent And whan þat ȝe seint vrban han byholde / Telle him þe wordes whiche þat I ȝou tolde / And whan þat he haþ purged ȝou from synne þanne schal ȝe see þat aungel er ȝe twynne (27) Valerian is to þat place y-gon And right as him was taught by his lernyng he fond þis holy Vrban þer anon Among þese seyntes buriels lotying.i. latitans And he anon wiþoute tarying Dide his message and whan he hadde tolde Vrban for ioye gan his handes vpholde (28) The teeres from his eyhen leet he falle / Almighty god O Ihesu crist quod he Sowere of chaste counseille and herde of vs alle þe fruyt of þilke seed of chastite / þat þou hast sowe in Cecile tak to þe Lo y-like a busy bee wiþoute gyle The serueþ ay þin oughne þralle Cecile (29) ¶ ffor þilke spouse þat sche tok but now / fful like a fiers leon sche sendeþ heere / As meke as eny lambe was to ȝow / And wiþ þat word anon þer gan apeere / An olde man clad wiþ white cloþes cleere And hadde a book wiþ lettres of gold in honde And gan biforn Valerian to stonde (30) Valerian as deed fel doun for drede Whan he him saugh and him vp hente þo And on his book right þus he gan to rede / O lord o feiþ o god wiþoute moEt lamentat [is the next line] Of cristendom and fader of al also Abouen alle and ouer alle euery where This wordes alle with golde writen were / (31) Whan þis was rad þan sayde þis olde man leeuest þou þis þing or no sey ȝe or nay I leeue alle þis þing þan þis [quod tho Valerian[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] for sother thing than this /] I dar wel say Vnder þe heuene no wight/ ne þenke may þo vanyssched þe olde man he nyste where And pope vrban him cristned right þere (32) Valerian goþ hom and seint Cecile Wiþinne his chambre an aungel stande þis aungel hadde of Rose and of lylie Corounes tuo þe which he bar in hande And ferst to Cecile as I vnderstande / he ȝaf þat oon and after gan he take þat oþer to Valerian hire make (33) With body clene and wiþ vnwemmyd þouȝt / kepeþ ay wel þis corounes quod he ffrom paradys to ȝou haue I hem brouȝt Ne neuer more schulle þey roten be ¶ Ne leese here swete sauour trusteþ me Ne neuere wight schal seen hem wiþ his yhe But he be chaste and hate vilonye / (34) And þou valerian for þou so sone Assentedest to good counseil also Sey what þe luste and þou schalt haue þy bone / I haue a broþer quod valerian þo þat in þis world I loue no man so I pray ȝou þat my broþer may han grace To knowe þe trouþe as I do in þis [place] (35) The aungel answerde god likeþ ȝoure requeste And boþe with þe palme of martirdome ȝe schulle come vnto þe blisful feste And wiþ þat word Tiburce his broþer come And whan þat he þe sauour vndernome Which þat þe roses and þe lylies caste / Wiþinne his herte he gan to wondre faste / (36) And seyde in þis tyme I wondre of þe ȝeere Whenne þis swote sauour comeþ so / And Rosis and lilyes þat I smelle heere ffor þough I hadde hem in myn hondes tuo The sauour might in me no deppere go þe swete smelle þat in myn herte I fynde haþ chaunged me al in anoþer kinde (37) valerian sayde tuo corounes han we Snow whit and Rose Reed þat schyneþ cleere Which þat þin yhe haþ no might to see And as þou smellest hem þorugh my preyere So schalt þou seen hem leeue broþer deere If it/ so be þat þou wolt wiþouten slouþe Bileeue aright and knowe verray trouþe (38) Tiburce answerde saist þou þis to me In soþnesse or in drem herkne ȝe þis In dremes quod valerian han we be vnto þis tyme broþer myn y-wys But now at erste oure trouþe dwellyng is how wost þou quod Tiburce and in what wyse / Quod valerian þat I schal þe deuyse / (39) þe aungel of god haþ me þe trouþe y-taught Which thou schalt seen if þat þou wolt reneye þe ydolis and be clene and elles naught And of þe miracles of þise corounes tweye Seint ambrose in his preface lust to seye Solempnely þis noble doctor deere Comendiþ it/ and saiþ in þis maneere (40) The palme of martirdom for to receyue Seint Cecile fulfilde of goddes ȝifte þe worlde and eek hire chambre gan sche weyue Witnesse Tiburce and Cecyles schrifte/ To which god of his bounte wolde schifte Corounes two of floures wel smellynge / And made þe aungel hem þo corounes brynge (41) ¶ þe mayde haþ brought þise men to blisse aboue The world haþ wist what it is worþ certeyn Deuocion of chastite to loue þo schewed him Cecile open and pleyn That alle ydolis nys but þing in veyn ffor þey ben dombe and þer-to þey ben deue And charged him his ydolis for to leue (42) ¶ Who þat þis troweþ not a beste he is / Quod þo Tiburce if þat I schal not lye Sche gan þanne kisse his breste and þat herde þis And was ful glad he couþe trouþe aspye This day take þe for myn allye Seyde þis blisful mayde fair and deere ffor after þat sche sayde as ȝe may heere (43) Lo right so þe loue of crist quod sche made me þin broþeres wyf right in þat wyse Anoon for myn allye here take I þe Siþenes þat þou wolt[ink spilt over the page] þine ydolis despise Go with þy broþer now and þe baptise / And make þe clene so þat þou mayst beholde þe aungels face of which þy broþer tolde (44) Tiburce answerde and seyde broþer deere fferst telle me whider I schal and to what man To whom quod he com forþ with right good cheere I wol þe lede vnto þe pope vrban To Vrban broþer myn Valerian Quoþ þo Tiburce wilt þou me þider lede Me þinkeþ þat it were a wonder dede (45) ¶ Remenest þou nouȝt vrban quod he þo That is so ofte dampned to be deed And woneþ in halkes to & fro / And dar nouȝt ones putte forþ his heed Men schulle him brenne in a fir so reed If þat he were founde if þat men might him spye And we also þat bere him companye (46) And whiles we seken þilke diuinyte þat is y-hyd in heuene priuely Algate y-brent in þis world schul we be To whom Cecile answerde bodyly Men mighte drede wel and skilfully þis lyf to lese myn owne deere broþer yif þis were lyuynge oonly and non oþer (47) But þer is bettere lyf in oþer place þat neuer schal be lost ne drede þe nought Which goddes sone vs tolde þorugh his grace [that the fadris sone / hath al thing wrought[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] and al that wrought is / with a skilful thought the goost that from the fader / gan procede hath souled hem / withouten eny drede. (48) ¶ By worde & bi myracle / godis sone[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] whan he was in this world / declared here that ther was other liff / there men may wone to whom answerde Tyburce / O suster dere ne seidist thow right now / in this manere ther nas but O god / lord in sothfastnesse and now of thre / how maist thow bere witnesse. (49) ¶ That shal I telle quod she or that I go][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14 extract ends] Right as a man haþ sapiences þre / Memorie Ingenie and Intellecte also So in o beynge of diuynite / Thre persones right wel þer may be Tho gan sche him besyliche preche / Of cristes come. and of his peynes teche (50) And many poyntes of his passion how goddes sone in þis world was wiþholde To do mankynde pleyn remission That was y-bounde in synne and cares colde Al þis þing sche vnto Tiburce tolde And after þis Tiburce in good entent To pope vrban wiþ Valerian he went (51) which þanked god and wiþ glad herte & light he cristned him and made him in þat place Parfyt in his lyuynge goddes knight And after þis Tiburce gat such grace þat euery day he seyh in tyme and space þe aungel of god and euery maner bone þat he god asked it was sped ful sone (52) ¶ It were ful hard by ordre for to seyn how many wondres ihesu for him wrouȝt But atte laste to telle schort and pleyn þe sergeaunt of þe toun of Rome hem sought And hem byforn Almache þe prouost brought Which hem opposede and knew al here entent And to þe ymage of Iubiter he hem sent / (53) And sayde who so wol not Sacrifise Swap of his heed þis is my sentence heere / Anon þise martires þat I ȝou deuyse / On Maximius þat was an officere / Of þe Prefectis and of Corniculere hem hente and when he forþ þe seintes ledde himself he weep for pite þat he hadde (54) ¶ Whan maximine hadde herde þe seintes lore / he gat hem of þe tormentoures leue / And hadde hem in his hous wiþoute more And wiþ here prechyng er þat it/ were eue þey gonne from þe tormentours to reue / And from Maximius and from his folk ilkon þe false feiþ to trowe in god allon (55) Cecile cam whan it was woxen night Wiþ prestes þat hem cristned alle in feere And aftirward. whan day was waxen light Cecile hem sayde wiþ a sobre chere Now cristes owne knightes leeue and deere Casteþ alle a wey þe werkes of derknesse / And armeþ ȝou in armure of lightnesse (56) ȝe han forsoþe ydon grete bataille ȝoure is doon ȝoure feiþ han ȝe conserued Goþ to þe coroune of lyf þat may nouȝt faille þe rightful Iuge which þat ȝe han [served[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] shal yeue hit yow / as ye han it] deserued And whan þis þing was sayd as I deuyse men ladde hem forth to don þe sacrifise / (57) But whan þey were vnto þe place y-brouȝt / To telle schortly þe conclusion þey nolde encense no sacrifice right nouȝt But on here knees þey setten hem adoun Wiþ humble herte and sad deuocion And losten boþe here hedes in þe place here soules wenten to þe kyng of grace (58) This maximius þat say þis þing betyde / Wiþ pitous tales tolde it/ anon right þat he here soules saugh to heuen glyde With aungels ful of clernes and of light And wiþ his word conuerted many a wight ffor which Almachus dede him so to bete Wiþ whippe of leed til he his lyf gan lete / (59) Cecile him took and buried him anon By Tyburce and Valerian softely Wiþinne hire heryinge place vnder þe ston And after þis Almachius hastily Bad his mynistres fecchen openly Cecile so sche mighte in his presence Do sacrifice and Iubiter encense (60) But þey conuertid þorugh hire wise lore Wepten sore and ȝauen credence / Vnto hire word and cryden more and more Crist goddes sone wiþouten difference his verray god þis is alle oure sentence þat haþ so good a seruant him to serue þus wiþ oo vois we trowe þeyȝ we sterue (61) Almachius þat herde al þis speking Bad fecche Cecile þat he might hir se And alþer first lo þis was his askyng What maner womman artow þo quod he / I am a gentil womman born quod sche / I aske quod he þouȝ it þe greue Of þin religion and of þin byleeue (62) Whi þanne bygan ȝoure question folily Quod sche þat woldest tuo answers conclude / In oo demaunde ȝe askide lewedly Almachie answerde to þat similitude / [of whens cometh thin answere / so rude][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] Of whennes quod sche. whan þat sche was refreyned Of conscience and of good feiþ vnfeyned (63) Almachius sayde takest þou non heede / Of þin answere and sche him answerde þus Ȝoure might quod sche litel is to drede / ffor euery mortel mannes power nys But y-like a bladdre ful of wynd y-wys / ffor wiþ a neldis poynt/ when þat is blowe may al þe bost of it be leyd ful lowe / (64) fful wrongfully bigan þou quod he And ȝit in wrong is þin perseuerance Wost þou nouȝt how oure mighty princes fre Ben þus comaundid and maken ordinannce That euery cristne wight schal han penannce But if þat he his cristendom wiþ-seye And gon al quyt if he wol it receyue (65) ¶ Ȝoure princes erren as ȝoure noblen doth Quod þo Cecile / and a wood sentence ȝe make vs gulty and it nys nouȝt soþ ffor ȝe þat knowen wel oure Innocence ffor as moche as we don a reuerence To crist. and for we bere a cristene name ȝe putte on vs a cryme and eek a blame (66) But we þat knowen þilke name so ffor vertuous we may it not say Almachie answerde chese on of þise tuo Do sacrifice or cristendom reneyne þat þou mow now skapen by þat wey At which þe holy blisful mayde gan for to laughe and to þe Iuge sche sayde (67) O Iuge confuse in þy nycete Wolt þou þat I reneye Innocence / To make me a wicked wight quod sche loo he dissimileþ here in audience / he stareþ and woodeþ in his aduertence To whom almachius O Vnseely wrecche / Ne wost þou nought how fer my might may strecche (68) haþ nought oure mighty prince to me y-ȝouen ȝe boþe power and auctorite / To make folk to deyen and to lyuen Why spekest þou so proudly þenne to me I ne speke it nouȝt but stedefastly quod sche / Nought proudly for I say as for my syde I hate dedly þilke vice of pryde (69) ¶ And if þou drede nouȝt a soþ to heere þan wol I schewen al openly by right That þou hast/ maad a ful gret lesyng heere þou sayst þy princes han ȝeue þe might Boþe to sleen and eek for to quike a wight þou þat ne mayst but oonly lyf here byreue þan nast þerto neyþer power ne leeue (70) But þou mayst see þin princes han þe maked Ministre of deþ for if þou speke of mo / þou lyest for þy power is ful naked Do wey þy boldenesse/ seyde almachius þo And sacrifice to oure goddes or two I ne recche nouȝt what wrang þat þou me profre ffor I can suffre it as a philosophre (71) But þilke wronges may I nought endure þat þou spekest of oure goddes here quod he / Cecile answerde O nyce creature þou saydest no word syns þou speeke to me þat I ne knewe þerwith þy nycete And þat þou were in euery maner wyse / A lewed officer and a vein Iustise (72) þer lackeþ noþing to þin vtter yhen þat þou nart blynd for þing þat we seen alle That is a ston yt men wel may aspyen That ilke ston a god þou wilt it calle I rede þe let þin hond vpon it falle And taste it wel and stoon þou schalt it fynde / Syns þat þou sixt it nought wiþ þin yȝen blynde / (73) It is a schame þat þe poeple schall So skorne þe and lawhe at þy folye / ffor comunely wommen woot it wel ouer al þat mighty god is in his heuenes hihe And þese ymages wel þanne mayst þou aspye To þe ne to hemself may þey not profyte ffor in here effecte þey be not worþ a myte (74) þis and such oþer wordes seyde sche / and he wax wroþ and bad þey schulde hire lede / home to hire hous and in hire hous quod he Brenne hire in a fire wiþ flammes reede And as he bad right so was don in dede And in a bathe þey gan hire faste scheten And night and day gret fuyr vnder þey beetyn (75) Al þe longe night and eek þe day also / ffor alle þe fuyr and eek þe baþes hete / Sche satte al colde and felt of it/ no wo Ne made hire a drop nouȝt for to swete / But in þat baþe hire lyf sche moste lete / ffor he Almachie wiþ ful wikked entent To slen hure in þe bath his sonde sent (76) þre strokes in þe necke he smot hire þo The tormentour but for no maner chaunce he might not smyten al hire necke a tuo And for þer was þat tyme an ordynaunce That no man scholde do man such penance þe ferþe strook to smyten softe or sore þis tormentour ne durste nomore (77) But half ded wiþ hire necke koruen þere / he laft hir lye and in his wey he went þe cristne folke whiche abouten hire were / Wiþ scheetes home ful faire hire hent þre dayes lyued sche in þis torment And neuer cessed hem þe feiþ to teche þat sche hadde fostred hem sche gan to preche (78) And hem sche ȝaff hire moebles and hire þing And to þe pope vrban bitok hem þo / And sayde þus I askede þis of heuen king To haue respyt þre dayes and no mo / To recomande to ȝou er þat I go þise soules lo and þat I mighte do wirche here of myn hous perpetuelliche a chirche (79) Seint vrban wiþ his deaknes priuely The body fette and buried it by nighte Among his oþere seintes honestely hire hous þe chirche of seint Cecile highte Seynt vrban halwed it as he wel mighte In þe which in to þis day in noble wyse / Men don to cryst and to his seintz seruise ¶ Here endeþ Seint Ceciles Tale / ¶ Hic incipit fabula Canonicion leaf 177, back Whan ended was þe lyf of seint Cecile Er we fully hadde ryden fyue myle At Boghton vnder þe blee. vs gan atake / A man þat cloþed was in cloþes blake And vnder þat he hadde a whit surplys his hakeney þat was al pomel grys So swette þat it wonder was to see It semed he hadde priked myles þre þe hors eek þat his ȝoman rood vpon So swette þat vnneþe mighte he gon Aboute þe peytrel stood þe foom ful hiȝe he was of fome al flekked as a pye A male twyfold on his croper lay It semed þat he caryed lytel aray Al light for somer rood þis worþy man And in myn herte wondren I bygan What þat he was til þat I vnderstood how þat his cloke was sewed to his hood ffor which whan I longe hadde avised me / I demed him som chanon for to be / his hat hyng at his bak doun by a las / ffor he hadde ryde more þan trot or pas / he hadde ay priked lyk as he were wood A clote leef he hadde vnder his hood ffor swot and for to kepe his heed from hete But it/ was ioye for to seen him swete / his forhed dropped as a stillatorie Were ful of plaunteyne and of peritorie And whan þat he cam he bigan to crye God saue quod he þis Ioly companye ffaste haue I priked quod he for ȝoure sake By cause þat I wolde ȝou ouertake / To ryden in þis merye companye His ȝoman eek was ful of curtesye And sires now in þe morwe tyde / Out of ȝoure ostellerye I sayȝ ȝou ryde And warned heer my lord and my souerayn Which þat to ryde wiþ ȝou is ful fayn ffor his disport he loueþ daliaunce ffrend for þy warnyng god ȝiue þe good chaunce Sayde oure oost certes it wolde seeme / Thy lord were wys and so I may wel deme / he is ful iocunde also dar I lay Kan he ought telle a merye tale or tway Wiþ which he glade may þis companye Who sire. my lord; ȝe ȝe wiþoute lye he can of merþe and eek of Iolite Nought but ynough also sire trusteþ to me And ȝe him knewe als wel as do I ȝe wolde wondre how wel and þriftyly he couþe werke and þat in sondry wyse he haþ take on him many sondry aprise Which were ful hard for eny þat is heere / To bringe aboute but þey of him it lere / As homely as he ryt amonges ȝou If ȝe him knewe it wolde be ȝoure prow / ȝe nolde not forgon his aqueintance ffor mochil good I dar leye in balance Al þat I haue my possession he is a man of heigh discrecion I warne ȝou wel he is a passynge man Wel quoþ oure host I pray þe telle me þan Is he a Clerk or noon telle what he is Nay he is gretter þan a clerk y-wys Seyde ȝe ȝoman and in wordes fewe Ost and of his craft somwhat I wol ȝou schewe I say my lord can such a sotilte But alle his crafte ȝe may not wite at me And somwhat helpe I ȝit to his worchinge That al þis ground which þat we ben on rydynge Til þat we come to Caunturbury toun he couþe al clene turne it/ vp se doun And paue it al of siluer and of gold And whan þis ȝoman hadde þus y-told vnto oure hoost // he seyde benedicite þis þing is wonder merueylous to me Siþens þat þi lord is of so heigh prudence / By cause of which men scholde him reuerence / That of his worschipe rekkeþ he so lyte his ouer sloppe / nys nouȝt worþ a myte / As in effecte to him so mote I go It is al baudy and to-tore also Whi is þi lord so sluttissche I þe prey And is of power better cloþes to bey If þat his dede acorde wiþ þy speche Telle me þat and þat I þe byseche / Why quod þis ȝeman wherto aske ȝe me / God help me so for he schal neuer y-the But I wol not avowe þat I say And þerfore kepe it secre I ȝou pray he is to wys in faiþ as I bileeue And þat is ouer doon it nyl not preue And right as clerkes sein it is a vice / Wherfore in þat I holde him lewed and nyce ffor whan a ma[n] haþ ouer gret a witt fful often it happeþ to mysvsen it So doþ my lord and þat me greueþ sore God it amende I can seye now no more Ther-of no fors goode ȝoman quod oure hoost Siþens of þe connyng of þy lord þou woost Telle how he doþ I pray þe hertely Siþens þat he is so crafty and so sly Wher dwellen ȝe if to telle be In Subarbes of a toun quod he lurkyng in hernes and in lanes blynde Where þise Robbers and þeeues be kynde holden here preuy ferful resydence As þay þat dur nat schewe here presence So fare we if I schal saye þe soþe ȝit quod oure hoste lat me talke toþe Why art þou discoloured on þy face Peter quod he god ȝiue hit harde grace I am so vsed in þe fyre to blowe That it haþ chaunged my colour as I trowe I nam nat wont in myrour to prye But swynke sore and lerne to multiplye We bloundren euer and pouren in þe fyr And for al þat we faillen of oure desir ffor euer we lacken oure conclusion To moche folk we ben but Illusion And borwe gold be it a pound or tuo Or ten or twelue or manye sommes mo And make hem wenen atte leste weye þat of a pound we couþe make tweye ȝit is it fals and ay we han good hope It for to don and after it we grope But þat science is so fer vs biforn We mowe not al þough we hadde it sworn It ouertake it[a second it scratcht out] slyt awey so faste It wole us make beggeres atte laste Whil þis ȝoman was þus in þis talking þis chanon drough him ner and herde alle þing Which þat þis ȝoman spak for suspecion Of mennes speche euere hadde þis Chanon ffor Caton seith he þat gulty is Demeþ alle þing be spoke of him ywys By cause of þat he gan so neigh to drawe / his ȝoman. þat he herde alle his sawe / And þus he sayde vnto his ȝoman þo holde now þy pees and speke wordes no mo / ffor if þou dost þou schalt it dere abye Thou sclaundrest me here in þis compaignye And eek discouerest þat þou scholdest hyde ȝee quod oure hoost telle on what so betyde Of alle þis þretyng recche I nat a myte I faiþ quod he no more do I but a lite And whan þis Chanon say it wolde nat be But his ȝoman wolde telle his priuyte he fledde away for verray sorwe and schame / A quod þe ȝoman here schal aryse a game Al þat I can anon right/ wol I telle Siþens he is gon þe foule feend him quelle / ffor neuer her after wol I wiþ him mete ffor peny ne for pound I ȝou biheete / he þat me broughte ferst vnto þat game / Er þat he deye sorwe haue he and schame ffor it is ernest to me by my fayþ That feele I wel what so eny man saiþ / And ȝit for al my smert and al my greef ffor al my sorwe labour and mescheef I couþe neuer leue it in no wyse Now wolde god my witt/ mighte suffise To tellen al þat longeþ to þat art But naþeles ȝit wol I telle a part Syþens þat my lord is gon I wol not spare Such þing as I knowe I wol declare /[No break in the MS.] [THE PREAMBLE.] With þis chanon dwelled haue I seuen ȝeer And of his science am I neuer þe neer Al þat I hadde I haue y-lost þerby And god wot so haue many mo þan I þer I was wont to be right freissch and gay Of cloþing and of good array Now may I were an hose vpon myn heed And wher my colour was boþe freissh and reed Now is it wan and of a ledene hewe Who so it vseth sore schal he rewe And of my swynk ȝit blered is myn yȝe lo which auauntage it is to multiplye That slydynge science haþ me maad so bare That I haue no good where þat euer I fare And ȝit I am endetted so þer by Of gold þat/ I haue borwed trewely þat whil I lyue I schal it quite neuere / lat euery man be war by me for euere What maner man þat casteþ him þerto If he continue I holde his þrifte y-do So help me god þer-by schal he not wynne But empte his purs and make his wittes þinne And whan he þorugh his madnesse and folye haþ lost his owne good þorugh Iepardye þanne he exciteþ oþer men þerto To lese here good as himself haþ do ffor vnto schrewes Ioye it is and ese To haue here felawes in peyne and disese Thus was I ones lerned of a clerk Of þat no charge I wol speke of oure werk Whan we ben þere as we schulle exercise Oure eluysshe craft; we semen wonder wise Oure termes ben so clergeal and so queynte I blowe þe fuyr. til þat myn herte feynte What scholde I telle eche proporcion Of þinges whiche þat we worchen vppon As on fyue or sixe vnces may wel be Of siluer or of som oþer quantite And besye me to telle ȝou þe names Of Opyment brent bones yren squames That in to poudre grounden ben ful smal And in an erþen pot how þat put is al And salt y-put in and also paupere Bifore þise poudres þat I speke of here And wel y-couered wiþ a laumpe of glas And of muche oþer þing what þat þer was And of þe pot and glas englutyng That of þe aier mighte passe no þing And of þe esy fyr and smert also Which þat was mad and of þe care and wo þat we hadde in oure matiers sublymynge And amalgamynge and Calcenynge Of quyk syluer y-cleped mercurie crude ffor alle oure sleightes we can nouȝt conclude Oure orpymed and sublimed mercurie Oure grounde litarge eek on þe porphirie Of ech of þise of vnces a certayn Nouȝt helpeþ vs oure labour is in vain Ne eek oure spirites ascencioun Ne eek oure matieres þat lyn al fixe a doun Mowen in oure werkynge no þing vs auayle ffor lost is alle oure labour and trauaile And al þe cost on twenty deuele wey Is lost also which we vpon it ley þer is also many anoþer þing/ þat is to oure crafte aperteynyng þough I by ordre hem here ne reherse can By cause þat I am a lewed man ȝit wol I telle hem as þey come to mynde Though I ne kan nat sette hem in here kynde As boole armonyak verdegres Boras And sondry vesseles made of erþe and glas Oure vrinales and oure descensories Violes creseletes and sublimatories Concurbites and Alembykes eeke And oþer swiche deere ynough a leeke Nat needeþ it/ to rehersen hem alle Wateres Rubysynge and boles galle Arsynek Sal armonyak and Brymston And herbes couþe I telle eek many oon As Egrymoyne Valerian and lunarie And oþer suche if þat me luste tarie Oure laumpes brennyng boþe night and day To bringe aboute oure craft if þat we may Oure fornays eke of Calcynacion And of watres albyficacion vnslekked lym chalk and glaire of an ey Poudres dyuers aisshes dong pisse and cley Seryd pokettes Sal petre and vitriole And diuerse fyres made of woode and cole Salt tartre Alcaly and Salt preparat And combust matieres and coagulat Cley maad wiþ horses or mannes heer and oyle Of tartre alym glas berme wort and argoyle Rysalgar and oþer matieres enbykynge And eek of oure matieres encorporynge And eek of Siluer Citrynacion Oure sementynge and fermentacion Oure Ingotes testes and many mo I wol ȝou telle as was me taught also / þe foure spirites and þe bodyes seuene / By ordre ofte as I herde my lord neuene The fyfte spirit quyk siluer called is þe seconde orpiment. þe þridde y-wys Sal armoniak and þe ferþe bremston The bodyes seuene eek lo hem heere anon Sol gold is and luna siluer we threpe / Mars yren mercurie quyk syluer we clepe Saturnus leed and Iubiter is tyn And venus Copur by my fader kyn This cursede craft who so wol exercise he schal no good han þat may him suffise ffor alle þe good he spendeþ þer aboute he lese schal þer-of haue I no doute Who so þat list to outen his folye let him come forþ and lerne to multiplie And euery man þat haþ aught in his cofre lat him appere and wexe a philosophre As-scaunce þat craft is so light for to lere Nay nay god woot al be he monk or frere / Preste or Chanon or eny oþer wight þough he sitte at his book boþe day and night In lernyng of þis eluyssh nyce lore / Al is in veyn and par de moche more Is to lerne a lewed man þis sotilte ffy speke nouȝt þerof for it/ wol not be Al cowde he letterure or couþe he non As in effecte he schal fynde it al on ffor boþe tuo by my saluacion Concluden in multiplicacion I-liche wel whan þey han alle y-do This is to seyn þey faille boþe tuo ȝit forȝat I to moche rehersaille Of watres corosif and of lymaille And of bodyes mollificacion And also of here induracion Oyles ablucion and metalle fusible To tellen alle wolde passen ony bible þat owher is wherfore as for þe beste Of alle þise names now wole I me reste ffor as I trowe I haue ȝou told ynough To reysen a feende loke he neuer so rough A nay let be þy philosophres ston Elixir cleped we sechen faste echoon ffor hadde we him þan were we syker ynough But vnto god of heuene I make avow ffor alle oure craft whan we han al y-do And al oure sleighte / he wol not come vs to He haþ vs maad spende moche good ffor sorwe of which almost we wexen wood But þat good hope crepeþ in oure herte Supposyng euere þough we sore smerte To be releuyd by him aftirward Supposyng and hope is scharp and hard I warne ȝou wel it is to seken euere þat future temps haþ maad men disseuere In trust þer-of fram al þat euer þey hadde ȝit of þat art þey couþe not wexe sadde ffor vnto hem it is a bitterswete So semeþ it for ne hadde þey but a scheete Which þat þey mighte wrappe hem In a night And a bak to walken in by day light þey wolde hem sellen and spenden on þis craft They can nouȝt stynte til no þing be laft And euermore wher þat euer þey gon men may hem knowe by smel of Bremston ffor al þe world þey stynken as a goot here sauour is so Rammissh and so hoot That þough a man from hem a myle be That sauour wol enfecte him trusteþ me lo þus by smellyng and by þred bare array If þat men list þis folk þey knowe may And if a man wol aske him priuely Why þey ben cloþed so vnþriftily Right anon þey wole rownen in his eere And seye if þay aspyed were Men wolde hem sle by cause of here science lo þus þis folk bytrayen Innocence Passe ouer þis I go my tale vnto Er þen þe pot be on þe fyr y-do Of metals wiþ a certein quantite My lord hem tempreþ and no man but he Now he is gon. I dar say boldely ffor as men sein he can do craftily Algate I wot wel he haþ such a name And ȝit ful ofte he renneþ in þe blame And wite ȝe how ful ofte it happeþ so The pot tobrekeþ and far wel alle is go þise metals ben of so gret violence / Oure walles may not make hem resistence But if þey were wrouȝt of lym and ston þey percen so and þoruȝ þe wal þey gon And some of hem synken in to þe ground þus haue we lost by tymes many a pound And somme are scatered al þe floor aboute Somme lepen in to þe roof wiþouten doute þough þat þe fende nought in oure sighte him schewe I trowe þat he wiþ vs be þat schrewe In helle wher þat he is lord and sire / Ne is þer no more woo ne angur nor Ire Whan þat oure pot is broke as I haue sayd Euery man chit and halt him yuel payd Som seyde it was long on þe fyr makyng Somme sayde nay it was on þe blowyng þan was I fered for þat was myn office Straw quod þe þridde ȝe ben lewed and nyce It was not tempred as it oughte be / Nay quod þe ferþe stynt and herkne me By cause oure fyr was nat made of bech þat is þe cause non oþer so peech I can not telle wher-on it is a long But wel I wot gret stryf is vs among What quod my lord þer is nomore to done / Of þise periles I wil be war eft sone / I am right syker þat þe pot was crased Be as be may be ȝe no þing amased As vsage is let swope þe floor as swyþe Pluk vp ȝour herte and be ȝe glad and bliþe The mullok on an heep y-swoped was And on þe floor cast a kaneuas And al þis mullok in a Syue y-þrowe And y-sifted and y-plucked many a þrowe Parde quod oon som what of oure metal ȝet is þer heere þough we haue not all And þough þis þing myshapped haþ as now Anoþer tyme it may be wel ynow vs moste putte oure good in aduenture / A marchant parde may not ay endure / Trustneþ me wel in his prosperite Som tyme his good is drowned in þe see / And som tyme comeþ it sauf vnto þe londe Pees quod my lord þe nexte tyme I wol fonde To bringe oure crafte alle in anoþer plyt And but I do sires lat me haue þe wyte Ther was defaute in somwhat wel I woot Anoþer seyde þe fyr was ouer hoot But be it hoot or cold I dar seye þis þat we concluden eueremore amys / We faille of þat which þat we wolde haue / And in oure madnesse eueremore we raue And whan we ben togidere euerich on Euery man semeþ as wys as Salomon But alle þing which þat semeþ as þe goolde / Is nat golde as I haue herd it tolde / Ne euery appul þat is fair at ye Ne is not good what so men clappe or crye / Right so lo fareþ it amonges vs he þat semeþ þe wysest by Ihesus Is most fool whan it comeþ to þe preef And he þat semeþ trewest is a þeef That schul ȝe knowe er þat I fro ȝou wende / By þat I of my tale haue maad an ende[No break in the MS.] [THE TALE.] Ther is a chanoun of Religioun Amonges vs wolde enfecte al a toun þough it as gret were as was Nynyue / Rome Alisandre . Troye and oþre þre his sleightes and his infinite falsnesse / þer couþe noman writen as I gesse / þough þat he mighte lyuen a þousend ȝeer In alle þis world of fal[s]nesse nys his peer ffor in his termes he wole him so wynde And speke his wordes in so sleigh a kynde Whan he commune schal wiþ ony wight What he wol make him dote anon right But it þe feend be as his seluen is / fful many a man haþ he begyled er þis And wile if þat he may lyue a while / And ȝit men ryden and gon ful many a myle him for to seeke and haue his aqueyntance Nouȝt knowyng of his false gouernance / And if ye lust to ȝiue me audience I wol it tellen here in ȝoure presence But worschipful Chanon religious Ne demeþ nouȝt þat I sclaundre ȝour hous Al þough my tale of a Chanon be Of euery ordre som schrewe is parde And god forbede þat alle a compaignie Scholde rewe a synguler mannes folye To sclaundre ȝou it is not myn entent But to correcten þat mys I-ment This tale nas nat oonly told for ȝou But eek for oþer mo ȝe wot wel how That amonges cristes apostles twelue Ther was no traytour but Iudas himselue þanne why scholde þe remenant alle haue blame That gulteles were by ȝou sey I þe same Sauf oonly þis if ȝe wiln herkne me If ony Iudas in ȝoure couent be Remeueþ him by tyme I ȝou rede If schame or losse may causen ony drede And beþ no þing displesed I ȝou pray But in þis caas herkneth what I say IN london was a prest an annueler That þer-Inne dwelled hadde many a ȝeer Which was so plesant / and so seruisable / Vnto þe wyf wher he was at þe table That sche wolde suffre him no þing for to pay ffor bord nor cloþing wente he non so gay And spendyng siluer had he right ynough þer-of no force I wol procede as now / And telle forþ my tale of þe Chanon þat brouȝte þis prest to confusion This false Chanon cam vpon a day vnto þe prestes chambre þer he lay Byseching him to lene him a certeyn Of golde and he wold quite it him ageyn leneþ me a mark quod he but dayes þre And at my day I wol it quite þe And if so be þat þou fynde me fals Anoþer day hang me vp by þe hals This prest him tok a mark and þat as swiþe And þis Chanoun him þanked often siþe And took his leue and wente forth his wey And atte þridde day brouȝt his money And to þis prest he took þis gold aȝein Ther-of þis prest was glad and fayn Certes quod he no þing anoyeth me To lene a man a noble or tuo or þre Or what þing were in my possession Whan he so trewe is of condicion þat in no wise he breke wole his day To swich a man I can neuer say nay What quod þis Chanon scholde I be vntrewe Nay þat were þing fallen al of þe newe Trouþe is a þing þat I wol euer kepe / Vnto þe day in which þat I schal crepe in to my graue and elles god forbede Bileeueþ þis as siker as is ȝoure Crede God þanke I and in good tyme be it sayd þat þer was neuer man ȝit euel payd ffor gold ne siluer þat he to me lente Ne neuere falshede in myn herte I mente And sire quod he now of my priuyte Siþens ȝe so goodlich haue ben to me And kiþed to me so gret gentilnesse Somwhat to quite with ȝoure kyndenesse I wol ȝou schewe and if ȝou lest to leere / I schal it schewe to ȝou anon right heere how I kan worchen in philosophie Takeþ good heed ȝe schuln seen wel at ye That I wol don a maystry ar I go ȝe quoþ þe prest / ȝe sire and wil ȝe so Marie þer of I pray ȝou hertily At ȝoure comaundement sire trewely Quoþ þe Chanon and elles god forbede lo how þis þeef couþe his seruise beede fful soþ it is þat such profred seruise Stynkeþ as witnessen þise olde wise And þat ful sone I wol it verefye In þis Chanon is roote of alle treccherie þat eueremore delyt haþ and gladnesse/ Suche feendly þoughtes in his herte impresse / how cristes poeple he may to meschief bringe God kepe vs from his fals dissimilynge What wiste þis prest wiþ whom þat he delte Ne of his harm comynge no þing he felte O sely prest o sely Innocent Wiþ coueytise anon þou schalt be blent O graceles ful blynd is þy conceyt No þing artow war of þe deceyt Which þat þis fox y-schapen haþ to þe his wyly wrenches þou mayst nouȝt fle Wher-fore to go to þe conclusion þat referreþ to þi confusion vnhappy man anon I wol me hiȝe To telle þin vnwitte and þy folye And eek þe falsnesse of þat oþer wrecche As ferforþ as my connynge wol strecche This Chanon was my lord ȝe wolde weene Sire oste in faith and by þe heuen quene It was anoþer chanoun and nat he That can an hundred fold more sotyltee he haþ bytrayed folkes many tyme Of his falsnesse it/ dulleþ me to Ryme Euer whan I speke of his falshede ffor schame of him my chekes wexen reede Algates þey bygynne for to glowe ffor reednesse haue I now right wel I knowe In my visage for fumes diuerse Of metals whiche ȝe haue herd me reherce Consumed and wasted han my reednesse / Now take heede of þis Chanons cursednesse Sire quod he to þe prest lat ȝoure man gon ffor quyk siluer þat we it hadde anon And lat him bringe vnces tuo or þre And whan he comeþ as faste schul ȝe see A wonder þing which ȝe say neuer ar þis Sire quod þe prest it schal ben don y-wys he bad his seruant fechen him his þing And he al redy was at his biddyng And wente him forþ and cam anon agayn Wiþ þis quyk siluer schortly for to sayn And tok þis vnces þre to þe Chanon And he it leyde faire and wel a doun And bad þe seruant coles for to bringe þat he anon mighte go to his worchinge The coles right anon weren y-fette And þis chanon tok out a crosselette Of his bosom and schewed it þe prest This Instrument quod he which þat þou seest Tak in þin hond and put þiself þer Inne Of þis quyk siluer an vnce and here bygynne In þe name of crist to wexe a Philosophre Ther ben ful fewe which þat I wolde profre To schewen hem þus mochel of my science ffor ȝe schuln seen heere by experience þat þis quyk siluer I wol mortefye Right in ȝoure sight anon wiþoute lye And make it as good siluer and as fyn As þer is ony in ȝoure purs or myn Or elles where and make it malliable/ And elles holde me fals and vnable Amonges folk euere to appere I haue a poudre here þat coste me deere schal make al good for it is cause of all My connynge which þat I ȝou schewe schall Voydeth ȝoure man and lat him be þeroute / And schitte þe dore whiles we ben aboute / Oure pryuyte þat noman vs espie Whiles we werken in þis philosophie / Al as he bad fulfilled was in dede / This ilke seruant anon right out ȝede And his maistrer schitte þe dore anon And to here labour speedily þey gon This prest at þis cursed chanōns byddyng Vpon þe fire anon sette þis þing And blew þe fyr and busyed him ful faste And þis chanon in to þis Crosselet caste A poudre not I wher-of þat it was I-maad oþer of chalk oþer of glas Or som what elles was not worþ a flye To blynde wiþ þis prest and bad him hye þise coles for to couchen al aboue þe cresselet for in tokne þat I þe loue Quoþ þis Chanon þine hondes tuo Schulle worche alle þing which as schal be do Graunt mercy quod þe prest and was ful glad And couchede coles as þe Chanon bad And whils he besy was þis feendly wrecche þis false Chanon þe foule feend him fecche Out of his bosom took a bechene cole / In which ful sotilly was maad an hole And þer Inne put was of siluer lymaille An vnce and stopped was wiþoute faille This hole wiþ wex to kepe þe lymaille In And vnderstondeþ þat þis false gyn Was not made þere but it was maad bifore And oþere þinges I schal telle more / here aftirward which þat he wiþ him broughte Er he cam þer to begyle him he þoughte And so he dide er þey wente a twynne / Til he hadde torned him couþe he not blynne It dulleþ me whan þat I of him speke On his falshede fayn wolde I me wreke / If I wiste how . but he is heer and þere / he is so variaunt þat he abyt no where / But takeþ heed now sires for goddes loue He took his cole of which I spak aboue And in his hond he bar it priuely And whiles þe prest couchide busily The coles as I tolde ȝou er þis / This Chanon sayde freend ȝe don amys This is nought couched as it oughte be But sone I schal amenden it quod he Now lat me medle þerwiþ but a while ffor of ȝou haue I pite by seint Gyle ȝe ben right hoot I se wel how ȝe swete haue heer a cloþ and wype awey þe wete And while þat þe prest him wyped has This Chanon took his cole I schrewe his fas And leyde it vppon abouen þe myddeward Of þe Crosselet and blew wel aftirward Til þat þe coles gonne faste brenne Now ȝif vs drinke quod þe Chanon þenne as swiþe it schal be wel I vndertake Sitte we doun and let vs merie make And whan þe Chanons bechene cole Was brent alle þe lymail out of þe hole In to þe Crosselet anon fel doun And so it moste neede by reson Syns it so euene aboue couched was But þerof wiste no þing þe prest allas he demed alle þe coles liche goode ffor of þe sleight no þing he vnderstoode And whan þis alkamistre say his tyme Riseþ vp sire prest and stondeþ byme And for I wot wel Ingot haue ȝe non Goþ walkeþ forþ and bring a chalk ston ffor I wol make it of þe same schappe þat is an Ingot if I may haue happe And bring wiþ ȝou a bolle oþer a panne fful of water and ȝe schul see þanne How þat oure busynesse schal happe & preeue And ȝit for ȝe schul haue no mysbyleeue Ne wrong conceyt of me in ȝoure absence I wol not ben out of ȝoure presence But go with ȝou and come with ȝou agayn The chambre dore schortly for to sayn þey opeynd and schette and wente forþ here weye And forþ wiþ hem þey caryed þe keye And comen agayn wiþouten eny delay What scholde I tarie al þe longe day he took þe chalk and schoop it in þe wyse Of an yngot as I schal ȝou deuyse I say he took out of his owne sleeue A teyne of Siluer euele mote he cheeue Which þat was but an vnce of weight And takeþ heede now of his cursed sleight he schop his Ingot in lengþe and in brede Of þe theyne wiþouten eny drede So slyly þat þe prest it not aspyde And in his sleeue again he gan it hyde And from þe fyre took vp his matiere / And in to þe Ingot it putte wiþ merye cheere And in to þe watir vessel he it caste Whan þat him liste and bad þe prest as faste loke what þer is / put in þin hond and grope Thou schalt fynde þere siluer as I hope What deuyl of helle schuld it elles be Schafyng of siluer siluer is parde he putte in his hond and took vp a teyne Of siluer fyn and glad in euery veyne Was þis prest whan he saugh þat it was so Goddes blessyng and his modres also And alle halwes haue ȝe sire Chanon Seyde þe prest and I here malison But and ȝe vouche sauf to teche me þis noble crafte and þis sotilte I wol be ȝoure in alle þat euer I may Quoþ þe Chanon ȝit wol I make assay The seconde tyme þat ȝe mowe take heede And ben expert of þis and in ȝoure neede Anoþer day in myn absence / þis discipline and þis crafty science ¶ let take anoþer vnce quod he þo Of quyk siluer wiþoute wordes mo And do þerwiþ as ȝe han don ar þis Wiþ þat oþer which þat now siluer is þis prest him busieþ in al þat he can To don as þis Chanōn þis cursede man Comaundeþ him and faste blew þe fire ffor to come to þeffecte of his desire And þis Chanōn right in þe mene while Al redy was þis prest eft to begyle And for a contynaunce in his hond bar An holough stikke tak heede and be war In þe ende of which an vnce and no more Of siluer lymaile put was al bifore Was in his coole and stopped wiþ wex wel ffor to kepe in his lymayl euery del And whiles þis prest was in his businesse This Chanon wiþ his stikke gan him dresse To him anon and his poudre caste In As he dede er þe deuel out of his skyn him torne I pray to god for his falshede ffor he was euer fals in oþe and dede And wiþ his stikke aboue þe crosselette þat was ordeigned wiþ þat false gette he stereþ þe coles til it relente gan The wax agayn þe fyr as euery man But it a fool be woot wel and moot neede And al þat in þe hole was out ȝede And in to þe Crosselet hastily it fel The prest supposede noþing but wel But busyed him faste and was wonder fayn Supposyng nouȝt but trouþe soþ to sayn he was so glad I can nouȝt expresse In no maner his merþe and his gladnesse And þe chanon he profred eft sone Body and good ȝe quod þe Chanōn soone þough pore I be crafty þou schalt/ me fynde I warne þe ȝit is þer more behynde Is þer eny coper here Inne seyde he ȝe sire quod þe prest I trowe þer bee Elles go bey som and þat as swithe Now sire go forþ þy way and hy the And went his way and wiþ þis coper he cam And þis Chanōn in his hond it nam And of þat coper weyde out but an vnce Al to symple is my tonge to pronounce his moustre and his wit þe doublenesse Of þis Chanon roote of Cursednesse he semyd freendly to hem þat knewe him nought But he was feendly boþe in werk and þouȝt It wyrieþ me to telle of his falsnesse And naþeles ȝet wol I it expresse To þat entent þat men may be war þerby And for non oþer cause trewely he putte þis vnce of coper in to þe Crosselette And of þe fyur as swiþe he haþ it sette And kast in poudre and made þe prest to blowe And in his worching for to stoupe lowe As he dide erst and al nas but a Iape Right as him liste þe prest he made his ape And afterward in to þe Ingot he it caste And in þe panne putte it atte laste / Of water and in he put his owne hand And in his sleeue as ȝe byforn hand herde me telle he hadde a siluer teyne he slyly took it out þis cursed heyne vnwetyng þis prest of his false craft And in þe pannes botme he haþ it laft And in þe water rombleþ to and fro And wonder pryuyly tok it vp also þe coper teyne nought knowyng þis prest/ And hidde it and hente him by þe breest And to him spak and þus sayde in his game Stowpeþ a doun by god ȝe ben to blame helpeþ me now as I dide ȝou whiler Put in ȝoure hand and lokeþ what is þer þis prest tok vp þis siluer teyne anon And þanne seyde þe chanōn let vs gon Wiþ þise þre teynes whiche þat we haue wrought To som goldsmith and wite if it be ought ffor by my faiþ I nolde for myn hond But if þei were siluer fyn and good And þat as swiþe proued schal it be Vnto þe goldsmith wiþ þise teynes þre þey wente and putte þise teynes in assay To fyr and hamer might no man say nay But þey were as hem ouȝte for to be þis sottide prest who was gladder þan he Was neuer bryd gladder aȝeins þe day Ne nightyngale in þe seson of May Was neuere non þat liste better to synge Ne lady lustiere in Carolynge / And for to speke of loue and wommanhede Ne knight in armes don an hardy dede To stonden in grace of his lady deere þan hadde þis prest þis craft to lere And to þe chanon þus he spak and sayde ffor þe loue of god þat for vs alle deyde / And as I may deserue it vnto ȝow What schal þis receyt coste telleþ now / By oure lady quod þe chanon it is deere I warne ȝou for saue I and a frere / In Engelond þer can no man it make No fors quod he now sire for goddes sake What schal I paye tel me I ȝou pray I-wys quod he it/ is ful deere I say Sire at oo word if þat þe list it haue ȝe schulle paye fourty pound so god me saue And ne were þe frendschipe þat ȝe dide er þis To me ȝe scholde paye more y-wys This prest þe somme of .xl. pound anon. Of nobles fette and took hem euerychon To þis chanon for þis ilke receyt Al his worchinge was fraude and deceyt Sire prest he seyde I kepe for to haue no loos Of my craft for I wolde it were kept cloos And as ȝe loueþ me kepeþ it secre ffor and men knewen al my subtilte By god men wolde haue so gret envye To me by cause of my philosophie I scholde be deed þer were non oþer weye God it forbede quod þe preest what seye ȝet hadde I leuer spenden al þe good Which þat I haue and elles waxe I wood þan þat ȝe schulde falle in such mescheef ffor ȝoure good wil sire haue ȝe right good preef Quoþ þe chanon and sire wol graunt mercy he wente his way and neuer þe prest he sey After þat day and whan þat þis prest scholde maken assay at swich tyme as he wolde Of þis receyt far wel it wolde not be lo þus byiaped and bygyled was he þus makeþ he his introduccion To bringe folk to here destruccion Considereþ sires how þat in eche astate Bitwixe men and gold þer is debate So ferforþ þat vnneþes þer is non This multiplyȝing blendeþ so many oon þat in good faiþ I trowe þat it be þe cause grettest of þis skarsete This philosophres speken so mystily In þis craft þat men can not come þerby ffor ony witte þat men han now a dayes þey may wel chitre and Iangle as don þis Iayes And in here termes sette lust and peyne But to here purpos schul þey neuer atteyne A man may lightliche lerne if he haþ ought To multiplye and brynge his good to nouȝt lo such a lucre is in þis lusty game A mannes merþe it wol torne alle to grame And empte also grete and heuye purses And make folk to purchacen curses Of hem þat han þerto here good y-lent O fy for schame þey þat haue be brent Allas can þey nat fle þe fyres hete ȝe þat it vsen I rede ȝe it lete lest ȝe lese al for bet þan neuer is late Neuer to þriue were to longe a date þough ȝe prolle ay ȝe schulle it neuer fynde ȝe ben as bolde as is bayard þe blynde þat blundreth forþ and peril casteþ he non he is as bold to renne a-gayn a stoon As for to go bysydes in þe weye So fare ȝe þat multiplie I seye If þat ȝoure yȝen may not seen aright lokeþ þat ȝoure mynd lakke nought his sight ffor þough ȝe loke neuer so brode and stare / ȝe schulle nat wynne a myte in þat chaffare But wasten al þat ȝe may Rappe and renne Wiþdrawe þe fir lest it so faste brenne Medleþ nomore wiþ þat art I mene ffor if ȝe doon ȝour þrift is gon ful clene / And right as swithe I wol ȝou telle heere What þat þe philosophres sein in þis matere lo þus seiþ arnold of þe newe toun As his Rosarie makeþ mencioun he seiþ right þus wiþouten eny lye þer may no man mercurie mortifie But if it be wiþ his broþeres knowleching how þat he which þat first seyde þis þing/ Of Philosophres fader was hermes / he saiþ how þat þe dragon douteles Ne dyeþ not but if he be slayn Wiþ his broþer and þat is for to sayn By þe dragon mercurie and non oþer he vnderstood þat bremston were his broþer þat on of Sol and luna were y-drawe And þerfore sayde he tak heed to my sawe lat no man busye him þis art for to seche But he þat þe entencion and þe speche Of philosophres vnderstonde can And if he do he is a lewed man ffor þis science and þis connyng quod he / Is of þe secre of Secrees parde Also þer was a disciple of Plato That on a tyme sayde his mayster to As his book Somer wil bere witnesse And þis was his demaunde in soþfastnesse Telle me þe name of þe pryuy stoon And plato answerde vnto him anon Tak þe stoon þat titanos men name Which is þat quod he magnasia þe same / Seyde Plato ȝee Sire and is it þus This is ignotum per ignocius What is magnasia goode sire I pray It is a water þat is maad I say Of elementes foure quod Plato Tel me þe roche goode sire quod he þo Of þat water if it be ȝour wille Nay nay quod Plato certeyn þat I nylle. þe Philosophres were sworn echon þat þey scholde discouere it to no mon Ne in no book it write in no manere ffor vnto crist it is so leef and deere þat he wil nat þat it discouered be But where it likeþ to his deite Man to enspire and eek for to defende Whom þat him likeþ lo þis is þe ende / Thanne conclude I þus siþens þat god of heuene Ne wole nat þat þe Philosophres neuene how þat a man schal come vnto þis stoon I rede as for þe beste lat it goon ffor who so maketh god his aduersarie As for to worche eny þing in contrarie / vnto his wille certes neuer schal he þriue þough þat he multiplie terme of his lyue And þere a poynt for ended is my tale God sende euery trewe man boote of his bale amen GROUP C. FRAGMENT IV. § 1. THE DOCTOR'S TALE. CORPUS MS. ¶ The doctour of phisikon leaf 190, back THer was as telleþ vs Titus lyueus A knight þat cleped was virgineus ffulfilled of honoures and worþinesse And strong of frendes and of gret richesse A doughter he hadde by his wyf And neuere hadde he mo in alle his lyf ffair was þis mayde in excellent beaute Abouen euery wight þat man may se ffor nature haþ with souerein diligence fformed hire in so gret excellence As þough sche wolde say lo I nature Thus can I forme and peinte a creature Whan þat me list who can me countrefete Pigmalion nouȝt þough he alwey forge and bete Or graue or peynte for I dar wel sayn Apollus ȝephirus schulde worche in vayn To graue or paynte or forge or bete ȝif þey presumede me for to countirfete ffor he þat is þe formour principal haþ maad me his viker general To forme and peynte ech erþely creature Right as me lyst for al þing is in my cure vnder þe moone þat may wane and waxe And for my werke no þing wol I axe My lord and I ben fully at acord I made hire to þe worschip of my lord So do I alle myn oþre creatures Of what colour þey be or what figures Thus semeþ me þat nature wolde say This mayde was of age .xij. ȝeer and tway In which þat nature haþ such delyt ffor right as sche can paynte as lily whit And rody as rose right wiþ such peynture Sche peynted haþ þis noble creature / Er sche was born vppon hire lymes fre Were also bright as such colours scholde be / And Phebus dyed haþ his tresses grete like to þe stremes of his boornyd hete And if þat excellent was hire beaute A þousend fold more vertuous was sche In hire ne lakkeþ no condicion þat is to preise as by discrecion As wel in body as gost chaste was sche ffor which sche floured in virginite Wiþ alle humilite and abstinence Wiþ alle attemperance and pacience Wiþ mesure eek and beryng of array Discret sche was in answering alway þough sche were wys as Pallas dar I seyn hire faucond eek ful wommanly and pleyn None counterfeted termes hadde sche To seme wys but after hire degre Sche spak and alle hire wordes more and lesse Sownyng in vertue and in gentillesse Schamefast sche was in maydens schamefastnesse Constant in herte and euere in busynesse To dryue hire oute of hire slogardye Bachus hadde of hir mouþ no maystrie ffor will and þought doon venus encrece As men in fyr wol casten oyle or grece / And of hire owne vertue constreyned Sche haþ ful ofte tyme hire seek feyned ffor þat sche wolde flee þe companye / Wher likly was to treten of folye As is at festes . Reueles . and at Daunces That ben occasions of dalyaunces Suche þinges maken children for to be To sone rype and bolde as men may se Which is ful perilous and haþ ben ȝore ffor al to sone may sche lerne lore / Of boldenesse whan sche is a wijf And ȝe maystresses in ȝoure olde lyf þat lordes doughtres han in gouernance / Ne takeþ of my word no displesance þinges þat ben sette in gouernynges Of lordes doughtres only for tuo þinges Ouþer for ȝe han kept ȝour honeste / Oþer ȝe han falle in frelete And knowen wel ynough þe olde daunce And konne forsake fully meschaunce ffor euermo þer-fore for cristes sake / kepeþ wel þo þat ȝe vndertake A þeef of venyson þat haþ forlaft his likorousnesse and alle his theues craft Kan kepe a forest best of ony man Now kepeþ hem wel for and ȝe wil ȝe can lokeþ wel to no vice þat ȝe assente lest ȝe be dampned for ȝoure yuel entente ffor who so doþ a tretour is certayn And takeþ heed of þat þat I schal sayn Of alle tresoun suffreyn pestilence Is whan a wight betrayeþ Innocence ȝe fadres and ȝe modres eek also þough ȝe haue children be it oon or mo ȝoure is þe charge of alle here sufferance Whil þey ben vnder ȝoure gouernance Beþ war þat by ensample of ȝoure lyuynge Owþer by necligence in chastysynge þat þey ne perissche I dar wel seye If þat þey don ȝe schulle ful sore abeye vnder a schepperde softe and necligent þe wolf haþ many a scheep and lamb torent Sufficeth oon ensample now as heere ffor I moot torne aȝen to my mateere / This mayde of which I telle my tale expresse / Sche kepte hir self hir needed no maistresse ffor in hire lyuyng maydens mighte rede / As in a book euery good word and dede þat longeþ to a mayde vertuous Sche was so prudent and so bountyuous ffor which out sprong þe fame on euery syde Boþe of hire beaute and of hire bounte wyde þat þurgh þe lond þey preised hire echone That louede vertu saue envye alone þat sory is of oþer mennes wele And glad is of his sorwe and vnhele The doctour makeþ þis discripcion þis mayde wente on a day in-to þe toun Toward þe temple wiþ hire mooder deere As is of ȝonge maydens þe maneere Now was þer a Iustice in þe toun That gouernour was of þat region And so bifelle þis Iuge his yhen caste vppon þis mayde hire ful faste As sche cam forthby þer þe Iuge stood Anon his herte chaungeþ and his mood So was he caught wiþ beaute of þis mayde / And to himself ful priuely he sayde / This mayde schal be myn for ony man Anon þe feend in-to his herte ran And taught him sodeynly by what sleighte þe mayde to his purpos wynne he mighte ffor certes by no force ne by no meede him þought/ he was not able for to speede / ffor he was strong of freendes and eek sche Confermed was in such souereyn beaute þat wel he wiste he might hire neuer wynne As for to make hire wiþ hire body synne ffor which wiþ gret deliberacion he sente after a clerk in-to þe toun The which he knew for subtil and for bold This Iuge vnto þis clerk his tale haþ told In secre wise and made him to assure / he scholde telle it to no creature And if he dide he scholde leese his heed Whan assented was þis cursed reed Glad was þe Iuge and made glad chere / And ȝaf him ȝiftes precious and deere / Whan schapen was al þis conspiracie ffrom poynt to poynt how þat his leccherie Parformed schulde be ful subtilly as ȝe schal here aftirward openly hom goþ þis clerk þat highte Claudius þis false Iuge þat highte Apius So was his name for it is no fable / But knowen for an historial þing notable The sentence of it soþ is out of doute þis false Iuge goþ now faste aboute To hasten his delyt al þat he may And so bifelle sone after on a day þis false Iuge as telleþ vs þe story As he was woned sat in his consistory And ȝaf his domes vpon sondry cas This false clerk cam forþ a wel good paas And seyde lord if þat it be ȝour wille / As doþ me right vpon þis pitous bille In which I pleyne vppon virginius And if þat he wol seyn it is not þus I wol proue it and fynde good witnesse That soþ is þat my bille wol expresse þe Iuge answerde of þis in his absence I may not ȝiue diffinityf sentence let don him calle and I wol gladly heere Thou schalt haue right and no wrong heere Virginius cam to wite þe Iuges wille And right anon was rad þis cursed bille / The sentence of it was as ȝe schul heere To ȝou my lord sire Apius so deere Scheweþ ȝoure pouere seruant Claudius how þat a knight called virginius Aȝens þe lawe aȝeins alle equite holdeþ expres aȝeins þe will of me my seruaunt which þat is my þral by right Which from myn hous was stolen on a night Whils sche was ful ȝong I wol it preue By witnesse lord so þat ȝe ȝou not greue Sche is nought his doughter what so he say Wherfore my lord þe Iuge to ȝou I pray ȝelde me my þralle if þat it be ȝour wille lo þis was al þe sentence of þe bille Virgineus gan vpon þe clerk biholde But hastily er he his tale tolde / he wolde haue defended it as scholde a knight And by witnesse of many a trewe wight That al was fals þat seyde his aduersarie This cursed Iuge wolde no lenger tarie / Ne here a word more of virgineus But ȝaf his Iuggement and seyde þus I deme anon þis clerk his seruaunt haue þou schalt no lenger in þin hous hire saue Go bring hire forth and put hire in oure warde þis clerk schal haue his þral þus I awarde / And whan þis worþi knight virgineus / þurgh þe assent of þe Iuge apius Moste by force his deere doughter ȝyuen vnto þe Iuge in lecchorie to lyuen he goþ him hom and sette him in his halle And leet anon his deere douȝter calle / And with a face deed as ayssches colde vppon hire humble face he gan biholde Wiþ fadres pite stiking þorugh his herte Al wolde he not from his purpos conuerte Doughter quod he virginea by þy name þer ben tuo weyes oþer deþ or schame That þou most suffre allas þat I was bore ffor neuer þou deseruedest wherfore To deyen with a swerd or wiþ a knyf O deere doughter endere of my lijf Which I haue fostred vp wiþ such plesaunce þat þou ne were out of my remembrance / O doughter which þat art my laste wo / And in my lijf my laste ioye also O gemme of chastite in pacience Tak þou þi deþ for þis is my sentence / ffor loue and nat/ for hate þou most be deed My pitous hond moot smyten of þin heed Allas þat euer Apius þe say þus haþ he falsly iugged þe to day And tolde hire al þe cas as ȝe bifore han herd it nedeþ not to telle it more Mercy deere fader quod þis mayde And wiþ þat word sche boþe hire armes layde Aboute his necke as sche was woned to do þe teeres barsten out of hire eyen tuo And sayde goode fader schal I dye Is þer no grace is þer no remedye No certes deere douȝter myn quod he þanne ȝif me leue fader myn quod sche My deþ to compleigne a litel space ffor parde Ieffa ȝaf his douȝter grace ffor to compleyne ar he hir slough allas And god it wot noþing was hire trespas But þat sche ran hire fader first to see To welcome him wiþ gret solempnite And wiþ þat word sche felle on swown anon And after whan hir swownyng was agon Sche riseþ vp and to hire fader sayde / Blessed be god þat I schal deye a mayde ȝif me my deth er þat I haue a schame Doþ wiþ ȝour child ȝour wil a goddes name And wiþ þat word sche prayeþ him ful ofte þat wiþ his swerd he schulde hir smyte softe And wiþ þat word on swoune doun sche fel hir fader wiþ ful sorweful herte and fel hire heed of smoot and by þe top it hente And to þe Iuge he ȝaf it to presente As he sat in his doom in consistory Whan þe Iuge it say as saiþ þe story He bad take him and honge him also faste But right anon al þe poeple in þraste To saue þe knight for rouþe and for pite ffor knowen was þe fooles Iniquite The poeple anon hadde suspecte in þis þing By maner of þis clerkes chalangyng That it was by þassent of Apius They wisten wel þat he was lecchorous ffor which vnto þis Apius þey gon And casten him in prison right anon Wher as he slough himself and Claudius þat seruant was vnto þis Apius Was demed for to honge vpon a tre But/ virgineus of his grete pite Prayde for him þat he was exiled And elles certes he hadde be bygyled The remenant were honged more & lesse þat consented were to his cursednesse Here may men se how synne haþ his meryt / Be war for noman wot how god wol smyt In no degre ne in which maner wise The worm of conscience wol arise Of wicked lyf þough it so preuy be þat noman woot of it but god and he Wheþer he be lewed man or lered he not how soone þat he may ben afeered þer-fore I rede ȝou þis counseil take fforsakeþ synne er synne ȝou forsake Owre oost gan for to swere as he were woodProloguson leaf 194, back harrow quod he by nayles and by blood This was a cursed þeef a fals Iustise As schamful deþ as herte can deuyse So falle vpon his body and his bones[*] þe deuyl I bekenne him al at ones[*] Allas to deere boughte sche hire beaute Wherfore I say þat alle men may se That ȝiftes of fortune or of nature Beþ cause of deþ of many a creature hire beaute was hire deþ I dar wel sayn Allas so pitously as sche was slayn But her of wil I not procede as now[spurious] Men haue ful often more harm þan prow But trewely myn owne mayster deere This is a pitous tale for to heere But naþeles passe ouer is no fors I pray to god so saue þin gentil cors And þin vrynals and þin Iurdanes Thyn ypocras and þin Galianes And euery box ful of þin letuarie God blesse hem and oure lady seinte marie So mote I þe þou art a propre man And ylike a prelat by seint Runyan Sayde I nouȝt wel can I nouȝt speke in terme But wel I woot þou dost myn herte to erme That I almost haue caught a Cardyacle / By Corpus bones but if I haue triacle Oþer elles a draught of moyste and corny ale / Or but I heere anoon a merye tale / Myn herte is lost for pite of þis mayde þou belamy Iohn Pardoner he sayde es right anon[Part of the MS is cut away here] eint Runyon re at þis ale stake nke and eten of a Cake þise gentils bygonne to crye lle vs of no rybaudye ortal þing þat we may leere þenne wol we gladly heere wys quod he but I moot þynke honest þing whil þat I drinke [Part of the MS is cut away here]bygynneþ þe Pardoneres tale folwyngeCm xvjm. LOrdynges quod he in chirches whan I preche I peyne me to haue an hauteyn speche I ryng it out as round as goþ a belle ffor I can al by rote þat I telle My teeme is alway oon and euer was [Part of the MS is cut away here]malorum est Cupiditas [Part of the MS is cut away here]whennes þat I come A þenne my bulles schewe I alle and some Oure liege lordes seal is my patent þat schewe I first my body to warant That no man be so bolde ne prest ne clerk me to destourbe of cristes holy werk And after þat telle I forþ my tales Bulles of Popes and of Cardinales Of Patriarkes and bisschoppes I schewe And in latyn I speke wordes a fewe To saffran wiþ my predicacion And for to stere men to deuoicon þanne schewe I forþ my lange cristal stones I-crammed ful of cloutes and of bones Relikes þey ben as wenen þey echone þan haue I in latoun a schulder bone Which þat was of an holy iewes scheep Goode men say I takeþ of my wordes keep If þat þis bon be waisshe in any welle If kow or calf scheep or oxe swelle That eny worme haþ y-bite or stronge Touche he þis boon anon he schal be sounde And ȝit also I seye forþermore Of pokkes of scabbes and of euery sore Schal euery scheep be hool þat of þis welle Drinkeþ a draught and take keep what I telle Wole euery wight er þat þe cok him croweþ And do þing þat him oweþ ffastynge drinke of þis welle a draught As þilke holy iewe oure eldre ous taught his bestes and his store schal multiplye And sires also it heleþ Ielousie And þey a man be falle in gelouse rage Let make wiþ þis water his potage And neuer schal he more his wijf mystreste þey he in soþe a defaute by hire wiste Al had sche taken prestes tuo or þre heer is a myteyn eek as ȝe may see he þat his hond wol putte in þat myteyne he schal haue multiplyyng of his greyne When he haþ sowen be it whete or ootes So þat of pens oþer elles of grootes And men and wommen o þing warne I ȝou If any wight be in þis chirche now That haþ don synne orrible þat he Dar nought for schame schriuen be Or eny womman be sche ȝong or old þat haþ y-maad hire housbonde kokewold Such folk schuln haue no power ne grace To offre to my relikes in þis place And who so fyndeþ him out of such blame þey wole come vp and offre in goddes name And I assoile him by þe auctorite Which þat by bulle was y-graunted me By þis gande haue I wonne euery ȝere An hundred mark seþenes I was pardonere I stande lik a clerk in many a pulpette And schewe lewed poeple and doun þey sette I preche so as ȝe haue herd byfore And telle an hundred Iapes more / þenne peyne I me to strecche forþ my nekke And Est and west vpon þe poeple I bekke As doþ a dowfe sittyng vpan a berne myn handes and my tonge gon so ȝerne þat is it ioye to se my busynes Of auarice and such oþer cursednes Is al my prechinge to make hem fre To ȝiue here pans and namely vnto me ffor myn entent is nouȝt but for to wynne And noþing for correccion of synne I rekke neuer whan þat þey ben beried þough þat here soules gon a blake beryed ffor certes many a predicacion Sowneþ ofte tyme of yuel intencion Somme for plesaunce of folk and for flaterie To ben auaunced by ypocresye And somme for veynglorie and somme for hate / ffor whan I dar nouȝt oþerwise debate þanne wil I stynge hem with my tonge smerte In preching so þat þei schal nouȝt asterte To be diffamed falsly if þat he haþ trespassed to my breþeren oþer to me ffor þough I telle nouȝt his propre name Men schal wel knowe þat it is þe same By symony and by oþer circumstaunces þus quyte I folk þat doþ vs displesaunces þus spitte I out my venym vnder hewe Of holynesse to seme holy and trewe But schortly myn entent I wil deuyse I preche of no þing but of coueytise þerfore my teeme is ȝit and euer was Radix malorum est cupiditas / Thus gan I preche aȝeins þe same vice Such þat I vse and þat is auarice That þough I my self be gulty in þat synne ȝit kan I make oþer folk for to wynne ffrom auarice and sore to repente But þat nys nought my principal entente I preche no þing but for coueityse Of þis matiere I ought ynough suffise þenne telle I of ensamples many on Of olde stories longe tyme agon ffor lewed poeple louen tales olde Whiche þinges can þey wel reporte and holde What trowe ȝe whiles þat I may preche And wynne gold and siluer for I teche That I wol lyue in pouert wilfully Nay nay I þought it neuer trewely ffor I wol preche and begge in sondry landes ffor I wole do no labour wiþ myn handes And make basketes and lyue þerby By cause I wol not beggen ydelly I wole none of þe aposteles countrefete I wole haue money chese and whete Al were it ȝeuen of þe porest page Oþer of þe porest wydewe in a village Al scholde here children sterue for famyne Nay I wol drynke þe likour of þe vyne And haue a Ioly wenche in euery toun But herkneþ lordynges in conclusion ȝoure liking is þat I schal telle a tale Now I haue drunke a draught of corny ale By god I hope I schal telle ȝou a þing Þat schal by resoun ben at ȝour liking ffor þough my selue be a vicious man A more-ille tale ȝit I ȝou telle can Which I am wont to preche for to wynne Now holde ȝoure pees my tale I wol begynne IN fflaundres whilom was a companye / Of ȝong folk þat haunteden folye As Ryot hasard stewes and tauernes 1Where as whyþ harpes lutes and gyternes1[1_1 In a different hand.] They daunce and pleye at dyse boþe day and night And eeten also and drunken ouer al here might þorugh which þey doon þe deueles sacrifise Wiþinne þe deueles temple in cursed wyse þe Superflues abhominable here oþes ben so grete and dampna[b]le / þat it is grisly for to here hem swere Oure blessed lordes body they to-tere hem þoughte Iewes rent/ him nought ynough And ilke of hem at oþer synnes lowh And right anon þenne come tomblisteres ffetys and smal ȝong fruytesteres / Syngers with harpes bawdes wafereres Suche ben verray þe deueles officers To kyndle and blowe þe fyr of leccherie / That is annexed to glotonye / The holy writ take I to witnesse /¶ Nolite inebriari vino in That leccherie is in wyn and drunkenesse¶ quo est luxuria Lo how þat drunken loth vnkyndely lay by his doughtres tuo vnwetyngly So drunke he was he nyste what he wrought And þerfore sore repente him oughte[spurious] heroudes who so wole þe stories seche þer may ȝe lerne and by ensample teche[spurious] Whan he of wyn was replet at his feste Right at his owen table ȝaf his heste To slen þe Baptist Iohan ful gulteles Senek saiþ eek goode wordes douteles he seiþ he can no difference fynde Bitwix a man þat/ is out of his mynde And a man þat is drunkelewe But þat wodnesse is fallen in a schrewe Perseuereþ lenger þan doþ drunkenes O glotenye ful of cursednes O cause ferst of oure confusion O original of oure dampnacion Til crist hadde brought out wiþ his blood agayn lo how deere and schortly was to sayn Aboute was þe cursed vilanye / Corrupte was al þis world þurgh glotenye Adam oure fader and his wyf also¶ Ieronimus contra Iouinianum quamdiu ieiunauit in paradiso fuit commedit et eiectus est statim duxit vxorem ffro paradys to labour and to wo Were dryuen for þat vice it nys no drede ffor whiles þat adam fasted as I rede He was in paradys and whan þat he / Ete of þe fruyte defended on a tre Anon he was out cast to woo and pleyne O glotonye on þe wel oughte ous pleigne O wiste a man how many maladyes ffolweþ of excesse and of glotenyes he schulde be þe more mesurable Of his diete sittyng at þe table Allas þe schorte þrote þe tendre mouþ Makeþ þat Est and West north and souþ In erþe in aier in water men to swynke / To gete a glotoun mete and drynke Of þis matiere o poule wel canst þou entrete Mete vnto wombe and wombe eek vnto mete Schal god discryuen boþe as poule saiþ Allas a foul þing is it by my faiþ / To say þis word and fouler is þe dede¶ Esca ve tibi & venter escis deus [?] aurtem & hunc in illam destre. When men so drynkeþ of þe white and þe rede / þat of his þrote he makeþ his pryue þurgh þilke cursed superfluite The apostel wepyng saiþ ful pitously Ther walken many of which ȝou told haue I I say it now wepyng wiþ pitous voys Ther ben enemys of cristes croys Of which þe ende is deþ þe wombe is here god O wombe o holy o stynkynge kod ffulfilde of dunge and of corupcion At eyþer ende of þe foule is þe soun How gret cost and labour is to fynde þise cookes how þey scampe and streyne and grynde / And turnen substaunce in-to accident To fulfille al þy likerous talent Out of þe harde bones knokken þay þe mary for þay caste nought away þat may go þurgh þe golet softe and swoote Of spicerie of leues bark and roote Schal ben his sause y-maad by delyte To make him ȝit a newer appetite But certes he þat haunteþ suche delices Is deed whiles þat he lyueþ in þe vices A leccherous þing is wyn and drunkenes / Is ful of stryuyng and of wrecchednes O drunken man disfigured is þi face ffoul is þi breþ foul art þou to embrace And þurgh þin drunken nose semeþ þi soun As þough þou seydest ay Sampson Sampson And ȝit god woot Sampson drank neuer no wyn Thow fallest as it were a stiked swyn Thyn tunge is lost and alle þin honeste cures ffor drunkenes is verray sepultures Of mannes wit and his discrecion In whom þat drynke haþ dominacion He can no counseil kepe it is no drede Now kepe ȝou fro þe white and fro þe rede Namly fro þe white wyn of lepe þat is to selle in ffischstret or in Chepe / This wyn of Spayne crepeþ subtilly In oþer wynes growyng faste by Of which þer ryseþ such fumosite þat whan a man haþ drunken draughtes þre / And weneþ þat he be at home in chepe he is in spayne right at þe toune of lepe Nought at þe Rochel ne at Burdeux toun And þenne wolen þey sayn Sampsoun Sampsoun But herkneþ lordinges o word I ȝou prey That all þe souerein actes dar I say Of victories in þe olde testament þat þurgh verray god þat is omnipotent Were don in abstinence and in prayere lokeþ þe bible and þere ȝe may it leere lokeþ attyla þe grete conquerour Deyed in his sleepe wiþ schame and dishonour Bledyng ay at his nose in drunkenes A Capitayne schulde lyue in sobernes / And ouer al þis avise ȝou right wel What was comaunded vnto lamuel Nought Samuel but lamuel say I / Redeþ þe bible and fyndeþ it expressely Of wyn ȝeuynge to hem þat han iustice Nomore of þis for it may wel suffice ANd now þat I haue spoke of glotonye Now wole I defende ȝou hasardye hasard is verray mooder of lesynges And of disceipt cursed forswerynges Blaspheme of crist and mansleynges also Of batayle of tyme and of oþer mo It is repreff and contrarie to honour ffor to be holde a comune hasardour And euer þe hyer he is of astate þe more he is y-halden desolate If þat a prince vse hasardrye In alle gouernaunce and alle polesye he is as by comun opynyon y-halde þe lasse in reputacion [Stilbon that was holde. a wise ambassatour Was sent in-to Corynthy . with ful grete honour] ffro Calydonye to maken him alleaunce And whan he cam him happede þis chaunce þat alle þe grettest þat were of þis lande Pleying at þe hasard he hem fande ffor which as sone as þat mighte be he stal him home aȝein to his cuntre And sayde þer I wol nought lese my name I ne wol nought take on me so gret diffame ȝou to alleye to none hasardoures Sendeþ oþerwise embassetoures ffor by my trouþe me were leuer deye / þan I to ȝou schulde hasardoures alleye / ffor ȝe þat ben so glorious in honoures Schal nouȝt aleye ȝou wiþ hasardoures As by my wille ne as by my trete Þis wise Philosophre sayde to me loke þou vse no pley of dees in þin hous loke eek þat to þe king Demetrus Sente him a payre of dees of gold in scorn ffor he hadde vsed hasardye þer byforn ffor which he helde his glorie and his renoun At no value of reputacioun lordes mighten fynden oþer maner pley honeste ynough to dryue þe day awey NOw wol I speke of oþes false and grete A word or tuo as oþer bookes entrete Gret sweryng is a þing abhominable And fals swerynge is more reprouable þe hihe god forbad sweryng at al Witnesse at Matthew but in special Of sweryng saiþ þe holy Ieromie þou schalt swere soþ þin oþes and nought lye / And swere in doome and eek in rightwisnesse But ydel sweryng is a cursednesse Bihold and see þat in þe ferste table / Of heyhe goddes hestes honurable / how þat þe secounde heste of him is þis / Take nought my name in ydelnesse amys / lo raþer he forbedeþ such sweryng Or Omycyde or eny oþer cursed þing I say as by ordre þus it standeþ This knoweþ þat his hestes vnderstandeþ how þat þe secounde heste of god is þat And forþermore I wol þe telle al plat þat vengeaunte schal nouȝt parte fro his hous þat of his othis is so outrageous By goddes precious herte and his nayles And by his blood þat is in hayles Seuen is my chaunce and þin is fyue and þre / By goddes armes if þou falsly pleye me þis dagger schal þurgh þin herte go þis fruyt comeþ of þe bicched bones tuo fforsweryng Ire falsnes homicyde Now for þe loue of crist þat for vs dyde leueþ ȝoure oþes boþe grete and smale ffor cristes sake and herkne to my tale þise ryetoures þre of which I telle longe er pryme ronge eny belle Were sette hem in a tauerne for to drynke / And as þey sate þey herde a belle clynke / Byforn a corps was caryed to his graue þat oon of hem gan calle to his knaue / Go bet quoþ he and axe redyly What corps is þis þat passeþ faste by / And loke þat þou reporte his name wel Sire quod þis boye it nedeþ neuer a del It was me told er ȝe came here to oures He was parde an old felawe of ȝoures Al sodeynly was he slayn to night / ffor-drunke as he sate vp his benche vpright Ther came a pryue þeef men cleped deþ þat in his cuntre al þe poeple sleþ And with his spere he smot his herte a tuo And went his way wiþouten wordes mo And maister er ȝe come in his presence / he haþ a þousend slain þis pestilence / Me þinkeþ it were necessarie / ffor to be war of such an aduersarie / Beþ redy for to mete him euermore / þus taughte me my dame I say no more / By seinte mary seyde þis tauernere þe child saiþ soþ for he haþ slayn to ȝere Hens ouer a myle wiþinne a gret village Boþe man and womman child and page I trowe his habitacion be þere / To ben auysed gret wisedom it were / Er þat he dede a man dishonour Ȝe goddes armes quod þis ryetour Is it/ such peril wiþ him for to mete I schal him seeke by wey and eek by strete I make avow to goddes digne bones Herkne felawes we þre ben alle ones let eche of vs halde vp his hand to oþer And eche of vs bycome oþeres broþer And we woln slee þis false traytour deþ He schal be slayn he þat so many sleþ By goddes dignite er it be night To-gidre haue þese þre here hertes hight To lyue and deye ilk of hem to oþer As þough he were his owen sworne broþer And vp þey sterte al drunken in þis rage And forþ þey gon toward þat village Of which þe tauerner haþ spoke byforn And many a grisly oþ þenne haue þey sworn And cristes blessed body þey torent Deth schal be deed if þat we may him hent/ Whan þey han goon nought fully a myle / Right as þey wolde haue treden ouer a style And olde and a pore man with hem mette þis olde man ful mekely hem grette And seyde þus now lordes god ȝou se þe proudest of þese ryettoures þre Answered agayn what carle wiþ harde grace Why art þou al forwrapped saue þy face / Why lyuest þou so longe in so gret age / þis olde man gan loke in his visage / And sayde þus for I can nought fynde / A man þough þat I walked in-to ynde / Neyþer in Cite ne in village That wol chaunge his ȝouþe for myn age And þerfore moot I haue myn age stille As lange tyme as it is goddes wille / Ne deþ allas nel nought haue my lyf þus walke I lyk a resteles kaytyf And on þe ground which is my moodres gate / I knokke wiþ my staff erly and late And saye leeue mooder lete me Inne Lo how I wanse fleissch and blood and skyn Allas whan schullen myne bones ben at reste Moder with ȝou wolde I chaunge my cheste That in my chambre lange tyme haue be ȝe for an here clout/ to wrappe me But ȝit to me sche wole nouȝt do þat/ grace ffor which ful hale and welked is my face But sires to ȝou it nys no curtesye To speken vntil an olde man vilenye But he trespace in word oþer elles. in dede In holy wryt ȝe may ȝoure self wel rede / Aȝeins an olde man hoor vpon his heede / ȝe schullen aryse wherfore I ȝiue ȝow rede Ne doþ nouȝt to an olde man non harme now No more þat men dede to ȝow In age if þat ȝe so longe abyde And god be wiþ ȝou wheþer ȝe go or ryde I mot go þider þer as I haue to go Nay olde cherl by god þou schalt nouȝt so Sayde þis olde hasardour anon þou þartest nought so lightly by seint Ion þou spake right now of þilke traitour deþ þat in þis cuntre alle oure frendes sleeþ haue heer my trouþe as þou art his aspye / Telle wher he is or þou schalt abye By god and by þe holy sacrament/ ffor soþly þou art on of his assent To slen vs ȝonge folk þou false þeef Now sires if þat it be to ȝou so leef To fynde deþ turne vp þis croked wey ffor in þat groue I lafte him by my fey vnder a tre and þere he wole abyde Ne for ȝoure bost he nyl him no þing hyde Se ȝe þat Oke right þere ȝe schuln him fynde God saue ȝou þat bouȝt aȝein mankynde. And ȝou amende þus sayde þis olde man And euery of þise ryetoures ran Til þey came to þe tree and þer þey founde Of floryns fyne of gold y-coyned rounde Wel neih a seuen buscheles as hem þought No lenger þenne after deþ þey sought But eche of hem so glad was of þe sight ffor þat þe floryns so faire ben and bright That doun þey sette hem by þe precious horde The worste of hem he spak/ þe firste worde Breþeren quod he take keepe what I say My witte is gret þough þat I bourde and play þis tresour haþ fortune to vs ȝiuen In merþe and Iolyte oure lijf to lyuen And lightly as it comeþ so wole we spende Ey goddes precious dignite who wende To day þat we schulde haue so fair a grace But mighte þis golde be caryed fro þis place home to myn hous oþer elles vnto ȝoures þanne mighte we seye þat it/ were al oures / þenne were we in heih felicite but trewely by day it may nought be / Men wolde say þat we were þeues stronge And for oure oughne tresour don vs honge þis tresour moste y-karied be by night As wysly and as sleighly as hit might Wherfore I rede let loke among vs alle Be drawe and let see wher þe cutte wol falle he þat haþ þe cutte wiþ herte blythe Schal renne to toune and þat ful swythe To brynge vs breed and wyn ful pryuyly And tuo of ous schuln kepe ful subtilly þis tresour wel and if he wol nought tarien Whan þat it is night we woln þy tresour carien By on assent wher as vs luste best þat oon of hem broughte in his feste And bad hem drawe and loke on whom it wol falle And it fille on þe ȝongeste of hem alle And forþ toward þe toun he wente anon And also soone as he was y-gon þat on of hem spak þus vnto þat oþer þou wost wel þat þou art myn owen sworne broþer Thyn prophyte wol I telle þe anon þou wost wel þat oure felawe is gon And heere is gold and þat ful gret plente That it schal departed be among vs þre But naþeles if I can schape it/ so þat it departed were among vs tuo had I nought don a frendes turne to þe þat oþer answerde I not how þat mighte be I woot wel þat þe gold is oure tuo What schulde we seye what schulde we do Schal it be counseil sayde þe firste schrewe / And I schal telle in wordes fewe What we schuln doon and bringe it wel aboute I graunte quod þat oþer out of doute þat by my trewþe I wol þe nouȝt bewreye Now quoþ þe firste þou wost wel we be tweye And tweyne of vs schuln strenger ben þan oon loke whenne he is sette and þanne anon Aryse as þou woldest wiþ him pleye And I schal renne him þurgh þe sydes tweye Whiles þat þou struggelist wiþ him in game And wiþ þy dagger loke þou do þe same And þenne schal al þis gold departed be My deere freend bitwixe þe and me þenne may we boþe oure lustes fulfille And pleye atte dys right at oure owen wille And þus accorded ben þese schrewes tweye To sleen þe þridde as ȝe herde me seye þis ȝongest which þat wente to þe toun fful ofte in herte he rolleþ vp and doun þe beaute of þese floreynes newe and bright O lord quoþ he if so were þat I might Al þis tresour wynne to my self allone þer nys no man þat lyueþ vnder þe trone / Of god þat scholde lyue as mery as I And at þe laste þe feend oure enemy Putte in his þouȝt þat he schulde poyson beye With which he mighte sleen his felawes tweye ffor why þe feend fand him in such lyuyng That hadde leue him to sorwe brynge ffor þis was vtterly his entent To slen hem boþe and neuer to repent And forþ he goþ no lenger nolde he tarye In-to þe toun vnto a potycarie / And preyde him þat he him wolde selle Som poysoun þat he might his rattes quelle And eek þer was a polkat in his hawe þat as he sayde his Capons had y-slawe / And sayde he wolde wreken him if he might Of vermyn þat distroyed him by night þe apotykaries answerde þou schalt haue A þing þat als god my soule saue In al þis world þer nys no creature þat eten or drunken haþ of þis confecture Nought but þe mountaunce of a corn of whete þat he ne schal his lyf anon forlete ȝe sterue he schal and þat in lasse while / þenne þou wolt gon a pace nought but a myle þis poysoun is so strong and so vyolent þis cursed man haþ in his hand y-hent þis þoysoun in a box and seþenes he ran In-to þe nexte strete vnto a man And borwed him large botelles þre And in þe tweyne þis poyson poured he þe þridde he keped clene for his drynke ffor al þe night he schop him to swynke In karying of þe golde out of þat place And whan þis ryetour wiþ sory grace had felled wiþ him his grete botelles þre To his felawes aȝayn repayreþ he What nedeþ it to sermone þer-of more ffor right as þay hadde cast his deþ afore Right so þey haue him slayn and þat anon And whenne þat þis was don þen spak þat oon Now let vs drynke and sytte and make vs mery And afterward we wolen his body bery And aftirward it happed hem per cas To take þe botel þer-in þe poyson was And drank and ȝaf his felawe drynke also ffor which anon þey storuen boþe tuo But certes I suppose þat Auycenne Wrot neuer in no Canoun ne in no fenne Mo wonder sorwes of enpoysonyng Thus hadde þise wrecches tuo here endynge Thus ended ben þis Omycides tuo And eek þe false enpoysonere also O cursed synne ful of cursednes O traytours Omycyderes o wikkednes O glotenye o luxurie O hasardye þou blasphemer of crist wiþ vilenye And oþes grete of vsage and of pryde Allas mankynde how may it betyde þerto þin creatour / which þat þe wrought And wiþ his precious blood þe bought þou art so fals and so vnkynde allas Now goode men god forȝiue ȝoure trespas And ware ȝou fro þe synne of auarice / Myn holy pardoun may ȝou alle warische So þat ȝe offre nobles or sterlinges Oþer elles seluer spones broches and rynges / Boweþ ȝoure hed vnder þis holy bulles Comeþ vp ȝe wyues offreþ ȝoure wulles Ȝoure name I entre here in my rolle anon In-to þe blisse of heuen schul ȝe gon I ȝou assoille by myn heih powere ȝe þat woln offre as clene and eek as cleere As ȝe were born and sires lo þus I preche And Ihesu crist þat is oure soules leche So graunte ȝou his pardoun to resceyue ffor þat is best I wol ȝou nouȝt disceyue But sires o word forgat I in my tale I haue reliqes and pardon in my male As faire as eny man in Engelond Whiche were me y-ȝoue by þe popes hond If eny of ȝou wole of deuocion Offren and haue myn absolucion Comeþ forþ anon and kneleþ doun heere And ȝe schuln haue my pardon þat is deere Oþer elles takeþ pardoun as ȝe wende Al newe and freissche at euery tounes ende So þat ȝe offren alway newe and newe / Nobles and pens which þat ben good and trewe It is an honour to euerich þat is heere þat ȝe may haue a suffisaunt pardonere To assoille ȝou in cuntre as I ryde ffor auentures which þat may betyde ffor peraduenture þer may falle on or tuo Doun of his hors and breke his necke a tuo loke which a suerte it is to ȝou alle þat I am in ȝour felaschipe y-falle þat may assoille ȝou boþe more and lasse Whan þat þe soule schal fro þe body passe / I rede þat oure hooste schal begynne ffor he is most envoluped in synne Comeþ forþ sire Ost and offreþ first anon And þou schalt kisse þe relikes euerychoon ȝe for a grote vnbokel anon þy purs Nay nay quod he þenne haue I cristes curs Let be quod he it / schal nouȝt be so þeche þou woldest make me kesse þin olde breche And swere it were a relyk of a seint þough it were wiþ þyn foundement depeynt But by þe Crosse which þat seint Eleyne fand I wolde I hadde þine coyllons in myn hand In stede of relikes oþer of seintuary let cutte hem of I wol þe helpe hem cary þey schuln be schryned in an hogges tord þis pardoner answerde nouȝt a word So wroþ he was he nolde no word say Now quod oure Oost I wil no lenger play Wiþ þe ne with non oþer angry man But right anon þe worþy knight bygan Whan þat he saugh þat al þe poeple l[ough] Nomore of þis for it is right ynough Sire pardoner be mery and glad of cheere And ȝe sire Oste þat ben to me so deere I pray ȝou þat ȝe kisse þe pardoneere And pardoner I pray þe þat þou drawe þe neere And as we dide let vs laughe and pleye Anon þey kisse and ryden forþ here weye¶ Explicit. fabula Pardonarii GROUP B. (β. FRAGMENT III.) § 4. THE SHIPMAN'S TALE. ¶ Here bygynneþ þe schipmannes taleon leaf 204 A Marchaunt whilom dwelled at Seint DenysCam That riche was for which men heelde him wysxvijm. A wyf he hadde of excellent beaute And compynable and reuerent was sche Which is a þing þat causeþ more dispence þen worþ is alle þe cheere and reuerence That men haue doon at festes and at daunces Suche salutaciouns and contynances Passeþ as doþ þe schadewe on a wal But woo is him þat paye moot for al þe sely housband algates he moste paye he moot vs cloþe and vs arraye As for his owen worschipe richely In which aray we daunce Iolyly And if þat he nouȝt may per aduenture Or elles luste no suche spenses endure / But þenkeþ it is waste and y-loste / Thenne moot anoþer payen for oure coste Or lene us golde and þat is perilous þis noble marchand held a noble hous ffor which he hadde alday gret repayre ffor his largenesse and for his wyf was fayre þat wonder is but herkeneþ to my tale Amonges all his gestes grete and smale / þer was a monk a fair man and a bolde I trowe a þritty wynter he was olde / That euer in oon was drawyng to þe place þis ȝonge monk þat was so fair of face Aqueynted was so wiþ þis goode man Siþenes þat here firste knowleche bygan That in his hous as ffamuler was he As it is possible eny frend to be And for as mekel as þe goode man And eek þis monk of which þat I bygan Were boþe tuo y-born in o village The monk him claymeþ as for cosynage And he aȝein he saiþ nought ones nay But was as glad þer of as foul of day ffor to his herte it was a gret plesaunce þus ben þay knitte wiþ eterne alliaunce / And ilke of hem gan oþer for to assure / Of broþerhode whiles þat here lyf may dure ffre was daun Iohn and namely of dispense As in þat hous and ful of diligence To do plesaunce and also gret costage / he nought forgat to ȝiue þe leste page / In al þat hous but after here degre He ȝaf þe lord and seþins al his meyne / Whan þat he came som maner honest þing ffor which þey were al glad of his comyng As foul is fayn whan sonne vp ariseþ Namore of þis as now for it suffiseþ But so bifell þis marchaund vpon a day Schop him to make redy his array Toward þe toun of Bruges for to fare To byen þere a porcioun of ware ffor which he haþ to Parys sent anon A messanger and preyed haþ doun Ion That he schulde come to seint Denys and pleye Wiþ him and with his wyf a day or tweye Or he to Bruges wente in all wyse This noble monk of which I ȝou deuyse haþ of his abbot as him lust licence By cause he was a man of heih prudence And eek an officer out for to ryde To see here graunges and here bernes wyde And vnto seynt Denys he comeþ anon Who was so welcome as my lord daun Iohn Oure deere cosyn ful of curtesye Wiþ him brought he a Iobbe of maluesye And eek anoþer ful of good vernage And volatille as ay was his vsage And þus I lete hem ete and drynke and pleye This marchand and þis monk a day or tweye / The þridde day þis marchand vp ariseþ And on his needes sadly him aviseþ And vp in to his countourhous goþ he / To rekne wiþ himselue wel may be Of þilke ȝeer how þat it with him stood And how þat he despended hadde his good And if þat he encresed were or non his bokes and his bagges many oon he leyþ bifore him on his countyng bord fful riche was his tresour and his hoord ffor which ful faste his counterhous dore he schette And eek he nolde noman schulde him lette Of his acountes for þe mene tyme And þus he sitte til it was passed prime Daun Iohn was rysen in þe morne also / And in þe gardyn walkeþ to and fro And haþ his þinges sayde deuoutely þis goode wyf cam walkynge pryuely In to þe gardyn þer he walkeþ softe And him salueth as sche haþ don ofte A mayden childe came in hire companye Which at hire luste may gouerne and gye ffor ȝit vnder þe ȝerde was þe mayde O deere Cosyn myn daun Iohn sche sayde / What eyleþ ȝou so raþe to aryse Nece quod he it aughte ynough suffise ffyue houres for to slepen on a nyght But it were for an olde palled knight As ben þese wedded men þat lye and dare As in a forme sitte alway an hare Were al forstraught wiþ houndes grete and smale But deere neece why be ȝe so pale / I trowe certes þat oure goode man haþ ȝou laboured seþenes þe night bygan þat ȝou were neede to resten hastily And wiþ þat word he lough ful meryly And of his owne þought he wax al reed This fayre wyf gan to schake hire heed And sayde þus ȝe god wot al quod sche Nay cosyn myn it stant nouȝt so wiþ me / ffor by þat god þat ȝaff/ me soule and lyf In all þe rewme of ffraunce is þer no wyf That lasse lust haþ to þat sory pley ffor I may synge allas and welawey þat I was born but to no wight quod sche Dar I nouȝt telle how it stant wiþ me Wherfore I þenke out of þis lond to wende Or elles of myself to make an ende / So ful am I of drede and of care This monk bygan vpon þis wyf to stare And sayde allas my neece god it forbede That ȝe for eny sorwe or ony drede ffordo ȝoure self but telleþ forþ ȝoure greef Peraduenture I may in ȝour mescheef Counseile or helpe and þerfore telleþ me All ȝoure annoye for it schal be secre ffor on my portos I make an oth þat neuer in my lijf for leef ne loþ Ne schal I of no counseil ȝou bewreye The same aȝein to ȝou quod sche I seye By god and by þis portos I swere þey men wolde me al to peeces tere Ne schal I neuer for to go in to helle Bewreye a word of þing þat ȝe me telle / Nought for no cosynage ne alliaunce But verreily for loue and affiaunce Thus ben þey swore and her-vpon y-kiste And ilk of hem tolde oþer what hem liste Cosyn quod sche if I hadde a space As I haue non and namely in þis place þanne wolde I telle a legende of my lyf What I haue suffred sethens I was a wyf Wiþ myn housband and þeigh he be ȝour cosyn Nay quod þis monk by god and by seint Martyn he nys no more cosyn vnto me þan is þis leef þat hangeþ on þe tre I clepe him so by seint Denys in ffraunce To haue þe more cause of acqueyntaunce Of ȝou which I haue loued specially Abouen all wommen sikerly This were ynough on my profession Telleþ ȝoure greef lest þat he come a-doun And hasteþ ȝou and goþ ȝoure wey anon My deere loue quod sche O daun Iohn fful leef me were þis counseil to hyde But out it mot it may no lenger abyde myn housbond is to me þe worste man þat euer was siþenes þe world bygan But siþenes I am a wyf it sit nouȝt me To telle no wight of oure pryuyte Neyþer a bedde ne in non oþer place God schilde I scholde telle it for his grace A wyf ne schal nat seyn of hire housband But all honour as I can vnderstande Saue vnto ȝou þus moche telle I schal As help me god he nys nouȝt worþ at al In no degre þe value of a flye But ȝit me greueþ most his nyggardye And wel ȝe woot þat wommen naturelly Desyren þinges seuen as wel as I þey wolden þat here housbandes scholde be hardy and wys riche and þer-to fre And buxum to his wyf and freissch a bedde But by þat ilke lord þat for vs bledde ffor his honour my selue to arraye A sonday next I moste paye An hundred ffrankes or elles am I lorn Ȝet were me leuer þat I were vnborn þenne me were don a sclaunder or vilenye And if myn housbande eeke might aspye I nere but lost and þerfore I ȝou preye lene me þis somme and elles mot I deye Daun Iohn I say lene me þese hundred frankes Par de I wol not fayle þe my þankes If þat ȝou luste to do þat I ȝou pray ffor at a certein day I wole ȝou pay And do to ȝou what plesaunce and seruise That I may do right as ȝou lust deuyse And but I do god take on me vengaunce As foule as hadde genylon of ffraunce This gentil monk answerde in þis manere Now trewely myn owen lady deere I haue quod he on ȝou so gret a rouþe That I ȝou swere and plighte ȝou my trouþe That whan ȝoure housbonde is to fflaundres fare I wol delyuer ȝou out of þis worldes care / ffor I wol bringen ȝou an hundred frankes And wiþ þat he caught hir by þe schankes And hire enbraced harde and kissed ofte Goþ now ȝoure weye quod he al stille and softe And let vs dyne as sone as euer ȝe may ffor by my chilyndre it is prime of þe day Goþ now and beþ as trewe as I schal be / Now elles god forbede sire quod sche And forþ sche goþ as gelous as a pye And bad þe cokes þat þey schulde hem hye So þat men mighte dyne and þat anon vp to hir housbonde is þis wyf y-gon And knokkeþ at his countour boldely Quy la quod he peter it am I Quoþ sche what how longe wol ȝe faste / how longe tyme wol ȝe rekne and caste Ȝoure sommes ȝoure bokes and ȝoure þinges þe deuyl haue part on all suche rekenynges Ȝe han ynough parde of goddes sonde Come doun to day and lete ȝoure bagge stonde Ne be ȝe nought aschamed þat Daun Iohn Schal fastyng al þis day elenge gon What lete vs heere masse go we dyne Wyf quod þis man ful lytel canstow dyuyne The curious busynesse þat we haue ffor of vs chapmen so god me saue And by þat lord þat called is seint yue Skarsly amonges twelue tweye schuln þriue Continuelly lastyng vnto oure age We may wel make chere and good visage And dryue forþ þe world as it may be And kepen oure estate in priuite Til we be deed or elles þat we pleye A pylgrymage or gon out of þe weye And þerfore haue I gret necessite vpon þis queynte worlde to auyse me ffor euermore we mote stande in drede Of happe and fortune in oure chapmanhede To fflaundres wol I go to morne at day And come aȝein as sone as euer I may ffor which my deere wyff I þe beseke As be to euery wight buxom and meke And for to kepe oure good be curious And honestly gouerne wel oure hous þou hast ynough in euery maner wyse That to a thrifty housbonde may suffise The lakkeþ non array ne no vitayle Of Siluer in þi purs þou mayst nouȝt fayle And wiþ þat word his countour dore he schette And doun he goþ no lenger nolde he lette And hastyly a masse was þer sayde And speedly þe tables were layde And to þe dyner faste þey hem speede And richely þis monk þe Chapman fedde And after dyner daun Iohn soburly This Chapman took a part al pryuyly he seyde him þus cosyn it standeþ so þat wel I see to Bruges wolle ȝe go God and seint austyn spede ȝou and gyde I pray ȝou Cosyn wysly þat ȝe ryde Gouerneþ ȝou also of ȝoure dyete And temperally and namely in þis hete Bytwixe vs tuo needeþ no straunge fare ffare wel cosyn god schilde ȝou fro care If eny þing þer be by day or by night If it ligge in my power and my might That ȝe me wol comaunde in eny wyse It schal be doon right as ȝe wil deuyse O þing er þat ȝe gon if þat it may be I wolde preye ȝou for þe loue of me An hundred frankes for a wyke or tweye ffor certeyn bestes þat I moste beye To store with a place þat is owres God helpe me I wolde þat it were ȝowres I schal nought fayle suerly of my day Nought for a þousand frankes a myle way But lete þis þing be secre I ȝou preye Ȝe schulle be payed wher þat I lyue or deye And fare now wel myn owen cosyn dere Graunt mercy of ȝoure cost and of ȝoure chere This noble marchaunt gentilly anon Answerde and sayde O Cosyn daun Iohn Now sikerly þis is a smal requeste My gold is ȝoures whan þat euer ȝou leste And nought oonly my gold but my chaffare Tak what ȝou leste god schilde þat ȝe spare But o þing is ȝe knowe it wel ynough Of chapmen þat here monee is here plough We may creaunce whiles we haue a name / But goldles for to be it is no game Pay it aȝein whan it liþ in ȝour ese After my might ful fayn wolde l ȝou plese þise hundred frankes he fette forþ anon And pryuyly he took hit to daun Iohn No wight in al þis world wist of þis lone Sauyng þis marchaunt and daun Iohn allone þey dranken and romed out to pleye Til þat daun Iohn rydeþ to his abbeye þe morne came and forþ þis marchaunt rydeþ To fflaundres ward his prentys wel him gydeþ Til he cam in to Bruges meryly Now goþ þis marchaunt faste and bysyly Aboute his neede and byeþ and creaunceþ he neyþer pleyeþ at þe dys ne daunceþ But as a marchand schortly for to telle he leet his wyf and þer I lete him dwelle þe sonday next þe marchaunt was agon To seint Denys I-comen is Daun Iohn Wiþ croune and berde freissch and newe schaue In al þe hous þer nas so lite a knaue Ne no wight elles þat he nas fayn ffor þat my lord doun Iohn was come agayn And schortly to here poynt for to gon þis fayre wyf acordeþ to daun Iohn And for þis hundred ffrankes he schulde al night haue hire in his armes bolt vpright And þis acorde parfourmed was in dede In myrþe al night / a busy lyf þey lede Til it was day þat daun Iohn went his way And bade þe meyne far wel haue good day ffor non of hem ne no wight in þe toun haþ of daun Iohn right non suspecioun and forþ he rydeþ home to his abbay Or wher him luste no more of him I say This marchaunt whan þat ended was þe ffayre To seint Denys he gan for to repayre And wiþ his wyf he makeþ feste and chere And telleþ hire þat chaffare is so deere þat needes moste he make a Cheuesaunce ffor he was bounden in a reconysaunce To paye xx þousand scheldes anon ffor which þis marchaunt is y-wont to gon To borwe of certein frendes þat he hadde A certeyn frankes and some wiþ him he ladde And whan þat he was come in to þe toun ffor gret chierte and gret/ affeccioun vnto daun Iohn he ferst him goþ to pleye Nought for to borwe of him no moneye But for to wite and se of his welfare And for to tellen him of his chaffare As frendes don when þey ben mette in feere Daun Iohn him makeþ feste and mery cheere And he him tolde aȝein ful specially how he hadde brought ful wel and graciously þanked be god al hool his marchaundise Saue þat he moste in all maner wyse Maken a cheuysance as for his beste And þenne he schulde be in ioye and reste Daun Iohn answerde certes I am fayn þat ȝe in hele be come home agayn And if þat I were riche as haue I blisse Of twenty þousand scheldes scholde ȝe nouȝt misse ffor ȝe so kyndely þis oþer day Lente me golde as I can and may I þanke ȝou by god and by seint Iame But naþeles I took vnto oure dame Ȝoure wyf at home þe same gold aȝain vpon ȝoure benche sche wot it wel certain By certein toknes þat I can hire telle / Now by ȝoure leue I may no lenger dwelle Oure abbot wol out of þis toun anon And in his companye mot I gon Gret wel oure dame myn owen nece swete And fare wel dere cosyn til we mete This marchaunt wiþ þat was ful war and wys Creaunsed haþ and eek payed in Parys To certein lumbardes redy in here hand þis somme of gold and gat of hem þe band And home he goþ mery as popyngay ffor wel he knew he stood in such aray þat needes moste he wynne in such a viage A þousend frankes abouen al his costage his wyf ful redy mette him atte gate As sche was wont of old vsage algate And al þat night in mirþe þey besette / ffor he was riche and clerly out of dette Whan it was day þis marchant gan enbrace / his wyf al newe and kissed hire on hire face And vp he goþ and makeþ it wonder tough No more quod sche by god ȝe haue ynough And wantounly aȝein wiþ him sche pleyde Tille atte laste þat þis marchant seyde By god quod he I am a litel wroþ Wiþ ȝou my wyf þough it be me loth And wote ȝe why by god as þat I gesse ffor ye haue made a maner straungenesse Bytwixen me and my cosyn daun Iohn Ȝe schulde haue warned me er I hadde gon þat he hadde ȝou an hundred frankes payed By redy tokne and he him held yuel payed ffor þat I to him spak of cheuysaunce Me semed so as by his contynaunce But naþeles by god and heuen king I þoughte nought to axe of him no þing I pray þe wyf ne do no more so Telle me alway er þat I fro þe go If eny dettour haþ in myn absence I-payed þe leste þurgh þin necligence I might him axe a þing þat he haþ payed þis was nas nough affered ne affrayed But boldely sche seyde and þat anon Mary I diffye þat false monk daun Iohn I kepe nought of his tokenes neuer a deel he tok me certein gold þis wot I wel What euele þedam on his monkes snowte / ffor god it wot I wende wiþouten doute / þat he hadde ȝoue it me by cause of ȝou To do þer wiþ myn honour and my prow ffor cosynage and eek for bele chere þat he haþ had fulofte tyme heere[Skip a leaf which is headed Thopas.] But seþins I see I stonde in such disioynt I wol answere ȝou schortly to þis poynt Ȝe haue mo slakker dettours þen am I ffor I wol paye ȝow wel and redily ffro day to day and if so be I fayle I am ȝour wyf score it vpon my tayle And I schal paye as sone as euer I may ffor by my trouþe I haue on myn array And nought on waste bestowed euery del And for I haue bestowed it so wel To ȝoure honour for goddes sake I say As be nought wroþ but lete vs laughe and play Ȝe schuln my ioly body haue to wedde / By god I nyl nought paye ȝou but a bedde fforȝiue it me myn owen spouse deere / Turne hiderward and makeþ bettre cheere This marchaunt seyh þer was no remedye And for to chyde it nere but folye / Seþins þat þe þing may nought amended be Now wyf he sayde and I forȝiue it þe But by þin lyf ne be no more so large kepe bet my good þis ȝiue I þe in charge / þus endeþ now my tale and god vs sende Toylyng ynough vnto oure lyues ende Here endeþ þe schipmannes tale¶ Explicit WEl seyde by corpus dominus Now lange mote þou sayle by þe coste Sire gentil mayster gentil marynere / God ȝiue þe monk a þousand last quade ȝere / A ha felawes beþ war of such a Iape / þe monk putte in þe mannes hood an ape / And in his wyues eek by seint austyn Draweþ no monkes more in to ȝoure In But now passe ouer and let vs seke aboute Who schal now telle ferst of al þis route Anoþer tale and wiþ þat word he sayde As curteysly as it hadde ben a mayde My lady prioresse by ȝour leue So þat I wiste I schulde ȝou nought greue / I wolde deme þat ȝe telle schulde A tale next if so were þat ȝe wolde Now wole ȝe fouche sauf my lady deere / Gladly quoþ sche and sayde in þis manere Here begynneth þe tale of Alma redemptoris þe prioresses Tale. [No gaps between the stanzas.] ¶ Domine dominus noster ¶ Prologe O lord oure lord þin name how merueilous Is in þis large word y-spredde quod she ffor nought only þyn laud precious Parfourned is by men of dignite But by þe mouth of children þin bounte Parformed is for on oure brest soukynge Som tyme schewen þey þin heryynge ¶ Wherfore in laude as I can best or may Of þe and of þe white lyly flour Which þat þe bar and is a mayde alwey To telle a story I wol don my labour Nought þat I may encrece hire honour ffor sche hireself is honour and þerto roote / Of bounte next hire sone of soules boote ¶ O mooder mayde O mayde moder fre O busch vnbrent brennyng in moyses sight That rauyscheþ doun fro þe deytele þurgh þin humbles þe gost þat in þe alight Of whos vertu whan he in þin herte alight Conceyued was þe fadres sapience Help me to telle it in þin reuerence ¶ Lady þin bounte and þin magnificence þin vertu and þin gret humilite Ther may no tonge expresse in no science ffor som tyme lady er men preye to þe þou gost biforn and þin benignite And getest vs to light þurgh þin prayere To gyden vs vnto þin sone so clere My connyng is to wayk o blisful queene ffor to declare þin grete worþinesse That I ne may þe weighte nought susteene / But as a childe of xij monthe elde or lesse That can vnneþes any word expresse / Right so fare I and þerfore I ȝou preye Gydeþ my song þat I schal of ȝou seye [THE TALE.] Ther was in a cite in a gret cite Amonges cristen folk and Iewerye Susteyned by a lord of þat cuntre ffor foule vsure and lucre of vilanye hatful to crist and to his companye And þurgh þe strete men mighte ryde or wende ffor it was fre and open at euery ende A lytel scole of cristen folk þer stood Doun at þe furþer ende in which þer were Children an heepe y-come of cristes blood That lered in þat scole ȝere by ȝeere Such maner doctrine as men vsed þere This is to say to syngen and to rede As smale children don in here childhede Among þis children was a wydewes sone A litel clergoun vij ȝer of age That day by day to scole was his wone / And eek also wher he saugh the ymage / Of cristes mooder hadde he in vsage As him was taught to knele a doun and seye his aue marie as he goþ by þe weye Thus haþ þis wydewe hire litel child y-tauȝt Oure blisful lady cristes mooder deere / To worschipe ay and he forgat it nought ffor sely child wol alday sone lere But ay whan I remembre me on þis matere Seynt Nicholas stant euer in my presence ffor he so ȝonge to crist dede reuerence ¶ This child his litel book lernynge As he sat in þe scole at his primere he alma redemptoris herde synge / As children lerned here antiphoner And as he durste he drough him ner and neer And herkned ay þe wordes and þe noote / Til he þe firste vers couþe al by roote / Nouȝt wiste he what þe latyn was to say ffor he so ȝong and tender was of age / But on a day his felawe gan he preye To expounen him þis song in his langage / Or tellen him why þis song was in vsage / This preyde he him to construe and declare / fful ofte tyme vpon his knees bare / his felawe which þat elder was þan he Answerde him þus þis song I haue herd say Was maked of oure blisful lady fre hire to salue and eeke hire for to pray To ben oure helpe and socour whan we deye I can no more expounde in þis matiere I lerne song I can but smale gramere / ¶ And is þis song ymade in reuerence Of cristes mooder sayde þis Innocent Now certes I wol don my diligence To konne it er Cristemas be went þough þat I for my prymer schal be schent And schal [be] beten þries in an houre I wol it konne oure lady to honoure ¶ his felawe taught him homward pryuyly ffro day to day til he couþe it by roote And þenne he sang it wel and boldely ffro word to word acordyng to þe note / þries on a day it passeþ þurgh his þrote / To scoleward and homward whan he went On cristes moder sette was his entent/ As I haue sayde þurghout þe Iewerie This litel childe as he came to and fro fful meryly þen wolde he synge and crye / On alma redemptoris euermo The swetnes haþ his herte perced so Of cristes mooder þat to hure to preye He can nought stynte of syngynge by þe weye / ¶ Oure firste foo þe serpent Sathanas That haþ in Iewes his waspes neste vp swalle and sayde O Ebrayke poeple allas / Is þis a þing to ȝou þat is honeste / þat suche a boy schal walken as him leste / In ȝoure despite and syngen of such sentence Which is aȝein oure lawes reuerence / ¶ ffro þennes forth þe Iewes han conspired This Innocent out of þis world to chace In homicidie þer-to han þey hyred þat in an aley had a pryue place And as þe childe gan forby for to pace þis cursed Iew him hente and heeld faste And cutte his þrote and in a putte him caste / ¶ I say þat in a wardrobe þey him drewe / Wher as þise Iewes purgen entraille O cursed folk of heroudes al newe / What may ȝoure euyl entent ȝou auayle / Mordre wole out certain it wol nought fayle And namely þere honour of god schulde sprede þe blood out cryeþ on ȝour cursed dede ¶ O martyr sonded to virginite Now maystow syngen folwyng euer in oon The white lambe celestial quod he / Of which þe grete euaungelist seint Iohn In Pathmos wrot which seiþ þey þat gon Byforn þis lambe and synge a song al newe þat neuer fleisschly wommen þey knewe ¶ þis pore wydewe wayteþ al þat night After þis litel childe but hom cam he nouȝt ffor whom as sone as it was dayes light Wiþ face pale for drede and busy þought Sche haþ at scole and elles wher him sought Til fynally sche gan so fer aspye þat he was seyn last in þe Iewerye ¶ With moodres pyte in hire brest enclosed Sche goþ as þough sche were half out of mynde / To euery place where sche haþ supposed By lyklyhede hire childe for to fynde And euer on cristes moder meke and kynde Sche cryed and at þe laste þus sche wrought Among þe cursed Iewes sche him sought Sche freyneþ and sche preyeþ pitously To euery Iewe þat dwelt in þilke place To telle hire if hire child went hem by They sayden nay but ihesus[MS ihc] of his grace Ȝaf in hire þought wiþ-in a litel space þat in þat place after hire sone sche cryede þer he was caste in a putte besyde ¶ O grete lord þat parformed þin laude By mouþ of Innocence lo here þy might This gemme of chastite þis Emeraude And eek of martirdome þe ruby bright þer he wiþ þrote y-korue lay vpright he alma redemptoris gan to synge So loude þat al þe place gan to rynge ¶ The cristen folk þat þurgh þe strete went In comen for to wondren on þis þing And hastely þey for þe prouost sent he came anon wiþouten eny taryyng And herieþ crist þat is of heuen king And eek his mooder honour of mankynde And after þat þe Iewes let he bynde This childe wiþ pitous lamentacion vp taken syngyng his song alway And with honour and gret procession / They carien him to þe next abbay his moder swownyng by þe bere lay vnneþes mighte þe poeple þat was þere This newe rachel bringe fro his bere Wiþ torment and with schameful deþ ilkon This prouost doþ þis Iewes for to sterue That of þis moerdre wiste and þat anon he nolde non such cursednesse obserue / Euel schal haue þat euel wol deserue þerfore with wilde hors he dede him drawe And after þat he hynge him by þe lawe ¶ Vpon þis beere ay liþ þis Innocent Biforn þe chief auter whiles masse last And after þat þe abbot/ wiþ his couent hadde spedde him for to burye him als fast And whan þey halywater on him cast Ȝit spak þe child when spreynt was þe holy water And sang O alma redemptoris mater ¶ This abbot which þat was an holy man As monkes ben or elles oughten to[? to later] be This ȝonge childe to coniure he bigan And sayde O deere childe I hailse þe By vertu of þe holy trinite Telle me what is þy cause for to synge Siþenes þat þy þrote is kutte at my semynge ¶ My þrote is cutte vnto my nekke bon Sayde þis childe and as by way of kynde I schulde haue deyed ȝe long tyme agon But ihesu crist as ȝe in bookes fynde Wol þat his glorie laste and be in mynde And for þe worschipe of his moder deere / Ȝet may I synge O alma lowde and cleere ¶ This welle of mercy crystes mooder swete I loued alwey as after my konnyng And whan þat I my lyff schulde lete To me sche cam and bad me for to synge This anteme verraily in my mynde deynge as ȝe haue herd and when þat I hadde songe Me þought sche leyde a greyn vpon my tonge / ¶ Wherfore I synge and synge moot certein In honour of þe blisful martir fre Til of my tonge of taken is þe greyn And after þat sayde sche þus to me My litel childe now wol I fecche þe Whan þat þy grein is fro þy tonge y-take Be nought a-gast I wol þe nought forsake ¶ þis holy monk þis abbot him mene I his tunge out caught / and took awey þe greyn And he ȝaf up þe gost ful softely And when þis abbot / hadde þis wonder seyn his salte teeres stryked doun as reyn And gruff he fell al plat vnto þe grounde And stille he lay as he hadde ben y-bounde / ¶ þe couent eek lay vppon þe pauyment Wepyng and herying cristes moder deere And after þat þay ryse and for ben went And toke awey þis martir fro his bere / And in a tombe of marbill stones clere Enclosen þey his litel body swete Ther he is now god leue vs for to mete ¶ O ȝonge hewe of lincolle slayn also Wiþ cursed Iewes as it is notable ffor it nys but a litel while ago Preye eek for vs we synful folk vnstable That of his mercy god so merciable On vs his grete mercy multiplye ffor reuerence of his mooder marie AmeN¶ Explicit // Whan seyde was þis tale euery man As sober was þat wonder was to se Til þat owre Oste Iape þo bygan And þenne at erst he loked vpon me¶ Chaucere And sayde þus what man art þou quod he Thou lokest as þou woldest fynde an hare / ffor euer vpon þe ground I se þe stare Approche ner and loke meryly Now ware ȝou sires and let þis man han place he in þe waste is schapen as wel as I This were a popet in armes to embrace ffor any womman smal and fair of face he semeþ eluyssch by his contynaunce ffor vnto no wight doþ he dalyaunce Say now somwhat seþins oþer folk han sayd Telle vs a tale of merþe and þat anon Oste quod I ne be nought yuel a-payde ffor oþer tale certes can I non But of a Ryme I lerned longe agon Ȝe þat is good quod he schuln we here Som deynte þing me þinkeþ by his cheere. ¶ Here bygynneth þe tale of Chaucer of sire Thopas[No gaps between the stanzas in the MS.]Cam xixm [Fytte I.] LEsteneþ lordes in good entent And I wol telle verrament Of miracle and solace Al of a knight was fayr and gent In bataille and in tornament His name was sire Thopace I-born he was in ferre cuntre In fflaundres al beȝonde þe se At poperyng in þe place his fader was a man ful fre And lord he was of þat contre As it was goddes grace Sire Thopas was a doughty swayn Whyt was his face as Payndemayn his lyppes reed as Rose his robe is like Scarlet en grayn And I ȝou telle in good certayn he hadde a semely nose his berd his heer was lik saffroun That to his gurdel straught a-doun his schoon of Cordewayne / Of Bruges were his hosen broun his robe was of Ciclatoun That coste many a Iayne he couþe hunte at wylde deer And Ryde an haukynge by þe ryuer Wiþ gray goshauk on honde Ther to he was a good archer Of wrastlyng was þer non his peer Ther any man schulde stonde fful many a mayde bright in bour They mourne for him paramour When þey were bet to slepe But he was chaste and no lecchour And swete as is þe bremble flour þat bereþ þe rede hepe ¶ And so byfell vpon a day ffor soþe as I ȝou telle may Sire Thopas wolde out ryde he worþe vpon his steede gray And in his hande a launcegay A long swerd by his syde he prikeþ þurgh a fair forest Ther Inne is many a wilde beest Ȝe boþe bucke and hare And as he prikeþ north and Est I telle ȝou him hadde almest Betydde a sory care Ther springen herbes grete and smale The lycoris and þe Setuale And many a clowe Gylofre And notemuges to put in ale Wheþer it be moyst or stale Or for to leye in Coffre The briddes syngen it is nouȝt nay The sperhauk and þe popyngay That Ioye it was to heere / The þrostilkok made eek his lay The woode dowfe vpon þe spray Sche sang ful loude and cleere Sire Thopas fell in loue longyng And whan he herde þe þrustel syng And priked as he were wood his faire steede in his prikynge So swette þat men might him wrynge his sydes were al blood Syre Thopas eek so wery was ffor prykyng on þe softe gras So fers was his corage That doun he leyde him in þat place To maken his steede som solace ffor he was so sauage O seynt mary benedicite What eyleþ þis loue at me To bynde me so sore Me dremed al þis night parde An elf queen schal my lemman be And slepe vnder my gore An Elf queene wol I loue ywys ffor in þis worlde no man is Worþy to be my make in toune All oþre wommen I forsake And to an elf queen I me bytake By dale and eek by downe In to his sadel he cam anon And prikeþ ouer stile and ston And elf queene for to aspie Til he so longe haþ ryden and gon That he fond in a priue woon The cuntre of fayrye ¶ So wylde ffor in þat cuntre nas þer non . . . . .no gap in the MS. Neyþer wijf ne childe / Til him þer cam a Ioly geaunt his name was cleped sire Olyphaunt A perilous man of dede he seyde child by Termagaunt But if þou prike out of myn haunt Anon I slee þin steede ¶ Wiþ mace here is þe queene of fayerye Wiþ harpe and pype and Synphonye dwellynge in þis place / The childe seyde so mote I þe To morne wol I meeten þe When I haue myn armure And ȝit I hope par ma fay That þou schalt wiþ þis launcelay Abeyen it ful sore ¶ þurgh þine mawe / Schal I perce if I may Or it be fully pryme day ffor heere þou schalt be slawe / Sire Thopas drow a bak ful faste þis geaunt at him stones caste / Out of a felle staf slynge But faire askapeþ child Thopas And al it was þurgh goddes gras And þurgh his faire berynge Ȝit lesteneþ lordes to my tale/ Murier þen þe nightyngale ffor now I wole ȝou roune / how sire Thopas with sydes smale / Prykyng ouer downe and dale / Is come aȝain to toune his mery men comaunded he / To maken him boþe game and glee ffor needes moste he fight Wiþ o geaunt with hedes þre ffor paramour and Iolytego back to leaf 210 Of on þat schon ful bright Do come he seyde myne menstrales And gestours for to telle vs tales / Anon in myn armyng Of Romances þat ben realles / Of popes and of Cardynalles / And eek of loue lykyng They fette him ferst þe[wrongly dotted under] swete wyn . . . . .

