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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| III. |
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| V. |
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| VII. |
| VIII. |
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| X. |
| XI. |
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| XIII. |
| XIV. |
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| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. | PASSUS XX (DO-BEST I).
Passus xxus de visione, & primus de dobest. |
 | The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman |  |
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PASSUS XX (DO-BEST I). Passus xxus de visione, & primus de dobest.
Thanne as I went by þe way whan I was þus awaked,
Heuy-chered I ȝede and elynge in herte;
I ne wiste where to ete ne at what place.
And it neighed nyeghe þe none & with nede I mette,
That afronted me foule and faitour me called.
“Coudestow nouȝte excuse þe as dede þe Kynge & other,
Þat þow toke to þi bylyf to clothes and to sustenance,
As by techynge & by tellynge of spiritus temperancie,
And þow nome namore þan nede þe tauȝte,
And nede ne hath no lawe ne neure shal falle in dette?
For þre thynges he taketh his lyf forto saue,
That is mete, whan men hym werneth & he no moneye weldeth,
Heuy-chered I ȝede and elynge in herte;
I ne wiste where to ete ne at what place.
And it neighed nyeghe þe none & with nede I mette,
That afronted me foule and faitour me called.
“Coudestow nouȝte excuse þe as dede þe Kynge & other,
Þat þow toke to þi bylyf to clothes and to sustenance,
As by techynge & by tellynge of spiritus temperancie,
And þow nome namore þan nede þe tauȝte,
And nede ne hath no lawe ne neure shal falle in dette?
For þre thynges he taketh his lyf forto saue,
That is mete, whan men hym werneth & he no moneye weldeth,
Ne wyght none wil ben his borwe ne wedde hath none to legge.
And he cauȝte in þat cas & come þere-to by sleighte,
He synneth nouȝte sothelich þat so wynneth his fode.
And þough he come so to a clothe and can no better cheuysaunce,
Nede anon riȝte nymeth hym vnder meynpryse.
And if hym lyst for to lape þe lawe of kynde wolde
That he dronke at eche diche ar he for thurste deyde.
So nede, at grete nede may nymen as for his owne,
Wyth-oute conseille of conscience or cardynale vertues,
So þat he suwe & saue spiritus temperancie.
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He synneth nouȝte sothelich þat so wynneth his fode.
And þough he come so to a clothe and can no better cheuysaunce,
Nede anon riȝte nymeth hym vnder meynpryse.
And if hym lyst for to lape þe lawe of kynde wolde
That he dronke at eche diche ar he for thurste deyde.
So nede, at grete nede may nymen as for his owne,
Wyth-oute conseille of conscience or cardynale vertues,
So þat he suwe & saue spiritus temperancie.
For is no vertue by fer to spiritus temperancie,
Neither spiritus iusticie ne spiritus fortitudinis;
For spiritus fortitudinis forfaiteth ful oft,
He shal do more þan mesure many tyme & ofte,
And bete men ouer bitter and somme of hem to litel,
And greue men gretter þan goode faith it wolde.
Neither spiritus iusticie ne spiritus fortitudinis;
For spiritus fortitudinis forfaiteth ful oft,
He shal do more þan mesure many tyme & ofte,
And bete men ouer bitter and somme of hem to litel,
And greue men gretter þan goode faith it wolde.
And spiritus iusticie shal iuggen, wolhe, nolhe,
After þe kynges conseille & þe comune lyke.
And spiritus prudencie in many a poynte shal faille.
Of þat he weneth wolde falle if his wytte ne were.
Wenynge is no wysdome ne wyse ymagynacioun,
Homo proponit & deus disponit & gouerneth alle good vertues.
Ac nede is next hym for anon he meketh,
And as low as a lombe for lakkyng of þat hym nedeth.
Wyse men forsoke wele for þey wolde be nedy,
And woneden in wildernesse & wolde nouȝte be riche.
After þe kynges conseille & þe comune lyke.
And spiritus prudencie in many a poynte shal faille.
Of þat he weneth wolde falle if his wytte ne were.
Wenynge is no wysdome ne wyse ymagynacioun,
Homo proponit & deus disponit & gouerneth alle good vertues.
Ac nede is next hym for anon he meketh,
And as low as a lombe for lakkyng of þat hym nedeth.
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And woneden in wildernesse & wolde nouȝte be riche.
And god al his grete ioye gostliche he left,
And cam & toke mankynde and bycam nedy.
So nedy he was, as seyth þe boke in many sondry places,
Þat he seyde in his sorwe on þe selue Rode,
‘Bothe fox & foule may fleighe to hole & crepe,
And þe fisshe hath fyn to flete with to reste,
Þere nede hath ynome me þat I mote nede abyde,
And suffre sorwes ful sowre þat shal to ioye tourne.’
