The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman together with Vita de Dowel, Dobet, et Dobest, Secundum Wit et Resoun, by William Langland (About 1362-1380 A.D.): Edited from numerous manuscripts, with prefaces, notes, and a glossary, by the Rev. Walter W. Skeat ... In four parts |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
 | V. | PASSUS V. Passus quintus de Visione. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
 | The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman |  |
57
PASSUS V. Passus quintus de Visione.
The kyng and his knightes to the kirke wenteTo here matynes of þe day and þe masse after.
Þanne waked I of my wynkynge and wo was with-alle,
Þat I ne hadde sleped sadder and yseiȝen more.
Ac er I hadde faren a fourlonge feyntise me hente,
That I ne myȝte ferther a-foot for defaute of slepynge;
And sat softly adown and seide my bileue,
And so I babeled on my bedes þei brouȝte me a-slepe.
And þanne saw I moche more þan I bifore tolde,
For I say þe felde ful of folke þat I bifore of seyde,
And how resoun gan arrayen hym alle þe reume to preche,
And with a crosse afor þe kynge comsed þus to techen.
He preued þat þise pestilences [were] for pure synne,
And þe southwest wynde on saterday at euene
58
Piries and plomtrees were puffed to þe erthe,
In ensample, ȝe segges ȝe shulden do þe bettere.
Beches and brode okes were blowen to þe grounde,
Torned vpward her tailles in tokenynge of drede,
Þat dedly synne at domesday shal fordon hem alle.
Of þis matere I myȝte mamely ful longe,
Ac I shal seye as I saw so me god helpe!
How pertly afor þe poeple resoun gan to preche.
He bad wastoure go worche what he best couthe,
And wynnen his wastyng with somme manere crafte.
And preyed peronelle her purfyle to lete,
And kepe it in hir cofre for catel at hire nede.
Thomme stowue he tauȝte to take two staues,
And fecche [felice] home fro þe wyuen pyne.
He warned watt his wyf was to blame,
Þat hire hed was worth halue a marke his hode nouȝte worth a grote.
And bad bette kut a bow other tweyne,
And bete betoun þer-with but if she wolde worche.
And þanne he charged chapmen to chasten her childeren;
Late no wynnynge hem forweny whil þei be ȝonge,
59
“My syre seyde so to me and so did my dame,
Þat þe leuere childe þe more lore bihoueth,
And Salamon seide þe same þat Sapience made,
Qui parcit virge, odit filium.
Þe Englich of þis latyn is who-so wil it knowe,Who-so spareth þe sprynge spilleth his children.”
And sithen he preyed prelatȝ and prestes to-gideres,
“Þat ȝe prechen to þe peple preue it on ȝowre-seluen,
And doth it in dede it shal drawe ȝow to good;
If ȝe lyuen as ȝe leren vs we shal leue ȝow þe bettere.”
And sithen he radde Religioun here reule to holde—
“Leste þe kynge and his conseille ȝowre comunes appayre,
And ben stuwardes of ȝowre stedes til ȝe be ruled bettre.”
And sithen he conseilled þe kynge þe comune to louye,
“It is þi tresore, if tresoun ne were and triacle at þi nede.”
And sithen he prayed þe pope haue pite on holicherche,
And er he gyue any grace gouerne firste hym-selue.
“And ȝe that han lawes to kepe late treuthe be ȝowre coueytise,
More þan golde or other gyftes if ȝe wil god plese;
For who-so contrarieth treuthe he telleth in þe gospel,
60
And ȝe þat seke seynte James and seintes of Rome,
Seketh seynt treuthe for he may saue ȝow alle;
Qui cum patre & filio þat feire hem bifalle
Þat suweth my sermon;” and þus seyde resoun.
Thanne ran repentance and reherced his teme,
And gert wille to wepe water with his eyen.
SUPERBIA.
Peronelle proude-herte platte hir to þe erthe,And lay longe ar she loked and “lorde, mercy!” cryed,
And byhiȝte to hym þat vs alle made,
She shulde vnsowen hir serke and sette þere an heyre
To affaiten hire flesshe þat fierce was to synne:
“Shal neuere heiȝe herte me hente but holde me lowe,
And suffre to be myssayde— and so did I neuere.
But now wil I meke me and mercy biseche,
For al þis I haue hated in myne herte.”
LUXURIA.
Þanne lecchoure seyde “allas!” and on owre lady he cryed,To make mercy for his mis-dedes bitwene god and his soule,
61
Drynke but myd þe doke and dyne but ones.
INUIDIA.
Enuye with heuy herte asked after scrifte,
And carefullich mea culpa he comsed to shewe.
He was as pale as a pelet in þe palsye he semed,
And clothed in a caurimaury I couthe it nouȝte discreue;
In kirtel and kourteby and a knyf bi his syde,
Of a freres frokke were þe forsleues.
And as a leke hadde yleye longe in þe sonne,
So loked he with lene chekes lourynge foule.
And carefullich mea culpa he comsed to shewe.
He was as pale as a pelet in þe palsye he semed,
And clothed in a caurimaury I couthe it nouȝte discreue;
In kirtel and kourteby and a knyf bi his syde,
Of a freres frokke were þe forsleues.
And as a leke hadde yleye longe in þe sonne,
So loked he with lene chekes lourynge foule.
His body was to-bolle for wratthe þat he bote his lippes,
And wryngynge he ȝede with þe fiste to wreke hymself he þouȝte
With werkes or with wordes whan he seighe his tyme.
Eche a worde þat he warpe was of an Addres tonge,
Of chydynge and of chalangynge was his chief lyflode,
With bakbitynge and bismer and beryng of fals witnesse;
Þis was al his curteisye where þat euere he shewed hym.
And wryngynge he ȝede with þe fiste to wreke hymself he þouȝte
With werkes or with wordes whan he seighe his tyme.
Eche a worde þat he warpe was of an Addres tonge,
Of chydynge and of chalangynge was his chief lyflode,
With bakbitynge and bismer and beryng of fals witnesse;
Þis was al his curteisye where þat euere he shewed hym.
“I wolde ben yshryue,” quod þis schrewe “and I for shame durst;
I wolde be gladder, bi god þat gybbe had meschaunce,
Than þouȝe I had þis woke ywonne a weye of essex chese.
I wolde be gladder, bi god þat gybbe had meschaunce,
62
I haue a neighbore neyȝe me I haue ennuyed hym ofte,
And lowen on hym to lordes to don hym lese his siluer,
And made his frendes ben his foon thorw my false tonge;
His grace and his good happes greueth me ful sore.
Bitwene many and many I make debate ofte,
Þat bothe lyf and lyme is lost þorw my speche.
And whan I mete him in market þat I moste hate,
I hailse hym hendeliche as I his frende were;
For he is douȝtier þan I I dar do non other.
Ac hadde I maystrye and myȝte god wote my wille!
And lowen on hym to lordes to don hym lese his siluer,
And made his frendes ben his foon thorw my false tonge;
His grace and his good happes greueth me ful sore.
Bitwene many and many I make debate ofte,
Þat bothe lyf and lyme is lost þorw my speche.
And whan I mete him in market þat I moste hate,
I hailse hym hendeliche as I his frende were;
For he is douȝtier þan I I dar do non other.
Ac hadde I maystrye and myȝte god wote my wille!
And whan I come to þe kirke and sholde knele to þe Rode,
And preye for þe pople as þe prest techeth,
For pilgrimes and for palmers for alle þe poeple after,
Þanne I crye on my knees þat cryste ȝif hem sorwe
Þat bar[en] awey my bolle and my broke schete.
And preye for þe pople as þe prest techeth,
For pilgrimes and for palmers for alle þe poeple after,
Þanne I crye on my knees þat cryste ȝif hem sorwe
Þat bar[en] awey my bolle and my broke schete.
