The pilgrimage of the life of man, English by John Lydgate, A. D. 1426, from the French of Guillaume de Deguileville, A. D. 1330, 1335. The text ed. by F. J. Furnivall ... With introduction, notes, glossary and indexes by Katharine B. Locock ... Guillaume, de Deguileville, 14th cent.864 600dpi TIFF G4 page imagesUniversity of Michigan LibraryAnn Arbor, Michigan2006AJT8111.0001.001820.6 E13e no.77,83,92

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Early English text society. Extra series, LXXVII, LXXXIII, XCIIEarly English Text Society (Series) 77, 83, 92.The pilgrimage of the life of man, English by John Lydgate, A. D. 1426, from the French of Guillaume de Deguileville, A. D. 1330, 1335. The text ed. by F. J. Furnivall ... With introduction, notes, glossary and indexes by Katharine B. Locock ... Guillaume, de Deguileville, 14th cent.xii, lxxvii*, xiii-xvi, 736 p., 1 l. 22cm. London,Pub. for the Early English text society by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & co., limited,1899-1904.

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The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man, ENGLISHT BY JOHN LYDGATE, A.D. 1426, FROM THE FRENCH OF GUILLAUME DE DEGUILEVILLE, A.D. 1330, 1355.

THE TEXT EDITED BY F. J. FURNIVALL, M.A. CAMBRIDGE, HON. DR. PHIL. BERLIN; HON. D. LITT. OXFORD; FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY. WITH INTRODUCTION, NOTES, GLOSSARY AND INDEXES BY> KATHARINE B. LOCOCK, ASSOCIATE OF KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON.

LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., LIMITED, DRYDEN HOUSE, 43, GERRARD STREET, SOHO, W. 1899, 1901, 1904.

Extra Series, LXXVII, LXXXIII, XCII.

RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BUNGAY.

DE GUILLEVILLE'S PILGRIMAGE OF THE LIFE OF MAN (englisht by Lydgate in 1426, from the 2nd recension of De Guille|ville's Pèlerinage de vie humaine, A. D. 1355, pr. about 1500). Prolog of the Translator, John Lydgate. q Vi peregrinatis, hunc per librum docearisdocearis. Stowe MS. 952. The Cott. MS. is burnt and torn at the top all thro; 1st page faint. The Stowe MS. was once in the possession of old John Stowe, the famous tailor and book-collector. Notes in his writing are on lvs. 1, 3, 4, 13, besides the long bit he copied from 303 bk. to the end, 379 bk. Que bona uel dubia s[it fugienda[St.]] via. [y] e worldly folk, avysë yow betymes Wych in thys lyff [ne] ben [but as pylgrimes[St.]], Lyk straungerys [fferë fro youre Cuntre[St.]] [St.]Vnfraunchysed and [voyde off lyberte];[St.] ffor schortly herë yovre poscessyon ys yove to yow / but for a schort sesoun, Nor the tresovrë[tresoure St., tresour C.] wych that ye possede ys but thyng lent / ho so kan takë hede, ffor clerkys seyn / how [that] al[alle St., al C.] erthly thyngSt. ¶ Omnia terena per vic[es] sunt aliena. // Nescio sunt cuius nunc // cras huius & h . . . Stowndëmel, and by vnwar chaungyng, Whan folk lest wenë / & noon hede ne take, Her mayster oldë[olde St., old C.] sodeynly for-sake. Thyng myn to-day / a-nother hath to-morwe; That kam wyth Ioye / departeth ay wyth sorwe; And thyng ywonne wyth Ioyë[Ioye St., Ioy C.] and gladnesse, Ay dysseuereth wyth[wyth with C.] wo and hevynesse. No tresour here, wyth O man wyl abyde; Who strengest halt / ther rathest hyt wyl slyde; ffortune ys lady / with hyr / double face, Of every thyng / that sodeynly doth pace; Sche pryncesse ys / of al worldly glorye, And off al Ioyë that ys transytórye; Sche ys off chere[chere St., che C.] so varyaunt & dovble, Hyr kalm ys euere meynt with wo & trovble, And hyr sugre [ys] vnder-spreynt wyth galle: Thys hyr vsage vn-to estatys alle, To schewe fayrest whan[fayrest whanne St., fayres wham C.] sche ys most to drede; Of hyh ne lowh sche taketh noon other hede, ffor wych [let] no man vp-on hyr assure, ffor sche ys lyke[lyke St., lyk C.] to the chavnteplure; Wo after Ioye & after song wepyng, Thys hyr cvstom in every maner thyng. In on estate she neuere doth contyune.[St.; C. burnt] Thys stormy quen, wych callyd ys Fortune[St. & C.] Hyr gyfftys allë in conclusion,[collusion, St.][C. & St.] Be not but gyffytys off confusion.[C. & St.] ffor worthynesse in Armes nor vyctórye[C. & St.] Arn in effect but thingës transytórye[St. & C.] Nor hih conquest, nor domynacion,[St. & C.] Peplys to puttë in subieccyon. It al[It C, Alle St.] schal passe as doth a somer flovr; In thys world herë,[St. here, her C.] holdyng no soiovr No thyng abyt, shortly for to wryte,[St. & C.] Good lyff exepte, and only ovr meryte.[C. & St.] Trusteth[Trusterth C.] ther-for, ye folk of euery age, That yowre lyff her ys but a pylgrymage; ffor lyk pylgrymes ye passë to & ffro, Whos Ioye ys euere meynt A-mong with wo. Al[A C, Alle St.] worldly blyssë, medlyd ys with stryff; ffor ay the cöurs, of thys mortal lyff, Euerych hovr doth to hys boundys drawe; To al pylgrymës kynd hath set a lawe, Eche day to Renne a party on ther way; Oldë[Olde St., Old C.] ner yong, ther may no man sey nay, Lyk a Ryuer sterne, and of gret myght, Ne restyth nat[nat St., om. C.] nouther [by] day nor nyght, To holde hys cours as ledeth hym the streem, Ryght so, pylgrymes to-ward Ierusaleem Haste[Haste on St.] on her way in thys world, & echone To-ward that cyte, or to Babylone.[C. torn] Lyk ther merytes, & lyk to ther degres, They be Receyved at on of thys cytees, Ytakyn innë,[inne St., in C.] so as they dysserve; And deth, ay redy with hys dart to kerue, Lyth in a-wayt, dredful off manacys, To send palmerys to on off thys placys. A-geyne whas[whos St.] strokë, helpeth no medycyne, Salue, tryacle / but grace only dyvyne, ffolk to conveye to ther desyred place: And many brygaunt the weye doth manace, No man ys sur hym syluen to diffend; Wherfore I rede, lat euery whyht a-mend Hys lyff be tyme, whil he hath liberte. And that folk may the Ryhtë weyë se Best assuryd to-wardë[warde St., ward C.] ther passage, Lat hem be-holde[n] in the pylgrymage, Which[Which St., Whch C.] callyd ys pylgrymage de movnde, In the wych fful notably ys fovnde, Lernyd, and tavht, who can well construe, What folk schal take, & what they schal eschue. In thys book, yf [that] they redë yerne, Pylgrymës schal the verray trouthë[trouthe St., trouth C.] lerne,— yiff they sette ther trewë dyllygence To vnderstondë clerly the sentence,— What hyt menyth, & the moralyte; Ther they may, as in a merovr, se holsom thynges, & thynges full notable; What ys prevyd, & what thyng ys dampnable, What ys holsom, the sovlë for to save, Whan the body ys leyd in hys grave. And to knowë[knowe St., know C.] wych be cyteseyns, Trewë burgeys, & ekë[eke St., ek C.] fraunkeleyns, Wych in good lyff and vertu do excelle, In Ierusaleem perpetually to duelle, Whan the Iugge & Lord, that lyveth evere, In hys doom assovnder shal dysseuere Hys chosë shep, wasshe in the lambys blood, Wych for mankyndë starff vpon the rood; And putte the kydës to dampnacion,[St. & C.] wych ha noon part of Crystys passyon, Endlesly there to lyve in peyne, Where Lucyffer lyth bovnden in his cheyne. ffro the wych, God euery man defende, And grauntë[graunte St., graunt C,] gracë, our lyff here to mende, To-ffor the ffyn of ovrë pylgrymage. ffor, save hys grace, we ha noon avauntage, No thyng is[to St.] cleyme as be tytle of ryht, But of mercy, wych ay lyth in hys myght, Vn-to synnerys, that deye repentaunt, To yive pardon off hys benynge graunt, [The] Wych ys to hem, vn-to ther refut, Proteccyon and truë sauff-conduit, Hem to savë, that thay be nat lorn. And thys book, the wych I spake off to-fforn, I mene, the book Pylgrymage de Movnde, Morall of vertu, of materys ful profovnde, Maad & compylyd in the Frenchë tonge, ffull notáble to be rad & songe. To every pylgryme, vertuous of lyff, The mater is / so contemplatyff; In all the book, ys not lost a word. Thys consydred full wysly of my lord Of Salysbury, the noble manly knyht, Wych in Fravncë, for the kyngys Ryht, In the werre hath meny day contunyd; Whom God & gracë han ful wel ffortunyd In thenpryses wych he hath vndertake; Lyff and godes, for the kyngys sake, Knyhtly Inpartyd thys prince vertuous; Ay in the ende beyng victoryous, Swych grace & Eur, God to hym hath sent, Wych gaff me ffyrst in comavndement Thys seydë book in Englysshe for to make, As I koude, [al] only for hys sake. Be-cause he woldë that men schold[e] se, In ovre tonge, the grete moralyte Wych in thys book ys seyde & comprehendyd, That yt ne myhte (me semyth) be Amendyd; The auctour, wych that dyde hyt ffyrst compyle, So vertuously spent ther-on hys whyle. And of entent to do my lord plesaunce, In hys worschepë, for a remembravnce, As I am bovnde for to be hys man, I wyl translate hyt sothly as I kan, After the lettre, in ordre effectuelly. Thogh I not folwe the wordës by & by, I schal not faillë teuchyng[touchynge St.] the substaunce, Thogh on[in St.] makyng I ha no suffysaunce; ffor my wrytyng, in conclusion, ys al yseyd vnder correcion. And of the tyme playnly, & of the date Whan I be-gan thys book to translate, yt was a thovsand (by computacion) Affter crystys incarnacion, ffour hundryd ouer, nouther fer ne nere, The surples ouer, syxe & twenty yere, My lord that tymë beyng at Parys, Wych gaff me charge, by hys dyscrete avys, As I seyde erst, to settë myn entent Vp-on thys book to be [ful] dyllygent, And to be-gynne vp-on thys labour, Allë folkys be-sechyng of ffavour, That on thys book after-ward schal rede; And that hym lyst nat to taken hede To the makyng, but to the sentence; ffor I am bareyn of all eloquence. Ther-for I pray, what so that be seyde, [Off[St., C. burnt] gentyll]esse not to be evel apayde, And my rudnessë helpyn to excuse, ffor in metre I ha ne with me no muse: Noon of the nyne that on Parnase duelle, Nor she that ys [the] lady of the welle, Calliopë,[C. inserts 'that ys'] be sydë cytheron, Gaff to my pennë, plente nor fuson Of hyr licovr, whan thys work was [be]gonne. Nor I drank no-wer of the sugryd tonne Off Iubiter, couchyd in hys celer, So strange I fonde to me hys boteler, Off poetys [i]callyd Ganymede. But to my labour now I woll me spede, Prayng ech reder me to reconforte, Benignëly my rudenesse to supporte. ffor wherso be my thonk, I lese or wynne, Wyth yowrë gracë thus I wyll be-gynne. Here endyth the prologe off the translatour. Her be-gynneth the prologue of the auctour. fful ofte hyt happeth[falleth St.] in certeyn Off dremys,—the wych that men ha seyn I nyhtys,—after, whan they wake, fful lytel hede ther-of thay take, Tyl effte agayn yt comyth to mynde, That they the veray trouthë fynde, Of euery thyng they sawe to-forn. ffor, of remembrauncë the thorn Pryketh here myndës with hys poynt, That they hyt se fro poynt to poynt, And fynde hyt verrayly yn dede, Thogh a-fore they took noon hede. Be yt of Ioye, be yt of sorow, fful ofte a-pon the nexte[nexte St., next C.] morow yt ys go clene out off her thouht, Ther-of they ha so lytel rouht, Tyl after they a-vyse hem wel; And then thay fyndyth[ffynde St.] yt euerydel, Dremys that they had a nyhte, By maner of a dyrked[dyrk C, Derkede St.] syhte. But yiff they makë longe delay, To putte hem forth fro day to day, Than,[That St., Than C.] th[o]rogh foryetelnesse, Thay kan there-of no thyng expresse, ffor all ys out of myndë go. And on A tyme hyt happyd so, ffro Crystys berth a thousand yer, Thre hondryd, by a-cowntys cler, And over[read thries] Ten, as I toke kepe, Vp-on a nyht I lay & sclepe, Drempte, (yf ye lyst to lere,[here St.]) A wonder dreme, in tyme yffere. The wych, a-noon as I a-wook Vp on the morow, a penne I took, And wrote yt, yff ye lyst to wyte,[? wete] That I schold hyt nat foryete; But freschly yn my mynde yt kepe, Halff wakyng and halff a-slepe, That I myht after, by leyser, Correcte hyt when the day were cler, By good avys, whan I took kepe, Bet a-dawed out of my sclepe. And thys consyderyd euery dele, Me sempte I haddë do ryht wel, Yiff ther hadde, as tho to me, ffallë noon contraryouste; ffor al the wrytyng that I wrote Was me be-raffte, and how I not, Dyscured[Stowe] thurgh the world a brode, As God woot wel, and thus yt stood. Where-of I hadde as tho no shame, ffor al I hald yt but a game; ffor to that tyme fredam I hadde To putte away, and eke to adde, What that me lyst, lyk as I wende. ffor ther was mychë thyng to mende, To ordeyne, & to correcte, And bet in order to directe; ffor many a thyng, yt ys no nay, Mot be prouyned, & kut a-way, And yshape of newe entaylle, In ordre dresse hyt, & yraylle, As doth euery manere whyht, That wol make a thyng a-ryht. ffor he that bar my dreme a-way, ffull lytel thouhte (yt ys no nay) On my profyt in any wyse; ffor shortly, as I kan devyse, I myghte beter a mendyt yt, Lyk as God hadde yeve me wyt, Sool by my sylff, than I may now; But all ys gone, I wot not how. And eke yt ys so long a-go, That thys dreem was take me fro, I haue almost foryete yt al. But not for-thy, yet I schal Adde, & putte a-way also, Where-as I se yt be to do; I schal not leve in myne entent To putte alway a-mendement,[amendement St.] As yt comyth to my knowynge, Day be day yt rémembrynge. And when that yt a-mendyd ys, And se that nothyng be a mys, By a lace I shal yt were, And a-bowte my nekke yt bere, Send yt forth to euery[yche St.] contre, Wher-as to-fforn that yt hath be, A-geyn my wyl & my plesaunce. And thus[this St.] for a Remembraunce, Go fforth thow dreme! I sendë[sende St., send C.] the By all the placys wher thow hast be; I send the to thy provynours, By all the pathys & the tovrs, ffor thow knowest the weyë wel, And the passage euerydel. On my be halff[e] thow not ffaylle To dresse yt ewyn by entaylle, Wher thow wer fferst, wych doth me greve, And took of me no maner leve. ffor wych I calle yt (thys the ffyn,) No verray weyë off pylgrym. By cavsë, wherso, by the lak, On ffootë, nor on horsëbak,[horse St., hors C.] Thow sholdest ha mad no Iourne, But thow haddest hadde leve off me. But ffor as myche as I in dede Thynkë the with me to lede, Whan I go, as thow schalt se, To Ierusaleem, the cyte; To wych weye, with-ovte[oute St., ovt C.] more I am excyted wonder sore: Thys myn entent, thider to drawe, And a-mong pylgrymes, thys a lawe, That, as brother vn-to brother, Euerych sholde a-byden other. Thys sholde ben a trewe vsage Off folkys[Stowe MS.] in ther pylgrymage. Doo tellë[St., C. burnt] myn aventure cler, How passyd syx and twenty yer, Tellë[Telle St., Tel C.] vn-to on and all, How that yt ys [to] me ffall, In the Abbey off Chalys,Chaalit: Roxb. ed., p. 1; 'Chaalic,' Add. 22,937; 'Calique,' Harl. 4399. Whylom ffoundyd off Seyn Lewyys. Here begynneth the pylgrym. The seydë yer (ho lyst take kep) I was avysed in my slep, Excyted eke, and that a-noon, To Ierusalem for to goon. Gretly meved in my corage ffor to do my pylgrymage, And ther-to steryd inwardly. And to tell the causë why, Was, ffor me thouht I hadde a syht With-Inne a merour large & bryht, Off that hevenly ffayr cyte, Wych representede vn-to me Ther of holy the manere, With Inne the glas ful bryht & cler.[Rest of page blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And werrayly, as[as St., as ye se C.] thouhtë me yt excellyde off bewte Al other in comparyson; ffor God hym selff was the masown, wych mad yt ffayr, at ys devys. ffor werkman was ther noon so wys, yt to conceyve in hys entent;Apocal. 21o. ffor al the weyës & paament Wer ypavyd all off gold. And in the sawter yt ys told, How the ffyrst ffundacyon,Fundamenta eius in Montibus sanctis. On hyllys off devocyon; The masounry wrought ful clene, Off quykë stonys bryht & schene,De lapidibus viuis. Wyth a closour rovnd a-bowte Off enmyes,[Enemyes St.] ther was no dowte. ffor Awngelles the wach y-kepte,Angelorum custodia. The wych, day nor nyht ne slepte, Kepyng so strongly the entre, That no wyht kam in that cyte, But pylgrymes, day nor nyht, That thyder wentyn evene ryht. And ther were meny mansyovns,In domo patris mei &c. Placys, and habytacyovns; And ther was also al gladnesse, Ioye with-ovten hewynesse. And pleynly, who that haddë grace ffor to entren in that place, ffond, onto hys plesavnce, Off Ioye al maner suffysavnce, That eny hertë[herte St., hert C.] kan devyse. And yet the[the St., they C.] entre on swych wyse Was strongly kepte ffor komyng In; ffor the Awngel cherubin, Off the gate was cheff porter, Havyng a swerd, fflawmyng as cler[St. & C.] As any ffyr, evene at the gate; And who that wold, erly or late, Passen the wal, he was yslawe. Ther ne was noon other lawe, Ne[No . . no St.] bet helpe, ne[No . . no St.] bet refut; The vengaunc ay was execut. In the passage thyder-ward, The weyë was so streiht & hard, ffor tyravntys, with ther felonye And with ther mortel tormentrye, Devyseden on[in St.] ther entent fful many wonderful torment, Lyggyng awayt fro day to day, To slen pylgrymes in ther way,[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] All this, nearly to 1. 533, is omitted in the prose Camb. (Roxb.), or rather, is comprised in a few lines. In this second recension, De Guilleville has here very largely alterd and ex|panded his first.Makyng ful grete occysion Off pylgrymes of grete Renovn, Off men & wommen both yfere, Whos martyrdom (as ye schal here,) Was ful grevous to endure. ffor somme of hem (I yow ensure,) Wern out of here Skynnes flawe; And sommë, by ful mortal lawe, Wer hew (as bokys kan Remembre,) Asonder, partyd euery membre, Crucefyed, of blood al Red; And many other lost hys hed. Of somme, the bowelys wer out Rent, And somme on hotë colys brent, ffretyng salt cast in among, ffor to make ther peynys strong Myd the ffyry flawmys reed. Somme boylyd in oylle and led, And sorë bet, that yt was wonder; Somme, sawyd evene assonder; Somme, with wyldë hors ydrawe, In dyffence of crystys lawe, Thorgh-out the ffeld, her & yonder, Tyl ther Ioyntës wente a-sonder: Nerff and bon assonder Rent, And ther Entraylles aforn hem brent. The ffelouns wern on hem so felle, That yt ys pyte for to telle; And ther ys no man now a[on St.] lyve That kan the peynys halff descryve; Nor a sermon ther-off make, What[That St.] they suffrede ffor the sake Off Cryst Ihesu vn-to the deth, ffor love,[love St., lave C.] tyl they yald vp the breth, Myd ther mortal peynys smerte. ffor ther ys noon so hard on hert, So despytous, nor so ffelon, That he [ne] wolde ha compassyon, Ben agrysed off pytee; And specyally ffor to se That they suffrede for no synne, But only off entent to wynne The love off Cryst; & ffor hys sake, All they han vp-on hem take, Seyng how, ffull long aforn, Cryst to suffre was yborn, And fforbar nat to be ded. And sythen he that was her hed Suffrede peynys, deth, & woo, The membrys wolde endure also,[in alle St.] And ffolwe ther hed on alOmnes ellecti caput suum. thyng, As Seyn Gregoir in hys wretyngGregorius. Recordeth pleynly (who taketh hed) Off allë chose,[alle Choys St., al chose C.] Cryst ys hed; ffor wych, the membrys, as was due, Affter ther hed lyst to sue, Wych by example wente a-fore, To whom thentre was not fforbore. ffor swych as deydë ffor hys love, By wyketys entrede in above, Vp the gatë, hih aloffte, Thogh ther[ther was MS.] passage was not soffte; The porter lyst hem nat to lette. And ther pencellys vp they setteCamb. cap. iii.: "j seyh the penselles hanginge steyned red with blood." On cornerys, wher them thouhtë good, Al steyned with ther ovnë blood. And whan that I parceyved yt, I conceyvede yn my wyt, That who scholdë ther-with-Inne Entre by fforce, he most yt wynne By manhood only, and by vertu. ffor, by record off Seyn Mathew, The hevene (as by hys sentence,)Regnum celorum vim patitur. Wonnen ys by vyolence. Crysostom Recordeth ek also,—Magna violencia est, nasci in terra, & celum capere,rapere St. & ha|bere per virtutem quod non potest haberi per naturam. Crysosto[mus]. Who lyst taken hed ther-to,— That gret vyolence & myght yt ys, who that loke a-ryht, A man be born in erth her downe, And Ravisshe, lyk a champyon, The noble hihe hevenly place, By vertu only & by grace. ffor vertu doth to a man assure Thyng denyed by nature. 1Thys to seyne, who lyst lere, That vertu makyth a man conquere The hih hevene in many wyse, To wych kynde may not suffyse To cleymë ther pocession, But she be guyded by Reson, Wych to vertu ys maystresse, To lede hyr also, and to dresse In hyr pylgrymage Ryght Above the sterrys cler & bryht.11_1 Verba translatoris. ffor other weye koude I not se, To entre by in that cyte; ffor cherubyn, erly and late, Ay awaytynge at the gate, Was redy euer, and ther stood, Whos swerd was bloudyd with the blood Off Crystys holy passyon Whan he made our Redempcion, Mankynde to restore a-gayn. The wych wey, whan I hadde seyn, I was a-stonyd in my syht. But I was coumfortyd a-noon Ryht, Whan I sawh the swerd mad blont Off cherubin, the wych was wont To brenne as any flawmbe[flawmbe St., flawnlbe C.] bryht. But now, the sharpnesse & the[the St., om. C.] lyht Was queynte, to do no more vengaunce, By vertu off crystys gret suffravnce, Wych schal no more for man be whet.[4 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And ther I sawh a smal wyket Ioynynge evene vp-on the gate; And ther stood on, erly & late, Lenynge, as I kovde espye, Wych power[power St., powder C.] hadde, & maystrye ffor to opne & to shette, To Receyven and to lette, Pylgrymes that kam on ther weye; And in hys hond he held a keye,—Tibi dabo claues regni celorum. Mathei. Seyn Peter, me thouht by hys cher,— That had off God pleyn power To lete in ffolk wych he knew hable. But ffyrst they most (thys no ffable,) Dyspoyllen hem, & nakyd be; ffor noman entrede that cyte That clothyd was, nor myhte passe, Wher he mor, or wer he lasse, Or gret compact[compact St., compart C.] in any membre. And than A-noon I gan Remembre How Cryst sayde, in a certeyn place, That yt was as hard to passe In-to the hevene A reche man,— Lych as he rehersë kan By record off hys gospel,— As yt was to a kamel To passe throgh a nedlys Eye; Wych ys a thyng (ho kan espye,) As yt were an Inpossible, And verrayly Incredyble. Affter[And affter St.]-ward (yt ys no ffayll) Me thouhte I sawh a gret mervayle: Vp-on Tours, dyuers estatys Off doctours and off[off St., om. C.] prelatys, Showyng, as by contenavnce, By speche, and by dallyavnce, Techyng pylgrymës to knowe, That wer yn the valë lowe, How, with travayllë & peyne, And how also they sholde atteyne To make hem wyngës ffor to fle Hih a-loffte to that cyte, By wynges of exaumple good, Yiff they ther lernyng vnderstood, Wych they tauhte hem in ther lyff[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] By doctryne contemplatyff, Outward schewyng, as by cher, Ther love was to hem ful enter, ffovndyd vp-on charyte. Amongys wych I dedë[dydde St.] se Grete noumbre of thys Iacobins, Off chanovns, & of Awstynys, ffolkys ful diuers of maner, Both temporal & seculer, Off clerkys & relygyous, And other ordrys vertuous. Mendyvauntys ful nedy, That day & nyht wer ryth[were right St.] besy To gedre ffetherys, bryht & shene, And make hem wynges ffor to fflen.Facient sibi pennas & volabunt in celum. And gan A-noon, with al ther myght, To soren vp, & take her fflyht Hih in-to that ffayr cyte. And hiher vp they dydë ffle, Bove cherubin, that Avngel cler; ffor they wer out of hys davnger, By the techyng, and the doctrine, And by exaumples ek dyvyne, Wych ther maystres hadde hem tauht, Wher-by they han the hevene kauht, And ffounde ther-in gret avauntage To fforthre hem in ther pylgrymage, And how hem sylff they sholdë guyde. And vp-on the tother[that other St.] syde, Vnder the wal of the cyte, I sawh, off gret auctorite, ffolkys, wych dyde entende To helpe her ffrendys to ascende, By ful gret subtylyte, To make hem entre the cyte; And ther-to dyde her bysy cure, By scalys throgh the strong closure; And as me thouhte, A-mong echon, That Seyn Benet in soth was on.[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Wych, as I rehersë[Reherse St., rehers C.] shal, ffor to scale that hihe wal, That was so myhty & so strong, With hym brouht a ladder long, In the wych men myhtë se xij. greës[Twelve greces St.] off humylyte, By wych, thor[o]gh deuocyon, ffolk off hys relygyon Ascendyd vp, gre by gre, With-ovtë lette to that cyte, And the ryht[ë] weye han take. Monkys greyë, whyte, & blake, Ascendyng vp with-outë ffeer. And Seyn Fravnceys I sawh ek ther, fful dyllygent, and ek bysy, And (as me thouht) ful ffrendly To ffolk of hys profession. And ek in myn avysyon I sawh ther cordys rovnd & long, Al yffret with knottys strong, Hard to ffele, and nothyng soffte. And ffro the valey hih a-loffte Vp-on the wal they dede hem caste, And by the cordys held ham ffast, Grypyng hem with gretë[grete St., gret C.] peyne, Off entent they myghte atteyne To gete vp to that hihe wal, ffor to kepe hem ffrom a ffal, Alway by the corde hem held. And many A-nother I be-held, Off dyuers ffolkys that vp ran, Off whom the namys I not kan, Nor how they dyde hem sylff assure, Over the wallys to Recure On echë party Round abovte; ffor I in soth, that stood with-oute,[in doute St.] Myghte not be-holden al the paas, But on the party that I was, Wych was to me gret dysplesavnce. But I dar seyen,[seye St., seyn C.] in substaunce, That ther was noon off no degre Wych entre myhtë the cyte, But lefft with-outë, lowë doun, ffor al, hys sherpë[scrippe St.] & bordoun.The Roxb. has scrip, the Fr. escharpe, and the picture shows a scrip worn scarf-wise. See also p. 18, l. 655, 664. Escharpe: f. a Scarfe; a Baudrick. L'escharpe d'un pelerin. The scrip, wallet, or pouch wherein he carries his meat.—Cotgrave. Bourdon: m. a Pilgrims staffe. But thentent off hys vyage, And ffyn ek off hys pylgrymage, Wer set[sette St.] of hertë fynallyOmnia agunt propter finem. Ther tabyde perpetuelly With ffeyth, hope, & charyte, To lyve with rest on[in St.] that cyte; ffor other thyng, in hert & thouht, To her desyre they woldë nouht. ffor, as the phylisofre seyth, (To whom men mosten yeven[yevyn St., eyven C.] feyth) That al ffolk,[alle folke St.] wherso they wende, What they do, ys for som ende. And for that skylë, more & more, I was steryd wonder sore ffor to takë my Iournee, Lyk a pylgryme, to that cyte. Off more Ioyë I nat kepte; And, me thouht ek, as I slepte, And in my dreem dyde ek mete, That ellys I myghte ha no quyete. And thus ful pensyff in my guyse, A-noon I gan me to a-vyse, And thouht in myn avysion, Camb. cap. vi. p. 4, where the pilgrim "failede scrippe and burdoun."I ffaillede a sherpe[Skrippe St.] & bordon, Wych al pylgrymes ouhte to have, In ther wey, hem sylff to save. And so the pylgrymes hadde echon In ther vyage, but I allone. They wer echon by-ffore purveyd, Bet in ther wey to be conveyed And I roos vp, and that a-noon, And ffro myn hous gan out gon Vp-on my wey, off wych I tolde; Al be that I was long yholde, Or I myhte makë my passage To gynnen vp-on my pylgrymage. Nyne monethes I was kept cloos,'nyne monethes in his mothars wombe.'—John Stowe. Tyl at the last I vp Aroos, Off entent forth to procede. But than at erst I gan take hede That, to myn entencioun, I myghte ffynden a bordoun And a sherpe,[Scrippe St.] wych of vsage ffolk han that gon on pylgrymage, Nedful to me & necessarye. ffor wych cause I dyde tarye Or I myghte gynne my Iournee, To holde my wey to that cyte; ffor wych I went complaynyng, Out off my sylff[sylff St., fylff C.] tryst & wepyng, Cerchyng toforn & ek behynde, Sherpe[Scrippe St.] & bordoun for to fynde. And whil I dyde my besynesse, A lady of ful gret ffayrnesse And gret noblesse, (soth to say,) I dyde mete vp-on the way. ffor God wold, (I yow be-hete,)Voluntas dei fuit ut cito mihi occurreret quod volebum. Genesis 27. [v. 20] Sone that I sholde hyr mete, Off gracë for myn ownë prowh, Wher-off I haddë Ioye ynowh, And in hertë[herte St., hert C.] gret gladnesse. ffor she, as by lyklynesse, Was douhter of som Emperour, Somme myghty kyng, or gouernour; Or off that lord that guyeth al, Wych ys of power most royal. And thys lady gracyous, Most debonayre, & vertuous, Was yclad, by gret delyt, In a surcote al off whyt, With a Tyssu gyrt off grene. And Endlong, ful bryht & shene, She hadde a charbouncle ston, That Round abowte hyr body shon; Was noon so reche,[Ryche St.] as I was war. And on hyr brest A nouche she bar, I trowe that nowher was no bet. And in the Awmaylle ther was sette Passyngly a rechë[Riche St.] sterre, Wych that cast hys bemys ferre Round abovten al the place, Ther was swych haboundaunce off grace. Out of whos bosoom, mylde ynowh, Ther kam a dowë whyt as snowh, With hys wyngës splayng oute, Plauynge rovnd hyr hond aboute. Thys lady, of whom I ha told, Hadde on hyr hed a crowne of gold, Wrouht of sterrys shene & bryht, That cast aboute a ful cler lyht. He was ful myghty, (who taketh hede,) That sette yt fyrst vp on hyr hed; And made yt ffyrst[C. ffyrst ffyrst] by gret Avys Off gret Richesse and gretë[grete St., gret C.] prys.[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Thys lady, that I spak of here, Was curteys & of noble chere, And wonderly of gret vertu. And fyrst she gan me to salue In goodly wyse, axynge of me, What maner thyng yt myghtë[myghte St.] be, Or causë why, I sholde hyr lere, That I made so hevy chere; Or why that I was ay wepyng, ffor lak of eny maner thyng.' Wher-of, when I gan takë hede, I ffyll yn-to a maner drede, ffor vnkonnynge and lewdënesse,[lewdenesse St.] That sche, of so gret noblesse, Dysdeynede not in hyr degre To speke to on so pore as me; But yiff yt were, so as I gesse, Al only of hyr gentyllesse; ffor gladly, wher ys most bevte,Nota St. Ther ys grettest hvmylyte, And that ys verrayly the sygne, Swych ar most goodly & benygne. An appyl tre, with frut most lade, To folk that stonden in the shade, Mor lowly doth hys braunchys loute Than A nother tre with-oute;i. sine fructu St. ffor[ffor St.] wher haboundeth most goodnesse, Ther ys ay most of mekënesse.[mekenesse St.] Noon so gret tokene of beute, As ys parfyt humylyte. Who wanteth hyr in hys banere, Hath not vertu hool & entere. And affter thys I gan abrayde, And to hyrë[hire St., hyr C.] thus I sayde, "How to gon, I castë[kaste St., cast C.] me, To Ierusaleem the cyte, ffayllyng (to myn entencion) Both a sherpe[Scrippe St.] & a bordon, ffor wych I went, yt ys no doute, ffor to seke ham Round aboute, Yiff I myhte any fynde or se." Grace dieu: 'Now vndyrstondë,'[vnderstonde St.] than quod she, 'Yff thow lyst hawe[have St.] of hem tydyng, Thow mostest, ouer[ouer St., auer C.] alle thyng To thyn entent, as thow shalt se, ffor thy profyt, kom, folwe me. And yt is gretly to thy prowh That thow hast me fovndë now, By whos helpë[helpe St., help C.] thow schalt spede, To ffynden al that the shal nede.' The pylgrym: Than quod I, "my lady dere, I pray yow that ye wyl me lere Your name & your condycioun, Your contre, & yovr Regyoun; ffor yt ful plesaunt wer to me, To wytë pleynly what ye be." And she answerde ful mekly,[Grace Dieu] 'Tak hed to me now feythfully: I am the[the St., om. C.] douhter off themperovr, Wych ys the lord and governour Off euery lond and regyoun; And he hath sent me hyder doun, Here in-to this lowh contre, Off entent, as thow shalt se, To gete hym frendys, & conquere Round a-bouten / euery wher: Nat that he hath to hem no nede, But only (who kan taken hede,) That he haveth gret plesaunce, To haue of folkys ácqueyntavnce, ffor ther profyt, more than for hys; And thus yt stant & thus yt ys. 'Thow sest my noble ryche array, And how that I am fresshe & gay, fful ryally and wel beseyn, Nothyng in wast, nouther in veyn; Thys charboncle, nor thys sterrys clere, ffressher wer neuer seyn yfere; Nor, I trowë, noon so fayre, Whos bewte may nat apayre. ¶ ffor to pylgrymes, day & nyht, I enlumyne, & yive lyht To al[alle St.] pylgrymës in ther way, As wel in dyrknesse as be day, So they lyst rewardë me, And lyst that I her guydë be. And yiff they erryn in her weye, Ageyn I kan hem wel conveye;[I wylle hem guye / and do sokour, While they to me have theyr Retour. St., om. C.] I wyl hem helpen & Redresse; ffor I am she, in sothfastnesse, Whom thow owest seke of ryht, In straungë lond with al thy myght. 'I yive lyht to folk echon That out of hyr weyë gon, And releue hem, on & alle; Leffte vp folkys that be falle, ffrom al mysheff & from al blame, And Grace dieu, that ys my name, fful nedful in ech contre. 'And by thys dowe wych thow dost se, Wych I bere with wyngës fayre, Humble, benygne, & debonayre, I am tookenyd, who lyst seke, With hyr goodly Eyen meke. And so thow shalt me call in dede, Whan thow hast on-to me nede,— And that shal be ful offtë sythe, That I may my power kythe,— Telpe[To help] the in thy pylgrymage. ffor fynaly in thy vyage, As thow gost to that cyte, Thow shalt hawe offte aduersyte, Gret mescheff and encombraunce, Empechementys & dysturbaunce, Wych thow mayst nat in no degre Passe nor endure with-outë me, Nor that cyte never atteyne, (Thogh thow euer do thy peyne,) With-oute that I thy guydë be. 'Al-be that in-to that cyte Thow hast seyn entren meny on, Nakyd, in-to that cyte gon Somme by ther sotel engyn, And somme also by cherubin. But what so euere they koude don, Ther was neuer receyved noon (ffor outht[ought St.] they koude hem sylff avaunce,) But only thorgh myn ácqueyntaunce. Lo, her ys al: avysë the Yiff thow lyst acqueynted be With me: tel on thy fantasye, And the trowthë[Trouthe St., trowth C.] nat denye.' The pylgryme: "Ma dame, for Goddys sake, I praye, Nat to leue me on the weye With-oute yowr helpe & your favour; ffor in thys weyë, your socour Ys to me most necessarie To forthre, that I nat ne tarye; Thankyng to your hyh goodnesse, That ye kam of gentellesse, ffyrst vn-to me for my forthryng, Ther nedede me noon other thyng."[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Tho hyr lyst no lenger byde, But took me in the samë tyde, And made me with hyr for to gon To an hous of hers a-noon, Wher I sholdë fynde, in dede, Al thyng that I hadde of nede. She was hyr sylff (yn sothnesse) Off thylk hous cheff founderesse, ffor on hyr word yt was fyrst groundyd, And by hyr wysdom bylt and fovndyd; The yerys of the masownry Thryttene hundred & thrytty. And ffor the fayrnesse & bewte I hadde gret wyl that hous to se; I-baysshed,[Abasshed St.] for yt was so fayr; ffor yt heng hih vp in the hayr:[eyre St.] Twen hevene & Erthe stood the place, As yt hadde (only by grace) ffrom the hevene descendyd doun. So stood that hevenly mancyoun, With steplys & with toures hihe, ffresshely arrayed to the Eye, As, a placë most royal, Above al other pryncypal; Wych stood vp on a ffayr River, The water ther-of holsom & cler; But ther nas passage in that place, Nor shepe[shippe St.] wherby men myghte passe. The pylgrym: ffor wych to Gracë Dieu I sayde, And, to hyr thus I abrayde, "Madame, me semeth in my thouht That we ben in perel brouht, ffor I kan sen no passage To passe by, nor avauntage." Grace dieu: 'Off me, dred the never a del, ffor thow shalt passë fayre & wel.' The pylgrym: "I kan not swymmen, yt stondeth so, Wherfor I not what I may do. And yiff I entre, I am in doute But[How St.] euer I shold komen oute; ffor wych, tentrë[to enter] I stonde in drede, I have of helpe so gretë[grete St., gret C.] nede." Grace dieu argueth: 'What menyth thys? what may thys be, That thow art now, as semeth me,[De sacramento Baptismi.—Later hand in St.] So sore a-drad of thys Ryver, Wych ys but lytë, smothe & cler? Why artow ferful of thys streem? And art toward Ierusaleem, And mustest of necessyte Passen ferst the gretë[grete St., gret C.] see, Or thow kome ther. lo, her ys al, And dredyst now thys Ryuer smal! And most kouthe ys thys passage To chyldre that be yonge of age, And offter han thys ryver wonne Than folk that ben on[beth in St.] age ronne. And the passage ys most kouthe To chyldren in ther tender youth, ffor yt, in soth, ys fyrst passage Off euerych good pylgrymage; ffor other weyë ys ther noon To Ierusaleem by to goon, But yiff yt be by cherubin. And yet somme ha ther entryd In, That wer nat wasshe in thys Ryuer, Nor bathyd in the stremys cler. Wych to the ys not contrárye, 'But thys to the ys necessárie, Consydred (shortly to expresse) The gretë[grete St., gret C.] fylth and vnclennesse, The ordure and the dong also, Off thylkë hous thow komë fro, Wher .ix. monethes thow hast be. ffor wych yt nedeth vn-to the To wasshe the her, yiff thow take hede, Thys my consayl & my Red: To passe thys[thys St., om. C] Ryuer of clennesse Yt ys to thee[the St., om. C.] most sykernesse. And al[eke St.] I schal the telle A thyng: Ther passede onys her a kyng, ffyrst assuryng the passage Vn-to euery maner age; He made the pas hym sylff alone, And yet in hem was fylthë[ffylthe St., fylth C.] non. To wasshen hym yt was no nede, But that hym lyst, of lowlyhede, Schewe example by hys grace How other folkys sholdë passe Over by the samë went. Wherfore tel me thyn entent, Yiff thow thys Ryuer lyst atteyne; And I shal A-noon ordeyne A sergaunt of myn in specyal; Wych offycer the helpë shal ffor to passe the water cler, And wardeyn ys of the Ryuer. He shal the wasshe, he shal the bathe, And make the passe the morë[more St., mor C.] rathe. And, to put the out of doute, He shal crosse the round aboute, Make the sur, as thow shalt se, ffrom al tempestys of the se, Tescape the wawe of euery streem, And make the wynne Ierusaleem By conquest; & fynally— That thow shalt drede noon emny Wher so thow wende, Est or West— 'Sette A cross vp-on thy brest, Be-hynde also, and on thyn hed, Ageyn al mescheff and al dred. And off entent, as thow shalt se, He shal also enoyntë the Lych as sholde a Champyon, That thow ha no[have noon St.] occasyon In thy passagë, nor no nede No maner emny for to drede, Sette hem echon at no prys. Now her-vp-on say thyn avys.' The pylgrym: "I am wel payd that yt be do.From here to l. 1346—the long talk on Baptism and Original Sin in this 2nd recension—is absent from the first recension in the Camb. MS. and its original French. Yiff resoun accorde wel ther-to. But fyrst I wolde som causë se, What nedeth yt to wasshë me, Or bathë,[bathe St., bath C.] when yt ys no nede; ffor I am clenë wasshe[washen St.] in dede ffrom al felth[alle ffylthe St.] and vnclennesse. And ouer more, so as I gesse, I am of yerys no thyng old; The water also of kyndë[kynde St., kynd C.] cold, Wych to entre, as semeth me, I sholde in grete[grete St., gret C.] perel be; And clenner than I am thys tyde, I sholde not be vp-on no syde." Grace dieu speketh: 'Herkene,' quod she; 'to voyde al doute, Though thow be clene ynowh with-oute, Thow art with-innë no thyng so; ffor cause I shal the tellë, lo! Thow art soyled in especyal Off the synne orygynal, Off fader & moder ek also, Thorgh vnclennesse of bothë two, Spottyd of nature, as ther hayr;[heyre St.] Wher-of thow mayst nat be made fayr, But thow be wasshe, as I the telle, In thys Ryuer or thys welle. And yet thow most have helpe of me Yiff thow sholdyst clenë be; ffor I mot fyrst my syluen dresse The bathë[bathe St., bath C.] halwen, & yblesse, And than yt shal ynowh suffise To make the clene in allë[alle St., al C.] wyse: ffor the wasshyng mad out-ward Ys but tookene (who taketh Reward) Off al clennessë forth with-Inne; At wych fyrst thow most be-gynne.' The pylgrym: "Madamë, so hyt nat dysplese, I can as yet no thyng in ese, And I shal tellë yow wher-fore My dovte [is][I doute St.] now mor than before, And gretter[more gretter St.] in conclusyoun, But ye make exposicioun, And bet declare yt to my mynde, Or ellys my profyt ys be-hynde." Grace dieu: [De Iusticia & peccato Originali. Later hand.—St.] 'ffyrst, whan God the world be-gan, And after hadde makyd man, And womman for to be hys fere, Thy forme fadrys, as thow shalt lere, God, of hys gret curteysye, To hem dydë suyche gentrye As to the I shal devyse. He gaff to hem so gret ffraunchyse, Talyved[To have lived] euere, thys no lesyng, In elthe with-outë languysshyng, Lusty & fressh in o degre, Neuer tave[to have] had necessyte Off deyyng; and gaff hem in sothnesse, Lyberte, & Ryhtwyse[wyse St., wys C.] nesse, ffredam of wyl[and wylle St.] & equyte; And that they sholdë ryghtful be, And ther-vp-on, ay done her cure To ben Egal by mesure; The body to the soule obeye 'In euery maner skylful weye, And bern[beryn St.] to hym subieccion; So that alway, on-to[vn-to St.] resoun, fforeyn[Foreyn St., For eny C.] strengthys her doun lowe, Vpward sholde her sowerayn knowe, And lest[leest St] worthy of dygnyte, Vn-to most worthy of degre Obeyë sholde by Reuerence: Thys was of ryght fyrst the sentence; Shewe of lewdnesse ay a sygne, The[The St., To C.] lasse of prys to the most dygne. 'Off divynë purvyaunce Thys was fyrst the ordynaunce, That man shold euer ha be in blysse, And al that whyle, of no thyng mysse; Euer ha be fre, & never thral. By ryhtwysnesse orygynal, God gaff oure fadrys ous[vs St.] be-forn, Yiff they ne hadde her fredom lorn, ffor catel and for ther herytage Ta last in euery maner age, Ben herytavnce, fro gre to gre, Off ryht to ther posteryte: Thys to seyne, who kan take hed To al that folwed of ther sed ffor euermore: & soth yt ys, Yiff they hadde not do a-mys. 'But whan they gan to God trespace, They lost ther fredam and ther grace, Lyff also, and[and eke St.] liberte, And hooly ther auctoryte, Off wych thow hast herd me seye, ffor wych offencë they most deye: Tho, al[alle St.] thyngys in sentence Drowh fro man obedyence. Who dysobeyth hys sovereyn, Off ryht mot[mot St., not C.] folwen in certeyn That he shal dysobeyed be Off lower thynges of degre, Wych wer soget to hys servyse 'Or he trespacede in any wyse. ffor vn-to God, sothly to seye, Whan Adam fyrst gan dysobeye, Yt was Ryhtful, by kyndly lawe, That to[? fro] hym shold be with-drawe All maner[manere off St.] obéyssavnce Off thynges vnder hys gouernaunce, Wych he hadde in subieccyon, Only for hys rebellyon. 'And, yiff thow be Resounable, An exaumple ful notable I shal vn-to the declare Openly, & no thyng spare, Yiff thow lysten, taken hed ther-to:Exemplum. 'I suppose yt falleth so: The kyng hath in hys court a knyht Whom he loueth with al hys myht, And, for cause that he tryst hym wel, He yeveth to[to, om. St.] hym a ffayr castel,— Wallyd strong with hihë tours ffrom al assaut of wynd & shours,— And to hys heyrës, to pocessede;[heyres to possede St., heyrs . . C .] And ther-vp-on maketh hem a dede, Euere[Evere affter St.] by successyon Ther-of to have pocessyon ffor eueremorë, to o[at o St.] word, Whyl he ys trewë to hys lord, Voyde[And voyde St.] of al rebellyon. Thys was the condycion: But he offendeth, so may falle, Than he & hys chyldren alle, The castel lese with-outë grace Thorgh ther fadrys gret trespace: The chyldren han the gylt abouht,— Al-be that they offendyde nouht— Thorgh ther fadrys gylt, allas; And thus peraunter stant the cas: And lyk in cas semblable at al, Ryhtwysnesse orygynal— 'Orygynal' ys for to seyn 'Pleynly, yf I shal not feyne, A gynnyng wych fro God kam, And was fyrst yoven to Adam And vn-to[And to St.] Eue hys wyff also, Wych they lostë, bothë[loste bothe St., lost both C.] two Only for ther Rebellyon, Whos ryht was by condycon, Wherthrogh that ther posteryte ffully ha lost ther lyberte. (Posteryte, playnly in dede,[St. leaves out ll. 1119-1122.] Ys folwyng doun of a kynrede Lynealy, fro gre to gre.) And thus, touchyng ther lyberte, ffor dysobeyng they ha lorn Off her fadrys hem to-forn; Only throgh ther dysobeisaunce They ha lost ther enherytaunce, Wych they may not inheryte; Wher-of ther fadrys ben to wyyte. 'ffor nadde be ther transgressyon,— 3Transgressyoun ys for to say A goyyng fro the ryht[ë] way, Or shortly, in sentement, Brekyng off a comaundement33_3 These four lines are written at the right-hand side in C. & St.; but with no mark to signify where they ought to be placed.— Ther chyldren shold, by reson, Ha cleymyd yt of verray ryht. Wher-for, yiff thow lefft vp thy syth,[sight St.] And lyst conceyven everydel, Thow mayst parceyvë fayr & wel Thow art spottyd in party Off that thy ffadrys wer gylty; So that thy fylth ys causyd al Only of synne orygynal, Wych that clerkys in sentence Calle wantyng, or carence Off orygynal ryhtwysnesse, Wych thow oughtest (I dar expresse,) Ellys haue hadde of equyte 'By tytle of posteryte.' The pylgrym: "Ma damë, (lyk as ye shal fynde,) I am a-stonyd in my mynde Off your wordys ful gretly, Wych ne sue nat kyndely. ffor fyrst, as ye han told to me That I mostë wasshë[moste wasshed St., most . . C.] be, To casten out myn vnclennesse,— The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] fylth, as ye expresse And namen yt in especyal 'Spot or synne orygynal,' Wych ys only, by your sentence, No-thyng but wantyng or absence Off ryhtwysnesse—thus sey ye; And in good feyth, as semeth me, Wasshyng no thyng may a-vaylle To do a-way thyng that doth faylle; Yt wer bet cordyng to reson To make restytucyon." Grace dieu answerde: 'Certys, yt ys soth that ye seye. But to o thyng take hede, I praye: Who that haveth not the bewte Wych he shold han of duete, Voyde of fylth then ys he nouht; The wych, yif yt be truly souht, May be of felth a be-gynnyng, Gret cause also, & gret norysshyng. As by exaumple thus I pose: 'Yiff a man ffayllede a noose Wych he outh[oughte St.] haue of Resoun, Yt wer, to myn oppynyoun, A gret defaute (I the ensure,) Off bewte; & a gret ordure Ther must sue, yt ys no nay: And yiff the noose wer kut a-way, The bewte of a manhys[mannys St.] face Yt wolde gretly yt dyfface.[alle dyfface St.] Semblably, in especyal, 'Yiff Ryhtwysnesse orygynal Thow wante, wych thow sholdest haue, I myghte pryve,[preve St.] so God me save And conclude with-outë wene, Off som fylthe thow wer vnclene. I dar yt seyn, and wel expresse, Namly whan thow in vnclennesse Off flesshly lust wer fyrst be-gete, Wych shold not be for-gete; ffor fleshly lust (in sentence) ycallyd ys concupyscence. As thus consydre myn entent; Whan soule and flessh to-gadre[gydre St.] assent To don any gret offence, Than yt ys concupyscence, And nouther party by dyffence Lyst not makë résistence, As they shold of equyte, Wher-thorgh ther fayrnesse & bewte Dyffacyd ys of bothë[boothe St., both C.] tweyne. And euene lyk (in wordys playne) Thoffencë long or thow wer borne, Off thy fadrys her-to-forn, Hath lost (yiff thow koudest se) Thi gretë[grete St., gret C.] fredam & bewte; And ther trespace, (yiff thow lyst lere,) Ther lynage beyth[beyeth St.] yt al to dere.' The pylgrym:[Pylygrym Asketh St.] "With al myn hertë[herte St., hert C.] now I pray O thyng that ye wyl me seye: yff thys wasshyng, with-outë more, May Restablysshe or restore The ryhtwysnesse wych, day & nyht, I ouhte haue hadde of verray ryht; And yiff thys wasshyng (in sentence) May A-nulle concupyscence?" Grace dieu: 'Teuchyng[Touchyng St.] that we have on honde, Thow must pleynly vnderstonde A thyng wych I the tellë shal. 'Ryghtvysnesse orygynal, Thow shalt yt neuer haue A-geyn; But truste, & be ryght wel certeyn, That after thow be wasshë clene, The fylthe ther-of, (thus I mene) Thy wasshyng shal yt sette A-syde, But concupyscence shal abyde. 'Take the wordys as I the telle; But yiff thow wylt, I shal ay dwelle With the, to helpe the ay at nede, That thow mayst in verray dede Maken myghty résystence Ageynys thy concupyssence, Wych shal the derë neveradel Yiff so be thow bere the wel. And, but I seyë thy wasshyng, I myhte the helpyn yn no thyng; ffor the wasshyng (I the ensure) Doth away al the ordure Off al that kepen duëly Ther maryage, and feythfully; ffor wych, to the ys profytable Thys wasshyng, & gretly vayllable. Thy ffader, thy moder ek also, Wer wasshyn ther-in, bothë two, Whan they wer born; & so shalt thow, Syth yt ys syttyng for thy prow: That thow hem sue, yt ys Resoun.' The pylgrym: "I haue," quod he, "suspecyoun Off ther wasshyng now sodenly. Yiff they wer wasshë duëly Off ther synne orygynal, Me semeth yt sholde folwe in al, Syth I am gete of[gate in St.] ther kynrede, I sholde go quyt (who taketh hede,) Off orygynal in euery thyng, Thorgh vertu ferst of ther wasshyng." Grace dieu: 'Than,' quod she to me a-gayn, 'Tak hed, whan men sowen greyn, The huske, the chaff (yt ys no nay,) Mot fyrst be clenë putt a-way, Er yt be throwe vp-on the lond, And sowe a-brood with manhys hond, Naked and pur, yff thow take hede. And after-ward, whan yt doth seede, Vpon the tyme of hys Rypyng And the seson of gadryng, Men fynde a-geyn the samë corn, Huskyd as yt was be-forn, And ther-to clothyd newe a-geyn. 'By wych exaumple, in certeyn, Thogh thy fadyrs were, by grace, Off ther orygynal trespace purgyd clene, & frely quyt, The caffë[Chaffe St., Caff C.] and the strowh abyt, Reneweth ay & euer shal, Off the synne orygynal, Vpon the greyn, wych of hem spryngeth, The huske alway with hem they bryngeth. Alle folkys, as thow shalt lere, That kyndely be sowen here In thys world, fro day to day, The husk with hem abyt alway, And seueryth nat in no manere Tyl they be wasshe in the Ryuere: Wherfor (by short conclusyoun,) They nede echon purgacyoun.' The pylgrym: Thanne me sempte yt was but veyn, Mor for me to speke a-geyn, Or makë replycacyoun Ageynys her oppynyoun. Off hevynesse I weptë sore; ffor tho I koudë do no more, I was so whapyd & amaat, Tyl at the last an aduocaatA godfather (after whom Guillaume de De Guilleville was called). Kam to me tho in my nede, With-outë gerdoun other mede. And, for I hadde of spechë lak, Wonderly goodly for me he[she St.] spak; Profrede for to help of grace To makë me the Ryuer passe, And that I myght ouer gon, And that I wer ek wasshe a-noon, In al that euer he coude or myghte; And Guyllyam ffor-Sothly[sothely St.] he hyhte: Hys surname I nat ne knew. And thus he spak to Gracë Dieu: "Myn almesse, with your grace, I wyl fulfyllen in thys place; And yiff ye wyl, I callë shal Off your hous the offycyal (ffor yt ys now ryht good sesoun Affter your oppynyoun That he make, by your byddyng, Of thys pylgrym the wasshyng, Wher-of ye han so mych sayd." Quod she, 'I am ryht wel apayd.' And ther-with-al, benygne of look, The aduocaat a-noon me took Of charyte, by gret plesaunce, Affter the custom & vsaunce, And madë callë[calle St., calle of C.] fyrst of al To helpyn hym the offycyal; Bad hym also, among hem alle, After hys namë me to calle,See note to l. 1298. That he shold ek don hys dever To helpe me passë the Ryver, That I wer wasshen A-noon ryht. And he so dyde with al hys myght; And many thynges, as he abrayde, Over me, me thouhte he sayde; Wordys that hadde gret vertu, As he was tauht of Gracë Dieu; Wher-thorgh, me thouht, & that a-noon, That I sawh ther, fro me goon, A foul that was of colour blak; And in hys lydene[leene St.] thus he spak, Siyyng,[Cryynge St.] men herd hym euery cost,— 'I-wys,' quod he, 'I haue al lost; And fro me now ys taken al By thys ylke offycyal.' The pylgrym: This line in C. and St. comes after l. 1345. He hath my clothys fro me Rauht, And thre tyme he hath me kauht, And in the ryuer plongyd me, Crossyd, (as men myhte se,)[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Enoynted in the stremës colde, Lyk as Gracë Dieu me tolde: I fonde she lyede neuer a del. And whan that I was fayre & wel, The Ryuer passyd than A-noon, And thavocaat ek was gon, Wych only of gent[e]rye Hadde don to me gret curteysye That shal never out of mynde. Than Gracë Dieu, most good & kynde, Ladde me forth on[in St.] my repayre To a place ryht inly fayr; And neuer she madë me to-fore So goodë[goode St., good C.] cher syth I was bore, Nor wás so benygne of hyr port, Vn-to me to don confort. 'Now syth,' quod she, 'that yt[as yt St.] ys sene, Thow art wasshe, & made al clene, And art passyd the ryuer With-outë pereyl or daunger, Thyn Enmy fled Out of thy brest, Wher he aforn hadde made hys nest, I shal the shewe of gret delyt fful many thyng for thy profyt, Yff thow ha lust to lerne of me Thynges[Thynges St., Thyges C.] that I shal techë the, 'And vnderstond hem by & by.' And tho befyl ther sodeynly A wonder thyng (thus stood the cas,) Wher-of I astonyd was;— And yet for-thy I shal not spare, Ryht as yt fyl, for to declare, Whan I se tyme & best sesoun Touchyng my sherpe[Scrippe St.] and my bordoun: Whan I ha leyser, trusteth wel, I shal yow tellyn euerydel. But, or I dyde further passe,— I sawe Amyddys of that place A sygne of Tav wych ther stood, And yt was al be-spreynt with blood.T[T St.], om. C.[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And ek, as I koude vnderstond, I sawe be sydes[besyde St.] a mayster stond, Off ryght gret auctoryte, And semptë that he sholdë be Lyk a vyker douteles[douteles St., doutles C.] Off Aaron & of Moyses. And pleynly tho (as I be-held,) In hys hond a staff he[he St., om. C.] held, Crooked be-forn (I took good hed;) And hornyd also was hys hed. Hys garnement, by gret delyt, Was of lynë[lynyn St.] cloth al whyt, Off the wych, ful wel I wote,Vir vnus in medio eorum. Ezechielis. ixo. That the prophete whylom wrot, Ezechyel, who lyst to look, The nynthe chapytle off hys book: Ordre off confyrmacioun Wych, with the sygne of gret vertu Markyde manye with Tav Myd of her forhed, on by on, And sayde to hem euerychon, 'I crosse yow, and conferme also With thys / that ye take hed ther-to, That ye may be, fro day to day, Good pylgrymës in your way; ffor thys to yow, tokne & sygne That God shal be to yow benygne, That ye shal not venquysshed be Off your Enmyes in no degre.' And with thys sygne of gret vertu I was markyd off Grace Dieu Myd my forhed, brede & lengthe, Wher-by I[I St., om. C.] kauhte ful gret strengthe, And Receyvede ther by Ryht,[off Right St.] Vertu, force, & gostly myght, To forthre me in verray dede Off al that euer I haddë nede. Not nede as I hadde be-fore Thorgh the Ryuer or I was bore; Yt was not so gret necessyte But covenable congreuyte.[Congruyte St., Congeuyte C.] Ordre off the laste vnccioun. Affter al thys, I hadde a syht Off the mayster, wych of Ryht Made the holsom oynement, And after took yt of[off goode St.] entent To the sayde offycyal, And gaff to hym thys charg with-al:[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] 'Have her,' quod he, 'ful goodlyVnguentarius faciet pigmenta suauitatis, & vncciones suavittatis Ecclesiastici (xxxviii. 7). Thre oynementys most worthy; The wych now to the I take Only for pylgrymës sake, Swych as in ther oppynyouns Wyl be myghty champyouns ffor to holde strong bataylle Whan ther Enmyes hem assaylle. 'Thow shold do thy bysy peyne Tenoynte hem with the fyrstë[fyrste St., fyrst C.] tweyne, And kep the thrydde with-outë more ffor folkys[ffolkys St., ffolk C.] that byth woundyd sore, And swyche as lyggë languysshyng On ther beddys, almost deyng, And of ther lyff ha no dysport: Thow shalt a-noon don hem counfort; 'Enoynte hym in especyal As ther leche spryrytual, Wher thow sest that yt be nede; And ffeythfully, (yf thow take hede,) Pylgrymes that travayll in ther way, Wych passen her fro day to day, And often in ther passage erre, And assayllyd byth with werre; Yt fayllyth not, sory or blythe, But they be wondyd offtë sythe, And grevyd with many áventure, ffro deth that they may not recure; And at ther ende, thys no faylle, Whan that deth doth hem assaylle, They gretly nede thys oynement; And for thys skyle, in myn entent I haue take yt in-to thy ward, Al syke folkys to Reward, Tenoyntë hem whan they haue nede: And other oynementys in-dede I ha reservyd[Reserved St., reseyvyd C.] to my kepyng, Tenoyntë with a newë kyng By the vykerys of Moyses, The wych yt makë dout[e]les, At duë tymë certeynly By ther power as wel as I. ffor sykë folkys euerychon, And for lechys, as thow art on, Wych sholdest alway be bysy, Wel awaytynge & redy, At the tablys wher we sytte Whan we etyn, & not flytte;T [T St.] ffor the tav T, taken hed, Wych thow makest in the[thy St.] forhed. 'But I wyth-holdë to ward me Off custom & of duëte, The fynal execucyoun, The vse & mynystracyoun Off confermyng in the ende: Take hed now that thow not offende.' And whil they held ther parlementys And spak ek of ther oynementys,[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Ther kam to hem of gret manere A maydë mek, & humble of chere, Wych that of entencyoun Descendede from hyr tour a-doun. Than Grace Dieu spak vn-to me, 'lo, sestow nat yonder,' quod she, 'Resoun, by hyr sylff allone, Wych cast hyr for to speke A-noon To thys folk that thow sest here?' And she, demur and sad of chere, Sayde to hem hyre[St., C. burnt] fantasye With-outen eny[St., C. burnt] flatrye Resoun spak thus:Camb. MS. reads: She bigan to speke to hem, and seyde with-oute flateringe, 'Lordinges, that thus diuisen and speken of youre oynementes, and holden heere youre parlement of enoynt|inge of oother folk, vnderstondeth now two little woordes that j wole soone haue vnclosed yow. Oynement is,' &c., p. 9. 'Syrs,'[Syre St.] quod she, in goodly wyse, 'That stonden here,[St., C. burnt] & thus devyse Off Enoyntynge[St., C. burnt] & oynementys, And ther-of hold your parlementys, I pray[St., C. burnt] yow that ye nat dysdeyne To herkne[St., C. burnt] off me wordys tweyne, Wych to tellyn I purpose, And a-noon to[St., C. burnt] yow vnclose: Oynemente ys a sootë[soet St.] thyng, And ryht vertuous in werkyng, To woundys cloos, & ope also, Yiff yt be sofftly leyd therto Both wyth hand and instrument; ffor lechys sholden off entent Soffte handle the soor to seke,[and seeke St.] Yt fyt[sytte St.] hem wel to be meke; To whom a-cordeth no Rudnesse; They sholde avoydë boystousnesse. Woundyd folk desyren offte Off lechys to ben handlyd soffte; 'Rudnesse hem doth mor damage Then[Thanne St.] the oynement avauntage; Harmeth offtë tymës more To swyche as that be[as bethe St.] woundyd sore: I calle hem rude, that be felouns, ffers & cruel as be lyouns; That wyl,[while St.] thorgh ther cruelte, On every thyng a-vengyd be; Sparë ne for-bere ryht nouht, They be so vengable in ther thouht. Swych be no goode surgyens, Lechys, nor physycyens, Sykë ffolkys to restore; ffor the woundys they hurte more Thorgh Rudnesse in ther entent; ffor they mynystre ther oynement To boystously, & no thing soffte; Wher-thorgh they hurte & slen ful offte, Wych affter may nat be amendyd. And for thys skyle I am descendyd, Kome to yow in sothfastnesse, That ye in yow ha no Rudnesse, Cruelte, nor felonye, Wych ar douhtrys to envye. 'Beth pytous vn-to folkys woundyd, Tyl ye han her sorys soundyd, Debonayre & mercyáble, Sofftë, goodly, & tretáble. Thanne, in soth, yt may nat fayll That your oynementys shal avayll To sykë folke on euery syde, That for ther hele on yow abyde. Remembreth yow vp-on thys poynt, How ye wer whylom ek enoynt To bekome mor debonayre; Nat to be cruel nor contrayre, But teschewe al ffelonye, And tavoyde malencolye; And no vengaunce for to take, But forgyue for Goddys sake; 'Al old Rancour for to lete: ffor, by record off the propheteMea est vlcio, & ego retribuam. Deutero|nomie (xxxii. 35). In hys Sawys that ben olde, God hath to hym sylff with-holde Vengaunce to hys Iugement; And ther-fore, who that of ententCamb. MS. reads: And therfor who so wole bineme it him, to yuel ende he may come, p. 10. Wyl wrastle ageyn yt, this the cheff[St. & C.] He shall not faylle to han mescheff.'[St. & C.] Whanne Resoun hadde hyr talë told,[St. & C.] The Vyker, that semptë wonder olde,[Stowe MS.] Off whom I tolde yow nat in vayn[St. & C.] MoysesThis is a red line, some one answering the preceding speaker. The Camb. MS. goes on: Whan resoun hadde thus spoken, the vicarie of whiche j seide bifore, answerde hire and seide, "Sey me, j praye you, if ye can, whi j haue thus myn hed horned and the yerde sharp at the eende? Is it not for to do punish|inge and correccoun of yuel dedes? j trowe j shulde putte and hurtle the yuel folk with myne hornes, and prikke hem," &c., p. 10.[Stowe MS.] Axed of Resoun thus agayn:[St. & C.] 'I pray yow that ye nat ne spare,[St. & C.] The truthë clerly to declare, The moralyte to obserue, Wherof sholde myn hornys serve? Thys staff ek, with the sharpë poynt, Telleth me fro poynt to poynt, Be they nat maad, by good resoun, For punysshynge and Correccioun;[St. & C.] Myn hornys, for to takë wrak[St. & C.] On shrewës, & to putte abak? And off my staff ek, with the prykke, Chastysen folkys that be wykke, Rather than lyk as ye me tolde Her a-forn, how that I sholde Enoynte hem with the oynement? Wher-vp-on seyth your entent.' Resoun Answereth: 'My fayrë frend,' quod tho Resoun, 'Tak hed in thy dyscrecioun; 'Vnderstond me euery del: I wotë[wote St., wot C.] what thow menest wel, And knowë platly thy menyng. Mesure ys good in euery thyng: Thogh thyn hornys & pyk also Be yovë[St., C. burnt] to the, bothë two, ffor[St., C. burnt] Punysshyng & for chastysyng Off folkys Rebel in werchyng; Yet fyrst thow sholdest hem dyrecte, And with fayrnesse hem correcte,— Swych as thow sey, day by day,[fro day to day St.] Erryn fro the hih[hih om. St.] Ryhte way;— And yiff thow founde hem obstynat, That[? Than] longeth yt to thyn estat To punysshen hym by thyn offyce, And vp-on hem don ek iustyce Egally for ther offence: The lawe yiweth[yeveth St.] the lycence. 'But ferst thow sholdest trete hem fayre, Be goodly ek, and debonayre, And don alway ful gret labour To shewe swetnesse afor Rygour. And thogh the prykke of Rygour be ffor chastysyng y-yove to the, Be alway war, touchyng ryht: Whan thow chastysest any whyht, Do yt neuer by suych duresse But yt be meynt ay with suetnesse; Medle with-al the vnccyoun Off pyte and compassyoun. 'In thyn entent to be mor clene, Thogh thyn hornys be sharp & kene To punysshe folk by ryhtwysnesse, Thow sholdest ay the poynt so dresse In thy Rygour of equyte, Euere in hert to han pyte On hem that thow hast iustesyed. Let mercy with ryht be so alyed, And thynk how many day to-forn, Or thow haddest any horn, 'Thow wer Eenoynt: thynk ther vp-onCamb. MS. reads: Bithinke thee that thou were enoynted er thow were horned, and er thow haddest any prikke, and er thow haddest any yerde or staf, And that ouhte michel softe thee whan thow wolt correcte any wyght. thou shuldest not also foryete of whom thow doost the vicarishipe, p. 11. Lat yt not fro thy myndë gon[St. & C.] Which thing, whan thow dost aduerte,[St. & C.] Yt shall nesshe ful wel thyn herte[St. & C.] Whan yt is harde or out of Ioynt,[Stowe] To ponysshe or smytë with the poynt,[St. & C.] Or with thyn hornes to hurtle sore:[St. & C.] Ha this in myndë euer more,[St. & C.] To medle mercy with equyte.[St. & C.] 'Remembre also ful wel, and se[St. & C.] That he, of whom thow art vyker, And chose to be hys offycer,Erat Moyses vir mitissi|mus. Numerorum 12o(3). Was humble, meke, & debonayre, Charytable, & nat contrayre: Of whom thow shalt exaumple take, To-forn[To forn St.] or thow thy domys make. Hornyd[Hornyd St., MS. torn C.] he was by apparence, Nat vsyng hem by vyolence: Thys was that holy Moyses That ladde al Israel in pees Myddys thorgh the largë see; And with hys yerdë, thys was he That passedë the floodys raage, And made hem haue good passage. 'Vnderstondeth thys lessoun, Ye that han in subieccioun Peplys vnder your prelacye, To lerne how ye shal hem guye. Thogh ye be hornyd to syth[sight St.] outward, Shewe as they wer styff & hard, Lat hem nat growen in your herte To make your shep / to sorë smerte. Thogh ye shewe / out-ward dredful, Beth in your hertys mercyful,Camb. MS. reads: And be merciable with-inne, what-euere thow be with oute; Fallas thou miht make heer-inne with-oute misdoinge, p. 11, omitting all between lines 1671 and 1699. 'Dyssymule, and mak in swych caas Off Elenchorum a fallaas.[St. & C.] (Elenchus ys a syllogysme,[St. & C.] Verba Translatoris. Or by fallaas, a Sophisme,[C. & St.] Thyng that hath on Apparence[C. & St.] With-outen eny Existence;[C. & St.] Or an argument in shewynge[C. & St.] Wych in effect hath no beynge[C. & St.] Affter the thyng that yt doth shewe.)[C. & St.] ¶ And ther-fore, in wordës fewe, To the purpos vallyáble, An exaumple ful notáble To folk that be not rekkeles, Putteth Arystotyles: In Elenchis thow mayst rede He byddeth for to take in dede A Boelys[Boolys St.] galle, & ther-with-al On bord, on cloth, or on a wal Portreye or peynte, as I ha told, And yt wyl resemble gold By apparence vn-to the syht, Yiff yt be vernysshed cler & bryht. ¶ And sothly, who that lokë wel, Off gold ther ys neuer a del, But apparencë, to deceyue ffolkys that kan not vel[wel St.] parceyve The feyntë colour in hys kynde. ¶ By wych exaumple han in mynde, Thogh thow be hornyd on thyn hed, To shewe outward a tookne of drede Vn-to folk that be contrayre, Yet ay be inward debonayre. 'Tak exaumple off thy staff Wych Grace Dieu vn-to the gaff: Thogh the poynt be sharp & kene, Yt ys vpward, pleyn, smothe & clene; The myddys ryht as any lyne, Abouë, crokyd to enclyne; Sygnefyyng vn-to theCamb. MS. reads: Dowte not that that [yerde] ne tokeneth that ther shulde be in the, humblesse, whan thou chastisest by equitee, p. 11. '1Whan thou punysshest by Equyte That ther-with-alle thow ha mekenesse Al-way to drawë by sofftenesse¶ Ysidorus / Bonus rector est qui in humilitate seruat disciplinam. Thy shepe that gon out of the way, Rather by ffayrenesse than affray. Whan they retornen home ageyn, Lat ay thy Charyte be seyn,1[1_1 Stowe MS.] That yt surmounte thy rygour.[St. & C.] Remembre alle-way at ther Retour[St. & C.] Above al maner other thyng,[St. & C.] Vp-on ther elthe & ámendyng; Schew hem euer of loue a sygne, And in thy drauht be ay benygne, Voyde of rancour & felonye; Than dostow trewly occupye The staff wych thou hast on honde. 'ffor thow shalt well vnderstonde Yt tokeneth (who that kan concerne,) That thow shalt ther-with governe The peplys (I dar wel specefye,) Commyttyd to thy prelacye; Mak hem passe (thys thy charge,) The Ryuer of thys world ful large. Thy[Thy St., My C.] staff, to ther a-vauntage Shal conduite[conduyte St.] ther passage; ffychche the pyk profound & depe In-to the wawes, hem to kepe. 'And with al thys, thow most take hede Off plank or breggë, yiff they nede: Yiff they ffayll, thow shalt on make, As thow art boundë for her sake; And for that cause, folkys alle, Pontifex they doth the calle, Makyng a breggë, thys to seyne, The passage that they may atteyne. Vnderstond wel thys lessoun Lyke[Stowe MS.] myn informacyoun; ¶ Yet ouermore I shal the teche, 'Yiff thow take hed to my speche, Touchyng thyn hornys bothë two, Thy staff ek, with the pyk also. ¶ Whylom her ther dydë dwelle Thornyd best wych lyeth in helle, Makynge here hys mansion[St. & C.] And longe held her[here St.] pocessyon,[St. & C.] Lordshepe ek & gouernaunce, Wych was gret dysplesaunce To Grace Dieu, that he so sholde Abyden her, as I the tolde. And Tavoyden fro thys place Thys hornyd best, and tenchase, She callede the, lyk as I fynde,— I trow thow haue yt wel in mynde,— Gaff the hornys in sentence With hym to stonden at diffence. The staff also, wych I off telle, Sche took to the, hym to expelle; Armede the of entencioun (Lyk tamyghty champyoun,)[to a m.] With thys hornys that I of spak, On thys beste to takë wrak, To make hym fro thys hous to fle, By power that she gaff to the: The vntrewe false enherytour, That was her lord & gouernour, And long tyme pocessyowner, Tyl thow dydest thy dever,Camb. MS. reads: Thow hurtledest him with thine hornes . . . And thow beete him with thi yerde whan thou madest him goon out of the place. The tweyne faire labelles hanginge at thine tweyne hornes thou conqueredest at the clensinge, and sweepinge, and poorginge of the place, and that was whan thou dediedest, and halwedest, and blissedest the place, p. 12. As Grace Dieu the tauhte a-ryht, To putte hym out by verray myght, Thorgh hurtlyng of thyn hornys tweyne; And dyst also thy bysy peyne, With thy staff to make hym flee, Maugre hys myght & hys powste. 1Thogh he were sory to departe, Thow dyst that Feloun so coarte, That here he durst[e] nat abyde. 'And eke vpon that other syde, The two Labellys, large and longe,1[1_1 ] Hangynge by thyn hornys stronge,[St. & C.] Ar Fygure of the conqueste[St. & C.] That thow madest on thys beste,[St. & C.] And of the Clensynge of thys place,[C. & St.] Wasshe & swept only by grace,[C. & St.] I mene fyrst at[Stowe] the halwyng, yt makyng hooly by blessyng, Lyk a myghty champyoun In the dedycacyoun; Wych for to don, as yt ys skyl, Off Gracë Dieu thys ys the wyl: That thow be armyd offtë sythe, As a vyctor, thy myght to kythe, That thylkë best most contrayre Be neuer hardy to repayre, Nor yt tassaylle by no wrong, Whan he seth thyn armour strong; Wych ar sygnes in substaunce Ay to be put in remembraunce, How thow hast venquysshed & fordon[bore doun St.] Thylke vntrewë fals felon, Bete & oppressyd fynally; And that thow mayst ben ay redy, ffressh & newe ay to bataylle Ageyns all that wyl assaylle, At allë[alle St., al C.] tyme & ech sesoun, Off Grace Dieu the mansyoun, Or yt dyspoylle in any wyse, Robbe or reue yt in ther guyse, By[Stowe] sleythe, falshed, or any whyle, Grace Dieu ffor to exileCamb. MS. reads: And dispoile it of hire goodes bi dymes, and taxes bi violences and by extorciouns. But ther of as j wot wel of sooth, thou doost not well thi deuoir, For thi self grauntest hem, and shewest the weyes to haue hem, the which thing grace dieu halt no game, p. 12. 'By[Stowe] dyuers extorsyons Of dymes or Subvencions,[C. & St.] or taylladges [i]ffoundë newe,[C. & St.] By Exaccïons full vntrewe:[C. & St.] Yiff thow yt suffre, ffer or ner,[St. & C.] Thow dost not trewly thy deuer,[St. & C.] Whan thow fyndest or dost espye[St. & C.] Sotyl weyës ffor flatrye[St. & C.] To spoylle of Gracë Dieu the hous By any tytles ravynous, Thow dost to hyre no plesaunce, But gret A-noye & dystourbaunce. I say, as yt lyth in my thouht, Platly the trouthe, & spare yt nouht: ¶ Thyn hornys hih vp on thyn hed, Nor thy staff, (yt ys no dred, I dar pleynly specefye,) Ar but tooknes of mokerye, Lych hornys of a lytell snayl, Wych[Whiche St.] seruë for noon avayl, But for a lytel strawh wyl shrynke: Her-vp-on thow sholdest thynke. 'Swych hornys hadde nat Seyn Thomas, That kepte the entre & the paas ful myghtyly ageyn the kyng, And wolde suffre for no thyng Hym to entren in-to thys hous; But, as a champyoun vertuous, Kepte the fredam & fraunchyse, And suffrede in no maner wyse The house of Grace Dieu at al ffor to serue, nor to be thral: Rather he ches to dey & sterue Than suffre that yt sholdë serue, Thys holy bysshop Seyn Thomas. ¶ Seynt AmbroseCamb. MS. reads: Of seint Ambrose also j sey thee that defended his hous ayens emperoures and emperises, so that he was lord ther-of alone. 'Youre paleys,' quod he, 'ye haue youre toures, youre castelles, and your citees, with the reuenewes of the empire. Wel ouhte this to suffice yow,' p. 12. in the[this St.] samë caas 1Deffendyd myghtyly also Hys hous, lyk as he sholdë do, Ageyn the sturdy Emperour, By dyllygence and grete labour; Tolde hym that he shuldë kepe Oonly hys Temperall Lordshepe,1[1_1 ] Hys paleys & hys mansyouns,[St. & C.] Hys cytes, castelles & hys touns;[St. & C.] The Revennues ther-off ytake,[St. & C.] And ther-with-al, murye hym make;[St. & C.] Wych ouhte ynowh to hym suffyse, And entermet hym in no wyse Touchyng Cristys herytage; And sayde, for al hys fellë rage, That he woldë rather deye Than suffre in any maner weye Durynge hys tyme, short or long, He[Stowe] sholde ther-to done any wrong. Thys[Stowe] folk, to myn oppynyoun, Vsede[Stowe] ther hornys by Resoun, As[Stowe] I to the ha told ryht now. And, by exaumple, so sholdyst thow Bar thyn hornys for dyffence, And suffre that no vyolence Were ydon vn-to thy spouse Wych ys so ffayr & vertuouse, Weddyd to the by iuste weddyng: I take[Stowe] record of the ryng, On[Stowe] thy fynger that thow dost vse; Therfor thow mayst the nat excuse Off the yerde nor the wond Wych thow beryst in thyn hond, To seyn manly to Pharao, (As of ryht thow sholdest do,) To suffre thy folkys to go fre, As they ouht of lyberte; Nat to greue hem, nor oppresse, Nor constreyne hem by duresse. ¶ Than sholdestow (yt ys no les,) Be trewely callyd Moyses, Ryht agreable by vertu Vn-to that lady, Grace Dieu, And of servyse acceptable To that lady worshepable.' ¶ In thys whyle that dame Resoun Hadde comunycacyoun Wyth Moyses, ryht ther with-al The forseyde offycyal Ys with hys oynementys gon, And putte hem in warde a-noon: That they wer sauff, I dar wel seye, Closyd vnder look & keye. Ordre off maryage: And tho, myn Eye as I vp caste, I sawe komen[saughe komyng St.] wonder faste A pylgrym al sodeynly, Holdyng hys weye fynally, (As me thouht in hys entent), Drawynge in-to the oryent; And euene in the opposyt I sawe ek kome by gret delyt[5 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] A womman, wych that was also A pylgrym ek; & bothë[bothe St., both C.] two, Her wey took in especyal To-wardys the offycyalCamb. MS. goes on: And eche of hem took him his hand, and he took hem and ioyned hem to-gidere, and sithe seide hem, as me thouhte, 'ye tweyne shule be bothe oon, and iche of yow bere trowthe to oother,' p. 13.; Sayde vn-to hym, they bothe a-noon,[St. & C.] How they wolde to-gyder gon[St. & C.] On pylgrymage in ther degre[St. & C.] To Ierusaleem, the Cytee, 'So ye teche vs, and dysserne[St. & C.] How that we shall vs gouerne,[St. & C.] To be sur, in oure passage,[St. & C.] To ffulfylle our pylgrymage.'[St. & C.] Thanne anoon Thoffycyal, Whan he knew ther menyng al, Tolde hem, yiff they woldë gon, They most of hertë be al on, Tweyne in on, & on in tweyne, Both in Ioye & ek in peyne; And so to-gydre ay perseuere, Tyl that deth make hem dysseuere. Seyde[Stowe] ek to hem, 'look that ye In[Stowe] trouthë, & in stablete[Stabyltee St.] Yee[Stowe] loue to-gydre as ye sholde, Whether ye be yong or olde; And that your trouthe on outher syde Perpetuelly in on a-byde, To your last, that yt endure: ¶ And that ye shal to me Assure Both be feyth & ek by oth; And beth wel war, for leff or loth, That ye, for no varyaunce, Ne brekë nat your ássuraunce; ffor yiff ye don, 2ye be forsworn; And ek I warnë yow to-forn, Yiff that ye don2[2_2 om. ] in dede or thouht, fful lytel shal a-vaylle, or nouht, Than vn-to yow your vyage, Your labour, nor your pylgrymage. Yt wer wel bet, to myn entent, That ech of yow allonë went, Sool by hym sylff, and nat trespace, Than be founde on[in St.] any place Vntrewë to hys companye; ffor, gret forfet & folye Yt ys, a man for to be founde Vntrewe to hym that he ys bounde. ¶ But yiff your wyl of both yffeere Be parfyt, hool, & ek entere To gon to-gydre, (lat now se,) On pylgrymage to that cyte, Whyder to gon I caste also, Ye most suerne her,[sweren here St.] bothë two, On euery part, for old or newe, That ech to other shal be trewe, So tenduren, al your lyff, 'With-outen werre or any stryff; Off on hert & entencyon, Neuere to make dyuysyon, Nor departyng causeles, With-oute assent of Moysees.' Affter al thys, A-noon ryht I sawh hem bothë trouthë plyht, Hand in hand yboundë faste; Euere, whyl ther lyff may laste, So to continuen & endure, Ther feyth by oth they dyde assure, ffor euermor: lo her ys al. And thanne A-noon the offycyal Ys retournyd in certeyn Hoom to Moyses ageyn, Wych stood of entencioun To here the talkyng of Resoun. Ther-to he sette al hys entent; But at the last ther parlement Yendyd ys, for so gret presCamb. MS. reads: But as thei weren . . . speken, a gret cumpany of folk maden cesse here parlement anoon. Bifore Moises thei comen, and maden him requeste that sum seruice in his hous he wolde yiue hem and graunte hem, p. 13. Kam a-doun to[vn-to St.] Moyses, Requeryng hym in humble wyse[St. & C.] To graunten hem somme seruyse[St. & C.] In hys hous, off gentyllesse.[St. & C.] And he full goodly gan hym dresse, As I conceyved with my look,[4 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.][Sacramentum Ordinis St] And a peyre of sherys took, Merkede[Markede St.] hem (I took good heed,) On foure parteys of ther hed; And affter that, vp-on the crowne, To-forn hym as they knelë doun, Seyng to hem stondyng a-part, 'That God shal be the hoolë part Pleynly of ther enherytaunce, As[Stowe] ther Rychesse & suffysaunce: Ther-of they may be wel certeyn.' Resoun ageyn: And thanne Reson effte ageyn, (Lych as I shal yow devyse,) Gan to spekyn in thys wyse: 'Syrs, taketh hed,' a-noon quod she, 'Som whyle, as semeth vn-to me, Yt ys wysdom, ryht, & no wrong, To feynë foly euere a-mong, Thogh ye now, also God me saue, Ben yclypyd & yshaue Vp-on your hedys euerychon, Wych thyng ys dempte of many on fful gret vnwyt & gret ffolye Off malys & malencolye; They demë so malycyously, But trewly so do nat I.[C. & St.] ffor as in myn oppynyon[C. & St.] I deme yt[] gret dyscreccion, And ful gret wyt that ye ha do, And for that skyle taketh hede ther-to. ¶ To be yourës, of entent, Hooly to yow I me present As your paramoire entere; And who-so-euere (as ye shal lere,) Gruchche, or haue envye ther-to, Al-way forth I wyl be so. ffor trusteth wel, that I am she By whom that ye yknowë be ffrom other bestys—lo her ys al— And seueryd in especyal. ¶ And pleynly, ek, I kan yow telle, Al the whyl that I dwelle With yow, A-mongys hyh & lowe, ffor verray men ye shal be knowe, Thorgh wysdom & thorgh prouydence, And haue A verray dyfference ffrom other bestys to dyscerne How ye shal your sylff gouerne. Al the whyle that ye me holde With yow tabyde, as I tolde, 'Ye shal be men, & ellys nauht[nought St.] And yiff the trouthë[trouthe St.] be wel souht, Whan that I am fro yow gon, Ye may avaunte (& that a-noon,) That ye be (thys, no fable) Bestys & vnresownable, Dyspurveyed of al Resoun, Camb. MS. reads: ye be but as doumbe bestes, and as coltes that ben clothed. With-oute me ye shul neuere haue wurshipe, be ye neuere so grete lordes, p. 14. And voyde of al dyscreccioun; [St. & C.] For yiff ye wantë shortly me, [St. & C.] Yee may neuere in no degre[St. & C.] (Though yee euere do youre peyne,)[St. & C.] Worshipe, off youre sylff atteyne Nor clymbë to no gret honour[St. & C.] But yiff ye han of me socour; [St. & C.] Thogh ye be lordys of estat, Proud of your port, & eke ellat, Lytel to yow, al may avaylle With-outë me, yt ys no faylle, ffor to make your Iugementys, Syllogysmes, or Argumentys, Or of Wysdam any thyng; With-outë me, thys no lesyng, Ye shal ha no conclusyon, But fynally confusyon. ¶ ffor wych I castë me to telle How ye shal ha, yiff ye lyst dwelle, The loue of me on euery syde: Ye most ay be, & so abyde, That ye in yow ha sobyrnesse, And voydë fro yow dronkenesse And hyr suster glotonye, Wraththë, Ire & ffelonye; ffor wher-so-euere that they be, They makë me a-way to fle; ffor wher they make her mansyoun, I leve that habytacyoun. Venus thenys doth me chase, 'And voydeth me out of that place, As yt ys sayd & told ful wel— Who lyst loken euerydel,— With-outen any maner glose, In the Romaunce of the Roose. ¶ Wherfor I pray yow euerychon, ffor to kepe yow, on by on, ffro thys vyces that I ha told, And from al other, yong and old; ffor my loue that ye hem fflee, [C. & St.] Yiff ye lysten han frenshepe of me. [C. & St.] ¶ ffor, but ye yow fro vyces kepe, Ye shal lesë the frenshepe Platly of me, as I yow tolde. And ffynally, I nat ne holde Hym for my frend, (knowe thys ryht wel,) That yiveth hys body euerydel Vn-to vyces, euere in oon. ¶ And two wordys, or that ye gon, Shortly to yow, & nat ne spare, Openly I wyl declare Tookne of your crowne, cloos with-Inne, And at the cercle fyrst begynne. I mene the closure fer with-oute That ys cerclyd round a-boute As A castel or strong doungoun, Or lyk a gardyn, wych envyroun Ys closyd with a myghty wal; The wych (who consydreth al,) With-Inne ys ope, to sygnefye, That ye to God sholde hool aplye Your hertys, to hym so enterly That noon affeccion worldly, Nor erthly thyng, ha noon entre. ffor, lerneth thys shortly of me: Your Cercle round aboute the hed Sholde kepe (yt ys no dred,) Off your hertys the closure, To voyde away al worldly cure Out of your affeccyon, And shewen (in conclusyonCamb. MS. goes on: For from it [the world] ye muste departe, if with your god ye wole part. Ye mowun not haue bothe tweyne to-gideres; that mown ye wel wite, p. 14.) That ye have the world for-sake, [St. & C.] And of herte youre-sylff ytake [St. & C.] Hooly to God, off wyl entere; [St. & C.] For ye ne may not bothe yffere [] Serve God, and the worlde also, [] And be trewe in bothë two: [St. & C.] The toon, a-syde most be layd. [St. & C.] 'And thynk also what ye ha sayd. [St. & C.] God ys for our avauntage, ¶ Dominus pars hereditatis mee / (St.) (Psal. xv. 5.) Our party, & our herytage, Whom we ha chose with al our myght ffor to seruë day & nyht. By wych word, so God me saue, Me thynketh ye sholde no Ioye haue Of thys worldys veyn plesaunce, Wych ys so ful off varyaunce, So ful of chang & dovbylnesse; ffor now, to oon he yyveth Rychesse, Robbeth a-nother, as ye may se, And cast hym in-to pouerte; And somme he yiveth neueradel: Wherfore loke ye kepë wel The part off your elleccyoun, Off herte & hool entencioun, That ye ha chose, yiff ye be wyse, Wych ouhte ynowgh to yow suffyse; ffor, as in comparyson, Yt passeth al pocessyon. ¶ Lat your tonsurys, round at al Close your hertys as a wal; And that yt go so round aboute ffor to sette[shette St.] the world with-oute, And yt dysseuere in al[alle St.] thyng, And your party so departyng, That[Stowe] ye be shorn so as ye sholde As[Stowe] chosë shepe of Crystys folde, Lyk to bestys resounnable. Thanne of ryght (yt ys no fable) Your shepperde, that taketh of[on St.] yow kepe, Schal receyuen off hys shep The flees somwhyle for hys travaylle; But he shal nat so yow assaylle, To flen yow fro yowr skyn al bare; In swychë[swyche St.] cas he mostë spare; ffor he therto hath no lycence, To yow to don swych vyolence. He shal yow shern duely in dede, Nat out of mesour, but for nede, Take hys part hym to sustene; And for that skylë, thus I mene, That he shal no vengeaunce make: Therfore he hath the sherys take, And nat the knyff, to Robbe & slen, And folk out of her skyn to fflen; But cherysshe hem rather by fauour Than oppresse hem by Rygour: Thus sholde euery shepperde do, Resoun algatë techeth so.' ¶ And whan thys lady, dame Resoun, Hadde y-endyd hyr sermoun, Ther kam folk in sondry wyses, That a-bood to han servyses, Ordre off Colyt: Made ther requeste to Moyses; And he, Amongys al the pres Assygnede sondry offycerys. And somme off hem he made hussherys, And somme also he ordeynys To haue offyce off chaumberleyns; And sergauntys he made also, To whos offyce yt longeth to, The Enmy to putte away,Camb. MS. has, 'for to areste and putte out the enemyes that ben in the bodyes. To oothere he dide gret wurshipe; For to alle he yaf to be rederes of his paleys and to preche goddes lawe,' p. 15. Out of bodyes nyht & day,[St. & C.] Wher that euere by bataylle[St. & C.] He ys hardy ffor to assaylle.[] Moses eke, who lyst take hede,[St. & C.] Ordeyned Lystres for to rede,[St. & C.] Myd the palys for to stonde,[St. & C.] To makë folke to vnderstonde[St. & C.] The lawë, by ful gret avys, As longeth vn-to her offys. And sommë, as I kan beholde, He made kandelys for to holde, And torchys for to yivë lyht; By ther offyce, as yt was ryht, Thay held hem, as I toforn ha sayd, To-for the table, whan yt was layd; ¶ For sone he sholde to dyner gon. And vnto other he took a-noon Hys syluer cuppe gylt richëly, And bad hem maken yt redy To seruen hym the samë tyme. And some also, on ther lyfft syde, Vp-on ther shulderys, he made weere A Tookne off Cryst, & yt to bere, That they sholde in especyal Awayte vp-on thoffycyal, As trewe seruauntys off entent, And be mynystres dyllygent, ffeythful, humble, & covenable ffor to serue hym at the table.[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And than they gan, by good avys, Euerych to don hys owne offys, And dyden ek ther bysy cure To leyn the[the St., om. C.] boordys, & to cure With napry ful couenable. And somme sette vp-on the table (Lyk ther offyce) wyn & bred; And somme also (I took good hed,) Lyst the wyn wer to strong, Putte in water ther a-mong: ¶ ffor yt was somwhat passyd pryme, Vp-on the hour off dyner tyme. But Moyses, to-for dyner, Caste hym fyrst, with ful sad cher, To delyuer hym[hem St.] that abood. And somme that aforn hym stood, He made hem offycerys newe, ffor to serwen and be trewe With-Inne hys hous, in specyal To wayte vp-on the offycyal, And to helpe hym in hys nede; ffor who that wysly taketh hede, May se wel that thoffycyal May nat allone gouernen al, But he haue helpe, swych as hym ouhte. Now shal I tellë how he wrouhte: Thys Moyses, among hem all, ffyrst he gan ful lowdë calle Grace dieu, al be that she Was fastë by, wych, in hyr se Sat vp in hyr trone on hyh; Sche was nat ffer, but wonder nyh, And took good heed of euery thyng. (And al thys whyle beholdyng, I sat at hyr ffeet doun lowe.) Camb. MS. adds: When she herde hire cleped, she ros hire up with-oute abidinge, and wente hire to moyses, and with hire she ledde me. And thanne whan moyses sigh hire nyh him, he bi-gan to wexe more hardy, and fulliche dide that that j wole telle yow shortlyche, p. 16. And whan she sawe & gan knowe That she was callyd among echon,[St. & C.] She taryeth nat, but kam anoon[St. & C.] To Moyses ful evene & ryght;[St. & C.] And vn-to hym, with alle hir myght, She shewed hir-selff most frendely,[St. & C.] Wher-off he gan waxen hardy[St. & C.] Whan she was kome, and thowhte he was[St. & C.] Myghty & mor strong in thys caas To fulfyllen hys entent, Wych I, by good avysement, Shal vn-to yow shortly here Rehersen, yiff ye lyste to here. And Moyses, A-noon ryght than, Thus to werkyn he be-gan:[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Ther handys fyrst, as ye shal lere, Enoyntede, and closede hem yfere, 'And took to hem ful cler & bryht A swerd, the wych, vn-to my syht, Was thylkë same that Cherubyn Whylom held at Thentryng In At Paradys, who lyst to look; And keyës ek to hem he took, To kepe hem wel in ther entent. And al thys whyle was ther present Grace Dieu, I took good heede, To helpyn hem the bet to spede. Whom Moyses took hem also, And sayde, (I took good hed ther-to,) 'Syrs,' quod he, 'most off vertu, Seth her to-for yow, Grace Dieu I gyve hyr yow for morë[more St., mor C.] grace, That she may, in euery place, At allë tymës with yow be, Yiff yt be-falle sothly that ye Receyue hyre, as ye ouhtë do, With Ioyë & glad herte also, And kepe hyr with yow day be day, That she neuere parte a-way.' ¶ And whan I herde al thys yfere, I wex abaysshed in my chere; Seyde vn-to my sylff ryht tho, "Allas, now, what shal I do? Grace Dieu, I ha lost al; ffor I se how Thoffycyal Hath yowen hyre fro me away On thys syluë samë day, Vn-to thys hornyd folk in sothe,Cambr. and Fr. Prose reverse this: "thilke hornede hath given him to these newe officialles." p. 16. And with hem, fro me she goth.There is nothing in Camb. corresponding to the lines be|tween Nos. 2302 and 2344. p. 110, MS. Wherfor now I kan nat se Who shal delyueren vnto me Sherpe[Scryppe St.] or bordoun to my vyage, To helpe me in my pylgrymage, Wych she me hyhte thys other day." But thanne A-noon I took my way To-wardys hyre lyne Ryght, And Thoughtë pleynly that I myghte Seyn to hyre my fantasye, And my matere specefye; ffor sythe the tyme, ffer nor ner, That I was wasshe in the Ryver By hyre Aduocat, fayre & wel, I spak not with hyre neuere a del. And in the tyme off my wasshyng, The aduocat, by hyr byddyng, Spak for me in goodly wyse, As ye to-forn han herd devyse. Wher-fore I thouhte I wolde assaye[St. & C.] To speke to hire, & not delaye:[St. & C.] "Ma dame," quod I, "and yt yow plese,[St. & C.] I am falle in gret dysesse,[St. & C.] And dyscomforted in myn herte,[St. & C.] Whan I consydre and aduerte,[St. & C.] That Moyses gaff yow a-way;[St. & C.] Which Gyfft ys no thyng to my pay;[St. & C.] For yiff I wante yow, in certeyn[St. & C.] My pylgrymage ys but in veyn." Grace Dieu answereth: Quod Grace Dieu, 'yiff thow take hede, Thow hast verrayly in dede fforyete al that I ha the told. Wostow nat wel, to yong & old, That[Stowe] I wyl profyte what I mayNon subtrahet personam cuiusquam Deus quoni|am pusillum et magnum ipse fecit, et equaliter est illi cura de omnibus. Sa|pientie. v[i]o [5]. To[Stowe] all that go the ryhtë way; So that euery pylgrym shal At allë[alle St., al C.] tymes (lo her ys al) Me fynde redy, euere in on, In ther weye with hem to gon, To conveye hem, whan they ha nede. 'What! wenystow me to possede Thy sylff allonë, quyt & clene? Thow art a fool, yiff thow yt wene! The comoun profyt, fer & ner, Ys mor than profyt synguler To be preferryd, as I the telle. Sestow nat how a comoun welle Mor avaylleth (who looke wel,) Than doth A-nother seuerel? ffor, at a commoun welle, of ryht May fettë water euery whyht, Her thrust to staunchen & apese, And drawe yt at her ownë ese. Wher-as, a wellë cloos aboute, Wych for-barreth folk with-oute,[St. & C.] That no man neyë dar no ner,[St. & C.] Lyst they fellyn in daunger. 'And to purpos to expresse, I am welle of al goodnesse; Nat holdë cloos vn-to no wyht, But vn-to alle (of verray ryht) I am comwne and plentevous, And to profyte desyrous To goode pylgrymes euerychon, To forthre hem wherso they gon. 'And thogh I be comoun to alle That vn-to myn helpë calle, Thow mayst knowe & trustë wel Thow hast nat lost me neueradel; ffor ay with the I wyl abyde, And neuere partë fro thy syde: As longe as thow hast thè cast To ben a pylgrym stedëfast, So long thow shalt nat off me faylle To helpe in what I may avaylle.' ¶ Affter al thys, I confort took, That Grace Dieu me nat for-sook, But me coumfortede off hyr grace. And tho ryht in the syluë place I sawh Anoon, Dame Resoun Ascende to makë A Sarmoun In ta pulpet that ther stood. ¶ 'Syrs,' quod she, 'yt wer ryht good ffor your profyt, (yt ys no drede,) Off my sarmoun to taken hede. Ther was a swerd, yt ys no nay, Delyuered yow thys samë day, fforgyd sythë[sythe St., syth C.] go ful longe, To kepë thentre wonder stronge, And the passage of Paradys.Camb.: that no sinnere entrede into the cuntre of which he is lord. Now vnderstondeth what swerd it is, how it is perilouse to fooles, p. 17. At which tyme was noon so wys[St. & C.] That entre myghte, ner comen In,[St. & C.] But yiff it were by Cherubyn,[] Which at the gate was cheff porter,[St. & C.] Holdynge that swerd ful bryht & cler,[St. & C.] Folkys for to kepen oute.[St. & C.] 'And this swerd, yt ys no doute,[St. & C.] Was to ffoolys ful peryllous,[St. & C.] Swych as wern malycyous;[St. & C.] ffor they ther-by wer made afferd, And ypunysshed by that swerd. Lyk ther gyltys & trespace Thys swerd alway dyde hem manace. The wych swerd (who that kan se,) Ordeyned ys for thyngys thre:[St. & C.] To punysshe folk as they dysserue,[St. & C.] Poynt & egge, to hurte & kerue, And with the platte, among to spare, That ryht fro mercy be nat bare. 'The poynt yiveth fyrst entendementDiscrecio omni virtuti ordinem ponit, modum tribuit, decorem & perpetuitatem confert. Bernardus super Can|tica. That neuere no fynal Iugement, Nor hasty execucyoun, Be yove with-oute dyscrecioun, In causys nouther hih nor lowe Namly wher they be nat knowe: ffor he ys a fool, & ffoul hardy, That, off wenyng & surquedy, Hasty ys, hym sylff tavaunce, Off Ire for to do vengaunce, Or demen by suspecyon With-oute examynacyon. 'Swyche, I dar wel specefye, Do nat trewly occupye The swerd of ryghtful Iugëment. Thorgh ygnoraunce they be so blent, And, as a blynde man, so they werke, Stumblynge alway in the derke. Good from evel they kan not chese, Nor whot[woot St.] nat wher to saue or lese: Redy to hyndren & to deere, Swychë sholde no swerdys beere, That kan not knowen evel fro good, Nor whan ys tyme of letyng blood; Nor, kan nat dyscerne A-ryght— ffor ygnorance & lak off syht— At-wexen helthe & malladye; Nor, a-twen the meselrye Grettest, smallest, and the mene; He kan no dyfference atwene Newë syknesse nor the olde. 'But euery trewë Iugë sholde Weyen Iustly[Stowe.] in ballannce, Consydren euery cyrcumstaunceMout doit ains le iuge entendre 1102 Les circonstances du meffait, Que nul jugement en soit fait. p. 35. Off trespacys by avysëment, Or he yive any Iugëment. 'ffor thys word Glayve,Camb.: Swerd, as j fynde writen, is clepid departinge of throte, p. 17. (in sentence,) Verba translatoris. By record off Ianuence (Thys was nat ful yere agon) In hys book Catholicon Seyth, Glayve in French, (& wryteth thus,) Ys in Latyn Guladius,[Gladius St., Guladius C.] ¶ Gladius a gula dicitur, & generaliter dicitur Ensis in prelio; sed ensis tan|tum ferrum est / Gladius vero, totus sed proprie dicitur guladius, quia gulam dividit / & scias quod Mucro, ensis, gla|dius, spata sunt nomina synonima. Gula, a galla, greco dicitur / hec gula, -le, id est, = anterior pars colli; pos|terior dicitur Cervix.—C. & St. Sayd of gula, (as he put,) ffor that yt a-sonder kut The throte off a man a two:Glaive, si com truis en escript, 1105 Guele devisant, si est dit. p. 35. Thys Ianuence recordeth so; ffor throte yn Ynglyssh, (thys the ffyn,) Ys callyd Gula in Latyn, Wher-off Glayvë took hys name. Grameryens[Stowe] sëyn the same, For yt a-sondyr[Stowe] doth deuyde The partyes layde on euery syde,Camb.: For right that he hath herd allegge, he shulde do his jugement, and non oother wise, p. 18. Quar tout ainsi comme allignier 1110 Il a ouï, son iugement Doit il faire, non autrement. p. 35. Wher, save Right, ys[Stowe] no refuge. 'But first, every Right[Stowe]ful Iuge Sholde, by[Stowe] good avysëment, Or he gesse[Stowe] eny Iugëment, Discerne[Stowe] to-forn (with al hys myght), Seke and[Stowe] enqueryn out the ryght Off outher[Stowe] part in hys presence, Nat[Stowe] ben to hasty off sentence, Nor[Stowe] off hys doomys in no wyse. ¶ Also[Stowe] to yow I shal devyse, Wheroff the tweynë eggys serue, Off thys swerd, that kutte & kerue: ffor on allonë in no wyse[Stowe] By hym sylff may nat suffyse;Pour quoi. I. seul pas ne soufist 1115 Et quel enseignement i gist. Se vostre glaive avez pointu Par discretion, et agu. p. 36.[Stowe] ffor yiff yowr swerde forgyd off steel[Stowe] Be to-forn ypoynted wel, [Stowe] And sharpyd by dyscrecioun, [Stowe] Ye moste (off ryght & good resoun) Ther-with-al haue ryghtwysnesse, Vyces to reforme and dresse, On your sogectys (euere among,) Hem to correcte whan they do wrong. ffor vp-on trespacys & mysdede Ye ha lycence (yt ys no drede,) ffor to do correccyoun And couenable punycioun, Egal, as folk ha dysservyd, Except casys that be reservyd And with-holdë (soth to seyne,) To[Stowe] hym that hath the hornys tweyne: They be except vn-to hys hand. 'And thus departyd ys your land In double party, (thys no doute:) The Ton, the body ys with-oute, fflesshly, & redy vn-to synne; But the thother man with-inne[Stowe] Ys the soule & the spyryt,[Stowe] Wych in goodnesse hath most delyt. Thys the land, loke wel therto, That ye shal departe at[a Stowe] two, Atwyxë bothë, thogh that neuere, Whyl they lyuë, may dysseuere. 'And to thys tweynë, ansuerynge Ys thys swerd double-kervynge; Wher-with ye shal your wyt applye, Sowle & body to Iustefye, Whan ye sen yt be to do; As thus tak hed, I menë so: The Body, ffro hys synnes grete, Duely punyssheCamb.: To the bodi for his sinnes ye mown yiue trauaile, &c., p. 18. in cold & hete, Yive hym peyne, and ek penaunce, Consydred euery cyrcumstaunce: Travaylle, whan he ys to rage, Sende hym out on pylgrymage; Charge hym with fastyng & wakyng; So that alway answerynge The penaunce be to the trespace, Off equyte that yt not passe: ¶ Thus ye shal do, yiff ye be wyse. 'But in a-nother maner wyse Punysshen the spyryt ye shal also; As[And St.] thus: taketh good hed ther-to: In dyuers caas ye mot consydre, And peysen euery thyng to-gydre: Yiff he be proud or obstynat, Dysobeyynge or ellaat,Camb.: and wol not amende for ammestinge ye mown turne to the kervinge, p. 18. Hys trespace[Stowe] to amende, And ne[ne St.] lyst nat to entende To be redressed[Stowe] by meeknesse, And,[nor St.] thorgh pryde or Frowardnesse,[Stowe] Wyl takë no correccïon. Than may yow[ye Stowe] (in conclusyon) Tornen (to maken hym afferd,) The tother party off the swerd, Wych ys sharp, & whet ful kene, To wonde, & hurte, & parte atwene, And ful mortally to byte: Spareth nat ther-with to smyte, Lyk as ye may, by your power. 'Wherfor doth iustly your dever Sans Riens y aler espargnant. Naures, se pouez, mortalment, Par force . . . To smyte & hurte, for punysshyng,Camb.: Hurte hym ye mown dedliche bi the strok of curs|inge. And ther is no wounde so cruelle. For with-oute remedye it is dedlych, etc.; p. 18. By the sharpe strook of[Stowe] cursyng; ffor wounde nor hurte ys noon so[Stowe] fel Nor noon so mortal nor cruel[Stowe] Nor mor peryllous to be[Stowe] drad; ffor Remedy may noone[Stowe] be had, Nouther salue, That soor to sownde But by hym that gaff the wounde, Or by A-nother (in certeyn) That ys a-bove, mor souereyn, Wych hath an hand, power, & myght, Hym to recure, (of verray ryght,) Serche the soor with-Inne & oute. Wherfore he[he St., ye C.] sholde gretly doute, That so ys hurt, as I ha told, Wherso be he yong or old. Exaumple off the pereyl off cursyng.This story is absent from Camb. From l. 2559-2680 (p. 125 MS.) only occupies three lines of Camb. Nor is it in the French of Addit. MS. 22,937, the first version. ¶ And to purpos in especyal: Yt fyl that oon offycyal In-to a gardyn onys wente, To gadre cheryes off entente, The fayrest that he koudë se, And clamb ful hih vp on A tre. But shortly, in hys comyng doun, Yt ffyl thus, (in conclusyon,) That a braunche hys surplys hente, And the cloth a-sonder Rente, Wher-of in hert he wex ful wroth; And, or he any ferther goth, Thus he seyde vn-to the tre, "Now," quod he, "cursyd mote thow be!" And wente hym forth, fer nor ner, Tyl vn-to the nextë yer, To gadre cheryssh[Cheryes St.] he kam a-geyn, And found the tre drye & bareyn. Off wych thyng he wex al sad, And in hys hertë no thyng glad, Whan he remembrede how that he Hadde a-forn cursyd that Tre. Wher-of he repenteth sore, And, with-outen any more He seyde, (or he ferther wente,) "I the assoylle, in myn entente. God wot, I mentë no thyng so, So gretë[grete St., gret C.] vengaunce to ha do: I ha mysdon; for-gyue yt me, ffor the dyffaute was nat in the. My-sylff, I may the Rentyng whyte,[Rendyng wyte St.] I knowe yt wel, & the aquyte." And after the absolucyon Yt bar cheryes gret Foyson,[Foyson St., seyson C.] Laden with frut fynaly, ffor tweyne, yt bar almost twenty; And heet[And eet St.] hys fullë with glad cher, Affter, euere, fro yer to yer; And neuere forgate, in hys lyvyng, The sentencë off hys cursyng; ffor swych thyng, so as semeth me, Shulde nat lightly[Stowe] forgetyn be. 'ffor they be foolys, in certeyn, That Reklesly of cursyng seyn, How that a man that cursyd be, That afferme of skorn, that he Hath hetyn[etyn whyte St., hetyn whyt C.] hys sawle of whytë[etyn whyte St., hetyn whyt C.] bred. Off curs they take so lytel heed, Havyng no Reward, Thorgh ther synne, How the soule that ys with Inne Ys off gostly frut, certeyn, Wonder drye, and ek bareyn, By the swerd of curs confoundyd, And so mortally ywoundyd, That yt may profyt neuer a dele To berë[bere St., ber C.] frut (who lokë wel,) Of vertu, (I yow ensure,) ffor that yt lakketh moysture Off grace, wherby, (who kan espye,) Al vertuës fructefye. 'ffor wych, folk sholdë taken hede, The swerd of cursynge for to drede. I menë as thus specyally, Whan ther ys causë iustly why, And he that doth yt, hath power To execute yt fer & ner, By ordynarye auctoryte. But yet to-forn (yt semeth me) He sholde consydren (in hys syth[syght St.] Whan that he smyte, he smyte of ryht, And that hys causë be notable Or he procede to be vengable. ffor, I telle yow sykerly, No man ne smyteth duelly, With the sharpë for to kerue, But he to-forn ful wel obserue That he ferst with the platte assay, In goodly wysë, what he may, Al that ys mys,[a mys St.] for to redresse: ffor by the platte, I ther[dar St.] expresse Off thys swerd, and specefye, Prudent a-wys[avys St.] in prelacye, With good & trewe avysëment. 'And fyrst, that he, in good entent, By trewë Ammonycyon And fructuous predicacyon, Or he smyte by violence, To letë passë the sentence, The evele to smyten[smyten St., smyte C.] in sparynge, And spare hem also in smytynge. Thys was of Ihesu the doctryne, In whom lyth al the[oure St.] medycyne Off deth, whan men be woundyd so. '6 And taketh alway heed her-to, To vse the plattë, nyh & ferre, Whan ye se your sogettys erre, Alder-fyrst; I menë thus, With doctrynë vertuous Techë, preche, & so begynne ffor to make hem leve ther synne. ¶ Yiff ye may folkys so[to St.] recure That be woundyd, I yow ensure,Doctrina bona dabit gratiam. prouerbiorum. 13o (v. 15) Ther grevous woundys to allegge, Bet ys the plattë than the egge. ffor echë leche that wel kan werche, Namly lechys of the cherche, That han manhys[mannys St.] sowle in cure With plat they sholdë fyrst recure, Rather than with the sharpë wounde,66_6 The following 16 lines English are 6 French ones of the first cast: De ce plat vser vous deuez Quant vos subies errer veez: Sermouner et bien prescher, Fait maintes fois peche laissier: S'ainsi les pouez garantir, Mieulx vault que du tranchant ferir. By ther charge, as they ar bounde. 'Now haue ye herde[Stowe] & ye lyst se How ye shal vsen allë[Stowe] thre, The plat, the sharpe, & eke the poynt, I haue yow told, fro poynt to poynt; And rehersyd ek also In divers caas how ye shal do; Somtyme Iugë by vengaunce, Somme punysshë by penaunce, Entrete sommë with ffayrnesse, Somme chastysë with sharpnesse, And for that skyle, the swerd, ywys, Ys y-callyd Versatylis;[Versatile et variable, Add. Gladius versatilis / Genesis (iii.24), C. & St.] Wych ys to seyn, (oute of doute,) A thyng that men mowe[may St.] torne abowte, Now the platte, (who kan take hede,) And [Stowe] the sharpe, whan yt ys nede. 'And for thys skyles, off resoun Yt ys yput in your bandoun, Ay to be redy, (as yt ys skyle,) ffor to tourne yt at your wyl. Ther-to ye han power & myght, As the caas wyl suffre off ryht, Off verray trouthe & equyte. 'And for that skylë, sothly ye, That in yow ther be no blame, Therfor ye trewly ber the name 5Cherubin, fful of scyence And off dyvynë sapyence, ffor mysterye that ys ther-In.55_5 Cherubim, plain de science, Et de diuine sapience. Add. 'ffor yiff ye wer nat Cherubin, Thys to seyne, in your werkyng Yiff ye ne haue nat ful konnyng, Ye myghte do ful gret outrage, Ryght gret harme, & gret damage; In stede off the platte & pleyn, Tournen the sharpë egge in veyn Correcte a causë grene & newe, Deme, or ye the trouthë knewe, Off hast, with-outë good a-vys, Wych ys contrayre to your offys. ffor in the hand (yif yt be souht,) Off a fool that kan ryght nowht, A swerd ne sholdë nat be take, Ryghtful doomys for to make; And in the hand off men yrous, To take a swerd ys peryllous. ffor thys swerd (yiff ye takë hede,) Was bryht brennyng as the glede On euery part & euery syde, With flawme perpetuelly tabyde, To yow ytake, (take hed ther-to,) Off Grace Dieu nat longe ago. And cause why, of the brennyng, Yiff ye lyst to have knowelichyng, Was, that ye sholde, lyk your degre Ben ay in love & charyte; ffor loue brennyng in your desyr Ys shewyd by the bryghtë fyr; And so to speke, in wordys fewe, Ye sholde alway your syluen shewe ¶ Wyth cherysshyng ffyr of plesaunce;Ignem veni mittere in terram; & quid volo nisi vt accendatur. (Luc. xii. 49.) ffor, yt wer a great meschaunce Yff[MSS. Off.] Ire, in stede of charyte, Brent your hertys, (as semeth me.) Swych ragë ffyr (shortly to telle,) Was kyndlyd ffyrst, and kam from helle, And to your swerd, I dar Recorde, Noon swych fyr may nat accorde. 'Now haue I told (ye sen yt wel,) Touchyng thys swerd euerydel; Why ye yt bere, & skylë why.[St. & C.] ffor ye be porterysFr. Portier estes, se ni est aduis, Du Roiaulme de paradis. From Camb.: Porteres ye ben, as me thinketh, of the kyngdom of heuene. verrayly[St. & C.] Off the rewme of Paradys,[St. & C.] Lych cherubin, prudent & wys.[St. & C.] And the keyes ye han also[St. & C.] To shette the gatys, & vndo;[St. & C.] With-outë yow ther entreth noon, Nor may in at the gaatys gon, With-Inne to haue hys mansyoun. 'Seyn Peter (of entencyoun) Hath mad yow (yiff ye vnderstonde,) Hys vnderlegatys, ther to stonde, To kepe the passage & entre; And at the gatë for to se Trussellys, ffardellys, in that place. Or any marchaunt in may passe, He mvste vntrusse hem & vnbynde, That no thyng be lefft be-hynde. How sore aforn that they yt close, ye muste hem make yt to vnclose By trewë reuelacyon And enter[Entere (entire) St.] confessyon. 'Wherfor tak kep, & beth ryht wys, And seth to-forn, by good a-vys, The swerd, the keyës ek also, How ye ha take hem bothë two; And lat noon passë, (loketh wel,) But he vnclosë hys fardel. And also that ye wel provyde To cerche hem wel on euery syde, Thys synful folk, with pakkys large. Beth besy ay, hem to dyscharge; And weyeth wysly in balaunce, Consydryng euery circumstaunce, By good delyberacyon Demynge, in your dyscrecyon, Your verray name, & what ye hihte. And consydreth in your syhte, To dyscerne, in euery place, Affter the gylt & the trespace, To chargë synnerys, & constreyne, Mekly for to suffre peyne, And enioyne hem ther penaunce. 'And whan ye sen ther répentaunce Ye may to swych, erly & late, Opne duëly the gate Off Paradys, of verray ryht, By iustë tytle, thorgh your myght. 'Lo, her the sygnyfycacion, And trewë demonstracion Off swerd & keyës, bothe yfere, Shortly, (yiff ye[yow St.] lyst to lere,) I ouerpasse & late yt gon, By-causë folkys many on Han her-to-forn (who lokë wel,) Declaryd the mater euerydel, And what they tokne in ther wrytyng: Consydreth thys in euery thyng; Looke that ye yow nat excuse Your offyce trewly for to vse, So as ye ouhtë dyscretly.' [The Pilgrim.] Camb. MS. has: But to what ende j shulde come, ther-of j hadde nowht yit thouht. It is thing bifallith ofte, p. 20. And whan that Resoun fynally Hadde told hyr tale, I herde al wel, And consydred euerydel, Talent I hadde, & gret desyr 3To haue that swerdë,[swerde St., swerd C.] bryht as ffyr, And the keyës eke y-ffere, Off entent (as ye shal here,) That I myghte ben an huissher,Hostiarius Or at the gate a porter, The passage to kepe of ryht Ther-on tawaytë[Stowe] day & nyht: This fantasye[Stowe] fyl in my thouht; But, God wot, I wystë nouht,[Stowe] Nor knewe ful lytel (at the leste), What was the ffyn of my requeste, Nor took but lytel heed ther-to.33_3 Dauoir ce glaive flamboiant, Auecques les clefz, pour estre huissier Du dit passaige, et portier; Mais ad quel fin de ce venroie, Encore pas pensé n'y auoie.(5 French lines of the 1st cast puft out into 12 English, as usual.) And offtë tyme yt falleth so, That A man hath wyl ta thyng Wych neuere ys brouht to noon endyng, As men may offtë sythës se. ffor yiff the sonys of zebedee Hadde madd[made St.] ther askyng ryhtfully They hadde ben herd ful hastyly: Off ther askyng, (as ye may lere,) And off al that they gan requere, Yt was ytornyd other wyse Than they, aforën,[aforn C., afforne St.] gan devyse: In the gospel ye may yt se And evene lyk yt ffyl of me, Whan I to Moyses gan gon, Besechyng hym that he, A-noon Woldë graunte,[graunten St.] lyk myn askyng, The swerd and keyes to my kepyng, Off hem frely to haue vsage, ffor to kepen the passage. But whan that he had herd me wel, He fulfyllede neuereadel Lych the purpos of myn askyng, Nor thentent off my thynkyng: The swerd[swed C., swerde St.] he took me in myn hond, But (as ye shal vnderstond,) Commyttyd so to my depoos That yt was alway styllë cloos In the skawberk, as I ha sayd, Wheroff I was nat wel apayyd.[apeyde St.] The keyës also, stronge & wel Bounde & closyd vnder seel; And al was don off hih prudence, That I sholde hauë[haue St., ha C.] no lycence To vsen hem at lyberte, But yiff I hadde auctoryte ffrom hem that hadden al the charge. ffor yiff I vsede hem at large Mor than my power was or ys, As I was tauht, I dyde amys. Wher-off I was, ay mor & more Abaysshed, & astonyd sore, And specyally (to speke in pleyn,) That I to-forn haddë nat seyn Som other folk yboundë so, In cas semblable as I was tho; Thynkyng (in myn entencyoun) That I woldë to[wolde vnto St.] Resoun Holden my way, off hyre tenquere, And the causë iustly lere Off al thys thyng, for mor certeyn; And thus she Answerde me ageyn: Resoun Answerd: 'My ffayrë ffrend,' a-noon quod she, 'Lych as I consydre & se, Thy wyt ys blont & dul som del, That thow mayst nat se ryht wel; And thogh thow haue at skolë be, Thow hast nat ther (as semeth me,) Lernyd gret wyt, nor bore a-way; And specyaly (I dar wel say,) Thow hast nat lernyd, for al thy wyt, predicamentum[Fr. Le predicament] ad aliquid. ffor thys predicament, sothly, Hath hys beholdyng (fynaly) Vnto som other maner thyng Than to hym sylff, as in werkyng Makyng (in conclusïon,Il fait son edifiement Sur aultruy tous moult sagement.)[St. & C.] Hys ground & hys fundacyon[St. & C.] Vp-on A-nother grounde, in soth:[St. & C.] Thys predicament alway so doth.[St. & C.] ffor what he hath (tak heed, my brother,)[St. & C.] Nat off hym-sylff, but off a-nother He taketh yt, to be mor strong, And to no whiht ne doth no wrong. 'And bere a-way thys in thy thouht, That yt were ytold for nouht, But he hys power (to speke in pleyn,) Tooke off A-nother (in certeyn); ffor off hym sylff yt may not be. Exaumple I wyl now lernë the That with thyn eynë mor clerly Thow mayst be-holde yt openly. 'Whan God Almyghty (yiff yt be souht,) Al thys world hadde maad off nouht, (As clerkys wel rehersë kan,) To-forn or he had makyd man, (Tak hed & lokë prudently,) He was ycallyd but God only, Yiff Genesis ne lyë nouht.dixit deus. Genesis io capitulo (3, 6, &c.). But A-noon as man was wrouht, (Tak hed & markë wel thys word,) Than was he callyd God & Lord,Plantauerat Dominus Deus (Paradisum). Genesis 2o (8). In tookne, (who that kan obserue,) He made[hadde St.] a seruaunt hym to serue, Tho was he Lord, havynge lordshepe. And yet (who that taketh kepe,) Hys lordshepe was nat mor at al As ben thys lordys temporal, Gretter off domynacyon Whan they han in subieccyon Peplys at her lust to-beye[tobeye St.]: ffolk ar wont than[ffolke . . . thanne St.] to seye, That ther seruauntys & meyne Yiveth them power & powstee; So that (in conclusïon,) Ther myght & domynacyon, Off ther sogettys fyrst doth sprynge, And ys engendryd in werkyng. ffor yiff ther sogettys wer put away, Ther lordshepe (I dar wel say,) Sholde faylle, & ther power; And sogettys, wych they haven[havethe St.] her To serven hem, and to obeye, Sholde ek fayll, I dar wel seye; ffor lordshepe pleynly[pleynly om. St.] ther wer noon, Yiff ther seruauntys wer agon. The name off servaunt ek also, Yiff that lordshepe wer ago, Muste ek faylle, as thow mayst se; ffor nouther party may nat be With-outen other (yt ys no drede). 'By wych exaumple (who taketh hede,) Lordshepe ys sayd especyally Off seruauntys; & ek trwly Seruauntys also namyd be Off lordshepe, in ther degre. And thus ys sayd, (haue thys ther-wyth,) Predicamentum ad aliquid. ffor eche off other hath gynnyng, And ys on other dependyng. Whan the Ton ys, than ys the tother; ffor yt ne may nat be noon other; Whan the Ton faylleth, ek also They muste ffayllë bothë two. ¶ Vnderstond wel thys lesson, How thou[How thou St.] art in subieccyon;Camb. MS. continues: subiecte to oothere and thou hast no subiect. Thi souereyn, what euere he be, p. 21. Consydre how thow art ysett[St. & C.] Vnder a-nother, and soget[St. & C.] To hym, and mvstest hym obeye[St. & C.] Wych hath also (I dar well saye)[St. & C.] Vpon the(e) Iurediccyon, Power & domynacyon, As thy souereyn, what-euere he be. 'But o thyng deceyveth the: Thow hast no sogetys as hath he; ffor wych thyng (consydre & se,) Thow fayllest & art put a-bak. And in swych caas, thow hast gret lak To haue the swerd, bryht and cler, Commyttyd vn-to thy power, Out of the skawberk, yt to vse. Yt wer but veyn for the to muse Ther-vp-on, or gruchche ageyn. 'The keyës also in certeyn, Thow mayst nat han hem, nor possede But vnder seel, (yt ys no dred.) The swerd also, (yt ys no dovte,) Yiff that yt wer drawen oute, Thow sholdest ther-with do ryht nouht. ffor yiff the trouthë be wel souht, Thow hast yt nouht in thy demeyne No thyng for to part at-weyne,[in tweyne St.] Nouther to keruë nor to smyte. And shortly, (yiff I shal endyte,) Bet wer to the, Touchyng swych werk, To kepe yt cloos in the skauberk Than folyly thy-sylff to bolde, Out off the skauberk yt to holde; ffor ffolkys woldë deme off ryht, Ther-off whan they hadde a syht, Yt wer no wysdom, but foly, And a maner Surquedy, Whan they be-heldë euerydel, The keyes nat closyd vnder seel,[seell St., el C.] Syth thow (with-outen any glose,) Mayst nouther shettë nor vnclose, Yt longeth nat to thyn offys. 'ffor wych, lernë to be wys, And se how they wer taken cloos, And vnder seel in thy depoos, Knet & boundë faste & strong, That thow with hem ne do no wrong. Thy power ferther doth nat strecche, Wher-off thow sholdest no thyng rechche, Yiff thow wer wys, as semeth me. 'And Tak also good heed, & se, Off al that I to-forn ha sayd: Thow sholdest be ryht wel a-payd Off thy power, & nat ne stryve, Thogh thow neuere in al thy lyve Haddest no lordshepe mor at al. And for to speke in specyal, Yt ouhte ynowh to the suffyse, As I shal to the devyse, Thy-sylff for to gouerne a-ryht,Nota. St. Dyschargyd off euery other whyht. Than artow prudent, doutëles; And for thys skylë, Moyses,— 'Wych in hys tyme was wys & old,— Took hem to the, as I ha told, To fyn only (to speke in pleyn) That he, as lord & souereyn, May, whan hym lyst, as thow shalt lere, Whan that tyme doth yt[yt doth St.] requere, The keyës closyd vnder sel, He may to the vnbyndë wel; The swerd also, by tytle of lawe, Makë that thow shalt yt drawe Out off the skauberk, fer nor[ne St.] ner, Lych as thow hast off hym power,[St. & C.] Sogett alway to hys sentence[St. & C.] And as the caas graunteth lycence.[St. & C.] Hys power he may commytte[St. & C.] To the, ffro wych thow mayst nat flytte.[St. & C.] ffor as I shal to the devyse, Yiff thow dydyst other wyse Thow sholdest offende ful gretly, Pereyl off deth except only, Wych ys a cause evydent That thow mayst wel (& nat be shent,) The swerd ydrawe, (tak hed her-to,) And the keyes vnbynde also. ffor nede & gret necessyte Lycence[Stowe] grauntyd vnto the Plentevously, & ek vsage,[Stowe] Consydryd with the surplusage, Pre-supposyd ther be no whyht To whom the offyce sholde of ryht Appertene off duete. I menë thus,—tak hede[hed C., hede St.] & se; Marke yt wel in thyn entent,— That he be[be thar C., be St.] nat ther present Wych halt the swerd (now vnderstond,) Bare & nakyd in hys hond, And the keyes vnbounde also, Off ryht, as he ouhtë do, Thys he that haueth pleyn power, (Who kan looke with eyen cler,) And haueth Iurediccyon Above, & domynacion, And ys the ryght ful relatyff, To whom, with-outë noyse or stryff, Thow art soget, & vnder put To hym allone: & trewly, but Thow hym obeye, thow art Coupable;[Stowe] ffor yiff thow, in cas semblable, Haddest sogettys vnder the, Thow myhtest wel (lyk thy degre,) Don as he doth[hath St.] in allë thyng, And fulfyllë in werkyng. Thanne folwede yt a-noon forth-wyth, Thy power wer Ad aliquid; But thow hast noon, (as semeth me,) Wheroff thow ouhtest glad to be, And in thyn hertë ful Ioyous.' The pylgrym argueth: From 1. 3072 to 1. 3230 is absent from Camb. MS.'Ma dame,' quod I, 'most vertuous, (Yiff ye lyst to herë me,) I have seyn, & alday se, Som folkys (in conclusyon) That hadden in subieccïon Sogetys noon, nor gouernance, And yet they dyde hem sylff avaunce, And wer ther-off no thyng afferd, Nakyd for to bere the swerd. To whom also yt ys wel founde That the keyës wer nat bounde, But redy euere (beth wel certeyn,) Tvnshetten & to shette ageyn Lokkys echon (yt ys wel wyst,) And entrede whan that euere hem lyst. At allë tyme they be redy, Shette and vnshette hardyly. The cause to me vn-knowen ys;¶ De mendicantibus loquitur. St. om. C. And yet I dar affermë thys, They ha no mor power than I; ffor wych they han, al sodeynly, Astonyd myn oppynyoun. ffor yiff ther be Relacyoun Yfoundë there, I dar wel say That yt ys ystole a-way.' 1Resoun Answereth. Resoun answerde ageyn to me: 'Take heed / and vnderstond,' quod she, 'The Formere off the high hevene, And maker / off the Sterres Sevene1[1_1] Hath so ordeyned / allë thynges,[C. & St.] That they shal, in her meuynges,[C. & St.] Holden ther cours / swyfft or soffte,[C. & St.] Lyk as the bodyes hih a-loffte,[C. & St.] Lyst ordeynë, (who kan knowe,)[C. & St.] So that erthly thyngës lowe[C. & St.] Receyvë dysposicyons[dysposiciouns St., dys . . sicyons C.] Off hem, & ek impressiouns, To be gouernyd (in sentence) Affter the hevenly influence, Dyversly, ech in hys kynde, Who[Stowe] the causys kan out fynde Off[Stowe] ther dyuers mocyouns Thorgh naturel Inclynaciouns.