[In margin of MS, in a later hand,

And mede eek in a mas . . . & ryal spicerye. Of gyngebreed þat was f . .]

 . . . . . . . . . .no gap in the MS. And lycoryus and eek comyn Wiþ sucre þat is trye He dede next his white leere Of cloþ of lake fyn and clere A breche and eek a scherte And next his scherte an aketoun And ouer þat an habergoun ffor persyng of his herte And ouer þat a fyn hauberk/ Was al y-wrought of Iewes werk fful strong it was of plate And ouer þat his cote armure / As whyt as is a lyly flour In which he wole debate his schelde was al of gold so red And þer Inne was a boores heed A charbokil him[bi his syde in a later hand] besyde And þer he swore on ale and breed That þe geaunt schulde be deed betyde what betyde his Iambes were of quyrboyly his swerdes scheþe of yuory his helme of latoun bright his sadel was of ruel bon his bridel as þe sonne schon Or as þe mone so light his spere was of fyn Cypres That bedeþ werre and no þing peesback of leaf 210 The heed ful scharpe y-grounde his steede was al dappel gray It goþ an ambel by þe way fful softely and rounde In londe Lo lordes myne heere[ys, put in by a later hand] a fytte If ȝe wole eny more of hitte To telle it wol I fonde [Fytte II.] Now halde ȝoure mouþe par charite Boþe knight and lady fre And herkneþ to my spelle Of bataile and of chiualry And of ladyes loue drery Anon I wol ȝou telle Men speke of Romance of prys Of horn child and of ypotys Of Beuys and sire Gy Of sire libeus and pleyndamour But sire Thopas he bereþ þe flour Of real chiualry his goode steed al he bestrod And forþ upon his way he glod As sparcles out of þe bronde vpon his crest he bar a tour And þer Inne styked a lily flour God schilde his corps fro schonde And for he was a knight aunterous he nolde slepen in non hous But liggen in his hood his brighte helme was his wanger And by him bayteþ his destrer Of herbes fyne and goode . . . . .