Awey fro þe auter þanne turne I myn eyghen,
And biholde how Eleyne hath a newe cote;
I wisshe þanne it were myne and al þe webbe after.
And biholde how Eleyne hath a newe cote;
I wisshe þanne it were myne and al þe webbe after.
And of mennes lesynge I laughe þat liketh myn herte;
And for her wynnynge I wepe and waille þe tyme,
And for her wynnynge I wepe and waille þe tyme,
63
And deme þat hij don ille þere I do wel worse;
Who-so vndernymeth me here-of I hate hym dedly after.
I wolde þat vche a wyght were my knaue,
For who-so hath more þan I þat angreth me sore.
And þus I lyue louelees lyke a luther dogge,
That al my body bolneth for bitter of my galle.
Who-so vndernymeth me here-of I hate hym dedly after.
I wolde þat vche a wyght were my knaue,
For who-so hath more þan I þat angreth me sore.
And þus I lyue louelees lyke a luther dogge,
That al my body bolneth for bitter of my galle.
I myȝte nouȝte eet many ȝeres as a man ouȝte,
For enuye and yuel wille is yuel to defye;
May no sugre ne swete þinge asswage my swellynge,
Ne no diapenidion dryue it fro myne herte,
Ne noyther schrifte ne shame but ho-so schrape my mawe?”
For enuye and yuel wille is yuel to defye;
May no sugre ne swete þinge asswage my swellynge,
Ne no diapenidion dryue it fro myne herte,
Ne noyther schrifte ne shame but ho-so schrape my mawe?”
“Ȝus, redili,” quod repentaunce and radde hym to þe beste,
“Sorwe of synnes is sauacioun of soules.”
“Sorwe of synnes is sauacioun of soules.”
“I am sori,” quod þat segge “I am but selde other,
And þat maketh me þus megre for I ne may me venge.
Amonges Burgeyses haue I be dwellynge At Londoun,
And gert bakbitinge be a brocoure to blame mennes ware.
Whan he solde and I nouȝte þanne was I redy
To lye and to loure on my neighbore and to lakke his chaffare.
I wil amende þis, ȝif I may þorw myȝte of god almyȝty.”
And þat maketh me þus megre for I ne may me venge.
Amonges Burgeyses haue I be dwellynge At Londoun,
And gert bakbitinge be a brocoure to blame mennes ware.
Whan he solde and I nouȝte þanne was I redy
To lye and to loure on my neighbore and to lakke his chaffare.
64
IRA.
Now awaketh wratthe with two whyte eyen,
And nyuelynge with þe nose and his nekke hangynge.
And nyuelynge with þe nose and his nekke hangynge.
“I am wrath,” quod he “I was sum tyme a frere,
And þe couentes Gardyner for to graffe ympes;
On limitoures and listres lesynges I ymped,
Tyl þei bere leues of low speche lordes to plese,
And sithen þei blosmed obrode in boure to here shriftes.
And now is fallen þer-of a frute þat folke han wel leuere
Schewen her schriftes to hem þan shryue hem to her persones.
And þe couentes Gardyner for to graffe ympes;
On limitoures and listres lesynges I ymped,
Tyl þei bere leues of low speche lordes to plese,
And sithen þei blosmed obrode in boure to here shriftes.
And now is fallen þer-of a frute þat folke han wel leuere
Schewen her schriftes to hem þan shryue hem to her persones.
And now persones [han] parceyued þat Freres parte with hem,
Þise possessioneres preche and depraue freres,
And freres fyndeth hem in defaute as folke bereth witnes,
That whan þei preche þe poeple in many place aboute,
I, wrath, walke with hem and wisse hem of my bokes.
Þus þei speken of spiritualte þat eyther despiseth other,
Til þei be bothe beggers and by my spiritualte libben,
Or elles alle riche and riden aboute.
I, wrath, rest neuere þat I ne moste folwe
This wykked folke for suche is my grace.
Þise possessioneres preche and depraue freres,
And freres fyndeth hem in defaute as folke bereth witnes,
That whan þei preche þe poeple in many place aboute,
I, wrath, walke with hem and wisse hem of my bokes.
Þus þei speken of spiritualte þat eyther despiseth other,
65
Or elles alle riche and riden aboute.
I, wrath, rest neuere þat I ne moste folwe
This wykked folke for suche is my grace.
I haue an aunte to nonne and an abbesse bothe,
Hir were leuere swowe or swelte þan [suffre] any peyne.
I haue be cook in hir kichyne and þe couent serued
Many monthes with hem and with monkes bothe.
I was þe priouresses potagere and other poure ladyes,
And made hem ioutes of iangelynge þat dame Iohanne was a bastard,
And dame Clarice a kniȝtes douȝter ac a kokewolde was hire syre,
And dame Peronelle a prestes file Priouresse worth she neuere,
For she had childe in chirityme al owre chapitere it wiste.
Hir were leuere swowe or swelte þan [suffre] any peyne.
I haue be cook in hir kichyne and þe couent serued
Many monthes with hem and with monkes bothe.
I was þe priouresses potagere and other poure ladyes,
And made hem ioutes of iangelynge þat dame Iohanne was a bastard,
And dame Clarice a kniȝtes douȝter ac a kokewolde was hire syre,
And dame Peronelle a prestes file Priouresse worth she neuere,
For she had childe in chirityme al owre chapitere it wiste.
Of wykked wordes I, wrath here wortes I-made,
Til ‘þow lixte’ and ‘þow lixte’ lopen oute at ones,
And eyther hitte other vnder þe cheke;
Hadde þei had knyues, bi cryst her eyther had killed other.
Til ‘þow lixte’ and ‘þow lixte’ lopen oute at ones,
And eyther hitte other vnder þe cheke;
Hadde þei had knyues, bi cryst her eyther had killed other.
Seynt Gregorie was a gode pope and had a gode forwit,
Þat no priouresse were prest for þat he ordeigned.
Þei had þanne ben infamis þe firste day þei can so yuel hele conseille.
Þat no priouresse were prest for þat he ordeigned.
66
Amonge monkes I miȝte be ac many tyme I shonye;
For þere ben many felle frekis my feres to aspye,
Bothe Prioure an supprioure and owre pater abbas;
And if I telle any tales þei taken hem togyderes,
And do me faste frydayes to bred and to water,
And am chalanged in þe chapitelhous as I a childe were,
And baleised on þe bare ers and no breche bitwene;
For-þi haue I no lykyng with þo leodes to wonye.
I ete there vnthende fisshe and fieble ale drynke;
Ac other while, whan wyn cometh whan I drynke wyn at eue,
I haue a fluxe of a foule mouthe wel fyue dayes after.
Al þe wikkednesse þat I wote bi any of owre bretheren,
I couth it in owre cloistre þat al owre couent wote it.”
For þere ben many felle frekis my feres to aspye,
Bothe Prioure an supprioure and owre pater abbas;
And if I telle any tales þei taken hem togyderes,
And do me faste frydayes to bred and to water,
And am chalanged in þe chapitelhous as I a childe were,
And baleised on þe bare ers and no breche bitwene;
For-þi haue I no lykyng with þo leodes to wonye.
I ete there vnthende fisshe and fieble ale drynke;
Ac other while, whan wyn cometh whan I drynke wyn at eue,
I haue a fluxe of a foule mouthe wel fyue dayes after.
Al þe wikkednesse þat I wote bi any of owre bretheren,
I couth it in owre cloistre þat al owre couent wote it.”
“Now repent þe,” quod Repentaunce “and reherce þow neure
Conseille þat þow cnowest bi contenaunce ne bi riȝte;
And drynke nouȝte ouer delicatly ne to depe noyther,
Þat þi wille bi cause þer-of to wrath myȝte torne.
Esto sobrius,” he seyde and assoilled me after,
And bad me wilne to wepe my wikkednesse to amende.
