 | Handlyng Synne |  |
[The Seventh Commandment.]
The seuenþe shul we nat forhele
‘No mannys godë shalt þou stele,’
For þys ys one of ten;
Þarefore y pray allë men
Þat þey kepe hem fro þys synne,
For þere ys moche veniauuce þerynne;
yn þys worldë, shamely dede;
And seþyn, helle; for god hyt forbed.
God forbedyþ men to stele
Any maner of worldës wele.
“Þou man, beþenke þe wel before
how þou mayst þerfore be lore,
And what þou shalt haue þarefore,
yn þys world, and elyswhore.”
But manyone wyl neuer beware
Tyl sum myschaunce make hem aȝenchare;
Slayn, or, yn prysun be,
Or hanged, þat al þe worlde may se.
So shul men þe body shende;
And ȝyt to peyne þe soule shal wende.
wuldë men se what myschaunce
Cumþ for þeft, and what penaunce,
Þeftë shulde nat be so lefe;
A foule poynt ys, be clepyd a þefe.
‘No mannys godë shalt þou stele,’
For þys ys one of ten;
Þarefore y pray allë men
Þat þey kepe hem fro þys synne,
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yn þys worldë, shamely dede;
And seþyn, helle; for god hyt forbed.
God forbedyþ men to stele
Any maner of worldës wele.
“Þou man, beþenke þe wel before
how þou mayst þerfore be lore,
And what þou shalt haue þarefore,
yn þys world, and elyswhore.”
But manyone wyl neuer beware
Tyl sum myschaunce make hem aȝenchare;
Slayn, or, yn prysun be,
Or hanged, þat al þe worlde may se.
So shul men þe body shende;
And ȝyt to peyne þe soule shal wende.
wuldë men se what myschaunce
Cumþ for þeft, and what penaunce,
Þeftë shulde nat be so lefe;
A foule poynt ys, be clepyd a þefe.
Ouþer poyntes of wykkednes
Mow be soffred, sum more, sum les;
But þefte serueþ of wykkede note,
hyt hangeþ hys mayster by þe þrote,
Or doþe hym lese hys godë fame,
Or bryngeþ hym oute of þe towne forshame.
‘Þefte shal neuere more be hyd,
For, here or elyswhore, hyt shal be kyd;’
Þus seyþ þe prophete þat men on leuys,
And spekeþ to fals men and to þeuys.
Þe synne ys nat forȝyuen þe man
But he restore þat he haue tan;
For ȝyf þou make any man falsly tyne,
As for þeft, þou shalt haue pyne;
And mochë more, for swyche falsnes,
Þan for any ouþer falsnes þat es.
Mow be soffred, sum more, sum les;
But þefte serueþ of wykkede note,
hyt hangeþ hys mayster by þe þrote,
Or doþe hym lese hys godë fame,
Or bryngeþ hym oute of þe towne forshame.
‘Þefte shal neuere more be hyd,
For, here or elyswhore, hyt shal be kyd;’
Þus seyþ þe prophete þat men on leuys,
And spekeþ to fals men and to þeuys.
Þe synne ys nat forȝyuen þe man
But he restore þat he haue tan;
For ȝyf þou make any man falsly tyne,
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And mochë more, for swyche falsnes,
Þan for any ouþer falsnes þat es.
A gode ensample þes clerkys wote
Of a tale þat an abbot wrote,
Þat þeuys shulde before hem loke
Ar þey ouþer mennys þyng toke;—
yn ‘vytas patrum’ hyt ys wryte;
hyt ys a boke þat clerkys wete,
And ful fayre techyng ys þer-ynne
For to leue of þeft þe synne.
Of a tale þat an abbot wrote,
Þat þeuys shulde before hem loke
Ar þey ouþer mennys þyng toke;—
yn ‘vytas patrum’ hyt ys wryte;
hyt ys a boke þat clerkys wete,
And ful fayre techyng ys þer-ynne
For to leue of þeft þe synne.
[The Tale of Zenon, the would-be Thief: how he reformd himself.]
Þys yche abbot, Ȝenon he hyght,
And wel he was with god almyght;
Vppon a day he went hys wey
To Palestyne, þat ys an abbey,
To make hys vysytacyun
As falleþ yn relygyun;
And as he went by þe strete
he behelde a fruyt ryȝt feyre and swete;
Þys yche fruyt he desyred faste,
And hys herte moche þarto he caste,
‘Gourdys’ þus men clepe þe name;
Þys gode man þoght, “y am to blame
Ȝyf y take ouþer mennys þyng
wyþ-outë leue of any askyng.
For soþe, he seyde, þan were y a þefe
And þefte ne ys gode, ne gode man lefe;
And ȝyf y stele, y am a felun;
hanged y shal be, þurgh ryȝt resun.
Fyrst y wylle wyte þe soþe certeyne.
Ȝyf y may suffre þat yche peyne
Þat þefys suffre for þeft sake,
Ar y wyl oght of þe fruyt take;
And ȝyf y may nat suffre þat wo,
To þeftë wyl y neuer go.”
And wel he was with god almyght;
Vppon a day he went hys wey
To Palestyne, þat ys an abbey,
To make hys vysytacyun
As falleþ yn relygyun;
And as he went by þe strete
he behelde a fruyt ryȝt feyre and swete;
Þys yche fruyt he desyred faste,
And hys herte moche þarto he caste,
‘Gourdys’ þus men clepe þe name;
Þys gode man þoght, “y am to blame
Ȝyf y take ouþer mennys þyng
wyþ-outë leue of any askyng.
For soþe, he seyde, þan were y a þefe
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And ȝyf y stele, y am a felun;
hanged y shal be, þurgh ryȝt resun.
Fyrst y wylle wyte þe soþe certeyne.
Ȝyf y may suffre þat yche peyne
Þat þefys suffre for þeft sake,
Ar y wyl oght of þe fruyt take;
And ȝyf y may nat suffre þat wo,
To þeftë wyl y neuer go.”
