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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| XIX. | PASSUS XIX (PROLOGUE TO DOBEST).
Passus xixus; & explicit dobet, & incipit dobest. |
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 | The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman |  |
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PASSUS XIX (PROLOGUE TO DOBEST). Passus xixus; & explicit dobet, & incipit dobest.
Thus I awaked & wrote what I had dremed,
And diȝte me derely & dede me to cherche,
To here holy þe masse & to be houseled after.
In myddes of þe masse þo men ȝede to offrynge,
I fel eftsones a-slepe & sodeynly me mette,
That Pieres þe plowman was paynted al blody,
And come in with a crosse bifor þe comune peple,
And riȝte lyke in alle lymes to owre lorde ihesu;
And þanne called I conscience to kenne me þe sothe.
“Is þis ihesus þe iuster?” quod I “þat iuwes did to deth?
Or it is Pieres þe plowman! who paynted hym so rede?”
Quod conscience, & kneled þo “þise aren Pieres armes,
His coloures & his cote-armure ac he þat cometh so blody
Is cryst with his crosse conqueroure of crystene.”
And diȝte me derely & dede me to cherche,
To here holy þe masse & to be houseled after.
In myddes of þe masse þo men ȝede to offrynge,
I fel eftsones a-slepe & sodeynly me mette,
That Pieres þe plowman was paynted al blody,
And come in with a crosse bifor þe comune peple,
And riȝte lyke in alle lymes to owre lorde ihesu;
And þanne called I conscience to kenne me þe sothe.
“Is þis ihesus þe iuster?” quod I “þat iuwes did to deth?
Or it is Pieres þe plowman! who paynted hym so rede?”
Quod conscience, & kneled þo “þise aren Pieres armes,
His coloures & his cote-armure ac he þat cometh so blody
Is cryst with his crosse conqueroure of crystene.”
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“Why calle ȝe hym cryst?” quod I “sithenes iuwes calle hym ihesus?
Patriarkes & prophetes prophecyed bifore,
Þat alkyn creatures shulden knelen & bowen,
Anon as men nempned þe name of god Ihesu.
Ergo is no name to þe name of ihesus,
Ne none so nedeful to nempne by nyȝte ne by daye.
For alle derke deuelles aren adradde to heren it,
And synful aren solaced & saued bi þat name.
And ȝe callen hym cryst for what cause, telleth me?
Is cryst more of myȝte & more worthy name
Þan ihesu or ihesus þat al owre ioye come of?”
Patriarkes & prophetes prophecyed bifore,
Þat alkyn creatures shulden knelen & bowen,
Anon as men nempned þe name of god Ihesu.
Ergo is no name to þe name of ihesus,
Ne none so nedeful to nempne by nyȝte ne by daye.
For alle derke deuelles aren adradde to heren it,
And synful aren solaced & saued bi þat name.
And ȝe callen hym cryst for what cause, telleth me?
Is cryst more of myȝte & more worthy name
Þan ihesu or ihesus þat al owre ioye come of?”
“Thow knowest wel,” quod conscience “and þow konne resoun,
That knyȝte, kynge, conqueroure may be o persone.
To be called a kniȝte is faire for men shal knele to hym;
To be called a Kynge is fairer for he may knyȝtes make;
Ac to be conquerour called þat cometh of special grace,
And of hardynesse of herte & of hendenesse [bothe],
To make lordes of laddes of londe þat he wynneth,
And fre men foule thralles þat folweth nouȝt his lawes.
That knyȝte, kynge, conqueroure may be o persone.
To be called a kniȝte is faire for men shal knele to hym;
To be called a Kynge is fairer for he may knyȝtes make;
Ac to be conquerour called þat cometh of special grace,
And of hardynesse of herte & of hendenesse [bothe],
To make lordes of laddes of londe þat he wynneth,
And fre men foule thralles þat folweth nouȝt his lawes.
The iuwes, þat were gentil men ihesu þei dispised,
Bothe his lore & his lawe now ar þei lowe cherlis.
As wyde as þe worlde is wonyeth þere none
But vnder tribut & taillage as tykes & cherles.
And þo þat bicome crysten by conseille of þe baptiste,
Aren frankeleynes, fre men þorw fullyng þat þei toke,
And gentel men with ihesu for Ihesus was [yfulled],
And vppon caluarye on crosse ycrouned kynge of iewes.
Bothe his lore & his lawe now ar þei lowe cherlis.
As wyde as þe worlde is wonyeth þere none
But vnder tribut & taillage as tykes & cherles.
And þo þat bicome crysten by conseille of þe baptiste,
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And gentel men with ihesu for Ihesus was [yfulled],
And vppon caluarye on crosse ycrouned kynge of iewes.
It bicometh to a Kynge to kepe and to defende,
And conquerour of conquest his lawes & his large.
And so [dide] Ihesus þe iewes he iustified & tauȝte hem
Þe lawe of lyf that last shal euere;
And fended fram foule yueles feueres & fluxes,
And fro fendes þat in hem [were] & fals bileue.
Þo was he ihesus of iewes called gentel prophete,
And kynge of her kyngdome & croune bar of þornes.
And conquerour of conquest his lawes & his large.
And so [dide] Ihesus þe iewes he iustified & tauȝte hem
Þe lawe of lyf that last shal euere;
And fended fram foule yueles feueres & fluxes,
And fro fendes þat in hem [were] & fals bileue.
Þo was he ihesus of iewes called gentel prophete,
And kynge of her kyngdome & croune bar of þornes.
And þo conquered he on crosse as conquerour noble;
Myȝt no deth hym fordo ne adown brynge,
That he ne aros & regned and rauysshed helle.