[Stowe] ¶ Yet for al thys, yt lettyth nouht, But that the Lord, wych al hath wrouht, Hath lordshepë sovereyne, What hym lyketh to ordeyne, As the Lord most pryncypal With-outen any mene at al: In heuene, Erthe, or in the se, So as hym lyst, yt mustë be. Off hevenly bodyes cyrculer, He stant no thyng in ther daunger; But he may do, thys myghty kyng, What-euere hym lyst, in hys werkyng, hih a-loffte, & her don[dovn St.] lowe, Thogh the hevene no-thyng knowe The Influence of hys power, Wych ys so myghty & entér, That no whyht may yt comprehende 'How fer hys power doth extende, Was neuere yet noon so gret clerk. 'And thogh the heuene, touchyng his wark[his wark St., om. C.] Hadde any maner knowelychyng To comprehendyn hys werkyng, Yt sholdë nat so hardy be To gruchche ageyn hys deyete. But I[I St., to C.] speke in wordys pleyn, Humblely with Davyd seyn Touchyng hys myght wych doth excelle, 'Lat the heuene hys glorie telle, Hys laude, hys honour, & preysyng, And yive worshepe to hys werkyng.Celi enarrant gloriam Dei. St., om. C. And also (in hys best entent) Lat also the fyrmament Hys handwerk devoutly preyse, And day-by-day hys honour Reyse In laude & prys ful many fold.' 'But causë why that I ha told Thys thyng to the thus,[thus C., om. St.] by-&-by, I shal reherse the cause her why. The hihë hornyd, most holy, Callyd in erthë comounly Off God the chosë cheff vyker, And hys placë kepeth[kepte St.] her, And doth yt pleynly occupye,— The wych, no man wyl denye;— Yet thogh thys vyker, aboue echon Haue power off yore agon, Aboven euerych other whyht, And wolde the cours (of verray ryht) Off hys myghty excellence Wher[were St.] doun shad by influence To other lowere of degre Commytted from hys souereyn se, Whom he ordeyneth her & yonder By commyssyon to be vnder 6Hys high power by Ordynaunce For to haven Governaunce (Who that kan the trouthë seke) 'To bere the swerd, and keyës eke, So that by her dyscrecion And prudent6[6_6] mediacyon All thynge vnder ther myghte[C. & St.] Wer gouernyd wel by Ryht,[C. & St.] Wych to hem dooth[to hem dooth St., om. C.] apertene Vnder entent pur & clene, Affter the bond off ther offys. 'But nat for-thy, yet for al thys, Ther ys no causë but that he Wych that hath the souereynte, The cheff vyker above echon, Off verray ryght, & other noon, Ys curat (in conclusïoun, With-oute al mediacïoun,) Ouer crystys[Crystene St.] folkys alle. Yt may noon other-wysë falle, Off verray ryght, I the ensure. Al-be that he, vnder hys cure Haue set by hy[his St.] commyssyon, Somme folkys of relygyon, Hys offys to excersyce Vnder hym in sondry wyse; Hem establysshed, with power large, ffor to helpe hym ber hys charge; In hys name, or[and St.] elles nouht ffor what they do, or what ys wrouht, ffro hym the power ys descendyd, The wrong by hym mot be amendyd, Yiff ther be any in ther werkyng. 'And therfore, touchyng thys thyng, (To seyn shortly, & nat tarye,) They be nat but ordynarye, Commyttyd, ther offys for to do, Thogh thow sest hem bothë two Ber swerd And keyës in ther hond Naked & vnclosyd; yet vnderstond, They ha nat stole hem, fer nor ner, ffor they haddë pleyn power Off the vyker pryncypal, 'Wych aboue gouerneth al, That gaff to hem ther power with Predicamentum ad aliquid. They tooke yt (who consydereth al) Off hys gyffte in especyal; And whan hym lyst, (yt ys no nay) He may ageyn take yt away, Whan that he seth tyme & place. ffor thyng that grauntyd ys off grace May be Restreyned[St., restey . . C.] efft ageyn In many caas, be wel certeyn. And thogh thow haue no swyche power, Thow sholdest, with al thyn herte enter, To Ihesu Cryst, in thyn entent, Thanke of that he hath the sent; fferther nat medle than thyn offys; ffor I holde, he ys nat wys, That in medlyng ys mor large Than the boundys of hys charge.' Off the Sacrament off the Awhter: And whan thys lady, Dame Reson, Touchyng myn oppynyon, Hadde declaryd vnto me, Ryht forth-with I dydë se, (As I be-held tho douteles,) That the hornyd Moyses Shope hym Ryght as any lyne To make redy & go dyne, And hys mete ek redy make. And tho, good heed I gan take How hys mete (pleynly to deme,)[C. & St.] Was other than yt dydë seme;[C. & St.] And off ó thyng, as I took heed,[C. & St.] Ther was no thyng but wyn & bred,[C. & St.] The wych wer nat to hys entent;[C. & St.] ffor tho he haddë gret talent To etyn fflesshe, in hys delyt, And blood ek in hys appetyt, ffor to dyfface the oldë[olde St., old C.] lawe, And the Ryytys ther-off with-drawe; Wych lawe (as I vnderstood,) Bad men they sholde ete no blood.Cave ne sanguinem comedas. St., om. C. But Moyses—in hys entent, Contrayre to that comandement, To helpyn hym Among hem alle,—[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Grace Dieu be-gan to calle; And she kam forth A-noon ryht. And ther I sawh a wonder syht, Mor merveyllous than euere aforn I hadde seyn syth I was born. ffor ther I sawh, (as I took heed,) In-to Rawh fflesshë, tornyd bred; Grace Dieu ordeynede yt so. And wyn (I took good heed ther-to,) Was tornyd ek in-to Red blood. The wych (so as I vnderstood,) Sempte of a lambe, as thouhtë me. And, as A man curteys & fre, Hys offycerys he gan calle,[Moyses St., om. C.] And bad they sholdë komen alle[St. & C.] Vn-to dyner; & ek hem tolde The maner hooly how they sholde Han myght & power enterly ffor to maken al redy The dyner al so wel as he, At duë tyme, in ther degre. And as they weryn at dyner, To hem he gaff pleynly power To maken (in conclusïon) That merveyllous mutacion, Bred in-to flesshe, wyn in-to blood. And off that foode (I vnder-stood) He Gaff to etyn to hem alle (Wych to-forn he dydë calle,) Thys newë metë most vnkouth, Mynystrng yt in-to ther mouth. With hem, hym-sylff he heet also, And of the blood he drank ther-to. I sawh yt with myn Eyen cler. But swych a merveyllous dyner Ne was neuere a-forn yseyn, Nor neuere (that I herdë seyn,) Ne was no swych mutacyon, Nor off so wonderful Renoun. But whan I hadde be-holden al, I tornede me A-noon with-al To-ward that lady dame Resoun, Makynge to hyr thys questyoun: The pylgrym:[St. (leaf 63) adds 'Asked'] 'Ma dame,' quod I, 'I yow preye That ye to me lyst to seye: What semeth yow, telle on pleynly.' Resoun koude nat answere. 'Certys,' quod she, 'that wyl not I,[St. & C.] ffor ther-of I kan no thyng;[St. & C.] Yt passeth myn vnderstandyng,[St. & C.] My wyt also, & ek my mynde.[St. & C.] To sen, myn Eyen ben to blynde;[St. & C.] I se no mor ther-off then thow;[St. & C.] And I am so astonyd now, Mor than euere I was a-fore,[St. & C.] Syth tymë that I was bore. ffor yiff that she (I dar wel say) Hadde ymakyd off an Ay[de ouo C. & ] A bryd with ffethres for the flyht, Or that she haddë, thorgh hyr myght, Off a lytel barly greyn Makyd an Er large & pleyn, Thys ylkede[For 'thys ylke'?] Ornede Moyses, I wolde han be stylle & in pes, And ther-off han take noon heed. But [s]he[he C. & St.] hath mad Rauwh fflessh of bred, Wherof I am falle in rage. And also of that beuerage, That [s]he[he C. & St.] hath tornyd wyn to blood, My sylff beholdyng, ther I stood, Ageyn the custom of nature. And trew[ë]ly, I the ensure, That I shal no lenger dwelle, But to Nature the trouthë[trouthe St., trouth C.] telle, And sendyn hyre to be A-wreke To Grace Dieu, with hyr to speke, With cher boystous, wordys nat ffayre, Vnto whom she ys contrayre. ffor she hath, (yiff I shal not lye,)[Grace Dieu St.] Off pryde only, & surquedye, Lyft the custom & vsage, And off nature the passage Transcendyd pleynly, & the boundys; And in dede, ek yt founde ys That she hath, of force & myght,[St. & C.] Broke hyr franchyse & hyr ryht.' The Pylgrym: And whan Resoun hadde told me thys, Sche A-noon retournyd ys In-to hyr tour vp hih ageyn. And thanne A-noon, vp-on the pleyn I sawh a lady off gret age, The wych gan holden hyr passage Towardys Gracë Dieu in soth, And off hyr port I-rous & wroth, And hyr handys ek of pryde Sturdyly she sette a syde. Hyr Eyen ek (I took good hede,) Brennyng bryht as any glede; Wonder large off hyr feature,[Stature St.] (Feature = make, build) Trowynge that she was Nature: And so she was, thys lady old, ffor Resoun hadde vn-to me told Hyr maner and condycioun. And, to myn inspeccïoun, Sche was redy for to stryve, ffor Anger dyde hyr hertë Ryve Atweyne, in purpos for to chyde; Hyr handys set vnder hyr syde. And vn-to Gracë Dieu A-noon Thys oldë[olde St., old C.] lady ys forth gon; And Rudly fyrst she gan abrayde, And vn-to Gracë Dieu she sayde: [6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] 1 'Dame,' quod she / Right of Entent /Camb. MS. reads: 'Lady,' quod she, 'to yow j come to chide, for to defende myn owen. Wennes cometh it yow for to remeue myne ordinaunces?' Camb., p. 24. 'As yee stonden / her present, Wher-so that yee / be leeff1[1_1] or loth, With youre gouérnaunce I am wroth, That ye be bold, in any wyse ffor to medle of my fraunchyse. And I am kome, as ye may se, To dyffende my lyberte. Vn-to yow yt ys nat due My ordynauncys to remeue. Record I take off allë wyse, Yt outhe ynowgh to yow suffyse The party that ye han ytake, And no maystryës for to make In the boundys that I kepe. 'ffor, thogh ye han[haue St.] the lordshepe Off the heuene & euery spere, And off the sterrys bryht & clere, And off the planetys hih a-loffte, Somme swyfft & sommë soffte Holdyng ther cours & ther mevyng, And as ye lyst in allë thyng They stonden all in your demeyne, Ther cours, as ye lyst, ordeyne. Ouer hem ye han the souereynte; And yiff I woldë medle me Towchyng ther cours, or how they goth, With me ye woldë be ful wroth, And my presumpcïon despyse. And I, ryht in the syluë wyse, Yiff ye medlede wrongfully Touchyng the boundys of my party, Ther to cleyme off me lordshepe, My fredam I woldë kepe. Rather than suffren any wrong, I woldë deye, thogh ye be strong; 'Trusteth thys ryght wel at al.[C. & St.] 'And declare to yow I shal,[C. & St.] Now that ye & I be met,[C. & St.] The trewë boundys that be set[C. & St.] Atwyxe vs tweyne, syth go ful long, That noon to other do no wrong; Wych to yow I shal devyse, And declarë the fraunchyse Off outher part, yiff ye lyst lere, That noon ne medle, fer nor nere, To have lordshepe off othrys ryht, Nouther by forcë nor by myght. 'And yiff ye lyst to lerne yt sone, The cercle off the coldë moone, Atwyxen yow & me for evere The boundys trewly doth dysseuere, And yiveth to euerych hys party;3o metho' St., om. C. Yiff ye lyst look Ryghtfully[Ryghfully C.] As I shal declare now: Luna diuidit inter comptabilia & inco|ruptabilia, quia omnia que sunt super lunarem globum incoruptibilia sunt, que vero sub ipsa, coruptibiliaC.; St. has wrongly 'Incoruptibilia.' sunt. The hiher part longeth to yow, Wher ys your lordshepe & your myght, And ye may ther (off verray ryght) Maken thyngës fresshe of hewe, And whan ye lyst, transforme hem newe; Your power ys so vertuous; ffor thogh ye madë dame Venus A best with hornys sharpe & hard, I wolde ther-to ha no Reward. And thogh that ye, (yt ys no fayl,) Off Mercuryë made a snayltestudo &c. I woldë me nat putte in pres To gruchche, but kepe me stylle in pes; ffor ther I cleyme no maner ryht. 'But her by-nethe, ys al my myght; [myght St., mygh C.] Off ellementys I am maystresse,Natura naturata, motumota St. movens. Lady also & pryncesse Off wyndys and inpressyouns,[St. & C.] And makë transmutacyouns,[St. & C.] Many wonder varyance.[St. & C.] 'ffor I ha the gouernaunce[St. & C.] Off fyr, of heyr, (as ye may se,)in primo celo & mundo[St. & C.] Off erthe, and off the largë se, Off ther accord & ther debate; I leue no thyng in on estat, But makë eche thyng, by declyn, ffor to drawë to hys ffyn. I make alday thyngës newe The olde, refresshyng off her hewe. The erthe I clothë, yer by yer, And refresshe hym off hys cher Wyth[Stowe] many colour of delyte, Blewh[Stowe] & grenë, Red & whyt, At prymë temps, with many a flour. And al the soyl, thorgh my fauour Ys clad of newe; medwe & pleyn And hillës hih, ek spyce & greyn I makë to enspyre soote, And do the bawme, out of the Rote In-to the crop a-ryse & sprynge. 'And in-to trëes ek I brynge Ther lusty blosmys whyte & rede; And in ther braunchys ek I sprede A-brood myn fresshë vestymentys, And with myn vnkouth paramentys I clothë ham wyth buddys glade, Wych, with wynter, dede I made, Thorgh constreynt of hys coldys kene, Tornyng to russet al the grene With fretyng of hys bytter cold. 'But al that wynter maketh old, And with hyr stormys doth desteyne, I make yt fresshe & yong ageyn; The bromys with ther golden floure,[C. & St.] That wynter madë (with hys shour)[St. & C.] Nakyd and bare, dedly of hewe,[St. & C.] With levys I kan cloth hem[hem St., hym C.] newe; And off the feld the lyllyes ffayre, And off herbys many a payre, That wynter slowh with hys constreynt, 'And made hem of ther colour ffeynt, ffor no cost, me lyst not spare, But ther Rychesse I do repare,— Whan hete off cold hath the[the om. St.] victorye,— That Salomon in al hys gloryeNec Salomon in omnia gloria sua. Mathei 6o (vi. 29). Was nat clad (I dar wel sey) Halff so freschly as ben they; Nor hys robës wer nat lyche Off colour to the busshes Ryche, Wych be clad in my lyffree, ffro yer to yer, as ye may se.The passage contained in ll. 3451-3492 extends over not quite six lines in Camb. It runs thus: The eerthe is of my robes, and in prime temps alwey j clothe it. To the trees j yeue clothinge and apparamens ayens somer. And sithe j make dis|poile hem ayen ayens winter, for to kerue hem oother robes and kootes seemynge alle newe, ther is neither brembel ne broom ne oother tre that j ne clothe ayen. Was neuere Salomon clothed with suich a robe as is a bush, p. 24. 'And who that taketh hed ther-to, Al thyng that men se me do, I do by leyser, by and by: I am nat Rakel nor hasty; I hate, in myn oppynyouns,Subitas mutaciones odit natura Al sodeyn mutacyouns; My werkys be the bettre wrouht, Be causë that I hastë nouht: I take recórd of dame Reson. 'And also ek in no seson I slepë nouther day nor nyht; ffor, of custom & of ryht, I hate al[alle St.] maner ydelnesse, Ouer al wher I am maystresse. I am nat slowh, thorgh-out the yer,2o celi & mundi To do my werk & my dever Affter my power & konnyng; And I make, with my werkyng, Man & womman to speke a-ryht Euery language, thorgh my myght;[C. & St.] ffovlys to flen, I teche also,[C. & St.] And euery bestë for to go;[C. & St.] ffysshes to swymmen in the see,[C. & St.] 'And I make ek (as ye may se,)[C. & St.] Serpentys on the grovnd to krepe;[C. & St.] And allë greynës ek I kepe, Make hem groven[growen St.] in ther guyse, And al ther sesouns I devyse. And yiff I shal the trouthe expresse, I am lady &[and ek ] maystresse Off al the Erthë, who lyst knowe. 'But ye wolden holden lowe My power, (yt ys no doute,) Yiff ye myghte yt brynge a-boute, fful wrongfully, ageyn al ryht, And[Stowe] apallen ek my myght At your fre choys; thys the ffyn; Tourne vnkyndëly my wyn In-to blcod, folk for to drynke; The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] doth me sore a-thynke, And fret myn hertë[herte St., hert C.] so with rage That ye do me swych outrage, So nyh vn-to myn herte yt sytte: And yt passeth ek my wyt, Your governaunce in thys matere. 'Touchyng[Touchyng St., Touchyd C.] bred, ye shal wel lere, (To speken in especyal,) I am not so wroth with-al, Nor gruchche (in myn oppynyoun) Off thylkë mutacïoun, Be cause that I (who taketh hed,) Medlede neuere to makë bred, Croste nor kromë, al my lyve. But I dar afferme her blyve, Thogh I neuere madë looff, The mater that yt ys made off Kometh fro my[me St. (cf. line 3555)] corn & greyne; And I delyuered hem, certeyn, Vn-to Crafft, wych I assure Ys soget vn-to Nature. Thogh she yt made by hyr engyn, The mater ffyrst was pleynly myn, And kam fro me, yt ys no drede. 'But that ye han thus turnyd bred In-to Rawh fflesshe at your dyner, In preiudyce off my power, To forbarre me of my ryht,— Wher hadde ye power outher myght To werkë so ageyn my lore? I may suffren yt no more. I ha forboor yow many day,[a day St.] And suffryd ek (yt ys no nay,) Wrongys that ye ha do[done St.] to me. I not by whos auctoryte, That ye, by your gouernauncys, My custommys & myn ordynauncys— Ageyn Resoun and al[alle St.] skyl— Ye han ytournyd at your wyl. I haue hem wel in Rémembraunce, With euery maner cyrcumstaunce. 'ffyrst, contrayre to myn entent, The busshe affyre, & nat brent,Exodi 3o capitulo How ye yt made ful longe ago. And I remembre wel also Off Aaron & of Moyses, How that ye, ageyn my pes, Ther yerdys, bothë[bothen St.] old & drye, Ye maden, thorgh your maystrye, The Toon a serpent (ys yt nat so?) In presence of Kyng Pharaoo; The tother, ye made wexe al grene With frut & levys, (thus I mene,)[C. & St.] Budde and blosme, with many flour,[C. & St.] To myn vnworshepe & dyshonour,[C. & St.] Ageyns nature, at the leste.[C. & St.] And ye tournede, at the feste Off on callyd Architeclyn, Water also in-to good wyn. And also many A-nother thyng, Thorgh your wonderful werkyng Ye han ywrouht ageynys kynde. 'And o thyng cometh now to mynde, Wherwyth ye dyde myn hertë tene, 'That ye made a maydë clene To bere a chyld, by your art, And of man hadde neuere part. To me ye dide to gret A[to grete St.] wrong; And I ha suffryd al to long That ye, a-mong thys werkys alle,Seneca. Tenenda est via quam natura prescripsit; nec ab illa declinandum / & contra illum qui nititur non alia via est quam contra aquam nauigare. Lyst me nat to consayl calle. Wher-of, whan I dide aduerte, I hadde gret sorwen yn myn herte; Thogh I made no noyse at al, I gruchchede in especyal A-geyn your werkys wonder stronge: A man may suffren al to longe, As I ha don, or that he speke;[speke St.] And abyde or he be wreke; Slepe to long, or he a-wake; Suffren, or he vengaunce take; And I ha ben to longe in pes, And in maner Rekkëles To suffre wrong, & took noon hede Off al that ye ha done in dede. 'And now ye ben ykome ageyn, Off entent to make in veyn Newë thyngës men may se,[C. & St.] Only to excytë me[C. & St.] Ageyns yow, both nyh & ferre, To be wroth, & gynne a werre, And to be with yow at debat. And, ne wer the gret estat That ye be off, trusteth me wel, I wolde sparë neueradel Yow to werreye & oppresse, That ye ha swych hardynesse ffor to chaungen myn vságes, And lyst nat, thorgh your gret outráges, Off equyte, to myn avayl, ffor to calle me to counsayl, Wher-off I am riht wele apayd.' ¶ And whan Naturë hadde al sayd, Gracë dieu ful sobyrly, (That herde hyr talë by and by,) Nat hastyly, but by mesure, Thus Answerdë to Nature: Grace Dieu answerde: 'Ye ben,' quod she, 'to cruel, To hasty also, and to fel Ageyns me, in your language. ffor ye speke by gret outrage Proudly to me, & ha no feere,.i. timorem Lych sothly as thog[though St.] ye were In party dronken of your wynes Wych that groweth on[in St.] your vynes. Ye resemble by your mood And by your port, as ye wer wood. And for ouht that I kan se, Ye be sottyd (thus[as St.] semeth me) Off newe, & I wot nat how. 'Remembreth what ye spake ryht now, And how ye sayde to me pleynly, 'That ye wer nat to hasty In your werkys, fer nor ner;[C. & St.] But that ye wrouht al be leyser,[C. & St.] And in your werkys dyde tarye.'[C. & St.] And I se now the contrarye[C. & St.] In your persone folyly.[C. & St.] ffor ye to me, ful nycëly, Al that euere ye dide expresse, Was ysayd off hastynesse, With-outen any gret avys, Lyk as thogh ye wer nat wys; Your wordys nat in ordre set, Rancour, your Resoun hath so let. And, trewly, naddë be That I concevede, & dyde se Your sodeyn Ire & your Rancour, And also for myn owne honour, I hadde yow voyded A-noon ryht, And booden yow gon out of syht. But folkys wych that ben Irous, Hasty & malyncólyous,[C. & St.] 'Other folk, that wysë bene, Mot forbern hem in her tene, Be-cause they kan hem nat[nat hem St.] gouerne; And ek for they kan nat dyscerne A thyng clerly in ther entent. ffor ther trouble, entendement Ys with Ire yblynded so,Poeta. [St., C. om.) Ira impedit animum, ne possit cernere verum. That they wot nat what they do. To sen a trouthe, they nat entende, ffor they kan nat comprehende, Thorgh ther obstynat blyndnesse, No thyng but off wylfulnesse: It[It St., I C.] stondeth thus, I dar assure. 'But tel me now, damë Nature, Touchyng that ye, her in thys place, Rebukë me off my trespace, And vndernemen and repreve,[C. & St.] And outragously your-sylven greue[C. & St.] Off offencys I scholde ha do; And affermen ek also, Your fraunchysë to avaylle Off boundys & off botaylle: I menë thus, of boundys set, By mesour tryed out & met A-twyxe the ryht of yow & me, And seyn, 'A-geyn your lyberte That I dydë gret offence To entre, & hadde no lycence, In-to your gardyn al to sone, Vnder the cercle off the moone, Wych to yow allone ys fre.' I pray yow, answere ageyn to me, (Say the trouthe, so God the[yow St.] saue!) Off whom holde ye that ye haue, Your lordshépe & euery del? Ye Resemble (who lokë wel,) Vn-to the wyldë swyn savage, Wych that renneth in hys rage In the woodys large & grene, And ne kan no ferther sene 'But to the frut that he hath founde, And the Acornys on the grounde, ffor to fille[Fylle St., felle C.] hys hongry mawe. ffor he, in hys swynys lawe, Off hys rudnesse bestyal, Ne kan no ferther se at al Toward the hevene, nor the tre Wher he receyveth hys plente, That bar the frut for hys repast, Al that ys from hys myndë past; ffor to the acorn al only, And to hys ffoodë fynally Ys[Yt St., Ys C.] set hys herte & al hys thouht; ffor he in soth ne recchet nouht[St. & C.] Off alle the surplus neueradel.[St. & C.] 'And trew[ë]ly ye may ryht wel[St. & C.] Vn-to thys swyn resembled be,[St. & C.] Wych kan not be-holde or se,[St. & C.] Nor of malys, nor dysdeyn,[St. & C.] Lyst nat knowen in certeyn Off whom ye han al your power With-Inne your boundys, fer or ner. With-outë me ye ha no thyng;[St. & C.] Nor al your crafft nor your werkyng, With-outë me may nat avaylle. Yovr werkys alle I sowbpowaylle, And hem supporte, yif ye ha mynde. 'Vndoth your Eyën[Eyen St., Eyn C.] dyrk & blynde, The Eyen of yovr entendëment; And, by good avysëment, The lyddys off your Eye vncloseth! Knoweth wel (and nat supposeth) I am lady, hool & entere; And ye be but my chamberere: Thys shal ye fynde al openly Yiff ye looke avysëly. Leve your wordys hih aloffte, And lerneth for to spekë soffte, And Renounceth al your rage; ffor ye sholde me don homage '(Off Iustyce and equyte), ffor thát ye holde, ye holde of me. ffor long agon, a gret partye, I gaff to yow (of curteysye) To occupye your sylff alway, Off entent that, nyht nor day, That ye sholde nat ydel be, And that ye sholde, a-geyn to me Yelde accountys off euery thyng Touchyng the fyn of your werkyng, As a chamberere (in sothnesse)[St. & C.] Sholde vnto hire mayst[e]resse.[St. & C.] And therfore, yiff ye wer wys,[St. & C.] Ye sholdë nat in your avys[St. & C.] Speke of boundys in no degre[St. & C.] Set be-twyxë yow & me. The boundys cónstreyne your party; But, for al that, I go frely Wher that me lyst, at lyberte: They boundë yow, & no thyng me; Close yow out, that ye nat passe; But I go fre in euery place; In heuene, in erthe, & in the se I boundë yow, & ye not me. Wer yt offendë yow or greue, I take of yow no maner leue, To go & medle wher I shal: Ye ha no thyng to do with al. 'I do ryht nouht in my werkyng But as yt ys ryht wel syttyng Off equyte & ryhtwysnesse. ffor she that ys a mayst[e]resse Muste haue a seruaunt hyr to-beye:[to obeye] I trowe ye kan yt not with-seye. And ye ouht to know ek wel That ye ha power neueradel With-outë me, on no party. I wyl shewë good skyle why, Vp-on the wordys that ye ha sayd, So ye wyl nat ben euele apayd. Ye seyde, 'the mevyng of the hevene And the planetys allë seuene Longen to me pleynly in al; And how ther cours celestyal, I haue yt hol in gouernaunce; And how that I, at my plesaunce Tourne the hevene Round abowte. 'Thanne I axe of yow thys doute:[C. & St.] Yiff I now made a newë pley,[C. & St.] ffor to take the sonne away[C. & St.] Doun fro the heuene a-noon ryht,[C. & St.] That no man of hym hadde a syht[C. & St.] Thys hundryd yer, in no manere,[C. & St.] Nor that hys bryhtë bemys clere Ne wer nat seyn: answere here-to, What maner thyngës myghte ye do? Or wheroff sholde ye ha socour,[C. & St.] To brynge forth outher herbe or flour?[C. & St.] Or fostre your sedys, blosme, or greyn? Or with newë grene a-gayn Clothen the busshes in ther maner[C. & St.] As ye ar wont fro yer to yer,[C. & St.] By yerly reuolucïouns? 'And touchyng generacïouns, What power ha ye ouht to do, Yiff the sonnë wer ago? Al sholde faylle, yt ys no nay. And sythë go ful many a day, The paynym Arystotyles, Wrot & expressede douteles, That was so noble & prudent, Preveth ful wel by argument, By trouth also, & good Reson, That al[alle St.] generacyonExemplum Ys susteyned by the sonne.In 2o de generacione Whan the skyës dyrke & donne Ben devoyded a-way clene, With hys bemys bryht & shene, That on erthe wer no bryhtnesse, I take your clerk vn-to wytnesse, 'Arystotyle, in thys debaat, ffor to ben myn aduocaat A-geyns yow in thys matere. ffor your power al yfere Wer lost & gon (shortly to fyne,)[C. & St.] Yiff no sonne ne dydë shyne.[C. & St.] ffor your power wer al shent, Yiff the Roundë[Rounde St., Round C.] fyrmament, The planétys, & ech[eche St.] spere, And the bryhtë[bright St., bryght C.] sterrys clere, Yiff I hem maade to cesse echon, Than wer your power clene agon, A-batyd, & set a-syde. Wher-vp-on, lat be your pryde, And gruchchet nat ageyn[e]s me, Syth I ha[have St.] the sovereynte, Lordshepe, & domynacïoun. 'And yt wer abusyoun— Lych as wryteth Ysaye,Nunquid gloriabitur securis/Ysaye xo capitulo And in hys book doth specefye, A gret despyt (both fer & ner)— Yiff a-geyn the carpenter The Ex wer bold, by surquedye, ffor to holden chauntpartye. Yt wer a thyng ageyn[e]s kynde, In Holy Wryt as ye shal fynde, And a thyng off gret dysdeyne, And yiff the pot sholde also seyn To the potter that hym wrouhte, And hys forme a-boutë brouhte, Yiff he pleynede off[on St.] hys makyng, Touchyng hys fason and werkyng, Yt wer a thyng nat covenable. 'And evene lyk in cas semblable Ye argue ageyn[e]s me, Wych in effect nat ellys be (ffor al your sotel argument) But myn handwerk & instrument, Wych I ha mad to helpen me, Nat off no necessyte, 'That I off yow (yiff ye take hede,)[C. & St.] Sholde haue any maner nede[C. & St.] Among my gretë werkys alle,[C. & St.] But only whan me lyst yow calle. 'And many a thyng I haue ek wrouht, To wych I ne callede yow nouht. Yt nedede nat the caas so stood: And I shal chaungë wyn to blood With-oute your counsayl or your red,Consilium meum stabit, & omnis voluntas mea fièt. Ysaye. 46o [10]. And in-to Rawh flessh, ek whyt bred, And brown also, whan that me lyst, Thogh off yow yt be nat wyst. 'The cause ys,[as St.] in conclusïoun, Off thys ylke mutacïoun, At myn ownë lust yt dresse; And ellys ne wer I no maystresse, But yiff I haddë lyberte To don al thyng that lyketh me With-outë labour at myn ese, Wych sholdë yow nat dysplese, Thogh I do thyng (tak hed her-to,) Wych your-sylff ne may nat do; Therof ye sholden ha dysport, And in your hertë gret coumfort, As of the bussh, wych to the syht Sempte as yt hadde brent ful bryht, And brent nat, as I ha sayd; Wher-of ye sholde be wel apayd, And thank me of entencïoun Only for the savacïoun, Rather than chyde, or[and St.] lowdë crye Off rancour & maléncolye, Off hast to be so Rekkëles. 'And off the yerd of Moyses And off Aaron, wher-on ye pleyne; And off that Maydë souereyne,[C. & St.] Mayde & moder in clennesse,[C. & St.] Off chastyte the cheff pryncesse, Wych bar a chylde in verray dede, And kept alway hyr maydenhede; 'And off the water tornyd to wyn At the fest off Archityclyn: Al thys I wrouhtë, thorgh my myht, With-oute preiudyce of your ryht; Wher-off ye sholde ha gret gladnesse, And nat gruchche for hevynesse Touchyng al thys, in no manere. ffor alway a good chaumberere Sholdë be ryht glad in herte Whan she seye, or dyde aduerte The fayrë werkys (in sothnesse) Off hyr lady or maystresse, Pryncypally (who lokë wel,) Whan that she leseth neueradel Off hyr ffraunchyse in no degre. ffor euere mot preferryd be The comoun good in general. Goodys that ben éspecyal, The comoun good, in soth I calle That doth profyte to folkys alle, Especyally in al vertu.' And whan thys lady, Gracë dieu, Had al sayd, I yow ensure, A-noon thys lady, dame Nature, Cap. 1. Caps. xlvii, xlviii, and xlix of C. are omitted.Whan she had herd hyr tale a long, Knowyng that she hádde do wrong, And hyr compleynte (to specefye,) Was ygroundyd on folye, fful humblely in hyr degre She ffyl a-noon vp-on hyr kne. [6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Nature cryede mercy. The fyrstë[Fyrste St., fyrst C.] word that she gan seye, Nature, off mercy gan hyr preye, And with humble cher & fface She confessede hyr trespace; And to hyr sayde most mekëly,[mekely St., mekly C.] 'Ma dame,' quod she, 'ful folyly I have govérnyd me to yow, 'And ful vngoodly spokë now, Wher-off I repentë sore. And certys, I ne shal no more Offendë yow in no manere, Nouther in spechë nor in chere; So that, of mercy &[and off St.;] pyte, Ye wyl as now forgyve yt me, That I ha don al outterly; And that ye wyl, so gracyously, Off alle that euere me asterte, No thyng reservyn[reservyn St., rehersyn C.] in your herte, Only off your benygnë grace, But clene forgetë my trespace.' Grace Dieu answereth: 'Certys,' quod Gracë dieu ryht tho, 'I wyl gladly that yt be so; But taketh hed of that I seye, In peyne of lesyng of your eye, That ye neuere, in al your lyff, Be nat hardy for to stryve A-geyn my workys in no wyse; Nor that ye no thyng despyse What-euere I do, for al your wyt;[C. & St.] ffor I ne wyl nat suffren yt,[C. & St.] But werke alway (as yt ys skyl) With-outë yow, affter my wyl.' ¶ And whan thys parlement was do, As ye han herd, atwen hem two, And Moyses ek dyned hadde With hys seruantys good & badde, He made A-noon (thys, the cheff,) ffor to departë the releff: Hys Awmener yt hadde in charge, And bad to yive yt forth ful large To pylgrymes, wych day be day Travayllede forth vp-on her way; Off the wych, as thouhtë me Ther was gret noumbre & plente. But, or that he gaff any thyng Off the releff in partyng Vn-to any maner whyht, Out off a chaumbre, a-noon ryht, I sawh two ladyes kome yfere, Wych, of port & of manere And off wommanly plesaunce, Hadden ful gret suffysaunce; And curteysly amyd the pres, Atwen the peple and Moyses, They putten hem, thys ylkë two. [6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] ¶ And she that wente a-forn ryht tho, (As yt sempte vn-to my wyt), Held in hyr hand a lytel wryt Vnclosyd vn-to my reward, As ye shall heryn affterward,[C. & St.] Yiff ye lyst a whylë dwelle.[C. & St.] But off the tother I shal fyrst telle,[C. & St.] 1Wych in hyr hond, (as I be-helde[C. & St.] The samë tyme) an hamer helde.11_1 The same tyme / an hamer held / In hyre hande / as I beheld.— And in hyr other hand with-al, She held a yerde, sclender & smal, To skouren chyldern, & chastyse. And also,—as I shal devyse, Vn-to my syht a thyng vnkouth,— She held a bysme in hyr mouth Atwyxe hyr teth, (yt ys no fayl,) Wher-off I haddë gret mervayl. Yet she yt helde so cvrteysly That no man woldë[wolde St., wold C.] deme ther-by That she was neuere the lassë wys. But yiff a-nother (to my devys,) Hadde holde yt so as dydë she, Men wolde ha sayd, she haddë be Out of hyr wyt, or ellys falle In-to rage. And fyrst of alle Thys lady wysly dyde abrayde To pylgrymes, & thus she sayde: (The bysme lette hyr neueradel But that she myght spekë wel:) 'Syrs,' quod she, 'I wot ryht wel That ye consydren euerydel My gouernaunce & myn aray. But I wot wel, (yt ys no nay,) Ye nat aduerten in substaunce Touchynge al my gouernaunce. I trowe ye kan nat al espye What thyng yt doth sygnefye. But, kometh ner to me echon, And I shal declare A-noon To yow the maner by & by, And yt exponë feythfully, Off the trouthe my sylff taquyte. 'I am the ffayre, louyd but lyte; Off my port, demur And sad, Debonayre, & gretly drad[sadde . . . dradde St.] Off felë folkys that me se. And trew[e]ly I am ek she Now-a-dayës lytel preysyd, And yet ful worthy to be reysed Off prys, to folkys that be dygne; Rygerous & ful benygne To allë that be vertuous; Happy also, and ryht Ewrous, The gracyouse, of smal[smal St., syn al C.] plesaunce, I am callyd Dame Penaunce. The cheff wardeyn (who lyst se,) Off thylkë ylë most secre; The wych (who espyë kan,)Verba Translatorys Ys yhyd with-Inne a man. I make yt clene (I yow ensure,) Off allë fylthe & al ordure, Or ther-yn entre any whyht. Therfore I bere, off verray ryht, Thys bysme; Thys hamer, ek ther-to, And thys lytel yerde also, On al felthës[Fylthes St.] to be wreke. With thys hamer I brose & breke, Lyk to my condycyoun 'With anguissh and contricïoun, Hertys that be obstynat With synnës olde, ek indurat, And fulfyllyd with vnclennesse, I do alway my bysynesse To make hem souple, nesshe, and tendre, And off her gretë[grete St., gret C.] bollyng, sclender; Also for to wake and wepe, Sorwe & pleyne with syhës depe, ffor ther synnës waymentynge. ¶ And as a Chyldë with betyngeExemplum.[C. & St.] By exaumple (as ye se offte,)[C. & St.] Maketh his hardë[he harde St., . . his hard C.] With offtë smytyng off hys ffyst,[C. & St.] Tyl yt be tendre as hym lyst, And that the lycour ysseth oute, Ryght so fare[fare St., far C.] I, yt ys no doute: I smytë hertys vp & doun, And make hem, by contrycïoun, Wyth saltë terys (thys the cas,) To sorwe, crye, & seyn, allas That they euere dyde Amys! Ye shal yt fynde, & thus yt ys, Off ther trespácys they repente, And seyn, in al ther beste entente, 'A, Lord God! now, off thy grace, How shal I han off my trespace Allegëment, with-outë the, But thow graunte, off thy pyte, That I may, al outterly, Off my Gyltës ha mercy, So that I do no mor Amys? Now, goodë Lord, thow grauntë thys!' Thus I maken hem cryen offte. 'And with thys hamer I madë soffte Seyn Petrys herte, & yt to-brak, That yt wente al vn-to wrak, Wych ffyrst was hard as any ston. But I made yt nesshe A-noon Whan he hys mayster fyrst forsook. 'But whan that I the hamer took, I smet hym so with répentaunce, And made hym nesshë with penaunce, That the Iews, off hys wepyng Yssede out in cómpleynyng Of verray sorwe & bytternesse, He felt ther-off so gret dystresse In hys greuous hertly peyne. 'And also Mary Mawgdeleyne, With thys hamer I smot[smote St.] so That hyr herte I rooff a-two, Wych was ful hard with synnës old. But with strokys manyfold I made hyr tendre, (yt ys no doute,) That the terys yssede oute, Out off hyr brest, so gret plente, That men myghte the lycour se By hyr chekys renne a-down Off verray sorwe, so gret foysown, That, in hyr bytter sorwës kene, She was wasshe with-al so clene, And so inly purefyëd, That ther was no felthe espyed Off synne with-Inne hyr tendre herte. ffor, whan the bytter terys smerte Off hyr wepyng wer Ronnë down Thorgh sorwe & gret contrycïoun, I took vn-to hem so gret kepe, That I hem gadrede on an hepe,[hepe St., hep C.] That ordure lefftë noon be-hynde. And I to-gydre dyde ham bynde— Al that euere they wrouhte a-wrong,— And make ther-off a lyë strong, That ther-with-al (I yow ensure,)[Stowe leaves out these two necessary lines,] I wasshe a-way al ordure.[Stowe leaves out these two necessary lines,] ffor who so lyst consydre & se, So gret a synnë may non be, But that the lye off répentyng Doth yt a-way in wasshyng, And maketh yt clene euerydel, 'Yiff yt ther-in be wasshë wel. And for thys skyle, in my wasshyng, I am vn-to the myghty kyng Callyd sothly the 'lavendere,' And also ek hys 'chaumberere,'[C. & St.] In thys offyces bothë two,[C. & St.] 'Now vnderstondeth ek also, That thys hamer I ber with me ffor thys skyle, as ye shal se, Yt fareth, by a synful man, (Who so vnderstondë kan,) As by A Pot (in sothfastnesse) That ys ful of vnclennesse, Verray stynkyng & horryble, And to smellë ful odyble, Wych may nat wel devoyded be, ffor-as-myche (as ye wel se) The fylthe ys hardyd so with-Inne, That yt wyl not lyhtly twynne,— Off old gadryng ful indurat, And in maner obstynat,— To be made clene in any wyse. But than anoon I kan devyse Myn hamer myghtly tavale,[to avale, let fall] And breke the pot in pecys smale; And on the felthë to be wreke; On smalë sherdys I it breke. 'And fyrst off allë I begynne To drawe the felthë hyd with-Inne Out, to make yt shede a-brood, Wych with-Inne so long a-bood, And al the ordure ek with-al. And yiff I broke yt nat so smal On pecys vp-on euery syde, The fylthe with-Innë wolde abyde, And mor & mor ay wexyn hard. 'Now vnderstond, & hath reward To thys doctryne & thys lesson Touchyng verray contrycioun, Ye that desyre of herte & thouht 'To lerne yt, & for-gete yt nouht. Thynketh, ye folkys that be wyse, That yt doth nat ynowh suffyse A man, in Groos (as ye shal lere,) To gadre hys synnës all yffere; But, lyk the pot, he most hem breke, And no thyng in the asshes reke. I mene as thus: conceyveth al, Thogh that a pot be brokë smal On sherdys & on pecys ek, Yet al yt ys nat worth a lek, But euery sherd be cerchyd[serchyd St.] wel Touchynge hys ordure euerydel, And yscrapyd clene a-way, Ye mot hem breke in gret affray, That felthë noon ther-in abyde; ffor wych ye mostë wel provyde With sobbynge & with syhës depe And saltë terys that ye wepe, And other peynys sharpe & smerte; Thynkynge thus with-Inne your herte; 'Thow dyst offende on swych a day, Where yt Sonday or Monday; Than dystow thylkë gretë synne; And swych an hour thow dyst begynne, Havyng off God no dred nor fere. Thys was gret; that was grettere. And thus thow dyst, thylkë tyme, Wher yt at Eve, wher yt at pryme, And to don evel, were[were St., wher C.] offtë blythe, And that thow dyst so offtë sythe. And rekne by & by yffere The cyrcumstauncys & the manere; Torne & cast ek, vp so doun, Wher that thy Temptacïoun Was gret or smal; acounte al thys, And thynkë[thynke St., thynk C.] whan thow dyst amys, Yiff a-forn thy great offence[C. & St.] Thow madest any résystence,[C. & St.] And wher thow wrastlyst any thyng[C. & St.] 'To with-stonden in werkyng[C. & St.] Thy temptacioun, gret or smal; Or wher thow (in especyal) In thy wrastlyng dist purchace Thy temptacioun to enchace; Or wher that thow, for shame or drede, Lettyst for to do the[that St.] dede; Or wher thow settest drede asyde, And on the dedë dist abyde Tyl thow haddest do thy lust, And after that lefftyst the rust To kankren in thy conscïence, In aggreggyng of thyn offence: Al thys mote be of duë ryht Consydred wel off euery whyht. 'And thys the maner (who loke wel,) To breke in[on St.] pecys euerydel The vessell off thy gret offence With-Inne thy[thyn St.] ownë conscience: Smyt yt with the hamer sore, Tyl yt on pecys mor & more Be mad by pleyn contricïon, By swych consyderacïon That ther abydë fylthë noon. 'And thus I werke alway in on,[oon St.] With thys hamer that I holde, Al vnclennesse to vnfolde; I[And St.] breke al doun, & sparë nouht Off no thyng that ys done or thouht, Tyl that trewe purgacïoun Be makyd by contricïoun. 'But yet a lytel word, I praye That I mot vn-to yow seye, Off thys oldë pot texpresse, Wych ay ys ful of vnclennesse, Off whos ordure, gadyrd off old, With-Inne yt sylff, as I ha told, Engendryd ys a werm (in soth,) Wych ful gretë[grete St., gret C.] damage doth By long processe, yiff yt abyde. 'ffor thys worm, hym-sylff doth hyde With-Inne thys pot ful couertly, That no man may wel espy Off hys engendryng, fer nor ner; Nor of hys norysshyng the maner. Thys, the werm of conscïence, Wych hath hys teht[Tethe St.] by vyolence Hardere (who that lookë wel,) Than outher Iron outher stel; Wonder cruel, ay fretynge, And ryht perillous in percynge, So fer forth (yt ys no drede,) But he be slayn in verray dede, Thys mortal werm wyl neuere fyne, Vp-on hys mayster for to myne, And gnawe vp-on hym day & nyht, Tyl he ha slay hym thorgh hys myght, Thorgh hys dredful vyolence. 'But for to makë résistence, Ageyn thys werm, hym to with-stand, I ber thys[an St.] hamer in myn hand, And smyte a-pon hym ay so sore, And spare hym nat, but mor & more I ley vpon hym, to be wroke. And thys ys whan the pot ys broke On pecys smalë, vp & doun, By verray trewe contricïoun. ffor yiff yt wer nat broke aright,[C. & St.] Myn hamer sholdë ha no myght:[C. & St.] Thys the Fyn, shortly to seye,[C. & St.] To slen hym nor[Stowe] to make hym deye. Wherfor ye mostë[ye muste St., . . most C.] suffre wel That I breke hym euerydel On pecys smale, the werm to presse, Tavoyde away al vnclennesse. And on thys werm, (yiff ye lyst se,) Thus I shal avengyd be; Make hym lowly to obeye,[to beye C., tobeye St.] That he of verray forcë deye To-for yow in your ownë syht. 'And thus, yiff ye take hede a-ryht, Thys the sygnyfycacïoun And verray exposicïoun Off thys hamer that ye her se; The wych ys namyd, ek off me, (Trewly, in conclusyoun,) Nat ellys but contrycïoun. 'Swynge vp-on, yiff ye lyst lere, Off the bysme ye shall here, Wych, myd my teth,[Tethe St.] day by day, With-Inne my mouth I bere alway, As I to-forn ha told yow here; And how I am the Chaumberere Off hym that ys most myghty kyng. And thys bysme ys wel syttyng To hyre that ys a chaumberere. But yt may happë, the manere Ys vn-to yow a thyng vnkouth, That I yt holde thus in my mouth. But yiff I madë mencyoun Off the Exposycïoun, Ye knowë wel, (yt ys no doute,) That who that[so St.] euere shal casten eute Any felthe or vnclennesse, Out off a placë, he most dresse The bysme wysly to and fro, That he nat be-sydë go; But that he hauë ay in mynde, That felthë noon be leffte be-hynde, Lyst, in the purgacïoun, Men myghten han suspecyoun That any maner vnclennesse,— Thorgh slouthë or foryetylnesse,— Wer lefft be-syden, her or ther, In any Angle or Corner, ffor the bysme was nat redy To swepë clenë by & by. ffor, by swych occasïoun, Ther myghte, of felthë gret foisoun Be couert, as yt happeth offte, On hepys reysyd hih a-loffte In som Angle, Est or West, The wych thyng wer nat honest. 'And to purpos off thys matere, In holy wryt, (as ye shal here,) I have y-rad ful yore Agon Off dyvers gatys mo than on, And sondry namys, (who taketh hede) They haddë sothly as I rede, Gaate[Gaate St., Graate C.] off the welle, men dyde on calle;Porta fontis And a-nother, A-mong alle, As the byble kan yow telle, Namyd was the gate of helle.Porta inferni And A-nother I kan nevene, Callyd was the Gate off hevene;Porta celi And a-nother gate ther was, That was callyd the gate off bras, And also ek, to lastë long, Ther was a gate of Iren strong.Porta ferrea But A-mong hem euerychon Neëmye speketh of on, And callyd ys in scripture The gate off felthe & ordure,[C. & St.]Porta Sterquilinij To voyden'For ther-bi men curen and putten out alle filthes.'—Camb. p. 35. (In conclusïoun)[C. & St.] Alle the fylthës of the Toun;[C. & St.] Out by that gatë, day be day,[C. & St.] Alle the donge to lede away,[C. & St.] That no maner corupcyoun[C. & St.] Nengendre nat with-Inne the Toun. And bet yt ys, as thynketh me, That thylkë place defoulyd be, Than al the cyte wer encoumbryd Wyth ffylthës, wych may nat be noumbryd Wych euery day encresse off newe, And mor & mor ay do renewe. 'But wher that I am chaumberere, And abyde, (as ye shal lere,) ffor to do my besynesse, And Gracë Dieu ys ek maystresse, That ther be .vj.[syxë] Gatys large, Wych to kepe, ys a gret charge, As I shal to yow descryue. 'And off thys syxë, ther be fyve By wych al maner vnclennesse, ffylthe, ordure, and wrechchydnesse Entreth in, erly & late. Off wych fyve, the fyrstë[ffirst St.] gate Ys callyd the gate off smellyng, The tother the gate off heryng, The tother of Touch, the fourthe of tast, The ffyffthe (wych I rekne last,) Callyd ys the gate off syht. And by thys fyvë, day & nyht, Entreth in-to that mansïoun Al felthe & al corrupcyoun And al ordure (yt ys no doute), The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] may nat comen oute Ageyn by hym[hem St.] in no manere, And therfore, As a chaumberere, The syxtë gate I stonde & kepe, And with my bysme fastë swepe, Do my peyne & besynesse Tavoyde away al vnclennesse. 'ffor thys syxtë gate, in soth, Gret helthe & gret profyt doth; ffor yt maketh purgacioun Off al maner corrupcioun; And al fylthës round aboute, By that gate men putten oute. Who that wyl with-Innë be Clene off al dishoneste, To purge hym clene, as he best kan. Thys gate ys callyd 'the mouth off man,' Most profytable off euerychon, for allë fylthës ther-out gon, Evene as they wer done in dede; No thyng concelyd for no drede, But seyd vn-to hys cónfessour, With dyllygence & gret labour, With terys and lamentacïoun. 'And I[I, om. St.] ha most affecïoun, At thys gatë to abyde; To make yt fayr on euery syde, I purge, I swepe, I make yt clene, ffor fylthë noon I may sustene Ther tabyde, in no manere. And whyl that I am chaumberere To Gracë Dieu, my maystresse, I wyl kepen in clennesse Hir dwellyng & hyr mansïoun ffrom al manere corrupcïoun. And my bysme, that al thys doth, Ys myn ownë Tonge, in soth, Wher-with I swepe & make al wel. That felthe abydë neueradel, Hih nor lowh, in no maner, I cerche eche Angle & ech corner; Euery hoolë, gret & smal, I remewe, in éspecial,[C. & St.] Clene with-outen & with-Inne,[St. & C.] The fylthe of euery maner synne;[St. & C.] Caste hem out, & sparë nouht.[St. & C.] And ther ys no corner vnsouht, But that I go to euery place; Now her, now ther, aboute I trace, By verray pleyn confessïoun, With-oute fraude or decepcïoun, Ther may no thyng me skapë fro, ffor Gracë Dieu wyl yt be so. ffor she ne wyl no-wher abyde, But yt be clene on euery syde; Whos chaumbre & whos mansïoun, Dwellyng, & habytacïoun Ys trewly, (with-oute offence,) Verray clenë conscïence; And ther she wyl abyden ay, Whan all fythës be put a-way, And that yt be clene & entere. 'Now, haue I told yow the maner Off my bysmë verrayly, And declaryd also, how I[that I St.] Make ther-with confessyoun By certeyn exposicïoun As ye han herd her by & by. 'But I shal tellë now shortly Vn-to yow a lytel tale, Why I bere thys yerdys smale: ¶ I am off scolys a maystresse, Chyldren, in ther wantownesse, Affter ther gyltys to chastyse, That wyl not lernë to be wyse; I menë thus, whan they trespáce Boldëly, a-for my face, Off age thogh they be xxty yer, Outher an hundryd, fer or ner, Men may ful wel hem 'childre' calle, ffolk that ben in synnë falle: And hooly wryt,—Red Y-saye, In hys wrytynge,—doth specefye(lxv. 20) A chyld an hundryd wynter old,— (In hys wrytyng yt ys told,) Swych a chyld a-cursyd ys;— And therfore, whan they don Amys, In a-wayt y lygge alway To wyten whether, ye or nay, Myn hamer hem touchyd any thyng, Or whether they, in ther purgyng, Vn-to my bysme submyttyd be, Off lownesse and humylyte, That they be swept clenly at al, And that the hamer brekë smal ffyrst by trewe contricyoun And verray iuste confessïoun. Thanne A-noon myn yerde I take; And amendys for to make By répentaunce, in diuers wyse, With my yerde I ham chastyse, Putte hem to penaunce of entent 'To brynge hem to amendëment, And to haue in rémembraunee Ther oldë synnys in substaunce; And whan they thynke on ther trespas fful offtë sythe to seyn 'allas, That they so sonë dyde assente!' And than they seyn, 'I me repente, O, Lord God, of my mysdede, Off al fals lust & flesshlyhede. But thow that art my Creatour, I am A-knowë myn errour, And axe off thè forgyff(ë)nesse, Makyng be-hest in sothënesse[sothenesse St., sothnesse C.] Neuer her-after for to be[C. & St.] Hardy for toffendë the.'[C. & St.] Thus I make hem, with gret peyne,[C. & St.] Oon hour to wepyn & compleyne;[C. & St.] Another hour, by largesse,[C. & St.] ffor to geven gret almesse[C. & St.] To porë folk that bé nedy. 'Another[And another St.] tymë also I Make hem go on pylgrymage, Barfoot, by many streiht passage; I make hem fastë,[faste St., fast C.] preye, & wake, And to were (for Crystys sake,) On ther bodyës ful offte Sharpë heyrës, no thyng soffte. And thus my smertë[smerte St., smert C.] yerde I vse, Allë synnës to refuse, And do with-al correccïoun, Only off entencïoun, That the remors of noon offence Abydë in ther conscïence, Nor retournë ther ageyn. ffor I wyl be wel certeyn That oldë synnës[synne St.] punysshed be Off Ryghtwysnesse & equyte; ffor, with-oute punycyoun, Passeth no transgressïoun; ffor, who to synnë doth assente, 'Moste afftér-ward hym repente; And havë duë répentaunce And vnderfongyn hys penaunce ffor hys synnës newe & old. And ther-fore, thys yerde I holde, Wych namyd ys (of iuste resoun,) Trewë satysfaccyoun. 'And sothly, (yiff I shal nat feyne,) Satysfaccyoun ys to seyne, Asseth that ys mad for synne, And that a man haue with-Inne As myche sorwe & répentaunce, As he haddë fyrst plesaunce, Lyk to hys flesshly appetyt, Or in hys synnë fals delyt. Off equyte & good resoun. 'Now haue I made yow A sarmoun Off my name & myn offys, And told the cause (yiff ye be wys,) Off my komyng A-mong thys pres, A-twyxë yow & Moyses, And sette me ek (yt ys no fable,) Evene Aforn hys ownë table, In myn entent, & thys the cheff, Be cause ye Axen the releff Off hys dyner, on & alle And ther-affter fastë calle, With wonderful gret bysynesse. 'But vn-to yow I shal expresse The causë off my stondyng here Yiff yt lykë yow to lere. I am my-sylff the porteresse, (Maad off verray Ryghtwysnesse,) Off the releff that ye sen her, And the trewë chaunceler, That noon of hih nor lowh degre, Kome no ner with-outë me, ffor thanne ye dydë gret offence. ffor thys releff, in éxistence Sholde be yovë for no thyng 'To swyche as ben in ther lyvyng, ffoolys nor trwauntys in no wyse; ffor, as I shal to yow devyse, Thys releff ys the trewë ffoode, Ordeyned for hem that be goode; Inwardly in ther hertys brent, And in the loue off God fervent, To hooly pylgrymes, day be day[C. & St.] That gon the verray ryhtë way,[C. & St.] And off verray travayllynge[C. & St.] Ben also syk & languysshynge,[C. & St.] And[Stowe] hunger han to be recuryd. To[Stowe] swych thys releff ys assuryd, That kan yt[Stowe] hetyn deuoutly, To resseyue[Stowe] only ther-by Parfyt Elthe in ther entent, And gostly ek allegëment, And[To St.] contynue ther pylgrymage, Day be day, in ther vyage, As pylgrymës sholdë konne, The weyë[weye St., wey C.] wych they ha be gonne, Off trewë menyng, no-thyng feyned: To swych thys releff was ordeyned Off Cryst Ihesu at the souper Whan hys Apostlys sat ful ner. He brak & partyd yt to ech on, Wher as they setyn on by on, The Grete Thursday at hys maundë, Off hys largesse & gret bountee, Whan he sat with hem at the cene, Gostly to swych as he knewe clene. To swych, he gaff hem alderlast Hys owne boody for cheff repast, As the cheff cherysshynge foode To allë folkys that be goode. 'And peplys off hih & lowh degre Thorgh-out the world sustenyd be, And therby han ther sustenaunce, In al vertu hem-sylff tavaunce. The wyche I kepë ful streihtly 'In myn entent, that fynally Yt be nat touchyd of no whyht, But he to-forn (as yt ys right,[Stowe]) Be with my yerdë[yerde St., yerd C.] fyrst chastysed, And also (as I ha devysed,) With myn hamer broke a-two, And with my bysmë swept also; That he be purgyd al aboute, Bothe with-Innen & with-oute: Lat euery man be war & wys To werkyn affter my devys, Whether that he be yong or old.' And whan thys lady hadde al told, And yt[yt St., om. C.] declaryd (al yfere) Off hyr offycë the manere, ¶ The tother lady that stood hyr by, Gan pressë forth, & was redy (Lych as ye shal vnderstond,) With the scrypture in hyr hond, Off the wych to-forn I tolde; And hyr lettre she gan vnfolde, And in opyn audyence Thus she seydë in sentence. 'Syrs,' quod she, 'yiff ye lyst lere, Ye han herd al the manere How thys lady, Dame Penaunce, Hath declaryd in substaunce To yow hyr offyce by & by. And, by your leuë, now wyl I,— In hope I may your thank dysserue,— Declarë wher-off that I serue, Off myn offyce & my degre. 'I wyl ye wyte, that I am she That neuere haddë yet delyt To haue no persone in despyt, Hih nor lowh, in no degre; ffor al my Ioye, wherso I be, As fer forth as I ha myght, Ys to forthren euery wyht. And neuere yet, for no greuaunce, 'On no man I took vengaunce.[Stowe] Myn Enemyes also I fforbere;[Stowe] And myn Entent ys nat to dere[St. & C.] To no persone nor to no man,[St. & C.] As fer forth as euere I kan.[St. & C.] I am modre off al vertue;[St. & C.] And I am she (as yt ys due,)[St. & C.] That clothë folk wych nakyd be;[St. & C.] And of mercy & ofCamb. MS. reads: I am . . . Thilke that loueth alle folk with hol herte, with-oute yuel wil; thilke that seecheth no vengeaunce, ne neither showveth ne smyteth; thilke that hath set hire entente to forbere hire enemyes, pp. 36, 37.[of St., om. C.] pyte I made Seyn Martyn, yore agon, (Al-be that he hadde but on,) Hys mantél to kutte A tweyne, And dyde al hys bysy peyne To clothe the poore, wych nakyd stood Myd off the gate, devoyde of good. I am noryce of al nedy, And I herberwe comounly Al pylgrymës in ther nede; And I am she (yt ys no drede,) That ffele as mychë harm in me Off other folkys aduersyte, As they hem-sylff that yt endure. And al[alle St.] my goodys (I ensure,) Be comoun vnto euery whyht, Whan they ha nede, as yt ys ryht. 'Seyn Poul sayd ek, in hys wrytyng, Off vertu he hadde no thyng, With-outë that he haddë me;(1 Cor. xiii. 1—3) And that he myghte in no degre With-outë me do no good dede. And trew(ë)ly (who taketh hede,) No good[goode St.] dede nor good[goode St.] entent Ys worth, but yiff I be present, Among estatys hih nor lowe. 'And yiff ye lyst my namë knowe, I am callyd dame Charyte, That hauë al folk in cherte.[Cherte St., cerce C.] 'And other, that folk haue in despyt, Hem to cherysshe, ys my delyt; I ffeedë folk that hongry be, And parte with hem off my plente; And vysete hem that lyggen seke, And dwelle with folkys that be meke; And for no cost I do not spare, To be glad off the welfare Off euery other maner whyht, As off myn owne of verray ryht. 'I am she that paciently Kan suffren, & benygnëly Allë sorwës wel apese. And I am she that kan done ese, Al hevynesses to recure. And I am she that set no cure Off grucchyng nor detraccïoun; ffor thys ys my condicïoun, Harm to spekë neueradel, But, off ech man to sey wel, Wych I holde a gret vertu. ¶ And yiff he haue off Cryst Ihesu Any maner Rémembraunce, I made hym for to ha plesaunce Off mercy, as I rehersë kan, ffor louë to be-kome A man, And taken your humanyte, And suffren, by humylyte, Deth for your sake, & passïoun; Made hym fro hevene kome A-doun, And suffren ek (as yt ys founde,) To a pyler to be bovnde, And tendure (that Lord most fre,) With sharpë thornys crownyd be, And sprede hys Armys on the rood, And for your sakë shede hys blood; And to a croos to be ek nayled, And doun therby hys blood yraylled[C. & St.] To-forn, be-hynde, & euery cost,[C. & St.] And to his Fader yelde hys goste,[C. & St.] In to his hand hys spyryt take.[St. & C.] 'Al thys I made hym, for your sake,[St. & C.] Tenduren off entencïoun, To makë your redempcïoun That wer for synnë lost echon. And to helle I made hym gon, To fette hem out that ley ther bounde, The devell[Devellys St.] power to confounde, Wych hadde grevyd man so sore. 'And I shal telle yow euermore, How thys kyng most souereyne, To-forn hys passïoun & peyne, And hys tormentys wonder stronge, Or he the deth sholde vnderfonge, He fforgate nat off entent ffor[Stowe] to make hys testament. The formë ther-off to endyte, He calledë me yt to wryte: ffor to make the formë bettre, My sylff wrot yt, euery lettre And namyd yt (yt ys no les,) 'The trewë testament off pes.'Testamentum pacis. Wych to-for yow alle I brynge, That ye may ha knowelychynge What maner thyng ther-on doth sue, And what to yow ther-off ys due, I wyl yow reden the sentence, Yiff ye wyl yiven audyence. Lo thys yt ys, herkneth echon, As I shal her rehers A-noon. The testament off Cryst Ihesu. I, Ihesu, sone of Marye, Wych namyd am (with-outë lye) Trouthe, Sothfast lyff, & weye, Now to-forn or that I deye, The deth off whom ys ful certeyne, And how I shal endurë peyne; But to-forn, of good entent I wyl mak my testament. 'And fyrst off allë, wylfully I be-quethë enterly My soule vn-to my Fader dere, That syt above the sterrys clere, Yt to kepen & conveye, And to governe yt in the weye Whan yt shal descendë doun In-to the dyrkë[dyrke St., dyrk C.] mansyoun Off the foulë pyt of helle, Wher as fendys euere dwelle, My frendys ther to fette a-way, Wych ha be ther se many day, To delyvere hem out off wo. 'And my body, I quethe also To the sepulkre, for dayës thre, Wych Ioseph hath mad for me. Wych Body I leve also To trewe pylgrymës that her go, As thyng that most may hem avaylle Hem to releue[Rereleve St.] in ther travaylle; As cheff Repast, hem to sustene In ther vyage ageyn al tene. Myn herte I quethe (ek of entent,) To all that my comaundëment Kepe, to ther power feythfully, And my statútys enterly. 'My Moder, I leue to Seyn Iohan, To be a-vaytyng euere in on Vp-on hyre, in al the smerte That she shal felyn at hyr herte, Whan she me seth in gret mescheff, Lad to my deth-ward as a theff;[C. & St.] Wych shal thorgh hyr hertë blyve,[C. & St.] Sharper than any swerd y-Ryve,[C. & St.] And maken hyre in Terys drowne,[C. & St.] And offtë sythës for to swowne[C. & St.] Off verray moderly pyte:[C. & St.] But than shal Iohan hyr socour be In hyr lamentacïouns, ffor trouble off my passïouns, To coumforte hyre in al hyr wo. 'And to Seyn Iohan I leve also, That he may han perséueraunce To sen me in my gret suffraunce; ffor, he ys my frend certeyn, And so am I to hym ageyn ffrendly, off verray kyndënesse, Wych ys not meynt with doubylnesse. 'My blood, I quethe ek for Raunsoun To al that haue[that haue St., thaue C.] compassïoun Off my deth, & ek of me, And off the grete aduersyte That I endurë for her sake. To allë swych my blood I take, That kepe hem clenë out off synne, Therby that they may hevene wynne Ageyn al persecucyoun Off the ffendys temptacïoun; Ageyn hys myght hem to provyde, The largë wonde vp-on my syde Al hope,[Oope St., open] I geue hem to refut. 'To with-stonde hys fellë sut, As champyouns with hym to stryve, My wondys I geue hem alle fyve; The grete karectys, brood & Reede, To plete for hem whan they ha nede, I make ther vocat of my blood; And thogh ther causë be nat good, With synne Apeyred, & trespace, Ther-by that they may getë[gete my St.] grace, Only of mercy &[and off St.] pyte Reconcyled ageyn to me, A-noon, as they ha répentaunce, And Amende hem by penaunce, And preye to me in ther dystresse, ffor to graunte hem forgyffnesse. 'And to save hem fro meschaunce, I[And St.] makë ek an ordynavnce Lawës to be rad & songe, Compyled off myn ownë tonge, Wych I be-quethe to yong & olde, 'To plete for hem, & pleës[plees St., ples C.] holde To-for myn ownë Ffader dere, In al ther nedys fer & nere, Ther to ben her aduocat. And (tavoyden al debat.) I shal for hem be swych a mene, Off synne to putte away the tene, The tenys off eternal wo. 'And my pes, I gyue also To al the world in hábondaunce, Wherby they may hem sylff avaunce And ffraunchysen at the beste, Therby euere to lyve in reste, In perfyt Ioyë ay tabounde, Yiff the ffautë be nat founde In them sylff, for lak off grace Yt to refuse for ther trespace: ffor, in pes ay to perséuere, So ffayr a gyfftë gaff I neuere, My sylff except, vn-to no man, Syth tymë that the world be-gan. ffor who consydreth, & loke wel, Pes ys the parfyt Iowel That al Rychessë doth transcende. Verray pes doth ek amende[C. & St.] Al vertues that men kan nevene;[C. & St.] And pees was fyrst wrought in heuene,[C. & St.] Off thylkë souereyn Carpenter[C. & St.] That syt aboue the sterrys cler,[C. & St.] That forgyd fyrst, (who lyst look,)[C. & St.] With-outen any noyse or strook: Strook nor noyse maken no pes, But they yt brekë doutëles. 'Wherfore, As semeth vn-to me, Yt ys good that the exaumple be Off pes yput in Rémembraunce, Wych ys the ground off al plesaunce. And off thys pes, by good Reson, That ther be shewyd a patrovn, To knowe the verray exaumpleyre, And tavoyden hys contrayre. Verryly in portrature Ye shal sen her the ffygure. The portrature off pes to make, 'ffyrst ye shal a squyre take, A Squyre off a carpenter; And ye shal vsë thys maner: ffyrst, to done your bysynesse, The Ton ende vp-ward to dresse Hih a-lofftë, ryht as lyne; And ferthermor to détermyne, The tother endë lower doun, So that (in conclusïoun) The Angle corner in your syht, Wych Ioyneth the Endys lynë ryht; In wych corner (yiff ye lyst wyte,) Ther ys in soth An 'A' ywryte. Than lynealy, yiff ye descende Doun vn-to the lower ende, Ye shal fyndë wryte A, 'P,'[St. & C.] And alderhyest ye shal se[St. & C.] In that ende An 'X' yset;[St. & C.] And whan thys lettrys ben yknet,[St. & C.] Ioyned in on, who kan espye, Parfyt pes they sygnyfye.[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination, no doubt. The figure here is from the Stowe MS., leaf 90.] And overmor, thys lettrys thre Ar tooknys, that in vnyte He sholde ha verray loue & pes, With thre thyngës doutëles. He that hath pocessïoun Off thys Iowel, most off Renoun, And he to whom Cryst hath yt take, Sholdë kepë for hys sake Pes wih euery maner whyht. 'And fyrst above, as yt ys ryht, Wher as the .X. condygnëly Ys set a-loffte, as most worthy; By wych (yiff yt be espyed,) I am trewly sygnyfyed, In tookne that noon be rekkëles, ffyrst to hauë parfyt pes With God & me, wych byth al on, And may neuere assonder gon; And also (as I shal devyse,) That he (in no maner wyse) Ne do no thyng in no degre Wych that sholde dysplesë me: And yiff yt happe, off neclygence, A-geyn me that he do offence, Alle dedes don ayens my wille ben restreined and amended. Camb., p. 39.In allë haste that he hym peyne[Stowe] To with-drawe hym / and Restreyne[Stowe] ffrom alle evellys, for my sake[C. & St.] And that he amendys make,[C. & St.] Hys trespasse to ben a-knowe.[C. & St.] 'And in the corner that stent lowe,[C. & St.] Wher as ye sen An 'A' stonde, Ther-by pleynly ys vnderstonde The sowle off man, with whom ech whyht Sholde ha pes, of verray ryht. So that in a manhys[mannys St.] thouht Synderesis ne gruchchë nouht,—Lines 4963-68 are written on the margin opposite 1. 4957. (Synderesys, to speke in pleyn, Ys as mychë for to seyn, By notable descripcïoun, The hiher party of Resoun; Wherby A man shal best discerne Hys conscïencë to governe,)— Thorgh no trespace nor offence, By no Remors off conscïence; Lat euery man tak hed her-to, And with your neyhëbour also 'Ye most ha pes & vnyte, Sych ys ytokenyd by the .p. And ys yset fyrst off echon. 'And that ye sholdë be al on, Thexaumple techeth yow ful wel, (Yiff ye consydren euerydel,) How ye bothen, in O lyne Stonde, & may yt not declyne. Lyneally, yt ys noon other, As brother verrayly to brother, Nature wyl that yt so be, Hih and lowh, off o degre, Bothë tweyne ymade lyche; The porë man & ek the ryche, At the gynnyng, as ye shal lere, Al forgyd wern of O matere, Touchyng ther ffyrste orygynal, And bothë tweynë be mortal; The Ton, the tother, in certeyne They be but wermës bothë tweyne, And they ne kan hem sylffe nat kepe,[C. & St.] But that they shall to erthë krepe;[C. & St.] When that deth doth hem assaylle.[C. & St.] 'ffor what ys worth, or may avaylle,[C. & St.] A feloun herte or hardynesse,[C. & St.] Daunger, despyt or sturdynesse,[C. & St.] Nat may socoure vp-on no syde, Ther deynous port, ther gretë[grete St., gret C.] pryde, Yt may hem done noon avauntage, ffor al shal passe By o passage, And by on hole off gret streihtnesse; Powerte & ek rychesse, Al goth O way, bothe gret & smal; Excepcïoun ys noon at al, To helpyn in thys streihtë nede. 'Wherfor euery man take hede, Thorgh pryde to be nat rekkëles, Thys rychë Iowel callyd pes, To kepe yt wel, & lese yt nouht. 'And euery man, in herte & thouht 'Do hys dyllygent labóur, To ha pes with hys neihëbour, As roote off al perfeccioun, Vp to parforme the patroun Off vnyte & sothfast pes, Tendure & lasten endëles; So as yt ouht, off iust resoun, As tookne off the tabellyoun, With wych, in pes and vnyte, Al testamentys sholdë be Sygned & markyd comounly, And ek confermyd openly. 'And tovchyng her thys wryt present, Callyd of Cryst the testament, With tookne off tabellioun, I markë off entencyoun To last in pes & vnyte.'[C. & St.] Camb. MS. reads: Whan charitee hadde al rad this testa|ment, and rested, thanne she bigan ayen hire parlement, and suiche woordes she seyde afterward, 'Lordinges, &c., p. 39.And whan thys lady Charyte[C. & St.] Hadde Radd and yoven off Entent[C. & St.] The pes off Cristes Testament[C. & St.] To allë folkys that were there, Chargynge hem,[Stowe] off herte entere, Affter the fformë[Stowe] euerydel, Al ther lyve[Stowe] to kepe yt wel,— Anoon a-geyn, as ye shal se, Thys[This St.] fayrë lady Charyte Hyr talë ganne al openly, Sayynge thus benygnëly. Charyte speketh hyr ageyn. 'Syrs,' quod she, 'ye haue herd al By thys lettre (in specyal) Wych I ha rad[redde St.] in your presence Openly in audyence, How Cryst Ihesu, off hys goodnesse, And off hys gretë kyndënesse, Out off thys world whan he sholde gon, Gaff hys pes, to yow echon, 'With many gyfftys off gret prys, Wych ye shal kepe, yiff ye be wys, As I ha told in ech estat; ffor pes devoydeth al debat, Wher yt abydeth parfytly. 'But I shal telle the causë why That I me puttë fyrst in pres[prees St., pes C.] Atwyxë yow & Moyses, And the table wher as he stood. ffor me-thouht yt was nat good That noon off yow, in no degre, Sholde a-proche with-outë me To claymë part (thys, the cheff) At hys table, off the releff But I my-sylff wer ther present. 'And ek the saydë testament, That I ha told off in substaunce, And yiff ye haue in remembraunce[C. & St.] Dame Penaunnce yow toldë so, [C. & St.] Yiff ye took good hed ther-to, With-outen hyrë, thys the ende[thende C., St.] Ye be nat hable for to wende To the table off Moyses. And but ye haue ek parfyt pes With yow echon, & also me Wych am ynamyd Charyte, Ye be vnworthy & vnhable To ha the releff off hys table. ffor yt were a presumpcïoun, And a gret transgressïoun, To neyhen ner, or to be bold, Or to clayme (as I ha told) Off that releff most specyal, Wher-off ech part ys on & al,— Ther ys ther-in no dyfference;— And therfor, lat be noon offence In yow, vp-on no maner syde, But that aforn ye yow provyde, As I the charge haue on yow leyde.' And whan Charyte hadde al sayde, And mad a ful conclusioun Off hyr speche & hyr sarmoun, Pylgrymes hem puttë fast in pres To-ward the table off Moyses; Conveyed ech in ther degre With parfyt pes and Charyte, And with verray répentaunce, Confessïoun, & ek penaunce. Pylgrymës alle off good entente, To Moyses they hem presente, As they myghte hem redy make, And, the releff off hym take fful devoutly off assent. And Gracë Dieu was ay present[C. & St.] Whan they, with gret deuocyoun, [C. & St.] Took yt in ther entencyoun, [C. & St.] And with a clenë conscience. [C. & St.] But I sawh ther in presence, Somme pressen to the table That wer vnworthy & vnhable; Wych held hem-sylff fer out asyde, And fro Charyte gan hem hyde, And fledde also fro dame Penaunce; And yet hem-sylff they gan A-vaunce, Off boldënesse al shamëles,[shameles St., shamles C.] ffor to receyve off Moyses The releff, wher as he stood. The wychë thouhtë[whiche thoughte St., ; wych thouht C.] nat but good; ffor he, off clene affeccïoun, Gaff yt with-oute excepcïoun (Off the plente that he hadde,) To pylgrymës good & badde, ffor he noon hede ne dydë take. But they retournede foul and blake, I menë, swych that of boldnesse Tokë yt nat in clennesse, As they ouht ha done off ryht; Swych wer foul & blake of syht Lychë[Lyche St., Lych C.] to a colyers sak. ffor in hem-sylff was all the lak That they semede so odyble, Stynkynge also, & horryble, Hungry, thorgh ther gret offence, & nedy in ther conscïence; And, for lak off good entent, Wer also ful indygent, And voyde ek off al gostly foode. 'But sothly, thylkë that wer goode, And goostly tooke ther ffedyng, They wer fulfylled in all thyng Off that releff most in substaunce, And ther-in hadde al suffysaunce, Replevysshyd in herte & thouht, Off other thyng them nedede nouht. The goode pylgrymës thouhtë so, That they wer Redy for to go (Thorgh suffysaunce off that repast) ffro the table whan they wer past, And, to-forn allë, as they koude, ffor verray Ioye they seydë loude, That they wolde noon other thyng, Hem to sustene in ther lyvyng, And to deffende hem fro damage As they wente on pylgrymage As pylgrymës good and sadde. But mervayl of O thyng I hadde With-Inne my sylff, & gretë[grete St., gret C.] doute That swych A meyne & a route As was ther, to putte a[in St.] preff, Was fulfyllyd off the releff, The wych was (as thouhtë me,) So verray smal in quantyte. Wher-off I gan wondre sore, And merveyllë mor & more, And thoghtë, thogh ther haddë be Ten so myche in quantyte Off releff lefft at the tahle, Me semptë that I hadde[hadde St., om. C.] be hable At O dyner, my-sylff ryht wel, To have hete yt euerydel, And yet nat had (to my plesaunce) Halff A repast of suffysaunce. And yet, the pylgrymes euerychon Sayde & affermede, On by on, That they fonde swych fulsomnesse, And so plentuous largesse[C. & St.] As they yt tooke by good leyser[St. & C.] At that merveyllous dyner,[St. & C.] That to euerych (in ther guyse)[St. & C.] A lytel dyde ynowh suffyse. And euerych (in especial) Was ther fulfyllyd with ryht smal Ther-with, myghty mad, &[and made St.] stronge. Wher-vp-on I gan ful longe, And thouhte (A-mong hem euerychon) Myn vnderstondyng was agon ffor lak off wyt in gret dystresse, And forcloudyd with dyrknesse. Reson was hyd, so semptë me, That I kowde hyr nowher se; In al that place, I sawh nat tho, No whyht I myhtë speke vn-to, Save Gracë Dieu, wych ther abood, And to-for the Table stood Off Moyses; & off entente, Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente.[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The pylgrym askede. 'Ma dame,' quod I, 'I ha gret nede That ye wolde, off goodlyhede, And off your gret excellence, Shewen to me som evydence How yt myghtë shewyd be, That so lytel quantyte Off thys releff (in any wyse) Myghte of resoun ynowh suffyse To so manye as ben here? ffor, ma dame, (& ye lyst lere,) Swych ten in quantyte Wolde nat suffysen vn-to me At O dyner, to my delyt, To fulfylle myn appetyt.' Grace Dieu answerde, 'I leue ryht wel,' quod Gracë Dieu, 'Touchyng thys merveillous vertu, Thow hast gret nedë for to lere; But herkene now, & ley to here, I shal the techë verrayly The pryvyteës, by & by, Bothe by evydence & preff. 'Thys ylkë vertuous releff, Som whyle (who yt vnderstood) ys ynamyd flesshe & blood, And som tymë (tak good heed,) Yt ys ycallyd wyn & bred, Goostely mete & goostely foode; To pylgrymës that be goode, fflessh & blood yt ys no doute; Bred & wyn shewyd with-oute, Al be yt so (yt ys no dred,) That yt to-forn was wyn and bred, As thow knowest wel certeyn;[in certeyn St.] But Moyses (no thyng in veyn) Vp-on hys table (as yt stood) Hath tournyd yt to fflessh & blood. Thys ys trewe, & verray soth; Wher-off nature was ryht wroth; Anger made hyr hertë ryve, And ther-vp-on gan with me stryve: She knewe no ferther (thys, the ffyn) But that yt was ay bred & wyn. 'Thow shalt wel knowë how that she Sawh nat the gretë pryvyte,[C. & St.] ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyoun,[C. & St.] Off thys ylke mutacyoun,[C. & St.] But[Stowe] I the chargë ther I stonde, That flessh & blood thow vnderstonde, And so beleue yt verrayly, And lat nat meue the outwardly, Thogh that yt shewë outward so 'In touch & syhtë bothë two, Also in tast & in smellynge Lych bred & wyn Resemb[e]lynge, Outward, as by ápparence; Trustë shortly in sentence, Thy fowrë wyttys (lerne of me) ffynally deceyved be; Off verray foly they be blent, That they ha noon Entendëment, The trouthë trewly to conceyve; Swych dyrknesse hem doth deceyve, That the offyce of hem echon Ys from hem[hem St., hym C.] fourë clenë agon, ffor lak, pleynly, of knowelychyng. 'But the fyffthe wyt off heryng— Wych mor clerly in sentence Haueth full intelligence— He techyth the wyttys euerychon Evydently what they shal don,— The tast, the touch, & ek the syht, Smellyng also (off verray ryht,) Whan they ha lost ther knowelychyng, The ffyffthe, that callyd ys Heryng, Aparceved hath so wel, That he knoweth euerydel In thys matere what shal be don. And thys was fyguryd longe a-gon,— Red the Byble, yiff ye kan,— In Ysaak, that oldë man, Whan Esau (to hys entente,) In-to the feld on huntyng wente, And hys labour spente in veyn. ffor longe or that he kam[kome St.] ageyn, Iacob verrayly in dede, Claddë[Cladde St., Clad C.] in Esáwys wede, With her[heer St. (hair)] vp-on hys hondys layd (As hys moder hadde hym sayd,) To Ysaak heldë[helde St., held C.] hys passage, And to hym brouhtë the potage In ryht gret hast, (as he was tauht,) And sayde, he hadde hys pray ykauht In venery, amyd the feld. 'But, Ysaak no thyng be-held, ffor he was dyrkyd off hys syht, And gretly feblyd off hys myght, ffor Touch & smellyng wer agon; And Ysaak wende euére in on, That Esau haddë be present. But Rebecca, off entent, Sentë Iacob in hys name; ffor in hyr herte she hadde a game, Esau, to settë abak. 'But thys oldë[olde St., old C.] man Ysaak— The patryark of gret vertu,— Took Iacob for Esau,[Took / Iacob / for / Esau] In touch, in tast, & in smellyng, In syghte also; but hys heryng Was hym be-lefft, hool & entere. And thus he sayde, as ye shal here: 'The voys of Iacob semeth me; Off Esau, the handys be; I here Iacob speken wel; But the handys that I fel, The handys ben off Esau.' 'Consydreth now how the vertu Off Touch, & tast, smellyng, & syht[St. & C.] Haddë pleynly lost hys myght;[St. & C.] The force off heryng stylle a-bood;[St. & C.] With Isaak, ryht so yt stood.[St. & C.] ¶ By wych exaumple, tak good heed ffor profyt off thyn ownë speed, Off thys fygure that I ha told; Lefft vp thyn eyen & be-hold: Avaunce the nat, nor mak no bost, ffor thy .iiij.[ffoure St.] wyttys thow hast lost. Ther myght, ther force, ar fro the weyved; Yiff thow truste hem, thow art deceyved; ffor Tast nor touch in no degre, Nor nó thyng that thow kanst se, Nor thy smellyng (tak good hed,) Ne shewe to the but wyn & bred; By ther engyn, hih nor lowe, Thow ne shalt noon other knowe. 'Thy ffourë wyttys set a-syde, And lat heryng be thy guyde; ffor, thys .iiij.[ffoure St.] in sothfastnesse Kan nor may ber no wytnesse. Wher-for thow mustest, for the beste, Abyde on heryng, and ther reste; ffully truste to hys sentence; Yiff feyth to hym, & ful credence; ffor heryng shal, with-outë slouthe, Teche to the, the pleynë trouthe, Ryght as yt ys, ne doute yt nouht. 'And conceyue wel in thy thouht, Thys releff (yiff thow kanst take hede,) Ys pleynly nother wyn nor bred, But the flessh (yiff feyth to me,) That heng vp-on the roodë tre, And, by force & verray strengthe, On the croos was drawe alengthe, fful streyhtly nayled on the rood; And thys ys ek the verray blood, On goode ffryday that he shadde, Whan Iewës to the deth hym ladde, Wher-off he was steyned reed. ¶ Thow mayst also call yt[calle yt St., callyd C.] bred, Thys same releff, (with-outë stryff,) The verray sothfast bred off lyff. Wych susteneth (I the ensure,) Al the world with hys pasture, And yiveth to hem in substaunce Verrayly ther sustenaunce. ¶ And ek also (thys myn vsage, Ther-off to han thys language, Looke thow take good heed ther-to,) I calle yt bred, & name yt so;Hic est panis qui de celo descendit. Wych, for manhys[mannes St.] savacïoun, ffro the heuene kam a-doun, To ffedë man her verrayly. 'Yt ys the bred, ek, trewly Wher-with Aungelys fedde ybe In that hevenly souereyn se. Thys bred, pylgrymës euerychon, On pylgrymagë, (wher they gon,) Or wher-so-euere that they were, In ther sherpe[Scryppe St.] they shold yt bere. 'And thogh that thow (as semptë the,) Sey yt but lyte of quantyte, I chargë the, her a-noon ryht, Trust in no wysë to thy syht, Nor to thyn Eyen, wych ar blynde; But haue alway wel thy mynde To thyn heryng; & ther only Tak thy doctryne fynally; ffor, by heryng thow shalt lere A thyng that I shal the tellyn here:[St. & C.] 'My frend, take good hed, & se.[St. & C.] Thow herdest latë Charyte[St. & C.] Maken to the a good sarmoun,[St. & C.] But (as in conclusïoun,) Thys lady (yiff thow took good hed,) Spak but lytel off thys bred In hyr sarmoun (thus stood the caas); And pleynly, thys the causë was; ffor she hyr-sylff the menys souhte, That she the greyn from hevene brouhte, And made yt in the erthë lowe Her be-nethë to be sowe; But that erthe, (be wel certeyn,) Wher as sowë was thys greyn, Was nat labouryd (trust me wel,) Mor yheryd neueradel; Vnderstonde yt, yiff thow konne. ffor, by hetë off the sonne, That shyneth fro the heuene A-loffte With hys attempre bemys soffte, And the hevenly dewh most clene, With hys syluer dropys shene, (The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] doth no thyng in veyn,) 'Made to growen vp thys greyn, Tyl yt was rype & ful off corn. 'Than Charyte yt hath vp shorn, And in a placë wonder straunge She made yt leyn vp in hyr graunge, Tyl the thressherys (with gret hete) Hadde thys greyn ythrysshe & bete; And after fannyd yt so clene That ther was no chaff ysene, And the strawh yleyd a-syde; ffor ther ne myghtë nat a-byde Husk nor chaff, but puryd greyn, Nor, no thyng that was in veyn, Al mad[Alle made St.] nakyd off entent, Out off hys olde[olde St., old C.] vestëment. 'And whan yt was so ffer ywrouht, Thys greyn was to the mellë brouht, And groundë ther with ful gret peyne A-twyxe the hardë[harde St., hard C.] stonys tweyne. And yiff I shal the sothë[sothe St., soth C.] telle, The sëyl-yerdys off the melle, Wych tournedë abouten offte, Wer clad in cloth that was not soffte. 'Tys[This St.] melle ek (yiff thow canst espye,) Wyth falsë wyndës off envye, (Wher as yt stood vp-on the grounde,) Tournede euere aboutë Round; And the Grynstonys (that I off spak) Mad ful hardë for the wrak, Wer stonys off derysïouns; Off skorn, & fals illusïouns, The wych two (who kan aduerte) Perceden ful nyh the herte. 'And whan no thyng was lefft at al, But that yt was ygroundë smal, Charyte gan neyhen ner, And wolde be-come a pasteler, Lych a baker, (yt ys no drede,) Off that flour to make her bred. And hyr Ovene was of old 'Verray hote, (& no-thyng cold,) Wher-as she caste hyr for to bake. 'And whan she gan hyr past to make, Al tournede nat vn-to hyr pay, Wher-off she haddë no desmay, Off thylkë past wych that she wrouhte. & A-noon she hyr be-thouhte (Among, in al[Amonge / alle St.] her besynesse,) Off on that was a gret maystresse, So sotyle off dyscrecyoun Was nouther founde in borgh nor toun; ffor what men thouhte, or wolde haue don, She koude yt brynge about a-noon:[St. & C.] Lernyd[Stowe] she hadde, in hyr contre, At scolys[Stowe] ther she haddë be. Thogh al hyr konnyng wer nat wyst, She koude haue mad, yiff that hyr lyst, Al the world so large & Round, And al the compas off the ground, ffor tashet[to have shut] & closyd al With-Inne a sotyl boyst, but smal; And off An Ey with-Inne the shelle, She koude also (I dar wel telle,) Ha put an Oxë strong & large; ffor yt was, no maner charge To hyr gret magnyfycence; And hyr name was Sapience. 'And, for hyr gret sotyllyte, Thys lady, callyd Charyte, Prayede hyr, off goodlyhed, ffor to helpë[helpen St.] make thys bred Off the fflour wych that she brouhte; And also lowly hyr be-souhte To tempre the past so sotylly, That yt myghtë fynally, Off Resemblaunce be but smal; And that yt myghte suffyse at al (By vertu, verrayly in dede) Al thys worlde to fostre & fede, That ech, off lowh & hih degre, 'May, off lytel, ha plente. 'And for thys causë ryht a-noon Dame Charyte ys forth gon Vn-to thys lady Sapience; And with humble Reuerence, As she sat in hyr Royal Se, Lowly, thys lady Charyte Prayede hyr good heed to take, To helpë that thys bred wer bake. And she goodly, and that a-noon, fforth with Sapience ys gon; And, as she koudë best deuyse, Temprede yt in swych a[swiche St.] wyse, Made yt gret with-oute mesure, To yive al folkys ther pasture, Suffycyént to feden al, Thogh to thy syht yt was but smal Outward, as in résemblaunce, Yet, by souereyn suffysaunce, Closyd in a lytel space, Ther was so gret plente of grace To al the world, in hábondaunce, Ther-in to fyndë suffysaunce. 'Tak heed, & be nat neclygent Off a-nother experyment That ther was wrouht; tak ek good hede, In the makyng off thys bred, Yt was ywrouht so sotylly That in euery smal party, Severyd and ybroke asounder, And departyd her & yonder, Grettest & smal, Rekne echon Wer lych off vertu, & al[alle in St.] on; Off O power & O manere As whan yt was hool and entere. The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] thyng (I the ensure,) Yplesede[Plesede St.] nat to dame Nature; ffor she was wroth therfor with me, And ther-on wolde ha vengyd be. She knew ther-off no thyng at al, 'ffor yt was hydde in especyal ffrom hyr knowyng euerydel. And also ek, ye wytë wel, Offtë sythë Ryot & age Puttë folkys in dotáge,[C. & St.] That they may not trouthë se.[C. & St.] And for she doutede hyr off me[C. & St.] To be blamyd in certeyn,[C. & St.] Yiff so were she kome a-geyn, Or put a-bak fro hyr entent, Ther-fore she hath hyr clerk now sent, Arystotyles the wyse, In dyffence off hyr fraunchyse, To thys lady Sapyence. 'And whan he kam to hyr presence, As hym thouhtë fyrst was due, Goodly he gan hyr to salue; Affter, demeur & sad off chere, To hyre he sayde in thys manere:[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Arystotyles dyde hys massage in thys manere: 'Ma dame,' quod he, 'in-to thys place, Vnder súpport off your grace, Nature hath me hyder sent, To declare yow (off entent) Your dyffautës, by & by; And to shewe the causë why Off my komyng, ys[In St.] thys, that ye Han to-brook (as semeth me) Off nature the ordynaunce, And don[done St., don C.] to hyrë gret grevaunce, Wych pleseth me neueradel, Al be yt so, I love yow wel. 'Ye knowe (off your dyscrecyoun, Off trouthe ek, yt ys no Resoun, Who so cleerly looke & wel,) That an hous or a vessél Sholde be lasse, & her ygynne,Camb. MS. reads: It is no resoun that the vessel or the hous be lasse than that that is ther-inne, p. 44.[C. & St.] 'Than that thyng wych ys with-Inne. And yiff I made to your entent, By ápparence off Argument, As thus, that I woldë preve, (ffor to makë folk be-leve,) That a paleys huge & large, Or A menstre off gret[gre St.] charge, That yt wer but A Turneys smal. Clerkys wolde (in especyal) Seyn yt wer but mekerye,[Mokerye St.] Or A maner sophystrye, Shewyd, as yt wer for game; And ye your sylff ha do the same. (Yiff ye lyst to be avysed,) In thys bred wych ys desguysed; ffor the foode & the pasture, That ys withinne (as ye assure,) Gyveth ful repast spyrytual To al the world in general, So ffer the vertu doth extende; And yet, that thyng to comprehende, Al the erthë, in no wyse, Nor the hevene, mowh nat suffyse, That thyng ye (in especyal) Han closyd in a cloystre smal, Who kan mesure yt, or compasse, And shet yt in a lytel space? And swych .xiiij.e (on see or land) I myghte wel holden in myn hand! I trowe your sylff kan nat sey nay; And for no fauour I ne may Suffre no lenger (in certeyn,) But that I mustë yow with-seyn, And declare, wher as ye ffaylle,[C. & St.] (Camb. MS. reads: This may j nouht wel suffre, ne resoun may not weel preeve it, ne it is not riht gret wunder thouh Nature merveile hire, p. 45. And yt ys no grete merveylle,[C. & St.] Who-so lyst goode heed to take)[C. & St.] Thogh naturë dyde awake,[C. & St.] 'And ther-vpon gaff yow an hete,[C. & St.] Yow to with-stonde & conterplete,[C. & St.] Touchyng hyr ryht in specyal. 'And thys greueth me most at[off St.] al, That my Maxime ápryved,[apprevyd St.] Ye in dede han yt reprevyd; And (to speke in wordys pleyn,) Neuere in my lyff herde I seyn— In-no scolys, her nor there,— But that "on al" (what euere yt were,) Mot[Motte St., Not C.] be gretter than hys party.Omne totum maius est sua parte. But ye[y St.] han makyd wrongfully, (I wot nat by what[what St., no C.] maner scole,) The part Egal to the hoole, With-outen any difference! Wych I holde a gret offence Ageyn nature, in verray soth. And no wonder thogh she be wroth, And laboure for Amendëment. And for thys skyle she hath me sent To your presence, only to here What ye wyl seyn in thys matere.' Sapyence answerde. A-noon thys lady Sapience. (Whan she hadde herdë[herd C., herde St.] in sentence The wordys of Arystotyles) She stynte a whyle, & was in pes. But at the lastë she abreyde, And vn-to hym ryht thus she seyde: 'My frend,' quod she, 'I do wel se Off trowthë that thow lovest me, And dost me calle, off herte entere, "Thyn ounë souereyn lady dere;" Camb. MS. reads: Thou louest me, and ther-inne thou hast no thing lost; For therbi is al good bifalle thee. Wel thou shuldest avise thee, if thow woldest, and bithinke thee that tweyne scooles j heeld, &c., p. 45.In wych thow hast ylost no thyng[C. & St.] But yfounde ful grete Fortheryng.[C. & St.] Wherfor thow shuldest, lyke the wyse,[C. & St.] 'Prudeently thy-sylff avyse,[C. & St.] Thynke aforn, & ek beholde,[C. & St.] How that whylom I dyddë holde[C. & St.] Two scolys off ful gret Renoun;[C. & St.] And bothen (in conclusïoun,) Wer vnder my gouernaunce. And the, in konnyng to avaunce, I tauhtë many thyngës newe— Record thy sylff yiff thow be trewe.— And (to speke in wordys fewe,) Grete merveillës didë shewe. And in on off thys scolys tweyne, My scoler mostë[moste St., most C.] souereyn, ffyrst of echon (I the ensure,) Was hyr-sylff, damë Nature. 'And as thy-sylff ful wel yt knewe, I tauhte hyr many thyngës newe; ffyrst, by Crafft off hyr werkynge To make the fresshë flourys sprynge, Buddys, greyns, & flourettys, The flour delys, the violettys, The rosys also, fresshe off hewe, And many other craftys newe, As men may se (who taketh hede,) Wych to reherse, yt ys no nede, I tauhte hyr al, & thyngës mo. 'And in my other scole also, Wych, thy sylff lyst to sue, I tauhtë folkys to argue Pro &[and St.] contra, yong & olde, And wych wey they sholden holde To preven out the sothfastnesse Off every thyng, fro the falsnesse; Betwyxen good & evel dyscerne. Camb. MS. reads: And to make canoun and lawe, For therfore was thilke scoole ordeyned; And ther was my wise douhter science, p. 46.And I maade ek (who kan concerne)[C. & St.] Lawes off Cyvile and Canon;[C. & St.] And ther, (in myn Entencion)[C. & St.] 'Myn eldest douhter, moste Entere,[C. & St.] Ther I settë, folk[ffolkys St.] to lere,[C. & St.] Wych that callyd ys "Syence,"Nota quod Sci|encia est Filia Sapiencie.[C. & St.] Sotylle, and off gret excellence;St., om. C.[C. & St.] And ther she helde hyr parlementys,[C. & St.] And formede many argumentys,[C. & St.] As she that was deuoyde off slouthe.[C. & St.] ffor loue off whom (thys the trouthe,)[C. & St.] Thow kam to skole; & for hyr sake Nyht & day thow dydest wake, Tyl, for thyn owne Avauntage Ye wer coniunat[coniunctt St.] by maryage, Wherby I madë the so wys, That thow be-kam myn aprentys. And thanne, off gret affeccyoun, I madë reuelacïoun To the, Amongys my werkynges Off naturys secrë thynges; To knowe the clerë fro the derke; Nat that thy syluen sholdest werke No thyng that longeth to hyr art, But that thow sholdest (for thy part) The causes knowen by & by, And ther-on demene[demen St.] fynally The trouthë pleynly, & no more. 'And for that skylë gon ful yore, In guerdon of thy gret labour, I callede the my "paramour." And syth thow hast, vnder my cure, Dwellyd so longë with Nature, And seyn so many fayrë thynges, And so many vnkouth werkynges With-Inne my scole, of gret fauour, Camb. MS. reads: And whan thow and nature thus hauen ben vnder my cure, that han lerned in my scooles bothe faire dedes and faire woordes, thouh ye seyen me nowerre, yit ye shulden forbere me, p. 46.Thogh thow seye in me Errour,[C. & St.] Thow sholdest, off thy Curtesy,[C. & St.] ffor-bere me more pacyently,[C. & St.] Yiff thow lovedest, and wer kynde.[C. & St.] 'And thow sholdest haue in mynde,[C. & St.] And remembren (off good Resoun,)[C. & St.] How onys a myghty champyoun,[C. & St.] That koude the crafft off fyhtyng wel, Tauhte hys konnyng euerydel To a poore man hym besyde, And lyst ther-off no thyng[no thyng / theroff St.] to hyde; And for hys mede he took no thyng, Off curteysye, for hys konnyng. 'But affterward, the case stood so That they sholdë bothë two,— At Requeste off dukys tweyne, A certeryn quarll to dareyne,— Mete in a feld: & so they mette; And as they gan vp-on to sette, Euerych other to assaylle, He that was wysest in bataylle, Off wysdam & dyscrecyoun,— I mene the maister Champyoun, That was avysee, & mor wys— Sayde A-noon to hys prentys, "Yt ys no ryht, wher-for I pleyne, On, to fyhtë ageyns tweyne. Ye be tweyne, I am but On." And Thaprentys thanne Anoon, As he bakward cast hys look, The tother Rauhte hym swych a strook That he fyl ded, & al was done: And thanne the mayster sayde Anoon, "My prentys hath nat lernyd al, ffor I kepte[kepe St.] in especyal Camb. MS. reads: It is euele bifalle thee to day, whan thou come ayens me. So j sey thee, So god save thec weenest thou that j haue tauht thee now al my wit and al myn art, p. 46.A poynt, tyl that I haddë nede."[Stowe] 'And thus, yiff thow kanst taken hede,'[Stowe] (Quod this Lady Sapience)[Stowe] 'I taughte neuere al my Science[& St.] To the, as I rehersë shal.[& St.] What, wenystow to knowen al?[& St.] 'For vn-to the, nat ne syt[C. & St.] ffor to knowen al my wyt;[C. & St.] Thow dyst yt neuere yet dysserue.[C. & St.] Som-what to me I wyll reserue,[C. & St.] To be mor strong in bataylle,[C. & St.] Lyst thow woldest me assaylle[C. & St.] With thy sotyl sophystrye,[C. & St.] To don to me a vyllonye With argumentys off fallaas, Sout out in som[Sought out / In somme St.] maner caas, By fraude or by decepcyoun ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyoun. 'But tel me now A-noon, I preye, And the Trouthë nat geyn-seye, Yiff I gaff a purs to the, Ryght fayr & ryche vp-on to se, And wentyst forth with-al A-noon; And sodeynly, whan thow wer gon, Par caas thow founde ther-in as blyue Off gold thre pecys, outher fyve Outher .vj., whan thow hast souht, Tel on, as yt lyth in thy thouht, Wer yt deceyt or sophystrye, Or myghtestow off gent(e)rye Seyn I hadde deceyved the? Answere ageyn; tel on! lat se!' ArystotyllesAristotle, in the Fr. Prose, rightly, and in Camb. MS.—Aldenham. Answerde:[St., The pylgrym C.] 'Certys,' quod he, 'me lyst nat lye, Yt were no maner sophystrye, But A tookne off gentyllesse; And also (pleynly to expresse,) A sygne (as I kan devyse,) Off honour, love, & gret fraunchyse.'[C. & St.] Sapyence speketh: 'Certys,' quod she to hym ryht tho, 'Thys bred I haue ymadd ryht so, So sotyl ek, yt ys no doute, But I ha not shewyd with-oute 'The grete Tresour wych verrayly Ys shet with-Innë secrëly, Porë folkys for to fede, Ay, whan they ther-off ha nede; And specyally to hem that be ffrendys vn-to charyte, Wych in ther passage, nyht & day Holden ay the ryhtë[Righte St., ryht C.] way. Allë swych (yt ys no dred) Shal be sustenyd with thys bred, And haue ther ful repast with-Inne, Swych as be nat infect with synne. And Over-mor, (yiff thow take hed,) Yiff the valu off thys bred Were yshewyd al with-oute, Men sholdë nat (yt ys no doute,) Haue no maner hardynesse ffor taproche, in sothfastnesse; But rather, for verray feere, Go, seke her bred ellys where, To ther sustentacïoun. 'But her ys no decepcyoun, But curteisye & gret bounte, Honour & lyberalyte; ffor, to speke in wordys fewe, But yiff I dyde with-outë shewe A gretë[grete St., gret C.] thyng by ápparence, The wychë,[whiche St., wych C.] as in existence, Were nat with-Inne, (who lyst se,)[C. & St.] But verray smal off quantyte,[C. & St.] Thou myyghtest than[ë] me repreve,[C. & St.] And by argumentys preve[C. & St.] Ageyn me (in conclusyoun)[C. & St.] A maner off decepcyoun,[C. & St.] And blamë me in many wyse.[C. & St.] 'And yet to the I shal devyse[C. & St.] Another Answere, wych to the[C. & St.] Shal suffyse, yiff thow lyst se.[C. & St.] I Holde yt no deceyt at al,[C. & St.] Thogh to the Eye it shewë smal,[C. & St.] 'And with-Inne be gret & large.[C. & St.] Wher-vp-on, her I the charge[C. & St.] That thow be-leue yt stedefastly, And put no doute, but fermëly Truste ay so, off herte & thouht; And lokë thow denye yt nought, But her-on feythfully abyde. ffor yiff that I (on any syde) Hadde yt mad in other wyse, Than thow a-forn hast herd devyse, I haddë, thorgh my neclygence, Ther-in don ful gret offence. 'But tel me now A-noon, I preye, And sparë nat, platly to seye As thow semest in thys matere, Wych hast repreuyd me so here, Off myche[myche St., wych C.] thyng, nat yore agon, Trowest thow answere A-noon, That nat a-cordeth with resoun. A vessel, hows, or mansïoun May be lasse (& her I gynne) Than the thyng that ys with-Inne. 'But ffyrst I axe, to voyde al stryff, Sawh thow euere, in al thy lyff, Off manhys[mannys St.] herte the quantyte? Answere A-geyn; tel on, lat se!' Arystotyles Answereth: 'Certys,' quod he, & that ful blyth, 'I haue yt seyn ful offtë syth.' Sapyence axeth: 'Thanne,' quod she, with-outë slouthe, 'Declare to me the verray trowthe; Syth thow halst thy sylff so wys, How gret ys yt, to thyn avys.' Arystotyles answereth: 'Sothly,' quod he, 'I dar expresse, As touchyng the gretnesse, Yt ys but smal vn-to the sihte; ffor ther-with-al, vnnethë myghte, An hungry kyte (& do no wast,) 'Ther-off han a ful repast, To staunche hys hunger (for gret nede,) At the ffulle hym-sylff to ffede.' Sapyence axeth: Quod Sapyence to hym ageyn, 'Than axe I the (no thyng in veyn,) Yiff thow knowe auht, answere to me, The inward gret capacyte Off an herte, wych ys so smal; And yiff yt myghte (to reknen al,) Be fully fed in any wyse; Or what thyng myghte to yt suffyse To appese hys gret delyt, Or staunche hys gredy appetyt.' Arystotyles answerd: 'Certys,' quod Aristotiles, 'I dar affermë doutëles, Ther ys no thyng that I kan se, That may Gyvë ful sawlë (Who that wysely kan aduerte,) ffor to staunche a gredy herte,Camb. MS. reads: Serteyn, quod he, fulfille it, and saule it, and staunche it, mihte not al the world, thouh al at his wille he hadde it, p. 48. Nat alle the world, yt to fulfyl, Thogh yt were hooly at hys wyl.'[Stowe] Sapience argueth:[Stowe] Thanne her-vp-on / quod Sapience,[Stowe] 'Yt behoueth in sentence,[St. & C.] That the fulfyllyng in substaunce[St. & C.] To the fulle haue suffysaunce;[St. & C.] Or ellys yt mot nedys be[St. & C.] That the wlgar auctoryte,[St. & C.] Wych for thy party thow hast leyd,[St. & C.] Prevyd by argument & seyd,[St. & C.] In al the world, thow toldest me,[St. & C.] Ther may no placë voydë be;Non est dare vacuum And yiff that woyde wer any thyng, Yt sholde folwe, off thy seyyng, That yt muste fulfylled be; 'Or ellys off necessyte Yt muste algatys voyde a-byde: Thy sentence me lyst nat hyde.'[to hyde St.] Arystotyles Answerde: 'Touchyng,' quod he, 'that I ha sayd, So ye be nat evele apayd, I wyl afferme the same yit, I wendë trewly to my wyt. ffor to speke in wordys pleyn, That O gret Good most souereyn Sholde (but yiff my wyt be dul,) Make a thyng ffor to be ful.' Sapyence speketh: 'ffor-soth,' quod she, 'thow seyst ryht wel, And ther-in erryst neueradel. But yt behoueth (yf thow kanst se,) That yt mot nedyes gretter be Than al the world ys off gretnesse; And than mot folwen in sothnesse, (Vnderstond, & herkne me,) That yiff that thyng sholde closyd be[C. & St.] With-Inne the world, (yt ys no drede,)[C. & St.] On som party yt muste excede,[C. & St.] (I dar ryht wel the trouth expresse,)[C. & St.] Or overgon yt for gretnesse.' Arystotyles:[St. adds 'Answerd'] 'Certys,' quod he, 'I may nat wel In thys with-sey yow neueradel.' Sapyence argueth: 'Than her-vp-on,' a-noon quod she, 'In any wyse how myght yt be, That thys world, so gret in al, With[in] an herte that ys so smal Myghte be put, or closyd be? ffor thannë, off necessyte Mot nedys folwen, & off Resoun, The hous or thabitacïoun Mot be lasse (a preff to wynne,) Than the thyng yput with-Inne. Wher vp[on], conclude I may 'That al thy wordys (yt ys no nay,) Be repreuáble founde in dede, And verray fals, yiff thow take hede. 'Also to the I shal devyse A preff in a-nother wyse, By open demonstracyouns. Hastow nat ben in thilkë touns, Rome,Grece, in Camb. prose. and Athenys ek also, And soiournèd in bothë two, fful many a yer in bothë leyn, The maner & the gretnesse seyn, And be-holde ther gouernaunce? Now yiff thow haue in Rémembraunce By cler report off outher toun, Tel me thyn Oppynyoun, What space of land they do contene, And yiff thy wyth may eke sustene,[Stowe] I chargë the that thow me telle[Stowe] What noumbre off clerkys ther-in duelle,[Stowe] Off ther estate and ther degres,[C. & St.] And the gretnesse of ther cytes.'[C. & St.] Arystotyles answerede:[C. & St.] 'Certys,' quod he, 'to sey the sothe,[C. & St.] They be gret and largë bothe,[C. & St.] Round off compas, & ryht wyde,[C. & St.] And many scolerys ther a-byde,[C. & St.] And many a-nother craffty man, As I ful wel Remembre kan.' Sapience Axeth: Quod Sapience, 'than pray I the, O thyng that thow tellë me; Touchyng ther makyng and byldynges. Yiff thow hast al thys gretë[gret C., grete St.] thynges Reportyd wel, on euery syde, Wher hastow put hem to abyde?' Aristotiles answerde: Quod he, 'with support off your grace, I kan telle noon other place, '(ffor to speke in wordys pleyne,) Wher I ha put tho townys tweyne, So renomyd & flourynge in glorye, Saue only in my memórye!' Sapyence: 'Now sothly,' quod Sapience, Thow hast shewyd thy sentence To me ful pleynly & ryht wel; And declaryd yt euerydel In wordys wyse, & nat rude. And her-vp-on thow shalt conclude, (Yiff prudently thow lyst take heed,) Yiff thy memórye be in thyn hed, Thow seyst yt ys in lassë space (Who so lyst a-ryht compasse,) Than ys thyn hed, on outher syde,[C. & St.] Wher thy Memórye doth a-byde. 'Also ek, in wordys fewe, A-nother exaumple I wyl shewe, Wych I to the rehersë shal Off thyn Eyë by the bal: Yiff thow ther-to kanst loke a-ryht, Yt ys but smal vn-to the[thy St.] syht, And conteneth lytle space; And yet the gretnesse off thy face A-bydeth there, (yiff thow list lere) Swych as yt ys, hool & entere In Roundnesse off that lytle bour. 'Tak hed also off A merour, Or ellys off a lytel glas. To purpos in the samë cas, Wher thow mayst ek thy facë se Off what gretnesse that yt be! 'And yiff thow wylt in bettre wyse, Vn-to the, that I devyse To assoyl thyn Argument ffynally to myn entent, That seyst I sholde ha falshed the, And repryved thy Maximë, Whan I seyde, yiff thow take heed, 'That euery party off thys bred Off vertu, in especyal, I make as gret as I do al, Thogh yt be broke on many a part. 'And tak Exaumple (for al thyn art) Off A merour, fyrst hool at al: Thogh yt be brooke on pecys smal, In echë part and quantyte Thow mayst as wel thy facë se[C. & St.] As toforne, (yiff thou lyst lere)[C. & St.] Whan yt was fyrst hool and entere[C. & St.] Aristotiles Axeth:[om. C.] 'Now, myne ownë lady dere, I pray yow,[yow pray St.] (towchyng thys matere,) Wych be so sotyl in konnyng, Telleth me, touchyng thys thyng, Vnderstonde ye "localiter," Or ellys "virtualiter?" Lat thys thyngës ben yset, To-gydre bounden & yknet; In boundys closyd so strongly That I ther-on may feythfully Gyve answere, as yt ys skylle, Or close my mouth, & so be stylle.' Sapience Answereth:[St., om. C.] 'I vnderstondë nat,' quod she, "'Localiter," as thow shalt se; Thys to seynë, with thy grace. He occupieth ther no place. Somme vnderstondë certeynly That he ys ther vertuously;.i. virtualiter St., om. C. Somme seyn "ymaginatiue," And somme "representatiue," On ther oppynyouns, as they dwelle. And this exaumplys I the telle, To yive the ful avysëment How thow mayst, in thyn entent, Conceyve, that halst thy sylff so wys, And to yive the, good avys, How a cloystre off smal mesure 'May comprehendë gret pasture; And, as gretë thyngës set In smalë bondys may be knet. 'And evene so, yiff thow take hed, Vnder lyknesse off thys breed.[St. & C.] The grettest good most sovereyn[St. & C.] Ys ther closyd in certeyn;[St. & C.] Nat only "ymaginatiue," Nouther "Representatiue," (Vnderstond now wel my lore,) Nor "Virtualiter" with-outë more; But ther yt ys[ys yt St.] put sothfastly, (Yiff thow lyst lerne ffeythfully,) Bothen "Corporaliter" And also ek "Realiter;" Bothe "Presencialiter" And also ek "Veraciter;" With-oute al symulacioun, Deceyt, or any Ficcioun— And off thys puttyng, the causë why I haue declaryd in party. 'ffyrst, yiff thow consydrest al, ffor an hertë that ys smal, I ha the bred mad smal also, (Yiff thow take good hed her-to.) And for hys gret capacyte, The good that hath most sovereynte, I haue ther-in put (certeyn) The good that ys most souereyn: Gret vnto gret, smal vn-to smal, Wych ys Answeryng in al, And corespondent by mesure. ffor affter that (I the ensure,) That an herte be gret or smal, Ryht so, in especyal, Answeryng, by mesure, Ryght so ys madë[made St., mad C.] the pasture; A smal hertë (tak good hede,) ffyndeth also smal the bred. 'Consydre & se the maner howh: 'Yiff he desyre to haue ynowh,Camb. MS. reads: If it wole ynowh, it shal fynde with-inne that that may saule it, and fille it and suffice it, p. 49.[C. & St.] He shal ther ffyndë (Trustë me)[C. & St.] Suffysauncë to hys sawlë,[C. & St.] Hym to fulfyllen at hys Ese,[C. & St.] And hys desyrys to appese.[C. & St.] And, as I rehersë shal, Her ys noon offence at al, Nouther vn-to yong nor old. 'And for thys cause that I ha told, The hous ys lasse, with-outë wene, Than thylkë thyng yt doth contene; And lasse (for short conclusïoun,) Ys the habytacyoun Than the good (I dar wel telle) Wych with-Inne the hows doth dwelle. 'And I suppose (tak also hed,) That vn-to the, by lyklyhed I haddë don, in my werkynge, Som thyng wych wer nat syttynge, Off wych thow wer nat plesyd wel. And ek (to Reknen euerydel,) That I ha told the in substaunce, Thogh yt wer nat to thy plesaunce, I ouhte off Reson, nor off skyl, Answeryng no-thyng but at my wyl, Off ryht nouht, (as semeth me,) Nor take no maner hed to[heed off St.] the Off no-thyng that thow hast me souht. 'And, par cas, yiff I hadde wrouht Some vnkouth thyng that wer notáble By Aventure, or profytáble Mor than any other whyht, Wych wer merveillous to syht, I ouhtë nat, as thynketh me, Off no wyht apechyd be; Consydred how (in sothfastnesse) That I am namyd a "maystresse,"[C. & St.] Wych ouhte suffysen vn-to the:[C. & St.] 'Thow gest as now no mor of me:[C. & St.] Tak thys now in especyal.[C. & St.] 'As for Answere to the, fynal,[C. & St.] Lo, her ys al, in wordys pleyn:—[C. & St.] Go now, & retourne home ageyn To Nature (in conclusïoun), To[And St.] mak to hyre relacïoun, As she that ys (shortly to fyne,) A symple scoler clepd off myne; And also (yiff thow lyst to lere,) But off Grace my chaumberere. 'And syker, I wyll that yt be wyst, I wyl do what-euere me lyst, Wherso yt plesë outher greve, And take off hyre no maner leve; And don what euere lyketh me, Only for loue off Charyte; What euere hyre lyst, that shal be do: My wyl ys that yt shal be so. ffor what-so that hyr lyst devyse, In al my bestë ffeythfull wyse I shal consente (& tarye nouht,) To al that euere she wyl ha wrouht, In specyal & in general.' And whan that he hadde herknyd al, Thys Aristotile gan abraide, And humblely to hyre he seyde: Aristotle meked hym selffe.[in Jn. Stowe's hand, at side: in St.] 'Sothly,' quod he, 'I se ryht wel Yt may avaylle neueradel (ffor ouht that I kan espye,) With yow to holden chaumpartye,[Champartye St.] Or Argue al the longë day: Yt ys best that I go my way. Do what yow lyst, ffer or ner,Camb. MS. reads: Dooth what euere ye wole; good leeue ye haue, p. 50.[C. & St.] Your myght ys grete, and your power;[C. & St.] What-so ye lyst, ye may well don.'[C. & St.] 'And thus thys mayster ys a-gon,[C. & St.] And dydë ek[alle St.] hys bysy cure,[C. & St.] ffor to tellen to Nature[C. & St.] Off hys exployts and off hys sped.[C. & St.] And a-noon, as she took heed, She gan to gruchen in hyr thouht; But whan she sawh yt wayllede[vayllede St.] nouht, Mor to maken résistence, She suffrede al in pacïence.' Whan Gracë Dieu off hyr bounte, Thys talë hadde ytold to me, To-forn as ye han herd devysed, With gret desyr I was supprysed In my thouht & my coráge, And hungrede for myn ávauntage, In hope tave had the bettre sped ffor to haue Etyn off that bred. The Pylgrym prayede.[St., om. C.] "Ma dame," quod he, & gan hym meke, "Humblely I yow be-seke, Me to graunte, to myn encres, Off the Releff off Moyses, My voyded hertë to fulfylle, Wych so longe (a-geyn my wylle, As ye wel knowe,) hath voydë be, And neuere ne hadde hys ful sawlee.[sawle St.] ffor, to thys tyme neuere yit I nat conceyvede in my wyt Wher-with yt myghte fulfylled be; ffor wych, I pray yow, graunteth me." Grace Dieu Answerde[St., om. C.] 'Certys,' quod she, 'thy requeste, I holde yt ys nat dyshoneste; ffor thys bred ys necessarye[C. & St.] To allë folk wych lyst nat tarye[C. & St.] In ther vyage, thus semeth me.[C. & St.] ffor, or thow come to that cyte[C. & St.] Whyder thow castest for to gon,[C. & St.] By many weyës mo than on, Thow shalt be troublyd (yt ys no dred) 'Yiff thow haue nat off thys bred, Al thy sorwes for tapese, Thow art lyk to haue dysesse, And in thy weyë[weye St., wey C.] gret offence; ffor wych thow shalt ha lycence To take thys bred, & ek conge. 'But fyrst, off ryht & equyte, Toward thys bred or that thow drawe, (As yt ys wryten in my lawe;) Thow must ha fyrst, pocessïoun Off a sherpe[Scrippe St.] & a bordoun, As thow to-forn Requeryst me In lowly wyse to graunte hem the. 'And I answerdë the ageyn, And the be-hihte ek (in certeyn,) That in myn hows ther was plente Off bothë tweyne: thus told I the. And tolde the, on the tother syde, That I sholde for the provyde, To shewë the, in my depoos, Thynges that wer with-Innë cloos, Wych I ha shewyd but to fewe; But vn-to the I shal hem shewe. And somme off hem secrely I ha the shewyd in party, And am ay redy (as I tolde) Thy couenauntës for to holde With-outen al collusïoun. 'And towchyng shyrpe[Skryppe St.] & bordoun, Thow shalt hem haue (as I be-hihte)[Stowe] Deluyered in thyn ownë sighte. And after that, (yt ys no drede,)[Stowe] Thow shalt nowe put ther-in thy bred[C. & St.] With-Inne thy shryppe,[Skryppe St.] as yt ys ryht;[C. & St.] And affter that, thow shalt ha myght, fforth vp-on thy way, by grace, As A pylgrym for to passe. The pylgryme answerid:In Stowe's hand.[The Pylgrym Answerde. St.] "Ma dame," quod he, with gret meknesse, "I thanke vn-to your worthynesse; ffor my desyr & my wysshynges Resten fully in thys thynges. I wolde, with-outë wordys mo, Have hem fayn, & ben ago." Thanne thys lady, off hyr grace, Laddë me in-to a place In wyche (who kan reportë wel) Was ful many a ffayr Iowel, Vp-on wyche myn Eye I leyde; And Euene thus to me she seyde: Grace dieu spake:[In Stowe's hand. The Stowe MS. has it.] 'Lefft vp thyn Eye, be-hold & se,From 1. 6241 to 1. 6581 is a dialogue between Grace Dieu and the Pilgrim touching the five senses, and as to the transfer of his eyes to his ears, all which is omitted in the Camb. MS. and in the first French prose.—Aldenham. And tak good heed now vn-to me! 'ffyrst, thys skryppe & thys bordoun Haven thys condycyoun, That thow in soth may them[mayst hem St.] nat se, But yiff so falle, thyn eyen be Set ther as thyn Erys stonde. And therfor thow shalt vnderstonde, Yiff thow hem seye A-noon now ryht With thyn Eyen cler & bryht, Wher as they be, now trustë wel They sholde the plesë neueradel. Wherfor I shal (yiff that I may) Bothe thyn Eyen take away, And hem out off her placë fette;[C. & St.] And in thyn Erys I shal hem sette,[C. & St.] That thow mayst, at lyberte,[C. & St.] Skryppe & bordoun bettre se.'[C. & St.] the pylgryme marvelethe:In Stowe's hand.[The Pylgrym merveylleth. St.] "Madame," quod I, "what lyst ye seyn? Me thynketh that ye speke in veyn: Ye speke off thyng that me wer loth, And make myn hertë wonder wroth, And yive to me occasïoun To leuë skryppe & ek bordoun, "And to for-sakë bothë tweyne. And syker (yiff I shal nat feyne,) I hadde leuere to do so, Than to endure so gretë[grete St., gret C.] wo, ffor taperë monstruous, Or shewe me-sylff so odius; Or that ye sholde (I yow ensure,) So me transforme or dysfygure." grace dieu spake:[In Stowe's hand. It is in the Stowe MS.] 'Vnderstond,' quod she, 'a lyte In thys mater, my sylff taquyte, Off wych I shal the tellë more. 'Yt ys not yet ygon ful yore (Yiff thow remembre, & lyst tak hed,) Whan thow doutest the off thys bred, And haddest merveil (ek parde,) By what Resoun yt myghtë be, Whan thyn hertë stood in doute That so mychë folk aboute Hadde in thys bred ful suffysaunce, And ful repast to ther plesaunce, That al thy wyttys, in no wyse Koudë techë the the guyse Of thys vnkouthë[vnkouthe St., vnkouth C.] pryvyte; And, ne hadde thy Erys be,[Stowe] (Yiff thow Remembre thè ryht wel,)[Stowe] Thow haddest knowen neueradel.[Stowe] 'For yiff yt be a-ryht conceyved,[C. & St.] Alle thy wyttys wer deceyved,[C. & St.] And lyede pleynly vn-to the, What they felte or dydë se, Saue the trouth (& thus yt stood) With thyn Eryng stylle a-bood. 'Wherfore I muste (of verray ryht,) Translate thyn Eyen & thy syht, Thyder wher thyn Erys stonde. And (as thow shalt wel vnderstonde,) Thyn Erys muste haue Eyën clere Taparceyvë, in thys matere,[C. & St.] And to conceyven euery thyng. 'ffor, trustë me wel, that Eryng.i. Auditus St., om. C. Wel dysposyd, voyde of slowthe, Kan the tellë best the trouthe, In thyngës wych that ben dotous, Wonderful & merveyllous. 'ffor wych thyng, I wyll nat lette, Ther thyn Eyen for to sette, With hem to sharpë mor thy wyt; ffor thow seyst nat clerly yit, As thow ouhtest in thyn mynde. Thow trustest vp-on fourë blynde. On whom trowynge, (trustë me,) Thow art ful blynde, & mayst nat se. 'But yt be-houeth, that clerly Thow mustest sen, & openly, Or thow haue pocessïoun Outher of skryppe or off bordoun. ffor thow shalt hem nat possede, Nor bern hem out (yt ys no drede,) Out off myn hous, in no manere, (Sherpe[Skrippe St.] or bordoun bothe yfere) Tyl thow knowe (with-outë slowthe)[C. & St.] Verrayly the pleynë trouthe[C. & St.] Off al that hath be told to the Touchynge thys bred; now truste to me, And wene nat,—in[in St., nat C.] no maner wyse, As I shal to the devyse,— That I no-thyng off volunte Seye thys wordys to temptë the A-skawnce: I woldë A-geyns ryht With-drawe that I ha the be-hyht: To the, my promys I wyl kepe; ffor neuere, vakyng[wakyng St.] nor a-slepe, (As I ryht wel rehersë kan,) I deceyved neuere man Off thyng that longede vn-to me. 'And ther-fore doutë no-thyng the, That I wyl to no strangë fourme, The diffacen, nor dysfourme; ffor platly (in conclusïoun) 'Yt lyth in thyn elleccïoun, And in thy fre choys yt shal be, ffor to chesyn, as for me To settyn thyn eyen her or there. 'And for my party, thow shalt lere Yiff thow in me haue swychë[swyche St., swych C.] tryst, ffor to Remeue hem wher me lyst, As for onys to assaye, Yiff I ther-wyth nat the dysmaye, But do yt for thyn ávauntage, The ther nat pleyne on no damage.' The pilgrim axithe:[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym Asketh. St.] "Wher-off serueth (touchyng thys thyng) Clernesse off myn vnderstondyng, Wych clerkys calle (in sentement) Intellect or entendëment, Wych hath Eyen (I dar seyn so,) As manye (or an hundryd mo) As hadde Argus / of yore agoon,[Stowe] Yit in hys Erys / hadde he noon,[Stowe] In bookys olde / ye may well se.[Stowe] "I hope yt stant nat so with me,[C. & St.] That good avys shal me so faylle, Nor no Rudnessë so masaylle. Me thynketh pleynly (as I tolde) But that myn vnderstondyng sholde Techyn me the trouth al pleyn, And ther-to hauë no dysdeyne, Me tenfourme of al thys thyng, With-outen any remowyng[Remewyng St.] Off the Eyën in myn hed Into[Into St., In C.] myn Eryn (who kan tak hed); Wych wer in soth An vnkouth syht,[St. & C.] And gret merveyl to euery whyht." Grace Dieu Answerde[St., om. C.] Quod grace dieu, 'tak hed, & se, Thyn vnderstondyng (trustë me) Wolde in soth ha no dysdeyne To techë the the trouthë pleyn. But thow mayst trustë me ryht wel: 'He vnderstondeth neueradel Off thys matere that we off talke, He goth be-syde, & maketh a balke,— To sen clerly thexcellence, The valu and the[the om. St.] magnyfycence Off that we holde our parlement, He ys so feble & indygent ffor lak off knowyng (in sothnesse), He ys [so] fallen in dyrkënesse,[dyrkenesse St., dyrknesse C.] That he knoweth her-of ryht nouht, Truste me well, (yiff yt be souht,) The verray trouthe, (so god me saue). 'And ther thow seyst, he sholde ek haue An hundryd eyën, & yet mo, Thow shalt wel wyte yt ys nat so, Nor that yt ys a thyng credyble,[St. & C.] Nor off hys lookys wych be possyble,[St. & C.] Wych he hath by successyouns;[St. & C.] I sey nat off thentencyouns[St. & C.] Wych thow hast in many wyse;[St. & C.] ffor than (shortly to devyse)[St. & C.] In swych caas thow seydest wel, And elles platly thow shalt fel Thow wentyst foule out off the weye. 'ffor he hath only but on Eye, That Symply seth & vnderstondeth, And thyngës wych he vnderstondeth Lyk to hys syht, as they doth[do St.] deme, He byt, & kan no ferther deme. Swych thyng as longeth to hym off ryht, ffor to be demyd by the syht, He receyveth to hys presence; And thannë thyn Intelligence, Also ffer as he doth se, He Gyveth hys doom in that degre: On thyng nat seyn, he kan nat muse; But al swych thyng he doth refuse, And sent yt forth (pleynly to seyn), Outward, ther as yt kam a-geyn. ffor lak, he kan no ferther se, 'Thorgh hys ffoltysshe vanyte.' The pilgrym axithe:[In Stowe's hand, 'The Pylgrym Asketh.' St.] "Ma dame," quod I, "ful gladly I wolde wyten certeynly, Clerly to be put out off doute, What ys he that wych sendeth oute, And what ys he (ek in certeyn) That Reporteth hem A-geyn Tydynges erly & ek late; And yiff ther be ek any gate A-twen the brynger / and hym that sent;[C. & St.] I woldë fayn / in myn Entent Off yow / haue Informacyoun,[Stowe] And clerly dyffynycyoun."[Stowe] Grace Dieu Answerthe[Stowe, C. blank.] 'Certys,' quod sche, 'by thyn askyng[St. & C.] Thow shalt neuere knowe no thyng As I be-leuë, in substaunce. 'Thow herdyst whylom, how dame penaunce Made a declaracïoun Off vj. gatys, in hyr sarmoun. And fyve off hem, she saydë blyue, That they wer the wyttys fyue; By wych gatys she dyde assure, That al fylthës & al ordure Entrede in,[Inne St.] in sondry wyse, (As thow herdyst hyre devyse,) Whan they wer open, & nat cloos. The wych gatys, to my purpos I wyl now take in specyal With-outë preiudice at al. 'ffor thys gatys, I calle "porterys," "Bryngerys-in[Inne St.] & massagerys" Off echë[eche St., ech C.] thyng, & sayd with-oute, But yiff yt falle with-outë doute, Certeyn Secretys, wych that be Hyd & ydon in pryvyte. Thys gatys I calle the "passages, Wherby in[Inne St.] passen the massages." 'Thys to seyne (vnderstond me wel; 'Conceyve my speche euerydel:) Eye ys the gate, lookyng porter; Nose, the dore & massager Who kan parceyve ys smellyng; And semblably in euery thyng, Euene lyk yt doth be-falle Off thyn other wyttys alle, Thanne whan that lokyng is porter Off the Eye, & massager.[C. & St.] 