Ryght as he þoght, he dede eche dele,
he ȝede and clambe vpp on a pele,
And hyng þeron by þe hond,—
Nat by þe nekke, y vndyrstonde—
For hyt ys nat oueral þe lawe
For to do so, men to dawe.
Fyuë days he hyng þere stylle
Aȝens þe sunnë by hys wylle;
And hyt was yn þe somerys tyde,
whan þe hete ys al yn pryde.
Þan seyd he, to hymself þore,
“Þys peynë wyl y suffre no more:
Þefte, he seyde, y here forsake;
Þys fruyt, wyl y nat take.
Syn y may nat suffre for grefe
Þe peyne þat befalleþ to a þefe.”
he ȝede and clambe vpp on a pele,
And hyng þeron by þe hond,—
Nat by þe nekke, y vndyrstonde—
For hyt ys nat oueral þe lawe
For to do so, men to dawe.
Fyuë days he hyng þere stylle
Aȝens þe sunnë by hys wylle;
And hyt was yn þe somerys tyde,
whan þe hete ys al yn pryde.
Þan seyd he, to hymself þore,
“Þys peynë wyl y suffre no more:
Þefte, he seyde, y here forsake;
Þys fruyt, wyl y nat take.
Syn y may nat suffre for grefe
Þe peyne þat befalleþ to a þefe.”
Þys ensample were gode to kone,
Alle hem þat to þefte hem wone;
Þo þat haue here handys as lyme,
To hem were gode to here þys ryme;
Þan myght þey wytë redly
what shamë þat þey were wurþy,
And swych grace myȝt god hem sende
Þat þey, þurgh þys myȝt hem amende.
Alle hem þat to þefte hem wone;
Þo þat haue here handys as lyme,
To hem were gode to here þys ryme;
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what shamë þat þey were wurþy,
And swych grace myȝt god hem sende
Þat þey, þurgh þys myȝt hem amende.
A þefë to hys þefte haþ rape,
For he weneþ euer-more for to skape;
yn þat hope he doþe hys euyl,
And al ys entycement of þe deuyl.
Þarefore beþenke þe wel with-ynne
Þat þefte ys cumbrement of synne.
For he weneþ euer-more for to skape;
yn þat hope he doþe hys euyl,
And al ys entycement of þe deuyl.
Þarefore beþenke þe wel with-ynne
Þat þefte ys cumbrement of synne.
Ȝyf a man make a chylde oght stele,
Swyche styl þefte shal he nat hele;
A þefte hyt ys, ȝyf þou do so,
To tyse a chylde swyche synne to do.
Swyche styl þefte shal he nat hele;
A þefte hyt ys, ȝyf þou do so,
To tyse a chylde swyche synne to do.
Or ȝyf þou euer stale a chylde aweye,
yn swychë þefte ys grete affraye.
yn þys twey þynges and yn þys fame
Are wymmen mochë for to blame.
For þey haue cumlyngys yn and oute;
Of swyche shuld men haue gretë doute.
Þey shul neuer weyte but wo,
Swychë cumlyngys, to ne fro,
Þey are wurþy to be shent
yn þys yche comaundëment.
yn swychë þefte ys grete affraye.
yn þys twey þynges and yn þys fame
Are wymmen mochë for to blame.
For þey haue cumlyngys yn and oute;
Of swyche shuld men haue gretë doute.
Þey shul neuer weyte but wo,
Swychë cumlyngys, to ne fro,
Þey are wurþy to be shent
yn þys yche comaundëment.
Ȝyf þou brake euer any kyrke
On day, or yn nyȝt, yn myrke,
Þou art a-cursed, þou wostë weyl,
And hange were wurþy on a peyl.
And ȝyf þou bere awey þe þyng,
Þe more þou fallest yn cursyng.
On day, or yn nyȝt, yn myrke,
Þou art a-cursed, þou wostë weyl,
And hange were wurþy on a peyl.
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Þe more þou fallest yn cursyng.
Ȝyf þou haue be a þefe of pray
To robbë men be nyȝt or be day,
Gretly þou dost aȝens þe lawe,
Þou oghtyst to do swyche men a dawe.
To robbë men be nyȝt or be day,
Gretly þou dost aȝens þe lawe,
Þou oghtyst to do swyche men a dawe.
Or ȝyf þou swyche foly began
To rauyshë any womman,
Þat ys to seye, any wedded wyfe,
Þe more ys þy synne & perel of lyfe.
To rauyshë any womman,
Þat ys to seye, any wedded wyfe,
Þe more ys þy synne & perel of lyfe.
Ȝyf þou rauyssh any mayden clene—
Aȝens here wyl, þat ys to mene,—
hyt ys seyde þurgh lawë wrete,
Þat þyn hede shulde be of smete
(Lawe makeþ þat commandëment)
with-outyn any iuggëment;
Þat mayst þou fyndë al an sum
In code ‘de raptu virginum.’
Aȝens here wyl, þat ys to mene,—
hyt ys seyde þurgh lawë wrete,
Þat þyn hede shulde be of smete
(Lawe makeþ þat commandëment)
with-outyn any iuggëment;
Þat mayst þou fyndë al an sum
In code ‘de raptu virginum.’
Ȝyf þou rauysshe a mayden powre,
Þou art holdyn to here socoure;
And, þat shal be at here wylle,
For, as she wyl, þou shalt fulfylle;
For þou hast do here tresun,
Þou hast stole here warysun;
hyt may þe brynge to more cumbryng
Þan þoght þou haddest stole moche ouþer þyng.
To comun lechours, y þys seye,
Many with-outë shryfte shul deye.
Þou art holdyn to here socoure;
And, þat shal be at here wylle,
For, as she wyl, þou shalt fulfylle;
For þou hast do here tresun,
Þou hast stole here warysun;
hyt may þe brynge to more cumbryng
Þan þoght þou haddest stole moche ouþer þyng.
To comun lechours, y þys seye,
Many with-outë shryfte shul deye.
Ȝyf þou be a lordyng,
And outraiusly takyst mennys þyng
yn tyme of werre or tyme of pes,
Þou stelyst hyt, with-outë les,—
But þurgh ryȝt or þurgh cunnaunte,—
Þou art a þefe ȝyf þou hyt haunte.