And þo was he conquerour called of quikke & of ded,
For he ȝaf Adam & Eue and other mo blisse,
Þat longe hadde leyne bifore as lucyferes cherles.
Myȝt no deth hym fordo ne adown brynge,
That he ne aros & regned and rauysshed helle.
And þo was he conquerour called of quikke & of ded,
For he ȝaf Adam & Eue and other mo blisse,
Þat longe hadde leyne bifore as lucyferes cherles.
And sith he ȝaf largely alle his lele lyges
Places in paradys at her partynge hennes,
He may wel be called conquerour & þat is cryst to mene.
Places in paradys at her partynge hennes,
He may wel be called conquerour & þat is cryst to mene.
Ac þe cause þat he cometh þus with crosse of his passioun,
Is to wissen vs þere-wyth þat whan þat we ben tempted,
Þer-with to fyȝte & fenden vs fro fallyng in-to synne,
And se bi his sorwe þat who so loueth ioye,
To penaunce & to pouerte he moste putten hymseluen,
And moche wo in þis worlde willen & suffren.
Ac to carpe more of cryst And how he come to þat name,
Is to wissen vs þere-wyth þat whan þat we ben tempted,
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And se bi his sorwe þat who so loueth ioye,
To penaunce & to pouerte he moste putten hymseluen,
And moche wo in þis worlde willen & suffren.
Faithly forto speke his firste name was ihesus.
Tho he was borne in bethleem as þe boke telleth,
And cam to take mankynde kynges and aungeles
Reuerenced hym faire with richesse of erthe.
Angeles out of heuene come knelyng & songe,
Gloria in excelsis deo, &c.
Kynges come after kneled, & offredMirre & moche golde with-outen mercy askynge,
Or any kynnes catel but knowlechyng hym soeuereigne
Bothe of sonde, sonne, & see & sithenes þei went
In-to her kyngene kyth by conseille of angeles.
And there was þat worde fulfilled þe which þow of speke,
Omnia celestia, terrestria, flectantur in hoc nomine Ihesu.
For alle þe angeles of heuene at his burth kneled,And al þe witte of þe worlde was in þo þre kynges;
Resoun & [riȝtwisnesse] & reuth þei offred,
Wherfore & whi wyse men þat tyme,
Maistres & lettred men Magy hem called.
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That o kynge cam with resoun keuered vnder sense.
Þe secounde kynge sitthe sothliche offred
Riȝtwisnesse vnder red golde resouns felawe.
Golde is likned to leute þat last shal euere,
And resoun to riche golde to riȝte & to treuthe.
The þridde kynge þo cam knelyng to ihesu,
And presented hym with pitee apierynge by myrre;
For mirre is mercy to mene & mylde speche of tonge.
Thre yliche honest þinges [were] offred þus at ones,
Þorw þre kynne kynges knelynge to ihesu.
Þe secounde kynge sitthe sothliche offred
Riȝtwisnesse vnder red golde resouns felawe.
Golde is likned to leute þat last shal euere,
And resoun to riche golde to riȝte & to treuthe.
The þridde kynge þo cam knelyng to ihesu,
And presented hym with pitee apierynge by myrre;
For mirre is mercy to mene & mylde speche of tonge.
Thre yliche honest þinges [were] offred þus at ones,
Þorw þre kynne kynges knelynge to ihesu.
Ac for alle þise preciouse presentz owre lorde prynce ihesus
Was neyther kynge ne conquerour til he gan to wexe
In þe manere of a man & þat by moche sleight;
As it bicometh a conquerour to konne many sleightes,
And many wyles & witte þat wil ben a leder;
And so did ihesu in his dayes who so had tyme to telle it.
Sum tyme he suffred & sum tyme he hydde hym;
And sum tyme he fauȝte faste & fleigh otherwhile.
And some tyme he gaf good & graunted hele bothe,
Lyf & lyme as hym lyste, he wrought.
As kynde is of a conquerour so comsed ihesu,
Tyl he had alle hem þat he fore bledde.
Was neyther kynge ne conquerour til he gan to wexe
In þe manere of a man & þat by moche sleight;
As it bicometh a conquerour to konne many sleightes,
And many wyles & witte þat wil ben a leder;
And so did ihesu in his dayes who so had tyme to telle it.
Sum tyme he suffred & sum tyme he hydde hym;
And sum tyme he fauȝte faste & fleigh otherwhile.
And some tyme he gaf good & graunted hele bothe,
Lyf & lyme as hym lyste, he wrought.
As kynde is of a conquerour so comsed ihesu,
Tyl he had alle hem þat he fore bledde.
In his iuuente þis ihesus atte iuwen feste,
Water in-to wyn tourned as holy writ telleth,
And þere bigan god of his grace to dowel.
For wyn is lykned to lawe & lyf of holynesse;
And lawe lakked þo for men loued nouȝt her enemys.
And cryst conseilleth þus & comaundeth bothe,
Bothe to lered & to lewed to louye owre enemys.
So atte feste firste as I bifore tolde,
Bygan god, of his grace & goodnesse, to dowel:
And þo was he cleped & called nouȝt holy cryst, but Ihesu,
A faunt fyn, ful of witte filius marie.
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And þere bigan god of his grace to dowel.
For wyn is lykned to lawe & lyf of holynesse;
And lawe lakked þo for men loued nouȝt her enemys.
And cryst conseilleth þus & comaundeth bothe,
Bothe to lered & to lewed to louye owre enemys.
So atte feste firste as I bifore tolde,
Bygan god, of his grace & goodnesse, to dowel:
And þo was he cleped & called nouȝt holy cryst, but Ihesu,
A faunt fyn, ful of witte filius marie.
