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 |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
 | V. |
| VI. | PASSUS VI. Passus Sextus. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
 | The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman |  |
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PASSUS VI. Passus Sextus.
“This were a wikked way but who-so hadde a gyde
That wolde folwen vs eche a fote;” þus þis folke hem mened.
Quatȝ Perkyn þe plouman “bi seynt Peter of Rome,
I haue an half acre to erye bi þe heighe way;
Hadde I eried þis half acre and sowen it after,
I [wolde] wende with ȝow and þe way teche.”
That wolde folwen vs eche a fote;” þus þis folke hem mened.
Quatȝ Perkyn þe plouman “bi seynt Peter of Rome,
I haue an half acre to erye bi þe heighe way;
Hadde I eried þis half acre and sowen it after,
I [wolde] wende with ȝow and þe way teche.”
“Þis were a longe lettynge” quod a lady in a sklayre,
“What sholde we wommen worche þere whiles?”
“What sholde we wommen worche þere whiles?”
“Somme shal sowe [þe] sakke,” quod Piers “for shedyng of þe whete;
And ȝe, louely ladyes with ȝoure longe fyngres,
Þat ȝe han silke and sendal to sowe, whan tyme is,
Chesibles for chapelleynes cherches to honoure.
And ȝe, louely ladyes with ȝoure longe fyngres,
Þat ȝe han silke and sendal to sowe, whan tyme is,
Chesibles for chapelleynes cherches to honoure.
Wyues and wydwes wolle & flex spynneth,
Maketh cloth, I conseille ȝow and kenneth so ȝowre douȝtres;
Þe nedy and þe naked nymmeth hede how hij liggeth,
And casteth hem clothes for so comaundeth treuthe.
For I shal lene hem lyflode but ȝif þe londe faille,
Flesshe and bred bothe to riche and to pore,
As longe as I lyue for þe lordes loue of heuene.
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Þe nedy and þe naked nymmeth hede how hij liggeth,
And casteth hem clothes for so comaundeth treuthe.
For I shal lene hem lyflode but ȝif þe londe faille,
Flesshe and bred bothe to riche and to pore,
As longe as I lyue for þe lordes loue of heuene.
And alle manere of men þat þorw mete and drynke lybbeth,
Helpith hym to worche wiȝtliche þat wynneth ȝowre fode.”
Helpith hym to worche wiȝtliche þat wynneth ȝowre fode.”
“Bi crist,” quod a knyȝte þo “he kenneth vs þe best;
Ac on þe teme trewly tauȝte was I neuere.
Ac kenne me,” quod þe knyȝte “and, bi cryst, I wil assaye!”
Ac on þe teme trewly tauȝte was I neuere.
Ac kenne me,” quod þe knyȝte “and, bi cryst, I wil assaye!”
“Bi seynt Poule,” quod Perkyn “ȝe profre ȝow so faire,
Þat I shal swynke and swete and sowe for vs bothe,
And oþer laboures do for þi loue al my lyf tyme,
In couenaunt þat þow kepe holikirke and my-selue
Fro wastoures and fro wykked men þat þis worlde struyeth.
Þat I shal swynke and swete and sowe for vs bothe,
And oþer laboures do for þi loue al my lyf tyme,
In couenaunt þat þow kepe holikirke and my-selue
Fro wastoures and fro wykked men þat þis worlde struyeth.
And go hunte hardiliche to hares and to foxes,
To bores and to brockes þat breketh adown myne hegges,
And go affaite þe faucones wilde foules to kille;
For suche cometh to my croft and croppeth my whete.”
To bores and to brockes þat breketh adown myne hegges,
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For suche cometh to my croft and croppeth my whete.”
Curteislich þe knyȝte þanne comsed þise wordes,
“By my power, Pieres,” quod he “I pliȝte þe my treuthe
To fulfille þis forward þowȝ I fiȝte sholde;
Als longe as I lyue I shal þe mayntene.”
“By my power, Pieres,” quod he “I pliȝte þe my treuthe
To fulfille þis forward þowȝ I fiȝte sholde;
Als longe as I lyue I shal þe mayntene.”
“Ȝe, and ȝit a poynt,” quod Pieres “I preye ȝow of more;
Loke ȝe tene no tenaunt but treuthe wil assent.
