The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man Englisht by John Lydgate, A.D. 1426, from the French of Guillaume De Deguileville, A.D. 1330, 1355. The Text Edited by F. J. Furnivall ... With Introduction, Notes, Glossary and Indexes by Katharine B. Locock |
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The testament off Cryst Ihesu. |
 | The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man |  |
The testament off Cryst Ihesu.
I, Ihesu, sone of Marye,
Wych namyd am (with-outë lye)
Trouthe, Sothfast lyff, & weye,
Now to-forn or that I deye,
The deth off whom ys ful certeyne,
And how I shal endurë peyne;
But to-forn, of good entent
I wyl mak my testament.
Wych namyd am (with-outë lye)
Trouthe, Sothfast lyff, & weye,
Now to-forn or that I deye,
The deth off whom ys ful certeyne,
And how I shal endurë peyne;
But to-forn, of good entent
I wyl mak my testament.
‘And fyrst off allë, wylfully
I be-quethë enterly
My soule vn-to my Fader dere,
That syt above the sterrys clere,
Yt to kepen & conveye,
And to governe yt in the weye
Whan yt shal descendë doun
In-to the dyrkë mansyoun
Off the foulë pyt of helle,
Wher as fendys euere dwelle,
My frendys ther to fette a-way,
Wych ha be ther se many day,
To delyvere hem out off wo.
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My soule vn-to my Fader dere,
That syt above the sterrys clere,
Yt to kepen & conveye,
And to governe yt in the weye
Whan yt shal descendë doun
In-to the dyrkë mansyoun
Off the foulë pyt of helle,
Wher as fendys euere dwelle,
My frendys ther to fette a-way,
Wych ha be ther se many day,
To delyvere hem out off wo.
‘And my body, I quethe also
To the sepulkre, for dayës thre,
Wych Ioseph hath mad for me.
Wych Body I leve also
To trewe pylgrymës that her go,
As thyng that most may hem avaylle
Hem to releue in ther travaylle;
As cheff Repast, hem to sustene
In ther vyage ageyn al tene.
Myn herte I quethe (ek of entent,)
To all that my comaundëment
Kepe, to ther power feythfully,
And my statútys enterly.
To the sepulkre, for dayës thre,
Wych Ioseph hath mad for me.
Wych Body I leve also
To trewe pylgrymës that her go,
As thyng that most may hem avaylle
Hem to releue in ther travaylle;
As cheff Repast, hem to sustene
In ther vyage ageyn al tene.
Myn herte I quethe (ek of entent,)
To all that my comaundëment
Kepe, to ther power feythfully,
And my statútys enterly.
‘My Moder, I leue to Seyn Iohan,
To be a-vaytyng euere in on
Vp-on hyre, in al the smerte
That she shal felyn at hyr herte,
Whan she me seth in gret mescheff,
Lad to my deth-ward as a theff;
Wych shal thorgh hyr hertë blyve,
Sharper than any swerd y-Ryve,
And maken hyre in Terys drowne,
And offtë sythës for to swowne
Off verray moderly pyte:
But than shal Iohan hyr socour be
In hyr lamentacïouns,
ffor trouble off my passïouns,
To coumforte hyre in al hyr wo.
To be a-vaytyng euere in on
Vp-on hyre, in al the smerte
That she shal felyn at hyr herte,
Whan she me seth in gret mescheff,
Lad to my deth-ward as a theff;
Wych shal thorgh hyr hertë blyve,
Sharper than any swerd y-Ryve,
And maken hyre in Terys drowne,
And offtë sythës for to swowne
Off verray moderly pyte:
But than shal Iohan hyr socour be
In hyr lamentacïouns,
ffor trouble off my passïouns,
To coumforte hyre in al hyr wo.
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‘And to Seyn Iohan I leve also,
That he may han perséueraunce
To sen me in my gret suffraunce;
ffor, he ys my frend certeyn,
And so am I to hym ageyn
ffrendly, off verray kyndënesse,
Wych ys not meynt with doubylnesse.
That he may han perséueraunce
To sen me in my gret suffraunce;
ffor, he ys my frend certeyn,
And so am I to hym ageyn
ffrendly, off verray kyndënesse,
Wych ys not meynt with doubylnesse.
‘My blood, I quethe ek for Raunsoun
To al that haue compassïoun
Off my deth, & ek of me,
And off the grete aduersyte
That I endurë for her sake.
To allë swych my blood I take,
That kepe hem clenë out off synne,
Therby that they may hevene wynne
Ageyn al persecucyoun
Off the ffendys temptacïoun;
Ageyn hys myght hem to provyde,
The largë wonde vp-on my syde
Al hope, I geue hem to refut.
To al that haue compassïoun
Off my deth, & ek of me,
And off the grete aduersyte
That I endurë for her sake.
To allë swych my blood I take,
That kepe hem clenë out off synne,
Therby that they may hevene wynne
Ageyn al persecucyoun
Off the ffendys temptacïoun;
Ageyn hys myght hem to provyde,
The largë wonde vp-on my syde
Al hope, I geue hem to refut.
‘To with-stonde hys fellë sut,
As champyouns with hym to stryve,
My wondys I geue hem alle fyve;
The grete karectys, brood & Reede,
To plete for hem whan they ha nede,
I make ther vocat of my blood;
And thogh ther causë be nat good,
With synne Apeyred, & trespace,
Ther-by that they may getë grace,
Only of mercy & pyte
Reconcyled ageyn to me,
A-noon, as they ha répentaunce,
And Amende hem by penaunce,
And preye to me in ther dystresse,
ffor to graunte hem forgyffnesse.
As champyouns with hym to stryve,
My wondys I geue hem alle fyve;
The grete karectys, brood & Reede,
To plete for hem whan they ha nede,
I make ther vocat of my blood;
And thogh ther causë be nat good,
With synne Apeyred, & trespace,
Ther-by that they may getë grace,
Only of mercy & pyte
Reconcyled ageyn to me,
A-noon, as they ha répentaunce,
And Amende hem by penaunce,
And preye to me in ther dystresse,
ffor to graunte hem forgyffnesse.
‘And to save hem fro meschaunce,
I makë ek an ordynavnce
Lawës to be rad & songe,
Compyled off myn ownë tonge,
Wych I be-quethe to yong & olde,
I makë ek an ordynavnce
Lawës to be rad & songe,
Compyled off myn ownë tonge,
Wych I be-quethe to yong & olde,
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‘To plete for hem, & pleës holde
To-for myn ownë Ffader dere,
In al ther nedys fer & nere,
Ther to ben her aduocat.
And (tavoyden al debat,)
I shal for hem be swych a mene,
Off synne to putte away the tene,
The tenys off eternal wo.
To-for myn ownë Ffader dere,
In al ther nedys fer & nere,
Ther to ben her aduocat.