For bifor his moder marie made he þat wonder,
Þat she furste & formest ferme shulde bilieue,
That he þorw grace was gete & of no gome elles.
He wrouȝt þat bi no witte but þorw worde one,
After þe kynde þat he come of þere comsed he dowel.
And whan he was woxen more in his moder absence,
He made lame to lepe & ȝaue liȝte to blynde,
And fedde with two fisshes & with fyue loues
Sore afyngred folke mo þan fyue thousande.
Þus he conforted carful & cauȝte a gretter name,
Þe whiche was dobet where þat he went.
For defe þorw his doynges to here & dombe speke he made,
And alle he heled & halpe þat hym of grace asked.
And þo was he called in contre of þe comune peple,
For þe dedes þat he did fili dauid, ihesus!
For dauid was douȝtiest of dedes in his tyme,
The berdes þo songe Saul interfecit mille, et dauid decem milia;
For-þi þe contre þere ihesu cam called hym fili dauid,
And nempned hym of nazereth & no man so worthi
To be kaisere or kynge of þe kyngedome of iuda,
Ne ouer iuwes iustice as ihesus was, hem þouȝte.
Þat she furste & formest ferme shulde bilieue,
That he þorw grace was gete & of no gome elles.
He wrouȝt þat bi no witte but þorw worde one,
After þe kynde þat he come of þere comsed he dowel.
And whan he was woxen more in his moder absence,
He made lame to lepe & ȝaue liȝte to blynde,
And fedde with two fisshes & with fyue loues
Sore afyngred folke mo þan fyue thousande.
Þus he conforted carful & cauȝte a gretter name,
Þe whiche was dobet where þat he went.
For defe þorw his doynges to here & dombe speke he made,
And alle he heled & halpe þat hym of grace asked.
And þo was he called in contre of þe comune peple,
350
For dauid was douȝtiest of dedes in his tyme,
The berdes þo songe Saul interfecit mille, et dauid decem milia;
For-þi þe contre þere ihesu cam called hym fili dauid,
And nempned hym of nazereth & no man so worthi
To be kaisere or kynge of þe kyngedome of iuda,
Ne ouer iuwes iustice as ihesus was, hem þouȝte.
Where-of caiphas hadde enuye & other of þe iewes,
And forto done hym to deth day & nyȝte þei casten;
Kulleden hym on-crosse-wyse at caluarie on fryday,
And sithen buryden his body & beden þat men sholde
Kepen it fro niȝt-comeres with knyȝtes y-armed,
For no frendes shulde hym fecche for prophetes hem tolde,
Þat þat blessed body of burieles shulde rise,
And gone in-to galile and gladen his apostles,
And his moder Marie þus men bifore demed.
And forto done hym to deth day & nyȝte þei casten;
Kulleden hym on-crosse-wyse at caluarie on fryday,
And sithen buryden his body & beden þat men sholde
Kepen it fro niȝt-comeres with knyȝtes y-armed,
For no frendes shulde hym fecche for prophetes hem tolde,
Þat þat blessed body of burieles shulde rise,
And gone in-to galile and gladen his apostles,
And his moder Marie þus men bifore demed.
The knyȝtes þat kepten it biknewe it hem-seluen,
Þat angeles & archangeles ar þe day spronge,
Come knelynge to þe corps & songen, christus resurgens
Verrey man bifor hem alle & forth with hem he ȝede.
Þat angeles & archangeles ar þe day spronge,
Come knelynge to þe corps & songen, christus resurgens
Verrey man bifor hem alle & forth with hem he ȝede.
The iewes preyed hem pees & bisouȝte þe knyȝtes
Telle þe comune þat þere cam a compaignye of his aposteles,
And bywicched hem as þei woke & awey stolen it.
Ac Marie Magdeleyne mette hym bi þe wey,
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And bywicched hem as þei woke & awey stolen it.
Goynge toward galile in godhed & manhed,
And lyues & lokynge & she aloude cryde,
In eche a compaignye þere she cam christus resurgens!
Þus cam it out þat cryst ouer-cam rekeuered & lyued;
Sic oportet christum pati, & intrare, &c.;
For [þat] þat wommen witeth may nouȝte wel be conseille!
Peter perceyued al þis & pursued after,
Bothe iames & Iohan Ihesu for to seke,
Tadde & ten mo with Thomas of ynde.
And as alle þise wise wyes weren togideres,
In an hous al bishette & her dore ybarred,
Cryst cam in, & al closed bothe dore & ȝates,
To peter & to his aposteles and seyde pax vobis!
And toke Thomas by þe hande and tauȝte hym to grope,
And fele with his fyngres his flesshelich herte.
Thomas touched it & with his tonge seyde,
Bothe iames & Iohan Ihesu for to seke,
Tadde & ten mo with Thomas of ynde.
And as alle þise wise wyes weren togideres,
In an hous al bishette & her dore ybarred,
Cryst cam in, & al closed bothe dore & ȝates,
To peter & to his aposteles and seyde pax vobis!
And toke Thomas by þe hande and tauȝte hym to grope,
And fele with his fyngres his flesshelich herte.
‘Deus meus & dominus meus.
Thow art my lorde, I bileue god, lorde ihesu!Þow deydest & deth þoledest and deme shalt vs alle!
And now art lyuynge & lokynge & laste shalt euere!’
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‘Thomas, for þow trowest þis & trewliche bileuest it,
Blessed mote þow be & be shalt for euere.
And blessed mote þei alle be in body & in soule,
That neuere shal se me in siȝte as þow doste nouthe,
And lellich bileuen al þis I loue hem & blesse hem;
Beati qui non viderunt, [et crediderunt,] &c.’
