 | Handlyng Synne |  |
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[On Gluttony.]
The syxtë synne ys glotonye;
Þat ys a shameful vyleynye
Þat men doun of mete and drynk,
For ouermoche ys abominable & stynk.
Þat ys a shameful vyleynye
Þat men doun of mete and drynk,
For ouermoche ys abominable & stynk.
y wyl now shewë of hys spyces,
Þat noun fallë on hys grecys:
Ful many on stumble vp and down
Of þe greces of syre glotown.
y shal ȝow telle þe samë wyse
Ryȝt as ‘manuel pecches’ seyse:
he comaundeþ, at þe bygynnyng,
‘Be mesuráble yn alle þyng.’
Of allë wysdom þat shal dure,
Þe most wysdom, þan ys ‘mesure’;
Mesure and resun, to-gedyr þey wone,
And alle manere of vertues þey kone.
with whom þey wonë, he ys wys,
And ys ryche, and holdyn yn prys.
hyt ys a gode sygne þat man ys stable,
Þat yn resun ys mesuráble.
Many a vertu, mesure has,
Þat touched ys nat yn þys pas.
But þe mesure of etyng,
Þát ys boþe to olde and ȝyng;
Þarefore wyl y telle ȝow alle
Yn what þyngës þat ȝe falle.
Þat noun fallë on hys grecys:
Ful many on stumble vp and down
Of þe greces of syre glotown.
y shal ȝow telle þe samë wyse
Ryȝt as ‘manuel pecches’ seyse:
he comaundeþ, at þe bygynnyng,
‘Be mesuráble yn alle þyng.’
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Þe most wysdom, þan ys ‘mesure’;
Mesure and resun, to-gedyr þey wone,
And alle manere of vertues þey kone.
with whom þey wonë, he ys wys,
And ys ryche, and holdyn yn prys.
hyt ys a gode sygne þat man ys stable,
Þat yn resun ys mesuráble.
Many a vertu, mesure has,
Þat touched ys nat yn þys pas.
But þe mesure of etyng,
Þát ys boþe to olde and ȝyng;
Þarefore wyl y telle ȝow alle
Yn what þyngës þat ȝe falle.
Be nat to þy self so large,
Ouer mesure þyn herte to charge,
Þat þou ne kast for vylaynye
Ne for þe foule lust of glotonye.
Þenk here-on whan þou hyt bygynnys,
For þer-yn are þre wykked synnes:
Glotonye, and þefte of þyng,
And cursed yn chyrche, ys mede endyng.
Ouer mesure þyn herte to charge,
Þat þou ne kast for vylaynye
Ne for þe foule lust of glotonye.
Þenk here-on whan þou hyt bygynnys,
For þer-yn are þre wykked synnes:
Glotonye, and þefte of þyng,
And cursed yn chyrche, ys mede endyng.
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And y warne þe of þys kas,
To comone with any þat cursyng has,
Þat þou wystyst opunly
were cursed with holy cherches cry.
Ȝyf þou dedyst hyt by þy wylle,
wyþ-oute destresse or lordys wylle,
Holy cherche ys wroth wyþ þe astyt,
And halt hyt pryde and grete dyspyt,
And seyþ þou art vnbuxum,
And manteynest an euyl custum.
To comone with any þat cursyng has,
Þat þou wystyst opunly
were cursed with holy cherches cry.
Ȝyf þou dedyst hyt by þy wylle,
wyþ-oute destresse or lordys wylle,
Holy cherche ys wroth wyþ þe astyt,
And halt hyt pryde and grete dyspyt,
And seyþ þou art vnbuxum,
And manteynest an euyl custum.
Ȝyf a cursed man hadde cumpany
with one or ouþer, logh or hy,
Or yn mete or yn drynke
At þe alehous, or ouþer gaderyng,
He ne wulde recche how long he lay
yn hys cursyng, nyȝt or day.
For holy cherchë curseþ none
But yn vnbuxumnesse þat haþ mysgone;
Þat wyl nat stonde at hys Iustyse,
he defendyþ hym þe comune acyse,
For to make hym be ashamed
Þat he shulde be so defamed,
And so shulde he wyte he may nat be
But at holy cherche degre.
For swych þyng, men ofte hem meken,
And mercy at holy cherchë sekyn.
with one or ouþer, logh or hy,
Or yn mete or yn drynke
At þe alehous, or ouþer gaderyng,
He ne wulde recche how long he lay
yn hys cursyng, nyȝt or day.
For holy cherchë curseþ none
But yn vnbuxumnesse þat haþ mysgone;
Þat wyl nat stonde at hys Iustyse,
he defendyþ hym þe comune acyse,
For to make hym be ashamed
Þat he shulde be so defamed,
And so shulde he wyte he may nat be
But at holy cherche degre.
For swych þyng, men ofte hem meken,
And mercy at holy cherchë sekyn.
Þarfor hyt ys a grete folye,
with cursed man haue cumpanye.
Seynt Poule seyþ, þat mochë wote,
“who-so handlyþ pycche wellyng hote,
He shal haue fylþe þerof sumdeyl
Þogh he kepe hym neuer so weyl.”
And Dauyd seyþ yn þe sauter,
For felaushepe, on swych maner,
“with holy man, holy shalt þou be;
with wykked man, þou turnest as he.”
On þese wurdys y rede ȝe þynke,
And kepë ȝow fro cursed blynke.
with cursed man haue cumpanye.
Seynt Poule seyþ, þat mochë wote,
“who-so handlyþ pycche wellyng hote,
He shal haue fylþe þerof sumdeyl
Þogh he kepe hym neuer so weyl.”
And Dauyd seyþ yn þe sauter,
For felaushepe, on swych maner,
“with holy man, holy shalt þou be;
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On þese wurdys y rede ȝe þynke,
And kepë ȝow fro cursed blynke.
Ne þou shalt, for no mannes prew,
Ete, no drynkë wyþ a Iew.
But ȝyf he wyl crystendom take,
hys felaushepe shalt þou forsake.
And þat ys a grete skyl why,
For þe Iew ys Ihesus enmye.
Þe Iew loueþ, on no manere,
Iesu, ne hys modyr dere.
Þarfor, ȝyf þou loue hem ryȝt,
Forsakë Iew at alle þy myȝt,
But ȝyf þou hope þat he wul weyue
Hys lawe, and crystendom receyue.
Ete, no drynkë wyþ a Iew.
But ȝyf he wyl crystendom take,
hys felaushepe shalt þou forsake.
And þat ys a grete skyl why,
For þe Iew ys Ihesus enmye.
Þe Iew loueþ, on no manere,
Iesu, ne hys modyr dere.
Þarfor, ȝyf þou loue hem ryȝt,
Forsakë Iew at alle þy myȝt,
But ȝyf þou hope þat he wul weyue
Hys lawe, and crystendom receyue.
[Against making Men drunk.]
Þys custum ys also perylous,
To lede a man to þe alehous
To do hym drynke out of resun,
Or make hym drunke,—þat ys tresun,—
Or to þy hous, ȝyf þou hym lede,
On hym drynkë for to bede;
Þou art gylty of hys synne
Ȝyf þou to drunkenes wldest hym wynne.
And ȝyf þou ioyë þerof has,
Þe more þou fallyst yn trespas;
Hyt ys a tokene of felunnye
To weytë hym with swych gylrye.
To lede a man to þe alehous
To do hym drynke out of resun,
Or make hym drunke,—þat ys tresun,—
Or to þy hous, ȝyf þou hym lede,
On hym drynkë for to bede;
Þou art gylty of hys synne
Ȝyf þou to drunkenes wldest hym wynne.
And ȝyf þou ioyë þerof has,
Þe more þou fallyst yn trespas;
Hyt ys a tokene of felunnye
To weytë hym with swych gylrye.
Also ȝyf þou any day shuldest fast,
And þou ouertymely þy metë aske,
Glotony haþ swych longyng wroght,
Þat þou to tyme abydest ynoght.
And þou ouertymely þy metë aske,
Glotony haþ swych longyng wroght,
Þat þou to tyme abydest ynoght.
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Anoþer spyce ys yn glotonye,
To ete ouer delycyusly,
For to be serued with many messe:
Þat haunte þese lordyngës on dese.