And (tavoyden al debat,)
I shal for hem be swych a mene,
Off synne to putte away the tene,
The tenys off eternal wo.
‘And my pes, I gyue also
To al the world in hábondaunce,
Wherby they may hem sylff avaunce
And ffraunchysen at the beste,
Therby euere to lyve in reste,
In perfyt Ioyë ay tabounde,
Yiff the ffautë be nat founde
In them sylff, for lak off grace
Yt to refuse for ther trespace:
ffor, in pes ay to perséuere,
So ffayr a gyfftë gaff I neuere,
My sylff except, vn-to no man,
Syth tymë that the world be-gan.
ffor who consydreth, & loke wel,
Pes ys the parfyt Iowel
That al Rychessë doth transcende.
Verray pes doth ek amende
Al vertues that men kan nevene;
And pees was fyrst wrought in heuene,
Off thylkë souereyn Carpenter
That syt aboue the sterrys cler,
That forgyd fyrst, (who lyst look,)
With-outen any noyse or strook:
Strook nor noyse maken no pes,
But they yt brekë doutëles.
To al the world in hábondaunce,
Wherby they may hem sylff avaunce
And ffraunchysen at the beste,
Therby euere to lyve in reste,
In perfyt Ioyë ay tabounde,
Yiff the ffautë be nat founde
In them sylff, for lak off grace
Yt to refuse for ther trespace:
ffor, in pes ay to perséuere,
So ffayr a gyfftë gaff I neuere,
My sylff except, vn-to no man,
Syth tymë that the world be-gan.
ffor who consydreth, & loke wel,
Pes ys the parfyt Iowel
That al Rychessë doth transcende.
Verray pes doth ek amende
Al vertues that men kan nevene;
And pees was fyrst wrought in heuene,
Off thylkë souereyn Carpenter
That syt aboue the sterrys cler,
That forgyd fyrst, (who lyst look,)
With-outen any noyse or strook:
Strook nor noyse maken no pes,
But they yt brekë doutëles.
‘Wherfore, As semeth vn-to me,
Yt ys good that the exaumple be
Off pes yput in Rémembraunce,
Wych ys the ground off al plesaunce.
And off thys pes, by good Reson,
That ther be shewyd a patrovn,
To knowe the verray exaumpleyre,
And tavoyden hys contrayre.
Verryly in portrature
Ye shal sen her the ffygure.
The portrature off pes to make,
Yt ys good that the exaumple be
Off pes yput in Rémembraunce,
Wych ys the ground off al plesaunce.
And off thys pes, by good Reson,
That ther be shewyd a patrovn,
To knowe the verray exaumpleyre,
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Verryly in portrature
Ye shal sen her the ffygure.
The portrature off pes to make,
‘ffyrst ye shal a squyre take,
A Squyre off a carpenter;
And ye shal vsë thys maner:
ffyrst, to done your bysynesse,
The Ton ende vp-ward to dresse
Hih a-lofftë, ryht as lyne;
And ferthermor to détermyne,
The tother endë lower doun,
So that (in conclusïoun)
The Angle corner in your syht,
Wych Ioyneth the Endys lynë ryht;
In wych corner (yiff ye lyst wyte,)
Ther ys in soth An ‘A’ ywryte.
Than lynealy, yiff ye descende
Doun vn-to the lower ende,
Ye shal fyndë wryte A, ‘P,’
And alderhyest ye shal se
In that ende An ‘X’ yset;
And whan thys lettrys ben yknet,
Ioyned in on, who kan espye,
Parfyt pes they sygnyfye.
And overmor, thys lettrys thre
Ar tooknys, that in vnyte
He sholde ha verray loue & pes,
With thre thyngës doutëles.
He that hath pocessïoun
Off thys Iowel, most off Renoun,
And he to whom Cryst hath yt take,
Sholdë kepë for hys sake
Pes with euery maner whyht.
A Squyre off a carpenter;
And ye shal vsë thys maner:
ffyrst, to done your bysynesse,
The Ton ende vp-ward to dresse
Hih a-lofftë, ryht as lyne;
And ferthermor to détermyne,
The tother endë lower doun,
So that (in conclusïoun)
The Angle corner in your syht,
Wych Ioyneth the Endys lynë ryht;
In wych corner (yiff ye lyst wyte,)
Ther ys in soth An ‘A’ ywryte.
Than lynealy, yiff ye descende
Doun vn-to the lower ende,
Ye shal fyndë wryte A, ‘P,’
And alderhyest ye shal se
In that ende An ‘X’ yset;
And whan thys lettrys ben yknet,
Ioyned in on, who kan espye,
Parfyt pes they sygnyfye.
And overmor, thys lettrys thre
Ar tooknys, that in vnyte
He sholde ha verray loue & pes,
With thre thyngës doutëles.
He that hath pocessïoun
Off thys Iowel, most off Renoun,
And he to whom Cryst hath yt take,
Sholdë kepë for hys sake
Pes with euery maner whyht.
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‘And fyrst above, as yt ys ryht,
Wher as the .X. condygnëly
Ys set a-loffte, as most worthy;
By wych (yiff yt be espyed,)
I am trewly sygnyfyed,
In tookne that noon be rekkëles,
ffyrst to hauë parfyt pes
With God & me, wych byth al on,
And may neuere assonder gon;
And also (as I shal devyse,)
That he (in no maner wyse)
Ne do no thyng in no degre
Wych that sholde dysplesë me:
And yiff yt happe, off neclygence,
A-geyn me that he do offence,
In allë haste that he hym peyne
To with-drawe hym and Restreyne
ffrom alle evellys, for my sake
And that he amendys make,
Hys trespasse to ben a-knowe.
Wher as the .X. condygnëly
Ys set a-loffte, as most worthy;
By wych (yiff yt be espyed,)
I am trewly sygnyfyed,
In tookne that noon be rekkëles,
ffyrst to hauë parfyt pes
With God & me, wych byth al on,
And may neuere assonder gon;
And also (as I shal devyse,)
That he (in no maner wyse)
Ne do no thyng in no degre
Wych that sholde dysplesë me:
And yiff yt happe, off neclygence,
A-geyn me that he do offence,
In allë haste that he hym peyne
To with-drawe hym and Restreyne
ffrom alle evellys, for my sake
And that he amendys make,
Hys trespasse to ben a-knowe.
‘And in the corner that stent lowe,
Wher as ye sen An ‘A’ stonde,
Ther-by pleynly ys vnderstonde
The sowle off man, with whom ech whyht
Sholde ha pes, of verray ryht.
So that in a manhys thouht
Synderesis ne gruchchë nouht,—
(Synderesys, to speke in pleyn,
Ys as mychë for to seyn,
By notable descripcïoun,
The hiher party of Resoun;
Wherby A man shal best discerne
Hys conscïencë to governe,)—
Thorgh no trespace nor offence,
By no Remors off conscïence;
Lat euery man tak hed her-to,
And with your neyhëbour also
‘Ye most ha pes & vnyte,
Sych ys ytokenyd by the .p.
