 | [Poems from the Vernon MS] |  |
XXXII. Hou a man schal lyue parfytly.
In nome of him Alweldyng
Þat is vr heiȝe heuene-kyng,
Takeþ hede here in alle wyse
To fleo þe sunne of Couetyse
And alle þe dedly Synnes samed
Þat her-aftur schul beo named.
Ȝe mouwe also here hardily
Hou mon schal lyue parfytly;
Þat is vr heiȝe heuene-kyng,
Takeþ hede here in alle wyse
To fleo þe sunne of Couetyse
And alle þe dedly Synnes samed
Þat her-aftur schul beo named.
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Hou mon schal lyue parfytly;
Þenne schul ȝe here also
What is þe wille of god euermo;
What is þe wille of god euermo;
Also schul ȝe here now rede
What þing makeþ mon holy in dede;
What þing makeþ mon holy in dede;
Þen schul ȝe here, ȝif ȝe wol trouwe,
Hou mon schal him-self knowe,
In bodi and in soule also,
Wher he liue treweli or ne do;
Hou mon schal him-self knowe,
In bodi and in soule also,
Wher he liue treweli or ne do;
Also mowe ȝe here in hiȝ
Þe godnesse of god þat is euer redi;
Þe godnesse of god þat is euer redi;
Þen mowe ȝe heere in þis ryme
How a Mon schal spende his tyme.
How a Mon schal spende his tyme.
Also heere lerne we may
Hou þat we schule vre lord pay.
Herkneþ alle feire and stille:
Heere schul ȝe so of godus wille,
As witnesseþ folliche hit
Þe Bok þat is cald holi writ:
Hou þat we schule vre lord pay.
Herkneþ alle feire and stille:
Heere schul ȝe so of godus wille,
As witnesseþ folliche hit
Þe Bok þat is cald holi writ:
Þe seuen dedlich synnus, þe braunches also,
I wol ȝow telle, ar ȝe go;
I wol ȝow telle, ar ȝe go;
Þe seuen vertuwes of Ion þe Ewangelist,
Þat was ful wel wiþ Ihesu Crist;
Þat was ful wel wiþ Ihesu Crist;
Þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost,
Þe whuche ben of mihtes most,
And of heore strengþe also I-feere
Sumwhat þenne mowe ȝe lere;
Þe whuche ben of mihtes most,
And of heore strengþe also I-feere
Sumwhat þenne mowe ȝe lere;
Þen schul ȝe heere in presens
Whuch ben þe ten Comaundemens;
Whuch ben þe ten Comaundemens;
Þe[n] schul ȝe heere feir and briht
Of þreo vertuwes and of heore miht,
Þat is ffeiþ, good hope, and loue,
Þat wol vs bringe to blisse aboue;
Of þreo vertuwes and of heore miht,
Þat is ffeiþ, good hope, and loue,
Þat wol vs bringe to blisse aboue;
Of þe twelf Articles of þe ffey
Schul we also sumwhat sey;
Schul we also sumwhat sey;
Of þe seuen Sacramens,
Þat euer ben in godus presens;
Þat euer ben in godus presens;
So schul ȝe heere sum or al
Þe ffoure vertuwes Principal:
Prouwesse, Rihtwisnesse, and Meth,
Strengþe also wiþ hem he geth;
Þe ffoure vertuwes Principal:
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Strengþe also wiþ hem he geth;
Of þe seuen werkes [of merci] also—
Lord, ȝif vs grace hem wel to do.—
Lord, ȝif vs grace hem wel to do.—
Videte vocacionem vestrum.
(Paul, 1 Cor. 1, 26.)
Þis wordus here þat I ow say,
To Religious men longen þay;
Þus muche ben þei forte mene,
As ȝe schul heere al bydeene:
“Seo,” he seiþ, “bi-holde ȝe
To what þing ȝe cleped be.”
Þat he seiþ, hem to redresse
And to sturen hem to Parfytnesse.
ffor eueri Mon þat lyueþ here
Ouhte ha Ioye and Serwe I-fere:
Ioye for þe worþily wonynge
Þat is ordeynt to wel lyuynge,
To Religious men longen þay;
Þus muche ben þei forte mene,
As ȝe schul heere al bydeene:
“Seo,” he seiþ, “bi-holde ȝe
To what þing ȝe cleped be.”
Þat he seiþ, hem to redresse
And to sturen hem to Parfytnesse.
ffor eueri Mon þat lyueþ here
Ouhte ha Ioye and Serwe I-fere:
Ioye for þe worþily wonynge
Þat is ordeynt to wel lyuynge,
Serwe also to haue þerbi
ffor vre liuynge vnrihtfuli.
ffor her seiþ seint Eusebi
Wordus þat ben ful dredfuly:
ffor vre liuynge vnrihtfuli.
ffor her seiþ seint Eusebi
Wordus þat ben ful dredfuly:
“A Mon to Religiun him dresse
Is aller-hext sikernesse;
Not parfyt liue þer-inne son
Is aller-hext Dampnacion.”
In Religiun we to beo don
Is aller-hext Saluacion:
Ȝif þow wolt þat saluacion proue,
Al þat is good þou most loue,
Þou most loue eke also
Al þat Religius longeþ to;
Þou most al þi wille ȝiue
Parfytly and sikerly to liue.
And seint Bernard vs techeþ in hiȝ
To liue Mekeli, loueli, and worschipfuli.
Þat “worschipfuli” is to mene,
To Godus worschipe feir and clene,
Þat þou do al þyn entent
To don al his Comaundement;
To don his biddyng þou not asterte
In al þat þou may þenke wiþ herte,
And loke þou no þing þer-of breke
Wiþ al þat þou wiþ mouþ mai speke,
Or worche in dede wiþ-oute striue
Wiþ eny of þi wittes fyue,
Wiþ siȝt of Eȝe, wiþ Tonge tastyng,
Smellyng of Neose, of Ere heryng;
What þou dost bi wei or strete
Wiþ bodi worching, going wiþ feete,
Liggyng, stondyng, þenkyng also,
Loke ȝif hit beo godus wille or no.
Ȝif hit beo his wille, do hit son;
Ȝif hit ne beo, hit not don,
Do hit not þenne for no maystrie,
Þouȝ þou scholdest þerfore dye.—
Þenne mony mon loud and stille
Wol aske, what is godus wille.
Hit is to vs boþe more and les
To haue vs euere in holynes.—
Is aller-hext sikernesse;
Not parfyt liue þer-inne son
Is aller-hext Dampnacion.”
In Religiun we to beo don
Is aller-hext Saluacion:
Ȝif þow wolt þat saluacion proue,
Al þat is good þou most loue,
Þou most loue eke also
Al þat Religius longeþ to;
Þou most al þi wille ȝiue
Parfytly and sikerly to liue.
And seint Bernard vs techeþ in hiȝ
To liue Mekeli, loueli, and worschipfuli.
Þat “worschipfuli” is to mene,
To Godus worschipe feir and clene,
Þat þou do al þyn entent
To don al his Comaundement;
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In al þat þou may þenke wiþ herte,
And loke þou no þing þer-of breke
Wiþ al þat þou wiþ mouþ mai speke,
Or worche in dede wiþ-oute striue
Wiþ eny of þi wittes fyue,
Wiþ siȝt of Eȝe, wiþ Tonge tastyng,
Smellyng of Neose, of Ere heryng;
What þou dost bi wei or strete
Wiþ bodi worching, going wiþ feete,
Liggyng, stondyng, þenkyng also,
Loke ȝif hit beo godus wille or no.
Ȝif hit beo his wille, do hit son;
Ȝif hit ne beo, hit not don,
Do hit not þenne for no maystrie,
Þouȝ þou scholdest þerfore dye.—
Þenne mony mon loud and stille
Wol aske, what is godus wille.
Hit is to vs boþe more and les
To haue vs euere in holynes.—
Þenne is to wite what, and whi,
Þat makeþ a mon þenne holi.
Two þinges þer ben In worchyng:
Þat on is loue, þat oþur knowyng;
Þat is knowyng of alle soþnes,
And loue of alle grete goodnes.
To knowyng of god þat is soþnes
Maist þou not come in blod and flesch,
Bote to knowe þin owne flesch,
And also godus grete goodnes,
Maistou not come, as I þe mene,
Wiþ-outen loue of þin Euencristene.
To knowyng of þi-sel[f] maistou
Come þorwh good þenkyng nou;
Þou mayȝt come to godus knowynge
Þorwh þin owne feire plesynge.
To knowe þi-self old or ȝinge
Maistou come bi þis bithinkynge:
Þenk bisiliche, I preye þe,
What þou weore, art, and schalt be,
ffurst as to þi bodi here,
Seþþhe to þi soule þat is so dere.
As to þi bodi: foulore hit is
Þen euer was eny donge, I-wis—
Was neuer ȝit dounge so foule
Þat wolde so stinke, rote and moule;
Þou weore in so gret fulþe igete,
Abhominable hit is þerof to speke;
Þou schalt beo dilyueret to frete
To Todus and oþur wormes mete.
What þou hast ben & art, haue in mynde,
Þat þi soule beo not beo-hynde;—
What þi soule schal beo in tyme comyng,
May no mon knowe but heuene-kyng.
Þat makeþ a mon þenne holi.
Two þinges þer ben In worchyng:
Þat on is loue, þat oþur knowyng;
Þat is knowyng of alle soþnes,
And loue of alle grete goodnes.
To knowyng of god þat is soþnes
Maist þou not come in blod and flesch,
Bote to knowe þin owne flesch,
And also godus grete goodnes,
Maistou not come, as I þe mene,
Wiþ-outen loue of þin Euencristene.
To knowyng of þi-sel[f] maistou
Come þorwh good þenkyng nou;
Þou mayȝt come to godus knowynge
Þorwh þin owne feire plesynge.
To knowe þi-self old or ȝinge
Maistou come bi þis bithinkynge:
Þenk bisiliche, I preye þe,
What þou weore, art, and schalt be,
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Seþþhe to þi soule þat is so dere.
As to þi bodi: foulore hit is
Þen euer was eny donge, I-wis—
Was neuer ȝit dounge so foule
Þat wolde so stinke, rote and moule;
Þou weore in so gret fulþe igete,
Abhominable hit is þerof to speke;
Þou schalt beo dilyueret to frete
To Todus and oþur wormes mete.