And whan þis dede was done dobest he tauȝte,
And ȝaf Pieres power and pardoun he graunted
To alle manere men mercy & forȝyfnes,
Hym myȝte men to assoille of alle manere synnes,
In couenant þat þei come & knowleche to paye,
To pieres pardon þe plowman redde quod debes.
And ȝaf Pieres power and pardoun he graunted
To alle manere men mercy & forȝyfnes,
Hym myȝte men to assoille of alle manere synnes,
In couenant þat þei come & knowleche to paye,
To pieres pardon þe plowman redde quod debes.
Thus hath pieres powere be his pardoun payed,
To bynde & to vnbynde bothe here & elles-[where],
And assoile men of alle synnes saue of dette one.
To bynde & to vnbynde bothe here & elles-[where],
And assoile men of alle synnes saue of dette one.
Anone after an heigh vp in-to heuene
He went, & wonyeth þere & wil come atte laste,
And rewarde hym riȝte wel þat reddit quod debet—
Payeth parfitly as pure trewthe wolde.
And what persone payeth it nouȝt punysshen he þinketh,
And demen hem at domes daye bothe quikke & ded,
Þe gode to þe godhede & to grete ioye,
And wikke to wonye in wo with-outen ende.”
Þus conscience of crist & of þe crosse carped,
And conseilled me to knele þer-to & þanne come, me þouȝte,
One spiritus paraclitus to pieres & to his felawes;
In lyknesse of a liȝtnynge he lyȝte on hem alle,
And made hem konne & knowe alkyn langages.
I wondred what þat was & wagged conscience,
And was afered of the lyȝte for in fyres lyknesse
Spiritus paraclitus ouer-spradde hem alle.
He went, & wonyeth þere & wil come atte laste,
And rewarde hym riȝte wel þat reddit quod debet—
Payeth parfitly as pure trewthe wolde.
And what persone payeth it nouȝt punysshen he þinketh,
And demen hem at domes daye bothe quikke & ded,
Þe gode to þe godhede & to grete ioye,
And wikke to wonye in wo with-outen ende.”
353
And conseilled me to knele þer-to & þanne come, me þouȝte,
One spiritus paraclitus to pieres & to his felawes;
In lyknesse of a liȝtnynge he lyȝte on hem alle,
And made hem konne & knowe alkyn langages.
I wondred what þat was & wagged conscience,
And was afered of the lyȝte for in fyres lyknesse
Spiritus paraclitus ouer-spradde hem alle.
Quod conscience, & kneled “þis is crystes messager,
And cometh fro þe grete god & grace is his name.
Knele now,” quod conscience “& if þow canst synge,
Welcome hym & worshipe hym with veni, creator spiritus.”
And cometh fro þe grete god & grace is his name.
Knele now,” quod conscience “& if þow canst synge,
Welcome hym & worshipe hym with veni, creator spiritus.”
Thanne songe I þat songe and so did many hundreth,
And cryden with conscience “help vs, god of grace!”
And þanne bigan grace to go with piers plowman,
And conseilled hym & conscience þe comune to sompne,
“For I wil dele to-daye & dyuyde grace,
To alkynnes creatures þat [han] her fyue wittes,
Tresore to lyue by to her lyues ende,
And wepne to fyȝte with þat wil neure faille.
For antecryst & his al þe worlde shal greue,
And acombre þe, conscience but if cryst þe helpe.
And fals prophetes fele flatereres & glosers
And cryden with conscience “help vs, god of grace!”
And þanne bigan grace to go with piers plowman,
And conseilled hym & conscience þe comune to sompne,
“For I wil dele to-daye & dyuyde grace,
To alkynnes creatures þat [han] her fyue wittes,
Tresore to lyue by to her lyues ende,
And wepne to fyȝte with þat wil neure faille.
For antecryst & his al þe worlde shal greue,
And acombre þe, conscience but if cryst þe helpe.
Shullen come & be curatoures ouer kynges & erlis,
And pryde shal be pope prynce of holycherche,
Coueytyse & vnkyndenesse cardinales hym to lede.
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And wepne to fiȝte with whan antecryst ȝow assailleth.”
And gaf eche man a grace to gye with hym-seluen,
That ydelnesse encombre hym nouȝt envye ne pryde,
Diuisiones graciarum sunt, &c.
Some he ȝaf wytte with wordes to shewe,
Witte to wynne her lyflode with as þe worlde asketh,
As prechoures & prestes & prentyce[s] of lawe,
Þei lelly to lyue by laboure of tonge,
And bi witte to wissen other as grace hem wolde teche.
Witte to wynne her lyflode with as þe worlde asketh,
As prechoures & prestes & prentyce[s] of lawe,
Þei lelly to lyue by laboure of tonge,
And bi witte to wissen other as grace hem wolde teche.
And some he kenned crafte & kunnynge of syȝte,
With sellyng & buggynge her bylyf to wynne,
And some he lered to laboure a lele lyf & a trewe,
And somme he tauȝte to tilie to dyche & to thecche,
To wynne with her lyflode by lore of his techynge.
And some to dyuyne & diuide noumbres to kenne;
And some to compas craftily & coloures to make;
And some to se & to saye what shulde bifalle,
Bothe of wel & of wo telle it or it felle,
As Astronomyenes þorw astronomye & philosophres wyse.
With sellyng & buggynge her bylyf to wynne,
And some he lered to laboure a lele lyf & a trewe,
And somme he tauȝte to tilie to dyche & to thecche,
To wynne with her lyflode by lore of his techynge.
And some to dyuyne & diuide noumbres to kenne;
And some to compas craftily & coloures to make;
And some to se & to saye what shulde bifalle,
Bothe of wel & of wo telle it or it felle,
As Astronomyenes þorw astronomye & philosophres wyse.