And ys yset fyrst off echon.
Wher as ye sen An ‘A’ stonde,
Ther-by pleynly ys vnderstonde
The sowle off man, with whom ech whyht
Sholde ha pes, of verray ryht.
So that in a manhys thouht
Synderesis ne gruchchë nouht,—
(Synderesys, to speke in pleyn,
Ys as mychë for to seyn,
By notable descripcïoun,
The hiher party of Resoun;
Wherby A man shal best discerne
Hys conscïencë to governe,)—
Thorgh no trespace nor offence,
By no Remors off conscïence;
Lat euery man tak hed her-to,
And with your neyhëbour also
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Sych ys ytokenyd by the .p.
And ys yset fyrst off echon.
‘And that ye sholdë be al on,
Thexaumple techeth yow ful wel,
(Yiff ye consydren euerydel,)
How ye bothen, in O lyne
Stonde, & may yt not declyne.
Lyneally, yt ys noon other,
As brother verrayly to brother,
Nature wyl that yt so be,
Hih and lowh, off o degre,
Bothë tweyne ymade lyche;
The porë man & ek the ryche,
At the gynnyng, as ye shal lere,
Al forgyd wern of O matere,
Touchyng ther ffyrste orygynal,
And bothë tweynë be mortal;
The Ton, the tother, in certeyne
They be but wermës bothë tweyne,
And they ne kan hem sylffe nat kepe,
But that they shall to erthë krepe;
When that deth doth hem assaylle.
Thexaumple techeth yow ful wel,
(Yiff ye consydren euerydel,)
How ye bothen, in O lyne
Stonde, & may yt not declyne.
Lyneally, yt ys noon other,
As brother verrayly to brother,
Nature wyl that yt so be,
Hih and lowh, off o degre,
Bothë tweyne ymade lyche;
The porë man & ek the ryche,
At the gynnyng, as ye shal lere,
Al forgyd wern of O matere,
Touchyng ther ffyrste orygynal,
And bothë tweynë be mortal;
The Ton, the tother, in certeyne
They be but wermës bothë tweyne,
And they ne kan hem sylffe nat kepe,
But that they shall to erthë krepe;
When that deth doth hem assaylle.
‘ffor what ys worth, or may avaylle,
A feloun herte or hardynesse,
Daunger, despyt or sturdynesse,
Nat may socoure vp-on no syde,
Ther deynous port, ther gretë pryde,
Yt may hem done noon avauntage,
ffor al shal passe By o passage,
And by on hole off gret streihtnesse;
Powerte & ek rychesse,
Al goth O way, bothe gret & smal;
Excepcïoun ys noon at al,
To helpyn in thys streihtë nede.
A feloun herte or hardynesse,
Daunger, despyt or sturdynesse,
Nat may socoure vp-on no syde,
Ther deynous port, ther gretë pryde,
Yt may hem done noon avauntage,
ffor al shal passe By o passage,
And by on hole off gret streihtnesse;
Powerte & ek rychesse,
Al goth O way, bothe gret & smal;
Excepcïoun ys noon at al,
To helpyn in thys streihtë nede.
‘Wherfor euery man take hede,
Thorgh pryde to be nat rekkëles,
Thys rychë Iowel callyd pes,
To kepe yt wel, & lese yt nouht.
Thorgh pryde to be nat rekkëles,
Thys rychë Iowel callyd pes,
To kepe yt wel, & lese yt nouht.
‘And euery man, in herte & thouht
‘Do hys dyllygent labóur,
To ha pes with hys neihëbour,
As roote off al perfeccioun,
Vp to parforme the patroun
Off vnyte & sothfast pes,
Tendure & lasten endëles;
So as yt ouht, off iust resoun,
As tookne off the tabellyoun,
With wych, in pes and vnyte,
Al testamentys sholdë be
Sygned & markyd comounly,
And ek confermyd openly.
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To ha pes with hys neihëbour,
As roote off al perfeccioun,
Vp to parforme the patroun
Off vnyte & sothfast pes,
Tendure & lasten endëles;
So as yt ouht, off iust resoun,
As tookne off the tabellyoun,
With wych, in pes and vnyte,
Al testamentys sholdë be
Sygned & markyd comounly,
And ek confermyd openly.
‘And tovchyng her thys wryt present,
Callyd of Cryst the testament,
With tookne off tabellioun,
I markë off entencyoun
To last in pes & vnyte.’
Callyd of Cryst the testament,
With tookne off tabellioun,
I markë off entencyoun
To last in pes & vnyte.’
And whan thys lady Charyte
Hadde Radd and yoven off Entent
The pes off Cristes Testament
To allë folkys that were there,
Chargynge hem, off herte entere,
Affter the fformë euerydel,
Al ther lyve to kepe yt wel,—
Anoon a-geyn, as ye shal se,
Thys fayrë lady Charyte
Hyr talë ganne al openly,
Sayynge thus benygnëly.
Charyte speketh hyr ageyn.
Hadde Radd and yoven off Entent
The pes off Cristes Testament
To allë folkys that were there,
Chargynge hem, off herte entere,
Affter the fformë euerydel,
Al ther lyve to kepe yt wel,—
Anoon a-geyn, as ye shal se,
Thys fayrë lady Charyte
Hyr talë ganne al openly,
Sayynge thus benygnëly.
‘Syrs,’ quod she, ‘ye haue herd al
By thys lettre (in specyal)
Wych I ha rad in your presence
Openly in audyence,
How Cryst Ihesu, off hys goodnesse,
And off hys gretë kyndënesse,
Out off thys world whan he sholde gon,
Gaff hys pes, to yow echon,
‘With many gyfftys off gret prys,
Wych ye shal kepe, yiff ye be wys,
As I ha told in ech estat;
ffor pes devoydeth al debat,
Wher yt abydeth parfytly.
By thys lettre (in specyal)
Wych I ha rad in your presence
Openly in audyence,
How Cryst Ihesu, off hys goodnesse,
And off hys gretë kyndënesse,
Out off thys world whan he sholde gon,
Gaff hys pes, to yow echon,
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Wych ye shal kepe, yiff ye be wys,
As I ha told in ech estat;
ffor pes devoydeth al debat,
Wher yt abydeth parfytly.
‘But I shal telle the causë why
That I me puttë fyrst in pres
Atwyxë yow & Moyses,
And the table wher as he stood.
ffor me-thouht yt was nat good
That noon off yow, in no degre,
Sholde a-proche with-outë me
To claymë part (thys, the cheff)
At hys table, off the releff
But I my-sylff wer ther present.