And þowgh ȝe mowe amercy hem late mercy be taxoure,
And mekenesse þi mayster maugre medes chekes,
And þowgh pore men profre ȝow presentis and ȝiftis,
Nym it nauȝte, an auenture ȝe mowe it nauȝte deserue;
For þow shalt ȝelde it aȝein at one ȝeres ende,
In a ful perillous place purgatorie it hatte.
And mysbede nouȝte þi bonde-men þe better may þow spede;
Loke ȝe tene no tenaunt but treuthe wil assent.
And þowgh ȝe mowe amercy hem late mercy be taxoure,
And mekenesse þi mayster maugre medes chekes,
And þowgh pore men profre ȝow presentis and ȝiftis,
Nym it nauȝte, an auenture ȝe mowe it nauȝte deserue;
For þow shalt ȝelde it aȝein at one ȝeres ende,
In a ful perillous place purgatorie it hatte.
Þowgh he be þyn vnderlynge here wel may happe in heuene,
Þat he worth worthier sette and with more blisse,
[Þan þow, bot þou do bette And lyue as þow shulde;]
Amice, ascende superius.
For in charnel atte chirche cherles ben yuel to knowe,Or a kniȝte fram a knaue þere knowe þis in þin herte.
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But if þei ben of wisdome or of witte þi werkmen to chaste.
Holde with none harlotes ne here nouȝte her tales,
And nameliche atte mete suche men eschue;
For it ben þe deueles disoures I do þe to vnderstande.”
“I assente, bi seynt Iame” seyde þe kniȝte þanne,
“Forto worche bi þi wordes þe while my lyf dureth.”
“Forto worche bi þi wordes þe while my lyf dureth.”
“And I shal apparaille me,” quod Perkyn “in pilgrimes wise,
And wende with ȝow I wil til we fynde treuthe;
And wende with ȝow I wil til we fynde treuthe;
And cast on me my clothes yclouted and hole,
My cokeres and my coffes for colde of my nailles,
And hange myn hoper at myn hals in stede of a scrippe;
A busshel of bredcorne brynge me þer-inne;
For I wil sowe it my-self and sitthenes wil I wende
To pylgrymage as palmers don pardoun forto haue.
My cokeres and my coffes for colde of my nailles,
And hange myn hoper at myn hals in stede of a scrippe;
A busshel of bredcorne brynge me þer-inne;
For I wil sowe it my-self and sitthenes wil I wende
To pylgrymage as palmers don pardoun forto haue.
Ac who so helpeth me to erie or sowen here ar I wende,
Shal haue leue, bi owre lorde to lese here in heruest,
And make hem mery þere-mydde maugre who-so bigruccheth it.
Shal haue leue, bi owre lorde to lese here in heruest,
And make hem mery þere-mydde maugre who-so bigruccheth it.
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And alkyn crafty men þat konne lyuen in treuthe,
I shal fynden hem fode þat feithfulliche libbeth.
Saue Iakke þe iogeloure and Ionet of þe stues,
I shal fynden hem fode þat feithfulliche libbeth.
And danyel þe dys-playere and denote þe baude,
And frere þe faytoure and folke of his ordre,
And Robyn þe Rybaudoure for his rusty wordes.
Treuthe tolde me ones and bad me tellen it after,
Deleantur de libro viuentium I shulde nouȝte dele with hem;
For holicherche is hote of hem no tythe to take,
Quia cum iustis non scribantur;
They ben ascaped good auenture now god hem amende!”
Dame worche-whan-tyme-is Pieres wyf hiȝte,
His douȝter hiȝte do-riȝte-so- or-þi-dame-shal-þe-bete,
His sone hiȝte suffre-þi-souereynes- to-hauen-her-wille-
Deme-hem-nouȝte-for-if-þow-doste- þow-shalt-it-dere-abugge.
“Late god yworth with al for so his worde techeth;
His douȝter hiȝte do-riȝte-so- or-þi-dame-shal-þe-bete,
His sone hiȝte suffre-þi-souereynes- to-hauen-her-wille-
Deme-hem-nouȝte-for-if-þow-doste- þow-shalt-it-dere-abugge.
“Late god yworth with al for so his worde techeth;
For now I am olde and hore and haue of myn owen,
To penaunce and to pilgrimage I wil passe with þise other.
