The Vision of William concerning Piers 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 |
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 | The Vision of William concerning Piers Plowman |  |
Heo may as muche do In a Mooneþ ones,
As [ȝoure] secre seal In Seuen score dayes.
Heo is priue with þe Pope Prouisours hit knowen;
Sir Simonie and hire-self asselen þe Bulles;
Heo Blessede þe Bisschopes þouȝ þat þei ben lewed.
As [ȝoure] secre seal In Seuen score dayes.
Heo is priue with þe Pope Prouisours hit knowen;
Sir Simonie and hire-self asselen þe Bulles;
Heo Blessede þe Bisschopes þouȝ þat þei ben lewed.
Prouendreres, persuns Preostes heo meynteneþ,
To holde Lemmons and Lotebyes al heor lyf-dayes,
And bringeþ forþ Barnes aȝeyn forbodene lawes.
Þer heo is wel with þe kyng wo is þe Reame!
For heo is Fauerable to Fals and fouleþ Treuþe ofte.
To holde Lemmons and Lotebyes al heor lyf-dayes,
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Þer heo is wel with þe kyng wo is þe Reame!
For heo is Fauerable to Fals and fouleþ Treuþe ofte.
Barouns and Burgeis heo bringeþ to serwe,
Heo Buggeþ with heore Iuweles; vr Iustises heo schendeþ.
Heo lihþ aȝeyn þe lawe and letteþ so faste,
Þat Feiþ may not han his forþ hir Florins gon so þikke.
Heo ledeþ þe lawe as hire luste and loue-dayes makeþ,
Þe Mase for a Mene mon þauȝ he mote euere.
Lawe is so lordlich and loþ to maken eende,
With-outen presentes or pons heo pleseþ ful fewe.
Clergye an Couetise heo Coupleþ to-gedere.
Þis is þe lyf of þe ladi vr lord ȝif hire serwe!
And alle þat Meynteneþ hire [myschaunce hem bytide]!
For [þe] pore may haue no pouwer to playne, þauȝ hem smerte,
Such a Mayster is Meede A-Mong Men of goode.”
Heo Buggeþ with heore Iuweles; vr Iustises heo schendeþ.
Heo lihþ aȝeyn þe lawe and letteþ so faste,
Þat Feiþ may not han his forþ hir Florins gon so þikke.
Heo ledeþ þe lawe as hire luste and loue-dayes makeþ,
Þe Mase for a Mene mon þauȝ he mote euere.
Lawe is so lordlich and loþ to maken eende,
With-outen presentes or pons heo pleseþ ful fewe.
Clergye an Couetise heo Coupleþ to-gedere.
Þis is þe lyf of þe ladi vr lord ȝif hire serwe!
And alle þat Meynteneþ hire [myschaunce hem bytide]!
For [þe] pore may haue no pouwer to playne, þauȝ hem smerte,
Such a Mayster is Meede A-Mong Men of goode.”
| The Vision of William concerning Piers Plowman | |