That I me puttë fyrst in pres
Atwyxë yow & Moyses,
And the table wher as he stood.
ffor me-thouht yt was nat good
That noon off yow, in no degre,
Sholde a-proche with-outë me
To claymë part (thys, the cheff)
At hys table, off the releff
But I my-sylff wer ther present.
‘And ek the saydë testament,
That I ha told off in substaunce,
And yiff ye haue in remembraunce
Dame Penaunnce yow toldë so,
Yiff ye took good hed ther-to,
With-outen hyrë, thys the ende
Ye be nat hable for to wende
To the table off Moyses.
And but ye haue ek parfyt pes
With yow echon, & also me
Wych am ynamyd Charyte,
Ye be vnworthy & vnhable
To ha the releff off hys table.
ffor yt were a presumpcïoun,
And a gret transgressïoun,
To neyhen ner, or to be bold,
Or to clayme (as I ha told)
Off that releff most specyal,
Wher-off ech part ys on & al,—
Ther ys ther-in no dyfference;—
And therfor, lat be noon offence
In yow, vp-on no maner syde,
But that aforn ye yow provyde,
As I the charge haue on yow leyde.’
That I ha told off in substaunce,
And yiff ye haue in remembraunce
Dame Penaunnce yow toldë so,
Yiff ye took good hed ther-to,
With-outen hyrë, thys the ende
Ye be nat hable for to wende
To the table off Moyses.
And but ye haue ek parfyt pes
With yow echon, & also me
Wych am ynamyd Charyte,
Ye be vnworthy & vnhable
To ha the releff off hys table.
ffor yt were a presumpcïoun,
And a gret transgressïoun,
To neyhen ner, or to be bold,
Or to clayme (as I ha told)
Off that releff most specyal,
Wher-off ech part ys on & al,—
Ther ys ther-in no dyfference;—
And therfor, lat be noon offence
In yow, vp-on no maner syde,
But that aforn ye yow provyde,
As I the charge haue on yow leyde.’
And whan Charyte hadde al sayde,
And mad a ful conclusioun
Off hyr speche & hyr sarmoun,
Pylgrymes hem puttë fast in pres
To-ward the table off Moyses;
Conveyed ech in ther degre
With parfyt pes and Charyte,
And with verray répentaunce,
Confessïoun, & ek penaunce.
Pylgrymës alle off good entente,
To Moyses they hem presente,
As they myghte hem redy make,
And, the releff off hym take
fful devoutly off assent.
134
Off hyr speche & hyr sarmoun,
Pylgrymes hem puttë fast in pres
To-ward the table off Moyses;
Conveyed ech in ther degre
With parfyt pes and Charyte,
And with verray répentaunce,
Confessïoun, & ek penaunce.
Pylgrymës alle off good entente,
To Moyses they hem presente,
As they myghte hem redy make,
And, the releff off hym take
fful devoutly off assent.
And Gracë Dieu was ay present
Whan they, with gret deuocyoun,
Took yt in ther entencyoun,
And with a clenë conscience.
But I sawh ther in presence,
Somme pressen to the table
That wer vnworthy & vnhable;
Wych held hem-sylff fer out asyde,
And fro Charyte gan hem hyde,
And fledde also fro dame Penaunce;
And yet hem-sylff they gan A-vaunce,
Off boldënesse al shamëles,
ffor to receyve off Moyses
The releff, wher as he stood.
The wychë thouhtë nat but good;
ffor he, off clene affeccïoun,
Gaff yt with-oute excepcïoun
(Off the plente that he hadde,)
To pylgrymës good & badde,
ffor he noon hede ne dydë take.
But they retournede foul and blake,
I menë, swych that of boldnesse
Tokë yt nat in clennesse,
As they ouht ha done off ryht;
Swych wer foul & blake of syht
Lychë to a colyers sak.
Whan they, with gret deuocyoun,
Took yt in ther entencyoun,
And with a clenë conscience.
But I sawh ther in presence,
Somme pressen to the table
That wer vnworthy & vnhable;
Wych held hem-sylff fer out asyde,
And fro Charyte gan hem hyde,
And fledde also fro dame Penaunce;
And yet hem-sylff they gan A-vaunce,
Off boldënesse al shamëles,
ffor to receyve off Moyses
The releff, wher as he stood.
The wychë thouhtë nat but good;
ffor he, off clene affeccïoun,
Gaff yt with-oute excepcïoun
(Off the plente that he hadde,)
To pylgrymës good & badde,
ffor he noon hede ne dydë take.
But they retournede foul and blake,
I menë, swych that of boldnesse
Tokë yt nat in clennesse,
As they ouht ha done off ryht;
Swych wer foul & blake of syht
Lychë to a colyers sak.
ffor in hem-sylff was all the lak
That they semede so odyble,
Stynkynge also, & horryble,
Hungry, thorgh ther gret offence,
& nedy in ther conscïence;
And, for lak off good entent,
Wer also ful indygent,
And voyde ek off al gostly foode.
135
Stynkynge also, & horryble,
Hungry, thorgh ther gret offence,
& nedy in ther conscïence;
And, for lak off good entent,
Wer also ful indygent,
And voyde ek off al gostly foode.
‘But sothly, thylkë that wer goode,
And goostly tooke ther ffedyng,
They wer fulfylled in all thyng
Off that releff most in substaunce,
And ther-in hadde al suffysaunce,
Replevysshyd in herte & thouht,
Off other thyng them nedede nouht.
The goode pylgrymës thouhtë so,
That they wer Redy for to go
(Thorgh suffysaunce off that repast)
ffro the table whan they wer past,
And, to-forn allë, as they koude,
ffor verray Ioye they seydë loude,
That they wolde noon other thyng,
Hem to sustene in ther lyvyng,
And to deffende hem fro damage
As they wente on pylgrymage
As pylgrymës good and sadde.
And goostly tooke ther ffedyng,
They wer fulfylled in all thyng
Off that releff most in substaunce,
And ther-in hadde al suffysaunce,
Replevysshyd in herte & thouht,
Off other thyng them nedede nouht.
The goode pylgrymës thouhtë so,
That they wer Redy for to go
(Thorgh suffysaunce off that repast)
ffro the table whan they wer past,
And, to-forn allë, as they koude,
ffor verray Ioye they seydë loude,
That they wolde noon other thyng,
Hem to sustene in ther lyvyng,
And to deffende hem fro damage
As they wente on pylgrymage
As pylgrymës good and sadde.
But mervayl of O thyng I hadde
With-Inne my sylff, & gretë doute
That swych A meyne & a route
As was ther, to putte a preff,
Was fulfyllyd off the releff,
The wych was (as thouhtë me,)
So verray smal in quantyte.
Wher-off I gan wondre sore,
And merveyllë mor & more,
And thoghtë, thogh ther haddë be
Ten so myche in quantyte
Off releff lefft at the tahle,
Me semptë that I hadde be hable
At O dyner, my-sylff ryht wel,
To have hete yt euerydel,
And yet nat had (to my plesaunce)
Halff A repast of suffysaunce.
And yet, the pylgrymes euerychon
Sayde & affermede, On by on,
That they fonde swych fulsomnesse,
And so plentuous largesse
As they yt tooke by good leyser
At that merveyllous dyner,
That to euerych (in ther guyse)
A lytel dyde ynowh suffyse.
And euerych (in especial)
Was ther fulfyllyd with ryht smal
Ther-with, myghty mad, & stronge.
With-Inne my sylff, & gretë doute
That swych A meyne & a route
As was ther, to putte a preff,
Was fulfyllyd off the releff,
The wych was (as thouhtë me,)
So verray smal in quantyte.
Wher-off I gan wondre sore,
And merveyllë mor & more,
And thoghtë, thogh ther haddë be
Ten so myche in quantyte
Off releff lefft at the tahle,
Me semptë that I hadde be hable
At O dyner, my-sylff ryht wel,
To have hete yt euerydel,
136
Halff A repast of suffysaunce.
And yet, the pylgrymes euerychon
Sayde & affermede, On by on,
That they fonde swych fulsomnesse,
And so plentuous largesse
As they yt tooke by good leyser
At that merveyllous dyner,
That to euerych (in ther guyse)
A lytel dyde ynowh suffyse.
And euerych (in especial)
Was ther fulfyllyd with ryht smal
Ther-with, myghty mad, & stronge.
Wher-vp-on I gan ful longe,
And thouhte (A-mong hem euerychon)
Myn vnderstondyng was agon
ffor lak off wyt in gret dystresse,
And forcloudyd with dyrknesse.
Reson was hyd, so semptë me,
That I kowde hyr nowher se;
In al that place, I sawh nat tho,
No whyht I myhtë speke vn-to,
Save Gracë Dieu, wych ther abood,
And to-for the Table stood
Off Moyses; & off entente,
Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente.
And thouhte (A-mong hem euerychon)
Myn vnderstondyng was agon
ffor lak off wyt in gret dystresse,
And forcloudyd with dyrknesse.
Reson was hyd, so semptë me,
That I kowde hyr nowher se;
In al that place, I sawh nat tho,
No whyht I myhtë speke vn-to,
Save Gracë Dieu, wych ther abood,
And to-for the Table stood
Off Moyses; & off entente,
Vn-to hyre a-noon I wente.
The pylgrym askede.
‘Ma dame,’ quod I, ‘I ha gret nede
That ye wolde, off goodlyhede,
And off your gret excellence,
Shewen to me som evydence
How yt myghtë shewyd be,
That so lytel quantyte
Off thys releff (in any wyse)
Myghte of resoun ynowh suffyse
To so manye as ben here?
ffor, ma dame, (& ye lyst lere,)
Swych ten in quantyte
Wolde nat suffysen vn-to me
137
To fulfylle myn appetyt.’
Grace Dieu answerde,
‘I leue ryht wel,’ quod Gracë Dieu,
‘Touchyng thys merveillous vertu,
Thow hast gret nedë for to lere;
But herkene now, & ley to here,
I shal the techë verrayly
The pryvyteës, by & by,
Bothe by evydence & preff.
‘Touchyng thys merveillous vertu,
Thow hast gret nedë for to lere;
But herkene now, & ley to here,
I shal the techë verrayly
The pryvyteës, by & by,
Bothe by evydence & preff.
‘Thys ylkë vertuous releff,
Som whyle (who yt vnderstood)
ys ynamyd flesshe & blood,
And som tymë (tak good heed,)
Yt ys ycallyd wyn & bred,
Goostely mete & goostely foode;
To pylgrymës that be goode,
fflessh & blood yt ys no doute;
Bred & wyn shewyd with-oute,
Al be yt so (yt ys no dred,)
That yt to-forn was wyn and bred,
As thow knowest wel certeyn;
But Moyses (no thyng in veyn)
Vp-on hys table (as yt stood)
Hath tournyd yt to fflessh & blood.
Thys ys trewe, & verray soth;
Wher-off nature was ryht wroth;
Anger made hyr hertë ryve,
And ther-vp-on gan with me stryve:
She knewe no ferther (thys, the ffyn)
But that yt was ay bred & wyn.
Som whyle (who yt vnderstood)
ys ynamyd flesshe & blood,
And som tymë (tak good heed,)
Yt ys ycallyd wyn & bred,
Goostely mete & goostely foode;
To pylgrymës that be goode,
fflessh & blood yt ys no doute;
Bred & wyn shewyd with-oute,
Al be yt so (yt ys no dred,)
That yt to-forn was wyn and bred,
As thow knowest wel certeyn;
But Moyses (no thyng in veyn)
Vp-on hys table (as yt stood)
Hath tournyd yt to fflessh & blood.
Thys ys trewe, & verray soth;
Wher-off nature was ryht wroth;
Anger made hyr hertë ryve,
And ther-vp-on gan with me stryve:
She knewe no ferther (thys, the ffyn)
But that yt was ay bred & wyn.
‘Thow shalt wel knowë how that she
Sawh nat the gretë pryvyte,
ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyoun,
Off thys ylke mutacyoun,
But I the chargë ther I stonde,
That flessh & blood thow vnderstonde,
And so beleue yt verrayly,
And lat nat meue the outwardly,
Thogh that yt shewë outward so
‘In touch & syhtë bothë two,
Also in tast & in smellynge
Lych bred & wyn Rescmb[e]lynge,
Outward, as by ápparence;
Trustë shortly in sentence,
Thy fowrë wyttys (lerne of me)
ffynally deceyved be;
Off verray foly they be blent,
That they ha noon Entendëment,
The trouthë trewly to conceyve;
Swych dyrknesse hem doth deceyve,
That the offyce of hem echon
Ys from hem fourë clenë agon,
ffor lak, pleynly, of knowelychyng.
Sawh nat the gretë pryvyte,
ffor lakkyng off dyscrecyoun,
Off thys ylke mutacyoun,
But I the chargë ther I stonde,
That flessh & blood thow vnderstonde,
And so beleue yt verrayly,
And lat nat meue the outwardly,
Thogh that yt shewë outward so
138
Also in tast & in smellynge
Lych bred & wyn Rescmb[e]lynge,
Outward, as by ápparence;
Trustë shortly in sentence,
Thy fowrë wyttys (lerne of me)
ffynally deceyved be;
Off verray foly they be blent,
That they ha noon Entendëment,
The trouthë trewly to conceyve;
Swych dyrknesse hem doth deceyve,
That the offyce of hem echon
Ys from hem fourë clenë agon,
ffor lak, pleynly, of knowelychyng.