[In a later hand, in the margin, is

him self drank water of þe welle as dede þe knyȝt sire Peroyuelle so worþili vnder wede]

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .no gap in the MS. NO more of þis for goddes digniteon leaf 210, back Quoþ oure hoste for þou makest me So wery of þy lewednes That also wisly god me bles Myn eres ake of þin darsty spechego on to Now such a rymere þe deuel y beteche This may be wel rym dogerell quod he Why so quod I why wilt þou lette me More of my tale þan anoþer man Seþens it is þe beste Rym I can By god quod he pleynly I þe say þou schalt no lenger rymen heere to day Thow dost nought elles but dispendest tyme Sire at O word þou schalt no lengere ryme Let se wheþer þou canst telle ought in geste Or telle in prose somwhat at þe leste In which þer be som merþe and som doctrine Gladly quod I by goddes swete pyne I wol ȝou telle a litel þing in prose þat oughte like ȝou as I suppose / Or elles certeyn ȝe ben to daungerous It is a moral tale vertuous Al be it tolde somtyme in sondry wyse Of sondry folk as I schal ȝou deuyse As þus ȝe wote euery euaungeliste That telleþ vs of ihesu criste Ne saiþ nouȝt al þing as his felawe doþ But natheles here sentence is al soþ And all acorden as in here sentence Al be þer in here tellyng difference ffor some of hem seyn more and some lesse Whan þey his pytous passioun expresse I mene of mark matheu luke and Iohn But douteles here sentence is al on Therfore lordinges all I ȝou beseche If þat ȝe þinke I varie in my speche As þus if þat I telle somwhat more Of prouerbis þen ȝe haue herd byfore Comprehendit in þis litel tretis heere To enforce with þeffecte of my matiere And þough I nadde[nat in a later hand] þe same wordes saye As ȝe han herd ȝit to alle ȝou I praye Blameþ me nought for as in my sentence Ȝe schal nought fynde mochil difference / ffro þe sentence of þe tretys lyyte[lite in a later hand] After þe which þis mery tale I wryte And[þerfore added on margin of MS in another hand] herkene what I schal seye And let me telle my tale I ȝou preye / ¶ Cm.xxm.Here bygynneþ Chauceres tale of Melibe and his wyf Prudence and his doughter Sapience

[There are no line-numbers or breaks between the paragraphs in the MS. Tyrwhitt's breaks are kept here to prevent slight differences in the Six Texts throwing out many lines.]

[Corpus MS, on leaf 217, back.]

[2157] A Ȝong man whilom called Melibe mighty & riche bigate vpon his wyf þat called was Prudence. a doughter which þat cleped was Sapience

[2158] ¶ vpon a day felle þat he for his disporte is went in to þe feeldes him to pleye [2159] his wyf and eek his doughter haþ he lefte wiþinne his hous of which þe dores weren faste schette. [2160] ffoure of his olde foos han it aspyed. and setten ladderes to þe walles of his hous and by þe wyndowes ben y-entred [2161] ¶ and beeten his wyf and wounded his doughter with fyue mortaille woundes in .v. sondry places. [2162] þis is to say in hire feet in hire hand. in hire eeres in hire nose in hire mouþ ¶ and laften hire for deed and wenten here wey

[2163] ¶ When Melibeus retourned was aȝein in-til his hous and sawe al þis meschief ¶ he y-like a mad man rendyng his cloþes gan to weepe and crye

[2164] ¶ Prudence his wyf as ferforþ as sche dorste bysought him of his weepyng for to stynte [2165] ¶ but nouȝt for-þy he gan to wepe and crye euer lenger þe more

[2166] ¶ This noble wyf prudence remembred hire on þe sentence of Ovide in his bok þat cleped is þe remedy of loue where he saiþ [2167] he is a fool þat distourbeþ þe mooder for to wepe in þe deþ of hire childe til sche haue wepte hire fille as for a certein tyme [2168] Then schal man don his diligence with amyable wordes hire to comforte and to preye hire of hire wepyng for to stynte [2169] ¶ ffor which resoun þis noble prudence suffred hire housbond for to weepe and crye as for a certeyn space [2170] ¶ And when sche saugh hire tyme sche seyde him in þis wyse ¶ Allas my lord quod sche why make ȝe ȝoure self for to be ylike a fool [2171] ffor soþe it apertyneþ nouȝt to a wise man to maken such a sorwe [2172] ¶ ȝoure doughter wiþ þe grace of god schal be warisshed and askape [2173] ¶ And alle were it so þat sche right now were deed; ȝe oughte nouȝt as for hire deþ ȝoure self to destryue [2174] ¶ Senek saiþ þe wiseman schal nouȝt take to gret discomfort for þe deþ of his children [2175] but certes he schulde suffre it in pacience as wel as he abydeþ þe deþ of his owen propre persone

[2176] ¶ This Melibeus answerde anon and sayde ¶ What man quod he schulde of his wepyng stynte þat haþ so gret a cause for to weepe [2177] ¶ Ihesus crist oure lord himself wepte for þe deþ of lazarus his freend [2178] ¶ Prudens answerde ¶ certes wel I woot a-tempre weepyng is nouȝt defendid vnto him þat sorwful is among folk in sorwe ¶ But it is raþer y-graunted him to wepe [2179] ¶ The apostel Poule. vnto þe Romayns writeþ. Man schal reioyse wiþ hem þat maken ioye ¶ And weepen wiþ suche folk as wepen [2180] ¶ But þough a-tempre wepynge be y-graunted Outragous weepyng certes is defended [2181] ¶ Mesurable wepyng schulde be considered after þe lore þat techeþ vs Senek¶ Senek/ [2182] ¶ Whan þat þi freend is deed let nought þin yen to moyste ben of teeres ne to druye ¶ Al þough þe teeres comen of þin eyen let hem nouȝt fallen [2183] ¶ And whan þou hast forgon þi frende I rede þou do þy diligence to gete þe anoþer. and þis is more wiser þan for to wepe for þyn freend þe which þat þou hast lore ¶ ffor þer-in is no boote [2184] ¶ And þerfore if þou lust gouerne þe by Sapience; putte awey sorwe of ȝoure herte. [2185] ¶ Remembreþ ȝou þat Ihesus Cyrak / seiþ¶ Ihesus Cyrak/ a man þat is Ioyous and glad in herte hit him con|serueþ florisching in his age ¶ But soþly sorwful herte makeþ his bones dryue [2186] ¶ he saiþ eek þus ¶ þat sorwe in herte sleþ ful many a man [2187] Sa|lamon.¶ Salomon seiþ þat right as moughtes in þe schepes flees annoyeþ to þe cloþes and þe smale wormes of þe trees ¶ Right so anoyeþ sorwe to þe herte [2188] ¶ Wherfore we ouȝt as wel in þe deþ of oure children as in þe losse of oure good haue pacience

[2189] ¶ Remembreþ ȝow vpon þe pacient Iob.¶ Iob whan he hadde lost his children and his temperel sub|stance / In his body endured and suffred many a greuous temptacion ¶ ȝet sayde he þus [2190] ¶ Oure lord quod he haþ ȝoue it me ¶ Oure lord haþ byreft it me Right so as oure lord haþ wolde right so be it don. y-blessed be þe name of oure lord [2191] ¶ To þese afore þinges Melibeus answerde to his wyf dame Prudence / Alle þine wordes quod he ben soþe and þerto pro|ffitable ¶ But trewly myn herte is troubled wiþ þis sorwe so greuously þat I not what to done [2192] ¶ let calle quod Prudence þin trewe frendes alle and þin lynage whiche þat ben wise Telle hem þyn [caas] and herkne what þay say in counseillynge and ȝou gouerneth þer after here sentence [2193] Salomon saiþ werk alle þing by counseilSalomon and þou schalt neuer repente þe

[2194] ¶ Thenne by þe counseil of his wyf dame Pru|dence; Melibeus let callen a gret congregacion of folk [2195]. . . . .no gap olde and ȝonge and some of his olde enemys reconsiled as by here semblant in to his loue and in to his grace [2196] ¶ And þer-wiþ-al þer come somme of his olde neyghebours and þat deden him reuerence more for drede þan for loue as it happeþ ofte [2197] ¶ Ther comeþ also ful many subtile flaterers and wyse aduocatis lerned in þe lawe

[2198] And whan þis folk / togidre assembled were; This Melibeus in sorwful wise schewed hem þis caas [2199] ¶ And by þe manere of þis speche he bar in his herte a cruel yre redy to don venge|aunce vpon his foos And sodeynly desired þat þe werre schulde begynne [2200] ¶ But naþeles ȝit asked he here counseil vpon þis matere [2201] A Surgien by licence and assent of suche as were wyse vp ros vn|to Melibeus and sayde as ȝe may heere

[2202] Sire quod he as to vs surgiens aperteyneþ to euery wight þe beste þat we can were as we ben wiþholde ¶ And to oure paciences þat we do no damages [2203] þerfore it happeþ many tymes and ofte þat when tuo men haue euerich wounded oþer O same Surgien heleþ hem boþe [2204] ¶ Wherfore vnto oure art it nys nouȝt pertynent to norische werre ne parties to supporte [2205] ¶ But certes as to þe warisshyng of ȝour doughter be it so þat sche is perilously wounded; we schulde do so ententyfly busynes fro day to night þat wiþ þe grace of god sche schal be sound and hool as sone as it is possible [2206] ¶ Alle men in þis same wyse answerden and þe Phisiciens. saue þat þay sayden a fewe wordes more [2207] þat right as maladies ben heled by þe contraries Right so schal men warissche werre by vengaunce [2208] his neyghe|burs fulle of enuye his feynede freendes þat semed reconsiled his flaterers [2209] maden semblaunt of wepyng enpeyred and engregged meche of his matiere in preysynge gretly Melibeus of might of power of riches and of frendes despysynge þe power of his aduersaries [2210] and sayden outrely þat he anon schulde awreken him on his enemys and begynne werre

[2211] ¶ Vp ros þanne an aduoket þat was wys and sayde by leue and by counseil of oþere þat were wyse ¶ And sayde [2212] lordynges the neede for þe which we ben as|sembled in þis place is a ful heuy þing and an heigh matiere [2213] by cause of þe wrong and of þe wikkednesse þat haþ ben don and eeke by resoun of þe grete damage / in tyme comynge ben possible to falle for þis same cause [2214] and eek by resoun Of þe grete richesse and power of þe parties boþe [2215] ¶ ffor þe whiche resouns it were a gret perile for to erren in þis matiere // [2216] wherfore melibeus þis is oure sentence we counseile ȝou abouen alle þinges þat right anon þou do þi diligence in kepyng of þi propre persone in suche a wyse þat þou ne wante none aspye ne wacche þi body for to saue [2217] ¶ And after þat we counseile þat þou sette in þin hous suffisaunt garnysoun ¶ So þat þey may as wel þy body and þin hous defende [2218] ¶ But certes for to meve werre ne sodeinly for to do vengeance ¶ We may nouȝt deme in so litel tyme þat it were profit|able [2219] wherfore we asken leysir and space to haue deliberacion in þis cas to deme [2220] for þe commune prouerbe saiþ þus. he. þat sone demeþ sone schal repente [2221] ¶ And eek men say þus þat þilke Iuge is wys þat sone vnderstandeþ a matiere and Iugeþ by leysyr [2222] ¶ ffor al be it so þat alle taryynge be anoyful; algates it nys nouȝt to reproue in ȝeuyng of Iuggementz ne in vengaunce takynge whanne it is suffisaunt and resonable. [2223] and þat schewed oure lord ihesus crist by en|sample ¶ ffor when þat þe womman was taken in aduoutrye was brought in his presens to knowe what schal ben don with hire persone ¶ Al be it so þat he wiste wel himself what þat he wolde answere; ȝit ne wolde he nouȝt answere sodeinly but he wolde haue deliberacion and in þe grounde he wrot twyes [2224] ¶ And by þis cause we axen deliberacion And we schullen þanne by þe grace of god counseile þe þinge þat schal be profitable

[2225] ¶ Vp sterte þenne þe ȝonge folk atones; and þe moste partye of þat company haue scorned þis olde wise man and bygonne to make noyse and sayden [2226] right so ¶ as whiles þat yren is hoot men schulden smyte ¶ Right so men schulden wreken here wronges whiles þay ben freissche and newe ¶ And with lowde voys þey cryden werre werre

[2227] vp ros þe on of þe olde wise and with his hande he made a contynaunce þat þey schulde halden hem stille and ȝiuen hem audience [2228] ¶ lordynges quod he þer is ful many a man þat crieþ werre werre þat wot ful litel what þat werre amounteþ [2229] ¶ werre at his bygynnyng haþ so gret an enteryng and so large ¶ That euery wight may entre when him likeþ. and lightly fynde werre [2230] ¶ But certes to what ende þat schal þer-of bifalle it nys nouȝt lightly to knowe [2231] ¶ whan þat werre is ones bygonne þer is ful many a childe vnborne of his moder þat schal sterue ȝong by cause of þilke werre Oþer elles lyue in sorwe and deye in wrecchednesse [2232] ¶ And þerfore er þat eny werre be bygonne men mosten han gret counseil and good deliberacion [2233] ¶ And when þis olde man wende to enforcen his tale by reson wel neih alle at ones bygonne for to ryse for to breken his tale / and beden him fuloften of his wordes for to abregge [2234] ¶ ffor soþly he þat precheþ to hem þat luste nought his wordes ne his sermon hem annoyeþ [2235] ¶ ffor Ihesus Cirak saiþ þat musyke in wepynge is¶ Ihesus Cirak/ annoyous þing þus moche is to sayn as moche annoyeþ to speke bifore folk to whiche his speche annoyeþ; as it is for to syngen byforn him þat wepeþ [2236] ¶ And when þis wise man saugh þat him wantede audience; al schamfast he sette him doun aȝein. [2237] ffor Salomon seiþ. þer¶ Salomon as þou mayst haue non audience; enforce þe nouȝt to speke [2238] ¶ I se wel quod þis wyse man þat þe commune prouerbe is soþ þat good counseil wanteþ. whan it is most nede

[2239] ¶ Ȝit hadde þis Melibeus in his counseille many folk þat priuely in his eere counseled him certein þing. and counseilled him þe contrary in general audience

[2240] ¶ When Melibeus hadde herd þat þe gretteste party of his counseil were acorded þat he schulde make werre; anon he consentede to here counseilyng ¶ and fully affermed to here sentence [2241] ¶ Thanne dame Prudence whan þat sche saugh how þat hire housbonde schope him for to wreke him on his foes and to begynne werre ¶ Sche in ful humble wyse whan sche saugh hire tyme / seyde him in þise wordes [2242] ¶ My lord quod sche I ȝou beseche as hertely as I dar and can ¶ Ne haste ȝou nouȝt to faste ¶ And afore alle guerdouns ȝif me audience [2243] ¶ ffor Pieres Alphons. saiþ ¶ O who so doþ to þe good oþer harme haste þe nought to quyten hit ¶ ffor in þis wise þy frend wole abyde and þin enemy schal þe lengere lyue in drede [2244] ¶ The prouerbe saiþ þat he hasteþ him wel þat wisly can abyde ¶ and in wicked haste is no profyte

[2245] ¶ This mely be answerde to his wijf ¶ ¶ Prudence I purpose nought quod he to werke by þy counseille for many causes and resons ¶ ffor certes euery wight wolde halde me þenne a fool [2246] ¶ This is for to say ¶ If I for þy counseillyng wolde chaunge þinges þat ben ordeynt and affermed by so many wyse [2247] ¶ Sec|oundly I say þat alle wommen ben þikke and none goode of hem alle ffor of a þousend men saiþ Salomon I fand a good man But certes of alle wommen fond I neuer good womman [2248] ¶ And also certes if I gouerned me by þy counseil it schulde seme þat I hadde ȝoue to þe ouer me þe maystrie ¶ and god forbede þat it so were [2249] ¶ ffor Ihesus Cyrak saiþ. þat if þin wijf haue maistrie; sche is contrarious to hire housebonde [2250] ¶ and Salomon saiþ ¶ Neuer in þy lyf to þy wyf ne to þy childe ne to þy freende ne ȝiue no power ouer þi self ¶ ffor bettre it were þat þin children asken of þy persone þinges þat hem needeþ ¶ þen þou [be] þi self in þe handes of þin children [2251] ¶ And also if I wole wirche by þi counseylyng; certes my counseille moste som tyme be secree til it were tyme þat it moste be knowe and þis ne may nought be doo [2252. For it is written, 'þe Iangelry of wommen can huyde þinges þat þey wot nouȝt' [2253] Furthermore, the philosopher saith, 'in wikked counseil, wommen venquyssheþ men;' and for these reasons I ought not to make use of thy counsel. (See Prudence's answers to Reasons 4 & 5, below.)]

[2254] ¶ When dame Prudence ful debonerly and wiþ alle pacience hadde herde alle þat hire housbonde liked for to say: Then asked sche of him licence for to speke and sayde in þis wise [2255] ¶ My lord quod sche. as to ȝoure ferste resoun it may lightly ben answerde ¶ ffor I say þat it nys foly to chaunge counseille when þe þing is chaunged Oþer elles when þe þing semeþ oþer weyes þenne it semeþ aforn [2256] ¶ And more ouer I say þay þat ȝe haue sworn and behight to parfourme ȝoure emprise [et tu la laissoies a faire (Le Ménagier de Paris, i. 193)] by iuste cause; men schulde nouȝt seyn þerfore þat ȝe were a lyere ne forsworn [2257] ¶ ffor þe book seiþ þat þe wise man makeþ no lesynge when he torneþ his corage / to þe bettre [2258] ¶ And if it be so þat ȝoure emprise be establissht and ordeyned by gret multitude of folk ¶ ȝet þar þe nought acomplyse þilke ordynaunce but ȝou like [2259] ¶ ffor þe trouþe of þinges and for profite ben raþer founde. in fewe folk þat ben wise / and fulle of reson þen by gret multitude of folk þer euery man cryeþ and clatereþ when him likeþ ¶ soþly such multitude nys nought honeste [2260] and as to þe secounde reson wher as ȝe sayn þat alle wommen ben wikke; Saue ȝoure grace ffor certes ȝe despyseþ alle wommen in þis wise. and he þat alle despiseþ all dispyseþ as seiþ þe book [2261] ¶ And Senek seiþ þat who so wole haue sapi|ence. schal no man dispreyse ¶ But he schal gladly teche þe science þat he can wiþouten presumpsioun or pryde [2262] and suche þinges þat he nought ne can he schal nouȝt be asshamed to lere him and to enquere of lasse folk þan of himself [2263] ¶ And sire þat þer haþ ben ful many a good womman may lightly be proued [2264] ¶ certes sire oure lord ihesu crist nolde neuer han descendet to be borne of a womman if alle wommen hadde be wicke [2265] ¶ And after þat for þe grete bounte þat is in wommen oure lord Ihesus when he was rysen fro deþ to lyfe appered raþer to womman þan to his apostels [2266] ¶ and þough þat Salomon saiþ þat he ne fond neuer womman good it folweþ nought þerfore þat alle wommen ben wikke [2267] ¶ For þough þat he ne fonde no good womman Certes many anoþer man haþ founden many a womman ful good and trewe [2268] Or elles perauenture þe entent of Salamon was þus þat as in souereyn bounte he fande no womman [2269] This is to say þat þer nys no wight þat haþ parfyt bounte saue god allone as he himself recordeþ in his euaun|gelist [2270] ¶ For þer nys no creature so good that him ne wanteþ som what/ of þe perfeccion of god þat is his makere [2271] ¶ The þridde resoun is þis ȝe say þat if ȝe gouerne ȝou by my counseil hit schulde seme þat ȝe hadde ȝoue me þe maystry And þe lordschip of ȝoure persone // [2272] Sire saue ȝoure grace hit nys nought so ¶ For if so were þat no man schulde be counseled but oonly of hem þat hadde lorschipe and maystrye of his persone men nolde nought be counseiled so ofte. [2273] For soþly þilke men þat askeþ counseil of a purpos ¶ ȝet haþ he free wille wheþer he wol do after þat counsel or no [2274] ¶ And as to ȝoure fourþe reson þer as ȝe sayn þat þe Iangelry of wommen can huyde þinges þat þey wot nouȝt ¶ As who saiþ þat a womman can nought huyde what sche wot [2275] ¶ Sire þese wordes ben vnder|stonde of wommen þat ben Iangleresses and wicked [2276] of whiche wommen men sayn þat þre þinges dryueþ a man out of his hous. That is to say Smoke droppyng of Rayn and wickidde wyfes [2277] And swiche wommen saiþ Salamon þat he were bettre to dwelle in desert þan with a womman þat is ryetous [2278] And sire by ȝoure leue þat am nought I [2279] ¶ For ȝe haue ful ofte assayed my grete Cilence and my grete pacience and eek how wel þat he can huyde and hele þinges þat men oughten secrely to huyden [2280] ¶ and soþ as to ȝoure fifte reson wher as ȝe say þat in wikked coun|seil wommen venquyssheþ men ¶ God wot þilke reson stant heere in no stede [2281] ¶ For vnderstandeth now ȝe axeth counseil for to do wikkednes [2282] and if ȝe wolen werke wikkednesse and ȝoure wijf restreyneþ þilke wikked purpos and ouercome ȝou by reson and by good counseil; [2283] certes ȝoure wyf oughte raþer to be preysed þen to be blamed [2284] ¶ This scholde ȝe vnder|stande þe philosophre þat saiþ In wicked counseil wommen venquysshen here housebondes [2285] ¶ and þere as ȝe blamen alle wommen & here resons; I schal schewe ȝou by many ensamples þat many wommen han ben ful goode and ȝet ben and here counsel holsome and profitable [2286] ¶ eeke some men han sayde þat þe counselyng of wommen is eyþer to deere or elles to lytel of pris [2287] ¶ But al be it so þat ful many womman is badde and here counseil vile & nouȝt worþ; ȝet han men founde many a good womman and ful discret and wys in counselyng // [2288] lo Iacob þurgh þe goode counseil of his moder Rebekka wan þe benyson of his fader and þe lordschipe ouer alle his breþeren . [2289] Iudith þurgh hire goode counseil delyuered þe Cite of Buphelye in which sche dwelte out of þe lande of Olyuerne þat hadde it al byseged and wolde han al destruyet it [2290] ¶ Abegayle delyuered Nabal hir housbonde fro Dauid þe king þat wolde han slayn him and appaysede þe yre of þe king by hire witte and by hire goode counseil|yng [2291] ¶¶ Ester by hire counceil enchaunced gretly þe poeple of god in þe Regne of Assueres þe king [2292] and þe same bounte. in good counseiling of many a womman may men telle [2293] ¶ And furþermore whan þat oure lord had created Adam oure forme fader; he sayde in þis wise / [2294] It nys nought good to be a man allone ¶ Make we an helper semblable to him|self. [2295] ¶ Here may ȝe see þat if þat womman were nouȝt good and hire counseil good and profytable; [2296] Oure lord god of heuene ne wolde neuer han y-wrouȝt hem ne called hem þe helper of man . . . . .no gap. [2297] ¶ And þer sayde ones a clerk in tuo vers / what is bettre þan a good Iaspre . . . . .no gap. wisdom [2298] And what is bettre þan wisdam womman and what is bettre þan womman þat is a good womman no þing [2299] ¶ And sire by many of oþer resons may ȝe seen þat many wommen ben goode and eek here counseil good and profitable [2300] ¶ And þerfore sire if ȝe wiln truste to my counseil; I schal restore ȝou ȝoure doughter hool and sound [2301] ¶ And eek þat I wol to ȝou don so moche þat ȝe schuln haue honour in þis caas

[2302] ¶ When melybe had herde þe wordes of his wijf Prudence; he sayde þus [2303] þat þe wordes of Salamon is soþ ¶ For he saiþ þat wordes þat ben' spoken discretly by ordynaunce ben hony combes ffor þey ȝiuen swetnesse to þe soule and holsomnes to þe body [2304] ¶ And wyf by cause of þine swete wordes and eeke for I haue y-proued and sayd þin grete sapience and þin grete trouþe I wol gouerne me by þyn counseyl in alle þing

[2305] ¶ Now sire quod dame Prudence and seþenes ȝe fouche sauf to be gouerned by my counseil; I wol enforme ȝou how þat ȝe schuln gouerne ȝoure self in chesyng of ȝoure counseilours [2306] ¶ ȝe schuln ferst fourme alle ȝoure wekes mekely byseken to þe hihe god þat he wol ben ȝour counseilour [2307] And schapeþ ȝou to such entent þat he ȝiue ȝou counseil and confort as taughte Thobye to his sone [2308] at alle tymes. thou schalt/ blesse god and preyen him to dresse / þine weyes. and loke also þat þine counseiles ben in him for euermore [2309] ¶ Seint Iame saiþ ¶ If any of ȝou haue neede of Sapience; aske it of god [2310] ¶ And afterward þenne schullen ȝe take counsel in ȝoure self and examyn wel ȝoure owne þouȝtes of swiche þinges as ȝou þenkeþ þat is best for ȝoure profyt [2311] ¶ And þenne schulle ȝe dryue fro ȝoure hertes þinges þat ben contrarious to good counseil [2312] þat is to say. Ire. Coueytise. and hastynes.

[2313] ffirst he þat askeþ counseil of himself; certes he moste be wiþouten Ire . . . . .[2314] . . . . .no gap in the MS. and wraþþe in himself he weneþ alwey þat he may do þing þat he may not do [2315] ¶ And secoundly he þat is Irous and wroþ he . . . . .[2316] no gap in the MS. may nought wel counseille [2317] ¶ The þridde is þis. þat he þat is Irous and wroþ as saiþ Senek ne may nought speke but blameful þinges [2318] And with þilke vicious wordes he stereþ oþer folk to anger and to Ire [2319] And eek sire ȝe moste drede coueytise out of ȝoure herte. [2320] ffor þe apostel seiþ þat coueytise is þe roote of alle harmes. [2321] And trusteth right wel þat a coueytous man ne can nought deme ne þenke but only to fulfille þe ende of his coueytise. [2322] and certes þat ne may neuer be acomplised. ffor euer þe more habundance þat he haþ of richesse; þe more he desireþ [2323] ¶ And sire ȝe moste also driue out of ȝour hertes hastynes [2324] ¶ For certes ȝe may nouȝt deme for þe beste a sodeyn þought þat falleþ in ȝoure herte ¶ But ȝe moste avise ȝou on hit ful ofte [2325] ¶ ffor as ȝe haue herd here biforn þe comune proverbe is þis That he þat sone demeþ sone repenteþ //

[2326] Sire ȝe ne be nouȝt alwey in ylike disposicion [2327] ffor certes som þing þat some tyme semeþ to ȝou þat is good for to do. Anoþer tyme it semeþ to ȝou þe contrarie. [A great bit is now omitted in Corpus.]

[2328] [When ye han taken counseile in your self And han demed bi good deliberacion siche þing as you semiþ best [2329] ¶ þanne rede I / you that ye kepe it secre / [2330] bewrie not your counseile to no persone. bot it so be. þat ye wene sikerli þat þurgh your bewrieng / your condicion shal be to you þe more profitable [2331] ¶ For Ihesus Sirac saiþ ¶ Neiþer to þi foo ne to þi frende. discouer not þi secre ne þi foli. [2332] for þai wol yeue you audience and loking and supportacion in þi presence and scorne in þi absence. [2333] ¶ Anoþer clerc saiþ þat scarsli shalt þounota finde any persone þat mai kepe counseil secreli. [2334] ¶ The book saiþ while þou kepest þi counsail in þin hert þou kepist it in þi prison / [2335] and whan þou bewriest þi counsaile to any wight / he holdeþ þe in his snare ./ [2336] And þerfore you is better hide your counsaile. in your hert / þan praien him to whom ye haue bewried your counseil þat he wol kepe it clos and stille. [2337] ¶ For Seneca saiþ if so be. þat þou ne maist not. þin owne counseile hide. How darst þou praien any oþer wight / þi counseil secreli to kepe. [2338] ¶ Bot naþeles if þou wene sicurli / þat þi bewriyng of þi counsaile to a persone wol make þi condicion to stonde in a better plite. Then shalt þou tellen him þi counseil in þis wise [2339] ¶ First þou shalt make no semblant / where þe were leuer werre or pees. or þis. or þat. ne shew him not þi wille / and þin entent [2340] ¶ For trust wel þat comunli þise counseilours. ben flaterers And [2341] namely þe counseil|lours of grete lordes. [2342] for þei enforcen hem alwei. raþer to speke plesant wordes. enclynyng to þe lordes lust þan wordes þat ben trewe. and profitable. [2343] ¶ And þerfore men sai þat þe riche man haþ selden good coun|saile / bot he haue it of himself [2344] ¶ And aftir þat þou shalt considre þi frendes and þi enemyes ./ [2345] And as touching þi frendes. þou shalt con|sidre whiche of hem beth most faiþful and most[Laud MS 600] wise. and eldest and most approued in counseilyng [2346] and of hem shalt þou axe þi counsaile as þe caas requireth

[2347] ¶ I / sai þat first ye shul clepe to youre coun|saile / youre frendes þat ben trewe ./ [2348] For Salamon saiþ / for right as þe hert of a man delitiþ in sauour. þat is soote / right so þe counsaile of your trewe frendes / yeueþ swetnes to þe soule [2349] ¶ He saiþ also þer mai noþing be likned to þe trewe frende / [2350] ¶ For certes gold ne siluer be not so moche worþ. as þe good wille of a trewe frende / [2351] and eke he saiþ þat a trewe frende. is a stronge defence / who þat it findeþ. certis he findeþ a gret tresour [2352] ¶ þene shul ye eke considre / if þat youre trewe frendes ben discrete and wise / for þe book saiþ. axe þi counsaile alwai of hem þat ben wise. [2353] And bi þis same resoun. shul ye clepe to youre counsaile of youre frendes þat ben age. siche as haue sai sightes and ben expert in mony þinges. and ben approued in counseiling. [2354] for þe book saiþ þat in olde men is þe sapience. and in longe time þe prudence [2355] ¶ And tullius saiþ þat grete þinges ben not aye accompleed bi strengþe ne bi delyuernes of bodi. bot bi good counsail. bi auctorite of persones and bi science. þe whiche þre þinges ben not feble bi age ./ bot certes þai enforcen to en|cresen dai by dai. [2356] and þan shul ye kepe þis for a general rewle ¶ First shul ye clepe to youre counsaile a fewe of your frendes þat ben especial [2357] ¶ For Salamon saiþ mony frendes haue þou. bot among a þousand chese þe on to be þi conseil|lour / [2358] For al be it so þat þou first ne telle þi counseil bot to a fewe. þou maist aftirward telle it to moo folk / if it be nede. [2359] bot loke alwey þat þi counseilours haue þi[l]k þre condiciouns. þat I / haue said before. þat is to sai þat þei be trewe and olde. and[Laud MS] of wis experience. [2360] ¶ And wirke not alwey in euery nede / bi on counseilour allone. For somtyme behoueþ it be counseilid bi many. [2361] ¶ For Salamon saiþ. Saluacion of þinges is. where as þer ben many counselers.][Laud MS ex|tract ends]

[2362] Now haue I tolde ȝou of which folkCorpus MS, on leaf 221, back ȝe scholde be counseled NOw wol I teche ȝou which counseil ȝe owe to eschewe [2363] fferst ȝe schuln eschewe þe counseilyng of fooles. Salomon saiþ take no coun|seil of a fool ffor he wol counseile but after his owne luste and his affections [2364] ¶ The book/ saiþ þat þe proprete of a fool is þis ¶ he troweþ lightly harme of euery wight and lightly troweþ a bounte in himself [2365] ¶ Thou schalt eke eschewe þe counseiling of alle flaterers whiche enforcen hem raþer to preysen ȝoure persone by flaterye þan for to telle ȝou þe soþ|fastnesse of þinges

[2366] ¶ Wherfore Tullius saiþ among alle þe pestilence þat ben in frendschipe þe grettest is flaterie ¶ And þerfore is it more nede þat þou eschewe and drede flaterers þan any oþer poeple / [2367] The book saiþ þou schalt raþer [drede and] fle fro þe swete wordes of flaterynge & preysyng þen fro þe egre wordes of þy frend þat saiþ þe þin soþes [2368] Salomon saiþ þat þe wordes of a flaterer is a snare to cacche Innocence [2369] ¶ he saiþ also. he þat spekeþ to his frend wordes of swetnes and of plesance; setteþ a nette biforn his feet to cacche him [2370] ¶ And þerfore Tullius saiþ Enclyne nouȝt þin eeres to flaterers Ne take no counseil of wordes of flaterie / [2371] and Caton saiþ ¶ Avise þe wel and eschewe þe wordes of swetnes and of plesaunce [2372] ¶ And eek þou schalt eschewe þe counsellyng of þine olde enemys þat be reconsiled [2373] The book saiþ þat no wight retourneþ saufly in to þe grace of his olde enemy [2374] ¶ And Isope saiþ ¶ Ne truste nouȝt to hem to whiche som tyme þou hast had werre / or enmyte ne telle hem nouȝt þi counseille [2375] ¶ And Senek telleþ þe cause why it may nought be saith he þat where long tyme fuyr haþ endured þat þer dwelleþ som tyme vapour of hete [2376] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Salamon in þin olde foo truste þou neuere [2377] ffor sikerly þough þin enemy be reconsiled and makeþ þe chere of humilite and lowteþ to þe wiþ his heed ne truste him neuere [2378] ffor certes he makeþ þilke feyned humilite more for his profyt þan for eny humilite or for eny loue of þin persone by . . . . .no gap such feyned contynance The which victory he might haue by stryf or werre [2379] And Petre Alfouns saiþ. make no felaschipe wiþ þine olde enemyes; ffor if þou do hem bounte þey wollen peruerten hit to wickednesse [2380] And eeke þou most eschewe þe counseilyng of hem þat ben þin seruantz and beren the gret reuerence ffor perauenture þey seyn it more for drede þan for loue [2381] ¶ And þerfore saiþ a Philosophre in þis wise ¶ Ther nys no wight parfytly trewe to him þat he to sore dredeþ [2382] ¶ And Tullius saiþ ¶ Ther nys no wight so gret of eny emperour þat longe may endure / but if he haue loue of þe poeple and drede [2383] ¶ Thow schalt eschewe also þe counseiling of folk þat ben drunkelewe for þey ne can no counselle huyde. [2384] Salamon saiþ þer nys no pryuyte þer as regneþ drunkenes [2385] ¶ ȝe schullen han also in suspecte to þe counseling of such folk as counseile ȝow a þing priuily and counseile ȝou a þing þat is contrarie openly [2386] ffor Cassidory saiþ þat it is a maner sleighte to hyndre his enemy when he scheweþ to don a þing openly and werkeþ priuily þe contrarie [2387] ¶ Thou schalt haue also in þin suspecte þe conselynge of wikked folk . . . . .no gap þat is alwey ful of fraude [2388] and Dauid saiþ þat blisful is þe man þat haþ nought folwed þe counseling of schrewes [2389] ¶ Thow schalt also eschewe þe counseilling of ȝong folk ffor here counseilyng nys nought rype as Salomon saiþ

[2390] ¶ Now sire siþenes I haue schewed ȝou of which folk ȝe schuln take counsel and of which folk ȝe schuln folwe þe counsel / [2391] Now wol I teche ȝou how ȝe schuln examyn ȝoure counsel after the doctrine of Tullius [2392] in þe examynyng þenne of ȝoure counseilour ȝe schuln considere many þinges [2393] ¶ Alþer first þou schalt considere þilke þing þat þou purposest and vpon what þing þou wolt han counsell þat verray trouþe be sayde and conserued þis is to say telle trewly þin tale [2394] ¶ For he þat saiþ fals may [not] wel be counseiled in þat caas of which [he lyeth] [2395] ¶ And after þis þou schalt consideren þe þinges þat acorden to þat þou purposest for to be by þin counseil|ours if reson acordeþ þerto [2396] ¶ And eek if þi might may atteyne þerto ¶ And if þe more part and þe bettre part of ȝoure counseilours acorden þerto or no. [2397] þen schalt þou considere what þing schal folwe of here counseilinge. as hate pees werre grace profyt other damage and many oþer þinges [2398] And in alle þinges þou schalt chese þe beste and weyfe alle oþer þinges [2399] ¶ Thenne schalt þou considere of what roote it is engendred þe matier of þin counseil and what fruyt it may conceyue and engendre [2400] þou schalt eek considre alle þese causes for þe whiche þey ben spronge [2401] ¶ and whan ȝe haue examyned ȝoure counseil as I haue sayde and which partie is þe bettre and more profitable and hast aproued it by many wise folk and olde [2402] þanne schalt þou considere if þou mayst performe hit and make of hit a good ende [2403] ¶ For certes reson wol nouȝt þat any man schal begynne a þing but if he mighte performe hit as him owȝte [2404] ¶ Ne no wight schulde taken vpon him so heuy a charge þat he mighte [not] bere it [2405] ¶ For þe prouerbe saiþ he þat to mochel enbraceþ distreyneþ litel [2406] ¶ And Caton saiþ ¶ Assay such þing as þou hast power to done leste þe charge oppresse þe to sore þat þe bihoueþ to weyue þing þat þou hast bygonne [2407] ¶ And if so be þat þou be in doute. wher þou maist performe a þing or non; chese raþer for to suffre þan for to bygynne [2408] ¶ And Pieres alphouns saith If þou hast might to don a þing of which þou most repente it is bettre . . . . .[2409] . . . . .no gap halde þi tunge stille þan for to speke [2410] ¶ Then may I vnderstonde by strenger resouns þat if þou hast power to performe a werk of which þou schalt repente þe ¶ Thenne is it bettre þat þou suffre þan bygynne [2411] wel seyn þey þat defenden euery wight to assaye a þing of which he is in doute wher he may performe it or non [2412] ¶ And after when ȝe haue examynd ȝoure conseill as I haue sayd biforn and knowe wel þat ȝe may per|forme ȝoure emprise; conferme it þenne sadly til it be at an ende

[2413] ¶ Now is it reson and tyme þat I schewe ȝou whenne and where-fore þat ȝe may chaunge ȝoure counsel|ours wiþouten ȝoure reprofe [2414] ¶ Soþly man may chaunge his purpos and his counseill if þe cause cesseth or whan a newe cause betydeþ [2415] ¶ For þe lawe seiþ vpon þinges þat newely betyden bihoueþ newe conseill [2416] ¶ And Senek saiþ ¶ If þin counseil come to þe eeres of þin enemys; chaunge þi conseill [2417] [Après, l'en peut changier son conseil] if so be þou fynde þat by errour or by ony oþer cause harme or damage may betyde [2418] ¶ Also of þin counsel be dishoneste oþer elles come of dishoneste cause; chaunge þin counsel [2419] ¶ For þe lawe saiþ/ þat alle bihestes þat ben dishoneste ne ben of no value. [2420] and eek if so be þat it be impossible oþer may nouȝt gladly be performed oþer kepte

[2421] And take þis for a general reule / þat euery counsel þat is enformed so strongly þat it may nought be chaunged for no condicion þat may betyde; I say þat ilke consel is wicked.

[2422] ¶ Melibeus whan he hadde herd þe doctrine of his wijf dame prudence; he answerde in þis wyse. [2423] Dame quod he as ȝet vnto þis tyme ȝe han wel taught me as in generalle how I schal gouerne me and in þe chesyng and in þe wiþholdyng of my counseilours. [2424] But now wolde I fayn þat ȝe wolde condescende in special [2425] and telle me how þat likeþ ȝou or how þat semeþ ȝou by oure counseil|lours þat we haue chose in þis present neede

[2426] ¶ My lord quod sche I beseche ȝou in al humbles þat ȝe wolde nought wilfully reproeuen aȝein myn resons ne distempre ȝoure herte þough I speke þing þat ȝou displese [2427] ¶ ffor god woot as in myn entent I speke it as for þe beste for ȝoure honour and for ȝour profyt eeke [2428] ¶ And soþly I hope þat ȝoure be|nignite wol take it in pacience [2429] ¶ and trusteþ to me wel þat ȝoure counsel in þis cas ne scholde nouȝt as to speke proprely be called a counselynge but a mocioun or a meuyng of folye [2430] In which counseil ȝe haue herde in many a sondry wise

[2431] ¶ fferst and forþward ȝe han herd in þe assem|blyng of ȝour counsellours [2432] ¶ ffor ferst ȝe schulde haue cleped a fewe folk to ȝoure counseille ¶ And after þat ȝe might haue schewed it to mo folk if it hadde be neede. [2433] But certes sodeinly ȝe han cleped to ȝoure coun|seil a gret multitude of poeple fulle chargaunt and ful annuyous for to heere [2434] ¶ And also ȝe haue herde furthere as ȝe schulde only haue cleped to ȝoure counselle ȝoure trewe frendes olde & wise [2435] ¶ ȝe han cleped also straunge folk ȝong folk fals flaterers and enemys reconsiled and folk þat don ȝou reuerence wiþouten loue / [2436] and eek also ȝe haue herd for ȝe han brought wiþ ȝou to ȝoure counseil. Ire. coueytise and hastines [2437] þe whiche þre þinges ben contrary to euery good counseil and honest & profitable [2438] þe whiche þre þinges ȝe han nouȝt anyntesched oþer destruyed hem neyþer in ȝoure self ne in ȝoure / counceillours as ȝe aughte [2439] ¶ Ȝe han herde also for ȝe han schewed to ȝoure counseillours ȝoure talent ȝoure affeccion to make werre anon for to do vengeaunce [2440] And þey haue aspied by ȝoure wordes to what þing ȝe ben enclyned [2441] ¶ and þerfore haue þey raþer counseled ȝou to ȝoure talent þan to ȝoure profyt [2442] ȝe han herde also for semeþ it / sufficeþ to han ben coun|celed by þis counceillours oonly and wiþ litel auyse [2443] where as in so grete and in so heih a neede it haþ be necessarye mo counselours and mo deliberacions to parforme ȝoure emprise [2444] ¶ Ȝe han herd also for ȝe han herd nought ȝoure counsel in þe forseyde manere ne in dewe manere as þe cas requyreþ [2445] ¶ ȝe haue herd also for ȝe haue maad no dyuysion betwixe . . . . .no gap ȝoure trewe frendes and ȝoure feyned concelours [2446] ¶ Ne ȝe haue nouȝt knowe þe wille of ȝoure trewe freendes olde and wise. [2447] but ȝe haue cast alle here wordes in an hoche potte and enclyned ȝoure herte to þe more part and to þe grettere nombre . . . . .[2448] . . . . .no gap in the MS. of fooles þenne of wise men. [2449] ¶ And þerfore þe counselynge þat ben at congregacions and mul|titudes of folk þer as men take more reward to þe nombre þen to Sapience of persones; [2450] ȝe seen wel þat in suche councelynges fooles haue þe maystrie [2451] ¶ Melybe answerde and sayde aȝein I graunte wel þat I haue herd [2452] ¶ But þer as þou hast tolde me þer biforn þat he nys nought to blame þat chaungeþ his coun|ceiloures for certein caas and for certein and iuste cause [2453] I am al redy to chaunge myne counceilours right as þou woldest deuyse [2454] ¶ ffor þe prouerbe saith þat for to don synne is mannyssch But certes for to perseueren longe in synne is werkes of þe deuel.

[2455] To þis sentence answered anon dame Pru|dence and sayde. [2456] examyneþ quod sche ȝoure con|selle and let vs se þe which of hem haþ spoke more resonably and taught ȝou best conseil [2457] ¶ And for as moche as þat examinacion is necessary. let vs begynne at surgiens and at phisiciens þat first spaken of þis matiere [2458] ¶ I say þat Phisiciens & surgiens haue sayd ȝou in ȝoure consel discretly as hem oughte [2459] & in here speche sethens ful wisly þat to þe office of hem apperteyneþ to don to euery wight honour and profyt and nouȝt for to ennoye [2460] and after here crafte to don gret diligence vnto þe cure of hem whiche þat þey haue in here gouern|aunce [2461] and sir right as þey han answered wisly and discretly; [2462] Right so rede I þat þey ben heighly and souereynly guerdount for here noble speche [2463] and eek for þey schullen more do þe ententyf busynes in þe curacion of þin doughter deere [2464] ¶ ffor al be it so þat þei ben ȝoure freendes; þerfore schuln ȝe nouȝt suffre þat þey serue ȝou for nought [2465] ¶ But ȝe aughte þer after guerdon hem and payen hem here largesse [2466] ¶ and as touchynge þe proporcion which þat þe phisiciens encreseden in þis caas ¶ This is to sayn [2467] þat in maladyes is þat a contrary is warisshed by anoþer contrarie [2468] ¶ I wolde fayn knowe how ȝe vnderstode þilke text and what is ȝoure sentence [2469] ¶ Certes quod Mellibeus I vnderstande it in þis wise. [2470] Right as þey haue done me a contrary; so schuld I don hem anoþer [2471] ¶ ffor right as þey haue venged hem vpon me; and don me wrong; Right so wol I venge me vpon hem and don hem wrong [2472] and þenne haue I cured a contrary by anoþer

[2473] ¶ lo lo quod dame prudence how lightly is euery man enclyned to his owne desir to his plesaunce [2474] ¶ Certes quod sche þe wordes of þe phisicien ne schulde nouȝt be vnderstande in þat wise [2475] ffor certes wikkednesse is nouȝt contrary to wickednes ne vengeance is nouȝt contrary to veng|aunce ne wrong to wrong [mais sont semblables. [2476] Et pour ce, vengence par vengence, ne injure par in|jure, n'est pas curé (Men. i. 206-7)] [2477] But euery of hem encreseþ and engreggeþ oþer [2478] ¶ But certes þe wordes of þe phisicien schullen ben vnder|stonde in þis wise [2479] ¶ ffor good and wicked|nesse ben tuo contrarious ¶ And pees and werre venge|ance and sufferance discord and acord and many oþer þinges [2480] ¶ But certes wickednesse schal ben y-warisched by goodnes. discord by acord. werre by pees and so forþ and oþer þinges [2481] ¶ And herto acordeþ seint Poule þe appostel and in many place [2482] he saiþ ¶ Ne ȝeldeþ nouȝt harm for harm ne wicked speche [pour mesdit] [2483] But do wel to hem þat don þe harme and blesse hem þat saiþ to þe harme [2484] And many oþer places he amonysscheþ pees and acord [2485] ¶ But now wol I speke of þe coun|seil which was y-ȝoue vnto ȝou by men of lawe þe wise folk and olde folk [2486] þat sayden alle by on acorde as ȝe haue herde biforn [2487] ¶ That ouer alle þinges ȝe schullen don ȝoure diligence to kepe ȝoure persone and to warmstore ȝoure hous [2488] ¶ And þay sayden also þat in þis caas ȝe oughten to wirchen ful avisily and wiþ gret deliberacion [2489] ¶ And sir as to þe first poynt þat toucheþ vnto þe kepyng of ȝoure persone [2490] ȝe schullen vnderstande þat he þat haþ werre schal euermore deuoutely and mekely preyen biforn alle þinges [2491] þat Ihesus crist of his mercy wole haue him in his proteccion and ben his souerein helpynge at his neede [2492] ffor certes in þis world nys no wight þat may be counseled ne kepte sufficiauntly wiþ|outen þe kepyng of oure lord ihesus crist [2493] To þis sentence accordeþ þe prophete dauid þat saiþ. [2494] If god ne kepe þe cite in ydel wakeþ he þat it kepeþ [2495] ¶ Now sir þenne schulle ȝe quyte þe kepyng of ȝoure persone to ȝoure trewe frendes þat ben aproved and y-knowe [2496] and of hem schuln ȝe asken helpe ȝoure persone for to kepe ¶ ffor Caton saiþ ¶ If þou hast neede of helpe; aske it of þin frendes [2497] ffor þer nys non so good a phisicien as þin trewe freend [2498] and after þis þenne schulle ȝe kepe ȝou fro alle straunge folk and fro lyeres And haue alway in suspecte here companye [2499] ¶ ffor pieres alphouns saiþ ¶ Ne take no companye by þe way of straunge man but it so be þou haue knowe him of lengere tyme. [2500] and if so be þat he falle in to þin company per|aduenture wiþouten þin assent [2501] enquere þenne as subtilly as þou canst of his conuersacion and of his lyf byfore and feyne þy way seynge þou woldest go þider as þou woldest nouȝt go. [2502] and if he bereþ a spere holde þe on þe right syde of him . and if he bereþ a swerde holde þe on þe left syde of him. [2503] and þenne schul ȝe kepe ȝou wisly fro alle such manere of poeple as Ihaue sayde ȝou here bifore and hem and here coun|sel eschewe [2504] And after þis þenne schulle ȝe kepe ȝou in such manere [2505] þat for any presumpcioun of ȝoure bodily strengþe þat ȝe ne dispise nought ne accounte nouȝt þe might of ȝoure aduersary so lyte þat ȝe lete þe kepynge of ȝoure persone for ȝoure presumpcion [2506] ffor euery wysman dredeþ his enemy [2507] ¶ And Salamon saiþ wel fool is he þat of al haþ drede [2508] ¶ ffor certes he þat þurgh hardynesse of his herte and þurgh þe hardynes of himself haþ so gret presumpcion him schal yuele betyde [2509] ¶ Thenne schuln ȝe euermore encountrewayte enbusschementȝ and alle espyaile. [2510] ffor as saiþ þe wise man . . . . .no gap in the MS. [2511] he ne falleþ in to no periles þat periles escheweþ [2512] ¶ And al be it/ so þat þou seme þat þou be in secre place ȝet schalt þou alwey don diligence in the kepynge of þin persone [2513] þis is to say. Ne be nouȝt necligent to kepe þin persone nought only fro þin grettest enemy . but only fro þin leste enemy [2514] Senek saiþ a man þat is wel auysed he dredeþ his leste enemy [2515] Ovide seiþ þat þe lytel wesel wol sle þe grete bole and þe wilde hert [2516] And þe prouerbe saiþ þat a luytel þorne may greeue a king ful sore ¶ And a litel hound wol holde þe wilde bore [2517] ¶ But naþeles I say nought þou schalt be so coward þat þou doute wher as is no drede [2518] ¶ The bok saiþ that some men haue gret lust to disceyue but ȝit þey drede to be de|sceyued [2519] . . . . .no gap in the MS. And kepe þe fro þe company of Scorners [2520] ¶ ffor þe book saiþ þat scorners ne makeþ no companye but flee here word as venym

[2521] ¶ Now as to þe secounde poynt where as ȝoure wise counceilours counseiled ȝou to warmstore ȝoure houses wiþ gret diligence [2522] ¶ I wolde fayn knowe how þat ȝe vnderstande þilke wordes and what is ȝoure sentence.

[2523] Mellibeus answerde and sayde Certes I vnder|stande in þis wise þat I schal warmstore myn hous wiþ toures suche as haue castelles and oþer maner of edifices & armure and archers [2524] betwen which þing if I may my persone and myn hous so kepe and defende þat myn enemys schuln be in drede myn hous for to approche.

[2525] to þis sentence answerde anon prudence warnysshing quod sche of heihe toures and of heihe edifices appertyneþ somtyme to pryde [2526] And eek men make heihe toures [et les grans édifices à grant travail et à grans despens, et quant elles sont faites, elles ne vallent riens se elles ne sont defendues par sages et par bons amis loyaux, et à grans missions (Le Ménagier, i. 209)] [2527] ¶ And vnderstande wel þat þe grettest and þe strengest garnyson þat riche man may haue / as wel to kepen his persone and his goodes is [2528] þat he [be] biloued wiþ his subiectes and with his neihebours [2529] ¶ ffor¶ Tullius þus saiþ Tullius That þer is a maner garnyson þat no man may venquysschen ne discomfite and þat is [2530] a lord to be loued of his citeȝeins and of his poeple

[2531] ¶ Now sire as to þe þridde poynt where as ȝoure olde and wise counseiloures sayden ¶ þat ȝou ne oughte nouȝt sodeinly ne hastely proceden in þis neede [2532] But þat ȝe oughten purueyen and apparayle ȝou in þis caas wiþ gret diligence and with gret deliberacion [2533] ¶ Trewely I trowe þat þay sayden right wisly and right soþ [2534] ¶ ffor Tullius saiþ In euery¶ Tullius. neede er þou begynne it apparayle þe with gret diligence. [2535] þenne say I þat in vengaunce takyng in werre in bataille and in warnestoringe [2536] er þou bygynne ¶ I rede þat þou apparayle þe þer to ¶ And do it wiþ gret deliberacion [2537] ¶ ffor Tullius saiþ. þat lange apparaylinge biforn þe bataile¶ Tullius. makeþ schort victory [2538] ¶ And Cassidorus saiþ þe¶ Cassidorus garnyson is strenger whan it is long tyme avised

[2539] But now lete vs speke of þe counseil þat was acorded by oure neyheboures suche as don ȝou reuerence wiþouten loue [2540] ȝoure olde enemys recon|siled ¶ ȝoure flaterers [2541] þat counceleden ȝou cer|teyn þinges priuely and openly counseileden ȝou þe contrarie [2542] ¶ The ȝonge folk also þat counseiled ȝou to vengen ȝou and to maken werre anon. [2543] ¶ And certes sire as I haue sayde byforn; ȝe haue gretly y-erred to han y-cleped suche maner of folk to ȝoure counselle [2544] ¶ Whiche counseiloures / ben ynough reproued by þe resons aforn sayde [2545] ¶ But naþeles let vs now descende to þe special ȝe schuln ferst proceden after þe doctrine of Tullius [2546] ¶ Certes the trouþe of þis matier eyþer of þis counseil nedeþ not diligently enqueren [2547] ¶ ffor it is wel wiste whiche þey ben þat doon ȝou þis trespas & vilenye [2548] and how many trespasoures and in what manere þey han don to ȝou al þis wronge and alle þis vilanye [2549] ¶ And after þis þanne schullen ȝe examine ȝe secounde condicion þe which þat Tullius addeth in þis matiere [2550] ¶ ffor Tullius putteþ a þing which þat he clepeþ consentynge þis is to say [2551] who ben þay and whiche ben þay and how many þat consenten to þin counseil in þin willefulnesse to don hasty vengeance [2552] ¶ And let vs concidre also who ben þay and how many ben þay . . . . .no gap þat consenten to ȝoure aduersaries [2553] And certes as to þe ferste poynt ¶ hit is wel knowen whiche ben þay þat consenten to oure hastyf wilful|nesse [2554] ¶ ffor trewely alle þo þat counselen ȝou to maken sodeyn werre ne ben nought ȝoure frendes [2555] ¶ let se now whiche ben þey þat ȝe holden so gretly ȝoure frendes as to ȝoure persone [2556] ¶ ffor al be it so þat ȝe ben mighty and ryche; certes ȝe ben but allone [2557] ¶ ffor certes ȝe ne han no childe but a doughter [2558] ne ȝe han no breþeren ne cosyns germayns ne non oþer neih kynrede [2559] ¶ Wherfore ȝoure enemys scholden stinte to plede wiþ ȝou ne to destruye ȝoure persone. [2560] ȝe knowen also þat ȝoure richesse moot ben dispended in diuerse partyes [2561] & when þat euery wight haþ his parte; þey woln take but litel rewarde to vengen þy deþ [2562] ¶ But þin enemys ben þre and þey haue many children breþeren cosyns and oþer neyh kynrede [2563] ¶ And þough so were þat þou haddest slayn of hem two oþer .iij. ȝet dwellen þere ynowe to awreken here deþ and to slen þin persone [2564] ¶ And þeih so be þat ȝoure kynrede be more siker and stedefast þen þe kyn of ȝoure aduersary [2565] ¶ ȝet neuer þe les ȝoure kynrede is but after kynrede þey ben but litel sibbe to ȝou [2566] ¶ And þe kyn of ȝoure enemys ben neigh sibbe to hem ¶ And certes as in þat he condicion is bettre þen is ȝoures [2567] ¶ þenne let vs consideren also of þe counseilynge of hem þat counseleden ȝou to taken sodeyn vengeance wheþer it acorde to reson or non. [2568] and certes ȝe knowen wel nay. [2569] ffor as by right and reson þer may no man take vengaunce of no wight ¶ But þe Iugge þat haþ Iurdixion of hit [2570] whan it is graunted him to take þilke vengeaunce hastely or at|temperelly as þe lawe requyreþ [2571] ¶ And ȝet more ouer of þilke worde þat Tullius clepeþ consenting; [2572] þou schalt consente if þin mighte & þin power may consente and suffice to þin wilfulnesse and to þin counseiloures [2573] ¶ And certes þou mayst wel say þat nay [2574] ¶ ffor sikerly as for to speken proprely we may do no þing but oonly such þing as we may doon rightfully [2575] ¶ And certes rightfully ne may ȝe take no vengaunce as of ȝoure propre auctorie [2576] ¶ Then may ȝe seen þat ȝoure power ne consenteþ nouȝt ne acordeþ nouȝt with ȝour willefulnesse [2577] Now lete vs examine þe þridde poynt þat Tullius clepeþ consequent [2578] Thou schalt vnderstanden þat þe vengaunce þat þou purposest for to take is conse|quent [2579] And þerfore falleþ anoþer vengaunce. Peril. and werre and oþre damages withouten nombre of whiche we ben nouȝ warre as at þis tyme [2580] ¶ And as touchinge þe forþe poynt/. þat Tullius clepeþ en|gendrynge [2581] ¶ þou schalt considere þat þis wrang which þat is don to þe is engendred of þe hate of þin enemys [2582] and of þe vengeance takynge ¶ And vpon þat wolde engendre anoþer vengeance and mochel sorwe and wastyng of richesse as I sayde er

[2583] ¶ Now sir as touchinge to þe poynt þat Tullius clepeþ causes which þat is þe laste poynt [2584] ¶ Thou schalt vnderstande þat þe wrong þat þou hast receyued haþ certein causes [2585] whiche þat clerkes clepen Oriens et Officiens and causa longinqua and causa propinqua ¶ This is to sayn þe ferre cause [et la prou|chaine; [2586] la loingtaine est Dieu qui est cause de toutes causes [2587] la prouchaine est tes trois ennemis (Le Mén. i. 212)] [2588] accidental was hate [2589] The causes material ben þe .v. woundes of þin douȝter [2590] ¶ The cause formale is þe maner of here worchinge þat brouȝten laddres and clomben in at þine wyndowes / [2591] ¶ The cause final was for to slee þin douȝter it latted nought in as moche as in hem was [2592] ¶ But for to speken of þe ferre cause as what ende þey schullen come Or what schal betyden of hem in þis caas ne can I nouȝt deeme. but by coniectyng and by supposynge [2593] ffor we schuln suppose [qu'ils avendront] to a wicked ende. [2594] by cause þe book of decrees saith ¶ Selden or wiþ gret peyne ben causes brouȝt to an ende when þey ben baldly bygonne

[2595] Now sir if men asked me why þat ȝe suffren men to don ȝou þis vilenye Certes I can not wel answere as for no soþfastnes [2596] ffor þe appostel saiþ þat þe sciences and þe Iuggementz of oure lord god ben mighty and deepe [2597] ¶ Ther may no man comprehende ne serche hem sufficiently [2598] ¶ Naþeles by certeins presumpcions & coniectynges I halde and bileeue [2599] þat god þat is ful of Iustice and of rightwisnesse haþ suffred þis bytyde by iuste cause resonable

[2600] ¶ þin name is mellibe þis is to say a man þat drinkeþ hony [2601] ¶ Thou hast y-drunke so meche hony of þe swete temperel richesses and delices & hon|ures of þis world [2602] þat þou art drunken and hast forȝeten oure lord ihu crist þin creatour [2603] ¶ Thou hast nouȝt don to him such honour as þe oughte [2604] ¶ Ne þou hast nouȝt wel take heede to þe wordes of Ovide þat saiþ [2605] vnder þe hony of þe goodes of þin body is hyd þe venym þat sleeþ þe soule [2606] ¶ And Salomon saiþ ¶ If þou hast founden hony ete of hit what sufficeþ [2607] ¶ ffor if þou ete of hit out of mesure / þou schalt spewe and be needy and pore [2608] ¶ And peraduenture crist hath þe in spite and haþ turned away fro þe his face and his eres of misericorde [2609] and also he haþ suffred þat þou hast ben y-punyssht/ in þe maner þat þou hast y-trespast [2610] ¶ Thow hast don synne aȝeins oure lord ihu crist [2611] ¶ ffor certes þe þre enemys of man|kynde þat is to say þe fleissch. þe ffeend. and þe worlde [2612] ¶ þou hast suffred hem to entre in þin herte wilfully by þe wyndowes of þy body [2613] and hast nouȝt defended þe sufficeantly aȝeins here defautes and here temptacions So þat þay haue wounded þi soule in fyue place. [2614] ¶ this is to sayn þe deedly synnes þat ben entrede in to þin herte by þine .v. wittes [2615] And in þe same manere oure lord ihesu crist haþ and wolde and haþ suffred þat þine þre enemys ben entred in to þin hous by þe wyndowes [2616] and han wounded þine doughtres in þe forseyde manere