And some to ryde & to recoeure þat vnriȝtfully was wonne;
He wissed hem wynne it aȝeyne þorw wightnesse of handes,
He wissed hem wynne it aȝeyne þorw wightnesse of handes,
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And fecchen it fro fals men with foluyles lawes.
And some he lered to lyue in longynge to ben hennes,
In pouerte & in penaunce to preye for alle crystene.
And alle he lered to be lele & eche a crafte loue other,
And forbad hem alle debate þat none were amonge hem.
“Thowgh some be clenner þan somme ȝe se wel,” quod grace,
“Þat he þat vseth þe fairest crafte to þe foulest I couth haue put hym,
Þinketh alle,” quod grace “þat grace cometh of my ȝifte;
Loke þat none lakke other but loueth alle as bretheren.
And some he lered to lyue in longynge to ben hennes,
In pouerte & in penaunce to preye for alle crystene.
And alle he lered to be lele & eche a crafte loue other,
And forbad hem alle debate þat none were amonge hem.
“Thowgh some be clenner þan somme ȝe se wel,” quod grace,
“Þat he þat vseth þe fairest crafte to þe foulest I couth haue put hym,
Þinketh alle,” quod grace “þat grace cometh of my ȝifte;
Loke þat none lakke other but loueth alle as bretheren.
And who þat moste maistries can be myldest of berynge,
And crouneth conscience kynge & maketh crafte ȝowre stuward,
And after craftes conseille clotheth ȝow & fede.
For I make pieres þe plowman my procuratour & my reve,
And Regystrere to receyue redde quod debes.
My prowor & my plowman Piers shal ben on erthe,
And for to tulye treuthe a teme shal he haue.”
And crouneth conscience kynge & maketh crafte ȝowre stuward,
And after craftes conseille clotheth ȝow & fede.
For I make pieres þe plowman my procuratour & my reve,
And Regystrere to receyue redde quod debes.
My prowor & my plowman Piers shal ben on erthe,
And for to tulye treuthe a teme shal he haue.”
Grace gaue Piers a teme foure gret oxen;
Þat on was Luke, a large beste and a lowe-chered,
And marke, & mathew þe þrydde myghty bestes bothe,
And ioigned to hem one Iohan most gentil of alle,
Þe prys nete of Piers plow passyng alle other.
And grace gaue pieres of his goodnesse, foure stottis,
Þat on was Luke, a large beste and a lowe-chered,
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And ioigned to hem one Iohan most gentil of alle,
Þe prys nete of Piers plow passyng alle other.
Al þat his oxen eryed þey to harwe after.
On hyȝte Austyne & ambrose an-other,
Gregori þe grete clerke & Ierome þe gode;
Þise foure, þe feithe to teche folweth pieres teme,
And harwed in an handwhile al holy scripture,
Wyth two harwes þat þei hadde an olde & a newe,
Id est, vetus testamentum & nouum.
And grace gaue greynes þe cardynales vertues,
And sewe [hem] in mannes soule & sithen he tolde her names.
Spiritus prudencie þe firste seed hyȝte,
And who so eet þat ymagyne he shulde,
Ar he did any dede deuyse wel þe ende;
And lerned men a ladel bugge with a longe stele,
Þat cast for to kepe a crokke to saue þe fatte abouen.
And sewe [hem] in mannes soule & sithen he tolde her names.
Spiritus prudencie þe firste seed hyȝte,
And who so eet þat ymagyne he shulde,
Ar he did any dede deuyse wel þe ende;
And lerned men a ladel bugge with a longe stele,
Þat cast for to kepe a crokke to saue þe fatte abouen.
The secounde seed hiȝte spiritus temperancie.
He þat ete of þat seed hadde suche a kynde,
Shulde neuere mete ne mochel drynke make hym to swelle,
Ne sholde no scorner ne scolde oute of skyl hym brynge,
Ne wynnynge ne welthe of wor[l]deliche ricchesse
Waste worde of ydelnesse ne wykked speche meue;
Shulde no curyous clothe comen on hys rugge,
Ne no mete in his mouth þat maister Iohan spiced.
He þat ete of þat seed hadde suche a kynde,
Shulde neuere mete ne mochel drynke make hym to swelle,
Ne sholde no scorner ne scolde oute of skyl hym brynge,
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Waste worde of ydelnesse ne wykked speche meue;
Shulde no curyous clothe comen on hys rugge,
Ne no mete in his mouth þat maister Iohan spiced.
The thridde seed þat Pieres sewe was spiritus fortitudinis.
And who so eet of þat seed hardy was eure.
To suffre al þat god sent sykenesse & angres;
Myȝte no lesynge ne lyere ne losse of worldely catel
Maken hym for any mournynge þat he nas merye in soule,
And bolde & abydynge bismeres to suffre,
And playeth al with pacyence & parce michi, domine,
And couered hym vnder conseille of catoun þe wyse;
Esto forti animo, cum sis dampnatus inique.
And who so eet of þat seed hardy was eure.
To suffre al þat god sent sykenesse & angres;
Myȝte no lesynge ne lyere ne losse of worldely catel
Maken hym for any mournynge þat he nas merye in soule,
And bolde & abydynge bismeres to suffre,
And playeth al with pacyence & parce michi, domine,
And couered hym vnder conseille of catoun þe wyse;
Esto forti animo, cum sis dampnatus inique.
The fierthe seed þat pieres sewe was spiritus iusticie,
And he þat eet of þat seed shulde be euere trewe
With god, & nouȝt agast but of gyle one.
For gyle goth so pryuely þat good faith other-while
May nouȝte ben aspyed for spiritus iusticie.
And he þat eet of þat seed shulde be euere trewe
With god, & nouȝt agast but of gyle one.