'And I wyl here by & by[C. & St.] Speke off the Eyë specyally,[C. & St.] And lete the tother passe & gon. 'Now herkne, & thow shalt here A-noon As I sayde rathe vn-to the,[C. & St.] Lokyng, with wych men do se, Vn-to the Eye ys porter (As thow well wost) & massager; And whan that he seth thyngës newe, ffresshe & lusty of ther hewe, ffayr or foul, wher-so yt be, He bydeth nat in no degre, Nouther slepeth nor resteth nouht, But, as swyfft as any thouht,— Thorgh hys bysy dyllygence, A-noon, (as he hath licence Off the wyttys callyd comwne,— Thanne hys offyce to contune,) He maketh a demonstracioun, Report & ful relacyoun, ffyrst off all, to fantasye. 'Thanne ffantasye doth hyr hye.i. Fastinat St. To Go forth to Entendëment, To yive a trewë Iugement Off report that he hath brouht, Iustly to deme, & errë nouht, Be yt off thyngës newe or old. 'Now telle I the, as I ha told Amongys al thy doomys stronge; Yiff the thyng vn-to hym longe, Thanne he (in conclusïoun) 'Wyl yt demyn off Resoun. And ther-vp-on ek détermyne, And in hast hys doomys fyne, Whan he hath cerchyd yt & sought. '& yiff to hym yt longeth novht, By hem that brouhte yt (in certeyn),[C. & St.] In haste he sent yt forth ageyn;[Stowe] The Messagerys (Erly and late) Conveye yt by the samë gate[St. & C.] By wych yt kam: lo, her ys al.[St. & C.] 'And mor to the I tellë shal;[St. & C.] (Reporte me wel at allë tymes;) The skryppe that longeth to pylgrymes, (I mene, off pylgrymes in specyal, Swyche as be goodë founde at al,) Whan they hem skryppen euerychon, They fyrst vn-to the gatë gon Off the Ere, & off Eryng; And ther, with-oute mor taryyng, Hem sylff redy for to make, ffyrst, the porter they awake Yiff that he slepe; and than A-noon, By thylkë gatë, in[Inne,] they gon. 'Off other gatys (I ensure) They do no fors, nor ha no cure; ffor heryng ther ys cheff porter; And he goth forth as massager, ffyrst to wyttys that be comwne; And, or that they ther-on comwne, They make a demonstracyoun Cler,[Clere St.] & ful relacïoun, To fantasye, wher as she[he St.] Syt. 'And no lenger she abyt, But to the gretë Iuge she goth (Wherso that he be glad or wroth); She sheweth platly hyr entent Vn-to thys Iuge, Entendëment. And whan that he hath musyd longe Theron, in hys doomys stronge, And he, for lak off knowelychyng, 'ffeleth ther-in no maner thyng,[C. & St.] Thanne off Folye, he chek maat,[C. & St.] Awhapyd and dysconsolat,[C. & St.] Sent yt ageyn (yt stondeth so)[C. & St.] By thylkë gate that yt kam fro;[C. & St.] ffor he (shortly, in sentement)[St. & C.] Koude gyue noon other Iugëment,[St. & C.] ffor al hys wyttys wer a-gon, Saue that Eryng (among echon) Kam a-noon to hys refuge, ffor to deme & be a Iuge, As yt longede off verray ryht. 'ffor smellyng, Tastyng, touch, & Syht, They wer deceyved, euerychon; And for to knowe the trouthe a-noon, And a trewë doom to make, A man mustë the Eyën take, And to the Erys hem translate, Wych off Eryng ys the gate; And ther, whan they be set aryht, They shal be cleryd so off syht To demë trouthe, and no-thyng erre, Bryht as any sonne or sterre.' The pylgrym answereth: "What euer," quod I, "that ye han sayd, Ther-off I am ryht wel a-payd. I ha consydred euerydel That ye to-forn ha seyd ryht wel; ffor wych, ma dame, (as ye best se,) I wylë[wyl St.] that myn Eyen be With-Inne myn Erys set a-noon, Or ye any ferther gon. ffor I ha conceyved in my thouht, That to me, ful lyte or nouht My pylgrymagë sholde avaylle, Yiff so that I dydë ffaylle To haue a Skryppë / or Burdon." ¶ And tho / to myn Entencïon /[Stowe] (Lyche as to yow / I toldë Late /)[Stowe] Myn Eyen two she gan translate[Stowe] In-to myn Eryn, ther they stood.[Stowe] And for she sawh that yt was good,[C. & St.] An huchche she gan a-noon vn-shette;[C. & St.] And out a-noon ther-off she fette (Lyk to myn oppynyoun) Bothe a skryppe & a bordoun.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] 1Off wych thyngës, a-noon I Gan to merveille ful gretly, With myn Erys (as she me tolde) Whan that I gan hem be-holde:11_1 Not in Camb. prose.—Aldenham. The skryppë mad & shapë clene, By A gyrdel heng off grene, The wych was (as I vnderstood) Spreynt with dropys off red blood, Wheroff I was abaisshed sore. And over that, I sawh yet more: Vpon the samë gyrdle stronge, Off syluer, smalë bellys honge, Twelue in noumbre, & no mo, Wel enamellyd; & also Ech off hem (I yow ensure) Haddë a dyuers Scrypture, The lettrys large & curyous; And in the ffyrste was wryten thus: "God the ffader," fful wel ywrouht, That heuene and erthë made off nouht, And made ek man to hys lyknesse, Off hys grace & hys goodnesse. And ferthermor (yiff I shal telle) Was wryten in the nextë belle: "God the Sone, off wysdam most." In the thrydde, "God the Holygost." And they wer mad so wel, echon, Semynge to me they were al on; And with-Inne I dydë se A claper that seruede hem all thre. In the fourthe was wryte & graue, How goddys sonë, man to saue, Cryst ihesu, descended doun ffrom that hevenly mansyoun In-to the Erthe, & be-kam man; And (as I rehersë kan,) Off the holy gost conceyved, Porely in thys world receyved, Born off A maydë pur & ffre, Ay flouryng in vyrgynyte, Wych allë wemmen dyde excelle. And wryten in the fyffthë belle, Graue in ordre, by & by, Was hys gretë tormentry, And ek how he was crucyfyed, And how that he for man hath dyed, And suffryd ful gret passïoun, To maken hys redempcyoun, With many woundys ful terryble, And rebukys ful penyble, Mankynde only for to save; Take fro the croos, put in hys graue, Affter al hys peyne & wo. And in the .vj. was wryte also,[Syxte St.] (Wrouht, yt myghte nat be amendyd,) How he to hellë ys descendyd, Hys frendys ther to fette a-way, Wych hadde be there so many a[a om. St.] day To bryngë hem to paradys. And in the .vij. (by gret avys)[Seventhe St.] Was wryte hys resureccïoun; In the viij.,[heythe St.] hys Ascencioun Vp to the hihë heuene ageyn, With hys fader (in certeyn) To sytten there on the ryht syde, With hym perpetuelly tabyde, Ther to demen quyk & dede, Euery man affter hys dede. Also (yiff ye lyst to wyte,) In the nynthë ther was wryte (Graue off hym that dyde yt werche,) Crystys spousë, hooly cherche, With al hys dyuers paramentys, And all the .vij.[Sevene St.] sacramentys. And in the Tenthë, men myhte se The Oonyng and the vnyte Off seyntys, the comunyoun, Ordeyned for manhys[mannys St.] refeccyoun, And off synnës Indulgence By baptesme & by penytence. And in the .xj.[Elleventhe St.] (be wel certeyn,) Was the Rysyng vp A-geyn Off all man-kynde, bothe hih & lowe, Whan gabryel hys horn shal blowe, To calle all ffolkys off entent To komë to the Iugëment. Body & sowle (as ye shal lere) Bothë knet Ageyn yfere, Shal ther come to audience, ffor to heryn the sentence; And thyder haven ther Repayr To-for the Iuge hih in the hayr, Goode & badde: thus stant the caas. And in the .xij.,[Twelthe St.] grauen ther was Only, off goodë, the guerdoun, And off wykked, punycyoun,[the punycion] Swych as dydë no penaunce, Nor ne hadde no répentaunce To make amendys, I yow ensure. Loo, her, hooly the scrypture Off the syluer bellys clere, And off the namel[Thenamel St.] ek yfere. Now shall I tellen the ffacioun And the maner off the bordoun, Wych was (yiff ye lyst to lere) Wrouht & mad in thys manere: Yt was ymad bothe strong & lyht, Long also, & evene vpryht; Off dryë wode (yiff yt be souht) Wyche neuere ne roteth nouht, Nor neuere perissheth, (in certeyn,) Nouther for ffyr, nor ffor no reyn. Yt was ywrouht & mad so wel; And a-boue, a Round poomel Off a merrour, that shon ful bryht, And gaff envyroun a gret lyht, In the wych, men myghtë se ffer ffrom hem al the contre Rounde aboute hem Envyroun. ffor ther ne was no regyoun So ffer from yt, by no dystaunce, (To Reknen euery cyrcumstaunce) But men myghte sen yt euerydel, And beholde yt ffayre & wel. And in that myrour dyde I se The maner hool off the cyte To the wych I was so bent ffor to gon, in myn entent. ffor wych (in myn oppynyoun) I preysede gretly the Bordoun, And louyd also wel the bet. & lower doun ek ther was set A-nother poomel, wych off makyng Was lasse & Round, (to my seemyng,) Maad off a charboncle ston, The wych as any sonnë shoon, Thorgh al the contre shadde hys lyht (Yt was so Oryent and so bryht) An hugë compas round a-boute. And whan she hadde ytaken oute Thys two Iowellys ffayr & ryche, I trowë nowher wer noon lyche, Grace dieu (fayre mot hyr falle!) In goodly wysë gan me calle. Grace dieu speketh: Thys lady goodly spak to me, 'Kom ner, my sone; tak hed & se; Loo her (yiff I shal nat feyne) Thylkë Rychë Gyfftys tweyne Wych I be-hihte whylom to the; And thow shalt nat deceyved be. 'Loo her A skryppe & a Bordoun, 'The wych (off hool entencyoun) I gyve to the, now kep hem wel! Considre the maner everydel, How they be ryht necessarye To forthre the, (thow shalt nat tarye,) To helpë the in thy vyage, And to spede thy pylgrymage. Thow shalt off hem have ay gret nede, Yiff thow lyst thy Iourne spede, Nedful to pylgrymës alle; And "feyth," thy Skryppë thow shalt calle; Wyth-outë wych, [yt scratcht out]may nat be Brouht aboutë no Iournee Nor vyáge that may a-vaylle. ffor, thy bred & thy vytaylle, Ther-in thow shalt alway concerve, And allë tymes thow shalt observe Thys skryppë wel in thy bandoun, In euery cyte & euery Toun, In al thy mostë feythful wyse, And also for to auctoryse. 'Touchyng thys Skryppë callyd "ffeyth," Herkne what thapostel seyth In a pystel that he endyteth, And to the Romayns pleynly wryteth: "The ryht-ful man, with-outë stryff, By thys skryppë lat hys lyff;" § 1. 17, as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'Iustus ex Fide uiuit Thys to seyne, that ffeyth off ryht Yiveth lyff to euery maner whyht; As Abachuch that hooly man, In hys wrytyng rehersë kan, The secounde chapytle off hys book,Behold, his soul (which) is lifted-up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Who so lyst lyfft vp hys look. 'And thys skryppe (with-outë wene,) Off hys colour mot be grene; Wych colour (who so look a-ryht) Doth gret comfort to the syht; 'Sharpeth the Eye, (yt ys no dred,) And so doth ffeyth, (who taketh hed;) Yt maketh pylgrymes glad & lyht, With hem abydyng day & nyht; And in ther weye (I dar reporte,) Gretly doth hem Reconforte. ffor good[goode St.] pylgrymës euerychon, On pylgrymagë wher they gon, Only ffeyth doth hem sustene, By exaumple, as the grene, The gentyl colour glad & lyht, Yiveth clernesse to the syht. From l. 6785 to l. 6859 is omitted in Camb. prose.—Aldenham.'Whan the grenë al with-oute Ys spreynt with dropys Round aboute Off red blood (who kan entende), Than the syht yt doth amende fful gretly, I dar wel seyn; ffor ther ys dropë[droop St.] noon certeyn, But yt ys worth, & off mor prys To pylgrymës that be wys, Than outher perle or margaryte. And (as I dar ryht wel endyte,) Yt is mor Ryche & precyous, Mor off valu & vertuous, The bloody dropys, whan they be spreynt Vp-on the grenë, & ymeynt, To make a man mor strong & lyht, And tafforcë with hys syht, Than any other Rychë ston ffor to rekne hem euerichon, 'The grene ys good in specyal Whan the rede ys meynt with-al Off blood; for pleynly the Rednesse Wych that was shad[shadde St.] in clennesse Off gloryous martyrs longe agon, That spente her blood, & lefftë noon, But suffrede al the vyolence, And the mortal ek[eke / the mortal St.] sentence Off Tyrauntys Tyranye, 'And sparede nat platly to dye, (Ther legende so wryt & seyth) ffor to dyffendë crystys ffeyth; ffor wych, vp-on thys skryppe off grene, The bloody dropys ther ysene, Shewyn (in conclusïoun) Ther martyrdam, ther passïoun, Off ther ownë volunte, Only to yiven vn-to the Verrayly an exaumplayre (Wherso-euere thow repayre) To suffre deth for crystys sake, Rather than thow shust forsake Thy skryppe in any maner wyse, Off wych thow hast herd me devyse. 'ffor seyntys wych that suffrede so, I wot ryht wel that they be go To paradys, & Entryd in; ffor the swerd off cherubin, Wych whilom at the gatë stood, Ys so blontyd with her blood, That yt ys (I dar wel seyn) In[In to St.] the skawberk vp ageyn. 'But now-a-dayës it stant so, Hooly seyntys ben all a-go, That wer so myghty & so strong, And draddë nat to suffre a[a om. St.] wrong ffor the ffeyth, yt to dyffende, Her lyff, her blood, ther-on to spende; Redy they wern, & that a-noon; But now, annethe[vnnethe St.] ther ys nat on That wyl hym putte in Iupartye, Crystys feyth to magnefye, Nor makë myghty résystence Ageyn Tyrauntys by dyffence. 'Yet somme boste & spekë grete Whan they be fumous, ful off heete, And han yheete & dronke at large, Her bely stuffyd as a barge: Than they, for our feythys sake, 'Wyl crystys croos vp-on hem take; And, as champyouns, thanne they seyth That they wyl fyhtë for our ffeyth. But whan yt kometh vn-to nede, Al that théy spak touchyng dede, Yt ys for nouht, I dar wel seyn; And thus ther bost ys but in veyn; By ther wordys they wyl nat dwelle. 'But by old tyme, I shal the telle,cap. 98 is omitted. Whan I the skryppe gan fyrst devyse, Yt was al in a-nother wyse, With-outë bellys, symplely;.i. simpliciter St., om. C. Than suffysede, stedefastly To louë god, our créatour, And hym to serue with gret honour. 'But affter roos vp heresyes, Oppynyouns & fantasyes, The ffeythë[ffeythe St., ffeyth C.] falsly for to greue; And ther gan euery man to leue On god affter hys ownë lust, And settë pleynly Al ther trust Affter ther ownë ffantasye; Off wych (yiff I shal nat lye) Somme wer callyd "Arryens," And somme also "pellagyens," With ther oppynyouns newe; And other sectys ful vntrewe, The feyth off cryst for to werreye, And lyst nat to the cherche obeye, Thorgh ther false oppynyouns, Concludyng by collusïouns Off falshed shewyng many sygne, Ageyn thy skryppë to malygne, Ther-vp-on to be a-wreke; Off whom me lyst no mor to speke. 'But my speche I wyl restreyne; ffor wych cause, folk dyde hyr peyne, And prelatys off the cherche, Ageyn ther malys for to werche, Makyng in especyal 'Senys & counsaylles general,.i. Sinoda St. Off prouydence & gret avys, ffor to wythstondë ther malys, And ther errours to putte a-way, That contynuede many a day, To reformë the bewte Off the cherche by vnyte, I mene, by vnyte in substaunce Off our ffeyth and our creaunce, In ther hool Entencyoun; To makë Restytucyoun, By ther dyllygent labour, Off that was broke by ther Errour, That with-Innë nor with-oute Yt sholde no mor be put in doute. 'And for that skyle, & no thyng ellys, They souhten out the .xii. bellys That I off spak, & I the telle: They settë lettrys in ech belle, And articles off our creaunce, By thapostolys Ordynaunce; The wych wer mad (with-outë stryff) In hooly cherchë prymytyff. 'And in the Skryppe (tak hed to me) Off wychë[whiche St., wych C.] now I tellë the (Off entent ful pur & clene), The bellys, mad off syluer shene, They hengen hem, as thow mayst se, Wych thow howest (off duëte) Offtë sythës here hem Rynge, Off entente only to brynge Ther sown vn-to thy rémembraunce, And how thow shalt, in thy creaunce, Leve in god ay stedefastly. 'And for that skyle, contynuelly In thyn Erys the tawake, Thy bellys shal a chymbyng make, Day be day (in sothfastnesse) To techë thè the stedefastnesse Off the feyth, thy-sylff to Saue. 'And the nedeth nat to haue Noon other horlege,[Orloge St.] day nor nyht, ffor to smyte thyn hourys ryht, Yiff thow ther strokys trewly tellys, .xij. hourys and .xij. bellys; And ek also graue in the lettre .xij. Artycles, to go the bettre, Wych shal echon yfoundë be Wyth-Inne thy skryppe, to techë the, And tenforme the wel ynowh. 'But thow hast be somwhat slowh, In thyn herte to taken hede, Ther scrypturë for to Rede; I menë thus, thy sylff to saue, The Scrypture in the bellys graue; Yet, by ther chymyng (in substaunce), Thow sholdest ay ha rémembraunce Vp-on thy skryppë callyd "ffeyth," 'And thynk ek what Thapostel seyth: To the Romeyns he endyteth, Pleynly seyth, and thus he wryteth: "That thys bellys, in ther chymynge, And by noyse off ther sownynge, Parfytly they brynge in feythFides ex auditu. Romanos 10.x. 17. So then faith (cometh) by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. St. To the Erys; and thus he seyth: "Wher thyn Eyen be set most clere, The verray trewë sown to here, Abydyngë, nat transytórye, To excyten thy Memórye, Thy pylgrymagë to Acheve, How thow shalt ffyrst, in god be-leue; Wych doth nat ynowh suffyse, Wyth-outë that I shal devyse. 'ffor yt be-houeth ek herto, That thow mustest beleue also Stedefastly (yt ys no dred), That thys wyn & ek thys bred Be chaungyd in-to flesshe & blood. 'And her-with-al yt ys ek good, Be-leue O god in Trynyte, Thre personys in vnyte. And, thy ffeyth mor strong to make, Thow shalt a good exaumple take Off thylkë syluer bellys thre, To wych, in Tookne off Vnyte, A claper serueth in chymyng, Wych declareth in sownyng, "Ther ys but o god, & no mo." 'And tak Alway good hed her-to, ffro thys, that thy ffeyth nat varye, Who-euere sowne the contrarye. And truste wel how the partycles And the Remnaunt off Artycles Of all the tother, (who kan entende) Euerychon, her-on depende. 'Now take thy Skryppe, & go thy way, And thynk her-on ryht wel alway; And forget nat (yong nor old,) No thyng that I ha the told, Wryt in thyn herte as in a book.' [The Pilgrim.] And off hyr hand the Skryppe I took; But she, only off hyr goodnesse, The skryppe aboutë me gan dresse,— Thys Gracë dieu, ful manerly,— And Tapoynte yt ffetysly, Ouer[On St.] my shuldere she yt caste, And be-gan to bookele yt faste, In travers wyse, yt tenbrasse, She gan the gerdel to compasse; Made the pendant, that was long, To be knet & fastnyd strong, That the Tongë thorgh gan perce. And than to me she gan reherse A scrypture off ysaye Remembryd in hys prophesye, The .ii.[Elleventhe St.] chapytle ye may se, Gracë dieu seyng to me: Grace dieu:[Dieu Spak St.] 'ffyrst, thow shalt haue ffor Sykernesse A gyrdel off Ryghtwysnesse, To restreyne al lecherye. And, for to makë also dye Al fflesshly lustys euerychon, I shal the gyrde (& that a-noon,) Wyth thys skryppe, wych thow shalt bere The to dyffende (that no thyng deere) On pylgrymage, wherso thow go.' And thanne she took a wryt also Out off hyr huchche, & rauht yt me.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] 'In thys wryt, thow mayst,' quod she, 'Be-holdë the descrypcïoun, The maner hool, and the fasoun Off the skryppe that I the took; And offtë cast ther-on thy look ffro day to day, the bet to spede; And offtë sythe that thow yt rede, The copë pleynly, & scripture, The wych ys mad (I the ensure) In latyn only, off entent To yive to thè entendëment, And to clerkys that kan lettrure, And vnderstonde hem in Scrypture, That they may, both hih & lowe, The maner off thy Skryppë knowe, To folwe the ffeyth off crystys secte; To hem thys latyn I dyrecte. A LATIN POEM ON THE ARTICLES OF THE CREED. (43 Stanzas of 12 lines each, ryming aab, aabbb, abba.) St. Credo Ego Catholicus. (Jn. Stowe adds, "a large nombar of verses vpon ye crede, in lattyn, should folow here in this place.")c Redo ego catholicus, Simplex sim uel iherarchicus, Fide firma & simplici: Implicite, si laicus, Explicite, si clericus, Simbolo volo subici, A firmamento deici, Nunquam volo nec effici, Vt planeta erraticus: Malo mortemMori malo, Print. quam infici, Erroribus heretici, Legi dei concentricus. In deum, a quo conditus Est mundus, credoquo, Pr. primitus Iam lucis orto sidere: Fidei est introitus, Vbi, ego neophicus, Debeo pedem figere. Parum est deo credere, Vel deum ni preponere Ei velimvelis, Pr. in corditus: Nisi eum diligere, Velim verbo & opere, Et toto corde penitus. Patrem primum magnifico Eternum, et glorifico, A quo meum exordium, Eum-que sic specifico, Catholice & explico, Qui genuerit filium, Eum-que esse alium, Non aliud per proprium, Personale diuidico: Finem atque principium, Atque eorum nescium,eorum fore nescio, Pr. Ymaginor & iudico. Omnipotentem pariter Omnia-que suauiter Disponentem huncHunc disponentem, Pr. clamito, Nil frustra, nil inaniter, Nil-que nisi vtiliter, Operantem recogito; Si in fide hac hesito, Si vacillo uel dubito, Non sum discretus arbiter; Egeo duci digito, Quia errans exorbito, Et relinquo bonum iter. Creatorem hunc fateor, A quo reus ego reor, Rerum creatas species; Quem adorare teneor, De quo dictum confiteor. Illi soli tu seruies, Hoc non feci millesies, MeaMS. Maa. culpa & pluries.pluries, Pr. Me perditum intueor, Nisi dicat "saluus fies! Tu es mea progenies; Tui fili misereor." Celi & terre dominum, Angelorum & hominum, Eum in fide video; Patrem-que esse luminum, Dantem tenebristenebre, Pr. terminum, Sic intuens spem habeo. Et si ei non valeo Servire sicut debeo, Ob grandem molem criminum, Quo me vertam hunc timeo, Contremisco & paueo, Ne vindex sit peccaminum.peccaminum, Pr. Et quia patrem credere Non creditur sufficere, Ne non esset relacio Ad articulos vergere Me volo, et conuertere, Qui dati sunt de filio, Cuius est generacio, Sic miranda-que racio, Eam nescit exprimere, Veluti vespertilio StupetSuper, Pr. solari radio, Sic nescit ibi cernere. In ihesum Christum, igitur, Mea fides dirigitur. Ipse est patris filius; Genitus est, et gignitur,ginitur, Pr. Et gigni semper creditur, Sicut a sole radius. Nil in patre superius, Nil in nato inferius; In quantum deus dicitur, Eternum est suum prius, Eternum-que posterius; Nullis extremis clauditur. Filium eius vnicum Per decretum catholicum, Hunc affirmo & assero; Sine quo, totum lubricum, Inane & erraticum, Et carens casu prospero. Sibi seruum me offero, Nunc, et quamdiu fuero.vixero, Pr. Quamuis sit valde modicum, Ad eum-que me transfero, Quandocunque errauero Tanquam ad polum articum. Dominum nostrum dicere Hunc nos filii dextere Qui dicimur catholici, Debemus et attollere, Mente, uerbo, et opere, Preconio multiplici, Potestas eius deici,deijci, Pr. Nunquam potest, nec effici Minor siue decrescere Sibi-que debent subicisnbijci, Pr. Terrigene & celici, Et infernus hunc tremere. Qui conceptus est vtero, Virginali, hoc assero, Illibatis visceribus, Cuius cum perscrutauero, Modum hebetatus ero, RetensisRetunsis, Pr. cunctis sensibus, Hoc fecit ruptis vsibus Et consuetudinibus Nature, pro me misero; Vnde, ex infelicibus Me reputo hominibus, Si hec oblitus fuero. De spiritu sancto fuit, Quem uirgo deum genuit, De deo patre genitum, Quem deus carnem induit, Et vterum non horruit; Licet sibi insolitum IterIta, Pr. fuit incognitum, Et nature absconditum, Quia fecit vt voluit: Plus scrutari est irritum; Fides valet ad meritum; Et plus vltra non arguit. Natus est temporaliter, Qui natus eternaliter De deo patre fuerat. Ipso nato celeriter Factus estet, Pr. pius arbiter Pro mundo qui perierat, Homo enim offenderat, Deum qui hunc creauerat; Et sic erat lis iugiter, Vnde esse non poterat Quia homo qui peccauerat Non puniretur grauiter. Ex maria, ergo, pium Pacis traxit commercium, Noua reparans federa, Et reddens Arbitragium SeSed, Pr. ad patris arbitrium Obtulit, propter scelera, Mundi beata viscera Huius matris, et vbera, Suum-que puerperium. Felix ipsa puerpera, Seruiant ei sydera, Et totus grex fidelium. Virgine ipsa firmiter Seruante, etSeruantque, Pr. stabiliter Sancti pudoris liliumfilium, Pr. Suum, Venus et Iupiter, Et totum celum pariter Mirantur puerperium, Etas quoque viuencium, Et Iuuentus & senium, De hoc stupent perhenniter. 'Miror,' dicit, 'ingenium, Et virginem et filium Hic studerem inaniter.' Passus est ipse filius, Licet peccati nescius, Penas & contumelias, Factus-que est propicius, Qui ferus fuerat prius. Iam expertus miserias, Nunquam inuentus alias, Fuit pater-familias, Qui contulerit plenius Suas misericordias Pro suis, & angustias Sustinuerit durius. Sub, qui supra est, ponitur, Et subdito subicitur,subijcitur, Pr. Rex celorum altissimus Coram iudice ducitur, Et iudicio sistitur, Qui Iudex est equissimus, Superior sit infimus, Et virorum nouissimus, A suis-que relinquitur, De maximo fit minimus, Et licet sit sanctissimus, Reus mortis condicitur; Poncio Pilato, Feram, Ferente et mortiferam Contra ipsum sentenciam. In cruce manum dexteram Affigendam, et alteram Extendit in angariam; Tunc secundum IeremiamHieruniam. Pr. Transeuntibus per viam, Potuit suam asperam Monstrare contumeliam, Illatam per inuidiam, Cum nil egisset perperam. Crucifixus ille fuit, Et soluit quod non rapuit, Dans animam in precium. Sua pena non latuit, Sanguis fluens edocuit, Et latus suum peruium, Anime-que diuorcium. Quantum graue supplicium Pro homine sustinuit! Suum quoque obprobrium Factum oculis omnium, Euidenter hoc innuit. Mortuus est, eum tradidit Deo patri, et reddidit, Fuso sanguine, spiritum. Moriens, artem condidit, Qua sibi mortem subdidit, Sibi tollens ius solitum, Hostis per hanc depositum Quod tenebat ad libitum. Confusus totum perdidit, Infernus-que dans gemitum, Videns suorum exitum, Sibi dolorem addidit. Et ideo dum moritur, Et dum per hoc reuiuitur, Fletus miscetur gaudio, Pro morte fletus oritur, Cum innocens occiditur, Pro alieno vicio. Fit autem exultacio, Cum mentali tripudio, Dum per mortem mors vincitur Pio tamen arbitrio Videtur-que compassio Satis in plus intenditur. Sepultus est per triduum, Vsu sopito sensuum, Sicut mortui seculi, Suum erat irriguum, Exhaustum atque arcuum; Exhausti omnes riuuli, Deleti erant tituli Visu wlgarisvulgaris, Pr. oculi. Vincisse fuisse suum, Fuisse caput Anguli, Ductor uel rector populi, Aut deus exercituum. Descendit eius anima, Corporis sancta victima, Relicta in sudario, Ad acherontis infima Venit pro dragina decima, Longo perdita senio, Non illa que de gaudio Lapsa est a principio Ad inferni nouissima. Sed illa procul dubio, Que, in primo pomerio, Rapta est fraude pessima. Ad inferna, cum lumine Veniens, & in numine, Genus Adam visitauit, A baratri voragine, Desentos? Descensos. in caligine, Suos omnes liberauit, Ille hostem tunc mactauit, Et mactatum spoliauit Sua consuetudine. Ne furiat in quos pauit Sicut prius, et quos lauit, Fuso corporis sanguine. Tercia die redijt, Et tempus non preterijt, Datum ante diuorcium. Regrediens, introijt Potenter vnde exijt Corporis domicilium, Lapis magnus ad hostiumostium . . . ostiarium, Pr, Datus in hostiariumostium . . . ostiarium, Pr, Hunc ingressum nonEgressum suum, Pr. nescijt, Custodum-que astancium SellerciaSollentia, Pr. et studium Percipere non nequijt. Resurrexit a mortuis, Resumptis viribus suis, Vltra morti non subditus, Clausis venis irriguis Et tersis plagis profluis, Impassibilis penitus, Vita sibi est habitus, Priuacio interitus, Realteratis mutuis. Thome testis est digitus, Vulneribus appositus, Ex iussu, clausis Ianuis. Ascendit supra sydera, Et supra celi supera, Rediens de incolatu, Transeundo per aera, Findens redemptis ethera Potentyssimo volatu. Tunc Rachel, cum apparatuOn margin: Rachel interpretata, vidua domini, & signat cecum . . qui in morte [? MS.] slantes dicit ysaias [xxxiii. 7] 'Angeli pacis a[mare] flebunt.' In assensu eius [? MS.] Leticie, & ornatu, Exiens sua camera, Obuiam terso ploratu, Mutato-que eiulatv, Ei venit hymnifera. Ad celos, sic quando fuit Regressus, et rehabuit Honoris primi solium, Quando vnitam statuit, Carnem nostram et posuit, Caput esse celestium; Tunc homo in exilium Datus, & in obprobrium, Luctum tergere debuit, Et relevare cilium Demissum propter vicium, Regraciando potuit. Sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris, cocqualis ei, Hominem sic magnificans, Tempus sui Iubilei Cognoscens, et requiei. Plus se penis non implicans, Modus suus est indicans Quod Iam iudex sit iudicans, Ne presumant nimis rei. QuodqueNeque, Pr. deuotus supplicans, Cicius-que ius vindicans.vendicans, Pr. Impetrat premia spei. Omnipotentis filium Potencie non nescium, Hunc anima mea credit; Et si quid est contrarium Potencie vel obuium, Huic inesse non concedit, Imbecillis si accedit, Ad eum nunquam recedit, Non reportans auxilium. Totum posse suo cedit. Deus pater, sibi dedit Regni celi dominium. Inde venturus, In fine, Cum ferula discipline Et vlcionis gladio, Eductis tecto vagine Pro iusticie diuine Exercendo iudicio. Tunc disiuncte reunio Hominum et reiunctioMS. ieiunctio. reiunctio, Pr. Erit substancie bine OmniumOmnium, Pr. que ostensio Actuum et operacioapertio, Pr. Absque tegmine cortine. Iudicare cum veniet, Nullus eum effugiet, Nec habebit diffugium. Nullus ibi excipiet, Neque deffendere sciet Se per declinatorium; Nichil tunc dilatorium Omnium appellancium Valebit uel proficiet Immo secundum proprium Opus uel exercitum Vnusquisque recipiet. Viuos & mortuos scio Dissimuli stipendiodispendio, Pr. Illa die premiari, Quosdam eterno gaudio, Alios-que incendio Infernali numerari; Viuos se poterunt fari, Et de vita gloriari, Quorum erit vocacio; Mortui-que nominari Poterunt, et appellari, Quorum erit expulsio. Credo, cum precedentibus, Et cum predictis omnibus, Quosdam adhuc articulos, Quos in mundi campestribus Totis anime viribus Colligo ut manipulos, Fidei namque flosculos, Hos sicut et preambulos, Cognosco ex coloribus, Ad ipsos habens oculos, Vt discurram per singulos, Non exceptis aliquibus. In spiritum sanctum credo, Licet fex sim, et putredo, Et vilis esca vermium. Ipse patris est dulcedo, Est filij, &atque, Pr. mulcedo; Et consolator cordium, Dicere potest omnium. Artifex sum peret, Pr. proprium, Patre nato-que procedo; Digitus sum errancium, Tercia persona trium, Procedens, nunquam recedo. Sanctam ecclesiam dei Credo esse matrem mei, Cunctorum-que fidelium. Qui contrariantur ei, Facti sunt omnino rei; Erit eis opprobrium. Pro hac, quondam martirium Passi sunt, et supplicium Boni athlete fidei; Cruentatum vestigium, Et Roma, caput gencium, Testes fiunt huius rei. Catholicam, hanc clamito, Et refertam recogito Septem medicinalibus, Distinctis quasi digito, Ad succurrendum perdito In distinctis langoribus,languoribus, Pr. Primum originalibus, Medelam confert omnibus, Alia que non hesito, Dant diuersis respectibus Curam infirmitatibus, Seruato modo debito. Sanctorum communionem Et glorificacionem In celesti ecclesia, Credo per assercionem Et per affirmaciouem Omnis honoransOmnes adorans, Pr. dulia, Aliquos yperdulia, Solum deum-que latria, Ponendo dictinccionem, Satis sperans de venia, Si sua patrocinia Pro me prestentprestent, Pr. caucionem. Remissionem fieri, Peccatorum, ut reperi, Credo per penitenciam, Per naaman, hoc suggeri, In agro regum veteri, Dico ad euidenciam, Nam sicut hic mundiciam In aquis, et carenciam Lepre, ut caro pueri, Recepit: sic per gratiam, Penitens, reuertenciam Habet a porta inferi. Peccatorum sic maculas, Et spirituales pustulas, Assero purificari; Aliter has vt stipulas, Ad infernales foculas,faculas, Pr. Omnes dico destinari, Perhenniter has versari, In Iehennaiehenna Pr. et cremari, Et spinarum sarcinulas, Ex ipsis quoque parari, Hosti qui nunquam predari, Sicut sorbiciunculas. Carnis resurrectionem, Atque reconuiccionem Iuncturarum et ossium Post vite reunionem, Ad reddendam racionem Fateor ad iudicium, Ad consequendum premium, Per actum meritorium, Atque retribricionem Habendum, vel supplicium Per commissum contrarium Atque condempnacionem. Vitam eternam firmiter Credo, et hanc finaliter Dico metammetham, Pr. incolatus, Felix qui vadit taliter, Qui non perdit suumQui suum non perdit, Pr. iter, Sanctus quoque, et beatus Ibi omnis collocatus, Vere est glorificatus, Et Iam viuit feliciter, Cunctus ibi sit paratus, Glorie locus, et datus Sine fine perhenniter. Amen, corde dicens ergo, Volo ego aui mergo, Dissimilis non fiery;fieri, Pr. Nam si nimis me immergo, Vel profunde nimis pergo, Vadens ad portas inferi. Si errans vmbravmbras, Pr. vesperi Laberintho, ut pueri, Ad leuam me nimis vergo Tuto volo itineri, Redire cursu celeri, Respicere-que a tergo.86 French lines (to Lydgate's 152) follow on Foillet xxiiij before the 2nd Latin poem begins. [The Pilgrim.] Wyth thys skryppe whan I was bounde, Glad I was, & ful Jocounde; And than I gan a-noon enquere, Prayede she wolde vn-to me lere. (Lyst that ther wer any lak) Off the gyrdel that she off spak, That I myghte vnderstonde aryht The thyng that she hadde me behyht. Grace dieu: Quod Grace dieu, 'touchyng al thys, Off thy gyrdel & my promys, Thow sholdest (off good entencioun) ffyrst yaxyd[have askt, y axede St.] A Bordoun, The to sustenë nyht & day, And supporte the on thy way Wherso that thow go[goo St.] or walke. And affter, I caste me to talke With the, and pleynly ek expresse Off the gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse. 'But ffyrst tak hed off the Bordoun, How yt ys good in ech sesoun, ffor he nat falleth[ffaylleth St.] comounly That leneth ther on stedefastly. ffor wych thow shalt (as yt ys ryht,) With al thy fforce & al thy myght, Ther-on reste, what so be-falle. And trewly thow shalt nat falle, What perillous passage that thow go, As longe as thow takest hed ther-to, And, tavoyde[to avoyde St.] away dyspeyr, Wherso thow gost in foul or ffayr, Or what fortunë the be-falle. "Good hope" alway thow shalt yt calle: Thys the name off thy Bordoun, Off trust & trewe affeccïoun, Wych ys callyd Esperaunce, Affter the speche vsyd in fraunce, And the maner off that languáge.[langage St.] 'And looke alway, in thy passáge, That thow holde the wel ther-by, And ther-on restë feythfully In peryllous pathys wher thow wende. And by the pomellys at the Ende, Holde the strongly, I the rede, ffor they shal, in al thy nede Sustenë the, thow[that thou] fallë nouht, 'The hiher pomel (yiff yt be souht) Ys ihesu cryst: haue hym in mynde; And in scrypture (as thow shalt fynde.) He ys the morour[Merour St.] cler & bryht, With-outë spot, (bothe day & nyht,) In the wyche, a man, by grace,Sapicncie vijo. Speculum sine macula. St., om. C. May beholde hys ownë fface, In wych merour (as I tolde) Al the world ouhtë be-holde. In wych also men may fynde Allë thynges wrouht be kynde. Reste vp-on hym with herte and thouht, And go surly, & dred the nouht; And to hys helpë alway calle, And trustë wel thow shalt nat falle. 'The tother pomel lowere[lower St.] doun, Wych (with-oute comparisoun, Yiff I shal the trouthë telle) Ys the Mayde that doth excelle Al other off bewte & bounte; ffor she, in hyr vyrgynyte, Bar a chyld in thys world here, Mayde & moder bothe yfere, The Charbouncle most cler off lyht, Chasynge away dyrknesse off nyht, And al thys world doth énlwmyne; The ffresshë bemys so clerly shyne. Al that go mys in ther passáge, Or erryn in ther pylgrymáge; Or ffolk that gon out off her way, (As wel be nyhtë as be day, I dar afferme yt in certeyn She maketh hem to resorte ageyn Vn-to the ryhtë weye a-noon: ffor to pylgrymës euerychon She ys the trewë Gyderesse; And ther socour in al dyrknesse; And yiff they slydre, or fallë doun, Thys Emperesse off most renoun, Only off mercy, doth hem releue, That no thyng ne may hem greue In ther passagë nyh nor ferre, For she ys the loodë sterre, With her bryhtë bemys clere, To al[Tal C., Talle St.] pylgrymes in thys lyff here, That han to hyre affectyoun. 'And for that skyle, in thys bordoun, In thys pomel (yiff thow kanst knowe) She ys yset her doun alowe[ysette . . alowe St., yset lowe C.] By an Arche ymad off newe: No charbouncle so bryht off hewe, Nor noon other precyous ston, Rekne the .xij.[twelvë] euerychon. 'And in thys bordoun, lookë wel How she ys set for a pomel, Pylgrymes to saue, they[that they] be nat lorn, Wher-as ther was but On to-forn. 'But thys pomel most bryht & shene, Pylgrymës only to sustene, Ys set in ful goodely wyse; ffor ellys myghtë[myghte yt St.] nat suffyse The tother, but she wer ther also, Hem to supporte, wher-so they go. ffor she ys mene, (& that ful offte,) To the pomel hih a[off St.] -loffte: Thys to seyne, thys heuenely quene, To hyr sone ys euere a mene; Coumfort most princypal & cheff Tal[To all. Tyl St.] pylgrymes in ther myscheff, Hem to supporte, who taketh hede. 'And therfore whan thou hauest[haste St.] nede, Trust on hyre, & neuere varye, ffor she ys most necessarye To holde[To holde St., Tolde C.] hem vp in ther passage, Wher they ben old or yong off age. Leue on hyre, what so befalle, & in thy way thow shalt nat falle, Yiff that thow in eche sesoun Haue in hyre affeccïoun, Thow mayst nat stomble nouther slydre Whan thys pomellys ben to-gydre; She ys the pomel set mor lowe, By whose helpe, (as thow shalt knowe, And as I shal the trewly teche,) To the hiher thow shalt wel reche; Bothë wrouht off Stonys clere: And yiff thow loue on bothe yfere, Thow mayst trust, thorgh ther myght, Thow shalt nat falle, but gon vp ryht. 'Wherfor, for thy sauacyoun, Hold the wel by thys Bordoun Wych ys mad ful stronge, to laste; And therfor, therby hold thé faste; Trust on yt & nat ne feyne; ffor thys pomellys bothë tweyne Ben so noble and ffayr off syht, So glad, so coumfortable & bryht, And lyk thy[the St.] skryppe (I the ensure,) Thow shalt ffor ech haue a scrypture Yiff thow kanst hem vnderstond: Lo, haue hem here now in thyn hond; And consydre & loke hem wel: The ffyrst toucheth the pomel, Yset a-lofftë most cheffly; And the tother, wryt ther-by, (Shortly, for thow shalt nat tarye) Longeth to the Secoundarye.[St.] Pater Creator Omnium [& cetera, whiche should folowe.] I. A LATIN POEM ON GOD IN TRINITY.[Not in St.] (37 stanzas, of 12 lines each, ryming aab aabbb abba.) p ater, creator omnium,Another short hymn has the same title: 18. DE SANCTA TRINITATE. Pater, creator omnium, donans cuncta per filium, accepta nostros genitus per dona sancti spiritus O unitatis trinitas et trinitatis unitas! pro tuo sancto nomine, emunda nos a crimine! Mundatos a criminibus, dona virtutum floribus, et in polorum sedibus fac jungi cum fidelibus. Sit laus patri per sæcula, agnoque sine macula, atque sancto spiritui, quo mereamur perfrui. Amen! Mone, Lateinische Hymnen des Mittelalters, i. 25 (1853). Origo et principium A quo causantur omnia, Ad te, tuarum ouium, Tuorum grex fidelium, Alta mittit suspiria, In fletu et miseria, Captiuati per deuia, Non habemus remedium, Nisi tua clemencia, Tua paterna gracia Nobis ferat auxilium. A Gap for the first word of every stanza was left blank for the Rubricator to fill in; but he hasnt fild it. I therefore insert the words from the old printed book, ab. 1500. Noster voluisti esse, Ne nobis esset neccesse, Extra te quicquam querere Non poteras plus prodesse, Neque de maiori messe Nobis vnquam tribuere; Solus debes sufficere, Quia solus reficere Potes mentes plebis fesse, Aliud quam te temere; Auernus nam deficere Restat, si velis abesse. Qvies Fuisti, et eris; Pater, succurre miseris, Qui non manemus in idem, Idem ipse tu diceris, Qui nunquam permutaberis, Manens semper in ibidem,id idem. Sicut hoc credimus quidem, Fac, pater, per istam fidem, Vt noxas nostri sceleris, Dimittas nobis totidem, Quotiens promisit pridem, Redemptor nostri generis. In celis sursum habitas, Qui in terris nos visitas, Dominus exercituum, Si non feris aut excitas, Nos remissos non suscitas Ad ullum opus strenuum, Ad volandum in arduum, Et altam messem fructuum, Alas habens irritas, Laboramus in vacuum, Nec habemus irriguum, Nisi tua det bonitas. Sanctificetur, dicimus, Nomen tuum, quod colimus Et quod est ammirabile,admirabile, Pr. Sine quo recognoscimus, Et audacter proferimus Nil sanctum, nil valibile,laudabile, Pr. Sed cum non sit hoc facile Laudare, nec possibile Eo-que non sufficimus. Tamen, prout optabilepro vt est habile, Pr. Cordibus est, & habile,Cordibus et optabile, Pr. Ad laudandum assurgimus. Nomen tibituum, Pr. alpha & O, Significans, in secreto, Finem atque principium, Tali decet alphabeto, Nos studere corde leto, Leccio est credencium, Theologos hoc studium Nos facit et ad solium De mundi arundineto Transfert, mutans in gaudium, Miserrimum naufragium Quod patimur in hoc ffreto. Tuum pater est proprium, Non annexum per alium, Misereri et parcere De te, suum tentorium Et suum diuersorium, Debent filij facere Mortem non vis, sed viuere, Vis omnes qui conuertere Se volunt per suspirium. Nunquam uis tuos perdere, Nec pullos milus tradere, Quorum tu es refugium. Adueniat ergo deus, Aliquando iubileus, Nobis datis exilio, Si quisquam nostrum est reus, Nec est ibi Machabeus, Qui fortis sit in prelio, Non propter hoc intencio Tua sit ut nos gladio, Vastet, Golyath, Getheus,Etheus, Pr. Semper enim in vinioviuio, Pr. Nobis nocet &in, Pr. inuio, Factus seon amorreus. Regnum tuum, vt dicitur, Rex eterne, vim patitur, ViolentiEt violenti, Pr. hoc rapiunt, Virtutibus concutitur, Penitencia pellitur, Preces illud effodiunt. Si ista non sufficiunt, Machinas multi faciunt; Quibus super ascenditur, Nam quidam se subiciunt,sufficiunt, Pr. Votis quibus obediunt, Ars ista nunquam fallitur. Fiat ergo per gratiam, Quia talem violenciam Permíttís illuc intremus, Et murorum custodiam, Non des ad resistenciam Quia nichil tunc possemus, Artem nec vires habemus, Vt per horam solamEt . . . solum, Pr. stemus, Nisi tu des constanciam, Retrocedere solemus, Quando adire debemus Illud regnum et patríam. Voluntas tua saluare Est homines,hominis, Pr. et iuuare In tribulacionibus; A mari usque ad mare, Vnire et congregare Cunctos de nacionibus, Debiles cum pauperibus, Preparatis iam omnibus Ad cenam tuam vocare, Pusillis cum maioribus, In oportunitatibus Auxilium ministrare. Sicut, pater, hoc credimus, Sicut de hoc confidimus, Sic nobis auxiliaris, Aliunde non querimus Auxilium, nec petimus, Quia solus tu mederis, Si non aliquando feris Pro nostris culpis et teris. Non propter hoc diffidimus, Scimus enim quia geris Curam nostri, et nosnostri nosque, Pr. queris Quando a teA te quando, Pr. recedimus. In celo, supra spericam Rotantis mundi fabricam, Immobilis dominaris, Sedem tenens teatricam,thearicam, Pr. Aciem tuam bellicam, De excelso contemplaris; Nos eccitas, nos hortaris, Vt sit toga militaris, Prius tincta per rubricam, Quam hostis familiaris Nobis tollat tuis caris Innocencie tunicam. Et quia, sine viribus Et armis spiritalibus, Accessimus ad duellum, Quia, nullis verberibus Domatum, uel calcaribus, Sentimus carnis asellum. Ideo, sanctum scabellum, Quo stas, ad videndum bellum, Adoramus cum fletibus,flacibus, C. Et ipsummet domicellum Per ydoneum flagellum, Subicias supplicibus. In terra, nos te colonum, Et in celo te patronum[? MS.] Animarum cognoscimus, Et tete, Pr., om. C. deum ulcionum Esse, et punicionum In inferno metuimus. Et ideo requirimus, Et devote assistimus Ante tuum sanctum thronum; Vt nobis, qui peccauimus, Sis, vt de te presumimus, Memor miseracionum. Panem nostrum In sudore Vescendum, et in labore, Dedisti a principio, Vsque modo tali more Ipso mixto cum merore,tali more, Pr. Nostra fuit refectio; Sed, ne esset fastidio, Prouidisti de alio, Longe satis meliore; Hoc est, de tuo filio, In quem panis conuersio Fit, ipso institutore. Quotidianum petimus Hunc panem, et requirimus, Cotidie indigentes, Primum exactor proximus Secundum petit animus; Sine ipso morientes, Primo uiuunt omnes gentes, Sed secundo penitentes Quia panis est azimus, Ideo, accipientes Omni fermento carentes, Debent esse,Esse debent, Pr. vt credimus. Da panem istum, domine, Vtrumque qui pro homine, Vtroque fuit pensatus,[111/2] Sustentet moderamine, Vnus vnum, sed minime Fiet alter saciatus, Si in nobis sit reatus,[? MS.] Per quem nobis sis iratus. Non propter hoc in turbine, Vindicte sis recordatus; Sed memor sis, quod nos natus Tuus redemit sanguine. Nobis tuis pauperibus In lacum descendentibus, Succurrere non renuit. Nam mactatus verberibus, Et perfossusconfossus, Pr. vulneribus, Pro nobis mori voluit, EtEt ex, Pr. proprijs se exuit, Et soluit quod non rapuit, Obses pro peccatoribus, Mors sua nostram diluit, SetSed, Pr. penitere debuit Pro tam caris operibus. Hodie et cotidie, Simili vena Venie, Egeremus hunc minui, Nisi sue tam nimie Riui misericordie Nostro cederent vsui Per ipsos enim ablui, Credimus qui assidui Sumus culpis nequicie, Supposito-que fletui, Debito que gemitui, Nos demus voluntarie. Et quia digne lugere Non possumus, neque flere, Si exigunt demerita, Nec habemus quo supplere Nisi solum miserere, Quia non valent merita, Nostra quoque sunt irrita[111/3] Anima nostra perdita; Ideo clamamus vere,[? MS.] Respice nos, et visita, Et erige & suscita,[? MS.] Non nos sinens plus iacere. Dimitte nobis, & quita Peccata, pater, oblita; Et dele de libro tuo Illa autem que sunt scita. Lamentari nos facfac nos, Pr. ita Ne scribantur perpetuo. Non sunt vnum, non sunt duo, Nec numeranda biduo;triduo, Pr. Sed sunt quasi infinita, Non habita ex mutuo, Neque facta in triduo, Sed in tota nostra vita.vita nostra, Pr. Debita ipsa nouimus, Nam pro peccatis tradimusdedimus, Pr. Animas in obsidium. Penes nos non habuimus, Nec in domo inuenimus Vllum carius vadium. Deus, nostrum refugium, Tu, nosti vsurarium, Cui nos obligauimus, Nisi feras auxilium, Vel eum cogas nimium, Totum nostrum amisimus. Nostra esse hec debita Propter que sic est subdita Anima vsurario, Non negamus, ne irrita, Et tibi ingratuita Esset illa negacio. Talis tamen confessio Nunquam dicit sufficio, Neque tibi sit placita Nisi feruens deuocio Et amara contricio Dicat fleo deperdita. Sicut ergo debitores Et miseri peccatores, Egemus indulgencia; Sic quoque condonatores Rancoris, et quittatores, Volumus vti venia; In tua namque curia, Rancor et iracundia Non sunt boni petitores. Nam vindicte pro gracia Et pro misericordia Noscuntur reportatores. Et Ideo indulgemus Iniurias, vt vellemus Eas nobis indulgeri. Nil rancoris retinemus In cordibus, nec habemus Quod non sit amoris veri. Si fuimus nimis feri, Et ad indulgendum seri, Et vltores si possemus, Nostri velis misereri, Et cordibus sic mederi, Vt in charitate stemus. Nos scimus quod non alitertaliter, Pr. Nostre preces vtiliter Ascendunt ad te, domine. Credimus quoque firmiter Quod ascendunt velociter Si sint sine rubigine, Si lacrimarum flumine, Corda cum penitudine Lauentur efficaciter, Et munda mens a crimine, Vt vis valet in homine, Te requirat humiliter. Dimittimus, si corditus Cunctis dicamus penitus, Hoc totum ualet supplere, Si spiritus paraclitus, Dextere tue digitus,[? MS.] Ad hoc velit nos docere. Sine ipso, nunquam vere Iniurias indulgere Potest arrogans spiritus; Nam nimis credens valere, Admodum cornute fere, Monstrat quod sit indomitus. Debitoribus ideo, Quandoque nimis ferreo Corde, dat indulgenciam, Dicens, satis indulgeo, Et satis supersedeo, Vsque in horam aliam; Sed tu hanchanc tu, Pr. fraudulentiam Deus nunquam ad veniam Conuertis vel das pro eo. Immo, ad iracundiam, Te, per equipollenciam, Prouocatum, reddis reo. Nostris igitur mentibus, Induratis et rudibus, Tria sunt necessaria, De commissis reatibus, Atque iniquitatibus Crebra reminiscencia; Frequenter pati tristia, Cum pena et angariaangustia, Pr. Et cum infirmitatibus, Sancti spiritus gracia, De cella vnguentaria Fundens amorem cordibus. Et ideo, te et illum Qui rubricatum vexillum Gerit, et arma rubea, Qui mare facit tranquillum, Et nostrum portat sigillum Exaratum a lancea,[? MS.] Qui veste rectus lutea Strauit in sua area Infernalem cocodrillum Petimus, vt sic ferrea Corda franguntur per ea Que sunt pretacta paxillum,pauxillum, Pr. Ne nos inducas eciam In festinam sentenciam Quia cito periremus, Expecta nos per graciam, Et per tuam clemenciam Et differ,Differa, Pr. vt emendemus; In mundo nihil habemus Nisi vt nosmet aptemus Ad intrandum in gloriam; Sed caro, in qua manemus, Nos ducit vt deuiemus Per uiam nimis inuiam. In temptacionem ruit, Et labitur atque fluit, Licet longe sit temptator. Nunquam facit quod congruit, Sed bonum omne destruit Quod construit habitator. Deus, omnium creator, Tu, pro nobis, sis pugnator, Sicut nostra spesspes nostra, Pr. arguit; Et carnis sis sic domator, Vt eius sit triumphator Spiritus qui succubuit. Sed vnum adhuc petere Volumus, et requirere, Vt ille, hoste domato, Spiritus seSe spiritus, Pr. extollere Nequet vel erigere Quasi a seA se quasi, Pr. subiugato. Nam habemus pro probato Quod, quisquid dixerit plato, Nil a se potest facere.[? MS.] Immo, abs te increato, Et a flamine et nato, Totum habet procedere. Libera nos, ergo, deus, Tu ac tuus Nazareus,[? MS.] Cum proprio spiramine. Vnus? MS. vnum. estis, sed iudeus Non credit quod galileus Conceptus sine semine Sit, seu natus de virgine, Siue passus pro homine: Et in hoc sit ipse reus. Plus credit in velamine, Littereque in lumine[?] Factus ciuis tartareus. A malo hoc etatque, Pr. alijs Tuis deus subsidijs, Conserua nos, & deffende, ExtraheEt extrahe, Pr. nos de vicijs, ReleuansNos releuans, Pr. de miserijs; Et benignum te ostende, CuiqueCui, Pr. nostrum dic 'ascende; Veni mecum pro habende Vite eterne gaudijs.' Tales tue sunt prebende, Nullatenus concedende Nisi tuis famulijs.optimis famulis, Pr. Amen, pater,amen, Pr. concludimus, Quia finem de nouimus[?] De via reuertencium. Locum ad quem nos tendimus, Et in quo nos quiescimus Post laboris stipendium,dispendium, Pr. Tu nobis sis solacium, Et corona et premium, Quia in te sperauimus, Confirmans vaticinium[112/4] Dauid per priuilegium, In domum suam ibimus.Pr. adds 'Amen.' II. A LATIN HYMN TO THE VIRGIN MARY. (14 stanzas of 12 lines each, ryming aab aabbb abba.) Ave reclinatorium[MS. torn] Et propiciatorium, Et captiui spes populi, Data in diuersorium Reis, et in refugium, Et in locum latibuli, Que patris ade vetuli, Et damnatricis seculi Eue, ue damnatorium, Pro quodam morsu pomuli Aspecti visu reguli, Commutasti in gaudium. Maria, apto nomine, Presagio, non omine, Diceris ab infancia; Que in noctis caligine, Pro viarum discrimine, Polo mundi sis media, Vt gens, per mare deuia, Ad te, sua vestigia Dirigat viso lumine, Et a circumferencia, Pro impetranda gracia, Circumderis in cardine. Gratia tu efficeris Directiuum itineris NormaForma, Pr. vite rectissima. In orbibus stelligeris Noue legis et veteris, Stellarum splendidissima, In prosperis humilima, In aduersisasperis, Pr. fortissima, Semper astans pro miseris, Electarum dignissima, Tam corpore quam anima, In inferis & superis. Plena est tua ydria, Hausta, celesti gracia, Puteo sancti spiritus. Si pulseris instancia Precum, res est notoria, Quod effundeseffundens, Pr. et strepitus Deprecantis, sollicitus Obtinebit ut penitus. Deorsum stillicidia Mittas; nec sit prohibitus Camelorum exercitus Portans peccata grauia. Dominus, ad hoc prouida, Te repleuit vt placida Refundendi sis feruida, Quia sicut in yride.ydria, Pr. Signum nubis est roride. Sic tu, plena et grauida, Signum habes que rorida. Compassiue et fluida. Sis, tue genti languide Quousque anima morbida, Et tua siti arida, Per te respiret valide. Tecum a puericia, Virgo dulcis, clemencia, Creuit, et miseracio; Sic creuit-que celestia Transcendens aula regia, Dei sedessedet in solio. Nulla vnquam plantacio Fuit, uel educacio Reis sic necessaria; Nam licet sit collectio Eius semper dispendio Caret, et decrescencia. Benedicta propterea Omni loco et platea Dicaris ab hominibus, Quia per hoc est flaminea Cherubin dira rumphea Amota suis passibus, Introitus exulibus Patet, et viatoribus. Via celi est lactea, Que solebat volentibus Intrare regnum omnibus Esse sanguine rubea. Tu es lapsi spes hominis, Que non dees nec desinis Misereri in seculum. Tu, diuine imaginis, Et eterni es luminis Beatum receptaculum; Tu, languidis vehiculum Et miseris latibulum, Sub cuius vmbra tegminis, Pauper querit vmbraculum, Et reus diuerticulum Ab incursu formidinis. In mulieribus tu es Vnica, que restitues Hereditatem perditam, Que de peccato argues Mundum, sed nulli renues Gratiam tuam solitam; Immo cunctis gratuitam Ipsam dabis, et placitam. Quia semper hac afflues, Et licet quis per orbitam Tortam vadet, et vetidam,vetitam, Pr. Eum cito non obrues. Et si dicatur verius Pro reis, et salubrius Ipsos errantes dirigis, Ipsos lapsos Lapsos ipsos, Pr.inferius, Et iacentes diutius Quam oporteret erigis, Et quandoque hos corrigis, Ne manus mundi remigis Aliquid agat durius, Signum est quod hos diligis, Et non dormis nec negligis, Ne cedant in deterius. Benedictus in seculum Sit ille, per quem titulum Talem habes in seculo, Christus, qui tui clausulum Vteri suisuum, Pr. baiulum Fecit firmato pessulo. Qui, moriens pro populo. Se dedit in patibulo Opprobij spectaculum; Et, superato Zabulo, Fracto-que suo baculo, Se suis dat in pabulum. Fructus est comestibilis, Comedentibus vtilis, Dulcis anime gustui, Nature ammirabilis,admirabilis, Pr. Arti indoctrinabilis, Stupendus intellectui, Inusitatus vsui, Vetito quondam fructui; In omnibus dissimilis Solummodo auditui, Et non alteri sensui Fide comprehensibilis. Ventris tui in ortulo, Ornato flore primulo, Iste fructus colligitur; Sed, ut vultus in speculo Representatur oculo, Et speculum non leditur, Sic dumis, Pr. a te recipitur,[113/4] Dum manet; dum egreditur, Hoc sit illeso claustrulo: Nulla via relinquitur, Nil suspectum admittitur; Fructum habes cum flosculo. Amen dicit et asserit,[Fo. xxviij] Qui tuas laudes aperit, Et te recte magnificat, Qui devote se ingerit Ad laudandum vt sciuerit, Et ad uitemmentem, Pr. te applicat. Qui aliter se implicat, Et tuas laudes abdicat, Hic viam bonambonam viam, Pr. deserit; Ille tibi preiudicat, Ille in fide claudicat; Saluus esse non poterit. [The Pilgrim.] The 44 French lines following are given for Comparison with Lydgate's 82 English lines 7189-7270:— A Pres, entre les mains me mistLe pelerin Le bourdon, dont grant ioye me fist, Car tresbien prest estre cuidoye De me mestre tout a la voye; Mais non estoie; car lors me dist: OR est le point, comme tay dit,grace dieu Que te tiengne mon conuenant De ce que tay promis deuant Et aussi de ce mas requis, Pour la parolle que te dis, Cest, destre de iustice ceincts, Pour bien estraindre fort les reins. De bien aler nul na pouoir, Sil nest bien ceinct et bien estroit. Pour ce, te dis que te ceindroie Tout premierement que la voye Tu te misses; mais que ton gre Bien y fust, et ta volente. Or en dy ce que tu voulras. ¶ A refuser (dis ie) nest pasLe pelerin Tel chose, ie la vous requier. ¶ Or fault, dist elle, tout premier,grace dieu Que tu soies arme de tous poincts; Et quau dessoulz soit le proupoins; Et puis fermement seres ceinct Sur les armes, et bien estrainct. ¶ Arme, dis ie; que dictes vous?Le pelerin Au cueur me donnez grant courroux. Armey cheminer ne pourroie; Armes porter ie ne sauroye; Armes ie ne pourroie trouuer; Ceincture souffist a porter. ¶ Adonc en sa courtine entra, Et pour y entrer mappela. ¶ Or regarde, dist elle hault,grace dieu A ceste perche ne te fault Pour chercher armes loing aler; Assez en voys pour bien tarmer; La sont heaulmes et gambesons, Gorgerettes et haubergeons, Targes, et quanque faillir peut A cil quil desfendre se veult. ¶ Qui est, dis ie, qui massauldra,Le pelerin De qui desfendre me faulra? Affter, (shortly to expresse) Gracë dieu, off hir goodnesse, Off the skryppe and the bordoun Putte me in pocessïoun; And I thouhte a-noon ryht tho That I was redy for to go Vp-on my way, but trew(ë)ly I ne was no thyng redy, Lyk as I wende; ffor vn-to me Ther as I stood, ryht thus sayde she. Grace dieu sayd[In Jn. Stowe's hand. The Stowe MS. has it.] 'The tyme ys good and couenáble (As I ha sayd), and acceptáble, That I my promys and my graunt, Holde vn-to thé, & my couenaunt, As I be-hihte: tak hed her-to. And thow requeryst yt also, To be gyrt (for sykernesse) With a gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse, 'Thy reynys strongly for to streyne, fflesshly lustys to refreyne.[Restreyne St.] 'No man hath power (trustë me) ffor to gon at liberte, But he be gyrt ryht myghtyly. Therfor, (off purpos feythfully), The tassure in wele and wo, I wyl the gyrde, or that thow go, So that thow (in thyn entente) Off fre wyl lyst to assente, To be thus gyrt; and ellys nouht, Now sey, as lyth ryht in thy thouht.' The pilgrime:[In Jn. Stowe's hand. The St. MS. has it,] "Ma dame," quod I in lowly wyse, "Al that euere ye deuyse, I wyl ther-off no thyng refuse, Nor ther-vp-on no lenger muse; But off thys thyng, with al my myght I yow requere off verray ryht." Grace dieu:[In Jn. Stowe's hand.] 'ffyrst, to make thy syluen strong, To be myghty a-geyn al wrong, Yt be-houeth, in thy diffence, ffor to makë resistence, That thow hauë strong armure. And ffyrst, (thy syluen to assure,) Next thy body shal be set A purpoynt or a doublet, On wych thow shalt fful myghtyly Be gyrt and streyned ryht strongly 'With a gyrdel off Ryhtwysnesse, Ther-on thyn armure for to dresse.' The pylgrym. "Certys," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se, Yt wer contrarye vn-to me To gon armyd in my vyáge; Yt woldë lette my pylgrymáge, And don to me ful gret grevaunce;Non habebebat vsum Armorum. ffor I hadde neuere yet vsaunce Nor in custom, trustë me, Al my lyue, armyd to be: I knewe[knowe St.] ther-off nothyng the guyse. To me yt doth ynouh suffyse, To be gyrt (in sothfastnesse) With a gyrdel off ryhtwysnesse." But than thys lady off gret uertu, Wych ys callyd Grace Dieu, In-ta chaumbre ful secre Entrede; and than she callyd me. Grace Dieu:[St., Kom ner quod she C.] "Kom ner," quod she, "and ha no drede; Look vp an[on St.] hih, & tak good heede. Vpon thys perche, the harneys se, Wher-with that thow wylt[myghte St.] armyd be, Pertynent to thy vyáge And nedful to thy pylgrimage."[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Ther saw I helmys and haberiouns Plate and maylle, for champyouns Gorgetys ageyn al vyolence, And Iakkys stuffyd, off diffence; Targetys and sheldys, large & longe,[stronge St.] And pavys also that wer stronge,[longe St.] ffor folk to makë résistence, Tallë[to all] that wolde hem don offence. The pylgrym Than quod I, "as in bataylle, What enmy shal me assaylle Or a-geyn me make affray, To distourble me in my way?" Grace dieu 'Wenystow thy sylff tassure, ffor to[to St., om. C.] gon with-oute armure To Ierusaleem, & nat fynde Brygauntys to-forn And ek be-hynde, Daungerys grete, & encoumbraunces, Empechementys & meshauncys? Thevys and mardrerys ay lyggynge Vp-on the weye, euere espyynge, Thow shalt ffynde, so gret plente, That thow off hem shalt wery be, Ther assautys to endure. Wherfore[Therfore St.] the nedeth strong armure, Myghtyly hem to with-stonde. And for thy profyt, y wyl ffounde, With harneys to arrayen the,Induite uos armaturam Dei, vt possitis stare. Ad Ephesios vj capitulo. That thow shalt nat afferyd be.' The pylgrym "Ma dame," quod I, "syth ye wyl so, Armyd algatys that I go, Shew me what armure I shal were, And what wepenys I shal bere; And how I shal me armen wel, And the maner euerydel." Thanne, off merveyllous fasoun, She took to me a Gambisoun,Gambeson, Gabison. A fashion of long and quilted horse|mans cassocke or coat, used in old time.—Cotgrave. A maner harneys that I knewe nouht: And behynde, ther-on was wrouht A ful strong styhCp. 'the Styth set at thy bak,' 209/7478, below. off fynë stel,[Styghe . . ffyne St., fyn C.] ffor to receyuë strookys wel Off the hamer, whan euere yt smyte, That yt shal hurtë but a lyte.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Than quod Grace Dieu to me: 'Thys Gambesoun wych thow dost se, Ys so wrouht, (who taketh hede,) ffor ta-woyde[to avoyde St.] a man fro drede; That, from cartage in-to Inde, Men myghtë nat a bettre fynde; ffor (as thow shalt wel vnderstonde,) Thogh a man hadde foot nor hond, And were vn-to a stakë bounde, Hys foomen aboutë rounde, Yiff he hadde on thys garnëment, And clad ther-in (off good entent), He myghte nat ouerkomen be, But fynally, in surete, With gret worshepe & gret glorie, Off hys Enmyes han vyctorye. 'And yet thys garnement, (I dar swere, Who that euere doth yt were,) Hath most Ioye & plesaunce In thyng that ys to folk penaunce, ffor hys proffyt & avauntage,— Som folk holde yt gret damage;— ffor pacience (in conclusïoun) Haueth[Hath St.] thys condicïoun, (ffor to descryve and spek in pleyn Off pacience the trewë greyn,) I menë, to hys ávauntage ffructefyeth with fforage: Tempest fulfylleth hys garnerys, And pestylencë hys celerys; Hys sofftest beddë,[bedde St., bed C.] (in sothnesse,) Ys ymakyd off hardnesse. In peyne and wo, ys hys delyt, And in suffraunce, ys hys respyt; Hys deyntes stonde in poverte, Hys solace in aduersyte; And fastyng (in conclusïoun) Ys[Ys alle St.] hys recreacïoun. He wexeth fat by[with St.] abstynence, And gruchcheth for no vyolence; Peyne and tribulacyoun Ben to hym consolacïoun; And the mor he feleth peyne The mor he ys (in certeyne) Hardyd in hertë by constaunce, With the Stel off iust suffraunce. 'And for that pacïence, with wo Ys ypryked and punysshed, so By verray trewe examynyng, As a purpoynt with sawyng[sowynge St.] By long examynacïoun, Therfore thys armure Gambisoun, .i. pacience St., om. C. (Who consydreth fro poynt to poynt) Ys ycallyd a purpoynt With-outë prykyng (in substaunce,) And punysshyng, with gret suffraunce, In mescheff and[and in St.] aduersyte He taketh al hys dygnyte; And theroff (in conclusïoun) He receyueth hys Renoun, Thys armure most merveyllous, In al diffence most gracïous. 'And therfor (shortly in sentence) The name ther-off ys pacïence, The wych, in euery aventure, Ys ymakyd for tendure, Peyne and tribulacïoun, Voyde off al rebellïoun: 'Ryht as a styth[Stythee St.] forgyd off Stel ffeleth the strokys[strokys St., stokys C.] neueradel Off thys ffethris Smothe & soffte, Thogh men ther-on smyten offte, So pacyence (in hyr werkyng) Maketh neuere no gruchchyng Off no thyng she doth endure. 'And therfore, (I yow ensure,) With thys Gambisoun, Cryst ihesus, That paciente lord, most vertuous, Was yclad (yiff ye lyst se) Whan he heng vp-on a tre, And with hys blood, mankynde hath bouht, Suffrede deth, and gruchchede nouht, Nor spak no word in hys penaunce; But, thorgh hys myghty gret suffraunce, He was bete and hamryd wyth, As a plate vp-on a[a St., om. C.] styth, The forgyd Monye for Raunsoun To maken our redempcïoun: The[Thes St.] cruel Smythës, off Rancour Sparede nat for no labour Til they hadde hym forgyd wel, Tryed hym out as any stel: In wych metal ther was no lak;Supra dorsum meum fabricauerunt peccatores And ay they forgede on hys bak; And paciently he dede endure; He armyd was in swych armure Wyth the Armys off pacïence. 'And therfore, in thy dyffence, That thow suffre no dyffame, Tak a purpoynt off the same, Wherso thow go, in[on St.] see or lond: Haue yt here redy to thyn hond; Next thy body, lat yt be set, In stedë off a strong[stronge St.] doublet; ffor next thy cors yiff thow yt were, All thyn Armure thow shalt bere Mor esely; & ha no wonder, Yiff pacïence be trewly vnder. The pylgrym. A-noon affter (by hyr assent) I dyde vp-on thys garnement.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The wych was hevy for to beere, And ryht komerous ek to were; Grevous also, and streith[streyte St.] to lace, And ryht peynful to enbrace; And, for the peyne, I gan abreyde, And to gracë dieu I seyde: "Ma dame," quod I, "thys purpoynt Was nat shape fro poynt to poynt To my plesaunce, I yow ensure; ffor I may nat wel endure To bern yt pleynly at myn ese: The shap ther-off ne doth nat pleseSidenote in MS.: Que est [enim] fortitudo mea vt sustinerem? aut quis finis meus, vt pacienter agam? (12) nec fortitudo mea lapidum, nec caro mea enea est. Iob (vi. 11). To me, pleynly; nor the ffasoun Accordeth to myn oppynyoun." Grace dieu Quod Gracë dieu, 'thys garnëment Ys wel shape to myn entent, Thogh yt be nat to thy plesaunce; ffor thy body, in substaunce Ys so ffaat, so gret[ffatte / grete St.] and large, And ouerlade with gretë[grete St., gret C.] charge, That yt may nat be enbrachyd[ben bracyd St.] Aboutë the, nor wel ylacyd, And yet the faute, to myn entent, Ys nat in the garnëment, But only founde in thy gretnesse, And in thy boystous frowardnesse, That thow mayst vp-on thy bak Sustene yt, but thow fynde a lak; And al the faute ys founde in the, Off wylful contrariouste. 'But, thyn errour to reforme, Thow must thy-sylff mekly confourme. 'To thys garnëment, trustë me,Non recto corde es, quia non vis dirigere voluntatem tuam ad voluntatem dei. August. And nat the garnement vn-to the; And put away the gret outrage, The ffaatnesse and the surplusage That ys in the, and the gretnesse; And the confourmë by meknesse[mekenesse St.] To thys purpoynt, that yt may be Accordynde[Accordyng St.] & egal vn-to the, In euery party wel syttynge. 'And thogh that yt, as in semynge, Be nat, at the prymë fface, Euenly shapë the tenbrace Yet affter-ward, vn-to thyn ese Yt shal be syttynge, & wel plese; ffor thyng that greueth the to-day Shal be to-morwe[tomorwe / be St.] vn-to thy pay; Yt may so fall, off áuenture; 'And therfore al-way[all way St., . . way C.] the assure In thys garnement for diffence, Wych ys callyd pacyence, With whos power, (now vnderstonde,) All assautys thow shalt with-stonde. 'ffor wrong despyt & al desdeyn That any man kan to the seyn, Outher off pryde or surquedye, Repreff or any vyllenye, Venge the nat / nor do no wrak, But looke a-noon thow tournë bak; Lawhe and be glad, & sey ryht nouht, And be nat troublyd in thy thouht. 'And off me thys wysdam lere,Nota St., om. C. Berkyng off houndys for to here,Magnorum virorum est, necligere ledentem. C. Seneca. St., om. C. Yt may to the, by good suffraunce, Nouther damage nor do greuaunce. Ageyn assautys off al swych wrak, Lat the Styth set[sytt St.] at thy bak, And thy purpoynt off pacience, Myghtyly stonde at dyffence: And with thys tweynë, trustë me, Al maner off aduersite 'Thow shalt venquisshe & ber doun; And, lyk a myghty champyoun, Thow shalt with laurer crownyd be, By suffraunce off aduersyte. As[And St.] by record ful longe a-gon Wer thys[Were thes St.] martrys euerychon, Wych that wer in euery poynt Strongly armyd in the purpoynt Off paciencë, to sustene The strok, when they wer leyd atwene The hamer and the Styth also, And a-twyxë bothë two, The grene laurer off victorie, And the crowne ek off her glorye, Yforgyd wer, (who taketh hede) ffor guerdoun off ther eternal mede. 'And therfore I consayllë the, With thys purpoynt that thow be,— Wych ys callyd pacyence,— Armyd ffyrst for thy diffence. Thys my consayl; & thus I rede, Be cause only thow shalt ha nede, As for thy cheff proteccïoun Ageyn al trybulacyoun Off false brygauntys that shal lye Vp-on the waye, the tespye.' The pylgrym. "Certys," quod I, "yt stondeth so, That I wot nat what I may do Touchynge your consayl, by no waye; But at the lest, I shal assaye Me taraye, in my dyffence, With your purpoynt off pacience." Grace dieu. Quod Gracë dieu, "thow must also, Or thow in armys haue a-do, Vp-on thy purpoynt 'pacyence' Haue a-boue, in thy diffence, The haberioun wych hangeth yonder, So inly ffayr, that yt ys wonder; 'fforgyd off old (yt ys no faylle) ffor to entren in bataylle, Wyth Deth to ffyhte, & his meynee; Thys to seyne, (yiff thow kanst se,) Ageyn al peynys and tourmentys And hys dredful[dredefulle St., dredful C.] tournementys, Replevysshëd[Replenysshed St.] with mortal Rage. Deth ys a best[beast St.] most sauage; He chaungeth purpoos and devyses; And al thys[thes St.] vnkouth sondry guyses, Wyt off man and al Resoun: ffor he let[For lett St.] fallen hys bordoun, Hys Maas, & ek hys dredful spere, He hurteth nyh, & ek affere, And spareth noon off no degre How hih they syttyn in her Se, ffor rychesse nor for puïssaunce. 'But who wyl haven assuraunce Ageyn deth, as a champyoun, Lat hym haue on thys haberioun; And off deth, in al hys nede, He shal ha[have St.] no maner drede; Off hys assautys nor hys wrak, Nor for hym onys[eny St.] tourne abak, Whil he hath on thys garnëment The wych was forgyd (off entent) Off the[the St., om. C.] most myghty armvrer, Wych syt aboue the sterrys eler, That forgede Sonne & mone also, And made hem in her cours[cours g C., there Cours St.] to go. And no man may be armyd wel In platë, mayl, nor in stel. Nor sur[sure St.] for hys savacïoun, But he haue on thys haberioun, Wych callyd ys off verray ryht, 'ffortitudo' most off myght. ffor, 'fforce' ys callyd thys vertu, Wyth wych seruauntys off cryst ihesu Wer Armyd, the myghty champiouns That made hem hardy as lyouns 'In batayll & in tournementys, And constaunt euere in ther ententys Vn-to the deth, & no thyng dradde, Vp-on ther body whan they hadde Thys haberioun ycallyd 'force,' Wher-wyth they dyde hem-sylff afforce, To putte hem forth, & nat with-drawe, In dyffence off crystys lawe, Thorgh ther prowesse & hyh renoun. 'And sothfastly thys haberioun, (Who that euere doth yt were,) Off daggere, dart, Swerd nor spere, Shoot of Arwe nor off quarel, (Thogh they be groundë[grounde St., ground C.] sharpe off stel,) They shal nat perce thorgh the maylle, ffor the Ryngës (thys no ffaylle) Wer Ryuettyd[Revettyd St.] so myghtyly Clenchyd and nayled so strongly; The yren werke[werke St., weer C.] was ek so good, Annelyd & tempryd with the blood That ran out off her wondys kene, Thys made hem manly to sustene Thassaut off brygauntys nyht & day, That lay for pylgrymes on the way, By vertu off thys haberioun.Fortitudo .i. Force St. 'And therfore (off entencyoun,) By my counsayl, sey nat nay To putte yt on, & yt tassay,[hit assay St.] Aboue thy purpoynt 'pacyence'; ffor, yiff fforcë (by my sentence) Vp-on the tother be wel set, Thow shalt ffyhtë wel the bet (I dar wel seyn) wherso[wher St.] thow go: Now lat se what thow seyst her-to." The pylgrym. "Ma dame," (to speke in wordys ffewe,) "I pray yow that ye wyl me shewe, And to do youre[youre St., my C.] bysy cure That I may se al the armure[tharmure St., C.] Wych I shal were in thys vyáge, And yiff I ffyndë avauntage In tharneys ye praysë so,[C. & St.] I wyl accordë wel ther-to."The Stowe MS. puts the heading 'Grace Dieu' above the next line.[C. & St.] Thanne she a-noon hath forth brouhtGrace dieu (in Jn. Stowe's hand). The haberioun, fful wel ywrouht, Off wych to-forn I ha yow told; And, to make me strong & bold, Out off hyr tresour ek she ffette An Elm, A Gorger, A Targette, Glovys off plate, A swerd also,[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And thanne she spak & seydë, loo, Grace dieu. 'Off thys harneys, take good heede, And trustë wel thow mustest[trust . . must St. (badly)]. nede Haue hem vp-on, (As by my lore,) Or thow shalt repentë sore; ffor they only to the suffyse, Yiff thow the gouerne lyk the wyse. And to my doctryne lyst attende, Lyk a man, the to dyffende Ageyn hem that wyl do thé wrong. 'And yiff I hadde the ffoundë strong, I hadde the yovë bet armure; But I ha don my bysy cure Yt to conseruë, ffor the[thy St.] prowh Off folk that be mor strong than thow. 'An helm tavoydë thé fro dred, Thow shalt ha ffyrst vp-on thyn hed, Thé to preserue, erly and late; And a gorger mad off plate; And affter thys [i]forgyd ffayre, Glovys off plate, a myghty payre, Set vp-on thyn hondys tweyne. ffor ellys (yiff I shal nat ffeyne) Wyth-outen hem (as thynketh me,) Thow myghtest nat wel armyd be. 'And, to declaren in substaunce, Thyn helm ys callyd 'Attempraunce,' 'By wych aforn thow shalt wel se, Herkne and smel, at lyberte, Thynges to-forn or that they falle, And cast a-forn, meschevys alle, That no thyng vnwarly greue. ffor Attemprauncë (who lyst preue) Haueth thys condycïoun, Only off high[highe St., om. C.] dyscrecyoun Kepeth theye[the eye] cloos and secre That yt haue no lyberte To opne, (who-so lyst to lere,) But whan tyme yt doth requere, That fooly nor no vanyte Be nat to largë nor to fre, 'ffor yiff thys helm be mad a-ryht, Yt shal nat haue to large a syht, Lyst som Arwe, sharpe y-grounde, Entre myghte, & gyue a wounde. And at the Erys ek also Thow mustest[muste St.] taken hed therto, That yt be nat to large off space, Lyst that by the samë place Entrede (by collusyoun) Som noyse off fals detraccïoun, Or som fooltyssh dalyaunce, Gruchchyng, or noyous perturbaunce. 'ffor thys helm, surer than Stel, Stoppeth the Erys ay so wel[C. & St.] By prudent cyrcumspeccyoun That Dartys[Darts St.] off Detraccyoun (Grounde and fyled for to smerte) Haue noon entre to the herte, Wych be gretly for to drede Whan they, off fals neyhebourhede, Ben yforgyd off malys, And ysquaryd by fals devys. ffor ther ys noon mor dredful shour[C. & St.] Than off a shrewede neyhëbour; ffor, with ther dartys, swychë[swyche St., swych C.] konne Hurtë wers than bowe or gonne: 'Ageyn whos mortal meshaunce, Thys helm callyd 'attempraunce' Ys nedful, in thy dyffence, for to makë résistence At Nase, at Ere, & at the Syht, That yt hem kepe & close a-ryht. ffor thys helm, for assuraunce, Wych ys callyd 'attempraunce' As worthy & noble off fame, Seyn poul gaff ther-ton[ther-to St.] a name, And callyd yt (for gret delyht) 'The helm off helthe & off profyt,'Galeam salutis accipite ad. Ephesios vjo Capitulo (v. 17). And commaundede men take hed ffor to sette yt on ther hed As for ther cheff Savacïoun. 'And a Gorger, lower doun, He bad (as for mor sykernesse) They sholde make off sobyrnesse; ffor sobyrnesse, with attempraunce, Haueth alway állyaunce; ffor bothe they ben off on allye, Ay to refreynë glotonye. And trusteth wel, (with-outë faylle,) Thys Armure hath a double maylle; And ellys (pleynly I ensure,) Yt wer to feble to endure. 'And yiff thow lyst the cause espye, Ys thys, only, for glotonye Hath in hym sylff, off[a St.] frowardnesse, A dowble maner off woodnesse; Woodnesse off Tast & fals delyt, Havynge to mesour no respyt; And outrage ek off dalyaunce, ffor lakkyng off Attemperaunce. 'And fyrst, he doth hym sylff most wo, And sleth hys neyhëbours also, Whan the claper ys out Ronge, With the venym off hys Tonge, Whan he hym teryth & to-rent. ffor ther ys addere, nor serpent 'So dredful, nor malycyous, As ys A Tongë venymous; No tryacle may the venym saue. Ther-fore yt ys ful good to have[to have St., tave C.]— Ageyn hys mortal cursydnesse,— A Gorger off Sobyrnesse, The wych Armure ys profytable To allë[To alle St., Talle C.] folkys worshepable. 'Lat no man with hys tongë byte, Nor with hys wordys falsly smyte, Malycyously to makë wrak Off hys neyhebour, at the[his St.] bak; ffor who so doth, he ys nat wys. 'And Seyn Wylliam off Chalys,— A man off gret abstynence, Wych neuere dyde offence, (As hys lyff platly doth teche,)— In hys Tonge nor in hys speche,— ffor ay he dyde hys bysy peyne, Wykkede tongys to refreyne. And mys-spekerys, thorgh outrage, That with her Tongë fyl in rage, He brydlede hem, & dyde hem wreste, What-euere they herde, to sey the beste. Off whom ys good exaumple take, And off hys lyff a Merour make, That euere hadde in cóndycioun To herë no detraccïoun In hys presencë, nyh nor fere, Neuere to lestene bakbytere. And therfor, (as I shal devyse,) Arme the in the samë wyse Tavoyden (shortly in sentence) Al bakbyterys fro thy presence, And al maner detraccïoun. Wher thow hast domynacïoun. 'The nexte armurë, the to saue, Vp-on thyn hondys thow shalt haue: A peyre off glouys forgyd wel, Surere than yren outher stel, 'Allë vyces to restreyne; Tharmure off thyn handys tweyne, A-geyn the lust off fals touchyng, Tast, or any dyshonest thyng To ffele or touchë, as by wrong. 'ffor to make the syluë strong, Thow shalt thy counsayl take off me, Vp-on thyn handys, armyd to be With a peyre off glouys sure. And the name off that armure, The thryddë part off attempraunce, Wych ys callyd in substaunce (The taforce in thy dyffence) The noble uertu 'contynence.' Wych vertu, seyd in syngulerte, Ys egal to pluralyte. ffor thys vertu (yiff yt be souht) By hym-sylff allone ys nouht ffor honest wyl, conioynt with dede In clennessë, ys worthy mede, A-geyn al fflesshly ffreëlte To arme[To arme St., Tarme C. Stowe puts this line before the one above it in C.] A man in chastyte. 'Nouther off hem (who kan se) May withouten other be, No mor than (yiff I shal nat ffeyne) With-oute noumbre off glouys tweyne, No man ys suryd for[for St., for to C.] diffence, ffor to makë résistence. But whan that wyl & tast also Ben accordyd, bothë two, Off honeste, nat to trespáce, Thogh they hadde fredám & space, And also opportunyte To don A-mys at lyberte, Than semeth yt (yiff thow take hede) He wer worthy ful gret mede; As was Seyn Bernard, that holy man, The wych (as I rehersë kan) Was wel armyd on owther hond, Whan he off a-venture ffond[honde . . ffonde St.] '(He ther-off no thyng wytynge,) A womman in hys bedde[bedde St., byd C.] lyggynge Nakyd, ful off lustyhede, 2And plesynge off hyr port in dede, Wych gaff hym gret occasioun, Wyth toknys off temptacïoun, Thorgh hyr port off whommanhede.2[2_2 St. leaves out these 4 lines.] But he thér-off took noon hede; ffor she ne myghte hym nat excite, In hyr bewte to delyt; He took off hyrë no reward, ffor to tournë to hyr ward; ffor, surere than any stel, Hys handys wern yarmyd wel, That, whan he sholde haue A-do, ffro Touch & Tast he kepte hym so That she myghte hym nat dyllude. Wher-vp-on, she gan conclude, And affermede off hym a-noon, That outher off yren or off ston He was ymad, & lyk no man: And thus he the palmë wan Off chastyte; and she A-noon, Shamyd & cónfus, ys a-goon; And he with victoire[vyctorye St.] a-bood stylle. 'And therfor (as by my wylle) Thow shalt thé Armen (& nat feyne) Wyth swych a payrë[payre / off St.] Glouys tweyne. 'ffor the also I shal prouyde Tave A swerd ek by thy syde; (A bettre was ther neuere founde, Off stel forgyd, whet nor Grounde,) Wychë[Whiche St., Wych C.] shal ynowh suffyse Thé to dyffendë many[in eny St.] wyse, Yiff any Enmy thé assaylle (Outher in skarmussh outher[or in St.] bataylle,) I the ensure, in al thy nede, Whyl thow hast yt, thow shalt nat drede Off noon Enmy, nor no dystresse, The name off wych ys 'Ryhtwysnesse.' 'A bettre swerd was neuere wrouht, Off princë nor off kyng ybouht; ffor the swerd off goode Oger, Off Rowland nor off Olyuer, Was nat (for to reknen al) Off valu, to thys swerd egal, So trusty nor so vertuous, To ffolk in vertu coragous. ffor thys swerd haueth so gret myht, To ryche and povre for to do ryht, And thorgh hys vertuous werkyng Yiveth euery man hys ownë thyng: A swerd mad for an Emperour, And for euery gouernour, And al that hauen regencie A-boue other, or[off St.] maystrye, Therby to gouerne ther meyne And ther sogetys in equyte, That noon do to other wrong (Thogh he be myghty outher strong,) By fforcë nor by vyolence, Hys neyhbour to don offence. 'ffor thys swerd, in euery place, Allë wrongys doth mAnace, And techeth A manhys[mannys St.] body wel, Not to be stordy nor rebel; A-geyn the Spyryt, no thyng to seye, But to be soget, and obeye; And techeth A manhys[mannys St.] herte off ryht, To louë god with al hys myght, A-boue al other Erthly thyng, As hym that ys most myghty kyng; Eschewë ffraude, deceyt & guyle; And that, by couert off no whyle, He, in hys affeccïoun, Off wyl nor off entencioun Ne do no maner tyranye, Oppressyoun nor robberye; And cheffly, that euery maner wyht Gouerne and rule hym sylff aryht, 'Vyces putte in[To putte vices / in alle] subieccïoun, That vertu ha[ha his St.] domynacïoun The fflesshë felly to chastyse, Yiff yt rebelle in any wyse To be to sturdy or to bold, As seyn Benyth[Benett St.] dyde off old, Gyrt with the swerd off Ryghtwysnesse, Whan he dyde hys flessh oppresse As a myghty champyoun: With-stondyng hys temptacïoun. As regent and gouernour, He made the spyryt Emperour, Smot the flessh, by gret duresse, With the swerd off Ryhtwysnesse; Punysshede hym so cruelly, With-outë respyt or mercy, Almost euene to the deth, In poynt to yeldyn vp the breth; Tyl he, lyk a manly man, With thys swerd the laurer waan. Hys fflesshe rebél, he gan to daunte, And his myght vp-on him haunte,[C. leaves out this line.] Ther yt was inobedyent. To ben at hys comaundement, So lowly to hym, & so mek. 'The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] swerd thow shalt bern ek On pylgrymage, wher thow shalt gon, Ageyn thyn Enmyes euerychon, Thy prevy enmyes (thus I mene,) Hard and greuous to sustene; ffor ther be noon so peryllous, So dredful nor so dangerous, As ben thylke Enmyes in secre, Wych off thy sylff ycausyd be, And grucche ageyn thé nyh[nygh St., nyght C.] & ferre, With the Spyryt to holde a werre. 'But or that thow thys baret ffyne, And or that froward wyl enclyne, Thyn hertë makë to assente, Loke thow chaungë thyn entente, 'Synsualyte to oppresse With thys swerd off Ryghtwysnesse: Daunte alway hys rebellïoun, And brynge hym to subieccïoun; Lat nat thy flesshe ha the maystrye, But mak hym lowly bowe & plye To the spyryt in euerythyng; And lat thy resoun, as lord and kyng, (By tytle off domynacïoun,) The flessh haue in subieccïoun. Than nedeth yt no mor to muse; Thys swerd off ryht thow dost wel vse, Thy sylff to gouernen & to saue. 'And thys swerd also shal haue (To kepe yt clene in hys degre) A skawberk off humylyte, Wher-innë,[inne St., in C.] (for most ávauntage) Thy swerd shal haue hys herbergage; Only to teche & sygnefye, That eche good werk (who kan espye,) May lytë[lytel St.] vaylle, but yiff yt be Closyd vnder humylyte.¶ Ero. Humilitus sola est obseruatrix et cust(os)que virtutum. St., om. C. 'Thys skauberk (in especyal) Ys makyd off A skyn mortal: Thys to seyne, (who so kan se,) Al Erthly folkys that her[here St.] be (Off ech estate both yong & old,) Shal deyen, as I ha the told. Ha thys ay in thy mynde & thouht, And lat thy skawberk ther-off be wrouht; And ther-vp-on conclude, and se To namen yt 'Humylyte.' 'ffor ther ys noon so proud alyue, A-geyns deth that may wel stryue; And who that hath ay deth in mynde, Som whyle I trowë, he shal fynde To knowe hys ounë ffreelte, A skawberk off humylyte. 'And, to purpos, I tellë kan How that onys a pubplycan And a pharise also, Kam to the temple bothë two. The ton hym sylff gan iustefye, And off pryde to magnefye, That he was lyk non other whiht; And bostede in hys ounë syht, He was hooly in hih degre: Thus sayde the proudë pharysee; And off pryde he fyrst be-gan[Stowe leaves out this line.] To despyse the pubplykan; Sayde, 'he was to hym nat hable Off meryt, nor comparáble 'Off whos pryde, afferme I dar, That he thys swerd to proudly bar, Havynge nat (who lyst to se) The skawberk off humylyte, He lyst nat Se, no thyng at al, That ha[he St.] was a man mortal; But off hih presumptuousnesse He shewede out hys Ryghtwysnesse,[And hym sylff / koude nat Redresse. St. Gan to boste, & cryë lowde. 'And so don al thys folkys proude, To gete hem fame by veyn glorye, And putte her namys in memórye. But thow ne shalt no thyng do so, But let[bere St. (let = leave)] thy Swerd (tak hed her-to)[ther-to St.] (The Swerd, I mene, of Ryghtwysnesse, ffor any maner holynesse,) Cloos with-Inne (wher so thow be,) The skawberk off humylyte. 'ffor what deme off dyscrecïoun A-vaylleth any perfeccioun— Abstynaunce, outher penaunce, Or any vertu, in substaunce— But yiff they ygroundyd be On[off St.] lownesse and humylyte, Ground and rote off eche good werk. And put thy Swerd in the skawberk Off meknesse & lavlyhede.[Lowlyhede St.] 'And affter that, tak good heede '(As a man no thyng afferd) The to gyrdë with thys swerd, Thys noble swyrd off ryghtwysnesse In the skawberk off meknesse. 'And thy gyrdel ek shal be— With wych thow shalt ygyrden the— The gyrdel off 'perseueraunce'; The Bokle callyd ek 'constaunce'; That whan the tong ys onys Inne, They shal neuere parte A-twynne, But perpetuelly endure[to endure St.] To kepe the cloos in thyn Armure, That they departe nat assonder. And yiff they dyde, yt wer gret wonder; ffor perseueraunce (I dar seye) Ys the verray parfyt keye And lok also (I dar assure) Off perfeccioun off armure. 'And therfore alway do thy peyne ffor to fastne wel thys[thes St.] tweyne, The gyrdel off perseueraunce With the Bookle off constaunce; And than thy Swerd, longe tabyde, Ys wel gyrt vn-to thy syde: Ha thys wel in mynde, I charge. 'Now wyl I spekyn off thy Targe,[ cap. cxxvii is not in the verse English.] The wych in soth (who kan entende,) Schal thyn Armure wel[alle St.] A-mende, And kepe yt, (lyk as yt ys wrouht,) In vertu that yt A-peyrë nouht. The wych vp-on thy brest to-fore, Off custom euere shal be bore, As cheff thyng for thy dyffence: The name off wych shal be 'prudence'; A Targe most worthy off Renoun. ffor, whilom, Kyng Salamoun Bar ay thys targe in hys entent, ffor to do ryhtful Iugëment, Rychere to hym (Erly & late) Than off gold to .ij.[Golde / twoo St.] hondryd plate, 'And mor off valu (as yt ys told) Than al the sheldys mad off gold, Wych in hys temple (out off doute) He madë hangë round a-boute. 'ffor, by thys targë off prudence, He haddë so gret excellence Of worshepe, & so gret honour, As he that was off wysdom flour. Whil he was gouernyd by prudence, Endurede hys magnyfycence; And whan that prudence was a-go, Hys worshype wente a-way also. Hys sheldys off gold, ek euerychon, A dyeu[A Dieu St.] whan prudence was a-gon. ffor prudence, the shyld I calle, Off fyue hundryd the best off alle, ffor to rekne hym,[hem St.] on by on; And, to kepe a man ffrom hys fon, Ys noon so myghty off vertu, Nor equyualent[Equypolent St.] off valu. 'Wherfor,[Alway St.] whil thow art at large, Looke thow haue vp-on, thys targe,[Stowe puts this line before the one above it.] Wherso thow entre in batayll, Whan thyn Emnyes the assaylle, To force[Tafforce St.] thy quarel & a-mende, Ber vp, & wel thy-sylff[C. inserts 'thy,' St. 'the.'] dyffende At alle assautys fer & ner, In maner off a bokëler. ffor[against] gonnys, dartys, & quarel, Shrowdë the ther-vnder wel; Be no coward, But wysly bolde. 'And now I haue the pleynly tolde Off thyn armure, (yiff thow tak hede,) Wher-off thow shalt haue ay most nede, With-outen many wordys mo: Now be avysed what thow wylt do.' The pylgrym. Lines 8073—8100 have no counterpart in the Cambr. prose, or in its original, the first version of the French prose."Certys," quod I, "ther ys no more; "But I am astonyd sore Off o thyng wych cometh to mynde, Wych that ye ha lefft be-hynde: Thys to seyne, off al armure Ye han me makyd[made St.] strong & sure, Saue my leggys & ffeet also: Ye haue no thyng yseyn[seye St.] ther-to, Nor ryht nouht for hem ordeyned; The wych ouhtë be compleyned; ffor folk off hih dyscrecïons Speke fyrst off Savacïons, Off greevys, & kusshewys[kysshewys St.] ek also, Whan that men shal haue a[to St.]-doo; But ye (by short conclusïoun) Make ther-off no mencyoun. "But, for to tellë yow my thouht, ffor my party, I rechchë nouht; ffor, in spede off my vyage, Yt were to me noon ávauntage, Yiff I sholdë gon at large, ffor to bere so gret a charge." Grace dieu axete[axete, om. St.] 'Sawh thow euere[neuere St.] (so god the blesse!) In forest or in wyldernesse (Tel on, yiff yt cometh to mynde) Huntyng for hert outher for ynde,[Hynde St.] Chasyng for Rayndeer or[other St.] for Roo, Huntyng for buk outher for do?' The pylgrym answereth "Trewly," quod I, "to speke in pleyn, Somtyme, huntyng haue I seyn." Grace dieu 'Thanne,' quod she, 'I the comaunde, Answere vn-to thys demaunde: Bestys that ben in wyldernesse, Whan huntys don ther besynesse To chacen hem, and kachche her pray, What ys that thyng that best may Helpen bestys in ther defence, ffor teschewe the vyolence 'Off houndys in swych sodeyn iape,[Rape St.] ffrely fro the deth to skape?'[teskape St.] The pylgrym "Trew[e]ly, vn-to my Syht, To hem, best help[help, om. St.] ys the flyht." Grace dieu 'Thanne, yiff they hadde vp-on Armure, On ther leggys, (hem sylff tassure) Outher off platë, maylle, or stel, ffro byt off houndys to kepe hem wel, Answere ageyn, shortly to me, Sholde they be swyfft, away to fle?' The pylgrym "Certys," quod I, "I wot ryht wel, Yt sholde hem furthre neueradel So to ben armyd, (as I gesse,) But rather hyndren ther Swyfftnesse." Grace dieu 'Now her-vp-on tak hed to me, Conceyue what I shal tellë the: In thy passage, ther[wher St.] thow shalt pace, Yt ys holde a perylous place; And I the putte in ful surnesse, Ther lyth A mortal hunteresse, In a-wayt to hyndre the, Wyth gret noumbre off hyr meyne, Gretly to drede, & daungerous; The name off whom ys dame Venus,[Venus St., om. C.] And hyr sone callyd Cupide, The blyndë lord, waytynge asyde With hys Arwes fyled kene, To thé ful dredful to sustene. 'And thys lady doth euere espye, With huntys in hyr companye, Most perillous to hurte & wounde, Al pylgrymës to confounde. ffor ther ys huntë[Hunt St.] nor foster That chaceth ay the wyldë deer, Nor other bestys that byth Saváge, That may be lykned to the rage 'Off dame Venus: wherfor tak hede How gretly she ys to drede. 'And yiff thow kanst the trouthe espye, Venus ys sayd off venerye;Venus dicitur a venandi, om. C. Stowe. ffor she ys the hunteresse Wych euere doth hyr bysynesse To take pylgrimës by som treyne, And tenbracen in hyr cheyne, And with hyr ffyry brond also ffor to don hem peyne & wo, And ther passagë for tassaylle. 'And fynally, in thys bataylle Ther geyneth power noon, nor myht, Nor other rescus but the fflyht,Fuga est suum Remedium St., om. C. ffor flyht ys only best diffence; And[And St., om. C.] ffor to makë résistence A-geyn hyr dredful mortal werre, The ffyht[fflyght St.] with hyre ys best a-ferre. 'ffor yiff A man be rekkëles ffor to putte hym sylff in pres, ffarwel dyffence off al Armure! Ther folwe shal dyscoumfyture On the party that doth a-byde; ffor Venus & hyr sone cupyde, In ther conquest han vyctorye, And in ther werrys, ffals veyn glorye, Whan folkys at dyffencë stonde To fyhtë with hem hand[honde St.] off honde; 'And for thys skyle, thow sholdest[shust St.] be lyht ffor to take thé to the flyht;[C. & St.] Whan thow hast nede, (take[have St.] yt in mynde,) Legharneys ys lefft be-hynde,[C. & St.] That thow mayst, at lyberte, Hyr dartys and hyr brondys fle. 'Whan thow hyr seyst,[seest St.] mak no dyffence, Nor noon other résistence, But eschewë place & syht, And alway tak the to the flyht. Tourne thy bak, & she wyl go;¶ Si vitare velis Venerem, loca tempora vita // Si cedis, cedit; si ffugis, illa ffugit. St., om. C. And yiff thow flest, she fleth also. 'A-geyn whos malys and envye, fflyht ys the bestë[best St.] remedye Off al other (yiff yt be souht); Other harneys the nedeth nouht Vp-on thy leggys (trustë me,) ffor no maner necessyte, With Venus to holde chaumpartye.' And whan I sawh, &[I St.] gan espye, And vnderstood hyr wonder wel Touchynge tharmurë euerydel Wych she haddë for me brouht, I[And I St.] gan assaye, and taryede nouht Me tarmë fro poynt to poynt; But me lykede nat my purpoynt: I fond ther-in[ffounde ther St.] so gret a lak, Yt heng so heuy on my bak, I woldë fayn haue lett yt be; But lyst[lest St.] that she were wroth with me, I suffrede; &, in cónclusioun, Ther-on dyde the haberioun Wych she me tok, ful[toke / ful om. St.] bryht & clere. And affter that, the double Gorger,— To hyr byddynge I took swych hede;— And thanne the helm vp-on myn hed, Mad ful strong, and forgyd wel; Next, my glovys, ffynere than stel, And gyrte me with my swerd ryht tho. And alderlast, I took also My targe, that callyd was 'prudence,' And hengyd yt on in my dyffence Round a-boute my nekke a-noon. And platly, whan I hadde al don Lyk as she bade, with myn harneys, I felte ther-off so gret a peys, That I myghtë nat endure The greuous wheyhte off myn armure, That for dystressë I a brayde, And to gracë dieu I sayde:[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The pylgrym "Ma dame," quod I, "ne greff[greve St.] yow nouht Thogh I dyscure to yow my thouht; And lat yt yow no thyng dysplese, Thogh I declare myn gret vnhese,[vnese St.] And disclose yow my mescheff; Thys armure doth me so gret greff, So gret annoy & dysplesaunce, That I ne may me nat[nought St.] a-vaunce Vp-on my way nor my Iourne, Swych hevynesse encoumbreth me. "Myn helm hath rafft me my syyng And take a-way ek myn heryng; And most off al dyspleseth me, I se nat that I woldë se. And also, (yiff ye lyst to lere,) Thyng that I wolde, I may nat here; And smelle also I may no thyng That sholdë be to my lykyng. "Thys gorger (ek as ye may se,) Gret encoumbraunce doth to me, And strangleth me almost vp ryht, That I may nat speke a-ryht, I fele so gret a passïoun: And (for short conclusïoun) Thys armure may me nat profyte, In wych I do me nat delyte. "Thys glouys byndë me so sore, That I may[may om. St.] weryn hem no more, With her pynchyng to be bounde, Myn handys ben so tendre and Rounde; And al the remnaunt (I ensure) That ye gaff me, off armure, Me streyneth so on euery syde, That I may nat ther-with a-byde. "I ha to yow told al the caas; I am nat strengere[stronger C.] than dauyd was, Wych hadde so mychë suffysaunce; But, for cause off dysusaunce In hys youthe whan he was tendre, And off makyng smal & sklendre, "(In the byble ye may se,) Hym lyst nat Armyd for[for om. St.] to be Whan that he (thus stood the caas,) Sholdë fyhte with Golyas, Swych Armure he hath forsake; Off whom I wyle exaumple take, ffor my party, to go lyht, To ben ay redy to the flyht, Whan that Venus (by bataylle,) On the weye me wyl[wylle me St.] assaylle, Al thys armure I wyl leue, Be-causë that they do[wylle St.] me greue, Off purpos (lyk as ye shal se) That I may the bettre fle, Lyst I stode in Iupartye Whan Venus me dyde[dydde me St.] espye, Wych ys the peryllous hunteresse, Pylgrymes to putten in dystresse." Grace dieu 'Yt nedeth her-on no mor to muse,— By cause thow dost thy sylff excuse,— How armure doth to thé grevaunce; ffor he that hath[hath St., om. C.] no suffysaunce Wyth-Inne hym-sylff tendurë peyne, Off lytel thyng he wyl compleyne, And a lytel charge refuse. 'But shortly, yiff thow koudest vse Thys Armure, yt sholde semë lyht, And nat lette thé in thy flyht; ffor thys armure ys nat heuy To hertys stronge, that be myghty To endure, and bydë longe Vp-on heuy chargys stronge. 'But thow hast excusyd the, That thow wylt nat Armyd be, But go lyht, bothe[bothe om. St.] fer & ner, And therfore thow shalt han A[a om. St. SomerThese lines are in Cambridge prose, p. 138. / Bahu / St., om. C. To karyen-ininne St.] thyn harneys al,These lines are in Cambridge prose, p. 138. Wych in soth shal be but smal, 'To trusse yt in, whan thow hast nede, And with thé thow shalt yt lede,— Lyst sodeynly, in bataylle, Any man the wolde assaylle,— Lyte and lyte to vsë the, Euere a-mong, armyd to be. 'And for thow hast made mencïoun, Off dauyd the noble champyoun,— That he wold noon Armys bere,— Wych slowh the Lyon & the Beere;leonem et vrsum C., om. St. But touchyng the samë fourme[form fourme C., fourme St.] Thow mayst the neuere to hym confourme, But yiff thy body thow[thow St., now C.] applye ffor to fyhte a-geyn Golye With thy staff & with thy slynge; And with the also that thow brynge In thy skryppë stonys fyue, With the geaunt for to stryue, As dauyd dyde, thorgh hys renoun, Whan he hym slowh & beet a-doun.' The pylgrym[Pylgryme St., pylgrm C.] "Ma dame, certys," tho quod I, "That ye me graunt so gracyously To be armyd as dauyd was Whan he fauht with Golyas, I thankë yow with al myn myght, And yow be-sechë / a-noon ryht That I may be armyd so, Whan-euere that I shal haue a-do. Other Armure ne wyl I noon, On pylgrimage whan I shal gon; But that ye[yow St.] lyst to do your peyne A Somer, fyrst[ë] to ordeyne,¶ Bahu / St., om. C. And ther-wyth (as ye haue be-hyht) Stonys & slyngë a-noon ryht. But fyrst I shal dysArmë me Off thys Armure, as ye shal Se." And so I dyde; & castë[kast St.] doun Purpoynt, helm and haberioun, Glouys & swerd, I yow ensure, And fynally, al myn armure;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Wheroff me thouhte I was wel esyd. But Gracë dieu was nat wel plesyd (Shortly) off my gouernaunce, But took yt parcel in greuaunce, And fro me she gan declyne,[And to me no thyng dydde seyne St. (after the next line). And entrede in,[inne St.] in hyr courtyne. And disarmyd I a-bood, And fulle nakyd so[stylle n. ther St.] I stood, And[And St., om. C.] ffel in-to A maner[in to manere of a St.] Rage Off dysconfort, in my corage. The lak vpon me[my St.] sylff I leyde; And thus vn-to my sylff I seyde: "Allas!" quod I, "what shal I do, Now gracë dieu ys go me fro? I stonde in gret dysioynt, certeyn, But vn-to me she kome a-geyn, Wych armede me ful ryally, And apparayllede Richëly, Lyk taknyht[to a knyhte St.] that sholde assaylle Hys Enmyës in[in the] bataylle. But I was nat worthy ther-to, That she sholdë ha[have St.] do So, Off neclygence and ffreelte Now I haue dyspoylled me, Destytut on euery syde. "And trewly now I most a-byde, As a shepperde (who taketh kep,) With dauyd for to kepë shep, With staff & slyngë, as dyde he, I trowe yt wyl noon other be. Gracë dieu so me be-hyhte Whan that I stood[stoode St.] in hyr syhte, Dysarmyd my body, euerydel, Wher-off she lykede[lykyng St.] no thyng wel; But pleynly, off my gouernaunce, Me sempte she haddë dysplesaunce." And whil I stood in swych dysioynt,Omitting the coming of the wench Memory with her eyes in the back of her neck, p. 73 Roxb. And was brouht vn-to the poynt Off heuynesse in my corage, Tryst & mornyng off visage, Gracë dïeu cam a-geyn And thus she gan vn-to me[vnto C., to me St.] seyn: Grace dieu 'Thow shalt no thyng do,' quod she, 'But at[alle St.] thyn ownë lyberte: Thyn armure thow hast cast a-way, And stondyst now in gret affray, Venquisshed (in conclusïoun), With-outë strook yput adoun, And fallen in gret febylnesse; Wher-for behoueth besynesse, And also ful gret dyllygence. 'Thy gret[grete St.] harmys to Recompense, Thow must be wasshe & bathyd offte, And couchyd in a bed ful soffte, Ther-in thy syluen to dysporte, And han a leche, the to coumforte, Thy synwes harde to mollefye With oynementys, to make hem plye. Tel on A-noon; let for no slouthe; Her-off, yiff I sey thé the[the the St., the C.] trouth.' The pylgrym "Ma dame," quod I, "yt ys no les;[lees St.] Off my peynës to haue reles, I woldë fayn (trusteth me) Off my disesses[dyssese St.] holpen be. The maner (yiff ye koude espye) ffor to shape a remedye; ffor, be my trouthe, I yow ensure, That I may no lenger dure To suffre mor, (taketh[more / take St.] good hed,) But that I muste pleynly be ded: With-Inne my-sylff, many wyse, Off labour I fele so gret feyntyse." Grace dieu Quod Gracë dieu a-noon to me: 'I haue espyed wel, and Se: 'But I dyde my bysynesse To taken hed to thy syknesse, The to helpyn & releue Off thyng that doth thyn hertë greue. I wot ryht wel (yt ys no nay) Thow sholdest gon a peryllous way. 'But fyrst tak hed, & be wel war, The stonys wych that dauyd bar, Wyth the wych he slewe[slough St., ] Golye, And haddë off hym the mystrye, The samë stonys, I ha[have St.] longe Kept hem bounde wonder stronge With-Inne a purs (shortly to seye), Off entent, with hem to pleye With maydenys wych on me a-byde, Euere a-waytynge on my syde, At the martews,Martel s. m. Nom d'un jeu: Et. v. pierres i met petites, Don puceles aux martewes geuent Quant beles et rondes les treuvent. (Rose. Richel. 1573, fo. 176 a.)—Godefroi, the gentyl play Vsyd in frauncë many day: The wych stonys, the to saue, I purpóse that thow shalt haue, As dauyd hadde, in hys dyffence, ffor to makë résistence A-geyn the geaunt Golyat, Vn-to hym to seyn 'chek maat,' Whan that euere in bataylle He cast hym proudly the tassaylle.' And a-noon she dyde hyr peyne To takë with hyr handys tweyne Out off a pours,[Purs St.] stonys fyue; That neuere yet, in al my lyue, I ne sawh nat to my syht No maner ston so cler nor bryht.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And in al hast, thys lady fre, Wyth hyr hond she took[gaffe St.] hem me: Wych I receyuede ful lowly, And in[in om. St.] my skryppë sykerly, I putte hem up, on by on. But she to-forn, off euerychon, Sche made[made to me. ] a declaracïoun And ful[a full St.] cler exposicïoun; In whos speche ther was no lak; And euene thus to me she spak: Grace Dieu[St., om. C.] 'Thow shalt,' quod she, 'yt ys no fayl, Offten entren in[in to St.] bataylle, With thy foomen for to stryue, And han[haue St.] a werrë al thy lyue With the Geaunt Golyas, Wych hath be-set ech maner pas Wher thow shalt passe in thy vyage, As thow gost on pylgrymage. Whos Ioyë ys (who kan conceyue,) All pylgrymës to deceyue; Vp-on the wey lyth, hem tespye, As doth the hyrayne for the fflye. 'And as she hyr net kan spynne, Tyl that she the flyë wynne, And by hyr sleythë[sleyghte St., sleyth C.] kan hem take, Ryht so hys trappys he doth make,.i. Golias St., om. C. Alle pylgrymës to enbrace, Wher they walke in any place, ffalsly to take on hem vengaunce, With hys deceytys off plesaunce, And flesshly lustys off delyt fful plesaunt to the appetyt. 'With worldly rychesses,[Richesse St.] & veyn glorye Off goodys that ben transitorye, Off hem he maketh a sotyl net;[nette . . knette St.] And whan he hath yt vp ful knet,[nette . . knette St.] Ther-with he doth hys besy peyne, Pylgrymes to bryngen in A treyne. Hem cachchynge (or they kan espye) As the hereyne doth the fflye, By ápparence ful ágrëáble, Thys ffalsë geaunt déceyuáble, 'Lyk the[de St.] bacyn that ys brennynge, And sheweth ffayr as in shynynge; Yet nat for-thy, thogh yt be bryht, The Beere yt reueth off hys syht, And maketh hym blynd, he may nat se. 'Ryght so, worldly prosperyte, fflesshly lust & fals plesaunce, Causen folk, by déceyvaunce, ffor to be blynd, & lese her syht. 'Wher-for with-stond with al thy myht The power of thys proud Golye. Al fflesshly lustys ek defye; And off the world ek, tak noon hede, Wych deceyueth a man at nede. 'And yiff thow wylt don affter me, I shal a-noon her[here St.] techyn the, Lych a myghty champyoun To venquysshe al temptacïounStowe here awkwardly inserts a parenthesis of two lines: Looke thow be redy / euere in oon, To fighte with hem as thy foon.— Off the world, Golye, & the fflessh. 'Looke ffyrst that thow be fressh, Lyk to dauyd off corage, Manly off hertë, wys & sage A-geyn thyn Enmyes for to stryue; And euere have redy,[have redy St., haardy C.] stonys ffyue, To caste hem (off entencïoun) A-geyn[ë]s al[Ageyns alle manere off St.,] Temptacïoun, Loke thow be redy, euere in on. 'The namë off thy[the St.] ffyrstë stonye first stone.—Jn. Stowe. Ys the mynde most off[off moste St.] vertu,¶ Primus lapis, Memoria passionis Christi. St., om. C. Off the deth off cryst ihesu; How that he sprad on the rood, ffor mankynde, hys ownë blood; The peple ther-with to beyn[byen St.] a-geyn, Wych that Golyas hadde slayn. Thys, the precyous ruby Ryche, In al thys world ther ys noon lyche; Wych receyuede hys rednesse 'Off crystys blood, & hys rychesse. 'Dye thyn herte (as yt ys good,) In the syluë[sylff St.] samë blood; Ha ther-in feyth & stedefastnesse; Than artow strong (in sothnesse) Ageyn golye & al hys myght, ffor to venquysshe hym by ffiht: Thy mynde ha ther-on, euere in oon. 'And the nextë[next St.] Rychë Ston, In noumbre callyd the secounde,ye second stone. Jn. Stowe. ¶ Secundus lapis / Est memoria gloriose virginis Marie. St., om. C. Wych wyth al gracë doth habounde, Off vertu hath most suffysaunce, And ys callyd Remembraunce Off that mayde & moder fre, Y-chosen off the dëyte fful many hundryd yer to-forn, Or she was off hyr modern born. Thys, the precyouse margaryte Off hevenly dewh & dropys whyte, Sprang in a Cokyl bryht & shene, ffor tavoyden al our tene, Whos gracë, thorgh the world doth shyne: Lat hyre thyn hertë enlwmyne, And a-dewhen[adewen St.] with hyr grace; And neuere dred the (in no place) But thow shalt han the maystrye Off the devel and off golye. 'The thrydde ston ys 'Memoryethe third stone. Jn. Stowe. ¶ Tercius lapis / Est Memoria sempiterne glorie. St., om. C. Off the perdurable glorye,' And off the hihë blysse in heuene A-boue the planetys allë seuene: Thys, the blyssyd saphyr[saphire St.] trewe, Al-to-gidre off hevenly hewe, Wych recounforteth most the syht Wyth hys counfortable lyht: Kep hyt for thyn ownë stoor, ffor yt saueth euery soor; Yt sleth[sleethe St.] bochches & ffelouns, Destroyeth venym & poyssouns; And off colour yt ys ynde: 'Lat yt neuer out off thy mynde. 'Azure thyn hertë ther-wyth-al; And loue yt yn especyal, As for thy cheff pocessïoun; And thanke (off hih affeccïoun) To god only, wych[god / which oonly St.] off grace Hath ordeyned swych a place ffor his chosë chyldre[Children St.] dere, The wychë,[whiche St., wych C.] as champïouns here, ffyhten wyth golye day be day, And overkome hym in ther way; Pylgrymes that passen many Rewm[Reem St.] Toward hevenly Jerusaleem. 'The ffourthë ston ys callyd 'Mynde':the fourthe stone Jn. Stowe. Be-war that yt be nat be-hynde.Quartus lapis est timor & memoria pene Infernalis St., om. C. Haue yt[this St., ] in thy memoryal Mynde off the peynys infernal, Wych ys gretly for to drede, Wyth hys flawmy fyrys rede. Redy (ther ys noon other wente,) Thys synnérys to tormente[Thes Synners / to Tornemente St.] Eternally, for ther penaunce, That deyë[dyen St.] wyth-out répentaunce; 'But, off that lord grettest off myght, Whos mercy euer passeth ryht, Off synnerys desyreth nat the[but St.] deth; ffor he doth mercy or that he[or he St.] sleth; Loth, swych folkys to tormente, That off herte hem wyl repente. 'But yet haue alway in thy thouht, (And look that thou for-gete yt nouht,) To haue thy mynde, euere a-mong, Up-on thys mortal peynys strong. 'And the name of thys dredful stone Ys ycallyd Albeston, Wych, whan yt receyueth ffyr, To hete yt hath so gret desyr, That[That St., Than C.] whan wyth[Whan the St.] ffyr yt ys ymeynt, Affter, neuere[Never affter St.] yt wyl be queynt. 'Haue on thys ston ay mencyoun, 'And in eche temptacyoun, Latt love off God, and drede off peyne, Fro dedly Synnë the Restreyne.[Stowe MS.] And yiff thow hast her-Inne memórye,[Stowe MS.] Off Golye thow hast the vyctórye.[Stowe MS.] 'The ffyffthë ston (I the ensure)the fyffthe stone. Jn. Stowe. ¶ Quintus lapis, sacra scriptura St., om. C. That thow shalt han, ys 'scrypture' Hooly wryt, & thus I mene, The Emerawd that ys so grene, A rychë ston, off gret counfort, That to the eye doth most dysport, And, thorgh hys myght & hys puissaunce, Voydeth a-way al grevaunce ffrom an eyë[Eyee St.] fer & ner, And maketh A manhys[manys St.] syhtë cler, Clenseth a-way al ordure, The gownde, & euery thyng vnpure. 'Now haue I told the, by & by, Off thys stonys coryously,[Ceryously St.] Wych that ben in noumbre fyue: Put hem in thy skryppë blyue, Caste hem ay whan thow hast nede; And specyally (as I the rede) Caste hem euere in ech sesoun A-geyns al temptacyoun, Ech affter other, in thy dyffence; And mak alway strong résystence, Spendynge thys[thes St.] stonys, on by on; And I ensurë[assure St.] the a-noon, Thow shalt nat faylle (yiff thow be wys,) Off vyctorye to gete a prys.' The pylgrym Than quod I to hyre a-geyn, "Thys fyue stonys (in certeyn) Ben ryht good & gracïous, & at assay ryht vertuous; But I merueylle, syth ye be wys, Why that ye, in your a-vys,[St. & C.] Lykne my Mouth un-to a slynge;[St. & C.] ffor I kan nat aboutë brynge,[St. & C.] "Nor deuyse, how that I schal[St. & C.] To castë stonys ther-wyth-al, To helpe[Stowe. Telpe C.] my sylff ageyn my ffon; ffor custoom hadde I neuere noon, God knowéth wel, nyh nor ferre,[C. & St.] Me to gouerne in swych a werre." Grace dieu. Quod she, 'Kanstow nat espye? Who kan wysdom, he kan folye; And who that knoweth ek goodnesse, Parcel he knoweth off shrewdnesse;[shrewdenesse St.] ffor ryhtwysnesse, & also wrong, Entermedlen euere a-mong; And in an herte (yiff yt be souht) Ther tourneth many a dyuers thouht, Lyk a corde (yt ys no doute), Wyth-Inne yt[Whiche St.] tourneth ofte aboute; And off two cordys, they a-corde Offtë for to make a corde. 'ffor Cordys be sayd (who kan aduerte,) Off offtë tournynges[turmentynges St.] in an herte; And wyth twynnyng, (in certeyne,) A[Oo St.] cord ys ymad off tweyne. 'And thus thow shalt aboutë brynge, Off thy thouht to make a slynge, Ther-in to puttë stonys ffyue, Ageyn thyn enmyes for to stryue, To cast hem in thys mortal werre, Wer-so thow[the St.] lyketh, nyh or ferre. 'ffor, slynge ys noon, (thys no doute,) That may tourne so offte aboute As may thy thouht (be wel certeyn); ffor bothe on hylle, on vale & pleyn, Yt tourneth her, yt tourneth yonder, So offtë[So offte St., Soffte C.] sythe, that yt ys wonder, ffer or ner, ryht at thy lust, On whos abood, yt ys no trust.[C. & St.] But, yit[yitte St.] I redë, tak good kep (Lyk thys Erdys[thes herdys St.] that kepe shep) Thy slynge and stonys to kepë wel, And that thow err, neueradel." The pylgrym: "Allas," quod I, "what may thys be, That, off my foly nycete, I am be-kome an Erdë[herde St.] man,— And noon other crafft ne kan,— A rud shepperde, thorgh my folye, And ha for-sakë chyualrye, Armys that longen to a knyht, Ther-off complaynynge day & nyht. And syker, so I may ryht wel, Whan I consydre euerydel Hou dauyd (who lyst taken kep) Was fyrst an Erde,[herde St. & keptëkept St.] shep; But, thorgh hys manly gouernaunce, Hym-sylff affter he dyde avaunce To be callyd a myghty kyng, Thorgh hys vertuous lyuyng, And wyth al thys, a famous knyht. Wherfor, I pray yow anoon ryht, Lyk your hest, doth your deuer To ordeyne me a somer, Myn harneys ther-in for to karye; And her-vp-on that ye nat tarye, But in al hast that ye me spede, That whan yt falleth[ffayllethe St.] I ha nede, Myn armure be nat fer me ffro, Whan that I ha nede ther-to." Grace dieu: Quod grace dieu anoon to me, 'Thow hast abydynge ay wyth the A seruant and a chaumberere, Wych in soth, (as thow shalt lere,) Lesyth hyr tyme, & doth ryht nouht, A Damyselle:[Stowe] lat hyr be souht, To trusse thyn harneys euerydel. ffor yiff hyr lyst, she kan ryht wel (I haue off hyre no maner doute,) Trusse, and bern yt ek a-boute, And folwe the owher[wher St.] so thou go; 'And by my counsayl, lat her so, Syth that she kan do hyr deuer, Bothe be thy seruant & somer.' The pylgrym: "Ma dame," (to speke feythfully,) "I ha noon sywch wyth me," quod I. Grace dieu: 'Certys,' quod she, 'thou hast swych on; I shal hyr shewe to the a-noon, Yiff in thy sylff ther be no lak: Looke be-hynden at thy bak!' The pylgrym: And so I dydë,—lyk as she The samë tyme comaundyd me,— Be-held bakward, & saw[saw om. St.] sywch on; Wheroff astonyd I was a-noon, And fyl in-to a ful gret doute, Be-cause, whan I be-held aboute, I sawh that eyen hadde she noon, Ne[No St.] mor than hath a stok or ston; Wych was to me a thyng hydous; She semptë, a best monstruows, Outward, by hyr contenaunce. But tho I hadde a rémembraunce How Gracë dieu hadde don to me Touchynge myn eyen, wyth wych I se, Wyth them to make me se the bet, In myn erys whan they wer set, By hyr ounë puruyaunce; Wher-off havyng a rémembraunce, I gan consydre & lokë wel Hyr shap & maner euerydel. Tyl at the laste, I dydë fynde In hyr haterel, fer be-hynde, Tweyne Eyen fful cler & bryht; Wych was to me a wonder syht. And on thys thyng gretly musynge, To grace dieu my-sylff tournynge, Sodeynly I tho abrayde, And, astonyd, to hyre I sayde: The pylgrym:[C. has this heading 4 lines higher.] "Ma dame," quod I, ("yiff ye lyst lere,) I ha founde a chaumberere, Me suyng at my bak be-hynde, Off whom I hadde to-forn no mynde Nor no maner rémembraunce; And syker, I ha no gret plesaunce Off hyr offyce nor hyr seruise; Causë why, I shal devyse: Me semeth she ys vngracyous, Counterfeet & monstruous: And as me semeth in my syht, She ne kan nat, halff a-ryht, Wyth me trussen myn armure, Nouther kepe myn harneys sure." Grace dieu: 'Certys,' quod Gracë dieu ryht tho, 'I wot my sylff yt ys nat so: She kan hem trussë most trewly, And beren[beren St., bern C.] also sykerly. Wherfor, in thyn oppynyoun, Tyl thow haue occasïoun Or som cause, dyspreyse hyr nouht; ffor whan the trouthe ys clerly souht, Thow shalt knowë wel that she Ys ful necéssarye to the, Yiff thow lyst maken[maken St., makem C.] prouydence Off any konnyng or scyence, Yt to concevue wyth-outë lak, 'By cause hyr Eyen stonden bak, Yt ys a sygne (as thow shalt lere) That she is a tresourere Off konnyng & of sciencys, And off all Experyencys That be commyttyd to hyr garde; Yiff thow konne a-ryht rewarde, Thyngis passyd, thow shalt fynde Sche kepeth hem closyd in hyr mynde, Sorë shet wyth lok & keye, That they go nat lyhtly awey. 'Al[Alle St.] thyngës off antyquyte, Storyes that auctorysèd[auntorysed St.] be, And thyngës digne off Rémembraunce, And al the oldë gouernaunce Wych a-for thys hath[ha St.] be do, She kan devysë, no whyht so, Fresshly renewyd in hyr thouht. 'And yet, to-forn, she seth ryht nouht, Nor a-parceyueth no maner thyng Off that shal folwe in hyr seyyng, Off wysdam, Armys, nor vyctorye. And hyr name ys "memorye"; And so thow shalt off Ryght hyr calle Her-affter-ward, what euer falle. And wherso that[that om. St.] thou wake or slepe, Tak hyr thyn armure for to kepe; And she wyl makë no daunger, But the to serue, &[& om. St.] don hyr deuer." The pylgrym to memoyre. Than quod I to thys chaumberere: "Wych that[that St., than C. (Wych that = You who)] han your eyen clere, Only be-hynde (yiff yt be souht) & to-forn ne se ryht nouht,— ffor off thynges that passyd be, Ys your chargë[Charge only St.]for to se; And I to-forn shal taken hede:— But I stonde in a maner drede, In what wyse ye shal sustene To remembre, (thus I mene,) Or so gret a charge to bere, Off thyngës out off myndë feere,[myn ffeer St.] Hem to reporte, wyth-outë blame; But, for ye han so good a name, And, to bere,[beere St.] ben ek couenable, Strong also & seruysable; To yow thys armure I commytte, Out off your garde that they nat flytte."[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And she tooke[tooke St., took C.] [hem] ful lowly In-to hyr kepyng fynally, And in hyr tresour vp hem layde. And Gracë dieu than to me sayde: Grace dieu: Quod she a-noon, 'tak hed her-to! Now artow redy for to go As a pylgrym on thy Iournee To Ierusaleem the cyte; Redy in al (yt ys no drede), Save off o[oon St.] thyng thow hast nede, Only off bred, [om. St.](wyth-outë more,) Ther-wyth thy skryppë to astore: Off wych bred[om. St.] I ha the told. 'But I the rede, be nat to bold To takë noon (in no degre,) Wyth-outen lycence or conge Off the ladyes (in substaunce) Wych ha that bred in gouernaunce. And alderfyrst: thow ek observe,[St. & C.] That thow konne yt wel dysserve,[St. & C.] And thy sylff, aforn to make[St. & C.] To be worthy yt to take Off the ladyes, benygne off cherys, Wych ther be set ffor awmenerys: With-oute hem, put the nat in pres.' Thanne wente I to[vn-to St.] Moyses, Hym be-souhte, to my good sped, ffor to youe[yeve St.] me off that bred. And he me gaff yt ful goodly; And in my skryppë, a-noon I Putte that bred most off vertu.[C. & St.] Thanne to me spak Gracë dieu: Grace dieu: Quod Gracë dieu to me tho blythe, 'By my counsayl, offtë sythe Lok ther-to that thow tak hede Whan thow shalt etyn off thys bred, Thy syluen gostly to dysporte, And thyn herte to récounforte, Therby tarme thy sylff ryht wel, Bet than in Iren or in stel; 'Therby to han experyence ffor to makë résistence Ageyn al thy mortal ffon. 'But herkene vn-to me A-noon: Conceyuë (for conclusïoun) Yt ys a gret[a ffulle St. ] confusïoun To the (yiff thow lyst to lere,) That she wych ys thy chaumberere Sholde, affter the, thyn armys bere; And thow thy-sylff darst hem nat were, Nor wyth thy fynger touche hem nouht, Swych dred & fer ys in thy thouht, Thow braydest on a koward knyht, Resemblynge hem that dar nat ffyht: I holde hem nat goode werryours, Manly knyhtes, nor conquerours, That hange her sheldys vp on[vp on C., on St.] the wal, To make a mowstre in specyal, Outward by, as by apparence, ffor to shewe the excellence Off ther rychesse by fressh array; And ther bodyes, nyht nor day, Nor them sylff, dar nat a-vaunce To handle[To handle St., Tandle C.] nouther swerd nor launce; But outward shewyn ffressh peyntures Off dyuers bestys and ffygures, Lyk to manly champyouns, As they wolden slen lyouns In dyffence off ther contre. And yet, par cas, yt may so be, Ther bodyes strongëly[strongely St., strongly C.] tassure, They stuffe her somerys wyth armure, Wych ay hem folweth at the bak, That in shewyng ther be no lak; And for al that, (who taketh hede) And yt kome vn-to the nede, (I mene, as off a mortal werre,) They woldë hem sylff holde[holde St., om. C.] afferre, To preue her manhood & hyr myght. 'But I holde hym a manly knyght, 'Wych off hys harneys (fer & ner) Ys hym syluen the somer, And bereth hys armure on hys bak, On hys Enmyes to takë wrak; And in hys harneys, day & nyht Ys foundë redy, lyk a knyht, Off prouydence hym sylff to kepe, And ther-in, day and nyht doth slepe, Redy to sende hym wyth hys hond, Namly, whan he ys in a lond Wher the werre ys ay mortal, 'And truste wel in especyal, That the land & the contre Toward Ierusalem the cyte, Thow mayst nat passe yt, fer nor ner, Wyth-oute pereil & gret daunger. Yt ys ay ful off Ennemyes, Off brygauntys, & fals espyes, And off ffomen fful despytous. 