Conseille þat þow cnowest bi contenaunce ne bi riȝte;
And drynke nouȝte ouer delicatly ne to depe noyther,
Þat þi wille bi cause þer-of to wrath myȝte torne.
67
And bad me wilne to wepe my wikkednesse to amende.
AUARICIA.
And þanne cam coueytise can I hym nouȝte descryue,
So hungriliche and holwe sire [Heruy] hym loked.
He was bitelbrowed and baberlipped also,
With two blered eyghen as a blynde hagge;
And as a letheren purs lolled his chekes,
Wel sydder þan his chyn þei chiueled for elde;
And as a bondman of his bacoun his berde was bidraueled.
With an hode on his hed a lousi hatte aboue,
And in a tauny tabarde of twelue wynter age,
Al totorne and baudy and ful of lys crepynge;
But if þat a lous couthe haue lopen þe bettre,
She sholde nouȝte haue walked on þat welche so was it thredebare.
So hungriliche and holwe sire [Heruy] hym loked.
He was bitelbrowed and baberlipped also,
With two blered eyghen as a blynde hagge;
And as a letheren purs lolled his chekes,
Wel sydder þan his chyn þei chiueled for elde;
And as a bondman of his bacoun his berde was bidraueled.
With an hode on his hed a lousi hatte aboue,
And in a tauny tabarde of twelue wynter age,
Al totorne and baudy and ful of lys crepynge;
But if þat a lous couthe haue lopen þe bettre,
She sholde nouȝte haue walked on þat welche so was it thredebare.
“I haue ben coueytouse,” quod þis caityue “I bi-knowe it here;
For some tyme I serued Symme atte Stile,
And was his prentis ypliȝte his profit to wayte.
First I lerned to lye a leef other tweyne,
Wikkedlich to weye was my furst lessoun.
To Wy and to Wynchestre I went to þe faire,
With many manere marchandise as my Maistre me hiȝte;
Ne had þe grace of gyle ygo amonge my ware,
It had be vnsolde þis seuene ȝere so me god helpe!
For some tyme I serued Symme atte Stile,
And was his prentis ypliȝte his profit to wayte.
First I lerned to lye a leef other tweyne,
Wikkedlich to weye was my furst lessoun.
68
With many manere marchandise as my Maistre me hiȝte;
Ne had þe grace of gyle ygo amonge my ware,
It had be vnsolde þis seuene ȝere so me god helpe!
Thanne drowe I me amonges draperes my donet to lerne,
To drawe þe lyser alonge þe lenger it semed;
Amonge þe riche rayes I rendred a lessoun,
To broche hem with a [pak-]nedle and plaited hem togyderes,
And put hem in a presse and pyn[n]ed hem þerinne,
Tyl ten ȝerdes or twelue [hadde] tolled out threttene.
To drawe þe lyser alonge þe lenger it semed;
Amonge þe riche rayes I rendred a lessoun,
To broche hem with a [pak-]nedle and plaited hem togyderes,
And put hem in a presse and pyn[n]ed hem þerinne,
Tyl ten ȝerdes or twelue [hadde] tolled out threttene.
My wyf was a webbe and wollen cloth made;
She spak to spynnesteres to spynnen it oute.
Ac þe pounde þat she payed by poised a quarteroun more,
Than myne owne auncere who-so weyȝed treuthe.
She spak to spynnesteres to spynnen it oute.
Ac þe pounde þat she payed by poised a quarteroun more,
Than myne owne auncere who-so weyȝed treuthe.
I bouȝte hir barly malte she brewe it to selle,
Peny ale and podyng ale she poured togideres
For laboreres and for low folke; þat lay by hymselue.
Peny ale and podyng ale she poured togideres
For laboreres and for low folke; þat lay by hymselue.
The best ale lay in my boure or in my bedchambre,
And who-so bummed þer-of bouȝte it þer-after,
A galoun for a grote god wote, [no] lesse;
And ȝit it cam in cupmel þis crafte my wyf vsed.
Rose þe regratere was hir riȝte name;
She hath holden hokkerye al hire lyf tyme.
And who-so bummed þer-of bouȝte it þer-after,
69
And ȝit it cam in cupmel þis crafte my wyf vsed.
Rose þe regratere was hir riȝte name;
She hath holden hokkerye al hire lyf tyme.
Ac I swere now, so the ik þat synne wil I lete,
And neuere wikkedliche weye ne wikke chaffare vse,
But wenden to Walsyngham and my wyf als,
And bidde þe Rode of bromeholme brynge me oute of dette.”
And neuere wikkedliche weye ne wikke chaffare vse,
But wenden to Walsyngham and my wyf als,
And bidde þe Rode of bromeholme brynge me oute of dette.”
“Repente[de]stow þe euere,” quod repentance “ne restitucioun madest?”
“Ȝus, ones I was herberwed,” quod he “with an hep of chapmen,
I roos whan þei were arest and yrifled here males.”
I roos whan þei were arest and yrifled here males.”
“That was no restitucioun,” quod repentance “but a robberes thefte,
Þow haddest [be] better worthy be hanged þerfore
Þan for al þat þat þow hast here shewed.”
Þow haddest [be] better worthy be hanged þerfore
Þan for al þat þat þow hast here shewed.”
“I wende ryflynge were restitucioun,” quod he “for I lerned neuere rede on boke,
And I can no frenche in feith but of þe ferthest ende of norfolke.”
And I can no frenche in feith but of þe ferthest ende of norfolke.”
“Vsedestow euere vsurie,” quod repentaunce “in alle þi lyf tyme?”
70
“Nay, sothly,” he seyde “saue in my ȝouthe.
I lerned amonge lumbardes and iewes a lessoun,
To wey pens with a peys and pare þe heuyest,
And lene it for loue of þe crosse to legge a wedde and lese it;
Suche dedes I did wryte ȝif he his day breke.
I haue mo maneres þorw rerages þan þorw miseretur & comodat.
I lerned amonge lumbardes and iewes a lessoun,
To wey pens with a peys and pare þe heuyest,
And lene it for loue of þe crosse to legge a wedde and lese it;
Suche dedes I did wryte ȝif he his day breke.
I haue mo maneres þorw rerages þan þorw miseretur & comodat.
I haue lent lordes and ladyes my chaffare,
And ben her brocour after and bouȝte it my-self.
Eschaunges and cheuesances with suche chaffare I dele,
And lene folke þat lese wol a lyppe at euery noble.
And with lumbardes lettres I ladde golde to Rome,
And toke it by taille here and tolde hem þere lasse.”
“Len[t]estow euere lordes for loue of her mayntenaunce?”
And ben her brocour after and bouȝte it my-self.
Eschaunges and cheuesances with suche chaffare I dele,
And lene folke þat lese wol a lyppe at euery noble.
And with lumbardes lettres I ladde golde to Rome,
And toke it by taille here and tolde hem þere lasse.”
“Len[t]estow euere lordes for loue of her mayntenaunce?”
“Ȝe, I haue lent lordes loued me neuere after,
And haue ymade many a knyȝte bothe mercere & drapere,
Þat payed neuere for his prentishode nouȝte a peire gloues.”
And haue ymade many a knyȝte bothe mercere & drapere,
Þat payed neuere for his prentishode nouȝte a peire gloues.”
“Hastow pite on pore men þat mote nedes borwe?”
“I haue as moche pite of pore men as pedlere hath of cattes,
Þat wolde kille hem, yf he cacche hem myȝte for coueitise of here skynnes.”
Þat wolde kille hem, yf he cacche hem myȝte for coueitise of here skynnes.”
71
“Artow manlyche amonge þi neiȝbores of þi mete and drynke?”
“I am holden,” quod he, “as hende as hounde is in kychyne,
Amonges my neighbores, namelich such a name ich haue.”
Amonges my neighbores, namelich such a name ich haue.”