[2617] ¶ Certes quod Mellibe I se wel þat þat ȝe en|force ȝou mochel by wordes to ouercome me in such a manere þat I schal now vengen me of myn enemys [2618] Schewynge me þe periles and þe eueles þat mighten ffalle of þis vengeance [2619] ¶ But who so wolde considere in alle vengances þe periles and eueles þat mighte sewe of vengance takynge; [2620] a man wolde neuere take vengance and þat were harme; [2621] ffor by þe veng|aunce takynge ben þe wickede men disseuered fro þe goode men [2622] ¶ And þo þat han wille to don wicked|nesse restreynen here wickede purpos whan þey seen þe punysschyng and þe chastysing of trespasours

[2623] [And to this answered dame Prudence: 'Certes,' said she, 'I grant you that from vengeance come many benefits as well as many evils: [2624] yet vengeance be|longeth not to "a singuler persone," but only to the judges, and to those who have jurisdiction over evil-doers.'] [2625] ¶ And ȝit say I more þat right as a singuler persone synneþ in takinge vengance of anoþer man; [2626] Right so synneþ þe Iugge if he take no vengance of hem þat it han desserued // [2627] ffor Senek saiþ þus þat mayster is good þat reproeueþ schrewes [2628] ¶ And as Cassidory saiþ. A man dredeth to don outrages; whan he woot and knoweþ þat it displeseþ þe Iuge and þe soueraignes [2629] ¶ And anoþer saiþ þe Iugge þat dredeth do don right makeþ schrewes [2630] ¶ And seint Poul þe appostel saiþ in his epistle whan he writeþ vnto þe Romayns that þe Iuges beren nought þe spere wiþouten cause. [2631] but þay beren it to punysschen þe schrewes and þe mysdoers and for to de|fende þe goode men [2632] ¶ If ȝe woln þenne take vengance of ȝoure enemys; ȝe schuln retourne or haue ȝoure recours to þe Iuge þat haþ þe Iurdexion vpon him [2633] & he schal punyssche hem as þe lawe axeþ and requyreþ

[2634] ¶ A quod Mellibe þis vengance likeþ me noþing [2635] ¶ I beþinke me now how fortune haþ norisched me fro my childhode and haþ holpen me to passe many a straunge pas [2636] ¶ Now wol I assayen here trowynge with goddes grace and helpe þat sche schal helpe me my schame for to venge

[2637] ¶ Certes quod Prudence if ȝe woln worche by my counseille; ȝe schuln nouȝt assaye fortune by no way. [2638] Ne ȝe schuln nought lene ne borwe vnto hire after þe word of Senek [2639] ffor þinges þat ben folily doon and þat ben in hope of ffortune schuln neuere come to a good ende [2640] ¶ and as þe same senek seiþ ¶ The more clere and þe more schynynge þat fortune is; þe more brutel and þe sonnere y-broke sche is [2641] ¶ trusteþ nouȝt in hire for sche nys noþing stedefast ne stable [2642] ffor when þou trowest to be most siker or seure of hire helpe; sche wol fayle þe and disceyue þe [2643] ¶ And wher as ȝe sayn þat fortune haþ norisshed ȝou fro ȝoure childhode [2644] I say ȝou þat in so mochel schuln ȝe þe lasse trusten in hire and in hire witte [2645] ¶ ffor Senek saiþ that what man is norisched by fortune; sche makeþ him to gret a fool [2646] ¶ Now þenne seþens ȝe desire and aske vengance ¶ And þe vengance þat is doon after þe lawe and biforn þe Iugge ne likeþ ȝou nought [2647] and þe vengance þat is don in hope of fortune is peril|ous and vncerteyn [2648] ¶ Thenne haue ȝe non oþer remedye but for to haue ȝoure recours vnto þe soueraign Iuge þat vengeþ alle vilanyes and wronges [2649] ¶ And he schal venge ȝou after þat þin self witnesseþ [ . . . . . ] [2650] leueþ þe vengance to me and I schal don hit

[2651] ¶ Mellibe answerde ¶ If I ne venge me nouȝt of þe wrong þat men han doon to me [2652] ¶ I schal sompne or warne hem þat han don þis vilanye to me and alle oþre to don me anoþer vilanye [2653] ¶ ffor it is writen ¶ If þou take no vengance of an olde vilanye; þou somp|nest þin aduersarie to don þe a newe vylanye [2654] [Et ainsi, par souffrir l'en me feroit tant de villenies de toutes pars] þat I mighte neyþer bere it ne sus|tene [2655] and so schulde I be ouersette and halden ouer lowe [2656] ¶ ffor men sayn ¶ In mochil suffrynge schullen many þinges falle vnto þe whiche þou schalt not mowe suffre

[2657] ¶ Certes quod Prudence I graunte þat ouer mochil suffrance / is nought good [2658] ¶ But ȝet ne folweþ it nouȝt þer-of þat euery persone to whom men don vilanye take of it vengance [2659] ffor þat apper|teneþ and longeþ al only to þe Iuges ffor þey schuln venge þe vilenyes and þe iniuries [2660] and þerfore þo tuo auctoritees þat ȝe han sayde aboue ben oonly vnderstanden in þe Iuges [2661] ¶ ffor whan þey suffren ouer mochil þe wronges and vilanyes ben don wiþouten punysschinge [2662] þay sompne nouȝt a man only for to do newe wronges but þay comaunden it [2663] ¶ Also a wise man saiþ þat þe Iuge þat cor|recteþ nouȝt þe synnere comaundeþ and biddeþ him to do synne [2664] ¶ And þe souerains and þe Iuges / mighten in here lande so mochel suffren of þe schrewes and mysdoers [2665] þat þey schulden by such suffraunce / by proces of tyme wexen of suche power and might þat þey schulde putte oute þe Iuges and þe soueraignes from here places [2666] and at þe laste maken hem leesen here lordschipes

[2667] ¶ But let vs now putte þat ȝe han leue to vengen ȝou [2668] ¶ If ȝe ben nouȝt of might and power as now to vengen ȝou [2669] ffor if ȝe woln maken comparison vnto þe might of ȝoure aduersaries ¶ ȝe schullen fynden in many þinges þat I haue schewed ȝou ben þis þat here condicion is bettre þan ȝoures [2670] ¶ And þerfore say I þat it is good as now þat ȝe suffre and be pacient

[2671] ¶ fferþermore ȝe knowen þat after þe commune sawe it is a woodnesse a man to streyne[ (margin) stryue] aȝeins a strenger or a more mighty man þen is himself [2672] ¶ And for to stryue wiþ a man of euene strengþe þat is to say wiþ a strong man as he is it is peril [2673] ¶ And for to stryue wiþ a waykare man it is folye. [2674] and þerfore schulde a man fle stryuyng/ as mochel as he mighte [2675] ¶ As Salomon saith ¶ It is a gret worschipe to kepyn him fro noyse and stryf [2676] ¶ And if it so bifalle or happe þat a man of grettere might and strengþe þan þou art do þe greuaunce [2677] study and busy þe raþer to stille þe same greuaunce þan for to venge þe [2678] ¶ ffor Senek saiþ þat he putteþ him in gret perile þat stryueþ wiþ a gretter man þan he is himself [2679] ¶ And Catoun saiþ if a man of heyer astate or degre or more mighty þen þou do þe annoye or greuance Suffre him [2680] for he þat ones haþ greued þe may anoþer tyme releue þe and helpe þe [2681] ¶ ȝit sette I cas ȝe han boþe might and licence to vengen ȝou [2682] I say þat þer ben many þinges þat schuln restreynen ȝou of vengannce takinge [2683] and make ȝou for to encline and for to suffre and for to haue pacience in þe wronges þat han be don to ȝou [2684] ¶ ffirste and forþward if ȝe woln concider þe defautes þat ben in ȝoure owne persone [2685] for whiche defautes god haþ suffred ȝou to haue þis tribulacion as I haue sayde ȝou here byforn. [2686] ¶ ffor þe Poete saiþ þat we oughten paciently taken þe tribu|lacions þat comeþ / to vs when we þenken and consydren þat we han disserued to han hem [2687] ¶ And seint Gregory saiþ ¶ þat whan a man considereþ wel þe nombre of his defautes and of his synnes [2688] þe peynes and þe tribulacions þat he suffreþ semen þe lasse vnto him [2689] ¶ And in als mochel as him þenk|eþ his synnes þe more heuy and greuous. [2690] ¶ In so moche semeþ his peyne þe lighter and þe esyer vnto him [2691] ¶ Also ȝe owen to encline and to bowen ȝoure herte to taken þe pacience of oure lord Ihesu crist as saiþ seint Petre in his Epistles [2692] ¶ Ihesu crist he saiþ haþ suffred for vs and ȝeuen ensample vnto euery man to folwe and to sewe him [2693] ffor he dede neuer synne ne neuere ne came a vileyns word out of his mouþ [2694] when men cursed him he cursed hem nought ¶ And when men beten him he manased hem nought [2695] ¶ Also þe grece pacience whiche seintes þat ben in paradys. han had in tribulacions þat þey han suffred wiþouten eny desert or gilte [2696] aughte mochel to stere ȝou to pacience [2697] [Après, moult te doit encliner à patience] [2698] considerynge þat þe tribulacions of þis worlde but litel while endureþ and soone passed ben and goon [2699] ¶ And þe Ioye þat man sekeþ to haue by pacience in tribulacion is perdurable / after þat þe apostel saiþ in þe epistle [2700] ¶ The ioye of god he seiþ is perdurable þat is to sayn euer lastynge [2701] ¶ Also troweþ and belieueþ stedefastly þat he is nought wel ynorissht ne wel y-taught þat can nouȝt haue pacience . . . . .no gap [2702] ¶ ffor salamon saiþ þat þe doctrine of þe witte of man is knowen by pacience [2703] ¶ And in anoþer place he saiþ ¶ he þat is pacient gouerneþ him by gret prudence [2704] ¶ And ȝet Salamon saiþ þe angry and þe wraþful man makeþ noyse ¶ And þe pacient man attempereth him and stilleþ him. [2705] he saiþ also ¶ It is more worþ to be pacient þen to be right strong [2706] And he þat may haue þe lordschipe of his owne herte is more to prayse þen he þat by his force and strengþe takeþ grete cites [2707] ¶ And þerfore seiþ seint Iame in his Epistle þat pacience is a gret vertu of perfection

[2708] ¶ Certes quod Mellibe I graunte ȝou dame Prudence and pacience is a gret vertu of perfeccion [2709] ¶ But euery man may not haue þe perfection þat ȝe sechen [2710] ne I am nought of þe nombre of right par|fyt men [2711] ¶ ffor myn herte may neuer ben in pees vnto þe tyme it be venged [2712] ¶ and al be it so þat it was gret peril to myn enemys to don a vilanye in takinge vengaunce vpon me [2713] ¶ ȝet token þey non heede of þe perille ¶ But fulfilleden here wikkede wille and here corage. [2714] and þerfore me þenkeþ þat men ouȝten not to reproue me þough I putte me in-to a litel peril for to auenge me [2715] ¶ And þough I do a gret excesse þat is to say þough I do a vengance outrage by anoþer

[2716] ¶ A quod dame prudence ȝe seyn ȝoure wille and as ȝou likeþ [2717] ¶ But in no caas of þe world a man ne scholde nouȝt don outrage ne excesse for to vengen him [2718] ¶ ffor Cassidory saiþ þat as euel doþ he þat auengeþ him by outrage as he þat doþ þe outrage [2719] and þerfore ȝe schullen vengen ȝou after þe ordre of right þat is to sayn by þe lawe and [nought] by excesse ne by outrage [2720] ¶ Also if ȝe woln vengen ȝou of þe outrage of ȝoure aduersaries in oþer manere þenne right comaundeþ; ȝe synnen [2721] ¶ Therfore saiþ Senek þat a man schal neuer vengen schrewedenesse [by schrewedenesse] // [2722] And if ȝe say þat right axeþ to defende violence by violence and fightynge by fyghtynge [2723] ¶ Certes ȝe say soþ when þe defens is don right anon wiþouten interualle or wiþouten taryenge or delay [2724] for to defenden him and nought for to vengen him [2725] ¶ And it bihoueþ þat a man putte such attemperance in his defense [2726] þat men han no cause ne matier to reproeuen him þat defendeþ him of excesse and of outrage . . . . .no gap. [2727] ¶ Par de ȝe knowe wel þat ȝe maken non deffense / as now for to defende ȝou But for to venge ȝou [2728] and so seweþ it þat ȝe haue no wille to do ȝoure deede attemperelly [2729] and þerfore me þenkiþ þat pacience is good ¶ ffor Salamon saiþ þat he þat is nought pacient schal haue gret harme

[2730] ¶ Certes quod Mellibe ¶ I graunte wel þat whan a man is vnpacient and wroþ of þat þat toucheþ him nouȝt and þat appertieneþ nought vnto him þough hit harme him it is no wonder [2731] ¶ ffor þe lawe saiþ þat he þat is coupable þat entermeteþ him or medeleþ him wiþ suche þing as apperteyneþ nouȝt vnto him [2732] ¶ And Salomon saith þat he þat entremeteþ him of þe noyse or þe stryf of anoþer man is ylike to him þat takeþ an hound by þe eeres [2733] ¶ ffor right as he þat takeþ a straunge hounde by þe eeres is oþerwhile y-byten wiþ þe hounde / [2734] Right in þe same wyse is þe reson þat he haue harme þat by his inpacience medleþ him of þe noyse of anoþer man wher as it apperteyneþ nouȝt vnto him [2735] ¶ But ȝe knowen wel þat þis dede þat is to sayn my grief and myn disese toucheþ me right neigh [2736] and þerfore þough I be wroþ and in|pacient it is no meruaylle [2737] ¶ And sauynge ȝoure grace I can nouȝt se þat it mighte gretly harme þough I toke vengance [2738] ¶ ffor I am richer and more mighty þen myn enemys ben [2739] ¶ And wel knowe ȝe þat by monye and by hauyng grete posses|sions ben alle þe þinges of þis world gouernede [2740] ¶ And Salamon saiþ. alle þinges obeyen to moneye

[2741] ¶ Whan Prudence hadde herd hire housbande to auaunten him of his richesse and of his moneye and dispreys|inge of power and his aduersaries ¶ ¶ Sche spake and sayde on þis wise [2742] ¶ Certis deere sir I graunte ȝou þat ȝe ben riche and mighty [2743] ¶ And þat þe richesses ben goode to hem þat han wel y-geten hem and þat wel can vsen hem [2744] ¶ ffor right as þe body of man may nought lyue wiþoute þe soule ¶ No more may it lyue withouten temperele goodes [2745] and by rich|esse may a man geten him grace [2746] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Pamphilles If eny gaddes doughter he saiþ be riche. Sche may cheese he saiþ of a þousand men [which she will for her husband [2747] and of the thousand] ¶ oon wol nought forsaken hire ne refusen hire [2748] ¶ And þis Pamphilles saith also ¶ If þou be riȝt happy ¶ þat is to say. If þou be right riche þou schalt fynden a gret nombre of felawes and frendes [2749] ¶ And if þin fortune chaungeþ þat is if þou wexe pore; ffare wel frendschipe and felaschipe [2750] ¶ ffor þou schalt ben allone wiþouten any companye but if it be þe companye of good folk [2751] ¶ And ȝit saiþ þis Pamphilles more ouer / þat þey þat ben þralle & bonde of linage schuln ben maad worþy and noble by þe richesses. [2752] ¶ And right so as by richesses þer comen many goodes ¶ Right so by pouert comeþ many harmes and eueles. [2753] ffor gret pouert con|streigneþ a man to don many eueles. [2754] And þer|fore clepeþ Cassidore Pouert. þe mooder of ruyne [2755] þat is to say þe moder of ouerþrowing or fallyng doun [2756] ¶ And þerfore saith Pieres alphouns ¶ On of þe grettest aduersary of þis world is [2757] when a freo by kynde or of birþe is constreigned by pouert to eten þe almes of his enemy [2758] ¶ And þe same saiþ Innocent in oon of his bookes. þat sorwfulle and myshappy is þe condicion of a pouere begger [2759] ¶ ffor if he axe nought his mete he deyeþ for hunger [2760] ¶ And if he axe he deyeþ for schame ¶ And algates necessite constreigneþ him to axe [2761] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Salamon þat bettre is to deye þan to haue such pouert [2762] ¶ ȝet saiþ Sala|mon þat bettre is to deye of bitter deþ þan for to lyue in suche wyse [2763] ¶ By þese resons þat I haue sayde vnto ȝou and by many oþer resons þat I kouþe say [2764] ¶ I graunte ȝou þat richesse ben good to hem þat geten hem wel and to hem þat wel vsen þe richesses [2765] ¶ And þerfore wol I schewe ȝow how ȝe schuln haue ȝou [en acquerant Richesses et en amassant icelles ]

[2766] ¶ fferst ȝe schuln geten hem wiþouten gret desire by good leysir sokyngly and nouȝt ouer hastily [2767] ¶ ffor a man þat is to desyringe to gete richesse; abandoneþ him ferst to þefte and to alle oþer eueles [2768] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Salamon ¶ he þat hasteþ him ouer busyly to waxe ryche schal ben non Innocent [2769] ¶ he saiþ also þat þe richesse þat hastely comeþ to a man ¶ sone and lightly goþ and passeþ fro a man [2770] ¶ But þat richesse þat comeþ lytel and litel waxeþ alwey and multiplieþ [2771] And sir ȝe schuln gete richesse ynough by ȝoure witte and by ȝoure trauayle vnto ȝoure profyt/ [2772] and þat wiþouten wrang or harme doynge to ony oþer persone [2773] ¶ ffor þe lawe saiþ þat þer makeþ no man himself ryche if he do harm to anoþer wight [2774] [car la loy dit que nul ne se face riche au dommage d'autruy (Le Ménagier de Paris, tome i. page 222)] [2775] ¶ And Tullius saiþ ¶ þat no sorwe ne no drede of deþ ne no þing þat may falle vnto man [2776] is so mochil aȝeins nature ¶ as a man to encresce his owne profyt to þe harme of anoþer man [2777] ¶ And þouȝ þe grete men and þe riche men geten richesse more lightly þen þou [2778] ȝet schalt þou nouȝt ben ydel ne slowe to don þin profyt ¶ ffor þou schalt in alle wise flee ydelnesse [2779] ¶ ffor Salamon saiþ þat ydelnesse techeþ man to don many eueles [2780] ¶ And eek he saiþ þat he þat trauayleþ and busyeþ him to tylyen his lande schal eten breed [2781] but he þat is ydel and casteþ him nought to no busynesse ne occupacion schal falle in-to pouert and deye for hunger [2782] ¶ and he þat is ydel & slowh can neuer fynde couenable tyme for to doon his profyte [2783] ffor þer is a versifiour þat saiþ þat þe ydel man excuseþ him in wynter by cause of þe grete colde ¶ And in somer by cause of þe grete hete [2784] ¶ ffor þise causes saiþ Caton ¶ wakeþ and enclyneþ ȝou nought ouer mochil for to slepe ¶ ffor ouermoche reste norissheþ and causeþ many vices [2785] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Seint Ierom ¶ Doþ some goode deedes þat þe deuyl which is oure enemy · ne fynde ȝou vnoccupied [2786] ¶ ffor þe deuel ne takeþ nouȝt lightly vnto his worch|inge suche as he fyndeþ y-occupyed in goode werkes

[2787] ¶ Thenne þus ¶ In getynge riches; ȝe mosten flee ydelnesse [2788] ¶ and afterwarde ȝe schuln vse þe richesses þe whiche ȝe han geten by ȝoure witte and by ȝoure trauayle [2789] in suche a manere þat men halden ȝou not to scars ne to sparynge ne to fool large þat is to say ouer large a spender [2790] ¶ ffor right as men blamen an auerous man by cause of his skarste and þinking [2791] in þe same wyse is he to blame þat spendeþ ouer largely [2792] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Caton ¶ vse þine riches þat þow hast y-geten [2793] in such manere þat men han no matiere ne cause to clepe þe wrecche ne chynche [2794] ¶ ffor it is gret schame to a man to haue a pouere herte and a riche purse [2795] ¶ he saiþ also þe goodes þat þou haste y-geten vse hem by mesure þat is to sayn spende mesurably [2796] ¶ ffor þey þat folily wasten and dispenden þe goodes þat þey han [2797] whan þay haue no more propre of here owne; þey schapen hem to take þe goodes of anoþer man [2798] ¶ I say þanne þat he schal flee auarice [2799] vsynge ȝoure richesse in suche a manere that men say not þat ȝoure richesses ben y-buried [2800] but þat ȝe han hem in ȝoure might and in ȝoure weldynge [2801] ffor a wise man reproueþ þe auerous man and saiþ þus in tuo vers [2802] ¶ wherto and why burieþ a man his goodes by his auarice and knoweþ wel þat needes moste he dye [2803] ¶ ffor deþ is þe ende of euery man as in þis present lyf [2804] ¶ And for what cause or encheson ioigneþ he him or knetteþ he hem so faste vnto his goodes [2805] þat alle his wittes mowen nouȝt disseueren him or departen him fro his goodes. [2806] and knoweþ wel or owghte to knowe þat whan he is deed he schal nouȝt bere out of þe world wiþ him [2807] ¶ and þerfore saiþ seint Austyn þat þe auerous man is likned vnto helle [2808] ¶ þat þe more it cheweþ þe more desir it haþ to swelwe and deuoure [2809] ¶ And as wel alle ȝe wolde eschewe to ben y-cleped an auerous man or a chynche [2810] ¶ As wel schulde ȝe gouerne ȝou and kepe ȝou in such a wyse þat men clepe ȝou nouȝt to large [2811] ¶ þerfore Tullius saiþ ¶ The goodes he saiþ of þin hous schulde not ben hydde ne kepte in cloos but þat þay mighte ben opened wiþ pitee and with debonairtee [2812] þat is to say to ȝeuen hem part þat han gret neede [2813] ¶ Ne þine goodes schullen not ben so opene to ben euery mannes goodes [2814] ¶ afterward in getynge of ȝour richesses ¶ And in vsynge hem ȝe schuln alway haue þre þinges in ȝoure herte [2815] [c'est assavoir, Dieu, conscience, et bonne fame, et renommée. [2816] Tu dois doncques avoir Dieu en ton cuer (Le Ménagier, i. 224)] [2817] ¶ And for no richesse ȝe schuln doon no þing þat may be displesaunce to god þat is ȝoure creatour and ȝoure maker [2818] ¶ ffor after þe word of Salamon ¶ hit is bettre to haue a luytel good wiþ þe loue of god. [2819] þan to haue mochil good and tresour and lese þe loue of his lord god [2820] ¶ And þe prophete saiþ. þat better it is to ben a good man and haue lytel good and tresour. [2821] þan to be halden a schrewe and to haue gret richesse [2822] ¶ ȝet say I forþermore þat ȝe schuln don ȝoure busynesse to geten ȝou richesse [2823] So þat ȝe geten hem wiþ good conscience [2824] ¶ And þe appostel saiþ þat þer is no þing in þis world of which we schulden haue so gret ioye; as when oure conscience bereþ vs good witnesse [2825] ¶ And þe wise man saiþ ¶ The substaunce of a man is ful good when synne is nought in mannes conscience [2826] ¶ Aftirward in getyng of ȝoure Richesses and in vsynge of hem; [2827] ȝe moste haue gret busynesse and gret diligence that ȝoure goode name be alwey kepte and conserued [2828] ¶ ffor Sala|mon saiþ ¶ þat better it is and more auayleþ a man to haue good name þen to haue grete richesses [2829] ¶ And þerfore he saiþ in anoþer place ¶ Do gret diligence saiþ Salamon in kepyng of þin frende and of þin goode name [2830] ¶ ffor it schal lenger abyde with þe þan eny tresour be it neuer so precious [2831] ¶ And certes he schulde nouȝt be cleped a gentil man þat after god and good conscience alle þinges lefte þat he ne doþ his busynesse ne diligence to kepen his good name [2832] ¶ And Cassidorie saiþ þat it is signe of a good herte whan a man loueþ and desyreþ to haue a good name [2833] ¶ And þerfore seiþ seint austyn þat þer ben tuo þinges þat ben necessary and needfulle [2834] ¶ And þat is good consciens [2835] to þin owne persone inward and good loos ffor þin neyhebour outward [2836] ¶ And he þat trusteþ him so mechel in his goode conscience [2837] þat he displeseþ and setteþ it at nouȝt his good name or loos and rekkeþ nouȝt þat he kepeþ nouȝt his good name nys but a cruel cherle

[2838] ¶ Sire now haue I schewed ȝow how ȝe schuln doon in getynge of richesse and how ȝe schuln vsen hem [2839] ¶ And I se wel þat for þe truste þat ȝe han in richesse ȝe wollen moeue bataile and werre [2840] ¶ I counsele ȝou þat ȝe begynne no werre in truste of ȝoure richesses ¶ ffor þey sufficen nouȝt werres to meyn|tene [2841] ¶ And þerfore saiþ a Philosophre ¶ That a man desireþ and wol algates han werre schal neuer haue sufficaunce [2842] ¶ ffor þe richere þat he is þe gretter despenses moot he make if he wole haue wor|schipe and victory [2843] ¶ And Salamon saith þat þe grettere richesse þat a man haþ þe more dispendoures he haþ [2844] ¶ And deere sir al be it so þat for ȝoure richesses ȝe may han moche folk [2845] ¶ ȝet byhoueþ it nought ne it is nouȝt good to begynne werre wher as ȝe may in oþer manere haue pees vnto ȝoure worschipe and profyt [2846] ¶ ffor þe victories of Batailles þat ben in þis world liþ nouȝt in gret nombre of multitude of poeple ne in þe vertu of man; [2847] but it lith in þe wille and in þe hande of our lord ihesu crist // [2848] And þerfore Iudas Makabeus which was goddes knight [2849] when he schulde fighten aȝeins his aduersaries þat hadde a gretter nombre & a gretter mul|titude of folk and strenger þen was þe poeple of Macha|bee [2850] ¶ ȝet he recomforted his litel companye and sayde right in þis wise [2851] ¶ As lightly quod he may our lord god almighty ȝeue victory to fewe folk as to many folk [2852] ¶ ffor þe victory of bataile comeþ nouȝt by gret nombre of poeple; [2853] but it comeþ fro oure lord of heuene // [2854] ¶ And deere sire for as mochil as þer is no man certein if it be worþy þat god ȝeue him victory . . . . .no gap in the MS. or nouȝt. after þat Salomon seiþ [2855] ¶ þerfore euery man schulde gretly drede werres to begynne [2856] ¶ And by cause þat in batailles schuln fallen many periles [2857] ¶ And happeþ oþerwhile þat as sone is þe grete man slayn as þe litel man [2858] ¶ And as it is writen in þe seconde book of kynges ¶ The deedes of batailles ben aduenturous and vncertein [2859] ffor as lightly as is oon y-hurt wiþ a spere as anoþer. [2860] and þerfore is gret perile in werre ¶ Therfore schulden men flee and eschewe werre in as mechel as a man may goodly [2861] ¶ ffor Salamon saiþ ¶ he þat loueþ perill; schal falle in perille

[2862] ¶ After þat dame prudence hadde spoken in þis manere ¶ Mellibe answerde and sayde [2863] ¶ I se wel dame Prudence þat by ȝoure faire wordes and by ȝoure resons þat [vous mettez avant, que] þe werre lykeþ ȝou noþing [2864] ¶ But I haue not ȝit herde ȝoure wyse coun|sel how I schal do in þis neede.

[2865] Certes quod sche I counseile ȝou þat ȝe acorde wiþ ȝoure aduersaries and þat ȝe haue pees wiþ hem [2866] ¶ ffor seint Iame saiþ in his Epistles þat by concord and pees þat smale richesses waxen grete [2867] ¶ And by debat and discord þe grete richesses fallen doun [2868] ¶ And ȝe knowen þat oon of þe grettest and most souerayn þing þat is in þis world is vnite and pees [2869] ¶ And þerfore sayde oure lord Ihesu crist to his appostles in þis wyse [2870] ¶ Wel happy and blessed ben þay þat louen and purchacen pees ffor þey ben cleped þe children of god [2871] ¶ A quod Mellibe now I se wel þat ȝe louen nouȝt myn honour ne my worschipe [2872] ¶ ȝe knowe wel þat myn aduersaries han bygonne þis debaat and brigge by here outrage [2873] ¶ And ȝe seen wel þat þey neuer queren ne preyen me nought of pees Ne þey asken me nouȝt to be recon|silede [2874] ¶ Wole ȝe þanne þat I go meke me and obeye me to hem . and crye hem mercy; [2875] ffor soþe þat were not my worschipe [2876] ¶ ffor right as men sayn þat ouer gret homlynesse[corrected] engendreþ despysyng So fareþ it by to gret humilite and mekenesse

[2877] ¶ Then bygan dame prudence to make sem|blaunt of wraþþe and sayde [2878] ¶ Certez sire saue ȝour grace ¶ I loue ȝour honour and ȝour profyt as I do myn owne and euer haue doon [2879] ne ȝe ne noon oþer ne saugh neuer þe contrarye [2880] ¶ And ȝet if I hadde sayd ȝe schulde haue purchaced þe pees and þe reconsiliacion; I nad nought mochel mystaken me ne y-sayde amys [2881] ¶ ffor þe wise man saith. þe dis|sencion bygynneþ by anoþer man and þe reconsilynge begynneþ by þinself [2882] ¶ And þe prophete saiþ ¶ fflee schrewednesse and do goodnesse [2883] ¶ Seche pees and folwe it as mechil as in þe is / [2884] ¶ ȝet saiþ he nought ¶ ȝet schuln ȝe raþer pursewe to ȝour aduersaryes for pees þan þey schuln to ȝou [2885] ¶ ffor I knowe wel þat ȝe ben so harde y-herted þat ȝe wolen don no þing for me [2886] ¶ And Salamon saiþ ¶ þat he þat haþ euer an hard herte; atte laste he schal myshappe and mystryde

[2887] ¶ Whan Mellibe hadde herde dame Prudence make semblant of wraþþe ¶ he sayde in þis wyse [2888] ¶ Dame I pray ȝou þat ȝe ben nouȝt displesed of þinges þat I say ȝou [2889] ffor ȝe knowe wel þat I am angry and wroþ and þat is no wonder [2890] ¶ and þo þat ben wroþ witen not wel what þey doon ne what þay sayn [2891] ¶ Wherfore þe prophete saiþ þat / troubled eyen han no cleer sight [2892] ¶ But sitteþ and counseileþ me right as ȝow liste. ffor I am redy to doon right as ȝe woln desire [2893] ¶ And if ȝe reproeuen me of my folye ¶ I am þe more halden to loue ȝow and to preysen ȝou [2894] ¶ ffor Salamon saiþ ¶ he þat reproueþ him þat dooþ folye; [2895] he schal fynden grettere grace þan he þat disceyueþ him by wordes

[2896] ¶ Then sayde dame Prudence ¶ I make no semblaunt of wraþþe / ne of anger but for ȝoure owne profyt [2897] ¶ ffor Salomon saiþ ¶ he is more worþ þat re|proueþ or chideþ a fool for his folye schewing him semblant of wraþþe; [2898] þan he þat supporteþ him / . . . .no gap in his mysdoynge & laugheþ at his folye [2899] ¶ And þis same Salomon saiþ afterward þat by þe sorwful visage of man þat is to say by sory and heuy contynaunce of a man [2900] þe folk correcteþ and amendeþ him self

[2901] ¶ Than sayde Mellibe ¶ I schal nouȝt konne an|swere vnto so many resons as ȝe putteþ to me and scheweþ [2902] Sayeþ schortly ȝour wille and ȝoure coun|seil and I am al redy to fulfille and parforme

[2903] ¶ Thenne dame Prudence discouered al hire wille vnto him and sayde [2904] ¶ I counseile ȝou quod he abouen alle þing þat ȝe maken pees betwixen god and ȝou [2905] and beþ reconsiled vnto him and vnto his grace [2906] ¶ ffor as I haue sayde ȝou here-byforn god haþ suffred ȝou to haue þis tribulacion and disese for ȝoure synnes [2907] and if ȝe doon as I say ȝou god wol sende ȝoure aduersaries vnto ȝou [2908] and maken ȝoure aduersaries fallen at ȝoure feet . redy to doon ȝour wille and ȝoure comaundement [2909] ¶ ffor Salomon saiþ whan þe con|dicion of man is plesaunt and likinge vnto god // [2910] he chaungeþ þe hertes of mannes aduersaries and con|streigneþ hem to besechen him of pees and of grace [2911] ¶ And I pray ȝou let me speke wiþ ȝour aduersaries in priue place [2912] ¶ ffor þey schuln nouȝt knowe þat it be ȝoure wille or ȝoure assent [2913] and þenne whan I knowe here wille and here assent ¶ I may counsel ȝou þe more seurly

[2914] ¶ Dame quod Mellibe doþ ȝoure wille and ȝoure likynge [2915] ¶ ffor I putte me holly in ȝoure disposicion and ordinance

[2916] ¶ Thenne dame Prudence whan sche saugh þe goode wille of hire housbonde sche delyuered and took a-vys in hire self [2917] þenking how sche mighte bringe þis neede. vnto a good conclusion and to a good ende [2918] ¶ And whan sche saugh hire tyme sche sente for þe aduersaries to come vnto hire in-to a priue place [2919] and schewed wysely vnto hem þe grete goodnesse þat comeþ of pees [2920] and þe grete harmes and periles þat ben in werre [2921] ¶ And sayde to hem in a goodly manere hou þat hem ¶ aughte to haue gret re|pentaunce [2922] of þe Iniury and wrong þat þey hadden doon to Mellibe hire lord and vnto hire and vnto hire doughter

[2923] ¶ And when þey herden þe goode wordes of dame Prudence. [2924] þey weren so supprised and rauysscht and hadden so gret ioye of hire þat wonder was to telle [2925] ¶ A lady quod þay ȝe han schewed vnto vs þe blessyng of swetnesse after þe sawe of dauid þe prophete [2926] ¶ ffor þe reconsilyng which we ne ben nouȝt worþy to haue in no manere [2927] ¶ But we oughten requiren hit wiþ gret contricion & humilite [2928] ȝe of ȝoure grete goodnesse han presented vnto vs [2929] ¶ Now se we wel þat þe science and þe connynge of Salamon is ful trewe. [2930] ffor he saiþ þat swete wordes multiplyen and encrescen freendes and maken schrewes to be debonaire and meeke

[2931] ¶ Certes quod þay we putten oure dede and all oure matiere and cause al holly in ȝoure goode wille [2932] and ben redy to obeye to þe speche of þe comaunde|ment of my lord Mellibe [2933] ¶ And þerfore deere and benigne lady we preyen ȝou and besechen ȝou as mekely as we conne and mowen [2934] þat it like vnto ȝoure grete goodnesse to fulfille in dede ȝoure goode wordes [2935] ¶ ffor we considren and knowlechen þat we han offended and y-greued my lord Mellibe out of reson and mesure [2936] so ferforþ þat we be nouȝt of power to maken him amendes [2937] ¶ And þerfore we oblige vs and oure frendes for to don alle his wille and his comaundement [2938] ¶ But perauenture he haþ such heuynesse and such wraþþe to vs ward by cause of oure offense [2939] ¶ That woln enioygne vs such peyne þat we may not bere ne sustene [2940] ¶ And þerfore noble lady we beseche to ȝoure wommanly pite [2941] to taken such avisement/ in þis neede þat we ne oure freendes ne ben nouȝt disherited þurgh oure folye

[2942] ¶ Certes quod Prudence ¶ It is an hard þing and right perilous [2943] þat a man putte him al outrely in þe arbitracion and Iuggement and in þe might & power of his enmys [2944] ¶ ffor Salamon saiþ ¶ leeueþ me and ȝeueþ credence to þat þat I schal sayn ¶ I say yeuere peple and gouernours of holy chirche [2945] to þin sone to þin wyf [à ton frère] and to þin freende [2946] [ne donne puissance sur toy en toute ta vie [2947] Se il a doncques deffendu que l'en ne donne . . . à frère ne à ami (Le Ménagier, i. 230)] þe might of his body [2948] ¶ By a strenger reson he defendeþ and forbedeþ a man to ȝiue himself vnto his enemy [2949] ¶ And naþe|les I counseile ȝou þat ȝe mystruste nouȝt my lord [2950] ¶ ffor I wot wel and knowe wel þat he is debonaire and meke large & courteys [2951] and no þing desirous of good ne coueytous to haue richesse [2952] ¶ ffor þer is no þing in þis world þat he desireþ saue worschipe and honour [2953] ¶ fforþermore I knowe wel and I am right seur þat he schal noþing do in þis neede withouten my counseil [2954] ¶ And I schal so worchen in þis cause by þe grace of oure lord god þat ȝe schuln ben reconsiled vnto vs

[2955] ¶ þenne sayden þey wiþ oo voys ¶ Worschipful lady we putten vs and oure goodes al fully in ȝoure wille and disposicion [2956] and [been] redy to come what [day] ȝou likeþ vnto ȝoure noblesse to lymyten vs or to assignen vs [2957] for to maken oure obligacion and bond as strong as it likeþ vnto ȝoure goodnesse [2958] þat we may fulfille þe wille of ȝou and of my lord Mellibe

[2959] ¶ Whan dame Prudence hadde herd þe an|sweres of þese men; sche bad hem gon ayayn pryuyly [2960] ¶ And sche retourned aȝein to hire lord Mellybe and tolde him how sche fond his aduersaries ful repentaunt [2961] and knowlechinge ful reuerently and lowely here synnes and here trespaces and how þey weren redy to suffre alle peyne. [2962] requyrynge and preyng him of mercy and pite

[2963] ¶ Thenne sayde Mellibe: he is wel worþy to haue pardon and forȝeuenesse [qui ne excuse point son péchié, [2964] mais le recongnoist et s'en repent et demande indulgence; [2965] car Sénèque dit là est rémission (Le Ménagier, i. 231)] wher as confession is [2966] ¶ ffor confession is neighebor to Innocence [2967] ¶ And he saith in anoþer place ¶ he þat haþ schame for his synne and knowlecheþ it . . . . .no gap ¶ And þerfore I assente and conferme to haue pees [2968] ¶ But it is good þat we do it nouȝt wiþouten þe assente and wille of oure freendes

[2969] ¶ Then was Prudence right glad and Ioyeful and sayde [2970] ¶ Certes sire quod sche ¶ ȝe han goodly and wel answered [2971] ¶ ffor right as by counseil assent and helpynge of ȝoure frendes ȝe han ben styred to vengen ȝou and make werre; [2972] Right so wiþ|outen here counseil schulle ȝe nought acorde þough ȝe ne haue pees wiþ ȝoure aduersaries [2973] ¶ ffor þe lawe saith ¶ þer is no þing so good by way of kynde as þing to ben vnbounden by hym þat it was y-bounde

[2974] ¶ And þenne dame Prudence wiþouten delay or taryinge sent anon messagers for hire kyn and for hire olde frendes whiche þat were trewe and wyse [2975] ¶ and tolde hem by ordre in þe presence of Mellybe al þe matiere as it is abouen expressed and declared [2976] ¶ and preyden hem þat þey wolden yeuen hire a wyse coun|seille ¶ what best were to doon in þis matiere [2977] ¶ And whan mellibeus counseil hadde taken here avys and good de|liberacion of þe forsayde matiere [2978] and hadden examyned it by gret busynesse and gret diligence [2979] þey ȝeuen ful counseil for to haue pees and reste [2980] And þat Mellibe schulde receyue hit with good herte of his aduersaries to forȝiuenes and mercy

[2981] ¶ And whan dame Prudence hadde herde þe assent of hire lord Mellibe and þe counseil of hire frendes [2982] acorded wiþ hire wille and entencion [2983] sche was wonderly glad in herte and sayde [2984] ¶ Ther is an olde prouerbe quod sche saiþ þat þe goodnesse þat þu mayst do þis day do it [2985] and abyd it/ nought ne delay it nought til to morwe [2986] ¶ And þerfore I counseile þat ȝe sende ȝoure messagers whiche þat ben discrete and wise [2987] vnto ȝoure aduersaries / tellynge hem in ȝoure bihalue [2988] if þey wolen trete of pees and acorde [2989] þat þey schapen hem wiþouten delay or taryynge comynge to vs [2990] ¶ which þing performed was in dede [2991] and whan þese trespasoures and repentynge folk of here folyes þat is to say þe aduersaries of Mellibe [2992] hadden herde what þese messangeres sayden vnto hem; [2993] þey weren ful glad and ioyfulle and answerden ful mekely and benygnely [2994] ȝeldynge graces and þankes to here lord Mellibe and to alle his companye [2995] ¶ and schopen hem wiþouten delay to go wiþ þe messangeres and obeye to þe comaundement of here lord Mellibe

[2996] ¶ And right anon þey token here wey to Mellibe [2997] ¶ And toke þe somme of here trewe wordes and frendes to maken feiþ for hem and for to ben here borwes [2998] ¶ And whanne þey comen to þe presence of Mellibe ¶ he seyde hem þese wordes [2999] ¶ It stant þus quod Mellibe and soþ it is þat ȝe [3000] causeles and wiþouten skile and reson [3001] han don grete Iniuries and wronges to me and to my wyf Dame Prudence and to myn doughter also [3002] ¶ ffor ȝe han entred in-to myn hous by vyolence [3003] and han doon suche outrage þat alle men knowen wel þat ȝe han disserued þe deþ [3004] ¶ And þerfore wil I knowen and wyten of ȝou [3005] wheþer þat ȝe wollen putte þe punysschement and chastisyng and þe vengaunce of þis outrage in þe wille of me and my wyf dame Prudence or ȝe woln nouȝt

[3006] ¶ Thenne þe wisest of hem þre answerde for hem alle and sayde [3007] sir quod he we knowen wel þat we ben vnworþy to come to ȝoure court of so gret a lord and of so worþy as ȝe ben [3008] ffor we han so gretly mystaken vs and han offended and agult in such a wise aȝeins ȝour heighe lordschipe. [3009] þat trewly we han deserued þe deth [3010] ¶ But ȝit for þe grete goodnesse and debonairte þat alle þe world witnesseþ of ȝoure persone [3011] ¶ we submitten vs to þe excellence and benignite of ȝoure gracious lordschipe [3012] and ben redy to obeye to alle ȝour comaundementz [3013] besechynge ȝou þat of ȝoure mercyable pite. ȝe woln considre oure grete repentaunce and lowe submission [3014] and to graunte vs forȝeuenesse of oure outragous trespas and offence [3015] ¶ ffor wel we knowe þat ȝoure liberalle grace & mercy streccheþ ferþer in-to good nesse þan don oure outrageous gultes and trespaces in-to wickednesse. [3016] al be hit. þat cursedly and damp|nably we han gult aȝeins ȝoure heyhe lordschipe

[3017] ¶ Thenne Mellibe took him vp fro þe grounde ful benygnely [3018] and receyued here obligacions and here bandes by here oþes vppon here plegges and here borwes [3019] and assigned hem a certeyn day to retournen vnto his courtes [3020] ¶ ffor to accepte and receyue þe sentences and þe Iuggementes þat Mellibe wolde comande to ben don on hem by þe causes a-forn sayde / [3021] whiche þinges ordeyned; euery man retournede to his hous

[3022] ¶ And when þat dame Prudence saugh hire tyme sche f[r]eyned and axede hire lord mellibe [3023] what vengance he þouȝt to take of his aduersaries

[3024] To which mellibe answerde and sayde ¶ Certez quod he I þenke and purpose fully [3025] to dis|herite hem of al þat þay han ¶ And for to putten hem in exile for euere

[3026] ¶ Certes quod Dame Prudence þis were a cruel sentence and mochel aȝeins reson [3027] ¶ ffor ȝe ben riche ynough and han no neede of oþer mennes good [3028] and ȝe mighte lightly geten ȝou a coueytous name [3029] which is a vicious þing and oughte [be] eschewed of euery man [3030] ¶ ffor after þe sawe of þe appostel Coueitise is roote of alle harmes [3031] ¶ And þerfore it were bettre to lese so mochel good of ȝoure owne þan for to take of here good in þis manere [3032] ¶ ffor better it is to leese good wiþ worschipe þenne it is good to wynne worschipe wiþ vilanye and schame [3033] ¶ And euery man oughte to don his busynesse and to geten him a good name [3034] ¶ and ȝet schal he nouȝt only kepen him in kepyng of his good name [3035] ¶ But he schal also enforcen him alwey to don som þing by which he may renouelle his good name [3036] ¶ ffor it is write þat þe olde goode loos or good name of a man is sone goon and passed when it is nouȝt newed and re|nouelled [3037] ¶ And as touchinge þat ȝe sayn þat ȝe woln exile ȝoure aduersaries [3038] þat þenkeþ me mochil aȝeins reson and out of mesure [3039] ¶ Con|sidereþ þe power þat ȝe han ȝouen ȝou vpon hemself [3040] and it is writen. þat he is worþy to lesen his priuilege þat misvseþ it ¶ The might and þe power þat is ȝouen him. [3041] And I sette caas þat ȝe might annoye hem þat peyne by right and by lawe [3042] which I trowe ȝe may nouȝt do [3043] I say ne ne mighte nouȝt putte it to execucion perauenture [3044] and þenne were it likly to retorne to þe werre as it was byforn [3045] ¶ And þerfore if ȝe woln þat men do ȝou obeis|sance; ȝe moste deme more curteisly [3046] þis is to sayn ȝe moste ȝiue more esy sentences and Iugementz [3047] ¶ for it is writen þat he þat most courteisly comaundeth; to him men most obeyen [3048] ¶ And þer|fore I pray ȝou þat in þis necessite and in þis neede; ȝe casten þerfore to ouercome ȝoure herte [3049] ¶ ffor Senek saiþ ¶ he þat oones ouercomeþ his herte; ouercomeþ twyes [3050] ¶ And Tullius saiþ ¶ Ther is no þing so comendable in a gret lord [3051] as whan he is debon|aire and meeke and appeseþ him meekely [3052] ¶ And I pray ȝou þat ȝe woln forbere now to do vengance [3053] in such a manere. þat ȝoure goode name may be kepte and conserued [3054] and þat man may haue cause and matiere to preyse ȝou of pite and of mercy [3055] and þat ȝe han no cause to repente ȝou of þing þat ȝe doon [3056] ¶ ffor Senek seiþ; he ouercomeþ in euel manere þat repenteþ him of his victory [3057] ¶ Wher|fore I pray ȝou let mercy be in ȝoure herte [3058] to þeffecte and þe entent þat god almighty haue mercy vpon ȝou in his laste Iuggement [3059] [Car saint Jacques dit en son épistre: jugement[Le Mén. i. 235]] ¶ wiþ|outen mercy schal be to him þat haþ no mercy of anoþer wight

[3060] ¶ Whan mellibe had herde þe grete skiles and resons of Dame Prudence and of hire wise informacions and techinges; [3061] his herte gan enclyne to þe wille of his wyf consyderyng to þe trewe entent [3062] con|formed him anon ¶ And assented fully to worchen after hire counseil. [3063] and þankeþ god of/ whom procedeth all goodnesse þat him sente a wyf of so gret discrecion [3064] ¶ And when þe day came þat his aduer|saries schulde apperen in his presence; [3065] he spake to hem ful goodly and sayde to hem in þis wise/ [3066] ¶ Al be it so þat of ȝoure pruyde and by presumpcion and folye ¶ and of ȝoure necligence and vnkunnynge [3067] ȝe han mysborn ȝou and trespassed to me /./ [3068] ȝet for as meche as I se and byholde ȝoure grete humilite [3069] and þat ȝe ben sory and repentaunt of ȝoure gultes; [3070] it constreigneth me to do ȝou grace and mercy [3071] ¶ Wherfore I receyue ȝou vnto my grace/ [3072] and forȝiue ȝou outrely alle þe offenses Iniuries and wronges þat ȝe han doon aȝeins me and myne [3073] to þis effecte and to þis ende / þat god of his endeles mercy [3074] wol at þe tyme of oure deyinge forȝiuen oure gultes þat we han trespast vnto him in þis wrecchede world // [3075] ¶ ffor douteles if we ben sory and repentaunt of þe synnes and gultes þe whiche we han trespassed in þe sight of oure lord god; [3076] he is so fre and so mercy|ful [3077] þat he wol forȝiuen vs oure gultes [3078] and bryngen vs to þilke blisse þat neuer haþ ende. To which blisse he vs bringe That blood on crosse for vs gan springe Qui cum patre /