And outraiusly takyst mennys þyng
yn tyme of werre or tyme of pes,
Þou stelyst hyt, with-outë les,—
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Þou art a þefe ȝyf þou hyt haunte.
And ȝyf a lorde of a tounne
Robbe hys men oute of resoune,
Þogh hyt be yn bondage,
Aȝens ryȝt he doþe outrage.
he shal so take, þat he may lyue,
And as lawe of londe wyl forȝyue;
For ȝyf he take ouer mesure,
lytyl tymë shal hyt dure.
Þogh god haue ȝeue hym þe seynorye,
he ȝaf hym no leue to do robborye;
For god haþ ordeyned al mennys state,
how to lyue, and yn what gate;
And þoȝt he ȝyue one ouer oþer myȝt,
he wyl, þat he do hym but ryȝt.
Þys ys þe ryȝt of goddys lokyng,
“Ȝelde euery man hys ownë þyng.”
But god takeþ euermore veniaunce
Of lordys, for swych myschaunce,
For swych robbery þat þey make
Þat oftë of þe poure men take.
y shal ȝou telle a. lytyl wyght
how hyt befel onys of a knyȝt.
Robbe hys men oute of resoune,
Þogh hyt be yn bondage,
Aȝens ryȝt he doþe outrage.
he shal so take, þat he may lyue,
And as lawe of londe wyl forȝyue;
For ȝyf he take ouer mesure,
lytyl tymë shal hyt dure.
Þogh god haue ȝeue hym þe seynorye,
he ȝaf hym no leue to do robborye;
For god haþ ordeyned al mennys state,
how to lyue, and yn what gate;
And þoȝt he ȝyue one ouer oþer myȝt,
he wyl, þat he do hym but ryȝt.
Þys ys þe ryȝt of goddys lokyng,
“Ȝelde euery man hys ownë þyng.”
But god takeþ euermore veniaunce
Of lordys, for swych myschaunce,
For swych robbery þat þey make
Þat oftë of þe poure men take.
y shal ȝou telle a. lytyl wyght
how hyt befel onys of a knyȝt.
[The Tale of the Knight who robd a Poor Man.]
Sum tymë was, hyt were twey knyȝtys
Þat loued weyl at herë myȝtys;
A sykenes on þe toon gan falle,
he deydë sone, as we shul alle.
Þe touþer knyȝt seyd ofte, alas,
For hys felawe so sone dede was.
Fyl hyt so, þys lyuyng knyȝt,
yn hys bed he lay a nyght,
And was yn swyche a-wakyng
Þat he myȝt slepë for no þyng;
Þe mone shone yn hys chaumbre flore;
Þe knyȝt lay, and lokyd furþe.
At a wyndowe come yn a beme,
And yn þe shynyng he saghe a gleme
Ryght lyche þat knyȝt euery deyl
Þat sum tyme he loued ful weyl.
Þys knyȝt þoght ‘hyt ys fantome
Þat y se þus yn þe monë come.’
He was a-frayd with-outë fayle,
And, þat was no grete merueyle.
But þe knyȝt þat was dede
Cumfortyd hym sone, & seyde hys rede,
“Be nat adred, for hyt am y
Þat þou louedyst so specyaly.
Y was þy felaw, þy trewe frere,
For help y come to þe now here:
Þogh y be dede, þou darst nat drede,
Of helpe had y neuer er nede.
At nedë shul men proue here frendys,
And frendes loue oþer whyle wel endys.
help me now, y am yn wo,
Þat y may come þe sonner þerfro.”
Þe knyȝt, þat lay yn hys bed,
wax bolder, and lasse a-dred,
And seyd “felaw, for charyte,
what ys þy wo? shewe hyt me.”
Þan spake to hym þe dedë knyȝt,
“Þoght y had space a day & a nyȝt,
Alle þe penaunce ne coude y telle,
Þat y suffre yn a welle.
A peyne y suffre hard for þe nones,
For a cloþe þat y refte ones
Of a poure man with-outë ryȝt;
Alas þat euer y say þat syȝt;
Þat cloþe ys caste on me to peyne
As heuy as any mounteyne;
Hyl ne mounteyne, erþe ne stone,
Vndyr heuene so heuy ys none;
No so hote fyre ys yn no land
As hyt ys aboute me brennand.
Þarfore, felaw, y pray þe,
Þat þou haue on me pyte,
And, to pore men do noun ylle,
Ne aȝens holy chyrches wylle;
But al þe gode þat þou mayst, werche
To porë men and to holy chyrche.
Me were leuere deye an hundyr syþe
Þan suffre þys peyne þat noght may lyþe.”
Þan seyde þe knyȝt, & wepe ful sore,
“My swete felaw, telle me ȝyt more,
Ȝyf any þyng be so certeyne
Þat may delyuer þe of peyne.”
Þan seyd þe knyȝt, “y myȝt be clere
Þurgh þe sacrament of þe autere.”
Þe knyȝt nemnede prestes manyone;
Þan stode þe dedë, stylle as stone,
“wylt þou þan any of þese for þe syng,
Þe of peynë for to brynge?”
Þe dede meuede hys hede to & fro,
For he was payd of noun of þo.
wete ȝe forsoþe, boþe man and wyfe,
Þey were nat of clenë lyfe;
Of hem þe dede ȝaf noun answere,
he made no fors of here preyere.
Þat loued weyl at herë myȝtys;
A sykenes on þe toon gan falle,
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Þe touþer knyȝt seyd ofte, alas,
For hys felawe so sone dede was.
Fyl hyt so, þys lyuyng knyȝt,
yn hys bed he lay a nyght,
And was yn swyche a-wakyng
Þat he myȝt slepë for no þyng;
Þe mone shone yn hys chaumbre flore;
Þe knyȝt lay, and lokyd furþe.
At a wyndowe come yn a beme,
And yn þe shynyng he saghe a gleme
Ryght lyche þat knyȝt euery deyl
Þat sum tyme he loued ful weyl.