For-þi be nouȝte abasshed to byd[d]e and to be nedy;
Syth he þat wrouȝte al þe worlde was wilfullich nedy,
Ne neuer none so nedy ne pouerere deyde.”
And cam & toke mankynde and bycam nedy.
So nedy he was, as seyth þe boke in many sondry places,
Þat he seyde in his sorwe on þe selue Rode,
‘Bothe fox & foule may fleighe to hole & crepe,
And þe fisshe hath fyn to flete with to reste,
Þere nede hath ynome me þat I mote nede abyde,
And suffre sorwes ful sowre þat shal to ioye tourne.’
For-þi be nouȝte abasshed to byd[d]e and to be nedy;
Syth he þat wrouȝte al þe worlde was wilfullich nedy,
Ne neuer none so nedy ne pouerere deyde.”
Whan nede had vndernome me þus Anon I felle aslepe,
And mette ful merueillously þat, in mannes forme,
Antecryst cam þanne and al þe croppe of treuthe
Torned it vp so doune and ouertilte þe rote,
And [made] fals sprynge & sprede & spede mennes nedes;
In eche a contre þere he cam he cutte awey treuthe,
And gert gyle growe þere as he a god were.
Freres folwed þat fende for he ȝaf hem copes,
And religiouse reuerenced hym and rongen here belles,
And al þe couent forth cam to welcome þat tyraunt,
And alle hise, as wel as hym saue onlich folis;
Which folis were wel leuer to deye þan to lyue
[Lenger], sith [leute] was so rebuked,
And a fals fende antecriste ouer alle folke regned;
And þat were mylde men & holy þat no myschief dredden,
Defyed al falsenesse and folke þat it vsed,
And what Kynge þat hem conforted knowynge hem any while,
They cursed, and her conseille were it clerke or lewed.
And mette ful merueillously þat, in mannes forme,
Antecryst cam þanne and al þe croppe of treuthe
Torned it vp so doune and ouertilte þe rote,
And [made] fals sprynge & sprede & spede mennes nedes;
In eche a contre þere he cam he cutte awey treuthe,
And gert gyle growe þere as he a god were.
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And religiouse reuerenced hym and rongen here belles,
And al þe couent forth cam to welcome þat tyraunt,
And alle hise, as wel as hym saue onlich folis;
Which folis were wel leuer to deye þan to lyue
[Lenger], sith [leute] was so rebuked,
And a fals fende antecriste ouer alle folke regned;
And þat were mylde men & holy þat no myschief dredden,
Defyed al falsenesse and folke þat it vsed,
And what Kynge þat hem conforted knowynge hem any while,
They cursed, and her conseille were it clerke or lewed.
Antecriste hadde thus sone hundredes at his banere,
And Pryde it bare boldely aboute,
With a lorde þat lyueth after lykynge of body,
That cam aȝein conscience þat kepere was & gyoure
Ouer kynde crystene and cardynale vertues.
And Pryde it bare boldely aboute,
With a lorde þat lyueth after lykynge of body,
That cam aȝein conscience þat kepere was & gyoure
Ouer kynde crystene and cardynale vertues.
“I conseille,” quod conscience þo “cometh with me, ȝe foles,
In-to vnyte holy-cherche and holde we vs there,
And crye we to kynde þat he come & defende vs,
Foles, fro þis fendes lymes for Piers loue þe plowman.
And crye we to alle þe comune þat þei come to vnite,
And þere abide and bikere aȝein beliales children.”
In-to vnyte holy-cherche and holde we vs there,
And crye we to kynde þat he come & defende vs,
Foles, fro þis fendes lymes for Piers loue þe plowman.
And crye we to alle þe comune þat þei come to vnite,
And þere abide and bikere aȝein beliales children.”
Kynd conscience þo herde and cam out of þe planetes,
And sent forth his foreioures feures & fluxes,
Coughes, and cardiacles crampes, and tothaches,
Rewmes, & radegoundes and roynouse scalles,
Byles, and bocches and brennyng agues;
Frenesyes, & foule yueles forageres of kynde,
Hadde yprykked and prayed polles of peple,
Þat largelich a legioun lese her lyf sone.
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Coughes, and cardiacles crampes, and tothaches,
Rewmes, & radegoundes and roynouse scalles,
Byles, and bocches and brennyng agues;
Frenesyes, & foule yueles forageres of kynde,
Hadde yprykked and prayed polles of peple,
Þat largelich a legioun lese her lyf sone.
There was—“harrow and help! here cometh kynde,
With deth þat is dredful to vndone vs alle!”
With deth þat is dredful to vndone vs alle!”
The lorde that lyued after lust tho alowde cryde
After conforte, a knyghte to come and bere his banere.
“Al-arme! alarme!” quod þat lorde “eche lyf kepe his owne.”
After conforte, a knyghte to come and bere his banere.