¶ Here endeþ Chaucers tale of Mellibe // ¶ Prologus Monachion leaf 234, back Whan ended was þe tale of Mellibe And of Prudence and hire benignite Oure hoost sayde as I am feyþful man And By þe precious corpus Madryan I hadde leuer þan a barel ale That goode leef my wyf had herd þis tale ffor sche nys no þing of such pacience As was þis Mellibeus wyf Prudence By goddes bones whan I bete my knaues Sche bringeþ me þe grete clobbed stanes And cryeþ sle þe dogges euerychon And breke boþe bak and bon And if þat any neyghebour of myne Wol nouȝt in chirche to my wif enclyne Or be so hardy to hire to trespace Whan sche comeþ home sche rumpeth me þe face and cryeþ false coward wreke þin wyf By corpus bones I wol haue þy knyf And þou schalt haue my distaf and go spynne ffro day to night right þus sche wol begynne Allas sche saiþ þat euer I was y-schape To wedde a melksop or a coward ape / That wil ben ouerled wiþ euery wight Thou darst nouȝt stonde by þy wyf aright This is my lyf but if þat I wolde fight And out at þe dore anon I mot me dight Or elles I am lost but if þat I Be like a wilde leon fool hardy I wot wel sche wol do me slee som day Som neihebore and þanne I go my way ffor I am perilous wiþ knyf on honde / Al be it þat I dar hire nouȝt wiþstonde / ffor sche is bigge in armes by my feiþ That schal he fynde þat hire mysdoþ or seiþ But lat vs passe away fro þis matiere / My lord sire monk he saiþ be mery of cheere / ffor ye schul telle a tale trewely Lo Rouchestre stant here faste by Ryd forþ myn owne lord brek nouȝt our game But by my trouþe I knowe nouȝt ȝoure name / Wheþer I schal calle ȝou my lord daun Iohn Or Daun Thomas or elles Daun Albon Of what hous be ȝe by your fader kyn I vowe to god þou hast a ful fayr skyn It is a gentil pasture þer þou gost Thou art nouȝt like a penant or a gost Vppon my feiþ þou art som officer Som worþy Sexteyn or som Celerer ffor by my fader soule as to my dome Thou art a maister whan þou art at home No pouer cloysterer ne no pouer novys But gouernour wyly and wys And þer-with-al of brawnes and of bones A wel faryng persone for þe nones I pray to god ȝiue him confusion That ferst þe brought in to religion Thou woldest haue ben a tredefoul aright Haddest þou as gret leue as þou hast might To perfourme al þy lust in engendure / Thou haddest bygeten many a creature Allas why werest þou so wyd a Cope God ȝif me sorwe and I were a Pope Nouȝt oonly þou but euery mighty man Though he were schore heyhe vpon his pan Schulde haue a wyf for al þis world is lorn Religion haþ take vp al þe corn Of tredyng and we borelle men ben schrimpes Of feeble trees þer comeþ wrecched ympes This makeþ þat oure heires ben so sclendre And feble þat þay may not wel engendre This makeþ þat oure wyfes wol assay Religious folk for þey may bettre pay Of venus payement þen mowen we God woot no lussheburghes paye ȝe But beþ nought wroþ my lord þough þat I play fful ofte in game a soþ I haue herd say This worþy monk took al in pacience And sayde I wil do al my diligence As fer as sowneþ in to honeste To telle ȝou a tale or tuo or þre And if ȝou liste herkne hiderward I wol ȝou seyn þe lyf of seint Edward Or elles tregedys first wol I telle Of whiche I haue an hundred in my selle Tregedye is for to telle a certein storye As olde bookes maken memorie Of hem þat stood in gret prosperite And is y-falle out of heigh degre In-to miserie and endeþ wrecchedly And þey ben vercefyed comenly Of sixe foote whiche þat men clepen examytron In proce eek ben endited many oon And eek in metre in many a sondry wyse Lo þis aughte ȝou ynough suffyse Now herkneþ if ȝou liste for to heere But first I ȝou beseche in þis mateere / þough I by ordre telle nouȝt þese þinges Be it of Popes Emperours or Kynges And after here ages as men writen fynde But telle hem some bifore some behinde As it comeþ now to my remembrance Haueþ me excused of myn ignorance¶ Explicit prologus monachi ¶ Here telleþ þe monk // De casibus virorum illustrium ¶ Cm. xxjm.[No breaks between the stanzas in the MS.] I Wol bewayle in maner of Tregedye The harme of hem þat standeþ[stoden, later, in the margin] in heih degre And fellen so þat þer nas no remedye To bringen hem out of here aduersite ffor certein when þat fortune lust to fle Ther may no man of hire þe cours wiþholde / [2Lat nonis truste on blyn[d] prosperite2[2_2 later, in margin]] Beþ war by þis ensamples ȝong and olde [Lucifer.] At lucifer þough he an aungel were¶ Primo de lucifero And nought a man at him I wol begynne ffor þeigh fortune may non aungel dere ffrom heih degre ȝet felle he for his synne Doun in-to helle wher as he ȝet is Inne O lucifer brightest of aungeles alle Now art þou Sathanas þat mayst not twynne Out of miserie which þou art y-falle De Adamo [in margin.] [LO Adam in the felde of/ Damascene. With goddis/ owne finger/ wroght/ was/ he. And not bi getyng/ of/ mannes/ sperme vnclene. And welte all Paradis/ sauyng/ oo tre. Had neuyr/ worldly man so hye degree. As/ Adam had till he for his/ gouernaunce. Was/ dryuen out/ of/ his/ hye prosperite. To labour/ an to helle & to myschaunce.][Harl. extract ends] [Sampson.] ¶ Lo Sampson which was annunciate By þangel long er his natiuite / And was to god almighty consecrate And stood in nobles whiles he mighte se Was neuer such anoþer as was he To speke of strengþe and þerto hardynes But to his wyues tolde he his secre Thurgh which he slough himself þurgh wrecchednes ¶ Sampson þis noble and mighty champion Wiþouten wepen sauf his handes tweye he slough and al to-rente þe leoun Toward his weddyng walkyng by þe weye his false wyf couþe him so plese and preye / Til sche his counseil knewe and sche vntrewe Vnto his foos his counseil gan bewreye And him forsok and took anoþer newe ¶ An hundred foxes tok Sampson for Ire And alle here tayles he togyder bond And sette þe foxes tayles alle on fuyre ffor he in euery tail haþ putt a brond And þey brent alle þe cornes in þat lond And eek here Olyues and here vynes eeke A þousend men eek he slough wiþ his hond And hadde no wepne but an asse cheeke ¶ Whan þey were slayn so þursted him þat he Was wel neigh lorn for which he gan to preye That god wolde of his peyne haue som pite And sende him drinke or elles most he deye / And of þis asse cheeke þat was so druye Out of a wang tooþ sprang anon a welle Of which he drank ynough schortly to seye Thus hilpe him god as Iudicium can telle ¶ By verray force at Gasan on a night Maugre philistiens of þat Cite The gates of þe toun he haþ vp plight And on his bakke y-karyed hem haþ he heighe on an hille where as men mighte se O noble almighty Sampson leef and deere That strong and noble haþ be / In alle þis world ne hadde þer ben þy peere ¶ This Sampson neuer cyder drank ne wyn Ne on his heed came Rasour non ne scheere By precepte of þe messanger deuyn ffor alle his strengþe was in his here And fully twenty ȝeer by ȝere he hadde of Israel þe gouernance But after soone schal he wepe many a teere ffor wommen schuln bringe him to meschance ¶ Vnto his lemman Dalida he tolde That in his heeres alle his strengþe lay And falsly to his fomen sche him solde And slepyng vpon hire barme vpan a day Sche made to clippe or schere his here away And made his foomen alle his crafte aspyen And whan þat þay him fond in such aray They bonde him faste and putte out his eyen ¶ But er his heer was y-clipped or y-schaue Ther was no bond þat might him bynde But now is he in prisoun putte in a Caue Where as þey made him at þe querne grynde O noble Sampson strengest of mankynde O whilom Iugge in glorie and in richesse Now maystow wepe with þin eyen blynde Seþenes þou art fro wele falle in to wrecchidnesse ¶ The ende of þis Caytiffe was as I schal seye his foomen made a feste vp-on a day And made him as here fool biforn hem pleye And þis was [in] a temple of gret aray But at þe laste he made a foul affray ffor he tuo postes schook and made hem falle / And doun fel temple and al þer it lay And slough himself and eek his foomen alle ¶ This is to say þe princes euerichon And eek a þousand bodyes were þey slayn Wiþ fallyng of þe grete temple of stoon Of Sampson ne wol I no more sayn Beþ war of þis ensample olde and playn That noman telle here counseil to here wyues Of such þing as þay wolde haue secre fayn If þat it touche here lymes or here lyues [Hercules.] ¶ Of Ercule þe soueraign conquerour¶ De Ercule Syngen his werkes lewede and heih renoun ffor in his tyme of strengþe he bar þe flour he slough and rafte þe skyn fro þe leoun he of sent arwes leyde þe boost a doun he arpyes slough þe cruel briddes felle he golden apples rafte þe dragoun he drough out Serberois þe hound of helle ¶ He slough þe cruel tyraunt Buserus And made his hors to frete him fleissh and boon He slough þe verray serpent venymous Of Achilles tuo hornes brark he oon And he slough Cacus in a Cave of ston He slough þe geaunt Anteus þe stronge / He slough þe grisly boor and þat anoon And bar þe heed vpon his necke longe ¶ Was neuer wight siþen þe world bygan þat slough so many monstres as dede he Thurgh out þis wilde world his name ran What for his strengþe and for his bounte And euery Reeme went he for to see He was so strong þat no man might him lette And boþe þe worldes ende saith trophe / In stede of boundes he a piler sette ¶ A lemman hadde þis noble Campion That highte Deianyre freissh as may And as þe clerkes maden mencion Sche haþ him sent a scherte freisch and gay Allas þis scherte and weylaway Enuenymed was subtily wiþ alle That or þat he had wered it half a day It made his boones fro his fleissch to falle / ¶ But naþeles some clerkes hire exusen By oon þat highte Nessus þat it maked Be as be may I wol hire nought accusen But on his bakke þe scherte he weres al naked Tille þat his fleissh was fro þe venym blaked And whan he saugh non oþer remedye In hote coles he haþ himself y-raked ffor wiþ no venym deyned he to dye ¶ Thus starf þis worþy mighty hercules Lo who may truste on fortune ony þrowe ffor him þat folweþ alle þis world of prees Er he be war is ofte y-leyd ful lowe fful wys is he þat himself can knowe Beþ war for when þat fortune lust to glose / Than wayteþ sche hire man doun to þrowe By such a way as he wolde lest suppose // [Nebuchadnezzar.] ¶ The mighty trone þe precious tresor¶ De Rege Nabu|godonosore The glorious septir and realle mageste That hadde þe king Nabugodonosor Wiþ tunge vnneþe may discryued be he twyes nam Iherusalem þe cite / The vessel of þe temple he wiþ him ladde ¶ At Babiloyne was his souerain see / In which his glorie and his delit he hadde / The fayrest children of þe blood royalle Of Ierusalem he dede do gylde anon And maked eche of hem to ben his þralle Among alle oþer Daniel was oon That was þe wisest childe of euerychon ffor he þe dremes of þe king expowned Wher as in Caldey clerk was þer non That wiste to what fyn his dremes sowned ¶ This proude king leet make a statue of golde Sixty cubites longe and seuen in brede To which Image boþe ȝonge and olde Comaunded he to lowte and haue in drede / Or in a fourneys ful of flammes rede He schal be brent þat wolde nought obeye But neuere wolde assente to þat dede Danyel ne his ȝonge felawes tweye ¶ This king of kynges proude and elat he wende god þat sitte in mageste Ne might him nought byreue of his estate But sodeinly he lost his dignite And like a beeste him seemed for to be And ete hey as an oxe and lay þer oute In reyn wiþ wilde bestes walked he Til a certein tyme was come aboute ¶ And ylike an Egles feþeres were his heres And nayles like briddes clawes were / God releeued him at certeyn ȝeeres And ȝaf him witte and þanne wiþ many a tere he þankede god and euer his lyf in feere Was he to don amys or more trespas And or þat y-leyd was on his beere he knew wel þat god was ful of might and grace [Belshazzar.] ¶ his sone which þat highte Baltyzar¶ De Baltazar dicti Regis Nabugodo|nosor filio þat heeld þe regne after his fader day he by his fader couþe nouȝt be war ffor prowd he was of herte and of array And eek an ydolatre was he ay his heihe astate asseured him in pryde But fortune caste him doun and þer he lay And sodeinly his regne gan deuyde / ¶ A feste he made vnto his lordes alle vpon a tyme he made hem bliþe be / And þenne his officeres gan he calle Goode bringeth forth þe vesselles quod he Which þat my fader in his prosperite Out of þe temple of Ierusalem byrafte And to oure heihe goddes þanke we Of honour þat oure eldres wiþ vs lafte ¶ His wyf his lordes and his concubynes Ay drunken whiles here appetyte laste / Out of þis noble vesseles sondry wynes / And on a wal þis king his eyhen caste And saugh an hande armles þat/ wrot ful faste ffor feer of which he quook and siked sore This hande þat Baltazar made so sore agast Wrot mane techel phares and no more ¶ In al þat lond magicien was þer non That couþe expoune what þis lettre ment But Daniel expouned it anon And sayde king god to þi fader sent Glory and honour Regne tresor and rent And he was prowde and no þing god ne dradde / And þerfore god gret wreche vpon him sent And him byrafte þe regne þat he hadde ¶ He was out cast of mannes companye Wiþ asses was his habitacion And eete hey as a beeste in wete and drye Til þat he knew by grace and by resoun That god of heuen haþ domynacion Ouer euery regne and euery creature And þenne hadde god of him compassion And him restored his regne and his figure ¶ Eke þou þat art his sone art proud also And knowest alle þis þinges pryuyly and art rebell to god and art his foo Thou drank eeke of his vessels boldely Thy wyf eek and þy wenche synfully Drank of þe same vessels sondry wynes And heryed false goddes cursedly Ther fore to þe schapen gret pyne is / ¶ This hand was sent fro god þat on þe wal Wrot mane techel phares truste me Thin regne is doon þou weyest not at al Deuyded is þy regne and it schal be To Medes and to Perses ȝeuen quod he And þilke same night þe king was slawe And Daryus occupieth his degre They he þerto nad neyþer right ne lawe ¶ Lordynges her-by ensample may ȝe take How þat in lordschipe is no sikernesse ffor whan fortune wole a man forsake He bereþ a-wey his regne and his richesse / And eek his freendes boþe more and lesse And what man haþ freendes þurgh fortune Mishap wole make hem enemys I gesse This prouerbe is ful soþ and ful commune [Zenobia.] ¶ Cenobya of Palymere þe queene¶ De Cenobia Paly|merie regina As writen Persiens of hire noblesse So worþy was in armes and so keene That no wight passed hire in hardynesse / Ne in lynage ne in oþer gentillesse / Of kinges blood of Perce sche descended I saye þat sche nad nouȝt most fairnesse But of hire schap sche might nought ben amended ¶ ffro hire childhode I fynde þat sche fledde Office of wommen and to woode sche wente And many a wilde hertes blood sche schedde With arwes brode þat sche to hem sente / Sche was so swyfte þat sche anon hem hente And whan þat sche was elder sche wold kille Leouns luperdes and beres alto-rent And in hire armes welde hem at hire wille ¶ Sche dorste wilde bestes dennes seeke And rennen in þe mounteinz al þe night And slepe vnder a bussche and sche couþe eeke Wrastlen by verray force and verray might Wiþ any ȝong man were he neuer so wight Ther mighte no þing in hir armes stonde Sche kepte hir maydenhed fro euery wight To no man deyned hire to be bonde / ¶ But atte laste hir freendes han hire maryed To Odenake a Prince of þat Cite Al were it so þat sche hem longe taryed And ȝe schuln vnderstonde how þat he Hadde suche fantasies as hadde sche But naþeles whan þey were knette in feere They lyueden in ioye and in felicite ffor sche of hem hadde oþer leef and deere / [Saue oo thyng/ that/ sche wolde neuyr/ assente.] By no wey þat he schulde by hire lye But ones for it/ was hire pleyne entent To haue a childe þe world to multiplye And al so sone as sche might aspye That sche nas nouȝt wiþ childe wiþ þat dede Thanne wolde sche suffre him don his fantasye Eftsone and nouȝt but ones out of drede / ¶ And if sche were wiþ childe at þilke caste No more schulde he pleye þilke game Til fully fourty dayes were paste Thenne wolde sche ones do suffre him þe same Al were þis Odenak wilde or tame he gat nomore of hire for þus sche sayde It was to wyfes lecchery and schame / In oþer caas if þat men with hem playde ¶ Tuo sones by þis Odonak had sche The whiche sche kepte in vertu and lettrure But now vnto oure tale turne we / I saye þat worschipful creature And wys þerwith and large wiþ mesure So penyble in þe werre and curteys eeke No more laboure mighte in werre endure Was non þey alle þis world men schulde seke ¶ Hire riche aray mighte nought be told As wel in vessel as in hir cloþinge Sche was al cladde in perrye and in goolde And eek sche lefte nought for non huntynge To haue of sondry tonges folk knowynge Whan þat sche leyser hadde and for to entende To lerne bookes was al hire likynge How sche in vertu might hir lyf dispende [And schortly of/ this/ storie for to entrete.] ¶ So doughty was hire housebande as sche That þey conquered many regnes grete In þe orient wiþ many a fair Cite Apportienant vnto þe mageste Of Rome and with strong hand heeld hem faste Ne neuer might here fomen don hem fle Ay whiles þat Oedenak dayes laste ¶ Here batayles who so luste hem for to ride· Agayn Sapor þe king and oþer mo· And how þat al þis proces felle in ·dede· Why sche conquered and what title had þerto And after of hire meschief and hire woo how þat sche was beseged and y-take let him vnto my mayster Petrarke go That writ of þis ynough I vndertake ¶ Whan Odenake was deed sche mightily The regnes huld and wiþ hir propre hand Agayn hire foos sche faught trewely That þer nas king ne Prince in al þat land That he nas gladde if þat he grace fand That sche ne wolde vpon his land werrey With hire þey made alleyance by band To ben in pees and lete hir ryde and pley ¶ The Emperour of Rome Claudius Ne him byforn þe Romain Galien Ne dorste neuer be so coragius Ne non Ermyne ne non Egipcien Ne Surrien ne non arabien Wiþinne þe feeld þat dorste with hire fight Lest þat sche wolde hem wiþ hir handes sleen Or with hire meyne putten hem to flight [IN kynges/ abite wente hir/ sones/ two .] As Eyres of here regnes alle And hermanno and Thymalao Here names were as Perciens hem calle But ay fortune haþ ay in hir hony galle This mighty queene may no while en-dure ffortune out of hire regne made hire falle To wrecchednes and to mysauenture ¶ Aurelion whan þat þe gouernance Of Rome cam in-to his handes tweye he schoop vpon þis queen to do vengance And wiþ his legiouns he took his weye Toward Cenobye and schortly for to seye He made hir flee and at þe last hir bent And fetered hire and eek hir children tweye And wan þe lond and home to Rome þey went ¶ Among þese oþer þinges þat he wan hire char þat was wiþ gold wrought and perre This grete Romayn þis aurelian Haþ wiþ him ladde for þat men schulde se Byforn his tryumphe walkeþ sche Wiþ gilte cheynes on hire necke hangyng Corouned sche was as after hire degre And ful of perre charged hire cloþing ¶ Allas fortune sche þat whilom was Dredful to kynges and to emperoures· Now gaureþ al þe poeple on hire allas· And sche þat helmed was in starke stoures· And wan by force townes strong and toures· Schal on hire heede were a vytremyte And sche þat bar þe septre ful of floures Schal bere a distaff hir costes for to quyte [Peter the Cruel, of Spain.] [wrongly markt b in margin, by a later corrector, to follow a (De nero &c).¶ O noble o worþy petre glorie of Spayne¶ De Petro Spayne Whom fortune helde so heyh in mageste¶ Rege Wel oughte men þin pitous deþ complayne Thy bastard broþer made þe to fle And after at a sege by subtilte þow were betrayed and lad to his tent Wher as he wiþ his owen hand slough þe Succedyng in þy regne and in þin rent' ¶ The feeld of snow wiþ þe egle blak þer-Inne¶ Bertheun Claykyn Caught wiþ þe lymrodde coloures as þe gledes¶ Olyuer Mawny he brew þis cursednes and al þe synne The wicked neste was werker of þis needes[Bertrand du Guesclin, & his cousin Sir Oliver de Mauny, l. 3579.] Nought Charles Olyuer þat ay took god heede Of trouþe and honour but of armorekke Genyloun Olyuer corupte for meede Broughtest þis worþi king in such a brekke [Peter of Cyprus.] ¶ Worþy Petre king of Cypre also¶ De petro regis þat alisaundre wan by heigh maystrie¶ Cypri fful many an heþen wroughtest þou ful wo Of which þin owen liege had enuye And for no þing but for þin Chiualrie They in þin bedde han slayn þe by þe morwe Thus gan fortune gouerne and gye And out of ioye bringe men in-to sorwe [Bernabo Visconti, of Milan.] ¶ Of Melane gret barnabo viscounte¶ De Barnabo vicecomite God of delite and scourge of lumbardye Why schulde nouȝt I þin fortune acounte /¶ Mediolano / Seþþen in estaat þou clombe were so hihe Thin broþer sone þat was þin double allye ffor he þin neuew was and sone in lawe Wiþinne his prison made þe to deye But why ne how wot I þat þou were slawe // [Ugolino, Count of Pisa.] ¶ Of þe erl hugelyne of Pyse þe langour¶ De hugylyno Comite Pisano. Ther may no tunge telle for pite But lytel out of pyse stant a toure In which toure in prison putte was he And wiþ him ben his litel children þre The eldest skarsly .v. ȝer was of age allas fortune it was gret cruelte Suche briddes for to putte in such a kage ¶ Dampned he was to deyen in þat prison ffor Roger which þat bisschop was of pyse Hadde on him maade a fals suggestion Thurgh which þe poeple gan on him aryse And putten him to pryson in swich wyse As ȝe haue herde and mete and drynk he hadde . . . . .no gap in the MS. And þer-wiþ-al it was ful pore and badde ¶ And on a day bifelle þat in þat oure Whan þat his mete was wont to be brought The Gailler schutte þe dores of þe toure He herde it wel but he saugh it nought And in his herte anon þer felle a þought Þat þey for hunger wolde don him deyen Allas quod he allas þat I was wrought Þer-wiþ þe teeres felle fro his eyen ¶ his ȝonge sone þat þre ȝeer was of age vnto him sayde fader why do ȝe wepe When wil þe Gaylere bringen oure potage Is þer no morsel bred þat ȝe do kepe I am so hungry þat I may nought slepe Now wolde god þat I might slepen euer Thanne schulde non hunger in my wombe crepe þer nys no þing sauf bred þat me were leuer ¶ Thus day by day þis childe gan to crye Til in his fadres barme a doun it lay And sayde fare wel fader I mot deye And kissed his fader and deyde þe same day And whan þe woful fader ded him say ffor wo his armes tuo he gan to byte / And sayde allas fortune and welaway Thyn fals wheel my wo I may al wyte ¶ His children wende þat it for hunger was þat he his armes gnowe and nought for wo And sayde fader do nouȝt so allas But raþer ete þe fleissch vpon ous tuo Oure fleissch þou ȝaf vs take oure flessch vs fro And ete ynough right þus to him þay sayde / And after þat wiþinne a day or tuo They leyde hem doun right in his lappe and deyde / Himself dispeyred eek for hunger starf Thus ended is þe mighty erl of Pyse ffro heih estate fortune fro him karf Of þis tregetrye it ought ynough suffise / Who so wol heere it in a lenger wise Redeþ þe grete poete of ytayle / That highte daunte for he can it deuyse ffro poynt to poynt nouȝt o word wol he fayle [Nero.] [wrongly markt .a. by a later corrector, to go before Peter of Spain.]¶ Al þough þat Nero was as viciousDe nero As eny feend þat liþ ful lowe adoun Ȝet he as telleþ vs Swetheneus This wilde world haþ in Subieccioun Boþe Est and west and Septemptrioun Of Rubies Saphires and of perlis white Were alle his cloþes brouded vp and doun ffor he in gemmes grete gan delyte ¶ More delicate more pompous of array More proud was neuer emperour þan he Þat ilke cloþ þat he had wered a day After þat tyme he nolde it neuer se Nettes of golde þred hadde he gret plente To fissche in Tybre when him leste to pleye his lustes were as lawe in his degre ffor fortune as his freende wolde him obeye ¶ He Rome brente for his delicacye The senatoures he slough vpon a day To heere how þat men wolde weepe and crye And slough his broþer and by his suster lay His mooder made he in pitous aray ffor he hire wombe slitte to byholde Where he consceyued was so weylaway Þat he so litel of his moder tolde ¶ No teere out of his eyhen for þat sight Ne came but sayde a fair womman was sche Gret wonder is þat he couþe or might Be domesman of hire ded beute The wyn to brynge þo comanded he And drank anon. non oþer wo he made / Whan might is ioygned vnto cruelte Allas to deepe wole þe venym wade ¶ In ȝouþe a mayster hadde þis emperour To teche him lettrure and curtesye ffor of moralite he was þe flour As in his tyme but if bookes lye And whiles his mayster hadde of him maystrye He made him so konnyng and so souple / That longe tyme it was or tyrannye Or any vice dorste in him vncouple ¶ This Seneka of which I deuyse By cause nero hadde of him such drede ffor he for vices wolde him chastise Discretly as by word and nought by drede Sire wolde he sayn an Emperour moot neede Be vertuous and hate tyrauntrye ffor which he him in bathe made to blede In boþe his armes til he moste dye ¶ This nero hadde eek of a costummance In ȝouþe aȝeins his mayster for to ryse Which aftirward him þought a gret greuaunce Therfore he made him deye in þis wise But naþeles þis Seneke þe wise / Chees in a bathe to deye in þis manere / Raþer þan han anoþer tormentrye And þus haþ Nero slayn his mayster deere ¶ Now felle it so þat fortune lust no lenger þe heihe pryde of nero to cherissche ffor þough he were strong ȝet was sche strenger Sche þoughte þus by god I am to nyse To setten a man þat is fulfilde of vice In heigh degre and emperour him calle By god out of his sete I wol him tryce When he lest weneþ sonnest schal he falle ¶ The poeple ros vpon him on a night ffor his defaute and whan he it aspyed Out of his dores anon he haþ him dight Allone and þer he wende han ben allyed he knokked faste and ay þe more he cryed þe faster schutten þey þe dores alle Tho wiste he wel he hadde himself begyled And went his way no lenger dorste he calle / ¶ The poeple cryed and rombled vp and doun þat wiþ his eeres herde he how þey sayde Wher is þis false tyraunt þis Neroun ffor fere almost out of his witte a brayde And to his goddes pitously he sayde ffor socour but it mighte nought betyde ffor drede of þis him þoughte þat he deyde and ran in to a gardyn him to huyde ¶ And in þis gardyn fond he cherles tweye And saten by a fuyre ful grete and rede And to þe cherles twey he gan to preye To slen him and to gurden of his hede That to his body whan þat he were dede Were no despite y-done for his deffame / Himself he slough he couþe no better reed Of which fortune lough and hadde a game [Holofernes.] ¶ Was neuer Capitayn vnder a king¶ De Olipherno þat regnes mo putte in subieccioun Ne strenger was in feeld of alle þing As in his tyme ne gretter of Renoun Ne more pompous in heigh presumpcioun Then Olyferne which fortune ay keste / So likerously and ladde him vp and doun Til þat he hed was er þat he wiste / ¶ Nought oonly þat þis world had of him awe / ffor lesyng of Richesse and liberte But he made euery man reneye his lawe / Nabugodonosor was lord sayde Non oþer god schulde honoured be Aȝeins his heste no wight dar trespace / Saue in Bethulya a strang Cite Where Elyachim a prest was of þat place ¶ But take keepe of þe deþ of Olypherne Amydde his hoste he drunke lay a nyght Wiþinne his tente large as is a berne / And ȝet for alle his pompe and alle his might Iudith a womman as he lay vpright Slepyng his heed of smot and fro his tent / fful pryuyly sche stal fro euery wight . . . . .no gap in the MS. [Antiochus.] ¶ What needeþ it of king antiochus¶ De antiochio illustri. To telle his heihe and real mageste his heighe pruyde his werkes venymous ffor such anoþer nas neuer non as he Redeþ which þat he was in Machabe And redeþ þe proude wordes þat he sayde And why he felle fro his prosperite And in an hulle how wrecchedly he deyde ¶ ffortune him hadde enhaunced so in pruyde þat verrayly he wende he mighte atteyne vnto þe sterres vpon euery syde And in a balaunce to weye vche mountayne / And alle þe floodes of þe see restreyne And goddes poeple hadde he most in hate Hem wolde he sle in torment and peyne / Wenyng þat god ne might his pruyde abate ¶ And for þat Nichamour and Thymothee Wiþ Iewes were venquyscht mightily Vnto þe Iewes swich an hate hadde he That he hadde greythed his chaar ful hastily And swor and sayde ful dispitously vnto Ierusalem he wolde eft sone / To wreke his Ire on hit ful cruelly But of his purpos he was lette ful sone / ¶ God for his manace him so sore smot/ Wiþ inuisible wounde ay vncurable/ That in his guttes karf so and bote That his peynes were importable And certeynly þe wreche was resonable ffor many mannes guttes dede he payne But fro his pourpos cursed and dampnable ffor alle his smerte he nolde him nought restreyne ¶ But bad anon apparaylen his Oste And sodeinly er he was of hit/ ware God daunted alle his pruyde and alle his boste ffor he so sore felle out of his chare That hurt his lymes and his skyn totare So þat he ne mighte go ne ryde But in a Chayer men aboute him bare Al forbrused boþe bak and syde ¶ The wreche of god him smot so cruelly That in his body wickede wormes crepte And þer-wiþ-al he stank so orribly That non of alle his meigne þat him kepte / Wheþer so þat he wook or elles slepte / Ne mighte nought/ þe stynk of him endure In þis meschief he weyled and eek wepte / And knewe god lord of euery creature ¶ To alle his host and to himself also fful wlatsom was þe stynke of þis Careyne No man ne mighte him bere to ne fro And in his stynke and in his horible peyne He starf ful wrecchedly in a mounteyne Thus haþ þis robbour and þis homicide That many a man made to weepe and pleyne Such guerdon as bilongeþ vnto pruyde / [Alexander the Great.] ¶ The story of alisaundre is so commune¶ De alexandro magno philippi Regis Macedonie filio. That euery wight þat haþ discrecioun haþ herd somwhat or al of his fortune This wilde world as in conclusioun He wan by strengþe or for his heigh renoun They weren glad for pees vnto him sende The pruyde of man and beste he leyde a doun Wher so he cam vnto þe worldes ende ¶ Comparison might neuer ȝit/ be maked Betwix him and anoþer conquerour ffor alle þis worlde for drede of him haþ quaked he was of knighthede and of fredam flour ffortune him made þe heier of hure honour Saue wyn and wommen no þing might aswage / His heihe entent in armes and labour So was he fulle of louynge corage ¶ What pite were it to him þey I ȝou tolde Of darius and an .C. þousand mo Of kinges princes dukes eerles bolde Which he conquered and brouȝt hem in-to woo I say as fer as man may ryde or goo Þe worlde was his what schulde I more deuyse ffor þough I write or tolde ȝou euermo Of his knighthode he mighte nought suffise ¶ Twelf ȝeer he regned as saiþ Machabe Philippes sone of Macedo he was / That first was king of Grece þe Contre / O worþy gentil alisandre allas þat euer schulde falle such a caas Enpoysoned of þin folk þou were þyn. S fortune haþ torned in-to an aas And ȝet for þe ne weep sche neuer a tere ¶ Who schal men ȝeue teeres to compleyne The deþ of gentilesse and of fraunchise þat alle þe world weeldid in his demeygne / And ȝet him þoughte it might not suffise / So ful was his corage of heigh emprise Allas who schal me helpe to endite ffals fortune and poyson to despise þe whiche tuo of al þis wo I wite [Julius Cæsar.] ¶ By wisedom manhede and by labour¶ De Iulio Cesare. ffro humbleheed and fro Royal mageste vp ros he Iulius þe Conquerour That alle þe Occident by land and fee By strengþe of hand or elles by tretee And vnto Rome made hem tributarie And seþenes of Rome þemperour was he Til þat fortune wax his aduersarie ¶ O mighty Cesar þat in Tessalye Aȝens Pompeus fader þin in lawe That of þe Orient hadde al þe chiualrye as ferre as þat þe day begynneþ dawe þou þorugh þin knighthode þou hast hem take and slawe / Saue fewe folk þat wiþ Pompeus fledde / þurgh which þou puttest al þe Orient in awe Thanke fortune þat so wel þe spedde ¶ But now a litel while I wol bewayle / þis Pompeus þis noble gouernour Of Rome which þat fleigh at þis batayle I say on of his men a fals traytour His heed of smoot/ to wynne him fauour Of Iulius and him þe heed broughte Allas Pompeye of þe Orient conquerour That fortune vnto such a finye broughte ¶ To Rome aȝein repayreþ Iulius Wiþ his triumphe laureate ful heyȝe But on a tyme Brutus Cassius That euer had of his heigh estaat enuye fful priuily had maad conspiracie Aȝeins þis Iulius in subtil wise And caste þe place in which he schulde deye Wiþ boydekynnes as I schal ȝou deuyse ¶ Þis Iulius to þe Capithole went vppon a day as he was wont to goon And in þe Capitolye anon him hent This false brutus on his foule foon And stiked him wiþ boydekynnes anon Wiþ many a wounde and þus þey leet/ him lye But neuer gronte he at no stroke but oon Or elles at tuo but if his story lye ¶ So manly was þis Iulius of herte And so wel loued estaatly honeste That þough his dedly woundes so sore smerte His mantel ouer his hepes caste he ffor noman schulde seen his priuyte And as he lay as deyinge in a traunce And wiste verrily þat deed was he Of honeste ȝet hadde he remembrance ¶ Lucane to þis story I recomende And to Sweton and to Valerius also That of þis story writeþ word and ende how þat þese grete conqueroures tuo ffortune was ferst freend and siþen a foo No man ne truste vpon his fauour longe But haue hire in awayte for eueremo Witnesse on alle þise conqueroures stronge [Cresus.] ¶ This riche Cresus whilom king of lydeCresus. Of whiche Cresus Cyquus sore him dradde Ȝet was he caught amyddes alle his pryde And to be brent men to þe fuyre him ladde But such a reyn doun fro þe walken schadde þat slough þe fuyr and made him to askape But to be war ȝet no grace he hadde Til fortune on þe galwes made him gape ¶ Whan he askaped was he can not stynte ffor to begynne a newe reyne aȝein he wende wel for þat fortune him sente Such happe þat he escaped þurgh þe rayn That of his foos he mighte not be slayn And swich a swefne vppan a night he mette Of which he was so proud and eek so fayn That in vengaunce he alle his herte sette ¶ Vpon a tree he was as þat him þoughte There Iubiter him wisshe boþe halse and syde And Phebus eek a fair towayle him broughte To druye him wiþ and þerfore wax his pryde And to his doughter þat stood him besyde Which þat he knew in heigh sentence abounde He bad hire telle him what it signefyed And sche his dreemes bygan right þus expounde ¶ The tree quod sche þe galwes is to mene And Iubiter bitokneþ snow and rayn And Phebus wiþ his towayle so clene Tho be þe sonne stremes for to sayn Thou schalt an honged be fader certayn Reyn schal þe waissche and sonne schal þe druye þus warned him ful platte and ful playn His doughter þat called was Phanye / ¶ An honged was Cresus þe proude king His roial trone might him nought auayle Tegedie is non oþer maner þing Ne can synnynge crye ne by-wayle But þat fortune alway wol assayle / Wiþ vnwar strook þe regnes that ben proude ffor whan men trusteþ hire þan wol sche fayle And couere hire brighte face wiþ a cloude¶ Explicit/ ¶ Here begynneþ þe prologe of þe nonne prestes taleon leaf 247 HO quod þe knight goode sire nomore of þis þat ȝe han sayde is right ynough ywis And meche more for litel heuynesse Is right ynough to meche folk as I gesse /[no gap in the Corpus MS] [I sey for me . it is a grete disease Where as men han bien . in grete welth and ease To here of theyr sodayn falle alas And the contrary is Ioy . and grete solas And whan a man hath bien in pouer estate And clymbith vp . and wexith fortunate And ther abydith · in prosperite Swiche thyng is gladsom . as it thynkyth me And of swiche thynges . were goodely for to telle Ya quod oure host . be seynt poulis belle Ye say right soth . this monk be clappid lowde He spak how fortune . was couered with a clowde I not neuer what . and als of a tregedye Right now ye herd . and parde no remedye Is it for to be-wailen . and compleyn That . that is don . and als it is a peyn As ye have sayd . to here of hevynesse Sir monke nomore of this . so god yow blisse Yowre tale anoyeth . al this company Swiche thyng is nat worth a boterflye][MS Reg. extract ends] ȝoure tales don vs no desport ne game Wherfore sir monk Doun Pieres by ȝour name I pray ȝou hertely telle vs som what elles ffor siker nere clynkyng of ȝoure belles / þat on ȝoure brydel hangeþ on euery syde / By heuene king þat for vs alle dyde I schal for þis falle doun for slepe / Al þough þe slough hadde neuer ben so depe þan hadde ȝoure tale be told in vayn ffor certeinly as þese clerkes sayn Wher as a man may han non audience Nought helpeþ it to tellen his sentence And wel I woot þe substance is in me / If eny þing schal wel reported be Sire say somwhat of huntyng I ȝou pray Nay quod þe monk I haue no lust to play Now lete anoþer telle as I haue tolde þanne spak oure Ost wiþ ruyde speche and bolde And sayde vnto þe nonnes prest anon Come ner sire prest com hider sir Iohn Telle vs such þing as may oure hertes glade Be mery þough þou ryde vpon a Iade / What þough þin hors be hagged foul or lene If he wol serue þe rekke þe nought a bene Loke þat þin herte be mery euermo ȝis Ost quod he so mote I ryde or go But I be mery I-wys I wil be blamed And right anon he haþ his tale tamed And þus he seyde to vs euerychon This swete prest þis goode man sir Iohn .¶ Explicit prologus Cam xxijm.¶ Here begynneþ þe nonnes prestes tale of þe kokke & his vij. hennes A Pouere wydewe somdel stope in age Was whilom dwellyng in a narwe cotage Besydes a groue standyng in a dale This wydewe of which I telle ȝou my tale Seþins þilke day þat sche was last/ a wyf In pacience ladde a ful simple lyf ffor litel was hire catelle and hire rent By housbondrye of such as god hire sent Sche fand hire self and eek hire doughtren tuo þre large sowes hadde sche and nomo Thre kyn and eek a scheep þat highte malle fful sooty was hire bour and eek hire halle In which sche eet ful many a sklender mel Of poynant Sause hire needed neuer a del No deynte morsell passed hire þrote Hire dyete was acordant to hire cote Replecion ne made hire neuere seeke A-tempree diete was alle hire Phiseke And excersise and hertes suffisance The gowte letted hire no þing to daunce Ne Poplexie ne schente not hire heed No wyn ne drank sche neyþer whit ne reed Hire bord was serued most wiþ whit and blak Milk and broun breed in which sche fond no lak Seynd bacon and somtyme an ey or tweye ffor sche was as it was a maner deye A gardyn sche hadde enclosed alle aboute Wiþ stikkes and a druye diche wiþoute In which sche hadde a cokk þat highte Chaunteclere In alle þe land of crowyng nas his peere his voys was merier þan þe mery Orgon On masse dayes þat in þe chirche gon Wel sikerer was þe crowyng in his logge þan is a clokke or eny abbay orlogge By nature he knew eche assencion Of equinoxial of þilke toun ffor whan degrees .xv. were discendid þenne knew he þat it might nought ben amended His cambe was redder þen þe fyn coralle And batailled as it were a castel walle Ylike asure were his legges and his toon His byle was blak and as þe Iet it schon His nayles whitter þen þe lily flour And ylike burnysscht gold was his colour This gentil cokke hadde in his gouernance / .vij. hennes for to doon his plesance Whiche weren his sustres and his paramoures And wonder ylike to him as of coloures Of which þe fairest hewed on þe þrote Was cleped faire damisel pertelote Curteys sche was discret and debonaire And companable / and bar hire self so faire Siþens þilke day þat sche was seuenyght olde þat trewely sche haþ þe herte in holde Of chaunteclere loken in euery liþ He loued hire so þat wel was him þerwith But such a ioye as it was to heere hem synge Whan þat þe brighte sonne gan to springe In swete acorde my leef is fare in londe / ffor þilke tyme as I haue vnderstonde Beestes and briddes couþe speke and synge And so bifelle þat in a dawenynge / As Chaunteclere among his wyfes alle Satte on his perche þat was in þe halle And next him sat þis faire Pertelote þis Chaunteclere gan gronen in his þrote As a man þat is in his dreme drecched sore And when þat Pertelote þus herde him rore Sche was agast/ and sayde herte deere What eyleþ ȝou to grone in þis manere ȝe ben a verray sleper fy for schame / And he answerde and sayde þus ma dame / I pray ȝou þat ȝe take it not to greef By god me mette þat I was in such mescheef Right now þat ȝet myn herte is sore afright Now quod he my sweuene reed aright And keepe my body out of foul prisoun Me mette þat I romed vp and doun Wiþinne oure ȝerde wher as I saugh a beeste Was lik an hound and wolde han made areste / vpon my body and wolde han had me deed His colour was betwixe whit and reed And tipped was his tail and boþe his eeres Wiþ blak vnlik þe remenant of his heeres his snowte smal with glowyng eyen tweye ȝet of his look for feer almost I deye This caused me my gronyng douteles Avoy quod sche // ffy on ȝou herteles Allas quod sche; ffor by þat god aboue Now haue ȝe lost myn herte and al my loue I can nought loue a coward by my feiþ ffor certes what so eny womman seiþ We wolle alle desyren if it mighte be To haue housbondes hardy wise and fre And secre ne no nyggard ne no fool Ne him þat is agast of euery tool Ne non auauntour by þat god aboue How dorste ȝe say for schame vnto ȝoure loue / That eny þing might make ȝou aferd Han ȝe no mannes herte and han a berd Allas and konne ȝe be agast of sweuons [Nothyng god wote. but vanite in sweuene isnot in Reg. 18 C 2, lf 228] Sweuenes engendren of replexiones [And oft of synne. and of complexiouns[not in Reg. 18 C 2]][MS Reg. 17 D xv] When humours ben to habundaunt in a wight Certes þis dreme which ȝe han herd to nyght Cometh of þe grete superfluite Of ȝoure reede colre sire parde Which causeþ folk to dremen here dreemes Of arwes and of fuyre with reede leemes Of reede bestes þat woln hem byte Of Contelle and of whelpes grete an lyte Right as he humour malencolie Causeþ many a man in slepe to crye ffor feere of beres and of boles blake Or elles blake deueles woln hem take Of oþer humours couþe I telle also þat worken many a man in sleep ful woo But I wol passe as lightly as I can Lo Caton which þat was so wys a man Sayde he nouȝt þus ne do no force of dremes Now sire quod sche whan we flee fro þe beemes ffor goddes loue as takeþ som laxatif Vp peril of my soule and of my lyf I counceile ȝou þe beste I wol not lye þat boþe of colre and of malencolye ȝe purge ȝou and for ȝe schuln nought tary þough þat in þis toun is non apotecary I schal my self to herbes techen ȝou That schal ben ȝoure hele and ȝoure prow And in þe gardyn þo herbes schal I fynde The whiche han of here proprete by kynde To purgen ȝou byneþe and eek aboue fforȝeteþ nouȝt þis for goddes owne loue ȝe ben ful Colrik of Compleccion Were þe sonne in his ascencion Ne fynde ȝou replete and ȝoure humors hote and if it do I dar wel leye a groote That ȝe schuln haue a feuer terciane Or an agu þat may ben ȝoure bane A day or tuo ȝe schuln haue digestyues Of wormes er ȝe take ȝoure laxatyues Of laureole Centure and of fumytere Or ellis of Ellebore þat groweþ þere Of Catapuce or of gaytres buryes Of herbe yue growyng in oure ȝerde þer mery is Pek hem vp right as þey growe and et hem In Be mery housbande for ȝoure fadres kyn Dredeþ no dreem I can say ȝou no more Ma dame quod he gramercy of ȝoure lore But naþeles as touching dann Catoun That haþ of wisdom such a gret renoun By god men may in olde bookes reede Oon of þe grettest auctour out of drede Of many a man more of auctorite þenne euer Caton was so mote I þe That alle þe reuers sein of his sentence And han wel founden by experience þat dreemes ben significacions As wel of ioye as of tribulacions þat folk enduren in þis lyf present Ther needeþ nouȝt to make of þis non argument The verray preef scheweþ it in dede On of þe grettest auctour þat men rede Saiþ þus þat whilom tuo felawes went On pylgrimage in a ful good entent And happed so þey camen in-to a toun Wher as þer was such congregacion Of poeple and eek of streight herburgage That þey ne fand as moche as a cotage / In which þey boþe might y-logged be Wherfore þey mosten of necessite As for þat night departe of companye And vche of hem goþ vnto his ostelrye And took his loggynge as it wolde falle That oon of hem was logged in a stalle fferre in a ȝerde wiþ oxen of þe plough þat oþer man was logged wel ynough As was his aduenture or his fortune þat vs gouerneþ alle as in comune And so bifelle it lange er it was day þis man mette in his bedde þer as he lay how þat his felaw gan on him to calle And sayde allas for in an oxe stalle This night schal I be mourdred þer I lye Now help me deere broþer er I dye In alle haste come to me he seyde This man out of his sleep for feere abrayde But whan þat he was wakened out of his slepe he turned him and tok of þis no kepe / Him þought his dreem was nought/ but vanyte þus twyes in his sleping dremed he And at þe þridde tyme ȝet his felawe Came as him þought I am now y-slawe Byholde my bloody woundes deepe and wyde / Arys vp erely in þe morne tyde / And at þe west gate of þe toun quod he A carte fulle of dunge þere schalt þou se / In which my body is hidde ful pryuyly Do þilke carte aresten boldely My golde caused my murdre soþ to sayn And tolde him euery poynt how he was slayn Wiþ a ful pitous face pale of hewe And truste wel his dreem he fand ful trewe ffor on þe morwe as sone as it was day To his felawes In he tok þe way And whan he com vnto þis Oxe stalle After his felawe he bigan to calle The Ostiler answered him anon And sayde sire ȝoure felawe is y-gon As sone as day he wente out of þe toun This man gan falle in gret suspecion Remembryng on his dreemes þat he mette And forþ he goþ no lenger wolde he lette Vnto þe west gate of þe toun and fonde A dung carte as he wente to dunge þe londe / þat was arrayed in þe same wyse As ȝe han herde þe deede man deuyse And wiþ an hardy herte he gan to crye Vengaunce and Iustice of þis felonye My felawe murdred is þis same night And in þis cart he lyþ gapyng vpright [I Crie oute on þe mynistris quod he[Not in Sloane 1685, leaf 217, back; or in Sloane 1686, leaf 285.] Þat shulde kepe and rewle þis citee Harrow allas here lith my felaw slayn What shuld I more vn-to this tale sayn Þe peple out sterte / & caste þe carte to grounde And in the medil of the donge þei founde][Harl. extract ends] The deede man þat murdred was al newe O blisful god þat art so iuste and trewe / Lo how þat þou bywreyest murdre alway Murdre wole out þat se we day by day Mordre is so wlatsom and abhominable To god þat is so iuste and resonable That he wol not suffre it hiled be They it abyde a ȝeer or tuo or þre Mordre wole out þis is my conclusion And right anon ministres of þe toun And hente þe cartere and sore him pyned And eek þe osteller so ferre engyned That þey beknewe here wickednesse anon And weren hanged by þe nekke boon Heer may men see þat dreemes ben to drede And certes in þe same book I rede Right in þe nexte chapitre I rede of þis I gabbe nought/ so haue I ioye & blis Tuo men þat wolde han passed þe see ffor certein cause in-to a ferre cuntre If þat þe wynde nad y-be contrary Þat made hem in a Cite for to tary That stood ful mery vpon an hauen side But on a day aȝens þe euen tyde The wynd gan chaunge and blowen as him leste Iolyf and glad þey wenten vnto reste And casten hem ful erly for to seyle But herkne þat oo man felle in gret pereyle That oon of hem in slepyng as he lay Him mette a wonder dreme aȝeins þe day Him þought a man stood by his beddes syde And him comānded þat he schulde abyde And seyde him þus if þou to morwe wende Thou schalt be draynt my tale is at an ende he awook and tolde his felawe what he mette and prayed him his viage for to lette As for þat day he prayde him to abyde his felawe þat lay by his beddes syde Gan for to laughe and scorned him ful faste No dreme quod he may myn herte agaste Þat I wol lette for to do my þinges I sette nouȝt a straw by þy dremynges ffor sweuenes ben but vanytes and Iapes Men dreme alway of owles and of apes And of many a mase þer-wiþ-all Men dremen of þing þat neuer was ne schal But siþenes I se þat þou wolt here abyde And þus forslowþen wilfully þe tyde God wot it reweþ me and haue good day And thus he took his leeue and went his way And er þat he hadde half his cours y-sayled Not I nought why ne what meschaunce it ayled But casuelly þe schippes botme rent And schip and man vnder þe water went In sight of oþer schippes him besyde þat wiþ him seyled at þe same tyde And þerfore he seyde Pertelote so deere By suche ensamples olde maist þou leere þat no man schulde be to recheles Of dremes for I say þe dowteles That many a dreem fol sore is for to drede Lo in þe lyf of Seint kenelme I rede þat was kenulphes sone þe noble king Of Mertenrike how kenelme met a þing A litel er was murdred on a day His murdre in his avision he say His norice him expouned eury del His sweuene and bad him for to kepe him wel ffor treson but he was seuen ȝeer old And þerfore litel tale haþ he told Of eny dreem so holly was his herte By god I hadde leuer þan my scherte þat ȝe hadde herde his legende as haue I Dame pertelote I say ȝou trewely Macrobeus þat writ þe avisioun In affryke of þe worþy Cyprioun Affermeþ dremes and saiþ þat þay ben Warnyng of þinges þat men after seen And furþermore I pray ȝou lokeþ wel þe olde testament of Daniel If he heeld dreemes of any vanyte Reede eek of Ioseph and þer schuln ȝe see Wheþer dremes ben som tyme I say not alle Warnyng of þinges þat schuln after falle Loke of Egypt þe king Daun Pharao His baker and his botiler also Wher þey ne felten noon effecte in dremes Who so wol seche þe acte of sondry Remes May rede of dreemes many a wonder þing Lo Cresus which þat was of lyde king Mette he nouȝt þat he sat on a tree Which signified he schulde anhanged be Lo here adromacha Ectores wiff That day þat Ector schulde lese his lyff Sche dreemed on þe same night byforn How þat þe lyff of Ector schulde be lorn If þilke day he went in-to Batayle Sche warned him but it might nouȝt auayle He wente for to feighten neuer þe les But he was slayn of oon achilles But þilke tale is al to long to telle And eek it is neigh day I may nouȝt dwelle Schortly I say as for conclusion þat I schal haue of þis auision Of aduersitees and I say forþermore That I nel telle of laxatifs no store ffor þey ben venymous I wot right wel I hem diffye I loue hem neuer a del Now let vs speke of myrþe and stynte al þis Madame pertelote so haue I blis Of o þing god me haþ sent large grace ffor when I se þe beaute of ȝour face ȝe ben so skarlet reed aboute ȝoure eyen It makeþ alle my drede for to deyen ffor al so siker as In principio Mulier est hominis confusio Ma dame þe sentence of þis latyn is Womman is mannes ioye and al his blys ffor whan I feele a night ȝoure softe syde Al be it þat I may nought on ȝou ryde ffor þat oure perche is maad so narwe allas I am so fulle of ioye and solas That I diffye boþe sweuen and dreem And wiþ þat word he fleigh doun fro þe beem ffor it was day and eek his hennes alle And wiþ a chukke he gan hem for to calle ffor he had founde a corn lay in þe ȝerde Real he was nomore aferde He feþerede pertelote twenty tyme And tradde as ofte er it were prime He lokeþ as it were a grym lyoun And on his toos he romed vp and doun Him deygned nouȝt to sette his feet on grounde Ay chukked he whan he hadde a corn y-founde And to him þanne ranne his wyfes alle Þus real as a prince in his halle leue I þis Chaunteclere in his pasture And after wol I telle of his aduenture When þe monþe in which þe world bigan þat highte march when god ferst made man Was complete and passed were also Seþins marche bygan þritty dayes and tuo Bifelle þat Chaunteclere in alle his pryde his seuen wyues walkyng him bysyde Caste vp his eyen to þe brighte sonne That in þe signe of Taurus was y-ronne; Twenty degrees. and oon and somwhat more He knew by kynde and by non oþer lore That it was pryme and crew wiþ blisful steuene The sonne he sayde is clumben vp on heuene xl. degrees and oon and more y-wys Madame pertelote my worldes blys Herkne how þese blisful briddes synge and see þe freisshe floures how þay springe fful is myn herte of Reuel and solace But sodeinly him fel a sorwful case ffor euer þe latter ende of Ioye is sone ago And comunly often tyme it falleþ so And if a Rethor couþe faire endite He in a Cronique mighte saufly write As for a souereyn notabilite / Now euery wise man herkene to me This story is also trewe I vndertake As is þe book of launcelot þe lake þat wommen heelde in ful gret reuerence Now wol I torne aȝein to my sentence A kolle fox ful of sleighte and iniquite That in þe groue had woned ȝeeres þre By heih ymaginacion aforn caste þe same night þurghout þe hegges braste In-to þe yerde þer Chaunteclere þe faire Was wont and eek his wyfes to repayre And in a bedde of worstes stille he lay Til it was passed vndern of þe day Wayting his tyme on chaunteclere to falle As gladly doon þese homicydes alle That in awayte ligge to murþre men O false murdrour roukyng in þy den O newe scariote and newe Genyloun ffals dissimulour O greke Synon That broughtest Troye outrely to sorwe O Chaunteclere acorsed be þat morwe þat þou in þe ȝerde fleyȝe fro þe beemes Thou were ful wel y-warned by þin derems That þilke day was perilous to þe But þat at god afore wot moot needes be After þe opynyon of certein clerkes Witnesse on him þat any clerk/ is That in scole gret altercacion In þis matiere and gret disputeson And haþ ben of an hundred þousand men But I ne can nouȝt bulte it to þe bren As can þe holy doctour augustyn Or Boece or þe Bisschoppe Bradwardyn Wheþer þat/ goddes wille afore wetyng Streyneþ me needely for to don a þing Needly clepe I simple necessite Or elles if þe free choys be graunted me / To do þat same þing or to do it nouȝt þough god forwot it er it was y-wrought Or of his wetyng streigneþ neuer a del But by necessite condicionel I wol not haue to doone of such matiere My tale is of a cokk as ȝe schuln after heere That took his counseil of his wyf wiþ sorwe To walke in-to þe ȝerd vppon þe morwe That he had mette þe dreem as I ȝou tolde Wommens counseiles ben ful ofte colde Wommans counseil brought vs ferst to wo And made adam fro paradys to go þer as he was ful mery and wel at ese / But for I not whom it might displese If I councel of wommen wolde blame Passe ouer I seyde it in my game Rede auctours wher þey trete of such matiere And what þay sein of wommen ȝe may heere These ben þe cokkes wordes and nought myne I can non harme of no womman devyne ffayre in þe sande to baþe hire merily liþ pertelote and alle hire sustres by Aȝein þe sonne and Chaunteclere so fre Sange meriere þan þe mere-mayde in þe see ffor Physyalogus saiþ witterly How þat þey sungen wel and merily And so bifelle as he cast his ye amonges þe wortes vpon a butterflye He was war of þis ffox þat lay ful lowe ¶ No þing ne luste him þanne for to crowe But cryed anon kok kok and vp he sterte As man þat was affrayed in his herte ffor naturelly a beste desireþ to fle ffro his contrarye if he may it se þey he neuer hadde seye it erst wiþ his ye This Chaunteclere when he gan him espye he wolde han fledde but þat þe fox anon Sayde gentil sire allas what wol ȝe doon Been ȝe affrayed of me þat am ȝoure freende Certes sire þen be ȝe vnheende If I to ȝou wolde harme or vilanye I am nought come ȝoure councel to aspie But trewely þe cause of my comynge Was oonly to herkne how þat ȝe synge / ffor trewely ȝe han as mery a steuene As any aungel haþ þat is in heuene Ther-with ȝe han in Physike more felynge þat hadde boys or eny þat can synge My lord ȝoure fader god his soule blesse And eek ȝoure mooder of hire gentilnesse han in myn hous I-ben ful wel at eese and certes sire ful fayn wolde I ȝou pleese But for men speken of syngyng I wolde seye So mote I brouke myne eyen tweye Saue ȝou I ne herde neuer man so synge As dide ȝoure fader in þe morwenynge Certes it was of herte al þat he sange And for to make his voys þe more strange He wolde so peyne him þat wiþ boþe his eyen He moste wynke so lowde he dide cryen And standen on his typtoos þer-wiþ-al And strecche forþ his nekke long and smal And eek he was of such discrecion That þer was no man in no region That him in song or wisdam mighte passe I haue wel rad daun burnelle the asse Among his vers þer was a kok ffor a prestes sone ȝaf him a knok Vpon his legges whil he was yong and nyce He made him for to leese his benefice But certein þer is no comparison Betwixe þe wisdam and discrecion Of ȝoure fader and of his subtilte Now syngeþ sire for seinte Charite Let see conne ȝe ȝoure fader countrefete þis Chaunteclere his wynges gan to bete As man þat couþe his treson not aspye So was he rauysscht wiþ his flaterye¶ Nota bene ¶ Allas ȝe lordes many a fals flatour Is in ȝoure Court and many a losengour þat pleasen ȝou more by my feiþ Then he þat soþfastnesse vnto ȝou seiþ Redeþ ecclesiastre of flaterie Beþ war ȝe lordes of here treccherie This Chaunteclere stood heye vpon his toos Strecching his necke and huld his eyen clos And gan to crowe lowde for þe nones And daun Russel stert vp al at oones And by þe gargage hente Chaunteclere And on his bak toward the woode him bere ffor ȝet was þere noman þat him sewed O destyne þat mayst not ben eschewed Allas þat Chaunteclere fel fro þe bemes Allas his wyf ne roughte nought of dremes And on a friday felle al þis meschaunce O venus þat art goddesse of plesaunce Seþines þat þi seruant was þis Chaunteclere And in þin seruise dede al his powere / More for delite þan þe world to multiplie Why woldestow suffre him / on þin day to dye O Gaufrede deere maister souerayn That whan þy worþy king Richard was slayn Wiþ schotte compleynedest his deþ so sore Why ne hadde I now þin sentence and þin lore The friday for to chyde as deden ȝe / ffor on a ffriday schortly slayn was he þenne wolde I schewe ȝou how þat I couþe pleyne ffor Chaunteclere and for his peyne Certes such cry ne lamentacion Was of ladyes maade whan yleon Was wonne and Purris wiþ his streighte swerd Whenne he hente king Pryam by þe berd And slayn him as seyde Enneydos As maden alle þe hennes in þe cloos Whan þey hadde seye of chaunteclere þe sight But soueraynly dame Pertelote schright fful lowder þen dede hasdrubaldes wyff Whan þat hire housbonde hadde lost his lyff And þat þe Romayns had berud Cartage Sche was so fulle of torment and of Rage þat wilfully in to þe fuyr sche sterte And brend hir selue wiþ a stedefast herte O wofulle hennes right so cryede ȝe As whan þat Nero brende þe Cite Of Rome cryden þe Senatours wyfes ffor þat here housbondes schulde leese here lyues Wiþouten gilte Nero haþ hem slayn ¶ Now wole I turne vnto my tale agayn This seely widewe and hire doughtres tuo Herden þe hennes crien and make woo / And out at þe dore sterten þay anon And sawe þe fox toward þe groue goon And bar vpon his bak þe kok away And cryden out harrow and weloway A ha þe fox and after him þay ran And eek with staues many anoþer man Ran colle oure dogge Talbot and Garlond And Malkyn wiþ hire distaf in hire hond Ran cow and calf and eek þe verrey hogges Sore aferde for berkyng of þe dogges And schowtyng of men and of wommen eeke þey ronne so her hert þey þought tobreeke They yelleden as feendes don in helle The dokes cryden as men wolde hem quelle Out of þe huyues come þe swarm of bees þe gees for feere flowen ouer þe trees So hidous was þe noyse a benedicite Certes he Iakke strawe and his meynee Ne maden neuere schoutes half so schrille Whan þat þay wolden eny flemyng kille As þat ilke day was maad vpon þe ffox Of bras þey broughte beemes and of Box Of horne and boon in whiche þey pouped And þer-wiþal þey schriched and þey schouted It semed as þat heuen schulde falle Now goode men I pray ȝou herkneþ alle Lo how fortune turneþ sodeinly The hope and eek þe pruyde of here enuye This Cok þat lay vpon þis foxes bak In alle his drede vnto þe fox he spak And sayde sire if I were as ȝe Ȝet schuld I say as wis god helpe me Turneþ aȝein ȝe proude cherles alle A verray pestilence vpon ȝou falle Now am I come vnto þis woodes syde Maugre ȝour heed þe cok schal here abyde I wole him ete in feiþ and þat anon The ffox answerde in feiþ it schal be don and [as] he spak þat word al sodeinly This Cok brak fro his mouþ delyuerly An heigh vpon a tree he fleigh anoon And whan þe fox saugh þat he was goon Allas quod he O Chaunteclere allas I haue quod he don to ȝow a trespas In als moche as I made ȝou afferd When I ȝou hente and brought out of þe ȝerd But sire I dede it nought in no wicked entent Come doun and I schal telle ȝou what I ment I schal ȝou seye soþ god helpe me so / Nay þanne quod he I schrewe vs boþe tuo / And ferst I schrewe my self boþe blood and bones If þou begile me ofter þan ones / Thou schalt nomore wiþ þin flaterye Do me to synge and wynke wiþ myn ye ffor he þat wynkeþ whan he schulde se As wisly god let him neuer þe Nay quod þe fox god ȝiue him meschaunce That is so vndiscret of gouernaunce þat iangleþ whan he schulde haue pees Lo suche it is for to be recheles / and necligent and trusteþ on flaterye But ȝe þat halden þis tale a folye As of a fox and of a cok and an hen Takeþ þe moralite goode men ffor seint poule saiþ / alle þat writen is To oure doctrine / it is y-writen y-wis Takeþ þe fruit/ and leteþ þe chaff be stille Now goode god if þat it be þin wille / As seiþ my lord so make vs alle goode men And bringe vs alle to his heihe blisse ameN Here endeþ þe Nonne prestes tale GROUP H. FRAGMENT IX. § 1. THE MANCIPLE'S HEAD-LINK. CORPUS MS. Here folweþ þe Prologe of þe man| ¶ ciples taleon leaf 256Cam xxiijm WOt ȝe not wher þer stant/ a litel toun Which þat is cleped Bobbe vp and doun vnder þe Blee in Caunterbery way Ther gan oure Oste for to Iape and play And sayde syres what donne is in þe myre Is no man for preyer ne for huyre That wole awake oure felawe be-hynde / A þeef might him ful lightly robbe and bynde Se how he nappeþ se for goddes bones þat he wol falle fro his hors at ones Is þat a Cook of london wiþ meschance Do him come forth he knoweþ his penānce ffor he schal telle a tale by my fey Al þough it be nought worþ a botel hey Awake þou Cook quod he god ȝiue þe sorwe What eyleþ þe to slepe by þe morwe hast þou had fleen al night or art þou drunke Or hast þou wiþ som quene al night y-swunke So þat þou mayst nought holden vp þin heed This Cook þat was ful pale and no þing reed Seyde oure Ost so god my soule blesse As þer is falle on me such heuynesse Not I nouȝt why me were leuer to slepe Then þe beste galon of wyn in Chepe Wel quod þe maunciple if it þe may don ese To þe sir Cook and to no wight displese Which þat heer rydeþ in þis companye / And þat oure host wole of his curtesye I wole as now excuse þe of þin tale ffor in good feiþ þi visage is ful pale Thin eyen dasewen soþly as me þinkeþ And wel I woot þi breþ ful soure stinkeþ That scheweþ wel þou art nought wel disposed Of me certeyn þou schalt nought ben y-glosed Se how he goneth lo his drunken wight As þough he wolde vs swolwe anon right hald clos þin mouþ man by þyn fader kyn The deuyl of helle sette his foot þerin This cursed breth wol infecte vs alle ffy stynkynge swyn fy foule mote þe falle Takeþ heede sires of þis lusty man Now sweete sire wole ȝe iuste at þe van Ther-to me þenkeþ ȝe ben wel y-schape I trowe þat ȝe haue drunken wyn ape And þat is whan men pleye wiþ a straw / And wiþ his speche þe Cooke wax al wraw And on þe maunciple bygan he nodde faste ffor lakke of speche and doun þe hors him caste Wher as he lay til þat men him vp took This was a fayr Chiuacheef of a cook Allas he ne hadde holde him by his ladel And er þat he aȝein were in his sadel Ther was a gret schowuyng boþe to and fro To lifte him vp and mochil care and woo So vnweldy was þis sely pallede goste And to þe maunciple þenne spak oure Oste By cause þat drynke haþ dominacion Vpon þis man by my Sauacion I trowe he lewedly wolde telle his tale ffor were it wyn or olde or moysty ale That he haþ drunke he spekeþ so in his nose / And fneseþ faste and eek he haþ þe pose he hath also to don more þan ynough To kepe him and his capel out of þe slough And if he falle fro his capil eft sone / Thenne schulle we alle haue ynough to doone In liftyng vp his heuy drunken cors Telle on þin tale of him make I no fors But ȝit maunciple in feiþ þou art to nyce Thus openly to reproue him of his vice Anoþer day he wole perauenture Reclayme þe and bringen þe to lure I mene he speke wole of smale þinges And for to pynchen at þine rekenynges That were not honeste if it come to pref No quod þe maunciple þat were a gret meschief So might he bringe me in to þe snare Yet hadde I leuer payen for þe mare Which he ryt on þan he schulde wiþ me stryue I wol not wraþþe him so mote I þryue þat þat I spak I seyde it in my bourde And wite ȝe wel I haue heer in my gourde A draught of wyn ye of a rype grape And right anon ȝe schullen seen a good Iape This Cook schal drynke þer-of if I may vp peyne of my lyf he wol not say nay And certeinly to tellen as it/ was Of þis vessell þe Cook drank faste allas What needeþ it he drank ynough aforn And whan he hadde pouped in his horn To þe maunciple he took þe gourde again And of þat drynke þe cook was wonder fayn And þanked him in such wise as he cowde Then gan oure Oste to lawhe wonder lowde And sayde I se wel it is necessarie Where þat we goon good drink wiþ vs to carie ffor þat wol tourne rancour and disese To acord and loue and many a word to peese O Bachus y-blessed be þy name þat so canst torne ernest in to game Worschipe and þonke be to þy deite Of þat matiere ne gete ȝe nomore of me Tel on þi tale þou manciple I þe preye Wel sire quod he now kerkneþ what I seye¶ Explicit prologus Incipit fabulaon leaf 257, back Whan phebus dwelde heer in þis erþe adoun As olde booke maken mencioun he was þe moste lusty bachiler Of/ alle þe world and eek þe best archeer he slough Phyton þe serpent/ as he lay Slepyng agayn þe sonne vpon a day And many anoþer noble worþy dede / He wiþ his bowe brought as men nowe rede Pleyen he couþe of euery menstralcye And syngen þat it was a melodye To heeren of his cleere voys þe soun Certes þe king of Thebes amphyoun That wiþ his syngyng walled þat Cite Cowde neuer syngen half so wel as he Therto he was þe semlyeste man þat is or was siþen þe world bygan What needeþ it his fetures to discryue ffor in þis world was non so fair on lyue he was þer-wiþ fulfild of gentilnesse Of honour and of parfyte worþinesse This Phebus þat was flour of Bachelrye As wel in freedam as in Chiualrie ffor disporte in signe eek of victorie Of Phyton so as telleþ vs þe storye Was worþy to beren in his hond a bowe / Now hadde þis Phebus in his hous a crowe Which in a cage he fostred many a day And taught it speke as þat men teche a Iay Whit was þis Crowe as is a snow whit swan And countrefeted þe speche of euery man he cowde when he schulde telle a tale Ther-wiþ in al þe world no nightyngale Ne couþe by an hundred þousend deel Syngen so wonderly meryly and weel Now hadde þis Phebus in his hous a wyf Which þat he loued more þan his owne lyf And night and day dyd euer his diligence Hir for to plese and don hire reuerence Saue oonly if þe soþ þat I schal sayn Gelous he was and wolde haue kept hire fayn ffor him were loþ by-Iaped for to be And so euery wight in such degre But al for nouȝt for it auayleþ nouȝt A good wyff þat is clene of werk and þought Schulde nought be kepte in non awayte certain And trewely þe labour is in vayn To kepe a schrewe for it wol nouȝt be This halde I for a verray nycete To spille labour for to keepe wyues Thus writen olde Clerkes in here lyues But now to purpos as I first bigan This worþy Phebus doþ al þat he can To plesen hyre wenyng by such plesance And for his manhode and his gouernance That no man schulde haue put him fro hir grace But god it woot/ þer may no man enbrace As to distreyne a þing which þat nature Haþ naturelly sette in a creature Take eny bryd and put it in a kage And do al þin entent and þy corage To fostre it tendrely wiþ mete and drinke Of alle deyntees þat þou canst byþinke And keepe it/ also clenly as þou may Al þough his cage of golde be neuer so gay ȝet haþ þis bridde by .xx. þousand folde Leuer in a fforest þat is wilde and colde Gon ete wormes and such wrecchedenesse ffor euer þis bridde wol doon his busynesse To eskape out of his cage when he may his liberte þe bridde desireþ ay Let take a catte and fostre him wel wiþ melk An tendre fleissch and make his couche of selk And let him seen a mous go by þe walle And anon he weyueþ milke fleissche and alle And euery deynte þat is in þat hous Such appetyt haþ sche to ete a mous Lo he[re] haþ luste his dampnacion And appetyt flemyth discrecion As þe wolf haþ also a vyleyns kynde The lewedeste wolf þat sche may fynde Of lest of reputacion þat wol sche take In tyme whan hire luste to haue a make Alle þise ensamples speke I by þese men That ben vntrewe and noþing by wommen ffor men han euere a likerous appetyt On lowere þing to parforme here delyt Then on here wyfes ben þay neuer so fayre Ne neuer so trewe ne so debonaire ffleissche is so newefongul wiþ meschance That we ne konne in no þing han plesance That sowneþ in to vertu eny while This Phebus which þat þought vpon no gile Desceyued was for alle his Iolite ffor vnder him anoþer hadde sche A man of litel reputacion Nought worþ to Phebus in comparison The more harm it is it happeþ ofte so Of which þer comeþ mochil harme and wo And so bifelle whan Phebus was absent His wif anon haþ for hir lemman sent Hire lemman certes þis is a kauissch speche fforȝiueþ it me and þat I ȝou beseche The wyse Plato saiþ as ȝe may rede þe worde moot need acorde wiþ þe dede ȝif men schal telle proprely a þing The word moot/ cosyn be to þe workyng I am a boystous man riht þus say I Ther is no difference trewely Betwix a wyf þat is of heih degre If of hire body dishoneste sche be And a pouere wenche othir þan þis If it so be þey werke boþe amys But þat þe gentil is in staat aboue Sche schal be cleped his lady as in loue And for þat oþer is a pouer womman Sche schal be cleped his wenche or his lemman And god it woot myn owne deere broþer Men leyn þat oon as lowe as liþ þat oþer Right so betwixe a titles tyraunt And an outlawe or a þeef erraunt The same I say þer is no difference / To alisaundre was tolde þis sentence / That for þe tyraunt is of grettere might By force of meyne for to sleen doun right And brenne hous and home and make al playn Lo þerfore is he cleped a Capitayn ¶ And for þe outlawe haþ but smal meigne And may not doon so gret an harm as he Ne bringe a Contre to so gret mescheef Men clepen him an outlawe or a þeef But for I am a man not texted wel I wol not telle of Tytus neuer a deel I wol go to my tale as I began Whan Phebus [wyf] hadde sent for hire lemman Anon þey wroughten alle here lust volage This white crowe þat heng ay in þe kage Bihelde hire werk and seyde neuer a word And whan þat home was come Phebus þe lord This crowe sange cokkow cokkow cokkow What bryd quoþ Phebus what song syngest þou Ne were þou wont so meryly to synge þat to myn herte it was a reioisschinge To here þi voys allas what song is þis By god quod he I synge nought amys Phebus quod he for al þi worþinesse ffor alle þy beaute and þyn gentilnesse ffor alle þi song and al þi menstralcye ffor al þi waytyng blered is þin ye Wiþ on of litel reputacion Nought worþ to þe as in comparison þe mountance of a gnatte so mote I þriue ffor on þy bed þy wyff / I say him swyue What wole ȝe more þe crowe anon him tolde By sadde tokenes and by wordes bolde How þat his wyf hadde doon hire leccherie him to gret schame and to gret vilanye And tolde him ofte he say it wiþ his eyen þis Phebus gan awayward for to wryen him þought his sorwful herte brast a tuo / His bowe he bente and sette þer-Inne a floo And in his Ire þan haþ he his wif y-slayn This is þeffecte þer is nomore to sayn ffor sorwe of which he brak his mynstralcye Boþe harpe and lewte gyterne and Sawterye And eek he brak his arwes and his bowe And after þat þus spak he to þe crowe Traytour quod he wiþ tonge of Scorpion Thou hast me brought to my confusion Allas þat I was wrought why nere I ded O deere wyf o gemme of lustyhed That were to me so sadde and eek so trewe Now lyes þou deed wiþ face pale of hewe / fful gulteles þat durst I swere ywys O rakel hound to don so foule amys O trouble witte .O. Ire recheles That vnauysed smytest gulteles / O wan-truste ful of fals suspecion Where was þy witte and þi discrecion O euery man be war of rekelnesse Ne trowe noþing wiþouten strong witnesse Smyt nouȝt to sone er þat þou wite why And be auysed wel and soburly Or ȝe doon eny execucion Vpon ȝoure Ire for suspecion Allas a þousand folk han rakel Ire ffully fordoon or brought hem in þe myre Allas for sorwe I wil my selue slee And to þe crowe O false þeef sayde he I wol þe quyte anon þy false tale þou songe whilom lyk a nightyngale Now schalt þou false þeef þi song forgon Eeke þin white feþeres euerichon Ne neuer in alle þi lyue schalt þou speke Thus schal men on a traitour ben awreke Thou and þin hospreinge euere schuln be blake Ne neuere swete noyse schul ȝe make / But euer crye agayn tempest and reyn In toknyng þat þurgh þe my wyf was slayn And to þe crowe he sterte and þat anon And pulled his white feþeres euerychon and made him blak and reft him alle his song And eek his speche and out at þe dore him slong vnto þe deuel which I him betake / And for þis caas ben alle crowes blake Lordynges by þis ensample I ȝou preye Beþ war and takeþ keepe what þat ȝe seye Ne telleþ neuer no man in ȝour lyff/ how þat anoþer man haþ dight his wyf He wole ȝow haten mortelly certein Daun Salomon as wise clerkes sein Techeþ a man to kepe his tonge wel But as I sayde I am nought text wel But naþeles þus taughte me my dame My sone þenk on þe crowe a goddes name My sone keepe wel þi tonge and kepe þy frende A wikked tonge is worse þan a feende My sone ffrom a feend men may hem blesse My sone god of his endeles goodnesse / Walled a tonge wiþ teeþ and lippes eeke ffor man schulde him auyse what he speeke My sone ful ofte for to mochel speche haþ many a man be spilt as clerkes teche But for litel speche auysily Is no man schent to speke generally My sone þy tonge schuldest þou restreigne At alle tyme but whan þou dost þy peyne To speke of god in honour and preyere The ferste vertu sone if þou wolt lere Is to restreyne and kepe wel þi tunge þus lernen children whanne þey ben ȝonge My sone of mochel spekyng euel auysed Ther lasse spekyng hadde ynough suffised Comeþ mochil harm þus was me told and taught In mochil speche synne wanteþ naught Wostow wher-of a rakil tonge serueþ Right as a swerd forkutteþ and forkerueþ An arm a tuo my deere sone right so A tunge kutteþ frendschipe al a tuo A ianglere is to god abhominable / Rede Salamon so wys and honorable / Rede Dauyd and his psalmys red senekke My sone speek nought but wiþ þin heed þou bekke Dissimule as þou were defe if þat þou heere A Iangler speke of perilous mateere / þe flemyng saiþ and lerne it if þe leste þat lytel Iangelynge causeþ mechel reste My sone if þou no wickede word hast seyd þe þar nouȝt drede for to be bywreyd But he þat haþ myssayd I dar wel sayn he may by no way clepe his word agayn Thing þat is sayde is sayde and forþ it goþ Though him repente or be him neuer so loþ he is his þralle to whom þat he haþ sayd A tale of which he is now yuele payd My sone be war and be nouȝt auctour newe Of tydynges wheþer þay ben fals or trewe Wher so þou come amonges heihe or lowe Kepe wel þy tunge and þenk vpon þe croweExplicit fabula mancipii GROUP I. FRAGMENT X. § 1. THE BLANK-PARSON LINK. CORPUS MS. Here bygynneþ þe prologe of þe parson

[This is really a link between some unwritten Tale and the Parson's. It has been made into the Manciple-Parson Link (or Yeoman-Parson by the Christ-Church MS) by Chaucer's copiers, though not meant for it.]

on leaf 261

 By þat þe maunciple hadde his tale endedCam xxiiijm The sonne fro þe souþ syde is descended So lowe þat he was nought to my sight Degrees xxix as of highte / Ten of þe clokke it was so as I gesse / ffor xj foote a lytel more or lesse My schadwe was at þilke tyme as þere / Of suche feet as my lengþe parted were / In six foote equal of proporcion Ther-wiþ þe mones exaltacion I mene libra alwey gan ascende As we were entryng at a thropes ende ffor wiþ oure Oste as he was wont to gye As in þis caas oure ioly companye / Sayde in þis wise lordynges euerychon Now lakkeþ vs no tale more þan oon ffulfild is my sentence and my degre Who wile now telle a tale let se Almost fulfilled is myn ordynaunce I pray to god so ȝiue him right good chance þat telleþ þis tale to vs lustely Sire prest quod he art þou a vicary Or art þou a person say soþ by þy fey Be what þou be ne breke nought oure pley ffor euery man saue þou haþ told his tale vnbokele and schewe vs what is in þy male ffor trewely me þenkeþ by þy cheere Thou scholdest knette vp wel a gret matiere Telle vs a fable anon for cokkes bones This person answered al at oones Thou getest fable non y-tolde for me ffor Poule þat writeþ vnto Thimothe Repreueþ hem þat wayuen soþfastnesse And tellen fables and such wrecchednesse Whi schulde I schewen draff out of my feste / Whan I may schewen whete if þat me leste ffor which I saye if þat þou luste to heere Moralite and vertuous matiere And þenne þat ȝe woln ȝiue me audience I wol ful fayn at cristes reuerence / Don ȝou plesaunce lefful as I can But trusteþ wel I am a sothryn man I can nought geste rom ram ruf by lettre Ne god wot rym holde I but lytel bettre And þerfore if ȝou luste I wol nought glose I wol ȝou telle a mery tale in prose To knitte vp al þis feste an ende And ihesu for his grace witte me sende To schewe ȝou þe wey in þis visage Of þilke parfyt glorious pilgrimage That highte Ierusalem Celestial And if ȝe vouche sauf anon ȝe schal Bygynne vpon my tale for which I preye Telle ȝoure avis I can no bettre seye But naþeles þis meditacion I putte it ay vnder correction Of clerkes for I am nought text wel I take but þe sentence trustel wel þerfore I make protestacion That I wol stonde to correction Vppon þis word we han assented sone[a leaf cut out of the Corpus MS] [for as hit semed / hit was for to doone to enden / in som vertuous sentence and for to yeve him space / and audience and bad oure Oste / he shulde to him say that alle we / to telle his tale him pray oure Oste had the wordes / for vs alle sir prest quod he / now faire yow befalle sey what yow luste / and we wol gladly here and with that worde / he seide in this manere telleth quod he / youre meditacioun but hasteth yow / the sonne wol a-doun beth fructuous / and that in litel space and to do wel / god sende yow his grace. Here endith the parson his prolog][MS Arch. Seld. B. 14 extract stops]

[And next folowyng bigynneth his tale.