For gyle goth so pryuely þat good faith other-while
May nouȝte ben aspyed for spiritus iusticie.
Spiritus iusticie spareth nouȝte to spille
Hem þat ben gulty & forto correcte
Þe Kynge, ȝif he falle in gylte or in trespasse.
For counteth he no kynges wratthe whan he in courte sitteth
To demen as a domes man; adradde was he neure,
Noither of duke ne of deth þat he ne dede þe lawe,
For present or for preyere or any prynces lettres;
He dede equite to alle euene forth his powere.
Hem þat ben gulty & forto correcte
Þe Kynge, ȝif he falle in gylte or in trespasse.
For counteth he no kynges wratthe whan he in courte sitteth
To demen as a domes man; adradde was he neure,
Noither of duke ne of deth þat he ne dede þe lawe,
For present or for preyere or any prynces lettres;
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Thise foure sedes pieres sewe and sitthe he did hem harwe
Wyth olde lawe and newe lawe þat loue myȝte wexe
Amonge þe foure vertues and vices destroye.
Wyth olde lawe and newe lawe þat loue myȝte wexe
Amonge þe foure vertues and vices destroye.
For comunelich in contrees kammokes & wedes
Fouleth þe fruite in þe felde þere þei growe togyderes;
And so don vices vertues worthy.
Quod Piers, “harweth alle þat kunneth kynde witte bi conseille of þis doctours,
And tulyeth after her techynge þe cardinale vertues.”
Fouleth þe fruite in þe felde þere þei growe togyderes;
And so don vices vertues worthy.
Quod Piers, “harweth alle þat kunneth kynde witte bi conseille of þis doctours,
And tulyeth after her techynge þe cardinale vertues.”
“Aȝeines þi greynes,” quod grace “bigynneth for to ripe,
Ordeigne þe an hous, Piers to herberwe in þi cornes.”
Ordeigne þe an hous, Piers to herberwe in þi cornes.”
“By god! grace,” quod Piers “ȝe moten gyue tymbre,
And ordeyne þat hous ar ȝe hennes wende.”
And ordeyne þat hous ar ȝe hennes wende.”
And grace gaue hym þe crosse with þe croune of þornes,
That cryst vpon caluarye for mankynde on pyned,
And of his baptesme & blode þat he bledde on Rode
He made a maner morter & mercy it hiȝte.
And þere-with grace bigan to make a good foundement,
And watteled it and walled it with his peynes & his passioun,
And of al holywrit he made a rofe after,
And called þat hous vnite holicherche on englisshe.
And whan þis dede was done grace deuised
A carte, hyȝte cristendome to carye pieres sheues;
And gaf hym caples to his carte contricioun & confessioun,
And made presthode haywarde þe while hym-self went
As wyde as þe worlde is with pieres to tulye treuthe.
That cryst vpon caluarye for mankynde on pyned,
And of his baptesme & blode þat he bledde on Rode
He made a maner morter & mercy it hiȝte.
And þere-with grace bigan to make a good foundement,
And watteled it and walled it with his peynes & his passioun,
And of al holywrit he made a rofe after,
And called þat hous vnite holicherche on englisshe.
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A carte, hyȝte cristendome to carye pieres sheues;
And gaf hym caples to his carte contricioun & confessioun,
And made presthode haywarde þe while hym-self went
As wyde as þe worlde is with pieres to tulye treuthe.
Now is Pieres to þe plow & pruyde it aspyde,
And gadered hym a grete oest to greuen he þinketh
Conscience and al crystene and cardinale vertues,
Blowe hem doune & breke hem & bite atwo þe mores;
And sente forth surquydous his seriaunt of armes,
And his spye spille-loue one speke-yuel-byhynde.
Þise two come to conscience and to crystene peple,
And tolde hem tydynges “þat tyne þei shulde þe sedes,
That Pieres þere hadde ysowen þe cardynal vertues;
And Pieres berne worth broke & þei þat ben in vnite
Shulle come out, & conscience & ȝowre two caples,
Confessioun & contricioun and ȝowre carte þe byleue
Shal be coloured so queyntly and keuered vnder owre sophistrie,
Þat [conscience] shal nouȝte knowe by contricioun,
Ne by confessioun who is cristene or hethen,
Ne no maner marchaunt þat with moneye deleth,
Where he wynne wyth riȝte with wronge, or with vsure.
And gadered hym a grete oest to greuen he þinketh
Conscience and al crystene and cardinale vertues,
Blowe hem doune & breke hem & bite atwo þe mores;
And sente forth surquydous his seriaunt of armes,
And his spye spille-loue one speke-yuel-byhynde.
Þise two come to conscience and to crystene peple,
And tolde hem tydynges “þat tyne þei shulde þe sedes,
That Pieres þere hadde ysowen þe cardynal vertues;
And Pieres berne worth broke & þei þat ben in vnite
Shulle come out, & conscience & ȝowre two caples,
Confessioun & contricioun and ȝowre carte þe byleue
Shal be coloured so queyntly and keuered vnder owre sophistrie,
Þat [conscience] shal nouȝte knowe by contricioun,
Ne by confessioun who is cristene or hethen,
Ne no maner marchaunt þat with moneye deleth,
Where he wynne wyth riȝte with wronge, or with vsure.
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With suche coloures & queyntise cometh pryde y-armed,
With þe lorde þat lyueth after þe luste of his body,
To wasten, on welfare and on wykked kepynge,
Al þe worlde in a while þorw owre witte,” quod pruyde.
With þe lorde þat lyueth after þe luste of his body,
To wasten, on welfare and on wykked kepynge,
Al þe worlde in a while þorw owre witte,” quod pruyde.