“Now god leue neure,” quod repentance “but þow repent þe rather,
Þe grace on þis grounde þi good wel to bisette,
Ne þine ysue after þe haue ioye of þat þow wynnest,
Ne þi executours wel bisett þe siluer þat þow hem leuest;
And þat was wonne with wronge with wikked men be despended.
For were I frere of þat hous þere gode faith and charite is,
I nolde cope vs with þi catel ne owre kyrke amende,
Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce of þyne, bi my soule hele,
For þe best boke in owre hous þeiȝe brent golde were þe leues,
And I wyst wytterly þow were suche as þow [tellest,]
[Or elles þat I kouþe knowe it by any kynnes wise.]
Seruus es alterius cum fercula pinguia queris,
Pane tuo pocius vescere, liber eris.
Thow art an vnkynde creature I can þe nouȝte assoille,
Þe grace on þis grounde þi good wel to bisette,
Ne þine ysue after þe haue ioye of þat þow wynnest,
Ne þi executours wel bisett þe siluer þat þow hem leuest;
And þat was wonne with wronge with wikked men be despended.
For were I frere of þat hous þere gode faith and charite is,
I nolde cope vs with þi catel ne owre kyrke amende,
Ne haue a peny to my pitaunce of þyne, bi my soule hele,
For þe best boke in owre hous þeiȝe brent golde were þe leues,
And I wyst wytterly þow were suche as þow [tellest,]
[Or elles þat I kouþe knowe it by any kynnes wise.]
Seruus es alterius cum fercula pinguia queris,
Pane tuo pocius vescere, liber eris.
72
And sithen þat resoun rolle it in þe regystre of heuene,
That þow hast made vche man good I may þe nouȝte assoille;
Non dimittitur peccatum donec restituatur ablatum, &c.
For alle þat [haue] of þi good haue god my trouthe![Ben] holden at þe heighe dome to helpe þe to restitue.
And who so leueth nouȝte þis be soth loke in þe sauter glose,
In miserere mei deus where I mene treuthe,
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti, &c.
Shal neuere werkman in þis worlde þryue wyth þat þow wynnest;
Cum sancto sanctus eris construe me þat on englische.”
Thanne wex þat shrewe in wanhope and walde haue hanged him-self,
Cum sancto sanctus eris construe me þat on englische.”
Ne hadde repentaunce þe rather reconforted hym in þis manere,
“Haue mercye in þi mynde and with þi mouth biseche it,
For goddes mercye is more þan alle hise other werkes;
Misericordia eius super omnia opera eius, &c.
And al þe wikkednesse in þis worlde þat man myȝte worche or thynke,Ne is no more to þe mercye of god þan in þe see a glede;
73
Omnis iniquitas quantum ad misericordiam dei, est [quasi] sintilla in medio maris.
For-þi haue mercy in þi mynde and marchandise, leue it,
For þow hast no good grounde to gete þe with a wastel,
But if it were with thi tonge or ellis with þi two hondes.
For þe good þat þow hast geten bigan al with falsehede,
And as longe as þow lyuest þer-with þow ȝeldest nouȝte, but borwest.
For þow hast no good grounde to gete þe with a wastel,
But if it were with thi tonge or ellis with þi two hondes.
For þe good þat þow hast geten bigan al with falsehede,
And as longe as þow lyuest þer-with þow ȝeldest nouȝte, but borwest.
And if þow wite neuere to whiche ne whom to restitue,
Bere it to þe bisschop and bidde hym of his grace,
Bisette it hym-selue as best is for þi soule.
For he shal answere for þe at þe heygh dome,
For þe and for many mo þat man shal ȝif a rekenynge.
What he lerned ȝow in lente leue þow none other,
And what he lent ȝow of owre lordes good to lette ȝow fro synne.”
Bere it to þe bisschop and bidde hym of his grace,
Bisette it hym-selue as best is for þi soule.
For he shal answere for þe at þe heygh dome,
For þe and for many mo þat man shal ȝif a rekenynge.
What he lerned ȝow in lente leue þow none other,
And what he lent ȝow of owre lordes good to lette ȝow fro synne.”
GULA.
Now bigynneth glotoun for to go to schrifte,
And kaires hym to-kirke-ward his coupe to schewe.
And kaires hym to-kirke-ward his coupe to schewe.
Ac Beton þe brewestere bad hym good morwe,
And axed of hym with þat whiderward he wolde.
And axed of hym with þat whiderward he wolde.
“To holi cherche,” quod he “forto here masse,
And sithen I wil be shryuen and synne namore.”
74
“I haue gode ale, gossib,” quod she “glotown, wiltow assaye?”
“Hastow auȝte in þi purs any hote spices?”
“Hastow auȝte in þi purs any hote spices?”
“I haue peper and piones,” quod [s]he “and a pounde of garlike,
A ferthyngworth of fenel-seed for fastyngdayes.”
A ferthyngworth of fenel-seed for fastyngdayes.”
Þanne goth glotoun in and grete othes after;
Cesse þe souteresse sat on þe benche,
Watte þe warner and his wyf bothe,
Tymme þe tynkere and tweyne of his prentis,
Hikke þe hakeneyman and hughe þe nedeler,
Clarice of cokkeslane and þe clerke of þe cherche,
Dawe þe dykere and a dozeine other;
Sire Piers of Pridie and Peronelle of Flaundres,
A ribibour, a ratonere a rakyer of chepe,
A ropere, a redyngkyng and Rose þe dissheres,
Godfrey of garlekehithe and gryfin þe walshe,
And vpholderes an hepe erly bi þe morwe
Geuen glotoun with glad chere good ale to hansel.
Cesse þe souteresse sat on þe benche,
Watte þe warner and his wyf bothe,
Tymme þe tynkere and tweyne of his prentis,
Hikke þe hakeneyman and hughe þe nedeler,
Clarice of cokkeslane and þe clerke of þe cherche,
Dawe þe dykere and a dozeine other;
Sire Piers of Pridie and Peronelle of Flaundres,
A ribibour, a ratonere a rakyer of chepe,
A ropere, a redyngkyng and Rose þe dissheres,
Godfrey of garlekehithe and gryfin þe walshe,
And vpholderes an hepe erly bi þe morwe
Geuen glotoun with glad chere good ale to hansel.
Clement þe cobelere cast of his cloke,
And atte new faire he nempned it to selle;
Hikke þe hakeneyman hitte his hood after,
And badde bette þe bochere ben on his side.
Þere were chapmen y-chose þis chaffare to preise;
Who-so haueth þe hood shuld haue amendes of þe cloke.
And atte new faire he nempned it to selle;
Hikke þe hakeneyman hitte his hood after,
And badde bette þe bochere ben on his side.
Þere were chapmen y-chose þis chaffare to preise;
75
Two risen vp in rape and rouned togideres,
And preised þese penyworthes apart bi hem-selue;
Þei couth nouȝte bi her conscience acorden in treuthe,
Tyl Robyn þe ropere arose bi þe southe,
And nempned hym for a noumpere þat no debate nere,
[For to trye þis chaffare bitwixen hem þre.]
And preised þese penyworthes apart bi hem-selue;
Þei couth nouȝte bi her conscience acorden in treuthe,
Tyl Robyn þe ropere arose bi þe southe,
And nempned hym for a noumpere þat no debate nere,
[For to trye þis chaffare bitwixen hem þre.]
Hikke þe hostellere hadde þe cloke,
In couenaunte þat Clement shulde þe cuppe fille,
And haue Hikkes hode hostellere and holde hym yserued;
And who-so repented rathest shulde arise after,
And grete sire glotoun with a galoun ale.
In couenaunte þat Clement shulde þe cuppe fille,
And haue Hikkes hode hostellere and holde hym yserued;
And who-so repented rathest shulde arise after,
And grete sire glotoun with a galoun ale.