To ete ouer delycyusly,
For to be serued with many messe:
Þat haunte þese lordyngës on dese.
wuld þey of euery a messe ȝyue
To helpe þe pore wyþ for to lyue,
Þe boldlyere þey myȝt hem self fede
Ȝyf þey dedyn þat almës dede.
But of almës þenk þey noȝt,
For lust and lykyng ys more yn þoght.
To helpe þe pore wyþ for to lyue,
Þe boldlyere þey myȝt hem self fede
Ȝyf þey dedyn þat almës dede.
But of almës þenk þey noȝt,
For lust and lykyng ys more yn þoght.
Þou þat louest so many messe,
wuldest þou þenke on syre Dyues,
And of þe porë man Laȝare
Þat syre Dyues late mysfare,—
For he asked hym sum gode,
Of hys mete, for hys lyuës fode,—
y trowe þou shuldest nat forgete
Þe pore man at þy mete,
Ȝyf þou vndyrstode, y wene,
what þe talë wulde bemene.
wuldest þou þenke on syre Dyues,
And of þe porë man Laȝare
Þat syre Dyues late mysfare,—
For he asked hym sum gode,
Of hys mete, for hys lyuës fode,—
y trowe þou shuldest nat forgete
Þe pore man at þy mete,
Ȝyf þou vndyrstode, y wene,
what þe talë wulde bemene.
[The Tale of Dives and Lazarus.]
A ryche man was sum tyme of prys
Þat wered boþe purpure and bys,
And euery day nobly was led,
And with delycyus metys fed;
And þer was þo a porë man,
Lazare, þat þe wurd of ran,
He lay at þe ryche mannys ȝate,
Ful of bylës, yn þe gate;
He ȝerned moche to ete hys fylle
Of þe crummes þat þe ryche man ded spyl,
But no man ȝaue hym on to byte,
Þogh þat asked he so lyte:
But þe rychë mannës houndes
Come and lykked Laȝares woundes.
Sone aftyrward deydë Laȝare
Before þe mannes ȝatë þare;
Goddës aungeles þe soulë nam,
And bare hyt yn-to þe bosum of Abraham.
Þat wered boþe purpure and bys,
And euery day nobly was led,
And with delycyus metys fed;
And þer was þo a porë man,
Lazare, þat þe wurd of ran,
He lay at þe ryche mannys ȝate,
Ful of bylës, yn þe gate;
He ȝerned moche to ete hys fylle
Of þe crummes þat þe ryche man ded spyl,
But no man ȝaue hym on to byte,
Þogh þat asked he so lyte:
But þe rychë mannës houndes
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Sone aftyrward deydë Laȝare
Before þe mannes ȝatë þare;
Goddës aungeles þe soulë nam,
And bare hyt yn-to þe bosum of Abraham.
Abrahams bosum ys a dwellyng
Þat holy men haue yn restyng,
Þat to Ihesu, Goddys sone, cam,
Þat flesshe and blode yn Mary nam.
Abrahams bosum ys a stede, men telle,
Betwyxë paradys and helle.
Þat holy men haue yn restyng,
Þat to Ihesu, Goddys sone, cam,
Þat flesshe and blode yn Mary nam.
Abrahams bosum ys a stede, men telle,
Betwyxë paradys and helle.
Fyl auenture, as y er seyde,
Þys rychë man sone aftyr deyde.
Hys soule was bore to Lucyfere,
with-outyn ende to dwellë þere;
And, as he was þere yn pyne,
He loked vpwarde with hys yne,
And sagh Laȝare, þe porë man,
yn þe bosum of Abraham;
And as he myȝt, he ȝaue a cry,
And seyd, “Abraham, mercy, mercy!
Late Laȝare hys o fynger wete,
And, droppe on my tunge for hete;
For y am yn endles peyne,
yn fyre and yn leye certeyne.”
Þys rychë man sone aftyr deyde.
Hys soule was bore to Lucyfere,
with-outyn ende to dwellë þere;
And, as he was þere yn pyne,
He loked vpwarde with hys yne,
And sagh Laȝare, þe porë man,
yn þe bosum of Abraham;
And as he myȝt, he ȝaue a cry,
And seyd, “Abraham, mercy, mercy!
Late Laȝare hys o fynger wete,
And, droppe on my tunge for hete;
For y am yn endles peyne,
yn fyre and yn leye certeyne.”
And Abraham spak as yn vpbreyde,
“Sone! menest þou nat what y er seyd?
Þou receyuedyst þe wurldys blys,
And Laȝare, pouert and peyne ywys.
Þou ete and drunke, and were ful blyþe;
And Laȝare hungred, & ful wo syþe;
And now shal he, for hys deserte,
Haue welþe y-nogh for hys pouert;
And þou, for welþe, to pyne shal go,
And for þy ryches þou shalt haue wo.
Now ys Laȝare euer yn solace,
And þou yn sorow with-outë grace;
Þe endles ende may no man telle
Betwyxe vs here, & ȝow yn helle;
Betwyxe oure ioye, and ȝourë peyne,
ys endles tyme, and vncerteyne.
Swych sykernes ys betwyx ȝow two,
Þat noun of vs to ȝow may go.
None of vs to ȝow may come,
But echone haue hys ownë dome.”
“Sone! menest þou nat what y er seyd?
Þou receyuedyst þe wurldys blys,
And Laȝare, pouert and peyne ywys.
Þou ete and drunke, and were ful blyþe;
And Laȝare hungred, & ful wo syþe;
And now shal he, for hys deserte,
Haue welþe y-nogh for hys pouert;
And þou, for welþe, to pyne shal go,
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Now ys Laȝare euer yn solace,
And þou yn sorow with-outë grace;
Þe endles ende may no man telle
Betwyxe vs here, & ȝow yn helle;
Betwyxe oure ioye, and ȝourë peyne,
ys endles tyme, and vncerteyne.
Swych sykernes ys betwyx ȝow two,
Þat noun of vs to ȝow may go.
None of vs to ȝow may come,
But echone haue hys ownë dome.”
Þan preyde þe ryche man, Abraham,
þat he wlde sende Lazare, or sum oþer wham,
To hys breþryn allë fyue,
Þat þey loke hem so, yn here lyue,
Fro auaryce and fro glotonye
And ȝyue to porë men bleþlye,
“Þat þey neuer hedyr be sent,
with me, yn þys hete, to be brent.”
þat he wlde sende Lazare, or sum oþer wham,
To hys breþryn allë fyue,
Þat þey loke hem so, yn here lyue,
Fro auaryce and fro glotonye
And ȝyue to porë men bleþlye,
“Þat þey neuer hedyr be sent,
with me, yn þys hete, to be brent.”
Abraham ne graunted hym noght
Þat þe ryche man hym besoght,
“Þey haue,” he seyd, “alle þe prophete dedys,
And holy wryt, þat men on redys,
To teche hem boþë ryȝt and skyle,
Do þeraftyr, ȝyf þey wyle.”
Þat þe ryche man hym besoght,
“Þey haue,” he seyd, “alle þe prophete dedys,
And holy wryt, þat men on redys,
To teche hem boþë ryȝt and skyle,
Do þeraftyr, ȝyf þey wyle.”
Þan spake þe rychë man,
“Nay, fadyr Abraham, nay, þey ne kan;
But wuldest þou do aftyr my rede,
To reyse a man þat haþ be dede,
þat myȝt hem þe peynës telle
Þat þey shul suffre and yn dwelle,
Þan shulde þey do ryȝt penaunce
For to askapë þys myschaunce.”
“Nay, fadyr Abraham, nay, þey ne kan;
But wuldest þou do aftyr my rede,
To reyse a man þat haþ be dede,
þat myȝt hem þe peynës telle
Þat þey shul suffre and yn dwelle,
Þan shulde þey do ryȝt penaunce
For to askapë þys myschaunce.”
Abraham wulde nat graunte
Þe ryche man þat cunnaunt,
A dedë man vp for to reyse,
“Syn Moyses sawes þey wyl nat preyse,
How wulde þey at a dede man lere,
whan holy wryt þey wyl nat here?”
Þe ryche man þat cunnaunt,
A dedë man vp for to reyse,
“Syn Moyses sawes þey wyl nat preyse,
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whan holy wryt þey wyl nat here?”