What þou hast ben & art, haue in mynde,
Þat þi soule beo not beo-hynde;—
What þi soule schal beo in tyme comyng,
May no mon knowe but heuene-kyng.
Þenk þou hast In chele and hete
I-do mony wikkednesse and grete,
Þenk also, hem to redresse
Þow hast laft mony gret goodnesse.
I-do mony wikkednesse and grete,
Þenk also, hem to redresse
Þow hast laft mony gret goodnesse.
Þenk also, þat þis beo not weyued,
Þat longe hast lyued, and muche reseiued,
And hou þou hast spendet þat reseit;
To þe þenne wol þis beo ful streit:
ffor vch a tyme, drede þe nouȝt,
Þat þou hast not on god I-þouȝt,
Þou hast so loren of þi dispens
And don aȝeyn þi lordus defens—
ffor hit is vr lordus biddyng
To loue him ouer al oþur þyng.
ffor þou schalt ȝelde also a-counte
What vch an Idel word wol amounte,
Also to Acountes þou schalt beo brouȝt
ffor euerich Idel werk and þouht;
And as vch an her on þin hed is wried
Þat is saued schal beo glorifyed,
Also schal no þing ascape
Wiþ-outen a-counte erly or late. . . .
ffor þe soule þer hit is holde,
Is more þen al þis worldus molde—
Here is muche of godus grace!
Ȝit schal hit ocupye no place.
Þe Bodi and þe soule ben al a-stray,
Diuerse þouȝtes, willes, disires al day:
Ho mihte þenne seche his herte so niȝ
To ȝiue acountes al trewely
Of al þat euere he hedde mys-wrouht
Or eny mis-dede hedde in þouht?
Seoþ now, breþeren bi ten or twelue,
How ȝe ha neode to knowe or-selue!—
Tac good ȝeme what þou [now] art
To soule, and let hit not astart,
Whon þou hast in þe luytel of goode,
Luitel of wit and pouwer and moode,
Þis is þus muche forte say
Þat þou coueytest vche a day
Þing þat nouht is worþ in dede
Ne þat þe helpe mai at gret nede.
Help vs god þat sitteþ on lofte,
ffor elles beo we bigyled ofte,
Oþurwhile þorwh Ragynge as vnwitti,
And oþurwhile beo veyn glori;
Now are we trauaylet in to drede I-lope,
Now beo þe wey of fals hope.
Þow art so chaungable be-hynde & bi-forn,
Þat we wol to-day we wol not to-morn;
Ofte vr-seluen for to plese
Are we aboute worldly ese,
But we haue hem at vr wille
We beo turmented, us þinkeþ wiþ ille:
Whon þou hem at þi wille most hast,
Þen art þou wiþ hem agreued mast.
Þat longe hast lyued, and muche reseiued,
And hou þou hast spendet þat reseit;
To þe þenne wol þis beo ful streit:
ffor vch a tyme, drede þe nouȝt,
Þat þou hast not on god I-þouȝt,
Þou hast so loren of þi dispens
And don aȝeyn þi lordus defens—
ffor hit is vr lordus biddyng
To loue him ouer al oþur þyng.
ffor þou schalt ȝelde also a-counte
What vch an Idel word wol amounte,
Also to Acountes þou schalt beo brouȝt
ffor euerich Idel werk and þouht;
And as vch an her on þin hed is wried
Þat is saued schal beo glorifyed,
Also schal no þing ascape
Wiþ-outen a-counte erly or late. . . .
ffor þe soule þer hit is holde,
Is more þen al þis worldus molde—
Here is muche of godus grace!
Ȝit schal hit ocupye no place.
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Diuerse þouȝtes, willes, disires al day:
Ho mihte þenne seche his herte so niȝ
To ȝiue acountes al trewely
Of al þat euere he hedde mys-wrouht
Or eny mis-dede hedde in þouht?
Seoþ now, breþeren bi ten or twelue,
How ȝe ha neode to knowe or-selue!—
Tac good ȝeme what þou [now] art
To soule, and let hit not astart,
Whon þou hast in þe luytel of goode,
Luitel of wit and pouwer and moode,
Þis is þus muche forte say
Þat þou coueytest vche a day
Þing þat nouht is worþ in dede
Ne þat þe helpe mai at gret nede.
Help vs god þat sitteþ on lofte,
ffor elles beo we bigyled ofte,
Oþurwhile þorwh Ragynge as vnwitti,
And oþurwhile beo veyn glori;
Now are we trauaylet in to drede I-lope,
Now beo þe wey of fals hope.
Þow art so chaungable be-hynde & bi-forn,
Þat we wol to-day we wol not to-morn;
Ofte vr-seluen for to plese
Are we aboute worldly ese,
But we haue hem at vr wille
We beo turmented, us þinkeþ wiþ ille:
Whon þou hem at þi wille most hast,
Þen art þou wiþ hem agreued mast.
Þenk wel ȝit, I rede þe,
Hou liht þou art to tempted be,
ffebel and Brutel to stonde a-ȝeyn,
Redi to asente wiþ al oure mayn.
Of alle þeos Merueylous chaunces
Vr lord haþ sent vs diliueraunces,
And vche oþur day þerfore
He vs dilyuereþ more and more.
Hou liht þou art to tempted be,
ffebel and Brutel to stonde a-ȝeyn,
Redi to asente wiþ al oure mayn.
Of alle þeos Merueylous chaunces
Vr lord haþ sent vs diliueraunces,
And vche oþur day þerfore
He vs dilyuereþ more and more.
Whon þou weore nouȝt, he formede þe,
Þi soule to his liknesse to be,
And þy stinkynde bodi also
ffoormed he wiþ lymes two,
So feir and noble and of gret prise
Þat no Mon may no such deuise.
Þi soule to his liknesse to be,
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ffoormed he wiþ lymes two,
So feir and noble and of gret prise
Þat no Mon may no such deuise.
Þenk bisiliche, ȝe
Þat loueþ or ffadres and modres fre,
Whi ȝe louen hem so tenderly—
I wolde wite þe resun whi.
Ȝif þou seist þus, as soþ hit is,
ffor þou wer born and geten of her flesch:
So don þe beestes, soþ to say,
Þat breden of Mon and wommon al day.
Þe soþe ȝif þou wol lerne þen,
Bodi ne soule nastou of hem,
But bi him ful witterli
Þat is vr lord, god Almihti.
What heddestou ben, I preye þe,
Ȝif þou heddest stille such i-be
In fulþe of synne as þou i-gete were?
fful Abhomynable hit is to here.
Þat loueþ or ffadres and modres fre,
Whi ȝe louen hem so tenderly—
I wolde wite þe resun whi.
Ȝif þou seist þus, as soþ hit is,
ffor þou wer born and geten of her flesch:
So don þe beestes, soþ to say,
Þat breden of Mon and wommon al day.
Þe soþe ȝif þou wol lerne þen,
Bodi ne soule nastou of hem,
But bi him ful witterli
Þat is vr lord, god Almihti.
What heddestou ben, I preye þe,
Ȝif þou heddest stille such i-be
In fulþe of synne as þou i-gete were?
fful Abhomynable hit is to here.
Ȝif þou loue broþur or suster þan
ffor þei ben of þat fflesch i-tan
Þat þou weore þi-self also—
Þerfore þat loue hast þou hem to:
Þou scholdust þen loue hard and nesch
A pece of ffadur or Modur fflesch
In þis Maner, þat I sei here,
Al on Schornes þeiȝ hit were.
ffor þei ben of þat fflesch i-tan
Þat þou weore þi-self also—
Þerfore þat loue hast þou hem to:
Þou scholdust þen loue hard and nesch
A pece of ffadur or Modur fflesch
In þis Maner, þat I sei here,
Al on Schornes þeiȝ hit were.
Ȝif þou sigge in þis degre
Þou louest hem, for flesch figured þei be
To þi liknes, and for þei han
Soule of god as þou hast tan:
Bi þis is he no more þi broþur
But on as muche as is a-noþur,
But in as muche neuer-þe-latur
As ȝe hedde boþe on flesch-fadur,
And þenne þe biginnyng of vre flesch
Is stynkynde fulþe neuerþeles.
Þou louest hem, for flesch figured þei be
To þi liknes, and for þei han
Soule of god as þou hast tan:
Bi þis is he no more þi broþur
But on as muche as is a-noþur,
But in as muche neuer-þe-latur
As ȝe hedde boþe on flesch-fadur,
And þenne þe biginnyng of vre flesch
Is stynkynde fulþe neuerþeles.
Of O flesch-ffadur alle we came,
Adam was he cald bi name;
And for he dude so gret folye,
Scholde we neuer loue her fleschlye,
Bute vche Mon þus scholde loue oþur
Gostlich here as sustur and broþur.—
Ihesu, þat is vr aller kyng,
As I seide atte bygynnyng,
Whon þou weor nouȝt, þen formed he þe.
Whon þou weore lore, þen fond þe he,
Whon þou weore sold in sorwe and sinne,
Þen bouȝt he þe wiþ muchel wynne;
Whon þou were diht, i-dampned also,
Þen mihtfulliche he saued þe þo;
Whon þou weore boren in synne eke,
He Baptised þe wiþ wordus swete.
And whon þou sungest, al day to se,
Þen Mekeliche he soffreþ þe,
And longe he wol ȝit þe abyde,
Resseyue þe aftur, so may be-tyde,
And putte þe in to his swete couent,
Euer to beo to him present.
Whon þou mis-dost, he wol þe þrete,
Longe he bydeþ ar he wol bete;
Whon þou syngest wiþ wille fre,
fful sone wol he for-ȝiue hit þe.
Whon þou mis-gost eke also,
He þe Amendeþ wiþ wille ful þro,
Whon þat þou in doute art ouht,
In to þe techyng he haþ þe brouht;
Whon þou art hungri in eny neode,
ffeire he ordeyneþ þe to ffeede;
Whon þou hast colde, he warmeþ þe, Mon,
Whon þou hast hete, he keleþ þe þon;
Whon þou wakest, he saueþ þe so,
Whon þou slepest, he kepeþ þe to;
Whon þou rist vp, he þe sosteyneþ,
Whon þou fallest, he þe reiseþ,
Whon þou sittest, he halt þe ek,
Whon þou stondest, he strengþeþ þi feet,
And also, soþ for to say,
He vndursitteþ þe euere and ay;
Whon þou gost, he wol þe lede,
Whon þou aȝeyn turnest, resseyueþ þe eke,
Whon þou gost mis, a-ȝeyn calleþ he,
Whon þou art seek, þi cumfort to be.
Such goodnesses in mony degre
Haþ vr lord god I-do for þe.
And goodnesse in þyn herte wore,
Þou weore holden euer-more
Alle dayes to þenke [on him] I-wis,
And alle tymes to þonke for þis,
Alle dayes to speke to [him] Aboue
And alle dayes him hertly loue,
And also wel, ȝit i þe say,
On niht as vppon þe day.
Þerfore þou þat art þus wrouȝt,
At euen and morwe haue þus þi þouȝt
Hou mony þousund men to say
Han perisched in þat niht or þat day,
Summe in bodi, soþ hit is,
Summe in soule leosen her blis;
Summe in fuire and oþur maneere,
Summe in water þat is so clere;
Summe Robbed and woundet also;
Summe sodeynly to deþ han go
Wiþ-outen schrif and hosul þen
Þat hem þe rihte wei scholde ken,
And for defaute of Confessiun
Parauntur go to dampnaciun.
Adam was he cald bi name;
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Scholde we neuer loue her fleschlye,
Bute vche Mon þus scholde loue oþur
Gostlich here as sustur and broþur.—
Ihesu, þat is vr aller kyng,
As I seide atte bygynnyng,
Whon þou weor nouȝt, þen formed he þe.
Whon þou weore lore, þen fond þe he,
Whon þou weore sold in sorwe and sinne,
Þen bouȝt he þe wiþ muchel wynne;
Whon þou were diht, i-dampned also,
Þen mihtfulliche he saued þe þo;
Whon þou weore boren in synne eke,
He Baptised þe wiþ wordus swete.
And whon þou sungest, al day to se,
Þen Mekeliche he soffreþ þe,
And longe he wol ȝit þe abyde,
Resseyue þe aftur, so may be-tyde,
And putte þe in to his swete couent,
Euer to beo to him present.
Whon þou mis-dost, he wol þe þrete,
Longe he bydeþ ar he wol bete;
Whon þou syngest wiþ wille fre,
fful sone wol he for-ȝiue hit þe.
Whon þou mis-gost eke also,
He þe Amendeþ wiþ wille ful þro,
Whon þat þou in doute art ouht,
In to þe techyng he haþ þe brouht;
Whon þou art hungri in eny neode,
ffeire he ordeyneþ þe to ffeede;
Whon þou hast colde, he warmeþ þe, Mon,
Whon þou hast hete, he keleþ þe þon;
Whon þou wakest, he saueþ þe so,
Whon þou slepest, he kepeþ þe to;
Whon þou rist vp, he þe sosteyneþ,
Whon þou fallest, he þe reiseþ,
Whon þou sittest, he halt þe ek,
Whon þou stondest, he strengþeþ þi feet,
And also, soþ for to say,
He vndursitteþ þe euere and ay;
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Whon þou aȝeyn turnest, resseyueþ þe eke,
Whon þou gost mis, a-ȝeyn calleþ he,
Whon þou art seek, þi cumfort to be.
Such goodnesses in mony degre
Haþ vr lord god I-do for þe.
And goodnesse in þyn herte wore,
Þou weore holden euer-more
Alle dayes to þenke [on him] I-wis,
And alle tymes to þonke for þis,
Alle dayes to speke to [him] Aboue
And alle dayes him hertly loue,
And also wel, ȝit i þe say,
On niht as vppon þe day.
Þerfore þou þat art þus wrouȝt,
At euen and morwe haue þus þi þouȝt
Hou mony þousund men to say
Han perisched in þat niht or þat day,
Summe in bodi, soþ hit is,
Summe in soule leosen her blis;
Summe in fuire and oþur maneere,
Summe in water þat is so clere;
Summe Robbed and woundet also;
Summe sodeynly to deþ han go
Wiþ-outen schrif and hosul þen
Þat hem þe rihte wei scholde ken,
And for defaute of Confessiun
Parauntur go to dampnaciun.
Þenk also, a-noþur is þis
Þat niht and day moni mon is
ffalle in peril of soule way,
Þat þe fend haþ mad hem stray,
Þat is to sei þus forþi
In þe seuen synnes dedly:
Þat niht and day moni mon is
ffalle in peril of soule way,
Þat þe fend haþ mad hem stray,
Þat is to sei þus forþi
In þe seuen synnes dedly:
In Glotenye and Lecherie,
Monslauȝt also and Envye.
And of alle þeose wikkede chaunses
Haþ crist mad þe diliueraunces,
He haþ þe saued as mihti kyng
Wiþ-outen þyn owne deseruyng!
And what hastou don him and whare
Þat haþ þe kept from al þis care?
Ȝif þou toke þus goode kepe
Whon þou awakest of þi slepe,
Hou mony goodnesses he haþ þe do,
And euer is to þe aboute mo,
Þow schuldest him loue souereynli
Ouer al þis world, witterli;
Þou schalt him fynde so bisy now
Euermore a-boute þi prow
As non oþur þyng he aboute were
But þe to kepe whil þou art here.
Monslauȝt also and Envye.
And of alle þeose wikkede chaunses
Haþ crist mad þe diliueraunces,
He haþ þe saued as mihti kyng
Wiþ-outen þyn owne deseruyng!
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Þat haþ þe kept from al þis care?
Ȝif þou toke þus goode kepe
Whon þou awakest of þi slepe,
Hou mony goodnesses he haþ þe do,
And euer is to þe aboute mo,
Þow schuldest him loue souereynli
Ouer al þis world, witterli;
Þou schalt him fynde so bisy now
Euermore a-boute þi prow
As non oþur þyng he aboute were
But þe to kepe whil þou art here.
Whon þou hast þouȝt in þis wyse,
A-Morwe soone vp arise
And þonke þi lord of al þis goode,
Þat for þe wolde dye on Roode,
And sei to him wiþ herte fre
In þis maner þat i sei to þe:
A-Morwe soone vp arise
And þonke þi lord of al þis goode,
Þat for þe wolde dye on Roode,
And sei to him wiþ herte fre
In þis maner þat i sei to þe:
Gracias ago tibi, domine Ihesu criste, qui me [miserum peccatorem] in hac nocte custodi[sti], [protexisti], visitasti, sanum saluum & incolimem ad hanc horam peruenire fecisti, & pro alijs vniuersis beneficiis que michi tua sola bonitate contulisti. Qui viuis & regnas deus per omnia.
Sey þus, for hit is to þi by-heue,
Boþe on Morwen and at eue.
Boþe on Morwen and at eue.
Þenk þenne, I rede, also,
Ar þat þou to þi bed go,
Hou þou hast spendet þi tyme honeste
Whon þou vp ros til þou go to reste;
And whon þou hast bi-þouȝt þe wel,
Bi-sech god merci eueridel
Of al þe synnes þat þou hast wrouȝt,
And goodnesse þou hast do nouȝt
Whil vr lord þe lante miht,
In þat day ne in þat niht.
And loke þou do non oþur dede
Til þou haue þe Comaundet, I rede,
Þe and alle oþur goode eke
In to þe hond of god ful meke,
Ar þat þou to þi bed go,
Hou þou hast spendet þi tyme honeste
Whon þou vp ros til þou go to reste;
And whon þou hast bi-þouȝt þe wel,
Bi-sech god merci eueridel
Of al þe synnes þat þou hast wrouȝt,
And goodnesse þou hast do nouȝt
Whil vr lord þe lante miht,
In þat day ne in þat niht.
And loke þou do non oþur dede
Til þou haue þe Comaundet, I rede,
Þe and alle oþur goode eke
In to þe hond of god ful meke,
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And þenne schaltou þus say
In þis Manere, I þe pray. . . .
What þeos wordus ben to mene,
Ȝe schul on Englich here bi-dene:
“In to þin hondes, lord verray,
In þis Manere, I þe pray. . . .
What þeos wordus ben to mene,
Ȝe schul on Englich here bi-dene:
And in to þin holy Aungeles ay,
I be-teche þis ilke niht
Mi bodi and soule to þe be diht,
Mi breþeren and my sustren alle,
And al my frendes, what-so bi-falle,
And my nexte frendes eke,
And al my gode doeres, i beo-seke,
And also I be-seche at ene
Alle oþur cristene for to mene.
Kep vs, lord, þis niht in hiȝe,
Þorwh þe beo-sechyng of þi Modur Marie
And of al halewen also
Þat euer weore on eorþe i-do,
ffrom vices and couetyse vn-hende
And ffrom temptaciun of þe fende,
Of sodeyn deþ vnwarned to telle,
And also from þe pyne of helle;
Liht myn herte of þe holy gost,
As þou art lord of mihtes most,
And of þi grete grace þou me take,
To þi Comaundemens me boxum make,
And neuer beo departet from þe
Wiþ-outen ende, so mot hit be.”—
Ȝif þou vse þis-Maner þing,
Þen schaltou haue soþfast knowyng,
To knowe þi lord in whom is al,
Þat haþ þe Mad and saue schal.
Loke þenne þat þis beo þe rif,
Her-wiþ to lede holy lyf.—
Þreo Maners þer beo þen
Of Contemplaciun vs to ken:
Þe furste of hem þat þer is,
In Creatures hit is, i-wis;
Þat oþur in holy writ, we fynde;
Þe þridde in god and in his kynde.
Of Contemplaciun vs to ken:
Þe furste of hem þat þer is,
In Creatures hit is, i-wis;
Þat oþur in holy writ, we fynde;
Þe þridde in god and in his kynde.
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Contemplaciun is, siker ȝe beo,
Þe goodnesse of god for to seo.
Bi his Creatures may þou seo þan
Þreo þinges ben In god and Man;
Þis þreo ben, vs to redresse:
Miht, wit, and gret goodnesse. . .
Wit to god þat is sone,
Goodnes to god holigost in wone.
Þorwh his miht, þat wel was torned,
Alle þinges þei ben formed;
Þorwh his wit, so wel demeyned,
Alle þinges wysliche he ordeyned;
Þorwh his goodnesse, not denyed,
Alle þeose þinges he multiplyed.
His pouwer maistou seo þe laft
Þorwh her gretnesse and here schaft;
His wit also wiþ-outen distaunce
Þorwh heore bounte and ordynaunce;
His godnesse may we seo ful newe
Bi heore Multiplicaciun and vertuwe.
Heore gretnesse may we seo
Wiþ foure propurtes þat þer beo,
Þat is folliche for to say
Þorwh heore heiȝnesse and depnesse ay,
Þe oþur two ben of strengþe
Þat is þorwh heore brede and lenge.
His wit maistou seo ful breme,
Ȝif þou þerof take good ȝeme,
Þer as he haþ ȝiue sum creature þore
Beoyng wiþ-outen eny more,
Þat is as muche forte say
As stones þat ben in world al day. . . .
Þe goodnesse of god for to seo.
Bi his Creatures may þou seo þan
Þreo þinges ben In god and Man;
Þis þreo ben, vs to redresse:
Miht, wit, and gret goodnesse. . .
Wit to god þat is sone,
Goodnes to god holigost in wone.
Þorwh his miht, þat wel was torned,
Alle þinges þei ben formed;
Þorwh his wit, so wel demeyned,
Alle þinges wysliche he ordeyned;
Þorwh his goodnesse, not denyed,
Alle þeose þinges he multiplyed.
His pouwer maistou seo þe laft
Þorwh her gretnesse and here schaft;
His wit also wiþ-outen distaunce
Þorwh heore bounte and ordynaunce;
His godnesse may we seo ful newe
Bi heore Multiplicaciun and vertuwe.
Heore gretnesse may we seo
Wiþ foure propurtes þat þer beo,
Þat is folliche for to say
Þorwh heore heiȝnesse and depnesse ay,
Þe oþur two ben of strengþe
Þat is þorwh heore brede and lenge.
His wit maistou seo ful breme,
Ȝif þou þerof take good ȝeme,
Þer as he haþ ȝiue sum creature þore
Beoyng wiþ-outen eny more,
Þat is as muche forte say
As stones þat ben in world al day. . . .
He haþ ȝiue to oþur þynge
Lyf, beoynge, and fleoynge,
And al þise ben bi his hestes
To þat þing þat men callen bestes.
Lyf, beoynge, and fleoynge,
And al þise ben bi his hestes
To þat þing þat men callen bestes.
To oþur haþ he ȝiuen also
Lyf, beoynge, and fleoinge bo,
And also more þing of Renoun:
He haþ to hem I-ȝiue resoun;
Þis þing is I-ȝiuen þen
Boþe to Aungel and to men.
Stones noþing may þei feele,
Ne grases, and ȝit lyue þei wele;
Bestes lyuen and feleþ þe;
Mon lyueþ and waxeþ as doþ þe tre,
And as a Best feeleþ, he doþ,
And resun as Angel haþ he soþ.
Þenk þou on þat dignite
To creature of Mon is ȝiue so fre,
Hou þat his ȝift wiþ honoures
Sormounteþ alle oþur Creatoures.
Þerfore seiþ Austyn þus fol riht:
“I nolde ben Aungel, þeiȝ I miht,
Heore stat wolde I forsake þan
ffor þat stude was purueyed for man.”
Lyf, beoynge, and fleoinge bo,
And also more þing of Renoun:
He haþ to hem I-ȝiue resoun;
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Boþe to Aungel and to men.
Stones noþing may þei feele,
Ne grases, and ȝit lyue þei wele;
Bestes lyuen and feleþ þe;
Mon lyueþ and waxeþ as doþ þe tre,
And as a Best feeleþ, he doþ,
And resun as Angel haþ he soþ.
Þenk þou on þat dignite
To creature of Mon is ȝiue so fre,
Hou þat his ȝift wiþ honoures
Sormounteþ alle oþur Creatoures.
Þerfore seiþ Austyn þus fol riht:
“I nolde ben Aungel, þeiȝ I miht,
Heore stat wolde I forsake þan
ffor þat stude was purueyed for man.”
Þenk also, Mon is worþi
Gret schenschipe, witerli,
Þat wol not liue at godus wille
And his Comaundemens folfille,
Whon alle Creatures þat ben and were
Ben ordeynd for monnes mestere.
Gret schenschipe, witerli,
Þat wol not liue at godus wille
And his Comaundemens folfille,
Whon alle Creatures þat ben and were
Ben ordeynd for monnes mestere.
Þe goode bestes þat meke beo þon,
Beoþ maad for þreo þinges for mon:
ffor to helpen vs wiþ-outen fayle,
As schep, hors, kuyn, in vre trauayle;
And vs to feede, and vs to cloþe,
As leþer, fflesch and wolle boþe,
As Corn on eorþe and foules to be
And also ffissches in þe Séé.
Beoþ maad for þreo þinges for mon:
ffor to helpen vs wiþ-outen fayle,
As schep, hors, kuyn, in vre trauayle;
And vs to feede, and vs to cloþe,
As leþer, fflesch and wolle boþe,
As Corn on eorþe and foules to be
And also ffissches in þe Séé.
Þe nuyȝing graȝes and bestes venimous
Ben ordeynd for þreo þinges to vs:
ffor chastisyng, and amendement,
And for techyng wiþ good entent.
Chatised and punissched we ben in route
Whon we ben hurt, and in such doute;
And þat is ful derworþli
Of Godus owne grete merci—
Þerfore bodili he com
To Chastise vs, boþe god and Mon,
Þat we nere dampned wiþ-outen ende
ffor to dwelle wiþ þe ffende.
We ben amendet whil we wol mynne
Þat al vr wo comeþ fro vr synne;
Whon we seo þe soþe þus
So smale creatures may greuen vs,
Þen may we þinke þat we be
fful of ffebelnesse and of ffrelete,
We ouhten alle to beo ful Meke.
Whon we godus werkes wol se and seke . . .
Whon þou hast þus monyfolde
Þe werkes of god folliche beo-holde,
Lift vp þyn herte wiþ wille liht
And þenk þe Muchelnes of Godus miht,
Þat alle þing ordeyneþ in delyt,
And al hit is for vre profyt.
Ben ordeynd for þreo þinges to vs:
ffor chastisyng, and amendement,
And for techyng wiþ good entent.
Chatised and punissched we ben in route
Whon we ben hurt, and in such doute;
And þat is ful derworþli
Of Godus owne grete merci—
Þerfore bodili he com
To Chastise vs, boþe god and Mon,
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ffor to dwelle wiþ þe ffende.
We ben amendet whil we wol mynne
Þat al vr wo comeþ fro vr synne;
Whon we seo þe soþe þus
So smale creatures may greuen vs,
Þen may we þinke þat we be
fful of ffebelnesse and of ffrelete,
We ouhten alle to beo ful Meke.
Whon we godus werkes wol se and seke . . .
Whon þou hast þus monyfolde
Þe werkes of god folliche beo-holde,
Lift vp þyn herte wiþ wille liht
And þenk þe Muchelnes of Godus miht,
Þat alle þing ordeyneþ in delyt,
And al hit is for vre profyt.
A, Lord, Merci! what schul we say
Bot we þe serue to þi pay?
Al þat he vs ȝaf to Multiplie,
Alle þo Bestes we distruye;
Ȝif God ordeyne and forme hem,
We beo bisi to struiȝe hem þen.
Loue God for his goodnesse;
Honoure him for his feirnesse;
Glorifye him at þi redres
And also for his grete prouwes.—
Þen is þer a-noþur degre
Bot we þe serue to þi pay?
Al þat he vs ȝaf to Multiplie,
Alle þo Bestes we distruye;
Ȝif God ordeyne and forme hem,
We beo bisi to struiȝe hem þen.
Loue God for his goodnesse;
Honoure him for his feirnesse;
Glorifye him at þi redres
And also for his grete prouwes.—
Of Contemplaciun, I telle þe,
Þe wȝuche trewe and soþ is hit:
Þat is cald holy writ;
Þat wol teche þe wiþ-Inne,
To drawe þe from peril of synne,
Þe peyne forte douten ay,
To loue þe Ioye þat come may.
And euer loke, aboute þou be
To holde wiþ þe Charite,
Þis world also in alle wyse
Þou beo aboute to dispise;
Loke þou what is to done,
And also loke what is to schone.
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Al þat is writen in holy writ:
Þis ben þo two, to trowe,
Þat þou schalt boþe leeue and knowe
Wȝuche ben þe seuen synnes dedly,
And þe seuen vertuwes þerby,
Þe ten Comaundemens al-wey,
And þe twelf Articles of þe fey,
And þe seuen ȝiftus of þe holigost,
And þe seuen sacremens most,
And þe seuen werkes of Merci,
And þe vertuwes of þe Ewangeli,
And þe Ioyes also of heuen
And þe peynes of helle to nemen.
Off þe seuen dedly synnes.
Seuen Sinnes þer ben dedly:
Pruide, Wraþþe, Sleuþe, and Envy,
Glotonye, and gredines also,
Couetyse and lecheri, wiþ hem to go.
Pruide no-þing elles ne is
Bote loue to muche monnes hihnes.
And of him comeþ oþur seuene:
Vnbuxumnes, þat draweþ from heuene,
Aȝeynes god, be þou serteyn,
Or elles aȝeyn his souereyn;
Þat is to sei, I telle þe son,
To leue þat is hym beden don—
Þus is he peired and not mendet,
He doþ þing þat him is defendet.
Pruide, Wraþþe, Sleuþe, and Envy,
Glotonye, and gredines also,
Couetyse and lecheri, wiþ hem to go.
Pruide no-þing elles ne is
Bote loue to muche monnes hihnes.
And of him comeþ oþur seuene:
Vnbuxumnes, þat draweþ from heuene,
Aȝeynes god, be þou serteyn,
Or elles aȝeyn his souereyn;
Þat is to sei, I telle þe son,
To leue þat is hym beden don—
Þus is he peired and not mendet,
He doþ þing þat him is defendet.
Þat oþur þing is Auauntyng,
Whon mon of oþur monnes þing
And to him-self bi wikkednes
He hateþ and bringeþ him in distres.
Whon mon of oþur monnes þing
And to him-self bi wikkednes
He hateþ and bringeþ him in distres.
Þe þridde spice is Ypocrisye,
Whon mon feineþ him to haue in hiȝe
Holines þat he haþ nouht,
And doþ his wikkednes in dede and þouȝt.
Whon mon feineþ him to haue in hiȝe
Holines þat he haþ nouht,
And doþ his wikkednes in dede and þouȝt.
Þe ffeorþe spice, hit is þen
Dispit þat he haþ to oþur men,
Whon mon reherceþ oþur mennes good dede,
He wolde beo holde þe beter in leode.