For-þi I wil, or I wende do wryte my biqueste.
In dei nomine, amen I make it my-seluen.
He shal haue my soule þat best hath yserued it,
And fro þe fende it defende for so I bileue,
Til I come to his acountes as my credo me telleth,
To haue a relees and a remissioun on þat rental I leue.
To penaunce and to pilgrimage I wil passe with þise other.
For-þi I wil, or I wende do wryte my biqueste.
In dei nomine, amen I make it my-seluen.
He shal haue my soule þat best hath yserued it,
And fro þe fende it defende for so I bileue,
Til I come to his acountes as my credo me telleth,
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Þe kirke shal haue my caroigne and kepe my bones;
For of my corne and catel he craued þe tythe.
I payed it hym prestly for peril of my soule,
For-thy is he holden, I hope to haue me in his masse,
And mengen in his memorye amonge alle crystene.
For of my corne and catel he craued þe tythe.
I payed it hym prestly for peril of my soule,
For-thy is he holden, I hope to haue me in his masse,
And mengen in his memorye amonge alle crystene.
My wyf shal haue of þat I wan with treuthe and nomore,
And dele amonge my douȝtres and my dere children.
For þowghe I deye to-daye my dettes ar quitte,
I bare home þat I borwed ar I to bedde ȝede.
And dele amonge my douȝtres and my dere children.
For þowghe I deye to-daye my dettes ar quitte,
I bare home þat I borwed ar I to bedde ȝede.
And with þe residue and þe remenaunte bi þe Rode of Lukes!
I wil worschip þer-with treuthe bi my lyue,
And ben his pilgryme atte plow for pore mennes sake.
My plow-fote shal be my pyk-staf and picche atwo þe rotes,
And helpe my culter to kerue and clense þe forwes.”
I wil worschip þer-with treuthe bi my lyue,
And ben his pilgryme atte plow for pore mennes sake.
My plow-fote shal be my pyk-staf and picche atwo þe rotes,
And helpe my culter to kerue and clense þe forwes.”
Now is perkyn and his pilgrymes to þe plowe faren;
To erie þis halue acre holpyn hym manye.
Dikeres & delueres digged vp þe balkes;
Þere-with was perkyn apayed and preysed hem faste.
Other werkemen þere were þat wrouȝten ful ȝerne,
Eche man in his manere made hym-self to done,
And some to plese perkyn piked vp þe wedes.
To erie þis halue acre holpyn hym manye.
Dikeres & delueres digged vp þe balkes;
Þere-with was perkyn apayed and preysed hem faste.
Other werkemen þere were þat wrouȝten ful ȝerne,
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And some to plese perkyn piked vp þe wedes.
At heighe pryme peres lete þe plowe stonde,
To ouersen hem hym-self and who-so best wrouȝte,
He shulde be huyred þer-after whan heruest-tyme come.
To ouersen hem hym-self and who-so best wrouȝte,
He shulde be huyred þer-after whan heruest-tyme come.
And þanne seten somme and songen atte nale,
And hulpen erie his half acre with “how! trolli-lolli!”
And hulpen erie his half acre with “how! trolli-lolli!”
“Now, bi þe peril of my soule!” quod Pieres al in pure tene,
“But ȝe arise þe rather and rape ȝow to worche,
Shal no greyne þat groweth glade ȝow at nede;
And þough ȝe deye for dole þe deuel haue þat reccheth!”
“But ȝe arise þe rather and rape ȝow to worche,
Shal no greyne þat groweth glade ȝow at nede;
And þough ȝe deye for dole þe deuel haue þat reccheth!”
Tho were faitoures aferde and feyned hem blynde,
Somme leyde here legges aliri as suche loseles conneth,
And made her mone to pieres and preyde hym of grace:
“For we haue no lymes to laboure with lorde, y-graced be ȝe!
Somme leyde here legges aliri as suche loseles conneth,
And made her mone to pieres and preyde hym of grace:
“For we haue no lymes to laboure with lorde, y-graced be ȝe!
Ac we preye for ȝow pieres and for ȝowre plow bothe,
Þat god of his grace ȝowre grayne multiplye,
And ȝelde ȝow of ȝowre almesse þat ȝe ȝiue vs here;
For we may nouȝte swynke ne swete suche sikenesse vs eyleth.”
Þat god of his grace ȝowre grayne multiplye,
And ȝelde ȝow of ȝowre almesse þat ȝe ȝiue vs here;
For we may nouȝte swynke ne swete suche sikenesse vs eyleth.”
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“If it be soth,” quod pieres, “þat ȝe seyne I shal it sone asspye!
Ȝe ben wastoures, I wote wel and treuthe wote þe sothe!
And I am his olde hyne and hiȝte hym to warne
Which þei were in þis worlde his werkemen appeyred.
Ȝe ben wastoures, I wote wel and treuthe wote þe sothe!
And I am his olde hyne and hiȝte hym to warne
Which þei were in þis worlde his werkemen appeyred.
Ȝe wasten þat men wynnen with trauaille and with tene,
Ac treuthe shal teche ȝow his teme to dryue,
Or ȝe shal ete barly bred and of þe broke drynke.
But if he be blynde [or] broke-legged or bolted with yrnes,
He shal ete whete bred and drynke with my-selue,
Tyl god of his goodnesse amendement hym sende.
Ac ȝe myȝte trauaille as treuthe wolde and take mete & huyre
To kepe kyne in þe felde þe corne fro þe bestes,
Diken or deluen or dyngen vppon sheues,
Or helpe make morter or bere mukke a-felde.
Ac treuthe shal teche ȝow his teme to dryue,
Or ȝe shal ete barly bred and of þe broke drynke.
But if he be blynde [or] broke-legged or bolted with yrnes,
He shal ete whete bred and drynke with my-selue,
Tyl god of his goodnesse amendement hym sende.
Ac ȝe myȝte trauaille as treuthe wolde and take mete & huyre
To kepe kyne in þe felde þe corne fro þe bestes,
Diken or deluen or dyngen vppon sheues,
Or helpe make morter or bere mukke a-felde.
In lecherye and in losengerye ȝe lyuen, and in sleuthe,
And al is þorw suffrance þat veniaunce ȝow ne taketh.
And al is þorw suffrance þat veniaunce ȝow ne taketh.
Ac ancres and heremytes þat eten [noȝt] but at nones,
And namore er morwe myne almesse shul þei haue,
And of my catel to cope hem with þat han cloistres and cherches.
Ac robert renne-aboute shal nowȝte haue of myne,
Ne posteles, but þey preche conne and haue powere of þe bisschop;
They shal haue payne and potage and make hem-self at ese,
For it is an vnresonable Religioun þat hath riȝte nouȝte of certeyne.”
And namore er morwe myne almesse shul þei haue,
And of my catel to cope hem with þat han cloistres and cherches.
Ac robert renne-aboute shal nowȝte haue of myne,
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They shal haue payne and potage and make hem-self at ese,
For it is an vnresonable Religioun þat hath riȝte nouȝte of certeyne.”
And þanne gan a wastoure to wrath hym and wolde haue yfouȝte,
And to Pieres þe plowman he profered his gloue;
A Brytonere, a braggere a-bosted pieres als,
And bad hym go pissen with his plow for-pyned schrewe!
“Wiltow or neltow we wil haue owre wille,
Of þi flowre and of þi flessche fecche whan vs liketh,
And make vs myrie þer-myde maugre þi chekes!”
And to Pieres þe plowman he profered his gloue;
A Brytonere, a braggere a-bosted pieres als,
And bad hym go pissen with his plow for-pyned schrewe!
“Wiltow or neltow we wil haue owre wille,
Of þi flowre and of þi flessche fecche whan vs liketh,
And make vs myrie þer-myde maugre þi chekes!”
Thanne Pieres þe plowman pleyned hym to þe knyȝte,
To kepe hym, as couenaunte was fram cursed shrewes,
And fro þis wastoures wolueskynnes þat maketh þe worlde dere:
“For þo waste and wynnen nouȝte and þat ilke while
Worth neuere plente amonge þe poeple þer-while my plow liggeth.”
To kepe hym, as couenaunte was fram cursed shrewes,
And fro þis wastoures wolueskynnes þat maketh þe worlde dere:
“For þo waste and wynnen nouȝte and þat ilke while
Worth neuere plente amonge þe poeple þer-while my plow liggeth.”
Curteisly þe knyȝte þanne as his kynde wolde,
Warned wastoure and wissed hym bettere,
“Or þow shalt abugge by þe lawe by þe ordre þat I bere!”
Warned wastoure and wissed hym bettere,
“Or þow shalt abugge by þe lawe by þe ordre þat I bere!”
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“I was nouȝt wont to worche,” quod wastour “and now wil I nouȝt bigynne!”—
And lete liȝte of þe lawe and lasse of þe knyȝte,
And sette Pieres at a pees and his plow bothe,
And manaced pieres and his men ȝif þei mette eft sone.
And lete liȝte of þe lawe and lasse of þe knyȝte,
And sette Pieres at a pees and his plow bothe,
And manaced pieres and his men ȝif þei mette eft sone.
“Now, by þe peril of my soule!” quod pieres “I shal apeyre ȝow alle!”
And houped after hunger þat herd hym atte firste:
“A-wreke me of þise wastoures,” quod he “þat þis worlde schendeth!”
And houped after hunger þat herd hym atte firste:
“A-wreke me of þise wastoures,” quod he “þat þis worlde schendeth!”
Hunger in haste þo hent wastour bi þe mawe,
And wronge hym so bi þe wombe þat bothe his eyen wattered;
He buffeted þe Britoner aboute þe chekes,
Þat he loked like a lanterne al his lyf after.
He bette hem so bothe he barste nere here guttes;
Ne hadde Pieres with a pese-lof preyed hunger to cesse,
They hadde ben doluen bothe ne deme þow non other.
“Suffre hem lyue,” he seyde “and lete hem ete with hogges,
Or elles benes and bren ybaken togideres,
Or elles melke and mene ale” þus preyed pieres for hem.
And wronge hym so bi þe wombe þat bothe his eyen wattered;
He buffeted þe Britoner aboute þe chekes,
Þat he loked like a lanterne al his lyf after.
He bette hem so bothe he barste nere here guttes;
Ne hadde Pieres with a pese-lof preyed hunger to cesse,
They hadde ben doluen bothe ne deme þow non other.
“Suffre hem lyue,” he seyde “and lete hem ete with hogges,
Or elles benes and bren ybaken togideres,
Or elles melke and mene ale” þus preyed pieres for hem.
Faitoures for fere her-of flowen in-to bernes,
And flapten on with flayles fram morwe til euen,
That hunger was nouȝt so hardy on hem for to loke,
For a potful of peses þat peres hadde ymaked.
An heep of heremites henten hem spades,
And ketten here copes and courtpies hem made,
And wenten as werkemen with spades and with schoueles,
And doluen and dykeden to dryue aweye hunger.
And flapten on with flayles fram morwe til euen,
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For a potful of peses þat peres hadde ymaked.
An heep of heremites henten hem spades,
And ketten here copes and courtpies hem made,
And wenten as werkemen with spades and with schoueles,
And doluen and dykeden to dryue aweye hunger.
Blynde and bedreden were botened a þousande,
Þat seten to begge syluer sone were þei heled.
For þat was bake for bayarde was bote for many hungry,
And many a beggere for benes buxome was to swynke,
And eche a pore man wel apayed to haue pesen for his huyre,
And what pieres preyed hem to do as prest as a sperhauke.
And þere-of was peres proude and put hem to werke,
And ȝaf hem mete as he myȝte aforth and mesurable huyre.
Þat seten to begge syluer sone were þei heled.
For þat was bake for bayarde was bote for many hungry,
And many a beggere for benes buxome was to swynke,
And eche a pore man wel apayed to haue pesen for his huyre,
And what pieres preyed hem to do as prest as a sperhauke.
And þere-of was peres proude and put hem to werke,
And ȝaf hem mete as he myȝte aforth and mesurable huyre.
Þanne hadde peres pite and preyed hunger to wende
Home in-to his owne erde and holden hym þere.
“For I am wel awroke now of wastoures, þorw þi myȝte.
Ac I preye þe, ar þow passe” quod Pieres to hunger,
“Of beggeres and of bidderes what best be [to] done?
For I wote wel, be þow went þei wil worche ful ille;
For myschief it maketh þei beth so meke nouthe,
And for defaute of her fode þis folke is at my wille.
Þey are my blody bretheren,” quod pieres “for god bouȝte vs alle;
Treuthe tauȝte me ones to louye hem vchone,
And to helpen hem of alle þinge ay as hem nedeth.
And now wolde I witen of þe what were þe best,
An[d] how I myȝte amaistrien hem and make hem to worche.”
Home in-to his owne erde and holden hym þere.
“For I am wel awroke now of wastoures, þorw þi myȝte.
Ac I preye þe, ar þow passe” quod Pieres to hunger,
“Of beggeres and of bidderes what best be [to] done?
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For myschief it maketh þei beth so meke nouthe,
And for defaute of her fode þis folke is at my wille.
Þey are my blody bretheren,” quod pieres “for god bouȝte vs alle;
Treuthe tauȝte me ones to louye hem vchone,
And to helpen hem of alle þinge ay as hem nedeth.
And now wolde I witen of þe what were þe best,
An[d] how I myȝte amaistrien hem and make hem to worche.”
“Here now,” quod hunger “and holde it for a wisdome:
Bolde beggeres and bigge þat mowe her bred biswynke,
With houndes bred and hors bred holde vp her hertis,
Abate hem with benes for bollyng of her wombe;
And ȝif þe gomes grucche bidde hem go swynke,
And he shal soupe swettere whan he it hath deseruid.
And if þow fynde any freke þat fortune hath appeyred,
Bolde beggeres and bigge þat mowe her bred biswynke,
With houndes bred and hors bred holde vp her hertis,
Abate hem with benes for bollyng of her wombe;
And ȝif þe gomes grucche bidde hem go swynke,
And he shal soupe swettere whan he it hath deseruid.
Or any maner fals men fonde þow suche to cnowe;
Conforte [hem] with þi catel for crystes loue of heuene,
Loue hem and lene hem so lawe of god techeth:—
Alter alterius onera portate.
And alle maner of men þat þow myȝte asspye,That nedy ben, and nauȝty helpe hem with þi godis,
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Theigh þei done yuel late þow god [y-worþe]:—
Michi vindictam, & ego retribuam.
And if þow wil[t] be graciouse to god do as þe gospel techeth,And [biloue] þe amonges low men so shaltow lacche grace,
Facite vobis amicos de mamona iniquitatis.”
“I wolde nouȝt greue god,” quod piers “for al þe good on grounde;
Miȝte I synnelees do as þow seist?” seyde pieres þanne.
Miȝte I synnelees do as þow seist?” seyde pieres þanne.
“Ȝe, I bihote þe,” quod hunger “or ellis þe bible lieth;
Go to Genesis þe gyaunt þe engendroure of vs alle;
‘In sudore and swynke þow shalt þi mete tilye,
And laboure for þi lyflode’ and so owre lorde hyȝte.
And sapience seyth þe same I seigh it in þe bible;
‘Piger pro frigore no felde nolde tilye,
And þerfore he shal begge and bidde and no man bete his hunger.’
Go to Genesis þe gyaunt þe engendroure of vs alle;
‘In sudore and swynke þow shalt þi mete tilye,
And laboure for þi lyflode’ and so owre lorde hyȝte.
And sapience seyth þe same I seigh it in þe bible;
‘Piger pro frigore no felde nolde tilye,
And þerfore he shal begge and bidde and no man bete his hunger.’
Mathew with mannes face mouthed þise wordes,
Þat seruus nequam had a nam and for he wolde nouȝte chaffare,
He had maugre of his maistre for euermore after;
And binam [hym] his Mnam for he ne wolde worche,
And ȝaf þat Mnam to hym þat ten Mnames hadde,
And with þat he seyde þat holicherche it herde,
‘He þat hath shal haue and helpe þere it nedeth,
And he þat nouȝt hath, shal nouȝt haue and no man hym helpe;
And þat he weneth wel to haue I wil it hym bireue.’
Kynde witt wolde þat eche a wyght wrouȝte
Þat seruus nequam had a nam and for he wolde nouȝte chaffare,
He had maugre of his maistre for euermore after;
And binam [hym] his Mnam for he ne wolde worche,
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And with þat he seyde þat holicherche it herde,
‘He þat hath shal haue and helpe þere it nedeth,
And he þat nouȝt hath, shal nouȝt haue and no man hym helpe;
And þat he weneth wel to haue I wil it hym bireue.’
Or in dykynge or in deluynge or trauaillynge in preyeres,
Contemplatyf lyf or actyf lyf cryst wolde men wrouȝte.
Þe sauter seyth in þe psalme of beati omnes,
Þe freke þat fedeth hym-self with his feythful laboure,
He is blessed by þe boke in body and in soule:
Labores manuum tuarum, &c.”
“Ȝet I prey ȝow,” quod pieres “par charite, and ȝe kunne
Eny leef of lechecraft lere it me, my dere.
For somme of my seruauntz and my-self bothe
Of al a wyke worche nouȝt so owre wombe aketh.”
Eny leef of lechecraft lere it me, my dere.
For somme of my seruauntz and my-self bothe
Of al a wyke worche nouȝt so owre wombe aketh.”
“I wote wel,” quod hunger “what sykenesse ȝow eyleth,
Ȝe han maunged ouer-moche and þat maketh ȝow grone.
Ac I hote þe,” quod hunger “as þow þyne hele wilnest,
Þat þow drynke no day ar þow dyne somwhat.
Ete nouȝte, I hote þe ar hunger þe take,
And sende þe of his sauce to sauoure with þi lippes;
And kepe some tyl soper-tyme and sitte nouȝt to longe,
Arise vp ar appetit haue eten his fulle.
Lat nouȝt sire surfait sitten at þi borde;
Leue him nouȝt, for he is lecherous and likerous of tonge,
And after many manere metes his maw is afyngred.
Ȝe han maunged ouer-moche and þat maketh ȝow grone.
Ac I hote þe,” quod hunger “as þow þyne hele wilnest,
Þat þow drynke no day ar þow dyne somwhat.
Ete nouȝte, I hote þe ar hunger þe take,
And sende þe of his sauce to sauoure with þi lippes;
And kepe some tyl soper-tyme and sitte nouȝt to longe,
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Lat nouȝt sire surfait sitten at þi borde;
Leue him nouȝt, for he is lecherous and likerous of tonge,
And after many manere metes his maw is afyngred.
And ȝif þow diete þe þus I dar legge myne eres,
Þat phisik shal his furred hodes for his fode selle,
And his cloke of calabre with alle þe knappes of golde,
And be fayne, bi my feith his phisik to lete,
And lerne to laboure with londe for lyflode is swete;
For morthereres aren mony leches lorde hem amende!
Þei do men deye þorw here drynkes ar destine it wolde.”
Þat phisik shal his furred hodes for his fode selle,
And his cloke of calabre with alle þe knappes of golde,
And be fayne, bi my feith his phisik to lete,
And lerne to laboure with londe for lyflode is swete;
For morthereres aren mony leches lorde hem amende!
Þei do men deye þorw here drynkes ar destine it wolde.”
“By seynt Poule,” quod pieres “þise aren profitable wordis!
Wende now, hunger, whan þow wolt þat wel be þow euere!
For þis is a louely lessoun lorde it þe for-ȝelde!”
Wende now, hunger, whan þow wolt þat wel be þow euere!
For þis is a louely lessoun lorde it þe for-ȝelde!”
“By-hote god,” quod hunger “hennes ne wil I wende,
Til I haue dyned bi þis day and ydronke bothe.”
Til I haue dyned bi þis day and ydronke bothe.”
“I haue no peny,” quod peres “poletes forto bigge,
Ne neyther gees ne grys but two grene cheses,
A fewe cruddes and creem and an hauer cake,
And two loues of benes and bran y-bake for my fauntis.
And ȝet I sey, by my soule I haue no salt bacoun,
Ne no kokeney, bi cryst coloppes forto maken.
Ac I haue percil and porettes and many kole-plantes,
And eke a cow and a kalf and a cart-mare
To drawe a-felde my donge þe while þe drought lasteth.
And bi þis lyflode we mot lyue til lammasse tyme;
And bi þat, I hope to haue heruest in my croft;
And þanne may I diȝte þi dyner as me dere liketh.”
Alle þe pore peple þo pesecoddes fetten,
Benes and baken apples þei brouȝte in her lappes,
Chibolles and cheruelles and ripe chiries manye,
And profred peres þis present to plese with hunger.
Ne neyther gees ne grys but two grene cheses,
A fewe cruddes and creem and an hauer cake,
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And ȝet I sey, by my soule I haue no salt bacoun,
Ne no kokeney, bi cryst coloppes forto maken.
Ac I haue percil and porettes and many kole-plantes,
And eke a cow and a kalf and a cart-mare
To drawe a-felde my donge þe while þe drought lasteth.
And bi þis lyflode we mot lyue til lammasse tyme;
And bi þat, I hope to haue heruest in my croft;
And þanne may I diȝte þi dyner as me dere liketh.”
Alle þe pore peple þo pesecoddes fetten,
Benes and baken apples þei brouȝte in her lappes,
Chibolles and cheruelles and ripe chiries manye,
And profred peres þis present to plese with hunger.
Al hunger eet in hast and axed after more.
Þanne pore folke for fere fedde hunger ȝerne
With grene poret and pesen to poysoun hunger þei þouȝte.
By þat it neighed nere heruest newe corne cam to chepynge;
Þanne was folke fayne and fedde hunger with þe best,
With good ale, as glotoun tauȝte and gerte hunger go slepe.
Þanne pore folke for fere fedde hunger ȝerne
With grene poret and pesen to poysoun hunger þei þouȝte.
By þat it neighed nere heruest newe corne cam to chepynge;
Þanne was folke fayne and fedde hunger with þe best,
With good ale, as glotoun tauȝte and gerte hunger go slepe.
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And þo wolde wastour nouȝt werche but wandren aboute,
Ne no begger ete bred þat benes Inne were,
But of coket or clerematyn or elles of clene whete;
Ne none halpeny ale in none wise drynke,
But of þe best and of þe brounest þat in borghe is to selle.
Ne no begger ete bred þat benes Inne were,
But of coket or clerematyn or elles of clene whete;
Ne none halpeny ale in none wise drynke,
But of þe best and of þe brounest þat in borghe is to selle.
Laboreres þat haue no lande to lyue on but her handes,
Deyned nouȝt to dyne a-day nyȝt-olde wortes.
May no peny ale hem paye ne no pece of bakoun,
But if it be fresch flesch other fische fryed other bake,
And þat chaude or plus chaud for chillyng of here mawe.
And but if he be heighlich huyred ellis wil he chyde,
Deyned nouȝt to dyne a-day nyȝt-olde wortes.
May no peny ale hem paye ne no pece of bakoun,
But if it be fresch flesch other fische fryed other bake,
And þat chaude or plus chaud for chillyng of here mawe.
And þat he was werkman wrouȝt waille þe tyme,
Aȝeines catones conseille comseth he to iangle:—
Paupertatis onus pacienter ferre memento.
He greueth hym aȝeines god and gruccheth aȝeines resoun,
And þanne curseth he þe kynge and al his conseille after,
Suche lawes to loke laboreres to greue.
Ac whiles hunger was her maister þere wolde none of hem chyde,
Ne stryue aȝeines his statut so sterneliche he loked.
And þanne curseth he þe kynge and al his conseille after,
Suche lawes to loke laboreres to greue.
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Ne stryue aȝeines his statut so sterneliche he loked.
Ac I warne ȝow, werkemen wynneth while ȝe mowe,
For hunger hide[r]ward hasteth hym faste,
He shal awake with water wastoures to chaste.
Ar fyue [ȝere] be fulfilled suche famyn shal aryse,
Thorwgh flodes and þourgh foule wederes frutes shul faille,
And so sayde saturne and sent ȝow to warne:
Whan ȝe se þe sonne amys and two monkes hedes,
And a Mayde haue þe maistrie and multiplie bi eight,
Þanne shal deth withdrawe and derthe be iustice,
And dawe þe dyker deye for hunger,
But if god of his goodnesse graunt vs a trewe.
For hunger hide[r]ward hasteth hym faste,
He shal awake with water wastoures to chaste.
Ar fyue [ȝere] be fulfilled suche famyn shal aryse,
Thorwgh flodes and þourgh foule wederes frutes shul faille,
And so sayde saturne and sent ȝow to warne:
Whan ȝe se þe sonne amys and two monkes hedes,
And a Mayde haue þe maistrie and multiplie bi eight,
Þanne shal deth withdrawe and derthe be iustice,
And dawe þe dyker deye for hunger,
But if god of his goodnesse graunt vs a trewe.
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