Þys tale tellyþ oure lorde Ihesu
To rychë men for herë prew,
Þat þey ne be no nythyng
Of here mete, ne of here þyng.
To porë men, namëly,
Þat þou ȝyuest hem, ȝyue hyt bleþly,
with no betyng, ne with noun awe;
Almës ys noȝt wyþ any myssawe.
To rychë men for herë prew,
Þat þey ne be no nythyng
Of here mete, ne of here þyng.
To porë men, namëly,
Þat þou ȝyuest hem, ȝyue hyt bleþly,
with no betyng, ne with noun awe;
Almës ys noȝt wyþ any myssawe.
why tellyþ he þe wykkednes of þys man alle,—
And he ne robbed, ne he ne stalle,—
But for he bare hym ouer hye,
And ledde hys lyfe yn glotonye,
And to þe pore dyd euyl yn dede,
No halp hym noȝt yn hys nede:
Ne Laȝare asked nat greuuslyke,
But a fewe crummës for to pyke;
And for he ȝaue hym noun on to byte,
Hym was werned as lyte:
As lytyl as he hym wernede,
As lytyl þyng he ȝernede;
he preydë Laȝare hym to sende
A dropë of hys fynger ende.
And he ne robbed, ne he ne stalle,—
But for he bare hym ouer hye,
And ledde hys lyfe yn glotonye,
And to þe pore dyd euyl yn dede,
No halp hym noȝt yn hys nede:
Ne Laȝare asked nat greuuslyke,
But a fewe crummës for to pyke;
And for he ȝaue hym noun on to byte,
Hym was werned as lyte:
As lytyl as he hym wernede,
As lytyl þyng he ȝernede;
he preydë Laȝare hym to sende
A dropë of hys fynger ende.
Loke how euene Iugement,
Þe tone aȝens þe toþer, was sent:
hyt ys but a lytyl synne,
Of a drope and of a crumme;
þan wyl hyt be ful harde a-counte
Of þyng þat wylle to moche a-mounte.
Þarfor, ȝe lordyngys, beþ ful ware,
Þenkeþ on Dyues and on Laȝare,
And þe porë naȝt forgete
whan ȝe syttë at ȝoure mete.
Þe tone aȝens þe toþer, was sent:
hyt ys but a lytyl synne,
Of a drope and of a crumme;
þan wyl hyt be ful harde a-counte
Of þyng þat wylle to moche a-mounte.
Þarfor, ȝe lordyngys, beþ ful ware,
Þenkeþ on Dyues and on Laȝare,
And þe porë naȝt forgete
whan ȝe syttë at ȝoure mete.
And þou þat fedyst þe so rychely,
Ouer mesure yn glotonye,
Þenk þat þou shalt stynk and rote,
And wurmës shul fyl þy þrote,
And þe fouler shal þy body stynke,
For thy ryche metë, and þy drynke.
Ouer mesure yn glotonye,
Þenk þat þou shalt stynk and rote,
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And þe fouler shal þy body stynke,
For thy ryche metë, and þy drynke.
Euery man ȝyue tente to þys,
And se how vyle hys body ys.
Twey dayys or þre mow hyt loke
Mete, ar man hyt ete or toke;
But as sone as hyt ys yn þe ȝoten,
Yn half a day þan ys hyt roten;
Ryȝt vyle, and alþer meste,
Þan hyt ys of any ouþer beste.
Se weyl þys! þan mayst þou fynde,
how vyle þan ys þyn ownë kynde.
And se how vyle hys body ys.
Twey dayys or þre mow hyt loke
Mete, ar man hyt ete or toke;
But as sone as hyt ys yn þe ȝoten,
Yn half a day þan ys hyt roten;
Ryȝt vyle, and alþer meste,
Þan hyt ys of any ouþer beste.
Se weyl þys! þan mayst þou fynde,
how vyle þan ys þyn ownë kynde.
Þys rychë man that y of telle,
Wente nat oonly þarfor to helle,
But, for þat he wuldë noght
Ȝyue to Laȝare þat he besoght,
Ne noȝt only for glotonye,
Ne auaryce, ne for beryng hye,
Noȝt for-þy, þe leste of þys,
Myȝt brynge a man to Iuwys.
Wente nat oonly þarfor to helle,
But, for þat he wuldë noght
Ȝyue to Laȝare þat he besoght,
Ne noȝt only for glotonye,
Ne auaryce, ne for beryng hye,
Noȝt for-þy, þe leste of þys,
Myȝt brynge a man to Iuwys.
why was God moste wyþ hym wroth?
For he dyd þe pore man loth,
And for he dyd hys houndes oute late
To byte þe Laȝare at þe ȝate;
And, for he dyde hym þat dyspyte,
God wrathede hym astyte,
And deyneþ nat to nemne hys name,
For he dede þe pore man shame,
But calleþ hym yn þe gospel, ryche,
As vnkyndë and vnbryche.
For ful comunly shalt þou fynde
Oftë rychë men vnkynde.
For he dyd þe pore man loth,
And for he dyd hys houndes oute late
To byte þe Laȝare at þe ȝate;
And, for he dyde hym þat dyspyte,
God wrathede hym astyte,
And deyneþ nat to nemne hys name,
For he dede þe pore man shame,
But calleþ hym yn þe gospel, ryche,
As vnkyndë and vnbryche.
For ful comunly shalt þou fynde
Oftë rychë men vnkynde.
Lorde! how shul þese robbers fare,
Þat þe pore pepyl pelyn ful bare,—
Erlës, kynȝtës, and barouns,
And ouþer lordyngës of tounnes;
Iustyses, shryues, and baylyuys,
Þat þe lawës alle to-ryues,
And þe pore men alle to-pyle;
To ryche men do þey but as þey wylle.
Þat þe pore pepyl pelyn ful bare,—
Erlës, kynȝtës, and barouns,
And ouþer lordyngës of tounnes;
Iustyses, shryues, and baylyuys,
219
And þe pore men alle to-pyle;
To ryche men do þey but as þey wylle.
Þys ryche man, as þe gospel seys,
was but to .o. man vncurteys,
And hadde so mochë pyne þarfore;
On hem wyl fallë mochë more
Þat many pore men pyle and bete,
For God no synne wyl þey nat lete.
Swych ryche men þat are aȝens Goddys pes,
Þenkeþ on Laȝare and on Dyues;
And beþ nat pynede wyþ Satanas
For porë men, as Dyues was,
And ys, and euer shal be;
Ȝyt robbed he neuer golde ne fee.
By þys skylle, þan mow ȝe se,
Þat ȝe are wers þan was he.
He dyde but lete an hounde hym to;
Ȝe rychë men, weyl wers ȝe do!
Ȝe wyl noun houndës to hem lete,
But, ȝe self, hem sle and bete.
He ne dyd but werned hym of hys mete;
And ȝe, robbe al þat ȝe mow gete;
Ȝe are as Dyues, þat wyl naght ȝyue;
And wers, for ȝe robbe þat þey shulde by lyue.
Of mochë peyne ȝe mow ȝow drede,
For ȝe do weyl wers þan Dyues dede.
was but to .o. man vncurteys,
And hadde so mochë pyne þarfore;
On hem wyl fallë mochë more
Þat many pore men pyle and bete,
For God no synne wyl þey nat lete.
Swych ryche men þat are aȝens Goddys pes,
Þenkeþ on Laȝare and on Dyues;
And beþ nat pynede wyþ Satanas
For porë men, as Dyues was,
And ys, and euer shal be;
Ȝyt robbed he neuer golde ne fee.
By þys skylle, þan mow ȝe se,
Þat ȝe are wers þan was he.
He dyde but lete an hounde hym to;
Ȝe rychë men, weyl wers ȝe do!
Ȝe wyl noun houndës to hem lete,
But, ȝe self, hem sle and bete.
He ne dyd but werned hym of hys mete;
And ȝe, robbe al þat ȝe mow gete;
Ȝe are as Dyues, þat wyl naght ȝyue;
And wers, for ȝe robbe þat þey shulde by lyue.
Of mochë peyne ȝe mow ȝow drede,
For ȝe do weyl wers þan Dyues dede.
Ȝe rychë men, God wyl ȝow charge
Þat ȝe ȝyue ȝoure almës large;
Nat ouer powere, neuer a deyl,
But ȝyue þat, þat ȝe mow ful weyl;
And nat allonely largëly,
But with loue, þat ys, curtesy;
Ȝyueþ curteysly, and nat to bete,
Ȝow were bettyr ȝoure almës lete.
Þat ȝe ȝyue ȝoure almës large;
Nat ouer powere, neuer a deyl,
But ȝyue þat, þat ȝe mow ful weyl;
And nat allonely largëly,
But with loue, þat ys, curtesy;
220
Ȝow were bettyr ȝoure almës lete.
Ȝyf a pore man take ons or twyys,
Mysdo hym nat, ȝyf þou be wys,
Ne seye hym noun oþer vyleynye;
Þan doust þou larges and curteysye.
More þank þou getest for swych ȝyuyng
Þan seuene so moche with chydyng.
Herefore Seynt Ihon þe aumenere seys,
And techyþ men to be curteys.
Mysdo hym nat, ȝyf þou be wys,
Ne seye hym noun oþer vyleynye;
Þan doust þou larges and curteysye.
More þank þou getest for swych ȝyuyng
Þan seuene so moche with chydyng.
Herefore Seynt Ihon þe aumenere seys,
And techyþ men to be curteys.
[The Tale of St. John the Almoner, and his great Liberality and Courtesy.]
Hyt seyþ Seynt Ihon þe aumenere
Pore men called hym Goddys spensere;
He was bysshope and patryarke
Of Constantynë, noble starke.
Of hym ȝede ful fyr þe name,
Of large almës men ȝaue hym name.
A pylgryme herde of hym þus seye,
And to hys palys he toke þe weye;
whan he cam þer, he sagh seynt Ihon
Dele þe pore folk ful gode wone;
He seyd he wulde hym ouercharge,
To wete wheþer seynt Ihon were large.
Pore men called hym Goddys spensere;
He was bysshope and patryarke
Of Constantynë, noble starke.
Of hym ȝede ful fyr þe name,
Of large almës men ȝaue hym name.
A pylgryme herde of hym þus seye,
And to hys palys he toke þe weye;
whan he cam þer, he sagh seynt Ihon
Dele þe pore folk ful gode wone;
He seyd he wulde hym ouercharge,
To wete wheþer seynt Ihon were large.
He com, and asked þe charyte,
And seynt Ihon, þat was so fre,
He commaundede hys seriaunte
For to ȝyue hym syxe besaunte.
Þys pylgrym ȝede and chaunged hys wede,
More to aske, ȝyf he myȝt spede.
And seyd he hadde goun many a gate,
And to þe cyte he was com late,
And of spensys had he non,
So hadde he yn pylgrymage gon.
Seynt Ihon commaundede hys aumenere
To ȝyue hym ouþer syxe, for he had mystere.
Þe aumener parceyued weyl þat tyme
Þat hyt was þe same pylgryme
Þat toke byfore þe charyte,
And seyd, “syre, þys ys he.”
Noþeles, oþer wroth or glad,
He ȝaf hym, þat seyn Ihon bad.
And seynt Ihon, þat was so fre,
He commaundede hys seriaunte
For to ȝyue hym syxe besaunte.
Þys pylgrym ȝede and chaunged hys wede,
More to aske, ȝyf he myȝt spede.
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And to þe cyte he was com late,
And of spensys had he non,
So hadde he yn pylgrymage gon.
Seynt Ihon commaundede hys aumenere
To ȝyue hym ouþer syxe, for he had mystere.
Þe aumener parceyued weyl þat tyme
Þat hyt was þe same pylgryme
Þat toke byfore þe charyte,
And seyd, “syre, þys ys he.”
Noþeles, oþer wroth or glad,
He ȝaf hym, þat seyn Ihon bad.
Þys pylgrym eft besydë nam,
And eftë þe þryd tymë cam
yn a-noþer wede þan he was ore,
And asked at seynt Ihon ȝyt more.
Þe aumenere was wroth þerfore,
Þat he asked so oute of skore,
Syn hym was ȝyue so largëly,
And ȝyt he asked, and was gredy.
But Seynt Ihon, he was fre,
And yn ful gretë charyte
He commaunded to hym a-none
To ȝyue hym twelue besauntes echone:
“Peráuenture, God wyl me proue
what y wyl do for hys loue,
Oþer hyt ys God hym selue;
Þarfore ȝyf hym besauntes twelue;
Or he proueþ me a-noþer wey,
Ȝyf y wyl any of hys myssey;
Þarfore ȝyueþ with godë wyl
And curteysye, with-outyn yl.”
And eftë þe þryd tymë cam
yn a-noþer wede þan he was ore,
And asked at seynt Ihon ȝyt more.
Þe aumenere was wroth þerfore,
Þat he asked so oute of skore,
Syn hym was ȝyue so largëly,
And ȝyt he asked, and was gredy.
But Seynt Ihon, he was fre,
And yn ful gretë charyte
He commaunded to hym a-none
To ȝyue hym twelue besauntes echone:
“Peráuenture, God wyl me proue
what y wyl do for hys loue,
Oþer hyt ys God hym selue;
Þarfore ȝyf hym besauntes twelue;
Or he proueþ me a-noþer wey,
Ȝyf y wyl any of hys myssey;
Þarfore ȝyueþ with godë wyl
And curteysye, with-outyn yl.”
Þys tale y toldë ȝow þys tyde,
Þat ȝe with no pore men chyde;
ȝyf þou chydyng with hym makes,
whan þyn almes of þe he takes,
He byeþ hyt dere with hys myssawe,
And shame þerwith, and drede, and awe.
Ȝyf for þat ȝyft þou wylt haue mede,
Mysdo hym nat, yn wurde ne dede.
Þat ȝe with no pore men chyde;
222
whan þyn almes of þe he takes,
He byeþ hyt dere with hys myssawe,
And shame þerwith, and drede, and awe.
Ȝyf for þat ȝyft þou wylt haue mede,
Mysdo hym nat, yn wurde ne dede.
Also hyt ys grete curteysye
To ȝyue ȝoure almës hastylye;
Nat for to makë long delay,
To late a wrecchë stonde al day
Cryyng at þy ȝate yn colde;
He byeþ þyn almes on manyfolde,
And þogh þou ȝyue hym lytyl or noght,
Algate hyt ys dere y-boghte.
And, þarfore hyt were weyl doun
To ȝyue þyn almës gladly and soun.
To ȝyue ȝoure almës hastylye;
Nat for to makë long delay,
To late a wrecchë stonde al day
Cryyng at þy ȝate yn colde;
He byeþ þyn almes on manyfolde,
And þogh þou ȝyue hym lytyl or noght,
Algate hyt ys dere y-boghte.
And, þarfore hyt were weyl doun
To ȝyue þyn almës gladly and soun.
And y warne ȝow alle of o þyng,
Forþenkeþ nat of ȝoure almes-ȝyuyng.
Ȝyf þou forþenkest, þou getyst maugre,
Þy ȝyft ys nat yn charyte;
Ryght so dyd þe bysshope Troyle,
For hys almes he made grete doyle,
Þat a sykenes hym ouer haf
For largë almes þat he ȝaf.
Seynt Ihoun þe aumenere telleþ how,
And as he seyþ, y shal telle ȝow;
A gode ensample, as we rede,
Þat none forþynke hys almës dede.
Forþenkeþ nat of ȝoure almes-ȝyuyng.
Ȝyf þou forþenkest, þou getyst maugre,
Þy ȝyft ys nat yn charyte;
Ryght so dyd þe bysshope Troyle,
For hys almes he made grete doyle,
Þat a sykenes hym ouer haf
For largë almes þat he ȝaf.
Seynt Ihoun þe aumenere telleþ how,
And as he seyþ, y shal telle ȝow;
A gode ensample, as we rede,
Þat none forþynke hys almës dede.
[The Tale of Bishop Troylus and his Thirty Pounds.]
Þys yche seynt Ihon þe aumenere
was a patryark of grete powere;
Vndyr hym was bysshope Troylus,
Þat for to haue tresour was coueytous.
And on a day, as fyl to be
Þat seynt Ihon ȝaf hys charyte,
Þe bysshope Troylë, for cumforte,
with hym wentë for dysporte,
To se þe folk þat þyrdyr come
Of many cuntres þat oute were nome.
Þat ychë tyme þat chaunce gan falle,
Seynt Ihon hadde nat to ȝyue hem alle;
But a man, þat was þere,
Rouned yn seynt Ihons ere.
‘Þat he hadde broght þat ychë stounde
To syre Troylë þyrty pounde,
And he myȝt helpë, ȝyf he wylde,
Þat hys dolë were fulfylde.’
was a patryark of grete powere;
Vndyr hym was bysshope Troylus,
Þat for to haue tresour was coueytous.
223
Þat seynt Ihon ȝaf hys charyte,
Þe bysshope Troylë, for cumforte,
with hym wentë for dysporte,
To se þe folk þat þyrdyr come
Of many cuntres þat oute were nome.
Þat ychë tyme þat chaunce gan falle,
Seynt Ihon hadde nat to ȝyue hem alle;
But a man, þat was þere,
Rouned yn seynt Ihons ere.
‘Þat he hadde broght þat ychë stounde
To syre Troylë þyrty pounde,
And he myȝt helpë, ȝyf he wylde,
Þat hys dolë were fulfylde.’
Seynt Ihon to Troyle bygan to sermun
with ensamples of gode resun,
“Þat he hadde pyte of here cryyng;
To se hem wepe, was reuful þyng;
For God shal þanke alle at þe laste day yn dede,
Þat of þe pore for hys loue han pyte at nede.
what ys hyt wrþ to preche yn cherche,
whan men yn dedë wyl nat werche?
And now hyt ys so on þy party,
Thou hast besauntes of golde redy,
Þat þou mayst helpe, ȝyf þat þou wylt,
Þat þys pore peple be nat spylt.”
with ensamples of gode resun,
“Þat he hadde pyte of here cryyng;
To se hem wepe, was reuful þyng;
For God shal þanke alle at þe laste day yn dede,
Þat of þe pore for hys loue han pyte at nede.
what ys hyt wrþ to preche yn cherche,
whan men yn dedë wyl nat werche?
And now hyt ys so on þy party,
Thou hast besauntes of golde redy,
Þat þou mayst helpe, ȝyf þat þou wylt,
Þat þys pore peple be nat spylt.”
what for almes, and what for despyte,
Troylë commaunded al styte
Þat þo þrytty pounde of golde
were ȝyue þere seynt Ihōn̄ wolde.
Troylë commaunded al styte
Þat þo þrytty pounde of golde
were ȝyue þere seynt Ihōn̄ wolde.
To þe pore was hyt so delte and dryue,
Þat euery besaunt was furþ ȝyue.
whan allë haddë þat þere cam,
Seynt Ihōn̄ and Troylë homward nam:
Troyle fyl yn a grete syknes
For sorow of hys large almes;
Þat sorow hadde hym so ouercome,
Þat þe feuer hadde hym nome.
He wende weyl þat he hadde be lore,
So lytyl hope yn hym was bore.
Hys godë hopë was ful badde,
For hym þoghte lore, þat pore men hadde.
Þat euery besaunt was furþ ȝyue.
whan allë haddë þat þere cam,
224
Troyle fyl yn a grete syknes
For sorow of hys large almes;
Þat sorow hadde hym so ouercome,
Þat þe feuer hadde hym nome.
He wende weyl þat he hadde be lore,
So lytyl hope yn hym was bore.
Hys godë hopë was ful badde,
For hym þoghte lore, þat pore men hadde.
Seynt Ihon wulde nat Troyle forgete,
He sente aftyr hym to þe mete;
But he excused hym, and seyd nay,
And seyd þat he yn þe feuer lay,
And to þe deþe he hoped weyl,
Þarefore ne myȝt he come þat sele.
He sente aftyr hym to þe mete;
But he excused hym, and seyd nay,
And seyd þat he yn þe feuer lay,
And to þe deþe he hoped weyl,
Þarefore ne myȝt he come þat sele.
whan Seynt Ihon herde þat seye,
Þat Troyle supposed for to deye,
Asswyþë to hym he ȝede,
And cunseyled hym to haue no drede;
“Drede þe noght, my godë sone,
Goddës manere we owe to kone;
For alle þo þat he loueþ dere,
he chasteþ hem on many manere;
And as he sendeþ to þè, sykenes,
He wyl sende hele whan hys wyl es.”
Þat Troyle supposed for to deye,
Asswyþë to hym he ȝede,
And cunseyled hym to haue no drede;
“Drede þe noght, my godë sone,
Goddës manere we owe to kone;
For alle þo þat he loueþ dere,
he chasteþ hem on many manere;
And as he sendeþ to þè, sykenes,
He wyl sende hele whan hys wyl es.”
Seynt Ihon wyst wele hys herte,
Hys sykënes, and alle hys querte;
Þarfore he seydë on þys wyse—
For he knew hys coueytyse,—
“Þy golde þat was to me so redy,
To me þou lentyst hyt, graunte mercy;
For y was yn wyl, for þe feste,
Þat euery hadde a peny, who so hadde leste.
But y myȝt nat so of myne,
But y hadde borowed at þe of þyne;
Þo þrytty pounde, God haþ me sente,
And here þey are now, þy presente;
And asswyþe þey shul be payd,
No lenger shul þey be delayd.”
Hys sykënes, and alle hys querte;
Þarfore he seydë on þys wyse—
For he knew hys coueytyse,—
“Þy golde þat was to me so redy,
To me þou lentyst hyt, graunte mercy;
For y was yn wyl, for þe feste,
Þat euery hadde a peny, who so hadde leste.
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But y hadde borowed at þe of þyne;
Þo þrytty pounde, God haþ me sente,
And here þey are now, þy presente;
And asswyþe þey shul be payd,
No lenger shul þey be delayd.”
Seynt Ihon called hys chaumberleyn,
And tolde hem to Troyle, be summe certeyn.
Anoun cumforted was Troyle so weyl
Þat hys sykenes he forgate eche deyl,
And so smartly, yn tyme so lyte,
Þat þey allë myȝt wele wyte
Þat þe feuer þat hym so shoke
was for þe monye þat he toke.
And tolde hem to Troyle, be summe certeyn.
Anoun cumforted was Troyle so weyl
Þat hys sykenes he forgate eche deyl,
And so smartly, yn tyme so lyte,
Þat þey allë myȝt wele wyte
Þat þe feuer þat hym so shoke
was for þe monye þat he toke.
He dyde on hys cloþys astyte,
And to Seynt Ihon he wrote a skryte;
Þys skryt conteyneþ, as hyt seyþ þore,
Þese samë wurdës, lesse ne more:
“God þe ȝelde, my lorde Syre Ihon,
Þe besauntes þat were delte echon,
Þat y lente þe, þrytty pounde,
Yn hande y haue hem hole and sounde.”
And Troyle dyde þe skryt weyl sele,
And syþen ros vp yn gode hele;
And went hym homë with seynt Ihon;
Of euyl felte he no more non.
And to Seynt Ihon he wrote a skryte;
Þys skryt conteyneþ, as hyt seyþ þore,
Þese samë wurdës, lesse ne more:
“God þe ȝelde, my lorde Syre Ihon,
Þe besauntes þat were delte echon,
Þat y lente þe, þrytty pounde,
Yn hande y haue hem hole and sounde.”
And Troyle dyde þe skryt weyl sele,
And syþen ros vp yn gode hele;
And went hym homë with seynt Ihon;
Of euyl felte he no more non.
But Ihesu, þat seëþ al þyng,
Shewed to Troyle þys tokenyng
How he hadde lore a rychë holde,
And for auaryce he hyt solde.
Shewed to Troyle þys tokenyng
How he hadde lore a rychë holde,
And for auaryce he hyt solde.
Troyle tolde, he sagh þys syght
At þe fyrst slepe of þe nyght:
Hym was shewed a paleys,
So fayre was neuer noun, hyt seys;
For alle hyt was of betyn golde,
Alle þat euer stode on molde.
Myȝte no man aymë þe largenesse,
Ne tungë tellë þe feyrnesse.
Þer-yn was so noble atyre,
Shynyng as golde, flammyng as fyre.
Aboute þe ȝatë wrytyn was
Þat Troyle beheldë a long space,
And ofte he reddë þat wrytyng,
And haddë þeryn grete lykyng;
Þys was þere wryte,—as seynt Ihon telles,
And as men of þys story spellys,—
“Reste and hous with-outyn ende,
Þe bysshope Troylë shal to wende.”
At þe fyrst slepe of þe nyght:
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So fayre was neuer noun, hyt seys;
For alle hyt was of betyn golde,
Alle þat euer stode on molde.
Myȝte no man aymë þe largenesse,
Ne tungë tellë þe feyrnesse.
Þer-yn was so noble atyre,
Shynyng as golde, flammyng as fyre.
Aboute þe ȝatë wrytyn was
Þat Troyle beheldë a long space,
And ofte he reddë þat wrytyng,
And haddë þeryn grete lykyng;
Þys was þere wryte,—as seynt Ihon telles,
And as men of þys story spellys,—
“Reste and hous with-outyn ende,
Þe bysshope Troylë shal to wende.”
Þus þoght Troylë yn hys bedde,
As he ofte on þe lettyr redde.
Þan wende Troylë sykyrly weyl,
Þe kyng hadde ȝyue hyt hym eche deyl;
Þarefore syre Troylë was ful gladde
Þat he swyche a paleys hadde.
As he ofte on þe lettyr redde.
Þan wende Troylë sykyrly weyl,
Þe kyng hadde ȝyue hyt hym eche deyl;
Þarefore syre Troylë was ful gladde
Þat he swyche a paleys hadde.
Vnneþë þenne hys yȝe was glent,
Þat one fro God þydyr was sent,
And commaunded alle yn rape
A-wey þat wrytyng for to skrape.
Alle þat spakë of syre Troyle
was skraped a-wey, as who sey oyle.
Þat one fro God þydyr was sent,
And commaunded alle yn rape
A-wey þat wrytyng for to skrape.
Alle þat spakë of syre Troyle
was skraped a-wey, as who sey oyle.
Sone aftyrward, with-yn a lytyl,
was þere wryte anoþer tytyl;
Þys tytyl þat was latter wryte,
Þus moche hyt ys for to wyte,
“Rest, and hous, and wonyng,
Graunteþ, and ȝyueþ, heuene kyng,
To Ihon þe patryark so fre,
with-outyn ende yn ioye to be,
For þrytty poundë þat he boghte,
And to almës dede hem broghte.”
was þere wryte anoþer tytyl;
Þys tytyl þat was latter wryte,
Þus moche hyt ys for to wyte,
“Rest, and hous, and wonyng,
Graunteþ, and ȝyueþ, heuene kyng,
To Ihon þe patryark so fre,
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For þrytty poundë þat he boghte,
And to almës dede hem broghte.”
And Troylë waked sone anone,
And tolde hys dremë to seynt Ihon,
Euery deyl how he hadde sen,
And was ordeyned to haue ben.
“Þarfore,” he seyde, “fro henne forward
Ne shal y neuer be to pore man hard;
So feyre ys dyȝte to hem to lyue,
Þat blely wyl to pore men ȝyue.”
But algate Troyle þat tyme had tynte
Þe fyrst paleys þat God hadde hym mynte.
And tolde hys dremë to seynt Ihon,
Euery deyl how he hadde sen,
And was ordeyned to haue ben.
“Þarfore,” he seyde, “fro henne forward
Ne shal y neuer be to pore man hard;
So feyre ys dyȝte to hem to lyue,
Þat blely wyl to pore men ȝyue.”
But algate Troyle þat tyme had tynte
Þe fyrst paleys þat God hadde hym mynte.
Ȝe lordynges þat haue y-now,
Þys talë haue y tolde for ȝow,
Þat ȝe ne repente ȝow of largés
Þat ȝe ȝyue to ȝoure almés;
And þenkeþ on þe bysshope Troyle
Þat for large almës made grete doyle,
Þat ȝe ne lese nat þat paleys
Þat God ordeyneþ to alle curteys;
For who so ȝyueþ curteysly,
Hyt fordoþe þe synne of glotonye.
Þys talë haue y tolde for ȝow,
Þat ȝe ne repente ȝow of largés
Þat ȝe ȝyue to ȝoure almés;
And þenkeþ on þe bysshope Troyle
Þat for large almës made grete doyle,
Þat ȝe ne lese nat þat paleys
Þat God ordeyneþ to alle curteys;
For who so ȝyueþ curteysly,
Hyt fordoþe þe synne of glotonye.
Of mete, glotonye wyl bygynne;
Almës þerof fordoþe þat synne.
Almës fordoþ alle wykkednes,
And quenchyþ synne, and makyþ hyt les.
Almës semeþ hyt cumþ of loue
Þat þou ȝyuest to man for God aboue,
Oþer for hym þat þou ȝyuest þore,
Or hym þat þou ȝyuest hyt fore.
Almës, þou wost weyl, ys a ȝyfte;
And for þe ȝyuyng, man ys vplyfte.
Almës þerof fordoþe þat synne.
Almës fordoþ alle wykkednes,
And quenchyþ synne, and makyþ hyt les.
Almës semeþ hyt cumþ of loue
Þat þou ȝyuest to man for God aboue,
Oþer for hym þat þou ȝyuest þore,
Or hym þat þou ȝyuest hyt fore.
Almës, þou wost weyl, ys a ȝyfte;
And for þe ȝyuyng, man ys vplyfte.
Ȝyue gladly, for God, þyn almës here;
Hym ȝyue þou hyt on alle manere,
And for hys loue, to hys meyne,
Ȝyf þou of hym wylt loued be.
So wyl ȝyftys louë tylle,
And gadyr many one to gode wylle.
Hym ȝyue þou hyt on alle manere,
And for hys loue, to hys meyne,
Ȝyf þou of hym wylt loued be.
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And gadyr many one to gode wylle.
For ȝyftys, twey loues mayst þou haue,
And boþe be tymës mow þe saue.
Þe fyrst ys, ȝyf þou ȝyue þy þynges
To hauë louë of lordynges:
For þy ȝyfte þou mayst be herde,
And saue þy godë yn þe werlde;
But þat love lasteþ lytyl whyle,
And aȝens God hyt wyl þe fyle.
And boþe be tymës mow þe saue.
Þe fyrst ys, ȝyf þou ȝyue þy þynges
To hauë louë of lordynges:
For þy ȝyfte þou mayst be herde,
And saue þy godë yn þe werlde;
But þat love lasteþ lytyl whyle,
And aȝens God hyt wyl þe fyle.
Þe toþer loue is noght for þys;
Hyt askeþ noght but heuene blys;
And þat loue ys, euery deyl,
loue of God and pore man weyl.
what ys loue vnto men pore?
Almës to hem ys recouere;
Almës dede of loue ys wey,
Noþer mysdo, noþer myssey;
Þan wyl God almyghty loue þe;
Þy loue ys þan with charyte.
Hyt askeþ noght but heuene blys;
And þat loue ys, euery deyl,
loue of God and pore man weyl.
what ys loue vnto men pore?
Almës to hem ys recouere;
Almës dede of loue ys wey,
Noþer mysdo, noþer myssey;
Þan wyl God almyghty loue þe;
Þy loue ys þan with charyte.
Charyte ys, þe certeyn to lere,
loue of þyn euyncrysten dere.
So sone þerto, noght wyl þe lede,
Ne so moche, as wyl almës dede.
Charyte ys, þe longyng of loue,
As y haue tolde ȝow here aboue;
For alle þat euer þou mayst do,—
But loue yn charyte be þerto—
Alle þat euer hast þou wroght,
Stant þe ellës al at noght.
loue of þyn euyncrysten dere.
So sone þerto, noght wyl þe lede,
Ne so moche, as wyl almës dede.
Charyte ys, þe longyng of loue,
As y haue tolde ȝow here aboue;
For alle þat euer þou mayst do,—
But loue yn charyte be þerto—
Alle þat euer hast þou wroght,
Stant þe ellës al at noght.
Se now what seynt Poulë seys
Yn a pystyl, þe samë weys,—
“Þogh y speke as weyl with tung
As any man or aungel haþ song,
And y lyue nat with charyte,
No þyng auayleþ hyt to me.