Dispit þat he haþ to oþur men,
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He wolde beo holde þe beter in leode.
Þe ffyfþe spice is Arrogaunce boun,
Whon a Mon Makeþ comparisoun
Bi-twenen his vuel doynges
And oþur mennes for eny þinges,
ffor his wikkednes and trespas
Scholde seme muche þe las.
Whon a Mon Makeþ comparisoun
Bi-twenen his vuel doynges
And oþur mennes for eny þinges,
ffor his wikkednes and trespas
Scholde seme muche þe las.
Þe sixte spice is boldnes in nome,
Whon a Mon haþ no schome
Of his grete wikkednes forþi
Þat he haþ don so openly.
Whon a Mon haþ no schome
Of his grete wikkednes forþi
Þat he haþ don so openly.
Þe seuenþe Elaciun is to rede,
Whon mon is proud of his vuel dede.
Whon mon is proud of his vuel dede.
Þou schalt wite boþe in and out
Þat þis þreo þinges makeþ Mon prout:
Þat is to wite and haue in muynde
Þe goodes þat he haþ of kuynde,
Þat is of feirnes, or strengþe to say,
Or souereyn wit, or Noblay—
Þat noblei calle I in þis stage
He þat is prout of hei lynage.
Þat þis þreo þinges makeþ Mon prout:
Þat is to wite and haue in muynde
Þe goodes þat he haþ of kuynde,
Þat is of feirnes, or strengþe to say,
Or souereyn wit, or Noblay—
Þat noblei calle I in þis stage
He þat is prout of hei lynage.
Þat oþur þing is and euer was
Þe godus þat men han of purchas,
As wittes, vertuwes euerichane,
Graces, Dignite, and eke good fame.
Þe godus þat men han of purchas,
As wittes, vertuwes euerichane,
Graces, Dignite, and eke good fame.
Þe þridde is worldly godus þus,
As Cloþinge, housynge, Rentes, possessions,
Meyne, and also gret honour
Of þe worldly þinges in eueri stour.
Off Envye comeþ, haue we no care,
As Cloþinge, housynge, Rentes, possessions,
Meyne, and also gret honour
Of þe worldly þinges in eueri stour.
Ioye of oþur mennes vuel-fare,
And also to make sweryng gret
ffor oþur mennes wel-farynge and get.
And þat may ben in herte stinkynge,
Or in Mouþ þorwh Bakbytynge,
Or in werkes of vuel entent
Þorwh defaute of good entisement.
Chidyng waxeþ of Wraþþe þen,
Swellyng of herte amonges men,
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Sclaundre, and also gret dedeyn.
Of slouȝþe comeþ drerines, wikkednus, and swelling
Of foul wille, wiþ gret þretyng,
Aboute godus comaundemens not to do,
Wonhope, Rechelesnesse also,
Outrage wille of herte to sen
Aboute þinges þat defendet ben.
Off gredines comeþ tresun prest,
fforswerynges, and wikked rest,
Violence, and hardnes of herte
Aȝeynes Merci wiþ muchel vnquerte.
Þenne þer comeþ of Glotonye
Veyne gladnesse, and Lecherye,
ffulþi, Muche speche in hiȝing,
And ful feble vndurstondyng.
Of Lecherie comeþ blyndnes of herte,
In Orisun wiþ muchel vnqwerte—
In al þe preyers he scholde in be
Nis þer wiþ him no stabulte;
Of him comeþ fool-hastines also,
Loue of him-self wol wiþ hym go,
Hate of god þat vs bouht,
Loue of þis world þat is nouht,
Drede of dispeir Is al his wone
Of þe world þat is to come.
Þeose ben þe seuen dedly synnes forþi.
Wel may þei ben cald dedli:
Þe furste þreo dispoyleþ þe mon,
Þe ffeorþe abateþ hym as he con,
Þe ffyfþe byndeþ him in bonde,
Þe Sixte deseyueþ him in londe,
Þe seuenþe him put in þraldome,
Him to muche harm and schome.
ffor Pruide, beo þou þerof bolde,
Bi-nymeþ a Mon his god to holde;
And Envye bi-nymeþ also him fro
His euencristen, from god to go;
Wraþþhe, þat is a schrewed delf,
Bi-nymeþ a Mon his owne self;
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Euere hit tormenteþ hymme;
Gredines in eueri toun
Casteþ þe vnsely mon adoun;
Glotenye deseyueþ hym in luytel stage;
Lecherie put him in foul seruage.
Seuen blessynges of god.
A ȝein þis seuene vices þus
Ordeynt remedie sone Ihesus,
And send us seuen vertuwes in hihe
In þe holy Ewangelye,
And seiþ þus in þis Manere
As ȝe schul her aftur here:
Ordeynt remedie sone Ihesus,
And send us seuen vertuwes in hihe
In þe holy Ewangelye,
And seiþ þus in þis Manere
As ȝe schul her aftur here:
“Blesset be þe meke of spirit euene,
ffor heoren is þe kynedom of heuene”—
Þis is aȝein pruide and mood,
Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon his god so good.
ffor heoren is þe kynedom of heuene”—
Þis is aȝein pruide and mood,
Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon his god so good.
“I-blesset beo þe deboner þen
Aȝeynes heore euen-cristen men,
ffor þei schul haue in to heore honde
Þe lond þat is euer lastonde”—
Þis is aȝeyn þe foule Envye,
Þat bi-reueþ mon his euencristen trie.
Aȝeynes heore euen-cristen men,
ffor þei schul haue in to heore honde
Þe lond þat is euer lastonde”—
Þis is aȝeyn þe foule Envye,
Þat bi-reueþ mon his euencristen trie.
“Blesset beo þo þat wepen ofte,
ffor þei schul beo cumfortet on lofte”—
Þis is aȝeynes wraþþe to delue,
Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon him-selue.
ffor þei schul beo cumfortet on lofte”—
Þis is aȝeynes wraþþe to delue,
Þat bi-nymeþ a Mon him-selue.
“Blesset be þe Merciable men,
ffor god schal haue Merci of hem”—
Aȝeynes gredynes þis mot be,
Þat of no mon he haþ pite.
ffor god schal haue Merci of hem”—
Aȝeynes gredynes þis mot be,
Þat of no mon he haþ pite.
“Blesset beo þo þat hungri be þen
Aftur Rihtful, disyr forte ken,
ffor þei schul be fed in blisse”—
Þis is aȝein Slouþe and rechelesnesse.
Aftur Rihtful, disyr forte ken,
ffor þei schul be fed in blisse”—
Þis is aȝein Slouþe and rechelesnesse.
“Blesset mote þe clene of herte be,
Þe face of god schul þei se”—
Þis is a-ȝeyn glotenye doyng,
Þat euer þenkeþ on flesch lykyng.
Þe face of god schul þei se”—
Þis is a-ȝeyn glotenye doyng,
Þat euer þenkeþ on flesch lykyng.
239
“Blesset be þe pesybles i-tald,
Godus children schul þei be cald”—
Aȝeynes lecherie þis ordeynt wes,
ffor þe lechour naþ neuer pes;
He naþ no pes for his beste,
He may in herte neuer ha reste.
Þeose ben þe vertuwes seuene
Aȝeyn þe vices forte nempne.
Godus children schul þei be cald”—
Aȝeynes lecherie þis ordeynt wes,
ffor þe lechour naþ neuer pes;
He naþ no pes for his beste,
He may in herte neuer ha reste.
Þeose ben þe vertuwes seuene
Aȝeyn þe vices forte nempne.
Seuen medicines for þe seuen dedly synnes.
Afftur þis he wol vs teche,
God þat is vr goode leche,
Þis seuen medicines, trie to vs,
To helen vs of seuen Maledius,
And þus he confermeþ hem
In to seuen vertuwes þen
Bi vertue of þe holy gost,
Þat is lord of mihtes most.
Þeose þei ben to nempne þat þing:
Þe holigost of wisdam and of vndurstondyng,
And also, wiþ-outen fayle,
Þe gost of strengþe and of counsayle,
Þe gost of wit and of pite,
Þe gost of doute of god mot be.
Þorwh þis seuen ȝiftes god ȝaf mon
Al þat he haþ neode of þon
To his Bodiliche lyf
And to his soule wiþ-outen strif.
Seo hou mon may in his mode
Leue þe vuel and take þe gode:
To leue þe vuel þat is forbod
Techeþ þe gost of þe doute of god;
Þe gode to do, I telle þe,
Þat techeþ þe gost of pite.
God þat is vr goode leche,
Þis seuen medicines, trie to vs,
To helen vs of seuen Maledius,
And þus he confermeþ hem
In to seuen vertuwes þen
Bi vertue of þe holy gost,
Þat is lord of mihtes most.
Þeose þei ben to nempne þat þing:
Þe holigost of wisdam and of vndurstondyng,
And also, wiþ-outen fayle,
Þe gost of strengþe and of counsayle,
Þe gost of wit and of pite,
Þe gost of doute of god mot be.
Þorwh þis seuen ȝiftes god ȝaf mon
Al þat he haþ neode of þon
To his Bodiliche lyf
And to his soule wiþ-outen strif.
Seo hou mon may in his mode
Leue þe vuel and take þe gode:
To leue þe vuel þat is forbod
Techeþ þe gost of þe doute of god;
Þe gode to do, I telle þe,
Þat techeþ þe gost of pite.
Two þinges þer beo þan
Þat letteþ good doinge of man:
Þat on is worldly riches,
And also gret frouwar[d]nes;
Riches, hit mon deseyueþ,
ffrouwardnes from god him weyueþ.
Þerfore a mon schal dispise
Worldly richesse in alle wyse,
Þat he beo not deseyuet beo hit:
Þat vs techeþ þe gost of wit.
And þou schalt suffre stalworþli
Tribulacions and anguyses worldli,
Þat þou neuere ouercomen be:
Þus techeþ þe gost of strengþe to þe.
Þeose foure ben souereynly
To bodiliche lyf forþy.
Þat letteþ good doinge of man:
Þat on is worldly riches,
And also gret frouwar[d]nes;
Riches, hit mon deseyueþ,
ffrouwardnes from god him weyueþ.
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Worldly richesse in alle wyse,
Þat he beo not deseyuet beo hit:
Þat vs techeþ þe gost of wit.