Þys knyȝt þoght ‘hyt ys fantome
Þat y se þus yn þe monë come.’
He was a-frayd with-outë fayle,
And, þat was no grete merueyle.
But þe knyȝt þat was dede
Cumfortyd hym sone, & seyde hys rede,
“Be nat adred, for hyt am y
Þat þou louedyst so specyaly.
Y was þy felaw, þy trewe frere,
For help y come to þe now here:
Þogh y be dede, þou darst nat drede,
Of helpe had y neuer er nede.
At nedë shul men proue here frendys,
And frendes loue oþer whyle wel endys.
help me now, y am yn wo,
Þat y may come þe sonner þerfro.”
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wax bolder, and lasse a-dred,
And seyd “felaw, for charyte,
what ys þy wo? shewe hyt me.”
Þan spake to hym þe dedë knyȝt,
“Þoght y had space a day & a nyȝt,
Alle þe penaunce ne coude y telle,
Þat y suffre yn a welle.
A peyne y suffre hard for þe nones,
For a cloþe þat y refte ones
Of a poure man with-outë ryȝt;
Alas þat euer y say þat syȝt;
Þat cloþe ys caste on me to peyne
As heuy as any mounteyne;
Hyl ne mounteyne, erþe ne stone,
Vndyr heuene so heuy ys none;
No so hote fyre ys yn no land
As hyt ys aboute me brennand.
Þarfore, felaw, y pray þe,
Þat þou haue on me pyte,
And, to pore men do noun ylle,
Ne aȝens holy chyrches wylle;
But al þe gode þat þou mayst, werche
To porë men and to holy chyrche.
Me were leuere deye an hundyr syþe
Þan suffre þys peyne þat noght may lyþe.”
Þan seyde þe knyȝt, & wepe ful sore,
“My swete felaw, telle me ȝyt more,
Ȝyf any þyng be so certeyne
Þat may delyuer þe of peyne.”
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Þurgh þe sacrament of þe autere.”
Þe knyȝt nemnede prestes manyone;
Þan stode þe dedë, stylle as stone,
“wylt þou þan any of þese for þe syng,
Þe of peynë for to brynge?”
Þe dede meuede hys hede to & fro,
For he was payd of noun of þo.
wete ȝe forsoþe, boþe man and wyfe,
Þey were nat of clenë lyfe;
Of hem þe dede ȝaf noun answere,
he made no fors of here preyere.
Neþeles, þe seluyn messe
ys noþer þe wursë, ne þe lesse;
Þe sunne, hys feyrnes neuer he tynes,
Þogh hyt on þe muk hepe shynes,
But þe muk ys þe more stynkyngge
Þere þe sunne ys more shynyngge.
Ne more hyt ys lore, þe vertu
Of þe messe, but mannys pru.
Þogh þe prest be fals or frow,
Þe messe, ys euer gode ynow;
But þe preyere haþ no myȝt,
For hys lyfe ys nat clene dyȝt.
ys noþer þe wursë, ne þe lesse;
Þe sunne, hys feyrnes neuer he tynes,
Þogh hyt on þe muk hepe shynes,
But þe muk ys þe more stynkyngge
Þere þe sunne ys more shynyngge.
Ne more hyt ys lore, þe vertu
Of þe messe, but mannys pru.
Þogh þe prest be fals or frow,
Þe messe, ys euer gode ynow;
But þe preyere haþ no myȝt,
For hys lyfe ys nat clene dyȝt.
Þe knyȝt nemnede one at þe laste,
A gode man, and a ryȝt stedefaste:
“wylt þou þat he preye for þe?”
Þo seyde þe dede “wel were þan me
ȝyf he wuldë for me syngge,
he myȝt me of peynës bryngge.”
Þe knyȝt seyd truly, “truste to me,
Þat samë prest shal prey for þe;
And þat þy peyne mow be þe lasse,
Euery day shal he for þe synge a masse.”
“May y þan trust to þy sawe
Þat þou be now my trew felawe?”
A gode man, and a ryȝt stedefaste:
“wylt þou þat he preye for þe?”
Þo seyde þe dede “wel were þan me
ȝyf he wuldë for me syngge,
he myȝt me of peynës bryngge.”
83
Þat samë prest shal prey for þe;
And þat þy peyne mow be þe lasse,
Euery day shal he for þe synge a masse.”
“May y þan trust to þy sawe
Þat þou be now my trew felawe?”
“ȝe, as y am a trew knyȝt,
hyt shal be do, at my myȝt.”
“A tokene betwyxe þe and me,”
Þan seyd þe dedë, “shal þys be?”
he toke and grepe þe knyȝtys arme,
But he felt þer-of none harme;
Also he touched hys bare þe;
Þe bare bone myȝt men euer after se;
But sorë þerof felt he noght,
But for þe felyng, more on hym he þoght.
Þat mark saw alle men comunly,
But no man wyst redely why.
Þe dedë seyd “þou shalt leue here
No lenger but þys two ȝere.”
he tolde what day þat he shuld deye,
And seþyn he went forþe hys weye.
hyt shal be do, at my myȝt.”
“A tokene betwyxe þe and me,”
Þan seyd þe dedë, “shal þys be?”
he toke and grepe þe knyȝtys arme,
But he felt þer-of none harme;
Also he touched hys bare þe;
Þe bare bone myȝt men euer after se;
But sorë þerof felt he noght,
But for þe felyng, more on hym he þoght.
Þat mark saw alle men comunly,
But no man wyst redely why.
Þe dedë seyd “þou shalt leue here
No lenger but þys two ȝere.”
he tolde what day þat he shuld deye,
And seþyn he went forþe hys weye.
Þe knyȝt amended seþyn hym weyl,
And to þe dede was as trew as steyl;
For he dede as he hym hette,
Þe prest for hym song þat he hem hette.
Þys aperyng, yn my auys,
Auayled to boþe partys.
Seþyn toke þe knyȝt palmers wede,
And yn to þe holy londe he ȝede;
Ihesu cryst sepulcre he soght,
For þe synnys þat he had wroght;
And, at þe two ȝerës ȝende,
God almyghty for hym gan sende;
For þat day þat þe dede knyȝt seyde,
Þe touþer knyghte þat same day deyde.
Blessyd be god, of heuene kyng,
Þat sent hym þat yche tokenyng.
And to þe dede was as trew as steyl;
For he dede as he hym hette,
Þe prest for hym song þat he hem hette.
Þys aperyng, yn my auys,
Auayled to boþe partys.
84
And yn to þe holy londe he ȝede;
Ihesu cryst sepulcre he soght,
For þe synnys þat he had wroght;
And, at þe two ȝerës ȝende,
God almyghty for hym gan sende;
For þat day þat þe dede knyȝt seyde,
Þe touþer knyghte þat same day deyde.
Blessyd be god, of heuene kyng,
Þat sent hym þat yche tokenyng.
Now may ȝe se, by þys tale,
Þat þeftë breweþ mochë bale.
Certys þefte ryȝt wykked ys
whan þe dede bereþ wytnes,
Namly, pore men for to pele
Or robbe or bete with-outë skyle.
Þeftë wyl hys mayster shende,
And hym fordo wyþ-outyn ende.
Þat þeftë breweþ mochë bale.
Certys þefte ryȝt wykked ys
whan þe dede bereþ wytnes,
Namly, pore men for to pele
Or robbe or bete with-outë skyle.
Þeftë wyl hys mayster shende,
And hym fordo wyþ-outyn ende.
Ȝyf þou be a serïaunt,
And takë more þan þy cunnaunt,
Custummablychë, mete or drynk—
Þoht for noght hyt be þe þyng—
y redë þat þou þer-of lete,
For many smale makeþ a grete.
holy chyrche callyþ hyt þefte,
wyþ-outë skylle, for hyt ys refte.
And takë more þan þy cunnaunt,
Custummablychë, mete or drynk—
Þoht for noght hyt be þe þyng—
y redë þat þou þer-of lete,
For many smale makeþ a grete.
holy chyrche callyþ hyt þefte,
wyþ-outë skylle, for hyt ys refte.
Ȝyf þou euer reysyddyst custome,
Þou mayst be sykyr of hard dome.
But ȝyf þat þou mayst hyt felle,
hyt ys robbery, gostly to telle.
Ȝyf hyt so betyde þat hyt lasteþ ay,
Þy medë shal be welaway.
Ȝyf þou amende hyt nat yn þy lyue,
what prest may þe þer-of shryue?
Now telle we forþe, þat ȝe may lere,
how þeftë comþ yn queynt manere:—
Þou mayst be sykyr of hard dome.
But ȝyf þat þou mayst hyt felle,
hyt ys robbery, gostly to telle.
85
Þy medë shal be welaway.
Ȝyf þou amende hyt nat yn þy lyue,
what prest may þe þer-of shryue?
Now telle we forþe, þat ȝe may lere,
how þeftë comþ yn queynt manere:—
Ȝyf þou euer þy werke withdrowe,
Or dedyst hyt nat weyl to prowe,
Tyde or tyme þat þou shuldest werche,
‘Þou art a þefe,’ seyþ holy cherche.
Ȝyf þou do custummablyche swych lak,
To begyle þy mayster be-hynde hys bak,
Þou mayst nat excuse þe with rous,
And sey, ‘al þe worlde so dous.’
Þe worldë may nat sauë þe:
Shryue þy defaute, and late þe world be.
Or dedyst hyt nat weyl to prowe,
Tyde or tyme þat þou shuldest werche,
‘Þou art a þefe,’ seyþ holy cherche.
Ȝyf þou do custummablyche swych lak,
To begyle þy mayster be-hynde hys bak,
Þou mayst nat excuse þe with rous,
And sey, ‘al þe worlde so dous.’
Þe worldë may nat sauë þe:
Shryue þy defaute, and late þe world be.
Ȝyf þe be leyde a borde to wedde,
Or a cloþe to bak or bedde,
Ȝyf þou hyt vse aȝens hys wylle,
holy cherche seyþ þat þou dost ylle,
And warneþ þe þerof ȝyt efte,
Þat hyt ys boþe okyr and þefte.
Okur hyt ys, for þe outrage
To take þy catel, and haue auauntage;
And for þefte, he may þe greue
To vse hys þyng aȝens hys leue;
And ȝyf hyt be so þat þus ys gone,
Charyte ne cristyndome ys þer none.
Þyn euencristyn þou owyst to lene,
Ȝyf þou mayst spare hyt, þat y mene.
Or a cloþe to bak or bedde,
Ȝyf þou hyt vse aȝens hys wylle,
holy cherche seyþ þat þou dost ylle,
And warneþ þe þerof ȝyt efte,
Þat hyt ys boþe okyr and þefte.
Okur hyt ys, for þe outrage
To take þy catel, and haue auauntage;
And for þefte, he may þe greue
To vse hys þyng aȝens hys leue;
And ȝyf hyt be so þat þus ys gone,
Charyte ne cristyndome ys þer none.
Þyn euencristyn þou owyst to lene,
Ȝyf þou mayst spare hyt, þat y mene.
Also, ȝyf a þyng be þe lent
And þou wyþ-outë hys asent
lene furþer þat þyng to were,
For þefte to hym þou shalt answere.
Þou wost weyl, þou dost nat ryȝt;
Þat a-noþer hyt useþ, hyt ys þy plyȝt.
86
lene furþer þat þyng to were,
For þefte to hym þou shalt answere.
Þou wost weyl, þou dost nat ryȝt;
Þat a-noþer hyt useþ, hyt ys þy plyȝt.
Ȝyf þou haue a þyng yn ferme
To a certeyn day of terme,
And ȝyf þou ouer þat terme day
Trauelyst hyt aȝens hys pay,
Þou hast synned yn a spece,
yn þeftë þou art come a grece.
To a certeyn day of terme,
And ȝyf þou ouer þat terme day
Trauelyst hyt aȝens hys pay,
Þou hast synned yn a spece,
yn þeftë þou art come a grece.
Now wyl y speke of okerers,
Þat þefys ben yn sum maners.
To whom þat vsery ys lefe,
Gost[e]ly, he ys a þefe.
Þat þefys ben yn sum maners.
To whom þat vsery ys lefe,
Gost[e]ly, he ys a þefe.
Ȝyf þou of any okerere
wyþ wrong hys þyng awey dest bere,
Þoghe he be no cristyn man,
Þefte vnto þy self þou wan;
Þou ne owyst nat of hys to haue
with wrong, ȝyf þou þy self wylt saue.
wyþ wrong hys þyng awey dest bere,
Þoghe he be no cristyn man,
Þefte vnto þy self þou wan;
Þou ne owyst nat of hys to haue
with wrong, ȝyf þou þy self wylt saue.
Also, ȝyf þou haue founde a þyng,
And makyst þerfore none askyng
At cherche ne at þe market an hy,
But forhelest hyt pryuyly
So þat þe þyng with þe dwelle,
hyt ys þefte, þys clerkys telle.
And makyst þerfore none askyng
At cherche ne at þe market an hy,
But forhelest hyt pryuyly
So þat þe þyng with þe dwelle,
hyt ys þefte, þys clerkys telle.
Ȝyf þou withdrawest a mannys ryȝt
Styllyche, þat hyt be nat yn syght,
Þogh a man parseyue hyt noght,
Þou stelyst hyt, and þefte hast wroght.
Styllyche, þat hyt be nat yn syght,
Þogh a man parseyue hyt noght,
87
Ȝyf þou wyþholdest a mannys seruyse
For euyl herte or fals queyntyse,
Or withdrawest any manere pay,
And ledyst hym furþe fro day to day,
But ȝyf hyt be with grete resun,
Of þeftë þou art enchesun.
For þe gospel commaundeþ ryȝt
‘holde nat hys seruyse ouer nyght;’
whan þe man haþ do hys dede,
God wol þat he haue hys mede.
For euyl herte or fals queyntyse,
Or withdrawest any manere pay,
And ledyst hym furþe fro day to day,
But ȝyf hyt be with grete resun,
Of þeftë þou art enchesun.
For þe gospel commaundeþ ryȝt
‘holde nat hys seruyse ouer nyght;’
whan þe man haþ do hys dede,
God wol þat he haue hys mede.
what sey men of þes fals husbandys
Þat ere aweye falsly mennys landys;
Of a land, þurgh and þurgh,
Takyn and eryn awey a furgh?
Þat ys boþe thefte and robberye,
And hyt ful derë shal he a-bye.
Of swychë, fewe men hem amende,
For þey beyn þe deuylys frende.
Þat ere aweye falsly mennys landys;
Of a land, þurgh and þurgh,
Takyn and eryn awey a furgh?
Þat ys boþe thefte and robberye,
And hyt ful derë shal he a-bye.
Of swychë, fewe men hem amende,
For þey beyn þe deuylys frende.
Tauuarsyns and vserers,
Þys are, Lucyfer, þy peres;
For þey are alle þe deuyl betaght
Þat okeryn falsly þe worldes aght.
Okyr ys also, ȝyf þou hyt haunte,
To lenë þyng to certeyn cunnaunt;
Also, to bye a þyng byfore,
halfe vn-to þe sellers lore;
For ȝyf þe byer may weyl lene
Þat þyng with-outë losse or tene,
he ys holde to helpe hym with-alle,
Or holy cherche seyþ, þat he hyt stalle.
Þys are, Lucyfer, þy peres;
For þey are alle þe deuyl betaght
Þat okeryn falsly þe worldes aght.
Okyr ys also, ȝyf þou hyt haunte,
To lenë þyng to certeyn cunnaunt;
Also, to bye a þyng byfore,
halfe vn-to þe sellers lore;
For ȝyf þe byer may weyl lene
Þat þyng with-outë losse or tene,
88
Or holy cherche seyþ, þat he hyt stalle.
Okeryng ys on many manere,
Mo þan y kan telle now here.
But wete ȝe weyl, swyche gode shal go
As hyt come, with sorowe and wo;
For some haue so grete cumbrement
Þat þey may make no testament;
For holy cherche neuer vndyrstode
To haue of okerer[ë]s gode.
Mo þan y kan telle now here.
But wete ȝe weyl, swyche gode shal go
As hyt come, with sorowe and wo;
For some haue so grete cumbrement
Þat þey may make no testament;
For holy cherche neuer vndyrstode
To haue of okerer[ë]s gode.
[The Tale of Seint Forsyne's Visit to Hell.]
A tale ys tolde of Seynt Forsyne,
wharefor he suffryd onys pyne.
Þys samë tale tellyþ seynt Bede
yn hys gestys þat men rede.
whan seynt Fursyne had lyued long,
Þyr toke hym þan an euyl strong;
Þat tymë þat he wende to deye,
Come one to hym and þus gan seye,
“Rys vp, Fursyne, and go with me!
Merueyl mochë shalt þou see.”
wheþer he wulde, or he ne wulde,
he toke hym vp, and furþe he shulde;
Many stedys he late hym se,
Merueylys and grete pryuyte;
he shewed hym þe depnes of helle,
And þe peynes þat þeryn dwelle;
Seþþe þey toke a weye ryȝt euene,
As hym þoght, toward heuene.
yn þe fyrmament as þey ȝede,
Foure fyres he sawe of gretë drede;
Þes foure fyres wax hygh & hote,
And yn-to one, alle foure þey smote.
wndurful was þan þat fyre,
And dredful, and also brynnyng shere.
Þe aungel þydyrward toke þe weye;
Þo þoght seynt Fursyne, ‘here shal y deye.’
Þe aungel ȝede furþ ful boldely,
But seynt Fursyne durst nat come ny.
Þe aungel say he gan abyde,
“Come furþe,” he seyd, “and þe nat hyde;
Of þys fere ne drede þe noght,
But þou with wrong euer toke oght;
Ȝyf þou haue take any þyng with wrong,
Þou shalt brenne yn þys fyre strong.
with mochë þoght, sorowe, and drede,
Fursyne vnto þat fyre ȝede.
Þe fyre on boþë half hym was,
But furþ he ȝede fast on hys pas,
yn þat fyre saghe he lye
Saulys brennyng, and ruly crye;
Þe fendës ȝedë hem among,
And fast echone on oþer þrong
with brynnyng crokys sorowfuly,
And pyned hem with-oute mercy.
None lay by hemself a-lone,
But eche on oþer, with sorowe and wone.
Echone to oþer was sorowe and peyne,
with-outyn endë for certeyn.
For pynyng, for wepyng, for cryyng, alas,
Fursyne almoste confunded was.
As he sagh þys sorowe so grym,
Come a deuyl rennyng to hym
with glesyng yȝen and croke yn hande,
Þe steme stode oute of hys mouþ brennand:
he broght on þat brynnyng croke
A brennyng soule þat al to-shoke.
Toward Fursyne he ran hys cours,
And calyd hym ‘fals, felun, treytours.’
“haue þys soule! þys hast þou slayn!
Þou ȝeldyst nat hys gode aȝeyn.
he kast þe soule vpp-on þe prest,
And brenned hys o syde, and half hys brest.
he went þat tyme haue deydë þore,
For the soule brennyd hym so sore;
he hopyde neuer to haue come þen,
So had þe soule broght hym be-neþen.
But at þe last þan gan he crye,
And seyd, “mayster, me helpe now, or y dey!”
Þan seyde þe aungel to Fursyne:
“y tolde þe langer of þys þyne;
y sed langer at þe bygynnyng,
Ȝyf þou haddest of oþer mennys þyng
Þat þou madest nat of, amendëment,
yn þys fyre hyt shulde be brent.
loke now, ȝyf þou kanst hyt oght knowe,
Þe soule þat þe brenned so lowe.”
“Ȝe,” seyde Fursyne, “y knowe hyt wele
For whom y suffre þys peyne eche dele:
wharefor he suffryd onys pyne.
Þys samë tale tellyþ seynt Bede
yn hys gestys þat men rede.
whan seynt Fursyne had lyued long,
Þyr toke hym þan an euyl strong;
Þat tymë þat he wende to deye,
Come one to hym and þus gan seye,
“Rys vp, Fursyne, and go with me!
Merueyl mochë shalt þou see.”
wheþer he wulde, or he ne wulde,
he toke hym vp, and furþe he shulde;
Many stedys he late hym se,
Merueylys and grete pryuyte;
he shewed hym þe depnes of helle,
And þe peynes þat þeryn dwelle;
Seþþe þey toke a weye ryȝt euene,
89
yn þe fyrmament as þey ȝede,
Foure fyres he sawe of gretë drede;
Þes foure fyres wax hygh & hote,
And yn-to one, alle foure þey smote.
wndurful was þan þat fyre,
And dredful, and also brynnyng shere.
Þe aungel þydyrward toke þe weye;
Þo þoght seynt Fursyne, ‘here shal y deye.’
Þe aungel ȝede furþ ful boldely,
But seynt Fursyne durst nat come ny.
Þe aungel say he gan abyde,
“Come furþe,” he seyd, “and þe nat hyde;
Of þys fere ne drede þe noght,
But þou with wrong euer toke oght;
Ȝyf þou haue take any þyng with wrong,
Þou shalt brenne yn þys fyre strong.
with mochë þoght, sorowe, and drede,
Fursyne vnto þat fyre ȝede.
Þe fyre on boþë half hym was,
But furþ he ȝede fast on hys pas,
yn þat fyre saghe he lye
Saulys brennyng, and ruly crye;
Þe fendës ȝedë hem among,
And fast echone on oþer þrong
with brynnyng crokys sorowfuly,
And pyned hem with-oute mercy.
None lay by hemself a-lone,
But eche on oþer, with sorowe and wone.
Echone to oþer was sorowe and peyne,
with-outyn endë for certeyn.
For pynyng, for wepyng, for cryyng, alas,
Fursyne almoste confunded was.
90
Come a deuyl rennyng to hym
with glesyng yȝen and croke yn hande,
Þe steme stode oute of hys mouþ brennand:
he broght on þat brynnyng croke
A brennyng soule þat al to-shoke.
Toward Fursyne he ran hys cours,
And calyd hym ‘fals, felun, treytours.’
“haue þys soule! þys hast þou slayn!
Þou ȝeldyst nat hys gode aȝeyn.
he kast þe soule vpp-on þe prest,
And brenned hys o syde, and half hys brest.
he went þat tyme haue deydë þore,
For the soule brennyd hym so sore;
he hopyde neuer to haue come þen,
So had þe soule broght hym be-neþen.
But at þe last þan gan he crye,
And seyd, “mayster, me helpe now, or y dey!”
Þan seyde þe aungel to Fursyne:
“y tolde þe langer of þys þyne;
y sed langer at þe bygynnyng,
Ȝyf þou haddest of oþer mennys þyng
Þat þou madest nat of, amendëment,
yn þys fyre hyt shulde be brent.
loke now, ȝyf þou kanst hyt oght knowe,
Þe soule þat þe brenned so lowe.”
“Ȝe,” seyde Fursyne, “y knowe hyt wele
For whom y suffre þys peyne eche dele:
Þys he dede, whan he shuld deye,
he ȝaf me a cloþe for hym to preye;
For no maystry, ne for noun eyuyl,
he ȝaf it me; but with hys gode wyl.
And now, weyl y hyt graunte,
Þat y helde hym nat cunnaunt;
wyllyng, certys, y dyd hyt noght,
But for rechelesshepe of þoght.”
Þe aungel þo toke þe soule forlore,
And dyd hyt þere hyt was byfore,
yn-to þe peyne, þere for to dwelle,—
hyt was an okerere, y ȝou telle;—
Þan touched Fursynys brest and syde,
And þe fyre myȝt no lenger abyde.
Þurghoute þe fyre he ledde hym euene,
And shewed hym of þe blys of heuene:
he shewed hym alle þe pryuyte
Þere men befalleþ yn flessh to be.
he broght hym þan to þe body aȝen
For to shewe þat hyt was certeyn.
Þre days keptë men þe body,
Alle for dedë comunly.
he lyued seþþen many ȝeres,
A quyk man, and a feres.
But þe brynnyng alle be dene,
Euermore aftyrward was hyt sene;
As long as he here lyued,
Þe brynnyng on hys body cleued.
he ȝaf me a cloþe for hym to preye;
For no maystry, ne for noun eyuyl,
91
And now, weyl y hyt graunte,
Þat y helde hym nat cunnaunt;
wyllyng, certys, y dyd hyt noght,
But for rechelesshepe of þoght.”
Þe aungel þo toke þe soule forlore,
And dyd hyt þere hyt was byfore,
yn-to þe peyne, þere for to dwelle,—
hyt was an okerere, y ȝou telle;—
Þan touched Fursynys brest and syde,
And þe fyre myȝt no lenger abyde.
Þurghoute þe fyre he ledde hym euene,
And shewed hym of þe blys of heuene:
he shewed hym alle þe pryuyte
Þere men befalleþ yn flessh to be.
he broght hym þan to þe body aȝen
For to shewe þat hyt was certeyn.
Þre days keptë men þe body,
Alle for dedë comunly.
he lyued seþþen many ȝeres,
A quyk man, and a feres.
But þe brynnyng alle be dene,
Euermore aftyrward was hyt sene;
As long as he here lyued,
Þe brynnyng on hys body cleued.
y trowe god shewed þys merueyle,
For þou ne shuldest of trowþë fayle.
Seþen leuyd he so holyly
Þat men callyn hym nowe seynt Fursy;
He was fyrst founder and syre
Of þe cherche of Knares-myre;
And of Norwyche þe modyr cherche
he ded hyt fyrst make and werche;
And þere he lyþ be-ȝunde þe see,
he ordeyned a mynster for to be;
Foure ȝere or þe cherche were ful set
was hys soulë to god fet.
For þou ne shuldest of trowþë fayle.
Seþen leuyd he so holyly
Þat men callyn hym nowe seynt Fursy;
He was fyrst founder and syre
Of þe cherche of Knares-myre;
92
he ded hyt fyrst make and werche;
And þere he lyþ be-ȝunde þe see,
he ordeyned a mynster for to be;
Foure ȝere or þe cherche were ful set
was hys soulë to god fet.
Okerers men oght to weyue,
Ȝeue hem noght, ne of hem receyue,—
ȝyf þou wetë what þey are,—
yn no manere of chaffare.
Ȝeue hem noght, ne of hem receyue,—
ȝyf þou wetë what þey are,—
yn no manere of chaffare.
Sum tyme þer was yn a cyte,
Þat ȝyf an okerer myȝt founde be,
Þey helde hym vyler þan a Iew,
For no man wuldë hys prew;
Men clepyde hys hous yn euery strete
‘Þe hous of þe fendës sete.’
Fyre, watyr, þat he shuld note,
Þey cursed hyt euery grote;
And euery syde to ouþer, “sere,
lo, þere þe cursed vsurere!”
yn cherchë no man ȝaf hym pes,
For a fend þey hym ches.
No man was so hardy
To bryng hym þyng opunly,
Þat he ne shulde vyly be shent
Of alle þat by þe stretë went.
And whan any vsurere was dede,
Þe cherchëȝerde þey hym forbede.
Þey wuld nat, for loue ne awe,
Ȝeue hym crystyn mennys lawe;
‘Requiem’ ne shulde be note be sunge
Ne seyd for hym, wyþ mannys tunge.
‘Lux perpetua,’ and he, were wroþe,
For yn hys lyue he solde hem boþe.
A nyȝt, when men hadde here reste,
he okered pens yn hys cheste;
And also, vpp-on þe day lyȝt
he gadered gode with alle hys myȝt.
Þan semyþ hyt weyl yn oure lay
Þat he solde boþe þe nyȝt and þe day;
‘Requiem,’ (þe reste with outen ende,)
Þar-to shal he neuer wende;
Ne ‘lux perpetua’—þe endles lyȝt—
Þer-of shal he neuer haue syȝt;
where he ys wurþy, þer shal he be;
yn hym nas neuer no charyte.
Þat ȝyf an okerer myȝt founde be,
Þey helde hym vyler þan a Iew,
For no man wuldë hys prew;
Men clepyde hys hous yn euery strete
‘Þe hous of þe fendës sete.’
Fyre, watyr, þat he shuld note,
Þey cursed hyt euery grote;
And euery syde to ouþer, “sere,
lo, þere þe cursed vsurere!”
yn cherchë no man ȝaf hym pes,
For a fend þey hym ches.
No man was so hardy
To bryng hym þyng opunly,
Þat he ne shulde vyly be shent
Of alle þat by þe stretë went.
And whan any vsurere was dede,
Þe cherchëȝerde þey hym forbede.
93
Ȝeue hym crystyn mennys lawe;
‘Requiem’ ne shulde be note be sunge
Ne seyd for hym, wyþ mannys tunge.
‘Lux perpetua,’ and he, were wroþe,
For yn hys lyue he solde hem boþe.
A nyȝt, when men hadde here reste,
he okered pens yn hys cheste;
And also, vpp-on þe day lyȝt
he gadered gode with alle hys myȝt.
Þan semyþ hyt weyl yn oure lay
Þat he solde boþe þe nyȝt and þe day;
‘Requiem,’ (þe reste with outen ende,)
Þar-to shal he neuer wende;
Ne ‘lux perpetua’—þe endles lyȝt—
Þer-of shal he neuer haue syȝt;
where he ys wurþy, þer shal he be;
yn hym nas neuer no charyte.
Now of þeft haue we seyd,
And þese vsurers made vp-breyde.
god ȝeue vs gracë þefte to fle,
And al okerers wel to amendyd be.
And þese vsurers made vp-breyde.
god ȝeue vs gracë þefte to fle,
And al okerers wel to amendyd be.
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