University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
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

collapse section 
expand section 

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.”