And þou schalt suffre stalworþli
Tribulacions and anguyses worldli,
Þat þou neuere ouercomen be:
Þus techeþ þe gost of strengþe to þe.
Þeose foure ben souereynly
To bodiliche lyf forþy.
Þat oþur longen wiþ-outen strif
Alle to þe gostly lyf.
ffor þreo maners bi resun
Ben of Contemplaciun:
Alle to þe gostly lyf.
ffor þreo maners bi resun
Ben of Contemplaciun:
On is [in] Creatures bi vre entent:
Þat techeþ þe gost of entendement.
Þat techeþ þe gost of entendement.
A-noþur in holi writ also,
Þat þou seost what þou schalt do
And what þing þou schalt lete:
Þat techeþ þe gost of counseil swete.
Þat þou seost what þou schalt do
And what þing þou schalt lete:
Þat techeþ þe gost of counseil swete.
Þe þridde is of him-self, god and Mon:
Þat techeþ þe gost of wisdom.
Now seo we now hou Ihesu þe lele
Is euer aboute vr help and hele.
Þat techeþ þe gost of wisdom.
Now seo we now hou Ihesu þe lele
Is euer aboute vr help and hele.
Þe ten comaundemens of god.
Afftur þis schaltou witen þen
Wȝuche ben þe comaundemens ten.
Þe furste, hit is be þin a-cord:
Worschipe to O god, vr lord.
Þen þe fend þe may not derue,
Ȝif þou him only worschipe and serue.
Worschupe him þorw feiþ and mode,
And serue him wiþ werkes gode.
Wȝuche ben þe comaundemens ten.
Þe furste, hit is be þin a-cord:
Worschipe to O god, vr lord.
Þen þe fend þe may not derue,
Ȝif þou him only worschipe and serue.
Worschupe him þorw feiþ and mode,
And serue him wiþ werkes gode.
Þenk ȝif þou haue alle tym
Trewely honoured hym,
And ouer alle oþur þinges
Serue[d] hym and his biddynges;
Trewely honoured hym,
And ouer alle oþur þinges
Serue[d] hym and his biddynges;
Þenk ȝif þou haue ȝolden him þi beo-hest
Þat þou be-hiȝtest hym mest or lest:
Þou him be-hiȝtest feiþful trist
Whon þou toke þi Baptist;
Or ȝif þou haue lasse penaunce don
Þen þe was leyd penaunce vppon.
Þorwh þis comaundement al-to-gader
Mon is ordeynt to god þe ffader.
Þat oþur bi-heste is forto seyn:
Þat þou be-hiȝtest hym mest or lest:
241
Whon þou toke þi Baptist;
Or ȝif þou haue lasse penaunce don
Þen þe was leyd penaunce vppon.
Þorwh þis comaundement al-to-gader
Mon is ordeynt to god þe ffader.
Nempne not godus nome in veyn.
Þorw þat is defendet lesynge,
ffalshede, and forswerynge.
Þorw þat is eueri good mon in wone
Ordeynt touward god þe Sone,
ffor he him-self bereþ witnesse
And seiþ “I am soþnesse” expresse.
Þe þridde heste is forte say
Þat þou kepe wel þin haly-day.
Þat is to sei, vch an heih fest
Þat comeþ þe to, mest or lest,
Haue þin herte in pes and reste most.
Þat ordeyneþ mon to þe holygost.—
Þeose þreo hestes techeþ ow and me
To beren vs to god þe Trinite,
To whos liknesse Mon is mad
In soule, þat scholde be trewe and sad.
Seuene oþure techeþ men
Hou þei schul bere hem to her euen-cristen.
Þe furste is: worschupe þou folly
fflesch-fadur and modur and þi gostly.
And þat in two Maner of þinges:
In boxumnesse and for-berynges,
And help hem bi þi pouwer in dede
Of alle þinges þat þei haue nede.
Þen schalt þou beo of long lyf
In eorþe here wiþ-outen stryf.
Ȝif þou wolt haue þe lyf longe,
Worschupe þi god wiþ wille stronge,
ffor he þe brouȝt, wite hit wel,
Al þi lyf euerich a del.
Þat oþur heste, hit is þon:
In no wey þat þou sle no mon.
Þenne schaltou wite here,
Mon-slauȝt is in þreo manere,
In þreo manere hit is ful smerte:
Of hond, of tonge, and of herte.
In no wey þat þou sle no mon.
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Mon-slauȝt is in þreo manere,
In þreo manere hit is ful smerte:
Of hond, of tonge, and of herte.
Of hond hit is wiþ-outen meþ
Whon a Mon wiþ wepene sleþ,
Or whon he putteþ him in dede
In prisun or in oþur stede—
Þat ilke doing cause may be
Of his deþ, as I sei þe. . . .
Whon a Mon wiþ wepene sleþ,
Or whon he putteþ him in dede
In prisun or in oþur stede—
Þat ilke doing cause may be
Of his deþ, as I sei þe. . . .
Monslauȝt of herte is also here
In oþur two vuel manere:
Whon Mon coueyteþ oþures deþ in hiȝe,
Or for de-faute leteþ him dye
And nil not helpen him in þat mester
Ne him deliuere, ȝif he ha pouwer.
Þen is hit þe þridde heste:
In oþur two vuel manere:
Whon Mon coueyteþ oþures deþ in hiȝe,
Or for de-faute leteþ him dye
And nil not helpen him in þat mester
Ne him deliuere, ȝif he ha pouwer.
To do no lecherie, mest ne leste.
He þat wol lyue wiþ-outen dyȝing
In þe blisse of heuene-kyng,
Him weore neod to kepe ful boun
His dedlyche lyf from corupcioun,
ffrom þat corupciun, sei I,
Þat wol come of his bodi.
Þe ffeorþe heste is, witerli:
To do no þefþe ne Robberi.
He þat wol spare oþurmennes lyf,
Bi-nyme him nouht wiþ no strif,
Þorwh wȝuche bi-nymynge
Þou maiȝt bi-reue his lyuynge.
Þe ffyfþe heste þen is þis:
Þow schalt bere no fals witnes
Aȝeynes þin euen-cristen þen,
Ne also þou schalt not cumforten hem
Þat wolden liue in reste and ro (!)
Heore neihȝebors harm to do.
ffor bi a fals witnesse i-bore
A Mon may worldli beo forlore.
Ȝif þou no counseil in no res
To him þat wolde liuen in pes
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ffor ȝif þou dost, hit torneþ to wrake.
Þe sixte heste wiþ-outen strif:
Coueite þou nouȝt þi neiȝebors wyf,
Ne non of his seruauns also,
Ne nouȝt þat him longeþ to.
Þe seueþe heste is þus, I-wis:
Coueyte þou not þi neiȝebors godis.
Þis two hestes acordyng ben
To þo bifore as ȝe may sen,
Þer he seiþ to þe in hiȝe
“Do no þefþe, ne lecherie,”
ffor he þat haþ wikked wille and smert,
Wikked entent is in his hert,
He may not longe for no þing
Holden him from mis-doing.
Þerfore I warne þe nou so,
Þat þou lecherie ne do;
Ȝif þou wolt not stele nou,
Oþur mennes good coueite not þou.
Þeos ben þe ten hestes to say
Þat god ȝaf Moyses in þe Mount of Synay.
Coueyte þou not þi neiȝebors godis.
Þis two hestes acordyng ben
To þo bifore as ȝe may sen,
Þer he seiþ to þe in hiȝe
“Do no þefþe, ne lecherie,”
ffor he þat haþ wikked wille and smert,
Wikked entent is in his hert,
He may not longe for no þing
Holden him from mis-doing.
Þerfore I warne þe nou so,
Þat þou lecherie ne do;
Ȝif þou wolt not stele nou,
Oþur mennes good coueite not þou.
Þeos ben þe ten hestes to say
Þat god ȝaf Moyses in þe Mount of Synay.
Þe furste þreo, witeþ hit wel,
Ben to godus honour eueridel;
And to þi-self longen þe seuene,
To louen alle cristene euene.
Ben to godus honour eueridel;
And to þi-self longen þe seuene,
To louen alle cristene euene.
Þe seuen vertues of god.
Aftur scha[l]tou wite wȝuche ben
Þe seuen vertuwes vppon to sen,
Þat is to wite: ffeiþ, hope, and loue,
Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes a-boue,
Temperaunce, and strengþe mest.
Of O Matere ben þeos two hest
And þe seue vertuwes in presens,
Saue þis is þe differens:
Þe seuen vertuwes vppon to sen,
Þat is to wite: ffeiþ, hope, and loue,
Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes a-boue,
Temperaunce, and strengþe mest.
Of O Matere ben þeos two hest
And þe seue vertuwes in presens,
Saue þis is þe differens:
Þe ten hestes techeþ hou þou schalt do,
Þe seuen vertuwes techeþ þe matere also.
Þe seuen vertuwes techeþ þe matere also.
Þe ffurste þreo þat ben aboue,
Is to wite, ffeiþ, Hope, and Loue,
Þise þreo, þei ordeyne hou þou schalt
Touward god liue þat al walt;
And þis oþere her-aftur seuene
Teche þe to knowe þe wey to heuene.
Is to wite, ffeiþ, Hope, and Loue,
244
Touward god liue þat al walt;
And þis oþere her-aftur seuene
Teche þe to knowe þe wey to heuene.
Ȝe wite wel, my leue ffrende,
Alle beo we formed to on ende:
Þat is to seye, god to knowe,
Him to loue and honoure we owe.
Bote þreo þinges, ar we wende,
Beon nedful to come to vre ende:
And þenne is þis þat on
To wite whodur we schulle gon;
Þat oþur, þat we ben willi
To gon in trust ful treweli;
And þenne is þe þridde þinge:
To haue trust of wel goinge—
Alle beo we formed to on ende:
Þat is to seye, god to knowe,
Him to loue and honoure we owe.
Bote þreo þinges, ar we wende,
Beon nedful to come to vre ende:
And þenne is þis þat on
To wite whodur we schulle gon;
Þat oþur, þat we ben willi
To gon in trust ful treweli;
And þenne is þe þridde þinge:
To haue trust of wel goinge—
Gret folye hit were to fo or ffrende
To bi-ginne þing he may not ende.
A Mon þat wol wel do þer-tille,
Moste ha miht, Connyng, and wille,
Þat is to say þus ȝow to:
Þat he con, Mai, and wol [wel] do.