'And in thys passage perillous, Me semeth (in no maner wyse,) That yt may to the suffyse, Thy stonys platly, nor thy staff slynge, (Wych wyth the that thow dost brynge), But yiff thow do thy deuer, To haue wyth the thy Somer, To ber thy armys on thy bak, Bet than in bowgys or cloth sak. 'Yt[And yt St. ] wer a gret derysïoun To the, and gret confusïoun, Yiff thy chaumbrere sholde hem brynge, And thow, for lak off fforseyynge, Stoode thy syllff disconsolaat, Dysarmyd, nakyd, & chek-maat, Consydred[Consydre St.] that thy chaumberere Ys lasse off myght & off powere Than thow thy-sylff[ë] sholdest be, Yiff thow be gouernyd by equyte.' The pylgrym: "Certeys ye seyn ryht wel at al. "But I wolde in especyal Wyten how yt myghtë be, Or whehr the fautë[the defaute St.] wer in me, The causë[Stowe] platly of thys cas, That I so sone dysarmyd was; And why I myghtë nat endure The hevynesse off myn armure." Grace dieu: 'Hastow,' quod she, 'no Rémembraunce, How I the toldë,[tolde St., told C.] in substaunce, Thow wer to fat, and to lykynge, To gret and large (as by semynge,) The to putte in áventure So hevy armure to endure?' The pylgrym: "I wel remembre,"[Remembre me St.] so ye sayde, And thys defautys on me ye layde; And yet ye sayde to me no wrong; But now I ffele my sylff mor strong To ben armyd, off[in St.] good entente, Yiff so be that ye assente." Grace dieu: 'Wostow what thow art?' quod she: 'Yiff thow be On, declare to[to om. St.] me; Yiff thow be double outher tweyne, Tel me A-noon & nat ne feyne. Lat ther be no varyaunce Wher thow hauë[hast the St.] gouernaunce Off any maner other wyht Than off thy sylff: tel on now ryht.' The pylgrym: "Ma dame," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se, Off thys thyng ye axë me, (Yiff ye lyst pleynly to[to om. St.] concerne,) I haue no mo for to gouerne But mysylff, nor to comaunde. I haue merveyl off your demaunde; [C. & St.] What ye mene, off this questyoun[C. & St.] Wyth-oute a declaracyoun."[C. & St.] Grace dieu: 'Yiff vn-to me good audyence, And also do thy dyllygence Terkne[To herken St.] a-noon what I shal say; And thy sylff shalt nat seyn nay; But I shal preue the contrayre, That thou hast an aduersayre, And On ek off thy mostë foon, Whom that thow off yore agon Hast yhad in gouernaunce, And dost ful bysy áttendaunce ffor to cherysshe day & nyght, Wyth al thy power, and thy myght; A dayës, for to fede hym offte, And a nyht, to leyn hym soffte; Wyth metys most delycyous, And, wyth deyntës outragous,[outrageous St.] Thow dost ful besy áttendaunce To ffostren hym to hys plesaunce. 'What-euere cost ther-on be spent, Thow takest noon heed in thyn entent, But al hys lustys to obeye. 'And yet I dar afferme & seye, He was ordeyned for to be Soget & seruaunt vn-to the, And tabyde in thy servyse. 'But now ys tournyd al that guyse, Pleynly, yiff thow lyst to se; ffor he hath now the souereynte, Lordshepe & domynacïoun, That ffyrst was in subieccïoun. And to concluden, at O word, Thow art soget, & he ys lord; And yet he was delyvered the,[C. & St.] Thy seruaunt euere to ha be; But he ys now thy most enmy, And doth hys power outterly, Euere in on, the to werreye, And day & nyght to dysobeye, And for thy lustys ay to varye, Vn-to the to be contrárye, 'Nat-wyth-stondynge the dyllygence, The costys & the gret expense That thow dost hym for to plese, And hys Gredynesse tapese: Thow beyst[byest St.] hym many fressh Iowel, And sparest nat off thy catel To beyn[byen St.] hym knyuës & tablettys, Rychë gyrdelys & corsettys, Clothes off sylk & off skarlet, Embrawdyd, & wyth perlys[pelles St.] ffret: Al hys desyrs thow pursues, Somwhyle to lede hym to the stewes, To wasshe & bathe hym tendyrly, And to leyn hym sofftely On ffether beddys, mad ful wel, ffor to slepe hys vndermel; And afterward to kembe hys hed: Wyth wynës also, whyt & red, Wyth maluesyn & ypocras, Thow dost to hym ful gret solas, And art mor bysy hym to queme Than thy-sylff, I dar wel deme. 'As a norysshe on[noryse / to St.] hyr enfaunt, Thow art euere áttendaunt To ffostren hym, lyk hys delyt, And to serue hys appetyt; And shortly, whan thow hast al do, Thow hast noon so mortal ffo; ffor the, to trayshe[traysshen St.] wyth al hys myht, He lyth a waytynge day & nyht; And hys ffamylyaryte Ys ful noyous vn-to the. ffor Enmy noon ys so perillous, So dredful, nor contágyous, In al the[the St., om. C. ] erthë, fer nor ner, As an enmy ffamylyer,Familiaris Inimicus St., om. C. Nor so gretly to be drad[dradde . . sadde St.] Off ffolkys that be wyse & sad.[dradde . . sadde St.] 'And yiff thow lyst to lern off me, Tak good hed; for thys ys he[St. & C.] 'Wych wolde nat suffre the to lere, Noon Armys nor noon harneys were, The to dyffende fro thyn enmyes, Brygauntys and other false espyes;[C. & St.] And shortly (yiff I shal nat tarye) He ys thy gretest aduersarye That thow hast, & most to drede: Be war therfor, & tak bet hede.' The pylgrym: "Ma dame," quod I, "yiff ye lyst se, I merveylle what he sholdë be, He that ye accuse and blame, And put on hym so gret dyffame, How that he sholdë, day & nyht, Be bysy (as ffer as he hath myght) To traisshe[traysshe St.] me, as a fals tractour, And to my worshype & honour Don any derogacioun By swych compassyd fals traisoun. "I pray yow for to tellen me What maner whyht he[that he St.] sholdë be. Telleth me ek whar he was born, And warneth me off hym to-forn; Telleth hys name & hys fygure, That I may my sylff assure Ageyn hys mortal Enmyte, That I myghte avengyd be. And, by my trouthe, a-noon I shal Dysmembren hym on pecys smal, Quyk on the Erthe, what-euere he be, And ye hys namë tellen me. And yet thys vengaunce, in no wyse Myghtë nat ynowh suffyse, Thogh al quyk (to myn entente) I dysmembrede hym ther he wente." Grace dieu: 'Certys,' quod she, 'thow seyst ryht wel: But, & thow wylt wyten euerydel, And conceyve ek in thy thouht, Ne wer thy-sylff, he wer ryht nouht, 'Nor, wyth-outë the, certeyn, He ne wer nat but in veyn; ffor ffolkys, nouther yong nor olde, Sholdë nat on hym be-holde, But haue hym in despyt, certeyn, In répreff, & in gret desdeyn, (Ne wer thy sylff, I the ensure,) ffor but a lyknesse off ordure, And a statue off slyym[slyme St.] vnclene, (Vnderstond wel what I mene,) Donge & putrefaccïoun, A Kareyn off corrupcyoun: Thow shalt yt fynde (in wordys fewe,) As openly I shal the shewe, Whan thow gynnest thy passage. And, for thyn owne ávauntage, I wyl go wyth the off entent, And, holdyng our[oure St. ] parlement, Thow & I, to-gydre yffere, What that he ys, I shal the lere.' ye pilgrime[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.] "Go we," quod I / "I am wel payd Off al that euere ye ha sayd; But specyaly I yow requere That ye & I may gon yfere, And departë[depart St.] nat our way; And that ye wyl me goodly say (Lyk to your oppynyoun) The maner & condicïoun Off myn enmy, & off me, Whil that we[we St., ye C.] to-gydre be, No whyht but ye & I yfere,— Exceptë that my chaumberere Wyth me haveth[bereth St.] myn armure;— And my syluen mor tassure, That in hyre ther[ther ther C., ther St.] be no lak, Me folweth alway at the bak." Grace Dieu.[St., om. C.] Quod gracë dieu, 'ffor to declare Thyn Enmy pleynly, & nat spare, 'He ys foul & ek terryble[to Orryble St.] Lothsom also, & Odyble, Off condycyoun ful dyuers, Right contrayrë & peruers;[parvers St.] Was engendryd (I dar assure) And brouht forth, as[as St., om. C.] by nature, Off woormys that in erthë krepe, And lyggen in the soil ful depe. He ys a worme, & shal also Be wormys mete; tak hed her-to! Off wormys (in especyal) He took hys orygynal; And in-to wormys he shal tourne, And wyth wormys ek soiourne; In the erthë[the Erthe St., therthe C.] putrefye; And wormys shal hym ek defye, Torne hym to foul corrupcyoun: Swych ys hys condycïoun. 'And nat for-thy (tak hed & se,) Euery nyht he lyth wyth the A-bedde; and trustë ek trewly,[Truely St.] Ye partë[departe St.] neuere company. And vn-to the yt ys gret shame, And a maner off dyffame To the, & gret confusïoun; Affter hys replecyoun, He may nat purge hym on no syde But thow hym lede, & be hys guyde; In chaumbre, goyng to pryvee, Hys chaumberleyn thow mustest be: Wyth-outë the (yt stondeth so) That he sothly may no-thyng do: Thow art hys pyler & hys potent; And ellys he were Inpotent, Blynde, & lamë doutëles,[doutles St.] Deff, and also spechëles, And óff no reputacïoun, Ne wer thy supportacïoun. 'And yet to speke in general, He kan to the no thank at al: 'Hys froward conuersacyoun Ys off swych condycioun.' Ye pilgrime.[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.,] "Ma dame," quod I, "al that ye seyn, I vnderstonde yt wel certeyn; But I merveyllë ful gretly That ye lyst nat to me pleynly Makë ful relacyoun, And clerly demonstracïoun, Wyth toknys bothen hih & lowe, Attonys that I myghte hym knowe; ffor thanne, nouther nyht nor day Ther sholde be makyd no delay, Wyth-outë respyt or pyte But that I sholde a-vengyd be (Wyth-outë súpport or favóur) By cruel deth, on that traytour." Grace Dieu.[St., om. C.] "Nat-wyth-stondynge hys offence, To slen hym thow hast no lycence; That may be suffryd in no wyse. But thow mayst hym wel chastyse And correctë by due[dew St.] peyne, And fro vycys hym restreyne. And, whan that he doth forfete, As a mayster thow shalt hym bete, And correcte hym by travaylle,— Nat as a tyraunt by battaylle, By cruel Rygour nor vengaunce,— But reforme hym by penaunce, At-wyxe the yok off loue & drede. ffor (yiff thow lyst to taken hede,) Penaunce ys hys cheff maystresse, Hym to chastyse & to redresse: She shal, off al dyffaute & blame, Refreynen hym, & make hym tame, Off dyscrecioun wel a-vysed. And whan she hath hym wel ch stysed, She shal (as thow shalt vnderstond,) Make hym redy to thyn hond, As A seruaunt, the to serue, Lyk a sergaunt, to obserue Lowly, what thow byst[byddest St.] hym do, And nat sey nay, nor go ther-fro, But be at thy comaundëment. 'Thys sholdest thow, off[off St., om. C.] good entent, (Lyk vn-to an holsom leche,) Rather desyre, than any wreche. ffor (yiff thow look wyth Eyen cler,) He stondeth nat vnder daunger Off dethe to the, no maner wyse; ffor thow art boundë to deuyse Hys goostly elthë[helthe St.] & wel-ffare; And ouer thys, nat for to spare, (Wherso that he wake or slepe) ffrom al pereyl[perylle St.] hym to kepe, Wherso that thow be dul or ffressh; ffor thys, thy Body & thy fflessh, He that I mene, the syluë[selve St.] same, Off hym I kan noon other name." The Pylgryme.[St., om. C.] "Ma dame," quod I, "what may thys be? Whether dreme I, other[or St.] ellys ye? ffor (as fer as I kan espye,) I merveylle off your fantasye, Or by what weye ye woldë gon. Ys nat my body & I al on? I trowë yis; & ellys wonder, Or how myhte we be assonder? Ys he a-nother than am I? I pray yow, tel me ffeythfully, (And me declareth the sothnesse[sothfastnesse St.] Wyth-outen any dowbylnesse,) What that ye menë verrayly; ffor her ys no whyht but ye & I, Except only my chaumberere, Wych that folweth us[vs St.] ryht here. "A-noon to me doth sygnefye, Wher yt be trouth or fayrye That we shold ben on or tweyne: "Tel on a noon, & doth nat ffeyne." Grace Dieu.[St., om. C.] Quod Grace dieu: 'out off my mouth Wentë neuere north nor south, Est, nor west, nó lesyng,[Est and no are emphatic, and each stands for a measure.] Illusyoun, nor fals dremyng. But I axe a questyoun: Answere ther-to by good resoun: 'Yiff thow were now in a place fful off merthe & off solace, Wyth mete & drynke, at good ese, And wyth al thys, the to plese, Haddyst thy comaundëmentys Off hallys, chaumbrys, & gaye Tentys, Sofftë beddys, dysport & play, And euery thyng vn-to thy pay, Havyng no lak vp-on no syde; Yiff thow myghtest ther abyde At thy choys ffrely alway, Woldestow gladly parte a-way, Or ellys stylle[Stylle Ellys St.] abydë there? Tel on boldly, & ha no ffere.' Ye pilgrim[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.] "Ma dame," quod I, "dysplese yow nouht; I sey ryht as lyth in my thouht: Myn hertys esë for to swe, I wolde abyde (& nat remewe,) ffor myn ese, euere in on, Rather than thenys[thens St.] for to gon; ffor yt ys profytable tabyde[to abyde St.] Wher that a man, on euery syde ffyndeth vn-to hys plesaunce Soiour,[Sokour St.] wyth-outë varyaunce.' Grace Dieu.[St., om. C.] 'Ys that verrayly,' quod she, 'Soth that thow hast sayd to me? I vnderstonde, by thy language, Thow woldest leue thy pylgrymage, And platly settyn hyt a-syde, Only for reste, & ther a-byde.' The Pylgryme.[St., om, C.] "Ma dame," quod I, "for my dysport, Wher I fond[Fonde I St.] esë & counfort, I wolde abyde a whylë there, Tyl I sawh tyme & good leyser." Grace dieu.[In Stowe's hand. Grace Dieu St.] To me she sayde a-noon ryht than: 'O wrechche! o thow vnhappy man! Tak hed, & be mor éntentyff, How herë, in thys mortal lyff, Thogh that a man renne euermore, He may neuere hast hym to sore To kome to tymely to that place. 'I puttë caas, that he ha space fforth to procedë, day be day, At good leyser vp-on hys way. Her-vp-on I axë the, Yiff thow haddyst lyberte, Ioyë, merthe, & al soláce, Woldestow fro thylkë place, Yiff thow haddyst fre chois at wylle Remewen, or a-bydë stylle?' Ye pilgrime[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgryme St.] "Allas!" quod I, "what may I seyn? I kan nat wel answere a-geyn. But o thyng I wot ryht wel; The cyrcumstancys euerydel Consydryd vp-on euery syde, Par cas, rather I[rather than I St.] sholde abyde, Than ben to hasty to procede, Tyl I sawh I mustë nede Goon forth off necessyte: In caas than wolde I hastë me." Grace Dieu: Quod Grace dieu thanne vn-to me: 'By thyn answere, I do wel se That thyn entencyoun ys trouble, And thy wyl ys also double; Thy inward thouht ek varyáble, Thy purpos dyuers & vnstable, 'Consydryd vp-on outher syde, How som whyle thow wylt abyde, And a-nother tyme also, Thow art in wyl[wylle St.] forth for to go; Now in travaylle, now in reste, And offte thow thynkest, for the beste, Stylle in a placë to soiourne; And sodeynly thy wyl[wytte St.] doth tourne, ffor to holdë thy passage; Thy purpos double off vysage, Constreynèd by a dyuers lawe, Now forth, & now yt doth wyth-drawe; Selde or neuere off O[oo St.] thouht; The toon wyle, & the[wylle the St.] tother nouht." The pylgrym: "Ma dame," quod I, "lyk as ye seyn, fful trewe I ffele yt, in certeyn." Grace dieu: Than quod she; "lat nat the greue Vp-on thy wordys; thogh I preue, And thogh I make an Argument, That thow art double in thyn entent, Alway nat on,[oon St.] in certeyne, But partyd oftë in-to tweyne. ffor yt ys knowe, off yore agon, That two wyllys be nat on, Wych be seueryd in o thouht, And off entent acordë nouht. ffor, how myghtë they accorde, Whan they drawe nat by o[they nat be/off oo St.] corde? Thys knoweth euery maner whyht, That hath off Resoun any syht." The pylgrym: "Ma dame," quod I/"I yow be-seche, Clerly[Clerely St.] that ye wyl me teche What that I am; wych seyn that I Am nat the same that my body. What am I thanne? thys wolde I se, Yiff ye lyst enfourmen me: Ther wer no thyng to me so leff, "As knowe her-off A trewë preff." Grace dieu: Quod gracë dieu: 'yt semeth wel, Thow hast nat lernyd euerydel Thyngys nouther hih nor lowe, Syth thy sylff thow[om. St.] kanst nat knowe; The wych, a-boue al other thyng Ys the bestë[best St.] knowelychyng That man may han in thys[t hys St.] lyff here. 'And, yiff thow lyst platly lere, To knowe thy sylff ys bet knowyngMelior est si te ipsum cognoscas, quam si te ignoratoignorate St. causas side|rum, vires herbarum. Than to be Emperour outher kyng, Or for to knowen al scyénces, Practykes, & experyences; Or to han al the rychesse Off thys world (in sothfastnesse), Or the tresour euerydel, But syth thow knowest nat ryht wel Thy sylff, as thow sholdest knowe, (Wyth cyrcumstauncys hih & lowe,) Me semeth (as in myn avys,) Taxe and lernë,[To axe and lern St.] thow art wys. And I shal telle the feythfully In thys materë, trewëly,[trewly C., St.] What that I fele in myn entent Shortly, as in sentement: 'The Body, fyrst, (be nat in doute,) Off wych[the which St.] I spak closyd wyth-owte, Whan yt ys fro thë segregat, Dysseueryd & separat, Thanne off the, (I dar wel seyn And afferme yt in certeyn Off god thow art the portrature, Thymage[The ymage St.] also, and ffygure; And[And nat St.] off nouht (yiff thow kanst se) He ffourmede & he madë the, (That lord[Lorde St.] ffyrst, in thy creaunce,) To hys ownë résemblaunce And ymage, wych off lyknesse Most dygne, & worthy off noblesse, 'A prent[Apparent St.] (to speke off dygnyte) He myghte nat ha set on[sette in St.] the Mor worthy, nor mor notáble, Than to hym sylff[selven St.] résembláble. He gaff to the, off hys goodnesse, Cler syht off Resoun, & ffayrnesse,[Fayrenesse St.] And off nature to be mor lyht Than any ffoul that ffleth in flyht, And neuere to deyen, ek wyth-al, ffor he made the Immortal, Permanent, & euere[eke St.] stable. And tadwellyd[to have dwellyd St.] Immutáble, Yiff thow nat haddyst, off entent, fforfetyd hys comaundëment; Than haddystow, thorgh thy Renoun, Excellyd in comparysoun: Comparysoun myghte noon ha be To thy noblesse & dygnete, Off hewene nor Erthë, in certeyn, Nor (to declare & speke in pleyn,) Bryd, nor other crëature, Except off angelys the nature. 'God ys thy ffader, (tak hed her-to) And, thow art hys sone also, Most excellynge off kynrede That euere was (wyth-outë drede), Most noble, & off grettest style; ffor off Thomas de guillevyle Thow art nat sone on that party I dar afferme, & seyn trewly, Who-euere gruchche, or makë stryff That he nat hadde, in al hys lyff, To seke, in al hys nacyoun, No sone off swych condycyoun, Douhter nouther (yt ys no fable,) Off kynredë[kynrede St.] so notáble. But, off Engendrure bodyly, Thow haddest off hym thy body, Wych kam off hym by nature: The wych body (I kan assure[dar Ensure St.]) 'Ys to the (tak hed her-to,) Thyn Enmy & thy grettest foo, 'On that party (yiff thow lyst se,) Roos fyrst the gretë Enmyte; Nature hath yt so ordeyned; But yt thorgh vertu be restreyned. For the ffrut (what-euere yt be) Bereth the tarage off the tre That yt kam fro (I dar assure); ffor yt were ageyn nature, A Thorn to bern a Fyggë soote; The bud hath tarage[Fr. terrage] off the roote, Lyk as an appyl or a pere, Thogh yt be born, neuere so fere, Yt savoureth (whan that al ys do,) Off the Tre that yt kam fro. 'And semblably haue in mynde, Manys body, as be kynde, As off hym sylff (be wel certeyn), May ber no ffrut but foul & veyn Ordure &[and ffoull St.] corrupcïoun, Slym & putrefaccïoun. 'But yiff thy gynnyng be wel souht, Off swych fylthë thow kome[swyche ffylthe . . kam St.] nouht: ffor fyrst, in thy creacïoun Thow haddyst no produccïoun (Yiff I shal declaren al) Off no man that was mortal. Thy makynge may nat be amendyd, ffor off god thou art descended; And pleynly (yiff thou vnderstondys,) God made neuere wyth hys hondys Her in erthe (what sholde I feyne[ffeyne St.]) Off mankyndë mo than tweyne; Vn-to wyche (wyth-outë wheer) He commyttede hys power, And gaff to hem an exaumplayre, Other, lyk hem, to makë fayre, Lyk thexamples in[the Ensamplis St.] general, To hym reseruynge in specyal 'Off spyrytys (in conclusïoun) Thordynaunce & the ffasown, Off wych he woldë (as by skyl) Noon other medle, by hys wyl. 'And her-vp-on (yiff thow lyst se,) The samë lord, he madë the Off hys goodnesse, for thy prowh; And in the[they St.] body wher thow art now, He the putte (as I dar telle), Ther a whylë for to dwelle, And ther tabyde (thys, the cheff) For tassayë the by preff; And by thy port[part St.] also dyscerne How thow[thow om. St.] sholdest the gouerne Prudently, both fer & ner; And yiff thow dydest thy dever To[For to St.] dyffendë thy party, Yiff he[he St., ye C.] wolde holdë chaumpartye Ageyn[y]s the in any wyse. ffor, (as I shal to the devyse,) Atwyxë[Atwix St.] yow (yt ys no faylle) Ther ys werre & strong bataylle, And contynuelly ther shal be, But so falle, thow yeldë the, And putte the in subieccïoun Thorgh hys fals collusïoun, By hys deceyt & flaterye[Flaterye St., flatry C.] Evere to hauë the maystrye Over the (in cónclusïoun) Whyl he hath domynacïoun. 'But yiff that thow (as yt ys ryht,) Dyscounfyte hym by verray myghte, And by forcë ber hym doun Lyk a myghty champyoun, Than shal-tow (bothë fer & ner,) Over hym han ful power, That he shal neuere, for no quarelle, Ageyn[y]s the, dor rebelle, To Interuptë thyn entente. 'And trewly, but thy sylff assente 'He shal neuere be so bold, The to wythstonde, as I ha told. 'He ys Dalyda, thow art Sampsoun; Thow art strong (as by resoun), Sturdy on thy feet to stonde: Suffre hym nat, the to wyth-stonde, Nor over the to han[haue the St.] maystrye ffor no glosyng nor flatrye.[fflaterye St.] 'And yiff thou takë hed[hede St.] ther-to, She ne[nat St.] kan nat ellys do; But wyth flatrye[fflaterye St.] & deceyt, Nyht & day lyn in a-wayt, And swych wach on the doth make, To make thyn enmyes the to take At mescheff, whan they may the fynde. And yiff thow wylt, sche[he St., he C., later, with sc prefixt.] shal the bynde. Sher thyn heer whyl thow dost slepe, But thow konne thy-syluen kepe. And overmor, I the ensure, Thy counsayl al she[he St., C.] wyl dyscure, And thy secretys euerichon, To phylystees that be thy ffoon. Other frenshepe, trustë[trust vn-to St.] me, She[He C., St.] hath pleynly noon to the. 'Now ches, & to my speche entende, How thow wylt thy syllf dyffende; Be nat to thy confusïoun Deceyued as whylom was Sampsoun.' The pylgrym: "Ma dame," to gracë dieu quod I, "I merveyllë ful gretëly;[gretely St., gretly C.] ffor pleynly (as yt[yt St., om. C.] doth me seme) Outher I slepë or[outher St.] I dreme That ye, a-mong your wordys alle, Lyst a 'Spyryt' me to calle, Wych wyth my body do abyde, Wher-so that I go or ryde; And seyn, I am to[so St.] cler seyng; And me semeth I se no thyng. And ek I take good hed her-to, "How ye afferme, & seyn also, That my body, wych seth so wel, How that he seth neueradel, But ys as[om. St. blynd as ys aas eny St.] ston. And your wordys euerychon Ben so vnkouth &[and so St.] merveyllous, And to my wyt so daungerous, That they faren, whan I hem here, As a flee were in myn Ere; I am astonyd so outterly. I pray you tel me mor clerly, That I may wytë (by som mene) Off al thys thyng, what that[that om. St.] ye mene." Grace dieu: 'Tak hed,' quod she, 'yiff thow konne, And se somwhylë how the sonne, Wyth hys bemys bright & clere, Most ffressh in hys mydday spere, The samë tyme, vnder a cloude, Offtë sythe he doth hym schrowude, That men may nat be-holde & se The bryhtënesse[bryhtnesse C.] off hys bewte. Wher-vp-on, I the comaunde To answere to thys demaunde: Whan the sonne ys closyd so That hys clernesse ys ago, Tel on, &[Telle on St.] Answere, yiff thow may, Off what thyng causyd ys the day.' The pylgrym: "To tellë shortly in a clause: Off day, ther ys noon other cause But phebus, as I kan espye. Thogh hys bemys, vnder skye Ben hyd, yet yt ys no doute, Al the lyht that sheweth oute, Ys ycausyd euerydel Off the sonne (who lokë wel); Thorgh a skye hys lyht doth passe, To shewe yt forth in euery place. And shortly ellys (yt ys no nay) "Wyth-oute hys lyht, ther wer no day." Grace dieu: Quod Gracë dieu: 'answere me; How maystow parceyue or se, Or in any wyse espye Hys bryhte bemys thorgh a skye?' The pylgrym: "Ryht so," quod I, "as thorgh a verre, Men sen hys bemys shyne a-ferre, Or as men sen off ffyr the lyht, Thorgh a lanterne cler & bryht." Grace dieu: Quod Gracë dieu a-noon to me: 'What thow hast sayd, tak hed,' quod she, 'And vnderstond ffyrst in thy syht, By the sonne that shyneth bryht, Thy soulë cler, in espécyal, Wyth-Inne thy body wych ys mortal. Off thys mater we haue an honde, Ther-by thy soule I vnderstonde. 'Thy body (yiff thow kanst espye) Vs dyrk, as ys a clowdy skye; And lyk also (who kan dyscerne) To a smoky, blak lanterne. And nat for-thy (I dar expresse) Men may sen, thorgh the bryhtnesse Off the soule (yt ys no doute), And the clernesse, fer wyth-oute. Clerkys recorde yt in ther skolys; And other wene, that be but ffolys, In ther foltyssh fals demyng, That al the cler enlwmynyng Wher-off that porë skyë (lo,)[sky loo St.] Wher-wyth the sowle ys shrowdyd so, Eclypsyd off hys fayr bryhtnesse. And ne were the gret dyrknesse Off thys skye (who loke a-ryht), The sowle sholde han so cler a syht At o look, fro the oryent To sen in-to the occident. 'ffor off the body (trustë me) The Eyen, no verray eyen be, But lyk to glas, (I dar wel seyn), Wher-thorgh the clerë soule ys seyn, And outward (wyth hys bemys bryht) Yiveth ther-to clernesse and lyht. ffor the sowle, (who taketh hede,) Off bodyly eyen hath no nede, No mor than, in semblable caas, The bryhtë sonne hath off the glas, Nouther byforn, nouther be-hynde. 'And conceyue also in thy mynde, That Eyen wych ben espyrytual, Wyth-oute spectácle or ffenestral, Sen off hem syllf mor parfytly, fferther perce, & mor clerly, Than whan[Whan that St.] the bodyly dyrknesse, The gostly eyë doth oppresse. ffor gostly Eyen sen wel the bet, Whan yt ys so they be nat let Wyth bodyly Eyen that ben outward, And han to no-thyng ther reward, But to thynges off veynglorye, That be passynge & transytórye, Dyrked wyth a worldly skye. 'And whylom blyndë[blynde St., blynd C.] was Tobye Off bodyly eyen, as wyth-oute; But inwardly (yt ys no doute) He was nat blynded off hys syht, But hadde hys eyen cler & bryht; I mene, the Eyen off hys mynde; ffor by tho Eyen (as I ffynde) He tauhte hys sone, & clerly tolde The weyë that he sholdë holde In hys passagë, & nouht erre. Hys Eyen wer cler as any sterre, Off hys mynde, wych made hym se; And ellys yt myghte neuere ha be, Off hys inward inspeccyoun, To yove him swych instruccyoun[Informacion St., with Instruccion in margin.] 'How he sholdë hym gouerne, Wyth-oute the siht[sighte St.] wych ys eterne, I menë, the siht[sighte St.] spyrytual, Wych ys gostly & eternal. 'That syhte,[sighte St.] by agë wasteth nouht; And (yiff the trouthë be wel souht,) Thy bodyly eyen (trustë[trust St.] me,) Wyth hem thow mayst no thyng yse. The soule seth al by cler lookyng, And the body seth nothyng; Blynd wyth-Innen & wyth-oute. And ner the soule, (yt ys no doute,) Seyng cler he shold ha noon, Na mor than hath the[a St.] coldë ston. 'And as yt ys towchyng syht, Evene so (who looke a-ryht) Yt ys off al thy wyttys fyue; ffor who seyth nay, or geyn[ageyn St.] yt stryue, Euerych off hem, in sentement, Ys but a maner instrument, The wych, touchyng ther werkyng, Off thé they receyve euery thyng; ffor, wyth-outen helpe off the, They no thyng here, they no thyng se, Nor no thyng thay may reporte. And yiff thow dyst[dydest St.] hem nat supporte, And sustenyst wyth thy myghte, Eryng,[Heryng St.] Smellyng, Touch & Syht, Thy body wer nat euerydel But a verray foul dongel, Impotent, and feble also, Outher to mevyn or to go.' The pylgrym: "Thanne, wyth your supportacïoun, I axe off you thys questyoun; And ffryst off all I thus begynne: 'How may the sowle that ys wyth-inne, Ber the body that ys wyth-oute?' To me assoylleth fyrst thys doute; ffor yt semeth mor Reson, "(As to my oppynyoun,) The body outward (thus I mene) Sholde the soule inward sustene. Yiff ye grante to speke at large, Thyng that conteneth, berth[bereth St.] the charge, And bereth vp al, to myn entent: And thyng, wyth-Inne that ys content, That thyng ys born, as semeth me. And her-vp-on I woldë se, Syth that ye ben prudent & wys, A good answere, by your avys." Grace dieu: 'Vp-on thy questioun to conclude An answere, as by symylytude: Conceyuë fyrst in thyn entent, Thy clothyng & thy vestyment. Contene thy boady[Body St.] euerydel Wyth-Innen: yiff thow loke wel, Thy body closyd ys wyth-Inne; And but yiff thow fro resoun twynne, Thow wylt nat geyn-seyn vn-to me, Thow beryst thy clothys, & they nat the, And fully ben in thy depoos; And yet thow art wyth-Inne hem cloos; And, (yiff thow clerly kanst dyscerne,) At thy lust dost hem gouerne; And (to seyn shortly in substaunce,) Thow hast off hem the gouernaunce.' The pylgrym: "And ys yt lyk, ma dame," quod I, "In al, off me & my body?" Grace dieu: 'To yive thé[the the St.] mor cler evydence, I putte a maner dyfference; Leff the chaff, & tak the corn: The sowle bereth, & ys born. ffor, ffyrst, the sowle pryncypally Susteneth & bereth the body; And parcel-lyk[poelle lyke St.] (to thyn entent) The body bereth by accident 'The sowlë, but her-on reporte, The myghte, the vertu, ay resorte Off the body, in certeyn, Evere vn-to the sowle ageyn. 'And evydence her-on to make: Thow mayst a cler exaumple take, Yiff thow euere dydest[dyddest euere St.] se Any shyp a-myd[Shippe / in St.] the see, (Shortly declaryng, at a[oo St.] word,) The maryner wyth-Inne the bord Ledeth the shyp, (tak hed her-to,) And ys hym sylff ylad also. Tak here Exaumple, & be wel sad, But he yt ladde, he[yt St.] wer nat lad. 'Semblably, by exaumple cler, Thy sawlë ys cheff maryner, Ledere & govérneresse Off thy body, in sothnesse: She ledeth[ledethe . . too & too St., ledeht . . two & two C.] hym ay too & too, And ys hyr syllf ylad also. ffor, at hyr lust & hyr talent, She, by hyr ownë fre assent, Ledeth the body, as yt ys skyl. ffor the body, but by hyr wyl, Hath no power, (yt ys no drede) No syde, the sowlë for to lede. 'And therfor, do thy besy peyne, Havynge the body in thy demeyne, To lede hym so, & he ek the, In thys dredful worldly see, fful off wyndys & Tempest, And wawës boyllynge Est & west, That, by assent, here[here St., her C.] in your live, At goode hauene ye may aryve, And at good port, whan cruel deth Schal make hym yelden vp the breth.' The pylgrym: "Ma damë, sothly, I do lere, By your wordys that I here, To forthre me, & nat to tarye. "Yt wer to me ryht necessarye, [That St., om. C.]That off your grace ye woldë blyue, Out off my shyp makë maryue;[to make me aryue St.] I menë thus, ma dame, that ye Wolde in al haste dyspoyllë me Off my body, wych ys greuous, Hevy, gret, & ponderous, That I myghte off hym a-noon ryht Haue knowelychyng & ek a[eke St.] syht Mor cler, to make me vnderstonde The mater that we haue an[in St.] honde, To sen hym, how he ys compassyd, Wych hath so offte to me[to me / so offte St., soffte to me C.] trespassyd; And yet he wyl nat, for myn ese, Hys Rancour a-geyns me appese. 'But yet I pray yow feythfully, To don your deuer ffynally, That I may sen hym (& nat ellys), Wher he be swych as ye me tellys; ffor I nat vnderstond ywys, What ye ha sayd, nor what he ys." Grace dieu: 'I may ryht wel be-leve,' quod she, 'Thys thyng so vnkouth & secre, That thow art dyrkyd in thy syht, Yt to consydre & sen[seen St.] a-ryht. And the cause why thow art let Ys, for thy body hath so shet Thy gostly Eyen (in substaunce) Wyth a clowde off ygnoraunce, And dyrked wyth a mysty skye, That thow mayst nat wel espye The secrenessë,[secretenesse St.] yong nor Old. And as to-forn I ha the told, Other obstácle ys ther noon But thy body, blynd as a ston;[as stoon St.] He dyrketh so thyn Inward syht. But for thy sake, a-noon ryht I schal assayen & provyde, Thy body for to leyn asyde, 'ffro the[the to St. take yt, yiffyiff that St.] I kan, That thow mayst conceyvë than Off hym hooly the gouernaunce, And what he ys, as in substaunce. But thow mustest, in certeyn, Affter, sone, resorte ageyn To thyn oldë dwellyng place, Tyl that deth, a certeyn space, Schall the dyspoylle, and makë twynne[a twynne St.] ffro the body that thow art Inne.' The Pylgryme:[St., om. C.] And Gracë dieu a-noon me took, (I not, wher that[whether St.] I slepte or wook,) & made (for short conclusïoun,) My body for to falle a-doun. And affter that, a-noon ryht Me semptë that I took my flyht, And was ravisshed in-to the hayr, A place delytable & ffayr.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And me thouht ek, in my syht, I was nat hevy, but verray lyht, And my beholdyng was so cler, That I sawh bothë fer & ner, Hih & lowe, & oueral. And I was ryht glad wyth-al; Al was wel, to my plesaunce, Save a maner dysplesaunce I hadde off O thyng, in certeyn, That I muste go dwelle ageyn Wyth-Inne my body, wych that lay Lyk an hevy lompe off clay; Wych to me was no forthryng, But perturbaunce, & gret lettyng, Thyder to resorte off newe. Tho wyst I wel that al was trewe That gracë dieu hade seyd to me. And thanne I wentë for to se Wher the body slepte or nouht. And whan I haddë longë souht, Tastyd hys pows[tried his pulse] in certeyne, And gropyd euery nerff & veyne, And fond in hym no breth at al, But ded & cold as a ston wal. And whan I dyde al thys espye, Hys gouernaunce I gan defye. Grace dieu: Tho gracë dieu spak vn-to me, 'Lifft vy thyn Eyen, beholde & se, Yiff thow konnë now clerly;[kan . . Clerelye St.] Knowe in erthe thy gret enmy, He that wolde nat suffre the bere Noon Armys, nor noon harneys were, Causynge, thow myghtest nat endure, Vp-on thy bak to bere Armure, The to dyffende fro thyn Enmyes, ffro brygauntys & false espyes, Wych the[to St.] werreyen euermore. Off hym, I ha the told be fore, That yt ouhte ynowh suffise; Yet, as I shal to the devyse, Thow mayst nat chesyn, in certeyn, Wyth-Innen hym to entre Ageyn, Retrussen hym, & ek recharge (Bothe in streyth[streighte St.] & ek in large) Bern hym wyth the in thy vyage, Whyder thow gost on pylgrymage.' The pylgrym: "Ma damë, myn entencïoun Was now, & my deuocïoun, Off newë to haue Armyd me, Assayed yiff yt wolde ha be, That I myghte ha bor Armure, My sylff the bettre to assure; ffor, as now, to my semyng, They be nat hevy, no maner thyng, Nor lyk the cónceyt off my thouht; They weyë[wey St.] but a thyng off nouht." Grace dieu: 'Certys,' quod she, 'no mor they doth; 'And therfore thow seyst ful soth. But thow shalt vnderstondë me Yiff thow dyst now armen the, And woldest now a-noon begynne In the poynt that thou art Inne, Thy meryte to reknen al, Nor thy decert, ne wer but smal; ffor thyn Armure thow must vse, And feythfully yt nat refuse, Whan thow art entryd (thys the cheff,) Thy body that lyth now blynd & deff, Doom also, and insensyble, Wych mustë wyth the be penyble, Sustene also, & be suffráble. ffor he wyl also be partáble Off thy merytès & guerdouns, As he was off thy passïouns: Your decertys shal be al on. Wherfore, enhastë the a-noon, In-to hym for to retourne, Ther a whylë to soiourne Wyth hym, as thow hast don toforn. And, that your tymë be nat lorn, Than off assent & wyl entere, Wyl he[ye St.] be to-gydre yffere, Enarmë yow, & make yow strong ffor to wythstondyn euery wrong.' And whan she hadde al to me sayd, Wher[Whether St.] I was wel or evele a-payd, I sawh ther was noon other geyn; I was retrussyd, & a-geyn Wyth the body that I kam fro; And certeynly me thouhtë tho, I was nakyd, and al bare Off al my Ioye & my wel-fare; ffor al was gon in O moment. And tho I hadde ageyn Talent (Me sempte yt myghte nat be forbore) To louë, as I dide affore; & holy vn-to hys entente, Me thouhte I gan a-noon assente, ffully tokeyen hys plesaunce. Thus aparceyvnge my woful chaunce, Clerly sawh wyth-Innë me, That I sholde deceyved be, Lyk as I was off yore agon. And tho I gan to wepe a-noon, Sihe & sorwe, & seyn "allas! What shal I don now in thys cas? Or to what party in certeyne Shal I drawen off thys tweyne?" Grace dieu: Quod grace dieu, 'what may thys be? Why wepystow? what eyleth the, So thy syluen to dyscounforte? ffor trewly (as I kan reporte,) Wepyng & tendre terys grene,Turpissimum est in homine pru|dente, remedium in roris // Seneca /—St., Only to wommen appartene, Whan sodeynly they falle in rage, And nat to men off strong corage.' The pylgrym: "Certys," quod I / "I may wel wepe; ffor, (yiff ye lyst to taken kepe,) My Ioye, my myrthe & my plesaunce, Myn Elthe, & al[helthe and, St.] my suffysaunce, Sodeynly me han forsake. I may compleyne, & sorwe make, ffor, whylom, aboue the skye I was wont to fle[flye St.] ful hihe, And hadde also ful glad repayre Wyth bryddys fleyng in the hayr,[Eyre St.] In my most lusty fressh sesoun; But now I am avaylyd down, I fynde (by gret aduersyte) Al that ys contrayre vn-to me. I am venquisshed, I am bor doun, My vertu (in conclusïoun) Hath lost hys myht, hys excellence; ffor now, ther ys no résystence On my party (as yt ys founde); "ffor, off the body, wher I am bounde, Ys hool my force, & al my myght, (Wych ys ageyn al skyle & ryht,) And buryed quyk, (yt stondeth so,) I Am in erthe, wher-euere I go; (Thys verray Ernest, & no Iape,) Cheyned, ryht as ys An Ape, Vn-to a clog,[the Clogge St.] & must yt swe, And fro thenys may nat remewe; ffor my body, gret & large, Ys the Clog that me doth charge, Wych letteth, wyth hys gretë wheyhte, That I may nat flen an hyhte[heyghte St.] ffor euere, wyth hys mortal lawe, Doun to therthe he doth me drawe. "I trowë (shortly in sentence) The word ywrete in sapyence Was whilom seyd off me ywys, Who kan take hed; and yt ys thys: 'A body corrupt (yt ys no nay)Corpus quod corrumpitur, Ag|gravat Animam. Sapiencie. 9o Capitulo. St., om. C.] Greveth the soulë[body C., St.] nyht & day, Kepeth hym in captyvyte; Yt may nat gon at lyberte, Nouther wakynge nor a-slepe;' ffor wych, certys, I may wel wepe, And seyn 'allas,' & sory be, Off my grete aduersyte." Grace dieu: 'Than haue in mynde, for any slouthe, That vn-to the I toldë trouthe.' The pylgrym: "Your wordys alle I do aduerte, & thankë you wyth al myn herte. Off hem I am ryht wel apayd; ffor al that euere ye han sayd Ys verray soth, & no lesyng, "But I be-seche yow off O thyng, Yiff I durste you compelle, O word that ye lyst me telle: What ys the cause (declareth why,) "That he ys mor strong than I; Or why am I not (telleth me), As strong or myghty as ys he?" Grace dieu:[St., ce Dieu in Stowe's hand, in margin in C.] 'Yiff the roote be wel out souht, Strengere than thow, thát ys he nouht. But her-vp-on now herkne me: Thow mayst nat, in no degre, Hym venquisshe (in conclusïoun), Oppressyn hym, & bere hym doun So myghtyly in hys contre, As thow sholdest, yiff that he Hadde hys conuersacioun Wher thow hast domynacïoun. 'In hys contre he doth now dwelle. Therfor shortly, I the telle, He hath the gretter ávauntage; And yt ys sayd off ffolkys Sage, And a prouerbe wryte off old, How that euery whyht ys bold Vy-on hys owne (erly & late), At the dongel at hys gate; Strong to makë résystence. & men sen by experyence, Ech man mor myghty off hys hond, Whan he ys in hys ownë lond: Thys doth hym trusten, & be bold. 'But for al thys that I ha told, Tak hed in no maner wyse, Ne let nat, for no cowardyse, Hym tasaayllë ffer nor ner; ffor yiff thow konne, at the cheker, Thy drawhtys drawë, & wel pleye, Make hym lowly to obeye Vp-on hys dongel, in hys estat, Ther, to hym to seyn 'chek maat;' Thys maat shal be, thorgh thy puissaunce, To holde hym vnder gouernaunce. And lyst that he do noon offence, Kepe hym lowe wyth abstynence, 'Voyde hym fro replecyoun, And governe hym so, by Resoun, Off mete and drynk, only that he Ne do no superfluyte. Lat hym lytel Ete or drynke; Mak hym labour & ek swynke; Lytel slepe, & gret wakyng; Dyscyplynes[Dyssyplyned St.] & ek betyng, Yiff to hym in many wyse. 'And thus thow shalt hym best chastyse: Devout wepyng wyth orisouns, And hooly medytacyouns, Wyth Instrumentys off penaunce, Shal off thy causë do vengaunce, Best iustefyë[Iustyse St.] thy party; And they shal make the fynally (Wyth-outë contradiccïoun) To haue hym in subieccïoun; And, for thyn encres off glorye, Yiue the renoun & vyttórye Whyl thow so dost, nyght & day, And he shal neuere dor[dar St.] seyn nay. 'And to fforther thyn entent, Lat vs tweynë, by assent, Gon vn-to an hyl off sond, Wych stant her al-most at the hond:[at honde St.] A soffte pas, lat vs go walke.' Verba Peregrini[St. in margin, om. C.]: And as we wentë & gon[gonne St.] talke, A sondy[sodeyn St.] hyl she gan me shewe; And thus she sayde, on wordys fewe: [Grace Dieu]: 'Leffte vp thyn eye a-noon,' quod she, 'And ffyrst off al, be-holde & se How that an Amptë, a best smal,.i. Formica. St., om. C. Wyth hertë, body, myght & al, To nouht elles doth entende, But on thys hyllë[hylle St., hyl C.] vp tascende, And, in hyr paas & clymbyng soffte, She ys bor doun, & let ful offte 'Wyth powdry sondys out off noumbre, Wych hyr passagë so encoumbre, And hyr desyre[desires St.] ek restreyne, That she may nat fully atteyne The hyest party off the hyl, ffor she ys let ageyn hyr wyl.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And thogh she peyne hyr nyht & day, Evere the soond lyth in hyr way, Overwhelmeth, & bereth hyr doun, Contrayre to hyr entencïoun, Yt ys so sotyl, drye & smal, And wonder brotyl ek wyth-al, That, by reuolucïoun, Yt rebateth & bereth doun Thys lytel beste that I off telle. 'But for al that, she wyl nat dwelle In the valë cast doun lowe, Ther tabyden any throwe; But hyre afforceth a-noon ryht To remounte wyth al hyr myght, Hyr sylff afforcynge, newe & newe, Euere hyr labour to renewe, (Lyk a myghty champyoun) Thogh she wer offte avalyd doun.' But at the laste, thorgh hyr labour, I sawh hyr, lyk a conquerour, Wyth hyr travaylle renewyd offte Gete vp on the hyl a-loffte; And ne woldë neuere lete Tyl yt was conqueryd in quyete; And thanne off ryht, as for hyr[the St.] beste Vp-on the cop[coppe St.] she dydë reste. Grace Dieu[St., in Stowe's hand in C.]: Quod grace dieu tho vn-to me: 'Her, thow mayst beholde & se (Yiff thow lyst to loke a-ryht) The forcys (platly) & the myght Bothe off thy body & off the; And in[in C., om. St.] a pleyn Exaumple se 'Off thamptë, wych ys doun [i]falle Among the brotyl sondys alle. Yiff he, at euery fallyng doun, Hadde lost hys myght & hys renoun ffor to recure the hylle a-geyn, Thanne al hys labour were in weyn; But, for on[A St. Nota St., om. C.] dysconfyture He wyl nat cessyn to recure That he hath lost, (as by hys wyl,) Tyl he be hihe vp on the hyl. 'And yiff thow clerly vnderstond, Thy body ys the hyl off sond, The wychë,[whiche St., wych C.] thorgh hys brotylnesse,[Brotylnesse St.] And powdrys of vnstabylnesse, Ys redy (off entencïoun,) Evere to make the fallë doun, And to dyrken (off entent,) The eye off thyn entendëment To kepe the in the valë lowe. 'And whan he may espye or knowe That thow, in any maner wyse, Woldest on the hyl aryse, Wyth sondry[sondy St.] reuolucïouns Off dyuers temptacïouns He travayleth (thys, no tale) Lowe to holde the, in the vale, Wyth hys sturdy vyolence, But thow makë résistence Be tymës & at primë face Whan he begynneth to manace. 'And to wythstonde hys fellë[ffoul St.] myghte, At the gynnyng thow must be lyhte, Mawgre hym, wyth herte & wyl, ffor to gete vp on the hyl; And thy Iourne nat to tarye, Ther ys no bettre exaumplarye Than thamptë (yiff thow tak hede) Vp-ward the hyl thy sylff to spede.' 'Remembre, in thyn entencyoun The precept off kyng salomoun, 'Wych, in hys book of sapyence, Comaundede (shortly in sentence) And bad[baden St.] men taken hed her-to, To the Amptë ffor to go, Tavoydë slouthë, cheff noryce And moder vn-to euery vyce. 'Salomoun vnderstood & ffond The pereyl off thys hyl off sond In hys tyme, & ek ther-to, The nature off the Ampte also; Ther-off,[Wher-off St.] whan he wrot in hys book, & good hed also he took To thampte in sothfastnesse, Whan he bad voyde al ydelnesse. 'Be war, therfore, off sleuthe, I rede And euere[St. & C.] among, tak good heede Off hys sleyhty falsë[ffals St.] whyles, Off hys treynës & hys guyles. Voyde hym fro the by the roote; Kep hym lowehe[lowhe / ay St.] vnder foote; Hys powdry sondys, trede hem doun, The sondys off al Temptacyoun, (Whos noumbre no man may acounte.) Wych wyl nat suffre the to mounte Vp on the hyl, to reste a-loffte, They wyl[wylle St.] lettë the so offte, Or thow mayst ha ful vyctorye. 'And haue alway in memorye, Thys sondy hyl ys thy body,Exposicion. St., om. C. Wych letteth the (as most Enemy,) That thow mayst nat in vertu ryse. 'But alderfyrst thow must despyse Slouthe, as I shal the lere; Than by ese thow shalt conquere, Wyth Thampte, (in certeyn space) To clymbe aboue the hyl by grace. 'And haue alway wel in mynde, That thow shalt thyn enemy ffynde Slowh[Slowthe St.] & ful off slogardye, Longe a beddë for to lye, 'Slombrynge euere, & neclygent, And contrayre to thyn entent, Ay awaytynge (lyk as espye) To bryngë the in Iupartye. Truste hym nat! ne,[nor St.] for no chaunce, Have in hym noon affyaunce ffor no ffavour nor flatrye;[Flaterye St.] ffor I dar pleynly certefye, Yiff thow obeye hym nyh[nygh St.] or ferre, Than he wyl be-gynne a werre A-geyn[y]s the, most peryllous, Most dredful & contagyous, (Be yt be nyhte, outher be day) To disturble on thy way, Wyth al hys power he wyl ffonde. And thus thow mayst wel vnderstonde, To knowe & wytë fynally Who ys thy mortal ennemy. 'Now go thy way, for yt stant so, That I mot nedys fro the go; I may no lengre, on thy weye Ledyn the, nor mor conveye. I haue abyden longe ynowh: I muste, ffro the, gon hennys nough; ffor a gret while (to thyn entent) I haue holde a parlement Wyth.the, & her-to ben thy guyde. ffarwel! for I may nat abyde.' The Pylgryme.[Stowe, om. C.] "Ma dame," quod I a-noon right[St. om. right] tho, "Certys, yiff ye go me fro, I am but lost; recure[Recover St.] ys noon, Al so sone as ye ar gon." Grace Dieu.[St., om. C.] Quod gracë Dieu, 'I wot that wel; But I wyl that thow knowe, & ffel, What I shal[shalle I St.] seyn the in substaunce. Som folk ha feyth, & gret ffyaunce[and Affyaunce St.] In dyuers ffrendys; & off gret trust, Sette their hope & hertys lust 'As they sholde hem neuer ffaylle, Wych offte ful lytel may avaylle. They wene ful offte, in ther degre, By hem for to supportyd be, Yiff they hadde, in any place, Outher offendyd or do trespace. 'But towchyng thys, I wyl thow se, Her-in ne trustë[Her-Inne / ne trust St.] nat in me, Yiff thow offende, nor do nat wel, I wyl sustene the neueradel, Nor supporte the nat ywys,[St. transposes these lines.] To ffyn thow sholdest don amys,[St. transposes these lines.] Nor ber the vp agen[y]s ryht. For off thyn eye, nor off thy syht, I wyl no tyme be seyn off the, But whan yt lyketh vn-to me, And whan yt ys to my plesaunce, Vp-on thy goodë gouernaunce, Than, whan me lyst, I kome a-noon. 'ffor, I haue a certeyn ston Wherthorgh (trewe as any byble,) I kan me makyn invysible Whan that me lyst, a-noon ryht, And hyden me out off thy siht, And shrowden me, bothe Est & west, Whan thow wenyst to han me best, fful ffer ffro the, in áventure: And therfor, thus in[I St.] me assure, Whan thow dost[dost C., om. St.] wel, I am present; And yiff thow erre in thyn entent, ffarwel, a-noon I am ago. And now I mustë[must St.] parte also, (Wherso thow[that thow St.] be glad or lyht,) As for a while out off thy siht.' And ryght a-noon, as she hath sayd. God wot, I was ful evele apayd Off hyr departynge; in myn herte Yt madë me ful sorë smerte; Me lyst nat lawhë neueradel, ffor me lykede no thyng wel Hyr departyng nor absence; They dyde to me so gret offence. & yet for-thy, yt ys no nay, fforth I wente vp-on my way Wych that I afor be-gan. And in my mynde a-noon yt ran, To calle memóyre[Memorye St.] vn-to me, That she sholdë redy be Tawayte vn-to[on St.] me, & don hyr cure To brynge myn harneys & armure; And bad she sholde for-gete hem nouht: And affter me she hath hem brouht, So as I had lyst in my way, I fylle in any sodeyn ffray; And trew[e]ly (yt ys no drede) I hadde off hem inly gret nede; ffor I fond gret Encoumbrementys; By peryllous weyès & by wentys I hadde had[had hadde St.] gret aduersyte, And offte also in perel be, Hadde nat myn harneys & armure Don to me ful gret socour. Yet offtë, thorgh my slouthe, allas, I stood in many peryllous caas; But yiff I hadde wel armyd be, I haddë nat (in no degre) Suffryd so myche, yt ys no nay. But tho beffyl vp-on my way, As I wente a paas forth pleyn, I mette a cherl, a gret vyleyn, Wych in the way a-gayn me wente, Wyth hys browhës[Browys St.] fersly bente: Hys look, hys cher, al for the wrak, And a gret staff on hys bak, Clobbyd, & boystous ffor to se, & was yhewe[y-hewyd St.] out off A tre Callyd in ffrench A cornowler.[Cornowber St.] And whan thys cherl gan neyhen ner, As yt sempte, by hys passáge, He wentë nat on[went not / on his St.] pylgymage, Nor was no pylgrym in certeyn. But whan we mette, thus he gan seyn:[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The rude Cherl.[Later in margin. 'The rewd churle' in Stowe's hand. 'The Rwde Cherl' St.] 'What may thys be?' quod he a-noon; 'Whyder shal thys pylgrym gon? To what cost ys hys vyage? Or whyther[whedir St.] goth he on pylgrymage? ffor he semeth (yt ys no nay) To ben a pylgrym, by hys array. But he get no bettre grace, Or he passe out of thys place; He shal ffyrst (in cónclusioun) Answere to[vn-to St.] my questioun.' Wheroff I wex[wexide St.] abaysshed tho, Whan I herde hym spekyn so: I draddë, by hys fers vysage, That he, in hys sodeyn rage, By hys lookys & hys chere As he gan a-prochen nere, That he wolde assayllen me:[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The Pylgrym.[St., om. C.] But, lowly, in[thus in St.] my degre I axedë[askyde St.] hym what he wold; And platly vn-to hym I tolde, (As me sempte no thyng amys,) I axede no-thyng that was hys. I seyde, 'I wente on pylgrimage; Prayynge hym that my passage He sholde nat lette in no degre, Syth the weye was large & ffre.' The Rwde Vyleyn.[St., 'rude vyleyn' in margin, C.] Thys boystous, sturdy, ffers vyleyn, To me answerdë thus ageyn, (Off whom to-forn I ha yow told) 'How artow hardy; how artow bold, ffor to go for-by thys place, The lawe and statutys for to passe,[pace St.] Or to do swych dysplesaunce 'Ageyn[Ageyns St.] the kyngys ordynaunce; Or to vsurpe by vyolence A-geyn the precept & dyffence Off the kyng, wych yore agon Bad pylgrymes euerychon, Nat bern,[brynge St.] off no presumpcïoun, Nouther skryppë nor bordoun?Nichil tuleritis in viam, neque virgam neque peram. Luce 9o Capitulo, (3o versu). And thow, off foly gouernaunce, Dost ageyn hys ordynaunce; And thow hast (sothly[shortly St.] for to seyne,) Offendyd hym in bothë tweyne. Wherevp-on, answere to me, How thow durstest hardy be ffor to don so gret offence Ageyn hys royal excellence!' And trewly, in thys sodeyn caas I gret[e]ly astonyd was, And, for fer, be-gan to quake, What Answere I sholdë make Vn-to hys vnkouthe opposaylle, Wych for my party myghte avaylle. And whyl I stood astonyd so, At my bak I sawh riht tho Kome, for my proteccïoun, A lady that callyd was Resoun, Wych cryede lowdë vn-to me, And bad 'I sholde in no degre, In no wyse, answere ageyn, ffor my part, to that vyleyn; ffor she was, by commaundëment Off Gracë dieu, vn-to me sent, ffor my party to speke & plete, And answere hym in al hys heete, To hym that stood thus in my way.' And she ne madë no delay Thys lady Resoun, but abrayde,[Obreyde St.] And to the cherl right thus she sayde: Resone.[In Stowe's hand. 'Resoun' St.] 'Sey, thow cherl,' a-noon quod she, 'What ys thy charge? declarë me! 'Thow semyst froward & pervers, Off thy port, straunge & dyvers. Thow semyst (as I kan devyse,) A repman, for thyn vnkouth guyse, Or A mowhere wyth thy[the St.] sythe; Or, to dyscryvë the now blythe, I trowe thow art som ffals espye; But the trouthë nat denye; Tel me thy namë; sparë nouht! And tel me wher thow hast ek souht The boystous staff vp-on thy bak, Wher-in I ffyndë ful gret lak; ffor yt ys nat accordynge, But ffroward, pleynly, in semynge, As fer as I rehersë kan, To euery wel gouérnyd man.'[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Thys cherl, lenyng vpon[on St.] hys staff, To resoun, thys answere he gaff:[yaffe St.] The Cherl.[St., 'cherl' in margin, C.] Thys cherl, by maner off dysdeyne, Vn-to resoun thus gan seyne: 'I trowe,' quod he, 'by lyklynesse[lyknesse St.] Thow art chosë som mayresse, Or wexe off newe so fortunat To be som lady off gret estat; But, for al thy presumcïoun I wolde se[Fayn wolde I se St.] thy commyssïoun, (ffor al thy port & strangë guise,[St. transposes these lines.]) Thy ffredam also, & ffraunchyse;[St. transposes these lines.] Lyst affterward thow falle in blame. Shewe hem to me, & tel thy name; ffor, by noon other menë weye, I wyl no thyng vn-to the seye, Nor the answerë, trustë[trust on St.] me, To lete hym gon at lyberte.' [Resoun] Thannë,[Than St.] resoun, nat to hasty, But by leyser ful prudéntly Toward hym castynge hyr look, 'Out off a Coffyn a lettre took; To hym sayde, & spak but lowe, I wyl that thow my power knowe: Haue her ther-off inspeccyoun, And se her my commyssïoun. And whan thow hast yt rad & seyn, Thow shalt wel knowen, in certeyn, Why I am kome, wyth-outë blame, My power also, & my name.' The Vyleyn.[St., 'vyleyn' in margin, C.] Quod he, wych koude no curteysye, 'I koudë neuere yet[yitt no St.] clergye. And yiff thy power shal be wyst, Red yt thy sylff, yiff that the lyst.' And she yt raddë wyth good wylle: The cherl was coy & stood ful stylle. And whan that he hyr power seth, Grucchynge, he gruntë wyth hys teth, Hys gretë malys for to kythe, And shook hys berd fful offtë sythe; Gan to groynë mor & more, And off despyt to gruchchë sore, Whan she hath maad,[made St.] ope & cler, Al theffect off hyr power, ffro poynt to poynt, vp-on a rowe. And yiff ye lyst pleynly to knowe, Loo, her, by declaracïoun, Hyr power & commyssioun: The Comision of Reason.[In Stowe's hand. 'The Comys|sioun off Reasoun' St.] 'Gracë dieu, by whos gouernaunce, By whos myght & whos puissaunce, Kyngës in euery regïoun, Prynces & lordys off renoun, Ben gouernyd in ther estatys, (Bothe Temporal, & ek prelatys,) To Our cosyn,[Commyssioun St.] dame Resoun, Off fame worthy, & off renoun, Whom al our court doth magnefye As to the nexte off our allye,— Elthe,[Helthe St.] Ioye, & contynuance, 'Worshepe, & long perséueraunce, Wyth power, by our commyssïoun, For to don execucyoun, Redres, & amendëment,[St. transposes these lines.] Off fawtys wych in our parlement[St. transposes these lines.] Be compleynyd on, day by day, Off pylgrymes wych passen by the way, Voyde off guile & al deceyt,— How on[oon St.] lyth falsly in a-wayt, Hem to dysturble, robbe & reue, And in her passage hem to greue; A cherl ffroward & daungerous, Off cher & port malycyous, And ay pervers in hys entent, Whose name ys 'rud Entendëment' Wych lyth awaytyng, by gret mescheff, By hihë[hye St.] weyës, lyk a theff; Day & nyht, gret wach doth make, Cely pylgrymes for to take, To robbe hem (off entencyoun) Off ther skryppys, & bordoun, And stuff[Stuffe St.] that they han wyth hem lad. 'And thys cherl, to be mor drad,[ladde . . dradde St.] And supportyd on ech syde, Hath ytake a maas off pryde, A staff off ffals extorcïoun, Callyd by Rebellïoun (Trewly for to specefye) 'The staff off obstynacye,' Grauntyd off prydë, by assent, Vn-to rud Entendëment. 'And thus thys .iii.[thre St.] confederat, Causen a ful[foule St.] gret debaat And a perillous mortal stryff To pylgrymes in thys present lyff, Ther weyës, when they ha wyth-set.[sette . . mette St.] 'And trewly now, thys iii[thes thre St.] be met,[sette . . mette St.] I kan no bet[better St.] amendëment, But that Rud Entendëment Be somownyd to appere, 'By som maner offycere Off youres, ageyn a certeyn day, Wyth-oute prolongyng or dellay.' And her-vp-on, by maundëment, We haue youe a comaundëment That thys cherl hym nat excuse, Nor your maundement nat refuse, But kome to stonde at Iugëment, A day assygned competent. 'And to don execucïoun, Lych[Lyke St. See l. 10664.] to your commyssïoun, Vp-on thys cherl, for hys trespace. Letteth nat, nor doth no grace, But yow auengeth on that wrechche, Lyk as your power forth doth strechche. ffor in thys caas most necessarye, We makë yow our commyssarye, On our byhalue, wyth al your myght, To executen & to don ryht Wher ye sen that most ys nede. 'Lo her ys al, taketh good heede To vnderstonden your power. The daate countyd, a thowsand yer, Thre hundryd over, thrytty & on,[oon . . agoon St.] Wryte & asselyd nat yore agon,[oon . . agoon St.] And sent by ful commyssïoun, Vn-to thys lady dame Resoun.' The wychë, whan she haddë rad,[Radde . . Sadde, St.] Off contenaunce demewr & saad[Radde . . Sadde, St.] She abrayde by good avysëment And sayde to Rud Entendëment Resoun:[St., om. C.] 'By euydence, notáble & cler, Thow hast,' quod she, 'herd my power: I ha declaryd yt vn-to the. Now gyff answere ageyn to me! Rude Intendement:[In Stowe's hand. Entendement St.] 'And what artow,' a-noon quod he, 'Touchyng thy power, lat me se!' Resoun:[St., om. C.] 'Hastow nat herd me Rad[redde St.] yt al, And told ek in especyal, Record by my commyssïoun, That I am callyd 'dame Resoun'? I trowe thy wyt ys fer the fro; Or I deme yt stondeth so Thow louest somwher paramours, Or besy art[thow art St.] to maken tours Or castellys, by gret devys, Therby to geten the A prys." Rude Entendement:[St., om. C.] 'I hauë,' quod he, 'vp & doun Herknyd thy commyssïoun, And vnderstonde yt euerydel; And therby I se ful wel That thy name ys ek 'Resoun.' 'But a replicacïoun I wyl make vp-on thy name, Wych ys hyndred by dyffame; ffor that name sykerly Ys dyffamyd ful gretly; Wherfore I myghte nat for-bere ffor to axe what thow were, To knowe thy power & thy myght: Me sempte her-in I haddë ryht.' Resoun:[St., om. C.] 'Seystow,' quod she, 'that my name Ys a namë off dyffame Or dysclaundryd? lat me se How or where that myghtë be.' Rude Entendement:[St., om. C.] 'Certys,' quod he, 'yiff thow lyst here, The placë wel I shal the lere; I wyl nat spare, but platly telle: Thow art dyffamyd at the melle,Raison est au moulin: Pro. (Belike because Grist is taken in, and delivered out, by measure.)—Cotgrave, 1611. Raison, (sailor's) ration. 'Ratio, mesure.'—D'Arnis. And disclaundryd off ffals mesour, By robberye off mele & flour 'The peple present, them be-forn, Stelynge ther greyn & ek ther corn.' Reson:[In Stowe's hand. Resoun St.] 'Record off ffolkys that be sage, 'Sclaundere ys no vasselage;' And phylosofres ek expresse, 'To sclaundere, ys no worthynesse, Nor dyffamës, forth to telle.' 'And as touchyng off the melle, Thow myghtest ther peráventure Seen & be-holden A mesure Wych (by folkys oppynyoun,) Bereth the name off 'Resoun.' And wyle[while St.] that folkys so yt calle, To shrowde hys falshede, & tapalle,[to palle St.] But[But, om. St.] for al that, (yt ys no drede, Who that wysly taketh hede,) Thogh yt bere name off Resoun, Yt ys but fals decepcïoun, Vnder a colour off ffals laude, ffor to hyden deceyt & fraude. 'A-Twyxe a name, & éxistence, Men mvt[mowe St.] sette a dyfference; ffor vnder name off sothfastnesse, Offte ys wrouht ful gret falsnesse; And vnder honest couerture, Offte ys hyd ful gret ordure. In many a place yt ys ek seyn, That pompë, pryde, and fals dysdeyn, Courtyned[Contyned St.] wyth humylyte, 7Assenden to grete7[7_7 St. (C burnt)] dygnyte; But feyned symplesse, out off doute, At the laste yt breketh oute. 'Ech vyce ek (in conclusïoun) Haueth thys condycyoun, To shewen out an exaumplayre Off vertu, wych that ys contrayre To hym by fals ápparence, To yive a maner evydence To blynde the peplys, by shewyng 'Off that they ffayllen in beyng, That men sholden off hem deme They wer swych[Outward were shuche St.] lyk as they seme Outward, as by ther feyned cher. 'But vertu, that stondeth euere cler, Wyth couerture off no veyn laude, Ys nat dyffacyd by no ffraude; And thogh that vyces, by fals ffame, Off vertu som tyme haue A name, Cler[Clere St.] vertu (who so loke wel) Therby ys spottyd neueradel, But shyneth clerere & mor bryht, That falsnesse may nat cloude hys lyht; But in hys bryhtnesse doth endure. 'And thogh that I, off fals mesure (To shrowde yt by decepcyoun,) Am I-callyd ther Resoun At the Melle, by fals diffame, My sylff ther-off am nat to blame; But rather sholde, (in many wyse,) Off prudent folkys that be wyse, Receyve worshepe & hihe renoun, Lych my name, callyd Resoun. 'ffor Resoun, platly, nyhe nor ferre, By no falsnessë may nat erre. The name off vertu helpeth nouht Vertu voyde out off the thouht; And vertu wyl hym-sylff nat shrowde Wyth dyrknesse off no mysty cloude, But shewe hym-sylff fforth openly: My name ys Resoun, & swych am I.' Rude Intendiment:[In Stowe's hand. Entendement St.] 'Syker,' quod rude Entendëment, 'Wenystow I be so blent That I knowe no maner thyng Off thy sotyl Argwyng? 'I knowe kanvas, I knowe sylk, I knowe the flye dreynt in the mylk, I knowe A mesour, fful & halff, I knowe the kowh & ek the kalff, 'Affter that men by name hem calle, And dyfference off bestys alle. 'I knowe the name off thys & that, I knowe an hound, I knowe a caat, And off bothe I knowë how, That nouther off hem ys calff nor kow: I knowe ther namys euerychon: Ther namys & they ben al on.[alle oone St.] And[om. St.] I dar seyn wyth-outë blame, Gladly euere, affter the name ffolweth the condicïoun. 'Wherfor I sey thow art Resoun: And how resoun ys ek thy name, A namë sclaundryd by dyffame; And as I told the her-to-forn, 'Syth that Resoun stal the corn, Than was the corn stolen by the:' Yt may noon other wysë be, But euene lyk as I the telle, That al the water off the melle[Mylle St.] (Wych maketh yt tourne round aboute,) May nat suffyse (yt ys no doute) To wasshe away the gret dyffame, Nor the disclaundre off thy name. Thow mayst, by fals collusioun, ffynde an excusacioun To putte yt fro the euerydel; But her-vp-on, trust me ryht wel, ffor sotylte, nor no queyntyse, I vnderstonde noon other wyse Touchyng thy name, nor neuer shal, Than I ha told: lo, her ys al!' Resoun:[St., om. C.] 'By thy wordys, yt doth sue, fful sotylly thow kanst argue; And thy premysses for to make, fful ffayre exaumples thow kanst take, By sotyl declaracïounsRatio loquitur yronice. St. To preuë thy conclusïouns, Thyn entent to bryngen Inne. 'Yt were ful hard off the to wynne, Or to getyn ávauntage; Thow art so prudent & so sage, And dost in wysdam so excelle. 'But I pray the for to telle, What ys thy name, Est or west, By wych thow art knowë best: As I conceyue in my entent, Artow nat rude Entendëment?' Rude Entendement:[St., om. C.] Quod rudentendement[Rude Entendement St.] ryht tho, 'Thogh that men me callë so By my name, (what so they mene,) I am nat swych lyk as they wene; ffor yt may pleynly so befalle, That somme off hem that so me calle, Yiff they consydre by & by, They be mór Rud[Rude St.] than am I, And mor ek insuffycyent Off konnyng, as by Iugëment.' Resoun:[St., om. C.] Quod resoun thanne, ful sad off cher, 'Touchyng that thow hast sayd[seyde St.] her, Yt doth ynowh to me suffyse; But, I merveille in what wyse, Why or wharfore, so by deceyt That thow lyggest in a-wayt Vp-on the weyes (yt ys no faylle) Pylgrymes only to assaylle, In cytes, borwes, & in touns, ffor to reue hem ther bordouns; Her skryppes ek to take away, As they walkë by the way. 'Tel on platly, & nat spare; But thy power ffyrst declare, How thow art bold, & hast no ryht So toffendyn in the siht Off gracë dieu, (as I ha sayd,) Wych ys, sothly, evele apayd, And taketh gretly in greuaunce 'The maner off thy gouernaunce.' Rude Entendement:[St., om. C.] 'Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle, The causë pleynly I shal telle. In the gospel, yt ys rad[radde . . badde St.] How the kyng hym syluen bad,[radde . . badde St.] 'No man to bern[beren St.] out off hys toun, Nouther skryppë nor bordoun.' And platly, for to kepe hys lawe, I wyl nat feynë nor wyth-drawe, But, off hool entencïoun, Be-reuë skryppe & ek[& ek C., and St.] bordoun ffro pylgrymès, wher they passe: They gete off me noon other grace.' Resoun:[St., om. C.] 'Touchynge thyn oppynyoun Off the skryppe & the bordoun, (Yiff yt be clerly comprehendyd,) Thogh they somtyme wer dyffendyd, That dyffence ys now wyth-drawe, And they be suffryd by the lawe, That pylgrymës (nyh & ferre) In pylgrymáges may hem bere, Hem to sustene in ther walkyng; ffor noon vnworshepe to a kyng, Thogh somwhyle, syth hé hath myghte, Chaunge hys lawes off verray ryht. 'And cause off chaungyng (in certeyn) Off thys lawe I shal the seyn: Who that hath Achevyd wel Hys pylgrymagë, euerydel, Yt nedeth hym nat[nat hym St.] (who kan se) Longer a pylgrym for to be. Therfor (tak good hed to thys!) A man no lenger pylgrym ys, Than he hath skryppe & bordoun; ffor bothen (in conclusïoun) Ne seruë to noon ávauntage, Whan men ha don ther pylgrymage. 7'And Cryst Ihesu / ys Terme and Fyne / 'Wheder / that euery / goode Pylgryme / Tendyth / in his pylgrymage /7[7_7 St., om. C.] And who that hath swych avauntage To kome to hym, he may sey wel That he hath endyd euerydel Hys pylgrymage, & ffaylleth nouht To kome to that that he hath souht.[bought St.] Thus thapostles, On by on, Komë to hym euerychon, Travayllyngë nyht & day: As parfyt pylgrymes in ther way, By choys & by elleccïoun And also by vocacïoun They kam to hym, (yt ys no nay) And thanne to hem[hem St., hym C.] Bad hem, 'in cyte nor in town, Nouther ber skryppë nor bordoun.' And they, in euery maner thyng, Lowly obeydë hys byddyng. 'But to-forn he sholdë deye, That precept he gan modefye To hys dysciples, (as I rede,) ffor he sawh they sholde ha nede, Affter hys deth, whan he wer gon; Therfor he bad hem euerychon, Vn-to her proteccïoun To haue a skryppe & a bordoun. 'Radeth luk the gospeler,Qui habet sacculum, tollat, similiter [silicet St.] & peram / Luce, 2 capitulo. Wher the text ys pleyn & cler: He byddeth (who kan loke wel) 'That who that haveth a sachel,[Sagelle St.] Lat hym (to hys dyffencioun,) Take a skryppe & a bordoun, And a staff vp-on to reste, ffor ye shal fynde yt for the beste; Swych thynges ben vn-to yow due, Affter me yiff ye shal sue, And folwen my gouernaunce; And ye shal hauen suffysaunce Off bredë,[brede St., bred C.] wherso that ye be, 'Tyl tymë that ye kome to me, In your nede yow to releue.' 'Wher-vp-on I may wel preue, That yt ys at allë tymes Permyssyble to pylgrymes To bern A skryppe & ek a staff; ffor ther mayster, lycence hem gaff; Record the byble, yiff yt be souht. 'Wherfor, medle the ryht nouht Tarest[To ha Rest St.,] pylgrymes by vyolence, ffor they han ther-to lycence, Mawgre thy malys & thy myghte; ffor ther congè shal off ryht Laste to hem in ther vyáge, Tyl they ha don her pylgrymage.' Rude Entendement:[St., om. C.] 'The wordys that thow dost specefye, Ar but wordys off mokarye; ffor yiff so stood, thys myghty kyng Hadde dyffendyd any thyng That he hadde ordeyned or ysayd, Off the textys[Tixtis St.] that thow hast layd, They sholde ha be[be C., om. St.] (who lyst to look,) Yracyd clene out off the book, Lych vn-to hys ordynaunce, Wyth-outen any varyaunce.' Resoun[St., om. C.]: 'That ys nat so,' a-noon quod she, 'ffor, off ryht & equyte, Ech[Eche St.] thyng (shortly for to ryme,) Mustë duely[Most duelly St.] haue hys tyme:— I dar afferme that yt ys soth, What men seyn, or what men doth;— Consydred[Consyderyng St.] wel, by cler seyng, The Trewë cause off euery thyng, Thenchesoun & mutacïouns, The dedys & narracïouns Off allë thyng, (who lokë wel); And cause also why the gospel Ys mor plesynge to the siht— 'To folk that vnderstonde a-ryht— Than to swych, wych in ther thouht Vnderstonde ther-off ryht nouht; Euene lyk (& thus I mene) As in A medwe ffressh & grene, Wher as folkys do repayre, The mor that ther be flourys fayre, Lusty, soote, & fressh off hewe, Spredynge a-brood wyth bawmë newe, ffolkys, the mo[more St.] (I dar endyte) To loke ther-on hem-sylff delyte.' Rude Entendement[St., om. C.]: Thys cherl, boystous[boystous C., om. St.] in hys entent, Callyd 'Rud Entendëment,' ffroward in hys oppynyoun, Abrayde a-non vn-to Resoun. Quod he felly, to ben a-wreke, 'Yt ar but fantasmes that ye speke; ffor, pleynly, as thynketh me, 'ffalsnesse,' ye namen now bewte. Off trouthe also (yt ys no drede,) Ye lyst take no maner hede. Do her-vp-on what euer ye kan, ffor I wyl holde that I be-gan.' Resoun[St., om. C.]: 'Certys,' quod Resoun, 'a-noon ryht tho, Thow ne shalt no thyng do so; But (for short conclusïoun) Thow shalt ley thy staff a-doun; Thow hast lenyd ther-on to longe, Thorgh oppynyouns ffals & wronge; And folyly, affter thy lust, Ther-in to mychë[inne to muche St.] set thy trust, ffor by thys staffë[staffe St., staff C.] (lyst to me,) In the byble as thow mayst se, Nabaal & kyng Pharaoun Wer brouht vn-to confusïoun: They lynede[lenede St.] so longe vp-on that staff Wych that pryde vn-to hem gaff, The staff callyd 'obstynacye,' 'That, thorgh ther pompous surquedye, Ther ownë deth (for lak off grace,) They dydë wylfully purchace; ffor they were pompous & Ellat, And in ther hertys indurat, Ek obstynat in ther entent, Only for Rud Entendëment; Was to her gretë dysavayl, The pryncypal off ther counsayl. 'ffor thys cherl, ffroward & ffel, Made hem for to be rebel, And voyden (shortly in sentence) The vertu off obedience; Ek ouermor (as thow shalt se,) Yiff Rud Entendement naddë be, The Iewës (in conclusïoun) Hadde lefft[leffte St.] ther oppynyoun, And ther heresyes wyth-drawe, And tournyd hem to crystys lawe; And, in ther conversïoun, Take the skryppe & the bordoun, And lyk pylgrymès hem gouérnyd, And ful clerly ek dyscernyd, Wych now he dyrked vnder skye, Only for ther obstynacye. 'That staff, I rede the to ley doun, And leff thy Rude oppynyoun; And leue ther-on no mor at al, Lyst at the laste thow haue a ffal.' Rud Entendement: Quod Rud entendement to[vnto St.] Resoun: 'Thy proverbys, nor thy sermoun, Nor al that euere thow dost me rede, I take ther-off no maner hede, ffor al thy peynted wordys swete, My staff in soth I wyl nat lete; But as me thynketh for the beste, Ther-vp-on I wyl me reste, Wher-euere I walkë by the weye, And in ryht nouht to the obeye, 'Holden myn owne, as yt ys ryht, Mawgre thy power & thy myght.' Resoun: Quod Resoun; 'thanne I se ful wel, And aparceyuë[apperceyve yt St.] euerydel, By thy wordys Rude & pleyn, That yt were to me but veyn, Mor to talke off thys matere To the, wych that lyst nat here,[lere St.] Nor accorde to myn Entent; But, at the gretë Iugëment Wher tassyses[Thassyses St.] shal be holde, Al couert falsenesse to vnfolde, I somowne the, ther tappere, To Answere in thys matere! Looke thow be ther, thylkë day, Wyth-oute prolongyng or delay.' Affter al thys, (as ye shal se,) Resoun kam ageyn to me, And bad me go forth on my way, And ha no dred,[drede St.] nyht nor day Off thys Rud Entendëment; (Resoun.) 'ffor fynally, (in sentement,) Wyth-inne an hevy styth off stel, A ffethre sholde entre as wel As any doctryne (yt ys no dred) Sholde entre in-to hys hed. 'ffor thys Rud entendëment Ys wyth Rudnesse so yblent, That dyamaunt, I trowe, ys noon, Nor noon other maner ston So indurat, to mollefye, As he; for ffals obstynacye Hath blendyd[blyndede St.] hym by hyr decyt, That wher he cachcheth a conceyt, Ther-vp-on he wyl ay holde, ffor all the skylës that I tolde; Nor resoun that I koudë seyn, Al was but lost, and sayd in veyn; 'In hys Rudnesse he kepte hym cloos, And wyl nat chaungen hys purpos. 'Wherfor go forth, & ha no drede, Nor tak off hym no maner hede; But hold thy weyë[way St.] forth as blyue; ffor, wyth a cherl to stonde & stryue, Yt woldë nat but lyte avaylle: Lat hym wyth hys wyndes saylle, ffrowardly ageyn the strem, Whil thow gost to Ierusaleem. Be off hym no thyng afferd, Thogh he shake on thè hys berd; Lat hym gruchche, & mowhës make, And his Chyn vp-on thè shake, Wexe ek palë for envye And on hys staff 'obstynacye' Lat hym reste, & stondë stylle: Hold thow thy way / ay forth at wylle!' The pylgrym. "Ma dame," quod I, "yt stondeth so, I wot nat what ys best to do, But ye, off your benygnyte, Lyst for to conveyë me And ben my guyde vp-on the way, Me to gouernë nyht & day, Tyl I kome to that cyte Wych I castë for to se. ffor, wyth-outë yow, certeyn My labour ys nat but in veyn: Yt ys so peryllous a passage, That I shal ffynde in my vyage Many anoyes, mo than on, I kan nat rekne hem euerychon; Pereilles that on[in St.] the weyë lye; But yiff I haddë companye Off yow, yt wolde ynowh suffyse Me to supporte in many wyse." Resoun: Quod Resoun thanne a-noon to me, 'fful wel I myghtë gon wyth the, 'And nat departe out off thy siht Al the whyle that thow gost ryht, And holdest forth the evene way; But offtë sithe (yt ys no nay) Ther shal a-twen vs (who espyes,) Arysë two fful vnkouth[vnkouthe St.] skyes, Wonder blak off ther colours, Off smoky mystës & vapours, That somwhylë, off dyrknesse And off the owgly ffoul thyknesse, Off sondry chaunges that shal be, Thow shalt lese the syht off me. 'And somtyme, ful glad off chere, Thow shalt se me ffressh & cler, Affter the weye that thow dost holde, Lyk to-forn, as I the tolde. ffor thow holdest the weyë ryht, Thow shalt se me cler & bryht. 'And fynally, yiff thow go wrong, I wyl me hyden (euere among,) Out off thy syht, & shrowden me That thow shalt me nowher se. 'Wherfor, off me whan thow hast nede, Sek me no ferther (as I rede) Her nor ther, vp-on no syde, But wher thy syluen dost abyde. Yiff thow me seke ther duëly, Thow shalt me fynden ay redy. 'Now, on thy Iourne, forth the spede Syth to tarye thow hast no nede.' Ye pilgrime.[In Stowe's hand.] Off hyre answere I wex al sad,[sadde . . .badde St.] Yet forth I wente, as she me bad,[sadde . . .badde St.] Remewynge me[me St., om. C.] fro that place, Me recomaundynge to hyr grace; And praydë god ful Enterly Me to conveyë sykerly, Wyth-outen any dysturbaunce, And me to sauen fro myschaunce, To be my guyde, & wysshen me ffor to kome to the cyte Whyder to gon, tho I me caste. And forth I wentë wonder faste, Wyth my bordoun in myn hond; And in the weye a-noon I fond A damysele off queynte array, Wych me mette vp-on the way. And lyke a dowue (as thoughtë me)[St. Om. C., but has the next line twice.] She was ffetheryd for to fle; And on her leggys bothë two, Lyk a dowve she was also, And endownyd soffte & ffayr, Smothe as[as a St.] gossomer in the hayr. And trewly (as I koude espye) Me sempte thys mayden off ffolye, Now her, now ther, ageyn a wal That she pleyede at the bal, Rennynge alway vp & doun. And thanne I hadde affeccïoun To wyten pleynly & enquere Hyr name, and what she dydë there.[Blank in MS. and in St. for an Illumination.] The pylgrym: "Damysele," a-noon quod I, "I merveyllë ful gretly[gretely St.] Off your ffethres ffressh & shene, What they tokne or what they mene; And that ye ben endowned so Vp-on your leggys bothë two; ffor, syth tyme that I was born, I sawhë neuere her-to-fforn Noon yffetheryd, sauffly[sauff St.] only ye: ffor, by lyknesse, ye may fle Whan that ye lyst, hih & lowe; And ffayn ther-fore, I woldë knowe, (Yiff ye lyst to specefye) What your ffetherys sygnefye; And your endownyng, vp & doun, I wolde ther-off ha som resoun; And or ye any ferther go, Your name I woldë wyte also." The ffetherede: 'Certys,' quod she, 'whan thow dost knowe The causë pleynly (hih & lowe) Wheroff I serue, sothly in dede Thow shalt off me han ful gret drede.'[drede St., dede C.] The pylgrym: "Ye ben trewly (as semeth me) So ffressh and vnkouth for to se, Se lusty ek off port & chere, That no man myghtë beyn[byen St.] to dere, Off yow to han possessïoun: And me semeth off resoun, (By lyklynesse, as I kan ffel,) A man myghte nat louë to wel Your persone, by lyklyhede. And as touchynge any drede That men sholde han off you, certeyn, Me semeth swych dred wer but in veyn." The ffetherede: 'Thow seyst fful soth, & ryght trewly: Who me vseth prudently, And nat outrageth in no wyse, But hym gouérneth lyk the wyse, Swych, fro pereyl may wel eskape. And trust her-on, (yt ys no jape,) My gouernaunce (who kan espye), Ther-in ys foundë no ffolye; And yet off custom, at the laste, In gretë[grete St., gret C.] pereyll, ffolk I caste, (As yt ys fful offtë seyn) And longe or they may ryse ageyn. 'And my name ys ek fful kouthe, ffor I am ycallyd 'youthe'; I passë bothe thorgh thynne & thykke, And I kan wynse ageyn the prykke, As wyldë coltys in Arras, Or as bayard out off the tras, Tyl I a lassh haue off the whyppe; ffor now I renne, & now I skyppe, 'And now I lepë Iouy pe[merry foot.]; Now I sterte, & now I ffle. Selde abydyng in O thouht, Al daungerous[Alle daungerys St.] I sette at nouht, Wyth wyldënesse I go to scole; Now I sprynge, now I carole; I tryppe, I cryë, synge & daunce, And euere ful off varyaunce, And fful selde abyde in On. I wrastle, & I caste the ston; I brekë bothen hegge & wal, And clymbë treës[trees St., tres C.] oueral In gardyns wher the ffrut ys good. And who that euere be wroth or wood, I ne take no maner hede. 'Sestow nat wel, in verray dede, By my ffethrys cler & bryht, Vp-on my ffeet, how I am lyht, And as swyfft (sothly to tel) As whylom was Asael.2 Regum 2 Capitulo. St., om. C. But the byble doth vs lere He bouhte hys swyfftnesse al to dere; And offtë sythës, out off noumbre, To gret swyfftnessë doth encoumbre, As oldë storyes tellë kaan; ffor bet ys yt, on wysëman[yt ys . . wyse St., wys C.] Slowh off ffootë, wyth prudence, Than ffoure other (in sentence) Lyht off ffoote, wyth hyr ffolye, Wych hem syluen kan nat guye, Nor by wysdom kan nat werche, 'Wherffor somtyme holy cherche Whylom made an ordynaunce, That no man sholde ha gouernaunce In hys bowndys (yt ys no drede) But yiff he haddë ffeet off led, In gret sadnesse to endure. 'But off al thys I do no cure; I wyl be ffethryd, & go ffle, And among, go sportë me; 'Pleye at the cloos, among, I shal, And somwhyle Rennyn at the bal Wyth a Staff mad lyk an hook; And I wyl han a kampyng crook; ffor I desyre, in my depos, ffor to han noon other croos. 'And among, I wyl nat spare To hunte for hert, ffor buk & hare; Somtyme ffysshe, & cachchë ffowlys, And somtyme pleyen at the bowlys; Among, shetyn[sheten St.] at bessellys, And affter pleyn[pleyen St.] at the merellys, Now at the dees, in my yong age,[pleyen St.] Bothe at hassard & passage; Now at the ches, now at the tablys, Rede no storyes but on ffablys, On thyng that ys nat worth a lek; Pleye at the keylës & the quek; Somwhyle my wyttys I applye To herë song & menstralcye, And pleye on dyuers Instrumentys: And the ffyn of myn entent ys To folwe the lust off my coráge, And to spendë my yonge age In merthe only, & in soláce, ffolwe my lustys in ech pláce; Ther-to hooly I me enclyne, Rather than to han doctryne Off ffader, moder, thogh they be wyse, Al ther techyng I despyse; And in no thyng ys set my cure, But my lustys to procure.' The pylgrym: "Trewly," quod I a-noon ryht tho, "Woldë god yt stoodë so That ye wer mevyd, & that a-noon, To passe the way that I shal gon." Yowthe: 'Whyder-ward (tel on, lat se,) Wyltow holden thy Iourne?' The pylgrym: "To Ierusalem, the ryhtë way I wyl holde, yiff that I may." Yowthe: Quod yowthe, 'ther ys no mor to seye; A whylë I wyl the conveye.' The pylgrym: "Kan ye techë me a-noon The ryhtë way how I shal gon?" Yowthe: 'ffor soth,' quod yowthë, 'nat ryht wel, But we shal faylle neueradel; ffor we shal ffyndë wel certeyn Som whyht that shal the trouthë seyn, And the ryhtë weye vs lere.' And whyl that we spak thus yffere, So as yowthe gan me conveye, Me thouthe I sawh a fforkyd weye Partyng at an heg on tweyne, Thykke and thornyssh in certeyne; And hadde nat the heg ybe, The samë way, as semptë me,[St. and C.] By the which I sholde ha gon,[St. and C.] Hadde in sothnesse ben but on; But the heg wych stood atwen, Departyd yt (men myghtë sen), And the passage ek devyde: The ton was set on the ryht syde; The tother path (I gan be-holde) On the lefft party gon holde. And on the lefft hand I sawh a-noon A damysele sytte on a ston; Hyr on[oon St.] hand on hyr brest was layd, And in the tother (as I abrayd)[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] She held a glouë vantounly,[Glove wantonly St., glove v . . C.] And tournyd yt fful ffetysly Aboute hyr ffyngres vp & doun. And shortly in conclusïoun, By maner off hyr gouernaunce I sawh, & by hyr contenaunce, A womman (as by lyklynesse) But off lytel bysynesse, By hyr labour, ouht to wynne: Hyr lyst nat cardë nouther spynne, Nor, to getyn hyr dyspence, Do no maner dyllygence.[off dyllygence St.] On whos ryht hand I sawh on sytte Sobyrly, & lyst nat fflytte, But kept hym covert in the shade; And oldë nattys ageyn he made, Wych, ffor no labour woldë spare, But besy was hem to repare; And off hym thus stood the caas. fful gretly I astonyd was, Thynkynge hys labour was in[in St., hole in C.] veyn; He made, & hem vnmade ageyn; Wher-in me sempte a ful gret lak: And ffyrst off al, to hym I spak: The pylgrym: "My ffrend," quod I, "a-noon ryht here I pray the that thow wost me lere The bestë weye, & most certeyne, Off thys ilkë weyës tweyne Wych that lyen a-for my fface; ffor neuere yet I dydë pace By noon off hem, in al my lyff; Wherffor tel me (& mak no stryff) Wych ys the beste & most certeyn." The Natte-makere: The natte-makere answerde ageyn: 'Whyder castestow (in thy syht) ffor to holde thy weyë ryht?' The pylgrym: "Syker," quod I, "now herkne me I woldë passe the gretë se, And oversaylle the saltë strem, To kome vn-to Ierusalem; Off wych cyte, told longe aforn, The bysshop was off maydë born." The Natte-makere: 'Trewly, syr, wyth your grace, I sytte no thyng in thys place ffor to techë men the weye; Nor, pylgrymës to conveye, Yt ys no parcel off my charge; But off thys tweynë weyës large, As ffolk reporte in many lond, That the weye on the lefft hond, Wher-as the damysele doth sytte, (And ne lyst nat for to fflytte,) Ys a passage ful peryllous, And to pylgrymës éncombrous. And thys damyselë queynte, Off malys doth neuere feynte To callë pylgrymes nyht & day, To make hem go the samë way, Wher they do gret pereyl ffele, Be they armyd neuere so wel. 'But, trewly, by myn avys, Swych pylgrymës as be wys, They that ben in vertu strong, Shal lete the way that ly[e]th wrong, And tracen in hyr pylgrymage On the ryht hand in ther vyage; The wych, fful many on hath take, And affterward hath yt for-sake, Brooke thorgh the hegg by vyolence, And ther-in don fful gret offence; Toward the lefft path tournyd bak, Tyl they ha fallyn on the wrak Off ffalsë guydës: by the lore Off me, her-off thow gest[gest St.] no more: Wherso that thow wynne or lese, Off thys two weyës thow mayst chese.' The pylgrym ./ "Syre, I pray the off o thyng: Touchyng thy labour in[and St.] werchyng, Tel me the causë (in certeyn) Why makestow, & vndost ageyn "Thy werk so offtë sythe a day? The semeth trewly (I may say), Ther-in (who consydreth al,) Thy wyt ys verray dul & smal, (As to myn oppynyoun) Ydel, thyn occupacioun: Yiveth to me an evydence To yivë to the no credence To no thyng that thow hast me sayd; And though that thow be euele apayd,[St. and C.] I shal seyn trouthe, as semeth me:[St. and C.] Yt wer merveyl thow sholdest the[thee St.] So symple a crafft on the to take, To makë nattys, & vnmake; The wychë[whiche St., wych C.] crafft (whan al ys souht) Ys so pore, yt wynneth nouht." The nat-makere: 'Touchyng my crafft, wych I vse, To the I may me thus excuse: Thogh yt be symple, & pore off name, Therfor thow sholdest me nat blame: Swych as I kan, swych I acheue: Thys, no cause me to repreue, Nor to rebuke off no ffolye. 'Yiff ye aduerten prudently, Euery man hath nat a fforge, Crownys off gold, in for to forge; Nor ffolkys allë,[alle St., alle C.] yong nor old, Kan nat the crafft to chaungë gold; Nor alle may nat be Iowelerys: Ech crafft hath hys offycerys: Nor alle ffolk may nat noblys telle; Nor alle ffolk may nat Rubyes selle; ffor konnyng thanne wer off no prys, Yiff ech man were alychë wys. 'Lerne ek off me, thys sentence, Ther muste be a dyfference (Pleynly yiff thow lyst to knowe,) Off Estatys hih & lowe, And off crafftys ek also. 'And tak also good heed herto, Yiff all ffolk in a Regioun Hadden On[oon St.] occupacioun In the Rychest crafft of alle, Demë thanne what sholdë falle: Thanne al ylyche (yiff thow tok[take St.] hed) The ffoot as good as ys the hed; A knaue also, by hys werkyng, Sholde ben Egal wyth the[a St.] kyng; The wych (who wysly kan espye,) Ne wer no maner polycye, But rather a confusïoun In euery maner Regïoun. 'Wherfor, in Townys & cytes, Lat men lyuen lyk her degres: Wysë ffolk that kan dyscerne, Lat hem by wysdam so governe That no man ne haue no wrong; And swych as myghty ben, & strong, Wyth myghte lat hem the lond dyffende; And clerkys to ther studye entende; And labourerys, lat hem werche; And spyrytual ffolk off the cherche, Lat ther occupacïoun Ben in contemplacïoun, In deuocioun & prayere; Voyde hem ffrom offyce seculer; Lat hem go lyuë lyk ther bond; And swyche[swyche St., swych C.] ffolk as tyle the lond, Lat hem do trewly ther labour, Bothe in drouht & ek in shour; ffor trewly (yiff I rekne shal) Carte & plowh, they ber vp al[Nota St. later.] The clergye & the cheualrye. 'And overmor, ffor my partye, Thogh my crafft (in cónclusioun) Be off no reputacïoun, Swych as I kan, swych I ha wrouht; And therfore rebuke me nouht; ffor crafftys vsyd in pouerte 'May nat alle refusyd be: Crafftys poore be necessarye; And ffor me, lyst the nat to tarye, Euery crafft (& thus I mene) Mut gouerne other, & sustene, So yt be don wyth-outë slouthe, And duëly ywrouht in trouthe; And thus thow shalt my wordys take. And thogh that I make & vnmake,Non ffacile capitur a di|abolo, qui bono vacat ex|ercicio / Ieronimus. Blame me nat, ffor (in sothnesse) I do yt to voyden ydelnesse. 'And yiff I, lyk thyn oppynyoun, Koude other occupacïoun, I wolde yt done, be wel certeyn, And nat vnmake thys natte ageyn, ffor wych thow dost repreuë me. And her, O thyng I axe off the: What ys the causë (ffer or ner) That a swerd burnysshed cler, Somwhyle rusteth, as thow mayst se, Leseth hys bryhtnesse & bewte?' The pylgrym: "Touchyng thyn askyng, in certeyn, Me to answere, yt wer but weyn; Thow hast thy sylff (who kan ffel,) The cause ytold, pleynly & wel." The Natte-makere: 'So as a swerd (I dar expresse,) Yffadyd ys off hys bryhtnesse, And off hys clernesse ek also, Whan men take noon hed ther-to, But rusteth & ffareth al amys, Ryght so a man that ydel ys, & kan hym sylff nat occupye, (By resemblaunce thow mayst espye,) In-to hys[In thy St.] sowle (thus I be-gynne) The rust off vyces or off synne Doth a-way (wyth-outë gesse) Off allë[alle St., al C.] vertu the clernesse; But excercysë (in sentence) 'And contynual dyllygence, Born vp wyth vertuous labour, Ys bet than any ffoorbysshour Ageyn the rust off ydelnesse, Off vertu to gyue perfyt clernesse.' The pylgrym: "Now, gentyl ffrend," a-noon quod I, "Tel me thy namë trew[ë]ly, Wych art so wys off answerynge: Tel on, & mak no mor taryynge." The Natte-makere: 'To telle the trouthë verrayly, Yt befalleth comounly (As clerkys wrytë, that be sad,[sadde . . .cladde St.]) Whan a man ys ffebly clad,[sadde . . .cladde St.] And outward hath noon ápparence, Phylysophres (in ther sentence) And Ek poetys that wer wys, They seyn swych on ys off no prys Nor off no reputacïoun Affter the worldys oppynyoun. And thys comounly the language That thylkë ffolkys be most sage, And wysest holden (in certeyn), That be ffressh, & wel beseyn, And kan make hem syluen gay Wyth ryche fforewrys & array, And devyses most vnkouth, Swych ffolk, in euery manhys[mannys St.] mouth, Be wysest holde in thys world here. 'And ouermor, as ye shal lere, Thogh a man wer neuere so wys, And haddë lernyd at Parys, Thys thryrty yer at scolë be In that noble vnyuersyte, And haddë ful experyence Off euery wysdom & scyence, & koude exponen euery doute, And wer but porely clad wyth-oute, Men woldë deme most comounly 'That hys wysdom wer ffoly,[St. & C.] And that he wer a fool at al By oypynyoun general: So they reherse in ther sentence; ffor wysdom now, & sapyence, Practyk off phylosofye,[St. & C.] Off arsmetryk & gemetrye, Off Astronómye & musyk, And experyence off physyk, Ys ffled now fro vnyuersytes, And dwelleth in borwes & cytes Wyth folk that wel arrayed be At the eye, as men may se. 'And ffarwel konnyng, now euery day, Wher ther ys no ffressh array! Wyth-oute array, konnyng, farwel! Wherfor I merveylle neueradel Thogh thow me settyst at no prys, Nor thogh thow holdest me nat wys, By cause my ray ys al to-rent. And yet, by good avysëment, Yiff thow lokë wel aboute, I am he (yt ys no doute,) Who so lyst to taken hed,) That yiue to allë[alle St., alle C.] folk ther bred, Or shortly (ellys for to seye)Nota. Nota. St. (later). They sholde ellys for hunger deye, Ne werë[werë St., wer C.] I & my werchyng; Ye, bothe adam & hys off-spryng. Hadde I nat be, (yt ys no ffaylle,) What myghte the gret shyp avaylle Off Noe (in conclusïoun) Nor al hys generacïoun? 'And, ffor to speke in general, I sustene & ber vp al, & yt ys I, ech hour & space, That makth the tymë shortly pace Wyth-oute anoy or pérturbaunce; ffor I am he, by rémembraunce, Syth adam the Appyl heet,[C. & St.] 'Wych wyth labour & wyth swet[C. & St.] Haue youë ffoodë & pasture To euery levyng creäture, Bothe to best & ek to man, Syth[Syth the St.] tymë that the world be-gan Wher-off I am no thyng to blame. And my verray ryhtë name Ys (wyth-oute mor sarmon) "Labour & Occupacioun."[Nota St. later] 'I rechchë nat, whan al ys do, Wych thow me calle off bothë two; And folkys alle that stonde in grace, By me vn-to the cyte pace The ryhtë way wyth-outë lak. And for that ffyrst to me thow spak, The ryhtë way,[weye, 316/11,596] thé to lere, Off thys two weyës that ben here, And I ha told the myn avys, Now ches the beste, syth thow art wys.' The pylgrym: And than a-noon, as ye shal here, Whyl we spak togydre yffere, My body (for hys gret plesaunce) Gat hym wyth youthë ácqueyntaunce, & bothë, voyded off dyscord, Wher[Were St.] yfalle off on accord. "And Yowthe (off wych aforn I sayde) Vn-to me thus gan abrayde: 'Yt wer syttynge (as semeth me) And accordynge to thy degre, To gon and getyn áqueyntaunce, And, to haue som dalyaunce, The bet thy sylff ffor to provyde Wyth hyr that syt on the lefft syde, Thylkë damysele, I mene,[C. & St.] Which ys so goodly on to sene,[C. & St.] And to hyr doctryne yiue som feyth.[C. & St.] And thow mayst sen how that she leyth Vnder hyr armole, hyr on hond; And (yiff thow kanst wel vnderstond) 'In the tother hond (parde) A Gloue she halt, as thow mayst se. Go to hyre, & do thy cure; And I trowe, off aventure, She wyl the teche, & pleynly seyn The weyë wych ys most certeyn, Bet than thys cherl that sytteth here, Swart and owgly off hys chere, Wych ys a verray tormentour To puttë ffolkys to labour, And may to the no thyng avaylle, But vexyn the wyth gret travaylle.' And by hys consayl (off entente) Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente; And ffyrst, as me thouhte yt due, I gan hyr goodly to salue. And she, devoyde off al dysdeyne, Mekly saluede me ageyn. And alderfyrst (shortly to seye) Humblely I gan hyr preye That she wolde, off coortesysye, Govorne me also, & guye, Techë me, & sey nat nay, In my vyáge the ryhtë way, By wych pylgrymës euerychon To Ierusalem wer wont to gon." The damysele: 'Certys,' quod she, off cher benygne, 'I ne knowe noon other sygne Nor other tookne, in thys passáge, Off ffolk that gon on pylgrymage; But I knowe (be wel certeyn) Yiff I shál the trouthë seyn, On hors, on foote, in general, Thys the weyë most royal, Callyd the kyngës hihë[highe St., hih C.] weye. And her-wyth-al, I dar wel seye Yt ys most esy off passáge To ffolkys old & yong off age, Smothe & pleyn, (yt ys no nay,) 'And most yvsyd nyht & day; And by thys ylkë samë weye, Gladly ffolkys I conveye, Swych as louë paramours, To ward the voode, to gadre fflours, Soote rosys & vyolettys, Ther-off to make hem chapel[Chapel- St., Chapl- C.] ettys, And other fflourys to her plesaunce. 'And in thys weye I teche hem daunce; And also, ffor ther lady sake, Endyte lettrys, & songys make Vp-on the gladë somerys dayes, Balladys, Roundelays, vyrelayes. I teche hem ek, (lyk ther ententys,) To pleye on sondry Instrumentys, On harpe, lut,[luyt St.] & on gyterne, And to revelle at tavérne, Wyth al[alle St.] merthe & mellodye, On rebube[Rebube St.] and on symphonye; To spendë al the day in ffablys, Pleye at the ches, pley at the tablys, At treygobet[and at Treygobett St.] & tregetrye, In karyyng & in Iogolory: And to al swych maner play, Thys the verray ryhtë way.' The pylgrym: "Trew[ë]ly, to my plesaunce, ffor your noble dalyaunce I wolde (off good entencïoun) Knowë your condycyoun; Youre Name also, yiff that ye Lyst goodly to telle hem me."[St. & C.] The damysele:[St. & C.] 'Yiff thow wylt abyde a throwe,[St. & C.] My name and al,[alle St., om. wel.] thow shalt wel knowe: I am a poopet,[Poepet St.] in sothnesse, Douhter to Dame Ydelnesse, Set her,[here St.] by hyr ordynaunce. And al my joye & my plesaunce Ys, by hyr wyl that her[here St.] me sette, 'My glovys streythly on to sette: I take off no-thyng ellës hed, But, offte a day, kombe myn hed, Prye ech hour in a merour,— God wot, that ys most my labour,— Wake a nyhtys, slepe a day,[C. & St.] And specyally the haly day[C. & St.] I studye among (thys the caas)[C. & St.] In Elenches off ffallas, Out to ffyndë thyngës newe, To makë ffablys semë trewe; And, above al other thynges, On romauncys ffondyd on lesynges, Ther-in ys my studye most. 'And I am ek, in euery cost, Paramour to thy body, Yt to cherysshe in al ffolye. And wherso that thow slepe or wake, Labour, I makë the forsake; And by my wyl (ek in certeyne) Thow shalt dure[endure St.] no maner peyne, But lyon,[lyen St.] sewen, & make a-vaunt, And muryely pleyen the Galawnt. 'I make ffolk, vp-on ther hed, To were chaplettys off whyht & red, Pyke her nayllës, wernays take, And al travayllë to forsake, Studye ffor to ffynde off newe, Devyses mad off many an hewe, ffolk to make hem ffressh & gay, And hem dysguyse in ther array: Thys myn offys, yer by yere. 'Now ches a-noon, whyl thow art here, Wychë weyë[Whiche way St.] thow wylt take; And wherso that thow slepe or wake, Thow shalt lerne a thyng off me: Thys samë weye wych thow dost se, Ys large & pleyn, esy to pace; The tother, streiht, & hard to trace, And ffewë ffolkys go ther-by: 'Thys, mor plesaunt & redy. Now, syth thow hast dyscrecïoun Mak thy sylff Elleccyoun.' The pylgrym: "Trew[ë]ly," quod I a-noon, "Thys two weyës wer but on,[oon St.] Ne wer only (as ye may sen) Thys ylkë heegg that stant betwen. Wherfor I pray that ye nat lette, To tellë who the heggg her sette." Ydelnesse: 'Touchyng thys heg that stondeth here, Yt was maad (yiff thow lyst lere,) Off a gret turmenteresse Wych doth to ffolk fful gret dystresse; And she maketh pylgrymës alle, Penytence, hyr sylff to calle. Who hath wyth hyre Aqueyntaunce, Muste endurë gret penaunce: Hatfful she ys off cher & fface To alle that by thys weyë pace,— I mene, the weye that I am Inne;— But who that lyst ffro me to twynne, And the tother weyë take,[St. & C.] I dar pleynly vndertake,[St. & C.] On leg, on ffoot, on too & hele,[St. & C.] He shal fful sharpë thornys ffele, Gret prykyng, I the ensure, And sharp, wyth-outen al mesure, ffor they be sharpe, & no-thyng soffte. 'And thys lady kometh fful offte (I mene thys lady dame Penaunce Wyth whom I ha noon ácqueyntaunce); To thys heg she kometh al day, Maketh yerdys, & goth hyr way, Besmys also,[also St., alle C.] sotyl & queynte. And day nor nyht she doth nat ffeynte To make ay newe in hyr werkynge, Instrumentys ffor chástysynge Off synnë, by gret ordynaunce, 'Thys same lady, Dame Penaunce;[C. & St.] And in hyr occupacïoun[C. & St.] ffolk haue but smal affeccïoun.[C. & St.] I ha the tolde off hyre to-fforn,[C. & St.] Off instrumentys that she hath born,[C. & St.] Off Bysme, off hamer, off thyngës mo.'[C. & St.] And thanne I thouhte I woldë go By the path & by the weye By wych the man gan me conveye, That made the nattys in certeyn, Vnmade & made hem effte ageyn. And, lyk as tauhtë me my guyde, I drewh toward the ryhtë[righte St., ryht C.] syde And in that weyë lyst nat tarye; But youthe a-noon, to më contrárye, fful besy was me ffor ta let[to litte St.]; Seyde the tother way was bet, Morë[More St., Mor C.] hawntyd, the passáge, Off ffolk that gon on pylgrymage. And fforth the samë weye I helde, Tyl that a-fforn me I be-held,[behelde St.] Reysed on hihte, a lytel wal, Two posternys & a gatë smal[smal St., final C.]; And mid the gaate a lady stood, That was bothë ffayr & good, (I pray god, ffayrë[ffayre St.] mot hyr ffalle! And vertu moral men hyr calle. And she A-noon, off hyr goodnesse, Off bounte and off gentyllesse, (As she that lyst to be my guyde,) Bad, I sholde on the tother syde Declynë nouther to nor ffro, But by the samë gatë go Wher as she stoodë,[stoode St., stood C.] lyuë ryht, And I conceyvede in my syht, And fful clerly gan dyscerne On owther party a posterne, And sawh that they were éncoumbrous To passë by, & daungerous: Bothe I leffte (as was my ffaate), And lynë ryht vn-to the gaate The weye I held, by hyr byddynge, Wher as she stood hyr sylff lenyng.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The pylgrym: And lyst she ffounde in me som lak, Vn-to hyre ryht thus I spak: "Ma dame," quod I / "I stonde in wher[where St.] Touchynge thys weyës that ben her; I not off hem wych I shal holde." And she to me fful goodly tolde And specyally gan chargë me, The fforeyn[Stowe] posternys ffor to ffle; [Vertu Moral] 'And do thy power and thy myght To holde the weyë that goth ryht, The weye (I menë) ryht as lyne, Wher I stonde, & nat declyne On nouther party, nyht nor day, Also ffer fforth as thow may.' She sayd ek, as I vnderstood, That 'he ys an archer good Wych ffaylleth nat hym-sylff taquyte, Alway the markë ffor to smyte; And no man blamen hym ne may, Thogh he hytte yt nat alway: So he do trewly hys deuer, Wyth hys arme to smyte yt ner In al hys bestë ffeythfful wyse, Yt doth ynowh to hym suffyse That in hys drawyng he nat ffeyne.[C. & St.] And therfor do thy besy peyne[C. & St.] Aforn, thy sylff so to provyde,[C. & St.] Teschewe the weyes that gon asyde; Hold the myd, in especyal. 'ffor I am callyd 'vertu moral, Polytyk, & general'; And myn offyce her-wyth-al I contene (as clerkys shewes) Al[And al St.] the pathys to goodë thewes, The ryhtë way, & ther degres; 'And yet I haue extremytes (Who kan looke on ech a syde,) The wych I wolde fro me devyde, As fferfforth as I kan or may Severyn hem, and caste a-way, ffor causë they be vycyous In my syht, & ryht greuous. 'ffor thyse extremytees, in soth, ffarn ryht as a kanker doth, I mene the werm (who lyst se) That ffreteth the hertë off a tre, And, wyth hys ffret & wyth hys rage, Doth to tymber gret damage. Yiff thylkë werm (yt ys no nay) Be nat the rather kut away And dysseveryd ffrom hys place, The tre so sore he wyl manace Vp to the croppë[croppe St., crop C.] fro the roote, That affterward ther ys no bote, As men may sen in many tres. 'And semblaly thextremytes The posternys that be fforeyne, Wych that ben in noumbre tweyne, I haue hem fro me put a-way Wyth-outë ffauor or[or eny] delay, Off entent that, in thys place, Pylgrymës noon shal by hem pace, That wyl ouer the gretë see To Ierusalem the cyte;Dirige semitam pedibus tuis, ne declines ad de[x|tram] neque ad sinistram. proverbiorum [iv.] 26.|St., om. C. ffor yiff they wente by that passage, Yt wer pereyl & gret damage.' The pylgrym: "Ma damë, wyth your reuerence, I woldë se som evydence, Yiff yt wer possyble, me to knowe By som exaumple (hih or lowe,) How thys vyces (som or alle,) Lyk to kanker, ye hem calle." Vertu moral: 'Semblably as dyuers tres, Kankres han in ther degres, Ryht so vertues (doutëles) Han dyuers extremytes, Kankres at outher ende, That ffrete on hem wherso they wende. 'Lo, her, Exaumple in especyal! fforce ys a vertu Cardynal, The wych hath a kanker double, On outher party hym to trowble, To dystroye hym nyht & day Yiff they ne be nat kut a-way Wonder peryllous to deuyse; The ton ys callyd 'Cowardyse'; The tother (yiff I shal expresse) Ycallyd ys 'Foolhardynesse,' Wych wyth fforce may nat abyde, They be so ffer set out asyde, ffer ffro fforce at two posternys. But fforce so wysly hym gouernys That he hath no thyng a-doo Wyth noon of thys wermys two; ffor in myd place (as I yow tolde)In medio consistit virtus. fforce, off custom doth hym holde. 'A-nother exaumple ye may se Touchynge Lyberalyte, Wych hath also (who kan dyscerne) Set ffer ffrom hym at a posterne The ffalsë werm off coveytyse, Wych ys ycallyd Auaryse. 'The tother Kanker (who lyst se) Ys callyd Prodygalyte; And a-twen thys wermys tweyne, Myddë[Mydde St., Myd C.] place (ffor mor certeyne) Halt hym Lyberalyte. Go, red Ethikes, wher thow shalt se (Whan-so-euere that thow ha space) Vertu set ay in myd[mydde St.] place, Wher as they most clerly shyne, And many kankres wych on hem myne. 'But goodë pylgrymes that ha grace, Alway by the myddys pace; Exaumple[Bexaumple St., om. by] off whom b[y] nyht & day Hold alway the menë way. Lat moral vertu be thy guyde; ffle posternys that stonde a side, By whos pereyl (who taketh hede)[C. & St.] Many a pylgrym hath be ded. 'And whyl that youthë (herkne me,) ffressh and lusty abyt wyth the, Yiff the to vertu ech hour and space; ffor, whan youthe a-way doth pace Wyth-outë vertu (trustë me,) Yt ys ful hard (who that kan se,) Vertu to wynne, whan youthe ys gon. Who that in youthe lyst lernë noon, ffor custoom take in tendre age, (As seyn thys oldë ffolkys sage,) Wyth-outë[out St., om. C.] labour (thys no nay,) Ys ful hard to parte away.' The pylgrym. "Ma dame," quod I, "so mot I the, I wendë sykerly ta be In the ryhtë weye ywys; But, certys, I ha gon amys, ffor I ha chose (and thus yt stood) Two euele weyës ffor on good: I not what yt may sygnefye, That I thus erre thorgh my ffolye." Vertu moral: 'Ha no merveyl in thy siht; flor ther ys weyë noon so ryht That yt ne fforketh out asyde By many pathys that yt devyde, Wych causë ffolkys euere among, fful offtë sythës to go wrong. 'And many on that thow dost sen, Ys nat ther-for A Geometryen Wyth-In a compas (ha thys in mynde) Thogh he konne out the centre fynde; 'ffor verrayly (who kan devyse) Yt ys founde out but in O[in on St.] wyse; Yet ffolkys ffayllë dyuersly To ffynde yt out by geometry. An Archer eke, in thynne and thykke, Faylleth somtyme off the prykke.[St. & C.] ¶ Whërfore, to ffynde the ryhtë weye,[St. & C.] Yt ys good, to god to preye.[St. & C.] Yet in prayere, bothe day & night,[St. & C.] The weyë goth nat alway ryht, ffor, bothe in psalmys & in vers Ther ben pathys fful dyuers, And also ek in Orysouns, Out forkyd by entencïouns; As thus: who that kan aduerte: The mouth dyuerseth ffro the herte; But herte and mouth be bothen on: By dyuers pathys, in soth, they gon; And, (pleynly ffor to specefye,) Somme preyë, by ypocrysye, Off the peple to be seyn, And ther prayer ys but in veyn; Somme also preyë ffor Rychesse, To wynnë worshepe & noblesse, Tave[C., St. To have] encres & in worldly glorye, And, ffor thyngës transytorye, Worldly honour ffor to wynne, Prayer ek mad[eke made. ] in dedly synne, ffor cruelte or ffor vengaunce, Or, to brynge men to meschaunce: Swych prayer hath no deuocyoun; Yt ys nat worth a smal botoun, 'Al thyse ar[Alle thes arn St.] pathys fforkyd wrong To make pylgrymës eueramong To gon Amys in ther passáge. 'And syth[syth St., wych C.] thow gost on pylgrymage, Evere enquerë, nyht and day,State super vias, et interrogate de semitybus.[semitis (rightly) St.] Ieremie Capitulo 6. [16] Tyl thow ha founde the ryhtë way; Lat, in thyn askyng, be no slouthe Tyl thow be brouht vn-to the trouthe.' And so I gan to hyre doctryne Myn erys besyly enclyne, fful wel avysyng me ryht tho, By wych posterne I sholdë go. And whyl I gan be-thynkë me, To-for my fface I dydë se A body vp on a cross dystreyned, And, as me thouhtë, gretly peyned,[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] To-fforn, a syde, and at the bak. And to the body a spyryt spak, The body crossyd lyk a roode, The spyryt in the weyë stood; The body ek (as thouhtë me,) Myd the hegh, hong on a tre, Hys wyttys crossyd, as ye shal here, Mouth, handys, Eye & Ere; The nase also, for smellyng, Was crossyd ek, to my semyng. And[And St., An C.] on the spyryt my look I layde, And to hym ryht thus I sayde: The pyl m: "I pray the, ffrend, tel me A-noon, Or we any ferther gon, What causeth the to stonden here: I am abaysshyd off thy chere, But thow (lyk myn affeccïoun) Make a declaracïoun," Mortyfycacioun off the body: 'I am a pylgrym (soth to seye,) That wolde ha take the samë weye fful yore agon, ne haddë be Thys lord that hangeth vp on the tre: ffro the weye on the tother syde He brouhtë me, and was my guyde; Me made (ther ys no mor to seye,) Vn-to hys lust ffully tobeye, And Tacomplysshe hys byddyng Wyth-oute gruchchyng in euery thyng. 'But trowly in thys passage 'I hadde ffoundë gret damage, Hadde nat the grace off god ybe; And therfor, ffor tavengë me, I ha the maner wel devysed,[avysed St.] Wherby that he ys her chastysed, Wyth ffauour and the gouernaunce Off a lady callyd Penaunce, Wych, wyth hyr hamer (as thow mayst se,) Smot the nayles in-to the tre, Euene as I bad hyr do. 'And thanne A-noon he was ago: In-to thys heg he took the weye, And thus I made hym to obeye To my plesaunce in euery thyng, So that no mater off wynsyng Ys ffounde in hym in fflessh nor bon, (To seke hys membrys euerychon,) Gruchchyng, nor rebellïoun, Nor no contradiccïoun.' The pylgrym: Thanne in the syluë samë place He gan A-noon to tourne hys face, And sayde (as ye shal here and se) To the body vp on the Tre: Mortyfycacioun off the body: 'Hastow wel herd what I ha sayd? Tel on! artow nat wel apayd Me tobeyë wylfully (As Resoun axeth skylfully)[St., om. C.] Whan so that me lyst comaunde? Answere anoon to my demaunde!' The body answereth: 'Certys,' quod the body tho, 'Algatë now yt standeth so, I mustë, off[off verrey, necessyte Yow obeyë, mawgre me. But yiff I myghtë (thys no Iape,) ffrom your boundys wel eskape, In no thyng (shortly ffor to seye,) To yow I wolde no mor obeye.' The spyryt: Than quod the spyryt, 'syth yt ys so, I shal the telle what I wyl do: To kepe me (bothë ffer & ner) ffrom al peryl & al daunger That thow woldest don to me: Thow shalt be stylle vp on thys Tre Tyl thow, by ffeythful obeysaunce, Be mek & humble to my plesaunce. 'Yet shaltow nat ay her abyde; ffor I shal gon, & be thy guyde; And thow shalt (wyth-outë lak) Wyth a croos vp-on thy bak, Wyth spyryt off humylyte, ffolwe, & bern yt affter me, Off hool entent, in[and St.] al vertu, That thow mayst swën cryst ihesu, Wych in hys gospel byt & seyth, (To whom men musten yiven ffeyth,) 'He ys nat worthy (thus seyth he) Nor hable for to ffolwe me, The wych, vp on hys shuldere, Lyst, off dysdeyn, no croos to[to om. St.] bere.' He bar yt ffyrst hym sylff, certeyn, Wyth-outë gruchchyng or dysdeyn To shewe exaumple & sygne also, That affter hym we sholdë go Crossyd off entencïoun, Remembrynge on hys passioun.' The pylgrym to the spyryt: To the spyryt tho quod I: "Tel and declarë ffeythfully, What nedede yt so many place To crossen hym in hed & fface? I pray the, techë me A-noon, Or we any fferther gon." Mortyfycacioun off the body: 'Yiff thow kanst vnderstondë wel, To me was youen a castel Whan I kam ffyrst to thys contre, 'Off entent I sholdë be Euere ther-in, & nat gon oute, Te kepe me sur[sure St.] ffro euery doute Whyl that I a pylgrym were, That enmy noon me sholdë dere By noon assaut, vp-on no syde, Yiff I koude wysly provyde ffor my sylff on[in St.] euery part ffro shot off quarel, or cast off dart, Or ffro shetyng off croos bowes, Outher at wyketys or wyndowys Ylefft[Yleffte St.] Open reklesly, Off neclygence or ffooly, And be nat dyffencyd wel Wyth barrys off yren nor off stel,Ascendit mors per Fenestras. St., om. C. Nor yclosyd by good devys, Overthwertyd wyth no latys; ffor wych, myn Enmyes many tyme, (Bothe at eve and ek at prime) Whan they open haue hem ffounde, They han me hurt wyth many a wonde, The wych fful sorë doth me greue. 'But, off entent me to releue, I haue ordeyned (by gret avys) Barrys off yren & latys, The ffenestrallys to Amende In cross wyse, me to dyffende. 'And ech pylgrym, in thys world here, Haddë nedë ffor to lere The fenestrallys off hys body, ffor to crosse hem myghtyly, And hem to kepe in surëte. 'And no dyffence so good maybe, As in croos[a Croos St.] wyse (yiff they be wys) To close[St. closes C.] ther wyndowes wyth latys, In remembraunce (ffor ther goode) Off hym that heng vp on A roode. 'And, to dyffende vs ffro daunger Lat vs maken a baner Off the croos, ffor our dyffence 'Ageyn the dredful vyolence And assaut off our enmyes. 'And at ech wyket, ffor Espyes At ffenestrallys & at cornerys, Lat be hangen out banerys Off the croos, and put hem oute, Our Enmyes to sette in doute; ffor yt ys a kouthë thyng, Men drede the baner off a kyng; As yt ys ffyguryd wonder wel In the book off Ezechyel, The .ix. capytle (who taketh hede),ixo capitulo. Wher openly ye may rede That, by the tookne off Tav,Memorandum St., om. C. The sygne was off so gret vertu, That they that hadde yt (yt ys no drede) Wel enprented in ther fforhed, By the vertu (yt ys no jape) ffro the deth they dyde Eskape: They wer dyffencyd by thylke sygne, That no whyht myghte ageyn[geyn St.] hem malygne. 'And, ffor to kepë thys castel, I forgetë neueradel To be mor myghty by vertu, To marke my wyndowës wyth Tav, The wyndowes off my wyttys ffyue, Ageyn my ffoomen ffor to stryue, That my ffoomen spyrytual Entre nat by no ffenestrall. 'Now, as thow lyst me to comaunde, I haue answeryd to thy demaunde; And my name (in conclusïoun) Ys callyd Mortificacioun Off the fflessh, or chástysyng, Oppression, or ellys dawntyng. 'Ches now, off thys namys alle, By wych thát thow wylt me calle; And god I praye, wyth al myn herte, To grauntë me I may aduerte, ffor wysdom or ffor ffolye, Euere that I may yt mortefye.' Thanne he made no mor delay, But wentë fforth vp-on hys way; The body affter hym gan gon, And bar hys croos alway in on, And was with hym ay Crucyffyed.[St., C. has a blank line.] And whan I hadde al thys espyed,[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] In myn herte I was full wo, That I myghtë nat do so As off hem I do reporte; And gretly gan me dyscomforte; The pylgrym dysconfortyd. And, ffor thys vnkouth woful caas, fful offtë sythe I seyde 'allas' Vn-to my sylff, in cómpleynynge, Wepte, and gan myn hondys wrynge; And, in my dedly mortal wo, Vn-to my sylff I seydë tho: "Al that thow wendyst ha be toward,In via Dei non pro|gredi, regredi &c c' Bernardus. St., om. C. Ys but a passage that goth bakward. Thow gost nat as thow sholdest do."[C. & St.] And to my body I seyde also: "Allas! why naddestow ybe Crucefyed vp on a tre? Crossyd thy-syllf also be-tymes, To ha go fforth wyth pylgrymes On pylgrymage? allas the whyle! Thy gretë slouthe wyl me be-guyle, And don to me fful gret offence Thorgh thy gretë neclygence, Wych, yiff I hadde aforn espyed, Thow sholdest ha be crucefyed (Wyth-outë mercy or pyte)[, putting the next line before this.] Vn-to the deth vp-on A tre, And born a croos vp-on thy bak." And whyl that I thus to hym spak, Constreyned wyth fful gret dystresse, Myd off al myn hevynesse, Sodeynly (as ye shal here) I sawh Gracë dieu appere,Apparuit gratia dei [Ad Titum 2o Capitulo. (versu xi). St.] The wych, in ful goodly wyse Bad me that I sholde aryse;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Saydë to me, off hyr grace, 'Her ys noon abydyng place ffor to soiourne (yt ys no drede); And also (yiff thow lyst take hede,) Thow hast clerly had a syht That thys pylgrym goth most right, And mostë dydd hym-sylff avaunce[C. & St.] Thet on hys fflesshë tooke vengaunce,[C. & St.] I mene hym (yiff thow ha mynde)[C. & St.] The wych vp-on hys bak behynde[C. & St.] Bar hys croos, to do penaunce.[C. & St.] But thow, in al thy gouernaunce, Art verray slowh,[Slowthe St.] as I wel knowe, That syttest at the erthë lowe, And lyst no fferther fforth to gon.' To whom I answerdë[answere St.] a-noon, Sayde, in al myn hevynesse, That yt was ffor ffebylnesse, "I was nat off my wyl at large, Nor strong to ber so gret a charge As the pylgrym off whom we spak, Wych bar hys croos vp-on hys bak." Grace dieu: 'Lefft[Lyfft St.] vp thyn eye, & lookë wel! Sestow nat,' quod she, 'a whel Large and round, & off gret myght?' And I a-noon lefft vp my syht, And sawh a whel (yt ys no doute) By vyolencë tourne aboute Contynuelly to-ffor my fface, Myd the weye I sholdë pace. The pylgrym: And I answerde, touchyng thys whel, "Ma dame," quod I, "I se yt wel." Grace dieu: 'Wel,' quod she, 'than tak good hed 'In fforthryng off thyn ownë spede. Thys whel ys (I the ensure) A lyknesse and A ffygure, And pleynly (yiff I shal nat tarye) Vn-to the an exaumplarye, The to gouerne in thy vyáge, Yiff thow wylt in thy pylgrymage Be wel exspleyted[expleyted St.] (in certeyn), And ellys thy labour ys in veyn, Lesynge thy travayll euerydel. 'Tak hed,' quod she, 'how in thys whel Ther ys wyth-inne (yiff thow kanst se) A-nother off lasse quantyte, Tornynge contrayre (by hys syyt) To-ward the party opposyyt;Versus partem oppositam. St., om. C. And off tymber, wrouht fful clene, Hath .iiij. spookys yt to sustene, Set vp-on an Extre large, Off the sweygh to bere the charge.' And sothly (as I koude espye) Haddë nat ben A Boterflye Ther-on tournyng round aboute, I wolde ha dempte (wyth-outë doute) Tournyng ech wyth-Innen other, That yt haddë be noon other But the samë syluë whel Wych whylom Ezechyel Sawh in hys avysïoun, As hooly wryt maketh mencioun. The pylgrym: And off thys whel (pleynly to lere), Off Grace dieu I gan enquere, That she wolde (in conclusïoun,) Make a declaracïoun. Grace dieu: Quod gracë dieu to me Anoon, 'Yiff thow remembre, nat yore agon, How thow off god (I the ensure) Art thymage and creature.' The pylgrym: "Certys," quod I, "in substaunce, I ha thys wel in rémembraunce." Grace dieu: 'Conceyue,' quod she, 'than, in thy syht, Yt muste ffolue, off verray ryht, Syth thow haddest, in allë[alle St., all C.] thyng, Off hym orygynal begynnyng, And were off hym (yiff yt be souht) In euery party maad & wrouht, To hym, off verray ryht certeyn, Thow must resorte & tourne ageyn, As by mevyng natural, Ageyn to thyn orygynal. 'Tak exaumple pleyn & cler: As by mevyng circuler In hys tournyng by compasse[compace St.] Ageyn resorteth to hys place That he kam ffro whan he be-gan, How ffer aboute that he ran; And Trewly, in no mocyoun Ys noon so gret perfeccïoun As off a spyryt hym to releue, Ageyn the body ffor to meue; The wych (who lokë verrayly) Ys to the spyryt most enmy; Wych euere ys bysy, day be day, To taryen hym vp-on hys[his St., thys C.] way, And (I dar wel afferme thys) Meketh hym offte to gon amys. And thogh thow go nat alway wel Yet dyscounforte the neueradel; Tak euere hed, yong and old, Off thexaumple I ha the told; Vp-on wych, yiff thow wylt dwelle, Mor clerly I shal the telle. 'Thys sayde whel (who kan espye) That I off spak, doth sygnefye Lust off the body, in hys mevyng, Wych clerkys calle (in ther wrytyng And name yt) Sensualyte; 'The wych wyl nat brydled be, But ffroward euere in hys entent, Mevyng toward the occydent, Evere in on, bothe day & nyht, Wyth swych a swegh[sweyghte St.] & swych a myght That, wher the spyryt gruchche or mourne, He maketh hym offtë to retourne Wyth hym ageyn by vyolence, Mawgre al hys résystence, Al-thogh the spyryt (in hys entent) Meueth toward the oryent, Wych thenys kam. & yiff he sholde Thyder ageyn, fful ffayn he wolde: Toward the Est, in allë[alle St., al C.] thyng, He travaylleth in hys mevyng Wych (be[by St.] my red) shal neuere tarye, But labour, & be contrarye To the mevyng off the body, And contynue vertuously Bexaumple (as I dyde specefye To the,) off the boterflye, Wych ay ffro the occident Tourneth toward the orient, In hys labour hym to quyte, Tyl he by vertu, lyte and lyte, So longe ageyn the whel doth go, Tyl the marke that he kam ffro, Wyth gret labour he may atteyne. 'And evene lych (in certeyne) The planétys allë seuene Holde her cours in the[in to St.] heuene, Wych trewly, in ther mevynges, Han fful many gret lettynges By sondry retardacïouns, And be contrayre mocyouns, Or they may (yt ys no doute) Ther cyrcuyt go round aboute; And yet ther wyl and ther entent Ys ay to-ward the oryent ffro when they kam, (yt ys no fable); 'And thyderward they be meveable, To thylkë poynt to kome ageyn, ffro wych they meuede ffyrst certeyn. Off ther cours, thys thentent; But the heuene and the ffyrmament Wych clerkys calle (yiff ye lyst se) In latyn Celum mobile, Contrayre ffro the Oryent, Draweth hem to the occident Wyth hys sweygh[su eyghte St.] (yt ys no nay,) And taryeth hem mor in A day Than they be mevyng cyrculer May recuryn in A[alle a St.] yer Toward the Est in ther mevyng. 