Quod conscience to alle crystene þo “my conseille is to wende
Hastiliche in-to vnyte & holde we vs þere,
And preye we þat a pees were in Piers berne þe plow-man.
For witterly I wote wel we beth nouȝte of strengthe
To gone agayne pryde but grace were with vs.”
Hastiliche in-to vnyte & holde we vs þere,
And preye we þat a pees were in Piers berne þe plow-man.
For witterly I wote wel we beth nouȝte of strengthe
To gone agayne pryde but grace were with vs.”
And þanne cam kynde wytte conscience to teche,
And cryde & comaunded al crystene peple,
For to deluen a dyche depe a-boute vnite,
That holy-cherche stode in vnite as it a pyle [were].
And cryde & comaunded al crystene peple,
For to deluen a dyche depe a-boute vnite,
That holy-cherche stode in vnite as it a pyle [were].
Conscience comaunded þo al crystene to delue,
And make a muche mote þat myȝte ben a strengthe,
To helpe holycherche & hem þat it kepeth,
And make a muche mote þat myȝte ben a strengthe,
To helpe holycherche & hem þat it kepeth,
Thanne alkyn crystene saue comune wommen,
Repenteden & refused synne saue they one;
And fals men, flat[er]eres vsureres and theues,
Lyeres and questmongeres þat were forsworen ofte,
Wytynge and willefully with þe false helden,
And for syluer were forswore sothely þei wist it.
Repenteden & refused synne saue they one;
And fals men, flat[er]eres vsureres and theues,
Lyeres and questmongeres þat were forsworen ofte,
Wytynge and willefully with þe false helden,
And for syluer were forswore sothely þei wist it.
Þere nas no crystene creature þat kynde witte hadde,
Saue schrewes one suche as I spak of,
That he ne halpe a quantite holynesse to wexe.
Somme þorw bedes-byddynge and somme þorw pylgrymage,
And other pryue penaunce and some þorw penyes delynge.
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That he ne halpe a quantite holynesse to wexe.
Somme þorw bedes-byddynge and somme þorw pylgrymage,
And other pryue penaunce and some þorw penyes delynge.
And þanne welled water for wikked werkes,
Egerlich ernynge out of mennes eyen.
Clennesse of þe comune & clerkes clene lyuynge
Made vnite holicherche in holynesse to stonde.
“I care nouȝte,” quod conscience “þough pryde come nouthe,
Þe lorde of luste shal be letted al þis lente, I hope.
Comeþ,” quod conscience “ȝe cristene, and dyneth,
Þat han laboured lelly al þis lente tyme.
Here is bred yblessed and goddes body þer-vnder.
Grace þorw goddes worde gaue Pieres power,
[And] myȝtes to maken it & men to ete it after,
In helpe of her hele onys in a moneth,
Or as ofte as þey hadden nede þo þat hadde ypayed
To pieres pardoun þe plowman redde quod debes.”
Egerlich ernynge out of mennes eyen.
Clennesse of þe comune & clerkes clene lyuynge
Made vnite holicherche in holynesse to stonde.
“I care nouȝte,” quod conscience “þough pryde come nouthe,
Þe lorde of luste shal be letted al þis lente, I hope.
Comeþ,” quod conscience “ȝe cristene, and dyneth,
Þat han laboured lelly al þis lente tyme.
Here is bred yblessed and goddes body þer-vnder.
Grace þorw goddes worde gaue Pieres power,
[And] myȝtes to maken it & men to ete it after,
In helpe of her hele onys in a moneth,
Or as ofte as þey hadden nede þo þat hadde ypayed
To pieres pardoun þe plowman redde quod debes.”
“How?” quod al þe comune “þow conseillest vs to ȝelde
Al þat we owen any wyȝte ar we go to housel?”
“That is my conseille,” quod conscience “& cardynale vertues,
Al þat we owen any wyȝte ar we go to housel?”
Þat vche man forȝyue other and þat wyl þe paternoster,
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Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, &c.,
And so to ben assoilled & sithen ben houseled.”
“Ȝe, bawe!” quod a brewere “I wil nouȝt be reuled,
Bi ihesu! for al ȝowre ianglynge with spiritus iustice,
Ne after conscience, by cryste whil I can selle
Bothe dregges & draffe and drawe it at on hole,
Þikke ale and þinne ale for þat is my kynde,
And nouȝte hakke after holynesse; holde þi tonge, conscience!
Of spiritus iusticie þow spekest moche an ydel!”
Bi ihesu! for al ȝowre ianglynge with spiritus iustice,
Ne after conscience, by cryste whil I can selle
Bothe dregges & draffe and drawe it at on hole,
Þikke ale and þinne ale for þat is my kynde,
And nouȝte hakke after holynesse; holde þi tonge, conscience!
Of spiritus iusticie þow spekest moche an ydel!”
“Caytyue,” quod conscience “cursed wrecche!
Vnblessed artow, brewere but if þe god helpe;
But þow lyue by lore of spiritus iusticie,
Þe chief seed þat Pieres sewe ysaued worstow neure.
But conscience þe comune fede and cardynale vertues,
Leue it wel þei ben loste bothe lyf & soule.”
Vnblessed artow, brewere but if þe god helpe;
But þow lyue by lore of spiritus iusticie,
Þe chief seed þat Pieres sewe ysaued worstow neure.
But conscience þe comune fede and cardynale vertues,
Leue it wel þei ben loste bothe lyf & soule.”
“Thanne is many man ylost” quod a lewed vycory,
“I am a curatour of holykyrke and come neure in my tyme
Man to me þat me couth telle of cardinale vertues,
Or þat acounted conscience at a cokkes fether or an hennes!
I knewe neure cardynal þat he ne cam fro þe pope,
And we clerkes, whan þey come for her comunes payeth,
For her pelure and her palfreyes mete & piloures þat hem folweth.
Þe comune clamat cotidie eche a man to other,
‘Þe contre is þe curseder þat cardynales come Inne;
And þere they ligge and lenge moste lecherye þere regneth:’—
For-þi,” quod þis vicori “be verrey god, I wolde
That no cardynal come amonge þe comune peple,
But in her holynesse holden hem stille
At Auynoun, amonge þe iuwes cum sancto sanctus eris, &c.,
Or in Rome, as here rule wole þe reliques to kepe;
And þow, conscience, in kynges courte & shuldest neure come þennes,
And grace þat þow gredest so of gyour of alle clerkes,
And Pieres with his newe plow & eke with his olde,
Emperour of al þe worlde þat alle men were cristene.
Inparfyt is þat pope þat al peple shulde helpe,
“I am a curatour of holykyrke and come neure in my tyme
Man to me þat me couth telle of cardinale vertues,
Or þat acounted conscience at a cokkes fether or an hennes!
I knewe neure cardynal þat he ne cam fro þe pope,
And we clerkes, whan þey come for her comunes payeth,
For her pelure and her palfreyes mete & piloures þat hem folweth.
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‘Þe contre is þe curseder þat cardynales come Inne;
And þere they ligge and lenge moste lecherye þere regneth:’—
For-þi,” quod þis vicori “be verrey god, I wolde
That no cardynal come amonge þe comune peple,
But in her holynesse holden hem stille
At Auynoun, amonge þe iuwes cum sancto sanctus eris, &c.,
Or in Rome, as here rule wole þe reliques to kepe;
And þow, conscience, in kynges courte & shuldest neure come þennes,
And grace þat þow gredest so of gyour of alle clerkes,
And Pieres with his newe plow & eke with his olde,
Emperour of al þe worlde þat alle men were cristene.
And sendeth hem þat sleeth suche as he shulde saue;
And wel worth piers þe plowman þat [pur]sueth god in doynge,
Qui pluit super iustos & iniustos at ones,
And sent þe sonne to saue a cursed mannes tilthe,
As bryȝte as to þe best man & to þe beste woman.
Riȝte so Pieres þe plowman peyneth hym to tulye
As wel for a wastour & wenches of þe stuwes,
As for hym-self & his seruauntz saue he is firste yserued;
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As for a trewe tydy man al tymes ylyke.
And worshiped be he þat wrouȝte al bothe good & wykke,
And suffreth þat synful be til some tyme þat þei repente.
And god amende þe pope þat pileth holykirke,
And cleymeth bifor þe kynge to be keper ouer crystene,
And counteth nouȝt þough crystene ben culled & robbed,
And fynt folke to fyȝte and cristene blode to spille,
Aȝeyne þe olde lawe & newe lawe as Luke þer-of witnesseth,
Non occides: michi vindictam, &c.
It semeth, by so hym-self hadd[e] his wille,That he ne reccheth riȝte nouȝte of al þe remenaunte.
And cryst of his curteisye þe cardinales saue,
And tourne her witte to wisdome & to wele of soule!
For þe comune,” quod þis curatour “counten ful litel
Þe conseille of conscience or cardinale vertues,
But if þei [seiȝe] as by syȝte somwhat to wynnynge;
Of gyle ne of gabbynge gyue þei neuere tale.
For spiritus prudencie amonge þe peple, is gyle,
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Eche man sotileth a sleight synne forto hyde,
And coloureth it for a kunnynge and a clene lyuynge.”
Thanne loughe þere a lorde & “by þis liȝte,” sayde,
“I halde it ryȝte & resoun of my reue to take
Al þat myne auditour or elles my stuwarde
Conseilleth me by her acounte & my clerkes wrytynge.
“I halde it ryȝte & resoun of my reue to take
Al þat myne auditour or elles my stuwarde
Conseilleth me by her acounte & my clerkes wrytynge.
With spiritus intellectus they seke þe reues rolles,
And with spiritus fortitudinis fecche [it] I wole.”
And with spiritus fortitudinis fecche [it] I wole.”
And þanne come þere a kynge & bi his croune seyde,
“I am Kynge with croune þe comune to reule,
And holykirke & clergye fro cursed men to defende.
And if me lakketh to lyue by þe lawe wil I take it,
Þere I may hastlokest it haue for I am hed of lawe;
For ȝe ben but membres & I aboue alle.
And sith I am ȝowre aller hed I am ȝowre aller hele,
And holycherche chief help & chiftaigne of þe comune.
And what I take of ȝow two I take it atte techynge
Of spiritus iusticie for I iugge ȝow alle;
So I may baldely be houseled for I borwe neuere,
Ne craue of my comune but as my kynde asketh.”
“I am Kynge with croune þe comune to reule,
And holykirke & clergye fro cursed men to defende.
And if me lakketh to lyue by þe lawe wil I take it,
Þere I may hastlokest it haue for I am hed of lawe;
For ȝe ben but membres & I aboue alle.
And sith I am ȝowre aller hed I am ȝowre aller hele,
And holycherche chief help & chiftaigne of þe comune.
And what I take of ȝow two I take it atte techynge
Of spiritus iusticie for I iugge ȝow alle;
So I may baldely be houseled for I borwe neuere,
Ne craue of my comune but as my kynde asketh.”
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And rule þi rewme in resoun riȝt wel, & in treuth,
Take þow may in resoun as þi lawe asketh;
Omnia tua sunt ad defendendum, set non ad depredandum!”
Þe vyker hadde fer home & faire toke his leue,And I awakned þere-with & wrote as me mette.
| The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman | |