 | The proude wyues Pater noster that wolde go gaye and vndyd her husbonde and went her waye |  |
[The Proude Wyues Pater Noster]
On
hye feest dayes whan wyues go gaye
To chyrche with grete deuocyon
Theyr prayers deuoutly for to saye
Theyr thynkynge is on thys lesson
Or they go forth them selfe to trym
Both heed and brest on foote and hande
I swere to you by swete saynt sym
Thēselfe they thynke angels well to vnderstāde
To chyrche with grete deuocyon
Theyr prayers deuoutly for to saye
Theyr thynkynge is on thys lesson
Or they go forth them selfe to trym
Both heed and brest on foote and hande
I swere to you by swete saynt sym
Thēselfe they thynke angels well to vnderstāde
Theyr beautous be hauyour & cōtenaūce demure
They thynke full pleasaunt for to beholde
But for to go gay ye may be sure
They muse full often and many folde
And how they myght best to passe brynge
Eche as gorgyous as other to go
In theyr aparell gyrdell and rynge
And other trym knackes many mo.
They thynke full pleasaunt for to beholde
But for to go gay ye may be sure
They muse full often and many folde
And how they myght best to passe brynge
Eche as gorgyous as other to go
In theyr aparell gyrdell and rynge
And other trym knackes many mo.
To chyrche they be come this is no lye
Unto theyr pewe there for to knele
Reuerence doynge to the otherby
with countenaūce meke and becometh thē wele
Than syt they downe eche gossep other by
Beholdynge theyr aparell of eyther syde
yf the one be gaier than the other that doth espie
Than she thynketh her felowe set all full of pryde
Unto theyr pewe there for to knele
Reuerence doynge to the otherby
with countenaūce meke and becometh thē wele
Than syt they downe eche gossep other by
Beholdynge theyr aparell of eyther syde
yf the one be gaier than the other that doth espie
Than she thynketh her felowe set all full of pryde
Yet to her deuocyon she dothe her set
And Pater noster she doth begyn
But to gay gere her hert doth fret
And thynketh how she may such gay gere wyn
Sayenge to her selfe what fortune haue I
That my felow so gorgyous is in her gere
And I syte here so poorely her by
But it shalbe amended by god I swere
And Pater noster she doth begyn
But to gay gere her hert doth fret
And thynketh how she may such gay gere wyn
That my felow so gorgyous is in her gere
And I syte here so poorely her by
But it shalbe amended by god I swere
Qui es in celis, and that within shorte whyle
Or elles my husbande full sore it shall repent
For I can nought gete of him by fete nor wyle
But all shall be myne now that I in hāde cā hent
From him alway whatsoeuer betyde
Tyll I be arayde as other women be
I wolde not haue ought for no maner pryde
But only bycause it is a good syght to se
Or elles my husbande full sore it shall repent
For I can nought gete of him by fete nor wyle
But all shall be myne now that I in hāde cā hent
From him alway whatsoeuer betyde
Tyll I be arayde as other women be
I wolde not haue ought for no maner pryde
But only bycause it is a good syght to se
Sanctificetur nomen tuum
Lorde halowed be thy name
yf to such gere I may come
Than shall I bere bothe porte and fame
As other women in euery where
Do alwaye where as they do wende
Go feete and fresshe and trymme in theyr gere
In the best maner as them doth to pretende
Lorde halowed be thy name
yf to such gere I may come
Than shall I bere bothe porte and fame
As other women in euery where
Do alwaye where as they do wende
Go feete and fresshe and trymme in theyr gere
In the best maner as them doth to pretende
Adueniat regnū tuū, thy kingdom come to vs
After this lyfe when we hens shall wende
But whyle we be here now swete Iesus
As other woman haue suche grace in me sende
That I may haue lorde my heed into wrap
After the guyse kerchefes that be fyne
And theron to sette some lusty trymme cap
with smockes wel wrought soude wt sylkē twyne
After this lyfe when we hens shall wende
But whyle we be here now swete Iesus
As other woman haue suche grace in me sende
That I may haue lorde my heed into wrap
After the guyse kerchefes that be fyne
And theron to sette some lusty trymme cap
with smockes wel wrought soude wt sylkē twyne
Fiat voluntas tua, thy wyll fulfylled be
Lorde god alway as thys tyme dothe requyre
And as my gossep that sytteth here by me
So let me be trymmed nought elles I desyre
Therfore yf it may be in any wyse
For thou hast power therof to do thy wyll
To make me go gay after the best guyse
For reason it is with ryght good skyll
Lorde god alway as thys tyme dothe requyre
And as my gossep that sytteth here by me
So let me be trymmed nought elles I desyre
Therfore yf it may be in any wyse
For thou hast power therof to do thy wyll
To make me go gay after the best guyse
For reason it is with ryght good skyll
Sicut in celo et in terra, in heuen as in erthe
It is alway sene, go we neuer so ferre
That women aboue all the beaute bereth
And without gay gere our beaute we marre
Therfore good lorde let thys be amended
And gay gere to were that I may haue
Or elles my lyfe wyll haue an ende
For very pure thought, nought can me saue
It is alway sene, go we neuer so ferre
That women aboue all the beaute bereth
And without gay gere our beaute we marre
Therfore good lorde let thys be amended
And gay gere to were that I may haue
Or elles my lyfe wyll haue an ende
For very pure thought, nought can me saue
Panem nostrum cotidianum
Our dayly brede lorde wyll also do wel
But of dyuers cornes I haue many a come
At home in my barne for to sell
But ther with lorde I dare not mell
For feare of my husbande that kepeth me so hard
A busshell therof I dare not sell
For yf he wyste the game ware marde
Our dayly brede lorde wyll also do wel
But of dyuers cornes I haue many a come
At home in my barne for to sell
But ther with lorde I dare not mell
For feare of my husbande that kepeth me so hard
A busshell therof I dare not sell
For yf he wyste the game ware marde
Da nobis hodye, gyue vs thys daye
And specially me my lorde that am heuy at hert
Tyll I haue my wyll lorde a parte I saye
Of my desyre lorde, or elles I must lyue in smarte
With that full maruaylously can she syght
And in a swone halfe gan she fall
Her felowe beholdynge that wofull wyght
And wondred full sore than here with all
And specially me my lorde that am heuy at hert
Tyll I haue my wyll lorde a parte I saye
Of my desyre lorde, or elles I must lyue in smarte
And in a swone halfe gan she fall
Her felowe beholdynge that wofull wyght
And wondred full sore than here with all
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra, now
Mercy good lorde and forgyuenes what is thys
I was neuer thys afrayde I make god a vow
Good lorde sayd she than what meaneth thys
And her lyttell fynger than wronge she fast
Her to reuyue and gaue her swete spyce
So she vp sterte than at the laste
Lyke a trym gossyp that fayne wolde be nyce
Mercy good lorde and forgyuenes what is thys
I was neuer thys afrayde I make god a vow
Good lorde sayd she than what meaneth thys
And her lyttell fynger than wronge she fast
Her to reuyue and gaue her swete spyce
So she vp sterte than at the laste
Lyke a trym gossyp that fayne wolde be nyce
Sicut et nos dimittimus dehytoribus nostris
As we do forgyue lorde so let vs be forgyuen
And than to her she dyd saye without mys
ye had a shrode fyt by swete saynt steuen
Gossyp myn, how is it wyth you nowe
what is your grefe, now I you pray
yf I can ease you by god anowe
I wyll be redy both nyght and daye
As we do forgyue lorde so let vs be forgyuen
And than to her she dyd saye without mys
ye had a shrode fyt by swete saynt steuen
Gossyp myn, how is it wyth you nowe
what is your grefe, now I you pray
yf I can ease you by god anowe
I wyll be redy both nyght and daye
Et ne nos in ducas in temptacionem
Let vs fall into no temptacyon now
with that, the other reuyued then
Ryght sore dysmayde ye me trow
And to eche other they gan say
Why be ye thus sad my gossep dere
Tell me the cause, now I you praye
For yf it lay in me now I wil amende your chere
Let vs fall into no temptacyon now
with that, the other reuyued then
Ryght sore dysmayde ye me trow
And to eche other they gan say
Why be ye thus sad my gossep dere
Tell me the cause, now I you praye
For yf it lay in me now I wil amende your chere
Sed lybera nos a malo, delyuer vs from all yll
Raggis and iaggis this wyfe gan to reherse
yf I may not go gay I shall my selfe spyll
I pray you gossep dere, vnderstād well this verse
My husbonde is harde to me bothe day & nyght
And doth me not regarde but let me go euē thus
Not as other do but as a wretched wyght
But yet it shalbe mēded I hope by swete Iesus
Raggis and iaggis this wyfe gan to reherse
yf I may not go gay I shall my selfe spyll
I pray you gossep dere, vnderstād well this verse
My husbonde is harde to me bothe day & nyght
And doth me not regarde but let me go euē thus
Not as other do but as a wretched wyght
But yet it shalbe mēded I hope by swete Iesus
Amen, sayd the other I pray god it be so
For ye haue good ynought this I do know well
Of good marchaundise so mote I the
As any is here in this countre to sell
For his degre but he is afrayde
That he sholde passe his state or loke on hawt
Than behynde your backes it shulde be sayd
yf he fore amys, that it were all your fawt
For ye haue good ynought this I do know well
Of good marchaundise so mote I the
As any is here in this countre to sell
For his degre but he is afrayde
That he sholde passe his state or loke on hawt
Than behynde your backes it shulde be sayd
yf he fore amys, that it were all your fawt
But cōpetenly take the thyrde peny of his gayne
And bye therwith both kyrtell and gowne
Than yet shall ye leaue hym alway twayne
So do we most parte throughout the towne
Or elles we shold neuer haue halfe our gayes
That we haue ywys ye may be sure
But properly thus we fynde the wayes
With ringes and beedes to go full demure
And bye therwith both kyrtell and gowne
Than yet shall ye leaue hym alway twayne
So do we most parte throughout the towne
Or elles we shold neuer haue halfe our gayes
That we haue ywys ye may be sure
But properly thus we fynde the wayes
With ringes and beedes to go full demure
Rybandes of sylke that be full longe and large
with tryangles trymly made poynt deuyse
For some folke it were full grete charge
Therfore all thynge by mesure by myn aduyse
But as for you ye may be bolde
To do som what more than other maye
yet it wold make your husbondes herte full colde
If he so harde be and wretched as ye saye
with tryangles trymly made poynt deuyse
For some folke it were full grete charge
Therfore all thynge by mesure by myn aduyse
To do som what more than other maye
yet it wold make your husbondes herte full colde
If he so harde be and wretched as ye saye
That he may not se you go as other do
And haue it so well as he hath in store
I wolde haue my fyne hoose and eke my trym sho
with other knackes many a score
yf I were as you be, I fayth I swere
Somwhat sholde be solde yt he shold not knowe
ye haue to sell so dyuers gere
He can not know all by god I trowe
And haue it so well as he hath in store
I wolde haue my fyne hoose and eke my trym sho
with other knackes many a score
yf I were as you be, I fayth I swere
Somwhat sholde be solde yt he shold not knowe
ye haue to sell so dyuers gere
He can not know all by god I trowe
Yet may I reioyce alway ywys
For my husbonde is glad whan I go trym
He wolde thynke I dyd full sore a mys
yf I wente not fresshe by swete saynt sym
He doth reioyce in my gay gere
whan he do se me put it on
And wolde I shulde it often were
For I shall haue newe whan myn is done
For my husbonde is glad whan I go trym
He wolde thynke I dyd full sore a mys
yf I wente not fresshe by swete saynt sym
He doth reioyce in my gay gere
whan he do se me put it on
And wolde I shulde it often were
For I shall haue newe whan myn is done
O good lorde, happy be ye
That haue so good a husbonde by god in throne
Among a hundreth ye shall not fynde thre
Of all our neyghbours that hath such a one
yf god wolde that myne were as your is
I wolde be as mery as byrde on brere
But hys herte is so set on couetyse ywys
That he can neuer be of good chere
That haue so good a husbonde by god in throne
Among a hundreth ye shall not fynde thre
Of all our neyghbours that hath such a one
yf god wolde that myne were as your is
I wolde be as mery as byrde on brere
But hys herte is so set on couetyse ywys
That he can neuer be of good chere
And than causeth me often for to wepe
whan I thynke on hys vnkyndenes so grete
I can not ete nor drynke nor slepe
For grete heuynes my herte dothe bete
But throught your counsayle my gossep dere
I hoppe the better for to spede
And for to go gayer another yere
with myrth and ioye my lyfe to lede
whan I thynke on hys vnkyndenes so grete
I can not ete nor drynke nor slepe
For grete heuynes my herte dothe bete
But throught your counsayle my gossep dere
I hoppe the better for to spede
And for to go gayer another yere
with myrth and ioye my lyfe to lede
That I may be accepted with euery man
Whiche me beholdeth bothe ferre and nere
Without your helpe no rede I can
But by your good counsayle amende is my chere
Thys hole in you my hope I sete
And without you I am but dede
Lusty fresshe gere how I may gete
And to go trym in lusty were
Whiche me beholdeth bothe ferre and nere
Without your helpe no rede I can
But by your good counsayle amende is my chere
Thys hole in you my hope I sete
And without you I am but dede
Lusty fresshe gere how I may gete
And to go trym in lusty were
Well gossep than do after me
And ye shall neuer repente ywys
I swere to you by Mary so fre
All shalbe well, that nowe is amys
beware of one thinge, your tōgue go not to large
And forbere your husbonde whan he is grame
Speke neuer to hym of such charge
with euyll mode, for that were shame
And ye shall neuer repente ywys
I swere to you by Mary so fre
All shalbe well, that nowe is amys
beware of one thinge, your tōgue go not to large
And forbere your husbonde whan he is grame
Speke neuer to hym of such charge
with euyll mode, for that were shame
Yf ye of hym wyll suche thynge haue
As ye desyre for to go gay
with louynge countenaunce ye must it craue
And with fayre wordes to hym say
My husbonde dere I you requyre
Take no displeasure with my worde
What soeuer of you I do desyre
But this must be done in bed or at borde
As ye desyre for to go gay
with louynge countenaunce ye must it craue
And with fayre wordes to hym say
Take no displeasure with my worde
What soeuer of you I do desyre
But this must be done in bed or at borde
My louely husbonde my spouse most dere
To you I must nedes talke my mone
As reason requyreth ye be my fere
And no body elles but you alone
Thus I must desyre you with all my herte
Take no dyspleasure what euer I saye
For yf ye do, it wyll me smarte
And for thought I shall dye this is no nay
To you I must nedes talke my mone
As reason requyreth ye be my fere
And no body elles but you alone
Thus I must desyre you with all my herte
Take no dyspleasure what euer I saye
For yf ye do, it wyll me smarte
And for thought I shall dye this is no nay
Whan he this hereth than he wyll muse
And meruell what your request wyll be
Yf he be gentyll he wyll not refuse
No reasonable thynge I hope perde
ye shall than say, ye lacke that or this
And begyn with that thynge yt ye haue most nede
I dare say than withouten mys
The sooner of hym than ye shall spede
And meruell what your request wyll be
Yf he be gentyll he wyll not refuse
No reasonable thynge I hope perde
ye shall than say, ye lacke that or this
And begyn with that thynge yt ye haue most nede
I dare say than withouten mys
The sooner of hym than ye shall spede
With small tryfels ye must begyn
Of hym to get gay gere in store
Or elles of hym ye shall nought wyn
And thus may ye dayly encrease more and more
Of gorgyous gere grete plence to haue
And all with his good wyll for that is best
yf ye it so get so god me saue
Than may ye were it with peas and rest
Of hym to get gay gere in store
Or elles of hym ye shall nought wyn
And thus may ye dayly encrease more and more
Of gorgyous gere grete plence to haue
And all with his good wyll for that is best
yf ye it so get so god me saue
Than may ye were it with peas and rest
Yf he do not gyue you than good comforte
Speke ye no more but than be styll
But streyght to his wares resorte
And therof take ye what ye wyll
yf he play the chorle playe ye the same
And let hym not know no more of your mynde
God gyue all chorles mekyll shame
That to theyr wyues be vnkynde.
Speke ye no more but than be styll
But streyght to his wares resorte
And therof take ye what ye wyll
yf he play the chorle playe ye the same
And let hym not know no more of your mynde
God gyue all chorles mekyll shame
That to theyr wyues be vnkynde.
yf he be gentyll take noughe hym fro
Lytell nor moch whatsoeuer betyde
For yf ye do it wyll tourne you to wo
Than folke wyll say that it cometh of pride
Se what debate this folke haue nowe
And all bycause the wyfe wolde go gay
I swere to you by god auowe
ye were better byde styll in your olde araye
Lytell nor moch whatsoeuer betyde
For yf ye do it wyll tourne you to wo
Than folke wyll say that it cometh of pride
Se what debate this folke haue nowe
And all bycause the wyfe wolde go gay
I swere to you by god auowe
ye were better byde styll in your olde araye
Therfore beware be not ratshe
To do or saye that shulde hym dysplease
But yf he be churlysshe gyue hym a dasshe
Thoughe euer after it shulde hym dysease
Amonge his wares spare not at all
For halfe is yours as well as his
Therfore as nowe counseyll I shall
Gyue vnto you by heuyns blysse
To do or saye that shulde hym dysplease
But yf he be churlysshe gyue hym a dasshe
Thoughe euer after it shulde hym dysease
Amonge his wares spare not at all
For halfe is yours as well as his
Therfore as nowe counseyll I shall
Gyue vnto you by heuyns blysse
To do euen so and be not afrayde
For lefe nor loche why chulde ye not
The faute wyll all to hym be layde
Of any one that hereth that
That he so chorlyshe to you is ay
And wyll not be frendly as other be
Grete shame of him than wyll they say
So to be serued well worthy is he
For lefe nor loche why chulde ye not
The faute wyll all to hym be layde
Of any one that hereth that
And wyll not be frendly as other be
Grete shame of him than wyll they say
So to be serued well worthy is he
And worse be god withouten fable
yf worse may be by any meane
Consydrynge that he is not vnable
It ought on you for to be sene
Somwhat better for very pure shame
Than it is now by reason and ryght
For he is worthy to haue the blame
yf he wyll be suche a wretched wyght
yf worse may be by any meane
Consydrynge that he is not vnable
It ought on you for to be sene
Somwhat better for very pure shame
Than it is now by reason and ryght
For he is worthy to haue the blame
yf he wyll be suche a wretched wyght
He can not haue to moch displeasure
That hath a yonge wyfe and wyll not her trym
I wysshe them care and sorow out of measure
And specially them that be lyke vnto hym
Myrrours of myschefe we may them call
That kepe theyr wyues so bare and poore
To many one it dothe befall
Thrugh such menes to make a good wyfe a hore
That hath a yonge wyfe and wyll not her trym
I wysshe them care and sorow out of measure
And specially them that be lyke vnto hym
Myrrours of myschefe we may them call
That kepe theyr wyues so bare and poore
To many one it dothe befall
Thrugh such menes to make a good wyfe a hore
An hore? ye may it swere by god aboue
They may be wretches that so do
Which causeth theyr wyues to chose new loue
Thought it sholde tourne them to great wo
So vylaynus they be in euery where
Unto theyr wyues in euery houre and tyde
yf theyr wyues do go, ought trym in they, gere
They say they do it than for gret pryd
They may be wretches that so do
Which causeth theyr wyues to chose new loue
Thought it sholde tourne them to great wo
So vylaynus they be in euery where
Unto theyr wyues in euery houre and tyde
yf theyr wyues do go, ought trym in they, gere
They say they do it than for gret pryd
And all this is but ialousy god wote
That thys doth cause I know it well
Hangeth be such husbondes by the throte
Or elles the deuyll cary them away to hel
That ialous be eyther erly or late
Upon theyr good wyues that be so meke
God sēde thē stryfe and euer debate
And a vengeaūce vpon them both day and weke
That thys doth cause I know it well
Hangeth be such husbondes by the throte
Or elles the deuyll cary them away to hel
That ialous be eyther erly or late
Upon theyr good wyues that be so meke
God sēde thē stryfe and euer debate
And a vengeaūce vpon them both day and weke
As for my husbonde I nede not to craue
But fystes and staues yf I wyll optayne
ynoughe of them I may soone haue
Thus dare I not speake for feare of payne
For no such thynges but I knowe another
I shall from hym stele both day and nyght
I swere to you by goddes dere mother
His bagges I hope to make full lyght
But fystes and staues yf I wyll optayne
ynoughe of them I may soone haue
Thus dare I not speake for feare of payne
For no such thynges but I knowe another
I shall from hym stele both day and nyght
I swere to you by goddes dere mother
His bagges I hope to make full lyght
yf he may not se me than go gay
I thynke not longe to tary here
But pryuele to gather what I may
And chose me than another fere
For I can not lyue this in wretchednes
I wyll leue hym bare ynow
It is to me great heuynes
To lede this lyfe I make god auowe
I thynke not longe to tary here
But pryuele to gather what I may
And chose me than another fere
For I can not lyue this in wretchednes
I wyll leue hym bare ynow
It is to me great heuynes
To lede this lyfe I make god auowe
With that all seruyce in the chyrch was done
These wyues homewarde dyd take the waye
For fast it drewe than towarde none
And so they departed and adewe gan say
whan she came home thys sory wyfe
Her husbonde full mery there dyd she fynde
She coulde no lenger abyde for her lyfe
But nedes vnto hym she must breke her mynde
These wyues homewarde dyd take the waye
For fast it drewe than towarde none
And so they departed and adewe gan say
Her husbonde full mery there dyd she fynde
She coulde no lenger abyde for her lyfe
But nedes vnto hym she must breke her mynde
To proue whether he wolde be to her kynde
She gan him flatter after the newe guyse
And soone her hert she gan vnbynde
Sayenge to hym that in this wyse
My spouse moost worthy, my husbonde dere
I pray you take it for no grefe
what soeuer of you I do desyre
But gyue my herte now some relefe
As I hope ye wyll, and therto be glad
And say me not nay whatsoeuer befall
And than for euer I must be sad
Thus in your hande it doth lay all
She gan him flatter after the newe guyse
And soone her hert she gan vnbynde
Sayenge to hym that in this wyse
My spouse moost worthy, my husbonde dere
I pray you take it for no grefe
what soeuer of you I do desyre
But gyue my herte now some relefe
As I hope ye wyll, and therto be glad
And say me not nay whatsoeuer befall
And than for euer I must be sad
Thus in your hande it doth lay all
My truste is hole in you set
So many wyues in thys parysshe de
That go full lustly and trym set
A pleasure for theyr husbondes it is to se
And now me thynke ye be well moued
wherfore the bolder I to you speke
As to myne herte moost best beloued
Or elles a sonder myne herte wolde breke
So many wyues in thys parysshe de
That go full lustly and trym set
A pleasure for theyr husbondes it is to se
And now me thynke ye be well moued
wherfore the bolder I to you speke
As to myne herte moost best beloued
Or elles a sonder myne herte wolde breke
Desyrynge you with mynde and wyll
To gyue me now some goodly gay gere
Some susty newes my backe to hyll
with gyrdelles and rynge for your loue to were
As other women do for theyr husbondes loue
So let me do for yours I pray
Than wyll ye bynde me my selfe to moue
Grete good of you alway to faye
To gyue me now some goodly gay gere
Some susty newes my backe to hyll
with gyrdelles and rynge for your loue to were
So let me do for yours I pray
Than wyll ye bynde me my selfe to moue
Grete good of you alway to faye
I am not able to performe your wyll
In gyuynge to you that I not haue
It is neyther reason nor yet good skyll
Suche thynges of me now for to craue
ye se your selfe that I do spare
And with symple clothes that I do go
Honesty wolde ye sholde helpe me care
And lyke in parell that we sholde go
In gyuynge to you that I not haue
It is neyther reason nor yet good skyll
Suche thynges of me now for to craue
ye se your selfe that I do spare
And with symple clothes that I do go
Honesty wolde ye sholde helpe me care
And lyke in parell that we sholde go
Let vs lyue as we haue done ere
And passe not our [illeg.] in no degre
To put our selfes in great daungere
For your small pleasure it were great pite
How cometh now such thynges in your mynde
That ye desyre me to do such cost
ye spende your labour and wynde
And all your wordes be but lost
And passe not our [illeg.] in no degre
To put our selfes in great daungere
For your small pleasure it were great pite
How cometh now such thynges in your mynde
That ye desyre me to do such cost
ye spende your labour and wynde
And all your wordes be but lost
Alacke good wyfe were thys your wyll
For to go gay aboue your estate
And wolde be glad to fulfyll
All your desyre yf it were not to late
But I am ferre behynde the hande
As now dere wyfe more than I say
An hundred pounde ye shall vnderstande
with in this moneth I must nedes pay
For to go gay aboue your estate
And wolde be glad to fulfyll
All your desyre yf it were not to late
But I am ferre behynde the hande
As now dere wyfe more than I say
An hundred pounde ye shall vnderstande
with in this moneth I must nedes pay
Towarde the same wyfe I ne haue
Twenty pounde in syluer nor golde
which doth make so god me saue
whan I theron thynke myn herte full colde
Therfore good wyfe take therof no grefe
For I am not able as the tyme requyre
Excepte I sholde therof be a thefe
And that I thynke ye wyll not desyre
Twenty pounde in syluer nor golde
which doth make so god me saue
whan I theron thynke myn herte full colde
Therfore good wyfe take therof no grefe
For I am not able as the tyme requyre
Excepte I sholde therof be a thefe
And that I thynke ye wyll not desyre
For that were a shame I tell you playne
As well for you as it for me
With shame for my trespas I shode be slayne
And hanged full hye vpon a tre
Than men wolde say there hangeth a thefe
Which wolde than full sore greeue your herte
It is no nede for to acheue
A shamfull name that wolde vs cause to smarte
As well for you as it for me
With shame for my trespas I shode be slayne
And hanged full hye vpon a tre
Than men wolde say there hangeth a thefe
Which wolde than full sore greeue your herte
It is no nede for to acheue
A shamfull name that wolde vs cause to smarte
Thus answere she had this good wyfe
That her herte sonke into her hose
And wery she was ryght sore of her lyfe
But with her husbonde she dyd no more glose
Sodeynly she set her handes on her syde
And sayd than caytyfe god gyue the wo
I tell the playne it is for no pryde
But onely with other wyfes for to go
That her herte sonke into her hose
And wery she was ryght sore of her lyfe
But with her husbonde she dyd no more glose
Sodeynly she set her handes on her syde
And sayd than caytyfe god gyue the wo
I tell the playne it is for no pryde
But onely with other wyfes for to go
That was myn entent and nothynge elles
But seynge it wyll no otherwyse be
I shall make the a hode and set it full of belles
which shalbe marked in all this countre
Though euery man knew it I set not a flye
And what I do, now I ne care
Within shorte whyle thou shalte well spye
That I shall make thy bagges full bare
But seynge it wyll no otherwyse be
I shall make the a hode and set it full of belles
which shalbe marked in all this countre
And what I do, now I ne care
Within shorte whyle thou shalte well spye
That I shall make thy bagges full bare
With that from the borde thys wyfe gan go
And had hym beware of her euyll wyll
She sayd for euer she wolde be his fo
And do her best hym for to spyll
Therto she wolde laboure bothe day and nyght
With all the helpe that she coude make
And that she coude get with mayne and myght
Another sholde spende it for his sake
And had hym beware of her euyll wyll
She sayd for euer she wolde be his fo
And do her best hym for to spyll
Therto she wolde laboure bothe day and nyght
With all the helpe that she coude make
And that she coude get with mayne and myght
Another sholde spende it for his sake
The man was wroth here with ywys
And wandred full sore what his wyfe ayled
He toke vp hys hande and hym dyd blys
wenynge to hym that her wyttes had fayled
But it was not so on myschefe she was set
The deuyll hym selfe coude not her tourne
Though he with slaues her sholde haue bet
which made full sore his hert to mourne
And wandred full sore what his wyfe ayled
He toke vp hys hande and hym dyd blys
wenynge to hym that her wyttes had fayled
But it was not so on myschefe she was set
The deuyll hym selfe coude not her tourne
Though he with slaues her sholde haue bet
which made full sore his hert to mourne
Than was he bewayled all in wo
Ryght pyteously he dyd complayne
Thynkynge alway what hys wyfe myght do
Hym thought for sorow his herte was slayne
Bycause hys wyfe was set on rage
what best was to do he hym be thought
Her furyous anger to aswage
Her mynde he perceyued was set to nought
Ryght pyteously he dyd complayne
Thynkynge alway what hys wyfe myght do
Hym thought for sorow his herte was slayne
Bycause hys wyfe was set on rage
what best was to do he hym be thought
Her furyous anger to aswage
Her mynde he perceyued was set to nought
Fayne he wolde her let, this good honest man
And hepe her in goodnes as he had done ere
Alas he sayd no rede I can
Of myne vndoynge I stande in feare
That she wyll me robbe by day and nyght
Than fare well my ioye and my solas
Many a man hath wronge and moch vnright
Thrugh theyr false wyues, alas, alas
And hepe her in goodnes as he had done ere
Alas he sayd no rede I can
Of myne vndoynge I stande in feare
That she wyll me robbe by day and nyght
Than fare well my ioye and my solas
Many a man hath wronge and moch vnright
Thrugh theyr false wyues, alas, alas
And so am I lyke me doth thynke
For such one is able a man to marre
For thought I can neyther ete nor drynke
So sore is my hert set now in care
Yet wyll I not my selfe caste awaye
Thought she wyll be lewde and also bad
With costly garmentes I wyll not ray
For my destruction to make her glad
For such one is able a man to marre
For thought I can neyther ete nor drynke
So sore is my hert set now in care
Yet wyll I not my selfe caste awaye
Thought she wyll be lewde and also bad
With costly garmentes I wyll not ray
For my destruction to make her glad
I thynke she hath founde some vilaine knaue
That wyll helpe her to cary away my store
Yet I truste that god wyll me saue
And preserue me from her daunger for euer more
For a cursed wyfe is worse than a fende
Yf I me blesse he can me not dere
But this cursed wyfe where euer I wende
Putteth me in doubte and great fere
That wyll helpe her to cary away my store
Yet I truste that god wyll me saue
And preserue me from her daunger for euer more
For a cursed wyfe is worse than a fende
Yf I me blesse he can me not dere
But this cursed wyfe where euer I wende
Putteth me in doubte and great fere
Wherfore I dare not go out of the dore
Lest she me begyle and go her waye
with some lewde knaue to play the hore
And me vnto for euer and aye
Yet to my curate I wyll hye
And shewe hym of my grefe what I do ayle
To knowe yf he remedy
Me of my wo or ought me auayle
Lest she me begyle and go her waye
with some lewde knaue to play the hore
And me vnto for euer and aye
And shewe hym of my grefe what I do ayle
To knowe yf he remedy
Me of my wo or ought me auayle
In this meane whyle hys wyfe was gone
Unto her gossep to shewe her grefe
The good man founde hymselfe alone
Withouten comforte or relefe
Than streyght to the chyrche he gan hym dresse
Unto the curate which he there founde
All redy reuest goynge to messe
And towarde the aulter he was bounde
Unto her gossep to shewe her grefe
The good man founde hymselfe alone
Withouten comforte or relefe
Than streyght to the chyrche he gan hym dresse
Unto the curate which he there founde
All redy reuest goynge to messe
And towarde the aulter he was bounde
This man abode tyll masse was done
For to take counsayle of hys curate dere
Whan he hym met ryght soone anone
He made his mone with heuy chere
After all gretynges to hym thus he sayd
Syr I you requyre of counsayle nowe
My wyfe doth make me so sore dysmayde
That I am lyke to dye I make god auowe
For to take counsayle of hys curate dere
Whan he hym met ryght soone anone
He made his mone with heuy chere
After all gretynges to hym thus he sayd
Syr I you requyre of counsayle nowe
My wyfe doth make me so sore dysmayde
That I am lyke to dye I make god auowe
With shorte conclusyon his mater he tolde
How it began and how it befell
Twene hym and his wyfe yt made his herte colde
But euer the preest had hym do well
And god sholde helpe hym euer at his nede
yf he dyd trust vnto his grace
Alway the better sholde he spede
And heuen at the last he sholde purchase
How it began and how it befell
Twene hym and his wyfe yt made his herte colde
But euer the preest had hym do well
And god sholde helpe hym euer at his nede
yf he dyd trust vnto his grace
Alway the better sholde he spede
And heuen at the last he sholde purchase
Yf she wyll be nought and not amende
And thou entende euer well to do
Good grace god shall vnto the sende
whan she shall lyue in care and wo
Go thy way home and take no thought
But euer take hede what so befall
For such one as doth set her to nought
To vndo a man she careth not at all
And thou entende euer well to do
Good grace god shall vnto the sende
whan she shall lyue in care and wo
Go thy way home and take no thought
But euer take hede what so befall
For such one as doth set her to nought
To vndo a man she careth not at all
This man dyd after the curates rede
And home full soone he dyd hym hast
But whan he came there his herte dyd blede
He spyed that his labour was all in wast
And that his wyfe had ben there before
And spoyled all that she myght cary
Of shorte endes and money that he had in store
No legger with him that she wolde vary
And home full soone he dyd hym hast
But whan he came there his herte dyd blede
He spyed that his labour was all in wast
And that his wyfe had ben there before
And spoyled all that she myght cary
Of shorte endes and money that he had in store
No legger with him that she wolde vary
Thus was the good man vndone for euer
God gyue all such wyues care
For after that day he saw her neuer
But of his welth she made hym bare
Now Iesu that is heuen kynge
Graūte all good wyues that fayne wolde do well
The ioyes of heuen at theyr endynge
And to be preserued fro the paynes of hell
God gyue all such wyues care
For after that day he saw her neuer
But of his welth she made hym bare
Now Iesu that is heuen kynge
Graūte all good wyues that fayne wolde do well
The ioyes of heuen at theyr endynge
And to be preserued fro the paynes of hell
Such Pater noster some wyues do say
Another were better for theyr soule helth
As here doth felow so sholde ye pray
And than ye sholde euer lyue in welth
Another were better for theyr soule helth
As here doth felow so sholde ye pray
And than ye sholde euer lyue in welth
Here after foloweth the golden Pater noster of deuocyon.
The
father of heuen omnipotent
Of nought all this worlde dyd create
In paradyse he made Adam a pure innocent
And for his comforte Eue to hym was assacyate
The serpent by fraude made them obstynate
Wherby they loste their mansyon ioye and blysse
Tyll by thy mercy they were regenerate
Pater noster quies in celis
Of nought all this worlde dyd create
In paradyse he made Adam a pure innocent
And for his comforte Eue to hym was assacyate
The serpent by fraude made them obstynate
Wherby they loste their mansyon ioye and blysse
Tyll by thy mercy they were regenerate
Pater noster quies in celis
O blessed lorde of thy grete boūtye & goodnesse
That sent thyne owne sonne to be incarnate
The orygynall synne of Adam to redresse
By vertue of deth of Chryst immaculate
Which is our brother by proue cartyfycate
And thou our father throughout chrystendome
wherfore let vs merely without debate
Synge, Sanctificetur nomen tuum
That sent thyne owne sonne to be incarnate
The orygynall synne of Adam to redresse
By vertue of deth of Chryst immaculate
Which is our brother by proue cartyfycate
And thou our father throughout chrystendome
wherfore let vs merely without debate
Synge, Sanctificetur nomen tuum
Chryst Iesu our kynge and his mother dere
Be in our nede our socour and comforte
Oure soules from synne to preserue clere
That the flame of charyte in vs reporte
To whom that we may resorte
with blysful armony bothe all and summe
Swete Iesus for vs exhorte
That vnto vs, Adueniat regnum tuum
Be in our nede our socour and comforte
Oure soules from synne to preserue clere
That the flame of charyte in vs reporte
To whom that we may resorte
with blysful armony bothe all and summe
Swete Iesus for vs exhorte
That vnto vs, Adueniat regnum tuum
Infuse vs with grace lorde in contynaunce
In euery malady, pouerty and tribulacyon
Perfite pacyence to kepe thy perseueraunce
For any wrongfull trouble or vexacyon
That we without grudge or exclamacyon
Say and pray, Fiat voluntas tuas
Hygh and low thy myght operacyon
So be it, sicut in celo et in terra
In euery malady, pouerty and tribulacyon
Perfite pacyence to kepe thy perseueraunce
For any wrongfull trouble or vexacyon
That we without grudge or exclamacyon
Say and pray, Fiat voluntas tuas
Hygh and low thy myght operacyon
So be it, sicut in celo et in terra
Upon {s}here thursday thy dyscyples thou fedde
In fourme of brede wyth thyne owne deite
By vertue of the wordes of thy godhed
Bade them thyne owne body accipite
And eate, which for you berrayed shalbe
A preseruaty{f} agaynst deth mooste holsome
Our peticyon good lorde, da nobis hodye
That same, panem nostrum cotidianum
In fourme of brede wyth thyne owne deite
By vertue of the wordes of thy godhed
Bade them thyne owne body accipite
And eate, which for you berrayed shalbe
A preseruaty{f} agaynst deth mooste holsome
Our peticyon good lorde, da nobis hodye
That same, panem nostrum cotidianum
Whan mortall sinne had vs deuoured
And haue forgoten thy holy conuersacyon
yet let vs not vtterly be confounded
whom thou demyd by thy byter passion
But wasshe vs with penaunce by full contrycyō
Thou one and thre trinitas sancta
whan we requyre the by proclamacyon
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra.
And haue forgoten thy holy conuersacyon
yet let vs not vtterly be confounded
whom thou demyd by thy byter passion
But wasshe vs with penaunce by full contrycyō
Thou one and thre trinitas sancta
whan we requyre the by proclamacyon
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra.
yf any creature hath vs offended
And trespasset forgyue we all those
That theyr offence may be amēded
Our mercy and pyte to them dysclose
That whan to god our passage purpose
That of his mercy habounde yt we may not mys
Forgyue vs good lorde, sicut et nos
Dimittimus debitoribus nostris
And trespasset forgyue we all those
That theyr offence may be amēded
Our mercy and pyte to them dysclose
That of his mercy habounde yt we may not mys
Forgyue vs good lorde, sicut et nos
Dimittimus debitoribus nostris
Another peticion we aske our father
That we be not ouercome by temptacion
But we to Chryst our owne broder
Call for ayde and obtayne remissyon
And of our synnes clene to haue absolucyon
By meryte of the bryght sterre of Betheleem
To whom we pray with humble deuocyon
Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem
That we be not ouercome by temptacion
But we to Chryst our owne broder
Call for ayde and obtayne remissyon
And of our synnes clene to haue absolucyon
By meryte of the bryght sterre of Betheleem
To whom we pray with humble deuocyon
Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem
The father, the sonne, and the holy ghost
Thre persones vndeuyded, and one in essence
Make in vs trynyte by thy power moost
Thy body, thy soule, thy godhed in presence
So conserue vs here in thy absence
To vse well fyue and obserue tenne
That deedly synne combre not our conscyence
Sed libera nos a malo. Amen
Thre persones vndeuyded, and one in essence
Make in vs trynyte by thy power moost
Thy body, thy soule, thy godhed in presence
So conserue vs here in thy absence
To vse well fyue and obserue tenne
That deedly synne combre not our conscyence
Sed libera nos a malo. Amen
Finis.
| The proude wyues Pater noster that wolde go gaye and vndyd her husbonde and went her waye | |