For y do þan ryȝt as þe bras,
And as þe tympan, þat bete was;
Þe bras, to oþer, ȝyueþ grete sown,
And bet hym self vp and down.
And þogh y speke al yn prephecye,
And haue þe kunnyng of euery maystrye,
And, with gode beleue myght seye
Þe hylles to turne yn-to þe valey,
ȝyf hyt ne be with charyte wroght,
Ellës, he seyþ þat y am noght.
Þogh y ȝyue alle my wurldës gode
Vnto porë mennys fode,
And ȝyue my body for to brenne
Opunly oþer men to kenne,
But ȝyf þar be charyte with alle,
My mede þarfore shal be ful smalle.”
Yn a pystyl, þe samë weys,—
“Þogh y speke as weyl with tung
As any man or aungel haþ song,
And y lyue nat with charyte,
No þyng auayleþ hyt to me.
For y do þan ryȝt as þe bras,
And as þe tympan, þat bete was;
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And bet hym self vp and down.
And þogh y speke al yn prephecye,
And haue þe kunnyng of euery maystrye,
And, with gode beleue myght seye
Þe hylles to turne yn-to þe valey,
ȝyf hyt ne be with charyte wroght,
Ellës, he seyþ þat y am noght.
Þogh y ȝyue alle my wurldës gode
Vnto porë mennys fode,
And ȝyue my body for to brenne
Opunly oþer men to kenne,
But ȝyf þar be charyte with alle,
My mede þarfore shal be ful smalle.”
loke now how many godenesse þer are,
with-outë charyte noght but bare.
wylt þou know þy self, and se
Ȝyf þou wone yn charyte?
with-outë charyte noght but bare.
wylt þou know þy self, and se
Ȝyf þou wone yn charyte?
Charyte suffreþ boþe gode and yl,
And charyte ys of reuful wyl,
Charyte haþ noun enuye,
And charyte wyl no felunnye;
Charyte ys nat Irus,
And charyte ys nat coueytous;
Charyte wyl no bostful preysyng;
he wyl noght but ryȝtwys þyng;
Charyte loueþ no fantome,
No þynges þat euyl may of come;
He haþ no ioye of wykkednes,
But loueþ alle þat sothfast es;
Alle godenes he vp bereþ;
Alle he suffreþ, and noun he dereþ;
Gode hope he haþ yn ryghtwys þyng,
And alle he susteyneþ to þe endyng;
Charyte ne fayleþ noght,
Ne no þyng þat with hym ys wroght.
when alle prophecyes are alle gone,
And alle tunges are leyde echone,
And alle craftys fordo shul be,
Þan lasteþ stedfast charyte.”
And charyte ys of reuful wyl,
Charyte haþ noun enuye,
And charyte wyl no felunnye;
Charyte ys nat Irus,
And charyte ys nat coueytous;
Charyte wyl no bostful preysyng;
he wyl noght but ryȝtwys þyng;
Charyte loueþ no fantome,
No þynges þat euyl may of come;
He haþ no ioye of wykkednes,
But loueþ alle þat sothfast es;
Alle godenes he vp bereþ;
Alle he suffreþ, and noun he dereþ;
Gode hope he haþ yn ryghtwys þyng,
And alle he susteyneþ to þe endyng;
Charyte ne fayleþ noght,
Ne no þyng þat with hym ys wroght.
when alle prophecyes are alle gone,
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And alle craftys fordo shul be,
Þan lasteþ stedfast charyte.”
Þus seyþ seynt Poule, and mochë more,
Yn hys pystyl of hys lore.
Seynt charyte ys gode and hende,
lastyng with God with-outyn ende.
Yn hys pystyl of hys lore.
Seynt charyte ys gode and hende,
lastyng with God with-outyn ende.
Gode hyt were to loue hyt weyl,
And folowe hyt with oure dede sumdeyl.
Ȝyf we þys charyte wyl haue,
Ȝyue we þe pore whan þey vs craue;
Ȝyue we hem, as hyt ys oure myȝt,
with-oute myssaw or any fyȝt;
Þan ys hyt curteys almës dede;
Þank of God þan ys oure mede,
And shal stonde ful stalwurþly
Aȝens þe synne of glotonye,
As y haue tolde ȝow here byfore,
And furþer shal y telle ȝow now more.
And folowe hyt with oure dede sumdeyl.
Ȝyf we þys charyte wyl haue,
Ȝyue we þe pore whan þey vs craue;
Ȝyue we hem, as hyt ys oure myȝt,
with-oute myssaw or any fyȝt;
Þan ys hyt curteys almës dede;
Þank of God þan ys oure mede,
And shal stonde ful stalwurþly
Aȝens þe synne of glotonye,
As y haue tolde ȝow here byfore,
And furþer shal y telle ȝow now more.
At þe begynnyng y spake of þys,
Ete ne drynk but þat nede ys.
who so doþ hyt oute of mesure,
Hele of body may nat dure,
And to hys soule, hyt ys dedly synne,
Þat custummable ys þer-ynne;
And penaunce harde þarfore shal go,
But we kepe vs weyl þerfro.
Ete ne drynk but þat nede ys.
who so doþ hyt oute of mesure,
Hele of body may nat dure,
And to hys soule, hyt ys dedly synne,
Þat custummable ys þer-ynne;
And penaunce harde þarfore shal go,
But we kepe vs weyl þerfro.
Loke yn þys sawe what Catoun seys,
Þat ys wyys and ryȝt curteys,
“Ȝyf þou yn hele wylt dure,
Ete and drynk of swych mesure
Þat þy strenkþe be nat þe lesse;
For, drynkyng oute of skylle,
Þy body bryng hyt wylle
To sorowe and to sykënesse.”
Þat ys wyys and ryȝt curteys,
“Ȝyf þou yn hele wylt dure,
Ete and drynk of swych mesure
Þat þy strenkþe be nat þe lesse;
For, drynkyng oute of skylle,
Þy body bryng hyt wylle
To sorowe and to sykënesse.”
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And ouþer spyces haþ glotonye:
To ete þy mete ouer brennynglye
And lustly, whan þou hyt getyst,
And takest noun hede what þou etyst.
To ete þy mete ouer brennynglye
And lustly, whan þou hyt getyst,
And takest noun hede what þou etyst.
Anoþer spyce ys noght to pay,
As a beste to ete al day,
And kepyst nonë certeyn tyme,
Þe settyng at none or pryme,
Noþer ouþer tyme þat fallyþ to man,
But as a beste þat no resun kan.
Me þenkeþ weyl hyt ys resun
To callë swych a man ‘glotoun.’
Twyys on þe day ys sustynaunce
To man þat haþ gode cheuysaunce.
Þe cheuysauncë, woste þou how,
To man þat haþ metë ynow,
Þogh he be man of trauayle,
Hyt were y-now with-outë fayle.
As a beste to ete al day,
And kepyst nonë certeyn tyme,
Þe settyng at none or pryme,
Noþer ouþer tyme þat fallyþ to man,
But as a beste þat no resun kan.
Me þenkeþ weyl hyt ys resun
To callë swych a man ‘glotoun.’
Twyys on þe day ys sustynaunce
To man þat haþ gode cheuysaunce.
Þe cheuysauncë, woste þou how,
To man þat haþ metë ynow,
Þogh he be man of trauayle,
Hyt were y-now with-outë fayle.
But þo men þat haue no swynk,
Þat delyte hem yn mete or drynk,
Þe apostyl Poulë spekþ of þo,
And dampneþ many one to wo.
He seyþ “woo to þo þat erly ȝerne,
Þat go and hauntë þe tauerne,
Yn wyne or ale to haue lykyng;
Cursednes hem folowyþ at þe endyng.
Of swych, here wombës are here Cryst;
Þat ys here loue, þat ys here tryst.”
Alle þys he meneþ sykyrly
For man þat loueþ moche glotonye.
Þat delyte hem yn mete or drynk,
Þe apostyl Poulë spekþ of þo,
And dampneþ many one to wo.
He seyþ “woo to þo þat erly ȝerne,
Þat go and hauntë þe tauerne,
Yn wyne or ale to haue lykyng;
Cursednes hem folowyþ at þe endyng.
Of swych, here wombës are here Cryst;
Þat ys here loue, þat ys here tryst.”
Alle þys he meneþ sykyrly
For man þat loueþ moche glotonye.
Ȝungë chyldryn, þey mow wele,
On þe day, etë þre mele;
For sum of hem wex ful tyte,
Þarefor ys more, here appetyte;
And ȝyt behoueþ tyme be þar-to,
Or men mowe wyþ hem mysdo;
For, þus seyþ þe oldë man
Yn a prouerbe þat he can,
“Ȝyue þy chylde when he wyl kraue,
And þy whelpe whyl hyt wyl haue,
Þan mayst þou make yn a stounde
A foulë chylde and a feyrë hounde.”
So mayst þou be enchesoun
To make þy chylde a glotoun.
On þe day, etë þre mele;
For sum of hem wex ful tyte,
Þarefor ys more, here appetyte;
And ȝyt behoueþ tyme be þar-to,
Or men mowe wyþ hem mysdo;
For, þus seyþ þe oldë man
Yn a prouerbe þat he can,
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And þy whelpe whyl hyt wyl haue,
Þan mayst þou make yn a stounde
A foulë chylde and a feyrë hounde.”
So mayst þou be enchesoun
To make þy chylde a glotoun.
A-nouþer vyce ys ȝyt to graunte,
Þat rychë men mochyl haunte,
Þat many one are so daungerous,
And oute of mesure esquaymous,
Þat hys kokë may no day
Greyþë hym hys mete to pay.
Þat me þenkeþ a feble manere;
A vylanye hyt ys to here;
For euery coke wulde, at hys myȝt,
hys lordës metë were wel dyȝt:
wheþer hyt be lorde or lady,
Me þenkeþ hyt ys a spyce of glotonye.
hyt semeþ, were hyt at þy wyl,
Ouer mesure þou wuldest þe fyl.
Þat rychë men mochyl haunte,
Þat many one are so daungerous,
And oute of mesure esquaymous,
Þat hys kokë may no day
Greyþë hym hys mete to pay.
Þat me þenkeþ a feble manere;
A vylanye hyt ys to here;
For euery coke wulde, at hys myȝt,
hys lordës metë were wel dyȝt:
wheþer hyt be lorde or lady,
Me þenkeþ hyt ys a spyce of glotonye.
hyt semeþ, were hyt at þy wyl,
Ouer mesure þou wuldest þe fyl.
Rerë sopers yn pryuyte,
with glotonye, echone þey be;
And þyr ys mochë wastë ynne,
And gadryng of ouþer synne.
Þefte behoueþ þe sumdele þore,
And glotonye algatë more;
And leccherye ys quene or kyng;
For hym ys all þat gaderyng.
with glotonye, echone þey be;
And þyr ys mochë wastë ynne,
And gadryng of ouþer synne.
Þefte behoueþ þe sumdele þore,
And glotonye algatë more;
And leccherye ys quene or kyng;
For hym ys all þat gaderyng.
Ȝyt are þer ouþer rere sopers,
with men þat seruë knyȝtys and squyers;
For al þe day þan wyl þey be
Before here maysters yn soberte;
But whan here maysters are broght to bedde,
Þan wyl þey fonde þat þey be fedde,
And sytte vp þare wyþ recolage
And ȝyt do mochë more outrage;
To þe mydnyght ys but a þrowe,
But hyt be, tyl þe cok krowe.
Þese men are clumbë on a grece
To glotonyë with þat spece.
with men þat seruë knyȝtys and squyers;
For al þe day þan wyl þey be
Before here maysters yn soberte;
But whan here maysters are broght to bedde,
Þan wyl þey fonde þat þey be fedde,
And sytte vp þare wyþ recolage
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To þe mydnyght ys but a þrowe,
But hyt be, tyl þe cok krowe.
Þese men are clumbë on a grece
To glotonyë with þat spece.
Also fallë men yn plyght,
Þat sytte vp þe Þursday at nyght.
And ouerlong ete flesshe and drunke
Aftyr þat mydnyght ys runge,
Or fysshe or flesshe þat suffreþ dede,
Þat shulde on þe Fryday faste watyr & brede;
Swych etyng þey shul sore abeye,
But þey amende hem are þey deye.
Þe Fryday nyght ys,—þys shalt þou leue,—
Aftyr þe Þursday at eue;
Þe nyght cumþ byfore þe day,
Þat ys now of þe newë lay.
Þat sytte vp þe Þursday at nyght.
And ouerlong ete flesshe and drunke
Aftyr þat mydnyght ys runge,
Or fysshe or flesshe þat suffreþ dede,
Þat shulde on þe Fryday faste watyr & brede;
Swych etyng þey shul sore abeye,
But þey amende hem are þey deye.
Þe Fryday nyght ys,—þys shalt þou leue,—
Aftyr þe Þursday at eue;
Þe nyght cumþ byfore þe day,
Þat ys now of þe newë lay.
As y haue tolde of rere sopers,
Þe same falleþ of erly dyners;
Dyners are oute of skyl and resun
On þe Sunday, or hye messe be doun.
Þogh þou haue haste, here ȝyt a messe,
Al holy, and no lesse,
And nat symple, a sakare,
For hyt ys nat y-now for þe,
But hyt be for lordys powere,
Or pylgrymage þat haþ no pere.
Þe same falleþ of erly dyners;
Dyners are oute of skyl and resun
On þe Sunday, or hye messe be doun.
Þogh þou haue haste, here ȝyt a messe,
Al holy, and no lesse,
And nat symple, a sakare,
For hyt ys nat y-now for þe,
But hyt be for lordys powere,
Or pylgrymage þat haþ no pere.
Are þou oght ete, þys ys my rede,
Take holy watyr and holy brede;
For yn auenture kas, hyt may þe saue,
Ȝyf housel ne shryftë þou mayst haue.
Take holy watyr and holy brede;
For yn auenture kas, hyt may þe saue,
Ȝyf housel ne shryftë þou mayst haue.
Alle oþer tymes ys glotonye,
But hyt be grete enchesun why.
On oþer hygh dayys, ȝyf þat þou may,—
Þogh þat hyt be nat Sunday,—
Here þy messë ar þou dyne;
Ȝyf þou do nat, ellys ys hyt pyne.
But hyt be grete enchesun why.
On oþer hygh dayys, ȝyf þat þou may,—
Þogh þat hyt be nat Sunday,—
Here þy messë ar þou dyne;
234
lordës þat haue prestes at wyl,
Me þenketh þey trespas ful yl,
Þat any day ete, are þey here messe,
But ȝyf hyt be þurgh harder dystresse.
Me þenketh þey trespas ful yl,
Þat any day ete, are þey here messe,
But ȝyf hyt be þurgh harder dystresse.
þe men þat are of holy cherche,
Þey wetë weyl how þey shul werche;
But swych y tellë hardyly,
Þat swych a preste douþ glotonye,
Þat leuyþ hys messe on þe auter
For to go to a dyner.
So ne shuld he do, for no þyng,
For loue ne awe of no lordyng,
But ȝyf hyt were for a grete nede
Þat shuld hym falle, or a grete drede.
Þey wetë weyl how þey shul werche;
But swych y tellë hardyly,
Þat swych a preste douþ glotonye,
Þat leuyþ hys messe on þe auter
For to go to a dyner.
So ne shuld he do, for no þyng,
For loue ne awe of no lordyng,
But ȝyf hyt were for a grete nede
Þat shuld hym falle, or a grete drede.
Now haue we tolde yn lytyl space
how þat glotonye cumþ yn place
On many maner dyuers wyse,
And how we shul knowe allë þyse.
how þat glotonye cumþ yn place
On many maner dyuers wyse,
And how we shul knowe allë þyse.
Ȝyf any seþ hym so coupáble
Þat yn þys ys custummáble,
leuë hem, and do no more,
And askë penauncë þarefore,
And God ys curteys, and wul wele
Forȝyue þe þy trespas euery dele.
God graunte vs, for hys swete mercy,
To kepe vs alle fro glotonye!
Þat yn þys ys custummáble,
leuë hem, and do no more,
And askë penauncë þarefore,
And God ys curteys, and wul wele
Forȝyue þe þy trespas euery dele.
God graunte vs, for hys swete mercy,
To kepe vs alle fro glotonye!
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