Þere was laughyng and louryng and “let go þe cuppe,”
And seten so til euensonge and songen vmwhile,
Tyl glotoun had y-globbed a galoun an a Iille.
His guttis gunne to [gothely] as two gredy sowes;
He pissed a potel in a pater-noster while,
And blew his rounde ruwet at his rigge-bon ende,
That alle þat herde þat horne held her nose after,
And wissheden it had be wexed with a wispe of firses.
And seten so til euensonge and songen vmwhile,
Tyl glotoun had y-globbed a galoun an a Iille.
His guttis gunne to [gothely] as two gredy sowes;
He pissed a potel in a pater-noster while,
And blew his rounde ruwet at his rigge-bon ende,
That alle þat herde þat horne held her nose after,
And wissheden it had be wexed with a wispe of firses.
76
He myȝte neither steppe ne stonde er he his staffe hadde;
And þanne gan he go liche a glewmannes bicche,
Somme tyme aside and somme tyme arrere,
As who-so leyth lynes forto lacche foules.
And þanne gan he go liche a glewmannes bicche,
Somme tyme aside and somme tyme arrere,
As who-so leyth lynes forto lacche foules.
And whan he drowgh to þe dore þanne dymmed his eighen,
He [stumbled] on þe thresshewolde an threwe to þe erthe.
Clement þe cobelere cauȝte hym bi þe myddel,
For to lifte hym alofte and leyde him on his knowes;
Ac glotoun was a gret cherle and a grym in þe liftynge,
And coughed vp a caudel in clementis lappe;
Is non so hungri hounde in Hertford schire
Durst lape of þe leuynges so vnlouely þei smauȝte.
He [stumbled] on þe thresshewolde an threwe to þe erthe.
Clement þe cobelere cauȝte hym bi þe myddel,
For to lifte hym alofte and leyde him on his knowes;
Ac glotoun was a gret cherle and a grym in þe liftynge,
And coughed vp a caudel in clementis lappe;
Is non so hungri hounde in Hertford schire
Durst lape of þe leuynges so vnlouely þei smauȝte.
With al þe wo of þis worlde his wyf and his wenche
Baren hym home to his bedde and brouȝte hym þerinne.
And after al þis excesse he had an accidie,
Þat he slepe saterday and sonday til sonne ȝede to reste.
Þanne waked he of his wynkyng and wiped his eyghen;
Þe fyrste worde þat he warpe was, “where is þe bolle?”
His [wif] gan edwite hym þo how wikkedlich he lyued,
And repentance riȝte so rebuked hym þat tyme:
Baren hym home to his bedde and brouȝte hym þerinne.
And after al þis excesse he had an accidie,
Þat he slepe saterday and sonday til sonne ȝede to reste.
Þanne waked he of his wynkyng and wiped his eyghen;
Þe fyrste worde þat he warpe was, “where is þe bolle?”
77
And repentance riȝte so rebuked hym þat tyme:
“As þow with wordes and werkes hast wrouȝte yuel in þi lyue,
Shryue þe and be shamed þer-of and shewe it with þi mouth.”
Shryue þe and be shamed þer-of and shewe it with þi mouth.”
“I, glotoun,” quod þe gome “gylti me ȝelde,
Þat I haue trespassed with my tonge I can nouȝte telle how ofte,
Sworen ‘goddes soule’ and ‘so god me help and halidom,’
Þere no nede ne was nyne hundreth tymes;
Þat I haue trespassed with my tonge I can nouȝte telle how ofte,
Sworen ‘goddes soule’ and ‘so god me help and halidom,’
Þere no nede ne was nyne hundreth tymes;
And ouer-seye me at my sopere and some tyme at nones,
Þat I glotoun girt it vp er I hadde gone a myle,
And y-spilte þat myȝte be spared and spended on somme hungrie;
Ouerdelicatly on fastyng dayes drunken and eten bothe,
And sat some tyme so longe þere þat I slepe and ete at ones.
For loue of tales in tauernes to drynke þe more, I dyned,
And hyed to þe mete er none whan fastyng dayes were.”
Þat I glotoun girt it vp er I hadde gone a myle,
And y-spilte þat myȝte be spared and spended on somme hungrie;
Ouerdelicatly on fastyng dayes drunken and eten bothe,
And sat some tyme so longe þere þat I slepe and ete at ones.
For loue of tales in tauernes to drynke þe more, I dyned,
And hyed to þe mete er none whan fastyng dayes were.”
78
“This shewyng shrifte,” quod repentance “shal be meryte to þe.”
And þanne gan glotoun grete and gret doel to make
For his lither lyf þat he lyued hadde,
And avowed [to] fast— “for hunger or for thurst
Shal neuere fisshe on þe fryday defien in my wombe,
Tyl abstinence myn aunte haue ȝiue me leue;
And ȝit haue I hated hir al my lyf tyme.”
For his lither lyf þat he lyued hadde,
And avowed [to] fast— “for hunger or for thurst
Shal neuere fisshe on þe fryday defien in my wombe,
Tyl abstinence myn aunte haue ȝiue me leue;
And ȝit haue I hated hir al my lyf tyme.”
ACCIDIA.
Þanne come sleuthe al bislabered with two slymy eiȝen,
“I most sitte,” seyde þe segge “or elles shulde I nappe;
I may nouþte stonde ne stoupe ne with-oute a stole knele.
Were I brouȝte abedde but if my taille-ende it made,
Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse ar I were rype to dyne.”
He bygan benedicite with a bolke and his brest knocked,
And roxed and rored and rutte atte laste.
“What! awake, renke!” quod repentance “and rape þe to shrifte.”
“I most sitte,” seyde þe segge “or elles shulde I nappe;
I may nouþte stonde ne stoupe ne with-oute a stole knele.
Were I brouȝte abedde but if my taille-ende it made,
Sholde no ryngynge do me ryse ar I were rype to dyne.”
He bygan benedicite with a bolke and his brest knocked,
And roxed and rored and rutte atte laste.
“What! awake, renke!” quod repentance “and rape þe to shrifte.”
“If I shulde deye bi þis day me liste nouȝte to loke;
I can nouȝte perfitly my pater-noster as þe prest it syngeth,
But I can rymes of Robyn hood and Randolf erle of Chestre,
Ac neither of owre lorde ne of owre lady þe leste þat euere was made.
79
But I can rymes of Robyn hood and Randolf erle of Chestre,
Ac neither of owre lorde ne of owre lady þe leste þat euere was made.
I haue made vowes fourty and for-ȝete hem on þe morne;
I parfourned neure penaunce as þe prest me hiȝte,
Ne ryȝte sori for my synnes ȝet was I neuere.
And ȝif I bidde any bedes but if it be in wrath,
Þat I telle with my tonge is two myle fro myne herte.
I am occupied eche day haliday and other,
With ydel tales atte ale and otherwhile in cherches;
Goddes peyne and his passioun ful selde þynke I þere-on.
I parfourned neure penaunce as þe prest me hiȝte,
Ne ryȝte sori for my synnes ȝet was I neuere.
And ȝif I bidde any bedes but if it be in wrath,
Þat I telle with my tonge is two myle fro myne herte.
I am occupied eche day haliday and other,
With ydel tales atte ale and otherwhile in cherches;
Goddes peyne and his passioun ful selde þynke I þere-on.
I visited neuere fieble men ne fettered folke in puttes,
I haue leuere here an harlotrie or a somer game of souteres,
Or lesynges to laughe at and belye my neighbore,
Þan al þat euere Marke made Mathew, John, & lucas.
And vigilies and fastyng dayes alle þise late I passe,
And ligge abedde in lenten an my lemman in myn armes,
Tyl matynes and masse be do and þanne go to þe freres;
Come I to ite, missa est I holde me yserued.
I nam nouȝte shryuen some tyme but if sekenesse it make,
Nouȝt tweies in two ȝere and þanne vp gesse I schryue me.
I haue leuere here an harlotrie or a somer game of souteres,
Or lesynges to laughe at and belye my neighbore,
Þan al þat euere Marke made Mathew, John, & lucas.
And vigilies and fastyng dayes alle þise late I passe,
And ligge abedde in lenten an my lemman in myn armes,
Tyl matynes and masse be do and þanne go to þe freres;
80
I nam nouȝte shryuen some tyme but if sekenesse it make,
Nouȝt tweies in two ȝere and þanne vp gesse I schryue me.
I haue be prest and parsoun passynge thretti wynter,
Ȝete can I neither solfe ne synge ne seyntes lyues rede,
But I can fynde in a felde or in a fourlonge an hare,
Better þan in beatus vir or in beati omnes
Construe oon clause wel and kenne it to my parochienes.
I can holde louedayes and here a Reues rekenynge,
Ac in canoun ne in þe decretales I can nouȝte rede a lyne.
Ȝete can I neither solfe ne synge ne seyntes lyues rede,
But I can fynde in a felde or in a fourlonge an hare,
Better þan in beatus vir or in beati omnes
Construe oon clause wel and kenne it to my parochienes.
I can holde louedayes and here a Reues rekenynge,
Ac in canoun ne in þe decretales I can nouȝte rede a lyne.
Ȝif I bigge and borwe it but ȝif it be ytailled,
I forȝete it as ȝerne and ȝif men me it axe
Sixe sithes or seuene I forsake it with othes,
And þus tene I trewe men ten hundreth tymes.
I forȝete it as ȝerne and ȝif men me it axe
Sixe sithes or seuene I forsake it with othes,
And þus tene I trewe men ten hundreth tymes.
And my seruauntz some tyme her salarye is bihynde,
Reuthe is to here [þe] rekenynge whan we shal rede acomptes;
So with wikked wille and wraththe my werkmen I paye.
Reuthe is to here [þe] rekenynge whan we shal rede acomptes;
So with wikked wille and wraththe my werkmen I paye.
Ȝif any man doth me a benfait or helpeth me at nede,
I am vnkynde aȝein his curteisye and can nouȝte vnderstonde it;
For I haue and haue hadde some dele haukes maneres,
I nam nouȝte lured with loue but þere ligge auȝte vnder þe thombe.
81
For I haue and haue hadde some dele haukes maneres,
I nam nouȝte lured with loue but þere ligge auȝte vnder þe thombe.
The kyndenesse þat myne euene-cristene kidde me [fernyere],
Sixty sythes I, sleuthe haue fo[r]ȝete it sith,
In speche and in sparynge of speche yspilte many a tyme
Bothe flesche & fissche and many other vitailles;
Bothe bred and ale butter, melke, and chese
Forsleuthed in my seruyse til it myȝte serue noman.
Sixty sythes I, sleuthe haue fo[r]ȝete it sith,
In speche and in sparynge of speche yspilte many a tyme
Bothe flesche & fissche and many other vitailles;
Bothe bred and ale butter, melke, and chese
Forsleuthed in my seruyse til it myȝte serue noman.
I ran aboute in ȝouthe and ȝaf me nouȝte to lerne,
And euere sith [haue] be beggere for my foule sleuthe;
Heu michi, [quod] sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem.
And euere sith [haue] be beggere for my foule sleuthe;
Heu michi, [quod] sterilem vitam duxi Iuuenilem.
“Repentestow þe nauȝte?” quod repentance and riȝte with þat he swowned,
Til vigilate þe veille fette water at his eyȝen,
And flatte it on his face and faste on hym criede,
And seide, “ware þe fram wanhope wolde þe bitraye.
‘I am sori for my synnes’ sey so to þi-selue,
And bete þi-selue on þe breste and bidde hym of grace;
For is no gult here so grete þat his goodnesse nys more.”
Til vigilate þe veille fette water at his eyȝen,
And flatte it on his face and faste on hym criede,
And seide, “ware þe fram wanhope wolde þe bitraye.
‘I am sori for my synnes’ sey so to þi-selue,
And bete þi-selue on þe breste and bidde hym of grace;
82
Þanne sat sleuthe vp and seyned hym swithe,
And made avowe to-fore god for his foule sleuthe,
“Shal no sondaye be þis seuene ȝere but sykenesse it lette,
Þat I ne shal do me er day to þe dere cherche,
And heren matines and masse as I a monke were.
Shal none ale after mete holde me þennes,
Tyl I haue euensonge herde I behote to þe Rode.
And ȝete wil I ȝelde aȝein if I so monche haue,
Al þat I wikkedly wan sithen I wytte hadde.
And made avowe to-fore god for his foule sleuthe,
“Shal no sondaye be þis seuene ȝere but sykenesse it lette,
Þat I ne shal do me er day to þe dere cherche,
And heren matines and masse as I a monke were.
Shal none ale after mete holde me þennes,
Tyl I haue euensonge herde I behote to þe Rode.
And ȝete wil I ȝelde aȝein if I so monche haue,
Al þat I wikkedly wan sithen I wytte hadde.
And þough my liflode lakke leten I nelle,
Þat eche man ne shal haue his ar I hennes wende:
And with þe residue and þe remenaunt bi þe Rode of chestre!
I shal seke treuthe arst ar I se Rome!”
Þat eche man ne shal haue his ar I hennes wende:
And with þe residue and þe remenaunt bi þe Rode of chestre!
I shal seke treuthe arst ar I se Rome!”
Robert þe robbere on reddite lokede,
And for þer was nouȝte wher-of he wepe swithe sore.
Ac ȝet þe synful shrewe seyde to hym-selue,
“Cryst, þat on caluarye vppon þe crosse deydest,
Tho dismas my brother bisouȝte ȝow of grace,
And haddest mercy on þat man for memento sake,
So rewe on þis robbere þat reddere no haue,
Ne neuere wene to wynne with crafte þat I owe.
But for þi mykel mercy mitigacioun I biseche;
Ne dampne me nouȝte at domesday for þat I did so ille.”
And for þer was nouȝte wher-of he wepe swithe sore.
Ac ȝet þe synful shrewe seyde to hym-selue,
“Cryst, þat on caluarye vppon þe crosse deydest,
Tho dismas my brother bisouȝte ȝow of grace,
And haddest mercy on þat man for memento sake,
So rewe on þis robbere þat reddere no haue,
Ne neuere wene to wynne with crafte þat I owe.
But for þi mykel mercy mitigacioun I biseche;
83
What bifel of þis feloun I can nouȝte faire schewe,
Wel I wote he wepte faste water with boþe his eyen,
And knowleched his gult to cryst ȝete eftsones,
Þat penitencia his pyke he shulde polsche newe,
And lepe with hym ouer londe al his lyf tyme,
For he had leyne bi latro luciferes aunte.
Wel I wote he wepte faste water with boþe his eyen,
And knowleched his gult to cryst ȝete eftsones,
Þat penitencia his pyke he shulde polsche newe,
And lepe with hym ouer londe al his lyf tyme,
For he had leyne bi latro luciferes aunte.
And þanne had repentaunce reuthe and redde hem alle to knele,
“For I shal biseche for al synful owre saueoure of grace,
To amende vs of owre mysdedes and do mercy to vs alle.
Now god,” quod he, “þat of þi goodnesse gonne þe worlde make,
“For I shal biseche for al synful owre saueoure of grace,
To amende vs of owre mysdedes and do mercy to vs alle.
And of nauȝte madest auȝte and man moste liche to þi-selue,
And sithen suffredest for to synne a sikenesse to vs alle,
And al for þe best, as I bileue what euere þe boke telleth,
O felix culpa! o necessarium peccatum ade! &c.
For þourgh þat synne þi sone sent was to þis erthe,And bicam man of a mayde mankynde to saue,
And madest þi-self with þi sone and vs synful yliche,
Faciamus hominem ad ymaginem et similitudinem nostram;
84
On godefryday for mannes sake at ful tyme of þe daye,
Þere þi-self ne þi sone no sorwe in deth feledest;
But in owre secte was þe sorwe and þi sone it ladde,
Captiuam duxit captiuitatem.
Þe sonne for sorwe þer-of les syȝte for a tymeAboute mydday whan most liȝte is and mele tyme of seintes;
Feddest with þi fresche blode owre forfadres in derknesse,
Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris, vidit lucem magnam;
And thorw þe liȝte þat lepe oute of þe lucifer was blent,And blewe alle þi blissed in-to þe blisse of paradise.
Þe thrydde daye after þow ȝedest in owre sute,
A synful Marie þe seighe ar seynte Marie þi dame,
And al to solace synful þow suffredest it so were:
Non veni vocare iustos, set peccatores ad penitenciam.
And al þat Marke hath ymade mathew, Johan, and lucas,Of þyne douȝtiest dedes were don in owre armes.
Verbum caro factum est, et habitauit in nobis.
85
Bydde and biseche if it be þi wille,
Þat art owre fader and owre brother be merciable to vs,
And haue reuthe on þise Ribaudes þat repente hem here sore,
Þat euere þei wratthed þe in þis worlde in worde, þouȝte, or dedes.”
Þanne hent hope an horne of deus, tu conuersus viuificabis [nos,]
And blew it with Beati quorum remisse sunt iniquitates,
Þat alle seyntes in heuene songen at ones,
Homines & iumenta saluabis, quemadmodum multiplicasti misericordiam tuam, deus, &c.
A thousand of men þo thrungen togyderes;
Criede vpward to cryst and to his clene moder
To haue grace to go with hem treuthe to seke.
Criede vpward to cryst and to his clene moder
To haue grace to go with hem treuthe to seke.
Ac þere was wyȝte non so wys þe wey þider couthe,
But blustreden forth as bestes ouer bankes and hilles,
Til late was and longe þat þei a lede mette,
Apparailled as a paynym in pylgrymes wyse.
He bare a burdoun ybounde with a brode liste,
In a withewyndes wise ywounden aboute.
A bolle and a bagge he bare by his syde;
An hundreth of ampulles on his hatt seten,
Signes of synay and shelles of galice;
And many a cruche on his cloke and keyes of Rome,
And þe vernicle bifore for men shulde knowe,
And se bi his signes whom he souȝte hadde.
But blustreden forth as bestes ouer bankes and hilles,
Til late was and longe þat þei a lede mette,
Apparailled as a paynym in pylgrymes wyse.
He bare a burdoun ybounde with a brode liste,
In a withewyndes wise ywounden aboute.
A bolle and a bagge he bare by his syde;
An hundreth of ampulles on his hatt seten,
Signes of synay and shelles of galice;
86
And þe vernicle bifore for men shulde knowe,
And se bi his signes whom he souȝte hadde.
Þis folke frayned hym firste fro whennes he come?
“Fram synay,” he seyde “and fram owre lordes sepulcre;
In bethleem and in babiloyne I haue ben in bothe,
In ermonye, in Alisaundre in many other places.
Ȝe may se bi my signes þat sitten on myn hatte,
Þat I haue walked ful wyde in wete and in drye,
And souȝte gode seyntes for my soules helth.”
“Fram synay,” he seyde “and fram owre lordes sepulcre;
In bethleem and in babiloyne I haue ben in bothe,
In ermonye, in Alisaundre in many other places.
Ȝe may se bi my signes þat sitten on myn hatte,
Þat I haue walked ful wyde in wete and in drye,
And souȝte gode seyntes for my soules helth.”
“Knowestow ouȝte a corseint þat men calle treuthe?
Coudestow auȝte wissen vs þe weye where þat wy dwelleth?”
Coudestow auȝte wissen vs þe weye where þat wy dwelleth?”
“Nay, so me god helpe!” seide þe gome þanne,
“I seygh neuere palmere with pike ne with scrippe
Axen after hym er til now in þis place.”
“Peter!” quod a plowman and put forth his hed,
“I knowe hym as kyndely as clerke doþ his bokes;
Conscience and kynde witte kenned me to his place,
And deden me suren hym sikerly to serue hym for euere,
Bothe to sowe and to sette þe while I swynke myghte.
I haue ben his folwar al þis [fifty] wyntre;
Bothe ysowen his sede and sued his bestes,
With-Inne and with-outen wayted his profyt.
I dyke and I delue I do þat treuthe hoteth;
Some tyme I sowe and some tyme I thresche,
In tailoures crafte and tynkares crafte what treuthe can deuyse,
I weue an I wynde and do what treuthe hoteth.
“I seygh neuere palmere with pike ne with scrippe
Axen after hym er til now in þis place.”
“Peter!” quod a plowman and put forth his hed,
“I knowe hym as kyndely as clerke doþ his bokes;
Conscience and kynde witte kenned me to his place,
And deden me suren hym sikerly to serue hym for euere,
Bothe to sowe and to sette þe while I swynke myghte.
I haue ben his folwar al þis [fifty] wyntre;
Bothe ysowen his sede and sued his bestes,
87
I dyke and I delue I do þat treuthe hoteth;
Some tyme I sowe and some tyme I thresche,
In tailoures crafte and tynkares crafte what treuthe can deuyse,
I weue an I wynde and do what treuthe hoteth.
For þouȝe I seye it my-self I serue hym to paye;
Ich haue myn huire [of hym] wel and otherwhiles more;
He is þe prestest payer þat pore men knoweth;
He ne with-halt non hewe his hyre þat he ne hath it at euen.
He is as low as a lombe and loueliche of speche,
And ȝif ȝe wilneth to wite where þat he dwelleth,
I shal wisse ȝow witterly þe weye to his place.”
Ich haue myn huire [of hym] wel and otherwhiles more;
He is þe prestest payer þat pore men knoweth;
He ne with-halt non hewe his hyre þat he ne hath it at euen.
He is as low as a lombe and loueliche of speche,
And ȝif ȝe wilneth to wite where þat he dwelleth,
I shal wisse ȝow witterly þe weye to his place.”
“Ȝe, leue Pieres,” quod þis pilgrymes and profered hym huire
For to wende with hem to treuthes dwellyng place.
For to wende with hem to treuthes dwellyng place.
“Nay, bi my soules helth,” quod pieres and gan forto swere,
“I nolde fange a ferthynge for seynt Thomas shryne!
Treuthe wolde loue me þe lasse a longe tyme þere-after!
Ac if ȝe wilneth to wende wel þis is þe weye thider,
[Þat I shal say to yow and sette you in þe soþe.]
“I nolde fange a ferthynge for seynt Thomas shryne!
Treuthe wolde loue me þe lasse a longe tyme þere-after!
Ac if ȝe wilneth to wende wel þis is þe weye thider,
[Þat I shal say to yow and sette you in þe soþe.]
Ȝe mote go þourgh mekenesse bothe men and wyues,
Tyl ȝe come in-to conscience þat cryst wite þe sothe,
Þat ȝe louen owre lorde god leuest of alle þinges,
And þanne ȝowre neighbores nexte in non wise apeyre
Otherwyse þan þow woldest he wrouȝte to þi-selue.
And so boweth forth bi a broke beth-buxum-of-speche,
Tyl ȝe come in-to conscience þat cryst wite þe sothe,
Þat ȝe louen owre lorde god leuest of alle þinges,
And þanne ȝowre neighbores nexte in non wise apeyre
88
Tyl ȝe fynden a forth ȝowre-fadres-honoureth,
Honora patrem & matrem, &c.:
Wadeþ in þat water and wascheth ȝow wel þere,And ȝe shul lepe þe liȝtloker al ȝowre lyf tyme.
And so shaltow se swere-nouȝte- but-if-it-be-for-nede-
And-namelich-an-ydel- þe-name-of-god-almyȝti.