“Al-arme! alarme!” quod þat lorde “eche lyf kepe his owne.”
And þanne mette þis men ar mynstralles myȝte pipe,
And ar heraudes of armes hadden descreued lordes.
And ar heraudes of armes hadden descreued lordes.
Elde þe hore he was in þe vauntwarde,
And bare þe banere bifor deth by riȝte he it claymed.
Kynde come after with many kene sores,
As pokkes and pestilences and moche poeple shente;
So kynde þorw corupciouns kulled ful manye.
And bare þe banere bifor deth by riȝte he it claymed.
Kynde come after with many kene sores,
As pokkes and pestilences and moche poeple shente;
So kynde þorw corupciouns kulled ful manye.
Deth cam dryuende after and al to doust passhed
Kynges & knyȝtes kayseres and popes;
Lered ne lewed he let no man stonde,
That he hitte euene þat euere stired after.
Many a louely lady and lemmanes of knyghtes
Swouned and swelted for sorwe of dethes dyntes.
Kynges & knyȝtes kayseres and popes;
Lered ne lewed he let no man stonde,
That he hitte euene þat euere stired after.
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Swouned and swelted for sorwe of dethes dyntes.
Conscience of his curteisye to kynde he bisouȝte,
To cesse & suffre and see where þei wolde
Leue pryde pryuely and be parfite cristene.
To cesse & suffre and see where þei wolde
Leue pryde pryuely and be parfite cristene.
And kynde cessed tho to se þe peple amende.
Fortune gan flateren thenne þo fewe þat were alyue,
And byhight hem longe lyf and lecherye he sent,
Amonges al manere men wedded & vnwedded,
And gadered a gret hoste al agayne conscience.
Fortune gan flateren thenne þo fewe þat were alyue,
And byhight hem longe lyf and lecherye he sent,
Amonges al manere men wedded & vnwedded,
And gadered a gret hoste al agayne conscience.
This lecherye leyde on with a laughyng chiere,
And with pryue speche and peynted wordes,
And armed hym in ydelnesse and in hiegh berynge.
He bare a bowe in his hande and manye blody arwes,
Weren fethered with faire biheste and many a false truthe.
Wit[h] his vntydy tales he tened ful ofte
Conscience and his compaignye of holicherche þe techeres.
And with pryue speche and peynted wordes,
And armed hym in ydelnesse and in hiegh berynge.
He bare a bowe in his hande and manye blody arwes,
Weren fethered with faire biheste and many a false truthe.
Wit[h] his vntydy tales he tened ful ofte
Conscience and his compaignye of holicherche þe techeres.
Thanne cam coueityse and caste how he myȝte
Ouercome conscience and cardynal vertues,
And armed hym in auaryce and hungriliche lyued.
His wepne was al wiles to wynnen & to hyden;
With glosynges and with gabbynges he gyled þe peple.
Symonye hym sent[e] to assaille conscience,
And preched to þe peple and prelates þei hem maden,
To holden with antecryste her temperaltes to saue;
And come to þe kynges conseille as a kene baroun,
And kneled to conscience in courte afor hem alle,
And gart gode feith flee and fals to abide,
And boldeliche bar adown with many a briȝte noble
Moche of þe witte and wisdome of westmynster halle.
He iugged til a iustice and iusted in his ere,
And ouertilte al his treuthe with “take þis vp amendement.”
And to þe arches in haste he ȝede anone after,
And torned Ciuile in-to Symonye and sitthe he toke þe official;
For a [mantel] of menyuere he made lele matrimonye
Departen ar deth cam & deuo[r]s shupte.
Ouercome conscience and cardynal vertues,
And armed hym in auaryce and hungriliche lyued.
His wepne was al wiles to wynnen & to hyden;
With glosynges and with gabbynges he gyled þe peple.
Symonye hym sent[e] to assaille conscience,
And preched to þe peple and prelates þei hem maden,
To holden with antecryste her temperaltes to saue;
373
And kneled to conscience in courte afor hem alle,
And gart gode feith flee and fals to abide,
And boldeliche bar adown with many a briȝte noble
Moche of þe witte and wisdome of westmynster halle.
He iugged til a iustice and iusted in his ere,
And ouertilte al his treuthe with “take þis vp amendement.”
And to þe arches in haste he ȝede anone after,
And torned Ciuile in-to Symonye and sitthe he toke þe official;
For a [mantel] of menyuere he made lele matrimonye
Departen ar deth cam & deuo[r]s shupte.
“Allas!” quod conscience, & cried þo “wolde criste, of his grace,
That coueityse were cristene þat is so kene a fiȝter,
And bolde and bidyng while his bagge lasteth.”
That coueityse were cristene þat is so kene a fiȝter,
And bolde and bidyng while his bagge lasteth.”
And þanne lowgh lyf and leet dagge his clothes,
And armed hym in haste in harlotes wordes,
And helde holynesse a iape and hendenesse a wastour,
And lete leute a cherle and lyer a fre man;
Conscience and conseille he counted it a folye.
And armed hym in haste in harlotes wordes,
And helde holynesse a iape and hendenesse a wastour,
And lete leute a cherle and lyer a fre man;
Conscience and conseille he counted it a folye.
Thus relyed lyf for a litel fortune,
And pryked forth with pryde preyseth he no vertue,
[Ne] careth nouȝte how kynde slow and shal come atte laste,
And culle alle erthely creature[s] saue conscience one.
Lyf leep asyde and lauȝte hym a lemman,
“Heel & I,” quod he “and hieghnesse of herte
Shal do þe nouȝte drede noyther deth ne elde,
And to forȝete sorwe and ȝyue nouȝte of synne.”
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[Ne] careth nouȝte how kynde slow and shal come atte laste,
And culle alle erthely creature[s] saue conscience one.
Lyf leep asyde and lauȝte hym a lemman,
“Heel & I,” quod he “and hieghnesse of herte
Shal do þe nouȝte drede noyther deth ne elde,
And to forȝete sorwe and ȝyue nouȝte of synne.”
This lyked lyf and his lemman fortune,
And geten in her glorie a gadelyng atte laste,
One þat moche wo wrouȝte sleuthe was his name.
Sleuthe wex wonder ȝerne and sone was of age,
And wedded one wanhope a wenche of þe stuwes.
Her syre was a sysour þat neure swore treuthe,
One Thomme two-tonge ateynte at veh a queste.
And geten in her glorie a gadelyng atte laste,
One þat moche wo wrouȝte sleuthe was his name.
Sleuthe wex wonder ȝerne and sone was of age,
And wedded one wanhope a wenche of þe stuwes.
Her syre was a sysour þat neure swore treuthe,
One Thomme two-tonge ateynte at veh a queste.
This sleuthe was war of werre and a slynge made,
And threwe drede of dyspayre a dozein myle aboute.
For care conscience þo cryed vpon elde,
And bad hym fonde to fyȝte and afere wanhope.
And threwe drede of dyspayre a dozein myle aboute.
For care conscience þo cryed vpon elde,
And bad hym fonde to fyȝte and afere wanhope.
And elde hent good hope and hastilich he shifte hym,
And wayued awey wanhope and with lyf he fyȝteth,
And lyf fleigh for fere to fysyke after helpe,
And bisouȝte hym of socoure and of his salue hadde,
And gaf hym golde, good woon þat gladded his herte,
And þei gyuen hym agayne a glasen houve.
Lyf leued þat lechecrafte lette shulde elde,
And dryuen awey deth with dyas and dragges.
And wayued awey wanhope and with lyf he fyȝteth,
And lyf fleigh for fere to fysyke after helpe,
And bisouȝte hym of socoure and of his salue hadde,
And gaf hym golde, good woon þat gladded his herte,
And þei gyuen hym agayne a glasen houve.
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And dryuen awey deth with dyas and dragges.
And elde auntred hym on lyf and atte laste he hitte
A Fisicien with a forred hood þat he fel in a palsye,
And þere deyed þat doctour ar thre dayes after.
“Now I see,” seyde lyf “þat surgerye ne Fisyke
May nouȝte a myte auaille to medle aȝein elde;”
And in hope of his hele gode herte he hente,
And rode so to reuel a ryche place and a merye,
The companye of conforte men cleped it sumtyme.
And elde anone after me and ouer myne heed ȝede,
And made me balled bifore and bare on þe croune,
So harde he ȝede ouer myn hed it wil be seen eure.
A Fisicien with a forred hood þat he fel in a palsye,
And þere deyed þat doctour ar thre dayes after.
“Now I see,” seyde lyf “þat surgerye ne Fisyke
May nouȝte a myte auaille to medle aȝein elde;”
And in hope of his hele gode herte he hente,
And rode so to reuel a ryche place and a merye,
The companye of conforte men cleped it sumtyme.
And elde anone after me and ouer myne heed ȝede,
And made me balled bifore and bare on þe croune,
So harde he ȝede ouer myn hed it wil be seen eure.
“Sire euel-ytauȝte elde,” quod I “vnhende go with the!
Sith whanne was þe way ouer [mennes] hedes?
Haddestow be hende,” quod I “þow woldest haue asked leue!”
Sith whanne was þe way ouer [mennes] hedes?
Haddestow be hende,” quod I “þow woldest haue asked leue!”
“Ȝe! leue lordeyne,” quod he and leyde on me with age,
And hitte me vnder þe ere vnethe may ich here;
He buffeted me aboute þe mouthe & bett[e] out my tethe,
And gyued me in goutes I may nouȝte go at large.
And of þe wo þat I was in my wyf had reuthe,
And wisshed ful witterly þat I were in heuene.
For þe lyme þat she loued me fore and leef was to fele,
On nyȝtes namely whan we naked were,
I ne myght in no manere maken it at hir wille,
So elde and she sothly hadden it forbeten.
And hitte me vnder þe ere vnethe may ich here;
He buffeted me aboute þe mouthe & bett[e] out my tethe,
And gyued me in goutes I may nouȝte go at large.
And of þe wo þat I was in my wyf had reuthe,
And wisshed ful witterly þat I were in heuene.
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On nyȝtes namely whan we naked were,
I ne myght in no manere maken it at hir wille,
So elde and she sothly hadden it forbeten.
And as I seet in þis sorwe I say how kynde passed,
And deth drowgh niegh me for drede gan I quake,
And cried to kynde out of care me brynge.
“Loo! elde þe hoore hath me biseye,
Awreke me, if ȝowre wille be for I wolde ben hennes.”
And deth drowgh niegh me for drede gan I quake,
And cried to kynde out of care me brynge.
“Loo! elde þe hoore hath me biseye,
Awreke me, if ȝowre wille be for I wolde ben hennes.”
“Ȝif þow wilt ben ywroken wende in-to vnite,
And holde þe þere eure tyl I sende for þe,
And loke þow conne somme crafte ar þow come þennes.”
“Conseille me, kynde,” quod I “what crafte is best to lerne?”
And holde þe þere eure tyl I sende for þe,
And loke þow conne somme crafte ar þow come þennes.”
“Conseille me, kynde,” quod I “what crafte is best to lerne?”
“Lerne to loue,” quod kynde “& leue of alle othre.”
“How shal I come to catel so to clothe me and to fede?”
“And þow loue lelly,” quod he “lakke shal þe neure
Mete ne wor[l]dly wede whil þi lyf lasteth.”
“And þow loue lelly,” quod he “lakke shal þe neure
Mete ne wor[l]dly wede whil þi lyf lasteth.”
And þere, by conseille of kynde I comsed to rowme
Thorw contricioun & confessioun tyl I cam to vnite;
And þere was conscience constable cristene to saue,
And biseged sothly with seuene grete gyauntz,
Þat with Antecrist helden hard aȝein conscience.
Thorw contricioun & confessioun tyl I cam to vnite;
And þere was conscience constable cristene to saue,
And biseged sothly with seuene grete gyauntz,
Þat with Antecrist helden hard aȝein conscience.
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Sleuth with his slynge an hard saut he made,
Proude prestes come with hym moo þan a thousand,
In paltokes & pyked shoes & pisseres longe knyues,
Comen aȝein conscience; with coueityse þei helden.
Proude prestes come with hym moo þan a thousand,
In paltokes & pyked shoes & pisseres longe knyues,
Comen aȝein conscience; with coueityse þei helden.
“By Marie,” quod a mansed preste of þe marche of yrlonde,
“I counte namore conscience bi so I cacche syluer,
Than I do to drynke a drauȝte of good ale!”
And so seide sexty of þe same contreye,
And shoten aȝein with shotte many a shef of othes,
And brode hoked arwes goddes herte, & his nayles,
And hadden almost vnyte and holynesse adowne.
“I counte namore conscience bi so I cacche syluer,
Than I do to drynke a drauȝte of good ale!”
And so seide sexty of þe same contreye,
And shoten aȝein with shotte many a shef of othes,
And brode hoked arwes goddes herte, & his nayles,
And hadden almost vnyte and holynesse adowne.
Conscience cryed, “helpe clergye, or ellis I falle
Thorw inparfit prestes and prelates of holicherche.”
Freres herden hym crye and comen hym to helpe,
Ac for þei couth nouȝte wel her craft conscience forsoke hem.
Thorw inparfit prestes and prelates of holicherche.”
Freres herden hym crye and comen hym to helpe,
Ac for þei couth nouȝte wel her craft conscience forsoke hem.
Nede neghed tho nere and conscience he tolde
That þei come for coueityse to haue cure of soules—
“And for þei arn poure, par auenture for patrimoigne hem failleth,
Thei wil flatre, to fare wel folke þat ben riche;
And sithen þei chosen chele and [cheytif] pouerte,
Lat hem chewe as þei chese and charge hem with no cure!
For lomer he lyeth þat lyflode mote begge,
Þan he þat laboureth for lyflode & leneth it beggeres.
And sithen Freres forsoke þe felicite of erthe,
Lat hem be as beggeres or lyue by angeles fode!”
That þei come for coueityse to haue cure of soules—
“And for þei arn poure, par auenture for patrimoigne hem failleth,
Thei wil flatre, to fare wel folke þat ben riche;
And sithen þei chosen chele and [cheytif] pouerte,
Lat hem chewe as þei chese and charge hem with no cure!
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Þan he þat laboureth for lyflode & leneth it beggeres.
And sithen Freres forsoke þe felicite of erthe,
Lat hem be as beggeres or lyue by angeles fode!”
Conscience of þis conseille þo comsed forto laughe,
And curtei[s]lich conforted hem and called in alle freres,
And seide, “sires, sothly welcome be ȝe alle
To vnite and holicherche ac on thyng I ȝow preye,
Holdeth ȝow in vnyte and haueth none envye
To lered ne to lewed but lyueth after ȝowre rewle.
And I wil be ȝowre borghe ȝe shal haue bred and clothes,
And other necessaries [I-nowe] ȝow shal no thyng faille,
With þat ȝe leue logyk and lerneth for to louye.
For loue laft þei lordship bothe londe and scole,
Frere Fraunceys and Dominyk for loue to ben holy.
And if ȝe coueyteth cure kynde wil ȝow teche,
And curtei[s]lich conforted hem and called in alle freres,
And seide, “sires, sothly welcome be ȝe alle
To vnite and holicherche ac on thyng I ȝow preye,
Holdeth ȝow in vnyte and haueth none envye
To lered ne to lewed but lyueth after ȝowre rewle.
And I wil be ȝowre borghe ȝe shal haue bred and clothes,
And other necessaries [I-nowe] ȝow shal no thyng faille,
With þat ȝe leue logyk and lerneth for to louye.
For loue laft þei lordship bothe londe and scole,
Frere Fraunceys and Dominyk for loue to ben holy.
That in mesure god made alle manere thynges,
And sette [hem] at a certeyne and at a syker noumbre,
And nempned names newe and noumbred þe sterres;
Qui numerat multitudinem stellarum, & omnibus eis [nomina vocat], &c.
Kynges & knyghtes þat kepen and defenden,
Han officers vnder hem and vch of hem certeyne;
And if þei wage men to werre þei write hem in noumbre,
[Or] wil no tresorere hem paye trauaille þei neure so sore.
Alle other in bataille ben yholde bribours,
Pilours and pykehernois in eche a place ycursed.
Han officers vnder hem and vch of hem certeyne;
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[Or] wil no tresorere hem paye trauaille þei neure so sore.
Alle other in bataille ben yholde bribours,
Pilours and pykehernois in eche a place ycursed.
Monkes and monyals and alle men of Religioun
Her ordre and her reule wil to han a certeyne noumbre.
Of lewed and of lered þe lawe wol and axeth
A certeyn for a certeyne saue onelich of freres.
For-þi,” quod conscience, “by cryst kynde witte me telleth,
It is wikked to wage ȝow ȝe wexeth out of noumbre!
Heuene hath euene noumbre and helle is with-out noumbre;
For-þi I wolde witterly þat ȝe were in þe Registre,
And ȝowre noumbre vndre notarie[s] sygne & noyther mo ne lasse!”
Her ordre and her reule wil to han a certeyne noumbre.
Of lewed and of lered þe lawe wol and axeth
A certeyn for a certeyne saue onelich of freres.
For-þi,” quod conscience, “by cryst kynde witte me telleth,
It is wikked to wage ȝow ȝe wexeth out of noumbre!
Heuene hath euene noumbre and helle is with-out noumbre;
For-þi I wolde witterly þat ȝe were in þe Registre,
And ȝowre noumbre vndre notarie[s] sygne & noyther mo ne lasse!”
Enuye herd þis and heet freres to go to scole,
And lerne logyk and lawe and eke contemplacioun,
And preche men of plato and preue it by Seneca,
Þat alle þinges vnder heuene ouȝte to ben in comune.
And ȝit he lyeth, as I leue þat to þe lewed so precheth,
And lerne logyk and lawe and eke contemplacioun,
And preche men of plato and preue it by Seneca,
Þat alle þinges vnder heuene ouȝte to ben in comune.
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Non concupisces rem proximi tui.
And euele is þis yholde in parisches of engelonde,For persones and parishprestes þat shulde þe peple shryue,
Ben curatoures called to knowe and to hele,
Alle þat ben her parisshiens penaunce to enioigne,
And shulden be ashamed in her shrifte; ac shame maketh hem wende,
And fleen to þe freres as fals folke to westmynstre,
That borweth and bereth it þider and þanne biddeth frendes
Ȝerne of forȝifnesse or lenger ȝeres [lone];
Ac whil he is in westmynstre he wil be bifore,
And make hym merye with other mennes goodis.
And so it fareth with moche folke þat to þe freres shryueth,
As sysours and excecutours þei wil [ȝyue þe] freres
A parcel to preye for hem & make hem-self myrye
With þe residue and þe remenaunt þat other men biswonke,
And suffre þe ded in dette to þe day of dome.
And make hym merye with other mennes goodis.
And so it fareth with moche folke þat to þe freres shryueth,
As sysours and excecutours þei wil [ȝyue þe] freres
A parcel to preye for hem & make hem-self myrye
With þe residue and þe remenaunt þat other men biswonke,
And suffre þe ded in dette to þe day of dome.
Enuye herfore hated conscience,
And freres to philosofye he fonde hem to scole,
The while coueytise and vnkyndenesse conscience assailled.
In vnite holycherche conscience helde hym,
And made pees porter to pynne þe ȝates
Of alle taletellers and tyterers in ydel.
Ypocrisye and he an hard saut þei made.
Ypocrysie atte ȝate hard gan fiȝte,
And wounded wel wykkedly many [a] wise techer,
Þat with conscience acorded and cardinale vertues.
Conscience called a leche þat coude wel shryue,
“Go salue þo þat syke ben [and] þorw synne ywounded.”
Shrifte shope sharpe salue and made men do penaunce
For her mysdedes þat þei wrouȝte hadden,
And þat piers were payed redde quod debes.
And freres to philosofye he fonde hem to scole,
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In vnite holycherche conscience helde hym,
And made pees porter to pynne þe ȝates
Of alle taletellers and tyterers in ydel.
Ypocrisye and he an hard saut þei made.
Ypocrysie atte ȝate hard gan fiȝte,
And wounded wel wykkedly many [a] wise techer,
Þat with conscience acorded and cardinale vertues.
Conscience called a leche þat coude wel shryue,
“Go salue þo þat syke ben [and] þorw synne ywounded.”
Shrifte shope sharpe salue and made men do penaunce
For her mysdedes þat þei wrouȝte hadden,
And þat piers were payed redde quod debes.
Somme lyked nouȝte þis leche and lettres þei sent,
Ȝif any surgien were [in] þe sege þat softer couth plastre.
Sire lief-to-lyue-in-leccherye lay þere and groned;
For fastyng of a fryday he ferde as he wolde deye.
“Ther is a surgiene in þis sege þat soft[e] can handle,
And more of phisyke bi fer and fairer he plastreth,
One frere flaterere is phisiciene and surgiene.”
Quod contricioun to conscience “do hym come to vnyte,
For here is many a man herte þorw ypocrisie.”
Ȝif any surgien were [in] þe sege þat softer couth plastre.
Sire lief-to-lyue-in-leccherye lay þere and groned;
For fastyng of a fryday he ferde as he wolde deye.
“Ther is a surgiene in þis sege þat soft[e] can handle,
And more of phisyke bi fer and fairer he plastreth,
One frere flaterere is phisiciene and surgiene.”
Quod contricioun to conscience “do hym come to vnyte,
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“We han no nede,” quod conscience “I wote no better leche
Than persoun or parissh prest penytancere or bisshop,
Saue Piers þe plowman þat hath powere ouer hem alle,
And indulgence may do but if dette lette it.
I may wel suffre,” seyde conscience “syn ȝe desiren,
That frere flaterer be fette and phisike ȝow syke.”
Than persoun or parissh prest penytancere or bisshop,
Saue Piers þe plowman þat hath powere ouer hem alle,
And indulgence may do but if dette lette it.
I may wel suffre,” seyde conscience “syn ȝe desiren,
That frere flaterer be fette and phisike ȝow syke.”
The Frere her-of herde and hyed faste
To a lorde for a lettre leue to haue to curen,
As a curatour he were and cam with his lettres
Baldly to þe bisshop & his brief hadde,
In contrees þere he come in confessiouns to here,
And cam þere conscience was and knokked atte ȝate.
To a lorde for a lettre leue to haue to curen,
As a curatour he were and cam with his lettres
Baldly to þe bisshop & his brief hadde,
In contrees þere he come in confessiouns to here,
And cam þere conscience was and knokked atte ȝate.
Pees vnpynned it was porter of vnyte,
And in haste asked “what his wille were?”
“In faith,” quod þis frere “for profit and for helthe
Carpe I wolde with contricioun & þerfore come I hider.”
And in haste asked “what his wille were?”
“In faith,” quod þis frere “for profit and for helthe
Carpe I wolde with contricioun & þerfore come I hider.”
“He is sike,” seide pees “and so ar many other,
Ypocrisie hath herte hem ful harde is if þei keure.”
“I am a surgien,” seide þe segge “and salues can make;
Conscience knoweth me wel and what I can do bothe.”
“I preye þe,” quod pees þo “ar þow passe ferther,
What hattestow, I preye þe? hele nouȝte þi name.”
Ypocrisie hath herte hem ful harde is if þei keure.”
“I am a surgien,” seide þe segge “and salues can make;
Conscience knoweth me wel and what I can do bothe.”
“I preye þe,” quod pees þo “ar þow passe ferther,
What hattestow, I preye þe? hele nouȝte þi name.”
“Certes,” seyde his felow “sire penetrans-domos.”
“Ȝe, go þi gate,” quod pees “bi god, for al þi phisyk,
But þow conne somme crafte þow comest nouȝt her-Inne!
I knewe such one ones nouȝte eighte wynter passed,
Come in þus ycoped at a courte þere I dwelt,
And was my lordes leche & my ladyes bothe.
And at þe last þis limitour þo my lorde was out,
He salued so owre wommen til somme were with childe!”
Hende-speche het pees opene þe ȝates—
“Late in þe frere and his felawe and make hem faire chere.
He may se and here so it may bifalle,
That lyf þorw his lore shal leue coueityse,
And be adradde of deth and with-drawe hym fram pryde,
And acorde with conscience and kisse her either other.”
Thus thorw hende-speche entred þe frere,
And cam in-to conscience and curteisly hym grette,
“Þow art welcome,” quod conscience “canstow hele þe syke?
Here is contricioun,” quod conscience “my cosyn, ywounded,
Conforte hym,” quod conscience “and take kepe to his sores;
The plastres of þe persoun and poudres biten to sore,
He lat hem ligge ouerlonge and loth is to chaunge hem;
Fro lenten to lenten he lat his plastres bite.”
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But þow conne somme crafte þow comest nouȝt her-Inne!
I knewe such one ones nouȝte eighte wynter passed,
Come in þus ycoped at a courte þere I dwelt,
And was my lordes leche & my ladyes bothe.
And at þe last þis limitour þo my lorde was out,
He salued so owre wommen til somme were with childe!”
Hende-speche het pees opene þe ȝates—
“Late in þe frere and his felawe and make hem faire chere.
He may se and here so it may bifalle,
That lyf þorw his lore shal leue coueityse,
And be adradde of deth and with-drawe hym fram pryde,
And acorde with conscience and kisse her either other.”
Thus thorw hende-speche entred þe frere,
And cam in-to conscience and curteisly hym grette,
“Þow art welcome,” quod conscience “canstow hele þe syke?
Here is contricioun,” quod conscience “my cosyn, ywounded,
Conforte hym,” quod conscience “and take kepe to his sores;
The plastres of þe persoun and poudres biten to sore,
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Fro lenten to lenten he lat his plastres bite.”
“That is ouerlonge,” quod this limitour “I leue I shal amende it;”—
And goth and gropeth contricioun and gaf hym a plastre
Of “a pryue payement and I shal praye for ȝow,
For alle þat ȝe ben holde to al my lyf tyme,
And make ȝow, my lady in masse and in matynes,
As freres of owre fraternite for a litel syluer.”
And goth and gropeth contricioun and gaf hym a plastre
Of “a pryue payement and I shal praye for ȝow,
For alle þat ȝe ben holde to al my lyf tyme,
And make ȝow, my lady in masse and in matynes,
As freres of owre fraternite for a litel syluer.”
Thus he goth and gadereth and gloseth þere he shryueth,
Tyl contricioun hadde clene forȝeten to crye & to wepe,
And wake for his wykked werkes as he was wont to done.
For confort of his confessour contricioun he lafte,
Þat is þe souereynest salue for alkyn synnes.
Tyl contricioun hadde clene forȝeten to crye & to wepe,
And wake for his wykked werkes as he was wont to done.
For confort of his confessour contricioun he lafte,
Þat is þe souereynest salue for alkyn synnes.
Sleuth seigh þat and so did pryde,
And come with a kene wille conscience to assaille.
Conscience cryde eft and bad clergye help hym,
And also contricioun forto kepe þe ȝate.
“He lith and dremeth,” seyde pees “and so do many other;
The Frere with his phisik þis folke hath enchaunted,
And plastred hem so esyly þei drede no synne.”
And come with a kene wille conscience to assaille.
Conscience cryde eft and bad clergye help hym,
And also contricioun forto kepe þe ȝate.
“He lith and dremeth,” seyde pees “and so do many other;
The Frere with his phisik þis folke hath enchaunted,
And plastred hem so esyly þei drede no synne.”
“Bi cryste,” quod conscience þo “I wil bicome a pilgryme,
And walken as wyde as al þe [worlde] lasteth,
To seke Piers þe plowman þat pryde may destruye,
And þat freres hadde a fyndyng þat for nede flateren,
And contrepleteth me, conscience; now kynde me auenge,
And sende me happe and hele til I haue piers þe plowman!”
And sitthe he gradde after grace til I gan awake.
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To seke Piers þe plowman þat pryde may destruye,
And þat freres hadde a fyndyng þat for nede flateren,
And contrepleteth me, conscience; now kynde me auenge,
And sende me happe and hele til I haue piers þe plowman!”
And sitthe he gradde after grace til I gan awake.
| The Vision of William concerning Piers the Plowman | |