[There are no breaks in the MS. Tyrwhitt's are kept here to prevent slight differences in the texts throwing the Six-Text out of gear.]

[Arch. Seld. B. 14, leaf 268, Bodleian Library.]

[75] Oure swete lord god of heuen / that no man wol perisshe / but wol that we come alle to the knewleche of him / and to the blisful liff that is perdurable / [76] amonesteth vs bi the prophete Ierome that seith in this wise /¶ Jerome . state super vias . &c. [77] stondith vppon the weyes and seeth and axeth of olde pathes / that is to seie of olde sentences / whiche is the good weye / [78] and walketh in that weye / and ye shulle fynde refresshynge / for youre soules // [79] Many ben the weyes spirituel that leden folke to oure lord ihesu criste and to the regne of glorie // [80] Of whiche weyes ther is a ful noble weye / and a ful couenable weye / whiche may not fayle to man ne to woman / that thorugh synne hath mysgoon / fro the right weye of Ierusalem celestial / [81] and this weie is cleped penaunce / of whiche men shulde gladly herken and enqueren / with al here herte / [82] to wete what is pen|aunce / and wherfore it is cleped penaunce / and in how many manere ben the accions of worchinge of penaunce / [83] and how many spicis ther ben of penaunce / and whiche thinges apperteyne and bihoven to penaunce / and whiche thinges distorben penance /

[84] Seint Ambrose seith that penaunce is the¶ Ambrosius. pleynynge of man for the gilt that he hath don and no more to do any thing / for whiche him aught to pleyne / [85] And som Doctor seith / penaunce is the weyment|ynge of man that sorowith for his synne / and peyneth him-selff for he hath mys-doun / [86] penaunce with certeyne circumstaunce / is verry repentaunce of man that halt him-selff in sorow and other peyne for his giltes / [87] And for he shal be verry penitent / he shal first biwailen the synne that he hath doun / and stedfastly purposen in his herte to haue shrifft of mouthe / and to don satisfaccion / [88] and neuere to do thing for whiche him ought more to waile / or to compleyne / and to con|tenue in goode werkes / or ellis his repentaunce may nat availe / [89] For as seint Isidor seith / he is a Iaper and¶ Isodorus. a gabber and no verry repentaunte / that efft-sone doth thing / for whiche him ought to repent [90] weping / and nought for to stinte to do synne / may not availe [91] but natheles men shulde hope / that at euery tyme that a man falleth be it neuere so offt / that he may arise thorugh pen|aunce if he haue grace / but certeynely it is grete doute / [92] ffor as seith seint Gregory / vnnethes ariseth he oute¶ Gregorie of his synne / that is charged with the charge of euel vsage / [93] And ther-fore repentyng folke that stinte for to synne / and forlete synne / or synne for-lete hem / Holy chirche holt hem seker of here saluacioun [94] And he that stinteth and verrily repenteth him in his last ende / Holy chirche yit hopeth his saluacion bi the grete mercy of oure lord ihesu for his repentaunce / but taketh the seker weye that is certeyne //

[95] And now sithen I haue declared yow whath thinge is penaunce / Now shulne ye vnderstonde that ther ben thre accions of penaunce / [96] The first is if a man be baptized after that he hath don synne / [97] seint Austyn seith / but he be penitent¶ Austyne for his olde synful liff / he may nat bigynne / the newe clene liff / [98] for certes if he be baptised withoute penaunce of his olde gilte he resceivith the marke of baptime / but not the grace ne the remission of his synnes / til he haue verry repentaunce // [99] Another defaute is this / that men don dedely synne / after that thei haue received baptime / [100] The thrid defaute is / that men fallen in venial synnes / affter here baptime / fro day to day / [101] therof seith Seynt Austyne /Austyne that the penaunce of goode and humble folke is the penaunce of euery daie //

[102] The spices of penaunce ben thre / that oon of hem is solempne / Another comune / And the thride prive / [103] Thilke penaunce that is so|lempne is in two maners / as is to be put out of holy chirche in lente for slaughter of children / and suche manere thinge / [104] Another is whan a man hath synned openly1]Corpus of which synne þe fame is openlySelden extract ds] spoken in þe contre ¶ And þenne holy chirche by Iugge|mentCorpus begins] destreigneþ him for to do penance open. [105] Som penance is þat prestes enioygnen me communly in certein caas as for to gon perauenture naked in pylgrimage or bare foot [106] ¶ Pruie penaunce is þilke þat men don alday for priue synnes of whiche we schryuen vs pryuyly and resceyuen priue penance

[107] ¶ Now schalt þou vnderstande what byhoueþ and is necessarie to verray perfyte penaunce ¶ and þese standen on þre þinges [108] ¶ Contricion of herte ¶ Con|fession of mouþ // and Satisfaccion [109] ¶ ffor which saiþ Iohn Gresostomus ¶ Penitence destreigneþ manGresostomus to accepte benignely euery peyne þat is him enioyned wiþ contricion of herte and schrift of mowþ wiþ satis|faccion and in werching of alle maner humilite [110] ¶ And þis is fruytful penytence aȝein þre þinges in whiche we wraþþen oure lord ihesu crist [111] þis is to sayn by delyt/ in þenking By rechelesnesse in speking ¶ By wicked synful worching [112] ¶ And aȝeins þise wikkede gultes is penitence þat may be likened vnto a tre

[113] ¶ The rote of þis tre is contricion þat huydeþ him in þe herte of him þat is verray repentant Right as þe roote of a tree huydeþ him in þe erþe [114] ¶ Of þe roote of contricion springeþ a stalke þat bereþ braunches and leues of confession and fruyt of satisfaccion [115] ¶ ffor whiche crist saiþ in þe gospelle Doþ digne fruyt of penitence ¶ ffor by þis fruyte may men knowe þis tree and nouȝt by þe roote þat is hidde in þe herte of a man ne by þe braunches ne by þe leeues of confession [116] ¶ And þerfore oure lord ihesu crist saiþ þus ¶ By¶ Textus þe fruyt of hem schuln ȝe knowe hem. [117] of þis roote springeþ a seed of grace þe which seed is mooder of sikernesse and þis seed is egre and hoot [118] ¶ þe grace of þis seed springeþ of god þorough þe re|membrance of þe day of doome and on þe peynes of helle [119] ¶ Of þis matiere saiþ Salamon ¶ þat in þe drede of god man forleteþ his synne [120] ¶ The hete of þis seed is þe loue of god and þe desirynge of þe¶ Salomon ioye perdurable [121] þis hete draweþ þe herte of man to god and doþ him hate his synne [122] ¶ ffor soþly þer is no þing þat sauoureþ so wel a childe as þe mylk of his norice ¶ ne no þing is to him more abhom|inable þen þilke mylk whan it is medled wiþ oþer mete [123] ¶ Right so synful man þat loueþ his synne him semeþ þat it is to him most sweete / of any þing [124] ¶ but fro þat tyme þat he loueþ sadly oure lord ihesu crist and desireþ þe lyff perdurable þer nys to him more abhominable [125] ¶ ffor soþe þe lawe of god is þe loue of god ¶ ffor which .dauid. þe prophete saiþ ¶ I haue loued þy lawe and hateddauid wikkednesse & haten. he þat loueþ god kepeþ his lawe and his word [126] ¶ This tree saugh þe prophete Danyel in spirit vpon þe auysion of Nabugodonosor when he coun|seiled him to do penitence [127] ¶ Penaunce is þe tre of lyf to hem þat it resceyuen And he þat haldeþ him verray penitent is blessed after þe sentence ofSalomon. Salomon

[128] ¶ In þis penitence or contricion man schal vn|derstonde .iiij. þinges; þat is to say what is contricion And whiche ben þe causes þat meuen a man to con|tricion and how he schulde be contrite and what con|tricion avayled to þe soule [129] þanne it is þus þat contricion is þe verray sorwe þat a man resceyueþ in his herte for his synnes wiþ sadde purpos to schryuen him and to do penaunce / and neuer more to don synne [130] and þis sorwe schal ben in þis maneres as saiþ Seint Bernard ¶ hit schal be greuous and heuy and fulBernardus scharp and poynant in herte [131] ¶ ffirst for a man haþ agilt his lord and his creatour ¶ And more scharp and poynant for he haþ agult his fader celestial [132] ¶ And ȝet more scharp and poynant ¶ ffor he haþ wraþþed and agilt him þat bought him þat with his precious blood haþ deliuered vs fro þe bandes of synne and fro þe cruelte of þe deuel and fro þe peynes of helle

[133] ¶ These causes þat oughten to meuen a man to con|tricion ben vj ¶ ffirst a man schal remembre him of.vj. causes his synnes [134] but loke þat þilke remem|brance be to him no delyte by no wey: but gret schame & sorwe for his gulte ¶ ffor Iob saiþ ¶ Synful men donIob werkes worþy of confessioun. [135] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Ezechie ¶ I wol remembre me alle þe ȝeres of my lyffEzechiele in bitternesse of myn herte ¶ [136] And god saiþ in þapocalips ¶ Remembreþ ȝow fro whennes þat ȝe benApocalips falle ¶ ffor biforn þat tyme þat ȝe synned ȝe were þe children of god and lymes of þe regne of god [137] ¶ But for ȝoure synne ȝe ben waxe þralles and foule and membres of þe feende / hate of aungeles sclaundre of holy chirche and foode of þe false serpent perpetuel mateere of þe furye of helle [138] ¶ and þat more foul and abhom|inable ffor ȝe trespassen so often tyme as doþ þe hound þat torneþ to eten his spuyng [139] and ȝet ben ȝe foulere for ȝoure longe continaunce in synne and ȝoure synful vsage for whiche ȝe ben roten in ȝoure synne as a beeste in his dunge [140] Suche maner of þouȝtes maken a man haue schame for his synne and no delite as god saiþ by þe prophete EzechielEzechiel [141] ¶ ȝe schuln remembre ȝow of ȝoure weyes and þey schuln displese ȝow soþely ¶ Synnes ben þe weyes þat leden folk to helle

[142] ¶ The secounde cause that oughte to make a man to haue disdeyne of synne is þis þat as saiþ seint petre who so doþ synne is þralle of synne andPetrus synne putteþ a man in gret þraldom [143] and þer|fore saiþ þe prophete Ezechiele I wente sorwful in desdeyn of myself Certes wel aughte a man haue disdeyne of synne and wiþdrawe him fro þat þraldom and vilenye [144] ¶ And lo what saiþ SenecaSeneka in þis matiere he saiþ þus Though I wiste þat neyþer god ne man ne schulde neuere knowen it/; ȝet wolde I haue disdeyne for to do synne. [145] And þe same Seneka seiþ ¶ I am born to grettere þinges þan to be þralle to my body. [146] More þralle may no man ne no womman make of his body; þan ȝeue his body to synne [147] ¶ And were it þe foulest cheerl or þe foulest womman þat lyueþ and lest of value ȝet is he changed and most foule and more in seruitute [148] euer fro þe heiher degre þat man falleþ þe more is he þralle and more vnto god and to þe worlde vile and abhomin|able [149] ¶ O goode god wel aughte men haue disdeyne of synne. seþþen þat þurgh synne þer he was free now is he maked bonde / [150] and þerfore seiþ seint austyn ¶ If þou haue desdeigne of þy seruant/ if he agilt or synned. haue þou þanne disdeyne þat þou þi self schuldest do synne [151] Take reward of þy value þat þou ne be to foul to þin value ne self [152] ¶ Allas wel oughten þey þanne haue disdeyn to be seruantȝ and þralle to synne and sore ben aschamed of hemself [153] ¶ þat god of his endeles goodnesse haþ set hem in heih astate or ȝeuen hem wiþ strengþe of body hele. beaute. prosperite / [154] and bought hem fro þe deth wiþ his herte blood þat þay so vnkyndely aȝeins his gentilnesse quyten him so vileynesly to slaughter of here owne soules [155] ¶ O goode god ȝe wommen þat ben of so gret beaute Remembreth ȝou of þe prouerbe of Salamon ¶ he seiþ¶ Salamon [156] he likeneþ a fair womman þat is a fool of hire body y-like to a rynge of golde þat werith in þe groyne of a sowe [157] ¶ ffor right as a sowe wroteþ in euery ordure so wroteþ sche hire beaute in stynkynge ordure of synne

[158] ¶ The þridde cause þat oughte to meuen a man¶ iija causa to contricion is drede of þe day of doome and of þe horrible peynes of helle [159] ¶ ffor as seint Ierom saiþ¶ Ieronimus ¶ At euery tyme þat me remembreþ of þe day of doome I quake. [160] ffor whan I ete or drinke or do what so I do; euere semeþ me þat þe trompe sowneþ in myn eere. [161] Riseþ vp þat ben deede and comeþ to þe Iuggement [162] of goode god mechel aughte a man to drede such a Iuggement þere as we schuln ben alle as seiþ seint Poule byfore þe strete of oure lord ihesu crist [163] wher as he schal maken a general con|gregacion wher as no man may ben absent [164] ffor certes þere ne auayleþ non essoyne ne excusacion [165] And nouȝt only þat oure defautes schullen ben y-Iuged ¶ but eek þat alle oure werkes schuln openly ben knowen [166] and as þat saiþ Seint bernard. þer neBernardus schal no pledynge auayle ne no sleighte we schullen ȝeuen rekenyng of euery ydel word [167] ¶ Ther schuln we haue a Iugge þat may nought / be deceyued ne corupt. And why; ffor certes alle oure þoughtes ben discouered as to him ne for prayere. ne for meede he wil not ben corrupte [168] ¶ And þerfore saith Salamon ¶ The wraþþe of godSalamon wol nought ben corrupte And þerfore saith Salamon þe wreche of god ne wol nought spare no wight for praier ne for ȝifte ¶ And þerfore at þe day of doom þer nys non hope to eskape [169] Wherfore as seiþ Anselme ¶ fful gretAnselmus anguyssche schuln þe synful folk haue at þat tyme [170] ¶ Ther schal be þe sterne and þe wroth Iuge sitte aboue And vnder him þe orrible putte of helle to de|struye him þat mot byknowe his synnes whiche synnes openly ben schewed byforn god and biforn euery creature [171] and on þe lift syde moo deeueles þan þe herte may þinke for to harye and to drawe þe sinful soules to þe pyne of helle [172] and with Inne þe hertes of folk schal be þe bytyng Conscience ¶ And wiþoute forþ schal be þe world al brennyng [173] ¶ Whider schal þenne þe wrecched synful soule fflee to huyde him; Certes he may nouȝt huyde him. he moste come forþ and schewe him [174] ¶ ffor certes as saiþ seint Ierom // The erþe schal caste him out of him and þe see also and þe aier also þat schal ben ful of þondir clappes and lightenynges [175] ¶ Now soþly who so wol remembre him of þese þinges; I gesse þat his synnes schal nought turne him in to delyte but to gret sorwe for drede of þe peyne of helle [176] and þer|fore saiþ Iob to god ¶ Suffre lord þat I may a while.Iob. bywayle and wepe er I go and weepe wiþouten retournyng to þe derke lande couered wiþ þe derknesse of deþ [177] to þe land of mysese and of derkenesse where as is schadewe of deth wher as þer nys non oþer or|dinance but grisly drede þat euer schal laste [178] ¶ Lo heere may ȝe seen þat Iob preyede respite a while to bywepe and wayle his trespas ¶ ffor sooþly oo day ofexemplum respite is bettre þan alle þe tresour of þis world [179] ¶ And for as moche as man may quyte himself biforn god by penitence in þis world and nought by tresour ¶ þerfore schulde he preye to god to ȝiue him respyt a while to byweepen and byweylen his trespas // [180] ¶ ffor certes al þe sorwe þat a man mighte make fro þe Begynnyng of þe world nys but alytel þing at þe regarde of þe sorwe of helle [181] ¶ The cause why þat Iob clepeþ helle þe lond of derknesses; [182] vnderstondeth þat he clepeþ it lande of erþe ¶ ffor it is stable and neuer schal faile derknes ¶ ffor he þat is in helle haþ defaute of light material [183] ¶ ffor certes þe derke light þat schal come out of þe fuyre þat euer schal brenne schal turne / him al to peyne ¶ þat is in helle ffor it scheweþ him to þe Orible deueles þat him tormenten [184] couered wiþ þe derknesse of deþ. . . . .[185] . . . no gap in the MS. ben þe synnes þat þe wrecchede man haþ don whiche þat distourben him to se þe face of god Right as a derk clowde bitwixen hous and þeexemplum sonne [186] lond of myssese by cause þat þer ben þre maneres of defautes aȝeins þre þinges þat folk of þis world han in þis present lyf þat is to say honoures delices and richesse [187] aȝeins honour han þey in helle / schame and confusion [188] ¶ ffor wel ȝe wite þat men clepen honour þe reuerence þat men don to man ¶ But in helle is non honour ne reuerence ¶ ffor certes nomore reuerence schal be do to a king þan to a knaue [189] ¶ ffor which god saiþ bytextus þe prophete Ieremie ¶ Thilke folk þat me despysen schulnIeremie / ben in despite [190] ¶ Honour is eek cleped gret wor|schipe þer schal no wight seruen oþer ¶ But of harme and torment. honour is eek cleped gret dignite and heigh|nesse ¶ But in helle schullen þey ben alle fortroden of deueles [191] as god saiþ ¶ þe Orrible deueles schuln gon & comen vpon þe heedes of dampned folk ¶ And þis is for as meche as þe heyer þat þey weren in þis present lyff/; þe more schuln þey ben abated and defouled in helle [192] ¶ aȝeins þe riche of þis world schullen þey haue mysese of pouerte and þis pouert schal be .iiij. þinges [193] ¶ In defaute of tresour of which Dauid saiþ ¶ The riche folk þat enbraceden and Oneden.dauid. in al here herte to tresour of þis world schullen slepe / in þe slepyng of deþ as no þing schuln þey fynden in here handes of alle here tresour [194] ¶ And more ouer þe myseyse of helle schal ben in defaute of mete & drinke [195] ffor god saiþ þus by moyses ¶ þey schulndominus per moysen be wasted wiþ hunger and þe briddes of helle schuln deuoure him wiþ bitter deþ and þe galle of þe dragon . . . . .no gap in the MS. here morselle [196] and forþer ouer here mysayse schal ben in defaute of cloþing ¶ ffor þey schuln be naked in body as of cloþing saue þe fuyre in whiche þey brenne and oþer filþes [197] and naked schuln þey ben of soule of alle maner vertues which þat is þe cloþing of soule ¶ Where be þenne þe gay robes and þe softe schetes and þe smale schertes. [198] lo what saiþ god of hem by þe prophete. IsayeIsaye ¶ That vnder hem schuln be strawed mouthes ¶ and here couertours schuln ben of wormes of helle [199] ¶ and furþer ouer here mysayse schal ben in defaute of freendes ¶ ffor he is nought pouere þat haþ goode freendes ¶ But þer is no freend [200] ¶ ffor neiþer god ne creature schal be frend to hem and euerych of hem schal haten oþer wiþ dedly hate [201] ¶ þe sones of þe doughtren schullen rebellen aȝeins fader and mooder and kynredes aȝein kynrede and chyden and despisen euerich of hem oþer boþe day and night as god saiþ by þe prophete. Michias. [202] and þe louynge children þat whilom loueden so fleissly euerich oþer ¶ Wolden euerich of hem eten oþer if þay mighte [203] ¶ ffor how scholde þey louen hem to gydere in þe peynes of helle ¶ Whan þey hateden euerich of hem oþer in þe prosperite of þis lyf [204] ¶ ffor truste wel here fleisschly loue was deedly hate as saiþ þe prophete .dauid. ¶ Who so þat loueþ wikked|nessedauid he hateþ his soule [205] ¶ And who so hateþ his owen soule ¶ certes he may loue non oþer wight in no manere [206] ¶ And þerfore in helle is no frendschipe ¶ but euer þe more fleisshly kynredes þat ben in helle; þe more cursyng. þe more chyd|yng and þe more dedly hate þer is among hem [207] ¶ and furþer ouer þey schullen haue defaute of alle maner delites ¶ ffor why delices ben þe appetites of þe .v. wittes ¶ as sight. heeryng. smellyng. Sauor|yng. and touching. [208] but in helle here sighte schal be ful of derknesse and of smoke and ful of teeres and here heerynge ful of waymentynge and of gruntynge of teeþ as saiþ ihesu crist [209] here noseIhesustextus þrulles schuln ben ful of stynke ¶ And as saiþ Isaye þe prophete ¶ here sauorynge schal be ful of bitter galle [210] and touching of here body ycouered wiþ fuyre þat neuer schal be quenched And wiþ wormes þat neuere / schullen deyen as god saiþ by þe mouþ of Isaye [211] ¶ And for as moche as þey schuln nouȝt weneIsaye þat þey may deyen for peyne and by here deþ flee fro peyne þat may þey vnderstonde in þe word of Iob þat saiþ. þer as is þe schadewe of deþ [212] ¶ Certes a schadewe haþ þe liknes of þe þing of which it / is schadewe ¶ but schadewe nys nought þe same þing of which it is schadewe [213] ¶ right so fareþ þe peyne of helle hit is y-like deþ for þe anguyssche orrible And why ¶ ffor it peyneþ hem euere as þough men schullen deyen anon But certes þey schuln nought deyen [214] ¶ ffor as saiþ seint Gregory to wrecchede Caytyfs synful schal ben deþ wiþouten deþ and ende wiþouten ende ¶ And defaute wiþouten faylinge [215] ¶ ffor here deþ schal alway lyue ¶ And here ende schal eueremore begynne. and here defaute schal nought faile [216] ¶ And þerfore saiþ Seint IohnIohannes euaun|gelista euaungelist ¶ They schullen folwe deþ and þey schuln nought fynden him ¶ and þey desiren to deye and deþ schal flee fro hem [217] ¶ And eek Iob saiþ þat in helleIob is non ordre of reule. [218] and al be it so þat god haþ created alle þing in right ordre and no þing wiþ|outen ordre ¶ But alle þinges ben ordeigned and nom|bred ¶ ȝet naþeles þey þat ben dampned ben no þing in ordre ne holden non ordre [219] ¶ ffor þe erþe schal bere hem no fruyt [220] ffor as þe prophete saiþ Dauid. god schal destruye þe fruyt of þe erthe as fro hem Ne water schal ȝeue hem no moysture ne þe aier no refreissching. ne fuyr no light [221] ¶ ffor as saiþ seint Basile ¶ The brennyng of þe fuyr of þis world schal god ȝeuen in helle to hem þat ben dampned [222] ¶ But þe light and þe clernesse schal be ȝouen in to heuene to his children ¶ Right as þe goode man ȝeueþ fleissh to his children and bones to his houndes [223] ¶ And for þey schullen haue non hope to eschape saiþ Iob. at þe laste þat þer schal horrour and grisly dredeIob dwelle wiþouten ende [224] ¶ horrour is alway drede of harme þat is to come. and þis drede schal euere dwelle in þe hertes of hem þat ben dampned ¶ And þerfore han þay lorne alle here hope for .vij. causes [225] ¶ ffirst for god þat is here Iuge schal be wiþouten mercy to hem. ne þey may nought please him ne non of his halwes ne þey may ȝyue no þing for here raunson [226] ne þay haue no voys / to speke to him. Ne þey may nouȝt flee fro peyne. ne þay haue no goodnesse in hem þat þay may schewe to delyuere hem fro peyne [227] And þerfore saiþ Salomon ¶ The wikkede manSalomon deyeþ. and whan he is deed; he schal haue non hope to eskape fro peyne [228] ¶ Who so schame wel wolde vn|derstande þese peynes and beþinke him wel þat he haþ disserued þilke peynes for his synnes Certes he schulde haue more talent to syke and to wepe. þen for to syngen and to pleye [229] ¶ ffor as seiþ Salomon ¶ Who so þat hadde þe science for to knowe þo peynes þat ben establissched and ordeyned for synne; he wolde make sorwe. [230] þilke science as seiþ seint austyn makeþ a man to weymenten in his herte

[231] ¶ The .iiije. poynt þat oughte make a maniiijum capitulum haue contricion is þe sorweful remembraunce of þe good þat/ he haþ lost/ to doon heere in erþe and eek þe good þat he haþ lorn [232] ¶ Soþly þe goode werkes þat he haþ lost; eyþer þey ben þe goode werkes þat he wrought er he felle in to dedly synne ¶ Or elles þe goode werkes þat he wrought whil he lay in synne [233] ¶ Soþly þe goode werkes þat he dide biforn þat he fylle in synne ben alle mortefied and astonyed and dulled by þe ofte synnynge // [234] þat oþer goode werkes þat he wroughte whiles he lay in synne þey ben outerly deede as to þe lyff /perdurable in heuene [235] ¶ þenne þilke goode werkes þat ben mortefyed by often synnyng whiche goode werkes he dide whiles he was in charite ne mowen neuere quyken aȝein wiþouten verray penytence [236] ¶ And þerof saith god by þe mouþ of Ezechielle þat is þe rightful man re|tourne aȝein from his rightwisnesse and to wirche wikked|nesse schal he lyue [237] nay. ffor alle þe goode werkes þat he haþ wrouȝt / ne schuln neuer ben in remembrance ffor he schal deye in his synne [238] ¶ And vpon þilke chapitre seiþ Seint Gregori þus þat we schulde vnder|stande þis principally [239] þat whenne we doon deedly synne it is for nought þanne to reherse or drawe in to memorie þe goode werkes þat we han wrought byforne [240] ¶ ffor certes in þe werkinge of dedly synne / þer is no triste / to no good werk þat we han don toforne þat is to sayn as for to haue þerby þe lyff per|durable in heuene [241] . . . . .no gap in the MS. whan we han contricion [242] ¶ But soþely þe goode werkes þat men don whiles þat þey ben in dedly synne for as moche as þey weren don in dedly synne þey may neuer quiken aȝein [243] ¶ ffor certes þing þat neuer haþ lyff may neuere quyke ¶ And naþeles al be it þat þey ne auailen nought to han þe lyff perdurable; ȝet auailen þey to abreggen of þe peyne of helle or elles to geten temperal richesse [244] ¶ Or elles þat god wol þe raþere enlumyne and lightne þe herte of þe synful man to han repentance. [245] and eek þey auaylen for to vsen a man to doon good werke þat þe feende haue þe lesse power of his soule [246] ¶ and þus þe curteyse lord ihesu crist ne wol þat no good werk be loste ¶ ffor in somwhat it schal auayle [247] ¶ But for as moche þe goode werkes þat men don whiles þey ben in good lijf ben al mortefyed by synne folwynge ¶ And eek seþenes alle þe goode werkes þat men doon whiles þey ben in dedly synne ben outrely deede as for to haue þe lyff perdurable; [248] wel may þat man þat no good werk ne doþ Synge þilke newe freissche song. Iay tout perdu mon temps & mon labour [249] ¶ ffor certes synne byreueþ a man goodnesse and nature and eek þe goodnesse of grace [250] ¶ ffor soþe þe grace of þe holy gost fareþ as fuyr þat may nouȝt ben ydel ffor fuyr fayleþ anon as it forleseþ his wirch|inge . . . . .no gap in the MS. [251] þenne leseþ þe synful man þe goodnesse of glory þat oonly is behight to goode men þat labouren and werken [252] ¶ Wel may he be sory þenne þat oweth alle his lyff to god as lange as he lyueth haþ lyued and eek als longe as he schal lyue þat no goodnesse ne haþ to paye wiþ his dette to god to whom he oweþ alle his lyff [253] ¶ ffor truste wel he schal ȝiue acountes as saiþ seint Bernard of alle þe goodes þat han ben ȝouen him in þis present lyff / and how he haþ hem dispended [254] nought so moche þat / þer schal nought perissche an heer of his heede ne a moment of an houre ne schal not perissche of his tyme þat he ne schal ȝiue of hit a rekenyng

[255] ¶ The vte. þing þat oughte meue a man tova causa contricion is remembrance of þe passion þat oure lord ihesu crist suffred for oure synnes [256] ¶ ffor as saiþ seint Bernard ¶ Whil þat I lyue I schal haue remem|brance of þe trauailes þat oure lord ihesu crist suffred in prechinge [257] his werynesse in trauaillynge. his tempt|acions whan he fasted his longe wakinges when he prayed his teeres when þat he wepte for pite of good peple [258] ¶ þe woo and þe schame and þe filthe þat men seyden to him ofte foule spittyng þat men spitten on his face ¶ of þe buffettes þat men ȝeuen him ¶ of þe foule mouthes and of þe re|preues þat men to him sayden [259] ¶ Of þe nayles wiþ þe whiche he was nayled to þe cros and of alle þe remenant of his passion þat he suffrede for my synnes and no þing for his gilte [260] ¶ And ȝe schuln vnder|stonde þat in mannes synne is euery maner ordre of ordinance turned vp so doun [261] ffor it is soþ þat god and reson and sensualite and þe body of man ben so ordeyned þat euerich of þise. .iiij. þinges/ schulde haue lordschipe ouer þat oþer [262] and þus god schulde haue lordschipe ouer reson and reson ouer sensualite and sensualite ouer þe body of man [263] ¶ And soþly whan man synneþ; al þis ordre of ordinance is turned vp so don [264] ¶ And þerfore þanne for as moche as þe reson of man wol nought be subget ne obeissant to god þat is his lord by right; þer|fore leeseþ it þe lordschipe þat it schulde haue in sensualite and eeke ouer þe body of man [265] ¶ And whi ¶ ffor sensualite rebelleþ þanne aȝein reson And by þat wey leseþ reson his lordschipe ouer sensualite and ouer þe body [266] ¶ ffor right as reson is rebelle to god Right so is boþe sensualite rebel to reson and þe body also [267] ¶ And certes þis ordinance and þis rebellion oure lord ihesu crist aboughte vpon his precious body ful dere herkeneþ in which wise [268] ¶ ffor as meche þanne is resoun rebelle to god; þer|fore is man worþi to haue sorwe and to be deed [269] ¶ This suffred oure lord ihesu for man after þat he hadde be betrayed of his disciple and destreyned & bounde so þat þe blood brast out at euery nayl of his handes as seiþ seint Austyn [270] ¶ And forþermore for as moche as reson of man wol nought daunte sensu|alite whenne it may ¶ Therfore is man worþy to haue schame and þis suffrede oure lord ihesu crist for man when þey spetten in his visage / [271] ¶ And furþer more for as moche þanne as þe caytiff body of man is rebelle boþe to reson and to sensualite ¶ þerfore it is worþy þe deþ [272] ¶ And þis suffred oure lord ihesu crist for man vppon þe crosse where as þer was no part of his body fre wiþouten gret peyne and bitter passion / [273] and al þis suffrede ihesu crist þat neuer forfeted . . . . .no gap in the MS. ¶ To mechil am I peyned for þe same þinges þat I neuer deserued and to mochil defouled for frendschipe þat man is worþy to haue. [274] And þer|fore may þe synful man wel say as saiþ seint Bernard. Acursed be þe bitternes . . . . .no gap in the MS. [275] ¶ ffor certes after þe diuers discordaunces of oure wikkednesse was þe passion of Ihesu crist y-ordeyned in diuerse þinges [276] as þus Certeȝ synful mannes soule bytraysed of þe deuel by coueytise of temperel prosperite / and scorned by disceyte when he cheseþ flesschly delites / and ȝet is he tormented by inpacience of aduersite ¶ And bispette ¶ By seruage in subiectioun of synne ¶ And atte laste it is slayn fynally [277] for this disordynance of synful man was ihesu crist first bytrayed ¶ And after þat was he bounde þat came for to vnbynde vs of synne and of peyne [278] ¶ Thanne was he by-scorned þat only schulde be honoured in alle þinges of alle þinges [279] þenne was his visage þat oughte be desired to be seyn of alle mankynde in which visage aungeles desiren to loken. vileynesly byspette [280] ¶ Thenne was he scourged þat noþing hadde gilt ¶ and fynally þenne was he crucified & slayn [281] ¶ Thenne was he acompliced þe wordes of Isaye ¶ he was wounded for oure mysdedes and defouled by oure vileynies [282] ¶ Now seþenes þat ihesu crist took vpon himself þe peyne of alle oure wickednesses; Mochil oughte synful man bywepe and bywayle þat for his synnes goddes sone of heuene schulde alle þis peyne endure [283] ¶ The sixte þing þat oughte meue a man to contricion is þe hopevja causa de con|tricione / of .iij. þinges. þat is to sayn. forȝeuenes of synne . . . . .no gap in the MS. and þe glorie of heuene wiþ þe which god schal guerdon man for his goode deedes· [284] ¶ and for as moche as ihesu crist ȝeueþ vs þese ȝiftes of his largesse and of his souereyn bounte; þerfore is he cleped Ihesus nazarenus rex iudeorum [285] Ihesus is for to sayn sauyour of sa|uacion on whom men schuln hope to haue forȝeuenesse of synnes which þat is proprely sauacioun of synnes [286] ¶ And þerfore sayde þe aungel to Ioseph ¶ þou clepest his name ihesus þat schal saue his poeple of here synnes [287] ¶ And her of seiþ seint Petre ¶ Ther nys non oþer name vnder heuene þat is ȝoue to any man by which a man may be saued but only by ihesus [288] nazerenus is as moche to seyn as florissching in which a man schal hope þat he þat ȝeueþ him remission of synnes schal ȝiue also him grace wel to do ¶ ffor in þe flour is hope of fruyt in tyme comynge. and in forȝiuenesse of synnes is hope of grace wel to do [289] ¶ I was at þe dore of þin herte / saiþ ihc and cleped for to entre ¶ he þat openeþ to me schal haue forȝiuenesse of synne / [290] I wol entre to him by my grace and soupe wiþ him by þe goode werkes þat he schal doon whiche werkes ben þe foode of god and he schal soupe with[Corpus MS. ends] [[Arch. Seld. B. 14, leaf 275, back, for Corpus MS.]me bi the grete ioye / that shal be yove to him ‖ [291] Thus shal man hope for his werkes of penaunce / god sholde yeve him his regne as he bihoteth him / in the gospel /

[292] Now shal man vnderstonde / in which manere shal be his contricion ‖ I seie that hit shal be vniuersale & totale / this is to seine a man shal be verry repentaunt / for alle his synnes that he hath done / in delite of his thought for delite is ful perilous / [293] ffor ther ben two manere of consentynges / that oon of hem is cleped consenting of affeccioun / whan a man is meved to do synne / & deliteth him longe for to thenke on that synne / [294] he hath reson that perceiveth wel that hit is synne ageynste the lawe of god / . . . . .no gap in the MS. al though his reson ne consente nat to do the synne in dede / [295] yit seine somme doctours / that suche delite that duellith longe is ful perilous / al be it neuer so lite / [296] And also a man sholde sorowe for al that euer he hath desired ayeines the lawe of god with perfite consentynge of resoun / ffor ther-of is no doute / that hit is dedly synne / in consentynge / [297] ffor certes ther is no dedly synne / but hit is first in man-is thoughte / & after that in his delite / and so forthe in-to consentynge / & in-to dede / [298] wherfore I seie that many men repente hem neuere of suche thoughtes / & delites / ne neuere shriven hem of hit / but only of the dede ‖ of grete synnes outwarde ‖ [299] wherfore I seie that suche wikked delites / & wikked thoughtes / ben subtile begillours of hem that shullen be dampned / [300] More-ouere a man oughte to sorowe for his wikked wordes / as wel as for his wikked dedes ‖ ffor certes the repentaunce of a singuler synne / and nought repent of al his other synnes or ellis repente him of alle his other synnes / & nat of a singuler synne / may nought availe ‖ [301] ffor certes almyghti god is al good / And therfore he for-yevith al / or elles right nought / [302] And herof seith seint Austyne / I wote certeynly [303] that¶ Austyne. god is enemy to euery synne / And how than he that observith. oo synne shal he haue foryeuenesse of the remenaunt of his other synnes / Nay / [304] And ferther ouere contricion sholde be wonder sorowful / & ang|uysshous / & therfore yevith him god pleynly his mercy / And therfore whan my soule was anguysshous withinne me / I had remembraunce of god / that my prayere myghte come to him / [305] fforther ouere contricion must be contenuel / & that man haue sted|fast purpos to shriven him / & for to amende him of his liff / [306] ffor sothely whiles contricion lasteth man may haue hope of foryeuenesse / And of this cometh hate of synne / that distroyeth synne in him selff / & eke in other folke / as to his powere / [307] ffor whiche seith Dauid / ye that louen god / hateth wikkednesse / ffor¶ Dauid trusteth wel to love god / is for to love that he loueth / & hate that he hateth ‖

[308] The laste thing that men shulle vnderstonde in contricion is this / wherof avayleth contricion / I seye that somtyme contricion delyuereth a man from synne / [309] off whiche that Dauid seith / I seye quod Dauid¶ Dauid that is to seie / I purposed fermely to shrive me and thow lord relesedist my synne / [310] And right so as contricion availeth nought withoute sadd purpos of shriffte / . . . . .no gap in the MS. or satisfaccion withoute contricion / [311] And more-ouere contricion distroyeth the prison of helle / & maketh weyke & febleth the strengethes of the deueles / & restoreth the yifftes of the holy goste & of alle goode vertues / [312] & clensith the soule of synne / & delyuereth the soule fro the peyne of helle / & fro the companye of the deuel / & fro the seruage of synne / & restoreth to alle goodes espirituels / & to the companye of communyon of holy chirche / [313] And ferther-ouere hit makyth him that was whilom the sone of synne / & Ire / to ben the sone of grace / & alle these thinges ben preved bi holy writte / [314] And therfore he that wol sette his entent to these thinges / he were ful wise / ffor sothe he sholde nought than in al his liff haue corage to synne / but yeve his body / & al his herte to the seruice of Ihesu criste / & therof don him homage / [315] ffor sothly oure swete lord Ihesu criste he sparith vs so debonerly in oure folies / that if he ne had pite of man-is soule / a sori songe myghte we alle synge /

Explicit prima pars penitencie / ¶ & sequitur secunda.

[316]

The secunde parte of penaunce / is confession / that is signe of contricion / [317] Now shulle ye vnderstonde what is confession / And whether hit oughte nedes to ben or noon / & whiche thinges ben couenable to verry confession /

[318] ffirst shalt thow vnderstonde that confession is verry shewynge of synnes to the preste / [319] That is to sey verry / that he mote confessen him / of alle the condicions that be-longen to his synne / as ferforth as he can / [320] al mote be seide / & no thing excused ne hidde / ne for-wrapped / & nought auaunte him of his goode werkes / [321] And fer-ther-ouere it is necessarie to vnder|stonde / whens that synnes springen / & how thei encresen / and whiche they ben

[322] of the springyng of synnes / as seith seint Poule¶ Poule. on this wise / That right as bi a man synne entred in-to this world first / & thorugh that synne deide / right so thilke deth entreth in-to alle men that synneden [323] And this man was Adam / bi whom the synne entred in-to this world / whan that he breke the commaundement of god / [324] And therfore he that first was so myghti / that he sholde nat haue deide / bi-cam suche oon that he most nedes deye / whether he wolde or noon / & al his progenye that is in this worlde / that in thilke manere synnen ‖ [325] Loke that in the estate of innocence / whan Adam & Eue naked were in paradise / & nothing ne hadden shame of here nakednesse / [326] how that the serpent that was moste wyly of al other bestes that god had maked seide to the womman ‖ Commaunded god to yow / ye sholde nought eten of euery tre in paradise / [327] The woman answerde / of the fruyte quod she of the trees in paradise we feden vs / but sothly of the fruyte of the tre that is in the myddel of paradise / god forbede vs / for to eten ne to touche it / lest perauenture we sholden deye / [328] The serpent seide to the woman / nay nay / ye shol not deye of deth / ffor sothe god wote / that what day ye eten therof youre eyghen shul open / & ye shul be as godes knowynge goode & harme / [329] The woman saw that the tre was goode to fedynge / & faire to the eyghe / & dilectable to the sighte / she toke of the fruyte of the tre & ete of it ‖ & yaf it to hir housbond & he ete / And anoon the eyghen of hem bothe opened / [330] And whan that they knewe / that thei weren naked / thei sowed of fyge leves in manere of breches to hiden here membres ‖ [331] Here may ye se that dedly synne hath first suggestion of the fende / as shewith here bi the adder / & affterward the delite of the flesshe / as shewith here bi Eua / And¶ Adam. Eua. affter that the consentinge of the reson / as shewith bi Adam / [332] ffor trusteth wel though so were that the fende tempted oon / that is to seie / the flesshe / And the flesshe had delite in the beaute of the fruyte defended ‖ yit certes til that reson / that is to seie Adam con|sented to the etyng of the fruyte / yit stode thei in the highe state of Innocence ‖ [333] Off thilke Adam toke we thilke synne origynal / for of him flesshely discended ben we alle / & engendred of vile & corrupte matire / [334] And whan the soule is put in-to oure body / right anoon is con|tracte original synne / And that was erst but only peyne of concupiscence / is afterward both peyne & synne / [335] And therfore ben we alle I-borne sones of wrathe & of dampnacion perdurable / if it nere baptyme that we receiven / whiche bynemyth vs the culpe / but for sothe the peyne dwellith with vs / as the temptacion / whiche peyne hight concupiscence / [336] And this concupiscence whan it is wrongfully disposed / or ordeyned in man / hit makith him coueite couetise of flesshely synne bi sight of his eyghen / and to erthely thinges / And eke coueitise of highnesse bi pride of herte /

[337] Now as for to speke of the first coueitise / that is concupiscence after the lawe of oure membres / that weren lawfully maked / & bi rightful iuge|ment of god / [338] I seie for-asmeche as man is nought obeisaunt to god / that is his lord / Therfore is his flesshe to him disobeisaunte / thorugh concupiscence / . . . . .[339] . . . . .no gap in the MS. hit is impossible but he be distempered somtyme / & noyede in his flesshe to synne / [340] & this thing may nought faile / as longe as he leueth / it may wexe feble & faile / bi vertu of baptime / & bi the grace of god / thorugh penaunce / [341] but fully shal it neuere quenche / that he ne shal som|tyme be meved in him silff ‖ but if he were refreynede bi sikenesse / [sic]of bi malifice of sorcerie / or colde drynkes / [342] ffor what seith seint Poule / The flesshe coueiteth¶ Poule. ayeine the spirit / & the spirit ayeine the flesshe / thei ben so contrarie / & so striven / that a man may nought don alwey / as he wolde / [343] The same seith seint Poule / after his grete penaunce in water & in lande / In water bi night & bi daie in grete perile / & grete peyne / In lande in famyne / thruste / in colde and in clothes wantynge / & ones stoned almost to the dethe [344] yit seide he alas I caytiff man / who shal delyuer me fro the prison of my caytiff body / [345] And seint Ierome whan he¶ Ierome longe tyme had woned in deserte / where as he had no companye but bestes / where as he had no mete but erbes / & water to his drinke / ne no bedde but the naked erthe / ffor whiche his flesshe was blak as an Ethiopen for hete & nygh distruyed for colde / [346] yit seide he that the brennynge of lecherie boiled in al his body / [347] wherfore I woote wel sekerly that thei ben disceived / that seine / that thei ne ben nought tempted in here body / [348] wittenesse of seint Iame thappostel /¶ Iacobus. that seith that euery wight is tempted in his owne con|cupiscence / that is to seie / that eueryche of vs hath matire & occasion to be tempted / of the norisshinge of synne that is in his body ‖ [349] And therfore seith seint Iohn¶ Iohn Euang. the Euangelist if that we seyne that we ben withouten synne we disceiven oure silff / & trouthe is nought in vs /

[350] Now shol ye vnderstonde in what manere synne wexeth & encreseth in man ‖ The first thing is the norisshinge of synne / of which I spak of biforne thilke flesshely concupiscence / [351] And after that cometh the suggestion of the Deuel / this is to seie the deuel-is bely / with which he blowith in man / the fire of flesshely concupiscence / [352] And after that a man bi|thinketh him / whether he wol do or noon thilke thinge / to which he is tempted ‖ [353] And than if a man with-stande / & weive the firste entisinge of his flessh / & of the fende / than is hit no synne / And if so be that he do nat so / than felith he anoon / a flamme of delite / [354] & than is hit goode to be-ware & kepe him wel / or elles he wol falle anoon / in-to consentynge of synne / & than wol he do hit / if he may haue tyme and place ‖ [355] And of this matire seith Moyses bi¶ Moyses. the deuel in this manere / The fende seith I wol chace & pursue man bi wikked suggestiones / & I wol hente him / bi movynge or sterynge of synne / And I wol departe my prise or my preye bi de|liberacion / & my lust shal be accomplesshed in delite / I wol drawe my swerde in consentynge / [356] ffor certes right as a swerde departeth a thinge in two peces ‖ Right so consentynge departeth god fro man / And than wol I sle him with myn honde / in dethe of synne / thus seith the fende / [357] ffor certes than is a man al dede in soule / and thus is synne complesshed bi tempt|acion / bi delite / & bi consentinge / and than is synne cleped actuel /

[358] Ffor sothe synne is in two maneres / outher it is venial synne / or dedly synne / Sothely whan man loueth any creature / more than ihesu criste oure creatoure / than is it dedly synne / And venial synne is if man loue ihesu criste lesse than him oughte ‖ [359] ffor sothe the dede of this venial synne / is ful perilous / ffor hit amennseth the loue that men sholde haue to god more & more / [360] And therfore if a man charge more him silff / with many suche venial sinnes / certes but if it so be / that he som|tyme discharge him of hem bi shriffte / thei may ful lightly amennse in him al the loue / that he hath to ihesu criste / [361] & in this wise skippith venial synne / in-to dedly synne ‖ ffor certes the more that a man chargeth his soule with venial synnes / the more is he enclyned to falle in dedly synne / [362] And therfore lat vs not be necligent to discharge vs of venial synnes / ffor the prouerbe seith¶ prouerbium. That many smale makith a grete / [363] And herken this ensample / A grete wawe of the see / cometh somtyme with so grete a violence / that hit drenchith the shippe / And the same harme doth somtyme / the smale dropesprouerbium. [in a late hand.] of water / that entren thorugh a litil crevise / in-to the thurroke / & in-to the botme of the shippe / if men be so necligent / that men ne discharge hem nought be tyme ‖ [364] And therfore al-though ther be a difference bitwene these two causes of drenchynge / algates the shippe is dreynte ‖ [365] Right so farith hit somtyme of dedly synne / & of anoyous venial synnes / whan thei multiplie in a man so gretly / that thilke worldly thinges that he loueth / thorugh whiche he synneth venially / is as grete in his herte / as the loue of god or more / [366] And therfore the loue of euery thinge / that is not bisette in god / ne don principally for godis sake / al-though a man loue it lasse than god / yit is it venial synne / [367] And dedly synne is / whan the loue of any thinge weyeth in the herte of a man / as meche as the loue of god or more / [368] Dedly synne as seith seint Austyne¶ Austyno is whan a man turneth his herte from god / whic[h]e that is verry souereyne bounte / that may nat chaunge / & yevith his herte to a thinge that may chaunge / & flitte ‖ [369] And certes that is euery thinge saue only god of heuen ‖ ffor sothe is / if that a man yeve his loue / the whiche that he owith al to god / with al his herte / vn-to a creature / certes as meche of his loue as he yevith [. . . .] to that creature / so meche he birevith from god / [370] & ther|fore doth he synne / ffor he that is dettour to god / ne yeldeth nought al his dette to god / that is to seine al the loue of his herte /

[371] Now sithen that a man vnderstondeth generally whiche is venial synne ‖ Than is it couenable to tellen of special sinnes whiche that many a man perauenture demeth hem no synnes / ne shriven hem nat of the same thinges / & yit natheles thei ben synnes / [372] sothely as these clerkes writen / this [is][a word (is?) erased here.] to seine / that euery tyme that a man eteth or drinketh more than¶ nota bene sufficeth to the sustenaunce of his body / in certeine he doth synne / [373] And eke whan he speketh more than hit nedith / it is sinne ‖ Eke whan he herkeneth nought mekely the compleynte of the pore ‖ [374] Eke whan he is in hele of body & wol nought faste / whan other men faste withouten cause resonable ‖ Eke whan he slepeth more than him nedith ‖ or whan he cometh bi thilke encheson late to chirche / or to other good werkes of charite / [375] Eke whan he vsith his wiff / withouten souereyne desire of engendrure to the honour of god / or for thentent to yelde to his wiff the the (sic) dette of his body / [376] Eke whan he wol nought visite the sike / or prisoners whan he may ‖ Eke if he loue wiff or childe or any worldly thinge / more than reson requirith / Eke if he flatre or blandisshe / more than him oughte / for any necessite ‖ [377] Eke if he amennseth or withdrawith the almes of the pore ‖ Eke if he apparaileth his mete more deliciously than nede is / or ete hit to hastily bi likerous|nesse ‖ [378] Eke if he telle vanitees at the chirche or in godes seruise / or that he be a talker of ydel wordes¶ ydel wordes. of folie / or of vilonye / for he shal yelde accou[m]ptes of it at the daie of dome / [379] Eke whan he biheteth or assureth to do thinges / that he may not performe ‖ Eke whan that bi lightnesse of folie misseieth or scorneth his neighbour / [380] Eke whan he hath any susspecion of thinge / there as he woote of it no soth|fastnesse ‖ [381] These thinges & mo withouten nombre ben synnes as seith seint Austin¶ Austyne.

[382] Now shul men vnderstonde that al be it so / that noon erthely man may eschewe al venial synnes / yit may he refreyne him bi the brennynge loue that he hath to oure lorde Ihesu criste / & bi praiere / & bi confession / & other goode workes / so that it shal but litel greve / [383] ffor as seith seint Austyne ‖ If a man loue god / in suche manere / that al that euere he dothe is in the loue of god / or for the loue of god verrily ‖ ffor he brenneth in the loue of god ‖ [384] loke how meche meche that a drope of water that fallith in a furneys ful of fire anoyeth or grevith / so meche a venial synne is vn-to a man / that is perfite in the love of oure lord ihesu criste ‖ [385] Men may also refreyne venial synne / bi the resseivinge of the precious body of ihesu criste / [386] bi resseivinge eke of holy water / bi almes-dede / bi the general confession of the Confiteor at the masse / & at the Complyne / and bi blissinge of Busshopes / and of prestes & bi other goode werkes /

De septem peccatis mortalibus & eorum &c

[387]

NOw is it bihouely thinge / to tellen whiche ben the .vij. dedly synnes / that is to seyne cheveteynes of synnes / but alle thei renne in Ooles / but in dyuers maners / Now ben thei cleped cheveteynes / for-as-meche as thei ben cheff / & of hem springen alle other synnes / [388] of the rote of these .vij. sinnes / than is pride the general rote of alle harmes / ffor of this rote springen certeine branches / as Ire / Enuye / accidie / or slouthe / Auarice / or couetise to comune vnderstonding / Gloteneye / & Lecherie / [389] And eueryche of these cheff synnes hath his branches & his twigges / as shal be declared in here chapitres folwynge /

 [Of Pride, and its Twigs.]

[390] And though so be that no man can vtterly telle the nombre of the twigges & of the harmes that comyn of pride / yit wol I shewe a parte of hem as ye shul vnderstonde [391] ‖ There is Inobedience ‖ Avauntynge / Ypocrisie ‖ Despite ‖ Arrogaunce / In prudence ‖ Swellinge of herte ‖ Insolence ‖ Elacion ‖ . . . . .no gap in the MS. Partinacie ‖ Veynglorie ‖ & many a-nother twigge that I can nat declare ‖ [392] Ino|bedient is he / that disobeyeth for dispite to the commaunde|ment¶ Inobedient of god / & to his souereynes / & to his gostly fader ‖ [393] Auauntour is he that bosteth of the harme¶ Auauntour or of the bounte / that he hath don / [394] ypocrisie is he that hideth him / to shewe him / suche as he is / and shewith him suche as he is not ‖ [395] Dispitous¶ Dispitous is he that hath disdeine of his neighbours / that is to seine / of his euen cristen / or hath dispite to do / that him oughte to do ‖ [396] Arrogaunt is he / that thinketh¶ Arrogaunt. that he hath thilke bounte in him / that he hath nought / or weneth that he sholde haue hem bi his desertes / or ellis that he weneth that he be that he nys nought / [397] In|pudent is he that for his pride hath no shame for his¶ Inpudent synne ‖ [398] Swelling of herte is he / whan a man¶ Swellinge of herte. reioyseth him / of harme that he hath don ‖ [399] Inso|lent is he / that dispiseth in his iugement alle other¶ Insolent. folke / as to the regarde of his value / & of his connynge / & of his spekynge / & of his berynge ‖ [400] Elacion is / whan¶ Elacion he may neither suffre to haue maister ne felawe ‖ [401] Impacient is he / that wol nought be taughte ne vnder|nome¶ Impacient of his vice / & bi striff werreth trouthe wetingly / & maynteneth his folie ‖ [402] Contymax is he that¶ Contymax thorugh his indignacion / is ayeins eueryche autorite or power of hem that ben his souereynes ‖ [403] Pre|sumpcion¶ Presumpcion is he / whan a man taketh an emprise / that him ought not to do / or ellis he may it not do / & that is called surquidrie ‖ Irreuerent is whan a man doth not¶ Irreuerent honour / there-as him oughte to do / & waiteth to be reuerensed ‖ [404] Pertynacy is whan a man defendith¶ pertynacy his folie / & trusteth to meche his owne witte ‖ [405] Vayneglorie is for to haue pompe / & delite in¶ Vaynglorie temporel richesse / & glorifieth hem in worldly estates ‖ [406] Iangelynge is / whan a man speketh to¶ Iangelynge. meche / to fore folke & clappeth as a Mille / & taketh no kepe what he seith

[407] and yit is there a prive spice of pride / that waiteth first to be halowed / er he wol be saluwed / al be he lasse worth than that other is perauenture / & eke waiteth or desireth to sitte or to go above / him in the weie / or kisse pax / or be ensensed / or go to offringe / to fore his neighboure ‖ [408] & suche . . . . .no gap in the MS. a proude desire to be magnified / & honoured bifore the peple ‖

[409] Now ben ther two maners of pride / that oon of hem is withinne the herte of man / & that other is withoute / [410] off whiche sothely the for|seide thinges & mo than I haue seide apertynent to pride / that is in the herte of man / And therto other spices of pride ther ben withoute / [411] but natheles oon of these spices of pride is signe of that other ‖ Right as the gay levesel at the tauernes is signe of the wyne / that is in the seler ‖ [412] And this is in many thinges / as in speche / & in contenances / & in outrageous aray of clothinge / [413] ffor certes if it nadde be no synne / in clothinge / Criste wold nought so soone haue noted & spoke of the clothinge / of thilke riche man in the gospel ‖ [414] And as seint Gregorie seith That precious clothe is cou|pable¶ Gregorie. / for the derth of hit / & for his softenesse / & for his strangenesse / & for his disgisinesse / & for the super|fluyte / or for the inordynaunte scantnesse / . . . [415] . . . . .no gap in the MS.

[416] As to the first synne / that is in superfluyte of clothing whiche that makith hit so dere / to harme of the peple / [417] nat onely the coste of enbroudyng / the degise endentyng or barryng / owndyng / palyng / or bendynge / & semblable waste of clothynge / in vanite ‖ [418] But ther is also costlewe furrynge in here gownes / so meche pounsyng of cheseles to make hooles / so meche daggynge of sheres / [419] forth with the superfluyte in lengthe of the forseide gownes / trail|ing in the donge / & in the myre / on hors & eke on foote / as wel of man / as of womman / that al thilke trailynge is verrily as in effecte wasted & consumed / thred|bare & roten / with donge / rather than it is yoven to the pore / to grete damage of the forseide pore folke / [420] & that in sondry wise ‖ this is to seie / the more that clothe is wasted / the more mot hit coste to the peple / for the scarsenesse ‖ [421] And forther-ouer if it so be that thei wolde yeven suche pounsed & dagged clothinge / to the pore folke / it is nought conuenient to were for here estate / ne sufficeaunt to bete here necessite / to kepe hem from the distemperaunce of the colde firmament‖ [422] On that other side to speke of the disordinat scantnesse of clothing / as ben these cutted sloppes or hanse lynes that thorugh here shortnes ne coueren not there shameful membres of man / to wikked entent/ [423] Allas some of hem shewen the shappe & the boce / of the orrible swollen membres / that semeth I-like to the maladie of hirnya in the wrapping of here hoses / [424] and eke the buttokes of hem that faren / as it were the hinder parte of a she Ape / in the ful of the moone / [425] And more-ouer the wreched swolle membres / that thei shewe thorugh disgisyng / in departynge of here hoses white & rede / semeth that halff here privy membres were flayne / [426] And if so be that thei departen here hoses in other colours / as is white & black / or white & blewe / or blak & rede / & so forthe / [427] than semeth hit as bi variaunce of coloure / that halff the partie of his priue membres ben corrupte / bi the fire of seint Antonye or bi Cancre / or bi suche other meschaunces / [428] Yit of the hinder parte of here buttokes / it is ful orrible to se / ffor certes in that partie of here bodie / there as thei purgen here stinkynge ordure / [429] that foule parte shewe thei vnto the peple / proudely / in dispite of honeste / whiche honeste Ihesu crist & his frendes obserued to shewe in his liff / [430] Now as to outrageous aray of wommen / god woot though the visages of hem semen ful chaste / & debonayre / yit notefien thei in there araye / in atire of likerousnesse & pride / [431] I seie nat that honeste in clothinge of man / & woman is vncouen|able / But certes the superfluyte / or the disordinat scantnesse of clothinge / is reprovable / [432] Also the synne of an ornement / or apparaile / as in thinges that apperteynen to ridynge / as in to many delicate horses that ben hold|en for delite / that ben so faire fatte / and costelewe / [433] And also many a vicious knave I-mayntened bi|cause of hem // And in to curious harneyse / as in sadels cropers / peitresles / bridles couered with precious clothinge & riche barres / & plates / of golde & of siluer / [434] ffor whiche god seith bi Zakarie the¶ Zakarias. prophete / I wol confounde the riders of suche horses / [435] This folke taken litel rewarde of the ridynge of god-is sone of heuen / & of his harneys whan he rode vppon the Asse / & had noon othir harneys but the clothes of his pore disciples / Ne we rede nat that euer he rode on other beste / [436] I speke thus of the sinne of superfluite / & nat for the resonable honeste / whan reson it requirith // [437] And forther ouere / certes pride is gretely notefied in holdynge of grete meyne / whan thei ben of litel profite / or right of no profite / [438] & namely whan meyne is vileynous & damage|ous to the peple / bi hardynesse of high lordshippe or bi wey of office // [439] ffor certes suche lordes sellen than here lordshippes to the deuel of helle / whan thei sustene the wikkednesse of here meyne // [440] Or elles whan these folke of lowe degre / as tho that holden hosteleries / & that is many manere of folke / that susteynen theffte / for here Ostelers / & that is in manere of disseites / [441] thilke manere of folke ben the flyes of felonye that fole|wen the hony / or elles the houndes that folowen the careyne / suche forseide folke strangelen spirituely here lordshippes // [442] ffor whiche thus seith Dauid the prophete wikked¶ Dauid dethe mote come to thilke lordshippes / & god yeue that thei mowe descende a-doun in-to helle / ffor in here houses ben iniquitees & shrewdenesse & not god of heuen / [443] And certes but if thei do amende|ment / right so as god yaff his beneson to kyng Pharao bi the service of Iacob / and to Laban bi the seruise of Ioseph right so god wol yeue his malison to suche lordshippes / as susteyne the wikkednesse / of here seruauntes / but thei come to amendement // [444] Pride of the table appereth eke ful offte / for certes riche men ben cleped to festes & pore folke ben put aweye / & rebuked [445] also in excesse of diuers metes & drinkes / & namely suche manere of bake metes & dissh metes / brennynge in wilde fire / & peynted & castelled with papire / & in semblable waste / so that hit is abusion for to thenke /[446] & eke in the grete preciousnesse of vessel & curiousite of mynstralcie / bi the whiche a man is stered the more to delites of luxurie / [447] if so be that he sette his herte the lasse on oure lord Ihesu criste / certeyne it is sinne / And certeynely the delites myghten be so grete in this case that men myghte lightly falle bi hem in-to dedly synne // [448] The espices that sourden of pride / sothely whan thei sourden of malice ymagened / avised or a fore caste / or elles of vsage ben dedly synnes it is no doute / [449] And whan thei sourden bi freelte vn|avised sodenly / & sodenly withdrawe ageyne / al be thei greuous synnes / I gesse that thei ben nought dedly / [450] Now myghte men axe / wherof that pride sourdeth & springeth / & I seie somtyme hit springeth of the goodis of nature / & somtyme of the goodis of fortune / and somtyme of the goodis of grace / [451] Certes the goodis of nature / stonden in the goodis of bodye / or goodis of soule / [452] Certes the goodis of bodye / ben hele of bodie / strengthe / delyuernesse / beaute / genterie / ffranchises / [453] Goodis of nature of the soule / ben goodis with¶ Goodis of nature. sharpe vnderstondynge / subtile engyne / vertu naturel / good memorie / [454] Goodis of fortune ben richesse /¶ Goodis of fortune high degrees of lordshippes / preisinges of the peple // [455] Goodis of grace ben scienses / power to suffre /¶ Goodis of grace. spirituel travaile / benyngnitees / vertuous contemplacion / with-stonding of temptacion / & semblable thinges / [456] of whiche foreseide goodis / certes hit is a ful grete folie a man to pride him in any of hem alle // [457] Now as for to speke of godis of nature / god wot that somtyme we haue hem in nature / als meche to oure damage / as to oure profite [458] And for to speke of hele of bodie / certes it passeth ful lightly / & eke hit is ful offte encheson of sikenesse of the soule / ffor god woot the flessh is a ful grete enemy to the soule / and therfore the more the bodie is hoole / the more ben we in perel to falle / [459] Eke for to pride him / in his strengthe of bodie / hit is an highe folye / ffor certes the flesshe coueiteth ageine the spirit / and ay the more stronge the flessh is / the soriere may the soule be / [460] And ouer al this / strengthe of bodie / & worldly hardinesse / causith ful offte many a man to perel & meschaunce / [461] Eke for to pride him in his gentrie / is a ful grete folie / ffor often tyme the gentrie of the bodie / bigynneth the gentrie of the soule / and eke we alle ben of on fader & of on moder / & alle we ben of oo nature roten & corrupte / riche & pore / [462] ffor sothe a manere of gentrie it is to preise that apparellith mannes corage / with vertues & moralitees / & makith him cristes childe / [463] ffor trusteth wel that ouer what man / that synne hath maistrie / he is verry chorle to synne /

[464] Now ben ther general thinges of gentillesse / as eschewynge of vices / or rebaudrie / & seruage of synne / In worde / in werke / & contenaunce / [465] & vsyng vertu / curtesie / and clennesse / & to be liberal / that is to seie large bi mesure / ffor that that passith mesure / is folie & synne / [466] Another is to remembre him / of bounte / that he of other folke hath receivede / [467] Another is to be benigne / to his goode subiectes / wherfore as seith Seneca / ther nys nothing more¶ Seneca. couenable to a man of high estate / than debonarte & pite / [468] And there . . . . .no gap in the MS. bees whan thei chese hem a kyng / thei chesen him that hath no prikke to stynge with // [469] Another is a man to haue a noble herte / & a diligent to atteyne to highe vertues thinges / [470* see after 471; and note the transposing of the clauses in 472 . . . . .no gap in the MS. [471] Certes also who that prideth him / in the goodes of fortune / he is a ful grete foole / ffor somtyme is a man a ful grete lorde bi the morowe / that is a wrecche & a caitiff / or it be night / [*470] Now certes a man to pride him in the goodes of grace / is eke outragious folie / ffor the yifftes of grace / that shold haue turned him to goodnesse / & to medicyne / turneth him to venym & to confusion / as seith seint Gregorie /¶ Gregorie. [472] And somtyme the delites of man ben the cause of his grete maladie of whiche he deyeth / And somtyme the riches of a man is cause of his dethe / [473] Certes the commendacion of the peple is sum|tyme ful fals / & ful brotel for to truste also / this daie thei preise to morne thei lakke / [474] God woote desire to haue commendacion eke of the peple hath caused deth to many a besy man / [475] Now sithens that so is that ye haue vnderstonden what is pride / & whiche ben the spices of it / & whence pride sourdeth & springeth

 Remedium contra peccatum superbie.

[476]

NOw shal ye vnderstonde / whic[h]e is the remedie ayeines the synne of pride and that is humilite or mekenesse / [477] that is a vertu / thorugh whiche a man hath verry knewleche of him silff / & holdith of him silff / no pris ne deynte / as in regarde of his desertes considring euere his freelte // [478] Now ben ther thre maners of humilite / as humilite in herte / Another humilite is in mouthe / The thride is in werkes / [479] The humilite in herte / is in foure maners / that on is whan a man ne holdith him silff nought worth bifore god of heuen / Another is whan he dispisith noon other man / [480] The thride is / that he rekketh nat though men holde him nought worthe / The ferthe is whan he is nat sory / of his humyliacion / [481] Also the humilite of mouthe is in foure thinges / In attempre speche / & in humble speche / and whan he biknowith with his owne mouth that he is suche / as him thinketh that he is in his herte / another is whan he preisith the bounte of another man / & no thing therof amennsith [482] humilite / Eke humilite in werkes is in foure maners / the firste is whan he putteth other men biforne him / the seconde is / to chese the loweste place ouer al / the thrid is gladly to assente to good counsaile / [483] the fourthe is gladly to stonde to the worde of his soueraignes / or of him that is in highere degre than he / & this is a grete werke of humylite //

 De inuidia.

[484]

Affter pride wol I speke of the foule synne of envie / whiche that is / as bi the wordes of the Philosophre sorowe of other mannes prosperite / and after the worde of seint Austyne / hit is sorowe of other mennes¶ Austyne. wele / & ioye of othe[r] men-is harme / [485] This foule synne is platly ayeine the holy goste / . . . . .no gap in the MS. yit natheles for-asmeche that bounte apperteyneth properly to the holy gost / And envie cometh properly of malice / ther|fore it is properly ayeines the bounte of the holy goste // [486] Now hath malice two spices / that is to seie hardnesse / & wikkednesse / or elles the flesshe of a man / that is so blinde that he considreth nought that he is in synne /. . . . .no gap in the MS. whiche is the hardnesse of the deuel // [487] That other spice of malice is / whan that a man werreieth trouth / whan that he woote that hit is trouth / & eke whan he werreieth the grace that god hath yive / to his neighbour / and al this is bi envie / [488] Certes than is envie the worste synne that is / ffor sothely alle other synnes ben sumtyme ayeines .o. special vertu / [489] but certes envie is ayeines alle special vertues / & ayeines al goodnesse / for it is sory of al the bountees of his neighbour / And in this manere it is diuerse from al other synnes / [490] ffor wel vnnethe is ther any other synne / that hit ne hath sum delite in him silff / saue only envie / that euer hath in him selff angvisshe & sorowe / [491] The spices of envie ben these / ther is first sorowe / of other mennes / goodnesse / & of here pros|perite / whiche is kindely matire of ioye / than is envie a synne ayeins kynde / [492] The secounde spice of envie / is ioye of other men-is harme / & that is properly like to the Deuel / that euer reioyseth him of man-is harme / [493] Of these two spices cometh bagbitynge / . . . . no gap in the MS. or detraccion hath twey spices / as thus / Somme man preisith his neighbour / bi a wikked entente / [494] for he makith alwey a wikked knotte at the laste ende / alwey he makith a butte at the laste ende / that is digne of more blame than worth is al the preisinge / [495] The secounde spice is / that if a man be good / & doth & seith al thing to good entente / The bagbiter wol turne al the goodnesse vp so doun / to his shrewede entente / [496] The thride is to amennse the bounte of his neigh|bour / [497] The ferthe spice of bagbityng is this / That if men speke goodnesse of a man / than wol the bakbiter seie perfay / suche a man is better than he / in dispreisinge of him that men preise / [498] The .v. spice is this / for to consente gladly & herken the harme that men speke of other folke / this is ful grete / & ay encreseth after the wikked entente of the bakbiter ‖ [499] Affter bakbityng cometh grucchinge or murmuracion / & somtyme it springeth of inpacience ayeines god / & somtyme ayeines man / [500] ayeines god it is / whan a man / groccheth ayeines the peyne of helle / or ayeines pouerte / of losse of catel / or ayeines reyne or tempest / or ellis grucchen for shrewen haue prosperite / or good men ad|uersite / [501] & al these thinges sholde men suffre paciently / for thei comen bi the rightful iugement and ordynaunce of god / [502] Somtyme cometh grocching of avarice as Iudas grucched ayeines the Magdaleyne / whan she anoynted the hede of oure lorde Ihesu criste / with hir precious oynement / [503] This manere murmur is suche / as whan men grocchen of goodnesse / that hem silff don / or that other folke don / of here owne catal / [504] Somtyme cometh murmur of pride / as whan Symon the Phareseie grucched ayeines the Magdaleyne / whan she approchede to Ihesu criste / & wepte at his feete for hir synnes / [505] And somtyme hit sourdeth of envie / whan men discoueren a man-is harme / that was priue / or bereth him on honde thinge that is fals // [506] Murmur is eke offte amonge seruauntes / that grucchen whan here souereynes bidden hem to don leueful thinges / [507] and for als meche as thei dar nat openly ayeine seie the commaundement of here souereignes / yit wol thei seie harme / & grucche / & murmur priuely for verry dispite / [508] whiche wordes men clepen the Deuels Pater noster / though so be that the deuel had neuere Pater noster / but that folke yeve hit suche aname // [509] Somtyme hit cometh of Ire / or of pride & hate / that norisheth rankour in herte / as afterward I shal declare / [510] Than cometh eke bitternesse of herte / thorugh whiche bitternesse euery good dede of his neighbour / semeth to him bitter & vnsauerie / [511] than cometh discorde / that vnbindeth al manere of frendeshippe / Than cometh scornynge of . . . .¶ scornynge. . . . . .no gap in the MS. his neigh|bour / al do he neuere so wel / [512] Than cometh accusynge as whan a man sekith occasion to anoyen hisaccusynge. neighbour / whiche that is like the craffte of the deuel / that waiteth both day & night to accusen vs alle // [513] Than cometh malignite / thorugh whiche a man / anoyeth his neighbour priuely if he may / [514] & if he may nat algate his wikked wil ne shal nat wante / as for to brenne his hous priuely / or openly / or slen his bestes / and semblable thinges

 Remedium contra peccatum Invidie.

[515]

NOw wol I speke of the remedie ayeines this foule synne of envie / ffirst is the loue of god principal / And louynge of his neighbour as him silff / ffor that on may nat be withouten that other / [516] And trusteth wel / that in the name of thi neighbour thow shalt vnderstonde the name of thi brother / ffor certes alle we haue but O fader flesshly & O moder / that is to seine Adam & Eve / And eke O fader spirituel that is to seie god of heuen / [517] thi neighbour artow holden to loue & willen al goodnesse / And therfore seith god / loue thi neighbour as thi silff / that is to saluacion bothe of bodie & of soule / [518] And more-ouere thow shalt loue him in worde / & in benigne amonesshing & chastising / & comfort him in his anoyes / & pray for him with al thin herte / [519] and in dede thow shalt loue him in suche wise / that thow shalt do to him in charite / as thow woldist hit were don to the in thin owne persone / [520] And therfore thow ne shalt do to him no damage in wikked worde / ne harme in his bodie / ne in his catel / ne in his soule / bi entisinge of wikked ensample / [521] thow shalt [not] desire his wiff / ne noon of his thinges / vnderstonde eke that in the name of thi neighbour is com|prehended his enemy / [522] Certes a man shal loue his enemy for the commaundement of god / & sothly thi frende shalt thow loue in god / [523] I seie thin enemy shalt thow loue for godis sake / bi his commaunde|ment / ffor if hit were reson that man sholde hate his enemy / ffor sothe god wolde nat receive vs to his loue / that ben his enemyes / [524] ayeines thre manere of wronges that his enemy doth to him / he shal do thre thinges / as thus / [525] ayeines hate & rankour of herte / he shal loue him in herte / ayeine chiding & wikked wordes / he shal praie for his enemy / ayeine the wikked dede of his enemy / he shal don him bounte // [526] ffor criste seith / loue youre enemyes / & praye for hem that speke yow harme / & eke for hem that yow chasen / & pursewen / & doth bounte to hem that yow haten / Lo thus commaundeth vs oure lorde Ihesu criste / to do to oure enemyes / [527] ffor sothe nature driveth vs to loue oure frendes / And perfay oure enemyes han we more nede to loue / than oure frendes / And thei that more nede haue / certes to hem shulde men do more good|nesse / [528] And certes in thilke dede haue we remem|braunce of the loue of Ihesu criste / that deyed for his enemyes / [529] And for-asmeche as that loue is the more grevous to performe / so meche is more the grete merite // And therfore the louynge of oure enemyes hath confounded the venym of the Deuel / [530] ffor right as the Deuel is discomfited bi humilite / Right so is he wounded to the dethe / bi the loue of oure enemyes / [531] Certes than is loue the medicyne that chaseth out the venym of envie / from man-is herte / [532] the spices of this pas shulne be more largely declared in here chapetles folowynge /

 De Ira.

[533]

Affter envie wol I declare the synne of Ire / for sothely who that hath envie vppon his neighbour anoon comunely he wol fynde him a matire of wrathe / in worde or in dede / ayeines him to whom he hath envie // [534] And as wel cometh Ire / of pride as of envie / ffor sothely he that is proude or envious / is lightly wrothe /

[535] this synne of Ire after the discrivyng of seint Austyne / Is wikked wil / to ben avengede / bi¶ Austyne worde / or bi dede / [536] Ire after the Philosophre / is the feruent blood of a man / I-quiked in his herte / thorugh whiche he wolde harme to him that he hateth / [537] ffor certes the herte of a man / bi enchaufynge & mevynge of his bloode / wexeth so trouble / that he is out of al iugement of reson / [538] But ye shul vnderstonde that Ire is in two maners / that on of hem is goode / that other is wikked / [539] The goode Ire is / bi Ielousie of goodnesse thorugh the whiche a man is wrothe / with wikkednesse / & ayeins wikkednesse / And ther|fore seith th[e] wise man / that Ire is bett than pleye / [540] this Ire is with debonairte and hit is wrothe / with|outen bitternesse / nought wroth ayeines the man / but wrooth with the misdede of the man / as seith the prophete Dauid / Irascimini & nolite peccare / [541] Now¶ Dauid. Irascimini & nolite peccare &c vnderstondith that wikked Ire is in two maners / that is to seine / sodeyne Ire / & hastiff Ire withouten avisement / & consentyng of reson / [542] the menyng and the sens / of this is that the reson of a man ne con|sente nat to that sodeyne Ire / & than is hit venial / [543] Another Ire is ful wikked / that cometh of vilony of herte avised & cast biforne / with wikked wille to do vengeaunce / & therto his reson consentith / & sothely that is dedly synne / [544] This Ire is so dis|plesaunt to god / that hit troublyth his hous / & chasith the holy goste out of mannys soule / & wasteth & di|stroieth the likenes of god / that is to seie / the vertu that is in man-is soule / [545] & putteth in him the like|nes of the Deuel / & bynemeth the man from god that is his rightful lord / [546] This Ire is a ful grete plesaunce to the Deuel / for hit is the deuels furneys / that is enchafed with the fire of helle / [547] ffor certes right so as the fire is more myghti to distroye erthely thinges / than eny other element / Right so is Ire myghti to distroye alle spirituel thinges / [548] Loke how that fire of smale gledes / that ben almoste dede vnder asshen wolne quiken ayeine / whan thei ben touched with brymston / Right so wol Ire euer more quiken ayeine / whan hit is touched bi the pride that is couered in¶ exemplum. man-is herte / [549] ffor certes fire ne may not come out of nothinge / but if hit were first in the same thing naturelly / As fire is drawe out of flyntes with steell / [550] And right so as pride is offten tyme mater of Ire / Right so is rancoure / norice & keper of Ire / [551] Ther is a manere tre as seith seint Isodre / that whan men¶ Isidorus. make fire of that tre / & couere the coles of hit with asshen / sothly the fire of hit wol lasten al a yere / or more / [552] And right so farith hit of rancoure / whan he is ones conceived in the hertes of som men / certes hit wol laste perauenture from on Esterday / til another . . no gap in MS. or more / [553] But certes that man is ful fer from the mercy of god / al thilke while ‖

[554] In this foreseide deuels fforneys / thei forgen .iij. shrewis Pride that ay blowith & encresith the fire bi chidinges & wikked wordes / [555] Than stondeth Envie & holdeth the hote Iren vppon the herte of man / with a peire of longe tonges of longe rancour / [556] And than stondeth the synne of contumelie or striff / & cheste / & batereth & forgeth bi vileynes reprovynges / [557] Certis this cursed synne anoyeth both the man him-silff / & eke to his neighboure / ffor sothly al-moste al the harme / that any man doth to his neighboure / cometh of wrathe / [558] ffor certis outrageous wratthe doth al / that euer the deuel him commaundith / ffor he ne sparith neither criste / ne his swete moder / [559] And in his out|rageous anger & Ire / allas allas / ful many on that tyme felith in his herte ful wikkedly / both of criste / & of alle his halowes / [560] Is nat this a cursed vice / yis certis allas / hit bynemeth from man his witt / & his reson / & al his debonayre liff spirituel / that shulde kepe his soule / [561] Certes hit bynemeth eke god-is diwe lordshippe / & that is man-is soule / & the loue of his neighboure / hit strivith eke alday ayeines trouthe / hit reuyeth him the quiete of his herte / & subuertethe his soule /

[562] Off Ire comen these stinkynge engendrures / ffirst hate that is olde wratthe / discorde thorugh which a man forsaketh his olde frende / that he hath louede ful longe // [563] And than cometh werre / & euery manere of wronge that man doth to his neighboure in body or in catell [564] Off this cursed synne of Ire cometh eke manslaughter / And vnderstondeth wel that homycide that is manslaughter / is in diuerse wise / Some manere of homicide is spirituel / & some is bodily / [565] Spirituel manslaughter is in .vj. thinges / ffirst bi hate as seith seint Iohn / that he that hateth his brother¶ Iohn. is an homicide // [566] homicide is eke bi bakbityng / of whiche bakbiters seith Salomon / that thei haue two¶ Salomon. swerdis with the whiche thei slen here neighboures / for sothly as wikked it is to byneme him his good name / as his liff / [567] Homicide is eke in yevinge of wikked consail bi fraude / as for to yeve consail to areise wrongfully custumes & tallages / [568] of whiche seith Salomon / Lyoun rorynge / Bere hungry / ben like to¶ Salomon cruel lordshippes / in withholdyng or abreggyng of the sheepe / or of the hyre / or of the wages of seruauntes / or ellis in vsure / or in withdrawynge of almesse / fro the pore folke / [569] for which the wise man seith / ffedith him that almoste deyeth for hungre / for sothly but if thow fede him / thow sleest him / And alle these ben dedly synnes / [570] Bodyly manslaughter is whan thow sleest him with thi tonge / in other manere as whan thow commaundist to sle a man / or ellis yevist him consail to sle a man / [571] Manslaughter in dede is in .iiij. maners / that on is bi lawe / right as a Iustice dampneth him that is coupable / to the dethe / but lat the Iustice be war that he do hit rightfully / & that he do it nat for delite to spille bloode / but for keping of rightwis|nesse / [572] Another homicide is don for necessite / as whan a man sleeth another in his defendaunt / & that he ne may non otherwise escape from his owne deth / [573] but certis if he may escape with|outen deth of his aduersarie / & sleeth him he doth synne / & he shal bere penaunce / as for dedly sinne / [574] Eke if a man bi caas or auenture shete an arowe / or cast a ston / with the whiche he sleeth a man hit is homicide / [575] Eke if a woman bi necligence ouerlithe hir childe in hir slepinge hit is homicide & dedly synne / [576] Eke whan a man distourbeth the con|cepcion of a childe / or maketh a woman bareyne bi drinkyng of venemous herbes thorugh whiche she may nat conceive / or sleeth a childe bi drynkes / or ellis putteth certeyne material thinges in hir secre place to sle the childe / [577] or ellis doth vnkyndly synne / bi the whiche man or woman shedith there nature in manere or in place / there as a childe ne may nat be con|ceived / or ellis if a woman haue conceived / and hurt|eth hir silff & sleeth hir childe / yit is it homicide / [578] what seie we eke of women that mordren there children for drede of worldly shame / certes an horrible homicide / [579] Homicide is eke if a man ap|procheth to a woman bi desire of lecherie bi the whiche the childe is perisshed / or ellis smyteth a woman wetingly / thorugh whiche she lesith hir childe / alle these ben homi|cides & horrible dedly synnes / [580] yit cometh ther of Ire many mo synnes / as wel in worde / as in thought / & in dede / as he that arecceth vppon god / or blameth god of thinge / of whiche he is him-silff gilty / or dispisith god & alle his halowes / as don these cursed hasardours / in diuerse contres / [581] this cursed synne don thei / whan thei felen in here herte ful wikkedly of god & his halowis / [582] Also whan thei treten vnreuerently the sacrament of the auter / Thilke synnes ben so grete / that vnnethes may hit ben relessed but that the mercy of god / passith his workes / hit is so grete / & he so benygne / [583] Than cometh of Ire attrie anger / whan a man is sharply amonesshed in his shriffte to for|lete synne / [584] than wol he be angry and answere hokerly / & angerly / or defende & excuse his synne bi vnstedfastnesse of his flesshe / or ellis he dide hit / for to holde companye with his felowes / or ellis he seith the fende entised him / [585] or ellis he dide hit for his youthe / Or ellis his complexion is so coragious / that he may nat forbere / Or ellis hit is his destenye / as he seith vn-to a certeyne age / Or ellis he seith hit cometh him of gentilnes of his auncetres / & semblable thinges / [586] Alle these manere of folke so wrappen hem / in here synnes / that thei ne wol nought delyueren hem-silff / ffor sothly no wighte that excusith him of his synne wilfully / may not be delyuered of his synne / til that he mekely biknowe his synne / [587] Affter than cometh sweringe / that is expresse ayeines the commaundement of god / & this bifallith offte of anger & of Ire / [588] God seith thow shalt not take the name of thi lord god in veyne ne in ydel / Also oure lord ihesu seith bi the wordes of seint Mathewe /¶ Mathewe. . . . . .no gap in the MS. [589] Ne wille ye nought to swere in no manere / neither bi heuen for it is godis trone / Ne bi the erthe for hit is the benche of his feete / Ne bi Ierusalem for it is the Cite of a grete kynge / Ne bi thin hede / for it is nat thin owne / for thow maist nat make an heere white ne blak / [590] but seith bi youre ye / ye & nay / nay / And what that is more it is euel / thus seith criste / [591] ffor cristes sake ne swerith nought so synfully / in dismembringe of criste / bi soule herte / bones / & body / ffor certes it semeth that ye thenke the cursed Iewes dismembred him nought I-nough / . .no gap in the MS. but ye dismembren him more / [592] And if so be the lawe com|pelle yow to swere / than shul ye reule yow after the lawe of god in youre swerynge / As seith seint Ierome in .iiij.the chap|itle¶ Ierome. / . . . . .no gap in the MS. Thow shalt kepe .iij. condicions / thow shalt swere in trouthe / in dome / & in rightwisnesse / [593] this is to seyne thow shalt swere sooth / for euery lesing is ayeines criste / ffor criste in verray trouthe / And thenke wel this / That euery grete swerer / nat compelled lawfully to swere / the wounde shal nat departe from his hous / whiles he vsith suche vnlawful swerynge / [594] Thou shalt swere eke in dome / whan thow art constreyned bi the Domes|man to wittnesse the trouthe / [595] Eke thou shalt nat swere for envie ne for fauour / ne for mede / but for trouthe & rightwisnesse the declaracion of hit to the wourshippe of god / & to helpinge of thin euen cristen / [596] And therfore euery man that taketh the name of god in ydel / or falsly swerith with his mouthe / or ellis taketh on him the name of criste to be called a cristen man / & levith ayeins cristes levynge & his techinge / alle thei taken godis name in ydel / [597] Loke eke what seith seint Peter¶ Petrus. Actuum .iiijto. Non est aliud nomen sub celo / Theract .iiijto. nys noon other name seith seint Peter vnder heuen / I-youen to men in whiche thei mowe be saued / that is to seine / but in the name of Ihesu criste / [598] . . . . .no gap in the MS. As seith seint Poule /¶ Paule.. . . . .no gap in the MS. that in the name of Ihesu euery kne of heuenly creatures / or erthely / or of helle shulle bowe / for hit is so high & so wourshipful / that the cursed fende in helle sholde tremble for to hire hit nempned / [599] Than semeth hit that men that sweren so horribly bi his blissed name / that thei dispisen it more boldely than diden the cursed Iewes / or ellis the deuel that tremblith whan he hyrith his name /

[600] Now certis sithe that sweringe but if hit be lawfully don / is so highly defended / meche wors is forsweryng falsly / And yit nedeles

[601] what seie ye of hem / that deliten hem in swering / & holde hit a gentrie / or a manly dede / to swere grete othes / And what of hem that of verry vsage ne sease nat to swere grete othes / al be the cause nought worthe a strawe / certes this is an horrible synne/[602] swering sodonly withoute avisement is eke a synne / [603] Now lat vs go to thilke horrible & cursed swering /¶ swerynges. of adiuracion & coniuracion / as don these false en|chauntours / & nigromansours in basins ful of water / or in a bright swerde / in a cercle / or in a fire / or in a shelder|bon of a shepe / [604] I can not seyne but that thei don cursedly / & dampnably / ayeines criste / & al the feith of holy chirche /

[605] what seie we of hem that bileven on divynailles / as bi flight or bi noyse of briddes / or of bestes / or bi sorte bi nigromancie / bi dremes / bi chirkyng of doores / bi gnawynge of rattes / or crakyng of housus / & suche manere of wrecchednesse / [606] certis al this thinge is defended bi god & holy chirche / for whiche thei ben acursed til thei come to amendement / that in suche filthe setten here bileve / [607] Charmes for woundes / of maladie of men or of bestes / if thei take any effecte / hit may be perauenture / that god suffrith hit / for folke sholde yeve the more feith & reuerence to his name /

[608] Now wol I speke of lesinges / whiche gener|ally¶ Lesynges. is fals signifiaunce of wordes / in entente to disceiven his euen cristen [609] Some lesinge is of whiche ther cometh noon auantage to no wighte / And some lesinge turneth to the ease and profite of a man / & to damage of another man / [610] Another lesinge is for to saue his liff / or his catel / Another lesing cometh of delite for to lye / in whiche delite thei wolne forge a longe tale / & peynte hit with al circumstaunces / wher al the grounde of the tale is fals / [611] Some lesinge cometh for he wol sustene his worde / Some lesinge cometh of rechelesnesse withouten avisement / & sem|blable thinges /

[612] Late vs now touche the vice of flaterynge /¶ fflaterynges. the whiche ne cometh nat gladly / but for drede / or for couetise / [613] fflaterie is generally wrongeful preisynge / fflater|ers ben the deuelis norices / that norisshen his children with mylke of losengerye / [614] ffor soth Salomon seith¶ Salomon. that flaterie is worse than detraccion / ffor somtyme de|traccion maketh an havteyne man / to be the more humble / for he dredith detraccion // But certes flaterie makith a man to enhansen his herte & his contenaunce / [615] fflaterers ben the deuelis enchauntours / for thei maken a man to wene of him selff be like / that he is nat like / [616] thei ben like to Iudas that bitrayed. . . . .no gap in the MS. a man to selle him to his enemy / that is to the deuel / [617] fflatrers ben the deuels Chapeleynes. that singen euere Placebo / [618] I reken flaterie in the vice of Ire / ffor offt tyme if a man be wroth with a-nother than wol he flatere som wight to sustene him in his quarel /

[619] Speke we now of suche cursinge as cometh¶ Cursynge out of Irons herte / Malison may be seide generally / euery maner powere of harme / suche cursing birevith a man fro the regne of god / As seith seint Poule [620] that¶ Poule. suche cursinge wrongefully / retorneth oftyn tyme ayeine to him that cursith / as a bridde retorneth ayeine to his ow[ne n]este / [621] And ouer al thing men oughte[MS. rubbed.] to eschewe to curse here children / & yeven to the deuel there engendrure / as fer forth as in hem is / certis hit is a grete perille & a grete synne //

[622] Late vs now speke of chidynge & reproche¶ Chidynge. whiche ben grete woundes in man-is herte for thei vn-sewen the seemes of frendeshippe in mennes herte / [623] ffor certis vnnethes may a man ben pleynly accorded with him / that hath him openly reviled / & reproued & disclaundred / this is a ful grysely synne / as criste seith in the gospel / [624] And take kepe now that he that reprovith his neighbour / outher he reprovith him bi some harme of peyne that he hath in his body / As Mesel. Croked harlott / or bi some synne that he dothe // [625] Now if he reprove him bi harme of peyne / than turneth the repreff to Ihesu criste / for peyne is sent bi the rightwis sonde of god / & bi his suffe raunce / be it Meselrie or mayme / or maladie. [626] And if he reprove him vncharitably / of synne / as thow holour thow dronkelewe harlott / & so forth / than apperteyneth that to the reioysing of the deuel / that euer hath ioye that men don synne / [627] And certis chidynge may not come but of a vileyns herte / ffor after the habundaunce of the herte speketh the mouthe ful offte /¶ ex habundancia cordis os loquitur. [628] And ye shul vnderstonde that loke bi any wey / whan any man shal chastise another / that he be war of chidinge or reproving / ffor truly but he be wer / he may ful lightly queken the fire of anger & of wratthe / whiche that he sholde quenche / and perauenture sleth him that he myghte chastise with benyg|nite / [629] ffor as seith Salomon the amyable tonge / is¶ Salomon. the tree of liff / that is to seyne of liff espirituel / And a dislave tonge / sleth the spirites of him that reprovith / and eke of him that is reproved / [630] Lo what seint Austyne seith / ther is nothing so like the deueles childe as he that offte chideth / seint Poule seith¶ Paule. eke / I seruaunt of god bihove nought to chide / [631] And how that chiding is a vileyns thing bitwix al manere folke / ȝit is hit certis most vncovenable bitwixe a man & his wiff / for there is neuer reste / And therfore seith Salomon / An hous that is vncouered in rayne & droppinge / & a chidynge wiff ben I-like [632] a man that is in a droppinge hous in many places / though he eschewe the droppinge in o place / yit it droppeth on him in a-nother place / so farith hit bi a chidinge wiff / but she chide him in o place / she wol chide him in another / [633] And therfore better is a morssel of brede with ioye / than an hous ful of delites with chidinge / seith Salomon [634] seint¶ Salomon Poule seith / O ye women be ye subiectes to youre housbondes / as bihovith in god / And ye men lovith youre wives / as Colonisences .iijo.¶ Ad Colonisen|ses .iijo.

[635] Affterward speke we of scornynge / whiche is a wikked synne / and namely whan he scornyth a man for his goode workes / [636] ffor certes suche scorners faren I-like the foule toode that may nat endure to smelle the swete sauoure of the vyne / whan it flourith / [637] These scorners ben partynge felawes with the deuel / for thei haue ioye whan the deuel wynneth / & sorowe whan he leseth / that is to seye sauacion of soule / [638] thei ben aduersaries to oure lord ihesu criste / for thei haten that he loveth / that is to seie sauacion of soule /

[639] Speke we now of wikked consail / ffor he that wikked consail yeueth is a traytoure / for he disceivith¶ wikked con|saille. him that trusteth in him / vt Achitofel de Absone / But natheles yit is his wikked counsail first ayens him selff / [640] ffor as seith the wise man Euery fals levyng man hath this properte in him selff / that he that wol anoye another man / he anoyeth first him selff / [641] And men shul vnderstonde / that man shal nat take his counsail of fals folke / ne of to angry folke / ne of grevous folke / ne of folke that louen to meche specially here owne profite / ne to meche wordly folke / & namely in con|saillynge of soules /

[642] Now cometh the synne of hem that sowen & maken discorde / amonges folke / whiche is a synne that¶ Discorde. criste hateth vtterly / and no wonder is / for he deyed to make concorde / [643] & more shame do thei to criste / than dide thei that him crucified / ffor loueth better that frendeshippe be amonges folke / than he dide his owne body / whiche that he yaff for vnitees / therfore ben thei likened to the Deuel / that euere is a-boughte to make discorde /

[644] Now cometh the synne of double tonge / suche¶ Double tonge. as speken faire bifore folke / & wikkedly be-hynde / or ellis thei maken sembelaunt / as though thei spake of goode entencion / or elles in game & pleye / & yit thei speken of wikked entent /

[645] Now cometh biwreiynge of consail / thorugh the¶ bi-wreiynge. of consaille. whiche a man is defamed / certes vnnethe may he restore the damages /

[646] Now cometh manas that is an opon folye / ffor¶ Manace he that offte manassith / he thretith more than he may do ful offt tyme /

[647] Now cometh ydel wordes / that is withouten¶ ydel wordes. profite / of him that speketh the wordes / & eke of him that herkeneth the wordes / or ellis ydel wordes ben tho that be nedeles / or withouten entente of naturel profite / [648] And al be hit that ydel wordes ben som|tyme venial synne / yit sholde men doute hem / for we shul yeue rekenynge of hem / biforne god /

[649] Now cometh Iangelynge that may nat be with|outen¶ Iangelinge. synne / as seith Salomon hit is a signe of aperte folye / [650] And therfore a Philosophre seide / whan a man asked him how men sholde please the peple / And he answerde & seide / do many goode workes / & speke fewe Iangelynges /

[651] And after this cometh the synne of Iapes that¶ Iapes. ben the deuels Apes / for thei maken folke to laughe at here iaperye / as folke don at the gaudes of an Ape / suche iapes defendith seint Poule // [652] Loke how that vertuous wordes & holy / conforten hem that travaile in the seruice of criste / Right so conforten the vileyns wordes & knakkes of iapers hem / that travailen in the seruice of the deuel / [653] these ben the synnes that comen of the tonge / that comen of Ire / And other synnes many mo.

 Remedium contra peccatum Ire.

[654]

THe remedie ayeines Ire / is a vertu that men clepen Mansuetude that is debonairte / & eke another vertu that men clepen Pacience / or ellis sufferaunce /

[655] Debonairte withdrawith & refreyneth the sterynges & the mevynges of man-is corage in his herte / in suche manere that thei ne skippe nought out bi anger / ne bi Ire / [656] Suffraunce suffreth swetly alle the anoysaunces / & the wronges / that men don to a man outwarde / [657] seint Ierome seith thus of Debonairte¶ Ierome that hit doth noon harme to no wighte / ne seith for noon harme that men him don ne seyne / he ne eschaungeth nat ayeines his reson / [658] This vertu cometh somtyme of nature / ffor as seith the Philosophre / a man is a quike thinge bi nature / debonaire & tretable bi goodenesse / But whan debonairte is enformed of grace / it is the more worthe /

[659] Pacience that is another remedie ayenst Ire / hit is a vertu that suffreth swetly euery mannys goodnesse / & is nat worthe for noon harme / that is don vnto him / [660] the Philosophre seith that Pacience is that vertu that suffreth debonairly alle the outrages of aduersite and euery wikked worde / [661] this vertu maketh a man I-like to god & maketh him his owne dere childe as seith criste / This vertu disconfiteth thin enemy / And therfore seith the wise man / If thow wolt venquysshe thin Enemy lerne to suffre / [662] And thow shalt vnderstonde / that a man suffreth .iiij. manere of greuaunces in outwarde thinges / ayeines the whiche .iiij. he mote haue .iiij. manere of paciences /

[663] The first greuaunce is of wikked wordes / thilke gre|uaunce suffred oure lord ihesu criste / withouten grucchinge ful paciently / whan the Iewes dispised him & reproued him ful offte / [664] suffre thow therfore paciently / ffor the wise man eke seith / If thow strive with a fool / though the fool be wroth or though he laughe algate thow shalt haue no reste // [665] That other grevaunce outwarde is / to haue damage of thi catel / There ayeines suffred criste ful paciently / whan he was dispoyled of al that he hadde in this liff & that nas nought but the clothes / [666] The .iij. greuaunce is to a man to haue harme in his body / that suffred criste ful paciently in al his passion / [667] The ferthe greuaunce is an outragious labour in werkes / wherfore I seie that folke that maken here seruauntes to travaile to grevously or out of tyme / as on halydayes / sothly thei don grete synne / [668] Here ayeines suffred criste ful paciently & taught vs pacience / whan he bare vppon his blessed shildres the croys vppon the whiche he sholde suffre dispitous deth / [669] Here may men lerne to be paciente / ffor certes nought onely cristen men ben pacient / for the loue of ihesu criste & for guerdon of the blisse of heuen / & of the blisful liff that is perdurable / But certes the olde paynemes that neuere were cristen com|menden & vsen the vertu of pacience /

[670] A Philosophre vppon a tyme that wolde haue beten his disciple for his grete trespace / for whiche he was gretly ameved / & brought a yerde to scoure the childe / [671] And whan the childe sawe the yerde / he seide to his maister / what wol ye don / I wol bete the quod the maister for thi correccion / [672] ffor sothe quod the childe ye oughte firste correcte youre silff / that haue lost youre pacience for the gilte of a childe / [673] ffor sothe quod the maister al weping thow seist sothe / haue thow the yerde my dere sone & correcte me for myn impacience / [674] Off pacience cometh obedience thorugh the whiche a man is obedient to criste / & to alle hem to whiche he oughte to be obediente in criste / [675] And vnderstonde wel that obedience is perfite / whan men doon gladly and hastyly with good herte entirely al that he shulde don / [676] Obedience generally is to performe the doctryne of god / & of his soueraignes to whiche him oughte to be obeissaunt to al manere of rightwisnesse /

 De accidia.

[677]

Affter the synnes of Envie & Ire / now wol I speke of the synne of accidie / for envie blyndeth the herte of a man / And Ire troubleth a man / And accide maketh him hevie / thoughtful / & wrawe / [678] Envie & Ire maken bitternesse in herte / whiche bitternesse is moder of accidie / & bynemeth him the loue of al goodnesse / than is accidie the anguysshe of a troubled herte / And seint Austyne seith /¶ Austyne. It is anoye of goodnesse / & anoye of harme / [679] certis this is a dampnable synne / for it doth wronge to Ihesu criste / in-asmeche as hit bynemeth the seruice that men don to criste with al diligence / as seith Salomon /¶ Salomon. [680] But accide doth no suche diligence / he doth al thing with anoy / & wrawnesse / slaknesse & excusacion / & with ydulnesse & vnlust / ffor whiche the booke seith / Acursed be he that doth the seruice of god necligently / [681] than is accidie Enemy to euery estate of man / ffor certis thestate of man is in .iij. maners / [682] The first estate is the estate of Innocencie as was thestate of Adam bifore or he fel in-to synne / in whiche estate he was holden to werche / as in heriyng & honouryng of god / [683] Another estate is the estate of synful men / in whiche estate men ben holden to laboure / in praiyng to god for amendement of here synnes / & that he wol graunte hem to arise out of here synnes / [684] Another estate is thestate of grace / in whiche estate he is holde to do workes of penaunce / & certis to alle these thinges is accidie enemy & con|trarie / for he loueth no besynesse at al / [685] Now certis this foule synne accidie is eke a ful grete enemy to the liflode of the body / for it hath no purviaunce ayeines temporel necessite / for hit is for slouthed / for slougged & distroyed alle goodes temporelles bi rechelesnesse /

[686] The fourthe thing is / that accide is like hem that ben in the peyne of helle / bicause of here slouthe / & of here hevynesse / ffor thei that ben dampned ben so bounde / that thei ne mow nat wel do / ne wel thenke / [687] Off accide cometh first / that a man is anoyed / & encombred to do any goodnesse / & maketh that god hath abhomynacion of suche accide as seith seint Iohn /

[688] Now cometh slouth that wol nat suffre noon¶ Slouthe. hardenesse / ne no penaunce / ffor soth slouth is so tender & so delicate / as seith Salomon that he wol suffre noon hardnesse ne penaunce / And therfore he shendith al that he doth [689] ayeines his roten herted synne of accide / And slouth sholde men excersise & vse hem selff to don good workes & manly / & vertuously cacchen corage wel to don / thenk|yng that oure lord ihesu criste quiteth euery goode dede / be it neuere so lite / [690] vsage of labour is a grete thing / ffor hit maketh as seith seint Bernarde / the¶ Bernard laborer to haue stronge armes / & harde senowes / & slouth maketh a man feble & tendre / [691] Than cometh drede to bigynne any goode workes / ffor certes he that is enclyned to synne him thenketh it is so grete an emprise / for to vndertake to do workes of goodnesse / [692] and casteth in his herte that the circunstaunces of goodnesse ben so grevous & so chargeable for to suffre / that he dar nat vndertake to don workes of goodnesse / as seith seint Gregorie /

[693] Now cometh wanhope / that is dispeire of the¶ Wanhope. mercy of god / that cometh somtyme of to meche out|ragious sorow / And somtyme of to meche drede / ymagen|ynge that he hath don so meche synne / that hit wold nat availe him / though he wolde repent him / & for sake synne & do good / [694] thorugh whiche dispeire or drede / he habundith his herte to euery manere synne / as seith seint Austyne / [695] whiche dampnable synne if it contenue vn-to his ende / hit is cleped synnynge in the holy gost / [696] this orrible synne is so perilous / that he that is dispeired ther is no felonye ne no synne that he douteth for to do / as shewed wel bi Iudas / [697] Certes abouen alle synnes / than is this synne most displesaunce to crist / & most aduersarie [698] to god / sothly he that dispeirith him / is like the cowarde Champion recreant / & seith creant withouten nede / Allas allas nedeles is he recreant / & nedeles dispeired / [699] ffor certes the mercy of god is euere redy to the penitente / & is above alle his workes / [700] Allas can nat a man bi-thinke him on the gospel of seint Luke. xvmo. where as criste seith / That as wel shal¶ luce .xvmo. ther be Ioye in heuen vppon a sinful man / that doth penaunce / than vppon nynety & nyne. that. . . .no gap in the MS. nedith no penaunce / [701] loke ferthermore in the gospel / the Ioye & the feste of the goodman that had lost his sone / whan his sone with repentaunce was retourned to his fader / [702] Can thei nought remembre hem that as seith seint luke. xiijo. Capitulo / how that the theff seide that was¶ luce .xiijo. co. honged bi-side ihesu cristes side / lord remembre on me whan thow comest vn-to thi kingdome / [703] ffor sothe seide criste / to day thow shalt be with me in Paradise [704] Certes ther is noon so orrible synne of man / that it ne may in his liff be distroyed bi penaunce / thorugh vertu of the passion & the dethe of criste / [705] Allas what nedith a man than to be dispeired / sithen that his mercy so redy is / & so large / Aske & haue / [706] Than cometh sompnolence that is sloggy¶ sompnolencia slombrynge / whiche maketh a man hevy & dul in body / & in soule / & this synne cometh of slouthe / [707] And certes the tyme that bi wey of reson men sholde nought slepe bi the morowe but if ther were cause resonable / [708] ffor sothely on the morowe tide is most couenable a man to seie his prayeres / & for to thenke on god / & for to honoure god / & to yeve almes to the pore that first comen in the name of criste / [709] Lo whath seith Salomon who so wol bi the morowe awake & seke me / he shal fynde me / [710] Than cometh necligence or rechelesnesse /¶ necligence that recketh of nothinge / And how that ignoraunce is the moder of al thing/that toucheth harme/Certes necligence is the norice / [711] necligence doth no force whan he shal do a thinge / whether he do it wel or badly /

[712] Off remedy of these two synnes / as seith the wise man / That he that dredith god / spareth not to don / that him oughte to don / [713] & he that loueth god / he wol do diligence to please god / bi his workes / and habunden him selff with al his myghte wel for to don / [714] Than cometh ydelnesse / that is the yate of al¶ ydelnesse. harme / An ydel man is like to a place that hath no walles / there As deuels may entren bi euery side / or shete at him at discouert bi temptacion on euery side / [715] this ydelnes is the Thorroke of alle wikked & vileynes thoughtes / & of alle Ianglis / triflis / & of al ordure / [716] Certes the heuen is yeven to hem that wol laboure & nought to ydel folke / Eke Dauid seith /¶ Dauid thei ne be nat in the laboure of men / ne thei ne shal nat be whippede with men / that is to seie in purgarie / [717] Certes than semeth hit that thei shul be turmented / with the deuel in helle / but if thei don penitence /

[718] Than cometh the synne that men clepen tarditas / as whan a man is to latrede or to tariyng / or¶ tarditas he wol turne to god / & certis that is a grete folye / he is like him that fallith in the diche & wol nought arise / [719] as this vice cometh of fals hope that he thenketh that he shal leve longe / bu[t] that hope failith ful offte /

[720] Than cometh laches that is he / that whan he¶ Laches. bigynneth any goode werke / a-non he wol forlete it & stynte / as don thei that haue any wight to gouerne / & ne taken of him no more kepe / anoon as thei fynde any contrarie or any anoye / [721] these ben the newe shepperdes that laten here shepe renne weti[n]gly to the wolff that is in the breres / or don no force of here owne gouernaunce / [722] Of this cometh pouerte / and distruccion bothe of spirituel & of temporel thinges / Than cometh a manere of coldnesse / that fresith at the herte of man /¶ coldenesse. [723] Than cometh vndevocion / thorugh the whiche a man is¶ vndevocion. blente / as seith seint Bernarde and suche langour in¶ Bernard. soule / that he ne may neither rede ne synge / in holy chirche / ne hire ne thenke of no deuocion / ne travaile with his hondes in no goode workes/that hit nys to him vnsaverie/ & al appalled / [724] than wexeth he sore & slowe & slombri & soone wol be wrothe / & soone is he enclyned to hate & to envie [725] Than cometh the synne of wordly sorowe / whiche that is cleped tristicia / that sleth¶ Sorow. a man as seint Poule / [726] ffor certis suche sorowe¶ Poule wercheth to the dethe of the soule & of the bodie also / fforther ouere than cometh that a man is anoyed of his owne liff/ [727] wherfore suche sorowe shorteth ful offte the liff of men / or that here tyme come bi wey of kynde /

Remedium contra peccatum Accidie.

[728]

Ageyns this orrible synne of accidie / & the branches of the same / ther is a vertu that is cleped ffortitudo / or strengthe / that is an affeccion thorugh¶ ffortitudo. whiche/a man dispisith al maner of noyous thinges/[729] this vertu is so myghti & so vigorous / that hit dar withstonde myghtily & wisely kepe him selff from perellis that ben wikked / and wrestle ayeines the assavte of the deuel / [730] ffor hit enhaunseth & enforseth the soule / right as accidie abateth hit/ & makith hit feble / for this ffortitudo¶ ffortitudo. may endure bi longe suffraunce / the travailes that ben couenable /

[731] this vertu hath many spices . .no gap in MS. The first is cleped /Magnanymyte/that is to seie grete corage/ ffor certis ther bihoueth grete corage ayeines accidie / lest that hit swolowe the soule / bi the synne of sorowe / or distroye hit bi wanhope / [732] this vertu maketh folke to vndertake harde thinges / & grevous bi here owne wille / wisely & resonably / [733] And for|asmeche as the deuel fiteth ayeines man / more bi queyntise & bi slighte / than bi strengthe / therfor a man sholde with-stonde him / bi witt / & bi reson & with dis|cression / [734] Than ben ther the vertues of feith / &¶ ffides spes. hope in god / & in his seintes / to atcheuen & accomplisshe goode werkes / in the whiche he purposeth fermely to contenue / [735] Than cometh surete or sekernesse /¶ Securitas & that is / whan a man ne douteth nat to travaile in tyme comyng to performe the grete workes of goodnesse / that he hath bigonne / [736] Than cometh magnificence/that is to seie /¶ Magnificencia whan a man doth & performeth grete werkes / & that is the ende / whi that men sholde do goode werkes / for in the accomplisshing of grete & goode werkes lithe the grete guerdoun / [737] Than is ther Constaunce / that is stablenesse / of corage / & this sholde¶ Constancia. be in herte / bi stedefast feith / & in the moovthe / & in berynge / in chere / & in dede / [738] Eke ther ben mo special thinges / & remedies / ageyns accidie in diuerse werkes / & in consideracion of peynes of helle / & of the ioyes of heuen / & in the truste of the grace of the holy goste / that wol yeve him myght to performe his goode entente /

 De Auaricia.

[739]

Affter accidie wol I speke of avarice / & of couetise / of the whiche synne / as seith seint Poule / that the rote of alle synnes is couetise / Ad Tymotheum .vj.to [740] ffor sothely whan the herte of a man is confounded in hit selff / & troubled / and that the soule hath loste the comforte of god / than seketh he an ydel solace of wordly thinges /

[741] Avarice after the discripcion of seint Augustyne /¶ Austyne. Is a likerousnesse in herte to haue erthely thinges / [742] Somme other folke seie / that auarice is / for to purchase many erthely thinges / & nothing yeve to hem that haue nede / [743] And vnderstondith wel that auarice nys nat onely in londe ne in catel / but som|tyme in science / and in glorie / & in euery manere of outragious thinges / is auarice & couetise / [744] And the difference bitwixe auarice & couetise is this / Couetise is for to coueite suche thinges as thow hast nought / And auarice is to withholde & kepe / suche thinges as thow hast withouten rightful nede / [745] sothely this auarice is a synne that is ful dampnable / ffor al holy writt curseth hit / & speketh ayeines that vice / ffor it dothe wronge to Ihesu criste / [746] for it bireueth him the loue that men to him owen / and turneth hit bakwarde ayeines al reson / [747] & maketh that the auericious man / hath more hope in his catel than in Ihesu criste / & doth more obseruaunce in keping of his tresour / than he doth to the seruice of ihesu criste [748] And therfore seith seint Paule / Ad Ephecios / v.to that an auarious man is¶ Poule thral to ydolatrie /

[749] what difference is bitwixe an ydolastre / & an auarous man / But that an ydolastre perauenture ne hath but oon mavmet or two / And the auarous man hath many / ffor certis euery floreyne or noble in his cofre is his Mavmet / [750] And certis the synne of Mavmetrie is the first thing / that god defendith in the ten commaund|ementes / as berith witnesse in Exodi co (blank) [751] thow¶ Exodi co. shalt haue no fals godis / bifore me / ne thow shalt make to the no grave thinge / thus is than an auarous man that loueth his tresour biforne god / An ydolastre [752] thorugh his synne of avarice / & of couetise / comen these harde lord-shippes / thorugh whiche men ben distroyed / bi tallages Custumes & cariages / more than here duete or reson is / and eke take thei / of here bonde|men amersementes / whiche myghte more resonably be cleped extorcions than mercymentes / [753] of whic[h]e mercimentes & raunsons of bondemen / some lordis Stewardes seyne that hit is rightful / for-asmeche as a Cherle hath no temporel thing / that hit ne is here lordes as thei seie / [754] But certis thes lordes don wronge / that thei bireve here bonde folke thinges / that thei neuer gaff hem / Augusti[n]us de Ciuitate dei libro nono / [755]¶ Austyne sothe is that the condicion of thraldom / & the first cause of thraldom is for synne / Genesis quinto /¶ Genesis quinto

[756] thus may ye se that the gilte deservith thraldom / but nat nature / [757] wherfore these lordes ne shulde nat meche glorifie hem in here lord-shippes / sithen that bi naturel condicion thei ben lordis ouer thrallis / but for that / that thraldom cam first bi deserte of synne / [758] And ferther ouer there as the lawe seith / that temporal goodes of bonde folke / ben the goodes of here lordshippes / ye that is to vnderstonde / the goodes of the Emperour to defenden hem in here right / but nat for to robben hem ne reven hem / [759] And therfor seith Seneca / Thi prudence sholde leve benygnely with¶ Seneca. thi thrallis / [760] thei that thow clepest thi thrallis / ben godis peple / ffor humble folke ben cristes frendes / thei ben contubernyal with the lorde /

[761] Thenke eke that of suche seede as Cherles springen / of suche seede springen lordes / as wel may the Cherle be saued / as the lorde / [762] The same dethe that taketh the Cherle / the same dethe takith the lorde / wherfore I rede do right so with thi cherle / as thow woldest thi lord dide with the / if thow were in his plighte / [763] Euery sinful man is a cherle to synne / I rede¶ Consilium. the lorde thow werche in suche wise / that thi cherles rather loue the than drede the / [764] I wot wel ther is degre / aboue degre / as reson is / & skele that if that men don here devoyre there as hit is due // But certes extorcions & dispites of youre vnderlynges is dampnable /

[765] and therfore vnder-stondith wel / that conquerou[r]s or tirauntes maken ful offt thralles of hem that ben borne / of as roial blood / as ben thei that hem conqueren / [766] This name of thraldom was neuere erst couthe / til that Noye seide / that his sone Cayme shulde be thral to his brother for his synne /¶ Cayme cause of thraldom. [767] what seie we than of hem that pelyn & don extorcions to holy chirche / Certes the swerde that men yeven first to a knyght whan he is newe dubbed / signefieth that he sholde defende holy chirche / & nought robbe it / & who so doth is traitour to criste / [768] as seith seint Austyne / thei ben¶ Austyne. deuels wolvis that strangelyn the shepe of ihesu criste / & don worse than wolves / [769] ffor sothly whan the wolff hath ful his wombe / he stinteth to strangelyn shepe / but sothely the pilours & the distroy|ours of holy chirche goodes ne don nat so / for thei ne stinte neuer to pilen / [770] Now as I haue seide / sithen so is that sinne was first cause of thraldom / than is it thus / that thilke tyme that al the world was in synne / than was al the worlde in thraldom & subieccion / [771] But certis sithen the tyme of grace cam / god ordeyned / that some folke shold be more high in estate & degre / than some / and some folke more lowe / And that eueryche sholde be serued in his estate / & in his degre / [772] And therfore in some contrees there they ben thrallis / whan thei haue turned hem to the feith / thei maken here thralles free / out of thraldom / And therfore certis the lord owith to his man / that the man owith to his lorde / [773] The Pope clepeth him silff seruaunt of the seruauntes of god / But for-asmeche as the estate of¶ seruus seruo|rum holy chirche / ne myghte nat haue be kept / ne the comen profite ne myght nat haue be kept ne pees ne reste / in erthe / but if god had ordeyned that some men hadde higher degre / & some men lower / [774] And therfore was souereynte ordeyned / to kepe and mayntene / & de|fende here vnderlinges / & here subiectes in reson / as fer|forthe as it lith in here powere / and nat to distroye hem / ne confounde / [775] wherfore I seie / that suche lordes as ben like wolves / that devouren the possessions or the catel of pore folke wrongefully withouten mercy or mesure / [776] thei shullen resceiven bi the same mesure / that thei haue mesured to pore folke / the mercy of Ihesu criste / but if hit be amended / [777] Now cometh disceite¶ Disceite. bitu[i]xe marchaunt & marchaunt / And thow shalt vnder|stonde that marchaundise is in many maners / that oon is bodily & that other is gostly / that oon is leful & honest / that othere is dishoneste & vuleful / [778] Of thilke bodyly marchaundise that is leful & honest is this / that there as god hath ordeyned / that a Regne or a contre is sufficiaunt to him silff / than it is honest & leful / that of the abundaunce of this contre / that men helpe another contre that is more nedye / [779] And therfore ther mote be marchauntes to bringe from that oon contre / to that othere / here march|aundise / [780] That other marchaundise is that / that men haunte with fraude / & trecherie / & disceite / with lesinges / & fals othes / is cursed & dampnable / [781] Espirituel marchaundise is properly Symonye / that is ententiff desire to bye thinge espirituel / that is thinge that apperteyneth to the seintuarie of god / & to the cure of soule / [782] This desire if it so be / that a man do his diligence to performe hit / al be it though his desire ne take noon effecte / yit is it to him a dedly synne / & if be ordrede he is irregulere / [783] Certis Symonye is cleped of Symon Magus / that wolde haue¶ Symon Magus bought with the temporal catel / the yifft that god hadde yeuen bi the holy gost / to seint Peter / & to thappostles / [784] And therfore vnderstondith / that both he that sellith & he that bieth thinges espirituels ben cleped symonyals / be hit bi catel be hit bi procuryng / or bi flesshly praiere / of his frendes / or of his spirituel frendes / [785] flesshely frendes / in two maners / as bi kynrede / or as bi other frendes / or of spirituel frendes / Sothely if thei praie for him that is nat able / & worthi it is symonye / iff he take that benefice / & if he be worthi & able hit nys noon / [786] The other manere is whan a man or a woman praie for folke to avaunce hem / onely for wikked flesshely affeccion / that thei haue vn-to the persones / & that is in soule Symonye / [787] but certes in seruices for whiche men yeven thinges espirituels vn-to here seruauntes / hit mot ben vnderstonde / that the seruice mot be honeste / & elles nat / And eke that hit be withouten barganynge / & that the persone be able / [788] ffor as seith seint Damasie / Alle the synnes of the¶ Damasie worlde / at the regarde of this sinne / ben as thinge of nought / ffor it is the grettest sinne that may be / after the sinne of Lucifer & of Antecriste / [789] ffor bi this sinne god forlesith the chirche & the soule / that he boughte with his precious bloode / bi hem that yeuen chirches to hem that ben nat digne / [790] ffor thei putten in theves that stelen the soule of Ihesu criste / & distroyen his patry|moigne / [791] By suche vndigne prestes / & curates haue men the lasse reuerence of the sacramentes of holy chirche / And suche yeuers of chirches putten out the childerne of criste / & putten in-to the chirche the deuels owne sones / [792] thei sellen the soules / the lombes thei kepen to the wolff that strangelith hem / and therfore shul thei neuer haue parte of the pasture of the lombes / that is in the blisse of heuen / [793] Now cometh hasardrie / with his appur|tenaunce¶ hasardrie. / as tables / Ravfles / of whiche comen disceite / & flas othes / Chidinges / & al ravynges / blasphemynge / & reuyynge of god / & hate of his neighbours / wastynge of goodes / misspendynge of tyme / & somtyme man|slaughter / [794] Certis hasardours ne mowe nought be withouten gretesynne / whiles thei haunten that craffte / [795] Off Avarice cometh eke lesinges / thefft / fals witnesse ffals othes / and ye shul vnderstonde / that these ben grete synnes / & expresse ayeines the commaundementes of god as I haue seide / [796] ffals witnesse is in worde & in dede eke / In worde / as for to bireve thi neighbouris good name / bi thi fals wittnesse / or bireve him his catel / or his heritage bi thi fals wittnessinge / whan thow for Ire / or for mede / or for envie / berest fals witnesse / or accusest him / or excusest him bi thi fals wittnesse / or ellis ex|cusest thi selff falsly // [797] War yow questemongeres &¶ war yow questemongeres. notories / Certis for fals wittnessinge was Susanna in grete sorowe & peyne & many another mo / [798] The sinne of thefft is eke expresse ayeines godis heeste / & that in two maners / Corporel & spirituel / [799] [Corporel] as for to take thi neighboris catel / ayeines his wil / be hit bi force / or bi slighte / be it bi mette or bi mesure / [800] bi stelinge eke of fals enditementes vppon him / And in borowynge of thi neighboris catel / in that entente neuere to pay / & semblable thinges / [801] Es|pirituel thefft is sacrilege / that is to seie in hurt|ynge of holy thinges / or of thinges sacrede to criste / in two maners / bi reson / of the holy place / as chirches or chirchehawes / [802] ffor euery violente sinne that men don in suche places may be cleped sacrilege / or euery violence in semblable place / Also thei that withdrawen falsly the rightes that longen to holy chirche / [803] And playnly & generally is sacrilege to yeve holy thinge / fro holy place / and vn holy thinge out of holy place / Or holy thinge out of vn|holy place /

 Remedium contra Auariciam.

[804]

NOw shul ye vnderstonde / that the relevynge of Auarice is mesericorde / & pite largely taken / And men myght axe whi / that misericorde & pite / is the releuynge of Auarice / [805] Certes the auarouse man / shewith no misericorde ne pite / to the nedeful man / ffor he deliteth him in the kepinge of his tresoure / & not in the restoringe ne relevinge of his euen cristen / & therfore speke I first of misericorde [806] Than is misericorde as seith the Philosophre a vertu bi whiche the corage of a man is stered / bi the mysese of him that is mysesed / [807] vppon the whiche misericorde folwith pite / in performynge of charitable workes / of misericorde / [808] And certes this mevith man to misericorde of Ihesu criste / that yaff him silff for oure gult / & suffred dethe / for misericorde / & foreyaff vs oure original sinnes / [809] & therbi relesed vs fro the peyne of helle / & amennshed the peyne of purgatorie bi penaunce / And yevith grace wel to do / And at the laste the ioye of heuen / [810] the spices of misericorde ben as for to leue / & for to yeve / & eke for to foryeve / & relese & haue pite / in herte / & to haue compassion of the mischeff of thi euencristen / & eke chastice there as nede is / [811] Another manere remedie ayeins auarice is resonable largesse / but sothely here bihovith the con|sideracion of the grace of Ihesu criste / & of his temporel goodes / & eke of the goodes perdurable that criste yaff vs / [812] & eke to haue remembraunce of the dethe that he shal resceive he note whanne / & eke that he shal forgon al that he hath / saue only that / he hath dispendid in goode workes /

[813] But for-asmeche as somme folke ben vnmesur|able / men oughten eschue foole largesse that men clepen waste / [814] Certis he that is foole large ne yevith nought his catel / but he leseth his catel / Certes what thinge that he yevith for vaynglorie / as to mynstralles / & to folke for to bere his renoun in the worlde he hath don synne & noon almes / [815] Certis he leseth foule his goode / that ne seketh nothinge with his goode but synne / [816] he is like an hors that seketh rather to drynke droupy water or troubly / than for to drinke water of the clere welle / [817] And for-asmeche as thei yeuen there as they shulde nat yeuen / to hem apperteyneth that malison that crist shal yeue at the day of dome to hem that shulle be dampnede

 De gula.

[818]

Affter auarice cometh glotenye / whiche is expresse eke ayeines the commaundementes of god / glotenye is vnmesurable appetite to ete / or to drinke / or ellis to don I-noughe / to the vnmesurable[appetite erased] & discorde covetise to ete & to drinke / [819] This sinne cor|rumppeth al this worlde / as is wel shewed in the synne of Adam & of Eue / Lo eke what seith seint Paule / of¶ Paule gloteneye / [820] Many folke of whiche I haue oft seide to yow / & now I seie it wepinge / to hem that ben enemyes of the croyce of criste / of whiche the ende is dethe / and of whiche here wombe is here god / & here glorie in confusion of hem that sc devouren erthely thinges / [821] he that is vsante to this synne of glotenye / he ne may no synne with-stande / he moste be in the seruage of alle synnes or vicis / for it is the deuels horde there he hideth him inne & resteth / [822] this synne hath many spices / The first is dronkenesse / that is the sepulture of manis reson / & ther|fore whan a man is dronke he hath loste his reson / & this is dedly synne / [823] but certis whan a man is nought wonte to stronge drinke / ne perauenture ne knowith nat the strengthe of the drinke / or hath feblenesse in his hede / or he hath travailled thorugh whiche he drynketh the more / al be he so sodenly caughte with drynke / it is no dedly synne but venial / [824] The seconde spice of gloteneye is / whan the spirite of man waxeth al trouble for dronkenesse / & birevith him the discresion of his witt / [825] The thride spice of glotenye is whan a man devoureth his meete / & hath no rightful manere of etynge / [826] The ferthe is whan thorugh the grete abund|aunce of his meete / the humores of his body ben dis|temperede / [827] The .v. is foryetefulnesse / bi to mechel drynkynge / for whiche somtyme a man for-yetith bi the morowe / what he dide at eve or on the night biforne /

[828] In other manere ben discrived the spices of glotenye / affter seynt Gregorie / The first is for to ete bi¶ Gregorie. fore tyme / The .ij.de is whan a man geteth him to delicate meete / [829] The .iij.de is whan a man taketh to mechel ouere mesure / The .iiij. is the curiouste / with grete entente to make & apparaille his meete / The .v. is to ete to gredily / [830] These ben the .v. fyngeris of the Deuels honde / bi the whiche he drawith folke to synne /

Remedium contra gulam.

[831]

Ageynes glotenye is remedie / the abstinence of his body / as seith Galienus / but that holde I nat meritorie / if¶ Galienus he do hit onely for helthe of the bodie / seint Austyne wolde that abstynence were don for vertu / & with pacience / [832] Abstinence he seith is litil worthe / but if a man haue goode wille therto / And but if he be enforced bi pacience and bi charite / & that men do it for godis sake / & in hope to haue the blisse of heuen /

[833] The felowes of abstinence ben Attemper|aunce / that holdith the meene in al thinges Eke shame that eschewith al dishoneste / Suffisaunce that seketh no riche metes / ne drinkes / ne doth no fors of noon outrageous apparaillynge of meete / [834] Mesure also that restreyneth bi reson the dislave appetite of etinge / Sobernesse also that restreyneth the outrageousnesse of drinke / [835] Sparynge also that restreyneth the delicate ease to sitte longe at his meete / & sofftly / wherfore somme men stonden of here owne wil / to eten here meete at the lasse leyser /

 De luxuria.

[836]

Affter glotenye / than cometh lecherie / ffor these two sinnes ben so nygh cosyns / that often tyme / thei wil nat departen / [837] god woot this sinne is ful displesaunt to god / for he seide him selff / do no lecherie / And there he putte grete peynes ayeines this sinne in the olde lawe / [838] yff a wo|man thral were taken in this sinne // she sholde be beten with stanes to the dethe / And if she were a gentil|woman she sholde be sleyne with stones / And if she were a busshopes doughter / she sholde be brente / bi godis commaundement / [839] fforther-ouere / for the synne of lecherie god dreynte al the worlde at dilivio / And after that he brente .v. Citees / with thonder lighte / and sanke hem in-to helle /

[840] Now lete vs speke than / of thilke foule stinkyng synne of lecherie / that men clepen advoutrie / of wedded folke / that is to seie if that oon of hem be wedded or ellis bothe / [841] seint Iohn seith that advoutrers¶ seint Iohan. shulle ben in helle / in a stynkynge brennynge fire of brymston / for here lecherie / In bremston for the stinkynge of there ordure / [842] Certes the brekynge of this sacrament is an horrible thinge / hit was made of god him selff in paradise / & confermed bi Ihesu criste / as seith seint Mathew in the gospell / A man shal lete¶ Mathewe. fader & moder / & take him to his wiff / & thei shul be two in oo flesshe / [843] this sacrament bitoke|neth the knyttynge to geder of criste / and of holy chirche / [844] And nat onely that god forbade advoutrie in dede / but eke he commaunded that thow shuldist nat coveite thi neighbors wiff / [845] in this heeste seith seint Austyne is forboden al manere of couetise to do lecherie / Lo what seith seint Mathew quinto capitulo / in the¶ Mathewe. gospell / That who so seeth a woman to couetise of his luste / he hath don lecherie with hir / in his herte / [846] here may ye sen / that nat onely the dede of this synne / is forboden / but eke the desire to don that synne / [847] This cursed synne annoyeth greuously hem that hit haunteth / & first to here soules / ffor he obligeth hit to synne & to the peyne of deth / that is perdurable / [848] vn-to the body annoyeth it greuously also / for hit drieth him / & wasteth him / & shendeth him / & of his blode he maketh sacrifice to the fende of helle / hit wasteth eke his catel / & his substaunce / [849] And certis if it be a foule thinge / a man to wasten his catel on a woman / yit is it a fouler thinge / whan that for suche ordure / wemmen dispenden vppon men here catel & here substaunce / [850] this sinne as seith the prophete birevith man & woman here gode fame / & al here honour / And it is ful plesaunt to the deuel / for therby wynneth he the most partie of this worlde / [851] And right as a Marchaunt deliteth him moste in chaffare that he hath most auantage of / Right so deliteth the fende in this ordure /

[852] this is that other honde of the Deuel / with .v. fyngeres to that kaccheth the peple to his vilonye / [853] The first fynger is the fool lokyng of the fool man / & of the fool woman / that sleth / Right as the Basilicok sleth folke bi the venym of his sight / for the couetise of the eyghen folwith the couetise of the herte / [854] The .ijde. fynger is the vileynes touchinge in wikked manere / and therfore seith Salomon / that who so¶ Salomon. toucheth & handelith a woman / he farith I-like him that handelith the Scorpion that stingeth & sodenly sleth / thorugh his envenymynge / And who so toucheth warme picche / hit fouleth his fyngers / [855] The .iij. fynger is foule wordes that farith like fire that anoon brenneth the herte / [856] The iiij. fynger is the kissinge / & trewely he were a grete foole that wolde kisse the mouthe of a brennynge Oven / or of a forneys / [857] & more fooles ben thei that kissen in vilanye / for that mouth is the mouthe of helle / & namely these olde dotardes houlours / yit wol thei kisse / though thei may nat do & smater hem / [858] Certis thei ben I-like houndes / ffor an hounde whan he cometh bi the rosiere / or bi other beautees / though he may nought pisse / yit wol he lifft vp his legge / & make a con|tenaunce to pisse / [859] And for that many men wene that thei may nat synne / for no licorousnesse that he dothe with his wiff / Certis that oppinion is fals / god wote a man may sle him selff with his owne knyff / & maken him dronken with his owne tonne / [860] Certes be it wiff / be it childe / or any other erthely thinge / that he loueth bifore god / hit is his mavmet / & he is an ydolastre / [861] A man sholde loue his wiff bi discresion paciently & attemporally / & than is she as it were his suster / [862] The .v. fynger of the deuels honde is the stingkyng dede of lecherie / [863] Certes the .v. fyngers of glotenye the fende putteth in the wombe of a man / And with the .v. fyngers of lecherie he gripeth him bi the reynes for to throwe him in to the furneys of helle / [864] there as thei shul haue the fire & the wormes that euere shal laste / & wepinge / & wailynge / sharpe hunger / & thruste / griselynesse of deuels / that shullen al to treden hem withouten respite / & with|outen ende / [865] Off lecherie as I seide sourden diuerse spices / as fornicacion that is bitwix man & woman / that ben nat maried / & this is dedly sinne & ayeines nature / [866] Al that is enemy & distruccion to nature / is ayeines nature / [867] Perfay the reson of a man tellith him wel that it is dedly synne / for-asmeche as god forbade lecherie / And seynt Paule seith / yeueth him the regne that is due to no wight¶ Paule. but to hem that don dedly synne / [868] Another synne of lecherie is / to bireven a maiden of hir maidenhede / ffor certis he that so dothe / he taketh a maiden out of the highest degre that is in this present liff / [869] & birevith hir thilke precious fruyte / that the booke clepeth the hundrede fruyte / I can nat seie it / in noon other wise in englissh / but in latyn hit hight / Centes[i]mus fructus /¶ Centes[i]mus fructus. [870] Certes he that so dothe / is cause of many damages & vilonyes mo than any man can reken / Right as he somtyme is cause of al the damages that bestes don in the felde / that breken the hegges or the clausure / thorugh whiche he distroyeth that may nat be restorede / [871] ffor certis no more may maidenhede be re|stored / than an arme that is smeten from the body / may retorne ayeine to wexe / [872] she may haue mercy this woote I wel / if she do penaunce / but neuere shal hit be / that she nas corrupte / [873] And al be it so that I haue spoken somwhat of advoutrie / it is goode to shewen mo perilles that longen to aduoutrie / ffor to eschewe the foule synne of [874] aduoutrie / in latyn it is for to seie / approching of other menis wivis / thorugh whiche tho that whilom were first oo flesshe / abunden here bodies to other persones / [875] Off this synne / as seith the wise man / folowen many harmes / ffirst brekyng of feith / & certis in the feith is the keye of cristendom / [876] & whan that feith is broke & lorne / certis cristendom stondith in vayne & withouten fruyte / [877] this sinne is eke a theffte / for theffte generally is / to reve a wighte his thinge ayeines his wille / [878] Certes this is the fouleste thefft that may be / whan a woman stelith hir body from hir housbond / & yivith hit to hir holour to defoule hir / & stelith hir soule from criste / & yivith hit to the deuel / [879] this is a fouler thefft than forto breke a chirche & stele the chaleys / ffor these aduoutres breken the temple of god spiritually / & stelen the vessel of grace / that is the body & the soule / ffor whiche criste shal distroien hem as seith seint Poule / [880] sothely¶ Poule. of this thefft dovted gretely Ioseph / whan that his lordis wiff praide him of vilonye / whan he seide lo my ladi how my lorde hath taken to me vnder my warde al that he hath in this worlde / ne nothing of his thinges is out of my power / but onely ye that ben his wiff / [881] and how sholde I than do this wikkednes / & synne so orrible ayeines god / & ayeines my lorde / god hit forbede / Allas al to litel is suche trouth now I-founde / [882] The thridde harme is the filthe thorugh whiche thei breken the commaundement of god / & defoulen the auctor of here matrymoigne that is criste / [883] ffor certis in-so-meche that the sacrament of mariage is so noble / & so digne / so meche hit is the gretter synne to breke hit / ffor god made mariage in Paradise in the state of Innocence / to multiplie mankynde to the seruice of god / [884] & therfore is the brekyng therof the more greuous / of whiche breking cometh fals heires ofte tyme / that wrongefully occupien other menis heritage / & therfore wol criste put hem out of the regne of heuen / that is heritage to goode folke / [885] Of this brekyng cometh oftyn tyme / that folke vnwar wedden or synnen / with here owne kynrede / & namely thilke harlottes that haunten bordels / of these foole wemmen that mowe be likened to a comune gouge / where as men purgen there ordure / [886] what seie we eke of poytours that leven bi the horrible synne of putrie & constreinen wommen to yelde hem a certeyne rente of here bodily putrie / y somtyme of his owne wiff / or his childe / as don these baudes / Certes these ben cursed synnes / [887] Vnderstondith eke that advoutrie is sette gladly in the ten commaundementes / bituexe theffte & man|slaughter / ffor it is the grettest theffte that may be / ffor it is the theffte of body & of soule / [888] & hit is like homycide / for it kerveth a-two & breketh a-two hem that first were made Oo flesshe / & therefore bi the olde lawe of god / thei sholde be sleyne / [889] But natheles bi the lawe of ihesu criste that is the lawe of pite / whan he seide to the womman that was founden in advoutrie / & sholde haue ben sleyne with stones / after the wil of the Iewes / as was there lawe / Go quod ihesu criste & haue no more wille to synne / or willen to do no more no synne / [890] sothely the vengeaunce of advoutrie is awarded to the peyne of helle / but if it be distorbled bi penaunce / [891] yit ben ther mo spicis of this cursed synne / as whan that oon of hem is religious / or ellis both / or of folke that ben entred in-to order / as subdiacone / & deken / or preste / or hospitelers / & euer the higher that he is in order / the gretter is the synne / [892] The thinges that gretly agregen here synne / is the brekyng of here avowe / of chastite / that thei made whan thei resceivede order / [893] And forther ouere soth it is / that holy order is tresour cheff of god / & his especial signe & marke of chastite / to shewe that thei ben Ioyned to chastite / whiche that is the most precious liff that is / [894] And eke these ordred folke ben specially entitled to god / & of the special meyne of god / ffor whiche whan thei don dedly synne / thei ben the special traytours of god / & of his peple / ffor thei leven of the peple / to praie for the peple / And while they ben suche traitours / here praiers availen nat to the peple / [895] ¶ Prestes ben as Aungels / as bi the dignite of here misterie / but for sothe seint Poule¶ Paulus. seith / that Sathanas transformeth him in an Aungel of light / [896] sothely the preste that haunteth dedly synne / he may be likened to the Angel of derkenesse / transformed / in the Angel of light / he semeth an Angel of light / & but for sothe he is an Angel of derkenesse / [897] suche prestes ben the sones of Belye as shewith in the boke of kynges / that thei weren the sones of Belial / that is the deuel / [898] Belyal is to seyne withouten Iugge And so faren thei / hem thenketh thei ben fre / & han no Iugge / no more than hath a fre Boole / that taketh whiche kow that him liketh in the towne / [899] Right so faren thei bi wommen / ffor right as a fre Boole is I-nough for al a toune / Right so is a wikked preste corrupt / I-nough for al a parissh / or for al a contre / [900] these prestes as seith the booke / ne conne nat the mynysterie of presthode to the pepel / ne god knowith hem nought / thei holde hem nat a-paide as seith the booke / of soden flessh that was to hem offred / but thei toke bi force the flessh that is rawe / [901] Certes right so these olde shrewis / ne holde hem nat a-paide of rosted flessh / & soden flessh / with the whiche the peple feden hem with grete reuerence / but thei wol haue rawe flessh / as men-is¶ prestes wol haue rawe flesshe. wivis & here doughtren / [902] And certis these women that consenten to here harlotries / don grete wronges to criste / & to holy chirche / And to alle halowes / & to alle soules / ffor they bireven him alle these that sholden wourshipe criste / & holy chirche / & pray for alle cristen soules / [903] And therefore haue suche prestes & here lemmans eke that consenten to here lecherie / the malison of al cristen courte / til thei come to amendement / [904] The thride spice of advoutrie / is bitwene a man and his wiff / & that is whan thei take no rewarde in here assemblynge / but onely to here flesshly delite / as seith seint Ierome / [905] and rekken of nothinge but¶ Ierome. that thei ben assembled / bi-cause that thei ben I-mariede al is good I-nough / as thenkith to hem / [906] but in suche folke the deuel hath power / as seide the Aungel Raphael to Tobye / ffor in al here assemblynge thei putten oute ihesu criste of here herte / & yeven hem selff to al ordoure / [907] The .iiij. spice of advoutrie is the assemblyng of hem that ben of here kynrede / or of them that ben of oon affinite / or ellis with hem with whiche hir fader or here kynrede hath deled in the synne of lecherie / this synne maketh hem I-like to houndes / that taken no kepe to kynrede / [908] And certis perentela is in two maners / outher gostly outher flesshly / gostly is to delen with here gossebes / [909] ffor right so as he that engendreth the childe is the flesshly fader / right so is his gossebe his spirituel fader / ffor whiche a woman may no lasse synne assemble with hir gosseb / than with hir owne flesshely brother / [910] The .v. spice is that abhomynable synne of whiche that no man vnnethes oughte to speke ne write / natheles hit is openly rehersed in holy writte / [911] this cursednes don men & women in diuers entente / & in diuers manere / but though that holy writte speke of orrible synne / certis holy writte may nat be defouled / no more than the sonne that shyneth on the mexen / [912] Another synne perteyneth vn-to lecherie / that cometh in sleping / & this synne cometh offte to hem that ben maydens / & eke to hem that ben corrupte / & this synne men clepen pollucion / that cometh in .iiij. maners / [913] somtyme of a languysshinge of body for the humours ben to ranke / & to habundaunte in the bodie of a man / Somtyme for the infirmite & for the feblenes of the vertu retentiff / as phisike maketh mension / Somtyme for surfete of mete & drinke / [914] And somtyme of violent thoughtes that ben enclosed in man-is mynde whan he gooth to slepe / whiche may nat be withouten synne / ffor the whiche men muste kepe hem wisely / or ellis thei may synne greuously

 ¶ The remedie ayeines lecherie

[915]

NOw cometh the remedie ayeinest lecherie / & that is generally chastite / & continence / that re|streyneth al the disordeine mevynge that cometh of flesshly talentes / [916] & euer the gretter merite shal we haue / that moste restreyneth the wikked enchau|fynges / or ordour of this synne / And this is in two maners / that is to seie chastite of mariage / & chastite of widewhode / [917] Now shalt thow vnderstonde that matrymonye is lefful assemblynge of man & of woman / that receiven bi vertu of sacrament / the bonde thorugh whiche thei may nat be departed in al there liff / that is to seyn whiles that thei leven bothe / [918] This is as seith the booke a ful gret sacrament / god made hit as I haue seide in Paradise / & wolde him selff be borne in mariage / [919] And for to halowen mariage / he was at a wedding / whereas he torned water vn-to wyne / whiche was the firste miracle that he wroughte here in erthe / bifore his disciples / [920] Trewe effecte of mariage clensith fornicacion / & replesshith holy chirche of good lynage / for that is the ende of mariage / & hit changith dedly synne / in-to venial synne / bitwex hem that ben wedded / & makith the hertes al oon / of hem /. . . no gap in the MS. as wel as the bodies / [921] this is verry mariage that was establisshed bi god or that synne bigan / whan naturel lawe / was in his right poynte in Paradise / And hit was ordeyned that oo man / sholde haue but oo woman / And oo woman sholde haue but oo man / as seith seint Austyne bi many resons /¶ Austyne.

[922] ffirst for that mariage is figured bitw[i]x god & holy chirche / And that other is / for that a man is the hede of the woman / algate bi ordinaunce hit sholde be so / [923] ffor if a woman had mo men than oon / than sholde she haue mo hedes than oon / & that were an orrible thing bifore god / And eke oo woman myghte nat please to many folke attones / And also there shulde neuere be pees ne reste / amonges hem / ffor eueryche wolde axe his owne thinge / [924] And ferther ouer no man shulde knowe his owne en|gendrure / ne who sholde haue his heritage / And the woman sholde be the lesse biloued fro the tyme that she were comune to many men /

[925] Now cometh how that a man sholde bere him with his wiff / And namely in two thinges / that is to seie / in suffraunce & in reuerence / & that shewed criste whan he made first woman / [926] ffor he made hir nought of the hede of Adam / ffor she sholde nat cleyme to grete lordshippe / [927] ffor there as the woman hath the maistrie / she makith to meche disaray / there nedeth noon ensamples of this / thexperience day bi day oughte I-nough suffice / [928] Also certis god ne made nat woman of the foote of Adam / ffor she sholde nat be holden to lowe / ffor she can nat paciently suffre / but god made woman of the ribbe of Adam / ffor woman sholde be felowe vn-to man / [929] A man sholde bere him to his wiff / In feith / In trouthe / & in love / as seith seint Poule / that a man sholde love his wiff / As criste loueth¶ Poule holy chirche / that loued hit so wel that he deyede for hit / so sholde a man for his wiff If hit were nede /

[930] Now how that a woman sholde be subiecte to hir housbonde / that tellith seint Peter / ffirst in obedi|ence¶ Petrus. / [931] and eke as seith the Decre / A woman as longe as she is a wiff / she hath noon auctorite to swere / ne to bere wittnesse / withoute leve of here housbondes / that is here lorde / algate he sholde be so bi reson / [932] She sholde eke serve him in al honeste / & ben attempre of hir array I woot wel that thei shulde sette al here entente to please here hous|bondes / but nat bi queyntise of here array / [933] seint Ierome seith that wives that ben apparelled in silke &¶ Ierome. in precious purpul / ne mowen nat clothen hem in ihesu criste / Loke what seith seint Iohn eke in this matere¶ Iohan. [934] seint Gregorie seith eke that no wight seketh¶ Gregorie. precious array but onely for vaynglorie to ben honoured the more biforn the peple / [935] hit is a grete folie a woman to haue feire array outwarde / & hir silff to be foule inwarde / [936] A wiff sholde eke be mesurable in lokynge / & eke in berynge / & in laughynge / & discrete in al hir wordes / & in hir dedes / [937] And aboven al wordly thinge she sholde loue hir housbonde with al hir herte / & to him be trewe of hir bodie / [938] so sholde an housbonde eke be trewe of his bodie to his wiff / ffor soth al the bodie of the wiff is the housbondes / so sholde hir herte be / or ellis ther is bitwex hem two / as in that no perfite mariage / [939] Than shal a man vnder|stonde / that for thre thinges a man & his wiff mowe flesshly assemble The first is / in entente to engen|drure of children to the seruice of god / for certis that is the cause fynal of matrymony / [940] A-nother cause is / to yelden eueryche of hem to other the dette of here bodies / for neither of hem hath powere of his owne bodie / The thirde cause is to eschewe lecherie / & vilonye / The ferthe for-soth is dedly synne / [941] As to the first it is meritorie / the seconde also / ffor as seith the Decre / that she hath the merite of chastite / that yeldeth to hir housbonde the dette of hir bodie / ye though hit be ayeinst hir likyng & the lust of hir herte / [942] The thride manere is venial synne / & trewly scarsly may any of these ben withoute venial synne / for the corupcion & for the delite / [943] The ferthe manere is / for to vnderstonde as is the assemble onely for amorous loue / & for noon of the forseide causes / but for to accomplissh thilke brennyng delite / & thei recke neuere how offte / sothly hit is a dedly synne / And yit with sorowe some folke wol peyne hem to do more than here appetite suffisith /

[944] The secounde manere of chastite is to be a clene wedowe & to eschewe thenbrasing of man / & desire thenbrasing of ihesu criste / [945] these ben tho that haue ben wives & haue forgon there hous|bondes / And eke women that haue don lecherie / & ben releued bi penaunce / [946] And certes if that a wiff couthe kepe hir chaste in al / bi licence of hir housbonde / so that she neuere yaff noon occacion that he agilt hit were to hir a grete merite / [947] these manere of women that observen chastite moste be clene in herte / as wel as in bodie / & in thought / & mesurable in clothinge / and in contenaunce / abstynente in etynge / & in drinkinge / in spekynge / & in dede / & than is she the vessel or the boiste / of the blissed Magdaleyne / that fulfilled holy chirche ful of good odoure / [948] The thredde manere of chastite / is virginite / & hit bihovith that she be holy in herte / & clene in bodie / than is she spouse to ihesu criste / & she is the liff of aungels / [949] she is the preising of this world / & she is as these martirs in Regalite / she hath in hir that no tonge may telle / [950] virginite bare oure lorde / ihesu criste / & virginite he was him selff /

[951] A-nother remedie ayeines lecherie / is specially¶ remedium contra luxuriam. to withdrawe suche thinges / as yeven occasion to that vilonye / as is ease / & etynge / & drinkinge / ffor certis whan the pot boylith strongelie / the beste remedie is / for to with|drawe¶ nota bene the the (sic) fire / [952] sleping longe in grete quiete is eke a grete norice to lecherie /

[953] Another remedie a-yeines lecherie is that a man or a woman eschue the companye of hem bi whiche he douteth to be tempted / ffor al be it so that the dede be with-stonde / yit is ther grete temptacion / [954] sothely a white wal / al-though it brenne nat fully / bi stikynge of a candel / yit is the wal blak of the lighte [955] ful offte tyme / I rede that no man truste in his owne perfeccion / but he be stronger than Sampson / or¶ Sampson. holiere than Dauid / & wisere than Salomon /¶ Dauid.¶ Salomon.

[956] Now that I haue declared yow as I can the .vij. dedly synnes / & some of here braunches / & here remedies / sothely if I couthe I wolde telle yow the ten comaundementes [957] but so high a doctryne I lete to divines / but natheles I hope to god thei ben touched in this litil tretise eueryche of hem alle /

 De secunda parte penitencie.

[958]

NOw for-asmeche as the seconde partie of penaunce stonte in confession of mouthe / as I bigan in the chapitre / I seie seint Austyne seith / [959] synne is euery worde / & euery dede / & al that men coveiten ayeines the lawe of ihesu criste / And this is for to synne in herte / in mouthe / & in dede / bi the .v. wittes / that ben / sighte / hirynge / smellynge / tastynge or sauerynge / & felynge / [960] Now is hit good to¶ prima circum|stancia peccati vnderstonde the circumstances that aggregen mechel euery synne / [961] thow shalt considre what thow arte that doist the synne / whether thow be male or female / y[o]nge or olde / gentil or thral / fre or seruaunte / hoole or sike / wedded or sengle / ordred or vnordred / wise or foole / clerke or seculere / [962] if she be of thi kynrede bodily or gostly or non / if any of thi kynrede haue synned with hir or non / & many mo thinges /

[963] That other circunstaunce is this / whether hit be¶ Secunda don in fornicacion / or in aduoutrie or non / or in ceste or non / maiden or non / in manere of homicide or non / orrible grete synne or smale / & how longe thow hast contenued in synne / [964] The thride circunstaunce is¶ tercia the place where as thow hast don synne / whether in other men-is hous or in thin owne / in felde or in chirche or in chirchehawe / in chirche dedicate or non / [965] ffor if the chirche be halowed / & a man or a woman spilt his kynde bi wey of synne with-inne that place / or bi wikked temptacion the chirche were enterdited / til it were reconsiled bi the busshoppe / [966] And if he were a preste that dide suche a vilonye / the terme of al his liff he shulde neuere singe masse / & if he dide / he shulde¶ war ye prestes. do dedly synne at euery tyme that he songe masse / [967] The ferthe circunstaunce is / bi suche mediat|ours¶ quarta. / as be messangers as for enticement / or for consentement / to bere company with felowshippe / ffor many a wrecche for to bere companye / wil go to the deuel of helle / [968] ffor they that eggen / or con|senten to the synne / ben partyners of the sinne / & of the dampnacion of the synne /

[969] The .v. . . . .is how many tymes¶ quinta. he hath synned / if it be in his mynde / & how offte that he hath falle / [970] ffor he that oft fallith in synne / dispisith the mercy of god / & encresith his synne / & is vnkynde to god / & he wexeth the more feble to withstonde synne / & synneth the more lightliere / [971] & the latter arisith / & is the more eschue to shriven him / & namely to him that hath be his con|fessour / [972] ffor whiche that folke whan that they falle ayeine in here olde folies / outher thei forleten here olde confessours / al vtterly / or ellis thei departen here shrifft / in diuers places / but sothely such departed shrifft deservith no mercy of god of his synnes / [973] The .vj. circun|staunce¶ Sexta. is this / whi that a man synneth as bi temptacion / & if him selff procure that temptacion / or bi the ex|ityng of other folke / or if he synne with a woman bi force / or bi hir owne assente / [974] or if the woman mavgre hir hede hath be enforsed or noon / this shal she telle / ffor couetise or for pouerte / & if hit was hir procurynge or non / & suche manere harneys / [975] The .vij. circunstaunce is / in what¶ Septima. manere he hath don his synne / & how that she hath suffred folke to don to hir / [976] & the same shal the man telle pleynly / al circunstaunces / & whether he hath synned with comune bordel women or non / [977] or don his synne in holy tymes or non / In fast|ynge tymes or non / or biforn his shriffte or after his latter shriffte / [978] & hath perauenture / broken ther-fore his penaunce enioyned / bi whos helpe / & whos consaille / bi sorcerie & craffte / al moot be tolde / [979] al these thinges after that thei ben grete & smale engregen the conscience of man / And eke the preste that is thi Iugge may the better ben avised in his iugement / & in yevinge of thi penaunce / & that is after thi contricion / [980] ffor vnderstondeth wel / that after the tyme that a man hathe defouled his baptyme bi synne / if he wil come to saluacion / ther is noon other wey but bi penaunce & shrifft / & bi satisfaccion / [981] And namely bi tho two / if ther be a confessour to whiche he may shrive him / & the thridde if he may haue liff to performe hit /

[982] than shal a man loke & considre / if he wol make a trewe & profitable confession / ther moste be .iiij. condiciones therinne / [983] ffirst hit most be in sorowful bitternes of herte / As seith the kyng Ezechiel To¶ Ezechiel god I wol remembre me alle the dayes & yeres of my liff in bitternesse of myn herte / [984] This condicion of bitter|nesse hath .v. signes / The first is that confession mote be shamefaste / nat for to couere ne to hide his sinne / but for he hath agilt his god / & defouled his soule / [985] & here-of seith seint Austyne / the herte¶ Austyne travaileth for shame of his synne / & for he hath grete shamefastnes / he is digne to haue grete mercye of god [986] Suche was the confession of the Puplicane that wolde nat heve vp his eighen to heuen / for he had offended god of heuen ffor whiche shamefastnes he had anoon the mercy of god / [987] And therfore seith seint Austyne / that suche shamefast folke / ben next for-yevenesse & remission / [988] That other signe is humylite of confession / of which seith seint Peter /¶ Peter. humbleth yow vnder the myght of god / the honde of god is myghti in confession / ffor ther-bi god foryevith the thi synnes / for he alone hath the power / [989] & this humylite shal be in herte / & in signe outwarde / ffor right as he hath humilite to god in his herte / Right so sholde he humble his body outwarde to the preste that sitteth in godis place / [990] ffor whiche in no manere / sithen that criste is souereyne / and the preste meene & mediatour bi|twex criste & the synnere / & the synnere is the laste bi wey of reson / [991] than sholde nat the synnere sitte as highe as his confessour / but knele biforn him / or at his feete / but if maladie distorbe hit / ffor he shal nat take kepe who sitte there / but in whos place that he sitteth / [992] A man that hath trespased to a lorde / and cometh to axemercy / & maketh his accorde/And he sette him doun anoon bi the lorde / men wold holde him outrageous / & nat worthi so sone to haue remission ne mercy / [993] The .iij. signe is that thi confession shulde be ful of teres if ye may / & if ye may nat wepe with youre bodily eyghe / lete thin herte wepe / [994] suche was the confession of seint Peter ffor after that he had for-sake ihesu criste /¶ Petrus. he went out & wept ful bitterly / [995] The .iiij. signe is that he lett nat for his shame to shewe his confession / [996] suche was the confession of the Magdaleyne / that spared for no shame of hem that were¶ Magdaleyne. at the fest for to go to oure lorde ihesu criste / & biknowe to him hir synne / [997] The .v. signe that a man be obeisaunt or a woman to resceive the penaunce that is to him enioyned / ffor certis ihesu criste / for the giltes of oo man was obediente to the deth //

[998] The secunde condicion of verray confession / is that hit be hastily don / ffor certis if a man had a dedly wounde / euer the lenger that he tarieth to warisshe him-selff / the more wold hit corupte / & haste him to his dethe / & eke the wounde wolde be the wers to hele / [999] And right so farith hit bi synne / that longe tyme is in a man vnshewed // [1000] Certis a man ought hastily to shewe his synnes / for many causes / As for drede of dethe that cometh offte sodeynly / & is in no certeyne what tyme hit shal be / ne in what place / And eke the drecching of oo synne / drawith in another synne / [1001] and eke the lenger that he tarieth / the ferther is he from criste / & if he abide in-to his laste day/ful scarsly may he shrive him / or re|membre him on his synnes / or repente him / for the grevous maladie / of his dethe / [1002] And for-asmeche as he hath na in his liff / herkened ihesu criste / whan he hath spoken vn-to him/he shal crien vn-to oure lord ihesu crist at his laste day / & scarsly wol he herken to him / [1003] And vnderstonde that this condicion most haue .iiij. thinges / thi shrifft moot be purveide biforn & avised / for wikked haste doth no profite / & that a man can shrive him of his synnes / be hit of pride or of envie / & so forth with the spices & the circumstaunces / [1004] & that he haue comprehended in his mynde / the nombre & the gretnesse of his synnes / & how longe that he hath leyne in synne / [1005] & eke that he be contrite / of his synnes / & in stedfast purpos bi the grace of god / neuere effte to falle ayeine in synne / & eke that he drede & contrewaite him-selff / that he fle the occaciouns of synne / to whiche he is enclyned / [1006] Also that thow shalt shrive the of alle thi synnes to oo man & nat a parcel to oon / & a parcel to another / that is to vnderstonde / in entente to departen thi confession / as for shame or drede / for hit is nought but strangelyng of thi soule / [1007] ffor certis Ihesu criste is al good / in him is noon imperfeccion / & therfore outher he foryevith al perfitly / or ellis neuera|dele // [1008] I seie nat if thow be assigned to thi penitencere / for certeyne synne that thou art bounde to shewe to him / al the remanent of thi synnes / of whiche thou hast be shriven to thi curate / but if it like the of thin humilite / this is no departing of shrifft / [1009] ne I seie nat there as I speke of diuision of confes|sion / if that thou haue licence for to shrive the to a discrete / & an honest preste / & where the liketh / bi the licence eke of thi curate / that thou ne maiste wel shrive the / of al thi synnes / [1010] but lat no blot be bihynde / lete no synne be vntolde / as fer as thow hast remem|braunce / [1011] And whan thow shalt be shriven to thi curate / telle him eke of al thi synne that thou hast don / sithen that thou were last I-shriven / this is no wikked entente of division of shrifft /

[1012] And also the verray shrifft axeth certeyne con|dicions / ffirst that thou shrive the bi thi fre wil / nat constreyned / ne for shame of folke ne for maladie / or suche thinges / ffor it is reson that he that trespaceth with his fre wil / he moot bi his fre wil confesse his trespace / [1013] noon other man shal telle his synne but he him selff / ne he ne shal nat nay it ne denye his synne / ne wretthe him ayeines the preste / for his amonesshynge to lete his synne / [1014] The secunde condicion is / that thi shrifft be lawful that is to seie / that thou that shrivist the / & eke the preste that hireth thi confession / ben verray in the feith of holy chirche // [1015] And that a man be nought dispeired / of the mercy of ihesu criste / as Cayme or Iudas / [1016] and eke a man most accuse him of his owne trespace & nat another / but he shal blame & witen him-selff of his owne malice / & of his synne / & noon other / [1017] but natheles if that anotherman be occacion of his synne / or entiser of his synne / or if the estate of a persone be suche / thorugh whiche his synne is aggreged / or that he ne may nat pleynly shriven him / but he telle the persone / with whiche he hath synned / than may he telle it [1018] so / that his entente be nat to bagbite the persone but onely to declare his con|fession /

[1019] Thow shalt nat eke make no maner lesinges in thi confession / for humilite perauenture to seie that thou hast don synnes / of whiche thou were neuere gilti / [1020] ffor seint Austyne seith if¶ Austyne. thow bi cause of humilite makest lesinges of thi selff / though thow ne were nat in synne biforne yit art thow than in synne thorugh thi lesinges [1021] Thow most eke shewe thi synne / bi thi nowe propre mouthe / but if thou be wexe dome / & nat bi no letter / ffor thou that hast don the synne / thou shalt haue the shame in confession / [1022] Thow shalt nat eke peynte thi confession / bi faire & subtile wordes / to couere the more thi synne / ffor than bigilest thou thi selff & nat the preste / thou most telle it platly be it neuere so foule / ne so orrible / [1023] Thow shalt shrive the eke to a preste that is discrete / to counsaile the / And eke thou sha[l]t nat shrive for vaynglorie / ne for ypocresie / ne for no cause but onely for the dovte of Ihesu criste / & the hele of thi soule / [1024] Thow shalt nat eke renne to the preste al sodeynly to telle him thi synne / as whos tellith a Iape or a tale / but avisily / & with grete deuocion / [1025] And generally shrive the offte / if thou offte falle / offte arise bi confession / [1026] And though thou shrive the offter than ones of thi synne / of whiche thow hast be shriven it is the more merite / And as seith seint Austyne / thou¶ Austyne. shalt haue the more lightly relesynge / & the grace of god / both of synne & of peyne / [1027] And certis ones a yere at the leste weye hit is lawful for to be houselede / ffor certenly ones a yere alle thinges renovellen /

 De satisfaccione.

[1028]

NOw haue I tolde of verry confession that is the secunde parte of penaunce /

[1029] the .iij. parte of penaunce is satisfaccion / & that stant most generally in almes & in bodily peyne / [1030] Now ben ther .iij. manere of almes / Contricion of herte / that a man openeth him selff to god / Another is to have pete of the defaute of his neighbours / And the thride is in yevyng good counsaile / & comforte gostly & bodily / where men haue nede / & namely in sustenaunce of man-is foode / [1031] & to take kepe of that that a man hath nede of / off these thinges generally he hath nede / of foode / of clothing / & herborugh / he hath nede also of charitable counsaille / & visityng in prison / & maladie / & sepulture of his dede bodie / [1032] and if thou maist nat visite the nedeful with thi persone / visite hem bi thi massage / & thi yifftes / [1033] these ben the general almes & workes of charite / of hem that han temporal riches / or discrecion in counsaillyng / Off there workes shalt thow hyre at the day of dome /

[1034] these almesses shaltow don of thin owne propre thinges / & hastily & privily if thow maiste / [1035] but natheles if thou maiste nat don hit priuily / thou shalt nat forbere to do almes neuer a dele though men se hit / so that it be nat don for thanke of the world / but onely for to haue the thanke of oure lorde ihesu criste / [1036] ffor as wittnessith Seint Mathew. quinto capitulo / A Cite¶ Mathei quinto Capitulo. may nat be hidde that on a mountayne sette / ne men lighte nat a lanterne & put it vnder a busshel / but men sette hit on a candelstike / to lighten the men in the hous / [1037] Right so shal youre lighte lighten a-forne men that thei mowe seen youre goode workes / & glorifie / youre fader that is in heuen /

[1038] Now as for to speke of bodily peyne / it stonte in praieres / in wakynges / in ffastinges / & in vertuous techinges of orisons / [1039] ye shul vnder-stonde that orisons / or praiers is for to seie / a pitous wil of herte / that redressith hit in god / & expressith it bi wordes / outwarde to renewe harmes / & to haue thinges espirituel & durable / & somtyme temporal thinges / off whiche orisons / certis in the orison of the Pater noster /¶ Pater noster. hath ihesu criste enclosed most thinges / [1040] Certis it is privileged of thre thinges in his dignite / ffor whiche it is more digne / than any other praiere / ffor that ihesu criste him selff maked / [1041] and it is shorte / for it sholde be couthe more lightly and for to withholde hit the more esily in herte / & helpen hem selff the offter / with the orison / [1042] And for a man sholde be the lasse wery to seie hit / And for a man may nat excuse him to lerne hit / for it is shorte & so esie / And for hit comprehendith in hit selff / alle good praiers / [1043] The exposicion of this holy praiere / that is so excellent & digne / I bitake these maistres of Theologie / saue thus meche wol I seyne / that whan thou praieste that god sholde foryeve the thi giltes as thou foryeuest hem that agilten the / Be ful wel war / that thou be nat out of charite / [1044] This holy orison amennsith eke venial synne / & therfore hit apperteyneth specially to penaunce /

[1045] This praiere most be trewly seide / & in verry feith // & that men praie to god / ordinatly / dis|cretly / & devoutely / And alwey a man shal putte his wil / to be subiette to the wil of god / [1046] this orison most eke be seide / with grete humblesse / & ful pure / honestly & nat to the anoysaunce of any man or woman / hit most eke be contenued with the workes of charite / [1047] hit availeth eke ayeines the vices of the soule / ffor as seith seint Ierome / bi fastynge ben saued the vices of the¶ Ierome flesshe / & bi praiers the vices of the soule /

[1048] Affter this thow shalt vnder-stonde / that bodily peyne stonte in waking / for ihesu criste seith / waketh and praieth / that ye ne entre in to wikked temptacion / [1049] ye shul vnder-stonde eke that fast|ynge stonte in thre thinges / in forberynge of bodily meete / and drinke / & in forberinge of worldly iolitees / And in for|beringe of dedly synne / this is to seie / that a man shal kepe him fro dedly synne / with al his myght /

[1050] And thou shalt vnderstonde eke that god ordeyned fastinges / & to fastinges apperteynen .iiij. thinges [1051] largenesse to pore folke / gladnesse of herte espirituel / nat to be angry / ne anoyed / ne to grucche for he fasteth / & also at resonable houre for to eete bi mesure / that is for to seie / A man shulde nat eten in vntyme / ne sitte the lenger at his table to ete / for he fasteth /

[1052] Than shalt thou vnderstonde that bodily peyne stante in disciplyne or teching / bi worde / or bi writynge / or bi ensample / also in weryng of heires or of stamyne / or of haberions on here naked flesshe / for cristes sake / & suche manere penaunces / [1053] but war the wel that suche penaunces on thi flessh / ne make nought thin herte bitter / or angery / or anoyed / of thi selff / ffor better it is to caste awaie thin heire / than for to caste a-wey the swettnesse of oure lorde ihesu criste / [1054] And therfore seit[h] seint Poule /¶ Poule. Clotheth yow as thei that ben chosen of god / in herte of misericorde / debonairte / suffraunce / & suche manere of clothinge / of whiche ihesu criste is more apaiede / than of heire / or of haberioun /

[1055] Than is his disciplyne / in knokkynge of thi breste / in schourginge with yerdes / in knelynges / in tribulacions / [1056] in sufferinge paciently wronges / that ben don to him / And eke vnpacient sufferaunce of maladies / or lesinge of worldly catel / or of wiff / or childe / or other frendes /

[1057] Than shalt thou vnderstonde / whiche thinges distourben penaunce / and that is in .iij. maners / And that is drede / shame / & wanhope / that is desperacion / [1058] And for to speken first of drede / ffor whiche he weneth that he may suffre no penaunce / [1059] there ayeines is remedie / for to thenke that bodily penaunce is but shorte / litel / at the regarde of the peyne of helle / that is cruel & so longe / that it lasteth withouten ende /

[1060] Now a-yeines the shame that a man hath to shriven him / and namely these ypocrites / that wolden be holde so perfite / that thei haue noon nede to shriven hem / [1061] Ayeines that shame / shal a man thenke / that bi wey of reson / that he / that hath nat ben a-shamed / to do foule thinges / Certis him oughte nat to ben a-shamed to don faire thinges / & goode thinges / & that is confessiouns / [1062] A man shulde eke thenke / that god seeth & woot wel thi thoughtes / thoughtes repeated& al thi workes / to him may nothing be hidde ne couered / [1063] men shulde eke remembre hem of the shame that is to come at the day of dome to them that ben nat penitente / ne shriven in this present liff / [1064] ffor alle the creatures in heuen erthe & in helle / shulle se appertely al that they hiden in this worlde /

[1065] Now for to speke of the hope of hem that ben so necligent & slowe to shrive hem / hit stante in two maners / [1066] that on is that he hopeth to live longe / & for to purchase meche riches for his delite / & than he wol shrive him / & as seith he may as him semeth tymely I-nough come to shriffte / [1067] Another is of the surquidrie that he hath in the hope of cristes mercy / [1068] And ayeines the first vice he shal thenke / that oure liff is in no sekernesse / & eke that al the riches in the worlde is in auenture & passinge as a shadowe on a wal // [1069] And as seith seint Gregorie /¶ Gregorius that hit apperteyneth to the grete rightwisnesse of god / that neuere shal the peyne stinte of hem / that neuere wolde withdrawe hem fro synne here thankes but euer contenue in synne / for that perpetual wil to do synne / shullen thei haue perpetual peine //

[1070] Wanhope is in two maners / The first wan|hope is in the merci of criste / That other is that thei thenke / that thei myghte nat longe perseuere in good|nesse / [1071] The first wanhope cometh of that he demeth that he hath synned so gretly / so offte / & so longe lien in synne / that he shal nought be sauede / [1072] Certis ayeines that cursed wanhope he shulde thenke / that the passion of ihesu criste is more stronge for to vnbynde / than synne is for to bynde / [1073] Ayeines the seconde wanhope. . . . .[1074] . . no gap in the MS. that he demeth that he shulde nat longe perseuere in goodnes / he shal thenke that the febelnesse of the Deuel may nothing don but if men wil suffre him / [1075] & eke he shal have strengthe of the helpe of god / & of al holy chirche & of the proteccions of Aungels / if hem luste //

[1076] Than shul men vnderstonde what is the fruyte of penaunce and lastas after the worde of ihesu criste / hit is the endeles blisse of heuen / [1077] there ioye hath no contrariouste of woo / ne greuaunce / there al harmes ben passed of this present liff / there as is the sekernesse from the peyne of helle / there as is the blisful companye that reioysen hem euermore / eueryche of otheris Ioye / [1078] there as the body of man that whilom was foule & derke is more clere than the sonne / there as whilom the bodi was sike freyle feble & mortal / is immortal / & so stronge & so hole / that there may nothinge empeire it / [1079] there as neither is hungre / thrust / ne colde / but euery soule replenesshed with the sight of the perfite knowynge of god / [1080] this blisful regne may man purchace bi pouerte espirituel / & the glorie bi lowe|nesse / the plente of ioye bi hungre & thruste / & the reste bi travaile / & the liff bi deth / & mortificacion of synne /

To thilke liff he vs bringe that bought vs with his pre|cious bloode. Amen /

 Here enden the talis of Caunturbury / And next thautour taketh leve.

[1081] NOw preye I to hem alle that herken this litil tretis or reden / that if ther be any thing in hit that liketh hem / that therof thei thanke oure lord ihesu criste / of whom procedeth al witte & al goodnesse / [1082] And if ther be any thing that displesen hem / I preie hem also that thei a-recte hit / to the defaute of myne vnconnynge / & nat to my wil that wolde ful fayne haue seide better if I hadde connynge / [1083] ffor oure booke seith / al that is writen is writen for oure doctryne / & that is myne entent / [1084] wher-fore I biseke yow mekely for the mercy of god / that ye preie for me / that criste haue mercy on me / and foryeve me my gultes / [1085] & namely of my translaciones / & endit|ynges of worldly vanytees / the which I revoke in my re|traccions / [1086] As is the booke of Troylus / the booke also of ffame / the booke of .xxv. ladies / the booke of the Duchesse / the booke of seint Valenty [day of þe parlement of briddes // The Tales Caunter|bury. tho þat sownen into syn / [1087] The boke of þe leon / And many anoþer boke if thei were in my remembraunce / & many a songe / & many A lecherous tayl. ¶ Of þe which Crist for his grete mercy for-yeue me þe syn. [1088] ¶ But of the translacion of Boece de consolacion and oþer bokeȝ of legendes of Seintes & Omelies / And moralite & deuocion / [1089] That thank I oure lorde Iesu Crist & his blisful moder and al the seinteȝ in heuen [1090] Biseking hem þat þei fro hen forthe vnto my lyves ende send me grace to bewaile my giltes / And to stodien to þe sauacioun of my soule ¶ And graunte me space of verrey penitence ¶ Con|fessioun and satisfaccioun to don in this present life [1091] þorgh þe benigne grace of him þat is king of kinges & prest ouer alle prestes. þat bought vs with the precious blode of his hert / [1092] so þat I may ben oon of hem at þe day of dome. þat shullen be saued And he that wrote this boke also / Amen. Qui cum patre &c.[Hatton extract ends.]]

O Mater Dei T✚H Memento Mej[late hand]

Pertinet Thomā Heed ciuis Londoniar[late hand]

Eleison[late hand][Two blank leaves scribbled over.]

 End of Selden MS. APPENDIX (to Group B, p. 587). [Christ Church MS. 152.][on leaf 173, back, sign. k 2, back] ¶ Sire Nonnes preest oure hoost seyde a none y-blessed be thy breth & euery stoone This was a mery tale of Chaunteclere But be my trouthe if thou were seculere Thow woldeste bene a tredefoul a right ffor if thow haue corage as thou haste myght The were nede of hennes as I wene Ye moo than .vij. tymes seventene See whiche braunnes hath this gentel preeste So grete a nekke & so large a breeste He loketh as a Sparhauke with his yen Hym nedeth nat his colour for to dyen with Brasile ne with Greyne of Portyngale / Now sire faire falle yow for youre tale And aftir he with full mery chere Saide vnto a nother as ye shulle here Here is ended the Nonnes prestes tale And folowith the prologe of the Maunciples tale

1. END OF THE MERCHANT'S TALE. [for soth I wol no lenger yow contrarie now lete vs turne ageyne to Ianuarie that in the gardeyne / with his fresshe May syngeth ful meryere / than the popyngay ¶ yow loue I beste / and shal and other noon so longe aboute the aleyis / is he goon til he was comyn / ageyns the Perye where as this Damyan / sitteth ful merye an high amonge the fresshe levis grene this fresshe May / that is so bright and shene gan for to sike / and seide allas my side now sir quod she / for aught that may bitide I moste haue of the perys / that I se or I mot dye / so sore longeth me to eten of the smale peris grene helpe for hir loue / that is of heuen quene I telle yow wel / a woman in my plighte may haue to fruyte / so grete an appetite that she may dye / but she hit haue allas quod he / that I nad here a knaue that coude clymbe / allas allas quod he that I am blynde / ye sir no fors quod she but wolde ye vouchesaff / for godis sake the pery with-inne youre armes to take for wel I woot / that ye mystrute me than shulde I clymbe / wel I-now quod she so I my fote myght sette / vppon youre bak for soth quod he / in me shal be no lak myght I yow helpen / with myn herte bloode he stoupith down / and on his bak she stoode and caughte hir bi a twiste / and vp she goothe ladyes I pray yow / be ye not wroothe I can not glose / I am a rude man and sodeynly / anoon this Damyan gan pulle vp the smok / and in he thronge[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] and whan that Pluto saw / that grete wronge to Ianuarie he gaff ageyne / his sight and made him se / as wel as euer he myght and whan that he / had his sight agayne ther was neuer man of thing / so fayne but on his wiff / his thought was euermo vp to the tre / he caste his eyghen two and saw how Damyan / his wiff had dressed in suche manere / hit may not ben expressed but if I wolde speke / vncurteysly and vp he gaff / a roryng and a cry as doth the moder / whan the childe shal dye oowte helpe allas / harrow he gan crye o stronge lady stoure / what doist thow and she answerde / sir what eylith yow haue pacience and resoun / in youre mynde I haue yow holpen / on bothe youre eyghen blynde vp perel of my soule / I shal not lyen as me was tavght / to hele with youre eyghen was nothing bet / to make yow se than strogle with a man / vppon a tre god woot I did hit / in ful good entente stride quod he / ye algate in hit wente god yeve yow both / on shames deth to dien he did the so / I sigh it with myn eyghen and ellis be I honged / by the hals than is quod she / my medicyne al fals for certeynly if that ye myghten see ye wolde not seye / tho wordis vn-to me ye han som glymsyng / and no parfite sight I se quod he as wel / as euer I myght thonked be god / with both myn eyghen two and bi my trouthe me thoughte he did the so ye mase mase goode sir / quod she this thanke haue I / for I haue made yow se allas quod she / that euer I was so kynde[MS Arch. Seld. B. 14] now dame quod he / lete al passe out of mynde com down my lef / and if I haue myssaide god helpe me so / as I am euel apaide but bi my fader soule / I wende haue seyne how that this Damyan / had bi the leyne and that thi smok / had leyne vppon thi brest ye sir quod she / ye may wene as yow lest but sir a man / that wakith out of his slepe he may not sodeynly / ne wel taken kepe vppon a thing / ne sen hit parfitly til that he ben a-dawed / verrily right so a man / that longe hath blynde I-be ne may not sodeynly / so wel I-se first whan his sight / is newe com ageyne as he that hath / a day or two I-seyne til that youre sight / I-stabled be a while ther may ful many a sight / yow bigile beth war I pray yow / for bi heuen kyng ful many a man wenyth / to se a thing and hit is al another / than hit semeth he that mysconceivith / mys demeth and with that worde / she lepe doun fro the tre this Ianuarie / who is glad but he he kissith hir / and clippith hir / ful ofte and on hir wombe / he stroketh hir ful softe and to his paleys hoom / he hath hir lad now goode men I pray yow / to be glad thus endith here my tale / of Ianuarie god blesse vs / and his moder seynt Marie. Amen. Here endith the Marchauntis tale of Ianuarie and May.] 2 [and bigynneth the Squyers prologe By godis mercy / seide oure ost tho now such a wiff / I pray god kepe vs fro lo whiche slighthis / & sotilteis in women ben / for thei be besy as beis to vs sely men / for to disseive and fro a soth / euer wol thei weive bi this marchauntis tale / hit previth wele but douteles as trewe as any stele I haue a wiff / though she pore be but of hir tonge / a labbyng shrewe is she and yit she hath an hepe / of vicis mo therof no force / lete al such thingis go but woot ye what / in consail be hit seide me rewith sore / I am to hir I-teyde for & I sholde reken / euery manere vise whiche that she hath / I-wis I were to nyse and cause whi / hit sholde reported be and tolde to hir / bi some of this mayne bi whom it nedith not / to declare syn women conne outere suche cheffare and eke my witt / suffisith not ther-to to tellen al / ther-fore my tale is do] 3. [And next folwith the Marchauntis prolog. Weping and waylyng / care and other sorowe I knowe I-now on even / and on morowe quod the marchaunte / and so done other mo that wedded be / I trowe that hit be so for wel I woot / hit farith so bi me I haue a wiff / the worst that may be for though the fende / to hir coupled were she wolde him ouer-macche / I dar wel swere what shulde I yow rehers in special hir high malice / she is a shrewe at al ther is a longe / and a large difference bitwixe Gresildis grete pacience and of my wiff / the passing cruelte were I vnbounden / also mot y the I wolde neuer efte comyn / in the snare we wedded men liven / in sorowe and care a-say who so wol / and he shal fynde that I sey sothe / bi seint Thomas of ynde and for the more parte / I sey not alle god shilde that it sholde / so bi-falle a goode sir oste / I haue wedded be this monthes two / and more not parde and yit I trowe / he wolde al his live wiveles han ben / though men wolde him rive in-to the herte / ne coude in no manere tellen so meche sorowe / as I now here couthe telle / of my wivis cursidnesse now quod oure oste marchaunt / so god yow blesse syn ye so mechel knowen / of that arte ful hertely I pray yow / telle vs parte gladly quod he / but of myn owne sore for hevy herte / I telle may no more Here endith the Marchaunt is prolog 4. THE SQUIRE'S HEAD-LINK. [Squyer com nere / if that youre wille be and sey somwhat of loue / for certis ye konne theron / as mech as any man nay sir quod he / but I wol sey as I can with herty wil / for I wol not rebelle ageyne youre lust / a tale wol I telle haue me excused / if that I speke a-mys my wil is good / & lo my tale is this Here endith the Squyers prolog] 5. [Here begynneþ þe prolog of þe frankeleyn In faiþ squier þou hast þe wel I-quytt And gentilli I praise wel þi witt Quod þe frankeleyn considering þi youþe So felyngli þou spekest sir I alouþe As to my dome þer is noon þat is here Of eloquence shal be þi pere [yf þat þou lyve / god yeve þe gode chaunce[Haistwell MS] And in vertue / send the contynuaunce] ffor of þi speche I haue gret deynte I haue a sone and bi þe Trinite I had leuere þan xxti pounde worþ lond Þough it right now were fallen in my honde Ye ar a man of suche discrecion As þat ye ben fy vpon possession But if a man be vertuous with-al I haue my sone snybbed and yut shal ffor he to vertu listeþ not entende But for to pleie at dies and to despende And lese al þat he haþ is his vsage And he haþ leuere talke wiþ a page Þan to commune wiþ any gentil wight Where he might lerne gentilnesse a-right Strawe for youre gentilnesse quod our host What frankeleyn parde wel þow wostFrankeleyn Þat eche of of (sic) you mot tellen atte leste A tale or too / or breken his beheste Þat knowe I wel quod þe ffrankeleyn certeynFrankeleyn I praie you not haueþ me in desdeyn Þow to þis man I speke a worde or too Telle on þi tale wiþouten wordes moo Gladli sir host quod he I wol obeie Vn-to youre wille now herkeneþ what I seie I wil you not contrarie in no wise As ferre as þat my wittes wil suffise I praie to god þat it mai plesen you Þan wot I wel þat it is good Inow]