‘But the fyffthe wyt off heryng—
Wych mor clerly in sentence
Haueth full intelligence—
He techyth the wyttys euerychon
Evydently what they shal don,—
The tast, the touch, & ek the syht,
Smellyng also (off verray ryht,)
Whan they ha lost ther knowelychyng,
The ffyffthe, that callyd ys Heryng,
Aparceved hath so wel,
That he knoweth euerydel
In thys matere what shal be don.
And thys was fyguryd longe a-gon,—
Red the Byble, yiff ye kan,—
In Ysaak, that oldë man,
Whan Esau (to hys entente,)
In-to the feld on huntyng wente,
And hys labour spente in veyn.
ffor longe or that he kam ageyn,
Iacob verrayly in dede,
Claddë in Esáwys wede,
With her vp-on hys hondys layd
(As hys moder hadde hym sayd,)
To Ysaak heldë hys passage,
And to hym brouhtë the potage
In ryht gret hast, (as he was tauht,)
And sayde, he hadde hys pray ykauht
In venery, amyd the feld.
Wych mor clerly in sentence
Haueth full intelligence—
He techyth the wyttys euerychon
Evydently what they shal don,—
The tast, the touch, & ek the syht,
Smellyng also (off verray ryht,)
Whan they ha lost ther knowelychyng,
The ffyffthe, that callyd ys Heryng,
Aparceved hath so wel,
That he knoweth euerydel
In thys matere what shal be don.
And thys was fyguryd longe a-gon,—
Red the Byble, yiff ye kan,—
In Ysaak, that oldë man,
Whan Esau (to hys entente,)
In-to the feld on huntyng wente,
And hys labour spente in veyn.
ffor longe or that he kam ageyn,
Iacob verrayly in dede,
Claddë in Esáwys wede,
With her vp-on hys hondys layd
(As hys moder hadde hym sayd,)
To Ysaak heldë hys passage,
And to hym brouhtë the potage
In ryht gret hast, (as he was tauht,)
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In venery, amyd the feld.
‘But, Ysaak no thyng be-held,
ffor he was dyrkyd off hys syht,
And gretly feblyd off hys myght,
ffor Touch & smellyng wer agon;
And Ysaak wende euére in on,
That Esau haddë be present.
But Rebecca, off entent,
Sentë Iacob in hys name;
ffor in hyr herte she hadde a game,
Esau, to settë abak.
ffor he was dyrkyd off hys syht,
And gretly feblyd off hys myght,
ffor Touch & smellyng wer agon;
And Ysaak wende euére in on,
That Esau haddë be present.
But Rebecca, off entent,
Sentë Iacob in hys name;
ffor in hyr herte she hadde a game,
Esau, to settë abak.
‘But thys oldë man Ysaak—
The patryark of gret vertu,—
Took Iacob for Esau,
In touch, in tast, & in smellyng,
In syghte also; but hys heryng
Was hym be-lefft, hool & entere.
And thus he sayde, as ye shal here:
‘The voys of Iacob semeth me;
Off Esau, the handys be;
I here Iacob speken wel;
But the handys that I fel,
The handys ben off Esau.’
The patryark of gret vertu,—
Took Iacob for Esau,
In touch, in tast, & in smellyng,
In syghte also; but hys heryng
Was hym be-lefft, hool & entere.
And thus he sayde, as ye shal here:
‘The voys of Iacob semeth me;
Off Esau, the handys be;
I here Iacob speken wel;
But the handys that I fel,
The handys ben off Esau.’
‘Consydreth now how the vertu
Off Touch, & tast, smellyng, & syht
Haddë pleynly lost hys myght;
The force off heryng stylle a-bood;
With Isaak, ryht so yt stood.
Off Touch, & tast, smellyng, & syht
Haddë pleynly lost hys myght;
The force off heryng stylle a-bood;
With Isaak, ryht so yt stood.
By wych exaumple, tak good heed
ffor profyt off thyn ownë speed,
Off thys fygure that I ha told;
Lefft vp thyn eyen & be-hold:
Avaunce the nat, nor mak no bost,
ffor thy .iiij. wyttys thow hast lost.
Ther myght, ther force, ar fro the weyved;
Yiff thow truste hem, thow art deceyved;
ffor Tast nor touch in no degre,
Nor nó thyng that thow kanst se,
Nor thy smellyng (tak good hed,)
Ne shewe to the but wyn & bred;
By ther engyn, hih nor lowe,
Thow ne shalt noon other knowe.
ffor profyt off thyn ownë speed,
Off thys fygure that I ha told;
Lefft vp thyn eyen & be-hold:
Avaunce the nat, nor mak no bost,
ffor thy .iiij. wyttys thow hast lost.
Ther myght, ther force, ar fro the weyved;
Yiff thow truste hem, thow art deceyved;
ffor Tast nor touch in no degre,
Nor nó thyng that thow kanst se,
Nor thy smellyng (tak good hed,)
140
By ther engyn, hih nor lowe,
Thow ne shalt noon other knowe.
‘Thy ffourë wyttys set a-syde,
And lat heryng be thy guyde;
ffor, thys .iiij. in sothfastnesse
Kan nor may ber no wytnesse.
Wher-for thow mustest, for the beste,
Abyde on heryng, and ther reste;
ffully truste to hys sentence;
Yiff feyth to hym, & ful credence;
ffor heryng shal, with-outë slouthe,
Teche to the, the pleynë trouthe,
Ryght as yt ys, ne doute yt nouht.
And lat heryng be thy guyde;
ffor, thys .iiij. in sothfastnesse
Kan nor may ber no wytnesse.
Wher-for thow mustest, for the beste,
Abyde on heryng, and ther reste;
ffully truste to hys sentence;
Yiff feyth to hym, & ful credence;
ffor heryng shal, with-outë slouthe,
Teche to the, the pleynë trouthe,
Ryght as yt ys, ne doute yt nouht.
‘And conceyue wel in thy thouht,
Thys releff (yiff thow kanst take hede,)
Ys pleynly nother wyn nor bred,
But the flessh (yiff feyth to me,)
That heng vp-on the roodë tre,
And, by force & verray strengthe,
On the croos was drawe alengthe,
fful streyhtly nayled on the rood;
And thys ys ek the verray blood,
On goode ffryday that he shadde,
Whan Iewës to the deth hym ladde,
Wher-off he was steyned reed.
Thys releff (yiff thow kanst take hede,)
Ys pleynly nother wyn nor bred,
But the flessh (yiff feyth to me,)
That heng vp-on the roodë tre,
And, by force & verray strengthe,
On the croos was drawe alengthe,
fful streyhtly nayled on the rood;
And thys ys ek the verray blood,
On goode ffryday that he shadde,
Whan Iewës to the deth hym ladde,
Wher-off he was steyned reed.
Thow mayst also call yt bred,
Thys same releff, (with-outë stryff,)
The verray sothfast bred off lyff.
Wych susteneth (I the ensure,)
Al the world with hys pasture,
And yiveth to hem in substaunce
Verrayly ther sustenaunce.
Thys same releff, (with-outë stryff,)
The verray sothfast bred off lyff.
Wych susteneth (I the ensure,)
Al the world with hys pasture,
And yiveth to hem in substaunce
Verrayly ther sustenaunce.
And ek also (thys myn vsage,
Ther-off to han thys language,
Looke thow take good heed ther-to,)
I calle yt bred, & name yt so;
Wych, for manhys savacïoun,
ffro the heuene kam a-doun,
To ffedë man her verrayly.
Ther-off to han thys language,
Looke thow take good heed ther-to,)
I calle yt bred, & name yt so;
Wych, for manhys savacïoun,
ffro the heuene kam a-doun,
To ffedë man her verrayly.
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‘Yt ys the bred, ek, trewly
Wher-with Aungelys fedde ybe
In that hevenly souereyn se.
Thys bred, pylgrymës euerychon,
On pylgrymagë, (wher they gon,)
Or wher-so-euere that they were,
In ther sherpe they shold yt bere.
Wher-with Aungelys fedde ybe
In that hevenly souereyn se.
Thys bred, pylgrymës euerychon,
On pylgrymagë, (wher they gon,)
Or wher-so-euere that they were,
In ther sherpe they shold yt bere.
‘And thogh that thow (as semptë the,)
Sey yt but lyte of quantyte,
I chargë the, her a-noon ryht,
Trust in no wysë to thy syht,
Nor to thyn Eyen, wych ar blynde;
But haue alway wel thy mynde
To thyn heryng; & ther only
Tak thy doctryne fynally;
ffor, by heryng thow shalt lere
A thyng that I shal the tellyn here:
Sey yt but lyte of quantyte,
I chargë the, her a-noon ryht,
Trust in no wysë to thy syht,
Nor to thyn Eyen, wych ar blynde;
But haue alway wel thy mynde
To thyn heryng; & ther only
Tak thy doctryne fynally;
ffor, by heryng thow shalt lere
A thyng that I shal the tellyn here:
‘My frend, take good hed, & se.
Thow herdest latë Charyte
Maken to the a good sarmoun,
But (as in conclusïoun,)
Thys lady (yiff thow took good hed,)
Spak but lytel off thys bred
In hyr sarmoun (thus stood the caas);
And pleynly, thys the causë was;
ffor she hyr-sylff the menys souhte,
That she the greyn from hevene brouhte,
And made yt in the erthë lowe
Her be-nethë to be sowe;
But that erthe, (be wel certeyn,)
Wher as sowë was thys greyn,
Was nat labouryd (trust me wel,)
Mor yheryd neueradel;
Vnderstonde yt, yiff thow konne.
ffor, by hetë off the sonne,
That shyneth fro the heuene A-loffte
With hys attempre bemys soffte,
And the hevenly dewh most clene,
With hys syluer dropys shene,
(The wychë doth no thyng in veyn,)
‘Made to growen vp thys greyn,
Tyl yt was rype & ful off corn.
Thow herdest latë Charyte
Maken to the a good sarmoun,
But (as in conclusïoun,)
Thys lady (yiff thow took good hed,)
Spak but lytel off thys bred
In hyr sarmoun (thus stood the caas);
And pleynly, thys the causë was;
ffor she hyr-sylff the menys souhte,
That she the greyn from hevene brouhte,
And made yt in the erthë lowe
Her be-nethë to be sowe;
But that erthe, (be wel certeyn,)
Wher as sowë was thys greyn,
Was nat labouryd (trust me wel,)
Mor yheryd neueradel;
Vnderstonde yt, yiff thow konne.
ffor, by hetë off the sonne,
That shyneth fro the heuene A-loffte
With hys attempre bemys soffte,
And the hevenly dewh most clene,
With hys syluer dropys shene,
(The wychë doth no thyng in veyn,)
142
Tyl yt was rype & ful off corn.
‘Than Charyte yt hath vp shorn,
And in a placë wonder straunge
She made yt leyn vp in hyr graunge,
Tyl the thressherys (with gret hete)
Hadde thys greyn ythrysshe & bete;
And after fannyd yt so clene
That ther was no chaff ysene,
And the strawh yleyd a-syde;
ffor ther ne myghtë nat a-byde
Husk nor chaff, but puryd greyn,
Nor, no thyng that was in veyn,
Al mad nakyd off entent,
Out off hys olde vestëment.
And in a placë wonder straunge
She made yt leyn vp in hyr graunge,
Tyl the thressherys (with gret hete)
Hadde thys greyn ythrysshe & bete;
And after fannyd yt so clene
That ther was no chaff ysene,
And the strawh yleyd a-syde;
ffor ther ne myghtë nat a-byde
Husk nor chaff, but puryd greyn,
Nor, no thyng that was in veyn,
Al mad nakyd off entent,
Out off hys olde vestëment.
‘And whan yt was so ffer ywrouht,
Thys greyn was to the mellë brouht,
And groundë ther with ful gret peyne
A-twyxe the hardë stonys tweyne.
And yiff I shal the sothë telle,
The sëyl-yerdys off the melle,
Wych tournedë abouten offte,
Wer clad in cloth that was not soffte.
Thys greyn was to the mellë brouht,
And groundë ther with ful gret peyne
A-twyxe the hardë stonys tweyne.
And yiff I shal the sothë telle,
The sëyl-yerdys off the melle,
Wych tournedë abouten offte,
Wer clad in cloth that was not soffte.
‘Tys melle ek (yiff thow canst espye,)
Wyth falsë wyndës off envye,
(Wher as yt stood vp-on the grounde,)
Tournede euere aboutë Round;
And the Grynstonys (that I off spak)
Mad ful hardë for the wrak,
Wer stonys off derysïouns;
Off skorn, & fals illusïouns,
The wych two (who kan aduerte)
Perceden ful nyh the herte.
Wyth falsë wyndës off envye,
(Wher as yt stood vp-on the grounde,)
Tournede euere aboutë Round;
And the Grynstonys (that I off spak)
Mad ful hardë for the wrak,
Wer stonys off derysïouns;
Off skorn, & fals illusïouns,
The wych two (who kan aduerte)
Perceden ful nyh the herte.
‘And whan no thyng was lefft at al,
But that yt was ygroundë smal,
Charyte gan neyhen ner,
And wolde be-come a pasteler,
Lych a baker, (yt ys no drede,)
Off that flour to make her bred.
And hyr Ovene was of old
‘Verray hote, (& no-thyng cold,)
Wher-as she caste hyr for to bake.
But that yt was ygroundë smal,
Charyte gan neyhen ner,
And wolde be-come a pasteler,
Lych a baker, (yt ys no drede,)
Off that flour to make her bred.
And hyr Ovene was of old
143
Wher-as she caste hyr for to bake.
‘And whan she gan hyr past to make,
Al tournede nat vn-to hyr pay,
Wher-off she haddë no desmay,
Off thylkë past wych that she wrouhte.
& A-noon she hyr be-thouhte
(Among, in al her besynesse,)
Off on that was a gret maystresse,
So sotyle off dyscrecyoun
Was nouther founde in borgh nor toun;
ffor what men thouhte, or wolde haue don,
She koude yt brynge about a-noon:
Lernyd she hadde, in hyr contre,
At scolys ther she haddë be.
Thogh al hyr konnyng wer nat wyst,
She koude haue mad, yiff that hyr lyst,
Al the world so large & Round,
And al the compas off the ground,
ffor tashet & closyd al
With-Inne a sotyl boyst, but smal;
And off An Ey with-Inne the shelle,
She koude also (I dar wel telle,)
Ha put an Oxë strong & large;
ffor yt was, no maner charge
To hyr gret magnyfycence;
And hyr name was Sapience.
Al tournede nat vn-to hyr pay,
Wher-off she haddë no desmay,
Off thylkë past wych that she wrouhte.
& A-noon she hyr be-thouhte
(Among, in al her besynesse,)
Off on that was a gret maystresse,
So sotyle off dyscrecyoun
Was nouther founde in borgh nor toun;
ffor what men thouhte, or wolde haue don,
She koude yt brynge about a-noon:
Lernyd she hadde, in hyr contre,
At scolys ther she haddë be.
Thogh al hyr konnyng wer nat wyst,
She koude haue mad, yiff that hyr lyst,
Al the world so large & Round,
And al the compas off the ground,
ffor tashet & closyd al
With-Inne a sotyl boyst, but smal;
And off An Ey with-Inne the shelle,
She koude also (I dar wel telle,)
Ha put an Oxë strong & large;
ffor yt was, no maner charge
To hyr gret magnyfycence;
And hyr name was Sapience.
‘And, for hyr gret sotyllyte,
Thys lady, callyd Charyte,
Prayede hyr, off goodlyhed,
ffor to helpë make thys bred
Off the fflour wych that she brouhte;
And also lowly hyr be-souhte
To tempre the past so sotylly,
That yt myghtë fynally,
Off Resemblaunce be but smal;
And that yt myghte suffyse at al
(By vertu, verrayly in dede)
Al thys worlde to fostre & fede,
That ech, off lowh & hih degre,
‘May, off lytel, ha plente.
Thys lady, callyd Charyte,
Prayede hyr, off goodlyhed,
ffor to helpë make thys bred
Off the fflour wych that she brouhte;
And also lowly hyr be-souhte
To tempre the past so sotylly,
That yt myghtë fynally,
Off Resemblaunce be but smal;
And that yt myghte suffyse at al
(By vertu, verrayly in dede)
Al thys worlde to fostre & fede,
That ech, off lowh & hih degre,
144
‘And for thys causë ryht a-noon
Dame Charyte ys forth gon
Vn-to thys lady Sapience;
And with humble Reuerence,
As she sat in hyr Royal Se,
Lowly, thys lady Charyte
Prayede hyr good heed to take,
To helpë that thys bred wer bake.
And she goodly, and that a-noon,
fforth with Sapience ys gon;
And, as she koudë best deuyse,
Temprede yt in swych a wyse,
Made yt gret with-oute mesure,
To yive al folkys ther pasture,
Suffycyént to feden al,
Thogh to thy syht yt was but smal
Outward, as in résemblaunce,
Yet, by souereyn suffysaunce,
Closyd in a lytel space,
Ther was so gret plente of grace
To al the world, in hábondaunce,
Ther-in to fyndë suffysaunce.
Dame Charyte ys forth gon
Vn-to thys lady Sapience;
And with humble Reuerence,
As she sat in hyr Royal Se,
Lowly, thys lady Charyte
Prayede hyr good heed to take,
To helpë that thys bred wer bake.
And she goodly, and that a-noon,
fforth with Sapience ys gon;
And, as she koudë best deuyse,
Temprede yt in swych a wyse,
Made yt gret with-oute mesure,
To yive al folkys ther pasture,
Suffycyént to feden al,
Thogh to thy syht yt was but smal
Outward, as in résemblaunce,
Yet, by souereyn suffysaunce,
Closyd in a lytel space,
Ther was so gret plente of grace
To al the world, in hábondaunce,
Ther-in to fyndë suffysaunce.
‘Tak heed, & be nat neclygent
Off a-nother experyment
That ther was wrouht; tak ek good hede,
In the makyng off thys bred,
Yt was ywrouht so sotylly
That in euery smal party,
Severyd and ybroke asounder,
And departyd her & yonder,
Grettest & smal, Rekne echon
Wer lych off vertu, & al on;
Off O power & O manere
As whan yt was hool and entere.
The wychë thyng (I the ensure,)
Yplesede nat to dame Nature;
ffor she was wroth therfor with me,
And ther-on wolde ha vengyd be.
She knew ther-off no thyng at al,
‘ffor yt was hydde in especyal
ffrom hyr knowyng euerydel.
And also ek, ye wytë wel,
Offtë sythë Ryot & age
Puttë folkys in dotáge,
That they may not trouthë se.
And for she doutede hyr off me
To be blamyd in certeyn,
Yiff so were she kome a-geyn,
Or put a-bak fro hyr entent,
Ther-fore she hath hyr clerk now sent,
Arystotyles the wyse,
In dyffence off hyr fraunchyse,
To thys lady Sapyence.
Off a-nother experyment
That ther was wrouht; tak ek good hede,
In the makyng off thys bred,
Yt was ywrouht so sotylly
That in euery smal party,
Severyd and ybroke asounder,
And departyd her & yonder,
Grettest & smal, Rekne echon
Wer lych off vertu, & al on;
Off O power & O manere
As whan yt was hool and entere.
The wychë thyng (I the ensure,)
Yplesede nat to dame Nature;
ffor she was wroth therfor with me,
And ther-on wolde ha vengyd be.
She knew ther-off no thyng at al,
145
ffrom hyr knowyng euerydel.
And also ek, ye wytë wel,
Offtë sythë Ryot & age
Puttë folkys in dotáge,
That they may not trouthë se.
And for she doutede hyr off me
To be blamyd in certeyn,
Yiff so were she kome a-geyn,
Or put a-bak fro hyr entent,
Ther-fore she hath hyr clerk now sent,
Arystotyles the wyse,
In dyffence off hyr fraunchyse,
To thys lady Sapyence.
‘And whan he kam to hyr presence,
As hym thouhtë fyrst was due,
Goodly he gan hyr to salue;
Affter, demeur & sad off chere,
To hyre he sayde in thys manere:
As hym thouhtë fyrst was due,
Goodly he gan hyr to salue;
Affter, demeur & sad off chere,
To hyre he sayde in thys manere:
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