But for we haue not vs ner
Of vr-self Miht, Wit, ne pouwer,
Þerfore haþ god ȝiuen vs tille
ffeiþ, alle þise to folfille.
ffeiþ ordeyneþ vs to god þe sone,
To whom is a-propred wisdam in wone;
Hope ordeyneþ vs to þe ffadur riht,
To whom is a-propred Miht;
Loue to þe Holigost doþ vs dresse,
To whom is a-propred alle goodnesse.
And þerfore of god wiþ-outen lesynge
ffeiþ doþ vs to haue knowynge;
And þat knowynge of god wiþ mood
Ȝiueþ vs frely and largeli of his good:
And out of þat godnesse is i-crope
And comeþ to vs þenne hope;
Of þat knowyng, I vndurstod,
Þer he seiþ vs þat he is good,
Þer-of comeþ feir aboue
Þe þridde vertue þat is loue,
ffor vch a þing, Resun whi,
Schal loue þe goode kuyndeli.
To bi-ginne þing he may not ende.
A Mon þat wol wel do þer-tille,
Moste ha miht, Connyng, and wille,
Þat is to say þus ȝow to:
Þat he con, Mai, and wol [wel] do.
But for we haue not vs ner
Of vr-self Miht, Wit, ne pouwer,
Þerfore haþ god ȝiuen vs tille
ffeiþ, alle þise to folfille.
ffeiþ ordeyneþ vs to god þe sone,
To whom is a-propred wisdam in wone;
Hope ordeyneþ vs to þe ffadur riht,
To whom is a-propred Miht;
Loue to þe Holigost doþ vs dresse,
To whom is a-propred alle goodnesse.
And þerfore of god wiþ-outen lesynge
ffeiþ doþ vs to haue knowynge;
And þat knowynge of god wiþ mood
Ȝiueþ vs frely and largeli of his good:
And out of þat godnesse is i-crope
And comeþ to vs þenne hope;
Of þat knowyng, I vndurstod,
Þer he seiþ vs þat he is good,
245
Þe þridde vertue þat is loue,
ffor vch a þing, Resun whi,
Schal loue þe goode kuyndeli.
Þe twolue articles of þe fey.
Þen schaltou wite, as I þe sei,
Whuche ben þe .xij. Articles of þe fei.
ffurst, god is on in him-self for to lende,
And þre persones, wiþ-outen ende,
And is verrey God and lord
Þat alle þing made wiþ his word.
Whuche ben þe .xij. Articles of þe fei.
ffurst, god is on in him-self for to lende,
And þre persones, wiþ-outen ende,
And is verrey God and lord
Þat alle þing made wiþ his word.
Þat oþur article is ful trye:
Þat he tok flesch and blod of Maide Marie.
Þat he tok flesch and blod of Maide Marie.
Þe þridde Article: þat he was bore þon
Of hire, soþfast god and mon.
Of hire, soþfast god and mon.
Þe fferþe Article, we sen hit red:
Vndur Pilatus pouwer was he ded,
Not for nede, I sei ow tille,
But vs to buye of his ffreo wille.
Vndur Pilatus pouwer was he ded,
Not for nede, I sei ow tille,
But vs to buye of his ffreo wille.
Þe ffyfþe is, soþ to telle:
Þat his soule wente doun to helle
And fet hem out in to his blis,
Alle þo þat weren his.
Þat his soule wente doun to helle
And fet hem out in to his blis,
Alle þo þat weren his.
Þe Sixte: þat he ros wiþ-outen striue,
God and Mon, from deþ to lyue.
God and Mon, from deþ to lyue.
Þe seueþe is in vre sawes:
Aftur þe fulle fourti dawes
Of his blisful and hard dyȝing
He steih to heuene þer he is kyng;
He þat is lord of Séé and Sond
Sitteþ þer on his fadur riht hond.
Aftur þe fulle fourti dawes
Of his blisful and hard dyȝing
He steih to heuene þer he is kyng;
He þat is lord of Séé and Sond
Sitteþ þer on his fadur riht hond.
Þe eihteþe is: he schal present
Beon atte day of Iugement,
Goode and wikkede schal he deme
And alle þing as him wol bi-seeme.
Beon atte day of Iugement,
Goode and wikkede schal he deme
And alle þing as him wol bi-seeme.
Þe Niþe is wiþ-outen bost:
Þat in god is þe holygost,
And euermore so wol be,
Þe þridde persone of þe trinite;
Of whom, þat is so heiȝ in blis,
Al-holichirche halewed hit is.
Þat in god is þe holygost,
And euermore so wol be,
Þe þridde persone of þe trinite;
246
Al-holichirche halewed hit is.
Þe tenþe is of comynge of holi men,
Þat is to sei fulliche of hem
Þat ben lymes of holychirche
And no dedly synne nul worche,
Han part of alle goode dedes sone
Þat in holi chirche ben done.
Þat is to sei fulliche of hem
Þat ben lymes of holychirche
And no dedly synne nul worche,
Han part of alle goode dedes sone
Þat in holi chirche ben done.
Þe Elleueþe is: þorw þe sacrament
Of holichurche wiþ good entent
Þe goode schul haue forȝiuenesse
Of heore synnes more and lesse.
Of holichurche wiþ good entent
Þe goode schul haue forȝiuenesse
Of heore synnes more and lesse.
Þe twelfþe is þat Mon and wyue
Schullen arise from deþ to lyue.
Schullen arise from deþ to lyue.
Þe þrettenþe is: þe goode schul haue
Euerlastinde lyf þat schal hem saue,
And þis oþure þenne schul wende
To lastyng pyne wiþ-outen ende.
Euerlastinde lyf þat schal hem saue,
And þis oþure þenne schul wende
To lastyng pyne wiþ-outen ende.
Þe Seuen sacromens of holy churche.
Afftur þis schul ȝe here bi-ginne
Þe sacramens seuen þat fordon synne;
He hem ordeynde synne to wiþ-stonde
And þe gode to take on honde.
Þe furste is cald Baptisme,
Þat child takeþ er þen his crisme;
Þat clanseþ mon of þat synne
Þat vr forme-fader brouȝt us inne.
Þe sacramens seuen þat fordon synne;
He hem ordeynde synne to wiþ-stonde
And þe gode to take on honde.
Þe furste is cald Baptisme,
Þat child takeþ er þen his crisme;
Þat clanseþ mon of þat synne
Þat vr forme-fader brouȝt us inne.
Þat oþur sacrament is of renoun
And is cald Confirmacioun:
ffor whon he is so cristned þon,
He confermeþ þe holigost in mon.
And is cald Confirmacioun:
ffor whon he is so cristned þon,
He confermeþ þe holigost in mon.
Þe þridde is penaunce to biginne,
Þat freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne.
Þat freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne.
Þe feorþe is sacrament of þe Auter,
Þat confermeþ mon hol and feer
And ȝiueþ him strengþe good wiþ-alle,
Þat he eft-sones in synne ne falle;
Þat sacrament reconsileþ him ay,
Susteyneþ him, þat he ne falle may.
Þat confermeþ mon hol and feer
And ȝiueþ him strengþe good wiþ-alle,
Þat he eft-sones in synne ne falle;
Þat sacrament reconsileþ him ay,
Susteyneþ him, þat he ne falle may.
247
Þe ffifþe is ordre, þat ȝiueþ power
To Men ordeynet in heore mester
Þe sacramens to make and worche,
To serue wiþ god and holi churche.
To Men ordeynet in heore mester
Þe sacramens to make and worche,
To serue wiþ god and holi churche.
Þe Sixte is Matrimoyne to bigynne,
Þat defendeþ dedly synne
In werkes of generaciun þon
Bi-twene mon and wommon.
Þat defendeþ dedly synne
In werkes of generaciun þon
Bi-twene mon and wommon.
Þe seueþe is þe enoyling
Of seke in perel of diȝing,
And þat is in Aleggaunce
Of Bodi and soules penaunce.
Þeos ben þe sacramens þen,
Þat longeþ to alle cristene Men.
Of seke in perel of diȝing,
And þat is in Aleggaunce
Of Bodi and soules penaunce.
Þeos ben þe sacramens þen,
Þat longeþ to alle cristene Men.
Þe seuen principal vertues.
Aftur þis nou wite we schal
Wȝuche ben þe iiij. vertuwes principal,
Bi wȝuche vche monnes lyf here
Is gouernet in þis world so dere:
Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes bi chaunce,
Strengþe, and also Temperaunce.
Of þeos foure spekeþ þe holygost
In þe Bok of wisdam most
Þat no þing bi good delyt
In eorþe to Mon doþ more profyt.
ffor hose to do wel vndurstode,
He moste knowe vuel from goode,
Also, he seoþ here bi lettre,
He moste knowe þe gode from þe bettre:
Þat vs techeþ in alle wyse
Þat þyng þat is called queyntyse.
And whon þou hast þus i-chose,
Þe wikked from þe goode to lose
Þat techeþ þe vertue to distresse
Þat is cleped Rihtfulnesse.
Wȝuche ben þe iiij. vertuwes principal,
Bi wȝuche vche monnes lyf here
Is gouernet in þis world so dere:
Qweyntise, Rihtfulnes bi chaunce,
Strengþe, and also Temperaunce.
Of þeos foure spekeþ þe holygost
In þe Bok of wisdam most
Þat no þing bi good delyt
In eorþe to Mon doþ more profyt.
ffor hose to do wel vndurstode,
He moste knowe vuel from goode,
Also, he seoþ here bi lettre,
He moste knowe þe gode from þe bettre:
Þat vs techeþ in alle wyse
Þat þyng þat is called queyntyse.
And whon þou hast þus i-chose,
Þe wikked from þe goode to lose
Þat techeþ þe vertue to distresse
Þat is cleped Rihtfulnesse.
Two þinges þer ben in world ful þikke
Letteþ mon do good and takeþ wikke:
Þe riches of þis world is on,
Þat alle weyes deseyueþ mon,
He disseyueþ mon in mony þinges,
þorwh swete restynges;
A-noþur is Contek of worldli strif
Aȝeynes mon, doun hym to dryf.
Aȝeynes richesse mesure þe in tide,
Beo þou not risen to muche in pride:
Þat vertu is wiþ-outen distaunce
Þis þat men calleþ temperaunce.
Letteþ mon do good and takeþ wikke:
Þe riches of þis world is on,
Þat alle weyes deseyueþ mon,
248
þorwh swete restynges;
A-noþur is Contek of worldli strif
Aȝeynes mon, doun hym to dryf.
Aȝeynes richesse mesure þe in tide,
Beo þou not risen to muche in pride:
Þat vertu is wiþ-outen distaunce
Þis þat men calleþ temperaunce.
Aȝeynes worldly cuntek and strif
Loke brennynge wille beo þe rif,
Þat þou beo not so feble boun
Þat þe world þe caste a-doun:
And þat vertue in brede and lengþe
Is þat þat is i-cleped strengþe.
Loke brennynge wille beo þe rif,
Þat þou beo not so feble boun
Þat þe world þe caste a-doun:
And þat vertue in brede and lengþe
Is þat þat is i-cleped strengþe.
Seuen werkes of mercy.
Afftur schaltou wite redili
Wȝuche ben seuen werkes of Merci.
Þe furste is, ȝiue þe hungri mete;
Þat oþur, drinke þe þrusti to gete;
Þe þridde, cloþe þe naked bi tymes;
Þe ffeorþe, to herborwe pilgrymes;
Þe ffyfþe, prisons to visyte swete;
Þe Sixte is, cumforte þe seke;
Þe seueþe, in certeyn place we rede,
Þat is to helpe burie þe dede.—
Wȝuche ben seuen werkes of Merci.
Þe furste is, ȝiue þe hungri mete;
Þat oþur, drinke þe þrusti to gete;
Þe þridde, cloþe þe naked bi tymes;
Þe ffeorþe, to herborwe pilgrymes;
Þe ffyfþe, prisons to visyte swete;
Þe Sixte is, cumforte þe seke;
Þe seueþe, in certeyn place we rede,
Þat is to helpe burie þe dede.—
Þen maistou sey in tour and toun:
“I þat am in Religioun,
I naue no pouwer to ȝiue no mete,
Ne drinke ne herborwe to hem gete,
Ne cloþing to hem haue I non,
To visite prisones may I not gon:
I am in oþur monnes pouwer;
Þerfore me were beter seculer,
Þat I mihte do trewely
Alle þeose dedes of Mercy.”
“I þat am in Religioun,
I naue no pouwer to ȝiue no mete,
Ne drinke ne herborwe to hem gete,
Ne cloþing to hem haue I non,
To visite prisones may I not gon:
I am in oþur monnes pouwer;
Þerfore me were beter seculer,
Þat I mihte do trewely
Alle þeose dedes of Mercy.”
Þenk not þus, I rede þe,
Leste þou her-Inne deseyued be.
Betere hit is to þe in eueri toun
To haue pite and compassioun
In þyn herte in alle weyse
Of hem þat þou seost in Meseyse,
Þen þou heddest al þe world wiþ þe
Hit forth to dele for charite.
Ȝif þi-self, as I sei nou,
And more þen al þe world ȝiuestou
ffor þei þat suffre in alle wyse
Chele, hungur, defaute and Miseise,
Ihesu seiþ wher-so he go
And him-self he clepeþ þo;
Leste þou her-Inne deseyued be.
Betere hit is to þe in eueri toun
To haue pite and compassioun
249
Of hem þat þou seost in Meseyse,
Þen þou heddest al þe world wiþ þe
Hit forth to dele for charite.
Ȝif þi-self, as I sei nou,
And more þen al þe world ȝiuestou
ffor þei þat suffre in alle wyse
Chele, hungur, defaute and Miseise,
Ihesu seiþ wher-so he go
And him-self he clepeþ þo;
Þus he seiþ in his gospel—
Hose wol hit seche, may fynde hit wel:
“What to þe leste of myne don be,
Ȝe hit don al to me.”
Wheþer weor beter or more sen
To Iuge or elles Iugged to ben?
Þerfore to pore make þe liche,
ffor þe pore schul Iugge þe riche;
As vr lord seiþ feire and wel
In his owne goode gospel:
“Ȝe þat alle þynges haue to proue,
Leueþ hem for me and for my loue,
And at þe grete day of dome,
Whon I schal sitten in my trone—
ffor þere þo men schul me se
In þe Seete of my Maieste—
Þei schul sitte on twelf seges wel
And Iugge þe twelf kuyndes of Israel.”
Wheþer weore hit better at þe leste
Haue heuene in possession or in bi-heste?
ffor þus seiþ God, witeþ wel,
In his holy Godspel:
“Blesset mote þe pore of spirit be,
ffor heoren is heuene,” as I sei þe.
He seiþ not þus in his steuen
Heoren “schal beo” þe kyngdam of heuen,
But he hem doþ to vndurstonde
Þei ben in possessiun and in honde.
Seint Bernard in a sarmoun seiþ euen:
“Þe pore naþ not in erþe, ne riche in heuen.”
Hose wol hit seche, may fynde hit wel:
“What to þe leste of myne don be,
Ȝe hit don al to me.”
Wheþer weor beter or more sen
To Iuge or elles Iugged to ben?
Þerfore to pore make þe liche,
ffor þe pore schul Iugge þe riche;
As vr lord seiþ feire and wel
In his owne goode gospel:
“Ȝe þat alle þynges haue to proue,
Leueþ hem for me and for my loue,
And at þe grete day of dome,
Whon I schal sitten in my trone—
ffor þere þo men schul me se
In þe Seete of my Maieste—
Þei schul sitte on twelf seges wel
And Iugge þe twelf kuyndes of Israel.”
Wheþer weore hit better at þe leste
Haue heuene in possession or in bi-heste?
ffor þus seiþ God, witeþ wel,
In his holy Godspel:
“Blesset mote þe pore of spirit be,
ffor heoren is heuene,” as I sei þe.
He seiþ not þus in his steuen
Heoren “schal beo” þe kyngdam of heuen,
But he hem doþ to vndurstonde
Þei ben in possessiun and in honde.
Seint Bernard in a sarmoun seiþ euen:
“Þe pore naþ not in erþe, ne riche in heuen.”
250
And ȝif þe riche wol heuene haue,
At þe pore he mot hit buye and craue.—
Nou is hit good for to sen
Wȝuche þat verreylich pore ben,
And also þulke oþere iliche
Wȝuche þei ben, þat ben cleped riche.
Summe ben þat han riches þikke
And hem louen wiþ al heor witte:
Þo ben þis riche gredi men,
And euer coueyten þe world þen.
At þe pore he mot hit buye and craue.—
Nou is hit good for to sen
Wȝuche þat verreylich pore ben,
And also þulke oþere iliche
Wȝuche þei ben, þat ben cleped riche.
Summe ben þat han riches þikke
And hem louen wiþ al heor witte:
Þo ben þis riche gredi men,
And euer coueyten þe world þen.
Oþur þer ben in dede and þouȝt
Wolde be riche, but þei may nouȝt;
ffor and þei hadden worldus good,
Þei wolden hit loue as þei were wod:
Þulke ben þeose, soþ to telle,
Þe caytyf beggers þat nouȝwher wol dwelle,
But euer þei reyken aboute to craue,
Al þat þei seon þei wolde hit haue;
Also wiþ hem sette we moun
Þis fals folk of Religioun.
Þeos ben as riche in vnquerte
As þeos oþure and as proude of herte;
Crist spekeþ of hem in þe gospelle
And þus þe wordus doþ he telle:
“A Chamayle mihte beter pase
Þorwh anelde yȝe þenne in case,
Þen miht such a riche mon
In heuene come to þat kyndom.”
Wolde be riche, but þei may nouȝt;
ffor and þei hadden worldus good,
Þei wolden hit loue as þei were wod:
Þulke ben þeose, soþ to telle,
Þe caytyf beggers þat nouȝwher wol dwelle,
But euer þei reyken aboute to craue,
Al þat þei seon þei wolde hit haue;
Also wiþ hem sette we moun
Þis fals folk of Religioun.
Þeos ben as riche in vnquerte
As þeos oþure and as proude of herte;
Crist spekeþ of hem in þe gospelle
And þus þe wordus doþ he telle:
“A Chamayle mihte beter pase
Þorwh anelde yȝe þenne in case,
Þen miht such a riche mon
In heuene come to þat kyndom.”
Summen þat richesse is to brouht,
Han hit, but þei louen hit nouht,
But neuerþeles, þe soþ to saue,
ffayn þei ben riches to haue:
Þos ben þese, to seye ow here,
Þe goode men of þe world so dere,
Þat al heore richesse wol dispende
ffor loue of god þat hit sende.
Bote þe more harm is forþi,
Suche ben fewe, witerli!
Han hit, but þei louen hit nouht,
But neuerþeles, þe soþ to saue,
ffayn þei ben riches to haue:
Þos ben þese, to seye ow here,
Þe goode men of þe world so dere,
Þat al heore richesse wol dispende
ffor loue of god þat hit sende.
Bote þe more harm is forþi,
Suche ben fewe, witerli!
Oþur þer ben, soþ hit is,
Þat haue not of þis worldus blis
Ne no þing þerof doþ craue
Ne nolde not, þauh þeiȝ mihte, hit haue:
Þis ben holy religious þerfore
And oþure, þat mai wel beo cald pore;
Heoren is þe Ioye euerlastonde
Wiþ god and wiþ godus sonde.
Þen may we here-of nou say:
“Blesset beo þe pore in spirit ay,
ffor heoren is þe kyndom
Þer as dwelleþ God and Mon.”
Þat haue not of þis worldus blis
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Ne nolde not, þauh þeiȝ mihte, hit haue:
Þis ben holy religious þerfore
And oþure, þat mai wel beo cald pore;
Heoren is þe Ioye euerlastonde
Wiþ god and wiþ godus sonde.
Þen may we here-of nou say:
“Blesset beo þe pore in spirit ay,
ffor heoren is þe kyndom
Þer as dwelleþ God and Mon.”
Þenne drede we on þat oþur syde
Leste þe wariing hem bi-tyde,
To þis ilke riche men,
Leste þei schulle in helle bren.
Pore þei ben in heor herte
Þat ben pore and louen pouerte,
And þei ben pore in querte
Þat han riches and louen pouerte.
Leste þe wariing hem bi-tyde,
To þis ilke riche men,
Leste þei schulle in helle bren.
Pore þei ben in heor herte
Þat ben pore and louen pouerte,
And þei ben pore in querte
Þat han riches and louen pouerte.
| [Poems from the Vernon MS] | |