'And yet they haue mor lettyng, (Who the verray trouthë wyste,) ffor, whan they travaylle to resyste To the heuene callyd 'mobyle,' In the Epicicles whan they be, They make hem retrogradyent, And cause hem in the ffyrmament Ther tabydë stacionarye, Out off ther cours ordynarye, And sette hem in the excentrykes, Wher thay be callyd Erratykes. Retournyng nat (shortly to ryme,) But by processe off long tyme. 'And sythe, thys bodyes celestyal, In ther mevyng natural, Ben let thus in ther[lette . . her St.] mocyouns, And han swych retardacyouns To ben hyndred in ther labour, Or they may han ful recour To the place they kam ffyrst fro; Merveylle nat thogh yt be so That thow be let in thy vyage, And Encoumbryd, in thy passage, Off Retardacïouns that falle, Syth 'Mycrocosme,' men the calle; And microcosme ys a word Wych clerkys calle 'the lassë world.' And in thy way, haue in mynde; Epicicles thow shalt ffynde, 'Off Infortunyes fful dyuers, Off sodeyn caas, fful peruers; ffor thy lyff (yt ys no doute,) Ys lyk a cercle that goth aboute, Round and swyfft as any thouht, Wych in hys course ne cesset[cessethe St.] nouht Yiff he go ryht, and wel compace Tyl he kome to hys restyng place, Wych ys in god, yiff he wel[wylle St.] go Hys ownë place wych he kam ffro. But yet, in al hys mocyoun, He hath noon Exempcïoun; ffor Epicicles (who hath reward) Make the offtë go bakward In thy cours, thè to tarye, And to make thè stacyonarye, Excentryked, day be day, To make thè gon out off the way Westward, vn-to the occident; Whan thow sholdest gon to[gon to C., go St.] thoryent, fful offtë sythe thow gost abak. 'And the planetys that I off spak, Also ek the Boterflye, Vn-to thè Exemplefye To don thy labour, and nat ffeyne, And myghtyly thy sylff to peyne In thy mevyng, that thow nat be Ylet by sensualyte, Wych on thy way doth gret greuaunce, But yiff thow haue perséueraunce. 'Yet in thy cours be alway strong: By processe off tymë long, Thow shalt retourne ageyn by grace Vn-to thyn ownë duë place, Reste in god, and ther abyde. 'Thogh that thow be set asyde, Thyder to atteynë soone, 'Tak exaumple by the moone, How he ys let ek in hys way, Somtyme the spacë off A day; But by hys labour (in certeyn) He recureth yt ageyn, Sothly with-Inne A moneth space To resortë to[vn to St.] hys place. 'And yiff thow lyst tak hed her-to, The sonne recureth ek also, By his mevyng cyrculer, Loos off a day with-Inne A yer. 'Satourne, that syt so hyh and ffer, And the planete Iubyter, They takë pacyenly[pacyently St.] alway; Thogh they be let som tyme a day, They dysconforte hem neueradel, ffor they recure ageyn fful wel (By pacyénce and ábydyng) Al that they suffre in ther mevyng; Ther naturel cours (I yow[you St., om. C.] ensure) Pacyently they muste endure; Yt nolde avaylle hem to be wroth; ffor Satourn, aboute hys cours he goth In Thrytty yer, and lassë nouht; And Iubiter (yiff yt be souht), By hys mevyng cyrculer, Hys cours parformeth in xij yer; They muste ha ther-to so gret[therto grete St.] space Or they resortë to ther place.' The pylgrym: "Ma dame, with your grace and pes, To me yt semeth doutëles, My labour may me nat avaylle; I do but lesë my travaylle: Los off a day, lyk as ye seen, I may nat recure ageyn; I vnderstondë, ffer nor ner, Almost the space off thrytty yer. Allas! I am to ffer be-hynde: What conforte thannë[than St.] sholde I ffynde, "So gret[grete St.] labour to endure, My place ageyn ffor to recure. Thogh day be day (in certeyne) I dydë dyllygence and peyne ffor to resorte, yt wyl nat be; The cours off sensualyte, To my desyr ys so ffroward, To makë me to go bakward, That by reuolucïoun My tyme I lese, and my sesoun; ffor, the mor I me constreyne To do my labour and my peyne, The mor to me she ys contrayre, In my Iourne me to tarye; And trewly I kan nat espye What al thys doth sygnefye." Grace dieu: Quod gracë dieu fful sobyrly, 'I speke nat off a[on St.] day only, But in an hour (yiff thow kanst se) Yt may happë so to be, How that A man in A moment May slen hym sylff, off entent Or casuely, on se or lond,[C. & St.] Lese a membre, ffoot or hond,[C. & St.] Wych he shal, peraventure,[C. & St.] In thrytty yer, nat recure Ageyn, so myghtë ben the cas, To refourme yt as yt was. 'And semblably to be-guynne, Yiff thow ha don a dedly synne. Wheroff the strook the soulë sleyth, And offte ys cause off cruel deth; ffor swerd ys noon, nor sperë, founde, So peryllous to mayme and wonde As dedly synne, (to reknen al,) The wych ycallyd ys 'mortal', Be-cause hys hurtys ffynally Ben in effect verray dedly. 'And yiff thow sle thy-syluen so 'With dedly synne, as sommë do, And myghtest nat in Thrytty yer Ben hool and sownd, but stonde in wher Touchyng thy sauacïoun, Yet, as to myn oppynyoun, Thow sholdest nat thy sylff dyspeyre, Thy mortal syknesse to apeyre, Nor thy syluen dysconforte, But inwardly thè Reconforte, And specialy in O thyng Thanke ihesu, that blyssyd kyng Lyst suffre dethë[deth C., dethe St.] ffor thy sake, Thy deedly wondys, hool to make; With-oute whos dethë,[deth C., dethe St.] I ensure, Thow myghtest nat to lyff recure, Nor, thy gretë loos (certeyn), With-oute hys dethë[deth C., dethe St.] wynne ageyn; ffor hys hooly passïoun Ys salue and fful sauacïoun To ffolk that haven in constaunce[Inconstaunce St.] Off her synnës répentaunce; ffor penaunce ys so vertuous And acceptable to cryst ihesus, That who that doth yt hertyly, Off hys synnes hath remedy.' The pylgrym: To gracë dieu quod I ryht tho, "Ma dame, in soth yt stondeth so, Your exaumples by rehersaylle May to me fful lyte avaylle, ffor they be nat (who lookë wel) Vn-to purpos neueradel. "ffor the planetys hih in heuene, In ther mevyng, allë seuene, How so they in her cours be let, Yet ther Termys ben yset, And ther boundys, (in certeyn,) What tyme they shal resorte ageyn, By terme and[and by St.] lymytacïoun, With-oute any transgressïoun; "Off ther tyme they may nat erre, As yt ys set, nyh nor fferre, But that they shal, at certeyn space, Retournë to her duë place, At ther tyme, whan-euere yt be. "But yt stant nat so with me, No thyng at al, off my retour; And causë why, ffor myn Errour Hath no lymytacïouns; ffor I, thorgh my transgressïouns, So long[longe St.] tyme ther-in soiourne, That I shal neuere ageyn Retourne To entre the place that I kam ffro. "Touchynge the boterflye also, Therby, to myn oppynyoun, I ha noon informacïoun As off hys mevyng on the whel; ffor, at hys lust, (who lokë wel) He may go slowh, he may go lyht, He hath .iiij. wyngës ffor the fflyht; And whan he seth yt may avaylle, He may chese, in hys travaylle, At hys lust, abyde and reste By good leyser, ffor the[his St.] beste: Al thys consydred prudently, I dar wel seyn, so may nat I." Grace dieu: 'Myn exaumples, trewly,' quod she, 'May to purpos taken be, Yiff thow aduertë wel ther-to; ffor, set thys cas,—that yt be so That thys planetys, in her mevyng, May nat erre no maner thyng, Nouther ffaylle, but in certeyn To ther places retourne ageyn ffro whenys they kam, On and alle; Yet somme off hem, I sey, may ffalle As yt be-ffyl, the trouthë wyst, Whan seyn Iohan the ewangelyst Sawh, among the sterrys alle, 'How On ffrom heuene dydë ffalle— Lyk a brond off ffyr with levene— Doun to the Erthe ffro the heuene; The wychë sterre, I dar wel seyn, Retournede neuere yet ageyn Thyder ffro whens he dydë ffalle; And 'Absinthium' men hym calle, Be causë he doth sygnefye, Thorgh hys pryde and ffals envye, The bryhte aungel that ffel so ffer,— I mene the Aungel Lucyfer— ffro the heuene in-to dyrknesse; And he hath ek mor bytternesse Than any woormood growyng here. And, Trewly, yiff thow lyst lere, That he whylom (thus stood the caas,) Bryhter than any sterrë was: Truste me wel, and be certeyn That he shal neuere Retourne ageyn To the place that he kam ffro. 'But off thè, yt stant nat so; And ffyrst, by thys exaumple layd To conferme that I ha sayd: Thogh thow a-mong, in thyn entent, ffalle doun ffro the ffyrmamentA Firmamento Fidei St., om. C. Off verray ffeyth, doun ffro so fer With the Angel lucyfer, And thy ffal and thy soiourn Were with-outë mor retourn, That thow sholdest ay and euere In thyn errour so perséuere, And woldest nat thy sylff avaunce, Thè tamende[St., tamemende C.] by répentaunce, Than, thorgh thyn erroure and ffolye, Thow stoode in gret[grete St.] Iupartye To kome ageyn to thyn degre. 'But yiff thow woldest amende the,Nota St., om. C. And off herte and hool entente Resorte ageyn, and thè repente Off al that euere thow hast mysdo, 'Thow sholdest neuere haue erryd so, But that thow sholdest (trustë me) fful wel ageyn receyved be; And with al thys, only by grace, Restoryd to thy ffyrstë place: Ther-to thow sholdest ha no let, Thy terme, thy[and St.] boundys, ben so set, And markys ffor thy savacyoun Only by crystys passïoun: Truste me wel, and thus yt ys, They wyl nat suffre the gon Amys, Whyl thow thè holdest by resoun Wyth-Inne thy lymytacïoun, Nat to Erryn, nyh[nyht C., nyghe St.] nor ffer; But so ne may nat lucyfer, ffor he muste abyde and dwelle With-oute Retournë, styll in helle; He may haue noon other graunt. And thys Exaumple ys suffysaunt Off the planetys told off me, In thy passáge tenformen the. 'And fferther-morë, the to guye Touchynge also the boterflye, Off wych Exaumple, in thyn Avys, Thow settyst ther-off but lytel prys; But yiff thy wyt, off Resoun seth, The .iiij. wynges with wych he ffleth, And hys ffeet ek (tak hed ther-to) Make hym on the whel to go At leyser, hym sylff to spede. By wych exaumple (as I rede) Thow shalt hym folwe in sondry wyse; And ffyrst off allë, the avyse How thys whel hath (yt ys no doute,) .iiij.[Foure St.] spokys strechchyd oute, Vp-on wych, ffor thy beste, Thow mayst wel thyn syluen reste, And by esë, soffte and soffte Clymben tyl thow kome aloffte. 'Thys spokys .iiij.[Foure St.] off most vertu 'Ben in the croos off cryst ihesu, The wychë[wych C., whiche St.] ben yset fful wel With-Inne in the myddel whel, Off wychë, with hys eyen bryhte, Ezechiel hadde a syhte: Hys prophesyë doth vs lere, To hym a whel ther dyde appere, Wych hym thouhte (in sondry placys) By semyng haddë .iiij.[Foure St.] ffacys, ffor to shewyn in ffygure Auctorysed by scrypture (Yiff thow lyst to haue in mynde) .iiij.[Foure St.] helpys thow mayst fynde In crystys cros, (yiff thow take hede,) In thy Iournè thè to spede; Wych .iiij. shal thè[Foure the shalle St.] solace, Make thè to thy ffyrstë place ffor to retourne the weyë ryht. 'As longe as thow hast a syht To .iiij.[Foure St.] partyes off crystis cros, Ne drede the neuere off no los, Nor off hyndryng in thy vyage. And looke, in thy pylgrymage, Wher-so-euere thow repayre, Ther-off to take thyn exaumplayre, ffor thow mayst no bettre do.' And whan she haddë sayd me so, Thys Gracë dieu, affter a-noon, ffarwel, fro me, she was a-gon Al sodeynly out off my syht. But thanne, off cher fful glad and lyht, Youthe And with hyr ffresshë ffethrys ffayre, Youthë gan to me repayre, And to me sayde in hyr manere: 'Thow art a ffool! what dostow here? Tak good hed to my sentence! Thow art mad, to yive credence, To leue and herknen euerytale Or syngyng off the nyhtyngale; 'Ther-in ys no melody, Whos song ys euere 'Occy, occy,' Wych ys to seyne, whan she hath do, "Go sle thy sylff!" she meneth so. Leff al thys thyng, and go with me; ffor, thys weye wych thow dost se, Ys penyble and éncombrous, Dredful also, and envyous; Thy myght, thy power, ben ago; Thy body ys wery ek also; The weye wyl makë the to tarye,Vicina est lapsibus adoles|cenia, & variorum cupidita|tum feruore salens . . . Ambrosius. St., om. C. ffor yt ys ffroward and contrárye, And ffer also ffro thyn entente; And I ther-to wyl nat assente. 'And in fforthryng ek off the I wyl nat go, but I wyl ffle; ffor thow and I shal han repayr, Nat on the ground, But in the hayr, Wher thow shalt fynde no maner lak; ffor I wyl trusse thè on my bak, Ber thè fforth (yt shal nat ffaylle) That thow shalt felë no trawaylle In thy vyagë, but ful soffte I shal ber thè hih a-loffte, That thow mayst sen aboutë Round, The se, the heyr, and al the ground; And al that euere ffolkys do, Thow shalt be-holde and sen also.' The pylgrym: "Yst in thy power, answere me, Thus to ber me, and to ffle?" Youthe: 'Ther-to I hauë suffysaunce, So yt be to thy plesaunce; And that thow shalt knowe agon, Skyp on my bak, and lat vs gon, And in effect thow shalt wel se How that I shal helpyn the.'[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And I, with-outë mor abood, Clamb on hyr bak wher-as she stood. To hyre yt was no grevaunce; ffor, as lyhtly (in substaunce) I was take vp in-to lyte, As a chykne off[shulde off St.] a kyte, Al sodeynly, or I was war; And on hyr bak, fforth she me bar Vn-to the hegh, and was my guyde Stretth[Streghte St.] vn-to the tother syde. And to that weye she hath me born Wych that I hadde lefft to-forn, And held to me ful wel forward;[ffrowarde St.] But gret encombraunce affterward Ther-off ys ffallen vn-to me, And fful gret aduersyte, Wych I shal tellyn in substaunce, As they kome to rémembraunce. Whan I was passyd the hegh allas, ffynally thys was the caas: Yowthe me brouht (and thus yt stood,) In-to a weyë large and brood, And sayde she wolde, off al that day, No ferther ber me on my way. And so, wher yt were[were St., om. C.] sour or soote, She trew[threwe C.] me doun. I wente on foote Ay be that hegh, doun costeyynge. "And, with-outë long[longe St.] taryynge, In the weye that she me sette, An Oldë[olde St., Old C.] wekke a-noon I mette, Hydous and owgly off hyr look; And off hyr shap, good hed I took; Hyr Eyen royllynge in hyr hed, Hyr fface colouryd was lyk[lyk was to St.] led, Hyr noosë heng doun to hyr chyn, Hyr mouth fful large, and ek ther-in With hyr teth (as I beheld,) A fful large sak she held; Ther-in a tonge she held also, And Rampawntly she gan to go Vn-to me-ward, off cruelte, Lych as she wolde ha stranglyd me;[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Gan hyr handys to me strecche, And felly sayde 'Arrew,[Arrow St.] thow wrechche! Thow skapyst nat:' she swor, seyn[seynt St.] george, She wolde me stranglyn by the Gorge: Thus yt sempte, as by hyr cher; And I hadde-on no gorger In my dyffence, but drowh abak, And vn-to hyre ryht thus I spak: The pylgrym: "What artow," a-noon quod I, "That komyst so dyspytously, Thow Oldë wekkë,[vekke St.] with meschaunce, ffroward off look and contynaunce; and al that euere I se on the, fful gretly dyspleseth me." Glotonye: 'I am,' quod she, 'as thow shalt lere, Off Epicuris chyldre dere, Verray moder and maystresse, And off that sorte gouérneresse: I gouerne hem, (thus stant the cas,) Who that euere her ffader was.' The pylgrym: "fful ffayn," quod I / "I woldë se What Epicuriens sholdë be." Glotonye: 'They be (ffor short conclusioun) A sect off thys condicïoun, Wych holde, and lernë thys off me, That perfyt ffelycyte Ys, that a man lyk hys delyt, ffolwe alway hys appetyt; Ther Sak, ther wombe, (I vndertake,) Off hem ther goddys they do make; Ther Ioye and al ther bysynesse Ys only set in lykerousnesse; ffor, thys Sect alway most thynkes On dyuers metys and on drynkes: 'To thys Sect yt ys endwed, With rost[Reste St.] somwhyle, and with stewyd, To be seruyd, and metys bake, Now to ffrye, now steykës make, And many other soteltes. And dyuers ffoundyn out deyntes; ffor al thys sect, I the ensure, Be nat cóntent that nature[Stowe] Yservyd be with suffysaunce; But ther Ioye and ther plesaunce Stant in[alle / In St.] superfluyte; And hooly ther ffelycyte (Affter ther oppynyoun) Ys in delectacyoun.' The pylgrym: "What ys thy name? tel on," quod I. Glotonye: And she Answerd redyly, 'To sey trouthe, and nat to lye, My name in soth ys 'Glotonye.' My sak, I ffelle vp to the brynke, And neuere I sparë ffor to drynke, fful offtë whan I ha no nede; And I allone (yt ys no drede) fful offtë sythe, off[In St.] lykerousnesse, ffylle my paunche, off gredynesse, With as mychë (trew(ë)ly) As .iij. men myghtë lyuë by, Swyche as hauen indygence; ffor, in Ryot and dyspence, In wast, in reuel and outráges, Spent in gelees[Geeles St.] and potáges, And dyuers drynkës ffor solas, Romney, clarre,[Clarre and St.] ypocras, In malvesyn, and in Osey, The longë nyht I daunce and pley, And cessë nat to drynke alway; Go to bedde whan yt ys day; And sommë clerkys a-mong alle, 'Castrimargia'[Castrymagia St.] me calle.' The Pylgrym: "Declarë me, and nat ne ffeyne, What 'castrimargia'[Castrimagia St.] ys to seyne." Glotonye: ' "Castrimargia,"[Castrimagia St.] ys ploungyn doun Off mussellys by submercioun; Wyth-outë chawyng, doun they launche, Devouryd hool in-to the pawnche; And ther they be so depe ydreynt, In the mawe to-gydre meynt, That my sak, by submercioun, Ys offtë tournyd vp so doun. Whan yt ys fful and overleyn, Yt goth out by the gorge ageyn; Over bord, al goth to wrak; And thus I voyde among my sak; The Tempest draweth doun the sayl. 'I make tracys, as doth a snayl, With drawlyng[drawyng St.] on my mokadour, And efft ageyn do my labour (As an vngry[hungry St.] wolff, certeyn,) ffor to ffylle my pook[pawnche St.] ageyn. 'I may resemble wel to Bel, Off whom that speketh Danyel, The ydole that devourede al: My bely round, and no thyng smal, And with my nosë long and round, I trace affter, as doth an hound, To ffynde the ffwet[ffwt St.] wher mete ys good; And, by the goolet off myn hood The bestë[best St.] goth; yiff that I may, Thys lyff I letë nyht and day.' The pylgrym: "Yet off a[one St.] thyng I pray the, That thow woldest tellyn me: Yiff thow thè ffyllest (in thyn avys) Off metys that ben off lytel prys, As off benys or brownë[brovne St., brown C.] bred, (Kome ther any in thyn hed,) Thyn appetyt for to staunche, "Swych hardë metys in thy pawnche?" Glotonye: Quod she, 'thow shalt ful wel espye, The custom ys off glotonye, As wel (yiff I shal expresse,) In gretë metys to don excesse, (Who the trouthë wel espyes,) As wel as in delýcacyes; ffor men as wel may doun outráges With benë bred and swyd[swete St.] potáge, Excesse and superfluyte, Als wel as in curyouste: The mete nat causeth the excesse, But the ffretyng gredynesse, They[Thy C., They St.] maketh only the Glotoun, And nat the mete in no sesoun: Tast, that ys the pryncypal, And lust ther-off, that causeth al.'Non cibus, sed appetitus, in vicio est. Gregorius. The pylgrm: Than quod I/"I pray the, What thyng ys 'Tast'? declarë me." Glotonye: 'Yiff I to the declarë shal, Therby inward passeth al; And ther-in ek myn appetyt Hath specially al hys delyt; Yt ys the mouth off my sachel, Whérby passeth euerydel; By that golet, large and strong, Off mesour nat .iij.[three St.] Enchë long; I wolde, ffor delectacïoun, That yt were (off hys ffacoun,) Long as ys a kranys nekke; Thanne I nolde off nothyng wrekke, But only (yiff I shal telle) With fattë mussellys yt to ffelle, With lard, and collopys wel yfryed; How hard they were to be defyed, I woldë ther wer ffounde no lak In the stuffyng off my sak, 'Wych that hath a double mouth, To receyuë north and sowth, Al deyntes that may be founde; ffattë mussellys large and Rounde, I threste hem in fful lykerously. 'And yet myn Eyen be mor gredy, Mor desyrous to do gret wast Than ys my sak outher my tast: To ther desyre, in no wyse Nothyng may ynowh suffyse; Myn Eyen, thorgh none suffysaunce, Don to my stomak gret grevaunce, Mor peryllous than swyrd or knyff, ffor to shorte a manhys[manys St.] lyff; And ffynally, (who that kan se,) Excesse and superfluyte Slen mo men, nyh and ffere, Than outher swerd, dagger or spere.' The pylgrym: "Syth excesse and swych outráge Don to the so gret damáge, Off mussellys smale and grete, Why lystow with hem surfeete, Syth thow concludest (in sentence) In surfet ys gret pestylence?" Glotonye: 'With-Inne my mouth (as thow shalt lere,) I bere A touch, (yiff thow wylt here,) A Touch off gret infeccïoun The wychë,[wych C., whiche St.] by corrupcïoun, Wher that euere he haue repeyr, He infecteth al the heyr, And sleth mo ffolk by vyolence Than any other pestylence. 'That touch, by touchyng redyly, Ys mad so sharpe and so gredy By touch off metys delycat, Thanne he to Resoun obstynat, Mut, with hys touch, touchyn som whyht, Or ellys wolde he, a-noon ryht, 'Wexyn wod,[altered from wob C., woode St.] or by outrage Sodeynly ffalle in-to a rage, Thè to[too St.] touche, as yt ys due; The tother touch ay doth hym sue; And semblably, (who lyst to se,) Ryht thus ffareth tast by me, Wych lytel rechchet[Rechchethe St.] off my profyt, So that he haue hys owne delyt.' The pylgrym: "Ma dame," quod I, "what euere ffalle, What shal I thys Touch ycalle?" Glotonye: 'Thow shalt calle hym, ffer and ner, The ffleynge massager, Off wyngës swyft, wych wyl nat dwelle, Euery thyng out for to telle:Multi ceciderunt in cespite gladij, set non sit sic qui interierunt per Linguam. Ecclesiastici 28o. St., om. C. Al that euere ys in the herte, Ther shal no thyng besyde asterte; And most, a-mong thys ffolkys alle, A shrewdë neihbour, men hym calle; Or a clyket fful mortal, Wych opneth and vncloseth al. 'And hys condicioun ek ys thys, Gladly euere to seyn Amys; And most he doth hym sylff applye ffor to spekë vyllenye, And ther-vp-on tabydë longe. Whan he hath dronkë wynës stronge, And with deyntes ffeld hys sak, Thannë al thyng goth to wrak, What he touchet, I ensure, So ffer he goth out off mesure.' The pylgrym: "What ar they, off her tongys large, That with wyn hem overcharge?" Glotonye: 'Ther-in ys most hys appetyt, And ther-in he hath most delyt. By hym I am out off mesure Brouht, that I may nat endure; 'Offt by hym I ffalle in blame, In gret dyshonour and dyffame; ffor he me gaff (who lokë wel) Thys sak also, and thys phonel Wyth wych my wynës I vp tonne. And whan that I haue onys gonne To tonnen vp, (as thow mayst se,) I take ther-off so gret plente, Swych háboundaunce and swych foysoun, That I lese wyt and resoun, Dyscrecïoun, wysdam and mynde, That I kan no weyë[way St.] ffynde To gon vn-to myn ownë hous, Mad and dronke, as ys A mous. 'Than spek I nat but Ribaudye, Outrage and gret vyllenye; I haue noon other Elloquence; ffor than I do no reuerence, Nouther to god, (in no manere,) Nor to hys ownë moder dere; ffor yiff I shal the trouthe expresse, Whan I am ffalle in dronkenesse,[dronkenesse St., dronknesse C.] My tongë than I gynne to[to C., om. St.] broche, That, yiff Resoun wolde aproche, I bydde hym shortly (thys no nay,) To take hys leue, and gon hys way. And also in my dronkenesse I sey the same to Ryhtwysnesse; ffor thogh prudence and equyte, Sapyence And veryte, Hadden with me tho to done, They sholde be put abak fful sone. 'With sobyrnesse, nor áttempraunce, I wyl haue noon ácqueyntaunce: They be no thyng off myn allye; I haue off hem but moquerye; ffor, wher dronkenesse ys guyde, Ech vertu ys set asyde; And whan with wyn ful ys myn horn, I am ffers as an vnycorn; 'ffor, than bothe, in wrong and ryht, I wyl stryue with euery whyht, Tak vp quarellys, and dyffame, Sette on euery whyht a blame, And, lyk a bole, (yt ys no dred,) Myn Eyen Rollyn in myn hed; Lyk a botore,[The Bittern was supposed to have two stomachs.] I haue also Two wombys whan I haue A-do.' The pylgrym: "Expownë me, ánd nat ffeyne, Hastow verrayly wombys tweyne?" Glotonye: 'Trewly,' quod glotonye to me, 'I haue tweyne, as thow mayst se, Wych ben ful nyh (who kan espye,) Off the kynrede and allye Off Venus; ffor lykerousnesse Off welfare, and gret excesse, Engendre and cause naturelly fflesshly lust and lechery. 'And the ffyrst off thys kynrede Ys callyd (who that taketh hede) Off som ffolkys 'Dronkenesse,' And the tother 'Gredynesse' Off sondry metys and deyntes; And bothë two, in ther degres, Wyl ther placys occupye, Drynke and etë by envye. Evere ther glotons appetyt Ys so ful off ffals delyt, So gredy and so vnstaunchable, Ther Etyk ys so importable; Now I ete, and now I drynke; Tyl I be ful vp to the brynke, I do alway my besy peyne. And trew(e)ly thys wombys tweyne, Wych al devoure, and neuere slake, Makë Venus to a-wake Out off hyr slep, (lyk as I sayde,) And causeth hyre fful offte abrayde. 'And for that I am glotonye, I dar trewly specefye How Venus (yt ys no ffayl) Euere me sueth at the tayl; We departë seld or neuere, ffor we be to-gydre euere; She wyl nat partë, yiff she may. 'And whom that I, be nyht or day, Areste, or makë to abyde, Wher-so that he go or ryde, I brynge hym off entencïoun To ben vnder subiectïoun Off Venus; for she and I Confedryd ben so trew[e]ly, That ffolkys vnder my demeyne,— Swych as be lacyd in my cheyne, Or sesyd, (ther ys no mor to seye,)— Vn-to hyre they muste obeye.' The pylgrym: "I praye, declare a-noon to me, What thyng thys Venus sholdë be." Glotonye: Quod glotonye, 'with-outë glose, Thow shalt off hyrë (I suppose) Hyryn tydynges A-noon ryht, Off hyr power and off[off C., om. St.] hyr myght; And thannë, yiff thow wylt enquere, What she ys, she wyl the lere.' And, whyl I stood[stoode St.] musynge thus, I sawh a-noon wher that Venus Kam rydynge on a swyn saváge, And in hyr hand, a ffals vyságe I sawh hyr bern, fful brood and large, To-fforn hyr Eyen, lyk A targe. And thys Venus trew(e)ly Was Arrayëd queyntëly; ffor hyr clothys and hyr array Defoulyd wern with donge and clay, ffor wych (in euery maner place) She gan shroude and hyde hyr fface Vnder hyr hood, so couertly That no man ne[ne St., om. C.] myghte espy[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The maner off hyr gouernaunce Outward by hyr contenaunce, ffor hyr ffacë was nat bare; And, to me-ward as she gan ffare, With a sharp dart wych she bar She smette me, or I was war, (Longë or I koude aduerte,) Thorgh the Eye vn-to the herte. Myn Elm was lefft behynde, allas! My ffacë bare (thys was the cas); Ageyn Venus vyolence, I hadde as tho no bet dyffence. The pylgrym: "O, thow Olde! what hastow do, Vnwarly me to smytë so?" Olde venus: 'Reporte off me, and sey ryht thus, That I am callyd Dame venus. My dwellyng and my mancïoun (To me Ordeynèd off Resoun) Ys in the Reynys most certeyn,— Ther wyl no clerk ageyns thys seyn;— I chace a-way al chastyte, And, werray[werreye St.] vyrgynyte: Vyrgynyte, whylom off ryht, To the Aungellys cler and bryht Was suster, and ther nexte allye; But now (yiff I shal nat lye Touchyng parfyt vyrgynyte,) Wher that euere she may me se, She halt hyr nose, and wol[wolde St.] be go, Vp-on hyre I stynkë so; To hyre I am so gret Enmy, That, but[That but St. But that C.] she haddë ffynally ffled ffor hyr savacyoun Whylom in-to Religïoun,— She hadde (with-outë mor refut,)Grauem inimicum sortita est castitas, cui non solum resistendum, sed dimisso freno longius fugiendum. Experto, crede, Episcopus, loquor coram deo, non men|cior: Cedros libani duces[duges C. 'qualibet' and a word now lost, follow 'libani.' gregum, sub hac peste ceci|disse reperi, de quorum casu non magis suspicabar quod Ambrosij vel Ieronimi impudica turpitudine.— hic Augustinus. St., om. C. 'Be slayn, and dede by my[by C., thurghe my St.] pursuit— Wher the castel ys so strong, That I may do to hyre no wronge, Nor the fforteressë wynne,Nota St. As longe as she halt hyr with-Inne; But yiff so be (yt ys no doute) That she go a-brood with-oute At large, and haue hyr lyberte,— As Dina wentë for to se Wommen off that regïoun, (As holy wryt maketh mencioun)Genesis 32 capitulo, St., om. C. Iacobys douhter (thys the cas) And she a-noon dyffoulyd was, And the slaundre gret arose,Hoc Augustinus.[St. Aug. C.] Be-cause she kepte hyr sylff nat[nat C., in St.] cloos. 'Ek I ne haue noon ávauntage ffor to harme nor do damage— Nat the valu off An Oystre— Whyl chastyte kepeth hys cloystre, And goth nat out in no maner, Than ffarvel[ffarwelle St.] al my power.' The pylgrym: "Tel on a-noon, and nat ne ffeyne, What ys thoffencë off thys tweyne, Off maydenhed or chastyte? What wrong han[haue St.] they don to the, That thow hem hatest in thy thouht? Declare in hast, and tarye nouht." Venus: 'ffyrst, vnderstonde and herkne me, That neuere yet Vyrgynyte Woldë in no place abyde, But I wer out, and set asyde: To hyre I am abhomynáble, Contraryous and dyffamáble; I stynke on hyre, wher euere she be. 'And ek hyr suster Chastyte, Wher euere that she me espy, She ffleth hyr way, and cryeth "ffy!" ffor wher yt thowhe,[thaw] or elles ffrese, 'Leuere she hadde hyr mantel lese, Than abyden in the place Wher that she may se my fface. 'She madë Ioseph, by gret[grete St.] stryff,Genesis 39 capitulo.—Ioseph, relicto pallio, ffugit. St., om. C. fflen ffro Putyffarys wyff, Lefft hys mantel, and also A-noon ffrom hyre he was a-go; ffor chastyte (by oppynyoun,) Haueth thys condycïoun, That she sauff ne wyl nat vouche, In no wysë me to touche. 'And whan that I hyr maner se, That yt wyl noon other be, Than I am besy, be dyffame, ffor to putte on hyre a blame,— By som sclaundre ffalsly ffounde,— Hyr goodë namë to confounde, By swych ffolk (shortly to telle) That ar wont with me to dwelle, And tabyden in myn hous, Off condicioun vycyous, That ar glad ay to myssaye, And chastyte ffor to werraye, As yt sheweth (with-outë glose) In my Romaunce off the Rose;Romance of the Rose St. (in Stowe's hand). Make hyr name to ben appallyd, And Faulssemblant to be callyd: In that book by my notárye, Wych to hyr name ys ffull[St., om. C.] contrárye. And causë why that I do thus Geyn chastyte fful vertuous, Ys ffynally (yiff thow lyst se), She wyl no queyntaunce han with me.' The pylgrym: "Wherfor seystow in any wyse, And wrongfully lyst to devyse Mong thyn Errours, on and alle, Thys Romauncë thyn to calle? Thy part ther-off ys neueradel; ffor I knowe that man fful wel "With euery maner cyrcumstaunce, Wych that madë that Romaunce." Venus: 'Thys Romaunce (in cónclusioun), I may calle yt off Resoun Myn ownë book, (whan al ys do,) And I my sylff made yt also; And yiff that thow consydre wel, Gynnynge, ende, and euerydel,[Euerydel St., euerdel C.] He speketh ther (yiff thow kanst se) Off nat ellys but off me, Except only (yt ys no doute) My clerk, my skryveyn, racede oute Off strangë ffeldys as I be-held, And sewh yt in A-nother ffeld, ffolkys wenynge (yt ys no dred) That he hadde sowhe[sewe St.] the samë sed Vp-on hys ownë lond certeyn. 'But to declare the trouthë pleyn, He dyde nat so, no thyng at al, In straungë feldys, for he yt stal, (Al be yt so by fful gret lak,) He put al in hys ownë sak Be-causë only (who kan ffele) He caste the trouthë to concele; Off surquedye, (yt ys no nay,) Wolde ha born yt with hym away, Al be, sothly, (who haue a syht) He hadde ther-to no maner ryht; 'But affterward he was ascryed By a normaund, and espyed, Wych loude cryede, and made A soun, Yt was no ryht nor no Resoun Off other ffolkys gadryng To make hys berthene by stelyng. But for al that, forth he wente, Nouht abaysshed in hys entente, But boldëly, or I was war, fforth with hym hys stelthe he bar, Ympyd yt in / in my romaunce, 'Wych was to me gret dysplesaunce; ffor my wyl was, that he no thyng Sholde ha set in hys wrytyng, No thyng (as to myn entent,) But yt wer to me pertynent, Or accordynge to my matere, Or at the leste (as ye shal here), That he hadde set in[sette inne St.] no mor But that was off hys ownë stor: He was askryed off hys ffolye Off On yborn in Normaundye; ffor wych, neuer affter (by couenaunt) He louede neuere no Normaund: The Romaunce kan yt wel declare, In wych he wrot (and lyst nat spare,) That Male-bouche (yt ys no lye) ffledde ffyrst out off Normaundye; Wher-off he made a strong lesyng, Lyede also in hys wrytyng, Off relygious, euele[wele St.] to speke, And vp-on hem to ben a-wreke, To my ffauour (as ye may se) Be-cause I púrsue chastyte.' The pylgrym: "Than may I ryht wel certeyn Afferme, that thow and thy skryveyn Ben replevysshed (who kan se) Off malys and inyquyte; ffor who-so, thogh he wer my brother, Wyl gladly seyn evel off A-nother I may off hym seyn (Est and south,) That he haueth no good mouth; ffor with hys tonge (who that touche,) He may be callyd 'Malë bouche.' Wherfor trewly thy skryveyn Hihte[Hathe St.] 'Malë bouche,' I dar wel seyn, Whan he (voyde off al ffavour) Gan appellë hys neyhbour, Only for he dyde hym ascrye, To seyn the trouthe, and lyst nat lye. "And thow (who taketh hed ther-to) Hast a wykked mouth also, Wych, off thyn Inyquyte, Hast lyed vp-on Chastyte, To makë goodë ffolk hyr haate, And ageyn hyr to debate." Venus: 'Thow seyst soth, (yt ys no drede,) But thow shalt wyte (in verray dede) My condicioun ys to lye; And pleynly, (yiff thow konne espye) Be ryht wel war alway off me; With lyyng I shal deceyuë the.' The pylgrym: "Tel on to me the causë why; Why hastow smet me vnwarly?" Venus: 'What trowestow for to go ffre Whyl that I am so nyh by the? Nay, nay! that may nat be-falle. Thow knowest nat thassautys alle Off my werk, nor the manere, But by processe thow shalt lere; Wherso-euere that I assaylle, Off my pray I wyl nat ffaylle; And wher I hurtë with my darte, Yt ys ful hard ffor[ffro me St.] to departe With-outen harm ffro my daunger, Whom-euere I markë, ffer or ner, I dar yt swern (in verray sothe) By myn hed ykempt so smothe.' The pylgrym: "Syth thow art kempt so sotylly And arrayed so ffresshëly,[ffresshely St., ffresshly C.] As thow sayst in thyn language, Why hydestow thy vysage That I may nat clerly yt[yt om. St.] se? ffor som deceyt I trowe yt be." Venus[In Stowe's hand, Venus St.]: 'Wher-euere that I repayr, 'Trustë wel, I am nat ffayr; And yiff I haddë gret fayrnesse, I wolde nat hyde yt in dyrknesse. And thogh that I be kempt[kept St.] ryht wel, Yt ne sueth neueradel That I am ffayr, for in array, Thogh that I be queynte and gay, I am ryht foul for to beholde; My chekys Rympled and ryht Olde, And ful hydous, (yt ys no nay) And mor horryble than I dar say. 'And ther-for be ryht wel certeyn, I hyde me that I be nat seyn, And holde me euere in placys dyrke, Go by cornerys that be myrke; And I ne haue no maner syth[syghte St.] At mydday whan the sonne ys bryht In hys spere ful hih aloffte; And I me putte in pereil offte, Yiff thow knewë my passáges, Placys off my gret outráges Wych I vsë, trustë me, Ther-off thow woldest astonyd be: 'I Ryde vp-on A cursyd hors, I trowë nowher be no wors; ffor placys that be most peryllous, Most horryble and hydous, Most dredful and most vnsure, Ther I loggë, off nature: Thys my custom, day be day, As a sowhe, in donge and clay, Ther ys my lust most to dwelle; I am mor ffoul than I kan telle: Ryht foul I am in abstracto:Concretum deo concuruit, Sub|iectum cum accidente // Ab|stractum est illud quod ab|strahitur a subiecto, vt albedo abstrahitur ab albo, quia con|cretum est respectu albedinis. St., om. C. But yet mor ffoul in Concreto I am holde, a thowsand ffold; And, therfor, as I ha told, I ber thys wonderful peynture, Thys ffalse vysagë, thys ffigure, Off entent, in euery place, 'ffor to shrowde ther-with my fface, And my ffeturys ffor to hyde, That men espyen in no syde My scornyng nor my mokerye,— In ffrench ycallyd 'Farderye' And in ynglyssh, off old wrytyng, Ys ynamyd ek 'poppyng'— Wych, whan ffolkys ffall in age, Maketh Ryvelys in the vysage, And large ffrowncys[ffrowncys St.] I ensure. 'And, also, ageyn nature, I makë ffolkys ffor to deme By crafft outward, my sylff to seme ffayrere than euere that I was, To looke in merour or in glas. 'Also my condicïoun Ys to walkyn vp and doun, Now in towne, now in the ffeld; In O place I abydë seld, But yt be by swych a fortune[Fourme St.] Wher my lust I may parfourme; I menë, placys off dyffame, Wych, to réherse, ys gret shame; Wher-off my clerk, off whom I tolde, Hath yseyd lyk as he wolde, Spekynge ful outragously, And gaff Exaumple ffynally ffor to speke off dyshoneste, Off entent (as thow mayst se) Out off my slep me to awake,[to wake C., tawake St.] In a-wayt, I sholdë take Pylgrymes that walkë by the way, Hem tareste, and make affray, Off fforcë doun hem bowe hyr chyne, And tobeyë my doctryne. 'He wendë I hadde ben a-slepe; But the weyës I do kepe Nyht and day, (yt ys no les;) And I am nat rekkëles, But hem areste in euery place, 'Wher-so-euere that they pace; Ther skapeth noon, day nor nyht, But yiff yt be only by fflyht; I may nat ffayllë, ffer nor ner, Yiff myn offycerys done ther dever.' The pylgrym: Thanne quod I / "I pray the Lat me sen hem, what they be; But I leue, in myn entent, That they be nat her present." Venus: 'ffor sothe, I haue hem her with me, But I wil nat shewe hem the; Yet neuertheles, yiff thow wylt dwelle, The namys off hem I shal telle: The ffyrstë callyd ys 'raptus,' The tother 'stuprum,' And next, 'Incestus,' The ffourthë, 'Adulterium,' The ffyffthë, 'Fornicacioun,' 'Raptus ffor[in St.]-soth (by déscryvyng,) Ys ycallyd 'Ravysshyng Off wommen' (who so taketh hede), A Synne gretly for to drede. 'And stuprum (with-outë wene,) Ys off maydenys that be clene. "Incestus' ys a synne in dede, A man to taken hys kynrede. 'The ffourthë ys 'avout[e]rye' With wyvës by ffoul lecherye. 'Another ther ys, wych for me Shal nat here rehersyd be, Nor told, in no maner wyse, Wych houeth[hawethe St.] ynowh to suffyse; And yt shal nat ffor me be wyst, Vnderstond yt as ye[the St.] lyst. 'Ech by hym sylff ys vycyous, And to vse, fful perillous; I wyl nat telle hem out at al. But to swych (in especyal) As dwellë with me, yong and old, 'And be with-holde in myn houshold; Yet I dar make descripcïoun; They be ffoul off condicïoun, Off shap, off ffourme, I the ensure, And ryht lothsom off ffygure. 'With hem I markë many On, Pylgrymes that by the weyë[way St.] gon; Thè[They St.] may skapen on no syde. 'And be ek war, yiff thow abyde, A-mong other, I shal thè smyte, In abydyng yiff thow delyte; Or thow must be in thy ffleyng, Swyfft as A tygre in rennyng, But, ffor ál that, I dar say, I shal nat fayllen off my pray, ffor al thy fflyht. whyl glotonye Hath power thè ffor to guye, Al kommeth to my subieccïoun, Wher she hath domynacïoun.' The pylgrym: "I may yive credence wel her-to, ffor glotonye me toldë so, That thow or she, selde or neuere, Lyst a-sonder to dysseuere. But, as ffer as I kan lere, Ye ben to-gydre ay yffere: She causeth ffyrst, in substaunce, That I off thè haue ácqueyntaunce." Thanne glotonye fful redyly Answerdë, that was fastë by, Glotonye: 'Yiff thow me callë, in sothnesse, Lyk as I am, A Bocheresse, Or in ffrench (who lokë wel) I am callyd a 'Makerel,' Whos offyce (to specefye,) Ys in ynglysshe 'bauderye;' And lernë, (ffor conclusïoun,) That ys verrayly my surnoun; ffor, (the soth yiff I shal telle,) 'Quyk flessh I vsë for to selle; And yet (who vnderstondeth me) I ha lernyd wel to sle Mo bestys (in conclusïoun) Than .iij.[three St.] Bocherys in som toun. But what fflessh euere that I selle, Mor money at the stalle I telle,— Double (yiff I shal sey[I sey the St.] soth,)— Than any other bocher doth; ffor wych, my namë t[o] expresse[texpresse C. St.] Thow mayst me calle a 'bocheresse' Or a bawde, and no thyng lye, That selleth fflessh by bauderye. 'I am no ffyssh (who lokë wel) Thogh I be callyd A 'makerel,' Wych in ffrauncë ys a name Off gret[grete St., gret C.] sclaundre and diffame; And I shal lerne thè, parcel Off my crafft to knowe somdel: I haue abyde in soth to longe, Thogh my powerys be wonder stronge.' Venus:[St., om. C.] [Blank in MS.] 'Sothly,' quod Venus, 'thow seyst wel; But ne dred thè neueradel, ffor, by the wordys that thow hast told, Wé han ón hym fful good[goode St.] hold, Wych shal tournë to no Iape; ffor he may nat our handys skape, Nor, out off our daunger gon.' The Pilgrim: And by the throtë thanne anoon Glotonye held me so ffaste, To grounde almost that she me caste. And Venus gan to neyen ner, And, fful dredful off hyr cher, Gan ley to hand, me to confounde. And they han me so sore bounde, Hand and ffoot, and leggys to, I myghte nat meuë, to nor[ne St.] ffro; That I dar afferme (and seyn, Who hadde al the maner seyn,) I was lyk (he myghte ha told) Tacalff[To a calf] wych sholdë ha be sold In som market ffastë by, On stallys in the bochery. In swych dysioynt they laddë me, Myn Eyen cloos, I myghte nat se; And for they wolde nat off me ffayl, They bond me to a swynës tayl, I mene, the swyn off dame Venus, fful dredfful and fful contagyous,[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] The wychë[wych C., whiche St.] (by fful mortal lawe) At hys tayl gan me to drawe, And to brynge me vp on the wrak, Thys ylkë two that I off spak, Venus, and ek Glotonye, To shewe on me ther tyrantrye, Gan bete on me, and bonchë sore. And affter thys, they dydë more; They Robbede me off my treasour; And ffor that I ffond no socour A-geyn ther myght, (as I ha told,) Bothe my syluer and my gold; And nakyd they wolde ha spoyled me, Naddë sothly O thyng be:[y-be St.] They sawh on komen ffastë by, Vnwar, with a gret company; And pleynly (as I koudë deme,) A pylgrym he dydë seme, And a gret lord (yt ys no nay) By lyklyhed off hys array. Venus:[St., om. C.] [Blank in MS.] Quod Venus thannë, 'by my wylle, Lat hym lyn a whylë stylle, Tyl we may, ffrom al daunger, Spoyllen hym at bet leyser. 'Her kometh on, me semeth now, Wych ys mor lykly ffor[to St.] our prow, Wham we tweynë wyl nat ffaylle 'ffor to spoyllen and assaylle; We wyl vs bothë putte in pres.' [The Pilgrim:] And whyl they leffte me thus in pes, I koudë makë no declyn; So euere in On the cruel swyn Me drowh out off the hihë way Among the donge, among the clay, At hys tayl, me to confounde, To wych I was so sorë bounde. And whil I lay thus in dystresse, A-noon I gan myn Eyen dresse To be-holde how thylkë tweyne Wer dyllygent, and dyde her peyne, The lord tassaylle, that I off spak; And made hym fyrst, fro horsë bak, Maugre hys myght, to lyhtë doun; ffor, mercy nor remyssyoun Ther was noon, on no party; They hym beete fful cruelly; And by the throtë they hym took, And pullyd hym so that he shook, Leyde hym lowë doun to grounde; And hys Eyen so they bounde, That he lostë[loost St.] look and syht, Hys force, hys power, and hys myght. And affter that, thogh he wer strong, They gan strechche hym forth along, On a barhyde off A Somer, Lyk a beste off A bocher, Voyde off pyte and off shame. And for he was a man off name (Semynge, by hys contenaunce,) Therfor they tookë mor vengaunce Vp-on hym, and bounde hym sore; And Venus swyn, with brustlys hoore, Drowh hym forth On the bar hyde Endëlong and ek a-syde,[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] By brookys and by sloos fowle, A-mong the clay they hym dyffoule; On hym they werë so cruel, The bar hyde halp[halpe St.] neuéradel; ffor thys oldë wekkys tweyne Gan hym cerche, and ek constreyne; In euery place they han hym souht; They took hys good, they leffte hym nouht, And to hym dydë gret disesse. And to me yt was noon ese To beholdyn and to se(St. transposes these lines.] Ther tyranye, ther cruelte;(St. transposes these lines.] And trew(ë)ly[trewly C., St.] yt sat me sore, That the folk I spak off yore Halp nat hyr lord, but hym forsook, And, noon hed off hym[hym om. St. they took, But in hys mescheff lefft hym sool; And lyk as he hadde ben a ffool, They scorned hym, and haddë game, And gan lawhen at hys shame;[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] They halp hym nouht, but leet hym be In hys grete aduersyte, Markede hym in hys mescheff, Ther he lay bounden as a theff, Scornynge at hys bak behynde. And swych folkys men may fynde In many place (yiff yt be souht); Whan a man ys to mescheff brouht, And falle in-to aduersyte, fful fewë frendys than hath he; At mescheff, they hym for-sake, And but a Iape off hym they make, Al be yt so, that they beforn Wer supported and vp born By hys lordshepe, in ther degre. Whan he stood in prosperyte, Than they woldë make hem strong, To stonde with hym in ryht and wrong, With false behestys (as I ha told,) In al hys werkys make hym bold, That they wolde with hym abyde ffor lyff or deth, on euery syde; But fynally, whan al ys do, I ha wyst lordys deceyved so In dyvers contres, mo than on, Whan ther ffrenshepys wer agon. Lat no man trusten on ffortune, Wych selde, in on, lyst to contune. And thus thys man, brouht to the poynt, Stood allone in swych dysioynt, And in gret mescheff, as dyde I; ffor, Venus and Glotony In swych mescheff hadde hym brouht, That off hys lyff he rouhtë nouht, ffor hys grete aduersyte. But than I gan remembre me As I lay bounden in the place, I wolde assayen ffor to pace The hegh, that was so thykke and strong, Off wych I tolde, nat go fful long; And for mor ese and sofftënesse, I thouhte I wolde my syluen dresse To the path on the tother syde; ffor, wher as tho I dyde abyde, Me sempte the placë peryllous, Bothë dredful[Lothe dredefulle St.] and dotous. I gan a-noon to neyhen ner To-ward the hegh, and her and ther I gan consydren in my mynde, Yiff I myghte an hoolë ffynde To pacë by, that wer nat thykke fful off thornys me to prykke. Al thys I gan consydre and se, Swych routhe I haddë, and pyte, A-mong the sharpë busshys alle, That my body sholdë falle In any daunger or damáge, Yiff I passedë[passede St., possede C.] that passáge; Praydë god, for hys pyte, ffrom swych harm to saven me; ffor I stood in fful gret dred, Lyk a bryd that kan no Red, Wych, in hyr gret mortal ffer, Loketh her, and loketh ther, And for dred begynneth quake, Whan she ys in the panter take, Or engluyd with bryd-lym, Al hyr ffethrys fful off slym, Or vnwarly, in heth or holt, Ys y-slayn with arwe or bolt, Whil she ys besy to escape, The ffoulere kan hyr so be-Iape. Ryght so fferd I, al out off Ioynt, Brouht vn-to the samë poynt; But 'who that wyl nat whan he may, He ys a fool, (yt ys no nay,) And he ne shal nat whan he wolde.' ffor whyl I stood and gan be-holde Now her now ther, and for ffer shake, Vnwarly, by the ffeet ytake, I was bounden, and forth lad, That for fer I was nyh mad, And knew nat what was best to do; But, amyd off al my wo, I sawh a wekke,[Vekke St.] Old and hydous, Off look and cher ryht monstrous, Pyled and seynt as any kaat,[C. & St.] And moosy[mosy St.] heryd as a raat.[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And thys wekke[Vekke St.] (as I was war) Vnder hyr Arm, an Ax she bar, Lych a bocher that wyl slen Grete bestys, and affter ffleen, And sythen put hem to larder. Lyk swych a womman was hyr cher; ffor bestys at ther ffeet be-hynde, With a corde she dydë bynde, And cordys ek (as I was war) Gret plente, on hyr Arm she bar, And affter, with hyr ownë hond, Strongly by the ffeet me bond; In the knotte ther was no lak; And thannë thus to hyr I spak: Pilgrym[In Stowe's hand. pylgrym St.] "O, thow Oldë Ryvelede whyht! ffoul and owgly off thy syht! Why artow, off thy cruelte, Kome vnwarly thus on me, ffals, and a traytour in werkyng, And spak no word in thy komyng? I wot, by tooknes off thy fface, Thow kam neuere out off no good place, Nor, thogh thow haddest the Reuers sworn, I wot that thow wer neuer born Off no good moder, out off drede. And as touchynge thy kynrede, Be thyn array (yt semeth wel) I shold yt preysen neueradel. ffle fforth thy way, and cast the bondys That thow beryst, out off thyn hondys. [Sloth]: Quod she, (as in conclusïoun) 'I am no Gerfawk nor fawcoun, Nouther sparhawk nor Emerlyoun, Nor lyk to thyn oppynyoun; Ches nor bellys, nyh nor ffere, To be bounde I wyl nat bere; ffor, al ffre, with-outë charge, My lust ys for to gon at large. Slouthe.[In Stowe's hand. slowthe St.] 'Trust me wel, bothe hih and lowe, By ffeyth that I my ffader howe,[ffader owe St., ffade howe C.] Thow shalt nat (whan al ys do,) ffro my daunger escapë so; But thow shalt, for al thy pryde, Ben arestyd, and abyde, Be causë thow hast ben so bold To callë me 'stynkynge and old;' And causëles thus blamyd me, Wych haue in many a placë be, 'In somer aud in wynter shours, In chaumbrys off thys Emperours, Off kynges, dukys, (who lyst sek,) And off gretë bysshopys ek, Off abbotys, pryours, and prelatys, And many other grete estatys, Wych neuer was (to ther semynge) Callyd Oldë[olde St., Old C.] nor stynkynge, Wher-off I wyl avengë me; But yiff thow the strenger be, Aud mor off power, than am I. I shal the venquysshe cruelly.' The Pylgrym[St., om. C.]: Than off hyre I gan enquere, That she wolde me pleynly lere, And declare, by short avys, Bothe hyr name and hyr offys. Slouthe[St., om. C.]: 'The trouthë,' yiff I shal the telle, 'With a mayster I do dwelle. ffel and vnkouth off hys cher, And ys off hellë cheff Boocher; And with thys corde (yt ys no drede) Al pylgrymes to hym I lede, As thys Bocherys don a beste. Swych as I may in soth areste, I bynde hem by the feet echon; And I ha lad hym many on, And yet I hopë that I shal, And thy sylff in especïal; Trustë wel, for haste nor rape, Thow shalt not fro my daunger skape. 'But ffyrst off all I shal me spede, To thylkë placë thé to lede; ffor I am she (my name ys spronge) That lye a bedde with ffolkys yonge, And make hem tournë to and ffro; I[And St.] close her Eyen bothë two, I make hem slepë, dreme and slombre, Yongë folkys out off noumbre; 'I make the Maryner fful ffast Lyn and slepe vnder the mast, Tyl hys vessel, by som cost, Be ydrownyd and ylost; I brekë al hys gouernaylle, By costys, wher as he doth saylle; And myd off many straungë se, The wrak ys maad only by me. ffor lak, in soth, off governaunce, I cause that al goth to meschaunce, Ther loodmanage, ther sttuff, ther wynes. 'I cause also that, in gardynys, (Who so lyst to looke aboute,) That bremblys, netlys, fful gret route, Wexe and encresse round a rowe, And many[in many St.] weedys that be nat sowe; And for tamende hem, day be day, I putte yt euere in-to delay;· ffor I lernede, syth go fful long, The maner off the Rauenys song, Wych by delay (thys the cas) Ys wont to syngë ay 'craas, craas;' That song I kepe wel in my thouht, Thys lessoun, I forgete yt nouht; My custom ys ek, what I may, Al thyng to puttyn in delay; And, myn vságe off Oldë[olde St., old C.] daate, What I shal done, to don yt late; Wherfor off ryght (to seyn the trouthe) My namë ys ycallyd 'slouthe'; ffor I am slowh and éncombrows, Haltynge also, and Gotows, Off my lymës crampysshynge, Maymed ek in my goynge, Coorbyd,[Croobyd St.] lyk ffolkys that ben Old, And afowndryd ay with cold; On ech whedyr, I puttë blame, And, ther-fóre, Slouthe ys my name, Off custom callyd 'Ydelnesse.' 'Thow mayst me calle ek 'hevynesse,' 'ffor what thyng euer that I se, Shortly yt dyspleseth me, And, ther-off no tale I telle, ffor, I am the samë Melle That tourneth ay and grynt ryht nouht, Save waste vp-on myn ownë thouht; With Envye my sylff I were, And ther-for, thys ax I bere; Off wych Ax the name ys ryff, 'Werynesse off A manhys lyff,' As thus, for verray slogardy, A man for slouthë ys wery. 'Thys Ax (the byble wyl nat lye)[C. & St.] Made the prophetë Helye,[C. & St.] Whan he ffledde out off Bersabee,[C. & St.] Twyës slumbre vnder a tre Callyd Iunypre,[Iunypere St.] wher he slep; But an Aungel (or he took kep) Pookede hym, and made hym ryse. 'Wyth thys Ax, in the samë wyse, Clerkys I do ther restë take At ther book, whan they sholde wake, The pelwe to lyn vnder ther hed, ffor slouthë hevyere than led, And ffor they be soget to me,— The trowthe theroff thow mayst se,—[St., line blank in C.] Be no ropys mad at Clervaws (ffor they wer makyd at Nervaws) The ton off hem (to seyë[sey C., St.] trouthe) By namë ys ycallyd 'Slouthe,' And the tother (in sentence) Ys ynamyd 'Neclygence,' Strong to bynden and enbrace, And ther hertys for to lace; Wyth wych, throtys, sore I bynde, That they ha nouther wyl nor mynde, But for neclygencë spare, To the prest for to declare Ther trespace by deuocyoun Lowly in confessïoun. 'I ber ek other cordys ffyve; And ther namys to descryue:[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] 'The fyrst ys 'hope off longë[longe St., long C.] lyff,' Wych in thys world ys now fful ryff, That causeth men, for lak off grace, To trustë that thé[they St.] shal ha space Longe ynowh, to telle ther errour, Ther synnë ek, to ther confessour. 'The secunde ys (who lyst take hed,) Off clerkys callyd 'ffoly dred,' Wych, off ffoly, maketh hem spare, The trouthë, outward to declare, Ther synnës clerly to dyscure. 'And they be lyk (I dar ensure) To bryddys ffleyng in the hayr, Wych dar nat haven ther repayr, To touchë nouther corn nor greyn, Be cause only that they ha seyn A Shewelys[Image, Scarecrow] enarmyd in the ffeld With bowe ay bent, with spere or sheld, To ffleyen hem fro ther pasture,— Wych ys but A ded ffygure, An apparence, and noon harm doth; The wych resembleth wel (in soth) To a prest, in hys estaat, A cónfessour or a curaat, Swych as han Iurediccïoun ffor to here confessïoun; And trewly, what they here or se, They muste be mwët and secre, Ther tonge may tellyn out no thyng; ffor they be dowmb in ther spekyng, As an ymage wrouht off Tre or ston; Ouht to seyn, power ha they noon; They may here, but no thyng declare; ffor wych, folk sholdë no-thyng spare To tellyn out ther synnes and offence To ther curatys wyth humble reuerence, And gaste hem nouht by noon oppynyoun 'To shewyn pleynly ther confessïoun; ffor goode prestys (who so taketh hed) In ther kepyng haven greyn and bred, Bred off lyff, sed ek off scyence, And goostly ffoode ek off elloquence, Hys sogetys fructuously[ffructuously St., ffrustuously C.] to ffeede With doctrine whan that they ha nede. 'The thrydde Corde ys ycallyd 'Shame,' Causynge A man, he dar nat attame To tellyn out hys ffautys, nor expresse, Only for dred and ffor shamfastnesse. 'The ffourthe corde callyd 'Papyllardie,' Wych ys a maner off ypocrysie; Wolde ben holden mor hooly than he ys, Dar nat telle (whan he hath don amys) Hys grete ffautys in confessioun Lyst hys curat kauth[kaughte St.] oppynyoun Ageyns hym, ffor hys gret offence; Vnder colour off feyned Innocence, Kepeth cloos, and doth the trouthë spare, Tyl he ffalle in the dewellys snare, ffor shamfastnesse in confessioun. 'The ffyffte corde ys 'Desperacioun': Thys the Corde, pleynly, and the laas, Wyth wych whilom hangyd was Iudas Whan he hadde traysshed cryst ihesu; Wych corde ys ffer ffrom all vertu, Off vyces werst (shortly for to telle); ffor he that ys hangeman off helle, With the corde off desperacioun Hangeth all (in conclusioun) ffolk endurat[Indurat St.] in ther entente, That dysespeyre, and wyl nat repente, Neuer in thys world whyl they ben alyve. 'And with thys cordys, that be in noumbre ffyve, I shal don al my besy peyne, Yiff that I may, thy throte to restreyne, Hale the fforth, and no lenger dwelle By the way wych ledeth vn-to helle.' [The Pilgrim]: And affter thys, by hyr grete sleyhte, And hyr Ax that was so gret off wheyhte, Lyk a theff And A ffals ffeloun, She smot me so that I fyl a-doun;[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] ffor I ne hadde power nouther myght, On my ffeet for to stonde vp ryht. And affter that, ful sore she me bond With the cordys that were in hyr hond: Over myn throte, ffyrst she gan hem caste, And knette hem affter wonder streight and ffaste; And ffro the hegh, by hyr mortal lawe, Cruelly she gan me for to drawe, Wher-off I felte gret anoy and greff, Lyk taffalle(to have fallen) to falle St.] in-to gret mescheff And gret dystresse, only nadde be A whyht dowhe, wych that I sawh fle To-ward hegh, wych my cordys brak, And Ellys hadde I sothly go to wrak; But she was sent vn-to me by grace, Me to socoure in the samë place. And whan I sawh that I was vnbounde, The cordys brak, that wer gret and rounde, Vp on my ffeet I gan me for to dresse; And as I myghte (for verray werynesse), To-ward the hegh I wende ha gon ful ryht; But ther I sawh, fful owgly off ther syht, Two that wern to me ful contrayre, And to my purpos gretly aduersayre, At the pendant off an hyl doun lowe;[C. & St.] And on off hem (as I koude knowe)[C. & St.] In my beholdyng (lyk as I was war)[C. & St.] Vp-on hyr nekke, she the tother bar;[C. & St.] And she that was vp-on the bak yborn, Was gretly bolle and yswolle aforn, And in hyr hand she bar a staff fful round, Wych whilom Grew on A werray[warry St.] ground.[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And off hyr look (in myn inspeccyoun) She was lyk to a ffers lyoun, And hornyd ek as an vnycorn; And in hyr hand also she bar an horn, And lyk a skryppe (ek afferme I dar) A peyre belwys aboute hyr nekke she bar; And she hadde On (as was hyr delyt) On hyr shuldres, A mantel large off whyt, A peyre off spores poynted (soth to say) Lyk the bek off a somer Iay, Shewyng out that she was maystresse Vn-to hyre that was hyr porteresse, I mene, tholde[the olde St.] that bar hyre on hyr bak, Whos clothyng was shapyn lyk a sak. But she that rood, off whom I[I St. to-forn I C.] tolde, Maade the tother[= th' other] lede hyr wher she wolde; And she that bar, (ye shal vnderstonde,) Held a large merour in hyr hond, Hyr owgly ffeturys to beholde and se. And than I gan a-noon to[to om. St.] remembre me, Seyde, "allas! what hap haue I, or grace! All they that I mete in thys place, Ben olde, echon, to-forn and ek be-hynde;[St. & C.] I am gretly astonyd in my mynde; They wyl me slen, thorgh som dysaventure, Or me Outrage, I shal yt nat recure;" ffor she that rood vp-on the olde a-forn, I herde a-ffer, how she blew hyr horn, And ffaste gan affter me to ryde, To me sayde, as I stood a syde, The Olde Pride:[St., om. C.] 'Yeld the!' quod she in al hast to me, Or thow shalt deye; yt wyl noon other be." The Pylgrym:[St., om. C.] "What artow," quod I to that olde; "Wenystow I so sone sholde Yelde me, and knowë nat thy name, With-outë mor? in soth I wer to blame; Thyn offyce ek, and also thy power, Or that I me yelde prysowner." Pride:[Pride St. In Stowe's hand C.] 'Vnderstond wel ffyrst, and se, 'And wyte yt wel, that I am she Off all Olde sothly the Eldest: Whylom, in hevene I hadde a nest; And ther I was Eyred and yleyd, And engendryd ek (as yt ys seyd), Thogh yt be hih, and hennys ffer. 'My ffader was ynamyd Lucyfer; Off bryd ther was neuer (in-to thys day) In bussh nor braunche leyd swych an Ey;i. Ouum St. ffor affter tyme that I Eyred was, Wyth thys belwys (trewly thys the caas) I blewe ther so horryble a blast, That my ffader was a-noon doun cast ffrom that hih hevenly mansioun, In-to helle cast fful lowë doun: To-fforn he was a bryd ful cler and bryht, And passyngly ffayr vnto the[to the St., burnt C.] syght, Noble, gentyl, and also ek mor cler Than Phebus ys in hys mydday sper; But now he ys blak, and mor horryble Than any deth, also mor terryble. 'And shortly ek (in conclusioun) With my ffader I was also cast doun, In-to thys Erthë doun ful lowe; And ther I sawh and dydë knowe On ymad ful fressh off fface, ffor to restore a-geyn my place; The wych, whan I dyde espye, At hym I haddë gret envye, And castë that I wolde assay ffor to lette hym off hys way. And with-Inne a lytel throwe, I took my belwys, and gan blowe, And made on hym so fel a suit, I made hym Etyn off the frut Wych was dyffendyd hym (certeyn) Off hys lord, cheff and souereyn; Wher-for he was (after my devys,) Affter chacyd out off paradys; Ther he loste hys avauntage. 'Thus wrouht I ffyrst in my yong age: And day be day I ne cessede nouht Tyl I hadde gret harmys wrouht; ffor yt am I, both nyh and ferre, That make A-mong gret lordys, werre; I cause al dissencïouns, Dyscord and indygnacïouns, And make hem, by ful gret envye, Everych other to dyffye; ffor I am leder and maystresse, Cheventayne and guyderesse, Bothe off werre and off bataylle. I make off platë and of maylle Many devyses, mo than on; And to rekne hem euerychon, Yt woldë doun but lytel good. 'I causede ffyrst, shedyng off blood; I ffond vp fyrst, devyses newe, Rayës off many sondry hewe; Off short, off long, I ffond the guyse; Now streight, now large, I kan devyse, That men sholde, for syngulerte, Beholde and lokyn vp-on me. I wolde be holden ay sanz per, And by my syluen synguler; I wolde also that, off degre, Ther wer noon other lyk to me; Yiff any dydë me resemble, Myn hertë wolde for Ire tremble, Ryve atwo almost for tene. 'What euere I sey, I wyl sustene, Be yt wrong or be yt ryht; And I wyl ek, off verray myght, Be cheff mayster aboue echon: Other doctryne kepe I noon. 'I hate also, in myn entent, Good consayl and avysëment, And overmor, thus ys yt, I preyse noon other manhys[mannys St.] wyt, But myn owne, what so be-falle, 'ffor that I holdë best off alle; And me semeth that I kan Mor than any other man; Ther-with I am ek best apayd, No thyng ys wel doun nor wel sayd, By noon off hih nor lowh degre, But yiff yt be only by me Gouernyd al, to my delyt; And ek I wolde ha gret despyt, ffor bothe in hopen and in cloos I wolde be preysed, and ha the loos; ffor I wolde no man wer preysed,[C. & St.] Worshepyd, nor hys honour reysed,[C. & St.] But I allonë, mor ne lasse; ffor I holde ech man an Asse Saue I, wych, a-boue ech on, Am worthy to haue the prys allone. 'And sothly yet, whan men me preyse, Or with laude myn honour reyse, Outward I do yt al denye, And sey 'yt ys but mokerye That they so lyst my prys avaunce; I sey I ha no suffysaunce Lyk to her oppynyoun, To haue swych commendacïoun:' And al thys thyngës I expresse, To shewe a maner of meknesse Outward, as by ápparence, Thogh ther be noon in éxistence. I with-seye hem, and swere soore, Off entent that, mor and more They sholde myn honour magnefye To-for the peple by flaterye,[flaterye, flatry C.] Taferme off[on St.] me, bothe fer and ner, That my wyt ys synguler. 'And whan I herë ther flatrynges, Ther gretë bost, ther whystlynges, ffor verray Ioy I hoppe and daunce, I ha ther-in so gret plesaunce, That, lyk a bladder, in ech cost 'I wex swollë with ther bost, And thynke my place and my degre Muste gretly enhaunsyd be, And thynke yt sytteth wel to me Tave a cheyre[Chayer St.] off dygnyte, Lyk as I were a gret pryncesse, A lady, or A gret duchesse, Worthy for to were A Crowne. 'And whan I se Round envyroune, ffolk me Obeye on euery part, I resemble a ffers lyppart; Off port, off[and St.] cher, I-rous and ffel, And off my lookys ryht cruel I be-holde on hem so rowe, And gynne to lefften vp the[gyn . . .my St.] browe Off verray Indygnacïoun, Off contenaunce lyk a lyoun, As thogh I myghte the skyës bynd: Al ys but smoke, al ys but wynd, Lyk a bladdere that ys blowe, Wych, with-Inne a lytel throwe, Pryke yt with a poynt, a-noon, And ffarwel, al the wynd ys gon, That men ther-off may no thyng se. 'And lyk as foom amyd the se Ys reysed hihë with a wawe, And sodeynly ys efft with-drawe, Thát men sen ther-off ryht nowht, Ryght so the wawës off my thouht, By prydë reysed hih a-loffte, With vnwar wynd be chaungyd offte. 'Ech manhys ffawtys besydë me, Saue myn owne, I kan wel se; But I parceyuë neueradel Off no thyng that they do wel. 'To allë scornerys, in sothnesse, I am lady and maystresse; And off the castel off landown, That off scornyng hath cheff renoun, By Oldë[olde St., old C.] tyme (as men may sen) 'I was som tyme crownyd quen. But the prophete ysaye, Whan he dydë me espye, He cursyde (off ful yore ago,) Bothe my crowne and me also.Ve Corone Superbie! Ysaie 28o Capitulo 'My name ys, 'that wyl feynte Euere to be nyce and queynte'; And I am she (yt ys no dred) That ber an horn in my forhed, Wych ys ycallyd 'Cruelte,' To hurtë folk aboutë me: Off verray surquedy and pryde, I smyte and wynse on euery syde; Prest nor clerk, I wyl noon spare; And wyth my syluen thus I ffare, Mor cruel, in my ffellë rage, Than a Boole wylde and savage, Wych rent a-doun bothe roote and rynd. 'I ber thys belwes fful off wynd, I ber thys sporys, I ber thys staff, Wych that my ffader to me gaff; I bere thys horn (who lookë wel), I were also a whyt mantel, To close ther vnder (vp and doun) Al my guyle and my tresoun. 'ffro tymë long, out off memoyre, Thys belwes callyd ben 'veyngloyre,' Ther-with to quyke the ffyr ageyn, To makë ffoolys in certeyn, Thogh they be blak as cole or get, Off me whan they ha kauht an het, To semyn in ther ownë syht That they in vertu shynen bryht, Bryhter than Any other man That was syth the world be-gan, Or any that they alyvë knowe. 'Thys Belwes I made whilom Blowe In the fforge, with gret bostyng, Off Nabugodonosor the kyng, That bostede in hys regioun 'That the cyte[Citee St.] off Babiloun Wyth al[alle St., om. C.] hys gretë Ryalte, Wyth al[alle St., om. C.] hys fforce and hys bewte, Was bylt and mad by hym only: Thys was hys bost; and ffynally With thys belwes I made a levene, The fflawme touchyde nyh the heuene, But affterward yt gan abate, Yt lasteth nat by no long date. 'And as gret wynd (who lyst to se) Smyt al the ffrut doun off A tre, Brawnche and bowh, and levys fayre, And ther bewte doth apayre, Ryght so the wynd off veyn glorye— Be yt off conquest or vyctórye, Or off what vertu that yt be— Yt bloweth yt doun (as men may se), Worshep, honour, Rénoun, ffame— Ther ys in bostyng so gret blame. ffor bryddes that flen in the hayr, And hyest makë ther repayr, Thys wynd kan maken hem avale, Talyhtë lowe doun in the vale. 'Hastow, a-for-tyme, nat herd sayd, How for an Exaumple ys layd, That a Reuene,[Ravene St.] Or north or souht,[Southe . . Mouthe St.] Bar a chese with-Inne hyr mouht[Southe . . Mouthe St.] As she fley ouer a ffeld; The wychë,[whiche St., wych C.] whan the ffox beheld, Thoghtë that he wolde yt haue; Sayde, 'Ravene, god yow saue, And kepë yow fro al meschaunce! Prayynge yow, for my plesaunce, That ye lyst, at my prayere, Wyth your notys fressh and clere Syngen som song off gentyllesse, And your goodly throte vp dresse, Wych ys so fful off melodye And off hevenly Armonye; ffor trewly, as I kan dyscerne, Ther ys harpë nor gyterne, Symphonyë, nouther crowde, Whan ye lyst to syngë lowde, Ys to me so gracyous, So swete, nor melodius As ys your song with notys clere; And I am komen ffor to here, Off entent, in-to thys place, A lytel motet with your grace.' 'And whan the Ravene hadde herknyd wel The ffoxys spechë euerydel,— As she that koudë nat espye Hys tresoun nor hys fflaterye,[fflatrye C., St.]— ffor to synge she dyde hyr peyne, And gan hyr throtë for to streyne, And ther-with maade an owgly soun, Ther whyles the chesë fyl a-doun, And the ffox, lyk hys entente, Took the chese, and forth he wente. 'And thys deceyt (yiff yt be souht,) Was only by my bylwes wrouht, With falsë[fals C., St.] wynd off trecherye, Thorgh the blast off fflaterye,[fflatrye C., St.] The wych, with hys sugryd galle, Euery vertu doth appalle And bet yt doun on every syde. 'Ther-for lat no man abyde The wyndes, that ben so peryllous, Off thys belwys contagyous; Lat ech man, (in especyal,) Consydren that he ys mortal, And thynkë[thynke St., thynk C.] that swych wynd in-dede Bloweth But on asshes dede, That wyl with lytel blast a-ryse, And dysparpyle in many wyse; And affter swych dyspersïoun Al goth in-to perdicïoun. 'Thys belwes ek (yt ys no drede) Causeth (who-so taketh hede) Bombardys and cornemusys, 'Thys ffloutys[ffleutys St.] ek, with sotyl musys, And thys shallys[shalvys St.] loudë crye, And al swych other menstralcye, With ther blastys off bobbaunce, Don offtë tymë gret grevaunce; ffor, wyth ther wyndës off gret myght, They quenche, off vertu al the lyht; They blowe many a blast in veyn, They seuere the chaff fer fro[chaffe / fro St.] the greyn. 'Thys wynd also, (as ye shal lere,) Whan yt taboureth[tabourethe St.] in myn Ere, And with hys blast hath ther repayr, Bereth me An hand that I am ffayr, Noble also, and ryht myghty, Curteys, wys, and ful worthy, With swychë wyndës cryyng lowd. A-noon I gynnë wexen proud; But whan ther wynd ys ouergon, ffrut ther-off ne kometh noon; Al ys but wynd (yt ys no doute,) Turnynge as offtë sythe aboute As phanë doth, or wheder-cok. 'And my Tayl, lych a pocok, Offtë sythe on heihte I reyse, With swych wynd, whan men me preyse. And whan I ha swych prys ywonne, I swollë,[swelle St.] gret as any tonne, Lyk to brestyn for swollyng;[swellynge St.] Ne wer I hadde som áventyng To makë the wynd fro me twynne, Wych ys closyd me with-Inne, Me semeth ellys al wer lorn. 'And, therfore I bere thys horn, Wych that callyd ys 'bostyng,' Or voydë pownche,[pawnche St.] by som lesyng. And trewly, with myn hydous blast, All the bestys I make a-gast, Off my contre, for verray drede, Make hem to lefft vp hyr hed. 'And offtë tyme I boste also 'Off thyng wher neuer I hadde a-do, My sylff avaunce, off thys and that, Off thynges wych I neuer kam at. 'I boste also off my lynage, That I am kome off hih parage, Born in An hous off gret renoun; That I ha gret pocessïoun, And that I kan ful many a thyng, And am aqueynted with the kyng. 'I booste and blowë offte A day, Whan that I ha take my pray, Or whan that I, (lyk myn awys,) Ha done a thyng off any prys, Achevyd, by my gret labour, Thyng resownynge to honour; Consayl ther-off I kan noon make; Vp with my tayl, my ffethrys shake, As, whan an henne hath layd an Ay, Kakleth affter, al the day; Whan I do wel any thyng, I cesse neuere off kakelyng, But telle yt forth in euery cost; I blowe myn horn, and makë bost; I sey 'Tru / tru,' and blowe my ffame, As hontys whan they fyndë game. Ryht so, whan that I do wel, Avauntyng I tell yt euerydel, And axe also off surquedy, 'Hath any man do so, but I, Outher off hih or lowh degre?' 'And, but ech man herkne me, (Wher yt to hem be leff or loth,) With hem in soth I am ryht wroth, Be yt wrong, or be yt ryght. And I wyl here noon other whyht, But so be I be herd to-forn, Whan that euere I blowe myn horn. 'And thus thow mayst wel knowen how I resemble the Cookkoow, Wych vp-on o[Oo St. ] lay halt so long, 'And kan synge noon other song. 'And avawntyng (who taketh hed) Ys sayd off wynd (yt ys no dred) Wych ys voyde off al prudence In shewyng out off hys sentence; And on ech thyng (in hys entent) He wyl make an Argument, Sustene hys part and make yt strong,[stronge . . .wronge C.] Wher that yt be ryht or wrong,[stronge . . .wronge C.] Sette a prys and sette A lak, And preue also that whyht ys blak; And who-euere ageyn hym stryue, He wyl ffyhtë with hym blyue, And, holdyng hys oppynyoun, Make a noyse and a gret soun ffor to supporten hys entent, Lyk as yt wer a thonder dent. 'Somtyme he wyl, off surquedye, ffastyng, gretly magnefye, And prechyn ek (by gret bobbaunce) Off abstynence and off penaunce; And yiff hys pawnchë be nat fful, Wynd and wordys rud[Rude St.] and dul Yssen out fful gret plente, To make al folkys that hym se, Vp-on hym to stare and muse And to here hys Cornemose[Cornemvse St.]: Swych hornys (who that vnderstoode) Ar wont to make noon huntys goode; Hys hornys he bloweth al the day, And Iangleth euere lyk a Iay, A bryd that callyd ys 'Agaas,'[Agasse, a Pie, Piannet, or Magatapie.—Cotgr.] Wych wyl suffren in no caas No bryd aboute hyr nest to make, With noyse she doth hym so a-wake. 'Thus allë ffolk that here hys bost Wyl eschewe (in euery cost) Off swych a bostour that kan lye, The dalyaunce and the companye. 'And off my spores, to specefye 'What they tookne or signefye, Thow shalt wyte (and thow abyde) That offte I shapë for to ryde, And am ful loth, in cold or heet, ffor to gon vp-on my ffeet, Yiff that myn hors be fastë by,[fast ly St.] And al myn harneys be redy. 'On off my sporës (in sentence) Ys callyd 'Inobedyence;' The tother (in conclusïoun) Callyd ys 'Rebellïoun.' 'The ffyrstë[ffyrst . . .suyt St.] madë, (by my sut,) Adam to Etyn off the ffrut That was forboode to hym afforn; But thys spore, sharpere than thorn, Maade hym stedefastly beleue The counsayl and the reed of Eue, Aforn ytake out off hys syde; But to the frut she was hys guyde. 'The tother sporë, hadde also Vp-on hys Ele, kyng Pharao,— Whylom a kyng off gret renoun, And hadde in hys subieccïoun (As the byble kan wel tel) Al the peple off Israel, And in thraldam and seruage,— In hys woodnesse and hys rage Wolde nat graunte hem lyberte To gon out off hys contre (In hooly wryt, as yt ys ryff); And, for thys Pharao held stryff Ageyn mor myghty than he was, ffynally (thus stood the caas,) By the spore off Rebellyoun He was brouht to confusioun. 'Hard ys to sporne ageyn an hal, Or a crokke a-geyn a wal; Swych wynsyng, thorgh hys foly, Ageyn the lord most myghty, Made hym, that he was atteynt, 'And myddes off the see ydreynt. 'He was a ffool, (yt ys no faylle,) The grete mayster for tassaylle, That ys lord most souerayne; But pryde that tymë held hys reyne, Off malys and off[om. C., St.] surquedye, ffor to trusten and affye In thys spore that I off spak, Tyl he fyl vp-on the wrak. 'Now wyl I speken off the staff Wych that prydë to me gaff, And I, to my proteccïoun, Bar yt in-stede off a bordoun, And ther-vp-on (for my beste) Off custoom I lene and reste; And who that wolde yt take a-way, With hym I woldë makë ffray[a ffray St.]; I wyl leue yt for no techyng[thyng St.] ffor no counsayl nor no prechyng, But, obstynat in myn entent, I voyde resoun and argument; ffor with thys staff (who kan entende) Myn offencys I dyffende. 'ffor thys staff, (in sentement,) Whylom Rud[Rude St.] entendement, The cherl, held by rebellioun, Whan he dysputede with Resoun, And callyd ys 'Obstynacye', On wyche (the byble wyl nat lye) Lenede whilom kyng Saul, Whan he (off Resoun rud and dul,) Was reprevyd off Samuel, A prophete in Ysrael, ffor the grete vnleful pray That he took vp-on a day In Amalech, most Rychë thynges, As, in the ffyrste book off kynges, Makyd ys cler mencyoun. 'And I, for my rebellïoun, Hatyd am in many wyse, 'Off allë folkys that be wyse; And ek, thorgh myn Inquyte, I am cheff cause, and makë ffle Gracë dieu; to-for my fface She may byden in no place:— Wher-as I am, she duelleth nouht. 'And ek also (yiff yt be souht) I causë paynymes, euerychon, ffrom ther Errour they may nat gon, Ydolatryë to for-sake, And the ffeyth of cryst to take, ffrom ther errour hem with-drawe, And to kome to crystys lawe; They be blynded so by me, And Indurat, they may nat se To cónuerte as they sholdë do. 'And the Iewës ek also I nyl stynte, nor cessë nouht, Tyl off entent I haue hem brouht To ther ffynal perdycïoun And to ther dampnacïoun: I debarre hem from al grace, That the hegh they may nat pace; The hegh, I menë, off penaunce, Ther-by to kome to répentaunce: I sterte aforn hem (in certeyn) And make hem for to tourne ageyn, ffor to wynse and dysobeye, And to tourne A-nother weye. 'Ek to the, I wyl nat spare, Off my Mantel to declare, Wych ys fayr by ápparence, And haueth ek gret excellence, Both off shap and off bewte Owtward (who that lyst to se), ffor couere (yt ys no doute) Al the fowle that ys wyth-oute, As Snowh (who that lokë wel) Maketh whyht a ffoul dongel; And lyk also as fressh peynture 'Maketh fayr a sepulture On euery party, syde and brynke, With-Innë thogh yt ffoulë stynke Off karyen and off rootë boonys; So thys mantel (for the noonys) Maketh me (in my repayr) Outward for to semyn ffayr, Parfyt, and off gret holynesse. 'But, yiff Outward my foulnesse Wer open shewed to the syht, I sholde be ffoul, and no thyng bryht: My mantel overspredeth al; But who that (in especyal) Inwardly knewë herte and thouht,[C. & St.] Blowh, and he shal fyndë nouht;Souffle; si, na rien. St., om. C. Wherfor, by descripcïoun, I bere the sygnyficacïoun[C. & St.] In résemblancë, and am lych Taffoul[To a fowl] callyd an Ostrych, Off whom the nature euerydel Ys vnderstonde by my mantel. 'Thys[Thys St., Thy C.] ffoul hath fethres fressh to se, ffayrë wynges, and may nat ffle, Nor fro the erthe (in hys repayr) He may nat soore in-to the heyr; Yet men wolde demyn, off resoun, And wene in ther oppynyoun, By ápparencë, to ther syht, That he wer hable to the fflyht; But he ffleth nat, whan al ys do. 'And by myn habyt ek also Men myghtë deme ther-by in al That I were celestyal, Goostly and contemplatyff, Parfyt, and hooly off my lyff, Hable to fflen vp to heuene, ffer aboue the sterrys seuene; And how my conuersacïoun Wer nat in erthë lowë doun; But who the trouthë kan wel se, 'I nouther kan, nor may nat fle; I ber thys mantel but for ffraude, Off ffolk outward to haue A laude; And the name to specefye, Callyd ys 'ypocrysye,' Therby outward a prys to wynne. 'And the forour wych ys with-Inne, Off fox skynnës euerydel; Al be that, outward, my mantel Ys ywoven (by gret delyt) Off shepys wollë, soffte and whyt, I were yt on (soth to seye) By fawssemblaunt whan I preye; And who lyst knowë verrayly, Many men vse yt mo than I, Wrappe hem ther-in, in ther nede, In hope the bettre for to spede. 'I covere slouthe vnder meknesse, And gretë[grete St., gret C.] ffelthe vnder fayrnesse; Sey (whan rathest I wyl greue) Sanctificetur in my be-leve; 'And as the ffox (yt ys no dred) Maade hym oonys as he wer ded, And off fals fraude, (yt ys no nay,) Myddës off the way he lay, Ded only by résemblaunce Outward, by cher and contenaunce; Thus he feynede ful falsly, Seynge a cartë passë by fful off haryng (ther yt wente); And the cartere vp hym hente; In-to the carte a-non hym threwh, ffor he in soth noon other knewh. And whyl the carter forth hym ledde, On the haryng the fox hym fedde; He heet hys felle, and wente hys way. 'And euene lyk, fro day to day, Vnder thys mantel I me wrye, Wych callyd ys 'ypocrysye,' By wych (erly, and ek ful laat,) 'I ha be brouht to hih estaat fful offtë sythe, (as men may se) And reysed vn-to[vppe to St.] hih degre. 'But yiff thys mantel wer asyde, Vnder wych I do me hyde,[St. & C.] Off ffolk (that vnderstondë wel)[St. & C.] I shold be preysed neueradel;[Stowe MS.] For ffolkys wolden at me chace,[St. & C.] Hunte at me in euery place,[St. & C.] Sette on me ful many a lak. 'And she that bereth me on hyr bak, I shal the maner off hyr telle, Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle.' The Pylgrym asketh:[St., om. C.] Thanne quod I, or she was war, Vn-to the oldë that hyr bar: "Certys, in myn oppynyoun, Off lytel reputacïoun, Nor off no prys, thow sholdest be, Be thyn offyce, (as semeth me,) To bern A best so cruel, Vp-on thy bak, Irous and fel." The Olde Answerde:[St., om. C.] 'I am she that ful wel kan Scorne and mokkë many A man; And to myn offyce, yt ys due, ffolkys lowly to salue. 'Lordys that ben off gret estaat, On hem I wayte, Erly and late; In wrong and ryght, I kan hem plese, And pleynly to ther hertys ese, fful gret plesaunce I kan do; My song to hem ys 'placebo,' And they ful wel vp-on me leve, I seyë[seye St., sey C.] nat that sholde hem greue; And thogh they kan me nat espye, Vn-to hem I kan wel lye. 'And my crafft I thus devyse: I sey to ffoolys, they be wyse, And to folk that ben hasty, 'I affermë[afferme yt St.] boldëly They be mesúrable and ffre, And off ther port fful áttempre. 'I sey also (off ffals entent,) To ffolkys that be neclygent, That they in vertu be besy; And to tyrauntys, ful boldëly I afferme, and sey hem thus, That they off hertë be pytous; I swere yt, for to make hem sure. 'And placys ful off old ordure, I kan strowhe with Rosshys grene, That ther ys no ffelthë sene. And I kan sette (or folk take hed) A Coyffe vp-on a skallyd heed: Thys myn offyce, and noon other; 'And at the kyngës hous, my brother, I am welkomyd off euery man, So wel to hem I plesë kan, ffor in that court ys no gestour, I yow ensure, nor tregetour, That doth to hem so gret plesaunce As I do with my dallyaunce, They han in me so gret delyt. 'Yet for al that, myn appetyt Ys to deceyue hem, grene and rype; So swetly with my ffloute I pype, My song ys swettere, hem tagree, Than off meremaydenys in the se, Wych, with ther notys that they sowne, Causë folkys for to drowne With ther sootë mellodye. 'My ryhtë namë ys 'Flatrye,'[= Flaterye] Callyd 'cosyn to Tresoun,' And by dyssent off lynë doun Eldest douhter off Falsnesse, Cheff noryce off Wykkednesse; And all thys oldë ffolk (certeyn) Her-to-fforn that thow hast seyn, I excepte off hem neuere on, 'I haue hem fostryd euerychon With my mylk, on and alle, In tast lyk sugre; but the galle Ys hyd, they may yt nat espye. 'And, with my mylk off fflaterye[fflatrye C. St.] I was noryce, and ek guyde, In especyal vn-to Pryde, Vn-to whom, in sothfastnesse, I am verray porteresse. And, that in me ther be no lak, I bere hyre euere vp-on my bak, And ellys she, in sowre and soote, She sholde shortly gon on[vnder St.] fote.' The Pylgrym:[St., om. C.] Thanne quod I, "answere to me; Thylke merour wych I se, Wych thow beryst, ther-in to prye, Tel on, what yt doth sygnefye!" Flatrye:[St., om. C.] 'Herdestow neuere her-to-forn Tellyn, how the vnycorn, Off hys nature, how that he fforgeteth al hys cruelte, And no maner harm ne doth, Whan that he be-halt (in soth) Hys ownë hed, and hath a syht Ther-off, with-Inne a merour bryht?' The Pylgrym:[St., om. C.] "I haue herd[herd St., her C.] sayd," quod I, "ryht wel Ther-off the maner euerydel." Flatrye:[St., om. C.] Than quod she, 'I wyl nat spare, Off Resoun, Prydë to compare To the vnycorn (off ryht), The wych, whan he hath a syht Off hym sylff in A merour, And beholdeth the rygour Off hys port, he bereth hym ffayre, And gynneth wexyn debonayre. And thys merour (in substaunce) 'Ys ycallyd 'Accordaunce,' Resownyng ay (be wel certeyn) To al that prydë lyst to seyn, To holde wyth hym in ech degre, With-outen al contraryouste; ffor whyl that folk hys wordys preyse, And on heyhte hys honour reyse, Al that whyle (in sykernesse) Prydë leueth hys ffersnesse, And ellys, lyk an vnycorn, He wolde hurtle with his horn, That no thyng, on se nor londe, Sholde hys cruelte with-stonde. 'And for thys cause, to my socour, I ber[bere St.] with me thys merour, ffro hys sawës nat dyscorde; What-euere he seyth, I accorde And assente ay wel ther-to. 'Who vnderstant, I am Echcho Among the rokkys wylde and rage, Wych answere to euery age: To yong and old, what so they seyn, I answere the same ageyn, In ryght and wrong, to ther menyng, And contrarye hem in no thyng.' [The Pilgrim:] And whyl that I held companye And dalyaunce with fflatrye, Heryng the maner and[and St., ad C.] the guyse Off hyr deceyt in many wyse, I sawh an old on, ful hydous, Off look and cher ryht outragous, Off whom ful sore I draddë me; And in hyr Eyen I dyde se Tweynë sperys[sporys St.] sharp and kene; And she glood vp-on the grene, (Me sempte, by good avysëment) On allë foure, lyk a serpent, Megre and lene, off chere and look; And for verray Ire she shook, Dreye as a bast, voyde off blood, Hyr fflessh wastyd, (and thus yt stood,) Men myghtë sen bothe nerffe and bon, And hyr Ioyntës euerychon. Other tweyne (I was wel war,) I sawh, that on hyr bak she bar, Wonder dredful and horryble, And to beholdë ful terryble:[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] On off hem (by gret outrage) Veylled was in hyr vysage, That men ne sholde hyr facë se, Nor hyr port in no degre; Hyr lokkys wern ryht Rud and badde; In hyr ryht hand A knyff she hadde, And in hyr lyfft (as semptë me) A boyst with oynementys had she; But hyr knyff, stel[fful St.] sharp and kene, Was hyd, that no man myghte yt sen, Be-hynde hyr bak ful couertly. The tother vekke, that rood on hih, Hadde in hyr hand a swerd also, And (as I took good hed ther-to) Endëlong yt was yset, fful off Eerys, and y-ffret Off swych folkys as wer wood. The toon Ende, (thus yt stood,) She yt held with-Inne hyr mouth, Wych was a thyng ful vnkouth. And ther-with-al, she,[she St., the C.] euere in on, ffastë gnew vp-on a bon; And (bettre hede[hede St., hed C.] ek as I took,) She hadde also a long flessh-hook, Double-fforkyd at the ende, Sharp and krokyd for to rende. The Pylgrym:[St., om. C.] Thys thyngës whan I gan beholde, Off the wych aforn I tolde, I abrayd with al my peyne; And off hyre that bar the tweyne Vp-on hyr bak / I gan enquere, That she lyst me for to lere, And declaren vn-to me Wheroff they seruede allë thre, And off that owgly companye They wolde her namys specefye. Envye Answerde:[ om. C.] 'I merveylle nat,' ywys, quod she, 'Thogh [that] thow abaysshed be; ffor the trouthe, yiff I shal seye, We woldë makë the to deye Or thow sholdest yt espye. 'ffor I am callyd 'Fals Envye,' Douhter to Pryde: whylom I was Conceyved whan that Sathanas By hys cursyd moder lay, Sythë go fful many a[a C., om. St.] day; And trustly, thogh I be nat ffayr, I am hys douhter and hys hayr, Who so lyst seke out the lyne. 'And shortly to determyne, Who so that consydre wel, Ther ys strengthë nor castel, Nouther cyte, borgh nor toun, But that I, by fals tresoun, Haue hem tournyd vp so doun By slauhtre and gret occisïoun. And haue her-off the lassë wonder, Whan I devydede hem assonder. 'I am that beste (who taketh kep) That devowrede whilom Ioseph, ffor whom Iacob, in gret peyne, Gan to sorwen and compleyne, Saydë, in hys mortal rage, How a bestë most savagegenesis 27 Capitulo Bestia deuorauit Iosep . . . St., om. C. Hadde hys chyld falsly devowryd, Wher-off he myghte nat be socóuryd; He ffelte yt at hys hertë roote. 'And vn-to me ys nothyng soote (The trouthë yiff I shal expresse,) 'But other folkys bytternesse; And whan I se ffolk lene and bare, That ys my norysshyng and welffare; And thus with me the gamë goth: Gladdest I am, whan folk ar[arn St.] wroth; Thér meschéff (I yow ensure) Ys my fedyng and pasture; The mylk off other menhys greff, Off my fostryng ys most cheff; And yiff I hadde ther-off plente, I sholde be faat[ffatt St.] in my degre, And for I ha nat myn Entent Off plente, therfor, I am shent; I wexë megre, pale and lene, Dyscolouryd, off verray tene, As I sholde yelde vp the breth; And no thyng so sone me sleth At allë tymes, as whan I se Other folk in prosperyte; And ther habundaunce in good, That dryeth and sowketh vp my blood. (The trouthë, yIff I shal yow teche) Evene lyk an horsë leche. 'And I dar seyn, (in myn avys,) Yiff that I were in paradys, I sholdë deye, and nat abyde, To beholde, on euery syde, The Ioye and the ffelycyte Off hem that ben in that contre; To me yt sholde be gretë[grete St., gret C.] wrong, ffor to duellyn hem among; Yt wolde myn herte assonder rende; And platly, to the worldys ende, I dar wel conferme and seye, I, envye, shal neuere deye, Nor in no cas yelde vp the breth; ffor he that ys ycallyd 'deth,' Thorgh-out the worldë,[worlde St., world C.] fynally, Shal be ded as sone as I. 'I am that beste serpentyne, 'Wych, off entent, my sylff enclyne, With allë folkys to debaate; And allë ffolkys ek I haate; I loue no thyng (thys the cas) Hih nor lowe, hault nor baas, In hevene, erthe, nor in the se; I ha despyt off charyte, And ek also, in every cost, I werreye the holy gost; And with thys sperys (in certeyne) Set with-Inne myn Eyen tweyne, I werreye euery maner whyht; I taake noon heed off wrong nor ryht, Reward off no man alyue. 'And the namys to descryue, Off thys sperys that I tolde,[C. & St.] Wych that thow dost[? wych, dost, each a foot, like 14,920?] [in me] beholde: The Ton ys namyd (Trustë me) 'Wraththe off the prosperyte Off other ffolkys me besyde, Wher that euer I go or ryde;' The tother callyd ys off me, 'Ioye off ffolkys aduersyte:' Yt maketh me glad, and nothyng dul; And with the ffyrstë spere, kyng Saul, He afforcede hym-sylff ther-with, ffor taslayn[to ha slayn St.] kyng Davyd; Hanger[Aunger St.] fret on hym so sore, Whan he herde the prys was more Off Davyd than off hym-sylff, allas! Off envye (and thus yt was) He hadde so inly gret dysdeyn, So gret despyt (ek in certeyn) That he ne myghtë (I ensure) In hys herte the wo endure. 'The tother spere off wych I spak Ther-with was taken fful gret wrak, ffor ther-with, (who that lyst aduerte,) Cryst was percyd to the herte By the hand off Longius '(As the gospel telleth vs) Affter hys grevous passioun. 'And yet (as in conclusioun) Whan he drank Eysel and galle, Scornyng off the Iewës alle, Ther mowyng and derysïoun Was to hym gretter passïoun In hys suffryng, or he was ded, Than was the sharpë sperys hed, Wych, A-mong hys peynes smerte, Rooff that lord vn-to the herte. 'And thys sperys bothë two, Yplauntyd ben (tak hed her-to) Myd off myn herte and off my thouhte, And fro me departë nouht; And fro myn eyen (yt ys no doute) Thys two sperys kam fyrst oute; And ther (yiff I shal nat feyne) They be set lyk hornës tweyne, And Round abouten envyroun They envenyme as poysoun. 'Myn eyen ben off kyndë lyk The Eyen off a basylyk, Wych, with a sodeyn look, men sleyth, And maketh hem yeldyn vp the breth; And who that dwelleth nyh by me, He deyeth A-noon as I hym se; Ther may no man hym-sylff for-bere, But my two douhtres that I bere. 'Yiff thow lyst a whylë dwelle, At bet leyser they may the telle Than may I, (on euery syde) Be causë only that they ryde Vp-on my bak, at ese and reste; flor they ha leyser at the beste, (Who taketh hed) mor than haue I; Therfore oppose hem by and by, What I am, bothe fer and ner, And they wyl telle the my maner.' The Pylgrym:[St., om. C.] And fyrst off allë, tho I spak To hyre that sat vp-on the bak Off Envye, formest off alle, Bytter off look as any galle, As she haddë ben in rage, Shrowdyd to-forn al hyr[hys St.] vysage, Requerynge hyre nat to spare, What she was, for to declare.[St. & C.] Tresoun Answerde:[St., om. C.] Quod she, for short conclusioun,[St. & C.] 'Yiff thow lyst knowe, I am Tresoun; And yiff that ffolkys knewen me, My fellashepe they woldë ffle, Eschewe yt, but he wer a ffool, Lete me abyde allone, al sool, Off me, so peryllous ys the suit. 'ffor thorgh me ys execut, Off my moder callyd Envye, Al the malys (who kan espye), Hyr wyl, hyr lust, and hyr lykyng, And hyr venym in euery thyng. And, for hyr-sylff may nat fulfylle Al hyr malys at[and St.] hyr wylle, Ther-for, off gret Inyquyte, ffyrst to scole she settë me, Bad, I sholde myn hertë caste To practyse and lernë faste, ffynde a way, by sommë[somme St., som C.] vyce Tácomplýsshen hyr malyce, Hyr cursyd fals affeccïoun To putte in execucïoun. 'And I wyl tellyn (off entente) ffyrst wher I to scolë wente; Off wychë[whiche St., wych C.] scolë (thys the caas), Myn ownë ffader mayster was; Wych tauhte my suster fyrst to frete, And the fflessh off men to ete, As yt werë, for the noonys, Gnawe and Ronnge hem to the boonys. 'Whan he me sawh the samë whyle, "Kome ner,' quod he, 'for vn-to guyle I se (by cler inspeccïoun) Ys hool thy dysposicïoun; To lerne and practyse in malyce And in every other vyce, Thow art off wyt and konnyng hable To be fals and déceyváble. Be fals inward, and outward sad,[sadde—gladde St.] And ther-off I wyl be glad[sadde—gladde St.] Wherso-euere that we gon.' 'And with that word he took A-noon Vn-to me, by gret corage, Out off a Boyst, a fals vysage, Took yt me ful couertly. A knyff ek, wych fful prevyly I am wont to bere with me, Hyd, that ffolk ne may yt se. 'Than my fader gan abrayde, And to me ryht thus he sayde, 'Douhter,' quod he, 'tak good hede: Yiff the fowlere ay in dede Shewede hys gynnës and hys snarys To thrustelys and to ffeldë-ffaarys, Hys lymtwyggës, hys panterys, And hys nettys by reverys,[Ryverys St.] Bryddes, ffor al hys gretë peyne, Ther-to woldë neuer atteyne, But hem eschewe with al her myght, Beete her wyngës, take her fflyht, Hys trappës all, a-noon for-sake; ffor wych, douhter, whan thow wylt make Any tresoun or compace, Shew outward an humble face; Thogh thyn herte be venymous, And off malys outragous, (Tak hed her-to, my douhter dere,) Outward, alway shew good chere; And, to hyde thy vyolence, Looke thow be, by ápparence,Non sunt occultaciores insidie quam que late[nt] sub similitu|dinem bonita[tis]. Seneca. Sootyl off port and off manere, 'And plesaunt alway off thy chere. 'Do as doth the scorpyoun, Wych by symulacïoun Outward (as by résemblaunce) Ys Amyable off contenaunce, And at the bak (or folk take hede,) With styngyng causeth folk to blede. 'And ther-for, off entencïoun, That thow sue hys condicïoun, I ha the yoven (off entent) A Boyst her, with an oynement. Vnder couert, to gynne a stryff, I ha the taken a sharp[sharpe St.] knyff, And also, for mor ávauntage, In-to thy hand a fals vysage; And with thys .iiij.[ffoure St.] (who reknë kan) Ther hath perysshed many A man; ffor in Regum, ye may se That Ioab (thorgh hys cruelte, As yt ys kouthe, ageyn al ryht) Slowh Amasa, A[the St.] worthy knyht. 'Ek whilom in the samë caas Stood the traytour callyd Iudas, Whan he traysshed cryst ihesu (That blyssyd lord, off most vertu) To the Iewes fful yore agon. And thow mayst Redyn, off tryphon The ffals tresoun, many weyes, In the book off Machabeyes. 'And al thys tresouns[alle his Tresoun St.] wrouht off Old, Vn-to the I haue hem told, To thyn offyce, as yt ys due, Off entent that thow hem sue; And that thow mayst hem wel reporte, Thyn ownë moder to counforte, ffor to helpyn hyr ffulfylle The surplus off hyr ownë wylle, And lat thy couert venym byte. 'Sparë nat also to[for to St.] smyte Wyth thys knyff, cloos and secre, 'Whan thow hast opportunyte; And loke that thow be dyllygent, Wyth thy plesaunt vnyment[Oynement St.] Tenoyntë-wyth thy vysage, That men sen nat thyn outrage; Be war that yt be nat apert; Kep al thy venym in covert, Ellys thow dost nat worth a lek. 'Shew the outward, ay humble and mek, Contrayre to that thow art with-Inne, Whan any tresoun thow wylt gynne; And looke thow takë hed ful offte, With thy wordys smothe and soffte, And with thy speche off fflaterye,[fflaterye St., fflatrye C.] To blerë many a lordys Eye; ffor, with enoyntyng off swych thynges, Lordys, prynces, and ek kynges, Other many dyuers estatys, Bothë bysshopys and prelatys, Ha ben ther-with deceyved offte. 'But, for the oynement ys soffte, They han echon (in ther entent,) Savour in that oynëment; They desyre, for ther plesaunce, That ffolkys in ther dallyaunce Sey no thyng that hem dysplese, But al that may be to hem ese, Wher-so that yt be ryht or wrong. 'Ther-for, my douhter, euer among, Sparë nat Ay to be bold; But that thow (as I ha told) In thy speche and thy language, With a fflatryng ffals vysage, Enoynt hem with thys Oynëment. And whan thow hast hem ther-with blent, With tresoun coveryd in thy thouht, Smyt with the knyff, and sparë nouht, With swych malys and cruelte, That they may neuer recuryd be. 'And whan my ffader, gon ful yore, 'Hadde in scole tauht me thys loore, Than was I lefft vp on A sak. Hih vp on my moder bak, As thow sest, ther-on to Ryde, And she ageyn to be my guyde. 'And trewly, yiff I shal expresse, I am bekome A gret maystresse ffro poynt to poynt, as thow mayst se, Off that my ffader tauhtë me, Bothe off spechë and language, And to shewe a fals vysage Whan that me lyst in myn entent; And also with the oynëment Off wych I tolde nat longe ago, And with the knyff yhyd also Vnder my cloke: off fals tresoun I ha lernyd my lessoun, And reporte yt in my[my St., om. C.] mynde. 'I kan byte also be-hynde With my sharpë toth fful wel, And yet ne berkë neueradel. I kan Enoynten euery Ioynt, And affter, with my knyvës[knyffis St.] poynt, Whan me lyst to makë wrak, I kan wel smyten at the bak With my tresoun ffraudulent; ffor I resemble the serpent, Wych, vnder herbys fressh and soote, Ys wont to daren by the roote, Coueryd with many a lusty fflour. 'But ther ne may be no socour Ageyn my styngyng, in no degre, Whan I haue opportunyte. And vnder colour, by deceyt, I lygge euermor in awayt, Simple and coy, off[off my St.] port ful lowe, That men my tresoun may nat knowe, Who-so-euere kometh or goth. 'Men ne knowë alway cloth,[goothe . . .Cloothe St.] Thogh the colour fresshly shynes; 'Nor men ne deme nat[nat St., om. C.] alway wynes;[Vynes St.] Thogh they blosme or buddë fayre, Som wynd or ffrost may yt apayre, Or som[somme St.] tempest with hys rage, To-for the tyme off the ventage: By exaumple, ys offtë sene, Som whilwh ful off levys grene, Wych hath ful many werm with-Inne, That fro the hertë wyl nat twynne Tyl they conswme yt euerydel,— The trouthe her-off ys prevyd wel,— And I resemble (who kan se) Vn-to the syluë samë Tre. I am the brygge, the planc[plank St.] also, That vnwarly wyl breke atwo Whan men ther-on han most her tryst; My tresoun neuer toforn ys wyst. 'To leue on me, yt ys gret ffolye, ffor I dar pleynly specefye,— Tak hed,[hede St.] for yt ys no Iape,— Yt ys ful hard a man tescape, Outher by wyt or by resoun, ffro my nettys off tresoun, As longe as I haue ávauntage ffor to bere thys ffals vysage With me[St.; C. burnt.] euer, off entencioun, ffor I am callyd dame Tresoun, Wych, by[by St.; C. burnt] the crafft that I wel kan, Have be-traysshed many a man, What with fflatrye and with ffables. 'I pley nouther at ches nor tables; And yiff yt happë (ffer or ner) That I pley at the cheker, Outher with hih or lowh estat, To hem ful offte I sey 'chek mat' Whan they wene (in ther degre) Best assuryd for to be; flor, by sleyhte off my drawyng, I ouerkome bothe Rook and kyng; ffro myn Engyn ther skapeth noon. 'Also, off fful yore agon, Thogh thow kanst yt nat espye, My moder, that callyd ys Envye, Hath had to the in thouht and dede Gret emnyte and gret hatrede; Wher-vp-on, she hath to me Yove in[a St.] charg to takë the, And comaundyd, by hyr leue, Off thy lyff the to be-reue, And to don myn hool entente, Ded, to hyre, the to[to St., om. C.] presente; And that thys thyng be do in rape. 'And therfor thow shalt nat eskape; Thow stondest in so hard a caas That the bysshop seyn Nycholas, ffro deth ne shal nat helpyn the, That whilom Reysede clerkys thre ffro deth to lyve (men wryten so); But he hath no thyng now a-do, The to socoure in no degre, Ageyn my myght to helpyn the.' And with that word (yt ys no ffaylle) She be-gan me to assaylle fful mortally off look and cher, And gan aproche and neyhen ner, Made a maner[manere off St.] contenaunce ffor to smyte by résemblaunce, Tyl the tother ffoul and old That stood be-sydë stout and bold, With-drouh hyr hand, and off fals guyle Bad hyre to abyde a whyle: Detraccioun[St., om. C.]: 'Suster,' quod she, 'be nat hastyff![Suster . . to Pryde, l. 15,255, is by a later hand, in the margin of C.] Lat hym a whylë haue hys lyff, And abyde a lytë throwe Tyl that he my namë knowe; And thannë ye, and I also, Shal assaylle hym bothë two So mortally, that he shal deye, And eskape no maner weye. 'ffor, but I (in myn entent) Wher[Were St.] at hys deth with yow present, Myn hertë wolde assonder Ryue. And ye shal sen (her, as blyue) Our bothen Awntë callyd Pryde, Off vyces allë lord and guyde: But yiff he were with vs also, He sholdë deye for verray wo. And he hath power most, and myght; And the cause, off verray ryht To hym parteneth touchyng deth; Ther-for, or any man hym sleth, Lat yt be don bassent[by assent] off Pryde, And we shal stondë by hys syde.' Traysoun:[St., om. C.] Quod traysoun, 'I assentë wel That we werkyn euerydel As ye ha sayd to-forn, and cast; But I wolde ha yt done in hast, That in vs ther wer no lak.' Than she that sat vp-on the bak, Ryght hydous off enspeccïoun,[Inspeccioun St.] I mene sothly, Detraccïoun Abraydë, off gret cruelte, And saydë thus in hast to me: Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'How artow,' quod she, 'so hardy To bern a staff so boldëly? I haatë stavys euerychon, Off pylgrymës, whan they gon On pylgrymagë wher they wende, Whan they be crossyd At the ende. In hem I ffynde alway som lak, And berke at hem behynde her bak Thogh to-forn I be plesaunt, And resemble Faulz-semblaunt, Wych hateth the and other mo; So doth my moder ek also, Whos hertë doth for Anger ryve. 'And whyl that thow art her[here St.] alyve 'We shal the Etyn, fflessh and bon; Other grace thow getyst noon Off vs, thogh thow makë stryff; ffor thow sawh neuere, in al thy lyff, Nor ne koudest yet espye, Houndys in the bocherye Mor gredy, rawh flessh to ete, Than I am now, the to ffrete; ffor my throte ys al blody, Lych a wolff that ys gredy, Shep in a folde for to strangle, And to devoure hem in som Angle. 'Stynkynge kareyn,[kareyns St.] her and ther, Ys my foodë most enter; In hyllys and in valys lowe, Lyk a Raven or lyk a crowe, On swych mosselles most I thynke, And ha best savour whan they stynke. Myn appetyt, yt ys so kene I loue no flessh[fflesshe St., flesshly C.] whan yt ys clene; Yt mvt stynken north and south, Or yt kome with-Inne my mouth; And al the felthë that men seth, Ys fyrst gnawen in my teth, And ychawyd vp and doun: My mayster tauhte me thys lessoun, Whan that I to scolë wente, To recorde yt in myn entente.' The Pylgryme:[St., om. C.] "I trowe thow koudest forge a-ryht Yiff thow foundë day or nyht Mater or cause to forgë by; But I supposë verrayly, No smyth ne may forgë wel An Ax off yren nor off stel; But yiff he hadde on off the tweyne Thogh he euere dyde hys peyne, He sholde nat fynde the maner how; No mor (I suppose) ne kanstow." Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'Trewly yiff thow lyst lere, I kan ffynde ynowh matere: I am so prudent and so wys; Good, I kan tourne in-to malys; Trewë menyng and goodnesse, I chaunge in-to wykkednesse. 'ffor me, I make ay som resoun By fals Interpretacïoun, What good werk I se men do. Wyn in-to water I chaunge also; I tourne ek by collusïoun Tryacle to venym and poysoun. Applys ffayre I kan enpayre, Thogh they be bothe good and ffayre; Worshepe I tourne in-to dyffame; On folkys goode, I putte ay blame; Ther goodë name, in halle and boure, As Rawh fflessh I kan devoure.' The Pylgryme:[St., om. C.] "Her-vp-on I pray the, Thy namë that thow tellë me." Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'To make a short descripcïoun, I am callyd 'Detraccïoun'; Thys the sentence off my lawe: With my teth I rende and gnawe. Off folkys fflessh, by gret avys, I makë mortrews and[and eke St.] colys Vn-to my moder callyd Envye. Whan she hath any malladye, I make hyr sowpe yt vp a-noon, Whan I ha grounde both flessh and bon. 'She me made gouérneresse Off hyr kychene, and maysteresse: Ther kometh no mete in hyr syhte But yiff that I to-forn yt dyhte; And hyr thank for to dysserue, Off straungë mes I kan hyr serue, With ffarsyd Erys fful off poysoun Put on A spytë by traysoun. 'Swettere than samoun outher karp, My tongë ys, that spytë sharp Wych hath the offyce and the charge ffor to make a woundë large; Yt kerueth sharpë, and mor narwe Than any quarel or hookyd arwe, Thogh the bowe be strongë bent ffro the place that yt ys sent: Wyth wych fful many a[a C., om. St.] man ys kut. 'And on thys spyte, the Erys be put, Off folk that yiven audyence, ffor to heryn the sentence And thabomynable sown Off sklaundre and off detraccioun, ffor to lestene hem fer or ner. And thus I Am maad hasteler ffor to do my[done my ful St.] bysynesse, To serue my moder in hyr syknesse.' The Pylgryme:[om. C.] "Wherfor," quod I, "berstow that Crook, Dowble-forkyd as a flessh-hook?" Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'Tak hed,' quod [s]he,[I C., St.] 'and thow shalt se How that I werke in my degre: ffyrst off all (yiff thow lyst lere), Whan I percyd haue an Ere Thorgh-out, and fyndë no dyffence, Than I do my dyllygence, With my flesshhook to a-proche; And ther-with-al I do acroche, Rende away, with som fals blame, The Renoun and the goodë name Off folkë,[ffolke St., ffolk C.] thogh ther be no preff; ffor I am wers than ys a theff, Wych day and nyht doth hys labour, ffro men to stelyn ther tresour. 'But I stele off entencïoun Ther goodë fame and ther renoun, Wych (shortly for to specefye) Ys wors than any roberye.' The Pylgryme:[St., om. C.] "Than, record off thyn ownë mouth, Thow art a theff, both north and souht; ffor a good name (I dar expresse) Ys bet than gold or gret rychesse." Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'Thow mayst wel seyn yt off Resoun; ffor, as the wysë Salomoun In hys proverbys bereth wytnesse, That gold, tresour, and gret Rychesse, A good name doth wel al surmounte, Who that lyst[kan St.] a-ryht acounte.Prouerbiorum 22o Capitulo Melius est nomen bonum Diuicijs. 'And her-vp-on I make A preff, That ther ys noon so perillous theff As he that steleth a-way the ffame, The rénoun, and the goodë[goode St., good C.] name Off a man in hys contre, Off malys and Inyquyte; ffor swych A theff (be wel certeyn) May yt nat restore ageyn; 5And with-oute Restitucïon Shall I neuere ha fful pardon; I shall be asshamyd sore, His goodë Namë to Restore, That I hadde onys sayde certeyn, For to Revoke my worde ageyn.5[5_5 St., om. C.] Myn Awnte (I wot ryht wel also) Woldë nat accorde ther-to.' The Pylgrym:[om. C.] "I woldë wyte what thow dost than, Whan thow hast Robbyd thus A man Off hys honour and goodë[goode St., good C.] ffame: What dostow thannë with hys name?" Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'I wyl answere to thy demaunde: I[And St.] maake a maner off vyaunde Off that namë doutëles; And next, affter the fyrstë mes, Wyth swych A Coolys I hyr serue, Ellys she sholde for hunger sterue: 'Thys secounde cours (yt ys no dred,) Doth gret good vn-to hyr hed;[drede. grete goode/.hede St.] Whan she hath sowpyd that potage, Off verray custoom and vsage; ffor wych I am mad[mad om. St.] 'cusyner,' And for hyr mouth, 'cheff potager." The Pylgryme:[St., om. C.] "ffor auht that I espyë kan Sythe tymë that the world began, I sawh neuer, nor fond or now, A wersë best than art thow." Detraccioun:[St., om. C.] 'Al ys trewe that thow dost telle, ffor I am wers than any helle; ffor trewly hellë hath no myght To don harm to Any whyht But to the ffolk that he hath bounde. 'But I kan hurte, and make a wounde, Nat only to folk present, But vn-to hem that ben absent. Helle ek (as I tellë kan,) May damáge noon hooly man; ffor thogh in hellë wer seyn Iohn, Off peynë sholde he ffelyn noon, ffor hys parfyt hoolynesse Sholdë lyhte al ther dyrknesse, And quenche also (yt ys no drede) The brennynge ek off euery glede. 'But I kan hurtë (trustë me,) An hundryd myle by-yowndë se. ffro my wondyng, (thys no iape) By absence no man may eskape. Afftere, I hurte in absence Mor Grevously than in presence, Goodë folk as wel as badde, That to-forn good rénoun hadde. 'Trust ek wel (yiff thow lyst knowe) Yiff seyn Iohn were in erthë lowe,— That hadde for hys perfectyoun And holynesse, so gret Renoun,— 'ffor all hys vertues good and fayre, Yet I koude hys name apayre By ffals report, and that ful blyue; ffor ther ys noon so good alyve, Nor neuere was, in-to thys day, But that I koudë fynde a way, Hys namë and hys vertues alle, ffor tapeyre hem or apalle, By som fals wynd reysed aloffte; And so I hauë don ful offte; Swych ys my condicïoun Wych callyd am 'Detraccïoun." The Pylgrym:[, om. C.] And whan I longë lestnyd hadde, Gretly in my herte I dradde; And, to with-stonde hys cruelte, I castë for to armen me, Lyst that thys thre wolde a-noon, By assent vp-on me gon, Affter that Detraccïoun Hadde maade an ende off hyr sarmoun, With-outen any mor abood; ffor they round aboutë stood, Echon redy me tassaylle Mortally, as by[in St.] bataylle. ffyrst I lookede me be-hynde, And gan enqueryn off my mynde, To taken me my swerd in haste, Or I eny ferther paste; Gaff also to hyre in charge, ffor to taken me my targe; ffor shortly, leyser hadde I noon, Other Armure to done vp-on. And, lyk to my comaundement, She took hem me off good entent, In hope they sholdë me avaylle. And I be-gan hem to asaaylle, Sette vp-on, to my power. And they, malycyous off cher, Seynge I woldë me dyffende Gan Att onys on me descende Lykly tahaue had the bet off me, Haddë nat the whyhte dowe be, Wych, me to coumforte in my dred, Alyhte adoun vp-on myn hed,[6 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And goodly gan me to coumforte, Makyng myn Emnyes to resorte ffor verray ffer, and stonde asyde, That they durstë nat abyde But off maalys cryede out, And, on me gan make a shout, Swoor (I haue yt wel in mynde,) Yiff they myghten euere fynde Me at large, by any way, Whan Grace Dieu wer[wer St., when C.] gon away They woldë (thorgh her cruelte) Vp-on me avengyd be. And how yt ffyl, I wyl nat spare, Vn-to yow for to declare. Off me trewly, thus stood the caas: Whan that I delyuered was Off my dedly mortal foon, Yt fyl so, and that a-noon, The whytë dowe had take hyr flyght. And was agon out off my syht Vn-to hyr lady Grace dieu, Wych that hath so gret vertu. Thanne off me, thus yt be-fyl. As I wente toward an hyl, With on I mette, hydous and wykke, And al hys body Armyd thykke With hallys that wer sharp and kene: And as I koudë deme and sene, Lyk a skyn off an yrchown He was arrayëd vp and doun, Ygyrt with a brood fawchon;[C. & St.] In euery hand a callyoun,[? caillou, a flint stone] Out off wyche (yt ys no doute) The redë fyr gan sparklyn oute; And yt sempte by hys vysage That he was ffallyn in A rage; And in hys mouth A sawe off stel He bar, that was endentyd wel[7 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] With teth ffyled for to byte; And lyk as thogh he woldë smyte, He caste hys look vn-to me-ward. And whan I took ther-to Reward, Aud off hys port gan haue a syhte, I Axede hym what that he hihte. Wrathe:[In Stowe's hand, C, Wraththe St.] 'Tak thys,' quod he, 'in wordys fewe: I am komë for to shewe To the (off hol entencïoun) ffully myn occupacïoun, As thow shalt wyte with-Inne A throwe. And yiff thow lyst my namë knowe, I am the oldë, most owgly, Skynned rowh and yrchownly; Myn heer vntressyd and vndyht, And in Ordre nat kempt A-ryht, Douhter to that Rowhe yrchoun Wych euere (in hyr entencïoun) Ys to vertu grettest Enmy; With whos prykkës mortally She hath hyr sylff Enarmyd me, To shewe outward my cruelte.[C. & St.] And who-euere to me aproche, A-noon I marke hym with my broche, Perce hym thorgh, by gret vengaunce: ffor thys my Ioye and most plesaunce, Voyde off mercy and al pyte, Euere for tavengyd be On all that do me any wrong; ffor off power I am mor strong, That god only, off hys suffraunce, Hath in myn hand yput vengaunce And fully execucïoun, By lettre and by commyssïoun: 'ffor wych I am (in myn Entent) Deyngnows and inpacyent, Mor sharp (behynden and beforn,) Than brembel, or any maner thorn. And who that[so St.] lyst to close hys vynes, Or Round abouten hys gardynes With my sharpnesse cloos aboute, He sholde ha no maner doute Off entryng in, nor off no ffon; ffor hegh so sharp ys makyd noon So strongë wrouht, nor so myghty, That ys drad so myche as I, Nor so despytous by to pace. 'My namë callyd in ech place Ys thys, 'Noli me tangere'; ffor I haue 'carmen et ve'; Thys to seyne, (yiff yt be souht) Be war that thow touche me nouht. With me I haue (Eve and morwe) Lamentacioun, dool and sorwe; ffor I, devoyde off al Resoun, Wyl cachche A-noon occasïoun (Thogh that ther no causë be) A-noon for to avengë me[C. & St.] I putte al folk in swych affray.[C. & St.] 'And as a Bakkë at mydday ffleth, and yet may se no syht Thogh that the sonnë shynë bryht, Ryght so, off malys and off pryde, Wherso-euere that I abyde, I blyndë ffolkys off al Resoun, And, for lak off déscrecioun,[dyscrecioun St.] I cause hem that they may nat se But bestyally in ther degre. I trouble hem (in especyal) That they be verray bestyal; I make hem lookë pale and megre, Yive hem vergows and vynégre To encresse her trouble and[and C., om. St.] wo, And yive hem other sawtys mo; 'Mor to folkys colleryk Than to folkys fflewmatyk. 'I make also (as I wel kan) In the ffyrmament off a man Whom that phylosoffres Alle 'The lasse world' a man they calle In ther bookys (so they wryte); And in that world I kan excyte The wyndës off dyssencïoun And thondrys off rebellïoun. 'I dyrke (with-oute Awysëment) Ther wyt and ther entendement, And clypse also ther Resoun (ffor lakkyng off dyscrecïoun), And cause hem to ben despytous, Vengable and malencolious, I am so verray serpentyne. 'Whan Ire doth myn hertë myne, I am so venymows (in soth), I bolle as any crepawd doth; I makë blast, I blowe and yelpe; I am the bychchë gret with whelpe, That whelpeth kenetys off meschaunce, Euere redy to do vengaunce. In loue, I kan ha no swetnesse, ffor, I hauë mor sharpnesse Than outher brambel, bussh or brere. 'And I am ek (as thow shalt lere) Whan I am steryd in my blood, Mor sowr and bytter than wormood; Ne wer vengaunce, I wer but lorn, ffor, I am the sharpë thorn Off wych (by descripcïoun) Iudicum maketh mencïoun,Egrediatur Rampnus. Iudicum 9o. capitulo. C., om. St. Off wych the ffyr sprang out A-noon, And brente the cedrys euerychon. ffor who ne toucheth, in myn Ire, With Anger I renne anoon affyre, Whan any wynd at me doth blowe, Men may yt by the smokë knowe. 'I hurtle thys hardë stoonys tweyne, Smytë fyr with al my peyne; Make the sparklys out to gon; And yiff I hadde ynowh bronstoon, I sholde (off malys, in my werkyng,) Sette affyre al maner thyng With-outë mercy or respyt. 'On off thys stonys ys 'Despyt' Ycallyd / the tother hyhte 'Stryff': With wychë tweynë, al my lyff I haue, in hih and lowe estaat, Mad folkys offten at debaat; And off thys two, by mortal lawe, Whylom forgyd was thys[my St.] sawe, The wych, (As thow mayst beholde) With-In my sharpë teth I holde; And in the forgyng, ek ther-with The hamer Stryff, despyt the Styth.[Stythe St., Styhhe C.] 'And the yren (by sentence) Callyd was 'Inpacyence' Wych was dolven out off helle, Wher that blakë ffendys dwelle. And (yiff thow lyst sen al the caas,) Thus the sawe endentyd was, And al teth set by and by Wrouht by me ful crafftyly. 'ffyrst (as I shal her expresse,) A lady callyd 'Ryghtwysnesse,' Smyth and also forgeresse a line blank in C.; no gap in St. Off al vertues, rekne echon, Hyr sylff hem forgeth, on by on; And she hath (in conclusïoun,) A ffyle callyd 'Correccïoun' With wych (thogh yt be nat soote) She ffyleth synnës to the roote, That no Rust (I the ensure) May ther kankren nor endure, She skoureth yt a-way so clene, That noon ordure may be sene. 'And yet she hath assayed offte, With hyr ffylë (no thyng soffte) Vp-on my cursyd yren hard, Rebel, rusty, and froward, ffor to do the rust a-way. And as she fylede day be day Vp-on myn yren, rowh and old, Ther-off she made (as I ha told) Thys sharpë[sharpe St., sharp C.] sawe (in verray dede) Wych that callyd ys 'Hatrede.' And wyth thys sawe (tak hed her-to) Ys I-sawhe and kut a two, Parfyt loue and vnyte, Concord and ffraternyte; Off charyte and állyaunce Maad also dysseueraunce; Yt cut a two ech vertu. 'In Iacob and EsavOderat ergo Esan Iacob Dixit-que venient dies vt occidam Iaeob. Genesis. 27o. capitulo Thow mayst sen a pleyn fygure Yiff thow rede the scrypture: Thys sawhe made hem gon assonder, The Ton her, the tother yonder; And longë[longe St., long C.] tyme assonder were. 'And thys sawhe also I bere (As thow sest) her in my mouth Wher-euere I go, both Est and south, Off entent (be wel certeyn) Whan-euere I pray, or sholdë seyn My pater noster nyht or day, Thanne I sawhe my-sylff a-way ffrom the hooly trynyte: I preve yt thus, (as thow mayst se,) I pray god (off entencïoun) Off my synnës to han pardoun, Evene lyk to my socour So[As St.] I forgyve my neihhëbour. In my prayere ek I sette, That he forgyuë me my dette As I forgyvë folk thoffence That to me dyde vyolence; 'And to conclude, (yiff yt be souht,) I forgyve her-off[ther off St.] ryht nouht; Than muste yt folwe (off equyte) My prayere ys ageyn[e]s me: To-ward my-sylff (by mortal lawe) Wrongly I tourne thys ylkë sawe In the wych ys no profyt, Worshepe, honour, but fals delyt, But gret damage and harm ful offte. 'And he that sholdë stonde aloffte, Holdynge thys sawhë (thys the caas,) He ys be-nethe, and stont most baas; In signe wheroff, (who lyst knowe,) Sathanas, he ys most lowe, Wych fyrst off allë bar thys sawe. 'My fawchoun ek, whan I yt drawe, Wych that hangeth by my syde Ther-with offte I kan provyde To maken (off Entencïoun) Knyhtys off my condicioun; Swych I mene, in ther degre, As thys mordererys be. Ther-wyth I gyrde hem euerychon, Off wychë Bárrabas was On, As he that was an homycyde. 'And looke ek on the tother syde, Tyrauntys wer gyrt with thys[the St.] fawchoun Whan they (with ful gret passïoun) Slowhe thapostellys ek also, And holy martyrs bothë two Swych tyrauntys, in ther rage, Lyk to bestys most saváge Tournyd were fro ther Resoun, Wors than Beere, boor or lyoun, Wych that dwelle in wyldernesse. 'And ryhtful kyngës, in sothnesse, Sholde hunte hem out, and at hem chace, Wher they dwelle in Any place, Both beforn and ek behynde, Rather than outher hert or hynde. 'Ther-for, with-outë wordys mo, Be Avysed what thow wylt do; Yiff thow wylt stonden at dyffence, Ageyn me maken résystence With thy swerd, and with thy targe, Wych that ys so brood and large: Off hem I haue no maner doute, Be causë thow art nat with-oute, The to dyffende, fro poynt to poynt, Clad a-bove with a purpoynt; And I shal ek (yt ys no drede) Hauë helpe, yiff yt be nede, Ageyns the to do vengaunce The to bryngen to outraunce.' The pilgrym:[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym St.] "Be war, touche me nat," quod I; "ffor yiff thow do, (fynally,) I am cast, in my[my St., thy C.] dyffence, ffor to makë résystence As longë as me lasteth breth; fful myghtyly vn-to the deth, I shal nat spare, (yt ys no faylle)." And ffyrst he gan me thus assaylle; Hys callyouns to-gydre he smoot Tyl they gan to wexen hoot, And ther-with he gan loudë crye. And than at erst I gan espye; ffro the hyl descendyng doun, Kam with hym 'Trybulacioun,' Off stature gret and large With-outë sheld or any targe. To me-ward she gan hyr dresse. In hyr hand, (by gret duresse,) A gret hamer I beheld; And in the tother hand she held A peyre off pynsouns ek ther-wyth; And A Barmfel off A smyth, At hyr brest she hadde vp-bounde. Tribulacion:[In Stowe's hand. Trybulacion St.] Quod she to me, 'thow art wel founde. 'Thow knowest (I trowe, in thyn entent) That Ire hath me to[vnto St.] the sent: Thys sawe shal me ber record; ffor he and I ben off accord; Mawgre thy myght, thow mvst ley doun Her, affor me, thy Bordoun. 'Thow hast nat On, in thy dyffence,[St. & C.] No Gambysoun[St., C. burnt] off pacyence, For off thy targe[St., C. burnt] and off[Targe/nor St.] thy swerd I am in no wyse afferd; They may no thyng avayllë the, ffor to ffyhte ageynës[ageyns C., St.] me.' the pilgrym:[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym St.] "Touchyng thy name, me lyst nat lere; But off the I wolde enquere, Wher-off thyn Instreumentys thre Servyn, that thow beryst with the." tribulacion:[In Stowe's hand. Trybulacion St.] 'Myn instrumentys (in wordys ffewe) Declare openly, and shewe (Shortly in conclusïoun) What ys myn occupacïoun. Me wanteth nothyng but a styth, But I sholdë, lyk a smyth, fforge A-noon (with-outë stryff) Vn-to the A crowne off lyff. But, for cause (yiff thow ha mynde) That thy Styth ys lefft behynde Off neclygence, ther thow gost, Thow stanst in pereyl to be lost. And for thy styth ys now away, I shal the smyten, yiff I may; Than thow shalt, with-Inne A trowe,[throwe St.] My konnyng and my crafft wel knowe. 'I am gold-smyth (in sothnesse) Off hevene, and the forgeresse Wych in erthe (by gret avys) fforge the crownys off paradys; ffor with myn hamer, mor and more I batre the metal wonder sore, 'ffor to prevë wel the metal That yt be foundë good at al, By assay, bothe ffer and ner. And in A ffurneys bryht and cler, To preve yt good, (as I the tolde) With my Toongys I yt holde fful offtë sythe, and spare yt nouht. And whan I ha the trouthe out souht, And ffyndë that ther be no let, Yiff yt be good, I make yt bet. Yiff yt be wykkë, (trustë me,) I make yt wors (as ffolk[men St.] may se). 'Myn hamer, by descrypcïoun, Ys callyd 'persecucioun,' Wych doth to ffolk ful gret offence: Whan the doublet off pacyence Ys devoyded from her bak, Than go, farewel, al goth to wrak; Ther manhood and ther renoun Al tourneth to confusïoun. 'Iob, whilom by pacyence, Hadde yt On in hys dyffence, And other seyntys, fer and ner Rehersyd in our kalender. 'My toongës (as I shal expresse) Ben ycallyd ek 'Dystresse,' Wych that werkyn to an herte fful gret anguissh and gret smerte; And in a pressour off gret peyne They kan ful offte A man dystreyne Bothe with-outen and with-Inne, As gold ffoyl ybetyn thynne. Swych pressyng (who kan espye) Causeth, from a manhys Eye, The saltë terys dystyllë doun, Makynge A demonstracïoun, And an evydent massage Off sorwe in herte and gretë[grete St., gret C.] rage 'Thys Barmfel also that I were, And a-ffor my brest yt bere,[C. & St.] 'Callyd ys by ryhtful name[C. & St.] 'Confusioun' or ellys 'Shame';[C. & St.] As thus (for to specefye) Whan I do swych tormentrye With my bytter peynys strong— Be yt ryht or ellys wrong— To don execucïoun Outher be cyvyle or kanoun; The shame ther-off, and the[grete St.] outrage, Shewyd ys in the vysage; And most he hath occasïoun, That most hath persecucïoun. 'And I shal preue A-noon by the, Yiff thow konne ashamyd be. I shal assayë for to smyte Vp-on thy bak, my sylff taquyte ffor to fulffyllë the talent That Ire hath in hys entent Enclosyd by ful mortal lawe. ffor whyle that Ire bereth the sawe, Thow shalt, by persecucïoun, Outher breste, or make a soun Outward, as by som gruchchyng, Or by som noyse in cómpleynyng: A voydë vessel, pype, or tonne, Whan the lycour ys out Ronne, Who smyt thér-on / vp / or doun, Yt maketh outward a gret soun, Mor than to-forn, whan yt was ful; And therfóre, who that ys dul And voyde off vertu (douteles) By pacyence kan ha no pes, Whan he, by trybulacïoun, Suffreth[Suffrethe my St.] persecucïoun, Wrong, or any maner wo: Adonay me toldë so, Whan she me madë fyrst a smyth, ffor to forge vp-on hyr Styth.' the pilgrym:[In Stowe's hand, C. The Pylgrym St.] "Yiff thow be makyd by offys "(As thow seyst) smyth off paradys, Mak me no dylacïoun, But shewe me thy commyssioun, Thy power also, and thy myght, That I may sen hem A-non ryht. ffor, but I se hem, trustë me, I wyl in no thyng leuë the Off al that euere thow hast me told." And she, out off A box ful old, Took out A Commyssïoun, And sayde, lyk hyre entencïoun: Tribulacion:[In Stowe's hand, C. Trybulacion St.] 'Se thys,' quod she, 'and rede yt wel, And looke yt ouer Euerydel, And ther-vp-on the wel avyse. Yiff that it may nat suffyse, I shal the shewe A-nother to, Wych I haue with me also: Red hem bothe, and thow shalt se My power and Auctoryte.'[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] the pilgrym:[In Stowe's hand. The Pylgrym St.] And whan they wern vn-to me take, A-noon I gan me redy make, Redde hem bothë two yffere; And fynally, yiff ye lyst here, And to me yiven Audyence,[St. & C.] This was the fyrste, as in sentence.[St. & C.] The comisyon & power gyven to tribulation:[In Stowe's hand. The Comyssioun and Power yove / vn-to Trybulacion. 'Adonay, the myghty kyng Wych ys lord off euery thyng, Emperour off Ryghtwysnesse, Whos power (in sykernesse) Neuere eclypsyth off hys lyht, But shyneth euere ylychë bryht, As he that lord ys off nature, And euer in On shal so endure, As off power and off Renoun, Elthe to trybulacioun! 'We haue vnderstondë late, Tydynges nat ful old off date, How the Stepmoder off vertu, And ful enmy to cryst ihesu, Wych callyd ys 'Prosperyte,' Ageyn al ryht, thorgh hyr powste, Hath Our sawdyours[Sowdyours St.] assaylled, Set on hem, and nat yfaylled, By maner off collusïoun Drawe her hoodys lowë doun Ouer ther face, by swych degre That they be blynd, and may nat se, (Wych ys ful hard for to recure,) And be-rafft hem ther Armure; Only off fals presumpcïoun, With-outë restytucïoun, Take away ther Garnysouns, The castelys also and the Touns Wych that longede off equyte Vn-to Gracë dieu and me.[to me St.] 'But now off newe, (yt ys no nay,) ffrom vs she hath hem take away, With-oute forberyng or favour Dyspoylled vs off Our tresour, And, in our tours strong and Old, Vesellys off syluer and off gold, Take hem a-way by Tyranye, Bextorsïoun and[and by St.] roberye; I menë most, in éspecial, Ther goodys that were Espyrytual; Swych goostly goodys euerychon Ben yrobbyd And agon; And thorgh hyr Ravyne and robbyng, She hath lefft ful nyh no thyng. ffor wych, we lyst no lenger tarye, But vn-to the, Our secretarye And Our sergaunt in thys caas, (Wych off custom berst our maas) We (wyth al our hool entent,) Sende vn-to the A Maundement, 'And commytten our power, ffor to cerchë ffer and ner, Hows by hows, wher-euere he be, To sekyn out Prosperyte. 'And that thow, in al wyse Be bysy, hym for to chastyse, That he no mor, by no quarelle, Be hardy, ageyn vs to rebelle; Holde hym euere so lowë doun, Chargyng, by thys commyssïoun, That allë tho that thow mayst fynde (I menë, hem that be mad[made St.] blynde Bassaut off thys Prosperyte) Tourne her hoodys, and make hem se; Chástyse hem, (in thyn entent,) And byd hem take avysëment, ffyrst, her Eyen to vnclose, And so her hertys to dyspose, ffor to looken vp ful offte To the hevene hih aloffte; And hem syluen mor tassure,[St. & C.] Take ageyn ther olde Armure[St. & C.] Vn-to hem, bothe plate and maylle,[St. & C.] (Lyst ther enmyes hem assaylle,)[St. & C.] Wych they ha broke, and lost in veyn; Lat hem reforge hem newe ageyn. 'Grauntë to swych euerychon, Crownys with many A rychë ston, I mene, to hem that, off assent, Obeye vn-to thy maundëment.[St. & C.] 'And for thys skyle, (in sykernesse,) We have maad the Forgeresse And Goldsmyth off our hevenly tour, ffor to don ay thy labour, To al that suffre as Champyons, ffor to forge hem rychë crownys, Wher-so they suffre, on se or lond, 'And sese also in-to thyn hond, Solace and play in ech cyte, And al swych worldly vanyte, 'And Ioyës that ben transytórye, Revel, and al worldly glorye. And wher thow mayst hem sen or knowe, Burye hem in the Erthë lowe; Oppresse hem with thy sharpë shours, ffor they deceyve our sawdyours.[Sowdyours St.] 'And we thé grauntë ful power Duely to don thy dever; To sen our vessellys euerychon, Wher that they be voyde or noon, fful off good or wykkednesse, To knowë do thy besynesse. Touche hem with Trybulacioun; And yiff they Gruchche, or makë soun, Yt ys a tookne vn-to the Off good, that they yvoyded be. And yiff thow se by thy touchyng That they resowne no maner thyng,As the catchwords at the foot of this leaf are "Yt ys an open," the next sheet, at least, of the Cotton MS. is missing. I therefore copy and print it from the Stowe MS. 952, leaves 284-301, with its metrical pause-bars.—F. Hyt ys an opne / Evydence Off gruchchyng / ther ys nōōn Offence; For we Charge the / day by day, Cerche hem wel / And make assay. 'And who off hyh / or lowh degre That lowly / wyl obey[en] the, For hys suffraunce / and lowlyhede He shal be Crownyd / For hys mede In oure Court / Celestyall. Loo! off thy power / thys ys All, Charge to done / Execucion, And Fyn off oure Commyssion, ¶ Yove and wryte / (who lokë wel,) Vnder oure ownë / pryve sel Vp-on the day / (by goode avys) Whan Adam / Out off Paradys Exyled was / (as thow mayst se) With alle hys hool Posteryte, 'For ther was nōōn / Excepcion. ¶ 'And the tother Commyssion That I off spak / I shall the shewe; And yt ys thys / In wordys Fewe: ¶ Thamyral / off the gretë See, Fulle off Wawes / (as men may se,) Which that callyd / ys Sathan— Grettest Enmy / vn-to Man, Foo to Adam / and hys Lynage, For topresse hem / with hys Raage, Kyng of alle / Inyquyte, And Tormentour / off Equyte, By wronge / and Persecucion, Elthë / to Trybulacioun, Swych as we / may to hym sende For tapeyre / and nat Tamende,— We haue syttyng / In oure Dongoun, Knowyng / by clere Relacioun That the Sergeauntys / Fynally Off the myghty kyng / Adonay Ageyn oure power / haue ytake, And ther-vp-on / hem Redy make With vs / For to haue a-do, And wynne the place / that we kam Fro, And hem purpose / in that Cyte Ther For to / Receyved be; And, lyke / as myghty Champyouns, Made hem Skryppes / and Bordouns, Seyn that they / in ther vyage, Wyl thedyr gōōn / On pylgrymage, Euerych off hem / In ther degre. 'Wher-vp-on / we chargë the, Sende to thé / oure Maundement, Thé yevnge / In Commaundement, That thow shalt kepë / the Passage, To lette hem / in ther Pylgrymage; Espye hem out in euery place, Smyte hem / or that thow Manace; Oppresse hem / with thy vyolence Abowë Iobys Pacyence, Which tooke away / hys Temperalte, He nat gruchchynge / In no degre. ¶ Travaylle / In thyn Entencion To Reve hem Skryppë / and Bordon; Atte the herte / do hem sorwe and wo; And with thy Toongès / pynche hem so On euery halff / that thow nat Fayle To Rende out Bovel / and Entraylle; As the Bowelles / off Iudas, Streyne hem / In the samë caas, That they / be grete Adversyte May hange hem selff / vp on a Tree, ¶ And on thys caas / both ferr and ner, To the we grauntë / Full power, As by oure / Commyssioun Wretyn / In oure derke Dongoun, The samë tyme / whan Cryst Ihesu Vp on the Cros / by hys vertu Graunted the Theeff / For a grete prys, To Entren / In-to Paradys!' The Pylgrym: "And whan I hadde / hem bothë seyn, I tooke hem / vn-to hym ageyn, Axede hym / anōōn Right tho Yiff he wolde / vse hem bothë twoo Lykë Frely / In Werkynge, Syth thei Fyn / off ther menynge Concludë nat / In oo Sentence; For, as grete ys / the dyfference Atwene hem tweynë / by Obstácle, As bytwene venym / and Tryacle." Trybulacion: 'When I ha take / on thè the wrak, And strongely Forgyd / on thy Bak, Than shaltow / by Elleccïoun Haue Choys / to which Commyssioun Thow wylt thè take / and ther abyde. For ȝiff that thow / on yche a syde Seyst ryght nought / In thy dyffence, But suffrest alle / In Pacyence 'With-oute Murmure / or any Soun, But off hoole / Entencïoun When thow Felyst / dool or Smerte, Thankest god / with alle thyn herte, Than maystow wytte / and Fully knowe That my power / hyh and lowe Is taken / In Conclusïoun Off the Fyrst / Commyssioun. ¶ 'But yiff yt falle / be wel certeyn, That thow stryve / or gruchche ageyn In thy sylff / by vyolence Arryuest / For Impacyence, And besy art / yt to with-stonde, Thankest nat god / ek off hys sonde, But Fyndest / somme Fals Occasyoun To lese thy Skryppe / and thy Bordoun, Castest hem / wylfully a-way, As whylom dydd / (yt ys no nay) By grete mescheef / Theophilus. And semblably / yiff thow do thus, Than ys my Commyssioun Yove / to thy dampnacioun By the power / off Sathan, Which / For to deceyvë Man, Travaylleth ay / to make hym lese. ¶ 'Wher-Fore thow mayst / off bothë chese, And haste ek / Fre Elleccïoun, Which / off Eche Commyssïoun I shall vse / ageyn[e]s the. ¶ For I ha no Lyberte, But evene lyke / as I thè Fynde, Thè to Cónstreyne / or vnbynde, Affter thy / Condicïoun To vsen / Eche Commyssïoun. ¶ My power ys / In allë Rewmys, Lyke vn-to / the Sonnë Bemys, Shynynge most hoote / the Sommerys day, On Foulë Erthe / and tendre Clay, Hys grete heete / maketh hem anōōn To wexe as harde / as eny Stoon. ¶ 'But wex and Talwh / yt doth Relente. And evene thus / In myn Entente, Lyke Folkys / Dysposicïoun Is myn / Operacïon; And thus vsynge / myn Sergawntry, I kan werkë / dyuersly; Wher-ffore I rede / be war off me, For I anōōn / shal smytë the.' The Pylgrym: And Iustly Covenaunt / he held: He smoot me so / that Spere and Sheld Fro me Fyllen / doun to grounde, Hys Strokys wern / so Fel and Rounde And trewly / For my grete dystresse, Ire kaughte / a grete gladnesse, And wolde / to my confusïoun, Ha wounded me / with hys Fawchoun; But Trybulacion / stoode be syde, And badde he shulde / a whyle abyde, Medle off hym / as yitt no more; 'ffor I shall ffyrst / my sylff, so sore, Done on hym / so grete vengaunce, So grete anoy / and dystourbance, With my Toongës / streyne hym so, And batre hym / On the bak ther-to With myn hamer / large and longe, That hath an heed / yfforged stronge, To chastyse hym / in swych manere Ther-by that he / shall wel lere, As be my / Comyssyoun That I am / Trybulacïoun.' And ffelly thus / to Ire he spak, And euere batrynge / on my bak, With his Toongës / gan me streyne That me semptë / ffor the peyne, I was pressyd / In a pressour, Voyde off helpe / and alle sokour, Compleynyng / ffor my grete penaunce, Tyl yt ffel / In my Rémembrance, ¶ And hadde vnto / a worde Rewarde That I radde onys / off seynt Bernard, How, in alle greff / and alle meschaunce, In euery mescheff / and penaunce, Helpe and Refuyt / ffor to ffynde, That a Man / shulde haue his mynde, Off herte also / ffully Repayre To hyr / that ffayrest ys off ffayre, Which, thurgh / hyr humylyte, Was Moder / and a Maydë ffree, Whos helpë neuere was behynde To hem that lyst / haue hyr in mynde: She kan helpe hem / In her Nede Best off alle / her Iournë spede. ¶ ffor which, / with alle myn herte Entere, To her I makë / my prayer, And sey to hyr / with humble Chere, The wordys which that ffolwen here, Which Seynt Bernard / fful longe ago In latyn / wrote hem eke also:— ¶ 'Tu es Refugium meum A Tribulacione.'[Ps. xxxi. 7.] My worshipfull Maystre Seynt Bernard taught me, that, in alle pereylles and alle anguysshes, and in euery Tribulacion or wordely wrechchednesse, that I shulde fflen ffor Refuyt vnto theLines 16,276-8 are a quotation from the passage below, l. 16,280-16,310.—H. Parkinson. // And that I shuld devoutly and mekely besekyn and prayen vnto the / The same seint Bernard seyynge thes wordes vnto me / 'Si In| surgant venti temptacionum / vt patet super missus est. Yiff the bytter ffelle wyndes off temptacion assaylle the, yiff thow falle, by any ffroward aventure, vp-on the Contagyous Rokkys of Tribulacion / Beholde the bright glade sterre off the see, and make thyn Invocacion and thy prayer vnto that blysfull Mayde, oure Lady saynt Marye' // And yiff yt Falle that thow be trowblyd in thy Conscience with multytude off many horryble synnes, Confus and ashamyd with the horryble ffylthe ther-off, and ther-vp-on thow drede the off the fferfull sentence off the domys Man // And her-vp-ōn be| gynest to ffallyn in-to the dyrke pytte off Drerynesse, vp-on the wofull swolwh off Dysespeyr and Desper| acioun / 'Cogita Mariam / Leffte vp thyn herte, and thenke vp-on Marye' // In alle pereylles, in alle Anguysshes, In alle dotows thynges, Thynke and calle vnto Marye // ffor alle the whyle thow ffolwest vp-on that blysfull Lady, thow mayst nat goon out off thy weye; whyls thow prayest to hyre, thow mayst nat ffalle in despeyr // whiles at thow thenkyst hertly vp| on hyre, thow mayst nat Erre // And whiles that she, with hyr Mercyable hande holdeth the vp, thow mayst nat falle // And Whiles that she, with the benygne gracious shelde Off hyr proteccion, dyffendeth the / yt nedeth the nat to drede thyn Enmyes // And whiles that she ys thy gracious guyde in thy peryllous pylgrymmage off this mortal lyff, thow mayst nat wexe wery // ffor, thurgh hyr Mercyable Conveyynge, thow shalt arryven vp at the Agreable havene off euere-last| ynge lyff[End of St. Bernard] // Therffore, whan that any Tribulacion put vp-on me or assaylleth me, To thé only, and to no mo, I haue my Recours ffor helpe // Whan any adversyte or wrechchydnesse swe vp-on me, In thé all-only I ffynde refuyt and Refuge // Bot / O, allas! grete mater have I to Compleyne; ffor, but yiff Tribulacion con| streyne, or somme sodeyne aduersyte excyte me and pooke vp-on me, I kan neuere, off my ffroward dysposi| cioun, haue hertly Recours vnto the // And trewly, ffor thys Cause, I may Iustly and full Covenably take vp-on me the name off a drye stobyll, or off a welkyd leef, that ys ffalle doun ffrom a tree // ffor, semblably so as a drye stobyl or a ffadyd leef ffalle to the Erth, and neuere ys reysed vp ageyn to the braunche he kam ffro // Right so I, the most wrechchyd Wyght off alle synners, and most dyffadyd and wylked with synne, nat-with-stondyng my grete vnhappy Infortunye which that I lye defoulyd Inne / yitt kan I neuere, tyl I be mevyd with somme anguyssh or aduersyte // O blysfull lady, I ffle vnto thé; dyvert my passage vn-to the Soc| ourable tent off thy grace // But, O, allas! as god dyffend, yiff thow puttest me a-way, and Refusest my komynge, whedir shulde I fferther fflen to ffynde sokour or eny helpe? And yiff the gretnesse off my synnes causeden, thurgh my demerytes, that thow woldest ffor my defautes pursue me // Allas! what shulde I done // Certys, in the grete bytternesse off my sowle, I were lyk to be dyspeyred off hope // and than myght I well seyn vnto the, "Contra ffolium, quod vento Rapitur, ostendis potenciam tuam, & stipulam sitiam [= siccam] prosequeris" // Allas, blyssed and mercyfull lady! sholdest shewyn thy myght and thy power ageyn a ffadyd and a welkyd leff, that ys lefft vp and Ravysshed with a sodeyn wynde, and sholdest, goode Lady, pursuen a Drye stobyl, ffeble and vn| myghty, to withstonde thy power // O, thow only hope of my Sowle! thow shalt neuere do so, namly vnto me, which haue avowed to ben thy servaunt, and ffleth vnto the for socour and helpe // Nor thow, lady, shalt nat voyde hym ffro the / whom that Trybulacion so sore pursueth, to do vengaunce vpon, and he ffleth to thé ffor helpe, and hath nōōn other socour nor Dyuertycle to Declyne vnto, but only to the // But, benygne Lady, off thy grace thow shalt mercyably Receyve hym, and thow shalt swetly and ffauorobly, as a Moder off Mercy, ffostren hym // ffor thow, Lady, were notably ffyguryd afforn by the Arke of Noe / In-to which was Receyved the Cely Dowe, whan he Resorted ageyn, in-as-much as he koude ffynde no londe to Rest vp-on his ffeet // ffor the Dredffull wawes off the sterne ffloode hadde so ouerfflowed the Erth. Thus, in the same wyse, O thow blysfull lady, thow shalt do to me, which haue no place to fflee to but all-only vnto the; ffor, off thy Custommable goodnesse and off thy be| nygne grace, thow shalt Receyve me, And benygnely off thy Mercy, as a Destytuyt and a Desolate pore Creature, thow shalt ffostre me in the soote lappe off thy mercyable Mantel // ffor trewly, lady, the Rage Floode off worldly Tribulacion kometh so sore vpon, that I ha no Recours to Resorte vnto, but only vnto the / Nor I haue no verray Restynge place, but only in the / And therfore I may fful wel conclude, and say // 'Tu es Refugium / meum a Tribulacione / Thow art only my Refuyt in euery Tribulacion.' But ys nat also thy blyssyd sonne, my sovereyn Lorde, Cryst Ihesu, my Rescus and my Refuyt in euery Tribulacion? Seyth nat Dauid in the sawter book // 'Dominus Firmamen| tum meum, & Refugium meum, & Liberator meus / The lorde ys Firmamentum, my protection, my Refuge and my delyuerer in euery Tribulacion / Vere ipse est Refugium meum, Deus meus / Saluator meus, & spe| rabo in eum / Sothly he ys my Refuge, my lorde god / my Savyour, And al-only I shall truste and hope in hym' // But, O blyssed lady, ffleyng to the ys nat ellys but a Recours vnto hym; And who that shall haue Recours to hym / mvste ffirste off necessyte passyn by the; and by thy blyssed medyacoun so atteyne to kome to hym // ffor, as the fforsayde holy Doctour Seynt Bernard recordeth,[Ed. Paris, 1839, vol. I. Pars altera, Sermo de Aquaeductu, n. 7, p. 2170: a parallel in n. 8, p. 2154. —H. P.] 'Nichil nos Deus habere voluit quod per tuas manus non transiret' // This to seyn, 'the blyssed lorde / hath so dysposyd the Orden| aunce off his gracyous gyfftes, that we may ha poces| sioun off no goodnesse but yiff yt passe by the honndes off that blyssed Mayden' // And therfore, O thow mercyable lady, that I may haue helpe off hym in euery Tribulacion, ffyrst yt behoveth me that I resorte vnto the; And therfore I may wel seyn, as I ffirst seyde // 'Tu es Refugium meum A Tribulacione' // And I may wel seyn thys ffirst worde / 'Tu / Thow'; ffor, sauff only Thow, ther ys nōōn other in whom ys hope off vertu and off lyff / And I may say / 'Thow' / ffor Thow art allone, With-out eny other Egal vn-to the, ffor-as-much as thow art syngulerly blyssyd byfforne alle other // And I may say 'Es,' that thow art devoyde, by a synguler prerogatyff, ffrom alle vnclennesse off synne; and so in perfytnesse off vertu Thow shalt perseveren and abyden / in-to the worldis ende // And thow mayst be callyd Covenably / 'Refugium,' That is to seyn, 'sovereyne Reffuyt and Refuge'; ffor benygnely Thow Receyvest, Swetly ffostryst, and mercyably closest vnder thy Mantel off Mercy, alle tho that ffleen to the ffor socour and helpe // And though thow be ordeyned ffor a Common Reffuge vnto alle synners / yitt enclyne the in especyal to be myn /. 'Myn': why so? Myn, Trewly / 'Quia tibi Soli peccaui, & malum Coram te ffeci / ffor only vnto the I ha synnyd and tresspassed, And to-ffore thyn Eyen Done fful Outragous Offencys' // Lady, artow my pocessioun, sythen yt stant so, that fful ofte sythe, thurgh ffals ffauour off prosperyte and transytorye off this wrechched worlde, I ha fforgetyn the // Artow or shaltow be myn verrey herytage, sythen I, woful wrechch, neuere ne Dydd no Dygne servyse vnto the / Or Artow yoven to me syngulerly in pro| pyrte? God dyffende But I cleyme in-to my poces| sioun and in-to my propyr herytage // ffor-as-much as I have euere knowen thé Custommably to haue mercy vp-on wrechches; and I am fful wel expert, and ha fful experyence off thy benygne goodnesse, which, in all mescheff and in all my nedys, I haue euere ffounde redy vn-to me // wher-off, blyssede lady, with alle my herte I thanke the // And ffor as much as thow hast, nat only at oone tyme, but at alle tymes, be Reffuyt and synguler Reffuge vnto me / 'Ideo te semper ven| dico esse meum: Therffore euere in especyal I chalenge the to be myn.' 'Vnde hoc michi? wheroff, or by what Tytle, komyth this vn-to me, Or off what Doctour, Or of what Mayster, have I lernyd to Chalenge so hih a Tresour?' 'Certe, a Tribulacione / Certys, off Tribula| cion' / ffor, trewly I dar wel seyn in this caas, that Tribulacion was my Maystresse and my Techere; and off hyr I lerned this lessoun, that with-outen aboode or any taryyng to haue my Resort ffor Socour vn-to the, off Entent that thow shuldest syngulerly be my sup| porte and Reffuge // But how may yt be in any wyse that this shulde longen or apertenen vnto Trybula| cion // Or what konnyng hat Trybulacion, or may in eny wyse techen a Man the weye off Elthe? Syth hyr Condicion ys rather to brynge a man in-to Drerynesse; and to Casten hym in-to the ffroward pathys off dyses| peyr and desperacion. Trewly, by clere Consyderacion off dyuers Respectys, she techeth both the Ton and the tother // But she taught me that I shulde fflen vnto the; and she mevede me also that I shulde dyses| peyre // But, ffor I sawh Elthe in the ton, and grete distourbaunce an[d] trouble in the tother, Therffore, in Eschwyng off dyspeyr, I chees, off hool herte, to fflen to the ffor sokour and helpe // ffor, ffleyng to the, ys savacion; & to dyspeyr / ys deth with-oute Remyssioun. Thanne, ffrom hennys fforward, yiff my Maystresse Trybulacion caste hyre to ben but a Stepmoder off myn Elthe and my savacion, and, sternely Rebukynge and vndernemynge me / Mynystre vnto me any mater off dysespeyr, To dresse me in-to the dyrke wey of drery| nesse, I shall answere vn-to hyre in my dyffense, and seyn as I ffirst sayd, 'Tu es Refugium meum a Tribu| lacione' // And yiff that Tribulacion replye ageyns me, and be bolde or hardy to axe me why I dyspeyre nat, or wher myn hope Shulde ben, Or who yt ys that may be myn helpe in this caas, or my socour in eny wyse, I shal boldly answere ageyn, and seyn // O blyssed lady, 'That yt ys only Thow.' And yff he contynue in hys malys, and labour off ffrowardnesse, to subuerten myn hope, and sey 'vnto what ende abydestow / Thow art kome to late, Tempus miserendi preterijt / Tyme off mercy ys ypassyd / Quia maior est Iniquitas tua quam vt veniam conseruaris // ffor thy wykkednesse ys more than thow mayst ha mercy off,' I shall boldely yive answere by O syllable, and seyn 'Quia Es / ffor thow / art,' that ys to seyne, thow abydest ffyx and stable / Euer in Oon, with-outen Ende, Redy to do Mercy to alle that Requeren the // Thane, yiff he, Confus off myn Answere, in Thretyng wyse Replye ageyn me, and say thes wordes that her Sue / 'Al be yt so that the blyssed Mayde be thy Synguler hope and thy ffull Trust, & euere Endelessly ys redy to do mercy / yitt truste me wel, ffor my part, wher-so-euere that thow be, Or to what party that thow ffle, I shall pursue the'; Than, nat-with-standyng the trouble off his Inportable malys, I shall answere with a gladde herte ageyn, and seyn, that 'thow, blyssed Mayde / Es Refugium meum / Art my socour and Reffuyt in euery Trybulacion:' wher| vpon, in Conclusioun, I drede hys manacys nor hys Thretys neueradel / And sothly, blyssed lady, I may wel seyn that thou art 'Reffugium,' Which ys to seyne, a fflyght off hem that be gylty / ffor-as-much as, nat only I, but alle tho that be gylty, fflen vnto the ffor helpe / Thanne, yiff that Desperacion Convyct and confus with, & Trybulacoun axe me by what Mene I may knowe Thylke souereyn Reffuge and Reffuyt off alle that be gylty, or off whom I was taught, or who was my ledere or my guyde to kome to thylke souereyn Reffuge / I wylle answere and [seyn] 'A Tribulacione' / ffor Trybulacion (as I have sayd to-fforne) was my Maystresse and my guyde, and ys Cheff leder and governeresse Off my passage / And whan I was slowh in my passage, with hyr vexacion she Constreyned me to fflen to the ffrom hyr fface / Semblably as a yonge Chylde, whan he hath espyed the wolff, naturelly ffleth vn-to hys Moder, Or as a Cely Dowe, whan she hath espyed the Sparawk, ffleth hom to hyr Colverhows, Evene So, blyssed lady, ffrom the dredfull fface of Trybulacion / to thé that art Conforteresse off alle Sowles that be seke, I take my fflyght / And therfore I may euere Recorde my Lessoun, and say, as I ffirst sayde, 'Tu es Refugium meum a Tribulacione' / In the which wordes I do tweyne thynges / ffirst, I cleyme off Right that thow art verrayly she in whom I truste to ffynde Comfort in alle adversyte, whan I sey / 'Tu es Refugium meum' /. Secondely, I am aknowe Expresly ffro whom that I ffle, whan I say / 'A Tribulacione' / Thanne, so as I verrayly afferme that thow art only She in whom I truste ffully to ffynde Comforte Inne /. Goode, blyssede Lady, off thy mercyable grace, dysdeyne nat to ben 'Refugium meum In Tribulacione' / And nat myn only hope, but my fowrfolde hope; ffor in ffoure manere wyse I truste to ffynde in thé Comfort and Consolacion // ffor who ys the verray hope off hertes that ben oppressed, I parceyve Clerly at the Eye, and sey 'Tu' / ffor whan the wrechchyd werlde shall drawe to an ende, and alle shall ffayle, than thow shalt nat ffayle // ffor thanne shall synfull sowles fflen to be shadowyd vnder thy gracyous mantel off mercy: why? ffor thow art / Refugium a Tribulacione. / Here begynneth the ffirste Consolacion And hope off hertes that ben oppressyd With Eny Trybulacion. / The ffyrste Consolacion that I ffynde, O blyssede Lady, ys only in the / ffor who ys the verray hope off hertes that ben oppressed, but only Thow? / ffor, so as A Pylgrym or a passagour that kometh ffro fforeyne Cuntres reioyseth whan he Resorteth to his restynge place, wher he hopeth in pees and quyete to abyden / Moche more I, that am oppressyd with Afflyccion off my troubled soule, and al besett with drerynesse, whan I leffte vp myn hede out of the dyrke angles off wrechchydnesse, I howe to Reioysshen and to be gladde whan I Consydre, se, and verrayly beholde that thow art the Restynge place off my verray hope, and the ffynal terme off my desolacion // For I perceyue wel that thow art the Mete and the Marke off alle labour, In whom the sovereyn hope off alle synfull restyth Inne // But wheroff and in what wyse may I knowe thys? / Haue nat my synnes made an Obstacle / and reysed vp a wal betwyxe the and me? / ffor soth, yis / how may I thanne, sythen ther is so grete an Obstacle sett atwen, knowen or verrayly wyten The secrete pryvetes off thy benygne grace? / Sothly, I wote right wel that I may nat / But al be yt so that ther be a Closour and a wal which lette me that I may nat sen nor Clerly beholden the lyght off thy mercyable grace // yitt neuertheles I, as a wrechche, fferfully stonde be| hynde the wallys, and with a ffull dredfull Eye looke Inne by the wyndowes // Which ben the wyndowes that I looke Inne by? // Trewly, the wyndowes and the Comfortable ffenestrallys, as yt semyth vnto me, ben hooly Scriptures // The which ffull notably make mencion off the grete swetnesse Off thy mercyable pyte // ffor by thylke agreable ffenestrallys beholdynge, I se and Clerly Consydre the soote sugryd wordys which, by a specyal Inspyracion off the holy Gost, Thy syluen saydest with thyn hooly halwyd mouth // 'In me Omnis gratia vite & veritatis; In me omnis spes vite & virtutis. Transite ad me, Omnes qui Concupiscitis me, & a generacionibus meis Inplemini. Spiritus enim meus, dulcis, & hereditas mea super mel & ffauum; memoria mea in generacione seculorum. qui edunt me, adhuc Esurient; & qui bibunt me, adhuc sicient' // This to seyne, 'In me is alle grace off lyff and off Trouthe; In me ys alle hope off lyff and off vertu / Kometh and maketh youre passage vn-to me, ye alle that hertly desyre me, and ye shal ha plente, and be ffulfylled off my generacions // ffor my spyryt ys soote / and myn herytage excedyth in swetnesse, sugre and hony. The mynde and the memorye off me shall lasten with-outen Ende. And who that ffedeth hym on my swetnesse, shall hungren ageyn / And they that savourly drynken off my bountevous goodnesse, shall effte ayeyn sore thruste ther-affter' // ffor Certys, blyssed lady, alle ys swetnesse, alle ys Comfortable, that kometh ffro the; And, by thylke opne wyndowe off thy mer| cyable grace, I Consydre And beholde in my Contem| platyff medytacion the grete habondaunce off mercy and off pyte that ys in the // ffor, O thow blyssed lady, yiff hooly Scrypture Recorde and bare wytnesse that thow art mercyable, pytous and benygne, and thow thy sylff bare Recorde her-vp-on, And theroff ffolwed noon Effecte, preff, nor Experience / Shulde men ben bolde or hardy ffor to seyn that the Scryp| tures wer ffals / nay, nay, god dyffende // ffor thow, blyssed Lady, in effect verrayly hast mercy vp-on alle that off hool herte calle vn-to the, and Castyst fful benygnelly the stremys off thy mercyable Eyen vp-cn alle tho [that] hope in the, and Crye to the ffor helpe, an[d] comfortably Receyuest hem vn-to grace; ffor, as Ioachym the Bysshop, Recordede // 'Tu es gloria Ieru| salem; Tu leticia Israel; Tu honorificencia populi // Thow art the gladnesse and the glorye off Ierusalem; Thow art the myrthe and the Reioyssynge off alle Israel; and thow art the worshipe and the magnyfycence off alle peplys' / ffor, more than eny scrypture makyth mencion, Thow shedyst and powryst doun the Oylle off thy Mercy vp-on synnerys / And off ffull yore agone, that hath be thyn vsage and thy Custoom / Recorde I take off Theophilus,See Migne, vol. 182, p. 1143/1. which, whan he was ffallyn in-to the horryble ffoule pytt off Desperacion, and denyed thy blyssed Sonne Ihesu Crist, doynge homage to the, Thow, blyssed Mayde, Thow benygne Lady, Thow gloryous quene off pytee and off mercy, fforsoke hym nat whan he Resorted Ageyn vn-to the, but mercyably delyuer| edest hym ffrom the bondys off the ffende, brekyng and Annullyng the Recorde, wretyn with his owne hande, Restorynge hym to grace and to mercy ageyn. By swych wyndowes and by swych ffenestrall / I, stondynge behynde vnder the wall off my synnes, and looke and beholde how benygne and how Mercyfull at thow Art // ffor who yitt euere callyd vn-to the / Or what man euere putte his trust or his fulle hope hertly in the, and was defraudyd off hys vertuous desyr? // Whan I Remembre and Consydre all thes thynges, And so Clerly at the Eye how thow helpyst al hem that ben oppressyd, and Reconcylest ageyn to grace alle hem that ben dysespeyred / And generally art socour and helpe to alle synnerys, Ther-ffor I, wofull Wrechche lefft, vp and dresse the Inward Eye off myn herte vn-to the / ffor hooly and Enterly in the I putte myn hope stable and ffyx, perpetuelly to per| seueryn and abyden, Concludyng thus withe the Pro| phete / 'Tu es spes mea & porcio mea in terra viuencium // Thow, blyssed lady, art myn only hope, my part and my porcion in the londe of euery-lastynge lyff' // ffor, lady, whan I am ffalle in any Trybulacion, walke and goo Rounde aboute the Erthe, and seke affter the helpe off men, an[d] kan nowher nōōn ffynden but Only in the // Than may I wel ben aknowen, and Confesse me, andMS. 'and and' seyn / 'Tu es porcio mea: Thow allone, Lady, art my part and my porcion,' ffor thow Dystynctly, alle other excludyd, art, were, and shalt ben the Outer and the ffulle hope off my soule. And ther-ffor I may Covenably applye and seyn vnto thé the werdys off Ieremye the prophete, 'Spes mea tu in die Affliccionis / Thow art myn Only hope in the dayes off myn afflyccion' // Et hec potest Consolacio mea, que est mentis spes oppresse, percipio ad occu| lumThe catchword is 'Tu,' so a sheet of ten leaves or less is possibly missing, tho' I suppose the First Consolation cannot have run much further than it does here. . . . Here begynneth the Seconnde Consolacion Off Hertes that ben Oppressyd with Trybulacion. The seconnde Consolacion, O blyssed lady, which that I ffynde in thé ys this, that whan I Consydre and se, and in Experience ffynde, That whan alle the lustys off this transytorye worlde passe away and nat abyde, Thow abydest euere in Oon, stable and ffyx with-oute Mutabylyte, 'Quia es. / ffor thow art stedfast and stable, shalt perseuere with-outen ende' // And lyk as thes Marynerys in the absence off the sonne, whan the dyrke nyght kometh vp-on, ha no comfort off lyght / but only off the loode sterre, which off his nature abydeth ffyx in hys spere, and neuere draweth ffor to declyn by medyacion, off which they guye and gouerne ther passage // Evene so I, a wofull wrechche, in the myd see off this Troublyd worlde fforpossyd and ffor| dryven with many sturdy wawes off adversyte and off Trybulacion, whan the lytyl pore vessel off myn herte ys ouercaste and ffordryven with many ffroward wyndes off affliction // Thanne have I no Comfort nor helpe but only to lefften vp the Eye off myn herte vn-to the, which art verrayly callyd the Sterre off the SeeStella maris: see Migne, vol. 182, p. 1142/2. / Only to dyrecten and to brynge wrechches, oute off alle Tempestys off Trybulacion, to the havene and to the blysfull porte off euere-lastyng lyff // And her-vpon I aparceyve Therby That thow art the sothefaste loode| Sterre off the see / ffor / Stella, a stando dicitur / A Sterre ys seyde off stondyng; And therffore, off Sted| fastnesse off stondyng thow mayst wel be callyd a Sterre // ffor, whan alle other Erthely Creatures be veryable thurgh Changynge, thow Abydest stable and stedfaste with-out Mutabylyte / euere in Oon // And that shewed fful wel in the passioun off thy blyssed Sonne // ffor whan alle his discyples ffledde a-way, Thow, as a ffyx Sterre, stoode euere stable In the ffyrmament off the ffeyth to-ffore the Croos. Thy Stabylnesse was shewed fful wel also in the Concepcion off thy blyssed sonne, That, nat with-stondyng the promys and the beheste off the Aungel, thow stoode euere Stable, and nat Chaungest thyn holy purpos off thy vyrgynyte // Thy grete stabylnesse ys also ffonden wel ffro day to day in the grete Reffuyt and Reffuge that thow dost to alle synful men, havyng mercy vp-on hem euere in ther mescheff whan they ha nede; and in this stant moste in euery Trybulacion the synguler Consolation and Comfort that I have in my Sowle / ffor trewly, blyssed lady, yiff thow were vnstable and varyant as other Creatures ben, I koude vp-on no syde ffynden Comfort in myn hert // why so? // ffor than were ther noone other that myght delyuere me out off the trowble ffloodys off the see off thys Mortal lyff / ffor I stoode pleynly vp-on the wrak, myd off the ffelle Rage ffloodys off this dredfull See, lyk to ha be perysshed, nadde ben that thy Mercyable hande hadde ben porrect to me-ward // And therfore, O thow blyssed lady, I make my prayer and myn Inuoccacion vn-to the, to bene a Mene of Mercy to brynge me to the holsomme hauene off euery-lastyng lyff, Seyyng to thé thes wordes that her swen / Cum beato Petro / 'Si tu es, Iube me venire ad te super aquas' / 'Si tu es' / that ys fforto seyn, 'ffor thow art, and neuere shalt Cessyn ffor to ben, commande me // O thow blyssed Mayde, which art the port and the havene off Elthe vnto wrechches, me stondyng vp-on the watrys, that ys to seyn, mydd off Trybulacions in this worlde, to ouerekomen hem, and So to kome vn-to the' // ffor, Certys, lady, yiff so be that thow exclude my prayer ffro thyn Erys, off alle wrechches I am the moste wrechchyd; and yiff my synnes fforbarre me, that I be nat herde demyng, also that ffor my grete offencys, I am nat worthy to preyse the // 'Quia non est Speciosa Laus in Ore Peccatoris / In as mych as ther ys no worthy prey[s]yng in the mouthe off a Synfull man' / how shall I euere be bolde or hardy to telle fforth the Magnyffycence off thy laude // Certys, lady, yiff I see that I be nat benygnely herde off the, I wyl arrettyn the cause to my synnes, and to the grete defautys that I ha done; ffor thow, lady, ffayllest neuere, nor thow wantest nat to do socour and helpe to alle that deuoutly besechyn and prayen vn-to the. Et hoc est quod promisisti Ecclesiastico xxiiijo: "Sum, & vsque ad Futurum seculum non desinaui" / That is to seyne / "I am, and in-to the worlde that is to komene, I shall nat Cesse ffor to be" / And ther-ffore, blyssed lady, be-cause thow hast ben, and euere art, and shalt ben, Comfort and Consolacion to alle wrechches and Synfull men, In hope that thy Mercy and thy Consola| cion in my grete Nede Shall nat ffayllen vn-to me / Thys ys my Secounde Consolacioun, which that I cachche in the. / The Thrydde Consolacion Off A Troublyd Sowle The Thrydde Comfort and Consolacion, O blyssed lady, that I have, ys this, That I se that ffolkys, oppressyd with werynesse off ther owne thoughtys, ffynden a Shadwyng place and an holsomme Refuge whan they fflen to the ffor socour and helpe // wherfore, lady, yiff I seye and beholde thatt the ffoxys off the Erthe hadden holys to putte Inne ther heedes, And bryddes off the heyre, nestys to breden Inne, and a Sparwe koude ffynden out an hevese off an hous to bredyn Inne / And a Tortyl a place to make hym Inne a Neste to ffostren hys bryddes ther-Inne // And that I say also this hygh hylles, ordeyned ffor hertys to pasturen Inne, And in kavyd stones ffounde an hoole, an yrchoun to haue his Reffuge ther-Inne; And amonge al thys, I seye the Childeren off men Dysconsolat and Destytuyt off ther loggyng // As whilom thy blyssed sonne hadde no place wher to putte Inne his heede // Trewly, lady, and I seye mankynde thus dyswarre off ther herberwe, that they hadde no place, in ther grete necessyte off Reffuge, to Dyverte to / yt were but lytyll Wondre though I were dyspurveyed off hope In my sowle, wher I shulde eny Consolacion or Comfort ffynde // But, ffor-as-mych as thow allone, And al Only, art yoven ffor a Synguler Reffuge vn-to Wrechchys, and Art made ther protectour and dyffence, And, Affter the grete oppressioun off her, art made ther Restynge place, to abyden Inne in Equyte / wherby I ffynde a Path and a weye, to whom, in al mescheff and necessyte, I shall fflen and dyuerte vn-to // ffor thow art, as I sayde Rathe, Thylke Arche off Noe, vn-to the which, and in the which, in tyme off grete Deluge, alle the worlde ffley vnto, and were savyd ther-Inne, alle they that by grace myght Entren, as wel thes Rude beestes, as Men that were Resounable / Right so, blyssed lady, thow art de verray Arke Off Mankyndes savacion, vnto the which, Rightful and vnrightful fflen to ffor helpe // And thow art ffygured also by thylke Tree which that Danyel spak off, vnder which alle the beestes off the Erthe hadde here dwellynge place, and vp-on whos branchys Restyde alle the bryddes off the heyr. And vender this Tree was the pasture and the ffoode off alle levynge Creatures / Trewly, O blyssed lady, me semyth verrayly Thow art the sylue same Tree, vnto which alle Resonable Creaturys fflen vnto ffor to ffynde socour and helpe. And sothly, Lady, with supportacion off thy mercy, me semyth that amonge so manye I shulde nat ben Excludyd // ffor all| be-yt-so that I be nat hable nor worthy to be Reknyd amonge the Clene bryddes off hevene, which sytten vpon the hyh braunchys of Contemplacion / yett, goode blyssed lady / Dysdeyne nat, thouh I be Rude And Bestyall thurgh Synne, that I may Sytten lowe vp-on the Erthe, by mekenesse and humylyte to amende me vnder the agreable Bowes and braunchys off thy Cus| tommable grace, ther to be shadwyd and shrowdyd with thy mercy // And sythyn that euery Creature ffynt ffoode and spyrytual Reffeccion in the // Lady, yiff yt be nat lefful to me, ffor my grete synnes, ffor to Tasten and to Etyn off thyn hooly plentevous ffruyt, yett suffre, blyssed lady, that at the leste that I may Saltem ibi ffenum vt bos Comedam. / Haue my pasture ther with Rude Oxys, and walkyn as a man deiect with Nabugodonoser / Ther, amonge thys wylde beestys, to han my habitacion, to take ther party off the Remys| saylles leffte off hem that be gostly and Spyrytual Repast, to my Sowle helpe // ffor trewly, lady, and thow lyst pacyently to suffre me thus, why shulde nat my Sowle be Comfortyd? why shulde I thanne be dysespeyred off thy grace // why shulde my wofull Eyen be dyrked with longe abydynge in the salte Terys off bytternesse // ffor Certys, thouh the mul| tytude off my Synnes passe in noumbre the Sotyl smale Sandys and gravell off the See, And though I were nat worthy, ffor my wykkydnessys, to lyfften vp myn Eyen towarde the bryghte hevene, yett, nat| with-standyng alle this // 'Te tamen, a ffacie ffuroris Domini, Refugium habeo // I have the, my Synguler Refuge, ffor the fface of the woodnesse off my Lorde God' // & yiff that oure fferme ffader Adam, affter hys grete Offence, hadde had swych a shadewyng place to have tournyd vn-to, ffor to haue hydde hys nakyd| nesse, I suppose the lorde hadde nat seyde vn-to hym / 'Adam, vbi Es? Adam, wher Artow?' // But the goode lorde, seyng so mych peple perysshe ffor the Synne off the seyde Adam, ordeygned thè to ben a Synguler Mene ffor mannys saluacion, off Entent, that who-so| euere ffledde vn-to the ffor helpe and ffor Reffuge, shulde nat perysshen, But Restyn vnder the Shadwe off thy proteccion, to be Conservyd ffro dampnacion vnder the large off thy Charyte // Seyynge vnto thè, thylke wordys that be wretyn In ysaye / the prophete, xvjo Capitulo: "Absconde fugientes, & vagos ne prodas; habitabunt apud te profugi mei, & cetera / Esto Lati| bulum eorum a Facie vastatoris" // This to seyne, "O thow blyssed Lady, hyde hem that fflen vnto thè ffor helpe, and they that be vagabonde, dys[c]oure hem nat, ffor synfull ffolkys that be ffugytyff shalle ffleen vn-to thè ffor socour and helpe; and be thow her dyffence and her proteccion to-ffore the fface off the Enmy" // And whan I ha this in my Remembraunce, yt ys the Thrydde Consolacion, which that I ffynde Only in thè, In euery Trybulacion. Here begynneth the ffourthe Consolacion. Certys, Lady, and yt were so that thow dyst Comfort to alle other Synnerys save only to me, I hadde Grete matere to Compleyne, and to make grete Sorwe And Lamentacion // But, ffor-as-mych as I haue a Synguler Trust and a Specyal hope in thè, to-fforne alle other, Therffore I wyl Reioyssh in myn herte, and Cleyme off Ryght the, in Especyal, to be my Reffuge / And thys I Cleyme off herytage by lyneal Dyscent off Successioun, be Tytle off myn Awncetrys, other Synnerys that ha be to-fforne. and Sythen thow dydest mercy vn-to hem / I, that am a Synner, Cleyme off Right that thow Shalt done Mercy vn-to me // ffor Certys, by olde tyme, lady, Synnerys that werne to-fforne, weryn Occa| sioun That thow were Chosyn to ben the Moder off god, and quene of hevene, and lady also off al the world. And certys, lady, with Supportacion off your grace / hadde nat Synnerys ben, thow haddest neuere be Reysed to so high a degre off worshippe; And ther| ffore The holy Doctour Seynt Awstyn Seyth vn-to the In a Meditacion // 'O Maria, multum Audeo, multum gaudeo / Multum-que gaudium, multam-que michi ffacis audaciam.' 'O blyssed Marye, I am gretly hardy and bolde, and gretly I Reioysshe, and thow yevest me grete hardynesse ffor to speken' // ffor I speke, and as I speke, right so yt ys / ffor we to the, and thow to vs / A nyh Confederacye hath Ioyned vs to-gedre / That thow ffor vs haste thylke beynge that thow art. And trewly in the same wyse, by thè Only, we haue the beyng that we arn // ffor yiff that Oure Trespace and oure Transgressioun hadde nat be to-fforne / Ther hadde nat ffolwed ther-vpon oure Redempcion // And yiff yt hadde nat be necessarye, vs to haue be bought, yt hadde nat be necessarye thè to haue Chylded oure savyour and Redemptour, 'Vt quid enim nescium pec| cata pro peccatoribus pareres, si deesset qui peccasset / Vt quid ffieris, mater Saluatoris, si nulla esset Indi| gencia salutis' / 'O blyssed lady, why or wher-ffore shuldestow haue Chylded and brought fforth hym ffor Remedye Off Synnerys, which neuere knewe what synne was, yiff ther neuere hadde be nōōn that hadd synned to-fforne // Or to what ffyn sholdestow han ben Moder off the Savyour, yiff ther hadde be nōōn Indygence off savacion?' And thes wordys off Seynt Awstyn, lady, I may Right well seyn vn-to the // ffor sythen Synnerys were Cause and Occasyoun off thyn honour and off thy Magnyffycence, by cause only off ther grete synnes, yt semyth vn-to me, sythen that I am a Successour off hem, Contynuynge ffro day to day in Synne, That I, amonge alle other Synnerys, may Rightffully Cleymen to fflen to the ffor helpe and ffor Reffuyt // And that thow, in Recompensacion off the grete benefetys which thow hast Receyved ffor Synnerys, wylt nat to me, that am a Synner, denye the Entre / Sythyn thow, lady, off verray Right art bounden to be Reffuge vnto Synnerys / 'Sed, quomodo obligata // But how, lady, artow bounden?' Artow nat more bounden off Equyte to Righfull men than to Synnerys // ffor| soth thow art bounde to bothe; ffor to Rightfull Men thow art bounden by Love, And to Synfull Men thow art bounde by thyn Offyce // ffor a leche hath in hous| holde with hym, hem that he loveth / and he hath besyde also, woundyd and seke men, whom that he Recureth and maketh hool / ffor wher-to shulde Oon bere the name off a leche, but yiff he wolde helyn men off ther maladyes // Or wherto shuldestow be callyd the Moder off Mercy / Or wher-to shuldestow ha be Chosen to be the Moder Off god, yiff thow all-only shuldest loven goode Men and Rightffull, And with alle this shuldest nat done nor shewyn no mercy vnto Synnerys / Trewly thow art holden to loven and to Cherysshen hem that be Rightfull, And to haue mercy on hem that be Synffull // And that shewyth fful well by thylke Memoryal wrytyng off thy Secretys, which thyn owne Secretarye, Seynt Bernard wroot, Seyyng in thes wordes // 'Sapientibus & Insipientibus, iustis & peccatoribus, Debitricem te ffecisti: Omnibus Omnia ffacta Est // To wyse men and to ffoolys, To Rightfull men And to Synnerys / thow hast made thy syluen doctour / ffor thow art made alle vn-to alle,' by the plentevous habondaunce off thy Charyte. And thow hast opned the Bosom off thy Mercy so largely, that alle may taken off the plentevousnesse ther-off // He that ys in Captyvyte, Redempcion; the Syke Man, Elthe; And he that ys hevy, Consolacion; And the Synnerre, fforyiffnesse and Remyssyoun; And the Rightfull Man, grace and perfeccion / 'Vt non sit qui se abscondat a. Calore eius' // So that noon off no degre may shrowden hym, but that the Sonne of thy Charyte shal shyne vp-on hym; And syth thow art be-kome dettour to Rightfull men and to Synful men also // Alle Synfull men may Iustly alleggyn this vers vnto the, and seyn: ffestina miseris / Misereri virgo beata; Nam te si Recolis, miseri ffecere beatam; Ergo, beata, miseros quorum te Causa beauit. [Mary, be our Refuge in Tribulation!4 verses of 8 lines each, abab, bcbc.] O blyssed maydë / fflour off alle goodnesse, On alle Synfull / ha Mercy and pyte; Thynke how Synnerys / in verray sothefastnesse were Causë ffirst / (who so [that] lyst se,) That ffolkys shuldë / blyssyd / callyn the, Only ordeyned / ffor ther Savacïon; Now, goode lady / off thy benygnyte Be oure Refuge / In Trybulacïon / ¶ Quene off hevene / off helle ek Emperesse, Loodë Sterre / ycalled off the See To Marynerys / that Erryn in dyrknesse, Thow art ther Comforte / in Alle aduersyte. Thy lyght, ffro Tempest maketh hem go ffre, And vp taryve / thurgh thy proteccïon, At the havene / off alle ffelycyte, And ffor tescape / Eche Trybulacion. ¶ O holy Sterrë // ffyx in stabylnesse, With-oute Eclypsyng / Or Mutabylyte, Ylychë Clerë / shynyng in bryghtnesse, In whom the Sonne / sent ffro the deyete, lyste ffor to takë / Oure humanyte, Off Mankynde / to make Redempcïon, That thow shuldest / O mayde, O Moder ffre, Be Oure Reffuge / In Trybulacïon! Lenvoye. ¶ Pryncesse, excellyng off myght and worthynesse Alle Crëaturys / as in dygnyte / Myn hertys body / my worldly Cheff goddesse, Pray thy Sonne / ta[to have] mercy vp-on me. / Syth in alle méscheff / to thy grace I ffle Reffute to ffynde / And Consolacïon. And syth my trust / ys Only Sette in the, Be my Reffuge / in Trybulacïon. / Explicit. And sothly, lady, I am Right wel a-knowe that I was constreyned off verray nede And necessyte, to fflen to the ffor Socour and helpe, and Chacyd off Trybula| cion to kome to the ffor Comfort and Consolacion / ¶ And trewly, yiff I seyde the Contrarye, I shulde ffoule ffayllen off the Soth. ¶ Now, trewly, I am mych holden vn-to Trybulacion, And owe Right wel to Callyn hyre a Maystresse off myn, that taught me, and was so goode a guyde to aryven vp at so holsom a Port, and at so notable an havene, to ffynde Reffuyt and Refuge, ¶ O blyssed lady, in the / ffor tyl I hadde gone to Scole with Trybulacion, I savoured fful lytil in the soote mylk of grace which dystylleth doun ffro thy mercyable brestys to Synnerys, to ffostren hem in ther grete nede, specyally whan they ffalle in Trybulacion. And trewly I may say, ffor my party, that Trybulacion was a necessarye Maystresse vn-to me, lych vnto a pro| celle which dryveth all sodeynly a Shyppe vn-to goode aryvaylle. ¶ And necessarye ys also thylke sharpe prykke, that bryngeth hym that Erreth in his passage, ageyn to the Right wey. ¶ And wel-full and blyssed be tho betynges and Skowrynges, that Compellyn a Chylde to declyne ffrom his trespacys and his Errours. And ther-ffore, blyssed lady, rather than I shulde be Rekkeles to Resorte vnto the, lat me Rather, vnder thy proteccion, ffele somme party Off Trybulacion. ¶ And, benygne lady, I beleue Verrayly, that, by the ordyn| aunce off thy blyssed Sonne, Was suffryd and ordeyned as a yerde in a Maystres hande to Restreyne neclygent Children ffrom her Wauntonesse and ther trwandyse, and to compellyn hem mekely to obeye the doctryne and dyscyplyne off ther Mayster. ¶ And thus, lady, I that am Slowh, Neclygent, and ffroward in alle vertu| ous werkys, My Maystresse Trybulacion, with hyre yerde off Dyscyplyne and of Castygacion, She hath taught me to komme to the in my grete nede, ffor to ffynde in thy grete Mercy, Refuge and Consolacion. ¶ So that thow mayst covenably seyn to me the wordys wretyn in the Sawter book / "In Tribulacione inuocasti me / In Trybulacion euere thow callyst vn-to me." ¶ And Sothely, lady, I conffesse me, and am wel aknowe, that yt ys So; Besechyng fful mekely vn-to the, with alle myn hoole herte, only off mercy and off pytye, that thow lyst to seyn vnto me, and gracyously to Acomplysshe and ffulfyllen in me, thy pore servaunt, the Resydue in effect, that ffolweth in the same vers / "liberaui te & exaudiui te in Abscondito tempestatis / I ha delyuered the, and I have herde the in the dyrke trouble off the Tempest that Assaylled the." ¶ Now, goode blyssed lady, do now so to thy pore seruaunt, and Releve hym, off thy mercy, in the Tempest off this grete nede, and graunte hym off Synnes Remyssioun, to be vn-to hym Refuyt and Reffuge in euery Trybu| lacion / Prestante Vnigenito Tuo, qui est benedictus in secula seculorum. Amen. Blank in MS. for an Illumination. ¶ And whyle I made my prayere, The Owgly Smyth / as ye shall here / y-callyd / Trybulacïoun, Whan She herde / myn Orysoun, And Saugh / by nōōn Occasyoun I wolde nat leue / my Bordoun Nor my Skryppe / ffor no manace; And sawh how / In the samë place I haddë Chose / to myn Entent / Reffuge / that was Suffycyent, In alle Trouble and dysese, Myn hertly Sorwys / to apese, And stynte / alle myn Aduersyte, Anōōn she seydë / thus to me: Trybulacion. / ¶ 'I am,' quod she / 'lyk off manere To thylkë wynde / (as thow shalt here,) That with his blast / maketh fful offte The levys Ryse / and fflen aloffte Toward the Skyes / hyh in the heyr. / Thus haue I / causyd thy Repeyr / Thurgh my Trowble / pryked tho, Vn-to Reffuge / ffor to ffle. / 'Caste thy look / toward the hevene / ffer abowe / the Sterrys Sevene / In thy Contemplacïon / That wer but / as a leff her doun, ffor-welkyd / and caste a-way, Wych by the ground ful lowë lay,[Cotton MS. begins again.] But, thorgh my commyssïoun, I ha tournd the vp-se[so St.]-doun, And many a-nother ek also, With my trouble and with my wo; And with my toongës I hem chace, Ageyn the lord whan they trespace, That I cause hem for to ffle To god, on hem to han pyte. 'And somme I have ek causyd offte To fflen vn-to the sterre aloffte, To whom thow fleddyst with gret labour, 'ffor to have off hyre, socour, Confort and consolacïoun, Ageyn al tribulacïoun; Wher-in thow erryst neueradel, But wrouhtest prudently and wel. 'Kep the wel in hyr presence, ffor, by verray experyence, As sone as thow art from hyr go, I shal nat longë be the fro, By vertu off my commyssïoun, ffor to don execucïoun, As I ha don to many on; With my toongës made hem gon, That wer out off the weyë ferre, Resorte ageyn vn-to that sterre, Ther to haue proteccïoun In euery trybulacïoun. 'And thus I kan, in many wyse, With my yerdë wel chastyse Swych folkys as be dyssolut, And chace at hem in my pursut, Namly, folk predestynaat, And swych as be preordynaat To kome vn-to savacïoun, That kan in trybulacioun Suffren, and have pacyence. 'And yiff that thow, for thyn offence,[C. & St.] Hast her-to-forn haad nede off me,[C. & St.] And, in partye, I ha to thè[C. & St.] Parcel declaryd off myn offys,[C. & St.] As thow mayst fele (yiff thow be wys) With-outen any gret owtrage Don to the, or gret damage, With-outen many wordys mo, A dieu! farwel! for I wyl go. And be war, in thy passage, That thow do wel thy pylgrymage, And in thy way be iust and stable, Lych a pylgrym good and hable.' The Pylgrym:[St., om. C.] And as I stood allone, al sool, Gan compleyne, and makë dool, Havyng no thyng vp-on to reste, Saue (as me semptë for the beste) I lenede me on my bordoun; ffor thogh that Trybulacïoun Wer departyd in certeyn, She sayde she woldë kome ageyn. But I (wherso I wooke or slepte,) With my refuge, ay I me kepte,[slepe . . kepe St.] To have, by hyre, proteccïoun Ageyn ech trybulacïoun, But for that I, by gret owtrage, Was off my port, wylde and savage, Dyuers off my condycïoun, And al day turnynge vp and doun, fful off chaung and doubylnesse, Havyng in me no stabylnesse. And whyl I wentë thus musynge, With-Inne my sylff ymagynynge, I ffyl a-noon, in my passage, In-to a woodë ful savage; Me thouhte the weyë peryllous, And by to passë, Encombrous;[C. & St.] I knew nat what was best to done,[C. & St.] ffor, in a woode, a man may soone[C. & St.] Lese his weye, and gon amys,[C. & St.] Or he be war; and thus yt ys,[C. & St.] As pylgrymes knowë wel echon, That on pylgrymagë gon: Passage they fynde, narwh and streyth; Brygauntys lyn[lyen St.] ek in a-wayt, And wylde bestys many on, Tassayllë pylgrymes, wher they gon: ffolk expert, the trouthë knowe. And in a valey that stood lowe, I sawh on stonden in my way, Old and owgly, off array Dysguysed wonder queyntëly, Off port and chere ryht vngoodly, Semyng to me (yt ys no faylle) That she woldë me assaylle; Yt semptë so, as by hyr cher; And al my lyff, fer or[nor St.] ner, Radde I neuer, in book nor geste, Off so merveyllous a beste; Nat in the Book off Danyel, Nouther in Ezechyel, Nor in Thapocalyps off Iohan, Swych a bestë fond I noon. I was abaysshed a-noon ryht, Whan fyrst off hyre I hadde a syht; In hyre I fond so many a lak: ffyrst, she hadde a brookë bak, Corbyd and haltyng, bothë two; Off rowh frese, she hadde also A garnëment shape lyk a sak, Wych she werede vp-on[weryde on St.] hyr bak: Gret noumbre ther-on I tolde, Off cloutys and off pachchys olde. Aboute hyr necke, I sawh ek wel, That ther heng a gret sachel;[C. & St.] She shop hyr no-thyng for the flyht; ffor, that poket (to my syht,) She felde yt ful (in éspecyal) Off Coper, yren, and off metal. And as yt sempte to me also, Hyr ownë tonge halp wel ther-to, Wych heng out at hyr mouth ful[ful om. St.] long. And aboute hyr neckë strong, Thys lady, with hyr corbyd bak, Was y-moselyd with that sak, Sowyd sore, that nyht nor day Yt myghte nat wel falle A-way. In noumbre she hadde (I gan beholde[as I . . holde St.]) Syxë handys, for I hem tolde; And tweyne (to myn Inspeccïoun) Wer the pawmys off A gryffoun. And I beheld the samë whyle, In On hand she held[hadde St.] a ffyle, fforgyd off ful myghty stel; And (as fer as I koude fel,) The ffylë was ymad and ment To ffylë brydles, off entent. Touchynge hyr other gouernaunce,Here the 15th century hand in the Stowe MS. 952 stops, and old John Stowe's handwriting begins, and goes on to the end. She held also a gret ballaunce, Only off purpos (yiff she konne,) To peyse the sodyak[zodiak St.] and the sonne, And caste hem in the wynd in veyn, And neuere to callyn hem ageyn: A largë dyssh, ek I beheld, In hyr hand how that she held. And in hyr ffyffthe hand a kroket; And on hyr hed a gret mawmet. Hyr syxthë hand she gan to launche Lowë doun vn-to hyr haunche, Wych causë was (vn-to my syht) She haltede, and wentë nat vp-ryht, Lyk as a crepyl, with potente; Evene me thouhtë so she wente.[9 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And, by maner off bataylle, Thys vekkë gan me to assaylle, Off malys and inyquyte,[Cap. ii. is omitted.] And felly saydë thus to me: The old Avarice:[St., om. C.] 'I swer to the, by my mawmet Wych vp-on myn hed ys set, In whom ys holy my plesaunce, My trust pleynly, and my creaunce, I have abyde vp-on thys way Tawayte on thè ful many a day. 'Ley doun thy skryppe and thy bordoun, And do homage to my Mahown! ffor yt ys he (thow shalt wel knowe) By whom that I, off hih and lowe Allowyd am, and off gret prys. Yholdë prudent, and ryht wys. ffor no man hath, with-outë me, Worshepe nor no dygnyte; In hih estat ys no whyht Set, But thorgh favour off my mawmet, To whom thow mvst submyttë the, Or thow shalt deye; so mot I the!' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "ffyrst, thow mvst declarë me[St. & C.] Thy power and thyn Auctoryte,[St. & C.] Thow oldë, ryvelyd off vysage,[St. & C.] Thy kynrede, and thy lynáge,[St. & C.] Thy contre and thy nacïoun, And also off what regïoun That thow art born, (I wyl ffyrst knowe,) With bak and chynë courbyd lowe; The maner ek off thy mawmet, Shapë lyk a marmoset: Tel me hys condicïoun; ffor me thynketh yt no resoun Off equyte, nor by no ryht, Syth he ys dowmb, and blynd off syht, I that am born off good lynage, Sholde vn-to hym do now homage." Avarice:[St., om. C.] 'Syth thow wylt fyrst yse, And what my namë sholdë be, I wyl, as now, no thyng spare; But the trouthe to thè declare, That thow shalt (with-oute offence) Yive to me the mor credence. 'Yiff thow lyst the trouthë se, Kom on a-noon, and folwe me, And thow shalt (yiff thow kanst espye) Herë me ful lowdë crye; ffor I shall[shall St., shan C.] sen, duryng my lyff, The vale off sorwen[sorow St.] and off stryff, The woful Interieccïoun Most ful off lamentacïoun.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] And trewëly[trewly C., truly St.] (I took good kep,) She wente vp to a fosse kaue dep; And ther she bad me lokë doun; Wher I hadde inspeccïoun Off an abbey, wych euerydel (As I beheld the maner wel) Was foundyd besyden a cheker,[C. & St.] Squar as ys a Tabler.[8 lines blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And I beheld[lokyd St.] also with-al, Ther wer esches, bothe gret and smal, fful wel ywrouht in allë thynges. Ther sawh I rookys and ek kynges, And knyhtys (ek in verray soth) Drawen, as a ffers y-doth In travers wysë, by bataylle, Euerych other gan assaylle Wyth sharpë swerdys, thus thauhtë me, A dysguysë thyng to se; ffor at the ches, in al my lyff, Sawh I neuere swych a stryff, Nor so fers A contenaunce; ffor everyche gan hym sylff avaunce, Whan ther bataylle was ado, To make hem redy for to go To that abbay ther besyde, And, be surquedye and pryde, Ther to forreye, what they may, Robbe and spoylle, and ber a-way, And revë hem off ther rychesse, And brouhten hem in swych dystresse, That no thyng leffte to ther refut, But made al bare and destytut. Whan I hadde al thys yseyn, How al was makyd wast and pleyn,[C. & St.] Quod I, "what thyng meneth thys,[C. & St.] That thys cherche destroyed ys?[C. & St.] Thys ys (to myn oppynyoun) The woful Interieccïoun, Wher-off pleynly (me semeth so) Euerych wyse man sholde ha wo, And compleyne (I the ensure) Thys vnhappy áventure." Avarice:[St., om. C.] 'Wher thow be wel or evele apayd, Lo her ys al that I ha sayd. Thys mescheff (yiff thow kanst yt se) Ys ydon and wrouht by me, And acomplysshed vp in dede, Al-thogh that yt be no nede; Wher-off, in hys prophesye, The nobyle prophete Ieremye (As he that lyst no thyng to feyne) Weptë sore, and gan compleyne: 'Allas!' quod he, 'how the pryncesse, Off folkys allë cheff maystresse, Ys trybutarye, and bor doun, And brouhte in-to subieccïoun!' 'The prophete wyste aforn ryht wel, That I sholde causen euerydel Thys gretë desolacïon And thys habomynacïon. I and myne (yiff yt be souht) Have thys gretë mescheff wrouht. 'Thys the custom (in substaunce), Holy the maner and vsaunce, Off al that to my scolë go, By my doctrynë to do so, And so to werke, by my techyng; ffor ther ys nouther rook nor kyng, But ech off hem (for ther part) Sorë studyen in that art, Euerych off hem to fynde a waye, How they may to me obeye. Thow mayst me leve in sykernesse; Ther ownë werkys ber wytnesse.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "I may nat levyn (fer nor ner) Thow sholdest han so gret power, Wych that art so poryly "Arrayed, and so dysguesyly; Halt and lame, (as semeth me) Brokë-bakkyd, and foul to se. And with al thys (I the ensure), A verray monstre in nature, (Who lyst looke, he shal yt fynde,) And engendryd a-geyn kynde. How sholdystow, with al thys thynges, Ouer erlys, dukys,[dukes earls St.] kynges, Have power or domynacïon To brynge hem in subieccïon, Sythen they, by gret noblesse, Haven off kyndë swych fayrnesse, And brouht forth by engendrure, Kyndëly, as by nature?" Avarice:[St., om. C.] 'Yiff thow wylt a whylë dwelle, A good exaumple I shal the telle, Reporte me wel in euery thyng: 'Ther was onys a myghty kyng, Wych that hadde, to hys plesaunce, A lady in hys governaunce, Whom that he louede paramour, And took to hyre al hys tresour, Good[goods St.] and Iowelles euerydel, Be-cause that he louede hyr so wel. And shortly, thus with hym stood, She gouérnede al hys good, Whos name was Lyberalyte: She was benygnë, large and fre, Wych, in euery regïoun, Hadde gret fame and gret Renoun. And she dyde euere hyr labour, So to dyspendyn hys tresour, That hys worshepe on euery syde Gan encrece and spredë wyde; Gat hym honour and gret ffame, And with al thys, a ryht good name. 'The story doth also specefye, She made hys goodys multeplye, 'And causede also, how that he Was wel belovyd in hys contre; ffor love excellyth in worthynesse Euery tresour and rychesse. 'But whan that I thys dyde[dyd this St.] espye, I hadde ther-off ful gret envye, And caste to fynde occasïoun ffor to tourne al vp-so-doun. I gan taproche the court ful ner, A-queyntede me with the porter And with thoffycerys euerychon; And in-to chaumbre I kam a-noon, Wher as the kyng a beddë lay. Whyl he slepte, I stal away (Throgh my sleyhte in prevyte,) Hys paramour Lyberalyte; And or the kyng yt koude espye, Benchauntëment And sorcerye I gan at hyrë so enchace,[tenchase St.] That she was voyded fro that place; And, by fals collusïoun, I shet hyre in a strong prysoun, Wher I ha cast, (shortly to telle,) Whyl that I lyve, she shal ther dwelle; And in hyr stedë (off entente,) To bedde vn-to the kyng I wente, Whyl that he sleptë vnwarly.[slept vnwarely St.] 'And whan he wook al sodeynly, In stede off Lyberalyte, In hys Armys he took me; At wych tyme, by sorcerye, I blentë so the kyngës Eye, That I be-kam hys paramour, And hadde in guarde al hys tresour. Wherso that he wook or slep, Off hys worshepe I took no kep; Hys honour, gold, hys goodë fame, Al I tournede yt to shame; ffor he ne myghte (who-so me knewe) ffynde noon offycere mor vntrewe. 'I am the samë (thys the cas,) Off whom that whylom wrot Esdras, Apemenen, wych, hyr sylff al sool, Made the kyng so gret a fool: Whan she was hevy, he was sad; Whan she lowh, than he was glad; She took hys crowne, and leyd yt doun, And he, by lowh subieccïoun, Al hyr lustys dyde obeye, ffor he durste hyr nat with-seye: Thus yt stood, and thus yt was, As thow shalt fynden in Esdras. 'By wych exaumple, thow mayst se That yt fareth thus by me; ffor I kan, by my werkynges, Deceyuë prynces and ek kynges; And al the meyne off the cheker, I kan make off herte enter, To robben abbeys euerychon, And to dyspoylle hem, on by on, With-outen any compassïoun. 'And touchyng ek my nacïoun, And my name (yiff I shal telle,) I was engendryd fyrst in helle; And ther the pryncë Sathanas (Yiff thow wylt wyte,) my fader was; And in that Valey Infernal I was begete: lo her ys al. 'And my name ek to devyse, I am callyd Covetyse (Off verray ryht, and nat off wrong,) And Avaryce, somwhyle Among; But Coveytysë, men calle me Off verray ryht and equyte, Whan I am mevyd in[om. C., St.] my blood To coueyte other mennys good. And Avarycë men me calle, Whan that I fro folkys alle Kepe al that euere I getë kan, And wyl departë with no man, 'Wher they be wel or evele apayed. 'And that I am thus evele arrayed, I do yt only off entent That my gold ne be nat spent, On clothys wastyd, nor my good. And levere me were, bothe gowne and hood Wer with wermys day be day Conswmyd, and yffret a-way, Than porë folk (so god me spede,) Sholdë were hem in ther nede; ffor I caste me nat at al, Neuere for to be lyberal Whyl I may walken on the ground; ffor I resemble vn-to that hound Wych lyggeth in a stak off hay, Groynynge al the longë day, Wyl suffre no beste ther-to to gon, And yet hym sylff wyl etë noon. 'Myn handys off merveyllous fasoun, Lyk the pawmys off a gryffoun, Be mad (wher-so I slepe or wake,) Nat to yive, but for to take. To axe me good, wer gret foly; ffor thys my purpos, (fynaly, And as me semeth for the beste) To shette my gold vp in my cheste: Thys al myn hool entencïon, Offys and occupacïon. Al good, wher yt be grene or rype, I kan wel glenyn, I kan wel grype, Bothe to-forn and at the bak: What I may gete, goth in-to sak, Off entent (be wel certeyn) Neuere to taken yt out ageyn. 'My wyl ys euere vnstaunchable, And my desyr in-sacyable; My thouht nor myn affeccïoun Ha neuere ful replecïoun. I am the swolwh (who lyst to se) Wych that in the saltë see, 'Al that euere goth forth by, He devoureth yt Outterly, And neuere ne sent no thyng ageyn. Tawayte ther affter wer but veyn, ffor shortly, he devoureth al, Coper, yren, and metal; Al that peyseth or yiveth soun, To the botmë yt goth[botome it goythe St.] To gretter wrak than on a rok. 'And as an Ape vn-to a blok Or to a clog, tyed with a cheyne, Ryht so I do my bysy peyne; I teye my sylff (by gret dystresse) And byndë me to my rychesse; I bynde yt nat; yt byndeth me, That I am bonde, and nothyng fre, ffor to have theroff plesaunce. ffor lak only off suffysaunce, I am so teyd (I may nat skape,) With a clog, ryht as an Ape, Wych in soth so letteth me, That I ha no lyberte To gon at largë hih nor lowe. 'And yiff thow lyst also to knowe What my vj[syxë 473/17666] handys be, I shal declare a-noon to the, And make a demonstracïon: I Gryppe and streyne lyk a Gryffoun, And faste I holdë ther-with-al Coper, yren, and ech metal; Streyhtly kepe yt in myn hond, Bothe in water and on lond. And thow aforn dyst neuere se So cursyd handys as they be; Enarmyd abouten Envyroun With the pawmys off a Gryffoun. 'The fyrstë hand (for to dyffyne) By ryht ycallyd ys 'Ravyne,' That sheweth Gentyl outward alway, Tyl that he[it St.] may cachche hys pray; 'Dyspoylleth[dispoylyn St.] pylgrymes est and west, Bothe in woode and in fforest, With-outen any excepcïon: Thys ys my condycïon, To robbe and reue with al my myght. 'I cleymë al thyng myn off ryht; Myn hand ys lyk vnto[lyk to C., lyke to St.] a kyte: I takë chykenys that be lyte; Wher I ham fyndë, fer or ner, I ber hem hoom to my dyner. Gret robbery, on folk I make; Hors and cartë, bothe I take, With porvyaunce and wyth vytaylle. And off malys I wyl nat faylle: Yiff a pore man haue a kowh, Oxe or mare that draweth hys plowh, I make hem selle hem by duresse, ffor to staunche my gredynesse, Wher any swych I kan espye. And as an yreyne sowketh the flye, And hyr entroyllës[entralls St.] draweth oute, Evene lyk I renne aboute, And cesse nat, whan I ha be-gonne, Tyl that I my pray ha wonne. 'The tother hand, to do gret wrak, Ys set behynden at the bak, That no man ne sholde espye The maner off my roberye. So secretly I kan yt vse, Outward my falsnesse to exeuse. Thys hand ful hih vp-on A tre Maketh many on enhangyd be; And with hys ffeet (wych ys nat fayr,) ffor to waggen in the hayr[ayre St.] fful hih a-loffte, yt ys no dred. 'Thys hand, fro many manhys hed, Causeth the Erys be kut away; And thys hand, fro day to day, Ys the hand off gret dyffame, Callyd Cuttëpurs by name, 'Wych hath a knyff ful 1sharp of egge,1[1_1 Stowe] And yet he dar no glovys begge;[Stowe] ffor, to vse hys robbery Off the glovere openly, He kepeth hym cloos, al out off syht, And vseth for to walke a[on St.] nyht In narwe lanys, vp and doun. Whan that the monë ys go doun, Than he maketh hys ordynaunce (By gret mescheff and gret meschaunce) ffor to vse ther brybery, And for to havnte ther robbery: On no thyng ellys they sette her thouht, ffor off hyr owne they ha ryht nouht. 'Thys hand, by force, ageyn al ryht, Breketh vp howsys toward nyht, Bothe in bowrys and in hallys, And maketh hoolys thorgh the wallys. 'Thys hand kan dygge and makë mynys; Thys hand kan Royne also florynes; Thys hand ful selde hath any reste; Thys hand kan brake Cofer and cheste; Thys hand, (in cold and ek in hete,) Kan falsly selys counterfete, And the prent ther-off y-graue; And thys hand wyl also haue (By som Engyn, or sleyhtë weye) Vn-to euery look[locke St.] a keye. 'Thys hand kan forge (I vndertake) ffals monye, and the prent make. Thys hand in frenshe[frenche St.] (I dar expresse) Ys callyd 'Poitevyneresse,' ffor yt forgeth (thys the ffyn) A monye callyd Poytevyn,Poitevine, monnaie de Poitou. 'Une poitevine, c'est le quart d'un parisi (1273 Carl de Ponthieu, Richel., l. 10112, 1o, 159 ro.).' —Godefroi. Sol Parisien . . as much as the Tornois & a quarter. Sol Tournois, The tenth part of one shilling.—Cotgrave, 1611. Wych ys in valu (by a-countyng) fful skarsly worth halff a fferthyng. 'Thys hand ek falsly beyth and sylleth; 'And in reknynge, thys hand mystelleth. Thys hand also (yt ys no drede) Kan spoyllë folk whan they be dede. Thys hand kan al the nyht wachche, And ful streythly glene and kachche, And rendyn vp (yt ys no nay,) Al that euere lyth in hys way. 'Thys hand, thogh men haddë sworn, Kan robbe and bern away the corn Out off bernys and garnerys; Thys hand kan ferette in konnyngherys[conyngers St.] Be nyhtë tymë, whan men slepe; Thys hand, by holys kan in crepe, And bern a-way what he may fynde, And lyst to leue nothyng behynde; Thys hand maketh ydel offycerys And many falsë labourerys. Thys hand (ageyns al resoun) Doth many gret extorsïoun In euery lond and[in struck out, a over C, and St.] ech contre, Worthy enhangyd for to be, Yiff the falsnesse wer yknowe That he doth, bothe hyh and lowe; ffor thys hand wyl neuere spare Porë folk, to make hem bare And nakyd (off entencïon) ffrom al ther pocessïoun. 'My thryddë hand, mad by gret wyle[; cap. xviii omit|ted.] With the wych I ber the ffyle, I shal, as kometh to remembraunce, Declarë to the (in substaunce) What thyng yt doth specefye.[St. & C.] And the trouthe doth sygnefye,[St. & C.] Thys hand ys wrouht ageyn nature,[St. & C.] Wych euere doth hys besy cure[St. & C.] Alway (off entent vntrewe) To forgë money newe and newe, Other folkys gold dystresse, And hys ownë to encresse, By som fals collusïoun. 'And euere in hys entencïoun He ffynt out weyës sotylly ffor tencresse hym-sylff ther-by; By maner off enchauntement He ffyndeth out (in hys entent) To tournë, by hys sotylte, A Tourneys to A parysee[worth a fourth more: see note, p. 471.]; By hys engyn, wyl vndertake, Off fyvë, syxë for to make. 'Thys hand kan also (in certeyn) In gernerys shette vp hys greyn, Abydynge (with an hevy chere) Tyl ther kome A derë yere, At avauntage yt to selle, And the pans[pens St.] ful streyhtly telle, Vsynge ther-in ful many a whyle. 'And thys hand that halt the ffyle, Wasteth bothë gret and smal, Consumeth and devoureth al, Off porë folkys, the substaunce: I pray god yive hym evele chaunce; ffor nothyng may thys fyle endure. 'Thys hand ycallyd ys 'Vsure,' Vsyd in ful many place, Wych ys to god a gret trespace, Bothe at marketys and at ffayres. And also provostys and ek mayres In tounës,[touns C., St.] borwys and cytes— ffolk off hyh and lowh degres—[St. & C.] Echon they may nat hem excuse[excuse St., C. burnt.] But that somme off hem yt vse.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Declarë to me (in substaunce,) Wher-off serueth thy balaunche. I trowe thow wylt ther-in ryht sone Peysë ther-in bothe sonne and mone, The sterrys ek, or thow ha do, And the zodyak / also." Avarice:[St., om. C.] 'Lerne, and vnderstond me wel, 'And I shal telle the euerydel: Gracë dieu, ful yore agon, Among the planetys euerychon, (As clerkys wel rehersë konne,) In the zodyak sette a sonne, ffor to shede hys bemys bryht, And to mynystre hys cler lyht Indyfferently (I the ensure) Vn-to euery crëature, And to be comoun, ther-with-al, To al the world in general; To make the Erthe with frut habounde, That ther wer no dyffautë founde. 'Whér-off (yiff I shal nat lye) I hadde in herte ful gret envye; ffor, yt wente nat as I wolde; ffor, my wyl were, that yt sholde Vn-to my lust appropryd be, By exaumple as thow shalt se. 'ffyrst, ageyn[e]s al resoun, I wolde, by vsurpacïoun, ffro poynt to poynt in ech degre, The zodyak sholde obeyë me,[me St., C. burnt] Sonne and mone (ageyns alle skyll),[St. & C.] Wynd and wether were at my wyll;[C. & St.] Al put in my governaunce,[C. & St.] Yt to weye in my ballaunce. 'Al thys thyng (as thow shalt se[se St., C. burnt]) I vsurpe yt vp-on me: The yer, I weye yt in ballaunce, And selle [yt] ek at my plesaunce; I selle the wyke, I selle the day, (To wych no man dar seyë[sey C., say St.] nay) Somtyme by twelue and by thryttene, By twenty ek, and by nyntene; And in a yer (who kan yt telle) The pound for xxty pans[pens St.] I selle; The moneth also, by reknyng, I selle for ix. or .x. shyllyng;[C. & St.] The wyke also for vj. or fyve, 'At a-counte that we nat stryve Affter the somme, whan al ys do, That my loonë kometh to; And lyk as euery man doth take, Ther-on my reknyng I do make.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] Than, quod I anon, "lat se Touchyng that I shal axen the; I wolde ther-on have thy devys: Her ys a woode off lytel prys, Wych a woodeman selleth me; And in the salë, thus seyth he, 'ffor .xxx.ty shyllyng I wyl yt selle, So that a-noon (as I shal telle) That thow to me, (lych myn entent,) Makë to me thys payëment With-outen any mor delay. But yiff I graunte a lenger day, As thus, tabyde a yerys space, Thanne I wyl (withoutë grace[without grace St., C. burnt]) Have fourty shyllyng (by iuste reknyng)[C. & St.] By-cause off myn ábydyng:'[C. & St.] Vp-on thys caas I woldë se[C. & St.] Whér lyk (as yt semeth the) The sellere off the wych I telle, Outher peysseth or doth selle The tyme, outher the zodyak, Off the wyche to-forn we spak." Avarice:[St., om. C.] 'Touchyng thys thyng, now herkne me, And I shal answerren vn-to the: Thys cas (yiff thow lyst to lere,) Ys vnderstonde in twey manere: Par cas som man, (as thow shalt se,) Off nede and off necessyte, Hys woode, that were by good reknyng Worth off valu syxty shyllyng, ffor verray nede and indygence, Off bothe to makë recompense, ffor fourty shyllyng doth yt selle; The causë pleynly for to telle, He muste haue redy payëment. Thys marchaunt (to my Iugëment, Who-so off resoun lookë wel) The tymë selleth neueradel; 'But that marchaunt (with-outë wher,) That abydeth al a yer, Off hym the cas stant other wyse, As I shal to the devyse: By Oldë[Old C., St.] tymë (lyst my tale,) Chapmen that made off woodë[of wood mad St.] sale, They made her sale (who taketh hede) By A mesour off lengthe and brede; And to the byggere they wolde seyn: 'Yiff thow wylt my woddë beyn, At O word, (so god me saue!) At swych a prys thow shalt yt haue, So that my payement be leyd doun With-outen mor dylacïon. And yiff thow byde a yerys day Off my payment by dillay,[delay St.] I shal the telle by short avys, I wyl yt sette at hiher prys; ffor yiff that I A yer abyde, My wodë shal on euery syde Wexe and encresse (I the ensure), And multeplyen off nature.' 'And yiff the marchaunt, in bargeynyng, Telle hym thus in hys sellyng, To-forn, or that the wode be bouht, The tyme in soth he selleth nouht, Nouther weyeth yt in ballaunce; But yiff the wode (par cas or chaunce) Wer yhewe, or feld a-doun Tó-for ther convencïon, Wych affterward (wo kan espye) May nat encresse nor multeplye; Yiff he sette the sale vp sore, As thus to sellyn yt for more, By cause off bydyng off A yer,— 'Than I suppose (with-outë wer,) He peyseth (as I rehersë shal,) Hys long abydyng tyme and al. 'But whan the wode may multeplye, Wexe and encressen at the Eye, Than thencres and wexyng al Ys mesuryd in espécyal, And yweyed in ballaunce, Who loketh euery cyrcumstaunce. 'Now shal I make descrypcïon, And a cler declaracïon (Yiff thow kanst wel vnderstond): Thys dyssh that I holde in myn hond, (In ffrenche callyd 'Coquynerye' And in ynglyssh 'Trwandrye,') Thys hand I vse in bryberye, In beggyng and in lasyngrye. At euery dore I axe and craue, My sustenauncë for to haue, And offtë sythe (yt ys no dred) I put vp many a lompe off bred In-to my sak, (so mot I the,) And kepe yt tyl yt mowlyd be, That yt may nothyng avaylle. 'And euery man I kan asaylle With myn Importáble cry, I sparë noon that goth forby; And thus I axë my purchace. And I wyl payen in no place, What vytaylle euere that I spende; And to nothyng I do[that I St.] entende, But for to axen and to crye; And al labour I do defye; I wyl nat travaylle in no wyse; I kan my sylff so wel desguyse With my mantel al-to-rent, That the peple ys verray blent With my fals illusïoun And feyned symulacïoun. 'I crye and coniure al the day 'On pylgrymes that passe by the way, As I wer fallyn in A rage; And wer that folk ha most passage, Ther I kan sytte in gret dystresse, And crye on hem for ther almesse With a pytous feyned face. And, in hem to fyndë grace, I feyne ful many a mallady, As I wer in A dropësy, Or sodeynly podagre falle; And alway, affter good I calle;[C. & St.] I feyne me blynd, I feyne me lame;[St. & C.] And for to lye, I ha no shame;[St. & C.] I crye with bak ycorbyd doun,[St. & C.] And makë many a pytous soun.[St. & C.] And thogh I fele no maner peyne, I kan ful wel a causë feyne, That I am falle in indygence, ffor to beggyn my dyspence. 'And yiff that folk ne yiff me nouht, Than with a gruchchynge hevy[hevy om. St.] thouht I curse hem in-to hellë pet. Myn herte on malys ys so set,[pit . . syt St.] On all I wolde avengyd be, That wyl no pyte han off me. 'Thys ys the hand off faussemblaunce; And with thys hand, I kan avaunce Alle thys trwauntys euerychon Wych that on my dauncë gon, That, by her offyce and her name, ffor to axë, haue no shame: Brybours that gon vp and doun, Devoyde off occupacïoun, And lyst hem sylff nothyng avaunce, To travaylle for ther sustenaunce, As thow mayst sen ful many On That aboute the world so gon. 'Somme axë bred, somme axë chese; And for that they wer loth to lese, Somme axe clothys and cootys olde; 'And some off hem arn ek ful bolde, Off dyvers housys to axe a rente, Wych on the byldyng neuere spente, As menstrallys and Tregetours,[Trigetours St.] And other feyned sowdyours, That with patentys aboutë gon; And among hem euerychon, I holde thys falsë pardownerys.[Many leaves, Chapters 24-32 of the prose, are here out of C.] I will nat spekyn of no ffrerys, whiche, in every regïon, ar bound by theyr professyon vnto wilfull poverte. wherfore they haven lyberte to beggen, as them selff affyrm, and on this text they them confyrm: Christ axyd, when he was her[e] man, water of the Samaritan— I mene, the woman at the well— in erthë, when he dyd her[e] dwell; wherfore, befull [it] is to frerys, sythe they be no processionerys, to get theyr lyvelode wher they may. 'To ther beggyng I say nat nay, so that they fayn[ë] not in dede to axë nat, but for veray nede, thayr trewë sustentacïon, without all symulatïon, that wilfully men to them profrys; nat to shit vp gold in coffers, nor to setten ther labowr to gathar and hepe gret tresure. 'as to myn opynyon, I hold it no perfectïon, thowghe that my dyshe & my sachell can techen them the craft [ful] well; for bothë two (in sothfastnes) be gret[ë] tookens of falsnes; and who that evar dothe them vse, I ne can them nat excuse, bothe of hyghe and low degre, 'but they be servants vnto me. 'And also, yf thow lyst to loke, touchynge myn hand eke with the crooke, I will the tell, or I ha do, in what wyse I cam therto: thou shalt know[ë] certaynly, that Symon Magus and Gyosy, bothë twayn, in theyr entent, made ther-of to me present. but the crooke, by óblacion, was gyven tó me of Symon. 'and yf I shall the truthe atame, the fyrst[ë] letter of his name is an .s. (who takythe hede,) of shape y-krokyd in the hed; and of his name (be well certeyn) it is chefe capytall & cheftayn. thow wost full well thy selfe, ywys, that every .s. y-crokyd is, lyche a crose highe in the top, lyche the staffe of a byshope, or of an abot, wher it be, thow mayst example ther-of se. 'and of an abbey, in sothnesse, I am callyd an abbesse. whiche abbey, by gret vyllenye, ys [y]callyd symonye. and as myn hand her with this hook, of the .s. his nam[ë] tooke, ryght so, in conclusïon, symonye cam of symon. 'and fyrst thow shalt well vnderstond, that by falsnes of this hond, most horryble and odyous, was brought fyrst in-to christis hous the falsë vyce of symonye. and by his feyned trecherye, by his sleyhte, and by his gyn, at the dore he cam not in; but at some travas, lych a theffe, 'wher he dothe full gret myschefe; for wher so evar he dothe aproche, with this staffe he can a-croche the herts of folks by covetyse, and ordeynythe in full cursyd wyse sheppards to kepë christis shepe, whiche of theyr offyse toke no kepe. 'an herd man is [y]sayd, in dede, only, for he shuld[ë] fede his shepe with spyrituall doctryn; but they draw by an othar lyn: they may be callyd, for ther werkynge, pastours only of fedynge. they fede them selff with háboundaunce, and let ther shepe go to myschaunce; I trow it is full well ysene, them selfe be fatt, ther shepe be lene. I trow, the most[ë] part of all, men shuld them rather wolv[ë]s call than trwë herd[ë]s; yong and old, they come to robb[ë] christis fold; they shuld ther shepe from wolv[ë]s were; the wool, the mylke, a-way they bere. I can not se wher-of they serue, that lat ther shepe at meschefe starue, and put them selffe in gret defame. 'and they would ekë makë lame gracë dieu of cursydnesse, lyke as I shall a-non exprese, ffrom the trone of hir mageste, by gyfte of temporalite: his fals office I can well tell; he can now byen, he can now sell, by bound[ë]s of collusyon; and all comythe in by syr symon. 'yet at the last it shall be found that gracë dïeu is nat bound, nor, hathe not lost hir fraunchise by none suche fals[ë] marchandyse, as comythe in by symony, 'nor couetyse of Gyësy. 'this hand also with his crochet, in swyche a maner is yset to sell and byen this gret vertwe whiche is callyd gracë dieu; but, kyndly to specify, the byggyng is callyd symony, and the sellyng in certeyn, (for to speke in wordës pleyn,) they that it sell, for gret or lyt, bene y-callyd Gyësite; but symony, (who can entend,) dothe bothe nam[ë]s comprehend; and all that woldë thus enchace gracë dieu out of hir place, to sellen hir for gold & good, they be mad, or el[le]s wood; and resemblen (in swiche cas, I dare affirm,) vnto Iudas, that ihesu christ for mony sold full fallsly, and the panns he told. 'and suche folke (as thynkythe me) wers than iudas, yet thay be; for the pennis that iudas toke, aftarward he it forsoke, and restoryd it agayn; but this folke, be well certeyn, will for no predicatïon nevar make restitucïon, and cawsë why, (who lokythe well,) is only this, for the sachell whiche hangythe fro my nekë doune, of nature and condicïoun: 'what-evar into my sake ther gothe, (who that evar be lesse or lothe,) it will nevar ysswe out ageyn; the entre is bothe large and pleyne, and the mouthe to gon in by is evar open at the entry. but to comyn out, that wyll nat be 'by no maner of sotelte; the way is narow & streyght certeyn, for to comyn out ageyn, lyke a wyle in a ryver, to cache the fysche bothe fer and nere; the entre large / the comynge out is so strayt, it stant in dout. 'A-nothar hand I have also, with whiche I werkë mychë wo by a maner of roberye: and it is callyd 'trecherye,' withe the whiche, (who can conceyve,) full many folk[ës] I deceve. vndar colour of ryghtwysnes, I do to folke full gret falsnes, that be symple and inocent. withe my frawd they be so blent in marchandysë that I vse, I can my selffe nat well excuse. 'in deceyt stant my labowr, by fals weyght and fals mesure: by largë mesure I can byen, and streight mesure I sell ageyn; in byggyng I wyll ha trwe wayt, but in my salle I do gret slayt, bothe in peys and in balance. 'with sobar cher and countenance my chaffér I can well sell, and to symple folke I tell that it is bettar than it is, and wittyngly I do a-mys touchynge the pris, how that it gothe, and falsly swere many an othe, sober all-way, and sad of chere. 'and whan that I am a drapere, I hange out courteyns in the lyght, for to blyndë folkës syght, that men may not sen at ye full nothar the colowr nor the wull; set it at hyghë pris therto, and swere I myght ha sold it so the last[ë] day, to a chapman: thus I begyll many a man ¶ withe this hand of whiche I tell, bothë when I by and sell. 'this hand myght nat well be worse: some tyme ther-with I can sell horse, and lyke a falce coursar, I can with othis deceyue many a man. 'som tyme by borows and by towns I walke about[en] with pardons, with reliks, and dedë bones, closyd vndar glase and stons: I shew them vndar sell and bull, and thus the pore people I pull, of ther sylvar I make them quite, in falsnes I ha so gret delyght. 'to abbeys eke I can wel gon, stell ymagis of tre and stone, thowghe they ben old, & paynt them newe, and make them semë freshe of hewe, with colours bothë whit and redd; and at theyr brestis and at ther hedd I set berryls and crystall; vndar, I make an hole full smale; I put in oylë, wyne, and blood, and melke also, to get[ten] good; make the lycour round about, at small holes to rennyn out, as it were done by myracle, that ther nis balme nor triacle in this world, so ryche of prys, of foltyshe people that ben nat wys. 'I set eke out swyche ymagis, in stret[i]s and at hermytagis, and in subbarbys at many a towne, with bullis fret full of pardon; byshops seles be nat behynd: and thus I makë folk[ë]s blynd, by my sleyght and by my guyle. 'and yet I vse a-nothar whyle: I go to faytours of entent, and make them eke of myn assent, and, by fals colusyon, and cursyd dissymulatïon, I menë suche as ha no shame, to fayne them selffe bothe blynd and lame, crokyd, halt, and dome with all, on euery leg a gret mormall, full of plastars old and new, to make the people on them rew. 'and, for more decepcïon, I make them to be leyd a-doun, ¶ to-forn the ymagys down to ly, and for helthë lowd[ë] cry, ther to have amendëment. and they and I of one assent, I lyft them vp my selfe anon, and make them on ther fet to gon with-outen eny more obstácle, as all wér wrowght by myrácle. 'the people, takynge none hede therto, supposythe pleynly that it wer so; with offerynge and with pilgrimágis come full oft to suche ymágis, for to done ther óbservaunce: and thus I can my selffe avaunce as othár loséngars can, with good that is full falsly won, whiche that the people obeyethe full sore. but of this thynge, as now no more I wyll nat makë réhersall. '& for this hand may myche avayle to profet me bothe day and nyght, I take none hede of wronge or ryght, thowghe it to folks do gret domage, whill I ther-in fynd ádvauntage. it hathe of falshed many a braunche, and why? I[MS. It] put it to my haunche, and to my tonge reyse it agayne: 'the cawse I woll vnto thè sayne: myn haunchë is callyd lesynge, and my tongë forswerynge; and, to this twayn, trechery is famylyar, and of aly, and to them bothe, of kyndly lawe, of custome she will evar drawe. wher they ben old or yong of age, they be echon of o lynage, and, by hyrë, fyrst, certeyne, myne haunchë cawhtë this spaven. 'she made my tongë fyrst taplye to fynd out lesynge, and to ly; and of lyenge I made to-forne, was forswerynge fyrst yborn; for wher that evar forsweryng be, lesynge is nyhe, as men may se; and wher-so-evar that they go, barret is nat fer them fro; all thre bene of on accord, with truthe evar-more at dyscord.' pilgrim: "Tell on, I pray, let me se in what wysë may this be; thow callyst thy tonge 'forswerynge,' and thyn haunche also 'lyenge,' whiche is so halt and corbyd doun; tell me here-on some reson." Avarice: quod avaricë, 'lay to ere, and anon thow shalt well here, how that I this othar day mett with truthe vp-on the way; withe her was also equite, and bothë tweyn, I dyd se. of them, as I tokë hede, how they begged bothe ther bred; they were so poorë bothë two, for theyr frynd[ë]s wer all go. and yf I shall the truthë showe, 'this day they ha but frynd[ë]s fewe, ne non ne shal, yf that I may. 'and when I met them on the way, I gan to turne the bake full sone; with them I had no thynge to done; for me sempte, to my plesaunce, they myght me no thynge avaunce, nor no profit done to me. therfore from them I gan to fle over the feld[ë]s as they lay, and I ne cept none hyghë way, but forthe, lyke myn opinïon. as I rann, I fell doune;[as, I, each a foot] and with that fall ther was no gayne, but that I cawht a great spavayne vpon my lege, whiche madë me for to halt, as thow mayst se; and sothly yet, (who lokë well,) to halt, I hate it nevar a dell. for when with haltynge I am dull, it makythe my sake to be more full; haltynge dothe me more avaunce; therby I makë chevysaunce, for in haltynge is no synne; who dothe vpryght, may nothynge wynn; haltynge me wynnythe many a grote, it maketh me hatter than my cote, that I must my tunge in sothe cast out as a doggë dothe. 'and than full offe it falleth so, that to the kyng[ë]s court I goo, and am ther, of no man afferyd. and whan I have the lawës leryd, and am come to hyghe estat, than I become an advocat, and makë folk[ë]s to me drawe, swyche as hav to don with lawe. 'but first I swere, with-out[en] doute, my tunge I shall nat puten oute, for ryght ne wronge, ne for no thynge, 'but wher I se ryght gret wynnynge. 'on that party evar I hold, lyche a balaunce of whiche y told, whose tungë draweth to that cost, wher the weyht gothe dounë most: to that party he wyll nat fyne the balauncë to enclyne. and so fare I when I begyne, to holden ther I may most wyne. 'whan folke me pray with all ther myght for to help them in theyr ryght, wher the cawse be grene or rype, a-non as I the money grype, than I dare swaryn, by bone & blood, that theyr cawse is trwe and good, thoughe I know the contrary. and than anon I wyll not tary, for gold and sylvar evar amonge, to makë ryght, thowghe it be wronge; for I can make, vnto hir syght, ryght of wronge, and wrong of ryght; tourne the matere vp se doune, and preue it out by good reson, that in the case there is no lake: and all I do, to fyll my sake withe gold and othar men[në]s good, how evar aforne the casë stode. 'thus haue I told the by resonne, and mad a demonstracïon, why that my tonge (by dyscryvynge) is [y]callyd 'forswerynge.' and withe lesyngs, (who lyst know,) vp and downe it is y-sowe; to falshed I do most avauntage, and to truthë gretyst damage. and in this plyht, as I the told, ever my purpos I shall hold, that yf the lawe ne chaungë nought, I will be fals of word and thought, in every place, wher evar I be, 'that no man shall levë me: now I ha told the of my sake. 'touchinge the bonche vpon my bake, I wyll to the now specifye what thynge it dothe signefye. this is the boch gret and hydous, with whiche this folke relygïous bene ybonchyd, full many on;| som, I say, nat everychon, suche as by transgressyon kepe not theyr professyon, as they be bound by theyr degre. 'and by example, (as thow mayst se,) so as a boche or a fellon ar cawsyd of corruptïon of wyckyd humours & corrupt blood, of colore adust, fervent and wood, and othar suparfluyte; ryght so, ryches and gret plente ar cawsë that a rychë man, as the gospell rehers[ë] can,The readable part of MS. Cotton Tiberius, A. vii, begins here. May in-to heven have none entre,[St. & Tib.] But euen lyke as ye may se,[St. & Tib.] A camell may hym-silffe applye[St. & Tib.] To passen thorugh a nedelyes eye,[St. & Tib.] Whiche is a thyng not credible,[St. & Tib.] But a maner impossible,[St. & Tib.] Thys beste is so encomerous,[Stowe] Off bak corbyd and tortuous,[Stowe] And so to passë, no thyng able.[Stowe] 'And euene lyk in caas sembláble, ffolkis off relygyoun, Bounde by ther professyoun ffor to lyue in pouerte Off ther ownë volunte, And to pouert hem[hym C., them St.] silffe proffesse, Ȝeue they be bocchyd with[by St.] richesse, To gadre vp good[good St., and Tib.] in ther bandoun, Tresoure, and greet pocescyoun;[St. & Tib.] 'ffor hard it is ffor hem to trace,[St. & Tib.] Or by so smal an hoole to passe[St. & Tib.] Vp to that heuenly mansyoun,[St. & Tib.] To cleyme there habytacyoun.[St. & Tib.] THis lytle hoolë (who kan se,)[St. & Tib.] Bytokeneth willefful pouerte,[St. & Tib.] Receyued with-outen eny stryffe;[St. & Tib.] ffor, pore we kam in-to this lyffe,[St. & Tib.] And nakyd, (who taketh heede ther-to,)[St. & Tib.] Out off this lyffe we schal eke go.[St. & Tib.] 'Wherffore late ffolkis good heede take,[St. & Tib.] (Swyche as han this world fforsake,)[St. & Tib.] Hem to preserue by holynesse[St. & Tib.] ffrom the bocche off ffalse richesse,[St. & Tib.] Whiche is a thyng (who kan discerne)[St. & Tib.] That wyl closë the posterne[St. & Tib.] Of Paradys[St. (Tib. blurd)] and the entre,[St. & Tib.] And stope the hole[St. (Tib. blurd)] off pouerte,[St. & Tib.] Whiche is, to parffyte ffolke, the gate[St. & Tib.] To lete hem in, erly and late, Alle that ben ffounden vertuous In ffolkis eke relygyous. Properte. 'THis bocche is callyd 'Properte,' Whiche is afferd off Pouerte; ffor pouerte (as clerkys teche) Is bothë medicyne[medcyne Tib., medisyn St.] and leche To launche the bocche off Properte, And voyde alle superfluyte, And the bollynge in echë[on eche a St.] syde. 'But Properte dar not Abyde[Tib. & St.] To suffre Pouerte hym to kerue,[Tib. & St.] Leste off the wounde he schulyë sterue[Tib. & St.] Leuere he hathe, in peyne tendure,[Tib. & St.] Than pouerte schulde his bocche recure; ffor he is dredefful, and eke arwh,[Tib. & St.] To passe an hole that is so narwh[Tib. & St.] As hym[it St.] semyth in his devys,[Tib. & St.] Outher to heven or paradys:[Tib. & St.] His herte is no thyng ther-on set.[Tib. & St.] 'Now wole I speke off my mawmet. The Mawmet: 'ANd off myn ydol that is so oold, Made off siluer and off gold, In the whiche (I the ensure) Is the ymage and the ffygure And the prynte (as thou mayste see) Off the lord off the contre. This is the god whiche, by depos,[depose St.] Loueth to be schutte in hucches clos. ¶ Somwhyle, that men may hym not knowe, He wole hym hyde in erthë lowe. 'This god kan makë ffolkys blynde, That to his óbseruaunce hem bynde; And causith hem, ageyn resoun, To caste her lokës lowë down In-to the erthe, ageyne nature, Hem-silffe so mykel they assure In eerthely tresoure, whiche at[in St.] o day Schal vnwarely passe away; ffor lawe[low St.] in erthe, on euery syde, Lyche a mollë they abyde; In erthe is hoolly ther labour; In erthe ys also ther tresour; Erthe is ther Ioye and ther plesaunce; No thyng but erthe may hem avaunce; Gold and seluer makyth hem nygh wood; Gold is ther god, gold is ther good; I worschipe gold and my tresour As ffor my god and savyour; Saue gold, noon other god I haue.[Illumination.] 'I Thenke not how I schal be grave In eerthë lowe, ther to be ffreete, Corupcyoun and wormës mete, Hydous, stynkynge, and horryble, And to loke vp-on, odyble: What may my gold thanne me[me than St.] avayle, Whanne wormes han[have St.] with me batayle? But here, while I haue lyberte, 'This thyng to-fforne I kan no[nat St.] se, ffor in no thyng I[I St., that I Tib.] kan affye, But gold and good to multeplye. Gold is my god and my Mawmet; ¶ And al on gold myne herte[all [my] hert to gold St.] is sette; ffor golde, I dyde fful greet offence, In colys to rostë seynt Laurence. For he, off pite (thus it stood)[St. & Tib.] Ȝaue the tresoure and the good Off holy churchë ffor almesse, To pore ffolkis he[to folke that he St.] ffonde in distresse.[Illumination.] 'BUt I,[I St., om. Tib.] in myne oppynyoun, am[am St., I am Tib.] not off that condicioun: To getë good is my laboure, And to awmentë my tresoure, And (as it is to ffolke fful kouthe,) More in agë thanne in ȝouthe, Som tyme with lesynges and with ffablys, Som tyme at[at St., at the Tib.] chesse, som tyme at tablys, At merels and the botevaunt, At hasard and at[at St., om. Tib.] [the] devaunt, And at these pleyës euerychon, My mawmet I worschipe euere in oon. ¶ ffor, wher-so[so St., om. Tib.] it be vyce or synne, I do no thyng but ffor to wynne; To good is al-way my repayre. 'And, ffor my Mawmet is so ffayre, And ffulffylled off[withe St.] alle plesaunce, Do[Do St., To do Tib.] ther-to som óbseruaunce, And knele anoon vpon thy kne, Lowely to[vnto St.] his dëyte. ffor, but[for but . . do St., But ffor . . a Tib.] thow do with-out[ë] more, Thow schalt abyggen it fful sore; And I schal ellys verrey[warreye St.] the; Thow geteste no lenger trewys off me.' ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd whilë sche gan me[me Tib., me to St.] assayle fful cruelly, as by batayle, Alle sodeynely I dydë sen, How that ȝouthë wente atwen, Bytwyxen Avarise and me, Cryed trewys, and bad let be. ¶ Than ȝouthe spak:[youthe St.] 'DO to hym no vyolence, ffor I am komen in his diffence, Ageynse[agaynst St.] the to make hym stronge. Thow schalt to hym do now no wronge, (Thow[thowghe St.] thow be cruel off entent,) While that I am here present.' ¶ Auaryce: 'ȜEue[yf St.] thow ne were not ffastë by, Thow myghtteste trustë ffynaly, That I ffor no thyng woldë lette, But that I schulde vp-on hym sette.[Illustration.] ¶ Thy komynge is not to my pay; Thow haste me lettyd off my pray; ffor the whiche, I am fful wo; But now to hym I may nat do, ffor to ffulffillë my talent, While thow art with hym present. But go thi way, and late hym be, And anoon thow schalt wel se, I schal hem cacchen[cachen St., cacche Tib.] in a trappe, And aresten by the lappe, That he schal not skape away ffro my daungere, ȝeue[yf St.] I may.' ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd whanne that I was at my large, And thought I woldë me[me St., not Tib.] discharge, ffrom allë daunger to go ffre, ffrom Auaryce at lyberte, Thorough helpe and ffavour (in this cas) Off ȝouthë that my guydë was, I wolde, as tho, no lenger byde, But in-tawodë[into a wood St.] there bysyde I entryd, whiche stood ffastë[but fast St.] by. And as I wente, alle sodeynely I herde oon wonder lowdë crye, And afftir me gan ffaste hym hye, As he hádde ben in a rage. And so straunge was his langage, That I ne vnderstood hym nought; ffor I conceyued in my thought, How he that affter me gan gon: ffrenche[ffrenchs Tib., Frenche St.] nor Latyn he spak noon. And in his hand (I was wel war,) A nakyd swerde how that he bar, fful scharpë growndë ffor to byte, And redy as he woldë smyte, And bade, I schulde me ffastë dresse, Kome to speke with his Maystresse. Amydde[and myd St.] the way, vpon a lond, With-in a cercle I hym ffond,[Illustration.] WIth-in whiche (so god me save,) I sawgh fful many a ffygure grave, fful meruelous, as in workynge; And he bare armys off A kynge, A Boxë, lyche a Messangere. And trewely, as I neyghed nere, By sygnës that I dydë se, I wendë so that he hadde be, Hopynge the bette, at lyberte, ffrom al daunger to skapë ffre: ¶ To whom I spake fful boldëly, And seyde, "I merveyl[mervayll St., merveyled Tib.] ryght greetly That thow byddeste me ffaste dresse ffor to kome to thi maystresse; And by no tokene that I kan se, I wote not what sche schuldë be; ffor whiche, I preye the not to spare, Off hir the maner to declare." ¶ And he to me in wordës ffewe, With his ffynger gan me schewe fful ffastë by, a mansyoun, Ryght vp, lyche a pávyloun; And on the pomel (who lyste knowe) Wonder hygh ther sate a krowe, His whynges splayynge to and ffro; And with the noyse he madë tho, The messangere gan newe abreyde, And vn-to me ryght thus he seyde: ¶ The Messangere: 'Byhoolde ȝone habytacyoun And the hyghë[hyghe St., hygh Tib.] pávylloun: In that place (I dar expresse) There abydith my maystresse, Whiche cessith, nowther nyght nor day, To teche hir scolers what sche may, fful many wonderfful lessouns, And many dyuerse cónclusyouns.[Illustration.] 'ANd, therffore, I callyd the, That thow scholdeste the maner se Off hir scole, and knowe it offte. And ffor this skele, the crowe aloffte Is sette, (ȝeue[yf St.] thow kanste espye,) Afftir hir scolerys ffor to crye; That fforby passe, bothe este and west; Thereffore sche hath made there[ther made St.] hir nest.' ¶ The pylgryme: "CErtis me semyth it were ffolye To komë there, or go fforby, But ȝeue I knewë (in sentence) What doctryne or what science, To hir scolers sche dothe teche. Thereffore, opunly in thy speche, Declarë what it schuldë be, Or ellys I wole not go with the." ¶ The Messangere: 4'A yerë,' quod he, 'and no mo, ther I had to scolë go;4[4_4 St., om. Tib.] COuetysë, off entente, To that scolë sche me sente; And sothely, as it semyth me, So I trowe sche dydë the.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "CErteynely that is not so; Though sche and I (bothë two) "Hadde I-ffere longe dalyaunce, Sche made no[no St., me no Tib.] maner off rémembraunce Off this scole, in no degre, Off whiche thow spekist off[off, om. St.] to me." ¶ The messangere: 'THan I dar seyn (as thow schalt ffynde) That it was, out off hyre mynde; ffor at this scole ther comyth no wyght ffor to leernë, day nor nyght, But ȝeue that he, ffirste, (off entent,) Be ffro covetyse I-sent. 'Ȝit off this scole, (ȝeue thow wylte dwelle,) The maner, I schal the telle: ¶ ffirste, whanne I was heder sent, I wolde, by som experiment, Or by som schorte conclusyoun, Haue preued[provyd St.] out my lessoun; ffor speculatyff and the practyk Off this scolë be not lyk; ffor speculátyff (in sentence) With-outen good experience, Avaylith lytle or ellis nought, How longe euere that it be sought. ¶ Now take heede, and thow schalt se I wolde hauë[haue a St.] dygnyte, Or som other greet tresour, And ther-on settë my labour; And woldë knowe, to[to to Tib., to St.] this estat Wher I schal be ffortunat. ¶ ffirste, with my swerd, vp-on the ground I make a cercle large and round, With karectis and with[with om. Tib., St.] ffygures, And knowë not the áventures, Nor the dirkenesse hydde with-Inne, Off the karectis, whanne I gynne To emprynte: al[tyll St.] they be sene, I wotë neuere what they mene;[Illustration.] SAue I conyecte yt may so be, That spiritis scholde obeye to[obey St.] me, 'By my[myne St.] invocacyouns To answere to my questyouns, Swyche sperytis as I kalle; And ȝit I knowe noon off hem alle, Saue off entente, as thow mayste se, That they schuldë grauntë me Som maner gyffte, or som gerdoun, Concernynge myn oppynyoun, By vertu off the cercle round, And Carectis graven in the ground, By schewynge or by ápparence, Affter that I ȝeue credence.' ¶ The pylgryme: "Alle that thow doste specyffye, Is but ffalsehed and ffantesye And cursyd ymagynacyoun, Brouth[brought St.] in ffirste by Illusïoun. "This scole is nought, in sotheffastenesse, Whos doctryne is but cursydnesse. The scolers there-off, I holde hem wood; Swyche spiritis may don to the no good; And ȝeue thow koudeste the trouthe entende, Harme they may, but not amende: They wole wyrke in[to St.] thi damáge, But no thyng to thyne ávauntage, Who that kan lokë wel aboute. "Also thi siluen[my selffe St.] stante in doute Where-off thi cercle scholdë serue; And thyngës that thow doste obserue, Alle is but ffoly and mysbyleve,[fals beleve St.] Towchynge the spiritis, thow mayste wel leve; ffor the they wyl no thynge do wel, ffor they the louen neuere a del." ¶ The Messangere: 'IDar afferme (with-outë[with-out C., St.] slouthe) In party that thow haste seyde trouthe, Excepte oonly (it is no nay) In many thynges they helpë may, A man[man St., C. blurd] greetly to magnyffye, Encresse also, and multeplye, Whanne they be cónstreyned to do so, And haue no power to go ther-ffro, Comaunded[commaundyd St., comaunde Tib.] to swyche óbseruaunce By hym[them St.] that hathe the gouernaunce I mene the kyng, to whom, eche weye, Mawgre ther myght, they muste obeye.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "IConceyue, and se wel here, Thow art the kyngës messangere, By the armes that thow dost were, And by the sygnes I se the bere; But makë[make a St.] demonstracyoun To me off thi comyssyoun, By what power or by what peyne Thát thow mayste[mayst St., muste Tib.] hem so constreyne." ¶ The Messangere: 'COmmyssyoun I haue neuere on; And trewely I dar axë non; And though I dyde (as thow schalt se) He woldë grauntë noon to me.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "THanne wote I wel, (ȝeue it be sought,) ffor the, that they wole do ryght nought." ¶ The Messangere: 'HEre vp-on, what so ȝe seye, Wotë[I wott . . .that they will St.] wel they wole[I wott . . .that they will St.] obeye Pleynely vnto my byddynge; ffor they wene that, off the kynge I haddë fful auctorite, Commyssyoun and fful pouste, To maken them, lyche[lyke St.] myn entent, To óbeye[or t'obeyë] my comaundëment By vertu off myn orysoun,[orisons . . .commyssions St.] Karectys and coniurysoun[orisons . . .commyssions St.]; ffor drede off whiche, (be wel certeyn,) I knowe they dar me not with-seyn.' ¶ The Pilgryme: "WHer thow be wel or yuel apayd, Take good heed what thow haste sayd: Thow haste ben ffalse in thi workyng, "And wrongely don vn-to thi kyng; Wher-ffore thow shalt I-ponysshed[punishid St.] be ffor thi greet Inequyte,[iniquite St.] To make spiritys the to obeye,[tobbaye St.] And swychë charges on hem leye By disseyte and ffalse tresoun, And, haste[hast St.] no commyssïoun ffor the to schewe on see nor lond, And haste[hast St.] I-made eke, with thyn hand, Karectis and cercle round, And compassid it vp-on the ground; And art so blynd, thow kanste not seen, On no party, what they mene. "And swyche karectis (I dar wel telle) Be markis off the deuel off helle, ffirste ordeyned (who kan conceyue) Innocentis to disceyue. And thow mayste also (trustë me) There-with thow schalt dysseyued be; ffor this selis, thow schalt ffynde, Constreynë the, and sorë bynde By a maner állyaunce To do the deuel swyche óbseruaunce Made to thi conffusïoun, As bonde or oblygacyoun; By whiche he wole (off verrey myght) Cleymë the his man off ryght; By swyche a tytle, make hym stronge. "And to spiritis thow doste greet wronge, Hem to constreyne in thi workynge To brynge thé other mennës thynge, (Be it by day, be it by nyght,) Vn-to whiche thow haste no ryght; Where-in thow art greetly[gretly St., greet Tib.] to blame, To bydde hem in the kyngës name Or constreyne hem, ageyne resoun, By karecte or by[by, om. St.] comyssyoun, To robbe or steele, to thi ffavour, Off other ffolkës[ffolkis St., ffolke Tib.] ther tresour, By verrey fforce, ageynë[agaynst St.] ryght. "And ȝeue thow loke aboutë[about Tib., St.] ryght, To the kyng, vsynge this vice, Thow doste fful greet preivdice[preiudice St.] Ageyne his lawefful ordynaunce, Where it is boden[bodyn St.] (in substaunce) And dyffendid, (who kan espye,) Alle maner theffte and robrye,[robery St.] In peyne off deth: take heede her-to, And with-drawe thyne hand ther-ffro With al thi myght and al thy peyne. Thow standeste[stanst St.] in daunger atwene tweyne; Outher off God or off Sathan Thow art off the leegë man; And therffore, ffor to lyue in reste, Leeue the worste, and cheese the beste; ffor (schortly I schal devyse,) Thow schalt be quytte lyke thi servyse, In hellë with dampnacyoun, Or heuene, to thi savacïoun."[C. & St.] ¶ The Messangere: 'OF thy wordës I[words when I St.] take hede, They puttë me[me St., me not Tib.] in fful greet drede: But, o thyng comfforteth me, Whanne that I considere and se There is so greet a companye, Me to susteyne in my ffolye, Off ffolkis that to-fforne haue be Off wonder greet autoryte, As whylom was kyng Salamoun, And Virgyle, off greet renoun, Cypryan and Albalart, And many an-other in this art,[Tib. & C.] Maystres by experyence, And hadde also ther-to lycence (With-outen[outen St., out Tib.] eny noyse or stryffe,) ffor to vse it al her lyffe. 'And this ilkë craffte also (Who that takyth heed ther-to,) Is not in rewarde so perillous, Dredefful, nor superstycïous, 'As som crafftis that haue be do With sacriffyce, and eke also With óbseruáunces, vpon mownteynes, In desérte,[decrert St.] and eke in pleynes, And in placis fful[full of St.] savage, Solytarye, and fful off rage, That, alle the maner ffor to noumbre, It wolde a man greetly encombre, As thow schalt se and knowe anon Ȝeue thow lyste with me to gon; And ffynally, thi pas to dresse[Tib. & St.] To hir that is the cheff maystresse[Tib. & St.] Off alle this thyng that I haue tolde, That, ȝeue thow be hardy and bolde[Tib. & St.] ffor to proche[taproche St.] to hir presence, Thow schalt haue fful experyence.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "THat euere I schuldë this thyng se,[shuld . . yse St.] God, off his grace, dyffendë me; And he be my proteccyoun Fro[fro St.,? Tib.] thylkë habytacyoun! ffor, by opene evidence, And by recorde off thi sentence, Thilkë place, with-outë[with out Tib., St.] wene, To good[god St.] it doth no-thyng partene; ffor, by the crowe that sytte aloffte, Makyth noyse and cryeth offte, It schewith wel how thylkë place Is devoyde, and ffer ffro grace, And longeth (as I rehersë kan) To the Deuel and to Sathan; ffor, save the Deuel, noon other wyght Hathe power there, off verray ryght. Therffore I wole me holden heere, And to that placë kome noon nere; And trewëly, (to my devys,) Thi-silff also (ȝeue thow be wys,) Thow schalt wysely with-drawë the, And abydë[abyden St.] here with me ffor thyne ownë ávauntage, "Leste it turne to thi damage; ffor, who gothe to that mancyoun, Gothe streytte to his destruccyoun, As ther haue do fful many oon, Whiche here-to-fforne haue theder gon, Resemblynge (as I kan devyse) To hym that was the Duke of[of St., om. Tib.] Fryse, Whiche, whanne he shuld ha be baptisyd,[Tib. & St.] (In storye as it ys devysed, And as bokës kan wel telle,) His o ffoot was putte in the welle, To haue receyved cristis lawe, But he in haste gan it with-drawe;[Illustration.] FOr hym thought he herde a cry, That affermed certeynely, ffor synne and ffor Inyquyte, How mo ffolke schuldë dampned be At the day off Iugëment, Gon to helle, there to be brent, Ȝe mo (as in comparisoun) Thanne ffolk ffor ther savacyoun Scholde that day receyued be, To dwelle in heuene, that ffayre cyte. ¶ But this duke, hym-silff to encombre,[tencomber St.] Seyde[Seyd St.] with the gretteste nowmbre, And woldë go,[he would go St.] thorough his ffolye, And with hem holdë[kepe St.] companye, There-with affermynge, in his thought, That, off baptysme, he sette[sett St.] nought. ffor whiche, me semeth it were ffolye, The to halden companye With swyche ffolke in thyn entent,[Tib. & St.] Off whiche affter thow schalt repente. "ffor I suppose that Salamoun (Off whom thow madest mencyoun) Wher in-ffectte, or hadde his parte, In his dayës, off swyche arte, As som ffolk seyne, (who kan entende,) That hym-silffe he dyde amende "Off that and many another thyng, To-ffore the hour off his deiyng, And resceyued was to grace, And hath in heuene a dwellynge place. ¶ And semblabely, the tother man, The gretë clerke callyd Cypryan, To-fforne his deth, lyste to fforsake This craffte, and ffor Crystis sake, Suffred (as made is mencyoun) Martirdam and passyoun, And is in heuene stelleffyed, And with seyntis gloreffyed. ¶ Take heede to hem, by reed off me, And not to hem that dampned be. Thenke on hem that ben in blysse; And where as[what that St.] thow haste don amysse, With-drawe thy ffoot, and do penaunce, And haue in hertë répentaunce." ¶ The Messangere: 'CErtys,' quod he ('ȝeue thow lyste se,) That thow seyste, ne may not be. Though thyne argumente be stronge, At that scole I haue ben longe, And fful wel lernëd my lessoun; And by sodeyne departysoun, (Who takyth heede, it is no nay,) So sone I may not part away,[Tib. & St.] As[And St.] I kan not (in myne entente) ffynde in myne hertë to repente, Nor to departe vp-on no syde; I am with-hoolde; I muste abyde, With other scolers mo than oon, Whiche that there to scolë goon, As ffolke may sen ther, gret ffoysoun. 'And eke my skrippe and my bordoun Ben I-leffte in that hostage, And lyne in maner off morgage;[Tib. & St.] And I ne may not hem[them nat St.] recure; And also (as[eke St.] I the ensure) I gyue no forcë,[fors St.] in certeyn, 'Though I neuere hem haue ageyn.' ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd whanne that I these wordës herde, In maner[St., Tib. blurd] trewëly I fferde As though I hadde astonyed be; And, as it semed vn-to me, I stood in a perélous[perillous St.] cas. And therffore I abasched was, And sawe no bette reffute to me, But ffro that placë ffor to ffle; ffor he (schortely, in sentence) To whome I neuere dyde offence, Me to bryngen in-to[in St.] distresse, Gan to callen his maystresse To kome vpon[vpon St., on Tib.] me in greet rape, That I schulde hir not escape. And sche, off ffalse entencyoun, Kam out off hir pávilloun[pavylyon St.] Affter me, that I wente abak, Hydous off look, oolde and blak, Off whom I greetly[gretly I St.] was afferd. In the[In the, om. St.] mydde off a book, sche heelde a swerd; Other scawberk hadde sche noon; And, as I byhelde anoon, Sche hadde (in sothe, as thoughtë[thought Tib., St.] me) Largë whyngës ffor to ffle. ¶ And, by a maner ffelonye, Sche gan loudë ffor to crye; And, me manasynge off pryde, Bad me that I schulde abyde; And ellis, mawgrey al my myght, I schulde not skape out off hir[his St.] syght Til I haddë in partye Somwhat seyne off hir maystrye. And towarde me hir look sche caste, And gan to come vp-on fful ffaste; But as sche kam, it semptë me, That sche sate hygh vp-on a tre, And pleynely gan to speceffye, Hir namë was 'Nygrómauncye,' [Illustration.] WHiche, by my craffte[be craft St.] (in substaunce) Kan ffolke encresse, and wel avaunce, That ben in my subieccyoun And lyste to leernë my lessoun. 2This ilkë book that thou[that thou om. Tib.] wolte se, Is I-callyd Mors Anime, Whiche is in englysche (ffor to seyn,) 'Dethe off the sowlë,' in certeyn. And this nakyd swerd whiche I hoolde, (As thow mayste thi silffe byholde,) There-with (ffor schorte conclusyoun,) Whanne thow haste herdë my lessoun,22_2 om. St. The good old tailor's eye caught the second 'lesson,' l. 18914, in his MS. instead of the first, l. 18906. There-with thow schalt yslaynë[yslayn St., slayne Tib.] be. And thus sche gan manassë me, Where-off I stood in fful greet drede; But off grace, (as I toke hede) A whitë dowuë I dyde se ffleen sodeynely towardës me; But with me, where as I stood, Sche ne made no lenger[longe St.] abood. And I ne made no greet delay, But wentë fforthe vp-on my way; And I mette (or I was war) An oolde oon, whiche that[a St.] ffagot bar Vpon hir bak, and eke therto, In hir hand sche heelde also A peyrë cysours scharpe I-grownde. And, to me-ward as sche was bounde, Sche bad (ffor schorte conclusyoun) ffor to leye my skryppe adoun; And gan vp-on me ffor to ffrowne, Lowdë cryed, hir lyste not rowne: ¶ Heresye: 'FOr but thow leyë here adoun, I schal, to thi conffusyoun, Schape thi skryppe off newe array, ffor it is not to my pay; 'I schal it kutte in other wyse, Lyche as my-syluen lyste devyse.'[Illustration.] ¶ The Pylgryme: "THow ooldë vekke, as semeth me, That thow mayste not clerely se; Wherffore me lyste, by thi byddynge, ffor to do no maner thyng, But ȝeue to-fforne I knowe and se Thy powere and thyn autorite; Thy worke also, and thyne office, I wole ffirste knowe in myn avyce."[Illustration.] Heresie:[St., om. Tib.] 'FOr pleynëly, off lasse and more, Evene afftir my ffadris lore, I wole (off bothë[bothe of St.] ffalse and trewe,) The skrippës kutte and schapë newe, Off pylgrymës greet and smale, Kutte hem alle on pecys smale; ffor it was I, my-silffe allon, That schope the skryppës ȝore agon; ffirste, off this Pellagyens, And also off these Arryens, And off other sectys newe, ffoundë ffalsë, and[and full St.] vntrewe, As ooldë bokës speciffye; ffor I am callyd 'Heresye,' The whiche do alwey[all ways St., awey Tib.] my labour To bryngë ffolke in greet errour, That ffolwe[folow St., ffolke Tib.] my condissiouns; Only by ffalse oppynyouns, Make her hertis to declyne ffro the trouthe off Iuste doctryne, And cause hem ffor to don ther cure, And amys to[Amys St.] expowne hooly scripture. 'And, trewëly, naddë bene The greetë[greet Tib., gret St.] counceyle at Nycene, Ordeyned by greet Constantyn, And nadde ben also Augustyn 'And many other greet doctours ffor to anullë[tanull St.] myn errours, The skryppes off holy churche echon, I hadde ffor-don (fful ȝore agoon,) Off pylgrymes that passe by the way, Sythen goon fful many a day. 'And ȝit I schal, what so byffalle, Assaylë thé amonge hem alle, And myn ooldë purpos holde, In ffyre, though that[that om. St.] I brennë schulde, I wole my wyttës alle applye, Hardyd with obstýnacye, Contynue til the ffyre be hoot; Therffore I berë this ffagot. 'And ffirste, thow schalt me not escape, But newe I wole thy skryppës schape, Or ellis I dar vndirtake Thát thow schalt it here fforsake, And leve it with me vtterly[entterly St.]: My ffader is here ffastë by, Whiche hathe power (as thow mayste se) And[ye St.] bothë vp-on londe and see, Thow schalt not skape hym (in certeyne,) But with daunger and greet peyne.' ¶ The Pylgryme: Myne eyen tho[then St.] I gan vnffolde, And anoon I gan byholde In the weyë me byfforne, An huntë stoodë[stood Tib., stode St.] with his horne, Off chere and lookë[look Tib., loke St.] ryght pervers. And the passage, in travers, With cordes he gan it ouere-leyne, ffrette with nettys alle the pleyne. And he brought in his companye The ffalsë vekkë Heresye. And, that men schulde hym wel knowe, His horne he gan fful lowdë blowe; As it were to catche his pray, Ryght so he blewë on[blew vp on St.] the way,[Illustration.] Bad[bad St., And Tib.] his doughter Heresye, The passage so to[so to St., to Tib.] kepe and guye, That I scholde not, in no syde, ffrom ther damage my sylffe provyde. And trewëly (as I haue sayd) The nettys were so narewe layd, On[on St., In Tib.] lond, on water, and in the hayr, That I myght haue no repayr To passë ffreely that passáge. It was so fful off mortal rage, Off daunger and adversite, That, but yiff[yiff that Tib., yf St.] I amydde the see Durstë swymme, ther was no way ffor me to passë, nyght nor day. And there he dyde also malygne To leyne out nettys, and assigne, There to stoppen my passáge; So that I ffonde noon ávauntage, ffrom his dawngere to declyne; ffor many an hook and many a lyne Were caste in-to[in St.] that peryllous se, Off entente to letten me;[Illustration.] THat, mawgre alle my fforce and myght, But ȝeue I kowdë swymme aryght Amonge the wawys ffeerse and ffelle, I muste vndir his dawnger dwelle. But ffirste, while he his trappys leyde,[C. & Tib.] Vnto[St., Tib. blurd] the huntë thus I sayde: The Pylgryme: "Hvntë," quod I, "telle me now, What maner officere arthow,[art tou St.] Whiche [thus] lyggeste on the way, Vnlaweffully[vnlawfully St., vnlawefull Tib.] to cacchë pray, Thus to makë thyne arestis, Namely on the kyngës beestis? I trowe thow haueste no lycence ffor to don so greet offence; I dar afferme (eerly and late), Swyche hunters, the kyng doth hate; "And it semyth, by thi manere, Off his, thow art noon officere." ¶ The hunte[huntar St.]: QVod he, 'what makystetow swyche stryff? Thow art wonder Inquysytyff, Besy also, by argument, To hoolde with me a parlement, By langáge, and longe pletyng; ffor, though I longe not to the kyng, (And thow conceyue aryght I-wys,) Som tyme I was oon off his; And though I hauë no congé[liberte St.] Off hym, to hunte in this contré, He suffryth me here, in this place, At his beestis ffor to chace, And assaute on hem to make. And whanne that I by fforce hem take, Be it by day, be it by nyght, I cleyme hem to ben myn off ryght.' ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd while I herde alle his resouns And ffrowarde oppynyouns, Myne herte abaschyd, gan to colde, Namely whanne I gan byholde Pylgrymes, by greet aduersite, fful many oon swymme[swymmen St.] in the see; And they were clothyd euerychon. And som off hem, I sawe anoon, Ther ffeet reversed vp so doun; And som (in myn inspeccyoun) Swommë fforth fful euene and[a St.] ryght; And som hadde whyngës ffor the fflyght, That afforcyd[offeryd St.] hem silff fful offte For to fflowe[for taflowe St.] fful hygh alloffte. And though ther[the St.] purpos was so sette, The see hath hem fful offtë lette;[Illustration.] SOmme, by the ffeet were boundë stronge With knottys, off[of the St.] herbis longe; And somme, with wawës wood and rage, Were ysmytt[St., Tib. blurd] in ther vysage, That they losten look and syght, And ffeble were[wex St.] off fforce and myght: And, by dyuerse ápparaylle, The ragë so gan hem assayle, In many another dyuerse wyse, Mo than I may as now devyse. The Hunte:[huntar St.] 'IDo fful wel,' quod he,[quod he full well St.] 'espye Where-on thow castyste so thyne eye. ffor alle thy wylës and thi Iape, Thow schalt not so ffro me eskape; I schal the cacchë by som crook; I haue leyde ffor the, las and hook, As thow mayste thy-syluen se: Thow schalt not skapen by this see.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "TElle me anoon, and lyë nought, As it lythe, ryght in thy thought, These pylgrymes allë that I se, Who hathe thus putte hem in thys[thy St.] see?" ¶ The hunte: 'IS not this,' quod he anoon, 'An hyghë[hyghe St., hygh Tib.] way ffor ffolke to goon Therby, alle day in ther vyage, Swyche as goon on pilgrymage? I hadde not ellis (as I haue seyde) Myne hookys and my nettys leyde, To cacchen allë in this place ffolke that fforby here do pace; ffor this greetë[greet Tib., gret St.] largë see Whichë that thow here doste se,' It is the world, ay fful off trowble, fful off many wawys dowble, And fful off woo and greet torment, In whiche fful many a man is schent, With bellewys blowe on euery syde, Which that myne ownë douhter, Pryde, Is wontë, with hir ffor to bere, Good pylgrymës ffor to dere. 'And many a pylgryme thow mayste se Swymme in this perélous see: Sómme off hem, (whiche is not ffeyre,) Ther ffeet han vpwarde in the ayre[hayr St.]; And allë swyche (ȝeue thow lyste se) Ben thylkë ffolke that charged be With the sak off couetyse, And ouere-lade in many wyse, That they, to swymmë be not able, Ther burthen is so Importáble; Whiche, by ffalse affeccyoun, Ploungith her heedës low a-down Vnder the wawys off this world here, That they may not (in no manere) Swymmë, ffor the hevynesse That they bere, off greet rychesse. OTher ther ben that swymmen ryght, And haue eke wyngës ffor the fflyght; And tho ben ffolkis whiche, in this lyffe, In hertë ben contemplatyffe, In wordely thyng haue no plesaunce, Save in ther barë sustenaunce: In this world, ther Ioye is nought; ffor alle ther herte and alle ther thought, And ffynal truste off ther workynge, Is sette vp-on the heuenly kynge. 'But ffor alle that, (I the assure,[ensure St.]) In this see they muste endure Bodily, by greet penaunce, In hevene hem sylffë[them selven St.] to avaunce. And, ffor the love[love St., lawe Tib.] off crist ihesu, They make hem whyngës off vertu, To ffleen (by clene affeccyoun) To the heuenly mansyoun; Whiche greetly displesith me, Theder whanne I se hem ffle. Swychë ffolke resemblen alle Vn-to a bryd that clerkes calle Ortigometra in ther bokys; And this bryd caste his lokys 'To-fforne hym prudently, to se Whanne he schal swymmë in the see: This ffoul hath whyngës ffor the fflyght, Be he[to be St.] anoon off kyndely ryght. Whanne he is wery off travayle, And that his ffederes do[done St.] hym ffayle, Anoon (off his condiscyoun) In-to the water he fallith doun, And thanne[that St.] to swymmë wole not ffayle: Off his o whynge, he makith a ssayle, Amonge the sturdy wawys alle To kepe hym silffe, that he not ffalle, Til he resume ageyne his myght, Off acustom,[custom St.] to take his fflyght. Thus stoundëmel ȝe may hym se, Som tymë swymme, som tymë fflee, In bokys as it is I-ffounde. 'But they that hauë[haue ther St.] ffeet I-bounde With herbës and with wedës greene, That they may not aryght sustene, Nowther to swymmë nor to fflee, They be so bounden in the see Off wordely[worldly St.] delectacyoun In ther inwarde affeccyoun; ffor alle ther hool ffelicyte Is sette in veyne[veyne St., verrey Tib.] prosperite Off the world, and in rychesse, fful off chaunge and dowblenesse, With whiche they be so[so St., om. Tib.] sorë bounde, That her soulis yt wole conffounde; ffor they haue power none,[none St., Tib. blurd] nor myght, Nowther to swymme nor ffleen[flyen St.] aryght; So sore the world doth hem constreyne, That it were to hem greet peyne, Her hertis ffro the world to vnbynde.[tuunbynd St.] 'And som also be makyd[made St.] blynde, Ther eyen cloos, they may not se, ffor to considere the vanyte Off this worldis ffalse veyneglorye, Euere vnsure and transitorye, 'And fful off mvtabylyte,[mutabylyte St., mvtabyte Tib.] Whiche schewith to hem fful greet bewete By a[a St., om. Tib.] maner off ápparence, But it is ffalse in éxistence; That is fful ffoule, dothe schewë ffayre, Lyche a ffloure that dothe vnapayre[Tib. & St. apayre St.] Whanne it is plukkyd and leyde lowe, Or with som sodeyne wynde I-blowe. Whiche bewete (as wryte Salamoun)¶ Prouerbiorum, 31o. Proverbs. 31. St. Is but a ffalse decepcyoun; And ffolkis that beth there-with blente, Or they be war, beth offtë schente, ffor lak ther eyen be not clere. ¶ 'Eke som ther swymmes[swyme St.] (as ȝe may leere) With hand and armys strecchyd out; Swyche as parte her good aboute To porë ffolkis that haue neede; And swyche vnbynde[vnbynd St., vnkynde Tib.] her ffeet, in deede, ffrom wordely[worldly St.] delectacyoun, And off devoute entencyoun, By councel off her cónffessour, Vnbynde her ffeet, by[with St.] greet labour, ffor to goon in there vyáges, Barffote, to sekë pilgrymáges; Off ther synnës to haue pardoun, fforȝeuenesse and remyssyoun, Whanne ther menynge trewëly Is voyde ffrom al ypocrysy. ANd thus as now (withoutë[without Tib., St.] slouthe) To the I hauë tolde the trouthe. 'And trewely[sothly St.] ȝit, ouere alle thyng, I hatë trowthe in my workyng; And off malys, bothe day and nyght, Werrey[werray St., Verrey Tib.] trouthe with al my myght. 'By namë, callyd I am Sathan; The whiche, as ffer as euere I kan, I worke, in myne entencyoun, ffor to cacche, in my bandoun, Alle pylgrymes (as thow mayst se,) That swymmen in the wawy see 'Off this world, fful off disseyte. 'And euere I lye in greet awayte, And no moment I ne ffyne ffor to leyne out hook and lyne. 'My lyne (by demonstracyoun) I-callyd is Temptacyoun; And whanne that ffolke (in ther entente) Off herte and wylle ther-to concente, Thanne on myn hook (by ffalse awayte,) They ben I-cacchyd with the bayte; And thannë, by fful mortal lawe, Tó my bandoun, I hem drawe. 'I leye out nettës nyght and day, In water and lond, to cacche my pray. 'With nettys, I haue eke my repayre ffor bryddes that ffleen eke in the hayre, ffor to make hem ffalle adown ffrom ther contemplacyown. And, thus ffolkys to bygyle, I am a ffoulere eke som whyle; ffor alle that hygh or lowë goon, I makë nettis ffor euerychoon, (In myne entente, it is no drede), To cacche hem, outher[or St.] by ffoot or hede, As an vreyne wewyth[wevithe St.] a calle, To makë fflyes there-in to[to om. St.] ffalle. 'But I ne may not do no wronge To ffolke that ben in vertu stronge. I venquysche (nouther nygh nor fferre) No man that halte ageyne me werre; And ffeble is my vyolence, Whanne ther is manly résystence. ANd ȝit I haue a thowsande treynes, And as many laas and cheynes, With[om. St.] whiche I compasse, day by day, To lettë pylgrymes on ther way; ffor I, by ffalse illusyoun And by dyssumylacyoun,[dyssimilasyon St.] Kan me[me St., mys Tib.] transfformë (anoon ryght,) To lykenesse off an aungel bryght; 'Take off hym the résemblaunce, The vesage and the contenaunce, So to disseyuen, in couert; And to an heremyte in desert; I[And I Tib., I St.] dyde oonës so appere, fful off ffetheres bryght and clere, And toke[toke St., do Tib.] on me the message Off an aungel, by my vysage, And bad vn-to that hooly man To kepe hym warly ffrom Sathan, ffor he was schapen, by batayle, The nexte morewe, hym to assayle; And tolde hym also, (ffynally, ffor to disceyve hym sotylly,) He woldë takë, (in sothenesse,) Off hys ffader the lyknesse, Bothe vesage and contenaunce, The maner and the résemblaunce.[Illustration.] 'ANd bad the heremyte anoon ryght To fforce hym, at the ffirstë syght, To smyte hym ffirste, with knyffe or swerde, And no thyng to ben afferde With al his myghtty vyolence, Whanne he cam ffirste to his presence. ¶ And so, vpon the nextë morewe, ffor to encresse his dool and sorewe, I made his ffader hym vesyte; And anoon, this seyde heremyte, This Innocent, thys cely man, Wenynge hit haddë be Sathan, Vp sterte anoon, and toke a knyff, And raffte his ffader off his lyff, That he to groundë ffel downe deed. 'And thus I kan (who takyth heed) A thousande weyës, ffolke[ffolke to St.] dysceyue, Or they my treynës[trappis St.] kan conceyue. And therffore,[therfore St., herffore Tib.] be wel war off me, ffor I caste eke[eke to St.] dysseyuë the; Ȝeue I at largë may the ffynde, 'In my laas[lace St.] I schal the bynde; ¶ ffor, as seynt Petre lyste endyte,[tendit St.]¶ Prima Petri. 7o. Tanquam leo rugiens . . And in his pystelys ffor to wryte, I go and serchë, day and nyght, With alle my fforce, with al my myght, Lyche a ravenous lyoun, ffor to devoure, vp and doun, Allë ffolkys, ȝonge and oolde, That lambre[lambes St.] be off cristis ffoolde. I haue off hem, fful ȝore agoon, Off hem devoured many oon; Strangelyd mo than I kan telle; And that[it St.] were to longe to dwelle, ffor to rekene hem alle in nowmbre, Thousandis mo than I kan nowmbre; And trewely, in two hundred ȝer, I koude not tellë the maner Off alle my treynës by and by. 'And I warne the outerly, Thow schalt not lyghttely (ȝeue I may,) ffro my daunger skape away.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "WHer thow be wel or yuel apayd In the wordes that thow haste sayd, I haue ffounden a greet dyffence, To make ageyne thé, résistence, And conceyued[conseyvyd St., conceyue Tib.] it in my thought. Blowe thyne horne, and sparë nought, ffor thow schalt ffayle (ȝeue that I may) To make off me[the St.] schortely thi pray." And to be more stronge in vertu, With the crosse off crist ihesu, And off his gracë moste benygne, I gan me crossen, and eke sygne, ffor to assurë[tassure St.] my passage Ageyne his laas so fful off rage. And by my crossynge, I anoon Gan to passe hem euerichoon; They hadde no power ffor to laste; ffor, by the vertu, they to-braste; And I anoon gan ffastë fflee, And wolde haue taken anoon the see; But, longe or I entter myght, Whan[St., Tib. blurd] Sathan off me hadde a syght, He gan to crye (so stood the cas) 'Out and harow! allas, allas!' ¶ Sathan the hunte weymentith[huntar St.] And tormentyth with hym silffe.[sathan ye huntar St.][Illustration.] 'Vnhappy,[St., I vnhappy Tib.] and fful off meschaunce I was, whanne I dyde me avaunce In any wysë ffor to teche Vertu, or[of St.] trowthë ffor to preche; ffor, it longeth not to me To techë trouthe in no degre; But, off ffortune it happë so, That I be cónstreynëd ther-to, By vertu off som orysoun Or by som conyurisoun,[coniurasion St.] That greetë[greet Tib., grete St.] clerkës me compelle, The verrey trowthë ffor to telle, Mawgrey my wylle, off many a thyng, By vertu off the greetë[gret St., greet Tib.] kyng. ffor ellys (who that kan espye) My purpos is, euere ffor to lye, And[I St.] haue disseyued fful many a man, Ryght as dydë Iulyan. 'Though I were by hym constreyned, And by his charmës greetly peyned, Ȝit at the laste, whanne I abrayde, I lyëd, alle that euere I sayde. And now I oughte a-cursyd be, Whanne that I gan medle me To seyne a trouthe agaynës[agayns Tib., St.] kynde, Sethen men, in me may[ne may in me St.] noon ffynde; There-off I répente me fful sore, With trowthë, medle I wole no more.' ¶ The Pylgryme answerth to Satan:[pilgrim St.] "OSathan, thi displesaunce Was to me fful greet plesaunce, "Releuynge me off my distresse." I took there-off greet hardynesse, Made as tho[thow St.] no lenger lette, I spared nowther hook nor nette, But, trustynge (in conclusyoun) Vp-on my skrippe and my burdoun, And there-vp-on I bylened[lened St.] me Whanne I entryd in-to the see; And, in swymmynge to be more stable, Me thought my skryppë proffitable To kepe me sure in herte and thought, In my way, that I errëd nought.[Illustration.] TRewely,[yet truly St.] in this dredefful see, Is[om. St.] greet myscheeff and aduersyte: Many a perel (I ȝou ensure,) And many a straungë áventure I ffeltë tho in my passage, Off wawys and off[of St., om. Tib.] rokkis rage, And many a tempeste (in certeyn) Off thondrynge, lyghtnynge, and off reyn, And other perels that be-ffelle, That, ȝeue I schulde hem allë telle, Or the myschévës alle endyte, They were to longë for[for St., om. Tib.] to wryte. But while that I, in my passáge, Byheelde the see, sterne and saváge, Me thought I sawe bysydë me, That there stood a greenë tre; And I was glad alle[of St.] thilkë while, Wenynge there hadde ben an yle, In hopë that I schuldë londe, Hastely, vp at som stronde, Whiche was to me fful greet plesaunce. And as I gan my silffe avaunce, And thederward gan ffastë hye, Anoon my sylffe I dyde aspye (Whanne that I gan lokë wel) That I was caste vp-on a whel, Off whiche to-fforne I sawgh no thynge; ffor the ffloodes, in ther fflowynge, Hadde with his wawës euerydel Ouere-fflowyd so that whel, That I toke no heede there-at, Tyl sodeynely there-on I sat. And wyldëly the wawys smette Vp-on this whel, ay as they mette; ANd euere round, (as thoughtë me,) This whel wente aboute the tre, Where-off, I astonyed was, Whanne I sawe this sodeyne caas. Vp on whichë tre anoon, I sawgh nestys fful many oon; And bryddës (that I koudë knowe,) Sommë hyh, and sommë[som Tib., some St.] lowe, Ther nestis made (I toke good hede) Grete and smale (it is no drede). ¶ And I demëd,[it semyd St.] in certeyne, That this tre haddë hoolys tweyne; And on the hygher hoole aloffte,[St. & Tib.] I sawe an hand putte out fful offte.[St. & Tib.] And this hand (as to my look)[St. & Tib.] To the nestis put up an hook,[St. & Tib.] And (as to myne inspeccyoun) Was besy to pulle the nestis doun. And as I stode a lytel throwe[St. & Tib.] At the hoole that stood moste lowe, I sawgh heedës lokynge oute Towarde the braunches rounde aboute, In purpos (ȝeue it myght haue be) To clymbe vp hyghë on that[hygh . . that Tib., highe . . thilke St.] tre: They wolde haue take it ffayne in honde. And there I sawe a lady stonde Amonge the wyldë wawys trowble, Vp-on a whel dyuerse and dowble. Departyd was her garnemente, Halffe hool, and haluendel was rente; The to party, as snow was white To loke vp-on, off greet delyte; The tother party (ás thought me) Was ffoule and owgely on to se. And hir vysage eke also Was departyd euene a two; The to party was amyable, And to byholdë délytable, Bothe off porte and off manere, Glad and lawynge off hir chere; ¶ The tother syde, hydous and old, Whiche was ryuelyd many ffold; And on hir schuldres rownd and square, A crokyd staffe in sothe sche bare. And whanne I gan al this aduerte, Dyscomffórtyd in myn herte[Illustration.] THanne was I, greetly agaste[I was, and gretly gan gaste St.]; And my burdoun I heelde ryghte ffaste, And dyde also greetly my peyne To grype it with myne handës tweyne; And seyde, (off sodeyne moscyoun,) "Bordoun," quod I, "bordoun, bordoun! But thow me helpë[helpe now St.] in this caas, I may[may well St.] wepe and seyne 'allas,' My peynës ben so scharpe and kene. And but thow helpë to sustene Myne nownpowere and inpotence,[impotence St.] That I may stonden at dyffence Vp-on my ffeet, and that anoon, ffare-wel! my Ioye is alle agoon!" ¶ But tho, thorough helpe off my bordoun, I roos vp as a champyoun. But whanne this lady dyde espye That I was vp, sche gan to hye ffor to haue putte[taput St.] me doun ageyn; And I trowe ryght wel certeyn, That, but I haddë spoken ffayre, And off my porte be debonayre, I hadde ben to[to St., fful Tib.] ffeble off myght, Vp-on my ffeet to stonde[tastand St.] vp ryght. BVt I abrayde, and bade in deede that sche scholdë taken heede To thilkë party that was ffayre Off hir, and putte me ffro dispayre, And schewë, lyke hir contenaunce, Som counfforte or som plesaunce; And that sche wolde expownë me What lady that sche schuldë be, Hir name, hir power, euerydel, Bothe off hir and off hir whel, And off the tre, and off the croppe, And off the nestis in the coppe,[cop St.] And do to[done to St., do Tib.] me som ávauntage, To ffurthre me in my vyage.Stowe leaves a blank of 10 lines in his copy, and puts a side|note "fortune should be porturatyd." ¶ ffortune: 'IN me (schortely to expresse) There is no maner stablenesse; ffor, (be hereoff ryght wel certeyn,) Alle that I worke, is vncerteyn; Lyke my dowble contenaunce, I am so fful off variaunce. Therffore, to axe how I me guye, It is no wysdam, but ffolye; I worke no thyng in certeynte, But fful off greet duplycyte. I am what-euere I do provyde; ffor I lawe[lawghe St.] on the ryghtë[ryght Tib., St.] syde, And schewe a cher off greet delyte On the party that I am white.[delyt . . . whit St.] Thanne men me callë 'glad ffortune'; But, no while I do contune; ffor, longe or ffolke may aparceyue, I kan hem sodeynely disseyue, The text is now again taken up from MS. Cott. Vit. c. xiii. leaf 253.And make her Ioyë go to wrak[Cott. Vitell. C. 13.] Wyth ffroward mowhës at the bak. 'Than y, lykned[lykenyd St.] to the moone, ffolk wyl chaunge my namë sone; And fro my whel whan they are falle, "Infortunë' they me calle. To ffolk vnworthy, and nat dygne, I am somwhylë most benygne, Lyggynge awayt in euery cost, Off ffolk whom that[that Tib., om. C., St.] I cherysshe most. And who that on me set hys lust, I kan deceyve hym off hys trust. Tak hed pleynly, and thow shalt se A pleyn exaumple off thys tre, How thys tre (at O word) May be resemblyd to the world. ¶ 'ffyrst, in thys world be grete estatys, Off kyngës, prynces, and off[off om. Tib., of St.] prelátys, Wych in thys erthë[world St.] chaungen offte. And the nestys hyh aloffte Ben degrëes[degrees Tib., degres C., St.] off lordshepe, That so offte on heihtë lepe, Bothe off hyh and lowh degre. 'And they that al by-nethë be, Loke vp-ward, and al day gaze, As yt wer vp-on A maze: Tho be they, that so offte Desyre for to clymbe aloffte To hih estat and hih degre, ffrom ther estaat off pouerte. 'Somme[(? None), Some Tib., St.] off hem may longe abyde, ffor I sette hem offte asyde; Wych thyng to hym ys no thyng soote, Whan they be longe pút vnder ffoote Thorgh my double varyaunce. And sommë kan han[haue St., som kan haue Tib.] suffysaunce, And ben ryht glad in ther entent Off the lytel that god hath sent; They ha[haueth Tib.] no care for[of St., for Tib.] ther dyspence. And somme haue euere Indygence, And kan with no thyng be content, With coveytyse they be so blent, Wych, for ther ounë wrechchydnesse, Lyve euere in pouert and dystresse. 'Touchyng my whel (yt ys no doute,) 'Wych tourneth euere round aboute, Ther may no man aloffte Abyde But yiff so be I be hys guyde. Yt turneth euere to and ffro; The pley ther-off ys meynt with wo; The wychë whel (who that[C., St., whiche whel who Tib.] kan se,) Ys a pereyl off the se, On, the grettest off echon,[one . . . one St.] ffor to rekne hem on by on; And, thys phylisoffres alle, 'Karybdis' lyst yt for to calle, Yt devoureth so many A man, Ye, mo than I rehersë kan.' ¶ The Pylgrym[Tib., pilgryme St., om. C.]: "Touchyng thy staff, tel on, lat se What maner tookne yt may be, That yt corbyd lych and[an Tib.] Crook, And mad in maner off[lyke St.] an hook." ¶ Dame Fortune[Tib., om. C.]: 'With thys Crook, by gret vengaunce, ffolk, that to soon[to fforne Tib., St.] I dyde avaunce, Thorgh my transmutacïoun, Al sodeynly I rende hem doun, That sat in chayerys hih aloffte; To whom ther fal ys[falls St.] no thyng soffte. Reyse vp ageyn al sodeynly Other that be nothyng worthy, And cause ek sommë (Est and west) ffor to bylde fful hih ther nest And ther habytcïoun; Somtyme, off wyl, nat off resoun, I take noon hed off no degre, But only off my volunte.' ¶ The Pylgryme[Tib., om. C.]: "fful ffayn I wolde ek vnderstonde The menyng also off the hond, At the hoolë hyh aloffte, That reyseth vp his crook so offte, The nestys for to rende a-doun: Tel me thexposicïoun." ¶ Dame Fortune[Tib., om. C.]: 'The nestys hih vp-on the tre, That ben hyest off degre, Ben they off ryht and good resoun That entre by successïoun, As kynges, by iust enherytaunce, Whom that trouthë lyst avaunce[trouthe habundaunce Tib.] Only by lyneal dyscent, Hys lyges echon[leegis echone Tib.] off assent; Or,[Or Tib., Off C., of St.] for lak off successïoun, Swyche as by elleccïoun Ben reysed vp to hih degre, As many princes and lordys be. 'Thogh I to hem have envye, To reve hem off ther Regalye, Yet, thogh I ther-to haue no myght ffor to robbe hem off ther ryht, Yet (who lyst looke with Eyen cler) They be ful offte in my daunger; ffor they may nat assuryd be Ageyn my mutabylyte, Nor ageyn my mortal stryff; ffor offtë sythe they lese her lyff By compassyng off ffals Tresoun, By mordre also, and poysoun. And trewly, al thys frowardnesse Ys tookned[tokenyd St.] by the crookydnesse Off my staff and off my crok, Wrong[wronge St.] at the ende, as ys an hook. 'And whan I loke with Eyen cler, Lawhe on ffolk,[folk, om. Tib., folke St.] and make hem cher, Thanne lygge I rathest in a-wayt, ffor to don hem som deceyt. 'Lo, her ys al; go forth[fforthe Tib., forthe St., foth C.] thy way; And trustë wel, yiff that I may, What weye euere that thow go, Or thy pylgrymage be do,— Tourne yt to sour, outher to swete,— Onys I shal yet[ther St.] with the mete.' ¶ Fortune is walkyd.[Tib., om. C., St.] And ffortune wente her way A-noon. And also sone as she was gon, I stood in dred and in gret doute Vp-on hyr whel turnynge aboute, Tyl that,[That I, Tib.] by reuolucïoun, I[I om. Tib.] was cast fful lowe A-doun, By power off that[the Tib.] double quene; ffor, I myghte me nat sustene, In iupartye and in gret dred, Wysshynge that I hadde be ded. And in trouble and gret peyne, Thanne I gan my sylff[lyffe St.] compleyne, Dysconsolaat off al vertu, Only for lak off Gracë Dieu, That was whylom to me ffrendly, Whom I ha lost thorgh my foly,[Stowe] Wher-off I felte ful[ful, om. Tib.] gret offence, That I forsook so penytence, Only (allas!) for lak off grace, By hyr sharpë heggh[sharp highe St.] to passe, Wher I myhte have had socours, And medycyne to myn Errours, By hyr spyrytual doctryne ffro the wyche I dyde enclyne. Allas, my woful aventure, That I lefftë myn Armure Behyndë me, allas, in veyn! But yiff I myhte hem gete ageyn,[ageyn Tib., hole in MS. C., get them agayne St.] I sholdë[would St.] lyue bettre in pes, And nó mor ben so rekëles;[rekeles Tib., rekles C., recles St.] But, allas my woful ffaate! I make my cómpleynt al to late; ffor I stonde in Iupartye Only off deth, thorgh my ffolye. Allas! what may I now best werche? O sacramentys off the cherche, I hope by gracë wel certeyn, I receyvede yow nat in veyn; But now, allas, that I am falle, I ha lost yow,[yow yow C., ȝou Tib., yow St.] on and[and om. Tib.] alle, And ha no sustentacïoun In my skryppe nor my bordoun, Wher-on that I may lenë me, Toward Ierusalem the cyte. And thogh al day I studye and muse, How shal I my sylff excuse, Or what answereSome leaves are out of Tib. A. vii, after these catchwords, 'Or what answere.' shal I make, Off al that I ha vndertake, And behihte in my corage, To fulfyllë my vyage, What[(? Whan,) what St.] fyrst I hadde inspeccïoun Off that noble Royal toun, Wyth-Inne A merour, shene and bryht, Wych gaff to me so cler a lyht, That ther-wyth-al I was a-noon Ravysshëd, thyder for to gon; But I may syngë 'weyllaway'; I am arestyd on the way, And dystourblyd her, wepynge. And whyl I lay thus cómpleynynge, And knewh non helpë nor respyt, A-noon ther kam A dowë whyht Towardys me, by goddys wylle, And brouhtë me a lytel bylle, And vndyde yt in my syht; And affter that she took hyr flyht,[St. & C.] And, fro me gan passe away. And I, with-outë mor delay, Gan the byllë to vnfolde; And ther-in I gan beholde, How Gracë dieu, to myn avayl, In that bylle gaff me counsayl, 'That I sholde, ful humblëly Knelynge on my knes,[on knes St.] deuoutly Saluë, with fful good avys, The blyssede quen off paradys, Wych bar, for Our savacïon,[savation St.] The ffrut off Our redempcïon[redemtion St.] And the ffourme off thys prayere Ys ywrete, as ye shal here, In Ordre pleynly (who kan se) By maner off An .A. b. c.; And ye may knowe yt sone, and rede, And seyn yt whan that ye ha nede. the translator[St., om. C.]: And touchynge the translacioun Off thys noble Orysoun, Whylom (yiff I shal nat feyne) The noble poete off Breteyne, My mayster Chaucer, in hys tyme, Affter the Frenche he dyde yt ryme, Word by word, as in substaunce, Ryght as yt ys ymad in Fraunce, fful devoutly, in sentence, In worshepe, and in reuerence Off that noble hevenly quene, Bothe moder and a maydë clene. And sythe, he dyde yt vndertake, ffor to translate yt ffor hyr sake, I pray thys [Quene] that ys the beste,[C. & St.] ffor to brynge hys soule at reste,[C. & St.] That he may, thorgh hir prayere,[C. & St.] Aboue the sterrys bryht and clere,[C. & St.] Off hyr mercy and hyr grace Apere afforn hyr sonys fface,[C. & St.] Wyth seyntys euere, for A memórye, Eternally to regne[regrne C., rengne St.] in glorye. And ffor memoyre off that poete, Wyth al hys rethorykës swete, That was the ffyrste in any age That amendede our langage; Therfore, as I am bounde off dette, In thys book I wyl hym sette, And ympen thys Oryson Affter hys translacïon, My purpós to détermyne, That yt shal énlwmyne Thys lytyl book, Rud off makyng, Wyth som clause off hys wrytyng.Compare Scogan's quoting Chaucer's Balade of Gentilnesse, though without its Envoy, in his Poem to his pupils, Henry IV.'s sons. Thynne's Chaucer, 1532, leaf 380, back, col. 1; Urry's, p. 547, col. 1. And as he made thys Orysoun Off ful devout entencïoun, And by maner off a prayere, Ryht so I wyl yt settyn here, That men may knowe and pleynly se Off Our lady the .A. b. c.The remainder of this leaf, 257 of the MS., is left blank, the scribe never having copied-in Chaucer's poem. It is printed above from the first of the Society's Parallel-Texts. John Stowe also left blank three leaves of his copy, putting A, B, C, etc., where the successive stanzas should start. Incipit carmen secundum ordinem Litterarum alphabeti. [MS. Ff. v. 30, Camb. Univ. Libr.,] Al mihty and al merciable queene,¶ Capm lviim To whom þat al þis world fleeth for socour, To haue relees of sinne, of sorwe and teene, Gloriowse virgine, of allë flourës flour, To þee j flee, confounded in errour; Help and releeue, þou mihti debonayre! Haue mercy on my perilous langour! Venquisshed me hath my cruelle aduersaire Bountee so fix hath in þin herte his tente, Þat wel j wot thou wolt my socour bee. Þou canst not warne him, þat with good entente Axeth þin helpe; þin herte is ay so free; Þou art largesse of pleyn felicitee, Hauene of refute, of quiete and of reste. Loo how þat theevës sevene chasen mee! Help, lady briht, er þat my ship to-breste! Comfort is noon, but in yow ladi deere; ffor, loo, my sinne and my confusïoun (Which ouhten not in þi presence appeere,) Han take on me a greevous accīoun. Of verrey riht and desperacïoun; And as bi riht, þei mihten wel susteene Þat j were wurþi my dampnacïoun, Nere merci of you, blisful heuene queene! DOwte is þer noon, þou queen of misericorde, þat þou nart cause of grace and merci heere; God vouched saf, thoruh þee, with us to accorde; ffor, certes, crystes blisful mooder deere, Were now þe bowë bent in swich maneere As it was first, of justice and of jre, Þe rihtful god, nolde of no mercy heere; But thoruh þee han we grace, as we desire. Euere hath myn hope of refuit been in þee; ffor heer biforn, ful ofte, in many a wyse Hast þou to misericorde resceyued me; But merci, ladi, at þe grete assyse, Whan we shule come bifore þe hye iustyse! So litel fruit shal þanne in me be founde, Þat, but þou er þat day 1me wel[wel Sion MS.] chastyse1,[1_1 over an erasure.] Of verrey riht my werk me wole confounde. Fleeinge, j flee for socour to þi tente, Me for to hide from tempeste ful of dreede, Biseeching yow, þat ye you not absente þouh j be wikke, O, help yit at þis neede! Al haue j ben a beste in wil and deede, Yit, ladi, þou me cloþë with þi grace! Þin enemy and myn, (ladi, tak heede!) Vn-to my deth, in poynt is me to chace. Gloriows mayde and mooder, which þat neuere Were bitter, neiþer in eerþë nor in see, But ful of swetnesse, & of merci euere, Help, þat my fader be not wroth with me! Spek þou! for j ne dar not him ysee. So haue j doon in eerþe, (allas þer-while!) Þat certes, but if þou my socour bee, To stink eterne, he wole my gost exile. He vouched saaf, tel him, as was his wille, Bicomen a man, to haue oure álliaunce; And with his precious blood he wrot þe bille Vp-on þe crois, as general ácquitaunce To euery Penitent in ful criaunce; And þerfore, ladi briht, þou for us praye! Þanne shalt þou boþë stinte al his greuaunce, And make oure foo to failen of his praye. I wot it wel, þou wolt ben oure socour, þou art so ful of bowntee in certeyn; ffor, whan a soulë falleth in errour, þi pitee goth & haleth him ayein; þanne makest þou his pees with his souereyn, And bringest him out of þe crooked strete. Who so þee loueth, he shal not loue in veyn; Þat shal he fynde, as he þe lyf shal lete. Kalendeerës enlumynëd ben þei þat in þis world ben lighted with þi name; And who-so goth to yow þe rihtë wey, Him thar not drede in soulë to be lame. Now, queen of comfort, sithe þou art þat same To whom j seechë for my medicyne. Lat not my foo no more my wounde entame[MS. vntame]; Myn hele, in-to þin hand, al j resyne. Ladi, þi sorwe kan j not portreye Vnder þe cros, ne his greevous penaunce; But, for youre boþës peynës, j yow preye, Lat not oure alder foo make his bobaunce, Þat he hath, in hise lystës of mischaunce, Conuict þat ye boþe hauë bouht so deere. As j seide erst, þou ground of oure substaunce, Continue on us þi pitous eyen cleere! Moises, þat sauh þe bush with flawmës rede Brenninge, of which þer neuer a stikkë brende, was signe of þin vnwemmed maidenhede. Þou art þe bush on which þer gan descende Þe Holigost, þe which þat Moyses wende Had ben a-fyir: and þis was in figure. Now, ladi, from þe fyir þou us deufende, which þat in helle eternalli shal dure! Noble princesse, þat neuere haddest peere! Certes, if any comfort in us bee, Þat cometh of þee, þou cristës mooder deere. We han noon ooþer melodye or glee, Vs to reioyse in oure aduersitee; Ne aduocat noon, þat wole, & dar so preye ffor us, and þat for litel hire as yee, Þat helpen for an Aue-Marie or tweye. O verrey light of eyen þat ben blynde! O verrey lust of labour and distresse! O tresoreere of bountee to mankynde! Þee whom god ches to mooder for humblesse! ffrom his ancille he madë þe maistresse Of heuene & eerþe, oure bille up for to beede. Þis world awaiteth euere on þi goodnesse, ffor þou ne failest neuere wight at neede. Purpos I haue, sum time for to enquere, Wherfore and whi þe Holi Gost þee souhte: Whan Gabriellës vois cam to[MS. vn to] þin ere, He, not to werre us, swich a wunder wrouhte, But for to saue us þat he sithen bouhte. Þanne needeth us no wepene us for to saue, But oonly þer we diden not, as us ouhte, Doo penitence, and merci axe and haue. Queen of comfort, yit whan j me bithinke þat j agilt haue boþë him and þee, And þat my soule is wurthi for to sinke, Allas, j, caityf, whider may I flee? Who shal vn-to þi sone my menë bee? Who but þi-self, þat art of pitee welle. Þou hast more reuthe on oure aduersitee, Þan in þis world miht any tungë telle. Redressë me, mooder, and me chastise! ffor certeynly, my faderes chástisinge, Þat dar j nouht abiden in no wise; So hidous is hys[MS. it is: later hys in margin] rihful rekenynge Mooder, of whom oure merci gan to springe Beth ye my juge, & eek my soulës leche; ffor euere in you is pitee háboundinge To eche, þat wole of pitee you biseeche. Soth is, þat God ne granteth no pitee With-outë þee; for God, of his goodnesse, fforyiveth noon, but it like vn-to þee. He hath þee maked, vicair & maistresse Of al þe world, and eek gouérnowresse Of heuene; and he represseth his iustise After þi wil; and þerfore, in witnesse, He hath þee corowned in so rial wise. Temple deuout, þer god hath his woninge, ffro which þese misbileeued depriued[pryued, John's and Laud MSS.] been! To you, my soulë penitent j bringe. Resceyuë me! I can no ferþere fleen. With thornës venymous, O heuene queen, ffor which þe eerþe acursed was ful yore, I am so[om. MS.] wounded, as ye may wel seen, þat j am lost almost; it smert so sore. Virgine, þat art so noble of apparaile, And ledest us in-to þe hyë tour Of Paradys! þou mé wisse, and counsaile How j may haue þi grace & þi socour, All haue j ben in filthe and in errour. Ladi, vn-to þat court þou me aiourne, Þat cleped is þi bench, O freshë[MS. fresh] flour, Þer-as þat merci euere shal soiourne. Xpc[=Christus] þi sone, þat in þis world alighte, Vp-on þe cros to suffre his passioun, And eek[MS. eek suffred] þat Longius his hertë pighte, And made his hertë blood to renne adoun: And al was þis for my saluacïoun; And j to him am fals, and eek vnkynde; And yit he wole not my dampnacïoun: Þis thanke j yow, socour of al mankynde. Ysaac was figure of his deth, certeyn, Þat so fer-forth his fader wolde obeye, þat him ne rouhtë no-thing to be slayn; Riht soo þi sone lust, as a lamb, to deye. Now, ladi ful of merci, j yow preye, Sithe he his merci mesurëd so large, Be ye not skant! for alle we singe & seye Þat ye ben from vengeauncë ay oure targe. Zachárïe yow clepeth þe opene welle To wasshë sinful soule out of his gilt; Þerfore þis lessoun ouht j wel to telle, Þat, nere þi tender herte, we weren spilt. Now, ladi bryȝtë,[MS. om., bryȝt Gy.] sithe þou canst and wilt, Ben to þe seed of Adam merciáble, And[And John's MS. om.] bring us to þat palaïs þat is bilt To penitentes þat ben to merci able! Amen! ¶ Explicit carmen. Whan I, wyth good deuocïoun, Haddë[whan with g. d. I had St.] sayd thys Orysoun, Off the ffloodys the gretë Rage Ganne somwhat to a-swage, And the wyndes, for myn ese, Gan in party to apese. The whel I lefftë, off ffortune, Wych selde in Onë[one St., On C.] doth contune; I swam forth, in ful gret ffer; I knew no wayë, her ne ther; Tyl at the laste, off grace, I fond A verray lytel hyl off sond, And thyderward I gan me dresse, To restë me for werynesse. And there, in soth, A-noon I ffond A lady wrytynge in the sond, Lokynge toward the ffyrmament Thorgh a lytel instrument. A-nother lady I sawh ek ther, That lenede hyre on A red sper: I myhtë nat beholde her wel, ffor I sawh but the halvendel Off hyr body, nor hyr fasown; And (as to myn inspeccïoun,) In hyr hand she held a spere, Lokynge vp on the sterrys clere. And doun I sat, and gan beholde Thys .ij. ladyes off wych I tolde; ffor I was wery off travaylle. And yiff yt myhtë me avaylle, I dyde also my besy peyne To sen the maner off hem tweyne. And to hyrë (A-noon ryht,) That was but halff On[one St.] in my syht, I sayde a-non as ye shal here, Somwhat abaysshed off my chere: [The Pilgrim:] "Tel on," quod I, "lat me se; Be ther swych monstres in thys[ye St.] Se Abydynge, lyk as ye do seme? ffor I kan noon other deme, But, monstres that ye sholdë be, By sygnës outward that I se. Yiff thow mayst spekë, nat ne spare, "The trouthe to me for to declare." Astrology:[St., om. C.] Quod she, 'I may spekë wel, And I ha lost ek neueradel Off my spechë nor language. And thogh I shewe to thy vysage, My-sylff, but halff on, in thy syht, Wych halff (who so loke a-ryht) Ys ryht noble and honurable, And also ryht Auctórysable.' Pilgrime:[St., om. C.] "Touchyng thys halff, tel on clerly, What maner thyng ye mene ther-by. The tother part, what sholde yt be, Wych as now I may nat se?" Astrology:[St.,? striogye (in margin) C.] 'Certys, (thogh thow yt nat espye,) She ys callyd Astronomye, Wych ys wont to wake a-nyht, To loke vp on the sterrys bryht. Off whom, whylom thus stood the cas: In Egypt ffyrst she norysshed was, Of thylkë noble prudent kyng Wych excellede in konnyng, And was callyd (as thow mayst se) The noble wysë Tholomee, (So thys clerkys Olde hym calle,) That ffond the cours off sterrys alle, Mevynge in ther bryhtë sperys, Bothe be dayës and by yerys; How that they mevë, long or sone, And the cours off sonne and mone; ffond out the eclypses (by resoun)[C. & St.] In the tayl off the dragoun,[C. & St.] Or in the hed (with-outë lake);[C. & St.] The cours ek off the zodyake.[C. & St.] 'And many mo conclusïouns[C. & St.] Off hevenly transmutacïouns He ffond al out, by gret labour; Wher-ffore, worshep and gret honour, 'Thys worthy kyng gat in hys tyme, Wych wer to long for me to ryme. The causes and theffectys alle, Wych off her mevyng sholdë falle By ther mevyng, (with-outë[with out C., St.] lak:) Thys ys the halff that I off spak; And, al thys ys my partye, Wych I calle Astronomye. 'I sey also (yiff thow take hed,) That ther be (yt ys no dred) Many constellacïouns And many varyacïouns; And lyk affter ther dyfferences, They yive in erthë influénces, Many dysposicïouns And dyvers operacïouns. 'And yiff I durstë speke in pleyn, And the trouthe apertly seyn, I wolde affermen vn-to the, To calle al thys 'Necessyte,' Or name yt 'Dysposicïoun,' Or 'Naturel Domynyoun.' And therfor, toucyhng al thys Art, Namyd for the tother part, I am callyd 'Astrologye;' The tother part, 'Astronomye.' 'And be-cause I tellë more Than Astronómye dyde off yore, Off ffolk to me-ward envyous, Calle me 'superstycyous,' Be-cause off the dyfference, That I glosë the scyence,[C. & St.] And expoune it (fer & nere)[C. & St.] Ryht as me lyst, on my manere;[C. & St.] And after myne opinioun,[C. & St.] Expounë the conclusyons, And preve them out, fro day to day,[C. & St.] Who that euere ther-to seyth nay.[C. & St.] 'ffor, I pray the, lat now se,[C. & St.] How myhte yt falle, or elles be,[C. & St.] 'ffor to deme yt off resoun By cler[clere St.] demonstracïoun, Her in thys world, (by good avys,) On ys a fool, A-nother wys; Thys man glad, that man Irous; He lovynge, he envyous; On, ffrownyng, lokyng nat ffayre; A-nother, off cher ys debonayre; A-nother, off port ys gracyous; A-nother, contrayre and déspytous;[contrary & dispitious St.] On, stedefast, A-nother vnstable; A-nother, in louë varyable. On wyl do ryht, A-nother wrong; Thys man ys ffeble, that man ys strong, Thys man pensyff, that man ys sad, He thys ys wroth, he that ys glad; Thys man hasty in werkynge, Another ys soffte and Abydynge; Thys man ys hevy, that man ys lyht; Thys goth be day, that man be nyht; On vseth trouthe, he trecherye, And to stele by Roberye. O man ys trewe, A-nother ffals, And somme Arn hangyd by the hals; And (who lyst loken her-wyth-al,) O man ys gret, A-nother smal; Som man loueth wysdam and scyence; Som man, ryot and dyspence; Som man ys large, som man ys hard; Som man ys ek a gret nygard;[C. & St.] He[his St.] thys A coward, he that ys bold; And som man halt a good houshold; And somme, off hertly indygence, Ar fful streyhte off ther dyspence; And som man, durynge al hys lyff, Kan nat lyvë but in stryff. 'Wher-off komen al thys dyfferencys, But off hevenly influencys, By gouernaunce (who loketh al) Off the bodyes celestyal? 'And I dar also specefye, As the planetys dyversefye Abouë, (who so koudë knowe,) So the bodyes her doun lowe (Affter myn oppynyoun) ffolwe ther constellacïoun. ffor, thys philisoffres alle, The 'secounde causys' dyde hem calle: Affter ther name (in wordys ffewe) Ther effectys they must shewe, Or elles I wolde boldly seyn, They tooke ther namë but in veyn. 'The creatour, at begynnyng, Whan he hem made in hys werkyng, He gaff hem power, (clerkës ffynde) Euerych to werkyn in hys kynde, And for to mevë to som ffyn. 'And as the doctour seynt Awstyn Recordeth shortly in sentence, The lord, off hys magnyfycence, Suffreth hem, (who-euere muse) Affter ther kynde her cours to vse. 'And damë Fortune ek also, And hyr Karybdis[carbdes St.] bothë two, With al hyr domynacïoun,[C. & St.] Stant vnder subieccïoun[C. & St.] Off the hevene, off verray ryht,[C. & St.] Al2 hyr power and hyr myght Ys2[2_2 om. St.] youe to hyre at certeyn tymes, Bothe at Eve and ek at prymes, To executen hyr[ther St.] power Vnder the sterrys bryht and cler: Bothe hyr dedys infortunat, And ek hyr werkys ffortunat, Bothe to lawhen and to wepe. 'And, men muste her[ther St.] houres kepe, To rekne al the dayës sevene Affter the mevyng off the hevene; Wych be goode, And wych contrayre, Wych amende, and wych a-payre, 'Affter the sterrys hem assure In good, or in Evele Aventure; Wych hourys ben happy And Ewrous, And wych also malicïous. 'And shortly, (who consydreth al) Affter the bodyes celestyal, Lych as they her cours done holde, And the Stocyenës[Stocyens C., St.] wolde Holden with me, (yiff they wer here,) In ther bookys as they lere. 'And Mathesis wolde conferme Al that euere I afferme, Make a confyrmacïoun Vp-on myn oppynyoun, By ther Argumentës cler. And the poete ek, Homer, Whylom merour off elloquence, Contentyth ek to thys sentence: He seyth in hys wrytyng thus: At rysyng vp off Phebus, That whan hys bemys y-reysed be, He yiveth ech man volunte And wyl (ther kan no man sey nay,) How he shal gouerne hym that day. 'And affter Phebus ordynaunce, Somme ha sorwe, and som plesaunce; Thys poete (in conclusïoun) Leueth[levethe St.] on thys oppynyoun: And what-so other folkys do, I leue ther-on my sylff also; And my levyng that thow sest here, Yfoundyd ys on a red sper; And yiff thow kanst yt wel espye, My leuyng doth so sygnefye. 'Now tel on, and thyn hertë bolde, Wychë[whiche St., wych C.] party thow wylt holde, And make a demonstracïoun Affter thyn oppynyoun; And as thow hast her-in creaunce, Outher ffeyth or affyaunce.' The Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] Whan I herde hyr wordys alle, Off look and cher I gan to palle, And wex abaysshed mor and more, And be-gan to syhë sore; Thoghte in myn herte, off gretë[gret C., St.] ffer, I was nat passyd al daunger[Line wanting in both MSS., tho' neither has a gap.] As yet, in thys streyth passage;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Thouhte also, (so god me rede!) That I haddë ful gret nede, Touchynge thys oppynyoun, To axë counsayl off Resoun. I answerde to that party: "Thow spekyst," quod I, "ful largely. God grauntë me (to myn entent) In thys mater A-vysëment, My wordys so, for texpresse, That ffynally I may represse Thyn errours and thyn ffolye, Groundyd on Astrologye, Wych ne be nat vertuous, ffor they be superstycïous. "Yt semeth as thow haddest ben Hih in the hevene, for to sen Al aboutë, nyh and fferre, And axyd ther, off euery sterre, Ther coursys and ther mocïouns And ther reuolucïouns, And dyscuryd ther secres To the, and al ther pryvytes, Wych ar good, wych ar malygne, Whan they shal entren any sygne, Or entren any mancïoun, Ther to haue domynyoun. "I trowe, thow wylt thé makyn bold, How that Venus hath the told The tyme assygnëd, whan that she Shal, next, conyoyned be "And declaryd to the / the day Whan that she shal parte away ffro mars, that ys hyr ownë knyht: In hevene thow haddyst her-off a syht. Wher wer thow euere so pryve, Or with the sterrys so secre, To knowe the power and the myght That god hath yove to hem off ryht? "I dar affermen her a-noon, Sterrys and planetys, euerychon, Be soget to hys power royal And to hys ryht Imperyal. What-so-euere thow kanst allegge, They ha noon other pryvylegge, ffraunchysë nor commyssïoun, But vnder hys domynacïoun; And vn-to that (I dar wel seye) Alle the planetys muste obeye, And fro that ordre neuere varye, Who-euere affermë the contrárye." [Astrology.] Quod she a-noon ageyn to me, 'Neuer in my lyff ne dyde I se No pryvylege (touchyng thys thyng) Yove[gyven St.] to the sterrys in ther mevyng; Nor, in the heuene so hih and fferre, I spak[spake St.] neuere with no sterre; Nor I nat knowë ther secres,[secretes St.] Ther mevyng, nor ther pryvytes, Nor how ther cours aboff[or aloff C., aloft St.] ys lad, But as I haue in bookys rad, And ther conceyved by wrytyng, Bothe off her cours and ther mevyng. 'And also long experyence Hath yove to me ther-off scyence; Ek oldë clerkës her-to-fforn— That wer ful longe or thow wer born— Yt dyde ynowh to hem suffyse, To knowe the maner and the guyse Off grete effectys off the hevene, 'And off the[the St., om. C.] planetys allë sevene. Ther-in, ful myche they sette her lust, And ther-in was fynally[fynally was St.] her trust, As they by wrytyng specefye. 'And I ful[will St.] gretly ek affye In the hevenly mocïouns And in ther reuolucïouns, Conceyvynge that, by ther mevyng, That, alone[tha alone St.] the myhty kyng, Ys no party (fer nor ner) The mor excludyd fro hys power, Nor exempt in no degre ffrom hys imperyal powste; But semblably (and thys ys soth) As a kyng off custom doth, Off hys myght and hih renoun Graunteth a commyssïoun ffor a space, or al ther lyves, To hys provóstys[provosts St.] or bayllyves; Yet for al that, in no manere He restreyneth nat hys powere.' [The Pilgrim:] "Thyn answere, I conceyve yt wel, Wych may suffysë neueradel, No mor than may a redë[reade St., red C.] sper Suffyse off myght, nor off power (Who-so the trouthe espyë konne) To endure to bern[bere St.] A tonne. ffor yiff the kyng (shortly to devyse) Hadde yove[have gyve St.] hys power in swych wyse To hys provóstys,[provost C.] and ek also To hys baylyvës,[baylys C., baylyvs St.] bothë two, And hadde hem mad ther-off certeyn, And myghte yt nat repelle ageyn, Thanne he were (to our purpos) Dysbarryd, and from hys power clos. "And evene lyk (to our entent) Off planetys and the fyrmament, And off sterrys the mocïoun, Yiff they hadde commyssïoun "Vp-on al thyng,[thynge St.] hih and lowe, Her in erthë that men knowe, Bothe to shette and ek vnclose, And as hym lyst, ffor to dyspose At ther ownë volunte, That yt myhte noon other be, But as the hevene (in substaunce) Lyst to tourne the ordynaunce; Than muste ther power (who kan se) Be fallen off necessyte, As the sterrys wolde ordeyne: The kyng ne myght yt nat restreyne; ffor he, off verray volunte, Hath wyth-drawen hys powste.[C. & St.] Thus thow woldest hym exclude,[C. & St.] And by thy wordys ek conclude,[C. & St.] That allë thyngës that her be, Sholde fallë off necessyte, Wherby (who that kan dyscerne) The lord that al hath to gouerne, Sholde, by hys commyssïoun, Restreyne hys domynacïoun, Wych ys A maner impossible, And as to me, no thyng credyble, What-euere her-on thow lyst to seyn. "But I wyl answere the ageyn, Touchyng the hevenly mocïouns, Ther power and ther commyssïouns, Ther influencys and ther mevyng: Al thys, they haue yt off the[theyr C.] kyng And off the lord (who kan concerne) That hevene and erthë doth gouerne. And trewly, in A-nother wyse Than thy sylff dost her[here St.] devyse. "Touchyng ther power, (tak good heede, In Genesis thow mayst yt rede;) He ordeynede sterrys for to shyne, To yivë lyht, and enlwmyne, And to the world, by ther bryhtnesse, To yivë coumfort and clernesse; "And to dyscerne, (who loke a-ryht) To knowe the dayës wel fro nyht, He sette hem ther (by certeyn lynes) As for markys and for sygnes: Lat the byble wel be souht, And other thyng thow fyndest nouht. "Off the power that he hem sette, Ther-off he wyle no thyng hem[hem om. St.] lette; But shortly, al ther gouernaunce Abydeth vnder hys puissaunce; He byndythe,[St., vndoth C.] and vnbynt also; What euere hym lyst, that mot be do; And O word that her ys sayd, (And ful notáble to be layd, To be put in rémembraunce, My conclusioun to Avaunce,) That the sterrys ffer above, Wér only ffor sygnës yove, That thyngës (who so lyst to se) Wyth hem sholdë markyd be. "And who that euere ageyn malygnes, They be but markys, nor but sygnes Off thylkë lord celestyal, That syt above, and rewleth al, Sterrys and constellacïouns. "And as in cytes and in townys, Maystres off dyvers crafftys Hang out, on polys[bolys St.] and on rafftys, Dyuers sygnys hih and lowe, Wher-by that men ther crafft may knowe;— As somme off hem hang out lyouns, Somme Eglys and gryffouns, Peynted on bordys and on stagys, Dyuers Armys and ymáges (In cytes mo than .ix. or ten,) Wherby men knowe thys[thes St.] craffty men; But wher-so-euere they hangyd be, Hih aloffte, that men may se, He wer A ffool, and nothyng sage, That woldë deme in hys corage, "That thys markys, on pool or rafft, Kan no thyng medlen off the crafft, Nor helpe ther-to, (yt ys no ffayl,) Nor to the craffty men avayl. "And at tavernys (with-outë wene) Tib. A vii. starts again with leaf 63.Thys tooknys nor thys bowys[C. Tib. leves St.] grene, Thogh they shewë ffressh and ffayre, The wyn they mende nat, nor apeyre, Nor medle no thyng (thys the ffyn) Off the sale nor[more Tib.] off the wyn, Nór hath nothyng to govérne, Off the celer nor taverne: By hem ys no thyng do nor let; They bé ther, but for markys set. "And semblably, to Our entent, The sterrys and the ffyrmament, Planetys and constellacïouns, Cerclys, sygnes, nor mansïouns, Ar (to speke in wordys ffewe) No-thyng but markys, for to shewe Off the workman, and off[off om. Tib.] the lord That made al thyng with A word. "In erthe, ther ys no taverner, That couchyd hath in hys celer So many wynës red nor whyht, Nor other drynkës off delyt, As thys lord hath Beveráges Off Grace,[gracys St.] y-mad ffor sondry ages. And off al thys, (who lyst to se,) The sterrys, no-thyng but toknys be, That al our goodys, her doun lowe, Kome fro that lord (who lyst to knowe); And alle the gyfftys ek off grace Descendë from that hevenly place. "He partyth hys gyfftys dyversly, And, off hys grace and hys mercy, All folkys ha suffysaunce, Plente ynowh, and hábondaunce; ffor, off hys grace (as yt ys skyl,) "He parteth, as yt ys hys wyl. "Therfor lat gracë be thy guyde, And al thy resouns set asyde; And wenë nat, in thyn entent, The sterrys nor the ffyrmament Ha no vertu (with-outë glose) Good or evel, for[for om. Tib.] to dyspose, But as the lord celestyal Ordeyneth, that govérneth al. Wher-for, beholde and loke a-ryht, And deme off resoun in thy syht, And be with me nat evele apayd. "Yiff yt wer soth that thow hast sayd, Yt wer as[all St.] good (thys, the cheff) To ben a robbere and a theff, (By the resouns that thow gan,[began St.]) As for to ben A trewë man, ffolwynge, off necessyte, That yt myhte noon other be; The sterrys, the hevene, bothë two, Han ordeyned yt mot be so By ther hevenly influence, Wyth-outen any résystence. Why sholde A theff than punysshed be, That fro robbry may nat ffle; Or A trewe man, by resoun, Vertuous off condycïoun, Mawgre hys wyl and[with St., and Tib.] al hys myht, Escheweth wrong, and doth al ryht. Touchyng hys meryte nor gerdoun, He noon dysserveth, off resoun, ffor the sterrys euerydel Ben only cause that he doth wel. Wher-vp-on (who-so taketh hede) Bothë sholde haue ylychë mede, Good or harm, wher-so thé werche. "And also off al hooly[hooly om. Tib.] cherche, Yiff thy resouns wer certeyn, The sacramentys wer in veyn In thys cas (yiff yt be souht); "ffor they sholde a-vayllë nouht, Nor to mankynde do[C., Tib., be St.] no good. "And Cryst Ihesu, that shadde hys blood, Only mankynde for to save, What effectë[Tib., effect C., St.] sholdë haue Hys peyne or gretë passïoun, To brynge vs to savacïoun, Yiff no man myghte don evel[C., Tib., do well St.] nor good, But evene so as the hevene stood? Ther wer noon helpë nor socour; The wych[whiche Tib.] wer a gret errour, A man to leve in any[C., Tib., such a St.] wyse So as thow dost her devyse; ffro[Tib., ffor C., St.] wych, I pray god me preserue! "Thow seyst also, men sholde obserue Houres and constellacïouns ffor sondry operacïouns; The ascendent, consydre and se, Off a manhys natyvyte, To ffynde the dysposicïoun Off A manhys condycïoun, To good or evel,[badd St.] be kyndely lawe Off nature, he sholdë drawe; The wychë (who[C., Tib., who-so St.] the trouthe espyes) Ar[C., Tib., as St.] but fables, and ful off lyes; ffor men ha seyn[sene St., seyne Tib.] her-to-fforn, Two chyldren in O moment born, The ton ryht good and fortunat, And the tother infortunat; And men ha seyn[C., Tib., such a St.] ek at O tyme, (Bothe at Evyn and at pryme,) Twey men that a crafft wel konne: At On hour they ha be-gonne; The ton Off hem ful wel hath wrouht, And the tother hath[The tother he hath Tib.] do ryht nouht. And tweyne, on hour (who kan espye) Han bothe had O malladye: The ton was mad hol by nature, The tother myghtë nat endure,[C. & St.] But hath deyed, in certeyn:[C. & St.] "Wherfor thy resouns be but veyn. "Or telle me also a resoun Touchynge thyn oppynyoun: An hundryd thousand men assaylle Euerych other in bataylle; Wher-off kometh ther[C., Tib., that St.] destyne, That they ben alle at o Iourne, And yet par cas (yt ys no nay) They wer nat alle born on[in St.] o day, Nor they nat entre, nyh nor ferre, All at tonys[ones St.] in-to that werre; And yet, by Martys[martis St., marrys C.] mortal lawe, Euerychon they ben yslawe: Tel the cause what may thys be, And spek no mor off destyne. "Yet som folk ben ordynat, And also predestynat, Prescryt[prescryt St., Prescyt C., Prescys Tib.] to-forn to Ioye and blysse, Off the wych som other mysse, Swych as (in conclusïoun) Gon vn-to[C., St., in to Tib.] dampnacïoun. "And, trewly[trewely Tib.] (yt ys no dred) The cause ys nat (who taketh hed,) The dyvynë prescyence; But the gretë dyfference Ys causyd off good and off badde, Affter the lyff that they her ladde. And in this[Tib., the St., thy C.] world (bothe ffer and ner,[leaves out of Tib. till 555/20812 below.]) As they rowede in the Ryuer, Somme to Ioye, somme to peyne, ffro synne as they hem-sylff restreyne; The goodë to savacïoun, The evele vn-to dampnacïoun, Constreyned no-thyng by destyne, But by ffre wyl and lyberte. "Thogh god knewe al thys thyng[thyng om. St.] to-forn, Many[Many a St.] day or they wer born, Hys knowyng nor hys prescyence, Vn-to man doth noon offence. ffredam ys yove[gyven St.] to hem to chese, "Whether hym lyst to wynne or lese; ffor, knowyng (who that lookë wel) Off god, ne causeth neueradel Wher them lyst, off bothë tweyne, To gon to Ioye, outher to peyne. "And, ther-for, do by my lore, And off destyne spek no more; ffor the planetys euerychon, And the sygnës, on by On, And euery sterre, in hys degre, Mevyn by the volunte Off the lord that syt aloffte. "And also (as yt falleth offte) ffolkys that in thys world her be, (At the Eye as thow mayst se,) Somme be lame, and feble off myght; And sommë strong, and gon vp-ryht, And many welde hem sylff ryht wel; But, off the sterrys neueradel, Nor off the hevenly influence, Strengthë, myght, nor impotence, Be nat causyd (on no syde) But as the lord lyst to provyde. "No man blynd, nor no man lame Born—the gospel seyth the same;— ffor whan cryst, in swych A cas, Off the Iewys axyd was, (As in Iohan ye may fynde,) Why the blynde man was bor[borne St.] blynde, He told hem pleynly at A word, 'To preve the workys off the[oure St.] lord, And hys dedys by myrácle, With-outen any mor obstácle;' And other causë was ther noon, As seyth the gospel off seyn Iohn. "And nothyng thorgh the mocïoun Off sterrys dysposicïoun, Was thys blyndnesse to hym sent. "And davyd seyth 'the fyrmament Was ordeyned, at O word, To telle the werkys off the lord.Celi enarrant. The sterrys, he[be St.] makyd for to shyne, Vp-on the Erthë tenlwmyne; Hih in hevene to abyde, A-sonder only to devyde The day and ek the dyrkë nyht. "And in hys Centyloge a-ryht, The gretë clerk, kyng[grete kynge St.] Tholome, Affermeth ther (who lyst to se); He seyth (As I rehersë kan) That in erthe A wysë[wyse St., wys C.] manSapiens dominabitur astris. Haueth domynacïoun Above ech constellacïoun." And affter he hadde herd me seyn, Thus he answerde me ageyn: Astrologye:[St., om. C.] 'Affter thy wordys rehersyd here, The heuene, with hys sterrys clere, Sholdë hauen, in substaunce, But lytel power or puissaunce, And sholde also, by thy devys, Ben also off lassë prys Than ys the erthë, her doun lowe, With greynys and with sedys sowe; ffor the Erthe, wher-on we gon, Bryngeth fforth ffruitës many On,— Euerych grouynge in hys kynde,— And flourys fayre, as thow mayst fynde; And yet, for al hys gret ffayrnesse, The hevene haueth mor noblesse[St. & C.] Than hathe therthe in hys degre,[St. & C.] By many effects, as man may se;[St. & C.] And it also more necessary.[St. & C.] And shortly, (for me lyst nat tarye,)[St. & C.] In hevenly myght and puissaunce, The erthe hath al hys governaunce.' [The Pilgrim]: "In som thyng thow seyst ful soth, Touchyng that the hevene doth. In erthe, ther sholdë non greyns sprynge, "Nor ffruitys non yt sholde forth brynge, Ne wer the hevene (wyth hys myght) Gaff ther-to, coumfort and lyht; ffor the hevene, thorgh hys bryhtnesse, Thorgh hys hete, and hys clernesse, Causeth in erthë many a payre fflourys and ffruit to spryngë fayre, And yiveth ther-to (as thow mayst se) fful grete gyfftys off bewte, Lych as the lord off most renoun Hath yove hem by commyssïoun. "But hys power, nor hys powste, Ne strechchet nat (who lyst to se, Neuere sythe the world by-gan,) Touchynge the gouernaunce off man. ffor man hath choys and volunte, ffredam also, and lyberte. Hevene ne sterrys, bothë two, Ther-with haue no-thyng to do, Nor neuer aforn, power hadde, To cause hym[them St.] to don good or badde. "But whan I mette ffyrst with the, Off O thyng thow spak to me, Touchyng thy tother halff partye Wych callyd ys 'Astronomye.' Tel me a-noon, and have y-do,[St. & C.] Ys she ffer now fro the go?[St. & C.] Wher ys hyr habytacïoun,[St. & C.] Hyr dwellyng, or hyr mancïoun?"[St. & C.] Astrologie:[St., om. C.] 'Wher that she be, her or yonder,[St. & C.] We ne be nat ffer asonder, ffor vnder hyre proteccïouns I makë dyvynacïouns; And by hyr power grauntyd me, I have scolerys two or thre, Wych that on me euere abyde, And departe nat fro my syde.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Tel on a-noon, I pray the, "Declare her namys here to me, And thy-sylff no-thyng excuse, Wher thow dost swych crafftës vse; ffor syth thow seyst so nyh they be, With al myn herte I wolde hem se." Astrologie:[St., om. C.] 'ffor to ffulfyllë thy desyr: The ffyrstë place ys in the ffyre; And my scoler, ffyrst off echon, Wher-so-euere that we gon, (I kan hyr in no wyse excuse,) In that place she doth yt vse. And she (as I shal specefye) Callyd ys 'Pyromancye': ffro thennys she may nat wel dysseuere; And in the ffyr she dwelleth euere; And therby (in conclusïoun) She maketh hyr dyvynacïoun, Be yt ffoul or be yt ffayr. 'My secounde scoler in the hayr[is the ayre St.] Pleynly, affter my doctryne, At allë tymës doth devyne; And therfor (yiff thow konne espye,) Hyr name ys callyd 'Aermancye.' 'The thrydde ys off fful gret renoun, And hath hyr habytacïoun In the se (who kan dyscerne); Whom Neptunus doth gouerne; By whom (the story telleth thus) The myghty man Neptanabus, ffader to Alysaundre the kyng, Wrouht fful many A dyuers thyng; And in the water and in the se Was al hys crafft, as thow mayst se. Ther-fore (me lyst nat for to lye,) Yt ys callyd Ydromancye, By water (in conclusïoun), Augurye or dyvynacïoun. 'The ffourthë, (yt nedeth nat telle,) ffor, awhyle yiff thow wylt dwelle, 'Thow shalt A-noon, her in presence Sen ther, off experyence, ffor yt ys wrouht by manhys hond, Somwhyle in erthë and in sond: Ther-fore (shortly to specefye) Yt ys callyd Geomancye.' [The Pilgrim]: Than quod I, "tel on to me, What be the poyntys that I se: Declare to me, and nat ne ffaylle, What may they helpyn or A-vaylle." Geomanc[y]e[St., om. C.]: 'Be-twyxen ernest and ek game, 'Geomancye,' her ys my name. Astrologye ys my maystresse, That dyde my name to thé expresse; To whos doctryne and whos sentence I yivë ffeyth and fful credence; And by thys poyntys, I kan knowe Whan ys tyme to Ere and sowe; And wher, thys nextë yer certeyn,[C. & St.] Ther shal be plente off frut and greyn.[C. & St.] And I kan tellë, nyh and fferre,[C. & St.] Bothe off pes and ek off werre;[C. & St.] And in effect, I wyl nat ffaylle[C. & St.] To telle the ffyn off a bataylle. And, that I lese nat my labour, I take the tyme and ek the hour Whan that I my werk begynne, Who shal lesyn, or who shal wynne, Or who shal ffaylle[who shallan St.] off hys plesaunce; ffor thys poyntȝ ha résemblaunce To the sygnës in the hevene, And to the planetys allë .vij.[seven St.] 'And, I taake also good heed To the tayl and to the hed, Hih a loffte, off the dragoun, Whan I ffourme my questyoun, Wher-on, by hevenly influence, I yivë trewe and iust sentence 'On every thyng, and ech demaunde, Lyk as my ffygures me comaunde.' Pilgrym:[St., om. C.] "Tel fforth to me euerydel, Wher-off serveth that tuel." Geomancy:[St., om. C.] 'I looke thorgh (off hool entent) Vp-ward to the ffyrmament, To han, vn-to my questïoun, A maner dysposicïoun, Or that I my ffygur sue, How the hevene doth influe. Pilgryme:[St., om. C.] "Now I telle the Outterly, That thow art ryht vnhappy, And dygne (to myn oppynyoun) Off shame and off confusïoun, That, so myche off thy ffolye Trustest in astrologye, Wenyng, at thy[the St.] comaundëment, ffor to make the ffyrmament As thow lyst, ryht at thyn hond, ffor to descende vp-on the sond, By influence avale a-doun By causë off thy questïoun; Wenynge ta fond[to a found St.] Out a weye That the hevene thé sholde obeye. "In thyn hed ys no resoun, Clernesse nor dyscrecïoun; Thy crafft and thow be[be, om. St.] peryllous To symple ffolkys vertuous, To brynge hem in mysgouernaunce. I praye god, saue me fro meschaunce, And ffro thy gret Inyquyte! Go hens, that I no mor thé se! I drede me gretly in my thouht, That I am in pereyl brouht; Namly in thys dredful se, I trowë sothly that I be ffalle on a pereyl doutëles, Wych that callyd ys 'Cyrces.' " [Astrolog[y]e and Geomanoy St., om. C.]Thys tweynë loudë gan to crye, And gan vn-to me specefye That I was falle vp-on Cyrces,[cyrces St., cyces C.] And that I sholdë (doutëles, By no treyne nor by no Iape) ffrom ther[theyr St.] daunger nat escape. And I, for dred, gan hastë me Streyht ageyn vn-to the se, And leffte hem bothe on An ylond, Makynge ther poyntys in the sond. And thanne I gan to bydde and preye, That god wolde helpe me[me Tib., om. C., St.] on my weye,[Tib. A 7 begins here again,] ffrom allë[alle Tib., al C., St.] stormys in my passage, And also fro the gret outrage Off wyndës wych that, hih and lowe,[C. & St.] Sternëly at me gan blowe.[C. & St.] And in the samë syluë whyle, I sawh apere a lytel yle, Wher-off I haddë gret gladnesse; And thyderward I gan me dresse; Rauhte so ffer vp with myn hond, That, off grace, I kam to lond. And ther I sawh, off cher fful bold, A vekkë, hydous and ryht old, And wonder Ougly off hyr chere; Hyr handys she beet also yffere; And hyr lawhyng to determyne, Lych an hors she gan to wyne.[whyne Tib.] And I, my look vp-on hyr leyde, And evene thus to hyre I seyde: The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "O thow most ffoul in béholdyng, Tel on the cause off thy lawhyng!" Ydolatrie:[C. in margin; Idolatrye Tib., St.] 'Kom On, and entre in with me, And the causë thow shalt se.' [The Pilgrim]:[Blank for Illumination in C.] And I entrede by hyr byddyng; And ther I ffond On[oon Tib., on St.] syttyng In A chayer, an ymage, Ryht ffoul off look and off vysage: He sat crownyd lyk a kyng, In hys hond a swerd holdyng; Vp-on hys shuldrys brood and large Me thouhtë that he had a targe,[Tib., C., & St.] Wyth blakë fflyës al depeynt:[Tib., C., & St.] Yreynës[And vreynes Tib.] wern A-mong hem meynt;[Tib., C., & St.][An Illumination follows this line in Tib.] And (wych that ys ful foul to nevene)[Tib., C., & St.] Ther was a maner off smoky levene[heuene Tib.][Tib., C., & St.] Wych the ydole dyde embrace.[Tib., C., & St.] And round abouten in the place,[Tib., C., & St.] Yt was fful (I yow ensure) Off bryddës dunge and foul ordure. To-for thys mawmet (in certeyn) I sawh knelyn a vyleyn, With powdrys and[and om. Tib.] with fumys blake, Sacryfysë for to make To thys ydole, with hys sheld. And he that[that om. Tib.] knelede (as I be-held) Was[And was Tib.] (to myn Oppynyoun) A Carpenter or a masoun. Idolatrye:[Tib., St., in margin C.] Thanne thys dame Ydolatrye, ffoul and horryble off look and Eye, 'Behold,' quod she, 'and lookë wel, And se the maner euerydel How I ha[haue Tib.] Ioye and gret gladnesse To sen thys cherl, by gret humblesse, Toward thys mawmet hym-sylff tavaunce,[to vaunce Tib.] Don worshepe, and óbseruaunce; And I abydë, for to se That thow shalt knele vp-on thy kne, To-fforn hym, by devocïoun. fforsake thy skryppe and thy bordoun; And, to hys myghty excellence, Don worshepe and reuerence.' The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] Lyst for thys thyng I ffyl[Leste . . ffelle Tib.] in blame, "Tel on ffyrst, what ys thy name." Dame Idolatrye:[Tib., Ydolatre St., Ydolatrye in margin C.] 'Ydolatrye[And Idolatrye Tib.] I am,' quod she, 'And off ffolkes that be ffre,[free Tib., St., ff C. burnt] Thys my custom and vságe[C., Tib., St.] ffor to brynge hem in seruage.[C., Tib., St.] And I kan, by collusïoun, Tourne al estatys vp-so-doun, And settë (thogh ffolk hadde yt sworn,) That ys bakward, to go beforn. To dyfface, ys my labour, The kyngës worshepe and honour,¶ Deuteronomi. 6o (13) Dominum deum tuum timebis, & illi soli se[r|vies]. Tib., om. C., St. And al that to my sylff applye. ffor I am callyd 'Ydolatrye,' The wychë (who wel lokë kan) ffrend and douhter to Sathan; ffor Sathan (shortly for to telle) In mawmetys I make hym dwelle. 'By thys cherl vp-on hys kne, Her thow mayst exaumple se, How he, wyth al hys dyllygence, Doth hym honour and reuerence, Wenynge, by hys ápparaylle, The mawmet myhte to hym avaylle. ffor Sathan,—that ys cloos with-Inne, To Infecte hys soule wyth synne, And hys wyttys to entrouble,— Yiveth an answere wych ys double, Wych hath (to marren hys entent,) A maner off double entendëment, And leueth hym euere in none-certeyn,[none certeyne St., non certeyne Tib.] Or kepeth hym Muët[muyt St., Muet Tib.] off dysdeyn; And hys[his Tib., hyr C., her St.] réqueste doth refuse, To make the fool more for[for C., St., om. Tib.] to muse, Lose hys tyme, off wylfulnesse. 'And yet, in al hys wrechchydnesse, Efft[Offte Tib., eft St.] he doth hys dyllygence, With[With om. Tib.] smoke and ffyr hym to encense, Prayeth hys Mawmet nat to faylle, To yive Answere, and hym[C., Tib., hem St.] consaylle, 'And helpe hym, that he myghtë spede, To forthre hym in hys gret nede, Syth he in hym doth so affye. 'Se how thys fool, off hys ffolye, Seth how hys Mawmet, ffoul off chere, Herys[eres Tib., St.] hath,[he hath Tib.] and may nat here; And syttynge also in hys se, Eyen hath, and may nat se; But ys as dowmb as stok or ston; And hath ffet, and may nat gon, Nor from hys chayer, a foot remewe, Thogh al the world hym woldë sue. 'Hys swerd, hys targë, in bataylle May to hym ryht nouht avaylle; ffor he ys ded, as ston or[C., Tib., in St.] tre. And[And oonly Tib.] trewly (so as thynketh me,) Who doth to swych on,[oon Tib., one St.] reverence, Requerynge[Requyrynge Tib., requeryth St.] hys benyvolence, He ys (for short conclusïoun) A fool, in myn oppynyoun. 'And for to touchyn hym mor ner, The samë syluë[selffe same St., same silffe Tib.] carpenter Dyde a-forn hys bysy peyne To forge hym, wyth hys handys tweyne, And make hym ffyrst off swych entaylle, And wot he may nothyng avaylle To helpe hym, whan that[that om. St., whanne Tib.] al ys do. They ben A-coursyd, bothë two:¶ Sapientie 14o. (8) And thys the cause (wyth-outë more)¶ Idolum maledictum [est] et qui fecit illud. Tib.] ffyrst why that I lowh so sore.' The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] Yet nat-wyth-stondyng, off entente, To the cherl[Churle Tib.] A-noon I wente, Bad hym a-ryse, and that a-noon, And that he sholdë thenys gon, And leue hys fals oppynyoun, Go take[Tib., St., (C. burnt)] hys skryppe and hys bordoun, And, off hertë ful mekly,[Tib., St., (C. burnt)] Gon and crye the kyng, mercy Off the gylt and the trespáce That he hadde don in that place, And that hys hertë was so set To worshepë A Marmoset, Wych to helpë, (fer nor ner,) Hath no puissaunce nor power. Wher-off (with-outë mor respyt,) The Cherl in herte hadde gret despyt, And felly gan a-geyn abrayde, And vn-to me ryht thus he sayde: The Vyleyne:[St., veleyne Tib., . . yleyn C., in margin.] 'How darstow[darste thow Tib.] me her repreue, Or thyn hertë so to greue, To sen me don swych óbseruaunce With al myn hoolë affyaunce, To thys ydólës set on stages, Syth pylgrymes, in ther[ther om. Tib.] passáges Honowre and worshepe, euerychon, Ymages off tymber and off ston; And crystene peple, ful nyh alle, On ther knes to-forn hem falle; And, whan al to-gydre ys souht, They may helpë yow ryht nowht, Nor done to yow noon ávauntage, No mor than her, may myn ymage.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "That thow woldest her conclude, Thy resouns ar[C., St. they are, Tib., St. The 6-syllable line is good.] but rude. ffor, sothly, we nothyng laboure The ymáges to honoure, Stook nor ston, nor that men peyntes; But we honoure the holy seyntes Off whom they beryn the lyknesse, In our myndë, to enpresse, By clerë[clere St., cler C., cleer Tib.] demonstracïouns, Ther martyrdam, ther passïouns, Ther holy lyff, ther[and ther Tib.] myracles Wych ben to vs but[but St., but as C.] spectacles, And as merours, that represente Ther trewe menyng and ther[ther om. St.] entente, Ther gretë labour and vyctórye; "That we sholdë ha memórye, By hem, a kalender to make, What they suffrede for crystes sake, Patryarchës and prophétys, Wych in hevene haue now her setys; The[And the Tib.] passïoun off cryst hym-sylue,[An Illumination follows in Tib.] And off hys apostelys twelue, And off martyrs that wer vyctours; The pacyënce off cónfessours, And off maydenes, in ther degre, That deydë[C., deyed Tib., dyed St.] in vyrgynyte, As clerkys in ther lyvës[boks St.] ffynde. "Ymáges présente to Our mynde, And to vs, clerly expresse, Off her lyvyng the holynesse; And for thys skyle, (with-outë let) Ymages in cherches ben vp set; And vn-to folkys many On, fful gret profyt also they done, Namly, to swych (I yow ensure) That ne kan, no lettrure; ffor, on ymáges whan they lookys, Ther they rede, as in ther bookys,[loke . . boke St., lokys . . bokys Tib.] What they ouhte off ryht to sue, And also what they shal[schulde Tib., shuld St.] eschewe, Ther they may yt clerly lere. "But off thy mawmet, I wolde here, Wych may thé no thyng socoure, Why thow sholdest hym honoure. ffor (who that any resoun kan,) With-Inne, enclosyd ys Sathan, And ther hym-sylff hath mad a se, The prynce off al inyquyte, The wychë[whiche Tib., St., wych C.] (shortly for tendyte,) fful mortally he shal the quyte, Whan he seth tyme, and best leyser. And therfor, now, whyl thow art her, Off thy Mawmet for to telle, Sey on; for I ne may nat dwelle." The Vyleyn:[St., veleyne Tib., om. C.] 'Thow gest[geste Tib., getst St.] no mor, as now, for me; But off O thyng I warnë the; Yiff thow in thys place abyde, Myn ax shal thorgh thy nekkë glyde, But yiff[ȝeue Tib.] thow do to myn Imáge, Lowly worshepe and homáge. Ches yiff[ȝeue Tib.] the lyst, and lat me se, ffor thow gest[getest St., geste Tib.] no mor off me.' The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] Than I stood in fful gret doute. And as I tournede me aboute, Myd off thys Ile that I off tolde, And euery party gan beholde, Myd off thys se, lookyng ech way How I myhte eskape a-way; And to-for myn Eye[eyne St.] I fond A Maryssh, or elles a merssh[mershe St.] lond, That peryllous was, and ful profounde, And off ffylthës ryht habounde. And thyder-ward as[was C.] I gan hye A vekkë Old me dyde espye, Komyng with an owgly cher; Vp-on hyr hed, a gret paner; In hyr ryht hand (as I was war,) An hand kut off, me sempte she bar. And, or any hede I took,[I took Tib. (C. burnt), she toke St.] She kauhte me 10with a crokyd hooke.10[10_10 Tib. (C. burnt), hoke St.][Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib. The old Witch has, in her left hand, a long stick, hookt under the Pilgrim's left armpit; and her right hand grasps a big cut-off hand by its wrist.] And as she gan me fastë holde, I axede hyre what that she wolde, And make[make C., Tib., St.] a declaracïoun Off name and off condycïoun. ¶ Sorcerye:[Tib., St., om. C.] Quod she: 'vnderstond me thus; My namë ys 'Bythálassus,'[bythalassus Tib., Bythassus C., St.] Wych ys to seynë, (who lyst[lyste Tib., lyst C., St.] se) 'A ffamous pereyl off the se, In wych (wyth-outen any grace) Allë[Alle Tib., Al C., All St.] ffolk that forby pace, And allë tho that thorgh me gon, I make hem perysshen,[peryshe St.] euerychon. 'And also ek touchyng my name, I am callyd (by gret dyffame, As som[som C., Tib., some St.] ffolkys specefye,) 'Sortylege[Cortylage Tib.] or Sorcerye.' Many folkys thus me calle; And yet they hatë me nat[not at St., nat C., not Tib.] alle; I am be-lovyd, bothe ffer and ner. 'And I ber ek in thys paner (Who that with-Innë lyst to seke) Many knyves and hoodys ek, Dyvers wrytës and ymáges, Oynementys and herbáges, Gadryd in constellacïouns; ffor I obseruë my sesouns, and make off hem elleccyoun[Tib.] afftir myne oppynyoun.[Tib.] And 'Maleffycë', folkes[Malyfite folks St.] alle,[Tib.] Off ryght, they shuldë me so calle.[Tib.] I have ful many evel vságes[Tib. & C.] Off drynkës and off beveráges,[Tib. & C.] Wherby I makë (her and yonder,) ffrendys for to parte assonder; ffor, with fals coniurysouns[C. & Tib., coniurations St.] And with myn incantacïouns, And many dyuers enchauntëment, Sondry folk ben offtë shent. And, with dyuers crafftys ek, I kan makë men ful sek; And somme also ful cursydly ffor to deyë sodeynly. 'And, in lordys ek preséncys, I kan make ek[eke make Tib.] apparéncys Whan that me lyst, ful many On, Yiff I sholde telle hem euerychon.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Pilgrim Tib., St., om. C.] "Tel on, (with-outë mor taryng,) Wher lernystow al thy konnyng.[konynge St., kunnynge Tib.]" ¶ Sorcerye:[Tib., St., erye, in margin C.] 'Sothly, (as I rehersë kan,) I lernede my konnyng off Sathan,[An Illumination follows in Tib., of the Devil and four women, one with a long-headed rod, and an|other with a child in her arms.] Wych halt hys scole nat hennys ffer, And hath ydon ful[ydone St.] many A yer. And to that scolë kome and gon, Off scolerys ful many[scolars . . many a St., scolers . . many Tib., scolerys . . manyng C.] on; And he, aboue al maner thyng, Ys ful glad off ther komyng. And off that Art, in many wyse, Ther, I ha[haue Tib.] lernyd the guyse. And offtë[offte C., Tib., eft St.] sythe (yiff thow lyst se,) Ther, wyth othor scolerys be.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Tel on (and make no mor lettynge[lettynge Tib. St. (C. burnt.)]) What gaff thow hym for thy kunnynge[kunnynge Tib., conynge St.]?" ¶ Sorcerye:[Tib., St., om. C.] 'The trouthë, yiff I tellë shal, My soule I gaff hym, hool and al, And forsook (by chaffaryng) The werkys off the myghty kyng. And who that euere wyl do so, And to that scole approche vn-to, He may (yiff that I shal nat lye,) ffyndë ther swych[fynd . . suche St., ffynde . . swyche Tib.] mercerye.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Thow hast (as I shal devyse,) Mad a shrewdë[schrewyd Tib.] marchaundyse, To yeue[yue C., ȝeue Tib.] A thyng off gret noblesse, Excellyng ek in worthynesse, And also off so[so C., St., om. Tib.] gret vertu, ffor a thyng off no valu, And (off trouthe and off resoun) Most wyl[vyle Tib., vyll St.] off reputacïoun; ffor the wych, (I dar wel telle,) "In gretë[gret C., St., gvet Tib.] pereyl thow dost dwelle, (Off verray soth, And off no Iape,) Neuere lykly to eskape." ¶ Sorcerye:[Tib., St., in margin C.] 'Al thy seyyng, euerydel, I wot my-sylff that, wonder wel; ffor I stonde in swych meschaunce That I ha[haue St.] no répentaunce; I am so ffer ybrouht with-Inne, And engluyd so with synne, So clevynge vp-on myn errour, That I truste on no socour; ffor thogh I sholdë go to helle, I wyl nat go ffro that I telle.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., om. C., St.] "Declare to me, and haue Ido,[Tib.] Where-off seruith that hand also[Tib.] whiche thow[thow St., that Tib.] holdyst now so ffaste:[Tib.] Thys thyng, expowne to me in hast." ¶ Sorcerye:[Tib., St., erye in margin C.] Quod she to me ageyn[ageyn, om. Tib.] a-noon; 'Máthesis, fful yore agon,[C. & Tib.] Gaff yt to me (by gret outráge,) And also ek[C., Tib., eke also St.] an hool vyságe, Wych that I haue in my depoos, Her, with-Inne my paner cloos. Yt ys ycallyd 'Physonomye,'[Tib. transposes these lines.] And thys hand 'Cyromancye,'[Tib. transposes these lines.] To telle the dysposicïouns Off ffolk, and ther condycïouns.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Tel on! expowne that thyng to me, In what wysë that myhte be, Or that thow and I dysseuere; ffor, at that scole I was neuere." ¶ Sorcerye:[Tib., St., om. C.] 'Herdystow neuere (off áventure) That a man, in scrypture, Off thys[That off these Tib.] phylosofres alle, How 'Mycrocosme'[Tib., St., mycocrosme C.] they hym calle, '(Shortly to tellen, at O word) Nat ellys but 'the lassë world'?' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "I haue herd yt[And I haue herd Tib.] in scolys offte, Ther yrad,[ther I rad St., where I radde Tib.] bothe loude and soffte." ¶ Sorcerye:[St., . . erie in margin C.] 'Thyn Answere mvt be verrefyed; Thys lassë world ys stellefyed Lych hevene, and as the ffyrmament, Ther-off to make A Iugëment,— Vnderstonde by bothë two, The vysage and the hand also,— Vp-on wych, by trewë syht, Men may yive a doom A-ryht, Tellë the condycïouns By dyvers lyneacïouns Wych ther be set (I the ensure,) Ryht as sterrys off nature. ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "To thy wordys I may accorde In party, and nat dyscorde, That a man whom we nevene Ys ysterryd as the hevene; But her-vp-on, in substaunce, Thow puttest nat in rémembraunce, Namynge thylkë lyneaciouns, By namys off constellaciouns; ffor trewëly[trewely Tib., trewly C., truly St.] (who kan remembre) The body off man, and euery membre, Ben off erthë, in certeyn, And to erthe shal tourne ageyn. "And, affter philisofres talys, Ther ben hyllës, ther ben walës,[talis . . valys Tib., tallis . . vallis St.] Medwes, ryvers, bothë two, Wyldë bestys ek also, And gretë ffeldys men may sen, And pathes that hem departeth[departe Tib.] a-twen, And places also off desert, Sommë open, somme couert: Thys be the lyneacïouns "Y-namyd constellacïouns, In the handys and the vysage, Wherby, clerkys that be sage, Affter thyn oppynyoun, Makë dyvynacïoun, And declare to the and me (Who that kan beholde and se) A manhys[mannes Tib., mans St.] dysposicïoun. "But al thys, in conclusïoun; To devynë, by swych[swyche Tib., suche St.] thynges, Ar but fables and lesynges.[C. & Tib.] ffor, (yiff thow wylt trewly nevene,)[C. & Tib.] In A man, ther ys noon hevene, (ffor to name yt trewëly.[trewly C., truly St.]) But hys sowlë al only. What so euere ther-off thow telles, That ys hys hevene, and nothyng ellys: Thus clerkys seyn, that trouthë konne. And, off thys, the bryhtë sonne Namyd ys (in sentement) Intellect or entendëment.'[C., Tib., Incelent or encendement St.] The monë[mone Tib., name C.] (in conclusïoun) Ys ycallyd hys resoun, Hys vertues, and goodë thewes. "And good exaumple that he shewes, Tho ben the sterrys bryht and clere, Wych that in thys heuene apere. And hooly clerkys, in bookys kan, 'The lassë world' thus calle A man. And who that hath most holynesse In vertu, haveth most bryhtnesse: Wych sterrys make a man at al To be callyd 'celestyal,' And concluden (off Resoun,) Hevenly dysposicïoun. Thys the trowthe, with-outë glose. "And lyk thy wordys, I suppose, Affter the caas off thy seyyng.[seiynge Tib., sayenge St.] That swyche toknys outward shewyng, ffygures or[and Tib.] lyneacïouus, "Shewede the condycïouns, And outward made ther-on A skyl Off governaunce towchyng hys wyl, Off folkys inclinacïouns,— Yt ar[That are Tib.] but fals fundacïouns, (Ther-vp-on, who lyst to se,) To conclude necessyte, That yt muste be so off ryht. "ffor tooknys, in A manhys[mannes Tib., mans St.] syht, And sygnës (bothe at eve and prime,) Deceyve and faylle ful offtë tyme, To folk that looke with eyen cler. Ryght as, off A tauerner, The grenë bussh that hangeth out, Ys a sygne (yt ys no doute,) Outward, folkys for to telle, That with-Inne ys wyn to sell. And for al that, (I the ensure) Yt may falle[fayle St.] off áventure, ffor alle the bowes, rekne echon, That, with-Inne, wyn ys ther noon. "And Evene (to purpos off thys cas,) Yt ffyl thus off Ypocras, The phylysofre ful famous, Ryht prudent and vertuous, Off whom the ffygur and ymáge And tooknys alle off hys vyságe, Wer ybrouht to Phylemoun, A phylisofre off gret renoun, ffor to descryue hem by and by, And to concluden naturelly Al the inclynacïouns And also the condicïouns Off Ypocras, that was so wys. "And Philemoun (by short avys) Concludede (as in sentement) That he was incontynent, And off hys lyvyng vycyous, And naturely ek lecherous. ffor (whan he took good heed ther-to,) "The tooknys outward told hym so, By Open demonstracïoun. "But ypocras, (off good resoun) By vertu only, dyde hys peyne, Alle the sygnës to restreyne, ffor-dyde hys inclynacïoun Wyth a brydel off resoun; And wyth hys fflessh held swych a stryff, That he was vertuous off lyff. "The tooknys (who so lyst to se) Causede noon necessyte; ffor, thogh they gaff an ápparence, They wer fals[were ffalse Tib.] in éxistence, And maden a ful strong lesyng To Phylemoun in hys demyng. "Wher-for, lernë thys off me; Lat thy ffantasyës[ffantesye Tib.] be, ffor to bryngë[brynge Tib., bryng C., St.] folk in[in a St.] rage, Both off thyn hand and thy vyságe, And also ek off thy paner Wychë[whiche Tib., St., wych C.] that thow shewest her. ffor they be superstycious, Cursyd, and ryht contagyous; And therfor, by the rede off me, A-noon let cast hem in the Se." And in thys poynt, good hed I took, And brak[brake Tib., St.] loos oute off hys hook; And, wyth-outë mor delay, Wentë forth vp-on my way, Tyl at the laste I gan Aproche ffastë by vn-to A roche. And I a-noon (off goode entente) Ther-vp-on, a-noon I wente. And to thys rochë large[longe Tib.] and squar, The se kam doun, or I was war, And besette me round aboute; Wher-off I stood in ful gret doute, And hadde in hertë fful gret wo, Whan I was besegyd so Wyth the floodys sterne and huge, And knew,[knewe Tib., knew C., St.] as tho, no refuge, Confort nor consolacïoun. And sodeynly I sawh kome doun A wonder Old enchaunteresse, And to me-ward she gan hyr dresse. And I sawh wel ek ther I stood, On the wawës how she rood, Off look and cherë[chere St., cher C.] fful pervers; And howndys manye and dyvers She hadde, behynde and ek beforn; And myghtyly she blewh an horn, Made hyr houndys a gret route, ffor tassaylle me round aboute.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Hornblower on the waves, and the Pilgrim on his little bit of ground, and eight hounds round him.] And as I stood vp-on the wrak, Evene thus to me she spak: ¶ Scilla, (or) Conspiraccioun:[Tib. (om. St., in margin C.)] Quod she, 'thow must descende a-doun, ffor ther geyneth no raunsoun But that thow shalt devourëd be Off thys houndys, that thow dost se.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Certys," quod I, "yt is no nay, I stonde in a perillous way; But, I praye the, in thys rage, Let me nat off my passage, Nor bryng me nat in no dyffame Tyl that thow ha told thy name, And shewyd, by relacïoun, Thy maner, and thy condycïoun." Scilla, Conspiracyoun:[Tib., St., om. C.] 'My name (for short conclusïoun) Ys callyd 'Conspiracïoun,' Or ellys (what so euere falle,) 'Scilla' ek thow mayst me calle; And am ek (yiff thow lyst[lyste to Tib., lyst C., St.] se) On off the pereilles off the se. 'I chace at hem that ther-in Rowe, And make the fellë floodys flowe, ffolkys for to putte in doute, Do myn houndys, ful gret route, Berkyn, and gret noysë make; And gretë bestys for to take With-outë noysë or[or greet Tib.] berkyng: Wonder grevous ys ther bytyng. I couple hem with myn owne hondys, And gretë hothës[othes Tib.] ben the bondys Wyth wych I make ther állyaunce, Bothe by feyth and ássuraunce. 'Wyth the noysë that they make, Pylgrymes offte they don a-wake; And thogh they berke nat On A man, fful mortally they byten kan; And thogh they byten by greet[greet Tib., gre C., St.] sleyhte, Ther berkyng ys no thyng on heyhte; Ther fraude ys do so couertlye, That no man may yt espye; ffor, vnder colour, (in sothnesse,) They wyl ha[wole haue Tib.] thank for her falsnesse. 'And, to purpos off thys thyng,[ with a big Illu|mination of two kings going to war.] Yt ffyl onys, that a kyng, A-geyn a-nother kyng nat ferre, Off purpos held A mortal werre; And with the meyne that they with-held, Bothe they kam in-to the ffeld. 'The ffyrstë kyng that I off telle, With[of St., with Tib., C.] knyhtys that aboute hym dwelle, On whom he trustede as hys lyff, Gan fyrst asayllen in thys stryff; But for al that, I, with my wyle, Thus I dyde the kyng begyle: I made hys knyhtys, the[they C.] day to-forn, Vn-to hym for to be sworn, Ther-vp-on her lyff to spende, That they sholde hym wel dyffende, And knyhtly gouerne the bataylle. 'But at the poynt, they dyde hym faylle; 'They entren in with manly chere; And whan they gan assemble yfere, Off purpos, thys[these Tib., thes St.] knyhtys euerychon, Wer y-yolden, On by On, By sleyhte and by collusïoun, To make hym payë ther raunsoun. Wherfor, the samë kyng, allas, Was deceyved in thys caas; With shame and gret confusïoun Drowh bak vn-to hys pavyllïoun, Supposynge, in hys drede, That thys knyhtys off manhede Hadde be take in that dystresse, Off manhood and off hih prowesse. And therfor, touchyng ther raunsoun, The kyng made ther redempcïoun. And whan that they kam to hys syht, He thankede hem with al hys myght, Demynge, off manhood, for hys sake, That they hadde, echon be take, And lovede hem morë than beforn, Be-cause they han hem so wel born: But al was fals decepcïoun, Contrayre to hys oppynyoun. 'And swychë[swyche Tib., swych C. suche St.] houndys doutëles, God wot, I ha mo than a les; Off hem, plente and gret foysoun, ffor to cachche me venysoun, Off ffattë bestys, hih off gres, With howndys that be nat Rekkëles, To chachche,[cache St.] and bryngë what they may, Hoom to my larder, day be day. Swych houndys, myn horn wel knowe, And they wyl komë whan I blowe, And fawne also whan they me seth. And thow most fele ther sharpë teth; And[And Tib., for St.] trustë wele, they shal nat faylle, In al hast, the tassaylle.'[to assaylle Tib., to assayll St.] And wyth the blowyng off hyr horn, (Bothe behyndë and beforn,) As cruelly as the houndys kan, Vp-on me echon they ran, And gan assaylle me mortally: They berke, 1they bytë,1[1_1 om. St., they bete Tib.] ryht felly, And to me dydë ful gret wrong, The gretë lemerys wer so strong. And haddë nat the floodys be, That drowh ageyn in-to the See, And ek Scilla (of whom I tolde,) With hyr Eyen ffoul and Olde, Caste hyr look on me A-non, And saydë that she mustë gon Bakward, and hyr-sylff with-drawe Wyth the flood and wyth the wawe; [Scylla or Conspiration.] 'But ffyrst,' quod she, 'ha thys in mynde, A-nother tyme, yiff I the ffynde, Trustë fully, I shal be Bet avengyd vp-on the.' [The Pilgrim.] And whan hyr houndys and she wer gon, I leffte behynden al allon,[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Pilgrim lying on his little oval green Island in the sea, his bare knees, chest, and right arm showing thro' rents in his torn white robe.] Al to-torn and rent with wondys Thorgh bytyng off hyr cruel houndys, Wyth gret sorwe and passïoun, In torment and affliccïoun; And me remembryng in certeyn, That yiff the floodys kome ageyn, She sholde, tencressë with my wo. Kome ageyn hyr-sylff also; Therfore, to fflen out off hyr syhte, In the bestë wyse I myghte. I dyde my labour and my cure, In hope my syluen to assure, Yiff I myhte, by hap or grace, To drawë to som other place. And whyl I lay thus in A trance, In gret Anoy and pérturbaunce, I herde a voys mellodyus, Wonder soote and gracyous, Wych was to me ful gret plesaunce; ffor I forgat al my grevaunce, My dool and al my passïoun, Wyth mellodye off thylkë soun. But as I stood thus in a wher, And drowhë[I drowe Tib., And drowh C.] me toward the ryver, A Tour I sawh, wylde and savage, And squar abouten, off passage,[An Illumination of the Tower follows in Tib., with flames coming out of six holes below the battlements. The Pilgrim is shown on his Island.] Wych haddë Roundë[Round C., St., rownd Tib.] ffenestrallys, Percyd thorgh, vp-on the wallys; At wyche hoolys, (out off doute,) Smoke and flawmë passede oute; And yet thys tour (who lokë wel,) Tournede abouten as a whel[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Vp-on the fflodys Envyroun, Wyth the wawës vp and doun. Somwhyle (as I koudë knowe) The hiest party was most lowe; And also (ek I sawh ful offte) The lowest party set aloffte; And thus, by transmutacïoun, Yt turnede alway vp so doun. And in thys whyle, euer Among, I herdë a melodyous song, Off On (as I koude vnderstond,) That ber a phetele[phethele Tib., phetell St.] in hys hond; And thys menstral (soth to seyne) Was departyd evene a tweyne: ffrom the myddel vp, A man, Donward (as I rehersë kan) A bryd wynged merveyllously, Wyth pawnys streynynge mortally. [Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of a Bird-man flying to the Pilgrim, a curvd fiddle in his left hand, its curvd bow in his right.] And thys bestë[beeste Tib., best C.] ful savage, Lyk a man off hys vysage, Spak to me fful curteysly; And thus he saydë muryely;[merely Tib.] ¶ Gladnesse off the World:[Tib., in margin C.] 'Tel on to me (and sey nat nay,) What maner solace, or what play Lovest thow best: tel on, lat se, And I shal pleyn to-forë[pleyen to fore Tib., pleyn to for C., p. to fore St.] the; ffor I kan (lych to thyn entent) Pleye on euery instrument; And,[And om. Tib.] for to makë lordys cher, Bothe at ches and the cheker, The drawhtes ther-off, ful wel I kan, Ye / bet than any other man. And whan that ylkë play ys do, ffor shepperdys I kan also, At the merellys, best off alle, Whan so that they lyst me calle, Pype and taboure in the strete, Wyth lusty folkys whan I[they Tib.] mete. 'At weddynges, to do plesaunce, I kan karole wel, and[and wel Tib.] daunce; In euery play I do excelle. And yt wer to long to telle The dysportys and the playes That I vse on somer dayes: My Ioye ys al in merthe and game; And 'Worrldly[wordely Tib.] Play,' that ys my name. 'Men may me calle (off equyte) A Mermayden off the se, That synge off custom, ay gladdest, To-forn a storm and[or St., and Tib.] a tempest, To make ek folk[folke eke Tib.] (thys my labour,) To forgetë ther creatour; And folk in my subieccïoun, I brynge hem to destruccïoun.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Thogh thow be-gynnë in gladnesse, Thow endest euere in wrechchydnesse; Ellys I wolde, for my plesaunce, Wyth the haven áqueyntaunce. I pray the, put me out off doute Off thys tour turnynge aboute; What maner thyng that yt may be, ffyrst off alle, that wolde I se." ¶ Wordely Gladnesse:[Tib., worldly gladnes St., om. C.] 'ffyrst,[Fyrste Tib., Fyrst C., St.] (yiff thow lyst to se,) The grete Amýral off the see, Wych that callyd ys Sathan, Thys tour sothly he began; ffor he fyrst (off entencïoun) Made ther hys habytacïoun. And other shyp ne hath he noon, Among the floodys for to gon, In the wyche, by gret deceyt, He lyth euere in a-wayt, Wyth pylgrymes to holdë stryff, And to make hem lese her lyff. He seth, bothe by hyl and vale, Thorough[Thorough Tib., Thorgh C., thrwghe St.] thylkë hoolys smale, By what weyë that they gon; (Amongys wychë, thow art on,) And, to deceyve hem in her weye, Her he maketh me sytte, and pleye With sootë song and armonye, Alle pylgrymës to espye. Yt behoueth the taproche, Or that thow go ner to that roche.' The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Expownë fyrst-lyk[ffirste Tib., fyrst lyke St.] my desyr; Wherfor serueth the smoky ffyr That ysseth[yssyth Tib., yssuythe St.] at the hoolys oute, In thylkë tour[towre Tib.] round aboute: Wych thyng, fyrst to me declare; And thanne to pleye, I shal nat spare." ¶ Worldly Gladnesse:[worldly C. in margin, Wordely Gladnesse Tib., worldly gladnes St.] 'Sathan, devoyded off al grace, Haveth ther hys dwellyng place. In thylkë dyrkë ffyr, (nat bryht,) Ther he lyht,[lythe Tib., lyethe St.] bothe daye and nyht; And A-mong the smokys blake, Ther he gan hys bed to make. And wyth that ffyr despytous, He maketh folkys amerous;[A double Illumination in Tib.: on the left a man kissing and embracing a woman; on the right two men playing at dice.] And with the flawme he kan enbrace, ffolkys hertys to han solace In worldly Ioyë (at A word) Mor than in ther sovereyn lord. 'The folkys wych, in ther desyr, That nyht and day brenne in thys ffyr, Ar thylkë ffolkys (fynally) Wych that brenne so fervently, Worldly goodys, whan they be-gynne, To encressyn and to wynne, Gret tresour to multeplye; In the wych they mor affye Inwardly, in ther entent, Than in the lord, that al hath sent. fflowynge and ebbynge in thys se, Som tyme with gret prosperyte, Somwhyle, whan the tourn[towr St., tourne Tib.] doth varye, The world they fynde to hem contrárye; Al goth to wrak; they may nat chese; And thogh so fallë that they lese, And fynde ffortune in nowncerteyn,[no certayne St., nown certeyne Tib.] Yet they wylle hem awntre[aventer St., aventure hem Tib.] ageyn To sayllen in[on Tib.] thys perillous see, So ful off mutabylyte; ffor the hootë smoky ffyr Neuere quencheth, in her desyr. And by his[his Tib., St., C. burnt] sleyhtys, thus Sathan, He hath deceyvyd many A man.[St. & C.] Let now se, and make no Iape,[St. & C.] 'Wher thow hys treynës kanst[C., Tib., canst his trayns St.] eskape.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Wyth-Outë long processe to make, Hys tour and hym, her I forsake; And, (shortëly[schortely Tib., shortly C., St.] to specefye,) Swychë pleyës I defye, Wych bryng a man in sorwe and shame. But yiff that any other game Thow kanst, I wyl abyde and se The maner, how yt lyketh me." And thys menstral than a-noon Maade hys ffythele[ffedle Tib.] for to gon, And song wyth-al fful lustyly. And wyth hys syngyng, sodeynly To me he gan to[to om. Tib.] tourne hys tayl; And wyth hys pawnys,[C., St., pawmes Tib.] sharp as A nayl, By the Arm he gan me streyne: Mawgre my myght and al my peyne, Horrybely[Horybely Tib., Horrybly C., horyble St.] he castë me Amyddës off the gretë se,[An Illumination follows in Tib., of the Pilgrim thrown off his Island into the sea; the Bird|Merman playing his own fiddle, and Youth (with wings) embracing him. Among the wawës, ffer be southe. And naddë ben[ne had be St.] that tymë, Youthe, (Off wych I thouhtë no thyng tho, ffor she was ffled, off yore ago,) I suppose that I hadde be Perysshed Amyddys off the se. But Youthë than, in hyr Retour, Was to myn helpë gret socour; ffor Youthë, in the samë place, The Merëmayden gan enbrace, That redy was, off cruelte, Thylke tymë to ha stranglyd me, And don to me gret vyolence. But, for Ioye off the presence Off thys Youthe that I off spak, I eskapede from hyr wrak, And hadde myn Arm ageyn at large; And (with-outë[without Tib., St.] shyp or barge,) I gan swymme, with-Inne a whyle, Ageyn vn-to that samë yle ffro the wych that I kam ffro. Whan the merëmayde was go— I mene, thys worldys fals solace, That gan so sore at me to chace;— But lyst[leste Tib., lest St.] she sholde ha taken me, I swam ful faste amyd the se; ffor dred off hyre, I was in were. But Youthe and she, to-gydre yfere, fful gret Ioye they gan to make; And thus hath Yowthë me forsake; ffor than I loste hyr in certeyn, That she to me kam neuer ageyn. And doun I sat, ffor werynesse, And gan compleyne in gret dystresse:[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Pilgrim sitting on his Island.] "Allas," quod I, (myd off my wo,) "Allas, allas! what shal I do? How shal I, wrechche, eskape a-way Out off thys ylë? weyllavay! ffor, by .v.[C., St., ffor ffyue Tib.] Enchaunteresses, I am brouht in gret dystressys, And in gret pereyl, doutëles: ffor Scilla ffyrst, and ek Cyrces, Han causyd me to gon A-mys; Syrénes,[Tib., C. burnt, Sirines St.] and Karibdis, And Bythalassus,[Tib., St., C. burnt] werst of alle, Ben attonys on me falle;[St. & C.] And, mortally me to be-guyle,[St. & C.] They han me brouht in-to thys Ile,[St. & C.] Long in sorwe to soiourne, And kan non other wey retourne, To ffyndë socour in thys cas. I may wel sorwe and seyn allas! Out off my wey, in nouncerteyn,[nouncerteyn Tib.] And kan no mene to kome Ageyn. "Was neuere pylgrym in swych poynt, Trewly, nor in swych disioynt.[C., Tib., suche ioynt St.] "Now, goodë god, off thy grete grace, Be my socour in thys place! ffor thow, for my savacïoun, Art the pomel off my bordoun. To the, as for my[the Tib., my St.] cheff coumfort, In thys nede I ha resort, To brynge me, throgh thy gretë myght, In-to the weye I may go ryht, And ben supportyd (fer and ner) Wyth that charbouncle bryht and cler, Wych that, wyth hys bemys bryht, Yiveth vn-to my bordoun lyht. "Now parte[parten St.] with me, off thy clernesse, And bryng me Out off my dystresse, Out off thys dedly mortal rage! ffor, syth tyme off my tendre age, My trust, ánd myn áffyaunce, My Ioye, and al my suffisaunce, Al hooly hath ben in the, Ageyns al aduersyte, In euery peyne and ech labour, To fynden confort and socour. And now I[I St., that C., Tib.] stonde in so gret drede, Helpe me in thys gretë[gret C., St., greet Tib.] nede!" And whyl I gan me thus compleyne, Evene A-myd off al my peyne, I sawh, A-myddys off the se, A shypë[shype St., shyp C.] saylle towardys me; And evene above, vp on the mast (Wherfor I was the lasse A-gast,) I sawh a croos[crosse Tib., crose St.] stonde, (and nat flytte,) And ther-vp-on, A dowë sytte, Whyt as any mylk or snowh, Wheroff I haddë Ioye ynowh.[An Illumination follows in Tib., of a Ship with its fore and hind castles, and a Dove on a Cross at the top of the mast. The Pilgrim is on his isle.] And in thys shyp (a-geyn al shours,) Ther wer castellys, and ek tours, Wonder dyvers mansïouns, And sondry habytacïouns, (By resemblaunce and semyng,) Lych the loggyng off A Kyng: And as I took good hed ther-at, Al my sorwes I for-gaat;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Namly, syttyng on A roche,Arystoteles (later) Whan I sawh the shyp aproche Toward the Ile war[where Tib., wher St.] I abood, Wych dydë to me ful gret good; Namly, whan yt kam so faste, And began ther, Anker caste. Out off wych ther ys descendyd, On, that myhte nat ben amendyd, I mene, the lady off most vertu, Wych was callyd Gracë Dieu.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of Grace Dieu, come out of the Ship (from which the Dove has gone) on to the Island, and the Pilgrim kneeling to her. A second Illumination of like kind is on the top of leaf 82.] And ffyrst, whan that I dyde hyr se, I ffyl a-doun vp-on my kne, Prayede[I prayed Tib.] hyr helpen in thys nede, To me that stood in so gret drede, Out off thys Ile, only by grace, To helpyn that I myhtë pace. [Grace Dieu]: 'What ys al thys?' A-noon quod she; 'Whens komestow? wher hastow be? fful longe (as thow shalt vnderstond) I ha thè souht, On se and lond, God woot, in ful good entent; And yt wer mor convenyent That thow sholdest, affter me Ha souht, wher that I haddë be. But tel me, or thow go asyde, Castestow,[C., Tib., cast towe St.] her for tabyde, 'Or to restyn any whyle Wyth-Inne thys dredful peryllous yle?' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Certys, I stoonde in gretë[gret C., St., greet Tib.] where Off that I am aryved here; I whot[woot Tib., wot St.] nat be what áventure. And trewëly[trewely Tib., trewly C., truly St.] I yow ensure, Tabyden her ys no plesaunce, But a-nooy, and gret grevaunce; And fayn I wolde (wyth al my myght) Kome to the weyë that goth ryht; And, Out off thys Ilë go, So fful off sorwen[sorow St.] and off wo." ¶ Grace Dieu:[Tib., St., in margin C.] 'Thanne I castë, for thy sake, In-to my shyp, thé for to take, Only off mercy and pyte. Entre in, and I shal lede the (Wyth-outen any mor delay,) In-to A mor surer way: That lynë ryht shal ledë the To the place and the cyte Wych thow hast (with herte and thouht,) Long tyme, as a pylgrym, souht. 'In myd weye thow must abyde, And nat tourne on nouther syde. And, redyly thy-sylff tavaunce, Thow shalt fyndë dame Penaunce, Whom thow lefftest folyly; And therfor wentystow[wenteste thow Tib., wenst tow St.] wrongly: Wyth hyre thow woldest nat soiourne; But thow shalt ageyn retourne Toward the heggh[hegg Tib., heyghe St.] off hyr plauntyng, And seyen[seye Tib., seyn C.] to hyre thy felyng.' ¶ The Pylgrym:[Pilgrim Tib., St., om. C.] "Ma dame," quod I, "that ys my wyl; ffor (off resoun and off skyl) Ech pylgrym sholdë (what he may,) Desyre to gon the shortest way; Yt wer goodly to do so. "And, for the confort that ye ha do To me, off mercy mor than ryht, I thankë yow wyth al my myght." And than thys lady, off hyr grace, Brouhtë me vn-to a place Wych, syth tyme that I was born, I haddë neuere seyn to-forn; And thyder[theder Tib., thethar St.] she made me to gon To a roche off hardë[hard C., St., Tib.] ston And, At an eyë, ther ran oute Dropys off water al aboute: The dropys wer (to my semyng) Lych saltë terys off wepyng; And in-ta[ta St., to a Tib.] cisterne ther besyde, The dropys gonnë for to glyde. ¶ Grace Dieu:[Tib., St., om. C.] 'ffyrst,' quod Gracë Dieu to me, 'In thys vessel that thow dost se, Wyth water off the hardë ston Thow must be bathyd, and that A-noon; Wych shal helpe, and be refuge To hele thy wondys large and huge;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of tears dropping, from an Eye in a hill, into an oblong marble bath, Grace Dieu, with hands spread, speaking to the Pilgrim.] ffor in my shyp thow entryst nouht, Tyl thy woundys be clenë souht.' ¶ The Pylgrym:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "I pray yow to[Madame I preye you Tib.] declarë me, Thys Eye, with dropys, that I se; That ȝe woldë specefye What thyng that yt doth sygnefye." ¶ Grace Dieu answerith:[Tib., Grace dieu St., C. in margin] 'Thys roche (yiff thow wylt wyt A-non) Wych ys hard as any ston, Ar the hertys, in ech estaat, Off folkys wych ben Indurat To knowe ther errour and ther synne, In wych that they be fallyn Inne; 'Tyl I som whylë lyst to se (Only off mercy and pyte,) To tourne her herte, hard as a ston, And make the[there Tib., the St.] water out to gon, At ther eye to rennë doun[adoun Tib.] By sorwe and by contricïoun. 'The[The om. Tib.] saltë terys han ther her cours: Ryht as a wellë hath hys sours Vpward, with water quyk and cler, And renneth in-ta[in ta St., in to a Tib.] gret ryver, Ryht so, by dystyllacïoun The crystal terys descendë doun, Whan folk[Whanne folke Tib.] for ther synnës wepe. 'And swychë[swyche Tib., swych C.] dropys I do kepe, And the water euerydel, To make A bath, in a vessel, ffor wondyd folk that felë peyne In conscience, and sorë pleyne, Tyl they for elthe[heelthe Tib.] and surëte, Wyth thys bath ywasshen be; ffor yt recureth euery wonde, Callyd 'bapteme the secounde,' That doth a-way al[alle Tib.] grevaunce. Wyth wych water, dame Penaunce Maketh a lye (I the ensure,) To wasshen a-way al ordure; In wychë bathë[whiche bathe St., wych bath C., Tib.] (in certeyne) The hooly womman Mawdeleyne Ywasshen was, tak hed her-to. Thapostel Peter ek also, And many mo than I may telle, Wer ywasshen in thys welle; And so shaltow, by red off me, Yiff thow lyst to purgyd be.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Ma dame, (yiff that ye lyst to se,) Thys vessel (as semeth vn-to me,) Ys nat halff fful; and Trewëly[trewely Tib., Trewly C., truly St.] Therfore I dredë fynally That I may nat bathyd be, "But yiff ther werë mor plente." ¶ Grace Dieu Answerith:[Tib., grace dieu St., om. C.] Quod she to me (as in substaunce), 'Thow hast off water suffysaunce.' She saydë soth, as I wel ffond, And puttë forth A-noon hyr hond Toward hyr shyp off gret delyt. And thanne a-noon, a[a Tib., St., om. C.] dowë whyt Retournyd ys at hyr callyng, And kam to hyre A-noon fleyng.[anon to her flyenge St.] In hyr beek she brouht A wond, Wych Gracë Dieu took in hyr hond; And thanne the dowë (in certeyn) ffley vn-to the shyp a-geyn. Thys yerdë semptë (doutëles) Lyk[C., St., om. Tib.] to the yerde off Moyses, Wyth wych (the byble seyth apert,) The ston he smettë,[smot Tib.] in desert; And with the water that out ran, Off Israel, bothe beste and man, Drank ynowh in hábondaunce, Ther was so hugë suffysaunce. And trewly, as to myn entent, By sygnës that wer evydent, Wyth the samë yerde a-noon, Gracë Dieu smette[smot Tib.] on the ston. And thanne the rochë, Rowh and hard, (I hadde ther-to ful good reward) At an eye (yt ys no doute) The water gan to ronnen oute In-to the vessel that I off spak, That off plente ther was no lak. [Grace Dieu]: Quod Grace Dieu A-noon to me, 'Now thow hast ynowh plente Off water, (I dar vndertake,) Suffysauntly a bath to make;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination, given in Tib., of the Pilgrim in a square white bath, filling with the drops from an Eye in a green rock, by which Grace Dieu stands, with a long wand in her right hand.] 'And mor holsom yt ys to the, Be-cause the water (as thow mayst se,) Ys lewk: therfor yt ys mor hable, And to bathys mor coumfortable.' [The Pilgrim]: And Gracë dieu me bad A-noon, In-to the bath I sholdë gon. And in I wente A-noon, by grace, And ther a-bood but lytel space; ffor (to rehersyn euerydel) The bath lykéde me nat ryht wel: I gan feynte on euery syde, Wher-fore I myhtë nat abyde In that bath to stondë[C., Tib., bathe to stond St.] stable; ffor, I was nat résembláble¶ [Lavabo per singulas noctes] Lectum meum: lacrimis meis stratum [meum] rigabo [Psal. vi. 7] Tib., om. C., St. To kyng Davyd in my bathyng, Wych, wyth the terys off hys wepyng, Wyssh hys bed-strawh[wysche . . bedstraw Tib.] euerydel, Hys bed also, (who lokë wel), And[out Tib., St.] off the bath whan I was go, Gracë Dieu A-non kam to: ¶ Now Grace Dieu spekyth:[Tib., grace dieu St., om. C.] Quod she, 'wenystow to be Al hool off thyn infyrmyte, And off thyn wondys euerychon, That so sonë art out gon, Out off thys ylkë holsom welle, And lyst nat ther[not ther in Tib.] no lenger dwelle? 'What woldestow ha sayd to me, Yiff I haddë wrappyd the, Nakyd, cast the vp and doun In thornys for thy savacïoun, Ther ta suffryd[to a suffred Tib., to sofer St.] sharp prykyng; Or, A-mong netlys fful bytyng, Bak and brest, and euery syde; Whan thow myghtest nat abyde In sofftë water, by suffraunce, Thy-sylff in Elthë[helthe Tib.] to avaunce? 'Tel vn-to me the maner how, What wysë thow shalt entre now In-to my shyp, wher dame Penaunce Haueth al the gouernaunce, Bothe to bynden and vnbynde? I trowe thow wylt abyde behynde, And make her-off a long delay, And I shal seylle forth on my way.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Tib., Pilgrim St., om. C.] "Madame," thanne a-noon quod I, "Haueth[Hath Tib., havythe St.] onMany leaves are here missing in the MS. Cott. Vit., c. xiii.; but the missing portion is supplied from MS. Cott. Tib., A vii. me pyte and mercy! With-in ȝoure schippe, so doth[do St.] provyde, By-hyndë that I not abyde. To trowthë, ȝeue[yf St.] ȝe lyste entende, With-in ȝoure schippe I schal amende, And redresse also (I-wys,) Alle that I haue don amys. ¶ Considerith also in ȝoure syght, That in batayle, a manly knyght, (By exaumple, as it is ffounde) Whanne he hathe kaught eny[hath ons cawht a St.] wounde, Not-withstondynge his langour, It encresith his vygoor, Makith hym, off cher and off vysage, The more hardy[hardy St., hard Tib.] off corage, Grete emprysë vndertake, ffor drede off deth, hem not fforsake." ¶ Grace dieu answerith:[grace dieu St.] Qvod grace dieu anoon ryght, 'Byholde and se a noble knyght, Makynge thyne owne chaumberer,[chaumber Tib., chamberer St.] To bere thyne armure as[lyke St.] a sqvyer, Whiche mayste not thy silff assure ffor to berne hem, nor endure. 'I woldë seen, to-ffore wytnesse, Som knyghttely deede off hygh prowesse Accomplyschid, thorough thi myght, To bere recorde thow art a knyght, 'By armës prevëd in som coste. Thow art no thyng but wynde and boste, Byhotynge myche, whan al is wrought, And in deedë doste ryght nought.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "MAdame," quod I, "yt is no ffayle, I schal amendë with travayle; And, I hope, vexacyoun Schal ȝeue to me fful hygh renoun, To conquere som excellence By vse and longe experyence. "I haue pleynely, in the see, Nauffragus fful long I-be, And suffred (bothe este and weste,) Many[many a St.] perel and greet tempeste, And ȝit I stonde in a deluge. But ȝeue I haue off ȝou reffuge, With-in ȝoure schippe me ffor to marke, As Noe was with-in his arke, I may not (schortëly to telle,) Escape out off this[thes St.] ffloodës ffelle." ¶ Grace dieu answerith:[grace dieu St.] 'BE wel provyded in thi thought, That thow behotë me ryght nought, Ȝeue thow wolte[wylt St.] my thanke disserue, But that thow wolte[wylt St.] trewely obserue; ffor bette it is, not vndertake, And avowys noon to make, Than to make hem by assent, And breke hem affter, off entent: Swhiche avowës, loue I nought, But they be made off herte and thought. Wherffore, with-out eny slouthe, Kepe thyne heeste to me, off trouthe.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "Wyth ȝoure supportacyoun, It is myne entencyoun, My promysse, bothë[bothe om. St.] day and nyght, To kepe yt, as I haue byhyght." ¶ Grace dieu answerith:[grace dieu St.] THanne Grace dieu, with good chere, Ladde me doun to the revere; And there we han a schippe I-ffonde. With greetë bondis it was bounde; But the bondës sat not cloos; The mostë parte off hem were loos; The smalë osyers, here and ȝonder, To-brakë[brake St., brak Tib.] thanne, and[and than St.] wente asonder, The hopës ábout the vessel, Bycause they were not boundë wel; Ȝit the hoopes (it is no nay) Were stronge I-nowgh at good assay; Deffaute in hem was ffoundë noon; But, ffor the osyers nygh echon Were brokë ffyrste (as it is ffounde), Wherffore the hoopys were vnbounde. ¶ The Pylgryme: "MAdame," quod I, "with-outë[with out Tib., St.] blame, Off ȝoure schippe, telle me the name, And who that scholde it wel gouerne; ffor sothely, as I kan discerne, The gouérnour, is not wys, (As me thynket[thynkythe St.] in myn avys,) That lyste suffren (off ffolye) The boondës breke so reklesselye In myddës off the perelous see, In whiche there is no surëte." ¶ Grace dieu answerith: 'THis schippe (as by discripcyoun) I-callyd ys Relygyoun; Whiche is bounde with circumstauncis, And ffret with dyuerse óbseruauncis. And while that it is boundë wel, It may perysche neueradel; But ȝongë ffolkës neclygent, That entre this schippe off entent, And, thorough ther mys-gouernauncis, Kepë not the óbseruauncis That were made by ffolkis olde, ffor to breke hem ben fful bolde: 'ffirstë, thosyérys smale, Telle off hem but lytel tale, Caste hem byhynden at her bak, Where-thorwgh the schippe goth al to wrak: Breke the smalë circumstauncis, And ffare-wel the greete óbseruauncis! ffor, ȝeue the smale comaundëmentis Be not kepte in ther ententis, The greetë (in conclusyoun) Gon vn-to destruccyoun. The smalë (bothe in colde and heete,) Be wardeynës off the greete; And ȝeue the smalë sothely ffayle, Aryght this schippe ne may not sayle. Breke the smalë here and ȝonder, And the greete muste goon assonder. Thus the schippe off religyoun Gothe offte to distruccyoun. So, woldë god, ther lyvynge Were lykë now ther gynnynge, The schippë scholde the better preve, Ageyne al tempeste hym[them St.] -silffe releve: It were almesse, by the roode. 'Ȝit I hoopë som are gode, Swyche as to holynesse entende; And who doth not, god hym amende! God ȝeue hem gracë so to dresse The maste[The mast St., He must Tib.] vpward, by holynesse, And that they may, to her avayle, By gracë, so to crossë sayle, That in the wynde be no debat To make ther passage ffortunat; That redely they may, and blyue, At the hauene vp taryve, Where Ioye and blysse (who kan disserne) Is endelesly, and lyffe enterne. ¶ Now cheese ffreely, affter my lawe, To whichë castel thow wolt drawe; And in my schippe, they ben echon Bylte fful ffayre, off lyme and stoon. 'And sythen thow haueste lyberte ffor to entren or go ffre, Cheese amonge these towres alle, At whiche gatë thow wolte calle. ¶ Ther[her St.] ben the Cystews ffastë by; And not fful ffer is eke Clwny. Byholde ȝonder a Chartrehous, 2An ordur that is full vertuous.2[2_2 St., om. Tib.] Thow mayste eke senë ffrere Prechours, And other that callyd ben Menours; Ordres off many other[a nothar St.] guyse, Mo thanne as now I kan[I can as now St.] devyse: Cheese at thyne ownë volunte, In whiche off allë thow wolte[wilt St.] be.[Illustration.] 'Alle they stonde in[on St.] stable grownd, To kepë, bothë saaff and sownd, Body and soule, (it is no drede) Who kepith his rule in verrey deede. And these placis agrëáble, Allë they ben dyffensáble Ageyne the ffende and alle his myght, That man assayleth day and nyght In this mortal trowbely see, ffulffilled with greet aduersyte. And, therffore, ȝeue thow do wel, Entre anoon in som castel, There thow mayste (at a word) Kepe the within schippës bord. This wordely see (it[it St., om. Tib.] is no ffayle) Eche day off newe the schal assayle; Wherffore I councel the to ffle, Whyle thow haste myght and lyberte.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "MAdame," quod I, "whan al ys sought, I haue chose (off herte and thought,) Off Cystews, (in echë syde) In that castel to abyde, In-to that ffortresse I wole gon." Grace Dieu:[St., om. Tib.] 'Entre my schyppe,' quod sche, 'anoon.' And affter that, sche lyste not dwelle, But gan hir hanker vp to pulle, And in the see, fforthe bygan to sayle Towarde the castel, ȝeue it wolde avayle, Me to spede on[vp on St.] my Iorne. And at the laste, I ffonde a large entre; But, off entente, stylle awhile I stood Sool by my silffe, and at the gate abood. ¶ The pylgryme: "POrter," quod I, in haste, "I preye the, At this castel graunte me entre, ffor Grace dieu hathe me hyder brought, Off the entre that I ffayle not." ¶ The Porter answerith: QVod the porter anoon to me, 'Ȝeue I knewë, and dyde se That the kyng wolde it avowe, Thyne entre I scholde alowe; But the wyllë[will is St.] off the kyng There-off I knowe no maner thyng.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "TElle me thanne, lyke myne entent, Is the kyng hym-silffe present?" ¶ The porter answerith: 'TRustë wel, as thow schalt leere, I wolde not ellis sytten heere: It is a sygne (eerly and late,) Whanne thow seeste me at the gate, To telle (by good avysëment,) The kyng hym-silffe ys here present.' ¶ The Pylgryme:[Illustration.] "TElle me thy name, off gentillesse, With-outen[outen St., out Tib.] eny straungënesse." ¶ The Porter answerith: 'ANd I schal[I shall the St.] telle the with-out schame: Drede off god, that is my name; Whiche is ground (with-out offence) Off wysdam and Sapyence. I voydë synne, and vyces chace, That noon[noon St., men Tib.] may entren in this place; 'Nowther oolde nor ȝonge off age Schal have heere[ther St.] noon herbergage; ffor this staffe (ȝeue thow take heede) With the greet parlom[plomer St.] of leed, Is I-callyd (in substaunce) 'Off god almyghtty, the vengaunce;' And there-with-al, in cruel wyse, Allë synners I chastyse. 'And with this ylkë sturdy Maas, I putte hem out a fful greet paas; ffor noon swyche (ȝeue thow lystë[none . . lyst St.] lere,) Ben hardy to entre here.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "Syre,[Syre, om. St.] I praye the, oonly off[that of St.] grace, I may entren in this place; ffor myne entente and my menynge Is to do servyse to the kyng." ¶ The Porter answerith: 'ȜEue I knewe that it[it St., om. Tib.] were so, With-outen many wordës mo Thow scholdeste hauë graunte off me, To entren at good lyberte.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "IN other wysë neuere a del Wole I not entren in[in om. St.] this castel, But ffor to do the kyng servyse." And thannë, in fful goodly wyse, I was leten in off the porter: Hym lyste to makë no daunger. ¶ Aboute I wentë, byholdynge Vp-on many a rychë thynge; I sawe A cloystre and A dortour, A chapytlehous[chapytle hous St.] and A ffreytour; And there-with-al, a ffayre Hostrye, And a largë ffermerye; And, off God, thanke to dysserve, ffayrë meynë I sawgh there serve. And, I supposë ffor my beste, There to herborewe and to reste, On ther cam, and preyed me, And hir name was Charite.[Illustration.] TO pylgrymes, in goodly wyse, Sche dyde moste trewely the servyse. With chere benygne, and glad vysage, Sche brought hem to ther herbergage; And euere sche was moste ententyff, With-outen[outen St., out Tib.] noyse or eny stryff: To seruë porë ffolkys alle, That ffor helpë to hir calle, Sche was besy euere more. And in this book, not goon fful ȝore, I spakë off hir, dowtëles, ffor sche heelde the wrytte off pees, Whanne Moyses, the byschop cheeff, Gan departë the releeff To pilgrymës (in substaunce) To ȝeuen hem ther sustynaunce. ANd[and om. St.] thorough the cloystre, thanne anoon, By the waye as I gan goon, Off áventure in my repayre, I mette a lady Inly ffayre, Bothe off schappe and off stature; And sche bare (I ȝou ensure) In hir hand, a smal coffyn Whiche was made off parchemyn. A whitë dowve (it is no dowte) Alle-way sewyd hir abowte.[Illumination.] ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd as I lokyd heere and ther, I stood in a maner wher, What tokénës it[tooknys that it St.] myght be, The thyngës that I dydë se; Prayed hir in goodly wyse, That sche wolde anoon devyse There-off by exposicyoun, A cleer sygnyffycacyoun. ¶ Lessoun declarith:[declarith, om. St.] 'TRewely,' quod sche, there as sche stood, 'I ne thenke no thyng but good, 'ffor I am Sowcelerere[sawcelerere St.] Off this place, and Pytauncere. I menystre the lyfflode To the sowle, and eke the ffoode: The herte I ffeede (the pawnchë nought,) With fful many an hooly thought. My ffoode is soote and cherischynge, And ryght hoolsom in tastynge; Whiche ffoode is delyuered me By on whom that[that om. St.] thow schalt se; ffor sche is bothe A MercerMercier: m. A good Pedler or meane Haberdasher of small wares; a tradesman that retailes all manner of small ware, and hath no better then a shed or booth for a shop. 1611. Cotgrave (1650). Off this place, and cheeff Cloystrer.'[loyster C.] ¶ The Pylgryme: Lyke the desyre whiche that I hadde, To that lady sche me ladde; Whiche (schortely to speceffye) Plente hadde off Mercerye, And moste delytable off syght, Sche haddë Merours ffeyre and bryght. But this lady merveyllous Was off schappe suspécyous; ffor I took good heede ther-to: Sche departyd was on[in St.] two; That made hir body to devyde, Wonder cleer on the ryght syde; But (as I aspyen koude,) Hir lyffte was schadewed with a clowde.[Illumination.] ANd whanne that I byheelde the guyse Off alle hir queyntë marchaundyse, "Madame," quod I, "in certeyn, Wonder ffayne I woldë beyn, Somwhat off ȝoure thyngës heere, Ȝeue so were ȝe woldë lere To me (by schorte conclusïoun,) Ȝoure name and ȝoure condicyoun." ¶ Agyographe: 'I Am,' quod sche, 'cheeff noryce To allë ffolkes that ffleën vyce. No cloyster is worthe (who looke aboute) On no syde whan I am out. I makë cloystris fferme and stable, Worschipe-full[full St., om. Tib.] and honowrable; And my name (ȝeue thow lyste se,) Is callyd Agyographe, Whiche is to seyne (I the ensure,) Off holy wrytynge the scripture.¶ Sancta scrip[tura] And at ffeyrës and at ffeestis, I reste in skynnës off dede bestis.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "DEclarë me, and doth not ffeyne, Why be ȝe partyd thus on tweyne: The to parte, 2wonder ffayre off cheere, Lusty, amyable, and cleere;2[2_2 here: leaf 353-4] The tother party,[St. repeats] wonder myrk, Schrouded with a cloudë dyrk." ¶ Agyographe: 'I Was not,' quod sche, 'sothe to say, Lyche thé, borne vp-on a day, But by processe and leyser, And by space off many a ȝer. 'By ooldë tymë (stylle and loude,) I was schadewed with a cloude, And fful derkely kepte in cloos, Tyl tymë that the sonne aroos— I mene, the tyme that was to-fforn That Cryst ihesu lyste to be born,— Thilkë tyme, my party ryght, Off a cleer skye kaught his lyght; The whichë skye, proffetys seyde, Was that blessed holy mayde, Off Iesse bothë braunche and fflour, That bare Ihesu, oure savïour. 'That tymë, with his streemës clere, ffirste my bryghttenesse dyde appere; And alle derkenesse to termyne, Only by grace whiche is devyne. 'But the party off my vysage Whiche is clowded with vmbrage, Off cleernesse scholde haue no reporte, But ȝeue he haddë his resorte To that party, by vertu, Off the cleernesse off crist ihesu; Where-off,[wherfore St.] lakkynge dyscrescyoun, Thow madeste a lymytacyoun, Affermynge (by a maner slouthe,) My dyrkë[derke St., dyrk Tib.] parte wher voyde off trouthe: I mene as thus, (in sentement,) That the ooldë testament Were derke and cloudy off his syght, Ȝeue that it ne took his lyght (Claryffyed by entendëment) Off the newë testament, Whos schynynge (in conclusyoun) Is cause off oure savacyoun.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "EXpownë this with-outë[out Tib., St.] glose, And ȝe schal haue the ffyrstë rose That I may ffynde (yt is no nay) In the moneth of ffreschë may." ¶ Agyographe: QVod sche, 'ȝeue I schal the telle, Mercerye I haue to selle, In boystës, sootë oynementis, There-with to don allegementis To ffolkes whiche that[that St., om. C.] be not glade, But discorded[discomfited St.] and mallade, And hurte with perturbacyoun,[perturbacions St., perturbacyoun Tib.] Off many trybulacyouns: I haue knyues, phyllettys, callys, At ffeestes to hangen vp on wallys; Kombës (mo than nyne or ten,) Bothe ffor horse and eke ffor men; Merours also, large and brode, And, ffor the syght, wonder gode; Off hem I haue fful greet plente ffor ffolke that hauen volunte[Illumination.] 'to[to St., om. Tib.] Byholde hem-silffe ther-ynne, Wher they be clecne, or ffoule of synne. 'But, som ffolke hem-silffe byholde ffor to hyde her ffylthës oolde, Whiche ther bewete dothe apayre. And sommë merrours schewen ffayre, By apparence off bewte, Though that ther be no bewte: Alle these thynges (who takith kep) I haue hem towched on an hep. Ȝeue here be aught that may ȝou pleese, Take it at thyne ownë eese.' [The Pilgrim:] ¶ In these thynges ffresche off delyte, I sawgh there-in fful greet proffyte, And also in her ácqueyntaunce, Preyed hir to haue suffraunce, To graunte me leyser, and good ese, To seen what thyng me myghtë[myhte me St., me myght Tib.] pleese. And, by good inspeccyoun, Haddë turned al[all tournyd St.] vp so doun, Ȝeue eny thyng I koude espye Amonge alle hir mercerye. Vp and down I dydë se What thyng lyked beste to me; But, amonge hir thyngës alle, Vp-on a merour I was ffalle, Whiche schewyd me, in his glas, More ffayre in sothenesse than I was, By ápparencë sodeynely The merour lyed verily:[sodeynely Tib., verily St.] I knewe it wel in éxystence And by oolde experyence. Whan the trouthë was conceyved, I wystë wel I was deceyved; To hir sayde, (in myne avys,) That to hir it was no prys To schewen out swyche mercerye, Off merours to make men to prye. ¶ Agyographe: 'ISchewe no thyng, in sothe,' quod sche, 'But as it is in veryte. I wole hoolden my byheste, As ffolkës maken me requeste; ffor, as ffer fforthe as I kan, I wole deceyue no maner man; The deceytës, ffeytheffully I wole schewe hem opunly. Merours ther ben in many wyse, As Craffty ffolkës kan devyse, Whiche schewen dyuerse vysages And many wonderfful ymages, Whiche to declare, I wole not dwelle: Reede perspectyff, and that wole telle, And schewen out the varyaunce Off dyuerse ffacys, by démonstraunce.' ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd off a merour that I ffonde, Whiche that I heelde in myn hande,[hond St.] I preyed hir, with-outë[out Tib., St.] schame, To tellë me there-off the name. ¶ Agyographe:[agiographye St.] 'HYt were good to hye and lowe, That allë ffolkës scholdë knowe, And there-off hadde a trewë syght, Iustely what this merour hyght, That ffolkës (ffor greet lak off lyght) Were not deceyued in her syght. THis merour (by descripcyoun) Is called Adulacyoun: This is (withouten eny blame) Veryly his ryghtë[ryght Tib., St.] name; ffor, take good heede, that fflateryng Is engendred off lesyng: Somme callen hir Placebo, ffor sche kan maken an Eccho, Answere euere ageyn the same, Because that he wole haue no blame. Though it be ageyne resoun, There is no contradiccyoun, 'ffor, bothe off newe, and ȝore agon, ffolkës sothely (mo than on) Han in Adulacyoun ffounde fful greet decepcyoun: Lordes (wherffore I seye 'allas!') Han be dysseyued in this caas, And, by advlacyoun Brought to ther destruccyoun. ¶ fflaterye:[om. St. Hagiography still speaks.] 'FOr this custom hath fflaterye, To seyne[leyn St.] thus by loséngerye— Whanne hym lykyth to bygyle, ffalsely by his sotyl while,— To hem that be moste vycyous, How that they are vertuous; And though they ben to vyces thral, They seyne eke they be lyberal, Though they be streyte and ravynous, And greetë nygardes in her hous. They callë ffame and hygh renoun, Raveyne and ffalse extorcyoun. Though they be ffooles, and off no prys, They afferme that they are wys. ¶ Who that trustith in swyche langage, He is a ffool, and no thyng sage, And ffolyly spente his labour, That lokyth in any swyche merour; And namëly, whanne al is do, That he knowith it is not so. 'Eche wyght knowe hym-syluen kan, Bette thanne eny other man. Leff, off[Ieve of St.] fflaterye the sentence, And ȝeue to trouthë fful credence; Thow knoweste bet thi-silffe, (off ryght,) Thanne doth eny other wyght. ¶ 'Late[let St.] lordës (whanne they kan espye,) Sette asyde alle fflaterye! But now, allas, it stondyth so, They be disseyuëd by Eccho; And ther sogetes,[sogets St.] in many cost, 'Ben by fflateryë lost, And put in greet oppressyoun And in greet tribulacyoun; I mene, by swychë as be stronge, To porë men ffor to do wronge, And suppose, thorough ther greet myght, That they may doon it off ryght; fflaterers bere hem so on hande, Whiche, day and nyght, aboute hem stonde, And fful ffalsely hem counsayle To dispoylë the porayle; Seyn,[seyne St.] the good is herys off ryght; Whiche causith, in the peplys syght, fful greet envye and greet haterede, Whanne they be pressed with greet drede; And causith, by swyche óppressynges, Greetë rwmours and rysynges, And, som while, rebellyoun In many dyuerse regyoun;[Illumination.] ffor lak oonly off polosye[polecie St.] Off ffolke aboue, that scholde hem guye; Causith, som while, schedynge off blood. Wherffore this meroure, ȝeue it be good, Take it to thi pocessyoun, To haue there-in Inspeccyoun.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "MAdame," quod I, "ȝow not displeese, This myroure schal do me noon eese: For,[for St., om. Tib.] wher-so that I leese or wynne, I wole neuere looke there-Inne." But ryght anoon, myne happe it was To loken in another glasse, In the whiche (withouten wene) I sawe my-sylff, ffoule and vncleene, And to byholdë, ryght hydous, Abhomynabel and vecyous. Thilkë[Thilke St., That Tib.] merour and that glas Schewyd to me what I was.[Illumination.] WHerffore, off rancour and dysdeyn, The same merour I caste ageyn, With-out abood,[abod St.] in hir panere, ffrowarde off look, and eke off chere, And gan my bak awey to turne; And therffore soore I gan to morne. ¶ Agyographe: 'NOw I se wel, by thy[thy St., om. Tib.] contenaunce, And also by thy gouernaunce, Thow haste no luste to loke and se In this merour (yt semyth me) Callyd 'the[the om. St.] Merour off Concyence,' Whiche schewith (by trewe experyence, With-out Eccho or fflaterye, Or eny other losengerye,) Vn-to a man, what ymage He bereth aboute, or what[what om. St.] visage, The portrature, ryght as it is, And in what thyng he dothe amys, And how he schal the bette entende, Alle his ffylthës to amende.' ¶ Lessown [the Subcellarer]: THanne quod the southe-Celerer:[sowcelerer St.] 'Towchynge hir, the Mercer, It is to hir, displesaunce, That thow wolte not han áqueyntaunce With hir, whiche sothëly myght be fful greet proffyte vn-to the, In what thow scholdeste haue ado. 'And ȝeue I wyste thow woldeste so, I wolde maken the to ben able. Eche day to sytten at hir table; With hir to be cómensal, Off Cheerte[cherite St.] in especyal. And[for St.] (ȝeue I schal the trouthë telle)[St. & Tib.] In howsholde with hir I dwelle,[St. & Tib.] And am to hir, off custom, ner. 'And the name off this Mercer I-callyd is 'hooly scripture,' Whiche ffor to leren, I do my cure, In a vessyl off Parchemyn:— Off ffee, I calle the offyce myn:— 'In swyche a vessel, euery coost, I bere it that they[it St.:? 2 Testaments, p.596.] be not lost. Therto I do my dylygence, To kepe it ffrom alle vyolence; ffor it may not (as thow doste[mayst St.] se,) In noon other vessel be, To kepe it in savacyoun; And my name is eke 'Lessown,' And 'Studye,' amonge these clerkës alle, Whiche off bothe, thow lyste me calle. 'And ffirstë, ȝeue thow haue plesaunce, With me to hauen áqueyntaunce, Thow schalt aqueyntyd ben anoon With these ladyes euerychon, Verreyly at thyne ownë lyst: In my byheste haue ffully tryst, ffor gracë off the hooly goost Schal ffolewe the in euery coost, Ryght as this whytë dowuë doth, Ay sueth me, and that is soth, Whiche schal the teche and tellen al The secreës celestyal. ffor, sche is off hevene (ffer and ner) The verrey trewë messager. Erly at morewe, and at eve Estudyantys[estudiauncys St.] sche kan releve, To ȝeue hem her reffeccyoun By myne ad-mynystracyoun.'[admyn . . St., and min . . Tib.] Other two ladyes I sawe also; To the chapitre that wentë tho; The ton off hem, bar in hir hondis, Cordës and eke strongë bondis;[Illumination.] THe thother (in the samë while) In hir mouthe sche bare a ffyle Endentyd; the teth there-off were large; And on hir breste, a fful brood targe. ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd or they ffurther myghtë[myght Tib., St.] goon, I requyred hem anoon, Te telle më (by good avys,) Bothe ther names and ther offis. ¶ Obedyence: THe lady that the boondys bar, To me seyde (as I was war), 'I am,' quod sche, '(schortely to expresse), Of this hous the[the om. St.] cheeff pryoresse, Nexte Gracë Dieu (in substaunce,) I haue here[here St., off hir Tib.] the gouernaunce, (Bothe byfforne and eke byhynde.) And with these boondës eke I bynde, (Wher-so that they be soure or swete,) Off ffolkës bothë hand and ffete, That they, in no wysë, doore.i. audent St., om. Tib. Passen by noon opene doore:.i. per hostium St., om. Tib. I holde hem in, lyke prisoners, And off look and eke off cherys; And my namë (in sentence) Callyd is Obedyence. 'My boondes and my lygamentys Ben dyuerse comaundëmentys, To holden in subieccyoun ffolkës off relygyoun. ¶ And off my ffylë to termyne, It is I-called Dyscyplyne: And that I (bothe northe and south) Am wonte to bere it in my mouth, Betokeneth reprehensyoun Off ffolke, ffor her transgressyoun, There-with I scoure in euery syde, That ther may no ruste abyde,[Illumination.] Nowther ffylthe, ffor noon offence. 'My targë callyd ys 'Prudence:' Euery thyng (I the ensure) tó gouérne it by mesure.'[Tib. & St.] ¶ And, as I haddë good reward,[Tib. & St.] I sawgh oon in-to the ffreyterward Goon a mesurable paas, Wonder sobre off look and ffaas, And no thyng dissolut off cher: Armyd sche was with a gorger. The Pylgryme: Off whom I gan anoon enquere, That sche woldë goodly leere To me (by schorte conclusyoun) Hir name and hir condissyoun; And off the tablys cured echon, And there-ate syttynge many on;[a one St.] And also, as I dyde obserue, Noon other ffolke at metë serve, But ffolkes deedë euere more, Where-off I wás abaschyd sore. ¶ Abstynence: 'I Am,' quod sche, 'the Freytourer Off this hous, and Botëler, And mynystre the sustenaunce To ffolkës, lyke to ther plesaunce. I kepe hem hool, I kepe hem cleene, By a mesurable meene, That, surffét be not to blame. 'Abstynence,' that is my name; And my gorger that thow doste se, Is I-callyd 'Sobrete,'[sobriete St.] To kepe the gorge in[by St.] sobrenesse, ffrom sorffét, and al excesse. 'ANd these ffolkës that ben deede, Whiche that serue, (ȝeue thow take heede,) Be thilkë ffolkës euerychon, Whichë that, off ȝore agoon, To-fforne her deth, off holynesse And off verrey parffytenesse, Madë the ffoundacyoun Off ffolkys off relygyoun; Endowyd[enduyd St.] hem with greet substaunce, Ther-by to haue ther sustynaunce. ¶ And ffor that skele (as I devyse) They donë[done St., don Tib.] eche day her servyse, And ben to hem eke servysable Whanne they sytten at the table. 'And ageyneward, sothe to seye, The tother ffor hem wake and praye, 'Bothe by day and eke by nyght, As they are bounden, off dewe ryght, To ther sowlis to don socowre, And afftirward to the dortoure.' [The Pilgrim]: I Wotë not wel what it mente, I sawgh how tweynë[twyne St., two Tib.] ladyes wente: The on[tone St.] off hem, (as I was war,) In hir hand, a staff sche bar; The tother, save a gambesoun, Was nakyd (in myne inspeccyoun). And sche that bare the staff, anon ffro bed to bed sche is agon Thorowgh-out the dortour (by and by), And made the beddës fful clenly; And with clothis cleene and white Sche spradde hem ouer, by delyte, That no thyng ne lay a[a St., om. Tib.] wronge. Sche that was nakyd, gan a songe,[Illumination.] WHiche (to putte in rémembraunce) Was pleynely this, as in substaunce: ¶ The ffyrste verse off the song: 'I Schal synge, with al my myght, And so I howe,[owe, ought: have St.] off verrey ryght. I am nakyd, as ȝe may se; By no thyng men may holden me; Thowgh they me púrsue, day and nyght, To hold[ë] me they have no myght.The 2nd and 3rd verses have only 5 lines each; the first ought to have the same; but as Stowe's 6th line stops the line|numbering getting uneven, I put it in.[St., om. Tib.] ¶ The secunde verse: 'A Smalë posterne I may pace, And, thorough thykke and thynnë trace; ffor, thow that ffolkës dyde her peyne, They may off me no thyng restreyne, Affter, euere thow[thoghe St.] they chace. ¶ The thryde verse: 'I Am 'Wylleffull Pouerte;' And, off myne ownë volunte, 'I despysë alle rychesse; Slepe in Ioye and sekyrnesse, Nor thevës may not robbë me.'[Illumination.] The Pylgryme: TO hir, that so nakyd was, I gan to hasten a greet paas; Bysoughtte hir that sche noldë spare, Hir name, to me ffor to declare. ¶ Pouerte: 'My name, ȝeue I schal tellë the, I am 'wyllefful Poverte;' ffor,[om. St.] to swyche pouerte I haue me take, And the world I haue fforsake, Rychesse and alle pocessyoun, Save oonly this Gambysoun, Whiche is callyd 'Pacyence.' And therffore, with-out offence, fforsake I haue the Temperal ffor goodes that ben celestyall:[Tib. & St.] There is my rychesse and gerdoun, My tresowre and my pocessyoun.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "I Preyë the that thow not tarye: Why is it callyd 'voluntarye'?" ¶ Pouerte: 'TRystë this (it is no ffayle,) Ther may no thyng a man avayle; (What maner thyng that euere it be,) But it be doon off volunte. Kome fforthe, and se an exanplayre[exemplayre St.] Off poverte not voluntarye.' And, with-outë[out Tib., St.] more lettynge, Sche Schewyd me oon, ffelle off lokynge: Groynynge sche sat, ffrownynge and sad; And off hir cheere sche was not glad. 'Here thow[thow St., om. Tib.] mayste seen pouerte Whiche is no thyng off volunte.[Illumination.] Thow mayste off hir 5anon enquere,5[5_5 St., Tib. torn.] And the trouthe sche schal the leere. ¶ The Pylgryme: "THow oolde," quod I, "so ffoule off cheere, What cause haste thow to abyden[hastow tabiden St.] heere Amonge this ffayrë companye Off ladyes? I trowe thow art a spye. Thow owghttyest not, with so ffoule a fface, To[To om. St.] abyden in so ffeyre a place." ¶ Pouerte Impacyent:[impacyent Tib., om. St.] QVod sche, 'the trowthë ffor to kythe, Thow haste seyne fful offtë sythe With lordës, ladyes, (it is no doute,)[St. & Tib.] In her[thayr St.] chawmbres rounde abowte[St. & Tib.] For to maken dyuerse Iapes,[St. & Tib.] Foxes rennen, and eke apes,[St. & Tib.] Dysporte and pleye on euery syde: And semblably, here I[I here St.] abyde; Where-off thow scholdest me not[not me St.] repreve; ffor vn-to hem, no thyng I greve; It dothe hem non dysávauntage, ffor to my silffe is the damáge. ANd[and, om. St.] ȝeue men me callen 'Pouerte,' And I[I om. St.] take it not at gree Thorough myne nowne[owne St.] Impacyence, My grucchynge doth no wight[no wight St., myn owne Tib. (from line above).] offence, (Who so takyth heede ther-to) But to my silffe, and to no mo. Off ffolkës off dyscressyoun, I am had in derysyoun; They holde off me but a Iape, As a lord dothe off his ape.' The Pylgryme: "Hyt semyth, as[as om. St.] by thy résemblaunce And by thy owgely[own St.] contenaunce, By lyfftynge vp off thy mosel, That thow pleyest the apë wel; And that thow art the comune ape, Afforë ffolke to pleye and Iape." ¶ Pouerte Impacyent:I need hardly say in an E. E. Text that the vulgar error of holding that 'like' is not a conjunction, is due to ignorance. Like, from 'like as,' is a conjunction; Like, from 'like to or unto,' is a preposition. See S. Walker, Crit. on Shakesp., ii. 115-123. 'THat is thorough myne Impacyence, And ffor lak off pacyence, That makyth me in hertë swelle, And, with greetë wyndës belle, That dothe my lyppës hyghë[hygh Tib., high St.] reyse, Whiche, no man ne schuldë preyse; ffor it makyth a démonstraunce Off an apys contenaunce. 'I love no maner besynesse, But oonly slouthe and ydelnesse. 'Ryghtffully, thorough my dyssert,[decert St.] I may ben callyd wel 'Povert.' Off good, I haue no maner thyng, But as the[a St.] bycchë, ay groynyng, Wel worsë sothely than I seme; Off euery thyng, the worst I deme.' ¶ The Pylgryme: A Noon I laffte hir companye, And gan me ffastë ffor to hye To hir that, with hir lokës glade, In[In St., But in Tib.] the dortoure beddës made; And curteysely I gan hir preye,[St. & Tib.] To me sche wolde hir namë seye. ¶ Dame[Dame om. St.] chastyte: 'I Am callyd by my name, The ffeyre, with-outë[out Tib., St.] spotte or blame, That may, in no place endure Where that ffylthe is, or ordure. And of[of St., om. Tib.] ffolkës that me se, I am[They calle Tib.] callyd Chastyte; Off thys castel, chasteleyne, Whiche, day and nyght, I[I om. St.] do my peyne ffor to kepen this castel ffrom schotte off Gonne and of[of St., om. Tib.] quarel. And therffore I am armed wel, Bette thanne in yren and[Bet than yren outher St.] steel; Nyght and day is my laboure,[St. & Tib.] For to dyffendë[for to defenden St.] euery toure, Bothe[St., Tib. blurd] erly and also late, And on myne handys, I haue off plate,[Illumination.] 'A Peyrë[peyre of St.] glouës, ffor dyffence, I-callyd 'Dowble Contynence,' Myghty venus to rechace, And to putte hir ffro that place,[Tib. & St.] That sche may hauë noon entre ffor to assayilë[fortassaille St.] chastyte, Whiche schal, as a[a St., om. Tib.] conquerour,) Kepe and deffendë the dortour, 'To alle my ffreendes, I wole socoure, That with hertë me honowre, Hem to kepe ffrom vnclennesse, While I to hem am cheeff maystresse.' ¶ The Pylgryme: A fftir this, anoon I wente In-to the mynstre (off good entente), And, asyde castynge my syght, I sawe a lady ffayre and bryght, Sad off contenaunce and off[off om. St.] cheere; And sche bare, lyke a messangere, A boyste; and anon ryght,[6-syllable line] Toward the heuene sche took hir fflyght; ffor (as I kowde byholde and se,) Sche was whynged, ffor to ffle. ANd trewely (as I koude espye,) Sche ffleyë[flygh St.] ffer aboue the skye. And, as me thoughtë, longe and large,[St. & Tib.] Affor hir brest, sche bare a targe;[St. & Tib.] And (schortely as I kan reherse)[St. & Tib.] The sylvë heuene sche dydë perse.[St. & Tib.] And I thought (in sotheffastenesse)[St. & Tib.] Hir laboure and hir besynesse[St. & Tib.] Was ffor to maken (in certeyne) Deedë men to ryse[lyve St.] ageyne. And I gan ffor to neyghë[neygh Tib., nyghe St.] nere, Preyëd hir (off herte entere) To ȝeue me infformacyoun Off name and of[and of St., and Tib.] condyscyoun. ¶ Prayere: 'My namë, ȝeue thow lyste to here, I am, off ffolke, callyd 'Prayere'; 'And lerne off me that (off resoun,)[St. & Tib.] Eche man is worthi the guerdoun[St. & Tib.] (Yf[Tib. would be 'ȝeue.'] that trouthë be obserued,)[St. & Tib.] Lyke as he hath trewely deserued.[St. & Tib.] And echë wyght, ffor his good dede, Is worthi to resseyue his mede, Lyke his meryte, off equyte. 'These deedë ffolk whiche thow doste se,[Illumination. Pilgrim, Angel, and two dead Men.] Ben they whiche, euery day suynge,[Tib. & St.] Ȝeuen lyuelode and fost[e]rynge[Tib. & St.] To lyvynge ffolkes that here-in dwelle: In what wyse, I schal the telle. Whanne they alyue were heere present, They gaff off herte, in[and St.] good entent, Thorough ther parffyte holynesse, In-to this hous fful greet almesse; And, to ther sustentacyoun, They madë the ffoundacyoun Off this ylkë samë[same ilke St.] hous; And ȝaff vnto relygyous Meete and drynke (off good entent) And lyuelodë competent; Off purpos (sothë ffor[for om. St.] to seye) Thát they scholdë ffor hem preye. And so they don, bothe day and nyght, Off consuétude and off ryght. 'Wherffore, callyd I am 'Prayere,' Whiche that am the messagere That fflee[fly St.] to heuene with whyngës lyght, ffer aboue the sterres bryght, To-ffore the lord, to presente Prayere made in good entente, Lyche as these ffolkës haue in charge. 'And the name eke off my Targe, Is Fervente Contynuacyoun Off preyere by devocyoun. FOr there nys[nys St., is Tib.] halpeny nor fferthyng, But it requerith his guerdownyng More trewely (ȝeue it be tolde) 'Thanne the somme a thowsande ffolde, In the lyffe that is eterne, Off hym that eche thyng kan concerne, Eternally lyvyng in glory. 'Prayer abreggeth purgatóry,[St. & Tib.] And alleggeth (in certeyne,)[St. & Tib.] Of sowlës the greetë[greet Tib., gret St.] peyne,[St. & Tib.] And gyveth to hem remyssyoun.[St. & Tib.] Wher-ffore I am callyd 'Orysoun,'[St. & Tib.] That do off ffolkës the message To[to St., And to Tib.] god, by fful swyffte passage. The requestës I kan speede, Off ffolke that preye in love and dreede, And make the procuracyoun Off Práyere and off Orysoun. ANd with the kyng (take heede also, Who hath any thyng ado To expleyten his laboure) I am cheveste procuratoure;[St. & Tib.] And euere my supplycacyoun,[St. & Tib.] Whanne[Whan St., Euere Tib.] it is grownded on resoun,[St. & Tib.] It is never, I dar devyse,[St. & Tib.] Not refusyd, in no wyse.[St. & Tib.] WHerffore, by the reed off me, Ȝeue thow wolte[wilt St.] gon to that Cyte, I schal the schewe the ryghtë[ryght Tib., St.] way, And the passage (it is no nay) Gladdely eke, ȝeue it may pleese. 'And also, ffor to doon thè eese, I schal the lene a mansyoun, To make thyne habytacyoun: It sytte wel, bothe[bothe om. St.] to hygh and lowe, Thy comynge ther afforne be[to St.] knowe; ffor who that schal haue there entre, Knowe, to-ffornë, it muste be; Nor nó man may haue there hostáge, But I to-fforne do his message. 'And off the theeff, in his hangynge,[Tib. & St.] Whanne he henge by the myghty kynge[Tib. & St.] Crist ihesu, vp-on the roode, 'That deyed ffor oure alder goode; Off whom the theeff fful humbely Axed off that lord mercy; The samë tyme, ffor his socoure, I[I St., And Tib.] wente afforne enbassatoure, And trewëly dyde his message, And madë[To make St.] redy his passage, That he myght resseyued be In Paradys, that ffayre contre. ANd semblabely, as by my reed, By this exaumple take good heed, That thow bé not putte in blame, Thy-silffë, ffor to do thé schame. Thow haste as greet neede, at a preeff,[? meeff Tib.] I[in St.] sothe, as haddë the seyde theeff. And, to ffurther thy vyage, I wole my silffe don thi message.' ¶ The Pylgryme: ANd thanne anoon, with humble cheere I thankyd tho vnto Preyere, And seyde, "my causë to amende, That to-fforne I wolde hir sende, ffor my reffute and my socoure, ffor to ben my procuratoure." Anoon affter, in certeyne, Whanne I hadde the placë seyne, And, by cleer inspeccyoun, Made my vysitacyoun, ANd in my way as I gan go, Within the placë to and ffro,[St. & Tib.] Of aventurë me by-fforn,[St. & Tib.] I sawgh one that blewe an horn,[St. & Tib.] And made a noysë wonder lowde.[St. & Tib.] And (as I espyen koude)[St. & Tib.] In organys and in sawtrye[St. & Tib.] She made a wonder melodye.[St. & Tib.][Illumination: the Pilgrim, with a Woman at an Organ, blowing a cow's horn; beyond, a table with a Harp on it. One large and five small windows in the room.] WHom I by-sought, off hardynesse, To me, that sche wolde expresse, (Off hir grace, in goodly wyse,) Her office, and her servyse. ¶ Latrya:[λατρεία, the state of a hired workman.] 'Off this placë, ffolkes alle, 'Latrya'[Lat-er-ïa] they me calle. Myne offyce is moste in wakynge, To kepe the gate aboute the kynge. I wacchë thereon, day and nyght, Do my fforse,[servys St.] and eke my myght, ffor to lyne[ly St.] aye in awayt, That there be ffounden no dysceyt. Nowther behynde nor beforn;[Tib. & St.] ffor thanne anoon I blowe myn horn.[Tib. & St.] 'Who lythe to longe, I make hym ryse; Slogardes allë, I[all I do St.] chastise, And to slouthe I do greet sorewe; ffor, bothe at eeue and eke at morew, I kepe the howrës off rysynge, To do worschipe vnto[vnto St., to Tib.] the kynge. Allë ffolkës vp I calle, That no slomber on hem ffalle. 'Myne horne is Invocacyoun Off Deus in adiutorium: I blowe myn horn toward mydnyght, To reyse vp ffolkës anoon ryght; I suffre hem not, off sleep to deye. Myne orgones, I tempre ffor to pleye, And vp-on hem I make a sown With-outen Intermyssyown.sine intermissione orare. St. om. Tib. 'And trewely, alle my melodye Is in songe off Persalmodye.[and psalmody St.] And, devoutely, in myne ententis, I callë so myne Instrumentis; ffor thylkë kyng that is most stronge, Moste hym delytyth in swyche songe; To hym it[it om. St.] is moste pertynente, Whanne it is songe off good entente, In clennesse and in purete.' And while that Latrya spak to me, I sawgh the lady, whiche in[lady within St.] hir handys Whiche I off spak, that bar the bondys,[bands St.] Sad and demure off hir vysage. To me sche takyth hir passage: ¶ Obedyence: 'TElle me,' quod sche, 'on euery part Verely what that thou art,[Stowe MS., Tib. burnt] And the truthë specifye,[Stowe MS., Tib. burnt] Yf thou come ought as espye[St. & Tib.] Into this placë, to or[and St.] ffro,[St. & Tib.] Or thou eny ffurther go.'[St. & Tib.] ¶ The Pylgryme: "MAdame," quod I, "haue on me ruthe. I am no spyë, in good trouthe; My purpos is, and that anoon,[St. & Tib.] To Ierusalem ffor to goon.[St. & Tib.] And, the weyës as I sought,[St. & Tib.] Hedre grace dieu me brought[St. & Tib.] Only my wayë ffor tabrygge,[St. & Tib.] And to eschewe eche other brygge."[St. & Tib.] ¶ Obedyence:[latria St.] 'Tolde she the not (ȝeue thow haue mynde,)[St. & Tib.] Here-in that thow scholdest ffynde[St. & Tib.] Beddës harde, and no thyng soffte, As it is I-prevëd offte Off ffolke off euery maner age: And heere is a fful hard passage.' ¶ The Pylgryme: "HOw harde euere that it be, Trewely I schal it take at gre; To gracë dieu, what that I kan, Serue hir as hir trewë man."[St. & Tib.] ¶ Obedyence:[latria St.] 'Take heder thy ffeet and thyne hondes;'There is only one more after leaf in MS. Cott. Tib. A. vii, and the portion of the poem contained on that leaf,—which is nearly illegible,—is not missing in Vit. c. xiii.—W. WOOD (copier).[St. & Tib.] I shall them bothë knett in bands. thow shalt ha ges [lyke] a faucon, 'only of entencïoun, without eny contrariouste, that [thou] shalt ylured be.' Pilgrim: she band me foot and hand also, that to mevë to ne fro I hadd no maner lyberte; nor my tongë was not fre for to speke, but by lycence; nor in the seller, nor in the spence, ete nor drynkë on no syde, but lycens were my gyde.[6-syllable line] And, for tacounte the terme entier, the space of xxxix[nine and thirty] yere I was bound of volunte, to obedience (as ye may se), as the statuts, fayn and well, bound the folk of that castell. and truly, in hert nor in thought, my bondës[bonds St.] greuyd me ryght nought; but (as it comythe to rémembraunce) ther befell a wondar chaunce: the portar happede on a day to ben fer out of the way; the kynge was absent eke also; and, in absence of bothë two, (and the gatë was vnshet,) ther cam in, withoutë[without St.] let, a thefe, that no man coude espye, that was callyd Falls Envye: hir two doughtars, the ton, 'Treson' called / the tother, 'Detractïon': with them (by gret cruelte) Scilla, a monstre of the se, and her hounds hir folowynge with grete noyse and gret barkynge. and this meyne, in the castell madë noyse and gret revell: In a lenton (who lyst se) they made the ladyes for to fle out of thilkë holy boundes. and Scilla folowed with hir hounds, gan at them sore enchace; and Envy, thrughe all the place, with hir doughters (out of doute,) gan to seke me round about. they were conspiryd allë[all St.] thre playnly to devoure me, only by conspiracïon of envie and detraccïon. their felowship I forsoke; and anon an horse I toke, for to flyen, with all my myght, to escape out of hir syght. and truly, for no maner rape, theyr treynës[treyns St.] I myght not eskape. quod Scilla then, (of gret despyt,) 'he wenythe for to have respit, and by his horse to bene socowryd, that he shall nat ben devowryd of vs by persecutïon.' 'ye, for áll that,' quod Treason, 'as it is [vn]to vs dwe, aftar hym we shall pursue. what maner of horsse myght he have, that from owr daunger shuld hym save?' Scilla: quod Scilla, 'I shall well telle, yf ye lyst a whilë dwelle: this horse is cawlyd 'Good Renowne,' whiche hathe (in conclusyon) fowr fette hym to susteyne; and ellës[ells St.] (without eny wene) he shuld (to his confusïon,) at myscheffe halten even a-downe, with thre, tweynë, or with one, vpryght he shuld nevar gon, but stomble aye, and gon a-myse. 'the firstë[first St.] fote of his horse is, that he have no condicïon 'sownynge to dyffamacïon, this is to seyne, touchynge shame, that he be voyde of dyffame. 'The second, (to his ádvantáge,) that he be borne out of serváge: this to meane, that he, in all, out of thraldome be lyberall. 'The third, (withouten all outráge,) to be borne in trwe mariáge. 'the fourthe is, a foot full good, of nature that he be nat wood, nor that he, by no frolage, be nat fallen into rage. 'thesë fowre feet (in sothnesse), of truthë all-way bere witnesse; but we (by conspiratïoun) shall maken hym alryght a-doune; and, shortly, (to owr avayle), here-on we shall haue a consayle.' and, lyke to theyr opynyon, fyrst ther spake Detractïon: quod she, 'I can a noble songe that aye resownythe vnto wronge, That Dan of Inuidia[Fiat Dan coluber in via, cerastes in semita, mordens ungulas equi, ut cadat ascensor ejus retro.—Genesis xliv. 17.] ffiat coluber in via. 'this songe I wot ryght welle,' quod she, 'was I-songen first for me. to vse it, I am nat rekles, I am the horned Cerastes,[κεράστης, cerastes, a horned serpent.] whiche evar (as ferforthe as I may,) trace ever the wrongë way. and covertly, in my werkynge, I vsë for to byte and stynge; with tethe & tonge I do most wrake, evar behynden at the bake. 'the horsë of hym, in diffame, [. . . . . . no blank in MS.] so priveily I shall disceyve, that he shall nat apparceyve. I shall be falshed so prevyd, 'to make hym halten in some syde; whiche so sorë shall hym greve, that he shall not mowe releve.' 'Sothly,' quod tho Treason, 'that good was hir oppinion.' and when she hadd hir talë do, echon they accordyd well therto; the houndës[hounds St.] stoden at abaye and gan barke, by gret affray. and at[të] last, Detraccïon made myn hors to falle a-doun, and to halten in swyche wyse that I myghtë[myght St.] nat a-ryse: withe a tonge of a serpent myne horse and I were bothë shent; And doun at erthe, in gret affray, amonge the houndës ther I lay. and aftar (by great felonye) I was assaylyd by Envye; and with thre sperës sharpë ground, she gave to me many a wound. and of Scilla, the cruell hounds, gaue me many mortall wounds; I was to-torne with ther chas. and than cam Treason with hir mas, hevy as a clobbe of leed, and ther-of set me on ye hede; lege and arme she brake in twayne, that yet I fell the gretë[gret St.] payne of that ylkë mortall stryffe, and shall felle it all my lyffe. and whill I lay thus in a traunce of grete anoye and grete grevaunce, those oldë[old St.] vekkës dispitious,[No gap in MS.] they me left in full gret drede, wenynge that I had be dede. and comfort, truly was ther none, for all my fryndës[frynds St.] werë gon: in prison, lay Charite; Mercy was hound, & eke Pitie, whiche lykyd me nothyng well. and Scilla cawsyd everydell; for my sorow and my grevaunce was to her full gret pleasaunce; and it grevyd hir full sore that I haddë[MS. had] harme no more; and she (of indignatïon,) made a quarell to Treason, that she dyd no more vengaunce, to encrese my wofull chaunce. wherfore I (in myn entent) I axyd a ryghtfull iugëment, cast my gage tofore the kynge, to have amende of all this thynge; and, for this great transgressïon, I made a-pele vppon Treson; and complaynynge thus my wo, I lay, and turnyd to and fro, maymyd in so mortall wyse that I myghtë[myght St.] nat aryse on my fete, for gret destrese; and vpreard my-selfe to drese. I madë me a leg of tre to rysen (yf it wold ha be); and that leg (in my discese) dede me after full gret ese; for, to my gret confusïon, lost I haddë[had St.] my bordon; I mist not wherë, in serteyn, tyll Gracë Dieu it brought ageyn, whiche that found it on a day at the turnynge of a waye. and in thes wofull áuentures, as I anoynted my bresures, complaynynge early on a morow, as I lay, and madë sorowe, when phebus, with his bemës bryght, gilt the hyllës[hylls St.] with his lyght, to chase the mystës that were derke, to me there come a full old clerke, whom, sythë tyme that I was bore, I had nevar sene tofore; and his booke on me he layd, and euen thus to me he sayd: Ouidius: quod he, 'of true affectïon, I ha gret compassyon on thy sorowe and on thy doole, that thow liggest here all soole in grete myscheffe (as semethe me) wher-of I haue full gret pyte.' Pilgrim: "for to put me in certeyne, I pray the that thou woldest seyn thy name openly to me, that I myghtë[myght St.] thanken the." Ouidius: 'of my name it stondethe thus; I am callyd Ovydius, whiche loue thee, more than thou canst wene:— here-aftar it shall be sene. and yf thow haddyst, her-to-forne, in my tyme, in sothe be borne, to thy consolatïon I shold haue towght thee a lessonne, whiche shuld ha be to thy plesaunce, and shuld ha made thee in substaunce ffull sufficiaunt, in many a thynge, bothe in doctryne and in connynge. but I am comë to denounce a sertayn curse, & to pronounce, on allë[all St.] thilkë the sentence, whiche vnto the ha don offence. whiche sentence (in wordës[words St.] fewe) to the in latyn I shall shewe, Terra sibi fruges & cetera /' Pilgrim: whan his vers weren all ysayd, vnto hym thus I abrayd: "that ye (of true affectïon,) have on me compassyon, on my doolle and on my smert. I thankë yow with all myn hert; but I ha no devosyon In cursynge nor in malison; I shall delay[e]n all cursynge, tyll tymë that the myghty kynge, by iugëment, eche thyng shall deme, as vnto hym it shall but seme, of ryghtwisenessë, to provide." and in this wise, the clerke Ovide went his way, and leftë[left St.] me lyggynge in great adversitie; and to expresse (in complaynynge) my gretë[great St.] sorow by writynge, I will myn ownë namë shewe, sette out by lettars on a rowe at the gynnynge of this ditie in eche ballad as ye may se, of Frenche and Lattyn, bothe I-fere, ryght anon as ye shall here. hauythe me excusyd of my rudenesse, thowghe I to you my name expresse: [ACROSTIC OF GUILLAUME DE DEGUILVEVILLE'S NAME: GUILLERMUS DE DEGUILEVILLA.] Grato messium tempore, Quant nature sez beauxbeaux, Petit print, om. St. fruiz dore,Stowe ends here. The rest is copied from Petit's French edition of Le romant des trois Pelerinaiges. Le premier pelerinaige est de l'homme durant qu'est en vie. . . ab. 1500. Foeillet .lxxxiiij. col. 2, sign. l.iiij. Et prompta sunt in liquore Ses vins qu'encore pas n'affore, Quo folium in arbore Se commence a deuenir sore, Et boreas in equore Si n'est pas trop nuysant encore. VIdi scriptum in margine Ou cestuy escript s'enracine, Mirandam pulcritudine, Grace dieu, du ciel royne digne, Me vocantem ex nomine: 'Vien auant, et si t'achemine Mecum, quia regimine Tu as mestier, et de doctrine.' ILla me duxit prospere En l'ung des chasteaulx de son pere, Exhortando summopere, Que l'un de leans ie fusse frere, Virginique puerpere, Estoille de mer pure et clere, Me servum vellem tradere, En la faisant ma bonne mere. LEgis audite nouelle, Plaisante me fut la nouuelle, Nam, mel mundi mixtum felle, Si me nuysoit à la forcelle. Tunc pellem dedi pro pelle, Pour seruir à ceste pucelle, Puro sperans frui melle, Pour quoy la vie se renouuelle. LOngo cursu pacifice Remains ou chastel sans malice, Vtilitati publice Entendant, selon mon office. Sparsim apparent rubrice A tout chascun, s'il n'est trop nyce, Nam factum est theatrice, Sans quelconque notable vice. EA propter prodiente D'une cauerne pestilente, Inuidia furiente, Et du bien de l'autruy dolente, Improuise ac repente, Scilla la lisse pullulente, Proditione presente, Sans nul delay me mist en vente. RAbida sic orta peste, De corner fist tres grant moleste Cum canibus atque reste; Moy, comme vne sauuaige beste, Alba circumtecta veste, De chasser se monstra moult preste; Alta echo bosci teste, Trop me fut ceste chace agreste. ME persequens indefesse, La tres cruelle veneresse, Ac violenter me subesse Fist a ses chiens hors de lesse, Sicque clamare necesse Bien me fut, pour yssir de presse, Sed, si potuit prodesse, N'est pas bien ceste chose expresse. VAluisset facta pace, Se trahison vne autre trace Non intrasset sine face, Afin qu'on n'apperceust la face; Nam, duce nicticorace, Par le coup d'une grosse masse, Ostenso vultu fallace, Si m'abatit en my la place. SIc persequitur peruerse Tous temps / et assault et reuerse Viros, sinderesis terse, Faulse trahison la peruerse; Et timendum, si sic per se, Au dedans du chastel conuerse, Me per hanc oues disperse Soient par maniere bien diuerse. DEtraction cum murmure, Pour luy ayder, tres grande cure Subministrant, et gutture, Par le dur glaiue qui trop dure; Asseruntque de iure, Que faire doyuent grant iniure Hominibus vite pure, Que le susdit chastel enmure. EXpertus hoc minis dure, Soustiens leur griefue forfaicture, Maxime cum nullo rure; Bestes y ait de tel facture, Turpissime sunt figure, Et sans ouuraige de nature; Vnde earum iacture Plus griefues me sont sans mesure. DE quarum turpitudine, Et du tout mauuaise conuine, Exaratur in margine, De ceste voye ou ie chemine, Non quod alie pagine D'auctorite saincte et diuine, Maiores certitudine N'en contiennent mieulx la doctrine. EArum tormentum graue, Plus assez que cy ne l'agraue Sustinui / non pro caue Trahison qui les maulx encaue, Sepe mihi dicens aue, Combien qu'elle me fust moult haue, Me prostrauit ictu claue, En faisant de moy son espaue. GRauiter sic, et nocue, El m'abatit de sa massue, Constat ouibus pascue, Que bien i'ay ma peine perdue, Et castrum superuacue, Pour auoir la teste tondue, Intraui nam precipue; Mon esperance y est rompue. VT seruirem virge iesse, Me mist grace de dieu en lesse; Quod fruerer magna messe, M'acertena par grant promesse; Sed video nunc expresse, Dont grande doleur mon cueur presse, Quod egredi est necesse, Et ailleurs celebrer ma messe. ID, si seruato ordine, Et bonne paix a marie digne, De qua, cum moderamine, A elle plaindre ie me fine. Potuissem pro nemine Qui en cestuy monde chemine, Stetissem tanto turbine, Demourant hors de discipline. LEgatus celi curie Pleust a saincte vierge marie, Quatinus nunc summarie, Et de plain sans point farderie, Cognosceret ex serie, Se ie dy voir ou menterie, Et quis currentis furie A punicion demerie. EX hoc iustificatiue, A bon aduis tournant l'estriue, Deus auctoritatiue Osteroit tout ce qui estriue; Impediret causatiue Sa nef, qu'à bon port elle n'arriue, Simul, et miseratiue Me feroit il grace hastiue. VTinam nutu gratie, Gardienne qu'est de ma vie, Impetum tante furie, En memoire ie n'eusse mie; Sed defectus iusticie, Qui ou poulce fut endormie Im cellula memorie, Trestous les iours Harou i'en crie. ILlud nesciens nescire, A dur colier mon ame tire, Presertim cum inuenire Je ne puisse, ou trouueray mire, Qui iam velit subuenire A ma playe las qui s'empire Ex descensu magne ire, Dont souuent ie ne suis pas sire. LVcis creator optime, Estre vueillez fort animé Succurrendi promptissime A tel grief dont suis opprimé! Et sum certus firmissime, Se luy est mon fait intimé, Michi succurret proxime, Et sera mon vieil roil limé. LEgi quodam volumine, Quant fait est bien examiné Justicie libramine, Qui a tort, est tantost miné; Et iustus not redit sine Honneur, quant le plait est finé, Et iudici sine fine Est vray salut predestiné. ARbores solis et lune, Se m'eussent dit quant ie fuz né, Cui casui vel fortune Je seroye ioinct et aduné, Non dedissem causam prime Pour ainsi estre destiné, Nam semper me trahens fune, Grande trahison m'a esgruné.The French goes on:— OR ai ie dit que vne aduenture Au chastel ie trouuay moult dure, Pour le portier qui ne fut pas A la porte gardant le pas, Que cestes vieilles n'y entrassent, Et que leurs chiens n'y amenassent; Mais pour ce ne doy ie pas taire Ce que par apres i'en vy faire. This French edition was 'corrected' by a Monk of DeGuilleville's monastery, and was printed in or about 1500 by "Maistre Barthole et Jehan petit" (title, last line), and "A paris, Au soleil d'or / en la maison Maistre bertholde" (Fo. j. back, col. 1), as the "Correcteur," P. Virgin, says. Prof. Paul Meyer refers me to three other Acrostics by DeGuileville on his own name: 1. in Le Pèlerinage de l'Ame, Roxburghe Club, 1895, p. 57-64, in alternate French and Latin lines, beginning Grace Dieu, du ciel royne, Semper regnans sine fine, Cognoissant pous et orine, Et magistra medicine . . . and making the writer's name "Guillermus de Guillevilla" as above; 2. in the same volume, an Acrostic in French only, in three separate sections—the third in but a few MSS.—p. 348-53, 376-8 (see note, p. 356 there), having the guile with one l only: "Guillermus de Guilevila"; this begins, p. 348:— Gracieuse est l'assemblée Qui n'est onques dessemblée, Et en rien n'est descordable, Qui en .iii. est distincter . . . 3. In the Pèlerinage Jhesucrist, Roxburghe Club, 1897, p. 119-130, in French only. This begins:— Glorieus Dieu, dont te vint il Qu'envoias ci aval ton fil, Et que pelerin le fëis Bien savoies, qu'en tel courtil, N'avoit pour li May ne Avril, Et son soulas point n'i vëis. This Acrostic makes the name "Guillermus de Deguilevilla"; but the editor of the Roxburghe volume, the late Prof. Stürzinger, notes on p. 125 that ten MSS. leave out one couple of the De stanzas, thus reducing the name to "Guillermus de Guilevilla." I may add here that the prose treatise on the Virgin as the sinner's Refuge from Tribulation, and the Consolation of Afflicted Hearts, p. 437, etc., above, is substituted by Lydgate for about a page of DeGuileville's French verse, Foeillet. lvij., cols. 2-4, which I shall print in the Forewords to this Part II. now I ha told myn ádventure of all that evar I dyd endure, of Scilla and her houndës fell, and eke (as ye ha hard me tell) of Envy and of Treason, and of falce Detractïon. how they ha wrought to my hyndrynge In the absens of the kynge and of his portar, in sertayne. But when they were come home agayne, and enteryd in-to the castell, it lyked me ryght wonder well. a-non I went to his presens, and tolde hym of the gret offens whiche that Scilla with hir hounds had don to me within his bounds, by the conspiracïon of Envy and [of] Treason: my wrong I dyd specifye. the kynge a-non let make a crye, that were-so-evar they myght be found in towne or in citie, that folkë shuld them sparë nought, to his presens till they were brought. for he cast hym, anone ryght, on them to done iustice and ryght, that they go no more at large; and gave his porter eke in charge forto shette the gatës sore, that they entre there no more, nor that they have ther no chere. and then I saughe a messagere wher the kynge of custome dwells, In the castell ryngë bells, for to maken ássemblé, where the kynge set in his se, of the ladyes that ther dwell, (of whome to-forne ye have herd tell,) that suffred gret oppressyon of Envy and Detraccïon, of Scillas houndës,[hounds St.] by berkynge, in th[e] absens of the kynge, of their drede and mortall rage, wher-of they suffred gret damage. 'Madams,' quod this messegere, 'the kynge, most myghty of power, whiche hathe, in great charitie, (in effecte, as ye shall se,) and purposethe in his entent, he hathe be longe from yow absent, (as ye know yowr-selffe full well,) but of new, to this castell, he is come for his pleasaunce; and he hathe made an ordynaunce and statutës full covenáble, to yow echon ryght profytable, commaundynge yow, echon, in dede, that, hens-forthe, ye ha no drede of your enemys, nor hevynesse, but that yow do yowr besynesse (as it is the kyngës[kyngs St.] will) yowr office truly to fulffyll, 'as ye dyd, when ye began, and bettar, yf ye bettar can; for the kynge (as ye shall se) will on your foon avengid be: to yow I ha no more to say.' than the messengar went his way, and thes ladys, by good advyse, full truly dyd theyr offyse, evereche, lyke to ther degre, voyde of all contrariouste; and (shortly for to devyse) wher that truthë and iustice be truly kept in any place, I dare sayne ther abydythe grace; And where the gatë is kept well, of palays, maner, or castell, that vycis may ha none entrie, that place stant in suërte, and eche thynge tournethe for the best; for, ther is peace, and ther is rest, and evar gladly, to theyr forthynge, ther abyte the ryghtffull kynge; and ther is suraunce & eke trust. and afftar this, I had a lust, cawght in my-selfe a great corage, for to holden my passage, and greatly gan my selffe delyght, dyvers castells to vysyte, for to consythar the maner of euery maner offycer, How euerych dede in his degre.[MS. Cott. Vitell. C. xiii,, begins again.] and it is good, a man to se many thyngës, and to here, for therby a man may lere[C. & St.] ful moche thynge outward by syght,[C. & St.] and take example to done right.[C. & St.] And whan I hadde ther-to lycence[lycens St.] I wente and dede my diligence[dylygens St.] to visiten, and to se ful[ful om. St.] many wonderful countre. and ther[ther St., om. C.] I fond ful gret foysoun Of many dyuers Religyoun; and I saugh, of many oon, The gretë bondës euerychon broke, that shuld hem wel conserve, yef they wold hem wel observe, Kepe hem from al aduersite, as here-to-forn ye dedë se, Whan the smale wikres[wyrks St. (See p. 588, above.)] brak, The hopës wenten al to wrak, And many shippes for lak, allas, Was yperysshed[peryshyd St.] in the same cas, and brought vnto confusïoun, (toforn as is maad[made is St.] mensïoun) for lak in their gouernaunces, Nat kepyng their obseruaunces. And her-vpon I ferther wente to senë[sene St., sen C.] more (in myn entente). And withyne a litel space I cam into a noble place; and at the gate I saugh somers; and on hem sittë,[sat St.] fressh of chers, Aungels, of gret vertu;[6-syllable line] and hafter hem, kam Gracë Dieu, fresshly Ridyng in a char. and the gate (I was wel war) Of the castel stood vnshet. and truëly, whan I had met the Somers, I gan enquere[C. & St.] of oon, that he wold[ë] lere[C. & St.] goodly, and informë me,[C. & St.] whos the somers sholdë[shold St.] be,[C. & St.] Which hadde, vpon hir weye,[C. & St.] Aungels hem to conveye,[6-syllable line][C. & St.] Only for to make hem strong. The aungel: 'To Grace Dieu,' quod he, 'they long.' The pilgrym: Quod I to oon that rood behynde, "telle me wher I shal hir fynde." The Aungel: Quod thaungel, 'as it is due, her, in hast, she shal vs sue.'[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And in my way so I me bar, that I fonde hir in hir char; and a-mong hir folkës alle, benignëly[benyngly St., benigly C.] she gan me calle, and bad I shold ek ha no fere to tellë what I dedë there. The pilgrym: And I answeryd[answeryd St., answerd C.] anon ryght, how I wente to haue a syght of sondry castelles (it is no doute,) that in the countre stood aboute, and of folkës gouernaunce, that ther abood for her plesaunce. Grace dieu: Graciously, y-wys, quod she, 'Now thou hast yfounden me toforn or that I was ago. but (withoutë[without C., St.] wordës mo), come and folwe on after me, and many thyngës thou shalt se.' and she ladde me, vp and doun, by many diuerse mansïoun, In cloystres, as wentë tho Round about, to and fro:[6-syllable line] ther I saugh vertues and ek vices, and many dyuerse edifices. I saugh ther places ruynous, and to dwelle in / perillous. she shewed me, on our walkyng, an oldë lady ther haltyng, and (as by her contenaunce,) She haddë ther gret gouernaunce: she bar a Rewle of a masoun, and pleyed by derysïoun, and (as I coudë tho espie) by a maner mokerye. In hir hand (as I was war) a gretë[gret C., grete St.] spoon also she bar; and as she reysed it a-lofte, to hir mouth she putte it ofte.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And also (as to my reward,) hir hed was turned ek bakward, that toforn (as I ha mynde,) Was turned and ysette behynde. [Grace Dieu]: Quod Grace dieu a-noon to me, 'at the eyë thou mayst se; this hous (yef thou canst espye,) whilom was by masounrye bilt, and founded spiritually by sent Benet, feithfully by lyne and level of masoun, thorugh gostly foundacïoun, for which, whilom parmanable, it was tabidë the mor stable. 'conceyve also, (by my doctryne,) thyng that is maad by rule and lyne, In it self hath more beaute tendure, and mor stabilite. but whan the masoun was agoon, the rulë wente, and that a-noon, and the lynë stood nat faire Whan the rulë gan apaire; and thus the rule, and ek the lyne, bothe attonës gan declyne. and feithfully, in this castel, the rulë was nat kept ryght wel; for, sith the halt held this place,[See 1. 23,444] al good rulë gan difface. of vertu ek she is so bare, the edifices to repare; for the old fundacïoun, She hath nat but derisïoun; She reccheth nat what-euere falle; thaugh the stoonës fallen alle, 'of vertu, bilden in the place; for, save to play and to solace, I dar sey she, in hir werkyng, Intendeth to noon other thyng.'[St. & C.] The Pylgrym: "Ma dame," quod I, "to my semyng, this placë first, in his bildyng, (Who consydereth euerydel) the masounry was nat maad wel, Was not duely maad, nor stable, Sith it is not parmanable." Grace Dieu:[St., om. C.] 'Touchyng the bildyng, tak good heed: the masounry, (it is no dreed,) I dar ful wel thy-self assure, it was maad for to endure, and to haue last[lust C., last St.] for many yer, Save oonly the morter Was not iustly (as I ha sayd) stably among the stoonës layd, ffounded vpon true entent more stedfastly than is cyment. 'It was first maad of orisouns, of fastyng and affliccïouns, to holde the cloystre round about by stablenesse, and not gon out into the world, vagabound, the edifices to confound; but in their cloystres stille abyde in mekënesse, and not in pryde, Haue their frequentacïouns in prayër and in orisouns; erly on morwen to aryse, in vertu to haue excercyse; and at festës more and lasse, oftë tymës syngë masse. 'this was whilom, (I you ensure,) of their morter, the temprure, founded vppon charyte, on concord and fraternyte, 'In love and in perfeccïoun, Voyde of al devisïoun, In parfit pes and vnyte of high and lowe in their degre, for love only of crist ihesu. 'And yef the morter, in his vertu, had abide in stabilnesse, Withouten eny doublenesse, Lich the first fundacïoun, The werkë[werk C., worke St.] nad not falle a-doun, but stable stonde in his degre. 'and now, echon ha liberte, at þeir lust, to slepe and wake; and noon other hed[heode St.] ne take forto kepe their óbseruaunce: and thus, for lak of gouernaunce, Pes from hem, and vnyte, Exilëd is, and charyte. 'thát whilom gaff drynke and foode, and vnto pore their lyvëloode, oonly of mercy and pyte, and, held hospitalyte; and, of euery manere age, gaf to pore folk herbegage, such as thei seyen, in distresse, in myschif, and in Seknesse.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Ma dame (and ye list take hede,) Who hath nought, (it is no drede,) may not parten his Almesse to folk that Leven in distresse." Grace Dieu:[St., om. C.] 'Thow seyst soth, (as thynketh me,) but wher thou leggest pouerte, whilom thei had suffisaunce, plente ynowh, and hábundaunce, whan thei worsheped in special The myghty kyng that gaf hem al suffisaunce in euery lond;[land . . .hand St.] but now he hath withdrawe his hond[land . . .hand St.] 'for their offences; this the fyn: ther goodës drawen to declyn; for thei be Rekles of livyng forto serue that noble kyng; and, for slouth and necligence, they doon in o thyng gret offence. ffor wher the lord (in his degre) Duely shuld honnourëd[honoryd shuld St.] be, the place is not, with diligence, Clenly kept with reuerence; for beforn, and ek behynde, Yraynes and webbës men may fynde; and also ek, (yef thou take hede,) Swalwes and othre bryddës brede; and also ek (through al their boundes) dong of doggës and ek of houndes, nettles and wedës round aboute, in cymyterys ful gret route, lich a disert or places[place St.] wilde, wher no man hath lust to bilde, Replevisshëd of al ordure, as it were withouten cure; and many oother dishonestës, bestial in ther degres, mor than I can here devyse. 'ánd crist ihesus dede iustyse on hem that in the temple solde: becausë oonly thei were bolde to done dishonnour to his hous, he was in party Regerous, As the gospel kan you telle; he bett hem out with a flagelle, That noon of hem durst abyde. 'Wherfore this halte that here is guyde, list nat, of hir frowardnesse, suchë[suche St., such C.] thyngës to redresse, nor do seruyse in hir werkyng for tentende vpon the kyng: her look, hir cher, (as ye may se,) is vpon worldly vanyte, 'and al hir hertes besynesse, rather than on holynesse; for which the kyng (iustly and wel, that considereth euerydel) hem to quytë wil not cesse, maketh their goodës to discresse; and, for their pompe and their pryde, Set her Richesse out a-syde, ámenusyng their substance, their tresour and their hábundance, Which made hem first their[theyr St., the C.] lord forsake. 'therfore he can it fro hem take Whan-euere he list, who lokë wel; ffor the Prophete Ezechel[ezechiell St.] Writeth, (who so taketh hede) Idelnesse, plente of bred, caused (in conclusïoun) of Sodom the distruccïoun.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "I pray yov, telle on a-noon ryght, She that halteth in my syght, What is hir name, and hir offys, of whom ye sette[is set St.] so litel prys?" Grace Dieu:[St., om. C.] 'To make a playn discripcïoun, She is called 'Abusïoun,' because, the good that god hath sent, by hir thei ben wrongly dispent,[spent St.] And ageyn his wul[will St.] abused; Wherof she may nat ben excused. 'She halt a rule of a masoun, only by fals collusïoun; for, to the rule that she is bounde, (Whan the trouth is sough[t][known St.] and founde, Therto she haveth no reward,) Hir hed ytourned is bakward; Vnto the world she cast hir look, Wich, vnder colour, she forsook. 'hir spon also doth signefye the foulë vice of Glotonye, 'for, ageyn ryght and al Resoun, by force and vsurpacïoun, she hath forsake the vnyte of fraternal antiquyte, by perfeccïoun to contune to haue hir goodës in comune. 'but this fals Abusïoun, only by vsurpacioun In Religioun (who list se), fonde out the vice of propurte, Which is thyng most vicïous, rennyng among religïous, Which causeth ofte discord and stryf, contrary to Thapostles lyf. 'In propurte (ye may ther rede) thei ne dide nothyng possede; her good was comoun, in certeyn. Wherfore the Spon that thou hast seyn ys callede 'Syngularyte,' thyng to possede in propurte; to gedre the fattë (thus I mene,) vnto hir self, and leve the lene: As the Prophete Ezechiel, to the sheperdes of Israel Spak and wrot, ful yore a-go: 'Sorwe be to you, and wo, that ne take to nothyng hede, but your silven[selvs St.] forto fede; not lik sheperdes of cristus hous; but verray wolvës Ravinous, liggyng awayt, bothe nyght and day, forto devoure what thei may: they takë bothë mylk and wolle; and the fatte, away thei pulle with the spoon of cruelte ycalled Syngularyte, thei Robbë pantener and purs, and gete hem oftë Cristes cours.[curs St.] 'ffor which cause, I, Abusïoun, ám come of entencïoun 'Such abusïouns to se, and their superfluyte to kutte away, which that thei vse, and their goodes to ámenuse. 'The Aungels han hem take away, Which thou mettest this same day, With gretë somers in sothnesse, ledyng away the gret Richesse, to parte it (of entencïoun) to folk that in deuocïoun lede her livës in comune, and in deuocioun do contune; such as in god gretly delyte, fro good to bet alway profyte. 'figure herof, ye may se, how that by olde Antiquyte, the bible ful wel can you tel, how the childre of Israel took of Egypt the Tresour In recompense of her labour. As for guerdoun, by dwëte Whan they passed the redë Se, they tooke in thyng by Robberye, as clerkës list to specifye; they barë[bare St., bar C.] with hem gret substaunce, only by Goddës ordynaunce, Egipciens (it is no drede) Were not worthy it to possede. 'and som folk deme off Resoun, that folk that haue possessïoun, and ben cursed of livyng, It is leful (by their demyng) forto spoylle hem duëly, and yeve it hem that ben worthy.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] Touchyng that oppynyoun, thus I answerd of Resoun: "god ne doth nat thus alway, who that conceyveth, day by day; for ther ys many an vsurer "in dyuers londës fer and ner, that wynnë gold ful cursedly, and it possede ful[ful, om. St.] vnworthily, how falsly that they come therto; and god suffreth that it be so; and yet, to pore they yeve no thyng, though they be ryghtful of livyng." Grace Dieu:[St., om. C.] 'As to thy conclusïoun, ther is noon solucïoun: god gaf neuere (fer nor ner,) licence to noon vsurer, that he shuld (I the ensure) ben admytted to fals vsure. god suffreth hem to han tresour, gold, Richesse, and gret honour: of al the tresour that they weld, To hym they shal acountës yeld.[C. & St.] first, they it wan[yt wan St.] by violence, of god hauyng no licence; wherfor, to their Dampnacïoun, he suffreth their pocessïoun, as he haddë[had C., St.] no reward; but he wil punysshe hem afterward, (though they for a while habound,) the vice of Vsure to confound. 'but goodës of religïous, that was yeve in-to[wnto St.] her hous In ther first foundacïoun, their tresour and possessïoun, it was yove hem of almesse for their gretë perfitnesse, of entent that, day and nyght, that they shold, with al their myght, Worshepe god with grete honours, and truely pray for their foundours. 'and iustly, this condicïoun is worth an obligacïoun. that[then St.] whan it falleth their fooly, that thei not vsë duëly 'their offices as thei sholde do, to kepe ther obseruaunces also (lich to their professïoun) in prayer and deuocïoun, god wil, of his ryghtful lawe, to chastice hem, his hond with-drawe, suffre her goodës to vnthryve, but if thei amende hem blive; yive it to hem that wil hym serue, and his comandëmentes obserue. 'herof ye may sen a figure fful wel rehersed in scripture: In Egipt whilom, how it fel, Whan the childre of Israel Wher[were St.] ther in subieccïoun al that ilkë regioun; thorugh their travaill and labour, was maad ryche of gret tresour; but afterward (as ye may se) Vij yeres of Sterylite folwed on, (as ye may red,) wherof Ioseph took good hed long a-forn, of high prudence; and þaugh his noble providence, Ageyn the hunger, Echë syde,[eche syde St., ech a syde C.] ful prudently gan to provide, and shop ther-fore a remedye, (as Genesis doth specifye;) for, thorugh the myght of goddës hond, he sustened al the lond from hunger and aduersite, The vij yer of Sterilite. 'but of al this gretë dede, thei of Egipt took non hede, to thanken (in especial) the myghti lord that gaf hem al; nor wolde suffre, in no wyse, Israel do sacrifyse; but held in subieccïoun, out of the lond of promyssioun. 'wherfore, merveille neuere a del, thaugh god suffred Israel, oonly of his ryghtwesnesse, to robben hem of their Richesse, and spoylen hem of their Tresour. god gaf it hem for their labour, And as for a mede in guerdoun, Departyng from that Regioun. 'They hadde disserued it of yore, by gret labour that sat hem sore, thorugh cónstreynt of Kyng Pharao, which wolde not suffren hem to go, Nor to departe in rest and pes, for no massage of Moyses;[message off mosese St.] but put hem euere in delay, 'and thus the lord can take a-way Richesse of folkës vicïous,[C. & St.] and yive it hem that be vertuous;[C. & St.] As he hath done here in this place: thou mayst beholde it with thy face.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Certes," quod I with hevy cher, "In other places mo than her (to tellë shortly, and not tarye) I ha beholde the contrary, wher folk, by gret deuocïoun, han kept their religïoun ful streytly, in gret honeste, that han falle in pouerte, bothe of liflood and vesture, that thei myghtë[myght C., St.] nat endure, Mischef hath hem brought so lowe. and fayn I wold the causë knowe, why god wil suffre their grevaunce, forto lakke their suffisaunce." Grace Dieu:[St., om. C.] Quod Grace Dieu a-noon to me, 'I wil herof answere the, and make therof no gret delay; but her cometh oon nov in our way, 'and I wil first, of good resoun, knowen his entencïoun; or go thy self, by my biddyng, And axe the cause of his comyng.' And sodeynly, good hede I took; and cast on syde on hym my look, which, lich a dwerf, (this the caas,) of his fetures shapen was. a pyk of Iren, sharp and longe, he held, that was of makyng strong. Pilgrim:[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And to me-ward his look he layde.[St., om. C.] but first, to hym ryght thus I sayde. "Telle on, thou dwerf, (ha no shame,) To vs, thyn office and thy name." Sterelite:[St., om. C.] 'I called am (yef thou list se) Of folkës alle, 'Sterility,' which ha this hous maad ful bareyn, bothe of frut and ek of greyn. Ther good, their lond, (yef it be sought,) I ha distruyed and brought to nought: This my craft and myn offys; and therfor (by gret avys) to castë folk in pouerte, I am called 'Sterilite;' foul and ougly of look and cher: In Egypt I dwellëd vij yer. wher I abyde, (be wel certeyn,) I make the land to be bareyn.' Grace Dieu:[St., om. C.] Quod Gracë Dieu, 'a litel space, Go thy way out of this place; and what-so-euere herafter falle, whan me list, I shal the calle.' And whan that tourned was his bak, Gracë dieu thus to me spak: 'touchyng the goodës, day be day, which that I ha take away fro this placë here present, 'I dide [it] oonly of entent that other folk shold it possede, which (bothe in wark and ek in dede,) lede her lyf in perfitnesse, In vertu, and more holynesse than thei which that her now be. 'and touchyng that thou askest me, Thou shalt haue answere therof noon. but first, I chargë the to goon to hir that is the Selerere of this place that stondeth here; aske hir (that thou mayst conceyve) touchyng the good she doth receyve, to telle the playnly al the guyse, how it is spent, and in what wyse. and, hir to knowe among hem alle, 'Purveyauncë' folk hir calle. and whan she hath declared al, thou shalt haue (in specïal) of the demaunde (by good resoun) a truë Declaracïoun, as it accordeth and is dwe. 'and forth my Somers I wil swe; for, in this place, on no syde, I caste me no lenger to abyde; nor neuere (to speke in wordës playn) hider[hethar St.] to retourne agayn, til the tyme that I may se that vertu and honeste Resortë by deuocïoun Into thys Religïoun.' And with that word, (as I was war,) I saugh hir gon in-to hir char. and in this while (of good entent, lich to hir comandëment) I wentë with a sobre chere, forth vnto the celere[re]. and, my iourne to avaunce, I knewe[knew St., knowe C.] hir by hir contenaunce; for (the trouthë[trouth C.] to expresse) She was of gret sobrenesse, of gret reuerence and honeste, and of gret maturyte; saad of look, and ek of cher, Egle-eyëd, bryght and cler. [The Pilgrim]: "Ma dame," quod I, "of good entent, Gracë Dieu hath to you sent, that ye sholde (in wordës fewe) the playnë trouthë[playn trouth C., playn truthe St.] to me shewe, wher ye puttë the rychesse that ye receyve, in sothfastnesse." Celerar:[St., after l. 23928, om. C.] And she that spak no word in vyyn, to me answerd thus agayn; 'al that I haue in my depos, from hir ther shal nothyng be clos. Kome forth in hast, and folwe me, and thou shalt the trouthë[trouth C., truthe St.] se.' and I cam after (for the best), and she gan vnlokke a chest, the whichë,[whiche St., which C.] whan I dedë se, I gan gretly abasshë me, for the huchche (it is no doute) was ful of holës round aboute; and at ech hole (as thoughtë[thought C., thowght St.] me) an hand put out, I didë se, (who[wher C., who St.]-so euere slepe or wake) Redy to receyve and[and St., and to C.] take. Pilgrim:[St., om. C.][Blank for Illumination.] I prayëd her, to specifye what thyng it dedë signefye. Celerar:[St., om. C.] 'To telle, and voiden al deceyt, this the place of the receyt of goodës, which that, day and nyght, kome to this place of verray ryght, (forto speke in general,) but this handes consumen al, Spende and waste on euery syde, 'that ther may no thyng abyde, for to departë by almesse to folk that liven in distresse.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Ma dame," quod I, "as semeth me, ye sholde, of ryght and equyte, The handës kerve, and kutte away, and stoppe the holës nyght and day." Provide[n]s Celerar:[St., om. C.] Quod Providence anoon to me, 'Thes, ben the handës thre,[6-syllable line] which that thevës (by assent) ar wont to vsen (of entent), I menë, pyratys of the Se, which bryngë folk in pouerte. 'The first hand of allë thre, ys called (lernë this of me,) 'the hand of Dymës,' by gadryng, To gadre vp dymës for the kyng. 'the tother hand, ful sorë pulles gold for trentals and for bulles, and dyuers subuencïouns and grevous contribucïouns, graunted (in especïal) at Chipytres[chapters St.] general. the handës do no thyng, nor werche, but waste the good of holy cherche.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "What hand is that (telle on, let Se,) Which hath an Eye (as thynketh me,) Sett in the myddës of the hand? for I saugh neuere (on Se nor land) Such another her-toforn, Sith the tyme that I was born." Providens:[St., om. C.] 'Be nat astonyed, neuere a del! this hand is (who so lokë wel,) of our noble Visitour, Which doth his peyne and his labour to looke for lucre and fals guerdoun, 'alway, for retribucïoun, they caste her eyë for wynnyng, and, ryght nought for ámendyng; take (in their entencïouns,) pans for[and St.] procuracïouns. ther entent, in no wyse,[6-syllable line] ys sett on ryght nor on iustice. 'ek other handës, mo than thre, han cast vs in gret pouerte.' [The Pilgrim:] With that word, makyng no delay, I took my leve and wente away.[my way St.] I hadde no leve, (shortly to telle,) but shop me hom to my castel. And on my wayë,[way C., St.] me be-fel,[No gap in either MS.] I mette an olde oon in that tyde, that to me kam on the left syde, Of whos look I was affrayed: hir handës partid, and displayed vpward to a castel wal, resemblyng (as me thought in al) That hir entent was to ascende vpon the wal, or to descende. a blak Ravoun[ravyn St.] (it is no doute,) took his flyght ful round aboute, Wher-so-euere that she went. and I knewh nothyng what it ment;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] But I caste, withynne a throwe, playnly that I woldë[wold C., would St.] knowe, of al thys thyng som evidence; and wente a-noon to hir presence. and first of al, I gan enquere, to telle me what she didë there; of name and of condicïoun Make a declaracïoun. Apostacye:[St., om. C.] Quod she, 'yef thou konne espye, I am called 'Apostacye,' 'which whilom, of entencïoun, madë my professïoun, In al my bestë[best C., St.] feythful wyse, for to ha do[done St.] truely seruyse duryng my lif, vnto the kyng that is most myghty of werkyng. 'I sette myn hand vnto the plough;[plughe St.] But I haue hym falsed ynough,[ynughe St., nough C.] tourned the bak (as thou mayst se) vnto wordly[worldly St.] vanyte, left myn homage, trouth and al, and am kome doun ouere the wal for vayn glorie (out of doute); In many countre roune[round St.] aboute, of entent, for to purchaas prosperite and vayn solas. 'and yet ful ofte (in many caas,) myn entent and purpos was, fro worldly glorie, fals and vayn, to haue tourned hom[? MS., hem C., them St.] agayn, and amended my livyng In the seruyse of the kyng; but truely (it is no nay) the Ravoun[raven St.] was euere in my way.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Truely, and thou dedest wel, thou sholdest lette neuere a del for to delayë so thy paas. thaugh that he crye on thé, 'cras, cras,' thou sholdest[shulst St.] remembre thé among, and take noon hede vnto his song." Apostasie:[St., om. C.] 'The trouthë[trouth C., truthe St.] forto specifye, I folwe, in[in, om. St.] myn Apostasye, In my passage vp and doun, the Ravenës condicïoun, that whilom was of Noe sent out of the arkë, of entent to beholden how it stood, of the deluge and the flood 'boyllyng with many sturdy wawe; Wher the water gan withdrawe. 'but the Raven fond a kareyn; therfore he cam not agayn. and I stonde in the samë caas, abyde, and synge alway 'cras, cras,'[C. & St.] makyng many fals delayes,[C. & St.] and prolongë forth my dayes,[C. & St.] forto Resorten hom ageyn, and spendë[spend C.] thus my tyme in veyn.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Thy werkës (yef I shal not tarye) ben vnhappy and contrárye; and thyn handës, bothë two, ben yperced þorugh also. greyn nor frut, vpon no syde, In no wysë wyl abyde; for shortly (who so list to sek) al goth thorugh, and wasteth ek.[seke . . eke St.] Who-so-euere the trouthe atame, thy tonge is dampned, and ek lame, that it may seyn noon orisoun, nor make no supplicacïoun, Which sholdë ben acceptable vnto that kyng most honourable. he is not plesed, (on noo syde,) Whil in this staat thou dost abyde, and hast no purpos to Retourne,[for to tourn St.] but in the world dost ay soiourne." Apostacie:[St., om. C.] 'Truëly, to thy sentence I may yevë ful credence; for Seynt Poule hym-silfë[selfe St., silf C.] saith, (to whom, men must yevë fayth, and ful belevë to his word,) 'who is not withynne shippes[syppes St.] bord, stant in perail of Perysshyng, and on the poynt of his drownyng,' fel fer from his savacïoun, ffor lakkyng of discrecïoun. 'and I wot wel, for my partye, I issed[yswyd St.] out thorugh my folye; Wherfore I stonde in nonecerteyn, yef I retourned hom ageyn, wher I sholdë gracë haue, therby my soulë for[for St., om. C.] to save.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "ne doute the nat to tourne ageyn, but be therof ryght wel certeyn, That of grace thou shalt not faille, So that thou makë a[a om. St.] stoupaille of the hoolës that open[St., apon C.] be in thyn handes (as thou maist se), this to mene, in sentement, that playn and hool be thyn entent, grounded on perfeccïoun; and that, by gret deuocïoun, that thou make thyn hertë stable, and of entent not variable. look her-to on euery syde, for I may no lenger abyde, for, I castë me a-noon, hom to my castel forto goon, and by the nextë wayë[St., next way C.] wende, and ther, vnto my livës ende, abiden in the samë place, lik as god wil yeve me grace." and whan I was kome hom ageyn, of al that euere I had seyn, I madë playn Relacïoun to folk of that Religïoun; and afterward (I you ensure,) ther fel a wonder áventure, the whichë,[which C., whiche St.] whan I dede aduerte, yt liked nothyng to myn herte: I saw tweyne oldë (by assent,)[St. & C.] Kome to me of oon entent, Wonder dyuers of her cheres; and bothë two wer massageres:[messengers St., massager C.] the toon of hem (I was wel war) Vpon hir bak, a bed she bar; The tother (if I shal not feyne) bar also, patentës tweyne; the toon also, in hir commyng,[comming St., counning C.] gird with a baudrek, for wrastelyng: In their comyng I fonde gret lak, and evene thus to me they spak: Age & Sicknes:[St., om. C.] 'deth,' quod they, 'hath to thé sent bothe vs tweynë, of entent, pleynly to the to declare, that hym self ne wil not spare forto come to the anoon; and bad, aforn we sholdë[shold C., shuld St.] goon, and done our fullë besynesse, with al our myghte, the to opprese,[to oppresse St., tappresse C.] and not departe fro the at al, til thou be cast, and haue a fal, that he may, at his commyng, fyndë the, by our workyng, So awhapëd and amat, that he may seyn to thé, 'chek mat." Pilgrim:[St., om. C.][Blank for Illumination.] Quod I, "declareth vnto me, ffirst of allë, what ye be. I knowë not your gouernaunce; With deth I ha non áqueyntaunce; and yef that he be your maystresse, I pray you, first, that ye expresse your office, and your seruyse, and your namës doth devyse." Age & Sicknes:[St., om. C.] Quod they, 'it wer not but in veyn, With vs to stryve, or wynse ageyn; for, ther is noon[none St.] so hardy, so wys, so Richë, so myghty, that may, by forcë nor[or St.] allye, holden with vs Champartye. 'for deth hath had, ful yore agoon, lordshipe of folkës euerychoon; 'for, who considereth allë thynges, Drad more of lordës and of kynges than of folkës (who list se) which that duellen in pouerte. for porë folk that lakkë[lak C., lake St.] bred, desire ful oftë[desyr ofte for St.] to ben ded. 'and, yef thou aryght behold, vnto deth thou art yhold, that he, toforn[to toforn C.] hath to the sent; for ofte, without avisëment he cometh to folkës vnwarly, and hem assailleth sodeynly, though the contrary had sworn. but, he hath vs sent to-forn, as massagers[messengers St.] to warnë the; from his power thou mayst[may St.] not fle; and ech of vs (withoutë blame) Shal declarë the his name.' [Sekenesse:] The firstë[first C., St.] to me dede expresse: quod she, 'my name is Sekënesse. helthe and I, but litel space[St. & C.] May abiden in O place. we wrastlen ofte (as men may se); som whilë she venquyssheth me, and, som tymë,[some tym St.] in certeyn, I over-throwë hir ageyn, make hir forto bowe hir chyne. and, ne werë[ware St., wer C.] that medicyne ys causë that she doth releve, my sayllyng shold hir often greve. but, maugre hir potacïouns ánd dyuerse confeccïouns, and other sondry lettuaryes Makëd at the potycaryes,— bothe emplastres drye and moystes, and oynementës put in boystes,— yet deth and I (who lyst espye) Haue, at the lastë,[last C., St.] the maystrye. 'first I souke vp (for the nones) 'the mary closëd in the bones, and (wher that it be bad or good,) waste[wast St., baste C.] the flessh, and drynke the blood; And thus my silf, I cónsume al the vertu that called is[ys cally St.] 'vital'; and at the last (who list knowe,) ley hym in a bed ful lowe, That deth may (withouten stryf) a-noon bereve hym of his lyf.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Sothly, thou art no massagere,[messenger St.] to whom men sholdë[shold C., shuld St.] makë chere." Secnes:[St., om. C.] 'ffor sothë, yis,[this St.] (who taketh hede,) folk ar holde to me in dede; for, sikë folkës to avaunce, I make hem to ha répentaunce Whan she was put out of mynde, and therby, a menë fynde, that folkës, by contricïoun, may come to their savacïoun; for proudest folkes, (as I gesse,) I chastysë with Seknesse.[sycknesse St.] 'and first, I hauë gret delit, from hem to take their appetit; their .v. wittës and Resoun,[fivë] I be-reve hem, vp and doun, make (as thou shalt vnderstonde,) folk so feble, thei may not stonde. 'and we be comë to thè blyve, with thè to wrastlen and to stryve.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Or ye to me don eny shame, let me first knowen the name of the tother massager,[messenger St.] That loketh with so fel a cher." Sicknes:[St., om. C.] 'I grauntë wel she shal the telle, yef thou wilt a whilë[whil C., whill St.] duelle.' Age:[St., om. C.] Quod she, 'of folkës that ben sage, I am of custom callëd 'Age,' Contrarïous (as it is kouth) to hir that is ycalled Youth, which whilom had (thou myghtest[mayst St.] se) fresshë fetheres forto fle. but Age hath plukked hem away, that vnnethë[vnneth C., vnnethe St.] gon I may; my fet be now (who taketh hede) hevy as they were of lede; I may not gon, but with labour, and yet of Deth I am corour, knowe[knowne St.] in Countres fer and ner. 'And[St.] who that is a massager,[messenger St.] Wher he holdeth his passáge, mut do truely his masságe,[message St.] and the trouthë[trouth C., truthe St.] telle of ryght. 'I am vnweldy, ánd not lyght; and (to speke in wordës fewe,) myn empty skyn doth wel shewe what that I am; and ouer more, thou mayst se, by my lokkës hore, and by ryvéls of[in St.] my viságe, How that I am called 'Age,' of whom, folkës that[folk that C., folke that St.] discerne, may ful many thyngës lerne. 'though that wasted be my blood, I ha seyn bothe evel and good; Preved (if I shal not feyne) ende and gynnyng of bothe tweyne. age, in konnyng doth excelle; who muchë seth, can muchë telle: no man in konnyng (this, the chef,) withoutë[without C., withe out St.] syght may ha no pref.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "To herë now, myn entent is, what betokne thi patentës; and after that, make no delay, but take thy leve, and go thy way." Age:[St., om. C.] 'wher-so it like the, or displese, I wil abiden at myn eese, And fro this placë not retourne, but euere in on with thè[the om. C., the St.] soiourne. I may not parte lyghtly a-way, as Youthë dede this other day. She thè[the om. St.] forsook (in verray dede) whan thou haddest to hir most nede; she went hir way, and took hir flyght, and fled a-noon out of thy syght; caste hir neuere to come ageyn: to looken after, wer but veyn. but I, be leyser mut abyde, tóward dethe[towardeth C., toward deathe St.] to be thy guyde; for, til deth come, I vndertake that I shal the not forsake. 'I haue doon my besy peyne. to bryngë thé patentës[patents C., St.] tweyne, oonly of fauour, for[to St.] thy best; ther-vp-on that thou mayst reste, and of noon entencïoun to takë fro the thy bordoun: to the, bothë may availle. 'and, for mor suer sowpewaille,[supewayle St.] to the bordoun spiritual, a staf is nedful, temporal: Euerych of hem with-outë[out C., St.] wene, the tother must of ryght sustene; for whan the tó part doun doth falle, help of the tother he must calle, yef hym list hym-self assure. but thou ne shalt not[not, om. C., St.] wel endure the felle assautës of vs tweyne; for, we ne shal no lenger feyne, but (for short conclusïoun) ber thè to the Erthe a-doun.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] And bothë tweynë, with a brayd, vpon a bed they ha me layd, for they wolde not of me faille, ther tabyde, til deth assaille. And[St.] in distresse and gret affray, vpon the bed whil I thus lay, I myghtë[myght St., C.] tho no ferther gon, to me a lady cam a-noon, with ful many noble signe, of cher and lok, ful benigne, (I dar ryght wel record,) Whos namë was 'Myserycord; oon of hir brestës opon was, to yeve me mylk in such a caas. And also (as I was war,) me semptë that a corde she bar, to bynden hay (so thoughtë[thought C., St.] me). and, of mercy and pyte, to me that lay, like a wrecche, She gan hir corde abrood to strecche;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] And ful goodly, with that sygne, to me she sayd with cher benygne: Mysericord:[St., om. C.] 'Rys a-noon, and suë me, for by thy cher, I do wel se that thou art feblyd[feble St.] of thy myght, and thou list not her a-ryght; Wherfore I wil the fostre and guye, and lede the to the fermerye.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] Quod I, "that were ful glad to me. But, for I wot not what ye be, I pray you with ful humble cher, your namë, that ye wil me lere." Misericord:[St., om. C.] 'My namë, yef it be conceyved, I ought wel to ben receyued, for, whan Iuges, for offence han yovëd[have gyven C.] hir sentence, I do my peyne and my labour, of Iustice and of Rigour forto do remissïoun, 'and make a mittigacïoun (as folkës may ful wel discerne). 'for whan the kyng that is eterne,[eterne St., sterne C.] had yoven[yove C., gyven St.] in sentëment a ful dredful Iugëment of Adam and[and St., on C.] the lynage, forto deye for their outrage, I cam to hym ful humblely, and prayed hym ful benygnëly, the myghty kyng celestial, not forto distruyen al; but that he wold, in his grevaunce, modefyen his vengeaunce, and to with-drawe his Iugëment. 'and his bowë that was bent, I made hym drawë of the corde, and, for sygnës[sygns C., sygne St.] of concorde, Sette it in the heven alofte; and (as men may se ful ofte) In tookne of pes, and not of wrak, from vs he tourned hath his bak, that, of his mercyáble lawe, he may not the bowë drawe, whan of mercy (as it is knowe) toward hym-self he drough the bowe. 'whan he, for our Inyquyte, dyed vpon the rodë tre, he bought our gilt so sore.[6-syllable line] and vnderstond, ouer more,[St. & C.] vp nor doun (who lokë wel) he may not drawe it neuer a del. for, of the bowë the discord, vnderstondë by the cord: I made hem so forto acorde, that called am 'Misericorde.' for (yef thou dost[canst St.] wel vnderstond) the stryng therof is in myn hond: thou mayst behold it wel, and se; for, of mercy and of pyte, I drawe out wrecches from her charge, 'and makë hem go loos at large. 'therfore folkës alle acorde to callë me 'Miséricorde'; of which (by declaracïoun) to make an exposicïoun, Misericordë, truëly ys, on wrecches to han mercy. 'thus my namë[this nam St.] thou shalt knowe; I drawe hem vp, whan they ben lowe. the cordeler that waf[wave St.] the corde of pes, vnyte, and concorde, only on wrecches to han pyte, hyr name was called 'Charyte.' 'and yef the corde wer broke a-sondre, ther is nó man, (her nor yondre,) though he euere dide his peyne, that myghtë[myght C., St.] to the heven atteyne; for, by this corde (as I the told) allë Synners must hem hold, and playnly clymben vp therby, oonly of pyte and mercy.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "lady, put me out of doute, why ha ye now drawen oute Oon of your brestës fayr and whyte (which to behold, I me delyte,) like as ye woldë be my bote, wasshe me with your mylk most sote?" Misericord:[St., om. C.] 'Truely,' quod she '(yef ye take hede,) of my mylk thou hast mor nede (yef the trouthe be iustly told) than outher of siluer, outher[or St.] of gold, or of any precious ston, forto rekne hem euerychon. for this mylk which thou dost se, ys called Mercy and Pyte, allë Synners to sustene; and to releve hem in their tene, it[it St., a C.] bryngeth hem in rest and[& St., om. C.] pees. 'And, like as Aristotiles writte, that mylk is nothyng elles (as allë Philesophres telles) but blood, by transmutacïoun thorugh hete and lent[lyte St.] decoccïoun, tourned away from his rednesse to perfectioun of whytenesse; and (to speke in wordës playn) this nomorë forto sayn, that a man that ys irous, froward and malencolious, hath but red blood: and that rednesse may neuere tournë to whitenesse (as clerkës sayn,) but yef so be it be decoct by charyte, that his malicious appetit be itourned into whit, thorugh perfectïoun of hete of charyte, that ys most swete, Than the smoke of fals envye, the fume eke of maléncolye,[St. & C.] fleth away, in rednesse,[6-syllable line[St. & C.] chaunged clene into whitenesse. 'and who that drynketh of this mylk— mor sote and softe than any[tha any C., than St.] silk— foryeveth (in a litel space) ech offencë and trespace that men ha gilt hym in his live;[C. & St.] hym list no more ageyn to stryve. 'of such mylk, most of vertu, gret plente haddë crist ihesu; Shewed his brestis of pyte whan he was hanged on a tre. he suffred tho (it is no doute,) the likour for to Renne aboute, and for to shede it out yffere than he was stonken[stongen St.] with a spere, the syde of his humanyte, on alle synful to ha pyte, for to wasshe away our vyce. 'was neuere moder nor noryce that gaf such mylkë[mylke St., mylk C.] her-to-fore to hir child, whan it was bore. his brestes, that be most fair and whyte, most holy, and fresshest of delyte, arn euere open to folkës alle. his voycë,[voyce St., voys C.] synners doth ek calle, and bit hem in their hertë thenke, of his sootë mylk to drynke: 'for blod of ire is noon in me, but mylk of mercy and pyte,' which wassheth away al vengeaunce: who hath this mylk, hath suffisaunce. 'The Redë blood (as folk[men St.] may se) y-chaunged is, by charyte, Into whyte mylk, hoolsom and good, shaad for mankynd[mankyng C., mankynd St.] vpon the rood; with the which, I fostred and fede allë folkës that ha nede,[fedd . . nedde St.] such as list, by on acorde, for to be[be St., om. C.] drawë with my corde, to alle I am so mercyable, to my fader, Résemblable, and to my moder Charyte. 'for whan that I may any se In myschief, hunger, outher thurst, hem to fede, it is my lust. naked and nedy, that ben lothe, I haue in custom hem to clothe; And, gretly I me delyte, folk in prisoun to visyte; and ledë, with a glad visage, pore folk to their herbegage; And thei that deye in[en C., in St.] pouerte, to burye hem, I délite me: to suchë[such C., suche St.] labour I entende; al thyng amys, I do amende; folkës sike and vnweldy, of pyte only and mercy, I serve hem in humylite. 'And now I am ycome to the, In al my bestë[best C., St.] feythful wyse, forto profre my seruyse.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "Ma dame," quod I, "as it is due, my lust is gretly you to sue; but, for my gretë febilnesse, which me restreyneth by distresse, And, þees massagers[messengers St.] also Causen that I may not go. And if ye wold, of your goodnesse, Doon your gretë besynesse Thes massagers[thes messengers St.] to putte away, I wolde (withoutë[without C., St.] mor delay) folwe, in al my best entent, to gon at your comandëment." Misericord:[St., om. C.] 'Truely (nouther nygh nor ferre) I may not voydë nor differre the massagers[messengers St.] from thy presence; but I shal do my diligence, with my cordë, thè tenbrace, and to lede thè to the place which called is the Fermerye. the massagers[St., om. C.] her fastë by, I ha no myght hem to coharte, to maken hem fro thè departe. til that deth hym-silf assaille, tabiden on the, they wil not faylle.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] Than anoon Myserycorde gan tenbrace me in hir corde. and the oldë, bothë tweyne, Were present, and dide her peyne to brynge me to my bed anoon, and list not from me fer[for St.] to goon. and therwith-al, ánoon ryght I gan to feblen of my myght mor and mor, erly and late, til the porter at the gate broughtë me two massagers,[brought C. & St., messengers St.] benygne and goodly of her chers. [The Porter:] [6 lines blank for an Illumination.] Quod the porter anoon to me: 'I ha thè brought (yef thou lyst se) two massagers[brought C. & St., messengers St.] (it is no nay) which shal the teche the ryghtë[ryght C., St.] way to Ierusalem the cite; for (bi tooknes that I se,) I conceyve (on euery syde) thou mayst her, no while abyde. wherfore, to makë thy passage, Send hem toforne, on thy massage,[message St.] that thou mayst, by thy sendyng, be bet receyved at thi comyng, withouten eny spot of blame. and makë to hem, in thi name, a maner of commyssïoun, and ek a procuracïoun, that they may, thorugh their werkyng, be receyuëd of the kyng thorugh fauour of their langage, to taken vp their herbergage In that cyte clestial, wher the kyng is éternal. 'thes ladyes namës to expresse, they ben Prayer and Almesse; And they ben redy, bothë tweyne, In this caas to done her peyne.' [The Pilgrim:] "Truely," quod I to the porter, "I wolde, with al myn hert entier, don almës of entencïoun; but I ha noo pocessïoun, nor nothyng in propurte, but al thyng in communyte. al propurte, I ha forsake, And to pouerte me take, Of myn[St., C. burnt] ordre, in sothfastnesse. "Wherfore, touchyng such almesse, "I ha sothly no powere to make of hir a massagere, to takë herbergage for me In that hevenly, chef cyte. almës, and al such oother thynges, mot ben of lordës and of kynges Sent to-forn to that cyte, Yef they wil wel receyved be, ther to make her purveaunce, terberwe[to harbour, lodge] hem to their plesaunce. "for (who-so list the trouthë lere) alle estates in this world here— kyngës, prynces, bothë two, Dukës, lordës ek also,— Reekne hem allë, by and by, and thei be pilgrymës as I: let hem toforn pourveyë wel forto take vp their hostel, Sende her massagers[theyr mesengars St.] to se their herbergage in that cyte, that, for lak of providence, through slouth, or through necligence, they be dispurveyed, at her comyng, as Barlam telleth of a kyng, which, of custom synguler, Reyned neuere but a[one St.] yer In a lond; and this the ende, than of forcë he must wende Into an Ilond (in certeyn) that was of vitaille ful bareyn; and thus this kyng cam to meschaunce, for laak oonly of pourveyaunce, that he toforn, for his availle, lyst to sendë no vitaille. Ther was noon other menë wey;[C. & St.] for hunger, he must nedë deye. "after whom, thus stood the cas, that a-nother kyng ther was, which shuldë[shuld C., St.] for a yer succede; but he was wys, and took good hede, "whil he stood in háboundaunce, forto make his purveyaunce, to sendë, in the samë while, vitaille into that bareyn Ile. he was prudent, aforn to se, to provide that Scarsete sholde sodeynly hym not assaille: wherfore, hé sent his vitaille Into that yle that bareyn was. "wherfore, let ech man in such caas, sen aforn, in his resoun, while he stant in pocessïoun of his Rewme, by good avys to sende aforn to paradys, to taken vp, in that cyte, herbergage lik his degre; as whilom dedë[dyd St.] seynt Lowys, the holy kyng that was so wys: Whil he hadde domynacïoun thorugh-out al his Regïoun, he ne was not necligent, but sent aforn, of good entent, his massagers[messengers St.] and his corrours, his vitaillers,[vitilars St.] his pourveyours, only for his ávauntage, to taken vp his herbergage In that ilkë noble Rewm,[reme St.] called hevenly Ieurusalem; wher he was, for a memórye, Receyved forto regne in glorye, that holy[St., C. burnt] kyng contemplatif, for the vertues of his lif, his prayours and his orysouns, his fastynges and deuocïouns, his mercy meynt with ryghtwesnesse, his compassiouns, his almesse, of cherches his foundacïouns, and other dyuers mansïouns y-mad for folkës pore and blynde, Which, neuére, shal[shall nevar St.] out of mynde: "alle thes vertues (in substaunce) made aforn hym pourveyaunce; took vp a paleys most Royal In that cyte celestial, for kyng Lowys, that holy man, as his lif rehercë can, wel bet than I can expresse. "and for my part, touchyng almesse, I may not make hir (fer nor ner) forto be my massager:[sessenger (!) St.] She nys not pertynent to me, which ha no thyng in propurte, but by licence (in certeyn) oonly of my souuereyn. "wherfore (of entencïoun) I shal make a commyssïoun to oon that is prudent and sage, to taken vp myn herbergage: the name of whom is Prayer, to go toforn as massager."[messenger St.] Prayer:[St., om. C.] Quod Prayer, 'for thy best, I wil fulfillë thy requeste as forforth[farforthe St.] as I ha myght, and as toforn[reason St.] I ha behyght.' [The Pilgrim]: And with that word, anoon Siknesese bad hir hastë fast, and dresse, withouten eny mor delay, forto spede hir on hir way; and without eny longer space, for tavoyden anoon the place. [Siknesse]: Quod she, 'it is now no sesoun to maken a comyssïoun, at this tymë, to prayere; for, playnly (who list to lere,) bothe at complyn and at pryme, it hath be mad afore this tyme; or ellës, herbergage to wynne, 'It were to late now to begynne.' Pilgrim:[St., om. C.] "God me[me St., om. C.] grauntë grace and mynde, good herbergagë forto fynde; for now I haue ynowh to do, of veray cónstreynt and of wo, to remembre on[oon C., on St.] my siknesse." and with that word, ther gan in dresse oon vpon my bed anoon, the cruelist of al my foon; of whom in soth, whan I took hede, I lostë speche, of veray drede: I myghtë[myght C., St.] make no questïoun to axen hir condicïoun, she was so dredful of hir chere: a sithe she bar, and ek a bere; sette hir foot vpon my brest, for to maken on me arest.[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] but than[St., C. burnt.] a lady of gret vertu, that was called Gracë dieu, bad hir a wylë letë be, whil that[that St., tha C.] she spak a word to me. Deathe:[St., om. C.][See the French on p. 665.] 'Sey on, and tarye neuer a del; for I may not abiden wel. I haate soothly al taryyng; and I ne love non ábidyng. the cause is this, (who taketh hede) I ha mo thyngës forto spede, In other places mo than oon; wherfore telle on, for I mot goon.' [Grace Dieu]:[Pilgrim St., om. C.] Gracë dieu, hir look she layde Vp-on me, and thus she sayde: 'thou stanst vpon a streyt passáge, now as in thy pilgremáge. Deth is present, as thou maist se, fro the which, no man may fle. she is of contynaunce odyble, 'and of thyngës most terryble; she is the ende of euery thyng; and now she cast, at hir commyng, thy lif[selfe St., ta vie DeG.] playnly, as thou shalt knowe, with hir sithë vp to mowe: And afterward, this the fyn, to puttë thè in hir coffyn; and after, of entencïoun, to yeve thè in pocessïoun to wormës (as thou shalt ek knowe,) that liggen in the erthë lowe; the which (as I wel tellë can) Is commón to euery man. 'ther may no man, of no degre, hygh nor lowh, his power fle. ffor, lych as herbës and as floures, that spryngen with sootë[soot C., St.] shoures bothe in Aprill and in May, and afterward (it is no nay,) with a sythe (who list to knowe,) they ben on erthë leyd ful lowe, and far-wel then al their fresshnesse! farwel her colour and grenesse! It not appereth, her nor there, the hootë Sonne maketh hem Sere;[Blank in MS. for an Illumination.] Ther colours and their fressh aray, al ys tourned into hay. 'and, thou, that so longë be Grene and lusty forto se, Deth (his power for to kythe,) wil abatyn with his sythe thy grenesse, and ek also parten thè on[in St.] peces two, The soule, the body, her and yonder, and maken hem to parte assondre. for, playnly, as thou shalt lere, they may, as now, not gon yfere; the soulë mustë[must C., St.] go tofore, and the body shal be bore, 'In erthe to haue his mansïoun, and tournë to corrupcïoun; and afterward, be wel certeyn, Ioyned with the soule ageyn, and ben to-gidre eternally. 'Now loke that thou be ful redy; for yf[St., C. burnt] ther be no lak in the, thou shalt go streyht to the[that St.] cyte Of the kyngdom and the Rewm that called ys Ierusalem, to which thy pilgremage was sette. 'thou art come to the wyket (Which is gynnyng of thy labour,) thow[thow St., C. burnt] beheld in a myrrour, whan thow were ful tendre of age,[St. & C.] at gynnyng of thy pilgrymage;[St. & C.] and therfor[St., C. burnt] now thou art sette at the boundes of the wyket, I consaille the, first to crye Vnto my Fadre for mercye, behotyng the lady dame Penaunce, yef thou ha not in suffisaunce Don to her, whil thou wer here, Iustly and truely thy devere; thou art in wil, at thy partyng, thorugh grace and mercy of the kyng, that Regneth eternally in glorye, It to fulfille in purgatorye;[St. & C.] ther tabiden in that place,[St. & C.] tyll the lord wil do thè grace,[St. & C.] of his mercy, at the laste.' And, for the tymë cam on faste, and my spechë gan to faille, I thoughte it[it St., a C.] fooly for tasaille Gracë dieu with questïouns, with demandës or[and St.] resouns. And (as I coude ek wel discerne) Deth abood at the posterne, and gan to letë goon his sythe, his cruel myght on me to kythe, And gan so streytly me coharte, That the soulë mot departe. And, such a feer anoon me took, Out of my slep that I a-wook.The last sayings of Death, Grace Dieu, and the Pilgrim are, in De Guileville's French (Petit's edition, Foeillets xcj. 4—xcij. 2):— LA MORT. OR dictes tost donc / ce dist elle,[Corresponds to English line] 24735 Car moult ie he longue vielle:[Corresponds to English line] 24737 Prestement me vueil deliurer, Car autre part me fault aler.[Corresponds to English line] 24741 LE PELERIN. ¶ Adonc vint grace dieu a moy,[Corresponds to English line] 24743 Et me dist doulcement, Or voy.[Corresponds to English line] 24744 GRACE DIEU. ¶ Je voy bien, qu'à l'estroit passaige Tu es de ton pèlerinaige.[Corresponds to English line] 24746 Voicy la Mort, qui de pres t'est,[Corresponds to English line] 24747 Qui, des choses terribles est[Corresponds to English line] 24750 La fin / et le terminement.[Corresponds to English line] 24751 Ta vie, tantost faulcher entent,[Corresponds to English line] 24753 Et la mectre du tout à fin; Et puis ton corps en vng cofin[Corresponds to English line] 24756 Elle mectra, pour le bailler[Corresponds to English line] 24758 Aux vers puans, pour le manger.[Corresponds to English line] 24759 Ceste chose est toute commune[Corresponds to English line] 24761 A tout chascun et a chascune:[Corresponds to English line] 24762 Homme, en ce monde, est exposé A la mort, comme l'herbe au pré[Corresponds to English line] 24765 Est a la faulx / aussi est feyn,[Corresponds to English line] 24769 Qui huy est verd / et sec demain; Or as esté verd vng long temps,[Corresponds to English line] 24772 Et si as receu pluyes et vens;[Corresponds to English line] 24766 Mais fault maintenant te faulchier,[Corresponds to English line] 24780 Et en deux pieces despiecer.[Corresponds to English line] 24782 L'huys est estroit / l'ame / et la cher[Corresponds to English line] 24783 Ne pourroient ensemble passer.[Corresponds to English line] 24786 L'ame premiere passera,[Corresponds to English line] 24787 Et puis apres la chair yra.[Corresponds to English line] 24788 Mais si tost ne sera ce mie; Auant sera la chair pourrie,[Corresponds to English line] 24790 Et autre fois regenerée[Corresponds to English line] 24792 En la grant commune assemblée. Doncques regarde se apoinctey[Corresponds to English line] 24794 Deuement tu es, et appareilley. S'à toy ne tient, tantost verras[Corresponds to English line] 24795 La grant cité ou tendu as.[Corresponds to English line] 24796 Tu es au guichet et à l'huys[Corresponds to English line] 24800 Que ou mirouer piecà tu vis.[Corresponds to English line] 24802 Se tu es despoillé et nuz, Dedans tantost seras receuz. Celle entrée tu auoies moult chier, Lors quant tu la vis au premier; Et toutesfois, tant ie te dy,[Corresponds to English line] 24807 Qu'à mon père tu cryes mercy,[Corresponds to English line] 24808 En prometant à penitence,[Corresponds to English line] 24809 Que, se n'en as à souffisance[Corresponds to English line] 24810 Fait / volentiers tu la feras[Corresponds to English line] 24813 En purgatoire, ou tu iras.[Corresponds to English line] 24816 LE PELERIN. OR vous dy ie / que lors se i'eusse Peu bien parler / que ie luy eusse[Corresponds to English line] 24821 Fait des demandes dont i'auoye[Corresponds to English line] 24824 Grant doubte / et que pas ne sauoie, Folie est d'actendre au besoing,[Corresponds to English line] 24822 Car souuent on cuide que loing Soit la mort; qu'elle est aux postis,[Corresponds to English line] 24826 Bien ie le sceu / ie fuz soubzpris. La mort laissa sa faulx courir,[Corresponds to English line] 24827 Et me fist du corps departir.[Corresponds to English line] 24830 Ce me sembla en ce moment, Si que, de l'espouentement Esueillé et desdormy fu,[Corresponds to English line] 24832 Et me trouuay si esperdu,[not englisht] Qu'auiser ie ne me pouoie Se ia mort ou en vie i'estoie, Jusqu'à tant que i'ouy sonner L'orologe de nuyt, pour leuer: Et aussi lors chantoient les cocqs; Pour quoy, leuer me cuiday lors; Mais ne peu / car fuz retenu De la grant pensée ou ie fu Pour le myen aduentureux songe, Ou quel, se quelque vne mensonge Estoit meslée ou contenue, Ou qui fust de peu de value. Nul esmerueiller ne s'en doit, Car iamais froment on ne voit Croistre / qu'entour paille n'y aye, Jusques que dehors on l'en traye; Par quoy, s'en mon songe y a grain, Et auecques paille ou estrain y ait / ce qu'est bon / soit gardé; Ce que n'est bon, soit hors venné. Que ne dy pas tant seulement Pour ce premier liure present, Dont cy endroit ie feray fin, Pour me reposer en chemin, Mais aussi pour ce que s'ensuit, Ou tout le grain en paille gist, Que recommande aux bons venneurs, Qui sceuent hors venner erreurs. ¶ La fin du premier pèlerinaige De l'homme durant qu'est En vie. Deo gratias.