Þanne shaltow come by a crofte but come þow nouȝte þere-Inne;
That crofte hat coueyte-nouȝte- mennes-catel-ne-her-wyues-,
Ne-none-of-her-seruauntes- þat-noyen-hem-myȝte.
Loke ȝe breke no bowes þere but if it be ȝowre owne.
That crofte hat coueyte-nouȝte- mennes-catel-ne-her-wyues-,
Ne-none-of-her-seruauntes- þat-noyen-hem-myȝte.
Loke ȝe breke no bowes þere but if it be ȝowre owne.
Two stokkes þere stondeth ac stynte ȝe nouȝte þere,
They [hatte] stele-nouȝte, ne-slee-nouȝte stryke forth by bothe;
And leue hem on þi left halfe and loke nouȝte þere-after;
And holde wel þyne haliday heighe til euen.
Thanne shaltow blenche at a berghe bere-no-false-witnesse,
He is frithed in with floreines and other [fees] many;
Loke þow plukke no plante þere for peril of þi soule.
They [hatte] stele-nouȝte, ne-slee-nouȝte stryke forth by bothe;
And leue hem on þi left halfe and loke nouȝte þere-after;
And holde wel þyne haliday heighe til euen.
Thanne shaltow blenche at a berghe bere-no-false-witnesse,
He is frithed in with floreines and other [fees] many;
Loke þow plukke no plante þere for peril of þi soule.
89
Þanne shal ȝe se sey-soth- so-it-be-to-done-
In-no-manere-ellis-nauȝte- for-no-mannes-biddynge.
In-no-manere-ellis-nauȝte- for-no-mannes-biddynge.
Þanne shaltow come to a courte as clere as þe sonne,
Þe mote is of mercy þe manere aboute,
And alle þe wallis ben of witte to holden wille oute;
And kerneled with crystendome man-kynde to saue,
Boterased with bileue-so- or-þow-beest-nouȝte-ysaued.
Þe mote is of mercy þe manere aboute,
And alle þe wallis ben of witte to holden wille oute;
And kerneled with crystendome man-kynde to saue,
Boterased with bileue-so- or-þow-beest-nouȝte-ysaued.
And alle þe houses ben hiled halles and chambres,
Wit[h] no lede, but with loue and lowe-speche-as-bretheren.
Þe brugge is of bidde-wel- þe-bette-may-þow-spede;
Eche piler is of penaunce of preyeres to seyntes,
Of almes dedes ar þe hokes þat þe gates hangen on.
Wit[h] no lede, but with loue and lowe-speche-as-bretheren.
Þe brugge is of bidde-wel- þe-bette-may-þow-spede;
Eche piler is of penaunce of preyeres to seyntes,
Of almes dedes ar þe hokes þat þe gates hangen on.
Grace hatte þe gateward a gode man for sothe,
Hys man hatte amende-ȝow for many man him knoweth;
Telleth hym þis tokene þat treuthe wite þe sothe;
‘I parfourned þe penaunce þe preest me enioyned,
And am ful sori for my synnes and so I shal euere,
Whan I þinke þere-on þeighe I were a pope.’
Biddeth amende-ȝow meke him til his maistre ones,
Hys man hatte amende-ȝow for many man him knoweth;
Telleth hym þis tokene þat treuthe wite þe sothe;
‘I parfourned þe penaunce þe preest me enioyned,
And am ful sori for my synnes and so I shal euere,
Whan I þinke þere-on þeighe I were a pope.’
To wayne vp þe wiket þat þe womman shette,
Tho Adam and Eue eten apples vnrosted;
Per euam cun[c]tis clausa est, & per mariam virginem [iterum] patefacta est;
90
For he hath þe keye and þe [cliket] þouȝ þe kynge slepe.
And if grace graunte þe to go in in þis wise,
Þow shalt see in þi-selue treuthe sitte in þine herte,
In a cheyne of charyte as þow a childe were,
To suffre hym and segge nouȝte aȝein þi sires wille.
And if grace graunte þe to go in in þis wise,
Þow shalt see in þi-selue treuthe sitte in þine herte,
In a cheyne of charyte as þow a childe were,
To suffre hym and segge nouȝte aȝein þi sires wille.
Ac bewar þanne of wrath-þe þat is a wikked shrewe,
He hath enuye to hym þat in þine herte sitteth;
And pukketh forþ pruyde to prayse þi-seluen.
Þe boldnesse of þi bienfetes maketh þe blynde þanne,
And þanne worstow dryuen oute as dew and þe dore closed,
Kayed and [cliketed] to kepe þe with-outen;
Happily an hundreth wyntre ar þow eft entre.
Þus myght þow lesen his loue to late wel by þi-selue,
And neuere happiliche efte entre but grace þow haue.
He hath enuye to hym þat in þine herte sitteth;
And pukketh forþ pruyde to prayse þi-seluen.
Þe boldnesse of þi bienfetes maketh þe blynde þanne,
And þanne worstow dryuen oute as dew and þe dore closed,
Kayed and [cliketed] to kepe þe with-outen;
Happily an hundreth wyntre ar þow eft entre.
Þus myght þow lesen his loue to late wel by þi-selue,
And neuere happiliche efte entre but grace þow haue.
Ac þere [aren] seuene sustren þat seruen treuthe euere,
And aren porteres of þe posternes that to þe place longeth.
Þat one hat abstenence and humilite an other,
Charite and chastite ben his chief maydenes,
Pacience and pees moche poeple þei helpeth,
Largenesse þe lady heo let in ful manye;
Heo hath hulpe a þousande oute of þe deueles pon-folde.
And aren porteres of þe posternes that to þe place longeth.
Þat one hat abstenence and humilite an other,
Charite and chastite ben his chief maydenes,
91
Largenesse þe lady heo let in ful manye;
Heo hath hulpe a þousande oute of þe deueles pon-folde.
And who is sibbe to þis seuene so me god helpe!
He is wonderliche welcome and faire vnderfongen.
And but if ȝe be syb to summe of þise seuene,
It is ful harde bi myne heued,” quod Peres “for any of ȝow alle
To geten ingonge at any gate þere but grace be þe more.”
He is wonderliche welcome and faire vnderfongen.
And but if ȝe be syb to summe of þise seuene,
It is ful harde bi myne heued,” quod Peres “for any of ȝow alle
To geten ingonge at any gate þere but grace be þe more.”
“Now, bi cryst,” quod a cutpurs “I haue no kynne þere!”
“Ne I,” quod an apewarde “bi auȝte þat I knowe!”
“Ne I,” quod an apewarde “bi auȝte þat I knowe!”
“Wite god,” quod a wafrestre “wist I þis for sothe,
Shulde I neuere ferthere a fote for no freres prechynge.”
Shulde I neuere ferthere a fote for no freres prechynge.”
“Ȝus,” quod Pieres þe plowman and pukked hem alle to gode,
“Mercy is a maydene þere hath myȝte ouer hem alle;
And she is syb to alle synful and her sone also;
And þoruȝe þe helpe of hem two (hope þow none other),
þow myȝte gete grace þere bi so þow go bityme.”
“Mercy is a maydene þere hath myȝte ouer hem alle;
And she is syb to alle synful and her sone also;
And þoruȝe þe helpe of hem two (hope þow none other),
þow myȝte gete grace þere bi so þow go bityme.”
“By seynt Poule,” quod a pardonere “perauenture I be nouȝte knowe þere,
I wil go fecche my box with my breuettes and a bulle with bisshopes lettres!”
“By cryst,” quod a comune womman “þi companye wil I folwe,
Þow shalt sey I am þi sustre I ne wot where þei bicome.”
92
“By cryst,” quod a comune womman “þi companye wil I folwe,
Þow shalt sey I am þi sustre I ne wot where þei bicome.”
| The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman | |